Plastic Memories

Seems like there hasn't been much discussion about the previous or this week's episode. In short, Isla finally reciprocates Tsukasa's feelings, much to the joy of practically everyone in the office.

A sweet moment, but Crunchyroll should've taken a page from fansubbers who made the Saikano subs because I really think things are going to go downhill for the characters from here. So, if you don't like feels or depressing endings, it might be a good idea to stop watching the series at Episode 10. Further thoughts?

All I can say is that Isla crying totally had no emotional impact on me what so ever. Definitely didn't. All your imagination.

A series like this wouldn't feel right not ending on a depressing note, with maybe a possible hope spot, but preferably without one.

That's sorta what I've been feeling. I mean, as unfortunate as it may be to the characters, it would be out of character to end the series with a happy ending coming from nowhere. The general consensus seems to concur with my thoughts on potential endings as well.

It also doesn't help matters that Isla and Tsukasa's relationship is as doomed as Burnley's 2014-2015 season in the English Premier League. And with plot threads still needing to be addressed, it's only a matter of time before shit gets real.

Having just watched Episode 11's PV, it looks like the first half of the next episode will be the calm before the storm. On the risk of repeating myself, I have to say that I can't imagine the next episode having a good ending.

edited 7th Jun '15 6:20:45 PM by sanfranman91

Not sure if anyone noticed (I only noticed a few episodes ago), but Isla's expression at the end of the OP represents how she feels toward Tsukasa at that point in the series.

In ep 9's OP, she looks somewhat lovestruck. In ep 10's OP, she looks depressed.

Anyway, I was kind of wondering why there was random confetti falling in the office at the end of ep 10...then the camera shifts to show Zack with a popped party popper, implying the confetti was from his popper. Nice touch, but it doesn't explain the confetti falling down far behind him.

Who cares it's just to celebrate them getting together.

Like the OP change too. She won't be there on the last episode would she.

I don't think the OP will even play during the last episode. Or we might get it playing over the show toward the end instead.

And we'll probably have Isla's body getting a new OS installed and paired up with Tsukasa again at the end, with him being the sempai this time.

In which case it'll be kind of like One Week Friends or Ef A Tale Of Memories.

edited 10th Jun '15 3:22:29 AM by HanabiraKage

Better get the tissues then.

Looking through the lyrics of the ED, it seems to be from Tsukasa's perspective. The first verse seems to be referencing the festival in ep 8 (I was searching for you who had gotten lost/I called [for you], but my voice was drowned out/That hand I was holding tightly/Was trembling).

There's also this near the end: Embracing the warmth, I begin to walk/Thank you for this this miracle/I pray that someday/We will be able to meet once again.

Yup, I think we're in for a Bittersweet Ending.

After delays from Crunchyroll, Episode 11 came out. I knew after watching this episode's PV that this was going to be the calm before the storm, and calm it was. In short, if you love heartwarming and awkward moments between Isla and Tsukasa, you'll definitely get more than your fair share in this week's episode. It wasn't what most were expecting for this week, but you got to admit that at least the writers do a good job in handling the romantic development between the human boy and the Giftia girl (sappy, I know )

However, I can't help but feel disappointed that the show has taken the path it has with its premise. I have watched Ex Machina and Time of Eve beforehand, and I enjoyed how they handled the integration of AI in human life and the potential implications as a result. While I know this show is primarily a romance before the pilot aired, I thought this would tackle this premise and investigate further into Terminal Service Department's android euthanasia service. The fact that the show relegates its premise and the plot threads from Episode 5 (which now seems like a morbid Big-Lipped Alligator Moment at this point) to its background in favor of a The Fault in Our Stars-esque doomed romance is frankly frustrating. And what is up with Shinya Godou? He was being set up as a man with a nasty plan, but he completely fell off the map after Episode 6 and bringing him (and R. Security) back in the last two episodes would be a rushed return at this rate.

It makes me wonder what the hell happened during the writing process for this series, especially if you recall that Naotaka Hayashi is also the creator of Steins;Gate. Here are three possibilities: A. This show was a victim of Executive Meddling, meaning the writer was forced to abandon the premise in favor of romantic shenanigans (hence why Episode 5 is so out of left field). B. Steins;Gate is a classic potentially because 5pb used Executive Meddling to cut the amount of humor written by Hayashi. Or C. Hayashi didn't plan on addressing how Giftias function in advance and tried to appeal to everyone.

Plastic Memories is currently the most trending anime of this season. It has become more plausible that a S2 could be made for this show to go further into its settings, but I'm honestly torn in whether I can watch another season.

edited 14th Jun '15 4:30:03 AM by sanfranman91

Nice to see Time of Eve get some love. It's what I was expecting when I first dived into Plastic Memories, which, alas, has become but another forgettable romantic drama.

edited 13th Jun '15 11:57:26 PM by fillerdude

I know. It's kinda funny how even the first episode of Time of Eve addressed and tackled its premise more than 11 episodes of this show.

