Archive for the 'marathon' Category

« Previous Entries

The Week :: Broken Things

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
Yay

Ah, a little late, a little… but it’s only Chuesday! I think weekly wrappings are better on Tuesdays since this is a “clumpy” season.

So what a week, and with so little of my anime habit. Yes, I took a pause on the anime viewing as I had to run out of town for a bit, do an “odd” job, deal with family, (all surprisingly independent events) and am now behind on the Special not-special series and the vampire one; shoujo :3 nyaa.

The big event must have been those major RAWers getting nabbed D: Unfortunately, the decent S.A and VK raws have slowed up; I am just now finding e06 in something other than SD. Mine as well shoot for WS/HD/etc. Speaking of which, I checked out the xxxHOLiC Kei WS versions, and very nice, I like the extra view-space, but I will mostly likely stick with the 4×3’s since it the series is moving so well.

Glance Back

I should probably watch this Library War 05 [and Nabari], which I had planned on last night, but oh well. I did get a moment with KKN and xxxHOLiC, both having solid enjoyably episodes. Apart from my personal viewing, Kurenai seems to be taking many hearts and lungs around the blogosphere, and I’m glad. I wish for two things, 1) Baccano! originally aired with Kurenai quality 2) Baccano! 14. mmmmhmm. That last one is real.

Something else came about over the weekend, Full Metal Alchemist! I stumbled upon a box of discs, from “the move” and decided to see if they were any good. A couple of them were of FMA burned sometime in 2004 maybe? Dunno, but they gave me a headache. I decided to do a PAR2 if they were okay, just for the heck, but it didn’t seem they were okay.. CRC errors all over the place. After a while, I realized I was using a some form of UDF volume driver and they were likely ISO… they played fine in standalone players. Not the point, but ah it was a little refreshing to glimpse a couple episodes as I was troubleshooting; good memories with that series.

Forecast

Unfortunately, I have to double up my seasonal viewing, to catch up with the pack. First, I have to get this workaholic vibe out of my system (sorry melative, I work when I can… at least that is what I should say, steady development otherwise). Since I have a lot of free time I should at least marathon something, perhaps I’ll pick a title this week, Scrapped Princess perchance? The minimum would be to wrap up my 2007 Autumn series…. evidence of a lazy person ^^.

In a seasonal respect, Library Wars and xxxHOLiC are running strong *is satisfied*, and there is good momentum in series I am not viewing (ie Kurenai, Himitsu, Kaiba), so I still have my ambition. It is likely that I will shun coding for today, and dabble in the seasonal offerings.

Man, this post was not progressive at all… wtf bah. >.>

Ryan A

Note: Weekends are getting a little cramped, since F1 season is blossoming, and I love me some F1! Formula 1 weekends are definitely absorbing.

Posted in Baccano!, Random, marathon, weekly | 3 Comments »

true tears :: Enforce the Discipline

Saturday, March 29th, 2008

It will be soon, the last aired episode of true tears, I will experience it… and end this “crunch marathon“. Basically, I found the series wonderful, for a number of reasons, but not perfect personally (what is these days).

Nature and Animation

These are perhaps the most noticeable attributes of true tears. The nature of the series begins as simple, un-fantastic life; it is a normal story, and continues to be so. One implication of this is that it is not relying on anything other than reality to get the message across; normal slice-of-life. Not every series can accomplish such a story well, but in trade of solid, realistic storytelling, the story lacks some dynamics, though the characters make up for variation. Of course, if the experience holds interest+intrigue, the dynamics are secondary.

The nature may be semi-bland, but true tears came with excellent animation for a seasonal production. I was entirely astonished at the 720p, which seemed to bring shining sequences every episode (see here), as well as fashionable character design. From the ANN page, P.A. Works has had some experience with notable series (recently Darker than Black), so I would say this is a great solo result. (It would be wise to look forward to more of their stuff.)

