Eureka Seven Astral Ocean |OT| "Don't fight it, feel it"
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Episode 4 was good. But I'm having some serious reservations about some of the elements on display mainly the generation bleu antics, how chessy the dialogue is at times, the racism angle - the world-view and setting is also somewhat hit-and-miss and is something that can easily be done poorly, especially with the whole self-aware references to the real-wordl that was going-on in the episode, it's somewhat of a annoying disconnect between the setting and what it portrayed on screen.
The good parts of the series still remain really good though; I'm just hoping some of the more iffy parts in the series don't take over the series and make it suck.
The good parts of the series still remain really good though; I'm just hoping some of the more iffy parts in the series don't take over the series and make it suck.
I hope Elena Miku Omigawa go dies in a fire because she's become a mouthpiece for all the annoying anime references so far.
I cringed a bit at the hippie scene but the encounter with the miner's sister was nice. It's not subtle, but then, by now we know the show's going to be heavy-handed about this stuff. Kinda wary of where it's heading right now.
Still, enjoyed it a lot. The first half especially. I'm glad Ao is out of that shithole and is venturing into the unknown. Less certain about the three stooges tagging along; they're an unwelcome reminder of the show's beginnings.
I cringed a bit at the hippie scene but the encounter with the miner's sister was nice. It's not subtle, but then, by now we know the show's going to be heavy-handed about this stuff. Kinda wary of where it's heading right now.
Still, enjoyed it a lot. The first half especially. I'm glad Ao is out of that shithole and is venturing into the unknown. Less certain about the three stooges tagging along; they're an unwelcome reminder of the show's beginnings.
Ultimadrago
Member
Eureka Seven AO 4
Anyways, Ao still getting used to robo.
Yet another refernce to anime-isms is made within the same half by little girl blue. Really, guys?
Location shift to the city of the United Islands. I'd guess it's supposed to look miles more advanced than an average city...but it doesn't look much different than New York...except with some flying cars.
As for
In short, better than the last episode, but didn't feel the sense of enjoyment as with the first. The interactions Ao has had with people that aren't Forehead and at times, the smugglers, have been weak.
With how this episode left us it seems,
Maybe they will make better interactions here due to the status quo...maybe not.
You get it?!
Not as easy as it looks in an anime!
...but this is an anime! lololol...Stupid.
Anyways, Ao still getting used to robo.
A phallic Secret mothership is destroyed.
Yet another refernce to anime-isms is made within the same half by little girl blue. Really, guys?
Meh.
Location shift to the city of the United Islands. I'd guess it's supposed to look miles more advanced than an average city...but it doesn't look much different than New York...except with some flying cars.
As for
the shift of "kindness" from Ao's acquaintance's sister. It was very artificial, a light switch from "Yay, you're cute with that haircut!" to "Sell him for opportunity!" in a span of a minute felt like a lazy addition to the notion of Ao not being able to trust all strangers.
In short, better than the last episode, but didn't feel the sense of enjoyment as with the first. The interactions Ao has had with people that aren't Forehead and at times, the smugglers, have been weak.
With how this episode left us it seems,
he will have a chance to interact with generation Bleu.
Pretty decent episode, and once again I can't help but feel that complaints about the anime references are being overdone. It was like one line in the entire ep, and wasn't even that bad. I'll complain if it gets more severe later though.
However my one complaint is that in this episode, it becomes clear what the difference is between having Kenichi Yoshida as main character designer, and not having him there. All the tertiary characters just look so bland, theres nothing about them that makes them feel thought out. Take a look at the dozens upon dozens of characters Yoshida designed in the first series, and they were all full of personality and looked unique. Here that is not the case. The dude that was helping Ao, its like someone drew him in 5 seconds because they forgot to design that character. Nothing about the design says anything about the character.
I mean, these sorts of Oda designs are a dime a dozen in 99% of other shows, but its disappointing seeing them in a sequel to a show like E7.
However my one complaint is that in this episode, it becomes clear what the difference is between having Kenichi Yoshida as main character designer, and not having him there. All the tertiary characters just look so bland, theres nothing about them that makes them feel thought out. Take a look at the dozens upon dozens of characters Yoshida designed in the first series, and they were all full of personality and looked unique. Here that is not the case. The dude that was helping Ao, its like someone drew him in 5 seconds because they forgot to design that character. Nothing about the design says anything about the character.