Also, I just watched Episode 12's PV. Anyway, if what I'm seeing is correct, it shows a grieving Tsukasa in front of a deactivated android. I'm certain that Isla's going to die next week now. Make of that what you will.

edited 14th Jun '15 4:32:59 AM by sanfranman91

Guess I like romantic drama. I have been...tricked?

This episode is not good for my heart, those two are so sweet together.

I am ready next week. I am.

Nawww, the show's pretty nice. Just a case of misplaced expectations.

The show's alright if you're looking at it as a romance rather than a sci-fi. As I said, many of the characters are likable and the working and romantic relationship between Isla and Tsukasa is well developed (if somewhat awkward).

As fillerdude pointed out, its premise created expectations that were different than what the show delivered. I feel mixed about it; I'm honestly a bit frustrated that this was not the series I was hoping for, but I have enjoyed what the series has given to its viewers thus far.

I am still curious about what had happened during the show's writing process though. The Chris Carter Effect is proving to be a bit much for some reviewers and I wonder if a second season will be made to address these plot threads.

edited 15th Jun '15 5:50:45 AM by sanfranman91

It's kind of hard to translate lyrics, but here you go. Asayake no Starmine (Starmine of the Morning Glow). This is pretty much my first time translating song lyrics, so I probably got some stuff wrong or worded some stuff weirdly. This song is definitely from Tsukasa's point of view.

Note: A "starmine" is a type of firework. The word does not actually exist in English; i.e. it's Gratuitous English on the part of the Japanese person who named it.

^{This is quite long. Hope it doesn't break anything} 
I've been searching for the lost you
I called for you, but my voice was drowned out
That hand of yours I gripped so tightly
was trembling, wasn't it?
Our feelings will tightly embrace
the time we can no longer return to
and soar up high.

As the kaleidoscope glitters in the sky,
you smile ever so awkwardly,
overflowing with loveliness.
Before the light fades away,
I wish from my heart, that I'll never
forget this moment for all eternity.

As the clock's hands advance onward,
you say that my smile is just a brave front.
I've been seen through by the one I'm embracing,
before dawn even arrived.
Let's burn these growing emotions into our memories
with every second, and weave a starry sky.

I placed a ring of light around your finger,
and it delighted you so.
The world is shining all around.
Even if this magical moment were to pass,
This bond born of our vow, will forever
live on within our hearts.
The days I spent with you are uncountable,
If you turn to look at them you'll see,
that they shine vividly as starmines.

In the rainbow-coloured morning glow,
I stand alone after the festival,
immersed in my lingering memories of you.

Embracing this warmth I begin to walk on.
Thank you for this miracle.
I pray that someday I will
be able to meet you once again.

As the kaleidoscope glittered in the sky,
you smiled ever so awkwardly,
overflowing with loveliness.

Before the light fades away,
I had sworn from my heart to never
forget this moment for all eternity.
In the distance, the starmines bloom
colouring the sky.

edited 21st Jun '15 5:46:07 AM by HanabiraKage

Well it's over.

Teared up a few times. Like during the end of the OP when isla smiles with tears in her eyes. The part on the Ferris wheel. And the part AFTER the wheel when tsukasa breaks down.

The concept was interesting but it was a love story in the end.

Am I the only one that finds it kinda creepy they are reusing her body?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Are you sure it was a "recycled" Isla? I did not read it that way — and it would seem weird to reassign Isla to the same Terminal Services office, considering that the one that was "recycled" in a previous episode was also reassigned to a different office.

Unless Tsukasa decided to opt for the OS/personality replacement when he had to sign the contract — in which case it'd be really creepy.

I'm not really sure why it's creepy. We were aware of these things from the beginning. From a practical standpoint it makes more sense to send her somewhere else so the people who knew her old self don't get distracted by memories but I don't find anything creepy about them doing what we've known could be done throughout the series. Unless you find the concept of the giftia and how the system works as creepy which... I actually could see but don't think of it that way.

But Isla has the ring on her right hand, and Tsukasa's new partner doesn't.

The ring is used to destroy the Giftia's personality program for retrieval. No point in a "new" Giftia having it on.

edited 29th Jun '15 7:28:35 AM by HanabiraKage

Well, the series is over and it had a decent ending. Since at the end this only ended being a love story with a dying robot girl, it was okay.

My main complaints is that the series wasted a great amount of lame comedy when it could be used for better character development. Isla was the only character with a significant development. Also, the dark Episode 5 feels very out of place in highsight. If the author wanted to show what happened to Giftias if they are not properly retrieved, Michiru's flashback was enough and the thing with Marcia had no real effect in Tsukasa's character.

No, I'd say it was a good justification to avoid a latter melodrama of Tsukasa trying to run with Isla, which would have closed the series on a worse note.