DESCRIPTION

CAST

SPECIAL Dramaef: a tale of memories. - prologue
ANIME Dramaef: a tale of melodies.
SPECIAL Dramaef: a tale of memories. - Recollections
MANGA Comedyef: A Fairy Tale of the Two.

REVIEWS

• 

  Peng

  40/100
  Schmaltzing through the melodrama

  Perhaps it's my intolerance of romance anime in general, but I struggled with _Ef: A Tale of Memories_. I sincerely wanted to enjoy this and although I must commend SHAFT for conveying human emotions so vividly, after I took a step back to evaluate what was actually happening on the screen in front of me I couldn't help but laugh at the raw absurdity of it all. _Ef: A Tale of Memories_ is divided into two parallel love stories, which, although loosely related and referential of each other, never actually cross paths. On one hand you've got a love triangle centered around Hiro Hirono, a highschool student despite being a published manga author. He soon meets the outgoing Miyako and a rivalry forms between her and Hiro's childhood friend Kei. The other story is focused on Renji Aso, an aspiring novelist who one day meets a girl called Chihiro. Due to an accident four years ago, Chihiro is unable to remember anything but the events of the last thirteen hours since the age of twelve. Renji soon begins to assist Chihiro in her longtime dream to write a novel. One of the most striking things about _Ef: A Tale of Memories_ is how in a genre often confined within the restraints of cliche and normality, the series is refreshingly unique in style and construction. It takes seemingly simple scenarios such as the love-triangle and presents them in a whole new angle, accompanied by incredible emotional flair that really packs a punch. The driving force behind this emotional impact is the unusual complexity of the series' characters, however, this is also where things start to go wayward. Understanding the psyche behind each of these characters reveals a surprising amount of intricacy and initially, realistic humanism. Hiro, who is also my personal favorite character, is torn between pursuing his tenuous line of work and focusing on his more stagnant school career. He is, however, unable to make a decision and it is this indecisiveness which proves to be his greatest obstacle. Miyako represents the option of devoting himself as a manga artist, the freedom to do what he truly desires, but behind her outgoing and seductive front she is in actuality a confused and lonely girl, driven by selfish desires due to a tragic background. Kei is the safer option, where although she appears to be a control freak she is in fact fueled by a guilt-ridden sense of responsibility and compassion due to, well, once again, a tragic back story. Renji is similar to Hiro in the sense that he doesn't know where to go, he's lost and directionless, that is until he meets Chihiro who suddenly gives purpose to his life. Chihiro struggles on a daily basis to come to terms with a lifestyle that she believes renders her identity and existence an empty one. She feels confined by her handicap, unable to progress, and like Renji, unable to find any meaning. Deep, right? It really is. Unfortunately, this impressive depth is completely smothered by how hyperbolic these characters end up becoming. In the show's efforts to convey the emotions which its characters are experiencing, the characters end up being defined not by their motivations but rather by their incredibly outlandish actions. Miyako and Kei end up devolving into some of the most obsessive, incomprehensible and plain detestable women I've ever seen - seriously, bitches be crazy. And although I understand the intent behind the exaggeration, where the lengths in which they go to are to demonstrate the intensity of their feelings, these feelings are ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer ludicrousness of what these girls are actually doing. As such, what we end up with aren't the complex characters initially implied but rather melodramatic caricatures. It is this melodrama which ultimately drowns the series. Everyone (perhaps excluding Hiro) seems like they're constantly PMSing. We have characters on their knees howling at the moon, people constantly tripping as they run feeling betrayed and distraught, a monsoon of tears and stacks of shattered plates. It gets a bit ridiculous. And once again, although I understood what the producers were going for with the whole concept of 'intense melodrama = intense emotions' (and admittedly, it succeeds to an extent), it becomes overwhelming. Our very real characters with very human flaws become distorted and inflated by the stupidity of their actions and what they say, and as such become harder and harder to sympathize with. One could argue that their irrationality shows how deeply twisted and distraught they are, I think it's got more to do with lazy writing analogous to that of a Korean drama. As a result, some of the most intense scenes end up becoming some of the most unintentionally laughable and embarrassing. I can't help but feel it's a bit contrived at times, especially when you have two men having a deep and meaningful discussion on a Church rooftop (seriously, isn't that a bit dangerous?) For all its depth and complexity, Ef is lacking in any subtlety. It's not handled with nuance but rather with extravagance, and consequently everything is blown out of proportion to the point where it becomes obnoxious. There's so much illogical crying and screaming and smashing of fragile objects that although this cacophony of noise conveys a cacophony of emotion, it ends up being rather silly. The visuals very much complements this sentiment. SHAFT's/Shinbo's stylistic individualism really shines through here, and the intensity and passion of the feelings of the series' characters is represented through a range of vivid imagery. Bizarre camera shots, framing and symbolism really communicates emotion in an effective manner. Something as simple as a harsh red dominating the shot to a black and white scene often ends up being drastically more effective at conveying emotion than through the dialogue and actions of the characters, and with far stronger of an impact as well. Once again though, the imagery is at times overwhelmed by the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Some motifs are just so absurd and overused that it's cringe-worthy (I'm talking about you, paper-airplanes). Although for the most past the visual style is brilliant, it sometimes ends up trying to being too deep when it really isn't. The soundtrack is characterized by a heavy emphasis on piano and violin to reinforce the mood. The opening song, _Euphoric Field_, is downright amazing, where the mounting passion in the vocals really reflects the same amount of passion the show tries to communicate (and ends up overdoing). Pacing can get sluggish at times, and the intense melodrama can make important moments seem plain boring, although it picks up during the latter third. Also, as to be expected there's a lot of talking. Although _Ef: A Tale of Memories_ has a strong foundation with intriguing characters and vivid pathos, the intensity of it all soon becomes too overwhelming. The melodrama does work at times, and there are some genuinely endearing moments, but for the most part, I can't help but wonder if it realizes how ridiculous it's being. The series tries too hard, tries to convey too much through the irrational dialogue and actions of its characters and its unique but sometimes overworked imagery. I can see why this might appeal to many people, but for me, the complete absence of any subtlety, any attempted nuance leaves me severely disappointed with what was really so much squandered potential. If you're into romances chances are you'll like this. If not, well, if you can ignore the absurdity of it all, maybe you'll be more satisfied than I was.
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• 

