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[Dedication Through Light]

That meganebu! mag scan is nice.

I hope we get another video today, and soon a proper pv.

 

[Pooya]

looks like KLK got 7th'd here
I'm still very much interested to see what's it about but not hyped.

 

[Theonik]

The A obviously not standing for Anime in this case.

The A stands for whatever you want it to.
I actually agree though, not in the fanservice revulsion aspect but the trailer did seem poorly edited, though I don't think it is indicative of the final work.

 

[Envelope]

IMIASHIIIII SAMAAAAAAA

 

[Branduil]

Yea, I would kinda lean towards bad. Araki doesn't know restraint or subtlety, both necessary elements to properly do a tragedy.

I don't think I can agree with that, that's similar to saying that all melodrama is bad.

 

[cajunator]

I will fight anybody and everybody on this point, Watamote, my own personal hatred aside has gotten too repetitive and Tomoko lacks and real change or growth, she is still the same horrible and shallow shut-in from episode one. Oh, yes, the pain of her isolation is a point I get but god damn, it has almost put me to sleep on more then one occasion. Better comedies that emerged this season are Servant x Service and Love Lab.

Love lab is good, watamote is better.

Amazing Twins PV

Original Work/Director: Junichi Sato (Princess Tutu, Kaleido Star)
Script/Story Cooperation: Mari Okada (Hanasaku Iroha, Ano Hana)
Character Design: Takehito Harada (Disgaea)
Animation Character Design/Unit Director: Fumitoshi Oizaki (Kaleido Star)
Chief Animation Director: Ikuko Ito (Princess Tutu)
Color Design: Kunio Tsujita (Kaleido Star)
Art Director: Shigeru Morimoto (Before Green Gables)
Director of Photography: Takeo Ogiwara (Princess Tutu)
Editing: Aya Hida (Kaleido Star)
Music: Conisch (Mardock Scramble)
Animation Production: Encourage Films

Oh man....I love that staff list seeing what theyve done before. Im all over this one!!

 

[Jarmel]

I don't think I can agree with that, that's similar to saying that all melodrama is bad.

It depends on what you're aiming for. When you're trying to have a serious atmosphere, it hurts when you have the characters having a huge cryfest or something of that nature ala Flower We Saw Dat Day compared to something like Toradora which isn't really supposed to be taken seriously during some of the more climatic moments. If the underlying element of your show is something like a comedy or generally more lighthearted, you can get away with more melodrama compared to something with a tragic element.

You're allowed melodrama ala Aku no Hana but the show also knows how to paint complex and multifaceted characters even in the more quieter moments by depicting Kasuga's mental state.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Minami-ke 6

This is some of the best crossdressing humor I've seen.

Spoiler

Mako-chan crossdressed... so he could buy clothes to crossdress in. Amazing.

 

[Shard]

Love lab is good, watamote is better.

Day Break Illusion is better then Watamote.

 

[7Th]

I dunno; the PV introduces the setting, the core conflict and the overall narrative hook of the story. It looks exciting and fun to me and the visuals are consistently great. So, I'll just disagree peacefully.

Spoiler

Other than the music.

 

[KirbYuuYuu]

Uchouten Kazoku 6

Well I guess I got my romance angle part down.

Spoiler

I think the whole deal with this is more of a way to build Yasa closer to his father, considering he doesn't really hate the two people he knows for eating his dad, but basically has a lot of affection instead.

Benten in particular seems to fit right where I described her in the first episode on just how different she was from the flashback to the here and now. Didn't know the "Master" actually kidnapped Benten, so that makes this whole ordeal even creepier as a result. But it's like Benten has people willing to drop their pants for her. A Human, a Tengu, and a Tanuki no less.

I think what else stuck out is how Yodogawa just basically talked about his Food Porn fetish to a Tanuki, who SHOULD hate him, but doesn't, and it just makes the whole thing seem complicated, but with some reason.

Side note: It's like one big harem anime.... but Benten is the protagonist for this. Even though she's at the top of the food chain. That being said, I liked the shot at the beginning, Where Benten holds both Yasa and Yodogawa's hand, and just leapt from the top. Felt like there was some meaning behind it when you consider she's capable of using Tengu abilities.

