(L) Mashiro-iro Symphony

[hyl]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Spoiler for Episode 10 + Future Predictions:

My guess based on patterns would be "The Color of Lovers"... but it depends on what they decide to do.

Spoiler for ep 11:

Would have still made more sense to use color of lovers on episode 11 and then use the color of love: "white" like Mashiro iro Symphony for the name of the last episode

edit:

Spoiler for title of episode 12:

It has to use the word "iro" somewhere as the title, seeing that 11 episodes uses it, unless the final episode breaks away from that concept

[Zavie]

Why the hell did I click those spoiler ;__;?

I'll hold myself back off this thread for a while. I wish I could see the RAW, but unfortunately

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Spoiler for Episode 10:

You're not calling "match point"? What more would it take?

That aside... people have to actually watch the show, not just make assumptions based on stereotypes or pre-conceptions. Otherwise, some might go through the entire show seeing only what they want to see depending on how it fits into their pre-conceived notions, and miss what the show is actually trying to say. It's like some people watched selected parts of certain episodes and then took a random stab in the dark at where the show was heading, without paying attention to all the other contributing elements. If anything, I think people are "under-thinking" things and not paying proper attention to the show proper.

Spoiler for 10:

To your first point, it's conditioning - in any anime where romantic multiple choice is involved, I almost invariably choose the loser. Frankly, I won't feel confident ever after episode 12 - there's still blu-ray extras!

On your second, I don't mean the viewers are over-analyzing - you're right in your comment that they're under-thinking. What I mean is that we may be over-analyzing their reactions, and that the reason for all the consternation is actually pretty straightforward.

[Vena]

Ahh, sorry relentless.

Spoiler for Episode 10:

That was padded.

And, I really can't shake the fact that the anime has made me care more about Sana (whatever her archetype) by making her go through so many highs and lows, whereas Miu only suffered from the ever-so-cliche anime cold of doom to drive the plot and had her other issues resolved by the *team*. The first half of the episode, likewise, was a bit slow, padded, and boring, while the later half with the culmination of drama rushed by quickly.

At least we saw Ange again for more than three scenes in an episode.

[hyl]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Spoiler for 10:

To your first point, it's conditioning - in any anime where romantic multiple choice is involved, I almost invariably choose the loser. Frankly, I won't feel confident ever after episode 12 - there's still blu-ray extras!

On your second, I don't mean the viewers are over-analyzing - you're right in your comment that they're under-thinking. What I mean is that we may be over-analyzing their reactions, and that the reason for all the consternation is actually pretty straightforward.

Spoiler for ep 10:

How Shingo not go for Miu after he confesses to her? I like Airi and Sana but this episode should remove any doubts that the anime is heading for someone else at this point

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Spoiler for 10:

On your second, I don't mean the viewers are over-analyzing - you're right in your comment that they're under-thinking. What I mean is that we may be over-analyzing their reactions, and that the reason for all the consternation is actually pretty straightforward.

Spoiler for Episode 10 reactions:

Oh, yeah -- well, again, I just like to believe that people demand more from their romance anime than "I want my favourite heroine to win no matter what!" I say "I want to believe", though, because evidence doesn't always seem to support that hope.

[Flower]

After thinking about it for a while, though, I am actually kinda pleased that Manglobe took the series in the direction it seems to be heading. After watching a fair number of VN adaptations, as others have pointed out, the similarity of presentation sorta gets one used to expecting certain things. This series has some similar external "devices", but took a quiet turn in an unexpected direction ... but I bet if I look back at things from the way things have developed now I may be able to see the series in a new light.

[Enternal]

Spoiler:

What the heck... I'm rooting for Miu so I'm really happy for this episode. However I also want Sana to be happy... aaargh...

Also I'm a bit disappointed that Airi's route does not feel totally concluded especially after that bath scene. It just seem to abruptly end. Ange's side does feel more concluded but I don't see or feel why she's a heroine at all although that's just me. I guess I should play the game someday since I have it installed for so long and all... And there's Sakuno as well but we do have a couple episodes left. That also kind of worries me a bit because Shingo just confessed so I don't know what to expect anymore. It's not like he can just suddenly decide to pair up with somebody else.

