Just a fan who like to put her thoughts into words. Design will vary depend on me. Not spoiler-free. Discourse-free. Ship hate/shipping wars-free. No AI usage for writing here. This is my thoughts written with no AI machine help to describe or anything. We have done it before AI.
One of my favorite tracks from Hayashi Yuki. His music tends to run into the problem of sounding same-y. He's not an awful composer, considering how he can make memorable tracks. One of his best tracks is "You Can Become A Hero" from Boku no Hero Academia anime OST.
I won't go on with my love for Haikyuu! or digress into rants that had nothing to do with the series.
Let's go more into my interest in sports anime: Aside from being predictable results, they can tell good stories with the right writers. Sometimes, the writers will make an obvious mistake to lengthen the story (YOI S1 finale, anyone?) and the right decisions narratively if foreshadowed correctly (Karasuno beating Aoba Jousai and Shiratorizawa for the example given the hints we got when Hinata and Kageyama met Ushiwaka. Shiratorizawa winning will undermine Hinata, Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, the third years and so many people in Karasuno narratively. Their loss will not be a consolation prize they made that far. It also wouldn't make much sense considering the Tokyo teams will also make it to the nationals too. The Tokyo Training Camp arc will make little sense beyond training and character development if we show how much Karasuno had grown up and now can fight as equals with the not-retired third-years. There had to be a culmination of all the hard work and also the symbolism of the crows mobbing the eagle. Remember, the narrative sense trumps any kind of realism. It might not be perfect but it had to make sense. The worst recent sports anime/manga series that inverted that would be the YOI finale and Daiya no Ace although the latter is slowly picked itself up....slowly). I am not a sports fan but I am far more understanding of a game if they executed well instead of cheering on the opposing team just because they have the best players. Remember, sports anime does not translate to real life. Look at Kuroko no Basuke or Prince of Tennis, hell even Yuri on Ice which featured exaggerated figure skating. It can be realistic but considering there could be many breaks that sports anime can take. Haikyuu!! takes the underdog route but managed to tell it in a wonderful fashion, executing well overall with character development galore. YOI takes a different approach by the main trio played out seinen and shounen tropes in their character arcs.
Let's skip right to it.
To boil down: Great match with great storytelling as expected but the worst season yet. The best season of the anime series would be S2. It focused only on one match that felt like real-time with uninterrupted editing. Not boring and sometimes would dramatically take away
There were changes from the manga like expanded reactions (love, love the Shiratorizawa's cheer squad's reaction to Karasuno's unpredictability like Tsukki's blocks and Hinata's jaw-dropping receives and plays (I cackled at their reaction when Hinata stopped their ace's spike like it was nothing, silenced into shock is what you deserve for thinking Karasuno was like other teams Shiratorizawa defeated in the past including Aoba Jousai); unlike their team like Ushiwaka who clearly saw them as worthy opponents as the game continued, they underestimated the opposing team to the point that the news show that reported the winnings name-dropped their opponent and that's it; I find it delicious, okay, for those underestimating the underdog that they were shut up in the face of tenacity and undoubted power. I always loved it when people underestimate the other to the point they are in awe, even when the underdog lost) and change of setting and words of Ushiwaka's challenge to the Oddball Duo. I want to get that out of the way.
Aside from civilian reactions, I also loved how the cheer squadrons exemplified the teams. Shiratorizawa was imposing, confident and achieved. Karasuno was mismatched, unpredictable, and resolute who can literally blow the former out the water.
This is one of the best matches Furudate ever made ever. I love the match you must know, not just for nearly a lot of the main regulars to show off. Hinata showing off his athleticism and unpredictability and believe me, I love unpredictability. Not just in stories but also in pairings. Tsukki showing off his intelligence and what he learned from Kuroo and Bukuto. The Karasuno team showing their audacity in the face of people who believe they would lose immediately (Shiratorizawa cheer squad, the audience who believed Shiratorizawa's easy win) or try to break them (Tendou, Goshiki, Shirabu, Semi). I find satisfaction not in beating them when they're down but that they can fight till the very end and utter refusal to break. That is why I always love the matches in Haikyuu! They're fun whereas Daiya no Ace only has fun matches whenever Furuya was not playing; his pitching is dull and boring and doesn't pump me up to cheer the team on until Sawamura or Nori or Tanba stepped up to the plate.
This is where Tsukishima's character development shone through, helping his teammates and taking part in the game. I wouldn't say that it's full-circle. We still got more growth to go from all of them. Do you really think character development will end just like that? All of Karasuno still have much to learn about their volleyball and about themselves, their next part in life, college or elsewhere they choose.
Considering what happened after the match and you saw the cliffhanger that Kageyama was selected to go to the All-Japan Training Camp, you know that Karasuno still has much to learn, even prodigies like Kageyama.
Now, I do not know how long Haikyuu will run. We are at the Tokyo Nationals arc right now. There might be a longevity run because I can see Haikyuu being one of the mainstays for a really long time; consistently bestselling and ratings will tell you that unlike Daiya no Ace going down as of late but slowly rising but not quite at Haikyuu level. We could witness Karasuno regain their status as a renewed volleyball team in the three years Hinata went there and Hinata passing the torch while he went to college. We could witness "And the Adventure Continues" with the series ending in Hinata's first year. However, considering the characters introduced in Tokyo Nationals Arc, there may be a possibility that Haikyuu will continue long after the graduation of the third-years of all the schools and we will witness the schools going head-on with the new Karasuno. Daiya no Ace featured new first years in Act II so it's not a bad notion that it would continue for a long time.
Besides, we still need to have that rematch with Dateko and many other schools. It was likely we will go to second-year though. Despite knowing that Aoba Jousai will win that match, I still want to have that rematch since we got that spoken promise from Aone to Hinata. Ushiwaka will have to wait until either Hinata or Kageyama gets into an official university team or scouted so maybe we might see a rematch with Ushiwaka again. Might being the keyword here because we don't know if which direction Ushiwaka will take after high school. College? Scouted?
Besides, it would make sense for Karasuno to beat the top aces of the country. They beat the number 3 so two more to go. We might meet them in the Tokyo Nationals arc which no doubt will introduce them. If Karasuno beat Nekoma in the third round, I believe? We got names of the top-tier aces...or at least their last names. We have to meet them as well as tying up loose ends with meeting the Little Giant.
I really want to see Little Giant; I am sure Takeda was not the Little Giant because he's far too old, stated to be 3 years older than Keishin Ukai so not him. I don't recall any of the veterans reacting to Takeda in any surprised fashion because the vets and especially Tsukishima would at least react in some way to see the Little Giant again. I don't think Furudate-sensei wanted the Little Giant to be in the midst of Hinata the whole time unlike how in My Hero Academia where the traitor must be in class 1-A. It is not necessary when there was no firm hinting. Being the Little Giant, I think he is playing for a uni's volleyball team by now. Since we got hints that he should be roughly the same age as Saeko and Akiteru, then he must be the age of a college student. He is definitely not close to his thirties like Takeda is. So yeah that's my two cents in the Takeda=Little Giant theory. Unlike the Kaminari traitor theory which at least some kind of evidence, no matter how dubious, has some substance, the Takeda theory doesn't hold much water...or any water at all. I believe the Little Giant will come and we will learn his name. Hinata will meet him and tie up all the loose ends if it comes to that. Furudate-sensei is good when it comes to tying up loose ends. Just look at Oikawa and Kageyama, Kageyama and Kindaichi and Kumini for example.
...This is just quick trivia: I learn my sports from sports anime. I don't know how to feel about it; that I got into sports because of over-the-top superhuman athleticism or because I understand it more if people just sat me down and talk about it in a dramatic storytelling fashion. I feel awful since I couldn't get into my brother's sports teams whenever he's playing but I can get into sports anime whenever Karasuno, Sohoku, etc showed tenacity. There is a herd of road cyclists some miles I see sometimes so I was able to identify. Hell, there was even a race one time where my dad was forced to take another direction.
I really do like Boku no Hero Academia/My Hero Academia.The writing is good with great characterization and plot; it's by no means original but the very good storytelling made up for it with its twists and turns of expectations. Horikoshi-sensei is a good writer and I am happy about that. The dub was a lot better than the Free! and YOI dub; while the YOI dub wasn't bad, it's at least gotten better with the voice acting later on. Free! dub is all-out bad, almost Hetalia dub bad. The English cast fared better here than the previous anime I mentioned; maybe it's basically superheroes? Everyone and their dog would know the superhero craze and besides superheroes caught the imagination of everyone.
