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Winter 2012 Anime Thread 2.22: You Can (Not) Outpost Cajunator

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A

A Huge Battleship

Member
H2O Footprints in the Sand 01

I had zero expectations for this, but right now I think even that was being generous.

02-09

Okay, I'll admit it's been marginally less terrible than I was expecting. Stuff happened, but more importantly for the first time in an eternity the heroine I want to win is going to win.

10-12

OH BOY I JUST HAD TO OPEN MY FUCKING MOUTH

So on top of all the shit she's been through, the MC beats her to a pulp, she comes within 2 seconds of being executed by her best friend's granddad, the MC then loses his marbles and starts treating her as his long dead mother, and then to snap him back to reality and prove that his mother didn't really kill herself she runs in front of a fucking train.

And then that fairy girl brings her back to life.

REALLY

No idea why I'm raging at such an unremarkable series but dfhsdfdsjh whatever.
 
F

frostbyte

Member
Geneijin said:
Eh, unrealistic plot? You mean the premise we began with? It was unrealistic to begin with. I'm not sure what you're referring to here. The main plot wasn't a problem.
Click to expand...

Well, I can take a certain amount of fantasy that's still semi-grounded in the real world. The characters were relatable to a certain degree. It just failed to connect to me by the second half. It was kind of like Ponyo in that respect;
The end quarter was just so unbelievable and illogical, I just couldn't understand what happened to the plot and characters anymore.

Yeah, that is really superficial then, and as I stated before, that sort of approach is not very indicative of the actual quality of the work. You may have had a point if you're talking about the visual narrative in relation to those visuals but you aren't. While you are entitled to appreciate a work however you want, that's equivalent to praising this season's Rinne no Lagrange entirely on the visuals, which doesn't say much for the poor drama that's been developing so far.

And you're also too forgiving. If a good ending is all that is needed to redeem a bad story for you, I think your priorities are misplaced regarding how to judge a story especially with how much the story started to meander after Episode 1.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I might be a bit superficial and forgiving. I can say that I honestly tried to like this show when I heard about it first and that makes a big difference compared to going in without any expectations. However, I can't have visuals define the show entirely either. For example, I couldn't deal with say, Guilty Crown, even with its high production values because of the horrendous plot. I tended to appreciate 5cm/s more for its animation even though I didn't like how the overall story was structured. Eh, it's kind of a mixed bag for me.
I personally think it didn't feel like meandering that much. I would consider something like Cowboy Bebop as meandering (although that was deliberate in making some episodes a part of the 'filler' arc and the 'main' arc) or Nisemonogatari, which I felt was rather unfocused for the bulk of the show.
It's been some time so maybe I'm forgetting some things about Ano Hana.

The love triangle is one of the worst things about the show simply because of how shoehorned and underdeveloped it was. I can understand completely how appealing the idea of that dynamic would have been, but it was not executed well at all. It was a very lazy way to develop Tsuruko, a bad character arc for her, and her character became an afterthought because of it.
Click to expand...
I can agree that it had a lot of potential had it been executed properly but I didn't feel like it was rather debilitating to the general experience.

See this is my problem. I'm not telling you how you should be entertained. What made Ano Hana a bad show can be separated from how entertained you were. If you are entertained despite that, that's fine, but you being entertained isn't a good explanation for me on why the show worked for you if you don't recognize how it did. I can respect that kind of opinion, but it doesn't tell me enough about how Ano Hana was a good show outside of merely being entertained.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll just say this. The characters worked well, not individually, but as an entire cast where conflicts appear over their own selfish desires, which reveals their inner guilt and motivations. There are some development problems with this (Tsuruko being slightly underdeveloped and Menma being one-dimensional but as a group, I feel it still holds up) The plot and drama when revolving around the characters and their respective conflicts felt tangible and substantial until the reveal, where it subsequently collapses. The show worked for me by weaving a strong drama based on the character interactions, their conflicts in relation to Yadomi in particular and how they each reflected on their guilt through this cathartic experience. This was the draw for me and despite getting the shaft at the end, I still like what it did in the first half and tried to do in the second. I feel there was a lot of potential but Okada couldn't pull through.
 
