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REVIEW: Eccentric Family Episodes 1-13 Streaming


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leatherhead333



Joined: 15 Aug 2013
Posts: 1187
Location: Kansas
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:33 pm Reply with quote
I have to say this show really surprised me. After watching the first couple episodes i figured it was just going to be a bunch of silly, wacky hijinks and considered dropping it.

But i am VERY glad i didn't. This had to be my second favorite show from last season and I'm glad i stuck around for the ride.

I don't think that I'd be out of line for saying this but episode 8 had to be the most emotional and gut wrenching episode of last season. Gotta admit it's been awhile since an anime almost got me to literally tear up. I was on the very edge near the end of the episode. Everything from the direction, the musical score, voice acting etc. all of it was just perfect and shows how truly close and caring Tanuki are for each other (even more so than humans). Honestly the theme of family struggles has not been explored enough these days in anime (can't go a season without having a show about kids going to high school with super powers and junk).
I'm very close to my family members as well so seeing something like this is very surreal and heart warming.


Yoshiaki Fujisawa hasn't done much when it comes to anime (he's only done two other shows not counting this one) so i was willing to forgive the annoying amount of syth and electronic noise he used. But his purely orchestral scores for this anime are excellent especially in the previously mentioned episode 8 where it just adds to the amount of sadness and despair.

Here is my favorite one. (don't know if we are allowed to link youtube videos or not, so sorry if aren't).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doJA3QfGM4w

Though, throughout the series I did have a problem with Yasaburo somewhat. I never quite understood why Yasaburo kept hanging around Benten when she is the one responsible for his spoiler[fathers death.] It almost frustrated me visibly when she joked about it in front him too as if taunting him. But the fact that he never really reacts to it almost makes it seem like he doesn't care. I was willing to consider the fact that Benten might not have been aware that she wasspoiler[ eating Yasaburo's father] but that turns out not to be the case. In fact she was DIRECTLY involved spoiler[with his death.
]

Benten kind of remains a mystery throughout the series. Whimsically helping Yasaburo but at the same time not making it look like she is doing it on purpose. I kind of wish that her character was explained a bit more because i can't figure the girl out at all. Still i was never quite able to forgive her for knowingly spoiler[eating Yasaburo's father] but that aside I'd say she was my favorite character in the series.

Since not all the source material was covered i sincerely hope that the series is able to continue. Not being able to see the wacky antics of these lovable characters is the worst kind of despair!


Crying or Very sad
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Zhou-BR



Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 1419
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:23 pm Reply with quote
leatherhead333 wrote:
Though, throughout the series I did have a problem with Yasaburo somewhat. I never quite understood why Yasaburo kept hanging around Benten when she is the one responsible for his spoiler[fathers death.] It almost frustrated me visibly when she joked about it in front him too as if taunting him. But the fact that he never really reacts to it almost makes it seem like he doesn't care. I was willing to consider the fact that Benten might not have been aware that she wasspoiler[ eating Yasaburo's father] but that turns out not to be the case. In fact she was DIRECTLY involved spoiler[with his death.
]

Benten kind of remains a mystery throughout the series. Whimsically helping Yasaburo but at the same time not making it look like she is doing it on purpose. I kind of wish that her character was explained a bit more because i can't figure the girl out at all. Still i was never quite able to forgive her for knowingly spoiler[eating Yasaburo's father] but that aside I'd say she was my favorite character in the series.


My take on it is that the Tanuki spoiler[accept their place in the food chain, so they see getting eaten by humans as a natural (if regrettable) occurrence and don't hold any grudge against them.]

However, spoiler[being betrayed by one of their own is a completely different matter, and that's why Yasaburo and the rest of the family focused their hate on Soun once they found out he sold Soichiro out to the Friday Fellows.]

leatherhead333 wrote:
Since not all the source material was covered i sincerely hope that the series is able to continue. Not being able to see the wacky antics of these lovable characters is the worst kind of despair!


