Board 8 > Anime & Manga Discussion Topic 185: A Spring of Sequels

(+) Yeah! (+)

Robazoid posted...

Okay so I really shouldn't have made that pledge not to whine about FranXX here because if I don't blow off some steam about episode 11 it might legitimately ruin the rest of my day. No one should feel obligated to read this or respond.

I think this angle had legitimate build up. She visited him a few times and even talked to him about making babies from reading that book.

Futoshi's name is literally a play on him being fat, and he came onto Kokoro pretty hard. You could tell Kokoro was weirded out by that confession in the cockpit.

The same sex relationship has story and biological implications. You need both sexes to reproduce/pilot the FranXXX.
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Oh they added new animation to the Ancient Magus Bride OP so it's not just reusing footage from the first cour.

Took them until literally the last episode to do it, but it's the thought that counts, right? ...right?
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GranzonEx posted...

Robazoid posted...

Okay so I really shouldn't have made that pledge not to whine about FranXX here because if I don't blow off some steam about episode 11 it might legitimately ruin the rest of my day. No one should feel obligated to read this or respond.

I think this angle had legitimate build up. She visited him a few times and even talked to him about making babies from reading that book.

Futoshi's name is literally a play on him being fat, and he came onto Kokoro pretty hard. You could tell Kokoro was weirded out by that confession in the cockpit.

It was built up in the sense that Mitsuru acted like a distant asshole every time they spoke. I knew they would get together eventually because that's what stereotypical women find attractive but it isn't a good thing. I've been reading comments about this episode elsewhere and I don't get why Mitsuru gets a pass for his insufferable behavior despite having the lamest excuse for it. Meanwhile, Futoshi trying too hard apparently makes him an abusive stalker who deserved worse than what he got and lol look at the fat boy cry. The episode itself treated his feelings as a punchline and framed Kokoro/Mitsuru as a deserved upgrade for her dropping the dead weight. She hurt Futoshi, she knew she'd hurt him, and then she went to have fun in a flower garden and got to enjoy her new, hotter boyfriend.

With all of that said I think the fact that I'm letting this bother me, even a little bit, is a sign that I should drop FranXX. Episode ten gave me hope but then this episode doubled down on everything I despise about the show.
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Robazoid posted...

With all of that said I think the fact that I'm letting this bother me, even a little bit, is a sign that I should drop FranXX.

Well we've been trying to tell you this!
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pyresword posted...

Oh they added new animation to the Ancient Magus Bride OP so it's not just reusing footage from the first cour.

Took them until literally the last episode to do it, but it's the thought that counts, right? ...right?

Yeah I don't get how the show's ops are so low effort.
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It's funny because I think a decent chunk of this new animation was reused footage also, just different footage. (Though it wasn't 100% at least)

Anyway I finished Ancient Magus Bride. I wasn't the biggest fan of how they tied stuff together at the very end, but overall it's a pretty great show imo. Maybe, for both the final episode and the show as a whole the writing itself tumbles from time to time. However it makes up for it and then some with top-notch presentation and an interesting world and set of characters. Not much specific to say, but I really hope this gets another season eventually because there's obviously a lot more that can be done with the world here.
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Robazoid posted...

It was built up in the sense that Mitsuru acted like a distant a****** every time they spoke. I knew they would get together eventually because that's what stereotypical women find attractive but it isn't a good thing. I've been reading comments about this episode elsewhere and I don't get why Mitsuru gets a pass for his insufferable behavior despite having the lamest excuse for it. Meanwhile, Futoshi trying too hard apparently makes him an abusive stalker who deserved worse than what he got and lol look at the fat boy cry. The episode itself treated his feelings as a punchline and framed Kokoro/Mitsuru as a deserved upgrade for her dropping the dead weight. She hurt Futoshi, she knew she'd hurt him, and then she went to have fun in a flower garden and got to enjoy her new, hotter boyfriend.

With all of that said I think the fact that I'm letting this bother me, even a little bit, is a sign that I should drop FranXX. Episode ten gave me hope but then this episode doubled down on everything I despise about the show.

I don't think Mitsuru gets a pass because he's not fat but rather from the fact that his behavior is because of his desire to be with Hiro (same sex relationship you said the show threw to the curb!), and because the show gave him screen time. I think this episode was the first time I'm even aware that Kokoro's partner is named Futoshi... or that he existed...

