She’s bringing sex hair back.
In what is the start of probably the most anticipated arc of Amagami we have quite a start on our hands. The slower pace of the first episode of Haruka’s arc is gone and Kaoru comes in with a bang, the episode firing on all cylinders right from the beginning. And as I expected Junichi is acting differently in response to the different set of circumstances surrounding his being stood up in this timeline. Instead of only a moment of speaking to Haruka that wasn’t enough to uplift him, causing a retreat to his planetarium closet, in the Kaoru arc he barely has time to dwell on his misfortune before Kaoru finds him and saves him from despair with her chummy banter and an act of kindness. It really shows what having “just a friend, such a friend, still a friend” at such a critical moment can do.
[A NOTE: as I mentioned before, I'm going to try out some different posting styles for each arc of Amagami so this post will have a different format than my usual style. Given the arc nature of Amagami, I figured that it would be a good place for some experimentation. As the show continues your thoughts on different styles and other feedback are appreciated. I'm still not sure I'll end up changing my standard format after Amagami, but why not try something different now and then?]
Recap: After Junichi is stood up by the as yet unknown girl on Christmas he’s dejected just like at the start of last arc, but he runs into Kaoru who jokes around but then notices that he’s really hurt and invites him to share Christmas cake with her and her mother. The two have been friends since middle school and almost one year after Junichi being stood up they’re as close and chummy as one would expect good friends to be. Perhaps a little oddly familiar, as it’s apparently normal for Kaoru to bite Junichi’s ears to tease him when he dozes off. After some aborted plans to visit a new attraction together with their friend class starts and when Junichi tells Kaoru that Ayatsuji is just doing her job by telling them to be quiet a feinted punch sends Junichi to the floors…where he does the typical male anime character thing and comments that he can see her panties, prompting a coup de grace punch that knocks him out cold. Waking up in the infirmary Kaoru teases him some more, then says to meet behind the school later. Junichi Mark II, as I shall refer to him in this arc, is a much more forward and, ahem, imaginative person than Junichi Mark I and goes into some Kanako-class daydreams imaging Kaoru confessing to him in ridiculous fashions.
This however is not what he imagines, for Kaoru is actually soliciting his opinion as a guy on behalf of her friend Keiko who recently confessed to a guy and hasn’t received a straight answer yet. Keiko and Junichi hit it off pretty well, and after some discussion they send Keiko on her way with some advice on how to proceed. Junichi and Kaoru then walk home and after Junichi jokingly admits that he thought Kaoru was going to confess to him when she invited him to meet in an empty corner of the school grounds. He doesn’t quite get the “lol, oh you” reaction he expected when Kaoru is rather embarassed, but then she says she has to get going. Kaoru then splits off to head to work at Wagnaria, though sadly not at the franchise that employs Popular or Inami. However Junichi Mark II is of a more frisky and direct nature than his alternate universe self, and the thought of aprons and waitress uniforms entices him to head there later to see Kaoru. And demonstrating further the differences in Junichi Mark II, he none-too-slyly starts peeking at Kaoru’s zettai ryouki, causing her to be embarassed and run to the back. And while she’s panicking over her realization that she likes Junichi, he’s out on the restaurant floor sipping coffee and ‘admiring the scenery’ that is the other waitress. Oh my.
Image commentary:
Kaoru takes all of your love, your anger and your sorrow!!! And laughs at it!!! SHINING! SEX HAIR! TAUNTING!
So Amagami, we’re three minutes in and already with the kinky?
Kaoru ‘The Black Dog‘ Tanamachi: “once she bites she never lets go.”
The teasing, the cheesy and overly dramatic soap opera lines, Kaoru has already earned my approval.
A flag triggered, but at a high price.
Oh such delicious duplicity…
…unfortunately for her, Junichi Mark II won’t be lead around like a puppy.
Come to the Dark Side, Junichi. They have better hair.
Fantasy take 01: Junichi got a little too into Angel Beats?
Fantasy take 02: FFFFFFFFFFFF.
Take 3: Kuroko-esque.
I’m trying to watch Haruka sleep here!
I like the chance encounter without too much of a focus on it. Gives enough of a link while still being clearly another timeline/arc/whatever.
The always-falling Rihoko makes another bit appearance. Oh dear, with a mind like that what kind of arc is she going to have?
And so it begins…
Hmm, less bro-con this time around?
Junichi Mark II may be more lively and forward, but he’s not quite so smooth or intuitive as Mark I.
Are you pondering what I’m pondering?
Well the first thing I do is: get in uniform (like a boss), check the mirror (like a boss), break the door (like a boss!)
This restaurant knows how to bring in the customers.
KAORU ‘JEALOUS RAGE HAIR’ TANAMACHI!
While Kaoru sorts out intense new feelings…
…somebody is out there thinking he’s a player.
Thoughts: What a start to the arc, the pacing, fun, and introspective moments were all as they should be for the first episode of an arc. Junichi being stood up was there at the start along with just enough reflection, but the quick intervention of Kaoru made it stand out in tone and consequences as opposed to how the Haruka arc started off. Then jumping right into a day at school it set up Junichi and Kaoru’s relationship quite well without immediately giving away the revelation, if you can call it that since we knew it was coming, of Kaoru developing feelings for Junichi. In fact, knowing that those feelings would develop but having the show’s creator’s take the time to set up their friendship and usual manner of interaction was really another sign of the planning that has gone into Amagami so far. If the writers were lazy individuals we’d probably have jumped right into the love part of the relationship without properly establishing the friendship that preceded it. Taking the time to do so, and do it well, especially within the confines of a four episode time limit is definitely worthy of praise. And it even incorporated that trademark Amagami kink right off the bat with the ear biting, hehe.
The way the other characters were integrated continues the pattern of introducing small bits of their personalities into the mix prior to their arcs. The start of Kaoru’s arc has already benefited from the groundwork laid in the Haruka arc, and so far it’s looking like a good strategy for building upon each past arc even though the situations in each are different. We already know a little about Rihoko, for example: she’s clumsy and absentminded, she’s part of or at least associates with the tea ceremony club, likes sweets, and is always looking up dieting books. That’s four bits of information that won’t have to be communicated when her arc comes around, freeing up time for other things. And in this way Kaoru’s arc has been built up in part by the Haruka arc. She was established as a close friend, as an energetic person, and has occasional friendly moments of being scolded by Ayatsuji. While you could argue that these things could be communicated quickly within her own arc, I think it’s quite a good call to build this sort of starting-point familiarity with each character before her arc even begins. It makes it all the easier for the viewer to pick up and quickly move into each arc. So far I remain quite impressed with how the arc format is being implemented.
30 Comments
Amagami SS = win
ain’t that right EU?
lol, calling u EU sounds like i am addressing the European Union lol
actually your EO =_=;
I heard european onions are very good this time of year.
Also who was this girl? At first i thought it was the same girl as in the first arc. Long wavy black hair. Kinky/crazy personality. But they were different. What i can’t place without redownloading episodes
who this girl was in the first arc. Was she the girl who advised the other girl that it’s okay to be pampered?
Lol, I’m not particularly European or onion-y.
You’re thinking of Hibiki, Haruka’s friend who gave her that advice in the last arc and who told Junichi in this episode to be quiet in the infirmary. Last arc Kaoru mostly hung around Junichi and his friend when they were in class.
The European Union will be one of my many domains once I rule the world as a benevolent dictator.
Less yandere imouto this time?? , and we have junichi pervert thougts on first episode, Haruka always in my heart but sex hair kaoru was fine too hehehe… XD and i really2 love this omnibus format well at last main character stay safe because i hate too see another nice boat scene :p
Some sort of single timeline format would not work too well with this show unless they wanted a nice boat ending, hehe. Junichi Mark II is fun to watch too, I really love how the resets are done in the manner I was hoping for, where he draws a different lesson from each past Christmas and develops slightly different personalities. Junichi Mark I was timid but could bounce back with speed and creativity, and now Junichi Mark II is more outwardly confident and even pervy, but seems to have a weakness in that he’s not as smooth or perceptive as Junichi Mark I. Very fun to watch and see the variations.
This is off the topic, i have a request can you blog break blade?? Since this season lack of mecha so far and this movie looks awesome
I think that I am happy that they made Haruka’s arc the first one as she probably is the least important girl and her arc was full of introducing the other girls and making other relationships seem possible. Granted Kaoru might have been a better last relationship girl as Junichi would have to work at being with the other girls when Kaoru will just seem natural.
Also Kaoru seems like more fun. She isn’t trying to play hard to get and pissing me off so she automatically is like 100 percent better than Haruka.
To each their own (that’s why we’ve got six arcs!), but even though I liked Haruka I have to admit that Kaoru’s arc started out on MUCH stronger footing. And I think (as well as hope) that each arc’s character building is just going to get stronger as it builds on the little mini-scenes with each girl that appear in the previous arcs. Kaoru’s arc was able to get going so quickly and smoothly in part because of the moments of characterization in Haruka’s arc, and with this in mind I don’t think I’ll mind too much that Tsukasa appears to be the last arc. All the cumulative characters interactions of the first five arcs will give her story the maximum possible groundwork.
Horray!~ My most anticipated ark has started with a bang. (quite a few of them actually)
Now if only I wasn’t going on vacation MIDWAY through the damn arc. (sorry. fml moment)
This ark already looks like lots of fun. With Mark II on the prowl and a tsundere sex hair, the possibilities are endless! (not to go tatami about it)
From what I know of it (damn, still need to watch it) the Tatami analogy is an apt one. Junichi is almost like a different character this arc, and the show will be better for it. One of the things that bugged me about KimiKiss: Various Heroines is that Kouichi had the same personality in each story, even if that personality didn’t make much sense as a match for every girl (KimiKiss: Pure Rouge did it better by having multiple male characters.)
Too bad that you’ll be away for part of it, but just think how fun it will be to watch the rest of the arc at once when you get back
I’m not sure whether or not I’m fortunate to have never seen KimiKiss, but I’m tending to begin enjoying these type of resets groundhog day-like events after Tatami. I agree on the variation of our um… player? It makes for better flow and sense if his personality differs depending on the heroine he eventually hooks up with.
Haha, I guess I’ll be loving watching the entire ark all at once. (And ignoring all my school work while doing it.) For the time being though, its gonna be a real drag only being able to watch half of Kaoru’s ark.
Having seen KimiKiss: Pure Rouge (and read half of Various Heroines) beforehand did give me certain expectations of the series that haven’t really been met, but fortunately Amagami has been fun and inventive as its own series. KimiKiss: Pure Rouge was a lot more focused on love triangles and romantic possibilities playing out with each of the two main male characters having two girls a piece that like them (and even one of the secondary male characters had a love triangle of sorts going on in the margins and in the special.) Amagami has its arc format so it doesn’t get into the girls’ backgrounds and relationship development as much, and it has that kink factor that KimiKiss didn’t as evidenced by the knee kiss and ear biting. As much as I would like another KimiKiss kind of series, Amagami is a lot of fun in its own unique way from the series it takes inspiration and art styles from.
Ah, wonderful sexhair. I loved the Kanako reference, though I think Junichi needs a bit more work before reaching Kanako-tier delusions. He’s close though, and that’s saying something.
@Zi: lol, so am I. At least we got to see the start so we know that it’s going to be awesome from here on out. It’s gonna be tough not being able to see my favorite arc right as it airs though :<
Junichi Mark II seems capable of attaining those heights, and every journey begins with a single multi-outcome delusion, I mean step!
PROMOTE SYNERGY!
She just needs an “I Am Boss” shirt like Kana.
Speaking of synergy, Junichi Mark I had a great deal of synergy interplay between his personality and Haruka’s, I look forward to finding out how Mark II and Kaoru will mesh.
Nice Post, liked the plethora of youtube links…was fun. I liked this epi a lot more than I had expected to. I had actually been quite surprised at the massive amount of anticipation for this arc. (I’m looking forward to class rep. arc personally). But once again Amagami didn’t disappoint…In class ear-biting is something I want to try out once school starts again this term. For this arc I like Junichi more, but the herione less (so far at least). Do you think any of these arcs will ever go for a non-perfect end? I’d like it more since IRL not everyone is ok with the choices of others…What do you guys think?
Thanks. The anticipation surprised me too, especially since it started as soon as people saw the first preview image for the series and immediately latched onto Kaoru as their favorite. I’m with you in anticipating Ayatsuji Tsukasa’s arc the most, and if the order continues to be the OP’s beginning panning shot order then she’ll be last. But that just means that she’ll have the most buildup via the show’s side encounters.
I would like to see at least one arc end with a non-ideal end, anything from a JUST FRIENDS sort of resolution to a full on BAD END that leaves Junichi crushed. But it’s hard to call it at this point. On the one hand Amagami has shown a willingness to be unconventional, but on the other I’m getting the feeling that each arc may end with a GOOD END out of a sense of fairness to each character and her fans. If I had to place a bet on it I would bet against a non-GOOD END, but I’d love to lose that bet.
It’s a start of another Season of Love for Mr. Junichi Tachibana! The start of Kaoru’s arc is so exciting, at least for me, and can’t wait for what will happen on the next episode, together with Morishima-senpai! aiiyyyeeeeeeeeee!
How I wish after Kaoru’s story would be Rihoko’s story next, ohh definitely can’t wait for that! Well, Sae’s will be a good third arc, I guess.
Having Haruka interact more directly in this arc would be an interesting development, and I’d be all about one of the other girls playing a prominent role in another girl’s arc, whether as a close friend or as a rival.
