Spike Lives! (Anime talk)

[Reply #680 on:]

At a medical appointment on Friday one of the nurses commented on the Cowboy Bebop mask I was wearing and mentioned the upcoming live action project. Other than having heard of it I know nothing about it, but she seemed pretty jazzed. And she's a big Futurama fan

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Forgot to include a TOPD:
 

[Reply #681 on:]

Anime News Network has a few articles about it.  There's also a cast list, but sadly Ed isn't on it.  (The general consensus seems to be that she probably won't be in this.)

Yoko Kanno is doing the soundtrack, so the music will be good, at least.  That'll probably be the only good thing about it.

[Reply #682 on:]

Are they doing the full series or only like a part of it? cause i see stuff that comes much later..but why no Ed? makes no sense

[Reply #683 on:]

I'm really not sure how well animation can be translated into live action in general. Yes, a lot can be done with CGI these days, and comic book adaptations have been successful, but animation has its own unique flavour that is difficult to replicate.

[Reply #684 on:]

Are they doing the full series or only like a part of it? cause i see stuff that comes much later..but why no Ed? makes no sense

Including Ed would require a young girl who can not only act, but can convincingly portray the character.  I doubt that there are many child actresses who could pull it off very well.

Another option would have been to make Ed older in the adaptation, but I think that would have changed her too much to still be recognizable as the same character.  Ultimately, I think that they decided that it would be better to leave Ed out of the adaptation than to include a poor adaptation of her.

I suppose it could have been worse.  The folks making the adaptation could have decided to actually make Radical Edward be a seven-foot-tall Hindu guru drag queen alien.

I'm really not sure how well animation can be translated into live action in general.

In general?  Poorly.  Cowboy Bebop is probably easier to adapt than a lot of other anime.  Other than the spaceship scenes, most of the action consists of gunfights and martial arts, which can be done adequately well in live-action.

The spaceship scenes will probably be CGI, which isn't live-action at all; it's just another sort of animation.

[Reply #685 on:]

There's also a cast list, but sadly Ed isn't on it.  (The general consensus seems to be that she probably won't be in this.)

Apparently the general consensus was wrong.

[Reply #686 on:]

I watched the first couple episodes; it isn't bad but seems fairly superfluous as it remakes stories from the anime. I will continue watching but doubt I'd rewatch it like I do the anime.

[Reply #687 on:]

I've seen the trailer for the second series of Made in Abyss, and it looks like at least some of it will be set in the past. That is enticing, because it could provide answers to some of the questions raised by the first season. However people seem to be getting excited by the appearance of a specific new character, and given how that went in Dawn of the Deep Soul...

It also means that my favourite character - Leader - is even less likely to make another appearance, unless it's for an exposition dump. I kinda shipped Leader and the pharmacist, but it seems she was a throwaway character and is unlikely to be seen again. Unless something else appears to convince me otherwise, I probably won't be watching the second season.

Edit: Just listened to a commentary that affirms the source material for the second season is an order of magnitude darker than that for the film, so regardless of how they adapt it, I'm out.

[Reply #688 on:]

The second season of Restaurant to Another World has finished, resolving the most obvious open plot thread from the first series, and providing an answer to a question that would have to have been raised at some point. It feels like the ending was intended to be a satisfactory conclusion if this is to be the final season, while still leaving the way open for a third. I got the impression that a couple of the episodes were laying the groundwork to allow for a third season with a different thematic bias, and the potential now exists for the show to become more dramatic. Whether they would want to go in that direction is another matter, as it would change the tone of the show significantly.

[Reply #689 on:]

It feels like the ending was intended to be a satisfactory conclusion if this is to be the final season, while still leaving the way open for a third.

In general, that's probably the best way to end a second season, unless a third season is already in the works.  Long runners aside, it's still pretty rare for an anime to get more than two seasons these days, although it does seem to be becoming more common.  The real question is if there's any more of the source material to adapt, or if they've already covered all of it with these two seasons.

[Reply #690 on:]

The episodic nature of Restaurant made me think it was an original production, but it's actually adapted from a light novel which is apparently still releasing. That probably makes any significant change in tone less likely, unless it was the adaptation that deviated from the source and it's now starting to get aligned again. But that's probably unlikely.

I believe the reason Symphogear got five seasons was the sale of OSTs and Nana Mizuki concerts. I'd hazard a guess that Synchrogazer probably secured season two on its own, though personally I think the first combat song (which was sung by a different VA) is just as good.

[Reply #691 on:]

I do love hearing Nana Mizuki sing.

I knew that Restaurant to Another World was based on a light novel series; I just didn't know if it was already finished or not.  If it's not, that does make the possibility of a third season seem a bit more likely.

[Reply #692 on:]

Given everything that's going on in the world, I can't be sure of being around for the western release of GuP das Finale 3, so I succumbed and watched some leaked clips. I already knew that [redacted] would be featured, which meant Rumi could return as an advisor for her old school, and she is in one clip. They gave Azumi several appearances in the earlier episodes, but the same plot mechanism may not work as well for Rumi, so that may be the only time she shows up. I'm also eager to watch a certain person's reaction to this episode: Something he thought was going to happen in the original series occurred this time, and it does make you wonder if the creators watch reaction videos...

