(L) Love Live! Sunshine!! TV Series - General Discussion

[Tempester]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

It does make them more alike. Greater similarity = More alike.

A disagree from a comedic standpoint. What's wrong with most of the characters having their own awkward funny moments in the first episode? It's cute and funny, and it worked well this episode.

Originally Posted by Triple_R

That's actually not what I found silly about Chika. Though I suppose I might have missed some jokes?

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Mari was barely even in this episode! Going by the anime alone, there's not much to be said about Mari.

I'm referring to the audio dramas that came out with Koi ni Naritai Aquarium and the subunit singles. I believe some or all of them were posted in this thread. Since they came out only a few months before this anime I'm fairly sure that they're part of their personalities and I doubt that they'll be retconned out.

Originally Posted by Triple_R

I found μ's very appealing and fun early on. And I certainly think that Sunrise was trying to make μ's very appealing and fun early on.

We knew nothing about Rin and Hanayo from the first episode, they just appear to watch A-RISE and that's it. From the first episode, we knew that Nico was knowledgeable about idols, and that Nozomi follows Eli around, but that's it. Eli and Maki had good formal introductions, and the rest was about the 2nd year trio.

Here in Sunshine the 2nd years are similarly developed, all the 1st years have an awesome scene that also introduced new lore: Hanamaru and Yoshiko are childhood friends! Certainly something to mention after the first episode. For the 3rd years both Kanan and Dia had a good introductory scene. Mari is the only one with no terribly meaningful screentime, but Kanan's dialogue foreshadows that there's something going on with Mari's family which puts a character plot point for Mari early into the show.

Comparing the two first episodes, Sunshine's first episode really does bring out more of the cast than the first anime (8 vs. 5).

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Honestly, I have a slight preference for how μ's was handled early on compared to what we have here with Sunshine, but Sunshine's first episode was a good episode nonetheless. Similar to what Akuma wrote, I felt that the μ's characters were introduced in a more naturalistic or organic way (less "frontloaded"), and that's one thing I really liked about the first few episodes of the original Love Live.

I respect your opinion on this, but as impatient as it sounds I honestly hope that the cast gets together quicker or at least has full interactions sooner than μ's did (because Love Live really started to shine once μ's was complete), and the direction of this first episode makes me a bit optimistic about that.

[RX-78GP04G Gerbera]

Loving it already!

Yohane-sama is Maki-sama's successor as empress this series!

[playmaker2k]

What's up, RX?

I knew you'd show up! I think the whole band is finally here.
We have chosen wisely and this is only episode one lol

Riko will be a Top Contender since she'll be composing music with Mari.
Wait, does this mean Aqours might have 2 composers in the group?

[IceHism]

This reminded me of the first season too much. I hope that it won't be too much like a copy.

I don't really like anyone yet though. I wonder if that will change.

[BWTraveller]

Man, that face right after Johanne says "could this be the surface?"... not often you see such a freaky smile. No one can smile like that and be in their right mind.

[blakstealth]

Originally Posted by BWTraveller

Man, that face right after Johanne says "could this be the surface?"... not often you see such a freaky smile. No one can smile like that and be in their right mind.

Especially since she just landed on the ground with both feet flat like that lol.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Tempester

A disagree from a comedic standpoint.

What does comedy have to do with "greater similarity = more alike"?

What's wrong with most of the characters having their own awkward funny moments in the first episode?

I never said there's anything wrong with the basic idea of this. But some of the execution of this was overdone in my eyes. It was still a good fun episode, but I agree with what Random Wanderer said on this a page or two ago.

I'm referring to the audio dramas that came out with Koi ni Naritai Aquarium and the subunit singles.

Which should have no bearing on an Episode 1 discussion, as I'm sure at least some viewers never listened to those audio dramas. Besides, the anime should be able to stand on its own two feet.

We knew nothing about Rin and Hanayo from the first episode, they just appear to watch A-RISE and that's it. From the first episode, we knew that Nico was knowledgeable about idols, and that Nozomi follows Eli around, but that's it. Eli and Maki had good formal introductions, and the rest was about the 2nd year trio.

