The advantage of long stories is that all characters have enough screen time to develop and show what kind of individuals they are. The problem is that not only the viewers, but the creators themselves become bored and start thinking up one plot twist after another for the sheer sake of twisting the plot.
Still, 'Saiunkoku' is a refreshing example of shoujo genre, because the main female character, despite a huge reverse harem around her, behaves like a normal woman, trying to pursue her career and still unsure about her feelings. Because the characters around her are not the standard set of handsome love-interests, but are just as colourful as the clouds that the country is named for. Because their feelings and relationships are as colourful too.
Because the creators were not afraid to make fun of what could be otherwise awkward.
Because the emperor of the country is comforted by little pandas in the woods when he is feeling down. Because a nobleman makes a flute out of a radish.
Because a loyal friend protects the heroine with bamboo shoots.
This anime may be far from ideal. After all, I spent 2 months watching it, too long for less than 80 episodes, which means I didn't feel like I couldn't wait to watch further.
Still, I'd recommend it to absolutely everyone, because I know I already miss them - the people of the Kingdom of colourful clouds.
The year of 2018 is coming closer, soon the first two decades of the new century, even of the new millennium will be over, but Japan still cultivates its favourite - your average Japanese schoolboy trying to reach the unreachable perfection in the process which is called art. Doesn't matter that ballroom and Latin dances are from the West. The Japanese will always be able to find a way to turn Western inventions into Japanese aesthetics.
美
'bi' - aesthetics
First, our AJS (average Japanese schoolboy) decides to find a big dream. It doesn't start if he has no big dream, such as to defeat an evil dragon and restore peace to a far planet in another galaxy. Or to begin ballroom dance and become a pro.
逃げちゃダメだ
'nigecha dame da' - I mustn't run away
In pursuing this kind of aesthetics he follows the traditional path of an arts craftsman. He doesn't wait for words, because he's naturally talented enough to pick it up himself by looking at his sensei.
Instead, he trains as much as he can, because perfection just doesn't fall down from the sky randomly, it falls down on those who try hard.
He couldn't be, because it's physically impossible!
But, who cares.
努力
'doryoku' - effort, striving
There are times when he may face obstacles, but this only makes him stronger. While in the beginning of the anime the pace wall well-balanced, the further into the series - the more rise-and-falls, sometimes as much as twice or thrice in one episode. By the end of the series, there was a tiny feeling in me that I got tired of all those 'oh no what am I doing?' changed by 'oh now I see what I am doing'
The Japanese value positive thinking and strong spirit, I'm not even sure if not more than people in other countries, because it helps to maintain social balance. So,
諦めない
'akiramenai' - I won't give up
and
頑張ります
'ganbarimasu' - I'll do my best
But he wouldn't be picked up by so many outstanding people and wouldn't be able to meet so many wonderful people if he were not a nice guy. There are not nice people in this story, but they move forward traditionally, while our AJS is special. 'cause he's a nice guy.
優しい
'yasashii' - kind
Finally, he reaches the level of general recognition, which is usually shown in the face of an artist. Skills are important, too, but it seems the Japanese can read it on the face, first and foremost.
…の顔になる
'... no kao ni naru' - to have a face of ...
All this accompanied by the usual explanation of the situation and the Hero's techniques by other people, just like any decent shounen would do.
With some background information for those who still don't get it, 'cause it's a professional work with respect to the real sport.
技
'waza' - technique
And the main side of a sport anime... the art.
Wonderful. So many muscles on the screen, so many organs gripped and stretched by so many people. I kind of feel uncomfortable. Plus, I've seen real ballroom dance competition with my friend participating. It's supposed to be beautiful, you know?
It's supposed to be beautiful!
Moreover, the director of the series was responsible for key animation in such graphically wonderful masterpieces as 'Wolf's Rain', 'Kaze Tachinu' and 'Paprika'.
It took me several episodes to adjust to this style of showing human body. At last I understood that this is just a hyperbolisation of this sport, so I have to accept it as it is. And you know, sometimes they managed to create something really proportional, stylish and wonderful.
And we must accept it as it is, too, that the budget is not indefinite, so they had to sacrifice some movements for the sake of beautiful stills.
Despite all these shortcomings, I have watched it through and I don't regret. No, this is not enough... I liked it. I loved it, yes! The more I think about this anime, the more I understand I found that rare gem that will shine in my memory for years.
First, the characters were given enough depth to love them, including even the average, ordinary, 100-times-seen-already main character. Now he behaves like a shounen-hero, next moment he is a normal human being who starts to jump like a kindergartener when he receives a phone call from his favourite teacher.
