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Dengar · 2017-11-21, 13:01

So, the episode ended, and Dragon is still alive. He's obviously not out of the woods yet, but at least the story isn't being that predictable.

Also it seems this episode, while also expanding on more of the brothers' background, also doubled as worldbuildig.

It seems the world of the Zodiac War is similar to ours, except possibly drenched in even more strife. The Zodiac Houses appear to be a group of mercenaries of some sort. In particular, it seems that the laws apply differently to them than they do to regular people.

Nivek von Beldo · 2017-11-21, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dengar

So, the episode ended, and Dragon is still alive. He's obviously not out of the woods yet, but at least the story isn't being that predictable.

Also it seems this episode, while also expanding on more of the brothers' background, also doubled as worldbuildig.

It seems the world of the Zodiac War is similar to ours, except possibly drenched in even more strife. The Zodiac Houses appear to be a group of mercenaries of some sort. In particularly, it seems that the laws apply differently to them than they do to regular people.

Yeah seems the Zodiac World is some pretty more open about the natural hypocresy of war and peace and how that affect our lives and social contract. the whole trial was like that, they play even pretty fair under the rules of war...so what is the crime?

Irenesharda · 2017-11-21, 23:55

It's interesting how they are animating and fleshing out a lot of the characters' backstories, which in the book, is limited to a short bio in the beginning of each chapter. It give a lot more character to the world and the people.

I also like how they are mixing up the book chapters a bit so that they aren't nearly as predictable as the book is.

Spoiler for some comparisons:

Gan_HOPE326 · 2017-11-22, 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irenesharda

It's interesting how they are animating and fleshing out a lot of the characters' backstories, which in the book, is limited to a short bio in the beginning of each chapter. It give a lot more character to the world and the people.

Kind of curious there, do you know if Nisio Isin is taking part in this process? Or is it the TV writer? I'm loving all the back stories too, and if it's TV original material it's pretty darn impressive how well they mesh with all the rest, given the usual standards for this kind of thing...

Irenesharda · 2017-11-22, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gan_HOPE326

Kind of curious there, do you know if Nisio Isin is taking part in this process? Or is it the TV writer? I'm loving all the back stories too, and if it's TV original material it's pretty darn impressive how well they mesh with all the rest, given the usual standards for this kind of thing...

I don't actually know if he's part of the process or not. The backstories ARE in the novel, they aren't anime original. But they are way more fleshed out. For example, the part with Boar and her family and how she became what she is, is summed up in like three sentences, if that. Most of the novel is nothing but everything we see in present day. Everything else is only thoughts of characters about the past, or they are in the short bio.

But if they only did what was in the novel, it would be an extremely short series. It does have 12 chapters one for each character, but some chapters are longer like Monkey's, while others are ridiculously short, like Sheep's and Horse's. The book is less than 300 pages. They basically filled in a bunch of time by stretching out the few lines of backstory the writer gave, into whole episodes.

Dengar · 2017-11-22, 10:24

So... Padding when done right?

Haak · 2017-11-23, 14:13

To a certain extent, I suppose. I do feel like the whole "Backstory of the week" format has lead to a bit of a wonky pacing that takes all the tension out of the current battle royal. This week, for example, we had almost an entire episode devoted to a flashback followed by a minute or two of something actually happening. The flashback wasn't bad at all but it'll never get me past the fact that they're gonna die without any deeper pathos to their character, just like every other combatant that's died so far.

The flashback does flesh out the twins rather well though. I do appreciate how well they tread a fine line and gave just enough to make us think but not too much so that they still remain open to interpretation. Are they really chivalrous or do they just do those good deeds to give themselves a good reputation that gets them out of trouble? Did they kill that boys' brother on purpose or by accident? If on purpose why did they leave the younger one alive? Did they even care or think twice about it or are they really doing it for shits and giggles (and money)? I'm not a fan of the world setting being so Crapsack that it's used as fodder for some trite "edgelordism" but it was a decent story otherwise.

The animation really has gone to shits though...

Also, I see Anime Physics is in full play on that fucking freeze gun.

Dengar · 2017-11-23, 16:24

So.... Padding when done better than usual?

EroBotan · 2017-11-26, 21:49

they should randomize the order of the backstories shown ... . at the moment its practically a giveaway on who will die next. Like I know that tiger won't die after being burned by ox since they haven't shown her backstory yet.

Dengar · 2017-11-27, 03:32

Well I'm starting to think that the order of the deaths, or even who will win (it's Rat, no doubt about it) is what this story is trying to tell. It seems to me the story is more philosophical in nature.

Stark700 · 2017-11-28, 12:00

Episode 9:

So we got more storytelling about Tora. I didn't expect it any less than having blood and tragedy similar to some of the other episodes. Tbh, I'm not impressed by the way Usagi got beaten. They didn't add much to his story either. His role in the show is pretty much a psychological killer.

There's not much episodes left but I wish they developed Usagi more.

On the plus side, this anime kept his violence with minimal censors so it's getting its point across.

