As usual, with the changing of the season, we have updated our current blogging list for summer. I also decided to improve it by providing a link through for each series. Just click on the image in the page, and you can explore all the entries on the specific anime series.

In addition, we have also added a new section at the top header section of T.H.A.T. It is a Write for THAT, and it contains all the information that you need to know if you wish to write for us. With Itsubun and Riex unofficially leaving THAT for their own blog, we now have a little space for someone else to join our team blog.

In #whitelight sub matters, there is some problem to get the best raw that we can ever find. Hence, the release of episode 3 is delayed until we can get a raw up to the quality we desire. We beg for your patience!

Last, Maipeisu will be picking up another series. I am not sure about his plans, but you can comment to bug him on blogging a certain series.

Entries for this series are generally late due to the fact that I try to finish up the translation script before I write the blog entry. Last week took some time due to some issues, but we hope to release it faster this time for your viewing pleasure. As usual, come visit our IRC channel to visit us, chat or lurk for more fun. We love company.

Magic can be seen as a mysterious force or something that can be a party trick. However, in the world of Mahou Tsukai, magic is a powerful tool that can facilitate and improve the life of many people through its extensive and flexible use. However, magic is limited despite its powers. It cannot break the rules of nature. It cannot bring a dead person back to life. It cannot create feelings that are not there. It cannot manipulate the dimension of time.

Do you want to return back to a time of happiness?

Episode summary

Sora dozed off while emailing Michiru. Gouta woke up early to go for a surf, as Sayori questioned why he was acting on his own during his apprenticeship. Hara defused the situation by telling Sayori he is hungry. During breakfast, Gouta talked about his water surfing experience, saying that he managed to do two barrels with the huge waves. Sora followed Hara to his office, as he hands her her first job of her apprenticeship. It is with Motohashi-san, and the task was already carried out by many magic users of this district: opening a safe.

Hara tried to dissuade Sora from taking this task by explaining that he has the decision to allow or disprove her job, but Sora says that she would do it. We also realized that Gouta did not know that he had magic in his bloodline until recently. That explains why he does not know how to use magic at all. Back at school, Hiyori complained that she was reprimanded for talking to her friend late through the night, as she was too nervous about her magic job today.

Kuroda stated that it is useless to be so nervous over the job, and it will be fine as long as they follow their job seriously. Asagi, as usual, tries to find fault with his high level of confidence. When Sora is going to discuss details about her client, Kawada enters and warns everyone that divulging any private details about your client is frowned upon.

As the class started, Kawada told all the students who have used magic publicly before this apprenticeship to raise their hands. She called out Sora, asking her about the magic she used to stop the lorry. Kawada explained that before the age of sixteen, the use of magic will not be under the jurisdiction of the Bureau and is not an offense. However, it will be an offense if they use any magic from this point on.

During rest, Hiyori was concerned over Gouta, as he was struggling with magic. Kuroda praised Hiyori for her observance. Gouta was spending his whole time reading a book on the fundamentals of magic, and asked Morishita for advice. School ended, and Sora goes to Motohashi’s house. She was surprised how big it was for just two people. Formalities resumed, as Motohashi brought Sora to her job. She questioned why Motohashi had to lock the safe, when she had no key. Motohashi simply told her to carry out her work.

After opening the lock, Sora took a book out of the house. Hara told her that personal problems of the client was not her problem. Sora questioned Motohashi, saying that she could never return back to the past, and the man in the photo album would never return. Sora told her not to seal herself into her own world. Eventually, we realized that the man was her husband and they traveled often, but she felt extremely lonely after he died.

They conversed about England and Motohashi’s daughter (who was married to a local in England). Sora said that she did not understand why her mother always rejected the invitation of her neighbor for dinner. Motohashi tells her that it is usually more lonely to be alone in a place that she does not know, and company just makes her more lonely. So, it is better to be alone from the start. Sora started to cry, and said that it was depressing. Gouta, on the other hand, was getting annoyed at his slow progress. He wanted to give up, but Sayori asked him whether he was going to follow his father’s footsteps. Sora, after leaving the mansion, apologized for her rash actions.

