Support NeoGAF

[cajunator]

been listening to all the precure henshin musics on repeat for no apparent reason my commute. It's fascinating how there is a definite 'template' used, for at least the more recent ones, in which you can pretty much match one season's footage with another's music pretty much in sync.

man im bored.

I do this a lot. On the way home last night I was blasting The Tomorrow song and Precure Memory and I still like Precure memory a bit more but both songs really make me squee when I drive.

Chaika 04

Wasn't expecting more than one dragon girl this season. Much less one who's

Spoiler

also a cat

. Chaika continues to be as adorable as ever. Akari's ability to conjure up a backstory out of nowhere is something. And since she has Chiwa Saito's voice, Fredrica could be rising up to be my second favorite member of the cast.

I got my friend hooked on Chaika already. Only watched the first two though. I got him hooked on Mikunin too but that was easy.

 

[Jex]

Not really. The majority of people find a small 10-15 episode stretch of episodes poorly paced, but few outright dislike the arc. In fact, Jex is the first person I've seen say the early sections of the arc are poorly paced.

At least in the OT, there are still more positive impressions than negative, and it's not like activity has dropped in there. Overall, I'd say the arc is mixed with more likes than dislikes.

I don't think the early, as in super early, parts are poorly paced. Just that the arc, as a whole, is too fat. Too many character, too many plot beats, too much stuff in general. It lacks the storytelling rhythm that other arcs had. For example, there's practically three training arcs within the arc. One 'true' one and a couple of short sections either side of that where our characters "test their mettle against the new for".

Heh.

In DBZ it was pure padding and losing time. In HxH, there are ~15 people to follow around a lot can happen in only five minutes because lots of them are fighting at high speeds.

edit: 20, counting all he secondary characters. Gon, Killua, Knov, Morel, Shoot, Knuckle, Meleoron, Ikalgo, Netero, Pouf, Yupi, Pitou, Meruem, Wolfie, Claws, moe Nen remover ant, human secretary, Killua's gramps, Palm, cheetah.

And that's what I mean by too many characters! I don't care about all these dudes and yet the author gives everyone their own time. It's dense, but not in a manner that interests me because a number of those characters are shallow and rather dull.

It's like, if you showed the attack on the Death Star from the perspective of every single Rebel pilot complete with an inner monologue explaining their thoughts, feelings and plans. It's just overkill.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

I don't think the early, as in super early, parts are poorly paced. Just that the arc, as a whole, is too fat. Too many character, too many plot beats, too much stuff in general. It lacks the storytelling rhythm that other arcs had.

And that's what I mean by too many character! I don't care about all these dudes and yet the author gives everyone their own time. It's dense, but not in a manner that interests me because a number of those characters are shallow and rather dull.

I agree that there are nearly too many characters in the Chimaera Ant Arc, but there's just as many in Yorknew. I think Yorknew handles it better though.

 

[Jex]

I agree that there are nearly too many characters in the Chimaera Ant Arc, but there's just as many in Yorknew. I think Yorknew handles it better though.

The YorkShin/YorkNew/NewYork arc is just tighter across the board for a variety of reasons. For example, there's not a training arc! Every character gets the screentime that they deserve based off of their importance, etc etc.

 

[AquaWateria]

I don't think Evilore is alone in his feelings. It's been my impression that the majority of people dislike the Chimera Ant arc and the people who still think Hunter X Hunter is a good series are in the minority.

This is incorrect have you seen the reaction lately for the anime and the manga coming back. I'd say a lot of people believe that the series is great, better than most shonens.

 

[Hitokage]

This is incorrect have you seen the reaction lately for the anime and the manga coming back. I'd say a lot of people believe that the series is great, better than most shonens.

That's not a high bar.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

The YorkShin/YorkNew/NewYork arc is just tighter across the board for a variety of reasons. For example, there's not training arc! Every character gets the screentime that they deserve based off of their importance, etc etc.

Yorknew is definitely better composed and more tightly knit then the CA arc (due to it being like half as long) but the CA arc definitely has much higher highs. I think nearly all the series' best moments, probably over half are in the CA arc.

 

[Theonik]

The narrator confirmed it. The narrator, who used to be a barely present voice in the story and who now narrates after every single minute action is undertaken. That narrator.

Is the Narrator awesome like in Kaiji though? That's a make or break question.

So it's like Kaiji pachinko where multiple balls are travelling at the same time?

But the narrator man.

http://i.imgur.com/J89Jbmv.gif

*HA HA HA*

And that's what I mean by too many character! I don't care about all these dudes and yet the author gives everyone their own time. It's dense, but not in a manner that interests me because a number of those characters are shallow and rather dull.

