(L) Red Garden

[David Johnston]

Well the things I was talking about were things like a distinct lack of polite speech from the characters. Although they were speaking Japanese, they were using American manners. Grace IS blatantly weird, but it's a weird that's different from the weirdness I've seen in high school anime before, so I just wrote it off. I've no idea how snooty girl's schools organise themselves after all.

[Guido]

You can call episode eight the calm right after the storm. In comparison to two episodes ago where the girls were at the edge of a mass neurosis breakdown, they have dramatically warmed-up to each other.

This is thanks to the fortunate chance that all have been granted to go back, but that's it if Rula remains true to her word.

I do think, however, that their friendship still is at a delicate and frail stage, since a relative short amount of time passed when Rula showed them all their truth.

But I can say that the foundations of their team are developing, and although some of the girls needs less sensitivity to get used to the gist of killing the beast men, now the viewer can witness how better coordinated and dependent on each other have become.

This was mostly a peaceful episode for the girls to bond with each other, to know more among themselves, and to reflect that even if they return normal they would never forget this wonderful experience of having gained friends that support each other, spend time, and have fun together.

However, this peace is short-lived because next episode once again the conflict resumes.

Thanks Impz for your synopsis, as it helped me a lot. =)

[nimblevagrant]

Anyone with flower knowledge know what flower besides the pansy is featured in the Opening??

The pansy is shown in a natural color scheme purple, brown, and yellow. But the other is either tones of green and yellow, orange, or red.

example here:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...ant/flower.jpg

If anyone knows that'd be awesome!

If not, no prob, and back to your regularly scheduled discussion.

[David Johnston]

One reason why they might set in New York is the theory that nobody would notice all that screaming.

[Matrim]

You can call episode eight the calm right after the storm.

Yes, this seems like the most obvious conclusion after watching episode eight. This new-found happiness for them main characters simply cannot last long.
I loved how the new-found hope of getting back to their own life really makes all the difference for the four girls. All the more reason for this being a lie, I guess. Anyway, the interraction between the four leads remains riveting as ever, so no complaints from me even though I do prefer "darker" episodes. I really want to see whether this budding friendship can withstand the rough times ahead. If nothing else, Claire will probably be a lot more willing to think of the others now, after their visit.
I hope somebody slaps Jessica and her sidekicks soon, I wonder how Paula and Kate can stand spending much time with them.
This time the beast man was disposed of in a record breaking time, although I have my reservations about the usefulness of a telephone as a weapon. Why don't they use knives or at least something heavier than a telephone? The other four girls had trouble killing that beast man in episode three even with a gun - does that mean that the main characters do have some superpowers after all?

[MrProphet]

Episode 10.

Well, Lula has finally broken. Let us hope for more character from now on.

Rose's trippy cellphone ringtone = WIN. Kate trying to do push-ups was hilarious. Poor Ewan...

Oh, and episode 10 has finally confirmed what I've been suspecting all along since that episode where Rachel kill one of the beast men at the quay. The red stone/flower both attracts the potential beast men and triggers their transformation. It was kinds openly hinted at before, but episode 10 set the fact that Lula is doing it on purpose in stone.

The other four girls had trouble killing that beast man in episode three even with a gun - does that mean that the main characters do have some superpowers after all?

Lula has specifically said in episode 2 that they should kill it "with their hands". Which, apparently means, that firearms are a no-no.

[Sorrow-K]

Ep 8.

The character interactions are so realistic... and then the break out into song. Personally I'm only left with one option: ignore the singing, since it otherwise detracts from realistic characters reacting in realistic ways to their predicament. I suppose it is only a minor thing in what is, otherwise, a really good story. I actually think this is probably GONZO's best series since Speed Grapher, and there's no reason why this can't be even better than that, provided things don't go really downhill before the end.

[DoReMiFaSo]

Ep 9.

I think of something while watching Lula explained stuff to Kate.

Spoiler for ep9:

So Lula said that she made the new bodies for the girls, and was on the way to transport them back. Then, Herve's group stole Liz body.

I assume that Herve's group killed Liz, so that they can lure Lula to make the new bodies, and steal one of then. But if that's the case, then how did he know Lula will made the new bodies for those girls?

[wao]

Yeah, that was what I was wondering after finally catching up with episode 9 and 10.

