Board 8 > Anime & Manga Discussion Topic 297: A Dream of Spring

(+) Yeah! (+)

UshiromiyaEva posted...

.....So two of the anime I specifically called out as being excited for, Mysterious Disappearances and Girls Band Cry, do not appear to have even been licensed for Simulcasting at all.

....I didn't think this happened anymore! I've quadruple checked every source I could find and not a single mention of either. I guess I can maybe understand Girls Band Cry, but Mysterious Disappearances appears to be a major release.

Also, Loser Ranger seems to have been sentences to die in Hulu jail, absolutely tragic. Guess I was already going to have to go with fansubs for the previously me ruined two series, anyways.

Robazoid posted...

Rinkai and Tonbo aren't going to be streaming anywhere either, as far as I can tell. A lot of shows are weirdly unavailable this season.

Crunchy still hasn't announced all of their simulcasts yet, have they?

Hmmm, Crunchy does look like it does have one show left to announce, unless that single question mark block is just a filler for "more to come".

If it is just a single show, it's almost assuredly the new season of Touken Ranbu, which also hasn't been confirmed for a simulcast and they already have the prior seasons.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

unless that single question mark block is just a filler for "more to come".

I haven't been following the start of this season closely because of real-life things, but I'm pretty sure they have done this before.

They have, but in the past they had separate questions mark blocks for every unnanounced series, so you'd see like 5 or 6 still there going into the seasonm

However, they've changed formatting from a grid to a list on their site, so it's possible that presentation has changed as well.

Maybe too many licenses have started coming down to the wire to make a game out of it like that.

I've been watching that Crunchyroll list for awhile now, it used to have a bunch more question marks. I think it means they're only getting one more show.

Worth noting that we thought Pon no Michi was unlicensed last season, but it actually got streamed and translated on Youtube.

MacArrowny posted...

Worth noting that we thought Pon no Michi was unlicensed last season, but it actually got streamed and translated on Youtube.

Oh cool, I didn't know that. I should check it out sometime.

I miss the days when MAL had a big simulcast news post showing where everything went. It made things so much easier.

Watched the first episode of Astro Note, the show about a chef who gets a job at a lodge and falls in love with an alien girl. It was... weird? Like all the tenants are complete weirdos, but that isn't what I mean. The chef guy went there after seeing an ad about hiring a chef. Then everyone starts apologizing because I guess the ad was fraudulent and they aren't hiring a chef? But they 100% need a chef, they just aren't hiring one? The whole first half of the episode was a weird back-and-forth of "we absolutely need a chef for a bunch of reasons, sorry we can't hire you though". Of course main dude is smitten with the alien girl so he moves in on his own, I guess to work there for free? She gives him a budget of 250 yen per person per day, but I know enough about what the yen is worth to know that isn't enough for a decent meal. I guess he's paying for their meals out of his own pocket, too? This guy better start getting sex soon, otherwise he's getting screwed.

Anyway, my massive confusion for the premise aside, it wasn't a bad show. I liked a few of the weirdos at least. Astro Note definitely feels like it'll be unique.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b0834f0a.jpg

Fansubbers plz

I'm sorry I forsook you until our time of need

damn, that looks almost as bad as RWBY

More anime.

Salad of Eccentrics, this is like Hinamatauri but not as good in any way. Not to say it was bad, far from it, but outside of some chuckles from visual gags I don't knoooow how long I'll stick with this? Will need to see how it structures itself moving forward.

Astro Note...sure is unique! Some of this felt like Adult Swim wrote and outline for an anime parody and then sent it to Telecom to localize and adapt into an actual show. I don't know what kind of staying power is here (common theme this season...), but I can't say it wasn't fun to watch. Angular Business failure and Pink Futaba Sakura were my favorites.

RoOT: Root of OddTaxi is not an anime and is not a show I knew was even coming out, so what a fucking surprise when this popped up on new releases on Crunchy! Obviously this should not be watched if you haven't already finished OddTaxi, but it's one of the best anime of the last decade so that should already be on your agenda if you haven't! Anyways, I was slightly disappointed that this is adjacent to the series rather than after it, but that does help you get in the groove of the setting all the easier. OddTaxi was already directed like a live action drama to begin with, so it was an effortless transition.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/efdb61e5.jpg

Subs still not out, but I skimmed Girls Band Cry's RAW. I LOVE how this show looks. Screen caps really can't do it justice (honestly from screencaps it looks kind of bad!), but the expressions and movements are so fluid. Just seeing a character slump down into a chair and cross her legs just shows how far CG anime has come and the stuff it can do that traditional animation can't. It's not all rainbows of course, unimportant characters in this thing look like ass most of the time, they clearly put all of their energy into the main cast, but the work definitely pays off. There's also none of the "framerate" issues we usually get with CG anime, everything is moving like butter....which is a little uncanny actually, takes some getting used to lol.

