(L) Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- (2nd Season)

[Echoes]

I'm a bit disappointed by the first episode, but mostly because my impression of the first season was so high. As a stand-alone thing, it's not looking too bad. Henrietta acts a lot cuter. That's not really a good thing, but it's nice to see here smile more often.

[Cal-Reflector]

Episode two was a nice step up from episode one in several regards. I'm gradually training myself to avoid comparing the two seasons and watch this one as it, and it's not bad at all. Pace of the story however was surprisingly slow though... as in the progress. This means however that the next episode ought to focus on Triela-Hilschire and a serious fight scene.

The manga faithful will note that some violent scenes were not recreated; Pinochio's flash back was far less "messy," and Franka did not make an unpleasant discovery while looking for something to drink in the fridge (maybe that'll happen next episode).

Perhaps out of personal preference, I'm still getting used to the sharper art style; Franka and Franco look just fine, as does Pino. The screen executions and music and the general flow of the show seemed much improved.

We'll see how they handle the (hopefully) climatic episode three.

[USCPharmacist]

Episode 2 actually not bad, so there may still hope to this series yet. Although it is clear that it'll not rise to season 1 level.

BTW did they just "beautify" everyone? I didn't remember Franca looked that good, lol.

P.S. Angelica lives!!!!!!!!!!

[Verist]

Originally Posted by Forbin

True, but I just saw first episode.


She loads a shotgun but shoots a rifle bullet.


Man Artland let the realism of this series go to crap.

Yea, I thought the same thing to... Didn't look like a slug... looked like Buckshot. But ballistics acted like slug. At first I let it slid, but after I thought about it, a series that takes great pride in accuracy kinda blew it on this one.

[lftwgr]

I am happy there is a new season, but after watching the first episode, I thought that it didn't really live up to the standards established by the first season.

Where have all the angst gone to? I always thought Gunslinger girl was about how all the girls were trying to make the best of their tragic lives and to survive against all odds, something which can be seen in the last episode where they sang Ode to Joy under the stars as Angelica 'died.' Maybe it's still too early to tell, but the atmosphere in the new season is a little too gung ho and cheery for my tastes. Take Henrietta's unrequited love for example. There was a scene in the old season where she needed some pushing from Triela to ask for a favor for the holidays. Maybe it was the music and lighting that set the mood, but I actually felt for her. Now when she worries over the kaleidoscope I'm pretty much indifferent.

I know it wasn't possible to get the same seiyus for this gig, but some of the leads are performing out of character. Take Jean/Rico for example. Rico having some play time while on the job is sheer heresy! Firstly, I thought she was the one who was perpetually stoned on 'conditioning' so that the concept of 'fun' is meaningless to her. Secondly, from what I recall, the Jean/Rico fratello was sometimes abusive, and it was uncharacteristic of Jean to let her off with just a warning.

The same applies to Hilshire, who I thought was a stereotypical German with problems expressing his fondness for Triela. Turns out they've given him some of Jose's happy juice.

Count me in as part of the camp that finds this season weird. If the next 4 episodes doesn't improve things, then I'm definitely dropping this.

[Sinestra]

Finally got around to the first episode. Its been so long since i say the first season but i might have to go back and do a recap. For some reason a lot of the characters personalites seemd off. Henrietta still had her girly crush on Jose but even Rico and Triela did really seem right to me. Over all i was a bit disappointed in the first episode, except for Triela putting a giant hole with an shotgun in that guys chest splattering her self blood.

hopefully it will get better by episode 5.

[vorpal83]

Yeah, same response as most her, what the hell is up with those char designs? Rico especially, she just doesn't seem human. Henrietta's expression is so different too.

At least ep 2 seems better, and hopefully the series will get better with time.

[chamelean75]

I dunno what happen to Rico in episode 1...................................... was she high??????

[Kaoru Chujo]

Episode two was a lot stronger than episode one, it seemed to me. Slow but dark.

[Dragosmore]

Ep1 was more introductory and full of QUALITY. Ep2 wasn't that bad by far, I thought

[LucidLucifer]

I've enjoyed season 2 so far. My only complaint would be the voice acting. I'm soo used to listening to their voices that these new actors kinda ruine dthe experience a little bit. I am pleased that the animators are keeping to the manga story though. How many eps are going to be in this series?

[Dragosmore]

Originally Posted by LucidLucifer

I've enjoyed season 2 so far. My only complaint would be the voice acting. I'm soo used to listening to their voices that these new actors kinda ruine dthe experience a little bit. I am pleased that the animators are keeping to the manga story though. How many eps are going to be in this series?

