Tonagura!

[Guido]

The first half of episode was uninteresting to me and feeling redundant with Chihaya keeping her camera eyes on Kazuki and commenting to herself "okashi" about Kazuki's bliss outburst and energetic mood swings.

What was comical for me was Kazuki with only in her underwear daydreaming about her osananajimi, Yuuji, as the charming prince on his white horse and then shattered when Yuuji appears out from the veranda as just a persistent, lecherous ero-boy sticking on her and fondling her breasts; Kazuki's fantasies about Yuuji went to the drain literally.

Akemi Kanda suits the bumbling and daydreamer but somewhat ignited Kazuki; Sayaka Ohara fits in the role of the soothing, free-spirited Hatsune; Erino Hazuki low-pitched voice brings forth Marie's monotone cutesy.

Is it me or the female protagonist's well endowed big sister not only tends to be sympathetic of the lecherous boys but also nursing the injured guy to fullfill his ero-fantasies cynically at the expense of the lead girl watching?

At least, Yuuji remembered himself and told Kazuki the time when they first met at the veranda and what both chose to promise. The promise I don't think is the biggest surprise in the storyline, however, it is the vehicle that will bind both Yuuji and Kazuki to move forward to progress their relationship; this is series only lasts for 13 episodes.

[ECFNW]

Subbed version out by NnK.
I'm not big on the font they used for the subs.

[Muir Woods]

Originally Posted by Guido

Is it me or the female protagonist's well endowed big sister not only tends to be sympathetic of the lecherous boys but also nursing the injured guy to fullfill his ero-fantasies cynically at the expense of the lead girl watching?

I think it is simply a consequence of being older. Bigger sisters are mentally (as well as physically) more mature. The greater experience in life they possess allows them to understand and accept that boys will be boys, and subsequently so, are more sympathetic to them.

Anyways, while sampling new summer anime series, I saw the first two episode of Tonagura. When I see a pantyshot within the very first few seconds of the opening, I instinctively knew I've hit upon the fanservice show of the season (I'm using fanservice here in its traditional narrow sense). The plot and the characters are very archetypical. Yuji's overwhelming and uncontrolled hormones is abrasive. To make his character even more displeasing, in episode 02, he's shown in addition to being a lecher, he's a jerk as well. So far, the only redeeming quality I see in him is the childhood memories with Kazuki that he has retained. And like eggplant said, Hatsune's "ara ara" and her general voice immediately rang echoes of Alicia in ARIA...not that it's a bad thing. This show is tottering on the brink between low priority tertiary entertainment and apathy. Well, I'll give it one or two more episodes to do something more to clinch my interest, although I'm not optimistic.

[DaFool]

Originally Posted by Decel

I hope it's at the same level as -or higher than- Zero no Tsukaima

Its lower, although it could actually be better than tsuyokiss.

I am seriously rationalizing to myself the objective reasons to discontinue watching this series (watched up to ep2), but then that loli+teddy+gun combo is really putting tangents on my calculations.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I just saw ep1 and was surprised that I liked it. A great example of taking assorted cliches, twisting them ever so slightly, and producing something enjoyable. It could easily get old, but it looks as if there's some intelligence behind this, so perhaps it won't.

It's nice to feel that all the characters are good people underneath their foibles. The show had a good feeling. Above Tsuyokiss and below Zero sounds about right, at least so far. This season's guilty pleasure? Why do I find the fanservice here entertaining, compared to the annoying/disgusting fanservice in Amenaideyo?

Loved the leading voice actress, Kanda Akemi (Miharu in Da Capo, Asuna in Mahou Sensei Negima, Meme in Kamisama Kazoku, etc.). The gun-toting little sister is played by Hazuki Erino, who was Akari in ARIA.

[Decel]

Indeed, so far it's not so bad. A head above Tsuyokiss but at the heels of Tsukaima.

I actually prefer the fanservice of Zero, maybe because it's more innocent than here. The male protagonist (of this show, not Zero's) may get to my nerves before the show ends though.

