xkcd

by **Box Boy** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:44 am UTC

PeteP wrote:Another little tidbit, old chap Shiro does get quite badass in Heavens feel.

Though I adore

Spoiler:

, HF has my least favourite version Shirou in it.

PeteP wrote:The problem with f/sn is that it's about Shiro and Saber instead of Rin and Archer. They could have stayed with Rins perspective like in the demo/very beginning... If they didn't have to have sex scenes maybe they would have done that.

That'd be pretty bad, IMHO. You'd never get anything explained about Magic/The War because Rin already knew it, and if it was done it would take place in the form of massive infodumpish internal monologues (As opposed to semi-amusing lectures) - plus, most of the action centres around Saber/Shirou, so you'd have to change the story to compensate for that or just be 'told' about all of the huge plot twists/fights/slice of life stuff that they go through.
Though I'd have liked more interaction between Rin/Archer to be shown - they're my favourite Master/Servant duo.

Also, on the Saber/Shirou thing - I found it less forced than other Anime/VN romances on average, and sorta like it. I just wish she'd be a little less servantish 'bout it and that the sex scenes could be cleansed with holy fire.

by **SlyReaper** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:51 pm UTC

Has anyone watched Planetes? In the opening sequences, a space-plane is impacted by a screw and things go horribly wrong and people die. Later in the series, it is explicitly said that it was a sub-orbital space-plane. That being the case, why was the debris from that accident in orbit? It should have re-entered the atmosphere in more or less the same place the space-plane would have.

I'm normally able to forgive plot holes, but when a series presents itself as being all scientifically accurate, it starts to bug me.

by **Yubtzock** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:28 pm UTC

Some critical failure and or change of route causing it to actually gain orbit? Maybe huge hole caused the plane to lose lots of load but the engines were still on, so the plane got into the higher near-orbit area and some of the debris got enough velocity to stay where they are? Maybe the plane was only slightly suborbital and some explosion after impact propelled some part of the debris into orbit... I don't remember what the presented amount of the debris that was left from the catastrophe was, but I think there wasn't much more than few scraps. Escaping air serving as propellant probably wouldn't be enough on it's own to make the plane stay in orbit, but passengers' belongings ejected at high speed in right direction? Who knows.

I was more struck by something else that I can't really recall that was tied to one of the characters finding something particular in earth's orbit or something like that. Still, it all felt it had some "meaning" or depth in the fact that it was statistically impossible or whatever.
Even if all that was kinda bent to serve the plot, all the rest was accurate enough to leave me wondering how everyone else that makes stories (other movies, shows) taking place in space could go around being so ~~horribly inaccurate~~ plainly wrong about so many details.

by **SlyReaper** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:40 pm UTC

Yeah, that character was looking for a macguffin in the space-plane wreckage. By rights, it should have fallen back to earth. An object on a ballistic trajectory between two points on earth is nowhere near orbital velocity, even if those two points are antipodal (note I said velocity, not speed; a suborbital flight may well achieve speeds close to orbital, but in the wrong direction). Maybe some tiny fragments of the plane would have achieved orbit if it had exploded particularly violently, but then the macguffin would not have survived intact.

Other sci-fi stories get it plainly wrong because they think it'll get more viewers. For example, I don't think there's a single special effects guy or film producer in the world who labours under the delusion that there's sound in space, but they add it in because they think it makes the scene more exciting. I personally disagree of course; I think silence in outside space scenes emphasises how alien and disorienting that environment is. But I'm not everyone, and most of the money comes from people who couldn't give two hoots about scientific accuracy. And the sad truth is that scientific accuracy often gets in the way of a good story.

But with Planetes, I expected better because it was marketed as scientifically accurate, and seemed to go to great pains to live up to that. It's the only mistake I detected in the whole series though, so maybe I'll let it off.

by **Jorpho** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:36 pm UTC

In Firefly, space was filled with the sound of soothing guitar music.

by **Box Boy** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:40 pm UTC

Yeah, but Firefly sucked, and Planetes didn't.

/unpopularopinions

by **SlyReaper** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:45 pm UTC

Box Boy wrote:Yeah, but Firefly sucked, and Planetes didn't.

