(L) Mononoke (Noitamina in July 2007) (Bakeneko sequel)

[Kanon]

Spoiler for Episode 9:

Awesome episode once again. The medecine seller proves once more how godly he is, I loved the way he mindfucked these guys. Somehow, he reminds me of Akagi.

I had already guessed everyone in the house was dead because of the colors they used, but the insane amount of gravestones still surprised me. I really didn't excpect that.

[gaguri]

Upto episode 9 and man...everything good about it probably has been mentioned so I'll just say I'm loving every moment of this gem of the year. I also agree with whoever mentioned about the clever use of colour changing the atmosphere at each arc. It's true, each arc has its unique sense of identiy about them. And the storytelling gets as unique as its art/animation each arc, I had previously thought of the show as retaining this established formula; reveal the form, use flashback of characters to reveal truth (having to do with men's vices) and have the character make a sort of redeeming decision (for kind of carthatic effect) to reveal regret. Then in the third arc, form, which I thought was the least significant aspect of the three, is revealed at last and o man...this show just refuses to be anything normal. I feel that things are getting more ambiguous and confusing as each arcs progress, but this is the kind that has an enormous rewatch value. At a second watch, things that weren't clear become evident (or at least within a good range of feasibility) when you think about it, and for sub watchers like me, you'll pay much more attention to visuals instead of tiny words below and just absorb in the omfgthisisawesome. I originallly expressed my wish that the medicine seller should flesh out more, so we can learn more about him, but I feel now that he should just remain mysterious assassin as he is now. Character analysis and complexity of story behind Mononoke each arc is more than enough.

And I too was rolling on the floor laughing when he was tapping his head saying 'o no I think I put deadly poison in one of your cups, silly me'. Cute.

[SeijiSensei]

I'm faced with a difficult problem: who to put into my signature for Mononoke. As of episode 9, my current choice is Kayo, since she appeared in both Bakeneko and again on the ship in Mononoke. The other alternative is one of the various courtesan-styled characters who appear and then disappear throughout the series. Perhaps there'll be someone else to choose from in the final arc? I'll have to wait and see, of course, but I'm accepting nominations.

[gaguri]

If I may, I strongly recommend lady Ocho from the third arc (and does anyone know english names for each arc, I can't remember these bloody moon language that have absolutely no meaning for my life). She's unforgettable and looks beautiful too, and has aspects of tragedy, human vice, elegance, that are much more fitting for a series like Mononoke than a sidekick comedy girl. But I also recommend her because I'm assuming here that you're taking females only *looks at the harem sig. If I was to represent the show with a character, it would be the medicine seller without a question for obvious reasons.

Nevertheless, I haven't seen the final arc and it's just as possible that there are better options. I would watch them all first before making a decision based on your views on the remaining characters.

[Snoop']

I came across a funny AMV on Kusuriuri, which seems to enjoy a tremendous success on Nikoniko Douga : レッツゴー！薬売り (Let's go ! Apothecary).
Catchy and well done, isn't it ?
(WARNING : contains spoiler about the divine transformation scene in ep.12)

The original video seems to be a well-known PV song from an arcade fighting game.

[wao]

Heheh, I helped spam "danmaku" (well paste the same thing over and over again at the appropriate parts) when it was so popular it hit #1 on the rankings - I was so happy because it's Mononoke! In the rankings! And hopefully it won new converts over.

It's hilarious because the lyrics generally fit yet the song itself (with the video that came with it) is one of the earliest hits on Niconico, if I'm not wrong, because it's just such a silly song, heh. In this modern day and age when science solves all problems there still were spirits and demons everywhere... and to deal with these dastardly creatures we have to call on one man, called the Onmyouji - no wait, he's just an apothecary. Akuryoutaisan~

And the AMV/MAD itself was very well made, I mean I totally died laughing when Taima-tan started "singing" and the tenbins were dancing to the music in the background. Pure awesome. Heheh, now I want to go watch it again...

[White Manju Bun]

@wao was that what you had posted on your lj?

Either way, that amv was awesome. Totally fit the music, lyrics and beat.

[wao]

Yeah, that was the one. Never checked for it on youtube until now. Honestly it's really awesome. It's actually pretty cool how well the whole series did on niconico to begin with - for one thing it's a great show to "watch" with other people because at teh end of the episode if you're there in time you can read other people's theories as to what is there, and sometimes *while* you're watching there might be a comment like "There's a dead body at 2:09!!" or something like that. Or other hints like what a certain design is a reference to, or Odajima-sama~~'s cameo. I wouldn't have picked up everything by myself. Mononoke is a show that's enjoyed much more when you get to discuss it.

Even the original Bakeneko seemed to be pretty widely watched there - I dunno how accurate I would be in saying this but I think the sales of the DVD through the Niconico Amazon affiliate system are one of the highest for anime DVDs in the site and probably the highest for something that had already aired more than half a year before Niconico really got popular.