The 0083 disease.

 

[Jex]

Yorknew is definitely better composed and more tightly knit then the CA arc (due to it being like half as long) but the CA arc definitely has much higher highs. I think nearly all the series' best moments, probably over half are in the CA arc.

It's more like, a quarter as long! Also, tightness and pacing aren't directly correlated to the length of the show. You can have a well paced show that goes on for a long time.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

Is the Narrator awesome like in Kaiji though? That's a make or break question.


But the narrator man.


*HA HA HA*


The 0083 disease.

The HxH narrator is definitely good, but he's no Kaiji narrator. That Pachinko arc wouldn't have been nearly as tolerable without the endless streams of DAGA, SHIKASHI

It's more like, a quarter as long! Also, tightness and pacing aren't directly correlated to the length of the show. You can have a well paced show that goes on for a long time.

Yeah but I feel like Togashi was kind of lost on what to do for a while, with the constant Hiatuses.

Spoiler

I think he made Mereum too strong and couldn't figure out how to beat him.

 

[Midonin]

Dai Shogun 04

In the A plot, a reverse trap. In the B plot, pirate captain Yuu Kobayashi. The animation's still cutting a lot of corners, but I've gotten used to it, and there's enough to create the illusion of movement, which is at least the minimum. Keiichiro's still got his head up his ass a bit, but the girls are pretty nice. Since Hyogo is also a virgin, I wonder if she'll get a mecha of her own, or at least unlock a new mode for Susanoo.

 

[Theonik]

The HxH narrator is definitely good, but he's no Kaiji narrator. That Pachinko arc wouldn't have been nearly as tolerable without the endless streams of DAGA, SHIKASHI

Imagine my surprise when he turned up on Hidamari Sketch.

 

[firehawk12]

Dai Shogun 04

In the A plot, a reverse trap. In the B plot, pirate captain Yuu Kobayashi. The animation's still cutting a lot of corners, but I've gotten used to it, and there's enough to create the illusion of movement, which is at least the minimum. Keiichiro's still got his head up his ass a bit, but the girls are pretty nice. Since Hyogo is also a virgin, I wonder if she'll get a mecha of her own, or at least unlock a new mode for Susanoo.

I need to watch this now I guess?

 

[Jex]

Yeah but I feel like Togashi was kind of lost on what to do for a while, with the constant Hiatuses.

Spoiler

I think he made Mereum too strong and couldn't figure out how to beat him.

Sounds about right. The power creep in this arc has been pretty hilarious.

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

I haven't seen how the anime handles the arc yet, but I actually really liked the way it played out in the manga, and some of the stuff with entire chapters taking place over only a couple of seconds I thought was really cool, as was the way narration was used. But I can't really comment on if that style works nearly as well in the anime, because it felt like something which was really perfectly suited to the manga medium.

As far as the length of the arc and the mass amount of characters, that's something that I can understand the frustration with, but for me Togashi is generally very skilled at making me care about his characters, even with only a small amount of time. The story is a very fractured one with action happening in several different locations and a lot of plot lines running at the same time, and that's something that you're either going to like or not like, but I think the series handles it pretty well. It's less of a laser focused story and it's more concerned with exploring the world, showing the oppressive atmosphere surrounding everything, and fleshing out all of the various supporting actors, and that's something that won't really appeal to everyone.

But I better not hear anyone complaining about the end of the arc when they get there. The end of the Chimera Ant arc is one of the most beautiful things ever put into comic book form.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

Sounds about right. The power creep in this arc has been pretty hilarious.

Spoiler

Well, I highly doubt anyone will ever be as strong as Meruem again. If later people are or are stronger, that'd be some insane power creeping.

And I also like how it was handled in the manga, but I'd imagine it'd be near impossible to recreate that in animation because it has to be a certain time and not a certain number of pages.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

But I better not hear anyone complaining about the end of the arc when they get there. The end of the Chimera Ant arc is one of the most beautiful things ever put into comic book form.

Oh, there's absolutely going to be complaints about how the arc ends...

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

Oh, there's absolutely going to be complaints about how the arc ends...

Yeah, definitely. People are still divided on "THAT" in the manga form to this day.

Spoiler

It was awesome.

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Oh, there's absolutely going to be complaints about how the arc ends...

Then it will be time for me to start a list.

 

[R_thanatos]

[Hunter x Hunter] - 117

Between the start of episode 111 and the end of episode 117 five minutes have passed.

Five.

