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[A Black Falcon]

Bodacious Space Pirates 3 - First I want to say, just like the second episode, this episode was really great, and the show continues to be 2012's best new series. Watch this show!

Beyond that though, I find the slow pace, and very realistic style, of both of these episodes really interesting. The basic concept and first episode might lead the viewer to believe that this is going to be another action-focused space series, but instead, so far it's something entirely different, and less common -- a realistic space series, about some things that would happen in space travel, like

Spoiler

electronic warfare or spacewalks to repair your ship

.

This is indeed a slow episode, but I love the tone, style, pace, and plot. There aren't that many shows that have these more realistic elements in them, and it's really something that makes the show more interesting. Sure, action can be fun too, but I really like this as well.

I wonder what happens next... will the ship who attacked them before try again, but with more directly forceful means this time? We'll see... good luck, high school girls' space piloting club?

... On that note, and yes I know the series has mentioned it, but yes, it IS silly that a highschool would happen to own one of the legendary ex-pirate ships as a yacht for the yacht club, isn't it? And apart from one teacher they're in space all on their own, too.

Spoiler

Six tenth graders and a teacher/pirate, out on a spacewalk to get the masts out... heh. Only in anime?

They clearly know what they're doing, so it's credible, but... yeah. That ship sure was a nice donation or something.

Bodacious Space Pirates 03 DROPPED: Oh my fucking God this shit is BORING. It's like they are doing everything possible to make it anti-bodacious. It had T&A, but even that was lame. One of the lines in the episode was "deploying at minimum speed" for fuck's sake.

There are better ways to waste your life. Don't watch this turd.

"Bodacious" or no, what you're complaining about is exactly part of why the series is the best new show this season. You couldn't be much more wrong here.

Thank you for saving 25 minute of my life.

Don't listen to him, the show is outstanding.

Not-Very-Bodacious Space Not-Pirates 3:

If this was the pacing they were going to take with 26 episodes, this should have been a 12-episodes show. Just get on with the goddamned Bodacious Space Piracy, already! Mou! At least they actually had some (comparatively tame) fanservice this time around, although the mysterious lack of pantsu-view in a zero-G environment continues to baffle me. The show is beautifully animated and even the CG space object models look good, but Raptor Jesus on a Pogo Stick, COULD SOMETHING PLEASE HAPPEN ALREADY?!

They have magic skirts. I don't really mind (though apparently there is a very short pantyshot at one point in ep. 2, I didn't notice it myself). This is trying to be classy and more serious than expected, not just a fanservice-heavy action show, and it's working. I think it's quite interesting as is... and I'm sure there'll be action eventually, too.

That's the thing, absent all the silly and banal war stuff, you basically have a story about a girl who just wants to race. They even go as far to point out that her ship doesn't have weapons.

True, but the war takes up the majority of the series, and she's constantly involved in battle. You can't just ignore that. And also Fam has at least some interest of her own in stopping the Ades, too, I would say...

 

[Jex]

All of a sudden I'm pretty okay with non-ambitious animes now. At least in the harem genre.

I'm the opposite, I think we can go further!

 

[cajunator]

Hmmm..
Well you could watch boku no pico.
I heard it is an interesting take on....whatever genre it is.

 

[InfiniteNine]

Hmmm..
Well you could watch boku no pico.
I heard it is an interesting take on....whatever genre it is.

It's as the world should be.

 

[cajunator]

Victorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry

http://www.rightstuf.com/1-800-338-6827/catalogmgr/KeYKCjSgo7PMzqVFwg/browse/item/93972/4/0/0

 

[Articalys]

Victorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry

http://www.rightstuf.com/1-800-338-6827/catalogmgr/KeYKCjSgo7PMzqVFwg/browse/item/93972/4/0/0

And the hilarious part is that it costs the exact same as each individual volume (6-7 eps each). Anime DVD pricing is a curious subject sometimes.
I mean, okay, the season set might have some special features missing, but still.

 

[trejo]

I see I missed all the list mania. Good.

Thermae Romae 3-4

Both amusing and educational. Lucius' shameless copying of glorious nippon bath technology has certainly taken him places.

If only it had a better presentation this could be quite something.

 

[Jex]

I see I missed all the list mania. Good.

