Little Busters! - Common Route Discussion

Key Discussion
#213

I almost cried just reading this discussion. It really just makes me overflow with emotion.There is so much good stuff here; so many thoughts and opinions coming from so many people. As a veteran, it’s nearly impossible for me to compute them all.

So let me say this. I love your theories. From the ones who treat this like a mystery that can or needs to be solved, overthinking every comment, every bit of narration; to the ones who analyze each character’s personality and relationships to their fullest, even though we know oh so little at this point. I love seeing how many important things you’ve picked up on, how many unrelated things you’ve stretched to fit your mindsets, and most of all the infinite subtleties you’ve missed (and I’m very glad you’ve missed). I cannot wait to see your reactions as things develop and change the deeper you get into this story.

Two things I will stress:

  1. Be open to every character and all of their interactions, especially Riki. I wouldn’t go to the extent that every line is essential, but perhaps I’d word it as “every scene is valuable". Not because you need every little part to fully understand or enjoy Little Busters, but because it is just like how every interaction you have with your own friends shapes your relationships. Riki seems to be consistently slept on in this regard, especially by newbies… and perhaps that is actually by design.
  1. That said, try your hardest to set aside your detective caps, even for a moment, and really, really enjoy these characters. The writers have done an absolutely stellar job at writing every single scene as a loveable, memorable interaction. And while the mystery is indeed one aspect of the story, this is not primarily a “mystery novel.” While it is certainly possible to happen upon a “(re)solution” to this novel, and while the execution of the foreshadowing is some of the best I have seen, the story was not written to be “solved”, it was written to be “experienced.” Not to say that you shouldn’t theorize. But you will likely have a good idea of what’s going on by the time you get there no matter what.

So really just let it all flow in and simmer inside of you. And when you’re ready (trust me, you’ll know when it’s time) do not be afraid to let everything boil over.

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#214

100% agreed. Speculations and theories have been nice and interesting to read, but a couple routes in now and I feel it’s important for people to take a seat back and enjoy the story the way it was written: a blast between a group of friends.

Little Busters’ worth in terms of plot analysis isn’t in its first time reads but when you go back through it with the knowledge you have and just how carefully it was included in every inconspicuous part. The journey until then, however, is just like you’d have IRL were you to have that neat group of friends by your side: you enjoy your daily life and interactions with them, suffer through worst days with them, and hopefully get back up again and return to the fun after everything is done with them once more. Again, like real life, no theories can be really made until a fateful moment where something, hell, anything does happen to spur it on.

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#215

Except for a freak like me who doesn’t find it all completely exhilarating and thrives more on the theories and mysteries of whys and wherefores…that’s what makes it more interesting to read for me than just a collection of scenes :help:

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#216

I prefer the term ‘appropriated’ personally.

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#217

That’s, uh…

That’s like saying most of CLANNAD’s worth and interest lies solely behind the orbs of light and the illusionary world. :help:

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#218

But CLANNAD actually has interesting routes, so there’s more to enjoy than the mystery :smug:

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#219

That’s our Taka. Laying the diss on the entire book club and all participants all at once!

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#220

Ah but you see for me that’s a false equivalence as CLANNAD “speaks to me” personally in ways that LitBus doesn’t (at least not yet).

And yes it was the orbs of light and the illusionary world that really drew me into CLANNAD in the first place

I don’t think it matters how/why any of us enjoy LitBus, and clearly for some here deeply analysing the VN and really enjoying for fun are not mutually exclusive.

I’m on Refrain now so can’t say much more here without spoilers…

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#221

Nobody is telling you how to enjoy LB, just a bunch of oldies are getting upset at the several people who are just grazing over the VN’s strongest and intended point in pursuit of this mystery that isn’t the focus and it’s making them upset to see this VN that is dear to them not being appreciated for its true strengths.

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#222

It’s less “enjoyed properly” and more that LB’s themes and story doesn’t really come across nearly as strongly if you gloss over the more “casual moments” that’ll end up mattering.

In itself I don’t mind people finding themselves curious about the mysteries and likes more, but if it comes at the cost of what makes those revelations hit as strong as they do for some people, then they’ll find themselves potentially sorely disappointed afterwards since nearly the entire LB experience depends on how attached you make yourself to the characters after witnessing time after time those regular life moments.

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#223

Well I understand what you are saying but for me I just didn’t get attached to the characters or the shennigans in the common route that much. I’m not suggesting it’s any kind of “fault” of the VN or the writing, just a personal thing that I’m not getting the same buzz as others do. I did enjoy going through the character routes so far and that helped a bit.

I know that will mean I don’t get as much out of it ultimately as the “true” fans; but what is, is. All the same I’m trying to be objective in my opinions and be clear when I’m being very subjective. Don’t worry, I am sure whatever I feel by the very end I’m not going to diss LitBus here or anywhere else!

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#224

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Best Posts of Kazamatsuri
#225

Low-key spoilers for… Uhh refrain…?

I just happened to be listening to Song for Friends and this post fucking made me really goddamn sad…

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#226

…Shit, you’re right. The feels are coming back…!

:uee:

#227

There’s more than one way to skin a cat though…oh wait - probably not the best metaphor for LitBus :scream_cat:

“Are you trying to hit them on purpose?!”
“Got it in one, love”

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#228

If you’re not attaching to the characters and the daily life, then Little Busters simply might not be for you.

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#229

I can’t remember where i read that while clannad was about the importance of family LB is about the importance of friends. Now my first contact with LB was with the anime, i didn’t get past the first episode because of how incredibly goofy/silly the whole thing was, it wasn’t until i got into visual novels that i gave it another shot, this time it didn’t bother me because it didn’t feel like it was an unending streak of goofy scenes and that gave me an idea that the story was gonna be more about a group of friends goofing around (this time in a good way) and enjoying their youthful days until of course something happened because its a Key story.

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#231

Well, it happens. This isn’t to say I’m not enjoying it - just not as much as I’d hoped or as much as the vast majority here. I don’t begrudge a single penny I spent on it though and I am glad to be part of the LitBus joyride. It’s definitely a top-tier VN after all, it’s just a case that I found it very immediate to attach more deeply to the characters in CLANNAD, is all.

Partway through Refrain now and I think that while the “secret” may not be life-changing / earth-shattering it will still be very impactful I reckon, if I’m picking up the hints correctly.

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#232

Personally I have a very easy time attaching to the characters, I wouldn’t be trying to figure them out if I didn’t care. I feel like there’s a false equivalency that critically looking at a work =/= caring about it on an emotional level. I am very comfortable with achieving both at once.

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#233

As piss poor as I still am at the practice, the match seems to have become a bit easier after finishing Refrain :happy:

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