Kaleido Star

Other Anime
1

Kaleido Star

Genres: adventure, comedy, slice of life
Themes: acrobatics, gymnastics
Objectionable content: Mild
Plot Summary: Sora, a young girl from Japan, comes to America in search of her dream. She wants, with all her heart, to be a member of the famous Kaleido Stage, a combination of musicals, acrobatics and magical effects. With the help of her friends, she struggles to make this dream come true.
Number of episodes: 51
Vintage: 2003-04-03 to 2004-03-27

ANN Info Page

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Kaleido Star: New Wings Extra Stage (OAV) Vintage: 2004-09-24
Kaleido Star: Good dayo! Goood!! (OAV) Vintage: 2006-09-27
Kaleido Star: Legend of Phoenix - Layla Hamilton Story (OAV)

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Press and Reviews

Mania.com

In Summary:
All the marks of a traditional Shoujo anime are here. It is a charming story-driven drama filled with great character development and action as well. One of the nice things about Kaleido Star is that most of the main and supporting cast have their own background stories. With slightly over 50 episodes, this series had a lot of opportunities to do this for both seasons. The animation produced by Gonzo was as visually stunning as what people have typically come to expect from them. Their blending of CGI and 2d animation was visually stunning and allowed for a better feeling of depth in many of the Kaleido Stage’s performances. A rare gem that is able to combine ‘good looks’ with strong substance, it’s definitely a must-see for anyone wanting to watch a great story.
Grade: A

Mania.com
Mania.com

In Summary:
The first half of Kaleido Star was a captivating story about pursuing one’s dream. While predictable, it distinguished itself by avoiding most of the stereotypes and clichĂ©s seen in similar titles. It took a great cast of characters and built them into a close-knit family of performers that you simply just had to watch and cheer for. The “Great Maneuver” finalĂ© provides an amazing yet bittersweet ending that will have you transfixed with anticipation. It may not currently receive the recognition it deserves, but it has all the elements to find an audience for years to come. Add this to my list of modern classics, a very highly recommended title.

In Summary:
The second season of Kaleido Star does not end with the rousing crescendo of the first, but it culminated in an equally beautiful and moving finalé. While the trials Sora endures are familiar, they transform her into a strong, determined woman; she can finally stand and see what her personal path in life is. Everything I enjoyed about the first season holds true for the second; predictable and melodramatic at times, the story and characters still thoroughly captivated me. The simple charm and honest storytelling, something seldom seen, has been refreshing. One of the under appreciated gems available, I very highly recommend this entire series.
Grade: A-

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ADV Films Trailers:

[trailers no longer exist]

You know, I never saw the first trailer before. That was awesome, can’t wait to rewatch it again! :slight_smile: If I’m not mistaken, it sounds like Christine Auten (not her usual tone, so I’m not 100% sure). The second of course is Jason Douglas’ unmistakably awesome voice.

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Good times. KS is probably one of my personal favorites.

4

You should join us when we rewatch it again, perhaps later in August as part of the Anime Network/ADV viewing club. :wink:

5

Jeeze 'goon, you gotta pace yourself. Didn’t you watch it a couple months ago?

P.S. Are you ever gonna make a cast list? :stuck_out_tongue:

-still thinks you’re Ken-

6

Yeah I watched it start to end late last year and a month and half later when Coffee got his DVD set.

It wasn’t my choice this time! Coffee and chrisc brought it up in one of the earlier threads. I’m only happy to oblige. :laugh:

7


Yeah, chrisc brought it up in the SAK thread, and I said that me and you probably wouldn’t mind.
However, he also said that he would participate in the SAK viewing too and never did, so I wouldn’t mind putting it on the back burner if we all need some time away from KS.

8

Dragoon and I have set up another viewing schedule to watch the whole series (Singles 12 DVDs/Thinpaks 10 DVDs) since we love it so much.

[size=16]For those that want to participate:[/size]
Watch the DVDs according to the schedule, then come back here to the forum to post your thoughts, findings, and views on the series thus far.

For those that have the thinpak sets and want to participate, you’ll have to stick to the episode list more than the DVD list, watching those episodes for that day, rather than the full DVD.

[size=16]Viewing Schedule:[/size]
Monday 12/7 - Kaleido Star DVD 1 (episodes 1-5)
Tuesday 12/8 - Kaleido Star DVD 2 (episodes 6-9)
Wednesday 12/9 - Kaleido Star DVD 3 (episodes 10-13)
Thursday 12/10 - Kaleido Star DVD 4 (episodes 14-18)
Friday 12/11 - Kaleido Star DVD 5 (episodes 19-22)
Saturday 12/12 - Kaleido Star DVD 6 (episodes 23-26)
Sunday 12/13 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 1 (episodes 1-5)
Monday 12/14 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 2 (episodes 6-9)
Tuesday 12/15 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 3 (episodes 10-13)
Wednesday 12/16 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 4 (episodes 14-18)
Thursday 12/17 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 5 (episodes 19-22)
Friday 12/18 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 6 (episodes 23-25 + Extra Stage)

9

Can’t wait! :smiley: Looks like if we do Vandread a bit after, it’ll be the perfect time watch Vandread, around Christmas! (Perhaps my favorite Christmas episode in an anime) :slight_smile:

10

[quote=dragoon]
Looks like if we do Vandread a bit after, it’ll be the perfect time watch Vandread, around Christmas! (Perhaps my favorite Christmas episode in an anime) :)[/quote]


I think it’s mine as well.

For the Vandread viewing, I’m thinking of taking the 19th-20th (Sat-Sun) as a break after KS, then starting Vandread on the 21st (Mon) at 1 DVD per day, which would put the Christmas episode as the final episode on the 23rd (Wed). Then taking the 24th & 25th off to enjoy Christmas, and coming back to it on the 26th starting with DVD 4.
Sound good?

11

Kaleido Star is a real fun anime to watch. I still think Carlos hacked their physics engine. :slight_smile:

12

Maybe I’ll get in on this. KS is an excellent series


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[quote=PretearHimeno]
Maybe I’ll get in on this. KS is an excellent series
[/quote]


The more the merrier!

14

Count me in to. Kaliedo Star is still in my backlog, and I guess now is a good time to kick it to the fronr of the line.

15

I watched the first season about a month ago. Can I join in on the discussion without watching it again?

16

Sure but you’d have to discuss the episodes as we go along, ie. if we are on the day of ep in DVD2, you can’t talk about episode 20.

17

No problem.

18

Reminder:

[quote=TheCoffeeGod]
Dragoon and I have set up another viewing schedule to watch the whole series (Singles 12 DVDs/Thinpaks 10 DVDs) since we love it so much.

For those that want to participate:
Watch the DVDs according to the schedule, then come back here to the forum to post your thoughts, findings, and views on the series thus far.

For those that have the thinpak sets and want to participate, you’ll have to stick to the episode list more than the DVD list, watching those episodes for that day, rather than the full DVD.

Viewing Schedule:
Monday 12/7 - Kaleido Star DVD 1 (episodes 1-5)
Tuesday 12/8 - Kaleido Star DVD 2 (episodes 6-9)
Wednesday 12/9 - Kaleido Star DVD 3 (episodes 10-13)
Thursday 12/10 - Kaleido Star DVD 4 (episodes 14-18)
Friday 12/11 - Kaleido Star DVD 5 (episodes 19-22)
Saturday 12/12 - Kaleido Star DVD 6 (episodes 23-26)
Sunday 12/13 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 1 (episodes 1-5)
Monday 12/14 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 2 (episodes 6-9)
Tuesday 12/15 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 3 (episodes 10-13)
Wednesday 12/16 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 4 (episodes 14-18)
Thursday 12/17 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 5 (episodes 19-22)
Friday 12/18 - Kaleido Star: New Wings DVD 6 (episodes 23-25 + Extra Stage)[/quote]

19

Awww why do you guys gata watch a show I don’t own :(? Next time you guys do this you so have to watch something I own ok? I’d totally be up for watching/re-watching any of these titles whenever you guys can:

Azumanga Daioh
Destiny of the Shrine Maiden *
Mezzo DSA
Nadia *
Princess Tutu *
Red Garden
The World of Narue
Colorful *
Nadesico *
Orphen 1 and 2 *

(* next to those I really want to watch soon)

20

You should get Kaleido Star at one point, it’s actually gonna be one of the ones in that list PM for you. :wink:

I’m up for watching Nadesico or Colorful (I’ve been wanting to write a review for this on my site) soon, and I’m trying to get Orphen 1 and 2 soon