(L) Last Exile -Fam, The Silver Wing-

[Weils]

Is it required to watch through the first Last Exile in order to understand the story for Fam of the Silver Wing?

I'm going through a last minute marathon of Last Exile now, currently at episode 8.

[Jeffry2009]

Originally Posted by azarhal

Alvis was posted on the official website. She have a new VA: Hanazawa Kana. Her ears are a lot more elf like than a remember.

Great, they changed the voice actress for this girl.

[azarhal]

Originally Posted by Weils

Is it required to watch through the first Last Exile in order to understand the story for Fam of the Silver Wing?

I'm going through a last minute marathon of Last Exile now, currently at episode 8.

Hard to say without watching it. I suspect that there is going to be enough exposition in the second show to bring newcomers up to speed on a few things, but I also expect less exposition on old characters, which might make a few things confusing. It was a character interaction heavy show and some of the relationship are complex.

[wandering-dreamer]

Who did HanaKana voice in the original, Duke Mad-Thane's daughter? And it looks like Al stole one of the guild's old outfits and remade it, she does look pretty cute though.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by Weils

Is it required to watch through the first Last Exile in order to understand the story for Fam of the Silver Wing?....

Absolutely not, as far as I can tell. Knowing the earlier story might add something, but this is another world and another time and almost entirely new characters.

I certainly enjoyed ep1, but I look forward to seeing it with subs and in higher definition (I saw it on a Japanese streaming site). A real story, moved into quickly, but with the characters fairly well introduced, it seemed to me. Toyosaki Aki, Yuuki Aoi, Sawashiro Miyuki, Saitou Chiwa -- all present and doing their thing. As Ao-chan has said, it gives the feeling of an anime film.

Here's my characters/seiyuus page to give you a bit of context for the characters, and pics of the seiyuus with their characters.

I expect some people will be offended by the fanservice that appears early on. It is a clear declaration that this is not the 2003 Last Exile.

In the original, Hanazawa Kana played "Holy Madosein." She would have been 14 at the time (she is now 22).

[wandering-dreamer]

And it appears that the US simulcast won't start until Monday the 17th at 11 am actually, I think because of the new joint deal it'll be shown on NicoNico instead of Funi's website. Boooo, I was really looking forward to watching it today too.

[creb]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

Absolutely not, as far as I can tell. Knowing the earlier story might add something, but this is another world and another time and almost entirely new characters.

But, why would one deprive themselves of watching one of the best anime of the last decade?

Anyways, I broke down and watched it unsubbed. I'll hold off on my thoughts on the story etc till subs are out. However, I have to say...damn. Gonzo hasn't lost its touch. It looked fantastic. From what I saw and what was shown in the OP, most of the trepidition that this would simply be K-ON on vaanships this time around are completely gone, though I doubt it'll be as great as the first series, considering how I consider the first series near perfect, that's nothing to be ashamed of.

Some of the voices will take getting used to. I love Miyuki Sawashiro's voice, but it's not usually paired with the type of character she's playing here, so it was initially a little jarring, but by the end of the episode I was groovy with it. Dio's voice is the same VA, but maybe it's been so long since I watched the first series that my memory has changed how I remember his voice sounding. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Already loving Fam, even if she's a very different character from Claus.

The OP song didn't do much for me (but great visuals), while the ED song was great, but not as impressive on the visuals side.

All in all, fantastic first episode.

[E_I]

Nice undies Fam.
Wow, Dio's voice is really girly. I never heard his Japanese VA since I watched the first season dubbed.

[DangerMouse]

Originally Posted by creb

But, why would one deprive themselves of watching one of the best anime of the last decade?

Anyways, I broke down and watched it unsubbed. I'll hold off on my thoughts on the story etc till subs are out. However, I have to say...damn. Gonzo hasn't lost its touch. It looked fantastic. From what I saw and what was shown in the OP, most of the trepidition that this would simply be K-ON on vaanships this time around are completely gone, though I doubt it'll be as great as the first series, considering how I consider the first series near perfect, that's nothing to be ashamed of.

