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animevision2009-05-06 12:44 pm
dreamcypher) wrote in animevision2009-05-06 12:44 pm
Entry tags:
Today I feel like talking about...
Death Note. You see, jester *finally* finished watching it not too long ago, and while on the phone one night, we discovered that we didn't agree with each other on some points. And since we never finished talking about it, I figured that I'd throw it out here. So feel free to join in if you like.
Warning--this gets lengthy: expect some spoilers and a rant. :)
First off, I'm completely amused by the many reactions that DN has spawned since it came out. I say that because it seems to me like there was some violent, infectious disease that spread through most of the people who watched it (that, or I'm frequenting the wrong forums...). People seem to either love it or hate it and then feel the need to voice their opinions as to why they feel that way at the top of their ALL CAPS, while stating that the opposing side is wrong and somehow in need of mental help. The closest I can come in comparison is the "Great Eva Debate"...which I can't participate in, because I haven't seen it. But apparently if you've seen it you either love it because it's 'teh gr8tst eva' or you hate it (insert myriad of reasons here). I don't know if DN is on quite that scale, but from the sometimes violent reactions that I've read and heard, it seems to be.
Just a warning to those reading this: according to some people, I have low moral values and am contributing to the lowering standard of what is (or rather should be) socially acceptable, and am therefore part of the reason why society is on it's down-ward slide. Well, now you've been warned. Converse with me at your own risk, because I just might corrupt you too--who knows...because I really liked DN.
Yes, it's very melodramatic, but overall it's a good/fun watch in my opinion. I loved the animation and the character design. I didn't like the op & ed music, though I think it fit the series. I liked that Light wasn't likable! What do you expect when you give a brilliant teenager with a god complex a DN? I was sad when L died, I didn't like Near as much as I liked L, I wish that Mello had been around longer and gotten more screen time, and I was happy with the ending. Bad guy dies and becomes nothing, good overcomes and all is well with the world again. How's that for a minimalist review? :) Was this the pinnacle of achievement for anime as a whole? No-definitely not, but it was good entertainment. It falls into my 'it was good and I'll watch it again' category.
Does it have plot holes? Yes. Could some of the characters been developed more? Yes. Could they have done 'something different' and it would have been great instead of good? Again, yes. But isn't that what we say about almost every series? There are very few series that come to mind that are perfect or even come close. Sometimes I think that people go into a show just expecting too much. I expected to be entertained, and I was. Mission accomplished.
I also keep wanting to point out to the people who were offended by DN, that this is a story-it's there for entertainment purposes. There are other anime out there whose content I think would be far worse than this one as far as being morally repulsive and socially unacceptable. Besides, you can't tell me that this storyline is *that* far off base. History is full of people who had power and then used that power for their own purpose. You have got to be kidding to think that if an actual Death Note dropped from the sky, and someone found it, that it wouldn't turn out something like this. But apparently if I watch DN, like it, and am not bothered by it's content, I am heading down the path of the devil and dragging society with me. My travel down this pathway is also being facilitated by my recent purchase of Shigurui, of course. *shakes head*
Please note, that if you disagree with me, I'm completely cool with that. I understand that there are people out there that don't like this show, and as I stated in our comm rules: we won't always agree, and that's okay. But there is one thing I have to ask the people who were repulsed by DN: if you find the subject matter in DN so repulsive, why did you watch it in the first place? Or,better yet, why did you watch the entire series? Because if you find a show that disturbs you as much as some said DN did, wouldn't you turn it off after the first few episodes? I know I would have.
Now one of the parts that Jester disagreed with me on was the ending. I'm going to assume that since you, the reader, have come this far, you've seen the series and know what the ending was. The ending didn't bother me at all. I thought it was fairly fitting, and didn't Ryuk state in the beginning of the series that those that use the DN would have their name written in the Shinigami's DN? So we already know what's going to happen to Light. So the ending shouldn't be too much of a surprise-or was it just that he would become nothing that bothered you? I've heard some suggestions that L should have been kept throughout the series to catch Light, and also that becoming nothing doesn't seem to be much of a punishment (though I look at it as one since he can't be reborn-it's essentially the end of his life in all of it's forms/incarnations). Or was it simply that it ended how it was supposed to and you wanted the surprise of him getting away/outsmarting them somehow? Hmm...enquiring minds want to know!
And what does everyone else here think of DN? Love it, like it, or hate it and why? Also, what would you change about it if you could? And if anyone has read the manga, how close was the anime to it?
So speak everyone--and we will listen! *pokes the new people* We don't bite much...or very hard...or in places that people will see...
