I've been rewatching the original series. They just layer on many more character moments in that opening season, so there's a much stronger connection. The whole Nina angle represents a huge tonal shift that's felt more in the original, just because you had more time devoted to her relationship with the boys.
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Spring Anime 2012 III | AITAKATTA YES!
- Thread starter hosannainexcelsis
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I've been rewatching the original series. They just layer on many more character moments in that opening season, so there's a much stronger connection. The whole Nina angle represents a huge tonal shift that's felt more in the original, just because you had more time devoted to her relationship with the boys.
Too progressive is the proper response, I think.
It's the list of people that won't be getting Christmas presents from Jexhius. D:
I see a distinct lack of Strawberry Panic on your list!
Doesn't Mayo Chiki! count as romcom?
I'd say so. Pretty good, too.
NBA GAF am cry.
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
It's a list of people Jexhius would like to see banned. Offends me every time I see it.
Chet Rippo
Member
Well that's because you are on it.
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
Nothing went right today. Nothing. I should have just imported them instead of banking on Sentai, although I guess it's not their fault.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
You guys really should watch Natsu no Arashi. lol
I would not merely lump Ouran as "a good fluffy fluffy cute shit happy happy anime to watch when you're feeling down." That's all.
It's the pacing, but it gets much better soon.
It's generally agreed that the first anime handles the first part of the show better than Brotherhood does.
RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
Cajunoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! ;_;
I shall await your return, my liege.
I shall await your return, my liege.
It's not perm, right?
I probably already asked this, but does it have any closure and a decent pace?
It's a short one, don't worry.
RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
Ah, I didn't know that, thanks! ^_^
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Japan saving the world from itself.
Pacing wise I can't remember, but there's hella closure. If you even remotely liked how Dusk Maiden ends, then Natsu no Arashi is amazing.
I suppose maybe I'm a bit biased, since it's a super :firehawk ending... but it's such a great pay off that I think it's great even if you don't particularly have any affinity for the :firehawk.
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Jormungand feels like something I should like. It has a cast of professionals who are just extremely good at their jobs, and despite the two biggest characters in the show being stupid anime characters (crazy lesbian and child prodigy), it should be right up my alley. Heck, I'm probably one of the few people who likes the film Ronin after all, and half of that movie was David Mamet dick measuring dialog with fancy car chases.
Jormungand is just... I dunno. I feel like the music direction is great, the story is there, but it just looks and feels dumb at times.
Beyond cutting back on carbs with half sandwiches, the way the daughter is holding her half-sandwich is gravity defying.
Maybe how stupid it looks is enough to mess with any enjoyment I might get out of the show. And god knows I usually don't give a shit about how anything is animated, so even I'm shocked at my own reaction.
Hell, the first cour even ended on a pretty interesting cliffhanger... but the way it's presented just made it all feel pretty dumb.
If you're talking the anime, good pacing, no real closure. It needs an S3! Shaft!!!
Why did it have to bomb >_<
It's okay, how could we have known
I have been misled
Stop spreading misinformation.
Well, it's mostly comedic slice-of-life content, so take that as you will when it comes to pacing. It's certainly not in a hurry to get anywhere, but the comedy ensures that it's rarely boring.
I was definitely pleased with the level of closure at the end of the second season.
You know that slime that gathers on lunchmeat when it's sat in the fridge too long and is just about to rot? It's pretty sticky. I'm guessing that's what's going on there.
Chet Rippo
Member
If it is, I call his stuff.
Ultimadrago
Member
Too many pro basketball techniques to share in mass.
Chet Rippo
Member
Stop spreading misinformation.
The great NeoGAF urban legend.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
That does not explain the lettuce.
That does not explain the lettuce.
Lunchmeat has two sides, y'know!
Ultimadrago
Member
Yes, nice, very nice.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
I don't think it works that way. Unless it's become mouldy or something.
He played the most dangerous game.
Its probably like that episode of the simpsons where Itchy and Scratchy gets cancelled
and the kids are forced to go outside and play
I don't think it works that way. Unless it's become mouldy or something.
I don't think that you can always expect your food to be perfectly fresh when you're a black market international arms dealer who spends most of his life on the road.
Just trust me on the subject of moldy lunchmeat. I wish I didn't know these things, but I do.
Close, but I think that's hunting man, not hunting bans.
Ultimadrago
Member
Chet Rippo
Member
Man, you've just been slow today.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
This dude is a CIA department head and they're in DC.
