AnimeSuki Forums

Midonin · 2013-01-27, 10:32

VROOM 03 - Let Me Say This to Start, I'm Fairly Strong

I don't believe in "turning off your brain" for any show, so I'm not going to say the show's trying to present anything super didactic, but to deny that what's before us somehow shouldn't be analyzed is doing a disservice to the nature of the internet. (The theoretical internet.)

First off, good performance by Yuka Otsubo as Wakaba. I can't hear her without thinking of Toshino Kyoko, but the voices are distinct enough. On the whole Akane vs Wakaba thing, much of what makes someone good at sports are reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Both of which are skills Akane has already. So she may not be able to beat Wakaba in a professional kendo setting, but for a casual match, I can accept they'd be about even. Akane using her superpowers to get to school on time makes me glad that Isshiki Labs are still operating independently. Someone sees your hero identity? Make them a hero, too.

The whole Docking thing is also giving me some Den-O vibes. With Wakaba being Sword Form, obviously. It helps that we already have Dr. Kintaros in the cast.

Since 95% of the world's energy comes from the Engine, and 95% of the world is a pretty big place, the Alone showing up anywhere has some sound reasoning behind it. Not every Monster of the Week is going to be super memorable. Sometimes you're going to get a Weldo. My only tiny issue is that I wish I could've seen Wakaba do something in combat before fusing with Akane, but there's plenty of episodes left for that.

I'm enjoying this show a whole lot. Always have loved the magical girl genre.

Kanon · 2013-01-27, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random Wanderer

...Is she trying to dock with Momo?

I have a hunch she wants to perform a different kind of docking

I hope that aspect of Wakaba won't be forgotten. It's part of what made her so entertaining.

Shyni · 2013-01-27, 12:57

Just saw the first episode and I got really strong Mazinger Z vibes. Well, Shin Mazinger since that was the version I watched. I mean, the main character lives with their younger sibling and their grandfather, said grandfather was involved in the research for some futuristic energy source, and provides the main character with a flying motorbike, and superhuman powers.

This is really not a good first impression for me, not because I think this is a bad show, but because it makes me want to watch Shin Mazinger again, instead of going straight into episode 2.

Also, what's up with the color-coded naming? Aka(ne) has red hair, Momo has pink, and Aoi has blue. It's like Akibaranger or something.

Midonin · 2013-01-27, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyni

Also, what's up with the color-coded naming? Aka(ne) has red hair, Momo has pink, and Aoi has blue. It's like Akibaranger or something.

Japan loves playing word games with their naming in general.

Shyni · 2013-01-27, 13:01

I know, but I rarely see it with hair or costume colors. I'm fine when it relates to their powers or something, but naming characters after their hair colors feels silly to me.

Random Wanderer · 2013-01-27, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyni

Also, what's up with the color-coded naming? Aka(ne) has red hair, Momo has pink, and Aoi has blue. It's like Akibaranger or something.

You've only noticed part of it. From the TVTropes page:

Quote:

All of the main girls have a color in their given name and a number in their family name. The only exception is resident Dark Magical Girl Rei Kuroki, who has it the other way around.
*Isshiki Akane is red. Her family name has the kanji for 'one'.
*Futaba Aoi is blue. Her family name has the kanji for 'two'.
*Kuroki Rei is black. Her given name can mean 'zero'.
Floral Theme Naming: The other two characters indicate their colors in a different way:
*Saegusa Wakaba's given name means 'new leaf' (green). Her family name has the kanji for 'three'.
*Shinomiya Himawari's given name means 'sunflower' (yellow) . Her family name has the kanji for 'four'.

Midonin · 2013-01-27, 13:05

They're all common plant-based names too. Akane, Aoi and Momo. Though evidence for colors over plants is given with Akane's mom being named "Mashiro". I don't see it as silly, I just see it as part of the genre, but to each their own.

Random Wanderer · 2013-01-27, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanon

I have a hunch she wants to perform a different kind of docking

I hope that aspect of Wakaba won't be forgotten. It's part of what made her so entertaining.

Who can say? In general these shows have enough yuri subtext to sink a battleship, but it never goes anywhere.

