You must create an account or sign in to reply to this thread!

Reply

Jan 1 2011 08:45 PM
The best way to end the year was to finish off the series I had greatest hopes for in the Fall 2010 season. Yosuga no Sora is a rather unique show not from the content stand point but rather from how it was presented. While many do claim that it was simply a copy of Amagami SS's storytellingm method, there are also heaps of differences and the major plot of the story is actually a lot deeper than many people think it is.

Read at your own risk as you may want to go back and try to find some of these on your own beforehand.

Yosuga no Sora starts off with the twins Sora Kasugano and Haruka Kasugano moving back to their hometown after the recent passing of their parents. There they meet and recall various memories both good and bad as well as meet new and old friends. To be fair to the series, I will review each individual arc and then the series as a whole.

The format for most arcs, Haruka meets the main heroine, Haruka attempts to solve the problem of the main heroine, they have sex, the end.

Kazuha Migiwa is the first arc of the story, composing of the first 4 episodes of the series. Kazuha's story focuses on her attempting to deal with her family supposedly discarding her step sister Akira Amatsume. In the end, Kazuha actually doesn't have all that interesting of a story as she really just misunderstands the actions of her father. Pretty much your typical type of school-life love romance show. The good thing about Kazuha's arc is that it develops the plot at a nice pace where the misunderstanding begins to gradually unfold. 6/10

Akira Amatsume's arc is the second arc and is composed of episodes 1,2 5, and 6. Her arc is very similar to that of Kazuha's except rather than Kazuha misunderstanding her father, it becomes an issue of getting Kazuha's mother to accept Akira as part of the family. The drama picks up in the third episode of the arc, but really just falls apart in the finale as if nothing had happened in the first place. 5/10

Motoka Nogisaka's arc is the omake at the end of each episode. To be honest, the omake is dumb and should have just been left out. See the whole series review as to why.

Nao Yorihime's arc is the second most anticipated arc of this show since it also begins Sora's arc. The arc is composed of episodes 1, 7-9. Nao, as unveiled many times is the childhood friend of Haruka and Sora. However, we also know that Sora saw Nao rape Haruka 2 (don't understand how that's possible?) years ago. As such Nao realizes that Sora will refuse to accept her let alone allow her to get close to Haruka. The arc overall could have been significantly better. However, the climax of the arc was absolutely garbage since Sora ended up easily accepting Nao after rescuing the rabbit. To be honest, the lack of buildup shows that this series wasted time on episodes they should have just ignored. 5/10

Sora Kasugano's arc is the arc that essentially everyone waited for. It is composed of episodes 1, 7, 10-12, and thus the longest arc of the show. Sora's arc alone pretty much summed up the overall greatness of the show. It moved at a very slow pace compared to the other three arcs and dived into Haruka's and Sora's past significantly. Though I really didn't like how the uncle suddenly texts them and says that they will take Haruka and Sora in separately. It felt rather out of place. Regardless, what this arc was capable of doing was to provide a reason for the actions by the characters whereas the other three arcs were your typical love romance shows. What a lot of people did not realize, however, is the amount of symbolism in Sora's show that required knowledge of the previous arcs. As a stand alone however, the drama was way above the other three arcs and in reality the show should have just been focused on Sora to begin with. The finale may have had a few loop holes but it also opened up various interpretations. See below 9/10

Overall, as stated earlier, Yosuga no Sora should really have been completely focused on Nao and Sora. Kazuha and Akira play no significant role in the end and thus are not really relevant to the overall premise of the show. The plot of Yosuga no Sora is not particularly deep until you really hit Sora's arc, particularly the final few minutes of the show. While the first half of the episode involves Haruka attempting to decide between moral beliefs and his sister after being caught having sex with her in episode 11, the second half shows Yosuga no Sora's true colors. In the second half of the show after Sora and Haruka supposedly disappear/elope from the town, we see that the group's friendship shatters entirely. The class rep, Kozue Kuranaga, rages at the fact that she didn't get an arc Haruka commits incest and is disgusted by the fact that she was in love with him. In additon, she cuts her hair in an attempt to actually show that she never met Haruka and Sora, i.e. discarding her own scarred past. Nao, while supports and Haruka's and Sora's decision, also continues to waver at what is truly right and wrong. Akira and Kazuha, while a bit more out of the loop and a far-fetched idea, never had their arcs happen and so the tension is a lot stiffer for their individual back stories. Ryouhei...is just Ryouhei and clueless as ever.
Lastly, the biggest debate now is whether Haruka and Sora actually died and that the issue with the text everyone else got. While it may seem clear that Haruka and Sora actually lived, we all also know that Haruka can't swim, and the fact that Sora is capable of swimming is also extremely questionable. In fact, I'm a firm believer that Sora can't given she uses a floater in the beach episode. With those facts in place, only two possibilities remain, either Nao somehow found and rescued them (thanks to Akira maybe?) and left immediately after, in which case Sora wakes up a while after OR they actually died since Sora did raise the question as to whether they were alive or not, and thus the symbolism of the Lake, which is to allow them to be "reborn." Of course, then this would raise the question as to when did Haruka send that text then? A counter is Sora's black rabbit, which we saw mutilated when the group went to visit the house, but was intact and with Sora in the final scene on the train. Unfortunately, it seems the ending will remain a mystery, even though it seemed rather clear.

