Spring 2007 filler: Two hits and a miss
This is sad — no subs for Hitohira that aren’t in worthless XviD/mkv form (i.e. all subbers doing double mkv releases need to learn XviD/avi, because it’s redundant and obtuse to have different codecs in the same containers). Neither is anyone doing Kaze no Shoujo Emily, which is sad considering the number of groups swarming over Claymore, Lucky Star, and Gurren-Lagann, all of which don’t really need more than one group subbing it. Especially Gurren-Lagann, because all the groups subbing them totally, utterly suck for not producing something in avi that doesn’t fail miserably.
Mini rant aside, I finally got around to seeing sola, Lovely Complex, and THE MEXICAN GUNS, I mean, El Cazador de la Bruja, which is an mouthful for something that really doesn’t live up to its name, whatever that means — but I’ll get around to that later. The other two were sort-of nice, which isn’t that much considering what they’re up against this season, although it’s pretty decent for wasting time in-between waiting.
sola was pretty unique in its premise — it seemed like a harem series of sorts with the disproportionate number of girls and Da Capo character designs, but the guy’s the one with the idiosyncrasies here. I’ve always thought it pretty annoying when you get the stock character types — the silent girl, the childhood friend, and the naughty loli, but Yorito took the cake. His sky fetish would’ve seemed totally gimmicky on one of the girls, but it seemed alright on him for some reason.
The music, or lack of rather, was a welcome change. I mean, they didn’t have Yuki Kajiura as a composer music filling up the parts where you’d expect them to — resulting in something that would resemble a stereotypical indie film, with the silence adding to the episode rather than detracting from it. It’s probably how they’re pacing it — it doesn’t come off as something the guy who did Kanon would write and didn’t seem all that bad in terms of plot advancement, so it managed to keep my interest.
Lovely Complex’s saving grace was pretty much the Kansai-ben usage. I thought it’d be funnier (I actually laughed less at this than I did at Lucky Star) but the humour seemed awfully forced. I mean, Lucky Star’s jokes were actually original and hilarious at the same time; LoveCom, however, felt like the manga-ka was grasping for straws at times, or maybe it’s the dreaded adaptation curse where the funny isn’t present in the anime, like Fruits Basket.
So aside from the guy being short and the girl being tall, and the unique dialect, there wasn’t that much going for this one. Maybe reading like seven summaries didn’t help (again, I read Lucky Star summaries but still found it funny, odd), which is why I’m not writing off this at the moment, but not really putting it on my Must Watch list either. The problem with slapstick is that you get jaded watching something repeatedly scream “THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY” when you’re like “oh ok” and don’t really think so. LoveCom is doing that the whole time, which is why I have issues with it.
Last but not least:
I was waiting for the doves to fly at this point when I realised the screenwriter(s) were so bent on showing off GUNS they forgot the only allusion that mattered, that also would’ve made the episode much better.
MEXICAN GUNS El Cazador de la Bruja was the lowest of lows. The turkey of all turkeys. The mother of all clichs — okay, I’ll stop. There were so many things simply gone wrong with it that I hardly know where to begin. Wait, I do. SUDDENLY, GUNS. HUNDREDS OF THEM.
If you thought Yorito’s sky obsession was awful, well, let’s just say that the gun fetish present in El Cazador makes his soraphiliac tendencies pale in comparison. That’s right, this anime rubbed me the wrong way right from the OP sequence, and to do that is pretty much something. I’ve had my share of shitty v-kei (wait, all v-kei is shit, nevermind) and practically tuneless female vocal OPs, but this one took the cake. Guns. As many as they could show off. If I had the dedication of a summary blogger you’d be staring at a collage of all the guns present in the OP alone, and by that I mean every few frames or so.
Guns in anime aren’t wrong at all, it’s the blatant abuse and fetishist streak present in the whole anime that was. So in Mexico everyone’s got a gun, great, but do you have to remind me throughout the entire bloody episode? Was someone on the scriptwriting team compensating for something when he decided to show off his love for guns so much even the eyecatch music wasn’t music, but the clink of an empty shell instead?
Yuki Kajiura blows. Seriously. I don’t care how much you protest at this point, this is something everyone else who doesn’t listen to her knows — she sucks. So the opening sequence was a female choir singing something that sounded trademark Kajiura. Big deal, I thought. Apparently I thought wrong, because the lady doesn’t know how to match scenes to music. At all.
You mean people compared this to Yoko Kanno? Heard the saying about a thousand monkeys and a thousand typewriters, and how they might come up with the works of Shakespeare if they kept on trying? Same thing here — keep on hoping Kajiura will come up with something Kanno-quality, a thousand anime and a thousand soundtracks later.
