Archive for the Kase-san Series Category


Yuri Manga: Sakura to Kase-san ( さくらと加瀬さん)

August 6th, 2018

In Sakura to Kase-san ( さくらと加瀬さん), Yamada is feeling a bit nostalgic about school. Graduation is around the corner and she’s a little sad she won’t be able to watch Kase-san run every day, or walk home with her everyday.  She reflects a little on the three years they’ve had together, on how she’s changed  and how much Kase-san has inspired and supported her.  

And then, finally, they graduate. Yamada goes to a new school and spends some time feeling a bit lonely, until Kase-san runs up to her. Kase-san has to run after all, and she might as well run in the neighborhood. Kase-san once again gives Yamada the energy she needs to see the day through. And Mikawacchi, who took a bunch of exams, also chose the city to study, so Yamada can see both her besties. They spend a day together.

After some shopping, Yamada brings Kase-san back to her teeny little room where they make love.  Kase-san tries out calling Yamada by her given, name, so Yui tries to manage a Tomoka or two, but gives up quickly. ^_^ Afterwards, the two of them go for a walk, hand in hand, and Yamada reflects on all the flowers that remind her of her life so far with Kase-san and how much she looks forward to being together with her in days to come. Which makes me think of my own dear wife, (my wife commented pointedly, as I read this to her. ^_^)

An extra chapter follows a rival of Kase-san’s at another high school who found Kase-san’s cheerful, relaxed attitude vexing, and then infectious.

This was an excellent fourth volume for the series. There’s no doubt that both Yamada and Kase-san have matured and both the art and writing reflect that. When I read stories set in high school, I’m always reminded of something a high school teacher I know once told me. They commented that they always knew by the end of freshman year if a student would mature past high school or be stuck there forever. I’ve noticed that quite a lot when I speak to students as well. As we read Sakura to Kase-san, we’re confident that both Kase-san and Yamada have matured and we’re confident that they can face adult life together. It’s a good feeling.

Ratings: 

Art – 9
Character – 9
Story – 8
Service – 4 There is a sex scene, it is not explicit.
Yuri – 10

Overall – 9

Kase-san, the little series that could, keeps on chugging up that hill. ^_^





Yuri Drama CD: Ryoukakuiin to Kase-san (緑化委員と加瀬さん。)

August 2nd, 2018

Included with the deluxe volume of Sakura to Kase-san (さくらと加瀬さん。), the 4th volume of the Kase-san manga series (which will be released in English by Seven Seas as Kase-san and Cherry Blossoms in late 2018) is an original drama CD, Ryoukakuiin to Kase-san (緑化委員と加瀬さん。) This CD contains two tracks, both from Apron to Kase-san (released in English by Seven Seas in early 2018 as Kase-san and an Apron). 

The first track begins with Kase-san telling Yamada (and therefore us) about how she came to know who Yamada was…and how Kase-san became inspired by her, just as her own motivation for running was flagging. Yamada’s drive to enjoy being the sole member of the greenery committee gave Kase-san the desire to run again for fun. 

The second track is a short in which Kase-san is desperate to find something to get Yamada for her birthday, so she enlists the questionable help of Miwacchi. 

The cast remains the same as the previous Drama CDs and the OVA animation, so we’re starting to get a body of voice acting for Yamada and Kase-san and can now settle in, knowing who and what they will sound like.

This deluxe edition also includeds a mini-clearfile, with imagines of the Kase-san series LINE stamps that were released last spring…and which, I inexplicably have. When I got to Japan for the Yuriten, coins magically manifested on my LINE account and I was able to pick those stamps up. I have absolutely no idea how, as I do nothing on LINE to generate coins. I think it was just the Yuri gods smiling favorably upon me. ^_^ Anyway…the clearfile is cute. 

Ratings: 

Art – 7 Adorable SD characters adorn the disk 
Voice Acting – 10 They sound perfect, I couldn’t ask for better.
Story – 7 
Character – 8
Yuri – 4 Implicit since we know that they are a couple now, but not overt
Service – 1

Overall – 7

I haven’t yet read all the chapters in Book 4 and I am looking forward to it! Chek back in a few days for the revew.