The story is a play on superhero cliches. It's clear that it's made with love in spite of its deconstructions. I always do like how the Japanese joyfully take inspiration from western superheroes to have Tiger and Bunny, One Punch Man, and My Hero Academia. Clearly, the heroes stand up for something different (humility, hard work) from American heroes (justice, truth), it doesn't negate the fact that they are truly saving other people from certain death. I still like how these stories, even that these three deconstruct western superhero conventions with jest, firmly remain on the side of idealism that gave it charm. Yes, even One-Punch Man because there is just something parodic I just love about it. OPM and BNHA are on different spectrums, the latter idealism personified while the former cynicism. T&B is in the middle but leans towards idealism considering the character development that most of the heroes underwent. Honestly, I rather prefer idealistic superheroes that explore consequences for their actions rather than having gritty 'realism'; we live in a bitter cynical world and it's hard-pressed to find something hopeful. That's why I love Cinderella 2015 so much. There are badly done dark cynical superhero adaptations (Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad) and there are better written cynical dark superheroes adaptations (Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, MCU's Netflix series). There are cynical superheroes (OPM) and then there's the idealistic (BNHA).
I don't know at what point that second season will end at which arc, logically, it would be the End of Terms Arc. It makes no other sense when we see the witness to Yaoyorozu's depreciation that will culminate in her self-confidence at the End of Terms arc; the School Trip and the Hideout Raid arcs are conjoined with each other without leaving a kind of cliffhanger...especially the aftermath of the latter arc. The anime is elaborating on the manga single-chapter like giving the rest of the characters time to shine as well as building up the tension to the important fights like Uraraka vs Bakugou, Todoroki vs Midoriya, and Todoroki vs Bakugou.
I am pretty sure that talks of a traitor in-story have to build up to something. I'm sure that Horikoshi is not a lazy writer to discard an idea that was planted in-canon. However, the fact that Horikoshi even mentions a traitor at alltwice means there has to be a payoff. With no payoff, then it's bad writing.
Remember this is all speculation and the traitor could be anyone even the teachers and older students at this point. The manga is fast-paced so if Horikoshi deemed that it's time to reveal the traitor, we shall see who is right or not. Hell, there might not even be a traitor at all if we go by paranoia.
So yeah, people can have their fun with Kirishima, Present Mic, Jirou, Aoyama, etc as the traitor. Let's just wait and see Horikoshi work his magic when the reveal comes.
Indeed, the hints that many think Kaminari was the traitor could be red herrings to hide the true traitor.
I'm pretty sure that everyone coming here knows that Kaminari Denki is the traitor theory. It's even in the title.
Here, here, here and here are the careful presentation. Joking from Reddit aside, some evidence is admittedly flimsy (shirt colors, really? It's not Teen Wolf where there is a consistent costuming and coloring but come on) so unless the series confirm something, it's dubious. Some evidence was alarming like the fact that Kaminari, to date, is the only student to have confirmed admiration for Stain and an easily faked drawback. Stain, the Hero Killer, brutally wounded a friend's brother to the point he cannot do hero work anymore and killed many other heroes. Nobody would bat an eye because Quirks are bodily functions after all and there is stranger than having a short-circuited brain.
Look at it from a narrative perspective.
I want to point out some things: the traitor would have to be a character from class 1-A.
It makes no sense for the traitor to be someone from class B or one of the teachers (when some of the teachers barely have a presence beyond being worshiped by the students and public; it would make an impact in-universe but not so much out-of-universe considering we haven't spent time with this traitorous character; that is the key), particularly since we got no hints of a trusted group of highly professional heroes. It has to be a prominent student who has appeared in almost every single arc. Not only it has to impact the characters, but also the readers. The prominence allows readers' investment; which is why Shima's betrayal in Blue Exorcist hurts a lot of fans. The key is spending time with this traitor.
To have a traitor that hasn't been there in the story for some time would lower the significance of such an event.
It will hurt, in and out of the universe. Yet the fact still remains that if there is a traitor in the UA's midst, then it has to be a memorable side character who had gained investment, in and out of universe.
Basically, have a friend you trust with your life betray you with no remorse for their actions. They may or may not have good reasons but that doesn't mean they hurt you. There is well-intentioned hiding like Merlin's hiding of his magic from Arthur where Arthur and Merlin are both justified with their reactions.
Kaminari is a popular character in the fandom yet we barely got anything on him; his reasons for being a hero, his backstory. If he is already popular (in the western and Japanese fandoms), then why Horikoshi show anything regarding his reasons? We could say the same for so many characters, but at least there were focus on them at times and I do mean at times including snippets of their lessons, even Mineta got some good character development at his End of Terms test sequentially passing.
...To be honest, I will not like it that Kaminari became a villain, not out of choice. Not only it wouldn't give depth to the character, but it will also ruin anything calling a redemption. A redemption, defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is "the action of saving or being saved from error, sin, or evil". Not having Kaminari expressing regret for his own actions that he did out of his volition will ruin the point of a redemption arc.
Yeah, those people just don't want to have their fave do bad things out of their own choice rather having it fall the blame on a third party is bad. It's one thing if it's cultural where the children's misbehavior is laid on their parents but it's another when the characters did them; I don't hold against Captain America for his kills nor do I hate Sasuke for his revenge-driven mad schemes. I want people to make their own choice, even out of traumatic events that broke them. Allow characters to have agency rather than to have the Sins of Their Fathers laid on their shoulders. Edmund Pevensie betrayed his siblings out of his volition (manipulated yes but he has a choice; even though people argued the Turkish Delights are brainwashing tool, it wasn't exactly confirmed; I'm pretty sure at that point, the temptation would lure Edmund and brainwashing would reduce the point of Edmund's character development).
It can't be Uraraka because we actually heard her parents as well as the rest days afterward. It can't be Kirishima because we actually see more of his reasons for being a hero and his hard work as well as his impact on the plot (Hideout Raid Arc) and Bakugou's character development as one of a few friends in UA. It can't be Ojirou and Satou because it literally made no sense. Kouda actually has a highlight alongside Sero, Mineta, and Aoyama, all of which give reasons for their future heroism. It can't be any of the girls because we don't even see an inkling of traitorous hints.
Horikoshi may have trouble balancing his cast but he has shown that he can show their character if focused enough or even make an important part of the plot.
He's a minor character yet he, a glue of the class, did not yet to do anything meaningful in the actual plot. He just seems there, memorable but still a minor character.
So what if the glue of the class, the class clown, the dumb blond, the sweet boy turned out to be the opposite: cruel, manipulative, intelligent, and hateful.
Just imagine the possibilities with Kaminari as the villain, revealing himself to be that kind of character, the one who despite spending time with his classmates who exemplified heroism of the new era, cannot see eye-to-eye. Like he uses Aizawa's teachings to his advantage and mocked his former teachers for lending him the capability to extend his Quirk. Imagine him ridiculing the values of All Might and Deku and happily cause terror among his former friends, his traitorous reveal affecting them so much they are afraid they would hurt him despite spending god knows how long with him. To class 1-A, their experiences together might not be as genuine as they might have thought if Kaminari, the class clown, has been continuously stabbing them on their back ever since they came here. They will be grieving but their situation would not allow them to grieve for too long.
Yes, it opens doors to a redemption arc. His true self might not like that little niggling fact and would do anything to stamp out his and his former friends' friendships with easy-to-do torture and chaos. It will take a while for it to come through but Kaminari would come to join them again despite his true personality.
So if this guy who spent time with them all went behind their backs and been teaming up with the VA since forever would hurt everyone. I don't think even Neito Monoma would mock class 1-A out of jealousy for that because not only the remaining class and Aizawa would feel the betrayal, everyone else like All Might and Principal Nedzu would feel the impact. Someone they believe to be so nice and have fun with them betrays them and their cause without a glimmer of regret.
...Hmm, there were issues like how do Kaminari knows the teacher's schedule and the USJ's surroundings unless a teacher is a traitor? Ooh, how about Kaminari being an awesome hacker on top of his powerful electrification? He could hack into UA and especially the government's database whenever he can and send the information to the VA, leaving no traces behind.
There are other theories like Dabi being Shouto Todoroki's brother - the reason why he chose to go by his alias rather than give his name and the fire Quirk - and Overhaul/Chisaki being Momo Yaoyorozu's relative - the fat cells and the rich factor. There is much to back up on the former theory but not so much the latter. The former theory would make sense from a narrative point of view, considering this is Endeavor we are talking about here; I would put more stock on this theory than even the traitor theory itself. However, it's too early in the game for these two villains to have a "Luke, I am your father" moment just as much as it's still early for the traitor to be revealed so again, wait for Horikoshi to work his magic.
The theory opens doors to angst yet it will still be telling the story of superheroes. I am sure Horikoshi-sensei will tell a good story because as I stated before, a great storyteller. While not quite Oda Eiichirou or Arakawa Hiromu or Yoshihiro Yogashi, he's still hell better than Kubo Tite and probably Kishimoto Masashi. While Bleach failed after Soul Society Arc, Naruto maintained Part I really well while Part 2 was a mess where there was clearly a war between Kishimoto and SJ's editors. There is something there he wanted to tell including making Madara the true Big Bad, not Kagura and the very fact he had to fight to have the Reverse Harem Jutsu (which I have to remind you never animated in the anime until the battle with Kagura). <- Edit.
