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Spring Anime 2012 | Welcome Home, Space Cowboy
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Having not seen them in their entirety, I do love the Itano-esque sushi missiles circus in the Hashimoto opening. I'm excited to see what the Hidetsugu Ito opening looks like, since he impressed me with some of the stuff he did in Xam'd. I haven't seen FMA-B so I don't really know what to expect of Yoshimichi Kameda.
I'll post those on the next page.
Jex
Member
[Fate/Zero OP/ED Discussion]
When I originally sat down to write about the opening and ending credits for this show I thought that Id do a direct comparison between the first OP/ED and the second OP/ED, but upon further examination that doesnt seem especially useful as the second set isnt really attempting to build upon the first, instead they are telling their own story.
Saying that, both openings start with a camera racing across a surface and then pulling up and back to look at the sky as the shows logo appears. As much as anything, this just seems to highlight the fact that they can move their camera in a relatively convincing 3D space with believable lighting.
The next sequence of shots introduced to the major players in the series, in other words the Masters and their servants. These sequenced do a good job of telegraphing some important aspects of the relationships between these characters.
Still, this whole set up makes it a very traditional opening, such as one you might find in a Gundam or shounen series where all the main characters are displayed followed by some random action sequences.
Firstly we have Saber and Iri. I personally find this pair of characters to exceedingly tedious, but thats beside the point. Iri is simply enthralled to be away from her home and placed into a new location (well, we learn this out later on) while Saber seems rather more serious (as usual).
Kiritsugu is introduced to us in this dark, foreboding locating. There is a weight to his movement and actions that seem to reflect he is tasked with a heavy burden. A number of times well see him shot by a canted-camera, suggesting that something is off-kilter and wrong. Rather than appearing with his actual Servant, Saber, he is instead paired with his assistant Maiya, hinting at the relationship between the two of them.
I find it interesting that Kirei appears alone, without his Servant Assassin. This fits well with his character, unlike certain other Masters he has no emotional attachment or relationship with his Servant, its simply a tool that he uses. Its also interesting that Kirei is being set up in opposition to Kiritsugu from the start, considering that they are both pictures inside a church. Kireis location is far more modest and simple.
These two images really speak for themselves. Rider and Waver make an unlikely pair through the battle garb of Rider and the science equipment of Waver. Meanwhile Caster and Ryunosuke are just kind of hanging out but as Caster is obscured by shadows as his hands are covered in blood you know that he's going to be a villain.
Its pretty interesting that three people are pictured in this scene. Lancer, his Master, and his Masters Wife. Those of you who have seen the show will know what I am talking about here.
Once again, a simple image tells us quite a bit here. Tokiomi is sitting in his family home with his wife and daughter but he is paying absolutely no attention to them. Hes thinking several steps ahead about something far more important than them.
Here the OP switches into becoming a number of short action sequences showing off various masters and servants. I find it pretty amusing that it starts with Saber undergoing a magical girl-esque transformation into her battle gear. Theres not that much to say about this lot.
Although I do like this image of Archer who is situated far above everyone else so that he can look down upon everything.
The ending credits are tonally rather different to the opening credits. Rather than telling us about the present and hinting at the future, they look back upon important moments in the lives of the Servants. This informs you that the servants are more than simple tools for battle, they bring the complete weight of their own personal history with them which will effect how they react to various events in the show. They are people, as opposed to tools.
Still, the first shot has them start out like pieces on a chequered gameboard, pawns to be used by the players.
However, the subsequent set of images all go a great job of encapsulating some important aspects of the Servants character. Whether it be Sabers struggle, Iskanders triumph or Achers mastery over all, including the animal world.
Next time - OP2 and ED2.
When I originally sat down to write about the opening and ending credits for this show I thought that Id do a direct comparison between the first OP/ED and the second OP/ED, but upon further examination that doesnt seem especially useful as the second set isnt really attempting to build upon the first, instead they are telling their own story.
