2012-01-31, 12:34 | Link #1 |
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Madoka Magica - Critical Reception Outside of AnimeSuki
Ever wonder what the critical reception of Madoka Magica is beyond the hallowed halls of this Soul Gem-encrusted Series Subforum? Well wonder no more, for we now have a thread for linking to (and discussing) such reviews and awards!
First off, let's see what ANN's Zac Bertschy had to say about Madoka Magica in an ANN review here. What you read at that link might surprise you. Secondly, here's some good news about Madoka Magica winning the Grand Prize of the Japan Media Arts Festival! Unfortunately, Kyubey was not able to be reached for comment, but reports have it that he intends to contract with a couple extra teenage girls today in order to celebrate the award. So for any and all discussion on critical reception of Madoka Magica outside of Anime Suki (including blogs as well), please use this thread!
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2012-01-31, 13:07 | Link #2 | |
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What I find interesting about the ANN review is that this was Zac's impressions based on episode 1 last year:
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I guess like a lot of people Zac got trolled but glad to see he came around.The rating is for the first 4 episodes only though,should be interesting to see what his thoughts are on the rest of the show later. To any other french posters,can anyone find animeland's review of the show online?I remember reading it in the mag but can't find it online.Would love to read it again considering it boldly predicted that Madoka would soon be forgotten if I remember correctly.Would love to read it again just for laughs.
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2012-01-31, 13:29 | Link #3 | |
Twilight lander
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2012-01-31, 13:32 | Link #4 |
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Yeah, I think he probably assumed after Episode 1 that Homura was your standard misguided "Dark Magical Girl" who needed to be helped out but also set straight (like Fate Testarossa), and that Kyubey was on the "up and up" (like Yuuno). Given his jadedness with the magical girl genre, he probably didn't pick up on the subtle clues in the first episode that this was going to be anything but conventional.
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2012-01-31, 13:33 | Link #5 | |
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180
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That is to say, the whole thing looks ludicrous: far from finding Madoka as a masterpiece, I think the whole "study of magical girls" by comparing it with meg and Nanoha were nothing but misplaced. That and the flat "nothing much happens during these 12 episodes".
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2012-01-31, 13:35 | Link #6 | |
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ANN is officially anti-fansub, but if Zac likes PMMM this much, it must be hard to restrain himself from watching more.
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2012-01-31, 15:05 | Link #7 |
The Voice of Reason
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Madoka wasn't licensed till long after it finished airing, so either ANN has access to Japanese TV stations and can watch them live as they air (which I consider unlikely, due to the effort that would probably take), have other ways of getting the episodes legally, or they use raws and/or fansubs to form their opinions on.
Either way, it's interesting how Zac, who's known to be a vicious critic, pretty much does a full 180 on a show he basically flamed to death, only praising it's art and animation at first.
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2012-01-31, 15:09 | Link #8 |
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ANN used to do their reviews using fansubs
They've admitted so on their forums and tried to justify it. Not sure what they're doing now. Honestly, I think Zac builds up his "reputation" from bashing shows which he suspect have moe elements. That's his identity. That's how he markets himself. It's just that he had to backpedal now because of the national recognition Japan gave to Madoka.
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2012-01-31, 17:03 | Link #9 | |
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2012-01-31, 23:25 | Link #10 | |
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ANN only does reviews for series that are licensed only these days whether it be in hard DVD/Bluray format or simulcast streaming. They did do fansubs a few years back but that was before all this simulcast booming started.
As for Zac and co, I follow ANNcast (podcast done by Zac and Justin) on a weekly basis, and although I only take in half of what they say (usually ignore their "blind moe bashing") some of what they say -can- be informative. It's obvious that Zac and co are "old-school" anime fans, but I've checked up some of the older titles they praised and for the most past I largely agree/enjoyed them. I do question Zac's professionality sometimes, as in particular his seasonal preview reviews tend to be "trollish", but I don't think you can dismiss their opinions entirely as some series are, how should I say, very "fratboy", "immature" and even "offensive". He does sometimes blindly hate series though which I do find annoying but I largely ignore it. Anyways back on topic regarding Madoka Magica. Glad to see him come around to see the "beauty" of the series. Overrated or not (seriously what popular, well-received series isn't considered overrated), Madoka Magica was the most bold and high profile series of last year (alongside Redline DVD/Bluray release maybe, but that film is actually a few years old) and it -largely- met the hype. Here's a tweet he posted up a few days ago: Quote:
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2012-02-01, 02:24 | Link #11 |
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But that wasn't the point. I know reputable sources can get their hands on promotional material and such, but there is no explanation for how they can review shows that are still airing and aren't licensed.
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2012-02-01, 08:50 | Link #12 | |
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The hilarious thing about that "nothing much happens during these 12 episodes" comment was that only 10 episodes were out at the time of the review.When someone told this to the reviewer his answer was "I'm a journalist,I've got insider info on what the ending of Madoka will be"
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2012-02-01, 13:43 | Link #15 |
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Yes he did,he saw 10 episodes.Or at least says he did.
Just to make it clear,this isn't some random blogger that wrote this,it's a reviewer on the french equivalent of ANN. Though since it seems Madoka got a bit of a cold reception on the blogosphere I doubt it'll get a french licence anytime soon.
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2012-02-01, 18:22 | Link #16 | |
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2012-02-01, 19:13 | Link #17 |
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Since it seems you're referring to the first review totoum posted, that one was based upon the first episode alone. It's the french one posted right above your initial post that was made after ten episodes.
So yeah, since it seems you're talking about that first review, that one was before episode 3. Unless of course the french review says the same thing. Wouldn't know. |
2012-02-01, 20:02 | Link #18 | |
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First review was based on the first episode,even said so in my post.
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2012-02-01, 20:28 | Link #19 | |
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Why do you think some French anime bloggers didn't like the show? It's no big deal, I'm just curious.
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