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04-12-2021, 07:58 PM | #61 |
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That final shot pretty much saved the entire episode for me. If it had turned out that Diao Qian completely regressed of his own choice despite everything that happened... yeah, I would not have been happy.
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04-13-2021, 08:07 PM | #62 |
The Immortal King Tasty
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Yeah, I actually really liked how the show kinda got to have its cake and eat it too with how the plot ends up playing out? There are these brief moments of temptation that help in making Cao Cao's point of view seem more credible, but he's still in the wrong at the end of the day, despite winning out on the surface. Really neat narrative this one had; Liu Bei getting kicked around for being an optimist here is as Ryuki as he's ever gotten, and I was way into that.
Although I think my favorite thing in the whole episode was just Mi Zhu remembering that second ice cream cone this time around.
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04-20-2021, 01:38 PM | #63 |
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Episode 15 "Zhang Lu The Hypnotist of Feathers Part One
Picking up from the last episode Liu Bei is distracted by what happened to Tiao Qian. And while Xu Shu is visiting accidentally poured soy sauce into her drink. Which prompts her to ask what’s wrong. After explaining about the previous episode and showing the deather Xu SHu puts into her and nothing wrong. She believes it from heaven and that it belongs to a Legend Hero. Xu Shu leaves and Liu Bei notices Mi Zhu going crazy for Gongsan Zan instantly linking this to the previous incident. After Mi Zhu tells off his two friends Liu Bei goes after them and sees the old man from before who has turned those two against each other. His name is Zhang Lu(though it was not said in this episode) Zhang Lu pulls out his Hero Piece and becomes Legend Hero Yu Ji! It turns out he’s blind and relies on sound like a bat. Though Zhang Lu and Yu Ji don’t get along despite his Hero Piece tries to help him in battle. Liu Bei hesitates near the end due to finding out his blindness, which in turn he’s called a hypocrite by Zhang Lu and escapes. Liu Bei then tries to get Cao Cao into it by presenting the feather and explaining what’s going on, insisting on working together to stop him, which he refuses. Afterward, Liu Bei and Gongsan try everything to break Mi Zhu’s control. In the end, a compliment from her broke it. The two interrogate.Mi Zhu over what he remembers about meeting a fortune teller yesterday. The two then rush to meet Zhang Lu who calls them the ones that are blind. After initiating a final battle it seems one-sided for Liu Bei until the two realize that he is susceptible to loud noises which Gongsan Zan causes by shooting near him so that Liu Bei can finish him off. Afterward, Liu Bei tries to talk him down claiming his desire for his sight back isn’t a reason to do this. To which Zhang Lu scoffs claiming he doesn’t want his eyesight back but rather a world where everyone is true to themselves. He manages to hit Gongsan ending the episode. So another new antagonist has been introduced. Despite being blind Zhang Lu claims that everyone else is “blind” being fake around each other. It seems he doesn’t care for the Hero Battle instead wanting to use his power to reveal a person’s true nature. It’s honestly brilliant having Gongzan’s “true nature” be revealed. As she’s always seen Liu Bei be weaker in some regard from her outburst back in Episode 5 to her assurance to winning the contest and surprise when Liu Bei did in Episode 10. I think this is going to be a great character growth for her. Episode 16 "Zhang Lu The Hypnotist of Feathers Part Two Jumping forward a bit Liu Bei has been kicked out of Do-wan-Kwan by Gongsan Sun. Elsewhere Yu Ji once again tries to help Zhang Lu but he believes that he is only doing this to survive and that he doesn’t trust him. Cutting back Cao Cao jogging he then sees a bunch of people arguing and fighting one another spotting Zhang Lu realizing Liu Bei was right he engages in battle. Quickly realizing how powerful Cao Cao is Zhang Lu retreats. Lieu Bei contemplates if this is really how Gongsan Zan feels however upon seeing Tian QIan and his mother passing by and reminded how he was forced to become evil again he makes up his mind. And Liu Bei once again confronts Zhang Lu and demands that he turn them back which he scoffs due to believing everyone truly is like this. Liu Bei responds that he’ll prove him wrong and that is not his right to force these things out. As Zhang Lu struggles to find his cane he heads Yu Ji's words. Mi Zhu also gets kicked out and as Liu Bei consoles him the two from before arriving and they start hounding Mi Zhu but he stands up from himself and reminds them of their bond which breaks the feather's control. FInally Cao Cao and Liu Bei team up despite their identical differences to take Zhang Lu down. Gongzan arrives and beats Liu Bei and using this opportunity and feather was shot into him. Revealing that Liu Bei wants the real Gongsan back, admits to his flaws, and just wants to see the good in people. Which does break the spell on her as Zhang Lu lies defeated. He is shocked that he was wrong and feels regret for abusing Yu Ji asking Liu Bei to take him in. Cao Cao can’t understand why both he and WAng Yun before trust Liu Bei so easily. However in the end Yu Ji doesn’t want to betray Zhang Lu and chooses to stay and die. Liu Bei goes home sad however Mi Zhu provides the monthly meal and they all eat happily. The episode ends with Zhang Lu accepting the aid of kids to help up a stairway as Cao Cao swears that Liu Bei will be proven wrong. Zhang Lu is a cynic. Disappointed in the world and is lashing back at everyone. Liu Bei’s true face even under his influence manages to be his usual sincere self. That what ultimately wins his goodness. Furthering on Cao Cao’s story even when fighting alongside Liu Bei he tries to solo everything. He now sees things with Liu Bei as personal because of their ideologies opposing one another.