Crying or Very sad


From what I've read on other boards, the novel was intended to be the first part of a Tanuki-centric series, and while the author wrote some more short stories set in that universe, they have never been collected. Even if they wanted to make a second season, I don't think there would be enough material to adapt, unfortunately.
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navycherub



Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 233
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 6:33 pm Reply with quote
Why does a soundtrack have to be 'memorable' for it to be considered effective or good? Isn't it better for the soundtrack to not stand out, so that the show itself can take your attention like it should? In that sense, I really liked Uchouten Kazoku's soundtrack a lot. I even disagree with leatherhead333's point about the use of electronic in the show - it accentuates the mixture of modern and traditional atmospheres the show perfectly blends. And who can think of Uchouten Kazoku without thinking of the first track on the OST, "Daga Mate, Shibashi"?
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Fronzel



Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1906
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 7:57 pm Reply with quote
Quote:
...how unutterably lovely it is to watch a show that actually ends at the end.

In a world of manga and light novel adaptations that set up second seasons that never come and series that deliberately don't end to serve as advertising for the original material, this sounds unutterably lovely indeed.
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lizardking461





PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 8:29 pm Reply with quote
leatherhead333 wrote:
... i was willing to forgive the annoying amount of syth and electronic noise he used. But his purely orchestral scores for this anime are excellent especially in the previously mentioned episode 8 where it just adds to the amount of sadness and despair.


Well that isn't prejudiced or arbitrary at all! How dare he use electronic sound sources and instruments! Not like composers have been using such things in film and TV scores for over half a century now. What's more, the means for realising nearly all contemporary music production are electronic, especially for applied music composers... you do realise the "purely orchestral scores" as you call them are mostly realised through use of sampling, right? Of course you didn't...

NavyCherub wrote:
Why does a soundtrack have to be 'memorable' for it to be considered effective or good? Isn't it better for the soundtrack to not stand out, so that the show itself can take your attention like it should? In that sense, I really liked Uchouten Kazoku's soundtrack a lot. I even disagree with leatherhead333's point about the use of electronic in the show - it accentuates the mixture of modern and traditional atmospheres the show perfectly blends. And who can think of Uchouten Kazoku without thinking of the first track on the OST, "Daga Mate, Shibashi"?


You're quite right in assuming a soundtrack doesn't have to memorable to be effective (or affective for that matter): the intents of most applied music composers are: to support the meanings and messages being portrayed in the visuals and dialogue; to suggest 'unseen' events, emotions, and themes; to provide commentary on visuals (called 'counterpoint'); and to smooth the transitions between what would otherwise be rather disparate scenes. A soundtrack does not have to be memorable to do any of these things, and indeed, sometimes the music standing out can in fact be counter-productive towards these aims in that it may draw attention away from the visuals. That being said, a great score will find the balance required to provide this sort of aesthetic synergy whilst also being memorable in itself, though not many can achieve this. A descent score is 'quiescent' - it establishes the tone of the production and underpins the meanings and emotions suggested in the footage. A great score is 'active' - it actively supports the visuals in creating certain meanings, as outlined above - and perhaps 'interventionist' - it creates its own meanings, usually in the manner of aforementioned 'counterpoint'.

And you're quite right: semiotically, the mix of sound sources and timbres supports the setting and premise of the narrative.

If you'd like to learn more, I'd suggest the article "Narrative Film Music" by Claudia Gorbman, the book "On the Track: A Guide to Contemporary Film Scoring", as well as various articles by film composer Aaron Copland and semiotic studies of functional music (notably the writings of Philip Tagg).
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CrowLia



Joined: 24 Feb 2012
Posts: 5500
Location: Mexico
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 8:50 pm Reply with quote
Fronzel wrote:
Quote:
...how unutterably lovely it is to watch a show that actually ends at the end.

In a world of manga and light novel adaptations that set up second seasons that never come and series that deliberately don't end to serve as advertising for the original material, this sounds unutterably lovely indeed.


This very much. I mean it would be nice if a second season got made, but I'm perfectly fine if it stays like this forever and ever, and that in itself makes the series amazing. To me, this show was perfection, especially the second half, it was maddeningly beautiful and sweet. Like others, episode 8 had me tearing up (if my avatar isn't indicator enough for my favorite character). I'm also not bothered by Benten remaining misterious, I disagree that it makes a negative point for the story. On the contrary, I think if they had tried to explain or justify her actions and objectives, the character would've lost power.

