2010-03-23, 01:11 | Link #861 |
ロック・オン!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
|
I don't think the point here at all is that Katanagatari is some kind of lasting masterpiece or something original and groundbreaking in anime (no one even said that!).
The point is that modern anime, pretty much like modern media in general, has reached points beyond shallowness and low quality entertainment. Seeing a show which is solid, thought-out and doesn't try to jump higher than its head is the greatest thing I can say about a show now. In case of anime, for full two years I am absolutely disappointed with almost each and every season with exception of at best two shows per season. It's not me that outgrown the anime, I still find solid and ab-so-lutely enjoyable titles released in previous years. And 2010 put the last nail in the coffin. When the most solid titles out there are a sunday mahou shoujo cartoon and an anime adaptation of sub-par light novels which does not have even nearly enough animation and script reworking for what it does, well, I think that says much. I think I'll finish HeartCatch Precure and Katanagatari and then I'm done with anime. Then there is the factor of opinions. Personally, I was utterly disappointed with beloved-by-many Soranowoto and Durarara!!, the show that tried hard and couldn't really succeed in my eyes. Then there is Dance in the Vampire Bund which is mediocre in "We at Shaft just LOVE to ruin good manga" way. Everything else isn't even worth of mentioning. Although I'm not trying, ever, to drop by those shows' threads to ruin the fanwank that might be going on there. Back to Katanagatari. While I believe that most of the script could be reworked while keeping most of the points in, while animation should have been... more elaborate, especially for a show which offers so much text, I fail to find even a single line that doesn't work for characterisation or is a filler. Even banter about catchphrases, it provided comical relief (since when is THAT considered a filler, honestly?) and a running catchphrase gag, which I find quite awesome, to be honest. Saying that the show is about antagonists is stating the obvious. Every character in the show is in antagonistic relationships with the main pair and even Togame and Shichika's interests are going pretty much contradictory - their families were enemies. Pretty much everyone out there is an enemy! Well, I like to think of the show as a gallery. A gallery of people, their habits, hopes and dreams, more than anything else. Katanagatari is a fairy tale. About fabulous samurai, flawless warrior and his princess and fancy artificial stage-ness. Last edited by Daniel Lind; 2010-03-23 at 01:25. |
2010-03-23, 02:37 | Link #862 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Age: 35
|
Quote:
Katanagatari itself has its flaws too, I agree, particularly in its somewhat dull visuals (it basically just coasts on its character design and the rare exciting action sequence), and some of the residual quirks of Nishio's writing. (The fourth wall stuff and Meisai's 'so-and-so manipulation: failed' quips do come off as altogether too 'ohoho aren't we clever?') So I gotta admit, that these two certainly flawed series are my favourites for the season might reflect badly on the overall quality of anime. But both have solid story/content and evident narrative intention in their execution. I think that's enough to qualify as 'good' for any medium, not just the 'low standards' of anime. Also, I think if guys like you and Wandering Knight are feeling disillusioned and not watching much anime, maybe you should try some of the light stuff that isn't trying for some sort of grand/meaningful story. Hanamaru Youchien and Hidamari Sketch are good examples of stuff that just manages to be consistently enjoyable, on a simple lighthearted level, every single episode. I think there's a lot of solid, unassuming stuff like this out there every season, so it somewhat pays to just ignore the hype/popularity trains and take a look around. Last edited by Sol Falling; 2010-03-23 at 06:03. Reason: ninjas |
|
2010-03-23, 03:34 | Link #863 |
Me, An Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Age: 33
|
A typical tarzan boy story is a lot more upbeat and probably wouldn't deal with killing. I never watched Tarzan but I'm pretty sure as a Disney film there was no such situation, as when it's appropriate to kill. The point of deconstructions is to play a trope brutally straight. So they have to play it straight before they emphasis the brutality bit, if you know what I mean.
__________________
|
2010-03-23, 05:21 | Link #864 | ||
Gregory House
IT Support
|
Quote:
Also if an anime doesn't try to be any of what you said, why would it be worth my time? There's 30 new series every six months, you know. Of course I could go over every single series thread and post my opinion but that would mean I'd have to watch every single series, something I don't have time to do. So, I'd rather focus on the series I do watch. Quote:
Even so, what I meant is that the feral kid archetype fits the idea of him not caring about killing people. After all, if he's not touched by civilization, why would he have to care about some sort of moral code?
