Ahh love how both the OP and ED effectively hype up the show, as a jam and tonal shift to cliffhanger (tho rip to the comedic to dark tonal misflip in E2 lol), respectively. Fits thematically too:
the film covering Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes, contrasted with Lu Guang's keen open-eyed observation
”I know you’ll be by my side when we make it/Come back from the dive back in time.”
“I got lost in the history that I’m living in/Or maybe I should just quit overthinking.”
https://youtu.be/_cuCfmOsuCA
The time travel premise is a fascinating idea to explore themes with! The execution leaves some to be desired. Cheng Xiaoshi lives through and therefore inherits all the emotional baggage of the past. Since the time travel power is paradoxical and contradicted within the show, Lu Guang’s role is observer is a bit funky, which weakens the show since the time travel is the main focus. But I enjoy the duo’s relationship a lot, and I appreciate the attempt at recovery too.
A note on the action: Bit OP but it’s okay bc Cheng Xiaoshi is smacked with a ton of trauma to make up for it. :) :) :)
The Netflix version is reformatted(?) to ~18 min episodes and I def feel the loss of 25% of the time.
Firstly, this show has some gorgeous shots illustrated with color and light. And mxtx's writing of the male lead's relationship is as lovely in trust as ever. The MC is, intriguingly, idealist while not being naive. The powers are still pretty hand-wavy, though I do adore that the MC's martial weapon is a ribbon. The politics of gods, hmmm, the MC is unusual and we hardly see any of that play out in this short cour. Lotsa flashbacks and backstory, honestly, which I guess I should expect from character dramas? Idk the morals about war are ehhh esp. when the powers aren't detailed so I can't scale the agency of characters, even as immortals.
Also Xie Lian and Hua Cheng’s relationship is probs the main focus of mxtx’s novel? But I feel we don’t see that much of it here so I don’t have much to say about it. (lol this is not a thorough review of the show)
Just finished the last episode of Arcane and AHHHHHH CLIFFHANGER NOOOO (yesss)
*** major spoilers for Arcane ***
OUCH ok so they are so close to the undercity gaining independence and while that doesn’t solve everything, it’s progression. With Silco dead- Vi is the most people-y person and learned under Vander, and could maybe “lead” the undercity. Or the uhh buff chick with a knife hand. But first we’d have to transition and see who’s even left. This show really plays loyalty to the people against personal loyalty to specific individuals. Jinx doesn’t care about the city AT ALL, but there are several players who care deeply about her so it’s. ouch. And Jinx continues to earn, and finally embrace her name (I say like it’s a good thing. But yeah she’s moving forward. Even if it’s to murder-y ways.). Technically she’s one of the freest characters with the most agency to choose what she wants, but desperately latches onto her chosen people (Vi and Silco) in unhealthy ways (PTSD flashbacks, anyone?).
And Vi, interestingly, is a more traditional protagonist in terms of good moral alignment, who backs up her friends and people. But the story is about JINX. Mad props to making the central(?) protagonist the morally dark grey (esp. as she freakin’ nukes the overcity) one.
Also, Jayce continually baffles me. He’s this mix of genius scientist and wonder boy. And he’s influenced by soooo many people (*cough* Mel...) and wavers between major decisions that impact the entire city(s). When he’s exposed to a problem he charges and adopts the method of like.. Whoever he’s talked to last. Anyways I’m kinda scared of him (systematic Bird primary here frightened by immature glory Lion primary, in the terms of @/sortinghatchats).
Beyond the characters, the vibes are excellent mhmmm. The tone of the show is gritty and dark and angsty, but balances with the gorgeous neon shots of the undercity and the hype electro/orchestral soundtrack! And the character and weapon designs are awesome- Jinx is just excellent (tho I’m less fond, and more haunted by her general feralness after following her story). Sometimes the direction does throws me a tad off, esp. the tendency to flicker between two scenes rapidly for juxtaposition (ex. Jayce & Mel in bed, Victor fainting next to the hexcore).
So yeah, Arcane is great! I didn’t like the story as much as I thought I would (tbf, I had very very high expectations), but the animation and designs are a treat and I do like me some political intrigue!
Thoughts on how i actually stuck with these big shounen anime. Not counting Code Geass at exactly 50 episodes.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 64 eps.
a well-rounded gateway show with action, adventure, comedy, and mystery built into the story. sometimes you just want protagonists to go feral.
Hunter x Hunter - 148 eps.
each arc is a different genre. thought-out strategies against fleshed out antagonists, the plot hits hard and keeps a balanced power system.
Haikyuu!! - 85+ eps.
spotlighted growth of a wonderfully large cast of characters. humor in the fun teenage team dynamics.