Characters will be updated. It doesn't help the lack of focus on several characters to give way for backstory, character development. It's not that they're just there for the sake of having more students in the class, they do have their part in the plot. I gave Magician to a lot of people so if there is a focus on them at some point, I will change it. I don't know enough of three girls to give the designated card; it's Ashido, Jiro, and Hagakure who aren't approved yet. For the boys, it's a lot of trouble since I know nada; so far from class I-A, Iida, Mineta, Todoroki, Midoriya, Bakugou, Kirishima, Aoyama, and Shouji are confirmed here. The villains, some of the students, and some of the pro heroes aren't official yet.
For right now, it's just the first year and I hope that Horikoshi, like Rowling, goes through the school years until the ultimate final battle with the successors at the helm. Yes, I will await the final battle with Tomura and Midoriya, both of whom will have full access and versatility, to their predecessors' powers. I will be so happy to witness it unleashed.
It certainly will give time to give all the characters, even Monoma, character development.
Character - Arcana
Izuku Midoriya - Fool
Bakugou Katsuki - Chariot
Ochako Uraraka - Priestess
Tenya Iida - Justice
Shouto Todoroki - Tower (pre-character development) -> Judgment (that is funny because Zuko is also the Judgment but his pre-character development card was the Hanged Man, not the Tower)
Like Nenilein says, the tarot card selection I have for characters are their current situation in life and their relationship to others. Because the Tarot card is flexible in its representation and quite literally every Tarot card fits every character or archetype, it really would be difficult to find a conclusive one. On that note, a Tarot Card would change if the character's situation changes as well. It is possible to have a male Empress/Priestess/Lovers and female Emperor; I do wish to see them in canon soon anyways because if the Persona series is innovative enough to discuss feminist issues head-on, then it's really bad if there literally is no male Empress/Priestess/Lovers and female Emperor. It's one of the things I wish to happen in a game series just as much as I want the other types as legendaries or finally made a gym in the Pokemon series. Please, Hoshino, you got a female Hermit Persona-user and a cat as a Magician Arcana on your team in P5; you can do it with a Male Empress/Priestess/Lovers and female Emperor. You got a freaking fox as a Hermit Arcana Social Link. And yes, this also translate to Social Link/Confidant.
Highlighted in the same sentence/paragraph are the character and their arcana.
The reason why I chose the Chariot for Yuuri Katsuki is because his anxiety disorder and depression makes him such an unreliable narrator, thinking that his friends and family's support and love for him was not genuine. He does have the strength (seen through his bursts of confidence throughout) but he doesn't fully grasp the full extent of that strength and love until his final Free skate at the Grand Prix Final. I didn't choose Moon because while he does have self-doubt and allowed it to overtake him (and indeed he does fit a lot with the Moon Arcana, reversed and upright), Yuuri is all about struggling and triumphing that self-doubt and his ambition to win. Even pre-character development, he had that hidden strength, judging by episode 1 alone. The fact that he was still thinking was something I completely understand. His relationship with others show that he have a lack of unity within himself, not finding much confidence in others and himself. His personal flaws overtook him, leading to imbalance. I took the well-hidden confidence that he didn't bother go into and considering his flaws, I gave the Chariot in the end. The Moon focuses too much on his anxiety and depression when there is much more to Yuuri's character. His ambitions and struggles with his self-doubt. Seriously though, Yuuri followed the 22 Major Arcana so well I have a hard time picking it.
I gave the Justice to Yuri Plisetsky (which is funny because, for the Tiger and Bunny cast, Yuri Petrov has Justice too) because his goals were to make his countrymen proud as a 'soldier'. It also plays out in his relationships with others like Katsuki and Viktor, not liking what they have done despite his admiration for them in terms of competitive skating.
As for Viktor Nikiforov, I was probably having more trouble, not even knowing his personal background. From what I can tell, he usually hides behind masks and gets quite easily into roles like the serious no-nonsense mentor, charismatic prince, and any role like a brother, father which is why I can see why the beach conversation affect him so. Underneath that lies an intelligent lonely man who when seeing something new, couldn't help but try it, just being himself. He doesn't seem to doubt his decision being with Yuuri or at Hasetsu at all but he seemed to allow other's expectations of him, usually Yuuri since Yakov or Yurio didn't bother him at all (hurt but he can get back up), overwhelm his decisions and force him to go back to something that he lost passion for. I think he doubts himself as who Viktor really is, being at the top when he knows what he truly wants. I do think Wheel of Fortune would be a better match than the Moon, not just for his love of surprises but considering how much of events like Sochi Banquet and Hasetsu and even meeting the few people in his lives would do in his life. Now, this is just observation; if YOI S2 tackles Viktor's long-awaited background, I will see if the card will change.
I don't give out The Fool Arcana to main protagonists all the time. I gave the main protagonist of YOI the Chariot for the love of Godoka. Speaking of Godoka, I gave the Fool to Madoka because her kindness extend well to others. I gave it to Eijun Sawamura primarily because how he affects everyone around him, forming bonds even though everyone (as in Terajima) treats him like dirt when he and Nori do the dirty work. Similarly, I gave the Fool to Izuku 'Deku' Midoriya precisely how he inspires everyone around him. The Fool was also given to Marinette Dupain-Cheng because she is getting out of her shell, extending hands to everyone but Adrien (out of shyness) and Chloe. I gave the Fool to Tsunayoshi Sawada as well as his ancestor Giotto because of their bonds with others with their endless kindness.
I sure as hell don't give the Fool to Light Yagami; that's the Tower. That's because his inability to reconcile with the flaws of the world coupled with his boredom of his perfection tipped the scale towards self-destruction. Seriously, Yotsuba!Light can be the Star and would have remained the star had he not tread down the path of destruction. I gave Lelouch Lamperouge the Emperor pre-character development and eventually the Death during character development. Yes, both of these guys used to have the same arcana at some point but in the end, Lelouch is the only one who changed in the end which is why his Arcana changes (by the mile). Hell, I rather have Lelouch as a Social Link than Light. Light desperately needs a Social Link but it would take hard work to even crack him. For Lelouch, I had difficulty between Emperor (exercise control) and Hanged Man (devoted to his sister, driven by the love of his loved ones, didn't like the thought of killing Euphie or Suzaku) so yeah Lelouch could potentially change to the Hanged Man pre-character development.
...You know for Furuya Satoru, I didn't know what to pick at first. I was thinking about how he's lonely at first and doesn't know how to reach other people. I would have picked the Temperance for him if he chose to make proper friends and rivals at the same time. However, he remained at his lonesome despite Eijun and everyone else bonding with him; even his mentality on the field is firmly on his preoccupation with himself. Then I thought of his wrong direction, all his flaws coming to the surface. I don't know why Terajima is exposing his favorite's flaws so easily considering he so favors Furuya as the ace despite evidence to the contrary. Out of frustration for Terajima, I gave Furuya the Devil because it's clear that his goal is to not only be the ace of Seidou but also Japan, his utter preoccupation with himself; he clearly thinks him front and center of a team sport, thinking the team should be relying on him instead of a symbiotic relationship and you know team sport. Canonically, he's the DevilArcana. If he had taken the right direction by letting others be with him not just as a support on and off the field as well, I would have easily given him any other Arcana but the Devil or the Tower. I didn't give Furuya the Tower Arcana because although he is set up for self-destruction, he doesn't think of said self-destruction only when confronted with someone stronger than him...and even then, he will strive to beat that rather than look at himself.
Yeah, I still loathe the Furuya no Ace in a series that supposed to detail Sawamura Eijun's climbing of ranks til he is fully recognized as an exceptionally talented player on multiple ends.
But I digress.
I chose the Empress for Kuramochi Youichi because of his familial-like relationship with his teammates. He's observant (noticing Miyuki's injury and problems as captain) and deeply cares for his friends; it helps that his character development from an unruly player who ruins another's chances on the team became a responsible co-captain.
On the other hand, I chose the Hermit for Miyuki Kazuya because of how isolated he is. He is slowly reaching out to others when he gained the role as Captain and unfortunately filling in other roles. It wasn't until the Fool, Eijun Sawamura, got him out of his shell. The Tarot card befits Miyuki so well even during character development.
There is also pre-character development cards as well as character development cards. Above are both pre- and during character development like what I did with Lelouch. Shouto Todoroki was the Tower pre-character development because he is not relying on others, not just for teamwork but also for himself. He is essentially setting himself up for self-destruction and he knows that. His character development card is the Judgment because if his usage of fire, his behavior as a future hero, and his relationships with Inasa, Midoriya, and his family are anything to go by, he is self-reflecting.
I really have to do serious contemplation to even think of giving a Tarot Card representation to them. Like I prefer to have Themed Tarot Card decks actually aligning with the character in mind beyond superficiality....yeah I just want these cards to make sense in context with the characters.
...Admittedly this is basically a return to Persona.
