Haven't seen symphogear but I'm a big fan of music animes in general. K-on is one of my absolute favourite shows.
Stand Alone Complex, especially the second season, is by far the best Ghost in the Shell anime. That's a hill I won't just die on but I'd come back to life over and over again to defend.
It's mainly this review that comes to mind. The film's somewhat abstracted setting does leave some room for interpretation, but I don't see how he landed at the whole film being an allegory for Oshii's disdain of otaku.
I think Sevakis’ interpretation is pretty well grounded, given a lot of opinions Oshii has expressed over the years regarding anime and originality. Granted, perhaps those not as familiar with Oshii the man wouldn't make those connections and take the same things away from Sky Crawlers; I agree that things like Aces High and Catch 22 are probably the more obvious comparisons, but I certainly wouldn’t put it past Oshii to liken the waste of youth that is war to the waste of youth that is the consumption of repetitive media. The characters literally not growing up is probably the biggest signpost in that direction, so I think the mech show comparison is a perfectly reasonable conclusion to draw. If that’s a valid interpretation of say, Evangelion (which I definitely believe it is, though it’s never made explicit) then it’s a valid interpretation of Sky Crawlers.
It is certainly painfully slow, but for me, a good slow burn overall. I think that languid pace does add to the atmosphere, as I guess was intended. I think with a lot of things Oshii (Angel's Egg anyone?), it's enjoyed best alongside reviewing other's interpretations (would make for a good simulwatch now that I think about it actually - potential for the suggestions list?). I too read Sevakis' review, which prompted me to watch the movie in the first place. I agree with with both @Dai, on the military references but also with @ayase, as I too could certainly see Oshii's critique of the industry and fandom, exactly like Anno's with Eva. However, I doubt I would've made that connection without having read said review, and by missing that theme likely to not have been able to enjoy the movie half as much perhaps. It's definitely worth a watch, but with attached homework is what I guess I'm saying heh.You know, I've never seen Skycrawlers.
I've always been a bit put off by things I've read about it. How's the film itself, would you say?
Yeah I saw these on Netflix but didn't think on first impression that they followed the story of the movie which put me off. Will add to my list if you guys know them to be worthwhile or on fact a continuation?
Strong words indeed! Don't worry, my previous reservations were down to being narrow-minded and I'm already sold on that so just a matter of getting to it on my watchlist (which has significantly expanded after I finally gave in and signed up to the funimation 3-month trial offer with the PS4...).
No worries. It just amused me as the original Ghost in the Shell film was the first anime I watched and the 2nd anime I watched was Stand Alone Complex as I was desperate for more!
Ah that's good to know. I think in the past I was under the impression that SAC was action-heavy at the expense of the heavy themes & philosophising of the movie altogether.
Season 1 certainly starts out that way as it establishes the characters and setting but once the larger storyline starts the bigger ideas start to flow. One of the factors that makes season 2 so good is that it gets the blend much better.
Yeah Oshiis style works very well for the movie format. A tv show at his pace would be languid. Kamiyama is the opposite. I find his tv shows to be far better than his films as hes able to structure the action around the ideas far more effectively. Stand Alone Complex and Eden of the East are excellent whereas Re:Cyborg and Napping Princess feel like they dont quite live up to their potential.
To be fair I'm a fan of everything he's done but his series, for me, are a cut above his films.
My faith in you all is shaken, it's the Azumanga Daioh situation all over again.
Yeah I quite liked Napping Princess, and especially how the mother's character was portrayed, that was brilliant and on it's own enough to make me want to get it. So I'd also count myself in the Kamiyama movie appreciation society but as @WMD mentioned, prefer Oshii's movies.
Azuma-what-now?? Ah man is this some anime gold I've been completely in the dark about?! I'll get my coat, clearly am unworthy...
Currently watching Standalone Complex on Blu-ray, just started 2nd GIG
I've never really gotten along with harem shows (nor many examples of its modern cousin, the isekai, though there are exceptions to this) due to finding their bland and uninteresting (and often weirdly sex-averse to say they’re surrounded by women lusting after them) male MCs who are apparently supposed to be viewer inserts utterly unrelatable. The only kind of harem protagonist I’d be interested in is one who screws all of the girls and then leans back, smiling as he is beaten to death by them in the final moments of the show and whispers “worth it”. Plus I usually only end up liking one or two of the characters, which means any time these characters are not on screen is just a waste of my time.
