Essential What Anime are you currently watching?

tripleaamin

tripleaamin

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Jmare007 said:
I'm not sure you can pinpoint that with Frieren tbh. I think its big appeal is the setting, pacing and the flawless harmony is shows with its limited action, character development and lore. I don't think there's a point the series "changes your mind" like with HxH or other series were the first/second arc are its lowest and then it takes a big jump in quality.
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It's probably the best anime that I have seen that truly feels like an adventure in a fantasy world. Still need to check out Witch Hat Atelier how it differs. Also, the world building in terms of magic is outstanding.

Besides add in the themes that it presents for each of the trio. For Frieren the passage of time is something foreign to her being an elf. For Fern, her evolution in a mage also comparing that to mages like Serie and Flamme. While for Stark, what it means to be a warrior. Frieren is a type of show where there are things you can miss your first time through, and it becomes more apparent on a rewatch where you be like :ohhh:

Series like Apothecary Diaries, Dungeon Meshi and Monogatari have that same feel to them where you really don't digest everything the author gives you your first time through.

Now if you're looking for a story focused series where the plot is the central thing and moving forward, Frieren is not that. It's about the journey not the destination.
 
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tripleaamin said:
Now if you're looking for a story focused series where the plot is the central thing and moving forward, Frieren is not that. It's about the journey not the destination.
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Yup. To be fair though, I think all of us that love the series have always described it like that. Like, if you watch it based on the hype and praise it has gotten, you should have a good idea of what you will be watching.

But again, if someone doesn't like the characters and what the series does with them, there's nothing that can "save the show" for them either as that is one of the series biggest strengths for the people that like the show.
 
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Jmare007 said:
I'm not sure you can pinpoint that with Frieren tbh. I think its big appeal is the setting, pacing and the flawless harmony is shows with its limited action, character development and lore. I don't think there's a point the series "changes your mind" like with HxH or other series were the first/second arc are its lowest and then it takes a big jump in quality.
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I guess I'm asking the question the wrong way...
If every episode is good, then which is the first great episode?
 
tripleaamin

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I. H. said:
I actually think that Frieren started off great, but I don't like all the standard shonen stuff creeping in. Also, why do all the characters have random German words as their names.
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In the manga, the mage exam arc is prob considered the weakest arc since the first part felt like shounen tournament arc. It is either that or the arc that would come at the start of S3.

Granted, I do think the 2nd part of the exam is much better than the first and, compared to the manga, this part was significantly enhanced in the anime. Got the focus on Fern's as a mage in the Freiren & Fern vs Clone Frieren. The introduction of Series seeing her relationship with Flamme and seeing the connection between Serie → Flamme → Frieren → Fern. With all of that, the anime most noticeably

As far as the German obviously the fantasy setting is European inspired. Though a lot of the characters have a deep meaning ties to their characters with their names. Though some go over my head when reading this post.

 
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Just to elaborate on my previous post. Hadn't really watched any new anime in like 10-15 years, but decided to give it a go. Frieren is seemingly the current most popular manga/anime so started with that.

I get the meaning of the German words and why they were chosen. I lived in Germany for some years and at least used to be fluent in German. Maybe that's why it just feels a bit corny. Nevertheless a really solid show. I'll give it a 6,5/10.

Dungeon Meshi - Some people said it's better than Frieren. I don't think so. I was on the fence between "it's stupid, but entertaining" and "it's just stupid". Watched 15-20 episodes and decided that it's mostly just stupid. The worldbuilding is nonsensical and some of the problems could be solved by simple communication. But that's too much to ask from an average shonen. I'm probably just too old for this type of anime. 5/10

Natsume's Book of Friends - this one was top 10 in every "best rated anime" list. My first impression was that it seemed too soft, but what do I know. Watched 10 episodes and yeah...it's too soft and actually feels a bit hollow. Perhaps a feel good show for some, but once more I'm just not the right audience. 5/10

Mushishi - This one is pretty great. Some deeper more mature themes. Characters act and feel like real people. My main gripe is the purely episodic nature with zero overarching plot. Shows like Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo still work towards a conclusion. You'll eventually get invested. With Mushishi, not so much. Because of that I'll give it a 7/10.

Violet Evergarden - A teenage female Terminator has to find new meaning in a post-war world. Could be interesting, but it's not. Seemingly every problem can be solved by writing letters. Too melodramatic. Also some weird borderline pedo shyt going on. Couldn't make it past 6-7 episodes. 3,5/10.

Bungo Stray Dogs - Watched 5-6 episodes. The art style is awful. Every character just has to look like a cute 20-something. And everybody acts like a bad caricature with all the standard forced "look how cool/weird I am" moments. Not for me. 3/10

The Apothecary Diaries - This one I actually liked. The main character is goofy and weird, but also wise. This helps her to stay alive and even succeed in a 7th century Chinese Imperial court where she ends up after being kidnapped. Instead of being melodramatic, it has a "life is unfair, but it is what it is" vibe. Realism that you wouldn't really expect. 7/10
 
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Jmare007 said:
I'm saying this as someone that was hooked from ep1, but it was episodes 8 & 9 when I became fully confident that I was seeing something special.
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Thank you. That's the best answer anybody can give that question. Much appreciated.
If the anime magic don't hit by those episodes then its a wrap.
 
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