Animation wise, I initially criticized feel for the poor animation quality and character designs, but I did realize a few things. First of all, the backgrounds and scenery are very well drawn. Animation felt relatively stiff, but not unbearable to watch. Art wise, the character designs were not all actually relatively decent but still didn't match the scenery. Sora's was exceptionally off, but that may be just my bias towards the game's artwork, which I will still claim as gorgeous in comparison. However, I'm glad feel actually did this show since they're probably the only animation studio out there willing to animate a visual novel as if it was a visual novel. They're really the only studio that can push the limits before a series becomes hentai.

The musical score for this show is absolutely amazing. It may often sound as a rehash of the same instrumental over and over again throughout the show but it fits the mood so damn well no matter how you look at it. I absolutely loved the OP and ED themes (excluding the omake ending). The seiyuus are all from the game if I'm not mistaken so I had no real problems with it there.

Character development is pretty much self explanatory. Each main heroine got their own respective arc. However, I feel they didn't go deep enough into some characters, again particularly Nao and Sora.

Enjoyment? It was really an uphill battle for this show. I was really bored for every episode in this show that didn't involve enough Sora since that's the whole purpose of the series. If you weren't watching for Sora, I really don't know why you were watching the show to begin with as that's what this game was famous for. Once Sora's arc finally kicked into gear, everything was smooth sailing from there with the show only going up in rankings episode after episode. Luckily I managed to watch everything except Sora's arc in one go and so it probably skewed my view on the series a bit, but oh well

Overall, the special thing about Yosuga no Sora is that YOU CAN SKIP EPISODES! While you may miss out on a few pieces of symbolism in the final episode. Even though its the director of Aki Sora, I also really did not expect him to make this show into a sex filled one considering the little sexual content in the game itself. However, it really made a huge impact in Sora's and Nao's arc whereas the other "three" arcs were really just filler and for your "viewing" pleasure. While I initially disliked the format of four different arcs similar to Amagami SS, after thinking about it, this allows people to not waste time on other arcs they like and not to mention that this show actually acts like a real animated visual novel. The reset points are really just "save points" that one can go back to. Also unlike Amagami, the world doesn't change entirely after each reset, which is good since it adds a bit more realism to the show.

While Yosuga no Sora is by no means the best overall show this season, it undoubtedly has the best finale so far. Even though I have yet to finish OreImo, Shiki, and Panty and Stocking, all of which supposedly have very good finales, Yosuga no Sora really soared in its final arc to really leave a mark in my book. Had the show really just got rid of the junk or turned this show into a short OVA, I think it would have performed even better. The omakes really ruined the mood of the show, the first two arcs were garbage, etc... However, this show does make Kiss x Sis look like a complete joke and all those who were expecting a "Nice Boat" ending can go to hell. This show was never meant to have a Nice Boat and simply wishing for one were way out of range to begin with. In addition, the question of the who real yandere of the series is raised at the end: Sora or Kozue?

I am really glad, however, to see this show meet somewhat my anticipations, though Sora's arc is still through the roof for me. Never did I expect something like that even though having played the game.

Preliminary Score: 7/10
Final Score: 8/10

Reply

Dec 31 2010 01:35 AM
Wow.....

Never before has a aired anime (not talking hentai or game) have that type of ending. I am really really happy they pushed the envelope and moral bounds to that point.

Honestly I was waiting for the Sora arc since episode 2. I really liked her character, She drew me in. She is mysterious and wanted to know so much more.

I felt the series was short for all the women which played a role in it. Take out 2 of them and add more back story and depth to Sora and Haru and I think it could have been even better.

Character designs were gorgeous, once again focusing on Sora mostly. Also the BGM had a nice depth and atmosphere all along. It made you feel like summer in rural Japan with a constant heaviness surrounding you.

Hmm... I'm gonna say 9/10 for pushing the envelope. Character design and atmosphere. Honestly I want to say 8/10 because some of the arcs I didn't care for the characters but the end tied it all in so to say.

Reply

Dec 22 2010 06:54 PM
Just finished watching this anime in its entirety, never really been interested in harem animes but I read somewhere that the plot evolves (or restarts if you will) somewhat likes Amagami SS with each different love interest. Surprisingly, it doesn't exactly restart from episode 1, but it changes depending on the girl. Someone mentioned this being more like a What If type, and I agree with that.

The twincest was surprising but not unexpected, since starting at episode 1 there was sexual tension between the twins anyway from the flashback where Sora returned from the hospital. Though the other girls was a simple build-up to what was about to unfold in eps 10-12.

Since this was my first investment in a harem series, I prepared for what I figured would happen. There were some good twists that kept the episodes fresh in themselves, but the last episodes really hold the spotlight and are probably the most memorable just because of the strange incestuous relationship of the twins and how it unravels versus relatively normal relationships with the other girls (minus Nao, with their summer fun).

Reply

Dec 22 2010 03:52 PM
i gave up on this anime to disturbing when he started kissing his sister i threw this anime out the window

Reply

Dec 21 2010 10:28 PM
Pretty much it was a given since both Haru and Sora were caught red handed if you will, and quite frankly no one could accept that due to many reasons of course. Although sometimes it happens since Nao pointing out that you can't stop someone from falling in love. I mean if you try to the more that love may grow I guess.

In any case I still say that was the only good end that can come from what happed in the prior epiosde. Oddly enough Nao did accept the whole thing since Sora caught her with her brother when they lived there when they were younger. So in other words Sora became the "posessive" lil' sister to make sure Haru never left her all alone.

So in the end if a situation ever happened like that, of curse you'd want to skip town since people will be looking at you funny until you either get caught again, or until you leave town.

Reply

Dec 21 2010 09:17 PM

(user posted image)

Hot diggity damn! Someone else whose frame of mind t'was the same as your's truly when it came to this "I wanna-be-taken-serious," anime. While I cannot praise it to the sevens or nines, it hits pretty much rock bottom for me. Gee, it was one helluva ride watching Haru-kun's practice sessions with all of his former flames, just so he could be ready for the big score...that of doing witto and oh-so willing sisse.
I had hoped we could have been made privy to the dark scene I had longed for...(that way, I could have justified my reason for watching this sap) but alas, t'was not meant to be...no hot ero sex murder/suicide combo. Ah well...but here's hoping we can have a few OVAs tossed our way in, oh say, five years?
It can go something like this...
After Mr. and Mrs. (yeah right ) return to the sleepy but beautifully landscaped town of where they were first discovered as a couple, they are accompanied by four kids...(all not quite right, either) thanks to Daddy/Uncle Haru and Sora's incestuous relationship...anyway, they are tired and fatigued and having had to have settled in so many towns prior, because of their "affair" well, they come back...the gang has all gone off to college and have moved on.  Mommy/sister and Daddy/brother hell, they just want to settle down and be accepted.
Life is tough ain't it? What a sad ending...
BTW...the slap to Sora's insipid cheek, was the best ever...all in all, this one was so much fun to sideswipe and poke at...thanks, guys for being such good sports about it. I tip my hat in your favor.

Reply

Dec 21 2010 01:59 PM
A great ending for a great series.
Only disappointment is that the part with Kozue and Nao was done pretty quickly. But since it was only one ep left that was to be expected.

It was great how they showed Harus inner conflict and Soras determination. And when Sora said to Nao "Now were quit" I just loved her even more.
That they stayed together in the end was a great choice too, even though most people are on Kozues side and not on Naos and mine.

Overall I give this series a 9/10. If they had focused only at Soras and Harus relationship it couldve been better. Still the best anime of the season and on one of the best overall.

Reply

Dec 21 2010 10:10 AM
Heh I knew that they would somehow manage to keep the twincest relationship in tact in the end of it all. I mean it was a given since this is Sora's Route afterall.

In any case it seems that Sora prety much did those things to haru for two reasons. One, was to get back at Nao for manhandling him when they were younger, and two to make sure that Haru doesn't "abandon" her at all.

As for Haru it was pretty much when she came back to live with him and his parents it was like she wasn't the sister he knew while they were growing up. So technically he never saw her as a sister until near the end of the her route it would seem.

Overall this series could be considered a first of its kind of to show off the H-scenes in any standard eroge gone anime. I mean for me this was one of those series that ended up in the grey area for it being ecchi and somewhat hentai. So with that it was something to watch.

Overall Score: 7.1/10

From me that's a very fair score for this series, and the .1 was having the twincest storyline.

Reply

Dec 21 2010 09:21 AM
heh, watching this series, I had to keep checking to make sure I wasn't on one of them anime porn sites. The author should be taken out and hung then shot then burned, etc etc. Not so much because of the ecchi/hentai parts of this series but that a brother/sister relationship could be turned about and still be ok. I almost expected to find out, when Haru got the email on his phone, that their parents were brother/sister too and that was the reason for Sora's bad health.

Other than that, it's what you would expect of a hentai/ecchi manga/anime series based on a h-game. Very little actual story. Mostly one guy running around dipping his wick in as many puddles as he can.

Reply

Dec 16 2010 07:36 PM

Ah...my bad. I know there are those types of H-games. I have never played them as you have, but I see what you mean. Anyway, let's see what the ending will bring to this otherwise, provocative anime series.