Red Garden: Take Two [Archive]

Lego

08-10-2006, 03:44 PM

I couldn't find the original thread about this new Gonzo anime, so I thought that I would make a new thread about it. The offical site isn't barren anymore, as some details have been put up (http://anime.excite.co.jp/redgarden/index.html). For those that don't remember the last thread, Red Gard tells the story of a group of New York City School girls.

[ QUOTE ]
New York...girls who approach together being introduced by cruel fates...conflicts, and feuding over their sense of values...

Kate, Rose, and Rachel go to a same school.

Since the morning, they’ve been feeling something strange. They are informed of a sudden death of a classmate, Leeds. In the evening, being in grief, the girls gather in an empty warehouse street as if they were led by something.

Usually, they are not in company, but coincidentally, they had the same strange feelings, and they lost their memories of the last night. When they hear someone’s footsteps and turn, there is a strange couple. The woman notifies them a surprising truth sounds like a lie;“ You are dead”

[/ QUOTE ]

While we all know Gonzo's reputation for dropping the ball animation wise on its projects, the character designs look nice and they seem to be doing their research on NY.

Suwako Moriya

08-10-2006, 03:58 PM

The animation style will probably take some time to get used to. Also the idea of them being dead is interesting, but it depends on what direction they take with it. Since well depending on the author of the story being dead can lead to any number of situations. Either way they still need to update some of the sections. I wonder what will be in the download section.

Lego

08-10-2006, 04:03 PM

Probably the standard trailer, wallpaper, and whatever else Japanese sites have heh. The reason why I wanted to post this is that like you mentioned Anri, Gonzo really hasn't put up that much information on the show. All we had was the picture of the feet and that was it heh. Now we seem to have all of the main characters.

Lego

10-04-2006, 10:32 AM

So episode one has aired and going by the 2chan thread, it looks nice. The character designs will take some getting used to, but from the pictures it looks like a interesting "get to know everyone" first episode. After the first episode I'm interested in how the show will turn out heh.

2old2care

10-15-2006, 01:09 AM

Intriguing 1st episode with the 4 girls and their shared memory loss of the previous night. After a tragic event, one girl SINGS a lament about her feelings. I've never seen that in an anime. Show definitely has a foreboding and ominious feel; probably won't appeal to everyone but if the rest of Red Garden is as good as its debut, I'm definitely watching.

Lego

10-15-2006, 01:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
2old2care said:
Intriguing 1st episode with the 4 girls and their shared memory loss of the previous night. After a tragic event, one girl SINGS a lament about her feelings. I've never seen that in an anime. Show definitely has a foreboding and ominious feel; probably won't appeal to everyone but if the rest of Red Garden is as good as its debut, I'm definitely watching.

[/ QUOTE ]

The ending caught me off guard to. I hope they keep the same style(playing the ending song at a "concert" and messing with clips from the episode). I have high hopes for the show, but it taking a "supernatural twist" with making the girls fight worries me a little. I assume we'll get something where they find out why the other girl died and who the lady in the suit is. I did like the song though, you could really hear the emotion in her voice as she sang. The song actually gave me goosebumps now that I think about it.

The funny thing was that for some reason I immediently though of the movie Greece and how they put in songs here and their.

golthin

10-15-2006, 09:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
So episode one has aired and going by the 2chan thread, it looks nice. The character designs will take some getting used to, but from the pictures it looks like a interesting "get to know everyone" first episode. After the first episode I'm interested in how the show will turn out heh.

[/ QUOTE ]Character designs are similar to Scifi Harry, I wonder if this show is outsourced to Korea like Scifi Harry was.

Shiroi Hane

10-15-2006, 06:49 PM

There's a page full of Korean-looking names in the credits, but that's not unusual these days.

Lego

10-15-2006, 07:47 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Shiroi Hane said:
There's a page full of Korean-looking names in the credits, but that's not unusual these days.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anything Gonzo seems to have a list of Korean studios. Places like Dr. Movie and so on. The animation was really nice though, so I have no complaints. Speaking of character designs, it seems to be Kumi Ishii who has done work mainly for Rozen Maiden as a character designer.

Scaramanga

10-16-2006, 11:14 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
While we all know Gonzo's reputation for dropping the ball animation wise on its projects, the character designs look nice and they seem to be doing their research on NY.