[Tenchi Ryu]

Spoiler for Spoiler:

Part of me is jumping for joy cause I was rooting for Miu the entire time, and it just seemed so obvious after the previous episode. But it looks like the one thing I was afraid of will happen, the infamous Shuffle style ending. The main guy picks their girl who was not the clear cut choice at first, and then the one who was pretty much second or third in the race completely breaks down over it, and from judging at those pics, Sana is a complete wreck....poor thing.

But I have a feeling just like Kaede, she'll find a way to bounce back. She might not get to be with him romantically, but I think its still a benefit when you can be close friends, cause some people even refuse that since it can be so awkward.

[amoirsp]

I haven't read anything since yesterday since I have not watched the episode but regards to reasons for watching the anime, such as either due to a character, liking the series, or playing the game, etc I'm amused that I went into this series to watch Sakuno who has had very little screen time. (well its better than the last time I watched a VN adaptation for a specific character who wasn't even animated at all!)

That's about it. Just glossing this topic recent posts already gives me an idea. Still looking forward to it and speculate later.

[vio5555]

I think they had to lessen the focus on Airi quickly to get to make the Miu/Sana "triangle" the main part of the story.

I think too many people were reading off the first couple of episodes that it would go back to being more Airi-centric, but there were really two phases at work here: the introduction (Airi-centric because she opposed the addition of the boys) and the phase that started after Airi joined the kitty club and made it whole.

In a sense, that part in the bathtub where Airi realizes that he was just thinking about how she didn't like pets by not inviting her to the club was not really romantic at all, and she realizes that when she says in effect that it's just the kind of guy that he is, always trying to think about other people's feelings. He wasn't thinking about her in a special way...

I don't really see how they could give any more closure in that sense although we'll see what's in store for the final episodes.

[Skyfall]

I guess this is the point where a few of us get to say "told you so"

Spoiler for episode 10:

A pretty emotional and "heavy" episode overall, emphasized by the somewhat slow-ish pacing, allowing time for each event to sink in with all its weight. Probably the most drama-heavy sequence of events we are going to get from Mashifoni, the episode's title certainly earned its keep this week.

It's pretty hard not to feel sorry for Sana, who finally reaches the point where she can't hold back her emotions, a pot that has been boiling for a long while now. The show has certainly been building up the issues surrounding the romance of Miu/Sana consistently - both being like parallel lines that never intersect, and the ending of episode 10 was like the epitome of said isolation. As Miu and Shingo get closer and closer, Sana keeps drifting further away, culminating in the events that now took place - with Miu and Shingo embracing their feelings, unaware of Sana's plight, with Sana getting to cry alone in a removed location, only with Airi to comfort her.

Overall I have surprisingly little to say about the episode, as I see it as a confirmation of events that have been steadily building up for a number of episodes, without adding anything radically new or surprising. Shingo and Miu consolidating their feelings while Sana getting her door closed for good has been long time coming, so episode 10 was largely like sealing an envelope that contains a letter written a while ago.

What specifically the show intends to do with the two final episodes remains to be seen, but given the solid ride Manglobe has offered thus far, I have all confidence in them to deliver a satisfying closure to the cast. There certainly is enough material left to cover, and we already have some hints what to expect, namely Pannya's impending release. Damn ... sounds like another bittersweet event.


As for some people feeling shocked about the romance developments in this episode ... there really is no excuse to. Shingo's affection for Miu has been built up consistently through the show, with his reactions towards her continuously standing out among the others, with increasing intensity. And the show hasn't been all that subtle about this, especially within the later episodes.

I certainly see how in terms of choosing the main heroine (as far as romance is concerned) it deviates from the usual mold, but that's as far as surprising goes here. The show has hardly been confusing with its romance elements, and the hints were scattered all along the yellow brick road. The road also happened to have a fence to prevent straying off.

Suffice to say, I readily agree with relentless here - this outcome wasn't hard to see coming, if one was allowing himself to watch the show as it is, as opposed through a lens of industry tropes and favorites. See the show for what it was showing itself to be, rather than making an early assumption of what it was going to be. The experience has certainly been quite satisfying and refreshing, both in terms of story direction and consistency.

[vio5555]

I think the problem with how a lot of harem animes are viewed (not really the animes themselves) is that people are always trying to look for hints or whatnot or weigh screentime or other considerations.

Nothing "romantic" happened in this anime until after episode 6. That's when he started to actually get close to them in a romantic kind of way.

