(L) ef - a tale of memories.

[Deathkillz]

lol poor low self esteemed kei
indeed i think that she could be popular as well...just look at Kyosuke

pity...

[chupacabra]

Originally Posted by Skyfall

She is not aiming to hurt the other person (though that is exactly what she ends up doing.

Kinda true, she doesn't aim at hurting people, like chihiro for example, but she doesn't give a damm about hurting/killing others if that'll get her what she wants, i wouldn't be surprise if she became next kotonoha

[Impz]

Originally Posted by chupacabra

Kinda true, she doesn't aim at hurting people, like chihiro for example, but she doesn't give a damm about hurting/killing others if that'll get her what she wants, i wouldn't be surprise if she became next kotonoha

Spoiler for about chihiro and renji:

I am somewhat perplexed by the reason why Renji freaked out. I was writing the entry about Miyako completely breaking down, only to realize that the way Renji was so scared confused me. What is the reason behind that?

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Impz

Spoiler for about chihiro and renji:

I am somewhat perplexed by the reason why Renji freaked out. I was writing the entry about Miyako completely breaking down, only to realize that the way Renji was so scared confused me. What is the reason behind that?

Spoiler:

I think it's because he's realizing the problem with falling in love with someone who keeps "resetting"; there's no flow or progress. He was having the very same debates over and over. He'd continue telling her a story about what's going on in his life, but she wouldn't remember it so he'd have to start all over. The big problem at the end, though, is because this extends to feelings too. Chihiro's kissing proposition was almost cold and lifeless -- it was completely "matter of fact". It had no flow at all, and didn't make sense to Reiji (who experiences time/life as an unbroken continuum). To him, it was as if she read in her diary that they've been seeing each other for a while, so it was the logical time to take the relationship further (and she said something to that effect, even). I think he was wondering whether she has any "true" feelings for him at all, or any feelings period beyond what's written in her diary. Even though he thought he was falling in love with her, this seemed completely wrong, so he turned her down. But then, when she ran off crying, he realized that he messed up, and finds himself hoping that she wouldn't write it down in her diary (since, after all, that's the only record she has of whatever progress they have made).

Basically, he was realizing the cold, hard truth behind the advice he received not to get too close to Chihiro. It's painful, and possibly impossible, to truly have your love fully reciprocated (at least in the way he sees it), because feelings can't be fully conveyed through words. But to Chihiro, words are her entire existance; that's all she has.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by chupacabra

Kinda true, she doesn't aim at hurting people, like chihiro for example, but she doesn't give a damm about hurting/killing others if that'll get her what she wants, i wouldn't be surprise if she became next kotonoha

-_-

Eh? Where did you get the idea that she didn't give a care about hurting others to get what she wants?

She obviously regrets ruining Chihiro's life.
She's not THAT cold.

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Spoiler:

I think it's because he's realizing the problem with falling in love with someone who keeps "resetting"; there's no flow or progress. He was having the very same debates over and over. He'd continue telling her a story about what's going on in his life, but she wouldn't remember it so he'd have to start all over. The big problem at the end, though, is because this extends to feelings too. Chihiro's kissing proposition was almost cold and lifeless -- it was completely "matter of fact". It had no flow at all, and didn't make sense to Reiji (who experiences time/life as an unbroken continuum). To him, it was as if she read in her diary that they've been seeing each other for a while, so it was the logical time to take the relationship further (and she said something to that effect, even). I think he was wondering whether she has any "true" feelings for him at all, or any feelings period beyond what's written in her diary. Even though he thought he was falling in love with her, this seemed completely wrong, so he turned her down. But then, when she ran off crying, he realized that he messed up, and finds himself hoping that she wouldn't write it down in her diary (since, after all, that's the only record she has of whatever progress they have made).

Basically, he was realizing the cold, hard truth behind the advice he received not to get too close to Chihiro. It's painful, and possibly impossible, to truly have your love fully reciprocated (at least in the way he sees it), because feelings can't be fully conveyed through words. But to Chihiro, words are her entire existance; that's all she has.