The narrator confirmed it. The narrator, who used to be a barely present voice in the story and who now narrates after every single minute action is undertaken. That narrator.

HYeah 5 minutes

It is that good.
Manga has a timer like that 00'00'00 so you can see each action to the millisecond.

 

[PSYCHOHYZACK]

Spoiler

Well, I highly doubt anyone will ever be as strong as Meruem again. If later people are or are stronger, that'd be some insane power creeping.

And I also like how it was handled in the manga, but I'd imagine it'd be near impossible to recreate that in animation because it has to be a certain time and not a certain number of pages.

I can't believe he actually put out an official power level chart.

I really liked throughout the series not knowing who was more powerful than who. Like if Chrollo was more powerful than the Zoldycks or if Hisoka had any chance against him.

I didn't realize Biscuit was that high.

lol at komugi being "technically" better than zushi

 

[Midonin]

If Her Flag Breaks 04

Not sure how to feel about this budding RPG subplot, even if the signs of it have been present in the naming scheme of the show since day one. The episode itself wasn't quite as gag-filled as the ones that have preceded it, but it's still a lot of fun to watch. For a week of events, it flew by rather quickly. And apparently androids can have flags. I wish I had more to say about it, but my impressions remain overall positive. It's a good show to close out the Wednesday block with - leaves me feeling in a good mood.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

Then it will be time for me to start a list.

I think reception is pretty understandably mixed. It's a pretty big betrayal of expectations in a lot of ways. Then there's the whole (Not plot spoilers, but just in case)[/spoiler]chapter that was almost entirely text on a black background.[/spoiler]

I think a pretty good case could be made for both sides.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

I would take that chart with a grain of salt, Togashi seems like the type to change his mind a lot, and it puts Razor and Hisoka at the same level.

Spoiler

Plus that was written before the Election Arc when like 14 new characters came in that won't be important until the Hiatus Arc

Hitsugi. No. Chaiki. 04.

I think the best girl has finally showed up.

 

[Branduil]

You know you've lost your way when you write a power levels chart for your own characters.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

You know you've lost your way when you write a power levels chart for your own characters.

I see nothing wrong with stat breakdowns. Araki's been doing that since Stands showed up.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

You know you've lost your way when you write a power levels chart for your own characters.

The best way to end dumb nerd arguments about who would win in a fictional fight is to settle them WITH NUMBERS

 

[Hitokage]

MetroidPrimeRib: It's ok to not use a spoiler tag when you make a post.

 

[-Horizon-]

If her 4th Flag Breaks

The popping sound is normal, your speakers and headphones are not broken.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

No Game No Waifu 4

Again, the Phoenix Wright jokes were great. Not sure if it was the translators, chances are it was or that I misunderstood, but the fact that he knew how to run a society because 'he has played Civ. ' made me laugh way too hard if it really was a Sid Meier reference. The anime has been great so far, the lead male is charismatic. I really do hope they kick some ass.


edit: as to the power chart, I still don't get how Kurapika is ranked lower than Killua and Gon considering all the bullshit 'fool this isn't even my final form (chain)' in the previous arc.

 

[Branduil]

I see nothing wrong with stat breakdowns. Araki's been doing that since Stands showed up.

The videogameification of fiction.

 

[cajunator]

So much shounen talk in here. Im scared.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

So much shounen talk in here. Im scared.

You should watch HxH since there's a cute catgirl.

 

[Jex]

I see nothing wrong with stat breakdowns. Araki's been doing that since Stands showed up.

I'm pretty fine with it too as it at least stops dumb arguments!

 

[R_thanatos]

I can't believe he actually put out an official power level chart.

I really liked throughout the series not knowing who was more powerful than who. Like if Chrollo was more powerful than the Zoldycks or if Hisoka had any chance against him.

I didn't realize Biscuit was that high.

lol at komugi being "technically" better than zushi

Yeah but nen fights aren't matter of specs , hisoka proves this multiples times

People like hisoka or specialisation users can make battles totally different
A well placed hability can be effective for about anyone ( that isn't meruem ).

 

[Turin Turambar]

I can't believe he actually put out an official power level chart.

I really liked throughout the series not knowing who was more powerful than who. Like if Chrollo was more powerful than the Zoldycks or if Hisoka had any chance against him.

I didn't realize Biscuit was that high.

lol at komugi being "technically" better than zushi

I wouldn't put a lot of attention in the chart some part doesn't make a lot of sense in comparison with what we see in the series and others are pretty vague..

