Nodame Cantabile: Raw notes

Waiting on Froth-Bite to complete the series. I'm in no particular hurry, otherwise I'd have finished the last episode using speed subs. I've already read a bit about the last episode so I have a vague idea of how it's going to end, even if I don't know the minute details.

While not as consistent in production as, say, Honey and Clover, Nodame Cantabile was a much more enjoyable watch for me because it speaks to something I relate to. It's a self-serving reason, but if people are told to write about what they know, then I'm going to watch what I know. Rest assured, though! I do have a frustration/boredom threshold, and the only series I have dropped happens to be La Corda d'Oro, another music type series.

One of the elements I have the most mixed feelings about, which goes beyond the frequent still shots and CG, is the large blocks of time devoted to concert performances. On one hand, I want to listen to the music, but on the other, it exposes the disadvantage of trying to package a music setting into 22 minute episodes.

I have no doubt that anyone who has no interest in classical music will be bored out of their minds watching several minutes of still shots and CG instrument playing, all without dialog. I also understand that quite a bit of the source story was cut, probably as a result of the episode length and series run time. What remained, though, was still a serviceable story with what looks to be a solid finish, although at several points it felt rushed, such as the bit with Chiaki's family and various confrontations between characters.

As per the title, the rest of this entry doesn't have much in the way of discussion about What It Means To Me. When I'm done the series proper, I may be able to attempt to write about something to that effect. The notes are compiled in more or less chronological order.


I really like Ayako Kawasumi's evil/dark/angry mode. There was a teaser in one of the earlier episodes where she expresses jealousy, but a dry spell quickly hit and I've been disappointed until episode 15.

LIES!

Hardcore woodwind players will make their own reeds out of blanks, not unlike carving sculptures out of blocks of wood. And for noobs like me, we can buy Rico Royal 4's. Woodwinds, by definition, is a superset that includes clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, and oboes.

In the immediate aftermath of the introduction of the second OP, it came off as a poor choice. We've only reached the halfway point. It's a little early to say goodbye, isn't it? And that is exactly what Sagittarius feels like. It was only with the conclusion of the RS Orchestra arc that it began to fit the context of the series.

I was kind of weirded out by how Chiaki's consistent abuse didn't break Nodame, but one infraction by Eto made her murderously grim. I suppose there was some give and take when it came to Chiaki. Plus, Chiaki isn't strictly her teacher, and as hinted in episode 21, she might have a fear of piano instructors. Just noting this in case I find myself wondering all of a sudden in the future.

The only person unable to give a standing ovation

Episode 19 was really powerful. The Rising Stars Orchestra arc that it concluded had some good momentum through its goal orientation, or maybe it was because I had begun my Froth-Bite catchup marathon around that point. We see a shift in thinking from Nodame which was very selfless.


Nodame has not deviated from her attempts to keep Chiaki close to her, but before, she endeavoured to fit their relationship within the context of her own ambitions, which were landlocked. In episode 19, she decides to lay her future on the line, just as Chiaki did conducting the RS Orchestra, so that she might fit in with Chiaki's dreams.

Nodame's competition failure was inevitable, having been a miracle that she even made it past the round that occurred on her off day. But consider the message being sent were she to have won, or even placed in the competition. It's the dream of every talented student no matter what the subject of study: to cruise through school/work/life based on innate gifts.

Talent can only take you so far. If the commitment to practice and memorize isn't there, a performer can never be the complete package. It's a lesson that isn't restricted to only the performing world. Nodame lacks discipline, and her passion for music is only an indirect consequence of her love for Chiaki. In her current mindset, she could never succeed as a performer on her own.

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Sky Girls episode 6

Some quick points worth mentioning. Maybe.

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Nice stunt pulled during episode 6. The progression from drill practice to combat went too quickly to figure out that they were doing more simulator work. The very real opponent and live-fire weapons only added to the confusion. That the rifle Eika used was different from the ones used during the shooting demonstration didn't register until after the fact.


Karen is the quintessential nerd as she picks Nanae apart. When she applies her talents to more useful pursuits, it's taken for granted and even somewhat dry, but when she goes estimating other people, it's unintentionally funny, like the surprise that follows discovering an unintended use for some skill. Lucky Star's Miyuki would never apply herself to such nefarious purposes. If you enjoy fan service, there's plenty of that this episode.

