(L+CR) Harukana Receive

[EroKing]

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[jal90]

On the comparison between Hanebado and this I side with the former, but the soft spot I'm growing for this one is more and more clear.

It is flawed, particularly in its production and visual identity it's nowhere near as consistent as Hanebado, and the fanservice is not really the content I want and look for, but it has surprised me with its competence in fields I didn't expect this seemingly exploitative anime to even care about.

More than anything, the character writing is brilliant and this is so surprising to me. The series evokes the same kind of feeling I could get from Yuru Camp or Comic Girls in the previous seasons. When the focus is more laid-back and observational one could think that character conflicts and even interactions in general are more difficult to execute and make the viewer empathize properly, but Harukana Receive actually takes advantage from this. Simply put, it acknowledges the agency and personality of the characters and it lets them breathe. They express their concerns at their own pace, they have natural dialogues and reactions that don't feel like codified infodumps for the audience or like they are used to reach a narrative endpoint. This is, I think, the advantage that a good slice of life story can bring over more clear plot or event-driven narratives, and this show gets it really well. The last few minutes of the second episode are excellent, perhaps one of the most tactful moments of catharsis I've seen in the medium.

[BBOvenGuy]

Originally Posted by jal90

it has surprised me with its competence in fields I didn't expect this seemingly exploitative anime to even care about.

Yes, exactly. This is just what I've been thinking. From a crass and cynical business perspective, this show didn't really need a good story or good characters. The subject matter guarantees they'll make money on fanservice alone. It's nice to see they're actually trying to make a good show, and not just a profitable show.

[Requiem-x]

Having watched two episodes, this is better than expected. Firat one had me thinking it might be too simple, but with the second I think it might be just the right amount. Haruka is a simple, happy girl, but she's not dumb and straightforward faith seems to be just what Kanata needed to beat her fears, Glad we got to see another side of Narumi as well, and even feel sorry for her. Gotta hurt seeing someone else help Kanata when shecouldn't, but at least she has a hell of a partner herself.

As for the fanservice, I don't mind it at all, which is surprising, especially considering Kanata pretty much got a butt shoved in her face second episode. Giggling sound effects I could do without, though. Just let everything bounce in peace.

I see this being a fun time, even more we're getting the foreigners so soon.

[FlareKnight]

Originally Posted by Xeiros

In the manga's opening two pages it is not shown who team Harukana are playing against nor do they provide any context whatsoever. It's just a basic intro. In the anime version you'll notice that they're playing against the champions Narumi and Ayasa in something called the Valkyrie Cup. I'm hoping this match is the how the anime concludes and not just a totally unrelated sequence to the actual events of the story.

In the anime, some of Kanata's time as Narumi's teammate is shown in episode 2 albeit only breifly. In the manga ,this doesn't happen until chapter 17. In addition, Haruka and Kanata's grandmother actually appears and has some kind of presence in their lives in the anime whereas she basically doesn't exist in the manga.

While the basic structure is for the most part the same so far, there are numerous differences between the two versions that I feel are for the better. Touko Machida, the lead screenwriter has done an excellent job so far of reworking the mangas story to allow for the anime version to have its own identity better suited to it.

Just from an anime-only view I'd say the changes and adjustments work really nicely. Hopefully they most definitely get to that flash forward scene for the last few episodes of the series. Would be pretty satisfying to end things with a legitimate match between these four and seeing how much development in ability has occurred in that time.

All felt pretty natural. The grandmother is a nice presence. Not a big focus in the episodes, but makes the world feel more lived in.

Nothing wrong with a show deciding to make some adjustments that work better for the medium. A 1:1 adaptation can work just fine for certain shows. But when done nicely some creative re-working of the material can lead to great results.

As a whole the show just feels enjoyable to watch. The end of episode 2 especially just nailed the 'yep I'm in' feeling that's nice to have with any show.

