Guilty Crown - General Discussion

[Master_Yoma]

Inori looks so cute in her school uniform

[Kunagisa]

Originally Posted by Flawnalyst

Edit: Oh yeah, and there is one thing that really irked me. If Shu was planning on pulling out a Void out in secret by targeting one of his friends, how come so many people showed up JUST as his hand was there? In other words, if he pulled the Void out, so many people would have seen it anyways, and it would have been worse for him. So literally, all logic that the anime built up just went out the window for a weak throwaway joke (unless this events comes back later to bite him). And why'd he close his eyes to begin with? That entire scene, no matter how you look at it, makes no sense.

Originally Posted by andy

Horizon has a fan base already , with original stuff you can never know what will happen it might end up selling nothing or be a big hit .
It only take a few eps for things to change to worst or better .

+1 on these and winhlp32's fridge comment. I just can't take this anime seriously, and comparing sales right now is probably a really bad idea since this is the only high profile original series for Fall. Also, looks like Japan doesn't even want to give this a chance after episode 2.

745 : メロンさんex＠ご利用は紳士的に : 2011/10/28(金) 10:26:55.74 ID:tm7Mfgie0 [2/2回発言]
ノイタミナ
1.5　1.6　1.7　2.1　2.5　1.5　1.8　2.8　2.0　2.3　2.3　2.5　平均 2.05　四畳半/さらい屋
3.4　2.4　2.6　2.3　2.7　2.3　2.6　2.5　2.9　2.0　2.5　終.　平均2 .56　もやしもん/屍鬼
2.3　休.　2.2　3.1　2.8　2.7　1.8　2.4　1.6　2.5　2.1　2.7　平均2 .38　海月姫/屍鬼
1.9　1.8　1.6　2.1　休.　1.5　2.1　1.9　1.8　1.3　0.9　2.5　平均1 .76　フラクタル/放浪息子
1.6　2.5　3.9　2.8　2.5　2.9　2.2　2.0　2.4　2.9　3.2　終.　平均2 .63　C/あの花
1.2　2.4　2.1　2.6　2.1　2.5　休.　2.3　1.6　2.4　1.6　2.5　平均2 .11　うさぎドロップ/NO.6
2.6　2.4　1.3　-.-　-.-　-.-　-.-　-.-　-.-　-.-　-.-　-.-　平均2.10　UNGO/ギルクラ

Look at that rapid drop off (unless there is some kind of holiday that I don't know about that make people go travel or something). Inb4Japanhasterribletaste.

EDIT: Quoted same person twice. Woops!

[creb]

Originally Posted by stuopidget

I just can't this anime seriously

I think the only ones taking it seriously are the ones who write nine paragraph posts about why they didn't like this episode fifteen times in two days. Or the ones who write 9 paragraph posts in response to those posts. :/

It's meant for some brainless entertainment, with a sense of humor over its campiness. This extends to any speculation over what's going on.

I know I'm going to anger you over this, but even possibly being the most brainless thing Production I.G has ever been in the Captain's chair for...I'd still say it's a lot better than Horizon (sorry, I finally gave up after four episodes), which admittedly is doing better in Japan's ratings than the noitaminA block. Which makes me wonder what THIS show is even doing in the noitaminA blocks (it's like the polar opposite of what the block was supposed to be for), and I further wonder if the block itself has any effect on its rather low popularity as brainless shiny sexy would seem like an otaku's wet dream under normal circumstances. I mean, if it was typical noitaminA block viewers who watched the first episode in Japan, I can imagine many of them not coming back for more.

[Kunagisa]

Originally Posted by creb

I think the only ones taking it seriously are the ones who write nine paragraph posts about why they didn't like this episode fifteen times in two days. Or the ones who write 9 paragraph posts in response to those posts. :/

It's meant for some brainless entertainment, with a sense of humor over its campiness. This extends to any speculation over what's going on.

I know I'm going to anger you over this, but even possibly being the most brainless thing Production I.G has ever been in the Captain's chair for...I'd still say it's a lot better than Horizon (sorry, I finally gave up after four episodes), which admittedly is doing better in Japan's ratings than the noitaminA block. Which makes me wonder what THIS show is even doing in the noitaminA blocks (it's like the polar opposite of what the block was supposed to be for), and I further wonder if the block itself has any effect on its rather low popularity as brainless shiny sexy would seem like an otaku's wet dream under normal circumstances. I mean, if it was typical noitaminA block viewers who watched the first episode in Japan, I can imagine many of them not coming back for more.

