Lucky Star - Episode 15 Discussion / Poll

[Pellissier]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Lucky Star, Episode 15.

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[Konata-chan]

http://tvde.web.infoseek.co.jp/cgi-bin/jlab-dat/s/60485.jpg

Konata's like this for several screenshots.

And the song that Shiraishi will sing for the ED
Koi no Mikuru Densetsu, but he only goes to "Miku-run-run!" and doesn't sing "Sunao ni suki to..."

[Ascaloth]

http://tvde.web.infoseek.co.jp/cgi-bin/jlab-dat/s/60485.jpg

Konata's like this for several screenshots.

And the song that Shiraishi will sing for the ED
Koi no Mikuru Densetsu

OH SHI-

Clearly, that's a Kanon reference. :heh:

And I see that the Shiraishi EDs are here to stay. :p

[darkchibi07]

OH SHI-

Clearly, that's a Kanon reference. :heh:



Actually that's a Da Capo reference. I remember Nemu doing that pose in one of the CG images.

[darkadherent]

slightly different OP D:

[Nemo_N]

I'm loving Misao already.

Loved how dissapointed Kagami looked when she found out she wasn't in the same class as Konata and the gang.

And those hating the Haruhi references will hate the Aya cameo; she looked so cute.

[moyism]

- Konata doing Da Capo's OP was hilarious, esp since they played the actual OP song

- The girls going to a/the Haruhi live

- Konata playing F/SN!!!

- Konata/Kuro-sensei staying up way too late gaming XD

Man, def a great episode this week!

[Luminisk]

Poor Kagami doesn't seem like she got in the same class as Tsukasa and Muyuki again...



*cough* also Konata, but she won't admit it.

[Mirrinus]

You know, one of my favorite things about this show is the many ironies presented between the characters and their respective seiyuus. They make me giddy. And I can see it happening again in this episode.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Actually, what Minoru sings is "Koi no Minoru Densetsu" rather than "Koi no Mikuru densetsu." I'm ready for Akira...or anyone.

They ripped my heart out with 20 seconds of Kagami... ...finding out she wasn't in the same class, faking indifference, then realizing she would be with the same losers for another year. (I think that's what was going on.)Terrific work all round in that sequence: script, storyboard, music, direction, voices. So much emotional effect in so little time.

Konata in DaCapo was nice, as was the live, featuring animated Aya as Haruhi. Self-reference is always interesting. I love that kind of giddy. Konata's post-concert depression was well portrayed.

[Fat Cat Lim]

Very entertaining episode this time:

- Aya Hirano concert. After the concert, Konata is speechless, either with Aya's performance or perhaps with Kagami's considerate action of swapping places with Konata to let her see Aya perform. (Awwwwwwwww)
- Springtime cherry blossoms viewing! Konata coughing out sakura petals was quite cute. Perhaps it's just me but I thought the slight art change where her face outline wasn't in the usual chibi-style was quite appealing in a mature way.
- Kagami's 'goldfish' from Episode 5 is no longer a small goldfish...
- Liked the little details of the shot of the girls' lower half bodies, showing them fidgeting in the cold.
- April Fools everywhere! Also, delicious feet stockings.
- Kagami feeling dejected for not being in the same class with Konata and gang again. ;_; This part was really quite sad - you could feel the pain that she felt looking at the name list.
- Da Capo parody, as well as a take on the new relationships that one would encounter when entering a new school - childhood friend, confessing to one's senior under a tree, mysterious transfer student...oh man, I really laughed at seeing this cliche relationships occur in h-games so many times.
- Can totally relate with Konata's problem with undecipherable notes taken when half-asleep. Did that sooooo many times back in Uni when listening to a boring lecture. And then reading back the notes taken I'd be like "What the hell did I write about?"
- Akira Kogami live action event! O_o Also apparently, I think the subtitle text at the end says next week's episode will start at 1 a.m. instead of 12 a.m.

Definitely looking forward to next week's episode. :D

[Decagon]

Guy with SOS-dan jacket +++
April Fools reactions ++++
DC sakura petal coughing/OP parody ++++
Koi no Minoru Densetsu ++++++!!

[Anacone]

Very entertaining episode this time:


- Liked the little details of the shot of the girls' lower half bodies, showing them fidgeting in the cold.



Yeah all but Kagami...

I'm not sure which ep it happened but I'm following this because of characters and not for jokes, not that jokes aren't main thing but....
Everyone just feel interesting with real personalities and I've grown to like each one of them...

[krln99]

Another excellent ep. Lots of characters and good storytelling. Also, the KyoAni ref. added to the story, instead of being distracting. Nice April Fool's jokes, too.

[pomps]

Aww, another WTH ED, I found the guys talking in the background funnier than Minoru himself, only good thing is that the ED is shorter than usual.
Apart from that, this ep is quite good, I like Misao's voice and her yaeba (what's the word in English? challenged teeth? someone help me, plz :D)

[velocity7]

How did you people miss this one:

Konata's father going "Henshin!" and then a belt appears ala Kamen Rider style!

Also, Konata plays Realta Nua! (also credited in the staff roll)

[QBnoYouko]

I really loved this one. I usually need to watch the sub to like it more but seeing this I was already thrilled.

Haruhi Suzumiya live concert event from March!! And it's Aaya!!! Kagami switched seats with Konata. Cute.
Konata's dad is officially a tokusatsu freak
Second Haruhi reference: "Unique" (didn't see that coming)
Kagami's family watching more game shows (I think I'd like to see more family screentime like this now)
Loved Kagami's reaction when she looked at the list. Aww, poor Kagami. I really don't mind her friends though.
I wonder how this Akira live event will go, if it even does go. :heh:
Favorite part of the episode: Da Capo reference. Not once, but twice. I laughed more at the coughing up petals part though

[AVPlaya]

Finally got the raw... boy boy boy I just love it.. a lot of chara-jokes and not a LOT of otaku-ism aside from you-know-who. Yoku dekita!

- Animated Aya!

- Kagami love Kona so much...

- Hanami!

- "Shogun!" deligious~~

- Warming Undies.... very popular!

- Henshin! Typical face of a sick person or robber

- "I finished my home work!"
"WHAT? WHAT DID YOU SAY? REALLY? I CAN'T BELIEV.."
"Just kidding."

- They're all liars.

- New Mommy for Kona!

- What show is that? Gonna find out...

- Wow, everyone's related... And why haven't been to Miyuki's house yet?

- Poor Kagamin.... Otakus are weeping for you..

- "Outo Desu..."

- Oh~~~ Konata no atarashhi koi~~~ HARU DA YO!

- Glad I use MSN Messenger...

- Next week! Akira's big event!!! Yay!

- They HAVE to milk every single frame out of that Jogashima trip don't they... Mirakuru no Minoru no Densetsu... Please STOPPU!!

- RINGU? We're going to have a supernatural epusode next?

Shiraishi-Kun... mou yamete kudasai yo... kimochi warukatta deshou.. onegai dakara...

[archanfels]

Am I the only one getting tired/annoyed by all the KyoAni self-promo and the Shiraishi endings?

[AVPlaya]

Am I the only one getting tired/annoyed by all the KyoAni self-promo and the Shiraishi endings?

This one actually has less KyoAni-ism than the other ones... most of the EP was on the girls and the manga jokes. The ED is WAY overdone...I like Shiraishi but it was only funny the first time. 3 times? If they do this dumb ending again I'm really going to be angry.. and write KyoAni to bitch about it. I think it's our job as fans to complaint to KyoAni... I NEED MORE K-BOX ED SONGS.

[Nightengale]

Konata's father's Kamen Rider henshin pose is more specifically, Kamen Rider Super-1's, argubly the most corny and flashiest of all Rider henshins.

[Vexx]

Am I the only one getting tired/annoyed by all the KyoAni self-promo and the Shiraishi endings?

You just announced that you haven't read any of the episode threads, eh?
:) :) :)

(General audience hint: anytime you're about to utter the phrase "Am I the only one who..." , you can *guarantee* that at least a dozen other people have just said it :) ).

[shiro83]

Just as I predicted in the episode 14 thread, this episode has another Shiraishi ending...

This ending has less impact than the previous ones though... :)

[AVPlaya]

Removed cus I was fooled....

[Risaa]

Okay one of the things most raw watchers who can't really understand Japanese probaby missed is this fact:

Kona-dad wanted to remarry. Any speculation on who or what type of girl? I'm seeing a woman even shorter and loli-er than Katana.

Based on what I've read from the manga and what of the anime I've seen, I think
he would try to find a woman exactly like Kanata, but of course, be unable to find such a wife.

BTW AVPlaya.... the thought of Izumi-chichi looking for a woman even shorter and loli-er than a sword used by samurai brings up a funny mental image. :)

[AVPlaya]

Based on what I've read from the manga and what of the anime I've seen, I think
he would try to find a woman exactly like Kanata, but of course, be unable to find such a wife.

BTW AVPlaya.... the thought of Izumi-chichi looking for a woman even shorter and loli-er than a sword used by samurai brings up a funny mental image. :)

わ！はずがしい。。。 caught red-handed. :) KANATA is much more marriage worthy.

[Fat Cat Lim]

Okay one of the things most raw watchers who can't really understand Japanese probaby missed is this fact:

Kona-dad wanted to remarry. Any speculation on who or what type of girl? I'm seeing a woman even shorter and loli-er than Kanata.

Actually Kona-dad was trying to April Fool Konata, but after being fooled twice, Konata wasn't falling for it and so decided to go along with her Dad's revelation, sending her poor father into a panic. :D

[AVPlaya]

Actually Kona-dad was trying to April Fool Konata, but after being fooled twice, Konata wasn't falling for it and so decided to go along with her Dad's revelation, sending her poor father into a panic. :D

Really? I thought he was just shocked at her ease... April Fool was in other part of the show but I didn't think this was one.. man I was fooled too... I missed the 万愚節 part... sigh... I need sleep...

[bayoab]

This one actually has less KyoAni-ism than the other ones... most of the EP was on the girls and the manga jokes. The ED is WAY overdone...I like Shiraishi but it was only funny the first time. 3 times? If they do this dumb ending again I'm really going to be angry.. and write KyoAni to bitch about it. I think it's our job as fans to complaint to KyoAni... I NEED MORE K-BOX ED SONGS.
The thing is, I thought that the episodes are animated almost a month in advance. (As would be evident from that director change.) So would all this mean that they are doing L*C and the ending at the last moment?

They clearly knew why he was popular since they picked the first song from his most popular line and most meme'd line out there. Then they filled in the gap of him being the only character not to have a version of HHY. Now, they almost went and made a song out of a what seemed to be originally an adlib.

I think those that hate him really really underestimate his popularity. The fans made an original character song album for him. There was one guy creating a weekly video putting him as the star of LS and getting 40k+ views for each.

I agree that it is losing its comedic value and even he didn't know what to do in this video. So either they are going to change anyway soon, or this was the last of the series produced. There isn't much more he can do anyway that would be hilarious anyway... except the opening.

[stormy001_M1A2]

Don't think Kyoto Animation gives a shit about foreign fan complaint about Lucky Star. Afterall, we are not paying for it. So they can make as much Shirashi inspired ending as they want considering he is becoming quite popular side character of the anime.

I am quite neutral about his antics.

But boy, Akira is getting perdictable.

[Deathkillz]

and i quote myself form ep 14
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)
seriously though if they keep milking Shiraishi for all he is worth i would have to say..."screw it no one cares about you anymore!!"

*sigh*

[dodgethis_sg]

Your Live Dvd Viral Marketing Only Makes My ******* Harder.

[GoldAlchemist]

Probably out of topic, but for those who are interested, there's a Konata T-Shirt worn by Tsunestuki's ex-boyfriend in a picture in Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei episode 2 around 11:45.

Quite a lot of cross marketing these days. :heh:

[Alesiopdv]

Nobody else thinks that Lucky Star is similar to Seinfeld??
I mean both shows are about....well....nothing
They made a whole episode out of a situation of common life, such as got sleep on the bus and miss the stop. On Seinfeld they do a whole episode about getting lost in a parking lot.
They use a very subtle kind of humour.
Situations of real life and the meaningless talk that came out of it.
Lucky Star adds a little of parodies, so its like Seinfeld got mixed with Family Guy.

[Tokkan]

Nobody else thinks that Lucky Star is similar to Seinfeld??
I mean both shows are about....well....nothing
They made a whole episode out of a situation of common life, such as got sleep on the bus and miss the stop. On Seinfeld they do a whole episode about getting lost in a parking lot.
They use a very subtle kind of humour.
Situations of real life and the meaningless talk that came out of it.
Lucky Star adds a little of parodies, so its like Seinfeld got mixed with Family Guy.

You're not the first to make such a comparison. I've seen people call Lucky Star the "Seinfeld of anime".

[archanfels]

Don't think Kyoto Animation gives a shit about foreign fan complaint about Lucky Star. Afterall, we are not paying for it. So they can make as much Shirashi inspired ending as they want considering he is becoming quite popular side character of the anime.

I am quite neutral about his antics.

But boy, Akira is getting perdictable.

From what I gathered the Japanese Otakus are pretty pissed off about all the Shiraishi BS as well

[Konata-chan]

What are the five insert songs? I need clarification on 2.

1) God Knows - obvious
2) Sakura Saku Mirai Koi Yume - yozoca, Da Capo 1st OP
3) Fate Stay Night: Realta Noa
4) ??? (kanji too small to read)
5) Lorelei (Die Lorelei) phillip friedrich silcher

What parts of episode 15 are 3-5 played in?

[Kinny Riddle]

Am I the only one getting tired/annoyed by all the KyoAni self-promo and the Shiraishi endings?
I'm sure you're not alone, as can be seen by all the episode threads so far, so don't worry about that. :D

(BTW, I'm not though, sorry about that. :heh: )

Nobody else thinks that Lucky Star is similar to Seinfeld??
I mean both shows are about....well....nothing
They made a whole episode out of a situation of common life, such as got sleep on the bus and miss the stop. On Seinfeld they do a whole episode about getting lost in a parking lot.
They use a very subtle kind of humour.
Situations of real life and the meaningless talk that came out of it.
Lucky Star adds a little of parodies, so its like Seinfeld got mixed with Family Guy.

Thank you very much for pointing out that which people seem not to notice for weeks. They seem to think that all comedy needs to have a character-driven plot or character development. A cookie for you. ;)

What makes LS fun is that it makes you look at the bright side of your everyday life and wonder "Hey, this can actually be fun," The back cover of one of the manga volumes even advertises itself as "a manga that allows you to chill out and relax, and have a little laugh". Its "non-seriousness" is actually its strength.

(The detractors of course bring out the Kyo-Ani + various otaku references, but that's another argument altogether. :cool: )



When I first saw the screenshots of Kona-chan watching Hirano Aya performing "God knows" and doing poses of DaCapo (which I've never played or watch), I thought "Oh no, more ammo for them detractors," After watching the episode, was pleasantly surprised that they aren't as intrusive as I thought. This episode is still mostly a manga episode.

My thoughts (in no particular order)

- Poor Kagami-sama, got assigned to the same class (cue the lonely-some music), and to the same people as well (Misao and Ayano)

- LOL at Kagami-sama falling for Kona-chan's April Fool's, LOL even more at Kona-chan falling for Nanako-sensei's April Fool's in turn.

- More Yu-chan and Minami-chan (yuri) goodies :love:

- More fun with Hiiragis and game shows

- Totally understand how Kona-chan feels concerning sleeping early. For someone with similar hobbies as her, I find it incredulous how Miyuki can sleep "so early". :heh:

- LOL at Kagami trying to make her "boyfriend goldfish" lose weight, drawing strange gazes from Tsukasa-chan

- Totally no hint at the preview by the Hiiragis whether Akira-sama would finally make her debut in the main section, we'll keep our fingers crossed

- A bit disappointed Shiraishi didn't sing the whole "Koi no Minoru Densetsu". I don't think we'll see the last of him though, maybe 1 or 2 more eps?

I think that's it for now.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Nobody else thinks that Lucky Star is similar to Seinfeld??
I mean both shows are about....well....nothing
They made a whole episode out of a situation of common life, such as got sleep on the bus and miss the stop. On Seinfeld they do a whole episode about getting lost in a parking lot.
They use a very subtle kind of humour.
Situations of real life and the meaningless talk that came out of it.
Lucky Star adds a little of parodies, so its like Seinfeld got mixed with Family Guy.

Keep in mind thought that Seinfeld and Family Guy borrow from a variety of sources and lately Lucky Star has only been borrowing from one pool with it's punchlines (less so punchlines and moreso injokes actually). Seinfelds strength is also it's ability to focus on a particular theme, (AKA situational comedy) for an episode, whereas Lucky Star as a 4Koma style comedy jumps from topic to topic quite frequently within the episode. They are similar in some ways, but different fundamentally in others. Family Guy is probably the better comparison overall though with it's frequent leaps in narrative, and "Hey remember when?" cutaways. Family Guy's style of comedy can also be it's greatest weakness though if the writers get carried away with on joke, like the Lucky Star writers have with the Haruhi refs. I just can't laugh at any of those anymore.

One last thing, Seinfeld also frequently waited an entire episode to deliver it's finisher punchline, and it was often made all the funnier by everything that happened between the beginning and the end of the episode, but Lucky Star doesn't have that luxury as each segment only lasts about a few minutes at most.

Overall I agree with the Family Guy comparison, but not the Seinfeld one.

As for next weeks ending, Bouken Desho Desho is my call. I actually called God Knows last week, but it was the wrong Haruhi character. Once they've exhausted the openings then it will likely be inserts.

[archanfels]

Sorry to thread hijack but somehow I'm not allowed to make new threads

Anyone here care about the ongoing SaiMoe 07? I never bothered w/ it before but decide to follow it this year due to LS's participation.

Many casual/outsiders speculated that it will be a L*S year, and it's been proven correct when Tsukasa came out winner against heavyhitter Yagami Hayate of Nanoha in group 4, and Kanata(read: the mother) managed to snatch No. 4 in group 5(mind you, all her appearance in the anime so far is one picture shot).

However, the real Otakus point out that the Rozen Maiden and Nanoha factions both still have a legion of diehard faithfuls behind them. This was shown when yesterday in group 10, after a fierce competition, Konata finally lost to Suiginto of RM by a tiny margin. (Akira made No. 5 in the same group thx to Kona's side effect)

LS's real ace Kagamin should have no problem dominate her group 15, and Miyuki, just for being a meganeko, should come out alright in her group 18.

Today in group 11, Hiiragi Matsuri will be participating, personaly I doubt she can make Top 8 like Kanata did, but we will see.

Other LS participants include Yukata and Kuroi sensei, both have lost their first round but made it into the revival matchs iirc.

Anyways, above is the brief of my 2 hr research last night. I really wish the LS legion can make it to the end, not just for my own preference but for the event itself: it'd be boring to see another death match between the Nanohas and the Rozen Maidens again.

P.S. Many "experts" point out the this year's L*S gang strongly resembles last year's SoS brigate. Each of the main cast have superior individual popularity, but as a group they are at a disadvantage numberwise and may be subject to sieges from other major factions like RM/Nanoha.

[Kinny Riddle]

Sorry to thread hijack but somehow I'm not allowed to make new threads

Anyone here care about the ongoing SaiMoe 07? I never bothered w/ it before but decide to follow it this year due to LS's participation.

Many casual/outsiders speculated that it will be a L*S year, and it's been proven correct when Tsukasa came out winner against heavyhitter Yagami Hayate of Nanoha in group 4, and Kanata(read: the mother) managed to snatch No. 4 in group 5(mind you, all her appearance in the anime so far is one picture shot).

However, the real Otakus point out that the Rozen Maiden and Nanoha factions both still have a legion of diehard faithfuls behind them. This was shown when yesterday in group 10, after a fierce competition, Konata finally lost to Suiginto of RM by a tiny margin. (Akira made No. 5 in the same group thx to Kona's side effect)

LS's real ace Kagamin should have no problem dominate her group 15, and Miyuki, just for being a meganeko, should come out alright in her group 18.

Today in group 11, Hiiragi Matsuri will be participating, personaly I doubt she can make Top 8 like Kanata did, but we will see.

Other LS participants include Yukata and Kuroi sensei, both have lost their first round but made it into the revival matchs iirc.

Anyways, above is the brief of my 2 hr research last night. I really wish the LS legion can make it to the end, not just for my own preference but for the event itself: it'd be boring to see another death match between the Nanohas and the Rozen Maidens again.

P.S. Many "experts" point out the this year's L*S gang strongly resembles last year's SoS brigate. Each of the main cast have superior individual popularity, but as a group they are at a disadvantage numberwise and may be subject to sieges from other major factions like RM/Nanoha.
You can't start new topics, that function is disabled. You need to go to the "Request for New Threads" sticky and post your suggestion for the new thread there, the mods will then decide whether to give you the green light. This is to keep the quality of the board at a decent level, and this method has so far been quite successful.

If you want to discuss Saimoe 2007, please proceed to the following link.

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=49120

My take on it? My observation on last year's competition tells me that Lucky Star will probably fall victim to its own popularity, much like Suzumiya Haruhi characters last year. As there's too many people hating Kyo-Ani just for the sake of hating it simply because it's popular. 2ch has a sort of "anti-anything-that's-god-damn-popular" complex. I hear TYPE-MOON, Leaf and KEY fans were driven out of 2ch and forced to create their own boards because of this "anti-elitism", but that's discussion for another forum.

[Mirrinus]

From what I gathered the Japanese Otakus are pretty pissed off about all the Shiraishi BS as well

Honestly now, since when was there ANYTHING that didn't piss off some people on 2ch? We've really got to stop using it as the end-all thermometer of Japanese opinion.

[archanfels]

Honestly now, since when was there ANYTHING that didn't piss off some people on 2ch? We've really got to stop using it as the end-all thermometer of Japanese opinion.

And I said I got that from 2ch where?

[Mirrinus]

And I said I got that from 2ch where?

Then I'm curious, just what are your sources?

[AVPlaya]

Dudes... let's not get into some heated discussion here... it's well known that the J-otakus are very, very opinionated, especially about anime series. Yes there are a lot of negative opinion about Shiraishi and Akira, not just on 2ch but also blogs and social sites like Mixi, but there's also a lot of love for them too. It's pretty mich 50-50 at this point, but if Shiraishi keep doing these senseless and not very funny EDs I'm thinking the anti-Lucky Channel camp may be growing rapidly.

[Vexx]

I love what Shiriashi is doing (and Akira as far as that goes) .... to some extent the show is pushing the buttons of the "irrational zealot" crowd because, frankly, irrational zealots need all the misery that can be ladled on them. But I think its unfortunate that its happening to the extent its derailing and detracting from the core Lucky*Star.

@Archanfels: if you're going to negate what Mirrinus speculated then provide your sources in the post instead of just one-line negating. That's a bit pointless. This is a forum, not a chatroom. That said, I think your Saimoe analysis is probably going to pan out as accurate. Ensemble cast emphasis shows tend to do poorly in these "one character" popularity contests. And as American Idol recently discovered, the "anti-anything-popular" movements can really much bleep up any result. I've watched Saimoe for the last several years and pretty much written it off as saying anything useful.
Far too much club-voting and manipulation going on...

[AVPlaya]

My take on it? My observation on last year's competition tells me that Lucky Star will probably fall victim to its own popularity, much like Suzumiya Haruhi characters last year. As there's too many people hating Kyo-Ani just for the sake of hating it simply because it's popular. 2ch has a sort of "anti-anything-that's-god-damn-popular" complex. I hear TYPE-MOON, Leaf and KEY fans were driven out of 2ch and forced to create their own boards because of this "anti-elitism", but that's discussion for another forum.

First time I'll be participating too. I'm going all out for L*S, EMMA, ARIA, Saiunkoku, and Akazukin (hey I liked it). Wohoo! Feel like a otaku now~~

I think Nanoha fans now dominate 2ch... the ultimate underdog anime. I fully L*S to lose this one, but I'm alright with that... I tried.

[Xiaolang]

Oh my lawd! I've never seen Konata so star-struck and vulnerable at the same time. I'm referring of course to the Live House scene, when Kagami and Konata switched places. Konata is usually easy-going and content with her life, but in this scene, she's happy in a much different way. I guess, I'm getting ahead of myself, but that's the feeling I get from this scene.

http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Lucky%20Star/Lucky%20Star%20-%2015%20-%20Large%2003.jpg

It makes me want to hug her, or at least pinch her cheeks. She looks so cute! =D

:heh::heh::heh:

[Kaioshin Sama]

Funny how everything I have predicted is coming true, Yuko Goto appeared, and none to soon. Now that that necessary appearance is out of the way, time to look for Yuki Matsuoka (Tsuruya) who will probably be in episode 16. My friend now refers to this show as Lucky Staruhi and I fully agree. Seeing Aya Hirano and friends in concert.....not so surprising. In fact I knew it was coming at some point judging by the demographic in Japan the show is aimed at.

Looks at post below....speaking of lost novelty:

We got one episode of reprieve before the show launched right back into the self-referencing Haruhi stuff. Anyway, Aya Hirano fans must be going wild as I continue to lament just how overdone these Haruhi jokes have gotten and how in the long run it's just not that interesting for someone who really doesn't care about how many times they can see something related to Haruhi tied into this show. I can't imagine how much longer I'll be able to put up with the same basic joke over and over as indifference is now turning into rejection. It's really hard to laugh at this stuff anymore other than how ludcrious it's getting.

Well at least we have proof that Aya Hirano doesn't look like Konata. Speaking of which, I've got to admit I'm also getting weary of Aya Hirano in general being thrown at me from every possible angle the industry can offer. I didn't need an all new one. If the industry wants to burn out her career from overexposure they really couldn't be doing a more efficient job of it.

[Deathkillz]

Dudes... let's not get into some heated discussion here... it's well known that the J-otakus are very, very opinionated, especially about anime series. Yes there are a lot of negative opinion about Shiraishi and Akira, not just on 2ch but also blogs and social sites like Mixi, but there's also a lot of love for them too. It's pretty mich 50-50 at this point, but if Shiraishi keep doing these senseless and not very funny EDs I'm thinking the anti-Lucky Channel camp may be growing rapidly.
well just goes to show how much they are milking it to the extent that big L*S fans are beginning to feel the sting of "maybe they have it wrong this time" O.O ~ it lost it's novelty the first time and i guess 4th strike and he will be a dead man :rolleyes:

[Shiroth]

Oh my lawd! I've never seen Konata so star-struck and vulnerable at the same time. I'm referring of course to the Live House scene, when Kagami and Konata switched places. Konata is usually easy-going and content with her life, but in this scene, she's happy in a much different way. I guess, I'm getting ahead of myself, but that's the feeling I get from this scene.

http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Lucky%20Star/Lucky%20Star%20-%2015%20-%20Large%2003.jpg
Yeah i can understand why you'd think that --- i in some sense feel the same way.

& yeah, she does look even more adorable in that scene then usual.

[Xiaolang]

Yeah i can understand why you'd think that --- i in some sense feel the same way.

& yeah, she does look even more adorable in that scene then usual.

Maybe I've been watching way too much Nana lately (watched the first 28 episodes in 4 days -- please help!) but seeing a different side of the usually giddy Konata, melted my heart a little... or maybe I should finish watching Nana before it destroys me. :o

Even for just a few seconds, Konata was a completely different person in this episode.


Even though without the aid of subtitles, I can understand just enough, based on the body language alone. (Or at least, that's what I'd like to think.)

[AVPlaya]

Maybe I've been watching way too much Nana lately (watched the first 28 episodes in 4 days -- please help!) but seeing a different side of the usually giddy Konata, melted my heart a little... or maybe I should finish watching Nana before it destroys me. :o

Even though without the aid of subtitles, I can understand just enough, based on the body language alone. (Or at least, that's what I'd like to think.)

I understand what you mean... I just finished the entire run of NANA a while ago. Now that I think back, I believe that it's possible that the scene in the spoilers is a reference to how Hachi looked when she first saw Nana (Osaki) live. More I think about it more it kinda make sense. A NANA reference in L*S... wow, that's going to throw some otaku off. Since you're on 28 this is not a NANA spoiler for you. :)

[Xiaolang]

I understand what you mean... I just finished the entire run of NANA a while ago. Now that I think back, I believe that it's possible that the scene in the spoilers is a reference to how Hachi looked when she first saw Nana (Osaki) live. More I think about it more it kinda make sense. A NANA reference in L*S... wow, that's going to throw some otaku off. Since you're on 28 this is not a NANA spoiler for you. :)

Oh for the record, I wasn't implying a referential connection between Nana and Lucky Star. I'm only referring to myself; I'm feeling kinda depressed after going through the emotional hell caused by Nana. I only stopped at the middle of episode 29, just so I won't cry myself to sleep. :heh:

I need more L*S to counterbalance Nana!

[Shiroth]

Its funny how most people end up seeing NANA by viewing a lot of episodes at once, i was the same.

As for the NANA reference.. i never thought about it that way. Very interesting.

[Xiaolang]

Its funny how most people end up seeing NANA by viewing a lot of episodes at once, i was the same.

As for the NANA reference.. i never thought about it that way. Very interesting.

If I watch Nana once a week, I'd probably go crazy. I mean, with the way that series is set up, the cliffhangers are friggin' killer.

As for the possibility of a reference, that would be very interesting. But for it to make it an actual reference, it has to be somewhat obvious at least. Like for example, maybe Konata giving Aya, a long-stemmed rose with a gold ribbon. ;)

[AVPlaya]

Oh for the record, I wasn't implying a referential connection between Nana and Lucky Star. I'm only referring to myself; I'm feeling kinda depressed after going through the emotional hell caused by Nana. I only stopped at the middle of episode 29, just so I won't cry myself to sleep. :heh:

I need more L*S to counterbalance Nana!


Hehe, I was just saying that your post made me think there's a reference there and it made sense. :) And here's a spoiler for NANA for you - there's more crying in store for you. :D

[Shiroth]

As for the possibility of a reference, that would be very interesting. But for it to make it an actual reference, it has to be somewhat obvious at least. Like maybe Konata giving Aya, a long-stemmed rose with a gold ribbon. ;)
True true. If we were to see a NANA reference in this show, it'll probably involve something else from the series.

Anyway, back to everyone's favourite Lucky Star discussion~

[Xiaolang]

Hehe, I was just saying that your post made me think there's a reference there and it made sense. :) And here's a spoiler for NANA for you - there's more crying in store for you. :D

You know, prior to watching this episode of Lucky Star, I was watching one of the more heart-wrenching episodes of Nana, when Hachi was so confused and lonely and ended up with Takumi. I didn't cry after this episode, but when I saw the Konata X Kagamin scene at the Live House, it totally reminded me of Hachi X Nana for some odd reason, and almost me put to tears. Damn you Ai Yazawa!!! Even Lucky Star is making me cry!

And believe you me, I know what's in store in the last 19 episodes of Nana. I'm just delaying the inevitable.


So anywho, I want to rate this episode, but I will reserve judgment when the subs are out. But so far, this might be one of my favorite episodes.

[Shiroth]

Xiaolang: When you reach future episodes of NANA, make sure you pm me about it, shall be fun to talk. :3

& yeah sorry for going off-topic.

How i love a Da Capo reference.

[Vexx]

The screencaps over at Random Curiosity make me grit my teeth but I'm told the derails from "the Lucky*Star I'm looking for" are much less intrusive than it appears.

I guess I'll see... but frankly, I was hoping for about 5 or 6 chapters of manga - the Minami/Yutaka & the Four Musketeers interact.... I really hope that L*S isn't being trampled. If the last half of this series turns into an advert for SHnY 2, my heart will be broken and my enthusiasm for SHnY 2 will be withered. I'm beginning to feel like I'm one of the few fans of the manga being outshouted by the crowd. I simply want Lucky*Star to be about Lucky*Star.

To be really crude and because L*S means something to me, please forgive the following outburst: I signed on for this ride to see Lucky.. Fucking... Star... , eh?!


edit: okay I slugged down several pints of sake ... I feel more stabilized. :) People who watch the anime and *then* go read the manga are going to wonder where is (insert all that other stuff here, like Animate Tenchou, cameos, L*C, etc). So I guess that revenge will be slow and romulan cold.... :)

[Kaoru Chujo]

1. Xiaolang, don't stop watching NANA at ep29. It's just getting great. It gets better and better. Your tears will dry...then more will come...then.... Really, an outstanding show. But I ended up watching it in spurts, too. Once a week was too hard. It's not a direct reference, but I can really see your parallel between some of the emotions in the relationships NanaxNana and KagaminxKonata.

2. It's bracing to find myself back in the familiar position of disagreeing completely with Kaioshin. I just totally disagree that there is too much reference and self-reference in this show. As I've said, I don't get most of the references, but that doesn't affect my enjoyment. And I believe the references are a great way of touching otaku in their encyclopedic souls, and getting them to open their wallets so that more of this stuff can be produced. Bring it on. As I've also said before, Dickens and Shakespeare were in it for the money, too. And when I do get the references, it's fun.

I thought Kagamin's kindness and Konata's reaction after the concert were two of the highlights of this whole series.

I didn't feel much one way or the other about the brief presentation of the SH no Gekisou concert itself. If I want see some of that show, I'll watch the trailer for the DVD. But I was interested that they seemed to make a point, with both Aya and previously with Minorin, of not having the cartoon image look much like the real person. And I did enjoy the fact that they made her hair so light -- far lighter than she has ever really dyed it -- as a sort of joke at the expense of the otaku who kept complaining about her dyeing it at all. In this case, I do get the references, lol.

3. SaiMoe. I found last year's contest so annoying that I'm not going to spend any time following it this year. It's not about moe at all, it's just about popularity. The most moe character of the past year was Nanami in Bokura ga Ita. I know that and don't need to watch her being eliminated in the first round because otaku didn't watch that show.

4. Of course, I don't feel the same as Vexx about things not from the manga. Once again, I am so happy that I did not read a manga before I watched its anime, so I can just accept it as it is, rather than having any sense of "what might have been."

[Alesiopdv]

Quick question:
How much of the manga has been adapted so far?

[Vexx]

Depending on how you count (some of the skits were expanded, some of the material was used out of sequence), I'd say perhaps a third of the four volumes so far.

I think I'm going to sit down and do a specific count just to validate or invalidate my estimate. I'll update when I do.

[Claies]

If there's anything Lucky*Star makes me do, it's pressuring me to learn Japanese.

Wow...those first 3 minutes caught me right away. That's a lot of precious character interaction.

I love how Konata can play both sides of the manzai pair: the boke when with Kagami, and the tsukkomi when with Sochirou.

Too bad I won't be able to view the subs until I come back from Hong Kong T_T. I might talk about that little vacation when I come back.

[Xiaolang]

@Kaoru:
Of course, I won't stop Nana at episode 29. I only stopped at that episode because I know it's the only happy episode left until the end of the series. I'll continue watching it, but not right now. Much like Hachi, I was a bit of an emotional wreck after watching through the series rough episodes, and I know it's going to get even rougher. Heck, my mind was all messed up at work today, it became hard to concentrate on what I was doing! XD

@Vexx:
I know how you and practically anyone feel about unfaithful manga-to-anime transitions, but c'est la vie. People have legitimate concerns about this before, but unfortunately, the world of entertainment is not always, perhaps never democratic. It may be a sad state of affairs for the fan, but to keep things in perspective, it's only entertainment.