I’m looking forward to Rihoko’s arc too. I’m not normally a fan of the dojikko characters, but there’s something honest and sweet about her so far. My order of anticipation for the remaining arcs is pretty much the reverse of their order, but having to wait will only allow more groundwork to be laid for my expected favorite characters.
Oh the love triangles!….or…rectangles, or pentagons, or something. This new arc sure has a lot of promise. Junichi’s character has really come into his own as a little LoL machine and the available girls are really multiplying like flies
I can’t even think of an epic love triangle that can compare at this point. Maybe Lelouch’s many female suitors, or Light’s deadly female companions.
Can’t wait for the next Amagami episode.
If this arc incorporates a love triangle with a rival girl I’d be quite happy to see that. Given that the arcs are all separate timelines though, I wouldn’t go so far in ranking it above other love polygons in anime as you have. Since they’re not going on simultaneously it’s not quite the Lelouch situation or like the setup in School Days, at least in my view. But I think the show is much better for not trying to run the typical setup where one character has a ton of girls after him and then must choose one in the end. Exploring each arc with a different version of Junichi will allow for lots of variety but still keep it realistic (and keep Junichi from being a School Days-level douchebag, hehe.)
If only she worked at Wagnaria ::sigh::
Seems their fetish in this arc is a bit of S&M. We shall see.
And each arc even starts with someone one one, someone one one, someone else! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Who knows how it’ll turn out, if it’ll be as kinky as the knee back kiss or perhaps more conventional? But Junichi Mark II certainly seems to have a dirty mind, lol.
Working at family restaurants rocks. The pay is ok, the work is easy and fun, no one cares if you mess up all the time, and your chances of finding romance are quite good!
I wonder if there was an upsurge in applications for family restaurant jobs in Japan after Working aired? Not so appealing a place to work in the US I’d imagine, but the family restaurants in Japan are quite pleasant places to get some decent food when you’re driving somewhere in the suburb-y sort of areas outside the cities. The waitresses I saw looked more like Kyouko than Popular though (and I’m ok with this, hehe.)
It wouldn’t surprise me if there was a small uptick in applications. Though I wonder if the target audience for Working is the same type that family restaurants are looking to hire? And I went to a family restaurant in America once, and I can confirm that it wouldn’t be a place I (or I assume anyone with a better job prospect) would be at all interested to work.
George Takei XD
Well, I’m falling behind as I usually do about mid-season. Pretty sure we won’t be getting an imouto arc; damn if they had to go and confuse me with ultra-similar character designs.
Anyways, I have two gripe points with Juunichi v2. The first is in the ‘love counseling’ scene. Now this is one thing I love — IRL* shipping, giving advice, etc. But really, maybe he was still on a high from imagining Kaoru confessing and all, but that was
some pretty shittynot the advice I would have given. Kaoru said the guy’s name was private, but I would’ve considered it of most importance to know who confessed. Based on the girl’s report, he sounds like a dick, but being able to know his personality would help. Of course, never having gone to an actual highschool, I don’t know how well kids know each other outside of friend-groups. Also, the letter idea, while a tad lame, should have been to ask whether the dude was serious or not (since he kinda sorta gave an answer), rather than asking for another answer.Anyways, my second gripe is Juunichi v2’s personality, as shown at the street corner. WHO the FUCK starts talking to any girl going on about how you thought they were going to confess to you. That guy is so lucky all it did was work in his favor, namely making Kaoru realize that she had feelings for him. Obviously things’ll go well, but if she had the slightest bit of yandere…
*Though in this case IRL is in a show… eh.
Yeah, definitely no imouto arc, though if KimiKiss is any precedent there may be a bonus episode that could feature her. Though unfortunately I’m coming to the conclusion that the only things linking Amagami to KimiKiss are the character designs and some concepts from the manga. Oh well, I here’s hoping Amagami will shine in its own way.
Junichi’s advice was pretty crappy. From the guy’s actions thus far I would have concluded that he was a jerk and advised Keiko to forget about him. If he had known who the guy was and knew him he might have been able to give more specific advice, so as you say it would be important to let him know the guy’s identity.
Joking about how he thought Kaoru was going to confess to him wasn’t very smooth, but I could see it happening in the context of a long term and close friendship like the two seem to have. If Kaoru can overdramatically act like they’re lovers in a soap opera, then I’d say joking about a confession would be fair game. Though he’d probably be smarter for not having brought it up like that. But it does look like Junichi mark II has a good bit of luck on his side, whereas Junichi mark I was all skill.