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Marcus H. · 2011-10-21, 20:49

Looks like the trap card is gonna be activated next week.

Kagayaki · 2011-10-21, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperborealis

It's all wish fulfillment: boy has harem, boy is tough, boy tells off girl. Everything Kodaka did in the episode serves to produce the vicarious pleasure of a fantasy life precisely tuned to the young male viewer's insecurities and desires. In other words, the anime is manipulative. Since all of these fantasy elements have been repeated before, the anime is cliched, hackneyed.

This seems accurate aside from the implication that there's some superior category of non-manipulative shows. I disagree. All anime (more generally, all works of commercial fiction) are manipulative. Some are masterfully subtle about it, and others are hamfisted, but they're all precisely tuned in an attempt to please a target audience.

My complaint with harem shows is that they aren't effective enough at being manipulative, because their efforts at manipulating me are far from subtle enough and are too often recycled. I'm probably somewhere in the target audience (I smiled when Sena and Yozora argued about the artistic merit of eroge since I've done that too), although I'm probably not squarely in the middle of that target, so some things in many harem shows feel misaimed from my point of view.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperborealis

Which is fine. That's entertainment. The harem comedy is an established genre, albeit a tired one, but we can ask how well the show does its job, whether there's anything interesting or original in the way it goes about serving up that vicarious pleasure.

So far, all the interest--and it is considerable--lies in the dynamic, crazy, and unexpected character interactions of Sena and Yozora. I see nothing--zero--distinctive that is related to Kodaka. So far he seems to act as a black hole of cliche, inexorably drawing the other, much more fresh characters, into the tired patterns of harem comedies.

Agree. Harem leads get a bad rap for being boring, but the real problem with the standard harem show is that the lead creates some kind of plot-whirlpool around him that sucks all the other characters down into cliche. Sena and Yozora are the lifeblood of this show, and I hope they don't drown like that. I don't mind one unremarkable character as long as they don't make all the other characters suck.

That said, I've seen less interesting characters than Kodaka, and episode 3 was different enough in its execution of standard harem things that the harem-ness didn't kill my enjoyment. Despite the fact that Sena and Yozora feel the tug of Kodaka's "black hole", they're still getting good character development otherwise. Also, I like the character designs, which somehow feel more appropriate here than they did in Denpa. In my book, this show is doing a good job so far.

Master_Yoma · 2011-10-21, 20:53

So that what going to happen in Sacred Blacksmith

Sena in a bikini and Kobato got some screen time even though she was running out of the bath nude

Chaos2Frozen · 2011-10-21, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master_Yoma

So that what going to happen in Sacred Blacksmith

Kinda makes you wish you stick around for the whole show instead of dropping it after episode 3... I know I did

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master_Yoma

Sena in a bikini and Kobato got some screen time even though she was running out of the bath nude

As another great protagonist once said,

I should have taped that.

Miraluka · 2011-10-21, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irenicus

Lies, damn lies, how dare --

*Ahem.*

It's a two heroine show, and a harem of sorts, if any of you are still wondering.

Its just plain denial and frustration, leave it like that.

Marcus H. · 2011-10-21, 22:03

Quote:

I should have taped that.

taped?

TAPED?!

DorkingtonPugsly · 2011-10-21, 22:06

How come most of this episode I just felt things didn't feel right?

And I kinda freaked when I thought they left out kobato running out of the cold bath. Atleast they fit that in at the end. yay...

Cyz · 2011-10-21, 22:15

Reading an erotic script as a form of torture, quite creative Yozora

. Then again, I never thought that Sacred Blacksmith can be an eroge game. Kobato and Kodaka's sibling relationship is nice because Kodaka doesn't shun or make fun or make her stuff imitating an anime character. Instead he just play along with her which is really admirable for a brother.

zeniselv · 2011-10-21, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyz

Kobato and Kodaka's sibling relationship is nice because Kodaka doesn't shun or make fun or make her stuff imitating an anime character. Instead he just play along with her which is really admirable for a brother.

i think thats the most normal action, and thats what makes kodaka such a interesting character in the group, hes a pretty normal person in a group of weirdos.

Cosmic Eagle · 2011-10-21, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeniselv

i think thats the most normal action, and thats what makes kodaka such a interesting character in the group, hes a pretty normal person in a group of weirdos.

I thought normal would be to insult or just rudely respond to her....was why I find him playing along to be pretty sweet...

TakezoMusashi · 2011-10-21, 23:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilfriback

Its just plain denial and frustration, leave it like that.

You sure you're not the ones in denial?

Cosmic Eagle · 2011-10-22, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakezoMusashi

You sure you're not the ones in denial?

He is right that it's a two heroine show you know...

TakezoMusashi · 2011-10-22, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

He is right that it's a two heroine show you know...

I know, but to deny that some of Sena's screentime isn't fanservice...
She's being especially emphasized despite it being a two heroine show.
Even in a two heroine show, one of the two girls tends to end up being clearly favored, and I'd say it's fairly obvious who's being favored...

