Nov 16, 2021 7:00 PM
On the Critical Validity of Predictability
Anime Relations:
Toradora!, Boku dake ga Inai Machi
It's not uncommon for me to see members of the anime/manga community critique a story based on its predictability. Most of the time I find this analysis to be irrelevant. Whether or not predictability is a mark of quality (or even pertinent to discussion) depends entirely on the type of story and its delivery.
Some stories (e.g., Erased) seek to create a significant amount of uncertainty within their narrative to achieve a specific effect. Some do not. Types of stories that typically seek to leverage unpredictability as a tool include, but are not limited to, mysteries and thrillers. These stories intentionally create intrigue and facilitate suspense via their method(s) of storytelling. In fact, these are some of their defining characteristics. And perhaps most importantly, I go into the experience expecting these things.
By contrast, other types of stories (e.g., Toradora) do not typically seek to create a sense of uncertainty or do so in a transitory manner for dramatic effect (e.g., a love triangle). Genres such as action or romance rely much more on creating compelling content than conclusions. I don't really watch a romance anime to find out what happens in the end (there aren't many possibilities). I watch it to experience a compelling love story. Similarly, I watch an action show to see cool action scenes, not to find out, for example, if the antagonist is actually the main character's father. I'm not expecting to find mysteries in these experiences.
The being said, stories in this latter category (e.g., romance, action, etc.) sometimes chose to employ intrigue and obfuscation. (This is obviously fine and can add much to a story if done well.) In cases where this can be demonstrated, critiques of the implementation are valid.
Finally, I imagine some people might say that they look for suspense in everything, because this is a quality of experience they really enjoy. Leaving aside the exploration of why that may be, the audience should set their expectations based on what the creator proposes to deliver. If you're disappointed you can't use a coffee cup to cut a steak, that's your fault not the cup's or its creator's.
Some stories (e.g., Erased) seek to create a significant amount of uncertainty within their narrative to achieve a specific effect. Some do not. Types of stories that typically seek to leverage unpredictability as a tool include, but are not limited to, mysteries and thrillers. These stories intentionally create intrigue and facilitate suspense via their method(s) of storytelling. In fact, these are some of their defining characteristics. And perhaps most importantly, I go into the experience expecting these things.
By contrast, other types of stories (e.g., Toradora) do not typically seek to create a sense of uncertainty or do so in a transitory manner for dramatic effect (e.g., a love triangle). Genres such as action or romance rely much more on creating compelling content than conclusions. I don't really watch a romance anime to find out what happens in the end (there aren't many possibilities). I watch it to experience a compelling love story. Similarly, I watch an action show to see cool action scenes, not to find out, for example, if the antagonist is actually the main character's father. I'm not expecting to find mysteries in these experiences.
The being said, stories in this latter category (e.g., romance, action, etc.) sometimes chose to employ intrigue and obfuscation. (This is obviously fine and can add much to a story if done well.) In cases where this can be demonstrated, critiques of the implementation are valid.
Finally, I imagine some people might say that they look for suspense in everything, because this is a quality of experience they really enjoy. Leaving aside the exploration of why that may be, the audience should set their expectations based on what the creator proposes to deliver. If you're disappointed you can't use a coffee cup to cut a steak, that's your fault not the cup's or its creator's.
Posted by
Ryhzik
| Nov 16, 2021 7:00 PM |
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