Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!

[Vexx]

reminds me of the Fut Alt ending .... I've been a long time fan of stop-motion animation ("Claymation" is a trademarked term) work.

Mostly I find them just interesting recreations of the animated characters. The ED for this one seems a bit bland plotwise I guess (thinks of the H&C lunacy or the FutAlt work which progressed as the episodes released and sort of told a story).

This is starting to sound a bit like interrogation ... what does *Lunacy* think about his/her two questions????

@wavedash: I think Hirano was trying for a wistful reading of the "I'm not special" monolog from SHnY. I agree she didn't *quite* get the really depressing wistful that might have served the scene better.... one of the cases where her experience may not have served her well.

[Lunacy]

I truly do apologise if my questions seemed a bit like an interrogation. Lol.. Its just that you guys are full of information and knowledge, so I am just curious, thats all. Otherwise, I just love hearing other peoples opnions and hope to learn something.

About Manabi not having a traditional director: I think, its highly unusual and I question why they decided to do that. Otherwise, its sort of a fresh way of production and maybe something unique will blossom.

As for the claymation ending, I also think that its a little bland compared to Futakoi and Coyote Ragtime. Or maybe I just don't appreciate stop-motion enough, but I think something is missing; perhaps some sort of a plot.

[Vexx]

The big risk is a discontinuity of characterization and plot... it'll require the actors to be much more assertive about their characters than I think any of them are used to (kind of like television shows like MASH had multiple directors - but the actors really knew how their characters would react in situations).

The real danger is that there's no one to push back against "executives and their focus group studies and polls"...

[Jinsoo]

Well, I think it's probably cos they want everybody's ideas. Usually something creative comes out of stuff like that. Hopefully all goes well with Manabi cos I'm really liking it even after just one ep xD; I even drew fanart! D:

[Pellissier]

Originally Posted by mintyfresh

And am I really alone in

Spoiler:

completely not recognizing Yui Horie as Manabi? It wasn't until she started singing that I thought, "huh. did they hire Yui Horie to do this song? ..wait, that doesn't make sense".

Spoiler for response:

.. to say the truth, I did recognize Hocchan immediately, from the first scream. Because it sounded *equal* to Ayu's voice in Kanon 2006. Although my ear confidence to Hocchan's voice is so high (I've watched almost everything with her involved) that it could be I'm not to count on statistics ^^

Watched episode 1:

Spoiler for minor comment on episode 1:

At first glance a (well done) mixture between Ichigo Mashimaro and Kamichu.
Certainly a good first episode, really promising for the future. I agree with those saying that the anime may take a serious turn, by the appearences, it didn't look as the usual "merely-funny" piece of art. By the way, the sequence of Manabi singing was golden to say the least.
The animations are astonishing, while Horie Yui + Hirano Aya form an hard to miss duo. There's also Saki Fujta (she's the sweet Mina in Tokimemo) in the cast as Momoha.

With this said ... Cuteness Overload ^_^

MOVED

I tried to cover all the characters, for how it was possible

[JediNight]

Fairly inclusive summary for Ep1 I wrote up for those that watched the raw, but don't know Japanese:

Spoiler for Full synopsis of Ep1 for the Japanese-impaired:

Mika is running late to school. Mutsuki is chewing her out on the phone, asking if she woke up on time. Mika says she did wake up on time and will be there in like 5 minutes. After hanging up she admits that it would take more like 15mins to run all the way to school still.

Manabi does her showoff gymnastic somersault and sticks the landing, much to the pain of her legs apparently ;x And says something akin to "Target found!" and Mika is freaked out at first wondering what she means. Then Manabi points at her uniform and says Seiou (Academy), right? After giving part of the directions to the campus Manabi makes a gut decision on the next direction they should head and they bust into the trees.

The parents waiting for the swim meet are lamenting about where all the children are, and how there just aren't as many young kids anymore. (Something like that, didn't pay real good attn there). After Manabi and Mika crash into the fence and land in the pool, the teachers figure out that the mystery girl is the new transfer student, Amamiya Manami.

