Puella Magi Madoka Magica vs Evangelion

[bhl88]

Could one say that Madoka Magica has reached a legendary level? What do you think about the comparisons of Madoka Magica to Evangelion?

[Archon_Wing]

It is WAY too early to make any kind of judgement like that. Until it's able to establish new trends and be remembered for a very long time, you can't even begin to compare it with Evangelion.

Besides, I find it that it is very easy to misjudge a show's greatness due to the massive amount of hype recent shows generate. That is, every popular show at some point will get labeled as "teh best animu forever"

Therefore it is a bad idea to pass off anything as legendary when it's so recent. Will anyone remember it in 5 or 10 years? At that point, we can begin to say something. But at this point it still has yet to prove that it has the staying power of something like, say Nanoha, that's been around for 7 years, etc.

[MartianMage]

You're comparing Madoka to which Evangelion? The first one or the entirety of the franchise? I think you need to clarify that.

In any case I never really got into Evangelion so personally I loved Madoka more. And since none of the choices match that answer so yeah...

And Archon_Wing is right in saying that you need to wait for a few more years to observe Madoka's impact to label it as "legendary" in anime history...

although personally I can say this right now that I will never forget Madoka. Madoka has given me simply one of the best(if not the best) viewing experience in my long years of watching anime.

[Vexx]

I guess it all depends on the metrics you've used. By what criteria is it "legendary"?
Simple viewing numbers? Product sold? Fansubs downloaded? - those are quantifiable.
Mind-blowing? Intricate story-telling? Too vague to actually make sense like some pop psychology fad? - those are subjective.

I think Forbidden Planet is a classic milestone in science fiction movies....many people are bored to tears by it.

OTOH... I was remarkably UNimpressed by Evangelion but then I'm probably jaded and cynical. And yeah, none of the answers are what I select so I'm writing in the margin.

[bhl88]

Originally Posted by Kuroi Sabato

You're comparing Madoka to which Evangelion? The first one or the entirety of the franchise? I think you need to clarify that.

In any case I never really got into Evangelion so personally I loved Madoka more. And since none of the choices match that answer so yeah...

And Archon_Wing is right in saying that you need to wait for a few more years to observe Madoka's impact to label it as "legendary" in anime history...

although personally I can say this right now that I will never forget Madoka. Madoka has given me simply one of the best(if not the best) viewing experience in my long years of watching anime.

The first one (as the others, 1.0 and 2.0, [OVA] were created in successive order after the first one)

[Dist]

So why are alll the poll options something which would show Evangelion in greater light than Madoka ? Tbh, you can't even compare the series and it is way too early as said, but I'd still say Madoka > Evangelion because I don't like Evangelion. So why are there only options for the Evangelion fans ?

[Marcus H.]

If Mahou Senki Lyrical Nanoha was able to stick for seven years, then it might be the better contender for legendary status than Puella Magi Madoka Magica, which has just finished the series.

I agree that it is still too early to tell, and we need at least two years worth of sales and constant positive feedback. Two years, in fact, is too little time.

[Reckoner]

Originally Posted by Dist

So why are alll the poll options something which would show Evangelion in greater light than Madoka ? Tbh, you can't even compare the series and it is way too early as said, but I'd still say Madoka > Evangelion because I don't like Evangelion. So why are there only options for the Evangelion fans ?

It's not about quality... It's about the impact the anime has on the anime industry. When someone calls something legendary, it implies that not only was it was successful, but it actually changed the fan base and the anime industry.

Whether Madoka can do this or not is still an open question. Eveangelion was probably the biggest anime of the last two decades easily, so that's why Evangelion is placed on a pedestal compared to everything (Despite of course there being a wide range of opinions on it).

[~Yami~]

the only problem is the viewer rating is still too low.... maybe we still need to wait for DVD....
well, it's reality that this anime still have long way to go....
but, I vote for the first choice because it is only matter of time... XD

[bhl88]

Originally Posted by Reckoner

It's not about quality... It's about the impact the anime has on the anime industry. When someone calls something legendary, it implies that not only was it was successful, but it actually changed the fan base and the anime industry.

Whether Madoka can do this or not is still an open question. Eveangelion was probably the biggest anime of the last two decades easily, so that's why Evangelion is placed on a pedestal compared to everything (Despite of course there being a wide range of opinions on it).

According to Yamakan, it's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and End of Evangelion. (at least in the Otaku Encyclopedia)

Originally Posted by ~Yami~

the only problem is the viewer rating is still too low.... maybe we still need to wait for DVD....
well, it's reality that this anime still have long way to go....
but, I vote for the first choice because it is only matter of time... XD

Maybe it will.

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

If Mahou Senki Lyrical Nanoha was able to stick for seven years, then it might be the better contender for legendary status than Puella Magi Madoka Magica, which has just finished the series.

I agree that it is still too early to tell, and we need at least two years worth of sales and constant positive feedback. Two years, in fact, is too little time.

Nanoha... not really (if there's an impact).

[Master_Yoma]

I think Madoka is far better then Evangelion

[weaponX]

Originally Posted by Archon_Wing

Therefore it is a bad idea to pass off anything as legendary when it's so recent. Will anyone remember it in 5 or 10 years? At that point, we can begin to say something. But at this point it still has yet to prove that it has the staying power of something like, say Nanoha, that's been around for 7 years, etc.

You're right, it is too early to give it legendary status, but I do feel like it will have staying power just due to the strength of the story alone.

