Finished rewatching Kill la Kill.
I somehow forgot how fanservice focused this was, and that a lot of it can be detrimental to the overall experience (esp in the first half). But KLK is also unique in that it builds this layered revenge narrative with twists and turns around the same ecchi tropes that make shows one dimensional and uninspired. You can like it for the surface level stuff in the action, comedy, presentation and fanservice, then beneath that can read into the themes about how clothing doesn't make the man, individuality good conformity bad, the importance of companionship when facing adversity. Not really a "deep" show but wouldn't call it shallow either as it does have these clear messages throughout as demonstrated by Matoi's journey.
By appearance Matoi isn't your the typical anime hero - is a girl, transforms into the most revealing magical girl outfit ever that enemies initially don't take seriously, weapon is a scissor blade. But when it comes to her attitude, ambitions and actions she is in no way a weak damsel nor someone that cowers from challenges at all, and ultimately that carries more weight than her appearance itself as the show progresses. So in following her character arc I could see that a point of KLK was trying to make in that just because a character is a target of fanservice doesn't mean they can't be powerful and inspiring in their own right, which in a way is an indictment on a lot of anime that fail to give their female lead characters any value beyond their appearances.
Watching this on my TV via Hulu has probably ruined anime on a small laptop screen. The overall production was outstanding. Not necessarily the animation - lots of repeated sequences, but the direction, background art, music and sheer amount of things happening on screen at any given moment. It was never really meant to be a fluidly animated show like a Bebop or even Gurren Lagann but it leans into a frenetic pace that makes it work for the type of show it is.
Would give it like an 8/10. Even if there were parts that didn't hold my interest, I usually appreciate anime that go above the norm to create something different and that is what KLK tries to be in a medium that largely lacks inspiration. Bonus points for being an original project built from the ground up. Not better than Gurren Lagann, nor do I think its better than FLCL, but that's ok as its own thing.
I somehow forgot how fanservice focused this was, and that a lot of it can be detrimental to the overall experience (esp in the first half). But KLK is also unique in that it builds this layered revenge narrative with twists and turns around the same ecchi tropes that make shows one dimensional and uninspired. You can like it for the surface level stuff in the action, comedy, presentation and fanservice, then beneath that can read into the themes about how clothing doesn't make the man, individuality good conformity bad, the importance of companionship when facing adversity. Not really a "deep" show but wouldn't call it shallow either as it does have these clear messages throughout as demonstrated by Matoi's journey.
By appearance Matoi isn't your the typical anime hero - is a girl, transforms into the most revealing magical girl outfit ever that enemies initially don't take seriously, weapon is a scissor blade. But when it comes to her attitude, ambitions and actions she is in no way a weak damsel nor someone that cowers from challenges at all, and ultimately that carries more weight than her appearance itself as the show progresses. So in following her character arc I could see that a point of KLK was trying to make in that just because a character is a target of fanservice doesn't mean they can't be powerful and inspiring in their own right, which in a way is an indictment on a lot of anime that fail to give their female lead characters any value beyond their appearances.
Watching this on my TV via Hulu has probably ruined anime on a small laptop screen. The overall production was outstanding. Not necessarily the animation - lots of repeated sequences, but the direction, background art, music and sheer amount of things happening on screen at any given moment. It was never really meant to be a fluidly animated show like a Bebop or even Gurren Lagann but it leans into a frenetic pace that makes it work for the type of show it is.
Would give it like an 8/10. Even if there were parts that didn't hold my interest, I usually appreciate anime that go above the norm to create something different and that is what KLK tries to be in a medium that largely lacks inspiration. Bonus points for being an original project built from the ground up. Not better than Gurren Lagann, nor do I think its better than FLCL, but that's ok as its own thing.
oh, it's out? I'm not gonna lie, folks. I had tuned anime out again.
