Forum - View topicREVIEW: Sekirei: Pure Engagement Blu-Ray
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FrameFreeze100
Posts: 203 |
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Why didn't Richard J. Thompson review this?
Nothing against Carl but Richard seemed to understand the show better
I disagree and I'm sure any fan of the manga does too. The ending was not satisfying because after episode 7 it was different from the manga (filler plot and made an important character's death underwhelming and rushed). The anime screwed up pretty bad here. I've never taken reviews all that seriously but this is one of those times where I feel like voicing my opinion (even if nobody else cares). Sekirei is definitely one of the better fanservice/romance/harem shows so if the grades are based on "compared to other shows in the respective genre" the score should be much higher. I'd say at least an "A" but I'd settle for a "B" since an "A" would probably feel too generous for most ANN reviewers (most who dislike ecchi based on the preview guides every season) even though this show definitely earned it. *EDIT* I've also never even heard of Mahoromatic or even My-HiME. 
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Cecilthedarkknight_234
 Posts: 3820 Location: Louisville, KY |
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hmm maybe i should check this out when i get the time/money. A little mind numbing oppai fun with some plot is what I need atm
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nechronius
 Posts: 275 Location: So Cal, USA |
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You have to remember that a review of a product is based strictly on its own merits and direct comparison to the manga is generally not the goal. I had similar gripes against Claymore the anime series since it diverged significantly from the manga. The anime chose to fabricate the last 3 or so episodes to give the series some closure since the manga is still ongoing. I get it though. It is galling to see the fate of a major character changed so significantly during the translation of one media to another. Out of curiosity I did look into it a bit (I don't read the manga) and it seems like they did cheap out. But given the constraints of time, and possibly not knowing which direction the story would go (Timing issues between manga and anime stories), I did not find the ending of Pure Engagement unreasonable. If anything it was frustrating to me where it ended. I enjoyed Sekirei even without all the over-the-top fan service, although the fan service was certainly fun in this series. But even so I don't think Carl's opinion is that far off the mark. It was entertaining, but not what I would consider a title worthy of an A (a corresponding 9 or 10). And remember, if the manga is significantly better, that still shouldn't elevate the anime by association. The anime has to stand on its own feet. And this case, feet topped with physics defying breasts. |
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configspace
Posts: 3717 |
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Like I have mentioned, people with an aversion to certain things should not be reviewing shows like this. You admit there's something more, but just can't get over teh-boobies, much less enjoy it as was it's intent. In fact, such mutually exclusive ideology prevents you from evaluating its intent of enjoying both the fan service and its story. There's nothing, no law at all that states one must choose one over the other or that somehow one must diminish the other. |
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vinamara
 Posts: 229 |
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Regardless of who should have reviewed the series, I think Carl's review is fair. Despite the heavy fanservice, Carl noticed the positive aspects of the show as well and gave them their due.
Since I did enjoy the show, I did feel the score was a tad harsh but from a reviewer's POV, I think Carl held back a little. On the other hand, Zac might have killed and dropped the show the very first season. |
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Volibear
 Posts: 344 |
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From a pure enjoyment perspective, not analysing it and just grading in my initial reaction when i watched it, i'd give this a B+
however breaking it down and taking a proper look at it it is easy to see why a C is all the review got, this series does have its flaws: More harem members were added, taking up another half a series Tsukuimi's dub is done well, but is inappropriate and would have been better off done without the "ye olde" additions An anime only ending, whilst ok and appropriate, it was still an anime only ending and didn't really resolve anything at all plot-wise, it just filled the need for a final battle Sometimes inappropriate fanservice dulls important moments (it didn't really for me but i can see why it would for a more casual fan of the series) That being said, as a fan of the series i didn't find it hard to overlook these things and enjoy the series but i was still left with the feeling that Sekirei's biggest issue is time. The series has a proper plot to play out but only having 24 episodes total to do so meant it couldn't properly get into it because of the way the series develops (admittedly that is rather odd), only really starting to get properly into the main story after the 18th episode (6th of PE) by which point it's too late to start it and an alternate ending is required. To properly spread its wings and show off thats it is more than just boobs the show really needed another 24 episodes (or at least 12) to get some serious plot down and show itself off, and i kinda thought a show with this much fanservice might have gotten it that way too but sadly ~PE~ seems more like a way to capitalize on the success of the first series rather than build on it Good, accurate review of the series though i feel, even though i enjoyed it more than a C, the review takes a balanced assessment of the series and gives it a fair grade in the end, although you may enjoy it more than it should be given credit for (although that in itself deserves credit) |
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here-and-faraway
 Posts: 1529 Location: Sunny California |
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I haven't seen the show and probably never will, but I really enjoyed reading the review. Great writing!
