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01-29-2021, 01:23 PM | #11 |
Yodonna oshi
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 748
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c/w: discussion of assumption of predatory themes in this thread
Gosh, I cried during this episode. I thought it was wonderful and uncomfortable and heartbreaking, and I thought it really addressed the issue of loss really, really well without specifically having to come out and say that such was the theme of the episode. I felt genuinely upset watching it because of the sadness of the main character and his attempts to connect with another human being, and it kind of makes me sad that some of the comments here instantly connect that with a more predatory relationship. I can see how the framework of the story could be used to explore such a relationship, and I can see that there is an inherent and potentially dangerous power imbalance here in the episode as it stands, if Calorie ever was a real person and not just a kaijin all along—in fact, if this wasn't children's television, and it wasn't just one episode, I'd be the first person to say, yes, let's talk about this, let's tell stories about this, but I think to assume that is the subject of the text simply based on the fact that it depicts a child and a man undergoing a crisis of faith is a poor read. It also implies that there is a connexion between mental health issues and predatory behaviour, which isn't a pleasant connotation. I don't know. I was excited to talk about this episode, but now I feel somewhat sad after reading some of the comments. I don't know. Check yourself, as Ice Cube once said, before you wreck yourself. lighter note: I wish I had a stone that could make me look like Yodonna, lol. (also: I wish there was some way I could +1 fish's post.) (also, also: this did the entire Yeti arc of Saber better than Saber did.) |
01-29-2021, 05:30 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 685
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Quote:
c/w: discussion of assumption of predatory themes in this thread
Gosh, I cried during this episode. I thought it was wonderful and uncomfortable and heartbreaking, and I thought it really addressed the issue of loss really, really well without specifically having to come out and say that such was the theme of the episode. I felt genuinely upset watching it because of the sadness of the main character and his attempts to connect with another human being, and it kind of makes me sad that some of the comments here instantly connect that with a more predatory relationship. I can see how the framework of the story could be used to explore such a relationship, and I can see that there is an inherent and potentially dangerous power imbalance here in the episode as it stands, if Calorie ever was a real person and not just a kaijin all along—in fact, if this wasn't children's television, and it wasn't just one episode, I'd be the first person to say, yes, let's talk about this, let's tell stories about this, but I think to assume that is the subject of the text simply based on the fact that it depicts a child and a man undergoing a crisis of faith is a poor read. It also implies that there is a connexion between mental health issues and predatory behaviour, which isn't a pleasant connotation. I don't know. I was excited to talk about this episode, but now I feel somewhat sad after reading some of the comments. I don't know. Check yourself, as Ice Cube once said, before you wreck yourself. lighter note: I wish I had a stone that could make me look like Yodonna, lol. (also: I wish there was some way I could +1 fish's post.) (also, also: this did the entire Yeti arc of Saber better than Saber did.) Quote:
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This episode was written by a guy who’s only ever written police dramas (I checked his IMDb page after the listings dropped) and by a director who’s only done specials. That alone left me anxious prior to watching it.
I’ll be honest. I’m not a fan of these “slice of life” episodes when the appear in Tokusatsu. It’s why Taketera’s Rider output never appealed to me and also why I’m not particularly looking forward to the Arakawa episodes of Hurricaneger (since that seems to be mostly them). I did like the idea of humans being turned into Jamenju, but I feel if they were going to implement this idea, it really should’ve been mid-season, when it would’ve made a bigger impact (we haven’t had a swap out for stronger monsters since Ninninger (or arguably, Kyuranger) and it’s something I miss). But I did like that final gag where Yodonna says the darkened Kanaema stone fits in more with Yodonheim. Next episode also looks to be a good one, I’ve already made a few jokes about it and I’ve got a new one for this forum: Not content with having done a Sentai with three cat warriors, Michiko Yokote decides to turn three warriors from another Sentai into cats. Quote:
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I really enjoyed this one, but that's not too surprising when it revolves around Juuru's passion for art. It could only be more up my alley if it were another Shimo episode, but instead, the writer is... some guy! Who I've never heard of! That, too, is not very surprising, since from what I quickly looked up, it seems Tomihiko Tokunaga is totally new to the tokusatsu scene, but has plenty of experience elsewhere.
That sounds about right for this episode's script, which is simultaneously quite competent, and maybe just the tiniest bit out of step with how Kiramager's usual style? Not to any major degree, mind you. Right away, the usual barrage of sight gags and wacky character interactions are all present and accounted for. Not everyone gets the best chance to properly display their personalities, which is maybe one thing that points to this being a new writer, but Shiguru being made to suffer for the viewer's amusement certainly checks out. Juuru is very much himself too, though it's not like he's a difficult character to get a grasp on. He's super nice, very excitable, appreciates creativity, and loves seeing other people succeed – all of which is right at the center of this episode's sort of weird fairy tale about a nerdy aspiring artist who feels crushed by the world. I'm honestly not sure I understood some of the finer details of what's going on with Hatta in this one? The chain of events at the end, mostly, is either oddly inexplicit for a Sentai episode, or I'm just too dumb for figure out the obvious reason a man's entire house disappeared. This is why I'm saying the script feels different than normal, by the way. The broad strokes of it, though, just everything it was exploring conceptually, I thought that was all great, and super appropriate for Kiramager. People finding joy in expressing themselves and supporting one another in their personal interests gets right to the core of what so much of the series is about, and that's the big victory of the writing for me. Even the way Hatta is characterized as hiding deep feelings of inferiority behind superficial boasts fits in perfectly. It's an impressive first effort, I thought. What I found even more impressive was the direction, which stood out as unique to me, which, one final time, is not very surprising when the director is also some guy! Kouichirou Hayama previously handled a couple random minor LuPat things, like a late series clip show, but obviously it's not exactly a name I took note of with that body of work. Going by this episode, though, I could honestly see that changing. I thought the cinematography here was super lively. Stuff like the team all eating in extreme close-up at the start grabbed my attention, but what I ended up finding the most interesting was just the way different scenes have totally different lighting to match the mood. Juuru's side of the plot has a notably warm look to a lot of it, especially. But then it'll pull these little tricks like how the colors go cold as Hatta reads nasty online comments, only to gradually rise back to an even more aggressive golden hour orange as he's offered false salvation by the monster. A lot of nice attention to detail in the visuals this week. So yeah, despite the unfamiliar talent behind it, I thought this ended up being a real solid episode with a bit of a different flavor. Wouldn't mind seeing more from either of these guys! |
01-29-2021, 05:41 PM | #13 |
Yodonna oshi
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 748
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Quote:
I feel that this is not the forum to discuss the issue, but when aberrant and awful behaviour is a the default assumption because someone is presented as both a.) unwell, and b.) interacting with a minor, it's not helpful. I really don't want to be incendiary when writing this, and I don't want to be that person who won't let people have any fun, but I think there is a genuine case for consideration of the history of this kind of portrayal in media and the sad association that is perpetuated when such comments are made. Again, I'm not trying to cause trouble, so sorry if I come across as no fun whatsoever. |
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