ef – a tale of memories – 02
People who can’t appreciate this show just need to go have their bike stolen by a beautiful girl or something.
Summary:
After her encounter with Renji, Chihiro enters the church to find Yuu. She wonders if she shouldn’t get involved with anyone, but he replies by saying that he will not force her if it is something that she has decided. In the morning, Hiro is waken up by a kick from Kei, who reminds him that his main job is to be a student. They argue about this on the way to school, but the fight ends on a good note as they switch the topic to Hiro’s manga. After a short encounter with Kyosuke at school, Hiro makes his way to the roof. He meets Yuuko as he thinks to himself under the changing sky, but he wakes up suddenly to find Miyako.
Hiro finds that Miyako is actually a student from his school, as she expresses her want to see him. Elsewhere, Kyosuke has a bit of trouble with his video work, and Kei reads a message from Chihiro alone in a room. Miyako expresses the romantic feelings of being alone with a guy on xmas, but Hiro only remembers the ridiculous things they did together that night. Miyako mentions that she took a look inside Hiro’s notebook, so he reveals that he is a mangaka. This makes Miyako express how amazing he is, as the fact remains that he is already working.
Renji finds that Chihiro is not yet at the train station when he arrives. Chihiro eventually makes it, however, expressing that she was late because of a book that she was reading. After making Renji promise that he will not tell anyone about it, Chihiro admits that she has actually been writing rather than reading. Renji expresses that has has wanted to become a novelist, but that it is difficult. Chihiro believes that something that he wants to do shouldn’t be, as Renji notices that adults say the same thing. When Renji asks Chihiro what she wants to be, she says that she has dreams of writing stories rather than being a novelist.
Renji expresses that he would rather not go to school the next day, as he walks with Chihiro. He suddenly apologizes, but Chihiro tells him that she enjoys hearing about school. She reveals that she has an older twin sister who attends school, and Renji soon realizes that Chihiro is not younger than he is like he guessed. The two agree to call each other by different titles, before parting in the town. Yuu suddenly appears behind Renji, warning him to be prepared if he wants to be by Chihiro’s side.
Chihiro reads the message from her sister when she returns home, but she worries if she can really be happy. After meeting Renji the next day, the two make their way to a beach. Renji describes that he might have a different feeling than just being friends with Chihiro, as he feels like she could be a younger sister. Chihiro feels the same way, as she finally admits that she has a memory disorder. She explains that her memories only remain for 13 hours, and that she is a different person from the Chihiro that he met the previous day.
ED: “euphoric field” by Tenmon feat. ELISA – Wow. Can you say beautiful? I loved this ED. The engrish put a smirk on my face for a second, but the stylish animation blew me away.
Impression:
Amazing. I was iffy about Shaft working on a bishoujo anime rather than their typical comedy this season, but now I’m sold. There are so many people complaining about the stylist approach they are taking on this show, but I absolutely love it. I don’t see how you can’t be amazed by the visuals. This is one of those animes that I will appreciate as an art form rather than standard entertainment. Maybe people just don’t “get” it, as they are only looking for a bishoujo anime. It seems like the majority of people can’t appreciate Shaft’s work.
I am actually becoming very interested in the story, especially on Chihiro’s side. The title of the series is really coming into play now. I love how the episode titles are presented, in the form of symbolic words. Man, I can’t get the beautiful music out of my head right now. The only thing slightly bothering me is the girls’ voices and personalities. They are so stereotypically bishoujo, and it’s really going to take getting used to. Ha, but it’s not as if that would be enough to keep me from watching this anime. Well, maybe this is just the fanboy talking. I cannot wait to see next week’s episode, and what will be brought to the table.
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You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that I’m not the only one who loves the visuals in this show. I’ve only really seen complaints about it, but it makes the show so beautifully whimsical for me. Okay, maybe ‘beautifully whimsical’ isn’t the best description, but it’s all that I can come up with.
Then again, this was the blog that I read to reassure myself that I wasn’t nuts for enjoying Touka Gettan. Maybe we’re just crazy.
Overall I love Akiyuki Shinbo’s work–I really liked Paniponi Dash, Tsukuyomi, even the often-critized Negima!? Having said that, I can see why he and Shaft get some criticism–like when the camera’s point of view is a hundred yards away from where two characters are talking, so you can’t read their facial expressions at all. Yes, it’s a good-looking shot, but it also happens to cut down on the number of frames they have to animate, and the cynic in me wonders if he’s just trying to sucker viewers into thinking what’s essentially a budget-saving measure is ‘art’. Tsukuyomi had some action scenes replaced by stills due to schedule and quality issues (they fixed it on the DVD) but I’m hoping that won’t happen with ef.
Still, I’m enjoying the story so far and it’s true that the visuals do look amazing when they try–I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more.
This is really amazing and surprising. The art and everything. Looks like it is going to be a huge drama story.lol,when everything starts going wrong and collide.
Erin > Heck yea! Anime can be appreciated in so many ways. Haha, Touka Gettan. I loved blogging that show all the way through, even though practically nobody else watched it. Mainstream opinion has no effect here!
suguru > Actually, Shinbou isn’t directing in ef, though he is supervising. I definitely see what you’re saying about the shots, but it’s already clear that Shaft has talent. I don’t think anyone can deny that. Onto the art aspect, Shaft has always been my favorite production team because they’re like the poor art kids with talent going against the rich kids or something. Remember Hidamari Sketch? There were distorted faces and awkward animation everywhere….but it was awesome. Shaft’s work has been shifting a bit, but I think it’s in a very good way.
Sniper > Oh, bring on the drama. I love it. Add the stylish animation and this might be one of my surprising favorites.
Aha! My suspicions about Chihiro’s memory was right! I knew there was something Dory-ish to her memory gaps… Haha. I love the animation/technical style and the somehow unique way of storytelling. So far, I’m just really interested in Chihiro and Renji’s story more than the others.
This show is really pretty. It’s like really trippy. The Euphoric Field opening at the end was really nice. I was going to wait and marathon this series when it was over (for the greater justice of Miyako!!) but that really just made me decide to keep watching. :3
I like this show a lot so far and I hope that the story will stay good.
I like the opening too. As for shaft well look Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei shaft’s last anime, its now one of the top animes right now.
hazy > Same with me so far, but that’s probably because their story is being forced on us at the moment. I’m sure when they shift focus we’ll be like “oh I’m interested in this…” or w/e.
Fang-tan > Wasn’t it awesome! Haha, I think this’ll be a good watch for the season though. I know you like Shaft too!!
shh227 > Are you talking about this week’s ED? I know it’s the same song for what is suppose to be the OP, but I still called it the ED because I don’t think the animation looks like OP material. :3
Yes. Shaft always has the best opening animations. That alone is enough to win me over into a series. I haven’t palyed much of the game though so I’m wondering what kind of ending to expect.
Shaft has done a great job on this. I don’t get why people think this anime is boring o.o
That is because they are expecting to have their standard anime where everything is just given to them. It’s the same anywhere you look. When people see something they are used to, it’s instantly “omfg this anime sux”. I think someone needs to take an art class….or stop being an idiot.
I’m still getting used to the styling (slowly growing on me) but in terms of story and character progression, Ef is doing great.
I saw the whole memory lapse thing coming, but still ate it up. The concept itself has been overdone though, hopefully we see something new come out of it.
At least you’re willing to accept the style! xD Yea, I must be the only one who didn’t see Chihiro’s memory disorder coming….I guess I just wasn’t thinking about predictability. Well, the basic story probably isn’t straying far from the game’s. I’ve obviously never played it though.