first ep is tough to get through. but some interesting stuff happens, and the slow pace becomes not as bad. it does get better. the latest ep just is really slow, and well , i just skipped through to get to the main parts.
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The Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana) |OT| There's a rotoscoped SHIT EATER in all of us
- Thread starter wonzo
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first ep is tough to get through. but some interesting stuff happens, and the slow pace becomes not as bad. it does get better. the latest ep just is really slow, and well , i just skipped through to get to the main parts.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
That's what happens when you direct an indie art film instead of "anime".
hosannainexcelsis
Member
Yes, it is very good. Unlike the shows you mention, this is a realistic story executed naturalistically - an intensely intimate character drama. Like the shows you mention, though, it has a strong, brooding atmosphere, due to a large degree to incredible sound design. The writing is good, as it needs to be to carry what is basically a three-person drama. The trio are well fleshed out and believable, and the actors do a good job with them as well.
You'll probably like it.
Episode 8
I was really uncertain where the show could go from how episode 7 ended, and while the slow pace was a little trying, I also appreciated it. It really makes that moment stand out as an important, lifechanging event more than any other dramatic beat so far. I'm awed by how easily the show brings us into the state of mind of its immature characters. I can always feel Kasuga's guilt.
Beyond that, I liked how the show brought back almost all the backgrounds from those walks to school in Episode 1. At those times, there were plenty of people around, but Kasuga is completely isolated now.
I was really uncertain where the show could go from how episode 7 ended, and while the slow pace was a little trying, I also appreciated it. It really makes that moment stand out as an important, lifechanging event more than any other dramatic beat so far. I'm awed by how easily the show brings us into the state of mind of its immature characters. I can always feel Kasuga's guilt.
Beyond that, I liked how the show brought back almost all the backgrounds from those walks to school in Episode 1. At those times, there were plenty of people around, but Kasuga is completely isolated now.
nailbombxx
Member
The wait to see what happens after episode 8 is killing me.
God damn. The tension. The writing. This show is so good.
God damn. The tension. The writing. This show is so good.
Okay, thanks. I'll check it after finals then.
Lord Ghirahim
Member
Just 4 weeks left D:
Blood Diamonds
Banned
I just watched ep 1
what the fuck did I just watch?
what the fuck did I just watch?
CornBurrito
Member
Something amazing.
True art. Dark thoughts exude from this animation. The dull petty people of this forum will never understand the philosophy behind it.
Blood Diamonds
Banned
Okay so I didn't sleep yesterday because I read the manga.
Chapter 26 came
I don't know what I'm doing with my life
Chapter 26 came
I don't know what I'm doing with my life
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
Spoken like a true Baudelaire fan.
hibachifinal
Member
i broke down and read the manga, finished up to the most recent release.
i'm not sure how i feel now. but it is interesting how everything will be from here on in the anime. hopefully some things are changed (for the better).
i'm not sure how i feel now. but it is interesting how everything will be from here on in the anime. hopefully some things are changed (for the better).
CornBurrito
Member
Episode 9
What a powerful episode. I almost wanted to cry.
What a powerful episode. I almost wanted to cry.
I can't imagine the horror Kasuga's mother is going through. Your child just running away without a trace...
BlazingDarkness
Member
Episode 9 was just flawless, tbh.
Can't wait for next week, it's got some of my favourite scenes!
Anime of the year, easily.
Can't wait for next week, it's got some of my favourite scenes!
Anime of the year, easily.
nailbombxx
Member
IMO one of the best series on the air right now. Don't stop watching.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
Episode 9 made lighter use of music than usual, but that just made the tightly-wound emotional state of the characters that much more powerful. Kasuga is reminding me too much of myself when I was his age.
This'll be a great show to marathon when it's all over.
This'll be a great show to marathon when it's all over.
CornBurrito
Member
For anyone that speaks Japanese, are my ears broken?
At the start of the episode Kasuga says "Wakareyo" and I heard that just fine.
Then in the same scene Saeki says what to me sounds like "bakaranai" and "wakaranai" but looking at pictures of subs that my friends post, the translations make it clear that she was saying "wakarenai"
Or were those mistranslations?
At the start of the episode Kasuga says "Wakareyo" and I heard that just fine.
