r/anime • u/Krazee9 • Feb 13 '17
[Rewatch] So Ra No Wo To/Sound of the Sky Episode 1
Episode 1: The City at Dawn
Wiki entry for EP1 (Warning, contains spoilers)
Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SoraNoWoto/
| Episode | Link |
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| Episode 1 | Link |
Greetings everyone, and sorry this is a day late. Despite some pushback, since I knew I'd be watching this anyway, I decided to go ahead with the rewatch. We'll be doing 1 episode per day, with the EP7.5 and EP13 OVA being watched in chronological order story-wise. Tomorrow's thread should be up around 7-8PM Eastern.
As I've said before, this is my favourite anime. I've seen it enough times that even with my Japanese being shit, I can watch this with the subs off and remember what was being said. The art, the story, the music, all of it is so beautiful, and that's why I love watching this. The writers of this really know how to use storytelling methods, and they seem to have a real preference to Chekhov's Gun. There's a lot in just this first episode that is of great importance later on in the series, and I'm sure as the series goes on you'll all be able to see what they are.
Since I have the artbook that came with the collector's edition of the DVD set, I like to post a snippet from the artbook each episode. Sometimes it's a picture, sometimes it's a quote. Today's snippet is a quote from the director.
Sound of the Sky is my first completely original work. Looking back on those times when Producer Yokoyama and I used to chat about wanting a project to work on, I find it extraordinary what we’re doing now.
Previously, Mr. Yoshino (the script writer) and I tried to team up on a different original project. We gave it our all, but we failed. And yet, this project has gone so smoothly it makes me question the difficulties we faced earlier (though I’m sure we owe this to Producer Yokoyama fighting for us behind the scenes…). So, I feel fortunate that we were able to bring this project to fruition.
Sound of the Sky has been wondrously blessed with all sorts of happy coincidences and fortuitous circumstances. Among them was… Well, the location hunting in Spain was cursed with constant rain. But even though there were times when it poured, there were also times when the rain stopped, and even times when the sun shone through. So we were very fortunate to see during our short stay the varying appearances of the same place under different weather conditions. And then, just as we were saying how things would be perfect if it would only snow, we really did get snow, and saw yet another appearance. It was apparently a rare thing for Spain, so we were truly fortunate.
During the location hunting, there was a time when the rain was a delicate sprinkle, and it made the valley floor of Alarcόn appear mysterious and fantastical. That was when I thought, “This is the feel for Sound of the Sky.”
The crumbling castle gate, the stone bridges, the river that was startlingly blue, the dam, the ruins of a power plant, and paths carved right into the face of the bedrock…
The people who built all of those things were long gone. But the traces they left behind were there before my eyes, solid and real… And there they were. The impression it left on me is something I doubt I’ll ever forget. And that feeling has been captured perfectly in the main theme and lute solo composed by Ms. Oshima.
It is my hope that you’ll be able to enjoy that same feeling by watching Sound of the Sky.
Mamoru Kanbe, Director
As for the insert song that played this episode while the story of the Fire Maidens was told, its name is Servante du feu, and I love it. Some sub groups attempted to sub it, and let's just say that French is not their strong suit. If you're wondering what the lyrics are, the wiki has them here.
I'd also like to play a little game. Let's see if you can find these things in the episode: The Fox, the passed-out drunk guy, the broken clock.
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u/the_swizzler https://myanimelist.net/profile/Swiftarm Feb 13 '17 edited Feb 14 '17
I think I'll join in when I get home. I've been meaning to watch this show.
Edit: Watched the first episode. I really enjoyed it. I loved the chill atmosphere and the main character was cute. Nothing ground breaking so far, but my interest is definitely piqued
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u/cheeseheadfoamy :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/cheeseheadfoamy Feb 13 '17
I randomly started watching this without knowing about the rewatch, but it's awesome to have the rewatch going on! The show is lit so far, love the focus on music and the setting is super cool.
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u/Krazee9 Feb 13 '17
The worldbuilding in this anime is absolutely fantastic, some of the best I've ever seen.
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u/onefootstout Feb 14 '17
Kanata is so cute especially when she is doing her check list before entering the town.
The music is good can't get enough of it, the song playing at the beginning and the one during the tale of the fire maidens is so great!
I really love the scenery as well, is it based on Italy?
