Air

[Linksquest]

All around I thought this was a pretty decent anime. It had an intriguing basic story that at first seemed like a typical slice of life story, but then changed midway through into something much more.

The complexity of the story was achieved by: [SPOILER] The different view points of the characters as they continually were reincarnated into different beings. This was a very interesting developement in the plot and I wish that the writers had done more with this. Misuzu kept on talking about the sensation of traveling back in time in her dreams. I had hoped that the story with Misuzu and Yukito would have gone back futher (or at least shown back further) than it did. [/SPOILER]

The music was well suited to the mood of the anime. The ending, I think, could have been much better written, but as this is based on a game and not an original storyline I can only blame the writers of the original plot.

Here are my issues with the end: [SPOILER] The entire story seemed to be leading up to the huge climax of present day Misuzu when she would be able to fly. The pains she kept having with her back and her referencing her wings gave me the hopes that she would actually make it. When she just died... it was a huge dissapointment. I guess the child Yukito and Misuzu had a hopeful future, as Yukito continues to try and make Misuzu have a happy life... but I just see the endless cycle of pain that will continue for eternity... saying that... I think the ending could have been a lot better. [/SPOILER]

It does have many touching moments and many of the characters are memorable. Potato, the kawaii dog, was so cute to watch when he said "piko!" hahah. I would recommend watching it, despite issues with the ending, hehe.

[Radical Dreamer]

Ah, loved this anime. It's become one of my very favorites. I can sort of see what you mean about the ending, however...

[SPOILER]I rather enjoyed the ending (even if I did almost cry...Episode 11 was a TEAR-JERKER). I thought that, even though it was sad, the effect that Misuzu had on those around her impressed me. How Haruko went from being a cold and irresponsible guardian to a motherly figure for Misuzu impressed me, and I love how everything sort of came together in the end. Also, about the next girl to have Kanna's powers passed to her, I found that to be an interesting aspect of the show. And it woudln't be an endless cycle of pain, either. Eventually, the last bit of Kanna's spirit would be passed on, signaling the end of the cycle.[/SPOILER]

If you watch the series again, you'll notice so much more...Everything fits much better when you know what's going to happen in the end. That's one of the things I love about this series...Some things don't seem to make much sense, until you reach the end, and then it all fits together like a big puzzle. I love it!
And the music. Ack, LOVE. Both the OP and ED are incredible, and the insert songs are great, too. Aozora is SO pretty! The BGM is really well-suited, too. A great series, I say!

[Linksquest]

If you watch the series again, you'll notice so much more...Everything fits much better when you know what's going to happen in the end. That's one of the things I love about this series...Some things don't seem to make much sense, until you reach the end, and then it all fits together like a big puzzle. I love it!

I'll definately watch it all again sometime soon. The pieces really did fit like a puzzle at the end.

I'll be watching the Movie and the Summer Arc sometime soon, maybe tomorrow, and then I'll post my thoughts on those here.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

The movie wasn't as good as the series

[FadedOne]

ah yes, I loved AIR. Agreed, the ending was odd, however the overall watching was fulfilling. Beautiful art, endearing characters, great music...how can you go wrong? And it made me cry..that doesn't happen alot.

[Radical Dreamer]

I'll be watching the Movie and the Summer Arc sometime soon, maybe tomorrow, and then I'll post my thoughts on those here.

I've heard the movie isn't as good, but I loved the Summer Arc! It's so cute, and a good comedic bit to take away from the depressing parts of the series. I highly reccommend it!

[Tenshi no Ai]

I've heard the movie isn't as good, but I loved the Summer Arc! It's so cute, and a good comedic bit to take away from the depressing parts of the series. I highly reccommend it!

Yeah the Summer specials were very cute!^^ The movie though... I actually like it because well, for once they didn't do that whole crow arc :/ I REALLY dissliked that^^ In fact there was a pet crow in the movie which was alot better. Besdies, it was sort of like the RahXephon movie: taking a look at the main parts but... very different^^ Although yes, the movie did have a couple "scenes" in it :/

[TriezGamer]

[spoiler]"Goal!"[/spoiler]

I cried watching this show. It's absolutely beautiful, and only becomes more-so as you re-watch it.