Then in the same scene Saeki says what to me sounds like "bakaranai" and "wakaranai" but looking at pictures of subs that my friends post, the translations make it clear that she was saying "wakarenai"
Or were those mistranslations?
She does say "wakarenai".
CornBurrito
Member
So yeah, my ears are fucked. I can't hear the difference between wakarenai and wakaranai when she says it.
Episode 9
Another terrific episode. It was a good follow up to the atmosphere-inundated show that was episode 8. I really appreciated the bits of development to Saeki and the plot.
As a whole, I can safely say that I've been blown away by the show. Mushi-Shi (the director's previous work) is one of my favorite shows of all time, but even I wasn't sure what to make of Aku No Hana's premise and its art direction. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. All of that is gone though. Now I feel like the show couldn't have been any other way and still remain the same.
More than any other show this year, I feel the psychology of these characters. I feel Kasuga's dread. I feel Nakamura's frustration. I feel Saeki's grasp at any semblance of normalcy within Kasuga (hint: there isn't any). It's a testament to the great direction of the show: the way shots are framed combined with a stellar soundtrack (expected due to Mushi-Shi's awesome OST), they manage to create a deeply unsettling atmosphere that I've only experienced in movies made by masters.
I can only hope it keeps up the same pace of quality through the last few episodes. There isn't a resolution in sight yet so I have my concerns about how it's going to reach its conclusion. One can do nothing but watch and hope right now. Still, the show right now gets a recommendation from me for anyone with a passing interest in anime.
Another terrific episode. It was a good follow up to the atmosphere-inundated show that was episode 8. I really appreciated the bits of development to Saeki and the plot.
As a whole, I can safely say that I've been blown away by the show. Mushi-Shi (the director's previous work) is one of my favorite shows of all time, but even I wasn't sure what to make of Aku No Hana's premise and its art direction. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. All of that is gone though. Now I feel like the show couldn't have been any other way and still remain the same.
More than any other show this year, I feel the psychology of these characters. I feel Kasuga's dread. I feel Nakamura's frustration. I feel Saeki's grasp at any semblance of normalcy within Kasuga (hint: there isn't any). It's a testament to the great direction of the show: the way shots are framed combined with a stellar soundtrack (expected due to Mushi-Shi's awesome OST), they manage to create a deeply unsettling atmosphere that I've only experienced in movies made by masters.
I can only hope it keeps up the same pace of quality through the last few episodes. There isn't a resolution in sight yet so I have my concerns about how it's going to reach its conclusion. One can do nothing but watch and hope right now. Still, the show right now gets a recommendation from me for anyone with a passing interest in anime.
CornBurrito
Member
Nah it happens even when I close my eyes.
I didn't mean it was the exact same phenomenon, but rather than our senses sometimes work in mysterious ways. Once you expect to hear a certain sound, it can be hard to "snap out of it".
I know I used to experience that kind of things fairly often, years ago, and it got better over time, as I got more and more used to the Japanese language. You get better at anticipating the right words and instinctively rule out weird or nonsensical distortions. Not saying it's completely gone at this point, but...
Hellsing321
Member
Aku no Hana 8&9
I'm glad I waited a week to watch 8&9 together. The direction and cinematography in 8 was good but...that pacing. The slow pacing is making me worry that we won't get to the real juicy parts in the manga. Since the "love" triangle between Kasuga, Nakamura, and Saeki is so central to the first part of the manga I'd be crushed if we didn't get to
MAJOR MANGA SPOILER DO NOT HIGHLIGHT
.
Episode 9 was just fantastic though. The self-loathing, the tension, the Nakamura-san unf unf. Even though it was mostly a setup episode for whats to come. And yes Kasuga is the most inept criminal ever.
I'm glad I waited a week to watch 8&9 together. The direction and cinematography in 8 was good but...that pacing. The slow pacing is making me worry that we won't get to the real juicy parts in the manga. Since the "love" triangle between Kasuga, Nakamura, and Saeki is so central to the first part of the manga I'd be crushed if we didn't get to
MAJOR MANGA SPOILER DO NOT HIGHLIGHT
________the rape and fire_______
Episode 9 was just fantastic though. The self-loathing, the tension, the Nakamura-san unf unf. Even though it was mostly a setup episode for whats to come. And yes Kasuga is the most inept criminal ever.
