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Apr 24, 2018
Thirty minutes ago I wrote a review about Arslan Senki S1 now here I am, back to rant about these idiots.
Originally, I gave this season a 5. Now that I'm looking at it scrupulously, it's more of a 4 or 3. Let me explain.
My expectations are completely different than before. In Arslan Senki, I wanted to be introduced to the characters and their goals, to know more about the setting of the story and also the main conflict. Which was all done relatively well.
Now for Arslan Senki: Fuujin Ranbu, I wanted to delve into the minds of these characters and see them evolve. Sadly, again,
...
they do not grow.
Our main cast is still the same as before, they do not learn from their mistakes -- they don't make mistake to begin with. Arslan is still an innocent white snowflake without any awareness of the real-life dangers being overprotected by Daryun-oka-chan who's reduced to be the mindless brawl of his 'Highness'. I swear if I hear him yell 'denka' again I destroy the internet.
But, pals, I had hope!
When we've met Narsus' old friend, I thought I would finally get the development I've been longing for. Some backstory as to why Narsus is the way he is and how two friends parted on different journeys. Jokes on me, that conflict lasted two episodes with no explanation nor flashback about their relationship to show us how deep the betrayal was.
And even when Alfreed's brother was introduced, I thought we could see some nice frictions between the siblings or even Alfreed revealing more about her past, anything that would have shown us her struggles or the reasons she ran. Something to make me care, ffs. They can all die, I would literally give no shit because they overlooked that emotional development. I cannot connect with this series because characters aren't real. They're funny and lovable and sure looks good but there is nothing more to them. I'm not as much engaged in the story as I was in Fullmetal Alchemist, for instance.
Of course, the rest of the bunch is lessened to their previous role with no active participation in the advancement of the plot whatsoever.
Everything in this series is freaking shallow. It's there for sparks and glitters, for cool moments that would make great AMVs. Nothing is deep, the characters are never challenged externally and internally. As a grand poet would say; they have the emotional range of a teaspoon.
The only one that gets a little bit of backstory is our Zuko/Shouto boy. That makes me want to root for the villain, honestly.
The animation found a way to become even worst. I didn't think it was possible but the overuse of dark contrast made it impossible for my screen to distinguish the dark tones from the light tones. The 3D still looks awful but now I'm used to it. Good news is: characters aren't legos anymore! They're freaking carton boxes. Fluidity was lost in favor of better background visuals. I don't know if it's a good thing though.
I noticed nothing different in the OSTs and despite being sung by the same artists, the OP and ED have less impact than in the first season.
If the eight-episode season didn't tip you off, you can still feel this season was rushed and is nowhere near the quality of the first season. It's not even a whole cour!
There is little chance for a third season, at least not in the close future but I do hope we put all this overdramatic plot aside and focus on the characters. Because Arslan's epic journey is about him, not the super goody fights. I got to care if you want me to root for him or I'll go pray to that Yaldabotthing (bless you, dear) for all of them to die painfully.
Yeah, I'm a resentful viewer.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Apr 24, 2018
I didn't want to watch Arslan Senki but boredom bit my ass and here we are, pals.
It's all about some prince's journey who tries to get his city back because people betrayed him. Nothing new here. This is Akatsuki no Yona minus the romance (but no worries, the harem is still there) meets the Eastern setting of Magi meets Kingdom but without the captivating warfare narrative. I won't say it lacked action because it got plenty but it definitely lacked something that would have made the story enthralling. The mystery behind Arslan's identity was a good start. However, this subplot was not developed fully which
...
left me with lots of unanswering questions.
The characters don't change and are often one dimensional -- there are little development and even less growth. They are pretty much all OP and often find easily their way out of desperate situations. For a story that is character-driven, they didn't evolve much.
Please, tell me which one is the brightest banana in the bunch because they all seem like (endearing) losers to me:
- There is the good guy with white hair (of course he has white hair). He's so innocent and righteous and wants to save everyone because this is the right thing to do, right? In real life, my precious son Arslan would have gotten killed faster than Ned Stark. Did I mention he has white hair? #specialsnowflake
- The invincible dude who only got two words in his mouth: 'Your Highness', and oh boy, that's one hell of a talent waste for Hosoya Yoshimasa. Even that ambiguous loyalty for Arslan was off-putting at times. Does he love him like a mother or a lover? Don't know, can't tell. But choose, mate, you can't do both.
- The one more OP than Aizen and Madara combined. He knows everything but tells no one, always gets what he wants and his plans never fail because he's so clever. Plus the bishie is voiced by Namikawa Daisuke. I'm telling you, perfect. Wait. He does have one flaw: he can't draw. Oh, my bad. Let's not forget there are two kids vying for his attention -- one seeing him as a father figure and the other as a lover but the dude is a blank sheet of paper who gives no shit.
