Comments on: Timelessness and anime / Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/ Anime fan forever Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:38:53 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: bateszi http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-43140 bateszi Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:48:03 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-43140 Heh :) I never intend to disappear, it just... happens! Nice to see you back as well, Johny! Heh :) I never intend to disappear, it just… happens! Nice to see you back as well, Johny!

]]> By: bateszi http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-43138 bateszi Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:41:45 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-43138 It's funny how things can work. You mentioned that finishing Clannad After Story affected you (in a good way, presumably?) so much that getting back into anime was difficult. I think I suffer from the same thing; I didn't realize it at the time, but it probably took me a few months just to get over finishing Legend of the Galactic Heroes! It’s funny how things can work. You mentioned that finishing Clannad After Story affected you (in a good way, presumably?) so much that getting back into anime was difficult. I think I suffer from the same thing; I didn’t realize it at the time, but it probably took me a few months just to get over finishing Legend of the Galactic Heroes!

]]> By: Johny http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-43121 Johny Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:23:51 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-43121 Well now, haven't heard from you in a while. Nice to see you coming back to blogging. Again. ;) Back to the topic at hand. Ghost in the Shell SAC series are both on my list of all-time favoutires, though I think I prefer the first. The main plot is capticating, surprisingly coherent and painfully realistic (and with that I mean the ending). Each and every episode is well thought out and enjoyable to watch. It's detective story sci-fi at it's best. The only thing the first season lacks is more character development. 2nd GiG is, on the other hand, great when it comes to backstory of the main characters (though Pazu's seemed a little bit over the top, as was Saito's at one point). Finding out how Motoko came to be a cyborg was a blast. What disappointed me in the second installment was the main plot. Too many talking heads and utterly confusing/nonsensical moments kept me from fully appreciating the story. Still, a great anime, way above the level of the generic stuff getting released all the time. Well now, haven’t heard from you in a while. Nice to see you coming back to blogging. Again. ;)
Back to the topic at hand. Ghost in the Shell SAC series are both on my list of all-time favoutires, though I think I prefer the first. The main plot is capticating, surprisingly coherent and painfully realistic (and with that I mean the ending). Each and every episode is well thought out and enjoyable to watch. It’s detective story sci-fi at it’s best. The only thing the first season lacks is more character development.
2nd GiG is, on the other hand, great when it comes to backstory of the main characters (though Pazu’s seemed a little bit over the top, as was Saito’s at one point). Finding out how Motoko came to be a cyborg was a blast. What disappointed me in the second installment was the main plot. Too many talking heads and utterly confusing/nonsensical moments kept me from fully appreciating the story. Still, a great anime, way above the level of the generic stuff getting released all the time.

]]> By: Ivy http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-43002 Ivy Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:29:39 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-43002 Hehe thanks :) I've kind of fallen out of the blogsphere's anime limbo. But no worries! I'm back! Although I was sure I wouldn't be back after watching the terrific Clannad after story a few months back, but here I am :P. I guess my love for anime perseveres yet again. Right now though I'm not too thrilled to be back....one of my favorite directors Junichi Sato was hard at work on a new show, Umi Monogatari. You can imagine my expectations flying sky high and crashing the second those girls started speaking and their high squeaky voices. His magic..his undeniable touch....his burning spirit are just not there. So ya I'm sorely disappointed. But hey I've got FMA and the second season of DtB to tide me over till something extremely exceptional comes my way. So good to be back and I'm contradictory! Hehe thanks :)

I’ve kind of fallen out of the blogsphere’s anime limbo. But no worries! I’m back! Although I was sure I wouldn’t be back after watching the terrific Clannad after story a few months back, but here I am :P . I guess my love for anime perseveres yet again. Right now though I’m not too thrilled to be back….one of my favorite directors Junichi Sato was hard at work on a new show, Umi Monogatari. You can imagine my expectations flying sky high and crashing the second those girls started speaking and their high squeaky voices. His magic..his undeniable touch….his burning spirit are just not there. So ya I’m sorely disappointed. But hey I’ve got FMA and the second season of DtB to tide me over till something extremely exceptional comes my way. So good to be back and I’m contradictory!

]]> By: bateszi http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-42986 bateszi Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:57:18 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-42986 @Steve Sure, you can dive straight into 2nd Gig. You may need to be superficially familiar with the characters of Section 9, but there's no story arcs or plot threads carried over from the 1st Gig; it's a totally fresh start, and very easy to get back into the groove! Also, don't be deterred by its rather complicated nature, SAC can be really confusing, but I promise it's worth the struggle; some of the episodes in 2nd Gig are really outstanding. @Steve

Sure, you can dive straight into 2nd Gig. You may need to be superficially familiar with the characters of Section 9, but there’s no story arcs or plot threads carried over from the 1st Gig; it’s a totally fresh start, and very easy to get back into the groove!

Also, don’t be deterred by its rather complicated nature, SAC can be really confusing, but I promise it’s worth the struggle; some of the episodes in 2nd Gig are really outstanding.

]]> By: Steve http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-42960 Steve Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:59:16 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-42960 A few years back I watched the first 15 eps or so of the first GITS season, but never finished it. I've generally heard better review for the 2nd season though, and have thought of picking it up. Do you guys think I need to finish the 1st season?? or can I just move in to the 2nd, and whatever changes that have occured will get explained organically?? I've also thought of watching some with my wife, but she's never seen any of it (besides the original movie, years ago), and I don't want to leave her confused. A few years back I watched the first 15 eps or so of the first GITS season, but never finished it. I’ve generally heard better review for the 2nd season though, and have thought of picking it up. Do you guys think I need to finish the 1st season?? or can I just move in to the 2nd, and whatever changes that have occured will get explained organically?? I’ve also thought of watching some with my wife, but she’s never seen any of it (besides the original movie, years ago), and I don’t want to leave her confused.

]]> By: bateszi http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-42932 bateszi Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:19:24 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-42932 @coburn Timelessness in new styles is the general pattern I tend to follow too (for this current season, Trapeze is ticking a lot of those boxes) but there's definitely something nice about anime as proficient and 'solid' as SAC; watching it is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket! :) There were several chilly evenings in October when I'd just totally relax with an episode of this in complete confidence that what I was about to see would be, at the very least, good. @gaguri Heh, no worries, it's always a relief to get some diverse opinions anyway. At the moment I'm enjoying it purely because it's so unique and, well... weird. @kauldron26 Hey dude! I remember you recommending 2nd Gig to me and I'm glad you did. It was awesome! And I hope all's well with you, too; great to see you're still hanging around the place and (presumably) still watching anime! @Martin Totally agree! Both 'universes' of GITS are great, even if right now I slightly prefer SAC to Oshii's version; it just feels slightly more optimistic for/enthusiastic about the future and the people living in it (I'm hoping to watch 'Solid State Society' sometime soon.) I guess GITS's huge success in all these different formats is a testament to Masamune Shirow's excellent original story (I must read it sometime!) (Also, good luck with 24; I started watching it around this time last year and it had me hooked from the get-go; now I'm just two seasons off the pace! BTW, season 2 is my favourite.) @Ivy Hi Ivy! I was wondering what'd happened to you! (Nice to have you back posting comments again!) The techno-babble is something you'll have to deal with, unfortunately, and I'd rarely watch more than one episode of this in a single sitting, but it's worth persevering with; SAC is timeless, and it has some of Yoko Kanno's best work, so even if you tune out of the plot a bit, there's always the music to listen to! :) @coburn

Timelessness in new styles is the general pattern I tend to follow too (for this current season, Trapeze is ticking a lot of those boxes) but there’s definitely something nice about anime as proficient and ’solid’ as SAC; watching it is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket! :) There were several chilly evenings in October when I’d just totally relax with an episode of this in complete confidence that what I was about to see would be, at the very least, good.

