GTO: your thoughts please? [unspoilery]

[timepiececlock]

Great Teacher Onizuka -- should I watch it?

Dub or sub?

Any thing that's not spoilery but I absolutely *must* be told about ahead of time? (For instance, I always warn people not to watch the last two episodes of NG Evangelion and to just assume the world ends instead.)

Other thoughts?


... the last series I finished was Bakurano. I still need to finish Monster (I'm so bad, I stopped halfway through for no good reason) and Romeo x Juliet which I keep forgetting that I have.

Comments

[mildmay.livejournal.com]

I tried to watch GTO years ago and failed. I barely got through the first episode. It...sort of made me uncomfortable. I know a lot of people really like it, though, so. I don't know. Maybe it just wasn't my thing. I'd say watch the first episode or two and see what you think.

re: GTO

[pico-the-great.livejournal.com]

We watched, back in anime club, a good deal of the live-action version, and it got to the point where I would walk out for the hour it was showing. Partly it bored me, and partly it was like - Japanese stereotyping themselves, and pretending those stereotypes were real life. The teacher-guy was a Mary Sue - irresponsible and lazy and all but with a Heart Of Gold and was never held accountible for stupid things he did; he acted outrageously (falling asleep in the principal's office, going to meet students in no-tell-motels, eg) with no consequence.

I don't even want to mention the women in this show. There's the "crying out for help!" and the "look I'm a strong woman: sarcasm and nasty looks means strong woman, right?" and the "in japan, all female students date their teachers! :D~!" and that's only in the ones I remember.

So. My opinion.

~:~

Aside - how is Monster? I've been thinkign about looking into it, but didn't really care for the little of its art I've seen. The story sounds good, though.

Re: GTO

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Ah. That's what I'm afraid of from the summaries, but most of the reviews for the anime suggest that it's better handled and deeper. I'm just not sure my definition of "well-handled" and "realistic" meets everyone else's, and the perverted part of Japanese subculture was never my favorite thing in anime. I am hoping some people on my flist might have opinions and give me more straight-up answers than random anime review websites. So thanks for answering, :D


Monster is so cool! I have really no particular reason to stop in the middle except that I did and just haven't gotten back to it yet. Just one of those things, and no comment on the series should be drawn from it.

Monster is a lot like a book. In pace it sometimes reminded me of how I felt watching Twelve Kingdoms: it unfolds at a specific pace, and while it may seem slow sometimes, it never lags or feels like they're wasting time with filler. It's just that the plot is intricate and requires a lot of information be conveyed, which takes time. But it's all rewarding because the show has impressive continuity that's as vital to the plot as it would be in any murder-mystery novel.

It doesn't *feel* like an anime, which is one of the oddest things about it. There's no gimmicks, no typical anime gags or Japanese-specific cliches. It's subject-matter and characters are treated with the utmost seriousness and realism. You could transplant the script to a live action Western tv cast and if you weren't told it was the script for an anime, you'd never know.

I'm enjoying it because it's very good quality for anime and I never feel like I'm being talked down to. It also has lots of multiculturalism, and is deeply sequestered in the politics of post-Cold-War Europe. The main character is a Japanese immigrant to Germany, and apart from him almost every character on the show is ethnically European. Sometimes the cultural differences are portrayed as a good thing, sometimes as a bad. Just as much as Tenma's identity makes him stand out, it's also evident that he's been so long in Europe that he's become "whitewashed", possibly at the expense of his own individuality and culture. Tenma's character is quite well-developed over the course of the series, at least the first half of the episodes, which is what I've seen. The characters around him go through quite a few transformations too, heroes and villains.

Politik of culture and nationality is a huge background theme in the series-- while its not particularly important to the actual mystery, it influences how all the characters react to events and each other. I liked that, it's something rarely addressed in anime or manga.

Re: GTO

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

The plot is the biggest thing in Monster, and it is always moving. The characters grow within the storyline, but they drift in and out of the show as related to events. There's really only five or six characters that are part of the core movers and shakers, but as Tenma tries to solve more of the overall mystery plot, people travel in and out of the show. One minor character might last 2 episodes or 8, depending on what country the protagonist or antagonist are in, and a character you meet in only in passing in episode 5 might return in episode 30 to have major significance.

The art is one of the most interesting ones I've seen in anime... the people are frequently drawn as unattractive, but in a paradoxical way, because they actually look more like real people. The body proportions and facial features are usually both realistically sized and drawn to represent very specific ethnicities (Western European, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Japanese, and more), but it looks almost odd in anime, and the difference calls attention to how bizarre the anime definition of beauty is. I got used to it quickly, though... and it's much better than anime series like DBZ, where every character is ugly AND disproportionate.

Aside from character design (which you get used to fast), the look of the series is quite good; detailed world-building goes into the look of the show, which is set in 90s Germany. And the opening is so cool and creepy, very eerie and reminiscent of The X Files in style.

I've been trying very hard not to spoil myself. I honestly am amazed that no company has picked up the rights to the show, when I think it's been out for more than two years now. There was never a series more suited to Adult Swim.

