(L) Tari Tari

[Sphire]

Another nice episode from Tari Tari. Not hitting the heights of the previous 4 episodes, but still nice. Kinda like the first few episodes. It's setting itself up for stuff anyway, so there was reason to be mellow. I'm hoping there's more to Wien's backstory, otherwise that would of been a shame. How everyone realised he was writing about what they were saying was great.

That said it was a bit jarring to see Sawa talk about a different future career. Still, at least it's continuing with the premise of showing tidbits from almost every character, rather than plot focus on one. I'm also liking the character interactions (been that way throughout the series), it just flows well.

[ForwardUntoDawn]

Has anyone heard when the soundtrack (not the openings, endings and inserts) to Tari Tari will come out?

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by ForwardUntoDawn

Has anyone heard when the soundtrack (not the openings, endings and inserts) to Tari Tari will come out?

It's on the two-disc Music Album being released on 26 September. (This is the same album that will also include some of the insert songs.)

[Zeross]

speaking of soundtrack, anyone else miss the little piano notes we've heard in the very first ep (about from when wakana leave her house to a little after the 'forever alone' sentence) ?

i realy liked it, but we don't have to hear it often (if at all ? don't realy remember as i often start ep1 just to listen to it).

[ForwardUntoDawn]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

It's on the two-disc Music Album being released on 26 September. (This is the same album that will also include some of the insert songs.)

Thank you very much! Suddenly, I have something to look forwards to: I love the music in Tari Tari, especially the instrumental version of Kokoro no Senritsu found in the first trailer.

[winhlp32]

[Triple_R]

Another excellent Tari Tari episode with Episode Nine.

And while I get where Pocari Sweat is coming from on Episode Nine, I also think I know where Guardian Enzo is coming from. Episode Nine, more than any other, is the one that has showed that Tari Tari is truly something special.

Two common weaknesses in many modern anime shows (at least of the 'late-night' variety) are male characters getting significantly less screen-time/development than their female counterparts, and also adult characters (parents specifically) often having little presence, or frequently a negative/antagonist one if they're there at all.

Tari Tari has thankfully managed to avoid these common pitfalls, and Episode Nine is where this becomes crystal clear.


Tari Tari may have the best set of "parents of the main protagonists" that I've ever seen in anime. Wakana's parents (including her deceased mother) and Sawa's parents have all been presented in a largely positive light, but also as realistic characters. All four do/did clearly care about their children, and act as responsible adults and loving parents. In Episode Nine, I particularly liked how Sawa's mom came across. That was a skillful handling of the situation she was facing, and it thankfully provided Wien with an opportunity to act on his greatest passion.

Other adults in this show are presented in a positive, but nuanced, light as well. The Vince Principal initially came across as a cold and harsh taskmaster of sorts, but the softness behind the (at times) fierce exterior has become steadily clearer the farther into the anime we go.

The Principal seems to be a generally kindhearted and whimsical man, but also has his weaknesses.

It's good to see Tari Tari have a good assortment of adult characters, many in important roles.


Now, on to the male characters in the main cast - This was clearly a big episode for Wien, and he certainly didn't fail to deliver with the start of his arc. The initial sadness he felt over the letter situation was thankfully not overplayed, but it was also given the focus that it deserved, imo. And the 2nd half of the episode focusing a lot on Wien's passing for Sentai Heroes was pretty neat. Wien's zeal and passion over it - How atypically "SRS BSNS" and assertive he is about it - Was kind of funny. He reminded me of a comic book nerd who takes every last detail of their favorite superheroes deathly seriously. Wien's reaction to Sawa wanting to wear red was very funny, especially in that context.

I also felt that Tanaka's role in the anime became a bit more clear here. Tanaka appears to me to be the straight-man, contrasted with the relatively quirky and odd Wien, and the female trio who certainly have their moments of shenanigans. Tanaka says things simply and honestly and straightforwardly, and given the personalities of the people around him, that can result in some humorous results. At the same time, it's clear that Tanaka cares about his friends, and is supportive of the group as a whole.

The group dynamics in Tari Tari have really come a long way since the end of Wakana's arc. The five are really starting to gel - While some gender divides are still there, they feel more natural now, and less like an artificial wall. There is the odd scene when Tanaka and Wien talk to each other, while the female trio talk amongst themselves, and that's probably much like how many gender-mixed groups like this one would function in real life. But at the end of the day, it's clear that these five are still a bunch of friends that have some basic camaraderie that's begun to breech gender divides.


