2017-04-08, 19:40 | Link #81 | |
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Ep 13 thoughts:
While this is nothing more than a side story with no real substance, this episode has it's charms and a few share of laughs. It always stuck out to me because of that. Overall 7.5/10 |
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2017-04-09, 11:58 | Link #82 |
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Episode 14: "Is Narashino Burning?"
This is the first of the season one's anime original episodes, and the only such episode that's intended as a stand alone. I've tended to consider it the worst episode in the franchise. It's kind of ridiculous and the production values leave something to be desired, with the character getting kind of off model at times. My opinion of the episode softened somewhat after finding out that its something of a tribute to Gundam (which was a "common interest" among the show's staff) but even so I was a bit surprised that I didn't find it that bad this time around. Though I'm still inclined to consider it "non headcanon" due to the ridiculousness of things like untrained civilians operating Arm Slaves. Is secretary really a proper translation of Shinji's dad's rank/title? I wonder if Kaname was disgusted with herself when she realized she was correcting Mizuki about military terminology... The idea of a two man AS isn't necessarily a bad one. A second crewmember could help manage sensors, electronic warfare systems, etc. However I think movement should generally be handled by a single person rather than trying to coordinate leg movements by one person and arm movements by another. BTW, next week's episode might be delayed a day due to an anime convention I will be attending. I may try to do the write up on next week's episode in advance and post it via the hotel wireless but I'm not making guarantees. |
2017-04-10, 16:55 | Link #83 |
He Without a Title
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The land of tempura
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Sorry, I haven't had much time to jump in lately but I'm keeping up with the episodes anyway.
As for this episode I always loved it for some reason. I mean... Yes the animation is rather low budget with loads of stills and reused shoots along side some off model scenes and the entire premise and plot is hilariously hard to suspend your disbelief on but the combination manages to hit that sweet spot of being so bad it becomes good for me. I actually find this episode funnier than some of the fumoffu ones. And like you darthabby I hadn't really noticed the Gundam connection when I first saw the episode but now it becomes rather obvious with the dude dressed in a red shirt with sunglasses as well as the model kit boxes with the "UG" logo and other minor references that would be rather glaring to the Japanese audience.
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2017-04-16, 10:08 | Link #84 |
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Episode 14 thoughts:
Oh ho ho...this episode. Even when I was young I noticed a severe lack in quality before I really picked up on stuff like that. It was only in my later years that I realized I wasn't alone in my observations and it was infamously known as a terrible one. Let's see how it holds up.
So yeah. Overall 3.5/10, and that's putting it favorably imo. The artwork is sloppy and off-model, the scenario is uninteresting (even ludicrous at times), and the comedy falls flat for the most part. There are small saving graces like the Gundam references and side character involvement but it's really scrapping the bottom of the barrel. This is easily still the worst episode of the series for me. But you know what, it can only go uphill from here. |
2017-04-16, 12:10 | Link #85 |
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Episode 15: "The Wind Blows at Home, Part One"
This is the first episode of the anime original third arc. Shouji Gatou talked about novelizing this arc in his commentary on it in a fan guide, but he never did. I think it might present some issues for adaptation given the differences between the novel continuity and the anime one. The anime actually makes some changes to the next novel based arc in order to accommodate this one. Gatou noted in his commentary that having Sousuke join another unit allowed them to do things they wouldn't normally be able to do with this arc. It shows us Sousuke in the world he used to be part of, without his current comrades there to support him. Unfortunately this means that Kaname get sidelined for this arc. Overall I kind of like this arc but I have some issues with its execution. Perhaps the biggest is its lack of subtlety. In particular I feel the personnel from the other unit that Sousuke has to work with are way too blatantly hostile towards him. There's probably an argument to be made for being blatant given the medium and the limited run time this arc has to work with. But assuming it could be executed properly in the limited available run time, I think I might have preferred it if the hostility of the other soldiers towards the "star player" they were forced to take on was much more subtle. |
2017-04-18, 13:18 | Link #87 |
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In all honestly, that arc for me was what I was expecting FMP to be when I saw the first episode´s five minutes. Before I knew what was all about and the novels and everything. I wish that arc had one more episode telling us more about them, and a more fleshed out epilogue. But I loved it so much.
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2017-04-22, 12:03 | Link #88 |
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Thoughts on episode 15:
A solid start I thought, but a bit on the dry side. Besides Gray, the new unit comes off way too obnoxious and high strong, but get a slap in the face when faced against a Lambda Driver. The remainder of this mini arc gets even better however so I'm looking forward to it. Overall 6.5/10 |
2017-04-22, 18:55 | Link #89 |
He Without a Title
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The land of tempura
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I actually always liked this arc. I felt it provided a great setting to explore Sousuke's past and his traumas and it told a very nice (if stereotypical) war story right down to the new guy being dismissed by the walking cliches. One thing FMP has is how inspired it is by the big Hollywood action blockbusters and this arc is yet another example of it.
