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Flower declaration of your heart - Ep1

I'm not exactly sure what to think. I don't even know if I really like it. It's a really weird feeling.

One thing is for certain though, the visuals are very appealing. There are strong bold colors, the water animation is pretty detailed, and there's a very pleasant look with regards to the art direction in general and the backgrounds. When it comes to the story and characters, it gets more confusing.

It feels like a slice of life comedy in terms of tone, but it's also about aliens and giant robots. There is a strong female lead, and there appears to be an attempt to create a sort of unoffensive story, but yet there are random bits of very obvious and out of place sexual fanservice.

The music also does not fit the rather "quiet" sense of the visuals being shown, often being the "loudest" part of the overall direction. It does seem intentional though, with the music setting the mood in a way which the script and animation does not, but it creates a very odd disconnect overall.

I'm really sort of confused as to what the show is really trying to do, and where it will eventually go. I'll probably watch another episode or two at the very least to try and get a sense of what's going on. The production values are far above what I expect out of Xebec though, and I still don't know what Nissan has to do with the show at all. So much confusion...

 

[Grzi]

Nasu: Summer in Andalusia

A great little movie. At only one hour long, it's surprising how much you love some of the characters by the end, even though you learn next to nothing about them. The look of the movie is very Ghibli-esque (Madhouse did the animation), probably because Kitaro Kosaka, formerly of Studio Ghibli, is the director of the movie, and Kenichi Yoshida, who is also a Ghibli collaborator, is the animation director. Anyway, the movie is great, if someone told me it was a Ghibli movie, I'd believe them. Recommended.

Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase

The sequel is equally as good as the first movie. It's nice to see the characters return for another ride, there's a lot of 20-something episode series that fail to create such a bond with the viewer. The team that worked on the sequel is the same, and I recommend it just like the first one.

The only bad thing I'd have to say about the movies is the occasional use of CG on some of the racing scenes, it really hurts the overall look of the films.

 

[darkside31337]

Good news guys, everybody's favorite idol show got a second season (via ann):

At the special "Uta no Prince Sama - Maji Love Live 1000%" event held on Sunday, the staff of the Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000% anime announced that a second season has been green-lit.

 

[Geneijin]

Good news guys, everybody's favorite idol show got a second season (via ann):

At the special "Uta no Prince Sama - Maji Love Live 1000%" event held on Sunday, the staff of the Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000% anime announced that a second season has been green-lit.

LTTP

 

[darkside31337]

LTTP

God dammit. Whatever the news was so good it was worth sharing twice.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Good news guys, everybody's favorite idol show got a second season (via ann):

At the special "Uta no Prince Sama - Maji Love Live 1000%" event held on Sunday, the staff of the Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000% anime announced that a second season has been green-lit.

Glorious news, Im ready for more Ittoki and Syo!!!

How will they top Maji Love 1000%

 

[Steroyd]

And here I thought I'd go too long without a character with dead fish eyes.

Gurren Lagann - 07

Looks like shit is about to get real.

 

[A Huge Battleship]

MM 1-END

I watched this in the expectation that it was going to be fairly terrible. And it was. I'm not sure whether that counts as a victory or a loss.

 

[darkside31337]

And here I thought I'd go too long without a character with dead fish eyes.

Leave poor Haru-chan alone

 

[Steroyd]

Leave poor Haru-chan alone

I-I-I didn't want to sound like I was being a meanie.

 

[PdotMichael]

dead eyes, my only weakness!

gnaaah

 

[NewFresh]

Flower declaration of your heart - Ep1

I'm not exactly sure what to think. I don't even know if I really like it. It's a really weird feeling.

One thing is for certain though, the visuals are very appealing. There are strong bold colors, the water animation is pretty detailed, and there's a very pleasant look with regards to the art direction in general and the backgrounds. When it comes to the story and characters, it gets more confusing.

It feels like a slice of life comedy in terms of tone, but it's also about aliens and giant robots. There is a strong female lead, and there appears to be an attempt to create a sort of unoffensive story, but yet there are random bits of very obvious and out of place sexual fanservice.