It's impressive how Tari Tari has managed a mix-gender ensemble cast while no longer shortchanging its male characters, and also while having many adult characters in positive and fully realized roles. Tari Tari is not particularly ambitious beyond that, but for these strengths alone, I honestly think it's raised the bar a bit for the standards of good slice of high school life anime. When a team of animators can manage to write adults and male teenagers well in a show that nonetheless is focused primarily on youthful female moe, there's no real reason why seasoned professionals can't manage that either in other shows.

Tari Tari's final challenge is to end well. If it can do that, it will likely go down as a classic for me. It's a show that I find consistently enjoyable, with a great mix of humor and drama, and exquisite balance throughout its full cast of characters.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Another excellent Tari Tari episode with Episode Nine.

Two common weaknesses in many modern anime shows (at least of the 'late-night' variety) are male characters getting significantly less screen-time/development than their female counterparts, and also adult characters (parents specifically) often having little presence, or frequently a negative/antagonist one if they're there at all.

Tari Tari has thankfully managed to avoid these common pitfalls, and Episode Nine is where this becomes crystal clear.

It's impressive how Tari Tari has managed a mix-gender ensemble cast while no longer shortchanging its male characters, and also while having many adult characters in positive and fully realized roles. Tari Tari is not particularly ambitious beyond that, but for these strengths alone, I honestly think it's raised the bar a bit for the standards of good slice of high school life anime. When a team of animators can manage to write adults and male teenagers well in a show that nonetheless is focused primarily on youthful female moe, there's no real reason why seasoned professionals can't manage that either in other shows.

Tari Tari's final challenge is to end well. If it can do that, it will likely go down as a classic for me. It's a show that I find consistently enjoyable, with a great mix of humor and drama, and exquisite balance throughout its full cast of characters.

To use an analogy that Sawa would appreciate, the horses haven't quite left the barn - but the closing door definitely clipped them on their horses' ass.

Taken on its own, I definitely think this ranks among the better episodes of the series for many of the reasons both of us mentioned in our posts. But I wouldn't be quite so effusive in my praise of the series as a whole as you. I've said already that some delayed development for the male cast members is definitely better than if it were never to come at all - but it wouldn't justify the decision of basically ignoring them for eight episodes (well, I started saying it when it was five or six). Better late than never? For sure - but it's still a shame the series had to be in the last lap before we got there. I could speculate as to why Masakazu-san (who's basically a one-man team on the creative side) felt he had to do that, but I won't beat that dead horse - and it would be speculation.

I still feel Taichi (or Tanaka, if you want to avoid overlap with Kokoro Connect discussion) is very much getting the short end of the stick here. I don't disagree that he's the straight man, but he doesn't have to be pigeonholed in that role. Fact is, as written Tanaka has shown on a number of occasions that he's actually quite astute, sensitive and mature - so why not show us more of that? Is competence and empathy too boring to get any real focus?

On the treatment of the adult characters, I mostly agree with you here - the show has done a generally good job on that front. Wakana's Dad has especially been excellent, but the most important element, I think, is that the adults are simply allowed to be part of the story and have personalities of their own. PA Works shows have generally been better than average on that score, I would say - setting aside the obvious disasters, there's no denying the adults in HanaIro were critical to the story and shown to have lives of their own, with concerns that were different from a high-schooler's. And I found the adults in True Tears (mostly Shinichiro's parents, in truth) were quite well-written.

[totoum]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

When a team of animators can manage to write adults and male teenagers well in a show that nonetheless is focused primarily on youthful female moe, there's no real reason why seasoned professionals can't manage that either in other shows.

I was going to mention this anyway but now I have a good excuse to hand out this bit of trivia: interestingly enough this is the first episode where Hashimoto isn't listed as one of the scriptwriters for the episode but instead an industry veteran was credited with the screenplay and will be writing the next episode as well before handing it back to Hashimoto.

So if Hashimoto indeed finishes off the show himself I find it interesting the the one arc where he sought assistance was the Wein arc.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by totoum

So if Hashimoto indeed finishes off the show himself I find it interesting the the one arc where he sought assistance was the Wein arc.

Well, putting aside the focus on Wien, the change in script writer for this episode might explain why I felt a slight change in pacing and dramatic progression this time around. And also, in the characterization department Wakana felt a bit too stiff in comparison to previous episodes (after her arc, of course).