I am so bitter you can never believe this feeling.
Anniversary episodes/movies/whatever that came out is meant to celebrate, not to use it as a vehicle of merchandise or ego. The Doctor Who anniversary under Moffat is egocentric I feel nothing from the Doctor Who I know. The Power Rangers anniversary season is dreadful because it felt so lazy and disrespectful to the past seasons when the Sentai is right there.
Not every anniversary is so bad. The Persona series celebrated their 20th with the release of Persona 5. Digimon celebrated theirs with a new anime series called Tri and movies. Even YGO got that right with bringing nostalgia back. Even Super Sentai did it much better, especially since more actors and actresses got more interested in it.
Nostalgia is not bad. In fact, it could be used as a vehicle to get the money you lost.
The fact this movie would just be another run-of-the-mill Pokeani movie (gorgeously animated but bland story) is upsetting for a movie that is meant to celebrate Pokemon.
We have been freaking rickrolled.
Misty, Brock, and Gary deserved better than this. They deserve to be celebrated with Ash and Pikachu. Every traveling partner and rival deserve better than this.
Not with nobodies that we have no connection.
It's awful.
You can make an AU origin story without throwing out the beloved characters. Hell, even Power Rangers got this right because at least they are mentioned. Through videos true, but still cameos or references at least.
It is true that Misty, Brock, and Gary haven't mentioned since but considering how trolling the writers on board the Pokeani is... I just don't know what to feel about this.
But to think they are doing this only for game promotions rather than do celebration of a longrunning series that people love is insulting.
On one hand, I went back to my collection of Pokeani. We still got Pokeani but not so much celebration or fanfare of the original cast.
I am just so bitter.
I really have no choice but to watch this because precisely because I have to see what they are going to do.
You really should know better, Pokeani writers.
Now let me think of the Pokeani Movie 20 could have been.
Well... Sinnoh Confirmed at least...
I got Persona 5 at last!
I would like to comment that the Phantom Thieves are in no way evil. Yes, they are stealing and on the vestiges of society due to the rigidity of Japanese society. They are ultimately responsible for their own actions just as much as their targets.
The Phantom Thieves themselves are clearly a kind bunch and they are more like Robin Hood figures.
I never got the feeling of brainwashing. They actually talked to the Shadows after the battle and only took the physical shape of their distorted desires. In fact, their targets certainly took the time to deliberate in revealing their crimes just like how the IT did the same in their Social Links. I never once got the feeling that they literally turned into good people; instead, they simply announced their crimes to the world. While remorseful of their crimes, I never once got the feeling they turned into good people. Hell, we never even see them turn over a new leaf like how we saw Adachi did in Ultimax. We know they turn themselves in but it was more forced out of them now that the source of their crimes was forcibly taken from them. The people may not be even aware of the Phantom Thieves' doings but they were forcibly confronting themselves in the face of their heart.
Edit: I understand why people see it as brainwashing. Even in canon, characters point out it's tantamount to brainwashing. The Phantom Thieves were still doubtful of their actions even when swayed by the public. The writing allows both sides to stand toe-to-toe with simply the idea of justice being what they can do right.
Maybe to me, it's just that the Shadow returned to their original and talked into the ear about regret.
I still need to research more of Carl Jung and his pupils' to furthur my understanding.
Adaptations based on anime/manga rarely works. Surprisingly, Japan can translate most stuff, better than some although some don't translate well to screen or just badly adapted (Kuroshitsuji). Surprisingly, stage adaptations are a joy to behold.
As for Death Note, I do enjoy both the manga and the anime. Somehow I took great joy in seeing Light get killed in the finale. I also understand what was meant to be the original ending with Light winning. Now I don't mind which direction it took although I definitely understand Ogata's reasons. I am no purist but I am still glad to see two possible endings for the anime/manga. For example, I both enjoy Super Sentai and Power Rangers as well as the sub/dub of Pokemon.
Here, in this adaptation, I am more cautious. Trailers, if done right, would do well. I mean the first trailer of Power Rangers is not good by any means. I mean it got the tone of what the reboot is but overall it's disjoining from what fans of the show would disapprove of.
This is simply the first trailer. That meant there will be more and hopefully, they took the criticisms well. I know they are aiming for a general audience but they would have to know that fans will flock to see it. Look what happened to The Last Airbender for example. Fans flocked to and later regretted it.
Now I understand that there are DN fans involved in the production. I am cautious about it. Because fans can either swing two ways regarding a movie/book/any type of media: decent or really bad.
So you get the idea, right? Since this is simply the first trailer, there isn't much I give other than caution. The first impression I got was that it could be worse. It could be Dragon Ball Evolution.
First I will comment on the cast. The cast is certainly talented and they have done previous movies that showcase that talent. It's just that most of the cast is white...
I would have to comment on the whitewashing, though. Most of the official cast is white. Why not have Light be Japanese-American? Make him the genius he wears himself with the pristine grace. Nobody would suspect anybody that has such grace and beauty. Look at Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy for example. They are high-standing in society but ruthless and cold in actuality.
They will suspect a delinquent. It's how things work to judge appearances. I cannot see Light in punk attire in any way possible. All I can see him is to wear suits or fashionable wears. Light does wear casual but well put-together all the same. Punk or goth attire for Light would not fit as much as it would fit Misa instead.
...and Misa or whatever her Americanized name is... I have issues with the fact she's just the popular girl in high school. The fact that Misa is an idol in Japan wouldn't translate well into America; that I understand. If anything, she should be a popular Youtuber or even a middle-tier pop star herself, some job that has people unsuspecting of her criminal intentions. Not the level of Rihanna or Lorde but someone who makes it to the Billboard at least a few times. Are you even aware what makes Misa as a character? Her backstory with Rem? And that Shinigami guy I couldn't remember the name of? I am very cautious, okay. I was even cautious when I was watching the Japanese live-action adaptations of Death Note and I found the films to be perfectly fine.
...Also, Misa is notdumb. I want to get that out of the way before I yell. She is certainly impulsive but impulsiveness does not equal low intelligence. I recently came out of a video that states Misa was dumb and well...
I made my conclusion regarding Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Fan4stic's washed-out color palette. I hate such colorings then and I still hate it now. Are people afraid of color or something? What's wrong with moderation?! What is wrong with lighting up a scene? Or visual storytelling? Or just allowing the people to see in a dark theater?
Now there is nothing wrong with such palette in the first place. The overuse of it makes the whole scene much more dramatic than it really is. Synder overused, not understanding why Nolan used it in the first place. Hell, Nolan used lighting properly! He doesn't drown his films.
Does Synder know lighting? MTV's Teen Wolf used lighting really well including lens flares. In fact, Teen Wolf used cinematic storytelling, visually, textually, and subtextually, very well.
What am I talking about? Synder works best with fight scenes rather than dramatic storytelling. Being a former music video director would do that.
But I digress.
I really cannot discuss more of the trailer. I would need more details from following trailers and teasers.
However, there is one thing I know: I will still watch the movie regardless. I watched Man of Steel and Batman v Superman despite Synder, didn't I? I watched Sherlock and Doctor Who (despite me not being a huge fan of DW; I managed to watched RTD era all the way through but not so much Moffat era. I think I can hold his writing for at least one episode before I literally start picking apart his story quicker than I will notice in Supernatural....which is bad because I'm not a big fan of Supernatural either but in SPN's favor, at least Supernatural is consistent) despite Moffat. I think I can withstand the American adaptation of Death Note.
...unlike this movie which I am going to watch when it comes out on Netflix, I am sure as hell not watching Ghost in the Shell, the American adaptation. I really cannot see the Ghost in the Shell that I know at all unlike DN which at least has fans and talent on board...even if these guys might not focus on the right things if the movie goes wrong. I can tell the Ghost in the Shell movie is so wrong.
Why do I keep seeing an Alolan Vulpix for Viktor? I mean I get it that the Pokemon in question is cute and exemplified majesty when evolved into Ninetales. I always loved Vulpix and Ninetales so to have Alolan variants are cool.
One of my top AUs ever is a Pokemon AU. Pokemon has been my heart and soul far more than YGO and Digimon. Digimon may have the better story and characterization whereas Pokemon OS's story and characterization could be salvageable in some shape or form later on in the series. YGO overall is just one big fest for boys and doesn't really age well. I like YGO, okay; YGO GX is one of my favorite series out of the YGO franchise.
A failing of the OS series has always been the minimal focus on Misty, Brock, and Tracey's goals. They certainly provide advice, guidance, goals and responsibility to Ash. They could have written much better, especially given the privilege of May, Dawn, Iris, Serena, Bonnie and even Clemont and Cilan, however, brief those two might be. However, Shudo did make sure that the focus is all on Ash and Pikachu; and the very unfortunate fact that he doesn't seem to know what to do with the travel companions at the time if it wasn't for his writing staff who had written the characters to take action. I don't want to do away anything he contributed since he written episodes that would go no way in the end (his reported ending of the Pokeani series for one; you know all the Green episodes like the dam or the Tentacruel) and what he said that makes sense in the context of the series. The new showrunner has a better grip on what to do with the travel companions although there will still be a minimal focus on the Brock, Cilan, and Clemont. Hell Brock's change of goals has been developing through Happiny, Bonsly, caring for a sick Pachirisu and other actions that changed his goals to becoming a Pokemon Doctor.
