View Full Version : Air - Overall Series Impressions & Total Series Rating
This thread is to be used for discussing the entire series of Air ... your thoughts about the show, overall impressions, emotional impression, etc., etc…
A few subjects you might want to ramble on about:
General impression of the series.
Opinions on the overall story, writing & plot devices.
Thoughts about the animation quality.
How did the anime compare with the game?
Characters/Character Design
What the show meant to you.
What could the creators/animators/writers could have done better.
And so on.
The poll represents your total series rating. In other words, how you would rate all the episodes combined (1-10)? If you'd rather rate the whole series by technical/artistic merits, you can do so. For example:
Animation Quality: 1-10
Voice Actors: 1-10
Script: 1-10
Adaptation from Game: 1-10
Editing: 1-10
Emotional Involvement: 1-10
Average = Total Series Rating
Or a combination of the two. Or your general gut feeling.
well, i didn't ,
i dont know if you guys do?...
many people think air is very very very making people cry
^ What?
I'll just lay a 9 despite AIR being my most favorite. Mainly because Kano and Minagi's arc feel so detached and very irrelevant. Also, I'm still ranting that KyoAni had to do put all the Kanna goodness in the OVA. They should've included it in the actual Summer arc. >: O
Samatarou
2007-11-26, 18:32
I have to give it a 9, the garbled ending is a definite flaw (except in terms of being a stimualtion for forum traffic!), so it loses a point for that. Best anime of 2005 though. Isn't it a bit late in the day for a poll? Everyone's moved on in their lives now, we've finished grieving for Misuzu and Michiru et al.
^ lol yeah. I was thinking similarly, but I just tossed in my 0.02 seeing as this just came in recently. I supposed it also works for those who only watched the localized version.
Spectacular_Insanity
2007-12-02, 21:41
I liked it a lot, but I thought it was awfully vague and very slow-paced. And though at times it was cute, there's only so many time a man can hear the word "gao" without going crazy. However, the ending made up for these little things.
Overall, I gave it a 9/10.
I gave Air a 9 due to pacing issues. The animation, music, acting and such were superb, as was the story itself. Where Air fell down though was trying to cram too much detail into too little time. Ironically enough, I don't know that there was enough to fill out a complete two cour series of 24/26 episodes, but I think that the Summer arc could have easily integrated in Air in Summer for a total of four episodes (albeit rewritten), and that the Dream arc required at least another two or three episodes to flow better. I think that the Air arc works well as is, although perhaps another episode wouldn't go too far amiss, but it'd run the risk of dragging it out.
Basically, I'd think the arcs would be better in a breakdown of 8 episodes dream, four episodes Summer, 3/4 episodes Air. Sadly, doing a 16 episode series seems highly unrealistic to me - and doing a further 8 episodes would require badly distorting the material. Yet, the way it was done does feel highly rushed, especially in the Dream arc... and hence my deduction of a point. :)
-Andiyar
Samatarou
2007-12-06, 19:56
Looking at the poll blurb again, I just realised I should have given Air a 1, as it is certainly painful.
(In fact I've heard a number of people compare it to Grave of the Fireflies. And I suppose Misuzu was like a firefly in a way...)
Some editing issues and pacing... but one of the more interesting (and possibly challenging to the average viewer) anime series --- quite a lot of depth for something structured around a 'erogame'.... but then Key is known for pulling their products way above the average.
I have just finished watching this really superb anime. I gave Air 10. Everything from music, animation to story and characters development was great :) But one thing was bad, why Misuzu had to die ? Hmm I was on the edge of tears. Why a superb anime like this, must have a sad end ?
However this anime is my favourite and best anime I have ever seen.
Have a nice day guys :)
Part of the essence of Buddhism is the impermanence of physical things, including people and even memories. Only souls are permament. Misuzu's soul had lived through dozens of short lives since the curse had been laid on her. The entrapment of her soul is a dramatized portrayal of the initial conflict between the arrival of Buddhism to Japan and the local Shinto beliefs. Eventually the two were reconciled, of course, but only Misuzu's two friends (or fellow souls) "remembered" her plight.
