(L) Aoi Hana (TV)

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by rg4619

Maybe not in terms of practice. However, there's no denying that same-sex crushes (definitely over represented in many stories) imply homosexual inclinations.

Of course, and I'm not denying that. I'm just saying there is a difference between being a woman who is attracted to women in general and being one who generally likes guys but might fall for one girl in particular. The latter is generally a cliche of yuri, but Fumi is different, and that's why she stands out so much.

[Thoguht]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

Casual observation though... why is it that when the show is about lesbian romance... it just so happens that nearly all main women in the show are also lesbians?

Isn't that just another version of the Anthropic Principle?

[fleng]

So Fumi had a batwing munching session with her cousin?

I like watching this show, it has nice scenery and splendid characters and animation... but of course I go huh every so often, because I a male and don't really understand what this show is really about.

I just like the calm serene peacefulness of it.. I don't mind the Lesbianism... I'm just curious. lol.

So what is this show about? besides that Lesbian Tall girl that always weeps..?

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by fleng

So what is this show about?

A story that follows Fumi and Akira's life in high-school, which as you can see already will involve the relationships with the people around them. I thought that was pretty obvious after the first two episodes. Even after the first episode.

& just because you are male means you don't understand the story? That statement makes no sense at all.

[fleng]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

A story that follows Fumi and Akira's life in high-school, which as you can see already will involve the relationships with the people around them. I thought that was pretty obvious after the first two episodes. Even after the first episode.

& just because you are male means you don't understand the story? That statement makes no sense at all.

First off, I had no idea it was a Lesbian show.

Second, I thought it was a slice of life until episode 2 showing Fumi naked and getting touched by her cousin or something.

Third, I can't comprehend the female bonding that could and could not be lesbianism (just really good friend?) and why that Fumi keeps on crying and that to me is of course "Not to my understanding".

I'm sure a bunch of guys don't really understand what is going on in the female world since we think and act differently and go ahead ask guys what is Lesbianism about other than 2 girls getting it on naked for us to jerk on (lol) I bet most guys don't understand the mental and emotional things regarding Lesbianism other than the erotic nature of it.

Why I watch this show? Because of the art/animation since I am an artist as well.

I'm sorry if that don't make sense to you, perhaps now it will.

I will continue watching this show since it will educate as to what really is Lesbianism about.

P.S the only Yuri I have read was Maka-Maka.. again Damn good artist.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by fleng

First off, I had no idea it was a Lesbian show.

Second, I thought it was a slice of life until episode 2 showing Fumi naked and getting touched by her cousin or something.

You never thought of using google to find the summary for the show?

Originally Posted by fleng

Third, I can't comprehend the female bonding that could and could not be lesbianism (just really good friend?) and why that Fumi keeps on crying and that to me is of course "Not to my understanding".

I'm sure a bunch of guys don't really understand what is going on in the female world since we think and act differently and go ahead ask guys what is Lesbianism about other than 2 girls getting it on naked for us to jerk on (lol) I bet most guys don't understand the mental and emotional things regarding Lesbianism other than the erotic nature of it.

I understand now that you've explained it, though at the end of the day they are just feelings, and even they are from a female, both sexes share them and experience them. So i don't see how it's that to understand why Fumi keeps crying.

[Sinestra]

Interesting episode as the story is giving a little more information bit by bit. I must say i am fairly impressed by the writing but I was sure i would be in the first place. The interesting take on this Yuri is that Fumi has feelings for her cousin. We have seen plenty of animes where feelings between cousins was the norm however this time it involves a female. I was not sure in the first episode if something sexual actually happened but in episode 2 it was clear that they had a moment of intimacy it could have been several times since apparently they spent lots of time together. Obviously this is a love that could not bare fruit since Fumi's cousin married a man which is the norm. However, i wonder what Fumi's feelings are on this? i hope we get some clarification on her feelings. Eventually, I am sure Fumi will tell Akira the circumstances behind her crying over her cousin.

Akira's personality is that of a big sister she seems the more mature out of the two while looking younger and having a somewhat playful disposition, as opposed to Fumi's reserved and mature look but childlike crybaby personality she also seems evasive and indecisive. She also seems to be quite popular with her peers. I was not surprised to seem another instance of a crush between girls since around this age and at all girl schools in animes this is common, of course Fumi ends up witnessing an event between 2 other girls. I am very curious to see how the relationship between the two will blossom.

