Hitohira

[Vexx]

Heh.. you're not on the hook - someone else recommended this one and I can't remember where I found out the petopetosan people were involved.

I've not seen the ep but it sounds like they may have committed the sin of "imaginary city" ... there *are* some pretty cool looking bridges in Japan though but if its a traditional "new york" bridge that is pretty wierd.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by Vexx

Heh.. you're not on the hook - someone else recommended this one and I can't remember where I found out the petopetosan people were involved.

I've not seen the ep but it sounds like they may have committed the sin of "imaginary city" ... there *are* some pretty cool looking bridges in Japan though but if its a traditional "new york" bridge that is pretty wierd.

1. Whew!

2. I thought of a bridge in another North American city, myself. It may be New York, but it's probably just an amalgam of foreign-looking places. It didn't bother me at all, since the action is all in the school (so far) and among the students. We're not dealing with Red Garden here, anyway, lol.

[JediNight]

I watched ep1 as well: It seems fairly interesting so far, so I'll keep watching for now.

Asai definitely is an interesting personality type to join the drama club -- this should be interesting

I'm not quite used to the VA for Nono-chan yet .... I love her as a VA, but she just doesn't seem to fit the character. She was great in Zegapain, Konomini, Strain, etc. but I dunno .... maybe she will grow on me in this role later on.

[mouhitori]

The bridge was pretty nice, and the first episode itself is fairly interesting.

The club is actually a drama research club, unless I misheard things. Wonder how that differs from a normal drama club. Genshiken comes into mind

[bdonlan]

Originally Posted by mouhitori

The bridge was pretty nice, and the first episode itself is fairly interesting.

The club is actually a drama research club, unless I misheard things. Wonder how that differs from a normal drama club. Genshiken comes into mind

From what I gather, there's both a drama club (演劇部) and drama research society (演劇研究会) - the latter of which is on the edge of closing due to a lack of members. Episode 2 will probably clarify this - but they were very clear on the distinction toward the end of episode 1.

[bdonlan]

Here are the character profiles from the Japanese wikipedia. There are some minor spoilers, but probably only for the first 1-3 episodes.

Spoiler:

麻井麦（Asai Mugi）（VA: Kimoto Orie）
この物語の主人公。熊鷹芸術学院の新入生（序幕では水橋中学3年）。極度のあがり症で緊張すると声が出なく なるが、野乃らに強引に演劇研究会に入部させられてしまった。少々ネガティブだが、演劇を通じてだんだん変 わってきた。ちとせからは麦チョコと呼ばれている。
The main character. New student in Kumataka arts academy (in the prologue she's a third year student in Mizuhashi middle school). When she becomes nervous from her extreme stage fright, her voice won't come out. Forced to join the Drama Research Society by Nono and the others. While she is quite negative about it at first, due to the influence of drama, she gradually changed. Chitose calls her 'Mugi Choco'.

一ノ瀬野乃（Ichinose Nono）（VA: Kawasumi Ayako）
演劇研究会代表。熊鷹芸術学院3年。元々は演劇部に所属していたが声帯麻痺で声が出なくなってしまった際、 美麗から演劇を辞めるように説得された。結局演劇部は辞めてしまったが諦めきれず演劇研究会を 作った。
Drama research society representative. Kumataka arts academy third year. Originally in the drama club, but when paralysis of her vocal cords rendered her mute, Mirei convinced her give up acting in plays. In the end, she resigned from the drama club, but didn't give up, and made the drama research society.

桂木たかし（Katsuragi Takashi）（VA: Narita Ken）
演劇研究会メンバー。3年生。元演劇部員だったが、野乃に誘われて演劇研究会に入る。野乃に研究会を作って みればと提案した。
Member of the drama research society. Third year student. Originally a member of the drama club, but was invited by Nono to help build the drama research society.

西田理咲（Nishida Risaki）（VA: Hikami Kyouko）
演劇研究会メンバー。3年生。野乃や桂木と同じく元演劇部員。美麗とケンカをしたのをきっかけに研究会に入 った。西田甲斐の姉。
Drama research society member. Third year student. Originally a drama club member, like Nono and Katsuragi. Joined the drama research society due to fighting with Mirei. Nishida Kai's older sister.