You are factually and objectively wrong.

by **Box Boy** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:30 pm UTC

SlyReaper wrote:You are factually and objectively wrong.

by **KnightExemplar** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:42 pm UTC

Box Boy wrote:
PeteP wrote:Another little tidbit, old chap Shiro does get quite badass in Heavens feel.

Though I adore
Spoiler:
Sakura finally being properly rescued
, HF hath my least favourite version Shirou in it.
PeteP wrote:The problem with f/sn is that it's about Shiro and Saber instead of Rin and Archer. They could have stayed with Rins perspective like in the demo/very beginning... If they didn't have to have sex scenes maybe they would have done that.
That'd be pretty bad, IMHO. You'd never get anything explained about Witchcraft/The War because Rin already knew it, and if it was done it would take place in the form of massive infodumpish internal monologues (As opposed to semi-amusing lectures) - plus, most of the action centres around Saber/Shirou, so you'd have to change the story to compensate for that or just be 'told' about all of the huge plot twists/fights/slice of life stuff that they go through.
Though I'd have liked more interaction between Rin/Archer to be shown - they're my favourite Master/Servant duo.

I like Rin / Archer too, and they definitely are great supporting roles. But you're right in that its easier to have a "clueless main character". Thats why its such a trope.

On the other hand, extremely powerful and wise main characters are possible to do. You've got Spice and Wolf for instance, where the two main characters are playfully trying to outwit each other throughout the series. Horo isn't dumb, but she doesn't know finance quite as well as Lawrence (who's pulling some college economic theory into his arguments). Neither side plays dumb, and both characters swipe manage to pin the other guy with their wits on different occasions. Slayers is another one, where Lina Inverse is the main character (and knows all of the lore of the world). Most of the "explanation scenes" are between her and Geoffery. I admit that Geoffery is dumb as hell but it does show that you don't need the "dumb one" to be the main character.

But yes, clueless main character is more typical. Shinji Ikari, Emiya Shiro, even Naruto and Ichigo.

Also, on the Saber/Shirou thing - I found it less forced than other Anime/VN romances on average, and sorta like it. I just wish she'd be a little less servantish 'bout it and that the sex scenes could be cleansed with holy fire.

Well, I certainly can name a bunch of "forced romance" Animes that pissed me off. Shakugan no Shana, Tsukihime and so forth. Fate / Stay Night isn't quite as bad as those but I do believe it is a bit forced. You've got two shower scenes, the "mana scene" if you know what I mean, the dating episode. However:

Spoiler:

by **PeteP** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:54 am UTC

Box Boy wrote:
PeteP wrote:Another little tidbit, old chap Shiro does get quite badass in Heavens feel.

Though I adore
Spoiler:
Sakura finally being properly rescued
, HF has my least favourite version Shirou in it.

To be honest I never finished HF so my assessment is mainly based on power level (which I read things about) which admittedly shouldn't be the only parameter to asses badassness.

Box Boy wrote:That'd be pretty bad, IMHO. You'd never get anything explained about Magic/The War because Rin already knew it, and if it was done it would take place in the form of massive infodumpish internal monologues (As opposed to semi-amusing lectures) - plus, most of the action centres around Saber/Shirou, so you'd have to change the story to compensate for that or just be 'told' about all of the huge plot twists/fights/slice of life stuff that they go through.
Though I'd have liked more interaction between Rin/Archer to be shown - they're my favourite Master/Servant duo.

Also, on the Saber/Shirou thing - I found it less forced than other Anime/VN romances on average, and sorta like it. I just wish she'd be a little less servantish 'bout it and that the sex scenes could be cleansed with holy fire.

Well I'm assuming a story that is written around the two as main characters from the start, so the focus of the action would change accordingly. It would be a different story, maybe worse, maybe better but at least it would have a Main Character I like instead of one that is kinda okay.
The info dumps are always a danger if you don't use a clueless MC, but it can be done right. (and in my opinion you don't necessarily have to explain how the magic system works, though you need some informations about the war.)

by **Gelsamel** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:23 am UTC

I am platinum disappointed with Nisemonogatari. I absofuckinglutely loved Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari had such a huge potential to be awesome... and it seemed like it would be, I mean it had that awesome aesthetic and art and the crazy camera cuts... And yet they delivered us this season where nothing happened except a bunch of completely unjustifiable fanservice.

