Sora no Manimani
This is the kind of anime I’d buy, but only if it’s something that doesn’t make me regret getting. As in, it’s good material to pick up on my next trip to Japan. In a Book-Off or something.
Then again, I think this has Miyuki Sawashiro’s most moe role this year, and the DVD-only episode is suppose to be a nice cap to that side story. I hope they go beyond the prequel material. It’s not likely to disappoint.
So why Sora no Manimani? It’s a show that promotes astronomy along with this group-feel-good plot where people’s relatively trivial problems (for the most part) pop up and is subsequently dealt with. If there was anything that irked me, it was the episode where this character has to handle extreme temperatures. I mean, people do not behave like this when they’re freezing.
Oh, it’s somewhat educational too. The home-brew planetarium episode, for example. Or Saturn.
Sphere’s opening theme song grows on you, for sure. And too bad, I didn’t know any fansubbers who credited their members along with their astrological signs. That would be the way to go, because everyone who got credited in the show had their signs showing.
On another seiyuu note, Sora no Manimani scores yet another decent Haruka Tomatsu supporting role. I’m still honed in on her in Asura Cryin’ but this is a nice diversion. Unfortunately, Saori Hayami’s Sayo-senpai didn’t really stand out, which might be appropriate if at all notable.
Overall, it’s a cute but forgettable series that will at least play with your emotional chords. I should just watch everything gofu draws. It’s not a bad guide to what’s worth watching if all you can do is 3-4 shows per season.
For more reading:
- Hinano approaches from the relationship angle and is accordingly disappointed. Note that the manga is ongoing, and the last episode even says as much about asking the mangaka to…well.
- EO from THAT has an approach similar to mine, but what scored was Oumi taking it almost all. the. way. OAV please! I guess the same applies with RP.
- But you can’t beat it when it’s personal.
- And practical.
I’m working my way through Manimani (up to ep.10), it’s nothing revolutionary but still an enjoyable, light-hearted little show. Super Noisy Nova does grow on you after a while - I am rather amused that neither of the two subs I’ve seen got the ‘Neighbor star’ lyric correct. Anyways, excellent seiyuu performances all around - Ito Kanae in particular was a highlight for me.
I wasn’t a fan of Sphere’s OP. It sounded too much like a generic ani-song, so I usually skipped it. I would’ve loved if they usurped Bakemonogatari’s ED. Subject matter-wise, it would’ve been a much better fit as well.
Bakemonogatari’s ED refers to the stars because it’s in the source material. So it’s unavoidable. Generic anisong is what Noisy Super Nova aims to be, so I don’t fault them for being one. It’s just a matter of “is this utterly trash” or what lol.
@j1m0ne: lol, Ito Kanae is really good I guess. Compare it with Taisho Baseball Girls, she manages to play two similar characters very differently. Tho in Taisho she’s basically a Kana Ueda clone :3
Itou Kanae’s performance in this show and in Taisho baseball girls were a big highlight. I’m really excited to see more of her this current season. Another huge highlight was Takagi Reiko’s Edogawa. He was just so hyped up and hilarious. The planetarium scene was clearly his moment in the sun for me. ORB! (despite his sporty tan later on) Takagi is doing another character this season that is similar to Edogawa in Nogizaka Haruka Himitsu: Purezza.
Yea, seems like Takagi has that archetype nailed. I love the t-shirt scene in the same episode (or maybe it’s the episode after?) with Edogawa’s 2-star.