Little Busters!: Refrain Episode 11 Discussion

What did you think of this episode?

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Dec 14, 2013 8:00 AM

#51

DeathyZA

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Sep 2013

657

Episode was good, Dem farewells had me, but not as in so many tears like u guys "experienced" lol. I barely cry during emotional scene's in anime :P but yea Tears were produced but not much.

Next Episode will be sad~

http://www.crunchyroll.com/user/DeathyZA

Dec 14, 2013 8:01 AM

#52

hyperknees91

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Aug 2008

2140

-Riptide- said:
You guys are so lucky you already watch it. I still have to wait 9 hours because its night time here and my dormitory have curfew. College life sucks!

In the mean time, was it the best episode JC Staff ever created?

It's pretty close.

The best episode they ever created is probably episode 5 or 6 of honey and clover 2 if you ask me.

Dec 14, 2013 8:02 AM

#53

00002019

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Jul 2013

3569

40 5/5 to 1 4/5

Dec 14, 2013 8:05 AM

#54

GitahMuttan

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Sep 2011

151

Kyousuke ...

Sasuga JC Staff...

is it just me or the timing of Haruka Kanata is a bit off when Kyousuke started to cry?

Dec 14, 2013 8:06 AM

#55

AjinNya

Offline

Jun 2009

108

This episode was so good, but.... I don't know why but during farewells I felt that something is lacking.
Still when Kyousuke started crying my heart broke. So sad... T_T

Dec 14, 2013 8:06 AM

#56

Tennouji

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Sep 2011

16158

Limechan said:

However, I actually expected the episode to end

Yeah I really thought that. That would be more intense than anything.

Anyway, I dunno but I suddenly get interested on how will they handle the end of the world

Dec 14, 2013 8:08 AM

#57

Jakerams

Offline

Jul 2012

1712

Stark700 said:
On a % scale, how faithful was that to the VN?

Overall the anime has been pretty faithful in terms of story but they lacked comedy and random events from the VN. But this episode was pretty much nailed perfectly.

Dec 14, 2013 8:10 AM

#58

Nemeios

Offline

Jun 2013

Well, for me this episode is 4/5, is very good adapted except one thing, when Masato leaves it totally destroyed me in the VN, i couldn't stop cry because is my favourite character on LB, and here on the anime it didn't give me the same impact...
because that ''moe'' Masato, Masato is serious in this scene, not moe.

One of my favourites CG VN , dont open if you haven't seen yet episode 11. http://imgur.com/wlnmhFY

Dec 14, 2013 8:11 AM

#59

Bunnerz

Offline

Dec 2011

644

Man, Kyousuke's voice was so damn heartbreaking while he cried, even more than in the VN. GJ Midorikawa-sama.

Barion-Zara said:

I loved the Kyousuke monologue so much. The start with how he was talking about each one of them one by one was really emotionally :*(

This. Fucking.This ;_;
When his monologue start really got me emotional.

BunnerzDec 14, 2013 8:15 AM

Dec 14, 2013 8:13 AM

#60

RyanSaotome

Offline

Apr 2010

2026

-Riptide- said:
In the mean time, was it the best episode JC Staff ever created?

Its my favorite anime episode ever now so I'd say so.

Dec 14, 2013 8:18 AM

#61

Koybz

Offline

Oct 2012

1077

Kyousuke ;_;
I Wish they handled Masato's scene better, though Kyousuke's parting more than made up for it. Great episode.

Dec 14, 2013 8:20 AM

#62

lightningfalcon

Offline

Mar 2011

153

Gitah-Muttan said:
is it just me or the timing of Haruka Kanata is a bit off when Kyousuke started to cry?

Not just you, I was waiting for the music to fade in when he turns... but nope

Also, why Masato's scene not so touchy? why wasn't there Haruka Kanata????

Dec 14, 2013 8:22 AM

#63

dizzyworld2

Offline

Jan 2011

290

My face during Kyousuke's breakdown (or the entire episode, rather) https://31.media.tumblr.com/358bdc5184cfda81e5cd62362e6da430/tumblr_mxt1dxFXkH1qelmfeo1_400.gif

Dec 14, 2013 8:22 AM

#64

ZMEI

Offline

Apr 2010

hhmm
i don't know why, but... iexpected more from this episode.
i'm not a VN reader, just from what i heard and u all wrote i thought i'd cry my eyes out like a little girl
don't take me wrong, it was a great episode. was painful to watch them leaving, especially Kengo.
but was lacking something, or maybe i wasn't into characters too deep to cry there
whats wrong with me?

