(L) Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (BONES)

[achirist]

I took this episode as rather straight-forward melodramatic manipulation of the audience; leading us to believe that he was dead twice before finally showing him alive. I hadn't thought otherwise before reading this thread...frankly, I no longer cared by the end whether he was dead or not, and I hope it's resolved quickly in the next episode, because this is bad filler, and I think they could have settled on a four-part OVA instead.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Proto

Personally I didn't mind the twist the series took though. As I mentioned earlier, when the series qualified itself as realistic, it can perfectly be that it only referred to the physical facts (aka plot, setting) that it presents us. However, the storytelling techniques are another matter altogether. It certainly is not something new or revolutionary, however IMHO it adds some needed spice to this series. I don't quite trust in BONES' ability to take it to fruition, but so far the show hasn't done anything that would make me post photos of my destroyed TM8 merchandise on my blog.

Hang on to those Robotaku Rescue Robot Playsets - they may be worth a bundle on Ebay someday.

[Proto]

Hey, as someone who was a robot otaku himself during college I appreciated the shout out.

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by Vexx

I see that some are still ignoring the fact this is a *japanese* drama and not a US primetime docudrama. It simply won't have the exact same literary rules.

The trope in question isn't foreign to Western story telling (Gaius Baltar, anyone?) and doesn't become more rich, smart, natural, or excusable by default by popping up in a Japanese work. If you want to draw the cultural card here, you have the burden of proof.

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

I heartily endorse the view that it's a "patethic own goal" for the series, as Slice of Life so capably phrased it.

*cough* That was Tiny Red Leaf who's significantly more skilled in capably phrasing things than I am.

Originally Posted by Proto

but so far the show hasn't done anything that would make me post photos of my destroyed TM8 merchandise on my blog.

I did that as soon the non-virginal state of Mari was confirmed, of course.

[MeoTwister5]

I did that as soon the non-virginal state of Mari was confirmed, of course.

I have no clue what your metaphorical point was with this, but that sounded so wrong on every level.

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

I have no clue what your metaphorical point was with this, but that sounded so wrong on every level.

Just a joke that refers to the Kannagi manga where some (one?) otaku apparently did that (destroying the merchandise or something) after the author mentioned a former boyfriend of the main heroine and thus implyied that Kannagi is "damaged goods". Yes, it is wrong on every level.

[Guardian Enzo]

My heartfelt apologies to TRL - that was a great line, and credit should go where it deserves.

[MeoTwister5]

Originally Posted by Slice of Life

Just a joke that refers to the Kannagi manga where some (one?) otaku apparently did that (destroying the merchandise or something) after the author mentioned a former boyfriend of the main heroine and thus implyied that Kannagi is "damaged goods". Yes, it is wrong on every level.

Oh yes the Kannagi none-virgin fallout. Can't imagine for the life of me how people can get so worked up over it. Doesn't change the fact that Nagi's still awesome of course.

[rabbitking]

Spoiler for ep 7:

When Kento fell down the cliff while helping the robot, some crappy music started playing that caused the tone to go from serious to silly. Is the director of this anime an amateur by chance?

[Kaioshin Sama]

I'll just quote from the opening disclaimer text before I give my very straightforward reaction to episode 08:

"This work of fiction surrounding the circumstances of a massive earthquake is based on tremendous amounts of research and verification.

Striving for a sense of realism many simulations were thought of to create this original story, however, circumstances may be different from the real thing."

I didn't see anything in this episode that didn't fit the bill. Even if Yuuki is dead and Mirai is in denial I think they've played it impeccably well so far. This could have easily been overwrought, but instead it's all played very low key, which is something I am very fond of when it comes to artistic devices like getting inside a characters head to see what they are going through. It's about slowly helping you relate to the character before they open up completely too you instead of everything all just coming out at once. Something I know a lot of writers can barely resist anymore these days.

