May 6th, 2013
Oregairu Summaries/Spoilers
Anime Relations: Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru.
This is for those of you who like myself couldn't wait for the development of the story and what have you. For some note that I posted the same thing on animesuki. I included the order of writing in case some were curious about the better quality summaries.
The following are links to the detailed summaries from a LN spoiler on 4chan. When or if volumes 1, 2 or 5 are complete, I'll just edit this post and post that I've updated it. Anyway there is a new translator (venom) and editor (kirito) for the LN on Baka Tsuki. The translator has registered for the translation of the prologue and first chapter of volume 2.
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Vol 1
No summary posted. The anime episodes from 1 to 3 cover all of this volume. If you want more detail then there is the Manga and the LN. The manga is currently up to the end of episode 2; the episode involves the first request of Zaimokuza Yoshiteru who is the chuunibyou. The LN is currently up to half of episode 1; the LN ends after Hachiman's and Yukino's first meeting.
-----------------------------------------
Vol 2
The summary was mentioned but I've lost the thread. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been posted on paste bin. The anime episodes from 4 to 5 cover all of this volume. For those who wish for more detail and so on, there is only the hopefully upcoming translation on Baka Tsuki as manga releases are slow or uncertain as of late.
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Vol 3 (3rd written)
http://pastebin.com/Q1MJJBZn
-----------------------------------------
vol 4 (4th written)
The most detailed summary the LN spoiler has written.Credit goes to Von Himmel, who is an anime suki member, for finding it.
http://pastebin.com/rqSY0jc9
-----------------------------------------
Vol 5
If the LN spoiler behaves like before, a summary should be available next week in other words within a few days of the release of episode 6.
-----------------------------------------
Vol 6 (1st or 2nd written)
It's the same as the summary Von Himmel posted
http://pastebin.com/Xd8wyRHt
-----------------------------------------
Vol 7 (1st or 2nd written)
http://pastebin.com/9yG5icyD
Read more at http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=596483#AQDQr0qoGzamhkOQ.99
The following are links to the detailed summaries from a LN spoiler on 4chan. When or if volumes 1, 2 or 5 are complete, I'll just edit this post and post that I've updated it. Anyway there is a new translator (venom) and editor (kirito) for the LN on Baka Tsuki. The translator has registered for the translation of the prologue and first chapter of volume 2.
-----------------------------------------
Vol 1
No summary posted. The anime episodes from 1 to 3 cover all of this volume. If you want more detail then there is the Manga and the LN. The manga is currently up to the end of episode 2; the episode involves the first request of Zaimokuza Yoshiteru who is the chuunibyou. The LN is currently up to half of episode 1; the LN ends after Hachiman's and Yukino's first meeting.
-----------------------------------------
Vol 2
The summary was mentioned but I've lost the thread. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been posted on paste bin. The anime episodes from 4 to 5 cover all of this volume. For those who wish for more detail and so on, there is only the hopefully upcoming translation on Baka Tsuki as manga releases are slow or uncertain as of late.
-----------------------------------------
Vol 3 (3rd written)
http://pastebin.com/Q1MJJBZn
-----------------------------------------
vol 4 (4th written)
The most detailed summary the LN spoiler has written.Credit goes to Von Himmel, who is an anime suki member, for finding it.
http://pastebin.com/rqSY0jc9
-----------------------------------------
Vol 5
If the LN spoiler behaves like before, a summary should be available next week in other words within a few days of the release of episode 6.
-----------------------------------------
Vol 6 (1st or 2nd written)
It's the same as the summary Von Himmel posted
http://pastebin.com/Xd8wyRHt
-----------------------------------------
Vol 7 (1st or 2nd written)
http://pastebin.com/9yG5icyD
Read more at http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=596483#AQDQr0qoGzamhkOQ.99
Posted by terribad | May 6, 2013 8:32 AM | 0 comments
April 6th, 2013
Can any anime be separately reviewed?
Anime Relations: Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru.
