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thundrakkon · 2012-10-06, 05:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yumii-chan

Or reincarnations maybe.
Either way, episode 2 opened with "500 years later" so I'm guessing that as the episodes go on, we get closer to the actual time. (next episode will have 400 years later, 300 years later, 200 years later and so on) but I still have no idea from what event/time we are counting.

It looks like the initial event is the massacre in the first episode. In that episode, there were cars, elevators, and a lot of modern things we have today. The 1000 years in the future no longer has those items, so I'm guessing time zero is the origin of those with powers and that massacre.

Triple_R · 2012-10-06, 06:04

I loved the very beginning of this episode. That was very intense and the dialogue for it was delivered with such an impressive mixture of power and horror. The crazy Emperor himself had a very imposing presence, and while it might be a bit cheesy, I like how they gave him that evil grin.

It's obviously clear that human society has become horribly twisted over time. It's clear that whatever occurred in present day Japan would prove to be the catalyst for a decidedly oppressive and somewhat insane society that's all too willing to kill people over slight disobedience or mistakes. What's most depressing is that this society apparently stretches over several hundreds of years.

I also wonder if these parables aren't actually convenient spin put on darker events. For example, with the parable here in Episode 2, maybe the guy didn't just sacrifice himself for the good of the rest of the community... maybe his powers going haywire and ruining everything around him simply made him suicidal for fairly obvious reasons.

That being said, I get a vague sense that as corrupted as this New World is, that it might have arrived at that point due to legitimate attempts to mitigate the problems caused by these psychic powers. In other words, this society might have made sense at one time, but has gradually developed in a way that has greatly corrupted its original goals and ideals.

There's a definite cloistered feeling to this entire area. Is there a world of normal humans beyond it? Was this area set up to contain those who generate these potentially dangerous psychic powers? Is an extremely strict learning environment of self-restraint and complete discipline placed upon these kids so that the horrors of the past aren't revisited? Do kids that "fail" get disposed of because they're viewed as too dangerous if left alive?

That crazy Emperor from the first couple minutes, for example - It looked to me like he had this psychic power, and was using it to make human sacrifices out of normal humans. Is the place Saki is in designed to prevent Emperors like him from ever arising again to plague humanity by killing literally hundreds?

Perhaps one could liken this place to being like a compound set up for the mutants of Marvel Comics, where they're cut off from the rest of society and don't even know that the rest of society exists. The thinking might be that this is for the good of "mutants" and normal humans alike, but over time the way the compound runs itself has become thoroughly unconscionable.

Well, whatever the answers may be, this anime does a great job of raising loads of interesting questions.

I liked the game that was played in Episode 2. It was fairly creative and fun to watch. One of the real strengths of this anime is how it does a very nice job of exploring the interesting ways that psychic powers/telekinesis can be used.

I also really like the obvious and cute crush between Saki and Shun. Saki clearly is quite taken by him, but I think that Shun likes her too. Maybe this is all set-up for a later shocking twist, but Shun so far makes me think of the classic "boy scout" type that always wants to do the right thing, say the right thing, follow the rules, and please his parents and society at large. As such, for him to support Saki in breaking the rules by saving that Queerat was a pretty big gesture on his part. It shows that Saki means enough to Shun that he's willing to break the rules (which is a big deal for Shun) for her sake.

Anyway, this anime is going great so far. It's crafting a very interesting and well-told story, and these characters are really growing on me.

FredFriendly · 2012-10-06, 06:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Perhaps one could liken this place to being like a compound set up for the mutants of Marvel Comics, where they're cut off from the rest of society and don't even know that the rest of society exists. The thinking might be that this is for the good of "mutants" and normal humans alike, but over time the way the compound runs itself has become thoroughly unconscionable.

Sounds more like a real-life Australia gone bad. The British transported their undesirables to Australia, to remove them from society, and to protect society from them. Perhaps this "village" is the same sort of affair.

