True Tears 01 – AIR incarnate?
A common mistake by harem series is the attempt to squeeze too many bishoujos into limited airtime. We understand the rationale of course - to cast that wider net to snag bishoujo enthusiasts. But like figure collecting and girlfriends, it's quality not quantity that counts. For example, I'd prefer the 3 girls of AIR over 30 plus girls of Negima! anytime. True Tears appears to have this noted and has presented us with 3 girls whose charms rival that of the AIR/Tokimeki Memorial girls.
True Tears 01 reminded me a great deal of AIR's debut (which is high praise since it's the top 5 anime episodes in my reckoning). It's not quite on par but to be even mentioned in the same breath says something of my impression of the first installment of True Tears. We have the tangible comparisons like excellent production values - beautiful, consistent visuals / animation / cinematography combined with fitting music - and the intangible parallel - unconventional bishoujo charms, intuitive interactions and a pervading sense of depth in the plot/characters. In just one ep, a great deal of story elements has been planted though subtle character interaction which serves to titillate the perceptive who'd surely look forward to the unraveling of the plot.
In addition, given that both the director and series composer worked together on Simoun (in the same respective roles no less), I have high hopes for this one. Man, I'm hungry for more Noe goodness already.
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January 10th, 2008 - 04:02
Yes I’m thinking the same thing! This series looks really good. Not Air good but certainly an above average romance. The small cast, like you said allows more character depth, which Negima by the way failed to do (can’t even remember some of girl’s names in Negima..)
January 10th, 2008 - 05:08
I haven’t watched this yet, I have it on my HD but I haven’t mustered the will to watch it yet. Judging from your post it seems like you’ve been rather taken by the show as a whole (duh) but I have my reservations. A lot of people from around the blogsphere have been saying its relatively slow. I don’t have a problem with slow stories as long as SOMETHING happens that can pique my interest. Hey at least the characters seem and look interesting a far cry from all the cookie-cutter personalities we’ve seen through out the crazy harem/bishoujo attack of the last 2-3 years. Oh and the comparisons to AIR have heightened my expectations! I loved that show to bits.
January 10th, 2008 - 08:13
This does look promising…I’m hoping there aren’t just three self-contained arcs and we get some more interaction between the bishoujo down the road–it’s just the first ep though, so I’m guessing that’ll happen soon enough.
Completely off topic, but what did you think of Kimikiss, by the way?
January 10th, 2008 - 09:23
holyman282: Great to have affirmation from a fellow bishoujo-fan
I’m particularly smitten with Noe even though I’m pretty sure Hiromi is the designated girl of the series. I await to be surprised. 
Ivy: Heh, it’s not quite AIR good but it has potential to be.
As for pacing, there’s actually plenty of material covered in ep 1. It’s not overt plot movements but the character liaisons and premise are well-covered. It helps that the dialogue’s pretty refreshing too. I just hope they keep up the direction and animation quality. 
suguru: Actually I downloaded most of Kimikiss after reading your post but haven’t the chance to catch up yet.
Maybe this weekend 
January 10th, 2008 - 11:08
Stripey: As an uber-siscon, you should make sure not to miss “They Are My Noble Masters” (KimiAru)
January 10th, 2008 - 11:18
Air was 23432424256325623857 times better than this poo tears will ever be. I saw the original game page and IM like “what happened to all the cute girls? why are all the ugly ones suddenly created?” Lol
January 10th, 2008 - 11:51
This series definitely caught me off guard. To be honest, I haven’t finished any bishoujo anime ever since Kanon but this one sure looks interesting. I love the vibrant color and character designs. I mean, Noe was definitely cuter than average bishoujo girls. Characters didn’t seem too generic either. Only thing that kind of bothered me was a 3D students moving around. But oh well, hopefully Noe’s cuteness will cover for it. :p
January 10th, 2008 - 18:57
Mentar: Oh yes, I remember your earlier recommendation so I caught ep 1.
Am really smitten with character designs especially the lolicious twin-tailed Miyu. Getting the siscon vibes though it’s of the onee-sect. Thanks for the highlight again 
Hinano: LOL! The anime rendition is surely better than the game?
Hoping the story is as poignant as AIR.
muhootsaver: I think the characters are the major strength of this show. Am really looking forward to more Noe and hoping she’s a lead more than Hiromi.
January 10th, 2008 - 22:25
I guess someone didn’t want to eat the cost of the license (acquired before the game was released, iirc), which probably wasn’t cheap given the involvement of Circus, Broccoli, Rei Izumi, and GameCRAB.
January 13th, 2008 - 17:23
I have been bitten by the Noe bug as well. She has a strong force of personality, and she’s more eccentric than crazy (she has a great sense for people as shown in episode 2). However, I hope Hiromi gives Noe a run for her money because I think Hiromi can be a great yandere.
For some reason, I find most of the blogosphere disagree with our assignment of this series so far. I am just happy tho that there are likeminded people out there and it’s not just me.
January 13th, 2008 - 19:01
Watched this at a friend’s place a few days ago. The Premise so far certainly look good. I am actually cheering on for more of Hiromi actually coz I feel that her character seems to have more to offer than Noe. I think this is kinda crazy but the feeling I got after ep 1 was that Hiromi and the guy(what’s his name again? some Xchirou?) would end up in a situation where a relationship is not possible. Maybe perhaps Hiromi ends up as his half sister or something I don’t know… haha
January 14th, 2008 - 07:38
Skua: Oh I didn’t know True tears had the involvement of so many companies?
Chris: Glad to have another Noe fan! Noe charms continue to intensify in ep 2. I love how she has no pretenses and forthright yet sincere in dealing with people. The fact that there’s a tragic air about only strengthens that love.
cyw1988: LOL! You sure know how to push the right buttons with me! Siscon or not, I’d love the show as long as there’s drama