Lucky Star - Episode 14 Discussion / Poll

[Pellissier]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Lucky Star, Episode 14.

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[Arisa-M]

Yutaka is just so goddamn cute. ;_;

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3420/ohgodyutakazs8.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutakazs8.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9705/ohgodyutaka2xf2.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka2xf2.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2756/ohmygodyutaka3xg1.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohmygodyutaka3xg1.jpg)
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3803/ohgodyutaka4be9.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka4be9.jpg)

[DJ_RockmanX]

Yutaka is just so goddamn cute. ;_;

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3420/ohgodyutakazs8.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutakazs8.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9705/ohgodyutaka2xf2.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka2xf2.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2756/ohmygodyutaka3xg1.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohmygodyutaka3xg1.jpg)

WARNING: INCOMING LOLI. BRACE FOR IMPACT.

[TnAdct1]

Yutaka is just so goddamn cute. ;_;

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3420/ohgodyutakazs8.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutakazs8.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9705/ohgodyutaka2xf2.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka2xf2.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2756/ohmygodyutaka3xg1.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohmygodyutaka3xg1.jpg) I had a feeling that Yutaka's first prelim match at Saimoe should have been saved for today instead of yesterday.

[Klashikari]

Holy cow... now THAT is moe *jaw drops*

Does anyone know how Hasegawa Shizuka sound like for Yutaka voice? ^^ (i don't think she will sound like Yukino in Nagasarete airantou)

[moyism]

^ er... she pretty much does sound like Yukino, just a little bit less high-pitched.

Minori Chihara had about hmm... 3-5 lines this episode, not including the next ep preview section. Pretty Yuki-ish but not as monotone I guess?

And yea... another Minoru Shiraishi live ED with him singing Hare Hare ^^;;

[kingsky123]

wow.. she 1 year younger then konata only? she looks like .. 5?

[DJ_RockmanX]

And yea... another Minoru Shiraishi live ED with him singing Hare Hare ^^;;

I might just check out the raw because of this.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Oh, man, that was great. My second ten. The arrival of Yutaka, and Konata's thoughts and reactions. Yui is even more nuts. Konata feeling the onee-san pressure of an admiring imouto and expressing her sympathy for Kagami, who can't figure out what she's talking about. The brief appearance of Chihara Minori doing Nagato Yuki's voice again. Great outfits here between school years. And just top-notch animation of the movements and expressions.

Yutaka is played by Hasegawa Shizuka, who has been in show business since she was about two, as a model and in commercials, and was in Tenshi no Shippo with Hirano Aya, when she was 13 and Aaya was 14. She did a good job as Akane in the recent and underrated Rocket Girls. Her voice here is a bit like that one. Very moe. I haven't seen her in Nagasarete Airandou.

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1293/p65798or4.jpg (https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1174)

And after a few seconds of wtf, I found the ED brilliantly funny. By the way, I think Yutaka is small because she's sickly. One more note: next week's broadcast at 1 am instead of midnight.

[ZGMF-X10A]

wow Sebastian's sing in ep14 ED is horrible... wtf is with the fighting along with it

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T2wmIwS2MXw

[Konata-chan]

It really sucks not knowing any Japanese because most if not all of the humor is based on the dialogue. I can't rate until the subs are out, but here are my first impressions.

-We really see how loaded Miyuki is compared to Konata and Kagami/Tsukasa. Just take a look at the house. Considering how land space is here in the US, it looks pretty much like a Western house.

-Yutaka seems okay, I guess. I look forward to the Nagat-, I mean Iwasaki Minami and her relation with Yutaka. Gotta love the implied yuri.

-Once I see Yutaka's class really show itself, I'm afraid that we'll see less of Konata and her friends. Kagami Yoshimizu should have started them out as first years :( I was also just starting to like Kagami too, she and Konata really do make the first half of the show. If Yutaka and Minami could do the same, then I would be better off.

-SHIRAISHI MINORU DOING HARE HARE YUKAI FTW! But he did the 2nd half of the song. I really do look forward to "Shiraishi Minoru's Hits" just as much as the Karaoke CD that I'm listening to right now.

[Nemo_N]

Yep, mostly conversations, which makes it impossible for me to rate it yet.

However, Yutaka is quite cute; she sounds like a more polite, shy Yukino (Nagasarete). Minami sounds more like quiet-gentle rather than quiet-emotionless.

I thought I wasn't going to like another Shiraishi ED, but this one was quite fun. Did anyone noticed how the continue counter went faster, as if the player was pushing all buttons at once because he really didn't want to play anymore? :heh:

My only complaint is that I would rather have the karaoke box back :(.

BTW:

Did anyone else notice God Knows Haruhi:
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/483/konataharuhibc7.jpg

[Dark Wing]

Yutaka is just so goddamn cute. ;_;

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3420/ohgodyutakazs8.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutakazs8.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9705/ohgodyutaka2xf2.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka2xf2.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2756/ohmygodyutaka3xg1.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohmygodyutaka3xg1.jpg)
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3803/ohgodyutaka4be9.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka4be9.jpg)

:eyespin:*Falls over and seashores form cuteness over load*:eyespin:

[pomps]

This episode is great, almost perfect, Yutaka, Minami and Tsukasa :3. But still I cannot find the ED funny, at all.

[Luminisk]

This episode is just too much; between Yutaka and the ED its too much to be contained.

Thumbs up :heh:

I didn't know you can have cooking instructions on a DS.
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/4299/grab129464tw5.th.jpg (http://img388.imageshack.us/my.php?image=grab129464tw5.jpg)

[Mirrinus]

After reading RandomC's entry on this episode and viewing the screenshots, I must say: I'm willing to bet that Yutaka's flag will be triggered before Kagami's.

This show could definitely make do with a Chiyo-like character.

[Deathkillz]

Yutaka is just so goddamn cute. ;_;

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3420/ohgodyutakazs8.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutakazs8.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9705/ohgodyutaka2xf2.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka2xf2.jpg)
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2756/ohmygodyutaka3xg1.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohmygodyutaka3xg1.jpg)
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3803/ohgodyutaka4be9.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ohgodyutaka4be9.jpg)
WTH...feels like im watching moetan already :heh:

[kj1980]

I didn't know you can have cooking instructions on a DS.
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/4299/grab129464tw5.th.jpg (http://img388.imageshack.us/my.php?image=grab129464tw5.jpg)

It's from a Nintendo DS soft called Shaberu! DS Oryouri Navi (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/a4vj/index.html) It's a pretty detailed game which shows you all the details from approximating how many kcal it is to the level of difficulty of making the food. You can watch a sample of it in action by watching this movie: http://touch-ds.jp/mfs/ryori/intro.html

[CrowKenobi]

BTW:

Did anyone else notice God Knows Haruhi:
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/483/konataharuhibc7.jpgNot only that, but that particular Haruhi figure is the famous one made by Bubba! :D

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/3971/e69910a2cp4ek0.th.jpg (http://img470.imageshack.us/my.php?image=e69910a2cp4ek0.jpg)

:cool:

I wonder if Konata actually assembled that kit herself? ;)

[QBnoYouko]

HAHAHA!!! Who Wants To Be A Millionaire!!!

What was that whole thing with Yui at the end?

[iamthebest22]

What in the world is with the ending..... lol Lol yukata, she could end up being more popular than Konata or Kagami! ><

[Kaioshin Sama]

It seems I was mistaken as to the nature of this ending. I just saw it and it barely qualifies as Hare Hare Yukai. I rather like this Minoru fellow for his combination of horrific singing of beloved songs that make the fans very confused. It's about time that Haruhi got it's songs riffed and I hereby withdraw unconditionally all those nasty statements I made about the endings prior to this one being favouritism. Gomen....:bow:

[krln99]

A definite step up from last ep. I like Yutaka and Minami. The implied yuri is rather humorous, especially the theme song that's used.

[Vexx]

Yay.... at least by the screen caps, it looks like this ep is going to be manga-source heavy :love: .... lots of Yutaka goodness and a little bit of Minami.

Heh, can't wait to hear Minoru's karaoke hell of Hare Hare Yukai hahahahahaha.

[shiro83]

Yutaka = Win!

Too cute...

[angel_wing0]

WTF? So Shiraishi is challenging the "unsurpassable wall" that he enocountered in ep 13 and lost? @@ Must be to celebrate the announcement of Haruhi Season 2 :heh:

I haven't seen her in Nagasarete Airandou.


she played yukino in airantou...i dont know how she sounds in lucky star yet, but she is very annoyinggggggggggggggggg in airantou @@

[angel_wing0]

*mods pls remove*

[holybell84]

Another totally WTF ending =D

Hey, since they have Shirashi singing at the end, will we soon have Aya Hirano singing soon?

[angel_wing0]

Another totally WTF ending =D

Hey, since they have Shirashi singing at the end, will we soon have Aya Hirano singing soon?
i doubt it, he is trying to own akira because she always tortures him in lucky channel :heh:

[Vexx]

Why would we want that anyway? Hirano gets plenty of air time, CDs, interviews. I'm absolutely thrilled that a "MALE" voice actor is getting this sort of attention from the anime producers after dozens and dozens of female seiyuu idols. And since its the goofy Minoru (rather than the somewhat ego-overloaded Sugita)... so much the better. :)

[shiro83]

If this keeps up, then he is proving why he is no. 1 for the popularity vote. :)

[angel_wing0]

If this keeps up, then he is proving why he is no. 1 for the popularity vote. :)
陰謀でよ！偶然でわない！

It's a conspiracy obviously xD

Just watched the raw...yutaka doesnt sound as annoying as yukino in airantou, thank god :D

[Kaoru Chujo]

Why would we want that anyway? Hirano gets plenty of air time, CDs, interviews. I'm absolutely thrilled that a "MALE" voice actor is getting this sort of attention from the anime producers after dozens and dozens of female seiyuu idols. And since its the goofy Minoru (rather than the somewhat ego-overloaded Sugita)... so much the better. :)1. Unsurprisingly, I would love to see Aaya pull a Shiraishi and do something like this week's crazy/hilarious ED. She does it in the karaoke EDs, and I think she could do it live-action.

2. Surprisingly, I agree with those who would like to have heard more of the others in the karaoke EDs, at least in principle.

3. Where do you get the idea that Sugita is "ego-overloaded"? I don't read a lot about him, but I've never read that, and the little bits I've seen live make him seem fairly confident, but not big-headed. I'm not saying he isn't, I've just never seen it.

[Kaioshin Sama]

3. Where do you get the idea that Sugita is "ego-overloaded"? I don't read a lot about him, but I've never read that, and the little bits I've seen live make him seem fairly confident, but not big-headed.

I imagine it's the characters he plays that he's talking about. If you go by his characters alone then I could see one imagining him as very egotistical and self-righteous. They even went so far as to portray him as such in Lucky Star episode 12, acting very high and mighty with the customer and doing his usual sarcastic and "assumption of correctness" voice that he does with all the characters I've ever seen him voice before being corrected by the Anime Tenchou.

Basically, sometimes when a person frequently portrays a certain type of character trait while acting and exudes that character trait even when its not necessarily called for, by their sheer presence alone, people begin to wonder if it's really acting. An example would be Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts in The Soprano's. Part of the reason he's so convincing as a mobster is that he actually had been involved in with the mob and engaged in the intimidation and strong arming of nightclubs before becoming an actor.

Given how a lot of people seem to think of Sugita Tomokazu as the something like the greatest Male VA out there right now, it wouldn't surprise me if it gave him a bit of an ego.

I'll go right out and say though that I prefer Minoru's laid back and fun attitude to anything I've ever heard from Sugita Tomokazu, period. Whereas Sugita Tomokazu seems like he would be a drag to hang out with in real life, Minoru seems like the kind of fun loving guy I could get along with very well at a social gathering.

I also agree 150% with Vexx on how great it is to see such a humble and humorous MALE fellow as Minoru getting some exposure in an industry that is currently dominated by many Female Idol Seiyuu, who's public personas that are all grafted to appeal to the Otaku market have caused them to all blend together into a group where none of them really stands out amongst the rest (since they all have essentially the same image). Minoru really does seem for real though in that I'm not sure he's even trying to prove anything, but just out to have a good time.

Though Vexx, we probably will have Aya Hirano singing in person, as time has proven that the fans can never get enough of her, despite overexposure. And when it happens you can be sure people will go ballistic and the CD will follow shortly, and their will be much rejoicing and then before you know it its the top single of the week. In fact just people mentioning it means it will probably happen as that's how it seems to have worked in the past. Whatever the Otaku want from Lucky Star they usually end up getting, which kind of brings things down on the surprise factor from the show.

Sorry for the long and heavy read everyone who made it through the whole thing.

[Decagon]

I guess I'll be the first here to say my favorite part was when Yutaka passed the bathroom door.

[Vexx]

@Kaoru & Kaoishin: No, I actually don't mean "ego-overloaded" in a bad way.. more in a Robin Williams way. In interviews, he seems to sort of dominate the conversation - he just can't seem to help it. Minoru seems to be more self-effacing and therefore a more approachable guy.

