I'm actually a big fan of the notion of Death of the Author, because it arose in reaction to other obnoxious tendencies that assumed everything could be explained by something the author said or did, at the expense of taking the work for what it is. That still happens, and it always gets on my nerves when somebody digs up something about the creator and reckons that provides the answers to all questions about the work - there are also people who make awful assumptions about authors who happen to create awful characters.

Nevertheless, I don't think Orphic is being unreasonable here. There are aspects he isn't enjoying, and for him something that stands out is that the people working on Uchouten Kazoku didn't do as good a job as those working on something similar. That isn't an unfair comparison. On the other hand, Saddles, you seem needlessly bothered by Orphic posting his thoughts on whether the show is any good or not. Not everyone can like it, and there's nothing wrong with explaining why one does or doesn't.

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I apologise sincerely for my post of yesterday. I have removed it. I must learn never to post on internet forums after having a few drinks. I am sorry for wasting everyone's time and of course you are quite right Orphic.

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Isakaya High School Roleplaying Info

"An old man like me stands no chance fighting against a high school girl in her underwear" - Oshino Meme, Nekomonogatari (Kuro)

I totally agree with you, NC... I want so badly to skip ahead and see more of the series with out waiting, but that would kind of defeat the purpose or reason for this thread then, wouldn't it... Patience, husky, patience.

The first thing I noticed in the pool playing scenes in both ep 2 and 3, is the name on the table, 'Branswick', rather than Brunswick. It isn't much, but it distracted me from my reading and listening. I would rather that the table had remained nameless. Petty, maybe, but there it is.

Again, I enjoyed the art work in the different scenes and also the dialogue between older brother, the frog. And the timidness of the young one was cute. I am wary of Benten but curious as to her motives. I almost think there is more to what she is doing with the Friday club that filling a hot pot with a tanuki.

I wonder as to the animosity of Kaisei towards the idea of marriage to Yasaburou...

Another thing that I noted in the reality aspect is the bottles Yasaburou is drinking from in the first scene. And the rattling of the bottle, lol. My neighbors gave me a six-pack of these Japanese drinks that do not require an opener and are tricky to drink out of. Too much tilt and the fluid is cut off by a loose glass ball in the neck of the bottle...

Well, those are my thoughts for now, I will probably re-watch the ep and may post further comments later or maybe not.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nausicaa_Cat I really enjoyed the parlour/sunken clock tower scenes - Benten's ambiguity as the 'bad guy' lends a necessary complexity to an otherwise wandering plot. I'm enjoying the plot but I have to keep restraining myself from watching several more episodes at a time because I'm keen to get to the meat of it.

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I am me.
I am who I am.
I am Roarkiller.
No one else is me.

Roarkiller.net
Isakaya High RPG Site

quote:

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Originally posted by fenkashi
Screw your opinions, they are not relevant ^^.

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There were some pretty enjoyable scenes in the third episode. Overall I find the story a bit hard to follow, because a lot is left deliberately mysterious, and because it doesn't get very far very quickly. So far I still like it, but like NC I feel it could use a bit more excitement. It's kinda just plodding along, and while it does have the slice-of-life aspect, the hints of a more complex story makes me want that side of things to be emphasised a little more.

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I actually liked that. It's like in real life, you know, seldom do you recall entire flashbacks in conversations because everyone already knows what happens. It's just bits and pieces, and to the casual listener, you'll have to be hear bits and pieces of it over a long time to have a vague idea of what actually happened.

Sadly I went to the wiki page so I've been spoiled (lol at this phrase) but nonetheless, it's interesting.

__________________
I am me.
I am who I am.
I am Roarkiller.
No one else is me.

Roarkiller.net
Isakaya High RPG Site

quote:

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Originally posted by fenkashi
Screw your opinions, they are not relevant ^^.

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I don't think this is slice of life; there's a definite plot here and there's going to be a significant conclusion linked to the family's social standing in the Tanuki community and the old man's ability to fly again.

I watched all 3 episodes back to back just now and the story comes to life much more when seen as one 60 minute episode instead of 3 20 minute ones a few days apart.

My predictions:

1) The above reagrding the main story
2) Benten is a 'good guy'. She's also not human as she claims but I think has Tengu blood. She and Yasaburou will get together by the end. She's giving the old professor Tengu Akadama some harsh love right now but it seems to me that she'll be at least a partial source of him regaining his ability to fly.
3) If the story has a bad guy then Sōun Ebisugawa is him. Too early to say where the Ebisugawa/Shimogamo clash will end but I am sure it will, and in the Shimogamo favour.

Adored the artwork and ideas in this 3rd episode, especially the flying inner parlour and sunken clock tower and the means to reach it - via some magical passage into a different world. Why was Benten in that magic world?

Her lending the flying parlour to Yasaburou and her threat to cook and eat him if he failed to return it were pretty obvious signs she likes him.

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Isakaya High School Roleplaying Info

"An old man like me stands no chance fighting against a high school girl in her underwear" - Oshino Meme, Nekomonogatari (Kuro)

Well they do share a teacher, though I doubt it goes beyond that, for Benten. Also, I thought we're at week four now?

