1. 

   wontaek
   May 26th, 2006 - 13:19

   I am glad I wasn’t the only one who had problems with Saikano, and I agree with most of the points raised here. The Manga artist clearly had little understanding of military strategy and consequence of technological advances; I wouldn’t be surprised if he did badly in Science in his school days.

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2. 

   hashihime
   May 26th, 2006 - 13:36

   Well, I didn’t have any problems with Saikano. I thought it was great, too, though very different. But I loved Iriya no Sora, and I do get what you’re saying about the two shows. One scene in Iriya really sticks in my mind: the dance on the hillside in episode 3 (I think), with Iriya in her fighter plane and Asaba on the hillside, dancing together. One of the most thrilling scenes in all anime, for me.

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3. 

   Skane
   May 26th, 2006 - 20:58

   I suppose it speaks a lot when I can recall more memorable scenes from a 6-eppy, then from most 13+eppy series. For me however, I will need a couple of years to prepare myself for a second viewing, because Iriya no Sora is filled with moments that clenches your soul…

   My anime heart was very depressed after the episode where Iriya broke down, and it took me nearly a week before I could muster the will to watch the rest of the series.

   It is not exactly something you watch to brighten up your day, despite the occasional comedic elements in it.

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4. 

   muhootsaver
   May 26th, 2006 - 21:38

   yeah. I agree. Gonzo really did screw Saikano up (well, if the manga had the same story, I highly doubt it will be any better though). That DRAGGY relationship….oh, my. I haven’t watched Iriya no Sora but after reading your blog, I guess it is worth to give it a try.

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5. 

   Hopeless
   May 27th, 2006 - 01:16

   I also felt that the couple here were easier to love than Shuji and Chise, although I still think of Saikano quite fondly. With Iriya and Asaba, everything seemed natural, and bereft of constant and tiresome twists and turns, and so the characters were easy to love and become emotionally attached to. I think many of the events or even just the moments in this series were more powerful than the most dramatic scenes in most romances, partially because of the characters and partially because of the world circumstance outside their relationship.

   I must admit Iriya underwhelmed me for the first episode, but by the end of the second episode I was hooked, and when I then revisited the start, I really enjoyed it since I could put everything into context of the series.

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6. 

   crimson
   May 27th, 2006 - 06:43

   sounds like i got another worthy candidate to watch.

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7. 

   Skane
   May 27th, 2006 - 09:28

   I like Saikano, but not for the main characters. It was the Lieutenant that I rooted for, and when he… you-know-what. I was pretty gutted. I actually took a six month break after Ep04 of Saikano, because the pace was killing me. The more pronounced presence of the Lieutenant helped me to get through the rest of the series.

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8. 

   Stripey
   May 27th, 2006 - 09:30

   wontaek: haha! Actually I was even willing to overlook the bad science. But the bad wartime scenario got to me.

   hashihime: That dancing scene has got to be one of the most beautiful anime moments I have experienced too. Words fail me when I try to describe my feelings on this scene.

   Skane: After ep 5 I had the mad urge to make sushi out of Asaba for Hinamizawa residents. Well he did redeemed himself in ep 6 though barely forgivable. I had to keep reminding myself he’s just a kid, just a kid, just a kid….. As for the doom/gloom elements, I think despite the dark themes, the series permeates hope/love (for me at least ). ▼ Show

   After all, their doomed love borne the hope of humanity. And though their encounter may have indirectly destroyed the body but Iriya’s soul now resides eternally in Asaba’s heart, pristine and never again to be soiled by human hands and syringes.

   That’s my consolation everytime I re-watch ep 6.

   muhootsaver/crimson: I strongly recommend the series if you are into romance. It may start a little slow but towards the end, you will realise the consistency and importance of the initial eps.

   Hopeless: Like yourself, when I revisited ep 1 after finishing the series, I was surprised how coherent/consistent the characters are with their motivations/behaviour. (For example how Iriya longed for humanity’s demise right at ep 1). Truly the mark of great characters indeed.