An attempt at realism shouldn't forbid some artistic licence in my eyes, so this is still very good television so far. Of course if Yuuki turns out to be a newtype ghost or something later on I'll be changing my mind, but so far it looks like the very powerful imagination of a child giving herself a coping device and one last chance to play the role of an older sister properly.

[noir_kirika]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

For argument's sake, let's say Yuuki is dead.

Now, why would the hospital allow Mari to sign the death certificate when she's technically a stranger? It's not as though Mirai, Yuuki's next-of-kin, isn't available to be a witness. Even if she weren't of age to sign the document, I would think that's easily circumvented by having Mari countersign for Mirai.

Secondly, is it normal to leave your brother's body behind at a hospital while you march on happily home?

If Mari were to allow that, on account of Mirai's grief, then she's in serious dereliction of customary duty, in my opinion.

After all, we've already seen in Ep5 how families would stay behind to mourn besides the bodies of their dearly departed. Is it even plausible for Mari to allow Mirai walk home alone, delusions aside, when she should instead be at her brother's side while Mari struggles to get home to inform their parents, assuming they are still alive?

I mean, is it ok to leave the body of little boy behind at a morgue, as though it were just another John Doe??

See, I don't think he was left behind. His ashes might be in the backpack. It might explains why there are quite a few comments on it's weight....

[fish eric]

hospitals don't just cremate (sp?) children without the consent of parents. They don't cremate at all I think.

[Flo]

Looks like Mirai has finally lost it, I'll enjoy watching her in utter despair when...

Spoiler:

Mari broke the news that Yuuki is already dead and what Mirai saw up to now is only an illusion created by her delusions.

[Kaioshin Sama]

Originally Posted by fish eric

hospitals don't just cremate (sp?) children without the consent of parents. They don't cremate at all I think.

Cremation is typically done at a funeral parlor in developed countries. In some cases though they do it right at the cemetary, but not the hospital.

[SuperKnuckles]

Heh, people thought that episode was melodramatic and all, but that exact same thing happened to me last year. People thought it was a heatstroke/stroke and I needed surgery and all. I can almost make light of it now, but almost everyone, including me thought it was all over.

And lol at the double-death scenes + Yuuki missing. It could be interesting if that were real, but I somehow doubt it.

[usagijen]

All I can say after watching episode 8 is that...

Spoiler:

I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT

[signorRossi]

Originally Posted by usagijen

All I can say after watching episode 8 is that...

Spoiler:

I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT

LOL, don't miss the comments.

And I am amazed that this episode would stir up such a discussion. I myself didn't get 'the fact' in this episode too, but then again I wanted to drop TM anyway and skimmed only through it. I am disappointed with this Noitamina show and the last episode didn't change that either, as it should have been much gritter from the beginning.

signorRossi.

[Dop]

Crikey!

Spoiler for ep.8:

I think this series may just have had its Grave of the Fireflies moment.

I mean, they set out to obfuscate the 'truth', but my interpretation, based mainly on the fact that there has been no interaction between Yuuki and Mari after Yuuki's "recovery", and other circumstantial evidence such as the documents Mari signed and the look on her face every time she spoke with Mirai afterwards, is that Yuuki's death did happen and Mirai is delusional with grief and imagining he's still there.

Oh my god, you killed Yuuki, you bastards!

Of course, next week I could be proven wrong, but I hope I'm correct in my interpretation.

[durack]

After rewatching the episode, I must say that Mari's expression was priceless.

A friend of mine once had a situation where his ex-roommate once showed up at his house and (among other things) announced that he was Jesus Christ. My friend probably had a similar expression on his face at that time.

[Deathkillz]

Oh boy, Yuuki is so dead no matter which way you slice it. He may have done a good faker when the tokyo tower fell on top of them but this time he is truly dead. All I can see is Mirai going emo when she comes to her senses but beats me why Mari hasn't snapped her out of it yet. Sympathy? Well it is just going to hurt a damn lot more the longer this delusion draws on for.