遠山佳代（Tooyama Kayo）（VA: Miyagawa Miho）
麦の中学時代からの親友。麦の付き合いで演劇研究会の手伝いもすることがある。写真部（カメラ部）に所属し ている。1年の終わりに留学することを決意する。
Mugi's best friend from middle school. Due to her relationship with Mugi, she often helps out at the drama research society. A member of the photography club. After her first year, she decides to study abroad.

西田甲斐（Nishida Kai）（VA: Kishio Daisuke）
西田理咲の弟。麦と佳代のクラスメイト。姉に強制的に演劇研究会へ入部させられた。麦の事が気になっている 。ダーツや金魚すくいといった屋台遊戯が得意。
Nishida Risaki's younger brother. Mugi and Kayo's classmate. Forced to join the drama research society by his sister. Good at carnival games like darts or goldfish scooping.

榊美麗（Sakaki Mirei）（VS: Yukino Satsuki）
熊鷹芸術学院演劇部部長。3年生。野乃とは犬猿の仲だが、実は野乃の病気や演劇研究会の事を心 配している。
President of the Kumataka arts academy drama club. Third year student. Appears to get along with Nono poorly, but in actuality is worried about Nono's illness and drama research society.

神奈ちとせ（Kanna Chitose）（VA: Yabusaki Emi）
演劇部部員。1年生。演劇部に所属しているが、研究会の方にもちょくちょく顔を出している。麦とは仲が良く 、桂木に好意をよせている。麦に体操服を貸して以来、麦のクラスメイトからはオリジナル、佳代・甲斐からは オリナルと呼ばれるようになった。
Member of the drama club. First year student. Although she's part of the drama club, she shows up over at the drama research society often. Good friends with Mugi, and gets along with Katsuragi. Ever since she lent a gym uniform to Mugi, Mugi's classmates have called her "Original", and Kayo and Kai call her "Orinal".

玉城春子（Tamaki Haruko）（VA: Ueda Kana）
演劇部部員。2年生。通称たまちゃん。平凡が個性と言い切り、漢らしいところがある。さちえちゃんと仲が良 い。噂好き。美麗が引退した後、演劇部の部長になる。
Drama club member. Second year student. People call her "Tama-chan". She says being normal itself is a personality, and has her masculine traits. Good friends with Sachie-chan. Likes spreading rumors. After Mirei retired, she became the club president.

綾瀬幸枝（Ayase Sachie）（VA: Tsunematsu Ayumi）
演劇部部員。2年生。通称さちえちゃん。ちとせから頭弱そうなところが良いと言われた。たまちゃんと仲が良 い。噂好き。美麗が引退した後、演劇部の副部長になる。

Drama club member. Second year student. People call her "Sachie-chan". Chitose says she likes Sachie's slow points. Good friends with Tama-chan. Likes spreading rumors. After Mirei retired, became the Drama club's vice-president.

木野信二（Kino Shinji）
演劇部部員。1年生。脚本担当。ちとせにチビメガネと言われた。
Drama club member. First year student. In charge of script writing. Chitose calls her "Chibi Megane".

川崎響（Kawasaki Hibiki）
演劇部部員。1年生。音響チーフ。あまり表情を面に出さない。
Drama club member. First year student. In charge of sound. Doesn't show much facial expressions

山口実（Yamaguchi Minoru）
演劇部部員。2年生。照明チーフ。
Drama club member. Second year student. Lighting chief.

和久井貞冶（Wakui Sadaji）（VA: Doman Jin）
演劇部部員。2年生。舞台監督。
Drama club member. Second year student. Stage director.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Thanks, bdonlan. Those character outlines give me hope the show will maintain the interest of the first ep. Brother and sister explains things. And more kudos to Kawasumi Ayako. Now I understand the voice she's using even more. For me, it works fantastically well.

[BiZz]

this anime reminds me Tsuyokiss, same theme but with a different plot

[Mei]

Well I really like this series! I watched the first episode but didn't manage to blog it until today (my blog is so new though, and I don't know if I am good enough for blogging). The Bridge also reminds me of New York bridge (only seen it in movies though). I wasn't really anticipating this series, but now I am looking forward to the next episode.

