I am interested in anime themed around classical music (art in general) and around subtle multi-faceted character interactions. I appreciate strong characters with a distant facade but emotional depth and compassion beneath the surface (kuudere).
The Marimite novel is a recently started endeavor (I'm only on Vol. 2) so I don't know much about it yet. I'm an anime first, manga second guy and actually Marimite is the only show that I've done (doing) both. As far as where to pick it up, the start is the same for both and the additional material not covered by the anime seems to be around Vol. 28 and 29. It goes up to Vol. 37 though not all of it has been translated into English yet (if ever) on https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru
I already read the manga and did notice some small additional content -- especially Kashiwagi's orientation is much more obvious whereas in the anime it's up to the viewer to figure out if he's straight, gay or bi. I also noticed a few parts that were shortened or left out in the anime (like what went on during the other Valentine half-dates, etc).
Sasameki is great for humor: I really liked the lead and a couple of the side characters. Similar to Bloom Into You in that one of the principals is more into the other and it's only near the end that feelings start to be reciprocated -- but that's about where the similarities end. The OST was also cute -- simple little violin and piano pieces that fit very well. I didn't get too emotional on it and the 8 score (was a 7 before a recent rewatch) was more of a bonus point for the humor and the OST. Like Aoi Hana it only partially covers the source material and eventually ™ I will read it :) Aoi Hana is closer to what you're looking for, I think.
It's been a few years but I did watch all of Memories and liked the Chihiro arc but disliked the 2nd half dealing with the other couple. Not a fan of infidelity (or whatever it was that ticked me off -- I can't remember (no pun intended)). According to my notes it had a good conclusion but didn't make up for the unpleasantness that preceded it. I'm going to give Melodies a chance, though and just added it.
You should finish Hibike S1 and S2. Especially the later has a lot more character development and the first four episodes of S2 concerns Mizore and Nozomi with episode 4 literally having me on the edge of my seat. It's a pity you watched Liz to Aoi Tori before watching S2 but at least you'll get the proper history between Mizore and Nozomi now. Asuka gets some major character development in the later half and displays a lot of that unspoken communication you're looking for -- with Kumiko the only person noticing it, it seems.
I thought Oniisama e had great character interactions and once I got used to Rei's and Kaori's character designs it was hard to stop watching. 39 episodes felt like 13. It's a dark show and it took me a couple of years to muster the courage to watch it as I had an idea from a couple of friends that it wasn't for the faint of heart. I don't regret it now and it's high on my list of favorites.
Gratifying to see someone appreciating Marimite to that extent. I can only surmise that coming out in 2004 it's considered too old for most MAL members to try (compared to fluff like Yuru Yuri). The confused 1st episode and French formal titles doesn't help.
You're right about Strawberry Panic: looks the same on the surface as Marimite but really is yuri fanservice for males. It had its moments and certain episodes I really loved -- enough even for me to give it an 8 score -- but on the whole it's no Marimite. Looking for another Marimite has been near impossible because it's the only one that does Class S exactly. Still, I enjoyed quite a few shows that got close to that ideal: Aoi Hana, Liz to Aoi Tori, Asagao to Kase-san, most of Yagate Kimi ni Naru, Simoun, Blue Drop, Sasameki Koto and Utena.
Oniisama e is worth a look if you want something deep and dramatic that happens to have yuri elements thrown in. Especially after reading your comments about Tale of Melodies (which I haven't seen due to the 2nd arc of Memories turning me off to even adding Melodies).
Oh and due to your thread I'm getting into Kono Oto Tomare :)
All Comments (2) Comments
I already read the manga and did notice some small additional content -- especially Kashiwagi's orientation is much more obvious whereas in the anime it's up to the viewer to figure out if he's straight, gay or bi. I also noticed a few parts that were shortened or left out in the anime (like what went on during the other Valentine half-dates, etc).
Sasameki is great for humor: I really liked the lead and a couple of the side characters. Similar to Bloom Into You in that one of the principals is more into the other and it's only near the end that feelings start to be reciprocated -- but that's about where the similarities end. The OST was also cute -- simple little violin and piano pieces that fit very well. I didn't get too emotional on it and the 8 score (was a 7 before a recent rewatch) was more of a bonus point for the humor and the OST. Like Aoi Hana it only partially covers the source material and eventually ™ I will read it :) Aoi Hana is closer to what you're looking for, I think.
It's been a few years but I did watch all of Memories and liked the Chihiro arc but disliked the 2nd half dealing with the other couple. Not a fan of infidelity (or whatever it was that ticked me off -- I can't remember (no pun intended)). According to my notes it had a good conclusion but didn't make up for the unpleasantness that preceded it. I'm going to give Melodies a chance, though and just added it.
You should finish Hibike S1 and S2. Especially the later has a lot more character development and the first four episodes of S2 concerns Mizore and Nozomi with episode 4 literally having me on the edge of my seat. It's a pity you watched Liz to Aoi Tori before watching S2 but at least you'll get the proper history between Mizore and Nozomi now. Asuka gets some major character development in the later half and displays a lot of that unspoken communication you're looking for -- with Kumiko the only person noticing it, it seems.
I thought Oniisama e had great character interactions and once I got used to Rei's and Kaori's character designs it was hard to stop watching. 39 episodes felt like 13. It's a dark show and it took me a couple of years to muster the courage to watch it as I had an idea from a couple of friends that it wasn't for the faint of heart. I don't regret it now and it's high on my list of favorites.
You're right about Strawberry Panic: looks the same on the surface as Marimite but really is yuri fanservice for males. It had its moments and certain episodes I really loved -- enough even for me to give it an 8 score -- but on the whole it's no Marimite. Looking for another Marimite has been near impossible because it's the only one that does Class S exactly. Still, I enjoyed quite a few shows that got close to that ideal: Aoi Hana, Liz to Aoi Tori, Asagao to Kase-san, most of Yagate Kimi ni Naru, Simoun, Blue Drop, Sasameki Koto and Utena.
Oniisama e is worth a look if you want something deep and dramatic that happens to have yuri elements thrown in. Especially after reading your comments about Tale of Melodies (which I haven't seen due to the 2nd arc of Memories turning me off to even adding Melodies).
Oh and due to your thread I'm getting into Kono Oto Tomare :)