With Oregairu (TV) released I was struggling to make a useful comment on myanimelist. My thoughts were: as I've read the light novel and anime, I'm predisposed to compare the anime when I evaluate it. So I was worried that I won't be able see the anime as a separate piece and the small fraction of commenters who even read my comment would find it useless; they haven’t read the manga or light novel. Then I thought and wrote the following.
But is any anime truly separate? Clichés are tropes (patterns with regards to the creation fiction) which are unpleasant or unnoticeable through overuse. As implied, what makes a cliché in an anime you watch today involves how overused it is. In other words, the anime or fiction you watch today can be affected by your anime history or animelist (strictly speaking animelists don’t show just anime history). Another example, when I found an anime I really enjoyed, my perception changed of my anime history. Ever thought ‘now that I’ve watched X anime other anime I watch doesn’t cut it.’ That is a typical result. I like the idea that no anime is truly separate, as it follows my belief (or perhaps even axiom) that humans mostly understand by comparison or relationships.
However I also think anime can be somewhat separate from each other. If I make a criterion (i.e. it includes reasons for liking an anime) and judge all anime against it, I think I will be able to more “absolutely” judge anime.
Here is an example of how it works. Say there are two balls of two different speeds and you can observe from 5 points which are positions at ball 1, ball 2 or a floor of a 3 story building. So extending the metaphor, the velocity of the balls is the quality of anime and each floor represents a different personal criterion. From what I know from my study of mechanics, if you want compare the velocities of two or more objects you need separate stationary (generally non-accelerating) point of reference which here is the ground. In others words to compare the velocities of the balls, I need to find the velocities relative to the same point. However although each floor is stationary, the observed velocity does change. (As an aside, strictly speaking any point attached to the earth is accelerating as it’s rotating about the centre of gravity of the earth).
It all boils down to this: to “absolutely” compare different anime one needs an unchanging criterion like a non-accelerating floor. When I say ‘unchanging criterion’ I only mean one that doesn’t change when comparing. I think the best criteria are written as they force me to organise my thoughts and are harder to change than feelings or musings. I said ‘absolutely’ twice because the criterion isn’t absolute; the criterion is subjective like the different choices of floors. So people will still have a different truth but now I know the reason. If my criterion is similar to theirs then I’ll probably enjoy it.
Anyway, this idea isn’t new and I think we all do it already. I like to think of my idea as a refinement of everyday reviewing. There are some problems with reviewing anime such as FLCL according to a criterion. Also I guess there is a problem with time or more creative shows. Then there is the mechanics analogy where I’m not totally sure how applicable it is. I suppose there could be a set of criteria, with each criterion covering each genre. Anyway Sceptics dig in.
TL;DR I think that no anime is truly separate. I think it’s best to judge anime based on some separate and written criterion rather than against each other. Because it allows one to compare anime in an ‘absolute sense’ that is also understandable to others.
But is any anime truly separate? Clichés are tropes (patterns with regards to the creation fiction) which are unpleasant or unnoticeable through overuse. As implied, what makes a cliché in an anime you watch today involves how overused it is. In other words, the anime or fiction you watch today can be affected by your anime history or animelist (strictly speaking animelists don’t show just anime history). Another example, when I found an anime I really enjoyed, my perception changed of my anime history. Ever thought ‘now that I’ve watched X anime other anime I watch doesn’t cut it.’ That is a typical result. I like the idea that no anime is truly separate, as it follows my belief (or perhaps even axiom) that humans mostly understand by comparison or relationships.
However I also think anime can be somewhat separate from each other. If I make a criterion (i.e. it includes reasons for liking an anime) and judge all anime against it, I think I will be able to more “absolutely” judge anime.