Spoiler for future events:
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2017-04-23, 12:00 | Link #90 |
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Might respond to some comments on the last episode later, but for now here's my commentary on this week's episode.
Episode 16: "The Wind Blows at Home, Part Two" I guess the second OP doesn't come until the start of the next arc (despite having some visuals that refer to this one). Anyway, I like this episode better than the previous one, due in large part to the squad's hostility towards Sousuke being dialed back to a more reasonable level. I can totally understand why Jackson would be ready to deck Sousuke after he misinterpreted what Sousuke meant by "burden." I do think the scene with Grace suggesting Sousuke should join their unit was laying it on a bit thick though. I also found it a bit questionable that Sousuke didn't just straight up reject her offer. Aside from any attachment he may be developing to Kaname, he has good comrades in Mithril's Pacific battle group. Why would he throw that away to join a unit that has been so hostile towards him? Perhaps if he'd been shown being stressed out about his assignment in Japan earlier in the arc (which could perhaps have been tied in to the next arc) and the hostility last episode had been dialed back a bit (allowing it to be dialed down even more this episode). This episode gives us a bit more information about Sousuke's former comrade Zeied, who wants to be on a "winning team." He's basically become a mercenary -a real one, not someone who is technically a mercenary but has strong ideals like many of the Mithril characters are. He's outright working with the guy who killed his comrades. Anyway one more episode to go on this arc... |
2017-04-23, 12:46 | Link #91 |
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btw it looks like FMP4 may have been delayed. Do you guys think we might have time to add in Fumoffu now? Maybe after The Second Raid to avoid having IV show up in the fall as originally announced.
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2017-04-26, 23:24 | Link #92 |
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Until we get more concrete evidence of a delay than "the air date is no longer listed on the website" I'm sticking with the original plan. On the other hand if we get confirmation of a delay before the end of season one I might actually try doing all three seasons in order.
Anyway, Spoiler for Discussion Pertaining to Future Events:
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2017-04-30, 12:00 | Link #93 |
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Episode 17: "The Wind Blows at Home, Part Three"
This episode features more mech combat than any other in the first season. Too bad a lot of it strains credibility. Sousuke survives getting fired on at point blank range multiple times and there's quite a bit of technobabble. Its nice that the creators were thinking in enough detail to give the RK-92s sand filters, but I don't think taking out a sand filter is going to result in instant incapacitation. It might not have been the writer's intention, but I'm sort of inclined to think of Grace Wiseman as an adopted name/persona. It doesn't really sound Eastern European. Zeied was none too quick to take advantage of his opportunities to take out Sousuke. It might have been interesting if he'd been portrayed as hesitant to kill his former comrade. Or maybe that was the idea? He did prevent Gauron from pursuing back in Episode 15. Do you think that last scene was simply him giving up the ghost before finishing the job, or do you think he let Sousuke go? This arc really is a bit awkward continuity wise for Sousuke's relationships with Kaname and the Arbalest. However I think his use of the Lambda Driver towards the end of the episode actually kind of works. At that point, he's not under pressure to protect the rest of his unit -he's simply enraged at Gauron. Overall this arc has its issues, especially at the beginning, but I think it kind of works in the end. The staff set out to do something different in this arc, and the result is something a lot bleaker and more desolate than anything else in the first season. |
2017-04-30, 12:36 | Link #94 | |
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Quote:
As for the end of it, I think he let Sousuke go. He knew he was going to die anyway, and killing Sousuke wouldn't have changed his situation, so he preffered to spare him, considering they were old friends and fought side by side numerous times when they were young. That's my take on the events surrounding them. |
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2017-05-07, 12:23 | Link #95 |
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Episode 18: "Deep Sea Party"
We finally get the second OP. Actually its more like a different cut/version of the same song, but at least the imagery changes quite a bit. Kaname's little sister Ayame makes another cameo (she's also in the first ED). How exactly did Sousuke convince his classmates to go along with his security gate plan? That scene always strains my suspension of disbelief a little because of that. In the source novel Sousuke and Kaname's conversation is not overheard by their curious classmates like it is here. That's a change I actually kind of like. It makes sense that their relationship would generate curiosity/gossip. Sousuke seems relieved to be getting an unexpected transmission (which could potentially indicate a crisis). LOL at the expressions of the two women in the comm room with Kurz -I guess he actually is kind of popular with the ladies. The skydiving scene is fun. I can understand why Kaname is a bit frazzled. I also rather like the scene where Kaname and the De Danaan crew exchange salutes though for different reasons. It really is quite an honor they're giving her, but then Kanames is a "heroine" who is actually heroic (I've had a minor beef with anime fandom using the term "heroine" to refer to any female character/love interest). How did Kurz not get in trouble for the stunt he pulled with that bingo game? BTW, there are actually valid storytelling reasons for the anime to make Lian the third competitor in the three way bingo showdown, but in the novel the third competitor was Pave Mare (transport helicopter) pilot Eva Santos. Who is just as enthusiastic about the idea of getting a kiss from Tessa as her male comrades. Sousuke is right that they're making an awful lot of noise (as many of you are likely aware, noise emissions have long played a critical role in the detection and tracking of submarines). Granted the TDD-1 has not actually ended the combat zone yet, but still. Overall I actually rather like this episode, though the transition from the previous arc to this one is a bit awkward (the previous arc links into this one better later on). |
2017-05-07, 12:36 | Link #96 |
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Was away for another week so I am late for my homework again, so I'll just combine the remaining arc episodes.
