What I wouldn’t do to see Kyoani go under instead of GONZO
I’d rather rewatch Vandread again than even try rewatching Lucky Star.
Gonzo really doesn’t deserve to go under. Sure they might have released a few shit shows and such, but during their prime they released some great stuff, and there is always that potential to release something great here and there.
I would rather like to see Kyoani get shut down. They’re the ones that deserve it because they keep pumping out all these shitfest shows that people just keep eating up. They’re one of the causes that has defined Japanese animation as this moe crap. Kyoani released some REALLY great stuff at first I will admit. The animation in Air and FMP: The Second Raid are excellent but damn their releases have been getting worse and worse since Kanon.
I know it’s never gonna happen but I wish it would. If only Kyoani would animate better stuff. I probably wouldn’t even complain as much if they started to release shows that weren’t KEY affiliated and moe related. Like I’m not imagining this. The Second Raid was fine, right? Least it wasn’t moe. That’s the kind of stuff I want to see come out of Kyoani more.
Well, rest in peace GONZO. I really need to check up on the things you’ve done in the past 9 years.
GONZO gave us Welcome to the N.H.K., one of the greatest anime series ever made in history. I may have exaggerated slightly, but basically, that one show is enough for me to not think that GONZO sucks.
NHK was alright. I didn’t like the ending though but it’s purely biased since it wasn’t like a GOOD END. I guess it is the most realistic ending it could have gotten. People don’t change instantly.
I totally agree with everything you said. Weclome to the NHK was so addictive it’s the best anime of 2006 for me, over Haruhi, etc.
something happened GONZO.? I gotta go read abt it.
Yeah NHK was pretty good.
Ha ha ha ha, you’re in fine form tonight. But seriously, isn’t the heavy production of moe shows a result of economics? If something is not sustainable, studios will stop making it or go bankrupt trying. Whatever other people define as good, worthy, or whatever- I don’t see people lining up to buy it. Perhaps the non-otaku Japanese TV audience can’t be arsed to watch/buy animation no matter the subject matter?
That picture brings back memories, some of them bad. I think Paiway (the nurse in the background) fits the “moe blob” description pretty well- at least insofar as butting into a scene and ruining it goes.
Just because over 9000 people like it doesn’t mean it’s good. Japan needs more directors like Satoshi Kon and Makoto Shinkai to fix all this crap that keeps getting released. I wish Japanese animation would evolve more and try new things but they only stick to what works.
Oh, yeah Paiway is cute. I remember liking her but she never got a lot of screen time.
Likewise, fewer than 9000 people liking something doesn’t make it a masterpiece. Maybe there aren’t enough directors of the kind you’re looking for, or perhaps nobody buys what they produce.
As for sticking with what works, I am reminded of game companies. Whenever I read about console games, it seems like new IPs tend to get crushed in Japan. Wouldn’t take too many losses to scare a company back to the safe stuff.
But it totally goes against evolution. If things don’t evolve and change we’re just going to be stuck with the same shit forever. That isn’t always practical and efficient. Sure it brings in a lot of bucks, but after a while people are bound to just lose interest.
Gonzo gave us Gravion, for that I will always be grateful.
But yeah, you’re not alone in wanting to see Gonzo and Kyoani trade financial positions.
I always wanted to see Gravion. The girls look pretty cute in it. :3
No matter the quality, Anime is a business and KyoAni is good in regards to the bottom line. I’m not defending KyoAni’s content, just their business model. For some reason or another Gonzo has put out (some) critically-acclaimed shows that have make little to no profit. At the same time they have caught on too late in finding shows they can milk for all its worth. Gonzo’s best days are behind them, even though I think they left a decent legacy.
Yeah I guess if you look at Kyoani from a business prospective they have succeeded but you need to look at the big picture.
KyoAni and GONZO represent the far ends of the sellout scale. After Haruhi, KyoAni started pandering to Japanese otaku on an ever escalating sickening scale. At first (Lucky Star) it felt good, but now (K-ON!) it’s just like “Oh, you’re going at this angle again? やめろｗ.” But then there was GONZO who wanted to sell their ass to Americans and Hollywood. Shit sucks for them, they only got so far with Afro Samurai. :V
Yeah, it’s a shame really. Oh well, what can you do. GONZO tried.
Their earlier titles really were their peak. Vandread, Gatekeepers 21, Kiddy Grade Saikano, Last Exile up until NHK. Then they totally fell down for me afterwards. I thought they were having a resurgence since I actually was entertained by Strike Witches and Saki. I know those two are more of the pandering stuff but they do know how to pace and entertain with an anime sometimes no matter how shallow the theme may be.
Still haven’t seen Kiddy Grade. I should look into it, but yeah their earlier titles are probably the most memorable. It seems like just yesterday I was watching those too. Can’t believe it was like 9 years ago for me in regards to Gatekeepers and Vandread.
last exile is awful. Blassreiter is the shit!
Last Exile might have been better if they made it all about the racing from the first few episodes. Either way I thought the first 13 episodes were solid but got kinda blah after that. Still need to see Blassreiter.
What?! GONZO is going under? =/
Welcome to the N.H.K. and other series by them were some of my favorites.
Yeah, sadly. :/
I agree that KyoAni needs to suffer some consequences. Sadly since fans are way too easy on them (some even praise them when they do wrong) even after everything they’ve done (take your pick) there’s little chance that it’ll ever happen.
It’s a shame that Gonzo has to go really. One anime studio less is still, well, one studio less that will animate shows for us. Good bye, Gonzo. It was nice knowing you.
Yeah, Kyoani doesn’t even have to go. I just hate the kind of crap they’re dishing out. It’s getting old. It’s obvious pandering. I want to see them animate something that isn’t Key affiliated, not a visual novel, and not moe related.
Come to think of it, the kyoani today isn’t exactly the kyoani from 3-4 years ago…a lot of talented animators and director had left the company since then and hence why I believe their quality had been slipping over the years
Yeah I’d bet. That one guy who directed my fav episodes of Haruhi was fired comes to mind here.
I definitely agree with this blog. I would definitely have to go back to watching Vandread, and Kiddy Grade again. Most likely the same thing might happen to Kyoani several years from now, just have to wait it out then. Still I would have to say that perhaps it would be a reminder for anime companies.. there were a few good titles that Gonzo had, but somehow many of their titles wasn’t that good afterwards.. hmm..
Yeah, hopefully it happens soon. Despite watching the shows Kyoani spews out all the time, I am getting tired of it regardless. I want to see them try something different for once. All they’re doing is pandering, and I guess that is good from a business perspective, but I like variety, and Gonzo offered that. It’s sad they have to go.
I never thought I’d hear this from you. I always thought you _were_ one of those brainwashed Kyoani consumers. I saw through Kyoani’s moe scheme back when Lucky Star first aired. Haven’t watched one of their shows since.
Just because I watch a lot of moe shows from Kyoani doesn’t mean I acknowledge it as the greatest thing ever.