[Categories: Anime Reviews]
ef -a tale of memories 2 and 3
For a show that was on my to-watch list so early on, I’ve taken my time over actually continuing to watch ef. It’s a show that has divided opinion (and dropped off quickly in popularity, judging by the BT download speeds and stats) but the very reasons that have earned it so much derision are part of what make it so intriguing - not to mention creating one or two minor causes for criticism.
A hardcore manga-ka
I was originally planning a quick review because I expected it to be a show where I could sit back and enjoy some light entertainment - to the contrary, it’s beginning to feel like a show where I need to actively seek out what various bits mean. I enjoy stuff that requires active thinking, although not everyone feels the same way; this explains part of why it isn’t particularly popular. It also has that really distinctive visual style - I loved the look but questioned my own judgement in deciding that its eccentricities actually meant something. Fortunately Michael and Owen must have been thinking along similar lines and posted some immensely helpful pointers that suggest that ef is a bit special after all.
I’m still sceptical of Makoto Shinkai’s involvement though - it does have Tenmon’s music (and boy, is that stunning in places) but visually, the evidence is pretty circumstantial. I’m still not too keen on the character designs - Renji’s hair for instance looks dreadful - and the visuals look like they’re trying to do more than their humble television studio budget allows. Actually, ef looks really cinematic. The reason why it comes across as pretentious I think is because it’s taking an approach normally associated with feature films, but unusually doing it in an episodic TV format. Chihiro’s memory loss is reminiscent of Memento for instance, and there’s a lot of symbolism and what look to me like Anno-isms.
Visual effects that actually mean something: the animation follows the meaning of the dialogue almost literally, which is kinda weird…but kinda cool too
As a matter of fact, ef reminds me a lot of Hideaki Anno’s work, which is possibly why I’m enjoying it so much. The experimental colours and visual effects, plus the placing of feelings under the microscope, remind me of Kare Kano or the notorious head trip moments of NGE; if you’re interested in how the symbolism is presented, you need look no further than his live-action movie Shiki-Jitsu, another odd yet brilliantly profound examination of personal relationships. Unfortunately, Anno is prone to alienating the less open-minded members of his audience, which is a trap that ef has fallen into. The scene in which Kyosuke is frustrated that his arty approach to film-making is unpopular with those around him reflects how the series itself has appeared to its viewers, in the English-speaking blogosphere at least.
Quoted for truth…again
It’s not that ef makes no effort to appeal to its otaku audience: there are a number of clichés and plot devices in use which feel a bit out-of-place when placed next to the more quirky aspects but to my mind are an attempt at keeping the otaku viewers on familiar ground; they often have more experience with other anime than arthouse cinema, after all. It’s an anime series but handles so many things in a way akin to movies outside of that demographic so maybe it’s an attempt at compromise. Maybe. I’m not sure. It just projects this feeling that, despite the annoying details that make it offputting at times, it is trying to say something more than the generic and ‘safe bet’ series on offer this season. I can’t say I agree with every choice of colour filter, odd camera angle or mysterious line of dialogue but I respect its decision to approach the subject matter in a boldly original way.
Posted on November 13th, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Wow, I can’t believe I missed some of the more obvious visuals-mirroring-dialogue parts, so props to you for pointing those out. I’m actually looking forward to rewatching this show at some point, because layers peel away over time, so even if they aren’t obvious at first it really becomes apparent later.
What this show really needs to do it real justice is widespread bloggage. Not all of us can pick out every single symbol in the show (especially those like me who’re watching past the 10-show range this season), and it would be great to see more people blog this, if to just point out stuff and go “see, this is what this is supposed to mean”.
Posted on November 13th, 2007 @ 10:57 pm
@Owen S: I actually suck at spotting that sort of thing but my Anno fanaticism has given me a bit of a crash-course in artiness! Looking at the Nano listings, the show seems to have the likes of Omo and Anime Diet following it so I’m hoping it’ll gain a higher profile over the coming weeks. I’ve found myself taking on more series than I planned this season actually, but it’ll be an interesting experiment in seeing how long I can keep it up (I’m aiming for a slowdown in posting to one every two days, and reviewing fansubs in three episode blocks to make it a bit more manageable).