  biogundam

  70/100
  well done teenage romances

  Warning this review may contain spoilers.

  First impressions, so another romance anime based of the v.n.
  I should really stop watching these thing.
  But who cares I am here to see some romantic shit and I hope I get it.

  Story, 6/10

  Now this is going to probably sound pretty generic but I going to tell why this isn't the problem.

  So tale of memories is basically about these 2/half romances that are going on
  In parallel with one another.
  So I am going to brake and talk about a romances one at a time
  Because both of them are somewhat different and handle things differently.

  So the first one I am going to talk about.

  Is about are main character for this part of the story at lest.
  Renji who doesn't know what he wants to do in life and is kind of at a crossroad.
  One day while going to his favorite place to read he meets
  A mysterious girls named chihiro who he starts to befriend after seeing her again a few more times in the exact same place he meet her.
  After awhile of them hangout she reveals to him that because of an accident she had when she was 12 that
  she only has 13 hours worth of memory a day.
  And the only way she would actually remember renji
  Is because she writes in a diary about what has been going on.
  so after he hiars bout this he decides to still say buy her side anyway
  So basically after that they start developing a bond which one another.
  While he helps her with her dream of writing a novel and helps her see more of the world around her.
  And over time you can see this bond starts to grow stronger even though he forgets those moments.
  Like for example there this one sene where she says to the renji "oh we should kiss and he like oh why and she says well we known each over for a while now" and I am like oh how sweet and endearing.
  Now there was a few parts with some of drama that felt like it was shoe horned in just the reason being we need some drama for this.
  for example her forgetting all about him and her memory re setting back to when she first had the accident because she tried to remember more than she Can handle with her trying to remembering more of the moments she has had with hiro.
  with in turn causing lots of psychological pain.
  Which was interesting even though it was kind of mellow dramatic
  and also the fact that she also ripped out all the pages from her diary.
  But in retrospect I can kind of see where it was coming from and it was coming from but this seems quite forced.

  Now the second one I am going to talk about
  Are main character for this part hiro Who is a professional mangaka who kind of dose things half assed in life.
  So One day while on his way to attend a Christmas party.
  He comes across a girl named miyako who has been robbed and after a series of events ends up hanging out with her for the entire night and forgets the party that he was going to.
  That a childhood friend named kei who was also attending this party who he shares a kind of bother and sister bond with.
  So after that he goes back to school its the usual shit.
  Him working on his manga and Kai wakening him up in the morning.
  After he goes to school The girl he had encountered on That night goes to his school and actually finds him and they start hanging out together.
  But of course them hanging out together is starting to make hiro childhood friend kei
  Jealous.
  So basically this becomes a love triangle story with all the usual shit you would find in story's like this.
  You know the back and forth between girls as the fight over him.
  And a lot mallow drama which could have been solved a lot quicker if the main character hiro had actually done something and not just waste time.
  Even though no one came up with the brilliant idea that they could both have him together but no never mind you can't have two girls friends.

