• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Winter Anime 2016 |OT2| Bellariology, Puellology and Simulacrumology

Status
Not open for further replies.

JulianImp

Member
Cross Ange #13
Okay, so Embryo-sama is omnipresent and can even revert death. Wut.

I loved the whole segment where Hilda and her team was ready for lift off and a random dying soldier unceremoniously shot the blue haired girl to death and cut the heroic music off. Then her friends say they'll be back for her, and right after that the ground her craft was standing on explodes and she becomes even deader... but not dead enough to be revived by one of several Embryo-samas, it seems. The fact that most of those cuts must've had a total budget of $10 made things even better.

I wonder how many robot masters the Vilkiss had banquished before Ange began using it, since all its different forms appear to conveniently pop us as the plot demands, and they're all OP as hell (music beam that can level small islands, a shield of light that makes her imprevious to damage and lets her cut through ships like a hot knife through butter, and finally the ability to teleport herself alongside her surroundings at will).

Next episode implies the teleport's destination was some random place, and of course Ange threatens to kill Rito if he Ritos her again (and I bet he will more than once). The only good thing about Rito is that he hasn't eclipsed Ange and Asuna'd her into becoming his loving waifu, thankfully.
 

Jarmel

Banned
Fafner-Right of Left
riZpIZt.jpg
This is an OVA that was produced after the TV series but essentially serves as a prequel to the events in the TV series. Reading the synopsis I thought it would take place long before the TV series but it's really only a half a year before the main event. It follows Yumi Ikoma and Ryou Masaoka and them embarking on essentially a suicide mission to buy more time for the island. Ryou is similar to Kazuki in personality while Yumi is somewhat colder, a rather new personality in the show's history. So let me dive in.
Right of Left--
NbMc2xx.jpg
1bU0kXW.jpg
HI29Se0.jpg


Dead Aggressor--
KqsTA67.jpg
vA5kVZC.jpg
wV3Boym.jpg
This actually looks very good? The animation and storyboarding are both significantly better. Just look at the above background shots and compare them to the shots I took of the TV series. The lighting looks leaps and bounds better and the post processing also looks noticeably better. The storyboarding is nowhere near as flat as it is in the TV series and has numerous shots and different angles and heights to better frame certain scenes.
For example the camera zooms way out in the above shot, to not only give context to what Ryou is saying and reinforce the beauty and tranquility of the island, but there is also an interior frame using the trees and houses. This isn't just at the beginning either but is constant throughout the entire episode.
8Y0P2TD.jpg

This distant low angle shot captures the tragedy of the L-Plan and the struggles of the pilots perfectly.
In addition to that, there are a few visual (and probably writing too) tricks that I found somewhat clever. The countdown screen that the pilots came to hate because it served to essentially mock them, was the key to their salvation. It was a skillful use of irony that worked on multiple levels, one of which was to highlight how this mission seemed to be a one way trip. There was also honest to god animation. After 26 episodes of virtually nothing, there was some life here! The mecha battles had some animation in them, thanks to Kiyotaka Oshiyama. Even outside of the battles, there were some quick scenes with good animation too. Now I know much of what I highlighted above is to be expected due to the format being an OVA instead of a 26 episode TV series however after how lackluster the TV series was on the visual side, it threw me for a loop. I guess I had gotten used to the show looking bad, so the rather stark differences stood out to me more so than usual.
X8MFICN.jpg

This is a scene where a teenager is literally about to poison his dog.
On the writing side, I found this multitudes more interesting than the main TV series. That's largely due to the atmosphere being palpable with despair. Unlike the TV series which felt overly dark at times, to the point of comedy, here everything felt earned on a tragedy level. I actually would have liked to have seen more of this era and possibly earlier, as the audience comes to understand how absolutely fucked the human race is in this series. In some ways this reminded me of 2004 Battlestar Galactica with how relentless the Festum were, similar to the Cylons in 33. I loved the intro scene with the big aerial dogfight between the fighter jets and the Festum and wanted a protracted version of that. I also think the L-Plan sequence could have lasted longer to really enforce how long two months were for that team. The insert song was aces here though, largely due to the guitars/piano, and really connected the time frame from when the pilots were doing okay to when it becomes pitch black.
The TV series had covered the Assimilation Effect but here they really conveyed how horrific this process is. This was straight up body horror at times. The episode covered many of the same aspects as the TV series but was significantly more effective at getting themes and atmosphere across. There really isn't any tone breaks and I think this works in the episode's favor in that you don't have someone yelling Gobain while in a superhero mask. This was really dark stuff and the ending doesn't even bother sugarcoating how little time this plan bought the island and so it serves as another gut punch.
And goddamn it at the dog dying. Dog deaths are my weak point so I was almost bawling at that point. It was like the ending of Jurassic Bark except amplified.
What the hell. So this is what it would be like if the Muv-Luv anime weren't rancid pieces of shit?
 

Line_HTX

Member
No, not really. It has been pretty awful for the last month or so. Just one sickness after another, and everyone around me is sick too. Just dreadful all round.

Damn... Well, you need plenty of Vitamin C and rest. I hope you don't stay sick, or worse...
 
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu 9

Now that we've gotten two episodes storyboarded by main Casshern Sins staffers (who have provided the most interesting visual tricks in the show), it's time for a Yamauchi episode.
 
wow I'm not even on the wall of shame

I don't know if I should be ashamed of myself(?)

Well it is called the wall of shame ah

Pretty sure the Mira question was actually answered last episode.

Well we all thought she was Mira.
FOR NOW the show is telling us that instead this is the body that she was going to go into, so Mira's conscience is her own. Of course this could mean nothing and in the end she really is inside Mira's body, just without her memories.
 

JulianImp

Member
Don't worry. Rest assured Ange can open a can of whoop-ass on Asuna.

LOL at calling Tusk Rito.

Too bad Ange's whoop-ass cans are of the ¥108 budget brand, though. Seriously, 2D animation often devolves into Flash-tier "things tween in a straight line with not even a single rotation change" quality, and 3D robot fights aren't any better either.

Anyone who repeatedly gets his face all over a girl's crotch after clumsy stuff such as tripping is Rito to me. The fact Ange said she'd kill him if he'd touch and/or suck on her in a weird way during the preview was... really something.
 
So I have to watch the first four episodes of Sword Art Online (and Serial Experiments Lain) for University.

I said I wanted an excuse to watch anime during university. I don't think this is what I had in mind.
 

duckroll

Member
I wonder... can it be said that Fafner, Attack on Titan, God Eater, and Owari no Seraph are all derived from MuvLuv? Is MuvLuv the root of all apocalyptic scifi tragedy porn in Japan?
 

Trojita

Rapid Response Threadmaker
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.
 

TUSR

Banned
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.
ok.
 
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.

Sounds like my harem animes
 

Chindogg

Member
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.

This sounds fucking terrible.

I must see it.
 
Oh what this is the first wall of shame I've ever made.

I'd like to thank KyoAni, for always being there for me and always exceeding my expectations. And Haikyuu for being amazing.

I need to catch up on last weeks anime.
 

Envelope

sealed with a kiss
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.

moejita come back

you've gone too deep
 

Cornbread78

Member
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1
The Man With No Penis Episode 1
These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1
Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1

Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.

Himenokouji twins Akito and Akiko have finally reunited with each other after separation due to the death of their parents. After six years of living apart they suddenly began to live under the same roof due to Akito's desire to live as a family unit once more. Things were fine at first until Akiko began to express her incestuous love for her older brother, who only sees her as a little sister. (Source: Wikipedia)

tran33m_1395858550_442.gif
 

NCR Redslayer

NeoGAF's Vegeta
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.
Oh boy, is this the top incestious anime?
 

Trojita

Rapid Response Threadmaker
Topics in Japanese Studies. Prof decided to give us watch sessions in place of readings. Not really complaining about having an excuse to start Lain at least.

Like studying Japan or Japanese? Either way that prof sounds lazy lol.
 

Line_HTX

Member
Topics in Japanese Studies. Prof decided to give us watch sessions in place of readings. Not really complaining about having an excuse to start Lain at least.

Interesting approach. I hope he's having you listen to how things are said grammatically and other details.

Noooo, why did Ganon replace your pink hair?
 
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.

kmx5kdu.jpg
 
Like studying Japan or Japanese? Either way that prof sounds lazy lol.

It's more about exploring the depiction of other worlds across a range of genres and media in Japanese fiction, film, and anime (manga). And it's taught in english lol. No way I could have taken the course if it was in Japanese.

Interesting approach. I hope he's having you listen to how things are said grammatically and other details.

Noooo, why did Ganon replace your pink hair?

Yeah, it's a nice mix-up from having to read articles and pieces of literature. Helps that I can do other school work with it in the background.

Ganon avatar might not stick around. Not liking how small it is compared to everyone else's.
 
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu 9

Now that we've gotten two episodes storyboarded by main Casshern Sins staffers (who have provided the most interesting visual tricks in the show), it's time for a Yamauchi episode.

I was waiting for the whole anime to be done so I could watch it at once but...this is seriously testing my resolve.
 

Thoraxes

Member
Catching up in the other thread before the close, I just wanted to say thanks for reminding me to buy the rest of the Mahouka BDs.
 

Trojita

Rapid Response Threadmaker
Oh man this Laserdisc of The Maze TV Series. I feel bad watching it on a Plasma instead of a 4:3 CRT.

MAZE OF THE HAZE

Man this opening is long.
 
I Want to Have Sex With My Brother Episode 1

The Man With No Penis Episode 1

These Bitches Better Get Out of My Way Episode 1

Oniichan dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! (OniAi) Episode 1


Akiko is a cutie. This MC is like the blandest motherfucker ever.

*Does a quick google*

Nope.

Damn good OP, by the way.
 

Cornbread78

Member
Special A ep.13-15
Oh man, it's taken 15 episodes, but I think Hikari is finally starting to realize she has feelings for Kei. Maybe just maybe we can get a confession at some point. Well, it will come right before the marriage interview, of course. Either way, the comedy is still decent as well as the character interactions in this comfy romcom.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom