(L) Mashiro-iro Symphony

[Kaoru Chujo]

So it's just a straight harem ero-game adaptation. But I am enjoying it thoroughly. Nice to watch people behaving well. And nice to see the romantic feelings grow gradually. The pace is good, for me.

Ono Ryouko is really working for me as Airi:



Although she has only done a moderate number of anime roles, she has done a lot of ero-games (mainly as "Gogyou Nazuna") and a lot of TV/movie dubbing. She is 34. (EDIT: Born 1977 -- I'll work on my arithmetic. I thought she looked well preserved, lol.)

An even more prolific ero-game seiyuu, Gotou Mai, is playing Sakuno, the younger sister.

[hyl]

ANN says that Ono Ryoko is 34 years old

All of the seiyuu's in mashiphony are pretty very well known eroge seiyuu's. The ones with really lots of eroge roles are probably the seiyuu of Pannya and Airi's mother: Sakurai Harumi (also known as Kazane, who does lot's of tsundere characters (like Yuuhi Katagiri in the game version of Akaneiro )and also last year she did Yurippe in Angel beats) and Ange's seiyuu : Oma Ichimura(i have heard "Miru" in way too many games)

Edit: Eventhough she is not that well known as the rest, Mayumi Yoshida did have this year roles in 3 eroge anime adaptions: Mashiro iro symphony, Hoshizora e kakaru hashi and Ore tachi ni tsubasa wa nai

[Chaos2Frozen]

Ahh, good old fashion Tsundere development from Sena, honestly we don't see a lot of them these days. Slow and steady progress makes it all the more delicious at the end, and I think it helps that the other girls are just friends (for now) so there's no complications.

I still don't think Shingo is a interesting character to follow but he has proven himself reliable when it really matters, even if it takes a day or two for him to get there

[Mahou]

Spoiler for Episode 3:

The bond between brother and sister is always loveable to see e. g. how Sakuno managed to encourage him with just a few words. Glad to see that Shingo got the hang of how to deal with Airi. She was surely surprised when he finished his work a moment after she was done with her part on the next occation . Miu appears to be a great mediator in tense situations as even Airi's ice barrier cannot resist her warm presence *lol*.
Awww Airi, you haven't realized yet that Shingo started to crack your hard front, have you? "I don't hate him, but somehow I cannot seem to calm down when I'm with him. More so than with other guys." *crackle* Admit it, you wanted to go home with him alone! I'll wait for the subs to get the complete deal of it as usual.

[Chaos2Frozen]

I've just recalled Keima saying something about Events triggered outside of School would level the playing field, sure that was for the teacher route but I think it should work for Tsundere class representatives

After all she's only opposing boys in her school, she has no problem with them outside.

Oh, he only said something about having a common secret would bring people closer together

[elior]

the end of the episode in the supermarket with airi was very funny

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

I've just recalled Keima saying something about Events triggered outside of School would level the playing field, sure that was for the teacher route but I think it should work for Tsundere class representatives

After all she's only opposing boys in her school, she has no problem with them outside.

Oh, he only said something about having a common secret would bring people closer together

you agree the end of episode 3 at the supermarket with airi was very funny?

[Chaos2Frozen]

Ermm, it was cute I guess but I wasn't exactly rolling on the floor...

[OceanBlue]

For those who are curious, the OP single releases on the 26th of this month [A week from now!] and the ED single releases the 9th of November. I'm looking forward to them.

[Marina2]

I planed to use this as my signature but it's too big for this forum's rules ,so I will share it here.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Marina2

I planed to use this as my signature but it's too big for this forum's rules ,so I will share it here.

http://i.imgur.com/WbQCT.gif

That reminds me of one more thing from episode 3:

Spoiler for Episode 3:

It was a neat touch that they showed Miu giving Sakuno the same "treatment" as she gave to Shingo before. On the one hand it sort of diminishes the "I've never really given a good look at a guy" angle, but it also establishes it as something of a character quirk. Well, it's one of Miu's cute points, anyway.

