I wouldn't say it's so much pandering as is making the focus easier to sell via merchandise and marketing. The first novel really focuses on Kumiko and Reina's relationship combined with the process of the concert (via auditions and practicing, and I am so glad I can finally put some concrete sentences to explain my POV on it). By enlarging the cast which the director/composer puts focus on, you increase your chances of getting a fan to buy merchandise of that character. Thus we get scenes of the three walking home/sitting together and Hazuki got an episode of practicing/focus, all of which were not in the novel. I'm not going to say that Hazuki/Sapphire aren't involved in the novel, but they have reduced screentime compared to Reina/Asuka on the level of Natsuki/Takuya/Riko. For the story being told, these scenes work well and people are enjoying them. This makes it a good adaptation (especially since they are focusing on two characters that would usually get focus in other tales), but it's not exactly faithful. (I've gotten too many questions from people automatically assuming an unfaithful adaptation is bad and this is a prime example of why that's not always the case.)
From my POV, I never understood the "samey" argument until your post. It's definitely a conservative move, especially with how well the novel weaves the plots together w/o focusing on so many characters. The marketing was definitely trying to imitate K-On!, but the material itself wasn't K-On! at all and so that really irked me when I tried to correct that misconception. I completely understand that it's a business move, and one based in pretty solid logic for that market and the situation the producers are in. There's just a big part of me that somewhat regrets that my experience with the novel can't be replicated for others since most anime fans don't read and the novel isn't even translated.
Very suspicious indeed. He only blushes with him, even though he's surrounded by beautiful girls. Yui is practically throwing herself on to him too, and he doesn't even react lol.
Well, you got me there haha
Holy crap, can you just imagine? That's it folks, you heard it first here.
I'm a little surprised how long they're really run with the Totsuka blush gags.
I kind of agree on the first point.
Yeah I like her character but no matter what we all know who will win In the end if a girl does win...
I too like her a lot. But I bet there will be no winner at all.
Yeah that's my impression as well if there is a winner.
Also agreed as well. Personally I rather see a winner, doesnt matter who, than none. Something that alway irritates me about these types of animes..meh just my pet peeve.