I mean in Bakemono Nadeko needed to take her clothes of to show the snake thing, fine. But in Nisemono Araragi is randomly molesting his sisters and stripping them naked while they protest, what the fucking FUCK? If it happened once or twice I could forgive it, like with Araragi joking around with Hachikuji in Bakemono, but ALL THE FUCKING TIME? COME ON.

Despite all that bullshit nothing FUCKING happened.

Kaiki turned up, they asked him to away, he left. Kagenui turned up, they did some fight we only got to see one half of and then Kagenui quit shortly after the fight started and left. The end. Fuck I'm frustrated, not because it's crap but because it's crap when it could have been AMAZING.

Ultimately, the art, aesthetic and camera cuts are still there, so it's all very pretty and awesome in that respect. Yes, the fanservice was really hot... but I'd rather have had story instead of random bullshit, I can get porn elsewhere.

Edit: That being said, Platinum Disco is the best OP ever. And "Platinum" is an awesome intensive word.

by **SlyReaper** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:22 am UTC

Gelsamel wrote:But in Nisemono Araragi is randomly molesting his sisters and stripping them naked while they protest, what the fucking FUCK?

Nice to know I wasn't the only one made uncomfortable by that.

by **KnightExemplar** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:47 am UTC

BTW: Angel Beats was pretty awesome. Except for the OVA... it was a good series.

In short, its about Otonashi, a guy who wakes up in the middle of some school... where he learns that he is dead. The whole of Angel Beats takes place during the afterlife, which happens to be set up like a high school. Despite this, the anime never turns into the typical high school drama, its more there to make fun of the trope. (Ex: No silly love triangles) There is a good amount of action, because when you're dead you can't die again. So everyone runs around with guns and just tries to cause havoc in the school.

Despite the randomness of the anime, it manages to pull together a theme. Each of the characters are stuck in this school-like afterlife because of a reason. The anime walks you through the lives of the major characters... and how it affects them even in the afterlife. And while I wouldn't call it an overriding "plot"... its enough of a story that it gives a sense of purpose to what you're watching.

I definitely recommend Angel Beats as a unique spin on the age-old "High School Anime" formula. The soundtrack was also far above average, and would be a highlight of the show IMO.

by **tastelikecoke** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:33 am UTC

What about the Angel Beats OVA? Now that you mentioned I haven't watched it for some reason. I liked Angel Beats a lot, and it made me a bit nostalgic of high school.

And now my expectation is lowered by Gelsamel's description of Nisemonogatari. Meh'll watch anyway

by **KnightExemplar** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 5:11 am UTC

tastelikecoke wrote:What about the Angel Beats OVA? Now that you mentioned I haven't watched it for some reason. I liked Angel Beats a lot, and it made me a bit nostalgic of high school.

If you liked the characters... its just another episode. Not a very good one IMO, but its just everyone being who they are. Its basically episode 3.5 or so.

EDIT:

Spoiler:

The characters all just act wacky for 20 minutes. There is no deeper meaning or relevant information contained in the OVA. The jokes aren't that good IMO either... and they didn't make any new songs for the episode. Basically, its not very good, but if you're a fan you might enjoy it anyway.

by **Drumheller769** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:45 pm UTC

Does anyone know if the Berserk movie is available in some way (Netflix, or movie theater in the US) I know its out, but I cant seem to find anything.

by **Gelsamel** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:50 pm UTC

Are you sure it's out? I don't think it is.

It might be released in theaters in Japan but there definitely aren't any subs or fansubs of it around yet, probably because it hasn't been released on bluray.

by **Drumheller769** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:55 pm UTC

The trailers I saw had a release date of January 2012, but I guess that was in Japan..hence my confusion. Thanks!

by **Drumheller769** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 11:45 am UTC

So...is Bleach really done with...or will they now come out with Bleach 2 or something? I think I read the manga is still going on and has another arc or two.

by **Gelsamel** » Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:10 am UTC

FATE/ZERO!!!!!

Kiritsugu and Maiya are just so fucking awesome.

Nazo no Kanojo X: Hilarious and I love everything about Urabe's voice. Old 90s style character aesthetic is extremely refreshing. Opening theme is really funky.