Triple_R · 2013-01-27, 13:12

As long as the names actually work as names (and aren't something silly, like say, a English last name of "Dangerously"

) I'm fine with using numbers or flowers or colors this way. In fact, that's pretty neat and clever if you can get it to work with real names.

Unless told otherwise, I'm going to assume these names are real names that sound Ok to Japanese ears.

Shyni · 2013-01-27, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midonin

They're all common plant-based names too. Akane, Aoi and Momo. Though evidence for colors over plants is given with Akane's mom being named "Mashiro". I don't see it as silly, I just see it as part of the genre, but to each their own.

I'm not sure why, but I don't mind it when naming schemes follow other things, but not hair colors. It sounds kinda... superficial, I guess.

Buuut, that's just a mild annoyance. The only actual problem is that now I have the urge to watch Shin Mazinger again.

LoweGear · 2013-01-27, 16:02

So yes, that feeling that Vivid Green's final attack looked like a Brave finisher isn't just a gut feeling...

(The good part's at 0:21)

NicoNico

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm19912647

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

I had pinned down both shows as the influence (the initial rushing charge is from Fighbird, while the final front view, slash and finishing pose is from Exkaiser), but to see it side by side really puts the similarities in perspective.

Cytrus · 2013-01-27, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple_R

As long as the names actually work as names (and aren't something silly, like say, a English last name of "Dangerously"

) I'm fine with using numbers or flowers or colors this way. In fact, that's pretty neat and clever if you can get it to work with real names.

Unless told otherwise, I'm going to assume these names are real names that sound Ok to Japanese ears.

Most of those are relatively common names.

MeisterBabylon · 2013-01-27, 19:32

Well... Nothing like hiding ecchi in the middle of huge mecha hijinx.

Chiaki_chan · 2013-01-28, 02:54

tsunade666 · 2013-01-28, 05:50

^she really gives me the whole homu homu vibes.

Shyni · 2013-01-28, 06:51

Spoiler for Comparison/spoiler for Madoka:

Saint X · 2013-01-28, 07:59

It has begun!

Images

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

mangatron · 2013-01-28, 10:20

I just saw this picture. It changes everything we knew about the relationship chart

Are they trying to tell us that Himawari has a thing for the Grandpa? Gosh, that Isshiki family is a chick magnet

DRAGUN H.E.X. · 2013-01-28, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoweGear

So yes, that feeling that Vivid Green's final attack looked like a Brave finisher isn't just a gut feeling...

(The good part's at 0:21)

NicoNico

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm19912647

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

I had pinned down both shows as the influence (the initial rushing charge is from Fighbird, while the final front view, slash and finishing pose is from Exkaiser), but to see it side by side really puts the similarities in perspective.

i think they should've homaged Dagwon too, you know, for a Brave series about a bunch of fujoshi bait school boys becoming sub-cyborgs + their machines = freaking giant cyborgs

Akane = Fire En
Aoi = Turbo Kai
Wakaba = Armor Shin
Himawari = Thunder Rai?

except that they can only perform fusion with a certain member because of you know, TOY GIMMICKS & not fujoshi pairings which involve the entire Super Liner Dagwon component members....... orgy

tsunade666 · 2013-01-28, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangatron

I just saw this picture. It changes everything we knew about the relationship chart

Spoiler for Himarwari:

Are they trying to tell us that Himawari has a thing for the Grandpa? Gosh, that Isshiki family is a chick magnet

I thought she is using grandpa as a voodoo doll. The one you use as a pin cushion for curse.

