2009-04-12, 14:57 | Link #222 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Amazing first episode, I was expecting something really good from this show and I'm not disappointed. Can't wait for the next one ! |
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2009-04-12, 16:05 | Link #223 | |
Film Student
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The selecao system, whatever the hell that is, selected 12 individuals. There were 12 apostles. I looked up who the ninth apostle was, and apparently it's James the Less, sometimes known as James the Just. Apparently he was the only one rumored to have been related by blood to Jesus. Some claim he was a cousin or a younger (half) brother, but others say he's just not related at all. Now let's take this in conjunction with the title, Eden of the East. Apparently, when man was kicked out of Eden, we supposedly went east... Also, Cain had to flee east of Eden when he was kicked out (also, there's a Steinbeck novel called East of Eden, so now I get why someone was referencing Steinbeck further back in this thread). When we first see Akira and Saki, they are outside the White House Garden. Eden was supposedly the center of the world, was it not? I think that White House garden represents the Eden that they can't get into. Thus, they go to the East. Let's also remember that Akira had the gun, and had his memory wiped. The gun here could be original sin. If we combine the following ideas: A) Akira represents Adam right after being kicked out of Eden (he is naked but gets clothed) B) He has a gun, and it seems evident he's sinned/killed before. C) He's number 9 out of 12, and the ninth apostle may have been related to Jesus. D) Cain went to the East when he was kicked out after killing Abel, his sibling ...Then my prediction is as follows: I think Akira killed the person who would have been number 1 or 13 (depending on which direction you're counting from), and was kicked out of the organization because of it. That person, number 1 or 13, would have been a Jesus figure, so they may come back. He was then left on his own with a mindwipe after that, symbolizing God not offering all the protection that was previously granted in Eden - but since Juiz still offers cryptic instruction, it's much like Christian theology views God now, as a being that does not walk among us but still guides and aids us. This is all conjecture, of course... But it'll be interesting to see if I'm on the money with any of this stuff. Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the Washington monument totally being a phallic reference along with the handgun. I noticed that, when the episode starts, Saki is seen with the Washington monument in the background first, and THEN you see Akira with the Washington monument in the background, with him holding the gun. Remembering that original sin is connected with man's discovery of sexuality, but Eve discovered it first, then it makes sense that Saki would show up there first with the phallic symbol in the background, but that Akira would appear holding his own phallic reference... and... also having his own penis. Eve also led Adam astray in that way... I'm much more confident in the prediction that, sooner or later, someone's going to accuse Saki of leading Akira astray. Foul temptress, with her womanly wiles. |
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2009-04-12, 16:23 | Link #225 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
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But I don't get where this stuff with Cain and Abel will lead us if Akira represents Adam and Saki, Eve. |
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2009-04-12, 16:46 | Link #226 |
Seishu's Ace
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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My assumption has been that "Eden of the East" was a loose translation, and the title was a direct reference to Steinbeck's East of Eden. But who knows - there could be something to all the biblical mumbo-jumbo.
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2009-04-12, 17:29 | Link #227 |
Anime Hobbyist
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Well, that first episode was sorta.... useless. Too much stupid "ooh, we're copying American mannerisms and namedropping American stuff!" in there. And in the VERY END, they show a trace of real story development with missiles. But it made absolutely no sense in context of anything.
That said, the OP/ED and production values were fabulous. It's weird with anime this season. Lots of amazing production and animation, but storylines are all over the place. |
2009-04-12, 17:47 | Link #228 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
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You've made a nice analysis, Azure_Peregrine, but, in my opinion, you should add another element to it, the quotation from Julius Caesar by Shakespeare :
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Consequently, a Brutus will appear to end with that ! The story takes place in a world without king (according to the first sec). Nevertheless, there is a "prince", Akira. What can we conclude ? That the "prince" will rise up against a "king" (nonexistent ><), as Brutus did ? I think the "without king" must be understood on this way : in our world, contrary to the roman empire of Caesar, the power is not in the hands of an only person. Akira would be a new Brutus in this world ? Bringing hope (a frequent word in the OP) that he will change the world. In that way, he also seems a Jesus seen by jews as a fierce warior able to struggle against romans. So many faces on Akira's head ! So i don't know what thinking... And i apologize to you, english is not my mother tongue, you've surely seen it |
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2009-04-12, 18:29 | Link #229 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: US
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I finally watched the first episode, and I really liked it; the animation was amazing, and the story was sort of interesting. The white house is the cesspool of the earth, but nonetheless at the center of political scum. I really, really appreciated seeing 'Morita' naked.
