big bad birtha's suggestion box 2: secret passions unveiled

[big bad birtha]

For me to give a show a 10, it has to do what it does really well, and have no glaring flaws. I also have to love the show. I mean it doesn't have to be absolutely perfect (nothing is going to accomplish that), but almost perfect in my eyes. Out of all of the shows I've watched, I only have 5 10's.

I'm still trying to figure out whether or not OPM deserves a 10.

[Doppleganger]

Overlord

Two Episodes into this and it's okay. It's a bit dull, I'd say, just cause main guy is trying to figure out WTF happened. But the girls are crazies. Like, Gasai Yuuno-tier crazy.

[Doppleganger]

Overlord 03

So this episode was basically a slaughter/massacre episode. I like that.

Evil is awesome!

I love being the bad guy, but too many animes like this (including Re:Monster) try to humanize the bad guy a bit.

That's no good. You have to be like Sarevok/Darth Vader: totally brutal, terrorizing your minions in black armour, and super powered! I hope Ainz manages to not be too nice and remain an eldritch abomination.

...

What I like about Overlord so far is, while there are vague RPG mechanics in this world, it's closer to Fate/stay night in how the mechanics are present and underlying but not meta referenced. Like say Log Horizon might have incarnated the heroes as real beings, but the RPG mechanics like HP/MP were still referenced. Konosuba has adventurer cards and refers to levels. So does Grimgar.

Overlord smooths out the jargon and just portrays the effects without describing the nuts and bolts, which helps dispel away the "transported into an RPG!" isekai feel. Me gusta mucho.

Also, I know Yuno was a god (SPOILER), and got her powers from a skeletal god who looks pretty similar to Ainz, but it HONEsTLY FEELS like Gasai Yuno died and got reincarnated as a demoness.



The lyrics are incredibly yandere:

I'm the only one who loves you, because I'm crazy about you
Let's ride into hell, I'll serve you and go
If it means we're together, I wish we could die
Beyond that line is no ending
I swear, I'm going to be so f*sking grateful!
Blessing word, you are SUPREME
I follow your orders loyally, your highness
You give orders, you are mine alone
You are my treasured existence

And so on. Crazy jealous first wife stuff!

[Crys]

Overlord was pretty great. Glad to see others are getting around to it.

Personally, I need a second season.

[Doppleganger]

Overlord 10

The show kind of beats around the bush too much. I admire the posturing, but the anime drags it out far too long.

Also, Hamtaro is a serious negative on the series. :/

[Doppleganger]

Overlord - 8/10

This show has great production values, and there's nothing wrong with the story aside from it dragging out unnecessarily. I would have preferred far more world exposition a la Log Horizon because that was what was interesting.

The story however was largely depressing, because of the purveying sadness of Ainz's friends being absorbed by the real world. This is a situation I can relate to a lot. It happened on BMG, on AP, on LRGM, #mahjong, on BVS - pretty much every community I've ever been on except UPN has ended in heartbreak, where either your friends disappear, drop dead or transform into something that isn't your friend anymore.

That gloomy sensation hangs around like a heavy fog around the series, and while it adds flavour to the tale it's pretty sobering.

Dat ending theme, tho.

[Doppleganger]

Holy carp, Zaregoto, Nisio Isin's magnum opus, is getting an anime adaption:

Source!

I have the first two volumes of Zaregoto (which I got off MegaUpload before it died) but I couldn't get very far into it because of one sentence early in the first volume - "her beautiful blue hair". I mean, I know anime has weird hair colours, but I've always interpreted as something only the viewer sees. In-universe, everyone has ordinary hair colours. So Nisio Isin describing it as "blue hair" felt really amateurish and jarring, even if he's an accomplished writer.

But hey, in the anime that genius girl will have blue hair, no narrator is going to tell me what to do!

[Doppleganger]

Sakamoto

BBB probably doesn't care about these things, but he neglected to mention this anime is filled with a bonafide ensemble cast of a lot of great veteran CVs. Which really sets it apart from shows in the current season. It feels like a throwback to something I would have seen in 2007 or 2008, not 2016.

I mean let's just talk opening crawl. The narrator is the same as in GaoGaiGar. Two of the delinquents are Tomokazu Sugita and Nobuyuki Hiyama.

Sakamoto himself is Hikaru Midorikawa.

The three girls in class: Yui Horie, Mai Nakahara, and Yukari Tamura.

Fat kid is Akira Ishida.

PE teach is Jouji Nakata.

...

Whoever casted this show...I don't know. But it's really hitting me here. I've felt rather distant from some animes when they're staffed by AKB48 stock and whatnot, really young girls looking for cross-promotion and nothing more than that. It's sad when the greats get put out to pasture. Not as sad as you getting bored of them from over-use, but eh.

Yet, I haven't seen a show with this molality of old-school talent in ages. Perhaps Dangan Ronpa in 2013 was the closest. But that was three freaking years ago! And it's not like DR was all gewunning, there were greenhorns in there too.

The voice cast overpowered the show proper. I was fangasming waaaay too hard and now I'm sore all over.

...

