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***relentlessflame*** · 2003-12-13, 02:27

Apologies in advance for the length of this post.

I just figured I'd chime in to say how much I am loving this anime, especially the most recent episodes. I was enjoying the series a fair bit in it's "first half", but the second half has been really amazing so far.

It seems to me that a good way to watch the recent episodes would be to re-cut them into two parts: 16-18 and 19-21, main episodes only with no cuts or credits in between episodes. It just seems to me they flow so nicely together. Although I don't mind the side episodes, they definitely affect the story pacing as it gets more serious in the second half.

(Minor spoilers, in case you haven't seen the recent fansub releases...)

Spoiler:

Episode 19 in particular is one of my favorites, and so I wanted to add some fuel to the discussion about the ending...

Spoiler:

I was also thinking the other day about whether or not this anime and others like it would ever get licensed and officially translated... which is, of course, very doubtful. But, I also wonder if anyone could truly do this series justice in an "North American" English sub/dub. For example, both Nemu and Sakura constantly call Junichi "nii-san" and "onii-chan" respectively, but how would you translate that? Surely, you wouldn't replace all the instances with "brother", as that would just sound strange I would think. There is a sort of careful balance in Da Capo, with two potential relationships being on the edge of what some consider wrong, and I don't know if that balance could ever get properly represented in North American culture. (Even this very thread can serve as some sort of an example of the kinds of cultural prejudices brought to the table.) On the one hand, I would love to purchase an official DVD set if it had English subs in the same style as the fansubs, but I find the thought of a North American "adaptation" of the series almost frightening... which is why I'm sure it won't happen. This is why I'm especially thankful for the fansub community; it gives me an opportunity to watch excellent anime that I would likely never get a chance to see otherwise.

Anyways, this anime is very touching and beautiful, especially in the second part. Not quite as sad as Kanon, but definitely right up there. I'm loving it, and can't wait to watch the rest of the series. Apologies again for the length.

2003-12-13, 02:27	Link #173
*relentlessflame* 　 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2003 Age: 41	Apologies in advance for the length of this post. I just figured I'd chime in to say how much I am loving this anime, especially the most recent episodes. I was enjoying the series a fair bit in it's "first half", but the second half has been really amazing so far. It seems to me that a good way to watch the recent episodes would be to re-cut them into two parts: 16-18 and 19-21, main episodes only with no cuts or credits in between episodes. It just seems to me they flow so nicely together. Although I don't mind the side episodes, they definitely affect the story pacing as it gets more serious in the second half. (Minor spoilers, in case you haven't seen the recent fansub releases...) Spoiler: During the first part of the series, I definitely found myself hoping that Junichi would choose Kotori; her story is just very touching. When Nemu and Junichi confessed their feelings and kissed for that first time, I was shocked... but also hooked. It was so beautiful. I was a little surprised that they confessed their feelings so early on, though, and I found myself almost dreading each future episode knowing that further plot may come between them. I definitely hope they end up together in the end now, and would be quite upset if they didn't! How sad, eh? Episode 19 in particular is one of my favorites, and so I wanted to add some fuel to the discussion about the ending... Spoiler: I have to admit that one of the main questions in my mind was... just how close did they get? Just to add a bit of fuel to the discussion, though, consider the beginning of episode 20. Nemu talks about Junichi being cool at the wierdest times, Junichi talks about Nemu wanting to rush things too much, and Nemu responds with her concern that "we'll run out of time"... Also consider that when Nemu kisses him in the morning, he says "But we already did that when I woke up". I couldn't help but be reminded of one of the dreams early on in the series, where Junichi wakes up to see Nemu laying in bed next to him asking to do the thing they do every morning (which, although in Episode 1 we see that the action in question is him checking her temperature, in this dream the implication was that it was a kiss). Anyways, I wonder if that was foreshadowing, in a way. My personal opinion on the matter is that Nemu and Junichi did sleep in the same bed and kissed when they woke up, but didn't actually go too much futher, based on Junichi's stated concern about not rushing things too much. This is enforced further by Junichi's words to Nemu at the end of episode 20, which seem to settle thier commitment to each other. If they had already gone "that far", it would diminish the impact of his words and her tears right before she collapses. (Perhaps I am romanticizing the act too much though, given the original source of the story and characters.) I was also thinking the other day about whether or not this anime and others like it would ever get licensed and officially translated... which is, of course, very doubtful. But, I also wonder if anyone could truly do this series justice in an "North American" English sub/dub. For example, both Nemu and Sakura constantly call Junichi "nii-san" and "onii-chan" respectively, but how would you translate that? Surely, you wouldn't replace all the instances with "brother", as that would just sound strange I would think. There is a sort of careful balance in Da Capo, with two potential relationships being on the edge of what some consider wrong, and I don't know if that balance could ever get properly represented in North American culture. (Even this very thread can serve as some sort of an example of the kinds of cultural prejudices brought to the table.) On the one hand, I would love to purchase an official DVD set if it had English subs in the same style as the fansubs, but I find the thought of a North American "adaptation" of the series almost frightening... which is why I'm sure it won't happen. This is why I'm especially thankful for the fansub community; it gives me an opportunity to watch excellent anime that I would likely never get a chance to see otherwise. Anyways, this anime is very touching and beautiful, especially in the second part. Not quite as sad as Kanon, but definitely right up there. I'm loving it, and can't wait to watch the rest of the series. Apologies again for the length.