It has nothing to do with christianity or religion, to me. |
2009-04-12, 18:56 | Link #232 |
Yuuki Aoi
Join Date: Jul 2004
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A few observations:
The various subs translate the conversation between Juiz and the guy in the car in various ways, as well as the conversation between Juiz and Akira. God or savior? It seems to me that the "noblesse oblige" organization is trying to save the world (or Japan, or something else), and has developed these numbered agents following competitions of some kind (the photo of the naked guys being the competition where Akira won?) Original Akira definitely can be seen taking off his pants before standing there naked pointing the gun. The cab driver who delivers Saki has always seemed to me to be enjoying some little private joke. I just thought it was badly acted or directed, but now I wonder if he is in league with the original Akira. He glances to his left: is that into traffic, into the trunk of the car, or at Akira? Maybe he just sees the naked guy. I wonder if there is something in Saki's background, yet unknown, that would make her a target for Original Akira. Whatever the case, it seems that Juiz and the guy in the car are surprised at how well Original Akira is doing, but shut him down with a tone from the phone before he can shoot whomever. In the intro, I think Saki is saying that Akira chooses for some reason to sacrifice himself by becoming the prince. From his well-conceived and decisive actions through the episode, we see some of the same ability in Akira that surprised Juiz and car-guy in Original Akira. I'm thinking that the Noblesse Oblige people are good guys, and they are aiming to bring down a system that feels no remorse in its power. But maybe they're bad guys. We'll see. Are they the "king" or the supplier of princes? I still have no idea who is lobbing missiles at Tokyo, unless its either Noblesse Oblige or the real secret bad guys.
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2009-04-12, 19:07 | Link #233 |
tl;dr
Join Date: Jan 2009
Age: 32
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Whoa, I just noticed that Akira had the foresight to wipe his fingerprints off the pistol before he tossed it through the gate. I was wondering why he was fumbling with the scarf until it hit me just now... I guess his personal memories may be gone but he's still got the instincts and practical thinking of a terrorist/spy, eh?
Also while I also kinda think the same way, the more I consider it the more it seems people are somewhat exaggerating how low security seemed this episode... for one thing, there's no way you're going to be able to throw something large enough to make a significant explosion from the fence all the way to the White House. And while the guards/police aren't exactly gonna be lax with security, there'd be hell to pay if they shot or even injured an innocent civilian, so they're not going to jump to conclusions too quickly.
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2009-04-12, 19:35 | Link #234 |
Waiting for more taiyuki!
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Why was she trying to toss a coin into the fountain? Any idiot should have known that it was impossible to do from the gate.
That missile attack (Careless Monday) is part of the premise for the series.
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2009-04-12, 20:00 | Link #237 | |
Crazy One
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Crimson Demon's Realm
Age: 40
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This anime deserves to be included in the Popular Anime Thread. I'll give 9/10 rating for this anime only anime since T.T.G.L that caught my attention at 95%. Additional 5% would be given depends on the upcoming episodes given it is only 11 episodes long and has a movie after the series ends. "Morita and Hagu" look-alike ending is at hand. |
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2009-04-12, 20:13 | Link #238 |
Ganmen? Screw this!
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Sweden
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Finally, the first worthwhile series this season. Real and likable characters and not just puppets shouting lines at each other (most likely thanks to the always brilliant Chika Umino). Yep, a definite must see.
While the OP is nice (as many of you mentioned) I beg you to pay attention to the (in my opinion) fantastic ED. If that is entirely handmade (well there’s obviously some computer editing involved, but “cut out by hand”-like handmade) I’m officially amazed. Honey and Clover hade its clever food intro and this is almost on par with that. Nice, and may I say it, sublime. |
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romance, spy thriller |
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