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INTEREST: KyoAni Outlines 'Free!' Swim Team Anime's Story, Characters

I'm not "Personally offended". But yes, I'd rather they make stuff closer to what I like... who wouldn't? If they can still make stuff as good as Chuunibyou, they still have potential. But just overall they aren't anywhere near as good as they were in the past when every single show they put out was an instant classic.

CrowLia wrote:

@RyanSaotome So, if KyoAni is only a shell of what it was and nothing it currently does lives up to its fan's standards, then why are you and other otaku so personally offended and betrayed by their decision to make Free! You're just trying to justify their decision of catering to women by saying "wtv, they don't make good stuff anymore" and "it's not like I like their shows anyway". You're almost becoming a tsundere

I'm not "Personally offended". But yes, I'd rather they make stuff closer to what I like... who wouldn't? If they can still make stuff as good as Chuunibyou, they still have potential. But just overall they aren't anywhere near as good as they were in the past when every single show they put out was an instant classic.

Of course, the fact anyone at all brought up the possibly of a gay character in a show with lots of guys despite the fact there isn't a single episode out yet should say something in itself.


The respectable part of TM was, as Fencedude mentioned, treating both Junior's and Midori's feelings as equal; both cared for Tamako for, perhaps, more than a friend. However, I honestly felt the series could have gone beyond "implying" her feelings. In ep. 10, when she was having difficulties with the Cultural Festival, would have been great time for her to talk with Tamako (or even her parents whom we never seen) about her feelings. Imagine her feelings at the beach ep. when Tamko said "I like you" (depends on sub) at Midori but, Junior is able to try to confess but Midori can't. How great it would've been to have a character "in the open"not played for laughs or fetishes but, as a well-written person!

...So, about these swimming dudes.

And just to tie up what I was saying before about homophobia as a problem in Japan:

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/polite-prejudice-lgbt-life-japan020412

zeo1fan wrote:

And just to tie up what I was saying before about homophobia as a problem in Japan: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/polite-prejudice-lgbt-life-japan020412

Japan's stereotypically polite even when they hate people. Nice to know they at least don't murder and gay bash like we do

one thing thats indisputable is that they aren't the mega studio they once were. Pre Nichijou, in the industry they were viewed as the studio who could turn anything they touched to gold

I think this is a good move for KyoAni, and I'll tell you why. KyoAni's business model over the last decade or so has been to milk as much money out of the moe-otaku crowd as humanly possible, using effective and well tested plot devices. However, this model is unsustainable. Other companies start to poach the moe-otaku and divert much needed capital, and skilled plot writing isn't as common as you'd think, plus repetitiveness loses potency over time. And then there are basic demographic facts--there are less people joining the moe-otaku group every year than those who are leaving. In order to continue to be successful, they need to expand into new markets. And the fujoshi market remains remarkably untapped. Following their previous templates, it should be simple to make a successful 'moeblob for the ladies', and open up a new revenue stream. If it is successful, then expect a half dozen of these fujoshi shows to follow, as competitors try to grab a piece of this new market. It's going to be a brave new world out there.

As for me, I will not be watching this. I have standards, I require at least boys in frilly skirts to turn me gay. But I hope it does succeed, because the fujoshi need some love.

And I wonder if the main complaints against this from the moe-otaku crowd stem from the unconscious realization that their chokehold on the industry is starting to falter.

Is that why people raged when Kyoani didn't adopt Little Busters, and JC Staff did?