Thermae Romae 3-4

Both amusing and educational. Lucius' shameless copying of glorious nippon bath technology has certainly taken him places.

If only it had a better presentation this could be quite something.

I'm almost tempted to say that it could be judged solely on it's own merits, but that would be ridiculous considering how bare-bones the production is.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

I find myself listening to this now. I quite like the song even though all I remember about the Aika anime series now is seeing many pantsu.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evtFD_s3rg0 (Sailing to the Future - Aka R-16 OP)

 

[trejo]

I'm almost tempted to say that it could be judged solely on it's own merits, but that would be ridiculous considering how bare-bones the production is.

It's barely a step above storyboards, really. But hey, BRS is gonna look so awesome, right?

Spoiler

Noitamina ;_;

 

[PdotMichael]

I like the classic/baroque music even it's totally the wrong age for Walkürenritt

 

[Thoraxes]

My only problem with Morestsu Pirates is that essentially nothing advertised for the show has happened yet. I'm only disappointed in the fact that this (I think) is just going to be a one season show as of now, so i'm wondering how much actual pirating and well-established conflict and resolution will happen by the end of its run.

It makes me feel like the first episode of Ga-Rei Zero. I just want to get into the actual meat of the content and not the background of everything. If the show was a 24 episode or beyond show, i'd be cool with it though. I just don't want the first season to end without the girl becoming what she is in the OP. I came for pirates and action, not a slow coming of age story without anyone coming of age.

I'm still going to watch it, because I enjoy it, but I have my criticisms about it is all.

 

[trejo]

Aquarion Evol 3

Berlin? Really? There's also a character named Andy W. Hol who has a tendency to always recite his full name and sort of hang on every syllable to make really sure you "get it". And man, being able to fly everytime you're

Spoiler

horny

seems like an incredibly inconvenient power to have. What happens if you

Spoiler

lose your boner

mid-flight?

Anyway, not as fun as the previous one but still not bad enough that it makes me want to drop it yet. It's definitely getting there, though.

 

[Cwarrior]

Hunter x hunter R16

There was no way in hell anyone would have been able replicate that legendary scene with hisoka in the woods, madhouse version of the scene was great but great just doesn't cut it when your working with hunter x hunter.

The only problem I still have with the remake is the sound track, it's only really good when it should be god tier what madhouse needs to do is buy the license to you the original tracks.

original hisoka scenes

Hisoka musical dance

 

[SonicX_Zero]

Horizon in the middle of nowhere 7-13

Decided to finish this series and one thing that definitely kept me in it were the fights because they were at least entertaining to watch, while everything else just plain. So many characters and I don't really care for Tori and Horizon's relationship that when the final episode came up I just felt nothing. Although the ending definitely made me hope that in the next season we get to see a bunch of armament of deadly sin fights.

 

[trejo]

Nisemonogatari 3

So I'm guessing it's okay to like this now that it's actually going somewhere?

Also, dat sixth harem member.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Senki Zessho Symphogear 3:

Well, okay. This time I saw some notable instances of bizarre animation. The conversation that Tsubasa and her "manager" while they walked down the hall stood out as an instance of really bad animation. They are certainly using every cent of budget they've been given at any rate, as fighting is generally always well-animated. I'm still not sure what this show is about necessarily, but maybe now that a boss enemy has appeared at the end of this episode they might be about to tell us really soon. Maybe. Well, I'm assuming that the staff of this show know what it's going to be about, since at the moment it's an excuse to set sequences of animated fighting to J-pop music.

I think its about some enemy wants the relics in the base, or at least that is according to the Sakurai Theory.

Anyway, isnt Satelight working on that HD animated game too.

 

[Articalys]

Meanwhile, in the world of the insanely bizarre: someone took this version of a popular NicoVideo dance, imported the movement data into MikuMikuDance... and replaced the dancers with Gintama characters. This is the result.

 

[Jex]

[Thema Romae 3-4]

Huh, I'm surprised they dealt with how it felt merely to imitate someone else's works rather than create something from scratch. That's a level of characterisation I wasn't expecting from such a quick-fire series.

 

[Dave1988]

[Nisemonogatari ep. 3]

Serious step up from the previous eps.

Spoiler

"Araragi-sempai, it seems you've not yet recognized the true final boss's existance."

Made me crack up so hard.

