Apologies for the double post, but this is a message that I have. I'll continue from my response to ep. 20:
K-ON ep. 23 & 24
Let me tell you what this show has done to me. It has made me smile. It has made me squee. It has made me feel a happiness that only a few moments in other anime can match. It has made me cry from the sheer force of joy radiated from the screen.
And now it has made me cry from what I can only describe as a bittersweet hope for the future of a group of fictional characters.
My first post of this thread had me saying that this show was healing my soul. Iyashikei is the name for the types of shows meant to do this. That healing has not stopped. But since ep. 20, a new sensation has been added. This is the sensation of my soul breaking. My soul is simultaneously breaking and healing. Here's the amazing thing however: the breaking is in fact aiding and increasing the healing.
Do you hear me? It cuts deep and heals deeper. This show is a Healing Shiv.
The best way to judge the worth of a fictional cast is to gauge your reactions to them. The girls of Sakuragaoka have made me emote with and for them. This is a successful cast.
I know that I have yet to finish the series (extra episodes and The Movie), but I feel that I can safely say the following with confidence:
Madoka Magica, Figure17, and Alien Nine are what I consider to be some of the greatest pieces of fiction I have yet seen. All have drawn some of the strongest reactions I have yet given to any fictional characters. All have main casts that elicit my sympathy, empathy, support, and caring. They have set my bar high and that it will be a long while before anything gets to their level. Madoka Magica in particular, is the brightest of these grand stars.
I have known of K On since the premier of it's first season. But then, I have had my fill of ordinary life, thus, while it became huge, I did not gravitate towards it. I did read a few chapters of the manga. I saw the first episode at my High School once. It was adorable. Then, the dub cast of Madoka Magica had important overlaps with that of this show. Eventually, I thought, "I have the time, and I've been curious as of late." And so I began watching K On.
I now hold K On as equal to Madoka Magica. Apples and Oranges they may be, they are apples and oranges of amazing quality.
This is not a review. It is a reaction and a compliment. And to close it off:
aaaAAAAAAAAA *inhale* EEEEEEEEEeee——ỘỦỘ
Off to ep. 25!
edited 14th Oct '12 7:28:19 AM by Ikiniks
but maybe somewhereYes it is. I hold Madoka Magica, Figure17, and Alien Nine in high regards, so this being as good as them is a pretty huge deal for me.
That's just how awesome I think K On is.
Motha-effin' Healing Shiv for the soul!
edited 14th Oct '12 7:29:15 AM by Ikiniks
but maybe somewhere![]()
Whoah there, rein in your enthusiasm there. :P
Yeah, K-On is definitely a feel-good show. I think it's one of the few ones in my SOL/Iyashikei collection (ARIA, Sketchbook, and Hidamari the others) that I can play an episode at random and still get a smile on my face at the end. A balm for the soul, I tell you.
Well, this show is an example of today's Kyo Ani doing what they're good at.
If that is a thank you, then you are welcome.
Okay, I've seen the extra episedes:
ep.25: Mio's Dope Slaps have amazing execution. And Azunyan is now truly a kitty. glorious achievement!
ep.26: Heh, Sawako lives like she has the salary of a teacher.
And... and... the practice... was Azusa with Jun and UI‽
OVA/ep.27: Oooh damn Movie set-up! ÔỎÔ
All in all, back to more lightheartedness (which is always welcome), though 26 almost had the Water Works going again.
Gon' watch the rest of Ura-On!!, then to the The Movie.
Edit: Okay, finished this set of Ura-On. A bit more "animation" in this one. Quite a bit more weirdness as well. Overall, got laughs.
Also, I want to say: in the Utauyo! Miracle op, the third time Yui does the spin onstage, the audience does it too. I find it just adorable. But then what isn't in this show.
Edit2: Whenever I think about the last few episodes, I start to tear up. That's how hard it hit. ;_;
edited 15th Oct '12 3:52:59 AM by Ikiniks
but maybe somewhereI missed saying "happy birthday" 'cause I would have had a triple post at the time.
Also, I have an idea for an AMV: All of the moments where Yui and Ui are together put together, set to U and I, culminating in the scene when the juniors get the news that the seniors all made the grade to go to the same university, and the last shot being Ui's reaction set to the last words of the song.
If this hasn't been done before at least.
edited 13th Nov '12 1:04:04 PM by Ikiniks
but maybe somewhereI-
her b-day is the day after mine
Uh... um... Youtube links!
Delicious Remixes!
Orchestrated celebrations!
(For those curious, this is the same person who made orchestral remixes of the Madoka Magica OP and ED. Apologies if these have already been posted.)
edited 27th Nov '12 3:53:29 PM by Ikiniks
but maybe somewhereYeah, although it is great, the U&I remix is a bit slow.
The remixes of those two made me realize that there's actually a sequence of notes shared between them (or at least, a tune that sounds somewhat similar). Not a bad thing at all though. In fact, I think it's appropriate.
edited 28th Nov '12 2:44:14 PM by Ikiniks
but maybe somewhereAt 1:47 of the Tenshi ni Fureta Yo remix, a sequence of notes sounds a bit like the main chorus/opening of the U&I remix (specifically, the sequences from the first 12 seconds and the 7 second sequence after 1:55). It's kind of minor and the similarities are only for a few notes, but it's just something I noticed.
Also, I'ma rewatch the movie, and maybe post my reactions to it here (along with my reactions from the first time 'round) if there's a comment after this one (or one of my later ones if I'm the last poster for a while).
edited 29th Nov '12 1:34:43 AM by Ikiniks
but maybe somewhere

Now you see why I think Azusa is the TRUE star of the second season?