Dec 14, 2013 8:24 AM

#65

HaXXspetten

*hug noises*

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May 2013

31403

ZMEI said:
whats wrong with me?

ur a robot

Dec 14, 2013 8:28 AM

#66

lightningfalcon

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Mar 2011

153

HaXXspetten said:

ZMEI said:
whats wrong with me?

ur a robot

In VN before I started crying, I've rendered stoned and speechless for a while. It was quite a great shock

lightningfalconDec 14, 2013 8:32 AM

Dec 14, 2013 8:35 AM

#67

GitahMuttan

Offline

Sep 2011

151

theKDL said:

Gitah-Muttan said:
is it just me or the timing of Haruka Kanata is a bit off when Kyousuke started to cry?

Not just you, I was waiting for the music to fade in when he turns... but nope

Also, why Masato's scene not so touchy? why wasn't there Haruka Kanata????

YES! EXACTLY! That fade is needed to amplify the feels!!

Dec 14, 2013 8:41 AM

#68

HaXXspetten

*hug noises*

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May 2013

31403

Gitah-Muttan said:

theKDL said:

Gitah-Muttan said:
is it just me or the timing of Haruka Kanata is a bit off when Kyousuke started to cry?

Not just you, I was waiting for the music to fade in when he turns... but nope

Also, why Masato's scene not so touchy? why wasn't there Haruka Kanata????

YES! EXACTLY! That fade is needed to amplify the feels!!

I thought the fading of all the characters was a bit too sudden really, was like someone snapped their fingers and they weren't there anymore instead of fading out over a few seconds

Dec 14, 2013 8:44 AM

#69

Laciie

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Aug 2011

1581

Oh my god someone help me I can't do this I'm bawling like a baby KYOUSUKEEEE UGHGHGHASkdlfasdf./ I NEVER ASKED FOR THIS LIFE AHGASKDFL UGHH

LaciieDec 14, 2013 8:47 AM

Dec 14, 2013 8:52 AM

#70

LittleStar

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Sep 2008

3921

I think everyone after this episode need...

*group hug*

Dec 14, 2013 8:54 AM

#71

kohalic

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Oct 2013

This was so sad, I never expect see Kyousuke like that... was harsh :(

And now I just feel the urge to call my friends and tell them how much I love them ;-;

Dec 14, 2013 8:56 AM

#72

koagzero

Offline

Sep 2012

"The Little Busters will never die."

WHY THE TEARS WONT STOP

koagzeroDec 14, 2013 9:00 AM

Dec 14, 2013 8:56 AM

#73

Lecca

Offline

Dec 2013

My heart... I can't... ;____;
I must be a masochist for playing Haruka Kanata after watching this episode...

(dat "hurry-up-and-disappear" fade for Masato and Kengo though)

Dec 14, 2013 8:58 AM

#74

GitahMuttan

Offline

Sep 2011

151

HaXXspetten said:

Gitah-Muttan said:

theKDL said:

Gitah-Muttan said:
is it just me or the timing of Haruka Kanata is a bit off when Kyousuke started to cry?

Not just you, I was waiting for the music to fade in when he turns... but nope

Also, why Masato's scene not so touchy? why wasn't there Haruka Kanata????

YES! EXACTLY! That fade is needed to amplify the feels!!

I thought the fading of all the characters was a bit too sudden really, was like someone snapped their fingers and they weren't there anymore instead of fading out over a few seconds

I think making it like that would be overdoing it.

Even in Angel Beats, they disappear from thin air too.

Dec 14, 2013 9:01 AM

#75

koagzero

Offline

Sep 2012

HaXXspetten said:
I thought the fading of all the characters was a bit too sudden really, was like someone snapped their fingers and they weren't there anymore instead of fading out over a few seconds

Or like Angel Beats, disappear after changing of camera angle~

The last part where the members of Little Busters who have already disappeared, it would have been so much better if they weren't standing in one straight line and sitting at the desks around Kyousuke.

Dec 14, 2013 9:02 AM

#76

Prod

Offline

Dec 2013

Well, that episode was awesome, but it quite didn't feel right for masato's part, but it was still ok.

If you only watch the anime, and if you have time and are interested, you can watch how this part is done in the visual novel here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmMzVT6g1Qs

But don't forget to stop before spoil yourself at 27:20 ( if you can ~~ )

ProdDec 14, 2013 9:22 AM

Dec 14, 2013 9:03 AM

#77

ze1151154

Offline

Jun 2013

705

This was pretty well done. Starting with that great version of Song for Friends instrumental.... Adding the girls at te beginning made my tears start to show and everyone at the end finished me. The disappearance of the world was pretty good also.

