First Squad - a World War 2 anime by Studio 4°C

[TigerII]

I would say Estonians would side with the Knights/Germans. Many Latvians/Lithuanians/And Estonians fought with the Germans against the USSR.

It is looking good so far, but I kind of wish they would keep the voicing real. The Germans speak German, Soviets speak Russian, etc. I am already use to subtitles, I think the rest of the world could read subtitles in their language, lol.

And they did do some research. It certainly looks as if this will take place in the early stages of Barbarossa and will feature the Moscow battles. I am glad it isn't Stalingrad for once.


Even with the supernatural element, this is shaping to be one of the better WWII animes. And even better is it isn't a Pacific battle(Pretty much all the former WWII animes). I can't think of one of the top of my head that isn't set in the Pacific.




If I missed it sorry, but has a date been put on this? This might be the first anime movie I buy and put into my World Wars(International collection) collection.

[4Tran]

Originally Posted by TigerII

And they did do some research. It certainly looks as if this will take place in the early stages of Barbarossa and will feature the Moscow battles. I am glad it isn't Stalingrad for once.

It might show the battles around Moscow, but it probably won't be the Barbarossa ones. The film itself will take place in early 1942, so it'd be the Soviet counteroffensive. This makes it even more interesting since it's a period that I've never seen in fiction, much less anime. Everything I've seen/read either ends in December 1941 or earlier, or starts with the German summer offensive of 1942 or after.

[Littm]

Wahha, I want to see the result. Studio 4°C and Molot Entertainment. How this is happened ? Japanese and Russian collab. anime - it's sounds funny for me.

Actually, plot is... something... well... something, yeah. I haven't seen shit like this for a long time. Trashy alt. fiction is coming.

Ah, this will be Movie, not TV.

[kanon78]

The trailer looks good, looking forward to this anime

[Littm]

Yeah, but have you read the scenario ?

[Skyfall]

Originally Posted by 4Tran

You may be a bit surprised about the amount of care and detail paid to the setting. Looking over the First Squad website, it looks like it's set during the early months of 1942. This is an extremely obscure time period of the war since it sat right between the end of one major offensive and the beginning of the next. I would doubt that too many people (speaking of non-grognards) outside of Russians and other ex-Soviet citizens would be even aware of the details of this period. The details of the website indicate that Molot has certainly done their research here.

Of course it's just as likely that they picked this timeframe because it's the 700th anniversary of the Battle of the Ice, but the amount of effort they put into it is still commendable.

Mm i guess you misunderstood what i meant, or i was being too ambiguous with what i wanted to say I skimmed over the details listed on the web page and it seems quite accurate indeed (as much as i can recall without turning to references, as my history knowledge in this department has gotten quite rusty (And was never a big fan of the specific period ), despite its a period we extensively studied at school) ... but what i wanted to say is - since the show is a movie, and one involving supernatural elements that are likely to be a focus of the show, i am not expecting them to dwell much on the setting due to time constraints. The setting is there, but i have my doubts whether it is going to get much of attention in the anime itself.

Originally Posted by TigerII

I would say Estonians would side with the Knights/Germans. Many Latvians/Lithuanians/And Estonians fought with the Germans against the USSR.

That is partially correct, as actually the Baltic states got to fight on both sides, and not really by their own choosing. (Occupied by the USSR in 1940, "liberated" by the german offensive in 1941, and "re-liberated" once again by the Red Army in 1944).

[TigerII]

Originally Posted by Skyfall

Mm i guess you misunderstood what i meant, or i was being too ambiguous with what i wanted to say I skimmed over the details listed on the web page and it seems quite accurate indeed (as much as i can recall without turning to references, as my history knowledge in this department has gotten quite rusty (And was never a big fan of the specific period ), despite its a period we extensively studied at school) ... but what i wanted to say is - since the show is a movie, and one involving supernatural elements that are likely to be a focus of the show, i am not expecting them to dwell much on the setting due to time constraints. The setting is there, but i have my doubts whether it is going to get much of attention in the anime itself.


