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EP. REVIEW: Saga of Tanya the Evil


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Stark700



Joined: 30 Jan 2012
Posts: 11762
Location: Earth
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 10:01 am Reply with quote
One of my favorite series so far this season! I'm really impressed by the way they handled the first three episodes (although personally, I felt like episode 2 should of been aired before the pilot). Tanya is a complex character imo and every episode makes me want to get to know her more.

The theme of characters being transported into another world is also getting popular trend recently.
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Lemonchest



Joined: 18 Mar 2015
Posts: 1771
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 10:12 am Reply with quote
Is fantasy/alt-history Europe becoming the "we want to write about 20th century conflict but know we can't do it from a Japanese POV because of all the unresolved historical baggage" for Japanese YA writers?
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meiam



Joined: 23 Jun 2013
Posts: 3442
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 11:03 am Reply with quote
Favorite new series of the season, visually interesting, some cool story concept and very nice fight scene. Having an adult as main character is rather refreshing, the loli body wasn't necessary but I like that they were committed enough to the setting to actually have him start from birth and have to age rather than just plopping him down already as an adult.
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Snakebit1995



Joined: 25 Apr 2015
Posts: 842
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 11:11 am Reply with quote
Not so big on this series. Not a big fan of the Alt History War Porn stories but I gave it a small chance cause a friend recommended it.

I just can't get passed the art, some of the characters look just silly. There are sometimes where the MC looks like a human sized bobble head and it's really distracting.

Overall it's not my cup of tea, but i can understand how it is interesting for some.
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Gina Szanboti



Joined: 03 Aug 2008
Posts: 11306
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 11:16 am Reply with quote
Quote:
Tanya is the visual standout, especially with her weird bushy eyebrows

She has perfectly normal eyebrows - too thin for a child, actually - it's her eyelashes that are nothing short of furry, set in a face that looks like a toad. And that wouldn't bother me at all if Viktoriya didn't also look like a frog. The weird designs for the female characters only has been the main drawback for me.

Otherwise, I'm totally loving this so far. The first episode was ok, but it took off with the second and hasn't faltered since. I was especially impressed with how they handled the scene of the salaryman's death. It could have just been long-winded and boring philosophical exposition, but Being X speaking through all the frozen people kept me riveted to the screen following the constant visual shifts.

I'm not sure if we're supposed to want her to believe in God at the end of this or not. Cause Being X is kind of a coercive asshat so far... Smile
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ultimatehaki



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 1090
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 11:27 am Reply with quote
Out of the 5 shows I'm watching this season this is definitely at the top, with konosuba as a close second, I think the pacing may be a bit to fast tho. Other then that, totally loving it so far; especially episode 2. That's one of the best episodes of all time.
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Enryu



Joined: 21 Dec 2016
Posts: 12
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 11:35 am Reply with quote
This series is dope, but the amount of people bitching in the comment sections about how it's not faithful to its LN/Manga whatever is pretty turn off, it makes me think maybe i should stop reading the comments.
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dash56



Joined: 06 Jul 2016
Posts: 151
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 11:37 am Reply with quote
This show's been a lot of fun. I'm glad Theron brought up the VA because I hadn't really thought about it until now. It's a weird concept to bring to life and I think she's done a wonderful job so far.
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v1cious



Joined: 31 Dec 2002
Posts: 6199
Location: Houston, TX
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 12:13 pm Reply with quote
I hope every episode isn't gonna be about flying, because it's getting pretty boring. I like the writing, though. For such stupid a concept, it somehow works really well.

Last edited by v1cious on Sat Jan 21, 2017 12:32 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Valhern



Joined: 19 Jan 2015
Posts: 916
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 12:19 pm Reply with quote
I actually lost all possible interest with this after the second episode, I'd have preferred if that was the first one so I could drop it more quickly.