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9. 

   wontaek
   May 27th, 2006 - 13:27

   Just saw the series. I am still puzzled at what happened in the end. The biggest question is, however, why does the aliens want to eliminate humanity? How could such a battle not be noticed?( This question applies to the beginning of Saikano as well ). What was the outcome of the final battle and what were the events that transpired this apocalyptic showdown? So many questions. Were I in Korea, I could pick up a translated book in the book store, but I am left in the dark here in USA.

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10. 

    crimson
    May 27th, 2006 - 19:14

    i think aliens want to eliminate earth becos… well… they are unlikely to think like humans so dont expect ‘logical’ answers?
    so if u take dbz stance, it’s becos they need to cleanse earth of the ‘dirts’ else earth wont sell for a good price.

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11. 

    wontaek
    May 27th, 2006 - 19:59

    Judging from what we know from humans, it is unlikely a being with such genocidal tendency could pool their resources together for such energy spending venture of interstellar exploration. The truth is, even if we gather all the energy we make in a year, it might not be enough for a human being to go to Alpha Centauri and back within 10 years. It seems very unreasonable to assume that a conflict will occur without lengthy communication. If they decided to wage war, they would not bother to conceal their presence, and would just bomb the surface from the orbit; why bother with risky entry into atmosphere?

    I know Iriya is more a love story instead of scifi. It just is that whenever they mention some sort of UFO conspiracy, I get somewhat irritated; I already have to deal with too much pseudoscience like claiming immunization shots are bad for your health and denial of Apollo 11′s landing on the moon.

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12. 

    Stripey
    May 28th, 2006 - 08:42

    Ah I think it was wise of the series not to venture too much into the details of the war. Too much focus on the war would stifle the story. Whatever little revealed was sufficient to gently support the story’s premise which was more than enough for this viewer. Unlike Saikano which revealed a little too much and then could not coherently nor credibly substantiate the premise of the war, hence diminishing the tale in the process.

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13. 

    i just went pee
    June 10th, 2006 - 20:22

    what does the crop circle symbol mean ?

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14. 

    Stripey
    June 11th, 2006 - 11:07

    It reads ‘yo’ and it was used as the symbol for attendance at the news-club which Iriya/Asaba were in. Later Iriya adopted it for her alien kills. You may interpret it in any poignant manner.

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15. 

    i had to pee
    June 11th, 2006 - 17:43

    thanks Stripey . i guess i wasn’t paying enough attention

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16. 

    nasrul-ds3
    July 28th, 2006 - 19:58

    The dancing scene of Iriya and Asaba near end of episodes 3 is indeed the best scene ever exist in any anime. The first time I saw the scene, I was stunned for a moment – end up watching the ending credits theme, Himawari, for the first time too (I skipped it at eps 1 and 2). Just to realised that the melody is so…. heartwarming. Still my favourites music

    I also have the BGM for the Iriya and Asaba’s dancing scene, but since it’s written in Japanese (and I don’t understand it), I renamed the BGM to “Air Dance”. Anyone can help with the correct name, and it’s translation?

    This series is indeed a gem. Too bad not many people know it even exist

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17. 

    ShinShu
    August 2nd, 2006 - 01:06

    mmm… the scene that definitly got stuck in my head was in the last episode when Iriya flew off into the ever-so-lonely sky… never showed what happen after Q_Q

    To protect the world for your loved one.

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18. 

    Abaddon
    November 27th, 2006 - 13:46

    i just love this anime… at first i thought “what a stupid name” then ive seen the first episode and i was caught… i was a fan after the third, a maniac after the 5th and depressed after the 6th T___T

    but its so incredibly great, ive never seen an anime before that was that affecting, cruel and beautiful at the same time, definitly a masterpiece…

    but i have one big problem: i dont have the OST and i cant find it : (
    does anyone have it or does anyone know where i can find it?

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19. 

    waista
    February 4th, 2007 - 05:18

    Only half as good as Saikano. Saikano is much more painful to watch. I didn’t feel this at all.
    Kana’s hotter than Chise though.

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20. 

    totali
    January 11th, 2008 - 14:31

    Yea! This anime owned!!!

    I originally picked it up just because of Nonaka Ai….then I was like, “wth this is actually really awsum.”

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21. 

    Stripey
    January 13th, 2008 - 09:41

    Oh yes. The dance scene at ep 3 is one of the defining anime moments for me I’m looking for the DVDs actually…

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