However, the characters vanished too suddenly. Masato seemed to read a teleprompter while bidding farewell and hasn't the tone I expected. Kengo's part gave me feels, but not as much as in the VN. I don't know if it's because Faraway started a bit late in comparison or anything. I would have loved to see him smile before slowly vanishing.

I really liked the teared up Riki. Nevertheless, while I usually prefer his anime VA, this time, I prefered the VN's. His lack of understanding was so sad to see in the VN, as for him beseeching Kyousuke. Also, pretty sure I'm the only one who have prefered the totally confused Rin from the VN.

However, Kyousuke's farewell was so well done it totally outdid the VN to me. Dat voice acting, dat movements, dat tears... I really thought back the tears and trust me, it was such a hard thing to do.

This was really an awesome job JC Staff did. It could have been better, as always, but I'm still satisfied. I'm eager to rewatch it when Refrain Subs air their version.

Dec 14, 2013 9:04 AM

#78

epic_joelle

Offline

Aug 2013

298

Omg that episode hurt my soul... So many tears. Masato's goodbye was sad but I thought kengo's and kyousuke's were done better. Riki's confession to kyousuke created the kyousuke route :)

Dec 14, 2013 9:05 AM

#79

AKeysFanboy

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Apr 2013

the farewells seem kinda rushed, but pretty good nonetheless

Dec 14, 2013 9:07 AM

#80

setsuzoku

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Dec 2013

Time to mass replay song for friends!

Dec 14, 2013 9:08 AM

#81

kohalic

Offline

Oct 2013

LittleStar said:
I think everyone after this episode need...

*group hug*

this :(

Vladz0r said:

Anyway, I compiled this image gallery full of symbolism, foreshadowing, and explanations for occurences throughout the Little Busters anime.
Now that the Secret is out, I wanted to unveil my gallery.
Enjoy: http://imgur.com/a/fSJLK

omg Komari and the shooting stars thing from S1 was brilliant. I'll never expect that as a hint. Now I guess the 8 shooting stars represent all the LB's member?... wow.

kohalicDec 14, 2013 9:22 AM

Dec 14, 2013 9:18 AM

#82

Yung_Doug

Offline

Apr 2013

285

Well there where things I would have liked done differently, but overall I think J.C Staff did a pretty good job with this.

Gitah-Muttan said:

is it just me or the timing of Haruka Kanata is a bit off when Kyousuke started to cry?

No, that pretty much mirrors the VN timing.

Dec 14, 2013 9:20 AM

#83

Allografter

Offline

Sep 2007

1231

Wow

Dec 14, 2013 9:30 AM

#84

JimRaynor

Offline

Sep 2013

101

Farewell Kyousuke, farewell Little Busters... Hikaru Midorikawa's performance is godlike!!! (;_;)
I've found he is acting supreme better than in VN! I think he's really crying when reading those scripts! T_T And the collapsing of the world effect is so well-done...

I'm done.... 10/10!!!

Dec 14, 2013 9:43 AM

#85

Exbo

Offline

Sep 2012

280

im so done
Masato's farewell was a bit off, but I found that off in the VN too.
Kyousuke though
KYOUSUKE THO
I almost never tear up and this happens.

Dec 14, 2013 9:46 AM

#86

ShiriFakku

Offline

Apr 2013

198

oh my god the feeeeeeeels ;-;

other than that, this anime is completely solid

What are you looking here for

Dec 14, 2013 10:01 AM

#87

Orevataf

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Nov 2012

1740

Cool episode felt emotion a few times especially with Kyousuke's goodbye, thought Kyousuke was the only one that died, my word everybody. Pretty good though.

Dec 14, 2013 10:01 AM

#88

removed-user

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Jul 2018

564612

OMG So many feels from those Goodbyes.

Sent with Mal Updater

Dec 14, 2013 10:06 AM

#89

omega_d94

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Jul 2013

1760

Everyone is disappearing... T_T feels like it is Angel Beats all over again.

Yet again Kyousuke's words were just too damn emotional, as well as Masato and Kengo just bid Riki farewell as they disappear. Well Kyousuke was glad that Riki and Rin grew up to themselves and reopen the Little Busters again. The school fading away as well as the other members of the Little Busters, were well done and I think that JC Staff did a great job in this episode.

Now lets see how these two episodes will played out in the end.

