Amagami SS - Episode 8 Discussion / Poll

[Francismeunier]

Originally Posted by anyme

Old label trick. You can see this trick in many mangas. Especially in school life romance theme.

HA! I should have known that one. Official request for all that can to PM me the following.......1. What is that dangerous thing you all keep talking about and 2.spoilers regarding details about Kaoru and endings of her route. Direct me to where that is or just PM me.

[wingman32x]

Just watched the episode, and I thought it was a pretty decent conclusion to a good arc featuring a great character. Lol @ Kaoru falling asleep like that. Haruka looked amazing in that santa outfit. The development was better than Haruka's, but I don't think it's fair to compare because Kaoru had a pretty big head start via their friendship. Sae looks pretty boring at first glance. Hope I'm proven wrong.

Anyway, I gave it an 8.

[Dreamchaser]

Spoiler for Episode 8:

So, this was the finale to Kaoru's arc. In my opinion it was a rather flat episode with some minor highlights. I feel that I should point out that I'm not a huge fan of Kaoru even though she has grown on me during this arc.

I have to say I enjoyed the intro for this episode. It was nice to see how Kaoru's and Junichi's friends devised a plan in order to get the two together. It was also quite funny to see how Masayoshi, I think his name is, tried to make a move on Keiko and fail. One of the more amusing scenes in this episode I think.

The infirmary scene did feel a bit too contrived for my taste though. This is mostly due to the fact that Kaoru is wearing her work clothes which I suppose is because of Keikos plan. That Kaoru already had assumed that they were going to go on a date wasn't that much of a suprise. She certainly seems to be the one wearing the pants in their relationship.

I did like how the they did the reference to the no show date last year and how Junichi was worrying about that. It was a nice touch. The fact that they ended up at the pier was no suprise but it was nice to see that they actually went there after talking about it earlier in the arc.

The date itself was alright but it didn't make me feel anything for the couple itself. The setting was certainly romantic enough but the whole handholding scene and giving their vows was just a bit too cheesy for my taste. And I usually don't mind cheese...as long as it's good cheese. I suppose I wanted a better kiss for one thing.

The scene were Junichi offered Kaoru to sleep at his house was better though. I liked that scene. But as for the scenes at his house I was once again reminded of the fact that they have been friends for so long, which is the main issue I have with this arc. Now I was expecting more out of them sleeping in the same bed considering the earlier arc with Haruka. I wasn't bothered with the fact that we didn't see a time-lapse since I usually don't like them. I would have liked to see something more however but considering how short the arcs are I suppose we all have to make sacrifices.

Spoiler for Reflections on the whole arc:

I found the entire arc to be fairly enjoyable but there were a few issues I had with it. I approve heartily of the fact that Junichi isn't behaving like a lovesick puppy like the earlier arc and I did enjoy the friendship between him and Kaoru. Kaoru is quite an amusing character who probably would be an amazing friend.

However there is the main issue. Friendship. During the entire arc I just felt the friendship sign hanging over Junichi and Kaoru. I never felt I could disregard it and see the friendship evolve into a meaningful relationship. Several important scenes could just have easily taken place between two good friends. Their background also played into that. I should point out that I'm not a fan of friendship turning into romances so in part the arc was doomed from the start. But I have changed my mind about this before so I tried to keep an open mind but I just couldn't disregard the friendship stamp on them.

Another issue that I had with the early stages of the arc and especially earlier in Harukas arc is that I never got the feeling that Kaoru was interested in Junichi. A comparison could be made with Sae here. Sae is shown throughout the two earlier arcs to have an interest in Junichi which creates a foundation that her arc can stand on. You can see a potential romance blooming here. This wasn't shown with Kaoru and this is a reason as to why I'm slightly disappointed with this arc. But it was much better than Harukas arc.

Another issue is the time constraint. I understand that it is hard to make a romance bloom in just four episodes and this is indeed the main issue with this entire show. I find the format to be interesting but it would have been nice to see each girl get more episodes to their arc.

Spoiler for Sae's arc:

The next arc is the one I've been waiting for so far. I've been a huge fan of Sae since the bread-shop scene in episode 1 so I have fairly high expectations for this arc. I'm a huge fan of romance that begins with a random meeting so I cant wait.
I do hope that Junichi will be taking charge in this arc. I'm also intrigued as at least part of this arc takes place during summer.

On that note - I want to see the bread scene again!
Also, let's see a lot of that awesome zettai ryouiki. That alone will make this arc good.

