Well, if long waits truly don't bother you, then I'll try not to apologize so much. Besides, you're right that we should reply when we want to and have the time, not because we feel pressured. (I'll also try not to repeat myself when I write to you from now on.) 😅
Oh, I see! I saw one episode of "Hyouka" at a convention years ago, and I've heard it's really good! I don't know much about "365 Days Before the Wedding" besides the title, though. I'm not sure I would have realized you were my Secret Santa even if you had picked those shows instead, but I appreciate how much thought you put into your choices, regardless. You're welcome! I mean it when you say you have good taste, and you hit the target! I know what you mean. Making recommendations can be challenging, especially since everyone reacts to stories differently, regardless of the genre. That's why Secret Santa can feel just as stressful as it is exciting for me. But all of that stress is worth it when things work out! 😊
It's funny, but "The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl" is the English title of the manga, too. I'm not sure why the anime's title is longer in English. It would be easier if they matched. Don't worry, I didn't find the show childish at all, just sweet and comfy, like you said! 💖 And even if I had thought so, I don't think it would have been a problem. I still like a lot of things that others might consider "childish." That one strange scene doesn't bother me too much either. (I mentioned it to add nuance to my review rather than just praising everything.) I completely agree that the side characters breathe so much life into the story and are a great contrast to Himuro and Fuyutsuki. I tend to gravitate toward sweet characters and funny characters (or both). Komori was so nice, and she made me laugh the most. But the other characters, like Fuyutsuki, were sweet and funny in their own ways, too. I'm glad the anime is a faithful adaptation of the manga. I've also heard "Barakamon" is good, so I'll read both. 😉 Ah, it's cool that you want your Favorites lists to have more variety! I haven't added any new titles to mine in so long because I also only want my choices to be impactful to me.
"Natsume's Book of Friends" was definitely my favorite Secret Santa recommendation this year. What I said about it in my last message still stands. Of Takashi's friends, Taki and Tanuma really stood out to me. Their dynamics with Takashi were interesting because, unlike Natori, they were his peers who knew about youkai, even though they usually still couldn't see them. So, Takashi could open up to and rely on Tanuma and Taki in ways he couldn't with most people, free of judgment. It's beautiful. ✨ I watched the English dub, so I didn't hear Natori's Japanese voice until the movies and OVAs. It was fun comparing the two voices. Natori's Japanese VA sounded young and nasally, while his English VA was suave and mature. I think both did a great job of capturing the character's mysterious nature in their own ways. You're right. The antagonists aren't one-dimensional. All the characters are well-written. (The performance of Matoba's English VA unsettled me more than anything else -- in a good way.) Season 5 had my favorite mix of heartfelt and thought-provoking episodes. (But there are plenty of great ones in Seasons 6 and 7.) I hope the anime continues someday because I want to know more about Takashi's grandfather. And now that Natori knows about the Book of Friends, how will that affect Takashi's dynamic with him going forward? Yes, the ending themes were very pretty and fitting. Their visual style reminded me of Japanese woodblock prints. All of the songs are excellent, but the third and sixth opening themes were my favorites.
"A Place Further Than the Universe" was also very good! I appreciated how each of the girls got at least one episode focused on their insecurities and what the Antarctica trip meant to them. I felt like I could see where each character was coming from, even if I didn't always agree with them. I mentioned before that Kimari's struggle resonated with me. But I could also relate to Yuzuki and her desire for proof that her new friendships wouldn't fade as soon as the trip was over. I thought that Shirase was in denial that her mother was dead, but I realize now that her journey was always about getting the closure she could never have back home. The scene where Shirase looks at her mom's laptop and all her unread emails fill the inbox got me crying along with her! 😭 I'm glad Gin found and sent Takako's final email to Shirase in the end. Also, I've been listening to the song "One Step" fairly often. It feels so uplifting and motivational!
The holidays brought up some mixed feelings for me, too. But getting to indulge in your hobbies with like-minded people is always nice, and Secret Santa is indeed great for that! I haven't seen "Apocalypse Hotel," but it seemed pretty popular last year, so I'm not surprised you liked it! I don't know much about "Tanaka-kun is Always Listless" or "Gakuen Babysitters." I hope you enjoy "Gakuen Babysitters" as much, or more than, your other two recommendations.
Yes, whenever I watch a Kyoto Animation show or movie, the visuals blow me away, and "Violet Evergarden" was no exception. The animation and music do much to bolster it. I need to listen to Evan Call's soundtrack on its own. While I was watching, I was so engrossed in the story that the music didn't always jump out at me, even though I knew the soundtrack was very fitting and well done. I also like the premise of the Special. I'm not sure why it was not as impactful for me. Maybe it had to do with pacing? Hm, that's a good question! I assumed that the person who opened the door at the end was just a random client. I thought that Violet was smiling as she recited her Auto Memory Doll speech because smiling has become natural to her. (And she's at peace with herself now.) But maybe she's smiling because the client is someone she knows? 🤔
Hehe, yeah, I've noticed many people prefer happy endings to bittersweet ones, and I understand why. Gotcha! I hope the novels get licensed in French and English someday! We can both cross our fingers! 🤞 You never know. It would be cool to know what the big axe was, but I'm also content with what we have from the anime. Oh, that's so awesome! I know "Agents of the Four Seasons" is coming out soon. But I had no idea that it was an adaptation of another story by the same author as "Violet." Wit Studio does solid work, too! I'm hyped for you! 🤩
Yes, "My Love Story!!" has so many great characters. (I say that as someone who watched both the anime and read the manga recently.) Yep, if there's one thing that makes me excited to watch the "Bloom" anime, it's seeing everything (especially Waguri) in motion and full color. The lighting and color palette look beautiful. Well, that and hearing the characters speak. You can't get any of those effects from reading manga.
