(L) Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids on the Slope)

[sikvod00]

Spoiler for Ep. 5: Bittersweet love:

Ritsuko officially rejects Kaoru (and Sentarou accidentally overhears her say she likes someone, but not who), and the episode is largely focuses on how he reacts to his first heartbreak. I understand how Kaoru can rub people the wrong way, because he always regresses back to his cold, distant personality when stuff doesn't go his way. You have to be in a pretty dickish mood to give kind, sweet Ritsuko the cold shoulder. He certainly doesn't have the immediate charm and likability that his partner and crime possesses, but that's OK because in the end we know he'll redeem himself. My only wish is that Kaoru will finally be the one to selflessly help out Sentarou, and the not the other way around.

Kaoru's conversation with his mother was SO heartwarming and sad too. That train scene got to me as well. It's a bit ironic. There's been this big buildup of Kaoru wanting his father to return, but when he does, they switch over to the mom, whom we haven't heard much at all. A bit anti-climatic too, but perhaps he will have more significance later on.

In terms of romance, now that Kaoru is "out" and Sentarou appears curious of who Ritsuko actually likes, it's obvious that they will end up together. I know that's going to make a lot of Ritsuko X Kaoru shippers happy; but of course, this show is so much more than who "wins" in the romance department (although it is still important LOL). Also, no surprise, but Jun isn't the Golden Boy that he appears to be...

[gianna]

Just beautiful
I think I got a little teary there--

I can't remember the last time (if ever) I saw a scene with multiple characters linked in a questionable or possible romantic connection being handled so well and seamlessly transitioning back and forth between them

Originally Posted by sikvod00

Spoiler for Ep. 5: Bittersweet love:

Ritsuko officially rejects Kaoru (and Sentarou almost overhears the person she really likes), and the episode is largely focuses on how he reacts to his first heartbreak. I understand how Kaoru can rub people the wrong way, because he always regresses back to his cold, distant personality when stuff doesn't go his way. You have to be in a pretty dickish mood to give kind, sweet Ritsuko the cold shoulder. He certainly doesn't have the immediate charm and likability that his partner and crime possesses, but that's OK because in the end we know he'll redeem himself. My only wish is that Kaoru will finally be the one to selflessly help out Sentarou, and the not the other way around.

Kaoru's conversation with his mother was SO heartwarming and sad too. That train scene got to me as well. It's a bit ironic. There's been this big buildup of Kaoru wanting his father to return, but when he does, they switch over to the mom, whom we haven't heard much at all. A bit anti-climatic too, but perhaps he will have more significance later on.

In terms of romance, now that Kaoru is "out" and Sentarou appears curious of who Ritsuko actually likes, it's obvious that they will end up together. I know that's going to make a lot of Ritsuko X Kaoru shippers happy; but of course, this show is so much more than who "wins" in the romance department (although it is still important LOL). Also, no surprise, but Jun isn't the Golden Boy that he appears to be...

Spoiler:

You know at first I was happy to see Bon go for it but then Rikko spells out exactly the full impact of what he did I myself strangely felt wrong too for cheering him on
As for his cold behaviour though it's difficult to watch it's one of the best qualities of the series as it's so honest
In relationships everything can be so wonderful and great yet in a moment all that can change and one regresses and becomes closed off

Glad you noticed the scene with his father
The kid has cried with sadness waiting for him yet that's all over shadowed with his own troubles

And Jun!! Now we can finally get that story going!
Let us find out just what he has been doing while away at school in Tokyo...

Nice version of Lullaby in Birdland

[ID555]

Spoiler for ep5:

That paper cup phone scene is such a great idea, Ri'ko is so adorable. But poor Kaoru. Although.. she did say she can't get mad at him...

Sen's such a bro....

Oh, and:

Spoiler:

[kuromitsu]

Wow, I thought they'd skip the Kaoru-meets-his-mom story for various reasons, but no.

Spoiler for ep5:

And now I wonder what was the point because as sikvod00 said the way it was handled was pretty anticlimatic. I mean, I know they don't have time to spend on stuff that is, in the end, pretty irrelevant, but this way it's pretty unbelievable that Kaoru is content not pursuing information about why she left him, why she works at such a place, or why she didn't contact him/his father herself...

I'm not saying I wanted to see the story as it plays out in the manga because it's very soap opera-ish and groan-inducing (definitely not the strongest part of the manga...), but if they're content to close it like this I wonder why they didn't just skip it in the first place. Kaoru could've done the whole "accepting heartbreak as part of growing up" thing in some other way.

Anyway, the seiyuu are doing such a great job, they deserve a reward or something. Too bad the seiyuu awards are a popularity contest... :/

[ID555]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Wow, I thought they'd skip the Kaoru-meets-his-mom story for various reasons, but no.

Spoiler for ep5:

And now I wonder what was the point because as sikvod00 said the way it was handled was pretty anticlimatic. I mean, I know they don't have time to spend on stuff that is, in the end, pretty irrelevant, but this way it's pretty unbelievable that Kaoru is content not pursuing information about why she left him, why she works at such a place, or why she didn't contact him/his father herself...

Spoiler:

What kind of place is it? If it were a modern setting I'd guess kabakura, but....

[ookamigirl]

Kaoru and Ritsuko... so awkward.
Guess Sentaro is the only one for her after all..
Poor Kaoru just can't get a break with her.
Well, at least he got a chance to see his mother again.

[kuromitsu]

Originally Posted by ID555

Spoiler:

What kind of place is it? If it were a modern setting I'd guess kabakura, but....

Spoiler:

It pretty much is a '60s version of kabakura, the seedier sort from the looks of it.

[ID555]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Spoiler:

It pretty much is a '60s version of kabakura, the seedier sort from the looks of it.

Spoiler:

Yikes O_O;;

[gianna]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Wow, I thought they'd skip the Kaoru-meets-his-mom story for various reasons, but no.

Spoiler for ep5:

And now I wonder what was the point because as sikvod00 said the way it was handled was pretty anticlimatic. I mean, I know they don't have time to spend on stuff that is, in the end, pretty irrelevant, but this way it's pretty unbelievable that Kaoru is content not pursuing information about why she left him, why she works at such a place, or why she didn't contact him/his father herself...

I'm not saying I wanted to see the story as it plays out in the manga because it's very soap opera-ish and groan-inducing (definitely not the strongest part of the manga...), but if they're content to close it like this I wonder why they didn't just skip it in the first place. Kaoru could've done the whole "accepting heartbreak as part of growing up" thing in some other way.

Anyway, the seiyuu are doing such a great job, they deserve a reward or something. Too bad the seiyuu awards are a popularity contest... :/

Spoiler:

When you say skip do you mean as in not showing her at all?
(last weeks preview showed that they at least meet)
I thought that if they were doing the story we'd see a little more
I was curious if that scene was enough for others but I didn't want to ask and seem like it was a manga related complaint

As for where she works do you think she also sings there

There was a fair for the series and they released some goods with volume purchase
I though these mock cover post cards were kind of neat

ttp://diskunion.net/book/ct/news/article/1/29805



Chet Baker Sings / Portraits in Jazz Bill Evans Trio / Ray Brown The Man (??) / Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Blue Note 4003

[DragoonKain3]

Oooh, what's this? Sentarou is insanely curious about Riko's love interest? There is hope after all!

[kuromitsu]

Originally Posted by gianna

Spoiler:

When you say skip do you mean as in not showing her at all?

Spoiler:

Yeah, I think it would've been better. I mean, this way it's like... what was the point that couldn't have been done in another way? Kaoru hasn't seen his mother for how many years, all he knows she walked out on her family when he was little and his entire family seems to hold a grudge against her, this is why he needs to live with relatives while his father is away... and yet, when he finally meets her he doesn't ask any questions whatsoever. he doesn't even seem to be curious about her circumstances. The whole thing was basically weightless and pointless, and it was over in five(!) minutes. If this is all they had to say about this part they should've just left it out and used that time for something else...

Originally Posted by gianna

Spoiler:

As for where she works do you think she also sings there

Spoiler:

I don't know... can't check the manga atm but I don't remember any more details.

[ars89]

Sen vary interested in finding out who Ritsuko likes. Lol Kaoru hiding Yurika's letter to Jun. Glad he was able to meet his mom. Sen really is the best.

[Arya]

Well, another great episode.