[hyl]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Spoiler for Episode 3:

It was a neat touch that they showed Miu giving Sakuno the same "treatment" as she gave to Shingo before. On the one hand it sort of diminishes the "I've never really given a good look at a guy" angle, but it also establishes it as something of a character quirk. Well, it's one of Miu's cute points, anyway.

Spoiler for that scene in the game:

After replaying the game again , i can say that the anime is right on this part and it's a Miu quirk. Miu's reaction when meeting Shingo and Sakuno for the first time were pretty much the same, with Miu sounding very curious and excited. The anime interpreted as Miu looking curiously at both of them

[winhlp32]

There were many things off with the animation of faces in this episode. But the good thing was that a lot more things were being animated this episode than before. Maybe its because the amount of group interactions has increased.

There were also moments, like the scenes where Shingo and Airi are alone in the classroom where they just stand there being contemplative when they don't have much of a reason to be doing so. At least not for such a long space of time anyway. Oh well.

I knew what Manglobe were going for in the scene where Shingo fixes someone elses watch, but it felt a bit awkward nonetheless.

"MYAIO" was cute, until I realised the only "cat" in this show goes "Uryuu~!".

The characters remain a likeable bunch. Tempo is fine and the atmosphere remains nice. And there were lots of pretty sunset shots of the characters this time around. While I can't quite see current developments as "romance" yet, the gradual process of Airi softening up doesn't feel rushed or awkward. So it was again an enjoyable episode.

Spoiler for game:

Oh, and wondering if the next episode will continue from the supermarket right where we left off.

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by winhlp32

I know what Manglobe were going for in the scene where Shingo fixes someone elses watch, but it felt a bit awkward nonetheless.

Yeah how did he do that ?

As far as I know there's only two ways to fix a watch on the fly, either you hit the switch or you hit the watch

[octoberasian]

For a harem anime, I'm actually quite surprised by Mashiro-iro. Having seen a lot of anime shows in this genre, I tend to expect a lot of the usual tropes and over used mechanics in them.

However, up to this point in the series, it doesn't seem to follow a lot of what other traditional harem anime shows have done in the past.

Spoiler:

There isn't any random panty shot. No "how-did-that-defy-all-laws-of-physics" falling down onto another person in a compromising position. (Second episode might fit that...) Slapping and punching and kicking by a tsundere character isn't even there.

It feels different somehow, yet the same as any other harem anime at the same time if that makes any sense.

Given what I've seen so far after three episodes, Shingo is different than other guys I've seen. He isn't overly shy, cowardly, weak or allergic to the opposite sex. His friend isn't a perverted "wing man." Shingo is cool headed and calm when the situation calls for it. He doesn't randomly go grab some girl's breast or flip their skirt. At times, he seems to draw parallels to Rin of Shuffle! or Tomoya of Clannad.

The way Shingo handled the situation in the classroom when he and Airi still had a lot of work to do was done very well. He didn't request anything perverted but treated the situation rather logically and smartly. Unexpected.

Airi is also a bit unexpected of many tsundere characters. She does get easily flustered, embarrassed, and isn't quite upfront or clear about her emotions as seen in episode 3. She's warming up to Shingo, but is still at that "I don't dislike him" stage. It's somewhere between "hate" and "like" I guess. Airi also hasn't punched, severely injured, maimed, kicked or physically abused Shingo since episode 1. Really surprising. It is also rather cute when Airi makes short quick answers quietly such as "Thank you" or "Fine."

That's when I ask myself, "Is this really a harem anime?"

And, I end up coming to this conclusion: I'm liking how this anime is being done so far.

At this point, there are still many open paths for Shingo to follow and what person he will fall in love with. Airi has the most obvious flag at the moment in my opinion, but the other characters are also possibilities including the cute stepsister Sakuno.

