Comments on: Ask John: What’s John’s Opinion of Endless Eight? http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/ Anime News & More! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:35:56 -0800 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: The End of Endless Eight « Betsuni http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3860 The End of Endless Eight « Betsuni Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:53:56 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3860 [...] longest time I could not understand why Kadokawa was trolling their fan base, until I came across this article which helped to shed some light on the inscrutable mind of the executive meddlers. I will [...] [...] longest time I could not understand why Kadokawa was trolling their fan base, until I came across this article which helped to shed some light on the inscrutable mind of the executive meddlers. I will [...]

]]> By: Otaku Ohana » Blog Archive » Vacation, all I ever wanted http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3762 Otaku Ohana » Blog Archive » Vacation, all I ever wanted Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:30:55 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3762 [...] The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Yen Press). Because hey, at least it’s not another “Endless Eight” episode. [...] [...] The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Yen Press). Because hey, at least it’s not another “Endless Eight” episode. [...]

]]> By: seanny http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3681 seanny Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:16:54 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3681 It's sad because this gag/satire comes at the expense of the quality of the product because, at the end of the day, you're left with several redundant, uninteresting episodes rather than a series worth watching. This was not the case with the first season premiering out of order, because the end product was not compromised for the sake of a joke. Endless Eight however smacks of immaturity. It’s sad because this gag/satire comes at the expense of the quality of the product because, at the end of the day, you’re left with several redundant, uninteresting episodes rather than a series worth watching. This was not the case with the first season premiering out of order, because the end product was not compromised for the sake of a joke. Endless Eight however smacks of immaturity.

]]> By: starcade http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3675 starcade Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:11:55 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3675 And not for the better, John. I'll take it one step further and worse: With the studios unable to continue to afford to put out new product, in many cases, expect more of this - a lot more. And not for the better, John.

I’ll take it one step further and worse: With the studios unable to continue to afford to put out new product, in many cases, expect more of this – a lot more.

]]> By: John http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3648 John Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:27:36 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3648 I was also recently asked if "Endless Eight" is the first time a serial anime has basically repeated a single episode with only minor changes. I can't recall a similar situation in any other anime, but my memory is limited, and I haven't watched every anime series ever released. However, I do think it's safe to say that no other anime has ever repeated the same fundimental episode six or more times consecutively. So, for better or worse, "Endless Eight" certainly is a landmark in the history of anime. I was also recently asked if “Endless Eight” is the first time a serial anime has basically repeated a single episode with only minor changes. I can’t recall a similar situation in any other anime, but my memory is limited, and I haven’t watched every anime series ever released. However, I do think it’s safe to say that no other anime has ever repeated the same fundimental episode six or more times consecutively. So, for better or worse, “Endless Eight” certainly is a landmark in the history of anime.

]]> By: Ronlaen http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3640 Ronlaen Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:41:50 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3640 I for one am really enjoying the Endless Eight arc. Sure it's getting a little annoying but still watching each of the episodes and just noticing the slight variations is worth it. In the end the anticipation is what really makes it worth while and when it finally does conclude I think it'll be all the more satisfying. I for one am really enjoying the Endless Eight arc. Sure it’s getting a little annoying but still watching each of the episodes and just noticing the slight variations is worth it. In the end the anticipation is what really makes it worth while and when it finally does conclude I think it’ll be all the more satisfying.

