Support NeoGAF

[Jex]

To expound upon this, as you started to, to say Ano Natsu is an example of 'good' writing just doesn't work with me--It's far too derivative/unimaginative in its concept/scenarios/dialogues for me to consider it that, but to say it an example of solid scripting, or structure/layering, would be totally apt, imo. It succeeding in that whereas Anohana failed miserably. And that's definitely an aspect of good writing, but I think the divide should be noted.

I can't remember who picked up on this before, but you're correct. That's what I meant by good writing, I just didn't drill down to the fine details of what I meant.

Sadly, for anime, having a solid and consistent structure makes you stand out from the pack.

 

[Femmeworth]

The Koreans only made it because they are so afraid of fan death or whatever. It's not supposed to work better or anything, but it also won't kill you at night while you sleep.

Right, it'll just steal your soul instead. *sets Korean culture back by another few decades*

 

[cajunator]

There are plenty of anime with decent to good writing. The problems seem to lie with weak or bad endings.

 

[frostbyte]

I thought fan death was something that happened when you left the air conditioning on overnight.

Or at least that's what my parents told me when I was little.

Fan death? Who the hell dies from an electric fan?

<_< What's this about fan death? *glances at fan next to me*

I... wouldn't quite say that, considering I was one of those converts when I saw it...

Huh, I was actually converted that way too.

It's just that the VN is superior every way to the crappy anime adaptation. I think the world and lore envisioned by Nasu did manage to seep through since that's what initially attracted me to the franchise.

 

[Jex]

Well, to me, all this bear talk evokes a different subculture anyway. lol

Why is your mind always in the gutter?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

and newcomers can get into F/Z easily since it's a prequel to F/SN with minimal knowledge of the Fate universe needed.

And ironically having seen F/Z caused a lot of things in the F/SN anime to actually make sense to me which wouldn't have otherwise. Bad F/SN anime! No treat!

The reason that the Prologue of the VN is narrated by

Spoiler

Rin

evidently is so the reader can have the world explained to them before the main story starts. This was obviously left out of the anime for running time, which is one reason why the way

Spoiler

Rin and Archer

treat each other doesn't make a lot of sense during the show, the part of the VN where they first meet and work each other out is entirely cut! Actually the way everyone acts towards everyone else has no apparent reason, and I'm starting to see why. All of that is cut out of the show to save time, but then people just do stuff for no apparent reason the entire time. :|

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

I was intrigued by the Fate/Stay Night anime because of the setup (and Rin and Archer), but it had a lot of issues. It could have been really awesome if it had been handled better. Definitely a case of wasted potential.

 

[Narag]

Now and Then, Here and There 4

Hey, Shu gets his ass beat again. Nabuca and Abelia are becoming the stand out characters at least. Episode actually flew by which surprised me given how the first three just dragged.

 

[firehawk12]

To expound upon this, as you started to, to say Ano Natsu is an example of 'good' writing just doesn't work with me--It's far too derivative/unimaginative in its concept/scenarios/dialogues for me to consider it that, but to say it an example of solid scripting, or structure/layering, would be totally apt, imo. It succeeding in that whereas Anohana failed miserably. And that's definitely an aspect of good writing, but I think the divide should be noted.

They're one in the same. You can have an original idea that falls on its face because it's just improperly executed on a fundamental scripting level. Doubly so when it comes to a serialized medium like television, where your mistakes are allowed to build upon each other week after week, episode after episode.

Why is your mind always in the gutter?

Why do you think gay subcultures are necessarily "gutter" worthy?!

 

[Narag]

Fan death? Who the hell dies from an electric fan?

Evidently Koreans.

The Korea Consumer Protection Board (KCPB), a South Korean government-funded public agency, issued a consumer safety alert in 2006 warning that "asphyxiation from electric fans and air conditioners" was among South Korea's five most common seasonal summer accidents or injuries, according to data they collected

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_death

 

[Steroyd]

I can't remember who picked up on this before, but you're correct. That's what I meant by good writing, I just didn't drill down to the fine details of what I meant.

Sadly, for anime, having a solid and consistent structure makes you stand out from the pack.

Pretty much, I wouldn't say Ano Natsu is out and out stand-out stuff, it's a tightly knitted package while staying inside the box while keeping it entertaining over the whole 12 episodes, with Ano Hana it's too easy to tear it apart from the seams for multiple reasons.