[Daily Lives of Highschool Boys ep. 02]

Boys will be boys, I guess.

[Baby, kill me please ep. 03]

Still have no idea why I continue to watch this. Oh yeah, that ED.

 

[Jex]

yay

Exciting, right? Then there's only another 180 80 episodes to go before you're done!

 

[Defuser]

Themae Romae Ep 3 & 4
Nooo,I like this series although it's short. Dammit,this need to be at least 1 cour

At least there's a live action movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0eqHjKlNYY

 

[icecream]

That's true, it might be interesting to see an anime interpretation of Holmes who's actually in Victorian England, and not modern Japan.

A pity the closest we've gotten is Gosick.

It's good that it sounds like the episode is better than the first one at least, even if they are sticking with that annoying reset.

Indeed, it was a pleasant surprise to see the jokes back to fashion after that horrendous first episode, as well as the awesome animation that comes with it. The plot reset is frustrating, because it doesn't really feel like they need to keep hashing the same plot to deliver the comedy... having hijinks while on the job, or separating it by days of normal adventures and days being wacky detectives feels like it would at least be a more progressing plot rather than just doing the exact same thing all over again.

Seriously though, should I watch Milky Holmes?

Do you like random gags and comedy anime with awesome animation? Then yes, you should!

 

[PdotMichael]

Do you like random gags and comedy anime with awesome animation? Then yes, you should!

classy...

 

[Regulus Tera]

"Bodacious" or no, what you're complaining about is exactly part of why the series is the best new show this season. You couldn't be much more wrong here.

I'm okay with slow-paced shows; I am not okay with shows that pad the shit out of their play time with pointless stuff. The whole first half of episode three is negligible; you can summarise Marika taking the exams with two lines of dialogue in order to jump straight into the outer space "action" and nothing would be lost. Even the cliffhanger of episode two didn't accomplish anything, with the status quo being resolved in less than two minutes.

Boring Space Not-Pirates is an exercise on filler.

 

[Defuser]

Do you like random gags and comedy anime with awesome animation? Then yes, you should!

I got Daily Lives of High School Boys cover that for me. Nothing can beat it's ED ,good god it's addicting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zllwFwSQ-w

 

[Regulus Tera]

Ben-to 09: I remember when this show was cool. It wasn't even that long ago. Way to undermine an amazing premise, whoever the fuck did this.

Spoiler

I still fapped.

 

[Reknoc]

I'm a horrible person, but no, I did not. At least not all of it. I will though, eventually anyways. I only barely know the metaplot between each of them, but yeah, I need to watch the first.

I'm excited though, especially about your spoilers, and the fact that I didn't know Mylene's mom

Spoiler

is a micronized Zentradi.

Woah

Woah

You should probably just put Macross 7 on hold while you watch through SDF Macross.

That's true, it might be interesting to see an anime interpretation of Holmes who's actually in Victorian England, and not modern Japan.

Sherlock Hound

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Horus: Prince of the Sun (1968)

This is a fascinating historical document, marking the transition from Toei's "Disney of the East" philosophy of animation into Japanese animators staking out a unique voice for themselves. It's also an enjoyable film to watch in its own right. The animation is excellent, as you would expect when you have the likes of Hayao Miyazaki working on it, and Takahata in his first feature already marks himself as a skilled director. Unfortunately there are two action sequences where the animation quality regresses into a sequence of stills, which is distracting compared to the fluidity of the rest of the movie. Doing some research, it seems Toei forced Takahata and his team to rush the film out after they went over the typical eight-month production period of the time. I can't blame them - after all they were running a business, not an art studio - but I can't help but wish we could have seen what the film would have been like without their interference.

Although Horus is the titular character and the ostensible protagonist, by far the most interesting and well-realized character is Hilda. Aloof and brooding, caught between conflicting loyalties and desires, she elevates the narrative above mere folktale. Her facial expressions and body language sensitively depict the complexity of her emotions. Her two animal sidekicks serve as externalizations of her divided heart, in an angel/devil on the shoulder sort of way. Just as her songs draw in the villagers, whenever she appears on screen the viewer's eye is drawn to her in an attempt to parse what is going on inside her head. And people say there are no strong female characters in anime!

I highly recommend this film not only to anyone interested in the history of animation and the early start of Miyazaki and Takahara's careers, but also to anyone interested in an exciting, vibrant film with unexpected depth.

