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Jun 18, 2021
I cried. Certainly. Witnessing such a love, how could I hold back my tear? Violet Evergarden the Television is one that made me do something like that, and for better or worse, the letters sent to the future self of someone is one of the most remarkable moments in anime history. No need to cry for silly plastic memories, you know?
Anyway, let's get into the work for real.
The Opening & The Point of View of Those Living
I really like the idea of bringing those side characters onto the show. Violet Evergarden told the story within, with or behind those letters, and the opening of the
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movie did stay true to its nature. The purpose of letters is not only to communicate, but also to connect people, and how great that the living people were connected with those gone before through the memories laid within those pages. Even though the main storyline did got interrupted with what happened in that present, it was not that bad to significantly impact the enjoyment. What a pleasure to be able to see how people got connected, and what a creative way to end what had been started. Nevertheless, the point of view of the living people should have only been the opening and the conclusion of the work, instead of disrupting the progress of its major content.
The Main Events
I’ve always had myself satisfied with how things concluded in the TV series. The end there brought wishful and bright colours to the work, and there was that hopeful feeling that Violet Evergarden would definitely move on, in order to find her happiness, as well as you-know-what-she-is-seeking-for. However, the movie discarded them all. Once again, the disturbance was stirred up.
Gilbert Bougainvillea’s survival was nothing strange, as it was shown in the original work. Nonetheless, as the prequel had managed to draw an even better final ceremony, while the special episode resonated the final notes of Let It Be, there was no need to bring him back to life. Two miracles in the same place just dissonate themselves, but well, the execution could salvage it… Hell no, as Gilbert Bougainvillea played an important part in this work, he should have had more screen time, not in the recollection of others, but for his actual actions, thoughts, as well as his resolution. I couldn’t see any clear development from the character, but let’s return to it later.
The reenactment of a great episode from the TV series was certainly overshadowed by the opening and therefore became filler. Time, guys, for Major Bougainvillea.
In cocnclusion, the movie should have been more focused on Gilbert Bougainvillea, since Violet Evergarden had shown her potential in the TV series and her necessity in the movie was only to discover the fact.
The Characters
Gilbert Bougainvillea was also a victim of war. That was certainly a fact and explained the reason behind his actions. However, I always respect how Captain Ben Affleck in Pearl Habour had the will to apologise his loved one, Kate Beckinsale, for having left her, for having put her into sorrow, and spoke out how she had been his urge of surviving, as well as his resolution to repay her and his best friend, also a comrade in arms. That is to say, our Major Bougainvillea here was just a loser, and it ascertained what follows. She is out of your league, Former Major. Executive Squad, ready. Aim. Fire.
As for what happened to Violet Evergarden, isn’t it a pain to see her once again agonise, and isn’t it a shame that she had to endure it for the sake of the mere like Dear Sir Major there? He was the first to show her affection, but certainly not the worthy one for hers. She deserved more for what she had been through. That’s why I have to say the movie was just something totally unnecessary, since the TV version had worked out an absolute satisfying epilogue for the greater good. Isn’t it a pity then?
The Sounding and The Art
It is too repetitive to say, but in short, the same staff behind the stage.
There are reasons explaining why the movie was considered a success, but to me, the scriptwriter gave off the vibe of Makoto Shinkai in disguise. It was not that bad, but kinda stretching too far from what had previously been. Not approved. Sometimes love just has to die.
Alternative Conclusion: I now wish they had instead used the original end of the novel in the movie. Even though it would be contradicting to the pacifist Violet Evergarden had become, at least Major Bougainvillea could really do something, and there would be more commotion than what was actually done.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Jun 8, 2021
Mushishi is a historical manga, and I believe it fulfilled every requirement the genre demands. It conceived the idea of Mushi, a living form that was very close to what was the essence of life. They were hardly perceptible, yet it didn't mean they weren’t around. Following their traces was a man expertising in those species, a Mushishi. He collected the remainings of a world that would soon be forgotten, while occasionally encountered the incidents between human and those unbeknownst kinds. He would stop by, talk, lend a helping hand and once again set off, and those actions were rinsed and repeated over the course
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of the journey.
From normal point of view, isn’t that unexciting and unremarkable? I agree. The characters seemed lacking of outstanding traits, the incidents hardly attracted attentions and there were even fewer emotional explosions. The supernatural occurrences happened and were resolved, just to be left within the memories of those involved until the end of their time. However, it feels alright, as it is history, anyway. There is no reason to be bothered with them, unless you are interested, and it speaks the very truth of historical spirit. On the other hand, I think the way the series lacking of arc, over-arc and the character’s inner development did live up with the objective point of view of history. Every incident was a fresh experience, and all necessity were to observe and record.
Then comes the end. Having encountered an incident involved with Mushi, the protagonist once again continued his journey, leaving no trace in the vast and pristine scenery of nature. The manga just ended there, without any final ceremony. Nevertheless, it did make a conclusion for the work the author had created. Mushi was a resemblance of what was called the foundation of life, and those being able to see them were also the rare witnesses of that world. With the storyteller blending into the surrounding, that world would certainly continue to exist, but without one being aware of it, it would then fall into oblivion, covered with dust due to the flow of time, but surely stay there, waiting until one day, someone with the ability comes to uncover it. That is the charm of history, and Mushishi gave me the urge to set off alone, seeking for the world Ginko left behind. Behold, there would be a sequel in the near future, but like you’ve already noticed, it is definitely a joke.
