The appeal and reviews of "So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition": A special episode that fans must see

"So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition": A special chapter with beautiful sounds and a heartwarming story

So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition is a 2010 OVA based on the anime original by Paradors. The extra edition is a two-part series, titled Extra Edition 7.5: Banquet - War at the Fortress and Extra Edition 13: Sounds of the Sky - Beyond the Dreams, which were released on June 23rd and September 22nd, 2010, respectively. It was distributed by Aniplex, and each 25-minute episode was included in the packaged version of So Ra No Wo To volumes 4 and 7. It was produced by A-1 Pictures and co-produced by The 1121st MS Team, ANIPLEX, and TV TOKYO. It was directed by Mamoru Kobe, and the copyright belongs to Paradors, Aniplex, and The 1121st MS Team.

story

The story of "So Ra No Wo To Bangaihen" begins with a girl who is lost in ruins meeting a female soldier with a golden trumpet. The girl mistakenly thinks, "If I become a soldier, I can play the trumpet!" and decides to join the military, inspired by trumpeters. This girl, Sorami Kanata, is 15 years old and assigned to the 1121st Platoon, a small garrison unit in the town of Cèze. The day she arrives in Cèze is in the middle of the Water Festival, and Kanata's new life begins, even as she gets caught up in the festivities.

Commentary

So Ra No Wo To is the first original animation work by director Mamoru Kobe and scriptwriter Hiroyuki Yoshino. Director Mamoru Kobe is known for Comet-san☆ and Elfen Lied, and is praised for his sensitive direction. Meanwhile, Hiroyuki Yoshino has shown off his skillful storytelling in My-HiME and Macross F. The original character designs are by Mel Kishida, and character design and general animation direction are by Toshifumi Akai. Music is by Michiru Oshima, and animation is by A-1 Pictures.

Kanemoto Hisako has been cast as the protagonist Kanata. This will be her full-fledged debut. The cast also includes a fresh cast of voice actors, including Kobayashi Yu as senior soldier Rio, Kitamura Eri as Kureha, Yuki Aoi as Noel, and Endo Aya as Felicia.

The fictional town of Sèze, where the story takes place, is modeled after the walled city of Cuenca and the Alarcón Fort in Spain. The staff carried out location scouting on the site in March 2009, and art director Masatoshi Kai and set designer Tomoyuki Aoki created an original futuristic world based on a huge amount of material within a limited schedule.

"So Ra No Wo To" is positioned as the first work of "The Power of Anime", a joint project between TV Tokyo and Aniplex. "The Power of Anime" is a project that brings together up-and-coming creators to develop original stories. The comic will be serialized in ASCII Media Works' monthly Dengeki Daioh, and the comic adaptation will be serialized in the same magazine.

cast

The main cast includes the following voice actors:

• Kanata: Hisako Kanemoto
• Rio: Yu Kobayashi
• Kureha: Eri Kitamura
• Noel: Aoi Yuki
• Felicia: Aya Endo
• Ilia: Ryoko Ono
• Klaus: Unsho Ishizuka
• Naomi: Mayuno Yasogawa
• Mishio: Mayuko Takahashi
• Seiya: Mana Hirata
• Yumina: Misato Fukuen
• Jacot: Naoko Kyoda
• Karl: Hiroomi Sugino
• Maria: Haruka Tomatsu
• Martin: Daisuke Matsuoka
• Aisha: Eikai Miyahara
• Hopkins: Naoya Uchida
• Priest: Tatsuyuki Ishimori
• Michele: Matsumoto Dai
• Young leader: Kenji Takahashi
• Yukiko: Kana Ueda
• Yuko: Erika

Main Staff

The main staff includes the following members:

