Forum - View topicREVIEW: Hetalia: Axis Powers DVD
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Otaking09
 Posts: 637 |
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I find it ironic that you say that they're all friends since... that's essentially what this show is trying to be; a story of a global friendship... and how some "disagreements & differences" askew said friendship.
Yes, it could be offensive, but mostly to those who can't(or won't) see that metaphor. I love how the show constantly picks fun at each other instead of puffing up their pride. It's quite rare to see any one country to claim "their better". Sure, saying one is "worse" is really no better, but half the time they're learning by denying/rejecting "blank" points/traditions/history. In the end, we see friendships, siblings, rivalries, competitors, and, maybe something more...(as Hope puts it). The series isn't "great" by standards, but it does tell the downright sweet story of friendship in one of the most clever ways. |
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littlegreenwolf
 Posts: 4796 Location: Seattle, WA |
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I find it funny that the DVD gets such a great score, but then you have the little
which could easily describe a good 80% of the anime released in a single year, ones that don't even get anywhere near that good of a DVD release. Ah well, what's a Hetalia review without someone taking a crack at it for doing what it does so well? |
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Shichimi
 Posts: 349 |
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What you have to ask yourself, I think, is if the show has any 'sacred cows'. From what I've seen over at FUNi's YT channel, Hetalia doesn't seem to pick easy targets and hold back on others; it's an equal opportunities offender. 
It would have been incredibly offensive, for example, if Japan was somehow exempt from the humour and looked down on everyone else. Last edited by Shichimi on Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:46 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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neocloud9
 Posts: 1178 Location: Atlanta, GA |
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This is one of the best reviews of Hetalia I've ever read.
Good job pointing out both the pros and cons, while still giving it a fair shake. Bravissimo! |
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FMAvatard
 Posts: 197 |
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My thoughts exactly. This is the first review I've seen that didn't utterly bash the dub or call it pointless. As far as the dub goes, I laugh out loud at least twice an episode. I never really did that when I watched the subs. Again I want to say, thank you for acknowledging the fact that the dub and sub are two different entities. The fandom's been in a tizzy for months over this and I think you addressed the issue clearly.
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Charred Knight
 Posts: 3085 |
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Personally I never mark down anime for having a bad concept, I mark it simply on what's on screen. I mean when would I ever write in a review of Conquerors of Shamballa "+ the parrallel universe concept would have worked if it made sense"? Sure Hetalia could have been offensive, it could have been poorly researched and been nothing but national stereotypes just making french jokes, but it wasn't, the main friendships of the series (Germany and Italy, America and Britain in particular) are notably heartwarming. It does the research, and you can learn about other countries history, and it does embrace that no matter how different we are we can still be united in friendship. As for Hetalia being offensive I quote "The Producers" Franz Liebkind: [while waving a gun around] You made a fool of Hitler! Carmen Ghia, Roger De Bris: He didn't need our help. |
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Pocky Monster
Posts: 237 |
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I've been curious about the dub, but haven't gotten around to watching it. After reading this review, I've decided that I'm definitely going to watch it, as it did reassure me that it isn't terrible (a lot of people have made a fuss over it).
Overall, Hope's review was very enjoyable to read. |
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_V_
 Posts: 619 |
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...why does the Hetalia DVD have better bonus features (cast interviews, commentary track of any kind) than the Rebuild of Evangelion movie? Which came with no bonus features from FUNimation itself....granted they did get "all the bonus features the Japanese disk" had, but it was practically none to begin with. For what should be a flagship title, many Blu-ray review sites (not even used to reviewing anime) were baffled at the lack of features.
That being said, I will be lining up to buy a copy of Hetalia: Axis Powers. As a history major, I ROFL at all the jokes....and America *is* The Hero, why can't people accept that?! |
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vashfanatic
 Posts: 3495 Location: Back stateside |
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Hope, for saying "screw it!" to the bounds of the grading system, you have my deep and abiding respect! The review itself was very well-written and thought out, giving both possible interpretations of the series a fair consideration. Nobody should look at the grades as a shortcut for reading fine reviewing! (I was one of those people who couldn't make it through the first episode. I didn't find it overtly offensive, I just didn't find it that funny.) |
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CCSYueh
 Posts: 2707 Location: San Diego, CA |
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I've made a couple stabs at it today since my dvd arrived yesterday.
