Hooray! A sub is out; now time for reviews. This is the second of two DVD-only episodes for sola. While the whole main story is told in the 13 eps that aired on TV, these extra chapters are bonuses in character development. Well, the first special was a slice-of-life trip to the spa with a dash of fanservice. That was really nice. This one acts as a semi-prologue, detailing Yorito’s life in the days before he met Matsuri in episode 1.

Summary

Mana comes to wake Yorito in the morning, but he says he just went to bed. He was up late again trying to “make the sky,” which the mosaic of the sky on his bedroom ceiling. Apparently they’re made of actual photos rather than just drawings (I think; unless he was just up late painting). It’s time for school, though, and Yorito makes it through the day very sleepily. During lunch, Mana finds Yorito on the roof again. He gazes at the sky, but Mana continues to see nothing new about it. From a distance, Sae and company spy on the two while Yorito rambles on about photography and cameras. Mana has something on her mind but doesn’t get a chance to say it before Yorito runs off.

An-pan

“I hate the sky!” Mana shouts as she kicks Yorito’s abandoned empty drink can, frustrated at how he’s so preoccupied all the time. Unfortunately the can strikes Sae in the face, and Mana catches the three in their little spygame. Later, though, Sae doesn’t give up with her nosy behavior, assuming that Mana confessed her love at lunchtime but Yorito ran away out of embarrassment. Mana and Yorito admittedly have been in each other’s presence often lately because they visit the same hospital regularly (for Aono and Koyori), but she claims it doesn’t mean anything. As Mana leaves, Sae mentions that she should try [wearing] a star pattern instead of a strawberry one next time, since Yorito likes skies. Mana doesn’t know what she’s talking about, but, in the hallway, finally realizes that Sae talking about (what I assume to be) her underwear, since she could have gotten a peek on the rooftop from her spying position. Mana rushes back in to discipline her friend properly.

Mana makes it to the hospital finally and finds Aono reading in her room. Koyori is also there, asleep and knelt at the side of the bed. Adorably, she mutters “Mana-san” in her sleep, only to pause and then rub her own head as if easing some pain, then saying “I’m sorry…” Aono gives Mana a stare as a result, blaming her for the automatic reaction.

Elsewhere, Takeshi spends time preparing more of his special light/explosive darts (the ones he uses to fight Matsuri), but he accidentally drops one … causing it to detonate in his face. As the dust settles, he finds a note left by Mayuko for him to buy her caviar to eat. He laments that caviar is rather hard to get.

At sunset, Yorito takes pictures as usual, but Mana calls him to say that visiting hours at the hospital ended without him being there. He reminds himself to apologize to Aono later.

Night falls. Matsuri quietly enjoys the scene while Mayuko hunts around the alleyways for shelter. She comes across this shiny trash can .. oh so inviting. Takeshi, after buying groceries for the night, starts looking for his lost little goth girl. And in the park poor Matsuri has to attack the drink machine yet again for her beverage (she did put money in it), but it gives her the wrong one. Takeshi does find Mayuko, but she fell on her face while trying to get into the trash can; her nose becomes as red as the fish eggs in her rice ball. It isn’t caviar, she remarks, but he says it’s close enough. She then leaves with the entire bag of food, telling him to get her foie grass next time.

Go on, no one’s looking.

Well…

The next day, Mana remembers that Aono’s birthday is one day away, so she suggests going shopping right away for cake ingredients. Yorito is hesitant, which upsets Mana. Apparently he wants to take more pictures in the afternoon, but she won’t hear it. And off they go shopping. He tries to get away whenever he sees sales on cameras, but Mana drags him back on task.

Back at the hospital, Koyori is treated to more of Aono’s origami; she comments that every birthday is exciting for her, but Aono doesn’t really feel the same energy every year. Yorito and Mana show up, and Yorito presents more dolls as a gift and an apology. (They look hideous as always.) Aono asks to be sure if Yorito will be around tomorrow. He says he would, but Mana teases that she can’t believe those words anymore. Koyori realizes that Aono is indeed excited, if just a little bit, about her birthday. Aono doesn’t mind that he’s away much, though, since the pictures he takes are good. She asks for pictures of the sunrise for next time.

That night, Takeshi has bought the foie grass but is unlucky this time in locating Mayuko. Guess she’ll have to wait another night to eat. And Yorito, in his room, prints out pictures for Aono (on his WinXP machine), but none of them seem right. In the basement of the church, Matsuri unloads some books to carry to the library. Is she reselling them for some spending money? Probably so, since she’s seen next exiting a convenience store with some snacks.

Before the next sunrise, Yorito gets up early to take pictures, since the ones he has currently just aren’t good enough. Matsuri meanwhile just spends her him roaming the city, enjoying the scenes of the night. Mayuko’s hiding place is underneath a bridge in the park, which is probably why Takeshi hasn’t been able to find her since he’s been looking in alleyways. She peeks out for a moment, wondering where he’s been, then decides to leave her doll outside the box to identify herself. But she then sneezes, complaining about the cold. She retrieves the bunny again for warmth, but it doesn’t keep her from sneezing. “Saitei.”

It’s 4am, as Mana’s clock indicates. She and Koyori are resting at home while Aono looks to the full moon in the sky. Matsuri is at the drink machine, kicking it once again without success .. and getting hurt toes at the same time. But tonight, “What are you doing?” asks a curious Yorito who had just bicycled by. And thus, the story of sola begins…

Impressions

Their eyes are larger… o.o Or I just haven’t watched the series in so long, I never realized… The overall artwork is nice, though, evident of DVD quality. And the color scheme is great, with Matsuri’s dominant purple palette and the greens of Mana and Koyori. Hooray for stereo sound as well. The gentle audio tracks of sola make their impression in this episode as always. The soundtrack really is great for quiet listening or studying.

Mana’s “I hate the sky” is a very interesting line considering she proclaims her love to the sky at the end of the regular series, which is also after her memories of Yorito have been erased. It proves a point that Yorito really had an impact on Mana’s life during the time she knew him.

This episode still brings on the simple humor. ^^ I nearly melted at Koyori’s reflex reaction; I feel so bad for her every time Mana gives her the loli-chop; the audio staff are additionally mean by applying this horrible crunching sound effect to it, too. And then Takeshi’s little blunder, which leaves his face all dirty yet unscathed. Mayuko’s first encounter with the special trash can is shown; she has to blush at it and then check to see if anyone is watching before she dives into it. XD Too cute.

I had forgotten Yorito’s obsession with the sky; it’s a little bit much for something you get to see almost every day .. and with great accessible views, too. I just wonder how much film or disk space he’s used for these blue and white pictures. Although I’ll agree that no picture is like any of the rest, surely he has to have learned how to prioritize what’s good or what isn’t. ^^; Or that every day will have beautiful shots; even if you miss one opportunity and it’s gone forever, there are still countless more. Besides … Mana wants to spend time with you. :O The sky can’t love you back like a girl can.

Overall the episode wasn’t a whole lot of extra development, except for Mana’s one line. It’s more or less an episode zero, but catering to the fans a bit since we’re already familiar with all the character’s quirks. Everyone lives out their peaceful lives as normal, but that’s just the perfect setting for a chance encounter and a romance story. ^^ I enjoyed it; sad now again that it’s over. sola is just a sweet story and a simple universe, and I’m glad that the manga will be coming out soon, so I can collect it.

As much as I like Koyori, Matsuri seems to be the major cutie of this episode.

~Crisu