Every scene in the episode that wasn’t clich Mexican music sounded off. It’s like she numbered her tracks, put them all in a box and fished them out at random when it was time to match them to the scenes. I felt nothing from the music, which was horrendous, mediocre, and every negative noun you can think of. I never want to hear anything from her again.
Also, the insert song. I’m guessing as composer she had control over the timing and duration to some degree, and I hope she didn’t because the way it was implemented into the episode practically ruined any glimmer of hope I saw in the series. As the song went on it got worse, and I hope it’s evident from my thoughts, in chronological order:
- The song matches the scene like butter matches oranges.
- Am I supposed to be feeling something here? Like, the upheaval of Ellis’ life, the beginning of a new journey, sadness at the old lady dying — what?.
- The song should stop.
- Dear God the song’s not stopping make it stop already.
- We’re already done with that scene and the insert song’s still playing?
- They’re driving off into the desert, they’ve left the stupid house. Make. It. Stop.
- This feels like a corny MTV video, you know, the ones where the images on screen make for a ridiculous contrast with the band playing? That’s alright, but THIS HAPPENS TO BE AN ANIME, and it’s a FREAKING INSERT SONG.
- *episode ends 5 minutes later*
If you’re a fan of this anime and/or Kajiura, I hope you commit seppuku. With a bread knife. And unlike every other rant written before this where the comments always agree with the post resulting in e-penis growth for said blogger, I’m actually hoping you like Kajiura enough to be so incensed you’ll post an angry rebuttal, because I want to see exactly what her fans bring up regarding the merits of her music. Also so I can have a field day making gaping holes in your points.
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What’s the difference between Kajiura and Kanno fans? The latter are abusive little jerks who can’t stand that so many people prefer Kajiura :) … while in return, most Kajiura fans simply shrug their shoulders and say “fine, listen to your Kanno, more power to you, she’s certainly a good musician”.
:(
No, really, hear me out on this. I need to find out what goes on behind a Kajiura fan’s mind every single time they listen to something of her works. That isn’t even close to explaining why you like her!
It was never about more people liking Kajiura actually, (because if there’s something official, like a census, I’d love to see the numbers, and also I couldn’t care less if Kanno’s “indie” and Kajiura “mainstream”) more of how I’m trying to see the merit behind her work and why the fuss about her music. What’s so great about it?
Everyone who replies after this must also like commenting on the writing of an abusive little jerk, obviously.
How do you explain what you like about “music”?
I’ll try, even though it’s difficult. I find Kajiura’s music “emotionally touching”. In other words, many of her songs excite me (especially her battlehymns – the Mezame’s, Otome no Inori’s or Salva Nos), make me laugh (Omachinasai) or make me feel sad (It’s only a fairy tale). And they have a very high standalone enjoyment factor: I like to load them to my mp3 player and just enjoy them traveling around.
I understand your criticizm about her music being “not properly matched” to the anime in several aspects. In fact, it can become fairly overbearing every once in a while and rather “distract” from the story (something which happened at Madlax a few times). Then again, Kajiura is about the only composer for who I’d also watch a black screen ;) … simply for the music.
More often than not, it’s indeed her music who gives the anime the needed impact. For example, take the first episodes of Tsubasa Chronicles. What felt like a fairly good fighting scene of the end of episode 1 (with Song of Storm and Fire in the background) fell COMPLETELY flat in episode 2, because the soundtrack was missing.
So, what remains: Kajiura’s music “works” for me. Especially her gregorian chants and her unusual harmonies in her more dynamic pieces.
Kanno is a totally different story. She’s certainly more diverse in her works, and one can probably argue that her pieces are better “complementary” music which don’t take the limelight from the show. But at the end of the day, where I listen to 2-3 pieces on constant repeat when I get a Kajiura ost, with 6 more pieces on my playlist for later, it’s only maybe 1 constant repeat and 2-3 more on a Kanno OST. That’s simply how it is, it’s not the kind of standalone music I like. Also, she does alot of “experimental” pieces which fall completely McFlat with me.
Does this mean Kajiura is the better and Kanno is the worse composer? No. Just that I prefer Kajiura. And (sorry) that a surprising big number of Kanno fans need a serious attitude check ;) … why don’t you just enjoy YOUR music instead of feeling the need to dump on other people’s? It basically never happens the other way round, you know…
I’ll add one thing to Mentar’s wonderful little essay.
*because the lady doesnt know how to match scenes to music. At all.*
SHE doesn’t even do it, so you can’t blame her for that.