The music also does not fit the rather "quiet" sense of the visuals being shown, often being the "loudest" part of the overall direction. It does seem intentional though, with the music setting the mood in a way which the script and animation does not, but it creates a very odd disconnect overall.

I'm really sort of confused as to what the show is really trying to do, and where it will eventually go. I'll probably watch another episode or two at the very least to try and get a sense of what's going on. The production values are far above what I expect out of Xebec though, and I still don't know what Nissan has to do with the show at all. So much confusion...

I ended up feeling the same way after the first episode. It straddles the line between a few different archetypes. If anything is keeping me coming back it's the art direction, because at this point the story could go to crap or be amazing.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Rinne no Lagrange 1

It's not that hard to figure this out. The show makes no pretense of being anything but a vehicle for cute girls to show off their bodies via copious fanservice, and Nissan-designed mecha to show off their bodies via cool action. (I like their clear and sleek designs, by the way.) There's just enough fluffy plot sprinkled about to establish Madoka as our plucky, popular, athletic lead, get her in a mecha, and get her in a fight. This wouldn't work nearly as well if the execution wasn't as light on its feet as it is and the visual design wasn't as creative and attractive as it is. I don't like cotton candy in real life, but in this show I can have fun with it.

Ano Natsu de Matteru 1

This isn't what I was expecting or hoping, but surprisingly I enjoyed it none the less. It has a - mostly - classy presentation of the traditional "magical girlfriend" story. The interaction between the friends feels natural and relaxed, and I like the role the video camera has played. One clever moment was when

Spoiler

the protagonist had his fantasy conversation with a "fantasy" visual style to match, then without warning switches back to the normal visual style. You wait a confused beat along with the protagonist before realizing that the conversation he had thought was all in his mind actually wasn't.

Nice touch. The show isn't really original, but if it can keep up this style of execution and avoid the awkward melodrama that hampered Ano Hana, I'll enjoy it.

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Not literally, that would be something like Hajime no Ippo where characters exist solely to train and do battle. In Chihayafuru you have characters discuss stuff (shock) unrelated to the sport, or you see Chihaya at home looking through photo albums or Chiahaya and Taichi spending a day out to visit Arata. It's Karuta related, yes, but that' episodes was nearly all character development. They don't dwell on the characters home lives but they do exist and these characters are established in a fairly fleshed out manner. It's not as 'bare bones' as other sports titles.

Well, Hajime no Ippo has parts where the characters go out drinking, or Ippo and Kumi's relationship stays in the exact same place, or stuff goes on with Ippo's mom, or Takamura goes wandering around the country. It's mostly focused around boxing, but there are times where you see the characters just getting up into antics that have nothing to do with the sport. Chihayafuru so far doesn't seem so far off from something like that. There's more focus on the romance elements, but much less focus on the character's family lives than Ippo has.

 

[shintoki]

Leave poor Haru-chan alone

It takes skill to make a character with less personality than a cardboard box.

 

[zeroshiki]

I think what firehawk is looking for is Adachi-specific, really. Where the sport is an excuse for the characterization and relationships. I cannot for the life of me think of any other series that is similar. Perhaps Suzuka? But that one dropped the track and field pretty early on.

 

[zeroshiki]

Ok, so it will never win, but the K-On movie has been nominated as best animated movie in the Japanese Academy awards :lol

The other nominees are:

Kokurikozakara kara (From the Poppy Hill) - this will win
Tezuka Osamu's Buddha Akai Sabaku yo Utsukushiku
Tofu Kozo
Detective Conan 15 Minutes of Silence

 

[PdotMichael]

Hikari no Densetsu

Hikari was pretty non sport-centric for a sport-anime. It was more a lovetriangle thing and rhythmic gymnastics as stage for it.

 

[darkside31337]

I think what firehawk is looking for is Adachi-specific, really. Where the sport is an excuse for the characterization and relationships. I cannot for the life of me think of any other series that is similar. Perhaps Suzuka? But that one dropped the track and field pretty early on.