Tasogare Otome X Amnesia: Seems really neat. I like the character design and the aesthetic of the anime. Opening/Ending Theme (not sure which it is yet) is really amazing.

by **mystic_aura** » Tue May 01, 2012 2:40 pm UTC

I watched the first episode of Fate/Zero the other day. I liked what I saw.

Ooh, I enjoyed 'Daily lives of High school boys'. Especially when the days almost over and you're exhausted and can't be bothered to follow one particular storyline, it's a fun watch. The characters are hilarious! [Skip the bits with the girls though - they're painful >_>]

by **KnightExemplar** » Mon May 28, 2012 2:29 am UTC

I finished "Mirai nikki" this past week. Anyone else feel like their brain exploded?

Despite being an "intense" anime (similar to Baccano or Code Geass. There never was a dull moment)... the whole anime felt significantly more ad-hoc in comparison to even Code Geass R2. Mind you, there were clear situations where they set things up:

Spoiler:

On the other hand...

Spoiler:

I mean seriously guys? I know these intense animes don't have to make sense entirely (lol Gurren Lagan). But... there are limits to what I can accept.

by **tastelikecoke** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:02 am UTC

Blazed through Nisemonogatari these past few weeks. I think the story's too bent on siscon and mary sue harems for me to appreciate, and I can't find a climax anywhere. One thing I can't stand is the part on Nadeko. I didn't want her to think of dirty thoughts on Araragi... oh my ideal vision of Nadeko, ruined....

The art's still the most coolest I've ever seen. It blended well with fanservice, with the postmodernism service, and all that.

by **Gelsamel** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 7:07 am UTC

Bakemonogatari was just way better... I was disappointed by Nise.

by **KnightExemplar** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:27 pm UTC

While Fate/Zero was very good overall, I feel like the ending didn't deliver everything I wanted.

Spoiler:

I guess the problem with prequels is that I'm expecting too much to happen, and its hard for me to be surprised. Kiritsugu was boss though, so that was awesome.

by **Grop** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:41 am UTC

Would you guys recommend the .hack series today? I have never seen them (well I watched maybe three episodes of .hack // Sign years ago, and wasn't really into it), and I am wondering if I missed something.

by **tastelikecoke** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:01 pm UTC

I just finished Higashi no Eden. It felt jarring to see Honey & Clover's art side by side with mystery for me, but it's so clever at building up the tension that it's going to be crowned as my favorite anime. I had one question though:

Spoiler:

by **KnightExemplar** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:11 am UTC

Grop wrote:Would you guys recommend the .hack series today? I have never seen them (well I watched maybe three episodes of .hack // Sign years ago, and wasn't really into it), and I am wondering if I missed something.

Well... I haven't seen .Hack recently.

But Sword Art Online had a very similar plot, at least in the first episode. Basically, people are playing inside of the "Sword Art Online" video game, a new virtual reality MMORPG. And so far, I'm liking it a lot. (but I'm only 2 episodes in, so I've got some catching up to do)

by **Derek** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:44 am UTC

Grop wrote:Would you guys recommend the .hack series today? I have never seen them (well I watched maybe three episodes of .hack // Sign years ago, and wasn't really into it), and I am wondering if I missed something.

.hack//sign was very good, though I was pretty young when I watched it, and and it was all out of order and everything. Still though, I have nothing but good memories about it and kind of want to watch it again. I never really paid any attention to any of the other .hack series.

I've also heard very good things about Sword Art Online (just saw the first episode).

by **Grop** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:15 am UTC

I am watching SAO (which gave me the idea of maybe watching .hack // Sign); it has a good pace.

by **PeteP** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:38 am UTC

I liked hack sign quite a bit, I even own it in physical form. (Though I haven't watched it recently.) I don't think I would compare it to Sword Arts online, aside from both having a mmo where you can't log out they aren't all that similar. Well based on the first three SAO episodes, for one the lead in SAO seem to be a fairly standard "Shonen teenage lead 1000".

by **KnightExemplar** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:13 am UTC

Derek wrote:
Grop wrote:Would you guys recommend the .hack series today? I have never seen them (well I watched maybe three episodes of .hack // Sign years ago, and wasn't really into it), and I am wondering if I missed something.

.hack//sign was very good, though I was pretty young when I watched it, and and it was all out of order and everything. Still though, I have nothing but good memories about it and kind of want to watch it again. I never really paid any attention to any of the other .hack series.

