ef - a Sequels of Some Disappointments, Shh.
The more I think about it, the less I want to write about ef.
As the second season, ef - a tale of melodies, comes to an end, it becomes increasingly clear to me that the two seasons were planned in conjunction. However there were a couple shocking continuity issues, one which is best cemented by the ending scenes in both season 1 and season 2. The other is the more mind-boggling Australia/Japan continuity problem, although some could consider that to be a feature and not a bug, so to speak. It begs the question why did these inconsistencies appear? I must’ve missed something.
It also makes me wonder if I can truly appreciate the core content to the show without experiencing the entire package–both the games and the two season of anime. The stories as I hear from the game suggest that the anime are indeed complementary, rather than adaptive. And likewise, a tale of melodies complements a tale of memories; they are only sequel by definition, not by function, much like the two games are parts of a whole.
If a tale of memories was an emotional sledgehammer, then a tale of melodies was just a stake underneath it. I get the feeling lots of people were looking for anther hammer and they find this notably less impressive nail-like thing, leading to disappointment.
If you’re looking for more of the same, then it might be wise to stay within your ignorance. A tale of melodies is not for those searching for the same soulful sequence as told through Chihiro’s flying pages, Miyako’s call log, or Kei’s layups. However, the same visual sequences as described, now applied to paintings, violins and arias, tell a different story.
The flaw in the second season is within the detachment of flair and substance. The visuals tell me look not just between the lines, but beyond. In fact, that was also my favorite thing from the first season. So maybe they aren’t so different…?
Make no mistake, ef-melo has hefty amounts of both flair and substance; but if we could say that Kei and Kyosuke’s neglected story arc was the point of ef-memo–capturing that perfect shot of Kei as she bounces into the gym for morning practice, then the point of ef-melo is the overarching story documenting Yuuko and Yu’s reunion that played out through both seasons, forcing him to recite that silly line about miracles. It is no coincidence; the overarching narrative of both seasons is about Yu and Yuuko, but we just didn’t know enough from the first season to understand where to put down the jigsaw puzzle pieces. It is with Yu that Chihiro’s Fifty-First-Dates make sense and we understand why she is trying to write a book (4th wall satire!). And why Miyako and Kuze dealt with the opposite sides of loneliness. And why the entire story is an interwoven tapestry about building an “euphoric field” [See that picture? See what I mean by Chihiro? See what I mean by stake? Does someone get why she lives with Yu now?] and passing on the holiday cheer when it’s both seasonally appropriate and when it is not. It’s about your personal pursuit of creative excellence and doing what you were born to do. The two stories describe a composite, self-searching journey as the different characters find love for people, places and things that are meant to be loved, and learning what true love really means in a personal way. And one way for each cast member.
It’s… Baccano! But better scripted, I might add. With a 4th wall dimension (mostly relegated to Kyosuke).
I guess my point, overall, is that you can’t see that larger picture without the less-cohesive ef-melo. And if you did not see that when you finished the second series, you have then truly missed the main point of the exercise.
Curiously, the last anime that made me write something like this was Martian Successor Nadesico, and I totally wanted to write more about that the more I thought about it. Age and wisdom behoove otherwise; ef is one of those secrets that are best kept to those who are looking for it. It rewards appropriately.
Heiy I like your point of view of the second season also I like The ef series both season .
after 6 episodes, melodies has been nothing but pure disappointment for me. I can’t know how to take your words since I can’t bring myself to finish this show.
digitalboy: your loss.
Author replies: http://ani-nouto.animeblogger.net/2008/12/25/omo-on-ef-in-aggregate/
Regarding his last two sentences, I think this is pretty silly. I mean, “more of the same” was in quotes, because it actually doesn’t mean more of the same, right? To that end I don’t know what he’s really expecting. Maybe it is “more of the same” but if it wasn’t what I implied he ought to at least make it clear.
I thought I was fairly clear on that whole “sequel but not quite a sequel” point.
I don’t know what you mean by “increasingly clear.” The complementary story was a done deal long before the anime. The scene between Yuu and Yuuko’s final meeting at the church was one of the first scenes in ef - the first tale (game; or maybe it was just in the trial version–I can’t seem to remember).
No, the fact that the anime complements the game is what I’m talking about there.
The criticism around melodies is something that I always struggle to understand since I found myself enjoying every moment of the show. Looking (or trying to look) objectively, though, I can understand where you’re coming from anyhow: melodies is a part of a whole and shouldn’t be treated as something separate. That said, though, if memories really was more dramatic than its “sequel”, then I wonder what would have happened if they reversed the order? Yuuko’s story would have to be last, of course, and I’m sure there would be a ton of continuity issues, but perhaps there could have been a way to make melodies the setup and memories the finishing blow? This is all mere conjecture, probably based heavily off of your sledgehammer analogy, but maybe it could have worked. Either that, or my brain is tired of thinking and it’s forcing me to ponder incoherently on other people’s blogs >_>
The fact is though, you could get a perfectly rewarding viewing experience from memories but I don’t think the same goes for melodies. And in my mind that makes it more of a traditional sequel than what you’re trying to say it is. The stake is far more useless by itself than the hammer.
I don’t feel like seeing melodies added a whole ton of value for me, other than to gain a little insight into the creators’ perspective on the whole thing. Which I guess is something, and I certainly enjoyed it well enough.
Actually that is what makes it a sequel. If it stood on its own then it wouldn’t be a sequel at all. However, just calling it a sequel is misleading. It is no way a traditional sequel for the most part.
A sequel to a hammer is another hammer, that’s my point. A stake as a sequel wouldn’t be a traditional sequel at the very least. It probably still is a sequel, but it might be better to just say it’s a prequel or a complementary story.
Nah, a sequel to a hammer is a nail-puller.
Or a first-aid kit for some people.