Pokeani have long since evolved since its OS days, pun unintended. Sure there are things that might have been retconned, incoherent, inconsistent but since they have callbacks and flashbacks and the very fact that the 20th movie is going to be the beloved OS classic and the very fact that most of the writing staff have been there since the beginning makes it clear that the writers have a better handle on things now that they can develop into a long runner. It might not the level of One Piece (I cried for a ship!) but the Pokeani has always been the equivalent of Linkara's History of Power Rangers for me.
I am loving Pokeani SuMo so far. I am loving the new art style, Bewear, and the petty spiteful Mimikyu. Charming series; there are charms in each saga/arc to love and Pokeani will always be a part of my heart.
Now I'm digressing.
What I was originally going to talk about is Pokemon AUs. While magical realism makes my heart go 'oof!', I have stars in my eyes as soon as I see even one fic or art depicting characters from another series having Pokemon of their own. Yes, it is that bad that I will read any Pokemon AUs. I may or may disagree with certain depictions of teams but since I already going with the headcanon is headcanon, what is theirs and what is mine...just as long as I get the characterization right.
Although honestly, I have difficulty sometimes of the limit of Pokemon. Should I give them a pretty sizable group on par of Ash's Pokemon which yes include the Tauros herd? Or give them the minimal amount that the other rivals, Brock, any other that has their Pokemon stay with their loved ones?
Some first Pokemon are pretty easy choices; Miyuki Kazuya getting a Zigzagoon for one. That's a common Pokemon but I cannot unsee it especially considering how loveable Zigzagoon is and what the Pokemon is based on. Miyuki Kazuya as a character needs love considering his neglect and his nickname as a Tanuki is notable. Sawamura Eijun with a Sunflora? Haru Nanase with a Feebas turned Milotic? I cannot unsee Rei Ryugazaki without an Eevee that evolved into a Vaporeon along with his Butterfly Pokemon like Beautifly, Butterfree, and Vivillon. I really cannot unsee Rin Matsuoka without a Sharpedo and a Gyarados.
For Pokemon AUs, I make it more in the Pokeani-verse. I never read the manga but I have played the games. I wanted to develop the world of the Pokeani because there are so many implications of the world, unspoken or not...aside from the fact that I love Pokeani and might as well considered to be number 4 of my favorite anime list.
Now Pokeani I can have a definite opinion on especially since I played the games too. YOI is not yet on the list considering I have to see anything resembling a sequel (see Free! Eternal Summer) or a reupdated release (see Persona 4 Golden) so I can give my full opinion on it. Free! Iwatobi Swim Club has always been on the upper part of the sports anime list I watched but bumped higher closer to Daiya no Ace, Baby Steps, and Haikyuu especially since Daiya no Ace bumped down a lot due to Act II. YOI is higher than Daiya no Ace but no more than that but since it's not fully complete yet, YOI would remain there until the time being. I actually left the YOI fandom so that things can die down in the wake of the finale so I remained in the Pokeani and Hetalia fandoms for a while now now completing a trio with the Tales fandom. I have never been so glad that I have been in fandom for nearly a decade now that I can see controversy from a mile away.
I'm digressing again but certainly, I want to make a Pokemon AU. Although currently, I am developing hopefully a series of novels I am going to publish, I always do have a lot of fun with worldbuilding that you have no idea. NO SPOILERS!!! Or details at all.
Pokemon AUs will always be a part of my favorite AUs along with musicians, entertainment industry, coffee shop, bakery,
I just have to let this out. Now trolling creators have always been a thing; Alex Hirsch is one example that pops into my head.
Just that in Pokeani XY, the writing is trolling us. From many references to Misty in less than overt manner (holy mother of god that Kalos has many Water-types specifically Corsola, Marill, Azurill, Psyduck, Politoed, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Staryu, Starmie, Luvdisc! In ridiculous numbers!) but still subtle enough to pass by to suddenly just reference Dawn instead of Misty. Misty is unspoken in XY when there are so many subtle references to OS with a much wiser and mature Ash. Why in the love of Mew Pikachu dress as Psyduck!? There are yellow Pokemon to choose from and he chose Psyduck! Oh and don't let the fact that Ash is dressed as Snorlax - Psyduck kissed Snorlax for the love of Arceus!
Why do I take gleeful joy just from saying that? Or even writing the Pokemon equivalent of calling god in some form?
Just yeah... the writers are trolls. I want to know why they are trolling us. On one hand, they could be writing it badly but on the other hand which I firmly believe to be so that they are deliberately delaying Serena's soul-searching with the many references to Misty. Not even Brock have this honor.
Just why are they deliberately writing badly especially since it wasn't until later that Serena got the development that people in the fandom originally have the problem with her? Just why writing staff of Pokeani? I know you people have been there since the OS too so I know that you have no problem writing greatly and making the anime shine like diamonds being crafted into wedding rings.
I want to do something happy for once. Trump is shaving years off my life day after day that I am just writing.
Now I don't mind the live-action adaptations of the Disney classics. I haven't watched Jungle Book yet but I heard it was good. At least Disney is listening to the previous criticism aimed at their earliest released of the Disney live-action adaptation of their classics and by that, I meant Maleficent and not 101 Dalmatians.
I really don't mind it at all. I mean Disney is a company that will not die by bankruptcy anytime soon. I just have the thought they are just doing this for the sake of money or some kind of shame for their classics. I love Cinderella 2015 and I sincerely hope that the future adaptations would do well.
...If there is a live-action adaptation of Frozen, I refuse to watch it because that is how much the movie annoys me unless you strap me down or bribe me with my favorites to watch it again.
I don't mind the casting although Ewan McGregor's accent for Lumiere is funny admittedly. I hope they know they have big shoes to fill. Although there is also the Broadway to see too. I did hear that Alan Menken came back to write new songs and I hope those songs are just as good as the Broadway additions.
I think the trailers imply that this movie will be a musical. I saw they kept the "Be My Guest" number and Emma Watson's singing. That's a surprise; Cinderella 2015 only has "Lavender's Blue" and I don't think the Jungle Book and Pete's Dragon are also musicals too. Is it because BatB is famous for its music? I know that the music is perfect and has an economy that musicals should have and Frozen failed to do because the story cannot be followed through the songs in that movie.
Speaking of the music, you can hear the famous title song sung by Ariana Grande and John Legend. It's nice...nicer than the Celine Dion and Peabo Bryan version anyways. Better chemistry I think. Grande is an unpolished Mariah Carey and didn't have the great songs yet but she have to grow out of the little sphere she's in first before she can get out there and WIN. John Legend is talented for sure.
I hope the romance is just as well-portrayed as well as the other characters. I noticed in the trailers that Emma Watson has the same breathy performance as Lily James. Not that is any bad; just something I noticed.
I have a soft spot for romances, shoujo, and the likes. Why? Because there is just something so sweet and comedic that can come from romcoms. It's sappy but I love it. Why else do I love YOI's reveal in Episode 10? Or any fanfics that use romcom or shoujo tropes for their pairings? It's honestly too cute for me to resist. I love Makoto Shinkai's works too despite the bittersweet endings.
Yes, I will see the movie either way. While Cinderella is one of my favorite films and fairy tales, I still enjoy fairy tales and would enjoy any reiterations. I do love Robin McKinley's retellings.
I'm primarily an animated movie reviewer so yes, I will go see Illumination, Dreamworks, Laika, and misc studios' movies. Just not Disney and Pixar because unlike the smaller studios, they do have the money to make future movies so I won't even go watch any of their animated movies with the exception of live action...and even then, I try to avoid the shorts.
Sing is basically an American Idol-esque show with a ragtag group of talented singers and performers. The mouse, ringleader of the whole shebang, is trying to save the theater really.
It's a story anyone would hear before. Hell, Glee is one of them to the point they will have villainous antagonists that does horrible things in the name of getting a place at Nationals. There are literally no villains if you count the shutdown plot.
I can't believe I'm saying this but watch Glee instead. It's not that Sing is genuinely bad at storytelling the same level as Glee but if you want a better story of a ragtag of talented singers banding together to have the best performances of their lives, then Glee it is....the first three seasons. People would have varying ideas where Glee started jumping the shark but in my opinion, it's Season 4. There are bad moments and legit bad writing in the first three seasons, I admit that but it felt like they are trying to say something rather than let it rot.