That is partially correct, as actually the Baltic states got to fight on both sides, and not really by their own choosing. (Occupied by the USSR in 1940, "liberated" by the german offensive in 1941, and "re-liberated" once again by the Red Army in 1944).

Yeah, I would't say they were as happy about fighting the Soviets as the Germans were. They seem to be in the same boat as Finland. They didn't like either side, but the Soviets were 'worse'.

The Soviets had several operations in 42. Mars was a massive failure on Army Group Center. Funny, Uranus was supposed to be a diversion while Mars was the main attack. Mars failed, while Uranus succeeded spectacularly.




On a side note, I am glad I found some people who know military history. Besides Axis History Forums, I never get to talk about my favorite hobby(Yes, even more than anime/manga lol). Glad to see I am not the only history buff here. I have over three hundred books concerning early 20th century wars(Russo-Japanese war, Baltic Wars, Mexican Civil war, etc) to the Arab-Israeli Wars. I like to read, watch, play any game in between. Spanish Civil War, Sino-Japanese war, Korea, loss of the European colonies in the 50/60s, etc. Pretty much all of it.

[Littm]

Looks like that you all think that they really paid attention to details and it will be something historical correct with only some variations, am I right ? If you think so, then guys... I don't want to disapoint you, but this is really another story and a really trashy one. There is nothing real close to history there and no variations, as you expect with main battles, this is only a setting from that times and absolutely strange plot.

[Coruja]

This sounds VERY good so far, I am excited.

[Skyfall]

Originally Posted by TigerII

It is looking good so far, but I kind of wish they would keep the voicing real. The Germans speak German, Soviets speak Russian, etc. I am already use to subtitles, I think the rest of the world could read subtitles in their language, lol.

Forgot to comment on this - yes, i would also like that to be the case. For what its worth, the few lines at the beginning of the trailer were being said by a genuine Russian, so perhaps we have at least something to look towards to

I have over three hundred books concerning early 20th century wars(Russo-Japanese war, Baltic Wars, Mexican Civil war, etc) to the Arab-Israeli Wars. I like to read, watch, play any game in between. Spanish Civil War, Sino-Japanese war, Korea, loss of the European colonies in the 50/60s, etc. Pretty much all of it.

Holy, that is certainly a lot ... easily puts my collection to shame, and i must admit i have forgotten a lot of the facts i used to know, given i haven't really exercised my knowledge on this front for at least a few years now... so my immediate knowledge in the actual dates and such regarding the World Wars leaves much to be desired.

Actually what fascinates me more is ancient history (And myths), going back to foundations of Babylon and up to medieval ages or so

Yeah, I would't say they were as happy about fighting the Soviets as the Germans were. They seem to be in the same boat as Finland. They didn't like either side, but the Soviets were 'worse'.

Well, Finland had a somewhat different fate due to the massive failure that was the Winter War on Soviet side. While they technically "lost" the war (and a little bit of their territory), they were victorious in preserving their independence. While i doubt that exactly increased their liking of their eastern neighbor much, it is different from the Baltic states that only regained their independence in 1990-1991. (Which means not so distant past, so i guess that should also answer the question of which, if any, they would "side" with )

[TigerII]

I was comparing the attitude. If you look at it, Finland proper was the only belligerent not occupied forcibly by the allies or Soviets. In reality yes, they 'loss', but they were not occupied, they stayed freed of Soviet rule, and besides Afghanistan, the only nation to go to war with the USSR and push them out of the territory(Besides the concessions given up at the end of the Continuation War). Then they pushed the Germans out in the Lapland War to boot. I have a great deal of respect for the people and military of Finland.


I also do enjoy a good read on ancient and medieval times. Crusades, the many European Wars, the China wars, Japaneses prefecture conflicts, etc. I know some about these eras, but my 'specialty' I guess you could call it is the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. But the colonial times are interesting as well, and did spark some of the causes of World War I and even World War II(Most notable was the Japanese resentment to Perry's forced opening to the world).

But in general, I just love history. I don't care what it is about, if it is history, I will enjoy it.

