First Impressions / Lucky Star

School trip to Kyoto! Kagami receives a confession letter! SHIRAISHI RETURNS FROM THE G(A)RRRRRRAVE


“Many Seasons”
– It’s time to don the winter seifuku again – but it’s still hot out! Shouldn’t people have the freedom to choose what they wear? It’s all the same uniform anyways…

“Parental Supervision”
– Some parents like to go through their kids’ email and cell phone logs to see what they’ve been up to – no need to worry about the Hiiragi family, but what about all of Konata’s shady dealings? No need to worry, she says – my dad has plenty more stuff he needs to keep hidden…

“Sensible Budget”
Kagami> It’s time to go to Comiket again, isn’t it…
Tsukasa> COMIKET!? T_T
Konata> Hyaa… would’ve been lonely without you two~
Kagami> How much are you gonna spend this time?
Konata> Hmm… at 1000 yen per two books… around 50,000 yen?
Kagami> wtf!!!


Other random happenings this episode:
– Minami meets Yui-neesan…. and Yui’s jiggly “twins”
– Tsukasa tries to take an early nap in order to wake up to study… and sleeps all the way through
– Yutaka makes the trek into the third years’ floor to delivery Konata’s bento
– Patty appearance!
– Always seeking inspiration, Hiyori gets great ideas at the most inopportune times – and completely forgets them by the time she picks up her pencil and paper…


School Trip!
– There’s a really cute girl sitting next to Kuroi-sensei on the bus – anyone know who this is? I’m guessing it’s someone that appeared in the manga or the game….
– Tsukasa gets some crackers to feed the deer – and gets mauled by bambi’s entire extended family. Conclude with a shot of piles of deer shit (LOL) and a Tsukasa soaked in deer slobber. Or maybe thats not saliva…
– Deer are attracted to crackers eh… Konata waves a cracker in Kagami’s face. Cmere, cmere~
– Tsukasa asked to take a picture for three Indian tourists – how do you “say cheese” in Hindi? Oh, wait… they speak English in India…
– The four girls go sightseeing! Kyoto is a major tourist location because of its abundance of temples and shrines, each of them with its own unique point of attraction.
– Kagami finds a cute keychain at a gift shop and decides to buy it. Looks just like the character on those “qoo” drinks
– Shiraishi gets left behind as the bus takes off. WAAAIIITTTT
– On her way off the bus, Kagami notices a note has been slipped into her bag. “Meet me in front of the hotel tonight. I have something important I want to tell you. from, some guy.” DEREDERE MODE, ON!
– Sitting there bathed in the glow of the evening streetlight, Kagami awaits for her fated encounter. A dark figure emerges from the darkness – it’s a boy – he stops in front of her, gazing at her yearning eyes. “There’s something I have to say to you… it can only be you, Hiiragi…” he starts. A long pause, as if he were gathering up all his courage to say the magic words: “can you give me that doll please!!”
– eh? “The one you bought at the gift shop – it’d be embarrassing if I was saw buying one, so can you give me yours!!” …orz
– The final day of the trip is spent hanging out in the city, where Konata drags everyone along for a trip to the anime store and the Kyoto Animation studios. They do the same pose as the one in the OP!
– Some purikura action – Kagami is embarrassed about it – what could it be?

The episode finishes things off with a scene of Kuroi-sensei logging online for a fresh round of MMO raiding – only to find that the servers are down for maintenance. Going to sleep early again T_T


Lucky Channel 21:
Ono Daisuke is the special announcer today again – they’re about to kick things into gear when… hey, who the hell is that … SHIRAISHI??? His disheveled hair, his tattered clothes, the unsightly body hair creeping all over his body… he’s been to hell and back for… a bottle of natural spring water. Akira takes a sniff… takes a drink… ICKKK as she spits it out and throw the rest at Shiraishi.
*snap* AGHHHHHHHHHH YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN MEEEEEEE
“eh? Minoru?”
Quite possibly the greatest meltdown caught on camera – ever! The Lucky Channel stage is torn to bits, Akira left in a shattered pile of gripping fear. What will happen to Lucky Channel??

Shiraishi Minoru ED

ED: 「シカイダーの唄」 (Shikaider no Uta) by 白石稔 (Shiraishi Minoru)

WELCOME TO IDAHO!!!!! Shiraishi and Akira get superhero and save the world from evil drill-fearing aliens!

Preview

Preview: Daisuke’s crow and Akira’s picopico have a little chat


Thoughts

This episode was the combination of everything good about Lucky Star, and what an amazing triumph it was. Not only did we get to see the unique sides of each character, but also how well they mesh together. The level of chemistry between the characters of Lucky Star is something I haven’t seen in any anime… ever… and it just makes the experience all the more entertaining. Watching the four make their way around the sites of Kyoto was an absolute joy – it felt like I was a part of their group, as just one of the gang – make no mistake, this was a very deliberate move by the staff to show off just how far along we as the audience has come along in befriending these characters.

And how about Kagami’s day of romantic anxiety? The moment she picked up that “love note” and scampered off, I knew something epic was about to happen. The great part about it was that it didn’t stop at just Kagami – notice Konata’s sensitivity to her mood changes as well! Konata and Kagami may always been taking jabs at each other, but when Kagami seemed to be a bit faraway, Konata noticed, and made a purikura message to cheer her up. What other animation studio can weave such subplots in so masterfully?

No, it’s not “funny” in the traditional sense – the level of humor and sheer enjoyment has transcended simple laugh out loud and crossed into that ethereal realm of holistic amusement. And it accomplished this by staying the course, always remaining consistent in their own direction while providing fans with tasty morsels of instant gratification along the way.

Lucky Star is hanging out with your best friends. Lucky Star is that perfect date you go on with your significant other. Lucky Star is that moment of magic that happens when everybody is on the exact same page, reading that wondrous story in symphonic harmony.

Lucky Star is love.

-jaalin

yea, I’m gar for lucky star. so shoot me, at least i’ll die happy.

68 Comments

  1. YAHOOO!!!!!!!! THE CRAZIEST MAN ALIVE IS BACK lucky channel is not the same without shiraishi i hope see the chapter soon (i have to wait till wednesday because i speak spannish)

    wazaraku
    Reply

  10. Let’s see how people will complain about this episode.
    Although once again there are a LOT of Japanese-centric humor like Kujira’s double one-shot gags, Naranara and Zannenzaka.

    Rembr
    Reply

  16. >> that’s not marimite – can’t put my finger on it, but it’s something much, much older.

    I think she is parodying a Leiji Matsumoto’s character “Maetel” from Galaxy Express 999.

    Sheba
    Reply

  19. The great thing about Lucky Star is that it appeals to so many types of people:
    – The young at heart
    – The not-so-young at heart
    – Girls
    – Old men
    – Anime fans

    At least, that’s what I think. 😀

    cbhl
    Reply

  21. lol… Didn’t Konata and gang just like looked for themselves when they were at the shrine place (the scene where they stare at all the little wooden charms on a hanger thing)???

    Tsukuyomi-chan
    Reply

  28. Doesn’t Shiraishi look a little like Chuck Norris now? Seriously, he looks all, “I’ve been training in the wild, wrestling bears and mountain lions.”

    And how does Hudson always turn the subject to Negima?!

    kadian1364
    Reply

  29. Wow they go to Kyoto AND Go Shopping for merchandise. Wow they barely ever do that on Lucky Star, and not only that, they go to Kyoto Animation Studios, which is just awesome cause they rarely ever plug the company and it’s parent Kadokawa. Man I LOOOOOOOVE how Lucky Star never seems to run out of interesting and involving things to do that don’t revolve around gimmicks, using real world locations in an attempt to get you to think about going there to buy buy buy and…..OH WHO AM I KIDDING! Lucky Star stopped being Lucky Star 15 episodes ago and now it continues along as the broken down mess of reused jokes, appaling direction and gimmicky advertisements it has become. I’m glad to see though that at least some people have realized this. The others probably just enjoy it for what it is, but damn if I didn’t think it was going to be a little more.