Thoughts

Now, this is an episode that is way better than the foundation episodes of 1 and 2. I really like the thing about stopping in time simply because there is no reason to move on from a past of happiness. In a way, it is portrayed very realistically. When your husband/wife disappears from the world, it always feels that something is missing that cannot be filled. No matter whether you have children or friends, a husband/wife is a mate for life that is sealed by the rites of marriage.

I used to joke with my girlfriend that if we are ever to get married, I wish to die first so that I will not need to suffer the pain of feeling alone. She, of course, said that she will want to die first before any of her loved ones. Despite the jokes, no one in the world wishes to see anyone they love die before them. It seems to be easy for outsiders to tell people who are grieving to forget about them. However, with the good intentions, is that action driving a knife into an open wound rather than healing the wound?

It is obviously easy to say that it is a form of escapism and there is a clear apparent answer: leave that sadness. However, it is always hard to move on, because happiness has escaped from you. That is why I think Motohashi said such depressing things and act the way she did. I am not saying that it is the “right” thing to do, but I think it really takes a special person to get someone out of the darkness and gloom. Sora fits that criteria and hits the spot at the right time.

Gouta’s situation about accepting destiny is a painful thing too. For many people in this Mahou Tsukai world, they consider having magic to have pride. According to the hints that we have, it turns out that Gouta’s father is probably a magician that gave up halfway in his apprenticeship. I wondered why his father gave up, but it is probably the burden and hate that his father felt over this destiny.

When destiny forces itself onto you, it is hard to swallow it down. Gouta lived a life not knowing that he has magic running through its veins. Now, because of this curse, he is now asked to learn magic and it makes it seem that magic is the only path that he can follow now. If it is me, I probably will have tons of resentment in my heart. Why am I the only person that only knows about this now? Why do I have to deal with these magic users who are so happy over their magic? Why am I in a place where I should not belong? Am I truly a magic user? These are questions that I probably ask myself.

How about you? Will you question fate? Will you allow yourself to be sealed in a place where time stops because there seems to be nothing to look forward to?

Edit: Episode 2 is now released, so have fun. If you want, come visit our IRC channel to visit us, chat or lurk for more fun.

The original anime series of Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto in 2004 came out with a very refreshing mix of magic and reality. Despite some of its flaws and the somewhat average climax of its conclusion, it proves to a potent mix of character development and plot involvement in a slice of life series. The second series continues to play with this parallel world where magic is considered to be a special entitlement, but is usually channeled into proper use for society.

With the unique use of artistic photogenic scenery art and simplistic character design, episode 2 goes on with Sora experiencing life in a hectic and hot Tokyo. Will she get used to the complexity of urban life, compared to her rather peaceful environment in Bie?

Episode summary

Sora reached Tokyo, as she struggles with the transportation system of Tokyo. She needed to go to the Bureau of Magic for her training and eventually took a bus from the airport. In another scene, a cap wearing boy named Gouta receives some money from his father for his allowance during apprenticeship. He seemed to be somewhat irate to go for the apprenticeship, and also told his father to worry about his own issues rather than his.

Sora, on her travels, managed to save the crowd from a major accident on the road by stopping a derailed lorry that flew down from an overhead causeway. She also met Gouta, who tried to bring an old lady across the road. Sora told Gouta that she is going for his apprenticeship, with Gouta saying sarcastically that she needed no such thing. She asked Gouta for directions, but Gouta tells her to walk to the train station.

On the way to the Bureau, Sora narrated about magic, and that it is hereditary. She also mentioned that the apprenticeship is made up of two objectives. The first objective is to get a personal experience during home stay with a registered magic user. The second objective is to learn the history and gain training at the Bureau of Magic. After a successful stint, the apprentice will be registered as an official magic user.

Sora got to the Bureau late and tried to sneak in the classroom. However, her luggage skidded on the floor, and she was caught by Kawada-sensei. After making her self-introduction, they did a written test on their knowledge of magic. During the break, she talked to Hiyori, one of the students. Hiyori made fun of Sora’s rather amusing self-introduction (she said she had a dog called Joe, and has a motto of Trial and error).

