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Spring Anime 2012 | Welcome Home, Space Cowboy
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Jex
Member
[Zetman - 1]
I see that most people have commented how this episode seems fairly contrived and clichéd, with all the major plot points telegraphed ahead of time but that they enjoyed it because of the great presentation. I largely agree with that assessment, although it wasn't simply the animation that was good, the cinematography was pretty good as well.
One thing I do find odd is how no-one is talking about the really crazy, Kemonozume-level, distorted animation that occurs in one particular fight scene. Most of the time the show looks like this:
But then we get:
Really, extreme stuff.
I see that most people have commented how this episode seems fairly contrived and clichéd, with all the major plot points telegraphed ahead of time but that they enjoyed it because of the great presentation. I largely agree with that assessment, although it wasn't simply the animation that was good, the cinematography was pretty good as well.
One thing I do find odd is how no-one is talking about the really crazy, Kemonozume-level, distorted animation that occurs in one particular fight scene. Most of the time the show looks like this:
But then we get:
Really, extreme stuff.
Ultimadrago
Member
Steins; Gate 10
A bit more character focused with a tang of looming antagonism. Not shabby.
A bit more character focused with a tang of looming antagonism. Not shabby.
Listening to Kyouma's explanation of a "club house" more than a "lab" was, while obvious, a good insight to have concretely spoken by his character. The goofiness of the gang rubbing off on "Red" and so on. I'm a bit irked by the fact that he only worried about the mysterious message until nighttime, then dropping it to ponder on the whereabouts of the girl. However, maybe he just cares that much, or something.
I haven't had much to say about the scene transitions and setting evaluation because nothing really stands out in that department. A few notable sudden/rushed transitions, there hasn't been a creative on thus far. The time jumps are one I guess, but I don't really count them. They are more an element to visually identify a device of the story rather than explore artistic/creative bounds. Anyways, the show is getting there for me and there's plenty to go. Just needs to go a bit faster...
I haven't had much to say about the scene transitions and setting evaluation because nothing really stands out in that department. A few notable sudden/rushed transitions, there hasn't been a creative on thus far. The time jumps are one I guess, but I don't really count them. They are more an element to visually identify a device of the story rather than explore artistic/creative bounds. Anyways, the show is getting there for me and there's plenty to go. Just needs to go a bit faster...
Yeah the first 15 or so episodes of R are rather weak because its basically an arc the anime uses to realign its story with the manga.
Crash Station
Member
Yeah, this was also lost in the transition from manga to anime.
chickdigger802
Banned
I'm sure you're just exaggerating or something.
By the way, if you want a DEEN anime that actually has some form of decent animation, go watch the Read or Die OVA.
Well to be fair they 'cheat' a bit with a lot of flashes and what not. Kinda like how Guilty Gear games tend to hide janky animations with a lot of flashy bits ;P
That fight with the thugs was the most engaging of the episode I think. The only thing I found a bit weird is that the animation makes it seem like Jin smashed the dude's head in but in fact he didn't.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
I didn't elaborate on it, but that scene in particular was what I was thinking of when I said I was impressed by the action animation. Definitely not the sort of thing I expected, and hopefully a sign that TMS is willing to invest in the production values throughout this show. I've seen speculation that it was done by Hisashi Mori, who worked on an episode of Kemonozume.
On a related note, I'm finding that I'm liking the Zetman OP much more than it probably deserves.
Jex
Member
I wouldn't know much about that myself, but it seemed to me that the childhood friend and his sister where just 'there', for no apparent reason. They weren't really developed at all, which worries me because I assume (based on having a brain) that they're going to come up again. I hope that isn't all the character set-up they give us.
Now and Then, Here and There 2
A gradient shouldn't be a background like it's used in here inside the ship. I understand it's likely a stylistic choice but everything feels sort of disconnected. The interrogation scene was weird as it felt like a stage with
as props. I think I would have been ok with it if the platform scene preceding it hadn't used the same idea.
I was privy to more hints of Shu being stronger than normal although I get the feeling that's just dramatic license rather than any sort of foreshadowing about him. Also fuck Hamdo's petulant ass.
