| Some anime aren't very serious while some are. Some fantasy/non fantasy anime choose a medieval world or setting whether it be based off Europe or some place else. However, does anyone else have a problem when some anime choose a "medieval" setting and aren't very committed to it? This isn't really a problem or critique on most animes, but just a opinion that I have gotten after getting annoyed at seeing a possibly medieval world being turned into something more than just medieval. What I mean is that some shows have your typical medieval village with medieval style clothing but all the sudden it is showing stuff from all over history (usually European) like the 19th/18th century for example. You have the regular medieval villages or towns but then all the sudden there also exists 19th century mansions where the nobles are wearing black and white suits. I know that many anime aren't very serious nor does this matter to many of them. I also guess it is difficult to draw/create the world that way because you'd need to research what a modern equivalent of something that should exist in the story, so you just pick something that is way more relatable like a modern clothing store instead of whatever the settings counterpart would be. Does anyone else have this type of annoyance or something similar? Where the setting of the world is mismatched? Sometimes it works well, and most of the time it isn't a problem and in fact makes the story more entertaining. I usually watch Isekai anime so that probably explains why I am so focused on this repetitive detail. |
W3TFTMay 12, 2020 9:32 PM
ow + nw = 90-2000s |
Yorginvik said: It seems to be a common trend in Isekai, where the world is either inconsequential or is barely a factor compared to the plot. That it's mostly a stop-gap of convenience to fulfill the story, a gimmick that pulls viewers in.Does anyone else have this type of annoyance or something similar? Where the setting of the world is mismatched? Sometimes it works well, and most of the time it isn't a problem and in fact just happens to be part of the story. I usually watch Isekai anime so that probably explains why I am so focused on this repetitive detail. |
 I don't believe in the Devil. You should. He believes in you. |
| I don't mind it when it's obviously a fictional world...that may draw inspiration from European cities but it's rare to see one based on that time and place REALLY accurately. When I think of one that does take this seriously, I think of Record of Lodoss War...but not much else....oh Berserk maybe? Not sure about that time period though. Lodoss is definitely medieval. I also think a lot of anime just make up their own worlds to avoid offending other countries lol |
  |
| well technically they could probably just pass it off as it being a "fantasy" world so they can ignore those discrepancies :P but it's actually one of the reasons why I like Maria the Virgin Witch because it actually had a more "realistic" (more like popularly theorized) approach to medieval topics, particularly religion and warfare. overall though, it's one of those cases where if it doesn't show (assumed) accuracy, then it's not the end of the world, but if it does include those small details, then i actually applaud its effort |
 'On-Hold' is another way for a completionist to say 'Dropped' |
Lunilah said: It seems to be a common trend in Isekai, where the world is either inconsequential or is barely a factor compared to the plot. That it's mostly a stop-gap of convenience to fulfill the story, a gimmick that pulls viewers in. Agreed, that makes sense. It is a shame because I really like when those types of anime focus on the world building. It threw me off a little bit in That Time I got Resurrected as a Slime. At one point he visited a medieval fantasy city which had pretty modern streets/shops...but then again, that anime doesn't shy away from bringing modern stuff into the show. It wasn't bad even badly implemented so it was fine. Maybe an example like in the anime Overlord where the world is clearly medieval fantasy but because it is fantasy, it also allows for the butler character to live in a place that is like a Victorian Era house. Scenarios like that are pretty weird when you think about reasons why such buildings exist in that world |
ow + nw = 90-2000s |
| I haven't seen any anime in a long time that's strictly medieval. Most that have medieval towns are isekai, which are more game based, either MMORPG or Dungeons and Dragons, and can be excused to allow anything because they are a reimagining of the world, as opposed to having taken place in history. Perhaps Berserk is the most "medieval" anime. Not sure what else. I am bothered when shows, not just anime, have costume design that's inappropriate for the time period. Suits given medieval times is a bit odd, but not particularly so. I mean just look at all the fancy stuff they have characters wear during the Sengoku period or Meiji era. It's totally ridiculous. You'd think Japanese authors would be more aware of their own history. I guess that just isn't the focus. |
| My subjective reviews: katsureview.wordpress.com THE CHAT CLUB. |
