I got to know about this series through internet radio (HiBiKi). How else do I keep up with the stuff these days anyway? I saw a few episodes and was smitten by the unconventional way the main character (Ichinose Hajime) sees the world. The strangest part is, I wrote, "unconventional," yet when you think about it, it makes sense. So then the "conventional" is wrong?
Anyway, the production value isn't conventional, either. Lots of freedom, kind of like how Minky Momo was, which in a way, is culturally non-Japanese way to make something. It worked for Minky Momo, and it works here as well. The themes it deals with don't have clear answers, and so the message of the series isn't clear, either, so it's best to not get hung up on answers and just enjoy the flow of the series. Commentaries may or may not help. ;)
I preordered nearly 4 months ahead of the release, so I got a handsome discount, and of course the limited edition. I didn't really care about any bonus, except for the radio (which I downloaded and kept anyway), but I was pleasantly surprised at the NOTE! Now, if I could, "Bird Go!" with it, that'd be out of this world. ww
Lastly, the box says, FORS-EX audio. I looked it up, and it's a marketing, urr, trade-mark name by Q-TEC, Japan. I'm guessing they have a set of parameters they enforce (equipment, algorithms, etc.), kind of like THX. Frankly, it doesn't mean crap to me.