Attack on Titan - 75+ eps.
heavily plot-driven and the shock/awesome factor is high. violent and stark look at humanity. bounces between strategy and mystery and political intrigue.
yes I do mean “watched” and not “played”. i jump from fandom to fandom quickly and haven’t invested time into actually acquiring and playing these games (...yet). so i watch let’s plays, YouTube links below. i’m a sucker for story so these all have visual novel aspects. SungWon’s (ProZD) voice acting is awesome and really elevates some of the dialogue.
*** mild spoilers for Ace Attorney, Danganronpa ***
*** major spoilers for The World Ends With You, Persona 5 Royal ***
Ace Attorney - Press Buttons ‘n Talk playthrough
look at Phoenix and Miles adopting all these children. it’s heartwarming heartwrenching drama mystery. also i’m a sucker for a good “redemption” arc, in that “i know i’ve done bad things and now i try to do good things” way.
Danganronpa - ProZD Plays Games w/Jay playthrough
hoo this is intense psychological mystery. locked into a school death game with a “set” amount of peers and betrayal lurking around every corner. the trauma of murder and trials with your peers. the overarching theme of despairing and finding hope anyways.
The World Ends With You - fanfiction
the youth in late 2000s urban aesthetic and pop soundtrack. still new to the fandom but Neku and Joshua’s dynamic looks interestingggg. Joshua is so annoying and the fact that Neku actually shows that annoyance. idk it’s funny. plus imagine ascending to be a god. like what.
Persona 5 Royal - CrystAAHL’s playthrough
the slick aesthetics caught my eye (the art style! the colors! the symbolism! *swoons*)! and then the storyline whacked me with Akechi Goro, teenage hitman and detective. *makes grabby hands* plus the soundtrack is groovyyy.
Thoughts on the scattering of anime movies that I’ve watched so far, split into categories by continuity.
Stand-alone originals
Princess Mononoke - my first Studio Ghibli, and what a tale this is. i was enamored with the thematic storytelling of warrior justice through vivid imagery.
Kiki’s Delivery Service - another Studio Ghibli. coming-of-age and learning to be independent, and the boredom and frustration and kindness that comes with it.
Classmates (Doukyuusei) - these boys gayyy. a soft and loose watercolor artstyle. some dubious(?) consent going on there that made me a bit uncomfortable hmmm.
Promare - Studio Trigger going off. bombastically animated fights and rockin’ soundtracks that’s all in good fun! while still telling a story with social commentary.
Sequels
Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya - a masterpiece with the emotional resonance of two seasons of build-up. a fantastic story that runs full steam ahead with the animation, direction, voice acting...
Kizumonogatari - the visuals are as ridiculously stunning as ever. still don’t like the ecchi-ness.
Konosuba: Legend of Crimson - more Konosuba! different place, same characters getting themselves in and out of trouble.
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train - the fights were well-animated. the story just serves the fights. good themes i guess.
Franchise
Ghost in the Shell - the sci-fi world is so aesthetic! the story itself was slow, i felt? and sorta confusing, but in a contemplative way.
Persona 3: Birth of Spring - had a decent laugh at the inherent silliness resulting from cramming 80+ hrs of gameplay into a couple hrs of movies.
These three episodic seinen are some of my favorite anime ever. All three follow a central traveler who observes and deals with different, abstractly mature antagonists every episode/arc.
Mushishi - soothing in its mellow landscape and soundtrack while still channeling intense emotions in its stories. the feeling of quiet and sometimes fierce acceptance of unusual circumstances. a wise aura.
Mononoke - horror but painted with a colorful (toned down, secondary colors?? idk) palette and texture. storytelling by deliberate framing and cuts. the beautiful and the unnatural.
Kino’s Journey - contemplation of society, in odd extremes. a nearly silent observer of human nature. taking on lessons and carrying them onwards to ever more distant lands.
Hype for that Southeast Asian rep! Can’t speak for the cultural accuracy, but the variety of landscapes - village on water, rainforests, mountains, and deserts - were hella gorgeous. And what a treat to have not just one but TWO female protagonists who can fight worth a damn and have strong lesbiem energy. Love their character designs too, like Raya’s earth-tone adventurer gear and Namaari’s sleek hairdo.
*** Vague spoilers for Raya and the Last Dragon ***
Beyond the aesthetics, the story about factionalism feels a bit rushed and idealized. Well, this is a kid-friendly movie, and there’s only so much you can cram in. Trusting in the goodness of people despite past actions is a nice theme, and is initially set up with betrayal and Raya’s subsequent jaded view, interestingly. It’s refreshing to see mature protagonists, and Raya’s bitter snarkiness is awesome. The movie maintains a lighthearted tone through Awkwafina’s humor through Sisu, which was amusing if not quite laugh-worthy for me.
Tl;dr yes recommend for stunning visuals + two strong lesbiems (in energy)!