Definitely, my favorite series of the summer and of the year so far
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CrownKlown



Joined: 05 May 2011
Posts: 1762
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:40 pm Reply with quote
3 points

1. I love the character design. That it is bad is merely your opinion. But the designs are done by the same individual that does Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei and are a nice change from the generic appearance of pretty much every other show.

2. I also don't see whats so hard to get about Yasaburo. He likes/loves Benten, thats why he stays around her. And why is that, because he takes after his dad, and has the crazy blood, this was pointed constantly throughout the show.

3. Allegedly the author is planning 2 right two follow ups. Hence why Benten was not explained, and leaves enough for sequels.
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KLAC
Exempt from Grammar Rules


Joined: 22 Oct 2009
Posts: 1120
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:55 pm Reply with quote
well give watched this series give really hidden good give really whole story, twist, etc.

yea remain eps it all went like a conspiracy mode going & of course other reason to watch mam noto's ben 10 really one of reasons to watch.

give sure like to see spin-off series with ben 10 as the lead give still one thing wonder when there going DUB this series.

(still ONORE nis america for being non-dub people).
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phia_one



Joined: 15 Jan 2012
Posts: 1654
Location: Pennsylvania
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:47 pm Reply with quote
I adored this series and it'll most likely be my favorite of the year. Really, it's one of the first series in a while that I like enough to want to own it. The characters were wonderful as well as the story and themes.
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leatherhead333



Joined: 15 Aug 2013
Posts: 1187
Location: Kansas
PostPosted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 12:13 am Reply with quote
lizardking461 wrote:
leatherhead333 wrote:
... i was willing to forgive the annoying amount of syth and electronic noise he used. But his purely orchestral scores for this anime are excellent especially in the previously mentioned episode 8 where it just adds to the amount of sadness and despair.


Quote:
Well that isn't prejudiced or arbitrary at all! How dare he use electronic sound sources and instruments! Not like composers have been using such things in film and TV scores for over half a century now. What's more, the means for realising nearly all contemporary music production are electronic, especially for applied music composers... you do realise the "purely orchestral scores" as you call them are mostly realised through use of sampling, right? Of course you didn't...


Was that amount of sarcasm necessary? (of course it was!) First all i never said i had a problem with him using instruments. Where did you get that from? That's what i said i liked! I was talking about the use of electronic noise. Second I own about 75 anime soundtrack CDs (I own the soundtrack for this anime as well) and I've pretty much grown tired of low budget soundtracks that abuse synth and electronics. It's unfortunate but good composers sometimes have to do what they can when the budget for the OST isn't that great. I'm not blaming the composer I simply think it's a shame.

Have you ever heard of Michiru Oshima? Famous composer that's been a this game since the 1990s? Well if you look up her recent scores they were all done with the Russian State Symphony Cinema Orchestra. Maybe i forgot to mention this but stuff done with a live orchestra, trumpets, trombones, chorus's etc. are what make my ears gasm with pleasure. That's what i meant by something being purely orchestral, when you have such a high budget for a score that you can't even release it as a stand alone release! (all her recent scores have been in enclosures).

The sampling thing isn't even relevant to what was talking about. I'm going by the final product sir, i'm well aware of the process of making music, but what we get afterwards is what we are going to make judgements from obviously Rolling Eyes
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Maidenoftheredhand



Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 2632
PostPosted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 6:11 am Reply with quote
Fronzel wrote:
Quote:
...how unutterably lovely it is to watch a show that actually ends at the end.

In a world of manga and light novel adaptations that set up second seasons that never come and series that deliberately don't end to serve as advertising for the original material, this sounds unutterably lovely indeed.


Technically speaking this covered the first novel in a trilogy. I doubt we will get the rest of the books animated. At least I am not going to get my hopes up.

Still Eccentric Family ended in a place where I can feel satisfied. One of my favorites of 2013, if not my favorite. So happy this was actually licensed.
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leatherhead333



Joined: 15 Aug 2013
Posts: 1187
Location: Kansas
PostPosted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:52 am Reply with quote
CrownKlown wrote:
3 points

1. I love the character design. That it is bad is merely your opinion. But the designs are done by the same individual that does Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei and are a nice change from the generic appearance of pretty much every other show.