This incarnation was an important piece of the story to tell because it concluded with a major step towards (or perhaps a clearing) of her entrapment.
Obviously this is just my interpretation -- there are other variations.
I could say one of the things that *made* it a superb anime is the intensity of the emotions it evokes in most viewers.
I could say one of the things that *made* it a superb anime is the intensity of the emotions it evokes in most viewers.
Yeah that is right. Very strong emotions :)
Heck, I *still* can't bring myself to watch it again since the subs were out and I bought the darn series and movie.
CrazySunshine
2007-12-22, 11:13
Only piece of literature to ever make me cry (yes, movies are considered literture, and by that standard so is anime).
I give it a 9. Though the backgrounds were superb... I really hate the style of the faces (I know it's biast, but still), and they really could have made them somewhat more detailed. The other "arcs" could hav been tied in slightly better... and the ancestor thing made me yawn a little. Piko (the dog) was useless. The ending IMO was fine though. But those things knock off a point.
Air is still IMO the most emotion-envoking anime out there. Doubt that I will never be able t not cry no matter how many times I re-watch it (which I'm planning to do soon...).
Rookie103
2008-02-16, 18:29
Perfect 10.
I loved it all the way through and it's the first anime to make me cry :heh:
6/10
Dropped the show after 8 episodes..I didn't understand the story and where the plot or the character development is heading. In a time when I'm really bored, I will maybe re-watch it again and try harder.
Animation Quality: 8
Voice Actors: 8
Script: 5
Adaptation from Game: %
Editing: 5
Emotional Involvement: 2
Omg i love Air. So beautiful anime...sad ending. Only a bit short, i would like Air to go till ep 24 or more. Too bad.
A BIG well deserved 10 :D
DragoonKain3
2008-02-29, 11:06
If you asked me when I first saw the series, I would've gave the show an A- at the most, but most probably B+ since all that ever really interested me was the flashback to the distant past.
HOWEVER, that is because I didn't quite 'get' the overall story.
Now that I own the DVDs, I rewatched it. I don't know if it's because its my second viewing or is it because ADV did a great job with subs/dubs, but I 'got' it. From the connection with the other two heroines, to the flashback to the past, to the reincarnation to crow, to Misuzu's strength in the end of keeping her pain inside, and even to the signifigance of the two children of the beach, it was like I got a moment of revelation when it all connected in the end. Once it all clicked, all I could do was gape in awe for some time after the last episode... it was that good.
And for the record, considering I haven't seen the show for almost half a decade, I'm more inclined thinking that ADV did a great job with their translations. And I 'got' the story watching the dubs, so its a great undertaking IMO for the English VAs as well.
Animation: A+ (especially when you take into account how old the series is and compare it to other anime of that year)
Story: A+ (EPIC)
Music: A+ (If I'm stil hooked to Natsukage despite hearing it for so long...)
Pacing: A+ (Not a moment wasted, not a moment too soon)
Series Grade: A+ (A definite must watch IMO)
And for the record again, IMO the ending is anything but sad. After all...
The two children on the beach ARE Misuzu and Yukito reincarnated, and judging by what Misuzu went through, they are most likely already free from the 'curse'. While it's still sad for Misuzu's mom, I can't think of any happier end for the two protagonists
Did i mention the opening scene of Air is the most beautiful thing i ever heard :O :D
i know rigth but the ep when Misuzu die made me cry for an hour what about you
you got that right o.o So sad...first anime that made me actually cry :O (doesnt happen much) Pretty impressive, if you ask me :P
Samatarou
2008-03-07, 20:36
(especially when you take into account how old the series is
Please don’t say that! You make me feel like a geriatric, I consider Air to be a recent anime series, it’s only three years since it aired. To me, "old" is 1980's stuff like Akira or Nausicaa, not 21st century stuff.
kyoulover
2008-03-09, 00:35
Although this anime is great...but what i regret is the total of episode is too few....
overall it's great...so 9/10 for this :)
MyGoddess
2008-03-19, 17:21
A really touching story. I must've cried like 5 times during the show.