Saying that, both openings start with a camera racing across a surface and then pulling up and back to look at the sky as the shows logo appears. As much as anything, this just seems to highlight the fact that they can move their camera in a relatively convincing 3D space with believable lighting.
The next sequence of shots introduced to the major players in the series, in other words the Masters and their servants. These sequenced do a good job of telegraphing some important aspects of the relationships between these characters.
Still, this whole set up makes it a very traditional opening, such as one you might find in a Gundam or shounen series where all the main characters are displayed followed by some random action sequences.
Firstly we have Saber and Iri. I personally find this pair of characters to exceedingly tedious, but thats beside the point. Iri is simply enthralled to be away from her home and placed into a new location (well, we learn this out later on) while Saber seems rather more serious (as usual).
Kiritsugu is introduced to us in this dark, foreboding locating. There is a weight to his movement and actions that seem to reflect he is tasked with a heavy burden. A number of times well see him shot by a canted-camera, suggesting that something is off-kilter and wrong. Rather than appearing with his actual Servant, Saber, he is instead paired with his assistant Maiya, hinting at the relationship between the two of them.
I find it interesting that Kirei appears alone, without his Servant Assassin. This fits well with his character, unlike certain other Masters he has no emotional attachment or relationship with his Servant, its simply a tool that he uses. Its also interesting that Kirei is being set up in opposition to Kiritsugu from the start, considering that they are both pictures inside a church. Kireis location is far more modest and simple.
These two images really speak for themselves. Rider and Waver make an unlikely pair through the battle garb of Rider and the science equipment of Waver. Meanwhile Caster and Ryunosuke are just kind of hanging out but as Caster is obscured by shadows as his hands are covered in blood you know that he's going to be a villain.
Its pretty interesting that three people are pictured in this scene. Lancer, his Master, and his Masters Wife. Those of you who have seen the show will know what I am talking about here.
Once again, a simple image tells us quite a bit here. Tokiomi is sitting in his family home with his wife and daughter but he is paying absolutely no attention to them. Hes thinking several steps ahead about something far more important than them.
Here the OP switches into becoming a number of short action sequences showing off various masters and servants. I find it pretty amusing that it starts with Saber undergoing a magical girl-esque transformation into her battle gear. Theres not that much to say about this lot.
Although I do like this image of Archer who is situated far above everyone else so that he can look down upon everything.
The ending credits are tonally rather different to the opening credits. Rather than telling us about the present and hinting at the future, they look back upon important moments in the lives of the Servants. This informs you that the servants are more than simple tools for battle, they bring the complete weight of their own personal history with them which will effect how they react to various events in the show. They are people, as opposed to tools.
Still, the first shot has them start out like pieces on a chequered gameboard, pawns to be used by the players.
However, the subsequent set of images all go a great job of encapsulating some important aspects of the Servants character. Whether it be Sabers struggle, Iskanders triumph or Achers mastery over all, including the animal world.
Next time - OP2 and ED2.
Basileus777
Member
Mysterious Girlfriend X 1
Of all twisted things I've seen in anime, for whatever reason it's the saliva stuff in this episode that creeps me out.
RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
Wow, I liked the old OP, but the new one is fucking bad ass!
Anyhoo.
Space Bros 01-02:
I really like the cut of this show's jib. It's nice to see such a (thus far) heart-warming anime about a guy who's life kinda falls apart starting to put it back together (with some bro help). Maybe it's because I'm 30 and can relate to not achieving my original dream (I wanted to be an animator), but I found myself really identifying with Mutta's complex about his younger sibling outperforming him (though in my case it's an imouto). I really like the art design and direction, and I hope A-1 can keep the quality going throughout.
Thumbs way up for this one!
Fair enough reaction. It's not really sanitary. Surprisingly enough the thing that got the kick out of me was how insane the boy is. The girl seems a little unstable but he's out there too.
Jex
Member
It doesn't help that her saliva looks totally bizarre. If you've ever, you know, licked your finger, you'll note how it doesn't look like a weird glob of gunk is on it.