I mean, these sorts of Oda designs are a dime a dozen in 99% of other shows, but its disappointing seeing them in a sequel to a show like E7.
Where?!
Anyways, episode was good, definitely better than last weeks, but still disappointing. If only some high profile poster didn't hype this up...
Episode 4
I didn't have too much of a problem with this episode. sure, some things really sucked
but all in all it is still holding up pretty well for me, with the links to E7, some pretty nice tunes and the ability to not have Omigawa talk for more than a couple lines, also making it so those lines she says are short enough she doesn't get to reach the annoying, shrieking pitch her voice can reach, so that even I can actually like her character, even if Elena is a complete idiot.
The Gazelle Trio is really getting on my good side, personally. They're idiots, but have managed to become lovable ones in my eyes.
I didn't have too much of a problem with this episode. sure, some things really sucked
and the selfishness of people is so overstated that it could become annoying going forward
the sister of the man that rescued Ao, what a pos
The Gazelle Trio is really getting on my good side, personally. They're idiots, but have managed to become lovable ones in my eyes.
Thats whats bothering me
what they describe in the episode seems like an alternate ending
Dedication Through Light
Member
Dont really have much to say on episode 4 as much of what I love for AO, was only 20% of the episodes, the explosions and fighting and his interbattle development was pretty good. The out of battle discussions and world building with awkward music selections was dull.
The scene with Arata Naru on the boat with her hands spread out taking in all the wind was just awkward. Really, theyve failed to even explain how she is relevant to Ao.
The scene with Arata Naru on the boat with her hands spread out taking in all the wind was just awkward. Really, theyve failed to even explain how she is relevant to Ao.
MotionBlue
Member
Not true.
Naru is the only survivor of the scub burst caused by Eureka/Nirvash.
Upcoming Ep titles/credits:
Ep5 - Tighten Up
Script: Shinichi Inotsume
Episode Director: Ikuro Sato
Storyboard: Michio Fukuda, Tomoki Kyoda
Animation Direction: Eiko Saito, Hideto Komori, Nekomataya
Ep6 - Light My Fire
Script: Shinichi Inotsume
Episode Director: Yo Miura
Storyboard: Toshinori Narita, Yasushi Muraki, Tomoki Kyoda
Animation Direction: Mutsumi Kadekaru,Tomokatsu Nagasaku, Kazuhiro Miwa
Ep7 - No One Is Innocent
Script: Shou Aikawa
Episode Director: Takahiro Natori
Storyboard: Takahiro Natori, Tonari Kamiigusa
Animation Direction: Koichi Horikawa, Takahiro Komori, Takeshi Yoshioka
Ep8 - TBA
Script: Hiroyuki Kawasaki
Episode Director: Daisuke Chiba
Storyboard: Kenji Nagasaki
Animation Direction: Junichi Fukunaga, Chang Pyo Hong, Azuma Sugawara
Ep9 - TBA
Script: Naohiro Fukushima
Episode Director: TBA
Storyboard: TBA
Animation Direction: TBA
Ep5 - Tighten Up
Script: Shinichi Inotsume
Episode Director: Ikuro Sato
Storyboard: Michio Fukuda, Tomoki Kyoda
Animation Direction: Eiko Saito, Hideto Komori, Nekomataya
Ep6 - Light My Fire
Script: Shinichi Inotsume
Episode Director: Yo Miura
Storyboard: Toshinori Narita, Yasushi Muraki, Tomoki Kyoda
Animation Direction: Mutsumi Kadekaru,Tomokatsu Nagasaku, Kazuhiro Miwa
Ep7 - No One Is Innocent
Script: Shou Aikawa
Episode Director: Takahiro Natori
Storyboard: Takahiro Natori, Tonari Kamiigusa
Animation Direction: Koichi Horikawa, Takahiro Komori, Takeshi Yoshioka
Ep8 - TBA
Script: Hiroyuki Kawasaki
Episode Director: Daisuke Chiba
Storyboard: Kenji Nagasaki
Animation Direction: Junichi Fukunaga, Chang Pyo Hong, Azuma Sugawara
Ep9 - TBA
Script: Naohiro Fukushima
Episode Director: TBA
Storyboard: TBA
Animation Direction: TBA
Ultimadrago
Member
Eureka Seven AO 5
AO gets to know the headquarters (which looks like a piece of shit) and its employees. Pink haired girl will and shall attempt to
ol' girl.
