OreImo

well now I see why Kyosuke acts like such a moron with Ayase. To much brain damage from all the beatings and she's a master of mixed messages. It's both amusing and annoying

I was thinking about it, but there was just so much Ayase in this episode. Mmm-hmm.

• Wooo, Ayase's kicks and handcuffs of love! Turns out you didn't entirely dislike Kyosuke paying attention to you, eh? I also loved her thought patterns. Like thinking about how to "eliminate that thieving cat", and thinking she was the reason Kyosuke broke up with Kuroneko. And that outburst at the end of the phone conversation; why, that was almost tsundere! I'm also glad that Kyosuke and Ayase immediately made up.
• Much as I dislike am neutral towards Kirino, she looks good in that wedding dress.
• You know I was wondering why there was a beam of light. Didn't realize that the wheels of the bike had risque images of Meruru. I'm sorry but ewwww. I applaud Kirino for admitting Kyosuke was her brother; the old her probably would have denied it vehemently (and not without good reason).
• I really am liking how Kyosuke and Kirino get along. Really nice.
• Was I the only one who laughed when Kirino said, "Your eyes must be bad if you can't recognize someone after a change in hairstyle"? Considering Ayase and Kirino are palette swaps, and Kyosuke is attracted to Ayase... :D

edited 11th Jun '13 9:41:03 AM by fillerdude

Ayase vs. Kuroneko: FIGHT!

Okay, that was funny. I've noticed the series tends to get better the less Kirino is in it.

Episode 11.

Their parents... I don't know what dad assumes, but mum is... well... They didn't quite explain the truth of the matter.

Kyousuke's poker face is priceless. Sure Kyousuke, she's just eating a sasuage.

Kanako puzzling out the whole thing was a good demonstration of how things look to other characters, and I'm glad she believed Kyousuke. Mind you, it's still pretty amusing that she had to ask Bridget to remember Boyfriend!Kyousuke's face, meaning she didn't bother to take proper notice of him. Well, this all had to come out eventually.

Firefox, nice.

The lock is turning, but that means...

Ahahaha. Kyousuke I don't blame you for that reaction. I mean, it is Ayase, pulling a knife out of her bag.

Kuroneko meets Ayase. Well, that's an interesting moment. For two such influential character to only just be meeting now.

AYASE HAS THE KNIFE BACK! RUN!

What a nostslgic discussion. You know, if you have to do a harem anime, I think you should do something like this. He met the girls all quite separately, naturally and they talk about things significant to their interactions, the interactions themselves are meanlingful, and if you find fanservice anywhere it's in the circumstance, not blatant unnatural exposure-

LOOK OUT, THE LIGHT IN HER EYES JUST WENT DARK!

Nice battle scene.

It is nice to see Kuroneko, but Ayase is stealing the show again this episode. Kanako was an addition I liked, as usual.

Another very good episode. How I wish the skipped some of the earlier episodes to spend more time on this instead. The early episodes were mostly misses for me whereas the latest episodes have been entirely hits.

edited 15th Jun '13 6:59:47 PM by UltimatelySubjective

Episode 11: Plot happens and now Kyosuke is living on his own. He gets some visitors.

Kirino's visit: Hrmmm.

Kanako's visit: Not bad at all. The eroge discussion was hilarious.

Ayase's visit: If you know me then you know what my reaction is. First thing she does is step on Kyosuke. Then she pulls out a knife as a housewarming gift. Then—

OH YES.

Kuroneko and Ayase in the same room. Fighting over Kyosuke (and Kirino, sort of). It is a THING OF BEAUTY, my dear friends.

I think the best part was Kanako's visit. The two of them are just...hilariously similar, I think. They're just so deadpan, it's great.

As hilarious as I find Kanako's visit, Ayase and Kuroneko talking was just too great. The tension... We didn't even need that chuuni delusion fight representation, their real battle was just amazing.

It's also nice to see Kirino being consistently nice, I felt that buying a fridge for such a short stay was almost wasteful, but it does show she cares. As does the fact that Kirino continues to call her brother "Kyousuke".

Which was what tipped their mother off. Well that and, in the light novel she mentions she saw them come back in wedding clothes.

I hope the moving in party will be at least this fun. The idea of so many characters being in the same place sounds like the best thing ever.

Even if it also sounds excessive. I mean, he's only supposed to be there for a month.

Seeing them coming back to the concert in the wedding clothes would make her reaction 100% much more justifiable! If the show had simply mentioned that in one line, I would've enjoyed this episode a lot more because then there would be a more logical reason why he got kicked out!

edited 16th Jun '13 7:27:03 PM by Shota

In wedding clothes and holding hands, no less. Apparently they didn't even notice they were doing it, which is kind of adorable.

The test is in a couple of months, then he needs to wait a month to hear his results. So he's out of the house for about three months, IIRC.

Yeah, perhaps. I haven't actually read the light novels (although I definitely will afterwards for all that extra content) but if she's willing to let it go with just this, then perhaps slightly less incriminating evidence is a good thing. Though that picture is pretty suggestive. Nice Idiot Ball Kyousuke, sticking it on the fridge.

