So theres a Eureka Seven movie coming out. Well, I have no intentions but those of reacting in the calmest fashio-
WTF! OMG! OMFG! OMFG! desu
I CAN'T WAIT, I CAN'T WAIT, I CAN'T WAIT-desu.
WHEN'S IT COMING OUT-desu?!!!!
Well its all over. If you actually bother to read my blogs (which it seems only 2 people have done so far), you might have seen my thoughts on True Tears episode 12. In that entry, I wrote about how Shinichiro was possibly the stupidest harem protagonist ever. Well, after viewing TT 13, I still think he's a dumbass, but I will give him a little bit of credit for dealing with his dilemma honestly and in a straightforward manner (well, much of this is due to Hiromi's prodding, but I digress). I also find it refreshing that Shinichiro seemed well aware of the pain he was causing others by fucking with everyone's emotions. Although he made many mistakes, at least he took some kind of responsibility in the end.
There were a few loose ends that did not get tied up in the final episode. One of which was the grudge that Shin's mom held with Hiromi's mother. This plot device was a major driving force in the story earlier on in the show, and for it to be totally neglected at the end is a major mistake on the part of the writers. Also, Jun's character (who got some major face time in TT 12) did not have his issue clearly resolved in my mind. In the epilogue, it seems that he has left the city which Noe lives in, most likely to keep his feelings for his sister reigned i. However, I would have liked to see a confrontation between the two of them with more finality. It doesn't really make sense that Jun would leave Noe without first saying something.
But all things considered, I was satisfied with the TT ending (probably more than most, however, since the couple I was rooting for won out in the end). I do believe that the series rates an 8 in my book, for being consistently well written and animated. In fact, the show even had a few moments of sheer brilliance (if you didn't cry when Shin was singing Noe's song as she walked away, then something is wrong with you). The final episode reminded me of the many things that cause me to fall in love with True Tears early on in the show, which are excellent dialogue and character interaction, and some good ole' fashioned melodrama, without being really over the top. In fact, I would go so far as to say that True Tears is probably one of the most realistic romance/dramas of this type that I've seen. In my opinion, True Tears is one of the best shows of this anime season.
As spring vacation enters its conclusion, so does my viewing of Cowboy Bebop. While most people would consider the hours I spent with Spike and company over this spring break time well wasted, it is easily some of the most well-invested time I've ever spent. For every minute I gave to watching CB, it will require another for reflection and thought. Yes, this is television (television, not anime) at its smartest and most thought provoking. At the same time, I don't think I've ever been more attached to a group of fictional characters since I first finished FMP!, my favorite anime. Seldom does fiction manage to have both intelligence and heart, but in CB there lies an exception. Needless to say, from a critical standpoint, Cowboy Bebop is the finest show (anime or not) that I've ever had the pleasure of watching, in my humble opinion. Sadly, it all had to end sometime. To Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein, I bid you adieu.
To take an edge off ending the show, I decided to write some closing thoughts I had on it as a whole:
*Warning: Minor Spoilers Ahead*... I think... maybe
-Spike and Faye should go down as the most complex, human, and lovable protagonists ever. Ever! Ever ever ever ever ever!
-Cowboy Bebop is THE BLUEPRINT on how to end an anime with a bang.
-Ein
-Faye x Spike = the greatest anime couple that never happened
-is
-Ballad of Fallen Angels (Session 5) is the single greatest anime episode I've ever watched
-For all its symbolism and subtle storytelling techniques, CB has more replay value than most video games
-win
-You could cite CB in a cinematography class. The camera work was so good, it would make the Coen brothers proud.
-Almost didn't mention the beautiful animation. As fluid as water, and incredibly detailed, it's hard to believe the show is ten years old.
-Yoko Kanno is a genius. The soundtrack was as close to perfect as one can possibly come. Every song not only fit the scene perfectly, but enhanced the mood it was trying to achieve...
-...but sometime ill advised music kills a scene. I find that this is especially a problem in anime, but not in CB.
-Gren (Jupiter Jazz) is the deepest "guest" character ever. If you've seen the episode, you know what I'm talking about.
-If I had to list one complaint (other than the show having to end), it would be a lack of an explanation of how Spike got to be so damn good at killing people.
-Tommorow, I'm heading to Best Buy at 10 am sharp to pick up a copy of the CB movie. I have only spent money on anime twice in my life. Once, when I emptied my piggy bank as an 8 year old to watch the first Pokemon movie, and another time to buy a dvd boxset of FMP! Fumoffu as a gift to my brother.
I know this isn't at all involved with anime, but for all you American Idol fans out there, if you don't vote for David Cook tonight, then kindly go to your kitchen, take a knife from your knife block, and run it down the length of your throat.
DAVID COOK = WIN
*Warning* Spoilers Ahead!
After viewing True Tears 12, I must go on record to say that Shinichiro is possibly the stupidest harem protagonist I've ever had the misfortune of watching. And I saw School Days. I mean, lets compare Shinichiro to Makoto. Its pretty safe to say that Makoto is one of the most hated anime characters of this generation. But from a logical standpoint, its actually very easy to understand Makoto's actions. Everything he did, he did with the intention of getting laid. Now, when watching other people besides ourselves act with said motive, human nature compels us to condemn and berate those people. But, put in Makoto's position, I'm sure that many males (and even females, if it meant getting with hawt dudez) would take the same opportunities that Makoto did. Of course, his situation is so totally outrageous that it would never happen in real life, and so is not really an option for actual human beings (unless their name is Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt = GAR). Makoto's actions also benefit us, the viewers, by the twisted logic that it was his own stupidity that eventually caused his demise and contributed to our sadistic satisfaction in the end (we should all be ashamed, really).
However, Shinichiro's dilemma is not so far-fetched. He's in the middle of a love triangle (or diamond-thingy, if he was the point at the top and you included Aiko as a vertex in whatever shape is used to demonstrate said relationship) without the opportunities that Makoto has. Because of this, Shin's indecision is far more inexcusable than Makoto's, as it benefits no one in particular, and drove relatively sane female protagonists to extremes (come on now, Kotonoha and Sekai are as slutty, crazy and obssessive as Makoto is stupid, and I still blame them a little for the whole mess that is the School Days ending). There are a lot of factors that play into Noe's attempted suicide (Jun's selfishness which caused the whole NoexShin tryst in the first place is a major factor here), but Shin's inability to "do everything properly" and make clear to himself and to everyone else who he really likes (still Hiromi in my opinion, he's running after Noe because of guilt, and rightfully so) is the biggest of them all.
So, in conclusion, Nakagami Shinichiro is one huge, raging prick whose idiocy caused (maybe) the loss of someone's life, something that Makoto can't claim to have achieved.....
Oh wait, nevermind.
Makoto, you fucking douchebag.