Re: Monster

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

Finished the manga last night, and let me just say - how did you manage to drop it!? How far did you get?

It is GOOD, really really really good, and so worth finishing. The ending is flail-inducing, for more reasons than one, and that's all I'll say about that!

You could transplant the script to a live action Western tv cast and if you weren't told it was the script for an anime, you'd never know.

Chasing Sources: Wikipedia --> MovieWeb --> The Hollywood Reporter

"According to The Hollywood Reporter, Josh Olson, who adapted the upcoming A History of Violence for New Line Cinema and David Cronenberg, has signed on to adapt another comic book for the studio. Olson will adapt Monster, a best-selling Japanese manga comic book series from author Naoki Urasawa. As part of the deal, Olson will pen a treatment for a sequel, which he also will write."

*squee!*

Except for the bolded bit. Sequel: yes, please! Sequel not by original author: wait, what?

Re: Monster

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

Okay, thinking about it after just a few more seconds:

1 feature-length film... and how many characters!? How are they going to do that? It's sort of a huge story with a huge cast, spanning multiple generations and... 70+ episodes in anime form.

Re: Monster

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I've heard rumors of this story being made into a film; sounds like the same project.

(sorry, replying here because proxies won't let me comment on a comment)

[pico-the-great.livejournal.com]

Sure!

~:~

Reassuring to hear! Everything I read about plot and subject matter interested me, but then I saw the art style and kind of lost enthusiasm; art is such an important part of anime that it's hard to watch if it doesn't match the story. (For me, anyway.)

It sounds, though, like it does match; and that's good that it's played straight. Slow pacing I don't mind, and - well, pretty much everything in your comment reaffirms that I should probably watch it. :D

the difference calls attention to how bizarre the anime definition of beauty is

This bit makes me think of Tokyo Godfathers, for some reason. (grins)

It's not the anime definition of beauty that makes me want to watch a series - it's more art style. I have a preference for Lain/Haibane Renmei/Miyazaki style over ...well, anything shoujo; I like realism in my anime. Too much gimmick puts me off the show real fast.

[akavertigo.livejournal.com]

Read GTO, woman. Read it.

I had scanlations.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Reading manga costs MONEY. You going to buy me the books?

::its sad that you're up because it's 7:50 where you are, and I'm up because it's 4:50 where I am::

::spent the last 4 hours coloring with a way-over-the-top combination of markers, colored pencils, pen, and pastels. on the same picture. and the head's still not colored yet.::

[maechi.livejournal.com]

Heh, my comment is the exact opposite of akavertigo's. I tried to read the manga but barely made through the first volume. I'm actually watching the first few episodes of the anime right now & I'm enjoying it. (And I only watch subs anymore so I can't comment on the sub/dub thing.)

It's different though; like ladyjessamyn suggested, you might want to give it a try for an episode or two. You'll know pretty quickly whether you'll want to continue or not.

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

Someone's probably already said this: I hear that as hilarious as it is, it's rather offensive. Well, okay, not rather offensive, but deliberately offensive and pretty good at it?

That's only what I hear, though, so I can't gauge if it's really the harmful kind of offensive or not. You should give the first episode a shot and see if the humor's too rash or just right.

Have you ever given Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya a try?

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

I just remembered: this is where I first read about it. Bad Jew's reviews are both hilarious and quite opinionated so you might not want to take them too seriously - but yeah, I find his writing makes for a fun read. And he loves Vision of Escaflowne. ("and to those who don't like Escaflowne: how dare you be human?") So maybe you can take him at his word.

It's a spoilery review, though, so don't read past the third paragraph!

I really should rewatch Escaflowne, I think.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

For some reason I had the impression that was a hentai series, like La Blue Girl. Is it otherwise? Never seen it.

I like that website's reviews and mostly but not always agree; I haven't been by for a while. ::reads:: Wow, they changed the layout. They used to have this image on the front page that had two anime-style boys, one of which was holding a sign that said "anime is not sacred!". I always liked that, because I definitely agree. I feel the same way about fanfic, actually. It's great and wonderful but nothing is above criticism.

Thanks for the spoiler warning!

Me too, but my friend hasn't returned the first 19 eps X|

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a really brilliant parody of the scifi-and-high-school shoujo genre. Honestly, at the start, I had only appreciated Melancholy on a shallow level: as a piece of comedy with amazing writing. Recently, though, it occurred to me as a PARODY, and my opinion of it rose by about a tenfold. I can understand the hype now, definitely.

The hentai impression might come from the art style, yeah. *giggles* To a degree, it mocks the hentai and ecchi tropes of bunny suits and F-cups, actually. The entire experience is like watching a character watch an anime series: it's narrated by Kyon, the Voice of Sarcasm Reason, and he approaches it like an educated anime viewer: cynical, with occasional inquiries as to WTF, but an ultimate sense of appreciation, maybe. XP

The downside: as satirical as it is, it still follows the high school formula. It's a parody that works subversively from within the formula, basically, like Ouran (but with wittier writing, I think). And the series is rather crazy; for instance, the series is out of order! But it's genius.