Okay, that's definitely a more significantly time frame. An entire quarter of a year.

edited 16th Jun '13 8:21:48 PM by UltimatelySubjective

"I DISCOVERED A RANDOM STICKER!!! GET OUT!!!!"

-shrugs?-

To be fair, when you consider the sheer amount of vitriol in their relationship until now, it IS a pretty suspicious change. Plus, I personally suspect that she actually knows everything that goes on in this house and just pretends not to, which considering what we've seen would look kinda suspicious.

Alongside the came back in wedding clothes bit, it's also said in the novels that they may have been holding hands when they came back. Neither of them actually remember if that's the case, but it adds more to the scene, I think.

Also, after reading a quick translation of the last novel, I have to say that it's not bad. I think I would have been pissed if I'd only read that summary that was posted here a few pages back, but as I read the translation I genuinely enjoyed it.

I disagree with pretty much everyone except Chariot. Ultimately Subjective: It's most certainly not an open ending, it's a complete 'Kirino won' ending, one in which she ends up completely happy, even if she and Kyousuke aren't necessarily together in a romantic way.

Myssa Rei, your summary was wrong in a few points: both Kyousuke and Kirino agree to remain as 'normal siblings' in the ending, it's not that he rejects her in the end; the epilogue does not specify how much time has passed, but it's certainly not 10 years; in the epilogue, when Kyousuke kisses Kirino, it's not specified what kind of kiss it is, so it's not necessarily a deep kiss (that would be the wedding kiss).

Well, now that the series has more-or-less ended (not counting the anime), I may as well give you a gift. To those who may have not read the novels but have read the last novel summary (although I have no idea why you would want to do that since it'd just taint your opinion), here you go, the translated novels from 1-11 plus side-stories can be found here.

As for the last one, I urge all of you that feel disappointed or frustrated by it to go here and read it (you can find its illustrations here). Then, read this analysis by the translator, to understand where I'm coming from.

I hope it's helpful to all of you.

This would have made the episode make so much more sense.

Exactly.

I've added more characters to the character page of this show. Anyone else I should add?

Episode 12. In which many of the Light Novel's subplots go unexplained, are cut or simply are switched around in order.

Mind you, I don't think it was bad, but some decisions here were questionable. The stalker subplot didn't really go anywhere, huh? In the LN Kyousuke realizes that Ayase's pictures (on the blog he was viewing last episode) were taken without her permission, and that this stalker thought he and Ayase were an item (of course, the Contractual Purity of her being a model has to do with it). Figuring that she's in danger, he warns her agency with the advice of Mikagami. On the day he takes the exam, when Ayase visits him, the stalker (a younger girl who admired Ayase) shows up. There's a brief struggle and Kyousuke falls down some stairs. He's a bit bruised, but the girl is horrified, not wishing to take things so far. He ends up explaining the situation, both him and Ayase heavily scold her and he ends up taking his exam with no problems.

Let's see, what else... Oh yeah, after receiving the embarrassing cabinet from Mikagami, Kyousuke's father visits him, they talk a while. He says he trusts Kyousuke, and is not worried about the possibility of him and Kirino doing things, basically he understands that he gets involved in a lot of embarrassing situations (including him Taking the Heat for Kirino's eroge); he also says he should focus on his studies. Apart from that he makes him write down a list of things he's received from people since the time he's moved in, as a way of knowing who to thank. He then punches Kyousuke in comedic fashion when he realizes most of the things he's received come from girls (also, he helps him set up the cabinet).

Mikagami himself has more focus, as I already mentioned... I also don't recall Hinata showing up, but I could be wrong. At one point Kyousuke returns to his apartment to find Kuroneko on the floor with Ayase stepping on her stomach. They appeared to be having fun for some reason...

One minor cut thing mentioned near the end is that Kyousuke and Kirino's mom wasn't actually worried that they might be doing things, it was mostly an excuse for Kyousuke to study hard.

The ending was pulled off well. I was a bit worried throughout the episode because during this second season I've felt that Ayase has had excessive focus, and there was the possibility that there could be split-off routes, but it wasn't the case. For the record, in the novel it ends in a cliffhanger when Ayase confesses, the rest is from novel 12.

If I keep thinking about it they've really cut out a lot... from Volume 8, they also cut out an important thing: After the whole mess with Kuroneko Manami casually confesses to Kyousuke; he's shocked, she says he should consider things carefully and take his time before deciding anything, with anyone. Kyousuke later agrees internally, telling himself that he will be the one to confess his feelings to someone before graduating.

Oh gods, this is simply too much. Everyone who hasn't read the novels: I highly urge you to do so, you can find links to them in my previous post. It would probably clear up a lot of doubts and misunderstandings. This is the last time I'll speak about it, since comparing them to the anime is probably bothersome.

That next episode title is promising. Gotta wonder how they'll end it without it being unsatisfactory.

Finally, we also have the release dates for the OVAs, but we'll have to wait a month and a half after the TV ending.

Episode 12.

I see so that's how it is. The trio's hierarchy is Kirino>Ayase>Kanako. All of whom are formidable on their own.