13 episodes + 2 DVD episodes

And I heard the author (Yu Aida) didn't really like the first season very much for some bizarre unknown reason. She has a lot more say in this second season, and so she might have wanted the characters to sound like they do now...

[G. Zeus]

Originally Posted by Dragosmore

And I heard the author (Yu Aida) didn't really like the first season very much for some bizarre unknown reason. She has a lot more say in this second season, and so she might have wanted the characters to sound like they do now...

Where did you read this?

[Deathbringer_37]

Originally Posted by Dragosmore

13 episodes + 2 DVD episodes

And I heard the author (Yu Aida) didn't really like the first season very much for some bizarre unknown reason. She has a lot more say in this second season, and so she might have wanted the characters to sound like they do now...

I find that very hard to believe since he also helped in the making of the first season.

[dfens]

Why do people keep calling him a she. Aida is male as far as we know. His name Yutaka or shortend to Yu is a male japanese name.

[USCPharmacist]

Episode 3 was not too bad either....except the fight scene sucks donkey's A#$#$ [sigh]. Everyone must be under holy freeze or something, moving at snail speed....

[Impz]

I am so surprised how no one really cares much about this series, simply due to the Moe effect. I wrote in my thoughts in the blog about the "moe" art style.

I will be probably the first person to say that the artwork makes the show better. It is perhaps a very different style, perhaps more moe for the casual viewer. However, thinking of it, isn’t Gunslinger Girl a story about irony? It seems like the art style is very innocent and somewhat not applicable for a series. Yet, the drawing seems to indicate the sense of innocence that the little girls are, yet the things and actions that they have been conditioned to do are anything but innocent.

The art style complements the story in the irony that the girls are facing. The innocence is stained by the worldly shady demands of the government, yet the stain is not apparent to the girls. I can understand the cognitive dissonance that the viewers of Gunslinger Girl will feel. I have the exact reaction like some of you when I saw the first episode. It feels very strange since the first season is more melancholic, with a strong touch on realism on the art style. However, with a bit of thinking, it probably captures the feel of the original author, one of innocence and irony embattled in this intense story.

That said, I made a summary of episode 3 on my blog if anyone is interested.

[G. Zeus]

Originally Posted by Impz

I am so surprised how no one really cares much about this series, simply due to the Moe effect. I wrote in my thoughts in the blog about the "moe" art style.

Well, the issue has already been brought up before and my stance regarding the new art style hasn't changed since then. That's not irony; it's merely superficial dissonance and it does not contribute at all to the mood of the story.

Spoiler:

Originally Posted by G. Zeus

IMO, the irony lies in what they are, the situation that they are in, and their appearance is supposed to reinforce this. That is, childhood is meant to be a time of carefree happiness and one of the basic premises of the series is to deny them that right by thrusting them into the world of tragedy and violence. Happiness is no longer a right but a privilege; no longer their default state but something that the girls and the handlers must strive for given their unfortunate circumstances.

True, Gunslinger Girl is a series that's meant to disturb its audience but this subtle disquiet is one which is not meant to shock but to trouble our conscience and leave a heavy feeling in the chest. Unlike Elfen Lied or MPD Psycho wherein the initial reaction is "That's not right.", GsG induces the viewers/readers to ask "Is this right... ?". The author's intent is not to draw a line separating black from white and throw them to the other side but to blur the line and confuse people with the gray areas. It doesn't rely on wanton destruction or explicit images of violence but moral uncertainty caused by sacrifices, justification, and choosing the least evil among the options. Giving them a "happier by default" design would actually deaden the confusion since it would imply that a) they're oblivious or apathetic to the tragedy of their own circumstances, or b) the Agency made the right choice.


Bottomline:
1) GsG relies on conscience rather than graphic images to disturb the audience
2) Yes, I think it's fine to show them happy but it should be mixed with a healthy dose of bitterness for maximum dramatic effect (refer to the last episode of season 1).

[Mimi]

Originally Posted by Deathbringer_37

I find that very hard to believe since he also helped in the making of the first season.

he helped in the making of the first season, but he's far more involved in the new one: screenplay,supervision...
it seems like we wanted to "control" the adaptation of his manga.

[LucidLucifer]

I would agree, however I'm sure I'm not the only one who's a little uncomfortable with his choice of voice actors. Although I'm wrapped that their calling Triela, TRIELA, instead of Trielo like in the first season (English Dub atleast).