Is this a harem? I hate harem's.
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Winter Anime 2015 |OT| ZA WARUDO is not square!
- Thread starter Narag
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Is this a harem? I hate harem's.
Jex
Member
That's technically correct, although I'd argue that the "filler" enhances and strengths the story.
Good.
FelixOrion
Poet Centuriate
Golden Boy is the only legitimately great harem
I still watch IS though because Charl and I'm a horrible person.
The heroine is surrounded by pretty dudes, but the focus is much more on personal growth, adventure, and the nation's politicking than on (reverse) harem romance. It's akin to The Twelve Kingdoms or Fire Emblem.
CheapJuice
Member
Fate/Zero - 05
Archer's attitude is hilarious. Rider is pretty much bro confirmed. Berserker wasn't looking quite like I expected, I think I prefer the beef giant design in Stay. That's not to say he still looks dope with the smoke effects.
I quite enjoyed the lengthy duel in the previous episode, and the.. assault in this one.
Archer's attitude is hilarious. Rider is pretty much bro confirmed. Berserker wasn't looking quite like I expected, I think I prefer the beef giant design in Stay. That's not to say he still looks dope with the smoke effects.
I quite enjoyed the lengthy duel in the previous episode, and the.. assault in this one.
Jex
Member
This is fairly complicated issue that would ideally be suited for the main thread, but still:
Leaving that all to one side as problems that I know about and accept, I feel like the flashbacks don't detract from the overall story in the slightest. Instead, they feel as inherent in the structure of the series as they were in Utena and Penguindrum. To demonstrate this, lets look at what purpose the flashbacks serve.
Firstly, they serve to tell many individual stories about different characters who come from different backgrounds. Kureha, Lulu, Ginko and Yurika all have extremely different pasts which have informed their lives and the actions they take. It would incredibly unwieldy to have all their narratives develop linearly at the same time and as we need to know that information to understand the characters I'd prefer we witness a flashback as opposed to have the characters expose their lifestories through conversation.
Secondly, the revelations are a cause of dramatic excitement and tension. Whether or not they work for you, as a viewer, is clearly up for debate. I enjoy how they've been delivered, for the most part.
Thirdly, the world of the school and surrounding area that the characters inhabit is a space where characters get explored through trials. Like the school in Utena, it doesn't have the characteristics of a real place. Instead, it's a place where people are put to the test, where we see how people react to the situations that they're faced with. To that end, most of the characters became who they were prior to the start of the series and for us to learn why they react to the trials we they face a flashback is a useful tool to allow us to understand a persons background.
Fourthly, when used correctly flashbacks enhance and illuminate the stories themes. The flashback to Kureha's mother in this week's episode directly mirrored the actions Kureha herself undertook.
Now, even after saying all that, I would agree that certain flashbacks don't really work. For example, much of Kureha and Sumika's relationship is expanded on via flashbacks and that really doesn't work. It's too bitty and spread out to effectively convey one of the most important character bonds in the entire series. Moreover, I really dislike the notion of developing a character only after they've been killed because it's too late for the audience to care.
So, before I defend Yurikuma and it's use of the flashback storytelling technique I'm going to admit some obvious truths, namely that the show suffers from a clear pacing problem. There's too many characters, plots and ideas for a show that's only 12 episodes long. I can only speculate that at some point the script was at least 24 episodes long and it really shows. The first few episodes are a mess, none of the side characters are developed in any fashion, Kureha's original relationship with Sumika was never given any time to breath etc etc.
Leaving that all to one side as problems that I know about and accept, I feel like the flashbacks don't detract from the overall story in the slightest. Instead, they feel as inherent in the structure of the series as they were in Utena and Penguindrum. To demonstrate this, lets look at what purpose the flashbacks serve.
Firstly, they serve to tell many individual stories about different characters who come from different backgrounds. Kureha, Lulu, Ginko and Yurika all have extremely different pasts which have informed their lives and the actions they take. It would incredibly unwieldy to have all their narratives develop linearly at the same time and as we need to know that information to understand the characters I'd prefer we witness a flashback as opposed to have the characters expose their lifestories through conversation.
Secondly, the revelations are a cause of dramatic excitement and tension. Whether or not they work for you, as a viewer, is clearly up for debate. I enjoy how they've been delivered, for the most part.