Dec 14, 2013 10:17 AM

#90

Aeroing

Offline

Nov 2013

128

Gaaaaah T.T

You know, I think Masato's ending wasn't really emotional or anything. He did sound like he was reading from a teleprompter... but, I don't know... it really seems to fit him, imo. He's the idiot who just... didn't know how/what to say. I thought it was nice.

Man... two more to go...

Dec 14, 2013 10:23 AM

#91

Zero_r2

Offline

Sep 2008

1457

i'm really shocked i didn't cried, but the i guess it was because i was too busy being shocked, since i never played the novel i always wanted to know why was this anime always paired up with clannad and the rest of the sad key stuff, but god, that was overkill, EVERYONE dies, fuck, that has harcore as hell, plus thanks to thi thing, i can understand it way better
http://imgur.com/a/fSJLK

now, off to see howcan they survive the real world ...damm i'm still quite shocked...

Being a fan is like having a penis. Its nice to be proud of it But don't pull it out in public and wave it in other's faces

Kyurem Black. Kyurem White. Together they are Pretty Kyurem.

Dec 14, 2013 10:42 AM

#92

MCAL

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Apr 2013

615

That was prefect. That is all.

Dec 14, 2013 11:11 AM

#93

Malus92

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Jun 2012

336

For those who think KyoAni can't do better, love the series, or can't handle someone having an opinion different than their own.... this is all the opinion of KeyIsLove.

Mod Edit: Extensive discussion of differences between VN and episode follows. This is a potential spoiler for people who intend to play the VN, and is better suited for the separate thread on the VN vs. Adaptation.

Sorry, but I'm calling it. JC Staff screwed up the emotional parts. Now I know I've said before I never cried at Clannad AS or the Little Busters! visual novel, but I can still recognize when a scene is done right and they screwed up. Masato's farewell, which is my favorite part of the VN besides the end of his route, was dull. The music had little effect on the scene and it was done poorly. The CG looked better (for anyone wondering, the entire background was white, it was just Masato and Riki) than it did in the damn show.

In the visual novel, the entire baseball field scene was one hundred times more emotional. Riki questioned if Kyousuke was bullshitting him or not rather than just accepting everything (it was brief, but it was better than what JC Staff did). The farewells were simply not done well.

So this is my opinion. And I'm calling this one too: Kyoto Animation could have done better. The one thing I've realized since the first season when the voice actors mentioned it in an interview is that the visual novel was more emotional in the emotional scenes than the anime was, and this episode proves it to be true. JC Staff simply cannot properly do an emotional scene whereas KyoAni can and has multiple times. I rewatched some of the sad scenes of Clannad AS multiple times and every now and then I felt sad at them. Here was nothing.

We would never have gone through the bullshit we did in season one if JC Staff wasn't making this. No episodes where someone on here could almost see the storyboard frames for each scene, no two frame fall for Rin, no odd-looking falling of the roof for that girl Kengo talked to (forget her name), and most importantly EVERY emotional scene would have been far more impacting on everyone than what we got. Not to mention the final five seconds of this episode looked dumb with the way it just drooped down and vanished. They spend quite a bit of time making everything disappear all cool-like, then with Kyousuke they're like, "Shit, the budget's up. Okay just... do this. DONE," and we see the screen just slide down like blood (doubt that was intentional).

I'm sorry to rant, and again this is my opinion, and while I don't think this anime is F.U.B.A.R. (f---ed up beyond all repair), I think this is just a giant "we were right" for everyone who thought JC Staff could/did/is doing a great job and that "KyoAni couldn't have done better." The animation, music placement, emotional scenes, everything would have been done better.

People look at Clannad images and feel nostalgia for them. They remember a great anime about life and friendship, the funny moments, the sad ones, and in general think of it fondly and with great feelings. Ask anyone to look at a bunch of images from the series (e.x. my wallpaper dump on imgur) and talk about what they feel: this series will never have that. It simply isn't emotional enough. The only reason this episode was as emotional as it was is for the fact that the source material is emotional (as in, they can only do so bad with something so good).

Nonetheless, the episode was a C+. Flame all you want, this is again my opinion. And no, I'm not mad, just kind of saying, "I told you so."

/rant

Note: I do feel like watching all the episodes since last year has been a bit of a waste of time though. The emotional pay-off was supposed to make all the crap we got from season one's lowest points worth it.

EDIT: CG comparison of Masato's leave from the VN and anime:

rodacDec 14, 2013 7:07 PM

Dec 14, 2013 11:23 AM

#94

JimRaynor

Offline

Sep 2013

101

I think Hikaru Midorikawa was really crying during the recording. Hear his voice, it's so real ;_;.

