Comments on: Gasaraki #8 (episodes 23-25) and Final Thoughts http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/06/07/gasaraki-8-episodes-23-25-and-final-thoughts/ Get decultured Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:42:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Roahn http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/06/07/gasaraki-8-episodes-23-25-and-final-thoughts/ Get decultured Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:42:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 Comments on: Gasaraki #8 (episodes 23-25) and Final Thoughts http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/06/07/gasaraki-8-episodes-23-25-and-final-thoughts/ Get decultured Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:42:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Roahn http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/06/07/gasaraki-8-episodes-23-25-and-final-thoughts/#comment-45601 Roahn Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:00:43 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/?p=210#comment-45601 I most certainly agree with Martin on all aspects - no matter what anyone else might say, this is not your run-of-the-mill mecha that "was absolutely pointless, not worth watching." The combat was most certainly not the base of the anime. Overall, with me, it was the storyline itself and realism that I personally found most endearing. I, too, could visualize the TA's being used in real life, and the actions of the characters were true to what real people would do in those sort of situations. Because of its focus not upon combat, humor, or - thankfully - cliche plot items, but upon a mirror of reality... that is why it separates itself from all other mechas, causing itself to be truly classic. Its seriousness seems to have born out of this true desire for realism. There is some humor, yes, but do you see that as being Gasaraki's central focus? It is truly mournful that this series has been overlooked by the majority of anime and sci-fi otaku because of these characteristics. Perhaps it is because of a lack of "entertainment" value that so many people are looking for... or because of a fear of true emotional introspection and contemplation. Gasaraki is indeed tedious at times, entire episodes in which tension is literally the only emotion evoked, but each episode that you watch draws you deeper into the story and attaches you more closely to the characters. Serious? Yes. Classical? Yes. Entertaining? Yes, to those who enjoy serious fiction. Pointless? NO. I most certainly agree with Martin on all aspects - no matter what anyone else might say, this is not your run-of-the-mill mecha that “was absolutely pointless, not worth watching.” The combat was most certainly not the base of the anime. Overall, with me, it was the storyline itself and realism that I personally found most endearing. I, too, could visualize the TA’s being used in real life, and the actions of the characters were true to what real people would do in those sort of situations.

Because of its focus not upon combat, humor, or - thankfully - cliche plot items, but upon a mirror of reality… that is why it separates itself from all other mechas, causing itself to be truly classic. Its seriousness seems to have born out of this true desire for realism. There is some humor, yes, but do you see that as being Gasaraki’s central focus?

It is truly mournful that this series has been overlooked by the majority of anime and sci-fi otaku because of these characteristics. Perhaps it is because of a lack of “entertainment” value that so many people are looking for… or because of a fear of true emotional introspection and contemplation. Gasaraki is indeed tedious at times, entire episodes in which tension is literally the only emotion evoked, but each episode that you watch draws you deeper into the story and attaches you more closely to the characters.

Serious? Yes. Classical? Yes. Entertaining? Yes, to those who enjoy serious fiction. Pointless? NO.

]]>