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Last edited by GrandComplete; 04-20-2021 at 02:18 PM.. |
04-20-2021, 07:58 PM | #64 |
The Immortal King Tasty
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Oh man, I adored these ones. I have a thing for deeply embittered antagonists trying to force their truth on the world, and this two-parter used that idea pretty smartly to build on the overall arc with Cao Cao, while still being an interesting individual story. I thought Zhang Lu's characterization was really well-handled, and Liu Bei winning the day by being too stupidly optimistic to be corrupted was obvious yet highly satisfying.
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04-20-2021, 08:16 PM | #65 |
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This is gonna sound weird coming from me, but...
I actually didn't like how this one ended. Like, yeah, I get what they were overall going for; Proving that not everyone is lying about their feelings. But on the other hand, having Liu Bei be the only one who remains unchanged kinda proves Zhang Lu's point; That the populace at large was lying to the people they supposedly loved. It also unfortunately proves that Diao Qian was a thieving douche. Personally, I feel it would've been alot more poignant had all the people who'd been corrupted eventually come around after getting everything off their chest. Heck, I felt like that's where it was leading, considering both Gongsun Zan and Mi Zhu came around after being told that their fears of being unappreciated were unfounded. Still, I did like this two-parter overall. Just felt the ending could've been a bit better.
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Last edited by DreamSword; 04-20-2021 at 08:29 PM.. |
04-20-2021, 09:08 PM | #66 |
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Hmm I interpreted the ending diffrently tbh. I thought that Zhang Lu didn't need to be reminded that the large populace. Just that the he was so absoulite about how the world works. And when faced with someone else truth he breaks down realizing how bitter he's become.
As for his powers and in relation to Diao Qian I felt it was amplifying and disregarding who he actually was. In a sense stripping free will. Liu Bei stamement of people choosing is inportant here.
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04-21-2021, 05:42 PM | #67 |
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Quote:
Hmm I interpreted the ending diffrently tbh. I thought that Zhang Lu didn't need to be reminded that the large populace. Just that the he was so absoulite about how the world works. And when faced with someone else truth he breaks down realizing how bitter he's become.
As for his powers and in relation to Diao Qian I felt it was amplifying and disregarding who he actually was. In a sense stripping free will. Liu Bei stamement of people choosing is inportant here. Your interpretation is totally valid though. I just felt things could've been done a bit better.
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05-12-2021, 11:33 PM | #68 |
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Episode 17"Sun Ce The Tiger of Gangdong" & Episode 18"Diamond cut diamond. Dowon-kwan VS. Gangdong-kwan
So I'm trying something new here. I feel like my style of doing this thread was too restrictive. Too much recapping and not enough of my own thoughts. So I’m now trying this out with less emphasis on recaps and photos and more on my analysis. And feel free to criticize this as I’m learning and growing with this. So these two episodes actually remind me of episodes 7-8 but better. In comes down to being thematically relevant thanks to this episode being focused on martial arts. Which I feel in the last couple of arcs have taken a back seat. Speaking of episode 7-8 the two Fly Bros make their reapprence. And overally effective episodic antagonist even showing some level of more critical thinking then just attacking head on. We learn Zhang Jue is a glitch in the Mother Computer system and something called the Rainbow event will occur sooner now. Another brand new toku staple has made a return this time mooks. And they kinda have a Kurokage vibe from them being very simplistic black generic Legend Hero suits. I dig them. But enough about that, let's talk about the main star of these episodes, Sun Ce. Very much a parallel to Liu Bei, honest, hotheaded and honorable he’s also currently the strongest Legend Hero due to his experience in martial arts and having 3 Hero Pieces. And I like his base design pale blue with white is always a fantastic color combo to me. The show also sets up future storyline with a boy named Quan and their estranged relationship. Sun Ce being a regular member is also great introducing a new element to the show large cast. I am a little worried the show might be juggling to many character however the show so far hasn’t disappointed and the pace where going allows there to be a status quo to be enjoyed but not stagnating,I also find it funny that his sister has a rivalry with Gongsan but she doesn't remember her at all feels like a fun jab of the trope of a new character showing up but the show acting like they’ve been there from the start. Another thing the choreography in this was great in thanks to the emphasis on martial arts here. Getting to see more out of suit fighting is always cool. By the way the next review won’t be long I promise. So the question I have to ask is what do you think of these foot soldiers? Do you think the show needed them? In general how do you feel about mooks in a toku show?
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Last edited by GrandComplete; 05-12-2021 at 11:42 PM.. |
05-13-2021, 03:30 PM | #69 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
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Mooks are always nice to have.
Anyway, I wasn't too big a fan of this two-parter to be honest. It felt like a step back in a handful of ways. I think the biggest issue I had was Sun Ce. He feels really shilled ontop of coming off as very condescending, hypocritical, and pretty annoying alot of times. Also, he really reminds me of someone but I just can't place it. Like, a guy who does bad things, yet in the end is praised as if he's wise and cool, constantly talks to down to nearly everyone around him, is for no real reason way stronger than the rest of the cast up to this point, and has no trouble getting in the way of everyone else for his own selfishness? Ugh, I just can't place it. Regardless, not a fan. Not a fan.
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05-13-2021, 09:53 PM | #70 |
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To me Sun Ce is kinda like a more extreme version Liu Bei. He increadibly earnest and it helps that he actually called out with his whole street fighting thing. And the ending of him in the dojo suggest to me at least he kind of cool off. Hope he become a better character to you as the shoe goes on.
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