Review: ef-a tale of memories–Do You Remember Love? (93%)
Posted by Mike on 29 Dec 2007 at 12:56 pm | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
It is like a dream: a series of moments both strange and memorable, passing through the filter of the mind’s eye that, with a little direction, arrange themselves into patterns and meanings whose sum is greater than the parts. This series’ melange of art, memory, dream, and sorrow is a creative triumph and is, for me, the best anime I’ve seen this year. Even if the ending is a just a little too tidy.
12 Days, 12 Moments: Day 12–Words, Words, Words…and the rest is silence
Posted by Mike on 25 Dec 2007 at 6:06 pm | Tagged as: Anime Blog Collective, ef-a tale of memories
And I close this series of 12 Moments with what I think is the greatest moment in anime I’ve seen this year. It comes from the show I liked best this year, ef-a tale of memories, episode 7. Those of you who’ve seen it know what I’m talking about. I haven’t seen a scene in an anime that rattled me so much since the genesis of my fandom watching the psychodrama parts of Evangelion.
ef-a tale of memories 11: Remember Me Not
Posted by Mike on 20 Dec 2007 at 11:23 pm | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound? If we are forget someone, is that person dead to us? Is Chihiro’s novel really an epitaph, a eulogy, and a suicide note?
ef-a tale of memories 8: Mostly a Breather
Posted by Mike on 27 Nov 2007 at 8:06 pm | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
After the concentrated intensity of episode 7, the writers smartly decided to largely lay off the emotional intensity (save for one final scene near the end, though it hardly comes as a shock). Too much drama can be bad for the viewer as well as for the soul.
ef~a tale of memories 7–Dependency
Posted by Mike on 23 Nov 2007 at 10:21 pm | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
There is a very strong relationship between love and worth. We can’t feel like we’re worth anything as people unless we are loved, because we’re simply not made to be content with ourselves. The characters in this episode learn this in the starkest, most harrowing, and heartbreaking way the creators of this show can muster. It is the artistic and emotional high point of the best show of Fall 2007.
ef~a tale of memories 6–The Irreplaceable Moment
Posted by Mike on 13 Nov 2007 at 7:27 pm | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
This, one of the best episodes in what is already a fine show, takes both the relationship and the artistic conflicts up a few notches and sets up the characters for a high-stakes climax. There were so many memorable images and memorable scenes that it’s hard to know where to begin.
ef~a tale of memories 5–The Outlines of Our Lives
Posted by Mike on 07 Nov 2007 at 8:55 pm | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
ef~a tale of memories continues its march toward artistic and romantic harmony with this episode, which in many ways is about the beginning of the stages of writing–no wonder it’s called “Outline.” I should know, because like Chihiro, I myself have written far more outlines and half-finished stories than completed ones, and it is the outlining process which gives the most joy and pleasure. Even though, in the case of Chihiro’s story, it is a reflection of terrible pain and sadness; it is her cry of life nonetheless.
ef~a tale of memories 4–The Praise of Others
Posted by Mike on 30 Oct 2007 at 12:41 am | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
Why do we create? Why do we begin anything worthwhile? For many of us, myself included, the prod to begin was when someone we cared about–a teacher, a friend–saw what we were doing and said: “this is good.” Or, for the characters in this show: “you’re a genius.” Which is another way of saying, “you’re worthwhile.” So this episode, which had a few shaky moments, explores.
ef~a tale of memories 3–A Moment, A Memento
Posted by Mike on 27 Oct 2007 at 12:45 pm | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
This is quickly shaping up to be not only the most original, but also the most ambitious show of the season. Shinbo is definitely going to be heavily represented in the Originality Awards at the end of this year…and, if the emotional promise that this show makes is delivered, it just might be one of the more meaningful and affecting ones too.
ef ep 03 - a fragment of memory that you just have to hold on…
Posted by rayyhum777 on 22 Oct 2007 at 11:11 am | Tagged as: ef-a tale of memories
Note: the only story that I find interesting is Renji x Chiro. The others are rather stereotypical to me and hence I won’t cover them as much. You have been warned.
I really can’t imaging someone who has to desperately hold on to memories of love and friendship because she’d forget them after 13 hours. But I certainly know what it’s like to desperately holding on to memories because…
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