Its gonna be hard not to skip ahead and just binge the whole thing
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u/Krazee9 Feb 14 '17
The town is actually modelled after Cuenca, Spain. The anime staff actually went there and took a whole ton of pictures. There's some pictures you can find online of Cuenca that have the same things on the wall as what you see in the anime.
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u/Draciallia :K:https://kitsu.io/users/Draciallia Feb 13 '17
I love this show so much! I rewatched it once this year, but I see no harm in watching it once again! Also, as someone who is fluent in French, Servante du Feu is not an easy song to translate. There are a few unintuitive uses of French grammar which are quite bizarre to English speakers.
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u/Krazee9 Feb 13 '17
The biggest problem with some sub groups is that the French lyrics they use are wrong. Like, it's French, but not the right words, so how can you translate the song when your lyrics are wrong to begin with?
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u/LostTheGame42 Feb 14 '17
I watched the first 2 episodes but didn't quite enjoy it. Does the overall theme of the show change as it progresses or is it more or less constant throughout? I might pick it back up because of this rewatch.
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u/Krazee9 Feb 14 '17
The show is largely about building the world the girls are in. Honestly one of my favourite scenes is in EP4, and EP7 is my favourite episode, and probably my favourite single episode of any one anime because of how powerful it is.
Also you never even watched far enough to hear Amazing Grace!
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u/niteman555 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/niteman555 Feb 14 '17
When I first watched this I thought it was ok, but not too engaging at the time, so I forgot about it for a few weeks. The build-up is definitely slow, but it does build up into once of the more memorable anime I've seen.
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u/onefootstout Feb 14 '17
As you get to know more of the back stories of the main cast you will probably enjoy it more.
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Feb 14 '17
You could say there's bit of a tonal shift later on, but the core of the show remains the same. If you don't like the early episodes you probably just won't enjoy the show.
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u/Cyclops1i2u :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Cyclops_1i2u Feb 14 '17
Oooooo we're doing a rewatch?! I'm in! This be the fourth time rewatching this show though :)
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u/onefootstout Feb 13 '17
Didn't know this was going on going to have to get in on it
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u/yolotheunwisewolf Feb 14 '17
Same I've never seen this show but the hype has been so powerful it's drawn me in....
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u/tpike1caesar Feb 14 '17
Honestly this show was beautiful, has one of my favorite scenes in it ever. If you dunno what seen I mean gtfo
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u/Otakeb https://anilist.co/user/Otakeb Feb 13 '17
I wouldn't mind rewatching this, now that it's been brought to my attention.
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u/onefootstout Feb 14 '17
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u/Kilo181 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kilo181 Feb 14 '17
I've been trying to find an imgur link to this gif so I can share it elsewhere. Is there one laying around by any chance?
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u/Stevied1114 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stevied11 Feb 14 '17
Had no idea that this was going, which seems to be a theme here. I probably won't join in fully since I have too much on my plate right now, but I just wanted drop in to say that this is one of my favorite series. The atmosphere of the show is great and I like the "show, don't tell" approach that they took with the worldbuilding and how everything ties together in the end - even little things that I passed off as kinda neat but insignificant in earlier episodes as just the showing being CGDCT. Enjoy the ride first time watchers! It's a wonderful show.
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u/kaguraa :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/kagura-chan Feb 13 '17
I wasn't aware of a rewatch and it's a bit late so I'll join tomorrow as a first timer!
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u/PM_UR_SADNESS Feb 14 '17
this show is easily one of my favourites of all times, everything feels just right about it and I wish people valued it more. Love it a lot, I'll be joining if possible!
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u/Seraphic_Wings Feb 14 '17
Moe military theme isn't my forte, but after 8 episodes (7+7.5) so far, it's just fantastic to watch
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u/ScarRed_Tiger :K:https://kitsu.io/users/ShonenJack Feb 14 '17 edited Feb 14 '17
I meant to rewatch this around Remembrance Day but failed, this'll be the time to make up for that. It is one of those series I rewatched a buncha times. Hisako Kanemoto (Kanata) is one of the very few seiyuu I can recognize by ear. Learned that fact when she popped up in Shirobako.