    Kaioshin_Sama
    Reply

  32. lol always nice to hear your weekly rant kaioshin

    cuz you know, let’s just focus on the one kyoani reference in this episode and ignore the rest of the episode, which featured tsukasa getting gangbanged by a pack of deer, a great montage of the 4 girls exploring the sites, kagami’s epic rendezvous with a potential boyfriend, and shiraishi’s return to the studio after his excursion to the forest.

    let’s just forget all that, cuz this entire episode was set up just to show the kyoto animation sign.

    jaalin
    Reply

  33. @jaalin – Thank you! You were right about Lucky Star being one of those shows that just makes you smile and laugh. Having seen Kyoto about a year ago, this episode looks to be really fun to watch. 😀

    kdp
    Reply

  34. @Jaalin: I will admit that this episode had less of a focus on Haruhi/Kyoani/Kanon/Kadokawa plugging than most recent episode, but maybe if they didn’t make such a habit of it it would be easier to not focus on it whenever it pops up, like with the Kyoto Animation Studios sign. When it’s such a huge focus of the show normally it starts to get annoying and you tend to notice it more, especially for a guy who is more interested in seeing Lucky Star characters, and less interested in Haruhi Seiyuu cameos on Lucky Channel, and ads for Kadokawa publishied material. I really could care less about ads for Haruhi Suzumiya soda or Comptiq magazine products. I mean why is it so hard for an episode to go by that doesn’t feature some form of Kadokawa/Kyoani referencing. I guess I’m supposed to be in love with the studio and ready to sacrifice my first born on the altar to Haruhi like a lot of people seem to be in order to get the clever humour behind some of the “Jokes” in recent episodes. And you and I both know that now people are going to be talking about how desperately they want to visit Kyoto now, which leads me to believe (half-jokingly) that this episode was brought to us in part by Kyoto Tourism Concerns. I guess the joke then is in the outright blatantness of the things we’ve seen with the past few episodes, and I sort of understand that, but that makes it so bad it’s kind of amusing, not so bad it’s good, or so amazing it’s epic. Anyway, that’s really all I have to say for the course Lucky Star decided to take, which isn’t what I had hoped to see. Hopefully, and I mean it, there is still some way to get something truly great out of the last 3 episodes, but I doubt it, the last one is more likely to be about them throwing a Kyoani Crossover Party then anything definitive. And why do these always turn out to be so darn long…..argghhhh!

    Also, I’m only half serious here, and exagerrating somewhat on purpose, but I do mean a bit of what I say about wanting more out of the series.

    Kaioshin_Sama
    Reply

  35. You’re nitpicking, which is really too bad because it seems like you’re allowing very select scenes to destroy your impression of a show that has a little bit of everything in order to have a broad of an appeal as possible. Nobody is telling you love the referencing – I personally don’t mind it but I’m not gushing all over it, as it’s not the reason I’m all over this show – but the fault of not being able to look beyond it rests completely on you.

    I don’t believe your point about Kyoto tourism is a valid one, as it is a consequence of the popularity of KyoAni’s works. Lucky Star has established itself as being adherent to “real life” (as an anime fan in japan may see it) as much as possible, seen through its frequent referencing of not just anime/manga/video games, but also locations, television shows, foods, etc… AS WELL AS the endless talk about real life situations that we’ve all been a part of.

    I think you’re trying too hard to look for a “joke,” when a significant portion of this episode, and Lucky Star in general, has no punchline, but rather derives its enjoyment factor from the fun of just watching the girls hang out with each other.

    If you don’t see what’s “truly great” about this episode, I highly doubt you’re going to find it in the final episodes. In the Lucky Star world, this episode was spectacular.

    jaalin
    Reply

  36. @kaoshi: sadly the series was made with a bigger audience in mind, and not just you. Hey, if you find the jokes stale, then go watch other animus. Try Hayate no Gotoku. Oh wait, they also resorted to the same cheap referencing that you’d see here too. As long as the majority likes it, KyoAni has nothing to change to an already good anime.

    linkinstreet
    Reply

  37. To the comment above, I suppose all the other animes that involve school trips to Kyoto are also the Kyoto Illuminati trying to get as many of us tourists to go and visit. Seriously, the girls didn’t even go and walk between the Rocks of Love (or whatever the hell it’s named) and that is almost a given in every single anime that involves a school trip to Kyoto. So no, it was not a bunch of scenes that lead up to the announcement that states: GO VISIT KYOTO any more than the numerous other anime that have pictured Kyoto.

    And furthermore, the reason why all of the merch is advertised on Lucky Star is because incidentally, it works, both for the audience and for the company. References to other anime by the same company are a little strong (have you even SEEN Genshiken?), yes, but so is Konata’s character in that same way. In the end, Lucky Star is much an otaku product making fun at itself, and that’s what makes it so popular. Hell, it’s the only anime that CAN, and that’s what makes it different. And yes, I suppose you could call it epic if you need to.

    Also, it’s less a tribute to Kyoani than it is a sort of look on current Japanese protoculture. Haruhi and Kyoani and Hirano Aya happen to be in fashion, so it’s convenient for Kyoani, that’s all. No, really, I mean it. I walked through Den-Den Town about three weeks ago (and I went to Kyoto and that exact same shrine those girls were at. Because I saw it in NEGIMA. And on Love Hina. And others I don’t have in my head right now) and guess what was on a very large screen tv in front of one of the shops? The Haruhi Concert DVD. What kind of maid outfit is popular right now? Mikuru’s, of course.

    And the otaku’s I know DO understand every reference that comes out (speaking of which, Lucky Channel doesn’t have Haruhi Seiyuu cameos. The only seiyuu cameo so far has been Ono Daisuke in his role as YUKITO/SORA. From AIR. We haven’t been given one Haruhi reference from him beyond the fact that he looks and acts way too much like Itsuki, even as himself, for many to feel comfortable), so, in the end, I suppose it’s just a matter of the audience KyoAni’s marketing for.

    Since it seems by now obvious that people who can’t take all the references and don’t find them funny don’t like it, why continue watching? KyoAni certainly doesn’t seem to give a damn anymore, because they’ve got their niche scored and will probably be heading the same way until the end.

    Potato
    Reply

  41. I actually think Kaioshin_Sama has a point there. I started reading the Lucky Star manga before watching the anime, and none of these product references existed at all. It kind of makes me think KyoAni has turned this show into an advertisement for Haruhi products.

    A Spectator
    Reply

  42. I too started reading Lucky Star before watching the anime, mostly because I wanted to know what were the characters and what to expect.

    What I find hilariously sad is how those who downtalk the show do it while wearing glasses that conveniently filter the non-haruhi or non-kyoani anime references and forget the rest.

    I’d like to quote jaalin’s post from AoMM:

    >> “in terms of actual clock time, kyoani references in lucky star comes in at less than 5%, with the other 95% pertaining to things lucky star exclusive. thing is, that small minority is the easiest to pick out, easiest to screencap, and therefore easiest to mistake as “all there is to lucky star.” a damn shame, really.”

    What I meant with that quote? People are making much fuss over the most little things.

    Sheba
    Reply

  43. Kaioshin: OK man, we see the studio self-referencing itself. We’re all clever enough to understand the plug every week that we don’t need you to point it out to us. But when you just focusing on that one segment, meant to appeal to Haruhi fans by design, and as pointed out be jaalin and others, a proportionally miniscule aspect of each episode, you’ve got to ask yourself, what else are you missing? If you’re looking for flaws, this is the least heinous of offenses. If you don’t like how this episode fragment panders to hardcore otaku, then perhaps Lucky Star just isn’t you cup of tea.

    But by coming in here and hollering on top of your soapbox about, “All Kyoani does is self-reference!” and “It’s a conspiracy with Kyoto tourism!” you come off as an angry, jaded cuss against Lucky Star, whose only purpose is to try to ruin the satisfaction others find in the series.

    There are many reasons we watch Lucky Star, or anime in general. Some of us like the style of humor. Some of us enjoy critically analyzing plot elements. Heck, a lot of us just like to look at bright colors and pretty girls. But it seems that you zone-in on one aspect you dislike so much you develop tunnel vision, depriving yourself from seeing everything else that you might otherwise enjoy.

    The point I’m trying to say is, if you truly, genuinely don’t like Lucky Star, don’t torture yourself by watching it, and then come in here to start ragging on it every week. There are lots of better things to put your time and energy into.

    kadian1364
    Reply

  44. … You know, there’s another way of looking at the use of KyoAni’s studio in Lucky Star — it’s cheaper for them than if they had included anyone else (which would have required *gasp* negotiations). There’s probably a clause in some contract somewhere letting them do this…

    People who like the anime will like the anime. Those who don’t, don’t. It’s that simple. (TV != manga. At least companies like Kyoto recognize this and don’t try and copy the manga, page for page. They go for gist, for meaning, for the feel — and it does take a while for a viewer to realize that. Why preach to the converted?)

    cbhl
    Reply

  47. sry jaalin. x,x i was quite busy this weekend T.T

    @kaioshin-sama: *if* you knew anything about the japanese education system and *shuu-gaku ryoko* (school trips), kyoto is one of th *most* popular destinations along with nara, hakodate, and/or hakone. it will be more surprising than anything if it was *not* chosen, to be honest with you.

    and of course kyo-ani will put real-world locations into its settings, lucky star is set in kasukabe, saitama…and most of th areas depicted in haruhi is also existent in real life…(theres a japanese blogger that visited th area and compared them to its anime counterpart)

    mewmew
    Reply

  53. I just realized something….ALL the ladies when they class is eating (right after tsukasa spills her soup)….they are all the same person?!

    *heart* lucky star….trying to make my friends watch it.

    That moment when Kagami looks at the sticker….ahhh…it’s so very heart-touching, brings back memories with great friends…..

    *goes to watch 21 again*

    RustymetalBox
    Reply

  54. I wonder just how many people caught the ridiculously small haruhi cross-over in this episode. The orange shiny ball at 19:52-19:54 during ono daisuke’s announcement is…yeah, it’s the orange ball itsuki uses while fighting the cave cricket, meanwhile spouting Full Metal Panic references (haruhi ep 7)

    RustymetalBox
    Reply

  55. I didn’t find the KyoAni self-reference that bad at all. I quite enjoyed how Konata HAS to see it because she’s an otaku, plus providing some information on the work environment enjoyed by the employees. The more you know! At least it isn’t in-your-face like some other Haruhi references from the other episodes, you know.

    And a very big ORZ to Kagamin’s love life. ORZ ;_;

    pakxenon
    Reply

  59. Since I can’t comment on other people’s opinions in the AnimeSuki thread, I’ll do it here, as that thread is limited to discussing the episode itself.

    Kaioshin, while for the past episodes, your complaints about Kyo-Ani having way too many outside references were more or less valid, and I left it as that.

    Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but this time I still feel compelled to say I am utterly disappointed with you for giving this episode a “5 out of 10”, while everyone else is giving it a 7 to 10 points. You might as well gutter vote.

    And all this for? For your perceived annoyance at a conspiracy by Kyo-Ani to boost tourism in Kyoto. It’s like dissing a movie based in New York because “it’ll get tourists to visit New York”. While totally ignoring the Kagamin dere-dere mode, totally ignoring the fresh original gags, totally ignoring Shiraishi going berserk, and totally ignoring that “outside anime references” has been kept to a minimum compared to the other previous episodes people (including myself) complain about.

    While I’m grateful for you giving me that cookie the other day, and I’ll return that favour some day, I must say I’m absolutely flabbergasted by your views this time around.

    Just what is it with your “one-man crusade” against Kyo-Ani anyway?

    Kinny Riddle
    Reply

  60. >Ethereal realm of holistic amusement

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    -----
    Reply

  61. “The Lucky Star Experience™ by jaalin

    Insert paragraphs of delusional retarded hyperbole here.”

    P.S. Stop mis-using the term “GAR”. You cannot use the term GAR for a show FFS.

    Anonymous
    Reply

  65. Goku? Pffft. Guts? Vivio could take him out with her little finger. Kenshiro? Binchoutan could just look at him, and he’s explode. Archer? He’s a mincing, shirtlifting wuss, compared to the new God. And one who didn’t require any weapons, special powers or even levels of ‘OVER 9000’ to vent forth his infinite hate, bile, spleen & venom in physical form. Yes, I’m GAR for Shiraishi!! The way he shouted down Akira & trashed the studio is now the stuff of legend. This is THE ‘Lucky Channel’ to end ALL Lucky Channels!! My only fear is that they’ve ‘shot their bolt’ with this one, not being the ‘LC’ for the last episode!

    misha
    Reply

  66. The great thing about Lucky Star is that it appeals to so many types of people:
    – pedos
    – hikkikomori
    – kyoani fags
    – all the three previous combined together

    At least, that’s what I think. 😀

    Lucky
    Reply

  68. I was in Kyoto and Nara just over a week ago, so watching this episode the other day was a bit surreal… anyway this is now my fav Lucky Star episode by far. And yes DON’T BUY DEER COOKIES YOU WILL END UP LIKE TSUKASA. It’s like buying a “kick my ass” t-shirt written in deer language for 150円. I was walking around covered in deer slobber for the next hour. Luckily it’s freaking hot there right now so it dried up quick O_o And yes they bite in order to get you to give up the cookies.

    Their shot of Kyoto station was dead-on, escalators skyway and all.

    Sciros
    Reply

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