This Illumination film is trying to say something but it got lost in failing development for the characters. The gist of the characterization is there in their establishment shots and potential of interesting plotlines like the gorilla and his dad. Hell, there could've been more development with the entire group. We are meant to see the entire group as a family...and well they are more separate and only connected. Each character has an 'arc' I guess, some not even there or elaborated upon. The lady pig and Scarlet Johannson have something - restrictive lifestyle and the want to be more - but it was not developed. It just comes across as underdeveloped. Something is there but it's not focused enough. Even Glee focused on not only individual development but also group development...although there will be bad writing in both regards. This film, however, seemed to focus on snippets of characterization and there are interactions among the cast...it's just so little. Something is there but not elaborated. Unlike Frozen, however, I think this film is trying to say something but got lost in their vigor for music.
Surprisingly the character I like the most turned out to be Gunter. Everyone else was bland and uninspiring.
As for the singing, I actually do like Scarlett Johannson's, Seth McFarlane's (great voice but an awful creation of shows under his belt although Family Guy before Season 6 was not awful...there are bad moments certainly but in comparison of S6-present...), Tori Kelly's and Taron Egerton's. Reese Witherspoon's was okay as well as Gunter's actor.
The music is, unfortunately, the taste of the creators. Not that the songs that played are bad or anything, it's just that the music doesn't seem to have much importance story-wise beyond performance. I understand they are performers but sing songs that are in-line with their characterization like the songs in the finale. The rest of the movie that has songs doesn't have the same gist. Do the same as Glee's Pilot auditions....do what Season 1 of Glee did with the music, intertwine the music and the plot to get a better depth. There are the tastes of your characters' music and then there are the creators. I'm sure the latter is influencing the latter but please make them their own characters rather than mouthpieces for your taste of music. It's one thing if you are in the music industry but it's another when you are making something that has music integral to the plot.
The movie is harmless for the most part. It's not the worst animated movie of the year or even deserves a Razzie on par with Happy Madison's level of amazing storytelling. It's just average and not really notable.
So for the joy of music lovers, I would give you Susan Boyle's audition for Britain's Got Talent.
And besides, if you actually want to see a good musical, a feel-good one to boot, go see Legally Blonde. It's honestly great to listen to and I consider it a great improvement over the film. Not that the film is bad because I do like the film but I love the musical more the film. The musical is available on Youtube.
PS: I am watching Ace Attorney the anime and Sailor Moon Crystal finally! I did watch the live-action of the former and the latter and love them both. Seriously, the adaptation of Ace Attorney into a live-action movie was one of the best video game adaptations I ever was seen and rarely that ever happen. Look at Assassin's Creed warily. Even the Dead or Alive movie is surprisingly better adapted from the material than expected and that movie just comes out mediocre.
I want to make this a short review. This would be the equivalent of a vlog, I suppose.
Yes, I will have a say with the dub. No, it's not a bad response like I had with Free! dub. Seriously that dub is hilarious (in a bad way, unfortunately) although the way the script is rewritten is horrible. This dub, while not great, is surprisingly good.
Sports anime have always been one of my favorite anime genres. I can handle a sports movie but a television show of sports is not something I would incline to see. Even martial arts films might be added due to the how strenuous the activities are except I can handle shows of them. I just like sports anime because they are interesting to watch these team or person overcome their issues and become better in a form of sports. It does help that the sports anime make me watch sports I had passing glance.
...People have been arguing about the genre for this. I hate it just as much as I hate the pointless debates the rings and the kiss/hug. There is interpretation and then there is arguing who is right when they are all valid. This is a sports genre alongside with genre-busting. Considering the show have a large josei audience with seinen threads. There are sparses of shoujo and shounen. Please listen to me when I mean that this is not a yaoi/shounenai. I love Venio Tachibana's Seven Days and I will say that it belong in the shounenai genre. YOI does not because it's clear that the romance is a major plot and treated much like any other het romance.
Before anyone can say YOI have unconventional storytelling, I would say that the story follows sports anime conventions...with freshness. For western animation movie counterpart, How to Train Your Dragon. It's a story we heard thousands of times before but it's fresh. It's new from the way the story was presented; it's even handled by Lilo and Stitch directors Chris Sanders and Dean Dubois. Both stories are simple but still well-done with its attention to detail. The writing and direction are simple but grand in execution.
It's not unusual to now have sympathetic human characters as rivals nowadays. Kuroko no Basuke, Free!, Haikyuu!, Oofuri, Daiya no Ace, Baby Steps, I can name so many other sports anime/movies, hell even Pokemon and Yugioh right now all have their sympathetic rivals. They are treated as humans who simply got lost in their own issues and did come out better, treating protagonists and treated their loss gracefully while still having the determination to beat the protagonist or to win next time; it's not a new trope that YOI revolutionized. Get that damn idea out of your head. Seriously, Rei confronted Rin and Kuroko himself challenged all his former teammates to get their love for basketball back just to name a few. Before anyone says that they were butthurt, I will say that their assholish behavior is not condoned in any way in-universe and these characters grew in the end. Each player in YOI has their own motivations and human failings just like Rin, Sousuke, Narumiya, Akashi, Himuro, etc. I really like just how fresh they are written; these rivals are antagonistic but for different reasons. Even Yuuri and Phichit fell into this. Again, it's not unusual to have sympathetic human rivals with their own issues but YOI's skaters are more focused on themselves and obviously knew better than to take out their stress on others...with the exception of Yurio (kid, you really are acting like a brat). Hell, knocking down pegs off of rivals who are arrogant is not an unusual trope; for god's sake Pokemon and Yugioh does this. Do not think for a second that having human rivals are a new thing that YOI revolutionized. It's as if saying that Disney pioneered realism in CGI despite the history. Do not negate others' work beforehand; it just makes you ignorant. Just because one series have proper representation does not mean that other stories are now bad just because they don't represent this, even though they don't have that romance as part of their plot. I could get rid of Wakana's crush on Eijun and it will still make the same story.
...Yes, I said that because I have to worry about those who said that YOI broke grounds and is unique because of treating rivals with sympathetic human traits. I mean have you even see any of the sports anime or characters I just mentioned? Please don't make YOI more unique than it already is. Do not glorify YOI. Do not invalidate previous sports stories that had already done sympathetic human rivals as well as nice rivals in general. I have already seen glorified stuff that left me wanting those to die in a fire, just, please. What I do like is that Kubo is not intentionally making her work the best anime ever and glorifying it. Unlike Jennifer Lee who seems to pat herself on the pat whenever she praises herself, Kubo-sensei isn't making YOI more groundbreaking than it already is and does it with the glee of having her work being enjoyed by others and just let her work be the work that it is. YOI is special, that is true, but do not glorify it by saying things that other sports anime had already done, fans. Just don't.
The story itself is very layered. Just Ep 10, Holy Moly Mother of Man and Woman of the Beginning! There are subtle touches then and there. The music intertwined with the plot that how can you not? The unreliable narrator had always been there right from the start with the actions declaring things to be exaggerated or just wrong. Just look at the details in the background. I wish I can say more but I want to keep this review short. Seriously, it's better to discuss how something doesn't work as something that does work. Just look at my review of Frozen versus my review of Zootopia.
The soundtrack is great. Each song featured in the programs are catchy and could belong to an orchestral piece, opera, hip hop/rap, etc; it does help they bought in songwriters and performers. "Shall We Skate" is such a catchy number on par with Disney musical numbers. Even when I read the summary of The King and the Skater - I totally understand why skaters in-universe chose to use the songs in the movies because well ice-skating is involved! - I think I would enjoy an animated snippet with Phichit as a fanboy.
Speaking of the characters, they are fun and likable. They each have their own flaws that they have to work with; they have to learn what they want as opposed to what others expect them to be or not expect them to be. For Yuuri Katsuki, it was strongly implied and shown by actions that he does have an anxiety disorder and represented well enough. I'm willing to say he also have depression too.
The only sensible narrative sense for Yuuri not to win gold is a season 2. And here we are with a greenlit season 2. I'm going to explain this: Yuuri's story arc will be completed if he wins gold which is the point. Even if he chose to still compete despite his win due to Yurio convincing that there is more to be done, his story arc will still be done. My grievances of the last episode, when the last 11 episodes have been pitch-perfect, is... *sighs* Please be aware that the next paragraph is a wall of text. I don't like to say the word "salty" but rather disappointed because it is a legitimate concern for writing. Just don't brush it off just because we are going to get a second season; it came at a price of bad, sloppy writing. It's legitimate writing criticism.