 

[Articalys]

Another reminder that today is the last day to vote for GAF's 2011 Anime of the Year -- I was going through the thread to make sure everyone's votes are properly ordered and valid, and noticed that a few people had commented about voting after they'd watched this show or that show, but I didn't see any later posts from them, so if you're one of those people, don't forget!

 

[jman2050]

Nothing to say except Shaft being Shaft, dat Kanbaru, shit's about to get real, and Senjougahara is the best character.

Posts like this are why SOPA exists!

 

[hellclerk]

Moretsu Pirates 3

I've noticed alot of people slandering the show for not being what they thought it would be, and while it's understandable it's not the stupid FUCK YEAH, PIRATES IN SPACE that initial advertising implied, it IS being well paced and developed. Yes, it's slower than expected, but the pacing is pleasant and the progression satisfying enough. It makes you want to watch the next episode with how simple things such as a mast malfunction can create an interesting subject. It's not there yet, but it definitely feel like it pressing towards the action. Rather than Jamming it down our throats however, they're easing us into it, and I can't say I'm complaining. I agree with ABF on this one, it certainly is the most skillfully produced show this season. Though to be truthful, I haven't seen High School Boys yet...

High School DxD 3

What the fuck am I watching, and why can't I stop. ;___;

 

[Regulus Tera]

Familiar of Zero F 03: I'll be honest: I never watched Zero no Tsukaima for the plot, because the plot was stupid. I remember very little of what happened in the previous three seasons besides the harem hijinx. So I was genuinely surprised at how engaging this episode was. The action was fairly well-thought out. The only fault I can find is that the villains were greatly undeveloped, probably a byproduct of having to cover so much light novel material in the last twelve episodes.

Wacky harem hijinx back next week. Fuck YES.

Moretsu Pirates 3

I've noticed alot of people slandering the show for not being what they thought it would be, and while it's understandable it's not the stupid FUCK YEAH, PIRATES IN SPACE that initial advertising implied, it IS being well paced and developed. Yes, it's slower than expected, but the pacing is pleasant and the progression satisfying enough. It makes you want to watch the next episode with how simple things such as a mast malfunction can create an interesting subject. It's not there yet, but it definitely feel like it pressing towards the action. Rather than Jamming it down our throats however, they're easing us into it, and I can't say I'm complaining. I agree with ABF on this one, it certainly is the most skillfully produced show this season. Though to be truthful, I haven't seen High School Boys yet...

Rinne no Lagrange alone has more interesting characterisation and better animation.

Speaking of which, Rinne no Lagrange SUNDAY FUCK YEAH

 

[dimb]

Nisemonogatari 03
Still going strong. Because of the importance placed on the dialogue Araragi usually needs a good foil, and the character introduced here fills that role well. I watched the first two episodes of Nise before watching all of Bake, and then returned here, so I kind of got a good deal compared to other people who were disappointed in those episodes. I have to go back and watch them, but I suspect they're better than people give them credit for. There was actually some interesting stuff going on with role reversal,

Spoiler

which came out the most in Araragi visiting Sengoku's room.

Couldn't really be more pleased with where this series is going. Some weird looking faces this episode though, but with a show like Bake/Nise I kind of love the flaws too as it adds something to the whole personality of the show.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Speaking of which, Rinne no Lagrange SUNDAY FUCK YEAH

Cant wait for more action.

 

[Jex]

http://www.abload.de/img/1327172268164mwrv9.gif[/IMG]

classy...

That seems worse than Basquash to me, which isn't a phrase I bring out lightly!

 

[RurouniZel]

Well, I think I've built up enough of a backlog that I can start watching Chihayafuru again. I didn't mean to wait 7 weeks, it just kind of ended up that way.

