Manabi Straight episode 6.5

Loli-pong!

So the first DVD extra from the Manabi Straight! DVDs FINALLY got released and it takes place between the original TV series episodes 6 and 7.

I LOVE tsunderes. Keke.

In summary, it is just an animation of how the Seiou Student council spent their summer bonding for the big climax in the original 12 (or 13?) episode TV series, which is fighting for the school festival. It also reveals some behind the scenes explainations for a change in decision from the other merging school. Quite a critical episode if you ask me, so those Japanese who didn't buy the DVDs are missing out on a lot.

Ok I guess I've not given Manabi Straight! the introduction it deserves. To most Singaporeans it probably looks like some cute, loliconistic anime. Ok, so I do like moe lolis which got me addicted to Manabi Straight! easily... BUTTT this show really has some considerable history behind it and is marketed quite interestingly in Japan. Certainly something that is more than meets the eye.

Firstly, we have to note the opening and ending songs of the anime. They are written by a famous singer/song writer in Japan named Ritsuko Okazaki, but re-sang by Hayashibara Megumi (played the protogonist for Paprika) for the anime. You can view the opening song titled A Happy Life below:



Ritsuko Okazaki passed away at a tender age of 44 but has written over about 300 songs in her life.

"On May 5, 2004, Ritsuko Okazaki died suddenly at the age of 44 from septic shock as a result of septicemia. She was unable to speak any last words, and left her work unfinished."

Source: Wikipedia

Below I've embedded the original version of A Happy Life sang by her for comparison:



I personally prefer the Ritsuko version although I wasn't used to it the first time I heard it.

Manabi Straight! was shown on TV in Japan on a late night slot (1am). The intended audience would have instantly recognised that the opening song was a Ritsuko Okazaki song given her popularity. The lyrics of the song matched the overall theme and purpose of Manabi Straight! very well, which is essentially to live your life to the fullest the same way Ritsuko-san did in her song writing career.

The full name of Manabi Straight! is Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! Gakuen is Japanese for school, and Utopia means paradise. In essense, the anime illustrates how there is nothing in this world that can replace the paradise which is school life. And it is during this time of our youth that we should live our lives to the fullest. This is the recurring theme that plays on again and again throughout the entire series.

As American animeblogger Jeff Lawson puts it, "It’s a reminder that every single thing you do in life, intelligent or idiotic, with or without success, worthwhile or not, still matters in some way. Be it organizing a school festival, creating a work of art, or making a connection with another person, it all matters. But it rarely seems obvious at the time." This is essentially a summary of the lyrics of the song A Happy Life. These are the translated lyrics to follow as you listen to the song (TV Size):

Hora, furimuitemo mou inai yo ("See? Even if you look back now, it's too late")
Chansu nante ne sonna mono dato aorarete mo (That's how chances are. Even if someone tells you this,)
Ugokenai toki datte aru no (there are times in the past when you simply can't make a move.)

Sou kore mo subete kimi no tame ni iu koto dayo (Well, I say all this for your sake.)
Demo gomen ne (Yet, I'm sorry)
Nattoku shinai koto kantan ni wa unazukenai (I won't consent easily to things I don't accept.)

Uso de sonoba wo umaku yarisugoshite mo (Even if I can get by the moment with a lie)
Kitto kuyamu kara (I'll end up regretting later)
Kako mo mirai mo mochiron ima mo (Whethere its the past, the future or, of course the present)
Subete seou no wa jibun damono (I have to shoulder it.)

Simultaneous Background: *Nayamou!* (In that case, let's worry!)

Ato de wakaru yo subete no imi ga (You will understand the meaning of it all later,)
Ima wa wakaranakute mo (even if you don't understand now.)
Kurushimi mo shiawase mo himitsu mo (The pain, the happiness and the secrets)
Dakara nagenai de dakashimete ikou zutto (don't give up yet. Let's embrace each other forever,)
Its my life! Dakara! (Because, its my life!)

That being said, I urge anyone who has not considered this anime seriously to go grab it now and give it a try as it is overall rather meaningful. The voice cast for this one is also stellar. Manabi herself is voiced by Horie Yui of Love Hina fame. Mika, the narrator of the series, is voiced by Nonaka Ai (Fuko from CLANNAD). Mei is voiced by none other than Hirano Aya who rose to incredible heights of popularity playing Suzumiya Haruhi.

The manga is still being serialised.. so I'm crossing my fingers for a season 2. UFOtable kicks ass :)