Speaking of Sakuno, when I saw her walk into the classroom in episode 3, I was expecting a Kanade moment from Shuffle! but I know that won't happen after 3 episodes of seeing her personality so far. She doesn't have some mysterious illness that makes her constantly weak or some other disability. That's unless you consider her being constantly tired as one. Sakuno also warms up easily to new people and doesn't show any sign of jealousy (so far) when other girls are around Shingo. She even shows concern about other girls around Shingo such as when askinig Airi whether she was opposed to the merger or not. Again, another unexpected moment in the episode.

And, let's not forget the other girls around Shingo. They aren't falling for him or throwing themselves at him. They aren't even doing something as silly as showing off in front of him (so far) to grab his attention.

We have the possibilities so far:
- Airi the tsundere
- Sana the cute red headed Corticarte twin
- Miu the Nuko Club president
- Angie the maid
- Sakuno the cute stepsister

Every girl besides Airi (at this point) aren't afraid or hesitant to approach him as well.

The more I watch it, the more I'm thinking back to how Shuffle! and Clannad was done very well for a harem anime. Shuffle! especially since the story and the characters were very good.

To those that played the VN, was it any good?

I've played Shuffle, Kana my Little Sister, Crescendo so far. And, I've only finished two paths for Clannad and one for School Days. I wonder if I should give this a try.

Edit: Forgot to mention but Madoka kind of corrupted me into thinking that Panyaa is the cute version of Kyuubey. >_>; I keep expecting him to request the girls make a wish. ~_~;

[Mahou]

After watching Ep. 3 with subs a moment ago:

As I mentioned before, it was - for me - quite cute how Airi is starting to struggle with her hard outer appearance when she's with Shingo. Her slight blushing cheeks after he "freed" her from Miu's pet was lovely. Furthermore Shingo did the right choice by trying to not let Airi's harshness affect him and stays friendly e.g. thanking her for her high expectations after the second notebook session and how he remained calm during her outburst pre-supermarket bargain sale. I thought that Shingo would like to know/ask her reason of why she thinks it's a bad thing to ask for help (it seems like one of the more important reasons somehow), but decides for the better and leaves it like that. Shingo totally pwns her idiomatically with his "nice words that makes her feelings sway" .

For the "future": I would like an episode more focused on Sakuno. She seems like the kind of character who uses as few words as possible to get the message across, be it for being shy or other reasons. And I expect an episode of the study session for mid-terms (a generally favorite occation in school-life VNs)

Overall, a fun episode that made me smile most of the time, which is quite a good sign. Then again, I stated that I don't mind a "too normal" romance-anime. The sweeter the better

[hyl]

I enjoyed the VN. Seeing that you mentioned shuffle and clannad , well don't expect too much drama because the story arcs of every main heroine are mostly fluff.

edit

Originally Posted by Mahou

For the "future": I would like an episode more focused on Sakuno. She seems like the kind of character who uses as few words as possible to get the message across, be it for being shy or other reasons. And I expect an episode of the study session for mid-terms (a generally favorite occation in school-life VNs)

Spoiler for possible spoiler for later episodes:

It's funny that you mention a study session, there is one and i posted about the study session in the game forum of mashiroiro.

[octoberasian]

Originally Posted by hyl

I enjoyed the VN. Seeing that you mentioned shuffle and clannad , well don't expect too much drama because the story arcs of every main heroine are mostly fluff.

Yeah, the anime so far is more light-hearted compared to Shuffle and Clannad in terms of drama. However, the feel of the anime kind of separates itself from other harem anime shows I've seen.

[Skyfall]

So far so good, Manglobe are doing a very fine job with the series and it's shaping up as a pleasant experience to look towards each week. Like many have noted before, this show has all the core ingredients you'd expect to find in a rom-com, yet it steers around the usual pitfalls and cliches of the genre that we have all come to expect. In many ways it's treading familiar ground, yet the more refined and reserved storytelling turns the whole deal in a refreshing experience.

