(L) Azur Lane [anime] Anticipation

[serenade_beta]

The general setting is more or less the same as the game, but it is gonna be an original story, I believe. So in that way, kinda like Akiba's Trip or Ga-rei?
I totally wonder how Demonbane's writer (if I recall correctly) shapes this up. I have a friend who likes Demonbane but doesn't play Azur Lane. I'll have to ask his opinions once we are further into the season.

Spoiler for ep1:

I think it was a bit hectic, with a lot of explaining that I guess is necessary to introduce non-players to the setting, but hey, that was cool. The animation was definitely nice, and it was totally funny seeing the stuff like Kaga turning into a giant wolf or Unicorn... being a living being?! Oh yes, and the ships turning into Mental Cubes and forming into weapons. So those ships are unmanned? What happens to the people inside otherwise?

Like I kinda said, stuff like Kaga summoning a wolf spirit is definitely not from the game, so I think it is full of surprises for even players but still gives those players the fanservice of adding minor characters into the background.

Anyways, nice enough start. I really hope the animation quality stays this high throughout the anime.
But it just feels so weird seeing the characters moving.

[Sheba]

I can get behind the girls putting their riggings on a la Saint Seiya. But Unicorn going Pegasus Rider and Kaga riding Ookami? Not so much.

[belatkuro]

>no SKK
Dropped.

It was good. Some dialogues were too exposition-y just to give info to viewers. And too many cut shots to other shipgirl groups just to say that they're also in the anime since most of them are fodder ships in the game. Was fun to see them and remember their names but most are just forgettable.
Definitely made my head scratch when U-chan was alive(?) and even transformed to be ridden. But Kaga's summon was cool and a nice addition. Had low expectations but it's off to a good start.

[Vaans]

I think it would've been better if they made the Commander a character. Also now I know why he can come with them during battles in the game.

But its nice to see my fave ship girls come alive.

Also them pantsu shots.

[Liddo-kun]

Watched episode 1:

Totally enjoyed the first episode. Laffey is funneh.

I like the sleepy girl trope.

[arkhangelsk]

As a person who hadn't played a second of the game, I nevertheless liked the PV and thought it'll be a winner. And I did like the first episode. Lots of action, and let's face it many of the main ships had more character than Fubuki ever did

I'm not sure what's happening since I know nothing of Azur Lane lore, but the concept of the Japanese ships being the bad guys (at least for now) is actually enormously fresh!

I also find the shipgirl design choices interesting and they are more individualistic than much of KanColle. Unicorn is lucky she's in Azur Lane - in KanColle with that body she'll be a kaiboukan...

Originally Posted by Wandering Soul

Japan may have a history of denying their, well history, but I don't recall a single anime where they portrayed Nazi Germany or their own Imperial state as good guys, much less it being the norm.

It is rare to do it head-on, but they'll for example call themselves Fuso and Germany Karlsland and then get on with it (in some Strike Witches maps, China is replaced with a circle, as if the Neuroi ate it or something).

Or how about KanColle - back before the first foreign ships showed up the enemies and battlegrounds were so Anglo-American down to the inch people were thinking they'll never put in American ships. Then they did a heel-face turn, and now ships are integrated without even a single shred of friction.