Manabi is then wearing Mika's swimsuit and Mutsuki comments that the swimsuit looks too tight on her. Mika says "naww it's fine, see?" as Manabi gives her the "victory" sign. (Sorry I didn't catch any apparent reason why Mika is sitting out, presumably bc she's not athletic and thought Manabi might be better?) Manabi then introduces herself to Mutsuki and says her name is Amamiya Manami, but call me Manabi please. They obviously hit it off quite well =D Manabi then shows off her award for taking 3rd place to her Itsuki-knockoff father smile.gif

The next morning some chatter is made between unnamed girls about the swim meet the day before, and we have the funny scene of Mei looking over her shoulder for Mutsuki. Then still being caught off guard and slapped in the back smile.gif Mutsuki then chasing after her to get her to open up and be friendly with saying Good morning.

Mika is in the makeshift Student Council room and trying to get her speech ready for recruiting new people into the Student Council. Mei comments on Mika coming out and why she doesn't just come out. Mika says "Theres lots of people!" She gets nervous on the way out and writes "hito" three times in her palm and swallows it -- writing "person" in your hand like that is a Japanese mannerism to get over nervousness. She tries her best, but the teachers comment that (something like this) with such a small student body, there really is no interest in joining the Student Council. (That other girl in the Council room is the only other member I believe, and jeers Mika saying that it looks like she will be stuck as the Council president again this year with just the 2 of them)

Manabi is once again running late to school the next day, and still doesn't know the way, so she asks the way from ...uhm... that other secondary girl whose name I don't remember smile.gif And with a "Massugu GO!" (Straight ahead, GO!) she jets off once again into the tree line. Arriving in apparently typical fashion for her to the auditorium =D

She announces that she will join the Student council, but the Principal tries to talk her down saying that she's new and doesn't know the students yet, so she wouldn't be good for the council. Manabi then goes into a heroic speech about doing good and fun things to make the student life more interesting and asks for everyone elses support.
That if you like the students and the school, that you don't need any qualifications to join the Student Council. Shimojima-sensei then asks her what exactly does she like about the students and the school, which puts Manabi on the spot.

(In apparently rare fashion) Mei stands up and says they don't have a lot of time, so could she hurry and finish up. Mika asks what should she do about the candidate. Mei tells her she should end this foolishness already. It doesn't really matter whose in the Student Council anyways. The other girl exclaims that getting this angry is bad for your health, and if you eat on an empty stomach like that that you will get fat. (No idea what the pun is after that, she just talks way too damn fast ... I think it's something about the food doesn't taste good then maybe? Omoikane can you bail me out on that one? heh)

Mika asks that it be settled by a vote, and then asks anyone thats for Manabi to clap their hands. The teachers then lament that it's useless, the students merely come to school and leave everything to the Student council President. Manabi then exclaims that she will now sing for them. After her moving song it's then settled that she will be the new Student council president.

Mei then comments "well, if it's been decided then it's fine" and her friend says "well aren't you an honest girl now" and Mei blushes.

Everyone say it with me: Massugu GO! =D

(That is probably where the "Straight!" in Manabi Straight! comes from then btw)

[Kaioshin Sama]

Originally Posted by Lunacy

What do you guys think of the claymation ending?

All I can say to that would be

(kingu kingu kingu geinaa kingu ingu geinaa ···)
hitori dake dewa iyada omaedake demo muri da
ai to yuuki wa kotoba shinjirerereba chikara
hitori dake dewa iyada omae dake demo muri da
ai to yuuki wa kotoba kanjirarereba chikara

Oh and I swear the people were doing the Sieg Heil to Aya Hirano in the audience there. It sounded like they were going "Heil, Heil, Heil, Heil". I would cry to if I got the Hitler reception.

[Zhemos]

I'll take this avatar if you don't mind. :P

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by Kaioshin_Sama

Oh and I swear the people were doing the Sieg Heil to Aya Hirano in the audience there. It sounded like they were going "Heil, Heil, Heil, Heil". I would cry to if I got the Hitler reception.

If you see very many of these "live idol/fan" comingles.... that's a pretty typical thing with the synchronized lightsticks (I think they were chanting "Hai!"). Personally, I find otaku behavior at these things highly organized and pretty weird since its that whole "in a group" cultural thing. Actually, I was kind of impressed with the individual cries of support for her as she was tearing up ("Gambatte...!" et cetera). That required some guts

Close up meetings are even stranger because you can feel the whole "We're in the presence of a goddess" atmosphere - integrated mix of terror and worship. The *worst* thing in their minds is displeasing their goddess, either individually or in concert. It is just... very strange - both amazing and kind of sad at the same time.