Thirdly, the world of the school and surrounding area that the characters inhabit is a space where characters get explored through trials. Like the school in Utena, it doesn't have the characteristics of a real place. Instead, it's a place where people are put to the test, where we see how people react to the situations that they're faced with. To that end, most of the characters became who they were prior to the start of the series and for us to learn why they react to the trials we they face a flashback is a useful tool to allow us to understand a persons background.
Fourthly, when used correctly flashbacks enhance and illuminate the stories themes. The flashback to Kureha's mother in this week's episode directly mirrored the actions Kureha herself undertook.
Now, even after saying all that, I would agree that certain flashbacks don't really work. For example, much of Kureha and Sumika's relationship is expanded on via flashbacks and that really doesn't work. It's too bitty and spread out to effectively convey one of the most important character bonds in the entire series. Moreover, I really dislike the notion of developing a character only after they've been killed because it's too late for the audience to care.
Golden Boy is a work of art. It isn't necessarily a harem since all the women aren't flocking around him at the same time until the last episode.
I'll give it a shot.
New US Blu-ray Box-art - Funimation Edition
2nd June 2015Fairy Tail - Collection 4 [Funimation]
Release Date: 2nd June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|B|1|2|4]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$41.24
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 73-96
- Disc count: 1
- Episode 74 Commentary
- Episode 79 Commentary
- Episode 89 Commentary
- Episode 96 Commentary
- Textless Opening Songs: Evidence, The Rock City Boy
- Textless Closing Songs: Hitori Samishiku, Don't think. Feel!!!
- U.S. Trailer
- Trailers
Nobunagun - Complete Series: Standard/Limited Edition [Funimation]
Release Date: 2nd June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|1]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$48.74
Price:$52.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-13
- Disc count: 4 (2 BD, 2 DVD)
- Episode 1 Commentary
- Episode 13 Commentary
- Textless Opening Song ''Respect for the dead man''
- Textless Closing Song ''Chiisana Hoshi ver. ?''
- Textless Closing Song ''Chiisana Hoshi ver. ?''
- U.S. Trailer
- Trailers
Wanna Be the Strongest in the World - Complete Series: Standard/Limited Edition [Funimation]
Release Date: 2nd June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|1]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$48.74
Limited Edition:$52.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-12
- Disc count: 4 (2 BD, 2 DVD)
- Episode 1 Commentary
- Episode 7 Commentary
- OVAs Volumes 1-6
- Textless Opening Song ''Beautiful Dreamer''
- Textless Closing Song ''Fan Fanfare!!!''
- U.S. Trailer
- Trailers
9th June 2015The Sacred Blacksmith - Complete Series: S.A.V.E. [Funimation]
Release Date: 9th June 2015
Format [Region]: DVD [1|2|4]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$22.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-12
- Disc count: 2
- Episode Previews
- Textless Songs
- Trailers
OniAi - Complete Series: S.A.V.E. [Funimation]
Release Date: 9th June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray [A|B]
Language: Japanese
Price:$18.74
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-12
- Disc count: 2
- New Anime Features
- Rice, Chestnut Shelling, Reading Aloud, Ocean Roar, Socks, Freshly Undressed
- Textless Songs
- Trailers
CLAMP Double Feature: Tsubasa and xxxHOLiC Movies - Films: S.A.V.E. [Funimation]
Release Date: 9th June 2015
Format [Region]: TBC
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$7.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 2 Films
- Disc count: 1
- 2005 Premiere in Ikebukuro
- 2005 Movie Event in Shibuya
- Recording Session Montage
- Japanese Staff and Cast Commentary
- Additional Movie Event Coverage
- Production Artwork
- Background Slides
- Origin of Birdcage Kingdom
- Opening Day at Shinjuku Cinema Milano
- Recording Session Montage
- Japanese Staff and Cast Commentary
- Character Design Slides
- Background Plates
- Original Trailers
- Trailers
16th June 2015Tokyo Ravens - Part 2 [Funimation]
Release Date: 16th June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|1|4]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$48.74
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 13-24
- Disc count: 4 (2 BD, 2 DVD)
- Ep 14 Commentary
- Ep 18 Video Commentary
- Kon Explains it All! #3
- Ep 23 Commentary
- Textless Openings and Closings
- Trailers
Is This A Zombie? of the Dead - Complete Series: Anime Classics [Funimation]
Release Date: 16th June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|1]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$37.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-12
- Disc count: 4 (2 BD, 2 DVD)
- Episode 04 Commentary
- Character Actors in Action: Episode 01 Video Commentary