Chihayafuru 09:

Oh Chihaya, don't you see that not everyone can keep up with your insane pace? She's like the shoujo version of Haruhi, except as this episode showed she's not completely deaf to the words of say, Taichi. Sucks that she's likely going to go for Arata anyway, because Taichi is the right kind of person for her. Letting her go as much as possible, but more than willing to put his foot down (or grab her wrist, anyway... ) when she's starting to go too far. Too bad he's totally fighting a losing battle. :/ But the

Spoiler

surprise birthday party

at the end was really cute. ^^;

Chihayafuru 10:

Kanade is so right; Chihaya was made to wear pretty kimonos. ^^;; Chihaya once again continues to be oblivious to Taichi's feelings, though admittedly she would probably be less-so if she weren't already head-over-heels for Arata. Well, I'd rather Chihaya end up with Kanade anyway. XD (<-- yes, my yuri bias is totally showing) I can identify with Desk-kun though; I know what it's like to practice you're tail off at something only to get outclassed by a better opponent anyway (granted, that was soccer for me when I was younger, not karuta...). Show still has amazing music. ^^;

Chihayafuru 11:

On to the finals, where it's time to face off against Retro-kun. Harada-sensei making an appearance was a nice thing. The whole bit with the Retrot cards was funny as hell, but amazingly dead on. I liked how this opponent really felt like they had a clear strategy going in, both as a team and individually. And again, I can identify with getting used to

Spoiler

a particular voice's quirks/rhythm.

Oh, and i gotta say it.

Spoiler

Porky! Do a Barrel Roll!! XD

And yeah I'm the same way with sideway pictures, I tilt my head rather than the picture. XD

Chihayafuru 12:

Dude, Retro-kun. Stop being a dick! However the teacher being kind of a dick about the Nationals was actually pretty damn amusing. She was totally sticking it to Chihaya for her antics back in Ep. 8. Karma's a bitch, Chihaya. An older bitch, but a bitch none-the-less. XD BUT at least she wasn't a complete meanie and had arranged for someone else to accompany them prior. Chihaya's preemptive begging of Desk-kun not to quit was amusing too. Show's got so many great little scenes like that. XD Harada-sensei also giving Chihaya and Taichi pointers was nice too. Glad to see he's not all "I've taught you everything you need to know, now you just have to believe" nonsense that pervades lots of stories like this. ^^;

Oh and Taichi. That response to Chihaya's fears and worries? Perfect response. Seriously, fuck Arata. I'm joining the losing team! Oh and yay,

Spoiler

Chihaya didn't realize she has a scrapbook! Her parents don't completely suck!

Kanade's new card order is awesome too. That's how I'd organize them myself, 'cause I'm weird and can't find anything alphabetically (or whatever the Japanese would refer to that as). Sad the others didn't like it.

Chihayafuru 13:

And the queen I've been seeing screenshots of appears! ^^; She's totally cute! Noooo Chihaya, don't be scared of the cards! Yeah it's a creepy lyric but don't be scared!! >>

... and suddenly it's an Arata episode. :/ I do feel bad for the guy, he had it rough. But I'm still on Team Losing Battle. And now he's here. I feel bad for Taichi, he cares for Chihaya so much he's going to take his loss like a man and let Arata take care of her so he can help the team win. Dude, you are an epic bro! *salute* Arata's growing though, so I give him some points for that.

And

Spoiler

Sude from the last tournament suddenly appearing to express his displeasure with Chihaya collapsing

made me seriously laugh out loud. That was fucking perfect! XD *sigh* I know Arata's going to win this triangle out, but you're still a winner in my book, Taichi!

Chihayafuru 14:

Now we're on to individuals. I'm really really liking the development of Kanade and Desk-kun as characters. ^^; And fuck these people dissing the Queen's fashion sense! She's cute as a button! But wow, what a sharp tongue this queen possesses! I like how we keep seeing that while Chihaya is good, it's not like there aren't other really really awesome Karuta players out there. But it looks like Chihaya is going to face off against the Queen faster than I thought! I smell a loss in your future, Chihaya. Sorry! >_< Yep, like I thought, this is so going wrong for Chihaya. Poor girl. ;_;

... and then suddenly...

Spoiler

Daddy Bear?!

XD Wow, that was... erm... random. ^^; ... and I totally loved the shot where Chihaya stood up like Sudo, and he was right behind her in the exact same fucking pose. XD

And she's finally got a couple! Her favorite card! Queen's gonna get fired up now!

