Utawarerumono Episode 16 Discussion / Poll

[Scep]

Kaura reminded me of kenpachi of bleach in episode 15, taking a hit so he can deal a hit to you too. She seems kinda overpowered right now, but i guess thats taken for granted, since the generals are normally godmodding >.>

ps: Cardiac you seriously should change your sig, its rather offensive to those blind people, even if its a anime character. Then again, they wouldnt see it, but >.>

[Key Board]

Karura is actually a lot smarter than Touka

imagine that

[Green²]

Originally Posted by Key Board

Karura is actually a lot smarter than Touka

imagine that

By in that, knows best to use Aruruu & kitty as cover when raiding the fridge past lights out.

[Zaris]

Originally Posted by sceptileex

I think Utawarerumono serioulsy needs to stop and work more on the characters, just war amnd war and war is boring, its like not fun just seeing them fight fight fight, win, yay. But the godzilla part is interesting though, i want to see how he controls it or wadeva.

It is my understanding that the pace of the series was all warlike up until now for a good reason. The situation has mellowed out since episode 16. The only fighting involved was a dual between Oboro and Benaui. Even the preview for episode 17 doesn't hint any cataclysmic clash of empires. I believe we've been watching war-emphasized episodes from 11-15 because the producers wanted to get it out of the way first and foremost. Now that the war bit is over, this new "peacetime leg" is a goldmine to really flesh out the characters and reflect on what has happened thus far. If episode 17 turns out into what I think it might be, then we are getting a taste of serious character development right here, right now (2 warless episodes in a row. hmmmmmm ).

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*My Big Technical 2 Cents (apologies if this is going on a tangent >_>)*

I am with you when I say the characters should interact more and discuss things other than battle tactics (I like socially heavy material :P). But the problem with that in Utawarerumono right now (and it's something found in many adaptations) is that there's too many characters and too many stories to tell. As a screenwriter, I learn that it is very difficult to write for a large cast because EVERYBODY is begging for screentime, whether it's from the actors themselves or from the audience. If even one character doesn't get his/her fair share, people will berate it. You see this in a lot of science fiction/fantasy movies nowadays.

Utawarerumono centers on four male protagonists (Hakuoro, Oboro, Benaui, Kurou) and at least seven female protagonists (Eruruu, Aruruu, Karura, Touka, Yuzuha, Urutorii, Kamyu). This figure doesn't include Dorii and Guraa although it should. But these 11 names I specify because they are all characters that are capable of making choices, have desires and goals (the archer twins, who rarely argue and mostly tell others when to fire, have been reduced to the level of ordinary soldiers). If you want to do the math, consider these 11 characters that need a certain amount of attention in a half-hour show in order to create an acceptable level of well-roundedness. (20 minutes if you exclude commercials and the title/credits). Each person would have to be on screen for roughly 3 minutes per episode AND tell something important about themselves. And then there's:

A) the stuff going on around them that needs to be equally conveyed (i.e. war)
B) sub-characters like Orikakan or Niwe that need screentime to prove their antagonism

If you've understood everything so far, then you can see the problem that I'm trying to point out. With so many characters AND events in a twenty-three minute show, it's no wonder people like Touka or Benaui are reduced to two-dimensional personaes, uncompromising and unchanging in their behaviors (as that's the complaint I've read from a couple of other posters on other forums). There's just not enough time to tell everything about everyone; as a result, sub-characters become reduced to that of an unyielding avatar (Karura representing strength, Touka being honor, and so on). PC/Console games can go above and beyond with their characters because the length of the story can be as long as it needs to be (a big reason why Final Fantasy is so successful). But given the circumstances of Utawarerumono, the show can only satisfy everyone if it was either an hour-long anime, or if it ran for two seasons instead (52 episodes total, like in Fushigi Yuugi).

Since none of that will probably happen, they have to compromise, and that means focusing on the essentials of the story. And since Utawarerumono is essentially about Hakuoro and Eruruu, they are the ones who will become more emphasized with time. Everyone else gets pushed aside in terms of character development, or the story won't complete itself at the end of episode 26. :/

[Alu]

Well.., there realy isn't much to say on this episode.., in my eyes it is another transition episode.., which ends the Yue arc and starts the new one; never the less it was required for a good conclusion, and I think it delivered that.

Much like most had previously said.., Uta-mono was in need of a slower-paced episode, much like the ones we had prior to episode 11 or so..., for after that it has been a non-stop ride; altough I did not see them to have been as "rushed" as some have mencioned.

