Comments on: ef -a Tale of Memories 4-6: memories are made of this http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/ The ConcreteBadger.net anime blog Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:53:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Subculture Anime Blog » ef - a tale of memories - 07 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31649 Subculture Anime Blog » ef - a tale of memories - 07 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:08:26 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31649 [...] a few others decided to play in the sandbox as well. We got the fellow fanboys’ opinions, the unbiased observations, the ones who decided to move forward despite their distastes, and even the ones who decided to [...] [...] a few others decided to play in the sandbox as well. We got the fellow fanboys’ opinions, the unbiased observations, the ones who decided to move forward despite their distastes, and even the ones who decided to [...]

]]> By: ConcreteBadger http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31476 ConcreteBadger Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:10:06 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31476 @j.valdez: I agree that there's a popularity element to all of this - I'm following Clannad as well as ef but there's a definite difference in popularity! My taste is a bit odd too, though. @orangee: I think it's a case of ef portraying a familiar story but in an unusual way which makes it so different. It could easily have become 'just another visual novel adaptation' but SHAFT opted for the striking imagery and artsiness to get the ideas across in an innovative way. The effectiveness you point out is dependent on the viewer - it's certainly a show that has a more restricted fanbase, which is a trade-off between innovation and popularity. Like alternative music, ef is a show that appears to be loved by a few instead of merely liked by many. @j.valdez: I agree that there’s a popularity element to all of this - I’m following Clannad as well as ef but there’s a definite difference in popularity! My taste is a bit odd too, though.
@orangee: I think it’s a case of ef portraying a familiar story but in an unusual way which makes it so different. It could easily have become ‘just another visual novel adaptation’ but SHAFT opted for the striking imagery and artsiness to get the ideas across in an innovative way. The effectiveness you point out is dependent on the viewer - it’s certainly a show that has a more restricted fanbase, which is a trade-off between innovation and popularity. Like alternative music, ef is a show that appears to be loved by a few instead of merely liked by many.

]]> By: orangee http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31313 orangee Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:44:45 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31313 I think that there are symbolisms embedded in a lot of anime--the differences between them lies in the delivery of such symbolisms. You can say that ef is unique, in the sense that it delivers its symbolisms in its art style, and that makes these "messages" stand out more than the usual fare. So is ef a good show because of that? Is it good because it incorporated the symbolisms into the art, or ineffective because it distracted the viewer from seeing the central themes of the show? A lot of good anime have symbolisms that are integrated such that it doesn't feel like you're being bombarded with messages or left thinking about what each frame meant. At the same time, you don't often get to see shows that integrates the art into the story such that the style itself is a key element in the delivery, that without it this "tale of memories" merely becomes your generic love story. I think that there are symbolisms embedded in a lot of anime–the differences between them lies in the delivery of such symbolisms. You can say that ef is unique, in the sense that it delivers its symbolisms in its art style, and that makes these “messages” stand out more than the usual fare.

So is ef a good show because of that? Is it good because it incorporated the symbolisms into the art, or ineffective because it distracted the viewer from seeing the central themes of the show? A lot of good anime have symbolisms that are integrated such that it doesn’t feel like you’re being bombarded with messages or left thinking about what each frame meant. At the same time, you don’t often get to see shows that integrates the art into the story such that the style itself is a key element in the delivery, that without it this “tale of memories” merely becomes your generic love story.

]]> By: j.valdez http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31257 j.valdez Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:34:19 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31257 > but also I think that with all the generic commercial fare on offer this season, even when they are good examples of their type, none of us were fully prepared for a show that takes an ‘arty’ approach. I'm not sure how much being prepared has to do with it. The sad realization I've come to is that on an aggregate level fans want the same thing over and over until they get sick of it. Then they move onto the next "thing" and digest it in the same manner. Of course, I'm talking averages. This show has its followers, but on a head to head run against something like Clannad there is no doubt in my mind which one would win in number of viewers, fans, and blog posts. On the other hand, my taste in anime isn't exactly what many would consider discerning. So...grain of salt and all that. ...“His and Her 5cm”, FTW > but also I think that with all the generic commercial fare on offer this season, even when they are good examples of their type, none of us were fully prepared for a show that takes an ‘arty’ approach.

I’m not sure how much being prepared has to do with it. The sad realization I’ve come to is that on an aggregate level fans want the same thing over and over until they get sick of it. Then they move onto the next “thing” and digest it in the same manner. Of course, I’m talking averages.

This show has its followers, but on a head to head run against something like Clannad there is no doubt in my mind which one would win in number of viewers, fans, and blog posts.

On the other hand, my taste in anime isn’t exactly what many would consider discerning. So…grain of salt and all that.