I don't get the issue with the first ep. I believe there is a reason for the Pause button on the remote (To stop the show when there's too many subtitles). It all actually makes sense if one has any sort of love of history. I mean--jeez, who needs a footnote about Machiavelli? But there it was. So my daughter & her friends liked it when it was new & I put it on my list of titles I hoped would get licensed, but once it got licensed all the hate seemed to ooze forth. I was really expecting the show to be very different from what I'm watching. Yeah, the dub has some different jokes than the subs, but the tone is pretty similar even if all 4 commentaries (always watch commentaries first) went on about trying to be offensive. Funi failed. They need to watch more stand up, or at least the Daily Show & Colbert if they want to know how to offend well. I'll give you insulting the intelligence of the viewer is pretty offensive, but Funi doesn't do that here. However, I don't see the point of this show as being offensive. It's really damned sweet. It's poking fun without being meanspirited. I really wasn't expecting that. It's like kittens & puppies. There are so many "aw!" moments. The story is just retelling history from the perspective that Italy is important, but hopeless. |
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nargun
Posts: 930 |
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Because people want to watch the rebuild of evangelion movie /snark |
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garfield15
 Posts: 1535 |
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^^I did.
Great review Hope. It was probably the best way for it to come across to those who haven't seen it before. |
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doctordoom85
 Posts: 2094 |
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_V_: FUNimation already lost enough money being forced by Japan to give Eva a theatrical run, I think the last thing on their minds would be spending MORE money on the license (since Japan's bonus features cost extra).
Anyway, having watched the season 1 set, I fail to see why this deserved all the controversy "hype". South Park is a lot more offensive, and then some. But I enjoyed it, and ordered FUNimation's "Make Pasta, Not War" shirt, and look forward to Season 2 and beyond. |
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Julia-the-Great
 Posts: 328 |
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I am someone who can honestly say I loved both the sub AND the dub. Different entities is a VERY accurate description. Watching the dub, I felt like I was watching the whole thing fresh again.
Was anybody else bothered that the bandana came inside the box, and now if you remove the bandana, the dvd case rattles around? It's really no big deal; I can just keep the bandana in there and it's fine, but I just feel like it's kind of a design flaw in the packaging... |
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CCSYueh
Posts: 2707 Location: San Diego, CA |
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There you go. ADV used to pile on the US extras, but Funi hasn't really gotten the hang of that. They know character bios for DBZ guys, etc. Trust me, the commentaries on Hetalia were pretty underwhelming. The actors knew they had about 5 minutes & basically it was all "me,me,me" stuff. Vale's was how offensive they could get (cocaine-burgers). There were bits here & there that were interesting about their thoughts on the title or their characters, but mostly they all came off pretty clueless on what to do for those 5 minutes. Dudes-talk about taping. Funny stuff. Your thoughts when you first saw a line. How you didn't think so-&-so would work out, but they did. It really sounds like they were told-"Do a commentary. You have 5 minutes" & nothing else. It sort of reminded me of overhearing the night crew screwing around with the PA after hours because no one's there to hear. Particularly when I just finished a few days ago listening to the one with Kamiya & Paku on the 2nd Gundam 00 2nd season set which was really interesting & funny because they talked about their reactions to other actors or about the Sound Director's skill at pulling a performance out of the different actors. (They joked he dumbed it down for Paku because given too much info about the character, she gets distracted) So if the Japanese didn't have any extras, you're rather stuck. I Imagine they assumed they could sell Eva on the strength of the title & didn't need to throw in a lot of extras to convince fans to buy it. Unless this evolves into South Park later, I hope Funi figures out the point isn't to be offensive. My roommate commented she's loved Germany since the bit where he's keeping a diary & says the only reason he sticks with Italy is because he has no other friends. She was all "Awww!" (hug motion). It's really what women see in guys that come off all gruff & macho, but then they have that little boy inside. I have not really had time to watch so far & plan to start from the top tonight (got up to the Italy getting captured & given back ep before Stewart last night), but nothing I've seen in the jokes are mean-spirited like bully taunts. It's more the flaws friends see in one another & put up with. |
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