 

[Crash Station]

It depends on what you're aiming for. When you're trying to have a serious atmosphere, it hurts when you have the characters having a huge cryfest or something of that nature ala Flower We Saw Dat Day compared to something like Toradora which isn't really supposed to be taken seriously during some of the more climatic moments. If the underlying element of your show is something like a comedy or generally more lighthearted, you can get away with more melodrama compared to something with a tragic element.

What's wrong with cryfests when something tragic happens? It seems like we're trying to have some kind of set human reaction to certain events, which IMO is incredibly limiting in more than just fiction. I bet if some people in here saw how I reacted to my dog dying, they'd say I was being "melodramatic".

 

[Theonik]

Day Break Illusion is better then Watamote.

Watamote must be REALLY bad if that's the case.

 

[Shard]

Watamote must be REALLY bad if that's the case.

It really, really is.

 

[Shergal]

It depends on what you're aiming for. When you're trying to have a serious atmosphere, it hurts when you have the characters having a huge cryfest or something of that nature ala Flower We Saw Dat Day compared to something like Toradora which isn't really supposed to be taken seriously during some of the more climatic moments. If the underlying element of your show is something like a comedy or generally more lighthearted, you can get away with more melodrama compared to something with a tragic element.

I won't speak for Araki or AoT, but melodrama isn't inherently incompatible with seriousness or sensibility. I recently watched Anne of Green Gables and many bits (including the entire main character for a good chunk of its run) are arguably melodramatic yet don't hinder or clash with the tone in any way. It's just a matter of the writing and delivery being thoughtful.

Of course, cheap, badly done melodrama is ubiquitous because it's the easy way out, but that just speaks of the creators (like Araki) who can't do it properly.

 

[Jarmel]

I won't speak for Araki or AoT, but melodrama isn't inherently incompatible with seriousness or sensibility. I recently watched Anne of Green Gables and many bits (including the entire main character for a good chunk of its run) are arguably melodramatic yet don't hinder or clash with the tone in any way. It's just a matter of the writing and delivery being thoughtful.

Of course, cheap, badly done melodrama is ubiquitous because it's the easy way out, but that just speaks of the creators (like Araki) who can't do it properly.

The issue becomes when that is the only means of communication that the director has with the audience. It's a tool when you get right down to it and for stuff like tragedies, it should definitely never be the only tool you use.

What's wrong with cryfests when something tragic happens? It seems like we're trying to have some kind of set human reaction to certain events, which IMO is incredibly limiting in more than just fiction. I bet if some people in here saw how I reacted to my dog dying, they'd say I was being "melodramatic".

Depends on what you were doing. If you were on your knees wailing at the sky crying then yea you were probably being melodramatic. It definitely depends on the execution, I will admit that.

 

[Branduil]

It depends on what you're aiming for. When you're trying to have a serious atmosphere, it hurts when you have the characters having a huge cryfest or something of that nature ala Flower We Saw Dat Day compared to something like Toradora which isn't really supposed to be taken seriously during some of the more climatic moments. If the underlying element of your show is something like a comedy or generally more lighthearted, you can get away with more melodrama compared to something with a tragic element.

I don't think melodrama has to be restricted to comedy. It can easily become comedy if you screw it up, but I don't think it's necessary part of it. I think the main three things that get screwed up in melodrama are:

1) Unearned drama, i.e., characters overreacting to completely unimportant things.

2) Tonally inconsistent with the rest of the show. You can't just dump it into a story that didn't have it before, it has too feel like there was a proper buildup to it.

3) Just poor execution in general, whether because of poor writing that has characters acting in unbelievable ways, or poor direction that makes it look silly. This one is a bit more subjective than the others, though.

 

[Dresden]

It's because it features firehawk's darling Reiko Yoshida and yet he still won't watch it.

There's even a middle-aged woman. What a shame.

 

[kayos90]

I don't think melodrama has to be restricted to comedy. It can easily become comedy if you screw it up, but I don't think it's necessary part of it. I think the main three things that get screwed up in melodrama are:

1) Unearned drama, i.e., characters overreacting to completely unimportant things.

2) Tonally inconsistent with the rest of the show. You can't just dump it into a story that didn't have it before, it has too feel like there was a proper buildup to it.

3) Just poor execution in general, whether because of poor writing that has characters acting in unbelievable ways, or poor direction that makes it look silly. This one is a bit more subjective than the others, though.

Sounds like, literally, everything wrong with SAO!