...at least not often anyway. :)
Currently Watching: Trigun, Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irahanihoheto
ps-sorry if this is a little all over the place, it's hard to keep on track while my kids are up :)
jester *finally* finished watching it not too long ago, and while on the phone one night, we discovered that we didn't agree with each other on some points. And since we never finished talking about it, I figured that I'd throw it out here. So feel free to join in if you like.Warning--this gets lengthy: expect some spoilers and a rant. :)
First off, I'm completely amused by the many reactions that DN has spawned since it came out. I say that because it seems to me like there was some violent, infectious disease that spread through most of the people who watched it (that, or I'm frequenting the wrong forums...). People seem to either love it or hate it and then feel the need to voice their opinions as to why they feel that way at the top of their ALL CAPS, while stating that the opposing side is wrong and somehow in need of mental help. The closest I can come in comparison is the "Great Eva Debate"...which I can't participate in, because I haven't seen it. But apparently if you've seen it you either love it because it's 'teh gr8tst eva' or you hate it (insert myriad of reasons here). I don't know if DN is on quite that scale, but from the sometimes violent reactions that I've read and heard, it seems to be.
Just a warning to those reading this: according to some people, I have low moral values and am contributing to the lowering standard of what is (or rather should be) socially acceptable, and am therefore part of the reason why society is on it's down-ward slide. Well, now you've been warned. Converse with me at your own risk, because I just might corrupt you too--who knows...because I really liked DN.
Yes, it's very melodramatic, but overall it's a good/fun watch in my opinion. I loved the animation and the character design. I didn't like the op & ed music, though I think it fit the series. I liked that Light wasn't likable! What do you expect when you give a brilliant teenager with a god complex a DN? I was sad when L died, I didn't like Near as much as I liked L, I wish that Mello had been around longer and gotten more screen time, and I was happy with the ending. Bad guy dies and becomes nothing, good overcomes and all is well with the world again. How's that for a minimalist review? :) Was this the pinnacle of achievement for anime as a whole? No-definitely not, but it was good entertainment. It falls into my 'it was good and I'll watch it again' category.
Does it have plot holes? Yes. Could some of the characters been developed more? Yes. Could they have done 'something different' and it would have been great instead of good? Again, yes. But isn't that what we say about almost every series? There are very few series that come to mind that are perfect or even come close. Sometimes I think that people go into a show just expecting too much. I expected to be entertained, and I was. Mission accomplished.
I also keep wanting to point out to the people who were offended by DN, that this is a story-it's there for entertainment purposes. There are other anime out there whose content I think would be far worse than this one as far as being morally repulsive and socially unacceptable. Besides, you can't tell me that this storyline is *that* far off base. History is full of people who had power and then used that power for their own purpose. You have got to be kidding to think that if an actual Death Note dropped from the sky, and someone found it, that it wouldn't turn out something like this. But apparently if I watch DN, like it, and am not bothered by it's content, I am heading down the path of the devil and dragging society with me. My travel down this pathway is also being facilitated by my recent purchase of Shigurui, of course. *shakes head*
Please note, that if you disagree with me, I'm completely cool with that. I understand that there are people out there that don't like this show, and as I stated in our comm rules: we won't always agree, and that's okay. But there is one thing I have to ask the people who were repulsed by DN: if you find the subject matter in DN so repulsive, why did you watch it in the first place? Or,better yet, why did you watch the entire series? Because if you find a show that disturbs you as much as some said DN did, wouldn't you turn it off after the first few episodes? I know I would have.
Now one of the parts that Jester disagreed with me on was the ending. I'm going to assume that since you, the reader, have come this far, you've seen the series and know what the ending was. The ending didn't bother me at all. I thought it was fairly fitting, and didn't Ryuk state in the beginning of the series that those that use the DN would have their name written in the Shinigami's DN? So we already know what's going to happen to Light. So the ending shouldn't be too much of a surprise-or was it just that he would become nothing that bothered you? I've heard some suggestions that L should have been kept throughout the series to catch Light, and also that becoming nothing doesn't seem to be much of a punishment (though I look at it as one since he can't be reborn-it's essentially the end of his life in all of it's forms/incarnations). Or was it simply that it ended how it was supposed to and you wanted the surprise of him getting away/outsmarting them somehow? Hmm...enquiring minds want to know!
And what does everyone else here think of DN? Love it, like it, or hate it and why? Also, what would you change about it if you could? And if anyone has read the manga, how close was the anime to it?
So speak everyone--and we will listen! *pokes the new people* We don't bite much...or very hard...or in places that people will see...
...at least not often anyway. :)
Currently Watching: Trigun, Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irahanihoheto
ps-sorry if this is a little all over the place, it's hard to keep on track while my kids are up :)
no subject
I understand that light was gonna kick it in the end... but hell he should have gotten away with it lol...
But thats just me :D
???
I can't believe that that's the only issue you had with it. That's so...not you...