]]> By: anitations - ask john (suzumiya haruhi and endless eight) http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3635 anitations - ask john (suzumiya haruhi and endless eight) Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:31:57 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3635 [...] via Endless Eight may be now KyoAni’s latest and most daring attempt to goad anime fans. It’s literally the knowing challenge, “We can do whatever we want because we know you’ll watch it.” And to a large extent, they’ve been proven right. Taken in a broader context, the Endless Eight episodes are a scathing illustration of the fickle hypocrisy of contemporary anime viewers. Anime fans worldwide complain about contemporary anime being all the same, lacking originality. Yet when Kyoto Animation literally delivers the same episode six times in a row, viewers continue to tune in. I may not like these episodes, but I have to respect Kyoto Animation’s most drastic move yet to point out the irrational, contrary behavior of anime otaku. I don’t know for certain what the Kyoto Animation staff is thinking, but I know that I’m personally thinking: if you’re willing to watch the same episode six times in a row, stop complaining about a lack of originality in anime. Obviously, you’re getting exactly what you’re willing to watch. [...] [...] via Endless Eight may be now KyoAni’s latest and most daring attempt to goad anime fans. It’s literally the knowing challenge, “We can do whatever we want because we know you’ll watch it.” And to a large extent, they’ve been proven right. Taken in a broader context, the Endless Eight episodes are a scathing illustration of the fickle hypocrisy of contemporary anime viewers. Anime fans worldwide complain about contemporary anime being all the same, lacking originality. Yet when Kyoto Animation literally delivers the same episode six times in a row, viewers continue to tune in. I may not like these episodes, but I have to respect Kyoto Animation’s most drastic move yet to point out the irrational, contrary behavior of anime otaku. I don’t know for certain what the Kyoto Animation staff is thinking, but I know that I’m personally thinking: if you’re willing to watch the same episode six times in a row, stop complaining about a lack of originality in anime. Obviously, you’re getting exactly what you’re willing to watch. [...]

]]> By: AnimeLife » Blog Archive » Interesting Article on Endless Eight http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3634 AnimeLife » Blog Archive » Interesting Article on Endless Eight Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:31:09 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3634 [...] on AnimeNation’s Ask John feature, he was asked his thoughts on the whole Endless Eight phenomena. I found it to be a very interesting [...] [...] on AnimeNation’s Ask John feature, he was asked his thoughts on the whole Endless Eight phenomena. I found it to be a very interesting [...]

]]> By: relentlessflame http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3631 relentlessflame Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:19:18 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3631 I don't think it's simply a matter of "we know you'll watch whatever we produce" (although that's probably true to a degree), because I'm sure they were planning to generate the sort of controversy we're now seeing. I don't think they were naive in thinking that *everyone* would just lap it up. Among other things, I see it also as a way of messing with the expectations of novel readers who, until now, have thought they could accurately predict exactly the way the show would unfold. This was reinforced by the fact that the re-airing resequenced the episodes yet again to be the way they were presented in the novels, followed by this "twist" which caused all theories to be thrown out the window. In a sense, this "expect the unexpected" sort of message causes the fans to resign themselves to the fact that the way the adaptation goes is entirely out of their control, which brings to mind the episode order craziness from the first airing. Of course, this also adds to their frustration (which is not only that the same content is being repeated, but that they have to wait even longer for the parts of the novels they were hoping to see animated). That aside, I think it's astute of you to relate this to the obsessive-compulsive nature of that certain segment of the (especially Japanese) fanbase. In fact, these episodes provide a treasure trove of minor details that could keep an obsessive-compulsive fan occupied for days. The fact that they actually re-animated each episode with different episode/animation directors, and made a conscious effort to introduce seemingly-minor variations in clothing, content, art style, effects, etc. shows that they do understand more about that certain segment of the market (that arguably makes up the largest portion of their paying customers) than some would have you believe. The Japanese DVD release also continues the sticker sheet ordeal from the first airing, with random allotments and special bonuses -- collect them all? I think that, once the anger subsides, at least a remnant will view this "story arc" with a certain degree of fascination, and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see this reflected in the sales. I think it's easy for people to judge these sorts of fans, but I say "to each their own". (Personally speaking, I've always thought that calls for "originality" in anime have been vastly overblown -- to me, anime has never been about originality -- so I'm fascinated by the concept that this may be a play on that idea.) At the end of the day, though, I think the fan reaction to this has been the most fascinating aspect of all. Even though the re-airing was shrouded in secrecy with only the vaguest of hints, fans built up massive expectations that this would be the "Second Season" they've long awaited. One might ask "How do you follow-up on one of the most loved and revered late-night anime of all time", and I like to think of this as a sort of answer. It sort of takes the expectations head-on and messes with them, in a "we're going to do what we're going to do; live with it or leave" sort of way. Whether "history" looks back at this as the moment Kyoto Animation lost their Midas touch or not, it certainly makes for an interesting milestone. I don’t think it’s simply a matter of “we know you’ll watch whatever we produce” (although that’s probably true to a degree), because I’m sure they were planning to generate the sort of controversy we’re now seeing. I don’t think they were naive in thinking that *everyone* would just lap it up. Among other things, I see it also as a way of messing with the expectations of novel readers who, until now, have thought they could accurately predict exactly the way the show would unfold. This was reinforced by the fact that the re-airing resequenced the episodes yet again to be the way they were presented in the novels, followed by this “twist” which caused all theories to be thrown out the window. In a sense, this “expect the unexpected” sort of message causes the fans to resign themselves to the fact that the way the adaptation goes is entirely out of their control, which brings to mind the episode order craziness from the first airing. Of course, this also adds to their frustration (which is not only that the same content is being repeated, but that they have to wait even longer for the parts of the novels they were hoping to see animated).