When I heard that KyoAni has picked up the series, I did some research into Lucky Star and its yonkoma. While it is an entertaining read, it didn't grab me as much as I hoped. I was worried that KyoAni's (old) reputation of keeping a mostly faithful adaptation, they might end up with a boring series. Fifteen episodes later, I'm glad they took the "creative" (to put it nicely) way of making this series more interesting than its manga predecessor. Yeah, there is a lot of the references and blatant advertising, but the way KyoAni presented the shameless plugs added to the presentation; or at least, it kept me entertained. I have to say though, just because there may be advertising, that doesn't mean I have to be a slave to it. I already like a lot of the stuff that they advertise in Lucky Star anyway, so KyoAni is only preaching to the choir. Also, I'm not dumb enough to buy the stuff they advertise in an anime series.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, to be succinct, it's only entertainment, don't put so much energy in hoping to get what you want from a TV show. I'm not saying don't speak out, but in hindsight, there are more important things to worry about besides an anime series on "a show about nothing" (TM). :)

[AVPlaya]

I think I'm going to sit down and do a specific count just to validate or invalidate my estimate. I'll update when I do.

Oh, I think I can visualize you doing just that, Vexx-dono!

[Vexx]

Well.. its not like I thrash about the house going "Aieeeeee, my Lucky*Star!!!" all day long rending my tunic.

Such things annoy me about 30 seconds out of the day.... its just that 'a post is forever' ... :) (at least til the next server meltdown)

[AVPlaya]

Well.. its not like I thrash about the house going "Aieeeeee, my Lucky*Star!!!" all day long rending my tunic.

Such things annoy me about 30 seconds out of the day.... its just that 'a post is forever' ... :) (at least til the next server meltdown)

Wow, I don't really have that picture.. I see you shining in Otaku glory staring at the monitor with your manga in hand going.. "Hmm.. EP 12 from 13:21 to 14:03, that's volume page 13 strip 1 to 3.5...." *writes it down* .... for hours. But your version is funnier. :)

That reminded me.. I got to save my Monkey Magic transcription! That's something I'm going to show my children one day. "See what daddy used to Moe?"

[Vexx]

Nah... what I'm actually doing is flipping through the books going "yes... yes... no... no..." and gathering a not-so-rough estimate. Sometimes I slow down if a section was "sort of done" (meaning the some other similar incident was portrayed).

I've got a website to knock out tonight so too much derail is a Bad Thing.

[AVPlaya]

I've got a website to knock out tonight so too much derail is a Bad Thing.

I hear you man.. believe it or not you see me post here to much I've been working on a huge project for 2 weeks now... I was even working weekends and getting little sleep.. but Lucky Star and this forum kept me going. I just multitask really well.

[Ascaloth]

I wonder if Vexx-jiji is going to start up one of those comparison websites detailing which parts of the Lucky Star anime concurs with the manga. :heh:

[Vexx]

I could go nuts and do one of those huge chronology charts with tags for each 4-koma and where....

..... but, um, no I don't think so ;)

[AVPlaya]

I could go nuts and do one of those huge chronology charts with tags for each 4-koma and where....

..... but, um, no I don't think so ;)

ONEGAI KUDASAIMASENKA?!! I BEG YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL L*S OTAKUS!

[Ascaloth]

ONEGAI KUDASAIMASENKA?!! I BEG YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL L*S OTAKUS!

ONEGAI, VEXX-OYAJISAN!!! :D

[Risaa]

ONEGAI KUDASAIMASENKA?!! I BEG YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL L*S OTAKUS!

AVPlaya, if you get me copies of the first three tankoubon, I'll gladly obsess over a chart like that (after all, I'm already keeping track of how "oral" Kagami is compared to the other girls). :p :p Edit: Same for Ascaloth. :p :p

(... at least it'd force me to translate instead of posting here all day. :uhoh: )

[AVPlaya]

ONEGAI, VEXX-OYAJISAN!!! :D

DAME DAME! OYAJI JANAI ZO! "YOUNGU, HANDOSOMU MAN", WAKATTA?

AVPlaya, if you get me copies of the first three tankoubon, I'll gladly obsess over a chart like that (after all, I'm already keeping track of how "oral" Kagami is compared to the other girls). :p :p Edit: Same for Ascaloth. :p :p

(... at least it'd force me to translate instead of posting here all day. :uhoh: )

Honki? You serious? I am if you are!

[Ascaloth]

DAME DAME! OYAJI JANAI ZO! "YOUNGU, HANDOSOMU MAN", WAKATTA?


Hai.....sumimase. :sad:

[stormy001_M1A2]

Well after few episodes of Lucky Star, I kinda realised that origin content must be quite boring and Kyoto Animation basically fill up the lack of plot with its own meme and self promotion. Or those really obscure and totally unrelated jokes to make fun of anime fans in Japan or worldwide who is too are enraptured in anime fandom. In a way, this anime is very self indulgent yet able to laugh at itself. Weird bipolar by itself.

That's why some of people find it odd, some find it brilliant, or people like me find it irritating sometimes.

A lot of people make a mistake in assumption that this anime will be "Haruhisque" material in the beginning since it has the famous VA and the studio doing it. I am amused by reaction of many people especially outside Japan that is synonymous with WTF or WTH when episode 1 was shown. I mean first 10 minutes talking about chocolate pastry which is neither funny or clever.

[Risaa]

Well after few episodes of Lucky Star, I kinda realised that origin content must be quite boring and Kyoto Animation basically fill up the lack of plot with its own meme and self promotion.

That's why some of people find it odd, some find it brillant, or people like me find it irritating sometimes.
If the original content were boring, it wouldn't have been popular enough for there to be an anime based off of it. Though I guess some people really would find it boring - everyone's tastes are different; I personally really like it.

Out of all the references, I really dislike the SHnY ones the most.... but I'll admit it's more of a personal thing than just having a grudge against it. I've spent months listening to friends ramble about how great it is, sending me pictures and lines from it and all sorts of things, and I just got sick of it. I *like* the series, but I don't *love* it enough to let it invade every aspect of my life. Aah... but I'm getting off topic.

Edit:
I mean first 10 minutes talking about chocolate pastry which is neither funny or clever. Again, different strokes for different folks. I liked the pastry part.

[stormy001_M1A2]

If the original content were boring, it wouldn't have been popular enough for there to be an anime based off of it. Though I guess some people really would find it boring - everyone's tastes are different; I personally really like it.

Out of all the references, I really dislike the SHnY ones the most.... but I'll admit it's more of a personal thing than just having a grudge against it. I've spent months listening to friends ramble about how great it is, sending me pictures and lines from it and all sorts of things, and I just got sick of it. I *like* the series, but I don't *love* it enough to let it invade every aspect of my life. Aah... but I'm getting off topic.

Edit:
Again, different strokes for different folks. I liked the pastry part.

It is slice of life 4 panel comic so lack of plot is understandable or dry monologues on chocolate pastry. But yeah, I can relate to overexposure of Haruhi. Too much of it, and even the best material can be bland really quick.

What I try to say this, people having different expectation of Lucky Star and they get something else entirely. Dissonance of adjustment and expectation, I will say.

[Vexx]

Apparently, we're interpreting the show quite differently. "lack of plot" really equals "you don't see a plot" and "dry monologues" really equals "you didn't notice the joke". A lot of the jokes are subtle (though not invisible) and the plot is somewhat simple (the journey of a group of girls through their high school years and the daily happenings thereof). But then I've also just described Azumanga Daioh (from which L*S obviously owes homage to), one of the better anime ever produced.

But you're correct: many, many people came into L*S thinking they were going to get some kind of Haruhi.... those people had not seen the 4-koma. Actually, quite a few of them didn't seem to know a comic existed.

I expected a nice adaptation of the 4-koma with original extended material. Why? Because previously, KyoAni was pretty good about being true to the source (SHnY, Kanon, etc). Also, I felt like the source material was pretty good, a nice descendant of Azumanga Daioh (that is also a 4-koma that translated into a pretty popular long-running series using mostly only the source material of a four volume set), so it didn't really need a lot of help. I was expecting a similar treatment for L*S, I admit.

Unfortunately, someone on the team seems to view L*S as an easy advertising or pseudo-hip-reference-insertion vehicle rather than a charming show in itself. So those of us who are fans of L*S (as in the source material) seem to be getting shoved aside at times in favor of another set of fans.

I think Haruhi is great.... and I'll watch Haruhi when I want to see Haruhi stuff. As I kind of rudely stated elsewhere, I'd like to watch LUCKY*STAR when I fire off a Lucky*Star episode.

[bayoab]

Nah... what I'm actually doing is flipping through the books going "yes... yes... no... no..." and gathering a not-so-rough estimate. Sometimes I slow down if a section was "sort of done" (meaning the some other similar incident was portrayed).

I've got a website to knock out tonight so too much derail is a Bad Thing.

I'll edit this in a minute but let me first warn you, it's already been done.
http://www.syu-ta.com/luckystar/luckystar.shtml Scroll down under the reference section and you get which ones were used in which ep.

I didn't feel much one way or the other about the brief presentation of the SH no Gekisou concert itself. If I want see some of that show, I'll watch the trailer for the DVD. But I was interested that they seemed to make a point, with both Aya and previously with Minorin, of not having the cartoon image look much like the real person. And I did enjoy the fact that they made her hair so light -- far lighter than she has ever really dyed it -- as a sort of joke at the expense of the otaku who kept complaining about her dyeing it at all. In this case, I do get the references, lol.
I found the whole concert whole thing very amusing. From the AX panels and from the handful of times I've looked at her blog, Aya Hirano comes off very Konata like. So therefore we have....
Someone just like aya hirano, who is voiced by aya hirano, who is too short to see over a guy wearing a red sos jacket (note: that jacket is famous, i'm not sure if they purposely did something or not here, but this might be something which could be again tied to hirano), trying to watch aya hirano on stage sing.

It's this really kinda amusing effect of having a character watching their VA.

Also, Konata is an otaku and these are all very otakuish things. It isn't like it is completely out of character.

[stormy001_M1A2]

The thing is, Azumanga Daioh did a good job in parodying character archetypes, but Lucky Star is going around the bush a bit wee too many times. I seriously unable to see any plot coming out from Lucky Star or even Azumanga but it is fine since it did a good job in expanding principal players in the story. However Lucky Star did not. Kyoto Animation is well noted for their faithful adaptation of source material which is laudable but perhaps they should be more careful choosing the source material next time. I think they make a big mistake here, choosing Lucky Star. (yes, flame me as much as you want, people)

What so subtle about way eating a chocolate pastry? Does it justify 10 minutes of airing time?

I looked at the source material and I have to admit, the jokes went above my head as I don't see what so funny about them. Cute yes, sometimes amusing but funny? Not really.

But yeah, we both looking at same sunset from different hills, it seems.

As for viral marketing insertion, it is obvious. I mean they tried to promote the unsold phone cards rather blatantly in the anime or not so discreet in promoting Minoru Shirashi. I also heard this series suffered a lot of casualties in directorial department. Rumors though, so someone perhaps can enlighten me about it.

[Vexx]

@bayoab: Wow... thanks. hmmm, rats.. this is one of those sites where even though I have all the Asian fonts installed, AppLocale updated, and can read many asian sites --- this one rings up in some Elder God gibberish:

�w‚ç‚«�™‚·‚½�xŠe˜bƒpƒ�ƒfƒB�•ƒlƒ^‚Ü‚Æ‚ß

I've never quite figured out which font/code to use on these particular sites despite trying the entire set (using Firefox). Meanwhile I can pop over to amazon.co.jp, any seiyuu's site, almost anywhere else and its completely readable :)

@stormy: You're probably not familiar(?) with George Burns and Gracie Allen (two comedians of the 20th Century) who would do multi-minute routines quite similiar to the coronet food gag. There's an element of absurdist comedy, paced timing, the comedic tension, and the cyclic nature of discussion ... and in this instance, coupled with Kona's obsession nature.
If you've seen The Cheese Shop sketch in Monty Python's Flying Circus, it is structurally similiar (and since its more recent you might find it on youtube).

Also, the coronet and food itself is secondary to what is really going on. The sketch is also communicating something about the personalities of each girl since you're meeting them for the first time.

Fundamentally... yeah, this type of humor is like Monty Python in that people tend to either fall into hysterics or sit there and mutter "is this supposed to be funny?"

I won't say L*S is as good at it as AzuDa ... it is derivative in that respect. But it updates characters so that they're doing the kinds of things girls in 2007 would be doing. (AzuDa was set pretty much early Internet, pre-cell, pre-gaming culture). I'll wait til the anime series is over before I'll take a stab at whether they created the same level of personality that AzuDa was able to create for those girls.

[AVPlaya]

I'll edit this in a minute but let me first warn you, it's already been done.
http://www.syu-ta.com/luckystar/luckystar.shtml Scroll down under the reference section and you get which ones were used in which ep.

That's a great link, thanks! I'm sure Vexx or Rissa can do a prettier job though. :)

Vexx-dono: it looks to be a Shift_JIS site on my firefox.

[bayoab]

Wow... thanks. hmmm, this is one of those sites where even though I have all the Asian fonts installed, AppLocale updated, and can read many asian sites --- this one rings up in some Elder God gibberish:

�w‚ç‚«�™‚·‚½�xŠe˜bƒpƒ�ƒfƒB�•ƒlƒ^‚Ü‚Æ‚ß

I've never quite figured out which font/code to use on these despite trying the entire set (using Firefox). Meanwhile I can pop over to amazon.co.jp, any seiyuu's site, almost anywhere else and its completely readable :)
In order of most common to least common use on japanese sites:
Shift-jis (Which it is in this case)
EUC-JP
UTF (of some sort)
ISO-2022

They need a Konata mojibake sequence...

[Vexx]

thanks again... hmmm, I always assumed it was some sort of UTF variant.

[Risaa]

That's a great link, thanks! I'm sure Vexx or Rissa can do a prettier job though. :)
I've already had someone volunteer to be my webhost. XD

[stormy001_M1A2]

@stormy: You're probably not familiar(?) with George Burns and Gracie Allen (two comedians of the 20th Century) who would do multi-minute routines quite similiar to the coronet food gag. There's an element of absurdist comedy, paced timing, the comedic tension, and the cyclic nature of discussion ... and in this instance, coupled with Kona's obsession nature.
If you've seen The Cheese Shop sketch in Monty Python's Flying Circus, it is structurally similiar (and since its more recent you might find it on youtube).

Also, the coronet and food itself is secondary to what is really going on. The sketch is also communicating something about the personalities of each girl since you're meeting them for the first time.

Fundamentally... yeah, this type of humor is like Monty Python in that people tend to either fall into hysterics or sit there and mutter "is this supposed to be funny?"

I won't say L*S is as good at it as AzuDa ... it is derivative in that respect. But it updates characters so that they're doing the kinds of things girls in 2007 would be doing. (AzuDa was set pretty much early Internet, pre-cell, pre-gaming culture). I'll wait til the anime series is over before I'll take a stab at whether they created the same level of personality that AzuDa was able to create for those girls.

I am familiar with cigar chomping George Burns skits and yes you are right, I end up scratching my head wondering what is so funny about this old geezer. And you are right too, Monty Python left me speechless as to what the heck they laughing all about.

Perhaps they can use a better vehicle other than chocolate pastry dry monologue to reveal the girl's personality.

To me, cyclic nature of discussion equals to lack of material to laugh about which also revealed lack of creativity of story. Man, the author must be assuming people will keep laughing at the same thing over and over again? He/she is expecting too much.

Azumanga Daioh maybe dated to current flow of culture but as character vehicle, it is brilliantly done. Lucky Star maybe to try imitate, in some spots they did succeed but in overall picture is pretty dismal in retrospect.

[Panzer Bandit]

I found the whole concert whole thing very amusing. From the AX panels and from the handful of times I've looked at her blog, Aya Hirano comes off very Konata like. So therefore we have....
Someone just like aya hirano, who is voiced by aya hirano, who is too short to see over a guy wearing a red sos jacket (note: that jacket is famous, i'm not sure if they purposely did something or not here, but this might be something which could be again tied to hirano), trying to watch aya hirano on stage sing.

It's this really kinda amusing effect of having a character watching their VA.


Haha, that part got me laughing because the EXACT same thing happened to me at the AX SOS concert. The moment Aya came on stage, a REALLY big fellow stood up in front of me and gave me a nice view of his back for the entire concert...Come to think of it, I think he might have been wearing an SOS T-shirt too.

Unfortunately, there was no Kagami next to me, so I suffered through the whole concert craning my neck to the left and right. :(

Getting back to the episode, though, I was touched by interaction between Konata and Kagami during the concert. Definitely one of those "Awwwwww!" moments. :D

[Risaa]

Perhaps they can use a better vehicle other than chocolate pastry dry monologue to reveal the girl's personality.
What I love about using the choco pastry is that it's so down-to-earth and simple. Had the opening episode instead featured a roller coaster with the girls reactions to riding it, it wouldn't have made the same impact and I really don't think we would've learned quite so much about the girls' personalities.

I also found it humorous that Kona couldn't just drop the discussion - she *had* to get to the bottom of it before allowing the discussion to settle. If you pay attention only to what's coming out of the girls' mouths, I don't think it'd be very funny... but if you look at the overall picture - Kona can't let anything drop, Miyuki and Kagami take a logical approach to eating the pastry and anything else in life, Tsukasa.... I can't remember :heh: - you get a lot more out of it, IMO.