Kore Wa Zombie Desu Ka of the dead - 01

Hopefully it's more of the silly in the last 5 minutes than that drama nonesense in the whole second half of season 1, and I like how they made a direct sequel the the first ED... although they lose points for how they continued it.

 

[frostbyte]

And ironically having seen F/Z caused a lot of things in the F/SN anime to actually make sense to me which wouldn't have otherwise. Bad F/SN anime! No treat!

The reason that the Prologue of the VN is narrated by

Spoiler

Rin

evidently is so the reader can have the world explained to them before the main story starts. This was obviously left out of the anime for running time, which is one reason why the way

Spoiler

Rin and Archer

treat each other doesn't make a lot of sense during the show, the part of the VN where they first meet and work each other out is entirely cut! Actually the way everyone acts towards everyone else has no apparent reason, and I'm starting to see why. All of that is cut out of the show to save time, but then people just do stuff for no apparent reason the entire time. :|

Indeed. I'm not downplaying DEEN's work on F/SN which is commendable, but ultimately disappointing in light of the source material. It's just that they didn't have enough skill/time to accurately capture all the nuances and little details that coalesce to bring the plot and character development forward. Of course, some of this is due to the limitations of anime, which could never include all the detail of the VN.

I was intrigued by the Fate/Stay Night anime because of the setup (and Rin and Archer), but it had a lot of issues. It could have been really awesome if it had been handled better. Definitely a case of wasted potential.

I felt the same. I was slightly disappointed by something so intruiging, and hearing the glowing recommendations for the VN, I read the VN. Mindblown at the difference.

Evidently Koreans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_death

You've got to be kidding. Seriously?

something something superstitions

 

[Crash Station]

Lupin III: Fujiko's Fantastic Fanta Fountain 1

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'm drowning in style! Too much style in fact. I found the pencil shavings completely at odds with the normal style to the point where it was disorienting and hurt my eyes. The

Spoiler

Lupin/Fujiko shoot-out scene

in particular was making me dizzy. Think I'd be more likely to get eye problems from this than flashing lights.

Other than that, it was alright I guess. I love Lupin's personality, but there's really nothing compelling about the plot for me and I never really liked the premise in the first place. I mean this is by far the least boring entry in the franchise I have seen, but I'm still not so sure what to think. I also really don't like Lupin's voice.

So yeah, I don't know if I'll really keep up with this one. If this anime season wasn't so stacked, I probably would, but it just might not be for me. Doesn't help that it's supposedly episodic, something I have an aversion to.

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

I felt the same. I was slightly disappointed by something so intruiging, and hearing the glowing recommendations for the VN, I read the VN. Mindblown at the difference.

I keep meaning to get around to the VN. One of these days I'll actually just sit down and go through it.

 

[cajunator]

I really loved Fate Stay Night. I marathoned the whole thing. Couldn't stop watching it.
That said, Fate Zero is in another stratosphere.

 

[Branduil]

Buta

Was okay. I didn't feel like the plot was structured very well; I think they tried to do too much, and as a result too many events in the story seemed to come out of nowhere.

Spoiler

The mecha at the end was particularly bad in how it ruined the tension of the climax.

The background art was definitely the highlight.

 

[chickdigger802]

One Piece Impel Down 434

Remember loving this and the next arc in the manga. Is it just me or did OP get a bump in budget here? Luffy looks more like his manga form and 'animation' is happening!

 

[Jex]

Now and Then, Here and There 4

Hey, Shu gets his ass beat again. Nabuca and Abelia are becoming the stand out characters at least. Episode actually flew by which surprised me given how the first three just dragged.

Search appears to be broken for Community threads (*shakes fist at sky*) but in your last post on this topic you spoke about the succession of bad things happening to the characters being 'emotional manipulation', or something similar. Would you care to expand on that so I can respond?

 

[Crash Station]

One Piece Impel Down 434

Remember loving this and the next arc in the manga. Is it just me or did OP get a bump in budget here? Luffy looks more like his manga form and 'animation' is happening!

It did, but it also got a bump in filler mixed in with the canon. Around this point, the pacing becomes absolutely abysmal. Some think it's a fair trade-off, but it makes Marineford damn near unwatchable if you have knowledge of the manga.

 

[wonzo]

OreImo AC 15 END

it really took this long? what the fuck is wrong with you?

