Sketchbook ~full color’S~ – 06
Why don’t we have a ping pong club?
Summary:
Sora notices that summer break is approaching soon, as Kasugano-sensei lets out a sigh. After Hiyori fantasizes about summer events in class, Natsumi and Hazuki express their excitement about the events with Sora in the hallway. Sora meets with Mike outside after school, and finds that it is very hot. After more of Hiyori’s childish complaints in class, she declares that they will do a gashuku. On a later day, Sora and the other girls meet up with the rest of their classmates for the trip. When Hiyori finally arrives, the students hop the bus. The class becomes shocked to find that the gashuku location is at the school itself, but Sora is excited none the less. The students only do what they usually do in the club room, so Hiyori suggests that they go somewhere else on the school grounds. The girls split up afterwards, and Sora explores the slightly different than usual school. Sitting in her empty classroom, Sora remembers a bit of her past. She had wondered what kind of club she should join when she entered school, thinking about the different options.
As Hazuki and Natsumi look for things to draw in the afternoon, they remember how Sora acted in the past. When Natsumi met her, she did not speak much. Hiyori’s club was empty, but Natsumi and Sora became her first two members. Hazuki showed up soon afterwards, and Sora hesitantly introduced herself to everyone. In the present, Sora returns to the clubroom as she recalls how nervous she was the first time she had went in. Inside are the rest of the students, as well as a very enthusiastic Hiyori. The students all enjoy curry that night under the beautiful stars. They all play with fireworks afterwards, and Sora thinks to herself that she is glad that she joined the club. That night, the students are unable to sleep because of the bugs in their room. As everyone starts the day off the next morning, a blonde girl approaches from afar.
Preview: Kate appears! Foreigners and their english…
Impression:
As I expected, I enjoyed this episode a lot more than the last one. The last episode was fairly good, but it just didn’t leave that good impacting feeling on me that Sketchbook usually does. Sora is definitely one of my new favorite girls of all time. I really love her insights on things, and I can just relate to her so much. Her meeting of Natsumi and Hazuki were totally parallel to my meeting of my close friends, as I was also very shy in the past. I do find it a bit odd that Sora is still like that at a High School level, but it is very believable. As I discussed with the Scrumptious girls and Impz before (in IRC…this isn’t recorded), many artists are very quiet and can only express their thoughts through their work. I’ve already noticed that some people cannot stand Sora, but like many other concepts that I look at, I believe that it is only because they cannot relate. Hey, that’s why I bring my unique opinion to the blogsphere. Maybe there are others who can relate as well. This isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy the other characters just as much, however. I love Natsumi’s Osaka-ben, and Hazuki is automatic win with Yui Makino playing her voice.
As far as the actual episode goes, it was simply excellent. A “gashuku” is like a meeting that goes on all day and overnight. I think it is more common in business situations. As I stated above, I loved Sora’s insights on the empty school. The revealing of her past and entrance to the club was great, and I think it is very fitting that the three main girls were the first members to revive Hiyori’s hopes. Speaking of Hiyori, her childish actions were as cute as always. “Even if we’re told to act like adults from someone with a chicken on her head…” was one of the best lines ever. The student’s usual wackiness was enjoyable as well. Shimono Hiro’s performance as Negishi stood out in particular, just because I can’t get Ikuto or Hiyuu’s faces out of my head when he speaks. The last few scenes with the fireworks were just beautiful, and I love how Sketchook actually puts a lot of emphasis on perspective (this is something that I am currently focusing on a lot in school). I also love the emphasis on small things like the pillows and small electric fans, which are usually looked over. I’ve said this before, but this is truly a deserving art anime. I am very ready to make fun of how the Japanese present foreigners next week, with the introduction of Kate. I was already falling out of my chair during the hilarious preview.
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I really like this show. I remembered that I laughed my ass off in the first episode, but for some reason it became less funny after that IMO. Well, I haven’t watch the 5th one yet because you said that it wasn’t that funny and I have a lot of other shows to watch. I’ll watch after they sub this episode.