Over all the writing and story its self is quite appealing and not because its a Yuri. But i feel there are many life lessons that will be told through out the series. I am also very found of the bgm so far. Aoi Hana could possibly end being one of my favorite this season as lately i feel there has a been a shortage of decent writing in anime only to be favored by expensive animation which Aoi Hana actually have decent and sometimes gorgeous animation without sacrificing writing and character development aspect.

[fleng]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

You never thought of using google to find the summary for the show?


I understand now that you've explained it, though at the end of the day they are just feelings, and even they are from a female, both sexes share them and experience them. So i don't see how it's that to understand why Fumi keeps crying.

I just did Google after watching Episode 2. Episode 1 to me was somewhat a slice of life show.. until episode 2.

I understand the part why she cries... what i do not understand is why she keeps crying easily every scene. Probably she got tear ducts problem. It's just annoying sometimes.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by fleng

I just did Google after watching Episode 2. Episode 1 to me was somewhat a slice of life show.. until episode 2.

I understand the part why she cries... what i do not understand is why she keeps crying easily every scene. Probably she got tear ducts problem. It's just annoying sometimes.

Did you consider that shes an emotional and a very sensitive person by nature? Some people cry more easily than others because their emotional response to events are stronger she she obviously harbors a lot of inner feelings that she does not talk about much so they manifest themselves in her crying. Even if we chose not to deal with our problems the body will find a way to relieve that stress. Some people its angry outburst for no reason for some its making a lot of jokes or talking a lot for others its crying.

[fleng]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

Did you consider that shes an emotional and a very sensitive person by nature? Some people cry easily than others because there emotional response to events are stronger she she obviously harbors a lot of inner feelings that she does not talk about much so they manifest themselves in her crying. Even if we chose not to deal with our problems the body will find a way to relieve that stress. Some people its angry outburst for no reason for some its making a lot of jokes or talking a lot for others its crying.

Honestly I am insensitive and seldom gets the real jizz of the reason why so and so is so upset, but what you reasoned out really made me understand why she keeps on weeping and such. Thanks for helping me understand!

[Sorrow-K]

Ep 2

This is fascinating. There's such an emphasis on feelings and bonds. Everything's so personal and intimate and presented with an appropriate subdued-ness and laid-back-ness. This is really setting itself up so well: there's a real tenderness to the way they've explored Fumi's emotionally vulnerable character and Akira is full of life. I'm really excited about where this is going. The set up is perfect for some really touching character and relationship development.

Originally Posted by Matrim

The second episode was terrific as well. So far I am loving everything except Horie Yui voicing Kyouko, her voice just doesn't fit Kyouko's personality, IMO. Judging by the manga, of course, because so far we haven't seen that much of her in the anime.

Personally, I think almost none of the seiyuu match their respective characters. The seiyuu work is about my only criticism of this show at this point, and it's not for lack of effort. I just don't think most of the roles have been appropriately cast.

[Falkor]

I'm glad Kasai Kenichi is directing this show; he seems to know how to convey drama in a way that is both subtle and poignant, without falling in the trap of being too blunt or direct.

I was a bit surprised to discover that our heroine had such a soft voice, or even more surprised when I discovered that she had unrequited feelings for her cousin (and you cannot have yuri without an unrequited love :P). she does seem to be a very shy and insecure girl, and her voice just reinforces these two traits. I also found her internal monologues to be a very nice way to explore her character and feelings---using again that very subdue approach. and Fumi is just such an interesting and lovable character, someone you can't help but care for---and sympathize with. (props to the director for her great characterization)

oh and I really loved the opening. I think it did a great job capturing what I like about yuri: the feelings of tenderness that two females share. The dance was a nice way to present this, by avoiding any lead-and-follow roles; and allowing instead, the centrifugal force to be shared between the two while they danced to their hearts content (not sure if I'm making any sense :P). and the last part, oh the last part... the yuri-fan in me was so so happy and delighted, though not precisely because of the slightly erotic nature that was focus of the scene, but because of those feelings of tenderness that were again present. their hands were making a little contact, creating a very peaceful atmosphere; it was as though they wanted to emphasize the deep and tender bond that was connecting the two of them, especially with the subtle movement that came towards the end---really loved this part here...

[Shiroth]

Spoiler for Episode 03:

Another great adaptation. I'm gonna end up saying that every week at this rate.