Too bad I didn't like the art style that much. :(
But 9/10 nonetheless.
qtipbrit
2008-03-21, 23:09
Did i mention the opening scene of Air is the most beautiful thing i ever heard :O :D
You mean Misuzu on the sea wall?
You mean Natsukage + KyoAni animation + Misuzu + ramen + Daisuko Ono?
You mean the first
Please don’t say that! You make me feel like a geriatric, I consider Air to be a recent anime series, it’s only three years since it aired. To me, "old" is 1980's stuff like Akira or Nausicaa, not 21st century stuff.
Yeah, even I don't consider it old, and I was 12 when Air began airing.
Though I first watched this a while ago:
Animation Quality: 10
Obvious. When it began airing, it set the bar for amazing animation quality.
Voice Actors: 9
Not speaking/understanding a good deal of Japanese is a large factor here, but the emotions of the seiyuu were easily felt across languages through tone and whatnot.
Script: 7
Ah, the biggest flaw with the anime. The only reason I was able to enjoy it so much my first time watching it was because I had perused the wikipedia page, getting down all of the plot beforehand. Though I had never really watched it without understanding it, I can easily see how it could confuse people with its pacing and ambiguity.
Adaptation from Game: -
Can't comment here, seeing as I never played the game.
Editing: 9
Not sure what this is, but I would say it was finely editted and such. Musical quality, animation quality, character designs (that I had to get used to a bit), and some excellent parts of the script were amazing.
Emotional Involvement: 10
Clear ten. Each arc made me feel strongly for the character at hand: Minagi's, Kano's, Kanna's, and especially Misuzu's.
9/10 for me.
At one point it was a 10/10.
For some reason, when I watched this, it was really boring. I watched each episode just for the sake of watching. It's probably been more than a year, but from what I can remember, this anime was just unexciting compared to other dramas and watching each episode after another was torture. Probably because of the character designs compared to other anime that i've seen. Although I can also recollect some sad moments too.
7/10
mikesince83
2008-04-04, 14:16
AIR was for me, the pinnacle of the high school romance/harem genre. This may not mean much in itself but it's a statement that comes after recently (within the last few weeks) finishing all of Kanon and the first season of CLANNAD.
Length: Overall, length of a series does not generally define it's quality, but for my part, I tend to prefer the 12 - 24 range since shows that push for more often lose the magic that made them special in the first place. For AIR, 12 episodes was perfect. There was just enough time to be introduced, skim through the less significant arcs and move on to the meat of the story.
One of main reasons I prefer AIR to the other KeyoAni adaptations is it's clear focus on the main arc. Other girls make appearances, but unlike Kanon, our protagonist doesn't become heavily mired (emotionally) with each only to move on suddenly when a solution presents itself.
Romance: The love story portrayed by AIR transcends space and time without any childish romance needed to convey the intense relationships involved. Yukito doesn't kiss Misuzu once the entire TV series, yet we clearly grasp the the feelings the two have for each other. From there, we move on to the equally important and powerful aspect of love within a family to wrap things up.
Progression: The plot moved through the arcs at a pace perfect for myself. Adding the summer arc to the mix was a refreshing and unexpected change that also served to greatly enhance the main arc. Even during the last arc when things shifted into a recap of previous events, the animators and directors gave us a completely different perspective that didn't feel recycled in the least.
Ending: Both brimming with the joy of a new beginning and the aching sorrow of loss, it's hard to label it as such. The tinge of unknown (the children on the beach) was magical and appropriate prompting a re watch of the whole series to catch some of the subtleties that may have been missed the first time through.
Issues: I had very few complaints with AIR. One issue in particular that I think could have been handled better was Yukito's departure from the scene. I understand his 'wish' was necessary to start the final arc, but there in lies the problem. Considering the apparent ability of the doll to grant practically any wish he has, it seems silly he'd wish to simply restart the summer, especially considering his reincarnated form.
The Movie: Watching the Television series first had me bias towards a particular plot progression, so when the movie deviated considerably at points, I wasn't pleased. The animation was stellar, although the stylized stills are unacceptable for a movie in my opinion. It was also nice to see Yukito around at the end for Misuzu.