Anybody here can indicate some awesome racing anime? I mean I saw Redline of course and there's always speed racer, but I need something that has redline-like races I was thinking of watching the F-Zero anime anybody see it and have an opinion on it? Or have some anime suggestions?
hosannainexcelsis
Member
I doubt a girl's saliva really tastes sweet like honey, but it'd be neat if it did.
RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
Only high profile one I know is Initial D, which in my opinion sucks. But then again I've never liked the artstyle of Initial D. >>;
But it was very popular during the early 00's, go ahead and check it out and see if it's your bag or not.
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
It really isn't a genre that's well represented with high quality series. Initial D is kind of the cream of the crop and it's really not all that great.
Ultimadrago
Member
Never seen cartoon saliva on a finger before?
Used commonly in Westerns for "Wet Willys"
Let's ask the female members of AnimeGAF.
EDIT: Oh yeah Initial D, I started watching but I have to say ugly CG cars and the character art is pretty ugly. The races are alright but sadly nothing near an F-Zero awesome. I have to say that some of the eurobeat in the soundtrack is pretty awesome like Running in the 90s and Night of Fire. Thanks for the recommendations guys, I'll check it out again to try and hold me over until I break my hands enough to 100% F-Zero.
Some additional thoughts on the ED:
I find the visual direction of the ED interesting as well. There is a very deliberate format to the sort of feeling the ED wants to invoke, and it's interesting how the camera is used to "guide" that. The ending sequence opens with the camera panning down from above, and the first thing you see is the piece representing Saber, as the camera pulls out showing the other playing pieces on the board.
After this point, the camera is no longer a dynamic moving object but rather various things are displayed in sequence as stationary pieces. That is until the very last shot in the sequence, which is a moving camera shot that tracks through a stationary battlefield where the actual Saber character is engaged in mortal combat, and Saber is the last character the camera focuses on before panning upwards back into the sky.
This sort of cinematic language is always satisfying when done well, because it feels like a complete sequence with a self-contained visual narrative.
PdotMichael
Banned
more realistic stuff:
Goddamn - 2 OVA episodes about a Rally team in africa
Bari Bari Densetsu - from the Initial D author - anime movie - racing bikes and stuff with some fine animations.
Will check it out, both sound pretty interesting.
Ano Natsu de Matteru
I hadn't finished this due to the absolutely contrived nature of the show. Finally sat down and marathoned the heck out of it.
I still maintain it's cliched but it was executed quite well. The plot wrapped up nicely and I didn't notice any gaping plot holes. The characters were solid and had actual character development. I especialy liked how Mio's
was actually a plot device, instead of just plain fanservice, and that ended up being a turning point for actual character development. Surprised at how clever it was done.
Another area I thought the character development was done well and demonstrated to the viewer was this part:
The character development is demonstrated in these shots clearly.
I might not be describing it very well but the parallels between this particular part from the first and last episode was just amazingly well implemented.
Although, holy crap at the amount of times they step on Kanna's heart.
Although I guess that results in the rollercoaster of plot and character development throughout the story. In fact, Kanna's by far the most interesting heroine of the show, especially compared to Ichika, who's just a big-boobed walking cliche with little character development.
The music direction was also quite well done. The music used in the last episode
was especially well used in squeezing out every last bit of empathy from the viewer. In fact, the entire montage was quite well done, using the viewer's investment in the characters to elicit their desired emotions. OP and ED were also pretty good.
Animation was consistent and decent-looking through out the show. I don't have much to say about this.
All in all, a show with a cliched but well executed plot with good visuals and music direction. Not to mention Remon's pretty darn awesome.
8/10
I hadn't finished this due to the absolutely contrived nature of the show. Finally sat down and marathoned the heck out of it.
I still maintain it's cliched but it was executed quite well. The plot wrapped up nicely and I didn't notice any gaping plot holes. The characters were solid and had actual character development. I especialy liked how Mio's
nudist nature
Another area I thought the character development was done well and demonstrated to the viewer was this part:
From the first episode
From the last episode
The character development is demonstrated in these shots clearly.
