Asatte no Houkou (old generic discussion thread)

[JediNight]

Yeah there were a lot of funny moments. Shouko trying to be cute, the bra sizing scene, Shouko trying to reach the end of the bath tub lol...

Also the scene where Shouko kinda resigns with herself that its not bad if she goes with the flow of "being a kid" when she wears the bows in her hair etc.

I wonder what the cup-size conversion is for Japan though? We assume by the scene that Karada is a G70 ... what is that in US sizes?

[kvnphm1]

I think i just found this season hidden gem =p

[ImClueless]

Damn, the drama levels in this show are great. Episode three was very nice balancing the slice of life stuff with the heart string tugging stuff. I am glad since I personally thought that episode 2 was really slow and kinda dull at times.

Also, where the hell was Hiro and Shouko staying in the US? That bedroom was HUGE. Not the typical flat you would find college students in.

[JediNight]

Boston I think it was?

[ImClueless]

Well it said Boston on a street sign so we don't know which city? Anyway I wasn't refering to their location in the US, I was just commenting on the fact that their living conditions seemed pretty grandiose.

[JediNight]

Well in a city like Boston they probably have lots of very old buildings, so it might not be too hard to afford a flat in some old building.

[Cal-Reflector]

Well in a city like Boston they probably have lots of very old buildings, so it might not be too hard to afford a flat in some old building.

I'm sure someone on the forum familiar with that area will come and give us a definite clarification, but for the moment I too thought it odd that they seemed to live in such a well-off... oh but wait, there's a perfectly logical explanation.

It must've been a hotel room for a "special occassion."

Later footage of their flat while Hiro is on the phone, which they live in, looks much more conventional. So there, and here I was thinking the producers missed on a small detail like that.

[Matrim]

This makes me wonder: why I haven't seen fanboys reveling about Asatte no Houko? (outside this forum, of course)

Because it requires a refined taste to appreciate it fully. :heh: Or maybe because its fans are like me - too lazy to ramble about it in detail in their blogs or on other forums or wherever. But actually I have seen people raving about it outside of this forum, maybe one just has took a bit harder since this is no Suzummiya Haruhi or Kanon.

BTW, is it only me or both Hiro and Shouko looked a lot better in the flashbacks than in the present time? Also, I just love the way the usually calm and reserved Shouko can suddenly snap, although it took her way too much time to figure out how to hit hiro with her small arms.

[Cal-Reflector]

Because it requires a refined taste to appreciate it fully.

Ah, but it only takes very little to perk initial interest. Those of us with blogs, all we have to do is post a few more screenshots (make em' fairly large), suggestive or otherwise, on our blogs and voila, I'm sure the download count for this show will start to tick up.

On a side note, its come to my attention that on one popular CHinese torrent tracker, Sumomomo seems to have a wider following than Asatte or Code Geass.

As for Hiro and Shouko looking much better in the past; most likely a reflection of how happy they were together?

Edit 2: A new thought: I don't think its been brought up before, but is Karada going to at some point realize/find out just what sort of relationship Shouko and Hiro had? It's natural for her to be unsuspecting at this point, but even as a child, eventually it should become apparen that they were more than mere acquaintances. It'll be quite the turning point, methinks, if and when she should find out what had come to pass between them in the past, and to see what sort of action she might taken then.

[PastPrime]

When I first read about this show I decided to give it a pass because I was expecting some kind of ecchi comedy. But then I read that it was a serious show so I decided to check it out. So far it seems to be one of this seasons best shows.

[angel_wing0]

When I first read about this show I decided to give it a pass because I was expecting some kind of ecchi comedy. But then I read that it was a serious show so I decided to check it out. So far it seems to be one of this seasons best shows.
same with me. (i just started watching yesterday....all 3 eps)

It's getting better and better, i wonder what hiro will do now knowing that her sister (gulp) became an adult...and what will happen to little pepper shouko :D

[Sinestra]

epiosde 3 was one of the best so far imo. The emotion involved was great and we get to see just how the girls are coming to grips with their new reality.

My favorite part of this episode had to be the flash back of Hiro and Shouko in america and Boston of all places. There life there seemed quite happy like a normal couple even the scene with them in bed just after making love during christmas was a great touch, looking out the window while the snow fell thats was just pretty scene.

We now see why Shouko is so emotional about what took place. But Hiro did not do it on purpose he planned to return to her just things didnt work out that way. Its obvious that she still loves him. Watching Shouko try and slap him being so short was funny. Karada and Shouko have come to depend on one another watching them interact is really like watching sisters. However i didnt expect that the bed delivery would lead to Hiro finding out where Shouko's apartment was that was a nice little twist.

Over all the emotional aspect for the series is dead on. Shouko insulting Hiro pretending to be Shoukos little sister was too cute but its obvious the little things that Shouko does like that are an indication that she still feels something for him after they never really had closeur i just i hope it keeps up. Next one looks like we are going to get a episode about Karada and Hiros past. Asatte is turning into one of my favorite animes this season.

Im wondering after everything is said and done will Shouko and Hiro try to rekindle their romance in her present state that could be asmusing to watch

[martino]

This series hasn't let me down in episode 3 neither. It's been getting better and better since the start...

We have finally gotten an inside into both Shouko's and Karada's life. I was actually about to ask whether Karada was blood related to Hiro. Now I finally have an answer, and with her grown up this could become and interesting romance triangle... *wishes for it silently*

[Kaoru Chujo]

...Also, where the hell was Hiro and Shouko staying in the US? That bedroom was HUGE. Not the typical flat you would find college students in.I think it's not really any specific city, just generic US for Japanese consumption. The street signs were "Boston" and "...ngton". There may or may not be a "Boston Street" in Boston, but it would be more likely somewhere else, since you're already in Boston. New Haven? It was made to look like an older eastern city, anyway. And I have actually been in a friend's student apartment in Boston that looked very much like that, including old-fashioned kitchen and big bed/sitting room with bay window...and cockroaches, I presume, which would probably lower the rent.

As for why they looked better in the past: they are four years of depression older. Hiro doesn't seem to shave much, and combs his hair over his eyes, lol. But actually, I think Shouko looks just as good, only older and thinner-faced.

[Vulcannis]

Ah, finally! I had to stop reading the thread for all the ep. 3 spoilers--I was going through withdrawl. :p

When I heard the "not blood siblings" part I initially thought the worst... but then I realized that even if they went that route, as long as the kept up with the quality they've shown in the first 3 episodes I'd be quite happy with the series.

Now I'm not going to read the manga spoiler, but the "never saw that coming" line got me thinking... what would be the wackiest resolution to all this? I think that Hiro and Tetsuya swapping ages would definitely qualify. :heh: Anyone have any others?

The reference to "that summer" in the OP though makes me think their condition is only temporary.

As for convincing Hiro, really it shouldn't be that hard. Just get him to keep asking questions that no one else would know until he's satisfied.