I cannot emphasize how great and ingenious the writing is! At least, I love it. It pokes so much fun at everything that is so bad about sci-fi anime while still developing irregular characters whom we, as very regular people, can relate to. It's all very strange...

Since you've just walked out of Bokurano, Melancholy might be a good break. It's only 14 episodes, very watchable, and there's a second season coming out in case you end up enjoying it enough to be interested.

They used to have this image on the front page that had two anime-style boys, one of which was holding a sign that said "anime is not sacred!". I always liked that, because I definitely agree. I feel the same way about fanfic, actually. It's great and wonderful but nothing is above criticism.

Ahh! That's where the message on your FFnet profile comes from! I always thought it was incredibly random, but now it makes sense. I have to say, the reminders are great and SHOULD BE CAPPED AND BOLDED AND UNDERLINED TWICE ON THE FFNET HOMEPAGE. Doubly so on the forums.

Re: Me too, but my friend hasn't returned the first 19 eps X|

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when I did my profile last I sort of unconsciously borrowed from that, and realized later where it was from. It made a really strong impression on me the first time I saw that review site (which I agree with about 75% of the time, more in some areas than others, like my total worship of FMA), because I was in my first blushing years of anime fandom and still figuring out that not every show was going to be my favorite or particularly good.

I'll keep the series in mind, then. And thanks for the warning about the first episode. If someone hadn't told me to just endure the first episode of Gungrave I would never have watched the second episode, and would have missed out on an epic, almost poetic story of mob corruption and brotherhood.

Re: Me too, but my friend hasn't returned the first 19 eps X|

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Have you SEEN Gungrave, btw? If you haven't, go do it RIGHT NOW. I mean that seriously. It's good overall, but episodes 2 through 13, the first half of the series, is like a beautifully directed, tightly written epic about brotherly love, rivalry, friendship, and greed. Episode 13 was definitely one of the most dramatic (and backwardly hilarious) anime episodes I've ever seen with layers of subterfuge and doubletalk enough to make any hollywood writer wet their panties, with the most beautifully designed gun-violence moment I've seen in anime.

The second half of the series, set many years later, is a different animal and never quite lives up to glorious ambition of the first half, but it gives a satisfying conclusion and nicely rounds out all the characters' storylines.

Re: Me too, but my friend hasn't returned the first 19 eps X|

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

one of the most dramatic (and backwardly hilarious) anime episodes I've ever seen with layers of subterfuge and doubletalk enough to make any hollywood writer wet their panties, with the most beautifully designed gun-violence moment I've seen in anime.

... and as this comes from a Trigun and Bebop fan, it must be that good. I've heard of it but only mentions; as far as I can remember, I haven't actually ever seen a synopsis. You used the word 'epic', so I have to see it!

Ahh, gun-toting vagabonds with brother complexes. It should be its own genre. I'll look it up and put it on my list, actually. As for the drop in quality between the first and second half, I don't think I'll really mind that. I thought I would object to that sort of thing when I watched Death Note, but even after the suspense and novelty levels were sliced in half, I still found it enjoyable, even if a great chunk of the fandom has to disagree.

Re: Me too, but my friend hasn't returned the first 19 eps X|

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I mistyped something there. The gun-violence isn't that artistic throughout the anime, it's normal, but that one episode has one scene that's positively arty and so full classic cinematic tricks and style that I fell in love with it.

Trigun is a better anime overall, but I would put Gungrave ahead of Bebop in my enjoyment factor, and especially in how it handled characters. (Bebop is more re-watchable) Trigun was all about the characters, and so is Gungrave. It's about protection and betrayal and loyalty. Bebop was a series with a lot of great individual moments but a weak overall structure, and we never learned as much about Spike or Jet or Ed as we learn about the characters in Gungrave or Trigun. I mean, by the end of Gungrave, I understood every aspect of the character's emotional arcs with picture-perfect clarity (most of them were corrupt people whom I did not like, but I understood them nonetheless). Bebop, on the other hand, shrouds its characters in mystery. Faye is the only person we really know, despite Spike being the "main" character.

As for the drop in quality between the first and second half, I don't think I'll really mind that. I thought I would object to that sort of thing when I watched Death Note, but even after the suspense and novelty levels were sliced in half, I still found it enjoyable, even if a great chunk of the fandom has to disagree.

The quality drop is only mild-- it's the difference in tone that's so jarring. The very end wraps everything up and unifies the story quite well; it's a very thorough conclusion with plenty of emotional payoff. But the episodes leading up to it are so different from the first half that you kind of have to mentally adjust. They make it work, but it's a rough transition.


Honestly, Trigun is right up there with FMA and Escaflowne as my top 3 favorite series. Princess Tutu and Fruits Basket are crowding close behind. I have so much love for Trigun that it's ridiculous.

[rasielle.livejournal.com]

If you ever start Melancholy, PAY ATTENTION TO THE CREDITS OF THE FIRST EPISODE. This is muy importante! It's a unique first episode, to say the least. XP I was sort of horrified that the series was so popular until I got halfway through the first episode and then realized it wasn't what I thought it was. Pay attention to the credits and keep in mind that Haruhi Suzumiya IS the main character!