[Splitter 2.0]

My one complaint with the series was how slow the first half of it moved, and then how they got rid of all the characters they had spent six episodes on! Still, it was a beautiful story and I enjoyed all of it.

I can't decide which is sadder though... [spoiler]"Goal!" or "Mama!"[/spoiler]

[TriezGamer]

[spoiler]"Goal!" or "Mama!"[/spoiler]

It's tough, but I stick by my own. It carries a lot more finality. Still, an amazing show, and one that I would love to see licensed.

[Radical Dreamer]

I can't decide which is sadder though... [spoiler]"Goal!" or "Mama!"[/spoiler]

Ack, the latter. That scene almost made me cry (which hardly ever happens in entertainment), and it was just so beautifully done... I loved it!

[GrubbTheFragger]

Still, an amazing show, and one that I would love to see licensed.

it is licensed i thought. At least i saw the dvds at the local suncoast

[Radical Dreamer]

it is licensed i thought. At least i saw the dvds at the local suncoast

O_o? Are you sure it wasn't something that just had the word Air in the title? For instance, there's an anime called Air Master that is licensed...It may have been that. Air is still unlicensed in America as of now. I do wish they would license it, though!

[Nate]

Ah yes, Air. One of my biggest anime disappointments. XP I loved the series up until about episode 10 or so. After that, it fell apart from what I could see. I didn't like how the other characters were completely ignored after episode 6 or so, and the whole
[SPOILER]"main character dying"[/SPOILER]
ending really gets on my nerves. It works in SOME anime, but this wasn't one of them. This anime did make me cry, though. The episode with Michiru, made me cry. That one really touched me. I didn't cry during the ending because I saw what was going to happen a mile away and was angry.

It seemed like the writers said, "Hey, we're bored with this series, so instead of wrapping up all the plot points we've established, let's just end it so we can go work on better anime." It was just a huge letdown that fell apart, for me.

But yes, the first six episodes were amazingly wonderful, and the music is some of the best I've heard...the opening song is awesome.

[GrubbTheFragger]

there's an anime called Air Master that is licensed...It may have been that.

Yea thats it i had to do some research and it was Air master i just didn't see the master part ^^ my bad.

[Syreth]

Overall, I thought it was pretty good. I agree, I would have liked them to do more with the other characters. In the end, they almost seemed like a sidenote or something, which was disappointing. I would have also liked to have seen more done with
[SPOILER]Flashback to ancient Japan. Also, Kunisaki was dismissed a bit too early IMO.[/SPOILER]
I haven't seen the movie yet, though.

[Radical Dreamer]

[SPOILER]Flashback to ancient Japan. Also, Kunisaki was dismissed a bit too early IMO.[/SPOILER]

If you haven't seen the Summer Specials, you should watch them. They're both focused on the characters from that arc.

[Linksquest]

I have a question about Uraha in the Summer Arc [SPOILER] Is she a reincarnation of one of the characters from the first Arc... is she Kano? Or is Uraha just a stand alone character? [/SPOILER]

Oh... and supposedly the characters Ayu, Nayuki, and Makoto from Kanon make a cameo appearance in the Second Episode as students at Misuzu's school. I'll have to check this out.

EDIT: They really are there! WHOA! haha, I can't believe I missed that, considering I watched Kanon before Air. If you watch episode 2 at run time: 14:09 you will see them!

[Radical Dreamer]

I have a question about Uraha in the Summer Arc [SPOILER] Is she a reincarnation of one of the characters from the first Arc... is she Kano? Or is Uraha just a stand alone character? [/SPOILER]

[SPOILER=Uraha]Nope. For two reasons: The Summer Arc takes place long before Kano's arc, and yes, Uraha is just a stand alone character. Though, she is one of Yukito's ancestors. *nodnod*[/SPOILER]

Hope that clears things up.

[Linksquest]

I watched The AIR movie and the Summer arc just now. Both of these contained more sexual content and/or innuendo than the original series. The summer Arc was pretty funny! The animation style for the movie was completly different, but I think the quality was better (I LOVED THE WAY THEY made THE OCEAN LOOK!). The ending to the movie wasn't as good as the ending to the series.