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Ranged from love triangle , fantasy , mystery and even Existential theme

At First I did not believe but later on after I watched this anime without bias like someone here
I've found that Sola deserve it's place for the best 2007 anime (Well , I wish Higurashi-Kai were 2nd)

Before I seriously watch series anime , I did watch a lot of movie both Hollywood/popular ones and (So-called) Arthouse/Indie ones. I watched many Asian drama/romance some are boring as hell but some has it's value as good spiritualizers. And one of the directors I like best is Shunji Iwai who've made splendid All About Lily Chou-Chou ... , Picnic , Love Letter (renamed as "When I close my eyes" in US)

What do they have to do with Sola?
I'm going to say that Sola could match any Japanese Drama/Romance movies and even better than some. For more as drama/romance movie-watcher I know that the Characterization will not be the same as action (movie or anime) which they should make it obvious to make the story on with action and focus on character personality only to move on and on. But Drama/Romance ones are to make their personality more ambiguious. Still someones might find that "Oh! they lack of personality" just because they're unable to cope with ambiguity.

Sola has Love-Triangle theme BUT it's UNCONVENTIONAL ONE! Many may found that it's absurd for some fighting scene. But if you've read a little of japanese culture or literature you'll know that fighting is something more than competition, it's something more meaningful than "Oh! I'm going to kick yer asses hard!" like in some action anime.

And , seriously , how can you said that girl characters are sexual pet in this anime? Haven't you watch the scene where Matsuri get close to Yorito first (and...kiss). Don't you see how Aono is manipulative in both apparent and deeper ways. Every! I really mean Every! girls in this anime have power over men characters. Mana , Yorito's close friend , do not fall in love with him like in many other conventional romantic anime (or even some movie) and she tried so hard to manage things around her to be in appropriate way.

Adding that , I recommended Sola for a woman who have been working for Gender Issue. And she said she like it!
Will you still want to act like a Pseudo-Feminist and ween "Oh! why hero get all girl" like a crybaby? It's you who need to grow up.

And for character , the best character for this anime , surprisingly it's Matsuri. She may seem like Everygirl character but that's when you judged her from "Action anime Characterization". Matsuri is common in personality and yet more real (Well I'm talking about personality so exclude her speciality) . She acts cute as many real girls do (not overact) .She is not too innocent and yet not too teasing , she express innocent appropriately I mean she's not forced to do.

Haven't you ever appreciated scenes when Yorito and Matsuri were together?
They are very simple romantic scenes that I even recall some in my real life. They're simple yet heart-warming and wonderful.

Still this anime add humanistic value to it. There will be a moment when you dislike some characters and later on you sympathize them. Some characters seem to have conflict , but later on you'll know that how much they want to be closed together like before. This anime portray human's tragedy without being (needlessly) sophisicated.

Music is one of the most important things that make Sola Atmospheric , apart from it's splendid background. But the flaw is Character Design which make some character less charming.

In later Episodes of the anime , where all breezy scene in first half ep. has been blown away , the story tend to get more focused about meaning of life and death. It may not portray this issue as more intense or intellectualized one. But still it move our heart. Existential theme is nothing new , but I appreciate how they fit this theme into the story without ruining it's Drama/Romance approach.

Do not let moe-moe appearance fool you.
Sola deserve more than average Romantic anime. It has no harem , no fanservice , free from sex appeal , innocent and yet brilliant
Finally , many of Sola scenes make me feel the similar way I feel for Shunji Iwai's movie. Feeling that is deep and hard to explain.

If you want shallow existantial story without soul ... go away

Rika-chama : Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is NOT Overrated , Nippa!!

When I read the first Chapter "Spirited away by demon" I did think I've found another good mystery manga since I read many detective manga (Conan , Kindaichi , QED)

Bui for "Cotton drifting" Chapter I think this is the best mystery+horror+drama+romance blended manga I've ever seen! How the Character secretly love another one is cute and sad at the same time.

The Plot itself and the Story-telling is perfect! While it keep you busy thinking how this cute and sad puppy love will end the wheel is still turning foreshadowing that there wiil be (literally) ... blood like in previous chapter.