Here is an example of how it works. Say there are two balls of two different speeds and you can observe from 5 points which are positions at ball 1, ball 2 or a floor of a 3 story building. So extending the metaphor, the velocity of the balls is the quality of anime and each floor represents a different personal criterion. From what I know from my study of mechanics, if you want compare the velocities of two or more objects you need separate stationary (generally non-accelerating) point of reference which here is the ground. In others words to compare the velocities of the balls, I need to find the velocities relative to the same point. However although each floor is stationary, the observed velocity does change. (As an aside, strictly speaking any point attached to the earth is accelerating as it’s rotating about the centre of gravity of the earth).
It all boils down to this: to “absolutely” compare different anime one needs an unchanging criterion like a non-accelerating floor. When I say ‘unchanging criterion’ I only mean one that doesn’t change when comparing. I think the best criteria are written as they force me to organise my thoughts and are harder to change than feelings or musings. I said ‘absolutely’ twice because the criterion isn’t absolute; the criterion is subjective like the different choices of floors. So people will still have a different truth but now I know the reason. If my criterion is similar to theirs then I’ll probably enjoy it.
Anyway, this idea isn’t new and I think we all do it already. I like to think of my idea as a refinement of everyday reviewing. There are some problems with reviewing anime such as FLCL according to a criterion. Also I guess there is a problem with time or more creative shows. Then there is the mechanics analogy where I’m not totally sure how applicable it is. I suppose there could be a set of criteria, with each criterion covering each genre. Anyway Sceptics dig in.
TL;DR I think that no anime is truly separate. I think it’s best to judge anime based on some separate and written criterion rather than against each other. Because it allows one to compare anime in an ‘absolute sense’ that is also understandable to others.
Posted by terribad | Apr 6, 2013 2:05 AM | 0 comments
February 27th, 2013
Ichigo's Birth
Anime Relations: Bleach
The context is the time of the early Arrancar arc. In chapter 188 Urahara says that Isshin abondened his shinigami powers 20 years ago. As Ichigo was apparently 15 at the time, he should have been conceived 4-5 years after Isshin lost his powers. Ichigo lost his shinigami powers after using Final Getsuga Tenshou and become a "human/plus" with remnants of Shinigami power. I assume Isshin using the same technique would undergo a similar process in other words Isshin became a plus/human with remnants of shinigami power.
Here is where a contradiction arises. Aizen took interest in Ichigo because he was the offspring of a shinigami and a human (chs 397-398). At face value the former sentence forms a contradiction. In chapter 528 and other chapters it's almost official that Misaki is a Quincy. However Aizen said Ichigo is the offspring of a human and Shinigami so I 'm going to liberally interpret what Aizen meant by Shinigami.
Suppose that Aizen meant former shinigami or human/plus with remnants of shinigami power. Ichigo could inherit shinigami power also the fact that is Ichigo's shinigami powers were dormant is justified as Isshin's powers were also dormant when they were passed on (Need to explain dormant powers). However according to Nimoniya, a shinigami is more than having Zanpakuto and Shinigami power yet Isshin likely had neither. According to Rukia (ch 46) the role of the shinigami is to balance the two worlds. One of the means is by purifying hollows with their Zanpakuto. Hence according to the role of the shinigami a spiritual entity without even a Zanpakuto can't be a shinigami. If I believe these are true, then Aizen as particular with words as he is wouldn't make the mistake that is to say a "former shinigami" and shinigami are the same thing or even similar.
Based on the former paragraphs, I assume that Isshin was a bona fide shinigami when Ichigo was conceived. I speculate that Ichigo was created, some time before 20 years ago rather than conceived like his sisters. This would explain why Ichigo is a shinigami and a human and why his sisters don't have strong spiritual powers.
I have a reason or story to explain why they would create rather than conceive Ichigo. Over 20 years ago Isshin and Masaki perhaps wanted a child but couldn't conceive as their physical/spiritual bodies aren't compatible (against this idea: a Gigai might solve the problem). Urahara perhaps presented a way with a Hougyoku or some other plot device.20 years ago Isshin loses his powers using Final Getsuga Tenshou and sometime afterwards he starts to live with Masaki. 5 years later Ichigo is "born". 10-11 years later, they conceive Yuzu and Karin as Isshin is now more or less a human or the method of creation could not, need not or want not be repeated e.g. immoral, difficult, scarce resources etc. As an aside the motivation to create Ichigo could also be Urahara's scientific curiosity and perhaps his parents had little say in the matter.