You mean Misuzu on the sea wall?
You mean Natsukage + KyoAni animation + Misuzu + ramen + Daisuko Ono?
You mean the first.
Nah i mean the song from all the first openings of all eps. Tori no uta, singing by Lia ^___^
Rengemaru
2008-04-22, 07:43
Issues: I had very few complaints with AIR. One issue in particular that I think could have been handled better was Yukito's departure from the scene. I understand his 'wish' was necessary to start the final arc, but there in lies the problem. Considering the apparent ability of the doll to grant practically any wish he has, it seems silly he'd wish to simply restart the summer, especially considering his reincarnated form.
I think you kind of got it wrong. He did not wish to restart the summer, he wished that Misuzu could wake up again to have more time with her mother. The consequences or the tribute of this wish was to lose his human form and reincarnate as a crow. And since time is insignificant in the universe of AIR, he reincarnated at the start of the summer events.
kingsky123
2008-04-22, 14:08
can someone briefly explain what is this story about? also does this story have magic in it?
Shinigami_Mello
2008-04-22, 16:09
I dont know if it's the right thread, but sure.
The story is about a wandering traveler name Yukito Kunisaki who is looking for 'a girl in the sky'. He arrives to a small sleepy town near the ocean and, stuff happens xD
And yes, it does have magic in it.
baka-ranger-black
2008-06-10, 20:21
^ What?
I'll just lay a 9 despite AIR being my most favorite. Mainly because Kano and Minagi's arc feel so detached and very irrelevant. Also, I'm still ranting that KyoAni had to do put all the Kanna goodness in the OVA. They should've included it in the actual Summer arc. >: O
I agree, I would have loved to see more of Minagi and Kano's arc, and the Summer arc was kind of off (although I did enjoy the Kanna x Ryuuya scene in episode 9), and as of episode 10, we didn't really see Misuzu's thoughts when Yukito was staying with Minagi.
I think they could have done much better, but it still holds favorite anime to me.
9/10
Vegard Aune
2008-06-19, 14:10
On one hand, I feel like giving it a 9/10, as the series was just FANTASTIC, on the other hand, (sorry to the other person who said the same thing, I thought of it before I read your post, just so you'd know) "painful" does seem like a pretty apropriate way to describe it. Most depressing ending to an anime I've ever seen, though that was what made it so great. This one is definitely far more emotional than Clannad was, (Though from what I've heard about the After Story...) and both Air and Clannad are among my favourites now.
This show proves two things:
1. KyoAni is incapable of making a bad anime, and
2. Key is, in fact, a bunch of evil monsters who take pleasure in making people cry so much that they die from dehydration. Not that I actually cried from watching Air, no anime has ever made me cry, but it came pretty damn close during that final episode...
Samatarou
2008-06-20, 07:50
On one hand, I feel like giving it a 9/10, as the series was just FANTASTIC, on the other hand, (sorry to the other person who said the same thing, I thought of it before I read your post, just so you'd know) "painful" does seem like a pretty apropriate way to describe it.
Yes, I think that for tragic series animesuke need to reverse their poll rating descriptions, something like:
10: unbearable
9: painful
....
mandarb916
2008-06-21, 19:43
On one hand, I feel like giving it a 9/10, as the series was just FANTASTIC, on the other hand, (sorry to the other person who said the same thing, I thought of it before I read your post, just so you'd know) "painful" does seem like a pretty apropriate way to describe it. Most depressing ending to an anime I've ever seen, though that was what made it so great. This one is definitely far more emotional than Clannad was, (Though from what I've heard about the After Story...) and both Air and Clannad are among my favourites now.
This show proves two things:
1. KyoAni is incapable of making a bad anime, and
2. Key is, in fact, a bunch of evil monsters who take pleasure in making people cry so much that they die from dehydration. Not that I actually cried from watching Air, no anime has ever made me cry, but it came pretty damn close during that final episode...
1. imho Haruhi was garbage :P
After Story is emotional, but I think overall AIR on TV was much more so. The ending was bittersweet in the sense that it was both a happy (or positive?) ending alongside a tragic ending...atleast that's what I interpreted it as.