I strongly disagree on Nico and Nozomi, and I disagree somewhat on Rin and Hanayo. I'll address this in spoiler space below.

Spoiler for Love Live Season 1 Episode 1:

There's plenty we can take from Rin and Hanayo's brief scene there. Hanayo's reaction to watching A-RISE is very telling - She's clearly a big fan of A-RISE, and so it's likely she's also an idol fan in general. Rin's reaction to watching A-RISE is much different, making it clear that her and Hanayo aren't equally big fans of A-RISE. So the fact that they're together here, and wearing the same student uniform, makes it clear that Hanayo and Rin are friends with each other. There's also certain impressions that can be taken from Hanayo and Rin's appearances and mannerisms in this scene. Hanayo having the glasses-girl look, and Rin being slightly cat-like, are good hints to their characters as a whole.

Now, as for Nico, her attire in Episode 1 is highly unusual. Why is she dressed like Michael Jackson trying to avoid the paparazzi? From Nico's attire alone, we can tell she's an eccentric girl. Nico also displays a definite loudness and brashness here. There's a certain bitterness in her voice that nicely hints at the sadder aspects of her backstory. Nico clearly likes A-RISE, but you can tell there's something different going through her mind than Hanayo's.

Now, I can honestly understand a viewer not picking up on most of Rin/Hanayo hints, but your comment on Nozomi really does her Episode 1 introduction a disservice. You make it sound like Nozomi was presented as just some nondescript "yes man" doing Eli's bidding, or just some random Eli fangirl that follows her lead. But Nozomi very clearly contrasts herself with Eli in the first episode, and her last line in Episode 1 strongly implies that there's somethings she doesn't see eye-to-eye with Eli on. Nozomi comes across as more agreeable, more quirky/playful, and likely more sympathetic to what the 2nd years want to achieve. Right off the bat, we see a good and suggestive contrast between the President and her 2nd in command.

In my view, this is all wonderful foreshadowing of what's to come.

Comparing the two first episodes, Sunshine's first episode really does bring out more of the cast than the first anime (8 vs. 5).

Given what I wrote in spoiler space above, I disagree. At most, I'd give Sunshine a 8 vs. 7 edge (Nico and Nozomi were definitely brought out well in the first episode), and I don't think that a 8 vs. 7 edge is really a big deal.

[Benigmatica]

Originally Posted by playmaker2k

Riko will be a Top Contender since she'll be composing music with Mari.
Wait, does this mean Aqours might have 2 composers in the group?

Speaking of having composers, I don't remember Mari Ohara composing music prior to this series. On the other hand, Riko being musically-inclined is a surprising one since she claims to be a normal high school student.

[Sagitta Luminis]

Please stop fighting and comparing u's and Aquours, it's really pointless to do so. Let's just enjoy the anime.

[Tempester]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

I never said there's anything wrong with the basic idea of this. But some of the execution of this was overdone in my eyes. It was still a good fun episode, but I agree with what Random Wanderer said on this a page or two ago.

Good point. I can understand why one would find the characters to be overreacting/overacting, but the only part where I personally had a problem with overacting was the end when Chika shouted to Riko in the middle of her class introduction. Other stuff, like Yoshiko's introduction, Dia announcing dramatically that she wouldn't approve a school idol club while the wind blew oppressively behind her, and the wind dramatically blowing Riko's hair to make her a pretty as possible as she introduced herself to the class were very entertaining in a theatrical sort of way.

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Which should have no bearing on an Episode 1 discussion, as I'm sure at least some viewers never listened to those audio dramas. Besides, the anime should be able to stand on its own two feet.

Yes, that was a fallacious remark of mine. I shouldn't have bothered mentioning it.

Originally Posted by Triple_R

I strongly disagree on Nico and Nozomi, and I disagree somewhat on Rin and Hanayo. I'll address this in spoiler space below.