Nivek von Beldo · 2017-11-28, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stark700

Episode 9:

So we got more storytelling about Tora. I didn't expect it any less than having blood and tragedy similar to some of the other episodes. Tbh, I'm not impressed by the way Usagi got beaten. They didn't add much to his story either. His role in the show is pretty much a psychological killer.

There's not much episodes left but I wish they developed Usagi more.

On the plus side, this anime kept his violence with minimal censors so it's getting its point across.

I was thinking this was to be his chapter but his possible is his not death yet(wink) but still he was facing more seasoned figther here.

Seems the Tigress would have been the Monkey best friend have those two meet earlier in life, both share similar philosophies before the Tigress got broken because the wars she foguht on.

So we're downTigress, Matador Ox and the Rat..plus the zombie of Monkey

Kilian · 2017-11-28, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stark700

Episode 9:
Tbh, I'm not impressed by the way Usagi got beaten. They didn't add much to his story either. His role in the show is pretty much a psychological killer. There's not much episodes left but I wish they developed Usagi more.

I suspect that, despite his main body being a bit disorganised, he isn't quite finished yet. Ushii and Tora should really know better by now. And he still has Shuryuu. Anyway, they have shown Tora's backstory but not yet Usagi's, so she will surely die before him.

FlameSparkZ · 2017-11-28, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kilian

I suspect that, despite his main body being a bit disorganised, he isn't quite finished yet. Ushii and Tora should really know better by now. And he still has Shuryuu. Anyway, they have shown Tora's backstory but not yet Usagi's, so she will surely die before him.

I don't think anyone suspects a Necromancist being capable of Necro'ing himself

Though, Rabbit did bit himself on the tongue before being torn apart...so I guess he still has a trick up his sleeve.

If there's something to nitpick at it's zombie!Monkey remembering to look up and spotting Dragon in the night sky. It would've been more believable if a blurry scene of Dragon overlapped with the moon was added to that sequence of events (the whole "Moon's revealing glow" phrase used a couple of episodes back).
The other one would be...how did Rabbit survive the fall after taking out Dragon? I have a few ideas on that, but I'll wait to see if it gets revealed.

Also, we still don't know Tiger's reason to hate Ox. We got her backstory, but nothing on her grudge...maybe it's in Ox's backstory.

drawr · 2017-11-28, 15:09

Rabbit is hardcore. Even if he loses he deserves honorary MVP mention for the amount of kills. I'm also thinking there's no way he's beaten here. He bit his tongue pretty hard right before he got chopped up, probably to kill himself so he can zombify himself. I'm guessing Rat wins by just hiding himself the best till it ends, lol.

Irenesharda · 2017-11-28, 15:15

I was really wondering how they were going to do this with Rabbit. He actually has no history, no bio, no backstory at all in the novel and so we only see his fight. I see they compensated that by giving most of the time to some of Tiger's backstory instead.

It does keep people on their toes and allow the Rabbit getting killed in the end to feel completely out of nowhere.

Rabbit does indeed have no backstory, but I think that was so the mystique of his character wasn't broken. You never know what his motivations are, you never know what his wish is. You don't dull his psychotic edge by giving him some sob story backstory. You leave him as he entered: a complete enigma. And because of that it kind of makes him one of the most interesting characters in the story.

As for Tiger, they did half her story here, they will probably do the rest of it next episode.
The series is coming to a close. Only three people left...

Gan_HOPE326 · 2017-11-28, 17:20

What's with the CGI anyway? They used it in all present day scenes this episode. Most of it looked good enough, but still...

FlameSparkZ · 2017-11-28, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gan_HOPE326

What's with the CGI anyway? They used it in all present day scenes this episode. Most of it looked good enough, but still...

Most likely to make better fighting scenes. Just imagine the amount of work they'd have on their hands to animate the battles in this episode as drawings, frame by frame, with same movements...I figure CGI is cheaper in comparison?

Gan_HOPE326 · 2017-11-28, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ

Most likely to make better fighting scenes. Just imagine the amount of work they'd have on their hands to animate the battles in this episode as drawings, frame by frame, with same movements...I figure CGI is cheaper in comparison?

Probably faster, since they already had the models for the OP...

LG-MAX 2.o · 2017-11-28, 19:32

Finally the series returned to normal, the last two episodes were horrible, but this was a great, great action scenes, and good story. Looking forward to the next episode.

2017-11-21, 13:01	Link #261
Dengar Kamen Rider Muppeteer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Unknown Age: 39	So, the episode ended, and Dragon is still alive. He's obviously not out of the woods yet, but at least the story isn't being that predictable. Also it seems this episode, while also expanding on more of the brothers' background, also doubled as worldbuildig. It seems the world of the Zodiac War is similar to ours, except possibly drenched in even more strife. The Zodiac Houses appear to be a group of mercenaries of some sort. In particular, it seems that the laws apply differently to them than they do to regular people. Last edited by Dengar; 2017-11-21 at 18:05.