 

[Jarmel]

I don't think melodrama has to be restricted to comedy. It can easily become comedy if you screw it up, but I don't think it's necessary part of it. I think the main three things that get screwed up in melodrama are:

1) Unearned drama, i.e., characters overreacting to completely unimportant things.

2) Tonally inconsistent with the rest of the show. You can't just dump it into a story that didn't have it before, it has too feel like there was a proper buildup to it.

3) Just poor execution in general, whether because of poor writing that has characters acting in unbelievable ways, or poor direction that makes it look silly. This one is a bit more subjective than the others, though.

I never stated only comedy. I think melodrama works remarkably well in action and romance shows,especially the later. Eureka 7 is a perfect example of melodrama that works. The issue with something like a tragedy is that the mental state of the characters are so important in it so you ruin the issue of unearned drama, as you state, fairly easily. You need solid characters for melodrama to not feel cheesy or ridiculous. It also can really break the tone of the show at times. However execution can make it for that but that's more of a case by case basis.

 

[Branduil]

Sounds like, literally, everything wrong with SAO!

I think SAO has much bigger problems than bad melodrama. I mean, for the most part, it's not even over-the-top drama, outside of select scenes like the suicide .gif. It's just that it doesn't even bother to earn the very basic drama it does have.

 

[kayos90]

I think SAO has much bigger problems than bad melodrama. I mean, for the most part, it's not even over-the-top drama, outside of select scenes like the suicide .gif. It's just that it doesn't even bother to earn the very basic drama it does have.

I actually thought one of the scenes in episode 13 was sort of endearing and heartfelt. Sort of. Maybe I'm just a sucker though lol.

 

[Shergal]

The issue becomes when that is the only means of communication that the director has with the audience.

It's definitely a problem when your work feels one-note instead of cohesive. Attack on Titan suffers from this, what with everyone screaming and speedlines everywhere all the time. That kind of tonal problem isn't restricted to melodrama, I think. Especially for a series consisting of many episodes and different story arcs, if a director only has one "mode" of storytelling for communicating with the audience it tends to get tiresome.

 

[jediyoshi]

Love Lab 11

Finally, back to a more maki/riko centric episode. Curious how much of the cram school they'll ever actually be using, always feels like it cuts out of there a little quick. The everyone smitten while maki is walking through a crowded area bit never gets old.

 

[dimb]

love lab 11
this show is just trying to do too much. there's the pile of lies riko is sitting on that can only collapse, the weird newspaper thing, the love lab requests, student council operations, the weird familial side stuff, and the actual interactions the girls have with boys. love lab isn't particularly good at balancing between them, and all the time futzing around has left no opportunity for any singular path to really play out.

rip.

 

[Jex]

I think the problem is that bad writing is bad.

I don't know if that's being too reductive but you can't really get anywhere when the core is terrible.

 

[Branduil]

I think the problem is that bad writing is bad.

Bad writing makes me madder than a yak in heat.

 

[Crash Station]

Depends on what you were doing. If you were on your knees wailing at the sky crying then yea you were probably being melodramatic. It definitely depends on the execution, I will admit that.

So if I was, that makes my feelings less genuine? Seems pretty close minded to decide what is and isn't a proper way to react to tragedy.

 

[kayos90]

I think the problem is that bad writing is bad.

I don't know if that's being too reductive but you can't really get anywhere when the core is terrible.

I do think there are redeemable elements in bad writing.

 

[Jarmel]

So if I was, that makes my feelings less genuine? Seems pretty close minded to decide what is and isn't a proper way to react to tragedy.

By the reasoning a person could argue that there is no such thing as an overreaction ever.

 

[Shard]

Gatchaman Crowds Episode 10:

Spoiler

At last, at long last we see, minus one allegedly world ending exception the full Gatchaman team assembled to finally have some contractually obligated action sequences as they fight to stun the CROWDS and beat back the evil machinations of Berg and the Neo Hundred. Okay, I have to say the the fact that this revolution was about to fall apart due to pettiness and boredom and only the lure of ending the cow clicker status of the CROWDS power was actually a really clever bit of social media commentary. At any rate, we finally get to see the Gatchasuit of Utustu and by god is it an ugly mish-mash of eyebleed. Jou finally decides to stop being useless and mopy and rejoins the team. The Prime Minister is rescued and the stage is set for something, not sure what since this show tends to throw screwballs at us.

