ef - a tale of memories.

[Kraco]

Yeah. It's actually feeling pretty realistic how she was coping so well with her condition as long as she continued the "not to bother anyone" way of life. After all, it surely must have kept her own life empty as well: empty of fears and hopes equally. But now that she dared dream a bit, it all crashed as the hopelessness of her situation came back in full force. Who knows what she was like when she first learned the truth of her situation (many times), but likely something closer to how she behaved in this ep.

[Buffalobiian]

It feels kind of sad that both Hiro and Kei know Chihiro, but since her accident, she has become separate from their lives. It's reality, and that would really happen, but still...
Things are getting along for the characters.

The Kei-Hiro-Miyako relationship is developing. It'll get more interesting when Kei and Miyako start talking and interacting more.

Renji almost ruined his relationship with Chihiro, but now it looks more like advancement.

Perhaps the exception is Kyosuke. Relationship stalled, but he's more into making his disired film.

If one word were to describe this anime, it'd be "Dreams".

[shinta|hikari]

I could be describe as "memories" too, but that is the title already lol.

[Buffalobiian]

This week's release of ef:

http://a.scarywater.net/conclave/%5B...5D.mkv.torrent

Edit: Same pace as the other episodes really. Kei's confrontation with Miyako worked out much less fierce than expected. Miyako handled it much better than other stereotypical, love-rival anime girl would have. She gave a very mature and insightful response that left Kei speechless pretty much. A surprise, considering her carefree and playful nature.

Chihiro meets Renji's mum. We learn that Kei's cooking skills, or lack there of, runs in her family. I'm actually enjoying this series, despite it's easy pacing and lack of action. Following Renji's urge to help her write a novel, Chihiro once again summons up her courage to challenge and find meaning in her life again. Once again tries to struggle against the chains that have bound her for so long since her accident long ago. And it seems Kei's attitude (Jealousy/selfishness for Hiro) was something that she developed since she was little, with a rather serious consequence.

[Kraco]

Miyako handled it much better than other stereotypical, love-rival anime girl would have. She gave a very mature and insightful response that left Kei speechless pretty much. A surprise, considering her carefree and playful nature.

Dunno. I thought Kei was more right and Miyako's view was more naive. After all, the dude is still a high-school student so he should either finish the school or drop out altogether. And something like high-school isn't really anything, not even in Japan, that would actually decide what you are going to do for the rest of your life. Besides, a manga artist can't live in a box and a place like a high-school which deals out general education should be very valuable to a manga artist. After all, manga tells about something relevant to the larger audience unless it's totally psychedelic.

Besides, with his hand near breaking, who knows if he even can continue as an artist. If he sabotages his own education, his other options would be more limited.

Kei was probably rendered speechless because she's simply lacking eloquent skills for argumentation. She's totally a sports type person.

[shinta|hikari]

What Miyako was saying was simply to respect what the guy wants for himself, and that he is old enough to decide what he wants to do in the future without some overly concerned "imouto" trying to push her ideals on him.

What Miyako said about the manga world is true as well. The guy (yes I forgot his name) is not an aspiring manga artist hoping to go pro, but a professional already making a name for himself. He has considerable talent, and he seems to be doing quite well. If he stops working on his manga career to focus on school, he might lose the chance that most people would kill to have (since being a mangaka is definitely competitive and difficult). Kei didnt even consider allowing the guy to go pro and quit school, but even if he did, it wouldnt help much. Like you said, it is always useful to have a highschool education, and I guess that is why he is still going to school despite his distaste and simple lack of need of it.

Kei was rendered speechless because she realized she was interfering with the guy's life by imposing what she wants, instead of respecting what he desires.

[Kraco]

It could very well be that Kei was too far on the other side, disregarding his already thriving mangaka career as something trivial (she didn't pay much attention to it even in the flashback). However, like you said, Hiro might still see merit in getting the high school education. But he clearly is lacking internal motivation to see it through. That's why it would be useful if not even essential to have someone tell him he can and should do it.

Miyako gives me the impression of some drug addict bitch who just encourages to do what feels good in a short run. While it might be beneficial to take into account what the dude himself says and not just follow other people's intentions, like Kei is doing, that's still not how it always works in the real life. I guess a middle ground would be where the best course would be.

[shinta|hikari]

While it may seem that Miyako seems to just encourage what feels good in the short run, I think she is seriously trying to think of Hiro's future as well. I dont think she would have supported his mangaka career if his work sucked. She even called him a genius, which means she is not simply supporting him with irresponsible notions but rather an actual belief that it will do him good and that he can succeed.

Whether it will really do him good or not is of course left to speculation, but I dont believe that Miyako is any less concerned about Hiro's life than Kei is. It is just a matter of ideals and method.

[Buffalobiian]

Though Miyako might be closer to Hiro than Kei is, her attitude to their relationship is more "set back", for lack of better words. She can encourage him like a friend, see the pros and cons of what he's doing and give him her honest opinion. I know not all friends are like that, but that's the case this time. From what we've been shown, Kei tends to think more possessively of Hiro. She wants Hiro to herself a lot more than Miyako, and when you think like that, you'll tend to steer things the way you want it, even unconsciously impose your desires on others.

I'm left wondering whether the preview means the girls will clear up their issues with each other by the next episode. Maybe it'll be done in the rain? And whether or not Kei takes up the date will say something...

[Church]

Anyone else notice the ep4 ED is slightly different from ep 5 ED?

[Board of Command]

Episode 6 - mendoi/Conclave

http://a.scarywater.net/conclave/%5B...5D.mkv.torrent

This is probably my second favorite series right now next to Genshiken 2. It came out of nowhere and I just love the way it's presented. Very "artistic."

[Kraco]

Maybe the director / art director of this series feels some connection to the Kyosuke character, who seems to have his own vision of how camerawork should be done.

[Board of Command]

Or maybe Kyosuke is modeled after the director.

[Buffalobiian]

Anyone else notice the ep4 ED is slightly different from ep 5 ED?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's been different for the last 3 weeks.

There were some funny moments in this ep. Kyosuke's FBI scene was funny, especially when he was mimicking Miyako. Uniform scene was done well too. Renji's neighbour has the right attitude.

Kei has got Miyako on her toes now too. Those words across the crossing hit home.

The camera work is peculiar, which makes this really stand out. The themes are really well put together as well. Despite it's seemingly randomness, it feels right. A bit like poetry. Yeah, I think ef is most definitely the most "poetic" anime I've seen so far.

[Church]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's been different for the last 3 weeks.

Yeah, I guess it was the subtle changes instead of a whole new ED change that caught my eye.

I'm now kind of intrigued at Chihiro's book... kind of want to read it.

Chihiro and Himura just gets more and more interesting, can't wait for "the latter tale."
Speaking of which, I'm kind of sad that Yuko doesn't get much appearance, [SPOILER]seeing as how she's supposed to be the one behind everything[/SPOILER]
She's such an awesome character with wit and style.

[Buffalobiian]

After much anticipation, Menclave gives us ef 7.

http://a.scarywater.net/conclave/%5B...5D.mkv.torrent

edit: And Nipponsei releases another ef ED single Vivace

http://tracker.minglong.org/torrents...5D.zip.torrent

[kenren]

lol, I got a little freaked out after the last part. -_-

[shinta|hikari]

I thought that episode was pure genius.

[Board of Command]

I thought that episode was pure genius.

I agree. You generally don't see stuff like this in anime.

[Buffalobiian]

That voice transition they used on Chihiro was freaky. Kei was evil, and Renji + Miyako are having a break down. The music was excellent. Camera and art was unique as always, and very fitting.