Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Kai
Thanks to a recommendation from Ken (ACen), picked up this series. Found out it's been out for some time, but still figured why not.
Apparently it's connected to Type-Moon (from the title design, I guess I'm not surprised), so I didn't know what to think. What makes it better or worse is that like all Type-Moon productions, it's based off a PC game.
It's an interesting series though. I was a bit skeptical since I really didn't like Tsukihime but I thought Fate/Stay Night was enjoyable.
It takes an interesting way of animating a suspense/mystery game that has several paths with different outcomes and different character possibilities into this. It presents about four paths but alludes to maybe three others.
The character development was I thought at the very least unique. You got to learn the characters through natural development, but because of the branching paths, you also learned their windfall as well, which was pretty consistent in all story lines.
The one thing that bugged me was the inconsistency of the main character, Rika. For someone that's supposed to be a constant because of how many times she's reborn (eh, it's not a spoiler since they reveal it in the second episode), they flip-flop her skeptical and hopeful attitude to the point where she gets schizophrenic (and heck, gets slapped for it too). The main villain is also annoying. I mean, yeah they're nuts, but another flip-flopping of attitudes in a snap of a finger, it's irritatingly unrealistic.
One can argue, how can you hate a character for being unrealistic in a TV series/movie/anime/etc.? We watch movies and stuff because we want to be able to relate to the characters, feel their pain, share their emotions, whatever. There is a human factor to all of it. However, with poorly written scripting, directing, or whatever, if that human factor is suddenly taken out to be a robot or someone that's dull and uninteresting, it doesn't let the viewer connect to the character at all. That's fine if it's a non-recurring character but if it's the protagonist or antagonist, then it sucks! You're stuck with someone who you don't care about as your main character or villain for xx amount of minutes or episodes.
Anyway, all in all, I liked it but it took me a while to care. The first few episodes doesn't explain anything, you're watching a bunch of kids playing, and it's dull. Thankfully, it does pick up, then by the second season, slow start again, but picks back up.
Now I need to find another series to pick up...
Oh yeah Otakon, never again am I going to drive to freaking Baltimore.
Huge thanks to Anne, Renee, and Nick for letting me and John stay over.
For the record, if you've heard of the "Geno's VS Pat's" Philly Cheesesteak "controversy" in Philadelphia, the clear winner is Pat's. I don't know what's wrong with people in thinking Geno's compares. I suppose if you like cheesesteaks with meat that has no flavor, bland cheese, floppy soggy bland fries, and stale bread then yes, Geno's is the place for you. Otherwise wait in line for 15-25 minutes for Pat's, it's worth it.
Apparently it's connected to Type-Moon (from the title design, I guess I'm not surprised), so I didn't know what to think. What makes it better or worse is that like all Type-Moon productions, it's based off a PC game.
It's an interesting series though. I was a bit skeptical since I really didn't like Tsukihime but I thought Fate/Stay Night was enjoyable.
It takes an interesting way of animating a suspense/mystery game that has several paths with different outcomes and different character possibilities into this. It presents about four paths but alludes to maybe three others.
The character development was I thought at the very least unique. You got to learn the characters through natural development, but because of the branching paths, you also learned their windfall as well, which was pretty consistent in all story lines.
The one thing that bugged me was the inconsistency of the main character, Rika. For someone that's supposed to be a constant because of how many times she's reborn (eh, it's not a spoiler since they reveal it in the second episode), they flip-flop her skeptical and hopeful attitude to the point where she gets schizophrenic (and heck, gets slapped for it too). The main villain is also annoying. I mean, yeah they're nuts, but another flip-flopping of attitudes in a snap of a finger, it's irritatingly unrealistic.
One can argue, how can you hate a character for being unrealistic in a TV series/movie/anime/etc.? We watch movies and stuff because we want to be able to relate to the characters, feel their pain, share their emotions, whatever. There is a human factor to all of it. However, with poorly written scripting, directing, or whatever, if that human factor is suddenly taken out to be a robot or someone that's dull and uninteresting, it doesn't let the viewer connect to the character at all. That's fine if it's a non-recurring character but if it's the protagonist or antagonist, then it sucks! You're stuck with someone who you don't care about as your main character or villain for xx amount of minutes or episodes.
Anyway, all in all, I liked it but it took me a while to care. The first few episodes doesn't explain anything, you're watching a bunch of kids playing, and it's dull. Thankfully, it does pick up, then by the second season, slow start again, but picks back up.
Now I need to find another series to pick up...
Oh yeah Otakon, never again am I going to drive to freaking Baltimore.
Huge thanks to Anne, Renee, and Nick for letting me and John stay over.
For the record, if you've heard of the "Geno's VS Pat's" Philly Cheesesteak "controversy" in Philadelphia, the clear winner is Pat's. I don't know what's wrong with people in thinking Geno's compares. I suppose if you like cheesesteaks with meat that has no flavor, bland cheese, floppy soggy bland fries, and stale bread then yes, Geno's is the place for you. Otherwise wait in line for 15-25 minutes for Pat's, it's worth it.