I'm almost finished watching "Recovery of an MMO Junkie." I like it more than I thought I would! I see a lot of myself in Morioka. I don't play MMOs (that's my dad and brother's thing), but I share a lot of her anxieties. Morioka and Sakurai are like two peas in a pod. I love how awkward yet earnest they are. 🥰 I've also known people like Koiwai, who mean well, but maybe joke around too much. Thank you so much for another great recommendation! 😆 I hope I can repay you with my own recommendations someday! ^_^
Don't worry, as I said before, I don't think there's any "wrong" way to interpret "The Boy and the Heron," and from what I understand, Miyazaki's heritage and legacy are pretty complicated, even to himself.
I'm still under stress, but I'm doing what I can to work through it! 💪 I hope your times are good, too. See you next time! 😄
First, I apologize for taking much longer to respond than I thought. (These last couple of weeks have been stressful for me.) 😵 I may be late often, but I promise that I'll never stop replying to your messages entirely! I want to thank you again for your recommendations. I hope picking them out wasn't too challenging, but for the record, I think you were on point! I haven't been disappointed with anything you've recommended that I watch or read yet, so please have more confidence in yourself. You have good taste! 😊
"The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague" was super cute! I actually almost gave it an 8/10, and I might still do that. It was a high 7/10 for me at least. I can see why you compared it to "My Roommate is a Cat" and "The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today." It definitely gave off similar vibes. As a cat person myself, I thought it was adorable that Himuro and Fuyutsuki bonded over their shared love of cats. I also think that going to see a family-friendly movie starring kittens would be a great first date! 🥰 When I watched the show, I was still in a Christmas-y mood, so I was pleased that there was a Christmas episode. I even liked the Halloween episode, and I'm not a huge fan of Halloween in general. My favorite character was Komori. I like her bubbly personality and that she's always Fuyutsuki and Himuro's biggest cheerleader. I'm rooting for her and Saejima to get together, too! 😆 The only thing that felt a little awkward was the scene in the last episode when Himuro trips and accidentally pushes Fuyutsuki onto the bed, since he looks and sounds like a kid in his "melted" form. 😅 Would you recommend the "Ice Guy" manga, too? I saw it was in your Favorites list. I ask because "Masterful Cat" is my comfort manga right now, and I could always use another series to read like it.
I think "Natsume's Book of Friends" is my favorite so far. I always thought this series looked good, but I never put it on my list because I wanted to focus on finishing other things. I also had a hunch that it might get recommended to me for Secret Santa someday. (I never guessed that would happen this year, though!) 🤭 It's funny that you compared it to "Mushi-shi" in your letter. I've been watching the show while visiting my dad lately, and he said it reminded him of "Mushi-shi!" I've found "Natsume's Book of Friends" to be soothing and easy to binge. Putting on an episode or two every day has been helping me relax. I think it's exactly what I was looking for when I asked for an Iyashikei anime. I appreciate how, even though it's episodic, the characters still grow and change, as you said. It's gratifying to see Takashi rely on his new friends and family for more support as the seasons go on. I hope that continues even if he can never tell them everything. I really like all the one-off stories with different youkai, and Madara/"Master Kitty-Cat" always makes me laugh. 😄 I also find Seiji Matoba to be an unsettling antagonist! 😬
I'm taking my time with "A Place Further Than the Universe" since it was your first choice. (I decided to watch it both subbed and dubbed.) I'm about halfway through the show, and I understand why it's so well-liked. Parts of it have hit pretty close to home for me. I especially relate to Kimari's desire to go out and live her life to the fullest while also being terrified of failure. And I'm worried about what it will do to Shirase if she can't find her mother in Antarctica. How will she move forward?! 😟
Thanksgiving and Christmas had their ups and downs. Nothing really went as planned, but it wasn't all bad either. How about your holidays? I hope you had a wonderful time with your friends and family. 😌 I also had trouble finding gifts for Secret Santa recipients. I actually ended up in a similar situation. My anime recipient this year was my Santa last year, so I felt more pressure to find something he'd like. He enjoyed one of the movies I picked for him, though, and now we're MAL friends, so it worked out! 😁 Have you been enjoying your Secret Santa gifts?
Oh, I think you hit the nail on the head. When I'm watching something emotional, it can still touch me deeply, even if I'm not moved to tears. But crying a lot can feel good sometimes, too. (Especially when keeping everything inside gets to be too much.) I'd say both ways of processing emotions have their place when you're experiencing them through a great story. 😉 I can see how watching "Violet Evergarden" in particular would leave you feeling drained, though. I agree that Episode 7 is also amazing. I'll never forget that powerful image of Violet "flying" across the lake with Olivia's parasol, granting her "one-day wish." 😭
I also liked how both movies make it clear that time has passed. Yes, the waltz scene in the first movie was beautiful. I hadn't thought about it, but you're right. It's nice that the second half gave Benedict more to do since he didn't get much time to shine in the series proper compared to Iris or Erica. I didn't dislike the special at all; it just didn't leave the impression on me that the best "Violet Evergarden" episodes did. (I might feel differently if I watch it again with my mom.) "The Songstress Aria" is gorgeous, though.
