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Randall Miyashiro
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Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 2425
Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park
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 Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:05 am |
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I just finished watching the third volume and will have to admit I really am enjoying this series. The third volumes focus on the characters really was my favorite so far, especially the second episode on the disc which really doesn't have a fight scene if I remember correctly. These drinking contests and Pygmalion type scenes are real highlights to me.
I'm really glad that I'm not the only one who sees some parallels in this and Speed Grapher, especially considering how much Theron hated the later. Between these two shows and the really great Solty Rei (as of now my favorite of the parent as central sympathetic protagonist series) one can even make the claim that Gonzo is aiming at an older audience than most studios. The mother and daughter relationship in Witchblade remind me of Kasha and Miranda's relationship in Solty Rei. I love the bonus episode where Kasha learns about her uncle which really reminds me of the Witchblade situation. These three shows all share the same executive producer. I also love the theme that in all three (four) instances the parents are not the biological parent. I think this is more than a coincidence and is a conscious statement that Gonzo is making.
I feel that Gonzo is really starting to look at the target audience who is older than the typical school aged fans. These shows that are based around unconventional (found) families do hit a spot for those older fans who are currently a family of one in a similar way that teen romances appeal to single teens. |
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billyarnie
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 162
Location: San Antonio, TX
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:17 pm |
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This geezer needs to get Vol. 3 soon; however, I don't think it'll be in my stocking come Christmas morning. Witchblade works on 2 levels: The T&A or eye candy plus action level & the relationship level. The review is right; based on your love or hate of Vol. 1, you will or won't pick up the other volumes in the series.
I'm glad someone is picking up Witchblade for TV broadcast; I'm just Not glad it was IFC instead of [adult swim].  I have to upgrade to digital cable or AT&T U-verse to get it & neither one is worth the money I'd have to pay. As a regular poster to the Adult Swim Message Boards, I keep telling people Witchblade could be shown @1:00 AM ET/PT (12:00 CT) & it could still work. If Witchblade doesn't appeal to the 18-34 Male demographic the "network" claims it wants, then I don't know what will. |
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Goodpenguin
Joined: 02 Jul 2007
Posts: 407
Location: Hunt Valley, MD
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:37 pm |
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| Quote: | | If Witchblade doesn't appeal to the 18-34 Male demographic the "network" claims it wants, then I don't know what will. |
The trouble with 'Witchblade', and quite a few other racier T/A action titles, is it's just got way too much overt melodrama heaped in to win over mainstream male audiences. Cultural tastes in Japan (or really most of Asia in general) can have even the most risque seinen title loaded with more weepy moments and angst then three US soaps combined, but that type of melodrama just doesn't fly with the vast majority of Western male audiences.
If 'Witchblade' hewed more closely to a 'fantasy/sci-fi action' mold in the US style, the 'camp' stylings of earlier anime such as 'Devil Hunter Yoko' or 'Cutey Honey', or even the tongue-in-cheek sex/violence of material like 'Wicked City' or 'Ninja Scroll', I could see it attracting a bit of an older, mainstream audience. As is, the show is just too angsty to appeal to a big number of 18+ cross-over males, in my opinion. |
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billyarnie
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 162
Location: San Antonio, TX
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:58 pm |
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| Goodpenguin wrote: | Cultural tastes in Japan (or really most of Asia in general) can have even the most risque seinen title loaded with more weepy moments and angst then three US soaps combined, but that type of melodrama just doesn't fly with the vast majority of Western male audiences.
As is, the show is just too angsty to appeal to a big number of 18+ cross-over males, in my opinion. |
That's your opinion & Thank You. I haven't gotten Vol. 3 yet, so I haven't seen angst in the first 8 eps. Maybe it shows up in Vol. 3. I'm too old to be emo, but guys can have feelings too. Not all American guys want only rock'em sock'em action, violence & sex all the time... unless they're watching porn. |
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