Truly love how they handled the date scenes in this episode, and the kiss scene at the end in the library. Just like in the manga, you don't actually see the kiss at this point. You just follow Fumi's dialogue while it happens. There's much more impact that way, especially followed by the beautiful piano piece. Really welldone.

So glad that Hamada Kenji is voicing Nagami-sensei. Such a perfect fit.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Ep3: I could just say I agree with everything Shiroth wrote. Hamada Kenji ftw (George in Paradise Kiss, Takumi in Honey & Clover, Kuze in ef melodies).

And the way they draw and portray Fumi in her room is just outstanding. So many beautiful moments, delicately but strongly portrayed. The contrast between her looks with glasses, and the way they draw her when she takes them off is just perfect: we see her unprotected, so to speak. I even enjoyed the little bit of 3DCG train against a wash background.

I never expected Fumi to have this little high voice, but the more I hear it, the more perfect it sounds: it reconciles her height and looks with her insecurity. Takabe Ai is giving us actual acting, in my opinion.

This and Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 are the cream of this season's crop, so far, for me. (I like Canaan, Kanamemo, Bakemonogatari, and Princess Lover, too, in their different ways.)

[Shiroth]

@Kaoru Chujo - Do you happen to have any pictures of Takabe Ai?

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

@Kaoru Chujo - Do you happen to have any pictures of Takabe Ai?

Yes. There's one in my blog post about this show. That is one taken for this show. But if you search Google Images on her name in English (Ai Takabe) or Japanese (高部あい), you can find many shots of her from her swimsuit idol work.

There are also a couple of episodes around of Guren Onna, an entertaining late-night supernatural comedy dorama she starred in. There are links to her home page and blog on her Anime News Network page.

[vuori]

Episode 3 was quite excellent. The show is still keeping to the manga near exactly. If anyone cares, episode 2 was chapters 2 and first half of 3, episode 3 was the rest of chapter 3 and chapter 4.

Spoiler for minor differences between anime and manga and episode 3 in general:

In episode 2, Fumi gets home before her parents and quickly goes to bed when they arrive. In the manga, they are already home and she gets yelled at.

In ep3, a few locations are different (Sugimoto talking about Fumi's name; Akira crying about her big brother).

Some dialogues are expanded in episode 3, though not in a consequential manner. Fumi and Sugimoto have a few more lines at the literature club which explain how they end up at the library. The anime makes Akira's big brother look even more like a siscon than the manga does; he is rather more insistent in the anime's dialogue about tagging along to the goukon.

Generally for ep3, Fumi and Sugimoto's scenes were very nice; Sugimoto saying Fumi's name while they sit on the stairs, Fumi falling on her bed afterwards, and the end of the episode where they are in the library.

Regarding CR, I'd love to pay them for this show if they were willing to take my money.

[ThoHell]

Dang, does Fumi just fall for people who first with her? Or is it people just fall for others so easily without really knowing them. This series makes it out like EVERY girl is up and open to being a lesbian. Dang straight up asking her out without even knowing..... or knowing for sure that is. The end made me a little bit sad for Ai-chan, since I'm kind of rocking the FumiXAi-chan boat.

[BBOvenGuy]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

Yes. There's one in my blog post about this show. That is one taken for this show. But if you search Google Images on her name in English (Ai Takabe) or Japanese (高部あい), you can find many shots of her from her swimsuit idol work.

There are also a couple of episodes around of Guren Onna, an entertaining late-night supernatural comedy dorama she starred in. There are links to her home page and blog on her Anime News Network page.

She was also in the drama adaptation of Cat Street that was done last year (as the villain of the piece, actually), so you can find stuff about her if you look that show up, too. All six episodes are available in fansubs, if you know where to look.

[Deathkillz]

ep 2 ~ geez I am slowpoke

Spoiler:

Good episode that developed more on the feelings of Fumi again. So it seems like the seeds of her feelings was due to her cousin for implanting them so naturally Fumi felt betrayed when she went off herself and got a husband. It seems like Fumi's innocent nature can't handle the fact that the person who she loves doesn't feel about her the same way and thus got quite a big hurting. Thankfully A-chan is here to help her close that wound bit by bit even though she doesn't know why Fumi is crying.

The rest of the episode introduced some new girls which were also interesting to watch. More love and emotional pain incoming it seems.