- Last OnlineAug 19, 2024 6:45 PM
- JoinedSep 3, 2017
RSS Feeds
|
![]()
Jun 26, 2024
I really like this anime but want to talk about something I don't see other reviewers saying. My overall impression while watching the anime is this:
I feel like if this wasn't a shounen, it would be better.
Frieren is ultimately a story about the journey. About how time is ever flowing and changes people, and we are left behind as new eras are ushered in. Frieren herself has to juggle with the fact that memories of people she loves are gone and past and even disappearing before her eyes. She watches those she loves grow up, grow old, and die, and doesn't live at the same
...
pace. This is as intriguing and meaningful as it is terrifying to behold. There are many things about it that subvert the general expectation of shounen, one of them being the way characters come and go, whether it be through time or simply through the journey, possibly disappearing to never return.
So why are the last 10 episodes some meaningless tournament arc? It feels so hamfisted and unnatural that I can only attribute it to the fact that it has to play into shounen tropes. I understand that frieren is about the journey, but when the journey ends up being something that every other shounen does, it really leaves a black mark on what I would consider an otherwise really interesting and transformative story, and a big one. Putting aside my personal distaste for tournament arcs, I just feel this was a bad choice both for worldbuilding and for storytelling. I really think that this was to push the "battle" part of battle shounen, but to me introducing a bunch of random characters for the purpose of this arc has really watered down what I saw as a meaningful story. I don't think battles need to be at the forefront.
Throughout the story before that arc, the elements were balanced very well between world building, character building, battles, rest, etc. I really enjoyed this balance because then when combat happens it's more meaningful. What impressed me about Frieren is not well animated battles, it's well animated clothing and everyday tasks. Making the mundane entertaining. Attaching a heavy grief to adventuring. Watching characters grow.
This tournament arc did not balance these elements in a way I found reasonable. That is almost 1/3 of the season, at the very end too. I was immersed in the adventure and the story, only to be dragged out of it with the slap to the face that "this is a shounen guys, we have to do the long format combat arc". It isn't adding to the journey, it is a STOP in the journey that feels like a checklist.
I feel that this arc acted as chains to the experience that is Frieren, not an enhancing element. I am sure many will disagree, but it is very rare that I directly feel like a genre interferes with (instead of enhancing) a story. It was quite disappointing as the rest of the experience was superb, and even though I complain about the tournament arc it was still well animated and had good characters, and is definitely one of the better tournament arcs I've ever seen. This is not to lambast or call Frieren bad in any manner- I would still recommend it to most people. But if you're like me, and genuinely went into this with expectations that the first half of the show sets up the latter half's vibes, you may also be confused and disappointed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
What did you think of this review?
Nice
 0
Love it
 0
Funny
 0
Confusing
 0
Well-written
 0
Creative
 0Show all
![]()
Jan 17, 2024
I like this show, truly. I think it is a wonderful adaptation with a lot of touching moments and great storytelling. I don''t mind what other reviewers are saying about the seemingly abrupt paradigm shift that occurs when the series feels like it converts from mystery to slice of life- the manga itself is very long after all, and Aqua's goal is very intertwined with the entertainment industry and his own personal success. The use of colour in this anime in particular is fantastic. From the tones in the eyes and hair, to the character colour choices and design, it's all beautiful. The animation is
...
great, the voice acting is superb, the pacing is wonderful and I understand why people enjoy it, as I did too. It's an adaptation that clearly improves upon the source material. But I must raise the issues I feel like gave detriment to what could be a 10 for me.
What I take issue in is that the innate nature of this show is somewhat at odds with each other- a critique on idol culture and industry while also being otaku wish fulfillment- I really do not like the whiplash that the story goes through back and forth saying "the entertainment industry is so horrible: look! It's so gross and capitalistic" to "aren't idols so cool and cute and awesome! What if u were the child of an idol!?!? What if all these girls were INTO you!!!" Every female character seems to be into Aqua, despite him having the outward personality of an edgy teen 2channer. He's clearly not apathetic despite pretending, he's a smart character and tries his best to balance his personal goals with his sense of morality which often can make him come off as inconsistent. I don't like that the show very often tries to present him as cold and uncaring because it's "cool" and much prefer him being strangely vulnerable or old school/embarrassing. Nonetheless, I can tell the writer very much cares about making him likable.
