(L+CR) Goblin Slayer [Fall 2018] Anticipation

[Haak]

Originally Posted by Applehell

Right, this more like "Is Wrong to Pick Girls in A Dungeon?", fantasy world with game mechanics (classes, adventure guilds, stats etc) built into it's setting. Though I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking so at first since what sets these kinds of series apart from Isekai is almost razor thin with how much else they share in common outside whether the protagonist is from another world or not.

I've mentioned before about how it seems to be a trend among Japanese to portray western fantasies as game-like, presumably because these writers are more familiar with game versions than traditional novel versions. But it also goes to show why the most these stories can ever be is merely "good but not great". They'll never be considered classics the same way certain other anime are because you need to be from a particular niche to understand the mechanics. For example, the whole quest based economy system doesn't really make much sense to anyone who isn't familiar with JRPGs (and it shouldn't really be in a story if it's not a game). And the anime medium itself is pretty niche to begin with you're basically talking about a niche within a niche (niche-ception: we need to go niche-er). This is another reason why Re:Zero just did it so well. Re;Zero generally managed to avoid these pitfalls and made its world universally understandable. The only thing potentially game-like about it was whole reincarnation/extra lives things (which even then would be purely thematic) and maybe some of the aesthetics.

And that's a shame because a story like this actually does have some potential if it wasn't trying to be so edgy with all the gore and sexual abuse (always specifically towards women). There's also the whole Unfortunate Implications of Tolkein's orcs historically being associated with black people and whilst I'm sure most people look past that/don't see it that way anyway, it would be kinda nice if the story at some point made it clear that this race of goblins isn't meant to be interpreted that way. Of course, that's probably just me.

[AB079]

Goblin Slayer - (CV: Yuuichirou Umehara)
Priestess - (CV: Yui Ogura)
High Elf Archer - (CV: Nao Toyama)
Cow Girl - (CV: Yuka Iguchi)
Guild Girl - (CV: Maaya Uchida)
Dwarf Shaman - (CV: Yuichi Nakamura)
Lizard Priest - (CV: Tomokazu Sugita)
Sorceress - (CV: Yoko Hikasa)
Lancer - (CV: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)

Looking good.

[Tenzen12]

Originally Posted by Haak

Spoiler for for short:

I've mentioned before about how it seems to be a trend among Japanese to portray western fantasies as game-like, presumably because these writers are more familiar with game versions than traditional novel versions. But it also goes to show why the most these stories can ever be is merely "good but not great". They'll never be considered classics the same way certain other anime are because you need to be from a particular niche to understand the mechanics. For example, the whole quest based economy system doesn't really make much sense to anyone who isn't familiar with JRPGs (and it shouldn't really be in a story if it's not a game). And the anime medium itself is pretty niche to begin with you're basically talking about a niche within a niche (niche-ception: we need to go niche-er). This is another reason why Re:Zero just did it so well. Re;Zero generally managed to avoid these pitfalls and made its world universally understandable. The only thing potentially game-like about it was whole reincarnation/extra lives things (which even then would be purely thematic) and maybe some of the aesthetics.

And that's a shame because a story like this actually does have some potential if it wasn't trying to be so edgy with all the gore and sexual abuse (always specifically towards women). There's also the whole Unfortunate Implications of Tolkein's orcs historically being associated with black people and whilst I'm sure most people look past that/don't see it that way anyway, it would be kinda nice if the story at some point made it clear that this race of goblins isn't meant to be interpreted that way. Of course, that's probably just me.

There is lot of disagreeable points right here. Well for start GB doesn't try to be edgy or gore. It has some gore here and there, but It's not for shock value. In contrary I would go that far to say it's lighthearted story about titular character and his cathartic development.

Real reason why most of such novels doesn't get into hall of fame is simple because it's writers suck. RPG settings template, where wannabe authors just fill a blanks and can be done with it. Of course such story wouldn't became classic. Good authors can write good story without templates and that's why they usually do. Yet if good authors decide go with RPG style it's obviously for different reasons than to compensate for lack of skill. As result you get such works as Goblin slayer, Record of Lodoss wars or even such as Hatamaou or MayoYuu. Depending on author readers might not even notice such works using game elements much less know them beforehand.

And last thing I doubt modern generation suspect Tolkien for being racist. One really need want find flaws stretching few random descriptions into such conclusion. Especially as Tolkien's Orcs are basically elfs that went nuts (which is heavily implied).

[Lhklan]

I really hope they don't censor the hell out of almost everything and turn it into harem bullshit.

[LG-MAX 2.o]

Originally Posted by Lhklan

I really hope they don't censor the hell out of almost everything and turn it into harem bullshit.

do you remember akame ga kill? was made by white fox, and is considered by many people better than the manga.

[Kuroageha]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

Oh come on, really? :/

It's the most obvious announcement ever lol.