The bums
Again the sub-theme of the older generation making way for the new arises, leaving (not very interesting) questions of how it will expand in the future.
Inevitable episode that was lame.
Send in the mechs.
Gang of n'er-do-wells
AO gets to know the headquarters (which looks like a piece of shit) and its employees. Pink haired girl will and shall attempt to
NTR
Sugar-crazed mecha loli may or may not win my heart.
The bums
get written into the story further by becoming Generation Bleu recruits.
"Duuuuuur Huuuur."
Inevitable episode that was lame.
Send in the mechs.
Gosh Elena's lines just makes me want to punch someone despite her VA and character design being awesome. Fleur is already heading down a road that's going to be dumb. Having said that I'm glad that they asked the question "Ao, what're you do here." It creates character development and breaks down that 4th wall of us asking, "seriously, wtf IS he doing there." Overall, good episode.
Episode 5 - Real Impressions
Disturbingly tantamount to cognitive dissonance. That's how the direction this series is going in makes me feel. Did that sound pretentious? I'm sure it did, but so is this show. Usually the thought of a pretentious anime would invoke thoughts of Shaft or Yuasa's stuff. But that's a different sort of pretentiousness. With Eureka Seven AO, it seems to want to present itself as the best of mecha anime and the worst of mecha anime at the same time. It is being smart? Or just incredibly stupid? I simply don't know yet.
The setting being presented this far is both interesting and disappointing at the same time. I find that there are comparisons to both RahXephon and Eureka Seven which make the show feel very right. There is a sense of a larger world, there are a good number of characters who feel like they inhabit a personal space of their own and aren't just characters written in to support the main character, the organization structures are interesting, and there are many times where the details or script elements show that the creators are aware that there are viewers who care for a smarter take on mecha anime than just fanservice and action pandering.
Yet at the same time, there are elements of the show and the setting which completely embrace what is popular (for the wrong reasons) among modern mecha anime shows. There is an unnatural imbalance towards having a diverse number of different but equally predictable young female characters who fill various "moe" criteria. There is an abundance of self-referencing in-jokes and parodies which would appeal to viewers of something like Oreimo. And for all the extra realism they try to put into the details of how things work in the world, there is also a sense of unreality with how the organization of Generation Bleu works.
The structure of the group feels very much like RahXephon's TERRA, and not so much like Eureka Seven's Gekkostate. The biggest contrast would be that the actual mood of the organization is more like Gekkostate in the sense of being laid back, but there is an additional artificial layer to it which feels even more relaxed. Like the adult characters are on vacation, but still on their toes a bit. The young pilots of the IFOs all feel like otaku-pandering characters inserted to help sell merchandise unfortunately, which is disappointing. This sense of contrast creates an atmosphere which is neither RX nor E7, and instead it feels like a sort of environment engineered around justifying the need for using children in combat.
This is probably the most interesting point in this week's episode. There is a very subtle but apparent sense of the characters on the show deliberately playing down the sense of actual tension or danger in favor of having an artificially lighter mood. Something about the adults in Generation Bleu feel wrong. They are too warm, too friendly, and without a good reason to be such, given the nature of the organization.
I really cannot determine for sure at this point if this is an intentional direction, or simply a require of a lack of polish in the writing, but the feeling I get is that the entire organization creates an artificial mood of goofiness to make the environment more tenable for recruiting and employing young girls as pilots for deadly weapons. If there is more to this that gets expanded on later in the series, it would be a pretty bold decision, because the way it is presented so far is subtle enough to be missed by some, but also obvious enough that there are things you can pick on if you notice them.
As for the rest of the episode itself, it was serviceable, but the pacing wasn't fantastic and there were quite a few lazy moments. The humor was hit or miss, with the scenes featuring Gazel and friends working out a lot better than the scenes with Ao. Ao's performance continues to be impressive though, with the actor doing a great job of sounding exactly like he should - a fish out of water, not knowing what to really do for the first time in his life, and trying to find a way to fit in.