  And The other half that I was also talking about is pretty much just a background thing between this guy named kyosuke who likes to record things with a camera and is kind of into kei for reasons.
  It's not that important in retrospect.
  Because it background noise.
  Used to give Kai a some what happier ending.

  Now when I compare the romances together
  I probably like the first one I mentioned between Renji and chihiro compared to hiro and miyako and Kai thing.
  And when I think about it
  It's quite funny is that the people who have this more
  Fantastical romance where the ones that had there relationship handled in a vary mature way.
  Because the main character renji like ok I got to take this slowly she doesn't remember and they have there relationship build it self up over time.
  And in the other-one one girl is a complete psycho going like no he's mine and I will eased you from his heart. Even though out of the two relationships.
  that was the one that was the most realistic even though it was kind of was handed in a very juvenile way.
  But at the same time and I don't like using this as an excuse.
  but they are kind of teenagers so in a way it's some what justified.

  Now one thing which is quite good about both of the relationships is that actually go somewhere and also the main characters also get to home base home run so yah props to them for doing that.

  A few negatives that I have with story in perticlar
  Is that I wish that the pacing was a bit better because it some parts they did really rush it.
  I think they could have fixed that if they had a few more episodes.
  Another problem I kind of had is that's even though this show has some pretty interesting psychological elements.
  But they never go into depth about it.
  It's like shit happens and then after two episodes they get over the problem.
  I can see where they where coming from but for It feels very one note.
  But when I think about and compare it to most rom-coms story's I have seen
  It was nice to see them try to go the extra mile even though they didn't explore it properly.
  well properly wouldn't be the word I would use it more lack of deepth I guess is the more accurate word I am looking for.

  Characters, 6/10

  The two main protagonists renji and hiro
  Are well interesting even though there personality are kind of generic.
  And I think what makes both of them quite interesting is that they have some psychological issues which are brought up quite a few times.

  But in retrospect it kind of looses its steam when your realize that the problem that they are face are very one note by nature and it seems like the kind of problems that lots of people kind of face in there lives when there around the teenage years.

  So there problems are very relatable to quite a few people.

  But when I also think about it the main girl characters at lest for this part.
  Kei and chihiro and miyako had a more interesting psychological issues.

  Which probably weren't the most relatable but where probably the more interesting out of the two.

  The side characters at lest for this part.

  Where ok most of them where pretty generic.
  And some of them had hints of we also have some issues to it just we not going to show it yet.

  But I must give credit to the fact that they use the normal stereotypes you would find in any show like this and adding something to them to make them more complex.

  Art, 7/10

  The animation looks very nice.
  It feels very clear and crip.
  The back ground look pretty nice as well.
  There also quite a nice color scheme.

  The art style is very generic especially for v.n standards.
  Now one thing I noticed and I will give it credit for is that they would change the look of the show in some scenes and they also add a lot visual symbolism which adds some personally to the scenes.
  For example we may all the color gone in the show for about 5 sec in one scenes
  Or we have something that looks very trippy and artsy as all hell.

  The character design where pretty generic.
  It a v.n novel there nothing much to talk about.

  Sound, 6/10

  The op song for me was quite nice to listen to it
  It has this relaxing feeling to it. At lest for me

  The ending song didn't really stand out to me that much.
  It was just kind of there.

  The ost in general is pretty forgetble.
  But it dose add a bit of atmosphere.
  So it kind of doing it job.
  It nothing special like there was never I time where I was like wow that sounds nice.
  I want to listen to the full version of this.

  Enjoyment, 6/10

  A few things which I quite liked about the show are.
  Well for one it takes its self with the right amount of seriousness and the relationships where quite interesting to watch.
  Like for what this did and when I compare it was to other v.n anime.
  It probably one of the better v.n anime out there.
  Because There was nothing really wrong with this show in a general sense.
  Like there are a few things that really hindered my enjoyment.
  Like some of the drama that comes up and I would have liked pacing to be better.
  It mostly nit picks.

  Overall. 7/10

  Now if your a fan of v.n anime or romance story's in general.
  Then check this out.
  Because for what it is it dose a pretty ok job.

