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Anime Thread (It's just like, a mini Japan)
- Thread starter Rugi
- Start date
Apocalypse hotel was a really good show from last season that I feel like is being slept on.
Largely an absurdist dramedy about a team of robots running a hotel at the end of the world, it stands out with a bunch of really pretty backgrounds and character designs.
But what interests me even more is how closely it resembles an anime from 2024 called "Train To The End Of The World" which is also an absurdist dramedy set at the end of the world.
This very specific genre of 'apocalypses played for hijinks or slice of life with a hint of melancholy' is very unique to anime IMO. If you've got any other shows in this style please let me know.
Largely an absurdist dramedy about a team of robots running a hotel at the end of the world, it stands out with a bunch of really pretty backgrounds and character designs.
But what interests me even more is how closely it resembles an anime from 2024 called "Train To The End Of The World" which is also an absurdist dramedy set at the end of the world.
This very specific genre of 'apocalypses played for hijinks or slice of life with a hint of melancholy' is very unique to anime IMO. If you've got any other shows in this style please let me know.
Arguably not anime bc it's a Chinese production, but I'm really enjoying To Be Hero X atm. Honestly the narrative structure is really interesting- jumping around the different hero's backstories should work against it, doubly so because it feels like a prequel to something, but it's cohesive enough that I'm really enjoying it nonetheless, and they've dangled the mystery of how the current X rose to power despite being completely unknown as something to build towards.
I also like the kinda meta post-superhero spin it brings. I'm also watching The Boys atm lol, so I'm consuming a fair bit of that stuff I guess
I also like the kinda meta post-superhero spin it brings. I'm also watching The Boys atm lol, so I'm consuming a fair bit of that stuff I guess
I have some friends that want to have a Demon Slayer marathon this weekend so they’re caught up with the English dub and while I’m probably still going to go hang out Saturday night, I don’t know yet if I care enough about this show or watching any TV in general enough to be interested in picking it back up. Personally I prefer the subbed version of most series because it feels more authentic in a way, but the problem I’m running I to with TV and movies across the board is that I just cannot be bothered for that long?
It can’t just be me, right? Admittedly this isn’t an anime specific issue, but especially if it was a series I unironically really enjoyed for a while, I feel like the overall stress of daily life makes it hard for me to want to focus my attention on any specific topic for more than an hour at a time if I’m lucky. Yeah, yeah, social media isn’t helping, I know that, but even in the best case scenario where Japanese writing can be and often is better than storytelling here in the States where I live, I don’t want to start watching any new shows if I know in advance… basically anything struggles to keep my attention and interest me beyond the surface level charm.
It can’t just be me, right? Admittedly this isn’t an anime specific issue, but especially if it was a series I unironically really enjoyed for a while, I feel like the overall stress of daily life makes it hard for me to want to focus my attention on any specific topic for more than an hour at a time if I’m lucky. Yeah, yeah, social media isn’t helping, I know that, but even in the best case scenario where Japanese writing can be and often is better than storytelling here in the States where I live, I don’t want to start watching any new shows if I know in advance… basically anything struggles to keep my attention and interest me beyond the surface level charm.
Oh yeah. If anyone was wondering where I dropped the series at, it was just before the spa scene in the Swordsmith Village arc. Just figured I’d clarify since I think it might have just been that arc I didn’t care for as much as the previous two.
Honestly relatable. For me this isn't too big an issue for anime, since episodes are usually 25ish minutes, but for western shows that run for like an hour each, I'll typically be pausing for a little bit at some point for no reason in particular. Come to think of it, I feel like this might be related to why I don't read anything anymore. Maybe my brain has rotted too much lol
Anyway, Demon Slayer for me is a good show in that the action is hype, and the incredible production supports it well. It's a deeply flawed story though, in that it seems to be fond of introducing new characters and showcasing their backstory, then doing nothing with them, leaving the show with a cast full of characters with the depth of a puddle. Like, Zenitsu and Inosuke should've been good characters to develop, given that they're present for much of the story, but instead they're just jokes with arms and legs. They're not even terribly funny.
Anyway, Demon Slayer for me is a good show in that the action is hype, and the incredible production supports it well. It's a deeply flawed story though, in that it seems to be fond of introducing new characters and showcasing their backstory, then doing nothing with them, leaving the show with a cast full of characters with the depth of a puddle. Like, Zenitsu and Inosuke should've been good characters to develop, given that they're present for much of the story, but instead they're just jokes with arms and legs. They're not even terribly funny.
From what I’ve gathered the Kamado siblings were quite popular in Japan at the peak of the series’ popularity but yeah, the rest of the main cast feels a bit shallow on rewatch. They bring a nice degree of contrast to the siblings, I’ll give them that, but any developments that do happen with the others generally take a while to get to and ultimately don’t feel as rewarding as it could be. I wouldn’t call either Zenitsu or Inosuke “insufferable” like I’ve heard some people call them, but throughout the middle of the story the attempts to start meshing the humor and the action together into one sequence don’t quite stick the landing with the variable pacing that the first handful of arcs were trying to go for beforehand.
The supporting cast I think is noticeably stronger. It does take a bit for viewers or manga readers to learn more about the Hashira, and I still don’t quite know how much I care for Muzan as a lead antagonist, but the contrast between the Hashira and the 12 Moons (or whatever you prefer to call them) is welcome and I think ties in generally nicely to the series’ themes of exploring personal growth and calling back to traditional Japanese culture. I honestly think I like the Twelve as characters more than Muzan, if anything. They just feel more expressive and creative to me. As for the good guys, it’s that variable pacing again that I think holds back the rewarding factor of whether or not they’ll succeed on their endeavors. It worked for me in the Infinity Train movie (and subsequent episodic version) because that arc feels a good representation of everything that worked for the series up to that point while still providing enough, but not too much expansion of the world building all at once to feel overwhelming and take away from the arc’s themes of mentorship and finding the motivation to move on during hard times. Definitely my favorite arc as far in as I’ve watched.
Today I went to the town of Washinomiya, about 2 and a half hours out of Tokyo.
Although there is absolutely nothing of note here, the local shrine was used in the Lucky Star Opening and some scenes in a couple of episodes.
The locals are surprisingly proud of this and theres lucky star fanart scattered all over the town.
I asked around and the locals say that otaku tourism to see the shrine was very common about a decade ago, but nowadays it has mostly faded. They do all fondly recall their little town's five minutes of fame though.
Also none of them had actually watched Lucky Star.
Heres the picture I took compared to the anime
Heres a little statue outside of the local post office
And some of the lucky star fanart around town
Although there is absolutely nothing of note here, the local shrine was used in the Lucky Star Opening and some scenes in a couple of episodes.
The locals are surprisingly proud of this and theres lucky star fanart scattered all over the town.
I asked around and the locals say that otaku tourism to see the shrine was very common about a decade ago, but nowadays it has mostly faded. They do all fondly recall their little town's five minutes of fame though.
Also none of them had actually watched Lucky Star.
Heres the picture I took compared to the anime
Heres a little statue outside of the local post office
And some of the lucky star fanart around town