The new mech designs for Team Goldilocks are kinda... bad. Hopefully they either look better when transformed, or we won't see much of them in the show in general. I dislike the pilots anyway. The use of CG for the hurricane cloud towards the end of the episode looked pretty poor too. BONES should play to their strengths of traditional animation and leave digital effects to the pros at other studios imo.
Looking forward to see how they further develop this situation next week. Plus, more mecha action! Yay!
Disturbingly tantamount to cognitive dissonance. That's how the direction this series is going in makes me feel. Did that sound pretentious? I'm sure it did, but so is this show. Usually the thought of a pretentious anime would invoke thoughts of Shaft or Yuasa's stuff. But that's a different sort of pretentiousness. With Eureka Seven AO, it seems to want to present itself as the best of mecha anime and the worst of mecha anime at the same time. It is being smart? Or just incredibly stupid? I simply don't know yet.
The setting being presented this far is both interesting and disappointing at the same time. I find that there are comparisons to both RahXephon and Eureka Seven which make the show feel very right. There is a sense of a larger world, there are a good number of characters who feel like they inhabit a personal space of their own and aren't just characters written in to support the main character, the organization structures are interesting, and there are many times where the details or script elements show that the creators are aware that there are viewers who care for a smarter take on mecha anime than just fanservice and action pandering.
Yet at the same time, there are elements of the show and the setting which completely embrace what is popular (for the wrong reasons) among modern mecha anime shows. There is an unnatural imbalance towards having a diverse number of different but equally predictable young female characters who fill various "moe" criteria. There is an abundance of self-referencing in-jokes and parodies which would appeal to viewers of something like Oreimo. And for all the extra realism they try to put into the details of how things work in the world, there is also a sense of unreality with how the organization of Generation Bleu works.
The structure of the group feels very much like RahXephon's TERRA, and not so much like Eureka Seven's Gekkostate. The biggest contrast would be that the actual mood of the organization is more like Gekkostate in the sense of being laid back, but there is an additional artificial layer to it which feels even more relaxed. Like the adult characters are on vacation, but still on their toes a bit. The young pilots of the IFOs all feel like otaku-pandering characters inserted to help sell merchandise unfortunately, which is disappointing. This sense of contrast creates an atmosphere which is neither RX nor E7, and instead it feels like a sort of environment engineered around justifying the need for using children in combat.
This is probably the most interesting point in this week's episode. There is a very subtle but apparent sense of the characters on the show deliberately playing down the sense of actual tension or danger in favor of having an artificially lighter mood. Something about the adults in Generation Bleu feel wrong. They are too warm, too friendly, and without a good reason to be such, given the nature of the organization.
I really cannot determine for sure at this point if this is an intentional direction, or simply a require of a lack of polish in the writing, but the feeling I get is that the entire organization creates an artificial mood of goofiness to make the environment more tenable for recruiting and employing young girls as pilots for deadly weapons. If there is more to this that gets expanded on later in the series, it would be a pretty bold decision, because the way it is presented so far is subtle enough to be missed by some, but also obvious enough that there are things you can pick on if you notice them.
As for the rest of the episode itself, it was serviceable, but the pacing wasn't fantastic and there were quite a few lazy moments. The humor was hit or miss, with the scenes featuring Gazel and friends working out a lot better than the scenes with Ao. Ao's performance continues to be impressive though, with the actor doing a great job of sounding exactly like he should - a fish out of water, not knowing what to really do for the first time in his life, and trying to find a way to fit in.
The new mech designs for Team Goldilocks are kinda... bad. Hopefully they either look better when transformed, or we won't see much of them in the show in general. I dislike the pilots anyway. The use of CG for the hurricane cloud towards the end of the episode looked pretty poor too. BONES should play to their strengths of traditional animation and leave digital effects to the pros at other studios imo.
Looking forward to see how they further develop this situation next week. Plus, more mecha action! Yay!
I agree with you on most of that but I will still end up buying a figure of Elena Peoples. That's the point of her existing and I'm totally going to fall into the trap.
In my opinion, you're reading this the wrong way; even if the adults in Generation Blue definitely act "unnaturally" nice, I don't think they're doing it in order to play down the sense of danger but rather because they know that the kids can die in every single mission. It's not "bold", just... sensible, I guess. They definitely care for "the children", the characterization of Pied Piper's crew has been very consistent in its "we must do everything to protect our children" motto.
Have you ever read, or seen, Bokurano? The way in which the military acted towards the Zearth pilots is the thing that GB reminds me of the most. The adults feel guilty that they're "sacrificing" children for the sake of Earth, but at the same time they can't do anything about it beyond being as kind as possible to the kids that agreed to be "sacrificed".
Yea, this show does not give a fuck about the 4th wall
it busted through it like Cool Aid when it referenced an anime thats not even a year old
Wait, good point. I thought only children could pilot, but now it seems only young girls (apart from AO?)
They better have a good reason to pull off that gimmick
it busted through it like Cool Aid when it referenced an anime thats not even a year old
Wait, good point. I thought only children could pilot, but now it seems only young girls (apart from AO?)
They better have a good reason to pull off that gimmick
I think you're confusing my comments about the direction of the show for the audience with character motivations. The sense of danger that's being played down is how the audience feels, because so far the presentation is pretty goofy and there is never an actual sense of the Secrets being actual threats. As I said, this could either be intentional on the parts of the show's creators (because of character motivations where they try to create an environment which is more comfortable for the kids they have to use), or simply because it's poorly thought out. I never rule out potential incompetence.
If E7AO goes the direction of Bokurano, I would say that is definitely a "bold" direction because this is a mass market product meant to sell toys, games, and otaku merchandising. It's not an adaptation of a manga by a sick and twisted mangaka who should probably be locked up instead of writing more crap.
I think you're confusing my comments about the direction of the show for the audience with character motivations. The sense of danger that's being played down is how the audience feels, because so far the presentation is pretty goofy and there is never an actual sense of the Secrets being actual threats. As I said, this could either be intentional on the parts of the show's creators (because of character motivations where they try to create an environment which is more comfortable for the kids they have to use), or simply because it's poorly thought out. I never rule out potential incompetence.
If E7AO goes the direction of Bokurano, I would say that is definitely a "bold" direction because this is a mass market product meant to sell toys, games, and otaku merchandising. It's not an adaptation of a manga by a sick and twisted mangaka who should probably be locked up instead of writing more crap.
I actually feel that Bones is being very deliberate with the whole "artificially happy" environment; I don't think they're luring the audience into "a sense of safety" at all. Maybe I'm giving them too much credit or letting the QB reference cloud my judgement, but I get the feeling that they are trying to not glorify joining GB? All the characters asking Ao "DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS" and the way in which the older Goldilocks pilots were pampering Chloe really made me feel as if joining GB became kind of a death sentence.
I agree that there is a very good chance it is deliberately intended, but the fact remains that they are also deliberately making all the pilots moe baits of different types, which makes it either a really bold move (for BONES that is) when they actually do terrible things to them, or it will end up being a case of wanting the best of both worlds and hurting the show when they are unable to really do anything harmful to characters whom they want to market to otaku. That's what I'm getting at.
lvl99 Pixel
Member
Cut back drop turn XD
You guys might remember me from a couple pages back as the guy who thought AO looked interesting, but hadn't seen the original series yet.
Well, I've watched it now and it's instantly become one of my favourite anime. The entire universe, from the story, to the characters, to the world are all just so rich and detailed.
Some of the stuff I'm reading in here has me a bit worried. What's the general consensus on how AO stands up to its predecessor? Yah, I know, 5 episodes is way too early to say definitively. I'm just looking for a good level to set my expectations at.
Right now, from the images you guys are posting, along with the few bits of footage I've seen..this really doesn't feel like Eureka Seven at all..in fact, it looks like it's not even in the same universe.
Also, for some reason, I had a strange love for third closing to the original series, but I was never quite sure why. Seeing everyone acting normal and going through the minutia of daily life caused a weird sense of cognitive dissonance, but in an interesting way. Then I found out it was directed by the guy who directed Samurai Champloo and Bebop. So good.
Well, I've watched it now and it's instantly become one of my favourite anime. The entire universe, from the story, to the characters, to the world are all just so rich and detailed.
Some of the stuff I'm reading in here has me a bit worried. What's the general consensus on how AO stands up to its predecessor? Yah, I know, 5 episodes is way too early to say definitively. I'm just looking for a good level to set my expectations at.