Wow, does that make sense? I probably shouldn't ramble when it's nearing 0200...

[Panzer Bandit]

What I love about using the choco pastry is that it's so down-to-earth and simple. Had the opening episode instead featured a roller coaster with the girls reactions to riding it, it wouldn't have made the same impact and I really don't think we would've learned quite so much about the girls' personalities.

I also found it humorous that Kona couldn't just drop the discussion - she *had* to get to the bottom of it before allowing the discussion to settle. If you pay attention only to what's coming out of the girls' mouths, I don't think it'd be very funny... but if you look at the overall picture - Kona can't let anything drop, Miyuki and Kagami take a logical approach to eating the pastry and anything else in life, Tsukasa.... I can't remember :heh: - you get a lot more out of it, IMO.

Wow, does that make sense? I probably shouldn't ramble when it's nearing 0200...

It makes perfect sense to me. Actually, that's exactly how I feel, except I couldn't describe it nearly as well as you did.

[Skane]

I have not really posted much about Lucky Star because this is not exactly the kind of show that compels me to give it deep thought and attempt to speculate future events because it is simply not structured that way.

I do however, wish to share some thoughts on some of the criticisms and/or complaints about Lucky Star at this point.
~~~~ ~~~~

First of all, I find it bewildering that some people are finding the "KyoAni-made Anime References" excessive when the non-KyoAni-made references are far more numerous. From memory alone, I can easily rattle off Initial D, Cray-shin, Shakugan no Shana, Keroro Gunsou, One Piece, Full Metal Alchemist, Da Capo, MariMite, Rozen Maiden, Kamen Rider, Yugi-Oh, Pokemon, Shuffle!, etc...

Throw in some mainstream references such as Saw III, an old Japanese horror movie, Animate, Gamers, game shows (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), etc... and there is little credible basis for an argument that states that KyoAni is not being "equal" in the reference distribution.

Note that I have not even touched on the EDs for the first half of this season, which are a whole new section in themselves.

Perhaps they have been heavy-handed in their Haruhi references, but to the point of being excessive? Nay, I say.

But you know what bugs me more? Nobody is complaining of "excessive FMP! references". :heh: I kid, I kid. :p
~~~~ ~~~~

Ever since the change of Directors, I get the feeling that Lucky Star is slowing turning into a 2nd "Fumoffu!" Perhaps it is because it is now the same Director for both shows. One of the points that has always been subtly, but strongly suggested in "Fumoffu!" was that KyoAni was having a ball of a time with the show (watch the previews).

As in... they were high on LSD mixed with Triple-shot espressos and downed with Vodka; or something to that effect. :heh:

The point I am trying to get across is that I get the feeling that KyoAni is having a LOT of fun with making Lucky Star, and while only about half the episode is dedicated to the actual manga chapters, they are still very faithful and well-adapted renditions that will only make the most anal-retentive purists red-eyed (in my opinion).

The other half of course, is Lucky Channel and whatever original material they decided to come up with for the original premise.

Now... if anybody has been paying attention, I have been rather silent on what my thoughts are about Lucky Channel in my write-ups. This is because I am rather... ambivalent about it. It is not related to the original source material at all, but it does not affect the actual Lucky Star either, so I do not really see the point in bitching about it. I will only get antsy about it if it INVADES the actual series and start breaking the 4th wall.

JUST. NO. PLEASE NO.

Let Lucky Channel remain in its own world and never shall the twine meet.

About the original material. I have been reading the source material as well, and you know what? I still highly enjoy the add-ons. As a 4-Koma, the format is very restrictive and the punchlines have to be straightforward or risk losing its impact. As an anime, KyoAni now has the creative freedom to exploit every advantage of the medium to enhance the humour and it is in my opinion that they have largely succeeded in doing so.

The BGMs, the ad-libs, the voice-acting, the exaggerated poses/tones/etc... it all adds up to one wacky episode after another.

And as I said, they seem to be having a lot of fun with it. Like the inexplicable rise and fall of animation quality. Maybe they have a dartboard to decide when to animate something in "full quality".

The latest EDs which scream, "Screw the rules! I want to party!" while the EDs in the first half are almost like some sort of bizzare subversion of the tradition of anime companies trying to sell "awesome" songs using their OP and ED.

I could be wrong of course, and there really is an insidious reason or reasons for why they making Lucky Star the way it is now, :p but the way I currently see it, Lucky Star is the "vacation-mode" series for KyoAni at this point, and while its production values are not on the scale of Air(TV) or other "high-powered" series, there is still a lot of love being invested into it; and that is why I am still finding this show so enjoyable, because I am having fun in watching KyoAni having fun.

Cheers.

[kenjiharima]

Whao! Aya Hirano ANIMATED!!! God I love it! Makes me wanna give it a 10 already.

Oh Konata even without vector traces your parodies are so great!!! Konata I love you even more now!!! :love:


Wait a minute isn't this...

Izumi-jiji? Nahh I don't so since Konata is cosplaying ALL the Characters in De Capo
http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Lucky%20Star/Lucky%20Star%20-%2015%20-%20Large%2024.jpg

LOL!!! BEST AKIRA pose Pyscho-MOENESS!!!
http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Lucky%20Star/Lucky%20Star%20-%2015%20-%20Large%2032.jpg


downloading raws...

[TnAdct1]

LS's real ace Kagamin should have no problem dominate her group 15, and Miyuki, just for being a meganeko, should come out alright in her group 18. Definitely agree with Kagami, as the only two characters that I see to be threats to her (although she will most likely finish on top) are Vita from Nanoha StrikerS and Nodoka from Negima (Nodoka-chan kawaii! :love: ).

As for Miyuki, she may have a harder time, as her group includes Shiori from Kanon, Evangeline from Negima, and Yakumo from School Rumble.

[archanfels]

They ripped my heart out with 20 seconds of Kagami finding out she wasn't in the same class, faking indifference, then realizing she would be with the same losers for another year. (I think that's what was going on.)

Terrific work all round in that sequence: script, storyboard, music, direction, voices. So much emotional effect in so little time.



Nonononono, I beg to differ here.

I agree Kagamin getting leftout again is heartbreaking, however no way those 2 girls (Misao and Ayano from what I found) who appeared afterwards are "losers" or anything like that. I haven't read the manga and even I know that those 2 will be in the main cast in the future and no way are they losers and show up there to make Kagami look more pitiful.

In fact, the reason a Kagamin fanatic like me didn't feel nearly as sad as I did for Kuroi sensei in the X'mas episode is due to those two girls. It shows that even she is not w/ Kona and co., Kagami still have other cheerful friends who care about her. Not like Kuroi sensei who was lonely from beginning to the end in the ep. which was much sadder.

Plus, it's a joke on Kagami's part, I lol'd at Misao's comment "so there are these kinda people who just fix their eyes on their top priorities and forget everyone else huh", makes u feel bad for them instead of Kagami if you ask me lol.

Misao/Ayano's involvement water'd down an otherwise heartbreaking scene, and I like them already. (not to mention Misao's tiny teeth are uber cute >.>)

[Risaa]

Am I being too much of a stickler over something so trivial? I apologize in advance. :)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think what Kaoru Chujo meant by the line is that Kagami feels like she's with losers, not that Kaoru or we all feel that they're losers.

[Alesiopdv]

Like the inexplicable rise and fall of animation quality.

I never noticed that. For me the show has always had the same quality of animation since episode 1.

And for me the Haruhi references are in-side jokes about the fact almost the whole same staff work in both series.

They also make fun about the fact the voice cast change complety from the Drama CD to the anime.

http://www.syu-ta.com/luckystar/luckystar.shtml Scroll down under the reference section and you get which ones were used in which ep.

The damn place is in japanes or something and I cant find the references.

[AVPlaya]

What I love about using the choco pastry is that it's so down-to-earth and simple. Had the opening episode instead featured a roller coaster with the girls reactions to riding it, it wouldn't have made the same impact and I really don't think we would've learned quite so much about the girls' personalities.

I also found it humorous that Kona couldn't just drop the discussion - she *had* to get to the bottom of it before allowing the discussion to settle. If you pay attention only to what's coming out of the girls' mouths, I don't think it'd be very funny... but if you look at the overall picture - Kona can't let anything drop, Miyuki and Kagami take a logical approach to eating the pastry and anything else in life, Tsukasa.... I can't remember :heh: - you get a lot more out of it, IMO.

Wow, does that make sense? I probably shouldn't ramble when it's nearing 0200...

Yes it makes a lot of sense! Kona can't let anything drop... including the dripping cream of a chocho cronet she kept sqeezing! :)

People are really overtly critical of the first episode I think... yeah the comedic timing was off, but if you look at the whole thing as a DRAMATIC narrative rather than looking for laughs, it was pretty well done and we get to know the girls without them talking even a bit about themselves. We barely know who they are but we ALL got exactly what kind of character they were by that long discussion about food. It really takes a keen eye and love for L*S to notice something like this. Maybe Yamamoto shouldn't get fired so soon.

[Vexx]

The sad thing is that people who knew the source material were mostly "hey that's on target!" with episode 1. Most of the complaints I encountered were from ... .... 'haruhi/kyoani' spillovers who were unfamiliar with the comic or didn't even know it existed. Its a very verbal and often subtle comic. Episode 1 remains one of my favorites of the whole series-to-date.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Am I being too much of a stickler over something so trivial? I apologize in advance. :) Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think what Kaoru Chujo meant by the line is that Kagami feels like she's with losers, not that Kaoru or we all feel that they're losers.Yes, that's what I meant. I wasn't making any judgment on them myself. I was just trying to represent her state of mind. But I should have said it more clearly. In fact, I'm not even sure she thinks they're "losers" in any real sense, just that it's depressing to be with them rather than with Kona-chan. I loved it when she went back to the board, as if looking at it again might change things. Those girls don't like her, either, according to what I think they say afterward: that she's got a one-track mind and they are just background -- meaning either one track to academic success or one track to Konata, I'm not sure which.

And yes, Alesiopdv, that site is in Japanese. I'm not sure why people are having problems with the site. It's in Shift-JIS, according to my Firefox. I see that there is no "head" section in the HTML code, just a "title" tag, so browsers might just be going with their default. I don't know.

In any case, the site is great! Thanks for posting, bayoab. For instance, in this episode, they say that the lineup for tickets is outside the Animate store in Omiya, where the seiyuus had their handshake session last Sunday. And the concert is at Omiya Sonic City, where the concert was actually held. And when Tsukasa says the first person on stage was so cool, that person was actually Shiraishi, in the real show. And the preview shows the outside of the Akihabara Gamers' store, etc., etc.

I liked ep1, too, Risaa, Vexx and AVPlaya. I agree that the problem for many people may have been a matter of expectations. And I really don't see a huge change since the director change, either. I tried reading the comic, but the Japanese was too subtle for me. I felt as if I was missing the tone of things too much. But I agree that we are dealing with subtle humor in the source material. I also think Yamakan may have been driven out too soon. I fear for the future of KyoAni's hipness, with him gone.

[Vexx]

Aye... I've figured out that when that happens the page doesn't have a proper "head" tag (font,etc). I'm using Firefox but in its default installation it fumbles on Shift-JIS and I get the Speech of the Elder Gods instead of Japanese.

I always love handshake sessions... you really can get a feel for the honesty or sincerity of someone face-to-face like that. The jaded ones always fail to cover (Akira-san :) ).

[Alesiopdv]

and I get the Speech of the Elder Gods instead of Japanese

Jajajajajah, so true. I have the same problem.

[Kaoru Chujo]

...I get the Speech of the Elder Gods instead of Japanese.... I wonder if it's working for me because I have my Windows "Regional and Language Options > Advanced > Language for Non-Unicode Programs" set to Japanese. This causes other anomalies, such as my backslash looking like a Yen sign, but I need it that way to run some Japanese programs.

The only other thing I can think off offhand is the fact that I didn't just leave Firefox at its defaults, but went in and specified Japanese as one of the languages I wanted to use (Firefox: "Tools>Options>Advanced>General>Langauges"). But I expect others have done that, too.

[t3ck]

Another nice episode, another LOL at the ending.

And I accidentally voted 1... :heh:

[darkadherent]

when kyotoanimation gets shiraishi to sing okkusenman, Lucky☆Star will be the best anime this season

[dahl_moon]

It's late at night, but I thought I'll throw in my thoughts before I go to bed. Another wonderful episode; with Kagami being separated from her gang. Although I saw it coming, the way they played it out made it extremely sentimental. Even Konata doesn't fire back when Kagami tries to act normal.

About Kagami and her long-old classmates, I think it went like this:
Classmates: We're on the same class again.
Kagami: Eh? Really? (i.e. I didn't bother to look. I didn't know)
Classmates: Yeah... you only care about your #1 best friends, eh? (we're just classmates that you don't care about, eh?)

Kuroi-sensei, the DaCapo reference, April Fools, and most of all, Hirano Aya's concert was also a treat.By the way, I think Chihara Minori now sounds more like a different character from Yuki. Probably my mind shifting gears, but kudos anyway.

[stormy001_M1A2]

Because this character required her to put more emotion into it, unlike the flat monotone of Yuki Nagato. Hence you gotta to see her skill as VA since she cannot overplay emotionally for this character. It is fine act of juggling.

[Deathkillz]

Because this character required her to put more emotion into it, unlike the flat monotone of Yuki Nagato. Hence you gotta to see her skill as VA since she cannot overplay emotionally for this character. It is fine act of juggling.
ahh yes i think she fits into her role perfectly to bring out what i would call the "mysterious" qualities of this mysterious oneesan/idol like girl :) in a way she reminds me of Sakaki from azumanga ~ perhaps we will see a hidden fetish for cute things as well :heh:

(on the other hand kaio finds her boring...dont worry ~ i already have a pitch fork to his next on that one :p)

[kenjiharima]

let's wait for the rain scene (seen in the manga) so we can have a good hear on how Minami will be voiced then. :D

[Kouvley]

I am having fun in watching KyoAni having fun.


Excellent post from Skane back on page 5, mirrors my thoughts exactly - especially the line which i quoted.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Excellent post from Skane back on page 5, mirrors my thoughts exactly - especially the line which i quoted.

It also sounds kind of like a pickup line, maybe I'll use it on a non-biological entity such as my computer tonight. :heh:

Well it's good to see people enjoying watching others have fun, but when I'm on the receiving end of Episode 15 I hope the feeling of enjoyment is mutual.

[kenjiharima]

btw why does Akira seems so happy in the end of 15? And for the 1st time Minoru and Akira at the same time said "BYE-NIEEEE!!!"
i've only seen the raws on my break, still waiting for the subs. I'm pretty interested

[Deathkillz]

akira is going to get a live shot in the next ep ~ which means that she is going to appear! :O (well that was how i took the news so take my words with some salt...) ~ but even so i expect her to be another cardboard cut out :rolleyes:

[Kaioshin Sama]

akira is going to get a live shot in the next ep ~ which means that she is going to appear! :O (well that was how i took the news so take my words with some salt...) ~ but even so i expect her to be another cardboard cut out :rolleyes:

Magic 8-ball says the theory is that fans voted her in via the mail in poll AVPlaya mentioned, but that would mean they are doing episodes by the week, so it's been pre-determined.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Magic 8-ball says the theory is that fans voted her in via the mail in poll AVPlaya mentioned, but that would mean they are doing episodes by the week, so it's been pre-determined.I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I from what little I know of how anime are produced, I think a week would be too tight a time-frame for changes to a script. I suspect episodes are finished at least a week in advance, the recording is finished at least a week before that, and the animation is finished before that, which pushes last-minute script changes back to around three weeks in advance. Anyone actually know? kj1980?

I do think it's slightly ironic that here we are in the thread for ep15, with people who haven't seen that ep, discussing aspects of ep16. How complex. I'm not complaining. It makes me feel better about how we're handling the spoiler issue: with what seems to me like a compromise between full-open and all spoilered.

I'm enjoying Minorin so far, too, and looking forward to her getting more opportunity to speak so we can judge better how she's doing. She does seem to have some emotion hiding in that restrained voice.

[stormy001_M1A2]

I think the green hair girl have a thing going for the small one.

[Shiroi Hane]

I like the Azudai anime, but I liked it more before reading the manga. The stories work so much better in 4koma form than when stretched and padded to make whole episodes. I've not read the Lucky Star manga, but it generally isn'y possible to adapt a 4koma straight to screen without changes unless your target audience are goldfish. Whether Kyoani did a good job at this I can't tell since I've not seen the original, but it works for me regardless. They also bring current events into play, like showing Konata watching recent series such as Haruhi and collecting figures etc. Also of note is that as of this episode, which was set in April, Konata has aquired a Kiddy Grade Ignition poster, which was shown at Theatre Shinjuku in April this year.

I wonder if it's working for me because I have my Windows "Regional and Language Options > Advanced > Language for Non-Unicode Programs" set to Japanese. This causes other anomalies, such as my backslash looking like a Yen sign, but I need it that way to run some Japanese programs.

The only other thing I can think off offhand is the fact that I didn't just leave Firefox at its defaults, but went in and specified Japanese as one of the languages I wanted to use (Firefox: "Tools>Options>Advanced>General>Langauges"). But I expect others have done that, too.
The page is missing the Content-Type definition so browsers may default to the local character set (i.e. Latin or maybe UTF-8), and having your OS set to Japanese for non-unicode probably helped for you. Saying that, IE7, Firefox and Lolifox all correctly identified the charset as shift-JIS for me however, and my OS is set to English at the moment (paradoxically I cannot get Sonic Stage to show Japanese track names correctly if my OS defaults to Japanese)

[AVPlaya]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I from what little I know of how anime are produced, I think a week would be too tight a time-frame for changes to a script. I suspect episodes are finished at least a week in advance, the recording is finished at least a week before that, and the animation is finished before that, which pushes last-minute script changes back to around three weeks in advance. Anyone actually know? kj1980?


