(L) Akane-Iro ni Somaru Saka

[Reiji Tabibito]

So, after making my usual end-of-season rounds for fully subbed anime series, I came upon AkaSaka. Knowing only the general premise (which I have seen elsewhere), that it was supposed to be a romantic comedy, and that it featured the two Ries (Tanaka and Kugimiya) in the primary cast, I decided to give it a try.

Because, as Reiji's Third Rule of Anime says, a good anime is not found in the premise, a good anime is found in the execution.

Then, I came here, and read through the whole of the thread, to see what others had to say.

And what I found was...well, you're about to find out.

Spoiler for 1st Section: General Thoughts on AkaSaka:

A lot of people here have been touting the series as "nine parts comedy, one part romance," a phrase which is, more or less, accurate. After all, the genre I would use to describe the premise of AkaSaka is a romantic comedy - a laughfest with occasional romantic moments thrown in.

It seems to me, however, that the general perception of romantic comedies has become shifted over the years by all the films I (and probably a few others here as well) grew up with. Being Captain Obvious here, but today's romantic comedy is not the romantic comedy of the 80s, or even the early 90s. Most "romantic comedies," are actually the inversion of the two, or the comedic romance - a love story told through laughable mishaps, gut-busting plans gone wrong, and various Hilarity Ensues moments.

To use recent anime as an example: AkaSaka is a romantic comedy, because the show is played up for laughs, rather than actual romance. Toradora, on the other hand, is a comedic romance, due to the focus on the relationships between the five main characters.

Spoiler for 2nd Section: Thoughts on the Episodic Progression of AkaSaka:

Just in case the title was a little too inscrutable for you, this is basically about: how well did the anime progress?

Personally, I thought it started out really well, especially with showing Junichi and Yuuhi interacting before the fated First Kiss and inevitable Hilarity Ensues. A part which, if I've read this correctly, didn't show up in either the PC or PS2 game. First episode had me hooked, definitely.

Then, the series, became relatively average for episodes two through four. Apart from a few moments, which were: Yuuhi not being a morning girl at the end of episode two; Ren-ren's "lightsaber" fight against the octopus in episode four; and the little Jun/Yuuhi moment at the near-end of the same episode.

Interest spiked again at episode five, where, as I was watching it, I finally settled in and said, "Okay, here's where the plot and character development starts," only to be turned around just as quickly when, after starting episode 6, I was like "WTH? Another comedy episode? Where's my precious character development here?"

Episode seven, like 2-4, and 6, was more or less mediocre, but I found myself laughing at the well-executed mecha parody.

Episode 8 was a rather welcome one, with its focus on Tsukasa rather than Jun, Yuuhi, Minato (or, as I call her 90% of the time, Minanoha), or the dynamics between any of those three. And, frankly, when it was all over, I was surprised to see that aside from the main trio, Tsukasa was the only one to get even some form of character development. And while I'm not old-old, I'm old enough to remember the days where, in anime like this, even secondary characters got at least 1 episode of character development focused on them.

Episode 9 was where, for me at least, things FINALLY started picking up. At last I had what I was looking for: drama and tension, which, while it wasn't directly between Yuuhi and Minato, most definitely involved the both of them. The high point of the episode: Minato's, and later Yuuhi's, reaction to Jun's porn. I could not stop laughing for a full minute after the whole thing was over.

Episode 10: The conflict continues, with the relationship between Yuuhi and Jun finally getting some much needed attention. Best moment in the episode for me was the morning conversation between a sick Yuuhi and Jun, though Yuuhi the Maid is a close second.

It was at this point, however, that I realized that there were exactly two episodes left, and that EVERYTHING was going to get resolved in those two episodes. Now, I'm not saying that that's impossible, but for the series staff to do that, and do that WELL, that would take something EPIC, and it would BE epic.

Episode 11: The high dramatic peak, where everything begins to unravel (so to speak). And technically, while it WAS the highest point of drama in the series, it was rather half-hearted, with Yuuhi sorting out Minato with a well-placed conversation - which, I'm sorry, but if you've got the kind of emotional issues I would imagine Minato to have, it SHOULD take more than that.

Episode 12: Almost this entire episode had me going WTF, until I came to an important realization, which I will relate later in this post. Overall, a rather mediocre ending to a mediocre series - although the situation they set up at the end allows for the possibility of a sequel (unlikely), or some continuation fan fiction (likely, especially if you're me, and have 1000 ideas running around in your head).