If you'll remember, I'm not too fond of the L*C segment in general. I was rather hoping that it would either fade or that they do a few L*C in live-action. Minoru's ED schticks are an intersting compromise though I'd still like to see him and Akira's VA go at it live-action.

My strongest preference would be to return to the L*S girl's karaoke endings..... but it doesn't look like Lucky*Star is going to get to be just Lucky*Star. Hell, it'd be fun to see the VAs for L*S do a live-action karaoke ED. I've always been a fan of watching VAs work in their recording sessions.

I guess I'm in the weird state of being a Lucky*Star geek trying to protect his love from the other geeks who want to paint it all over with stuff "not Lucky*Star".

[kenjiharima]

AYAAAAA!!!! >_< More loli's!!! This is gonna be GREAT!!! need to DL the raws now!!!

[Dop]

It seems I was mistaken as to the nature of this ending. I just saw it and it barely qualifies as Hare Hare Yukai. I rather like this Minoru fellow for his combination of horrific singing of beloved songs that make the fans very confused. It's about time that Haruhi got it's songs riffed and I hereby withdraw unconditionally all those nasty statements I made about the endings prior to this one being favouritism. Gomen....:bow:

So do you reckon that's why they were releasing umpteen different versions of Hare Hare Yukai they never released the Taniguchi version? Maybe they will, now.

[Kinny Riddle]

Yutaka-chan FTW! :love:

It's hard to pick between her and Tsukasa-chan for me, but I'll still pick Tsukasa-chan if push comes to shove.

It's not hard to imagine Chihara Minori in Minami's role, she's the exact copy of Nagato, silent, flat-chested, short-haired. Only just slightly more dere-dere when it comes to Yutaka-chan.

Yui-nee better keep an eye on Kona-chan's dad (or even Kona-chan for that matter) to make sure her sister is not, erm, "infected". She is a cop, after all. :D (Or perhaps it's already too late, as Yutaka-chan seems to be admiring her onee-chan already. )

I agree with jaalin on Random Curiosity: Mr Hiiragi sure is a lucky man. With such a hot wife and four lovely daughters. On the other hand, Mr Izumi is probably playing an eroge with exactly that scenario. :heh:

Trivia: All of the Hiiragi sisters have names that have shrine-related names: Inori (pray), Matsuri (festival), Kagami (mirror), Tsukasa (priestess).

Once again, Lucky Channel has encroached upon the space of the episode. From another perspective, I guess there is a useful purpose for LC, in that it makes sure the manga material doesn't get used up too quickly, since there is only four volumes worth. It was either that or more "product placements", as the detractors would say.

As for the ED, it seems like Shiraishi's gonna do every Kyo-Ani song dancing by the waves like a maniac.

[Kaioshin Sama]

As for the ED, it seems like Shiraishi's gonna do every Kyo-Ani song dancing by the waves like a maniac.

Of course he will, the patterns set already. Bouken Desho Desho is probably next followed by I guess God Knows and so on, but I don't know about the Kanon ones as they belong to Key (Plus the Hardcore Key fans will probably go ballastic and letter bomb the company if Minoru gets to butcher it while doing Tae Boe and smirking).

The more the show invokes Haruhi though, the more points it seems to score overall, which in all honesty worries me a bit as I want this to be about Lucky Star and not for it to turn into Haruhi Season 1.5. Although Lucky Star's pretty much having to share the stage with Haruhi in this show lately (or is it the other way around).

@Dop: Well I bet a number of fans are saying "How dare you butcher the best song ever made?! :frustrated::frustrated:", so I don't know if it will sell as there's no Idol factor behind it that provides the selling point, only a man (albeit a funny one). Maybe if they get Aya Hirano to come out and do a duet with him of it in a later episode that will make the difference.

[stormy001_M1A2]

Butcher the song? Honestly I find it refreshing and funny.

[Vexx]

Heh.. I'd counter the "butcher the song" with... no, he's showing "true guts" with his bold (i.e. mind-searing) karaoke :)

Actually, he's got a fair singing voice ... he's just a funny guy :)

[Albin]

uhm where did you guys find this episode? is it released at AS? cus i couldnt find it

[Klashikari]

The first comments are based on the Raw. (don't forget that any request or offer for raw are stricly forbidden)

You won't see any subbed episode until like... at least 3-5 days.

[Vexx]

Its currently only available as a raw.. not worth your time unless you can interpret japanese.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Butcher the song? Honestly I find it refreshing and funny.

That's essentially what I mean, after so many renditions of this song it's time to give it the bad karaoke treatement for fun just like the rest of the songs have been getting up till now, bar a few. Minoru is truly fearless as Vexx says, and I think not only does he have the guts to make the song count, but he has the guts to face the possibility of angry fan backlash for messing with Aya Hirano's song.

[Albin]

Its currently only available as a raw.. not worth your time unless you can interpret japanese.

ooh ok thanks alot.. well im working on my japaneese now ;D future raws beware!

[Risaa]

Minoru is truly fearless as Vexx says, and I think not only does he have the guts to make the song count, but he has the guts to face the possibility of angry fan backlash for messing with Aya Hirano's song.
...Those fans need to learn how to laugh. :)

I skipped ahead and watched the ED last night (I was intrigued by Kaioshin_Sama's post, actually XD )... thought it was great. I don't want the karaoke to disappear completely, but I thought it was a neat change. Especially the random kicking and punching. :)

[Vexx]

Well.. we all know or have seen fans of any obsession who completely are unable to tolerate perceived assaults on their objects of worship. A fandom form of religious zealotry.

heck, I suffer from a bit of it when I whine about the "impurity" of the adaptation of Lucky*Star the manga to the anime. I enjoy the Lucky*Star specific additions... but I whine about the L*C time intrusion and the encroaching Anime Tenchou :) :) :) but that's okay, I just go machete some blackberry vines to work it off :)

[Kaoru Chujo]

I've updated my characters/seiyuus page (http://hashihime.atspace.com/etc/luckystar/charseiyuus.html) for Lucky Star to add photos and info for the two new seiyuus that appear this week: Minorin and Hasegawa Shizuka (Minami and Yutaka)....Minoru is truly fearless as Vexx says, and I think not only does he have the guts to make the song count, but he has the guts to face the possibility of angry fan backlash for messing with Aya Hirano's song.I haven't seen any backlash. Aya herself apparently did a more rocking version of Hare Hare Yukai at Animelo last weekend. Being one of them, I say: no need to put Aya's fans down before they deserve it, lol.

[Vexx]

Heh, I don't think we're painting the whole population... just those few that annoy everyone and always seem to end up being the ones the film crew catches for that evening pic of "scary fans".

[Kaioshin Sama]

I've updated my characters/seiyuus page (http://hashihime.atspace.com/etc/luckystar/charseiyuus.html) for Lucky Star to add photos and info for the two new seiyuus that appear this week: Minorin and Hasegawa Shizuka (Minami and Yutaka).I haven't seen any backlash. Aya herself apparently did a more rocking version of Hare Hare Yukai at Animelo last weekend. Being one of them, I say: no need to put Aya's fans down before they deserve it, lol.

That doesn't really count though, there's never going to be backlash as long as it's something Aya Hirano does herself. It's when somebody like Minoru just comes up and massacres it that there's potential for backlash or more likely lukewarm responses. Even if he was Taniguchi he doesn't have that much armor on him like Aya Hirano does.

And like Vexx said, I don't mean fans so much as those self-appointed bodyguard types I find posting on Idol's Blogs that remind me of the clubs each girl had in Shuffle! The ones that are more vocal about their fascination with their idols.

[AVPlaya]

About the ED (since it's public knowledge now): At first I find it hilarious, but boy I WISH HE CAN SING IN TUNE. The dude can't sing at all. Maybe he can only sing his own songs, I don't know but did he butcher that song or what. I think they're over-doing this Shiraishi Live Show ED thing and I hope they'd stop soon. Yes he's the hottest supporting seiyuu ever but the joke's getting a little thin. Didn't find him imitating Street Fighter all that funny either. I think KyoAni is getting a little ABOUT in the show... I need some good ED songs!

[Vexx]

Megatokyo's comic does a pretty good job of skewering those types -- the ones that forget the person inside the idol and think they have some special "ownership" of the idol persona (sometimes scaring the object of their worship as much as anyone else). Necessary risk of the job but there's a good reason a lot of fans self-police in Japan :)

We're veering out of ep 14 topicality now though... I'll stop til the ep is subbed.
@AVPlaya: this is probably where I fume about the non-L*S'ness of L*S :)

[Konata-chan]

About the ED (since it's public knowledge now): At first I find it hilarious, but boy I WISH HE CAN SING IN TUNE. The dude can't sing at all. Maybe he can only sing his own songs, I don't know but did he butcher that song or what. I think they're over-doing this Shiraishi Live Show ED thing and I hope they'd stop soon. Yes he's the hottest supporting seiyuu ever but the joke's getting a little thin. Didn't find him imitating Street Fighter all that funny either. I think KyoAni is getting a little ABOUT in the show... I need some good ED songs!

I think Shiraishi Minoru being a horrible singer adds to the humor, and while I am gonna miss the karaoke, I look forward as to what song Shiraishi will mess- I mean sing that week. I really do hope that even with all humor aside, Shiraishi will turn out to be a great seiyuu and not only just being known as Wawawa-san.

I was at the SOS Brigade concert and as much as I am a fan of Aya Hirano, she can't sing too well either on live concerts. She sounds the same too in the Youtube live concert videos. Please don't hurt me, you guys. :(

[AlphaDragoon]

Watched the RAW...I demand Yutaka to be a core member of the cast. Cuteness like that NEEDS to be seen.

[~Tsukuyomi]

http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Lucky%20Star/Lucky%20Star%20-%2014%20-%20Large%2024.jpg

NO!!! NOT THE OPEN RESTROOM DOOR!!!

[nanafan]

unfortunately i haven't seen the raw yet...i want too.. and holding back from the spoilers... kona's cousin is soooo cute...i will probably die while watching the episode..lol

[t3ck]

The only thing in this episode that made me lol'd is the ending... and man did I LOL!

[nanafan]

i am actually about to watch the raw in a bit when it's done loading.. if only i knew more japanese....!!!

[AVPlaya]

I think Shiraishi Minoru being a horrible singer adds to the humor, and while I am gonna miss the karaoke, I look forward as to what song Shiraishi will mess- I mean sing that week. I really do hope that even with all humor aside, Shiraishi will turn out to be a great seiyuu and not only just being known as Wawawa-san.

Ai, I like Shiraishi... I enjoy rooting for underdogs and this is one poor underdog seiyuu who became famous only because one line. He's now bad-ass and envy of all male seiyuu's I'm sure. :) I think I got overtly critical because I want, no, I NEED more ancient or obscure karaoke ED so I can look them up and...

Wait a minute, I think I just found out why L*S's so damn popular. I've been otaku-nized!

I was at the SOS Brigade concert and as much as I am a fan of Aya Hirano, she can't sing too well either on live concerts. She sounds the same too in the Youtube live concert videos. Please don't hurt me, you guys. :(

I thought she did very well in her HEYX3 performance of God Bless, but I'll take your word for it. Was her normal speaking voice still that of a 5 yrs old loli? That is the most amazing part of Ms. Hirano to me.

[AlphaDragoon]

Aya's Konata >>> Aya's Haruhi, if you ask me. She just seems to cut loose and have fun with being totally off-the-wall wacky and otaku. :heh:

[Xiaolang]

I was at the SOS Brigade concert and as much as I am a fan of Aya Hirano, she can't sing too well either on live concerts. She sounds the same too in the Youtube live concert videos. Please don't hurt me, you guys. :(

I was also at the concert, but I have to strongly disagree, given the situation that she, Minori and Yuuko were unwittingly placed. If it wasn't for the major screwup the audio-visual director and personnel, plus the awkward and poor translation job by the female translator, the whole thing would've gone much more smoothly. It was very difficult to enjoy "God Knows..." when Aya sings the song 1 second ahead of what was blasting from the speakers, because of a time delay between her teleprompter and the actual song.

I will say though that she's not the best Japanese singer ever, but for a voice actor who sings, she totally reminds me of Megumi Hayashibara when she was younger.

[Mirrinus]

Aya's Konata >>> Aya's Haruhi, if you ask me. She just seems to cut loose and have fun with being totally off-the-wall wacky and otaku. :heh:

I too am enjoying Aya's Konata more than her Haruhi, which is really saying something, coming from me. I absolutely love the range of her voice in various circumstances, like when she's teasing Kagami, or monologuing to herself about ramen. I think Konata is closer to her real voice, and it sounds a bit more natural, I guess.

[arias]

Watched the RAW...I demand Yutaka to be a core member of the cast. Cuteness like that NEEDS to be seen.

I actually didn't find Yutaka to be as cute as I thought she would be. Konata is still teh awesome for me ; B One thing I found curious was that the first morning Yutaka wakes up in their home, she actually says something like.. "Oh yes, this is KonaTO-oneh chan's home".. Konato? :heh:

[AVPlaya]

I too am enjoying Aya's Konata more than her Haruhi, which is really saying something, coming from me. I absolutely love the range of her voice in various circumstances, like when she's teasing Kagami, or monologuing to herself about ramen. I think Konata is closer to her real voice, and it sounds a bit more natural, I guess.

