Sora Suzuki is a 16-year old girl who lives with her mother in the countryside near Biei, a town In Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, known for its vistas of green trees, fields and hills. She has the ability to use magic, which seems to be something quite ordinary in the setting of the story. She heads for Tokyo to attend an internship, which prepares her to become an officially recognized mage. After attaining her title, she plans to carry out the request of her deceased father.
In Tokyo she makes new friends and gathers new experiences, meanwhile leaving a big impression on most everyone she meets.
Someday's Dreamers II: Sora, (also known as Someday's Dreamers II ~Summer Skies~ and Mahou Tsukai Ni Taisetsu Na Koto ~Natsu no Sora~ in Japan) is the sequel to Someday's Dreamers, dealing with the same basic premise of a magical internship, but with totally different characters and storyline. The anime series is based on the manga by Norie Yamada and Kumichi Yoshizuki, running for 12 episodes in 2008, produced by Hal Film Maker.
Despite the magical theme, it is very much a Slice of Life show, emphasizing the relationships between the characters. This is not to say that some of the magic feats aren't impressive though—especially Sora's. The series is also notable for its highly detailed backgrounds, set in real-life locations, which are used for large amounts of scenery porn.
This series provides examples of:
- Beach Episode: The magic students go to Kujukuri beach to save a beached pod of dolphins. No bikinis or bathing suits are in sight, though.
- Boy Meets Girl: Sora meets Gouta at Akasakamitsuke station when she uses her powers to keep a truck from smashing into the station building.
- Chekhov's Gun: The note Sora is reading at the start of the series.
- Cloud Cuckoolander: Morishita-sensei, who often acts as if he's on the verge of a severe mental breakdown.
- Contrived Coincidence: Sora just had to be around during the freak accident with that truck at Akasakamitsuke station.
- Country Mouse: Sora, hailing from rural Hokkaido.
- Distant Finale: The show skips five years to show the lives of the characters, with most dialogue implying that Sora may still be alive.
- Downer Ending: Sora succumbs to her heart condition during the time skip
- Greek Chorus: Yasuko, a musician who reflects on the show's events while playing in the streets of Shimokitazawa.
- Inept Mage: Since most mages are still young and inexperienced, expect a lot of magical misfires.
- Mental World: This appears to be a specific power of Sora and Gouta. Sora uses it to enact her marriage in order to keep her promise to her father. Gouta uses it to show the ocean he has seen after Sora dies.
- Meaningful Name: Sora means "sky," leading to a lot of aerial imagery.
- Memento MacGuffin: Sora wears her father's watch all the time, even though it's way too big for her wrist.
- Mood Whiplash: Aside from some relatively minor issues, the show is rather light and happy—until episode 10, where it becomes clear that Sora is destined to die soon.
- Mundane Fantastic: A world that looks a lot like modern-day Japan, but in which mages are so common that they can study to get a magic license.
- Mundane Utility: Mages sometimes use their powers for things like starting fires or cooling drinks, even though they are not really allowed to do so.
- Not What It Looks Like: Gouta sees Hara-sensei in a pose with Sora that indicates something going on between them. In reality Hara is checking out Sora's heartbeat.
- The Promise: Sora promised her late father that he will one day see her wear a wedding dress, and the reason she applies for her magic license is because she wants to keep this promise.
- Pollyanna: Sora, who is always mostly cheery and outgoing, despite knowing that she may not have long to live. She keeps this up until her mental breakdown at the end of the show, after her heart condition has worsened.
- Psychic Powers: Sora appears to have these, although it's mostly about invoking memories and feelings in people instead of directly reading their minds.
- Real-Place Background: The locales of Biei, Tokyo and Kamakura can be clearly recognized.
- Scenery Porn: Biei's wonderful locales are shown in stunning detail. Special points go to the Tree of Philosophy and surroundings, where Sora goes to have imaginary talks with her late father.
- Shy Finger-Twiddling: Done by Sora when she apologizes for using her powers at Akasakamitsuke station. Which, if she hadn't done that, would have cost many people their lives.
- Sink or Swim Mentor: The teachers usually just hand out assignments without any instructions on how to carry them out.
- Slice of Life: Most of the show is about Sora trying to adjust to life in Tokyo and her friendship with the other students at the magic school.
- Snow Means Love: Sora uses her magic so her friend Michiru can confess to a boy in the snow—indoors, no less.
- Soap Opera Disease: Sora's heart condition, which comes out of left field and is the main source of drama during the last episodes.
- Street Musician: Yasuko, who performs across Shimokitazawa station, and whose songs more or less form a commentary on what is happening.
- Too Good for This Sinful Earth: Sora, who is loved and admired by anyone she meets during her stay in Tokyo, dies at the end of the show.
- Tsundere: Asagi, who gives massively mixed messages to poor Kouji. They seem to be together by the end, though.
- 12-Episode Anime: This show has 12 episodes.
- Wham Episode: Episode 10, when it is announced that Sora has a terminal heart condition and may not have long to live.
- Wizarding School: Most of the show depicts the relationships of the students at the magical abilities school in Tokyo.
