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REVIEW: Aoihana Episodes 1-11 Streaming


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Kit-Tsukasa



Joined: 16 Mar 2006
Posts: 930
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:31 pm Reply with quote
it's a shame that they didn't get too far in the anime, especially since each episode essentially covered only 1 or 2 chapters of the manga. Since it's done by J.C. Staff, hopefully there will be a second season since we do need more "good" yuri anime out there.
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Quark



Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 710
Location: British Columbia, Canada
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:51 pm Reply with quote
So far I've read two of the tankuban, and watched a few episodes of the anime, and I have to say - I love this series. The tone of it reminds me a lot of Koi Kaze as they are both series that deal with relationships in a more sensitive and mature way than most anime.
Although I have to disagree with you Casey about yuri anime being boring. Maybe it's because, like you said, they're old-school shoujo wannabes, that I find them to be very sweet and relaxing. However, I could see how someone would find them boring - they tend to be more character driven than plot or action based.
I'm just hoping someone (hint hint, Nozomi) will release this series on DVD so it can join Simoun, Marimite, Utena and Kashimashi on my shelves.
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Jedi General



Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 2485
Location: Tucson, AZ
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:15 am Reply with quote
Oh man, I love this series to death. Every freaking nanosecond of it. Yuri overtones aside, Aoi Hana is easily one of the best shows of the year.

Yeah, it is incomplete, and a second season would be very nice, but what a wonderful 11-episode experience it was all the same. It is a down-to-earth, honest depiction of the importance of relationships with great production values, great voice acting and a subtle musical score that fits the series like a glove. Even shows that play it straight have a hard time accomplishing what Aoi Hana did. Can't overlook Kenichi Kasai's sensitive direction either. I doubt anyone could have handled this show as well as he.

God, I hope this is licensed in the near future.

By the way, why is this review linked to the manga? Shouldn't it be linked to the anime?
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fuuma_monou



Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 1816
Location: Quezon City, Philippines
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:17 am Reply with quote
Jedi General wrote:
By the way, why is this review linked to the manga? Shouldn't it be linked to the anime?


Probably because the anime is listed under the English title, for some reason. Encyclopedia links are automatically generated.
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pachy_boy



Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 1323
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:24 am Reply with quote
Quote:
Were you to judge this show solely by its opening theme, you would naturally assume that the story's focus is on Fumi and Akira and their relationship with each other.


If you were to follow the story in the manga, the larger picture was about Fumi and AKira, so that's what the opening theme reflected on. Interesting trivia: the opening theme was actually created by Kunihiko Ikuhara, the creator of Utena.

Rather than 'boring,' I think of similar-toned Yuri series as 'relaxing' and 'absorbing,' which Aoi Hana really is; it really draws me in that way. Aside from that, this was a very fair review from the infamous Casey, for such a beautiful, artistic series, and gives a great character analysis. By the end, the series really feels like it's only just started, and hopefully they'll do more. And I think Crunchyroll technically holds the license.
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Ktimene's Lover



Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 2242
Location: Glendale, AZ (Proudly living in the desert)
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:55 am Reply with quote
Why do some anime series only get 11 episodes as opposed to the standard amount of 12, 13, 14, 24, 25, or 26? I felt that Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 should have been 13 episodes instead of just 11 because the plot was so well developed (I feel).
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vashfanatic



Joined: 16 Jun 2005
Posts: 3489
Location: Back stateside
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:34 pm Reply with quote
Ctimene's Lover wrote:
Why do some anime series only get 11 episodes as opposed to the standard amount of 12, 13, 14, 24, 25, or 26? I felt that Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 should have been 13 episodes instead of just 11 because the plot was so well developed (I feel).


My guess? It's all how much money they get to 1) produce the episode and 2) buy the air time. Most money seems to get dumped on sure-bet series with gobs of fan service and merchandising possibilities.

It's interesting Ms. Brienza called this an "old school shoujo wannabe," since it runs in a seinen magazine. I attribute that fact to most of its maturity.