In short:

Started out well, dipped to mediocre for 2-4, spiked back into above average for 5, mediocre again for 6 & 7, slightly above average for 8, solid above average for 9-11, and mediocre for 12.


Regarding the OVA:

Personally, I thought it was HILARIOUS, and while it is cliche, I find situations like this suspiciously absent from harem shows today. Plus, much needed fanservice.


Mmmmmm. Fanservice. Tastes like cold beer in autumn.

Spoiler for 3rd Section: Thoughts on Yuuhi:

Frankly, IMO, nearly all of the character development in the series belongs to her. Tsukasa gets 1 episode worth, and Jun & Minato only gets development in the form of "overcoming the sibling barrier," which, if you interpret the parent's remarks at the end one way, heavily implies they're not blood relations.

Personally, I thought Rie Kugimiya did a satisfactory job of voicing her, especially at the beginning. We've all heard the angry Kugimiya Tsundere in at least ONE incarnation (for me, it was the eponymous Shana, Nagi from HnG, and Taiga from Toradora). Hearing her portrayal of Yuuhi, however, was something...different. And I mean the good kind, the "I wanna hear that again!" kind. Until the whole "Shinasu~!!!" came out, I didn't even RECOGNIZE her.

Spoiler for Last Section: Thoughts regarding Yuuhi/Jun/Minato:

Okay, so after it was all over, I sat down and took a nice, long walk to sort out all my thoughts about how the whole series was resolved. And I realized two things.

First Thing: Given that the series was only 12 episodes and 1 OVA long, they probably weren't going to have time to resolve all the potential heroine's issues. Though, if they HAD, I think AkaSaka would be a much more memorable series. So, I can see the point in focusing on only one potential conflict, in this case, the aforementioned love triangle.

Second Thing: As I read through the thread, I noticed a lot of people saying how 'Minato has no development,' 'she's just perfect waifu material for Jun,' and things like that. Initially, I agreed, until I came to the realization that all the development for Minato/Jun had happened offscreen, BEFORE the show EVEN STARTED. Granted, I know that's not much consolation to all of us out there, but it makes things clearer: the development has already happened, all that's needed to start the relationship is a trigger...which, unfortunately, happened to be Yuuhi...though the ending makes it sound like she's not given up either.

Just my thoughts on the whole thing.


And now, a couple of questions, for those of you who've played the games.

Spoiler for Questions:

So, I realize this may be related to the fact that she's a secret character and all, but I really got no characterization off of Mikoto Tachibana whatsoever.

So, the question is, how is Mikoto portrayed in the game? I'm hoping to write a continuation fanfiction somewhere down the line, and something resembling an acutal personality would help.

The other question is, how all the OTHER girls portrayed in the game? Again, same question, same motivation - I want to be able to get inside the girl's heads, in case I ever write that story.

In case you guys don't want to post your answers here, in case of too many spoilers, just PM me.

To anyone who helps, thanks.

And that's pretty much it for now.

[Magin]

Well, since the mods got anal elsewhere and I did have a comment or two here anyways...

with the OVA- I can say, I absolutely loved it... there are very few things out there that can bring me to the brink of a metaphorical nosebleed, and this OVA was one of them. Very funny, very ecchi... and the one comment about hentai...well, to put it simply, I do my fair searching for it. Admittedly, they probably should've just turned this into a hentai OVA, but I've got the CG set for the game and therefore I'm all set

however, this has officially put me on guard for all future harem series, knowing that the producers have officially gone and pulled an ending out of their asses with no regard to development of the relationship...

[incube]

This love triangle between Jun, Minato and Yuhii kinda resembles the one in Da Capo... but much less dramatic / elaborated.... I dont think they should touch this kind of incest relations if they are not going to at least explain it well...

Putting this asiade.. i'll give this series a 6/10 for the good harem / ecchi and ok character personalities... specially Yuhhi =D

[velvet nightmare]

wait what? this series is done?

i had the impression of the ending that there was going to be something more to finish off the story

either that or the ending was so weak i didn't realize it was a harem ending

[Yotsuba]

I love this anime and I usually hate animes based on eroges.

I think it's because Junichi is probably one of the only male leads EVER other than Kyon from Haruhi that doesn't majorly piss me off by being a total pussy.

Also, The fact that Yuuhi and Minato, while being rivals in a sense, really DO love eachother so much. It's like Yuuhi said. "It's true that I love Junichi. But I love YOU just as much!"

The second to last episode was beautiful. Minato crying in her lap, begging for forgiveness, etc. I thought it was a great story and I didn't expect that ending.

[Yotsuba]

Originally Posted by justavisitor

incest is 200% ok to me in anime

and actually, I don't know how I will react in real life either if I see an incest couple

for example, if your neighbor is a very very nice couple...I mean, that "husband and wife" treat everyone very politely, and they are very very kind..and then you know they are an incest couple..you gonna call police or insult them to no end?? After all it's their business

sure all the law and biology course tell us how the incest coupe is wrong, but in reality if they live together very happily, it's really their business I guess...I would rather have a nice incest couple as my neighbor over a mean or trouble-making normal couple as my neighbor XD

I agree. I don't really think there's anything that wrong with sibling incest. I don't think she should be aloud to have children, for genetics reasons. But if they're both of age, and consenting, what's the problem?

[Revan21]

Originally Posted by Yotsuba

I don't really think there's anything that wrong with sibling incest.

Since there's a good chance that they are not blood-related, incest is not even a problem here

Even so, this type of ending which came out of nowhere, with no real build-up at all (the first ten eps were all about Yuhi and Junichi getting to like each other)
simply sucks

[velvet nightmare]

Originally Posted by Yotsuba

I agree. I don't really think there's anything that wrong with sibling incest. I don't think she should be aloud to have children, for genetics reasons. But if they're both of age, and consenting, what's the problem?

because you're really going to have the capacity to stop them from having children right?

[OverMaster]

Originally Posted by velvet nightmare

because you're really going to have the capacity to stop them from having children right?

You always could use the Chiri Kitsu method of contraception.

[Crisis]

The idea of Jun x Minato , even though it is alright as they are not blood related is a bit upsetting. Imagine treating someone as ur sis for your whole life and then suddenly looking at her in a different light.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by ztech

The idea of Jun x Minato , even though it is alright as they are not blood related is a bit upsetting. Imagine treating someone as ur sis for your whole life and then suddenly looking at her in a different light.

Did they ever actually treat each other as siblings, though? It seems to me the show's point was that they were just going through the motions in order to do what seemed right. Probably also matters that they were separated for a long time; if they had actually been raised as siblings and been together the whole time, it might have been a different story. But anyway, the anime didn't really get into too much detail on this point, so it's hard to really analyse it too much.

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Did they ever actually treat each other as siblings, though? It seems to me the show's point was that they were just going through the motions in order to do what seemed right. Probably also matters that they were separated for a long time; if they had actually been raised as siblings and been together the whole time, it might have been a different story. But anyway, the anime didn't really get into too much detail on this point, so it's hard to really analyse it too much.

Well, one has to remember that this anime was born from a ero game. What can you expect?! surely, it won't stick to moral values.
If I remember clearly, Shuffle! had a similar situation with Kaede? That anime too was born from an ero game

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by ztech

Well, one has to remember that this anime was born from a ero game. What can you expect?! surely, it won't stick to moral values.
If I remember clearly, Shuffle! had a similar situation with Kaede? That anime too was born from an ero game

Well, my point wasn't so much about morality, but it's more that I think the point of the show was that he wasn't "suddenly looking at her in a different light". He has been in love with her ever since they were re-united, but he was trying to hide it out of a sense of propriety. (Of course I also feel that this point wasn't expounded as well as it should have been in the anime; it was much more clear in the original game.)

But yeah, of course, it's eroge morality... but at least it's not totally unexplained or anything. (And incidentally, in Shuffle, although they lived together, they never appeared to even tacitly see each others as siblings; in Rin's mind he was always "in her care". There are other shows that deal with similar topics though, of course.)

[m3rryweather]

Making a moral judgment on anything based off an eroge in comparison to real life is doomed to failure. If I had my way, I'd be surrounded by a harem of imoutos crying for their beloved "Oniichan!"

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by m3rryweather

Making a moral judgment on anything based off an eroge in comparison to real life is doomed to failure. If I had my way, I'd be surrounded by a harem of imoutos crying for their beloved "Oniichan!"

ROFL. Made my day....

[DanielSong39]

Upon further review...

I'm starting to get the feeling Yuuhi dumped Junichi. He was clearly starting to warm up to her, and their relationship seemed to be progressing. However, Yuuhi was the one who ended the engagement, forced Minato to confront her own feeling instead of supporting the engaged couple, and accused Junichi of lusting after Minato.