Chihayafuru 15:

Queen. Is. Not. Pleased. XD But multi-syllable cards are Chihaya's weakness, so she's back on the defensive! But she's moving much better. Well she

Spoiler

lose like I thought she would, but that hopefully means she'll grow as a character a bit more. And learn she still has a ways to go. ^^;

But Queen was obviously taken in, as she rushes over to see the name of her opponent. Chihaya, you might have a new hater/lover now! ^_^

;_; *pets Chihaya* Yoshi yoshi. But as usual, she gets one-tracked and completely forgets the others, so Kanade has to inform her that Taichi's in the B final! Go Taichi Go!! ;_;

Spoiler

Taichi, I'm with ya bro. I've always finished 2nd my entire life. It's almost worst than finishing last. To get so close to the goal, and come up just that little bit short. I know that pain bro. Hang in there, I got your back!

And now I'm caught up. *phew*

 

[Jex]

Horus: Prince of the Sun (1968)

This is a fascinating historical document, marking the transition from Toei's "Disney of the East" philosophy of animation into Japanese animators staking out a unique voice for themselves. It's also an enjoyable film to watch in its own right. The animation is excellent, as you would expect when you have the likes of Hayao Miyazaki working on it, and Takahata in his first feature already marks himself as a skilled director. Unfortunately there are two action sequences where the animation quality regresses into a sequence of stills, which is distracting compared to the fluidity of the rest of the movie. Doing some research, it seems Toei forced Takahata and his team to rush the film out after they went over the typical eight-month production period of the time. I can't blame them - after all they were running a business, not an art studio - but I can't help but wish we could have seen what the film would have been like without their interference.

Although Horus is the titular character and the ostensible protagonist, by far the most interesting and well-realized character is Hilda. Aloof and brooding, caught between conflicting loyalties and desires, she elevates the narrative above mere folktale. Her facial expressions and body language sensitively depict the complexity of her emotions. Her two animal sidekicks serve as externalizations of her divided heart, in an angel/devil on the shoulder sort of way. Just as her songs draw in the villagers, whenever she appears on screen the viewer's eye is drawn to her in an attempt to parse what is going on inside her head. And people say there are no strong female characters in anime!

I highly recommend this film not only to anyone interested in the history of animation and the early start of Miyazaki and Takahara's careers, but also to anyone interested in an exciting, vibrant film with unexpected depth.

You can read even more about it here : http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=33965308&postcount=42 if you haven't already done so.

 

[PdotMichael]

oh god the jersey club song, oh god, Madoka is alpha as fuck

 

[Instro]

Moretsu Pirates 3

I've noticed alot of people slandering the show for not being what they thought it would be, and while it's understandable it's not the stupid FUCK YEAH, PIRATES IN SPACE that initial advertising implied, it IS being well paced and developed. Yes, it's slower than expected, but the pacing is pleasant and the progression satisfying enough. It makes you want to watch the next episode with how simple things such as a mast malfunction can create an interesting subject. It's not there yet, but it definitely feel like it pressing towards the action. Rather than Jamming it down our throats however, they're easing us into it, and I can't say I'm complaining. I agree with ABF on this one, it certainly is the most skillfully produced show this season. Though to be truthful, I haven't seen High School Boys yet...

I mostly agree with this, which is why I'm still finding it to be enjoyable. It's definitely been slow going, but at the same time I appreciate the way they are easing into the action, and at least laying out a solid foundation for the show. Like I said in my post about episode 3, the makings of a good show are there they just need to get to more interesting material like the mast malfunction or the weapons training rather than falling back on the maid cafe or school stuff.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

You can read even more about it here : http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=33965308&postcount=42 if you haven't already done so.

Yep, read it at its original site.

 

[hellclerk]

Rinne no Lagrange alone has more interesting characterisation and better animation.

Speaking of which, Rinne no Lagrange SUNDAY FUCK YEAH

Skillful production isn't the same as highest production quality. Pirates is produced with skill with the talent they have, i.e., shot directions, vocal direction, art direction, and sound direction all work together quite well even if their individual quality isn't the best. Meanwhile, RnL might have better animation and even better characterization (it's not hard with a cast as small as that one), but it still lacks a certain skill from what I've seen of it. It's more flash than substance, even if it is very entertaining. Moretsu Pirates, despite the name, is about the little things, the background happenings that are building up into something bigger, but not yet shown. I haven't seen enough of RnL to make a proper comparative judgement, but there's clear and definite skill in Pirates' production. Your loss if you can't see it.

BTW, it's FAMFAM SUNDAY first, pal. Get it right!

