Lots of Rambling
Ramblings on anime and the Heroes finale, so spoilers ahead:
1. You know you're an otaku when you can identify an anime from just hearing the music for the licensing company's logo. Yes, let me repeat that: the music for the licensing company's logo. Not the anime itself, but for the folks that brought it over here. I had forgotten that Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig had finished it's latest run last week, so this past Saturday something else was going to air in that 1 am timeslot on [adult swim]. I didn't think to check the schedule to see what it was, as it didn't really matter to me. So, I'm facing the computer, away from the tv, when I hear the Geneon logo come on the tv, before the actual anime started. I immediately say, "Oh, they must be airing Samurai Champloo again!" (pause) I was right. That's freaky. I saw a book called Gonzo, about Hunter S. Thompson, on our new book reshelving cart, and thought of the animation studio of the same name. I got that stupid "Gonzo" stuck in my head (if you've heard it, you know what I mean).
2. The "fansubs are bad for the anime industry" debate has been raging again on some sites (ANN). All I have to say is this: I doubt that a lot more people would buy stuff that people is saying was hurt by fansubs if they weren't available. They just wouldn't watch that anime, instead. As someone who for a long time barely downloaded fansubs because of being on dialup, I know it doesn't change my buying habits - I wasn't buying before, and I'm not buying now, because I'm flat broke. Any money left over after bills tends to go to my sister's medical expenses. The vast majority of my anime that I see, I see because it's on tv, or because a friend showed it to me. Even what I do download (which is still extremely limited, because I just don't have time to watch everything! I regularly only download two shows, actually - Naruto and Bleach.), I also watch religiously on tv - and, in fact, the fansubs make me even more excited to see the dubs, since those dubs are relatively good and I want to see how they'll handle it. For that matter, if having already seen the show fansubbed would keep people from watching the official version because they already know what happened, what about all of those people who also read the manga, and thus also already know what happened (barring filler)? Manga readers tend to be just as excited to see how the animators would handle what they read (ZOMG Kakashi Gaiden, anyone? (g)). I'm honestly not sure how much being spoiled affects official versions, unless the official version is just horrible (4Kids One Piece, anyone?). For that matter as well, what about tv viewings? How badly does that hurt the later DVD sales, and if it does, is that offset by the deal with the tv network? After all, the same arguement applies there as well.
Anyway, if I had the money, would I also buy what I download? Hell, yes! I want good copies, that I can easily watch anywhere. Anime fandom is an expensive fandom, however. It's understandable - it does cost to license and redub a show. Still, it's hard for those with very limited free money to go out and buy their favorite shows. Don't get me wrong - fansubs are illegal, and licensors and original creators are well within their rights to stop them. Also, great buzz might counteract the effect of having to buy a show unseen. Still, I'm honestly unsure at how much effect fansubs do have on keeping people from buying the official versions.
3. Heroes - ZOMG. Well, I predicted that Niki would be one of the heroes that died, although I thought it was going to be because Momo was delayed. At least she went out being a hero. I'm also amused that the two people that "died" were the ones the fans seem to like the least - Niki and Maya. Oddly enough, I liked both of them. Go fig. (shrugs) Then again, I never hated any of the characters, really.
I loved how they developed Elle more. I actually like her character, because Kristin Bell did such a good job at making people hate her. That actually has the opposite effect on me. (g) I love the parallels between Bob and HRG, and how Bob won't be winning any awards for parent of the year. I also like that she seemed geniunely pleased when she realized that she actually did something good for once - even though Sylar got away, she saved Momo and Company, and I think her smile wasn't just because she realized her dad would be happy with her, but that she actually did something good for someone else.
Thank you, Hiro, for not becoming a murderer and staining yourself that way. Plus, Hiro found a great way to deal with Adam that does leave a way for Adam to come back, so that's fine by me. Hehehehe. Adam might be an evil immortal - btw, I just realized that he truly fits the bill, as his old name DOES start with "K"! (Highlander joke, for those who don't get it.) - but I really like the bastard. Also, two words: "Flying Man!" (giggles) That and the reunion of the Petrelli brothers were so sweet.
Ah, Petrellis. Their love is so true, it trumps all (even though I'm not an incest fan, so I don't pair them myself). Their mom, however, is still an uber-bitch. Also, I think that Nathan survives, since a) he's popular and b) either possibly Adam or Peter's blood can heal him (if Adam's isn't still active in his system, then Peter's might work since Peter has that power as well - if Peter realizes this). I did think that the beginning with Matt, Nathan, and Angela was too rushed, however. I wasn't quite sure how they realized that Victoria was dead, and what happened there, so I must have missed something.
Speaking of Nathan being shot, does anyone else think HRG was the hit man, since he's back with the Company again? That's my one big problem with the episode, now that I think about it - they broke up Noah and Sandra too! AIGH! Can't they leave ONE marriage alone???? For that matter, West and Claire broke up! I know a lot of fans evidently didn't like them, but I did. Sigh. West's sudden reticence at being exposed didn't make sense to me, either. He was the one the whole time who was all about pushing the boundaries and almost getting caught, but going all the way was too much? It felt wrong. I did love the scene with the whole Bennet family, however. The way HRG was trying so hard to be Mr. It's All OK, and how it just didn't work, was perfect.
Sylar's back. Hehehe. Let the brain eating commence! I'm glad Maya finally wised up and realized that he is a creepy serial killer, even if it took Molly for her to fully realize what he was. Of course, Molly should be in charge of all of the bitchslapping for stupidity anyway, starting with her two daddies. (g) The fact that Sylar's powers were gone were because of the Shanti virus strain seemed a little convenient, though. Was that strain a very slow version of the disease, since he didn't seem to have any other symptoms? Every other version seemed to work faster, unless that's just tv time compression. Still, he's back, still bad, so life is good. I told you I like the villians, and it looks like he'll be one of the main foci of the next volume, based on the title - since it's "Villians", there has to be more than one, of course.
All in all, a good night. It's too bad, though, that SciFi had to run pt. 2 of Tin Man tonight. Thankfully, neither I or Mom work tomorrow night (she switched, luckily), so we can catch that tomorrow before pt. 3. Heroes had to take precedence. (g)
1. You know you're an otaku when you can identify an anime from just hearing the music for the licensing company's logo. Yes, let me repeat that: the music for the licensing company's logo. Not the anime itself, but for the folks that brought it over here. I had forgotten that Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig had finished it's latest run last week, so this past Saturday something else was going to air in that 1 am timeslot on [adult swim]. I didn't think to check the schedule to see what it was, as it didn't really matter to me. So, I'm facing the computer, away from the tv, when I hear the Geneon logo come on the tv, before the actual anime started. I immediately say, "Oh, they must be airing Samurai Champloo again!" (pause) I was right. That's freaky. I saw a book called Gonzo, about Hunter S. Thompson, on our new book reshelving cart, and thought of the animation studio of the same name. I got that stupid "Gonzo" stuck in my head (if you've heard it, you know what I mean).
2. The "fansubs are bad for the anime industry" debate has been raging again on some sites (ANN). All I have to say is this: I doubt that a lot more people would buy stuff that people is saying was hurt by fansubs if they weren't available. They just wouldn't watch that anime, instead. As someone who for a long time barely downloaded fansubs because of being on dialup, I know it doesn't change my buying habits - I wasn't buying before, and I'm not buying now, because I'm flat broke. Any money left over after bills tends to go to my sister's medical expenses. The vast majority of my anime that I see, I see because it's on tv, or because a friend showed it to me. Even what I do download (which is still extremely limited, because I just don't have time to watch everything! I regularly only download two shows, actually - Naruto and Bleach.), I also watch religiously on tv - and, in fact, the fansubs make me even more excited to see the dubs, since those dubs are relatively good and I want to see how they'll handle it. For that matter, if having already seen the show fansubbed would keep people from watching the official version because they already know what happened, what about all of those people who also read the manga, and thus also already know what happened (barring filler)? Manga readers tend to be just as excited to see how the animators would handle what they read (ZOMG Kakashi Gaiden, anyone? (g)). I'm honestly not sure how much being spoiled affects official versions, unless the official version is just horrible (4Kids One Piece, anyone?). For that matter as well, what about tv viewings? How badly does that hurt the later DVD sales, and if it does, is that offset by the deal with the tv network? After all, the same arguement applies there as well.
Anyway, if I had the money, would I also buy what I download? Hell, yes! I want good copies, that I can easily watch anywhere. Anime fandom is an expensive fandom, however. It's understandable - it does cost to license and redub a show. Still, it's hard for those with very limited free money to go out and buy their favorite shows. Don't get me wrong - fansubs are illegal, and licensors and original creators are well within their rights to stop them. Also, great buzz might counteract the effect of having to buy a show unseen. Still, I'm honestly unsure at how much effect fansubs do have on keeping people from buying the official versions.
3. Heroes - ZOMG. Well, I predicted that Niki would be one of the heroes that died, although I thought it was going to be because Momo was delayed. At least she went out being a hero. I'm also amused that the two people that "died" were the ones the fans seem to like the least - Niki and Maya. Oddly enough, I liked both of them. Go fig. (shrugs) Then again, I never hated any of the characters, really.
I loved how they developed Elle more. I actually like her character, because Kristin Bell did such a good job at making people hate her. That actually has the opposite effect on me. (g) I love the parallels between Bob and HRG, and how Bob won't be winning any awards for parent of the year. I also like that she seemed geniunely pleased when she realized that she actually did something good for once - even though Sylar got away, she saved Momo and Company, and I think her smile wasn't just because she realized her dad would be happy with her, but that she actually did something good for someone else.
Thank you, Hiro, for not becoming a murderer and staining yourself that way. Plus, Hiro found a great way to deal with Adam that does leave a way for Adam to come back, so that's fine by me. Hehehehe. Adam might be an evil immortal - btw, I just realized that he truly fits the bill, as his old name DOES start with "K"! (Highlander joke, for those who don't get it.) - but I really like the bastard. Also, two words: "Flying Man!" (giggles) That and the reunion of the Petrelli brothers were so sweet.
Ah, Petrellis. Their love is so true, it trumps all (even though I'm not an incest fan, so I don't pair them myself). Their mom, however, is still an uber-bitch. Also, I think that Nathan survives, since a) he's popular and b) either possibly Adam or Peter's blood can heal him (if Adam's isn't still active in his system, then Peter's might work since Peter has that power as well - if Peter realizes this). I did think that the beginning with Matt, Nathan, and Angela was too rushed, however. I wasn't quite sure how they realized that Victoria was dead, and what happened there, so I must have missed something.
Speaking of Nathan being shot, does anyone else think HRG was the hit man, since he's back with the Company again? That's my one big problem with the episode, now that I think about it - they broke up Noah and Sandra too! AIGH! Can't they leave ONE marriage alone???? For that matter, West and Claire broke up! I know a lot of fans evidently didn't like them, but I did. Sigh. West's sudden reticence at being exposed didn't make sense to me, either. He was the one the whole time who was all about pushing the boundaries and almost getting caught, but going all the way was too much? It felt wrong. I did love the scene with the whole Bennet family, however. The way HRG was trying so hard to be Mr. It's All OK, and how it just didn't work, was perfect.
Sylar's back. Hehehe. Let the brain eating commence! I'm glad Maya finally wised up and realized that he is a creepy serial killer, even if it took Molly for her to fully realize what he was. Of course, Molly should be in charge of all of the bitchslapping for stupidity anyway, starting with her two daddies. (g) The fact that Sylar's powers were gone were because of the Shanti virus strain seemed a little convenient, though. Was that strain a very slow version of the disease, since he didn't seem to have any other symptoms? Every other version seemed to work faster, unless that's just tv time compression. Still, he's back, still bad, so life is good. I told you I like the villians, and it looks like he'll be one of the main foci of the next volume, based on the title - since it's "Villians", there has to be more than one, of course.
All in all, a good night. It's too bad, though, that SciFi had to run pt. 2 of Tin Man tonight. Thankfully, neither I or Mom work tomorrow night (she switched, luckily), so we can catch that tomorrow before pt. 3. Heroes had to take precedence. (g)