M

madp

The Light of El Cantare
Another 03:

Well, fuck.
I knew from that face-melting gif a few weeks ago that this show was going to have a body count, but I still wasn't expecting that. This is why I just forgo umbrellas completely
.

Probably a stupid question, but
if the school is so haunted to the point that just interacting with Misaki causes people to die, why do they let people attend
? I mean, I know that
as far as ghosts go, Misaki is pretty mobile as we've seen her in the hospital, doll shop, and on the street so I suppose she can "haunt" wherever she chooses to do so
, but come on.

Reiko's bird
is kind of leading me to believe that
she's somehow deeply involved in this supernatural cover-up. It's starting to say things like "what are you doing?" like it's witnessed a murder or something
.
 
J

Jubern

Member
Makoto said:
Edit: I'd actually recommend watching all the EE episodes.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't.

- Watch the first one. Pretty straightforward episode;
- Watch the second one because it's definitely the best one (atmosphere & direction, the art style being more in style with the first series).
Interestingly enough, it is the episode based on the loop from the original novel (which never had the repeating nonsense)
;

After that, all episode follow the same pattern without delivering much more info. They "just" have 100% original animation for each episode, with different directing and art style. Which is incredible, but really sucks.
Watching all 8 will just bore you, and the payoff is terrible. Don't do that to yourself.
 
C

Crash Station

Member
Mad Pierrot said:
Another 03:

Well, fuck.
I knew from that face-melting gif a few weeks ago that this show was going to have a body count, but I still wasn't expecting that. This is why I just forgo umbrellas completely
.

Probably a stupid question, but
if the school is so haunted to the point that just interacting with Misaki causes people to die, why do they let people attend
? I mean, I know that
as far as ghosts go, Misaki is pretty mobile as we've seen her in the hospital, doll shop, and on the street so I suppose she can "haunt" wherever she chooses to do so
, but come on.

Reiko's bird
is kind of leading me to believe that
she's somehow deeply involved in this supernatural cover-up. It's starting to say things like "what are you doing?" like it's witnessed a murder or something
.
Click to expand...

Some things you're asking about get explained, others don't. Keep watching.
 
D

Defuser

Member
Seeing on how evilore shifted the sports thread to community forum,I hope future anime/manga threads will continue to stay in the OT.
 
R

Risette

A Good Citizen
Defuser said:
Seeing on how evilore shifted the sports thread to community forum,I hope future anime/manga threads will continue to stay in the OT.
Click to expand...
Being in the OT serves a purpose -- ie, less threads of people asking for recommendations and if series x is worth watching. Also it helps that we aren't incredibly hostile to newcomers to the thread.
 
M

MotionBlue

Member
Ano Natsu 01-03

Why did I wait so long to watch this? I love romantic comedies, but have a sinking feeling this is going to have a bittersweet ending, like Ano Hana or 5cm/s.
 
C

cajunator

Banned
After being gifted with higher image quality...I actually do still prefer lower image quality of dvds.
Bluray is more durable so I continue to buy them.
 
R

Risette

A Good Citizen
cajunator said:
After being gifted with higher image quality...I actually do still prefer lower image quality of dvds.
Click to expand...
I still don't understand how you can have "nostalgia" for terrible digital artifacts that have nothing to do with how creator(s) intended things to look but eh.
 
D

Defuser

Member
pizzaroll said:
Being in the OT serves a purpose -- ie, less threads of people asking for recommendations and if series x is worth watching. Also it helps that we aren't incredibly hostile to newcomers to the thread.
Click to expand...

Hostile? More like straight out trolling lol.