There's no question that Junichi had feelings for Minato. But it seemed like he was starting to let go, and move on with Yuuhi. But Yuuhi forced his hand early, unwilling to be second best.

Whether Yuuhi was justified is open to interpretation. At the end of the day, she just wasn't that into him - not enough to fight for him, and build a relationship that would overshadow the bond between the siblings.

P.S. I think Yuuhi will eventually move on from Junichi and look for a better guy. And her friendship with Minato will soon wane... as she and Karen will form a dynamic duo! I'm sure the two princesses will each find their princes...

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by DanielSong39

I'm starting to get the feeling Yuuhi dumped Junichi. He was clearly starting to warm up to her, and their relationship seemed to be progressing. However, Yuuhi was the one who ended the engagement, forced Minato to confront her own feeling instead of supporting the engaged couple, and accused Junichi of lusting after Minato.

There's no question that Junichi had feelings for Minato. But it seemed like he was starting to let go, and move on with Yuuhi. But Yuuhi forced his hand early, unwilling to be second best.

That's a okay theory, but I think it's more like Yuuhi wanted Junichi to make a choice in full awareness; she wanted to make sure that he was being honest with himself. I don't think the purpose of what she did was to "dump him" exactly; cancelling the engagement was just a way of making the choice entirely his without convenient social pressure to fall back on. So I don't think it's necessarily that she was feeling like she was second best, but she wanted to make sure the other issue was addressed before moving forward. This was probably also done out of a sense of fairness to her friend Minato as well, since the forced engagement (along with the family issue) didn't put the two girls on an "even playing field".

Originally Posted by DanielSong39

Whether Yuuhi was justified is open to interpretation. At the end of the day, she just wasn't that into him - not enough to fight for him, and build a relationship that would overshadow the bond between the siblings.

Yeah, I definitely disagree with this. It's not that she wasn't that into him at all -- on the contrary, she was very much in love with him! But that's why she wanted to make sure that he could return her feelings with all honesty. So she had to be willing to take that leap and let him choose. If he had admitted his hidden feelings for Minato but still chosen Yuuhi in the end, I'm sure Yuuhi would have been more than happy, and wouldn't have considered that playing second fiddle. Yuuhi did the wise thing here and got the skeletons out of the closet first before taking the next step.

All that being said, I hesitate a bit on applying too much motivation to the characters in the anime because I don't feel there's all that much data to draw from. The whole way they structured the anime (as opposed to the original game) was basically designed to force the issue to come to a head in order to emphasize the "love triangle" aspect of the story. They provided just enough information to support this development, but you sort of have to fill in a lot of gaps to fully understand the character motivations. To me, the whole production feels like a sort of "highlight reel" of a much broader/deeper story that could be told, and without that additional (lacking?) detail we just have to assume that the internal logic is all consistent and makes sense. Your approach in interpreting the show seems to cast doubt on the depth of Yuuhi's feelings, but I guess I interpreted the move more as a symbol of her strong feelings (but perhaps I was biased by the game in seeing things that way).

Anyway, it's fun to discuss this franchise again after a while.

[DanielSong39]

When it comes to the ending, I think Karen said it best:

Imouto?!

Yuuhi's reaction was an interesting one. It's not that uncommon for the love interest in the lead to back down to give others a chance, instead of seizing the advantage. In animeverse, backing down too often results in heartbreak, destroying a relationship that had a lot of potential...

Maybe Yuuhi prefers the role of the underdog, having to fight for every last inch. Not everyone feels comfortable in a front-runner role. Could this be the reason why she allowed Junichi and Minato to get together, yet decided to fight doubly hard to win Junichi over?

[Dark Mage]

I disliked the ending of the anime. Why? Because Yuhi was a much better character overall, and all the development belonged to her, both character development and the love development between her and Jun. Also, I really am not comfortable with the concept of sibling-love, blood-related or not. And the other thing that bugged me was, we were never really properly shown how Minato and Jun's love developed, whatever happened, it happened off-screen, even before the manga timeline started. I mean most of the series was pointing to the growing feelings Yuhi and Jun had for each other. Yuhi is a much better character. (I dislike this kind of ending where the final girl and her relationship with the guy isnt properly developed but she still wins against the girl with the more development, Alive-the final evolution also chose a pair like that)

Anyone knows the MANGA ending? Is it the same as the anime's?

[DanielSong39]

Dark Mage, I understand your frustration but the blame lies with Yuuhi. She was the one who dropped Junichi when it looked like she was going to be chosen.

If you're blaming the writers, then that's another story.