Lol, I sorta have the opposite.

My memories of .hack//sign consist entirely of pure character development into nothing. The characters never did anything, but you sure understood why they sat around and didn't do anything. I know that .hack//sign was the prequel for the Video Game series (which I didn't play), so maybe it makes sense if you played the games.

Otherwise, I'd say the lackluster plot of it was disappointing. Then again, it was nearly a decade ago when I watched .hack//sign, so maybe I'd enjoy it more if I saw it again.

I liked hack sign quite a bit, I even own it in physical form. (Though I haven't watched it recently.) I don't think I would compare it to Sword Arts online, aside from both having a mmo where you can't log out they aren't all that similar. Well based on the first three SAO episodes, for one the lead in SAO seem to be a fairly standard "Shonen teenage lead 1000".

To be fair, Tsukasa is a fairly standard "existential crisis emo kid". I tend to prefer the "I can do it" Shonen-kid over that trope. I think they did a good job with Tsukasa though (legitimate problems, legitimate reasons to be depressed, a fair amount of development where you learn about "his" problems, etc. etc.)

Spoiler:

by **Derek** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:37 am UTC

KnightExemplar wrote:
Derek wrote:
Grop wrote:Would you guys recommend the .hack series today? I have never seen them (well I watched maybe three episodes of .hack // Sign years ago, and wasn't really into it), and I am wondering if I missed something.

.hack//sign was very good, though I was pretty young when I watched it, and and it was all out of order and everything. Still though, I have nothing but good memories about it and kind of want to watch it again. I never really paid any attention to any of the other .hack series.

Lol, I sorta have the opposite.

My memories of .hack//sign consist entirely of pure character development into nothing. The characters never did anything, but you sure understood why they sat around and didn't do anything. I know that .hack//sign was the prequel for the Video Game series (which I didn't play), so maybe it makes sense if you played the games.

Otherwise, I'd say the lackluster plot of it was disappointing. Then again, it was nearly a decade ago when I watched .hack//sign, so maybe I'd enjoy it more if I saw it again.

It is a slow, dialogue driven show. But that never bothered me, even though I was a kid.

by **Jorpho** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:57 am UTC

Derek wrote:It is a slow, dialogue driven show. But that never bothered me, even though I was a kid.

It also looks pretty darn cool and has some great music. But that's pretty much all it's got going for it. (I watched the dubbed version when it came to YTV in Canada, oh, seven years ago.)

by **Grop** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:42 am UTC

Thank you for your answers.

After watching a few episodes, I decided it was boring, and no one sold it to me as a fantastic thing that I shouldn't miss.

Therefore, I am no longer watching .hack // thing.

by **tastelikecoke** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:40 pm UTC

I just got into Kaiji.
I ignored it first on the recommendations because of the horribly pointy faces the characters had, but I learned that was part of the appeal. I can't believe an anime could even be over the fucking top and psychological at the same time!

by **PeteP** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:46 pm UTC

ZAWA ZAWA ZAWA.
It's quite entertaining, but yes the faces who the heck designed these characters.

by **tastelikecoke** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 4:12 pm UTC

It's better than letting them have bishie faces while crying and screaming in the floor. Kaiji's tengu-face is much more amusing

by **modularblues** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 5:33 am UTC

Somehow I keep seeing an undercurrent of (BBC TV) Sherlock/Watson interaction with Oreki/Satoshi in Hyouka. But it is rather sacrilegious to actually compare the two, because the mysteries in Hyouka border on the mundane... yet it's nonetheless intriguing to see the characters' development unfold through their dialogues.

by **SlyReaper** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:20 am UTC

modularblues wrote:Somehow I keep seeing an undercurrent of (BBC TV) Sherlock/Watson interaction with Oreki/Satoshi in Hyouka. But it is rather sacrilegious to actually compare the two, because the mysteries in Hyouka border on the mundane... yet it's nonetheless intriguing to see the characters' development unfold through their dialogues.

I'm pretty sure it's a deliberate nod towards Sherlock Holmes, but as you say, with somewhat more mundane and silly mysteries. Notice in the ending credits, all the characters are wearing Victorian style clothes.

Has anyone been following Kokoro Connect? That has turned out a lot darker than its premise would suggest.

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