I never really equated Major with Touch or Cross Game, but at the end of the day its really all about the protagonist overcoming the odds to achieve one's own dream, including getting past incredible hardships and tragedies.

Major's shounen haato masks a lot of that stuff with Goro's guts and all that jazz. It's Adachi-lite and the romance is nowhere to be found (even with developments later on in its story) but it's honestly the closest thing I could think of.

 

[JKTrix]

Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase

I didn't know there was a sequel!

 

[NewFresh]

The other nominees are:

Kokurikozakara kara (From the Poppy Hill) - this will win
Tezuka Osamu's Buddha Akai Sabaku yo Utsukushiku
Tofu Kozo
Detective Conan 15 Minutes of Silence

Dude, Tofu Kozo has this in the bag.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axIii8PVSaM&feature=relmfu

 

[Steroyd]

Dude, Tofu Kozo has this in the bag.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axIii8PVSaM&feature=relmfu

My god it's Casper hnng edition!

 

[Crash Station]

And here I thought I'd go too long without a character with dead fish eyes.

Gurren Lagann - 07

Looks like shit is about to get real.

Your body will not be ready.

 

[survivor]

Ok, so it will never win, but the K-On movie has been nominated as best animated movie in the Japanese Academy awards :lol

http://blog-imgs-43.fc2.com/y/a/r/yaraon/20120115202741097.jpg[img]

The other nominees are:

[b]Kokurikozakara kara (From the Poppy Hill)[/b] - this will win
[b]Tezuka Osamu's Buddha Akai Sabaku yo Utsukushiku[/b]
[b]Tofu Kozo[/b]
[b]Detective Conan 15 Minutes of Silence[/b][/QUOTE]

How come this is the first time I hear of the Tezuka movie? Was there no hype for it or am I just out of touch with the anime movies scene?

 

[Tamanon]

Code Geass Ep. 11

This definitely had the best action in the whole series thus far, which isn't quite saying much. Regardless, some damn good action between

Spoiler

the Guren Mk-II and the Lancelot, as well as the Four Holy Swords versus the royal guard.

As long as there is more fine action like that, I don't care how bad the story gets.

Then you have no fears, if there's one thing Code Geass has it's great action scenes.

Just don't lose heart over the next few episodes, it all comes back around again.

Only part of the whole series I wasn't a fan of was *spoilers for middle of Season 1*

Spoiler

Mao

 

[Jex]

Flower declaration of your heart - Ep1

I'm not exactly sure what to think. I don't even know if I really like it. It's a really weird feeling.

You can't trick people into thinking you're not watching Rinne no Lagrange by putting it under a different title at the bottom of the page!

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

How come this is the first time I hear of the Tezuka movie? Was there no hype for it or am I just out of touch with the anime movies scene?

The one review I found of it is quite scathing.

 

[PdotMichael]

Rinne no Lagrange - 2

maybe not revolutionary or deal breaking but a fresh interpretation of the mecha genre. It's maybe the first mecha show I enjoy since Bokurano. And it's nice to see that Lan is not a straight Rei copy.
And the battle looked pretty god and stylish even with CG.

(and no fanservice today)

 

[Dynedom]

Is that indicative of the animation/art style to be used in the actual movies? CG armor? Are you serious?

*Idon'twanttoliveinthisworldanymore.gif*

 

[Femmeworth]

Rinne no Lagrange - 2

maybe not revolutionary or deal breaking but a fresh interpretation of the mecha genre. It's maybe the first mecha show I enjoy since Bokurano. And it's nice to see that Lan is not a straight Rei copy.
And the battle looked pretty god and stylish even with CG.

(and no fanservice today)

That sounds promising; hopefully that becomes a trend.

Those character designs are straight up Ghibli.

 

[Jex]

[Rinne no Lagrange Asuka Strikes - 2]

What happened to the dignity of piloting a robot? This is all Karen's fault.