Oh man I just saw too. RIP (for a little bit)
Ultimadrago
Member
This mono no aware is too self aware!
middle of summer, rolling blackouts, the zoning committee blocked Wal-Mart from building in the area so the nearest butcher is ten miles away, etc etc
Just talked to my little brother. He's watching Code Geass.
Glorious.
You guys have no compassion.
Glorious.
You guys have no compassion.
I'll take it.
Ultimadrago
Member
This is what good big brothers do.
It must feel good to pass on the knowledge of Ledouche!
firehawk12
Subete no aware
I think most sane people would toss out bad meat.
Do the people at that table look sane to you?
Oh, well I agree. It is excellent. It's just the most happy of the few anime that comprise my hypothetical favorite list, and I think it'd be a great rebound anime for someone down in the dumps.
Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works
F/SN, UBW, & F/Z Saber stuff
Good God, I think I've whiteknighted Saber. This entire endeavor was a terrible mistake!
Uh, where to begin with this? There's so much right and so much wrong with this and it's such a chore sorting the two out. I was pleased to see the F/SN scenario indeed can work with a more serious tone and darker themes but these were never really fully explored.
The good I took away from UBW was much better handling of the Servants. Caster was a very credible threat, Archer more of a character, actual interaction between Servants, and even some politicking where attaining the grail is considered an actual goal so alliances are offered, denied, and so forth. Archer's increased role led to less focus on Saber and I thought that was a good thing as the other Servants needed more exposure. Another great point was Rin taking Shirou to the task when she confronted him about being a horribly damaged person after seeing how easily he brushed off potentially traumatic exposure to certain events. The action was hit or miss but generally for the better as it was often animated and even exciting. I really liked Saber being forced into a contract with Rin for the sake of mutual survival and Archer's insistence to leave Caster be until she handled Berserker as each hinted at the actual usage of tactics rather than the TV show's Battle Servant, Collect Harem Girl mentality.
The bad? Well, the movie requires familiarity with the Fate route (I think that's the one) of the VN or the TV series as the first 30 minutes or so fly by at such a brisk pace everything feels disjointed as story elements are quickly touched upon or remixed to arrive at the point where the UBW movie can properly begin. Without foreknowledge, characters aren't introduced and I'd imagine it'd be a hot mess. This may as well have been called Unlimited Bloodworks too due to how heavily, and unintentionally comically, blood is used. When the blood extinguished the candle in one scene, I couldn't help but laugh at how silly it was. It doesn't help how viscous the blood was portrayed as either. It looked so thick. Also, CG Dragon > CG Dolphin. It was obvious where the h-scenes should have been and it'd been less embarassing to watch them fuck than it would to have sit through the symbolism.
Kirei was reduced to some bizarre bogeyman that doesn't really do much. And Gilgamesh? Well I was rather bored until he showed up, turned his doucheswagger up to 11, and ripped Illya's heart out. It wasn't until then did I find it entertaining as any expectation I had was tossed out the window. Shame he was such a boss until the end where he went out like a cartoon villain. smh
The Archer/Shirou stuff was pretty cool, a great concept, but I wish it hadn't been so heavyhanded and presented with more subtlety.
The good I took away from UBW was much better handling of the Servants. Caster was a very credible threat, Archer more of a character, actual interaction between Servants, and even some politicking where attaining the grail is considered an actual goal so alliances are offered, denied, and so forth. Archer's increased role led to less focus on Saber and I thought that was a good thing as the other Servants needed more exposure. Another great point was Rin taking Shirou to the task when she confronted him about being a horribly damaged person after seeing how easily he brushed off potentially traumatic exposure to certain events. The action was hit or miss but generally for the better as it was often animated and even exciting. I really liked Saber being forced into a contract with Rin for the sake of mutual survival and Archer's insistence to leave Caster be until she handled Berserker as each hinted at the actual usage of tactics rather than the TV show's Battle Servant, Collect Harem Girl mentality.
The bad? Well, the movie requires familiarity with the Fate route (I think that's the one) of the VN or the TV series as the first 30 minutes or so fly by at such a brisk pace everything feels disjointed as story elements are quickly touched upon or remixed to arrive at the point where the UBW movie can properly begin. Without foreknowledge, characters aren't introduced and I'd imagine it'd be a hot mess. This may as well have been called Unlimited Bloodworks too due to how heavily, and unintentionally comically, blood is used. When the blood extinguished the candle in one scene, I couldn't help but laugh at how silly it was. It doesn't help how viscous the blood was portrayed as either. It looked so thick. Also, CG Dragon > CG Dolphin. It was obvious where the h-scenes should have been and it'd been less embarassing to watch them fuck than it would to have sit through the symbolism.