But it's not shallow drama/psychopath horror so what's you think it's true will actually be true , half-true or completely false! , The Drama scene has it's depth and wiil make you cried naturally without forcing. Adding some Nostalgia and personal sympathy if you've ever had the same (or closely) type of relationship as the character had.

Artwork is well-done though it can stiil be improved

Overall this is my favourite Chapter along with "Eye Opening" which is the answer arc for this chapter.

I've read this manga long time ago. And recall that their is no feeling for them.

One of my friend comment this to me as he know I love to watch drama movie/anime. And even enjoy some action manga with drama fused with them. I read this manga thoroughly and find nothing...and even thought hey! they begin to cry too much

The Story is rather interesting at first. Poor girl who became a weapon...but they try so hard to make us sympathize with the girl and her boyfriend. And try so hard to make us cried. But I found this huh? It barely move my heart and ... think that oh dear they cried again...and what's repeating "I'm sorry" though you're not from Hinamisawa?

Story-telling is ok. But the plot just keep repeating in the same loop after the hero knew what happen to his dear Chise.And so many time I found that they are overacting , they cried again and I said huh? to myself again.

Drama value in this manga continued to drop repeatedly volume by volume. Even the nearly last episode of Minami-ke : Okawari (Anime) has more drama value than this manga (Yes! I'm talking about Comedic Slice-of-life anime!)

If you want good mecha with romantic/drama value I recommend "Voice of a Distant Star"

Sorry for my poor english...You may tease me "Coppora! Coppora!" if you wish.

Some say this anime is the best of all slice of life and some (JUST) RESPOND to this hype by expressing their Hatred forAzumanga...

This is not fair you cannot JUST LABEL it with Extremely Overrated or something like this...you watch it with bias and expressing all bias for your own wish to torture all heart of this anime's lovers.

And how can anyone said it's characters are cliche? Maybe you were drunk while watching it or something? I do agree that Tomoyo and Koyomi is cliche for many slice of life comedy (Tomo along with Minami Kana and Matsuoka Miu will bring Hyperactive Girl's Destruction for ... sure) But dudes , How can you say Osaka and Sasaki cliche!? Osaka is one of the most unique character in this universe! I find no one else like her...No! Mataro in Zetsubou sensei is not even 2% close to Osaka. Osaka has her own trait if you really watch this anime without bias. Many who've known her well do not even label her as Dumb or something...She may look like air-head one but she's clever in her own way...This is what other anime do not have.Plus Osaka even did some morbid thing (Intentionally or unintentionally)

Sasaki is also worth mention.Her characteristic smack those who like to label people by their own look. Yes she is tough girl who is good at sport.But she has her secret side for her love of cute things especially cats! she is cliche!? Hell no!

And if you just want to watch "OH BLOODY HILARIOUS FOR EVERY (SPLIT) SECOND BIT" just walk away. Slice of Life is not comedy itself from the start. But you know Azumanga did well in how it's story is so similar to daily life but yet more funny and more interesting without making you feeling like faraway spectator.You'll feel so close to them as if "OH! I've ever been imagine crazy thing to sleep like Osaka when I was in classroom (But not just crazy and funny as hers)" or "The scene which Tomo put the chair to make sleeping Chiyo knock against make me think of what my friend , who is not as hyperactive as Tomo, did"

This is what Slice of life should be...and this is why so many people worship Azumanga.You must admit the truth that Azumanga left so many impression for 2000's Slice of Life that it eventually become a "Standard" for other 2000's Slice of life anime...so it's very common when you heard people said "It's not funny as Azumanga"

However! I liked Ichigo Mashimaro & Minami-ke which is NOT similar to Azumanga.They both have different style of story-telling , soundtrack using etc. I love Matsuoka Miu and think she's 3 times more hilarious than Tomo. And Princess Chiaki-sama in Minami-ke is also my favourite.

But...Azumanga is my first love for Slice of life anime! How can I resist the feeling. Even if there are anime that is thousands times more hilarious than Azumanga , I'll still confidently express how I love Azumanga. As I said before Slice of life is not only about comedy!

Sorry for my bad english because I do not live in english-using country.
(You may tease me "Coppora! Coppora!" as you wish.)
And very sorry for review like this because there is no "re-review" in this site.