The afternoon test was to transform water in a container into ice. Sora was supposed to group with Gouta, but Gouta somehow wanted to transfer out of the class for no reason. Sora managed to change the water to a chandelier-like structure, and many apprentices were in awe of her lively power. Kuroda and Asagi were two other apprentices introduced in this segment, and they seemed to be rather competitive.

The two started to argue about their ice creation and how they were better. Asagi also asked about the possibility of resurrection magic, and it is berated by Kawada as an urban myth. Kawada also warned the students that magic is to be used for society, and not as an item for competition.

Sora was given instructions by Kuroda to get to her home stay, but is waylaid by the beautiful fusion of old and new architecture. She finally gets to Shimokitazawa, where she meets Hara-sensei, her home stay supervisor for her apprenticeship. Hara also told her that there would be another apprentice in this place. After putting her luggage in the room, she realized that it was Gouta.

After thoughts

Way to go for scenery rape. I think Totali agrees with me that the artistic style of using real images of buildings and infusing animation gives a very stylish feel about the anime. It’s really a black and white argument on whether it is good or bad. I think animation is supposed to provide creativity and fuse the surreal with reality in an eclectic mix. Many of the common things of Japanese culture (temples etc) gives this strong feeling that it is a very real world.

Sora develops a little, with her rather energetic but klutzy character pulling me in. She is very open and innocent for a 16 year old, but that is to be expected from a rural girl who has not seen the urban landscape of Tokyo. I think that her innocence might be challenged by Gouta with the next few episodes, since she has an overly idealistic view of the world in my opinion. Of course, I will probably be proven wrong, but I think the next episode should show her weakness in urban life.

The thing I like most about this episode is the accompanying music and ambiance during the whole show. It has a very clean feel with an acoustic insert song just excellent for building that serene mood in this series. I am not sure whether anyone has been taking note of the many calming soft sounds while the scenery plays. The insert song talks about love that is hesitant, a melancholic song. Please wait for Whitelight Subs for the translation ^^

Among Sora’s friends, I particularly like Gouta. If you think of it, many of these people seem to think of magic as a superior thing. I have this strange vibe that Gouta finds that his magical affinity is in fact a curse rather than something that he should be thankful of. The contrasting characters in the same home stay, Sora and Gouta, will be instrumental to bringing the two characters to a new development in their lives.

In all, it is developing well with its slow pace. A question as usual before I end: what do you think causes Gouta’s rather apathetic behavior toward magic?

Damn idiots. I got tricked so easily by Aroduc and Totali on IRC about nipples in my most anticipated anime of the summer season. It’s a pity that I actually got tricked so easily, but it’s good that the arrival of Maho Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora is finally coming to us here. Below is the silly IRC conversation for laughs.

The questionable image is here by the way. Bastard.

Show ▼

Edit: We have finally released Episode 1 for your convenience. I recommend that you check out the downright awesome HD version, because it is just spectacular. If you want, come visit our IRC channel to visit us, chat or lurk for the fun.

Enjoy. I think we will do much better in terms of speed for episode 2. So look out for our next release!

Episode summary

A girl, Suzuki Sora, tells her dog, Joe that she would be looking for her mother. Sora’s mother received a call from Hara Seiichirou, a personnel from the Tokyo Magic division.. The man informed her that Suzuki Sora’s apprenticeship had been confirmed, and she will also receive a call from the Bureau of Magic. Sora found out about it and was taken by surprise at the sudden decision by the Bureau of Magic.

Nonetheless, Sora’s mother encouraged her, and Sora decided to meet her dad to tell him about the news. It turns out that her dad was dead, and she was simply speaking to him at a tree where she met a promise with him. Sora’s friend, Michiru, called Sora on her cellphone, as she has something to discuss. It turns out that Michiru fell out of love, an unrequited love toward Toyama. Toyama, their classmate, was about to move out, and Michiru was sad that she did not have a chance to share the beautiful winter scenery with him. Sora simply urged her to reveal her feelings to him.