I looked up the cast for the first time today and was surprised to see Ayako Kawasumi voicing Otoha. Now I can't watch this episode without hearing a less insane version of Megumi Noda on numerous occasions.

The writers belabour the point of the Sonic Divers with Captain Togo. He doesn't come across as dense or so kind as to be naive about why the military takes an interest in these things, so his surprise concerning the weaponization of the Sonic Divers is completely unbelievable. If you went in with no idea that there would be fighting involved, which would entail ignoring the OP and Eika's dogfight in the first episode, you might just be inclined to feel sorry for him. But as it stands, he's just there for the sake of being the token gruff guy.

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Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei: Target China

If blackboard musings are any indication of what the SHAFT team finds interesting, then China must be their current whipping boy. It's not wholly undeserved, especially when absurd things like meat buns, cardboard, and toothpaste are involved. With the Mattel recall involving miniature magnets and lead paint, China is like the laughingstock of the export nations. Well, with markets way down on account of stupidity and greed (aren't they always?), someone needs to play the village idiot for comedic relief.




On a totally unrelated note, I am a stats whore. I have yet to reach that transcendental state where it matters not if anyone reads this. I figure, I might as well be talking to a blank wall, right? If the blank wall talks back, then you've arrived at Enlightenment. Or you're crazy.

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Zipang: Future Sight

So I'm stonewalled for the next two months until the final release arrives. Still, with a DVD titled Return to the Future, we might suppose that there may yet be some time travel involved. I'm a bit displeased that the final two DVD's have three episodes each, are devoid of extras, yet cost the same as all the others. It's a reality of the cost of physical media that will have to be tolerated for a while yet.

Update: I went ahead and got spoilers. There is no definitive ending, and it's not a life goes on kind of ending, either. I despise you marketing people.

With the last three episodes, it's hinted that war becomes more of a setting for an adventure story and less of a theme or message, should there ever be a sequel. Zipang could certainly use one (manga is still ongoing, too), perhaps in a shorter 13 episode run or OVA.

A lot can happen in the last three episodes and if warranted, another entry will go up after finishing the series.

This control room is pretty. I'd reuse this shot, too.

First off, this series exposes the thinking and military doctrine of Japanese World War II commanders. Suicide instead of accountability; human spirit instead of superior numbers, logistics, and firepower; over-extension and inability to consolidate gains; bickering between the army and navay; these are a few of the elements that contributed to the unraveling of Japan's military machine.

On the flip side, the Americans are portrayed as brash (but there are mitigating circumstances) but invariably confused by the presence of the Mirai and its equally un-orthodox (for the time) threats.

What Zipang is not, is a recognition of Japan's mistreatment of everyone not Japanese. Saying that "all blood is red" and other positive sentiments is great, but there is little depiction of anyone other than Japanese and Americans. Zipang does well to ignore those messy bits, keeping the action focused on the conflict between Japan and America and the avoidance of conflict. And to end the war, Kusaka is willing to give up the colonization of much of south Asia because the crucial resource, oil, can be found - where else? - in China. No sir, Kusaka's ideal Japan is not devoid of imperialist ambitions.

The driving force behind most of the character and story development is the conflict between war-time sentiment and the ideals that followed 60 years on. The crew of the Mirai are frequently held hostage by their mission of self-defence, rescue, and initial struggles to keep history unchanged. Their reluctance to have anyone killed lets them be manipulated by Kusaka, leading directly to the events surrounding Guadalcanal, and they take casualties in a forced demonstration of their anti-air capabilities during an American air raid.

I have the least sympathy for Kadomatsu. He's a tool, basically Kusaka's lackey for the first half of the series, followed by poor decision making in the latter half. Yanagi was evidently unfit for ground operations; his tubby look might have had something to do with that but that was conveniently overlooked. He decided to board the "escort" submarine fully aware that Taki was sketchy as hell, and that the plane must have taken off from a carrier. Even though the crew of the Mirai are continuously burned by their willingness to trust, Kadomatsu is the lead lemming, and should have been overruled by the demonstrably wiser captain on multiple occasions.