Anyway, really glad that this series managed to turn out as well as it did and subvert expectations, currently it is tied for my AOTY, but that will probably change come the fall.

 

[Shard]

I never stated only comedy. I think melodrama works remarkably well in action and romance shows,especially the later. Eureka 7 is a perfect example of melodrama that works. The issue with something like a tragedy is that the mental state of the characters are so important in it so you ruin the issue of unearned drama, as you state, fairly easily. You need solid characters for melodrama to not feel cheesy or ridiculous. It also can really break the tone of the show at times. However execution can make it for that but that's more of a case by case basis.

Yea, the melodrama didn't really work in Eureka Seven, it more served to make characters really and irredeemably unlikable and basically ruined the program.

 

[Jarmel]

Yea, the melodrama didn't really work in Eureka Seven, it more served to make characters really and irredeemably unlikable and basically ruined the program.

Holland and Talho are just assholes. That's separate from being melodramatic, I was thinking of the reuniting scene between Eureka and Renton in Episode 26.

 

[astrogamer]

Gatchaman Crowds 10
This is getting quite exciting with the team getting all together.

DangaRonpa 11
This seems to be wrapping nicely too. While I know what is going to happen, its still a bit exciting. Overall, though it isn't really that good though. It feels a tad too rushed for one, but there are clearly other faults too in this show

 

[Shard]

Holland and Talho are just assholes. That's separate from being melodramatic, I was thinking of the reuniting scene between Eureka and Renton in Episode 26.

I am thinking more Team Eureka on that just absolutely dreadful stretch of episodes I have come to call the Survival Kids arc AKA The Beach Saga.

 

[Jex]

It seems like we have a variety of different understands of what 'melodrama' means in this discussion. Melodrama, in it's classic sense, is about really about characters having exaggerated and unusually heightened emotional responses to events that befall them and that be the tone of the work overall. It's about works that eschew subtle, underplayed responses and instead go for really overblown reactions to everything.

As such, certain scenes in certain works might be considered melodramatic because a character reacts in an a way that's not inline with either the one of the show or their characterization or both.

Meanwhile works such as Attack on Titan, Oniisama e... etc are always melodramatic.

 

[cajunator]

Caster in that game has that extremely fuwafuwa tail so she must be the best.

So good. Furry tail hnnnghsquee. Best Caster!

Guys, Tonari no Kaibutsu is really good. I mean I know you all watched and all, but its also really good on a re-watch.

It is, and moreso because of Natsume who needs more roles.

POKÉMON IS SAVED, ACTUAL DRESS-UP SIMULATOR INCLUDED IN X/Y

I approve of this.

 

[Branduil]

Good melodrama:

The Garden of Words
Escaflowne
Monster
Haibane Renmei
Le Portrait de Petit Cossette
Infinite Ryvius
Black Rock Shooter OVA
Ringing Bell

 

[7Th]

Escaflowne's melodrama can get dumber than anything Okada has ever written.

 

[Branduil]

Escaflowne's melodrama can get dumber than anything Okada has ever written.

You mean more awesome.

 

[cajunator]

fate/prism illya 2wei anime announced, shocking news.

I hope they improve the character designs a bit.

Yeah Its a magical girl spin-off starring Illyasviel.

It sounds like the greatest thing ever doesnt it? the execution was a bit wanting but its a great idea!

Neat, I guess.

Also since I'm contractually obliged to post some Kurumi whenever I post in this thread:

MOTHER OF GOD
I saved this picture seven times, just to make sure I have it. Cant be too careful.

 

[KirbYuuYuu]

Love Lab 11

Well if you thought the episode was going to be dramatic, it isn't, so that's a good thing. However it's going back to piling lies for Maki, and it seems to be reaching critical mass now that Feminine Boy pretty much commented on it. Jan continued to leave strange impressions on everyone, but at the same time, it feels like a reminder that the boys really didn't get much focus. With a longer anime, this would be possible, but as it is, it might be an issue overall.

That being said, I was hoping for the boiling point to burst now, but it didn't, so that might be the next episode based on the title, making it a two parter. But really, who knows, maybe it could've been better without the boys here in the first (and potentially only) season considering they're given little time to really develop them, and just leave them with a trait to play off of.

On the other hand, this was another funny episode.