2. I also don't see whats so hard to get about Yasaburo. He likes/loves Benten, thats why he stays around her. And why is that, because he takes after his dad, and has the crazy blood, this was pointed constantly throughout the show.

3. Allegedly the author is planning 2 right two follow ups. Hence why Benten was not explained, and leaves enough for sequels.


I know he loves her but it's never explained exactly why (besides the whole idiot blood thing which really is kind of a lazy explanation but eh). He never pointed really what exactly he liked about her. Which made me feel like there was an extreme lack of depth in their relationship. Benten pretty much used him for his own entertainment..........that's kind of it. We never really anything that shows how she really feels about him. There is a scene where she cries at the well Yasburo's brother is in so this opened up a number of questions. Was she crying because she spoiler[ate Yasburo's father?] Is she crying because might have to espoiler[at Yasburo one day?] Is she crying because she regrets the decisions she's made in her life? It's all speculation! You can only ASSUME what she is feeling which pisses me off! I guess i'm one of those people who likes lots and lots of detail in a show which is why i hate open ended stuff like this Embarassed.

I mean i guess Benten's character is better off a mystery but it still would be extremely interesting finding out what goes on in that crazy head of hers Surprised
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lizardking461





PostPosted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 12:14 pm Reply with quote
leatherhead333 wrote:
First all i never said i had a problem with him using instruments. Where did you get that from? That's what i said i liked! I was talking about the use of electronic noise. Second I own about 75 anime soundtrack CDs (I own the soundtrack for this anime as well) and I've pretty much grown tired of low budget soundtracks that abuse synth and electronics. It's unfortunate but good composers sometimes have to do what they can when the budget for the OST isn't that great. I'm not blaming the composer I simply think it's a shame.

Have you ever heard of Michiru Oshima? Famous composer that's been a this game since the 1990s? Well if you look up her recent scores they were all done with the Russian State Symphony Cinema Orchestra. Maybe i forgot to mention this but stuff done with a live orchestra, trumpets, trombones, chorus's etc. are what make my ears gasm with pleasure. That's what i meant by something being purely orchestral, when you have such a high budget for a score that you can't even release it as a stand alone release! (all her recent scores have been in enclosures).

The sampling thing isn't even relevant to what was talking about. I'm going by the final product sir, i'm well aware of the process of making music, but what we get afterwards is what we are going to make judgements from obviously Rolling Eyes


Firstly, a synthesiser is a type on instrument, as are theremins, drum machines, and even arguably soft-synths and samplers: they are all means or producing sound, just like any acoustic instrument (and many are in a lot of ways superior). And yes, I know what you meant by "purely orchestral", hence my point about the sampling *facepalm* the level of proficiency used in the sampling for this sort of soundtrack would be nowhere near precisely emulatory of a studio recording of an orchestra, hence my distinction between 'purely orchestral' and 'sampled'. The "final product" to a trained ear clearly contains sampled instruments and even synthesised strings i.e. a form of "electronic noise" as you put it. You clearly don't know what you're talking about and are one of those people that thinks liking music derived from the Western Art music tradition makes you inherently sophisticated, so I'll leave it at that.
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leatherhead333



Joined: 15 Aug 2013
Posts: 1187
Location: Kansas
PostPosted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 3:23 pm Reply with quote
Owww.........my pride Sad.
Well i won't try to deny that I'm quite noobish at this musical game. I kind of just buy music that i like. I should really start looking up such matters before spouting off again. Though a tad rude i respect your musical knowledge.

Good on ya mate Wink
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Knoepfchen



Joined: 13 Dec 2012
Posts: 698
PostPosted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 3:54 am Reply with quote
I agree with the review in almost every aspect. I came to like the character designs, though, and I also appreciated the fact that Benten (and her relationship with Yasaburo) were only explored to a certain extent that left much room for interpretation. Also, a feeling of profound melancholy filled up that room quite well for me. The tanuki just seem to have this very shouganai inspired outlook on things in life, which irritated me sometimes, but I also found it to be quite inspiring in the end. I was also delighted we got to see so many places in and cultural aspects of Kyoto which has to be one of the most charming and magical cities on earth. The ending was, of course, just wonderful. I feel I really took something with me from this show that might stay with me for quite some time.
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