Yorginvik said: In the case of Overlord, it's not medieval really, as it's a video game Isekai. Either way architecture is still very important in my opinion, the world is the biggest component to the atmosphere in the viewers mind i think.Lunilah said: It seems to be a common trend in Isekai, where the world is either inconsequential or is barely a factor compared to the plot. That it's mostly a stop-gap of convenience to fulfill the story, a gimmick that pulls viewers in. Agreed, that makes sense. It is a shame because I really like when those types of anime focus on the world building. It threw me off a little bit in That Time I got Resurrected as a Slime. At one point he visited a medieval fantasy city which had pretty modern streets/shops...but then again, that anime doesn't shy away from bringing modern stuff into the show. It wasn't bad even badly implemented so it was fine. Maybe an example like in the anime Overlord where the world is clearly medieval fantasy but because it is fantasy, it also allows for the butler character to live in a place that is like a Victorian Era house. Scenarios like that are pretty weird when you think about reasons why such buildings exist in that world Even non-Isekai, anime like Fairy Tail have pseudo modern technology with their magic, pretty much breaking the notion that it's old timey. It's not a bad thing in FT by any means, rather a clever way to build the world setting. But it fulfills my point. |
I don't believe in the Devil. You should. He believes in you. |
| I also noticed that Japanese creators (and other East Asian ones) tend to not care too much about historical accuracy (most of the time). I think it's because of their primary demographic audience, which I find a shame, Like other people mentioned, certain other animes do stick with their theme/setting and do it well, which immerses me more into their shows. Then again, it is also great when the animes don't take themselves seriously and just allow for fun stuff to happen. |
ow + nw = 90-2000s |
| Stuff like that will effectively immediately lower my opinion of an anime and in fact, it's something I've mentioned often in frequent threads of a similar topic theme revolving around the hypothetical of "What are your biggest turn-offs in an anime or would cause you to drop/lower your enjoyment of it/etc." And the reason for that is Historical is up there with my favorite anime genres and can be glorious when done properly, and because outside of the anime interest I'm a considerable history otaku. Yet here is the thing about history and creating period pieces and historical settings generally: The vast, vast majority of people, including myself, if familiar with history at all are only extensively familiar with certain eras, nation-states, cultures, and other individual units or facets, and the extent to which they're familiar with the majority of the rest is not comparable to their specialized knowledge in the hypothetical given area/areas. So therefore, if you want to have an anime or any form of media with a historical setting as anything more than a cheap prop and vapid braindead eye candy, then bring in those with the requisite knowledge to assist, and the recognition that that is what's required, the humility and the diligence shown, is enough in itself to garner immense respect and show your work is one worthy of being taken seriously in the first place. I can forgive small goofs in some of the minutiae as there will always be anachronistic or other forms of errors to some degree just like you have other goofs on what's left in or people flub their speech or allow the isolated typo to pass into print often even after a rigorous self-conducted or professional editorial process - it's only human. But when they show on a large scale across the board that they just don't give a fuck then that's when the anime (or any story told in any medium) devalues itself for me. High fantasy by definition is its own world and should be consistent with its own rules - the ones it itself set - for its world. Those crafting recreations of named historic settings in actual recorded epochs of history if it's clear they're otherwise trying to be taken seriously as a story have some responsibility in my view to actually care. Something explicitly set in Edo period Japan or the early 40s during WWII on the Pacific islands or the early Middle Ages in the Low Countries of Western Europe should honor that specificity. If they're creating an "alternative past" as part of the historical setting, both the real world/our timeline-based aspects of the setting as well as its unique or fantastical mythology should be made clear. Those with a seemingly generic fantasy or faux-historical setting with a bunch of elements randomly mishmashed together with little care or thought typically aren't those I'm interested in watching in the first place though. |
WatchTillTandavaMay 12, 2020 10:05 PM
I also noticed that Japanese creators (and other East Asian ones) tend to not care too much about historical accuracy (most of the time). It's WEIRD how so many people just don't do the research too? Like yes, in the 90s and earlier, that might have been hard but nowadays when you can Google anything you want, there's really no excuse aside from pure laziness. xD |