Obviously Studio Orange can't be topped, and this is no Orange, but they're going for a different vibe here and I think they nail it. Much better than what Polygon Pictures is churning out, that's for sure.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a3d28ef5.jpg

Oh yeah.

That's trustworthy.

Watch it and report back!

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/0/00b80be8.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/3af5274b.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/f/fc70ec4f.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b2c6eac7.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/752faad9.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/f/fe8b1719.jpg

OK I didn't think this show could possibly meet expectations after spending all day refreshing for subs, but hollllllllly shit I absolutely loved this. Best premier so far, easily. I absolutely LOVE these two girls we've been introduced to, both the soundtrack and the actual songs were STUPENDOUS, and the animation is....I just can't believe how good this show looks, truly. Even skimming the RAW earlier I didn't truly appreciate it it. It's not just the animation on the characters, the scene direction is on point and the backgrounds are gorgeous.

As for these subs, totally serviceable. Probably a bit too much personality infused by the translator, including one egregious inclusion near the end, but nothing outright bad. Certainly no machine translations, that's for sure. They even got the on screen text! Still, I'll likely wait for whoever gives it a second pass from now on (if it doesn't actually get picked up).

Oh also the OP FUCKIN' SLAPS

https://youtu.be/YDLafQ-Rg-k?si=jP1x-qAY4xtZvtVX

Hope it gets picked up, it's been a while since I've had to rely on fansubs for an airing show. I was already planning on watching it so it's good to know I won't be wasting my time.

It's been a very long time since I knew for a fact I would be buying an OST once it is released after a single episode, especially when I'm not even factoring in any of the lyrical tracks or singles. Heck, just the part in the middle where one of the girls was just strumming her guitar...excellent.

Even Kevin Penkin in Spice & Wolf earlier this week didn't elicit that response.

Heads up, it looks like that Tonba golf girl show that hasn't been picked up yet DOES have an English sub release being ripped from somewhere, but...not sure where. Apparently English subs were included with either the French, Chinese, or Korean simulcasts.

Kevin Penkin has been doing great, but I'm pretty sure the original OP and Kagen no Tsuki will always be THE Spice and Wolf songs for me no matter what he or anyone else cooks up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IkKUBJ26fo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiRvsO021lo

I have made a GIF for the first time in my life. I couldn't time it perfectly lol.

https://jumpshare.com/s/6mBsZiBGtMEec0w4DsTF

Started up the Tonba Golfime.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/21b1bf7a.jpg

"Golfin", lol. What is that a brand deal with a sportswear company or a project name or something?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/bfc00f93.jpg

ABORT. ABORT.

Finished Frieren just now. From start to finish, just like Apothecary, this show just hit every stride and stayed great all the way through. Frieren is an intriguing character, but I think what works best is how it mixes in deadpan humor just enough to match the serious tone. It's amazing how it kept Himmel's party and their exploits in the forefront to explain current party situations. There's so much to love, and I want more someday.

I do hope they pace themselves with newer seasons, there's still a good bit if manga left but it's also not approaching anything resembling an endpoint, on a monthly release schedule. Even 1 cour a year may end up being too much.

New GBC fansubs out from, uh, "Reddit", but they're definitely worse. Seems like cleaned up machine translations.

The other subs may have snuck in an "It's Joever" at the end, but they were at least definitely done by a human who definitely understood what they were translating, lol.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a3d28ef5.jpg

Oh yeah.

That's trustworthy.

https://twitter.com/StarryMirai/status/1776569218470752462

Fansub drama is back!

Oof

Yeah I just saw a bit ago, I thought it was very confusing that it was claiming MTL when it obviously wasn't, while the new subs obviously were. Sucks that it seems they won't be continuing, because episode of the meme stuff which was now revealed to be inserted by the thief, they were excellent subs!

Nothing will ever top the Nanashi Fansubs drama though, or Datebayo hating Soul Eater with a passion.

Side note here while I'm watching today's shows: I am just now seeing the HiDive app update, and this new layout and player are excellent. It's a massive improvement! Unfortunately after almost 3 hours the upload for Jellyfish episode 1 still doesn't have subs on it, even though the subs obviously exist since they've been uploaded to the usual places, so I had to go an alternate route. Hopefully just a one time error!