I do have a problem with the finale - not what you are thinking though because I literally have no problem with the Victuuri pair-skating because it is honestly too beautiful although it's admittedly still too short because the team has to cut for time. It's really glaring to see they changed the ending with the most obvious sign is Yurio's no-show gala performance and it doesn't feel like a fanfare celebration and hell even Yurio's win of the gold and the medal ceremony was just weirdly mute, like reallyglossed over; show Yurio crying, then cut to them on the podium and then skipped right over to the Victuuri which then obviously became the huge focus. The impact of Yurio's win wasn't there; the narrative was weird. It's not like I didn't want Yurio to win; he won because his SP is unconvincing. It's like the event is just there then suddenly moved to Victuuri, rushing to the most important parts. And even prior to the ice dancing, there are issues with Victuuri: mainly they didn't really discuss their future plans, mainly letting the other do what they wanted and not to mention Victor's condition... wtf, it just becomes less cute once you know Yuuri has severe low self-esteem and anxiety and that he thinks that they would get married only if he won gold which is bad. It's especially bad since Episode 12 was meant to resolve that but it just becomes horrible in the end because Victor and Yuuri suddenly became manipulative and didn't really talk. The only thing I could of is drama for the sake of drama when realistically the two of them really have to be forced down to talk and they didn't really talk as much as they misunderstanding the other; personally though I thought Victor only got back to skating because he thought Yuuri need someone to chase after despite his own happiness and Yuuri's anxiety and self-deprecation is far too loud and decides what others should do rather than let them have a say. The emotional beats of the episodes are now off their notes, shoehornedprecisely because a season 2 is now greenlit; we didn't even get more peeks into Yurio's minds about his win other than his face on the podium and his tears. I think the show is trying to draw out time until Yuuri wins gold because Yuuri winning gold is everything. The story has been building up for Yuuri to win gold. It makes no sense otherwise because every other character's story arc doesn't need a gold medal, even Yurio. Yurio beating him by an inch just feel out of place in the emotional buildup in the entire episode, not to mention his stamina issues (the Rostelecom Cup? Where it was mentioned that Yurio has issues with his FS because it demanded a lot? From his coaches? In Episode 9?; Yurio can convince Yuuri to keep competing even with a silver medal); it's just taken me off and doesn't make me suffer or cry for anyone and that is bad considering my reaction to Zero 2 finale; it's a fucking deus ex machina. It just makes me upset and bitter; the emotional buildup, in the end, was abrupt. dropped by an anvil. It's an unpredictable show but there are hints that we will get Yuuri winning gold. That is not unusual because Teen Wolf did the same too with Season 5 being the supposed finale but it was greenlit for a final season so Jeff Davis is working on resolving because well why the fuck did Stiles turn to look at a dying Derek multiple times; who knows when you are going to greenlit or demands of a sequel to commence if it got popular enough. Considering that YOI was only meant to have one season and the demand, the rushed storytelling is all there; there is still good writing in there like JJ's story and PHITCHIT ON ICE. The season finale just felt rushed because they have to accommodate the second season and last-minute additions. Still, the finale is unsatisfying because it is rushed (the pacing which you will hear complaints about), anticlimactic (the important Victuuri talk; there are some parts that are good and hilarious despite how awkward the pacing panned out) and unconvincing characterization in Victor's part (it was enough for me that Victor wanted to retire but didn't seem to be emotionally satisfying for others so Kubo-sensei, do your best writing a complete arc why Victor needs to retire to your Japanese fandom and others who thought it was cheap or not as satisfying. You didn't build up Victor returning to competitive figure skating satisfying for a lot of people including me so please correct your writing next season and hopefully show just how complicated the choice was for Victor because really that all I saw). I am still proud of Yuuri nonetheless for getting a silver and importantly breaking a world record - even though he should have gotten gold precisely because of narrative sense. I'm sorry but it makes no sense for Yuuri not to win gold.
It's not that I hate it; I'm tiptoeing on the fine line of satisfying/unsatisfying. I understand what they have to do. It's really sloppy and I certainly wish they could have done better; like not showing the other competitors in their free skates and only focusing on the important parts. Sure it came at a price of a broken narrative, even more broken scoring (wtf JJ with a bronze!? Otabek makes more sense!), there are still silver linings in little pieces where I can see the original ending's beats and small characterization that pretty much says that Episode 10 is not invalidated. It's wasn't ruined forever for me because I know unfortunately there is much more to be done. It's just that I hope that YOI finally delivers on its promises.
While the cast is human and likable, I do have a problem just how extra the rest of the cast from the Nishigori family to Guang-hong. We do see personality, all personalized which is a big thumb up for me. As long as characters are personalized, then it's a-okay for me; just make them people, play around with stereotypes, make fun of it too; Hetalia does a great job with the stereotypes, playing around with them and making fun of them while the Nation-tans clearly have their own feelings separate from their nation. I just hate repetitions of characterization when you don't do anything with the expies; Glee, Moffat's Doctor Who, Sherlock are one of the few examples I can name off the top of my head. I want to know more about them, see more through their eyes than just POV shots. Now I wouldn't say that they are background characters; the equivalent would be the Social Link system for the lack of a better term. The way these characters are presented is good but not as great as it could be.
The writing can be dubious at times particularly when Episode 10 changed everything. I am working on perspectives here but we never got many elaborations like Yakov and Celestino's comments on Victor coupled with Victor's behavior around them. The writing makes the characters feel incomplete and poorly written. I know the show is well-written but there are some spots where the story doesn't seem to match up or just fell short, particularly in the finale...
Figure-skating wise, it's unrealistic to a certain extent. Twenty-seven Victor gave 4 quads in a single program (I'm super invested in this guy being a skate god; for god's sake, it's implied in episode 10, he got an Olympic medal on his trophy shelf. I mean he been competing since he was sixteen and you think he wouldn't go to the Olympics? That's insane. Even his inspirations, Johnny Weir, Evgeni Plushenko, Yuzuru Hanyu all went to the Olympics so why someone who had been declared the Hero of Russia not goes the Olympics?); in figure-skating, I know he's basically geriatrics in a youthful sport. Look at one of his inspirations, Evgeni Plushenko who retired at 32. Not to mention the scoring system; I don't know if Kubo-sensei is going to leave that up for interpretation (like what she did with the Victuuri Kiss/Hug and Rings) or going to answer. There are a lot of controversy of calculations, the impossibility and improbability of it. We just don't know what is the exact scoring system; is it a modified ISU scoring system or is it a certain year of ISU scoring? Seriously, I don't know much of figure-skating aside from watching the Olympics sections of it.; all I got is the gist of it alongside with names and terms.
Although who can boast they got professionals interested in their work? Blades of Glory and Disney's Ice Princess is what I don't think pros would look for. Not only Oda Nobunari appeared, Stephene Lambiel appeared. Anything is possible now; Johnny Weir and Evgenia Medvedeva could even appear! We got a lookalike of Evgeni Plushenko appearing too although not the actual skater himself. Seriously, who can boast they not only got pros loving their work but wanting to join too even late into the production? Regardless of anime, movies, telly, who can boast about pros making a cameo who want to make an appearance? Pros have to be called in first if they wanted to make a cameo in the work, movies or otherwise. I know there will be Big Name Fans but someone of a profession wanting to make a cameo when the work is far too ahead of the plot and everything?
YOI was not perfect; I will make that clear because really perfection is boring, even Star Wars, which I love a lot, still have their problems. There is Season 2 to go because we need to see Victor's further thoughts on the matter of competitive figure skating, his backstory, and hopefully his complete arc, Yurio's further growth too because he just pulled an Evgenia Medvedeva and now have to defend a title especially since Victor is now in the running again. I didn't get a feel of excitement from Victor about returning; it's almost resigned. I don't feel invigorated about seeing what's to come because the season finale just felt so off in many ways, not just Yurio's win and medal ceremony and Victor's choice to go back. It's lackluster and sloppy from previous episodes and I wish they could have taken it differently. Yes, I will still be tuning into Season 2 because I want all the plot threads still left hanging to be concluded and to see Victuuri get married and to see the characters again with a hopefully conclusive ending. I really want YOI to finally deliver on their promise that yes Yuuri will win gold and Victuuri will get married. Seriously that is the only reason despite the season finale being so poor. Yes, I will still listen to the music because the music is genuinely good...but I don't think I would want to watch episode 12 repeatedly as I would watch the previous 11 episodes. I would only watch episode 12 for analytical reasons, unfortunately.
The dub was not horrendous. It's not as bad as the Free! dub or the Hetalia dub (considering how much I truly hate the latter English dub, that is saying something when I personally dislike the CCS dub with the exception of the Sealed Card English dub). There are moments where the English script deviates from lines of the original but it's very little (it practically translate the lines from the Japanese to English basically, correcting Crunchyroll's subs) and it appeared that Funi learns that this is a story where there is a romance between two men that is a major plot point considering they just make the lines flow smoother than no-homoing it (which is what they did with the Free! dub) and even made their own AMV too. The Russian accents are distracting (ironically, I personally like Micah Solusod's and Caitlin Glass'; Jerry Jewell got better as time goes on which is hilarious he voiced APH Russia considering how much I dislike the annoying accents present in the Hetalia dub; Daman Mills' and Monica Rial's are bearable surprisingly while Dave Trosko's true and tried accent was nonsensical) while Chris' lisp is fine. Josh Grelle as Yuuri Katsuki is so good and deserves all the praises. Minami's English VA doesn't sound great at all and I feel my brain breaking whenever I heard the lady's voice trying to make it sound childish teenager when the Japanese seiyuu, who voiced Hinata Shouyou, did it so much better. It's not a great dub that I would watch over and over again like the FMA 2003 or even 4Kids dub of Pokemon. It's a good for a Funi dub, especially their current dub jobs aren't as great as they used to be.