Spoiler for Love Live Season 1 Episode 1:

There's plenty we can take from Rin and Hanayo's brief scene there. Hanayo's reaction to watching A-RISE is very telling - She's clearly a big fan of A-RISE, and so it's likely she's also an idol fan in general. Rin's reaction to watching A-RISE is much different, making it clear that her and Hanayo aren't equally big fans of A-RISE. So the fact that they're together here, and wearing the same student uniform, makes it clear that Hanayo and Rin are friends with each other. There's also certain impressions that can be taken from Hanayo and Rin's appearances and mannerisms in this scene. Hanayo having the glasses-girl look, and Rin being slightly cat-like, are good hints to their characters as a whole.

Now, as for Nico, her attire in Episode 1 is highly unusual. Why is she dressed like Michael Jackson trying to avoid the paparazzi? From Nico's attire alone, we can tell she's an eccentric girl. Nico also displays a definite loudness and brashness here. There's a certain bitterness in her voice that nicely hints at the sadder aspects of her backstory. Nico clearly likes A-RISE, but you can tell there's something different going through her mind than Hanayo's.

Now, I can honestly understand a viewer not picking up on most of Rin/Hanayo hints, but your comment on Nozomi really does her Episode 1 introduction a disservice. You make it sound like Nozomi was presented as just some nondescript "yes man" doing Eli's bidding, or just some random Eli fangirl that follows her lead. But Nozomi very clearly contrasts herself with Eli in the first episode, and her last line in Episode 1 strongly implies that there's somethings she doesn't see eye-to-eye with Eli on. Nozomi comes across as more agreeable, more quirky/playful, and likely more sympathetic to what the 2nd years want to achieve. Right off the bat, we see a good and suggestive contrast between the President and her 2nd in command.

In my view, this is all wonderful foreshadowing of what's to come.

Given what I wrote in spoiler space above, I disagree. At most, I'd give Sunshine a 8 vs. 7 edge (Nico and Nozomi were definitely brought out well in the first episode), and I don't think that a 8 vs. 7 edge is really a big deal.

Excellent points in the original series's favor. Once again I prove that I'm not very good at observation.

Originally Posted by Sagitta Luminis

Please stop fighting and comparing u's and Aquours, it's really pointless to do so. Let's just enjoy the anime.

Comparisons are inevitable since this show basically invites them by its very design. I don't see an issue as long as it doesn't go off-topic.

[Seihai]

To comment on those aforementioned overreactions and exaggerations that several people seem to dislike: I personally find them rather appropriate and actually normal for Love Live in general, because I have always viewed the series as a partial musical. That was already quite evident to me from the very first episode of the first series where Honoka suddenly started to jump out onto the street to sing a song and that's common in musicals and theatre plays. It's just that they use that element to up the quirkiness of everyone, but I believe we should let that stuff slide along with those impossible facial expressions that don't really match with their lines. I say pass it off with a smirk or ignore it altogether and move on.

[Nork22]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Which should have no bearing on an Episode 1 discussion, as I'm sure at least some viewers never listened to those audio dramas. Besides, the anime should be able to stand on its own two feet.

While I know that the audio dramas are extras that you don't need to listen to, I think those of us that have listen to it and have now watched episode 1, I feel as though we already knew what to expect from our Aqours. I can't speak for everyone who has kept up with all the pre-air material, however I find these character overreactions and theatrical quirks "normal".

If they keep Mari's personality like in the audio dramas, she will be one hell of a fun character when she gets introduced proper. Heck her intro music was weird but not unexpected.

[Kanon]

Chika is pretty much Honoka 2.0, but I guess a girl with this kind of personality and energy is necessary to move the plot forward in this kind of series. No real opinion on the other girls yet as we didn't see much of them (chuuni seems fun though). I'm sure we'll be able to draw some parallels with the original cast, but I'm confident they'll make these girls different enough from the previous ones. Otherwise, what's even the point of changing the entire cast?

Good start in any case.

[Triple_R]

@Nork22 and Seihai - Fair points. So I'll leave it at what I've said. I'm glad you're both really liking Sunshine.

Originally Posted by Tempester

Excellent points in the original series's favor. Once again I prove that I'm not very good at observation.

As disappointed as I was before, I'm very impressed now. It takes a big person to give this much credit to the other side of a disagreement.