Now as for a more objective review, Sakamoto is like male Mary Poppins: practically perfect in every way. He's very smooth and manages to do everything with style. It was more cool than funny, but I'm not sure how this premise could sustain itself. It really feels like a one episode thing.

Watch more? Maybe. Gotta delete some stuffs first.

[Doppleganger]

Kana Little Sister

I'm restarting this from scratch, using a guide, because I'm sick of these doldrums where I accomplish nothing. Time to kick some VN arse.

As a re-introduction, Kana is a historical VN. By which I mean, it has almost no relevance in the modern world of anime/LN/manga culture. There's a bit of nostalgia to be had in the design and translation, since it's straight out of 2002, but looking at it from a retrospective, it's an un-remarkable, somewhat genetic incest story.

Yet, Kana had a pretty big impact in the English-language world since when it came out, incest was not so...commonplace as it is now. There were actual taboos, and admitting one played Kana in polite society was equivalent to letting loose a wind whip.

Bereft of most modern writing conventions (like humour), Kana is a fairly straight-forward, mass exposure VN. From what I take it, Kana falls in love with "onii-chan" through his strong, supportive presence throughout the years. I am curious at how the romance actually perverts into sexual attraction, though, considering Kana is a child and pre-teen for a good portion of her route.

What I dislike is that most of the choices geared toward scoring points with Kana, are very typical "good brother" things, like taking her to a park, or buying her a nice book. That is really setting the story up as a incest one. YET, these decisions go against my own nature, as choices like "Go steal porno books with Kana" or "Tease Kana mercilessly" are more to my palate. I think being silly makes a good brother.

There's nothing extraordinary about these folks lives from our perspective. But for the chronically ill, first time events like visiting the library, going to a festival, and attending middle school are a struggle, and a triumph.

Well, I hope to finish the first route tonight. I prefer Yumi or Miki myself.

[Crys]

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Episode 7

This show is all sorts of fucked up. I'm loving it rn. Am excited for next week's episode.

[big bad birtha]

Haven't done an update post on this season's shows in a while, so I might as well do one.

Anne Happy
I'm not sure why I like this to be honest. Looking at it, it's just your average moe-moe SoL. They overplay some of the character quirks, and it just isn't that funny. Despite that, I still enjoy it. Maybe there's something in the "unlucky" gimmick they have going on that has my attention. Also I need to post the ED in the thread. It's pretty nice.

Boku no Hero Academia
This went from good to hiccuping good and ugh. Main guy's struggle to be the best hero he can be is entertaining. Them trying to force emotional significance onto EVERYTHING and shove it down your throat is frustrating, especially when there's limited time to do stuff. The fact that I'm frustrated they are wasting time is a good thing though, since it means I'm interested in what's going on.

Flying Witch
No changes here. Still just a peaceful show without much going for it.

Sakamoto desu ga
Despite how I went on about this show, I expected to be tired of it by episode 3, but every episode does something new with Sakamoto's crazy bullshit, leaving it in the top spot for this season. What shocked me was the fact that DEEN did this show. Usually their art can get pretty ugly (Konosuba had some of these moments), but so far the art for Sakamoto has been consistently good. Not only that, but they put in the budget for that freaking VA cast, which I admittedly failed to mention. I guess DEEN did some crazy waterfall training or someshit, because they did two great shows in a row.

[Sparkbeat]

I started and got caught up on Flying Witch one night this weekend, and yeah, it's just super nice, relaxing, and refreshing. It's nothing spectacular, but that's what makes me want to watch it. It's just super chill while still being pretty fun to watch.

Other than that, I'm somewhat keeping up with Ace Attorney kinda, but it's not a big priority since I've already played the game. Really only watching it out of series loyalty and Maya addiction. Need to check out Sakamoto though.

[Doppleganger]

I haven't really seen/heard anything Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei in years...maybe six or so.

I listened to Bure and Rumba recently and both came across as incredibly creepy for some reason.

[Doppleganger]

Dangan Ronpa is getting a third sequel. This is the final one.

Spoiler: Kirigiri and Makoto made babies.

Just kidding! I don't know. Have this:

Spoiler: show

Also, Planetarian is getting an anime. Studio David. The Jojo boys!

Could be decent. Hope it's good. VN was good.

[McSweeney]

Planetarian anime? SYMPA!

[Doppleganger]

Let's have a fun discussion!

Megumi Hayashibara isn't happy with what's going on in anime right now.

Some caveats. From folks who listened to the source, these comments are understood in context to be pointed at two series - Sailor Moon Crystal and Dragonball Super. Hayashibara isn't commenting on the sameness of generic light novels being adapted or whatnot, but rather the more recent trend of once popular IP being resurrected from the grave to nostalgically appeal to adults who watched the originals as children.

That isn't exactly new either as it's happened with Mazinger, UC Gundam among things, but for a long time both Super/Crystal were poorly animated (with those Mazinger/Gundams were expensive) and Super in particular is extremely poorly written. So Hayashibara is implying that both series are a lame cash grab, and she's right about that.