Well said.

[chupacabra]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

-_-

Eh? Where did you get the idea that she didn't give a care about hurting others to get what she wants?

She obviously regrets ruining Chihiro's life.
She's not THAT cold.

By the fact she hasn't even blame herself even once? while even hiro has blame at least a dozen times, even in the "moment" when chihiro had the accident she didn't really show any concern of sadness about what it had happened.

Like i said i wouldn't be surprise if she becomes the next kotonoha, while miyako would be more like of a sekai.

[Impz]

@relentless: arr thank you so much, I was like trying to figure it out on the blog while i was writing =3

@chuba: On Kei, she didn't move on because she felt that she did not deserve to be with Hiro after the fact that she is somewhat indirectly the cause of why Chihiro had the accident. I personally do not think that it's her fault since it is simply bad luck for the accident to happen but the memories of Kei has caused her to stop moving completely. I am very sure that she regrets it so much that it causes her own love for Hiro to stagnate due to the event.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by chupacabra

By the fact she hasn't even blame herself even once? while even hiro has blame at least a dozen times, even in the "moment" when chihiro had the accident she didn't really show any concern of sadness about what it had happened.

Like i said i wouldn't be surprise if she becomes the next kotonoha, while miyako would be more like of a sekai.

She has blamed herself.

After the accident, she was crying saying it was her fault.

[Liingo]

Holy.....

I'll have to wait a while to recover from the second half of ep7. The text crawling across the screen, plus the Voice acting behing Miya was incredibly awesome, yet shock inducing at the same time.

I'll update this post once I've had the time to digest what just happened...

[Ascaloth]

Watched the Conclave-Mendoi sub of Episode 07....

.....wow.

Never before have I seen mere text crawling across the screen, accompanied only by a voice with absolutely nothing else happening, be so terribly powerful. That's something even the kami-sakuga of KyoAni's CLANNAD ep07 cannot achieve, I'll give Shinbo that much.

I've just found a great deal of new-found respect for Shinbo. When he knows what he's doing, he REALLY knows what he's doing. This is one of those episodes where merely rating a 10 is simply not enough.

EDIT: Right now, I can feel myself shaking. It's past midnight here, and I really regret opening this episode to watch half an hour ago; I don't know how I'm supposed to go to sleep, now. I thought the first half of the episode, with its deep insight on Renji's deepest fears, was already good enough to qualify it for a 9...but the second half of total insight into Miyako's increasing paranoia was....simply terrifying. This is one of the best definitions of "psychological thriller".....damn, man. Damn.

I don't think I can pass up writing a blog article about this episode soon. For now though, I'll try to go to sleep, and hope I don't suffer a nightmare. If I do, I'll let you guys know.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Ascaloth

I've just found a great deal of new-found respect for Shinbo. When he knows what he's doing, he REALLY knows what he's doing. This is one of those episodes where merely rating a 10 is simply not enough.

Well, in the interests of giving credit where it's due, keep in mind that Shinbo's only a supervisor/advisor on this show. The episode itself was storyboarded and directed personally by the series director, Shin Oonuma. I suppose you could say he's "Shinbo's disciple" or something, but I think he deserves the props; considering this is his first TV series as director, and given his personal involvement with this episode, I'd say the "apprentice" is doing quite well.

And yeah, now that people are watching this with the sub, I hope they'll consider reading back in the thread to see the first reactions of those of us who watched the raw too. Just superb.

