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[sonicmj1]

Making it in black and white was purely a stylistic choice. I even read that it caused it to cost more.

Yeah.

The final battle is largely shot as a sequence of still frames of the fighting, which is pretty different from how battles are presented in earlier episodes. I'm not sure if that, in particular, was a stylistic choice or one informed by budget (perhaps due to the unexpected expenses of animating in black and white).

 

[madp]

I cannot go back to simple hair flips after Heartcatch

It's a really, really good hair flip.

There are also hair pops and hair explosions.

 

[Jex]

Yeah.

The final battle is largely shot as a sequence of still frames of the fighting, which is pretty different from how battles are presented in earlier episodes. I'm not sure if that, in particular, was a stylistic choice or one informed by budget (perhaps due to the unexpected expenses of animating in black and white).

I'm pretty certain that was down to budget constraints. There aren't really that many situations in film-making where you'd want to depict a battle, or an action sequence, as a series of still images. It kind of defeats the purpose of animation.

 

[firehawk12]

It's a really, really good hair flip.

There are also hair pops and hair explosions.

The signs of good hair.

I'm pretty certain that was down to budget constraints. There aren't really that many situations in film-making where you'd want to depict a battle, or an action sequence, as a series of still images. It kind of defeats the purpose of animation.

CONFLICTING INFORMATION IN MY BRAIN

Ahem.

You sakuga nerds decide what's right, then let me know so I can get my facts straight.

 

[Envelope]

I'm pretty certain that was down to budget constraints. There aren't really that many situations in film-making where you'd want to depict a battle, or an action sequence, as a series of still images. It kind of defeats the purpose of animation.

The idea is the battle is so amazing, animation can't express it, so you only catch brief glimpses.

 

[Geneijin]

http://i.minus.com/ibwH5ASzXDvl6f.gif[img]

But... that hair flip![/QUOTE]
That was arguably the best thing about the transformation, but the actual transformation scene was dull really.

 

[firehawk12]

That was arguably the best thing about the transformation, but the actual transformation scene was dull really.

I need you to break down, frame by frame, what makes a good transformation!

 

[Crash Station]

Muteki Kanban Musume 5

This is basically the "everyone is trapped in the restaurant freezer" episode, but in a poorly positioned interlocking of buildings rather than an actual freezer. Pretty much played out how I expected it to considering how insane these characters are and it was glorious.

 

[Steroyd]

Smile Precure - 01

Well that was a bog standard introduction, wasn't expecting any more than that tbh.

Now then.

That fairy has got to be Chopper's VA, I can't unhear the simularities if it isn't and did... did Cure Happy really just do a heart shaped kamehameha wave !? BUAHAHAHAHA.

 

[Regulus Tera]

I need you to break down, frame by frame, what makes a good transformation!

I already did this post like three pages ago:

Cure March is a poor man's Cure Sunshine.

 

[Jex]

[Natsume 9]

This week's episode was fairly disappointing, especially considering all the excellent episodes we've had earlier this season. This episode had a number of problems: bad art, ineffective pacing, bland story - but I think the overall problem with this, and all the other two-parter stories, is that they often use the 'Natsume is in peril' plot-line as one of the main 'dramatic elements' in the episode which rarely works because we know that Natsume cannot be killed or even seriously hurt.

Of course, in lots of major shows and movies we know in our heats that the hero cannot be killed because then how would their be more episodes, or a sequel or whatever. Yet most of these works still manage to generate tension through devices - perhaps the hero might be seriously hurt, in some permanent fashion. Alternatively someone close to him can be killed or hurt. That's never going to happen in this show, so when I see Natsume knocked off some building or attacked by some monster it's hard not to yawn. Strangely enough they did do a good job with this concept earlier in the season by locking Natsume into that jar - rendering him useless. This actually worked very well and it allowed for a number of interesting sequences to take place because Natsume was 'out of the picture'.