How hard is it to throw some detergent in the washing machine and hit start?
Blood Diamonds
Banned
Fuck I really really like the ending song.
What is this anime doing to me
What is this anime doing to me
metsallica
Member
So I'm in unmitigated love with this show... how's the manga? Thinking about picking up Vertical's releases.
BlazingDarkness
Member
It's pretty close to the anime, but I expect the anime will have it's own ending.
Art wise it's a bit bland but gets into it's own style before long!
Hi i'm Caleb
Member
This show is so gripping. Dat girl man...she is the epitome of evil. I really like her. So far she has 0 redeeming qualities but I guess thats her charm.
metsallica
Member
It's got to, right? I mean we only have a few episodes left and I believe the manga is ongoing isn't it? Does the storytelling / tone stay consistent throughout the released volumes?
Hellsing321
Member
Absolutely. The only bad part is waiting a month between chapters.
Blood Diamonds
Banned
Is talk about the manga allowed here?
Because holy fucking shit the manga is amazing. I can't stop reading, it's so well put together.
Because holy fucking shit the manga is amazing. I can't stop reading, it's so well put together.
The same happened with me. I actually don't like the art style for the anime all that much, but the manga is just so good. I spent a whole night reading it until I caught up. The only thing I hate is having to wait a month between chapters. Will be interesting to see how the anime ends.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
This isn't the thread for manga discussion/spoilers. You should head over to the manga OT; there's several people there who read it.
Blood Diamonds
Banned
Nice, didn't think much people read it.
Thanks!
Episode 9
Pretty good episode. I really like the contrast of the streets at the start of the episode compared to what we usually see for the town. The influx of students going home unexpectedly does a great job of setting the tone that "this is different from usual" in a very naturally visual way. The direction of the show is really masterful in terms of capturing exactly what people should be feeling in a given scene without being manipulative. I almost don't notice the rotoscoping anymore. It's like indoctrination. Lol. I don't think there's any doubt that in terms of serious characterization and thematic elements, this is by far the best show this season. It'll be interesting to see how they conclude the anime in a satisfying way though, given the fact that the manga is still running.
Pretty good episode. I really like the contrast of the streets at the start of the episode compared to what we usually see for the town. The influx of students going home unexpectedly does a great job of setting the tone that "this is different from usual" in a very naturally visual way. The direction of the show is really masterful in terms of capturing exactly what people should be feeling in a given scene without being manipulative. I almost don't notice the rotoscoping anymore. It's like indoctrination. Lol. I don't think there's any doubt that in terms of serious characterization and thematic elements, this is by far the best show this season. It'll be interesting to see how they conclude the anime in a satisfying way though, given the fact that the manga is still running.
The detail that's been bothering me since the very beginning still does: where/how do they intend to end the series? They've been extremely faithful to the original so far, but it seems to me they will have to change some stuff in the last episodes to give this a proper conclusion.
Jex
Member
Well, assuming that they do want to give it a proper conclusion rather than just stopping mid-story. I mean, I'm sure that Nagahama does want to end satisfactorily and they knew going in how many episodes they have to work with so I'm relatively hopeful that it will end well.
Relatively.
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
This is the only show this season that manages to leave me with a dry throat every time. I'm overwhelmed by the sense of ignominy these characters exude constantly, especially Kasuga. It really wouldn't have been as effective with an art style closer to the manga --the rotoscoping is ugly, but it's much easier to feel inside Kasuga's mind state because of that directorial decision.
BlazingDarkness
Member
Episode 10 Holy shit @ all of that.
BlazingDarkness
Member
Oh god I hope so!
If they ended this season on a cliffhanger with the promise of 13 more episodes that would be amazing.
I already can't wait to marathon the show as is!
Jex
Member
That's an interesting thought, although that's a long way off.
I really wouldn't peg Aku no Hana as the kind of show that gets multiple seasons, but who knows, I guess...
hosannainexcelsis
Member
It's already incredible that there was a producer who approved this crazy project. It's even more difficult to believe that a producer would greenlight a second season of something that will almost certainly not make back any of money that was spent on it. But stranger things have happened? Maybe?
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