The right way is not always the easiest, but while it's commendable that the Mirai adheres to its guiding principals when at all possible, they refuse to acknowledge that they are in Rome. World War II personnel do not know the definition of deterrence, which necessarily grew out of the Cold War's policy of Mutually Assured Destruction. Related to that, no one knew what peacekeeping was, which was only introduced by post-war Canada.

Having never truly appreciated (and mostly never witnessed) the accuracy, range, and destructive power of post-Cold War armament, it's no surprise that the Americans do not back down, and it is only because Kusaka has seen an ASROC launch up close that the Mirai can bluff their way out of a confrontation with the Yamato.

What should you expect to see in Zipang? You get to witness an anti-war message, conspiracy plot, and the success and infuriating mistakes of an inexperienced (and naive) crew aboard a destroyer that should not be equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles. The self-defence imperative is there but is not used as a stick with which to beat the viewer over the head. It's woven into a fairly engaging story, treating all combatants involved with respect.

Just don't expect the Korean labourers at Guadalcanal to receive any love.

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Zipang: Reconnaissance

The last DVD came in shortly after its North American release but I only got started yesterday. The gist of it is that the Mirai, a Kongo class guided missile destroyer, goes back in time, arriving on the eve of the Battle of Midway. For more detail (and spoilers), there's always the Wikipedia article.

I'll spare notes about the actual content for another entry. This one will be on the technicals and goodies. Essentially, there are no extras worth mentioning, unless you count the mouse pad that came with the collector's box. Each DVD comes with OP, ED, and DVD production credits and Geneon previews, and that's it.

No problems with the artwork and animation. There are no pretty characters; it's war after all. CG for ship models and other war pieces blend in well. There were some instances where footage was reused, like in search light signaling, but it wasn't detracting.

Background music either stands out (in a good way) or doesn't. Zipang has one standout theme, played by a saxophone wailing in the night. There's also a strings variation, but the saxophone is most prominent and occurs during combat.

I just thought this image was kind of badly pasted in.

I don't watch with dubs, so no comment there. As for the subtitling, well, I don't know what's par for the course, but I estimate there were more nitpicks than I'd find with a fansub released by the likes of a.f.k, and one would think that no one pays their quality check members.

I've listed the minor annoyances below. I'm not out to be Geneon USA's QC; these were things picked up during a first pass.

Well snap. I seem to be missing one DVD that will be released October 16, 2007. Quite the lack of due diligence on my part. See you in two months!

"Your father was in the marine." — Episode 1. Did he actually say, "in the marines," or mean to say, "in the navy?"

"I'm am no god." — Episode 8. Fail.

"It's name is Zipang." — Episode 13. Its versus It's, but technically both are correct and it is a matter of preference.

Episode 15 intro on fast forward. Not a subtitling problem, but it was kind of awkward. It was a conscious decision, since the audio was in line with the scenes and not fast forwarded.

Near the end one of the scenes in Episode 16 (not the last scene) the subs drop out. Sometimes they do that if what's being said is a recent reiteration, but it's still annoying. There are also some timing errors (I think) where the line may follow before or after it's spoken.

"...the Mirai can still avoid them easily with her speed superior mobility." — Episode 20. Missing an "and."

Episode 21 featured two glaring omissions of subtitles: during a scene involving a prone body, and during the next episode preview.

"Make you get back before curfew, alright?" — Episode 22. Make sure…

"It too late." — Episode 23. There's something missing here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

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Nanoha StrikerS: Midchildan markets tumble. Towers, too.

Episode 16/17 was a grim day for The 6th MS Team (as well as Web 2.0, Sesame Street, and the Beastie Boys).

Nanoha StrikerS is in large part about growing the cast company, or just plain growing up. For the cast, there was plenty of growing up to be had by way of a thorough beat down. But continuing on with the corporate analogy, the startup days are over.

Non-stop confrontation is over. Do or die every episode, as a general rule, is over. Other people give the orders and impose crippling limits on their subordinates. A lot of the episodes have this comfortable, laid-back, secure desk job, feel. This might actually be because there are actual desk job scenes. Lots of them.

Training is just that. It's repetitive and progress is generally measured over weeks, if not months. I can appreciate training, but it's hard to make training scenes compelling to watch. Invariably all such scenes have, "Do this. Do that. Do this again. Here's a tip. Here's a new ability" ad nauseum.

When the characters involved in training don't totally suck but aren't absolutely brilliant either, it's doubly hard to watch with interest. There are no antics or mishaps from newbies, nor are there personality conflicts between n00bs and l33ts alike. Limbo characters just follow orders, over and over, and steadily get better. Their continued improvement is as assured as paint drying.

An elegant weapon for a more…civilized age

No doubt more consideration will be given to the replacement of our modern weapons with magical ones. It would have been nice if more information to that debate was offered up front in place of some of the training scenes. If nothing else, more office politics would have sufficed. Those teaser discussions between Gaiz and Auris brought nothing to the table, other than maybe Auris having a crisis of confidence (or conscience) in an elevator.

And finally, just some musings specific to episode 17.

Choke MOAR

Okay Vice, I understand that you might be high off the fumes from burning plastics, asbestos, and stuffed toy rabbits, but real snipers shake off the hallucinations. Are you not a pro sniper? Apparently, not pro enough. I suppose when you're washed up, you're washed up, damaged goods, etc.

Locked on? Screw the rules, I have technology!

It's not quite aimbot, but just who is in charge here? How good of a sniper are you if you need your rifle to tell you when to fire? But still, they should have had a better reason for deploying a sniper. The dude was holding a knife. For mages with barrier jackets, what is a knife going to do? And there are people who can hover! Rappel (or hover) down from the side, swing in, apply a barrier to the kid (or apply flash bang), kick butt.

If Vice doesn't pick up his sniper rifle again or if Teana doesn't receive pointers, I'll be disappointed. It means a scene was wasted talking about his past, which could have been easily inferred from his conveniently timed flashback.

This thing can turn on a dime, Macross Zero stylez!

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Theme and non-variation

I'm not going to lie. I finished the last 8 episodes this afternoon and feel slightly ill. But in the end, it didn't matter if it was 8 episodes in one sitting, or one episode at a time, as Azumanga Daioh generally failed to hold my interest.

Maybe if taken one episode a week, things might have changed, but that's because one week gives you plenty of time to forget that you're really watching the same episode with some scenic or situational adjustments. I do have a soft spot for penguins, though, so episode 16 was like an oasis in a desert.

While on the topic of episode specifics, re: 10 km marathon. Just because you get good grades doesn't mean you're not a lemming. Nor does it mean you do your research before taking in a wild animal and leaving it alone with your pet dog. One of the few moments of justice occurred when said wild animal bit a certain aggravating character, who proceeded to be red-carded by the token jock.

Unfortunately, for me anyway, Tomo was never ejected from the series. Upon a bit more consideration, I wasn't bothered so much through watching the same interactions over and over, it's because those interactions were so antagonistic. Sure, she was full of it for the sake of being full of it, and if you could blow it off then power to you. I was unable to get past that, and the rest of the flatly characterized cast comprising the Loser Brigade let her walk all over them, and her treatment of Chiyo bordered on the verge of bullying.

Going back to still shots for a moment, include slow motion gestures and group them under the generic category of Moments with Zero Dialog. I agree with Owen's opinion that they are present for the sole purpose of forcing humour (maybe) down your throat, sort of like, "Look, look! Isn't it funny? Nothing more will happen until you agree!" In other series MZD is used in a more natural and benign manner, such as atmosphere or stunned silence, which is a shade different from awkward tolerance for the sake of being polite to the inane.

I don't know what it was like during 2002 so I lack context. Maybe Azumanga Daioh was brilliant for its time and I've just been spoiled by the present. I've seen better high school graduations and partings from the likes of Hitohira and Manabi Straight. And despite the wackiness and sometimes alienating humour, Lucky Star has dialog that flows much better than Tomo's one-sided brow beatings or Sakaki's social awkwardness (she's no Chikane). Sure, conversations between Minano and Yukari flowed like conversations, but those instances were rare, and it's hard to compare all the time with some of the time.

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