In the first episode, Tetsurou confidently offers to 'help' Kanna out with her love life in which Kanna thinks about at first. This contrasts to the last episode where Tetsurou tries hesitatingly to offer help, unsure of whether to really help (knowing the consequences of meddling) but Kanna quickly stops him, implying she's already gotten over this. Tetsurou quickly follows her lead, not wanting to meddle anymore as Kanna already doesn't care, which differs from before where he would go behind Kanna's back to intervene in her love life.
I might not be describing it very well but the parallels between this particular part from the first and last episode was just amazingly well implemented.
Although, holy crap at the amount of times they step on Kanna's heart.
fuuuuuuu, childhood friend gets the shaft, again ;_;
Ichika also had the most cheese-inducing moments which slightly sour it for me.
The music direction was also quite well done. The music used in the last episode
during the montage
Animation was consistent and decent-looking through out the show. I don't have much to say about this.
All in all, a show with a cliched but well executed plot with good visuals and music direction. Not to mention Remon's pretty darn awesome.
8/10
Master Milk
Member
I read gunk as spunk the first time.
Oh AnimeGAF, how I worry about you sometimes.
Ultimadrago
Member
This is a point worth mentioning. In the show, thus far it has been touched only slightly in terms of specific histories. However, when the Servants take on characters of their own giving resistance to their Masters, it tends to surprise, disgruntle them and gives the viewers extra beings to root for/dislike for reasoning beyond their powers and combat abilities.
With available power to override these established personalities and histories, along with the pure dependency on them during the Grail War,
Seeing them can even cause a cognitive dissonance as you can tend to find yourself preferring a Servant much more than the Master vice versa. What's more important in your paradigms for the team you prefer? Is it the overall
dream or wish
A number Interesting questions and evaluations can be created by the viewer by the Servants coming with their own histories, baggage and personalities rather than just weapons with human bodies.
Reason why no one likes Assassin!
Sounds like my kind of girlfriend.
Jex
Member
Right, it's the kind of thing that doesn't happen by accident. It's an idea that was planned, constructed an executed by the cirector extremely deliberately. All these shots serve a specific purpose and they're not just thrown in haphazardly. There's plenty of OP's/ED's for which I could not say the same.
Ultimadrago
Member
Speaking of, is that my wife Emma Stone you have as your avatar?
This is invasion of privacy. I demand you remedy your crime this instant!
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
My Balls was an amazing
h
Fate/Zero 1
It's a good thing I searched around to read what the general consensus was about the first episode otherwise I might have dropped this show like it was hot. This episode sucked. What a tiresome world introduction episode. But apparently everything gets better from here so I'll keep watching.
It's a good thing I searched around to read what the general consensus was about the first episode otherwise I might have dropped this show like it was hot. This episode sucked. What a tiresome world introduction episode. But apparently everything gets better from here so I'll keep watching.
You want to duel for her?
She's my Emma Stone playing the role of Marika Kato waifu to be precise.
Finding the first episode of a show called F is a bitch.
Ultimadrago
Member
D'oh, this is technically correct!
(Wait, "MY Emma Stone" ?! You mean Emma Stone cosplaying as your waifu!)
10 paces! Draw!
How was the climax?
Robobandit
Member
Fate/Zero 1
It's a good thing I searched around to read what the general consensus was about the first episode otherwise I might have dropped this show like it was hot. This episode sucked. What a tiresome world introduction episode. But apparently everything gets better from here so I'll keep watching.
It was a necessary introduction episode.. I still enjoyed it because I was interested in all of the setup and information they dropped over the course of the episode... particularly since I was unfamiliar with the Fate series.
It does get far more interesting and entertaining as it goes, though.
Great post. Personally, I find the OP to be more generic/action orientated which are designed to get the user excited, rather than give auxillary details like the ED. Not to discount the careful detail used in crafting the OP but the ED conveys much more.