- Then there's the priestess who's there because?? Who knows? Maybe they needed someone with boobs to please everyone. I'm still waiting for the reason she serves our precious Snowflake Prince but I guess it's in the trash with the other character developments I should have got.
- And finally, the other bishie who can do anything but sing? Funny thing since he's supposed to be a minstrel but the dude doesn't know how to rhyme. He may be the funniest character in that show but I feel like there is a heavy story behind his playfulness. Why does he hate royalty? Why does he travel and where does he go? Why a troubadour knows how to ride a horse, use a bow, spar with knights and seduce women but can't make fucking rhymes? So many questions, Grieve, come back and answer them.
- I forgot the spy who comes from a loosely-inspired India and acts as the only diversity in this cast of happy misfits and the religious fanatic named 'étoile' which means 'star' in French. If their goal was to make me cringe, it is a success.
Despite that, this bunch is lovable. Lovable idiots who are so naive I wanted to engrave my head on the wall.
But still better than the antagonists. We got a hothead boy with daddy issues, who got facial burn and is voiced by Yuki Kaji but I swear it's not Shouto from My Hero Academia. And for some reasons, everyone follows him because of plot convenience. Also, there is this country invading the land of our heroes, sacking the capital, burning the books and all instruments of knowledge, waging wars that kill millions of people so they could convert those same people to the religion of a god with an unpronounceable name. Japanese are truly amazing. They know how to make one-dimensional characters like no one else.
Nonetheless, this anime teaches interesting human values. It tackles the infamous subjects of slavery and religion, despite how ridiculous their depiction of religion is. It stays roughly shallow but I'd like to thank them for the effort.
It's a shame though. The beginning promised a tale of blood and vengeance with a complexed protagonist on an epic journey to regain his home, internally torn as he's discovering more about the world and his own identity. Sadly, it failed to deliver.
I'd love to criticize the art but there is not much to say. The OST was gorgeous to hear, it's perhaps the redeeming point of this anime. The seiyuu's acting was on point and the opening and ending were wonderful to listen and watch. Especially the first ending signed Eir Aoi who got me more hyped than the actual anime.
The average viewer will not notice the 'subtle' mix of 2D and 3D which was hideous yet funny to see. The fights were well animated but the battles... Please don't let this studio ever animate a battle again. As I said, characters are freaking stones, so they don't do lots of facial expressions but on top of that, they move like legos and honestly, it was hilarious to watch. Now don't get me started on the horses' animation, I've said enough already.
Overall, it lacked some conflict to create an engaging tale. Characters were nice but did not reach their potential. I'm lowkey disappointed because I was waiting for more from the guys that brought us Fullmetal Alchemist and Legend of the Galactic Heroes but it still entertained me. I'm not sure if I'll remember it tomorrow though.
PS: There is this fabulous scene where a black guy with abs jumps on an elephant while riding his horse. Thank me later.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 1, 2018
Wow, I did not like this.
I expected something cute and funny where a kouhai would make fun of her senpai because she likes him but shit, this is real bullying. This is like GTO level bullying minus the fun parts and Onizuka-sensei bringing justice for the bullied.
For a romcom whose sole purpose is to make me laugh and swoon over the Nagatoro and Senpai's relationship, it failed. This actually disgusted me. I forced myself to finish the nine chapters that were out just to see if it could get better. Surely, there are romantic feelings between the two of them but love does not pardon
...
the attitude. This is one of these mangas that send the wrong message: it's okay to bully if it's to someone you like.
Well, here's one for you: it's never okay to bully. Not your crush, your romantic partner, your friend, your classmate, anyone.
From this, I get the story is meant to evolve and develop a cute romantic relationship but no matter under which angle I take this, I can't see it being healthy in the future. This manga has no humor weight or deep meaning, it feels like it's only a way for abusive comportment in romantic couples to be romanticized. If this manga had as a purpose to expose Nagatoro's journey to redemption like Shouka from A Silent Voice, it would have given more depth to the characters. I'm persuaded the story would have found a better place in the drama category. However, this is not the case. And as a comedy, I did not even smile.
As for now, we're stuck in some kind of episodic trash where Nagatoro makes fun of everything her senpai likes or even humiliates his feelings. What infuriates me most is senpai attitude. It's like babysitting kids; you got to imposes limits or else, the kids will be nightmares with you. But senpai says nothing and lets himself be bullied so the story becomes repetitive overall. They both suck as manga characters and they both suck as human beings. In that case, sorry to say, they deserve each other.
The only redeeming point of this manga is the aesthetics. The faces, the chara design, the overall art is very dynamic. Sadly, it gets quickly redundant since they both always make the same expressions and nothing really happens. I think it's better for the mangaka to go back drawing hentai because this story as a romcom brings me no interest, it has no comedic values nor romantic depth. If that was his shot at becoming a 'serious' mangaka let's say, well it failed.
Do not recommend.
Will not finish.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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