I am not mad (I think I only got mad on this forum once ...), but I agree with you, and this goes back to Reckoner's comment about identity crisis. I do not know what direction this show is going. I thought I'm getting into a somewhat serious plot going into this story, but that is not looking likely AT THE MOMENT.

There are some things they could've avoid all too easily, such as making Gai take the vial from Shu in the beginning, then dropped it over the commotion and that's why Shu has it; in this episode, make them meet not out in the open. I mean these are simple choices that is pretty easy to make, but they just don't seem to care. The small details are the ones that kinda impact the overall feel whether to take this seriously. Right now, this is just being ridiculed to death everywhere (and to be honest, some of the comments are pretty plausible). Also, the plot has been kinda predictable as shown on the stream comments ...

Horizon gets its share of dislikes as well, and without having a novel crowd backing it, the series would be doing worse than Gundam AGE, which can still happen depending on where Sunrise takes it.

I mean the rating is solid even going into episode 2, but halving the original broadcast on your 3rd episode is kinda ... then again, this might pull back up next episode. I'm not saying this show is horrible, I'm just saying the direction they're taking in episode 1 and 2 is disappointing to the audiences. As for why this is showing on the noitaminA block ... that's another can of worm the first 20 pages or so have already discussed ... but based on the strong initial rating, I don't think the demographic of the viewers for this block is the same as it used to be already, so I don't think this type of show specifically airing on the slot is an issue anymore.

[Flawfinder]

Originally Posted by creb

I think the only ones taking it seriously are the ones who write nine paragraph posts about why they didn't like this episode fifteen times in two days. Or the ones who write 9 paragraph posts in response to those posts. :/

It's meant for some brainless entertainment, with a sense of humor over its campiness. This extends to any speculation over what's going on.

I don't take it that seriously, but I guess I just really want to like this show so much that it hits me hard when it not only turned out to be generic, it doesn't even have a single character I like.

And like I have said many times, the other real problem I have with this show is that it's NOT campy. It's animated so beautifully and the anime takes itself so seriously that the campy atmosphere is non-existent. As stupid as Boku Wa Tomodachi, Code Geass, and Baccano are (especially the terrible twists in Code Geass), they're able to create a universe where all this stuff could happen. Guilty Crown just fails in that. It's like if a perverted misunderstanding happened in Black Lagoon (which would you get killed in that universe).

And of course, I hate some of the defenses people use for this anime. I don't mind people liking it, but don't use the defense "it's a blockbuster popcorn thing". You know what else was a blockbuster popcorn thing? Independence Day. And it sucked. There's also the defense, "the animation is beautiful...and that's it". Reminds me of the Makoto Shinkai films, and I hate them (I also realize that this anime and the Makoto Shinkai films have the same flaw of not following the "show don't tell" principle that all visual mediums are supposed to use). Just say you liked the plot, you liked the characters, or something like that. I won't be able to see why you do, but it's a much better defense.

But like I have said, if you like the episode, that's fine. The series isn't over yet. It still has time turn around.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by stuopidget

I am not mad (I think I only got mad on this forum once ...), but I agree with you, and this goes back to Reckoner's comment about identity crisis. I do not know what direction this show is going. I thought I'm getting into a somewhat serious plot going into this story, but that is not looking likely AT THE MOMENT.

I think this is a somewhat serious plot. Serious plots can have comedic relief moments, and in fact entire comedic relief episodes. Some of Episode 3 is comedic relief, and some of it is serious plot movement, imo. Now, if people dislike the comedic relief moments, then I certainly understand that. They weren't the funniest for me in this episode, but they didn't really bother me, either.

This anime takes itself about as seriously as s-CRY-ed, Buso Renkin, Chrome Shelled Regios, and other sci-fi/shonen-esque shows of that nature did. Which is to say that I think the plot is intended to be taken a bit seriously, but not to the extent of a good Detective Novel plot (i.e. carefully evaluating every plot event, looking for clues and/or inconsistencies, etc...).

