Golden Deer Pub Community Forums

SEA KITTIES
[spoiler]We just finished the 8th Twilight with Kumasawa's death. See, I told you not covering the epitaph would confuse~ I never said they wouldn't show it (and figured they would eventually in a manner similar to the VN/Manga) but it's still almost as a side thought due to when it occurs. It doesn't seem CENTRAL to the plot with the reveal now as opposed to earlier.

The epitaph becomes important after the first series of deaths (1st Twilight) but the anime doesn't show it until moments prior (well, hours prior~) to the start of the 6th-8th Twilights (Kanon's death is the 5th Twilight). The sense of time is a bit skewed (doesn't help the Anime gets the times wrong*) but October 5th is the final day and they arrive on October 4th (technically, October 6th is the final since Beatrice revives on Midnight of the 5th, according to the legend). The significance is there's that nagging feel the entire time that the Epitaph is in control, not just at the very end. It almost feels like a sudden reveal that there was the "plan" for it all as opposed to it being something WELL KNOWN to everyone (but Battler).

*Shit, or are they right? Who knows. They have conflicting times shown and instances that can't possibly occur (clocks displaying the wrong time) compared to the VN's times so I'm going to say the Anime just "DEEDEEDEE"'d up the clock animation and got the wrong times.

Edit: I'm playing the VN so when I get to the epitaph reveal there, I'll say more clearly what happens. Hell, for all I know, it could really just be a scene reading through all of the epitaph for us so WE can be suspicious wondering if X and Y are going to happen as opposed to the chracters being this suspicious. As it stands, the reveal at the very end just sort of makes you go "so it's pre-emptive murder/following a plan/etc.?" as opposed to knowing people will die. It loses some of the dramatic effect at such a late showing.

Oh well, who cares, it got shown and the arc is wrapping up. There's bigger complaints now than that (seriously, thanks DEEN for making the servants so fucking suspicious with the final letter).

EDITMOAR: There's a few things I need to hammer down the details of:

1) When does Kinzo die? The body is burned beyond belief ... why? It's rather excessive and makes it near impossible to identify the body (if not for the 6th toe* they wouldn't have been able to). But ... what is gained by this? The only thing I can think of is it hides the time of death ... therefore, again, when does Kinzo die? Only Natsuhi sees him but, like Eva says, no one left the room after Natsuhi did ... so was Kinzo there at all? The problem, now, is that Nanjo also sees Kinzo at the start so is that true or was Kinzo already dead? If so, that means NANJO IS IN ON IT.

2) Why does Kanon remove his stake? Beyond that, does he really die? The problem with this train of thought is Kanon has to convince TWO people to say he's dead. Jessica breaks down so she's either acting or Nanjo says that Kanon died ... in that case, NANJO IS IN ON IT.

3) Nanjo. Is he in on it? He's rather important to all of this. He's the one confirming death (in the case of body double / pretending to be dead in the shed theory or Kanon didn't die) and is one of two people to have seen Kinzo. He's rather important to every anti-fantasy theory I can cook up, to be honest.

4) What happened to Maria's rose? Probably a minor detail but I feel it important enough to wonder about it.

5) Was the door to Eva and Hideyoshi's room really chained? Saying that it's chained creates a period of time that allows someone to enter the room, kill the occupants (or, if they're already dead, just to paint the door), and leave. Beyond that, why are the bodies separate or is it really just "Eva was on the bed, Hideyoshi was in the shower" but ... that makes no sense because one of them would've probably moved when the other died. How could both be killed?

6) kihihihihihihhihi.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]OH!! SO THE "TWILIGHTS" ARE NOTHING TO DO WITH ACTUAL DAYS!!

I was thinking 1st day/October 4 = 1st Twilight
2nd Day / October 5 = 2nd Twilight and so on and so forth.

^_^; Ok!! Now your statement makes perfect sense and I'll adjust my notes accordingly.

Yeah, I agree, that is how it is coming off, but I don't think it diminishes the effect of the epitaph being in control. Still same effect but different plot twist. Plus, I feel this way seems a little better since I can't imagine Battler, a non-believer, giving it more thought than that. His sudden "wait! I read soemthing that sounds like this" comes off as more believable rather than him constantly going back and forth to it which would make him appear as a believer.