[/ QUOTE ]
I hope so, but based on some of the looks of characters, they're obviously not too concerned versimilitude when representing Americans; no, I don't think we're about 80% blondes. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
I have high hopes for the show, but it taking a "supernatural twist" with making the girls fight worries me a little.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well I kinda assumed based on the first few minutes of the show there was going to be something supernatural, or at the very least "mysterious". So I'm sure I'd call it a "twist" per se.

[ QUOTE ]
The funny thing was that for some reason I immediently though of the movie Greece and how they put in songs here and their.

[/ QUOTE ]
Was this the movie where John Travolta plays young high school rebel Alexander Stantonopolis?

Lego

10-16-2006, 12:12 PM

Heh, you got me their Scaramanga(say hi to Nick Nack for me). Grease had Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in it. If I remember right, it had a lot of random singing.

Lego

10-16-2006, 12:15 PM

Well episode 2 has aired, and it looks interesting. Going by the pictures on 2chan, it's hard to say what happened at the end of episode one with the crazy zombie guy. This episode seems to show each girls home life and various things they do during the day . It was kind of interesting to see them back at school since they're supposedly "dead".

Sheena

10-16-2006, 01:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Scaramanga said:
[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
While we all know Gonzo's reputation for dropping the ball animation wise on its projects, the character designs look nice and they seem to be doing their research on NY.

[/ QUOTE ]
I hope so, but based on some of the looks of characters, they're obviously not too concerned versimilitude when representing Americans; no, I don't think we're about 80% blondes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Research of NY was ok but about high-schools having shoe cubbies, that seemed a bit weird. Maybe it was just me. Or maybe it was unique to this school just like the security.

golthin

10-16-2006, 01:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
Well episode 2 has aired, and it looks interesting. Going by the pictures on 2chan, it's hard to say what happened at the end of episode one with the crazy zombie guy. This episode seems to show each girls home life and various things they do during the day . It was kind of interesting to see them back at school since they're supposedly "dead". 

[/ QUOTE ]
Man, that was such a nasty twist. I hope they explain more of why these girls were chosen How they were killed, They are now contracted to the blood woman, they have to be awake till midnight to be ready to fight. After midnight they can go to sleep till the next day. There were 5 chosen girls, one was captured by the werewolf and was disposed off. Man I really hope there is a way for the girls to get out of the damn contract.

Lego

10-16-2006, 01:44 PM

Yeh, it threw me off a little to. Hopefully it gets explained, or maybe it already was. I'm basing my observations off the 2chan thread heh. I still don't get the fact that they're supposedly dead, yet they can go to school and live at home normally .

Scaramanga

10-16-2006, 02:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
Yeh, it threw me off a little to. Hopefully it gets explained, or maybe it already was. I'm basing my observations off the 2chan thread heh. I still don't get the fact that they're supposedly dead, yet they can go to school and live at home normally .

[/ QUOTE ]
*cough*Gantz? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

Lego

10-16-2006, 05:06 PM

Hmm, it could be something like that. I better understand the episode now that our resident AOD blogger (http://www.ass-no-ryu.com/animeblog/?p=866) posted about it heh. Reading that, I do like the way that they did the "fight". So they told it through flashbacks that the different girls had during the following day.

As for the singing, I wonder if it'll be a every episode sort of thing. I don't mind it as long as they don't pull a Mezzo TV "lets sing for 8 minutes to chew up time!". 

Red Garden has its quirks(and singing), but this is the first show in a while that I'm really drawn into.

golthin

10-18-2006, 10:17 AM

Well, finally we see in this episode how the girls died. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif Lula shows the girls what will happen if they die again or if they don't comply with their contract. The girls received a crystal from Lula that will let them see what happened to them. After Lula's demostration, they decide to use it. They finally remember what happened the night they couldn't remember anything. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif Lula is not as cold as I thought she was before. We still need to find how the girls were given life, but I guess that will be much later as next episode seem to deal with the angst the girls feel from finally realizing that they are walking corpses.

Lego

10-18-2006, 11:28 AM

Hmm, interesting information golthin. It should be interesting to see how the girls handle attackers like the one in episode two. I actually like the fact that they can't switch into super sayin mode out of the blue and take care of it heh.

Suwako Moriya

10-22-2006, 01:31 PM

So far this is a rather depressing series, but it's also rather interesting to watch. Still even after watching episode 3, I'm kind of suspicious about Lu. Partially because there is still some mystery left to be solved. Which bring me to my main worry about this series despite how nice it is so far.

Sometimes the "answer" is what ruins everything. The last thing I want is a cop out such as.. "It was all a dream" or "We drugged you to make you think you died". Just for once I'd like the answer to be a little more well mystical as it were. Something that doesn't boil down to "Oh we lied about you being dead".