I'll take it a bit further by saying I don't think nostalgia culture should be socially acceptable. I mean, I'm as susceptible to it as anyone. But I didn't ask for Crystal or Super. To say I'm ashamed of people who were craving both is an exaggeration because I have a strong sense of disinterest in both, but when I do think about them I do disapprove of it.

[Talon87]

Nostalgia be damned, I am all for reanimations of older classics. Think of it like video game remakes, like Fire Red & Leaf Green or Final Fantasy IV DS. Sometimes an old game looks really bad but if it got a visual overhaul it'd be great again. Same thing with anime. I have zero problem with the following:

• a 2016 reanimation, reorchestration of the original Mobile Suit Gundam
• " " ", " of Touch
• " " ", " of Fushigi Yuugi (and rewrite some of the weaker things while you're at it)
• " " ", " of Evangelion (AND THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING IT)
• " " ", " of Sailor Moon (and we now have Crystal)

Whether it's a cash grab banking on nostalgia is a separate issue. The fact remains that these are classic properties sorely in need of being brought up to date visually and musically if you're to get little Tommy Weeaboo to sit down and check them out. Or hell: forget Tommy Weeaboo. I want them brought up to date for me! I had to put Gundam down eight or so episodes in because it is just so bad/boring/dated. Lots of silence, lots of horrible background music, not the greatest voice acting, and animation so old it makes Sailor Moon look like Crystal. I'd love for them to re-do Gundam. I want to watch it. I just can't stomach it in its current form.

[big bad birtha]

Nothing going on in my neck of the woods as usual. I was considering watching Hoshi no Kaabii. I doubt it's any good, but I'm just watching it for Kirby's adorable voice.

[Doppleganger]

Originally Posted by Talon87

I had to put Gundam down eight or so episodes in because it is just so bad/boring/dated. Lots of silence, lots of horrible background music, not the greatest voice acting, and animation so old it makes Sailor Moon look like Crystal. I'd love for them to re-do Gundam. I want to watch it. I just can't stomach it in its current form.

You mean Mobile Suit Gundam?

They did remake MSG, as Gundam SEED, which is one of the most controversial Gundam series of all. Because while MSG was rooted in a lot of post-war Japan mannerisms, culture and ideology, SEED was a full-blown melodrama. Believable battles with actual tactics/strategies and their interactions were replaced by J.J. Abrams-style "FIRE EVERYTHING!" beam spams. Fast-cuts, urgent dialogue, screaming, all that kind of high-energy, low intelligence stuff.

It was a hit. A runaway hit with everyone except fans of Universal Century AND the staff who worked on Universal Century.

...

Tangent aside, I don't agree with you, necessarily. Because I don't think that shows getting a face-lift is enough anymore to bring them "into the 21st century" as it were. This is due to information saturation, succinctly represented by TVTropes. The barrage of media constant recycling of recognizable stock characters and situations has genericized the original media that may have pioneered those ideas.

For example, Tenchi Muyo!. A modern viewer, even watching an updated Tenchi, would be quick to label is as a generic harem with stock characters. Which would be stinging to a lot of the fans who grew up loving Tenchi, and not really paying attention to the more recent harem anime like Nisekoi.

Context is important. And unless you can find some Rousseau primal man living in the woods with no exposure to fiction conventions, likely he would have the same reaction to Ever17 as he would to Ever17 2013. That context is lost time and experience that cannot be imposed on a new viewer.

So the remake effectively only matters to you, the person who first experienced the story in its original context. And that's why I dislike remakes - for about four years now, I've decided that the virgin experience carries with it a context that you can never experience again, except in recollection. So I try to make powerful memories and draw on that, rather than rewatch something and try to re-experience the feelings I had initially.

A select few shows I can't quite quit, and I'm not 100% sure why. It's divided into two categories for me - one where a show is incomplete, and so I'm craving the un-presented story, and the other is stories set in believable, but exotic/alien universes. Akagi, Baldur's Gate and Muv-Luv Alternative fit the latter. Overlord fits the former.

[Lady Kuno]

Everyone needs to read the overlord light novels book 10 just came out and god damn. That is all. The anime doesn't do it justice with the world building.

(Book 11 is also coming out in September or so too)

[Doppleganger]

Hey, I've been on that train too, Kuno. That's actually what I've spent most of the last couple days doing, sitting around and waiting for the Volume 10 translations to update.

The best part is Volume 11 is already written, so it'll just be a few months wait until that one gets released.

[Crys]

Was not aware there was a light novel. Have been current with the manga, and already finished the anime ages ago, so will be checking that out. I'm salivating in anticipation for this read.

[Lady Kuno]

Originally Posted by Crys

Was not aware there was a light novel. Have been current with the manga, and already finished the anime ages ago, so will be checking that out. I'm salivating in anticipation for this read.

It's a long read. Have fun.

[Doppleganger]

The novel is the original source and understandably the more detailed and furthest along version, unless you consider the web novel which is a very, very AU rough draft at this point.

[Crys]

Am halfway through the first chapter of the first volume, and holy shit is this detailed. Getting a slight feeling of boredom from having seen a tiny bit of this prior, but am still enjoying it. Going to be up all night probably. Can someone by chance tell me which volume/chapter the anime ends, so i know how much content i can expect after that?