 

[/XX/]

Studio Colorido seems to be starting a more evident promotion of their upcoming animated shorts through seminars and talks, like the one planned for tomorrow in Japan (September, 15) at LOFT A. I sense a release date for both projects coming very soon...

it's-a my birthday

Belated Happy Birthday to Kurita.

Happy Birthday to peaceiscloser and Hellsing321.

Even more birthdays! I hope you both peaceiscloser & Hellsing321 had happy ones... and Kurita too, although I wished it already a couple of days ago!

 

[Branduil]

I hate Naggers.

 

[Turin Turambar]

But the anime never achieved any of that. It was a bad, poorly directed show from the very first episode even before the production issues and slow pacing became a problem.

Nope. The direction is more competent/functional that good, but I wouldn't say is that bad that detracts the series. Several scenes in fact are pretty good.
Apart of two or three episodes, I don't think the series has bad pacing, in general. Check Space Brothers or the original HxH anime if you want to see bad pacing.


One of the most criticize aspects is how dramatic or melodramatic is AoT. For reference, I hate exaggerated melodrama. But again, apart for a pair of specific scenes where I agre it was too exaggerated, I don't think AoT falls on that. Or not enough as to be an important flaw and make me leave the story.

There is a lot of characters reacting to dramatic scenes, but imo isn't melodrama because it's just realistic given their situation. The setting and the plot is that bleak to justify their behaviours. The titans designs are really horrendous (congrats to the autor for that), their behaviour is horrific, humankind situation is fucked up and even the closest thing to an army they have have horrible odds of dying on action.

Melodrama is when the character reacts in a exaggerated way to whatever bad is happening, or the story starts to weaken and have plot holes because the author is "forcing" the story to have more drama and tragedy (for pure shock value) than it should be, then it feels artificial.

For more info about melodrama...

 

[cajunator]

Dailymotion link

EDIT: THAT GRUFF AMI KOSHIMIZU, THAT RYUUKO HOMETOWN, THAT WHATEVER ELSE.

I am thoroughly in love with what I just saw.
Also big hat loli confirmed for best.

It really, really is.

Nah. It just does exactly what it set out to do. It has delivered.

Love Lab 11

Finally, back to a more maki/riko centric episode. Curious how much of the cram school they'll ever actually be using, always feels like it cuts out of there a little quick. The everyone smitten while maki is walking through a crowded area bit never gets old.

Maki and Riko are the glue of Love Lab. In a way I kind of wish the show would just focus on them.

Good melodrama:

The Garden of Words
Escaflowne
Monster
Haibane Renmei
Le Portrait de Petit Cossette
Infinite Ryvius
Black Rock Shooter OVA
Ringing Bell

Having seen all of this except Ringing Bell and Garden of words Im inclined to agree!

 

[Crash Station]

By the reasoning a person could argue that there is no such thing as an overreaction ever.

Exactly. When someone says "you're overreacting", it's based around their own belief of what would constitute an overreaction, not how any given person is supposed to react based on some vague rules of expressing human emotion. So yes, I don't believe there is such thing as an overreaction in terms of believably, just in my own personal belief of how much weight I specifically would give any specific subject/event.

 

[Jarmel]

Exactly. When someone says "you're overreacting", it's based around their own belief of what would constitute an overreaction, not how any given person is supposed to react based on some vague rules of expressing human emotion. So yes, I don't believe there is such thing as an overreaction in terms of believably, just in my own personal belief of how much weight I specifically would give any specific subject/event.

Oh come on.

 

[cajunator]

Exactly. When someone says "you're overreacting", it's based around their own belief of what would constitute an overreaction, not how any given person is supposed to react based on some vague rules of expressing human emotion. So yes, I don't believe there is such thing as an overreaction in terms of believably, just in my own personal belief of how much weight I specifically would give any specific subject/event.

I agree with this because overreacting seems to suggest that there is a limited amount of reaction something is supposed to introduce, and that definitely isnt true, nor is it measurable quantity. A reaction is a reaction.

 

[Crash Station]

As such, certain scenes in certain works might be considered melodramatic because a character reacts in an a way that's not inline with either the one of the show or their characterization or both.

This is what I'm saying. Contradicting characterization is where it becomes a problem (though even that can be subjective based on values and all that nonsense). If everyone's crazy from the beginning and they react in an over the top way, then there's no issue.