@gaguri

Heh, no worries, it’s always a relief to get some diverse opinions anyway. At the moment I’m enjoying it purely because it’s so unique and, well… weird.

@kauldron26

Hey dude! I remember you recommending 2nd Gig to me and I’m glad you did. It was awesome! And I hope all’s well with you, too; great to see you’re still hanging around the place and (presumably) still watching anime!

@Martin

Totally agree!

Both ‘universes’ of GITS are great, even if right now I slightly prefer SAC to Oshii’s version; it just feels slightly more optimistic for/enthusiastic about the future and the people living in it (I’m hoping to watch ‘Solid State Society’ sometime soon.) I guess GITS’s huge success in all these different formats is a testament to Masamune Shirow’s excellent original story (I must read it sometime!)

(Also, good luck with 24; I started watching it around this time last year and it had me hooked from the get-go; now I’m just two seasons off the pace! BTW, season 2 is my favourite.)

@Ivy

Hi Ivy! I was wondering what’d happened to you! (Nice to have you back posting comments again!)

The techno-babble is something you’ll have to deal with, unfortunately, and I’d rarely watch more than one episode of this in a single sitting, but it’s worth persevering with; SAC is timeless, and it has some of Yoko Kanno’s best work, so even if you tune out of the plot a bit, there’s always the music to listen to! :)

]]> By: Ivy http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-42899 Ivy Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:18:26 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-42899 I've always avoided Gits. I never liked my shows with much techno-babble, they tend to deviate into realms of nonsense. Empathetic characters and Yoko Kanno though? Wow have I really missed a show of such a caliber all these years? Sometimes Gits would find a way to me (through the movie, through the TV show) yet I would purposely shake it off and leave it for not. Maybe its time I sat down and watched me some Gits techno-babble style hehe. I seriously hope these shots you've taken are a good examples of the quality the show maintains threw out its run, not just moments of greatness. I’ve always avoided Gits. I never liked my shows with much techno-babble, they tend to deviate into realms of nonsense. Empathetic characters and Yoko Kanno though? Wow have I really missed a show of such a caliber all these years? Sometimes Gits would find a way to me (through the movie, through the TV show) yet I would purposely shake it off and leave it for not. Maybe its time I sat down and watched me some Gits techno-babble style hehe. I seriously hope these shots you’ve taken are a good examples of the quality the show maintains threw out its run, not just moments of greatness.

]]> By: Martin http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-42883 Martin Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:17:55 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-42883 Welcome back! It's a wise move to opt for what inspires you to share your thoughts, even if it's not a new show. The SAC for me is a rare and wonderful example of a grown-up animated series - just as entertaining and intelligent as the likes of 24 for instance (another political thriller that I'm currently and belatedly getting into). The backstories in the second season were excellent, but the quality of the writing in general was an improvement over the first. Impressive really, since I found even that to be outstanding. What I love most of all is the fact that the SAC is more accessible than the movies yet is impressive enough both artistically and thematically to hold its own, rather than being some inferior spin-off. Welcome back! It’s a wise move to opt for what inspires you to share your thoughts, even if it’s not a new show. The SAC for me is a rare and wonderful example of a grown-up animated series – just as entertaining and intelligent as the likes of 24 for instance (another political thriller that I’m currently and belatedly getting into).

The backstories in the second season were excellent, but the quality of the writing in general was an improvement over the first. Impressive really, since I found even that to be outstanding.

What I love most of all is the fact that the SAC is more accessible than the movies yet is impressive enough both artistically and thematically to hold its own, rather than being some inferior spin-off.

]]> By: kauldron26 http://www.bateszi.me/2009/11/02/timelessness-and-anime-stand-alone-complex-2nd-gig/#comment-42881 kauldron26 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:55:25 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1188#comment-42881 im glad you got around to watching this. i remember imploring you to give it a chance like 2 years ago. hope all's well im glad you got around to watching this. i remember imploring you to give it a chance like 2 years ago. hope all’s well

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