 

[Regulus Tera]

Skillful production isn't the same as highest production quality. Pirates is produced with skill with the talent they have, i.e., shot directions, vocal direction, art direction, and sound direction all work together quite well even if their individual quality isn't the best. Meanwhile, RnL might have better animation and even better characterization (it's not hard with a cast as small as that one), but it still lacks a certain skill from what I've seen of it. It's more flash than substance, even if it is very entertaining. Moretsu Pirates, despite the name, is about the little things, the background happenings that are building up into something bigger, but not yet shown. I haven't seen enough of RnL to make a proper comparative judgement, but there's clear and definite skill in Pirates' production. Your loss if you can't see it.

I specifically talked about how superfluous most of the shots in episode one were. The show has a tendency to depict stuff that's barely necessary for the story -establishing shots that last too long, scenes that depict nothing but the technical aspects of the world, etcetera. t's very distracting, uneventful, and most importantly dull. That's not to say there isn't some interesting composition at times: I loved that little scene with Marika and Ririka in episode two, because it managed to set up their (very underplayed) bond in an interesting visual setting, lasers aside.

I can't claim that Pirates will never turn out to be more interesting than it is, but I can say right now is that it does very little to hook the audience. It's been mostly world-building with very little character dynamics. Marika is not a character either at this point. She's been mostly been pulled here and there without doing anything of relevance. I couldn't possibly recommend it to anyone, because it does a lot to remind me of how I am wasting my time watching Japanese cartoons. I wouldn't want to make other people realise that fact.

Anyway:

Rinne no Lagrange 03: This looks like fucking Eureka Seven when compared to Boring Space Not-Pirates. I absolutely lost it when

Spoiler

Madoka started singing the Jersey Club song

. It had some very clever writing too, acknowledging some common mecha tropes and making fun of them.

The pacing in this show is pretty nice. Three episodes in I can already tell much about a character as clichéd as Lan. Her little character arc was dealt very nicely, even if it's obvious she's hiding a lot. Contrast her with Not!Kuroneko from that other show and she's a much more imaginative take on her archetype.

 

[PdotMichael]

Skillful production isn't the same as highest production quality. Pirates is produced with skill with the talent they have, i.e., shot directions, vocal direction, art direction, and sound direction all work together quite well even if their individual quality isn't the best. Meanwhile, RnL might have better animation and even better characterization (it's not hard with a cast as small as that one), but it still lacks a certain skill from what I've seen of it. It's more flash than substance, even if it is very entertaining. Moretsu Pirates, despite the name, is about the little things, the background happenings that are building up into something bigger, but not yet shown. I haven't seen enough of RnL to make a proper comparative judgement, but there's clear and definite skill in Pirates' production. Your loss if you can't see it.

BTW, it's FAMFAM SUNDAY first, pal. Get it right!

I know exactly what you mean. Pirates is the perfect target group show

 

[Jex]

I'm still plugging away at this Miyzaki book and this segment was quite interesting. In it Miyazaki explains where he things interesting illustrations come from (it comes from reading books, apparently) - :

Quite a few of today’s younger animators plunge directly into this line of work because they were fans. But if I were to ask them to draw a picture of what a chaika (a flying boat in Future Boy Conan) would look like in flight, they would only be able to imagine what they had previously seen on past TV anime shows. And I wouldn’t be able to use their works as a result.

To draw a chaika flying in a truly original fashion, you would need to have read at least one book on the history of flying, and then be able to use your imagination to augment what you had read.

In delving into books on the history of airplanes, you would encounter the name of Igor Sikorsky. He is the man who in 1913 built the worlds first four-engine biplane and flew it int the skies over Russia. Then Sikorsky flew his four-engine plane over Russia, he known for having dined on board, and then, when an engine failed, for grabbing one of the struts supporting the wings and standing up, out of the cockpit. With the full blast of the wind in his face, he personally and anxiously checked the conditions of his engines. I personally think Sikorsky symbolizes the way men really fly. And it is from this image – of someone simply yearning to fly – that a good illustration emerges. It does not come from imitating something seen long ago on an animated TV series, from a plastic model kit, or even from the experience of having flown in one of today’s hermetically sealed passenger planes.

