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This Week in Anime - Does Vlad Love Scratch That Nostalgia Itch?


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Zhou-BR



Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 1419
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:47 am Reply with quote
I enjoyed these first six episodes, although I regret watching them in quick succession. I also wish the references were less intrusive, but a stage play adaptation of the first Castlevania game is just the kind of offbeat idea that makes me forgive Oshii's excesses.
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Dop.L



Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 713
Location: London
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:11 am Reply with quote
Hey, I liked The Sky Crawlers!
(though I am a big aeroplane nerd, so there's that)

I enjoyed Vlad Love. I spaced the episodes out a bit rather than marathon them, but some of those references were well obscure, especially the fleeting callout to Gerry Anderson's UFO in episode 3 (when Bamba's in the grey suit).

Very much a throwback of a show, but fun, I'm looking forward to the rest, whenever they appear.
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zrnzle500



Joined: 04 Oct 2014
Posts: 3767
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:28 am Reply with quote
I think I would have enjoyed it more without Oshii’s comments about how he sees this show vis a vis the sort of stuff that airs nowadays. I liked the first episode well enough as a wacky comedy, but I didn’t think it was the best thing since sliced bread or even that novel, but that would have been fine. But his hyping it up as a “strong medicine” to the current lineup of shows that he saw as bland and inoffensive (strongly disagree on the former, and the latter is especially poorly timed this season), it just leaves me feeling like “that’s it? That’s your ‘strong medicine’?” when I’m watching the episode. While it isn’t as embarrassing as Ex-Arm’s declaration of war against all Sci Fi series, Vlad Love doesn’t really live up to his own hype, at least in my opinion. I’ll still probably watch the rest, but it isn’t a high priority for me.
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Zhou-BR



Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 1419
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 12:27 pm Reply with quote
Dop.L wrote:
Hey, I liked The Sky Crawlers!
(though I am a big aeroplane nerd, so there's that)


So did I, but in my case it was more due to its commentary on Japan's youth than the CG air combat stuff. It's one of my favorite Oshii movies, up there with Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer, Patlabor 2, Ghost in the Shell and Avalon.
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LightningComet



Joined: 10 Jan 2021
Posts: 48
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:05 pm Reply with quote
Well, it isn't for everyone, but that doesn't make it objectively bad. I think it does exactly what Oshii wants it to, that is showcase some wacky hijinks that he himself finds funny. I guess this show is more a litmus test for whether or not your tastes in comedy match those of the creators, and, frankly, that is literally every comedy show in existence.

Of course, I still enjoy this series and really do look forward to more. Oshii wanted to make, as he called it, "strong medicine" to help us through these turbulent times; that's an ambition I both respect and support.

My recommendation for anyone who dislikes some work of art, regardless of how well it's produced: let those who enjoy it enjoy it and leave it alone. Call it "bad", wish it were "better", whatever, but it just means you shouldn't waste your time with it.
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ATastySub
Past ANN Contributor


Joined: 19 Jan 2012
Posts: 637
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:15 pm Reply with quote
LightningComet wrote:

My recommendation for anyone who dislikes some work of art, regardless of how well it's produced: let those who enjoy it enjoy it and leave it alone. Call it "bad", wish it were "better", whatever, but it just means you shouldn't waste your time with it.

Calling something bad or wishing it were better does absolutely nothing to the people that enjoy it. An important part of art and criticism is honing why things work or not, and part of that is not simply only watching things you like.
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Terry Lang



Joined: 10 Jan 2017
Posts: 72
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:59 pm Reply with quote
After three episodes I'm still not sure what to think of this. It feels unique in a way. I'll give it some more time later.
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helln00



Joined: 01 Apr 2016
Posts: 106
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 7:18 pm Reply with quote
It does have that 2010 comedy feel that is fast paced and destructive, like are is this a zombie and baka test, which is find is a lesser part of the anime portfolio nowadays ( though thats maybe because silver link is now pumping out fate shows). Shows like grand blue keeps that tradition alive though maybe we are in for a revival
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Cryten