Execution and Character Development

If I were to choose the brilliance of true tears, it would among these particulars. Regular story, regular characters, but the presentation, the ordering of details, the timing… bravo! Really, everything in it’s right place. These writers had a great vision, and the harem result doesn’t matter after that; there has be good reasoning behind whatever the final may hold.

With notable execution, it is inevitable that the series had good characterization (light, moderate depth, and good flow). I believe I most enjoyed Aiko/Ai, simply for her ‘S’ appeal the progressive picture she came to be. The other two girls were pleasant. I didn’t latch to either of them, but their developments were awesome. Noe was a kaweirdo, and progresses as a weirdo that is cute, while Hiromi started as this coldish girl and became a colourful, tear-shedding beauty [with a slightly intimidating defensive side]. It’s great.

I shouldn’t pass off Noe as such a weirdo, she is perhaps the most intriguing character of the circle. Her expressions, ideas, and statements open a window usually seen in KyotoKey projects, but she dances worldly meaning and symbolism around Shinichirou. Innocent, yet innately mature at times, she was a good focal point for the story (is she the final girl).

Necessary Reduction

I did enjoy the moments of moe and little bits of fluff, but the previous points are worthy of the experience. Though, my personal key flaw, was lack of connection, I did not feel strongly compelled for the overall result (heart connection).

How can it have such an amazing aura,
yet lack the essence of connection?

This may have to do with story dynamics (compare to H+C), but I just didn’t FEEL that definitive TUG (identification). I would imagine it’s not universal, because the story is so very real and understandable, and beautiful, that it should be widely identifiable. I believe the last series which game me a similar feeling was, mmm, Irohanihoheto. And that’s about my only minor gripe.

From here I go…

At this point, I’d like to elaborate on what is learned from this series; from my point of view, it is an enforcement of a discipline. One of the true tears drivers is the notion of dishonesty. It sounds bad, but most of the characters aren’t honest with themselves, by way of action and in emerging circumstances. They aren’t lying to themselves, they know their respective truths and accept, but they have not acted upon the path from the start or announced their feelings; lying is the driver, courage is the solution, but then no story, and no true tears.

My own idea about paths is simple, “weigh properly, the bits of doubt; honor the unwanted path; step forward or do not step at all.” Ai is the clearest example, as she not only stalled her wanted path (Shinichirou), but took a path of doubt which she did not want (Miyokichi). Looking at Hiromi, this is also the case, but misinformation was her stall point, though I think she was reaching her limit of suppression; a love so great, it would explode.

Remarkably, I find the truest character to be Noe, but again, the end girl? It’s possible, acceptable, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Ryan A

For reference: my definition of “crunch marathon”, is probably better said as a lead-up marathon, where it is timed so that the final episode is released and view shortly after all previous episodes. Yea, it’s made-up.

Posted in Anime, Reflection, Winter 2008, marathon, true tears | 2 Comments »

Marathon :: Dennou Coil

Friday, December 28th, 2007
DenCoLogo

Okay, this is it. Dennou Coil is my final marathon of the year. I don’t really know what to say about a series that isn’t an epic or monumental adventure out beyond the stars at this point, but I’ll try my best…

(more…)

Posted in Anime, Complete, Dennou Coil, Reflection, Spring 2007, Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann, Terra e..., Year End, marathon | No Comments »

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Wrap-up

Thursday, December 27th, 2007
drill This statement says it all…

TTGL, is a very well accomplished piece of media. Sure it holds great popularity, but it backs it up every step of the way. TTGL did almost everything I could ask for in an anime, and even some things I will have to ask for in future series, but is it the greatest of 2007… Saaa we’ll see.

(more…)

Posted in Anime, Reflection, Spring 2007, Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann, Year End, marathon | No Comments »

Knowing What Bites

Thursday, December 13th, 2007

I know what really bites!

(more…)

Posted in Fall 2007, Random, marathon, music | 7 Comments »

« Previous Entries