The setting is in the distant future, not the past. The warring nations used to be technologically advanced but bombed each other back to the middle ages since Seize doesn't even have electricity. The advanced weaponry of old turned into legends about fiery demons and giant spiders (multi leg mechs) over the years. Most are destroyed as seen in the flashback, but Noel restored one of them. The giant skeleton in the lake was Kanatas imagination since she was just told of the legend and in shock . It might be a recurring omen to her that shows up whenever she is alone and depressed.
Kanata and Rio obviously share some form of common past. The bell charm, first shown around the neck of the female soldier that helped Kanata when she was lost, is now in Rios possession and apparently given to her by her father. Rio is probably the daughter of that soldier (she even has the same trumpet as her) which would mean both girls were inspired to join the army / learn the trumpet by the same person. I foresee much sadness once Kanata finds out that this soldier is dead and a beautiful relationship between the girls (maybe even of the white lily variety).
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A lot of people seem to think this is more than a moeblob show, I don't know yet, but one thing I do know: the art and soundtrack of the first episode is very promising.
Next episode tomorrow, we'll see how it turned out.
4chan /a/ and 2ch are speculating like mad, trying to find leads about the story. Locations, time, what might have happened, references to WWII era objects, Greek myths, etc.
They've filled 9 threads in a row by now on 4chan /a/ about it. People keep mentioning that they should make a wiki, nothing happened so far.
JP wiki by 2ch (or Futaba, not quite sure) users:
http://www31.atwiki.jp/sorawoto/pages/32.html
http://soranowoto.wikia.com/
English wiki made by 4chan.
I love those original shows. With shows based of a manga or novel you always have some kind of idea on how it will end.
>>5
There's a SnW manga, but it's based on the anime, even though the first chapter was published before the first ep. aired.
@Random Anime Otaku : 2010-01-16 18:09
original? haha that commment makes me laugh becuase this is a clear knockoff of k-on with a diff theme ... let me guess the show end with the girls only playing one song in episode 9 and the rest if filled with pointless chatter.
>>7
Sora no Woto was extremely original. I'd call it K-On's Madoka.