(L) Freezing the anime

[0rphen21]

i give it a 7/10 rating boobs and fighting go hand in hand also Kazuya in the anime is more active compared to his manga counterpart i just hope it continues into the 2nd season especially when they get to the Brother Arc

[Kanon]

I can't believe Cathy actually survived. That was a pleasant surprise.

This anime turned out to be a bit better than I thought it'd be. The beginning was absolutely terrible, but the show improved a lot after they dropped the bullying bullshit. I even enjoyed watching the last few episodes. Overall, while I still think it was incredibly average, I wouldn't say it was bad. There were worst shows (at least one) on air last season.

[Guido]

And here I am, at the end of another show that ended with this year's winter season.

I don't recall exactly at which year, either 2008 or 2009, that I started to read Freezing, the manhwa. However, I do recall it was at a time in which I started to look up at manhwa titles beginning with Onihime VS and later then came Freezing.

I got to say that back on last year around the summer or the autumn I was a bit surprised that Freezing got an anime adaptation given that not many, if scarcely a few or rarely a few, Korean manhwa get the chance to be adapted to anime format.

Anyways, it happened and was somewhat pleasantly surprised that it did. Furthermore, once I began watching the first episode and heard Mamiko Noto's voice for the main heroine, Satellizer, that surprised a little bit more. Didn't see that one coming! Since in the anime community, Noto-san is renowned for voicing cute, moe, and shy girls or comically-weak boys. However, Noto-san is also renowned for giving voice to outstanding anime characters that do not belong to that mold like are Ai Enma the supernatural protagonist of Jigoku Shoujo and just to name a few others.

The anime carried in tone and spirit with that of the manhwa and avoiding to resort into a great or final original deviation, though they were small deviations along the course of this series that added subtleties into its contents. Some important changes dropped or added were:
1. Ingrid Bernstein's backstory subplot;
2. Satellizer's early years in West Genetics after transferring from East Academy;
3. Cassie Lockhart's full-backstory, involving her Limiter.

The most obvious of changes from the manhwa to the anime was how Satellizer's overall maturation as a character concluded.

Spoiler:

Satellizer coming to realize for real that some people out there at Genetics truly cared for her after all, through both Ganessa and Kazuya. Indeed, it happens in both manhwa and anime.

Satellizer's aphephobia and self-imposed isolation at not trusting anyone was a palpable plot issue that eventually got resolved at both the climax and epilogue of the manhwa's "10th-Nova Clash & West Genetics Invasion" arc.

In the anime the producers focused strongly, although not necessarily mainly, on this issue that finally it got resolved at the end of the anime to allow the viewers to witness Satellizer's maturation and growth of character in both personality and disposition, throughout the course of the anime's run.

The last anime episode faithfully adapted chapters 35 to 36 of the manhwa, as well adapting thirteen pages of manhwa content from chapter 37.

The major differences that played were:

Spoiler:

1. The anime writers were smart and creative at taking an alternative route by implementing the infected stigmatas as a plot vehicle to create the climax for the last episode:

- In the manhwa, it's clearly seen in panel that Chiffon had destroyed the stigmata of the Infected Pandora that managed to reach the "Holy Corpse" chamber.

- In the anime, either she fails to see or was not informed about the corrupted stigmata which itself acted as beacon to guide the remaining Nova warping right into the Lebensbaum.

- Furthermore, in the manhwa, all four Novas had been destroyed just as the battle at West Genetics was about to end as well.

- Anime. Since one Nova remained and teleported itself right into the Lebensbaum, it took open advantage at possessing and corrupting Satellizer when she had earlier ripped the corrupted stigmata infecting Cassie. Triggering the anime-original last battle from the canonical manhwa, story-arc it was adapted from.

2. The most important difference happens regarding to which character Satellizer confesses or displays that she truly has changed as a person.