I also concur. Haruhi Aya is more of a straight acting job; her Haruhi sounded similar to her other characters, even ones supposedly feminine, like REIRA in NANA. My wife, when first heard Haruhi, immediately pointed out that her seiyuu was the same actress as REIRA. But both my wife and myself are still amazed that Konata is played by Aya. I think THAT is true voice acting. Her Kona ED songs are probably my favorite piece of voice acting, like, ever.

[Harry McKenzie]

RE: Aya's real voice.

Since I heard her introduce her character in the DS game Luminous Arc, I started to think Konata's voice is actually closer to Aya's real voice than her other characters. But it also seems a little strange that most of her characters would sound more similar to Haruhi though... if that is what her voice really sounds like... so confused!

Anyway, have a listen http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/game/ds/Luminous/
her character is the second on the list: ルーシャ。 (click the little speaker icon next to 平野綾）

And back on topic.... another ED that gave me goosebumps.. Shiraishi's Hare Hare Yukai was just D: to me.

[Konata-chan]

Was her normal speaking voice still that of a 5 yrs old loli? That is the most amazing part of Ms. Hirano to me.

I wonder sometimes if the voice that I heard out of the panel really is the voice of Hirano-san. Gotou-san sounds high pitched too, only Chihara-san was only the one really considered to be "normal pitched". Out of all the three though, Gotou-san's the prettiest! Bonus points to her telling everyone that her favorite character was Kaede from Shuffle! At least in AX, a majority of the fans (not the ones just going to the exhibit halls) know who she is.

Aya's Konata >>> Aya's Haruhi, if you ask me. She just seems to cut loose and have fun with being totally off-the-wall wacky and otaku. :heh:

Most definitely. Konata's voice does add to her charm. Especially when she bothers Kagami, now that makes me gush all over, and I'm a girl!

[kenjiharima]

saw the raws waaa the 2 girls Minami and Yutaka make an apperance!!!

Damn the ending ever since minoru shiraishi dressed in drag on the radio and his pics where uploaded in the net he's getting popular and funnier everytime he shows up in L*S. :heh:

Seems 2days ending is a parody or Haruhi ending song, the Karate Kid training(He was screaming Miyagi) and the way the buttons are executed kinda reminds me of Virtua Fighter Arcade.

He's truly an underdog character among the girls that shinned. :)

[shiro83]

Just my thought:
Looks like Shiraishi will be performing each ending live action if this keeps up.

A trend is brewing...

[Kaioshin Sama]

This whole last page looks as if it belongs in the Voice Actor Appreciation discussion thread. As Vexx had said, this discussion is heading wildly off topic.

Though one thing I think is true is that Minoru will continue with the endings for the rest of the second half of this show and they will probably follow a set path of choices from Haruhi, Kanon, FMP!, and Air songs and probably for the last episode either the destined Haruhi II or Clannad opening to promote whichever show is next.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Kaioshin may be right about this belonging in VA appreciation (he's certainly right about those slobbery posts by fans on idols' blogs), but since we're here, I want to say that I now think Hirano Aya's normal voice is much, much lower, and that the genki high voice is put on for performance purposes. She slips easily from one to the other.

Take a look at the following videos, if you can (you may need a nicovideo.jp account　for the second one):

First is her interview on the NHK Anime Giga show (http://youtube.com/watch?v=YdTP5t69TtM). She starts with silly genki, then gradually, over the first few minutes of the 35-minute interview, settles into a more normal-seeming deeper voice that reveals a rather serious side. This is an excellent interview, maybe the best Aya interview I've seen.

Second is a short promo for last Saturday's Animelo show (http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm531130). The nicovideo comments include ones about how low her voice seems. She's being fairly artificial, but her voice is quite low.

As for Aya's singing, I agree that she is not that smooth or professional, and that she's more of a wannabe rocker than a real one. I liked the fact that she said in her blog about her performance at Animelo last week that she has a lot to work on. But I think she has something special in the spirit or expression department. As with her voice-acting, she manages to convey special feeling, to me. I think it's her own inner insecure, trying-hard self coming through. She sometimes reminds me of Judy Garland. And I think she does have a voice and the ability to improve it. I highly recommend both "First Goodbye" and her Manabi Straight character songs. I'm cross-posting now, but I have a piece about Animelo (http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2007/07/hirano-aya-and-chihara-minori-at.html) in my own blog.

Layla is still my favorite role of hers, but Konata is amazing, and her comic efforts in the karaoke EDs are a further revelation. If you look at my other blog piece, showing her little playlets involving Galaxy Angel 2 figures (http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2007/07/hirano-aya-plays-with-galaxy-angel.html), you may get a hint of her natural humor, which seems to come out most when she's with Kano Yui of Sumomo mo Momo mo.

[Deathkillz]

you have got to be kidding me...Shiraishi doing tai chi while singing hare hare yukai at the same time balancing on some very sharp rocks above the raging sea...the guy is on crack! :twitch: (and improvement on last time as it actually made me crack a smile...but heres hope this is the last O.O)

[arias]

First is her interview on the NHK Anime Giga show (http://youtube.com/watch?v=YdTP5t69TtM). She starts with silly genki, then gradually, over the first few minutes of the 35-minute interview, settles into a more normal-seeming deeper voice that reveals a rather serious side. This is an excellent interview, maybe the best Aya interview I've seen.

Her voice is much more attractive when it's not in the shrill-genki mode, I thinks.

[Claies]

Okay...has AFK decided to release on Fridays now? Because if that's true then I don't have to check every 4 hours.

[archanfels]

Okay finally saw this and OMG is this episode good! Even Yui and Miyuki, characters I usually don't care much, are good in this one. There's just so much fun and love:

Fun:

- Kona remarks on Yui being a reckless driver and totally unaware of it;
- Kona's blood spit and spin action when find out she doesnt have enough reward points at an anime store (her misery followed by Kagami's comment: Your life is full of fun isnt it. Just perfect);
- Kona sees Yukata as a "walking moeness" and comments "if coupled w/ our Miyuki-san would be an amazing combo";
- Miyuki's mother so bored she talks to some random sales person on phone for an hour, making even Miyuki sweat drop;
- Mr. Izumi feels like a winner of life when seeing YuiKonaYutaka togather(Though it is clearly shown later the real winner of life is Mr. Hiiragi)(Also, Mr. Izumi's jealousy of the child stalker, while kinda funny, is a little over the line for me :P)
- Kona and Tsukasa agreeing on some dumb matter while Kagami tells Yutaka not to grow up like them;
- Yutaka got traumatized by a restroom going experience;
- Yui being her total dumb and crazy self in both present time and flashbacks, she is more entertaining in this episode than previous;
- Kona talks to Kagami about the pressuring of trying to set an example as the older sister, the latter simply replys: "huh?" So short, yet so perfectly funny!(Our Twin Tail Tsundere is on fire today!)
- Maybe just me, but the way Akira said "Final Answer!" made me LOL;
- While I don't like its non-LS-ness, the ending by itself is undeniably hilarious.

Love:

- Yutaka/Minami combo, honestly I'm into neither "walking moeness" nor "ayanami clone" characters, but the combo is cute. Reminds you much of Chiyo/Sakaki;
- Kona is bored/lonely when Kagamin is not around, now that is <3!
- The whole graduation talk, from the tradition of asking for buttons to young Kagami in flashback, simply adorable.
- Tsukasa's voice. I'm probably like 14 episodes late, but after hearing Yutaka's voice I realize just how cute Tsukasa's voice is. Not to downrate Yutaka's seiyuu, I guess Tsukasa just got that perfect vibe for this type of character.

Other Ups:

- No animate dencho and gang(Though I highly doubt this will be the end of them), no I-so-dreaded mentioning/promoting of Haruhi season 2.


Overall, while I don't think it's perfect perfect, if any episode so far deserves the highest score from me, it'd be this one.

[bayoab]

Okay...has AFK decided to release on Fridays now? Because if that's true then I don't have to check every 4 hours.
It's not a case of deciding on a day to release. It's a case of "when it's done..." and that depends on a number of things...

[Kaioshin Sama]

So I hear that as Minami, Chihara Minori shows off her amazing vocal range that made Yuki Nagato such a popular character....by playing Yuki again.:rolleyes: Or was it that Yuki made Chihara Minori a popular Voice Actress in spite of her limited vocal range. Bleh. This really is the perfect fit though for disguising what I find to be an immense shortcoming of Chihara Minori as a voice actress, lack of passion. Playing oneself is the ideal role don't you think? Hell, Sugita Tomokazu sure was good at it in episode 12, it kind of reminded me of Kyon, Yuuichi, Hideki (Chobits) etc.

I'm sure some will argue otherwise, but after seeing Chihara Minori in 8 or so roles I think that Minami is probably her upper limit.

Okay switching to positive, looking forward to Yutaka, don't let me down this time Lucky Star.

[Vexx]

Ah well.. in Hollywood they call that "character acting". Need a particular character? Abe Vigoda, Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Burns & Gracie Allen, "half the crew that made up John Wayne's posse", ad infinitum.

Some people make a whole career out of playing one sort of role. In her case, it just happens to be a "Vulcan" type role: monotonic and monosyllabic but with micro-flourishes of sarcasm, desire, wit, etc.

I often joke that Asakawa Yuu can put more information into one grunt than many actresses can put into an over-emoted page of dialog.
In Minori's case, I think her Nagato role had the micro-flourishes (maybe you missed them or I read more than what was there), but the character Minami isn't quite the same so I'm interested in seeing if its just Nagato Act 2 or if she actually projects the Minami from the comic strip.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Ah well.. in Hollywood they call that "character acting". Need a particular character? Abe Vigoda, Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Burns & Gracie Allen, "half the crew that made up John Wayne's posse", ad infinitum.

Some people make a whole career out of playing one sort of role. In her case, it just happens to be a "Vulcan" type role: monotonic and monosyllabic but with micro-flourishes of sarcasm, desire, wit, etc.

I often joke that Asakawa Yuu can put more information into one grunt than many actresses can put into an over-emoted page of dialog.
In Minori's case, I think her Nagato role had the micro-flourishes (maybe you missed them or I read more than what was there), but the character Minami isn't quite the same so I'm interested in seeing if its just Nagato Act 2 or if she actually projects the Minami from the comic strip.

Don't forget Mr. T, Lawrence Tierny, Lee Marvin and all those Film Noir actors. :p

No I'm aware that Chihara Minori is a character actor and that's alright, but I think people are making a big mistake when they talk of her like she's a god given voice actress on account of Yuki and this should be evident in the fact that studios keep sticking her in similar monotone roles. As such I don't greet the notion of the VA of Yuki being in this series as Minami with any sort of fervor, surprise or grandure, just acceptance.

Certainly she was in the right place at the right time doing the right role with Haruhi and she did alright and that goes a long way, but if you want my opinion Minami is exactly what she should be doing and I don't think she's got the kind of future ahead of her that Aya Hirano has in the industry in spite of sharing in the popularity of Haruhi with her.

One question remains though....where exactly is Goto Yuko in all this? I'm almost certain she will be making an appearance given all the signs that Lucky Star is to be a touch and go reunion of the Haruhi cast and the memories of the series, but we may not even know where and when she appears. Be on the look out people for any exceptional high pitched helpless sounding voice in the next 5 or so episodes. If anyone thinks they've spotted her I'd appreciate the person letting everybody know. :cool:

[Vexx]

As much as I enjoy Gotou as a person (she's just really cool, together, and professional), the last few interviews lead me to think she's starting to think about starting a family and pulling back from full-time work. I don't know how much longer we'll have Gotou to get excited about. :) I read that Asakawa Yu got married, which might explain the fadeout of musical recordings and fewer voice castings. So it goes as time passes...

Gotou's not listed in any casting credits I've seen... though a cameo role wouldn't necessarily get a listing.

If Minari becomes the 'obvious choice' for certain roles, then she's achieved a level of success. If she herself desires more emotive roles, then she might be in a bit of trouble regarding her personal satisfaction.

[AVPlaya]

I think Goto-chan is over 30 or something right? In Japan.... aiyaiyai.... marriage must be on her mind a lot.

EP 14.... I don't want to give out my review yet... but man I can't wait. Not a "I'm going to talk about Japanese trivia until you puke" episode, but actual story progression... The story of a poor young girl entering the private harem of a couple of loli otakus... Okay I'll hold it in couple more days.

[Maveric]

wasnt there going to be a new version of Mottoke Sailor Fuku? Or was that thing they talked about during the Lucky Channel in episode 12 about Shirashi singing the endings from now on?

[Kaoru Chujo]

I think Goto-chan is over 30 or something right? In Japan.... aiyaiyai.... marriage must be on her mind a lot....There is nowhere on the Web that I can find a really reliable statement of how old she is. Maybe 27, maybe as old as 35. Since Minorin is 26 and Gotuuza-sama (http://hashihime.atspace.com/Hashi_seiyuus.html#gotouyuuko) seems to feel much older than her, she's probably at least around 30 somewhere.