[ZODDGUTS]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Spoiler:

I thought about that too, and yeah, she was very, very desperate. But I don't know... listen to the tone and emotions in her messages. At first it was definitely just "saying anything she could to get him back", but it slowly became less about that, and more about her. The pleas became more and more honest and introspective right to the end when she literally cries out for help. It stopped becoming a conscious effort, and become a heartfelt plea. I really don't think she realized just how important Hiro was to her until then. So maybe they were desperate words, but by the end, I was inclined to believe her. In that state of mind, I don't think she was able to make things up anymore. She had completely reverted to her childhood self, losing the most important thing in her life. It wasn't just about "losing the guy" anymore, it was about losing herself. And that's why I felt the closing line was more of a realization than some sort of trick or ploy; I think she really meant it.

All we have to go on is the tone of her voice, though, so I'll certainly grant that it's subjective. We'll see in the coming episodes what the show makes of it, anyway.

I agree with this with her tone of voice the last message send was her realizing/saying how much he truely meant to her, having feelings she never experience before and her "help me"to hiro was indeed more of a heartfelt plea rather then a desperate attempt.

[Kouvley]

I dropped this show after 2eps.

Despite having watched and enjoyed most of Shinbo + SHAFT's previous works I found the unorthodox style coupled with some horribly unnatural character animations very distracting, to the point where trying to follow what was going on became a chore.

However, I let some episodes build up and decided to watch it again from the beginning.....

The difference was like day and night. Everything just seemed to "work" this time and Iam thoroughly enjoying the show now.

Ep7: Wow.....apart from Renji's silhouette scene where the movement seemed a bit over dramatic, everything else was just incredible both visually and aurally.

Needless to say, Miyako's text scene was the highlight - very powerful and chilling. Kei deleting all the text messages was a big "uh oh..." for me.

Looking forward to the next ep!

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Kouvley

I dropped this show after 2eps.

Despite having watched and enjoyed most of Shinbo + SHAFT's previous works I found the unorthodox style coupled with some horribly unnatural character animations very distracting, to the point where trying to follow what was going on became a chore.

However, I let some episodes build up and decided to watch it again from the beginning.....

The difference was like day and night. Everything just seemed to "work" this time and Iam thoroughly enjoying the show now.

This actually really doesn't surprise me at all. As I said back in the beginning, this is a show that definitely seems to work better in a re-watch, since you've had the chance to "adjust" to the style and anticipate what's coming. I always gain much, much better insights on the story on the second viewing, and can appreciate the little visual touches even more (even if I might have thought them to be strange or out-of-place the first time through). So I'm glad to see that you gave the show a second chance and that it's working for you now. That seems to be the sort of show this is, somehow.

[Deathkillz]

rewatched with the subs and wow...mind rape all over again

Spoiler:

i just cant help but feel sorry for miyako...she doesnt deserve this kind of trauma so it will be interesting to see how she is in the next ep...i am guessing that she will be at home in isolation whereas hiro will have no idea what happened due to kei deleting those messages...i still say that she isnt spiteful, she is more cold hearted than anything else - also not knowing her situation doesnt help

ahh now i understand renji's reaction towards chihiro's confession...but boy he sure made a dramatic connection there while i dont see it as big of a problem as he makes it out to be i do understand his fears. how the heck is he going to progress with a girl who cant remember anything? not that it is chihiro's fault but renji needs to accept this as fact...it wont be an easy ride...

its actually quite interesting to read what chihiro said during that scene...

"i think this is the scene where we should kiss..."

to renji this is just like "zomg what!?" reaction...chihiro is making this seem like a play...in that he feelings are "fake" - feelings that she has read about, feelings of her past self...

just one word can be used to describe this...

"ouch..."

[deffusse]

myako>>

Spoiler for mya-mya:

I'm prety sure she is going to become SPYCHO, after rewatching the ep., still seeing and hearing around that fearfull and hopeless sound and words of myako. Poor myako, in any reason she is going to move in the next episode

[neutralizer]

I got sensations of nice boat from this episode. Oh god, it was so depressing

[d.sinclair]

Originally Posted by Kouvley

I dropped this show after 2eps.

Despite having watched and enjoyed most of Shinbo + SHAFT's previous works I found the unorthodox style coupled with some horribly unnatural character animations very distracting, to the point where trying to follow what was going on became a chore.

