Black Rock Shooter TV anime discussion thread

[TheGreenMan]

Pluses: It's BRS! An all-star cast (including the VA for Hibiki from Idolm@ster and the NOTO).
Minuses: The character designs are meh. CG. 8 episodes!
Unknown: Retelling of the OVA? Continuation of the OVA?

Airs Feb 2 on the Noitamina block on Fuji TV

Animation studio: Ordet & SANZIGEN
ANN Entry: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=13310
Website: http://www.noitamina-brs.jp/



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[MelancholicMariya]

Pluses: It's BRS! An all-star cast (including the VA for Hibiki from Idolm@ster and the NOTO).
Minuses: The character designs are meh. CG. Supercell.


Whaaaat? Come on. Supercell are great.

And you know it.

Though seriously I don't think that'll be a minus for many people. A lot of people adore Supercell. Wasn't Supercell an integral part of Black Rock Shooter's popularity anyway?

[TheGreenMan]

Pluses: It's BRS! An all-star cast (including the VA for Hibiki from Idolm@ster and the NOTO).
Minuses: The character designs are meh. CG. Supercell.


Whaaaat? Come on. Supercell are great.

And you know it.

Though seriously I don't think that'll be a minus for many people. A lot of people adore Supercell. Wasn't Supercell an integral part of Black Rock Shooter's popularity anyway?

I thought people were hating on Supercell? That was my impression anyway. Fine, I'll take it out. The pluses and minuses are stuff I've picked up from fans, who seem to be down on this series already because the series length, character designs and the CG.

[MelancholicMariya]

Pluses: It's BRS! An all-star cast (including the VA for Hibiki from Idolm@ster and the NOTO).
Minuses: The character designs are meh. CG. Supercell.


Whaaaat? Come on. Supercell are great.

And you know it.

Though seriously I don't think that'll be a minus for many people. A lot of people adore Supercell. Wasn't Supercell an integral part of Black Rock Shooter's popularity anyway?

I thought people were hating on Supercell? That was my impression anyway. Fine, I'll take it out. The pluses and minuses are stuff I've picked up from fans, who seem to be down on this series already because the series length, character designs and the CG.

The character designs and the CG are a big reason as to why people are put off by this anime, but I don't think many people are bothered by Ryo/Supercell doing the music. If you don't like Supercell, hey that's absolutely fine, but I don't think I've personally seen anyone distraught about this adaptation because of Supercell.

One could make the claim that Supercell have been thrown around a bit too much lately though. I mean they're kinda in everything right now.

[TheGreenMan]

Pluses: It's BRS! An all-star cast (including the VA for Hibiki from Idolm@ster and the NOTO).
Minuses: The character designs are meh. CG. Supercell.


Whaaaat? Come on. Supercell are great.

And you know it.

Though seriously I don't think that'll be a minus for many people. A lot of people adore Supercell. Wasn't Supercell an integral part of Black Rock Shooter's popularity anyway?

I thought people were hating on Supercell? That was my impression anyway. Fine, I'll take it out. The pluses and minuses are stuff I've picked up from fans, who seem to be down on this series already because the series length, character designs and the CG.

The character designs and the CG are a big reason as to why people are put off by this anime, but I don't think many people are bothered by Ryo/Supercell doing the music. If you don't like Supercell, hey that's absolutely fine, but I don't think I've personally seen anyone distraught about this adaptation because of Supercell.

One could make the claim that Supercell have been thrown around a bit too much lately though. I mean they're kinda in everything right now.

I looked up their OP/ED songs on ANN:
Bakemonogatari (TV) : Theme Song Performance (ED)
Black Rock Shooter (TV) : Theme Song Performance (ED)
Cencoroll (movie) : Music
Guilty Crown (TV) : Theme Song Performance (OP1, ED2)
Naruto Shippūden (TV) : Theme Song Performance (14)

So...wait...does this mean BRS will have no opening...just an ending song? ANN lists only a ED song performance...but not OP song performance.

[something]

I thought people were hating on Supercell? That was my impression anyway.
Supercell is incredibly popular. I have plenty of reasons why I'm not watching this show despite adoring the property and the OVA. Supercell is one of the only things it would actually have going for it. You might be thinking of a different group or something... "Music by Supercell" is one of the hottest selling points you can attach to an anime these days.

[MelancholicMariya]

I looked up their OP/ED songs on ANN:
Bakemonogatari (TV) : Theme Song Performance (ED)
Black Rock Shooter (TV) : Theme Song Performance (ED)
Cencoroll (movie) : Music
Guilty Crown (TV) : Theme Song Performance (OP1, ED2)
Naruto Shippūden (TV) : Theme Song Performance (14)

So...wait...does this mean BRS will have no opening...just an ending song? ANN lists only a ED song performance...but not OP song performance.

My statement regarding Supercell being in everything wasn't limited to just the openings or endings of an anime. It's more of the fact that Ryo is composing like crazy lately. As Something said, slapping Supercell on your property is a huge deal right now.

That ANN listing isn't all of what I mean, because it only covers what had "Supercell" involvement but a lot of people who enjoy Supercell can often refer to Supercell as Ryo. If you go to the Ryo article on ANN you get this:


Black Rock Shooter (OAV) : Music, Theme Song Composition (ED)

Black Rock Shooter (TV) : Music

Guilty Crown (TV) : Music (Supercell), Insert Song Arrangement (supercell; "Euterpe", "Departures ~blessing~"; 8 episodes), Insert Song Composition (supercell; "Euterpe", "Departures ~blessing~"; 8 episodes), Insert Song Lyrics (supercell; "Euterpe", "Departures ~blessing~"; 8 episodes), Theme Song Arrangement (supercell; OP1-2, ED1-2), Theme Song Composition (supercell; OP1-2, ED1-2), Theme Song Lyrics (supercell; OP1-2, ED1-2)

Nisemonogatari (TV) : Theme Song Composition (ED)

Shakugan no Shana III (Final) (TV) : Theme Song Arrangement (OP), Theme Song Composition (OP)

Four of those titles are still on-going. He's doing a whole lot lately and I would not be surprised if like a lot of musicians these days he gets worn out and takes a year off or something after 2012.

[EmperorBrandon]

The Japanese Niconico channel is here (http://ch.nicovideo.jp/channel/blackrockshooter) where the "international" (for English, only US and Canada) streaming episodes will appear. Hoping that Crunchyroll gets this as well, though.

[Westlo]

The character designs and the CG are a big reason as to why people are put off by this anime

I'll wait until I see the episode/action scenes before judging the CG personally but this is far more of a worry for me.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=34775827&postcount=16273

Seriously how the fuck do you go from that to what we're getting.

[MelancholicMariya]

The character designs and the CG are a big reason as to why people are put off by this anime

I'll wait until I see the episode/action scenes before judging the CG personally but this is far more of a worry for me.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=34775827&postcount=16273

Seriously how the fuck do you go from that to what we're getting.

I'm actually fine with the CG from what I've seen of it. I actually like CG when it's used right. Though the character designs aren't as good as the OVA's, but I can tolerate them. I do wish the character designs were the same.

[superdry]

The character designs and the CG are a big reason as to why people are put off by this anime

I'll wait until I see the episode/action scenes before judging the CG personally but this is far more of a worry for me.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=34775827&postcount=16273

Seriously how the fuck do you go from that to what we're getting.

I forgot about the character re-designs for the TV show. Ugh....they totally messed up Mato's haircut.

[Fencedude]

Well, I wasn't expecting much going in, so I guess I can say I was pleasantly surprised.

Mato and Yomi are different from their OVA incarnations, Mato's a bit less outgoing, and Yomi's way more withdrawn. Mato and Yuu are also already friends. Yuu seems substantially the same though.

Major additions are Izuriha Kagari (Kitamura Eri), a wheelchair bound girl who seems to have some sort of psychological hold over Yomi, and takes an instant and virulent disliking towards Mato. The other is Irino Saya (Noto Mamiko), the school counselor who dispenses coffee and free advice. She tells Mato that no matter how much her heart is hurt, "someone else will bear the pain".

Over in Black★Rock Shooter world, we see Rock fighting...giant red eyes? (Black★Gold Saw?) first. Later she finds her way into a world filled with toys, where she is assaulted by Wheels, who is....obviously Kagari. Wheels proceeds to beat the everloving shit out of Rock, ending with Rock getting impaled and seeing Dead Master, wearing a bridal veil, tied down in chains.

The ED (OP going forward?) is Black★Rock Shooter sung by Hatsune Miku, and prominently features Black★Rock Shooter, Dead Master, Wheels, Strength and Black★Gold Saw

So...all in all it was ok. The character designs are a step down, and Mato and Yomi are less...themselves, and the CG is certainly unneeded...but I wasn't completely turned off.