A gradient shouldn't be a background like it's used in here inside the ship. I understand it's likely a stylistic choice but everything feels sort of disconnected. The interrogation scene was weird as it felt like a stage with
a chair, a desk, and a dead cat
I was privy to more hints of Shu being stronger than normal although I get the feeling that's just dramatic license rather than any sort of foreshadowing about him. Also fuck Hamdo's petulant ass.
Jex
Member
I think it's interesting to note that the director for the show, Osamu Nabeshima, has been around for a while but most of his work is as an animator for works such as Akira (then again, who didn't work on Akira?) rather than a director. It remains to be seen how well that will work out for the series as a whole.
Also, by 'high production values' I usually envisage smooth, traditional animation for fight scenes such as the one that takes place at the climax of the episode. That's why I expect to see - the really exaggerated fight scene was a lot more experimental and sketchy than I was expecting.
Thematic relevancy. They weren't there as characters, but as skeletons/devices meant to exemplify Jin's underdog status--Jin
fights for profit/rich friend says justice doesn't come as a cost but can only say that because he's privileged, then is told, when he gets home, that he can never play with the little hobo kid again etc...etc...
Crash Station
Member
Yeah, that was something that was added. Kouga and Jin never met as kids in the manga and he only met the sister once. Here, it seemed like they had some kind of "justice club" thing going on, something that is kind of at odds with Jin's development...
As an adaptation, it's really rather poor.
Its a self portrait!
hosannainexcelsis
Member
He did direct the incredibly long-running Hamtaro, so it's not like he lacks experience.
Yeah, what I meant is that I hope we get more experimental animation along those lines; not only is it more unique, but it also makes flights visceral and gritty in a way smooth animation can't match.
I'm hoping that now that the backstory is out of the way, the adaptation can find a solid stretch of story to cover that doesn't feel like it's glossing over key moments. It'll be impossible to satisfy the manga readers, but it could be good as a stand-alone work if the staff is smart about how they structure their narrative.
Lupin III 05:
So I wonder if the introduction of Ishikawa Goemon XIII is going to lead to "Goemon episodes" where Lupin is trying to escape his Terminator-esque foe all episode. I certainly hope that his character is used for more than a single plot device, so I'll just have to see. The original Ishikawa Goemon was known for being a thief, I thought, so maybe that'll be the common ground he eventually finds with Lupin.
This episode was delightfully 70s between Moumouchi's clothing and the punchcard computer sequence. The old guy trying to escape in a whimsical little balloon just topped the expeirence off nicely.
Also, Lupin is officially a really dangerous sociopath,
. I like how the show deemed it necessary to add in "and miraculously no one was killed!" to the end of the scene just to downplay the horror of what had just happened.
Lupin III 06:
Man, Fujiko sure likes to get kinky with
. The amount of double-crossing going on in this series is staggering.
The guy who could shove a lit stick of dynamite up someone's ass without them even noticing should have become one of Lupin's henchmen. I can't think of a situation where that wouldn't be useful.
Gotta get back, back to the past...
So I wonder if the introduction of Ishikawa Goemon XIII is going to lead to "Goemon episodes" where Lupin is trying to escape his Terminator-esque foe all episode. I certainly hope that his character is used for more than a single plot device, so I'll just have to see. The original Ishikawa Goemon was known for being a thief, I thought, so maybe that'll be the common ground he eventually finds with Lupin.
This episode was delightfully 70s between Moumouchi's clothing and the punchcard computer sequence. The old guy trying to escape in a whimsical little balloon just topped the expeirence off nicely.
Also, Lupin is officially a really dangerous sociopath,
blowing up an oil tanker in the middle of traffic without a second thought
Lupin III 06:
Man, Fujiko sure likes to get kinky with
her jewels
The guy who could shove a lit stick of dynamite up someone's ass without them even noticing should have become one of Lupin's henchmen. I can't think of a situation where that wouldn't be useful.
Crash Station
Member
Rich people.
InsaneZero
Member
There are plenty of DEEN animus with good animation - it just happens that they stopped making them right around (after) the Read or Die OVA.