Haak · 2012-10-06, 07:08

It's obvious that Shun is the "secret rebel" that Saki's father was going on about before which only convinces me more than ever that he's going to be an early victim. I get the feeling he knows what he's up against and is aware of his own mortality if he fails which is why he's so much more "sober" than the rest of the kids. It also sets him apart from other rebels. The kid that cheated rebelled openly and it looks like he payed the price because he didn't truly understand what he was up against. Shun is far more perceptive, but it's usually the initially perceptive that go out early which is why I worry for him. It doesn't help that he was the one reading that parable of the secret rebel at the beginning of the episode. I hope the teacher didn't single him out to read it on purpose...

It is still possible he'll avoid such a classic fate but this show is far too dark for me to be optimistic.

Triple_R · 2012-10-06, 07:41

@Haak

Well, if you're right about Shun, then I think it was Saki's willingness to break the rules for a good cause (saving that Queerat) that has piqued his interest in her. Shun likely wants to gain allies given what he's up against, but he wouldn't want a crude, foolish rebel like the student that disappeared in this episode, but somebody more like Saki.

Now the idea of this anime turning into something like Orwell's 1984, only with Japanese kid protagonists and super powers added, is a very intriguing idea to me. Shun and Saki as a sort of toned down Winston and Julia could be really fun and gripping.

Kirroha · 2012-10-06, 08:59

I don't quite get the 1000 years and 500 years thing. S: Do people in the future live so long such that 500 years only feels like one, and so on?

Kanon · 2012-10-06, 09:10

The second episode was as fascinating as the first. I'm completely in love with the atmosphere of this show.

The opening sequence with the crazy emperor was chilling. I wonder if our protagonist are still being ruled by a similar emperor or if the peole realized the emperor's foolishness and rose up against him. I'm thinking the latter. All we know for sure if that powers are heavily under control now and that kids that don't fit perfectly into society in one way or another (holding others back, breaking the rules) are made to disappear.

The game the kids played was pretty interesting. It seemed like yet another test to weed out the undesirable ones. It's weird that none of them have any awareness of what's going on. Actually, it's more like they don't care. They noticed Reiko's absence but just shrugged it off and forgot about her. That's a result of how they were raised up, I guess.

The queerats were just... weird. What the heck are those? Mutants? I didn't expect to see that kind of creatures here, even after cats were mentioned last week. Anyway, whatever they are, it looks like they're being used as slaves.

Utsuro no Hako · 2012-10-06, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

In the end I'm not sure what is going on here. It's pretty damn weird and suspicious though. Certainly some memory manipulation is at work here. A friend going missing is pretty suspicious, but they'd also notice the other guy going missing simply because they really hate the guy. I'm not sure if their memories are getting wiped or just manipulated enough that they naturally forget about them. Does send a shiver down your spine thinking of how many kids might have been killed in just a few years at this rate.

Who said they're forgetting about the disappearing classmates? When Saki transferred to the new school, someone mentioned that she was the last person from their elementary school class to graduate, at which point Saki asks, "What do you mean? There were plenty of other students still there," and everyone exchanges, "Oh crap, she doesn't know," looks. Then a little later Mamoru and Satoru start talking about a graveyard that's supposed to be on school grounds, with a strong implication that that's where disappeared students go. I also got the impression from the way they talked about Reiko that they fully expected -- even wanted -- her to disappear for being such a screw up.

And note that we have three different types of students disappearing: elementary schoolers who don't develop powers, middle schoolers whose powers are too feeble, and middle schoolers who use their powers in unauthorized manners. If it were just the first group, or even the first two, we might assume they're being exiled beyond the village, but I can't see the elders letting someone with strong powers go, especially if the queerats worship them as gods.

Kirroha · 2012-10-06, 09:41

I think the queerats are adorable.

HandofFate · 2012-10-06, 09:46

It is weird how the group doesn't really react to the disappearance of Reiko. Not even Saki who's the newest of the group, she just accepts the disappearance as another daily event the same as the rest of them.

Just noticed the narrator in episode 2. I assume its Saki and she's telling a story to someone.