[vuori]

I didn't have very high expectations from the summaries for this series, however episode 1 was a positive surprise. Animation was well done and the characters seemed interesting. The style and characters reminded me of To Heart (the original series), in a favorable manner.

[BiZz]

I enjoy this anime The animation is ok, I like the op too
For this moment, the characters are friendly.

I hope this is not an harem anime among the others -_-

[bdonlan]

Well, if it goes in the harem direction, it'd have to be a yuri harem, I guess

That said I don't really see that happening, although there could definitely be a triangle developing between Mugi<->Nono and Mugi<->Kai (and maybe even Mugi<->Kayo?), I suppose. Then again they might prefer to keep things less blatant.

[dahl_moon]

For some reason this reminds me of old school school anime. As vuori said, like the original To Heart. I wonder if it's the way the characters were drawn, or because it's been a while since I've seen 'normal' school anime (as opposed to fantasy schools like Shuffle! or Happiness!. All girls' school anime like Marimite or Otoboku don't count either).

Anyway, although I don't really get Mugi's trauma (?) moments, I enjoyed the episode; good acting, and some nice, funny moments.

[mintyfresh]

I like this show.
I like it even more after I watched the first ep for the second time. The music is very simple （sounding very synthesized at points), but at a few points was quite moving. This might be one of those shows that I looks forward to the OST for for just those one or two songs, instead of an entire ensemble, as if it were done by a composer of a bigger name.

Originally Posted by bdonlan

Here are the character profiles from the Japanese wikipedia. There are some minor spoilers, but probably only for the first 1-3 episodes.

Spoiler:

麻井麦（Asai Mugi）（VA: Kimoto Orie）
この物語の主人公。熊鷹芸術学院の新入生（序幕では水橋中学3年）。極度のあがり症で緊張すると声が出なく なるが、野乃らに強引に演劇研究会に入部させられてしまった。少々ネガティブだが、演劇を通じてだんだん変 わってきた。ちとせからは麦チョコと呼ばれている。
The main character. New student in Kumataka arts academy (in the prologue she's a third year student in Mizuhashi middle school). When she becomes nervous from her extreme stage fright, her voice won't come out. Forced to join the Drama Research Society by Nono and the others. While she is quite negative about it at first, due to the influence of drama, she gradually changed. Chitose calls her 'Mugi Choco'.

一ノ瀬野乃（Ichinose Nono）（VA: Kawasumi Ayako）
演劇研究会代表。熊鷹芸術学院3年。元々は演劇部に所属していたが声帯麻痺で声が出なくなってしまった際、 美麗から演劇を辞めるように説得された。結局演劇部は辞めてしまったが諦めきれず演劇研究会を 作った。
Drama research society representative. Kumataka arts academy third year. Originally in the drama club, but when paralysis of her vocal cords rendered her mute, Mirei convinced her give up acting in plays. In the end, she resigned from the drama club, but didn't give up, and made the drama research society.

桂木たかし（Katsuragi Takashi）（VA: Narita Ken）
演劇研究会メンバー。3年生。元演劇部員だったが、野乃に誘われて演劇研究会に入る。野乃に研究会を作って みればと提案した。
Member of the drama research society. Third year student. Originally a member of the drama club, but was invited by Nono to help build the drama research society.

西田理咲（Nishida Risaki）（VA: Hikami Kyouko）
演劇研究会メンバー。3年生。野乃や桂木と同じく元演劇部員。美麗とケンカをしたのをきっかけに研究会に入 った。西田甲斐の姉。
Drama research society member. Third year student. Originally a drama club member, like Nono and Katsuragi. Joined the drama research society due to fighting with Mirei. Nishida Kai's older sister.

遠山佳代（Tooyama Kayo）（VA: Miyagawa Miho）
麦の中学時代からの親友。麦の付き合いで演劇研究会の手伝いもすることがある。写真部（カメラ部）に所属し ている。1年の終わりに留学することを決意する。
Mugi's best friend from middle school. Due to her relationship with Mugi, she often helps out at the drama research society. A member of the photography club. After her first year, she decides to study abroad.

