(L) Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Are these fights serious and standard, though? I mean, is it all about winning

Yes. She could be the perfect honor student but if she sucks in those fights, she's worthless. Check the preview for next episode, for example. It says Junna will go ballistic after losing to Karen. Meaning these fights are serious business.

As for Hikari being upset. That's probably because if Karen is involved, she's gonna have to fight her. In the PV you can hear Hikari saying she'll win even if it means "fighting you" which obviously refers to Karen. Although I bet she didn't expect Karen to be an invincible OP mary sue. I wasn't expecting that either. I was looking forward to this show but Karen being like that kills all my enjoyment.

[Triple_R]

@Kazu-kun - You know, it's just one episode.

Let's say you're right about how the fights in this show work. Even so, Karen might have just got off to a strong start, and maybe will endure setbacks later on.

I mean, I remember the Star Driver anime, and it's possible this could be like the non-mecha all-girls version of that, in which case you could be right about Karen. But maybe we should wait to see how Karen does when she doesn't have the total element of surprise on her side.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Let's say you're right about how the fights in this show work.

It's in the synopsis of the show. They fight to become the "top star." What top star means in this context, we don't now. But we do know there can only be one so now that Karen got involved, Hikari will have to fight her.

Even so, Karen might have just got off to a strong start, and maybe will endure setbacks later on.

I have almost a six sense for this kind of things at this point. I'm pretty sure if Karen looks like an OP sue is because that's what she is.

But maybe we should wait to see how Karen does when she doesn't have the total element of surprise on her side.

Well, it's not like I'm dropping it now. I'm waiting at least one more fight just to be sure my impression was correct.

[PhoenixRising]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

I don't see AKB0048 in this at all. AKB was the most straight forward show you could find. The idols were literally freedom fighters. Literally. This show, on the other hand, it's highly symbolic. Heck, there's a fucking giraffe giving instructions to the protagonist. It doesn't get more symbolic than that.

What will make or break this show is whether all this symbolism actually means something or is just style with no substance. Right now it looks like the latter to me, to be honest. On top of that the protagonist looks like one of those OP mary sues that can beat everyone easily. That's also not a good sign.

I was referring to the general singing while fighting aspect, but maybe Symphogear would've been a better comparison.

[alex_drian]

It was Utena all along. Nonononono!No-this-shit again. Ok, I will be sincere, I'm not very smarth and until this day still I don't understand Utena or at least I don't think so. Why, who, how? that. If this would be like that I don't know i this is for me.

I knew this would be theatrical but no SO theatrical. I had a vague feel for the Utenian suit but in the end I thought it would be a Takarazuka thing.

Aside of that the characters and the setting like to me and the Opening? is good. And this seems to focus in the cast instead of the MC centric so that's a plus, but I only have a episode to work, so again 3 episode rule and we'll see.

Spoiler:

How many episodes until apears the sexy and black prince and fuck our MC?

mmm I would like to know how the audience react to that in these times.

Originally Posted by Triple_R

And for what it's worth, Karen's seiyu is a total newcomer while Hikari's seiyu is Suzuko Mimori of Love Live and Yuuki Yuuna fame (and an extensive resume in general).

Yeah, I feel this in the performance.

[Nachtwandler]

Looks like the director was biten by Ikuni and got infeested with his style a bit. I do not mind. THis way it looks much better than another generic idol-series.

[drawr]

Very clearly utena inspired, though it doesn't really grab my attention as much since the beginning was a little basic and I'm no fan of idol shows. Since it's being used as a sort of misdirection into something cooler I'll stick around. More interested in the side characters than the mc so far, which will probably not bode well for me.

[Random Wanderer]

Feels like one of many dancing-based series mixed with Mawaru Penguindrum and/or Yuri Kuma Arashi.

[Requiem-x]

I had heard about the talking giraffe. I thought I was ready. I was not.

Having not paid attention to Utena, my first thought was actually Madoka with the insane scenarios and awesome fight scenes. Then my mind processed the rivals factor and made a connection with AKB. That's an interesting combination, to say the least.

I'm not quite sure what to make of that scene: at first I figured it was just embellishment of the mundane, like Monogatari so often does, but that would mean Karen burst into a private audition, knocked the socks out of one of the candidates, and actually passed! Somehow I have more trouble picturing that in a realistic setting than I do the talking giraffe. That would put the "revue" more within the emotional realm than the physical, which would explain why Hikari was beaten so badly, since, as Maya said, her heart isn't into it, meanwhile, we saw how dedicated Juuna was to improve. I'm perfectly fine with that angle, since emotions often run high in this kind of rival stories, so there's plenty of fuel for interesting matches and interpretations, even if you need to rewatch somtimes (some parts went by really fast.

It might not be the most innovative idea, but it certainly helps distingish the series from love live.

Some other stuff
-My god, is this show going to get the shippers going. Most pairings have already been established!
-On a related note, Mahiru. Just...wow. I thought Ena was a third wheel, but this... this is a whole new level. There'll definetively be a lot of emotion in her battle.
-Karen inadvertenly going "no, screw you" to the giraffe, or rather, the way she went about it was shocking and hilarious. Its for things like that this type of chatacter works.
-One of this characters is way too short for her archetype.

[Liddo-kun]

Forgot to say in my other post... the only thing I did not like in this anime is the use of weird scenes like the ones used in Yurikuma Arashi. I hope they don't overuse those.. one reason I did not finish Yurikuma is those scenes became repetitive and annoying.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Requiem-x

-Karen inadvertenly going "no, screw you" to the giraffe, or rather, the way she went about it was shocking and hilarious.

Actually, I think she just played into the giraffe's hands. Her wish for everyone to be on the spotlight together can't be realized by participating in these fights. All the opposite, every time she beats someone, that parson falls from the spotlight.

Regardless of what she wishes for, she's just doing what the giraffe wants which goes against her wish.

[Dop]

Hidive have now updated their subs with the translation for the songs. Hurrah!

[Lukes YGO & WS on YT]

Spoiler for Episode 2 Comments/Feedback:

I think that's a little dangerous riding a motorcycle at that speed in school areas, a little too wild for my liking.

So even Hikari has weird dreams with the Giraffe, at least she was reminded about the promise they made all those years ago.

I was really enjoying watching Maya & Teijo do that routine, they are definitely top star material.

Hoshimi has been pushing herself really hard, fainting from exhaustion like that can happen, she is probably cracking under the pressure of wanting to be the best and doesn't really like people like Karen who aren't a serious as she is.

I hope that Karen's words got through to Hikari, I do want to see them perform together and make that promise come true, they might have judging by that scene with Karen near the end.

I do like these audition scenes, there is a lot of good singing and action involved in them.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Lukes YGO & WS on YT

I hope that Karen's words got through to Hikari, I do want to see them perform together and make that promise come true

Exept Karen doesn't know what she's talking about. She thinks she and Hikari can share the spotlight but they can't. There's only one position zero, only one top star. Eventually they're gonna have to fight each other and only one of them can win the audition. That's why Hikari didn't want Karen to get involved.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Exept Karen doesn't know what she's talking about. She thinks she and Hikari can share the spotlight but they can't. There's only one position zero, only one top star. Eventually they're gonna have to fight each other and only one of them can win the audition. That's why Hikari didn't want Karen to get involved.

This conflict between Karen's dream, and the actual rules of the competition, is probably the main thing that will give the show some edge and uncertainty going forward.

But... let's be honest, Kazu-kun. You know it. I know it. Given the overall tone of the show so far... it wouldn't be surprising if Karen wins the full competition and somehow makes it happen that her and Hikari become a top star duo. Thy might even go all "reformed the system!" about it.

...You can feel it coming, can't you?

I don't consider it 100% definite, buuuut... I kind of expect it, or something really close to it. Still, there is obvious conflict here, and this Director is a student of Ikuhara's IIRC, so there could be a last minute swerve based on this obvious conflict between Karen's dream and the rules of the competition.


Anyway, very fun Episode 2. I might share a more thorough analysis later.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

This conflict between Karen's dream, and the actual rules of the competition, is probably the main thing that will give the show some edge and uncertainty going forward.

But... let's be honest, Kazu-kun. You know it. I know it. Given the overall tone of the show so far... it wouldn't be surprising if Karen wins the full competition and somehow makes it happen that her and Hikari become a top star duo. Thy might even go all "reformed the system!" about it.