So... They're not going to fight?

Oh nice, Kyousuke is fiercely guarded by both Ayase and Kirino. They look like they're ready to bite.

Quite a backhanded compliment Kirino made about the food, I guess this means Kuroneko still gets the tsundere side of Kirino.

They are going to fight. It's time! From this we shall draw up the a hierarchy of the whole group!

That hairclip indeed... Cue more palette swap accusations and some questions about Kirino's motives. Actually Kirino missing the clues about a tsundere is quite in character, especially considering she hasn't been privy to most Kyousuke and Ayase interactions.

It's still a bit rushed, but I think they did a pretty good job using that montage to portray the passing of time, and they expanded it in the right places.

Ah, Ayase's confession. If only this was the Kyousuke of a year ago, he would have accepted. Then again, he is less shallow now.

Quite a nice confession. A little bit Messy, certainly not cliché, good background music.

In fact this ED is one of my favourites so far this season.

Another good episode. A fitting tribute to Ayase too.

I'm still enjoying being pleasantly surprised each episode. I'll probably end up going through all the novels in the gap between episode 13 and the specials.

Speaking of the specials, they are going to stream so at least we won't have to wait for subs from the B Ds.

Next episode is the last before the specials, so I have to wonder how they'll end the TV part and whether it will be semi-conclusive. It doesn't look like they're going to take the true route approach of last season. At least, I don't think so.

edited 22nd Jun '13 7:10:00 PM by UltimatelySubjective

Episode 12:

Even though I already know how the story will end, it's still heartbreaking that Ayase loses. Seriously, she was the best legit girl. Since Saori never stood a chance, I always shipped Ayase. Kyousuke, seriously, did you have to choose your sister when you have a gothic lolita, a bombshell idol, a childhood friend, and more to choose from? I mean, I somewhat understand that the author wants to let Kirino, the first girl as well as the main focus of the series win, but it still feels like he's giving us the middle finger

Best ED song of the season so far as well.

Damn, I'd have liked to see Kyosuke's bonding moment with his dad, and Ayase stepping on Kuroneko. Ayase. Stepping on. Kuroneko.

I think it's fine that the stalker bit got cut out, doesn't seem that important in the grand scheme of things. Manami's confession on the other hand...

I also expected the mom to say something like that. Good to know!

Liked the ED too, but mostly because I thought the falling jigsaw puzzle pieces effect was neat. Tune was kinda generic.

I know right? Danna, it looks like we'll have to take the rest of the girls for ourselves. n_n (Dibs on Kuroneko and Ayase)

Anyway, Episode 12. I enjoyed the harem hijinks a lot, with the entire harem present. Even Saori joins in on the fun! I'm also going to take back every criticism I made about Kirino because she asked Ayase to have the screentime for half the episode. Oh, and nice to see Hinata again! I just realized that Kana Hana voices her the same way she voices Syrop in Leviathan.

Ayase's confession was... okay? Didn't feel anything.

edited 24th Jun '13 4:02:43 AM by fillerdude

Okay, this was both technically pretty good and a show of how bad the show has gotten.

I mean, it was genuinely funny, but the gradual shift into standard harem dynamics really shows the deterioration of what was originally a pretty interesting show.

I regret that it's technically become a harem show, but people are getting turned down and relationships are progressing, so in that sense it averts harem dynamics.

I also think the characters are neither tacked on solely for harem purposes, nor does their affection come out of nowhere.

On top of that we're moving towards a definite end.

I think that's actually most of the reasons people consider harem bad.

And Clannad did teach me not to take the harem label at face value.

edited 24th Jun '13 3:41:05 PM by UltimatelySubjective

Okay, now this episode felt very rushed. And I'm not too keen on Kanako and Saori also trying to get Kyousuke's attention. When ever did that happen?! Am I watching Tenchi Muyo?!

edited 24th Jun '13 4:17:49 PM by Shota

It's amazing how harem has justifiably gained so many negative connotations. It also struck me while I was reading volume 10 that it had indeed become a sort-of harem.

Thankfully, Oreimo has almost always shied away from fanservice and gratuitous nudity. It's always been about the interactions of its characters. It would be incredibly misleading to call it a true harem, but saying it has adopted harem dynamics would not be false.

Also, I'd like to note that it's ironically Manami's fault that the situation became as such. Kanako wouldn't have showed up and given lunch to Kyousuke if Manami hadn't taught her how to make it, and in fact the entire celebration wouldn't have happened if she hadn't suggested it. Odd, isn't it?

But yes, Shota, they've compressed it a lot. I reiterate that they should have kept in that Volume 8 spoiler I mentioned earlier, it might confuse some people later on. As a final note, Saori's flirting with Kyousuke is entirely humorous and not serious at all.

The quality of a lot of harem shows is questionable (I should know, I watch at least one every season) but there are legitimately decent to good ones. The harem label isn't a bad thing in and of itself.

I find the term "true harem" questionable. How do you define it? From my perspective, Ore Imo is not just a sort-of harem. It's an actual harem, merely one done right.