Joined: 19 Jan 2019
Posts: 967
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 7:28 pm Reply with quote
I found the framing (rapidly changing shots) with different costumes, and no logical flow between the shots, uncomfortable. So I gave up after the first episode. It reminded me of the Shinbo Negima where artistic license and reference was put above readability and story.
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a_Bear_in_Bearcave



Joined: 14 Jan 2019
Posts: 476
Location: Poland
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:10 pm Reply with quote
I watched both openings after Nick's praise and it's true, they slap indeed. One of the things I like in anime is putting care in the op and ed of weekly shows, so watchers can have the mood nicely set.
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Covnam



Joined: 31 May 2005
Posts: 3614
PostPosted: Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:52 pm Reply with quote
I'm waiting on the rest to drop so I can binge this, but good to see it's gotten a generally positive reception
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LightningComet



Joined: 10 Jan 2021
Posts: 48
PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 4:41 am Reply with quote
ATastySub wrote:

An important part of art and criticism is honing why things work or not, and part of that is not simply only watching things you like.


I absolutely agree, but "why things work" is too vague; adding a "for me" at the end reduces the risk of stepping on the toes of those who enjoy it for what it is, regardless of whether or not the writer/speaker is in the role of a critic.

I've had my share of bad experiences where people see my distaste in a work they enjoy, misinterpret my choice of words, and think "this person just thinks our opinion matters less" which doesn't really lead to a friendly vibe.

So, circling back to the remark I made, what I suggest is to take a preventative measure and just ignore the "entertainment" one doesn't enjoy if one is in a position to be able to do that. I'm won't say that the writer who disliked the show shouldn't have bothered with it; I bet it was that person's job to write the article, and they did a good job to make their stance and the reasons for it very clear, so good on them.
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FinalVentCard
ANN Reviewer


Joined: 28 Oct 2018
Posts: 480
PostPosted: Fri Feb 26, 2021 3:52 pm Reply with quote
LightningComet wrote:
ATastySub wrote:

An important part of art and criticism is honing why things work or not, and part of that is not simply only watching things you like.


I absolutely agree, but "why things work" is too vague; adding a "for me" at the end reduces the risk of stepping on the toes of those who enjoy it for what it is, regardless of whether or not the writer/speaker is in the role of a critic.


At some point, adults discussing their favorite media will have to understand that by default one person's opinion does not override their own. Someone who needs every external opinion to be constantly couched behind "this is just my opinion" disclaimers comes off to me as someone who doesn't really care what other people think in the first place. Or worse, they will find the most tenuous ad hominem possible to invalidate the opinion. And I can't write for people who aren't going to bother reading what I wrote in the first place.

Some people can be total snobs in sharing their opinions. That's no fun. I ain't about that. But I can't write a darn thing if I constantly need to couch my opinions behind disclaimers. Nobody can.

Also, just ignoring entertainment you don't like is a miserable way to live. I disliked Big Fish and Begonia. I resent having to spend two hours watching it. Watching it was still eye-opening and it still expanded my horizons a little. Did I enjoy Vlad Love? Probably not. The Morrigan cosplay was nice, and I dig the Chief Goto reference. I'd have rather watched something else. But I'm still happy I got to see something new, even if I didn't like it. I know I'd have missed out on a lot of good stuff if I just went off of my gut time and again. Sure, I've never watched a Joss Whedon thing (and by all accounts it seems my life is better for it). But where would I be if I had never taken a chance on Eat-Man all those years ago?
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MesousaGaby



Joined: 16 Oct 2018
Posts: 71
PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:42 am Reply with quote
Wait, this isn't from Shaft? Cause I got soooo many Pani Poni Dash and Moon Phase vibes from this, not 2000 magical girlfriend shows.
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nobahn
Subscriber



Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 5120
PostPosted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:03 pm Reply with quote
Dop.L wrote:
Hey, I liked The Sky Crawlers!
Zhou-BR wrote:
So did I, but in my case it was more due to its commentary on Japan's youth than the CG air combat stuff. It's one of my favorite Oshii movies, up there with Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer, Patlabor 2, Ghost in the Shell and Avalon.

I concur with the above.
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