As you said, it shows they aren't just pawns like the chessboard implies; they are human with motivations and desires just like the Masters in the game. Each image of the Servants paint a vivid story that is brought to life by our imagination and experiences. We can imagine the glorious victory of Rider's campaigns to conquer the world, the grim ostracising and hanging of Caster, the regret and implied descent to darkness of Berserker and the bloody, lonely conflict of Saber.
These small vignettes into their lives just create so much more depth to the Servants, giving them a personality more than just their historical persona of their respective hero. The efficient use of the ED to pack in more detail beyond the usual ~20 minute episode just bring F/Z to another level for me.
Indeed. I love this efficient use of the ED to pour in details they can't put into the normal ~20 minutes of the episode. They're creatively bypassing the restraints and restrictions of the structure of anime to tell the story of the Servants.
This reminds of another poster that talked about how the Samurai Champloo ED furthered the anime by describing Fuu's emotions such as regret, hope, etc.
The Grim Heaper
Member
Fate/Zero 1
It's a good thing I searched around to read what the general consensus was about the first episode otherwise I might have dropped this show like it was hot. This episode sucked. What a tiresome world introduction episode. But apparently everything gets better from here so I'll keep watching.
Yup, the first episode is pretty much a sacrifice for the greater good. It gets much better!
chickdigger802
Banned
it's a fun series. It's a good series to 'chill', especially if you like eurobeat. Visuals do improve over time, but I actually kinda enjoy the ps1 era visuals ;P
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
Mysterious Girlfriend X 01
All of you did as well.
Spoilers: Kisses involve saliva exchange too.
It looks more like semen than saliva.
typical shounen-bro shenanigans involving a lot of semen
Jex
Member
Animating racing is expensive!
The Grim Heaper
Member
Fate/Zero 8
The three battles that took place/ended were pretty enjoyable, but I heard you guys like plot armor, right? Yeah, it's pretty awesome. I still don't like Maiya
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable episode, potentially one of my favorites thus far.
The three battles that took place/ended were pretty enjoyable, but I heard you guys like plot armor, right? Yeah, it's pretty awesome. I still don't like Maiya
and Kirei continues to be better, though I will admit I got kind of scared and hated him a bit again when Iri got stabbed.
Better budget use than the thousands of worthless harem and moe anime out there.
chickdigger802
Banned
initial D is still good stuff.
wangan midnight is also great.
Both fairly 'technical' stuff though.
Jex
Member
What's all the gutter-talk these days? For shame.
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
These days?
Continued from Pt1: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=36755910&postcount=10856
Sequence 4:
Animator: Hidetsugu Ito
Ito is known for his action and effects animation in many BONES productions. Most recently he animated the opening sequence in Sword of the Stranger, as well as some scenes in Xam'd Lost Memories. His style tends to be busier, with a lot of motion and physics within a given frame. That is generally what is being showcased here.
Sequence 5:
Animator: Shouko Nakamura
While she has worked in the industry for many years, she recently made a large impact for her role as chief director and concept designer in Penguin Drum. The animation here seems to be a direct homage to that, right down to the colors and design.
Sequence 6:
Animator: Yoshimichi Kameda
Kameda is a young and fresh up and coming animator who has already made huge waves for his work with BONES. His exciting and dynamic action animation in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and The Sacred Star of Milos basically put him on the map with the best action animators in the industry. His trademark is in using line work and tones which are not common in animation these days, creating a sort of moving manga visual style.
Ultimadrago
Member
Talk of hammers and stocks is much more explicit.
Do you really want us to go into the imagery of where she could have gotten the semen from and the whole premise of a guy swallowing another guy's semen?
Planning on checking out Wangan Midnight as well, though right now I'm still trying to find F.
Jex
Member
Who's going to come in here and correct you? Ben?
Hey, if he as an opinion on anything, I would like to hear it! Definitely!
Jex
Member
Anyhow, the only animator that I recognise by name is Takeshi Honda, but that's because I am an ignorant peasant in this area.
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