Saki Achiga-hen, Episode of Side A

It deserves a thread given how many people don't know various things from the Monthly Watching thread:

1. it's based on a manga side story (I didn't for the longest time)
2. all the old crew show up at some point in the anime (or at least it is pretty much a guarantee at this point)
3. and by old crew I mean like, all the girls who played a game versus Kiyosumi. and some who didn't!

So if you like the original series, i think you're obligated to watch Achiga-hen on that basis.

To be honest it isn't as good as the original, but it does get down to business quite quickly and continues the story as Kiyosumi and Achiga both heads into the nationals. It's just told from the Achiga point of view.

As long as they don't decide to make Kiyosumi lose just because Achiga are the protagonists this time around, things could be ok.

I don't know, I don't think I would care at that point because you would be talking about the nationals final.

the miyanaka teru versus saki match would be the dominant headline.

Uh? Not only did I point out the fact when the series was announced (in the Spring anime thread), I also mentioned it in the Monthly Watching thread since I read the manga!

It's a side story, not a parallel story. It gives us a different POV of the same story, not of a parallel one.

Let me know when Hisa shows up.

I didn't know how exactly was Achiga-hen related to the main story until I started watching it. I tried to avoid reading too much from what you've written because I don't want to get spoiled.

ep1?

Hmm... I need to get my hands on the rest of the original Saki if I'm going to watch this. (Yes, I do. Even if I don't need to, I won't be happy watching this unless I do.) That may take some work.

The full 1st Saki series is on CR.

Also did ep 7 feel rushed to anyone else?

This post has been edited by DeadKennedy on May 23 2012, 08:48 PM

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if there's going to be a sequel to the main storyline? I just finished the first series, and it seems pretty clearly set up for one, but that doesn't always lead to anything.

The first series stopped when it reached the manga so we probably have to wait until the manga progresses enough to have a second series. Currently, Kobayashi Ritsu develops the Achiga chapter more than he does Saki so that may take some time though. OTOH, it may be why they made the Achiga chapter anime, to feed all the raging Saki fans.
Rest assured: considering how popular the first Saki series was, there's little doubt a second series will occur.

Hmm? I didn't see her.

Two episodes in. It's interesting. There's been less focus on the actual details of playing so far, though.

Three episodes in. There is a distinct lack of epic mahjong.

PS: "Let's reunite with our old friend by defeating her at a national competition and crushing her dreams" has always seemed like a somewhat questionable goal to me.

This post has been edited by Random Wanderer on May 24 2012, 06:54 PM

Uh? They're friends because they played mahjong together. When you play mahjong with someone, your purpose is to win and defeat that someone. Having fun whilst playing is one important part, but providing a strong competition is the main one! You can hardly befriend people in any competitive game if you're not willing to accept defeat... or you'd be a pretty shallow person if you're willing to accept that the friend against whom you're competing don't give his all!

There was a perfectly fine thread on this series that you guys let slide into oblivion

Anyways...

This is a parallel story, in that it is taking place at literally the same time that the previous story did, at almost the same place, but seeing different events and people. A 'side story' would imply that it is taking place at a completely different place, following a different story that is unrelated to the main one, etc. This is a parallel story that it obviously going to merge back with the main one.

I felt a bit dumb that I only realized why it's called 'Episode of Side-A' at this scene:





The original Saki team was in the Side B bracket of the tournament, this team is on the Side A bracket. So the only place they could meet, if they meet at all, is in the final round.

Also, 71st annual? Unless this is set in the far future, they've been doing this since 1941?

Best scene?

















THIS. IS. MAHJONGGGGGGGGGGG





You could feel her butt clenching in this scene





THIS IS WHAT HIGHSCHOOL MAHJONG IS REALLY LIKE

The over-the-topness of that scene was really awesome, from the intensity of the looks to the slow motion as Saki passed by. I wish they'd re-done that scene from Saki's perspective, where she just walks by them without noticing.

From what I've heard, in the manga Saki was actually lost and looking for the bathroom when she walked by the Achiga team.

Which is why the dichotomy is hilarious.

Thanks for clarifying. In my posts, I meant "parallel world story" and merely used "parallel story" instead. My bad. >_>

That's awesome, but the anime makers lost a good opportunity for humor there

Oh well, at least we'll see more tacos

That's awesome, but the anime makers lost a good opportunity for humor there

Oh well, at least we'll see more tacos

thanks for the link to the old thread.

SO

EPISODE 8 SPOILERS.

I didn't know how bad I had Saki withdrawal until last week, but I got over it by wednesday. For come-back ep, it does not disappoint. In fact it goes overboard.

1. Nonaka Ai as lolz announcer! Check out the endcard lol.
2. OMG SATOMI ARAI LOL OMG
3. LOL what is this side characters are like, 2d bishoujo fighter game designs. zombie ribbon-ko w. PSYONIC WAVE-ko w
4. WAHAHA abound. And WAHAHA van.
5. Momo sure is grindy.
6. TACO CAPE LULZ

I though that Satomi Arai was pretty lulz too.

Did she really WAHAHA that often in Saki? And there really was a WAHAHA van? I thought that just was a fan joke.

No no, it's just her van making a prominent showing. I mean if you time it, it was on screen almost as much as it was in the first series.

And no, she didn't Wahaha that often.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF My 4000th post was a double post

Oh well, everyone wants tacos seconds.

WAHAHA doesn't seem to be a laugh. It's more of an expression, as Kanbara uses it.

Wahaha~

Wahaha~

Forgot about the cape moment till I saw it again here. I think Saki's side of the match is still going on manga-wise?