Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
whi
I often see people making the comparison of this anime to Clannad. But in my opinion, that is a little misleading. Unlike the focus on family with a general tone of warmth. ef is more like finding that dwindling bit of fire in the cold world and live on with an iron will.
Otowa, the place where the story takes place in, is spelled as 音羽 in kanji. "音" means "sound", referring to the Suuichi's violin, and how the music will stop when the bow stop. "羽" refers to the eternal feather of Yukko and the continuation of hope.
In fact, the theme that carries throughout both season of ef is the decision of eternal and temporality. Like 13 hours of memory that Chihiro has and Renji's untiring pursuit of her. Or the conversation between Hiro and Mihako on the telephone. Unlike other shows that ask r…
Read at the sourceMALHI
Very infrequently one comes across an exquisitely presented work of art that mesmerises, thrills and captivates. With every passing glimpse, the spectator is left with a plethora of emotions and a stream of portentous thoughts reverberating around their mind like a pulsating ocean. “Ef: A Tale of Melodies” is a tour de force of this calibre that elicits the full range of emotions from the astonished viewer who is left with a fuller perception of the triumphs and hardships of life. Struggles, achievement and benevolent bonds between individuals encompass life, a reality that is elegantly portrayed by “Ef: A Tale of Melodies” as a cast of remarkably believable characters coalesces with a gracefully crafted storyline of immense distinctiveness. This series is the sequel to the exceptional “Ef…
Read at the sourceZaku88
In my mind, the Ef series defined what great animation was in its time; and the animation style paved the way for some of the techniques that Shaft is now famous for. It is a great relationship show with actual meanings, something that many shows these days seem to lack. Thus without further ado, let us proceed with the review.
Ef- A Tale of Melodies is more of a continuation than a sequel to A Tale of Memories. It tells the tale of the older generation (Kuze, Yuko, and Himura) that seemed to show up randomly but at key moments in the first series to give the young couples words of advice. This series greatly deepens the meaning of the relationships in Memories and puts the whole "two cities" and other ideas in perspective. The story very nicely generalizes to the main story behind Himura…
Read at the sourceSaruwatari-san
I'll be honest . Ef: A Tale of Melodies does have a lot of improvement than Memories but not much . Although , Ef series does made onto my Memorable anime .
Story:8
This time , the story is a bit different . It tell us about how Yuuko Amamiya meet up with Yuu Himura and how Mizuki Hayama knows Yuuko Amamiya . I'll be honest that Melodies made me cry a bit more than Memories . Won't say much because i'm just gonna spoil it for you
Art:9
The arts and animation is improved a bit on this one . More 3D animations and it does have some beautiful arts that capture my interest .
Sound:8
Same voice characters from Memories . Love Chihiro voice actress by the way . The OP and ED is good . Not enough to made me listen many many times but it's okay i guess . I just love the violin part . It's was r…
Read at the sourcelendiznick
Finally got to watch this after catching up on other animes and this one is a good one and a must see.
The main story in my opinion is mostly renji-kun life, they had other small stories for everyone else, but most of it i believe leans more to renji. Renji always walks down a railroad track which has been broken for a long time, he meets a girl name Chihiro Shindou while he is walking. they start to talk alot and get to know each other, he has been warned not to fall in love with her and if he does, he will have to face what happens afterwards. Renji finds out that chihiro has a memory of a 13 hour life span, she can only remember 13 hours of her life, she always brings a diary with her and writes everything down so when she wakes up in the morning, she knows what she did they day before…
Read at the sourceDemi_V
*Please watch ef: A Tale of Memories first, because there is a continuation of the love stories presented in the prequel. Feel free to read my review for Memories also.*
After watching Memories, you probably asked yourself these questions:
- Why does Yuuko pop up out of nowhere and disappear before you can blink an eye?
- How do Yuuko and Yuu know each other?
- How do Renji and Chihiro; Hiro and Miyako; and Kyousuke and Kei's relationships continue?
ef: A Tale of Melodies will answer all of those questions as it introduces the background of vague characters from Memories: Mizuki, Yuuko, Yuu, Kuze, and Nagi. There is a brilliant connection between those characters and the ones from Memories. Just like in Memories, there's drama, psychological history in characters, brutal pasts, and everl…
Read at the sourcerogue1982
I actually made my account on myanimelist because of this anime. I wanted to share my views after seeing it all.
Having watched Tale of Memories, I went into this one with high expectations. And, unfortunately, was let down.
'Tale of Memories' was the first anime after 'Clannad' to actually move me, both 'Air' and 'Kannon' failing in that department (I only saw the latter two after Clannad, and they felt pale in comparison). However, 'Tale of Melodies', in my opinion, went the wrong way. It OVERLOADS you with stylistyc art and does not deliver on the story.
If you split it into two stories, neither brings any joy from watching.
The back story is borderline awful, dark and twisted. One of the characters is so despicable and horrid that you wish only the worst kind of death for him. H…
Read at the sourcegodzillabrandon
This anime really surprised me by way it was told and the characters relationships. It was a really good anime with a great plot and music that complimented the moments to create additional emotion. It was the first in this genre that I've ever watched and it blew me away easily becoming my favorite anime so far and I doubt that'll change. The show was really interesting and I wasn't bored as there was always something I was interested in. I loved this anime and think its one of the few masterpieces out there and would recommend it to anyone whether they watch anime or not. Be sure to watch the first series before this one called "ef a tale of memories" which is also just as good.
Read at the sourceRu-chan
Ef - a tale of melodies. Can you hear that? The melody of truth.
1. ARTISTRY: 10/10
"Artistry is the quality that appeals to one's sense of beauty."
In my opinion, if I were to compare this anime to all the other anime I've watched until now, I'd say this show is unique in a certain aspect.
It's rare that I get to experience an anime wherein which the artistry and the visual aspect of anime itself moves me deeply.
Symbolisms. These are underated elements that are unseen to some people in the naked eye but I tend to look at each show's symbolisms and imageries, as these hold a secret yet an immense meaning behind them. Symbolisms appeared all over the anime, which is one reason why I like it. Masks, concealing your true identity, indeed a parasite that eventually becomes a part of you a…
Read at the sourceEfx
i went into watching ef with no recommendations and decided to see it all the way though. it ended up becoming my #3 favorite anime. i found myself caring for each of the characters as though they were truly here with me. episode 6 of this anime had me in goosebumps the entire time and it is something i will never forget. i highly recommend this anime.
Read at the sourceray357
Future? A unknown phenomenon that occurs after the present moment. You’ll never know what might be in store for you so the only thing you must do is gather your courage and determination and march forward!!
If you have watch the prequel of this story then you will not be disappointed however have you ever wonder who was the girl with the blue hair was. She always appears when the main characters are in a slump, troubled on what to do next. Exactly who and what is she? a deity? a ghost? She appears and then disappears without a trace. Also who was Himura, he seemed to know a lot of the answers regarding life but is it from personal experience? He was waiting for someone and in the end the first series, he was waiting for Yuko, the girl with blue hair but who is she and what exactly is thei…
Read at the sourceKnightessKana
ef - a tale of melodies is a deep, unique anime embedded with both strong and subtle themes in a purposeful elegance.
The second season of the ef series (tale of memories was the first season), a tale of melodies comes full circle. A tale of melodies is an awe-inspiring storyline that can be described as enigmatic, ephemeral, and turbulent, yet leaves an impression that (ironically) is vivid, lasting, and resolute. Little about tale of melodies is immediately straightforward, yet that is what makes the story possess the kind of depth that enables it to project multiple themes.
While the first season (a tale of memories) confounded many viewers with its strange representation and plot development, a tale of melodies thrilled using the same strategy. Much of it is attributed towards the fa…
Read at the sourceSeijurou
"Sequel." A variety of reactions could be displayed when seeing/hearing this word: "I hope this is as good as/keeps up with/better than the original." "Will they explain that?" "No, this is enough; anything more will ruin the story." Some more of this piece of crap?" "Yes, more of this show!" Of course, I had the last sentiment. It is no easy task to follow up on a story. As we all know, if something drags on for too long, it loses its essence, and I believe that usually, beginnings are the best part of anything. Rarely they are not. This is an especially difficult task with an anime as great as Ef. I can safely say, though, that Ef - A Tale of Melodies lives up to its prequel, Ef - A Tale of Memories.
The anime is based on an adult visual novel, called Ef - A Fairy Tale of the Two, with…
Read at the sourceWilio
Ef- a Tale of Melodies is somehow an unnecessary sequel. Unnecessary in a way the first season didn't let any hole for a new season, as I felt it was complete and didn't need to go on. Even tough, I was still thrilled to watch A Tale of Melodies since its predecessor was absolutely beautiful. Perhaps, it would be as beautiful or as interesting.
