2010-03-29, 17:18 | Link #3123 | |
耳をすませば
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada
Age: 34
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However, the ending to Cross Game was waaaay better. That was my one worry. But Adachi did a great job here, the final moments were very moving, it definitely felt worth the investment. I expect in a few days when the shock of no-more-CG wears off I'll have a more balanced opinion on the series as a whole, but for now...I feel a little empty.
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2010-03-29, 18:59 | Link #3124 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
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That was so perfect...... Well okay I would rather not have the credits over everyone faces at the end but other than that I loved it.
I think my favorite thing about this series is just how understated everything was. It just felt so real & natural and I loved it. Yes there were a few minor things (I never cared for that cousin character) but overall this is one of the most perfect series I have seen in a long time. Ah the picture & hands holding scene <3 And while I have sworn not to start collecting any new manga series I will have to break that promise for this series. I am so happy I will be able to own this series in some shape or form.
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2010-03-29, 22:41 | Link #3126 |
cho~ kakkoii
Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: 3rd Planet
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I've also decided that I'll buy the R2 DVDs for this series along with Bakemonogatari. Excellent end to a well coordinated effort and cooperation among the author, director, script-writer, and the producers to deliver such a lengthy show. Future anime adaptation can learn a lot from how Cross Game is done.
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2010-03-29, 22:56 | Link #3127 |
Seishu's Ace
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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Wow. It's hard to put one's feelings into words at the end of an amazing journey like that. I need some time, as I usually do. But I can say with certainty, this was a wonderful end and did a better job wrapping events in 22 minutes than I ever would have guessed possible.
Kou and Aoba now joins Balsa and Chagum as the two most moving and believable relationships in modern anime, for my money. To whoever it was that sang the praises of Miyu-Miyu, let me echo it - that was a bravura performance. But that performance paired with one of the best-written characters in anime makes anime Kou maybe the best male lead ever. What also strikes me about the end is - everyone is true to themselves (ironically, given the emphasis on lies in the final arc). As I suspected, Kou was always waiting for Aoba to catch up to him emotionally - patient, discreetly caring for Aoba without hurting her pride. While he lied to others he always knew the truth himself. Aoba OTOH had herself convinced of the big lie, one thinks, right up to the end. It was Akane's role to pass Waka-chan's benediction on to Aoba, to give her blessing to be with Kou. Azuma was, as always, knowing and selfless. Akaishi clever about most things but not about himself. The baseball, of course, wasn't bad either. My first emotional eruption came on the "Ball Four!" call to Mishima - was that the 160? While Kou didn't strike him out, he did just as well - threw him a pitch so tough Mishima couldn't pull the trigger, even knowing that a walk would effectively end the game. The second eruption came when Kou finally raised his arms in exultation - the great soul who carried everyone on his back through baseball and life finally rewarded with the unadulterated joy he'd so richly earned. Koshien, correctly, was not covered - that wasn't the point. Life is about the journey, not the destination. Finally, the "consummation" of Kou and Aoba's relationship. While I would have liked a little more affection from Aoba, she was true to herself in the end too - tsundere through and through, though Kou is GAR enough to handle even a first-rate tsundere. Her emotional breakdown was enough, and Kou strong enough not to demand that she change who she is. The image of them together on the platform, holding hands, is the one I will take away from this amazing series. It's a fitting and suitably understated way to bring things to their conclusion. So - anyone else going to start it again from episode one tomorrow?
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2010-03-29, 23:16 | Link #3128 |
Alto x Ranka :)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New York City
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Couldn't have said it better myself. If anyone is up for it, we could all watch an episode a day and discuss it just to see how it feels the 2nd time around (or how ever many times you've seen it already ) That is, only if people are interested. I for one, want to re-watch this wonderful series again and experience it for a 2nd time.
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2010-03-29, 23:22 | Link #3129 | |
Seishu's Ace
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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Only two series I ever turned around and re-watched as soon as I finished them - FLCL and Seirei no Moribito. That's a high honor in my book.
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2010-03-29, 23:26 | Link #3131 |
Alto x Ranka :)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New York City
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As much as I agree, I'm not sure others want to drag it out that long I'm curious as to how many people we can actually get to follow something like this though. It's a shame that we don't have a sub-forum for Cross Game, it would be organized in a better fashion.
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2010-03-29, 23:31 | Link #3132 | |
Ha ha ha ha ha...
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Right behind you.
Age: 35
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2010-03-29, 23:34 | Link #3133 | |
耳をすませば
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada
Age: 34
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2010-03-29, 23:47 | Link #3134 | |
Seishu's Ace
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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2010-03-29, 23:56 | Link #3135 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Being a hardcore Gundam fan, I really had no desire to watch a series that appeared to revolve around baseball. For me anime and sports don't mix. Nothing against sports, but I would rather keep it separate.
It was around the second season of Hayate no Gotoku and I was feeling a bit disappointed with the series that I sought something new and heard about Cross Game and watched the first episode which had it's enjoyable moments and unexpected ones. If there was a lesson to be learned with Cross Game and anime in general for me, is that things don't appear what they seem to be. Really great ending to an equally great series! My full thoughts on the series here. |
2010-03-30, 00:54 | Link #3136 | |
Seishu's Ace
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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2010-03-30, 03:44 | Link #3139 | |
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 37
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Still waiting for a soundtrack announcement though. It's nice to see what Aoba would look like when she smiled though.
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Tags |
baseball, drama, romance, school life, shounen, sports |
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