It will be interesting to see if the Black★Rock Shooter world is "real" or an extensive metaphor. I could see it going either way.

[Orochimaru]

The ED (OP going forward?) is Black★Rock Shooter sung by Hatsune Miku,

Awesome. And it sounds like the first episode was pretty good. I was going to watch this show no matter what, but I may actually enjoy it now. Although I think I'll wait for it to finish airing first...

[TheGreenMan]

What's with the color metaphors?
Good god...Kagari scares the shit out of me. And Yomi's her bitch. "Go away" "Go away" "Go away" *shivers*
Yes...the designs are different...but I like meganekko Yomi. It fits her.
Mato is determined to make Yomi her wife.
The action sequences are really well done.
I wonder if Dead Master's veil is some kind of metaphor? That's she's Kagari's waifu?
My only problem with the episode is that it goes too fast in the real world part. Something that should have take 2-3 episodes is shoved into one.
The song is sung by Hatsune Miku? I like the part with all the characters pointing their weapons at each other's throats.

[Fencedude]

The song is sung by Hatsune Miku? I like the part with all the characters pointing their weapons at each other's throats.

Err...yeah, its Black★Rock Shooter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLzOrik5YJ8&hd=1).

Its sorta what started this entire thing.

[strangefour]

-Miku has turned goth because she lives in a world of angry black fractals.
-Meanwhile some girl is bored and maybe a little bit slow. But she likes short skirts.
-Tiny bird game is talking to someone on a cup and string phone... or she's just insane.
-They're really pushing girls looking longingly at other girls agenda here.
-"Let me show you my first edition." Oh yeah. Book porn.
-Whu-what? The hell just happened? Did a little crippled girl turn this into a horror anime?
-"Here you can have the ugly doll. Because you're ugly. ... Please don't steal my girlfriend."
-Creepy dolls. Yep this is a horror anime now.
-She's a weird little girl, yes. But Mato you are kind of over reacting to a crippled girl with mental problems. Crying alone in your room in the dark after running all the way home. Shameful.
-I think Miku stole Simon the digger's coat and dyed it black.
-You are a maroon. Have some macaroons.
-Big boob secret.
-Pretty eyes that look like broken gears.
-"I'm in lesbians with you. Let's have lots of fun."
-OMG they actually let Miku sing! I'm kind of surprised. The OVA didn't which was stupid.

That was better than the OVA, which I hated. However I think this show would be better without the SYMBOLISM Black Rock Shooter moments. Just make it a creepy lesbian love story.

[superdry]

While, I don't like Mato's new design, at least she still a spunky school kid. I found it cute that she misread Yomi's name. I am curious about Kagari and her past with Yomi.

During the last fight scene in the other world, I just kept thinking "when is Merry and Yumeji going to show up?" then I realized it was the wrong show. I'm definitely more interested in seeing the fights in the other world...so I'll keep with this short show for now.



The song is sung by Hatsune Miku? I like the part with all the characters pointing their weapons at each other's throats.

Err...yeah, its Black★Rock Shooter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLzOrik5YJ8&hd=1).

Its sorta what started this entire thing.

It's also a redone version of the original. I have to get use to the append voicebank used since I love the original. The drums parts seem more robust in this version which I like, though. I think the new version will grow on me, especially once I can listen to the full length song.

[TheGreenMan]

The song is sung by Hatsune Miku? I like the part with all the characters pointing their weapons at each other's throats.

Err...yeah, its Black★Rock Shooter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLzOrik5YJ8&hd=1).

Its sorta what started this entire thing.

Ah, so that's the song.

[Suwako Moriya]

Well, that was actually decent. Although I still worry about only having eight episodes. In any case, the main thing to note Kagari is creepy,

[FUNiOP]

I am infinitely fascinated by the fact that this anime series currently airing on TV started as a drawing someone posted on the internet, and then got a song written about it with vocals by Hatsune Miku. I feel like between this and Guilty Crown, noitaminA is currently about as far from being the block for non-otaku anime as it can be. And wow, it's not that unusual for Aniplex to rule it, but for Ryo and supercell to be behind the music for both series? Both are hardly behind the music for any other anime. I know Ryo is the leader of supercell, but each also have anime credits the other doesn't; hell, the two series in question are actually the only anime they're both credited to on ANN. And while they might not be the same artist, the character designer for each is an artist who started by posting his artwork online and gaining a following. I'm automatically interested in huke, not just because a franchise was launched based on one picture he drew, but because his only major anime credit not related to said franchise, was as the character designer for Steins;Gate, which I loved just about everything about. I guess I can see some similarities. I definitely like the look of some of these character designs, although the ways in which they've changed from their creation to this animation is pretty significant in some cases.

All that said, I have no idea what I watched. I guess things will be explained? It seems like they should probably be moving along a little quicker considering this is only eight episodes. That's really weird. The eleven episodes that noitaminA series generally get makes for a short enough series, but why does this have to miss out on 3 precious episodes? Is there even a TV anime series shorter than eight episodes?

[Orochimaru]

Is there even a TV anime series shorter than eight episodes?

Interesting question. I don't know of one. I used to think Fooly Cooly was the shortest at 6 episodes, but it was really an OVA...

EDIT: Afro Samurai was 5 if you count that as anime.

[Fencedude]

Interesting question. I don't know of one. I used to think Fooly Cooly was the shortest at 6 episodes, but it was really an OVA...

EDIT: Afro Samurai was 5 if you count that as anime.

Neither are TV series, thus neither counts.

Also, Thermae Romae (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=13856), which was in the slot BRS is in now, was all of three episodes.

[HitokiriShadow]

Why does the first episode of a TV series feel more rushed and poorly developed than a single episode OVA?

The huge character design downgrades are still a pretty big hurdle for me. I'm getting used to them, but at times it hurts to look at Mato. The other characters are less of an issue (and the BRS world characters look fine). The animation is still pretty good though, far better than I had expected after seeing what was done to the character designs.

(Kohata) Arata is an amusing addition to the cast (or at least I think she's new, but maybe she was a minor character that I forgot about). I hope she has a decent role. She seems to be the only person who doesn't have correlating BRS-world that looks at least vaguely like her.

And we have Noto Mamiko as a school counselor ...who Arata is on a first name+chan basis with for some reason.

Also, the show seems to have ratched up the yuri "subtext" several notches. But maybe I'm just forgetting what the yuri levels of the OVA were like.

[FUNiOP]

Interesting question. I don't know of one. I used to think Fooly Cooly was the shortest at 6 episodes, but it was really an OVA...

EDIT: Afro Samurai was 5 if you count that as anime.

Neither are TV series, thus neither counts.

Also, Thermae Romae (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=13856), which was in the slot BRS is in now, was all of three episodes.

So that's where those 3 weeks went. I didn't even hear about that one. Weird choice.

[Orochimaru]

Interesting question. I don't know of one. I used to think Fooly Cooly was the shortest at 6 episodes, but it was really an OVA...

EDIT: Afro Samurai was 5 if you count that as anime.

Neither are TV series, thus neither counts.

Hm okay MAL list Afro Samurai as a TV series. That was way before I started paying attention to currently airing things, so I didn't know.

[Ashyukun]

And we have Noto Mamiko as a school counselor ...who Arata is on a first name+chan basis with for some reason.
Arata has been there for longer- at least a year, possibly two- and you kind of get the impression that she spends a lot of time in the counselor's office venting.

Also, the show seems to have ratched up the yuri "subtext" several notches. But maybe I'm just forgetting what the yuri levels of the OVA were like.
I'm not sure it's actually ratcheted up much- the OVA was pretty heavy on it that's for sure- but there ARE more characters in the mix here. It felt about the same to me if not a little less overall since the OVA had a lot less time to let things develop over.

[Orochimaru]

Also, the show seems to have ratched up the yuri "subtext" several notches. But maybe I'm just forgetting what the yuri levels of the OVA were like.
I'm not sure it's actually ratcheted up much- the OVA was pretty heavy on it that's for sure-

Really? I don't remember it being that way... I'll watch it again before watching the series to see...

[Fencedude]

Really? I don't remember it being that way... I'll watch it again before watching the series to see...

Mato was so hilariously a 14 year old boy in love in the OVA.

*sees Yomi*

"OMG she's so pretty"

*gets a chance to talk to her*

"Wow, you're really tall!"

*stupid stupid stupid*

Its quite adorable.

Also Yomi turns into a green eyed jealousy demon.

[Orochimaru]

Really? I don't remember it being that way... I'll watch it again before watching the series to see...