- Manhwa. A few days after the aftermath of the invasion, Cassie goes to see Satellizer and both engage in conversation. At one point, the former asks the latter why she didn't kill her, and Satellizer responds with the same answer as she does in the anime, however, there was more in their conversation with Satella disclosing the true reason as to why she underwent a change of heart to which Cassie empathetically reacts to, as if she had been deeply touched and inspired. This reason I won't reveal, since I considered it spoiler because the anime did not disclose it. However, all of us who have been watching this series from beginning to end might have already guessed what reason can be, using a little bit of common sense and analysis.

Ganessa is still sleeping in her hospital bed and has not woken up, however, the treatment was successful at regenerating her body at full, at the time that conversation takes place.

- Anime. That conversation is shortened, happening right after Satella defeats Cassie in bloody fashion at the climax of the final episode. The day or a couple of days after the aftermath of the battle, Satellizer comes to visit Ganessa at the hospital, who has already regenerated and woken-up, thanking her in person for saving her life and dropping a bouquet of flowers.

There's no more conversation or meeting between Cassie and her, and the former returns to East Genetics, nonetheless, inspired by Satellas' words to make her decision to enroll as a Chevalier and pursuing her dream of becoming a novel writer, as well.

The fan-service's standards in the manhwa are tamed in comparison to the anime. If it was to gain ratings and quick response from fans, there was no other choice but for the anime to feature more fan-service, although I'm thankful that the content did not tresspass or border into blunt quasi-H territory, as it had happened recently with other series like Yosuga no Sora or Seikon no Qwaser.

On the other hand, both the music and score themselves are remarkable and something for me to look forward to listen over and over.

Overall, Freezing gained some unexpected subtleties from its anime-original bits that kept the characters very engaging and immersive for the viewer.

This is the third show I concluded for the winter 2011 anime season.

[Master_Yoma]

Just finished this and its good in all but it need it to be longer this whole series was rushed hope there a second season


7/10

[winkel]

Apart from the horrible plot vehicle near the end (c'mon, you guys figured out ages ago that the stigmata on the chests were the problem, yet you don't want to do anything about it? Rather duke it out to the death instead of targeting the destruction of the Stigmata and save the students? Satelizer, really? Just holding a dangerous object in your hand like that, did you want a souvenir of the battle or something?)

It was a very good anime. I enjoyed the fast pace. I hope there will be a season 2.

[Seihai]

Umm, wasn't Elizabeth's team the only one which got the info about the stigmata being the weakness?

[Malkuth]

Bleh, another "the power of love and friendship prevails" ending well at least had its moments (at the end of the episode), and could be even worse (judging from the first half).

[roriconfan]

I came, I saw, I yawned.
3/10

[MrTerrorist]

Spoiler for OVA 2:

The 3rd years "getting friendly" with Satella in the baths. That is all.
PS: Expect lots of moaning.

[RDF2050]

Originally Posted by MrTerrorist

Spoiler for OVA 2:

The 3rd years "getting friendly" with Satella in the baths. That is all.
PS: Expect lots of moaning.

Do you know exactly when this ova is going to be released?

[CrowKenobi]

It will be released when the second DVD/BD volume is released (it, and similar, is the special included in each volume).

[ShiroiRyu]

And subbed version is out.
Naked girls in bath.

[Kagatob]

Chiffon opened her eyes. That is all.

[mangatron]

So in reality, she has cat-like eyes

Seriously though, there was one too many mountain scenery in that special, and a little too much fog

Still nice to see some skin the girls in the bath XD

[Crimrui]

Can't be objective because of one single reason. That reason is Kazuya. Apparently he was a nuisance at every freaking turn in anime so he must at least steal valuable second or two in specials as well. For f***'s sake just go die already!

Entertaining, but eh, too much fog.

[germanturkey]

Chiffon seemed strangely out of place there.. anywho, laughing was to cover up her wincest. duh.

[D-KLAC]

ova 2 really so uh-oh just wow to see wonder really what are these so called mention of "First Room Invitation" & mention this "baptism" what is that as well?

[Master_Yoma]

Nice second ova but it did need to be a little longer

[winkel]

Originally Posted by Kagatob

Chiffon opened her eyes. That is all.

Indeed. I feel as if the world is ending.

[Ravenblitz]

Spoiler for nsfw: