Comments on: Delving further into animated fantasy: sci-fi twists, Scrapped Princess and a whole load of ranting about Utawarerumono http://azureflame.dasaku.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/ Fat cats make anime better Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:13:12 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: ritchan http://azureflame.dasaku.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-4974 ritchan Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:10:41 +0000 http://azureflame.ikimashou.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/#comment-4974 Just finished playing Utawarerumono thanks to the English patch. I'd have to agree, Utawarerumono does fall a bit short (why was there an ero scene with Yuzuha? Why?) and the ero scene with Urtoriy just came out of nowhere, as did the later sci-fi arc, but I still like it. It's a very good SRPG, if not for the fact that Eruruu can't heal herself. The story has some holes, but it does make sense at first and you feel good along the way. Plus I feel a certain empathy with Hakuoro. Just finished playing Utawarerumono thanks to the English patch. I’d have to agree, Utawarerumono does fall a bit short (why was there an ero scene with Yuzuha? Why?) and the ero scene with Urtoriy just came out of nowhere, as did the later sci-fi arc, but I still like it. It’s a very good SRPG, if not for the fact that Eruruu can’t heal herself. The story has some holes, but it does make sense at first and you feel good along the way. Plus I feel a certain empathy with Hakuoro.

]]> By: Karura http://azureflame.dasaku.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2089 Karura Sun, 09 Sep 2007 08:58:52 +0000 http://azureflame.ikimashou.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/#comment-2089 I thought there was potential in the Scrapped Princess leads beyond that of the normal set- Pacifica did at least question the fact that she needed people to protect her whilst she was in the back row of battle, so to speak, and Raquel could own people with powerful spells instead of being as useless as most female characters. Sadly, it wasn't really carried through, though- one thing I would have loved to have seen was Pacifica actually trying to learn magic or swordsmanship so that she could stand up for herself. Uta- it's hard to enjoy it for what it is when it contains so many issues- I still love certain characters and their designs (and the Utawarriors fighting game, that was fun), but overall it doesn't even rank as something I want to buy on DVD, even when a thinpak comes out. I have to admit I couldn't get past the second episode of Murder Princess, it just didn't gel for me. I thought there was potential in the Scrapped Princess leads beyond that of the normal set- Pacifica did at least question the fact that she needed people to protect her whilst she was in the back row of battle, so to speak, and Raquel could own people with powerful spells instead of being as useless as most female characters. Sadly, it wasn’t really carried through, though- one thing I would have loved to have seen was Pacifica actually trying to learn magic or swordsmanship so that she could stand up for herself.

Uta- it’s hard to enjoy it for what it is when it contains so many issues- I still love certain characters and their designs (and the Utawarriors fighting game, that was fun), but overall it doesn’t even rank as something I want to buy on DVD, even when a thinpak comes out.

I have to admit I couldn’t get past the second episode of Murder Princess, it just didn’t gel for me.

]]> By: Haruchin http://azureflame.dasaku.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2081 Haruchin Sat, 08 Sep 2007 07:11:46 +0000 http://azureflame.ikimashou.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/#comment-2081 Mmm. Couldn't agree more. Good fantasy seems somewhat lacking in most media at the moment (novels aside - George RR Martin still being on form...), and anime is no exception. I watched and enjoyed both Scrapped Princess and Uta, but in both cases couldn't help wishing that they had lived up to their potential. SP's major flaw in my view, apart from slightly overly-convenient plotting, was the lack of engaging leads. Pacifica herself is just annoying perky, Racquel's ditzy side is played far too strongly and Shannon comes across as "strong silent hero #1". Uta is the exact opposite. Filled with interesting and fun characters (love for Karura), but with a plot structure that veers from ploddingly predictable to breakneck insanity. Perhaps one of these days we'll find a fantasy anime that manages to combine character and plot. That'll be a must-watch. Slightly OT - I rather enjoyed Murder Princess. Again, rather too predictable plodding, but solid entertainment. Not one of the greats, but not bad either. Mmm. Couldn’t agree more. Good fantasy seems somewhat lacking in most media at the moment (novels aside – George RR Martin still being on form…), and anime is no exception. I watched and enjoyed both Scrapped Princess and Uta, but in both cases couldn’t help wishing that they had lived up to their potential. SP’s major flaw in my view, apart from slightly overly-convenient plotting, was the lack of engaging leads. Pacifica herself is just annoying perky, Racquel’s ditzy side is played far too strongly and Shannon comes across as “strong silent hero #1″. Uta is the exact opposite. Filled with interesting and fun characters (love for Karura), but with a plot structure that veers from ploddingly predictable to breakneck insanity. Perhaps one of these days we’ll find a fantasy anime that manages to combine character and plot. That’ll be a must-watch.

Slightly OT – I rather enjoyed Murder Princess. Again, rather too predictable plodding, but solid entertainment. Not one of the greats, but not bad either.

]]> By: Zealot http://azureflame.dasaku.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2026 Zealot Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:14:57 +0000 http://azureflame.ikimashou.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/#comment-2026 Interesting post karura, I aggree with you. I was also drawn to utawarerumono probably by similar reasons to you. When I watched it I had no idea it was based on an H-Game at the time and was genuinely under the illusion that it was an utterly brilliant masterpiece. I still think it is :). Unfortunately, the plot took a wierd turn and had me reeling and very confused. Ok, I got there - from my persective it was a very wierd twist to a story. I was also slightly disappointed by its ending. However, having said that, it is better then turning the anime into an endless war between clans with no or little progress between episodes, characters not evolving, no plot etc (like western tv, they normally get confused and dont know where to take it). You are right in saying it was a bit disappointing - but Ive seen a good few series go bad (namely bleach and naruto). I kind of see it as a positive thing, a curtosey to the great anime that it is. What Im trying to say is, these slight flaws might not be a bad thing after all, dont be disappointed by it or let the disappointment get to you - its a great anime, keep it that way and enjoy it for what it is ;) Interesting post karura, I aggree with you. I was also drawn to utawarerumono probably by similar reasons to you. When I watched it I had no idea it was based on an H-Game at the time and was genuinely under the illusion that it was an utterly brilliant masterpiece. I still think it is :). Unfortunately, the plot took a wierd turn and had me reeling and very confused. Ok, I got there – from my persective it was a very wierd twist to a story. I was also slightly disappointed by its ending. However, having said that, it is better then turning the anime into an endless war between clans with no or little progress between episodes, characters not evolving, no plot etc (like western tv, they normally get confused and dont know where to take it). You are right in saying it was a bit disappointing – but Ive seen a good few series go bad (namely bleach and naruto). I kind of see it as a positive thing, a curtosey to the great anime that it is. What Im trying to say is, these slight flaws might not be a bad thing after all, dont be disappointed by it or let the disappointment get to you – its a great anime, keep it that way and enjoy it for what it is ;)

]]> By: Necromancer http://azureflame.dasaku.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2017 Necromancer Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:09:32 +0000 http://azureflame.ikimashou.net/2007/09/05/fantasy-part-2/#comment-2017 Murder Princess is the latest in the fantasy to sci-fi twist category and is 1 of the things that made it worse at it went along (the skeleton guy and Frankenstien's Monster guy are robots or something and have lived for ages :S) , luckily only 6 eps long for those that are interested. Murder Princess is the latest in the fantasy to sci-fi twist category and is 1 of the things that made it worse at it went along (the skeleton guy and Frankenstien’s Monster guy are robots or something and have lived for ages :S) , luckily only 6 eps long for those that are interested.

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