I laughed at how Ayame being "Iris-sensei" was basically her with her glasses off, sparkles in her eyes, unkempt hair, and lipstick.
A lot has been mentioned by Azure Seas, so what's left for me is more in the Headscratchers/WMG territory.
- I know it well that Shiina likes weird drinks, but I'm still puzzled as for why vending machines in Japan tend to sell such weird drinks that would only be available in specialty stores in the US. For example, we see Shiina buys a Strawberry-Cherry-Habanero from this this episode.
- Also headscratcher worthy is how Minaha been able to promote Iris' novel. She's practically giving away reprints of the 'zines from the literature club; and how likely can a school literature club have large stocks of back-issue 'zines for Minaha to hand away like that.
- This makes me wonder this series' Real Life Context. It feels to be that the different "clubs" are more like doujin circles of different types, which means the Literature Club is a fanfic circle while the Illustration club is actualy a doujin circle in the usual meaning of the term, which would also explain...
- Why Minaha and Yumine starts a shipping war in the classroom. But still doesn't explain...
- The people in this places seems to be a bit unrealistically open-minded towards otaku-type hobbies. Nor the fact that the cast's classmates all draw better than average.
- Ayame's "disguise." Is that actually how she wore when she was in middle school? I'm not even sure whether that's being Tomboy or not, since tomboys don't wear lipsticks.
I wouldn't be surprised if Minaha went to a copy shop and printed a lot more books to hand to everyone >_>
I thought Ayame making up her face was more her way of teasing Shiina, like that was what she thought a smiling Shiina would be like. And Minaha's like, that person is so radiant, she must be Iris!
Sorry for not posting anything for two weeks; I'm still on a vacation in Asia and don't have much time watching any anime. So can I skip with Episode 10 and go into the first half of Episode 11 directly?
- OK, so the question of the dual screens is solved. Minaha is no Teen Genius; the more appropriate trope is Fiction 500.
- Sure the Iinos are rich. But can we say Tamaki is?
- Hm, so both Tamaki and Minaha are Book Dumb.
- The elder Iino gather enough intel on Iris. But looks like she's a fan too, despite, of course, Ayame sees her elementary-school poems as Old Shame.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Kind of wonder about that though. Minaha is clearly in the same year as Tamaki, and yet the latter is in the same class as Minaha's elder sister. I feel that there's something missing here. :P
There are three possibilities:
- They're fraternal twins.
- The younger is conceived shortly (< 2 months) after the elder was born.
- Minaha is adopted. This is unlikely given the Iinos are Old Money.
One thing I want to say about Episode 10 is that it's a good thing Yumine didn't come to Shiina's place as well :p
Episode 11 was weird. It felt like they were setting a big conflict up, but then resolved it off screen. Natsu had an odd role with trying to cover for Minaha and then asking why she doesn't do something more useful. The second half felt like it was re-treading familiar territory, with Tamaki once more unsure of something. Teru popping up in Tamaki's hometown felt strange considering she did something similar in just the previous episode. Is she Superman or something?
At least it managed to end on a satisfying note. Seeing most of the supporting cast one more time was fun, it was cool seeing the club have greater success in selling their newest game, and Tamaki expressing a desire to make her own game felt like the next reasonable step to take. I hope they make more seasons, but if they don't I'm content with what I got.
I'm handling your reply first, review of episode 12 tomorrow (watched it tonight).
It feels to me that Natsu is trying to cover for Minaha, but she has standards—provided, it looks like she's the only muggle teen in the cast, so I would see her behavior as one of seeing otaku hobbies not ojou-ish enough, or, like what she said, not particularly practical (i.e. Kagami's complaint).
Also go back to episode 11 and look at the opening sequences. All the cast have Level Up!
Scientia et Libertas | Per Aspera ad Astra Nova
OK, OK, episode 12 is long overdue... I'd concentrate on the Comiket part as I have a hunch that the rest of this episode were time fillers (strangely. It has material).
- The section starts with "Papa, daisuki"... But as Love You and Everybody mentioned, I'm still not completely sure whether Tamaki has a romantic crush on her dad.
- I know Tokyo Big Sight is by the sea, but there's a ferry to there?
- It seems this episode shows some of Shiina's Shrinking Violet roots, but at least this time she's coming, unlike last time...
- How much crowds does Comiket have? I consider the most well-known anime depiction of the event is Lucky Star's, but it seems in this episode the line to get into the hall is shorter... or just the animator drew the sky a bit too bright.
