Belle... A collection of music videos glued together by a really badly written narrative.
Belle is one of the weakest animated movies i have seen in the past few years, and that makes me really sad, as a fan of the director i went into this expecting an 8 or an 9, but what i got is a 5 at best.
Belle has a interesting idea, with its reworking of the "beauty and the beast" and its child abuse themes... But it fails to build on its characters and to explain basic premises of its own world, making it for a very boring and bland experience.
Most of the things we thought would be relevant were completely ignored and absolutely useless, we asked ourselves watching "did she get some disease and now is unable to sing in the real world and that is why the U is an escape?" No, they never address this, she just fails to sing and vomits once because the movie wanted to i guess? They keep all her "friends" completely irrelevant and underdeveloped until the last quarter of the movie, so i basically don't care about any of them in the end, they never explain the socio economical structure of the U world... How does this work? They say the avatar is made automatically based on people physiognomy, but the avatars are crazy different in form and species, how can that be made from ones physiognomy? How is the invitation system decided? Who is invited and why? Why even have an invitation system instead of selling the app or freely distributing it if that ends up irrelevant to the story? Why show us a very interesting singer character on the start that rivalizes our belle if you are just going to forget her for the whole movie? How to know which avatars are AI controlled and which are actually people? Is it possible do die in U? If not, what is the relevance of all the conflict we see?
Belle raises too many questions and answer very little, it presents us with an beautiful and interesting virtual world but tells us NOTHING about it and how it all works, it presents us with futuristic technology in a world that seems stuck in the 2000s, it gives us many bland and uninteresting characters with only one personality trait each and develops none of them... There are so many problems, so many drawn out scenes... That it all gets boring and tiresome...
And.... That makes me really sad, the music is GREAT, the visuals are BEAUTIFUL, the music scenes are AMAZING... But they are few and far in between and the rest of the movie... Is not interesting, they present us a nice duality of belle and the beast, but their interest in one another is so out of nowhere and forced that it doesnt feel even a little bit real or natural... There is a great scene that develops the characters and emotional connects, but it is only in the last quarter of the movie... When it has already lost all my interest and attention... and the plot of child abuse is ok and very important... But it feels shoved in... The main plot... Feels shoved in... Oh, and how they find the boy... Well, that was just the worst "investigation" bit i have ever seen...
I really wanted to like this movie, but there are just too many unanswered questions, just too little character development, and a plot that is just generic and bland enough to lose my attention... The visuals and music alone are not enough...
At the end, i feel like they made some really great music videos and didnt want to release it as just animated music videos, so they wrote a really bland movie around it and shoved a controversial and important theme(child abuse) to appeal to peoples hearts in an effective but kinda cheap way.
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This was my biggest problem with it too - that child abuse plotline came out of nowhere.
There are so many more interesting and logical plotlines that could have taken place. I kept wondering why they didn't just make it a movie about Belle struggling to come to terms with herself in the real world and to accept the friends that she has already instead of seeking validation and beating herself up over criticism from strangers. I also kept wondering why we didn't get a fish out of water type scenario where Belle has to struggle adjusting to the U, encountering elements of it alongside the audience to explain it without the need of clunky exposition.
In the end, I don't know why this has such good reviews other than westerners tend to give anime way too much credit.
The Nastume Yuujinchou series is a powerful and heartwarming fantasy masterpiece among the anime world. I absolutely loved the series and couldn't stop watching till the very end. The quality through all 4 seasons was just superb without a hint of drop-off. The range of emotions and themes covered in Nastume Yuujinchou is beyond impressive. It would have me ROFL with Nyanko-sensei's antics in one minute to within Clannad-esque tears in the very next. However, what truly struck me was how N.Y. was able to find a duality/struggling conflict within all of these different themes and truly challenge the feelings and emotions of the viewer. This was done by creating such spectacular characters from Natsume and his family/friends down to the individual youkai that we meet for only a single episode. The creators do a magnificent job getting us emotionally invested in this world via these relatable and lovable characters. It's an amazing ride (and I hope we get another season) as we join Natsume on his journey as he learns to accept and understand his ever changing world, the people/youkai around him, and, ultimately, himself. This is right at the top of my list of must watch anime. Don't think. Just watch.