"Yeah man,I totally recommend School Days and Blood.C! Go check it out!"
 
T

Thoraxes

Member
SMT said:
I feel like watching Nodame Cantabile, is it any good?
Click to expand...
If you want a great show with great music, and an alarmingly accurate introspective into the classically trained world of music with fun characters, then yes, yes it is good.

I can vouch for the authenticity in that show. They have the pro musician-life and conservatory-lifestyles down reaaaaaaally accurately, which I reallllly loved a lot.

GYAAABOOOOOOO!

Articalys said:
Looks like some of the heroes are gaining new sponsors for the Tiger & Bunny movie.
Click to expand...
Sky High is so moe.

Also his episodes, especially that one, made me depressed.
 
N

Narag

Member
trejo said:
They all know full well what they're getting into beforehand. Possibly. Maybe.
Click to expand...

I never really took this as hazing. Too much wink wink, nudge nudge going on to be effective in that matter. I just knew I was in for something a bit different.
 
M

madp

The Light of El Cantare
Another 04:

sDnBz.gif


DAMMIT MISAKI
STOP KILLING MY...ERR..SAKAKIBARA'S WAIFUS
.

So, if the key to
stopping the curse
is
explaining the situation to Sakakibara and instructing him on certain things that he should absolutely never do under any circumstances
, then why is everyone continually choking up and stalling at the second that they try to share this incredibly vital piece of what is apparently common knowledge? Mysteries aren't quite as compelling when they just result from people being unnecessarily evasive. It's not like this is some murder mystery where Sakakibara is trying to question suspects.
or is it?

cosmicblizzard said:
Some things you're asking about get explained, others don't. Keep watching.
Click to expand...

I plan on being caught up by tomorrow.

Articalys said:
Looks like some of the heroes are gaining new sponsors for the Tiger & Bunny movie.
Click to expand...

AnimeGAF should pool their resources and sponsor Rock Bison, he's probably the cheapest to get a logo on.
 
T

Thoraxes

Member
Mad Pierrot said:
Another 04:

sDnBz.gif


DAMMIT MISAKI
STOP KILLING MY...ERR..SAKAKIBARA'S WAIFUS
.

So, if the key to
stopping the curse
is
explaining the situation to Sakakibara and instructing him on certain things that he should absolutely never do under any circumstances
, then why is everyone continually choking up and stalling at the second that they try to share this incredibly vital piece of what is apparently common knowledge? Mysteries aren't quite as compelling when they just result from people being unnecessarily evasive. It's not like this is some murder mystery where Sakakibara is trying to question suspects.
or is it?



I plan on being caught up by tomorrow.

AnimeGAF should pool their resources and sponsor Rock Bison, he's probably the cheapest to get a logo on.
Click to expand...
I suppose. I love Sky High the most though, with Karina in 2nd place. You are right about Rock Bison's value though.

Also, this is the image I always use when describing my reaction with every episode of Another.
 
M

Makoto

Member
Blue Drop 13 (END)

There was very little blatant yuri in the series, but it's okay because the last episode had
battles
and a fairly satisfying end. This show must have been a pain in the butt when it was being broadcast. Sometimes it's a plot-driven show, sometimes it's just slice of life. It all comes together okay. I have a feeling this will be a forgettable series for me.

Kuttsukiboshi 1

The character designs remind me of 5 Centimeters Per Seco-wait wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut.
 
Ultimadrago

Ultimadrago

Member
Brazil said:
Wait, what? I thought this was supposed to be bad, AnimeGAF.

- Backstory. Man, does Oda know how to create awesome backstories.
Arabasta arc's backstory consists basically of Crocodile fucking the nation and Vivi being a great princess since she was a child. Meanwhile, Skypiea's backstory goes back to 400 years before present time and tells of the friendship between the awesome Montblanc Norland and Calgara. It's much more complex and entertaining.
Click to expand...
I'm ashamed that I do not remember
Norland and Calgara's story as much as I'd like (the battle of culture vs. science/reality with the trees, right?) , but I think I remembered it being pretty solid and a good backstory dealing with trust (and lack of it) following in the future generation.

