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REVIEW: Knights of Sidonia


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DmonHiro





PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:21 am Reply with quote
I can't tell you what's with the bear-woman, because that's a major spoiler. It will be revealed in season 2. Don't o looking for info, you will spoil it for yourself.

Also... story C+? Seriously? What does it take to impress you, exactly?
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Levonr



Joined: 19 Nov 2003
Posts: 807
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:39 am Reply with quote
"The English cast features several new names but is anchored by well-established veterans"

Those new names featured are well-established veterans that have dubbing anime for over 20 years. They just used new names for this.
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Animehermit



Joined: 05 Aug 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:46 am Reply with quote
I like Sidonia a lot, but it's kind of sucks that Nihei had to make it so much more like the standard mecha formula for his work to gain any kind of attention from animators. I like his quiet style, and Sidonia does have more than a little of that, but it also has a lot of icky shit his other works don't have.

But the overly attractive, extremely busty female character designs left me a little cold, especially since the photosynthesis thing seems to have been only put in there to show them partially naked.

The show suffers from a lot of "same-face syndrome" too, I found it was hard to tell some of the characters apart(apart from the characters who are actually clones).

On the whole though, I loved the show, the action was dramatic and had a lot of tension, I liked how it leaned harder sci-fi then mecha shows usually go, much more like Nihei's other work.
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bobob101



Joined: 28 Jun 2013
Posts: 201
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:57 am Reply with quote
I feel that, especially with this show being on Netflix, this is the almost perfect "My First Mecha/Anime" for some people too watch. Of course, since most anime isn't in CG, it isn't indicative of what Anime offers. But the plot of Guana get stronger, humans get better mech equipment, that GREAT Space fights, all of this is a good way to start someone off with Anime.
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darkchibi07



Joined: 15 Oct 2003
Posts: 5455
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:59 am Reply with quote
Levon_r wrote:
"The English cast features several new names but is anchored by well-established veterans"

Those new names featured are well-established veterans that have dubbing anime for over 20 years. They just used new names for this.


I've assumed too they used pseudonyms considering I know I've recognized Stephanie Sheh's and Melissa Fahn's voices in the dub.
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Cptn_Taylor



Joined: 08 Nov 2013
Posts: 925
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:19 pm Reply with quote
DmonHiro wrote:
I can't tell you what's with the bear-woman, because that's a major spoiler. It will be revealed in season 2. Don't o looking for info, you will spoil it for yourself.

Also... story C+? Seriously? What does it take to impress you, exactly?


Yeah I have some criticism to make to the reviewer/review.
What exactly are the Macross, Evangelion and other mecha shows influence ? Do we have flying planes ? No. Do we have idols ? No. Do we have music saves the world thing ? No. What exactly is Macross-y about this series. Same thing with Evangelion. Where the hell is the Evangelion influence. In characters definitely not. In mecha absolutely not. In themes not even close. Do I have to cite also Gundam, Votoms, Baldios, Gunbuster, Gall Force, "insert your mecha anime of the day/decade/century" list just for completeness ?
I think the reviewer clearly has no concept of the show he watched.
It's not so much a mecha show as it is a hard science fiction show. Something the japanese seldom do. And it certainly hasn't been influenced by Eva or Macross or any other mecha anime out there.
Seriously reviewer, read the manga and realise the anime is just a faithful adaptation of the manga (with most of the unintresting parts of the manga thrown out for good mesure and this definitely makes the anime flow much better).
As for photosynthesis, it applies to men and women. After the Sidonia was nearly wiped out as you note a century earlier what are 400 souls going to do ? Even as their food supply is dwindling ? Die in dispair or do something ? Genetic engineering is the answer and of course making the human body rely much less on food is a good thing in these circumstances. And it's certainly not the reason to just show off some nude females as you seem to imply.
Man if you give this series a C in terms of storytelling I'd like you to be subject to a real shit series just to see your expression. Rolling Eyes Twisted Evil
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Animehermit



Joined: 05 Aug 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:24 pm Reply with quote
Cptn_Taylor wrote:
hat exactly are the Macross, Evangelion and other mecha shows influence ? Do we have flying planes ? No. Do we have idols ? No. Do we have music saves the world thing ? No. What exactly is Macross-y about this series. Same thing with Evangelion. Where the hell is the Evangelion influence. In characters definitely not. In mecha absolutely not. In themes not even close.


I can see where he's coming from with those. The premise is actually similar to macross, what with the being on a lone ship and having to survive, and the plot is layered like Evangelion is. With the enemies being mysterious and the leader knowing more than their telling.

It's not that much a stretch to connect these series together.
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Marzan



Joined: 29 Mar 2009
Posts: 512
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:30 pm Reply with quote
I'm surprised by how negative the reviewer was about the story. I mean sure, it was pretty generic, but what mecha show departs from the well tried formula of the shounen pilot? And I think there's just enough of Nihei's individual touches and humor for it to be a pretty distinctive series.

I hope that Netflix can continue to work together with Japanese studios and bring more anime to their repertoire. I get the feeling that they might be able to support some stories that might otherwise not get traction. And if anyone from Netflix is reading...please buy the rights to Vinland Saga!
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Cptn_Taylor



Joined: 08 Nov 2013
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:32 pm Reply with quote
Animehermit wrote:
Cptn_Taylor wrote:
hat exactly are the Macross, Evangelion and other mecha shows influence ? Do we have flying planes ? No. Do we have idols ? No. Do we have music saves the world thing ? No. What exactly is Macross-y about this series. Same thing with Evangelion. Where the hell is the Evangelion influence. In characters definitely not. In mecha absolutely not. In themes not even close.