I was also put off by the style and the pacing of the show when I picked up this series. The SHAFT style was so random and distracting for me in the beginning...but in this ep I thought it worked wonders. Maybe I'm just getting used to it.

Boy I feel sorry for...pretty much every character in this show Especially for Renji. Talk about lose-lose... He's finally realized how painful it is to be too close to Chihiro, but at the same time he can't really leave her, because he's already too big a part of Chihiro's life. Poor guy...What can he do? Devote himself to Chihiro? He's realizing that may be impossible. Living for someone who has her feelings reset every day would take some incredible strength of character and love from Renji. Or he could take himself out of her life by modifying her diary...but I don't think he could bring himself to do that. In any case, whatever he does will be very painful.

On the other hand, the love triangle could have a happy ending if Kei could forgive herself and move on. But Renji's got no favorable outcomes. Poor guy.

[Liingo]

Originally Posted by Ascaloth

EDIT: Right now, I can feel myself shaking. It's past midnight here, and I really regret opening this episode to watch half an hour ago; I don't know how I'm supposed to go to sleep, now. I thought the first half of the episode, with its deep insight on Renji's deepest fears, was already good enough to qualify it for a 9...but the second half of total insight into Miyako's increasing paranoia was....simply terrifying. This is one of the best definitions of "psychological thriller".....damn, man. Damn.

I don't think I can pass up writing a blog article about this episode soon. For now though, I'll try to go to sleep, and hope I don't suffer a nightmare. If I do, I'll let you guys know.

Sounds very much like the situation I was in last night. Damm. My thoughts on the episode now that I've actually had the time to digest what happened.

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

And yeah, now that people are watching this with the sub, I hope they'll consider reading back in the thread to see the first reactions of those of us who watched the raw too. Just superb.

That was prety much the first thing I did as soon as I finished watching it.

It's utterly amazing what was achieved with just text and her voice acting.

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

rewatched with the subs and wow...mind rape all over again

Tell me about it. I'm re-watching it as I type this... I'm not sure why I'm subjecting myself to this...

Now on to my thoughts.

i'm still reeling from the epic mind rape that was ef: A tale of memories ep7.

Watched it this morning at 1in the morning, and what seemed to be a normal episode in the first half, quickly descended into the madness of Miyako's mind.
Who could have known that just text scrolling across the screen and the voice acting of Miyako's seiyuu would be so utterly effective.

Spoiler for spoilers:

What starts out as just a nagging question inquiring where Hiro is, in what would be considered her normal Miya voice get's more and more panicky as time passes. Getting abandoned in a core part of this as she was abandoned by her parents as a child. Her terror at being abandoned again by Hiro, a person who has managed to bring colour back to her life is absolutely heart wrenching and is backed up by the kana depiction on the screen.

The final moments of this soliloqy is especially poignant, with a dropping of her normal genki facade and the appearance of the vulnerable girl underneath, one that has already suffered alot already. It's really a cry out to be saved and not just an act.

While it was predicted that the pairings at the very end would be Renji/Chihiro, Hiro/Miya and the other random guy/Kei, there had been the possibility that Kei could have ended up with Hiro.

We've finally gotten a clear indication of one of the pairings that this will end with I think. With both Hiro and Miya being people who have been living in colourless lives until the appearance of each other in their respective lives. Kei has effectively scuttled any chance she had in ending up with Hiro now that she's deleted the messages that Miya left on Hiro's phone.

The first half was really quite good as well. It was over shadowed by the second half, but it has moved the Renji/Chihiro story arc along a masisve amount, with plenty of questions to be looked at in the next episode.

I can't wait for next week and how this is going to pan out. Definately one of the standouts this season, and quite possibly an addition to my top ten.

[westbluef]

The series Is just especially with ep. 7

After Miyako's hopelessness I'm putting this show on my top of my priority list.

Damn, I still feel a bit empty inside...