Lego

10-22-2006, 05:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Sometimes the "answer" is what ruins everything. The last thing I want is a cop out such as.. "It was all a dream" or "We drugged you to make you think you died". Just for once I'd like the answer to be a little more well mystical as it were. Something that doesn't boil down to "Oh we lied about you being dead".

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats my only real worry about the series, is how they handle the girls. I have confidence that we won't get a "zomg you were really alive ending" though. Hell, at least they didn't suddenly turn the girls into skilled super fighters when fighting in episode two.

Suwako Moriya

10-22-2006, 06:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:Hell, at least they didn't suddenly turn the girls into skilled super fighters when fighting in episode two.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well if they had done that it would ruin the impact of the first three episodes. So I'm glad that wasn't the case. However in the past there have been series where the ones doing the fighting need time to well let's just say warm up. So the key is not just in how well or poorly do they in their first battle. It's in the over all progress of how well they do. Remember your Super Saiyan example earlier? Well last I checked that wasn't a first battle thing. So who knows maybe near the final episode the girls will hold out their rings and say "Let our powers combine!" Wait they need a fifth member for that. *Randomly kills someome* Problem solved!

Lego

10-22-2006, 06:39 PM

Heh, it's something where we'll just have to wait and see. Right now they're relying on drama rather then action.

Lego

10-24-2006, 03:02 PM

Episode four of Red Garden rolls in with well... more drama. I did find the reference to CNN as CNC pretty funny. They did a nice job making it look like CNN . Since most of the drama was talking, and pictures don't talk, I'll just go by what I saw. Towards the end of the episode it seems like we get another fight scene, this time with Claire bringing a bat this time .

It looked like another interesting episode.

Lego

10-31-2006, 05:26 PM

This episode appears to leave off where last weeks episode did, and reveals some interesting information. For instance there seems to be "clean up" people who will come in after the girls take care of the werewolf or whatever bothers them. This seems to be a pretty good psychological based episode as each girl gets a bit of screen time. 

Of course like other episodes, pictures don't talk, so I have to go by what they show. The thing I'm liking the most about Red Garden is the psychological aspect of the series. The girls don't suddenly turn into Saya, but go through emotional distress, guilty about their actions, and other things through their daily life.

Suwako Moriya

11-01-2006, 08:33 PM

I wouldn't think of their enemies as werewolves. Okay they do act like wild animals. However if you look at them, they kind of look like a corpse to me. Or at the very least they may make me think "This person is undead". In any case back to watching episode 5. Yeah I'm watching it as I type this out.

golthin

11-01-2006, 08:38 PM

Wow, talk about angst! This episode was so full of it. I wonder if picking those girls was a random thing or planned.
they really have tough lives, compared to most teenagers.

Lego

11-01-2006, 09:16 PM

True, but thats why I went with werewolf. As for the episode, I enjoyed it. They seem to be doing a decent job incorporating the day to day lives of the girls and their "after dark" persona's.

something

11-05-2006, 05:06 PM

Quick question for those who are tracking this show... does it get like, super awesome amazing to the nth in plot or anything?

Because if not, I don't think I'm going to be able to suffer through these hideous character designs. And who the hell decided on those noses? It's like the Esca Nose on steroids, after being smashed repeatedly with a baseball bat. And a brick. And then they were hit by a truck face first.

11-05-2006, 05:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Quick question for those who are tracking this show... does it get like, super awesome amazing to the nth in plot or anything?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know if it's really your kind of thing judging by your past likes. It's veeeeery slow, and is mostly just girls screaming in terror whilst werewolves in suits attack them. And they ALL have big noses and lips.

I'm loving it so far, but it's very slow burn and obscure/mysterious, but not in a Lain-esque way where nothing makes sense; the show is just being very, very cryptic about what exactly's going on. But we are only five episodes in, and we can't all have ADHD like the Code Geass writers do!

Personally, I like the character designs. I think they're arty. This may be a euphemism for bizarre and freakish, but hey, I like them.

something

11-05-2006, 05:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
BluWacky said:
I don't know if it's really your kind of thing judging by your past likes. It's veeeeery slow, and is mostly just girls screaming in terror whilst werewolves in suits attack them. And they ALL have big noses and lips.

[/ QUOTE ]
I have extremely broad tastes so its premise isn't much of an issue. My complaint is just that the designs are the most godawful hideous I've ever seen. AirMaster was better >_< I'm trying to finish ep 1 as we speak, but it's... very difficult.