Brazil said:
- The location.
Holy shit at Skypiea. Seriously. It feels like an endgame setting lost in the beginning of an RPG, haha. Arabasta's a desert island. Skypiea's a freaking winged-people kingdom set on top of the clouds in an ocean of white. Taking a break from the Grand Line felt pretty good. Maybe it's because this arc embraces fantasy without regrets that people don't like it so much? I wonder. I think it's awesome.
Click to expand...

I liked this concept quite a bit when Skypeia first came around, but
started disliking it quite much later on out of corniness and out right silliness. Which yes, "It's One Piece", but yes, "I got turned off by it after a while." Again, not for Skypeia (and a few others), but later on in general.
Seeing how you've reacted though, should never be an issue.
On Skypiea, while the sights are nice.
Enel's presence of faux omnipotentence over the people pulled me into the environment the most. Not a natural concept, but hey, shit was badass.

Brazil said:
- Robin.
Arabasta has Miss All Sunday. Skypiea has freaking Robin. I just love her badassery and how she only calls Luffy by name. Also, she brought with her that whole Poneglyph thing, that seems like really serious business.
Click to expand...

It's probably the best time I had with the character. Following certain future events most would very likely disagree, a very understandable majority. It's probably because it was at a time where I liked the character more than I do now.

Don't get me wrong I like Robin, but not as much as before (
a while after the presentation of very nicely done backstory
. Not because of things she does either, but things she really
doesn't do.

Brazil said:
- The overarching conflict.
A 400 years old war between two completely different kinds of people set in the sky over some kind of "holy land" and a long-forgotten promise between friends who were set apart beats a rebellion led by that brat Kohza any day.
Click to expand...
The scope of age was larger, but how was the intensity, the stakes? An honest question, I remember the major issues of both arcs well, yet it's getting fuzzy for me how Skypiea went about presenting the danger and probable effects on the people.
Besides the hidden introduction of Enel and the later introduction of his "Army"


Brazil said:
- The setting of the decisive moments.
The Survival Game was great. Three different "factions" beating each other in Upper Yard. It even had cool face-offs like Zoro against characters who use weapons that aren't swords, Chopper's against one of the Priests, and Robin murdering the obese guy.
Click to expand...

I found it okay. The battles there (in intensity and special attackness-ness) don't compare to quite a number later in the series.

Brazil said:
- New concepts.
The different kinds of clouds and dials are pretty cool.
Click to expand...
I agree.

Brazil said:
- Epic moments,
such as Enel's crazy goal revelation, the Zoro/Robin/Gan Fall/Wiper challenge against Enel (although that didn't end well at all), Usopp and Sanji rescuing Nami from Maxim, and Luffy being incredibly intelligent using the Gomu Gomu no Hanabi against the wall to hit Enel and then doing the same with his hand inside the gold ball to break the Genki Dama.
Click to expand...

The revelation made me laugh. Luffy's use of Gomu Gomu against Enel, Enel's lightning blade (which should have gotten more use if I remember, right) and his Amaru form was coolio. Eminem made a pretty flashy fight in those regards, something I can respect more from the arc.

Brazil said:
It still annoys me that
no one dies ever
, though, and I wonder if every arc from now on will go through the same route -
they arrive > Luffy's incapacitated somehow > the others fight, kill minions, but are ultimately left hopeless > Luffy shows up and beats the main villain.
I mean, it's the third time in a row.
Click to expand...

One of my most major criticisms of the series. Yes, it happened for the
end of Arabasta, but that one worked so well for me, for in a way I can't fully explain.
It could've been the power of recency. The annoyance of it only built upon itself for me later on. starting with Skypiea.