At night, Sora left after eating a sumptuous meal prepared by her mother. Sora met up with Michiru and told her that life is all about “trial and error” (using the words of her mother to her). Michiru finally confessed after Sora created a magical snow within a plastic warehouse, and it seems that Toyama agreed. Michiru also described her love will be preserved like that of a Akiko, a wheat variant that preserve itself in the harsh winter.

Michiru thanked Sora for all her advice and help, and Sora is clearly happy with what she has done. In an email, Michiru asked Sora to find love as well, as the feeling of love is wonderful. Sora simply mumbles to herself that she does not know about love. The next day, Sora left for Tokyo, wondering how Tokyo will be like.

Should you watch it?

How about yes, yes and yes? Maho Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora is my most anticipated show of the summer season, and it has not disappointed at all. In fact, it has slipped in the most-watch folder in Impz’s anime series for the summer season. Many people have blogged and loved it a lot, such as Memento and Totali. Let me add myself in the list of people that enjoyed this series too.

One of the main draws of this series is the slice of life element. I really feel that the series tries hard and successfully portrays this show as a normal world where people fall down when they are excited, the peaceful harvesting of crops and the little talk about life. That is the charm of slice of life in my opinion, where it feels like you are simply immersed into this anime world. To me, this is the perfect series for me to watch while I sip my afternoon tea (I am quite an old man, that’s why).

The role of Sora as the main character is just an excellent choice. I really like her as a character. She’s carefree, innocent and sometimes clueless about things. Nonetheless, she has a very appealing character that draws you to her, making it hard for me to hate her at all. Michiru is also quite cute, and the scene of winter snow is very beautiful, though lacking a bit of impact.

Graphics wise, I hardly have any complains about it. Hal Studios has done a very excellent job, which is unsurprising since it is also the animation company that made Aria. The music is extremely nice that fits the mood of the series, just like how Hana no Kaze fitted the first series. There is a carefree feel in the music, which gives me the feel of wanderlust. I like it.

So, the bottom line remains. Who should watch this? If you like fanservice, you will not find anything here. If you like a fast paced story with action, this is not for you. This anime is those who wishes and appreciates the finer things in life, relax and enjoy the scenic feel of the series as it brings you the greatest magic of humankind: the ability to bring happiness.

Since Impz is busy “trap-ing” his silly tushy in Lisbon, I’m here to announce that Neo Angelique Abyss Episode 4 is out.

Hyuga-sama!!! KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

…I still have no clue how I made the image above pop there….

You can find the episode torrents here, or any of your friendly sources. Cheers and tell them how it is on their #whitelight @ Rizon.

Feedback welcome as usual ^^

Neo Angelique Abyss Episode 3 is finally done. If there are not enough cute guys for the fangirls to swoon at, Hyuga comes in. According to my silly girlfriend, he is also the hottest. Anyway, I am still concentrating my attention on Angelique

You can find the episode at this forum thread or any of your friendly sources. Cheers and tell us how it is on our #whitelight @ Rizon!

Feedback welcome as usual ^^

Episode 2 is finally done after a tremendous effort to make the lines as cheesy as it is. Just joking! Honestly though, Neo Angelique Abyss is surprising me with its production values. I cannot believe it myself because I am truly entertained by the show. Sure, it’s no stellar drama like Red Garden or any super action like TTGL. However, it is a good show to relax and enjoy. For a girl, it is to go kyaaing. For guys, it’s more to laugh at the sheer cheesy lines.

You can find SD version and HD version or any of your friendly sources. Cheers and tell us how it is on our #whitelight @ Rizon!

Feedback welcome as usual ^^

It seems like WhiteLight subs, headed by the silly timer Giggle-tan, has finally set up their first solo project. Impz is the translator that knows absolutely nothing, but we do promise good translation due to our wonderful QCs and an excellent encoding. As WhiteLight has no official website as yet, I will be using THAT Anime Blog to broadcast the news. We are also working on Episode 2-5 of Neo Angelique Abyss.

You can find more information of the fansub here. Cheers and tell us how it is on our IRC channel at Rizon!

Edit: The HD version .mkv {720p} for Episode 1 according to our encoder (I am no techie) is up.