I see where you're coming from about Violet's character development without Gilbert. Even while I was watching the second movie, a part of me wondered if the ending would have been stronger if they had just gone their separate ways. 🤔 The series was about Violet reinventing herself and moving beyond the trauma of losing Gilbert. If the movie had ended with Violet accepting that her time with him, while important, is over now, even though he's still alive, that could have wrapped things up in a way that's just as, if not more meaningful, while still being realistic.
However, the rest of the movie is too good for me to feel like the ending we got ruins it. (Claudia calling Gilbert an idiot in the rain gave me chills!) The differences between the anime and light novels sure look and sound interesting! Is the big axe in the trailer the shot just before Violet is seen carrying a wounded soldier?
Personally, my favorite "Ultimate Best Bro" character is Suna from "My Love Story!!" But Shougo from "One Week Friends" is another fantastic example. And I agree that he brings a lot to the anime. (Like I said, he and Saki were my favorites.)
If you can't sit and read at your library, then I'm glad reading at home is easier for you. Being able to do that must be a nice experience. 😌
Yeah, I get the impression that the art style of the original "Kino's Journey" might be an acquired taste for some people (even though I quite like it). But the saturated colors and CGI in the new anime were a little distracting, too. A happy medium between the two styles could be cool if another adaptation were made someday. 😎
"Bloom" also seems to be a flagship title for the US licenser. When I bought my copy of the first volume at a convention last summer, it came with some free goodies from the booth as well.
I saw "The Boy and the Heron" three times in theaters with different family members because I wanted to love it and understand it. (I know I like it, but I don't know how much.) It felt to me like Miyazaki was using the story to reflect on his career and how difficult it's been for Ghibli to find other directors who can carry on his and Takahata's legacies. Since Miyazaki has such a deep love of nature, I wouldn't be surprised if the parakeets and the unstable world they live in were also meant to comment on DNA splicing and playing God, though. The movie is so dreamlike that one can take many different things from it. 😃
As always, I hope you're well. Happy New Year again. See you next time! 💝
Thank you so much for the Secret Santa recommendations -- again!! It's so funny and cool that you were my anime Santa this year! 😄 I never thought this might happen. However, when you mentioned "Mushi-shi" and "Kino's Journey" in your letter, maybe that should have tipped me off, since we've discussed those shows quite a bit in our messages. I'll leave you a longer comment this weekend. But for now, please know that I'm enjoying the anime you picked very much so far!
It's been a while! Sorry for the wait again. I got busy with Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. Yes, I'm doing Secret Santa again! I asked for similar recommendations this year. (Romance, Fantasy, Historical, etc., but added Iyashikei this time.) I usually want to watch or read something more emotional, yet uplifting, around the holidays. How about you? I also like the new way the mods organize things. This year, signing up was so much easier.
Oh, no, I could never be "mad" at you for the tears! When I was young, I never cried while watching movies or shows, even when everyone else did, and I got teased for it. The older I get, the easier it is to cry while watching things, but it still doesn't happen often. When what I'm watching makes me sob like "Violet Evergarden" did, I'm grateful. It means I'm invested in the characters and their stories. If anything, I want to thank you for the tears and for recommending the series to me! I have been showing "Violet Evergarden" to my mom, and she says it's good. (I think Episode 7 made her cry more than 10, though.) I hope you can convince your mom to watch it with you, too, someday.
I finished the "Violet Evergarden" special and the two movies. The first movie felt like a 90-minute episode, but that's not a bad thing at all. I love that we spend half the time getting to know Amy and the other half getting to know Taylor. It made me feel I truly understood their struggles and their yearning to reconnect. And of course, the ending was so heartwarming.
The second movie was a nice conclusion to the franchise. Since Episode 10 was my favorite, I thought that Ann's granddaughter learning about Violet and her legacy as a doll was a cool framing device. Yuris's struggle to tell his family and especially his best friend what they meant to him before he died was heart-wrenching. It felt similar to Ann's mother struggling to finish all her letters before her time ran out. Yuris talking with his friend on the phone instead of writing another letter was so bittersweet, too! (Since telephones make Auto Memory Dolls obsolete in the future.) Finally, I liked that a new version of the ending theme played as Gilbert and Violet finally met again. It's as if the film is saying they are each other's "signpost" or "guide" despite everything. 😉
The only thing that bothers me is that it's hard to tell if Violet's relationship with Gilbert is supposed to be romantic or not. I hope it's not romantic since Gilbert raised and even named Violet. (It helps that their connection is chaste enough that it's open to interpretation.) I also think Violet became a star Auto Memory Doll a little too quickly in the show. However, that's a minor complaint since there were only 13 episodes. That doesn't give the writers much time to show Violet finding her footing and becoming excellent at her job! 😅 Overall, I really enjoyed "Violet Evergarden," and I totally understand why you love it so much. Thanks again for the recommendation!!