If I were to rate the entire thing as a standalone, I'll give a C+. Seriously, that wiped out 3 whole levels of points because of how awkwardly, rushed, weird and anticlimactic the finale is and other flaws including LGBT representation. It's not perfect at all and I'm willing to discuss. Who knows how the rest of the series will pan out.
Now time for Arcana practicing!
Yuuri Katsuki - The Chariot
Viktor Nikiforov - The Wheel of Fortune
Yuri Plisetsky - The Justice
Phichit - The Magician
Yakov - The Hierophant
Otabek - The Hermit
JJ - The Emperor
Mila - The Strength
Sara - The Priestess
Michele - The Tower
Emil - The Temperance
Georgi - The Lovers
Guang-hong - The Sun
Leo - The Star Seung-gil - The Hanged Man
Minami - The Star
Yuuko - The Empress
Minako - The Empress
Mari - The Priestess
LGBT Representation
Ah, the LGBT representation. For Japanese queer representation go, it's as good as it can get. If it gets any explicit (the show instead uses actions, subtle but it's still very romantic and considering how context-sensitive the Japanese language is...) or risque, then the show will have to be listed as yaoi or shounen ai. I am sorry but it's true. The fact the show has a normal healthy gay couple, normalized to boot, then that's wonderful. Yaoi perpetuates harmful stereotypes and portrays gay relationships for girls and the occasional boys to get their rocks off. Homoerotic tension in Japanese media is different because, from a western point, queerbaiting is between two men or boys where we know they'll never get together narratively like Dean and Castiel, Merlin and Arthur, Sherlock and John; the Japanese uses homoeroticism to get the audience they want. Free! is, unfortunately, such an example. Hell, even though Tiger and Bunny are progressive in its own right, there's still the ambiguity of Barnaby and Kotetsu's relationship. If there are any queer romances or hinted at, then it's subtext. I am of the opinion that subtext is still a valid reading of the text and should still be read as legitimate. Slash fans are allowed to have their subtext; do not put them down just because you don't see it. Get it out of your damn head about Japanese 'queerbaiting'; do not preach wine and drink water; I already have enough of people saying Japan 'queerbaiting' when they are using faulty cultural values into someone else's culture; DO NOT. Even Doug Walker and Lewis Lovhaug brought up Japanese societal expectations. Even JesuOtaku only concentrates how the story and characters are told rather than Japanese Progressive movement. Yes, I will keep this until people will stop being cultural imperialist, unwitting or not. There is one thing to be progressive but there is another when you are ignoring cultural context. Do not ignore cultural contexts of anything. Even now, I am watching Miraculous Ladybug and I am trying to research as much as France as I can possibly get including whatever lost in translation. Yes, I am that bad about culture. It had become my berserk button.
Normally, I'll say ignore the ranting but do not ignore such an advice. Just don't.
Before anyone can say that Kubo is the first to have a non-homophobic world, I will tell you that she is not the first to do. Jeff Davis in his writing for Teen Wolf made it explicitly clear that there are no homophobes allowed in there and if they are, they are rightfully called out for it. Steven Universe, the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra, hell even include Sailor Moon since nobody is batting an eyelash that beautiful women of stature like Michiru and Haruka are in a relationship; it's not a NEW trope nor did Kubo codified it. It's simply that the fact that Kubo is determined to protect such a world is what makes it admirable. Basically, do not glorifyYuri on Ice, which is already special enough on its own; do not give it credit for something that already been done. I already saw Frozen getting overrated as a result of glorification, which did not sit well with me. Glorification of any kind does not sit well with me at all in any fashion because I know there will be flaws.
Speaking of such non-homophobic world with non-labeling, this is a controversy about labeling and not labeling relationships. This is a can of worms I do not want to open. I am just going to just not analyze but rather just put it here. Of course, a gay couple is completely in love like Victuuri or Young Avengers' Billy/Teddy. Hell, Korrasami is unlabeled. People argued which character is gay/bi/demi/pan/ace on a whole wide of the spectrum, not just in YoI but also Legend of Korra and other works out there that I couldn't think of the moment. People felt that labeling a relationship makes a better impact. Now both arguments are legitimate. I might be implying that YOI is flawed in their representation here because they aren't labeling their characters... So a flaw in YOI, then.
Then again, I am not expecting a perfect representation of all spectrums...and I meant that in Japanese contexts. I am not anti-YoI at all; I do like YOI, it's simply the fact there are flaws when put in narrative perspective and Japanese context. YOI is certainly ambitious but even Kubo will have missteps. Just like this blog, I am willing to discuss positive and negative thoughts on YoI, FMA, Persona, Pokemon, etc.
Now I heard there are LGBT people hating on straight people just for liking YOI... OI, you are no special snowflake just because you are a part of the LGBT community. What the FUCK is wrong with you people?! It's as if saying guys can't enjoy romcoms and my brother enjoys them. Suddenly, I'm a woman who can't enjoy shounen and seinen just because I'm a woman. Get off your damn high horse and let people enjoy regardless of their sexual orientation. Kubo clearly makes her work with love and she clearly wants her work to be enjoyed by people of all spectrum of age, gender, sexual orientation, and all the good stuff.
Speaking of Japanese LGBT, please support them over there. Read up sources and send money for their cause. Read actual Japanese LGBT works by Japanese LGBT like anime, manga, novels, etc. because they do exist. They are simply not mainstream which I think play a part in YOI as a sleeper hit. YOI as a mainstream anime; It's more accessible therefore people will get word faster than manga/light novels/novels. I'm not saying that Kubo isn't an LBGT supporter; she is, judging by the likes and retweets. I think I am treading waters at this point, nearly going to open a can of worms about LGBT supporters' works versus LGBT people's work. I am just going to put it here.
I got into a major rant there... Let's move on to the discussion of the Victuuri relationship.
The relationship is very healthy and clearly shown to be pure love; both men played both the lady and men fluidly yet they are in love immensely with or without the gender roles and I already mentioned this, not fetishized. The couple might be in different pages due to not yet discussing their future plans. I mean I get that conversation because it's the talk of most relationships if those are going to last. I know it because my cousin and her husband had discussed marriage prior to their engagement. I feel they both made choices, knowing they have each other's love; I just don't think they talked enough of what they want, though. The finale made it seem anticlimactic, particularly since we didn't get a gold win for Yuuri. I do like that it's a realistic couple with fights, conversations, and just normality. I'm pretty sure they will still have sickening sweetheart moments but also relationship angst. I just like Victuuri is like my parents and every couple I see in my daily life.
It's so romcom. I have a soft spot for romcoms and shoujo. I mean there is one fanfic I am writing a Final Review for has a shoujo-like story too: Shizuo and Izaya met as kids; Shizuo was interested in the nameless kid but forgotten about it as he got older; the two met again as teenagers and remain fixated; in the end, their relationship becomes better by the end of the story with tad romantic implications although Izaya is the tsundere of the two. Yes, that is how much shoujo I read that I was practically squealing when I read the text.
...Okay, since I don't want to say that this saved 2016 because those horrible things still happened. I won't name them because I think people will know of them either way. I'm sorry; as much as I would like to say it especially since I got the Japanese copy of Persona 5 and doujin, movies, manga/anime with me to cope, I know that this year would still have some seriously horrible turn of events. I love YOI and Persona but I don't think it would save 2016. It simply helped me cope with the situation at hand that there is still hope on the horizon for progressive well-written art and storytelling and well the future. I just to put it out. Yes, I use my fandoms as escapist fiction but really.
Again, please don't glorify YOI. Negating others' work and their storytelling are ignorant. Just because one series is representing the LBGT does not automatically make the others look bad just because they don't have the representation; how about the fact that these stories aren't necessarily about romance and focused on friendship? Their age demographic? Their storytelling? Their own uniqueness? Do not give me crap that YOI is the best of the bunch when you have no idea what you are talking about when I have seen so many anime/manga/Japanese fucking media. There will always be new things coming out and making their own thing; do not glorify something you don't understand from a Japanese standpoint as well as media standpoint. Look at its cultural contexts and do not preach wine and drink water. Do not practice cultural imperialism. Japan is not America in any way. I have to repeat this again because I saw some bad things in the YOI fandom that are just so ignorant and I saw honestly bad criticism of YOI's representation just because it's not explicit enough; for god's sake, I wanted to throw my phone away when I read it because they don't understand Japan at all. Again, it's my berserk button that you are practicing cultural imperialism. I studied Japanese society, history, language, etc in my free time because I am a Japanophile. I am so much of a Japanophile that my cousin even invited me to go with her to Japan. My mother is aware of this even.