As for the episode treating the confession as a joke, well that's because it was. The whole scene was cringe. Think of this confession like the one from Koiame and Tachibana not even acknowleging the classmate's feelings. Except Futoshi's was creepy because he did it in the cockpit and basically forced a yes from Kokoro. Why is the handsome bisexual (he's probably not even into girls) emo guy getting the girl a problem?

I think you're focusing on the appearance of the character too much. Futoshi's rejection had nothing to do with his appearance.

And I agree with Tazzy. You should probably drop FranXXX at this point. There's hundreds of other anime to watch. But keep in mind that the problems you're having with FranXXX isn't exclusive to just anime, but it's also in games and real life. You need money, power or looks to get far.
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Haven't watched yet, but I usually get spoiled for Franxx from Tumblr anyways sooooo...

The Kokoro/Mitsuru build up was clear enough to me that I've been expecting it for weeks now, I think you may be letting your personal dislike of the events get in the way of how it was actually presented. Not to say you aren't justified to feel that way, you are. Hell, I'd be a damn hypocrite to say otherwise (hey there SNAFU), but I don't think it's fair to say it was not foreshadowed.

I don't know why you haven't dropped Franxx already, though, you clearly aren't into it, and you've seen more than enough to have a justifiable opinion towards the show. For God's sake, I went off on Killing Bites after one episode, and I dont feel bad about that at all!
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Alright watched the Franxx episode

Man I got really excited with these gay metaphors! And honestly if anyone got a free pass that shouldn't have.....it's Hiro. "Oh, what promise?" and that's it. No explanation for why he may have forgotten, if he had an ulterior motive, just "He forgot". And that's it. That's dumb. If they come back to it later then fine but right now, seems real lazy.

As for this whole discussion.....Mitsuru is still an asshole. I don't think he got out of this slick and clean. They're not like "OH MAN WHAT A GOOD GUY WE'RE SO GLAD YOU GOT ANOTHER PARTNER". All he got was development, both of the positive and negative kind. And Roba, I kind of feel like you're projecting yourself a little into this whole thing with how you're interpreting some of it. Which fair enough, it can be a touchy subject. But I don't think it goes nearly as hard as you're giving it credit for.
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Mitsuru doesn't get off easy. His whole situation is a mess and he's dealing with it by lashing out.

The "what promise?" is hinted in literally the last episode. Zorome has memories that he shouldn't have, or are foggy at best. The adults wipe/steal them.
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It's more the fact that they don't address it STILL. Like Mitsuru is just like OK HE FORGOT SO FUCK HIM and it's like, dude if you fuckin talked it out you could find something like "Hey wait a minute this SURE IS FISHY HMM"

I guess that's more of a general anime thing than Franxx itself but it makes the episode as a standalone seem weaker.
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Well it looked like Hiro was being taken away somewhere when Mitsuru caught up to him. It could be that they didn't get a chance to interact until recently. For some reason Mitsuru didn't get his mind wiped, or he's remembering like Zorome.

It could just be lol anime though! There's still half left and it seems these relationships are moving forward rather standing still like the first 8 episodes.
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I think memory stuff has been hinted at enough that it's what we're building towards.
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Bane_Of_Despair posted...

And Roba, I kind of feel like you're projecting yourself a little into this whole thing

I really love what this implies about me, thanks.
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I don't think he meant literally you, just your opinions on the subject matter <_<

At least I hope.
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I meant projecting views yea, obviously I don't actually know you so I couldn't really say on THAT

And I wasn't trying to say it in a derogatory way, I just don't want it to get to you and feel like it's personally attacking. The way you worded some of the stuff makes it seem like it is a bit, and I don't want to see that happen! That's a sucky feeling, and nobody should have to go through that.
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I gotta go with that being a VERY strong episode of FRANXX, these character episodes just keep getting better.

But now I feel like next week is gonna be one to remember it by, midseason finale is coming up fast.
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Finished Ancient Magus Bride finale

I liked that, sure I think they kind of brushed Cartaphilus aside a BIT compared to how they were setting him up the past few episodes but the rest of the episode was really sweet. And I like that as soon as she woke up she was just like "Yo wtf was with the Stella thing", and then at the end being like "alright yea we have our problems but we gon' communicate and talk it out". Like, Elias is really NOT a perfect guy by any means but there's enough there that they can both recognize that and Chise can call him out on his shit. So yea, I'm happy.
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Bane_Of_Despair posted...