西田甲斐（Nishida Kai）（VA: Kishio Daisuke）
西田理咲の弟。麦と佳代のクラスメイト。姉に強制的に演劇研究会へ入部させられた。麦の事が気になっている 。ダーツや金魚すくいといった屋台遊戯が得意。
Nishida Risaki's younger brother. Mugi and Kayo's classmate. Forced to join the drama research society by his sister. Good at carnival games like darts or goldfish scooping.

榊美麗（Sakaki Mirei）（VS: Yukino Satsuki）
熊鷹芸術学院演劇部部長。3年生。野乃とは犬猿の仲だが、実は野乃の病気や演劇研究会の事を心 配している。
President of the Kumataka arts academy drama club. Third year student. Appears to get along with Nono poorly, but in actuality is worried about Nono's illness and drama research society.

神奈ちとせ（Kanna Chitose）（VA: Yabusaki Emi）
演劇部部員。1年生。演劇部に所属しているが、研究会の方にもちょくちょく顔を出している。麦とは仲が良く 、桂木に好意をよせている。麦に体操服を貸して以来、麦のクラスメイトからはオリジナル、佳代・甲斐からは オリナルと呼ばれるようになった。
Member of the drama club. First year student. Although she's part of the drama club, she shows up over at the drama research society often. Good friends with Mugi, and gets along with Katsuragi. Ever since she lent a gym uniform to Mugi, Mugi's classmates have called her "Original", and Kayo and Kai call her "Orinal".

玉城春子（Tamaki Haruko）（VA: Ueda Kana）
演劇部部員。2年生。通称たまちゃん。平凡が個性と言い切り、漢らしいところがある。さちえちゃんと仲が良 い。噂好き。美麗が引退した後、演劇部の部長になる。
Drama club member. Second year student. People call her "Tama-chan". She says being normal itself is a personality, and has her masculine traits. Good friends with Sachie-chan. Likes spreading rumors. After Mirei retired, she became the club president.

綾瀬幸枝（Ayase Sachie）（VA: Tsunematsu Ayumi）
演劇部部員。2年生。通称さちえちゃん。ちとせから頭弱そうなところが良いと言われた。たまちゃんと仲が良 い。噂好き。美麗が引退した後、演劇部の副部長になる。

Drama club member. Second year student. People call her "Sachie-chan". Chitose says she likes Sachie's slow points. Good friends with Tama-chan. Likes spreading rumors. After Mirei retired, became the Drama club's vice-president.

木野信二（Kino Shinji）
演劇部部員。1年生。脚本担当。ちとせにチビメガネと言われた。
Drama club member. First year student. In charge of script writing. Chitose calls her "Chibi Megane".

川崎響（Kawasaki Hibiki）
演劇部部員。1年生。音響チーフ。あまり表情を面に出さない。
Drama club member. First year student. In charge of sound. Doesn't show much facial expressions

山口実（Yamaguchi Minoru）
演劇部部員。2年生。照明チーフ。
Drama club member. Second year student. Lighting chief.

和久井貞冶（Wakui Sadaji）（VA: Doman Jin）
演劇部部員。2年生。舞台監督。
Drama club member. Second year student. Stage director.

Ah, thank you for that -- I was pretty eager to look into more about the characters on the official site, but didn't think to check the Japanese wiki page. This one gives quite a bit more information. That being said, I was making my own guesses about the plot, and it's good to see I was on the money concerning a couple things.

*pats self on the back until it turns red*

[Wavedash]

Spoiler for First episode thoughts:

My unpopular opinion here is that this show isn't very good. Narratively, the keystone in the episode is when Mugi shouts at the beginning. Without her noisemaking, the others in the drama club wouldn't have taken notice and wouldn't seek to recruit her.

Kimoto, who did a fine job as the effervescent Cure Egret, doesn't create a vital connection between that voice and the virtual mute that replaces Mugi for all other parts of the episode. This dichotomy, I feel, makes it hard to believe they could see something in Mugi and puts focus on the actor. Perhaps a better seiyuu could have made it seem like those were two sides of the same person, but that's not the case here.