I was going to add the qualifier "relatively recent" since I couldn't think of anything more recent that looked good, but then I thought that something out more than a decade ago shouldn't count as recent in any capacity. Probably should've kept it though.
Jex
Member
I'm for all for thematic relevancy, heck, it's my middle name. However, if you're going to have characters who will clearly be very relevant to the story further down the line bringing them out here as glorified props to interact with the protagonist seems really awkward.
Oh, right, in which case that's even worse. What they've done now is establish and set up a relationship between these characters which they really need to pay off, or else the whole thing makes no sense.
I don't care about how it was handled in the original material, but now I have an expectation that needs to be fulfilled.
There are plenty of DEEN animus with good animation - it just happens that they stopped making them right around (after) the Read or Die OVA.
The current DEEN basically has nothing to do with the old DEEN. It's best to consider them two different studios, just like current Gainax and old Gainax.
This is precisely where the cross between comic style and manga style has the potential to make the show really interesting. Zetman's aesthetic is already a fusion between the two, but I'm not familiar with any animated adaptations of western comics that use such a wild and somewhat disorienting style for depicting fights where motion is emphasized over the individual blows. I certainly hope we see more of this in the series.
I forgot to address that particular scene in my reaction to the episode and I'm glad that it's been brought up.
I'm not so sure I agree. It's like, what more could be said? Him being a little Alladin is one thing, but the episode had a clear focus: Show Jin's struggle, with clarity, and get him alone from situation A to C; a character-piece where no one but the characters integral to his development were given any real screentime--Gramps and Akemi, but plenty skeletons were put in place for further development. It happens in stories all the time, and is actually something I dig.
chickdigger802
Banned
I recall that 1 guy who tends to love doing this stuff in the handful of naruto eps he directed.
Fans naturally flipped out.
I'm all for good looking animation. I didn't sign up to watch a colored manga slide show.
Oh man, then you shouldn't be watching Naruto...
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Yep. The arcs are in and out, which is great.
Are you talking about the Pein episodes? I've never watched any Shippuuden, but the gifs circulated the internet pretty widely after those episodes aired and I remember being really impressed at the bold stylistic choice before realizing that I was apparently supposed to be mocking the "terrible art" like everyone else.
dakkumauji
Member
Naruto SD Rock Lee Something Something 01
Well, I pretty much didn't care for the first part of the episode. Very lame, pretty much didn't really go anywhere, more a fail attempt at comedy really.
I did like the second part of the episode. Made lots of fun of the series itself, pretty much what a gag version of an anime should be doing.
I guess I'll stick around now due to that.
Well, I pretty much didn't care for the first part of the episode. Very lame, pretty much didn't really go anywhere, more a fail attempt at comedy really.
I did like the second part of the episode. Made lots of fun of the series itself, pretty much what a gag version of an anime should be doing.
I guess I'll stick around now due to that.
I still can't believe you haven't started Sket Dance yet. Given that you're a Gintabrother, and your digging of the tactfully sentimental, you'd love it. The arcs aren't as self-contained, at all, but, on the flipside, the actual narrative feels much deeper for it, and the humor is incredibly similar. /peerpressure
firehawk12
Subete no aware
That crossover episode on the Sket Dance side was preeeeeeeeeeeeeetty bad.
chickdigger802
Banned
I generally don't these days. Still keep up with manga for old times sake.
Yep, he also did a few others. Never understood the terrible art thing. It's like if someone screencaped Tom cruise getting slapped, and say his face ain't sexy.
I watched the first 30 eps or so, but found the humor to be more miss than hit... And the production value is crap compare to gintama xD
jump_button
Banned
Hotarubi no Mori e
*curl up into a ball* T_T
*curl up into a ball* T_T
That crossover episode on the Sket Dance side was preeeeeeeeeeeeeetty bad.
Yeah, that was a horrible first-impression if that was your first time with the series. Still, try it out, though, whenever you find the time, from the beginning. There's a particularly polarizing character flip I think you'll, as I do, find mighty impressive. Something incredibly unusual of the genre. Kaiki/Senjou-tier flip. The other Sket Dance bros know what I'm referring to, and can back me up on that one.