- Episode 10 Commentary
- Textless Opening Song: *** Passionato
- Textless Closing Song:Koi no Beginner nan desu
- U.S. Trailer
- Trailers
23rd June 2015Ping Pong: The Animation - Complete Series [Funimation]
Release Date: 23rd June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|B|1|2|4]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$44.99
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-11
- Disc count: 4 (2 BD, 2 DVD)
- TBD
Origin: Spirits of the Past - Film: S.A.V.E. [Funimation]
Release Date: 23rd June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray [A] & DVD [1]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$14.99
DVD:$11.24
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: Film
- Disc count: 1 (BD) & 2 (DVD)
- The Making of Agito
- Theater Previews
- TV Spots
- Screening Event Special Preview
- Textless Songs
- Trailers
30th June 2015.hack//G.U.Trilogy - Film [Funimation]
Release Date: 30th June 2015
Format [Region]: DVD [1]
Language: Japanese
Price:$22.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: Film
- Disc count: 1
- Parody Mode
- Promotional videos
- Special TV Program: Making of the Theatrical Feature
- Image Board Gallery
- Trailers
BlazBlue: Alter Memory - Complete Series [Funimation]
Release Date: 30th June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|1]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$48.74
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-12
- Disc count: 4 (2 BD, 2 DVD)
- Textless Opening Song ''Blue Blaze''
- Textless Opening Song ''Blue Blaze'' Ver. 2
- Textless Closing Song ''Reincarnation Blue''
- U.S. Trailer
- Trailers
Soul Eater - Complete Series: Premium Edition [Funimation]
Release Date: 30th June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray [A]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$97.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-51
- Disc count: 6
- Featuring a 64-page yearbook-style art book and the complete series on Blu-ray
- Episode 7 Commentary
- Soul Eater Late Show Episodes 1-51
- Textless Opening Song ''Resonance''
- Textless Closing Songs: ''I Wanna Be'', ''Style'', ''Bakusou Yumeuta'', and ''Strength'' Trailers
Soul Eater NOT! - Complete Series: Standard/Limited Edition [Funimation]
Release Date: 30th June 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|B|1|4]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$48.74
Limited Edition:$52.49
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English
- Episodes: 01-12
- Disc count: 4 (2 BD, 2 DVD)
- Episode 5 Commentary
- Episode 9 Commentary
- Soul Eater Whoops!
- Commercial Collection
- Textless Opening Song ''monochrome''
- Textless Closing Song ''Yugure Happy Go''
- U.S. Trailer
- Trailers
It's not even solely limited to the animation though.
Whereas in the first series you full experience how utterly messed up these children's lives are now they're part of the agency and how they have basically no semblance of normalcy, the first episode of season 2 alone handles the tone in such a way that it feels like "charmingly clumsy kids solve wacky terrorist hijinks with their adult friends!".
Just bad, bad, bad.
R_thanatos
Member
Those S.A.V.E green bands are as ugly as ever !
Just enjoy the ride , it's worth it.
It's a reverse harem-like but there is no romance in it
Just enjoy the ride , it's worth it.
Indeed it does
Top 10 sales for the whole of 2012 in the UK:
Code:
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#| TITLE | UNITS| DISTRIBUTOR|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1| ARRIETTY | >40,000 | CANAL UK
2| ORIGIN SPIRITS OF THE PAST | >25,000 | MANGA UK
3| THE GIRL WHO LEAPT | >15,000 | MANGA UK
4| MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO | >10,000 | CANAL UK
5| SPIRITED AWAY | >10,000 | CANAL UK
6| HOWLS MOVING CASTLE | >10,000 | CANAL UK
7| PONYO | >5,000 | CANAL UK
8| DEVIL MAY CRY | >5,000 | MANGA UK
9| GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 | >5,000 | MANGA UK
10| AKIRA | >5,000 | MANGA UKSales for January 2013:
Code:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
#| TITLE|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1| ORIGIN SPIRITS OF THE PAST
2| DRAGONBALL Z COMPLETE SEASON 5
3| THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME
4| MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO
5| GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0
6| ARRIETTY
7| AKIRA
8| BLEACH COMPLETE SERIES 9
9| HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD
10| SPIRITED AWAYSales for February 2013:
Code:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
#| TITLE|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1| SPIRITED AWAY
2| BLEACH THE MOVIE 4 HELL VERSE
3| THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME
4| MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO
5| ARRIETTY
6| ORIGIN SPIRITS OF THE PAST
7| HOWLS MOVING CASTLE
8| DRAGONBALL Z COMPLETE SEASON 5
9| NINJA SCROLL
10| TIGER & BUNNY VOL 1 EPISODES 1-7Will do after I finish Shirobako. Is OniAi any good? I tried watching the first episode but dropped it after that.