Legal streaming killed "real" fansubs. If you want legit fansubs you have to wait weeks for groups to pick them up, or even until the BD release then wait for someone to re-encode and then rip official subs onto them.

Most old groups are still active but they only do big releases and don't bother with weekly releases anymore.

Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night coming out just a day after Girls Band Cry is wild. On paper these are near identical shows with their equivalent lead 2 protagonist in similar situations, but in completely different positions. What's incredibly appealing about this show, which may turn away some people, is just how modern it is. The way these characters talk and the things they reference, you 100% believe they are characters of their age in this year. Talk of doxing, getting cancelled, viral videos, influencers, none of it feels forced in the slightest, the appeal of the characters sells it all.

The show also looks excellent, sporting solid music, character designs, and art direction. The last chunk of the episode especially shines, and I greatly appreciate sticking to full acoustics for the "big" song at the end, which makes sense since this isn't pushing actual magical artsists like Girl Band Cry is (as far as I know).

While I think GBC still sticks to #1, this is pretty clearly at #2 for premiere so far, and Inhooe they get the subs fixed.

So far, the season shaking out like this for me, with the stuff above the line being locks.

Girls Band Cry
Jellyfish
Spice & Wolf
Wind Breaker
Train to the End of the World
---
Astro Note
Salad Bowl

Still Upcoming:

Loser Ranger
Eupho S3
Jobless S2P2
Aristocrat (keeping expectations low)
Unnamed Memory
Mysterious Disappearances
Voice Actor Radio
Konosuba S3
Kaiju No 8
Whispers of the Heart (we'll see if it clicks this time)

More first episode thoughts. I was going to watch the Jellyfish show too but of course Hidive fucked up one of its only two new shows this season, I guess I'll watch it later.

-Tonari no Yokai-san was pretty good! I definitely got Kamichu vibes from it, so anyone who liked that show should at least check this out. It's about a small town with lots of fantastical stuff like a cat turning into a supernatural creature or tengu wandering around, but it's all played for a slice-of-life vibe. I'm a sucker for this kind of world-building, like when a girl saw a gigantic mist creature wandering around so she knew it was going to rain later. I felt like they tried to introduce too many people early on, so I don't have a feel for most of the characters yet. I enjoyed it, though! Plus there were some hints of slightly darker elements, which is intriguing in an otherwise happy show like this. I'm curious to see where they go with it.

-Highspeed Etoile, hoo boy. If this doesn't wind up being the worst show of the season, I'll be surprised. The whole first episode was a race where they told us outright who the favorites for first and second were, and then those two got first and second with zero twists. I guess that would be fine if the race itself was interesting, but it really wasn't. I guess the animation looked pretty enough if you don't mind CGI, but there's only so much "car passed other car, then another car passed" that I can take, and the bland commentary didn't help. It's sci-fi, they could've at least added Mario Kart weapons or something. All they have is a limited boost, and this first episode didn't even use that in an interesting way. We're on the straight part of the course, time for everyone to boost, and since everyone's boost lasts the same amount of time it has no impact on the race whatsoever. Ugh. The only reason I have any hope for this show at all is that the actual main character wasn't introduced until the very end of the episode. I hope I wind up liking her, at least. Maybe she'll be a prodigy who can make this shit interesting.

Spring 2024 Ranking so far
-Laid-Back Camp S3
-A Condition Called Love
-Tonari no Yokai-san
-Gods' Games We Play
-Train to the End of the World
-Astro Note
-A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics
-Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included
-Highspeed Etoile

Etoile seems to be the punching bag of the season, from what I can tell. It certainly doesn't look great! People are way to quick to claim "The Next Ex-Arm!", though, I think some people have forgotten just how low a bar that show set.

Watched Yokai-san because of the rec and, uh.......wow this sure was astoundingly better than I could have ever expected! It wasn't really on my radar, I knew about it but figured it would be one of those "healing" genre shows that just don't jive with me at all anymore. Far from it, this is incredibly gripping and already has me emotionally invested just through the casual daily life of this world. I GREATLY appreciate the show don't tell approach here, not even an inkling of narration, because they know you don't need it. Beutiful to look at and listen to, a tease of something more at the end....yeah, this is a winner.

