Forum - View topic

The Rise and Fall and Rise and Fall of Studio Gonzo

Vandread I think is still very much a highlight as well, I think it balanced the bigger story and action with the ecchi romantic comedy stuff and harem-ish start (spoiler[really just pseudo harem at most since Dita is really the only one who remains romantically interested in him for most of the show and some of the others get their own other love interests]

Samurai 7 is really underrated. I mean no disrespect to Kurosawa, but I never thought he did a good job individualizing the 7 samurai. In the movie only 3 of them every really stood out, while the other 4 just felt like interchangeable characters; yet in Samurai 7 each character had their own distinct personality. I think the who Sci Fi aspect is somewhat off putting for some, same with Gankatsuou, but I think the classic work meets sci fi fantasy has always been Gonzo's strong suit.

I mean, two of the best shows of Summer were Made in Abyss(Kinema Citrus) and Princess Principal(3Hz), both from a production stand-point, and a narrative one.

CrownKlown wrote:

Samurai 7 is really underrated. I mean no disrespect to Kurosawa, but I never thought he did a good job individualizing the 7 samurai. In the movie only 3 of them every really stood out, while the other 4 just felt like interchangeable characters; yet in Samurai 7 each character had their own distinct personality. I think the who Sci Fi aspect is somewhat off putting for some, same with Gankatsuou, but I think the classic work meets sci fi fantasy has always been Gonzo's strong suit.

I honestly really wish they hadn't done the sci-fi thing with either of those shows. They are still indeed very good, but I just have zero interest in seeing my all time favorite stories, but in space. It makes me L O L a little whenever I say that, at least.

I agree its weird in concept, but honestly both Gankatsuou and Samurai 7 still retain the main elements of the story and are still primarily character driven. I mean I see no difference between updating to a more futuristic setting like Samurai 7 did then Magnificent 7 changing it from Samurai to Cowboys. Story is still roughly the same just updated for the audience, and the addition of Fantasy or Sci Fi elements doesn't make something somehow less of a work (GoT comes to mind) even though I do feel like fantastical works seem to get hit with disdain by the critics (hence Christopher Nolan never so much as whiffing at a lot of awards despite Dark Knight, Inception , and Interstellar). Its kind of how the West has this innate bias as cartoons being some lower level media good enough for kids but not worth of any artistic praise.

You forgot from a soundtrack point of view

Samurai 7 is really underrated. I mean no disrespect to Kurosawa, but I never thought he did a good job individualizing the 7 samurai. In the movie only 3 of them every really stood out, while the other 4 just felt like interchangeable characters; yet in Samurai 7 each character had their own distinct personality. I think the who Sci Fi aspect is somewhat off putting for some, same with Gankatsuou, but I think the classic work meets sci fi fantasy has always been Gonzo's strong suit.

My personal favorite GONZO titles are S1 of Full Metal Panic, Kiddy Grade, Peacemaker, Pumpkin Scissors, and Solty Rei. Kiddy Grade, Pumpkin Scissors, and Solty Rei are those GONZO titles I consider underrated. Last Exile was really enjoyable too and I liked it as well.