I watched "One Week Friends" recently, and I liked that show, too! Kaori and Hase had such cute interactions. 😊 I think Shougo and Saki had my favorite dynamic of all the characters, though. I like that he's always looking out for her, but in a quiet, understated way. 😌 I was expecting the reason for Kaori's memory loss (and the resolution in the final episode) to be more dramatic, but they also felt understated to me. I don't think this is a problem; it's just something I noticed. It makes me wonder how much of the story was covered in the anime, or if the story was changed at all. 🤔 I appreciated how the specials let us see what Kaori (and later, Hase) wrote in their diaries. That was a nice way to bookend the series. 🙂
Yeah, I do most of my reading in libraries. The libraries I visit have a good mix of the big, popular manga and some lesser-known ones. There are even complete (or mostly complete) sets. I have the opposite problem that you have. I have a large family, and I get distracted easily. So, a library feels more like a "temple" to me than my room does. 😂 It's relaxing to sit in a chair and read without being interrupted until closing time. 😌
I'm glad you liked the original "Kino's Journey." I forgot that the new one was on your list when I thought about recommending it to you. I was worried that the old one might be hard to find where you live, and it sounds like I was right until recently! I agree that a lot of the episodes are impressive and thought-provoking. I remember the "Land of Adults" episode and the "Coliseum" two-parter being among my favorites. "A Kind Land" was good, too. Did you have any favorite episodes? I don't recall what happened in "Land of Books," though. (It's been a long time.) Maybe if I rewatched the anime, I wouldn't understand it either. 😅 Ooh, I've heard of "Wandering Witch!" I might have to check it out, then!
Haha, "Bloom" is much easier to say! 😆 (I've seen people online shorten the title to "Fragrant Flower" in English, which is still a little hard to say!) You're right, Subaru has a great design. Her silver hair and green eyes are quite striking. The artwork in general is beautiful! It's the first thing I noticed when I started reading. 😍
Oh, yes! It's so hard to avoid spoilers for new shows on the internet. I'd say watching something after the hype has died down and you're not feeling any pressure to catch up is a good call. Don't worry, as I said before, there's no need to rush with my recommendations. Take as much time as you need with the Ghibli films, too. Movies can be too long, especially before bed.
"The Boy and the Heron" was hard for me to grasp, too, and I saw it in theaters three times! I don't understand much about biology, but I'd like to know more about the themes you noticed, if you don't mind sharing?
I think that's everything! I'm doing well, and I hope you are, too! Happy Holidays! See you next time! 😄
Hi! It has been a while. I'm glad to hear you're well! I'm fine, too.
If it's alright, I’ll wait to share all my thoughts on "Violet Evergarden" until after I finish the movies. I enjoyed the show, though! The animation and music are beautiful. And certain episodes made me cry more times than anything else I've seen this year. Episode 10 left me sobbing the hardest because I related to Ann's frustration at not being able to spend enough time with her mother and not understanding why. That episode's ending was so heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time! 😭 I asked my mom to watch "Violet Evergarden" with me because of it. We haven't started yet, but I have a feeling that when we do, she'll probably bawl even harder. 😏
I see how you mistook the "Fruits Basket" movie for a prequel. Its title, "Prelude,” makes things confusing! In that case, I'm also glad you asked! 😅 But like I said before, take your time starting the series. I'd rather you be in the right headspace for it. I understand wanting to read more instead. Reading manga in a library is one of my favorite things to do when I need time away from home. It's relaxing. 😌
I know I don't have to worry about your recommendations, but I don't want to leave you hanging for too long. (Especially since I've liked everything you've recommended so far!) ✨
On that note, I noticed you started watching "Kino's Journey" last week. This is funny, because I thought about recommending that show to you myself! I know you enjoy "Mushi-shi," and "Kino's Journey" feels similar to me. The two shows have a haunting yet wondrous tone. And Ginko and Kino are somewhat detached and impartial for much of their travels. I'd really like to know what you think of "Kino's Journey" when you finish it, if you don't mind. 🙂
I'm buying "The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity" manga before watching the anime, too. I'm not caught up with the English releases either. But it's pretty cute so far!
Having too many options is part of the reason I don't watch many seasonal anime. Also, I'm worried that I'd never get through my Plan to Watch list if I just watched what was new and popular all the time, you know?
Yes! I felt a little "scared" to watch "The Boy and the Heron" when it first came out. I was afraid that my expectations for it would be so high that I'd come away disappointed, so I tried to avoid any reviews or screenshots of the film as best as I could before my mom and I saw it in theaters.
I think you have the right idea. Only watch "Nausicaä" when you truly feel like it. I believe every Ghibli film is worth watching at least once. You've already seen most of my favorites, but the ones I most recommend that you haven't seen are "Castle in the Sky" and "Whisper of the Heart." (I saw "Whisper of the Heart" on your Plan to Watch list and thought about bringing it up last time, too.) "When Marnie was There" is also quite special. 💖
Haha, I guess the way we write to each other is like how the Auto Memory Dolls write for their clients. (We also try to convey our feelings about things in the best way possible before sending our replies.) That is fun! It makes me even more glad I watched the show! 😊
The same goes for you! I’m looking forward to our next discussion!
Hi! I hope you enjoyed your vacation and are doing well. Don’t worry—you made some grammatical mistakes, but I understand you. Everything is comprehensible. 😊
I don’t blame you for hesitating to start “Fruits Basket.” I’m also slow to start long shows, so take your time. I’ll try to suggest shorter anime in the meantime. When you watch “Fruits Basket,” start with Season 1. The movie adapts skipped manga chapters. However, it begins with a recap of Seasons 2 and 3, including the ending. So, it’s not a good place to start! It’s better to finish the show first. 😅
I watched “Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop” last week and agree—it’s a cute movie! I loved the vibrant colors. I own a few records, so I was invested in Cherry and Smile’s search for Mr. Fujiyama’s record. I thought it was a touching detail that Mr. Fujiyama’s wife also had buck teeth. Cherry’s haiku confession to Smile was probably the sweetest and most unique love confession I’ve seen recently. 🥰
I’ve heard of the other anime you mentioned, but I don’t know too much about them. It will take me a while to finish them all, but I promise, I’ll tell you what I think of each one! I’m going to try watching another one of your recommendations before you reply again. Maybe “Violet Evergarden.” 😉
The only summer series I watched was “Dan Da Dan” Season 2. I only got into that one because my dad recommended it. That show can be pretty eccentric, but we had fun binging it together. Other than that, I’m looking forward to starting “Kaiju No. 8” Season 2 and “The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity.” How about you?