Some of the voices will take getting used to. I love Miyuki Sawashiro's voice, but it's not usually paired with the type of character she's playing here, so it was initially a little jarring, but by the end of the episode I was groovy with it. Dio's voice is the same VA, but maybe it's been so long since I watched the first series that my memory has changed how I remember his voice sounding. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Already loving Fam, even if she's a very different character from Claus.

The OP song didn't do much for me (but great visuals), while the ED song was great, but not as impressive on the visuals side.

All in all, fantastic first episode.

Awesome cannot wait, I felt the same way about the first Last Exile (perfect, and basically my favorite series of my many years of watching anime) so reading that was fantastic

Alvis looks great and as cute as ever on that character page.

With Alvis now confirmed, it definitely feels like it's just a matter of when until Claus and Lavie join her (and probably some of the other key familiars like Sophia and maybe the old crew) and break into the story in some memorable fashion.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Tokkan

Oh cool Alvis... now where are Claus and Lavie?

This. I'm hoping Gonzo pulls a Kuroshitsuji 2 on us here.

[azarhal]

I like the op visual and song. I could do without the nakedness, though. Also, we get to see most of the characters shown on the official website in it. The Ades generals appear really fast, we can barely see them -me sad-. The only unknowns are the "space pilots" for lack of a name for them (they really seem to be wearing space suit without helmets).

Also, OK is now proper Greek, so is the exclamation mark.

I already like the Sky Pirates, they are crafty. I like The Turan's princess too. I really liked the animation and the battles. I need the subs for the rest.

Oh and Sophia is going to regret telling Dio he can do everything he wants...

[DangerMouse]

Originally Posted by azarhal

I like the op visual and song. I could do without the nakedness, though. Also, we get to see most of the characters shown on the official website in it. The Ades generals appear really fast, we can barely see them -me sad-. The only unknowns are the "space pilots" for lack of a name for them (they really seem to be wearing space suit without helmets).

Also, OK is now proper Greek, so is the exclamation mark.

I already like the Sky Pirates, they are crafty. I like The Turan's princess too. I really liked the animation and the battles. I need the subs for the rest.

Oh and Sophia is going to regret telling Dio he can do everything he wants...

Awesome, the sky pirates sounded really good and well done as a group in all the general impression discussions of the Anime Expo premiere.

LOL at the Dio thing.

[frubam]

should I pull out the LE dvds and speed-watch the series over again? I remember the first 2/3rds of the story very well, watching it several times and remembering the details very well compared to the last 1/3, which I've only watched once due to its pacing and further lack of characterization(going by what I remember of it at least).

[Kaoru Chujo]

@ Guardian Enzo -- Lavie may or may not show up, but Lavie's seiyuu (Saitou Chiwa) has already appeared -- as Teddy, the princesses' klutzy servant. No hint yet of Claus (Ayano Masumi). Chiwa's voice and range have changed a lot in eight years.

[imbehindyou]

Oh Dio, you were so Dio...

I'm kinda late with this, but just looked at the character pages in detail... so the Empress of Ades Fed is a small, young girl.... (very cute, though!)

[DangerMouse]

Ok had to watch, having seen the posts and the RAW out I knew I wouldn't be able to resist for long especially those stunning visuals and the BGM from helplessly the skimming the ep, lol.

Can't comment on specifics without the subs but the expressive characters and superb animation made it even easier to follow what was going on with the characters, can't wait for the subs as I really enjoyed the general gist of everything happening and the seemingly very quickly accessible characters since I already like Fam, Giselle, and the Sky Pirates and started to like the two princesses, and no one was kidding, the return of Last Exile is gorgeous visually, the "touch" is still there, the beautiful character animation, the ship CG, those battles, the art, sweet Gonzo. The pacing felt spot on too.

Like Kaoru Chujo said, I wouldn't be surprised if the two short instances of fanservice (the opening bit and the bit of nudity in the beginning of the OP) towards the beginning which then pretty much disappear gets a few eyerolls since the bit of unnecessary fanservice is something the first series generally avoided. Still, even with the light fanservice I found the opening moment quite amusing and very effortlessly introduced Fam and her personality and her comradery with her navigator and the sky pirate crew and how she was tied off for her seemingly regular sleep walks lol with surprisingly little dialogue needed.