Cosmic Eagle · 2011-10-22, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakezoMusashi

I know, but to deny that some of Sena's screentime isn't fanservice...
She's being especially emphasized despite it being a two heroine show.
Even in a two heroine show, one of the two girls tends to end up being clearly favored, and I'd say it's fairly obvious who's being favored...

I wouldn't say that....

TakezoMusashi · 2011-10-22, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

I wouldn't say that....

How so?

Chaos2Frozen · 2011-10-22, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

taped?

TAPED?!

It's a Persona 4 reference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyz

Reading an erotic script as a form of torture, quite creative Yozora

. Then again, I never thought that Sacred Blacksmith can be an eroge game. Kobato and Kodaka's sibling relationship is nice because Kodaka doesn't shun or make fun or make her stuff imitating an anime character. Instead he just play along with her which is really admirable for a brother.

As far as I know, no Onii-chan has ever made fun of his imouto's weird hobbies...

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakezoMusashi

I know, but to deny that some of Sena's screentime isn't fanservice...
She's being especially emphasized despite it being a two heroine show.
Even in a two heroine show, one of the two girls tends to end up being clearly favored, and I'd say it's fairly obvious who's being favored...

Isn't it too early to say just because we have one episode that focuses on Sena?

I mean is it necessary to always balance out the screen time evenly?

Rozen Van Kaizer · 2011-10-22, 00:36

It's just Episode 3, there should be more Yozora goodies in the future. Besides the Childhood scene had more impact (IMO) on the show compared to the Pool scene. A very big turn of events!

I'm pretty sure alot of Sena fans would admit they wouldn't have loved her if Yozora wasn't there to keep her in-line. Without Yozora, Sena would just be another egotistic blond with big boobs, which is too cliche-ish (there's millions of them out there already). Just because one main character is more popular than the other doesn't mean they are better off by themselves. It sucks that we have choose between the two though.

Sena and Yozora are like main flavor of the series and I hope the "Typical Japanese Harem Plot" and the "Typical Japanese Reset Button" won't ruin their characters.

TakezoMusashi · 2011-10-22, 00:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

Isn't it too early to say just because we have one episode that focuses on Sena?I mean is it necessary to always balance out the screen time evenly?

In a two heroine show I would say so.
Actually, I'm wrong. The screetime is fairly equal when you think about it.
The first episode was more or less a Yozora episode.
Second episode was mixed.
Third episode was a Sena episode, and the fourth will introduce new characters.

Cyz · 2011-10-22, 00:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeniselv

i think thats the most normal action, and thats what makes kodaka such a interesting character in the group, hes a pretty normal person in a group of weirdos.

Ah yes, he doesn't have wierd hobbies or an imaginary air friend

He just have a wierd style...like how he wear his pants

Marcus H. · 2011-10-22, 00:43

Quote:

It's a Persona 4 reference.

I thought it's a "tapped" or "taped" conundrum.

2011-10-21, 20:49	Link #1241
Marcus H. Princess or Plunderer? Join Date: May 2009 Location: the Philippines	Looks like the trap card is gonna be activated next week. __________________ Continuing: White Sand Aquatope (6/24) and Vanitas S2 (0/12), The Vampire Dies in No Time S2 and Bofuri S2 (3/12). 2021: Restaurant to Another World S2 (3/12), takt Op. Destiny (1/12) and Taisho Maiden Fairy Tale (1/12). 2022: Yuusha Yamemasu (1/12), Kaguya-sama S3, Mob Psycho 100 III (Oct06), Bleach: 1000 Year Blood War (2/13) and Chainsaw Man (6/12). Spring 2023: Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! (4/12), Skip to Loafer, Tonikaku Kawaii S2 (1/12), Otonari ni Ginga (5/12) and Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia (3/13). Contact me on Wikia and MyAnimeList. Anime List Status ~ Watching: 33. Completed: 468. Plan to watch: 39.

2011-10-21, 20:53	Link #1243
Master_Yoma Nekokota Festival Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lost in the Fairy Forest	So that what going to happen in Sacred Blacksmith Sena in a bikini and Kobato got some screen time even though she was running out of the bath nude __________________

2011-10-21, 22:06	Link #1247
DorkingtonPugsly Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: My cozy room	How come most of this episode I just felt things didn't feel right? And I kinda freaked when I thought they left out kobato running out of the cold bath. Atleast they fit that in at the end. yay... __________________

2011-10-22, 00:36	Link #1257
Rozen Van Kaizer Rozen Von Keiser Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto Canada	It's just Episode 3, there should be more Yozora goodies in the future. Besides the Childhood scene had more impact (IMO) on the show compared to the Pool scene. A very big turn of events! I'm pretty sure alot of Sena fans would admit they wouldn't have loved her if Yozora wasn't there to keep her in-line. Without Yozora, Sena would just be another egotistic blond with big boobs, which is too cliche-ish (there's millions of them out there already). Just because one main character is more popular than the other doesn't mean they are better off by themselves. It sucks that we have choose between the two though. Sena and Yozora are like main flavor of the series and I hope the "Typical Japanese Harem Plot" and the "Typical Japanese Reset Button" won't ruin their characters.