  Now if your not into v.n anime or romance anime in general.
  Then this will probably not convince you to change your mind and starts watching them.
  because it still follow the very same formula that you find very boring Rey quickly especially if your an experienced anime fan.

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• 

  saulgoodman

  50/100
  Romances dashed with sincere intricacy, both a merit and downfall

  Spoilers ahead. Skip to the end for a short, spoiler-free review

  ---

  ___ #__You're showing your honesty in the wrong place__

  What initially garnered my interest in this show, barring being created by Studio SHAFT, was the multi-plot story. ef is situated between two homestay romance premises, the love triangle with tenseness that Guts couldn't hope to slice open and the boy-meets-girl cliché alarmingly ripe with innocence.

  Though, contrary to the cliché nature of the premises all the more elevated by the dated 2000s character designs, ef defies them with sincere characterization and poignancy. That is to say, their heart-stirring internal conflicts. Taking the most prominent and tragic as example, Chihiro's existential crisis derives from the fact that her memory resets itself every 13 hours, resulting in a self-perception that she possesses no concrete identity, no future, no present. Eternally entrapped within a 12-year circle, her reach extending 13 hours. Forgetting people pains her, but people forgetting her pains her more. Thus, Chihiro's heart opens just enough for books to seep in, the only things that won't hurt her. Though comparatively mundane to Chihiro's extreme situation, the remaining cast possess heartfelt struggles, as well.

  However, I found the love triangle plot substantially weaker. In cohesion, that is. Hiro, Miyako and Kei worked well individualistically. Particularly, Miyako had an especially amazing monologue that broke her character up to that point. Disappointingly, the attempt in connecting their internal conflicts into a cohesive plot made for a laughably theatrical cesspool that love triangles are no strangers to. The symbolism of Miyako and Kei representing Hiro's freedom and future turned into a complete failure of the Bechdel test that quite literally made me pause the episodes to pace around my room to cool down. Somehow, rather than conveying the impressive pathos behind their internal conflicts, the show chooses to render it all to melodramatic crying, screaming and running like some poorly-budgeted chick flick. Though it occasionally works at times to execute the high intensity and emotional explosiveness of the characters, it's comedic all else where.

  ---

  ___ #__Miracles don't exist in this world__

  Though, saving graces are present in all other regards in ef, to a degree. Shin Oonuma and his team stylized ef far removed from the head-tilts and geometrical, vector orgies usually associated with Studio SHAFT, but the direction possesses a similar eccentricity, yet comparatively subdued. The framing and cinematography stands out most prominently in regards to ef's memorable direction. Camera angles switch jarringly between consecutive scenes, though certainly effective and interesting to see. Visual symbolism and imagery are also a common reoccurrence, sometimes elevated by striking effects like silhouetting a character into a black-and-background mask. However, this all certainly borders nauseatingly ostentatious once you're hit with desensitization to the visuals. I suppose in this regard, it complements the just-as ostentatious and nauseating plots as they progress down-the-road.

  ---

  ___ #__Conclusion__

  ef gracefully waltzes and embarrassingly stumbles. Born out of cliché premises all too welcomed in the romance genre, are surprising intricacy in internal conflicts and walloping pathos. Though I found the two plots noticeably disproportionate in quality, the individualism of the characters shine through. However, the very intricacy that breathed life into the show, also dilapidated it after some time. The complex, intense, rampant thoughts and emotions swirling in the characters' minds vomit out in overdramatic, blatantly laughable courses of actions and trains-of-thoughts. While some scenes portray this extreme intensity well, amazing even, they unfortunately aren't sufficient in compromising for the not-so-good instances of high-running emotionality. Though the characters were potently laced with intricate potential, they find themselves acting out of irrationality as ef progresses.

  The visuals suffer from the same intense plague to a degree. Though unique and effective in conveying emotional intensity, the charm falls apart when its intrigue becomes borderline ostentatious after some time. Still, the visual direction alone made it slightly-less-than-bearable to trudge through this show.

  For a show that prides itself with intricate characters through careful characterization, it fails to fully blossom and instead ventures to deprecate them through frustratingly laughable melodrama. Including, but not limited to, obsessive girls fighting over a guy, screaming at God at the beach, running through the city to find ripped diary entries. Though I understand the intent of intensity, its execution mostly comes off much too frustrating to appreciate how it complements the nature of the show. However, the melodramatic romance market has always been one overripe with eager fans, so I can certainly see the merits in ef. Unfortunately, I'm not part of that demographic.

  Oh, but let's not forget the banger soundtrack. Bump that shit.

  ---
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