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rabrek
 Posts: 188 |
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Same here. I like to read reviews of series I'm not especially interested in because (a) sometimes I end up changing my mind, and (b) even if I don't, there's a chance of stumbling across fun moments like this one:
That made my morning. |
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BigOnAnime
Encyclopedia Editor
 Posts: 1248 Location: Minnesota, USA |
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 I wonder if he'd like it more than High School DxD.
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Barbobot
 Posts: 460 |
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but there's a time and place for both fan service and seriousness in some cases. they can be inter mingled and still achieve the emotional weight desired from the serious topic. Carl never makes a blanket statement about all fan service having to be completely separate from the serious topics. just that in the case of sekirei, it fails to combine the 2 without detriment to 1. |
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Zalis116
Moderator
 Posts: 6900 Location: Kazune City |
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Keichitsu0305
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I have to admit, as much as I dislike harem, fan-service heavy shows, I honestly liked watching Sekirei. And I liked My-Hime; Mahoromatic was okay.
The action is well done, the humor can be silly without too many naughty undertones, and I ended up liking three members of Minato's harem: Tsukimi, Kusano, and Homura. When the series starts to get more serious, I paid attention and even thought its attempts at adding depth were surprising. That said, there are flaws but I honestly didn't care about the numerous boobs (after a while, you learn to ignore it).
I sort of agree~ The 'harem' seemed more like a family or a friendship pact opposed to a group of ladies wanting to become Minato's wife. One instance, in Ep. 7 I think, Matsu is helping Minato studying habits, I saw them like two close friends. But that's just me. ^^; Not a horrible show but I won't buy the series anytime soon. |
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Swissman
Posts: 796 Location: Switzerland |
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In other words, you want a reviewer to review a show like a fan would: With no criticism for "certain things". This is silly. It`s not the reviewer`s job to conform to your tastes or ways of appreciating a show, it`s your job to follow the writings of reviewers which share your tastes.
That`s irrelevant here. Fact is, some people dislike fanservice, and it`s the reviewer`s job to mention it if there`s some in a show. |
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potatochobit
 Posts: 1373 Location: TEXAS |
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hmm, is mai hime in the same category? lol
I put this along side like ah, my buddha! or maybe samurai girls? a good harem show which is also a classic is love hina. lets just pretend negima never happened. I think sekirei suffered alot from market hype. I remember seeing pictures of sekirei posters all over japan. I think the producers were also under preassure to make decisions in the anime that they probably didn't want. |
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configspace
Posts: 3717 |
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No. A review should be helpful to its target audience, for its criticism to be centered around its intent, NOT to be criticized for its intent--that's what you call a rant. In other words reviews should actually be useful. What you are advocating for is like having someone who doesn't listen to hip-hop review a song and conclude, the chorus has a nice melody, but there are repetitive beats and just talking and no singing therefore recommends against it.
A reviewer's job is to provide a service. You don't need an actual review to know if it aligns with your taste or not. A brief synopsis with some descriptions and pics (i.e. show cliff notes) would provide all the information you need in that case. It is ironic because your argument here is irrelevant since if you're not going to watch it, just like my example above if you're not ever going to buy a hip-hop cd, then why bother? Some of the posters here who aren't freaking out over teh-boobies actually provide more useful info, including highlighting flaws (e.g. comparison to manga, story, etc) to potential viewers and fans than the review |
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