[moridin84]

Originally Posted by BBOvenGuy

Yes, exactly. This is just what I've been thinking. From a crass and cynical business perspective, this show didn't really need a good story or good characters. The subject matter guarantees they'll make money on fanservice alone. It's nice to see they're actually trying to make a good show, and not just a profitable show.

Fanservice shows are a dime a dozen, do you really think something would sell enough just by having girls in bikinis?

[BBOvenGuy]

Originally Posted by moridin84

Fanservice shows are a dime a dozen, do you really think something would sell enough just by having girls in bikinis?

Haven't got a clue, actually. But then, neither do a lot of TV executives.

[Infinite Zenith]

For EroKing:

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[SamCurt]

As an aside: Is bikinis required for beach volleyball? Kanata wore an one-piece in Ep 1 when she didn't expect playing that again, and in this episode she wore the bikinis that she used to wear when she played beach volleyball (the manga stated her size hasn't changed).

[Infinite Zenith]

Originally Posted by SamCurt

As an aside: Is bikinis required for beach volleyball? Kanata wore an one-piece in Ep 1 when she didn't expect playing that again, and in this episode she wore the bikinis that she used to wear when she played beach volleyball (the manga stated her size hasn't changed).

Regulations state that both one-piece and two-piece suits are allowed. Most women prefer the two-piece, with some mentioning that one-piece suits have a tendency to trap sand in them, which becomes uncomfortable. It ultimately boils down to comfort and what the players feel they can perform best in.

[EroKing]

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[Kanon]

Speaking of swimsuits, I'm not a big fan of the ones Harukana will wear during competitions. Then again, they were only briefly shown in the beginning of ep 1, I may change my mind after seeing them more.

[Haak]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Speaking of swimsuits, I'm not a big fan of the ones Harukana will wear during competitions. Then again, they were only briefly shown in the beginning of ep 1, I may change my mind after seeing them more.

A thorough examination will be in order no doubt. XP

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Speaking of swimsuits, I'm not a big fan of the ones Harukana will wear during competitions. Then again, they were only briefly shown in the beginning of ep 1, I may change my mind after seeing them more.

Note they're wearing a vest over the bikini, so it's hard to see how the swimsuit looks other than the bottom.

[Infinite Zenith]

Originally Posted by Haak

A thorough examination will be in order no doubt. XP

"Frame-by-frame" thorough For now, we have the introduction of new characters to look forwards to!

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Note they're wearing a vest over the bikini, so it's hard to see how the swimsuit looks other than the bottom.

Then I guess what I remember is from promotional art. Pretty sure I saw the top.

[grecefar]

another trauma?, first it was her received and now her smash... what's next?, she can't change her swinsuit because it was the one she used with narumi and she can't forget?

[Random Wanderer]

Chibi Kanata calling chibi Narumi "tall" when they're both the same size onscreen...

[BWTraveller]

Originally Posted by grecefar

another trauma?, first it was her received and now her smash... what's next?, she can't change her swinsuit because it was the one she used with narumi and she can't forget?

Still works well enough for me. Trauma isn't something you get over with one pat on the back. She started out as a power player who grew to favor spikes because she was good at it. Then when everyone outpaced her in height she lost confidence and became afraid, not only pulling from the powerful attacking position she used to take but ultimately trying to avoid receiving at all. All that happened previously was she decided she was going to face the court once more.

In fact, I'd say this is not only predictable but realistic. It's almost natural for someone struggling to take on their fears to overstep and try too hard, aiming to avoid anything they think of as "running". She felt like a pokey would be a betrayal of her old self, and now that she'd decided to try and return to what she loved she didn't want to give it up, to run away to something easier for her size. She's still working at regaining her confidence and it's not going to happen overnight. Give her a few more episodes of insecurity.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Random Wanderer

Chibi Kanata calling chibi Narumi "tall" when they're both the same size onscreen...

The point is Kanata was tall herself back then. She was one of the tallest and strongest players of her age bracket (10-12 years old). That's why she's so bitter about her current situation. She was a champion in the making yet her lack of physical growth fucked up her chances.