The problem then becomes: making him likable does not mean every female character has to LIKE him. I feel like it takes away from my personal enjoyment because it just becomes anime bullshit. There are a lot of scenes I personally feel are wasted talking about romantic feelings for the main character or about tensions between him and another character when he, at the moment, has literally no interest in pursuing any sort of romantic relationship. It feels like plainly wasted time, and like it is meant to personally appeal to the viewers (to it's detriment) rather than be an enjoyable story. (That's not to say there aren't enjoyable moments, particularly between him and Arima Kana because it develops both characters in a way that's really organic and wholesome. I really like the investment kana was given as a character to develop, even if it can feel a little like a ham fisted plot device for mc to show up and "save" her at the end.)
Especially when writing things as "coincidence" it feels a lot like a savior complex to be quite honest: He just HAPPENS to be the one who saves Akane from jumping! Same with his support of kana, and him helping his sister, etc etc... I really don't like to say it, but it's kind of giving op mc isekai vibes and I wish he wasn't constantly the deciding factor of every major emotional development- or at least write it a bit smarter. It feels like the plot shoves him where it's convenient sometimes.
I also really don't like the way Ruby's character was written. After Ai dies and there's a timeskip, Ruby is still steadfast in becoming an idol. You don't see her change or develop because of it, and the only explanation is that she is naïve and brushes it off saying its what she always wanted- I think that's bullshit. I understand she used to be a disabled child and has not matured past her teenage years, but I would have liked to see a juxtaposition in the different traumas she has experienced and overcoming the second, as she does overcome the first with the help of Ai, but we don't see how she copes with Ai's death. She lost the person that helped her overcome her fears of falling, and then that new trauma is just completely disregarded. I wish she would have any semblance of self-reflection or introspection when it comes to anything other than being an idol. I feel like she is waved off as a character and it's disappointing. Mc talks about how he's unsure of his feelings for ai, how its continued to motivate him to this day, etc, but I feel like for Ruby it's almost just a footnote. Her priority in the writing is below making space for a love triangle. (On top of this, she has a very strange relationship with her brother being the doctor she was in love with as a 12 year old which is just weird and unnecessary, again feeding into this weird wish fulfillment.)
For all the criticism I have given this show, I really did enjoy it. I think it has worth. The other parts of the show are extremely strong, for all the shit I'm giving it in this review. If I went over the positives, this review would be another 7 paragraphs long. Others have already explained why the show is good. Even I think it's very good- that's why I'm left with mixed feelings as someone who does not personally find these sorts of things attractive or desirable in my media. As an experience, I give this an 8, but I think looking at it critically I have to rate it a bit lower.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
![]()
Oct 2, 2023
Serviceable and forgettable is not good enough for an award winning manga. What a poor adaptation of a masterpiece of a manga.
Important context removed, sloppy pacing just to fit episode and time guidelines, impactful scenes watered down by subpar voice acting or framing, and panning shots and still frames galore. This does not show the uniqueness of skip and loafer as a standout among school romance- something that many of the "mixed feeling reviews" are saying, that it feels same-y.
The positives of the manga are placing these characters in what is ultimately a good relationship devoid of any of stupid or straight up
...
problematic issues so much shoujo or josei or even seinen have. A cast of characters who feel like people rather than individuals to be paired up and shipped off. Both female and male characters that exist as people and not plot points to be thrown around when convenient to create romantic tension. No 24 year old teacher treated as a genuine romantic interest. The conflict coming from character's own feelings and personal growth and how they interact together rather than being dramatic because of outside circumstance. Slowly growing closer as different people and coming together REGARDLESS of the main characters.
I feel the anime did not portray this because much of it was not emphasized or sometimes not even shown altogether. The scene specifically where one of the characters says "it's hard to believe it's only been six months" completely loses it's impact because of this. That scene is meant to portray the girls as close friends and people even besides Mitsumi, but when you watch as a standalone anime they feel so forgettable.
I am so disappointed. This was an award winning series, so why did it not have the love and budget it so very clearly deserved? It's outright offensive that this was treated like any flavor of the month isekai. I wish it was given the kyoani treatment where monotonous everyday tasks are made special, just like the scenes in this series need to function and portray the romance and appeal of Mitsumi's group of friends and romantic interest, and the intimate moments they have together. If I wanted to look at good art, I would read the manga- but this adaptation doesn't even have good directing. Random unrelated still shots ruin meaningful moments. Characters talk over panning shots- - not even showing the character who is talking! There are no subtle expressions or bodily movements in many important sentimental scenes when the characters actually ARE shown. A completely unmemorable OST besides the OP and ED. It is truly unfortunate to see such good source material be treated this way.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
|