Episode 2 was interesting, more of the same. And more details on how the current society now works. Even though it seemed no one saw Saki help the meekrat. I'm pretty sure there's an observer watching the kids at all times. Saki probably has one mark against her right now.

Cosmic Eagle · 2012-10-06, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yumii-chan

But we saw all the kids playing together before the "1000 years later-" message popped up. Sure, we didn't see their faces, but based on the shadows and voices, it was the main characters.

Sure you can base on just that alone? It could also be that the CVs are doubling as those voice roles...

Or it could also mean that those kid psykers parallel the current ones of a thousand years later.

MeoTwister5 · 2012-10-06, 10:15

Okay... the second episode is giving me a very chilling Now and Then, Here and There vibe. That's either a good thing or a bad thing, or both.

klare · 2012-10-06, 10:33

yeah lets be the first 100 to stop clapping and get sacrificed^^

the game is weird, especially with its unbalance rules... and they did not mention Reiko's disappearance at all, which surprised me a bit

the scenes with the names getting stamped must be indicating something important too

Student no.0 · 2012-10-06, 10:37

This second episode colored me more interested than the first. Was worried that I'd actually drop this, but seems like I might be able to get used to it. Might wanna keep a notepad to myself to write down my speculations and observations.

Ending theme is really nice too.

Triple_R · 2012-10-06, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirroha

I don't quite get the 1000 years and 500 years thing. S: Do people in the future live so long such that 500 years only feels like one, and so on?

I think it's done this way to showcase the full scope and magnitude of the societal problem. It's a problem that's been around for literally hundreds of years, and has deeply corrupted human society to its very core.

We're dealing with hundreds of years of tradition here. We're dealing with what has become not only the accepted way of life for people, but for many of them it's the only life they can even imagine. The only history these kids seem to know of are parables that reinforce the status quo.

Also, one of the benefits of having a far-flung future setting is that it can be easier to go wild with it. What I mean by that is that if you have a setting that's only 10, 20, or 30 years in the future, people might wonder why nobody has any recollection of what life is like in our present day. And people might wonder how things could have changed so very radically in only a few decades.

But once you have hundreds of years of time passing, radical changes become a lot easier to accept, imo.

Kirroha · 2012-10-06, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple_R

I think it's done this way to showcase the full scope and magnitude of the societal problem. It's a problem that's been around for literally hundreds of years, and has deeply corrupted human society to its very core.

We're dealing with hundreds of years of tradition here. We're dealing with what has become not only the accepted way of life for people, but for many of them it's the only life they can even imagine. The only history these kids seem to know of are parables that reinforce the status quo.

Also, one of the benefits of having a far-flung future setting is that it can be easier to go wild with it. What I mean by that is that if you have a setting that's only 10, 20, or 30 years in the future, people might wonder why nobody has any recollection of what life is like in our present day. And people might wonder how things could have changed so very radically in only a few decades.

But once you have hundreds of years of time passing, radical changes become a lot easier to accept, imo.

No, I mean why would "1000 years pass" and then "500 years later" and the main characters still kids and alive?

Blaat · 2012-10-06, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirroha

No, I mean why would "1000 years pass" and then "500 years later" and the main characters still kids and alive?

They're flashbacks, 500 years did not pass between episode one and episode two.

Unless you're confused about seeing in the main characters as younger kids in the first episode followed by the 1000 years later text. That part still remains a mystery, we'll see where that goes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanon

The queerats were just... weird. What the heck are those? Mutants? I didn't expect to see that kind of creatures here, even after cats were mentioned last week. Anyway, whatever they are, it looks like they're being used as slaves.

Maybe all the disappearing kids and non-psychic are turned into queerats.

Haak · 2012-10-06, 10:55

^ That's actually my worst fear that you so casually make light of...

Utsuro no Hako · 2012-10-06, 11:05

The queerats think the villagers are gods and don't know that the children don't have power, so they're unlikely to be from the village unless you assume they have their memories completely wiped.

Triple_R · 2012-10-06, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haak

^ That's actually my worst fear that you so casually make light of...