As for why they looked better in the past: they are four years of depression older. Hiro doesn't seem to shave much, and combs his hair over his eyes, lol. But actually, I think Shouko looks just as good, only older and thinner-faced.
I think the older Shouko actually looks better. A bit on the thin side perhaps, but the long hair and slightly more mature look really works for her. Hiro on the other hand really let himself go.

[Matrim]

Im wondering after everything is said and done will Shouko and Hiro try to rekindle their romance in her present state that could be asmusing to watchAmusing? More like painful, if you ask me.

Ah, but it only takes very little to perk initial interest. Those of us with blogs, all we have to do is post a few more screenshots (make em' fairly large), suggestive or otherwise, on our blogs and voila, I'm sure the download count for this show will start to tick up.I don't think just screenshots will do the trick, they can't do more than just hint a bit about the amazingly crafted atmosphere of the series. The screenshots simply don't scream "Check out this series as soon as possible!" to me but then again I had not even seen a single screenshot of it before reading Kaoru Chujo's recommendation of it in the Simoun thread and deciding to check it out. So my perception might be a bit different to that of those who have stumbled upon a screenshot knowing nothing about Asatte no Houkou.

I don't think its been brought up before, but is Karada going to at some point realize/find out just what sort of relationship Shouko and Hiro had?Considering they tend to quarrel about their relationship often enough, we should expect she will realise it. Plus, it would be a waste from a dramatic point of view to keep her ignorant about this, she needs to know it in order to see how she will cope of the guilt of being guilty (or at least blamed somewhat by Shouko) for their breaking up.

[Cal-Reflector]

I think the older Shouko actually looks better. A bit on the thin side perhaps, but the long hair and slightly more mature look really works for her. Hiro on the other hand really let himself go.

Hear, hear. To tell the truth, pre-chibi!Shouko was, no wait, is still one of the primary attractions for me in this show. I know it sounds boorish and shallow of me, but its true; I do freely admit that I find long-figured women with a mature mind very attractive, even if it were a bit on the cynical side.

In response to the above: In the past, a signature I made from screenshots of Honey and Clover (Rika and Hanamoto-sensei, to be specific) garnered me several private messages asking about what anime it was. I suppose if a few of us here put in a little effort to promote this overlooked gem, it could do a great deal to raise its profile, here and elsewhere.

*Goes off to make a new sig*

I very much look forward to how Shouko and Hiro's past relationship will be revealed to Karada (assuming, probably, that she will learn of it). Will Hiro tell her after she confronts him? That seems more likely that Shouko telling her herself, as it does not seem fitting of her character to place the guilt on Karada, despite her initial hostility towards the little girl for whom Hiro dumped her.

[JediNight]

I think that there is a good chance for Karada to convince Hiro in Ep4 of what happened. The problem is it requires her to be rational and realize she has to just keep rattling off every little thing they've ever done together -- so much that Hiro realizes she couldn't have just talked with Karada to get the info -- but really IS Karada. AND it requires that Hiro stick around long enough to listen to all of it.

Part of the problem so far is that Shouko has been sending mixed messages to Hiro. One minute she's talking about her "older sister" and saying she called on the phone, etc. The next she's claiming to actually BE Shouko, and the amount of info given isn't more than she could have heard "Shouko" complaining about over the last 4 years.

The real hope with Karada is that it's only been a couple days now, so there's no way that she could have told her entire "life story" to someone else to try to fake this situation. Thats why Hiro may be more likely to listen -- and of course adult Karada still is the spitten image of her younger self ;p

[waffo]

I've watched the first two episodes so far and it looks slice of life-ish so I'll watch the third soon. The animation's nice.

[Sinestra]

Well it said Boston on a street sign so we don't know which city? Anyway I wasn't refering to their location in the US, I was just commenting on the fact that their living conditions seemed pretty grandiose.

Also if you look on the letter Shouko recieved in the flashback from Hiro you will the address say Boston USA on it.

[Pakxenon]

Also if you look on the letter Shouko recieved in the flashback from Hiro you will the address say Boston USA on it.
I was JUST about to say that. :P

I'm loving this. I don't know why I skipped over Lunar's picks the first week of the season, but it's a good thing AoMM suggested this without telling what was in it.

Anyways, I'll just comment that Shouko and Hiro look REALLY cute together when they were still in university.

[Skane]

Best scene in Ep03 for me is the transitions of the seasons as Shouko walks to the horizon, waiting for Hiro's return.

Cheers.

[Orrin]

Episode 4 didn't exactly let me down, best episode so far and this is now my favorite show this season (sorry Koyani).
This episode focused mainly on Karada and Hiro as many of you have probably understood. It was quite calm and peaceful but with a more dramatic turn at the end, much like the previous episodes.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1856/bscap044md2.th.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap044md2.jpg)
I couldn't help it, I had that "magical" incest feeling...

[Srin Tuar]

Man, something about this show makes the episodes seem way to short.
So much attention to detail, yeah its great and all, but somehow they just seem
to pass by leaving me wanting more of something. More dialog perhaps?

Karada's feelings were not as complicated as I had guessed. She just didnt want
to be a burden...is all? I'm still wondering if there must be something deeper.

Shouko continues to be strangely overconfident. She is super-humanly cool.

[Cal-Reflector]

Episode 4 didn't exactly let me down, best episode so far and this is now my favorite show this season (sorry Koyani).
This episode focused mainly on Karada and Hiro as many of you have probably understood. It was quite calm and peaceful but with a more dramatic turn at the end, much like the previous episodes.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1856/bscap044md2.th.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap044md2.jpg)
I couldn't help it, I got that "magical" incest feeling...

You're not the only one.

I was getting a bit of "that" sort of vibe as well, thankfully, it has developed into what most of us on this forum has feared... yet. Pretty optimistic, looks like it won't be going down that route afterall.

Forbidden love: Drops 15 points.

Another reason I was worried was how Shouko was resigned/playing the martyr, doing her best to reconcile the siblings while distancing herself from the both of them. I doubt she thinks Hiro has those sort of feelings for his not-blood-related (lord what a grating phrase) sister, Karada certainly does not, but it seems clear at this point, that unless something/someone else helps out, she's given up on reconciling with Hiro.

Canon adult love: Drops 15 points.

I wasn't into Amino-Acid kun much before, but I fairly melted when I saw him with Karada's photo.

Canon kiddy love: Rises 10 points.

As far as character endearment goes: Things are working out swell for Karada and Hiro, Hiro's appearance continues to disquiet me as the type I'd like my children to stay away from, Shouko displays maturity, resolve, and selflessness in her actions, Karada is still Karada. Its becoming apparent that Shouko's initial impression as a rather cold sort of person is misleading; the care and affection she gives Karada proves otherwise. Or perhaps it is Karada that is bringing back the warm person that she once was until Hiro vanished. That sort of thing might make people a little jaded.