Finished Ancient Magus Bride finale

I liked that, sure I think they kind of brushed Cartaphilus aside a BIT compared to how they were setting him up the past few episodes but the rest of the episode was really sweet. And I like that as soon as she woke up she was just like "Yo wtf was with the Stella thing", and then at the end being like "alright yea we have our problems but we gon' communicate and talk it out". Like, Elias is really NOT a perfect guy by any means but there's enough there that they can both recognize that and Chise can call him out on his shit. So yea, I'm happy.

Yeah the Chise/Elias stuff was good. What I didn't like as much was how the Cartaphilus thread resolved, and also that it evidently is setting up that other character who I don't like as an overarching villain. (Which I mean I was expecting already, but still)
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Oh yea FranXX 11 two cents.

It seems to be a common theme so far that the girls aren't partnered with who they want to be partnered with. Only exceptions are Hiro/02, which they tried to prevent from happening at first, and maybe Zorome/Miku, because it hasn't really delved too deep into Miku's feelings. I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with Kokoro wanting to partner with Mitsuru. Her promise was essentially forced out of her to avoid making an already awkward situation even more-so, and when she did make it, she didn't know that swapping would actually be an option. There's plenty of foreshadowing surrounding Kokoro's interest in Mitsuru, so it wasn't really out of left field or anything. Besides, they specifically talk about puberty at the beginning of the episode, and yeah, the attractive dude is going to look better than the fat dude, especially when the latter is being really clingy and weird.

Pretty weak episode, though. I guess the homosexuality dynamic could be interesting to see play out, but part of me thinks it's just gonna be left on the table as it was presented.
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And holy shit, the severe misogyny on the MAL forums is painful
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Maybe don't go to the MAL forums? That site is trash for anything other than the database.

I agree with just about everything you said other than the quality of the episode, I thought is was one of the strongest thus far. Pretty much been an upward trajectory, except may be swap this week's with last.

I doubt this is the last we see of the homosexuality angle. The Hiro memory issue will come up again, and Ikuno made it pretty clear she didn't pick Ichigo at random.

Really the most shocking thing about the episode is that it made me gain interest and completely reverse opinions about several characters in one episode and didn't seem forced at all. Shocking how preconceived notions about characters melt away when they actually get fleshed out, especially in retrospect. Episode 3 takes on a very different light now.
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Managed to not watch anime for a bit to finish an anime~ish game!

Finally beat Dangan Ronpa 2. I liked it a good deal more than the first one, Chapter 5 was nice. On the whole, I enjoyed the story and some of the themes, but the class trial gameplay just got in the way of things. It's a bit like the opposite of Ace Attorney games for me in this aspect. With AA I like the courtroom gameplay more than the investigation phase, but with Dangan Ronpa the collection of minigames aren't fun. Which is a shame when the plot can be good!

SomethingAwful did a good thing to hype this series from obscurity.

I'll likely check out 3 when the game's heavily discounted, in the meantime I need a new anime game!
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Zero Escape.

But DRV3 is a must!
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Ar Tonelico and Mana Khemia good times for anime games
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999/VLR beated, few things about ZTD bug me.

Mana Khemia beated, was awesome, never played Ar Tonelico but I don't own it.

If I go handheld, it's between continuing FE: Fates, trying out Gravity Rush or if I go PC, it's Tokyo Dark.
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Play one of the Sword Art Online games
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So yeah, Magical Girl Ore is pretty much Anime of the Year.

Bane_Of_Despair posted...

Play one of the Sword Art Online games

I have the first one on PS4!

Though console time right now is reserved for me clearing that damn Chain of Memories. (trying to clear KH games again before 3 comes out)

Hopefully they don't announce a huge number of exciting anime games at E3, I won't have time to play em all and I'm for sure getting the Fist of the North star game if it gets localised.
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ayyyyyy I'm doing a first time Critical run of KH2 right now after plating KH1
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When you say some things about ZTD bug you, do you mean stuff you've heard about it causing you not to play it yet, or you dropped it?
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Finished Citrus.

I don't really care enough to go into detail here. The show started off somewhat strong, but I developed a lot of problems with it as it went on. Yuzu was great and Harumin was pretty decent, but I either didn't care about or actively disliked every other major character.