Gotuuza-sama plays moe-to-the-nth-degree characters, but in real life she appears to be strong and wild, as her Hokuto-no-Ken-based nickname might suggest. She usually states her interests as motorcycles and drinking. In the AX forum, when the three were asked what kind of character they would like to play, she said she usually plays cute, slow-witted characters, but she would like a chance to play a character that is more like herself: masculine, strong, and active. This seems to show that she still has plans for future seiyuu work, but it also may show why marriage may not be so easy for her. Lovely as she is -- and at least one person at AX thought she was the loveliest of the three -- she is not the Japanese feminine ideal, it appears.

For anyone who's interested, here is a Japanese transcription (http://www.bunkaextend.com/ax2007_02.html) of the entire AX forum session.[ep14 is] The story of a poor young girl entering the private harem of a couple of loli otakus...Lol. That's about right. ...after hearing Yutaka's voice I realize just how cute Tsukasa's voice is. Not to downrate Yutaka's seiyuu, I guess Tsukasa just got that perfect vibe for this type of character....Oh, yes. I think Fukuhara Kaori (http://hashihime.atspace.com/etc/luckystar/charseiyuus.html) is a great discovery in the "moe voice" category. But Hasegawa Shizuka did a great job in the same category in this ep, too. More of both, please.

As for the EDs, I love the two we've seen from Minoru-san, but I think about one more is all I'll want before we go on to something different -- or at least someone different.

[kenjiharima]

I think we'll see more Minoru Shiraishi endings...

btw anyone noticed Kagami's mom? She has the same aura radiating off her as Kanata. Lucky Hiigari-jiji :D

[kingsky123]

gosh konata looks like that seiyuu hirano aya

[Kaioshin Sama]

gosh konata looks like that seiyuu hirano aya

It begins anew.:rolleyes:

[Vexx]

Miraculous, isn't it? :)

It'd probably be healthier for all of us if one of the sub groups could get this episode out before we just stew in our own juices. However, I'm getting an eyeful on how easy it is for things to lag just from my own experiences in subbing --- as long as some series somewhere is out (or I can attend to my anime backlog queue) life is good.

[DJ_RockmanX]

Finally out subbed by a.f.k.

[Kinny Riddle]

Miraculous, isn't it? :)

It'd probably be healthier for all of us if one of the sub groups could get this episode out before we just stew in our own juices. However, I'm getting an eyeful on how easy it is for things to lag just from my own experiences in subbing --- as long as some series somewhere is out (or I can attend to my anime backlog queue) life is good.
Quite rare of you of all people to be feeling anxious about the delay of a sub episode. Don't subs release one episode every few months back in your day? This show must really be good to get our Vexx this unsettled. :p

[Kaioshin Sama]

Well I'll have to wait until at least Monday to watch it and after Episode 13 I can't say that's necessarily a bad thing for me.

[jaziek]

Quite rare of you of all people to be feeling anxious about the delay of a sub episode. Aren't subs released one episode every few months back in your day? This show must really be good to get our Vexx this unsettled. :p

once every few months?! I think my head would implode if i had to wait that long.. and wouldnt that be slower than the DVD release anyway?

god i hate my ISP. 1kb/s on the file with 80+ peers. Looks like im stuck waiting that little bit longer.

[Deathkillz]

oh great...for some reason i just love this ep! must be one of those breath of fresh air type of thing with 2 new characters being introduced an all ^.^
yutaka is just moe all over! and with the words of great o' wise and knowledgeful kona hitting the nail smack bang on the head ~ i just duno what else i could have used to describe her :heh:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3105/snapshot20070714220447bt4.th.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot20070714220447bt4.jpg)

lots and lots of funny cracks...like kona's dad respecting the lolipedo on TV new central or even how kagami constantly stabs kona's height to no ends XD or even miyuki's mum getting intimate over the phone to...yep...one of those annoying telephone sales call!!!

but this joke takes the cake...ive gotta hand it to AFK for providing an atempt at translating her words and doing it in such a way that allowed me to laughed more that im supposed to :3

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7552/snapshot20070714225736gq1.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot20070714225736gq1.jpg)

and in the end...akira sama loses it again...but the point about telling the viewers to send in post for her to be in the main show is just all a hoax to generate hype :rolleyes: or perhaps a free data gathering scheme to see how dedicated the fans are towards the show...

[General_Asakura]

lol, the tai chi moves minoru did in the ending reminded of the karate kid movies :) wax on.. wax off...

[Shiori-chan]

just want to say one thing of this episode: Hare hare yukai ! xD
well Yutaka is cute

[AVPlaya]

Okay it's time again! wohoo! I promise this will be short... at least shorter than last one. :heh: I will break my impression in 2 parts, Cultural Ref and the show itself.

1. Cultural References:

The TV Show
The show the entire Hiiragi clan was watching was Japan's version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" Remember that show? It's still on in Japan, every Thursday night on Fuji Terebi. The host of the show, Minomonta (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%BF%E3%81%AE%E3%82%82%E3%82%93%E3%81%9F), is the most popular host in Japan. He was in world news recently as the person who has the most TV air time per week in the world (21 plus hours!). That's his face you see on TV. What you didn't see, however, is ONE ANIME IDOL KOGAMI AKIRA. She's the celeb in the chair, screaming her one and only line on L*S main story: "フアイナルアンサー!!!" (Final Answer!)! That term has become a popular buzz word in Japan as well.

Although at first the show, クイズ・ミリオネア (http://www.fujitv.co.jp/quiz/rule/index.html) as it's called in Japan, was a bust, it became a national past-time when they made some minor changes: 1. the show solicited questions from the public, and 2. The show would go to commercial break before revealing answers to hard questions, so to build up the drama. Tsukasa was trying to guess was the final answer correctly by looking at the time. The clock showed that there's only 10 minutes left, that means most likely Akira's final answer was wrong and the show ended.

Akira-sama was pissed beyond belief during Lucky Channel, because she was again, cut from the main show. She did say "Final Answer" really loud, but again, no face time... poor poor Akira-sama.

The Second Button
After graduation, it is customary for the girls to goto the guy they secretly admire and ask for the second button of their uniform jacket. Most guys will give it if its a girl they don't like and most likely won't see again, but there maybe wars for the second button of a popular but unattached boy. Yukata was saying that her school has a western blazer type jacket and not the traditional army uniform jacket, so there are no second button to get. That's most likely her excuse though.. she barely know any of her classmates. Don't worry, Yukata. As Kona said, you're "needed" by the lolicons.

DOMAI!!!
This is not the English word "Don't Mind". This is more a Japan-ized English like "GET" or "ABOUT". It doesn't mean "I'm not offended" as in English, but rather "RELAX! No biggie! Who cares!". Kona's trying to tell Yukata, "hey relax, this happen all the time, don't worry about it!". Right. At least Kona-dad is only reading newspaper in there.. for now..

THE STRANGE DEVICE
At 18:23, Yui-nee-san was seen straddled on a weird looking contraption, rocking back and forth. Innocent Westerners may mistake this as a strange sex device and start harboring loli fantasies, but STOPPU!!

It's only an exercise machine called the Joba (http://national.jp/kenko/exercise/joba/) (horse ride). It it meant to duplicate the movement of horseback riding, because Japanese and other Asian women believed that you can lose your tummy and your big behind (not popular in Asia) by pretending you're riding a horse. he real question is, why the hell do the Izumis have one and who was it for? Kona has no big butt to speak of so it's not for her.. only people buying these things are women. Why is it there? Okay, now you can continue with your filthy thoughts about Kona-dad and his lilocon lifestyle.

Here's a bonus pict of a real Joba:
http://appoye.blog.ocn.ne.jp/70/images/zyoba_003a.jpg

This looks to be the exact one shown in EP 14.

Cover Up That Stench!!!
When Tsukasa said "臭いものにはフタをとか" (like "cover things that stinks") at 8:43, she was making a reference to a very popular song in the 1990's by pop singer 森高千里 (Moritaka Chisato) called "臭いものにはフタをしろ!!" (Cover the things that stinks!). Enjoy the actual song:
3rqo5G636zY

I have no idea why. Just some KyoAni craziness I guess.

Sporty Nerves
When Kona asked Tsukasa a question at 15:54, she's making fun at Japanese terminology. When someone is good at sports, the term used to describe the person is that person has 運動神経 or "Sports Nerve-endings". It was thought that a part of your nervous system makes you good at sports. So Kona asks, where is this particular sporting nerve? I thought it was kinda funny.

Two Disneys
The "LAND" Kona-dad refered at 18:46 is the original Tokyo Disney Land (http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdl/index_e.html). The "SEA" one refer to the newer Tokyo Disney SeaPark (http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tds/index_e.html). During colder weather people tend to visit LAND, while Summer everyone goes to SEA.

[lftwgr]

I don't know if anyone's mention this, but Kagami in a trench coat wearing men's shirts and a tie = Triela from Gunslinger Girl! :D

[AVPlaya]

2. Randon Thoughts:

Is this show becoming the poster-child for Yuri Harem Anime? A true chibi-Lilo (Kona's no loli!) and quiest-type tsundere? They are really trying to kill the circiles at Comiket. Does KyoAni know that most circle can only do 1 or 2 doujin every 6 months?

Yukata sure was cute, but she's just entered a loli-con hell. Not only she gets the blessing of Kona-Dad, even now Kona gets the joy of finding a younger an shorter Moe Yosou. But somehow I feel Yukata will enjoy the attention.

Miyuki-mom is the REAL Moe-Youso compare to her daughter. She could be the star of many, many ero-manga about house wifes... etou.. not that I've read any... yeah...

Tsukasa kept spewing ultra-cute quotables and we eating it up. "Tsukai mono niwa futa o toka?" I smeell another meme coming.

Kona-Otou the professional lolicon is good at what he does. He's teaching his future lolicon-tobe daughter the pitfalls of lolicon hood. When the police turn up the heat dive for cover until it boils over!

Did you see that Kona's always crying to Tsukasa and acted so relax around her? Even when she's missing Kagami? Don't you get the feeling that Kona's treating Tsukasa like the "wife" and kagami as the "mistress"? Perhaps Yukata as the "side dish" and Miyuki as the "sqeeze toy?" Yuri Harem FTW!

When Kagami teases Kona about her lack of female friends, she countered that they have a lot to ask her. Of course, who knows more about sex and the wants and needs of guys than Kona?

I Love the way Kona goes after her man. GET!!!! Hey, isn't that the same guy Kogami gave her choco to? Shiraishi?! Is that you AGAIN?

Yukata's middle school Uniform looks awfully like the REAL Katsukabe KyoEi High School uniform I posted earlier. Maybe Yoshimizu-san's trying to say something about the ultra-conservative uni of his alma-mater?

You have a feeling that Kona's HS uniform will forever be used in the future by Kona as Copsplay.

For a cop, Yui-nee-chan sure knows very little about the law but everything about breaking it. My kind of woman! I wanna see Kona drunk~~~ No one obey the drinking age rule in Japan anyhoo~~~

Yeah Kona-chan makes bento. It's called "Choco Cronet". Speaking of which I have to buy some this week.

Akira-sama's bi-polar is really acting up. Don't think she even cares about hosting her little show anymore. Shiraishi, that's the wind of her bad breath. Akira seemed to be indicating that Shirashi was in EP 14. WAS HE? WAS HE THE STUNT BODY KONA HUGGED???

One of the message I'm getting from L*S, is that although there are a lot of perverts on the news, and that there are men like Kona-dad who's into little girls, they're not unnecessarily the same thing. That Loli-cons can even be great fathers who does NOT rape their own daughter or the moe-youso of a chibi niece. They mostly just leave the toilet door open and turn their daughter into male otaku like themselves. Hmmm... what's the message again?

At the ED, Shiraishi is again fighting the "Uncrossable Barrier" (Koerarenai Kabe) while singing Hare Hare Yukai. What is that barrier he keep failing to cross over? Main chara? More than 3 lines in main story? Hope some real otaku would know this... what does this running joke mean?

[Ashlotte]

"I win at life" :heh:

Omg did this episode crack me up so much. Maybe it was the introduction of new characters and the freshness that comes along with it, but I was pretty much laughing hard the entire episode. Easily a 10. ;)

[OceanBlue]

"I win at life" :heh:

Omg did this episode crack me up so much. Maybe it was the introduction of new characters and the freshness that comes along with it, but I was pretty much laughing hard the entire episode. Easily a 10. ;)

I agree.
I think the most amusing part is that Yukata became involved in things like the short jokes [such as the Disneyland one] and Kagami's remarks ["Make sure you don't end up like them"].

It's like they're becoming the role-models!

And of course:

"I win at life."

[nanafan]

that was a great episode!! hilarious when she was all worried about yutaka watching her and talking about yui as a sister to yutaka...could yutaka really be yui's sister? i remember the second button cuz i have seen it started with a kiss hilarious show.. poor yutaka.

[AVPlaya]

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3105/snapshot20070714220447bt4.th.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot20070714220447bt4.jpg)

The word above Yukata's head literally means: A walking essense of Moe (Moe Yousou). The term Moe Youso is used to describe Miyuki in the past, but Yukata is even more potent version of it.

and in the end...akira sama loses it again...but the point about telling the viewers to send in post for her to be in the main show is just all a hoax to generate hype :rolleyes: or perhaps a free data gathering scheme to see how dedicated the fans are towards the show...