[White Manju Bun]

Dang Im watching a few other MAD ones on youtube and theyre all good.

Blue in my Heaven I watched this one the other day
Perdeski Cloyn this one the music is awesome!

[Snoop']

I don't have an account at Nikoniko, but it seems to be a video streaming site where you can write comments on the video itself ?
I should consider getting an account (if it's free).

I suppose that this hilarious screenshot from SnM ep.24 (w00t, only 2 more episode to go !) I spotted on one of my favourite Seirei no Moribito blog is from Nikoniko as well ?

Spoiler for save space:

[SeijiSensei]

Darn those Shinsen folks anyway! How can they release just two of the final three episodes today?

Were there medicine sellers in 20th century Japan? I laughed when our boy said he had to wear those clothes because of his profession. I'd never seen a medicine seller character in an anime before, then suddenly two in one season, the other being Tanda in Seirei no Moribito. Tanda's supply box is smaller than the one our MS here totes around, but then Tanda isn't carrying all those scales.

I'm curious as to how the end of this version will parallel that shown last spring. In the original Bakeneko, the mistreatment of the victim was horrendous. This time around it doesn't feel like it will be quite so disturbing, but you never really know with this show.

[wao]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Tanda's supply box is smaller than the one our MS here totes around, but then Tanda isn't carrying all those scales.

...Or octopuses, or porno books...

I think the box is just an exterior and inside the space is endless. Maybe he can do the best of all thigns - pull Doraemon from out there.

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by wao

...Or octopuses, or porno books...

I think the box is just an exterior and inside the space is endless. Maybe he can do the best of all thigns - pull Doraemon from out there.

Oh man the octopuse cracked me up! And I didnt even notice it til it was posted on the mononoke comm XD The porno books was classic. That and "what the hell?" line are my two fav parts from BakeNeko

[Snoop']

Originally Posted by wao

...Or octopuses, or porno books...

I think the box is just an exterior and inside the space is endless. Maybe he can do the best of all thigns - pull Doraemon from out there.

Doraemon ? That was a close call.

Spoiler for another shocking truth:

WHAT LIES INSIDE THE BOX ??

source : http://warin.wakatono.jp/hyousi.html

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by Snoop'

Doraemon ? That was a close call.

Spoiler for another shocking truth:

WHAT LIES INSIDE THE BOX ??

source : http://warin.wakatono.jp/hyousi.html

That is hilarious! I wondered where his god-like persona stayed

[SeijiSensei]

I assume you're all sharing a joke that those of us who haven't seen episode 12 yet don't get?

I haven't dared look in a spoiler tag since wao's posting on 9/30.

[wao]

Nah, Snoop's post at 22:08 doesn't have an actual spoiler, just a joke.

And finally, the MAD we were ALL expecting:

Sayonara Kusuri-uri!

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm1241949 I only found it on niconico douga so far though. I think it can include more elements from the show though. As far as I know it doesn't have any spoilers.
My favourite part is when the cast of Umibouzu kind of hopped on one leg.

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by wao

Nah, Snoop's post at 22:08 doesn't have an actual spoiler, just a joke.

And finally, the MAD we were ALL expecting:

Sayonara Kusuri-uri!

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm1241949 I only found it on niconico douga so far though. I think it can include more elements from the show though. As far as I know it doesn't have any spoilers.
My favourite part is when the cast of Umibouzu kind of hopped on one leg.

Man, gonna have to wait til its upped to youtube since I cant view anything in that.

[Snoop']

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

Man, gonna have to wait til its upped to youtube since I cant view anything in that.

You can get an account at the following adress : https://secure.nicovideo.jp/secure/register

Steps :
- mail adress (for confirmation)
- nick
- male / female
- yyyy/mm/dd
- location : select the last entry if you don't live in Japan
- password
- confirm password
- secret question
- secret answer
- check the second box for a free account
- click on the black rectangle and you should receive the confirmation e-mail with an activation link


Sooo, I usbscribed 24h ago and already spent like 4 hours on Niconico, watching nearly all the Mononoke episodes, yelling "kitaaaaaa ｷﾀ━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━ｯ!!" at each transformation scene and "kai かいっ!" at the end of the OP (it's fun to see that everyone reacts the same way).

I'm sure wao already saw them, but for those who *just* got an account, here's a hilarious video, featuring a blushing Apothecary.
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm1204547
I know I'm being impolite towards those who can't understand Japanese, but I thought I would die of laughter when reading the subtitles...

Other curious stuff :
Ayakashi OP with Mononoke song : http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm650994
Mononoke OP with Ayakashi song : http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm608487

[White Manju Bun]

hmmmm well I can give that a try, thanks snoop'

Finally watching 10 subbed. MS referred to as a sandwich board advertiser! Blasphemy! (He is handsome though, I agree with that!)