More importantly though, the rest of the episode and OP, like creb said, quickly establishes that there's nothing to be afraid of in that like the first series this thing would definitely get large scale and serious which develops surprisingly quickly. I loved the smooth progression from starting with their sky pirate routine as a great introduction and then setting things up with Adess and Turan and just enough down time for Fam and Giselle and then the build up towards the second half where Fam and the sky pirates and Dio do their thing.

It's unnecessary to have seen the first series for the first ep, however I will say that those who have seen the first will be able to fully appreciate Dio's personality right off the bat having fully experienced it before while new fans are just getting to know him, he was just so Dio, lol

Oh man, while he didn't get to do the OP, even if it's not him since I didn't check the end of credits, that certainly sounds a Shuntaro-inspiried piece that plays in the sky pirate mission right after the OP, I loved that sequence and that piece of music, and the BGM sooooo good and inspiredly used, Hitomi Kuroishi off to a great start, can't wait to hear what else she has in store.

Originally Posted by frubam

should I pull out the LE dvds and speed-watch the series over again? I remember the first 2/3rds of the story very well, watching it several times and remembering the details very well compared to the last 1/3, which I've only watched once due to its pacing and further lack of characterization(going by what I remember of it at least).

Frubam, so far it's not necessary to know anything about the first series so you're ready to watch as soon as the ep goes up, but eventually you may as well refresh yourself of whatever you don't remember.

Since you said you remember the first two thirds you'll even get a little extra spark out of it in a couple of ways as a returning viewer, such as the natural feel of the world, recognizing the old characters in the OP and being able to fully appreciate Dio right off the bat before they fully re-introduce him beyond just the early introductions of a first episode. You can easily watch this week's ep and then refresh yourself of what you don't remember during the week.

[creb]

Originally Posted by imbehindyou

Oh Dio, you were so Dio...

I'm kinda late with this, but just looked at the character pages in detail... so the Empress of Ades Fed is a small, young girl.... (very cute, though!)

My guess is she's a puppet in the classic put a child on the throne and pull its strings sort of way. You can see the mother who was also empress on the character page, which would insinuate the mother must have met an early demise/imprisonment/whatever to have cleared the stage for such a young girl to become empress.

Then you have Luskinia (guy with eye-patch) as the President, and that hints at the type of government balanced between royalty and some sort of republic where in the case of some child on the throne, likely greatly swings the pendulum of power to the President.

So, I wouldn't expect that young (but cute) girl to be holding much actual power.

[octoberasian]

I couldn't resist and watched the raw regardless how poor my Japanese understanding is. I was too excited and anxious to wait.

Spoiler:

Aside from the "slight" fanservice, we can really get a good inclination of Fam's personality from the start. I'm definitely looking forward to how the characters progress from this point forward from Fam to her Navi, Giselle, and the rest of the crew she's with. As I mentioned below, the character development of the first LE was very good, and I have high expectations that they will do the same for Fam of the Silver Wing.

It may not be Cloud Age Symphony, but Buddy works and is quite enjoyable to listen to. It's a wonderfully animated opening as well. I had to watch it three times because I could not believe I saw Alvis in it at the very end of the OP sequence. She's back! Like others have said, hopefully other characters from the first LE will make even a small cameo in this series. But, I would be equally surprised if they did.

As DangerMouse pointed out:

More importantly though, the rest of the episode and OP, like creb said, quickly establishes that there's nothing to be afraid of, like the first series this thing would definitely get large scale and serious which develops surprisingly quickly. I loved the smooth progression from starting with their sky pirate routine as a great introduction and then setting things up with Adess and Turan and little down time for Fam and Giselle and then the build up towards the second half where Fam and the sky pirates and Dio do their thing.

The first episode of LE quickly and smoothly progresses from a ship hijacking to the battle of ships between Adess and Turan. They immediately establish the first core characters and the conflict that's going to happen next. Watching the battle that occurs in the second half is impressive especially when the sky pirates begin fooling the Turan ships into firing at each other. Awesome move.

Fam of the Silver Wing is again following the first Last Exile's episode naming by using references to chess terms. "Open file" is a chess term referring to an open column on a chessboard where pawns of neither color are in it. It must be foreshadowing or hinting at what the episode is about. Until subs are out, I'll find out.

As I've said in another post, the animation is impressive. I'm hoping this animation quality remains consistent in the episodes to come. So, I won't say anything more than what I've said before. The character designs are really good and the style is very close to the first LE, albeit softer and smoother.

Music from the first episode sounds about as good so far as the first Last Exile. The ED song sounds very reminiscent of "Over the Sky," the ED song for the first one. There is also an insert song from the very beginning when the ship hijacking operation begins.

Dio. Oh, Dio, you never change. Lol. His eccentric and "off tangent" personality is still the same. But, his piloting skills is still just as good as he was in the first LE. That also includes the Immelman Turn. And, did he just try to do that with the royal ship? XD

As for whether you should watch the first LE or not, it isn't necessary. I would recommend watching it for the characters alone. That's what made the first LE really good was the character development. This is due to the fact you can get a basis of where the returning characters are coming from-- Alvis, Alister, Tatiana, and especially Dio. It helps establish the world of LE also, which I think this is still taking place in Prester. Until it's said otherwise, I'm assuming this is still Prester. (Unless... this is actually Earth.) Watching the first LE, it also explains what the Exile is and what the ship is at the start of the episode. Looks like it has been doing regular trips between Earth and Prester continuously.

Other than that, no, it's not really necessary to watch the first LE. Watch it during the week between episodes if you want to fill any holes or answer some questions. However, it helps to know why Dio is the way he is and how he became who he is.

If there are some other holes you may have questions about, this Wiki really helps:
http://lastexile.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

[creb]

Originally Posted by octoberasian

It helps establish the world of LE also, which I think this is still taking place in Prester. Until it's said otherwise, I'm assuming this is still Prester. (Unless... this is actually Earth.)

Spoiler for Spoiler if you really don't want to know the answer to this question even though it's been stated in half the descriptions of the show and flat out said by the producers in interviews. ;p:

It's been flat out said in interviews and some series descriptions that the setting is Earth aka The blue planet the Exile was going to at the end of the first series. If you have read the artbook, you'll also get a lot of background info pertaining to Earth and Prester

Spoiler for Could be spoilerish depending on how the story goes, but is info based off the artbook for the first series.:

(and even other worlds like Prestor) as well as how the Exile was basically a colony ship that would travel between Earth and all the different Prestors.

[octoberasian]

Originally Posted by creb

Spoiler for Spoiler if you really don't want to know the answer to this question even though it's been stated in half the descriptions of the show and flat out said by the producers in interviews. ;p:

It's been flat out said in interviews and some series descriptions that the setting is Earth aka The blue planet the Exile was going to at the end of the first series. If you have read the artbook, you'll also get a lot of background info pertaining to Earth and Prester

Spoiler for Could be spoilerish depending on how the story goes, but is info based off the artbook for the first series.:

(and even other worlds like Prestor) as well as how the Exile was basically a colony ship that would travel between Earth and all the different Prestors.

Spoiler:

I already know about the Prestors and what Exile is, especially thanks to the Wiki. I know that the Exiles are colony ships, I knew that a long time ago, and that they continuously make returns to and from Prestor(s).

I just did not watch any of the interviews or read about them due to my small knowledge of the Japanese language. So, therefore, I simply did not know it was taking place on Earth at all. It was not mentioned on either the Last Exile wiki I linked above or Wikipedia.

I assumed at the end of the first LE, trips by Exile resumed by carrying people to and from Prestor. That's it.

As for the setting of the second LE, I was in the dark about that since it wasn't mentioned in the places I usually go to for information.

Maybe I should learn more Japanese. Lol.