This mostely because.., well.. after looking back at what happened in some episodes of Fate-Stay after episode 15.., Uta-mono has been doing a resonable job at making them "not as rushed" as those

Its true that much like Zaris above stated.., Anime of 2x episodes which contain a large number of characters such as this are sooner or later forced give some characters "the shaft" in terms of development...

Despite Yue having been a more or less cliché in terms of an antagonist.., for example we never got a proper background on him.., and all that he did to fool Orikakan did seem "a bit" rushed.

All and all and now with 10 episodes to go.., I would not be surprised if things turn out as I previously stated.., on some characters not getting the devoted attention they'd deserve.., and this certanly will not please everyone..

But in the end, part of me still hopes that Uta-mono will pull things off better then Fate-Stay did.

On a more in-sight view on this episode.., it was interesting to see on how Hakuoro is still tormented by Yue.., and more and more he seems to see himself as a beeing which only causes destruction.., however.., Eruruu has done a tremedous job in sort of guieding him back like we so many times saw in this episode.

More and more this leads me to belive that Hakuoro will somewhere in the future lose control and it will be Eruruu who will "bring him back"; the scenes between the two in this episode realy give me support on this. And I guess it was where this episode had its strong points.

Other more trivial aspects.., the fight between Oboro and Benawi was pretty nice.., its good to see that Oboro is still developing as a skilled fighter, and more and more he seems to be able to stand his ground vs Benawi.
Not that it will matter much though..., In my eyes Karura is by Far Hakuoro's most powerfull allie

As much have also said regarding the story Eruruu told Yuzuha.., I too can see this as beeing Yuzuha's future.., otherwhise I belive they would not have wasted so much time on this scene.

And on a last note and something that kind of puzzled me.., was regarding the Kamyu drinking water scene.., it seemed as if the water acted like a drug to her.., and then Uruto clearly was worried about the effect.., even despite saying otherwhise to Hakuoro.
Leads me to wonder what was all this about.., and how little we realy know so far about the Onkami people..

All and all, a pretty decent episode, lets see if the rest follow in a good pace aswell now

By the way.., I compleatly fell in love with another Anime series recently... so.., I guess I will kind of be putting Uta-mono into the side for a while..

[Lost]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

Is it just me or has Touka taken it upon her self to Hakuoros honor guard i think she there to stay and she really does like serving Hakuoro.

Thats really cool, yes I think she has, she's basically his shadow, he does need an escort. It seemed to me really funny that he's walking the streets of Shri without a convoy of a few hundred bodyguards, but with Touka who needs a hundred bodyguards.

Kekekeke.. whoever said we were done with that laugh. It had to show up in episode 16. Great, now a flaming Yue. When will that guy learn.

And HAR HAR.. Oboro has learned to scream before charging. Wow..... It was funny to see him hold his breath that way, and how it was mirrored in thatlieutenantguy (keep forgeting his name).

I want to see a Touka vs. Benawi duel too. Touka is all grace, so is Benawi. Such a fight would have so much potential to be beautifully choreographed.

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About what Sorrow-K said, I fully agree the cast has taken a backseat. Its sad to think of the insights we are missing, but I understand that its necessary, as Zaris so eloquently explained. Theres still ten episodes left. If they choose not to shed deeper light onto their characters, I'm okay with it; but if they choose to do some of that in the remaining ten episodes (tho honestly I dont see how they can) well, that will be an added bonus that will only improve my estimation of this show.

I would however like to see the mystery of Kurura's background revealed, I hope that will be central to the main plot, because then there will be a greater chance of them showing it.

So in relation to the main and only-focused-on relationship, Hakuoro x Eruruu; I think they are doing very well. Not only that relationship, but Hakuoro's relationship with himself and who he was (). The first part touched me, Hakuoro wearing that indescribable sadness in his eyes and cringing at the boys offering their wooden swords, and when Eruruu came in and rebuked them and healed the whole situation, coupled with the bgm, that was a very well done scene imo.

Then, imo not as well done but good too, the green-sprouts scene nearer the end; very symbolic, good move by Eruruu, quelled Hakuoro's reluctance.

Ah mysterious Kamyu; shes really a wild-card at this point, because I dont think any of the plot-speculators factored her in. (ZOMG shes the manisfestation of that Wing Girl in the OP ) And that Empress-with-the-really-hard-to -type-name. You gotta sympathise with the good people at yesy.


One last thing, its kinda confusing: they showed Hakuoro in a Sherikepetim being rebuild at the start of the show, before the part later on when he gave them the permission to return to rebuilt Sherikepetim. Was it a flashback thing?

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Lost

And that Empress-with-the-really-hard-to -type-name. You gotta sympathise with the good people at yesy.

Just call her Kuuya.

