LilyGinnyBlack said: The issue with this series being animated is the same one that Pandora Hearts has, the real meat of the plot doesn't show up until much later on, so in the beginning there doesn't seems to be much of a plot going on, but it all ends up being interconnected. Most likely this anime was simply meant to promote the manga, which is why it only has 13 episodes (or was it 12?).
I'm currently living in Japan, in Toyama City to be exact, and we have a small Animate. Karneval seems to be quite popular there, though I don't know if it is popular enough to garner another season (and even if it did get another season, another 12/13 episodes still wouldn't be enough to tell the whole plot).
As someone who has read the manga, I've been enjoying this anime for what it is. The first episode was good (better than I expected), but the second episode was quite bad, but it has gotten steadily better ever since. I do enjoy the manga a lot, but there were times when the explanations were a bit complicated and confusing (even in the original Japanese), so the anime helps simplify and clarify certain bits of information and happenings.
I always knew that pacing was going to be an issue and that the ending was going to be disappointing no matter how it was done (it was either going to be far too open ended or an anime original ending). The closer the ending comes the sadder I get. I've been having fun with this series and I liked being able to just watch and think about it on an individual episode basis.
As an adaptation, this anime isn't all that bad. A little rushed at times, but not nearly as poorly done as some other adaptations (such as the aforementioned Pandora Hearts). As an anime in and of itself though, this series is probably around the average range, with a little extra push due to the lovely art, music, and etc (so probably around a 6).
I'd also give it 6 in terms of an anime. As an adaptation, frankly its doing really well, a solid 8 for now. Mostly its cutting unnecessary stuff from the manga quite well, doing well with simplifying the unnecessary confusing stuff, and focusing on parts which needs attention.
If I'm to ask which is better, I would say this anime is a lot better than manga. I don't even know why I held onto this manga for some 1st 9 chapters when they were nothing but utter bore. It wasn't until chapter 10, and Yogi fighting those Vagura birds in Niji forest & getting worried for Gakerki that I started taking interest, like whoa wasn't this ditz supposed to be a side characters, why are we getting an insight into his feeling? and from there I got a bit of respect for the writing and continued with enthusiasm. I turned out wrong to think of Yogi as a side character initially, but whatever it has been a great ride since then. Point is the 1st epi of the anime was gold compare to the bore of 9+ chapters.
There are a few mistakes I see that the anime team has made, most prominent is the 3 epi they dragged on Gareki background! 3 freakin whole episodes. Then a whole chapter on the Karneval right after. Infact the middle part of this anime in general dragged on which could easily have been avoided. After a well done 8 & 9 epi, we got this dull episode. Sure they are following manga straight but even when I knew this part will take a full episode, I ended up asking was it really needed? I didn't even bother with the subs with this one.
Random thoughts while watching raw:
Hmm Hirato/Tsukumo moment has no power unlike manga. dunno why they changed and put Tsunuko in a flower bed but whatever.
They couldn't make this new area nearly as beautiful as Niji forest, it should've been prettier. Wouldve made the epi more watchable.
Kichii might be a bitch, but she's an OP. Solid performance as compared to Tsukumo ans Yogi. No wonder she looks down on them.
Jiki is too blunt, seriously but he's right.
Wow they brushed over Tsukumo kidnap and near death experience even worse then manga..wow.
lol poor Gareki was about to cry lol.
Yogi is so childish!
Karouku scene was well done, and more ambiguous than in the manga which is a good choice. It didn't give anything away unlike manga.
the end.
I'm rather excited for next epi purely from an academic kinda perspective. Interested in seeing how the anime team will handle those 4 chapters in 1 epi and avoid making it seem random and utter bore. The manga chapters were Yawn.
but I have no doubt the climax will rock! We will have two episodes for bam bam action/high emotion/mystery and it will be beautiful. It was great in the manga, no way it will suck in anime which is doing a better job in almost all respects!
P.S. Speaking of Pandora Hearts I love Vincent Nightray. :-) |