Spoiler

other than being a shitty character in a shitty anime of course!

not only did this succeed at reminding me of just how awful the first series was, it also managed to somehow be even worse than the original. quite impressive for a shitty gag extra.

hopefully this has mentally prepared me to watch something even more insidious than this could ever hope to be.

I haven't seen OreImo, but I've been enjoying your impressions of the commentary, if only for the schadenfreude.

thanks! it's good to see my warnings not go unheeded.

 

[frostbyte]

OreImo AC 15 END

not only did this succeed at reminding me of just how awful the first series was, it also managed to somehow be even worse than the original. quite impressive for a shitty gag extra.

hopefully this has mentally prepared me to watch something even more insidious than this could ever hope to be.

thanks! it's good to see my warnings not go unheeded.

First, Eiken, now this. Why do you insist on putting yourself through such shitty shows?

 

[wonzo]

oh fuck me. i can't do this

 

[Defuser]

I know!

I've taken some screenshots, hopefully they convey something of what I mean. They're not the best shots in the show but I'm trying to avoid anything specifically spoilery and it's more about conveying the "atmosphere".

Japanese watchers seem to think it's very SHAFT-y. Perhaps I'm not familiar enough with their romantic comedy work but it didn't seem quite as "LOOK AT ME!!!! I'M DIRECTING!!!!!!!" as what I think of as SHAFT.

Watch the OP as well.

So that's where kore zombie budget went to.

 

[cajunator]

Search appears to be broken for Community threads (*shakes fist at sky*) but in your last post on this topic you spoke about the succession of bad things happening to the characters being 'emotional manipulation', or something similar. Would you care to expand on that so I can respond?

I think he means they basically threw a ton of bad shit at the characters to force audience emotions. Its similar to what Saikano did.

 

[Narag]

oh fuck me. i can't do this

:lol

 

[Jex]

Sengoku Collection 1

Moe japanese warlord haremshit battle royale RPG fetch quest wussy emo hair MC tits ass furry shrine spirits

From what I'm gathering in these responses, this show causes people to lose their ability to construct sentences?

 

[jp_zer0]

I can't help but love the... "full view" animation in the newest Lupin episode.

 

[Branduil]

oh fuck me. i can't do this

The face that sank 1000 ships.

 

[Narag]

Search appears to be broken for Community threads (*shakes fist at sky*) but in your last post on this topic you spoke about the succession of bad things happening to the characters being 'emotional manipulation', or something similar. Would you care to expand on that so I can respond?

I think I described it as more cheap shock value to evoke a sense of just how horrible everything is.

Spoiler

Shu getting beat up constantly, whatever happened to Sara, and the use of a dead cat as a prop in the interrogation scene just struck me as more or less as bad things happening because bad things happen.

Maybe there's a purpose, I hope there is but when I'm finding myself sympathizing more with Abelia who looked bedraggled while marking off her map in this episode rather than whatever the protagonist is dealing with.

 

[cajunator]

From what I'm gathering in these responses, this show causes people to lose their ability to construct sentences?

Its exactly for that reason that I must experience this for myself.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Lupin the Third - The Woman Called Fujiko Mine 1

This has been discussed to death in here, but there's one facet I don't recall anyone discussing: how it makes itself accessible to a franchise newcomer. Not that there's much background information that you need, but it does sit down to explain who the two main characters present are, as well as their current situation, in what is basically an exposition-dump while Lupin and Fujiko are captured. Lesser shows would be satisfied with panning over talking heads, but this show isn't. Instead, we get the character and setting information vividly brought to life before our eyes, helped by ultra-stylish transitions:

Interestingly, while Lupin gets an elaborate fantasy sequence to showcase his character, Fujiko's description by Lupin only gets static pans over their cell. It's a sly way of showing her comparative lack of experience and confidence.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Medaka Box 01

Whatever happened to you, GAINAX? Stop breaking my heart. Just stop.

Stop desecrating Kamina's memory.

Stop forgetting about the real GAINAX bounce.

Just die already!

 

[Jex]

Medaka Box 01:

I thought I was a Nisioisin true believer, but this was animu as fuck. Actively painful to watch.

I'm hearing that SHAFT are better than GAINAX these days. This is truly a glorious age.

 

[Branduil]

I'm hearing that SHAFT are better than GAINAX these days. This is truly a glorious age.

If what I'm hearing about the DEEN-produced Sankarea is accurate, they may not be the only ones.