They definitely could go that road, but it would cheapen up everything. To begin with, would Hikari be okay with getting something she didn't win on her own? And even if the writers forced things to fit into place, there's still the issue of such a resolution being total cop out.

I would prefer for Karen to realize not everyone can be the top star and Hikari to be fine with whatever she can get with her own ability even if she can't be the top. You know, actual character development and growth. At least that would make the show worth watching. Right now it feels pretty worthless.

[Liddo-kun]

Watched episode 2:

Liking the opening theme.

I feel a little bad for Mahiru now being totally ignored by Karen. I hope Mahiru does not go yandere on them in later episodes.

Hmm, and so it's okay to lose many times at the audition. Anyway, how is it judged on who pass the audition?

[Requiem-x]

Watching episode 2, it seems the fights will be less about an elimination match, in the most literal sense, and more about each girl's internal struggle. While it does take a bit of tension away, it means characters don't need to be a one and done deal, which is very good if you wanted to see more of Claudine. Also, Maya, speaking in english makes you dorky, not cool. Stop it (not really, please continue).

Originally Posted by Liddo-kun

Watched episode 2:

Liking the opening theme.

I feel a little bad for Mahiru now being totally ignored by Karen. I hope Mahiru does not go yandere on them in later episodes.

Hmm, and so it's okay to lose many times at the audition. Anyway, how is it judged on who pass the audition?

I'm afraid I have bad news for you. Apparently the weapons each girl wield have names, the full list got released, and... well...

(Courtesy of 4chan, by the way)
Karen's sword: ポッシビリティ オブ ピュバティ Possibility of Puberty
Hikari's dagger: カリキュラス ブライト Caliculus Bright
Maya's sword: オデット ザ マーベリック Odette the Marvericks
Junna's bow: 翡翠弓 (Hisuiya) Jade Green Bow
Mahiru's mace: ラブ ジャッジメント Love Judgement
Banana's dual katanas: 輪舞 (Rinbu / Rondo) Ootachi (long sword) Meguri & Kodachi (short sword) Mai
Claudine's sword: エセンタル デ フィエルテ Etincelle de Fierté
Futaba's halberd: デタミネーター Determinator
Kaoruko's naginata: 水仙花 (Suisenka) Daffodil / Narcissus

Really looking forward to Mahiru fighting either Hikari or Karen. Or both, the system, whatever it might be, allows it.

[alex_drian]

Originally Posted by Requiem-x

Watching episode 2, it seems the fights will be less about an elimination match, in the most literal sense, and more about each girl's internal struggle. While it does take a bit of tension away, it means characters don't need to be a one and done deal, which is very good if you wanted to see more of Claudine. Also, Maya, speaking in english makes you dorky, not cool. Stop it (not really, please continue).



I'm afraid I have bad news for you. Apparently the weapons each girl wield have names, the full list got released, and... well...

(Courtesy of 4chan, by the way)
Karen's sword: ポッシビリティ オブ ピュバティ Possibility of Puberty
Hikari's dagger: カリキュラス ブライト Caliculus Bright
Maya's sword: オデット ザ マーベリック Odette the Marvericks
Junna's bow: 翡翠弓 (Hisuiya) Jade Green Bow
Mahiru's mace: ラブ ジャッジメント Love Judgement
Banana's dual katanas: 輪舞 (Rinbu / Rondo) Ootachi (long sword) Meguri & Kodachi (short sword) Mai
Claudine's sword: エセンタル デ フィエルテ Etincelle de Fierté
Futaba's halberd: デタミネーター Determinator
Kaoruko's naginata: 水仙花 (Suisenka) Daffodil / Narcissus

Really looking forward to Mahiru fighting either Hikari or Karen. Or both, the system, whatever it might be, allows it.

Oh no, not again. Recently I just visit a discussion about Utena and what I find? I just understand like less of 30% of the overall series. I really thought that I understand the most this time but I was wrong.

[Requiem-x]

Originally Posted by alex_drian

Oh no, not again. Recently I just visit a discussion about Utena and what I find? I just understand like less of 30% of the overall series. I really thought that I understand the most this time but I was wrong.

Mahiru's situation seems straightforward to me: she's a ticking jealousy bomb. This only reinforces it.