Spoiler:

I'm probably missing something here, but surely Lula's organisation doesn't make new bodies for everyone who dies? Now they made a new body for the 4 girls because they were attacked by those things at Lise's house let loose by Herve's family, and they went there because of Lise.

Perhaps Lula's organisation tries to give new bodies to whoever the Herve group decides to kill, but then why did Herve and co decide to pick Lise?

Also, another question - this is probably explained but I didn't get it exactly, but how exactly does their "curse" on normal people work? I know that red flower is what sort of triggers their transformation, but how do they mark these people to get attracted to it in the first place? Do only some people have that potential to turn into beasts (they have some particular blood running through them) or can it work on anyone? I must've missed it I think...

All in all though, episode 10 was definitely great.

Spoiler for Just to be safe:

Something about the directing made me enjoy it a lot, personally - I think it was the small details like Rose's silly ringtone which MrProphet mentioned, and JC and Lula pretending doing that while the guy passed. The exchange between Ewan and Rachel was very well done too, I felt. I never felt much for Ewan (despite Rachel being my favourite of the four girls) but I was really cringing and feeling very しょぼーん after that part Poor Ewan...

Although one trivial thing is really bothering me. What the hell is up with that jijii who's the head of Herve and co.'s side? Is he hawt for wosshisname doctor? Bender I think his name was... And Herve? Because he's always getting so close to them it's vaguely disturbing...

Looking forward to future episodes, of course - this is really a pleasant surprise from Gonzo, but I get the feeling that a lot of the consistent quality is because the director (with the help of the scriptwriters) has been keeping the level up to par.
Although the animation may leave things to be desired* I'm genuinely very impresed with the way they have a huge variety of clothing designs each episode and how they all fit each character well, too.

*I should say that episode 10 had much better drawings compared to the past few episodes. Lise looked beautiful - did you see the hair in the beginning of the episode? Clothes and everything were great too - you really got a better feel of the characters there; I especially love that scene with JC, Lula and the gang spying on that guy, it really felt very "autumn in a city" kind of. Although I admit that I have never experienced autumn before.

And I'm sure some people must have noticed that so far all the storyboards have been done by only two people - eps 5, 8 and 9 by some other guy and the rest were all done by the director himself. I've never seen so many episodes done by the director in that way - conversely one usually expects them to do only, say, episodes 1, 13 and 26 (maybe two more if you're lucky).

I get the feeling that he's very attached to this project and wanted to make it succeed as much as possible so he thought - if you wanna get it done best, do it yourself... You've got to respect the amount of effort he must've put into this during the preproduction and probably even until now.

[MrProphet]

Originally Posted by wao

Spoiler:

Perhaps Lula's organisation tries to give new bodies to whoever the Herve group decides to kill, but then why did Herve and co decide to pick Lise?

Spoiler:

It's quite possible that the initiation of Kate-tachi was a coincidence, a way for Lula and co to cover up their tracks after they've found the girls dead in the same house with Lise.

Perhaps, Lula was coming over to pick up Lise, who is the important one (according to Bender and Grandfather, at least), while the other four girls only happened to be near and Lula did not want to leave 4 dead bodies for police to follow.

However, there is also evidence against that. Kate-tachi comprise a team of four. Which could not be a simple coincidence, considering that the previous monster-hunting team also had four girls. It just looks to convenient to be just a happenstance...

Spoiler:

Also, another question - this is probably explained but I didn't get it exactly, but how exactly does their "curse" on normal people work? I know that red flower is what sort of triggers their transformation, but how do they mark these people to get attracted to it in the first place? Do only some people have that potential to turn into beasts (they have some particular blood running through them) or can it work on anyone? I must've missed it I think...

Spoiler:

It must be noted that so far all the beast men seemed to be the American equivalent of salarymen... Middle-aged businessmen in suits. What does that tell us? Is Lula targeting a specific demographic? That seems far-fetched to me.

Isn't it possible that all the beast men work for Herve's Grandfather? His lackies certainly always wear suits and look quite similar to the beast men. I think it is possible that Lula specifically targets them in order to wean the ranks of the enemy.