 

[jman2050]

Gainax wishes they had created an anime as successful as Madoka!

 

[cajunator]

It cant be that horrible with such an awesome character as Hansode in it.
Granted i still have to WITNESS, but i'm quite certain Hansode will be awesome.

 

[Jex]

Lupin the Third - The Woman Called Fujiko Mine 1

This has been discussed to death in here, but there's one facet I don't recall anyone discussing: [...] Lesser shows would be satisfied with panning over talking heads, but this show isn't. Instead, we get the character and setting information vividly brought to life before our eyes, helped by ultra-stylish transitions:.

You son of a gun, I was in the middle of looking for these transitions. Well, at least you've saved me some time!

 

[Regulus Tera]

Gainax wishes they had created an anime as successful as Madoka!

I hope this is sarcasm, because if not: LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

 

[Jex]

I know!

I've taken some screenshots, hopefully they convey something of what I mean. They're not the best shots in the show but I'm trying to avoid anything specifically spoilery and it's more about conveying the "atmosphere".

What you seem to be pointing out here is that this isn't just a particular style of lighting, it's that the show actually contains some lighting. Some shows just look like they're all lit in a perfectly uniform way all the time. It's very bland, but it's easier than worrying about all this stuff like "time of day" and "weather conditions".

 

[jman2050]

I hope this is sarcasm, because if not: LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Spoiler

I thought the joke was obvious

 

[Hellsing321]

Medaka Box 1

This was incredibly boring. Perfect girl that everyone loves forces people to do things. I'll guess I'll stick around for the supposed genre shift but changing to a boring high school comedy to a boring battle shounen doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. Also why must you desecrate the memory of Kamina!

 

[Risette]

What you seem to be pointing out here is that this isn't just a particular style of lighting, it's that the show actually contains some lighting. Some shows just look like they're all lit in a perfectly uniform way all the time. It's very bland, but it's easier than worrying about all this stuff like "time of day" and "weather conditions".

Or because digital lighting looks extremely kinda tacky. =\

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Medaka Box 01:

What is this I don't even

Okay, fine. I might watch this for a few more episodes.

It cant be that horrible with such an awesome character as Hansode in it.
Granted i still have to WITNESS, but i'm quite certain Hansode will be awesome.

Hansode is great.

Since you're a fan of ahoges, you'll probably enjoy this. They spend more time animating the antennae than they do animating the rest of the frame!

 

[Regulus Tera]

Spoiler

I thought the joke was obvious

Sarcasm doesn't translate well to the internet without emotes.

 

[Jex]

Lupin III: A Woman Called Fujiko Mine 01

Maybe the impressions I read prepared me a little too well for what was coming, but it wasn't quite as lewd as I imagined, and what was there made sense for both the setting and within context.

I don't know if people were calling it lewd, which implies some kind of judgement, so much as saying "tits!!!!!". Fujiko is naked, or semi naked, for a huge chunk of the episode and when her breasts are exposed they are uncensored, so people are just reacting to that, because it's fairly unusual.

 

[Nonoriri]

LUPIN the Third &#65374;&#23792;&#19981;&#20108;&#23376;&#12392;&#12356;&#12358;&#22899;&#65374;

 

[iavi]

They're one in the same. You can have an original idea that falls on its face because it's just improperly executed on a fundamental scripting level. Doubly so when it comes to a serialized medium like television, where your mistakes are allowed to build upon each other week after week, episode after episode.

In a sense, sure, one bad apple can ruin the whole bunch--as evidenced by Ano Hana, but I fail to see why you can't make the distinction between elements, still.

 

[Branduil]

Or because digital lighting looks extremely kinda tacky. =\

What are you referring to by "digital lighting"?

 

[chickdigger802]

It did, but it also got a bump in filler mixed in with the canon. Around this point, the pacing becomes absolutely abysmal. Some think it's a fair trade-off, but it makes Marineford damn near unwatchable if you have knowledge of the manga.

lol I recall watching some of marineford a while back. I remember there was like a 1-2 eps flashback between mihawk's sword swing lmao.

Luckily I can fast forward shit.

 

[firehawk12]

In a sense, sure, one bad apple can ruin the whole bunch--as evidenced by Ano Hana, but I fail to see why you can't make the distinction between elements, still.

Well, one dismisses the skill required to actually put a television series together.