Yoshino and the other “Town Revival Girls” have several ugly realizations during (and after) the Foundering Festival.
(Spoilers in this review)
In short, the five girls had to face the brutal reality that most of the people who showed up to Manoyama were just looking forward to Ptolemaios’ concert. They don’t actually care about Manoyama.
As a result, Yoshino and the others lose heart over how their efforts were for nothing. The only difference is that there’s an excess of garbage due to the festival. The TV program special that was filmed was also inherently dishonest and heavily edited, which rendered Manoyama as just another generic location for a live concert on-screen.
At the end of the episode, Yoshino seemingly boards the bus with all of her luggage and asks to go to the station. Is she going back home after this recent setback?
I think this episode did a solid job illustrating how the Tourism Board’s efforts are misguided. The old man only aims for numbers and doesn’t care about aftereffects. Meanwhile, the fab five have been trying to play the long game throughout the series yet found out that this isn’t actually doing anything for the people of Manoyama. The short-term effects are similarly negligent if not harmful.
Be that as it may, I don’t really appreciate the Board of Merchants’ stance on the whole thing even though they’re being indirectly portrayed as being correct. Maybe because they’re being stubborn and resistant against change. But as this episode shows, neither group is entirely in the wrong or in right. Perhaps change will actually come if they band together as a village, but right now it seems like the five girls are very discouraged. Some rallying and heart-to-heart talks are due next episode!
The Lily Garden 
I haven’t watched the show yet but I love reading your reviews. I just have one question before I start watching it. Does the show have any yuri in it? I haven’t seen you mention any yuri development in awhile.
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I’m really glad you’re enjoying the reviews!
Hmm it’s scant like in Shirobako. Other than hugs (3 out of the 4 other girls have hugged or have been hugged by Yoshino and Shiori seems rather attached to Yoshino), the amount of yuri shiptease is quite scant like in Shirobako. I might have to make a post about those moments or just list them in the series review. Thanks for the very insightful input!
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I wish I were that child too, Remy.
So, I have a question. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much are you enjoying this? The tone of your episodic reviews seem to fluctuate with each week’s offerings so I’m curious about your overall impression so far.
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Mmm….
I feel largely satsified. My tone in each review really does fluctuate between episodes haha. Sometimes the show disappoints me and sometimes it impresses me.
I think Sakura Quest ranges between a 6 and a 8.
As a comparison, Hinako Note was a 4, Twin Angel Break was a 3, and Frame Arms Girl was a 5.5.
Then again I try my best to avoid numerical ratings haha…
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That’s a solid number…even if you don’t use numbers. Here’s hoping the next cour mainatins (or improves) the quality.
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Mmm it’s solid. But not exceptional.
I hope so tooo
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Now I feel like crap for dumping on Ep 12 in my post this week. 😦 (Though to be fair, they did start off by lowering our expectations…)
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I think you were justified in your stance considering what happened in episode 11. Episode 12 was alright but I think they turned it around in this episode. Will check out your post later tonight.
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“Punk ass musicians I mean Ptolemaios.”
Savage Remy
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I’m a walking mass of snark and bitterness but I try to keep it off the blog. Sometimes it just leaks out, though.
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Awwww well I’m glad you were yourself here a little ~
Snarky Remy isn’t so bad
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( ˘▽˘)っªʳⁱ૭ªᵗ°
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