"After School Pleiades": A thorough analysis of the new charm of magical girls and their profound story

After School Pleiades - Houkagono Pleiades

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

April 8, 2015 - June 24, 2015

■Broadcasting station

Asahi Broadcasting, TOKYO MX

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

GAINAX

■ Director

Akishi Saeki

■ Production

Animation Production: GAINAX

■Works

©GAINAX/After School Pleiades Production Committee

■ Story

Subaru, a middle school student who loves stars, encounters a Pleiadian alien from outer space one day after school. In order to repair a space immigrant ship that was stranded in Earth's orbit, the Pleiadian aliens summoned a collaborator from Earth to collect engine fragments. However, instead of just one person gathering, there were five! The five girls, who were appointed "wizards," each lack something, and even when they try to join forces, they always end up failing mismatchedly. To top it off, a mysterious boy appears, so will they be able to recover the engine fragments and repair the spaceship?

In an attempt to help the poor aliens, Subaru and the other five fly around collecting fragments, while cultivating friendships and using the infinite possibilities that come with immaturity as a weapon. A story of hope that soars through space and time.

■Cast

Subaru, Takamori Natsumi, Aoi, Ohashi Ayuru, Itsuki, Tatsuno Kanako, Hikaru, Makino Yui, Nanako, Fujita Saki, Minato, Kuwashima Houko

■ Main staff

・Original story and animation production: GAINAX
Director: Akishi Saeki, Character design and chief animation director: Mai Otsuka, Art director: Hiroshi Kato, Color design: Chie Yoshimura, Director of photography: Harutsugu Ishiguro, 3DCG director: Hiroshi Shirai, Editor: Akinori Mishima, Music: Shiro Hamaguchi, Sound director: Satoki Iida

■ Main Characters

Subaru: He has loved stargazing since he was a child, and is active in the astronomy club on his own. He has a bit of a geeky side when it comes to stars. He can be a bit confused and a crybaby, but he has more faith in his friends than anyone else. He is childhood friends with Aoi, but they went to different junior high schools and became estranged.

Aoi: A boyish-looking girl who actually loves cute things. Although she tries to hide it, it shows in her face and actions, and she is bad at lying. She is Subaru's childhood friend, and has a sense of mission to protect Subaru.

・Itsuki is gentle, kind and the most conscientious of the five. On the other hand, she is also a big eater and strong. Although she tends to refrain from asserting herself, she is actually more curious than anyone else.

Hikaru
She is the most active of the five girls and is the mood maker. She is a genius and has excellent athletic ability. She also has perfect pitch. Although she can sometimes act philosophical, inside she is a cute girl her age.

Nanako is fluent in languages ​​and is the only girl who can understand the language of the self-proclaimed Pleiades people. She has knowledge of all languages ​​and fortune telling. Although she appears quiet and doesn't say much, she is constantly developing and researching to help others.

・The Pleiadians, known to Subaru and the others as "Chairman." He summoned Subaru and the others as collaborators to repair the broken spaceship. He seems invisible to anyone other than the five of them, though...

A boy who always stands alone in the mysterious greenhouse that Minato Subaru gets lost in. He has a somewhat otherworldly air about him, but he unconsciously gives Subaru the push he needs.

■Subtitle

Episode 1 / Meteor Forecast: Rain and Shooting Stars Episode 2 / Song of the Stars Episode 3 / Five Cinderellas Episode 4 / So's Dream Episode 5 / Hat, Ice and Princess Episode 6 / Flower of Awakening Episode 7 / Treasure Two or Strawberry Kaori Episode 8 / Nanako 13
Episode 9 / Planetarium Rendezvous Episode 10 / Sparkling Night Episode 11 / The Last Light and His Name Episode 12 / At the Beach

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Stellarium
1 to 11
Lyrics: Kumano Kiyomi Composition: samfree
・Arrangement: samfree
・Song: Kano

・ED1
・From Here, From Away・2～12
Lyrics: Kiyomi Kumano Composition: Tsubasa Ito Arrangement: Tsubasa Ito Singing: fragments (Natsumi Takamori, Ayumi Ohashi, Kanako Tateno, Yui Makino, Saki Fujita)

・Insert song 1
・Song of the Stars・2
Lyrics: Kenji Miyazawa Composition: Kenji Miyazawa Arrangement: Takatsugu Wakabayashi Singer: Subaru (Natsumi Takamori) & Aoi (Ayumi Ohashi)

・Insert song 2
・Reminiscence
・8
Lyrics: Kiyomi Kumano Composition: Hiroshi Nakamura Arrangement: Hiroshi Nakamura Vocals: Nanako (Saki Fujita)

■ Evaluation

"After School Pleiades" is an original anime produced by GAINAX and aired in 2015. It was directed by Akishi Saeki, with character design and general animation direction by Mai Otsuka, and music by Shiro Hamaguchi. The story is about Subaru, a middle school student who loves stars, and his friends who work with the Pleiades people from outer space to collect engine fragments and repair their spaceship. Below, we will go into detail about the appeal and reviews of this work.

Story and Themes

"After School Pleiades" is a work with the theme of friendship and growth. The main character, Subaru, has loved stars since she was a child and runs the astronomy club by herself. One day, she meets a Pleiadian after school and is chosen as a collaborator to repair a spaceship. However, it is not just Subaru who gathers, but five others, including her childhood friend Aoi and other girls. Each of the girls has their own unique personality and at first they fail to work together well, but gradually they deepen their bonds. This process is very moving and leaves a strong impression on the viewer.

The story also features a mysterious boy named Minato, whose presence encourages Subaru's growth. Minato is always alone in the mysterious greenhouse where Subaru gets lost, and plays an important role as the one who pushes her forward. The relationships between these characters add depth to the story.

character

Each character in this series is unique and leaves a strong impression on the viewer. Subaru loves stars and has a bit of a geeky side, but has a strong sense of faith in his friends. Aoi looks boyish, but in fact she loves cute things and feels a sense of duty to protect Subaru. Itsuki is gentle and kind, but she is also a big eater and strong, and has a brimming sense of curiosity. Hikaru is an active mood maker, a genius, and has excellent athletic ability. Nanako is fluent in languages ​​and is the only girl who can understand the language of the Pleiades, and is passionate about fortune-telling and development. Seeing these characters support each other and grow is one of the charms of this series.

Visuals and Music

"After School Pleiades" is also a visually outstanding work. The character designs are by Mai Otsuka, and the cute characters are drawn with great charm. Also, the beautiful backgrounds by art director Hiroshi Kato and color designer Tomoe Yoshimura are not to be missed. In particular, the starry sky and space scenes are breathtakingly beautiful and highly visually appealing.

Music is also an important element of this work. The opening theme "Stella-rium" is sung by Kano, and its refreshing and beautiful melody enhances the atmosphere of the story. The ending theme "Kokoro kara, Kanata kara" is by fragments, and is a warm song that makes you feel the bond between the five girls. The inserted song "Hoshi Meguri no Uta" is based on a poem by Kenji Miyazawa, and the song sung by Subaru and Aoi further enhances the emotion of the story. Furthermore, "Reminiscence" sung by Nanako is also impressive, helping you to understand her character more deeply.

Ratings and Recommendations

"After School Pleiades" is a touching story about friendship and growth, supported by beautiful visuals and music. The characters' personalities and growth are depicted, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. This is a work that is especially recommended for those who like stars and space. It will also be enjoyed by those who like works with themes of friendship and bonds.

This work is a shining example of GAINAX's high production techniques and creative storytelling, and will provide viewers with a lot of excitement and joy.