I was awfully scared that, with the way this episode went, they'd slap a "Oowari" kanji at the end of this episode. In which case there would have been weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[firstian]

I think it's not really any specific city, just generic US for Japanese consumption. The street signs were "Boston" and "...ngton". There may or may not be a "Boston Street" in Boston, but it would be more likely somewhere else, since you're already in Boston. New Haven? It was made to look like an older eastern city, anyway. And I have actually been in a friend's student apartment in Boston that looked very much like that, including old-fashioned kitchen and big bed/sitting room with bay window...and cockroaches, I presume, which would probably lower the rent.

As for why they looked better in the past: they are four years of depression older. Hiro doesn't seem to shave much, and combs his hair over his eyes, lol. But actually, I think Shouko looks just as good, only older and thinner-faced.

The city looks like Boston. The scene where they walked in the snowy park shows the old John Hancock tower (the one with famous lights that shows the current weather) and the Prudential towers. The perspective of the building looks like they are walking in Boston Garden. Also, in the envelope, the city is Boston, but the state and the zip code is all messed up (they showed BS 98765 which isn't a valid state or zip :heh:).

Frankly, I don't know where in Boston they can find an apartment with such a lousy kitchen and nice bedroom with those huge windows. Can you imagine the heating cost? All the old student apartments here have dinky old tiny double hung windows.

[Theowne]

Karada's feelings were not as complicated as I had guessed. She just didnt want
to be a burden...is all? I'm still wondering if there must be something deeper.


Well, I thought the same too, but then again she is a kid in mind after all. Seeing her in adult form we expect something deeper to come out but the real person in there is just a kid.

[wingnut2292]

Not having seen Ep. 4 yet, I'm not completely worried that there would be a relationship between Hiro and Karada. Simply because the falling in love is something adult to do, and since there's no other same body-age male character to fall in love with, Hiro looks to be the likely candidate. Assate no Houko is a role-reversal anime, I suspect that 2/3 of the through, Shouko and Karada will have mostly traded rolls. I do suspect that Shouko and Karada will turn back, I really cant give any proof outside of a hunch right now.

I think the key to the climax of Asatte no Houkou lies in the very beginning:

There are things you won't reach with even with your outstretched hands... There are things that fade into the distance once you let go. People are always seeking those, and before they know it, become lost.
--Asatte no Houkou Lunar Fansub; time +1:12 to time +1:28

I view any potential Karada/Hiro relationship thourgh that first line - There are things you wont reach with even with your outstretched hands... I think Karada dosne't want to be a burden on Hiro, and to do that she want's to be an adult and do adult things. The catch is, Karada's not ready for the adult world. She may look like and adult, sound mostly like an adult, but she dosne't have the education nor experience of the bounus years her body gained. Karada's still just a child in a really good adult costume.

Well 2 minutes left for the raw of Asatte no Houkou 04 according to uTorrent. <sigh> there are times I wish I understood Japanese. Actually watching the raws, I realize I do understand some. About 5% of what's said. Well , time to get snacks before the download finishes. Ja, mina!

[JediNight]

Comments about Hiro and Shouko's history:

Hiro is really in the wrong in all of this. Relationships are built on communication, and he basically cut Shouko completely out after going back to Japan. He made a unilateral decision for her without even asking her what SHE wanted to do. Maybe she would have gone back and joined him and helped raise Karada? Maybe she would have done a long-distance relationship until school was finished? Maybe she would have transferred to a school in Japan?

He just slams the door in her face so-to-speak and she's left creating stuff in her mind ... which ends up leading to her misunderstanding of Karada's relationship to Hiro, and maybe even the current situation.

[Cal-Reflector]

Comments about Hiro and Shouko's history:

Hiro is really in the wrong in all of this. Relationships are built on communication, and he basically cut Shouko completely out after going back to Japan. He made a unilateral decision for her without even asking her what SHE wanted to do. Maybe she would have gone back and joined him and helped raise Karada? Maybe she would have done a long-distance relationship until school was finished? Maybe she would have transferred to a school in Japan?

He just slams the door in her face so-to-speak and she's left creating stuff in her mind ... which ends up leading to her misunderstanding of Karada's relationship to Hiro, and maybe even the current situation.

Hear hear. I agree, and that confused at first, because it didn't seem the make sense that the story writer would make our main man be such a, well, jerk to whom readers would have no sympathy, it just doesn't make sense. And so far no satisfactory explanation has been given for the way he treated Shouko; one would think he must've had really good reason to do what he did, for example:

(The below under the assumption that Hiro is, in fact, a nice guy)
1)He was unfaithful to her (not a great reason but it would help explain things).
2)He's developed romantic feelings for Karada

And... I'm out of reasons, which goes to show the problem: It's nealry impossible to explain Hiro's behavior in cutting Shouko off. This, to me, is the biggest hole in the plot so far.

[JediNight]

As the saying goes -- don't attribute to malice that which can be attributed to ignorance.

I don't really think Hiro ever meant to harm Shouko. In fact he probably didn't even realize he was making a unilateral decision. He thought he was HELPING her by letting her finish her dreams of completing school and not get her involved in his personal problems. The problem is that wasn't his decision to make.

This is just one of those muddy relationship situations that people make mistakes and do. I'm certain that similar fallouts to this happen to people all the time.

So no, I don't really hold it against him TOO much, because you really don't know how much relationship experience he had before that, and we are viewing it from outside the affects of the problem.

[wingnut2292]

I don't completely fault Hiro for dumping Shouko. It's hard enough to keep a relationship going cross-country, let alone cross the International Date Line. While the letter could of been worded differently and should of been delivered... say, 6 months earlier, It would of been asking a lot for Hiro to say "I can't come to America because of obligations, so if this relationship is to continue, you would need to return to Japan. "

While I would of be more prompt, I would prob. do what Hiro did and end the relationship. (My dating potential prob. went down on this forum, didn't it?)

[Kaoru Chujo]

As the saying goes -- don't attribute to malice that which can be attributed to ignorance....Exactly. Words to live by. I'm not ready to blame him totally yet. Maybe he made the wrong decision. Maybe, back in Japan, he felt that he had a responsibility that came before his own personal desires. Maybe he felt that because he had to give up his education, he wouldn't be a suitable match for Shouko. We just don't know...yet. When we see him start to shave and comb his hair, we'll know he's on the mend.

To me, it seems that Karada is magic. She seems to be able to heal them both. By the end, I expect them all to be back in their original bodies and living together like parents and child. We'll see.

And our first image of Shouko, with her head cocked slightly and a smile, looking at Karada praying, was not as a cold person. There was just that little passage of depression and shock when she ended up being cold to Karada. But her real self is both warm and mature, I think. Just very, very sad.Man, something about this show makes the episodes seem way to short.So true. Maybe it's because every second counts emotionally, but the pacing keeps you leaning forward to catch the next emotive image or word.

This show continues to be so good. Ep4 was another marvel. And every episode ends with me not knowing what's going to happen next. sugoi.

And I stand corrected about the city: the letter and firstian's recognizing the Hancock Tower prove it's supposed to be Boston (with a postal code resembling the west coast). I do remember a flat like that: one big room with a nice window, and the kitchen at the back. It was on the edge of Roxbury (as if I really know where that is).