Part of the problem I would say isn't so much that they're inherently flashbacks in of themselves but rather they didn't need the flashbacks. Why not flesh out Kureha and Sumika's relationship in the first three episodes instead of repeating that trial every time? That way the audience can grow attached to the relationship before Sumika gets the axe. It's overly conculted storytelling with no real benefit to the audience. Ginko stalking the pair leading to her decision to let Sumika be axed could have also been handled been better than that dump in the previous episode with Desire.
Much of the past two episodes has been spent clarifying that absurd cliffhanger instead of actually building to the cliffhanger and watching the fall out. This hurts emotional investment as to what's going on in that if the audience doesn't have full or even half of the picture, why should they care?
Frozenprince
Banned
I want it.
Indeed it does
DBZ seems to be doing fine which is... good? I guess. Hopefully they'll get around to giving it a proper release at some point.
Joe Molotov
Member
Agreed, it's a travesty to sully the artistry of OniAi in such a manner!
After all of that, I thought that I'd post an update relevant to the UK (no, its not Yuru Yuri ). Here's the latest Anime Limited Newswire Link with an un-boxing of KLK #2 Link and an update for the Mai Mai Miracle Kickstarer Link
Back to some US related news, I guess the Sailor Moon Crystal BluRay has a bunch of errors and shit Link
). Here's the latest Anime Limited Newswire Link with an un-boxing of KLK #2 Link and an update for the Mai Mai Miracle Kickstarer LinkMore at the link.
Back to some US related news, I guess the Sailor Moon Crystal BluRay has a bunch of errors and shit Link
Loads more at the link above.
7th April 2015Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movie -Rebellion- [Limited Edition] [AoA]
Release Date: 7th April 2015
Format [Region]: Blu-ray/DVD [A|B|C|1]
Language: English & Japanese
Price:$69.98
Technical Specs:
Special Content:
- Subtitles: English & Spanish
- Episodes: Film
- Disc count: 3 (1 BD, 1 DVD, 1 CD)
- Original Soundtrack CD by Yuki Kajiura
- Deluxe Booklet
- Postcard
- Aniplex 'Proof of Purchase' Card
- Theatrical Trailer
- Commercials
- Textless Opening and Ending
- Collaboration Manner Videos (Monogatari Series x Madoka)
MikeHattsu
Member
Isn't that Japanese news?
I don't even know what is what anymore. All I see is box-arts...make them stop.
Is it even a harem then?
Dedication Through Light
Member
Jex
Member
I mean, I explicitly mentioned Kureha and Sumika's stuff because I agree it was done badly. The problem is there was no room in the script for them to develop their relationship because too much else was going on.
Of course, the biggest problem with those two isn't the way their story is told - it's that they're the blandest characters in the show. Sumika, especially. I dunno what Ikuhara was going for with those characters but they're really too flat.
Dedication Through Light
Member
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V Episode 47
Shocking twists all around.
.
I like the Yuugo Yuuri Yuuya thing going on, can all three just never be in the same place at once. Will that cause some sort of rift in the dimensions or something?!
Scissor Tiger just as good as Scissor Bear.
Shocking twists all around.
Dennis being a part of Academia was pretty shocking. How did we not figure it out even.
I like the Yuugo Yuuri Yuuya thing going on, can all three just never be in the same place at once. Will that cause some sort of rift in the dimensions or something?!
Glad Sora utterly destroyed Kurosaki Shun, thats what he gets for using that over powered deck
Scissor Tiger just as good as Scissor Bear.
R_thanatos
Member
Oniai is pretty to look at.