I can see where he's coming from with those. The premise is actually similar to macross, what with the being on a lone ship and having to survive, and the plot is layered like Evangelion is. With the enemies being mysterious and the leader knowing more than their telling.

It's not that much a stretch to connect these series together.


I'm sorry but the premise is nothing like Macross. People in Macross don't live in a generational spaceship. In Macross the SDF jumps to Pluto and in 2 years is back on Earth. Even with the Earth subject to the Zentran attack their are survivors way beyond the people of the SDF1. It's why colonization of the galaxy can go on (and shown in the other Macross sequels).

As for Evangelion, multilayered storyline is not the defining feature of that show. As that implies animation studios didn't know how to do well laid out storylines prior to Evangelion which is just historical revisionism at its best.

KOS is like nothing out there. It truly is something original and wanting to shoehorn it into some "well definied category" is a disservice made by the reviewer who should know better. The reality is KOS is much more a hard science fiction show than any mecha series up to now. Except maybe certain aspects of Aldnoah.Zero (and even this series is more classical mecha anime than pure science fiction)
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Animehermit



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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:37 pm Reply with quote
It's not exactly like either of those, but it's similar enough to make a connection. Those elements have existed before in other mediums and anime, but to deny their influence is really dumb.

It's not entirely unfair of Theron to draw a connection, considering those are two of the most popular anime ever created, but to say they're entirely different is a little disingenuous.
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FenixFiesta



Joined: 22 Apr 2013
Posts: 2581
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:39 pm Reply with quote
Animehermit wrote:
Cptn_Taylor wrote:
hat exactly are the Macross, Evangelion and other mecha shows influence ? Do we have flying planes ? No. Do we have idols ? No. Do we have music saves the world thing ? No. What exactly is Macross-y about this series. Same thing with Evangelion. Where the hell is the Evangelion influence. In characters definitely not. In mecha absolutely not. In themes not even close.


I can see where he's coming from with those. The premise is actually similar to macross, what with the being on a lone ship and having to survive, and the plot is layered like Evangelion is. With the enemies being mysterious and the leader knowing more than their telling.

It's not that much a stretch to connect these series together.

However, why use non contemporary examples when one could site a currently popular pick such as Attack on Titan, both series are set in a future where Mankind has been forced into a limited space and are hounded by giant monsters that intentionally end up emulating human like form.

Yes, there are MANY differences between AoT and Sidonia, but at the very least AoT is a contemporary series where as Macross and Eva were not always going for "gross out monsters".

Eva being closer to the Kaiju genre piece rarely showed off the Angels being the perpetrators of death that there collateral damage would undoubtedly cause, the original Macross was closer to an interstellar war piece than a monster fight Sidonia is trying play out as.

Sidonia is simply much closer to AoT in regards to trying to show off death being a very bloody mess.
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Cptn_Taylor



Joined: 08 Nov 2013
Posts: 925
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:43 pm Reply with quote
Animehermit wrote:
It's not exactly like either of those, but it's similar enough to make a connection. Those elements have existed before in other mediums and anime, but to deny their influence is really dumb.

It's not entirely unfair of Theron to draw a connection, considering those are two of the most popular anime ever created, but to say they're entirely different is a little disingenuous.


My issue with his review is he doesn't state where the connection to Macross and Evangelion is beyond citing maybe some generic facts that in no way define Macross or Evangelion. I mean it's not because a show is based in space that it necessarily has to have a Gundam influence (because you know Gundam most of the part takes place is space). He's trying to find a connection that is simply not there.
While Macross and Evangelion are certainly popular, to state that any anime has to have been influenced by them means that you're shitting on the authors of those works. And basically call them ripoff artists incapable of coming up with something original.
KOS is not a ripoff of Macross or Evangelion. For pete's sake I wonder if the reviewer even watched the series in the first place.
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Animehermit



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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:44 pm Reply with quote
FenixFiesta wrote:
However, why use non contemporary examples when one could site a currently popular pick such as Attack on Titan.


Because Macross and Evangelion are both mecha, and because they're two of the most popular anime of all time. Yeah you could draw comparisons to AoT too, but I think drawing connections to something within the same genre is more important.
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Wrangler



Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Posts: 1346
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:46 pm Reply with quote
When i viewed the series, i strictly stayed with the sub. I've lost a lot faith with English dub's remaining faithful to the original story and dialog.

That said, i love the show. Its touch of old old style of gritty science fiction we haven't seen in a while. It does have some graphics/animation that can put off most people. I'm not big fan of CG 3D animation, but the plot for this show and how it pulls it off is pretty well done for it.

It maybe "generic" to some, i find it refreshing. I'm glad they toned down the required fan service to lure more people to this. I hope the second part of the Sidonia is able keep the momentum of the story.

Hopefully, by the time to tale is told in the second half, there will be resolve but not necessarily an end to this franchise.
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Animehermit



Joined: 05 Aug 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:52 pm Reply with quote
Cptn_Taylor wrote:
He's trying to find a connection that is simply not there.
While Macross and Evangelion are certainly popular, to state that any anime has to have been influenced by them means that you're shitting on the authors of those works. And basically call them ripoff artists incapable of coming up with something original.
KOS is not a ripoff of Macross or Evangelion. For pete's sake I wonder if the reviewer even watched the series in the first place.


I don't think you know what the word "inspiration" means. Calling out that something is inspired by something else isn't calling the creator of that thing some kind of "ripoff". I don't even know how you can even come to that conclusion, especially as a fan of mecha anime. Which often wears it's influence blatantly and without even trying to hide it.

Behind every great work of art is a slew of influences by other artists, to call these artists "ripoff artists" is to completely ignore the very foundation of art.

You don't think Tomino was inspired by all the mecha that came before? Or Star Wars? Or any other piece of science fiction ever created? Seriously?
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