[RGB]

Looks like one hell of an action packed ride, so keeping my fingers crossed for this collaboration to turn out as cool as advertised.

Originally Posted by Littm

Looks like that you all think that they really paid attention to details and it will be something historical correct with only some variations, am I right ? If you think so, then guys... I don't want to disapoint you, but this is really another story and a really trashy one. There is nothing real close to history there and no variations, as you expect with main battles, this is only a setting from that times and absolutely strange plot.

I'm doubtful about depiction of any major battles as well. Maybe some passing mentions or a few quick flashes to the front lines for setting's sake.
iirc Novgorod was pretty deep in the German rear during 1942 and those kids were trained to operate behind enemy lines.

Some minor nitpicks over Nadya's katana, Zena's hair and Linz's facial design just keep on bugging me.

[TigerII]

Originally Posted by RGB

Looks like one hell of an action packed ride, so keeping my fingers crossed for this collaboration to turn out as cool as advertised.


I'm doubtful about depiction of any major battles as well. Maybe some passing mentions or a few quick flashes to the front lines for setting's sake.
iirc Novgorod was pretty deep in the German rear during 1942 and those kids were trained to operate behind enemy lines.

Some minor nitpicks over Nadya's katana, Zena's hair and Linz's facial design just keep on bugging me.

Yes, far from the frontlines, but Partisans were everywhere in German occupied territory. They were also enough of a problem that entire operations were devoted to fighting them.

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by Littm

Looks like that you all think that they really paid attention to details and it will be something historical correct with only some variations, am I right ? If you think so, then guys... I don't want to disapoint you, but this is really another story and a really trashy one. There is nothing real close to history there and no variations, as you expect with main battles, this is only a setting from that times and absolutely strange plot.

Agreed but it wouldn't be the first time in literature that a completely fabricated story was set in between the lines of a historical background.

We already know there are supernatural elements so, by definition, this is some parallel existence.

"trashy"..... hmmmmm. Are we talking tawdry, melodramatic, or ecchi?

[orion]

Originally Posted by Vexx

Agreed but it wouldn't be the first time in literature that a completely fabricated story was set in between the lines of a historical background.

We already know there are supernatural elements so, by definition, this is some parallel existence.

"trashy"..... hmmmmm. Are we talking tawdry, melodramatic, or ecchi?

Well, I thought I someone getting a deep kiss in the trailer.

Awww, come on guys. Just call it an "alternate universe" title and have some fun. Anime is for entertainment.

[TigerII]

Obviously this is in the same universe as Hellboy and Wolfenstein.

[Jazzrat]

Wow... the design and settings looks hawt in a dark gloomy gothic way. Some of the action sequences looks incredible good in the trailer (of course trailer are like porn jackets).

Historical accuracy can take a backseat if there's a good amount of entertainment in it XD. I think we were bombarded with so much WW2 stuff with supernatural elements injected into it that nazi and black magic/werewolf/zombies pretty much goes hand in hand in the entertainment industry.

[4Tran]

Originally Posted by orion

Awww, come on guys. Just call it an "alternate universe" title and have some fun. Anime is for entertainment.

I think that it's redundant to have to call it "alternate universe". That automatically applies if a work doesn't make an effort to be a historical, and it's obvious that that's where First Squad fits. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if many of its historical details are quite accurate.

Originally Posted by TigerII

Obviously this is in the same universe as Hellboy and Wolfenstein.

Nyet. It's more like Super Stalin vs. Magical Hitler.


By the way, I finally got a chance to watch "Alexander Nevsky", and I'm really impressed with how well it fits the events of the Great Patriotic War.

[MrProphet]

Originally Posted by 4Tran

Nyet. It's more like Super Stalin vs. Magical Hitler.

More likely than you think. 8)



http://www.comics.aha.ru/rus/stalin/1.html

[Spectacular_Insanity]

Interesting. I just happened to stumble across this thread, but it looks intriguing. I'd like to see this when it comes out. You said the release date was somewhere in late 2008. Any date more specific since then?