It's an anime that is based on his cast , and revolve around it .. It's fun and light hearted , but doesn't break any boundary.
Still enjoyable , but far from being a master piece.
PS: quite perverted at times.
It's a travesty on anime dvd case
It's the right kind of harem. Yona is surronded by boys , but they aren't lusting over her. And while she gather her "final dongeon party" of characters.
Everything that happens , the reasons and plenty of motivations of the characters are justified . It's a nearly perfect character develloppement.
If every harem was as properly devellopped as yona, everyone here would seek more harem anime.
This set is region A, B & C ??
I'm tempted
Jex
Member
Speaking of Ikuhara, I was reading an interview that discusses how Kaworu from Evangelion was based on Ikuhara and specifically how the conversation between Ikuhara and Kaworu at the bathouse was based on a real conversation between Kaworu and Ikuahra:
On Rei Ayanami:
What a cool dude.
On Rei Ayanami:
What a cool dude.
If they are like the ones I've got, they have a clean version without the SAVE bands on the reverse.
Yeah the fact that Ping Pong is also region A and B has me happy. Still haven't seen the show, and I'm glad I waited now
Shame that Funi aren't doing a Limited Edition...yet Dedication Through Light
Member
Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! Episode 11 The Trial Called Love
I hope the brother can take part in love making too.
Loved the double dose of ryou Love Making! Best one.
I hope the brother can take part in love making too.
Loved the double dose of ryou Love Making! Best one.
Regret Upon Approval
Member
From those SAVE covers, is Sacred Blacksmith the source of the gif with katanas slicing through massive broadsword like slabs?
Yes, yes it is.
Regret Upon Approval
Member
KuwabaraTheMan
Banned
Yes. It's a really enjoyable series. Fun characters with the right mix of humor and serious moments, a pretty interesting plot, and a fairly well developed world. It's a lot of fun.
Given I consider harem a romcom or at least romance subgenre, I just consider it odd and not what I'd seek out at all.
That said I have been meaning to get back to it. I enjoyed the first few episodes, I just lost a little interest when it became wandering around the countryside collecting dudes rather than court politics.
they did give it an artbox LE but they made a limited amount and it sold out.
Definitely a top 10 anime moment.
R_thanatos
Member
Well giving yona some power to have some weight on the fate of the country was necessary.
Don't worry the politics will be back.
Admiral Woofington
Member
I thought it said 'glorious nipple steel' for a second there
That notion of purity is one of the worst aspects of anime culture and writing in manga/LN/anime. Women are so heavily used as props to elicit male emotions. I do wonder if Rei and Asuka being knocked up at the end of Eva would have significantly changed waifu/otaku culture. I would love to see how women being portrayed in anime has shifted and to what extent but that's near impossible due to large culture value shifts in addition to subculture changes. Ultimately it's a pointless conjecture though.
NCR Redslayer
NeoGAF's Vegeta
So while doing research for an engineering paper, I came across this really good article that kinda details keyframe usage in terms of computer programming and suggests a lot of elements that people attribute to bad CGI such as weightlessness, is a result of interpolation. I tried finding a full version of the article for free online but if you have access to an academic library, I would give it a read. It's really informative in how CGI is viewed through an animation perspective.
http://anm.sagepub.com/content/8/2/111.abstract?rss=1
I would also recommend a cursory glance over Rick Parent's textbook on computer animation as it gives a great breakdown of 2D animation.
http://apc.dcti.iscte.pt/Recursos/LivroBase/Computer_Animation-Algorithms_and_Techniques_.pdf
http://anm.sagepub.com/content/8/2/111.abstract?rss=1
I would also recommend a cursory glance over Rick Parent's textbook on computer animation as it gives a great breakdown of 2D animation.
http://apc.dcti.iscte.pt/Recursos/LivroBase/Computer_Animation-Algorithms_and_Techniques_.pdf
TUSR should have it up in a couple weeks so be sure to pressure him via PM.
KuwabaraTheMan
Banned
Bullying culture continues.
I'm a bit late on this, but luckily nothing really released this week, and I guess that One Piece Box was delayed. In any case, here are the US Anime releases for 03/17/15. Links go to amazon.com unless it's an exclusive item.
Blu-ray
Blu-ray
DVD03/17/15
03/17/15
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