What the narrative cares about, I think, is "painting in broad strokes". It's the big picture, not the small details. If you "don't sweat the small stuff", then the anime really starts to come together well, imo.

[Kismet-chan]

Screw Yahiro. Seriously. I wonder how Shu is going to get out of this? I predict a bailout button in the form of Gai coming to the rescue.

I also got a bit of a death flag vibe from Shu's mom. At the very least she'll probably end up getting hurt in some way. Things cannot end well for her.

[Kunagisa]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

What the narrative cares about, I think, is "painting in broad strokes". It's the big picture, not the small details. If you "don't sweat the small stuff", then the anime really starts to come together well, imo.

Agree completely about the other parts of the post, for this part I think works better in hindsight, not while the series is airing. If there are serious twists everywhere down the road, then these smalls things are all forgotten. While airing though, these small details still irk me. A lot (and apparently many others).

With that said though, I think the rules are the most important plot point in this episode rather than what happened in the end (the preview kinda turn the whole cliffhanger into not cliffhanger ...).

Under 17 only = there goes my chance of seeing Shu groping mature ladies.
Memory lost = doujin time.
Eye contact = the guy's blind then he's immune, disability for the win? Or just blind Shu and he's out of the game.

Obviously the last point seems to be the most interesting, which begs the question how the hell they know all these info if they don't already have someone with a Void Genome on their team OR a spy working within the government. Here's hoping that this is not because they can hack their way into the TOP SECRET files ...

[Yui_Nyan]

It's cool, after Shu gets out of prison (if they don't execute him), he can tell everyone that Shear Boy is a Norma Gene addict.

[creb]

Originally Posted by Kismet-chan

Screw Yahiro. Seriously. I wonder how Shu is going to get out of this? I predict a bailout button in the form of Gai coming to the rescue.

I also got a bit of a death flag vibe from Shu's mom. At the very least she'll probably end up getting hurt in some way. Things cannot end well for her.

Put me down for the long-shot odds that the whole thing was orchestrated by Gai on purpose to force Shu out of his safe shell. Who wants to take that bet? Loser has to write a haiku next week or two glorifying the winner!

Shu's mom is almost certainly not as "evil" as the male scientist, based just on her mannerisms, looks, and speech so she's either going to get iced or be seduced by the power of the Bishie to be an inside man so to speak. Hell, for all we know, she may already be a double agent (ok, probably not).

Originally Posted by stuopidget

With that said though, I think the rules are the most important plot point in this episode rather than what happened in the end (the preview kinda turn the whole cliffhanger into not cliffhanger ...).

Under 17 only = there goes my chance of seeing Shu groping mature ladies.
Memory lost = doujin time.
Eye contact = the guy's blind then he's immune, disability for the win? Or just blind Shu and he's out of the game.

Obviously the last point seems to be the most interesting, which begs the question how the hell they know all these info if they don't already have someone with a Void Genome on their team OR a spy working within the government. Here's hoping that this is not because they can hack their way into the TOP SECRET files ...

I've already floated the possibility that the whole Funeral Parlor thing is secretly funded by GHQ to give themselves a boogeyman they can use to gain more authority and power. But, I suspect Gai just has family connections that reach straight into the thick of all the politics behind all of this, which while being a more mundane explanation, is probably the more likely.

[Guardian Enzo]

There was so much face-palming, too convenient and derivative stuff in this episode, but I enjoyed it anyway. I'm not even sure I could tell you why - objectively you could pick it to shreds (accidentally groping the Kaichou - seriously?) but it was entertaining.

Plus, extra credit for the Marilyn Monroe reference...

[.:Jason:.]

Originally Posted by stuopidget

Under 17 only = there goes my chance of seeing Shu groping mature ladies.

I thought the rule was that only those 17 and under could use the Void Genome, but Voids could be pulled from anyone? At least, that's how I understood it to mean.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by Xion Valkyrie

Let's hope she's not a clone of Shu's mom or anything like that

LOL That would not be a very pleasant surprise. When I suggested that Inori is 10 years old or less and that she might be a clone is due to an earlier post explaining the new visual novel that is coming out, which is set 10 years in the past with another void user and another character that resembles Inori. At the moment, we don't really know what Inori is, but it has been heavily hinted that she is an artificial lifeform.