On another note, the remade OP for the BD release at 1080p is just amazing...the price of entry is high to get the BD edition, but the OP remake alone is worth it imho.
Vegard Aune
2008-06-22, 07:22
1. imho Haruhi was garbage :P
Well, I couldn't disagree more, (It being my second favourite show EVAH and stuff) so I'm afraid I'll have to murder you in fanboy-rage now.
After Story is emotional, but I think overall AIR on TV was much more so. The ending was bittersweet in the sense that it was both a happy (or positive?) ending alongside a tragic ending...atleast that's what I interpreted it as.
Well, while I don't know exactly what happens, (And I'd rather keep it like that until the anime is finished) I do know that someone said that the bad end of the Afterstory was equal to repeatedly torturing someone. The exact quote being
The "Happy Ending" only occurs after the player goes through the "Extreme Bad-Ending". I mean seriously... KEY didn't just shoot the dog here (where dog = player), they raped the dog, kicked it while it's down and danced around its horrified body before going, "Haha! Gotcha!"
Now, Air's ending was sad, but at least things worked out alright for MOST of the characters... Just not the main characters themselves.
By the way, perfect line to describe this show: "Hey, have I ever told you that your life sucks?" Because honestly, is there ANYONE in Air it doesn't suck to be?
anime ronin
2008-07-07, 00:08
what can i say about air... wow i have a strong personality and i almost never cry seriously. i must say air was i think the only show ever period that made me cry. lol i was cryin like a baby so sad :..(
i dont know i anyone noticed but it seemed like the way the creator made those little side stories was just for the purpose of filling epi's because in the end they were completely irrelavent and didnt even make an appearence. but the MAIN story was so good i cant even take off points for that. artwork was incredible, and music was beyond magnificent. overall ide give air a perfect 10 and it is deffinately in my top 3 of animes! i could definately feel the passion and emotion in it.
I like AIR, not the same as Clannad or Kanon, but I like it, such amazing story with a sad ending. Really-really sad. AIR is one of my anime favourites ever, because you will never forget this amazing story, Key, thanks again for this amazing work and Kyoto, thank's you too for this amazing adaptation of this story. Of course, there are some moments, that have not been animated or some moments haven't been fully shown. But this is a work of amazing quality and it's deserves a big rating. And remember some amazing scenes like waving hairs. And this music, amazing. And yes, this thing is deserves to be watching in a real HD.
Animation Quality: 10. Best of the best. Just remember this waving hairs. Kyoto always makes an amazing animation.
Voice Actors: 10. Perfect and full of emotions.
Script: 10. This is Key. You know their quality, always 10.
Adaptation from Game: 9. Not all was animated and something was cut off, but this is an amazing adaptation. I think, it's really hard to make this adaptation better.
Editing: 10.
Emotional Involvement: 10. Oh yes. It's 10. Of course, it isn't like in Clannad or Kanon, but remember the ending.
Overall: 10/10 (I'm not counting an average ratings from editing, voicing and so on). In my opinion it's a somwhere above 9, but if we will compare to some other works... where you will get the same level ? It's a rare thing. And it's deserves a big rating. Key and Kyoto, thanks for this amazing work again.
Samatarou
2008-07-12, 17:03
By the way, perfect line to describe this show: "Hey, have I ever told you that your life sucks?" Because honestly, is there ANYONE in Air it doesn't suck to be?
For some reason this brings to mind the song "Walk on By" which was done by The Stranglers amongst other people (and originally by Dionne Warwick)
If you see me walking down the street
And I start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by, walk on by
And make believe that you can't see the tears
Just let me grieve in private 'cause each time I see you
I just want to cry......
This could be Misuzu's anthem, it seems to sum up her situation perfectly!
Feitolicious
2008-07-14, 12:35
Perfect. It's the first series that I'm looking forward to re-reading over and over again. It got me emotional toward the end. I even cried. Misuzu is now one of my favorite characters. She reminds me alot of my most favorite character, Asuna.
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