2012-09-15, 17:29 | Link #2023 | |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
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Man it was really weird watching these last two episodes back to back. At first I was filled with tons of rage about how the concluding episode of the last arc totally whiffed on me, then this episode somehow draws me back in.
I think this show is probably in the end just going to be more interesting than good. It has interesting premises, so-so execution. Quote:
It's been my sneaking suspicion all along that Taichi's ultimate development is being saved for the last arc. Perhaps if Taichi became a child it could reveal too much about why he is the way he is? I just hope I'm right because if it is just as you think it might be, his only role will forever being a sort of avatar for the show, then that would ultimately be disappointing.
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2012-09-15, 17:39 | Link #2024 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: UK
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Okay, so, above everything else, Yui and Aoki's relationship just got interesting. I've already forgotten the love triangle. The part with Aoki was good though, and looks like he may like Yui simply because she looks like someone he knew (or at least, be part of the reason). He asked himself 'when' did he get over that other girl, but maybe he never stopped, it instead transferred over to Yui.
That would be good, although I'm not sure KC can pull it off well. At least it looks promising. As for the 'other' love, well, the fact that Iori and Taichi have truly fallen back to allow Inaba in is pretty pathetic in my eyes. Looks like it'll be milked for comedy purposes until it's resolved too. Inaba's fallen in my eyes (although her younger version is cute!!!11!!). I don't think I care about their 'love' issue anymore. At least Yui and Aoki brought something new (well, mostly Aoki, but it's implied it affected Yui). Love seems to be the main theme from this show, seeing how it was prevalent in the endings of arc 1 and 2, and we're getting more in this arc from Aoki. Like I said before, HeartSeed is just a romantic at heart. Also, I never considered that Yui didn't tell anyone she nearly got raped. I mean, to family. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention. Or maybe the Karate thing isn't related at all. I have to admit too, seeing Iori manipulating others (with her personality changes) was a bit unnerving personally. The whole 'oh no this gimmick will cause ZERIUS issues!' is also becoming a tired mechanic. As for Taichi being reaffirmed as a knight, well, I've ranted on that long enough. Seeing more of it will be 'meh' though. The writer calling it out doesn't make it any better, just like the Aoki 'useless' comment.
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2012-09-15, 17:46 | Link #2025 |
Yuuki Aoi
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Lol. Me, too. Moreover, these heartseeds (or more literally "balloon vines") may have no human emotions -- and no "motivation, tenacity, courage, and spirit," as heartseed 1 said in ep2. So it is both enjoyable and good research to watch how these humans behave. They have more health, emotion, and social ability than any heartseed does, it seems.
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2012-09-15, 18:53 | Link #2027 |
We're Back
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Redgrave City
Age: 35
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They cut short some of the verbal jokes but overall definitely the best opening episode to date Other then that and a few QUALITY animation at the beginning, there's not much negatives for me this week.
Also, a badass rock song is the best ED to end the entire Anime airing episodes with
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2012-09-15, 19:03 | Link #2028 | |
<(゜∀。)
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Flying in the Air
Age: 36
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2012-09-15, 19:06 | Link #2029 |
...Is that so?
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Central Queensland, Australia
Age: 44
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This is such an interesting show. Frustrating, but enjoyable at the same time. Like a few others, I'm not entirely sold on the love triangle situation. I don't really think either Iori nor Himeko are in a good place to actually be in a romantic relationship, especially one with a guy known to have a "white knight" personality.
The new premise is interesting though, it's got my mind boiling over wondering what Heartseed v2 is up to. It must really be eating Taichi up not being able to explain the situation to the others, especially when they are displaying confusion or worry over it (like the last scene). I liked that Aoki got a bit more depth, though I'm really feeling for Yui. Not only has her past come back to haunt her, but the guy that's chasing her was in love with a girl very similar to her. Maybe it's his 'type', but nobody wants to hear that they're just like an ex. It can really lead to a lot of insecurity. Finally I found it really interesting when Himeko was young and hiding away from Yui and Iori. That she was a shy child isn't that surprising, but the fact that she hid behind her "big bro" Taichi was interesting to. As soon as I saw it, I thought of the scenes in earlier episodes when Himeko was leaving the house and her interactions with her own brother. Big contrast. Anyhow, I enjoyed this one aside from the usual rolleyes inducing female anime character over-reactions. I hope the writers show a bit more subtlety with the conclusion to this arc, what ever it is happens. |
2012-09-15, 19:13 | Link #2030 | ||
We're Back
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Redgrave City
Age: 35
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Once I get a taste of it, I can't go back! Quote:
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2012-09-15, 19:43 | Link #2034 | ||
Guess what time it is?