 

[hellclerk]

I specifically talked about how superfluous most of the shots in episode one were. The show has a tendency to depict stuff that's barely necessary for the story -establishing shots that last too long, scenes that depict nothing but the technical aspects of the world, etcetera. t's very distracting, uneventful, and most importantly dull. That's not to say there isn't some interesting composition at times: I loved that little scene with Marika and Ririka in episode two, because it managed to set up their (very underplayed) bond in an interesting visual setting, lasers aside.

I can't claim that Pirates will never turn out to be more interesting than it is, but I can say right now is that it does very little to hook the audience. It's been mostly world-building with very little character dynamics. Marika is not a character either at this point. She's been mostly been pulled here and there without doing anything of relevance. I couldn't possibly recommend it to anyone, because it does a lot to remind me of how I am wasting my time watching Japanese cartoons. I wouldn't want to make other people realise that fact.

Well of course it doesn't do much to hook someone who's looking for ANIME MOE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN IN SPACE. You're looking at the show for something it's not, at least not yet. You need set-up, you need organic exposition. At this point, there are alot of variables and unknowns, and they keep mentioning those variables and unknowns. The character dynamics are also much more subtle and slow moving, and what's more is that I MUCH rather this to WHEN SUDDENLY, MARIKA IS THROWN INTO THE CAPTAIN'S SEAT AND GIVEN THE TITLE "THE DREAD PIRATE ROBERTS". This feels like a real set-up, and it gives you a genuine feel for the characters, the world, and the technology without needing to Jam it down your throat in a sudden whirlwind of technical jargon. I know it's disappointing that it's not Nadesico x10 CRAZY. Instead though, It's Nadesico x10 thought, and I much prefer it that way.

The Daily Lives of High School Boys 1

This... this is too perfect... It's all just... too perfect. My little sister walked up because she could hear my laughing downstairs and asked on the riverbank scene if that's how boys actually thought, and I had to nod. It's just perfect, bros being bros...

And homogay, in just the right way~

 

[hellclerk]

The Daily Lives of High School Boys 2

It's so silly and over the top, but it's just... so... TRUE. I'm not 100% sure if this is something awesome or something depressing. It's kind of a little bit of both. Man, I know those feels, I know ALL those feels... (well, most of them in any case).

One thing I am interested to see if the show does is ship. There's always fantastic slice of life comedy that comes out of a relationship. I mean, they don't have to ship all of them, just one is enough, but it never seems to actually happen in these slice of life shows. Probably because for the most part, the characters in these shows tend to be girls, keep them from being "sullied", but I'm curious to see where this goes since the same rule doesn't apply to boys...

 

[wsippel]

Asobi ni whatever 1 - 3

Instead of having to rely on asspulls to save your sad excuse of a story, why not make the whole thing a series of completely unbelievable bullshit right from the start? Everyone but the main character, including his own family, is actually a secret agent, insane cultist, alien, mutant or something, and he learns all that over the course of 40 minutes - and doesn't really question anything or give much of a fuck to begin with. And it actually kinda works! This being an ecchi show, I'm surprised to admit that it would probably be just as enjoyable, or even more so, with the fanservice toned down several notches. It's good and stupid fun. Extremely self-aware, too.

 

[Jex]

[Rinne no Lagrange 3]

Improvisation at it's finest

Another solid episode of Rinne this week and once again the fanservice is toned down (well, I guess considering the situation it would be difficult to do many fanservice shots).

I am once again slightly confused by who the show is targeting. The central character, the shows light-hearted tone (can I mention the

Spoiler

singing? I guess it is a spoiler!

, aesthetics and many of the character interactions suggests one type of show. The extreme level of fanservice in the first episode suggests another and, of course, there's all those mecha fights to think about.

Even the mecha combat is light-hearted with reference to well known tropes, such as the dangers of fighting in a city and the strangeness of machines imitating human-like attacks.

Just when you think you have the show maybe figured out, it goes and

Spoiler

suggests the VOX are connected to a dark prophecy and piloting them is extremely dangerous. What's all that doing in a light-hearted story? It's most peculiar.

I guess this show must be for fans of light-hearted girls stories, with heavy bouts of fanservice and self-aware mecha action.

 

[darkside31337]

My phone keeps trying to force close the Netflix app with which I am attempting to watch Angel Beats. I think the universe is trying to tell me something.

That you need a new phone?