[Francismeunier]

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

I feel that I should point out that I'm not a huge fan of Kaoru even though she has grown on me during this arc.

Exactly how I 60% though also. The other 40% has to do more with being actually a huge fan of her expressions and character.....you got to admit no matter what that there will most likely not be a girl as unique as her in this series again unless Ayatsuji proves it wrong but only on speculations from the manga's point of view.

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

The next arc is the one I've been waiting for so far. I've been a huge fan of Sae since the bread-shop scene in episode 1 so I have fairly high expectations for this arc. I'm a huge fan of romance that begins with a random meeting so I cant wait.

I know that bread scene was great for a prelude to her shy side but also random romance.....I do wonder still if Miya will play a role in all of this.

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

I do hope that Junichi will be taking charge in this arc. I'm also intrigued as at least part of this arc takes place during summer.

I think he might have to for one this girl is 1 year younger than him. It will be interesting to see him take the charge and how he does it. I hope it will give him +1 points for man up from me personally.

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

Also, let's see a lot of that awesome zettai ryouiki. That alone will make this arc good.

Maybe if she dresses up nicely for Junichi's first date? Depends on her fashion. It will be nice but hoping more for fan art of that.

[Qikz]

I really enjoyed episode 8, Shame we didn't get to see Kaoru's special underwear though.

But, alas all well and good. Great arc!

[Pocky Yoshi]

Lol, Kaoru sleeps after kissing Junichi. You should of steeped your game up earlier Junichi. She was waiting

[DragoZERO]

Originally Posted by NamuSkull

Lol, Kaoru sleeps after kissing Junichi. You should of steeped your game up earlier Junichi. She was waiting

Yeah...that really did amaze me. The fool should have went straight for her belly button. Have her slide up a tad and ...

[Cyz]

I felt their relationship kinda moving a little too quick....it's not good for my heart . Oh, the side scene featuring Haruka was funny -- and she is definitely look sexy on that outfit.

[Himeji]

Just watched ep. 7 and 8, and I'm really disappointed

Spoiler for ep. 7+8:

In ep. 7 she acted very childish when she didn't want to accept that her mother was feeling lonely and thus seeing another man, and ran away from home because of that. Not much happened besides that.

Nothing much really happened in ep. 8 as well. Only at the end she ends up in his room because the last bus is gone, and even slips with her nice underwear. She next decides to sleep in the same bed as him and even ends up sitting on him (still fully dressed) and kissing, but then all that lead-up leads to... *nothing*. She simply suddenly falls asleep. End. Now that was truly an Epic Fail

After the lead-up before, a really lame and anti-climactic end
Tossed my Kaoru avatar because of that. Bleh.
I thought it had potential after the first two episodes, but they really botched it, especially with that lame end 6/10

Next week that kawaii kohai is coming, which I've already been waiting for
Can only be better now.

[Belmondo]

Well, I just wrote out my take on those issues on the character discussion thread.

- The drama with her mom was supposed to run deeper. If they hadn't spent so much time on other characters throughout perhaps they would have had enough time to integrate it better.

- I don't think she's asleep, just playing with him again.

- and yes, the arc needed a proper future epilogue if only for consistency.

[Himeji]

Originally Posted by Freeter

Ending was total blah. I expected an intimate scene between Junichi and Kaoru (especially after the buildup with the 'sexy underwear'), but no, Kaoru was a total cocktease and just slept The rest of the episode was underwhelming also, save for some very cute expressions by Kaoru.

It was quite underwhelming indeed, Kaoru suddenly falling asleep after the build-up

Originally Posted by Freeter

Haruka won the ep by default. I'd like to make a wish on that lap

I really wonder why she didn't wear that in her arc, he would've melted like ice in the sun.
That and the short Miya scene at the end saved the episode from bombing totally.

Originally Posted by Dreamchaser

On that note - I want to see the bread scene again!
Also, let's see a lot of that awesome zettai ryouiki. That alone will make this arc good.

You bet!
絶対領域は一番大好きです！\^д^/

[Belmondo]

The true ending from the game:

Spoiler for details:

The straddling, kissing, and falling asleep (or not?) stuff isn't detailed. All the game says is something along the lines of "Neither of them get any sleep that night. "

Instead, Kaoru pretends to talk to herself, saying her mother needs someone like she herself needs Junichi. (I was especially waiting for this)

The morning after, Junichi bikes Kaoru home.