Oh no it's no hype...2ch is already mobilized on her behalf... although it seemed that half of them want her off the show entirely... :) Nothing on the home page that's specific about the campaign, but you know e-mail and postcards are flying in.

[X207]

Oh no it's no hype...2ch is already mobilized on her behalf... although it seemed that half of them want her off the show entirely... :) Nothing on the home page that's specific about the campaign, but you know e-mail and postcards are flying in.

noo! i dont want them to get rid of L*S resident bipolar character. she's the source of many jokes on lucky channel

[DragoonKain3]

I dunno about you guys, but when I first heard Yutaka the first thing on my mind was that, 'that sounds like the loli from Inukami!' And no wonder, they're the same VA lol.

And Yutaka's appearance has given the show a fresh new feeling from new jokes stemming from her. Excellent episode.

I do wonder though, how did Yui avoid the loli gene....

As for the ED, I LOVED it. Moa Shiraishi PLZ!

[bayoab]

Although at first the show, クイズ・ミリオネア (http://www.fujitv.co.jp/quiz/rule/index.html) as it's called in Japan, was a bust, it became a national past-time when they made some minor changes: 1. the show solicited questions from the public, and 2. The show would go to commercial break before revealing answers to hard questions, so to build up the drama. The host also sometimes sits there after they answer, even if they don't break into commercial, and doesn't tell the contestant if they were right for a good 30 seconds or even longer. There are comedy sketches impersonating millionare where the "host" just sits there making dramatic faces for ~1-3 minutes.

From what I remember (I last saw the actual japanese version years ago), the camera does a similar zoom in as what they did on the family.

[Mirrinus]

Heh, just watched this episode, and I was seriously cracking up on almost every scene with Yutaka. I don't know why, but I just find her amusing. Minawi was also interesting, but she had way too little screentime in this episode.

- At last, there's someone for Konata to tease regarding height! Who could have foreseen this?

- Seriously, Yutaka is like a living paragon of loliness. LOL at that scene where she was worried no one will ever like her, then Konata tells her to not worry; as long as she's not picky, she'll definitely recieve enough attention. As I said before, Yutaka's flag will probably be triggered before Kagami's. :heh:

- Loved how they animated the "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" scene.

- Ending made laugh quite a bit. Shiraishi got slaughtered. Did all of his attacks whiff?

[AVPlaya]

noo! i dont want them to get rid of L*S resident bipolar character. she's the source of many jokes on lucky channel

Oh yeah? Then don't just stand there.. DO SOMETHING!!!

Let's do our own Support Akira in Main Story Campaign!!!

Akira-sama said in order to support her Revenge Operation, we can do anything, just get the word to the producers. Who are they? KyoAni of course. Okay gaijin L*S fans, you should have your say too!

Goto THIS (http://www.munto.com/cgi/kyoto/s_mail/s_mail.html) page, and write in your support for Akira-sama! This is the comment e-mail box for KyoAni. I'll tell you how to do this without knowing Japanese. Just open that site, and you'll see the standard e-mail form. The first box is your name, you can enter anything you want but it's required. The second box is your e-mail address, please enter a real one so they know we're serious, and it's also required.

The third, larger box is the message. Write in Japanese if you know how, but you can copy and paste my template letter below:

=====

京ｱﾆの皆さん、

小神あきら様をらき☆すたの本編に登場させるようにしてください！

あきらの大女優の演技、ぜひぜひ本編で見て欲し～の！

[write your feelings in English here]

外人のらきすたファン,

[Your Name/Nick/Whatever]

===

It says:
"Dear KyoAni,
Pleaes let Kogami Akira-sama appear in the Lucky Star main story!
I absolutely wanted to see the acting skills of the Great Actress Akira!
Signed, Foreign Lucky Star Fan".
The second line is taken verbatim from Lucky Channel; it's optional but I would use it.

Please either replace the bracket with your own English comments or remove it before sending. To send Press the lower LEFT button that says "送信" (not the right one, which is reset). After you press button, you'll see a summary page. Press the button near the bottom which says "送信" AGAIN. Your email is sent!

Alternatively, you can send the same message to this e-mail address: sr@kyotoanimation.co.jp
This is taken from their English page. I have a feeling that the e-mail form address may get read more often though, but you can do this if feel more comfortable.

Show your power as fansub watchers! Tell KyoAni we matter too! Don't let 2chers have all the fun... maybe they'll even release L*S in the West too. Don't worry about sending English.. I am pretty sure there's someone who will read or translate them there..(they used to have an American Intern named Keika.. maybe she can translate.) Just show your support for Akira-sama, gaijin fans!

[shinku no kage]

Perfect 10!! I havent even finished the full ep yet too!! A 10 just for Kagamin's past images of herself in Elementary and Middle school. Then the highlight of the ep, Yutaka-chan!! Oh, and Minami too. (=w=)

Izumi-sensei(Kona dad) sure says and does some bold stuff...but, close the damn door!! I wonder if that was accidental or intentional. w (>3<) w

"Who wants to be a m********?" !? I do the same thing as Tsukasa, look at the remaining time of the show. LOL

Yui-nee san...not exactly the best cop out there is she? Rather shes not even a good role model...what am I saying? All the adults in L*S is like that. LOL

BTW: Off topic but...LOVE your sigs Mirrinus!! FE x RM x L*S. Nice. =w=

[AVPlaya]

The host also sometimes sits there after they answer, even if they don't break into commercial, and doesn't tell the contestant if they were right for a good 30 seconds or even longer. There are comedy sketches impersonating millionare where the "host" just sits there making dramatic faces for ~1-3 minutes.

From what I remember (I last saw the actual japanese version years ago), the camera does a similar zoom in as what they did on the family.

Wow you have actually saw the show. My friends tell me it's more of a comedy than a serious show, where people watch it for the laughs. I guess it's really true. :)

[nanafan]

yeah yui is funny. it was hilarious after she came over with congrats for yutakato celebrate let's get trashed! i thought that was funny and when yutaka got the shock of her life when kona's dad left the bathroom door open..poor thing.

[shinku no kage]

...(=3=) Just got to LC and the ED...

...白石に死を．

Death to Shiraishi. As for Akira...I say that we do support her appearence in the main show. Y'know, with her luck she just might make it into the final ep of L*S in some manner. Like walking in the BG or something?

[Vexx]

I'd like to write that Akira be in the show... but then they schnick the L*C segment in favor of L*S time. Hell, have Shiriashi and Akira doing their schtick in the hallway, let them just *be* part of the show doing bits as we shift between skits ....

[AVPlaya]

I'd like to write that Akira be in the show... but then they schnick the L*C segment in favor of L*S time. Hell, have Shiriashi and Akira doing their schtick in the hallway, let them just *be* part of the show doing bits as we shift between skits ....

Write anyway and tel them exactly that.... people in Japan are doing it. I actually just want our input to be heard on the show... you just never know what may happen. I'm sure you can tell them exactly how you feel, Vexx-sama. :)

[Skane]

Hmm... this episode did not generate a lot of note-taking from me, and as such, my write-up is going to be extremely brief. The following is based on [a.f.k.]'s fansub.

Brief Random Thoughts On Ep14:
---- ----

Yukata's various emotive squeaks, squeals, and other assorted sounds are criminally cute. My brain was feeling a little numb from the sickening sweetness of it all. :p
.
Konata pining for Kagami. :heh:
.
"Just like I told you so."
.
Kagami and Konata's exchange of insults in front of Yukata. :heh:

Cheers.

[Sorrow-K]

I hate to say it, but I think the wheels are falling off this show. I really didn't laugh once at all in this ep. Sure, there were a couple of smile-inducing scenes, but this is really starting to lose its teeth as a comedy.

I'm struggling to see how this show is going to keep itself funny for the rest of its run, since, generally when a comedy of this length starts to slip, it has a very difficult task to bring itself up and make itself funny again. I'm really not seeing much hope for the future of this series... particularly if we get more eps like this one.

[Skane]

I hate to say it, but I think the wheels are falling off this show. I really didn't laugh once at all in this ep. Sure, there were a couple of smile-inducing scenes, but this is really starting to lose its teeth as a comedy.

I'm struggling to see how this show is going to keep itself funny for the rest of its run, since, generally when a comedy of this length starts to slip, it has a very difficult task to bring itself up and make itself funny again. I'm really not seeing much hope for the future of this series... particularly if we get more eps like this one.
Hence the adage, "Different folks, different strokes." :heh:

Cheers.

[Ascaloth]

FINALLY got to watch Episode 14. I'm starting to gain a newfound respect for the senior anime-otakus like Vexx-jiji; I can't imagine how it must have been like to have to wait a whole month for the VHS tapes. >_<

Anyway, my thoughts:

1) Yutaka's voice sounds strangely familiar, even though I've yet to actually see any of her seiyuu's performances. And I know Minami is played by Chihara Minori, yet I don't really get the Yuki-vibe from her at all, strangely enough. If I have to compare, I'd say the Yutaka-Minami combo is actually most similar to the Koyori-Aono combo in Sola, if anything. Passing strange, that.

2) Computation-Konata for the win! :D

3) Kagami: "We've been getting a bunch of calls from cram schools."

Sadly enough, the education system here in Singapore is resembling Japan's more and more each and every day. I feel for my juniors who are shouldering the increasingly heavier burden on their shoulders. :(

I'm most definitely am not going to have a child. I wouldn't want him or her to suffer through this hellhole of an education system....

4) I feel your pain, Konata. Something's just missing when Kagamin isn't around. :heh:

5) Hmmm.....seems like Konata's playing a Super Robot Wars game. Can anyone confirm which one she's playing from the lines?

6) Blogs.....huh? Did the original Lucky Star manga ever go into that topic? Sounds quite updated to me...

7) Wait......Disneyland? Izumi-jiji, do you really have the funds to bring the girls to Tokyo Disneyland? Or is this another one of the [a.f.k.] localizations? :eyebrow:

8) It's really hilarious to see Konata getting to tease someone else about their height. :naughty:

9) Gee, what racing game is Konata playing?

10) Konata: "I've recently learned how much pressure an older sister feels."

Hang in there, Kona-chan. There are upsides to it, too. Take it from someone who knows. :heh:

11) Akira is REALLY getting on my nerves by now.......more Shiraishi pwning Akira, please!

Actually, I'll rather vote for Shiraishi to get more time in the main show. :D

12) Shiraishi HHY was hilarious as all hell. :D
Oh BTW, the kanji that appears at the bottom denotes "weak" and "strong" literally; as in, weak punch or strong punch. It's like one of those beat-em-up game's training mode, where you input a move and the screen shows you what you inputted...

In any case, seems like a quiet day in the Lucky Star world today. Because of this, giving this one the minimum of 7; as long as I enjoyed myself, it'll never score a 6 or lower.

[AVPlaya]

7) Wait......Disneyland? Izumi-jiji, do you really have the funds to bring the girls to Tokyo Disneyland? Or is this another one of the [a.f.k.] localizations? :eyebrow:

No, that is Tokyo Disneyland he was going to take them. It's not that expensive, and they don't live that far away. Plus he seemed to be making good money - they do have a single unit home there. :)

[Kinny Riddle]

I hate to say it, but I think the wheels are falling off this show. I really didn't laugh once at all in this ep. Sure, there were a couple of smile-inducing scenes, but this is really starting to lose its teeth as a comedy.

I'm struggling to see how this show is going to keep itself funny for the rest of its run, since, generally when a comedy of this length starts to slip, it has a very difficult task to bring itself up and make itself funny again. I'm really not seeing much hope for the future of this series... particularly if we get more eps like this one.
No offense, but as most of the posters here can testify, you're obviously in the minority.

I know it's probably not your fault, just like how a non-soccer fan can never figure out why the FIFA World Cup can be so god-damn popular around the world bar America, but the fact is, this show IS god-damn popular and still picking up steam, no matter what you believe.

I wish you good luck in finding enjoyment in other shows.


Back on topic, Akira-sama sure is getting desperate, but I think her efforts to get some screentime in the show is simply futile, at least until the last episode anyway. :D

Yutaka-chan and Minami sure make a great yuri couple, I must say, notice how Yutaka blushed the moment she saw Minami and cue the romance-sounding music. :D Stay tuned for more Yutaka and Minami goodness. :cool:

Trivia: Looks like Japan still hasn't banned smoking in restaurants yet, judging from the current trend among countries around the world in the past few years. While also in Asia, my city seems to be ahead of Japan in this aspect.

[outcast_within]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j92/outcast_within/vlcsnap-26792.jpg

this one just rocked

[Shiroth]

"I win at life." - Genius~

I like how Yutaka has a different pair/color of ribbons on each day, reminds me of Yumi from Marimite.

Yui's last scene was gold!

[Sorrow-K]

No offense, but as most of the posters here can testify, you're obviously in the minority.

I know it's probably not your fault, just like how a non-soccer fan can never figure out why the FIFA World Cup can be so god-damn popular around the world bar America, but the fact is, this show IS god-damn popular and still picking up steam, no matter what you believe.