The voice actresses are caught in a weird limbo because some of them aren't really prepared for how this affects their personal life. Hirano definitely wanted to be famous... but I don't think she was prepared for the intensity of what that might mean.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by Wavedash

Off topic: I lean more towards Kaoshin in my opinion of Hirano Aya. I don't think she's especially talented at anything other than different voice registers and a never-ending well of energy, which served her well as Haruhi. For example, in ep 11 of SHnY, Haruhi tells Kyon about the time she realized she was only one of many unremarkable persons in Japan. Listening to Aya in that section quickly made me lose interest, as she speaks in deadpan without emotion. Certainly we all have our different opinions on how much feeling should be in a given scene, but to me, that part required a depth of worldweary angst and depression that Aya was simply unable to convey....

Good points, even though I don't agree that she didn't convey those feelings. Like you say, we all have different opinions on how much feeling should be in a given scene. For me, actors of all kinds often put too much feeling into things, which actually reduces the feeling I receive. It's often said that movie acting involves reducing your expression to an absolute minimum, because the camera is right in your face and makes things seem overblown. That's less true of voice-acting, of course, where some styles involve definite overacting for effect. But I personally also like the flatter style Aaya often uses.

I read a piece in which she said (if I understood her correctly) that when she started doing Layla in NANA, she really didn't know how to do it, so she just did it straight. That works for me, even though there are parts of NANA where I think she misfires.

I'd like to add some quotes from Aaya I just read. She said that each new role is like a chance to create a new her. She supposedly has liked the existentialist philosopher Sartre since early high school, and she quoted the French philosopher Bergson to the effect that to exist is to continually create yourself. Who knows how deeply she appreciates that stuff, but it's interesting that she makes it part of her presentation, anyway.

In her blog yesterday, she had pics of herself getting her hair dyed a slightly redder shade. She looks a bit like a drowned rat, lol. There's no question that she is an idol seiyuu as much as an actress seiyuu, but I think that she has gotten much more interesting in the past year and has great possibilities for further growth. And the empty sadness which that energetic voice seems able to convey continues to fascinate me. But I have always liked unusual, even amateur, seiyuus, so everybody's mileage can certainly vary.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Well this series has been blogged on that most humorous of Anime blogs the lolitron. Looks more like a lolicon series than anything else to me. I could somewhat enjoy. The humour also seems more prevelant from the screencaps than the moe (don't like series that get by on moe alone).

[eggplant]

Saw episode 2.

Spoiler for Episode 2:

Why do I get the feeling that the DVD version of Manabi Straight! will be an uncensored version just like the first Negima! series?

The moe factor continues unabated, coupled with rapport among the protagonists, so what else could you ask for?

There was an opening song by Hayashibara Megumi, a catchy tune written by the late Okazaki Ritsuko, but no ending song and Claymation this time, although the school song was sung again.

At first I had reservations for the obvious voices for the leads, but the voice acting already has grown on me. I have to commend Hirano Aya (Mei) for showing versatility, and Inoue Marina (Mutsuki), who upon listening to her on consecutive nights (Mina in Getsumento), had me convinced she can shed herself of the infamous dubbing of "The Fake Noto" anytime.

The Sunday night TV Tokyo lineup of Corda, Manabi, and MoE is definitely a killer threesome.

[Ziv]

Originally Posted by JediNight

It's my impression, that like a lot of shows these days, most of it is innocent moe fun. But from what I've seen they throw in a bit of the fanservice camera angles that give it a slight "eww..." feeling in the head if you think about what age the characters are.

I agree completely. It's so confusing. Especially when the show's theme directly contradicts fanservice. I really liked Strawberry Marshmallow but I honestly couldn't justify the bath house episode.

[hi no ken Jebus]

That was a very good second episode almost made me have hope in ufotable once again

Spoiler for ep 2:

Anyway Manabi stole the show and ran with it. There were many scenes that were nicely done. For example the one where she gives a speech about why they're remodeling the new student council room which won her support from the other clubs. As was the shopping for materials scene with the five girls wondering around the store. Definitely looking forward to the next ep since this one ends with a little cliffhanger.

[Maids! Maids! Maids!]

Big scan, chibi fan art

[cyth]

I cried watching the second episode. This is just too good. Why is there no fansub yet?

Spoiler for episode 02:

ufotable did an outstanding job on the animation. So many elements were this finely animated, keeping up and stepping up the pace from episode 01. The background music was as always appropriate, especially with that clap & snap theme. And the inserted school hymn made it even better. We heard it last time in episode 01, but with full background music it was really a joy ride watching girls work hard.