2017-11-21, 23:55	Link #263
Irenesharda Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago	It's interesting how they are animating and fleshing out a lot of the characters' backstories, which in the book, is limited to a short bio in the beginning of each chapter. It give a lot more character to the world and the people. I also like how they are mixing up the book chapters a bit so that they aren't nearly as predictable as the book is. Spoiler for some comparisons: For example since they've already gone through this part, Monkey, Sheep and Horse's chapters were all mixed together in the anime to give them a little less predictability, where as in the novel each character was killed at the end of their titular chapter. They seem to be doing a similar thing here with Dragon and mixing him a little with Rabbit's chapter. __________________ "Someone who cannot forgive lies or secrets, will never trust another." - Major Kyosuke Hyobu

2017-11-23, 14:13	Link #267
Haak Me, An Intellectual Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK Age: 33	To a certain extent, I suppose. I do feel like the whole "Backstory of the week" format has lead to a bit of a wonky pacing that takes all the tension out of the current battle royal. This week, for example, we had almost an entire episode devoted to a flashback followed by a minute or two of something actually happening. The flashback wasn't bad at all but it'll never get me past the fact that they're gonna die without any deeper pathos to their character, just like every other combatant that's died so far. The flashback does flesh out the twins rather well though. I do appreciate how well they tread a fine line and gave just enough to make us think but not too much so that they still remain open to interpretation. Are they really chivalrous or do they just do those good deeds to give themselves a good reputation that gets them out of trouble? Did they kill that boys' brother on purpose or by accident? If on purpose why did they leave the younger one alive? Did they even care or think twice about it or are they really doing it for shits and giggles (and money)? I'm not a fan of the world setting being so Crapsack that it's used as fodder for some trite "edgelordism" but it was a decent story otherwise. The animation really has gone to shits though... Also, I see Anime Physics is in full play on that fucking freeze gun. __________________ MAL \| AnimeSuki Choice Awards 2020 Winners Last edited by Haak; 2017-11-23 at 14:37.

2017-11-26, 21:49	Link #269
EroBotan Nasty Pet Join Date: Jun 2012	they should randomize the order of the backstories shown ... . at the moment its practically a giveaway on who will die next. Like I know that tiger won't die after being burned by ox since they haven't shown her backstory yet. __________________

2017-11-28, 12:00	Link #271
Stark700 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Somewhere on Earth	Episode 9: So we got more storytelling about Tora. I didn't expect it any less than having blood and tragedy similar to some of the other episodes. Tbh, I'm not impressed by the way Usagi got beaten. They didn't add much to his story either. His role in the show is pretty much a psychological killer. There's not much episodes left but I wish they developed Usagi more. On the plus side, this anime kept his violence with minimal censors so it's getting its point across. __________________

2017-11-22, 10:24	Link #266
Dengar Kamen Rider Muppeteer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Unknown Age: 39	So... Padding when done right?

2017-11-23, 16:24	Link #268
Dengar Kamen Rider Muppeteer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Unknown Age: 39	So.... Padding when done better than usual?

2017-11-27, 03:32	Link #270
Dengar Kamen Rider Muppeteer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Unknown Age: 39	Well I'm starting to think that the order of the deaths, or even who will win (it's Rat, no doubt about it) is what this story is trying to tell. It seems to me the story is more philosophical in nature.

2017-11-28, 15:09	Link #275
drawr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012	Rabbit is hardcore. Even if he loses he deserves honorary MVP mention for the amount of kills. I'm also thinking there's no way he's beaten here. He bit his tongue pretty hard right before he got chopped up, probably to kill himself so he can zombify himself. I'm guessing Rat wins by just hiding himself the best till it ends, lol.

2017-11-28, 15:15	Link #276
Irenesharda Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago	I was really wondering how they were going to do this with Rabbit. He actually has no history, no bio, no backstory at all in the novel and so we only see his fight. I see they compensated that by giving most of the time to some of Tiger's backstory instead. It does keep people on their toes and allow the Rabbit getting killed in the end to feel completely out of nowhere. Rabbit does indeed have no backstory, but I think that was so the mystique of his character wasn't broken. You never know what his motivations are, you never know what his wish is. You don't dull his psychotic edge by giving him some sob story backstory. You leave him as he entered: a complete enigma. And because of that it kind of makes him one of the most interesting characters in the story. As for Tiger, they did half her story here, they will probably do the rest of it next episode. The series is coming to a close. Only three people left... __________________ "Someone who cannot forgive lies or secrets, will never trust another." - Major Kyosuke Hyobu

2017-11-28, 17:20	Link #277
Gan_HOPE326 Maddo Scientisto Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: UK	What's with the CGI anyway? They used it in all present day scenes this episode. Most of it looked good enough, but still... __________________ ---- What if Goku was super smart and had a thing for philosophy? Find out in The Optimised Wish Project! ---- My other fanfiction can be found here.

2017-11-28, 19:32	Link #280
LG-MAX 2.o Senior Member Join Date: May 2014	Finally the series returned to normal, the last two episodes were horrible, but this was a great, great action scenes, and good story. Looking forward to the next episode.