And I don't think it's that you're bad at observation - It's just that Love Live is one of two anime shows that I have completely devoured multiple times, and am intricately familiar with. Perhaps to a degree that's not healthy.

With an anime show that I cared about less (which is 99.99% of them), I probably would have missed the Rin/Hanayo hints as well, and maybe the Nico hints.

Comparisons are inevitable since this show basically invites them by its very design. I don't see an issue as long as it doesn't go off-topic.

I'm going to try my best to keep comparisons to a minimum going forward, but I'm sure I'll make a few more along the way.

I want to make it clear that I like Chika. She strikes me as a very nice person with a good personality. I actually do see a personality difference or two between her and Honoka, but enough comparisons have been made for now, so I'll just leave it at that.

[Ernietheracefan]

Originally Posted by Seihai

The one with the long dark brown hair in the back of the kitchen is voiced by Asumi Kana, the one in the front who complains about Chika is voiced by Itou Kanae. Both big sisters I assume.

From doctor loli & twin chefs to big sisters, huh..?

[Random Wanderer]

I've now watched two episodes of the original Love Live. Judging from those almost everything in Sunshine feels more exaggerated than what I've seen so far of the previous season (with the exception of the reason for becoming idols); however much of that feels like a symptom of the issue with overacting and over-animating that some of us pointed out before. If that can be brought into balance I don't think this series will have a problem, and obviously plenty of folks already like it just fine as it is.

[Dextro]

Originally Posted by Random Wanderer

I've now watched two episodes of the original Love Live. Judging from those almost everything in Sunshine feels more exaggerated than what I've seen so far of the previous season (with the exception of the reason for becoming idols); however much of that feels like a symptom of the issue with overacting and over-animating that some of us pointed out before. If that can be brought into balance I don't think this series will have a problem, and obviously plenty of folks already like it just fine as it is.

I may be remembering this wrong but I feel like the original Love Live was far more subdued than it's sequels and that exaggeration people are talking about in Sunshine is just a natural progression of what the original show also displayed.

Not that I matter though. Love Live feels better for me when it lets it's characters go a bit overboard with emotions

[Julio C]

Somebody posted this on another forum that criticize this show (and pretty spot on) which I kinda agree on some of it.

What the hell is this show? Why are they are trying to imitate u's?! Opening and Ending songs are not as catchy as the 2 seasons of Love Live, heck its even forgettable.

Why there are tons of u's references and stuff? Is this there way of baiting us?

Watching the MC, made me miss Honoka for some reason..

Her BF looks like a generic obligatory bff for the MC

Love child of Nico and Maki is a Hanayo clone! But unlike Hanayo, she is much better looking!

Student Council President is trying hard to be Eli and her reasoning much more dumber than Eli's. Also from the way she talks she seem want to become a School Idol.

Not-Nozomi is Nozomi if she got a bust reduction.

Rich girl looks awful

and I am happy NOT all in Otowhatever Academy cared about u's. Heck this Not-A-Rise girl is just a plot convenient girl.

But atleast this chuunibyou-girl is the ONLY original thing in this show, kinda reminds me of Ranka....
Damn.

I miss u's.

Yeah that Ruby girl is pretty much Maki and Nico's love child with Hanayo's personality, and she is not very pretty compare to her.

The student council president just tries too hard to be like Eli

That rich girl does look awful, bad character design IMO.

That chuunibyou girl is the only original character so far.

The BF of the main girl is very generic so far.

[R.LocK]

It's not criticism, it's just an angry rant, though.

I just can't understand "Dia tries too hard to be Eli" nonsense. There's only one scene similar to Dia and Chika's face-to-face in the first season, and it's a jokey scene in OP. As much as I like Eli, she was unreasonable compared to Dia making sound arguments against Chika. And, her attitude is completely in line with her portrayal in audio dramas and bio unlike Eli.

Stop giving the girls hard time based just on one episode. They need time to come out of Muse's shadow, and if you just look at them as if they're just clones of Muse straight off the bat, you won't ever see them as anything else.

[Julio C]

Yeah, I guess it's a rant. Anyway I'm not that guy, and I'm looking forward to more of this show. I just hope the characters developed some originally and not be like the previous cast.