If you ever watch the French version of “Tokyo Godfathers,” it would be interesting to know what you think of it. For the English version, yeah, I’d say that casting choice felt natural and authentic. 🙂 I’ll be sure to take my time rewatching “The Great Passage.” I hope I’ll enjoy it again just as much, if not more.
I know what you mean about taking time to think about a message before sending it. I’m passionate about the things I like, too. That’s why, even if sending messages like this takes a while, I always look forward to these exchanges. They’re very nice and fun! Especially when we have many ideas to express. 😃
Hello! It's been a while! I definitely relate to the feeling of never having enough time in a day or a week to pursue my hobbies. Sometimes, I have to put them aside even when I have the time, just so I can get enough sleep at night. 😴
I can't think of any lesser-known anime with slow-burn romances, but I noticed you have "Fruits Basket" in your Plan to Watch list, and that is one of my favorites. I'd call that series a family drama with supernatural elements first and a romance second. I don't love every couple in the show, but the relationships that are done well are really worth watching. (Especially, the main couple.) 🥰 And if you can think of any anime with nice romances (slow-burn or not), I'd love to hear about them! Getting new recommendations is always fun. And I enjoyed your last two recommendations a lot. 😊
I agree about Khang and Rati's relationship. It was forced on them, but I loved how they still had the time and space to get to know each other naturally without it feeling awkward.
I'm looking forward to seeing "Scarlet," too! I plan to watch it in theaters when it comes out in December. I looked it up, and "Tokyo Godfathers" does have a French dub. I have no idea if it's any good. Yeah, I feel like Hana would be a challenging character to portray in general, let alone in a dub. ("Extravagant" is a good way to describe her.) I've only seen the English dub so far. A transgender actress was hired to play Hana, and her performance was my favorite part of that dub. But I should listen to the Japanese version sometime. It'd be fun to compare it to the English version, especially when it comes to Hana. ^_^
Ooh, in that case, I can't wait to read the "Mush-shi" manga myself! The French editions must be nice since they have watercolor pages. I hope that artwork is included in the new English editions. 😍
Thank you for writing such a thorough review of "The Great Passage." I don't mind at all that you wrote a lot about Majime and Kaguya's relationship since that's the part I was most curious about. It sounds like the anime had more time to flesh out the characters and go into more detail about how the dictionary was made. I'm happy I got to experience the story through the anime first. From the way you described it, I'm not sure I would have wanted to watch the anime if I had started with the manga (at least not right away), and I would have missed out! In that way, you made a lucky "mistake," and I'm grateful for it! Thank you so much again! It's awesome that you enjoyed the anime more after rewatching it. That makes me want to rewatch it, too! I'll probably wait for more time to pass because it hasn't been that long since I first saw it. I want to forget things, so it'll feel like I'm watching the show again for the first time. 😉
I don't mind that you're slow to respond since I'm slow, too. I'm grateful that the long waits between messages don't take away from the conversation for you. I'd feel bad if they did. I also find our exchanges pleasant. And typing them out here does have its own charm, even if it takes a while. But if that ever changes for you and you'd prefer to chat another way, please let me know.
Also, thank you for telling me about singing in French dubs, like "K-On!" I couldn't think of anything to say this time other than "That's interesting!" I don't want to repeat myself too much. 😅
Hi! No need to apologize. I should apologize to you again. I'm like a broken record saying this, but things have been busy on my end over the past month. 😖 But thanks. I'm doing all right. I hope you've had plenty of free time, too.
Yeah, you made a good bet with "Blissful Land." I've been drawn more toward wholesome stories in recent years myself. (Especially slow-burn romances where the couple gets along most of the time and aren't constantly fighting, even if they are in an arranged marriage.) 🥰 That's why I wasn't ready for this story to end yet. I like watching Khang and Rati being cute together! But you're right, there's probably little left to tell beyond more side stories. A peek into their future married life could be a nice epilogue, though! And I hadn't thought about the parallel between medicine, color, and the uses of plants, but that is an interesting point!
As for Khang's expressions, I entertain and laugh easily, so I understand how they might have been too much for you. He did have that checked-out, daydreamy look on his face a lot! I like your way of describing it. The closest saying I can think of to "dans la lune/in the moon" in English would be that Khang "had his head in the clouds." Maybe that's not right, but it feels like a similar idea. With Pema, her expressions felt less daydreamy and more exasperated, so they were funnier. And yeah, she did have a "trolling" personality! 😂 But I think Khang's expressions also fit his easygoing personality, even if it showed on his face too much.
I've never seen "K-On!," but I can imagine how weird it must be to hear the characters speak French and then sing in Japanese. When you checked, did it sound like the French VAs tried to sing in Japanese themselves instead of just keeping in the audio of the original Japanese singing? If so, that's even more strange! Yeah, an English VA can't always pull off a cute, energetic, or childish voice either. When they can't, I try to focus more on the performance. If the acting is good enough, I can usually forgive their voices not sounding a certain way, but it depends. If the voice sounds fake and the acting is terrible, it's a lost cause.