Overall a 6/10 I guess. That almost feels like I'm being generous based on my current feelings, but it did have some pretty good stuff in the first couple episodes. I'd pretty much only recommend this to diehard yuri fans, and even then I think there's better stuff out there.
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ZTD was an incredibly unsatisfying experience in pretty much every way
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999 > ZTD > VLR don't @ me
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I didn't like VLR either

felt like half the game was just watching the door animation and lets not forget those fucking dice puzzles in the final room

fuck those puzzles
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999>ZTD>VLR

VLR's tone was way too light when compared to the other two games. 999 and ZTD were both really dark. Not saiyan that VLR wasn't dark, it was just significantly lighter and didn't give the same urgent feel that the other two do.

VLR > ZTD > 999

I probably like VLR for reasons other people don't.

And for the topics sake, NDRV3 > SDR2 > DR1

Top 2 are tough but V3 edges out 2 for incredible plot reasons even though 2 has better characters overall.
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Yeh, might as well go for Gravity Rush for now. Just feels good playing games on the Vita, perfect size handheld for me.

Unless Symphony of the Night somehow qualifies.
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Guess I can chip in on this also.

999 > VLR > ZTD.

VLR has the best characters, but 999 has dat atmosphere. I didn't like how a lot of ZTD played out from the story angle, but I do genuinely like most of the D-team content.
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I guess I'm the only one of few who likes 999 least and likes VLR and ZTD pretty evenely
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VLR > 999

Still haven't played ZTD but I own it
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I need to play VLR too...

pyresword posted...

I think there's better stuff out there.

Oh? What yuri anime do you prefer?
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Doing spring writeups and looking at the chart, and wow is there seriously a whole week with no anime due to air dates?
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LapisLazuli posted...

Doing spring writeups and looking at the chart, and wow is there seriously a whole week with no anime due to air dates?

Yes. Just like literally every other season for the past ten years.
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I should probably just forget about it but I think I'll feel better if I apologize for ranting about FranXX yesterday. It wasn't a good day for me for other reasons but I'm embarrassed that something so trivial wound up being what triggered for me. It didn't help that the commentary I saw about episode 11 across the internet was almost universally toxic. Futoshi definitely came on too strong but I don't think he did anything worse than what a lot of awkward teens would've done. Seeing people revel in his misery and seriously call him a creepy stalker... ugh. Similarly, Kokoro was under no obligation to stick with her original partner. I wish she would've handled it with more tact, picked a better character to switch to, and maybe showed a smidgen of remorse, but whatever. There were a lot of nasty comments about her too, and about people on either side of the argument (apparently it's impossible to have an opinion about a show's writing this without being a virgin loser and/or a white knight).

That said, I shouldn't let it get to me and I especially shouldn't read too deeply to see personal attacks in what people post here. I'll try to stick to my pledge not to rant about things in the future.
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Mac Arrowny posted...

LapisLazuli posted...

Doing spring writeups and looking at the chart, and wow is there seriously a whole week with no anime due to air dates?

Yes. Just like literally every other season for the past ten years.

Never been this big a gap that I can recall.
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No need to apologize, man.

And I think what you need to realize is that a majority of anime discussion sites out there are trash. It's extremely rare that you'll find a small group with consistent activity like the one here, where everyone basically knows where everyone else stands. You're 100% correct that a lot of of the reactions on both sides of the aisle to the episode were pretty toxic, as Taz mentioned earlier.

I'm actually shocked at how the Tumblr responses I followed were consistently on the level.
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999 > VLR >> ZTD

999 has great everything, VLR is lower because it's not complete on its own, and ZTD is last because it fails to deliver on basically every promise (and also because it looks awful)
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I mean, all I saw was the misogyny, but yeah, people on the opposite end are dumbasses too.
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Mac Arrowny posted...

pyresword posted...

I think there's better stuff out there.

Oh? What yuri anime do you prefer?

Well I don't have an enormous list just by virtue of there not being all that many yuri anime I've seen (or at all that I know of), but:

Maria Watches Over Us
Strawberry Panic
Aoi Hana
Sakura Trick
Yuri Kuma Arashi

And some stuff I don't really think of as yuri but I will list anyways for the sake of completeness since I've seen them described as yuri by others:

Yuru Yuri
Revolutionary Girl Utena
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