__________________
|
||
2010-03-23, 09:01 | Link #867 |
Kill on sight
Join Date: Apr 2007
|
But on the same subject phrased differently? Yes we've established that Schika can be both callous and compassionate, now let's shove some quantum wave theories into it.
Maybe I'll make some caps of the new trailer and post them here just to pass the time. |
2010-03-23, 09:24 | Link #868 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
|
Engaging your mind is not always the best way to appreciate or enjoy something. Katanagatari is straightforward and cliché. At the same time it doesn't take itself too seriously, so why should the viewer?
Personally I love it. I love the fact that it's not pretentious. It just is what it is. It's cute, entertaining, light, funny etc etc. The art style didn't appeal to me at first but after the first ep I felt that it fit well with the atmosphere. The animation is great, with very fluid action scenes. The story is plain and unoriginal, yet it gives enough premise for the events to take place and keeps enough info covered so as to keep the viewer in anticipation. The characters are great. They lay everything down for you to see so you don't have to try and interpret every little hint, which is fortunate because they're usually dead by the end of the episode. I think squirrel is right. There's no need to analyse something so simple to such an extent. |
2010-03-23, 09:28 | Link #869 | ||
Gregory House
IT Support
|
Quote:
Quote:
PS: I know what ticks you people off, and that is criticism of something you like. Which is not bad at all, but it's not reason enough to call off any sort of serious discussion whatsoever. I believe this show deserves a bit of it, otherwise I wouldn't be wasting my time on it.
__________________
|
||
2010-03-23, 11:55 | Link #870 | |
ロック・オン!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
|
Quote:
Spoiler for pic:
|
|
2010-03-23, 12:58 | Link #871 | |
Me, An Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Age: 33
|
Quote:
But...is that what already happened in the older version of Tarzan? [edit] Apparently not. The older Tarzan was portrayed, essentially, as an ideal person which is exactly the opposite of what I believe Shichika is being protrayed as. Hence, the deconstruction.
__________________
Last edited by Haak; 2010-03-24 at 04:59. |
|
2010-03-24, 04:15 | Link #872 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
|
Quote:
Personally I rather enjoy your perspective of it, it's just hard for me to say things without spoiling (since my views are rather based on what will happen etc.), so I rather not say anything at all! Without people like you, most of the discussion would be quite one-sided, so I say carry on! |
|
2010-03-24, 20:02 | Link #873 | |
Gregory House
IT Support
|
Quote:
PS: I agree with you on that and it's the reason partly why I prefer posting on threads about series I don't like that much, since +1'ing on threads about series I like is kinda pointless IMO (mostly on the idea of "If you don't have anything interesting to say, don't say it at all").
__________________
Last edited by WanderingKnight; 2010-03-24 at 20:13. |
|
2010-03-25, 00:00 | Link #874 |
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 66
|
I call it some needed grounding (expanded perspectives). I am enjoying the show quite a lot but only because its trying to "subvert the archetype". A straight "shonen action shout power" series bores me to tears. Its the stuff outside that I find interesting - the strange artwork, the verbose conversations, the fact that we're finding the sword holders are not "bad guys" ... just people on their own mission that conflicts with the duo. The "ninjas" (who bear no resemblance at all to such) are a kind of deranged Team Rocket who (for now) appear and then get their chitlins handed to them.
Its just kind of interesting watching this author's dance with a genre.
__________________
|
2010-03-25, 07:07 | Link #875 |
Yuri µ'serator
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: FL, USA
Age: 36
|
Finally got around to episode 3 and I'd say was easily better than the first or second episode. Meisai had very good development during the episode, and her past I'd say. Plus she made for some pretty interesting[to me anyways] conversions with Shichika and Togame. I can't wait for 4th now since looked intense at some point from the preview. Also I thought the 3rd ending was a bit weird but fitting at the same time.
__________________
|
2010-03-25, 08:58 | Link #876 | |
Kill on sight
Join Date: Apr 2007
|
Quote:
|
|
2010-03-25, 11:51 | Link #879 | |
ロック・オン!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
|
Quote:
Here it is, anyway. |
|
Tags |
action, adventure, comedy, edo setting, light novel adaptation, nishio, romance, tragedy |
|
|