Mato was so hilariously a 14 year old boy in love in the OVA.

*sees Yomi*

"OMG she's so pretty"

*gets a chance to talk to her*

"Wow, you're really tall!"

*stupid stupid stupid*

Its quite adorable.

Also Yomi turns into a green eyed jealousy demon.

Hmm I always interpreted it as platonic but I guess you have a point.

[Fencedude]

Oh man. Kagari's completely off the walls bonkers insane, AND ITS GLORIOUS.

Granted, its probably less glorious for Yomi, especially the "gettinga heart carved into her chest with a needle" bit. But her suffering is our entertainment.

And the Other World is definitely more than just metaphor. Something happened to Yomi and Kagari when Saw took Dead, and Rock took off Chariot's head. Up to Saw's arrival it was reasonable for it to just be metaphor, but she was clearly an outside force.

Just who, or what, is Black Gold Saw?

[Orochimaru]

Ah, I need to stop reading your posts before actually watching the episodes, tempting though it is... this will be the last one.

[strangefour]

-Macaroon missiles fire!
-No adorable yuri moments under the fireworks. :(
-Ouch. Sandal sores.
-Princess Mononoke?
-This is an uncomfortably abusive relationship.
-Okay uncomfortable is to soft of a term. Needle...
-What? Masaaki Endo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3CwAsNJI7k&t=15) was there? Man you missed an awesome festival Mato.
-Tiny bird games. :(
-I think the dawn counselor is a witch.
-Wait what? Why don't you call the cops about a little girl with a heart carved into her chest? You are a bad guidance counselor!

-Kagari. Stairs. Must not think it...
-Oh shit. she knows what I'm thinking. I'm sorry horrible little mentally & physically crippled girl. I'm sorry I thought of hurting you. :(
-Holy shit that is one fucked up little girl.
-Oh it wasn't even Takanashi's fault that Kagari was broken in the first place. That car must have rattled some insanity into her little head.
-"But Kagari's so pitiful." You said it not me.
-Uh Mato, you're just making the beast angrier.
-So many macaroons... Miku will fight in the shade.
-Uh... what just happened? The pretty SYMBOLISM fight didn't explain the psychological ramifications of what happened here. Kagari's little mind just snapped...?

The hell anime? Your SYMBOLISM battle got in the way of trying to understand what the hell happened in that last scene. Take away the BRS bits and this would be better. Sure it looks awesome i, but it just confuses the plot and takes away from crazy broken lesbian love triangle that is infinitely more entertaining.

Just who, or what, is Black Gold Saw?

I'll tune in next week to not find out! If Saw is just the dawn counselor that will be cheap. But there are no other characters so it has to be her.

[superdry]

Kagari is pretty crazy, bat-shit insane crazy.

Hmm...other world linked with the real world. That intrigues me.


Just who, or what, is Black Gold Saw?

I'll tune in next week to not find out! If Saw is just the dawn counselor that will be cheap. But there are no other characters so it has to be her.

Considering the other-world persona is similar to the real-world character, I would say it's probably not the counselor (she has short hair, Saw has looong hair). Either it could be Yomi's mom or possibly a new character that's going to be introduced next episode.

[TheGreenMan]

Kagari is an angry lesbian loli. Doing all that so Yomi won't leave you? That's fucked up.
I don't understand what happened at the end with Kagari though. Is she fine now that BRS decapitated her alter ego?

[FUNiOP]

I definitely know that singer in the ending from Guilty Crown. I guess Supercell likes to have her sing. noitaminA sure does have a theme this season.

Still not sure exactly what to make of this series, but also still very intrigued.

[bear]

That was a damn quick resolution of the mystery. Yandere girl loses her head in the BSR universe and goes catatonic in ours(?). Don't see where this is going and the trip is not fun.

The counselor knows to much.

[HitokiriShadow]

Apparently Mato, Yomi and Kagari are the only people in that wing of the hospital. Even if you assume no time transpired during the BRS world stuff, by the time Yomi walked out of the room, it had been about two minutes since Mato started yelling. Yet not a single hospital worker or any other human being came over to see what the hell was going on.

Leaving that aside, it was a nice scene, but it really felt like something that would happen around episode 6-ish, not episode two.

It's now confirmed that that the BRS world stuff is actually happening and Mato seems to be able to see it, at least when she's asleep.

And Black Gold Saw makes her appearance... and then things get weird.

Also, Kagari is a horrible, horrible person. I mean, that was clear from last time, but not to this extent. Also, she's kind of bonkers.

[Suwako Moriya]

Kagari has gained a level.

Psycho + 500

Possessive + 1,000

Bitchiness + 1,000

Evil + 900

Yeah, that about sums it up for me. I'm not sure how I should feel. Do I want her to get better or would I prefer her being punished?

Also, I have to wonder what happened between then and now. Since in the flashback, she didn't seem to have the crazy eyes.

[Fencedude]

Jesus christ. This fucking show.

Black Gold Saw grows creepy loli-doll things, which Black Rock Shooter proceeds to slaughter.

Saya is mind bogglingly creepy and manipulative, to the point where jokes about her being a molester are becoming less jokes, and much more likely to be fact.

Kohata gets humiliated when her love letter is published, gets "counseled" by Saya in a way that highly implies Saya did something very, very bad to her, and then the loli-doll that represents Kohata gets decapitated by Rock.

Oh yeah, and Yomi is getting seriously jelly of Yuu, and has just been served coffee by Saya.

THIS FUCKING SHOW!

[bear]

Jesus christ. This fucking show.


This show is making Uta-Kata look like a comedy. I didn't think that they could come up with a character that was worse than Kagari, but Saya is....crap I don't know what she is, but it makes my skin crawl.

Yomi is beginning to worry me.

And I have no idea where this is going, but I've got a really bad feeling.

[Fencedude]

This show is making Uta-Kata look like a comedy.

You know, funnily enough, both shows feature a woman named Saya who emotionally manipulates middle school girls.

Also, good comparison in general, and yes, BRS is already well beyond Uta~Kata in creep factor.

I didn't think that they could come up with a character that was worse than Kagari, but Saya is....crap I don't know what she is, but it makes my skin crawl.

Saya is significantly creepier than Kagari, who wile she did horrible things, was in some ways a victim too, of her own emotional insecurity. I don't think she's beyond redemption.

Saya, on the other hand, seems overtly malicious in her actions, and may be "feeding" on the girls' suffering.

[strangefour]

-Kagari has a psychotic break down, then just falls asleep adorably.
-Girls blushing. Hnnnnnnnnnngh.
-Yuu's impatience dance is cute.
-No Yuu. No one will be "straightening" anyone out.
-Koha's confession dance is cute too.
-Love doesn't need a reason to call.
-Yomi becomes jealous of Yuu.
-Yes Yuu. You are in the way.
-Yuu is Underfoot. Heh.
-There are ALWAYS girls in Mato's dreams. Lots of them.
-Dawn counselor Saya isn't evil. MWAHAHAHAHAHHAHA. *cough*
-Vanishing bikini keychain... Mato, there is no way you are not gay.
-What the hell. Dawn counselor has a shopping list of little girls marked down!
-Hamutaro stickers~ I have a feeling this letter is going to lead to ham-ham heartbreak (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3wr6HcRtHA).
-Creepy Mato painting you're making there Yomi.
-Dawn counselor is too good at negative reinforcement.
-"Mato: " HARK! I near the sound of a woman crying! To action!"

Lots of crying this time. Saya is trying to turn as many girls as possible into broken emotional shells she can put back together in her own twisted ways. I think... Metaphoreverse isn't helping. Keeps covering up scenes that would help this story make sense.

Jesus christ. This fucking show.
....
THIS FUCKING SHOW!

Yeah that kind of sums it up. I want to really like this show but the Black Rock Shooter bits are holding it back.

[MelancholicMariya]

Jesus christ. This fucking show.
....
THIS FUCKING SHOW!

Yeah that kind of sums it up. I want to really like this show but the Black Rock Shooter bits are holding it back.

Maybe I'm the one reading it wrong but I think Fencedude is saying that in a mostly positive way and not a mostly negative way?

I personally find the story completely coherent so far. It's not like it's withdrawing information and changing it into a metaphorical fight scene, it's giving you the information.

[Fencedude]

Maybe I'm the one reading it wrong but I think Fencedude is saying that in a mostly positive way and not a mostly negative way?


Pretty much, it was meant in the most complementary way possible.

Also, worth examining the parallel symbolism of both Black Gold Saw and Black Rock Shooter reaching out to the Arata-doll...