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Putting out stat breakdowns in supplemental material is fine as far as I'm concerned. It's only when that stuff starts to creep into the stories themselves that it because problematic. But as far as extra material, I don't see it as really being any fundamentally different than giving out characters birthdays, blood types, heights and weight, etc.

I think reception is pretty understandably mixed. It's a pretty big betrayal of expectations in a lot of ways.

For me, the betrayal of expectations is what makes it masterful. Any hack could put out an arc that ended in a way people expected or hoped it to.

I get why some people might be disappointed with it, but I don't think there would have been any point in the arc without that ending. It's what elevates Hunter x Hunter above the rest of its genre.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

MetroidPrimeRib: It's ok to not use a spoiler tag when you make a post.

I always tread carefully talking about what's beyond currently airing stuff, never know what might upset people.

So much shounen talk in here. Im scared.

We're talking power levels, would you like to join?

 

[Hitokage]

I always tread carefully talking about what's beyond currently airing stuff, never know what might upset people.

But you hid "It was awesome".

 

[cajunator]

You should watch HxH since there's a cute catgirl.

I wont fall for your trickery.

I always tread carefully talking about what's beyond currently airing stuff, never know what might upset people.



We're talking power levels, would you like to join?

My power level is as high as its gonna go.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

I'm pretty fine with it too as it at least stops dumb arguments!

And it's not like it's some end-all list of who would win in a fight. Many battle outcomes are based on conditional stuff and how well match-ups work. Jotaro's Stand has 5s across the board, but he still has tough fights.

So yeah, it doesn't really end "who would win" arguments >_>. That's how the whole "Batman with prep-time>everyone" shit starts.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

But you hid "It was awesome".

Yeah, I guess I did huh. Maybe I do spoiler tag too much.

I wont fall for your trickery.



My power level is as high as its gonna go.

Nonsense you just need more training, and weighted clothing.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

I wont fall for your trickery.

Well, then you should watch Fairy Tail. Every single female character in it is :cajun.

 

[chickdigger802]

yeah have issues with ant arc as well, i guess mainly because it feels too 'shounen' if that makes sense.

Usually in this show, someone good or bad, randomly dies every other eps or so, so you are always on the edge of your seat, now shit is pretty much, 'meh nothing is gonna happen', or 'oh something happened? About time'

pretty much im losing interest, but its still better than most shit on air.

 

[Branduil]

Putting out stat breakdowns in supplemental material is fine as far as I'm concerned. It's only when that stuff starts to creep into the stories themselves that it because problematic. But as far as extra material, I don't see it as really being any fundamentally different than giving out characters birthdays, blood types, heights and weight, etc.

It's not necessarily bad by itself but it can contribute to the trend of characters becoming robots made of numbers, charts, and cliches instead of resembling human beings. The logical extreme of this way of thinking is stories like SAO, Mahouka, and other LN crap.

 

[Narag]

You should watch HxH since there's a cute catgirl.

Why did no one tell me this?

 

[PshycoNinja]

Ah, I was wondering where you were! Welcome back!

Don't worry Corvo, it'll all get better in After Story.

Clannad 1 is generic high school trash.

Clannad 2 is a beautiful love story that made me unable to enjoy any other high school romance. (Though we'll see how Toradora holds up in that regard when I get to it).

Yeah I am just getting to the end of my rope so I am desperately applying anywhere I can and following up to very little success. So that's why I haven't been on lately.

But I am trying to make a conscious effort to be on about 2 or 3 times a day.

Clannad 1 I feel had it's moments when it focus less on side character developments and more on Tomoya/Nagisa. That's why I didn't like the Fuko arc and only mildly enjoyed Kotomi's arc. The Furukawa Arc is still the best part of the first season.

After Story is just great! It dabbles in the beginning a little with side characters but quickly refocuses on Tomoya and Nagisa. And that is where the entire show starts to really pay off everything.

 

[Turin Turambar]

Why did no one tell me this?

It's even

Spoiler

a trap

, if you roll that way.

 

[Link Man]

Chaika 4

Well, that happened.

Spoiler

It was a nice troll attempt.

(Oddly enough, the crunchyroll player acted up and ended the episode right after.)

Anyway, a nice episode with some good comedy and action. Nice to see them working so well together in combat.

Spoiler

Breath of Fire Emblem Erza Scarlet

looks like she might be a fun new companion. The major weakness this episode was the soundtrack, though; they need a more exciting battle theme.

 

[cajunator]

Well, then you should watch Fairy Tail. Every single female character in it is :cajun.

Well thats true..
Lucy, Juvia, Levy, Lisanna...so many cuties in one show

Why did no one tell me this?

Dont fall for his lies