@kauldron26: Every time I go through one of those phases, I’ll end up finding a new series I’d either ignored or just didn’t know and hit it harder than anything in the past. You know, at this point, I’m totally resigned to the fact that I’ll always be an anime fan. Even when I’m 70 years old, unable to walk without breaking my hip, I’ll be watching One Piece and Naruto, complaining about moe anime and writing pretentious blog posts. Also, as I said above to Kim, I’m going to check out Avatar soon enough; one of your favorites, I believe?

@Ivy: As long as you give it a chance, that’s all I ask. We’re all different and some of the things that work for me won’t work for you, but Kaiba deserves a fair chance, if just because it’s such an audacious, ambitious attempt to break from the boring ranks of sameness.

@Owen: I did consider (and probably should have) mentioned Quentin Blake, as his contribution to Dahl’s books were almost just as important as the writing itself. To be honest, when I mentioned Dahl, I was mostly thinking of the BFG’s animated movie;. Kaiba riding away on that weird animal reminded me of Sophie’s witching hour escape with the BFG. Anyway, I’ll be first in queue to download the fansub. I’m sure you did a fine job, and I’m anxious to read reactions to it elsewhere too.

@Cameron: Mission complete But now you’ve got me all nervous you won’t like it… I hope I didn’t build it up too much, as Kaiba certainly won’t pander to any preconceived notions.

@Steve: Exactly, the intent to push boundaries and try something different should be celebrated, not criticized. I can’t fathom the drive of people who will sit down day after day, hour after hour, watching the same old stuff again and again, seems like a great way to lose interest in anime after a couple of years worth of sameness (nail on head with “Shows that are so cookie cutter that I can’t even disagree with them are depressing.”). So, like you, I guess I feel like my heart is being ripped out when I read them having a go at anime like Kaiba just because it looks a little different. One comment on Random Curiosity even suggests that “oh my god, this is cartoon not anime”! ARGH!

For whatever reason, I’m really protective of anime like Kaiba, Tekkonkinkreet, Kino, Kemonozume, Gankutsuou and the rest, as if it personally insults me when I read people writing them off just because they dare to look different or whatever. We all have different tastes in anime, but don’t criticize a series for trying something new.

Anyway, great comment, Steve You’ve really expressed a lot of my own feelings on this whole feeling of requiring an open mind to enjoy something like Kaiba.

What I love about shows like this is that they’re obviously not out there to simply earn a buck, but are actually trying to be expressive of a person’s real artistic values. Am I going to like it all? Probably not. But the complete lack of being generic, of using all the same old tired tropes is refreshing– it comes across as actual “art” to me, and in the best way…. namely, not in a high or elitist way, but rather that I feel like someone is actually trying to express their consciousness with no holds barred. It isn’t meant to be what’s palatable, but rather what is “real” to the creator. Shows that are so cookie cutter that I can’t even disagree with them are depressing.

I can understand people who like some stupid fun– I love my stupid fun too… just turn off the mind and play, watch, etc. But I’ve never been able to understand the aversion people have to actually exploring, challenging themselves as viewers, etc. The kinds of shows and movies that Studio 4C is putting out– people who say its just being weird to be weird are completely missing the point. It’s being crazy and wacky because it is fucking fun to watch and to make stuff that doesn’t sprout from the mind preordained by public opinion. That chase scene– pure fun. The quirky emu– fun. The blonde dreadlocks– fun, and also a pleasure to watch animated. They have real weight and are very dynamic. The hole through his chest– interesting and metaphoric. etc etc.

Anyways, I loved the show, but it kills me when people don’t like things like it because its quirky and too different– that just isn’t really valid aesthetic criteria for me. Now, say, the characters are paper thin, or the plot too convoluted, or the emotions contrived, or …. other stuff. Well, I might not agree, but I atleast I feel like they were trying to engage with the work.