Right now, from the images you guys are posting, along with the few bits of footage I've seen..this really doesn't feel like Eureka Seven at all..in fact, it looks like it's not even in the same universe.
Also, for some reason, I had a strange love for third closing to the original series, but I was never quite sure why. Seeing everyone acting normal and going through the minutia of daily life caused a weird sense of cognitive dissonance, but in an interesting way. Then I found out it was directed by the guy who directed Samurai Champloo and Bebop. So good.
More like the "BONES trying to be like every other Anime studio" effectThe BONES effect is coming into play now.
Jex
Member
The BONES effect is coming into play now.
None of that is really stuff that BONES is known for!
That's because it's the best of any the OP/ED's in the whole show!
I can't believe we've had two uses of 'cognitive dissonance' on one page.
That just means Bones is evolving! And anyway, what is Bones known for these days? Judging by their past few shows, not being good?
Considering the three Goldilocks kids are in the OP, I'm kinda expecting this.
The poorly designed fat guy is totally dead, tho.
Weird... thats the only one i felt compelled to skip
it seemed way out of character for the show, and featured clips of the characters in modern bedrooms... kinda weird fanservice
A question about the new Nirvash
when it loses its arm, its purely robotic. Arent they supposed to have flesh underneath?
WrenchNinja
Member
So episode 5...
Yeah, I hope all these little girls get killed off. Pandering garbage. I am failing to find any interest in any of these characters apart from Ao, but thats more due to his relation with Eureka and Renton.
The three stooges, and the adults on the pied piper are alright.
Yeah, I hope all these little girls get killed off. Pandering garbage. I am failing to find any interest in any of these characters apart from Ao, but thats more due to his relation with Eureka and Renton.
The three stooges, and the adults on the pied piper are alright.
Besides the fact that the movie takes place in some weird alt universe, is it worth watching in its own right?
I need my Eureka Seven fix, and it's really hard waiting an entire week for a new episode of AO after having blown through the entire original series in a few days.
I've read online that AO might be fooling around with some of this alternate universe crap, which might actually make the movie relevant.
I need my Eureka Seven fix, and it's really hard waiting an entire week for a new episode of AO after having blown through the entire original series in a few days.
I've read online that AO might be fooling around with some of this alternate universe crap, which might actually make the movie relevant.
Dedication Through Light
Member
Episode 6
I would have chose a picture but I guess itd be a spoiler since its from the preview, but
. First half was confusing at first but once
I appreciated it. Stunning visuals and strategy this episode, Ao continues to show that he means business. I like it. But the second best character in the show there, cant wait for more.
I would have chose a picture but I guess itd be a spoiler since its from the preview, but
true form Truth looked so cool, explosion behind his back!
Truth was introduced
Episode 5-6
Enjoyed them. Omigawa isn't drilling a hole in my brain with her voice, which keeps surprising me. Her character isn't all that interesting though, even if the pop references are alright with me.
I wonder about the connection between the new introduced character
, the Secrets and the Scub Coral but I guess that's going to be midly answered in the next episode.
Enjoyed them. Omigawa isn't drilling a hole in my brain with her voice, which keeps surprising me. Her character isn't all that interesting though, even if the pop references are alright with me.
I wonder about the connection between the new introduced character
Truth
Episode 6
This episode basically clears up all the doubts I had from last week's episode and makes it very pointedly clear where the series is headed. If they can keep the serious beats of the show like what they did this week, I'll totally accept the occasional silly humor parts of the show.
This was a pretty solid episode in terms of introducing the larger picture of the story and introducing potential villains. It also serves to further separate itself from the original Eureka Seven to make it clear that the story is going to be original and interesting in its own ways. Looks like next week shit is going to go down and the real plot is going to begin. It is definitely paced like a 24 episode series now.
This episode basically clears up all the doubts I had from last week's episode and makes it very pointedly clear where the series is headed. If they can keep the serious beats of the show like what they did this week, I'll totally accept the occasional silly humor parts of the show.
This was a pretty solid episode in terms of introducing the larger picture of the story and introducing potential villains. It also serves to further separate itself from the original Eureka Seven to make it clear that the story is going to be original and interesting in its own ways. Looks like next week shit is going to go down and the real plot is going to begin. It is definitely paced like a 24 episode series now.
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