Sadly, I could only dream about it.
The story is presented in the same pattern as Memories, at this point the viewer shouldn't be confused in the way it's made. While most of the cast are back, they actually switch roll in a sense that the main characters of the first season would become the support cast and vice versa. The most drastic change some can feel while watching Melodies is that is darker than the first season and perhaps darker than s…
Read at the sourceNachtwandler_21
Do you here it - a true melody?
What could I say about this anime. Hm... It's still my "number one" between anime-dramas. I felt in love with Tale of Memories and second season was even better than first one.
Story. Both stories not unique but very interesting ansd dramatic. Really hard emotions appears than you watch it. Ends of 6 and 10 serries were real shock for me. That's how real drama should look like. And I really liked that all storylines were bounded together in this season.
Characters. Really interesting. All of them could be characterized by typical classes but it's hard to find the same characters somthere else. They were made very bright and individual.
Visual. Best part of this anime. Beatufull drawing and interesting visuall "tricks" for "brightning" especially dramatic…
Read at the sourceKurogashi
This is probably one of the most beautiful, yet complex anime that I have ever laid my eyes upon. Every little single details in this anime are continually emphasized to draw in the viewer closer and closer. I am almost at lost of words right now. The way they portrayed everything was too beautiful and surreal that it is almost unexpressable.
I absoulutely loved how closely season 1 and 2 are incorporated. Every character from season 1 and 2 were carefully intertwined with one and another, giving the show a wonderful feel to it.
The opening from both seasons were awesome and sung in english too, which is something that doesn't happen very often. There was even an episode that had both of the openings played and thus added in a lively tone for the episode.
This anime was certainlly a…
Read at the sourceBurningLeaves
I enjoyed the second EF much more than the first. Story lines were much deeper in this, characters seemed more realistic.And while I liked how they kept with the 2 main stories at a time deal as they did with the first, the flow between these two seemed almost seamless and really complimented eachother.
As for the story, like any anime I watch I can't tell how much I'd like the story fully until the ending. Far too many times do animes with great stories ruin it with the end. The end here was a bit anticlimactic for my tastes, it wasn't completely screwed up to the point of ruining the series for me but it seemed a bit meh for all the tension it was building.
If you watched the first EF you will notice that the main charaters in this one are the side characters from the first season. I…
Read at the sourcenightsword
“Right art tells right people the right things"
I don’t remember exactly in which movie did I hear this phrase, but it has haunted me ever since the first time I heard it. It contains in itself an irrevocable truth about human mind, that tastes are not "universal", but rather contained in each individual.
Thus some people would manage to enjoy stuff like Rosario to Vampire and Miley Sirius music, while others might rather puke at mere mention of them.
Where does the difference lie? In the intelligence of the one who enjoys it, perhaps? I doubt it. If such were the case, it would be reason, not emotions, the one that would makes the difference, and its a well know empirical fact that don’t "think" you like something, you just "know". (It is more probable that intellige…
Read at the sourcelotusres
It is so beautiful, i enjoyed it better than the first season.
The characters are really well-made and have very deep connections with the ones in the first season.
The plot is even better than the first season; the beginning is a bit strange but it just keeps getting better and better.
The music is what i like the most. Every song was perfect in the moment they placed it, they're also really beautiful and fit the series perfectly.
The art is really something. Not only the abundance of opening versions they made, about 8, but also the landscapes and those romantic moments; the art it's been worked on a lot.
I really enjoyed this series to the4 point i cried in the last episode. If you like original romantic anime I strongly recommend this. It's not your typical romantic story, it's fantast…
Read at the sourceRetro8bit
Watching "ef- a tale of melodies" is not like watching a regular anime, but more like an artistic painting come to life. It really is a unique experience!
Story: 8/10
Taking place after the first installment known as ef- a tale of memories, we now follow the tale of most of the supporting cast from the original I just mentioned. Going into this I was a bit bummed that they didn’t decide to simply go with a whole brand new cast for this, but it actually worked out quite well, as this time around we get to learn more about: Kuze, Mizuki, Yuuko and Yu. (which again were simply the supporting cast from the first ef series) And get a better understanding as to who they are, and also answer questions that were not answered from the original. You will be transported back and forth from the past…
Read at the source