I also don't think you're necessarily supposed to like Sugimoto. The comparison to Heathcliffe in Wuthering Heights is a good one - he's so often romanticized, but is really not a pleasant person once you get past that. So too with Sugimoto, who on the outside seems perfect but is really quite messed up and often mean.

I wish this one could be a full season's worth just to get further into the manga. It's unlicensed, but relatively easy to find if you go to a certain website for yuri manga which is very responsible about observing licenses, so feel free to download and read. I hope this one makes it over here, but the yuri market is dismally small.
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DFBTG



Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Posts: 385
Location: Hell
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:14 pm Reply with quote
I haven't watched the last two episodes yet, but I doubt I'll enjoy them any less than the previous 9. As such, I'm really hoping that this gets licensed. I'm a sucker for character driven shows, and this is one of the best out there. It handles things in a mature, realistic way (especially compared to most). Felt like the characters were actually real. Also hoping for a second season once more material is out for it to adapt.
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Pocky Monster



Joined: 03 Aug 2008
Posts: 237
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:29 pm Reply with quote
Aoi Hana is one my top favourite yuri series. We need more shoujo-ai and yuri like this. Anime smallmouth I'd be a very happy fangirl if more gentle slice-of-life yuri anime were being made (looking forward to this Fall's Sasameki Koto).
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Chibi Kaji



Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 10
PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:09 pm Reply with quote
Aoihana was one of my favorite shows last season. Being someone who has read some of the manga I was a bit depressed to learn that it was only 11 eps long. But I was surprised that the ending was pretty good and left it open just in case they ever did a 2nd season.
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Seljuk



Joined: 03 Dec 2008
Posts: 139
PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:34 am Reply with quote
I dropped this one when watching it (after episode 4, if I recall), and it will take some big convincing to get me back in it.

My take was that it's just a bad romance with generic everyman...cast as a woman. Weak willed, zero self confidence, etc. I know that leaves a lot of room for character growth, but that type of character really ticks me off, no matter where the presentation. Okay, maybe it's just because they said she smelled like mothballs. Heh.

There was just nothing to keep me in it, as I found the characters genuinely uninteresting. I know there are some who really do like the series, but I think it too often gets a pass just for having a serious yuri couple, while still being appropriate.
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vashfanatic



Joined: 16 Jun 2005
Posts: 3489
Location: Back stateside
PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:19 pm Reply with quote
Seljuk wrote:
My take was that it's just a bad romance with generic everyman...cast as a woman. Weak willed, zero self confidence, etc. I know that leaves a lot of room for character growth, but that type of character really ticks me off, no matter where the presentation.


It does leave a lot of room for character growth. Only, due to the brevity of the series, it barely starts to get into it. You get her brilliant moment with Sugimoto at the end of episode 10, but that's barely into the story. If you didn't like Fumi, I can't fault you for not liking the series

My biggest hope is that the anime will raise some awareness of the manga and maybe it will get licensed...?
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Chrno2



Joined: 28 May 2004
Posts: 6171
Location: USA
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:30 pm Reply with quote
Who's streaming this series?

I took a look into this show. I really can't remember how I found myself learning about this show. Other than maybe hearing it mentioned briefly on here. I decided to take a look. I must say this was another show I managed to finish in one day. Really nice show. I may have to give the manga a read.
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DFBTG



Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Posts: 385
Location: Hell
PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:53 pm Reply with quote
Chrno2 wrote:
Who's streaming this series?

I took a look into this show. I really can't remember how I found myself learning about this show. Other than maybe hearing it mentioned briefly on here. I decided to take a look. I must say this was another show I managed to finish in one day. Really nice show. I may have to give the manga a read.


Crunchyroll is streaming this. And although I'm not normally a manga person, this might be one I pick flip through at least. Well, as much as I can without having a physical copy.
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shirohana



Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 3
PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:37 am Reply with quote
vashfanatic wrote:

It's interesting Ms. Brienza called this an "old school shoujo wannabe," since it runs in a seinen magazine. I attribute that fact to most of its maturity.

It doesn't. Manga Erotics F, which Aoi Hana runs in, is an alternative manga magazine without a set target audience.
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