I also agree with some of the mentions you've made about no one freaking out as much as they should, though. Well, i don't think there needs to be absolute panic, but just a little more emotion to it. Especially someone other than Battler yelling at Maria about laughing at the whole thing. when he hit her I was like "FINALLY SOMEONE POINTED THAT OUT!"
[/spoiler]

Repost of my last edit (or just get on AIM/IRC?!)

MEOWING ... OF THE SEA.
[spoiler]That's the thing that makes it weird to think the epitaph is constantly brought up. I think it's more of Maria bringing it up every time something happens. She's the constant reminder that things aren't normal and EVERYONE ELSE slowly believe in it (or already believe in it, as most the staff is hinted at being very pro-Beatrice). I don't think it's Battler going "OH YEAH THAT STONE TABLET SPOKE OF THIS" but that he spends most the time refuting Maria who is going on about the epitaph.[/spoiler]

There's a few things I need to hammer down the details of:
[spoiler]1) When does Kinzo die? The body is burned beyond belief ... why? It's rather excessive and makes it near impossible to identify the body (if not for the 6th toe* they wouldn't have been able to). But ... what is gained by this? The only thing I can think of is it hides the time of death ... therefore, again, when does Kinzo die? Only Natsuhi sees him but, like Eva says, no one left the room after Natsuhi did ... so was Kinzo there at all? The problem, now, is that Nanjo also sees Kinzo at the start so is that true or was Kinzo already dead? If so, that means NANJO IS IN ON IT.

*While it IS a rare trait, it is NOT rare enough to be 100% conclusive proof that corpse is Kinzo's. Devil's Proof and all.

2) Why does Kanon remove his stake? Beyond that, does he really die? The problem with this train of thought is Kanon has to convince TWO people to say he's dead. Jessica breaks down so she's either acting or Nanjo says that Kanon died ... in that case, NANJO IS IN ON IT.

3) Nanjo. Is he in on it? He's rather important to all of this. He's the one confirming death (in the case of body double / pretending to be dead in the shed theory or Kanon didn't die) and is one of two people to have seen Kinzo. He's rather important to every anti-fantasy theory I can cook up, to be honest.

4) What happened to Maria's rose? Probably a minor detail but I feel it important enough to wonder about it.

5) Was the door to Eva and Hideyoshi's room really chained? Saying that it's chained creates a period of time that allows someone to enter the room, kill the occupants (or, if they're already dead, just to paint the door), and leave. Beyond that, why are the bodies separate or is it really just "Eva was on the bed, Hideyoshi was in the shower" but ... that makes no sense because one of them would've probably moved when the other died. How could both be killed?

6) kihihihihihihhihi.[/spoiler]

Edit: Wait, this episode (Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou) takes place before the first episode (which may or may not also take place in the past?).

AND WHY IS YUMIKO A NON-LOLI IN THE OP?!
[spoiler]Not "I NEED MORE LOLIS" but I'm just seriously trying to figure out why she's a busty babe in the OP but is a LITTLE GIRL in the episodes. My sense of time is way off already. Koyomi is a high school student but looks younger so ... typical loli; Yumiko is an actual littler girl (5th grader, I think?) but is shown to definitely be like ... well, I guess I can't really guess her age based on her bust and looks but still at least high school level.

...so, what does this mean? She rapidly ages and Koyomi doesn't? The bit with Yumiko took place in the past and Koyomi was sent to rescue her and bring her to the future (where she rapidly ages?). It's an illusion because she wants tits?

GOD WHAT THE FUCK.

AND THE EPISODE HASN'T STARTED YET.

...did ... did the scale say Jiz? Anyway, finally explaining the magic of the series I guess. You know, after Devil Survivor, this isn't so farfetched anymore. Can she google spells?

School scene. Oh hey, Kaho yay. Oh dear, Akihabara ... considering the background for spells in this series, I suppose this would be the ideal place to gather code. OH LOOK PINK HAIRED LOLI OUT OF NOWHERE (+ rapist). AND THEN BONDAGE EYECATCH.