[Lhklan]

Originally Posted by Haak

I've mentioned before about how it seems to be a trend among Japanese to portray western fantasies as game-like, presumably because these writers are more familiar with game versions than traditional novel versions. But it also goes to show why the most these stories can ever be is merely "good but not great". They'll never be considered classics the same way certain other anime are because you need to be from a particular niche to understand the mechanics. For example, the whole quest based economy system doesn't really make much sense to anyone who isn't familiar with JRPGs (and it shouldn't really be in a story if it's not a game). And the anime medium itself is pretty niche to begin with you're basically talking about a niche within a niche (niche-ception: we need to go niche-er). This is another reason why Re:Zero just did it so well. Re;Zero generally managed to avoid these pitfalls and made its world universally understandable. The only thing potentially game-like about it was whole reincarnation/extra lives things (which even then would be purely thematic) and maybe some of the aesthetics.

You're wrong about a few things, though.

First, stats doesn't play anything at all in the series proper. There's no such things like "HP" or "Mana" or "STR" mentionned in series, nor does it have character stats page at the end of a novel like those other series.

Second, this one is actually based more on Dungeons and Dragons and not JRPG. You could see it in the way casters can only cast a restricted numbers of spells (Miracles for Priestess, for example) per day like how casters in DND have spell slots. Also, when Priestess first signed up at the guild, Guild Girl gave her a DND 5e character sheet. And in DND, you do take quests AND it does have an adventurer's guild. For example, the Mine of Phandelver campaign starts with you already on a escort quest, while the Tomb of Annihilation campaign is you receiving a quest from Syndra.

[larethian]

No new info, but just a freshly uploaded video some minutes ago on GA channel.

[Sixth]

Originally Posted by myopius

Yeah, let me clarify. Goblin Slayer has RPG-like classes, parties, an adventurer's guild, a quest system, and other cliche RPG fantasy elements. But the characters are all born and raised in that world. It's not a story where the protagonist is summoned or reincarnated from Earth.

(In retrospect, I also probably gave people the wrong impression by referencing Sakamoto desu ga. I only referenced it because it's a story where the protagonist is weirdly talented at some things, and sticks out like a sore thumb.)

GS is Japanese Batman. He doesn't have super power or cheat code. He wasn't the Chosen One either. It doesn't even have in-game menu and any ARPG game-mechanic. It is more like real-life DnD minus dice and character paper sheets.

[Lhklan]

Originally Posted by Sixth

GS is Japanese Batman. He doesn't have super power or cheat code. He wasn't the Chosen One either. It doesn't even have in-game menu and any ARPG game-mechanic. It is more like real-life DnD minus dice and character paper sheets.

Actually, both of the latter does appear.

The character paper sheet (or at least, its 5e version) is the Guild's sign up paper while the dice... well, it's a lot more complicated and spoilery.

[Haak]

Originally Posted by Tenzen12

And last thing I doubt modern generation suspect Tolkien for being racist. One really need want find flaws stretching few random descriptions into such conclusion. Especially as Tolkien's Orcs are basically elfs that went nuts (which is heavily implied).

I don't think Tolkien is racist either but what with Tolkien himself saying they were based on Mongols and the orcs themselves being described as "black-skinned", it's kinda hard to consider them as just a few random descriptions. And again, I'm not trying to conclude that Tolkien was racist. Just that his orcs have been associated with black people, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

Originally Posted by Lhklan

You're wrong about a few things, though.

First, stats doesn't play anything at all in the series proper. There's no such things like "HP" or "Mana" or "STR" mentionned in series, nor does it have character stats page at the end of a novel like those other series.

I don't think I ever mentioned anything about stats? Stats are a game like mechanic that I've seen in a fair few depictions of Western medieval fantasies in Japanese media, but it's not the only game mechanic I've seen and it's not what I'm basing my opinions on here.

Second, this one is actually based more on Dungeons and Dragons and not JRPG. You could see it in the way casters can only cast a restricted numbers of spells (Miracles for Priestess, for example) per day like how casters in DND have spell slots. Also, when Priestess first signed up at the guild, Guild Girl gave her a DND 5e character sheet. And in DND, you do take quests AND it does have an adventurer's guild. For example, the Mine of Phandelver campaign starts with you already on a escort quest, while the Tomb of Annihilation campaign is you receiving a quest from Syndra.

I mean it's still a game and an RPG at that. I don't think we need to be pedantic about that.

But point taken: D&D is also apparently what inspired Grimgar and Grancrest as well.

[Tenzen12]

Originally Posted by Haak

I don't think Tolkien is racist either but what with Tolkien himself saying they were based on Mongols and the orcs themselves being described as "black-skinned", it's kinda hard to consider them as just a few random descriptions. And again, I'm not trying to conclude that Tolkien was racist. Just that his orcs have been associated with black people, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

First of all Tolkien said: ".squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes; in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types "

Just because Orcs resemble ugly degraded version of what some Europeans consider ugly on such as Mongolian types, doesn't mean there is meant to be any actual connection.

Second pretty much only Uruk-hai Orcs are black skinned. Which again is not enough say Orcs -> afro-americans (especially as it would be pretty hard for orcs being both black and Mongolian at once...)