“If youre a fan of this anime and/or Kajiura, I hope you commit seppuku. With a bread knife”
Sorry, but I like my guts, and I wouldn’t want to lose them, I also wouldn’t want to unneccesarily dirty my bread knife. In any case, what this issue boils down to is simply a matter of different tastes in music. I myself can’t stand cheesy j-pop, while I am more into music featuring classical instruments and choirs, just like the one Kajiura uses. You yourself may have other tastes, that’s fine by me.
Mentar:
>>I understand your criticizm about her music being not properly matched to the anime in several aspects. In fact, it can become fairly overbearing every once in a while and rather distract from the story (something which happened at Madlax a few times). Then again, Kajiura is about the only composer for who Id also watch a black screen ;) simply for the music.
I wasn’t expecting you to say that, also because it reminds me of a certain karaoke rant posted by Triad not too long ago. Here’s what I’m comparing it to — the fifth paragraph should get your attention:
Which is why I’m wondering — are you for real? I mean, after reading that rant and comparing it to what you said earlier, do you really get where you stand? It’s just simply mind-boggling.
>>But at the end of the day, where I listen to 2-3 pieces on constant repeat when I get a Kajiura ost, with 6 more pieces on my playlist for later, its only maybe 1 constant repeat and 2-3 more on a Kanno OST.
That’s odd, I couldn’t really stand Kajiura stuff for sounding all the same. I could repeat Kanno stuff all day if I didn’t have around 40GB/7000 songs to listen to. And I actually did that last time with the Wolf Rain/GITS:SAC/Escaflowne/Brain Powerd OSTs before the wonders of torrenting and large hdds existed.
>>Also, she does alot of experimental pieces which fall completely McFlat with me.
One major issue I have with Kajiura is that her stuff sounds the same. This probably would be where the divide is, Kajiura fans most likely prefer something familiar, Kanno fans like change. Obviously I think change’s better.
>>Does this mean Kajiura is the better and Kanno is the worse composer?
No, if by better composer you mean actually doing the intended job and matching scenes with music, Kanno definitely wins hands down from a technical point of view. I hope we can agree on that at least!
>> why dont you just enjoy YOUR music instead of feeling the need to dump on other peoples? It basically never happens the other way round, you know
I guess it’s like… oh. Let’s say, Linkin Park vs Incubus.
So let’s say you like Linkin Park, I like Incubus. Now, the analogy’s there because Linkin Park is more loved, but Incubus is more experimental and indie, as it were. Now since all hardcore single band fans are wankers, each side doesn’t think highly of the other band’s music.
What I’m asking you is this — “Linkin Park utterly sucks for me, can you show me why you like them as much as you do?” And what you’re telling me here is “oh, they’re a great band and all, they play neat stuff but there’s the occasional riff and lyric that grates on my nerves, sometimes I don’t think they can get it all together as a band… but I still like them!” Do you get where I’m coming from now?
I’ll admit the Yoko fans need an attitude check if you Kajiura fans would admit to needing a ear check, but I guess that’s alright, lol.
kacpy:
>>SHE doesnt even do it, so you cant blame her for that.
Really? I thought that would make it all the more sadder, given how it would be reasonable to assume Kanno has at least some control over how and when her pieces should be played in addition to ensuring her pieces aren’t bastardized through the wrong scenes — heck, every composer should obviously be doing the same, no?
psgels:
>>while I am more into music featuring classical instruments and choirs, just like the one Kajiura uses. You yourself may have other tastes, thats fine by me.
That’s odd, Kanno does a lot of the classical instruments thing herself, and she had the gregorian monk chant thing going in Escalowne, which I thought was pretty damned good. It’s not just a matter of taste in music — it’s the sheer difference in quality that makes me wonder is what.
“One major issue I have with Kajiura is that her stuff sounds the same. This probably would be where the divide is, Kajiura fans most likely prefer something familiar, Kanno fans like change. Obviously I think changes better.”
Though it depends on the person, if it’s not broken, why fix it/change it up? Sure, variety is awesome, but if it sounds good, I’ll like it regardless. :P
There are a little variations in style in her works (.hack//SIGN : Noir: Le Portrait de Petit Cosette: Mai-HiME), but it’s not necessarily a problem if her stuff sounds the same as long as it works for me, which it usually does. Music is subjective. I think both Kanno and Kajiura are quality, but Kanno’s works seem more emotionally detaching than Kajiura’s, and I don’t need the anime to feel the music. Kajiura’s works are more “standalone” (lol) to me than Kanno’s, and new music is still standalone even though I’ve “heard it before”. So while I think both are pretty good, I give the nod to Kajiura for the extra oomph. :3
Of course you can disagree. :P
Well Owen, I’ve tried to be polite and seriously explain things to you, but I guess “auf einen groben Klotz gehrt ein grober Keil”, as a German saying goes.