Spoiler for ep. 5:

I don't think Kaoru meeting his mother was something not important, it really was for Kaoru and for us, because it showed that his parents were not bad parents and apparently they didn't hold a grudge against each other. And each of them in their ways cared for him. In that kind of situation it is everything but to take for granted. It was heartwarming.
Even for the unspoken question, it was better in this way. I think a laugh is better than a not satisfactory answer. I mean the chemistry and the caring his mother showed are better of a thousand of words.
And another hint was thrown to him about how friendship is for life. But he keeps not seeing how good Sen is to him.
In all of this Sen has been perfect as always. Even during the dinner, how he broke the ice for them and then left them alone. Not to mention that he spent more than he could to follow him to Tokyo.

I don't know if it is intended, I guess it is, but the way the story is describing Kaoru let me feel that even if he's not doing anything wrong, he is not even perfectly right. I'm speaking of how he seems to not be aware of how Sen is caring to him and on the other hand how he has been "pushing" toward Ritsuko. Ah, and even how he is keeping some important info to himself.

Poor Ritsuko, I really hope that Sentarou finally will start to open his eyes.

[Flawfinder]

And a million gay fanfics were born with this episode. And that's discounting the ones that already existed between Kaoru and Sentaro.

Anyways, while one of the less exciting episodes, it nevertheless was very important and I finally got to figure out who sings that Lullaby of Birdland song. It felt like we went through almost an entire volume of the manga with this episode though.

Edit: As for the mother thing, I thought it was fine. Just seeing that his mom was a good person and that she could help him was enough for me. Plus, he did regret that he couldn't hang out with her more.

[ThereminVox]

I'm two episodes in, and I think I've found my mid-season pickup for spring.

[Kirarakim]

I don't know what was left out of the manga but I have to honestly say I really liked this episode. I could really empathize with Kaoru's mother. Let's just say I am in a similar situation (definitely not the same at all but similar) so maybe that is why the episode resonated with me.

I also have to say the triangle or quadrangle (whatever) is really growing on me. I guess because I always have a thing for unrequited love stories. I am not sure if it's going to happen but I wouldn't even mind if none of the romances end up happening. There are so many series were it seems everyone gets paired up that one with no one being paired up would be quite refreshing (although if Sentaro & Ritsuko does happen I think they would be cute together).

Of course it's pretty clear the real important relationship is between Kaoru & Sentaro. It will be interesting to see how their friendship impacts them both in the end.

I also like that we got a glimpse of a possible darker side to Jun. That makes him a lot more interesting to me.

Personally I thought the best moment was when Yurika was between Sentaro & Jun. You could see all the characters feelings so well in that scene.

Oh and I know we had some comparisons to Honey & Clover already but that scene of Kaoru eating the onigiri Ritsuko made for him reminded me very much of

Spoiler for Honey and Clover Ending:

Takemoto eating the honey & clover sandwich that Hagu made for him

[AvianWing]

I really liked this episode. The unspoken words were pretty powerful in their own way. I'm really digging the show and it's approach on the slice of life theme. Won't name names, but there are a bunch of shows that are really good the first few episodes, then the same thing just repeats itself again and again. So far, it has been nicely paced and refreshing every episode.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

Personally I thought the best moment was when Mariko was between Sentaro & Jun. You could see all the characters feelings so well in that scene.

Er...I believe you mean Yurika? Mariko is Kaoru's cousin.

And well...I caved in and started reading the manga. Must say,

Spoiler for no real spoilers, but slight comparison to manga:

what they changed for the second half of this episode is quite interesting, because it leaves a somewhat different impression of the characters, and of what's important - and what's not - in life.

Personally, I'm guessing that one of the things they hoped to convey is that you don't need to know everything to determine whether someone cares for you or not - whilst the scenes that were left in the anime may have seemed a bit 'thin' in terms of content, I felt that how Kaoru's mother reacted and acted conveyed quite well how much she cares for her son, though in a very understated manner.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by karice67

Er...I believe you mean Yurika? Mariko is Kaoru's

Yes I meant Yurika, my mistake!

[Flawfinder]

Wow, Watanabe wasn't kidding when he said he was going to adapt the entire series into twelve episodes. We're already into the fourth volume of the manga.