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RIGHT TURN ONLY!! - Back And Hopefully Better

I did not say that Fruit's Basket didn't have character development, I said that it's character development was unrealistic. I'm sorry, but there were definetly examples in that show where a character reformed entire ways of thinking and behaving in a single episode (I point specifically at the episode with the monkey zodiac. Sadly, I can't remember his name...). Now, if Tohru had spent, say, three to six volumes reforming someone's behavior, I'm okay with that, and that would be realistic character development. And in the case of Kyo and Yuki, it is realistic. But not in the case of most of the rest of the characters. With many of them, it just looked completely contrived.

.....are we talking about the same artist here?

Seriously, it depends on how you look at it. IF you're saying that having big eyes and looking kind of cute is making her unoriginal, I guess that makes sense. But let's say I look at the art of Slayers, Tenchi Muyo! and Prince of Tennis...well, those all look pretty darn similar to me. Tachikawa's characters have very unique looking eyes, and they have much more rounded faces than other characters. The way she draws hair is also much different than either the artist of Da Da Da or Kodocha. Kodocha's characters have very differently shaped faces, and their hair is much stringier.

All of these have alternate universes, but the ones that I have read (which is most of them) do not have DREAM universes, sans PSME. You can't really fault Dream Saga for having alternate universes without sticking your foot in your mouth, because then you're also faulting InuYasha, Escaflowne and Fushigi Yuugi, which are well-beloved series. I'm not sure that was really your point anyway (lianncoop, anyway) But I thought the idea of dreams was more the point of the originality than the idea of going to an alternate universe.

Even if we throw away the idea of dreams as being unique enough to be considered orginal, I would like to mention that I also find the idea of the dual-identity very original. The idea that people have "other selves" that exist when they sleep at night but who might be very different people with similar traits is not something I've really heard of before. The closest I've seen is "Hime-chan no Ribon", and in that case, they were simply unrelated doubles instead of the same person unaware of a dual existence.

Come on now, if they had made Tohru spend that long on "reformation" the series would've TAKEN FOREVER. Anime isn't made to be exactly realistic. Fruits Basket does a good job of accomplishing what it's setting out to do - show a large group of characters whose lives are affected by one person.

Ok. We're getting into pure opinion right now. Going back to your original rant. I still don't see where I slammed ALL of her artwork based on looks. I commented more layout and the fact that it was light. As far as opinion goes...you can argue all you want, but everyone has different preferences.

And if you want to talk about generic, let's talk about Takahashi...

However, I didn't fault Dream Saga for being "unoriginal," I just said it was predictable. Most shoujo are predictable, though.

You know, saying that really made my day. I've thought that forever, but I don't mention it because the Takahashi fans would rip my throat out.

Anyway, more in topic, you didn't slam Dream Saga by a long shot. But I do get sick of seeing people rat on everything that I like all the time (Megumi Tachikawa included) and laud everything I hate.

I think the most bitter example of this was when animeondvd.com gave one of my all-time favorite anime, 12 Kingdoms, a B--and gave my least favorite anime of all time, Lain, an A. I mean, if this was a once in a while thing, I don't think I'd be so upset. But after awhile I get sick of seeing series I hate getting great reviews and ones I like getting railed on.

I appreciate the feedback, sailor_titan, but I'd be so happy if you'd also include some constructive criticism for my column rather than just saying you just disagree with what I write about favorite series.

Quote:

I appreciate the feedback, sailor_titan, but I'd be so happy if you'd also include some constructive criticism for my column rather than just saying you just disagree with what I write about favorite series.

I think more than anything I just really needed somewhere to disagree. Honestly, I guess I was hoping someone would pipe up and say "Yeah, I like Dream Saga too!" ;-P

You run a good column, and I think you probably run one the best one on this site, except for maybe Shelf Life.

I wasn't talking about shoujo anime, for one, I was talking about mahou shoujo anime. And even throwing that aside, Shamanic Princess has nothing to do with dream worlds. Can't speak for X/1999. and continuing on that theme...

.....are we talking about the same artist here?

Seriously, it depends on how you look at it. IF you're saying that having big eyes and looking kind of cute is making her unoriginal, I guess that makes sense. But let's say I look at the art of Slayers, Tenchi Muyo! and Prince of Tennis...well, those all look pretty darn similar to me. Tachikawa's characters have very unique looking eyes, and they have much more rounded faces than other characters. The way she draws hair is also much different than either the artist of Da Da Da or Kodocha. Kodocha's characters have very differently shaped faces, and their hair is much stringier.

Now, Nao Yawaza has very generic art. I still love "Wedding Peach", and I do like her art, but I don't think it's unique looking like Tachikawa's art is.

Regardless, saying "all Ribon/Nakayoshi art is alike" is pretty much akin to saying "all Shounen Jump art is alike". Sure, maybe, but on what level? And who are we comparing to?

I list one anime and you automatically cross out my first two examples? X/1999 Relies heavily on the dream world with the possible future being revealed to the dream seers in it. It also has your magical girls

Sailor Moon gets into the dream world quite a bit as well in the anime and manga version of SuperS. Also, you claim that Shamanic Princess has nothing to do with dream worlds. Sorry, but no. A large portion of the OAV takes place in Tiara's dreams where she's talking with Sara.

already gave you my list of Ribon/Nakayoshi artist I was comparing to. Manga such as Da Da Da!, Kodocha, 13 Nichi, ect. All have very smilar character designs void of any real detail.

I find myself capable of seperating drawing styles between manga artist with no problem, no problem that is untill I come across the kiddie-shoujo style, and that's when I become stumped with the generic cutesy curvy style. Most artist have something that makes their style stand out from others, but with artist such as Tachikawa I see nothing. Don't try telling me I'm not looking at them with an artistic eye.

Honestly, I think that Inu-Yasha, Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho and Kenshin all have very, very boring artwork with very little to distinquish them from one another, except that maybe their outfits are different.

But then, I don't really care to make a distinction, because I'm not really interested in Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho, Kenshin or Inu-Yasha. Probably in much the same way that you don't care to make a distinction between Dream Saga and Kodocha, because you feel they are too "kiddie" and "childish".

Maybe they do to you, but I get the feeling you don't really care. Which is okay. But I don't go around saying, "Oh, everything in Shounen Jump looks EXACTLY the SAME," because that would be mean, and serve no purpose except to piss people off and make them feel crappy about all their favorite little shonen jump manga.

Honestly, I think that Inu-Yasha, Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho and Kenshin all have very, very boring artwork with very little to distinquish them from one another, except that maybe their outfits are different.

I think the most bitter example of this was when animeondvd.com gave one of my all-time favorite anime, 12 Kingdoms, a B--and gave my least favorite anime of all time, Lain, an A. I mean, if this was a once in a while thing, I don't think I'd be so upset. But after awhile I get sick of seeing series I hate getting great reviews and ones I like getting railed on.

About your anger over 12 Kingdoms/ Lain: Tough. Everytime I come on the forums I see something written that I don't agree with. If I let that piss me off, I would have punched my moniter a long time ago. If you want a forum where everyone likes exacally what you like go to a fan forum for that particular manga. Otherwise your gonna have to get use to the fact that people are not always going to agree with your views.