…“His and Her 5cm”, FTW

]]> By: ConcreteBadger http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31235 ConcreteBadger Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:36:01 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31235 @Orion: you're not the first person to voice appreciation for SHAFT's innovation but at the same time not being able to connect with the characters of ef. In some ways its similar to SZS but in others it's pretty different. @Totali: "His and Her 5cm" Yeah, I'm kinda proud of that so thanks. (: It was meant to be a joke but it more or less sums up why I find ef so special. @Orion: you’re not the first person to voice appreciation for SHAFT’s innovation but at the same time not being able to connect with the characters of ef. In some ways its similar to SZS but in others it’s pretty different.

@Totali: “His and Her 5cm” Yeah, I’m kinda proud of that so thanks. (: It was meant to be a joke but it more or less sums up why I find ef so special.

]]> By: Totali http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31175 Totali Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:42:25 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31175 ‘His and Her 5cm’ LOL I completely agree with the artsy approach and all that...but I have already commented on so many editorial blogs that I am running out of things to say. Great post! ‘His and Her 5cm’

LOL

I completely agree with the artsy approach and all that…but I have already commented on so many editorial blogs that I am running out of things to say. Great post!

]]> By: What a Captivating ef Up We Have Here « Drastic My Anime Blog http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31148 What a Captivating ef Up We Have Here « Drastic My Anime Blog Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:35:01 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31148 [...] Published November 18, 2007 fanboy spiel , musings Tags: ef, ef ~ a tale of memories~ More random ef fun [...] [...] Published November 18, 2007 fanboy spiel , musings Tags: ef, ef ~ a tale of memories~ More random ef fun [...]

]]> By: ef - a tale of notes: major symbolism explained » Cruel Angel Theses ♪ http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31128 ef - a tale of notes: major symbolism explained » Cruel Angel Theses ♪ Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:19:05 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31128 [...] Collective™ joint blogging effort brought to you by TheBigN, Roxas, CCYoshi, Moogy, Damien, and Martin. As ef is the Lucky Star of the season in that it’s a severely misunderstood anime [...] [...] Collective™ joint blogging effort brought to you by TheBigN, Roxas, CCYoshi, Moogy, Damien, and Martin. As ef is the Lucky Star of the season in that it’s a severely misunderstood anime [...]

]]> By: 0rion http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31102 0rion Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:32:42 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31102 The funky angles and colors are such are typical of SHAFT's productions. Sometimes they can be amazingly brilliant and their style works well, a la Sayounara Zetsubou Sensei or Mushishi. Other times it just feels out of place. I can see what they're trying to do with ef and I appreciate the motif, but at the same time the setting and the characters just don't really resonate with me, so I haven't really been able to get into it. :P The funky angles and colors are such are typical of SHAFT’s productions. Sometimes they can be amazingly brilliant and their style works well, a la Sayounara Zetsubou Sensei or Mushishi. Other times it just feels out of place.

I can see what they’re trying to do with ef and I appreciate the motif, but at the same time the setting and the characters just don’t really resonate with me, so I haven’t really been able to get into it. :P

]]> By: Daijoubu http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31098 Daijoubu Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:44:17 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31098 <strong>MegaDaijoubu 1.15: ef ~ A Tale of Memories...</strong> To read some real discussion of ef ~ a tale of memories, check out Drastic My Anime Blog, End of the World, a stone and a small ripple, Otakuism, Moogy ...... MegaDaijoubu 1.15: ef ~ A Tale of Memories…

To read some real discussion of ef ~ a tale of memories, check out Drastic My Anime Blog, End of the World, a stone and a small ripple, Otakuism, Moogy
……

]]> By: Otakuism » Thoughts on ef ~ A Tale of Memories ~ http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31092 Otakuism » Thoughts on ef ~ A Tale of Memories ~ Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:36:59 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31092 [...] This is part of the “an effing post” series being done by ABC. Other, most likely more insightful, posts on ef are being done by The BigN, JRoxas, DS, Moogy, Owen S, J.Valdez, and Martin. [...] [...] This is part of the “an effing post” series being done by ABC. Other, most likely more insightful, posts on ef are being done by The BigN, JRoxas, DS, Moogy, Owen S, J.Valdez, and Martin. [...]

]]> By: a stone and a small ripple http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31091 a stone and a small ripple Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:22:56 +0000 http://www.concretebadger.net/blog/2007/11/19/ef-a-tale-of-memories-4-6-memories-are-made-of-this/#comment-31091 [...] This is part of the “An effing post” series by the ABC; other participants include TheBigN, Drastic, The End of the World  [...] [...] This is part of the “An effing post” series by the ABC; other participants include TheBigN, Drastic, The End of the World  [...]

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