Well, this wasn't as good as the first episode, but it's still fairly enjoyable. They're not spending too much time setting up the plot, even though more of it was revealed this week, and they seem quite keen to keep things chugging along at a fast pace.

It still remains to be seen quite how well the 'wacky comedic' elements of the show are going to mesh with the whole 'gotta pilot this robot and fight bad guys' stuff. If you took out all the fanservice (which would take awhile) then you might have something with broader appeal.

The biggest problem with this episode, if you can call it that, is how the show handles time and space. I mean,

Spoiler

those robots were literally right next to each other, and now his robot is so far away that Madoka can have a 5 minute phone conversation with her cousin? Huh? If blue-dude can come all the way from orbit to the scene of the battle in 10 seconds then maybe red-dude just has the worlds slowest robot.

I'm not sure if the whole sequence was supposed to be taken seriously, or if it was a joke, or what.

The animation didn't dip down too badly, although you will notice that episode just doesn't look as good as last weeks because a lot of it it set inside a boring gray building filled with boring items.

That said, there sure were lots of shots of people standing next to each other with the camera not moving, so I guess they're saving some money for next week.

Rinne no Lagrange - 2

(and no fanservice today)

Why would you lie mislead to people like that? Unless you've become UnknownSoldier and can no longer see the fanservice that is present throughout. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Femmeworth]

Why would you lie to people like that? Unless you've become UnknownSoldier and can no longer see the fanservice that is present throughout.

Figured it was too good to be true.

 

[NewFresh]

PGSM Act.45

Minako Venus Minako-chan, you fool!

;_;

It's all your fault,

Spoiler

my beloved Makoto is gone! (Though plot armor will save her)

 

[Morris]

Sailor Moon 24

;_________;

Poor Naru chan...

Spoiler

Nephrite got a super Fabulous Max death scene though. FUCK ZOISITE

 

[PdotMichael]

[Rinne no Lagrange Asuka Strikes - 2]

What happened to the dignity of piloting a robot? This is all Karen's fault.

Well, this wasn't as good as the first episode, but it's still fairly enjoyable. They're not spending too much time setting up the plot, even though more of it was revealed this week, and they seem quite keen to keep things chugging along at a fast pace.

It still remains to be seen quite how well the 'wacky comedic' elements of the show are going to mesh with the whole 'gotta pilot this robot and fight bad guys' stuff. If you took out all the fanservice (which would take awhile) then you might have something with broader appeal.

The biggest problem with this episode, if you can call it that, is how the show handles time and space. I mean,

Spoiler

those robots were literally right next to each other, and now his robot is so far away that Madoka can have a 5 minute phone conversation with her cousin? Huh? If blue-dude can come all the way from orbit to the scene of the battle in 10 seconds then maybe red-dude just has the worlds slowest robot.

I'm not sure if the whole sequence was supposed to be taken seriously, or if it was a joke, or what.

The animation didn't dip down too badly, although you will notice that episode just doesn't look as good as last weeks because a lot of it it set inside a boring gray building filled with boring items.

That said, there sure were lots of shots of people standing next to each other with the camera not moving, so I guess they're saving some money for next week.

Why would you lie mislead to people like that? Unless you've become UnknownSoldier and can no longer see the fanservice that is present throughout. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

This picture is already fanservice? Gunbuster was a hard time for you. What was the last watchable mecha show for you? Gasaraki?

 

[Steroyd]

Rinne no Lagrange - 02

Rinne no Lagrange - 2

(and no fanservice today)

Okay now y'all are just doing this on purpose.

 

[RurouniZel]

Knight of the Area 02:

Yep, definitely full on Adachi now. I really like how they're building up Kakeru's character as being perfectly capable, but afraid

Spoiler

due to an accident where he hurt someone after using his left. I can understand how as a kid that would totally spook someone.

I liked the brother's reconciliation at the end, though

Spoiler

as totally given away at the end of last episode, Suguru's not gonna make it out of that accident.

Still enjoying this more than the rest of the other shows this season thus far.

 

[Jex]

This picture is already fanservice? Gunbuster was a hard time for you. What was the last watchable mecha show for you? Gasaraki?