Ep: 16:
Ep 17:
Overall 9/10 - This is easily one of the best animated and directed episodes of the series, possibly the best of Season 1. The somber and dramatic tone was set up for the big climax and it sure delivered. Great job with this one Gonzo. I'll come back sometime real soon with the current episode thoughts but have to leave now. |
2017-05-14, 12:02 | Link #97 |
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Episode 19: "Engaging Six and Seven"
This is not one of my favorite episodes. The backstory about how Mao, Kurz and Sousuke met (which comes from one of the short stories) is okay, but having the girls take a bath together in a tub used to wash AS parts? While aboard the freaking submarine? They were really stretching for an excuse for some fan service there. Kurz really is a bit of a creep at times, isn't he? I think I've become more aware of that over time. Though it could also be that I haven't rewatched the later parts of the series quite as much as some of the early stuff where it isn't thrust to the center quite as much. I did like the bit about him asking Mao if she was there to steal his underwear though. I might have been inclined to handle the fight with the Rebels quite differently from how the episode itself does, as the way Sousuke and Kurz took down and used that RK-92 seemed questionable to me. Maybe have Kurz snipe the rebels while Sousuke leaps from a building onto the back of an AS to hijack it (like he did in a flashback in the previous arc iirc). But then that's more of a hard action approach, and this is kind of comedic material. I do like some of the small details in this episode, like Kaname reflecting on Tessa being called away in the middle of the bath, and the way Sousuke revealed a hint of his real skill when he intervened in the confrontation between Kurz and Mao. BTW I seem to remember reading that the reason Sousuke and Kurz were hiding their true skills was because they weren't sure what to make of Mithril yet (though I don't know whether that's something that's explicitly stated in the original short story or whether that's just speculation). |
2017-05-19, 13:24 | Link #98 |
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Looks like I gotta double episodes again to catch up Here are my thoughts on episodes 18 & 19:
Ep 18:
Overal 8.5/10. I thoroughly enjoyed the episode despite some wonky gags at the start. Having Kaname being toured around by Tessa as a VIP guest in the De Dannan was a nice touch and we get to learn more about them and the crew in a non forced way. It was a fun episode as well as the calm before the storm of whats to come. Ep 19:
Overall 7/10 - The flashback story is a neat one, but nothing too noteworthy. It at least gives us more insight on the relationship of our favorite SRT trio. |
2017-05-21, 12:07 | Link #99 |
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Episode 20: "Venom's Flame"
I like the bit near the beginning of this episode where Tessa has a talk with Kaname about the Whispered. What isn't mentioned in the anime version of the scene is that Tessa is not authorized to share that information with Kaname. The anime version also cuts the first mention of the Intelligence Division operative who is assigned to observe Kaname -a character who plays a significant role in the next novel and its anime adaptation as The Second Raid. I kind of like how this arc incorporates the events of the previous anime original arc. Even though that arc makes it seem a bit odd that Sousuke's issues with the Lambda driver are only cropping up now. Interestingly Gauron also indicates that he's motivated by events from the previous arc in this episode. In the source novel the Venom looks essentially the same as the Codarl Guaron piloted in the first arc except for the color, but the anime director apparently wanted the Venom to look more badass so the mechanical director came up with a more heavily revised variant. Personally I'm not sure the blades on the Venom are as good a choice for heat dissipation as the "hair" on the earlier Codarl. Also in the novel the mechs piloted by Gauron's subordinates were not Soviet built "Shadows" but the French Mistral II, a design that would eventually make its anime debut among the forces of a warlord in The Second Raid. I wonder if the battle with Venom would have seemed more tense if I was watching it for the first time rather than already being well aware of the outcome. |
2017-05-28, 10:12 | Link #100 | |
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Thought for Ep 20:
Overall 7/10. I liked the events, the setting, the dialogue, but just some issues on the visual side of things such as animation and direction prevented what could have been an absolute classic of an episode. It's a shame that it felt underwhelming considering everything it had. Last edited by Mugen26; 2017-05-28 at 11:48. |
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