In the very last scene, Kaoru drags Junichi to a engagement dinner thing with her mother and future stepfather. Junichi doesn't want to be there but Kaoru smiles, saying that lovers are together in good times and in bad.

The show really does cut out a lot of stuff.

[kujoe]

Well... a lot of mixed feelings for this one.

Spoiler for episode 8:

The last episode to Kaoru's arc has its highlights. For one thing, the scene wherein Kaoru and Junichi are looking down at falling snow from glass floor is a pretty imaginative situation, one which I find refreshing enough as a touching scene. Kaoru's antics throughout the episode can bring a smile to one's face, and it's nice to see Kaoru and Junichi's relationship having this natural element to it.

(And oh, Haruka's santa outfit gets a thumbs up in my books... )

However, the ending doesn't give the entire thing a proper close in my opinion. This is so unlike Haruka's arc, wherein there is at least a decent epilogue that wraps the whole thing up. I think Haruka's weakest episode is the third, but that's remedied by a well-done, closing fourth. Unfortunately, for Kaoru—while her arc has this very wonderful flow and pace—I can't help but feel that it ends 'too soon', and not in good way. It feels as if the story just runs out of time, and is forced to stop midway on some important point.

And so, it has to be said once again: perhaps four episodes per arc isn't enough after all.

All in all, Kaoru's arc has been a wonderful tale of two friends becoming something more. In a way, it reminds me of what was said to me before, that being in relationship is like having the best kind of friendship ever.

[roankun]

What is this? Why the hell did Kaoru's kissing scene give off a sweeter aura than Haruka's!?

Sigh. I was never one for heroine's-face-zoom-in-lips-puckered kissing scenes, but I'm totally in love with the way they portrayed Kaoru's. So why didn't they do it to Haruka's...? I mean, I like Kaoru, but Haruka is still my number one (until Ai's arc comes, that is. ^^)

So-so episode, I guess. I kinda expected them to be consistent with the 10-year jump, but since it wasn't something I really looked forward to, I'm fine with it. Not to mention, d'awww lines were everywhere in this episode.

Anyway, Sae's next... Somehow, she's the only girl I'm not particularly looking forward to, but whatever. Let's all look forward to episode 2, the episode of kissing random body parts.

[Francismeunier]

Another avatar

Original=>
http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/t...3/c644fb39.gif
A custom Morishima Santa outfit I made=>
http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/t...3/c9908e68.gif
Famous hand drag of Junichi by Kaoru=>
http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/t...3/00abb0e6.gif
Freebie avatar:

Original=>
http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/t...3/8b7c25bb.gif
Will do rest later on.

[Shiroth]

^You know there is an avatar thread for posts like that.

[Itlandm]

So Haruka's arc concluded (not counting the epilogue) with the two of them alone in a hotel room, Haruka wearing only a towel. This arc concluded in Junichi's bed, with Kaoru falling asleep while kissing. Something is not right here. People don't fall asleep while kissing. And what's with that little smile just afterwards?

The series goes to great lengths to not actually show anything ecchi, but at the same time it certainly throws some bones to imagination (compare Junichi's imagination in the nurse's office.)

I wonder if the viewer is suppose to imagine that Kaoru only pretends to be asleep or fainted from the long kiss, inviting Junichi to, uhm, play with her hair. I am told that many Japanese have a liking for girls who are completely passive during an intimate encounter, sometimes compared to a tuna fish. (Not a compliment in the West, obviously!) Supposedly this is a particular trait of Japanese culture, but I have only heard of it, having never had any such encounters with Japanese.

I am pretty sure the viewer is not meant to be forced to believe that they just slept the rest of the night, anymore than Junichi and Haruka did. That option is of course available for the religious viewer.

[deffusse]

Originally Posted by Itlandm

.... This arc concluded in Junichi's bed, with Kaoru falling asleep while kissing. Something is not right here. People don't fall asleep while kissing. And what's with that little smile just afterwards?

actualy this situation was quite plain,, e.g. >> kaoru didn't want to have sex with him yet, so she fell asleep and afterwards she smiled, but he didn't notice that...
As for my understanding of this situation.

[kk2extreme]

Moving on, how will miya react in the next arc, now that her best friend is dating her brother

[Wrath88]

I have to say the initial part seemed a little mundane, but at least it peaked at the ending, especially the confession scene. Still the overall episode wasn't as good as it could have been.