Kirei was reduced to some bizarre bogeyman that doesn't really do much. And Gilgamesh? Well I was rather bored until he showed up, turned his doucheswagger up to 11, and ripped Illya's heart out. It wasn't until then did I find it entertaining as any expectation I had was tossed out the window. Shame he was such a boss until the end where he went out like a cartoon villain. smh
The Archer/Shirou stuff was pretty cool, a great concept, but I wish it hadn't been so heavyhanded and presented with more subtlety.
F/SN, UBW, & F/Z Saber stuff
Between the two adapations of F/SN routes, I think I've come to feel differently about Saber's portrayal in F/Z. Initially I thought she came across as a bland sort of character but in hindsight, she's this stoic figure clinging to her ideals even as they come under assault. Her role as king is brought into question by two very qualified people who each have had to bear the burden of the crown themselves and her clash of ideals with Kiritsugu was interesting in itself as, not only did it pose questions about Kiritsugu, but started to fill in the blank slate Saber was portrayed as.
As I look back, what I initially assumed was simply maintaining a character to carry over into later work was actually a graceful and respectful way of handling her. Even though Rider may have referred to her as a little girl, now it doesn't feel quite as derogatory but simply him speaking truthfully despite how she presented herself to others which is why it hit home as it did. Her code of conduct was under question too as she dealt with Lancer honorably and eventually Lancelot where the pedestal she'd placed herself upon was finally knocked out from beneath her as her refusal to judge him for his sins drove him to madness.
The quality of kingship as discussed by Rider, Gilgamesh, and Saber was one of my favorite parts of F/Z and that's what makes F/SN so disappointing in regards to her. Maybe it's addressed more fully in the VN or at least it's third route but it's minor in the F/SN tv adaptation and mostly used to draw parallels of her self-sacrifice and Shirou's propensity to do the same. Instead I was left with a strong character that's mostly demeaned in her portrayal. In the TV adaptation, she's relegated to housewife status as Shirou throws himself in the path of danger to save her the trouble. It's ridiculous due to how utterly capable she is but due to her sense of duty, she accepts his wishes for the most part and stays home. It wasn't nearly as bad in UBW until Caster stole her from Shirou and she was reduced to a oversexualized damsel in distress much like Sakura was in the TV show. I could handle the capture fine for either, I think, were it not for the ridiculous costume changes that accompanied it. I guess in the end I'm actually disgusted at the lengths taken to demean her due to her gender rather than her actual character and that's not likely to be something I get over without a rendition of F/SN that treats her better.
As I look back, what I initially assumed was simply maintaining a character to carry over into later work was actually a graceful and respectful way of handling her. Even though Rider may have referred to her as a little girl, now it doesn't feel quite as derogatory but simply him speaking truthfully despite how she presented herself to others which is why it hit home as it did. Her code of conduct was under question too as she dealt with Lancer honorably and eventually Lancelot where the pedestal she'd placed herself upon was finally knocked out from beneath her as her refusal to judge him for his sins drove him to madness.
The quality of kingship as discussed by Rider, Gilgamesh, and Saber was one of my favorite parts of F/Z and that's what makes F/SN so disappointing in regards to her. Maybe it's addressed more fully in the VN or at least it's third route but it's minor in the F/SN tv adaptation and mostly used to draw parallels of her self-sacrifice and Shirou's propensity to do the same. Instead I was left with a strong character that's mostly demeaned in her portrayal. In the TV adaptation, she's relegated to housewife status as Shirou throws himself in the path of danger to save her the trouble. It's ridiculous due to how utterly capable she is but due to her sense of duty, she accepts his wishes for the most part and stays home. It wasn't nearly as bad in UBW until Caster stole her from Shirou and she was reduced to a oversexualized damsel in distress much like Sakura was in the TV show. I could handle the capture fine for either, I think, were it not for the ridiculous costume changes that accompanied it. I guess in the end I'm actually disgusted at the lengths taken to demean her due to her gender rather than her actual character and that's not likely to be something I get over without a rendition of F/SN that treats her better.
Good God, I think I've whiteknighted Saber. This entire endeavor was a terrible mistake!
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