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+---- Thread: [Review] White Album 2 - An Anime like School Days Without the Blood Shed (/showthread.php?tid=4206955)
White Album 2 - An Anime like School Days Without the Blood Shed - Dragon. - May 2, 2014
Last updated: October 20, 2014
Minor update: December 21, 2014
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Is it that strange to chase after a dream? — Haruki Kitahara
Is it that strange to chase after a dream? — Haruki Kitahara
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Introduction
Introduction
Over the years, anime's romance genre has been oversaturated with mislabeled shows featuring over exaggerated breasts and fanservice. Thankfully White Album 2 (WA2 for short), does not join the countless series in its genre, whose plot revolves around useless plot devices, excessive fanservice, and little to no character development. White Album 2 is an excellently told romantic drama that isn't afraid to stab you right in the emotions and then twist the knife just to be sure.
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The Story
The Story
White Album 2 revolves around three separate individuals whose lives, by the cruel string of fate, meet one Fall afternoon. Two anharmonic sounds - a sad piano and a lonely guitar, are brought together by one angelic voice, singing on top of the school roof. The three soon decide to make a band, and as the story progresses, form a deep friendship, which eventually turns into a love triangle by the middle of the story. Unlike other shows in its genre, who put love above friendship, White Album 2 outshines its peers by showing a more realistic view. In WA2, the level of importance of the two heroine's friendship is on the same level of importance as the romance each one of them desires with Haruki (our protagonist).
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The Characters
The Characters
At the beginning of the story, each of the characters are generically portrayed. The school idol, tsundere, and plain protagonist are all cliche character archetypes abused in countless of comedies/harems. As the story progresses, and the characters develop, we see that they are not as perfect as they seem. Each character has their own flaws and weaknesses, and they do downright terrible things to each other throughout the course of the show. But it is because of these flaws and weaknesses that these characters can be best described as human. It is through this humanity that the viewer feels for the characters, and knows just how much they want to be with each other. We come to realize that they all have the best of intentions, but they let their feelings rule over logic, which is a surefire recipe for disaster.
Without a doubt, the deepest character in this story is Setsuna. A school idol whose presence and beauty is revered by every student at her school, regardless of gender, she appears to have her life set out for her. She's talented, too. Despite all her popularity, she keeps her distance from everyone around her, being emotionally scarred from a failed friendship in the past. As the story goes on, we see her gain friends and even fall in love for the first time.
Setsuna spoilers. Do not open if you haven't finished watching the show. (Click to View)
Full character list can be found on MAL: http://myanimelist.net/anime/18245/White_Album_2/characters
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Art/Music
Art/Music
As expected of an anime whose core focus is the music, the art and music overall is top-notch. The character designs are pleasing to look at, the backgrounds are detailed, and the color palette of the show fits perfectly with its theme. There are no complaints for this section.
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Closing remarks
Closing remarks
Brilliantly told and flawlessly executed, White Album 2 is a show that all future adaptations should strive for. It has a simple premise, yet it delves much deeper than that. It is a show that will build you up, break you down, make you laugh, and make you cry. The emotions that it will leave in your heart will linger there long after the final credits of episode 24 roll past. It is a show that will leave you thinking and at the edge of your seat. A truly unpredictable emotional rollercoaster that will capture your heart from its very first scene, and leave you scarred and longing for more long after its last.
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* - Happeh - May 2, 2014
Tried recommending this while it was airing during the season, claiming it was probably the best of the season - no one would listen to me cause of Golden Time. ;-;
Agree with the whole review, nicely done! This anime is special and is very realistic on romance and the conflicts of a love triangle. Kazusa is best girl.
* - cacnecac - May 2, 2014
I'm going to check it out since you relate it to school days, School Days was a good anime for me. Thanks guys.
* - Nonon Jakuzure - May 2, 2014
So it's like School Days but without what made School Days horribad? I might check it out. I like Sakurasou but it wasn't 75% focused on painting, by the way. I'd say it was an equal balance of many things, painting being only a small part to Shiina's character.
* - Dragon. - May 2, 2014
(May 2, 2014 05:38 PM)Nonon Jakuzure Wrote: So it's like School Days but without what made School Days horribad? I might check it out. I like Sakurasou but it wasn't 75% focused on painting, by the way. I'd say it was an equal balance of many things, painting being only a small part to Shiina's character.
Haha. Yeah. The main protagonist doesn't die, and he respects women. It's a love triangle basically, without the stabbing, blood, and cheating...
Spoiler (Click to View)
* - cacnecac - May 2, 2014
(May 2, 2014 05:40 PM)Dragon. Wrote: Haha. Yeah. The main protagonist doesn't die, and he respects women. It's a love triangle basically, without the stabbing, blood, and cheating...
Spoiler (Click to View)
Before I watch it is there Romance Sex though?(Not Being Perverted) I feel alot of drama/romance end up with the MC not getting anything which makes them so unrealistic.
Thats why I enjoyed Rumbling Hearts and REC atleast they are somewhat realistic.
* - Dragon. - May 2, 2014
(May 2, 2014 05:46 PM)cacnecac Wrote: Before I watch it is there Romance Sex though?(Not Being Perverted) I feel alot of drama/romance end up with the MC not getting anything which makes them so unrealistic.
Thats why I enjoyed Rumbling Hearts and REC atleast they are somewhat realistic.
Spoiler (Click to View)
* - cacnecac - May 2, 2014
(May 2, 2014 06:07 PM)Dragon. Wrote: Spoiler (Click to View)
Ok good, I don't care if it doesn't show, thats not the point. Thanks op.
* - SIM-1348814 - May 2, 2014
I watched this a while back it. To me it was completely different from white album 1
* - ℝesign - May 2, 2014
I liked this one, only watched half of season one. Got to say, the ending was kind of fucked up, lol. I even have the music on my phone.
* - Dragon. - May 2, 2014
(May 2, 2014 06:30 PM)ℝesign Wrote: I liked this one, only watched half of season one. Got to say, the ending was kind of fucked up, lol. I even have the music on my phone.
Half of season one? Then you just skipped to the ending? O.o
* - cacnecac - May 2, 2014
Ugh I had to stop this anime after episode 8 I kinda spoiled it for myself but Manga readers say he ends up with the real chick he belongs to so i might keep going. LOL
* - Programmargorp - May 3, 2014
Well White Album 2 is a perfect example of Romance done right.
The only thing it really missed to become a masterpiece was moving away from cliche.
* - ℝesign - May 3, 2014
(May 2, 2014 07:49 PM)Dragon. Wrote: Half of season one? Then you just skipped to the ending? O.o
No, I just stopped after she sung at the Winter concert.
* - Dragon. - May 3, 2014
(May 3, 2014 06:44 AM)ℝesign Wrote: No, I just stopped after she sung at the Winter concert.
Ah. The drama starts after that episode :/