[Flower]

Originally Posted by Skyfall

I guess this is the point where a few of us get to say "told you so"

Spoiler for episode 10:

A pretty emotional and "heavy" episode overall, emphasized by the somewhat slow-ish pacing, allowing time for each event to sink in with all its weight. Probably the most drama-heavy sequence of events we are going to get from Mashifoni, the episode's title certainly earned its keep this week.

It's pretty hard not to feel sorry for Sana, who finally reaches the point where she can't hold back her emotions, a pot that has been boiling for a long while now. The show has certainly been building up the issues surrounding the romance of Miu/Sana consistently - both being like parallel lines that never intersect, and the ending of episode 10 was like the epitome of said isolation. As Miu and Shingo get closer and closer, Sana keeps drifting further away, culminating in the events that now took place - with Miu and Shingo embracing their feelings, unaware of Sana's plight, with Sana getting to cry alone in a removed location, only with Airi to comfort her.

Overall I have surprisingly little to say about the episode, as I see it as a confirmation of events that have been steadily building up for a number of episodes, without adding anything radically new or surprising. Shingo and Miu consolidating their feelings while Sana getting her door closed for good has been long time coming, so episode 10 was largely like sealing an envelope that contains a letter written a while ago.

What specifically the show intends to do with the two final episodes remains to be seen, but given the solid ride Manglobe has offered thus far, I have all confidence in them to deliver a satisfying closure to the cast. There certainly is enough material left to cover, and we already have some hints what to expect, namely Pannya's impending release. Damn ... sounds like another bittersweet event.


As for some people feeling shocked about the romance developments in this episode ... there really is no excuse to. Shingo's affection for Miu has been built up consistently through the show, with his reactions towards her continuously standing out among the others, with increasing intensity. And the show hasn't been all that subtle about this, especially within the later episodes.

I certainly see how in terms of choosing the main heroine (as far as romance is concerned) it deviates from the usual mold, but that's as far as surprising goes here. The show has hardly been confusing with its romance elements, and the hints were scattered all along the yellow brick road. The road also happened to have a fence to prevent straying off.

Suffice to say, I readily agree with relentless here - this outcome wasn't hard to see coming, if one was allowing himself to watch the show as it is, as opposed through a lens of industry tropes and favorites. See the show for what it was showing itself to be, rather than making an early assumption of what it was going to be. The experience has certainly been quite satisfying and refreshing, both in terms of story direction and consistency.

Suurrreeee ... just rub it in why doncha!

I will agree with you that the "...experience has certainly been quite satisfying and refreshing, both in terms of story direction and consistency" though.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Flower

After thinking about it for a while, though, I am actually kinda pleased that Manglobe took the series in the direction it seems to be heading. After watching a fair number of VN adaptations, as others have pointed out, the similarity of presentation sorta gets one used to expecting certain things. This series has some similar external "devices", but took a quiet turn in an unexpected direction ... but I bet if I look back at things from the way things have developed now I may be able to see the series in a new light.

Temba, his arms wide...

[relentlessflame]

Spoiler for Episode 10:

First, let me just make one point that hasn't necessarily been explicitly stated in the above posts. Shingo confessed and Miu said yes. Just in case there's any lingering doubt among those who are (unwisely? ) reading the spoilers before watching the episode themselves.

The basic theme of this episode, I would say, is "impending farewells". This is actually a theme that was introduced most strongly at the end of Episode 7 when Shingo makes the comment that the club would be lonely once all the animals are returned to their homes. It also continues to develop what they've shown a few times now -- how Miu tries to put on a brave face every time she says goodbye to the animals, but it's not that she doesn't feel sad. Remember also the trauma brought up by her mom in the last episode. It's when Miu brings up the impending farewell to Pannya that Shingo's sympathy for Miu overflows, because he knows just how close they are to each other. No matter how much of a brave face she puts on, she's shouldering all the burden alone, and that's something that Shingo can't accept. His confession to Miu is a pledge to be by her side, and support her particularly through this last, and greatest farewell.

I think this theme is also important because, of course, we're nearing the end of the show, and we too are going to have to say goodbye to this cast.