That idea has occurred to me as well. It's a disturbing thought, to be sure, but I don't necessarily think it would hurt the story or anything like that.

2012-10-06, 06:04	Link #262
Triple_R Senior Member Author Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Age: 42	I loved the very beginning of this episode. That was very intense and the dialogue for it was delivered with such an impressive mixture of power and horror. The crazy Emperor himself had a very imposing presence, and while it might be a bit cheesy, I like how they gave him that evil grin. It's obviously clear that human society has become horribly twisted over time. It's clear that whatever occurred in present day Japan would prove to be the catalyst for a decidedly oppressive and somewhat insane society that's all too willing to kill people over slight disobedience or mistakes. What's most depressing is that this society apparently stretches over several hundreds of years. I also wonder if these parables aren't actually convenient spin put on darker events. For example, with the parable here in Episode 2, maybe the guy didn't just sacrifice himself for the good of the rest of the community... maybe his powers going haywire and ruining everything around him simply made him suicidal for fairly obvious reasons. That being said, I get a vague sense that as corrupted as this New World is, that it might have arrived at that point due to legitimate attempts to mitigate the problems caused by these psychic powers. In other words, this society might have made sense at one time, but has gradually developed in a way that has greatly corrupted its original goals and ideals. There's a definite cloistered feeling to this entire area. Is there a world of normal humans beyond it? Was this area set up to contain those who generate these potentially dangerous psychic powers? Is an extremely strict learning environment of self-restraint and complete discipline placed upon these kids so that the horrors of the past aren't revisited? Do kids that "fail" get disposed of because they're viewed as too dangerous if left alive? That crazy Emperor from the first couple minutes, for example - It looked to me like he had this psychic power, and was using it to make human sacrifices out of normal humans. Is the place Saki is in designed to prevent Emperors like him from ever arising again to plague humanity by killing literally hundreds? Perhaps one could liken this place to being like a compound set up for the mutants of Marvel Comics, where they're cut off from the rest of society and don't even know that the rest of society exists. The thinking might be that this is for the good of "mutants" and normal humans alike, but over time the way the compound runs itself has become thoroughly unconscionable. Well, whatever the answers may be, this anime does a great job of raising loads of interesting questions. I liked the game that was played in Episode 2. It was fairly creative and fun to watch. One of the real strengths of this anime is how it does a very nice job of exploring the interesting ways that psychic powers/telekinesis can be used. I also really like the obvious and cute crush between Saki and Shun. Saki clearly is quite taken by him, but I think that Shun likes her too. Maybe this is all set-up for a later shocking twist, but Shun so far makes me think of the classic "boy scout" type that always wants to do the right thing, say the right thing, follow the rules, and please his parents and society at large. As such, for him to support Saki in breaking the rules by saving that Queerat was a pretty big gesture on his part. It shows that Saki means enough to Shun that he's willing to break the rules (which is a big deal for Shun) for her sake. Anyway, this anime is going great so far. It's crafting a very interesting and well-told story, and these characters are really growing on me. __________________

2012-10-06, 07:08	Link #264
Haak Me, An Intellectual Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK Age: 33	It's obvious that Shun is the "secret rebel" that Saki's father was going on about before which only convinces me more than ever that he's going to be an early victim. I get the feeling he knows what he's up against and is aware of his own mortality if he fails which is why he's so much more "sober" than the rest of the kids. It also sets him apart from other rebels. The kid that cheated rebelled openly and it looks like he payed the price because he didn't truly understand what he was up against. Shun is far more perceptive, but it's usually the initially perceptive that go out early which is why I worry for him. It doesn't help that he was the one reading that parable of the secret rebel at the beginning of the episode. I hope the teacher didn't single him out to read it on purpose... It is still possible he'll avoid such a classic fate but this show is far too dark for me to be optimistic. __________________ MAL \| AnimeSuki Choice Awards 2020 Winners Last edited by Haak; 2012-10-06 at 07:20.