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Season 5 coming this FALL!!!!! REJOICE!!!! (Of course, I have forgotten everything that has happened in this series...)
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-20/natsume-book-of-friends-tv-anime-gets-season-5-this-fall/.100011
This is THE anime that we've all been waiting and yearning for. Many of us hardcore Mushoku Tensei fans have been waiting years upon years for an anime adaptation to finally hit, and HIT it has. I was a little skeptical with a brand new studio undertaking this, but all the previews had looked great so I was cautiously optimistic. The source material is my absolute favorite isekai series (which says a lot) and the light/web novel will always hold a special place in my fandom. So how were the first two episodes so far (first has aired officially and the first two were previewed beforehand)?
AMAZING. I really don't know if it's just because the source material is that good, but this has been a SPOT ON adaptation so far. Right when I heard "Gintoki" as the NEET narrator, I knew shit was gonna be good. The sense of humor and pervertedness of Rudy is really well incorporated throughout the first two episodes, and makes this more than just a "another OP isekai". But even with that sense of humor, the anime has taken great depths to give solid (but not overwhelming) background info on the characters and highlighting particularly serious moments. This was especially evident in the second episode where the handling of Rudy's "fall into NEETness" and past trauma was interweaved perfectly into his current situation and setting.
I can't wait for the rest of the anime to air. It seems that a second cour has already been green-lighted so let's hope this can turn into one of those long-running anime series. If they can make it to the school arcs, I'll have lived a complete life...
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@maniacb It'll continue a bit with the pervyness, but the ecchi scenes will definitely decrease for a while. There might be one more scene featuring Eris (it's not that extreme or anything), but after that it goes into a more traditional fantasy setup (albeit an extremely great one). There wouldn't be a return to the "hentai" levels unless this series gets to like a 3rd season at least imo. By then, you'll be hook line and sinkered ;)
I have never really watched Star Trek (except the odd episode of DS9 and Voyager) but having watched every RLM episode about it I can only feel sorry for the die hard fans...
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@player8472 Oh yeah! I also played the Voyager Elite Force game tons when it came out so you know... my interest is there, just not 800 episodes there. But no worries, I didn't actually rate this so your 10/10 after two episodes is not in danger and well supported by the modern day hype machine informing me of all the amazing TV shows I need to watch :wink:. I certainly know that I am better off not watching this and just maybe my "sad" comment can safe someone else the time.
Just for reference their take on the pilot with all the nitpicking: hfQdf93e63I
Having finally finished my slow burn of this series all I can do is agree with other comments here. This series offers a sense of tranquillity when watching that I have rarely seen anywhere else. You just get absorbed into sometimes dreamlike atmosphere of it all. Each episode is somewhat self-contained and you really never know how it will end. Some end on a happy note, some on a sorrowful one, some are more ambiguous or bitersweet.
The message throughout is very much that Mushi are not malevolent or evil, they are just like forces of nature, and can be harmful or helpful to humans. Each story is more about how people deal with these things, with Ginko travelling around and helping where he can.
With a second season just around the corner all I can really do is repeat other people's recommendations - if you haven't already, watch this series.
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@maniacb You perfectly describe the atmosphere and concept of this anime, I couldn't explain better. +1
Shout by ManiacB
VIPOG12Okay, I'll admit the last couple of episodes have been a lot more compelling. Consider me engaged again... unless they crash out on a bad/non-ending.
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@maniacb No spoiler, but there's enough manga for four seasons this length (including this one). I won't try to guess how you'll like the ending, but the story gets SO much better in the later chapters!
That feeling when you probably should have checked that the random OVA you grabbed ages ago and just got around to watching was actually a 1 hour recap.
Still, I've seen worse. Reminded me to get hype for S2!
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@maniacb tfw you start that OVA before S2 and read that it's just a recap
So far this is still exactly my cup of tea. Some nice relationship growth between the main girls, with no ridiculous over-the-top drama to speak of. Just nice, down-to-earth stuff that makes sense, and some nice "aww" moments too.
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@maniacb Right? I'm really liking this show as well. Definitely one of the better Shoujo ai/Yuri shows I've gotten into. Very relaxing and the MC's don't get flustered over every little thing, haha. And they're both likable :D
Possibly Shinkai's best work so far, and as a massive fan of both 5cm and Garden of Words I do not say that lightly. The animation is breathtaking as always but some scenes go beyond mere visual splendor and are just mesmerizing. The characters are so fun to be around and you'll find yourself rooting for them and hoping it all works out. I was slightly concerned when I saw the "boob fondling" scene in the trailer but even that becomes a genuinely charming gag throughout the movie, believe it or not!
As to be expected of Shinkai, the film also takes you on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows and keeps you guessing how it will end until pretty much the last minute.
I cannot recommend this enough.
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@maniacb Well, I just watched the newer rip that came out last week (much better than the DVD screener) and really enjoyed the movie. Great visuals, music and voice work. The story and feels were solid. It's not the greatest anime movie ever, but it is definitely Shinkai's best so far. I was about to get triggered at the end if it had a 5cm/s type ending...
I'll definitely watch it in theaters too when it comes out over here. Thanks, Funimation...
Ah man, Trigger are nailing this. Such a fun series. Some downright goofy moments this episode that made me smile.
Also, just gonna say it. Diana best girl.loading replies
@maniacb I get to Akko-levels of jealously when I see your VIP-OG tag...
Apparently the anime community is not very confident about this show, but as someone who loved Attack on Titan, Claymore and other dark/fantasy stuff, I really hope this doesn't devolve into a shit show, because I really like the premise and design.
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@maniacb I know right? I gave it a 7 only because of the first half of the season, Mumei's character, the amazing art and animation and the wonderful music it had!
Yep. They would have been better off fighting kabanes. I totally expected them to fight humans in the end (Was so against it). Atleast hoped for a better villain. Oh well :/
Great introduction for Edna.
Loved the fight with the dragon. A very enjoyable episode. Excited for next week :DAlso, isn't this supposed to be Episode 7 and not 8? The first episode was supposed to be a special.
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@maniacb Miscalculation on my part haha. My bad! Thanks anyway :D
Apparently the anime community is not very confident about this show, but as someone who loved Attack on Titan, Claymore and other dark/fantasy stuff, I really hope this doesn't devolve into a shit show, because I really like the premise and design.
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Introducing a character like Biba was a mistake. His ideals and reasoning were kinda stupid tbh. The show was great before Biba was introduced. A real shame
For a moment there, I was really worried the whale wouldn't turn up. Subaru would have some explaining to do then!
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@maniacb Haha I really thought that as well. Figured everyone would get pissed off in the end. So glad that wasn't the case. I AM SO HYPED FOR THE NEXT EPISODE
A reminder that for all the series' faults, Tomori was so best she made it all worth watching.
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She can play the "straight man" in my life any time she wants...
Absolutely disappointing rehash of the first trilogy. Disney had a real opportunity to do something new and exciting with this ipr but resorted to rushed writing with an extremely compressed story that makes no sense and fails to make anyone care for the characters or events. Emo Kylo is an outstanding metaphor for the whole deal.
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Just sit back and enjoy. The haters obviously need to watch the prequels again to see how bad it could have been.
The movie feels like the originals look wise and costume wise. It didn't give every answer about the characters yet and I am sure it will in the next installments.
Where's the mystery if it gives everything away ?
Hi! You might not know me but I'm Adlet Mayer. The strongest man in the world.
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The DANKEST man in the world. Science.
Obligatory baseball episode GO.
Also, dat pizza sauce. Not quite on the same level as Akiko's Jam, but not far off!loading replies
Bingo?
http://i.imgur.com/UrT2uuh.jpg
Jun Maeda ftw.
Honestly, I'm not feeling it. This "drama" just seems so contrived at this point that I've started to stop caring. I need my badass 8man back who'll trample all over people's feels. And where are my dank memes?
Iroha is da best girl tho.
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I've always been an ardent member of #TeamYui but Iroha is just too much... She pushes all my buttons ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