[Sorrow-K]

Ep 3.

Show continues to be my favourite of the season. The plot is picking up steam now, and they're doing a fantastic job of slowly adding more and more depth to the characters. I didn't think they made the atmosphere quite as absorbing as it was in the last episode, though. A lot of those moments, where they'd just allow things to come to a complete stop for several seconds at a time, are gone. I hope they come back, though, since they do a fantastic job of just generating so much atmosphere and making things absorbing and realistically paced.

This is a cut above everything else I've seen this season, though, IMO.

[Cal-Reflector]

We were speaking about promoting quality, over-looked shows like this to the uninformed public. Here's my contribution, posted to my blog at Livejournal. With Synopsis and Screens. Feedback for revision and enhancement welcome.

http://cal-reflector.livejournal.com/51985.html#cutid1

[JediNight]

Ep4 Comments:
Another quality episode! I agree that it SEEMS like nothing really is happening, and yet you get to the end of the episode and see a solid resolution to the reconciling between Hiro and Karada.

Much as I assumed would be -- Hiro didn't believe (who would?) but through careful attention to the mannerisms of Karada, her cooking, not to mention all the other stuff thats happened, he finally comes around. I wonder if there is a 2nd day to the summer festival that we get to see Shouko in a yukata as well?

Shouko is way too down on herself and is basically set on "going down with the ship" after reconciling the two. She goes walking off like "my job is done now" and god knows what she expects to do now. ^_^;; Karada being selfless as well of course pulls her back in a "we're in this together" sorta way which is very endearing. (Aww aren't they the cutest little couple/family now? =D)

Ep5 looks like the focus will shift to Shouko possibly "channeling her inner child" now that she is an "outer child" hehe. And I assume the next couple episodes may include a bit more of Karada getting accustomed to "adult life" as it were.

At least now even if the changes were permanent -- with Hiro "on board" then at least Shouko could inherit Karada's identity as well. Whereas before, she was setting up Karada, but then she herself was basically in limbo. And this has become unruly rambling now so I'll stop :)

[Deathkillz]

...!!!
...!!!
this is great! ep 3 really brought this series to light!
the storyline is beautiful and the pace of this seems slow but at the same time feels fast...
it was emotional and took us through happiness to cringing heart pains...
so it was revealed that karada isnt a blood relative of hiro...and that he never thought of her as a little sister...then what was he thinking? >.<
the way he dumped shouko was too cruel imo...if he was going to be leaving her...then why did he kept her waiting by saying "i will be back soon?" if you are going to break up with anyone he should have gone straight to her and face to face...why didnt hiro ask shouko to come to japan? im sure if she loved him she would have agreed...

[JediNight]

You're missing the picture. Hiro DID go to Japan just for the funeral at first. But then after meeting Karada, he felt so sorry for her that he decided he would stay in Japan and raise her instead. BEFORE meeting her in person at that time, he never considered her a "little sister" before then.

We can make the statement that Hiro screwed up when he treated Shouko like he did -- but from his perspective, he didn't want Shouko to give up her education and life for his sake ... suddenly deciding to raise an orphaned child of the family and all. He probably should have at least consulted her on the matter though...

[Srin Tuar]

Feedback for revision and enhancement welcome.

http://cal-reflector.livejournal.com/51985.html#cutid1


Asatte no Houkou, or "The Direction of Yesterday",




"Asatte" means "the day after tomorrow"

[Deathkillz]

You're missing the picture. Hiro DID go to Japan just for the funeral at first. But then after meeting Karada, he felt so sorry for her that he decided he would stay in Japan and raise her instead. BEFORE meeting her in person at that time, he never considered her a "little sister" before then.

We can make the statement that Hiro screwed up when he treated Shouko like he did -- but from his perspective, he didn't want Shouko to give up her education and life for his sake ... suddenly deciding to raise an orphaned child of the family and all. He probably should have at least consulted her on the matter though...

oh right thx for clearing that little mess up :heh:
but the way he gave shouko the cold shoulder was too cruel...they have been quite intermate together i just cannot believe that hiro didnt even think twice about leaving her for good...he must have had some sort of feelings towards her no? and even if he did make a painstaking choice to leave her he doesnt seem very enthusiastic when they met each other again...

[Vulcannis]

oh right thx for clearing that little mess up :heh:
but the way he gave shouko the cold shoulder was too cruel...they have been quite intermate together i just cannot believe that hiro didnt even think twice about leaving her for good...he must have had some sort of feelings towards her no? and even if he did make a painstaking choice to leave her he doesnt seem very enthusiastic when they met each other again...
I agree that what he did was cruel. Thing is, I can understand and don't blame him too much for deciding on his own that the relationship should end. Stupid thing to do, but it's fairly reasonable that he'd come to that conclusion. And the problems it would cause should have been easy enough to overcome.

The real problem was in how he communicated all this. He waits almost an entire year to break the news to Shouko, and he does it with snail mail? WTF? I know it's the ultimate anime romance cliche, but why the heck can't these characters, you know, communicate? Hiro and Shouko were obviously in a fairly close relationship, so why can't they pick up a phone? Use the internet? Mail a letter more often than once per annum? Cripes. :frustrated: Now they could have just not bothered showing any of this and they were still talking, but in that case Hiro would have had to been lying to Shouko in order for the letter to have had as much impact as it did. We don't know him very well yet, but I can sooner see him not communicating than outright lying. Pretty abysmal behaviour in any case, IMO.

[Cal-Reflector]

"Asatte" means "the day after tomorrow"

DAMMIT! *Headwalls for STUPID MISTAKE* Thanks to those who pointed that out.

Ahem:
"When we see him start to shave and comb his hair, we'll know he's on the mend."

That would be a good indicator of his state of progress; and I'm coming around on my view of Hiro now; the best explanation for his mistaken actions towards Shouko probably is, as people said, ignorance and unilateral behavior. Indeed, he had to cut short his education and start working in order to sustain him and Karada's livelihood, which would make him feel inadequate towards continuing a relationship with Shouko. Still, even if we sympathize with the motivation behind him, we can agree that his execution could've used a lot more work and saved alot of heartache for everyone.

[Kaoru Chujo]

...the way he gave shouko the cold shoulder was too cruel...they have been quite intermate together i just cannot believe that hiro didnt even think twice about leaving her for good...he must have had some sort of feelings towards her no? and even if he did make a painstaking choice to leave her he doesnt seem very enthusiastic when they met each other again...Maybe. But maybe he feels guilty. And maybe he feels that what he did is water under the bridge and can't be made right. I certainly don't feel he left Shouko without thinking twice. It would be a difficult decision, if their relationship was as close as it seemed. Maybe he has spent four years trying to get over her, for his own sake and for hers.

To have all that put in question by her reappearance would be a real shock. That may have caused his weird behavior toward her in the anime so far. He is clearly a tormented soul, in some way and for some reason. I expect we'll learn more about his state of mind. And I'm hoping (and expecting) Karada (and Shouko) can heal him and bring him back to life.