I got the vibe from both episodes that they wanted to show exactly what ufotable wanted, at their own pace, which is something I have totally fell out of touch with. There are so many adaptations of previous work out there that studios forgot what's it like to breathe life into a simple, yet wonderfully executed creation. And Gakuen Utopia Manabi STRAIGHT is THE perfect example of them all.

I have to admit, I shed a tear watching the girls and the whole class doing a great job, enjoying their youth. Everything just seemed right to me. Shimojima-sensei seems like a really cool guy, I like him, and surprised as I am myself, I still don't have a favourite among the girls. Mei's tsundere is just wonderful (you're doing a great job Aya-chan! ganbatte), and the slight clumsy and heartwarming attitude of both Manami & Mikan... it's just cute when they're together. In many ways Mikan is really similar to Manami, she just lacked that charisma in the beginning, but with Manami being the catalyzer she quickly picked up.

And, how in the world did they manage to bring the tsundere out of Mei when there's no male protagonists around?

言っとくけど、ホントに手伝いにいったわけじゃないんだからね！

<3

[stevency]

Originally Posted by Toua

I cried watching the second episode. This is just too good. Why is there no fansub yet?

Spoiler for episode 02:

ufotable did an outstanding job on the animation. So many elements were this finely animated, keeping up and stepping up the pace from episode 01. The background music was as always appropriate, especially with that clap & snap theme. And the inserted school hymn made it even better. We heard it last time in episode 01, but with full background music it was really a joy ride watching girls work hard.

I got the vibe from both episodes that they wanted to show exactly what ufotable wanted, at their own pace, which is something I have totally fell out of touch with. There are so many adaptations of previous work out there that studios forgot what's it like to breathe life into a simple, yet wonderfully executed creation. And Gakuen Utopia Manabi STRAIGHT is THE perfect example of them all.

I have to admit, I shed a tear watching the girls and the whole class doing a great job, enjoying their youth. Everything just seemed right to me. Shimojima-sensei seems like a really cool guy, I like him, and surprised as I am myself, I still don't have a favourite among the girls. Mei's tsundere is just wonderful (you're doing a great job Aya-chan! ganbatte), and the slight clumsy and heartwarming attitude of both Manami & Mikan... it's just cute when they're together. In many ways Mikan is really similar to Manami, she just lacked that charisma in the beginning, but with Manami being the catalyzer she quickly picked up.

And, how in the world did they manage to bring the tsundere out of Mei when there's no male protagonists around?

言っとくけど、ホントに手伝いにいったわけじゃないんだからね！

<3

Spoiler:

ufotable simply rules on this one. I am sold.

↑ tried to be tsudere

[Jinsoo]

MASSUGU OSHI-

Spoiler:

This was a really good episode. I got that heart warming feeling after watching it. Trying their hardest to make their school a fun place, it's nice. The OP was nice too. Made me kinda dizzy but I liked it Song was pretty catchy too. I had more laughs with the 2nd ep than I did with the first. Keep it up ufotable, you're doing a wonderful job so far :3 Augh, cliffhanger D;

[Kaoru Chujo]

I. am. sold. Episode 2 was Wonderful with a capital wubble-you. I just finished watching it and there are tears in my eyes, too.

The scene in the store was just beautifully animated and timed to the music. Mei's little smile -- her first -- was perfect. There's more to the show than just cuteness, but it is about as cute as it is humanly possible to be.

The voice acting is good all-round. I am, of course, particularly riveted by the work of Horie Yui (Manabi) and Hirano Aya (Mei), but I was also touched by both Nonaka Ai (Mika) and Inoue Marina (Mutsuki). (Inoue-san is also doing a nice job as the star in the very different show Getsumento Heiki Mina).

The OP animation is outstanding, and had strong reminders of Ichigo Mashimaro not just in the industrial-strength cuteness but in the scenes of the descending road and of the bike in the shed. I saw hints that the staff had watched the OP to Negima!? and learned something, too, particularly in angles, framing, camera movement, and pacing.

By the way, I think I mentioned elsewhere that Aaya said about doing Mei that she found doing tsundere a challenge, especially judging just how far to take Mei's tsun side. I don't know that she's found the sweet spot yet, but she's certainly helping create an interesting character. And the animation of Mei is really great.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Here is a page showing pictures of characters and seiyuus for this show.