• Original author: Paradores
• Planning: Koichiro Natsume, Akihiko Tamura (TV Tokyo)
• Executive producers: Yukio Kawasaki (TV Tokyo), Hideo Katsumata, Tomonori Ochikoshi
• Screenplay: Hiroyuki Yoshino
• Character design: Mel Kishida
• Character design and chief animation director: Toshifumi Akai
• Set design: Aoki Tomoyuki
• Prop design: Katsuhiko Kitada
• Mechanical design: Junya Ishigaki
• Art director: Masatoshi Kai
• Color design: Kazuko Nakajima
• Director of photography: Takaharu Ozaki
• Edited by: Takeshi Seyama
• Music: Michiru Oshima
• Sound Director: Shimizu Katsunori
• Sound adjustment: Norio Nishizawa
• Sound effects: Mutsuhiro Nishimura
• Adjustment assistant: Keiko Hori
• Recording studio: Sound mixing studio
• Sound Production Manager: Tomohiko Yaginuma
• Sound Production: Zack Promotion
• HD video editing: Q-Tech (Nakamura Koji, Asai Eriko)
• Chief Producer: Higashi Fukashi (TV Tokyo), Ochi Takeshi
• Assistant Producer: Matsumoto Miho
• Planning Manager: Haruyuki Iguchi (TV Tokyo)
• With the cooperation of Atsushi Higashiyama, Tetsuya Endo, Makiko Naito, Hiroshi Saguchi, Akiko Kouma, and Yusuke Noguchi.
• Music Production: Aniplex
• Theme song cooperation: Keiichi Tonomura
• Planning cooperation: Daisuke Kubota, Haruna Yakuwa
• Program promotion: Yosuke Aoki (TV Tokyo)
• Publicity Producer: Shintaro Komatsu
• Advertising: Hayashi Ikue
• Planning and sales producers: Naoki Minabe, Osamu Takesue
• Promotion cooperation: Ryoichi Sugiura, Koji Kamitsuji, Satsuki Maruyama
• Production Administration Manager: Masaru Seo
• Production staff: Yoshiko Kitamura, Akiko Saito
• System management: Masayoshi Yoshioka
• Production desk: Katsutoshi Kegan
• Setting Production: Keisuke Tateishi
• Producers: Akiko Yokoyama, Shinnosuke Wada (TV Tokyo)
• Animation producer: Akira Shimizu
• Production: A-1 Pictures
• Director: Mamoru Kobe
• Production: 1121st Platoon, ANIPLEX, TV TOKYO

Main Characters

Details of the main characters are as follows:

• Kanata (Sorami Kanata): 15 years old. A rookie soldier and trainee radio operator who enlisted in the military to become a trumpet player, fascinated by the trumpet. He is cheerful, positive, curious, and easily moved. He sometimes has trouble reading the mood, but he is always happy because he doesn't realize it. He has perfect pitch, but he is still not very good at playing.
• Rio (Kazumi Rio): 17 years old. A senior trumpeter who trains Kanata. A radio operator. He speaks in a tomboyish and blunt manner, but he has a kind heart.
• Kureha (Suminoya Kureha): 14 years old. A platoon gunner. She feels a burning sense of rivalry with Kanata, who recently joined the squad and is being trained by Rio. She is strong-willed and stubborn, but actually sensitive!?
• Noel (Kannagi Noeru): 15 years old. A mechanic and driver. Silent and unresponsive!? She spends her days repairing the broken multi-legged gun turret (Takemikazuchi).
• Phylicia Heideman: 18 years old. Platoon leader of the 1211th Squadron. Tank commander. She is tolerant and acts like a good older sister and mother to her unit members. She is usually gentle, but when it matters, she can be harsh.
• Yumina: 16 years old. A nun at a church. She has a modest and gentle personality. She makes a living by taking care of children at an orphanage.
• Klaus: 51 years old. A soldier who occasionally visits the 1121st Platoon's garrison base. His main duty is transporting supplies.
• Naomi: 42 years old. Owner of the antique shop Windmill. She is a kind and reliable person, and is loved by everyone in the 1121st Platoon.
• Mishio: 7 years old. An orphan who lives in a church. A bright and lively girl.
• Seiya: 6 years old. An orphan who lives in a church.
• Shuko: A female African screech owl that has taken up residence at the base.

Main Robot Items

Details of the main robots and items are as follows:

• Sèze: A rural town in the Canton of Troia, Helvetia, with a thriving glass craft industry. It is located on the western border of Helvetia, and on the other side of the border is a cliff separated by no man's land.
• 1121st Platoon: Kanata is assigned to the garrison unit in the city of Seeze. The unit consists of five members, led by Captain Filicia, Rio, Noel, Kureha, and Kanata. Their main duties are guarding the western border and securing water sources.
• Takemikazuchi: A multi-legged artillery turret deployed to the 1121st Platoon. A relic from an ancient time, with only 10 units remaining in Helvetia. Long ago, it boasted legendary strength, but is currently undergoing repairs.
• The Maidens of Fire: An ancient legend in the town of Cèze. It tells the story of five girls who risked their lives to save people from a demon that attacked the town. Even today, a festival (water-throwing festival) is held in Cèze to honor the girls.

subtitle

The subtitles for "So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition" are as follows:

• Extra episode 7.5 / Feast and Fortress War (June 23, 2010)
• Extra episode 13: Sound of the Sky, Beyond the Dream (September 22, 2010)

Related Titles

So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition is related to the following works:

• Sky, sky, sky

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for "So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition" are as follows:

• OP1: Melody of Light
  • Lyricist: Yuki Kajiura
  • Composer: Yuki Kajiura
  • Arrangement: Yuki Kajiura
  • Sung by: Kalafina
• ED1: Girls, Be Ambitious.
  • Lyricist: Yoshie Isogai
  • Composer: Kazuhiro Higurashi
  • Arrangement: Kazuhiro Higurashi
  • Vocals: Haruka Tomatsu

The appeal and evaluation of "So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition"

"So Ra No Wo To Extra Edition" was created as a special episode to further deepen the worldview of the original anime "So Ra No Wo To". Released as an OVA, this work is a long-awaited new story for fans and an opportunity to reaffirm the appeal of the series. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and evaluation of this extra edition.

The appeal of the story

The "Sora No Wo To Spin-off" plays an important role in filling in the gaps between the episodes of the original series. In particular, "Spin-off Episode 7.5: Banquet - War at the Fortress" is placed between episodes 7 and 8 of the original series, and delves deeper into the relationships and backgrounds of the characters. Meanwhile, "Spin-off Episode 13: Sounds of the Sky - Beyond the Dreams" depicts the story after the final episode of the original series, providing viewers with new excitement and lingering impressions.

The story centers on the growth of the main character, Kanata, and the bonds she forms with her companions. Her journey begins when Kanata's desire to play the trumpet leads her to join the military, and depicts the process of her deepening her bonds with her companions as she lives her new life in Cèze. The Water Festival scene in particular is memorable, as it shows Kanata experiencing the culture of Cèze for the first time and enjoying it with her companions. This festival is based on the legend of the "Maiden of Fire," an ancient legend in Cèze, and is deeply connected to the theme of the story as a whole.

Character Appeal

In So Ra No Wo To Spin-off, the main characters from the original series continue to play an active role. Kanata's growth and the personalities of her friends are particularly prominent. Kanata has a bright and positive personality, and her passion for the trumpet and her compassion for her friends drive the story. Her perfect pitch and improved playing technique are inspiring to viewers and symbolize her growth.

As Kanata's mentor, Rio is a character who is both strict and kind. Her tomboyish way of speaking and kind heartedness support Kanata's growth. While Kureha is a burning rival of Kanata, her sensitive side is also depicted. Noel is a quiet and unresponsive character, but her passion for repairing the Takemikazuchi is memorable. As a platoon leader, Felicia is tolerant and warmly watches over her comrades. The personalities and growth of these characters enrich the story.

The appeal of music

The music for "So Ra No Wo To Bangai-hen" is composed by Michiru Oshima. Her beautiful melodies and emotional songs enhance the atmosphere of the story and deeply touch the hearts of viewers. In particular, the opening theme "Senritsu Hikari no Melody" combines Kalafina's powerful vocals with Yuki Kajiura's beautiful melody, symbolizing the theme of the story. The ending theme "Girls, Be Ambitious" features Haruka Tomatsu's refreshing vocals and Kazuhiro Higurashi's light-hearted melody, expressing Kanata's growth and the bonds he forms with his friends.

The appeal of art and film

The art and visuals of "So Ra No Wo To Bangaihen" realistically depict the fictional town of Cèze, modeled on the walled city of Cuenca and the Alarcón Fort in Spain. Art director Masatoshi Kai and set designer Tomoyuki Aoki created an original future world based on a huge amount of material within a limited schedule. The streetscape of Cèze and the "Water Festival" scene in particular enhance the visual beauty and atmosphere of the story.

In addition, A-1 Pictures' high-quality animation production carefully depicts the characters' expressions and movements in great detail, encouraging viewers to empathize with the characters in a realistic way. In particular, Kanata's trumpet playing scene visually expresses her growth and passion, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

Ratings and Recommendations

"So Ra No Wo To Spin-Off" is a must-see for fans of the original series, and an intriguing story for new viewers too. The story's depth, character growth, and beautiful music and visuals combine to leave viewers with a deep, moving experience. The episodes that depict Kanata's growth and the bond he forms with his friends will warm the hearts of viewers.

Here are some reasons why I recommend this film:

• A special episode that further deepens the worldview of the original series
• A moving story about character growth and bonds
• The beautiful music of Michiru Oshima and the wonderful singing voices of Kalafina and Haruka Tomatsu
• Realistic art and images based on the walled cities of Spain
• High-quality animation production by A-1 Pictures

So Ra No Wo To Gaihen is highly recommended for fans of the original series and new viewers alike, as its beautiful tone and heartwarming story will touch viewers' hearts deeply.