That's not to say it wasn't a good episode. It was good, and I liked it, but it felt subtly different here and there.

All in all, I think I prefer Hashimoto. I don't know why he didn't write Wien's arc himself, but his writing overall is in a different level IMO.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

All in all, I think I prefer Hashimoto. I don't know why he didn't write Wien's arc himself, but his writing overall is in a different level IMO.

I think it's not uncommon for writers to get a bit of help writing the script for a few episodes just due to time constraints and deadlines. When that happens, it's usually easier to have them write a specific arc than to just pick episodes at random. I suspect he still provided the general outline (what they sometimes call "series composition"), so it's probably just a matter of saving time. Director + scriptwriter is a huge job, after all.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

I think it's not uncommon for writers to get a bit of help writing the script for a few episodes just due to time constraints and deadlines.

Yes I know. I just thought it was a bit odd in this case because I think he handled the screenplay in all the previews episodes (correct me of I'm wrong).

[Arya]

Ok, I can't say I enjoyed this episode as the previous ones. But this could be related simply to the fact that I can't relate well with Wein, I mean, his thing with the superheroes is a bit exaggerated. Too childish, with no others facets to balance it. Anyways I'll hold my comment until his arc ends.
I'm more curious of the VP than him.
Surely Sawa's mum and Wakana dad are awesome. I'd like to see a Tari Tari's romance spin off with them as protagonists
More seriously I like how each time I see a parent I can feel the parents/sons relationship, the mixture of love, concern and protection parents should always deliver. I agree that this is one of the strongest points of the show.

But what I'm really glad of is that Shiko struck again, one of the best moments of the episode is clearly Wakana being slapped and her reaction, oh and even Konatsu playing those lines

Speaking of the group I like anyways how the divides are still there. Not something intentional but physiological.

[Blonto]

Originally Posted by totoum

Interestingly enough this is the first episode where Hashimoto isn't listed as one of the scriptwriters for the episode but instead an industry veteran was credited with the screenplay and will be writing the next episode as well before handing it back to Hashimoto.

No wonder this episode felt different from others. I thought it might've been just me.

[Liddo-kun]

Episode 9:

Spoiler:

This episode felt like a lot of good stuff bundled up. The hero (Wien) getting his courage back online, Konatsu being funny, and the rest of the group simply getting along pretty well with each other.

I do wonder what the papers that got vice principal angry?
Maybe it will be shown in next episode.

Originally Posted by winhlp32

You deserve a cookie for posting that nice fanart.
Thanks for sharing!

[Pocari_Sweat]

Originally Posted by winhlp32

Spoiler for For Fanart:

That is an awesome fanpic.

/Saves.

[Gohan78]

I agree with Arya and Pocari_Sweat on episode 9. It was a nice funny episode but nothing memorable.

I was expecting a bit more meat from Wien's backstory. Apparently his only concern is that he can't contact his 7-year-old penpal in Austria. That's it? Really??

I know that not everybody can have life-changing problems but I was expecting something more after Wakana's and Sawa's arcs.

[Pocari_Sweat]

Originally Posted by Gohan78

I agree with Arya and Pocari_Sweat on episode 9. It was a nice funny episode but nothing memorable.

I was expecting a bit more meat from Wien's backstory. Apparently his only concern is that he can't contact his 7-year-old penpal in Austria. That's it? Really??

I know that not everybody can have life-changing problems but I was expecting something more after Wakana's and Sawa's arcs.

Remember though it's only Part 1. Part 1 of Sawa's arc was also nothing memorable then we got the Part 2 which was excellent. I'm expecting the same here.

Btw... that Wakana umbrella moe from the fanfic is really getting to me me now...

[Sphire]

Originally Posted by Pocari_Sweat

Remember though it's only Part 1. Part 1 of Sawa's arc was also nothing memorable then we got the Part 2 which was excellent. I'm expecting the same here.

Btw... that Wakana umbrella moe from the fanfic is really getting to me me now...

True, it's Part 1, but Sawa's Part 1 was way more memorable. So I too, don't rank ep 9 all that highly. It's good, and the best parts are seeing character like Sawa and Wakana after their troubles, but still, Wien's build up isn't any better than Konatsu's or Taichi's to be honest. And their arcs didn't end all that greatly either.

[ForwardUntoDawn]

I suddenly get the feeling that how much of a bang Tari Tari will yield might involve exploration of the Vice Principle's story, too.