Yuri Anime: Asagao to Kase-san OVA (あさがおと加瀬さん)

July 15th, 2018

Deep breath……. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!

Many thanks to YNN Senior Kase-san Correspondent Verso S for help in obtaining a copy of the Blu-ray, which is still being sold only at theaters in Japan where the OVA is showing. Once again, the Yuri Network is pure awesome. ^_^

Despite being titled Asagao to Kase-san (あさがおと加瀬さん), the story begins after the events of the first manga volume. The story begins with Obentou to Kase-san, as Yamada and Kase-san have been dating since spring…

…my eyes widened as I realized that the entire OVA takes place after “There is a girl, she likes another girl, they like each other, the end.” I cannot impress upon you all enough what a meaningful statement that is for a Yuri Anime. This is not the same girl-meets-girl story we have seen and read over and over. It’s true that this OVA follows a well-worn path, but this time, the path has been set with beautifully animated paving stones and lined with all the flowers we’ve come to love – hydrangeas, and pansies and, of course, morning glories. And lilies. ^_^

Yamada and Kase-san have been dating for a while, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things that need to be dealt with. Jealousy and self-esteem, sexual attraction, and possessiveness all get a moment or two in the spotlight, but in 58 minutes, the one thing that really was sidelined was fanservice. Service that existed in the manga was stripped out for this anime, which suited me just fine. It was such a pleasure and a visceral relief that we could enjoy a Yuri romance with the all the truly sexy and appealing things about love and attraction, without any of the tiresome visual cues that sad people replace for love and attraction. There were kisses, and when Kase-san kisses Yamada’s wrist, I was like, now this was written by someone who has actually had a relationship. 

Again, I ask you to consider the choices made here – this was a Yuri romance anime not made for the lowest common denominator. Not one scene, not one decision was a shrugging consideration that we have to rely on the creepy, the sexually immature, the dysfunctional or unimaginative viewer for success. While the Kase-san series is itself a nice, sweet and realistic young love story, this OVA is a masterwork of polite middle fingers to people who can’t watch Yuri without needing sloppy kisses, and unhappy faces.

Voice acting was, as it has been, top-notch. Takahashi Minami as Yamada and Sakura Ayane as Kase-san were excellent and their version of the ED was adorable.

It feels redundant, but let me also note that the animation was delightful and gorgeous and amusing in turn. This series has no grand sweeping epic moments, but every scene was lovingly handled by people who cared, and it shows.

The Kase-san series has done some amazing things – it didn’t die after the magazine it ran in folded, it got a theatrical release for the OVA, (making it a OTA, I guess,) it found a new magazine home, it’s *still* in some theaters in Japan and it has a JP Blu-Ray with English subtitles. The story has been cute since the first chapter, but the business acumen and hard work behind it on the part of Takashima Hiromi-sensei, the folks at Shinsokan Pubishing and Pony Canyon leave me breathless. This is case study quality. This is an outstanding work on every level, including all the ones we never see, like directing and editing.

When the DVD becomes available from Japan through regular sales routes, I will provide a link, I promise. And if you were one of the fortunate to see this at AnimeExpo last week, let us know what you think in the comments. In the meantime, 2018 has 5 months left in which to beat this for the number 1 slot on the top 10 list. I await the competition with baited breath.

Ratings:

Art – 10
Story – 10
Character – 10
Service – 1 on principal only (Although I could make a case for that wrist kiss being service for a different group)
Yuri – 10

Overall – 10

It was…perfect.  Just perfect. Thank you to everyone who worked on it.

I’m told that the premier at AnimeExpo included a video of staff talking about their efforts in getting this OVA made. And I’ve seen all the videos of the voice cast talking about the series. And I really appreciate the efforts of Pony Canyon staff and the support and belief in this series showed by Shinsokan Publishing. But when I think of Kase-san, I think of Takshima-sensei and her assistants grinding away in her room, never giving up on this series and keeping it going no matter what. She deserves every success she receives.