I have a feeling that LC and ED are prepared last minute... meaning it's prepared the week before air time. Remember how LC announced the result of the figurine poll? That ended the week before the annoucment. LC of that week was scripted and animated that very week. I think the did this deliberately to give a feeling of "almost live" to an anime... something that's almost never done before. I WOULD guess that after EP 14's Akira pleading, thousands of otaku (plus a few e-mail from us, if anyone beside myself mailed them) pleaded on her behave, and they reacted in EP15. EP16 will be her big debute and it's probably being animated as we speak. That's why I pleaded with you folks to join the fun.. this is a rare audience particpation anime... why not just have fun and be part of it?

[Alesiopdv]

I think the green hair girl have a thing going for the small one.

Yeah, Yutaka and Minami are almost a canon couple. THey look like waaay to close to be just friends.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I have a feeling that LC and ED are prepared last minute... meaning it's prepared the week before air time.... this is a rare audience participation anime... why not just have fun and be part of it?That makes sense. The animation of LC and the staging of the new EDs are pretty simple. Is it possible that Akira's appearance will be Konno Hiromi in the ED rather than Akira in the main show? The main show would be harder to mess with on short notice, wouldn't it?

[AVPlaya]

That makes sense. The animation of LC and the staging of the new EDs are pretty simple. Is it possible that Akira's appearance will be Konno Hiromi in the ED rather than Akira in the main show? The main show would be harder to mess with on short notice, wouldn't it?

Not really since this is a show composed of sketch bits with a loose theme. It's very easy to add a simple minute long section without disturbing the flow. This maybe why the length of LC, ED, and next episode intro are varied each episode. I'm sure great majority is planned, but I won't be surprised that some parts are added just a week before. For example, Akira-sama's "Final Answer" bit could be added after the fact... meaning there was this sketch about Millionaire but it wasn't supposed to be AKIRA's voice in there.. but they just added to match the content of this week's LC.

[kenjiharima]

maybe they'll do a Roger Rabbit style anime and the REAL LIFE Minoru Shiraishi will get this ass kicked by the animated Akira...just a thought.

[Vexx]

I really wouldn't mind seeing the two VAs live-action an ED or an entire L*C. I bet they're hysterical to watch. If we must have L*C, then that is what I'd wish for.

Alesiopdy: despite the persistent ongoing delusion of people seeing yuri or yaoi everywhere they look, sometimes people *are* just good friends. Yutaka is fond of Minami because she's so cool and she was the first person to be nice to her at the new school. Its more like Chiyo/Sakaki than Kaoru/Sakaki (the one-sided deep crush) from AzuDa.

Minami is just very shy and for some reason feels less threatened by Yutaka. Being so tall, she's operating under the illusion that none of the boys will want her (rather than the problem that none of the boys in this school seem able to approach ANY girl :) ).

I guess the "yuri/yaoi everywhere" gets on my nerve a bit because when I go out and about with my older son (who's 22), well he's already a "gay magnet" (model looks but hetero) but far too many people assume I'm an older gay guy out with his boy toy. Not just stares, but verbal assumptions. We've even had other gay couples ask us to join them in bar-hopping.
Its really mostly pretty funny since I think its kind of moronic to assume anything, but sometimes it gets us unwelcome attention from homophobic idiots. Believe me, its unwise to give us a bad time :) so I suppose in a way we're performing a public service for gay couples who get hassled.

[Risaa]

Alesiopdy: despite the persistent ongoing delusion of people seeing yuri or yaoi everywhere they look, sometimes people *are* just good friends.
I'm shocked someone said it! I've come to believe that if there is even the most subtle hint of affection between two girls, everyone immediately jumps to the conclusion of "yuri!!!" No such think as tight friends, but only yuri!!! Just like in real life!

OK, I'm going to leave before I get smacked. :uhoh:

[Vexx]

Using the detection techniques exhibited in many forums, I estimate my younger son's high school female population is 90% yuri-oriented: Hugging, cuddling, preening, ferret-piles, holding hands, carrying each other's stuff......

Well... obviously that technique is somewhat flawed....

[Kinny Riddle]

(rather than the problem that none of the boys in this school seem able to approach ANY girl ).

Didn't you notice Shiraishi handing Valentine's chocolate to another guy? lol

At least the "subtle" yuri I've seen so far in the series that I've watched are deliberately engineered by the author or some of the scenario writers to get yuri fanboys worked up (and get more revenue that way).

On the other hand, the imagination of some of the stuff I've seen yaoi fangirls post has never failed to amaze me, they can just create couples out of nowhere from even the most macho story/games (Solid Snake x Otakon comes to mind). Of course, there are some "subtle" yaoi series out there that caters to those fangirls senses to make money as well. But in terms of imagination, yaoi fangirls have the edge compared to the passive yuri fanboys, even when the original author (authors like JRR Tolkien) never intended to have any love, IMHO. I mean that as a compliment, seriously. :D

Anyway, let's get back on topic folks.

[AVPlaya]

I'm shocked someone said it! I've come to believe that if there is even the most subtle hint of affection between two girls, everyone immediately jumps to the conclusion of "yuri!!!" No such think as tight friends, but only yuri!!! Just like in real life!

OK, I'm going to leave before I get smacked. :uhoh:

Rissa-chan, all this Yuri talk is a joke... of course they're just good friends. :)

Using the detection techniques exhibited in many forums, I estimate my younger son's high school female population is 90% yuri-oriented: Hugging, cuddling, preening, ferret-piles, holding hands, carrying each other's stuff......

Well... obviously that technique is somewhat flawed....

In Asian societies it's even worse... women often hold hand and grab each other's arms when they walk. They are so intimate that most westerners gets suspicious. Intimate touches are rarer in Japan because of deeper social barriers, and perhaps the J-otakus took it a bit too far. The whole yuri/yaoi thing is a huge joke with the otaku... they know in real life it doesn't really happen thats' why they joke so much about it... to the point that many actual gays and lesbians in Japan felt their real life's been trivialized. Yaoi/Yuri doujins are one of the impossible fantasies by the straight otakus of both sexes. It's not supposed to be taken seriously at all (actually this goes the same for many other "fetishes" like lilocon, but let's not go there. :)


Let's discuss something else about EP 15.... I thought it was pretty touching that the entire Hiiragi clan watches TV together what it seemed like EVERY NIGHT. Just a big happy family. I'd like to say to Kona-dad, compare to Kagami-dad, you DON'T win at life. Surrounded by 5 beautiful women and girls, HE does. :)

Also, we saw that Chihara Minori, seiyuu for Yuki was animated during the Comiket EP, while Hirano Aya was animated this EP. Any of you thought Minori-chan was drawn much cuter than Aya-chan? To me, Minori IS prettier in real life, but isn't it striking that they actually reflected that in anime? I wonder how does Aya-chan feel about it?

[Deathkillz]

In Asian societies it's even worse... women often hold hand and grab each other's arms when they walk. They are so intimate that most westerners gets suspicious.
and those times when they touch each other's breasts and still dont yell "PERVERT!" ~ yea...just good friends :rolleyes:

Let's discuss something else about EP 15.... I thought it was pretty touching that the entire Hiiragi clan watches TV together what it seemed like EVERY NIGHT. Just a big happy family. I'd like to say to Kona-dad, compare to Kagami-dad, you DON'T win at life. Surrounded by 5 beautiful women and girls, HE does. :)
hehe...besides the gag about kona's dad lacking in female attachments he does (did) have a stunning wife ^.^ i am one who treasures family connections so seeing that is going to be heartwarming :3

Also, we saw that Chihara Minori, seiyuu for Yuki was animated during the Comiket EP, while Hirano Aya was animated this EP. Any of you thought Minori-chan was drawn much cuter than Aya-chan? To me, Minori IS prettier in real life, but isn't it striking that they actually reflected that in anime? I wonder how does Aya-chan feel about it?
hmm...no comment until after i watch it @_@ but to me ive never found aya or minori that pretty...

[kenjiharima]

Nahh... Hiigari-jiji has a Kanata-like wife Miki so that's enough for a man to love you can see how many children they have out of Hiigari-jiji's love for Miki...(God now it's incest! Being with that many girls.) J/K

Aya and Minori are pretty cute especially when animated. :love:

Something about Shiraishi giving chocolates...I feel it's not yaoi, I think the big red haired guy is a bully, he must be going to get beaten up so a last resort instead of giving chocolates to a girl he gave it to that guy...wait a minute that's western. Oh well...it's a slice of life and culture.

[Xiaolang]

Also, we saw that Chihara Minori, seiyuu for Yuki was animated during the Comiket EP, while Hirano Aya was animated this EP. Any of you thought Minori-chan was drawn much cuter than Aya-chan? To me, Minori IS prettier in real life, but isn't it striking that they actually reflected that in anime? I wonder how does Aya-chan feel about it?

I may not know anything about Aya's or Minori's true personal perspectives and opinions, but I never see seiyuu/voice actors in general to be petty, egregious and ungrateful people. I say that because everyone knows that being a voice actor in general is tough, doesn't pay well and most of the time, a thankless job. Even though I can't say for certain, but in my humble opinion, she's more than likely happy that KyoAni drew an anime persona of herself.

but to me ive never found aya or minori that pretty...

I wouldn't say that they're like supermodels or anything, but historically (and frankly), voice actors are not always the best looking people in the entertainment business. So I don't think it's surprising that anime fans see Aya and Minori as pretty people. I, for one, have no complaints about their looks. :)

Okay, sorry again for steering this ship in yet another direction! OTL

[AVPlaya]

and those times when they touch each other's breasts and still dont yell "PERVERT!" ~ yea...just good friends :rolleyes:

Any why would they? I've seen that many times in real life. Women are allowed to touch their friend's breasts... Helping good friends fitting in a bra is quite normal (no I haven't seen that.. I can only wish...) Only Westerners I'll tell ya... stop your yuri fantasies! :)

Something about Shiraishi giving chocolates...I feel it's not yaoi, I think the big red haired guy is a bully, he must be going to get beaten up so a last resort instead of giving chocolates to a girl he gave it to that guy...wait a minute that's western. Oh well...it's a slice of life and culture.

Vexx-dono and other has already stated that it's a practice run for the actual offering. We speculate he was practicing with his buddies on giving his choco to Kagami. That kind of practice is quite common, as there are quite a split between the sexes until high school years in Japan. Boy and girls are rarely friendly enough to give each other advice on love. That's why shows like Nobuta wo Produce (a dorama, go watch it) is so popular.

As for Aya vs Minori.. I only said Minori is hotter only versus AYA, not that she's really that hot. I personally like it but, yeah she can't be a real idol in Japan. Tons of girls much better looking, but given that she's a baseball freak, I doubt she wants to be that kind of idol anyway.

[Xiaolang]

As for Aya vs Minori.. I only said Minori is hotter only versus AYA, not that she's really that hot. I personally like it but, yeah she can't be a real idol in Japan. Tons of girls much better looking, but given that she's a baseball freak, I doubt she wants to be that kind of idol anyway.

You did mention that Minori is drawn cuter than Aya in Lucky Star, and asked what does Aya think or feel about that notion. To clarify, I was only responding to that particular question, that's all.

But reading through both our posts for the second time, I can see how we, (or maybe just I) misunderstood one another. :heh:

[Kaoru Chujo]

I thought Minorin and Aaya were both made kind of generic when animated and didn't look much like themselves at all. They looked good, but were just symbols of themselves rather than looking like the real people.

I think Aaya is quite distinctive-looking and extremely attractive, but not exactly "beautiful" in the standard sense. Her face is too thin. Minorin is more classically beautiful. But there are hundreds of pretty Japanese idols that can all look alike, so different is better. Not that Minorin isn't fairly distinctive-looking, too.

On the other hand, I've always found it weird that Horie Yui and Tamura Yukari were thought of as beautiful, since I find them both rather plain, or even funny-looking. Too distinctive. But I enjoy Yukarin, especially, as a personality, and they both are great voice actresses and good entertainers. And in interviews, there is an interesting air of sadness and withdrawal around Hocchan.

I agree that seiyuu seem surprisingly non-petty, when you consider that they are thrown into a mad scramble with each other for jobs and don't make that much money even when they get them. There are probably pettinesses in the background, just well hidden, but the blogs seem to reveal a lot of friendships among them. Maybe it's the shared adversity.

[Kaioshin Sama]

That makes sense. The animation of LC and the staging of the new EDs are pretty simple. Is it possible that Akira's appearance will be Konno Hiromi in the ED rather than Akira in the main show? The main show would be harder to mess with on short notice, wouldn't it?

I was going to mention that they could slip it in last minute and that since Lucky Channel and the ED almost appear to be in a seperate TV block, that they could very well be prepared a few days before they air, but in the end I didn't bother to post that comment.

As an example of what I mean, YTV in Canada has a 5 minute segment between afternoon programmes called The Zone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Zone), which is shown instead of commercials, Lucky Channel could use a similiar, albeit less "To The Minute" block that is tied to, but not necessarily entirely part of Lucky Star.

As for you're mentioning of Aya Hirano's animated version above, I agree, she kind of looks like an idealized version of herself and her facial expressions look really weird too, almost as if she's confused. I think I also detect a hint of Suzumiya Haruhi in the design, almost as if they wanted to bring the idea of her and her most famous character closer together.

[CrowKenobi]

As for you're mentioning of Aya Hirano's animated version above, I agree, she kind of looks like an idealized version of herself and her facial expressions look really weird too, almost as if she's confused. Well, she was in the middle of singing "God Knows," so of course the facial expressions would be weird. :D
I think I also detect a hint of Suzumiya Haruhi in the design, almost as if they wanted to bring the idea of her and her most famous character closer together.I didn't see that, in fact, the animated Aya looked much like the comic Aya from this strip:
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9210/1180209059287mi3.th.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1180209059287mi3.jpg)

:cool:

[Kaioshin Sama]

Well, she was in the middle of singing "God Knows," so of course the facial expressions would be weird. :D
I didn't see that, in fact, the animated Aya looked much like the comic Aya from this strip:
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9210/1180209059287mi3.th.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1180209059287mi3.jpg)

:cool:

Ah yes I remember now, the infamous Constipated Haruhi (http://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=haruhiweird01up3.jpg) pic from the original "God Knows" segment. I never quite got that, but it was damn funny. :cool:

[Kaoru Chujo]

...the animated Aya looked much like the comic Aya from this strip....Yes, she does. The image says that strip was drawn by the mangaka of LS, so it looks like KyoAni based its Aya on his. The photo of Aya being fed a choco coronet that I posted in the Voice Actor thread may also be connected to this strip.

[Alesiopdv]

Vexx: Jajajajaja, sorry Its just that story was so funny. Just imagine you and your son walking in the street and then a gay couple aproaching you saying "hiiiii". Jajajaja

AVplaya: yes they do the yaoi/yuri thing on purpose. For example in Sailor Moon Zoicyte and Malakye (name in the latin version), two mens, seem like two lovers in the anime. But in the manga they never show any kind of affection for each other. So why the anime producers have the need to make the two gays?
For fun I assume. There is a line that says "Yuri makes the world a better place". Make gay couples between anime characters is fun. At least for me.

For me Yutaka and Minami are gay just for the fun of it. And the producers seem to think the same thing.

I dont think Kagami-dad is a lucky man. You know how is to live with five womans????

As for Minoru... yeah the bully theorie seems fine. Or maybe after spending so many time with Akira he just give up to women.

[Xiaolang]

I dont think Kagami-dad is a lucky man. You know how is to live with five womans????

I agree. One example, it must be hell taking turns using the bathroom. I mean, if I was the only guy in a house full of women, I better wake up early enough to do my business or else it's going to feel like waiting in line at AX every single day! :D:heh:

[stormy001_M1A2]

Actually I was thinking that his has to deal with 5 PMSes every month. That is gotta be admirable.

[Vexx]

If he's like my grandfather was (wife + 3 daughters), he's got a private retreat either in his house or temple to scurry away to for "quality time" (sanity check). My grandfather had a separate office/building/shack in his backyard: whole living room/office that was his Fortress of Solitude. I'd sneak in when he was at work and bask in it (big easy chair, thousands of books on golf and history, smell the aroma of good pipe tabacco, watch tv, or check out his workshop where he custom-made golf clubs.

I can really see their dad having such a place :)

[Deathkillz]

^ i could imagine something like that...him going home to his king size chair resting down and saying "what a day" :D then roast some chestnuts on an open fire :3

I wouldn't say that they're like supermodels or anything, but historically (and frankly), voice actors are not always the best looking people in the entertainment business. So I don't think it's surprising that anime fans see Aya and Minori as pretty people. I, for one, have no complaints about their looks. :)

Okay, sorry again for steering this ship in yet another direction! OTL
for me i would be going for queen bees such as Rie Tanaka :love:
Any why would they? I've seen that many times in real life. Women are allowed to touch their friend's breasts... Helping good friends fitting in a bra is quite normal (no I haven't seen that.. I can only wish...) Only Westerners I'll tell ya... stop your yuri fantasies! :)

yea blame it on the western culture >.< always light years behind the rest of asia :rolleyes: *stops yuri urges!*

[AVPlaya]

I can really see their dad having such a place :)

He does, and it's called the Washinomiya Shrine (http://www.washinomiyajinja.or.jp/). There are places in the Shrine only the high priest gets to enter. Everyone else wait outside. :)

But I see him as someone really close to his girls, so he may not a special places like that. Some guys are just comfortable around girls... from the way he interact with his girls and the way they hang out doing everything together, I'd say he doesn't mind so many girls in his house. Hey, more pretty mikos means more people a the shrines!

yea blame it on the western culture >.< always light years behind the rest of asia :rolleyes: *stops yuri urges!*

Lack of homophobia between women? Yeah Asia is indeed ahead. :)

[Risaa]

But I see him as someone really close to his girls, so he may not a special places like that.Mouu, that gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling. :)

[Kaoru Chujo]

...Lack of homophobia between women? Yeah Asia is indeed ahead. :)Actually, I think this is something new in the west. Jane Austen -- about as respectable a person as you can imagine -- slept in the same bed as her sister for most of her life. Somehow, freer sexual mores have led to more phobias in some ways.