|
WatchTillTandava said: If they're creating an "alternative past" as part of the historical setting, both the real world/our timeline-based aspects of the setting as well as its unique or fantastical mythology should be made clear. That is an excellent way of saying it! At least in my mind, I agree that forms of media that are supposed to be historical yet have an alternate spin to it (whether it is minor fiction or very fictional) should respect both sides, our world and the rules of the new world. |
ow + nw = 90-2000s |
| If it's meant to be historical then these setting details would be very important. But if it's fantasy then it's arguably excusable. |
| Avatar character is Gabriel from Gabriel DropOut. |
| It seems that the japanese have an obsession with 18th century mansions. These things are everywhere. |
| MEA·MENTVLA·INGENS·EST |
| Can you imagine? Those same showmakers who are lazy and take shortcuts when writing stories and characters, animating their shows on the cheep...those same guys being ignorant and not researching medieval realism? This thought would never cross my mind. |
| You should watch Scrapped Princess. They tried to combine a medieval fantasy world with science fiction and Mechas using Clarke's Third Law (any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.) |
| If you disagree with any thoughts or opinions expressed in the above post, you're wrong and I hate you forever! |
| Honzuki Ascendance of a Bookworm is a great example of a show putting the effort into it's world building. Geoff from Mothers Basement made a great analsis video of the subject of world building and medieval settings recently. |
 |
| Usually these kind of anime have far worse problems than a bit of anachronism. |
23feanor said: Honzuki Ascendance of a Bookworm is a great example of a show putting the effort into it's world building. Geoff from Mothers Basement made a great analsis video of the subject of world building and medieval settings recently. I am actually watching it right now! I haven't payed too much attention to the details, but at the first 1-3 episodes I knew that the world wasn't dull but it was pretty plain to me. Now that I have watched the first season, the world building there does stand out in a different way even though I think it is still alright. What intrigues me is the strange way their town society operates, so I guess that does count as world building. The houses they all live in seemed to me "very simple and lazy" design, which I guess it is easier to layout, but at the same time...the town the show is set in reminds me of those communist tenant houses that exist in our real world + the medieval like housing style. That show I think, if anything would suffer more from it being too "set into setting" vs the problem the lower quality shows have, which is not abiding to their respective settings too well. Maybe I am looking too deep into it, but stuff like the way most of the town buildings are in Bookworm, give off a very communal feel, even in the richer areas of that town...the buildings might be slightly better quality but they are still very communal and it allows me to heavily speculate upon that world/civilization. |
ow + nw = 90-2000s |
THE-Black-Mage said: You should watch Scrapped Princess. They tried to combine a medieval fantasy world with science fiction and Mechas using Clarke's Third Law (any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.) I usually dislike watching anime with Mecha or sci fi stuff that is similar to mecha worlds, but I looked it up and it definitely looks interesting. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a shot! |
ow + nw = 90-2000s |
| The thing that bothers me the most is that majority of these medieval European-like places always have hot springs, ryoukan-like inns and even Japanese food that they eat with chopsticks. |
Maou_heika said: The thing that bothers me the most is that majority of these medieval European-like places always have hot springs, ryoukan-like inns and even Japanese food that they eat with chopsticks. I get that. Sometimes, at least in Isekai shows, the main character introduces Japanese customs, but that could be done either well or not. |
ow + nw = 90-2000s |
More topics from this board
» who's your favorite anime deuteragonist?Ymir_The_Viking - Today |
10 |
by MelodyOfMemory
»»
12 minutes ago |
|
» Every year, there is an anime that immediately gains a huge cult following on MAL and is lauded as the best thing ever. Which anime will that be in 2025?MeanMrMusician - Nov 18, 2024 |
27 |
by Frans001
»»
18 minutes ago |
|
» How to care about, recognize and appreciate writing, cinematography, animation, etc?thewiru - 6 hours ago |
34 |
by thewiru
»»
18 minutes ago |
|
» How would you "Zero to hero" someone into anime?thewiru - 9 hours ago |
40 |
by Bennet3214
»»
19 minutes ago |
|
» Has anyone teased for your minimal consumption and choices of popular anime?fallout45 - 2 hours ago |
6 |
by Frans001
»»
35 minutes ago |