After 3 episodes, the story is progressing well. We still do not know about the overall world, but we are still slowly getting a taste of it. As we are still so early in the series (24-26 expected episodes), I do not expect we will be deep in the plot yet. As the pattern for many series, I do not expect things to get deep or meaningful until the 8th or 9th episode, with a major climax at the 12th or 13th episode. There is still so much more to discover in this world.

I can't wait to see what they have in store next.

[creb]

Originally Posted by .:Jason:.

I thought the rule was that only those 17 and under could use the Void Genome, but Voids could be pulled from anyone? At least, that's how I understood it to mean.

That wouldn't make any sense why he would need to know that rule. ;p

It was definitely have to use it on those 17 and under.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by stuopidget

Agree completely about the other parts of the post, for this part I think works better in hindsight, not while the series is airing.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that Guilty Crown's approach is necessarily the best one (clearly, it isn't working for a lot of people), just that this is it's approach, for good or for bad.

If you're expecting an airtight plot, you're not going to find it here. It's going to play a bit fast and loose with certain things (character shields, how Undertaker conducts itself as a terrorist organization, etc...). That doesn't mean the plot is inconsequential, but rather that its more of a "big picture" plot than a "small details" plot.

In fairness, Guilty Crown's Director (IIRC) saying that this anime was inspired a bit by Ghost in the Shell was likely a mistake, in retrospect.

Guilty Crown is not that serious, and maybe the anime is giving too many people the impression that it is that serious.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by stuopidget

Obviously the last point seems to be the most interesting, which begs the question how the hell they know all these info if they don't already have someone with a Void Genome on their team OR a spy working within the government. Here's hoping that this is not because they can hack their way into the TOP SECRET files ...

Since this is the 3rd Void Genome made, it can be assumed that a one or both of the first two have already been used. In that case, there is precedence and plenty of information on it.

Another point for Gai is that he could have possibly used another Genome type in order to be able to see what void items people have in them. At least there is a high chance that he is enhanced in some way (his speed was just abnormal).

[creb]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

Since this is the 3rd Void Genome made, it can be assumed that a one or both of the first two have already been used. In that case, there is precedence and plenty of information on it.

Another point for Gai is that he could have possibly used another Genome type in order to be able to see what void items people have in them. At least there is a high chance that he is enhanced in some way (his speed was just abnormal).

Well, assuming it was Gai in the flashback all bloodied during what was presumably the Apocalypse Plague/Outbreak, it's also possible he simply developed his ability by chance rather than whatever is supposed to happen when infected by the plague. It's been insinuated, I believe, that things like the Void Genome are based off the Apocalypse Plague, and it's been outright said that the Normal Gene drug was, so it wouldn't be entirely out of the question for it to have been a Marvel comics mutant like event for Gai.

[bigdeath]

HAHAHHAA, let that be a leasson shu. Always kill your target, never show mercy.

Surprised by the hate for this episode. I thought it was pretty fun. Just because there is a humorous episode does not mean this is a comedy.

In the end, this show is 50% serious, 50% humor, 100% troll. Just like Code Geass in that regard.

[dark998]

Not a single explosion and sill a solid 9/10 episode. Rather than school life this was mostly focused in Shu and Inori relationship while pumping out some info about the Void power itself.

The void hunting quest was quite fun and while it was obvious who was the witness the last-second betrayal was really unexpected. Poor Shu, man.

And yes, Inori is still hot as all hell. Those legs

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by creb

Well, assuming it was Gai in the flashback all bloodied during what was presumably the Apocalypse Plague/Outbreak, it's also possible he simply developed his ability by chance rather than whatever is supposed to happen when infected by the plague. It's been insinuated, I believe, that things like the Void Genome are based off the Apocalypse Plague, and it's been outright said that the Normal Gene drug was, so it wouldn't be entirely out of the question for it to have been a Marvel comics mutant like event for Gai.

That is a very valid theory. However, I just feel like Shu will also need this ability to be able to fully utilize Void powers. Well, the other option would be for Gai to identify powerful Void weapons and recruit them for Shu to use, sort of like a special units squad.