[Vexx]

Actually, I think this is something new in the west. Jane Austen -- about as respectable a person as you can imagine -- slept in the same bed as her sister for most of her life. Somehow, freer sexual mores have led to more phobias in some ways.

There are actually quite a few things "new in the west" that people mistakenly think have been 'commonly known for all time'. Sometimes its something less than a generation old --- at times I think the mass of citizenry around me suffers from collective long term memory loss.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Episode out by a.f.k and all that stuff. Word. :confused:

[CrowKenobi]

I gave it a 9. Lots of good stuff especially the beginning and Kona-chan's study habits. :D

Just what is that Haruhi doll standing there in the corner?
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3610/ndvd020xp0.th.png (http://img243.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ndvd020xp0.png)

:cool:

[Kaioshin Sama]

I gave it a 9. Lots of good stuff especially the beginning and Kona-chan's study habits. :D

Just what is that Haruhi doll standing there in the corner?
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3610/ndvd020xp0.th.png (http://img243.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ndvd020xp0.png)

:cool:

Why don't we wait to see if it turns up for sale IRL and then we'll likely know.:cool: It may not exist.....yet.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I've updated the hashihime characters/seiyuus page (http://hashihime.atspace.com/etc/luckystar/charseiyuus.html) with pics and info on the seiyuus for the two new characters that show up briefly in this episode, Kagami's classmates.

I just watched the sub, and here are some little details that happened to strike me, and that I thought were good:
-- the beautifully melancholy way Hirano Aya said nanandarou ne, kono kimochi (I wonder what this feeling is) after the concert
-- the way Aya made the sound of coughing out a cherry-petal, with a soft cough followed by one with a little sharp edge
-- the way they had Tsukasa's overalls untied on one shoulder when they were walking through the hanami festival booths
--the animation of Kona-dad's movements when he was getting ready for transformation
-- the rhythm and tone of the way Aya said itterashai (goodbye) and ikanai (I'm not coming) when her dad was going to go shopping
-- the slow and abstracted way Aya said mm, unique when Kona-dad asked her if the book was interesting
-- the way the world was even smaller than Miyuki and Konata thought
-- the sadness behind Kagami's tsuntsun reaction to being in another class, with the music and Katou Emiri's sigh
-- Yutaka's little giggle (seiyuu: Hasegawa Shizuka) and smile when she was thinking she was the only one who knew how nice Minami is

[wcloudx3]

Did anyone notice the famous Japanese "Fanta" CM reference at the beginning of the naration before the OP? Kinda caught me off guard when I saw it lol :heh:

If you dont know what I'm talking about, you can watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqlORRusrRc

[Kaioshin Sama]

I just saw the concert scene I had been dreading and I must say that is was done very nicely and for the joke. I was worried I was in for a 4 minute rendition of an Aya Hirano song like in the Live A Live episode of Haruhi or the even longer and more intrusive ones in Manabi straight, but they kept it so short that they even cut it off in the middle of a verse, possibly even a word. Long enough to poke fun at Konata's chibiness, but short enough not to waste the episodes time for the sake of overappealing to Aya Hirano fans. Also I liked the fact that Aya Hirano's voice was kept in the distance, seperate from our main characters, but present enough to give the feeling of a concert. By doing this they didn't make it seem like it was all about Aya Hirano in the episode like I was worried and kept the focus on the real characters. They even made fun of Haruhi fans in the tall guy who probably should be somewhere else, possibly as a bodyguard of some sort instead of at a Haruhi concert with an SOS jacket on. Very very pleased at the restraint shown here not to run wild with the scene.

Hopefully, nothing goes wrong tomorrow and I can watch the whole episode and blog it.

[AVPlaya]

Good the sub's out... I'm not going to make a culture post this time since I've found much better sources on the web on the references in Japanese. I think I'll just attempt to answer questions if anyone has them about a particular cultural things. Since I can find out rather easily without resorting to my own rusty memory, I a post with every little detail in it maybe more distracting than beneficial. Plus I'm not sure if anyone read my long ass post anyway. :)

[arias]

nanandarou ne, kono kimochi[/I] (I wonder what this feeling is) after the concert
-- the way Aya made the sound of coughing out a cherry-petal, with a soft cough followed by one with a little sharp edge
-- the way they had Tsukasa's overalls untied on one shoulder when they were walking through the hanami festival booths
--the animation of Kona-dad's movements when he was getting ready for transformation
-- the rhythm and tone of the way Aya said itterashai (goodbye) and ikanai (I'm not coming) when her dad was going to go shopping
-- the slow and abstracted way Aya said mm, unique when Kona-dad asked her if the book was interesting
-- the way the world was even smaller than Miyuki and Konata thought
-- the sadness behind Kagami's tsuntsun reaction to being in another class, with the music and Katou Emiri's sigh
-- Yutaka's little giggle (seiyuu: Hasegawa Shizuka) and smile when she was thinking she was the only one who knew how nice Minami is

Almost all of which I noticed as well!

[AVPlaya]

One note about the concert Kona attended... it's actually a cleaver advertisement. The DVD of that concert is going on sale on 7/27. It's called "涼宮ハルヒの激奏" (Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisou) just like in this episode. Oh well, It worked since I'm probably going to get it....

[Teiran]

The five-minute promo for Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisou--I think I saw it linked from Kaoru Chujo's blog a while back?--makes a pretty decent sales pitch, IMO. Of course, its contents are certain to turn some people's stomachs, but then again, most of that subset of the population likely wouldn't be inclined to buy a Haruhi concert DVD under any circumstances.

This might seem like a strange thing to pick out, given all the other material in this episode, but I really liked Kuroi-sensei here. She gets to act like a teacher without diluting any of her personality, which was fun to see. I think her appearances display her gift for being in the right place at the right time, whether she's expected or not--the audience pretty much knows she's going to pop up on Kona-chan's screen at 2 AM in the last gag of the episode, for example, but I cracked a grin at her second "Kikoeteru de" out of the blue in response to Kagami.

She really knows the girls, and it's difficult to imagine them in any other class but hers. It's just another reason for Kagami's continued exile tugging at heartstrings the way it does. :)

---

Anyway, I thought this was one of the series' best efforts. Nothing in this episode elicited an uproarious laugh from me, but just about everything made me smile.

[Xiaolang]

One note about the concert Kona attended... it's actually a cleaver advertisement. The DVD of that concert is going on sale on 7/27. It's called "涼宮ハルヒの激奏" (Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisou) just like in this episode. Oh well, It worked since I'm probably going to get it....

Even with or without the promo in Lucky Star, I'll still get the Gekisou DVD anyway. And the promo didn't really sway my buying habits in anyway shape or form.

[Vexx]

Just to be really short... rated it a 10.
The vast majority of the episode was "pure" Lucky*Star. Even the "Aya concert" moment was mostly about Kona being unable to see and Kagami being sweet about the situation. Interesting amount of male dialog this time (Kona-dad, K/T-dad, Minoru) .... I'll say it again... probably the purest L*S yet.

Kuroi was an undercurrent queen of the episode, lots of goodness from her.
Poor little Kagami trying to keep her chin up.... a back rub for her.
Kona pathos hilarity --- she really gets smacked from all directions this episode. I empathize with her ADD-nature.
Tsukasa had some of the more hilarious expressions this episode.
Nice AzuDA skewers with Miyuki to puncture Kona's fantasy.

L*C and ED ----- actually pretty nice interplay between the two ..... and I'll really be pissed if we don't get live-action Akira in the ED next week. Yeah, Minoru live-action was fun for a few episodes but either its Akira's VA's turn or lets go back to the karaoke box, ne?

[Deathkillz]

nearly done watching but i just had to post this at the mean time XD i can still hardly believe that they made a Da Capo parody with the OP theme!! XD

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4047/674546as1.th.jpg (http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=674546as1.jpg)

a stroke of genius if you ask me :3

edit: whoo! another good ep :D (besides the end) ~
im glad that the concert wasnt anything big that could have prompted some unpleasentness and i am getting the feeling that i am watching L*S again ^.^ too many jokes to comment on but the ones that struck me most is obviously the Da Capo one, but also kona's dad being held up by yue XD the series of april fools joke was also pretty good...tsukasa lying about having lied was gold :heh:
overall an enjoyable ep ;) 9/10

[Simon]

Well, Kagami swapping seats with Konata at the concert gets my vote for sweetest LS moment yet. That whole segment was actually quite touching, especially subdued Kona-chan on the walk back to the station.

*commiserations to bayoab on the blocked-view thing*

He does, and it's called the Washinomiya Shrine (http://www.washinomiyajinja.or.jp/).
Is that the shrine we see Kagami dancing outside of in the OP? I'm in Tokyo next week, so I plan to grab my camera and head out to Saitama for some LS location-spotting. By a fluke of bad timing I fly out the day before a shrine festival (http://www.washinomiyajinja.or.jp/schedule/schedule.html) on July 31st (well "festival" is the wrong word, but you know what I mean). Then again, it feels disrespectful to go blundering into an active place of worship as a gawking camera-toting tourist, so I wouldn't feel comfortable taking photos of the real-life miko even if I was in town...

I also have a far-too-long shopping list which includes Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisō, but I'd just like to say for the record that the DVD was on there even before this episode. I'm not (quite) that weak-willed :)

I'll really be pissed if we don't get live-action Akira in the ED next week.

You know, we've only got Shiraishi's word about the live - it couldn't be his revenge April Fool's joke, could it? Surely he doesn't long for painful death that much?

[Shiroth]

and I'll really be pissed if we don't get live-action Akira in the ED next week.
I'm not sure if its going to live action --- though as we can see from the past few ED's, anything is possible.

the ones that struck me most is obviously the Da Capo one
I hope you noticed both Da Capo references.

[DragoonKain3]

There was another Da Capo reference? I caught the first one because of the OP and the ribbons, but there's another? God, it's been so long since I watched DC that I must have missed it altogether. What was it?

[aorta]

Good the sub's out... I'm not going to make a culture post this time since I've found much better sources on the web on the references in Japanese. I think I'll just attempt to answer questions if anyone has them about a particular cultural things. Since I can find out rather easily without resorting to my own rusty memory, I a post with every little detail in it maybe more distracting than beneficial. Plus I'm not sure if anyone read my long ass post anyway. :)

If you want to make a long post, that's fine with me. I can't read that Japanese page, so every little tidbit helps.

[z3phyr.mp3]

There was another Da Capo reference? I caught the first one because of the OP and the ribbons, but there's another? God, it's been so long since I watched DC that I must have missed it altogether. What was it?

i think Shiroth was referring to konata coughing out sakura petals eairlier in the episode...

[bayoab]

They even made fun of Haruhi fans in the tall guy who probably should be somewhere else, possibly as a bodyguard of some sort instead of at a Haruhi concert with an SOS jacket on. Very very pleased at the restraint shown here not to run wild with the scene.
I really don't think this was meant to be making fun of haruhi fans and even with what you put for how you thought of it, I don't see how this makes fun of haruhi fans.

[Deathkillz]

i think Shiroth was referring to konata coughing out sakura petals eairlier in the episode...
righteo! ;) but i dont even want to know why kona was sucking in petals in the first place :heh:

[Kaioshin Sama]

One note about the concert Kona attended... it's actually a cleaver advertisement. The DVD of that concert is going on sale on 7/27. It's called "涼宮ハルヒの激奏" (Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekisou) just like in this episode. Oh well, It worked since I'm probably going to get it....

I stand corrected. I almost thought there was no motive behind it and it really was just for a joke this time. Oh well.....

[Vexx]

I really don't think this was meant to be making fun of haruhi fans and even with what you put for how you thought of it, I don't see how this makes fun of haruhi fans.

I seem to recall a review of the concert that made the rounds and one of the problems they encountered was a tall guy with that jacket who blocked much of their view.......... but damn me if I can remember where I heard or provide a source so its probably just apocryphal or my brain playing tricks on me.

I will give the KyoAni people some courtesy points for being quite subtle in their "advert" for the concert DVD. Its not like they threw it in the viewer's face. It was well integrated into the L*S world because you'd kind of expect Kona to drag her friends to it. Notice that the other girls mostly had no clue who was on stage and though they seem to have enjoyed the event and the energy --- they were mostly there to support Kona methinks.

An episode that I consider 98% L*S and what isn't L*S is well-integrated is fine. The Da Capo sequence was the sort of thing Kona would think in visual terms of and it provided a bucketload of Kona fanservice for Kona fans.

There was actually quite a lot of character exposition and expansion in this episode. I got a sense of Kona wishing *some* guy would approach her since the blossom season is considered fairly romantic. Poor Kagami stewing over what kind of guy her goldfish would be.

I also love the animation details, the clothing, the camera angle choices - little things to enhance the feeling the girls could be real people.

[jaziek]

one thing i thought was quite clever in this ep was when kagami's other class friends said they felt like part of the background and then became drawn in the background style as they said it. I enjoyed that a lot.

I loved this ep, one of the best yet i think.

[Pendevous]

This has to be one of my fave episodes, since I love Da Capo (not like Kanon, but more than Shuffle at least)!! :D HAHAHA!! ROFL at the song and Kona-chan's UBER cute poses!!!

Just a question, though: What was the feeling that Konata was feeling during the first few minutes? Dang I love the outfit on her and that look. Looks hot.

[Kaioshin Sama]

This has to be one of my fave episodes, since I love Da Capo (not like Kanon, but more than Shuffle at least)!! :D HAHAHA!! ROFL at the song and Kona-chan's UBER cute poses!!!

Just a question, though: What was the feeling that Konata was feeling during the first few minutes? Dang I love the outfit on her and that look. Looks hot.

It had something to do with the concert I think. Something with Aya Hirano's "mystique" that the show wants to convey to the audience. It's something like how a fan feels when they've just met their idol in person a satisfaction of sorts. Other than that it's just kind of a stock line to describe an indescribably feeling of warmth, something you might here in an Eroge for example. Konata's like me, she borrows a lot of her dialogue points from other sources.

[Nate-Rivers]

Am I the only one getting tired/annoyed by all the KyoAni self-promo and the Shiraishi endings?


I don't have any complaints about the KyoAni stuff, but yeah Shiraishi was an ending that caught people off guard the first time, but now it just isn't funny or clever.

[Vexx]

It had something to do with the concert I think. Something with Aya Hirano's "mystique" that the show wants to convey to the audience. It's something like how a fan feels when they've just met their idol in person a satisfaction of sorts. Other than that it's just kind of a stock line to describe an indescribably feeling of warmth, something you might here in an Eroge for example. Konata's like me, she borrows a lot of her dialogue points from other sources.

Hmmmm, *I* read that feeling as the sort of "post event depression" feeling. You've met the object of worship, it is based in mundane reality, that feeling of fantasy is gone and some part of you knows this is just a real person (or thing). I see a lot of people experience that.
It could also be something similar to that "post-holiday depression" where it didn't *quite* go as well as your fantasies might have hoped or just the fact that its over and there's a minor grieving process.

Kaioshin: the remark about Kona often speaking in references or quotes is spot on with me and many of my friends. I often compare it to that Star Trek episode about Picard trying to communicate with a race that spoke completely in cultural metaphor. If you didn't *know* the context, it was completely meaningless.
So when someone says, "These aren't the **** you were looking for." .... there are a dozen instant dots of connection to deeper meaning.
After all, "It's only a model." (shhh)

[AVPlaya]

Is that the shrine we see Kagami dancing outside of in the OP? I'm in Tokyo next week, so I plan to grab my camera and head out to Saitama for some LS location-spotting. By a fluke of bad timing I fly out the day before a shrine festival (http://www.washinomiyajinja.or.jp/schedule/schedule.html) on July 31st (well "festival" is the wrong word, but you know what I mean). Then again, it feels disrespectful to go blundering into an active place of worship as a gawking camera-toting tourist, so I wouldn't feel comfortable taking photos of the real-life miko even if I was in town...

Yes that is the shrine. It's featured many time in the anime since it was supposed to be their family shrine and her dad's the high priest. You are one lucky dude. So you are going to Japan next week? Please bring some good photo back from your L*S spotting. Do you know where everything is? I can tell you exactly where Katsukabe KyoEi High School is; see if you can find it. As for other places, since there are J-Otas who has taken pictures of all their houses, I'm sure they exist in real life, but of course those who found it won't release their exact address (plus in Japan, having an address doesn't mean much :)

If you ARE going to take photo of the school, please just take the photo from outside; if you are going inside, please check with the security guards. Chances are they won't let you in, but doesn't hurt to give it a try, although I'm sure plenty of otakus have tried to get in before. Schools are sacred places reserved for students and teachers, so it's unlikely an outsider will get in just to look around.

You know, we've only got Shiraishi's word about the live - it couldn't be his revenge April Fool's joke, could it? Surely he doesn't long for painful death that much?