The story this week is pretty bland as well. The show excels when it tells tales about people and youkai and the passage of time - I honestly don't care if some fictional mountain within the world of the show dies up. This isn't something I can really get invested in as an audience member. Neither do I particularly care about these characters, we've seen Natsume and the exorcist interact on numerous occasions and it's not like we're getting any deeper insight into his personality this week. Yawn.

I can't really see why this needed to be a two parter either: lots of empty talking followed by running around. It just feels like they needed to pad the episodes to meet their episode count for the season as a whole.

It didn't help that this episode looked pretty cheap, with lame monster designs and lots of obvious budget saving devices - such as cutting away from any sequence which might involve action.

Finally, on the subject of male bonding:

Yeah, you knew this was a scene from a movie because we all know that he isn't interested in women.

Now this I can believe in. He's even wearing flowers in his outfit.

 

[firehawk12]

I already did this post like five pages ago:

Naw man, you need to explain each frame. Describe the boot to skirt length and so forth!

[Natsume 9]

Finally, on the subject of male bonding:

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/Natsume91.png

Yeah, you knew this was a scene from a movie because we all know that he isn't interested in women.

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/Natsume92.png

Now this I can believe in.

You know, you should watch that OVA that came out. In that one, the characters are as heterosexual as can be, so it's clear that the mangaka is highlighting homosocial bonding on purpose (ie, for fangirls).

 

[Andrew J.]

Heartcatch Precure - END

So how do I comment on an anime that ended as expected?

Such a delightful series, the characters have enough contrast and energy to them, that makes this show a treat to watch, the transformation sequences are nice to watch albeit feels hella long to sit through (this same person who never skipped a Sailor Moon sequence), definately ramped it up near the end and came into it's own to deliver a glorious finale.

I think I'm going to miss this series, such a vibrance and cheerfulness to it, with quality music used all round, it's like they stole my heart.

You and me, we're bros now.

 

[Jex]

CONFLICTING INFORMATION IN MY BRAIN

Ahem.

You sakuga nerds decide what's right, then let me know so I can get my facts straight.

When stuff moves nice.

 

[Jintor]

I dunno whether to put a completed series on my agenda next or to try and catch up to this season...

 

[firehawk12]

When stuff moves nice.

I mean about the budget.

 

[Dynedom]

Funny how Precure seems to get more budget in one hair flip than most series do for their...anything.

 

[Regulus Tera]

This is not comparable at all.

My point was more along the lines that, aside from the hair flip, March's transformation sequence is very forgettable.

There we now; now this post makes sense.

But FLCL is about boners.

Naw man, you need to explain each frame. Describe the boot to skirt length and so forth!

I'm already in enough watch lists, thank you.

 

[Envelope]

Spoiler

Worstest joke I've seen today, but I still laughed

A very lighthearted episode overall, Ban-kun is rocking that

Spoiler

geass

.

Erika had a ton of great faces, too.

Even the side-side characters look good!

Next episode is an Erika episode, yay~

 

[Jex]

I mean about the budget.

Enough, but not too much, and sometimes less than you think. But not always.

 

[chickdigger802]

That was arguably the best thing about the transformation, but the actual transformation scene was dull really.

idk. That heel turn...

But w/e that's why there are like 3 dozen precures!

This is still the highlight of this show so far.

 

[Mecha]

Seems like we got a Precure theme going on right now.

 

[7Th]

Even the side-side characters look good!

Ban-kun's mom was a really popular subject for fanart while the show was airing... for obvious reasons.

 

[Envelope]

Ban-kun's mom was a really popular subject for fanart while the show was airing... for obvious reasons.

Very obvious!

Seems like we got a Precure theme going on right now.

So we're actually talking about good anime for once?

 

[sonicmj1]

I'm pretty certain that was down to budget constraints. There aren't really that many situations in film-making where you'd want to depict a battle, or an action sequence, as a series of still images. It kind of defeats the purpose of animation.

The thing is, it feels right when it's happening. It gives the impression that there's too much going on to follow. That the battle retains a feeling of urgency despite the limited animation is a testament to Gainax's skill. It's not something many studios could pull off.