Yuri Drama CD: Jitensha to Kase-san (自転車と加瀬さん)

June 20th, 2018

The Asagao to Kase-san movie is still in theaters (and has added some new theaters this week, which will be getting it in July). It’s really all kinds of wonderful. Typically anime OVA/theatrical releases hit theaters for a week, then go straight to DVD. This Blu-Ray is available at theaters with proof of a ticket. In fact, they’ve had to restock theaters. So, wow! 

Earlier in the year when the tickets first hit the stores, our YNN Kase-san Correspondent Verso S kindly offered to buy one on my behalf so I could have the Drama CD which was one of the very first rewards for ticketholders. ^_^ Never beyond abusing a friendship in order to get a Drama CD, I jumped on that. (The ticket itself went to the lovely Uchida-san from the Yuriten to thank her for her help.)

Jitensha to Kase-san (自転車と加瀬さん) is a 20-minute long voice drama version of the first two chapters of Asagao to Kase-san, (published in English by Seven Seas as Kase-san and Morning Glories). Yamada is voiced by Takahashi Minami and Kase-sen by Sakura Ayane.

The story is told from the point of view of Yamada as she notices and begins to have feelings for Kase-san, the school’s track star. It’s pretty much told word for word, so if you’re familiar with the source material, it’s a simple and entertaining listen. 

Ratings:

Art – 7 Adorable SD characters adorn the disk in a clear jewel case
Voice Acting – 10 They sound perfect, I couldn’t ask for better.
Story – 7 
Character – 8
Yuri – 6 First love is sweet, but I’ll never quite *like* it. I always feel a bit squicky when I’m in a high schooler’s head as she notices another girl romantically or sexually for the first time. ^_^;
Service – 2 

Overall – 8

As an appetizer to the movie it’s perfect. The voices fit the characters well and all I want to do now is get my hands on that Blu-Ray! Right now it’s only available through 3rd party sellers for usurious rates and against the whole point of it being available to ticket holders. As soon as it gets a general release, I’ll get you a link.





Yuri Manga: Kase-san and an Apron (English)

February 18th, 2018

Yamada’s life has changed radically since she’s started to go out with Kase-san. She’s always been kind of average and had no confidence in herself, except in relation to the greenery committee at school. But being with Kase-san has taught her some important things. 

In Kase-san and an Apron, the 4th volume of Takashima Hiromi’s high school Yuri romance, during the school festival a tired trope about jealousy is turned into a lesson is about speaking your mind.

Yamada has always been jealous of Kase-san’s talent, her athleticism, her popularity. But when she learns that Kase-san has felt the same way, something important takes root in her, a germ of self-confidence that will continue to grow through the volume. Kase-san has been teaching her to value her own strengths – her persistence, her desire to do things for the joy of it. Guilelessly, Kase-san is also teaching Yamada that she’s attractive just the way she is.

Yamada’s best friend Miwacchi has also started noticing the changes. In her own offhand way, she praises Yamada for deciding on a college in Tokyo, rather than shooting for a local school and a less interesting life. 

The chapters that comprise this volume were originally distributed variably online and in print,  and the collected volume itself came out in Japan just after the official animation clip was released. (I reviewed the deluxe edition which included the Blu-ray of the clip here on Okazu last autumn.)

This series, which got it’s start in a quarterly, now defunct, Yuri magazine, has continued to chug along with surprising strength. This summer that little animation clip will get a theatrical release as a OVA movie and  we’ll be getting more Yamada and Kase-san in days to come! The Kase-san series is the little Yuri series that could. ^_^ It is everything I have looked for in a high school Yuri romance. It’s got honesty and growth and humor and a likable couple who have friends and teachers and family and interests outside the romance. And in the meantime, the artist’s skill has grown considerably. Her panels are tight, her lines are deft and her use of body language (which has always been good) and expression have gotten stronger.

It’s gonna be hard to beat this for best of the year, I think.

Ratings: 

Art – 8
Character – 9
Story – 8
Service – 2 It’s dropped considerably since moving to Wings.
Yuri – 9

Overall – 8

Thanks very much to the folks at Seven Seas for the review copy! This is hitting shelves here in the west this week, so get out there and get yourself a copy!. I’m hoping to take a physical copy of the book with me to Japan and get it signed by Takashima-sensei. ^_^ Fingers crossed.