About the incidents, there were something interesting, some tragic, some sorrowful, as the types of Mushi were either harmful, or able to make one’s life colourful. Nothing was absolute, and at the turning point between coexisting and discarding them, people made decisions accordingly to their own will, just like how one would study and valuate the meaning of a historical event. In the rare occasion talking about it, in your face Attack on Titans. This is what I call peak fiction. You guys could just go back crying for your ‘124 chapters of peak fiction and inspiration…’ Hoohoohoo, heeheehee, haahaahaa.
The art is perfect. I firmly believe the ink colour brought more than any other could, as well as the design of characters didn’t leave anything too attractive. All those elements constructed a mysterious fictional world, yet it was so close with how people had actually lived and died. At this point, even though the adaptations managed to do spectacular things, I guess sticking with the manga is still better.
In conclusion, Mushishi is not only a manga, it is also a historical report of how people had lived with Mushi. In the spirit of Slice of Life, the series would quickly excite or lull one, but anyway you would have experience, even though it could be unenjoyable.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Oct 26, 2020
Koten-bu.
This word means classical literature club in Japanese and is also the name of the club that the storyline revolves. Staying close with the meaning, the novel tells a slow-pace story about the activities of that very club, and everything started with an anthology named Hyouka.
Sounds mystery, huh? Yeah, that’s right. This kind of club doesn’t have a true activity for most of the time, so of course it must involve with some unrelated ones, but unlike some vague-purposed club’s activities? or plotting for a harem, its members would solve some of the mysteries encountered during daily life. Then come the cases. There were something
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terrific, some exciting, but mostly trivial. They were hardly noticeable, but when their existence was known, it was hard to overlook. Leading the curiosity of readers, the author has built up a well-written story with meticulously calculated series of mysterious events. Though those may hold not that much of meaning, they appear very casual and that’s what makes the reading so relaxing.
On that set-up stage, the characters fulfill their roles.
Houtarou Oreki is an ordinary main character. His appearance is normal, his personality is also popular and a person of his caliber is not inspiring at all. Then throughout six volumes so far, he has shown sharp eyes on the surroundings. This definitely is a popular character. However, let reconsider the time the series began. There weren’t many characters like Hikigaya there, and someone close might be das boiz Conan. So this character had his caliber form by himself. Then his popularity isn’t an ordinary anymore.
Eru Chitanda is also a popular main charactress. She has mature air around her, but her curiosity is the proof of her yet matured personality. She is childish, innocent?, and most of the time the cause of troubles for Oreki, but without her, Koten-bu might have had nothing at all and that would be the least of interest, so she has played her role well. Since she has flaws, it is expected of readers to observe her maturity and that, of course, makes room for further developments of the story. So Chitanda is definitely, maybe a good developing protagonist.
About the remaining two Fukube and Ibara, they surely bring the balance to the formation. There is nothing much to say, because that will spoil the details, but the flexibility in the points of view has gradually left some spaces for their credits.
With that core of staffs, everything has deliberately progressed. They would discover the truth after mysteries, but those didn’t come like mushrooms after rain. Therefore, they would casually indulge themselves in daily life and this has created even more opportunities to expand the horizon, because while uncovering the given case, they would solve even more of their own internal mysteries. The various storytellers has blown fresh air in the chain of events and do contribute to the series. In comparison, Conan had begun with well set-up cases of crime, but then has gradually lost its initial nature and become akwardly romantic among endlessly repeated criminal plots for ridiculous reasons. This point I believe is the goodness of Koten-bu.
*Edit: Jun 2021 & Mar 5th 2022
What caught my attention the most is that the work was hardly illustrated, even though I figured out later that Honobu Yonezawa writes novel, no ‘light’ attached, and the cover of the fifth volume was just a part of promotion from the anime adaption. That also works for me, however. Though the truth that the adaption had taken me to the series is undeniable, after having experienced the work itself, there is no necessity of illustrating. Honobu Yonezawa’s words are enough to be the soul of the characters, and the moderation of their description, as well as the suitable degree in term of personalities are certainly the very impression of the work. As a result, the readers are able to focus on something more important, and it is clearly shown on stage that no character is able to overshadow others. As pieces, there is nothing much to remember about them, but as a whole, the synergy and balance among the crew are surely the spotlight of Koten-bu.
Koten-bu also provides a spectacular scenery. The location was in the countryside of Japan, aka Kamiyama, a place that couldn’t be said rural, but also couldn’t be in comparison to metropolitan cities like Tokyo, Osaka or… Actually, I don’t know that much about Japan, but certainly Kamiyama was not that lively, and while it was not that ancient of a town, the life there was neither that convenient. There were some spots worth sightseeing, which I would love to have them illustrated, but still, the town wasn’t different from mountainous lands outside of metropolitan areas. Therefore, there are more reasons that explain the void of visual description. I was noticed of a tradition-rich club on the verge of abolishment, an abandoned village within the mountain ranges, The Doll that took a detour, Even though I’m told I now have wings,… The stories within the works took place in a town that didn’t have that much of commotion, and young people were growing up in that neighbourhood. At this point, along with the consideration about the serialisation time, the work itself has reflected parts of its creator’s mind, which was quite surprising at the time I knew about it. As the consequence, it was such an eye-opener to know there exist maps tracing The Classics Club’s course of actions in Takayama, Gifu, Japan, a pleasure to know such information, and the words of Yukie_Oreki for this series was so inspiring. Honestly, Koten-bu Series managed to impress, once again.
Regarding to Hyouka, despite my doubts for the Slice-of-Life approach and some creative changes, it did convey what the original works possess. At the success in adapting, what can be said about its source? Therefore, I believe this series is actually a lost gem, because the author can write what he initially purposed. And for the reason it’s lost, who knows when it’ll finally have an ending. Nevertheless, the way it can receive the final judgment at anytime does have its own greatness. Just accept it, me. =))
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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