I wouldn't be surprised if the way that battle was executed was part of the plan of the episode, like the choice to animate it in grayscale. It's just hard to tell.

My Google-fu isn't bringing me anything but speculation about the production history behind that final episode. I don't know if it's hiding in the Blu-Ray bonus materials or something.

 

[Jex]

I really have to thank jason for arranging this delightful collection of still images. It really speaks volumes about the show as a whole:

 

[firehawk12]

The thing is, it feels right when it's happening. It gives the impression that there's too much going on to follow. That the battle retains a feeling of urgency despite the limited animation is a testament to Gainax's skill. It's not something many studios could pull off.

I wouldn't be surprised if the way that battle was executed was part of the plan of the episode, like the choice to animate it in grayscale. It's just hard to tell.

My Google-fu isn't bringing me anything but speculation about the production history behind that final episode. I don't know if it's hiding in the Blu-Ray bonus materials or something.

Would they talk about budget issues in behind the scenes stuff?

 

[Mecha]

So we're actually talking about good anime for once?

Well HeartCatch from what I have seen is pretty quality for an anime for little girls

Spoiler

and a select group of adult men

.

 

[Branduil]

Ofc, and it humanizes him further by emphasizing an imperfection in character- a rather large one that takes away from his inherent heroic status as the protagonist- but many people seem to have a problem with any type of

Spoiler

rape

scene in fiction at all, explicit or not, intelligently handled or not, overly sexualized or not, presumably because they are (intentionally) unpleasant and uncomfortable. (Though murder is a-ok!)

Well I can certainly understand why people would be uncomfortable with that, especially in anime. And that scene is supposed to be uncomfortable. But personally I find the way Gainax deals with women in all of their other works a lot more demeaning, which I guess says something when the film with an

Spoiler

attempted rape followed by self-blame

feels less misogynistic than everything else you've done.

 

[Dresden]

Well . . .

On the decision to have the final episode of Gunbuster in black-and-white...

ANNO: When you have color, you have an extra dimension of information. Color would have gotten in the way of the sense of scale we wanted to portray with the black hole bomb. Also -- no one had ever done it before.

 

[wonzo]

I like this comment.

"So 1409 women should just go back to the kitchen cause Madoka not only deserves the fandom it gets, but I like to see much more. "

anime fans are the worst

Uchuu Kyoudai

http://www.ytv.co.jp/english/sp04/index.html

The story sounds not that bad and 48+ episodes confirmed

48+ episodes of space bros sounds damn good to me!

I really have to thank jason for arranging this delightful collection of still images. It really speaks volumes about the show as a whole:

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/051.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/052.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/053.jpg

nise truly is high art™

 

[madp]

That was arguably the best thing about the transformation, but the actual transformation scene was dull really.

Cure March and dull can't exist in the same sentence.

Naw man, you need to explain each frame. Describe the boot to skirt length and so forth!

What would it say about me if I admitted that I might be working on such an analysis?

idk. That heel turn...

But w/e that's why there are like 3 dozen precures!

This is still the highlight of this show so far.

IT'S DANGEROUS TO POST THIS WITHOUT WARNINHGNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG WHERE ARE MY HEART PILLS

Seems like we got a Precure theme going on right now.

PrecureGAF is conquering the thread with friendship and determination.

 

[Geneijin]

I need you to break down, frame by frame, what makes a good transformation!

Impossible. I just know what I don't like

Cure Rouge's over Cure Sunny's. Cure Lemonade's over Cure Peace's too.

idk. That heel turn...

And that's why I said arguably. It's either the hair flip or heel turn that's the best part of the transformation, and I'd go with the latter. It's one or two good individual elements that don't come together that make March's transformation largely forgettable for me.

My point was more along the lines that, aside from the hair flip, March's transformation sequence is very forgettable.

Ah, and I thought you were actually comparing the two. My mistake.

 

[Haly]

I really have to thank jason for arranging this delightful collection of still images. It really speaks volumes about the show as a whole:

But does it say good things or bad????

(I'm glad Jason came back in time for toothbrushing antics)

 

[Mecha]

PrecureGAF is conquering the thread with friendship and determination.