Let me give an example if I'm not making this easily understood. If Homer Simpson's voice actor were to suddenly take on an entirely different voice in a scene, the viewer wouldn't buy it. It would sound like simple overacting on the part of the actor, because there has to be some quality left in the performance that recalls the Homer the audience knows from past viewings. In the same way, Kimoto didn't create that relationship between the "ATTA!" and the "...aa sumi...gomenasai"

By itself, that wouldn't be damming to a show, but the equally subdued palette and storytelling leave little to hook a viewer in this first episode. To the show's credit, it does set up possible development that could be interesting but just isn't yet.

[mintyfresh]

mmm... I think Orie Kimoto played Cure Bloom..? (goes with "Saki" and all.. )

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by mintyfresh

mmm... I think Orie Kimoto played Cure Bloom..? (goes with "Saki" and all.. )

This is correct. I had it wrong in my blog (because ANN had it wrong) and corrected it, checking with the official site of Splash Star.

I found Wavedash's thoughts very interesting, though, particularly since they gave me a new angle on the episode. So I watched again (that makes four times, twice raw and twice with Chinese subs) and still loved the show. I think Kimoto's thin, emotional voice through most of the episode is so effective. I can imagine someone like Horie Yui or Ueda Kana doing a more assured performance, but not a more effective one.

Spoiler for the shout:

But the contrast between the shout and the rest of the show did trip me up at first. I didn't blame the VA, though. I thought the storyboarding was the problem -- if it really was a problem. I mean, the whole point is that the shout voice and her normal voice are quite different.

As an aside, I think it's highly likely that they tried to get Ueda Kana -- who did the lead in the director's other show, PetoPeto-san -- to do the part, but she was committed elsewhere and could only spare the time for the bit part she is playing.

As for the story, all I can say is that it moved and captivated me right from the start. Right from the preview, if the truth be told. From reading spoilers, I know it gets even stronger, but the setup in this first episode really worked for me. I already feel a bond with Mugi, and with Nono.

I think the directing generally works extremely well. I love the way he uses the hollow, distant sound of voices in the hallways of the old school, surrounded by silence, to intensify our intuition of Mugi's feelings. And there is some fascinating timing, like the suddenness of the "ja, ne" goodbye at the end of the signing scene.

I've read the first few chapters of the manga now, and it's interesting how much they changed the order of events in the first episode, which covered just a little more than chapter one of the manga.

Spoiler for manga:

It started with the self-introduction. Then she was run into in the hall. The mask images were not used. There there is the drawing class scene, but she does not go to the storeroom. Then came the scene in the classroom where she was trapped into signing up. The scene of the shout is a flashback in a later chapter, and the scene with the dress in the storeroom appears to have been an invention of the anime writers. Some of the things in bdonlan's spoiler crop up in the first few chapters of the manga. But I feel that the anime actually seems to improve on the manga, at least for me so far. Anyway, I'm hooked.

[Scribble]

I'm glad I actually looked up this series instead of dubbing it as "generic moe anime" like I was about to. The premise is actually pretty interesting for a slice-of-life anime - this could be a great "personal journey" type story, though I'm kind of paranoid that the "main character finding it difficult to speak" will be executed as more of a "moe" thing than "serious" thing.

The trailer was good at least, since it had a slightly down to earth type feel. I just seriously hope they don't go down the shoujo ai route - can't two girls just be close friends? In fact, all girls I know must be lesbians due to how close they are with their friends. I'm only suspicious that they will go down the shoujo ai route because one of the girls is submissive and the other is dominant.

I'm looking forward to seeing the first episode....

[bdonlan]

Originally Posted by Scribble

I'm glad I actually looked up this series instead of dubbing it as "generic moe anime" like I was about to. The premise is actually pretty interesting for a slice-of-life anime - this could be a great "personal journey" type story, though I'm kind of paranoid that the "main character finding it difficult to speak" will be executed as more of a "moe" thing than "serious" thing.

For what it's worth, in the first episode, though there was some humor from the muteness aspect, there wasn't really a moe bent to it.

[Wavedash]

Originally Posted by mintyfresh

mmm... I think Orie Kimoto played Cure Bloom..? (goes with "Saki" and all.. )

Yes, thank you. I had the two mixed up. The shouting Mugi was, without a doubt, Saki v2.0 .

I don't really think the show is any more moe than anything else on TV. Well, that's not accurate; I should say it's not pushing the qualities. If it does come off as moe, I think it's the best kind - in the least assuming and least forced manner.