Totali: It seems like you are going to blog these series: Clannad, Bamboo blade, Ninomiya kun, Shakugan no Shanna, Kodomo no Jikan, Kimikiss pure rouge, ef tale of memories, Minami-ke, and Sketchbook, right? I thought you like Shugo Chara too. How come you don’t blog that one as well? I mean, I am not suggest you to blog more (you already blog 9 series! That’s a load of shit to blog already). I’m just curious.
Yea, this show isn’t one to watch if you’re expecting all out hilarity. It’s slice of life…that’s really the easiest way I can put it. You can actually go to my schedule page to see what I’ve planned to blog in a current season. I LOVE Shugo Chara, and it’s actually one of my top 3 anime of the season (along with ef and sketchbook). But yea, I’ve already got a lot on my plate. I’ve let that show to many other great writers (check my blogroll), and you’ll just see me commenting around as usual. There’s no reason to blog absolutely everything I am watching…my blog operates on the community anyways. :S
another nice ep! too bad it’s not as popular as it should be.
But I just can’t wait for the next ep! LOL I just couldn’t stop laughing from just watch the preview of it. Yuko Goto is doing a great job as Kate. (still laughing from it…)
@ Totali: Wow, Shugo Chara is one of your top three of this season. I agree that ef tale of memories is a great series and it should be on your top list, but should CLANNAD be in your top list too? I got bored the yesterday so I watched 4 episodes straight for Shugo Chara. I dunno, it’s an OK series, but I’m not that excited about it. Maybe because I tried to avoid all the Mahou Shoujo stuff. Sorry.
Man Totali, I finished watching Sketchbook epi 4 today, and now ur already on epi 6! *sad* At least epi 5 is subbed (can’t wait to see the cat with a tiny cat head on its tail :3)
“Why don’t we have a ping pong club?”
hurr hurr, is that a reference to Bamboo Blade? (I started watching it! It also has a very gorgeous looking cat!) Also, I never knew you had a schedule….ur a very organized student! =D I bet you get a lot of honeys wit those skillz!
Hoe: “Cmon Totali! You said we’d go out today!”
Totali: “Not now foo! I’ve already got 5 ladies for tonight!”
Hoe: “I’ll give you 50 Dollars!”
Totali: *uses his pimp hand* I NEVER GO AGAINST MY SCHEDULE! WHEN I’M BOOKED, I’M BOOKED! Come back next week…actually next month, pimpin aint easy!”
@ Kenshin514: You could always read Sea Slugs blog for Shugo Chara (the link is in Totali’s blog roll) Their blogging is pure GANGSTA-NESS, and they have funny/pun-y screen captions!. ^_^ Also, *high fives Kenshin514 for liking Shugo Chara*
@ Kenshin514: opps, i got the impression that you liked Shugo Chara! Sorry for my fanboyism *bows*
kitsune > Tell me about it. I’m just glad there are actually Sketchbook fans out there. I think the fact that Yuko Goto is voicing Kate makes it all the more hilarious (and I forgot to mention that fact…). I think her role is going to be great. I’ve always liked her underrated roles like Hiro from Hidamari Sketch more than her “Haruhi” roles.
kenshin514 > lol I’m not offended! Everyone has their tastes, and mine are always a bit different. Clannad is definitely one of my favorites, but it’s just so standard. I mean, when is Key/Kyoani NOT good? As far as Shugo Chara goes, I’m just a Peach Pit fanboy (DearS is my favorite love comedy etc), and I really love the meaningful undertones in the show with Amu finding her true self etc.
J159 > Eh, the cats were really cute but I have to have my Sora to be happy. LOL at the hoes! I’ve had girls approach me but whatever. I guess they like azns. Um…but that’s going a bit too far into my personal life…which you like to stretch huh J159…ok next.
Kabitzin runs one of my favorite blogs at Sea Slugs…and he definitely does a great job with Shugo Chara (subbed). Everyone needs to read other anime blogs too!
like, oh em gee, yes! My kawaii-ness nickname! Say it again…in my ear…softly!
Totali: “I’ll rock you senseless!”
Jesus159159159: *blushies*
Were the girls by any chance loli *hurr hurrs*? You know, in my early years, the only girls that would hit on me are little kids…as in, much younger, like, when i’m 10, 5 year olds would like me, and if i’m 15, 10 year old like me. -_O I don’t know, there must be something about me that attracts little kids…but of course, I use that to my advantage! YEAHNESS!!!!
and omg, I totali am curious on how you look like now (actually, thats a lie, because I’ve ALWAYS wanted to know how you look like! lol)!
I’m surprised at how strongly people dislike Sora, and I also think that it’s because they can’t relate to how she does things. We do often tend to exclude something we don’t know and don’t bother to know more about the character, and that’s kind of a raw deal for the characters themselves.
It could also be because Sora might have reminded people of how they were before, and they don’t like remembering how painfully shy/socially incompetent they were. Or are. Or something like that.
J159 > You’re creeping me out! *runs away* but lawl that line reminds me of Sumomomo mo momo mo. Uh….no, I don’t usually have lolis hit on me. That would be pretty creepy. Actually, I guess that did happen to me one time at work….and I ignored the little loli. Mwahahaha. Also, you will not be seeing what I look like any time soon. I have an anti stalker mask on at all times!
TheBigN > There’s probably all kinds of reasons. Personally, I really like Sora all the more by being able to relate to her. Then again, I got over my problem a long time ago. This is the same kind of appreciation I had for all the characters in SZS, especially because their traits were so negative. I dunno, maybe Sora will always be a love or hate case.
*looks at all the new Sketchbook, Minami-ke, Kodomo no Jikan posts* -_- this is what I get for not checking your blog for like, two weeks. (i was very busy with…important matters… HAR HAR HUR!!!) *sadness* I really need to add you to my RSS thingy ^_^!
I can also relate to Sora alot (me being a shy person), but I can never understand why people hate shy types so much? I mean, you can take advantage of shy types by forcing them to do your homework (lol, jk, but surprisingly, that was the only way I made friends back in elementary: “GIVE ME YOUR HOMEWORK!” *gives homework* “HEY EVERYONE! THIS GUY ACTUALLY DID THE HOMEWORK!!” “WHAT REALLY? GIVE ME THAT SHI!!!” “THIS GUY IS COOL! WHATS YOUR NAME MAN!”
Me: *blush* M-mmm-My name is *censored from public* (true story btw, I just wish it were that easy to make friends today…*sad*)
and yes, my previous post was from Sumomomo =D
I’m not on your list? Shame shame….JK xD. Uh, welcome back? Your comments always make me laugh, but personal matters are always more important. I keep that in mind as well despite trying to keep a regular blog schedule.
Haha, you were a shy kid too? Man, those were the days…well, in some ways. Sumomo momo mo momo rox! \o/
Were? I still AM a shy kid *blush* but yea, I’m sort of having trouble with that RSS thing. I clicked on the link (on the right hand side) and the page says:
XML Parsing Error: xml declaration not at start of external entity
Location: http://subculture.animeblogger.net/feed/
Line Number 1, Column 2:
-^
Yea…HELP ME OUT MAN! I use the Firefox “Live Bookmarks” thing for feeds. Am i doing something wrong? T_T
That’s weird…someone else emailed me about having that problem too. I haven’t had any problems with my feed….but I use netvibes and safari’s built in rss reader. xS
hurr hurr, funny you should mention emails… Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to keep clicking your name on Kabi’s blog =D…Its actually pretty convenient! You comment there alot, so I have direct access to your blog. *giggles* I do have you as an “actual” bookmark, but its such a hassle going through the list (i have a ton of bookmarks)