And I heard that the songs in "Belle" were dubbed in many different languages. I listened to one of them in French the other day. I agree that the French singer did a great job, too! That's so cool! 😊 I also agree that movie dubs are usually more polished. My favorite studio right now has dubbed some shows. But the movies (like "Belle" and "Tokyo Godfathers") have been especially well done, and I love seeing them in theaters. 😍
I see! I haven't had a problem with VAs sounding too loud in English during crying scenes. It's just that it can sound like a VA is "acting" like they're crying, not like they are crying, if that makes sense. Sometimes, it's a bit distracting. 😅 Yep, I can relate to watching an anime dub because it has a good cast, too. That's something I do all the time! It's also common for English voice actresses to play young girl and boy roles in anime and cartoons.
I'm happy that you're enjoying the "Mushi-shi" manga! I've been curious about it myself. And it sounds like those secondhand volumes were a lucky find. The manga's been out of print in my country for a while, but it's getting a new release in the Fall, so maybe I'll buy those volumes as they come out. I'm not surprised that the stories are better with the music. The anime had a beautiful soundtrack that added so much to its atmosphere. ✨
Don't worry, I'm a slow reader, too, so I understand. I noticed you finished reading "The Great Passage" already. I'd love to hear your thoughts about it compared to the show, but I don't want to pressure you. I'll be patient. ^_^
I'm close to finishing "Kids on the Slope," though! I hope you can still find the volumes in print at a fair price when you finish. I wish I could read it in print!
No worries! You're not chatting too much! I'm talkative, too, so I'm okay with long messages any time. 😉 I don't use chat apps very much, but I wouldn't mind switching to one if that would be easier for you. But I also like sending messages this way. It's always nice to see a new one on my profile. 😃
I hope you're well, as always. You have a nice day, too. Until next time!
Hi! Even if it doesn't bother you to wait, I'm still sorry that it's taken me even longer to reply to you this time. (It doesn't bother me to wait either, don't worry.) I wanted to finish "Blissful Land" first, and I finally did about a week ago. But then things got busy for me. 😓
"Blissful Land" was a pleasant read for me, too! What I liked most was the laid-back tone and the level of detail in the art. I agree that drawing it all must take so much time and effort. I can only assume that the author is very meticulous with their work. I'll have to go back and look for examples. Still, I understand what you mean about the author using panels to parallel events from more than one character's perspective. So, no worries!
I forgot to mention last time that I got a kick out of the facial expressions during funnier moments. Pema's expressions are a good example, but so are those of Khang's patients whenever they're in a lot of pain. Many of those intense close-ups made me giggle out loud while I read. 🤭 I also thought it was sweet how so many people that Khang and Rati met and helped throughout the story came to their wedding at the end. And I love that Rati is just as passionate about dyeing clothes as Khang is about collecting herbs and making herbal remedies. This (among other things) makes them so well-suited to each other. Thank you again for recommending this series. I wish it was a little longer, but I'm happy with what we have. 😌
I've heard other countries based their opening theme for "Pokémon" off of the English version! (I'm guessing that's because the licensor's marketing campaign was so successful in the US.) English dubs almost always keep the Japanese openings now, too. Unless the anime in question is aimed at kids. It's the same here.
Oh, yeah! I gather it's hard enough to translate and adapt a Japanese script to sound natural in any other language while matching lip flaps. So, doing the same for a song on top of all that must be even harder. But I have heard some dubs do it well (the best examples I can give are the songs in "Belle"). I guess because singing and adapting songs isn't something that writers and actors have to do, I always appreciate the effort when they try, even when it doesn't turn out well. Especially because singing takes a lot of courage. (I'm speaking as a former choir kid here.)
I didn't know that French dubs keep screaming from the Japanese VAs. That doesn't happen in English normally. English VAs can usually pull off a convincing scream. It's crying that can be another story. I know what you mean about Japanese people having higher-pitched voices. I've noticed that English people have lower-pitched voices in comparison, too. I imagine that's why an adult VA who plays a child character tends to sound more natural in Japanese, even when I know that VA isn't a child.
Since I can't read "The Great Passage" in English yet, I'd be interested to know if there are any differences between the manga and anime when you read it. I hope there are more details in the manga that the show left out, too. I can't blame you for wanting to read "Mushi-shi" first, though. I haven't read that either, but the anime is great! I hope you're enjoying it so far! 😊
That's awesome. I'm so glad! The internet can indeed be helpful with these kinds of things! ^_^ Yeah, this way of talking can be time-consuming, especially when we have so much to write to each other about! Even though I enjoy it, I get where you're coming from because I feel the same sometimes.
I hope you're doing well, as always. I look forward to your reply whenever you're ready to send one. Until next time!
