Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii (The World is Still Beautiful) (manga and anime)

That ending ...... was horribly paced and horribly explained.

You know, not that Livi wasn't overreacting, but Nike was way too cool about almost being sexually assaulted.

edited 31st May '14 1:49:40 PM by Scherzo09

Well, this episode SHOULD make everything squeeky clean and nice all over. Plus, you get to see Livius pull off a Spartan kick. Priceless.

I just think there's Unfortunate Implications of treating him carrying her away and almost bedding her as a Secret Test of Character.

Episode 8. In which there's a locked room.

Hair cutting. Permanent until it grows out two seconds later.

I don't think she's the one who needs a dose of head-cooling. Oh, she agrees.

Sheila's sure beautiful. Especially her voice. And her hair.

Small detail, but I like how they grabbed each other's wrists, rather than hands. Much firmer grip that way.

Livi may have an iron will, but Nike can cut through iron bars.

Prime Minister GET!

Yeah, singing for an hour straight isn't easy on you.

"If you like girls so much, look in a mirror!" That's actually rather funny.

So, next episode, they're going home to Nike's place?

I think that's a bit alleviated by the correct choice being to speak up. And I'm not sure I'd qualify it as almost sexual assault if she asks what he's doing, and he's answering, fully intending to respect her wishes if she rejects him. Well, at least considering the culture they're in.

Well that's thing, the notion that this is appropriate thing to even do to a woman in the first place is kind of fucked up.

I don't think it was portrayed as appropriate.

I mean that 'testing' her character and chastity was something he had the right to do in the first place. Nike is way too cool with that.

She's a pretty good judge of character, has a knack for seeing the good in people, and she's pretty forgiving. I think her reaction was appropriate considering her character.

"What did he do to you!?" "He didn't do anything!" "I'll do even MORE to you so it wouldn't matter!" …… uuuuummmmm……

WOOAH momma. Bard sleeps naked?? … who's tha—- OO Oooooooh. ;) You sly goose.

I kind of understand Livi's dilemma from his point of view. It's tough growing up with someone you hated your entire life.

This anime never ceases to give me warm fuzzes. Nike is so COOL.

Who's that??? … wait she sounds like the Narrator.

We saw her already in a previous episodes, during one of Nike's flashbacks — it's Nike's grandmother.

She's also in the preview. I was wondering why the Narrator sounded so distinct!

Episode 9. In which they take a relaxing trip.

Three months. That kind of feels short.

Not going to blame them for falling into a fantasy while doing tedious work.

"They're just asking if I'm well." Sure they are. With that reaction.

Yeah, he knows her well enough.

Why are they so surprised at his plans? And as usual, they're discussing stuff at that place.

Those three don't really deserve to tag along.

That's a laid-back reception. I've gotten a better reception while visiting someone's house.

Honestly, back pain isn't something you think you'll die from. Hurts like hell, but you don't really fear for your life.

Swing and miss. Though to be fair, they lack the people skills necessary to determine the right person. Also, love Nike's facepalms.

Actually kind of funny when they start fawning over the real king.

Evil plotting. Can't have a plot without it.

He kind of had it coming, especially considering what he says about it.

I'll make a note that she pocketed the pictures.

Why is she so flustered by being called that at this time? Hasn't she gotten used to it by now?

Hey, look, the sisters actually care.

Development.

edited 7th Jun '14 11:19:41 PM by AnotherDuck

There will come a time for Neil to....

HAM IT UP!

... I saw the episode.

.... I also have a silly smile on my face and I CANNOT WIPE IT OFF!

That ship has a very square and very low stern.

They give the Principality of Rain a cohesive look in the buildings, but the local clothing is all over the place.

It's nice to see a change of scenery. One real problem so far is that so much of the time is spent in the palace or its gardens, giving a very tame feel. It's all too clean and orderly, pretty rather than beautiful. So the wilder, darker forest was welcome.