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Age: 39
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On another note, I was surprised to hear people saying that Taichi is doomed to remain a cypher after this episode. Honestly, I took the exact opposite message. I was fairly certain before I hit this thread that he is intended to be the focus of the arc, as Nagase and Inaban were before. It seems that HS (and presumably HS2) starts these games because he enjoys the havoc it plays on all of them, but he also wants something specific from one individual, and the game ends only once he gets it. I think Taichi is in his sights this time. Consider what we know so far: Taichi is the odd man out, and (probably) the only one who has been visited so far to learn the exact rules of the new game. Taichi's little sister showing up again also seems important when you realize that while HS2 tells him to be a "knight" (derisively?), his real role when the club goes mini is that of the big brother. Maybe his sister plays a larger role in who he has become than has been revealed so far. In the past, these games culminate in a way that forces someone to realize something about themselves. While everyone will get some development, Taichi stays lucid, and his state remains constant. I can see a situation where he'll need to help more than one of them at once, and be forced to make a choice. But perhaps that's just my own irritation with his carefree white knighting coming through and making me voice what I hope will happen. |
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2012-09-15, 20:14 | Link #2035 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Age: 31
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I especially didn't expect it with a character used mostly for comedy. The gimmick basically forces Aoki to doubt his own feelings by not only reminding him, but by making him re-live what he though he put behind him. Now he can't say he truly loves Yui anymore when he can so easily feel the same way about another girl. Yui was obviously enjoying Aoki's attention so it must not have been good for her self-esteem to realize it was all just because she reminded the guy of some girl from his past. Aoki also needs to consider the possibility that he's just using Yui as a replacement for the girl he never got over. It definitively puts a strain on their relationship and it's a very unfortunate reminder of how people's feelings are subject to change. I doubt the conflict will be developed properly, but it's an interesting idea at least. That's really what KC is best at. Quote:
Still, I have some hope for Inaba and Iori's development as individuals. We'll see more of Inaba before she became so cold and hopefully Iori will get closer to understanding who she really is (come one, she can't sit through another round). |
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2012-09-15, 21:35 | Link #2037 |
Senior Member
Author
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Inaba stole this episode.
I loved the way she nonchalantly complimented Taichi (that's certainly a fresh approach; it shows romantic affection while maintaining the "cool beauty" image). And kid!Inaba was just fantastic. It truly was adorable how she was clinging to Taichi's pants leg, and hiding behind him for protection. The comedy in this episode was also pretty good - It was executed pretty smoothly. It's also good to discover some interesting details in both Aoki and Yui's personal backgrounds, while also raising a real challenge to the Aoki/Yui relationship. I find the whole Inaba/Taichi/Iori love triangle kind of weird - I'm surprised how the three seem to be largely comfortable with it stuck in this strange status quo where everything is out in the open but Taichi is just being indecisive I guess. But aside from that, I really liked Episode 11!
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2012-09-15, 21:38 | Link #2038 |
likes cute things
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Searching for more imoutos
Age: 43
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This was the greatest episode for me for this show, 9/10
I'm really glad Yui is back with getting proper screen time, I enjoy seeing her design, she really stands out. And is it me or has the quality on her overall appearance increased? I'm expecting all this revert to childhood gimmick will remind her what that promise was to her rival and possibly help her with her trauma. Iroi, you're such a monster when you are using your perfected(?) act based on situation persona. And then there's Inaba. Oh... my... gosh... I just could not stop smiling to how adorable she was as a loli! Inaba... I bow down to your cuteness. This arc seems to be very interesting, I just hope it's not wasted potential again. Btw, if Taichi is not going to revert to childhood, then why is there a younger version of himself in the new OP/ED? |
2012-09-15, 21:46 | Link #2039 | |
We're Back
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Redgrave City
Age: 35
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Quote:
Or quite possibly he would naturally remember something about his past through this incident, his inner child so to speak.
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Tags |
body swapping, comedy, drama, romance, shounen, slice of life |
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