P.S. I'm also enjoying the "Kids on the Slope" manga. There are a lot of fun details that the anime either shortened or cut out, presumably to save time. The anime will always have the advantage when it comes to the music because you can actually hear the music when it's played, though! 😉😎🎶🎹🥁🎷
Hello! I saw that you finished "Blissful Land" a few days ago. I still have two volumes left, but I agree with everything you've said so far! I especially agree with what you said about the artwork and Rati's eyes. It's hard for me to explain, too, but I stare at her eyes every time there's a close-up of Rati in a panel. I love the way she's drawn! She's so pretty! 🤩 I also like Khang and Rati's interactions. Their budding relationship feels so natural and cute, especially for their ages. And yes, Pema is a fun, wholesome character, too. 😊
English dubs can add extra dialogue to scenes, too. It seemingly happens less now, but it was common in dubs from the '80s, '90s, and early '00s. Older English dubs of Studio Ghibli films like "My Neighbor Totoro" are good examples. It's confusing, but "Totoro" has two English dubs. Even though I like the first one more because I grew up with it, it's a lot chattier and not as faithful to the Japanese script. It's strangely comforting to know that dubs from other countries like France can have the same quirks. 😆 I understand what you mean about dubs adding grunts or words to fill a void. I usually don't mind, but it isn't always necessary, especially in more contemplative anime.
Yes, singing is hard, so I always love hearing voice actors sing in dubs when they can. And it is distracting when the English VA and the Japanese singer don't sound similar. That's what happened in "Kids on the Slope," unfortunately. (Sentarou's English and Japanese voices sound alike. But he never sings, so it doesn't matter.) 😅
Oh, if "Bon" is supposed to be shorthand for "Rich Kid," Sen calling Kaoru "Richie" in English makes more sense! I had no idea that "Bon" means "Good" in French. I can see how it would sound strange, knowing that! Thank you for telling me this. It's so interesting! 😄
I added "The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World" to my Plan to Read list since you enjoyed it so much. I could always use something calm to read. 😌 But I want to do right by you and finish reading "Blissful Land" and "Kids on the Slope" first.
I agree about "The Great Passage," too. I understand why the time skip was there, and it felt appropriate in hindsight. I wish there were one or two more episodes before the jump forward, though. (You're right. 24 episodes would have been too many!) I liked how Majime and Kaguya's relationship was developing, even though it was a subplot. Kaguya was indeed angelic. They complement each other well since they're both reserved and passionate about what they do, so I wanted to see just a little more of that before they were married. (I imagine Nishioka was always a great wingman!) The rest of the show was excellent anyway, so it's not a big complaint in the grand scheme. This is just me being a hopeless romantic. 🥰
Don't worry. You don't sound robotic to me at all! I figured it was possible that English wasn't your first language since we live in different parts of the world, but that doesn't come through in your writing much. If it helps, English is my first language, but I run what I type through Grammarly because I'm self-conscious about my writing style and grammar. I don't sound this formal in real life! I'm glad you understand me, but if I'm ever unclear, go ahead and tell me. I'll be sure to do the same. ^_^
Even though you said a reply wasn't urgent, thank you for being so patient with me anyway. I appreciate it! I'll do my best to respond sooner next time.
Have a great day and/or night, and Happy Reading and watching to you, too!!! 😄📚📺
Hi. I'm sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I got busy myself. This message is much longer than I intended, so there's no need to respond to everything! 😓
Anyway, yay!! I understand why you don't want to read too many manga at a time. It can feel overwhelming otherwise. Take your time. (Though, at the pace that I'm going, you may get ahead of me or even finish "Blissful Land" before I do.) 🤭
Comparing anime and manga is fun for me, too. I've never listened to a French dub, so hearing about the ones you like and why is super interesting! For "Kids on the Slope," I like the Japanese version better. Part of that may be because I listened to it first, but the English dub also made some strange choices or just left me feeling disappointed.
The voices of Kaoru, Sentarou, and Brother Jun were well cast. (All three are talented voice actors who've done great work in other anime dubs like "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Wolf Children.") They're at their best in "Kids on the Slope" during the more lighthearted scenes, but they don't emote as much as I'd like during the dramatic ones. The lip sync was the most off-kilter that I've seen in a long time. I suspect that's either because the adaption was too close to the Japanese script and should have taken more liberties to match the lip flaps or because parts of the show were animated using motion capture (maybe both). The pronunciation of Kaoru's name is also incredibly inconsistent, and Seiji's voice and performance were too over the top even for him. And I was bummed that Junichi and Ritsuko's English VAs didn't sing "But Not for Me" or "My Favorite Things" themselves. That was probably due to copyright issues. But I felt it was a missed opportunity since those insert songs were sung in English, even in the Japanese version. (Though, don't get me wrong, I still love the original covers as they are.) None of these things are bad enough to tank the whole dub separately. But when put together, it leads to a wildly uneven final product. 😅
I agree that the way Sentarou calls Kaoru "Bon" has a special ring to it. 😊 You know what's funny, though? In the official English subs, Sen calls Kaoru "Richie" all the time when the Japanese VA only called him that once, and the rest of the time, you hear him say "Bon!" In the dub, Sentarou doesn't call Kaoru "Bon" at all. It's always "Richie" (or "Richie-Rich" in Ritsuko's dad's case). Sentarou does call him "Bon" in the manga scans I'm reading. There's even a translator's note explaining that it's short for "Bonbon" (like the chocolate). If you know, I'm curious about how the French translations of either handle that. 🤔
Wow!! Six recommendations?? That's so cool! I've heard of some of these in passing but haven't watched or read them yet. "The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World" does look cute, and you gave it an 8, so I might read it myself sometime. I'm glad you've enjoyed all your recs so far. 😄
And yes!! I did enjoy "The Great Passage" a lot! My first positive impression was accurate. Watching this reminded me why I love anime so much. Because an anime can be about literally anything, and in the right hands, it can be awesome even if the premise makes it sound boring to some. A part of me is still wondering how a group of people could be so passionate about writing a dictionary of all things. However, Matsumoto-Sensei describing dictionaries as tools for understanding others better sold me on it. The only thing I found weird was the time skip in the middle. But only because Majime asking Nishioka to look over his love letter endeared him to me so much. Seeing Majime and Kaguya married in the next episode was disorienting, even though I'm happy for them. But I understand the show had to end with Daitokai being published, or it wouldn't have felt satisfying.