I wish you good luck in finding enjoyment in other shows.
Popularity means nothing in relation to quality, and how much a given individual will enjoy the show. I don't really believe or disbelieve anything. The number of people that like a show is independent of my opinion of it... all I'm doing is calling things as I see them.

I've never said this show is outright crap, but I do think it tends to be very hit-and-miss. Unquestionably, it is made for a given niche audience, and its general style doesn't always put comedy at the forefront, which means that jokes aren't always the priority. This is why I'd argue the comedy doesn't have much bite... but a lot of people appear to forgive this because of its slice-of-life component. I can't buy the slice-of-life component purely because I think the characters aren't dynamic or weighty enough to carry such a component as they are in other slice-of-life comedy like ARIA or hell, even Ichigo Mashimaro. To me, these are gag characters, and little more, so I'm only really engaged when this show is trying comedy, which, as I've said before, just doesn't have enough bite for me to consider it "great" comedy. Comedy, however, is very possibly the most subjective genre in anime.

It doesn't matter if I'm in the minority... my opinion still has a place here. It's not like I'm trolling; I am making an attempt to back up my opinion with fair, properly-grounded reasons and observations.

[Kinny Riddle]

Popularity means nothing in relation to quality, and how much a given individual will enjoy the show. I don't really believe or disbelieve anything. The number of people that like a show is independent of my opinion of it... all I'm doing is calling things as I see them.

I've never said this show is outright crap, but I do think it tends to be very hit-and-miss. Unquestionably, it is made for a given niche audience, and its general style doesn't always put comedy at the forefront, which means that jokes aren't always the priority. This is why I'd argue the comedy doesn't have much bite... but a lot of people appear to forgive this because of its slice-of-life component. I can't buy the slice-of-life component purely because I think the characters aren't dynamic or weighty enough to carry such a component as they are in other slice-of-life comedy like ARIA or hell, even Ichigo Mashimaro. To me, these are gag characters, and little more, so I'm only really engaged when this show is trying comedy, which, as I've said before, just doesn't have enough bite for me to consider it "great" comedy. Comedy, however, is very possibly the most subjective genre in anime.

It doesn't matter if I'm in the minority... my opinion still has a place here. It's not like I'm trolling; I am making an attempt to back up my opinion with fair, properly-grounded reasons and observations.

I never said you were trolling, I apologize if you think I did. You are entitled to your opinion in thinking that it's hit-and-miss and I respect that, but I too am entitled to defend it otherwise and strongly disagree with you.

Perhaps our "tolerance" level for this sort of show is different. You strive for character-dynamism, which is why Lucky Star isn't your cup of tea. While I guess I'm a very tolerant person when it comes to comedy, if it makes me laugh hard, then it's not a bad show, I really could care less if they're gag characters are not. Like you said, it's very subjective.

[Tatsumiko]

I like Yu-chan so far...and im very curious about the character development between her and the green-haired girl.

Konata's dad is as freaky as always XD...too funny

[Deathkillz]

I've never said this show is outright crap, but I do think it tends to be very hit-and-miss.
which is also where i stand with this series...to me the magic has gone sour since ep 7 and that things just arent as funny as it seemed when the series first started...for the past few eps ive been giving 7's for enjoyable but nothing really major (unlike SnH where the humor is much more to my liking) ~ though i think that this ep was the better compared to the last few...

[krln99]

This ep was a lot better than ep 13. Like I suggested, it was a lot more L*S and less KyoAni in-jokes. Yutaka may have bumped off Tsukasa as the cutest character in the series.

The relationship between Minami and Yutaka seems one-sided right now. (Yutaka is in awe of Minami, while Minami seems to regard her as kind of a little person just buzzing around her). But from what I've seen in the manga, Minami starts to be very protective of Yutaka.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Sorrow-K is clearly right that just because other people like something doesn't mean it's great or that I have to like it. In fact, I usually find that I don't like the most popular shows. But Lucky Star seems to me to be getting better, if anything. At least it is definitely maintaining a super-high entertainment value, for me. I find the characters complex and interesting, especially in their internal contradictions. For instance Konata starts out as a "female otaku" type, but you can see her domesticity and her dependence on Kagami, which one would not expect as part of the type -- which is a newish type anyway, so pretty interesting in itself.

I'm not a fan of the term "slice of life," which just seems to me to be a catch-all for shows that don't emphasize plot and don't fall into other categories. I think this show has character and relationships and jokes and shines a weird spotlight on the incidents of life. It's not Ichigo Mashimaro for humor or depth, but I like it better than ARIA, which never did much for me, although I can recognize its strength.

EDIT: And I like the Animate Tencho part, too, and most of the things that are added that weren't in the manga -- as far as I can tell which they are. Even when I don't get the references, they are somehow funny, to me. I'm not a big fan of Lucky Channel, but I don't hate it, and the other parts of the show more than make up for it.

[Vexx]

When they're actually *DOING* Lucky*Star, I think they're spot on. So if one liked the manga, in those segments they're doing a good job. When they're inserting all the "not L*S" is when the "funny" vanishes and it becomes "o right, **** reference, yeah.... whatever".

There's a certain level of referencing that works (like in a meeting in RL when someone quotes a movie line at an appropriate moment or their cube has anime decorations). For example, Konata saying "uguu" fit the moment (though the wings were overkill and kind of ruined the joke). The items she purchases or has in her room "fit the moment".

The whole Animate Tenchou nonsense may be funny... but it isn't Lucky*Star... really.... you won't find them in any comic. More sadly, they pretty much run it into the ground. The L*C segment... you won't find that in any L*S comic to speak of, and it is running a bit ragged now too .... but what you *will* find is that we're running out of time budget and a good deal of the manga won't see animation at this point.

Now, when they write anime-only skits for the L*S portion (like most of the convention sequence, parts of the temple sequence, etc) ... a lot of that has been really good (or when they expand a single 4-koma into a longer skit). I'd like to see more of that and more of the comic.

I don't want to have to say at the end, "This isn't the Lucky*Star you were looking for" :)

This may end up being the first series I go and video edit out segments...O.o

[Anh_Minh]

I don't know. Probably because I didn't read much of the manga, and watched the anime first anyway, I never had a beef with the non-Lucky Star bits. In fact, Akira is my second favorite character after Konata.

I never found the reference particularly obtrusive or unfunny, either. Sure, there were some I didn't get. So what? I can stand 30 seconds of non funny once in a while.

[Claies]

Finally watched episode 14. You guys can ignore me while I throw in my late comments.

Yutaka x Minami is instant win. They might even beat out Konami after a while. Hope they breathe more new life into the series...it's getting a little bit bland lately.

Konata's otaku act fell flat on me. I actually felt uncomfortable in her little outburst. You know you're in trouble when the highlight in that scene was Kagami's rather boyish formal suit outfit. (I'm serious...she looked like a total white-collar.)

The uh...gaming at the Hiiragi's scene sucked. I think our problem here is that the usual quirks about the girls (Konata's gaming, Kagami's lack of real world experience despite maturity, Tsukasa's airheadedness, etc.) have been thoroughly played through and there is a need for more things to exploit. Yui needs to stop appearing outright. Her law-breaking policewoman role has long expired.

So uh...this episode wasn't really good in terms of comedy. I really appreciated the range of costumes the girls had on, though. That's great eye-candy for me.

Uh...I'm quite sure few of us will allow loli-bitch Akira to appear in the show. Really...her little LC segment is running dry and stupid. I actually appreciate Shirashi's appearance far more than Akira ever since he upped the ante on his own performance.

Last but not least, Shirashi's singing was good for only one episode.

[Kinny Riddle]

When they're actually *DOING* Lucky*Star, I think they're spot on. So if one liked the manga, in those segments they're doing a good job. When they're inserting all the "not L*S" is when the "funny" vanishes and it becomes "o right, **** reference, yeah.... whatever".

There's a certain level of referencing that works (like in a meeting in RL when someone quotes a movie line at an appropriate moment or their cube has anime decorations). For example, Konata saying "uguu" fit the moment (though the wings were overkill and kind of ruined the joke). The items she purchases or has in her room "fit the moment".

The whole Animate Tenchou nonsense may be funny... but it isn't Lucky*Star... really.... you won't find them in any comic. More sadly, they pretty much run it into the ground. The L*C segment... you won't find that in any L*S comic to speak of, and it is running a bit ragged now too .... but what you *will* find is that we're running out of time budget and a good deal of the manga won't see animation at this point.

Now, when they write anime-only skits for the L*S portion (like most of the convention sequence, parts of the temple sequence, etc) ... a lot of that has been really good (or when they expand a single 4-koma into a longer skit). I'd like to see more of that and more of the comic.

I don't want to have to say at the end, "This isn't the Lucky*Star you were looking for" :)

This may end up being the first series I go and video edit out segments...O.o
To the guys above Vexx's post: I'll admit I was a bit edgy when it comes to shows that strike a chord with me in terms of enjoyment.

If you guys were criticizing about Kyo-Ani stuffing too much outside references, I won't argue with you on that because you're absolutely right, but when it comes to the adaptation of the manga komas, it has, as Vexx puts it, "spot on". Sometimes I even thought the "punchline" was handled better in the anime than in the manga.

As a reader of the manga myself, IMHO I think they do include a segment not unlike the "irrelevance" of Lucky Channel at the end of each volume: just a bunch of komas involving Akira and two other sisters not shown in the main section, as well as an epilogue by the cat, Yoshimizu Kagami himself.

Of course, those komas are definitely far more interesting than L-C itself. The only purpose I can give to L-C is to fill as much time as possible so as not to run out of manga material too quickly. Kyo-Ani probably reckoned 1 curr (12-13 episodes) was too short to fit all the manga, while 2 curr may be slightly too long, hence the L-C segments as "filler" whenever they're not using external references.

[AVPlaya]

Oh... Guys relax...even KyoAni's not talking L*S that seriously... hohoho...

Whether you like it or not, you've watched it...and that means, You Win at LIFE! But either way, please write to KyoAni and let them know how you really feel...

[Ashlotte]

Hmmm real debate...Havent seen that around here for awhile it seems. :heh:

Ah but most of what vexx said summed up what I think of the show...When they stick to actual comedy and not reference after reference it gets a genuinely good laugh out of me like this past episode did. On that same note L*C is wearing its welcome abit thin...Akira's shtick was cute at first but now id much rather see more story from the main cast then this nonsense they tack on at the end.

So yea...basically...More character driven comedy, less self parody, and get rid of or improve L*C and where in business. ;)

[Kaioshin Sama]

To me Lucky Star is like a drink that I want to be as sweet as possible, but the mixture varies with each episode and doesn't always turn out right.

Lucky Star Jokes Featuring The Characters=Sweet (Konata/Kagami Jokes, School Related Jokes, Culture, Anything related to what the characters are experiencing is usually really good material and is the reason I chose to watch this show)

KyoAni Jokes=Neutralizer (Basically I really could care less if Konata says Uguu~ because you can't really expect everyone to laugh just because of something some other character said. Anyway that joke wasn't tied to anything and was just kind of a random point scorer for the type of viewer who probably doesn't need to be hooked anymore than they already are with the show. I prefer the set-up punch line style that was present in the 4-Koma Manga)

Product Placement= Bitter (Just plain hate this kind of thing in my anime, I even gave a Code Geass episode that was otherwise solid a 5 because of the Pizza Hut stuff)

The show seems to like mixing these ingredients in varying ratios, sometimes adding too much product placement and not enough Lucky Star 4Koma style punchlines, creating a bitter drink. That was episode 13. From here on out imagine I'll be giving a lot of 7's as the endings are basically predictable at this point, whereas the Karaoke was taken from a variety of sources. Maybe they blew their licensing budget, or maybe the Haruhi referencing garners the show more rave reviews, it wouldn't surprise me, but it's just.....boring. If I wanted to listen to every Haruhi song I'd just buy the singles.

Anyway, so yeah before anyone accuses Sorrow-K of being unreasonable or a spoilsport, consider that he may be on to something and that others, such as myself and Vexx have similar concerns, but want to see the show turn out for the best and hope we get that sweet drink with each coming episode. If not then that's just how it is and I won't hesitate to rationalize my highs and lows for each episode and hope for the best next time should there be more lows than highs. After all Lucky Star is by no means a perfect show and there are bound to be ups and downs.

[PieWhatWhere]

To me Lucky Star is like a drink that I want to be as sweet as possible, but the mixture varies with each episode and doesn't always turn out right.

Lucky Star Jokes Featuring The Characters=Sweet (Konata/Kagami Jokes, School Related Jokes, Culture, Anything related to what the characters are experiencing is usually really good material and is the reason I chose to watch this show)

KyoAni Jokes=Neutralizer (Basically I really could care less if Konata says Uguu~ because you can't really expect everyone to laugh just because of something some other character said. Anyway that joke wasn't tied to anything and was just kind of a random point scorer for the type of viewer who probably doesn't need to be hooked anymore than they already are with the show. I prefer the set-up punch line style that was present in the 4-Koma Manga)

Product Placement= Bitter (Just plain hate this kind of thing in my anime, I even gave a Code Geass episode that was otherwise solid a 5 because of the Pizza Hut stuff)

The show seems to like mixing these ingredients in varying ratios, sometimes adding too much product placement and not enough Lucky Star 4Koma style punchlines, creating a bitter drink. That was episode 13. From here on out imagine I'll be giving a lot of 7's as the endings are basically predictable at this point, whereas the Karaoke was taken from a variety of sources. Maybe they blew their licensing budget, or maybe the Haruhi referencing garners the show more rave reviews, it wouldn't surprise me, but it's just.....boring. If I wanted to listen to every Haruhi song I'd just buy the singles.