- Teru again appearing out of nowhere... Actually, the last time she was in the Iino house, supplying energy drinks to Minaha and Tamaki, so I'm surprised that Natsu and the servant has no idea who she is.
- Before Yumine sees the idea of introducing Tamaki to Boys' Love as Corrupt the Cutie, but now she sees no problem in that. What gives?
- Giving snacks to circles... I didn't know such a custom exist. I did read in Hang In There Kogasa San about people giving him too much snacks at cons, but then that's Hitoshi...
- So Shiina has to be masked until she's used to it.
- There're three circles' stuff they are selling in this booth?
- Oh, she takes of the mask eventually.
- It seems this Temawari Suisan circle is a big circle... Tamaki has to hold a "line starts here sign"?
- OK, there comes Marika. She doesn't sound like an otaku to me, but I take that the real-life subtext of this series implies she is.
- Minaha doesn't seem to realize her role in Stardust Intentzione...
- So, Teru is infamous for "browsing through all sorts of clubs"... how can that even be possible?
- Natsu will be "a bit more permissive." It needs some time to determine how much, though..
- So, you all are peeping at Haa-chan? Or are you her bodyguard?
OK, the question one must drop here: This or New Game!? Scientia et Libertas | Per Aspera ad Astra Nova
This is pretty traditional as far as Kirara series go, focusing on a group of friends still in high school.
Remember, one of the contentions about New Game is that, despite moving it to an ostensibly adult workplace, it still kept many of the Kirara cliches, which made it feel weird to people.
- There is a ferry, but few people use it due to relatively sparse schedules and limited seats available.
- The crowds are mostly concentrated at the commercial booths, but lines in doujinshi booths aren't unheard off. Also, the lines do get shorter as time passes and disappears in the afternoon, in which you don't need to queue to get in.
- I saw attendants give gifts, snacks included, in Music Media-mix Market. One circle even listed guidelines of what gifts to not be given!
- Gift, a music circle, sells music from exactly 3 circles (with Adresse and Magi×Ten) in C91 because they share one member. All those 3 circles incidentally has a new album at that.
edited 8th Jan '17 4:26:51 PM by murazrai
Pretty sure Teru showed up at the Honda house, not the Iino house. Marika brought up manga before, so she's at least a casual fan. As for this of New Game, I prefer this one, because I found the characters more enjoyable, and I feel like this one centered more of its segments on them making the game. I still greatly enjoyed New Game, though.
Distant observer
I know this is an older series and an inactive thread, but I just came across an interesting talk on Stella no Mahou
. Now, I rather liked this series, and I don't agree with the linked article's conclusion, but they do bring an interesting point to the table: focusing on the minor details certainly won't contribute to one's enjoyment of this series.
It is obvious that, while they didn't like the series, they nonetheless have some useful perspectives on some aspects that were discussed here, and I would agree that one should be careful when reading these forums for technical details. Some things that are certainly wrong in this thread, that are addressed, include:
- It is possible for Tamaki's computer to run SAI: not every Windows XP computer is running the minimum specs.
- It is possible to build a visual novel over two weeks, one just has to know their platform and have the right assets (illustrations, music and story)
- It is possible to patch a game that was installed from a CD. The CD is just an installer that puts the executable onto the computer, and downloading a new executable or binary (i.e. the patch) will fix some issues.
Edited by ClockworkUniverses on Aug 23rd 2018 at 9:45:27 AM
Being cleverer than you look is better than looking cleverer than you are.
The Real Daigensui
I thought Stella no Mahou was alright, but not quite as fun as New Game. As for technical accuracy, I think that the article linked should be required reading for Sam Curt and Myssa Rei; nothing to be gained by looking at every grain of sand in a show, after all 
Edited by Person0123452 on Sep 3rd 2018 at 9:30:07 AM
The only resource you need for tropes
Heh. Weird that they'd keep Minaha's relations under wraps and give it away there. Oh well. Not that it matters come Episode 9 anyway, since they do everything just short of stating who Minaha's sister is there. She is a first-year after all, so her sister is either a fraternal twin or they were born in the window to be in the same year.
I think my respect for this series seriously increased after this one. It feels grounded and most of the cast has depth to them. Shiina prefers to keep to herself, but is aware of societal norms and how certain phrases impact others, and is willing to hear others out if they're in distress. Ayame is really trying to reform herself and is aware of her shortcomings. Tamaki can be ditzy, but she's willing to take steps to better herself and others. She and Minaha are rivals, but they're not above help in one way or another. It's really refreshing.