Whatever this anime seems to be, it wouldn't work for me. If the irony of "No, Tanya is not a right wing Nationalist, she's just chanting the spell/doing whatever to survive!" is supposed to be a "We didn't go there" moment, it became completely washed out when the protagonist is babbling about Chicago school and then being an edgelord when he confronts God with his juvenile as hell atheism.

If it's supposed to be serious, then I'm not buying it for the sake of how ridiculous it seems, because not only do I heavily disagree, I also feel bored about it, except for the cool explosions. If it's supposed to be funny, then it's having a real hard time for me, because just Tanya's weird design and her making wacky faces won't make me laugh.

Oh yeah, it's got nice backgrounds, very gorgeous indeed. And now I'll see myself out of this one.
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Chaos Wings



Joined: 05 May 2015
Posts: 277
Location: Your guess is as good as mine?!
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 12:49 pm Reply with quote
Yōjo Senki is a prime example of exactly why it's best not to jump to conclusions about a series but instead give it a few episodes to show you what it's got. (Well most at least, as Hand Shakers kinda debunks that theory really hard). Laughing

From the synopsis we had for the show it was pretty clear SoTtE wasn't laying all its cards on the table. Then BAM in drops episode 2 proving that the series is much more layered than most gave it credit for. (A Royal Flush hand as far as I'm concerned because damn it, it got me hooked).

Even without the benefit of hindsight EP2 gives. I was a bit surprised how people dismissed Ep1 as 20 minutes of "oh look how evil this girl is" with obligatory eye rolling. Tanya was ruthless and efficient but didn't come across as particularly evil to me. Her actions seemed justified for someone involved in a bloody conflict. Even the bit with the soldiers under her command felt more vindictive than anything else. Both of them were being insubordinate and seemed fully prepared to disobey orders (a particularly dangerous element in a militaristic regime), clearly content to throw away their lives in patriotic folly. She merely gave them what they wanted in a way that didn't jeopardize her chain of command or interfere with her assigned mission. Though I will admit the smile she gives after the fact was pretty nasty.

Obviously that's just my interpretation however, either way I look forward to seeing how the series progresses. Twisted Evil
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ThatGuyWhoLikesThings



Joined: 04 Jul 2013
Posts: 1000
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:10 pm Reply with quote
I gotta say, I'm really enjoying this one. Episode 2 hooked me, but when episode 3 revealed this series was about a metaphysical chess match between two really arrogant individuals, it cemented it for me. I like there isn't a clear cut good side. Being X is petty and spiteful to go this far to try and convert Tanya, but Tanya is outrageously narcissistic and a real asshat so it's like she's inviting his wrath on her. The show is pretty self-aware about itself and how awful Tanya is, so any opportunity to dunk on her is met with applause on my part, as much as I do like her.
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12skippy21



Joined: 25 Nov 2008
Posts: 785
Location: York, England
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:25 pm Reply with quote
An arsehole human versus an arsehole god. While they could have portrayed this story without putting his soul into a little kid (though that is its main hook I suppose), I am intrigued how it will plan out as I cannot foresee either side getting a legit victory.

Also, OP and ED are awesome, certainly my favourites of the season.
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Morry



Joined: 26 Jun 2016
Posts: 756
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:37 pm Reply with quote
It has some glaring problems and contrivances for the sake of getting the plot going, but it's enjoyable enough.
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Parsifal24





PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:41 pm Reply with quote
This ended up being something I rather enjoyed although I think it could be really easy to turn this into some kind of political football with the emphasis on military technology and combat. Yet as far as a piece of animation it is well executed with the battle scenes showing attention to the details from quasi World War I era and the capturing of the feeling of flight.

In short this very easily end up being like The Irregular At Magic High School but I liked Mahouka, so that's a good thing for me. As far as the theological implications of the series it's interesting but the "god" that reincarnates the protagonist.

Feels more akin to an Demiurge or something found in the heretical concept of Open Theism. Than traditional Christianity or even Shinto concepts based around Kami. The closest analogue I could actually come to in Anime would The Godhand in Berserk.
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