[Zaris]

Originally Posted by Lost

One last thing, its kinda confusing: they showed Hakuoro in a Sherikepetim being rebuild at the start of the show, before the part later on when he gave them the permission to return to rebuilt Sherikepetim. Was it a flashback thing?

Ohhhh, that. Benaui meant that the reconstruction of the farming villages in Tousukuru was going well since the war with Sherikepetim ended a month ago. Those were all Tousukuru villages we saw being rebuilt. You remember how they took a serious beating when all those red-armor soldiers came with their total war tactics? But yeah, it confused me the first time too.

This leads me to speculate what the Sherikepetim citizens were doing for a month before being allowed back into their fallen city...

[Vexx]

ummmmm, I went to torrent YESY's ep 16 and discovered that YESY's complete torrent site and webpage has been suspended or locked (possible billing problems). Anyone able to get in touch with them ought to ping them and see if they know.

More precisely.. when I try to visit the yesy home webpage or when I try to link to a torrent, I get a SUSPENDED message contact the billing department notice from a site called shared1.atwebhosting.com.

edit: saw sazan's note and tried again.... I guess they paid their bill

[sazan fan]

ummmmm, I went to torrent YESY's ep 16 and discovered that YESY's complete torrent site and webpage has been suspended or locked (possible billing problems). Anyone able to get in touch with them ought to ping them and see if they know.

More precisely.. when I try to visit the yesy home webpage or when I try to link to a torrent, I get a SUSPENDED message contact the billing department notice from a site called shared1.atwebhosting.com.
Today 12:58

I just tried to download the torrent from animesuki and it works... Try again?

[no common sense]

Please don't tell me I'm the only pervert who thought of this during the massage scene.

Spoiler for pic:

Hakuoro has me worried, up until recently he has been the perfect model of a good leader but now he stresses over his past. He does a good job of hiding it from his troops and confiding in his family (Eruruu) but it's starting to cramp his style.

The scene with the children offering wooden swords was good because it distinguished the different lines of thinking that must accompany the different roles of leadership, military leadership (conducting war/ Touka) vs. civilian leadership (initiating war/ Hakuoro Eruruu). While both of them reacted differently, they both reacted appropriately for their given position.

ps: long time lurker first time poster and Cardiac's sig is the funniest thing I've seen all day, sensitivity be damned.

[Green²]

Originally Posted by Zaris

Ohhhh, that. Benaui meant that the reconstruction of the farming villages in Tousukuru was going well since the war with Sherikepetim ended a month ago. Those were all Tousukuru villages we saw being rebuilt. You remember how they took a serious beating when all those red-armor soldiers came with their total war tactics? But yeah, it confused me the first time too.

This leads me to speculate what the Sherikepetim citizens were doing for a month before being allowed back into their fallen city...

Doing whatever. They're like refugees, -some probably looking for work, moved to new lives,.. as others rejoining into other communities. ...But not all, with some wanting to rebuild their old community back up. Something Hakuoro saw impossible, for the lack of time and resources. Skip a bit further, and thanks to the insight from Eruruu, lead to Hakuoro in changing his mind, sending the Sherikepetim off to rebuild their ruined city. But what is left out, is on how much resources, if any, has Hakuoro dedicated to for their rebuilding effort.

Originally Posted by no common sense

Please don't tell me I'm the only pervert who thought of this during the massage scene.

Spoiler for pic:

I didn't catch that one. Just the one where Urutorii thought at first that Kamyu just wanted a male partner.

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by no common sense

Hakuoro has me worried, up until recently he has been the perfect model of a good leader but now he stresses over his past. He does a good job of hiding it from his troops and confiding in his family (Eruruu) but it's starting to cramp his style.

i think so too...he beginning to lose it under the stress...i sense hes gona lose it in demon mode and eat everyone

[Guido]

For episode 16 the flow paced slowly, but I did not feel it stretched or dragged.

Besides the post-war syndrome that Hakuoro got scarred from Yue, it was nicely complimented with the subplots of Yuzuha, Kamyu's sickness, and the appearance of Amekamum's emperor.

However, I preferably would have liked if the story had focused and giving more attention to Kamyu and Yuzuha now that Tusukuru has reached another break for a moment of peace.

We got introduced two new musical scores by the end of the episodes exuding exotic and mysterious flair of Middle-Eastern and Far-East lore. Nice touch to immersed us into Kamyu's world.

[zalas]

Originally Posted by Key Board

Karura is actually a lot smarter than Touka

imagine that

Touka is supposed to be this airhead blinded by justice. They had to cut out a lot of her character development from the anime, so that's why it's only blatantly obvious now.