A similar thing could be said about the faces. They do go off-model for effect enough times, but it's not as well done as Shaft and Trigger can do. (I would really love to see how Shinbo would have handled the song and portrayed the unspoken feelings in it.)

As for the drama, episode 7 went close to genuine court conflict, but 8 was a cop-out. The writer seems unwilling to take on anything more than normal relationship shenanigans.

And I have to ask if anyone has thought of a fanfic with their roles reversed.

The Principality of Rain has a very Eastern look, which is either Chinese or Japanese. I love this, as it's a stark contrast from the Sun Kingdom.

Episode 10. In which there's treason.

So, if they can keep Nike preoccupied with something, they don't need as many people doing various labours.

Such an awkward meeting.

"What's that thing in her hand?" Just a drop in the bucket of wrong.

Those sisters sure have their priorities straight. Even confronted with having to follow up on their other sister's spectacle, they still focus on dressing up Livi.

How nice of him to explain everything.

Yeah, someone's used to warding himself against assassination attempts isn't so easily tricked.

He reached the same conclusion I did once I actually thought about the evil plotting.

The ending came a second or two too suddenly.

I wonder who will help Livi.

That concert popped the hell outta nowhere! Wh— mics!? Spotlights?? Signage??! F— what?? what? what? what?? WHAT TIME PERIOD IS THIS SHOW SET IN!?!?

Also, the OP was sped up. I think the bulk of this episode had way too many important scenes to cut so they decided to cram everything in more than usual.

Did anyone anticipate that the Narrator would be the villain??

edited 16th Jun '14 7:17:53 AM by kyun

Anime is in love with idol concerts, that's what's wrong.

And as I mentioned, I did pick that up. As soon as I actually starting thinking about the disconnect from associating back pains with thinking you're going to die as something other than bad writing or poor humour, it made sense that it was just a ploy to get her there.

lol you never know. Characters sometimes reveal they do something stupid because they're just funny characters. I wouldn't assume Granmama had any intention behind it, because do we ever question any secret intentions from the 3 old men? Or Nike's sister? Etc? The reveal was actually well-written and directed.

Another loop throw was presenting the cousin as a usual sly, conniving villain in Episode 9 to which I thought "Oh GOD, they're doing THIS again??", when in fact it was Granmama all along and the cousin was just going by the royal family traditions and was more of a nervous wreck who had a crush on Nike. :D He's more believable this way.

Also, did we see Neil take the mic in the Episode 10 preview last week?? He did no such thing here!!

edited 16th Jun '14 7:30:11 AM by kyun

I wasn't saying it was badly written. In fact, the hints were subtle enough.

I might have concluded it was plot-significant if I trusted the show to not stir up forced drama or make lame jokes.

I guess the idol concert was an attempt at quirky humour, but in the absence of being funny only the jarring effect remained. It would have worked as an Imagine Spot.

Shoulder-charging a door will only lead to sore shoulders. Much better to kick it, aiming at the lock or possibly the hinges.

I thought Grandma's face did not match her threatening voice at the end. The artists do not quite command their full range of expressions.

The episode felt more believable than a few before. I think the biggest problem is that their relationship felt like it developed before the threat set in, rather than resulting from it.

In case you peeps don't know, ep 11 is up.

Episode 11. In which there's a party.

It feels like they skipped a few steps. And if you have to resort to CPR, it's generally too late anyway. Well, unless fiction.

I like the sisters. A little weird, but decent.

That was enough to fell her?

"Is this the time to be flirting?" Aren't they doing that most of the time anyway?

That mysterious woman kind of looks like someone who'd be Nike's mother. (I didn't intend to spoiler that, but it turned out I was right.)

Like children, like mother. They all just want to dress Livi up.

She looks a little strange wearing that.

Now that's a sign of good faith and humour. When he says he first threw her in prison, they all agree it's reasonable considering who she is.

At least they agree on her bad points.