Anehara seems so fucking sketchy using her magic to make people famous (i.e., attract attention) for money. Saaaay, what happened to Kaho. Back to the pink haired loli (who isn't a loli actually but I'll continue to call her that until I get a name~). Kristen you're so lazy to not get karaoke for the loli's song.

Anyway, "code" replaces incantations and rituals for magic. So a lot like the Ultra Maniac form of magic. "Traditional" magic is possible but is replaced by computers for convenience. I should've picked up on this earlier with the fucking title (GENDAI MAHOU). I again repeat this seems sketchy as all fuck. "I cast a spell to increase sales."

WAIT WAIT WAIT. She summoned snakes to WRAP THE CAR UP ... and the effect was that it SLICED THE CAR IN HALF? What the fuck? Make the effect match the visual~

"Our meeting today was only a coincidence, but coincidence becomes destiny through choice."

No name for pink haired loli idol and hey, whatever the fuck happened to Kaho? Okay fine, I type that THEN SHE SHOWS UP. I guess she knows about Koyomi's magic (or at least, about her and Anehara).

01101010101010100001101010101010101001110101010101010101010011101010101010101000101010101100101010...

WAIT, NOW YUMIKO IS NON-LOLI IN THE NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW?! GOD WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON I AM SO CONFUSED.

So ...

2 - 3 ------ 1, but 1 takes place in the past long before 2 and 3? Maybe? Koyomi goes in the past to save Yumiko and they become BFFs and then yuri doujins are made for them?

WHAT IS GOING ON.[/spoiler]

Recently finished:
Kannagi - Starts off as an interesting mix of supernatural, magical girl, and slice-of-life comedy genres, but mostly abandons the former aspects later on. There is a lot of fanservice and some of the comedy is a bit adolescent. Is it me or does the art/animation quality get worse over the course of the series? Some questions raised by the first few episodes (the 'impurities', Hakua, idolhood for survival) are never answered. Overall it appears as if both the budget ran out and the anime overtook the manga or something. Maybe a sequel will be made some day that finishes the story.

Okusama Wa Mahou Shoujo - Argh, what's with all the fanservice lately? Ureshiko acts so coquettish even oversexed teenagers would find it too much. Pity really, because the premise of this anime, an adult magical girl who doesn't want to give up her 'job', is an interesting and refreshing take on the genre.
Hmm, this is certainly a complicated dilemma that Ureshiko faces. Choose her job and she loses out on love, choose love and she has to give up her job. Either way she will have a part of her life curtailed. A forced choice that of course would never happen to a man. I really hope this anime will end differently, but fear that won't happen.
Well, the fanservice at least got a lot less after the beginning fortunately. The conclusion however ended up framing Ureshiko's dilemma as passing on the 'job' (ring) to her successor. In itself it is not a bad thing to tell a story about elders making way for a new generation. It is however a bad thing to portray a woman as 'retiring' from playing an active role in the world upon getting engaged to a man (who btw continues his career the same as ever).
I liked how this anime took a different point of view on an established genre. I didn't like how it started off with so much fanservice though. Most of all I didn't like how it reinforces stifling gender roles.

Witchblade - A woman who lost her memory and possesses a mysterious superpower and her precocious daughter against the big bad world. Interesting premise.
Well, there is indeed a lot of fanservice, but at least it isn't of the juvenile groping and pantyshots kind.
Aside from that, this anime has amazing depth. From the synopsis/trailer/promo art I was expecting lots of darkness and action (and fanservice). The action is definitely there, but it never gets really sinister. Instead there is a whole lot of sweet (and bittersweet) character development and drama, mixed with some light-hearted fun now and then. I would highly recommend this anime to fans of action like Speed Grapher and Claymore, as well as fans of deeper stories.

Superflat Monogram - Came across this while I was looking up some movie directors in the ANN encyclopedia. It's only five minutes long, so I decided to check it out.
Ah, so that's what they mean by 'superflat' style. It looks a bit too artsy to be of much use in general anime, but I can see some connection to The Girl Who Leapt Through Time's art.
This short movie is really more of an ad/music video. Not bad, but not really amazing or special either.
(Note: This video is also available on YouTube, but the quality is rather bad, even the 'HQ' version.)