[DanielSong39]

Even after hearing Hiro's side of the story, it's tough not to blame him for what happened.

He could've simply picked up the phone or e-mailed Shouko and explained the situation promptly. This isn't rocket science. Stringing her along for months without any kind of communication whatsoever was nothing short of cruel.

Shouko would've been upset regardless, but it's hard to imagine that she would be this antagonistic - if not downright hostile - if he had explained himself in timely fashion. She's not THAT selfish or cruel.

[Matrim]

and even if he did make a painstaking choice to leave her he doesnt seem very enthusiastic when they met each other again...

That just show he is not a totally heartless bastard, few people would be enthusiastic or even comfortable to meet again someone whom they have hurt deeply.

As the saying goes -- don't attribute to malice that which can be attributed to ignorance.

I don't really think Hiro ever meant to harm Shouko. In fact he probably didn't even realize he was making a unilateral decision. He thought he was HELPING her by letting her finish her dreams of completing school and not get her involved in his personal problems.

Seems to me that you are right and this was exactly the case with their breaking up. And he was probably afraid that if she dropped out of the university because of him and things didn't work out between them he would feel guilty because she would end up with nothing while in the other scenario she loses only him.

[Lucier]

Ep4 Comments:
Another quality episode! I agree that it SEEMS like nothing really is happening, and yet you get to the end of the episode and see a solid resolution to the reconciling between Hiro and Karada.

Much as I assumed would be -- Hiro didn't believe (who would?) but through careful attention to the mannerisms of Karada, her cooking, not to mention all the other stuff thats happened, he finally comes around. I wonder if there is a 2nd day to the summer festival that we get to see Shouko in a yukata as well?

Shouko is way too down on herself and is basically set on "going down with the ship" after reconciling the two. She goes walking off like "my job is done now" and god knows what she expects to do now. ^_^;; Karada being selfless as well of course pulls her back in a "we're in this together" sorta way which is very endearing. (Aww aren't they the cutest little couple/family now? =D)

Ep5 looks like the focus will shift to Shouko possibly "channeling her inner child" now that she is an "outer child" hehe. And I assume the next couple episodes may include a bit more of Karada getting accustomed to "adult life" as it were.

At least now even if the changes were permanent -- with Hiro "on board" then at least Shouko could inherit Karada's identity as well. Whereas before, she was setting up Karada, but then she herself was basically in limbo. And this has become unruly rambling now so I'll stop :)

I wasn't really planning on posting around on my new series, as in the past it usually ended with me getting upset and/or frusterated... I guess I can't help it and wanna contribute. Anyway...

After four eps I think I've picked a winner. The music and atmosphere just haven't let me down. As the first anime I've decided to TL in two years, I was really hoping it turned out good.

I'm rather happy others enjoy it as well. ^_^

Ep4 TLed (for those interested in a subbed version) and eagerly awaiting ep5. ^_^

In responce to above spoiler:
Based on the preview, I'm pretty sure Kotomi's gonna be at least part of the focus for next episode. I mean, she's all over the preview. I also think she's the one "speaking" in the preview. Just my thoughts.

[Vulcannis]

Ep4 TLed (for those interested in a subbed version) and eagerly awaiting ep5. ^_^
Woo! Thanks to everyone at Lunar for doing another great job with another great series!

Any chance you guys will release HD versions later? Assuming there are good raws available, of course.

[JediNight]

Lucier:
Ahh that's Kotomi then? I had seen her name on the character listing online, but we hadn't met her yet. Guess I should have checked out the official site for pictures. Not knowing anything about her, I wonder what she brings to the able in the story.

Good series to translate after 2 years -- besides being a good show, but also the dialogue is pretty easy to follow.

[Sinestra]

Even after hearing Hiro's side of the story, it's tough not to blame him for what happened.

He could've simply picked up the phone or e-mailed Shouko and explained the situation promptly. This isn't rocket science. Stringing her along for months without any kind of communication whatsoever was nothing short of cruel.

Shouko would've been upset regardless, but it's hard to imagine that she would be this antagonistic - if not downright hostile - if he had explained himself in timely fashion. She's not THAT selfish or cruel.

Good point i too agree that a sending Shouko a letter after being away so long was not the right approach. I sympthieze with Shouko but i also feel for Hiro as well. This situation is not easy but he could have picked up the phone and tried to explain the situation in a way that Shouko could have come to terms with it or at least so she would not have felt abandoned.. I cant see Shouko not understand the circumstances with Karada's parents dying shes not heartless. What i dont agree with is how Shouko says twice now "is she more important than a promise?" "Is she more important than a lover?" thats an unfair question and i would also like to know what this promise was (the promise of marriage maybe?). However i think we can all agree that Hiro did not want to disrupt Shouko's life she was obviously in the U.S. going to school maybe that was a factor in his decision. Im a firm believer that true love does disappear because of distance Shouko would not be as upset as she is now if she didnt still love him to a certain degree. My prediction now is that current events will allow Hiro and Shouko to start their relationship over just from a new prespective that also adds Karada to the equation in other words we are going to see thing as they could have been just reversed.

Off topic does anyone know what Hiros profession is? it looked he worked at a drug store pharmecy or something

[Guppy]

What i do agree with is how Shouko says "is she more important than a lover" thats an unfair question.It is, but consider the context.

Hiro: ...because she's my precious little sister.
Shouko: More than your promise? More than your lover?

Note the order of her questions. Shouko was clearly venting her resentment here (as with her veiled putdown of Karada's ribbons), but I think what she was really getting at was "was your sister so important to you that you'd treat me like that?"

[Deathkillz]

i would also like to know what this promise was (the promise of marriage maybe?)

the promise of hiro comming back soon?
tbh yea its clearly the fault on both sides...nothing is ever soley due to one side...but as mentioned its the timing and method used that is to be critisized...the letter is too cold of a way to put down a relatioship...i think if hiro had a long phone talk with shouko then it could become clear and they will both find it easier to understand the situtation...and maybe even sort out something together...if they are truly in love then why not a long distance relationship? there are other options and you dont just have to pick the one which cuts off all forms of friendliness...i think shouko is angry not at the fact that she split up with him...but the fact that he didnt to fully explain why he did...

[Sinestra]

the promise of hiro comming back soon?
tbh yea its clearly the fault on both sides...nothing is ever soley due to one side...but as mentioned its the timing and method used that is to be critisized...the letter is too cold of a way to put down a relatioship...i think if hiro had a long phone talk with shouko then it could become clear and they will both find it easier to understand the situtation...and maybe even sort out something together...if they are truly in love then why not a long distance relationship? there are other options and you dont just have to pick the one which cuts off all forms of friendliness...i think shouko is angry not at the fact that she split up with him...but the fact that he didnt to fully explain why he did...

I agree with you with no real explanation (till episode 3) and the feel of be abandoned i dont blame her for being angry. but as angry as she is i still see her love for Hiro coming through when she lets her guard down

[fiberOptiC]

We are planning on a HD release. There are wide-screen raws airing about 2 weeks late and we will be releasing those as well. Hope you enjoy.