[Kyuu]

Newer series have one handicap compared to older series pre-2000.

The sheer number of "epic" series comes in year-after year. Looking back at the 90's, nothing else really compared to Evangelion. Not even any Gundam series released at the same time.

And if you want a more recent example of a "legendary" series. I will have to point to Haruhi.

Originally Posted by Dist

Madoka > Evangelion because I don't like Evangelion

Nice way to reason.

As for Evangelion, it was a "so-so" series for me. However, the sheer intensity of its presentation tends to stick to my mind. The music, chaos, and urgency of the series is still remembered. Everything else afterwards mimics it. To this day, I have yet to complete watching Evangelion.

Originally Posted by Vexx

I guess it all depends on the metrics you've used. By what criteria is it "legendary"?
Simple viewing numbers? Product sold? Fansubs downloaded? - those are quantifiable.

Reasoning will have to be qualitative.

Another example of "legendary" would be Sailor Moon - for having spearheaded anime to a greater degree in the West. Anime itself already penetrated the West prior to Sailor Moon; but the media form itself really began growing the SM. This paved the way for the likes of Evangelion, DBZ, and Pokemon.

===

Oh. I have yet to watch Madoka. So go ahead. Give me a reason why I should bother watching it -- and what makes it so... "epic". Kekekekek (Don't get me wrong. I will.)

[Reckoner]

Originally Posted by Kyuu

Newer series have one handicap compared to older series pre-2000.

The sheer number of "epic" series comes in year-after year. Looking back at the 90's, nothing else really compared to Evangelion. Not even any Gundam series released at the same time.

And if you want a more recent example of a "legendary" series. I will have to point to Haruhi.

The 90's had plenty of famous animes that were considered big at the time. People who have only payed attention in detail to anime in the last 10 years always seem to have a warped impression of what the biggest animes are. Many animes just really don't have that staying power, the ability to be remembered so long afterwards with a raving fan base.

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Kyuu

Newer series have one handicap compared to older series pre-2000.

The sheer number of "epic" series comes in year-after year. Looking back at the 90's, nothing else really compared to Evangelion. Not even any Gundam series released at the same time.

*browse through his dvd library

Ranma 1/2, Utena, Tenchi Muyo, Excel Saga, Nadesico, Bubble Gum Crisis (original), Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne. FLCL, Irresponoble Captain Taylor, Rurouni Kenshin, Slayers, Trigun, Gundam Wing,

do you want me to list the classics form the 80s?

[mecharobot]

Considering that Madoka is a troll anime, I'd say that it doesn't have a lasting appeal. A talking rat collecting angst energy out of moe girls, with cheap arte is not something that I'd consider groundbreaking.

[ddwkc]

Like it or not, Evangelion caused a revolution in the anime industry and fandom. If something has to be compared to Eva, it must first cause a rift in the space-time continuum of the anime industry; otherwise, it's no contest. The closest one to do that is probably Haruhi, but it still not quite the same sheer level that Eva caused in its time (and it still reverberate today).

[Archon_Wing]

Basically if you have to ask if something is legendary, it probably isn't. Evangelion's effects cannot be denied regardless of one's preference for it.

We can come back in 10 years though.

[Kyuu]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

*browse through his dvd library

Ranma 1/2, Utena, Tenchi Muyo, Excel Saga, Nadesico, Bubble Gum Crisis (original), Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne. FLCL, Irresponoble Captain Taylor, Rurouni Kenshin, Slayers, Trigun, Gundam Wing,

do you want me to list the classics form the 80s?

Ah yes. Tenchi Muyo. Unfortunately, this series was... how do I put it... "quiet". That's despite being on CN over and over again. It just didn't have that... "huzzah" effect that Evangelion did. Same goes with the rest of that list, even though Bebop is heralded as well.

Slayers was a niche series. Thanks to YouTube: Funimation, I can still go back and watch that. At least, it still better be there. XD

And going into the 80's. Plenty of series then spearheaded into the West... like Voltron and Macross (coverted to Robotech). I remember Voltes V as well. However, the terms "anime" or "Japanimation" didn't really emerge then. Even if the terms originate then, the language impact has not been felt into the 90's.

Any type of "anime" from the 80s and older... viewers then often considered them as "cartoons". Until anime became more popular, the differentiation of "anime vs cartoon" became lexicon. Sadly, due to that, we're cursed with the "anime as Japanese only" definition (which I contend now).

[Solace]

Madoka > Evangelion because I don't like Evangelion

Pretty much this. Which one is better, or more legendary, etc? Does it matter? Enjoy what you enjoy. There is no "best".

Eva is enjoyed by many largely because it turned the mecha genre on its head. Madoka did the same for the mahou shoujo (magical girl) genre. The true effects of both of these titles is that you will likely see attempts to mimic, mock, parody, one up, deconstruct or reconstruct what they are and what they've done for the industry.

For the fans, well....it's generational. Newer fans don't really remember many of the great 90's anime like Bubblegum Crisis or Excel Saga. That doesn't make them any less influential or great. Go ahead and ask your average 13 year old if they've ever seen Citizen Kain, a movie widely recognized as one of the greatest movies ever made. Chances are, the answer will be no, they haven't seen it (or likely never even heard of it).

So ultimately, there is no versus here.




In general the mods aren't fond of versus threads, because they usually dissolve into people arguing opinions and getting angry about it. These sorts of topics are just too flammable, so I'm going to have to close it. Sorry.