The character interactions are a strong point indeed - I liked how they added that little bit of Sakuno reading in Shingo's room and offering a word of encouragement while the later musses over his woes with Airi. A scene that felt both peaceful and natural - you can feel the closeness of the two, without any of the usual tension that would accompany a female cuddling up on a male's bed in anime, siblings or not. Instead, they really give off the calm feeling of two people who have been living together and are used to (and comfortable with) each others presence.

Airi's willingness to share her feelings and thoughts regarding Shingo with Sakuno was a nice touch as well, at least she isn't being completely closed up and dishonest.

And speaking of Shingo, he sure has the patience of a saint. Some of it may be the responsibility he feels resting on his shoulders (bringing together the two student bodies) and knowing he may well be the best (only?) shot they have at dealing with Airi, but he genuinely didn't seem annoyed at her harsher expressions and took her somewhat unreasonable ranting in stride. A good foil for her bullheaded attitude indeed. (And probably a not too pleasant mirror for Airi to look in if she were to do so ... I'm not sure she would like herself from a sideways look in their interactions).

Airi aside, the rest of the female cast continues raking up cuteness points - double so in Miu's case. The more I watch her on screen, the more I recall why she was my favorite heroine of the game. And her introduction of Pannya was golden - completely normal and unfazed, while the screen switches to the "cat" assaulting Airi in the corner. Classic ? Indeed, but still got a good laugh out of me (Shingo should borrow Pannya and keep it around for when he needs to pacify Airi )

The big event was obviously the shopping mall though, and them running in to Airi there. (There sure was a lot of focus on her 'grocery bag' throughout the ep). Her expression was pretty much as expected upon noticing Shingo - flustered like hell, and only getting worse as the group of friends kept pouring around the corner. That scream was sure to disturb the customers

Not that there was much of a reason to scream like that though - it's not like Shingo caught Airi picking out her underwear or something. Though I guess she might not appreciate the fact she has been 'caught' ditching her class rep duties so she can go capitalize on the discounts - ah well, she will probably get a chance to explain her screaming next ep. Looking towards that.

[elior]

can somone do a avi picture of airi face at the end?

avi of her funny face with the tears in the end supermarket i mean

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by octoberasian

That's when I ask myself, "Is this really a harem anime?"

It's a harem anime in "form" but not substance. What I mean is that, yes, there are five girls that surround the protagonist and are possible love interests, so by that definition I guess you could say a potential harem surrounds him. But most of the harem genre is typified by all the girls fighting over the protagonist, a lot of back-and-forth over who the protagonist might choose, and typically a lack of resolution even in the end because it's all about "a guy surrounded by a lot of pretty girls". So in those shows you might say that "the harem is the point", but in this show the harem that assembles is only the foundation for the story. When adapting these sorts of games to anime, the writers have some choices about how they can re-structure the story to combine multiple parts of the game that are otherwise incompatible (the separate routes that follow after branching points), and it's because of that restructuring that they can sometimes take on more "harem" traits than were in the original work. (Some of the original games also had something of a "harem" theme in the first place.) But in this case, the work was never really intended to be "harem", except that gathering the harem is necessary to branch off into one of the many possible routes (i.e. you have to get to know each heroine before you can pick one route to follow).

So all that to say... I personally wouldn't call this a "harem anime", even if it has some harem elements, mostly in the basic setup and "form".

Originally Posted by octoberasian

To those that played the VN, was it any good?

If you like what you've seen in the anime so far, it is being quite faithful to the game both in content and tone. The latter is perhaps the most important point, since that's a bit more difficult to convey when switching from one medium to the other. If I could describe the game in a short phrase it would be "over-the-top sugary-sweet romance". Even more so than the other games you mentioned.

Originally Posted by Skyfall

(There sure was a lot of focus on her 'grocery bag' throughout the ep).

Ahhh... will post more about that in the game thread just to play it super-safe.