2013-09-24, 22:05 | Link #1 |
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The use of flashbacks in anime.
One anime I'm watching now that uses flashbacks extensively is Kimi no Iru Machi. The first few episodes go backwards-and-forwards through time as though the plot was riding shotgun with Marty McFly in a Delorean. A few episodes later, this anime even had a decently-long flashback within a flashback.
Flashbacks are a staple of anime, used fairly frequently to reveal background details about major characters in key moments. The anime Free! recently did this to add greater detail for the character Rin. Speaking personally, I have mixed feelings about flashbacks. I think in some cases they're a good way of learning more about a character through actually seeing what that character went through earlier in life. It could be hard to learn about that otherwise, without giving the narrative a strange starting point. I also find that devoting an entire anime episode or two to a flashback narrative can be a good way to provide a welcomed break from the main plot - Shakugan no Shana used this very effectively a couple times, imo. On the other hand, the problem with flashbacks is that they tend to run contrary to what we learn about first impressions. To go back to that Free! example... Spoiler for Minor Free! spoilers:
Given my own mixed feelings on flashbacks, and given how frequently they're used in anime, I'm curious to know what my fellow anime fans think of them.
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2013-09-24, 23:01 | Link #3 |
18782+18782=37564
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The most cliched use of flashback I like the least is often found within shoujo series: used as a revelation that several characters used to meet long ago when they're children and no one was any the wiser about it.
That's what I can think of about the subject now. Would add a bit more content after I finish this little something first.
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2013-09-24, 23:14 | Link #4 |
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Flashbacks are nice because in any given moment we're only able to recognize a character in that point in time. It's difficult to go in depth in how characters develop into the ones they are today.
Of course, I feel they need to be connected somehow; no cheapshot boohoo flashbacks that never get elaborated on or stuff that's reminding us of last episode 4 times.
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2013-09-25, 10:13 | Link #7 |
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The worst use of flashbacks I've seen so far is in Naruto Shippuuden. It's like these guys have to reach a monthly quota or something. Flashbacks in this anime are both overused and misused. Once they replayed a whole scene from the same episode even though you had seen it 5 minutes ago. It might not be relevant to this thread though, since I believe the OP is thinking of previously unshown scenes about past events, as opposed to already aired footage which is (sometimes unnecessarily) shown again.
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2013-09-25, 19:10 | Link #8 |
Tumble Rumble
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Imagination Land
Age: 39
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Flashbacks were used really well in Baccano! To me anyway, felt like the plot was a lot stronger and exciting, and still kept the story on the train.
I agree with Renmazuo about being over used in shōnen and especially Naruto, way too many.
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2013-09-26, 00:47 | Link #9 |
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I don't mind seeing a lot flash backs in KINM. I'll be honest, I really liked it. Just imagine the lots of side tracks, fillers, fan service etc. that that anime will face if it had to included every chapter of every volume to be animated. Talk about budget, talk about time. I think KINM as my example pretty did well. I think the series is still understandable with only the flashbacks to explain some points that isn't cleared out.
I don't mind flash backs as long as the main arc is on the right track as it should be. Side tracks gives me either memory loss or bitterness that aren't important anyway. |
2013-09-29, 22:41 | Link #12 |
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Agreed with the OP about breaking first impressions. I hate flashbacks that bring out a character's personality that is incongruous - especially if they're unrealistic as well - with how that character is portrayed at first. If you've watched Attack on Titan, you'll perhaps understand. It's a really extreme example.
Agreed. Good for dramatic effect, though, albeit may come off forced. |
2013-09-30, 07:57 | Link #14 |
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Join Date: Jan 2013
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Shin Mazinger had an odd use for a flashback. One episode ended with Tsubasa yelling at Kouji about the Photon Beam, and the beginning of the next episode skipped forward to the next day. I was confused as to whether I missed something, until a flashback showed what happened between episodes. They could have like, put that scene in chronological order, but for some reason they didn't.
It was interesting, at least. |
2013-09-30, 08:35 | Link #15 | |
Black Steel Knight
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Indonesia
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Quote:
And speaking of flashback, I think Gundam SEED Destiny is one of the worst series in using flashbacks. They pop up, like, once every five minutes, again and again, in almost every episode and some of them have bad timing. Not counting recap episodes and bad writing, the flashbacks alone makes the whole series such a chore to watch .
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