Whew! Again, I'm sorry that was so long! I hope you have a great day and/or evening, too! ^_^
Hi! There's no need to apologize. I understand life happens, and I figured you'd reply when you had time. When I'm out reading, I also like to finish at least one chapter (if not one volume) without interruption. It makes it easier to dive into the story and helps me unwind after a stressful day. So, yeah, I'll be sure to take my time. Thank you (and you're welcome). 😌
That's cool! I've finished the first volume of "Blissful Land" and still think it's cute. Like I said before, I'm eager to hear your thoughts after you read it.
Yeah, it's a lovely cover and scene! Coincidentally, "The Sound of Music" is one of my comfort movies. So, the reference alone made me happy. I forgot to mention the medley at school! Yes, that is such a great moment, too. I remember feeling relieved and captivated the first time I saw it. 😃
Yep, I watched "Kids on the Slope" twice. I did it because I watch anime dubbed in English a lot. (I'm a dub fan.) But with shorter shows like this, I sometimes watch the Japanese version first, then the dub right after. I find it fun and interesting to compare them. I also wanted to watch the series again to feel like I got the entire experience since I'm reading the manga, too. Plus, I was curious to see if I noticed anything different about the story or characters the second time. (It can be easy to miss things on a first viewing.)
I didn't get any other anime recommendations this year. How about you? Were your anime or manga recommendations good? I did start watching "The Great Passage" yesterday, though. I appreciate the eloquent metaphor in the first episode that compares words to an ocean and a dictionary to a ship. I'll tell you more once I finish this show, too, if you'd like.
I'm doing well, and I hope things are better for you this week. 😊
Hi again! I understand having to make recommendations based on general knowledge and gut feelings. I had to do something similar the first time I recommended an anime to a user for Secret Santa 2021. (We shared common interests, too, but hadn't seen many of the same shows.) My Santas never responded to the feedback I left for them, nor did my recipients leave any feedback for me until last year and now, this year. So, I'm happy to know you appreciate my feedback. It means a lot.
I agree that "Kids on the Slope" is worth watching and reading. I probably could read it faster if I wanted to. The thing is, I prefer reading in a library, park, or restaurant instead of at home. That's more what's holding me back. Unfortunately, the scanned version is my only option since the manga has never been licensed in the US. And it's a bummer that the French versions of the volumes are so expensive now! This would be a great series to own physically either way. The anime's soundtrack hasn't left as much of an impression on me as Yoko Kanno's other works, but I won't argue that it's not still awesome. I love her cover of "My Favorite Things." And that final jam session with Brother Jun was electric! 😆
Don't worry about "The Great Passage." When I saw that you live in Belgium, I figured it had to have been a mistake like that. I may not be able to read the manga, but now I have another anime to watch, which is always cool. I look forward to it, too, since the premise sounds interesting. Plus, I saw that you gave the show 8/10 stars. I'll start watching "The Great Passage" once I finish "Kids on the Slope" for the second time. 😉
Thank you for asking to send a friend request. (Like I said before, I knew I would take a while to reply, so I sent you one instead because I didn't want to leave you hanging!) I can't wait to exchange our thoughts on manga like "Blissful Land," "Kids on the Slope," and whatever else we happen to watch or read. In the meantime, I hope you've been well.
Hello! 👋 I'm sorry it took me a few days to type this comment. But thank you so much for the manga recommendations! It's funny that you said I should also watch the "Kids on the Slope" anime if I like the manga because that's the show my other Santa recommended! 😆 I started reading and watching them at the same pace. But because it's easier to watch things at night rather than read, I've already finished the anime while I have eight volumes left of the manga. Like I told my anime Santa, I love the warm but complicated dynamics between the characters. I finished the anime yesterday. I think the ending was perfect, but I still wish there was more. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the manga differs from it since this is such a good story! 🤩 I'll keep reading as I rewatch the TV series dubbed and listen to the soundtrack. 😉
I also read the first two chapters of "Blissful Land." I can already tell it's up my alley. The male and female leads seem sweet, and I can't wait to see their romance blossom! 😍 I also like the immersive historical setting and world-building. (Especially as it pertains to Khang's apprenticeship and herbal knowledge.) And yes, the art style feels super reminiscent of Kaoru Mori's work. The patterns on the clothes, in particular, look so detailed and pretty! 🥰
I haven't found an English translation of "The Great Passage" anywhere online yet. Unless you know where to find the manga, I may watch the anime and get back to you with my thoughts on that instead if it's all right. I could also leave more comments about "Kids on the Slope" and "Blissful Land" after I finish them if you'd like.
Thank you again. You were right on the money with these, even though you haven't read every series yet. Happy New Year!! 😄
Hi there! I'm glad you like the recommendation I gave you! ^_^ I'm sorry if I previously disabled my message from strangers (and I even forgot I put that setting a long time ago, lol), and yes I'll add you as a friend so we can talk about it! Have a nice day, cheers!