I'm almost certain is a joke... we'll just have to wait a few more hours...

If you want to make a long post, that's fine with me. I can't read that Japanese page, so every little tidbit helps.

Really? Hmmm... I might consider it... maybe I'll just focus on the cultural parts even otakus have problem with and leave all the other ota-related references for you guys to figure out. Parts like figurines, posters, and D-C parodies are pretty obvious for even gaijin otas.

I stand corrected. I almost thought there was no motive behind it and it really was just for a joke this time. Oh well.....

You know I think I'll just say a few words on the behaves of KyoAni and Kadokawa Shoten here. I know these in-show adverts gets on the nerve of many Western viewers due to the culture. But It's not really that big of a deal in Japan if it's done right. The first thing a newly minted celeb do is a commercial. Pushing product by those you like in the media is really not a huge deal. Now in-show advertising in dorama is not as obvious as L*S here, but even in L*S they were related to the plot/jokes and they're mostly about series or products from either KyoAni or Kadokawa. This is OKAY in the mind of the Japanese because in a way, these shows are FAMILY. Haruhi and FuriPani can be considered a sibling to L * S anime, the same way Keroro Gunsou can be considered related to L * S manga and Computiq. That is acceptable in Japan, since supporting your family group is what you're supposed to do as a Japanese.

Also, from another point of view, KyoAni and Kadokawa are both underdogs in their own fields; it doesn't bother me that they are taking advantage of every opportunity to become more successful. KyoAni was this little forgotten animation studio in Kansai shunned by the major Tokyo studios. Kadokawa is a niche publishing house in a world dominated by Suiensha, Kodansha, and Shogakukan. Through hard-work and luck, their properties are now the premier otaku titles in the land, and why can't they have a little fun and at the same time help out their sister properties? I mean, the whole Gundam series was created so Bandai can sell robot toys, and people seemed to love it just the same. why can't KyoAni and Kadokawa do a little fun and RELEVANT sketches to push their niche products to a niche audience? I must say that these little references does not bother me at all; In fact I'm kinda glad they exist since I live in a land where these info are non-existent. That's why I LOVE raws with commercials intact... I love Japanese commercials. :)

[Risaa]

(plus in Japan, having an address doesn't mean much :)
Darn right, I'm really, really not looking forward to it. I remember how enthralled Rinko-san was when she found out that there are places that actually *do* have a system for addresses and finding them. I understand how and why Japanese addresses are the way they are, but dang it's so easy to get lost. :)

[WanderingKnight]

Hmmmm, *I* read that feeling as the sort of "post event depression" feeling. You've met the object of worship, it is based in mundane reality, that feeling of fantasy is gone and some part of you knows this is just a real person (or thing). I see a lot of people experience that.Aye, aye! I remember I felt exactly the same when the U2 concert I had been waiting for years finally came to an end. But for me it was like x3, since they did 3 or so bises before the true ending... Even though I felt quite depressed when I was exiting the stadium, once I was back home and in my bed my cheerfulness came back to me and I just felt happy I was able to assist.

So you can say I felt really close to Konata during that moment. Hold on there, girl! :D

[shinku no kage]

Main
Another very nice ep. The #1 thing that got me in the ep, Hirano Aya's appearance in the concert singing "God Knows". To add to that delightful moment, Kagamin's sweet gesture of switching seats with Konata. (=w=) You're so wonderful Kagamin...

My most laughable moment, Izumi-sensei's "Henshin" scene. LOL, not only that but he actually went out like that and got caught by Yui-nee san. Heh, good thing it was her and not another cop. ^o^

The "Da Capo" ref was pretty nice too. Although I didnt get it as much since I'm not familiar with it at all except the title and some of the chars. ^^;

Yutaka's new friendship with Minami, sooooo~ sweet. (=w=) Although I didnt expect that Yutaka would volunteer for class rep though. I wonder if she'll be ok?

Lucky Channel
Sad that Akira-san was just joking...I really thought that Shiraishi would be gone. Then theres the promise of Akira's LIVE!!?:uhoh:
...I thought that was Shiraishi's attempt of an April Fool's joke but...we'll see.:heh:

*The SECOND thing that Shiraishi has done during the series to make me not hate him for a second: Quoting "G Gundam":heh:

ED
"WHY HASNT ANYONE PUSHED HIM INTO THE WATER YET?":eyebrow:

...stop with the Shiraishi ED and give us back our beloved main cast EDs!!:frustrated:

[WanderingKnight]

...stop with the Shiraishi ED and give us back our beloved main cast EDs!!:frustrated:So you're suggesting Shiraishi isn't part of the main cast?

That's weird, I swear I always saw it otherwise. Oh well.

[shinku no kage]

Not in my book he's not. He's just a "pushy" BG char thats putting himself out there a bit too much. I consider Izumi-sensei and even the Anime Tenchou as "regulars" but Shiraishi....c'mon, even Tsukasa didnt care enough to give him a nickname.:eyebrow:

Even Misao and Ayano has more influence than he does...FYI for ppl saying "Who the hell is Misao and Ayano?" Thats the two girls in Kagami's class.

...anyways, another thing in the ep I liked, Yutaka's "maniac" introduction in front of her whole class. :heh: Then she goes and blames it on the fact that its Konata's influence.:heh:

[Risaa]

Not in my book he's not. He's just a "pushy" BG char thats putting himself out there a bit too much. I consider Izumi-sensei and even the Anime Tenchou as "regulars" but Shiraishi....:eyebrow: Even Misao and Ayano has more influence than he does.
Even Anime Tenchou? Minoru has been in L*S since episode one, albeit mostly just in LC, not so much regular L*S. I consider the four girls (Kona, Tsukasa, Kagami, Miyuki) the main characters, and then I throw Minoru in with the secondary characters. Anime Tenchou isn't even in the group of secondary characters for me.

To each his or her own.. o.o

[Pendevous]

Yep, to each his or her own because I've never liked Lucky Channel. :twitch:

[Simon]

So you are going to Japan next week? Please bring some good photo back from your L*S spotting. Do you know where everything is? I can tell you exactly where Katsukabe KyoEi High School is; see if you can find it.

Well I've found the school in my Saitama street atlas, and I think I've worked out which bus to take from the station (by searching for 春日部駅→共栄学園前 on this site (http://www.saitamabus.jp/its/jsp/route/index.jsp)). So I should be able to nail Kagami, Tsukasa and Miyuki's locations from the OP, although Konata's might be a wee bit beyond me...

I also plan to swing by Omiya to get some pics of Sonic City and surrounds (to match the shots at the beginning of this episode). I should warn you that I'm a lousy photographer, but hey, my earlier attempts (http://www.hikari.org.nz/stuff/otaku/joshikousei/jokou_ed.html) at this sort of thing were good fun - I think of it as an otaku scavenger hunt :)

If you ARE going to take photo of the school, please just take the photo from outside; if you are going inside, please check with the security guards. Chances are they won't let you in, but doesn't hurt to give it a try, although I'm sure plenty of otakus have tried to get in before.

Don't worry, I have no desire to make the acquaintance of the local police - I realise they're not quite as laid-back as Cousin Yui... I'm actually a bit surprised the school agreed to be identified in the credits; you'd think the PTA wouldn't be too pleased about a bunch of grubby otaku lurking around outside the school gates.

Anyway, I've already had a close call like that. I'm used to NZ universities being open to the public (the grounds, not the buildings), and on an earlier trip I spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon wandering around Tōdai. So last time I was over there I thought I'd head out to Musashino University - it shares its grounds with Musashino Joshigakuen, the school that inspired Lillian in Maria-mite. Obviously I wasn't about to wander into a private girls' highschool, but I figured the university campus should be OK to visit.

Well, um, notice the security guard in the middle of this photo (http://www.hikari.org.nz/stuff/japan/2006/musashino_dai.jpg)? It turns out not all universities are as open as I'd thought...

I understand how and why Japanese addresses are the way they are, but dang it's so easy to get lost. :)

Yeah, and finding the right building is only the start. First time I went to Nakano I wandered round for half an hour without finding the Mandarake store - right shopping mall, wrong floor. So now I've learned to print out maps before I go :heh:

[Risaa]

So I should be able to nail Kagami, Tsukasa and Miyuki's locations from the OP, although Konata's might be a wee bit beyond me...
More so than getting pictures of their locations from the OP, I'd *really* like it if you could get photos of Kagami, Tsukasa, and Miyuki themselves......:eyespin:

[Simon]

More so than getting pictures of their locations from the OP, I'd *really* like it if you could get photos of Kagami, Tsukasa, and Miyuki themselves......:eyespin:

Hehe, I'll do my best. Although I suspect the closest I'll get will be a group of fat sweaty salarymen cosplaying on their day off...

[Shiroi Hane]

Just what is that Haruhi doll standing there in the corner?
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3610/ndvd020xp0.th.png (http://img243.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ndvd020xp0.png)
:cool:

I thought it looked like a standee.

[Luminisk]

...anyways, another thing in the ep I liked, Yutaka's "maniac" introduction in front of her whole class. :heh: Then she goes and blames it on the fact that its Konata's influence.:heh:

Was it Konata or Yui... or maybe both because I couldn't tell which Onee-chan Yutaka was referring to.
I'm leaning more toward Yui but both her and Konata fit the bill.

[Nemo_N]

Great episode. Not even Lucky Channel or Shiraishi could put it down.

I often compare it to that Star Trek episode about Picard trying to communicate with a race that spoke completely in cultural metaphor. If you didn't *know* the context, it was completely meaningless.

Episode "Darmok" - Star Trek TNG (sorry, the lingering trekkie in me had to say it :p)

Just what is that Haruhi doll standing there in the corner?
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3610/ndvd020xp0.th.png (http://img243.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ndvd020xp0.png)

:cool:

According to this blog (http://www.syu-ta.com/luckystar/luckystar-parody-15.shtml), it seems to be this doll (http://www.volks.co.jp/jp/cf/sos/dd_haruhi.html).

[Kaioshin Sama]

Here I Go Again With A Look At Episode 15 (http://animehistory.wordpress.com/2007/07/22/lucky-staruhi-15-examination/)

For a combination of character development, good funny jokes and a minimization of product placement, I give thee episode 15 a 9 out of 10. I really hope this new post Yutaka introduction trend keeps up. It really seems like the new character have breathed new life into the show.

[CrowKenobi]

Just what is that Haruhi doll standing there in the corner?
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3610/ndvd020xp0.th.png (http://img243.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ndvd020xp0.png)

:cool:According to this blog (http://www.syu-ta.com/luckystar/luckystar-parody-15.shtml), it seems to be this doll (http://www.volks.co.jp/jp/cf/sos/dd_haruhi.html).I can believe that, but is it really that tall?

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7223/mainrn9.th.jpg (http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mainrn9.jpg)

Anyway, I think that it's this doll, not the special version due to the price (8,000 yen vs. 48,000 yen). :D
After seeing all the dolls, I think that the Tsuruya doll looks the bestest! ;)

Good find!

:cool:

[Xiaolang]

According to this blog (http://www.syu-ta.com/luckystar/luckystar-parody-15.shtml), it seems to be this doll (http://www.volks.co.jp/jp/cf/sos/dd_haruhi.html).

I'm totally not into Dolfies, in fact I think they're kinda freaky looking if you ask me. However, the Haruhi character Dolfies (not the one Nemo_N linked, but the other dolls on that page) look pretty sweet. Although, the Mikuru bunny costume one looks weird because of the visibly large ball joints.

But still, a very good find!

[AVPlaya]

Well I've found the school in my Saitama street atlas, and I think I've worked out which bus to take from the station (by searching for 春日部駅→共栄学園前 on this site (http://www.saitamabus.jp/its/jsp/route/index.jsp)). So I should be able to nail Kagami, Tsukasa and Miyuki's locations from the OP, although Konata's might be a wee bit beyond me...

Good job finding the school and the bus line! Make sure you take some photo of the bus station in front of Katsukabe Eki as well... they do spend quite some time chatting there. Good luck being the first gaijin-ota to be otaku enough to follow the trail of the L*S girls. :)

These (http://zbzbm.hp.infoseek.co.jp/kikaku/moetown/rakisuta.html) site (http://kskb.web.fc2.com/rakisuta/) are great reference points to help you find all the places in real life. Pretty good instruction on getting to those places. Can you read them? Kona's Rice Paddy is right here (http://kskb.web.fc2.com/rakisuta/01.html).

I'm actually a bit surprised the school agreed to be identified in the credits; you'd think the PTA wouldn't be too pleased about a bunch of grubby otaku lurking around outside the school gates.

If you asked nicely as an alumni the school will agree to anything. Plus since the school did put news about Yoshimizu being a manga-ka on their website, it seemed they are quite proud of him. They probably regret it now with all those otaku hanging outside with a camera...

Well, um, notice the security guard in the middle of this photo (http://www.hikari.org.nz/stuff/japan/2006/musashino_dai.jpg)? It turns out not all universities are as open as I'd thought...

Almost no school's really that open. If you want to visit school grounds, best check with the security guards. Do a lot of bowing and speak nicely, and most of the time they will let you into a University. For HS or lower... don't expect entrance unless it's a open house day like cultural festival. As for Musashino University, I remember it was mostly a women's university, having accepted many of the Musashino Joshigakuen seniors by default... you're definitely going to see more security than usual, given the amount of chikans in Japan.

Remember to post your pictures! Lucky guy...

More so than getting pictures of their locations from the OP, I'd *really* like it if you could get photos of Kagami, Tsukasa, and Miyuki themselves......:eyespin:

We're not going to see that unless he's going after Cosplayers... :) Or just take a picture of a very short HS girl with long hair. :)

[Skane]

The following is based [a.f.k.]'s fansub and written under the influence of medication since I just extracted my upper-right wisdom tooth just over an hour ago. Whee! Can I finish this write-up before the painkillers wear off? Let's rock.

Random Thoughts On Ep15:
---- ----

Oh wow... I actually got the opening "Fanta Sensei" reference. This is due to Riker's posting of the videos in the SHnY sub-forum.
.
"What about me?"

A throwback to an earlier episode when Kagami wondered what Konata uses her friends for. Underlying continuity for the win!
.
While I am no regular concert goer, I wholly understand Konata's feelings in the aftermath of the excitement. Also, I share Kagami's opinion of "opening acts" by unrelated bands.

MC: "Who wants another song from Too Phat?"
Audience (as one): "F*** YOU! Where's Linkin Park?"

^ Note that this was about four hours after the scheduled start and five songs from Too Phat. For the record, they sang a total of six songs.
.
Coughing petals... possibly one of the cutest memes for killing someone.
.
Kagami's fantasies about Goldy were very disturbing. Very, VERY disturbing. Deviant much?
.
"Henshin!"

The scene was simultaneously awesome and lame at the same time. I recall the days of yonder when I was but a wee little kid and thought of the world of such shows. Seeing such scenes brings a lot of nostalgia, but the realist in you knows that you must never watch such shows again, lest the magic shatters and ruins your memories forever more.

Sometimes... it IS best to see the past through rose-tinted glasses. :heh:
.
"Now he's suspicious on the outside and the inside?"

This episode was chock-full of winnable quotes. :D
.
Cake waitress as the news anchor...
.
I had a hearty laugh from all the various April Fool's gags, especially since their various facial expressions and voice distortions were a riotous hoot. From Kagami's wide-opened eyes to Konata's strangled scream, and not forgetting Nanako's calm but deadly anger.
.
"There was somebody else as bored as me..."
.
Mmm... the taste of blood in my mouth.
.
Tsukasa's "Liar Paradox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liar_paradox)" brought about a brief bout of mental pain... :p I wondered how many people realised that Tsukasa was invoking a paradox, thus leading to Kagami's reply of, "Th-That's hard to get."
.
Kagami's onee-san sensors detecting Tsukasa's thoughts were humorous.
.
Cake waitress as the game show host... I wonder how much is she laughing on the way to the bank?
.
Cute of KyoAni to draw Kagami's classmates in the artstyle of the background on cue.
.
Nanako's entrance to the class on the first day of the new year was brilliant. It was also nice of them to maintain the messy look of her hair even when she tied it up.
.
Comic timing of Nanako's twapping of Konata was PERFECT. I could rewatch that scene over and over again and still get the laughs from it. The sound effects, the scene swaps, the voice acting, etc... It was all 10 out of 10.
.
Da Capo OP parody... To mean, Da Capo just means one thing.

Nemu. Must. DIE. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=b3xI3JQuwN0)
.
WTF was up with the increase in animation quality when the quartet were chatting about their years spent together? [18:10 onwards] The shift in styles was so drastic and unannounced. I mean heck, it was still in the same scene! Not after a scene transition.
.
"Can't wait for tomorrow."

Aye! Can't wait for the next episode. :D
It has been a long time since I rated an episode higher than 7 for Lucky Star but it deserves it this time.

Cheers.

[Sorrow-K]

Keep in mind thought that Seinfeld and Family Guy borrow from a variety of sources and lately Lucky Star has only been borrowing from one pool with it's punchlines (less so punchlines and moreso injokes actually). Seinfelds strength is also it's ability to focus on a particular theme, (AKA situational comedy) for an episode, whereas Lucky Star as a 4Koma style comedy jumps from topic to topic quite frequently within the episode. They are similar in some ways, but different fundamentally in others. Family Guy is probably the better comparison overall though with it's frequent leaps in narrative, and "Hey remember when?" cutaways. Family Guy's style of comedy can also be it's greatest weakness though if the writers get carried away with on joke, like the Lucky Star writers have with the Haruhi refs. I just can't laugh at any of those anymore.