[Arnyer]

Few unrelated ramblings.

I love it when an anime uses subtlety. This whole concept could've easily been turned into a whacky comedy but they took the higher road and so far the result is great. Asatte is a quiet, realistic sort of humor that works so well.

I think the journey Hiro is going to have to take during this is shedding the matyrdom that he's shouldered. It seems from the content of the letter, ie the bit about Shouko being a student and she shouldn't sacrifice herself for him, is basically him making himself a matyr in the relationship without consulting her. And the bit about how Kareda is a relative's child at the end of episode 3; the first hint we see that Hiro resents taking care of her, even if he wouldn't consciously admit it?

I've seen a couple mentions of Kareda x Hiro and I've gotta say that kind of creeps me out. Maybe in a more whacky/comedic take on the series that'd work. But it's easy to forget that though the transformation turned Kareda into a hottie (to use a technical term) with an impressive bra size, she's still mentally what, 10? 11? She's a long, long way away from being a romantic candidate. It's not about any pro-Shouka or pro-Kareda stance but more that to me, it'd just come off poorly in what is a relatively realistic series.

To me, the ideal ending for this would go something like this.

Hiro shaves and cuts his hair. He apologizes to Shouko for what he did but explains why he did it. They reconcile and Hiro starts going to school again.

The newly re-minted couple promise to look after Kareda, who is able to get over her desire for rapid adulthood and instead enjoy her childhood. The three more or less form their own family unit; I think just in episode 3, Shouko shows that she'd make a pretty good mother.

[DanielSong39]

Well, Karada already has Tetsuya; she clearly thinks of Hiro as her big brother. No nii-san complexes here.

With that said - if the three ever go anywhere, everyone is going to think of Hiro and Karada as being the couple, with Shouko being their child. Wonder how they will handle that.

[dxgarten]

Episode 04 screencaps and summary (http://www.designchronicle.com/memento/archives/asatte_no_houkou_ep04.html)

Thankfully so far the series has not gone down that creepy route. This episode mostly focuses on Karada trying to convince Hiro that she is indeed his sister. I do admit that some of Hiro's sideways glances towards Karada worries me a little bit. Hopefully that was more of "Ah, she's all grown up now" look as opposed to a "wow, what a knockout" look.

[JediNight]

I think the sideways glances was just him trying to observe the behavior of Karada to determine if it's really her. Like when he faked being still asleep in order to watch her setting out the food in the morning.

I wonder what role that new girl being introduced in Ep5 will have.

[Deathkillz]

Episode 04 screencaps and summary (http://www.designchronicle.com/memento/archives/asatte_no_houkou_ep04.html)

Thankfully so far the series has not gone down that creepy route. This episode mostly focuses on Karada trying to convince Hiro that she is indeed his sister. I do admit that some of Hiro's sideways glances towards Karada worries me a little bit. Hopefully that was more of "Ah, she's all grown up now" look as opposed to a "wow, what a knockout" look.

haha!! im sure hes as sick minded as most of us :p

[Srin Tuar]

haha!! im sure hes as sick minded as most of us :p

You make a good point:
Even if.... no, Especially if they don't choose to go down that icky uncomfortable path, it makes excellent material for comedic relief instead.

For example, when you involve the amino's, I can only imagine how they would react with their cute jealousy. (Tetsumasa would propably freak out, but I'd love to see Touko's dialog with chibi-form Shouko)

[martino]

Well, they aren't blood related so...
(hell yeah, I've been thinking about that option!)

[AisuruMirai]

It's nice of you to join us, Lucier. Thank you for translating this wonderful program! Keep up the good work! Of course I'm eagerly looking forward to the widescreen versions.

Episode 4 made me cry. At the end.

Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind, possessing and caressing me...
アイスル未来

[Guido]

Episode three saddens me due that I can sympathise with the burden that both Shouko and Hiro had to endure, however, both they share their spare of the fault though how from Shouko's opinion the guilt more inclines toward Hiro.

Yes, it was harsh and put it too crude for Hiro promising Shouko to return. She waited season after season only for the end to receive a letter instead of him, and read such a cold reply that gave no explanation for the things he had to take care back in Japan.

At the same time, Shouko should just not had kept silence and shut herself all contact from Hiro. She should have chosen to return to Japan at that time, if only to find and snapped at him demanding a thorough explanation for why he left her.

What makes me more miserable is realizing the fact that Karada's against her knowledge is getting involved as a motive for Shouko to misguide her depression, and as a reason for Hiro to justify his actions for what he had to do for her instead of Shouko.

If I were him, I would have contacted Shouko either through phone or e-mail and delicately explained about Karada, next arranged a meeting with Shouko and reconcile what grudges should have risen as understanding that Shouko would have felt deceived for keeping Karada a secret from her, following both agreeing to take care of Karada living with us, and thus finally bring Karada home with us and raising her as if were family.
That would have been the best scenario possible to work out.

But what's done is done. Whatever choice Hiro made he hurt himself since he forced upon himself a tough choice whether to raise Karada or carry on with Shouko.

Would actually Hiro trust Shouko? and would Shouko comes to realize the burden he carried on himself for the two girls most precious to him?

And from the preview, through my understanding I see that Hiro's relunctant to trust Shouko's words that she and Karada change ages, or maybe the encounter was too of a sudden for him.

[JediNight]

I think Karada is going to be in for some more rough times when they try explaining the situation to Tetsuya. The Karada he knew is "no more" and now she is much older than him. He loves her very much (in a child-like way still though it seems), so I can see him shouting out stuff he doesn't mean and then running off. Leaving Karada standing there hurt.

[Srin Tuar]

Tetsuya.





Tetsuya



Amino Tetsuya (the younger brother)



Where is everybody getting the name "Tetsuya" from?
(watching all 4 eps, I havent caught a scene where they even said his full first name yet, so all I have to go by is what the official site says it is. Did I miss it ? )

[Sinestra]

You make a good point:
Even if.... no, Especially if they don't choose to go down that icky uncomfortable path, it makes excellent material for comedic relief instead.

For example, when you involve the amino's, I can only imagine how they would react with their cute jealousy. (Tetsumasa would propably freak out, but I'd love to see Touko's dialog with chibi-form Shouko)

please for the love of god dont take the creepy icky brother sister rode i know their not blood related but it still ewwwwwwwwwwwwww. If that happens i going to reform the memebers fromt the Strawberry Panic thread and start fueling that ICBM we didnt get use in that series.:upset:

I think any kind of romantic rode with Hiro and Karada would ruin the show but thats just me some sick bastards out there might like to see that diffrent strokes for diffrent folks :D

[Deathkillz]

please for the love of god dont take the creepy icky brother sister rode i know their not blood related but it still ewwwwwwwwwwwwww

but that makes the story interesting...but weve already seen things like this thousands of times so if it is going to go down that route i hope they add some twists :D but atm i have no clue what they can do without going down that route and still keep the series interesting...