Trying to argue about taste is no sign of intelligence, and the way you’re doing it is even less so. Personally, I couldn’t care less what you think about Karaoke comparisons, I’d prefer that you’d talk about our issue on hand instead. Don’t draw crude analogies which don’t wash.
Some people watch anime for the animation, some for the genre, some for the music, and some even for minor stuff like for a single seiyuu. Who the fish do you think you are to criticize them for that? :)
You were asking US/ME to explain to you why we liked Kajiura’s works, and that’s what we did. Frankly, I don’t give a damn if you disagree, and seeing your rude reaction, which seems to indicate that you actually embarrass yourself to any sentient being by believing that YOUR taste is right while others are wrong, makes me regret to waste my time with you.
Gawd, what a little immature brat you are :) … and how stupid I was for not noticing earlier.
Please grow up. Fast.
Whoa, whoa! Mentar, you seem to have major misconceptions here about the whole thing, which I’d better clear up, fast. Take a look at my first comment.
>I need to find out what goes on behind a Kajiura fans mind
>Whats so great about it?
That’s what I said earlier, and I’m still standing by it — evidently you thought there was discussion going on here. I’m sorry, all I wanted was dialogue. You gave me your viewpoint of where you were coming from, I gave you reasons as to why I thought those viewpoints sucked. End of story. That’s it! Oh, and the analogy fits, no doubt about that.
I was primarily criticizing her shoddy music placement work, and you agreed with me, yet still like her — how doesn’t it fit to the karaoke fansub comparison? The quoted post had a fan liking this sub group despite their awful translation/timing issues. Still don’t think it’s valid?
>>Who the fish do you think you are to criticize them for that? :)
Haha, YHBT? Here’s how you play the “it’s my blog, I can say whatever I want” card, kids — not after a short generalization but after an elaborate explanation like yours truly here. I’m allowing you to criticize me for being an ass over my opinion, so I thought you’d appreciate the fairness.
>>Frankly, I dont give a damn if you disagree
Congrats, neither do I.
>>and seeing your rude reaction, which seems to indicate that you actually embarrass yourself to any sentient being
>>Gawd, what a little immature brat you are :)
>>abusive little jerks
Ironing, delicious, etc. I don’t know why you even bother. Also, if at any one point in time you were under the impression that this was one of those Politically Correct blogs , now would a good time to perish the thought.
“Thats odd, Kanno does a lot of the classical instruments thing herself, and she had the gregorian monk chant thing going in Escalowne, which I thought was pretty damned good. Its not just a matter of taste in music its the sheer difference in quality that makes me wonder is what.”
Oh, don’t get me wrong. I never intended to bash Yoko Kanno’s music, all I did was defend Yuki Kajiura’s music. I personally loved the soundtrack from escaflowne as well.
Still, what I don’t get is your definition of “difference in quality”. If you mean more variation, then you’re indeed right. But when you look at the quality of the individual songs, Kajiura wins in my opinion. Okay, she does keep to the same style, but because of that, she can try out new things to refine this style.
>>Still, what I dont get is your definition of difference in quality.
Personal taste — according to my values. Not only does Kajiura’s songs not gel with her scenes, they also sound generic and terrible, with no definite melody? I mean, as compared to Kanno, who makes tunes that sound so original you don’t really have difficulty whistling or humming along after hearing it just once.
Very very late, but I was browsing your blog because you’re one of the few bloggers whose tastes are actually similar to mine. Somewhat.
About Bruja: unlike it’s two predecessors, Madlax and Noir, it has a very relaxing feel to it. While those two failed big-time, only being saved by the music and the pretty, Bruja actually has a vaguely entertaining story and interesting characters. I hate guns too, but this time around it was bearable.
This probably is because I love the music. The ED is beautifull, like most FictionJunction YUUKA pieces are, and the opening was catchy.
And the reason I post so late: dissing Kajiura Yuki just rubbed me wrong. God knows she recycles a lot of her songs, but at least they don’t fade into the background, something I hate in OSTs.
Comparing to Yoko Kanno: take my two favourite soundtracks from each, Tsubasa (crap anime, good OST), and Escaflowne (wonderfull in every way it can be wonderfull): With Escaflowne, despite it having some brilliant songs, most of them just fade so I’ll only keep a handfull of them in my playlist (Gloria, Wings, and Angel among them) – point is, I still think it as having a higher quality than most if not every OST out there. With Tsubasa, I always load all four OSTs into my playlist – I think it has a higher enjoyment factor than most OSTs out there.
Quality versus quantity? Not quite. When I listen to something, I listen to things I’m more likely to enjoy rather than what music critics are more likely to enjoy.