Utterly Insane huh? You try typing while having two kids running around--I assure you, it's quite difficult. I'm lucky that what I wrote was at least understandable...
*smacks you again just because I can*
Re: ???
But somehow you manage to spout out this mid-term thesis-esque post. But its only something youve been talking abotu doing for TWO DAYS!
**prepares to get smacked again**
Re: ???
I'VE BEEN BUSY!!
Oh yes, definite smack coming...
no subject
Actually, quite a few people I know have started using 'Death Note Ending' for series where the best resolution for a series is the death of the lead character...
no subject
I have the first live action movie but haven't watched it yet. I may put that on the schedule of things to watch when Jester comes up next week. I have yet to get the second movie, and I actually didn't know that it ended differently, so now I'm quite curious about that.
That's actually kind of interesting that Death Note has almost 'trademarked' and ending style. It makes me laugh a bit...at least every one who is reading the story will know what's going to happen :)
no subject
no subject
Having not seen either of the live action i guess now im gonna have to. Cypher? care to relive the first one again... and i will have to track down the second.
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Apparently you didn't read this part of my last post.
:D
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i remembered you had it... didnt remember you didnt watch it.
bite me... XD
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Yeah... it pulls off a completely different 'Death Note Ending' than the real Death Note ending!
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If I were to do it, I would make it shorter and cut out the whole amnesia/Yotsuba arc which was really unnecessary and was where the series really started dragging both in the anime and the manga and there were certain other beefs I have with it. (Basically the treatment of every single female character in the series. And the complete illogical and stupid moves that supposedly smart characters were making).
I am more annoyed by the people talk about it like it is the deepest thing ever. Because it really isn't, the manga-ka even admitted as much.
no subject
One on hand, i can undestand the whole Yotsuba arc because there had to be some way to change it up so that the potential for Light to getting away with it was there (i still think he should have gotten away with it lol) But i do agree... it seriously added a good chunk to the anime as a whole.
no subject
The part where L had Misa tied up really didn't bother me too much. When I was in the military I went through survival school, which included POW training, so I have a different perspective than most:) I understand why L did it and I understand a bit of what Misa went through as well. And yes, Misa does look like she's in bondage gear. I had to look up a pic of Misa in restraints because I couldn't remember what they looked like! If they had made the straps go straight across, it wouldn't appear to be bondage gear at all. Maybe this is the DN version of fan service? Apparently it didn't bother me too much, because I never took note of it until you pointed it out. But then, I also read a lot of fanfiction where bondage gear is the par for the course, so something like that isn't going to bother me. But now I know something that I didn't know before.
I'll agree that the women in the series didn't get treated very well, but I can't say that I think it was that way because they were women, I think it was because of their relationship in reference to Light (as either a pawn or a threat). Also, the fact that they were women is going to get more sympathy than if they were men. (I hope that made sense, please let me know if it didn't!)
Hmm..never thought about actually taking out the whole amnesia/Yotsuba arc. I agree that it drags a lot there, and some modification would be good-shortening it would work, but I think there would be even more plot holes if it was removed completely with nothing else to take it's place.
...people talk about it like it is the deepest thing ever.
Oh, yes--very annoying. This is most definitely not the 'deepest thing ever' and I agree that some of the choices that the smart characters made weren't as smart as they should have been. But overall, I still enjoyed watching it all play out.
I agree, no one should think that what Light did was right. We all want the world to be a better place, but then, so did Hitler. I hadn't actually heard someone *condone* what Light did. Expected-yes; condoned-no. That's...disturbing.
no subject
I'll agree that the women in the series didn't get treated very well, but I can't say that I think it was that way because they were women,
I disagree, although I will give that it might not have been a conscious decision to do it that way, but well, it is hard to say look at how Takada dies and how the men in the series die and see something ultimately familiar. I mean which is one is dying exposed and begging for their life. Not the men.
Also, the fact that they were women is going to get more sympathy than if they were men.
Umm that doesn't make up for it for me, and nor does it make me boohoo for the men because all of the men were in control of their situations, they might not have meant to have died but they were allowed dignity for most of the series, and that isn't good for female characters either because it puts them into being weaker and having less autonomy because they are weak figures that one should feel sorry for not respected. The women were barely allowed except for Naomi but she died pretty quickly (Although the thing with Naomi pisses me off because I really don't she would have failed that soon. But then I am also of the opinion that Light should have been caught much sooner than he was. Like it was complete luck that he got by as long as he did.)
no subject
I enjoyed your post and would invite you to post it on my not-very-well pimped community
Sorry it took so long!
I'll make sure to stop by discuss anime and chat with you!
I agree with you that the LA version dealt with L's death much better. I really enjoyed both of the LA movies a lot:)
Re: Sorry it took so long!