[Keitaro]

Originally Posted by ECFNW

Subbed version out by NnK.
I'm not big on the font they used for the subs.

I'm a bit hesitant on getting their version cuz of a little disclaimer they put up in Kirarin revolution ep1. Apparently the person/s who subbed it translated the ep with the knowledge he/she learned from watching fansubbed anime so it says. Can anyone confirm how accurate the translations are. Perhaps, I should just wait for a known fansub groups to pick it up and get their version.

[Guido]

The more I'm diving deeper into Tonagura, the more I can tell some LOVE-HINAesque details scattered from here to there.

Anyways, the show has this freshness by a limited number of reasons:
- Marie is the cutest, monotone, moe girl I've ever seen.
Would I be mistaken to comment that she could perfectly fit on the shoes of Kanako, Anju, and Miyu (the weapons she carries)? Or more fit to be the little sisters of the cast from Gunslinger Girls?

- Naughty Yuuji goes overboard with his lechery, yet makes out best of any dangerous situation even if that means beaten like a dog by Kazuki or shot by Marie.

Spoiler:

Basically, Kazuki demands Yuuji to throw his porn stuff away after the latter acosts her with his stash (talk about never showing your secret treasures to girls, and more if she turns to be your childhood friend)

Discussion ensues to no end, but Hatsune kindly proposes a bet. Yuuji will get rid of his stash, if he commits anything perverted. He must keep composure until sunset.
The funny part is that Hatsune makes of this scenario into a playful game by dressing Kazuki to become the fantasy girl of any otaku and putting Yuuji within the range of absolute dangerous territory.

Because he desires to keep his stash at any costs, Yuuji beats on himself to keep check on his lechery; his forced impotence is evident as he struggles against his inner perveted beast from going astray.

Marie at several key ocassions notices that her nii-sama's pervert self is about to burst and tries to take action, but Hatsune gently forbids her since both Kazuki and Yuuji have to cope with this problem by themselves.

Poor Yuuji goes to such lengths as to eat Kazuki's food, tasting no better than radioactive waste; the heir to the awful cooking of Akane Tendo I can see.

Incredibly, Yuuji did make it through the end of the day, winning the bet and defeating Kazuki, but he's all wore down.

What Kazuki did not expected was that onee-sama adjusted her dress to reveal some new compartments which ends up arousing Yuuji, getting shot by Marie again.

The many things that surprised me were that Yuuji did actually won the bet against Kazuki, which is a first to me watching in a harem anime; loser and even lecherous boys never win bets against the main female lead.

Second I'm starting to think that Marie actually is not punishing her brother for his uncontrollable outbursts, rather is her way of a therapy (albeit an unorthodox one) to shoot him firecrackers in order to cure him of his condition.
- She reacted everytime that Yuuji repressed his lecherous side, knowing that the pervert will come forth and ready her weapons. Marie was clearly awared about the vexing effects of the sexual frustration her brother was experiencing.

Third, it's just priceless and laughing matter that Yuuji turned for Hatsune's help and exposed Kazuki to her big sister about the former demanding him to off with his goodies.
An unexpected turn, a gaping-jaw Kazuki bears no credibility when Hatsune sympathetically goes for Yuuji's side of the story.

[tun]

Originally Posted by Keitaro

I'm a bit hesitant on getting their version cuz of a little disclaimer they put up in Kirarin revolution ep1. Apparently the person/s who subbed it translated the ep with the knowledge he/she learned from watching fansubbed anime so it says. Can anyone confirm how accurate the translations are. Perhaps, I should just wait for a known fansub groups to pick it up and get their version.

Translation was average, with some parts completely mistranslated. Still a commendable effort if it was done purely from learning by watching anime. You can expect a release of episode 1 by gg sometime in the near future.

[tun]

looks like the near future was pretty close. Here's episode 1!
http://ggkthx.org/torrents/%5Bgg%5D_...5D.mkv.torrent

[Sailor Enlil]

Originally Posted by Guido

The more I'm diving deeper into Tonagura, the more I can tell some LOVE-HINAesque details scattered from here to there.

Anyways, the show has this freshness by a limited number of reasons:
- Marie is the cutest, monotone, moe girl I've ever seen.
Would I be mistaken to comment that she could perfectly fit on the shoes of Kanako, Anju, and Miyu (the weapons she carries)? Or more fit to be the little sisters of the cast from Gunslinger Girls?

- Naughty Yuuji goes overboard with his lechery, yet makes out best of any dangerous situation even if that means beaten like a dog by Kazuki or shot by Marie.

Spoiler:

Basically, Kazuki demands Yuuji to throw his porn stuff away after the latter acosts her with his stash (talk about never showing your secret treasures to girls, and more if she turns to be your childhood friend)

Discussion ensues to no end, but Hatsune kindly proposes a bet. Yuuji will get rid of his stash, if he commits anything perverted. He must keep composure until sunset.
The funny part is that Hatsune makes of this scenario into a playful game by dressing Kazuki to become the fantasy girl of any otaku and putting Yuuji within the range of absolute dangerous territory.

Because he desires to keep his stash at any costs, Yuuji beats on himself to keep check on his lechery; his forced impotence is evident as he struggles against his inner perveted beast from going astray.

Marie at several key ocassions notices that her nii-sama's pervert self is about to burst and tries to take action, but Hatsune gently forbids her since both Kazuki and Yuuji have to cope with this problem by themselves.

Poor Yuuji goes to such lengths as to eat Kazuki's food, tasting no better than radioactive waste; the heir to the awful cooking of Akane Tendo I can see.

Incredibly, Yuuji did make it through the end of the day, winning the bet and defeating Kazuki, but he's all wore down.

What Kazuki did not expected was that onee-sama adjusted her dress to reveal some new compartments which ends up arousing Yuuji, getting shot by Marie again.

The many things that surprised me were that Yuuji did actually won the bet against Kazuki, which is a first to me watching in a harem anime; loser and even lecherous boys never win bets against the main female lead.

Second I'm starting to think that Marie actually is not punishing her brother for his uncontrollable outbursts, rather is her way of a therapy (albeit an unorthodox one) to shoot him firecrackers in order to cure him of his condition.
- She reacted everytime that Yuuji repressed his lecherous side, knowing that the pervert will come forth and ready her weapons. Marie was clearly awared about the vexing effects of the sexual frustration her brother was experiencing.

Third, it's just priceless and laughing matter that Yuuji turned for Hatsune's help and exposed Kazuki to her big sister about the former demanding him to off with his goodies.
An unexpected turn, a gaping-jaw Kazuki bears no credibility when Hatsune sympathetically goes for Yuuji's side of the story.

Whoa is that what was going on in Ep 2?
/me tries to imagine other lecherous anime guys put into that "bet":

Spoiler:

Keita from Inukami (estimated 97% chance losing)
Ikko from Amaenaideyo (estimated 95% chance losing)
Imadori from School Rumble (estimated 99% chance losing)
Hanai from School Rumble (estimated 85% chance losing)
Disclaimer: estimates are guesswork and based on amount of restraint shown by said character in respecitve series

I also can't help but wonder what kind of onee-san Hatsune is being that sympathetic to Yuuji down to that level (as if she considers lecherousness a "normal" thing that everyone should bear with or something). Said guys in the above spoiler would love to have someone like her around.

[Maids! Maids! Maids!]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I just saw ep1 and was surprised that I liked it. A great example of taking assorted cliches, twisting them ever so slightly, and producing something enjoyable. It could easily get old, but it looks as if there's some intelligence behind this, so perhaps it won't.

It's nice to feel that all the characters are good people underneath their foibles. The show had a good feeling. Above Tsuyokiss and below Zero sounds about right, at least so far. This season's guilty pleasure? Why do I find the fanservice here entertaining, compared to the annoying/disgusting fanservice in Amenaideyo?

I think it’s because the series appears to be very well meaning. The characters all appear to have affection for each other. You get the sense that the series leads, childhood friends and neighbors, really like each other. She fantasizes about him and presumably he fantasizes about her. The natures of these fantasies are vastly different. Hers are preposterously romantic and relatively asexual. His are probably hormone driven and not especially romantic. They’re just in two different places, which I believe has more to do with their age than anything else.

Amaenaideyo, particularly Season 1, is another story. Ikko would obviously do a lot better with a couple of the girls if he wasn’t such a terminal goofball. It really doesn’t matter, because the plot of every Season 1 episode I saw was the same. (Ikko walks in on the girls while they were dressing or bathing, and gets beaten up. A malevolent spirit appears, and at the last moment, when all seems lost, the girls arouse Ikko to “awaken” him. Ikko dispatches the spirit to the afterlife.) This plot exists solely to trigger and support the ecchi. With Tonagura, the ecchi supports the comedy and story. At least that’s what I got from the first episode. Both are sex farces. Amaenaideyo leans more heavily towards softcore erotica, while Tonagura leans more towards the comedy of manners. They use ecchi as means to different ends.

After three episodes, Zero appears to be very much a comedy of manners in a near-classical sense. It's not only a sex farce. It spoofs issues around class and class divisions and resentments.

[passin'gass]

there's something wrong with the GG fansub, the subtitles flash and disappear in like 1/10 of a second. im using MPC 6.4.9.0. ive had dialogue/sub timing problems like this in MKV files before, but not like this!

help, please...

edit: also have Xp Codec Pack, nothing else...

edit2: got VLC, plays OK now...but would still like to fix the MPC if possible

[tun]

Originally Posted by passin'gass

there's something wrong with the GG fansub, the subtitles flash and disappear in like 1/10 of a second. im using MPC 6.4.9.0. ive had dialogue/sub timing problems like this in MKV files before, but not like this!

help, please...

edit: also have Xp Codec Pack, nothing else...

edit2: got VLC, plays OK now...but would still like to fix the MPC if possible

Check what render it's using.

View -> Options (near the bottom) -> Playback -> Output -> VMR7 (renderless) **

That's what I use for softsubs and it works perfectly.

[passin'gass]

sorry Tun, no go for that setting...it slowed down to 1/4 second flashes but thats it. Owells, will keep VLC for MKV and MP4 files. Really like the 'pause' interface of MPC, just mouseclick anywhere in the image. AVI & Xvid still go to MPC.

H.264 files can go to hell as far as im concerned...

[ShadowClone]

passin'gass: Try using CCCP (check their site). It's a "community-based" codec pack specifically geared for anime-watching. Just download, install, use the default settings and you'll be able to watch practically any format of anime. It also has MPC as one of its default media players.

[passin'gass]

including H.264? Great!

do i need to uninstall, MPC, VLC & XP codec pack, then install CCCP/MPC?

Getting it now...thanks ShadowClone!

edit: CCCP main page looks familiar hmmmm...Wiki is that you?!? jk Running CCCPi...

Many thanks everyone!

[eggplant]

Just saw Episode 3.

Spoiler for Episode 3:

Lol, the pantsu-service episode.
Yuuji goes to school with a straight face but can't hold it due to the massive pantsu shots he gets to observe
His interaction with Chihaya, Niina, Kousuke, and Miu sets up some interesting plotlines other than his relationship to Kazuki, although it's probably thrown in to reinforce it between the two.

Loved the way Marie tried to avoid Niina

[Sinestra]

cant really pass judgment yet the first half of ep 1 was boring near the end it caught my intrest but i guess i will ride it out for 3 or 4 more episodes and see if it picks up

[monir]

I'm enjoying this one for exactly what it is. And besides, how can I not like this show when Marié-chan is soooo devilishly cute.





YAY for GG for subbing this!