I am realizing this season just how much sound design has come to matter to me in an anime. I have been thinking of it for a few days because of how vast the highs and lows have been. I enjoy something like Astro Note and Salad Bowl well enough, but they have a NOTEABLE lack of meaningful audio presence outside of the voice work. Astro Note in particular has an OST that sounds like filler, with the dreaded repetitive whistle notes that plague so many shows like this. Compare to some of the other shows this season, where the sound is a character in and of itself. Yokai knew when it needed music and at what level, and when it didn't need music. During a scene around the middle where there was none, I had the sudden thought that "if this were a bad show, someone would be tapping away at a xylophone right now".

Tonari no Yokai-san does feel like a show that could wind up being really special. It hasn't quite gotten there for me yet, but the potential is definitely there! As you said, the sound design was on point.

Jellyfish is from the creator of Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki, which is a show I didn't watch but heard more and more buzz about as it went on. Maybe I should check that one out? He is also writing an LN adaptation of the anime, which seems, uh, backwards, but whatevs!

Toei opening up the budget again for Lucci vs. Luffy Part 2

The beginning of this fight was straight out of a Yakuza/Like A Dragon boss fight

next week is an Enies Lobby recap episode lol

Today I watched Arte, an historical anime about a girl who becomes an artist in Renaissance Italy. I liked Arte as a character, she had a lot of fun moments and always pushed towards her dream. I also liked her mentor Leo and a few of the side characters, like Veronica. However, I wasn't a big fan of how much this focused on sexism. Women almost certainly had it rough back then, but it isn't especially fun to watch people mock and dismiss her over and over. It felt like half the episodes featured some variation of "lol you can't do this, you're a girl". Don't get me wrong, it was satisfying to watch Arte power through and prove them wrong, but I still would've preferred more variation in the storylines. It was a fine anime overall, but definitely not one of my favorites. Lots of the art looked pretty, at least.

That's quite the coincidence, I believe that manga just announced it's about to end after over a decade!

I actually thought the anime was much older based on when I remember checking it out, but that was only 2020, hmmm.

I don't think I liked Arte enough to check out the manga, but that's good for the people who want a conclusion.

On the manga front, I've been busy reading The Family Circumstances of the Irregular Witch. I think I was the only one who cared about its anime adaptation last year, but it was hilarious and the manga has been equally great.

Arte was the definition of, "good enough."

I finished Apothecary Diaries, and holy crap, Maomao is my favorite character in an anime in like forever. It's impressive just how much one character can mean to a show's success when they are written as nuanced as she is. Downtrodden, street smart, yet childish, angsty when necessary, yet always shows multiple sides, and always able to change the tide of a scene without it coming off as against type.

The political intrigue and mystery bits are done well enough, kinda like a less serious Raven of the Inner Palace. Really, the reason I prefer this over Raven is how Maomao is portrayed. Similar to Frieren, where the comedy doesn't seem out of place and the serious moments don't seem unnatural. Just a perfect balance: just like Maomao. I can't wait for Season 2.

Loser Ranger....I would believe you if you told me this was a theatrical anime movie. How on earth does this show look this good? I can't imagine they'll be able to keep this up....

Anyways, yeah, this absolutely rules, but I already knew that from reading the first couple manga chapters. Now that it's rolling I think chances are slim to none that I won't end up reading ahead eventually, but we'll see how long I can hold out.

lol MHA final popularity poll has random tentacle kid in the top 10 but all might and shigaraki aren't

Are people that over it lol

I think it's emblematic that what the fans actually want from MHA versus what the story is actually about.

His strength is good character design and the school vibes, the 'Academia' part of it.But the story wants nothing to do with them and instead be about this OFA vs AFO conflict, which cannot thrive either without more time on its development.

I was able to slip in the one show before running errands, but it's time to bunker down because it looks like today has a bunch of stuff.

It's time...for the beginning of the end...Kumiko's final semester.

What is there even to say about Sound Euphonium at this point? Of course it was going to be the best anime of the season, I never thought otherwise, and that stance hasn't changed after the first episode. Nobody does it like KyoAni, and I don't have any issue saying that even when I don't like most of their shows. Them being able to overcome the tragedy they endured without missing a beat is incredible.

Kumiko is still one of my all time favorite protagonists. Her and Reina's relationship is one of my favorite in anime. Tomoyo Kurosawa's performance is one of my favorite of all time. I am so happy that gremlin Kaede is part of the core cast now.

We've seen the release of 2 incredible music drama anime premier over the last 2 days in GBC and Jellyfish, and now the Queen is back here for the finale at the end of the weekend. It's like poetry.