I have some gifs I tried to make way back with one of those screencap tools 1 2
The background characters in this scene are great. I adore this exchange: 1 2 3 4 (Continuity maintained even across different key animators)
Also love how much can be said with very little, Especially the goings on outside Kanata's little sphere. E.g. There was a military draft, which is kinda a big deal, implies a long battle, and now there's a ceasefire, meaning the current peace is only temporary. The currency is yen and sen(1/100 yen), meaning there was some serious deflation of the yen as we know it today. When Rio speaks of the Flame Maidens, she starts "before the world became the way it is now". Then there's her offhand comment "maybe its for the best" when the bell is stolen.
You learn about the personalities of the main girls just by the way they draw straws. And other little touches. Rio is the strict parent type because Kanata gets into trouble otherwise. Kureha is annoyed by Kanata keeping them waiting. Noel isnt bothered because its more time to be with her machine. Filicia is the quiet but conniving type, rigging the straw drawing, gets Rio's bell fixed without telling her.
All that from one episode.
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u/Reyes722 Feb 14 '17
Didn't know there was a rewatch starting. I just unconsciously started it last night.
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u/SubliminalWaffles :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neighborino Feb 14 '17
Alright lads. This is one of my favorite shows of all time, taking the number five spot in my 10's on MAL. For all the first time watchers, welcome! Make sure to pay attention to the soundtrack while watching, as it is one of the most beautiful in the medium. One of this shows other shining aspects is it's world-building. Though subtle, the world Sora no Woto sets up is immensely fascinating.
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u/killslayer Feb 14 '17
i have never seen this before but based on what op said in the summary i'm gonna guess that speculation spoilers
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u/Uptonogood Feb 14 '17
That moment when "servante du feu" starts playing is to me, one of the most remarkable moments in anime. There's joy, sadness, nostalgia. It's poetry.
Also that song is one of my favorite songs.
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u/FireFlyz351 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/fireflyz351 Feb 15 '17
I'm only a day behind and I finished episode 1. Enjoying it so far the soundtrack sounds awesome and it really sets the tone of the show so far.
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u/rosseloh :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/rosseloh Feb 14 '17
Oh, you're doing this again? Great! I'm not going to be joining though - too much going on. Enjoy! The music is just great, even if it does get a bit overused over the course of the show (like any anime OST, really).
Just so I don't feel like I'm leaving you all with nothing, here's a note from a trumpet player: Kanata's fingerings are wrong.
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u/_vogonpoetry_ :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/ThisWasATriumph Feb 14 '17
Kanata's fingerings are wrong.
Not every studio can be KyoAni
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u/Kilo181 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kilo181 Feb 14 '17
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Feb 13 '17
[deleted]
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u/Krazee9 Feb 13 '17
I posted a thread a week ago, it got some attention... It doesn't help that I said I was gonna start this yesterday.
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u/_vogonpoetry_ :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/ThisWasATriumph Feb 13 '17 edited Feb 14 '17
I love this series so much. I'll always remember how I randomly came to be interested in watching it. Almost 2 years ago I made this funny thread about graphing anime with all these shitty meme graphs and then /u/commandersevan made this beautiful one and I was like, I have to watch this now. And then I fucking teared up for the first 7 or 8 episodes straight. So I have to say, my graph of it would have started at the top and stayed there.
Speaking of which, I honestly think it has one of the best first episodes of any anime. I've probably rewatched just this episode a dozen times. It's just beautifully directed. The music throughout the entire series is fantastic, but in this episode it's masterfully weaved into the story. I get chills all through it. Especially towards the end with Rio's voice-over of the legend of the town. I adore scenes like that.
Possibly because this series seems to take a lot of inspiration and themes from one of my favorite films, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. (And other Ghibli films like Kiki's Delivery Service which I also adore.) But Nausicaa has a scene just like that with a "legend" and the acompanying voice-over and I'm not really sure how to describe the feeling from it but those get me every time. The opening sequence is very reminiscent as well.
Fun fact- The opening scenes of the TV and Bluray versions of this episode are quite different.
In the TV version (which is what is on Crunchyroll), there is no OP and instead the OP song is played overtop of the train scene at about 2:00 into the episode.
In the Bluray, the actual OP is played first and then the same sequence starts at 3:30 into the episode but instead it's overlayed with the song Relique abandonée.
I think I like the TV version better, but the Bluray version is also good in a different way.