[Reply #693 on:]

Cartoon Network will be showing Made in Abyss, starting this weekend.  I guess I might check it out, just to see what all the fuss is about.

They'll be showing the English dub, of course, so I still won't get to hear the Japanese cast, but it's always nice to hear Luci and Brittney again.

[Reply #694 on:]

The background art, OST, and world building are impressive. There are hints from the start that it is going to turn dark, but most don't expect it to go where it does, and at least one reactor couldn't finish the series despite being impressed by it. There are two versions of the original run: The original series + Dawn of the Deep Soul, and two movies that are re-edits of the series + DotDS. Apparently there are some differences between the two, and the dialogue in the dub seems to have been dialed back a little compared to the sub. Overall, I might get the OST at some point, but not the DVDs, and based on what I've heard I'm going nowhere near the manga. Naturally ymmv, so I'm definitely not saying don't watch it, but some people find they reach a point where they want to bail.

On the subject of OSTs, this is still my favourite track from Symphogear (lyrics in the comments: still image potentially NSFW). Okay, I promise I won't link to any more.

[Reply #695 on:]

I fully expect to be underwhelmed.  Shows that get this sort of hype often fail to impress me.  Meanwhile, some of the stuff that I think is great seems to be overlooked.  There's no accounting for taste.

[Reply #696 on:]

Apparently Made in Abyss is available to me if I subscribe to the Anime channel, but I'm disinclined to subscribe to anything else at the moment. :-/

[Reply #697 on:]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend subscribing for a single show, especially one that you may want to drop before the end.

The news of a female army officer completing her antarctic trek made me curious to check out A Place Further Than The Universe, so I binged the show. The realism was variable, but there will always be some artistic license, and overall I liked it. There was one scene of totally idiotic behaviour on the boat, and some unrealistic electronics, but I accept their narrative purpose. I can see some people having an issue with the pacing, but for me it wasn't too bad. The show works as a standalone, and while there's an obvious hook for a more dramatic sequel, padding it out to a full season might be difficult. Could be good if they pulled it off though.

[Reply #698 on:]

I thought that the ending was more of a gag than a serious sequel hook.  Not that I wouldn't watch another season, but it really doesn't need one.  The show is already perfect as it is.

[Reply #699 on:]

It doesn't have to be an immediate follow-up. It would take time for the adult team to achieve their "distant" objective, but when (if) they do, it would make sense for at least one of the four main characters to go back and visit or work with "that". If they were in university at that point the trip would be even more justifiable. I spent several days abroad at one of "those" as part of my OU course. (Ugh, spoiler tags, spoiler tags, we need spoiler tags.)

[Reply #700 on:]

Ah, okay.  I think that I misunderstood you.  When you mentioned an obvious sequel hook, I thought that you were referring to the last bit at the very end of the last episode, but you were actually referring to something else.  We really do need working spoiler tags.

A sequel set when the girls are older could definitely work.  It would probably work better as a movie than as a second season, though.  The upcoming Laid-Back Camp movie will feature older versions of the Outclub girls.  If it works for Laid-Back Camp, it could certainly work for A Place Further than the Universe.

[Reply #701 on:]

I've seen Laid-back Camp mentioned alongside APFTTU quite a bit, and it seems seasonally appropriate, so I might as well give it a go.

[Reply #702 on:]

Both shows premiered in the same season, so I've always associated them in my mind.  Apparently I'm not the only one, because there's a lot of fan art (and even some official art) that combines the two.  My favorite is the one where Kimari and Shirase find Rin solo camping in Antarctica when they get there.

Laid-Back Camp also has a short spin-off called Room Camp that was made between the two seasons.

[Reply #703 on:]

In order to better appreciate the Laid-back Camp experience, I picked up a curry Pot Noodle instead of a tin of spaghetti. While I get the convenience aspect, I'd say Rin's compact grill was a wise investment. It was more substantial than the powdered soups I had back in the day though, so I can see the appeal.

[Reply #704 on:]

A friend of mine who likes this show once offered me a curry Cup Noodle (the same brand that Rin gave Nadeshiko in the first episode), but I had to respectfully decline after reading the ingredients because of the dairy products.

Laid-Back Camp does feature a lot of cooking and eating, which is a large part of its appeal, at least for me.  As relaxing as it is to watch, I'm not actually that interested in camping in real life.  Food on the other hand...

[Reply #705 on:]

The only issue I had with Laid-back Camp was the one scene where they seem to have made a huge animation error. Unless there is an IRL campground with a film set flat on display, they forgot to draw most of the building, just showing the end wall with sky behind it. If it's a genuine reference then fine, but it looks really odd.

[Reply #706 on:]

As relaxing as it is to watch, I'm not actually that interested in camping in real life.  Food on the other hand...