I'm at the point now where I strongly believe that Akazuma doesn't just like Benten, he hopelessly dotes on her. He's like the kind of over-obsessive parent who are every child's nightmare. If that's the reason for Benten's rebellion, well, I can't say I blame her, even though the accident still plays a part.

I can't infer anything else in this episode though. Akazuma is probably just too drunk to be himself, Benten is just being Benten (lol), and the battle between the two clans are really just childish at best. But then they're tanuki so, heh.

It's too bad we aren't treated to Benten's reactions at her double loss though. I'd bet that would be hilarious

__________________
I am me.
I am who I am.
I am Roarkiller.
No one else is me.

Roarkiller.net
Isakaya High RPG Site

quote:

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Originally posted by fenkashi
Screw your opinions, they are not relevant ^^.

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Are we ready for 4 now? I'm forgetting where we should be at.

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I think so. Roar already has it seems.

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Isakaya High School Roleplaying Info

"An old man like me stands no chance fighting against a high school girl in her underwear" - Oshino Meme, Nekomonogatari (Kuro)

Yes, this last weekend was number 4...

I'm going to have to re-watch it. I think I'll try what Saddles suggested and watch all four eps back to back...

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You people make me feel so lonely

__________________
I am me.
I am who I am.
I am Roarkiller.
No one else is me.

Roarkiller.net
Isakaya High RPG Site

quote:

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Originally posted by fenkashi
Screw your opinions, they are not relevant ^^.

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As you're the most easterly person in the group, it stands to reason you'll watch the eps first

I enjoyed the comedy in ep4 but it was almost all slapstick action. I am glad I've seen PomPoko and got *some* idea about Japanese folklore as it applies to Tanukis because without that I'd be very lost with this stuff. I am sure this is going to confuse many western viewers who haven't had at least some folklore input beforehand.

Also Benten and the fan. I knew she liked Yasaburou

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Isakaya High School Roleplaying Info

"An old man like me stands no chance fighting against a high school girl in her underwear" - Oshino Meme, Nekomonogatari (Kuro)

I just finished watching all four eps one after another, and I seem to have a better understanding of the story than before.

I will say this, I am starting to dislike the prof. very much, whose drinking comes before anyone or anything else, re; the parlor...

Benten does seem to have a sort of liking for Yasaburo, but it may be for a malevolent reason not shown yet, I haven't figured it out as yet. Or maybe she just gets off on pitting him against others to see what the outcome may be.

The Ebisugawa males are worthless bits of trash IMO, but that may be the reason they are here.

Yaichiro seems to be mostly self-centered and wanting the Nisei- ? election to go his way.

Yajiro (frog) seems to be the most stable of the bunch...

edit...

I just had a thought, but I will keep it to myself for the time being... a possible reason for Benten's actions...

Now I have to wait until this weekend to see the next episode.

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I think Yaichirou is just in it as a sense of duty as the eldest son to continue is his father's legacy. He seems to have a serious father complex in that sense, otherwise an overly strong sense of responsibility. He really doesn't seem like a tanuki in that manner, which is kind of an weird.

Yeah I like Yajirou a lot too. For a frog in a well, he sure knows his stuff.

__________________
I am me.
I am who I am.
I am Roarkiller.
No one else is me.

Roarkiller.net
Isakaya High RPG Site

quote:

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Originally posted by fenkashi
Screw your opinions, they are not relevant ^^.

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Another fun episode. Maybe I should try out watching them again back-to-back too, because I don't feel like I'm gleaning much from it. Benten remains her mysterious self, and the other characters do what they've been doing all along too.

I like the creativity in this show. The leisure cruisers were fun, and I enjoyed the use of fireworks as weapons. The story is still a bit slow and unclear for my liking, but I do like that aspect a lot.

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Shall we push on to ep5?

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Isakaya High School Roleplaying Info

"An old man like me stands no chance fighting against a high school girl in her underwear" - Oshino Meme, Nekomonogatari (Kuro)

OK, I waited until Saturday to see ep. 5...

Not much seems to be happening in this one, but it made me hungry and the Friday Fellows were eating Sukiyaki, one of my favorite Japanese dishes... It seems that the whole ep was pretty much consumed (pun) with the meal and conversation... Not sure how to take it. I'll have to watch it again and pay more attention to the convo...

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I'll watch 5, probably either later today or some time tomorrow. Is husky the only one to have watched it so far?

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Alright, I'm caught up. I don't have much to say about Ep. 4 (I find the rivalry between the tanuki clans to be pretty tedious for some reason), but I enjoyed Ep. 5 quite a bit. Even though not a lot happened, the show seemed to be playing to its strengths more. Good dialogue, lots of Benten, and a decent amount of backstory made for an intriguing episode. I miss the frog brother. I don't miss the eldest brother, who is annoying. The youngest brother is becoming more tolerable to me.

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the target audience for this show is supposed to be?

As far as anime based on novels, I think Welcome to the NHK is also a novel adaptation. Then there's Aoi Bungaku, which is based on several classic Japanese short stories. Finally, a number of old World Masterpiece Theater productions, like Anne of Green Gables, A Dog of Flanders, and Heidi, Girl of the Alps. I haven't actually seen any of these, but apparently they are out there.

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I like tea!