I thought conquering things with friendship was MLPFiMGafs game. One has to wonder who has the most friendship out of the two.

 

[Thoraxes]

I really have to thank jason for arranging this delightful collection of still images. It really speaks volumes about the show as a whole:

http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/051.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/052.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/Jexhius/053.jpg

 

[sonicmj1]

Well . . .

I also found a quote in a shitty translation of a decade-and-a-half old interview.

Okamoto - But development cost is high. In the past development solution for black-and-white was always available. Now you need to order it first and then they make the development solution.
Anno - If it's color development can be done in the same day. For black and white, they told me to give them 2 days and it became a problem to me schedule-wise. If there is a rush, they would not get it done unless they have 2 days.

It's probably safest to assume that everything in that episode is intentional.

 

[jman2050]

I really have to thank jason for arranging this delightful collection of still images. It really speaks volumes about the show as a whole:

I dunno, I feel like this generally sums up anime as a whole period.

Also, needs more triangles.

 

[7Th]

I thought conquering things with friendship was MLPgafs game. One has to wonder who has the most friendship out of the two.

Only one of them

Spoiler

is infinite.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

I wouldn't mind some short OVAs of the bad endings to Amagami.
oh man @ Haruka's.

 

[PdotMichael]

I wouldn't mind some short OVAs of the bad endings to Amagami.
oh man @ Haruka's.

We had already

Spoiler

the Rihoko friendzone ending :/

And the bonus sister episode is pretty much a bad ending.

 

[Urban Scholar]

So dare I say Spring anime 2012 season has a damn good number of prospects for my interests. New basketball drama....yeah I'll be there.

 

[wsippel]

On my quest for good, braindead fun (romance and/ or fanservice are welcome, but not required), I just stumbled across Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou. After watching the first episode, I really think I'll enjoy this wreck. Fun premise, cute girls, and a protagonist who doesn't seem to be a stupid wimp. It feels slightly similar to Highschool DxD so far (even though the premise is almost the polar opposite), which is good. Considering DxD is 2012 and Ichiban is 2010, I'd assume that there should be a lot more stuff like it? (Probably) Shunned by critics, mostly forgettable, but overall fun, feel-good stuff in the same vein?

 

[Instro]

Uchuu Kyoudai

http://www.ytv.co.jp/english/sp04/index.html

The story sounds not that bad and 48+ episodes confirmed

Wow, seems like an odd choice for a long running series.

 

[Envelope]

On my quest for good, braindead fun (romance and/ or fanservice are welcome, but not required), I just stumbled across Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou. After watching the first episode, I really think I'll enjoy this wreck. Fun premise, cute girls, and a protagonist who doesn't seem to be a stupid wimp. It feels slightly similar to Highschool DxD so far (even though the premise is almost the polar opposite), which is good. Considering DxD is 2012 and Ichiban is 2010, I'd assume that there should be a lot more stuff like it? (Probably) Shunned by critics, mostly forgettable, but overall fun, feel-good stuff in the same vein?

Infinite Stratos
Strike witches
Highschool of the Dead
Sekirei
Queen's Blade

 

[Mecha]

Only one of them

Spoiler

is infinite.

Spoiler

So that was the final attack?

It's odd how Japan seems to love Jupiter, anyone know why?

 

[Geneijin]

I thought conquering things with friendship was MLPFiMGafs game. One has to wonder who has the most friendship out of the two.

Says the guy who watches Danball Senki. Don't be so judgmental.

 

[Envelope]

Spoiler

So that was the final attack?

It's odd how Japan seems to love Jupiter, anyone know why?

Jupiter is the best Senshi!

 

[Mecha]

Says the guy who watches Danball Senki. Don't be so judgmental.

I wasn't judging anything, I was playing around since they both heavily focus on friendship. Also I have only seen the first episode of Danball, I enjoy the games but not for the story.

 

[Dresden]

http://i.imgur.com/zIq6Z.gif

http://i.imgur.com/F6ees.gif