[Sinestra]

but that makes the story interesting...but weve already seen things like this thousands of times so if it is going to go down that route i hope they add some twists :D but atm i have no clue what they can do without going down that route and still keep the series interesting...

oh im not saying it wouldnt be intresting and somewhat funny what makes it ewwwwww is shes still a little girl i dont care if she has the body of an adult.

Its just that we've seen this so many times and i would love it if they stayed away from it. To me this is a test of writers talent lets see if they can hold a story together without having to resort to the same old clinches that would end up making Asatte a series that had great potential in something thats just mediocre

[JediNight]

I would like them to avoid it as well, and given the shorter nature of the anime, it probably won't go there. But I think even if they did "go there" -- if it was in a serious and tasteful way, it could still work out very well. Because AFAIK every other time this type of thing happens in an anime its always done in an ecchi/comedic fashion instead.

That said, I really doubt it. They wouldn't put all this emotional investment into Shouko, and to a lesser extent Tetsuya, and then screw them both over and go for the "eww" route.

In the manga, given a longer amount of time to deal with the situation, I can theorize ways they COULD have it eventually shift into a Karada/Hiro relationship, with Shouko being enrolled in a school and "starting over" after some type of closure and coming to terms between her and Hiro. (And still done well without being lame) But they haven't really set up the plot with enough meat to it yet that it could go on very long without getting stale.

[Srin Tuar]

... to a lesser extent Tetsuya,


Not "Tetsumasa" :confused:


In the manga, given a longer amount of time to deal with the situation,


:upset: Manga spoilers?! /closes eyes :(

[Deathkillz]

Not "Tetsumasa" :confused:


i do not know where you got that name from but tetsuya is the name of the boy that likes karada...maybe you mixed up the spelling?

Tetsuya Amino
Tetsuya is Karada's classmate and one of her closest friends. Tetsuya is quite tall, joking that he is sometimes mistaken for a high school student. It is implied that he likes Karada - when Karada "went missing" after she became older, he ran all over town to find her.

[martino]

oh im not saying it wouldnt be intresting and somewhat funny what makes it ewwwwww is shes still a little girl i dont care if she has the body of an adult.
That's a very interesting point. She has a body of an adult, but a mind of a child. This can surely complicate some things...

[Kaoru Chujo]

Where is everybody getting the name "Tetsuya" from? (watching all 4 eps, I havent caught a scene where they even said his full first name yet, so all I have to go by is what the official site says it is. Did I miss it ? )It probably came from ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6547), which says "Tetsuya." And so does the online dictionary (http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html) I use. So that's probably the more usual pronunciation of the characters as a name.

But in fact, the official site (http://www.tbs.co.jp/asatteno/04chara/tetsu.html) makes it "Tetsumasa": 網野徹允（あみのてつまさ）. Official sites have been known to be wrong, but I'd certainly go with that until someone hears it in the show or from the director or writer.

Am I right in thinking that his sister is the only one likely to use that name?

[Srin Tuar]

i do not know where you got that name from but tetsuya is the name of the boy that likes karada...maybe you mixed up the spelling?
Tetsuya Amino
Tetsuya is Karada's classmate and one of her closest friends. Tetsuya is quite tall, joking that he is sometimes mistaken for a high school student. It is implied that he likes Karada - when Karada "went missing" after she became older, he ran all over town to find her.

Interesting, I hadn't seen the E wiki page. I don't know what their source is though.

OTOH, the Japanese wiki page says tetsumasa:


網野 徹允（あみの てつまさ）：野村勝人
からだの級友。背が高いため、高校生に見えることが多い。



It probably came from ANN, which says "Tetsuya." And so does the online dictionary I use. So that's probably the more usual pronunciation of the characters as a name.

ah, I've gone ahead and submited tetsumasa as a reading of 徹允 to enamdict.
I dont know which pronunciation is more common.


Am I right in thinking that his sister is the only one likely to use that name?



I think I heard her call him "Tetsu" once, but I couldnt find it searching through the video again. AFAIK, his full name hasnt been used by anyone yet, I guess thats because he is just a side character.

[JediNight]

Not "Tetsumasa" :confused:
:upset: Manga spoilers?! /closes eyes :(

Not manga spoilers, I've never read the manga. And the manga is only at Vol3 so ... either it's going to be one of those short 4vol mangas (most likely) or there IS a way they could extend it out longer and go down the Karada/Hiro route that wouldn't screw over the other characters.

[Srin Tuar]

Not manga spoilers, I've never read the manga. And the manga is only at Vol3 so ... either it's going to be one of those short 4vol mangas (most likely) or there IS a way they could extend it out longer and XXXXX

Hrm,
but by saying that arent you revealing info about what has or has not happened in the manga?

[JediNight]

How can I spoil something I haven't read? I have NO idea about the manga. Zip. I was just trying to throw some theoretical supposition out there for all the people who wanted to see Karada/Hiro happen. And the reason I feel it might only be around 4 vols is because they started an anime on a show where theres only 3 vols out and its only 12eps long. So unless they plan to leave us completely in the lurch with an incomplete story like Pilot Candidate, then expect the manga not to be very long either :P

[Muddle!]

I'm really enjoying this show so far it is definitely my favorite show of the season. The atmosphere it has is well special I guess? Oh well I won't go on about that a lot of people have already commented on it.

When it comes to the situation with Hiro-nii not telling Shouko about his plans to stay in Japan sooner I can't really get mad at him after seeing how hard the situation has got to him. Though admittedly it wasn't the best move to wait and it definitely hurt Shouko more than she deserved I imagine he probably had many problems deciding on how to tell her as that isn't exactly something simple to bring up.

However...

If that big manga spoiler that I wish I didn't read (curiosity killed the cat :( ) is true then that makes a whole lot more sense as to why he would have problems telling Shouko about his staying in Japan. I doubt he would want to lie to her about Karada but he has no idea how she would react to “that".

[iczelion74]

That's a very interesting point. She has a body of an adult, but a mind of a child. This can surely complicate some things...

I work with plenty of biologically 20 and 30 year olds with the mind of a child, so no big deal there.

[DanielSong39]

Unfortunately, Karada seems to have a more mature mind than the majority of characters in bishoujo dating sims...

One has to wonder what the world is coming to.

[Vexx]

I work with plenty of biologically 20 and 30 year olds with the mind of a child, so no big deal there.

uber dittos.... and on the flip side, I encounter young teens with far more clue than people twice their age.

[npal]

oh im not saying it wouldnt be intresting and somewhat funny what makes it ewwwwww is shes still a little girl i dont care if she has the body of an adult.

Well, I've seen various similar posts, I just picked one. I don't remember seeing anyone addressing the issue, but whatever. Is HiroxShouko any good in her current state? I mean, she does have the mind of an adult, and since Karada is ruled out because, despite being fully physically developed, she is still psychologically undeveloped, I'd like to ask what people think about HiroxShouko :p

Now, let's see. We have someone who just got a fully functional adult body (hormone-active) but didn't have the chance to reach a certain level of psychological development, and on the other hand, we have someone who just got a pre-puberty body while having a (well, depends on how you look at it) mature personality. Physically wise, that's what's going to happen : Karada's new body will enable her to mature as well as develop erotic urges in a way that defies developmental stages. On the contrary, Shouko will be wiped of any sexual urges whatsoever. Using this case, I'd argue that whoever is saying that HiroxKarada is "ewwwwww" clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. The law may obviously prohibit that since any legal documents around are bound to show Karada's pre-altered body age, but other than that, yes, it's ok otherwise. Shouko's case would be a special case using this reasoning, it requires data I don't have access to, and I don't want to discuss it. Suffice to say that I lean towards rejecting a HiroxShouko using this argument.


Let's ASSUME however that there's another magical factor that discounts the biological aspects and therefore transfers the personalities intact and without further change in the new bodies. We're left with someone who has a full adult body but no sexual desires at all AND a non-adult mindset, and someone who just got a pre-puberty body BUT retained her personality ALONG WITH all and any adult-considered aspects, including sexual urges. While I can't really comprehend something actually working like that, I'll agree that a HiroxKarada match isn't possible with that setup, because Karada's mind isn't ready for an adult relationship. I mean, if a woman says no for whatever reason, it's a no, you don't know whether she had some sort of psychological-developmental halt or she just doesn't want to. You don't really expect Karada in her current state to say "let's have sex", do you? What about Shouko then? Well, legal documents CAN prove she's over the age of consent, even if her body is like it is, her mindset is that of an adult, so, before anyone following the recent trend shouts "PEDOPHILE! BLOODY MURDER!", yes, using the second case, a HiroxShouko in her current form is ok, even by law.

I won't even comment on the non-blood related sibling romance.

This whole thing means that, providing reasons (pretty easily too), the writer can go wherever he likes with romance, although I don't think his main point is this, so we can all, more or less, drop it now.

Although I was pretty covered by iczelion74 and Vexx's post, I just had to post something. :p

Damn... I wish I could conduct some psychological research on those two :p

[Nemo_N]

(Hey, they moved this to the Popular section!)

I think they may play with the Karada x Hiro relationship, but only to show some reaction from Shouko; she was already jealous when Karada was a child, so I expect her to get a little bit nastier towards Karada at some point.

[Vexx]

@npal: :) I just find that simply being older provides no indication of any critical thinking skills or wisdom. The extra experience only means something if one *actually* modifies one's outlook based on it.
Brain pre-wiring and what one does with that wiring has a lot more to do with "adulthood" than biological age.

The other issue is that a lot of "sexual urge" is hormonally driven... so having an adult personality injected into a *pre-adolescent* child will probably cause a sublimation of desire for sex, though they'd still be able to conduct deep relationships. Adolescence fires such a truckload of hormones through the body and altering brain chemistry that most young teens are certifiably insane by stabilized adult standards (part of the reasoning behind setting the age of consent to at least 14 in most places).

For the purposes of this series, I don't think you can take all this tooooo seriously although it seems to have more meat to it than, say, Disney's Freaky Friday (aieeee, run away!). It is a fantasy, but so far a nice "what if" Twilight Zone kind of scenario.

(back to downloading)

[vuori]

Got the manga vol 1-2 today, it's furiganated if anyone cares. Only read up to chapter 5 so far (and watched the anime up to episode 4), so far I've preferred the anime since the atmosphere of the manga is rather lighter, plus I prefer Shouko's charadesign in the anime (I think someone posted the covers before, Shouko looks pretty much the same on the cover as in the content).

General comments and impressions regarding differences between the initial parts of the manga and anime (not necessarily spoilerrific and/or plot-related, but YMMV):


-In the manga, Shouko is already working at some sort of medical research place and is apparently Hiro's superior (he also works there, as do his comic relief co-workers from the anime).
-Hiro is rather more protective and jealous of Karada-chan with regard to Amino-kun, and Amino-kun is rather more straightforward towards Karada-chan than we have seen so far in the anime.
-Amino-kun's sister (I forgot her name) lives next to Hiro's apartment and Amino-kun is often at her place.
-The anime emphasizes Shouko over Hiro, in the manga Shouko is up to now almost a side character.
-The details of the transformation scene and the immediate followup are almost but not quite entirely dissimilar in the manga and anime.

Given the win that the anime has been, the manga has been somewhat disappointing so far.

[Theowne]

Wow, I didn't expect this show to get it's own forum. :)

With all things said and done I do kind of think it's odd that Hiro would use a letter as his way of telling Shouko what happens, but maybe we'll see more of his side of the story in following episodes.

[aliensporebomb]

Watched 1/2/3 in rapid succession and am quite pleased with what I've seen thus far,
very good pacing and scenery, interesting and compelling characters. More later after
I've had a chance to absorb everything fully.

[Sorrow-K]

Holy crap, an Asatte no Houkou subforum. Good to see that such a quality series is getting popular recognition.

[Pakxenon]

Sweetness! It's own forum!!!

*patiently waiting for Lunar's 9 days overdue*

[DanielSong39]

Love her or hate her, I'd have to say Shouko is the key to making this show work. Some of the scenes with chibi Shouko are absolutely priceless.

As for the whole Hiro/Karada deal... if anything it's likely to be one-sided; Hiro may have some feelings for Karada but it's doubtful that they will be reciprocated. Tetsu is her love interest and Hiro is her brother - it seems pretty clear-cut from her end.

Let's see how things work out with Hiro and Shouko. I think things are still salvageable, but it will take some time. Love the realism in Shouko's emotions; I'm pretty sure that most jilted lovers would react in a similar manner.

Hopefully the two characters will return to normal by the end of the show, and Hiro and Shouko will at least agree to work things out. That's really all I'm looking for at this point.

[Zilveari]

Too tired and lazy to read through 5 hours worth of posts soo.... Chipping in my two cents:

Shouko makes a better(cuter) chibi than Karada

Karada makes a better(hotter) adult than Shouko

Discuss

P.S. EVERYTHING is priceless with Shouko as a child. She's too cute x.x

[kingdom_elladrel]

I started watching this rather recently and I need to watch episode 5 next. So far, I must say that I'm VERY impressed. This is definitely an anime gem that very few people would probably know about. I have a feeling that Asatte no Houkou is going to be one of my top favourites along Kanon (2006). I'll definitely be seeing this one through to the end :)

[Deathkillz]

well ill say the the emotions that follow definatly comes close or on par with kanon ~ and yea shame that it isnt more popular as it majorly underrated (here anywayz) :3

[nojay]

There's some news on the Assate no Houkou official site (http://www.tbs.co.jp/asatteno/) about Comiket 71, the big comics show taking place in Tokyo 29-31 December. TBS, the creators of AnH have a stall booked and the news mentions something about an exclusive DVD only available from the booth (I think). My grasp of Nihongo isn't good enough to figure out all the details, sorry.

[BettiePage]

Was wondering if any one is subbing the widescreen version that airs after the full screen version is broadcast?

If so who.

The torrents all seem to be the fullscreen version.