Though I wonder: how they would they create Ichigo? why it took 5+ years for Ichigo to be born?
If Ichigo was created rather that conceived, I can see why Isshin would be reluctant to tell Ichigo about the past. This is because from one perspective it dehumanises him (not because he's a shinigami); he is like a test tube baby or an experiment grown in a lab. I don't agree but it certainly is a perspective he could take. If Ichigo was created using the Hougyoku, Ichigo partly is even less human and worse still he becomes an enigmatic existence to all but a few. Though Aizen never mentioned that he was part Hougyoku. It would also explain why Aizen wanted to eat Ichigo as Aizen's Hougyoku evolved by "eating" Urahara's Hougyoku. In other words Hougyoku evolve by consuming and reach a higher level by eating each other.
Here is where a contradiction arises. Aizen took interest in Ichigo because he was the offspring of a shinigami and a human (chs 397-398). At face value the former sentence forms a contradiction. In chapter 528 and other chapters it's almost official that Misaki is a Quincy. However Aizen said Ichigo is the offspring of a human and Shinigami so I 'm going to liberally interpret what Aizen meant by Shinigami.
Suppose that Aizen meant former shinigami or human/plus with remnants of shinigami power. Ichigo could inherit shinigami power also the fact that is Ichigo's shinigami powers were dormant is justified as Isshin's powers were also dormant when they were passed on (Need to explain dormant powers). However according to Nimoniya, a shinigami is more than having Zanpakuto and Shinigami power yet Isshin likely had neither. According to Rukia (ch 46) the role of the shinigami is to balance the two worlds. One of the means is by purifying hollows with their Zanpakuto. Hence according to the role of the shinigami a spiritual entity without even a Zanpakuto can't be a shinigami. If I believe these are true, then Aizen as particular with words as he is wouldn't make the mistake that is to say a "former shinigami" and shinigami are the same thing or even similar.
Based on the former paragraphs, I assume that Isshin was a bona fide shinigami when Ichigo was conceived. I speculate that Ichigo was created, some time before 20 years ago rather than conceived like his sisters. This would explain why Ichigo is a shinigami and a human and why his sisters don't have strong spiritual powers.
I have a reason or story to explain why they would create rather than conceive Ichigo. Over 20 years ago Isshin and Masaki perhaps wanted a child but couldn't conceive as their physical/spiritual bodies aren't compatible (against this idea: a Gigai might solve the problem). Urahara perhaps presented a way with a Hougyoku or some other plot device.20 years ago Isshin loses his powers using Final Getsuga Tenshou and sometime afterwards he starts to live with Masaki. 5 years later Ichigo is "born". 10-11 years later, they conceive Yuzu and Karin as Isshin is now more or less a human or the method of creation could not, need not or want not be repeated e.g. immoral, difficult, scarce resources etc. As an aside the motivation to create Ichigo could also be Urahara's scientific curiosity and perhaps his parents had little say in the matter.
Though I wonder: how they would they create Ichigo? why it took 5+ years for Ichigo to be born?
If Ichigo was created rather that conceived, I can see why Isshin would be reluctant to tell Ichigo about the past. This is because from one perspective it dehumanises him (not because he's a shinigami); he is like a test tube baby or an experiment grown in a lab. I don't agree but it certainly is a perspective he could take. If Ichigo was created using the Hougyoku, Ichigo partly is even less human and worse still he becomes an enigmatic existence to all but a few. Though Aizen never mentioned that he was part Hougyoku. It would also explain why Aizen wanted to eat Ichigo as Aizen's Hougyoku evolved by "eating" Urahara's Hougyoku. In other words Hougyoku evolve by consuming and reach a higher level by eating each other.
Posted by terribad | Feb 27, 2013 4:42 AM | 0 comments