:D

Back when I had more of an interest in astronomy I used to travel to a big mountaintop retreat every year. The place had no facilities whatsoever other than porta-potties brought in for the event and as I had no desire to "rough it", meal-wise, I'd just pack bags of goodies and a huge cooler filled with ice and restaurant sandwiches to last me 4-5 days. Some people were roasting marshmallows with the primary mirrors of their telescopes, pointed slightly off-axis from the sun—with varying degrees of success

[Reply #707 on:]

You know you've watched too much Symphogear when you see "Ukraine Crisis" and read it as "Yukine Chris".

[Reply #708 on:]

The only issue I had with Laid-back Camp was the one scene where they seem to have made a huge animation error. Unless there is an IRL campground with a film set flat on display, they forgot to draw most of the building, just showing the end wall with sky behind it. If it's a genuine reference then fine, but it looks really odd.

It's been a year since I watched the second season, and even longer since I watched the first season, so you'll have to help me out here.  Could you post a screenshot, or at least let me know which episode this was?

Using telescope mirrors to roast marshmallows sounds like something the Outclub would try if they had access to telescopes.  It also sounds like something the Earth Sciences Club from Asteroid in Love woud do, although Monroe-senpai would probably scold them for misusing club equipment (and then she'd roast marshmallows with the rest of them anyway).

[Reply #709 on:]

It's been a year since I watched the second season, and even longer since I watched the first season, so you'll have to help me out here.  Could you post a screenshot, or at least let me know which episode this was?

Here, at 0:28 (spoilers for anyone who hasn't watched the show). BUT, thinking about it while actually awake, I think they are going for a "Rin's mind's-eye" view: just showing the part of the building she sees as a face. It still looks odd though, and I think they could have done it differently so that it didn't look like a mistake. Perhaps make the windows blink, which would make it clear that it's in her imagination: but that would require more animation.

[Reply #710 on:]

That does look like an error, although I have to admit that I never noticed it before, despite having seen the episode more than once, and having watched that same YouTube video many, many times.

That's one of my favorite scenes from the first season.  Rin's interactions with dogs are always entertaining.

[Reply #711 on:]

At 0:46, Rin spotted with the main characters from Super Cub. I know that series wasn't very popular, but I quite liked it. The second half isn't as good as the first, and one episode in particular was pretty terrible, but I don't think it deserves to be dismissed as a blatant Honda ad. But it is very slow, and I know a lot of people find it boring.

[Reply #712 on:]

I haven't seen that one.  I can add it to the list, I suppose.

I keep expecting the Outclub to run into the cast of Encouragement of Climb at the camping gear store, but I don't think it's actually going to happen.

[Reply #713 on:]

If you do decide to watch it, be prepared for it being very slow. As I said, many consider it to be terminally boring, but I feel they are missing the whole point of the story.

A reaction channel that had gone quiet for a few months is back, so now there are at least five reacting to Symphogear (though one is nearing the end). While listing the shows he will be watching in the upcoming season, he mentioned Super Cub and repeated that he would like to see it get a second season, so it does have some supporters.

[Reply #714 on:]

Slow doesn't bother me.  I probably won't be watching it anytime soon, though.  The Spring anime season is starting soon, and we're getting new seasons of Ascendance of a Bookworm, The Rising of the Shield Hero, and Kaguya-sama: Love is War.  There are also some new shows that I'm planning to check out, at least.  And there are still some older shows that I started watching that I haven't finished yet...

Since I'm already posting in the anime thread anyway:
Laid-Back Camp Series Inspires Camping Car

[Reply #715 on:]

I didn't think the GuP Continuation vs. Pravda memes would start unless Russia was mad enough to open a second front in Finland, but it seems that the wind was blowing towards Ukraine... <Sakkijarven Polka intensifies>

(I won't post links to avoid the possibility of provoking a cyber attack against PEEL).

[Reply #716 on:]

Why Girls und Panzer Works So Well

I usually don't bother reading reviews or opinion pieces on ANN, but this might be relevant to the interests of some of the folks reading this thread.

[Reply #717 on:]

Rather unusual timing for that article tbh, as current events have probably reduced the general appetite for GuP and similar shows. That said, I could genuinely see certain hacker groups incorporating GuP material into cyber warfare should a particular situation arise. I know some Russian websites came under attack early on, but not the nature of the attacks, so it may have already happened. There would be a certain irony to material from a show packed with military history references being used against a military aggressor, but hopefully we won't reach that point.

[Reply #718 on:]

I've started watching 86, which is probably a more suitable commentary on the current world situation. It has some passing similarities to Sound of the Sky, but longer and more gritty. I'm only five episodes in, but I get the impression that this is what SotS could have been if it had aimed more at the mainstream and been prepared to focus on the darker aspects of the story. Also, the Juggernauts are available as scale model kits, but as they are even more expensive than GW stuff I'll be passing again.

[Reply #719 on:]

Here's the trailer for the Laid-Back Camp movie.  I'd love to actually watch this in a movie theater, but I doubt that it will ever be shown in theaters in the US, much less one anywhere near me.

In other news, Crunchyroll will be adding the English dub of Super Cub.  It will probably require a subscription to watch, however.