He himself is actually a huge Little Busters! fan since the Little Busters! VN came out. I believe he and other seiyuus were crying in the same recording room just like the Clannad seiyuus did... Gosh!!

Dec 14, 2013 11:33 AM

#95

ShiChan

Offline

Jun 2012

Oh my god.... I can't handle the feels anymore :( I cried through the whole episode like a baby and now my eyes hurt. This episode was well made and 1:1 to the VN. I'm looking forward to the next episode but I was expecting that the episode will end with Riki and Rin waking up near the bus.

Dec 14, 2013 11:42 AM

#96

Kitsu-nee

Offline

May 2010

6660

UWAAAAH IT HAPPENED, FINALLY!
Kengo and Kyousuke's farewells were done just perfect, that Haruka Kanata! I felt both the tension, and the impact, and finally had some tears in my eyes.
Kyousuke... I feel like I'm losing part of my soul every time I see this scene.
TIME TO REPLAY THE GAME.
WHERE IS MY KYOUSUKE X RIKI ROUTE ANYWAY.

JimRaynor said:
I think Hikaru Midorikawa was really crying during the recording. Hear his voice, it's so real ;_;.

This man has to be the best seiyuu ever, undeniably.

Dec 14, 2013 11:49 AM

#97

_Kanon_

Offline

Oct 2008

705

@ KeyIsLove--Mod Edit: Spoiler added.

KeyIsLove said:
So this is my opinion. And I'm calling this one too: Kyoto Animation could have done better. The one thing I've realized since the first season when the voice actors mentioned it in an interview is that the visual novel was more emotional in the emotional scenes than the anime was, and this episode proves it to be true. JC Staff simply cannot properly do an emotional scene whereas KyoAni can and has multiple times. I rewatched some of the sad scenes of Clannad AS multiple times and every now and then I felt sad at them. Here was nothing.

I'm going to have to make a rare post here because I simply cannot agree with this. You can say it's your opinion all you want, but you're pushing 'kyoani would have done it better' as fact, and that does not sit well with me.

No, KyoAni would not have done it better, it would have looked absolutely terrible if KyoAni had did it.
I know what you're thinking, but I'm not talking about animation quality, I'm talking about artstyle, that absolutely disgusting artstyle KyoAni has had since K-on.
The faces don't fit and the colours do not belong even close to LB!
If KyoAni did it, it would barely resemble Little Busters from day 1.

Even if KyoAni could do better, it would come at the cost of looking god damn horrible, I will not accept 'we were right that KyoAni would have done better' when JC gave a basically perfect episode here that looked like Little God damn Busters. The bright simple style used is perfect for Little Busters, KyoAni would not use this, I am totally confident in that statement.

Yes the first season was bad, the first season was absolutely bad, I wrote an entire blog post on why and where it fucked up. But you've got to be actively looking for flaws to say Refrain has been handled badly(wouldn't surprise me, in my experience KyoAnifags are the kind of people who would do that). At absolute worst, it's been a few nitpicky things that are mostly due to time constraints, something even your precious KyoAni would have to deal with.

And for one last remark, might I remind you that KyoAni REJECTED Little Busters? Frankly they don't deserve to make this masterpiece if they're going to be like that.

This was fantastic, the most powerful moment in the VN was enhanced, I won't let it be insulted to give that undeserving company praise.

rodacDec 14, 2013 7:11 PM

Dec 14, 2013 11:51 AM

#98

dizzyworld2

Offline

Jan 2011

290

JimRaynor said:
I think Hikaru Midorikawa was really crying during the recording. Hear his voice, it's so real ;_;.

He himself is actually a huge Little Busters! fan since the Little Busters! VN came out. I believe he and other seiyuus were crying in the same recording room just like the Clannad seiyuus did... Gosh!!

That's really nice to hear! I'm sure Tamiyasu is a fan as well since she has the main role and I remember reading that she loved it as well.

Dec 14, 2013 12:01 PM

#99

Vladz0r

Offline

Sep 2012

1820

Mod Edit: Extensive discussion of differences between VN and episode follows. This is a potential spoiler for people who intend to play the VN, and is better suited for the separate thread on the VN vs. Adaptation.

rodacDec 14, 2013 7:13 PM

Dec 14, 2013 12:04 PM

#100

Blarey

Offline

Nov 2013

4313

I cried. Damn visual novelists knew this was gonna happen the whole time I thought everything was about to return to normal, but no they were ghosts the whole time..
5/5 Next week couldn't get here any slower.

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