One last thing, Seinfeld also frequently waited an entire episode to deliver it's finisher punchline, and it was often made all the funnier by everything that happened between the beginning and the end of the episode, but Lucky Star doesn't have that luxury as each segment only lasts about a few minutes at most.

Overall I agree with the Family Guy comparison, but not the Seinfeld one.
Holy crap, I can't believe I'm agreeing with a Kaioshin post in a Lucky Star thread, but this really hits the mark. Well put.

As for the episode itself, this was good. Good, not great, but certainly one of the better LS eps of the last few weeks.

A lot of people have cited that they see LS more as a slice-of-life than a comedy, and I've always been of the opinion that the slice-of-life component isn't engaging because the characters aren't dynamic enough to make slice-of-life work, but we actually saw some genuinely interesting character interactions in this ep, almost enough to make me change my opinion of this (if this is what we had for the rest of the series, as well, mind you). "Almost", that is, since it never really went far enough, and always changed back to a comedic tone before any genuine impact could be made on the characters, or before they could come to any sort of character-changing epiphany about friends and relationships.

That's my problem with LS... both the comedy and slice-of-life is too tepid for me to be truly engaged by either. Which is why, unless there's a sudden turnaround in either, I think I'll inevitably always see this as a fun but not brilliant slice-of-life with hit-and-miss comedy... the hits being brilliant and the misses being dull.

Speaking of brilliant hit jokes, the Da Capo reference was great. Although, the Shiraishi bits are getting tiresome. It's turning from campy to tacky.

Decent ep overall. What can I say? I'd like it if LS was more of this, and less of the mediocrity it served up in the last two weeks.

[Skane]

Question. When was the Fate/Stay Night song used?

Cheers.

[AVPlaya]

I got some of this info from this wonderful blog (http://www.syu-ta.com/luckystar/luckystar-parody-15.shtml) and some out of my head or other personal sources. If I personally know about it I will start to rant, if I don't I'll simply translate.

"San-Nen B-Gumi, Kuroi-sensei!"
The sentences before the OP are references to a classic dorama "3年B組金八先生 (http://www.tbs.co.jp/kinpachi/)" (Kinbachi-sensei of the 3rd year B-class). The phrase was used often in the show and in the OP, only in L*S version it was changed to Kuroi (Nanako) sensei. It's about a teacher in a Tokyo Middle school and the issue he faced educating the often trourblesome kids. The show usually address realistic themes such as child abuse and sex-ed, and it's been around for 25 years. A series' made every once in a while, the last one, 7th, was aired in 2005; it's supposed to be the REAL final series.

Kinbach-sensei!
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/3361/000008po9.jpg

"Kokoro no Tomo Yo!"
When Kona started to say this while hugging her new "Heart Friends" for winning the pre-sales ticket to Haruhi concert, it was a reference to Doraemon. "Jianan" or Giant, was this big bully kid in Doraemon who tortured the other kids daily. But once in a while during the one of Doraemon's big adventure movies, Giant became part of the group and sometimes he will display unusual bravery and love for his friends. During times of crisis he would show his display of friendship by hugging Nobita and the gang (sometimes under coercion) and scream "KOKORO NO TOMO YO!" (You are my Friend of Heart!). It can usually bring tear to a kid'ss eye to see this usually selfish bully doing something brave for his suddenly Heart Friends. Of course when the adventure's over and they're all back home, Giant would start taking money, candy, Nintendos, or Doraemon gadgets from Nobita just like before.

Picture of Jaian, killer of Nobita:
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/730/ousama1xp4.gif

Although this is anime related I wanted to mention it. Not many current anime fans has seen Doraemon, unless they've grew up in Asia.

"Big Shougun!"
When Konata first heard about Kagami's fat gold fish, she said "でかっ！将軍！" or "Big! Shougun!" This is a reference to a very popular dorama "華麗なる一族 (http://www.tbs.co.jp/karei2007/)" (Kareinaru Ichizoku), a huge TBS production starring Kimura Takuya of SMAP. It's about the family intrigue of a Japanese Oil Tycoon family and it's based on a best-selling REAL novel. "Shougun" in the dorama is a huge carp kept by the Grandfather (head of the family) which would appear when you tap on the water. Many people who watched the dorama were impressed. No he's not a gold fish. The show got pretty high ratings and again proven the "Chicks Dig Kimura" rule. Will the guy ever stop being the top male idol? Yes I've watch a few episodes but I'm not a SMAP fangirl so I didn't really finish it. It aired back in 01/2007 so this is a really new reference. Must be something from the dorama watching female animators. No otaku will reference a Kimura dorama.

Kimura-san on the lower left:
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1301/img257b80d7zik5zjqj6.jpg

"DV Otoko"
When Kagami's dreaming about the reincarnation of her fat gold fish becoming her future husband, she was worried that he'll become a "DV man". DV = Domestic Violence, of course. Pretty easy to us gaijin-tachi.

"The Closer"?
According the above blog, the TV show that's airing while Kagami and Tsukasa discuss telling lies is the a TNT original crime drama series "The Close (http://www.tnt.tv/series/closer/)r" starring Kyra Sedgwick. Yeah she's pretty hot, and the show has strong review and ratings for a TNT show. I guess it's popular in Japan too. Even the blogger isn't sure about this, and I'm not even going to second guess him since I have never watched a dubbed American show in Japanese.

Big in Japan!
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/9071/14853closerlra6.jpg

"Iku? Mairu?"
The question Hiiragi family tried to answer the first time was "What was the humble form of "行く" (go)? and the answer was "参る". I am kinda shocked that they missed it because even I know the answer. Perhaps we as gaijin tend to learn keigo before we learn normal Japanese, but I don't think "mairimasu!" was that rare, especially they all being mikos, shouldn't they know more keigos than normal folks?

"All-Star Appreciation Festival"
The quiz show Hiiragi family was enjoying is a twice a year special that has been aired since 1991 called "オールスター感謝祭 (http://www.tbs.co.jp/kanshasai/)". The Hiiragi girls and man were watching the Spring Special. All I know about it was that the male host, Shimata Shinsuke, is pretty famous and appears on several other shows as guests. It is pretty popular special; there's even a PS2 game made from the show.

Compare this to the anime TV picture.; KyoAni does its homework:
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/637/3e122f71gv0.jpg

Cheap Raman
While talking about the mythical house Miyuki lived in, the girls walked past a sign that reads "Delicious Chinese Noodle, 390 Yen". It is a sign for a super-cheap chain raman place called "ラーメンの日高屋 (http://www.hiday.co.jp/man/core/index.html)" (Raman no HidakaYa). I've never eaten there so I don't know how good it is, but here's what I do know: "Chuuka Soba" or Chinese noodles is another name for good old raman. Raman is actually treated as foreign (Chinese) food in Japan, but we all know it's Japanese. Kinda like how they see things like "Omu-Rice" as Western, but you'll be hard to find an ketchup-rice filled omelet in any Western kitchen. Since they have all 200 plus stores listed on their site, I'm going to be an ota and guess that the store they walked by is this one:

071 春日部店 春日部市中央1-9-1 048-753-0355

Picture of a random Hidakaya:
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2208/jmydy5jkmjbfmjawnjaxmljyb4.jpg

"I'll be the Class Rep!"
When Yukata volunteered to be the Class Rep, she was referencing a line from a TV dorama, "熱中時代 (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%86%B1%E4%B8%AD%E6%99%82%E4%BB%A3)" (NecchuJidai). It was an OLD dorama aired in 1979 about a group of grade school students. I suppose it's very fitting for Yukata. It was white hot when first premiered, as it has a 47.5% rating. That means almsot 50% of all Japanese were watching it at the time. I don't know much about it.

He had a lot of fangirls back in the days:
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4048/5c9ad765svr3.jpg

Russian Battleship
When Nanako-sensei woke Konata with a knock on the head, Konata said "ポチョムキン" or "Pochumukin". Apparently she's dreaming about a famous Russian Battleship called "Potemkin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battleship_Potemkin)" (Потёмкин). I'm not going to elaborate it as you can read the wikipedia yourself. What kind of dream could she be having? Of course I thought she said "Ocha Mochi", which is a mochi made with sencha powder. I like my version better. :)

Omochi Unyo~n...
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4120/matunagakashi2nk3.jpg

Nakako-chan's Textbook
This (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/463404580X/syusquizhomep-22/ref=nosim/) is the very text book she was holding while giving Kona a hard time.

It even the cover looked boring:
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5631/5162kmf64tlaa240qp4.jpg

===
Wow this is still a lot of fun, and much easier with help too. I really enjoy doing this! I think I'll keep this up until the end of the show. I'll post this in the Cultural ref thread as well.

Question. When was the Fate/Stay Night song used?

Cheers.

It was used on 19:27, It was the BGM from the game Konata was playing while goofing off.

[FlashCE]

I love the Kyon/Yuki reference when Konata's dad asked her about her book and she said "Unique"

[dahl_moon]

"San-Nen B-Gumi, Kuroi-sensei!"
The sentences before the OP are references to a classic dorama "3年B組金八先生 (http://www.tbs.co.jp/kinpachi/)" (Kinbachi-sensei of the 3rd year B-class). The phrase was used often in the show and in the OP, only in L*S version it was changed to Kuroi (Nanako) sensei. It's about a teacher in a Tokyo Middle school and the issue he faced educating the often trourblesome kids. The show usually address realistic themes such as child abuse and sex-ed, and it's been around for 25 years. A series' made every once in a while, the last one, 7th, was aired in 2005; it's supposed to be the REAL final series.

I've always thought this was the Fanta parady. I guess the Fanta commercial itself was a parody of an earlier period; Kinbachi-sensei.

Thanks a lot! I'd give you extra cookies, but I need to spread around more.

[vuori]

At 07:52 when Tsukasa and Kagami are talking about Konata's homework, they stop for a while and the voice on TV seems to be saying "aa ha ha, Gurren-dan, wakatteru saa..". Am I imagining or is this a hitherto unknown G-L reference there?

[Suzumiya Haruhi]

Konata's dad doing the henshin pose from Kamen Rider Super-1 made me like him even more. :P

[Risaa]

OK... when L*S is over, AVPlaya, you need to tell me what shows you'll be following so I can follow you and get more of your extremely awesome posts. x3! Again, frustrated I can't cookie you. I wonder if RL cookies will do?

Anime references (especially from popular anime) are nice, but I really dig the references that not everybody will get, especially non-anime references.
The question Hiiragi family tried to answer the first time was "What was the humble form of "??" (go)? and the answer was "??". I am kinda shocked that they missed it because even I know the answer. Perhaps we as gaijin tend to learn keigo before we learn normal Japanese, but I don't think "mairimasu!" was that rare, especially they all being mikos, shouldn't they know more keigos than normal folks?
I often suspect that what they teach in schools here is a little over-the-top on keigo and other polite-ness while a lot of casual speak is swept under the rug. It does worry me a bit - I know it's better to be overly polite (and get laughed at) than be rude (and be glared at), but it also distances yourself from people.

I learned short/casual form before learning keigo/humble, so I'm a lot more comfortable with it and tend to use it accidently in situations in which it'd be better to um, not. :heh: And it's just the opposite for my friend over at MIT - she had keigo/humble pounded into her since the very beginning, so she's pretty bad with casual form, but OK with keigo/humble.

(I'm jealous that she's so intelligent and basically has a career already planned out for her, but I think I'm happier being at a more "normal" level... for one thing, she's way too busy for online forums, often too busy just for chatting via AIM. :rolleyes: )

[Calawain]

Enjoyable episode this week, a few of the references took me a second watching to get. And thanks to AVPlaya for the posting of the reference material, gave me many things to look for the second watch through of the show!

[Meophist]

"Potemkin" is also a character from the fighting game series "Guilty Gear", which I believe is somewhat popular in Japanese arcades. It's possible that Konata was dreaming about that.

[AVPlaya]

At 07:52 when Tsukasa and Kagami are talking about Konata's homework, they stop for a while and the voice on TV seems to be saying "aa ha ha, Gurren-dan, wakatteru saa..". Am I imagining or is this a hitherto unknown G-L reference there?

According to some it was supposed to be the "Za Kurouza", but I didn't really hear "gurren" either.. plus there was a heck of a lot of shouting in G-L, that voice over didn't sound like it... I don't think it's an anime reference. Plus, the Hiiragi's don't really watch anime.

Enjoyable episode this week, a few of the references took me a second watching to get. And thanks to AVPlaya for the posting of the reference material, gave me many things to look for the second watch through of the show!

You're welcome! I've always enjoyed the 2nd or 3rd viewing more than the first one, especially after I get all the references and understood the hard-work going into each episode. They even bothered to get the hair style of the female host and the tie color of the male host right for the All-star quiz show. I'm very impressed.

"Potemkin" is also a character from the fighting game series "Guilty Gear", which I believe is somewhat popular in Japanese arcades. It's possible that Konata was dreaming about that.

Great find! If this is true, we may know more than J-otas! Congrads! I still like ocha mochi though... it's sounds much cuter.

I love the Kyon/Yuki reference when Konata's dad asked her about her book and she said "Unique"

The books she's reading is the May 2007 Issue of "Gundam A (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000O76DZ0/syusquizhomep-22/ref=nosim/)" magazine. It's quite interesting because 1. They weren't allowed to make Gundam references on the show.. so this maybe a small jab? and 2. Gundam A is a maga of Gun-otas. Kona has not a single Gundam model... what's she doing reading it? Ota research?

I've always thought this was the Fanta parady. I guess the Fanta commercial itself was a parody of an earlier period; Kinbachi-sensei.

Given the history of Kinbachi, I'd say you're probably right.

OK... when L*S is over, AVPlaya, you need to tell me what shows you'll be following so I can follow you and get more of your extremely awesome posts. x3! Again, frustrated I can't cookie you. I wonder if RL cookies will do?

Oh RL cookie much better! :) I can't imagine I'll write something similar for another show... This show is unique in the way references are thrown around, and some of them on purpose to confuse the otaku. I mean, will I ever find another anime with a reference to dorama starring Kimura Takuya? I seriously doubt it. :) There's a LOT of real world reference to things only Japanese women or OL would be interested in... that's like complete opposite of otaku world. They do not know much about each other's culture. BUT this show builds a bridge... Just imagine the amount of otaku with a Joba in their hikkomori rooms now and you can feel the power of L*S.


(I'm jealous that she's so intelligent and basically has a career already planned out for her, but I think I'm happier being at a more "normal" level... for one thing, she's way too busy for online forums, often too busy just for chatting via AIM. :rolleyes: )

Dont' be so jealous of your keigo spouting friend, Rissa-chan. Those are the people who will stay gaijin forever. The Japanese use keigo to keep distance between people - it was invented so the nobles can distinguish themselves from the lay folks. Most young people hated it and will never use it unless forced to, and some won't even use it at work. KyoAni is one of the companies where I'd imagine keigo is only used when there are visitors. You are actually more likely to learn real Japanese and be part of real Japanese groups... Secretly, Japanese love gaijins who won't use keigo a lot and they would forgive them easily anyway... notice in Japan no matter how bad your Japanese was they will always be very happy you're speaking it, same goes with keigo usage. In fact you pull them closer when you don't use it, but you won't know it until later. Just don't forget to use keigo in front of ELDERs, like old baba and jiji, or the very first time you meet someone, and you'll be fine.

[Risaa]

Just don't forget to use keigo in front of ELDERs, like old baba and jiji
Aah, so I should always use keigo to you? :D [*gets thrown away*] Waa!

It's funny how you'll get praised for saying a few mangled words, or even something as simple as "genki desu ka?" (I got praised twice for that one just because I used kanji for "genki" :heh: )... It can get annoying, but you'll be scurrying back to those who praise you after you spend a day with little kids who do nothing except insult and laugh at you for your pronunciation. :)

[Mirrinus]

Finally got around to watching this episode, and I must say, this is probably one of my favorites so far. It just felt really enjoyable from beginning to end. Sure, it was a bit more scattered than usual, but I really liked the portrayal of the girls at school in this one, from Konata looking for the nurse's office to the teacher being late to poor Kagami being separated from everyone else again.

And as for Lucky Channel, all I have to say is, after watching Hayate's Butler Network, LC is pure gold by comparison. I mean, Hayate's episode-end mini-show is far more repetitive, less funny, and basically sounds like an advertisement for the character singles. Give me Shiraishi and Akira any day.

[Calawain]

I would agree, I mean LC was really great at the beginning, and it's lost some of its appeal as the joke becomes more repetitive. However, it is better than a lot of other similar attempts in the past.

[WanderingKnight]

And I still say that LC is not the type of humor American people are accustomed to, and as such they have a harder time enjoying it :D

[Vexx]

Well... L*C (as a form of manzai) is basically: Abbott & Costello, Burns&Allen, Laurel & Hardy .... mingling familiar schticks with bits of new stuff.

1) They ran with the same gag for too many episodes... actually I'm suspecting they did it on purpose now just so they could lampoon the lampoon.
2) The recent shift in tenor has refreshed the segment.... purely in my opinion they should have done it a couple of episodes earlier.
3) I'm still hoping for an L*C segment that is live-action. I think it would be great to see the VAs hamming it up.

4) Whatever its goodness, I still view L*C as taking fundamental time budget away from the main segment. And watching how long it took to introduce even two of the other characters, it is very unlikely at this point we'll get more than half of the existing four volumes adapted to screen.
If they already plan on a second season, that might be less irritating but we already know Haruhi 2 is incoming.

[gaguri]

Frustrating episode. Not because it's bad. But because it could be so much more. Many moments that seemed to be very heartwarming, yet never truly shines and turns back to its usual comedy (which is never that hilarious). In that sense, not much different from the previous episodes. Still enjoying it for what it is though.