2012-10-06, 07:41	Link #265
Triple_R Senior Member Author Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Age: 42	@Haak Well, if you're right about Shun, then I think it was Saki's willingness to break the rules for a good cause (saving that Queerat) that has piqued his interest in her. Shun likely wants to gain allies given what he's up against, but he wouldn't want a crude, foolish rebel like the student that disappeared in this episode, but somebody more like Saki. Now the idea of this anime turning into something like Orwell's 1984, only with Japanese kid protagonists and super powers added, is a very intriguing idea to me. Shun and Saki as a sort of toned down Winston and Julia could be really fun and gripping. __________________

2012-10-06, 08:59	Link #266
Kirroha Just... disturbed. Join Date: Dec 2009	I don't quite get the 1000 years and 500 years thing. S: Do people in the future live so long such that 500 years only feels like one, and so on? __________________ Play RE: Prince of Nigeria here!

2012-10-06, 09:10	Link #267
Kanon Kana Hanazawa ♥ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: France Age: 37	The second episode was as fascinating as the first. I'm completely in love with the atmosphere of this show. The opening sequence with the crazy emperor was chilling. I wonder if our protagonist are still being ruled by a similar emperor or if the peole realized the emperor's foolishness and rose up against him. I'm thinking the latter. All we know for sure if that powers are heavily under control now and that kids that don't fit perfectly into society in one way or another (holding others back, breaking the rules) are made to disappear. The game the kids played was pretty interesting. It seemed like yet another test to weed out the undesirable ones. It's weird that none of them have any awareness of what's going on. Actually, it's more like they don't care. They noticed Reiko's absence but just shrugged it off and forgot about her. That's a result of how they were raised up, I guess. The queerats were just... weird. What the heck are those? Mutants? I didn't expect to see that kind of creatures here, even after cats were mentioned last week. Anyway, whatever they are, it looks like they're being used as slaves. __________________

2012-10-06, 09:41	Link #269
Kirroha Just... disturbed. Join Date: Dec 2009	I think the queerats are adorable. __________________ Play RE: Prince of Nigeria here!

2012-10-06, 09:46	Link #270
HandofFate Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006	It is weird how the group doesn't really react to the disappearance of Reiko. Not even Saki who's the newest of the group, she just accepts the disappearance as another daily event the same as the rest of them. Just noticed the narrator in episode 2. I assume its Saki and she's telling a story to someone. Episode 2 was interesting, more of the same. And more details on how the current society now works. Even though it seemed no one saw Saki help the meekrat. I'm pretty sure there's an observer watching the kids at all times. Saki probably has one mark against her right now. __________________ ...

2012-10-06, 10:15	Link #272
MeoTwister5 Komrades of Kitamura Kou Join Date: Jul 2004 Age: 39	Okay... the second episode is giving me a very chilling Now and Then, Here and There vibe. That's either a good thing or a bad thing, or both. __________________ Medical Student vs. Anime Last Exile - Fam the Silver Wing -

2012-10-06, 10:33	Link #273
klare Senior Member Join Date: May 2009	yeah lets be the first 100 to stop clapping and get sacrificed^^ the game is weird, especially with its unbalance rules... and they did not mention Reiko's disappearance at all, which surprised me a bit the scenes with the names getting stamped must be indicating something important too __________________

2012-10-06, 10:37	Link #274
Student no.0 Part-time Warrior Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: First star to the left, you should go there sometime.	This second episode colored me more interested than the first. Was worried that I'd actually drop this, but seems like I might be able to get used to it. Might wanna keep a notepad to myself to write down my speculations and observations. Ending theme is really nice too.

2012-10-06, 10:55	Link #278
Haak Me, An Intellectual Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK Age: 33	^ That's actually my worst fear that you so casually make light of... __________________ MAL \| AnimeSuki Choice Awards 2020 Winners

2012-10-06, 11:05	Link #279
Utsuro no Hako Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011	The queerats think the villagers are gods and don't know that the children don't have power, so they're unlikely to be from the village unless you assume they have their memories completely wiped.