aloe, dream

Science fiction is an interesting genre, and when a concept involves ideas which are possibly 10-20 years into in our future, I’m ready to be entranced. Fortunately, I started watching Zegapain at just the right momement, as I never had to wait for a single episode, and did not have to stream-watch the entire 26 episodes (I think the most I viewed in a day was 6-8). Its funny that I’ve had the Megami fansub since it’s been released, and even though I liked the attention it received on Random Curiosity, I never took time to check it out, but I’m quite thrilled with the turnout (of course, I have my tiffs as well).

Zegapain has pretty good physics concepts (intriguing at least), but they are actually very basic and understandable; most of the story’s technology is based soley on quantum computers and photons (or photon-like particles… probably photons -_-). The mecha delivery is alright, but there were some moments I just didn’t feel the “mecha” vibe. Are mecha going to be the ultimate fighting “machinery” of the future as plotted in many anime, or is this just a Japanese obsession? Could be both, but I’m not sure human design will ever match the level of complexity spawned over last million years of evolution (now Noein is another story). Sci-fi!

One problem I had was keeping interest while dimensions and details were being revealed. Episode 25 is a good example because I thought it pushed a little too hard and introduced Shizuno’s data rather quickly in a misplaced way. Episode 25 was actually one of the weaker episodes for me, even thought it was pleasing and eventful, the timing just didn’t seem to bring the flow I was looking for. Mah, could be much worse, like umm overuse of The Matrix influence which used heavy influence from the original GITS movie; not a problem though. Rating Zegapain would probably start around a 9/10 simply because of its good qualities (characters and animation on top), but then from the things I disliked or wish were accomplished differently, I believe it would be brought down a good half-point. So 8.5 sounds about right, perhaps I should add a bit more for things like Lu Sheng X Kyo and Kaminagi in general. Anyway…

So this year had a few solid sci-fi’s, notably Noein, Zegapain, and Eureka seveN (well from what I watched). Its hard to really judge them together because where one was lacking another really paid off (ie. Noein’s non-action scene animation << Zegapain or E7). The interesting relations I find are between the physics of Noein vs Zegapain. Quantum computers (QIST is my hopeful post-graduate field) are a cool concept and I think Zegapain did a great job at introducing quantum computers as a sci-fi mechanism and still keeping it understandable without crossing techincal lines, unlike Noein, which even managed a Schrodinger’s cat example in the dialog, heehee. (I do realize that the wave equation for 1-d was on the chalkboard in an episode of Zegapain, but not many would catch it unless they knew what it looked like… technicallity uncrossed *claps hands for Zega*)

Physics! Yaay! I guess I can live with Zegapain the way it is, I feel better now, and strangely I’m glad it was a happy ending. Now back to studying the true Schrodinger for final exam tomorrow >.

Ryan A

ps> I don’t think I’ll update on Makoto’s arc ;-; so sad, but beautiful! Auuu~! I’ll miss you!