That aside, I think it’s astute of you to relate this to the obsessive-compulsive nature of that certain segment of the (especially Japanese) fanbase. In fact, these episodes provide a treasure trove of minor details that could keep an obsessive-compulsive fan occupied for days. The fact that they actually re-animated each episode with different episode/animation directors, and made a conscious effort to introduce seemingly-minor variations in clothing, content, art style, effects, etc. shows that they do understand more about that certain segment of the market (that arguably makes up the largest portion of their paying customers) than some would have you believe. The Japanese DVD release also continues the sticker sheet ordeal from the first airing, with random allotments and special bonuses — collect them all? I think that, once the anger subsides, at least a remnant will view this “story arc” with a certain degree of fascination, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see this reflected in the sales. I think it’s easy for people to judge these sorts of fans, but I say “to each their own”. (Personally speaking, I’ve always thought that calls for “originality” in anime have been vastly overblown — to me, anime has never been about originality — so I’m fascinated by the concept that this may be a play on that idea.)

At the end of the day, though, I think the fan reaction to this has been the most fascinating aspect of all. Even though the re-airing was shrouded in secrecy with only the vaguest of hints, fans built up massive expectations that this would be the “Second Season” they’ve long awaited. One might ask “How do you follow-up on one of the most loved and revered late-night anime of all time”, and I like to think of this as a sort of answer. It sort of takes the expectations head-on and messes with them, in a “we’re going to do what we’re going to do; live with it or leave” sort of way. Whether “history” looks back at this as the moment Kyoto Animation lost their Midas touch or not, it certainly makes for an interesting milestone.

]]> By: lasercat http://www.animenation.net/blog/2009/07/21/ask-john-whats-johns-opinion-of-endless-eight/comment-page-1/#comment-3630 lasercat Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:30:37 +0000 http://www.animenation.net/blog/?p=16977#comment-3630 KyoAni must be crazy if they expect people to pay for these episodes on DVD. Don't they come out 2 episodes per disc in Glorious Nippon? And a huge markup to boot. I don't know about you, but I waited VERY patiently for the new episodes to come out and this is what I am treated to. They could have found some other way to do their high-brow critique of anime fandom instead of pissing of their loyal fanbase. This Thursday better be the end of it. KyoAni must be crazy if they expect people to pay for these episodes on DVD. Don’t they come out 2 episodes per disc in Glorious Nippon? And a huge markup to boot.

I don’t know about you, but I waited VERY patiently for the new episodes to come out and this is what I am treated to. They could have found some other way to do their high-brow critique of anime fandom instead of pissing of their loyal fanbase.

This Thursday better be the end of it.

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