Iriya No Sora, UFO No Natsu - Funny and mysterious, with ufos. Or at least someone suspected to be connected to ufo-y stuff.
After that, it gets weirder and weirder, then depressing, and the ending is mostly sad. Everything is explained in an epilogue, but that doesn't really help much. This anime will probably be interesting for fans of SaiKano (and OVA), as it has some similar themes.

Code-E - Heh. The beginning of the first ep. was quite effective. After seeing the '2017' date, I wondered why there were still an old rotary phone and CRT TV. Turns out there's a good reason for that.
Aw, Code-E was only the first half of the series. And Mission-E hasn't finished subbing yet This is a nice anime though. The ending was decent, although there is much unresolved of course.

Next:
Haibane Renmei, Shigofumi, Key The Metal Idol, Sketchbook, Grenadier

Kannagi
[spoiler]Maybe this is an assumption on my part but I'm pretty sure the idolhood for survival was answered early on. It's the reason behind Zange being stronger than Nagi; popularity equating to their powers as a deity. Nagi's tree being chopped down was due to the decline in people believing in her (or her associated religion?) and that directly impacts her power.

That said, I haven't finished the series so maybe you're talking about something else?

Kannagi manga is on hiatus I believe since January 2009 (health concerns of the mangaka) and there's only 6 volumes currently out. No idea how far the anime got though but I do know there's an entire arc dedicated to Hakua's possession.[/spoiler]

This does remind me I need to finish watching Kannagi ... I only got like 4 or 5 episodes in (due to following the subs as they released and they were taking awhile maybe?) before putting it on hold. Hm... I guess after Eden of the East.

...which is after I rewatch Dexter.

...which is after...

[spoiler]Yes, the need for the idol stuff is explained. But after only a few eps. the subject sort of disappears. Nagi was still popular, but mostly just an ordinary student. Zange likewise wasn't on TV much anymore. So I wondered why their powers (what was shown of them anyway) didn't diminish, or why they didn't continue to strive to be the most popular in order to gain more power.

Zange seemed to talk to Hakua now and then, but Hakua herself never came back in control of her body. Her father was very concerned about getting her back at first, then disappeared for a while, then at the end he had a short 'oh yes, I should try to get Hakua back' moment, which didn't lead to anything.

And the impurities which were so important at the beginning were also mostly ignored afterwards. The problem was never resolved once and for all, and neither was it said that they didn't matter anymore.[/spoiler]

So the series went from having several plotlines going to almost pure slice-of-life comedy, a la Lucky Star and AzuDai and Hidamari Sketch. The plotlines just kinda faded away instead of being dealt with. The comedy was still fun, the anime just ended up having less plot than expected.

The more I hear, the more I'm psyched I stopped by like episode three.

To be honest, the OP song is enough to make me keep watching.

[spoiler]And I actually liked the humor from the early episodes [/spoiler]

But I suppose that doesn't mean anything when I have like ... 30 or so shows I picked up but haven't watched so ... I follow a lot. Not that picky.

Yes, the OP was good which is what got me addicted and I didn't mind the humor from the early episodes. However, just from that, I could quickly that all we would get would be a bunch of frustrating sexual inuendo, an MC who was too cowardly to admit that he liked her, and no scene of either them kissing or having sex. In other words, I would sit there the entire time wishing they would be together but knowing that they never would be.

I remember one of the earlier scenes I actually screamed WILL YOU TOUCH HER FUCKING BOOB ALREADY AND GET IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM, IDIOT!!

Noodles is remembering how fucking satisfying it was to see the couples in Ef: A Tale of Memories hook up and bone

man I loved that anime, I really ought to procure the VN

*agrees with noodles* the ending was AWESOME.

That reminds me I need to finish ef: a tale of melodies.

...

I think I've said that three times for three different series today.

And you're only in the anime topic XD let's not get started about your back log of games, right?