[HitokiriShadow]

It's now very obvious that Saya is Black Gold Saw and for some reason she's targeting girls in the school for something. Everything involving Saya and Black Gold Saw was really fucking creepy in this episode.

And we're starting to get the jealous Yomi plotline from the OVA.

Then BRS lops of Black Kohata's head, just after she looks like she's going to help her. What the fuck?

But after thinking about it a bit, a sensible explanation comes to mind. Being in that world Is A Bad Thing and "killing" them is actually a mercy, severing them from that world. And by extension, from Saya/BGSaw's control. So "killing" her WAS saving her. Though it certainly didn't seem like a good thing for Kohata when you see her laying on the floor like that.

[HitokiriShadow]

I personally find the story completely coherent so far. It's not like it's withdrawing information and changing it into a metaphorical fight scene, it's giving you the information.

The show's pacing leaves something to be desired, as I think it would have benefited if the first two episodes had taken 3-4 episodes instead, but the show's coherence isn't suffering for it.

I understand strangefour's issues with the BRS scenes to an extent though, as I had the same problem with the OVA, the first episode, and part of the second. They do directly relate to what is going on and clearly aren't just a metaphor so you do need to be seeing some of those scenes right around when certain things are happening in the real world scenes. But sometimes they're placement can be irritating in how it interrupts the real world scenes, particularly when there isn't an obvious connection between them.

But yeah, its not like the BRS scenes are preventing them from giving us relevant and necessary information. The BRS scenes at the end of this episode and last episode ARE important information.

[bear]

But after thinking about it a bit, a sensible explanation comes to mind. Being in that world Is A Bad Thing and "killing" them is actually a mercy, severing them from that world. And by extension, from Saya/BGSaw's control. So "killing" her WAS saving her. Though it certainly didn't seem like a good thing for Kohata when you see her laying on the floor like that.
Damn, that makes sense. Kagari is "killed" in the other world and becomes at peace in this one. Kohata is prevented from being "turned" by Saya by being "killed" in the BRS world. Now how will Yomi's jealousy arc turn out?

[MelancholicMariya]

I personally find the story completely coherent so far. It's not like it's withdrawing information and changing it into a metaphorical fight scene, it's giving you the information.

The show's pacing leaves something to be desired, as I think it would have benefited if the first two episodes had taken 3-4 episodes instead, but the show's coherence isn't suffering for it.

I understand strangefour's issues with the BRS scenes to an extent though, as I had the same problem with the OVA, the first episode, and part of the second. They do directly relate to what is going on and clearly aren't just a metaphor so you do need to be seeing some of those scenes right around when certain things are happening in the real world scenes. But sometimes they're placement can be irritating in how it interrupts the real world scenes, particularly when there isn't an obvious connection between them.

But yeah, its not like the BRS scenes are preventing them from giving us relevant and necessary information. The BRS scenes at the end of this episode and last episode ARE important information.

I can certainly understand having issues with the pacing of the series so far or the metaphorical action scenes being jarringly placed or just jarring in general, but as you said it doesn't destroy the coherency of the series, nor does it withhold information from you or deliver said information in an impractical or vague manner to the point where you have literally no way of knowing what's going on on a certain scene.

It's not a show where you can switch your brain off and just enjoy it, you have to think. I honestly thought this was going to be an easy going series with some hard metaphorical action scenes which you could associate to the girls' school life troubles, but no. It's creepy and messed up and I rather love it, but it's very understandable if someone else hates or dislikes the show for the way it's presented, not just the story.

It's not Evangelion levels of deep thought, but you really do need to think and observe some scenes is what I have concluded.

[FUNiOP]

I wasn't sure at first, but I think I might like the way this series is handling the pacing. I'm not sure I like what it accomplishes in each story, though. I feel like they should have explained a little more about Kagari. Maybe each story will bring out a little more about the other world and its connection to ours. There has to be some greater importance we haven't been told about yet. I assume the next episode will reveal Saya's purpose. Obviously she has something against the girls she's supposed to be counseling, and this carries into the other world, but again, I really don't have the faintest idea why... (Black Gold Saw is her persona's name... I assume these are from the official site or previous BRS media? I haven't heard any names mentioned yet...) We also see that it's not just the main characters who have other versions in that world, since Kohata is also there, but just as one of the group of seemingly-mindless girls that I assume represent the group of girls Saya is targeting in the "real" world. And BRS chops her head off. I guess that calmed Kagari down, so it must be a good thing. Just seems like a strange method of helping people. Very interesting...

[Fencedude]

Black Gold Saw is actually one of the earliest characters Huke drew for this "universe", such as it is. She may even have been the third, after Black Rock Shooter and Dead Master.

Strength was named in supplementary materials for the OVA, and Chariot is new for the TV series.

[FUNiOP]

Black Gold Saw is actually one of the earliest characters Huke drew for this "universe", such as it is. She may even have been the third, after Black Rock Shooter and Dead Master.

Strength was named in supplementary materials for the OVA, and Chariot is new for the TV series.

Ah, so he drew other characters on his own before the story was built through other media? That makes sense. Good to know, thanks.

[mellowrg2]

Black Gold Saw is actually one of the earliest characters Huke drew for this "universe", such as it is. She may even have been the third, after Black Rock Shooter and Dead Master.

Strength was named in supplementary materials for the OVA, and Chariot is new for the TV series.

Whenever I see Gold Saw, I see Makise Kurisu from Stein's Gate

Anyway, I think someone was touched in a BAD way at the nurse's office

brr...

[FUNiOP]

Whenever I see Gold Saw, I see Makise Kurisu from Stein's Gate

Yeah, I definitely see the Steins;Gate connection in her more than any other characters so far. Which is easily my favorite part of the show so far.

[Suwako Moriya]

Saya being creepy. Characters showing dark tendencies. The BRS stuff being vague. I have no idea what's going on anymore. It's an interesting set up, but I really hope we're going to get some sort of resolution to everything.

[TheGreenMan]

So, Black Gold Saw is probably Saya, who is doing some serious fucked up shit to the girls in the school.
And Yomi is really jealous of Yuu.
Saya won't put sugar in coffee, Yomi...that's proof that's she's evil! (Seriously, what's with that scene? "I kept it black. bwahahahahahaha."
And another thing, what's with scene with Saya crying out "It's nothing!" Who's she talking to? Then she takes a book and looks at pictures of Mato and Yomi is marks by them.

[Ashyukun]

Bwaahaahaa, an (apparently) truly EVIL Noto character- I'm definitely going to enjoy this. I can't offhand think of a role where she's gotten to be outright EVIL, so this should be fun.

Count me in the camp of thinking that being 'killed' (decapitation seems to be the only true means) in the BRS world is actually a good thing. I was kind of thinking that when BRS took out Chariot and Kagari reacted the way she did, but the whole thing with Kohata's 'shadow' there sealed it for me. Of course, we have no clue exactly what the deal with Saya/BGS is yet- but we've got 5 more episodes for that to get worked out.

Interesting that we've not seen anything of STR yet.... it will be interested to see if the show parallels the OVA at all in this respect of her not really showing up until after BRS has 'saved' Dead Master/Yomi.

[Fencedude]

Strength!

And she's hauling the remains of Chariot to a pit, and dumps them in to the opening words of Black Rock Shooter

Anyway, this episode, YOMI LOSES HER MARBLES.

AND IT WAS AWESOME

Also, who else is surprised at how tall Kagari is?

But seriously, holy shit Yomi.

[bear]

Strength!

And she's hauling the remains of Chariot to a pit, and dumps them in to the opening words of Black Rock Shooter

Anyway, this episode, YOMI LOSES HER MARBLES.

AND IT WAS AWESOME

Also, who else is surprised at how tall Kagari is?

But seriously, holy shit Yomi.

Yomi had some really serious problems that were masked by her situation.

That has to be the evilest school counselor that I've ever seen.

Kagari looks quite a bit different to me than she did previously.

That has to be the fastest reversal of personalities in the history of anime.

Kagari goes from nut case to popular girl, Yomi goes off the deep end (she lost her marbles and her SHOOTER). Wait, what?

[strangefour]

-In the Land of Misfit Toys...
-Super shy/grumpy Kagari is yandereing up the classroom.
-The entire class wants to moegasm all over her. Heh.
-Koha's back. Yuu get's sidelines. Yomi feels ignored.
-Every one of those mugs is the key to the soul of an emotionally damaged little girl. :(
-Yo-yo Yuu-kun~
-Monopoly destroys friendships! Also Saya the worst guidance councelor in the world.

-Yomi. :(
-Yuu! *leghump*
-Saya steals memories!
-Wow Yomi does not react well to anything. Her only mode is over-react.
-Yes Yomi. Go hatefuck Kagari. It will make you feel better.
-Saya has so many soul mugs...
-Oooh shit Kagari. Why did you say that? WHY DID YOU SAY THAT! Everyone hit the deck Yomi's gonna blow!

Yomi is now going to go more insane than Kagari ever was.

Also, who else is surprised at how tall Kagari is?


I was. Maybe Mato is just very petite. But I thought Yomi was taller than Kagari.

[HitokiriShadow]

ZOMG, Kagari is actually cute now.

"What do you think happened to her?" " Wow, so I guess having her head chopped off in bizarro world really did wonders I mean, I guess you're feelings really reached her!"

Kohachi-senpai is doing pretty well too. Ooooooh, looks like Yuu has some more-than-kouhaily-adoration-feelings for Kohata.

Now Yomi is losing Kagari too.

I can't believe such completely horrible lines are being said in Noto Mamiko's voice.

Yomi finally snaps.

Hahaha, Mato runs to school with bread in her mouth, not because she's late but just because she wants to try it out.

Heh, "Should I sell her Pennsylvania Avenue?" "Pennsywhathefuck?"

Awww, Kagari and Mato have a sweet chat about Yomi and Kagari trying to patch things up with her (that actually are not, for the most part, her fault).

Wow, I'm actually feeling sorry for Kagari.

Oh boy, Yuu wants to talk to talk with Yomi. She seems genuine about it too, which makes it worse.

Apparently lopping off Bizarro-Kohachi's head has caused her to completely forget about the guy she liked and all of the issues relating to it. ... Wait, so wouldn't that apply to Kagari too....?

Yomi is as broken as Kagari was and while what she's doing isn't outright abusive, that seems to be mainly because Yomi lacks the power that Kagari had to do so.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck, Kagari has completely forgotten any feelings she ever had for Yomi. And she tells her exactly that. And that she wants Yomi to let her go. Yeah, that's just what Yomi needed to hear, since she was already such a bastion of emotional stability.

Then Yomi has one of the most glorious psychotic breakdowns I've ever seen. Holy shit.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Man, what an episode. The show got off to a bit of a rocky start as it felt like it really rushed through things in the first episode and didn't handle the initial meeting and relationship building of Mato and Yomi as well as I would have liked, but its been quite a ride since then and this episode was fantastic. And I realized that while the character designs are still a distinct downgrade (particularly in Mato's case; its less of an issue for the others) from the OVA, it no longer bothers me and hinders my enjoyment of the show.

Goddammit, I really don't want to add another show to my import list for this season, but now I'm seriously considering it.

[bear]

Apparently lopping off Bizarro-Kohachi's head has caused her to completely forget about the guy she liked and all of the issues relating to it. ... Wait, so wouldn't that apply to Kagari too....?

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck, Kagari has completely forgotten any feelings she ever had for Yomi. And she tells her exactly that. And that she wants Yomi to let her go. Yeah, that's just what Yomi needed to hear, since she was already such a bastion of emotional stability.

Damn I'm slow on the uptake. I thought Kohachi was just putting her confession behind her and didn't want to be reminded of it, but now that you connect the two... Lose your head, lose your heart?

[FUNiOP]

Well Yomi and Kagari have practically changed positions. Looks like another few characters need to be decapitated. And who was that in the other world at the beginning, throwing away Chariot's corpse? Still interested...

[Fencedude]

And who was that in the other world at the beginning, throwing away Chariot's corpse? Still interested...

Strength. Believed to be Yuu's Otherself.

[FUNiOP]

And who was that in the other world at the beginning, throwing away Chariot's corpse? Still interested...

Strength. Believed to be Yuu's Otherself.

Thanks. I figured it had to be Yuu, since she's the only one in the thick of these problems who hasn't gotten a persona spelled out like the others. And I'm guessing those five are going to be the only ones in that world other than the countless girls being manipulated by Saya or whatever, based on the opening.

[Mafty Allegro]

Man, what an episode. The show got off to a bit of a rocky start as it felt like it really rushed through things in the first episode and didn't handle the initial meeting and relationship building of Mato and Yomi as well as I would have liked, but its been quite a ride since then and this episode was fantastic. And I realized that while the character designs are still a distinct downgrade (particularly in Mato's case; its less of an issue for the others) from the OVA, it no longer bothers me and hinders my enjoyment of the show.


My thoughts exactly. Initially, I wasn't that warm on the series' look (though I've grown to like them now) or its decision to retell the OVA rather than pick up from where it left off. The first episode made me a little unsure, too, but the show has surpassed my expectations on many fronts. It's done very well in both fleshing out the OVA's story and in treading new ground with the expanded cast. Also, the duel animation style has meshed better than I thought it would.

However, the drama has perhaps been the best part of BRS, as exemplified in Ep. 4. Yomi's descent was handled excellently and it was heart-wrenching to see (it helps to have Miyuki Sawashiro, too ;) ). The Eva-esque long period of silence, with the music slowly escalating in doom, was done perfectly and was the right touch in selling the state of events. I also liked the synthesized scream they used for Yomi post-snap with her face quivering in anger.

It's hard to tell where the show is going next, but that is a very good thing. BRS' actions aren't as helpful as they would seem and resolutions to the problems are few and far between.

On another note, I wasn't expecting Kagari to be that tall, either (perhaps due to the wheelchair?). I didn't even know she was in the same grade as Mato and Yomi. And yeah, Saya…she seems to be more mean-spirited with Yomi than the other girls for some reason (easier target?).

[Ashyukun]

It's hard to tell where the show is going next, but that is a very good thing. BRS' actions aren't as helpful as they would seem and resolutions to the problems are few and far between.

Well, taken on the whole I'd say that BRS's actions- freeing (apparently) Kagari and Kohachi from the BRS world will doubtless be a good thing overall- but there's definitely some less-than-pleasant (at least for some...) side-effects of it. It will definitely be interesting to see just what happens with Yomi when Mato/BRS frees her- assuming of course that she 'frees' her in the same manner as the other two (definitely wondering if it'll go similar to how it did in the OVA...).

It will be interesting when Strength fully comes into the picture in the BRS world- whether BRS will have to deal with her before Dead Master, or they'll handle the BRS/DM fight first and then move on the Strength (yes, I'm assuming BGS will be last). It's hard to tell exactly how things are going to go with Strength as well- not that their 'counterparts' exactly follow their real-world actions/relationships, but the jury is still out as far as I'm concerned with regards to Yuu's intentions in the real world regarding Mato & Yomi. Her text can definitely be viewed as either trying to be helpful and friendly to one of Mato's friends- or as intended to further convince Yomi that she (Yuu) was more important to Mato than Yomi. I don't really get the impression that Yuu is that... vindictive? Manipulative? But at the same time, she HAS from what it seems been going to Saya's 'counseling office' quite a lot...

For that matter, I'm definitely interested in what happens when (and if...) BRS takes out BGS. Will everyone else snap back to normal/get their memories back? (i.e., BRS kills Dead Master, Yomi forgets about her interest in Mato- BRS kills BGS, Yomi, Kagari, etc. get their memories back) There seems little doubt to me that the effects will be disastrous for Saya regardless of the impact on the others...

And yeah, Saya…she seems to be more mean-spirited with Yomi than the other girls for some reason (easier target?).
I dunno... she was pretty harsh with Kohachi earlier as well, and she's the only other one we've seen her speaking to in her true nature. Her psychological assaults on the girls are based on their insecurities/fears, so it may just be that Yomi's was that much worse than Kohachi's.

I can't believe such completely horrible lines are being said in Noto Mamiko's voice
It's fantastic... I don't think I've seen anything where she's been the outright villain (or even know if she's had a similar role at all before- I've probably seen less than a third of what she's been in), but as a big fan of hers it's great to see (or rather, hear) something a good ways from the norm.

[Mafty Allegro]

And yeah, Saya…she seems to be more mean-spirited with Yomi than the other girls for some reason (easier target?).
I dunno... she was pretty harsh with Kohachi earlier as well, and she's the only other one we've seen her speaking to in her true nature. Her psychological assaults on the girls are based on their insecurities/fears, so it may just be that Yomi's was that much worse than Kohachi's.



Yeah, the word "harsh" was something I was trying to step over when describing Yomi's treatment, since Koha'chi arguably got the worse one. I instead went with "mean-spirited" since it seemed like Saya was making little quips and doing little "off" things to Yomi (such as ignoring putting sugar in her coffee) that I haven't seen her do to anyone else yet. It wasn't as direct and straightforward malicious as with Koha'chi, but it seemed a lot more snippy. Sorry for any confusion, I was just considering both terms in different respects from one another, rather than "harsh" being worst than "mean-spirited".

[Ashyukun]

Yeah, the word "harsh" was something I was trying to step over when describing Yomi's treatment, since Koha'chi arguably got the worse one. I instead went with "mean-spirited" since it seemed like Saya was making little quips and doing little "off" things to Yomi (such as ignoring putting sugar in her coffee) that I haven't seen her do to anyone else yet. It wasn't as direct and straightforward malicious as with Koha'chi, but it seemed a lot more snippy. Sorry for any confusion, I was just considering both terms in different respects from one another, rather than "harsh" being worst than "mean-spirited".
Ah, I see what you mean now. My guess is that it could have been one of (or a combination of) two things:

1- Yomi's 'counterpart' is a lot more powerful and important than Kohachi's- Dead Master is a powerhouse herself, whereas Kohachi was just a near-faceless minion, so she needed to throw her off guard a lot more directly.

2- Time. Kohachi is (at least) a year older than Yomi, Mato, etc. (it seems all four of the other named 'otherworld' girls are the same age) so she's likely been going to Saya for a lot longer so she'd had longer to be broken down by Saya. But Saya needed to push Yomi over the edge a lot faster, so took a bit more offensive approach.

[Fencedude]

Holy shit. This fucking show.

Yomi goes (even more) nuts

Yuu may not even exist.

Saya tries to strangle Mato

Yuu explains the Otheworld to Mato

Mato merges with Black Rock Shooter right as she kills Dead Master.

INSANE BLACK ROCK SHOOTER

THIS FUCKING SHOW IS AWESOME

[bear]

Holy shit. This fucking show.

Yomi goes (even more) nuts

Yuu may not even exist.

Saya tries to strangle Mato

Yuu explains the Otheworld to Mato

Mato merges with Black Rock Shooter right as she kills Dead Master.

INSANE BLACK ROCK SHOOTER

THIS FUCKING SHOW IS AWESOME

Crap, here we go again.

Nobody remembers Yuu? Who the hell is she then? Why does she suddenly seem to know what's going on?

Saya plans on killing Mato when she gets around to it? Why? Yuu sees her as important too.

Maybe the answer is killing Saya's doppleganger in the BRS world.

At least Yomi didn't try to kill anyone with the scissors, just some redecorating.

So if Dead Master dies then Yomi will recover but have no connection to Mato or Kagari?

So we're just past where the OVA left off (Mato has merged with BRS).

[TheGreenMan]

So...Yuu isn't what she seems to be. She knows what Saya is doing and can send Mato to the Otherworld. Yuu isn't human (maybe).
Fuck Saya.
So, setting someone free...is bad?
Oh shit! That ending. Insane BRS.

[HitokiriShadow]

Well, I guess this explains how BRS becomes Insane Black Rock Shooter.

Lots of interesting stuff with Yuu, and I'm really not sure what to make of most of it. She figures out that Saya is a horrible person and then everyone on the basketball team forgets her, as if she never existed, and even Mato starts to forget. And at some point she becomes aware of the connections between bizarro world in the real world and is somehow able to unit Mato's consciousness with BRS.

So.... what the fuck is going on with Yuu? Did something cause everyone else to forget her? Did that bracelet Yomi gave her do something to her, or was it a result of however she became aware of bizarro world? Or did she never actually exist to begin with?

And what's the meaning of her "This was the only way" line? There were signs in the previous episode that she may have some issues of her own and her ire may be aimed at Mato. Though now that I think about it, maybe that was just the first hint of her existence disappearing. In any case, so was that line indicating that she deceived Mato and wasn't actually trying to help her? Or is she genuine and she's just apologizing for what Yomi is having to go through (and perhaps leaving out a few important details before uniting Mato with BRS)? I'm inclined to go with the latter.

Oh, and in non-Yuu related news, Saya starts to strangle Mato (who takes the whole thing a little too well) and Yomi has gone completely off the deep end.

[HitokiriShadow]

So we're just past where the OVA left off (Mato has merged with BRS).

Any worthwhile comparisons with the OVA end about halfway through the first episode when Kagari showed up. And sure, Mato merged with BRS, but the circumstances are drastically different and whole fuckton of things have happened in the 4.5 episodes that have no remote comparison in the OVA.

[Fencedude]

Its worth noting that Yuu's presence has always been soemwhat...vague.

Oh, and she doesn't cast shadows.

[strangefour]

-Hatsune Miku: Zombie Hunter.
-Yomi is pelased Mato still wears her bracelet. Yomi decides to mark Yuu as hers too.
-A bracelet made of hair. NOTHING creepy about that.
-Uh... Yomi's going to stab someone to death today isn't she.
-"Yomi broke didn't she. I was broke once too."
-Never insult Mato's woman or she will let you feel the back of her hand.
-Saya looks too happy in anything she does.
-SYMBOLISM of death.
-What the crap Saya? Forgoing you Machiavellian whatever for auto erotic asphyxiation. Why?
-Yuu what?
-What!?
-Damn right Mato! Screw the SYMBOLISM world. Solve your problems in the real world. It's more interesting.
-Wait but... Damn it Yuu, you lied to her!
-Miku Mato now possesses the Yagami flame?

WTF? God damn it BRS. Your shitty SYMBOLISM world just fucked up a perfectly good story. The Tiny Birb book and tales of crazy lesbians and a manipulative evil guidance counselor is enough for a good story. But the crossing over into the virtual world has stupified this plot. So Yuu's always been a force ghost or some shit? Whatever. But Mato decided to save Yomi in the real world. Yuu said, "yeah sure I want to help to. I don't want to have to kill her in the other world. Let me help." Yuu tricked her. YUU LIED! Screw you Yuu.

Give me a real Miku anime ya bastards. Or cut out the nonsense and give me the real tale of insane lesbians.

[Suwako Moriya]

Yeah, I'm leaning towards Yuu as my favorite of the girls. Sure she might not exist and has her own issues, but still there's something about her.

So I guess we're well past the point of keeping the two aspects separate now. I have no idea what to expect from the last three episodes other than more suffering. I wonder if there's any chance of bonus episodes.

[TheGreenMan]

Its worth noting that Yuu's presence has always been soemwhat...vague.

Oh, and she doesn't cast shadows.

OMG...you're right. I guess this means she doesn't really exist. Maybe she's some kind of Otherworld guardian?

[bear]

So we're just past where the OVA left off (Mato has merged with BRS).

Any worthwhile comparisons with the OVA end about halfway through the first episode when Kagari showed up. And sure, Mato merged with BRS, but the circumstances are drastically different and whole fuckton of things have happened in the 4.5 episodes that have no remote comparison in the OVA.

I'm well aware of the differences, but the plot outlines are still the same: Two worlds with connected characters, one girl makes friends with another; they drift apart; second girl loses it because of the separation from her friend; first girl goes to save her and winds up in BRS world. Same main characters, same personalities. The differences lie in the additional characters and specifics. Can't show you using anime, but there are many similar reworkings of a story using the same plot and characters (either expanding on the story or using the same story with different characters) in other genres.

[Ashyukun]

Its worth noting that Yuu's presence has always been soemwhat...vague.

Oh, and she doesn't cast shadows.

OMG...you're right. I guess this means she doesn't really exist. Maybe she's some kind of Otherworld guardian?

Actually... That's a really interesting question- has anyone NOT in some way involved with the BRS world ever been seen to actually interact with Yuu? Mato. Yomi. Saya. All are 'major' players in the BRS world. Koha saw her- but didn't otherwise recognize her- and she is now cut off from the 'other' world since BRS killed her other-self. Has Mato really known her from childhood, or was that just a false memory, an effect of being tied to the BRS world?

Still- so far, getting killed in the BRS world has involved being decapitated, and BRS just stabbed Dead Master, so I'm thinking she didn't actually kill Yomi's other-self. Of course, that doesn't mean the shock of it isn't enough to make Mato-BRS lose her shit completely and go into Insane mode- which I'm imagining will be flatly awesome.

Heck, for that matter, the fights in this episode were quite good- I can only imagine what (presumably) iBRS vs. BGS is going to be like (though I'm guessing that BGS will beat her- and it will be Mato/normal-BRS that ultimately takes out BGS/Saya).

For my part, I think Yuu is genuinely trying to help Mato. I'm kind of expecting her (or rather, Strength) to sacrifice herself to save Mato in the other-world so Mato can defeat BGS and save Yomi...

[FUNiOP]

Very interesting. The two worlds are finally really interacting and their connection is being discussed. And all this from Yu? I always pinned her as the least important of the five main ones, and more of a regular girl at the school who may end up getting sucked into the events by being friends with Mato, but it looks like exactly the opposite. I definitely never expected this from her. It does explain a little more about what we've seen of her other self so far, though. I thought things seemed to moving a little quickly, but then I remembered we were already halfway done the series, so it really is about time we get some words about what the hell this other world really means.

[Fencedude]

Goddamn. My mind it is full of fuck.

So we get backstory on Saya and Yuu, though we still don't know what exactly is up with the current Yuu, who seems different from the old Yuu.

Teenage Saya reminded me of Saten Ruiko, oddly enough.

And IBRS is fucking awesome. Rips off her arm and not afraid of anything.

[Suwako Moriya]

Here I was convinced that Saya was just a cruel and evil ******. This complicates things. Also, she has an interesting relationship with Yuu or well, at least one version of Yuu anyway. Who knows anymore about what's going with Yuu, Strength, etc.

I read a theory that Yuu and Strength might have essentially switched places if that makes any sense. How valid that is I'm not sure, but it would be an interesting revelation, but also beg questions. Either way it seems to be a theory for now

So are we going to see Yuu X Saya images soon? I'm going to assume so.

Strength coming to challenge Black Rock Shooter was epic and one of those cases where who to root for is complicated.

Just two more episodes to go and I know I'll be the most nervous after episode 7 for obvious reasons. As eight will have to bring everything together.

[bear]

Goddamn. My mind it is full of fuck.


I just can't keep up with this. Saya acts like a psycho, then she's trying to help Yuu/Strength, trying to kill Mato, then not. Yomi's room resets and she's "normal". WTF.

[Suwako Moriya]

Goddamn. My mind it is full of fuck.


I just can't keep up with this. Saya acts like a psycho, then she's trying to help Yuu/Strength, trying to kill Mato, then not. Yomi's room resets and she's "normal". WTF.

I think of it this way. Our perception of Saya was based on knowing her actions, but not her motivations. Now that we know her motivation is based around Yuu/Strength, we can assume her actions are not out of insanity, but out of desperation.

Ok, maybe a bit of insanity caused by desperation, but mostly desperation around her feelings towards Yuu. Friendship Feelings. Romantic Feelings. Whatever. Just some type of feeling.

The stuff with Mato is a classic case of "I could solve everything if I just get rid of this person" storyline, but knowing that is an option and actually carrying it out are not the same thing.

Of course usually in such stories they find either that killing the person does NOT solve the problem, killing the person in fact is the last thing you want to do, or a solution is found that requires not killing the person at all.

As for Yomi, I'll just chalk it up to Word A effecting World B for now.

Either way this is how I view it for now.

[HitokiriShadow]

Suddenly, Saya is a hell of a lot more sympathetic. In fact, she kind of seems like one of the good guys. That was a hell of a turnaround. In fact, its kind of hard to reconcile the present-day Saya we see in this episode with the evil/emotionally sadistic Saya we saw in previous episodes.

And it turns out Yuu was aware of what Saya was doing the whole time. In fact, another version of Yuu is the one that made Saya do this. How this Yuu is related to that Yuu is.... a lot less than entirely clear.

[FUNiOP]

So no one is ever as they seem in this. Saya is actually pretty much a good guy, and just trying to save the world from the potential destruction by Black Rock Shooter. She's been working with Yu and has been tormenting these girls to bring out their other selves, but Yu's method of bringing Mato into Black Rock Shooter has only made her lost from the real world, and although she considers the idea, Saya can't just kill Mato. Saya and Yu go way back, back to when Saya was in school, although Yu was the same age, which makes sense considering she currently doesn't exist to anyone without a counterpart in the other world, so she's some sort of complicated being now, but not quite a ghost. Along with trying to bring Mato back, they're trying to save "their girl". They never come out and say Strength is Yu, which seems a little strange since they say confirm the identities of everyone else currently active. It seems very obvious in some places, but not as certain as the rest at others. I'd imagine there's something more to that, as with the current version of the Yu in this world herself.

The basic concept still doesn't make much sense to me. These other versions of these characters are created in this other world to take on their pain in the real world, but they still manage to go insane in the real world with their other selves doing lots of fighting in the other world, and then when they're killed in that world, they just go back to normal in the real world? It seems like it should be the other way around. Hopefully it will make sense to me after these last two episodes.

[Ashyukun]

Wow. That definitely turned the tables on things a bit... it seems to indicate that Saya is indeed 'real'v though we still have no clue exactly what the deal is with Yuu- but there's definitely SOMETHING weird with her, given Saya's flashback-Yuu is the same age as the 'current' Yuu. Saya is also, perhaps, not quite really the evil bitch that she seemed to be- she appears to be trying to protect the BRS world, and Yuu- but exactly what is going on is still really hard to tell. The theory that Yuu and Strength switched places somehow is interesting- But it doesn't explain why Saya is intentionally trying to drive the girls to extremes to force them to awaken in the BRS world. Hopefully the next few episodes will do a good job of clearing it up.

Otherwise- hot damn IBRS in combat is just as awesome as expected, as she just mows through BGS and would probably be wiping the walls with Strength if she didn't also have to fight the terrain itself. This getting a domestic BRD release would be awesome.

It looks like Mato however has somewhat awakened... So it will be interesting to see what she does now. But... sadly she will have to start over again in winning Yomi's heart though, assuming whatever she does as BRS doesn't undo all of the memory loss of the others...

[strangefour]

-Tomato is a dirty little bird.
-So she's DNA Digivolved inside BRS?
-Insane BRS is insane...
-Bring out your dead~ Bring out your dead~" Strength is a waste collector.
-You decieved and now she won't wake up. That's what you get for lying Yuu.
-"Um... crazy evil manipulative bitch... I fucked up. Help?" Stupid Yuu.
-You're a pitiful villain Saya.
-Saya's in lesbians with Yuu?
-I will never understand the spagetti on ice.
-Wait so Yuu's psychological torment in the past fractured her mind and created a whole world of SYMBOLISM? Or not.
-Poor past Yuu.
-BIG STR! SHOWTIME! Cast in the name of something ye are a ghost?
-It's full of stars... A hypercube?
-Well good to know someone understands. Will you explain why the hell symbolism world even exists Mato?
-Delete Mato? NOOO YOMI!

I still don't understand what the fuck Saya's motivation for mentally torturing young girls is. So the girls in the other world won't be tortured? But that can't beright because she puts them though waaaay more pain by mentally abusing girls in the real world. This show should not be making less sense but somehow it is.

Teen Saya was cute though.

[Fencedude]

This show should not be making less sense but somehow it is.


The Lizard Priest agrees, it seems.

[strangefour]

This show should not be making less sense but somehow it is.


The Lizard Priest agrees, it seems.

He loved this show when it was simply about teen lesbians with emotional issues.

[Suwako Moriya]

Having watched IBRS vs Strength several times now, I have to say the following. First, at the point where Strength hits the ground, and gets into that position, she makes me think of a scorpion due to the tail blade thing or whatever you want to call it.

Aside from that her expressions are interesting. They give the feeling of a person who was forced to "mature" before her time. Or something like that. Not sure how to explain it. All, I know is her movements, and so forth say a lot to me. Even if what I'm hearing may not be what's saying. Ok, ignore the fact that for the most part the Other World lacks dialog. Only real dialog leaked in from the primary world.

[TheGreenMan]

Strength speaks! Or it's actually Yuu! Well, that's explains the immortality thing. So real life Yuu is actually Strength. And alternative world is Yuu...a really fucked up Yuu.
Go, go Yomi! Yes...Mato is your lover--yeah, yeah. "friend." We all know what that means.
Dead Master stirs!

[superdry]

What the hell is going on? Jeez...is everyone just plain crazy in the show?

Are certain people just chosen for have their world turned upside down by what seems to be Yuu? Sucks one gains some sort of happiness by losing friendship of sorts - that seems like what happens after you other self is killed.

Suddenly, Saya is a hell of a lot more sympathetic. In fact, she kind of seems like one of the good guys.

Agreed after the backstory explains Saya's past.

[Fencedude]

Jesus. This is....yeah.

Yuu's completely off her fucking rocker, and gloriously so.

Strength had some interesting points to make regarding Mato's mental state...

(dammit: Quoted the wrong post last night)

[FUNiOP]

Ah, that explains a lot. So the Yu we've seen up to this point is in fact Strength, who is much more sane than the real Yu at this point, who chose to switch with Strength to become the crazy destructive force we've been watching all this time. It's not surprising to see that Yu would be that way, and Strength just couldn't keep up with it, and Yu ends up fitting this crazy world of battle better than the one who was created for it, and is now stronger than anyone else who was created for it. One more episode, and it looks like all of the characters will be coming back to join in on the fun. That could be interesting.

[HitokiriShadow]

And that answers the Yuu mystery. It was the most likely answer, making it one of the least surprising in the show, though Yuu coming out and being downright psychotic, a bit less so. I guess Saya's lack of faith in Yuu was the last straw and caused Yuu to completely break, resulting in the personality shift between what we mostly saw of her in high school up until she got in the ambulance, and her personality when she encountered Saya again. Or at least I think the personality we saw there was the original/real Yuu, because she came across as hateful or malevolent, which Strength never was.

And now Yomi remembers Mato, causing Dead Master to revive. So now she can go help get IBRS to revert to BRS and take down Yuu together.

[Fencedude]

And now Yomi remembers Mato, causing Dead Master to revive. So now she can go help get IBRS to revert to BRS and take down Yuu together.

WHEELS BETTER COME BACK TOO

[HitokiriShadow]

And now Yomi remembers Mato, causing Dead Master to revive. So now she can go help get IBRS to revert to BRS and take down Yuu together.

WHEELS BETTER COME BACK TOO

I want her to come back just because Kagari being completely unconnected from Yomi is just no fun. She needs to become friends with Yomi again. And a half-way point between her current personality and her original possessive, batshit insane personality would be interesting. Of course, we'd need a sequel to get much out of it.... (alternatively, doujins. Can you say "three-way"?)

[strangefour]

-BIG YUU! SHOWTIME!
-A man in the street interview show?
-STR speaks!
-The Rubix cube is on fire. The strength of Yuu is formidable.
-AHAHAHAH! Cartoon levels of violent smacking. *flick*
-So the did switch. That's one question answered. How about telling us how the fuck Saya's scheme makes any sense or why SYMBOLISM world exists?
-A Mato-napping!
-Feel the power of Punch of the Punch insane shooter!
-Wait so Yuu in the past was so fucked up she created a link to STR because BRS already existed? While Mato was an infant. What?
-Hooray for decapitation murals...?
-Yomi! Remember your one true love! Now resurrect Dead Master and go kill Yuu!
-WHO'S THE MASTAH (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylCvCwn9OG8)!?

What a surprise. The one who wasn't decapitated wasn't dead. Because she is the master of the dead. I am shocked.

I love the real world half of this show and am really damn tired of SYMBOLISM world. Even if insane STR Yuu is amusing. She's only so because she has some emotion and is not an automaton jumping and shooting and sword fighting just to look cool. She's nuts.

[Fencedude]

Well, that was a surprisingly happy, and unsurprisingly COMPLETELY GAY ending.

The scenes with Strength and Yuu were ;_;, and seeing IBRS defeated by the POWER OF RAINBOW CANNONS was pretty amusing.

It seems life will go on, in the real and the other world, so perhaps we will get a sequel someday.

They didn't resolve the Mato-Yomi-Kagari triangle either...

[bear]

The scenes with Strength and Yuu were ;_;, and seeing IBRS defeated by the POWER OF RAINBOW CANNONS was pretty amusing.


Strength sacrificing herself was....:cry:

[TheGreenMan]

So, we get GIANT RAINBOW CANNONS OF DEATH, and a whole shitload of YURI. Yeah...that was awesome!

[strangefour]

-DRAGON FLAME QUADRUPLE PUUUUNCH!
-Yuu are naked.
-Insane BRS vs To-Mato Shooter!
-Silly Mato. Violence solves everything.
-TENGEN TOPPA LESBIAN CANNON!
-So STR Yuu never had any friends living with Sato until Mato came along? For atleast a decade. How does that work? Did she just not go to school and live in the apartment for ten years?
-The world is saved. Thanks to some lesbian girls. And a gay pride wave motion gun.

Well it's over. But no one gets kissed. Not even any subtle pairing off of any of the girls. Only sporty whatshername found true love, but it was with a boy. Unless it ends in a four way orgy. Bleh. It all went down hill after Kagari stopped being stark raving nuts. Black Rock Shooter you only get one star.

[HitokiriShadow]

Well that went quite a different direction than I was expecting. Instead of everyone teaming up against Yuu, it was Mato vs. (Insane) Black Rock Shooter. And boy was it bloody.

I'm disappointed that while Dead Master and Wheels/Chariot revived, they didn't actually fight. They just show up and Mato blows away BRS with a Ludicrously Big Fucking Gun.

But I was very happy to see all four girls together at the end. I desperately want to see a sequel that's just about them hanging out and having fun. In other words, A-Channel or K-On!, but with with these girls. I have absolutely no doubt that Kagari would be completely awesome. And the show would make K-On! look downright heterosexual in comparison.

[ookamigirl]

Final episode... finally.
This whole anime could've been done differently.
This ended up looking like some inner psyche drama and it could've been so much more than that. Instead of watching it intensely I ended up being bored and felt like I was forcing myself to watch it.
Well, at least there was some more action in the last two episodes.
The ending was kinda touching.

[FUNiOP]

As was the case at the beginning, the most interesting part of this show to me is still its unique origins. The fact that now that there actually is a TV series it's only eight episodes also adds to this. Not sure it worked out so well for the series itself. Still, considering its origins, I wasn't expecting much of a properly constructed story. So the fact that I ever cared about it at all is pretty impressive, I guess. I might not mind seeing the OVA at this point, if it ever becomes legally available. Again, the whole franchise is pretty fascinating to me, and I still love that song, one of my favorite Miku songs. I also really like huke's character designs, especially in cases like Black Gold Saw, where I'm reminded of Steins;Gate (specifically Kurisu in that case).

As for the episode itself? It was a fitting conclusion, I suppose. Honestly I was expecting, or at least hoping for, more of an epic battle with all five of the other world versions, or rather the four "normal" ones and Yu herself, probably in a four-on-one against the latter. I was disappointed to see most of them sit it out, making their appearance in that particular scene kind of pointless, although what was going on with their real world versions couldn't be brushed aside. Instead it was just Black Rock Shooter who continued to fight her, and Strength's actions played a big part in the outcome. It ended a lot earlier than I expected. I was surprised to see Mato come out and fight Black Rock Shooter herself, but I didn't like how she won. Everyone kind of comes to terms with the pain they'll have to deal with, and Yu re-enters her body and joins the class so that people can actually see her, and they all hang out and seem pretty happy. It was nice to see all five together in both worlds. And even though Strength sacrificed herself and Yu is back in her body, one of them is still in the other world, and she and BRS both decide to keep fighting? I guess I still don't fully understand the whole concept. The other world girls are created to fight so the real ones don't have to suffer, but they still do, and the more they suffer the more they fight or vice versa I guess, and killing them makes the girls happy again, and they can just come back anyway apparently. Oh well. It was still entertaining and interesting enough, and eight episodes isn't too much of a commitment.

Series Grade: C

[TheGreenMan]

And this is what the girls did afterward:

NSFW!
http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/show/1124905/1boy-6-girls-banboro_-technobot-bath-black_rock_sh

[Ashyukun]

But I was very happy to see all four girls together at the end. I desperately want to see a sequel that's just about them hanging out and having fun. In other words, A-Channel or K-On!, but with with these girls. I have absolutely no doubt that Kagari would be completely awesome. And the show would make K-On! look downright heterosexual in comparison.
I would SO watch a show about the four girls and Saya-chan-sensei (gee, even THAT works like K-On :P). Especially if Kagari stays cheerfully bitchy like she was when she first started going to school.

I'm kind of surprised we didn't get a more epic battle with all the other-world girls, but MatoBRS vs iBRS was pretty good. When she pulls her finishing move though, all I could think was, "With your powers combined, I'll become.... TIRO FINALE!!!!!!" And now I'm sitting here wishing I were remotely good enough of an artist to draw MatoBRS firing that cannon with the ghostly image of Mami behind her backing her up, ala Goku and Gohan with the final Kamehameha that took out Cell. I wonder if someone is going to make a figure with the Tiro Finale cannon. I would SO buy a Nendo MatoBRS with that cannon...

Overall, I enjoyed the show. It drew me in and reached ever-higher levels of me going, "WHAT THE HELL!?!?!" and had me looking forward to the next week's episode to see just what the heck twist it would have next. It was fun seeing Mamiko Noto getting to play an (apparently) evil character, and watching the entire cast (Koha excluded... her ending was cute...) be completely gay for each other. I'm also impressed they managed to pull off a fairly complete series in 2/3 of the usual run (for these days). Gives me a BIT more hope about Ozuma (but not a whole lot more, since its scale looks to be much bigger...).