Perhaps, Herve's family somehow initiates its servants the same way Lula initiated the girls. While the girls turn into undead, the men Grandfather employs are also initiated into this special Clan of supernatural beings. Lula's flower attracts them and possibly makes them lose control over their powers.

Herve's men from episode 1 certainly were in control of their powers when they stole Lise, so I assume that those men whom the girls kill did in fact go mad because of the stone/flower. It's the same stone that Lula gave to the girls in order to awaken their memories, so it's possible that it can also affect the beast men in a similar manner.

[wao]

Thanks for the clarifications.

The very specific actions taken by Lula and co. that you described somehow make me think of the word 'ritual' for some reason.

Spoiler:

I also wonder - why middle-aged businessmen in suits? So that the animators don't have to think of so many clothes designs? Surely not...

I guess I assumed that the guys in suits all necessarily worked in different offices. It is possible that they all ultimately work for Herve's grandfather in some way or another, although somehow I feel that it's a bit too convenient. Oh well.

Although another thing - I wonder if the stone/flower that Lula plants each time is designed to affect only very specific people? I mean, surely there must be tons more of Herve-and-co's lackeys in the city but when she planted that thing only that one guy started reacting. It certainly couldn't be going by the concentration of 'beastliness' or whatever because otherwise we should be seeing Herve slothering at that plant by now, surely.

By the way, they haven't explained why it's only the females that happen to turn the way they do, have they? Just asking.

Speaking of Herve, I must don my Fangirl Cap once again and readily admit that in this episode... Herve looked unusually hawt/adorable. Awwww...
(Those are pics from episode 10 so don't click if you don't want to.)

Yeah, I know I am totally missing the point of the show but what the heck. In fact I even made two variations of a (obviously non-spoilery) avatar out of one of them since I bothered to take a screenshot... and I'm hardly an avatar maker, usually...



I'll be totally shocked if anyone ends up using them though!

[MrProphet]

As a counter to Herve, I present to you

Spoiler:

an incredible image of Lise, Rachel's foxy glare and Lula freaking out.

8)))

[wao]

How bad of you, you made Ewan sad.

Spoiler:

See? Gee, now I'm sad all over again too!

But I guess it's not on the level of "Repent, you sinner, for you have crossed into the realm of unforgivable deeds!"... Nah, that would be if you made Lula cry or something I think.

[DoReMiFaSo]

Thanks for the clarification people.

I haven't watched ep 10 yet, but those pics look nice.
Lula looks scary when she's mad. Ewan is adorable, and Herve looks cool.
And I always admire the clothes the characters wear. They are always different and unique.

[Impz]

just for anyone who needed screenshots + summary for episode 9....

Here you go ^_^

[Quajafrie]

I'm dropping the show.

Episode 8 failed. Boring beyond belief. Every 'light' scene on this anime seems so unrealistic, probably because some of the interactions between the girls are just bad-written:

Kate: The sky is blue.
Rose: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Kate: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I was kinda interested about the mystery of the show, but now I'm not motivated enough to continue watching. And the singing is awful.

[MrProphet]

By the way, it would be interesting to note that the tickets which Ewan wanted to give to Claire were for Wicked, a Broadway musical based on The Wizard of Oz that tells the story of the Wicked Witch instead of Dorothy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_%28musical%29

One of the earlier episodes also had a billboard in one of the scenes, advertising this musical.

I am surprised that it's still going strong in 2009. 8)

[Jewelray]

Originally Posted by MrProphet

One of the earlier episodes also had a billboard in one of the scenes, advertising this musical.

And it's exactly the same as the real billboards in new york, only the name is changed. It's not like something like that would be really hard to find out, but for some reason it surprised me a little that it was so accurate. At least, it made a nice touch.

[samurai666]

This has quickly become my favorite anime of the season with one of the best opening songs I've heard in a while. It seems to remind me a bit of Gilgamesh with the dark atmosphere, but let's hope it has a better ending.

[glainfach]

Originally Posted by MrProphet

...Wicked, a Broadway musical based on The Wizard of Oz that tells the story of the Wicked Witch instead of Dorothy.
...I am surprised that it's still going strong in 2009. 8)

Ever hear of a little show called 'Cats'? It ran to packed houses on Broadway for 18 years. 'Wicked' seems to have the same sort of legs and it wouldn't surprise me if it was still running in 2019!