Anyway, so yeah before anyone accuses Sorrow-K of being unreasonable or a spoilsport, consider that he may be on to something and that others, such as myself and Vexx have similar concerns, but want to see the show turn out for the best and hope we get that sweet drink with each coming episode. If not then that's just how it is and I won't hesitate to rationalize my highs and lows for each episode and hope for the best next time should there be more lows than highs. After all Lucky Star is by no means a perfect show and there are bound to be ups and downs.

uwahh
that is a nice metaphor....anyways i try to view lucky star as a kind of pick me up anime. For me personally nothing gets me out of a slump better than random satirical japanese humour. still honestly i think that the drink thing was..wow

[nanafan]

i like lucky star because of how random it is. has been entertaining me since it started. akira is getting on my nerves though. she does the same thing every lucky channel before it was funny but now she's gone crazy. konata's dad is funny i want to see more of him, and how wierd he is. he really has an attraction to lolis...

[PieWhatWhere]

i like lucky star because of how random it is. has been entertaining me since it started. akira is getting on my nerves though. she does the same thing every lucky channel before it was funny but now she's gone crazy. konata's dad is funny i want to see more of him, and how wierd he is. he really has an attraction to lolis...

lol not to mention his habit of not closing the door when he takes a dookie

[Ascaloth]

The way I see it, the real star of Lucky Channel is not Akira, but Shiraishi. Serious. For some time now, whenever the L*C segment comes along, I've been focusing more on Shiraishi than the psycho-loli, and you know what, it still works for me that way. Maybe it's just me and my borderline-sadistic tastes, but I think you're supposed to watch L*C to laugh at Akira's increasing misfortunes. :p
But yeah, I don't think L*C should be scrapped....but I do think it's about time Akira got booted out of L*C and Shiraishi takes over. Hopefully that's what the KyoAni folks are gunning for. ;)

Product placement, to me, is basically....meh. I like it when they play it for funny, and I almost fail to notice it anyway when it's just pure product placement. I don't have any particular hate towards it. On the other hand, I can't understand complaints about Kadokawa hawking their own stuff and neglecting others...the way I see it, why the hell not? If KyoAni wanted to reference other stuff, they would have to ask Kadokawa to purchase the image rights to them from the other companies, and clearly that's more expensive than using what Kadokawa already owns, in any case. Even KyoAni has to watch the bottom line after all, right? In fact, I'm more surprised that Nico Robin made it in in the first place.

But I do agree that while the KyoAni originals enhance the L*S experience when done correctly, they've been a little heavy-handed on it recently; Anime Tenchou was starting to get on my nerves, no doubt about that. Let's stick to "Uguu~" level, please, no more than that.

And Vexx-jiji points out that at this rate, the anime is not going to cover all of the manga material....my thoughts on that is, maybe that's the point. I mean, KyoAni has possession of three lucrative franchises (FMP!, SHnY, KEY), so why not add a fourth? In other words, why not leave an option for a sequel open? ;)

[Vexx]

I find it amazing that so many of "the usual gladiators" have at least some overlapping agreement on this issue :)

Yay for transitory synchronized head-nodding.

[Mirrinus]

Well, it would be pretty silly to argue about what constitutes good comedy. This isn't really a show that we can pick apart for plot inconsistancies and the like, so we're not going to get many crazy arguments here. I love arguing in favor of an absolute truth, but to do so for a show like Lucky☆Star would be quite ridiculous.

Basically, every single part of every episode will have people both praising and decrying it, and I think we've more or less gotten used to it (we better have, seeing as it's already episode 14). Some like Lucky Channel, others hate it. Some are amused by the product placement, others are bothered by it. Some like Shiraishi's singing, others are annoyed by it. But the lack of any concrete argument for either side has kept any disputes among sensible people to a restrained level. I guess in that sense, it's not a very controversial show.

[Ascaloth]

Well, it would be pretty silly to argue about what constitutes good comedy. This isn't really a show that we can pick apart for plot inconsistancies and the like, so we're not going to get many crazy arguments here. I love arguing in favor of an absolute truth, but to do so for a show like Lucky☆Star would be quite ridiculous.

Basically, every single part of every episode will have people both praising and decrying it, and I think we've more or less gotten used to it (we better have, seeing as it's already episode 14). Some like Lucky Channel, others hate it. Some are amused by the product placement, others are bothered by it. Some like Shiraishi's singing, others are annoyed by it. But the lack of any concrete argument for either side has kept any disputes among sensible people to a restrained level. I guess in that sense, it's not a very controversial show.

And it's also why I won't be doing one of my monster Critiques at the end of this series. Reviews are generally subjective, but Lucky Star is just that type of show where the experience differs from individual to individual. Same goes for car-nut anime like Initial D and Wangan Midnight, and I assume shows like AzuDai as well.

Just watch it, state how much you like it, the end. That's the approach I'm gonna take here.

[Vexx]

The sketch nature of the show (4-koma roots) also helps in that regard. As long as they keep bringing at least *SOME* of the manga strips or doing L*S anime-original material, even the L*C, Minoru-sings, or other non-L*S stuff is tolerable (or vice versa).

I have the entire Monty Python series on DVD ... about 50% of it is actually watchable --- hit or miss comedy. With L*S, it's about like watching the old Burns&Allen or Jack Benny comedy shows. Character exposition, some minor development... but most of the comedy derived from them being just who they were.

[Mirrinus]

And it's also why I won't be doing one of my monster Critiques at the end of this series. Reviews are generally subjective, but Lucky Star is just that type of show where the experience differs from individual to individual. Same goes for car-nut anime like Initial D and Wangan Midnight, and I assume shows like AzuDai as well.

Just watch it, state how much you like it, the end. That's the approach I'm gonna take here.

Yeah, that's what I'm planning too. It's really hard to rate shows like Lucky☆Star the same way you'd rate most other anime.

[gaguri]

Lucky*Star evidently evokes so many different responses from different people, so I'll take time here to just describe mine (since we all know my opinion is the law m i right.ha.ha.ha).

As a non-Japanese speaker and someone fairly outside from otaku knowledge, I'd say a fair amount of jokes fly over my head. And in cases where I do get the joke, it's rarely ever hilarious, so it's bit hard for me to understand how people can find it so funny.

So if not through comedy, how does this show appeal to me, someone clearly outside the 'in-group' of Lucky*Star? What I'm feeling isn't hilarity, but rather curiosity and amusement of intriguing and strange things about otakudom and life in general from a Japanese point of view. I find their topic of conversations interesting because that's the type of conversations you'd (or at least I do) have in real life, whether at school, at restaurant, on the train, or at home. Like, we once were eating burgers in McDonalds (which I loathe), and we talked about silly nonsense such as whether we eat chips first, or burger first, or who always take out their pickles in big mac, or who always orders apple pies instead of burgers, etc etc. Did anyone care btw? Maybe not, but at that very situation, you do find these things interesting (or at least we did) enough to talk over it. Or maybe, it's interesting because of the people who are talking about it. So just like their topic of conversations, there's also a feeling of curiosity and amusement from watching the characters, and how they go about observing, speculating, questioning, answering and making jokes about these things. Sometimes they're executed in an exceptional way, sometimes it just drops dead flat, but most of the time they are enough to amuse me. That pretty much sums up its appeal for me; how the characters talks randomly about random things.

Yet, the show never goes beyond silly entertainment and fails to be special or memorable. What is missing? The characters and the things they talk about are amusing, but that's about it. Only thing that has been more than just silly grins was in episode 5, when Tsukasa immersed herself in a state of reverie, which put me in a tranquil mood and just watch Tsukasa, who for that very brief moment, seemed something more than an airhead. Other than that, they just talk about random stuff and it ends at that, while the characters offer not much more than their signature traits (such as Konata's geekiness), which lacks in both variety and depth.

And that's my critical take on the show so far.

[AVPlaya]

eh, why don't we talk about EP 14 again?

So how many people here e-mailed KyoAni about your support for Akira-sama? :)

Has anyone tried a real-life Joba? I only saw them in store front window... they just looked too kinky for me to try and I don't know anyone who actually owns one. I will if I see one next time though! Just for Yui-nee-san's sake.

We have not seen Miyuki and Yukata together yet... what do you think will happen? I think there will be a serious disturbance in the Force if they were to meet. Closed Space will form and Giants will be out doing the Hare Hare Yukai Dance. But that's just me.

[gaguri]

Ok let's talk about episode 14. One thing I want to talk about is lucky channel, because it has been blowing a fat one for quite a while, but that's just me. The very notion of that Akira sama, yet another one gag character, making an appearance on the main story is laughable. That anime convention episode pretty much summed up my reaction; a random fan kicking Akira's cardboard stand while no one giving a damn, haha. Why any person would try so hard to make this blasphemy into reality is beyond me.

[Kaioshin Sama]

eh, why don't we talk about EP 14 again?

So how many people here e-mailed KyoAni about your support for Akira-sama? :)

Has anyone tried a real-life Joba? I only saw them in store front window... they just looked too kinky for me to try and I don't know anyone who actually owns one. I will if I see one next time though! Just for Yui-nee-san's sake.

We have not seen Miyuki and Yukata together yet... what do you think will happen? I think there will be a serious disturbance in the Force if they were to meet. Closed Space will form and Giants will be out doing the Hare Hare Yukai Dance. But that's just me.

Not me because I don't want them to put me on a mailing list if they do that, and I really just am not interested, nor do I know what to type or how to do it. Besides wouldn't the episode where they would give her the boot or not be made already, if it were something in the far off future than it would make sense since I've noticed they like to have the fans decide what should go in their shows via shows of support. You play it safe by giving the majority what it wants, it's the opposite of what Hollywood does these days, but you also eliminate the element of surprise. I don't think fans should decide what happens in a show for that reason, lack of surprise makes for a somewhat boring view.

[AVPlaya]

Ai, I'm stopping the campagn for Akira-sama. I guess she really has very little fan-base.... :)

[Claies]

I, for one, want Akira off, or at least her old (not to mention stupid) shows of b***hy pot-smoking angsty/angry hangover. If she's staying on LC, at least give her a new mental problem.

As for why I like Lucky*Star...while I value those cultural references, I'm by now quite sure that at least two-thirds fly over my head and the other third were blatant and therefore not too appealing to me. Lately, they've been focusing on too much physical reference (i.e. Keroro, Yugioh, Uguu, and that doujin character) than spoken reference (i.e. Sousuke watermelon shotgun). Right now I generally prefer watching character interactions, which are simply umm...a bit more realistic than the zanier crap these days.

[Vexx]

This episode had a lot of manga source in it (thumbs up) but oddly I only gave it an "8". Mostly because it was performing the necessary but troublesome function of introducing new characters .... so although I enjoyed it, I really didn't laugh very much. A few hearty laughs and I'd have given it a "9" though. So... I enjoyed it but it was mostly a smile time rather than a laugh time.
Welcome to Vexx's inconsistent rating system :)

L*C and ED ..... they *really* need to drop the whole thing now and let Shi and Aki be characters in the regular show as "walkthrough bickering parts".

I suspect that was the last we'll see of Minoru's live-action karaoke given the ending of it. I liked his clowning and it was a good place to finish. Finally we have a male "idol" who seems to have quite a following. Good job! I'd still like to see a live-action performance of L*C with the two VAs though.

I'm sure the "Nagato" comparisions are flying... but this really is the sort of character Minami is in the manga. She's more of an amalgam of Sakaki (AzuDa) and the type of character Nagato parodied in SHnY.

The Yutaka/Minami combo is a bit of an homage to the Sakaki/Chiyo AzuDa combo. Expect to see more AzuDa homage as the gang visits Miyuki's home later and we watch Yutaka and Minami interact.

[Anh_Minh]

Boy, this thread is a depressing read. I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only one left who actually likes the show.

But I do like it. Even the Lucky Channel part. And the Animate Tenchou. And the product placement. And the references.

[AVPlaya]

Boy, this thread is a depressing read. I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only one left who actually likes the show.

But I do like it. Even the Lucky Channel part. And the Animate Tenchou. And the product placement. And the references.

Whao, I love the show. I just love the old ED even more, that's all. I even liked the first Shiraishi ED. It's the last two that's getting on my nerves, but man, I've not supported an anime like this for years.

[Anh_Minh]

Yeah, OK, I don't like the Shiraishi ED either.

[Vexx]

eh? I *love* this show despite the warts. At its heart is just a lovely little group of characters. Its just hard to see sometimes for all the unrelated hoopla.

[Kaoru Chujo]

...Yet, the show never goes beyond silly entertainment and fails to be special or memorable. What is missing? The characters and the things they talk about are amusing, but that's about it. Only thing that has been more than just silly grins was in episode 5, when Tsukasa immersed herself in a state of reverie, which put me in a tranquil mood and just watch Tsukasa, who for that very brief moment, seemed something more than an airhead. Other than that, they just talk about random stuff and it ends at that, while the characters offer not much more than their signature traits (such as Konata's geekiness), which lacks in both variety and depth....You make me realize that I do think the show "goes beyond," and is special and memorable. By talking about random stuff, they create a feeling of depth, for me (as you say, responses vary). For me, the script, acting, and animation combine to make characters that come alive. Even in what they do, the characters are so much more than their "signature traits": Konata is a geek who does not do that well in school, who has a lot of domestic abilities and loves her family, who seems harsh but loves her friends (one in particular) and can be quite tender, who is sure of herself yet insecure, etc. Not one-dimensional, it seems to me. I love this show in part because it is comedy that comes through with moments of seriousness and heart.

[Ashlotte]

Boy, this thread is a depressing read. I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only one left who actually likes the show.

But I do like it. Even the Lucky Channel part. And the Animate Tenchou. And the product placement. And the references.

Well I like parts of the show...Not really the show as a whole. :heh:

Funny thing is when I remember back to the first episode the main part did little for me and L*C was the thing that made me laugh most, while now its basically flipped. I won't really say I hate akira I just wish theyd do something different with her...anything different to be precise.

But I did genuinely love this episode excluding the aforementioned parts. *points to poll* ;)

[Vexx]

You make me realize that I do think the show "goes beyond," and is special and memorable. By talking about random stuff, they create a feeling of depth, for me (as you say, responses vary). For me, the script, acting, and animation combine to make characters that come alive. Even in what they do, the characters are so much more than their "signature traits": Konata is a geek who does not do that well in school, who has a lot of domestic abilities and loves her family, who seems harsh but loves her friends (one in particular) and can be quite tender, who is sure of herself yet insecure, etc. Not one-dimensional, it seems to me. I love this show in part because it is comedy that comes through with moments of seriousness and heart.

That's one post that, word for word, I agree wholeheartedly with. Its the core of Lucky Star and why I grit my teeth through the confetti and distractions, because I can still see it.

[aorta]

At the pace the timeline is going, won't Konata be watching herself on TV pretty soon?

[Kaoru Chujo]

At the pace the timeline is going, won't Konata be watching herself on TV pretty soon?Lol. Brilliant!

[Claies]

At the pace the timeline is going, won't Konata be watching herself on TV pretty soon?

Well...she pretty much read herself on Comptiq, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Best case scenario would turn out as follows:
1) Konata watching Lucky Channel (satisfies Akira's wish for appearance...or they can fudge her out again).
2) Akira grudgingly announces the winner some sort of grand prize on TV and it turns out to be Konata (Izumi Konata from Saitama Perfecture!). The prize has something to do with: 1:8 FMP, 1:6 Lucky Star itself, 1:4 Keroro Gunso, and 1:2 Kanon.
3) Shirashi enthusiastically congratulates her (Tsukasa: "Look it's Sebastian!")
4) and Konata goes insane while Yukata and/or Kagami comments.

All the while I'll roll on the floor laughing.

[gaguri]

You make me realize that I do think the show "goes beyond," and is special and memorable. By talking about random stuff, they create a feeling of depth, for me (as you say, responses vary). For me, the script, acting, and animation combine to make characters that come alive. Even in what they do, the characters are so much more than their "signature traits": Konata is a geek who does not do that well in school, who has a lot of domestic abilities and loves her family, who seems harsh but loves her friends (one in particular) and can be quite tender, who is sure of herself yet insecure, etc. Not one-dimensional, it seems to me. I love this show in part because it is comedy that comes through with moments of seriousness and heart.
You must understand that in memorable characters, I look for something more than things like 'does not do that well in school', or 'is good at cooking and cleaning', or 'loves her family' etc. Those little informations aren't worth too much of my interest. I'll use Nodame as an example of a memorable character from a recent show. At first she was hilarious. She had multiple traits, such as being lazy, obnoxious, hilarious, talented, etc etc. An entertaining character, like Konata, but not memorable. What made Nodame memorable was how there are moments where she shines and leaves an impression. Not because she was 'obnoxious' or 'ridiculously lazy', but because of the way I felt her heart restrained by memories of the past, her unrelenting struggle to overcome it and how her encounters with different characters let her find that softness, richness, power in classical music once again. It's how I was absorbed into Nodame's struggles and joys, far beyond anything of Konata's 'level of otaku' or 'good ability to do housework'. For that reason, no matter how many more traits Konata has, it will still not make a big impression on me, while it obviously has to you according to your statement. I'm guessing that's our key difference in how we see characters of Lucky*Star.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Lucky Star Episode 14 Review Is Up From Me (http://animehistory.wordpress.com/2007/07/17/lucky-haruhi-episode-14-examination/)

Let me tell everyone, I actually had a blast with this episode, not just compared to the last one, but in general. It had the good solid wit and character humour that I've missed for the longest time in this show. Even if the next one turns out to not be to my liking, this one shows me there's still a chance that there's life left in this show yet.

9/10 by the way.

[Vexx]

Now THIS is a sign of the apocalypse :) Kaioshin, you've rated an episode higher than I did :)

But I agree... this episode contains more of the "heart" of L*S than some of the others have. I love that heart and core of the show and will continue to cheer it on.

[Trail]

ROFL, best ending ever. Was literally crying...

11/10.

Seriously the whole episode rocked.

[Bonta Kun]

For me I haven't read the manga, so this whole show is completely golden for me:p

mind u that goes for alot fo other shows I watch. Its great not having to go "OMG FILLER!!!WTF!!! ITS THE END OF WORLD!!!"

this ep rocks as Kona's dad is just WIN!:heh:

[Claies]

There must be something wrong with me...my ratings tend to go exactly against either public opinion or Kaioshin. Every episode I don't like, you love, and every episode I love, you don't like.

Maybe it has to do with my mood when I was watching. -_-

[t3ck]

Wrong episode thread... :heh:

[ReinhartX]

ahhh we got yukata into the family now ^^....just a question the voice actor for yukata is the same as chiyo-chan from azumanga right O.O

[Risaa]

Yukata don't have voice actors. XD According to ANN, Yutaka is voiced by Shizuka Hasegawa and Chiyo from Azumanga is voiced by Tomoko Kaneda.

[Vexx]

I was waiting for someone to make that typo..... Hell, I've made it a dozen times but my neural auto-backspace has caught it so far.

You say Yukata, I say Yutaka ... la la la la la.....

(for the novices: yukata are summer or housewear kimono-like light garments .... Yutaka is a small high-pitched cherub person)

It just seems to me that the Yutaki/Minami combo is an intentional homage of Chiyo/Sakaki .... I'm sure there will subtle references to AzuDa in their appearances (there's a few in the comic).

[AVPlaya]

It just seems to me that the Yutaki/Minami combo is an intentional homage of Chiyo/Sakaki .... I'm sure there will subtle references to AzuDa in their appearances (there's a few in the comic).

I was a big AzuDai fan so I'd agree (I think I started watching the show because it was said to be similar). Their pairing is very similar.. I remember in AzuDai it was Chiyo who first befriended Sasaki. But Minami and Sasaki has one, eh, huge, difference, if some charts were to be believed...

[Jaden]

Miyuki's mom having a one hour conversation with a telemarketer was funny and also cruel :p

I worked as a telemarketer for a short time one summer, they usually get paid based on how many sales they do, not by the hour :P During my short career I actually got 3 cases of people who tried to make me listen to all their crap, and they can really go on for hours. I hung up on them pre-emptively. ^^

[Vexx]

I'm always sorry to hear *anyone* has to work as a telemarketer. It is cruel to the soul for the most part because one generally isn't selling something people actually need.

Beginning to look like we're going to lag more than one fansub behind the broadcast schedule with all the groups .... ahhh, summertime :)

[Risaa]

Ahh, but there have been some really good summer season releases so far, they've got me bouncing in my socks that I've hardly been noticing L*S's release schedule...

*dodges thrown tomatoes* :)

[Simon]

A cultural trivia question for anyone who understands Japanese schools. The day Yutaka and Minami meet at high school is described as "the day of orientation and uniform fitting" - does this mean that Japanese schoolkids buy their uniforms from their school? I don't know about other countries, but here in NZ uniforms are sold by local shops and it's up to each family to sort themselves out.

I'm guessing this orientation day is before the day of the entrance ceremony, since every ceremony I've seen (in anime, that is) shows the pupils in their new uniforms. But it always seems that they find out what class they're in on the day of the ceremony, so is orientation more a general "get to know the school" thing?

[AVPlaya]

A cultural trivia question for anyone who understands Japanese schools. The day Yutaka and Minami meet at high school is described as "the day of orientation and uniform fitting" - does this mean that Japanese schoolkids buy their uniforms from their school? I don't know about other countries, but here in NZ uniforms are sold by local shops and it's up to each family to sort themselves out.

I'm guessing this orientation day is before the day of the entrance ceremony, since every ceremony I've seen (in anime, that is) shows the pupils in their new uniforms. But it always seems that they find out what class they're in on the day of the ceremony, so is orientation more a general "get to know the school" thing?

Day of orientation is the day more of a informational day; you get facts about the school and meet the principal and the teachers. You also gets your measurement taken by local tailor shops and place your order for your uniform on that day as well. The tailors then makes the uniform and the student needs to pick them up before the Opening Ceremony, which is on a later date. You MUST be in your new uniform at the Opening Ceremony. Your assumptions are basically correct.

I don't know if you guys gets this, but uniforms are pretty "sacred" object to a Japanese student. Although they have a closet, many students hang their uni on the wall. Some students do this it so they can get to it easily in the morning, some does it to show respect. You can't just walk into a tailor shop and order a uniform - the orders are usually ONLY taken during the day of orientation since that's the only time the tailor know for sure who's an entering student. The school usually contract a single tailor or two for all their uniform needs, so if the shops start selling them to cosplay-otas, the school will get rid of them pretty darn fast; plenty of tailor shops are dying for a fat contact like this. The uniform carries the spirit and the image of the school, so the school and the students make a big deal out of them. MOST students keep their HS uniforms for life.

I never got to goto one so this is all second-hand info... not sure if it's the same for all school. Some vocational HS are pretty relaxed, but I know elite schools like Katsukabe Kyoei would follow these rules.

[Anh_Minh]

Konata kept her uniform (for cosplay purposes). It's the Hiiragi twins who gave theirs away.

[Risaa]

MOST students keep their HS uniforms for life (unlike Kona-chan). I'm counting on the minority who give theirs away.

(Bwahaha)

[Simon]

The school usually contract a single tailor or two for all their uniform needs, so if the shops start selling them to cosplay-otas, the school will get rid of them pretty darn fast

In fact even as we speak, yakuza are placing orders with their Chinese factories for knock-off KyoEi uniforms. Buy yours today and support organised crime in your neighbourhood! (Spot the Shimotsuma Monogatari fan...)

But seriously, thanks for the info. Not only does it make the show that bit more comprehensible, but picking up these little cultural details is exactly why slice-of-life anime appeal to me so much.

[AVPlaya]

I'm counting on the minority who give theirs away.

(Bwahaha)

Rissa-chan, you can still buy the fictional uni Konata wears... the respect for real uniforms and the lack of access is probably one of the reasons why almost all anime schools based on real schools has vastly different uniform. Plus sailor suits are really going out of fashion, especially at many top schools. I remember sitting next to a bunch of middle school girls next to a plane and they were wearing almost exactly what Yukata wore except it was black. It was nice looking, but they were no sailor fukus. This is an elite private girl's middle school in Kansai. I think it's more public schools or vocational HS that still keep them to attract students - both girls and boys.

You guys have to remember that high school education is optional in Japan; you don't have the right to attend HS. You have pick one and attempt to go there.. the vocational ones are pretty easy to get in so there are competition for students is pretty high in populated areas; cute uniforms are a way to get more paying students. You can even learn how to be a mechanic or hair dressor in these HS.

[Risaa]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be disrespectful. It's hard for me to see uniforms in the same light because, well, I have a friend born and raised in Japan who obtained a different school's uniform from a friend and loves to dress up as a schoolgirl at Halloween parties (she had already given her uniforms away when she was younger which explains why she couldn't dress up in her own... even in her thirties she can still pass for a high school girl).

I also have Korean cousins who went to pretty good private schools who routinely threw their uniforms on the floor everyday when they got home and changed. :heh:

So my understanding is that while the uniforms are sacred to the schools, when it comes to the students, it's case-by-case, depends on the student.

[AVPlaya]

So my understanding is that while the uniforms are sacred to the schools, when it comes to the students, it's case-by-case, depends on the student.

Yup, that's why I say most. Maybe not even most nowdays... kids today... :)
What usually happen is the moment they graduate they want to toss their uniform, but after they've entered society they all start to miss their uniforms... some even keep them to cosplay for their husbands, but that's another topic altogether. :)

Japanese childhood is wonderful, except for the exams. Japanese adulthood is harsh, demeaning, and often demoralizing. Many adults have found memories of their school years and cherish their old unis for that reason. There's a reason why the fictional creations from Japan are so good and mesmerizing... There is a strong need for them in the society.