2013-01-27, 10:32	Link #921
Midonin Last Engage Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida	VROOM 03 - Let Me Say This to Start, I'm Fairly Strong I don't believe in "turning off your brain" for any show, so I'm not going to say the show's trying to present anything super didactic, but to deny that what's before us somehow shouldn't be analyzed is doing a disservice to the nature of the internet. (The theoretical internet.) First off, good performance by Yuka Otsubo as Wakaba. I can't hear her without thinking of Toshino Kyoko, but the voices are distinct enough. On the whole Akane vs Wakaba thing, much of what makes someone good at sports are reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Both of which are skills Akane has already. So she may not be able to beat Wakaba in a professional kendo setting, but for a casual match, I can accept they'd be about even. Akane using her superpowers to get to school on time makes me glad that Isshiki Labs are still operating independently. Someone sees your hero identity? Make them a hero, too. The whole Docking thing is also giving me some Den-O vibes. With Wakaba being Sword Form, obviously. It helps that we already have Dr. Kintaros in the cast. Since 95% of the world's energy comes from the Engine, and 95% of the world is a pretty big place, the Alone showing up anywhere has some sound reasoning behind it. Not every Monster of the Week is going to be super memorable. Sometimes you're going to get a Weldo. My only tiny issue is that I wish I could've seen Wakaba do something in combat before fusing with Akane, but there's plenty of episodes left for that. I'm enjoying this show a whole lot. Always have loved the magical girl genre. Last edited by Midonin; 2013-01-27 at 15:12.

2013-01-27, 13:12	Link #929
Triple_R GunBlade, Cute and Deadly Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In Kyouko's Dreams... Age: 31	As long as the names actually work as names (and aren't something silly, like say, a English last name of "Dangerously" ) I'm fine with using numbers or flowers or colors this way. In fact, that's pretty neat and clever if you can get it to work with real names. Unless told otherwise, I'm going to assume these names are real names that sound Ok to Japanese ears. __________________

2013-01-27, 16:02	Link #931
LoweGear Device Meister Graphic Designer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Everywhere and nowhere at once	So yes, that feeling that Vivid Green's final attack looked like a Brave finisher isn't just a gut feeling... (The good part's at 0:21) NicoNico http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm19912647 Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload? I had pinned down both shows as the influence (the initial rushing charge is from Fighbird, while the final front view, slash and finishing pose is from Exkaiser), but to see it side by side really puts the similarities in perspective. __________________ On Righteousness: "You don't just have the moral high ground, you have moral orbital supremacy being overseen from your headquarters on the armour plated moon. Your moral space fleet patrols the entire fucking solar system."

2013-01-27, 19:32	Link #933
MeisterBabylon ＳＡＮ値! (／・ω・)／ピンチ! Author Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Golden Throne Age: 27	Well... Nothing like hiding ecchi in the middle of huge mecha hijinx. __________________

2013-01-28, 02:54	Link #934
Chiaki_chan watashi wa Yuri-Senpai Join Date: May 2012 Location: with Unohana-sama Age: 21	__________________

2013-01-27, 12:57	Link #923
Shyni likes to change avatars Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: nowhere	Just saw the first episode and I got really strong Mazinger Z vibes. Well, Shin Mazinger since that was the version I watched. I mean, the main character lives with their younger sibling and their grandfather, said grandfather was involved in the research for some futuristic energy source, and provides the main character with a flying motorbike, and superhuman powers. This is really not a good first impression for me, not because I think this is a bad show, but because it makes me want to watch Shin Mazinger again, instead of going straight into episode 2. Also, what's up with the color-coded naming? Aka(ne) has red hair, Momo has pink, and Aoi has blue. It's like Akibaranger or something.

2013-01-27, 13:01	Link #925
Shyni likes to change avatars Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: nowhere	I know, but I rarely see it with hair or costume colors. I'm fine when it relates to their powers or something, but naming characters after their hair colors feels silly to me.

2013-01-27, 13:05	Link #927
Midonin Last Engage Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida	They're all common plant-based names too. Akane, Aoi and Momo. Though evidence for colors over plants is given with Akane's mom being named "Mashiro". I don't see it as silly, I just see it as part of the genre, but to each their own.

2013-01-28, 05:50	Link #935
tsunade666 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: In my room	^she really gives me the whole homu homu vibes. __________________

2013-01-28, 06:51	Link #936
Shyni likes to change avatars Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: nowhere	Spoiler for Comparison/spoiler for Madoka: Wonder if time loops will be involved again. Last edited by relentlessflame; 2013-01-28 at 20:22.

2013-01-28, 07:59	Link #937
Saint X VxR Productions IT Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philippines	It has begun! Images Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload? __________________