I just feel that claiming that it had 'no fanservice' would be completely inaccurate. It had far less fanservice than the opening episode and it was far less severe in terms of it's gratuity but it was undeniably present.

That outfit is fanservice bait, hence it's form factor general shape. The way she had to 'pilot' the mecha puts her in a fanservice-y position and finally the camera gets right in there for the best angle. Moreover, if you pay attention to the clear, straight lines in that picture (the device she's piloting and the runway itself) your eyes are inevitably directed to look from her rear up her exposed back - it's clearly the main focus of the shot.

 

[cajunator]

This picture is already fanservice? Gunbuster was a hard time for you. What was the last watchable mecha show for you? Gasaraki?

This show was honestly the most boring thing I have ever witnessed.

 

[Branduil]

Is that indicative of the animation/art style to be used in the actual movies? CG armor? Are you serious?

*Idon'twanttoliveinthisworldanymore.gif*

What's it like to live under a rock?

 

[Narag]

This show was honestly the most boring thing I have ever witnessed.

I bought those dvds forever ago when the box set was cheap, tried to start it multiple times, never got past episode 2.

 

[Branduil]

This show was honestly the most boring thing I have ever witnessed.

Dang, something cajunator didn't like. Not sure if that makes me want to watch it more or less.

 

[BluWacky]

Dang, something cajunator didn't like. Not sure if that makes me want to watch it more or less.

It's about mecha powered by the mystic power of Noh theatre. And wartime politics.

An intriguing combination?

 

[Steroyd]

I just feel that claiming that it had 'no fanservice' would be completely inaccurate. It had far less fanservice than the opening episode and it was far less severe in terms of it's gratuity but it was undeniably present.

That outfit is fanservice bait, hence it's form factor general shape. The way she had to 'pilot' the mecha puts her in a fanservice-y position and finally the camera gets right in there for the best angle. Moreover, if you pay attention to the clear, straight lines in that picture (the device she's piloting and the runway itself) your eyes are inevitably directed to look from her rear up her exposed back - it's clearly the main focus of the shot.

And the first sign was when half of the suit dissapeared shortly after getting in the pilot seat.

Oh how air headed girl with the boob physics is going to be fun when she gets into the mecha.

 

[PdotMichael]

I just feel that claiming that it had 'no fanservice' would be completely inaccurate. It had far less fanservice than the opening episode and it was far less severe in terms of it's gratuity but it was undeniably present.

That outfit is fanservice bait, hence it's form factor general shape. The way she had to 'pilot' the mecha puts her in a fanservice-y position and finally the camera gets right in there for the best angle. Moreover, if you pay attention to the clear, straight lines in that picture (the device she's piloting and the runway itself) your eyes are inevitably directed to look from her rear up her exposed back - it's clearly the main focus of the shot.

Okay, but then blame 95% of all animes shows for such fanservice.

This show was honestly the most boring thing I have ever witnessed.

I never finished it because I had no money for the later volumes but in theory it was a show with me as targetgroup.

- low sci-fi
- serious story
- good mechadesign
- hand-drawn

 

[Regulus Tera]

Zero no Tsukaima F 02: When life gives you lemons, make some banana shakes instead.

This picture is already fanservice? Gunbuster was a hard time for you. What was the last watchable mecha show for you? Gasaraki?

Pretty girl is riding something in a suggestive pose while showing her lovely contours.

Yeah, I'd say it is fanservice.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Okay, but then blame 95% of all animes shows for such fanservice.

I don't see Jexhius "blaming" anybody for anything; he's just stating facts.

 

[Branduil]

Okay, but then blame 95% of all animes shows for such fanservice.

Done.

 

[PdotMichael]

In pretty much every post he wrote about Rinne no Langrange was a part of the fanservice, so yeah...

 

[Steroyd]

Okay, but then blame 95% of all animes shows for such fanservice.

The funny thing is that the fanservice itself doesn't bother me, I'm just amazed how multiple people in this thread don't see it.