In this episode, we also say farewell to Sana, in a sense. We've seen the signs for a while now, but Sana has been putting on a brave face and deceiving herself. Despite Airi confronting her a few times, Airi couldn't save Sana from the path she had chosen. Seeing Sana finally face the reality of Shingo's feelings for Miu was, without a doubt, painful. No matter how much I knew this was coming, tears were welling up in my eyes, and the scene was really well done. And now, with this "farewell" no long impending, Sana will have to look forward and decide what future awaits.

An interesting contrast: In the lunchroom scene, it's interesting that everyone can detect the heavy atmosphere except Shingo. Hayata was fully expecting Shingo to have noticed and do something about it, but Shingo has basically become completely tone-deaf to Sana. His interactions with her almost have a tone of exasperation now (particularly on the way back from cleaning the cages). And in the later scene with Miu, he completely misattributes Sana's behaviour; Miu kind of forcefully agrees, but I think she suspects that there's more to it than that. I think it's a combination of infatuation making him blind, and Sana's seemingly-irrational behaviour having crossed a point of no return in his mind, like "no matter what I do I'll never win, so why bother trying". Even this time he gives her his handkerchief, but expects her to just give it back -- what she had seen as such a big gesture of kindness towards her (see her memories montage) is not really about her at all. She attributed deeper meanings to Shingo's actions, but lacked the insight Airi's observations and her bath scene gave her -- that this is just the sort of guy he is. So their hearts grew further apart; I'd almost say that Sana fell in love more with the person she imagined Shingo to be than who he really was.

Sakuno's insight was also interesting. As with so many times before, she shows that she's more perceptive than she lets on. I'm not sure if she read the mood and wanted to give Shingo alone time with Miu, or if she just had a feeling that Sana's return with "Shingo" wasn't something she should stick around for... but she definitely made the right call. You might recall in Episode 7 when Airi dragged Sakuno out of the clubroom, she was surprised because she hadn't sensed anything, whereas here she knew instinctively what to do. "Mood-reading" seems to, generally, run in the family.

And to come back around to Miu... I think this episode is basically to say that Miu has learned to depend on Shingo. She understood that helping her is what he wants to do, and she didn't hesitate to ask for his help whenever she needed it. Interesting that when Ange was wondering what it'd say about her as a maid if she asks for Shingo's help, Miu immediately covers saying that she'll ask him. They juxtaposed this right next to the "'Miu' is searching for 'Shingo'" scene, and this puts everything into context -- they need each other, and are able to depend on each other now. And that's what it means for them to now become a couple.

I think the scene with Airi's mother was rather important not for what she was saying but for what they were careful to show on the desk and on her laptop screen. In addition to this bit with Miu and Pannya, the issue of the school merger is still up in the air. So it seems like we have two things to resolve before we too say farewell.

Edit: Also just want to say that the two musical pieces right before the ending of this episode are so beautiful. I've always liked the soundtrack for this show, but they totally hit it out of the park with these ones. Can't wait for the OST to be released.

[Flower]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Temba, his arms wide...

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Spoiler for Episode 10:

First, let me just make one point that hasn't necessarily been explicitly stated in the above posts. Shingo confessed and Miu said yes. Just in case there's any lingering doubt among those who are (unwisely? ) reading the spoilers before watching the episode themselves.

The basic theme of this episode, I would say, is "impending farewells". This is actually a theme that was introduced most strongly at the end of Episode 7 when Shingo makes the comment that the club would be lonely once all the animals are returned to their homes. It also continues to develop what they've shown a few times now -- how Miu tries to put on a brave face every time she says goodbye to the animals, but it's not that she doesn't feel sad. Remember also the trauma brought up by her mom in the last episode. It's when Miu brings up the impending farewell to Pannya that Shingo's sympathy for Miu overflows, because he knows just how close they are to each other. No matter how much of a brave face she puts on, she's shouldering all the burden alone, and that's something that Shingo can't accept. His confession to Miu is a pledge to be by her side, and support her particularly through this last, and greatest farewell.

I think this theme is also important because, of course, we're nearing the end of the show, and we too are going to have to say goodbye to this cast.

In this episode, we also say farewell to Sana, in a sense. We've seen the signs for a while now, but Sana has been putting on a brave face and deceiving herself. Despite Airi confronting her a few times, Airi couldn't save Sana from the path she had chosen. Seeing Sana finally face the reality of Shingo's feelings for Miu was, without a doubt, painful. No matter how much I knew this was coming, tears were welling up in my eyes, and the scene was really well done. And now, with this "farewell" no long impending, Sana will have to look forward and decide what future awaits.

An interesting contrast: In the lunchroom scene, it's interesting that everyone can detect the heavy atmosphere except Shingo. Hayata was fully expecting Shingo to have noticed and do something about it, but Shingo has basically become completely tone-deaf to Sana. His interactions with her almost have a tone of exasperation now (particularly on the way back from cleaning the cages). And in the later scene with Miu, he completely misattributes Sana's behaviour; Miu kind of forcefully agrees, but she knows that there's more to it than that. I think it's a combination of infatuation making him blind, and Sana's seemingly-irrational behaviour having crossed a point of no return in his mind, like "no matter what I do I'll never win, so why bother trying". Even this time he gives her his handkerchief, but expects her to just give it back -- what she had seen as such a big gesture of kindness towards her (see her memories montage) is not really about her at all. She attributed deeper meanings to Shingo's actions, but lacked the insight Airi's observations and her bath scene gave her -- that this is just the sort of guy he is. So their hearts grew further apart; I'd almost say that Sana fell in love more with the person she imagined Shingo to be than who he really was.

Sakuno's insight was also interesting. As with so many times before, she shows that she's more perceptive than she lets on. I'm not sure if she read the mood and wanted to give Shingo alone time with Miu, or if she just had a feeling that Sana's return with "Shingo" wasn't something she should stick around for... but she definitely made the right call. You might recall in Episode 7 when Airi dragged Sakuno out of the clubroom, she was surprised because she hadn't sensed anything, whereas here she knew instinctively what to do. "Mood-reading" seems to, generally, run in the family.

And to come back around to Miu... I think this episode is basically to say that Miu has learned to depend on Shingo. She understood that helping her is what he wants to do, and she didn't hesitate to ask for his help whenever she needed it. Interesting that when Ange was wondering what it'd say about her as a maid if she asks for Shingo's help, Miu immediately covers saying that she'll ask him. They juxtaposed this right next to the "'Miu' is searching for 'Shingo'" scene, and this puts everything into context -- they need each other, and are able to depend on each other now. And that's what it means for them to now become a couple.

I think the scene with Airi's mother was rather important not for what she was saying but for what they were careful to show on the desk and on her laptop screen. In addition to this bit with Miu and Pannya, the issue of the school merger is still up in the air. So it seems like we have two things to resolve before we too say farewell.

Hmm ... good summary and careful thinking here. Many thanks.

Now to wait to watch the episode itself....

[Vena]

Spoiler for I'm going to miss it...:

I'm going to miss the analysis talks that we had in here over the first 3/4 of the season. I can't imagine much is left for us to analyze at this point as the main driving force of the story/discussion has been settled. I can only hope the next season will offer us another good show to discuss in such detail.

I guess I'll just work on my final impressions in the down time and then add to/change it as necessary with the final couple of episodes. I think a 7/10 is a safe bet for the show at this point unless they manage to troll us in the last couple of episodes.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Vena

Spoiler for I'm going to miss it...:

I'm going to miss the analysis talks that we had in here over the first 3/4 of the season. I can't imagine much is left for us to analyze at this point as the main driving force of the story/discussion has been settled. I can only hope the next season will offer us another good show to discuss in such detail.

I guess I'll just work on my final impressions in the down time and then add to/change it as necessary with the final couple of episodes. I think a 7/10 is a safe bet for the show at this point unless they manage to troll us in the last couple of episodes.

Spoiler for Episode 10 and anime overall:

I guess this is why so many people expect these sorts of anime adaptations to not tell us who the chosen heroine is until the very last episode, as if that's the only and main point of the show. I sort of think it's a bit lame that you're already writing off the conclusion/resolution, and deciding what the show means on a whole without actually seeing how they bring it together. I suppose that some of what's to come is denouement, but the overall message and theme of the show are going to be perfected and refined in what's left to be said. The confession is not meant to be the ending point, but the start of a new relationship.

Of course I can't tell you how to watch or judge anime, but that doesn't change the fact that I think this way of looking at things is pretty near-sighted, whether coming from you or anyone else. Everything that happens is important, including what happens from now on. Of course, that's just my opinion.

[elior]

it very rare to see the main male confessed to a side heroine in harem anime there is not much animes it happend