[Haak]

Originally Posted by Tenzen12

First of all Tolkien said: ".squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes; in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types "

Just because Orcs resemble ugly degraded version of what some Europeans consider ugly on such as Mongolian types, doesn't mean there is meant to be any actual connection.

I mean I'd say that's a pretty definitive connection. Deliberately using negative real world stereotypes of a foreign race to describe an evil fantasy race is a pretty definite association. Again, not saying it's racist: just that there are Unfortunate Implications there.

Second pretty much only Uruk-hai Orcs are black skinned. Which again is not enough say Orcs -> afro-americans (especially as it would be pretty hard for orcs being both black and Mongolian at once...)

No, but what about in the context of orcs in general having their appearance described with real world foreign attributes elsewhere? Again, Unfortunate Implications.

And once again, I'd like to put up the disclaimer that I don't think this is a big deal and I still enjoy Tolkien's works for what they are.

Originally Posted by Tenzen12

There is lot of disagreeable points right here. Well for start GB doesn't try to be edgy or gore. It has some gore here and there, but It's not for shock value. In contrary I would go that far to say it's lighthearted story about titular character and his cathartic development.

Real reason why most of such novels doesn't get into hall of fame is simple because it's writers suck. RPG settings template, where wannabe authors just fill a blanks and can be done with it. Of course such story wouldn't became classic. Good authors can write good story without templates and that's why they usually do. Yet if good authors decide go with RPG style it's obviously for different reasons than to compensate for lack of skill. As result you get such works as Goblin slayer, Record of Lodoss wars or even such as Hatamaou or MayoYuu. Depending on author readers might not even notice such works using game elements much less know them beforehand.

It's difficult for me to respond to this without going to greater detail on what happens in Goblin Slayer (which would be spoilery) so lets just agree to disagree. All I can say is that it's difficult for me to see Goblin Slayer having the sort of mainstream appeal and popularity that other dark fantasy works like Berserk or Claymore managed to achieve.

[Wandering Soul]

Originally Posted by Lhklan

I really hope they don't censor the hell out of almost everything and turn it into harem bullshit.

That's a concern of mine too, but this studio was behind Re zero and Akame ga kill, where any possible harem antics were kept to a minimum or non existent so hopefully they continue that trend with this.

[SILENTANIMELOVER]

I've been secretly hoping this series would get an anime. The LNs are freaking awesome. I hope the anime does it justice.

[wavehawk]

I'm just waiting for it to be popular enough to have a Figma Goblins Slayer out...

[Wheeljack83]

Originally Posted by Sixth

GS is Japanese Batman. He doesn't have super power or cheat code. He wasn't the Chosen One either. It doesn't even have in-game menu and any ARPG game-mechanic. It is more like real-life DnD minus dice and character paper sheets.

Except there are dice. The Adventurers and people who live in the world are the characters created by the gods who are playing like a really advanced tabletop RPG game. However, Goblin Slayer due to his strategizing and planning basically prevent the gods from rolling the dice. As the tagline says, "He never lets anyone roll the dice."

My concern isn't so much censorship as cutting out all the good parts or sticking too much story into one season and rushing through all the good stuff. If they shove Volumes 1 and 2 into 12-13 episodes, that could be a very bad omen.

[Sixth]

Originally Posted by Wheeljack83

Except there are dice. The Adventurers and people who live in the world are the characters created by the gods who are playing like a really advanced tabletop RPG game. However, Goblin Slayer due to his strategizing and planning basically prevent the gods from rolling the dice. As the tagline says, "He never lets anyone roll the dice."

I know about that but that was for readers. The casts themselves have no idea about that and they can't check their stats by popping out the in-game menu like other isekai based Arpg anime.

[EasyGo-er]

Originally Posted by Wheeljack83

My concern isn't so much censorship as cutting out all the good parts or sticking too much story into one season and rushing through all the good stuff. If they shove Volumes 1 and 2 into 12-13 episodes, that could be a very bad omen.

TBH tho, getting 2 volumes adapted in 1-cour is pretty much a luxury for LN now when the norm is like 3/4 volumes in 1-cour nowadays. We had 1 volume per cour adaptation like Rokka no Yuusha for the latest one but that didnt do so well on sales. But then, we also had 5 volumes crammed into 1-cour like DanMachi which did quite well for itself (mostly for Hestia but still).

Just saying that if that's how you're putting up your standards, you're putting yourself up for a disappointment here.

[GreyZone]

Hah... will we ever get a fantasy RPG, escpacially the isekais (they are the best among the isekais) with non-human protagonists like "Regarding Reincarnated as Slime", or "I am a Spider, so what?" or "Re:Monster"? I only just realized that among the various announced and aired RPG-like fantasy series and isekai, the ones who seem to be strangely missing are exactly those with a (possibly reincarnated) non-human protagonist, other than perhaps Overlord (and, technically, Log Horizon).


Well, since Goblin Slayer will probably come first, i can already see people making comparisons to that, should Re:Monster ever get it's own anime at some point, perhaps enough for people wishing for a crossover. I mean I am not basing this off hot-air. I have literally seen that happen with their respective manga versions.