Glad to see you're still on the ride for One Piece! Even though Skypiea isn't my favorite arc, it never gets old hearing others go through some of the earlier arcs. Spare my backlog and I would rewatch some of the earlier arcs (plus I would be able to recall them fresher). I've halted as of current since a certain arc on a journey to watch other anime. (Mission very successful), but I will pick it up again one day to see how it has fared since my hold. I'm positive you will keep enjoying!

WE ARE!
 
F

frostbyte

Member
Blood-C 12

Guys this is horrifying. OWOOWOWW, WHAT DID THEY DO TO NENE? HUMANS DON'T WORK LIKE THAT.

:lol at Class prez guy helping Saya and getting shot down immediately. and shot again, wtf. He's like the only guy I can even relate to anymore.

HUH, WTF, RABBITS EVERYWHERE, EATING PEOPLE AND STUFFING IN THEIR SACKS!

HOLY CRAP, THESE RABBITS ARE SADISTIC. FUUUUUUUUU. This has to be the one of the few shows where I appreciate the censorship, no, venerate the censorship.

there's going to be a movie??? LOL. How does this shit even get a movie?

I'm still in shock. Will give final review later.

edit: sorry for not spoilering this, mods. was too in shock.
 
Ultimadrago

Ultimadrago

Member
frostbyte said:
Blood-C 12

Guys this is horrifying. OWOOWOWW, WHAT DID THEY DO TO NENE? HUMANS DON'T WORK LIKE THAT.

:lol at Class prez guy helping Saya and getting shot down immediately. and shot again, wtf. He's like the only guy I can even relate to anymore.

HUH, WTF, RABBITS EVERYWHERE, EATING PEOPLE AND STUFFING IN THEIR SACKS!

HOLY CRAP, THESE RABBITS ARE SADISTIC. FUUUUUUUUU. This has to be the one of the few shows where I appreciate the censorship, no, venerate the censorship.

there's going to be a movie??? LOL. How does this shit even get a movie?

I'm still in shock. Will give final review later.
Click to expand...

image.php


Do not fear, you are amongst friends now!
 
N

Narag

Member
frostbyte said:
Blood-C 12

Guys this is horrifying. OWOOWOWW, WHAT DID THEY DO TO NENE? HUMANS DON'T WORK LIKE THAT.

:lol at Class prez guy helping Saya and getting shot down immediately. and shot again, wtf. He's like the only guy I can even relate to anymore.

HUH, WTF, RABBITS EVERYWHERE, EATING PEOPLE AND STUFFING IN THEIR SACKS!

HOLY CRAP, THESE RABBITS ARE SADISTIC. FUUUUUUUUU. This has to be the one of the few shows where I appreciate the censorship, no, venerate the censorship.

there's going to be a movie??? LOL. How does this shit even get a movie?

I'm still in shock. Will give final review later.

edit: sorry for not spoilering this, mods. was too in shock.
Click to expand...

I'm still reserving my judgement on it as a whole until I see that movie. If it's good, I think the 12 episodes of being trolled with be worth the trouble.
 
F

frostbyte

Member
Ultimadrago said:
image.php


Do not fear, you are amongst friends now!
Click to expand...

I....*breaks down*

I didn't expect to be trolled like this after School Days.

Narag said:
I'm still reserving my judgement on it as a whole until I see that movie. If it's good, I think the 12 episodes of being trolled with be worth the trouble.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what to think yet. I think you're right though. I'm still going to review this as a standalone anime though, since it is.
 
D

Dedication Through Light

Member
One Piece 124-130

Title of episode 130 was such a spoiler, would have been mad if I didnt already know the story. Regardless, One Piece has the best after fight episodes, never fail to deliver great laughs etc, that feast and then episode 130 itself, nice.

Symphogear 12

The anime girl had like such a breakdown, wow. Regardless starting off with Meteor Light was epic as was the episode, and the ending...mindblown.
Chris is back!!!!!1
 
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