1. Land of the Lustrous Im not even sure how it happened. LotL started off so slow and unfocused, but I kept watching because the animation was (and still is) unlike anything Ive seen. I half expected this to get railed for its use of CG, but people quieted on it after a few weeks. The show looks absolutely brilliant, and the animation only accentuates how beautiful it is. The way it creates constant movement in order to keep your eyes adjusted to its style is brilliant. But it was just scraping by for me for the first half or so. Once the winter section hits, everything just comes together. The writing becomes far more focused on Phosphophyllite as a character, and this was the key. Its displayed as an action fantasy for so long, but its really a coming-of-age slice of life. Phos development from a weak slacker to a strong-willed, mature member of the gems is portrayed beautifully. The hopelessness they feel and their perceived need for a shortcut to becoming better feels very real. After the experiences seen in winter, Phos grows stronger in both mind and body at the cost of memories and friendship, and were still skirting around whether it was a change for the better. It opens up so much room for another season, especially considering were still in the dark about the Lunarians. All I know is that it wants me to forget about the encyclopedia thing, but I know Phos is gonna make one about the Lunarians with their newfound pursuit of knowledge. They arent fooling me (Unless this just never continues in anime format, then I guess the jokes on me.).
I hope Orange continues this series and gets the opportunity to create more shows, improving their already wonderful techniques. This was certainly the surprise of the season, and maybe even the year as a whole.
My worry is that I don't know just how long this show took to make. It's clear a lot of effort went into it, and the original 2D animated PV is 4 years old. It's also the only fully CG anime they've headed, as far as I can tell. I don't know if we can know how much of those 4 years were spent working, and how much of it was on the backburner. Almost all of their work in that time was doing CG work for other studio's anime.
As for Phos' development as a character, I think the most telling blink if you miss it moment is her reaction to Cinnabar "saving" her at the end, thanking her. The old Phos would have pitched a FIT in the same situation.
Also LOVED the shot of her as a young gem adjusting herself in the pond, only for her current body to walk behind her.
All in all, a great (hopefully temporary) finale to an ongoing adaptation, and one of the best anime of the year.
He'll, potentially the best. I'm having a hard time making the call. ---
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