Second, this is the humour for me. I like people who can think of two kids creating a dance while looking into each other's eyes and making a saying on the sand with their movements.
And third - the music, the music!
This is the second song in my life I cannot sing myself because when I start I feel so overwhelmed that my voice doesn't come out, and even when it does I choke with tears because the music is so beautiful. The first one is 'sayonara solitia', if you care.
I've never heard about this composer before, Yuuki Hayashi, but when I checked his works list I felt almost ashamed he wrote osts for mainstream anime like 'haikyuu' and my hate-list #1 'Diabolik lovers'. Wait, was there any music in it?
When I think about the modern Russian music industry, I feel it's a great problem that we don't have good composers, even though good singers do exist. In Japan I guess there is no problem with composers, be it a composer who uses a full symphonic orchestra or a DJ experimenting with digital sound. Even if this anime were completely no good and useless, I'd give a gold medal to the composer.
What a shame he didn't compose the OPEDs too. While background music industry in Japan will never fade, good solo singers and groups seem to be absent. Both Unison Square Garden and Komatsu Mikako may have tried to create something suitable, by giving their respective songs rhythms of two ballroom dances, but as songs those both failed. Not a minute more I would listen to them than it takes to view the opening or ending one time.
But I daresay I have good, discerning ears.
Was it me?
Am I still so weak in listening comprehension that I cannot understand all words as soon as I hear the line?
Or was it the voice actors' level of ability?
It swear it's the latter. It's like the new generation of voice actors have not passed their exams in their voice acting school, at least not the articulation class, even though emotionally they were all very good at breathing life into their characters. And I must confess, even my favourite, my lovely, my dear Okamo-san was pronouncing his lines too lazily. Sometimes I had to stop and rewind and to listen to their lines again to finally hear all the words. Sometimes I couldn't do it even after several times, and gave up. I consider articulation as good when all words are pronounced so clearly that I can hear all of them even if I don't know some. Here I failed to understand the lines not so much because there were new words, but because of the strange manner of speaking.
So, this is not an anime to learn Japanese by listening. But this is an anime to learn about Japanese language and culture, ballroom dance world, but before that - about several people with their interesting lifestyles, principles, dreams and adventures, all of them worthy of admiration and respect.
They are cool
'kannou mukashibanashi' (官能昔話) drama CDs are described - by the narrator himself - as 'slightly adult tales'. yeah, slightly
on one hand, the XXX scenes - even if present - are not described in detail, but only mentioned to have happened, so the tales remain relatively decent
on the other hand, scenes which are supposed to be pretty normal turn into something absolutely indescribable
I have only tried to listen to the 8th volume which is princess-themed and contains 'slightly strange' versions of Swan Lake by Morikawa Toshiyuki, Snow White by Masuda Toshiki, Cinderella by Okamo-san and Thumbelina by all the cast. and here is something to think over
why was the prince from 'Cinderella' so eager to assault the poor girl both times they met as if he drank too much viagra?
why did Snow White's stepmother turn into a handsome young guy instead of an old granny selling apples?
why was not Odette replaced with Odile, but Siegfried replaced with Lotbard - who of course did not hesitate to whisper a few hints into what they will do with Odette?
why was the servant sent to kill Snow White in the forest so 'ambiguous' describing his 'sharp knife' with which he was to 'cut her neck'?
why was Cinderella's godmother Fairy made into a male one?
and the last question - can you imagine the Beetle from 'Thumbelina' in the I'm-sexy-and-I-know-it mode?
the first two were tolerable but the Beetle made me laugh so hard I had to cover my mouth with my hand, hide under the blanket and do my best not to utter any sounds since 'twas 4 in the morning
do you understand? a Beetle uttering phrases like 'relax... you do not need to be that tense... can you feel... my vibrations...'
from what I get by reading different reviews and opinions, the Japanese word 'eroi' (エロい) has already been established firmly in the vocabulary of otome-games and drama CD lovers
so, we have like... eroi prince, eroi evil magician, and... eroi beetle
>_________<
p. s.
these all tales are nothing in comparison with Inoue Kazuhiko explaining how to wear ear/headphones. at least I did not pay any money for this... I am not particularly happy when the process of plugging earphones into my ears is obviously related to... erm... well... check yourself if you are not afraid
p. p. s.
but you know, the last monologue by Inoue-storyteller was a speech of encouragement. 'whatever may happen in your life, if you believe in yourself, then you will be able to become happy...' he said. if you have nobody else to say something like this, maybe even a slightly adult style will do?
p. p. p. s.
there is only one thing about 'Kannou Mukashibanashi' I have no doubts in - certainly I want to find normal audio dramas with tales. recital is a great thing
