[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Basically, outside of just finding it really boring to sit through, I just felt that Geats got really, really pretentious the farther it went on. It became clear that it was less concerned about being a story and more about sticking it to the audience.

Like, do I agree with the people who go into media just wanting to enjoy drama and suffering and not much else? No, but in the end that's their right and they aren't harming anyone in doing so. People are allowed to indulge in their media however they want. And to dictate otherwise is not only a dick move, it's also really stupid.

The same audience that sent Satou Ryuuga (Keiwa's actor) death threats since he "betrayed" them by turning evil, which is similar to what happened to Neon when they found out she was an artificial human. Some of these fanatics really have that little self-awareness and will cross that line, so I can't call the show pretentious when the message is immediately proven right. I think we, the audience, need to take an L and accept that we're not perfect good human beings all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

It's massively hypocritical in its presentation too, because you have characters constantly talking about how all audiences care about is dramatic suffering, while in turn expecting you to care about the very character drama they themselves implement. Combine that with the same sorts of lines being repeated over and over again for like 20 episodes and the line towards the end of "Oh lots of people like happy endings too!" rings incredibly hallow.

The hypocrisy is kind of the point though, like how Michinaga freely admits he's exactly the same as the people he hates, yet he still does what he believes is necessary for the common good. Remember that the target demographic are kids, who generally don't have the same level of critical thinking as us adults, so Michinaga spelling it out for them while contesting Keiwa's halfhearted and increasingly deranged ideals may encourage them to consider more deeply the meaning of justice.

Honestly, I don't think Geats' final arc was cleanly executed either, but I'm also not going to waste energy on being offended by the show's criticism of me as one of the audience, since I already know I'm flawed. I always watch these shows with a critical mind, so I'd be a hypocrite and a narcissist if I didn't at least allow them to return the favor. When I think of pretentious and offensive, I'll think of Revice way before I think of Geats.