Yeah, it's definitely nowhere near as consistent as Gintama, but what is, as long as Gintama's run? The highs in SD are MUCH higher, imo, though.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Unknown Soldier
Member
We don't have a VN thread that I know of, so I'll ask here:
Assuming you're a decently fast reader, how long does it take toplay through read Fate/Stay Night?
Assuming you're a decently fast reader, how long does it take to
But we do.
Crash Station
Member
Also, Gintoki > Sket Dance guy!
That's a pretty high bar man.
I can attest to this. Sket Dance has some REALLY high highs. Honestly, I don't think anything in Gintama has touched episode 25 of SD.
I'm a pretty fast reader and I took around a week to finish it, 3-5hrs per day. I'd say around 30-40 hours.
That's a pretty high bar man.
Oh, but it is!
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
I figured this past week was a good time to return to the show for some reason. I had watched the first five episodes years ago but I never finished it.
Now.
Returning to this, I knew there were two ways to watch it (broadcast order and chronological order). At the time I had no idea what the "right" way to watch the show was so I just decided to do it the chronological way. Halfway through, I realize how watching it in this order might have the "surprises" not have as much of an impact but I'd already known about a lot of the show by now so yeah. By that time I'd already gone through half the episodes so I just stuck to that path.
That said, I really did enjoy this though the latter part of the show didn't feel as good as the first half. I do have to say that looking back on some of the episodes and the ordering, this show was really cleverly done. I understand why people say Kyon is one of the best protagonists in anime and I loved his character. Nagato was probably my favorite character in the show. The little subtle moments with her scenes were great (especially in the duel with the computer club episode).
The show definitely hit a lot of the notes that I love in anime and while I didn't enjoy the second half as much (yes i realize watching it a certain way might have affected this) I really did have fun with this show. Great characters, interesting storyline, clever writing, and really good animation as expected from KyoAni.
So now I have to ask, how should I tackle the second season? I remember reading that the new episodes were intertwined with the rest of the show. Then I know there's the whole "Endless Eight" thing as well.
So should I just watch those episodes straight through or skip them and just watch Disappearance (since I've heard that was really good)?
I figured this past week was a good time to return to the show for some reason. I had watched the first five episodes years ago but I never finished it.
Now.
Returning to this, I knew there were two ways to watch it (broadcast order and chronological order). At the time I had no idea what the "right" way to watch the show was so I just decided to do it the chronological way. Halfway through, I realize how watching it in this order might have the "surprises" not have as much of an impact but I'd already known about a lot of the show by now so yeah. By that time I'd already gone through half the episodes so I just stuck to that path.
That said, I really did enjoy this though the latter part of the show didn't feel as good as the first half. I do have to say that looking back on some of the episodes and the ordering, this show was really cleverly done. I understand why people say Kyon is one of the best protagonists in anime and I loved his character. Nagato was probably my favorite character in the show. The little subtle moments with her scenes were great (especially in the duel with the computer club episode).
The show definitely hit a lot of the notes that I love in anime and while I didn't enjoy the second half as much (yes i realize watching it a certain way might have affected this) I really did have fun with this show. Great characters, interesting storyline, clever writing, and really good animation as expected from KyoAni.
So now I have to ask, how should I tackle the second season? I remember reading that the new episodes were intertwined with the rest of the show. Then I know there's the whole "Endless Eight" thing as well.
So should I just watch those episodes straight through or skip them and just watch Disappearance (since I've heard that was really good)?
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Man, dat god damned hype!
But thats just wrong. Any Madao episode for one.
Just do what I did and watch the first and last ones. That's perhaps the reason I'm not as soured on the franchise as most. That and the fact that Disappearance is so damn good.
Allow me to third the peer pressure hype train. Good stuff. Of course the only problem is that nothing afterwards came even close which is why I haven't really kept up.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Hrrrrrrrrm. Well, it's mostly on the backlog anyway. The first few episodes didn't seem all that great, which is why I didn't keep up with it in the first place.
Just like Nagato.
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