11-05-2006, 05:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
BluWacky said:
I don't know if it's really your kind of thing judging by your past likes. It's veeeeery slow, and is mostly just girls screaming in terror whilst werewolves in suits attack them. And they ALL have big noses and lips.

[/ QUOTE ]
I have extremely broad tastes so its premise isn't much of an issue. My complaint is just that the designs are the most godawful hideous I've ever seen. AirMaster was better >_< I'm trying to finish ep 1 as we speak, but it's... very difficult.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you got to the singing yet? Oh, the singing is so very special.

(I actually miss it now it's not in the show any more, but it's.... truly special)

Suwako Moriya

11-05-2006, 08:47 PM

The show while slow is quite interesting. For the reasons that Bluwacky described. Although to be fair I have not really watched Lain and I have no plans to. To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about the art style. It's not traditional and can be a bit hard to get used to. However it's definitely not enough to keep me from watching the show.

Lego

11-06-2006, 12:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm loving it so far, but it's very slow burn and obscure/mysterious, but not in a Lain-esque way where nothing makes sense; the show is just being very, very cryptic about what exactly's going on. But we are only five episodes in, and we can't all have ADHD like the Code Geass writers do!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm with Blu on this one. I'm really liking the drama and the plot aspects of Red Garden. Actually, I'm glad that they didn't go, as I put it, super sayin suddenly and beat the monster of the week. I may be into these types of shows more then disarm though as I consider myself a slice of life fanboy. While Red Garden necessarily wouldn't be slice of life, it moves more with its drama then its action.

golthin

11-06-2006, 01:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
[ QUOTE ]
I'm loving it so far, but it's very slow burn and obscure/mysterious, but not in a Lain-esque way where nothing makes sense; the show is just being very, very cryptic about what exactly's going on. But we are only five episodes in, and we can't all have ADHD like the Code Geass writers do!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm with Blu on this one. I'm really liking the drama and the plot aspects of Red Garden. Actually, I'm glad that they didn't go, as I put it, super sayin suddenly and beat the monster of the week. I may be into these types of shows more then disarm though as I consider myself a slice of life fanboy. While Red Garden necessarily wouldn't be slice of life, it moves more with its drama then its action.

[/ QUOTE ]I have to also agree, I like the drama of the show more, the action is good too. I like the character designs, I don't think the noses are that bad. It is kind of refreshing to see more realistic faces instead of the non realistic big eyes and small noses that more anime characters have. IF you like that you can watch Kanon and Negima?!, where you will find that type of girl /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Lego

11-06-2006, 05:20 PM

Speaking of the designs, they remind me of this one doujin circle(Studio Neo Black). While there is probably no connection, it's the first thing I thought of when I first saw the designs.

golthin

11-08-2006, 03:17 AM

WOW! This episode really shocked me, when I thought that they couldn't surprise me with anything. Two big revelations
If one of the girls runs away, all the girls die. It is all together or none. They are given an incentive, their bodies were changed, but it was only their new bodies. They are taken to a secret room with coffins and in the conffins their old bodies are keep well preserved. They are told that if they keep fighting, and keep winning someday they will be able to return to their old bodies and live a normal life.

Lego

11-08-2006, 07:58 AM

Yeh, that was interesting. I can see some potential drama coming up where one girl won't want to fight anymore and so on.

golthin

11-08-2006, 02:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
Yeh, that was interesting. I can see some potential drama coming up where one girl won't want to fight anymore and so on. 

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, that already happened in episode 6 thus why they were told the "WAY" for them to be able to live a normal life.
It seems that it is only you and I that are watching this show /images/graemlins/happy.gif

11-08-2006, 04:44 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
Well, that already happened in episode 6 thus why they were told the "WAY" for them to be able to live a normal life.
It seems that it is only you and I that are watching this show /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Lego's reading it, not watching it /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

I'm really enjoying Red Garden, but I don't have a lot of time or inclination to watch anime at the moment so am only on episode 3. It's definitely my favourite show this season (and there's some really good stuff out there, although nothing that's totally blown my mind) but it's obviously not the kind of thing that's going to attract a huge audience; it's deliberately very odd, and that's what appeals to me most about it.

XenoSaber

11-08-2006, 10:40 PM

Lego

11-09-2006, 04:13 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego's reading it, not watching it

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm actually trying something different in that I'll look at the 2chan threads as it airs and make my decisions off of that heh. It isn't that I don't have any interest in the show, I just find it easier to check that out then post about it. Although for a show like Red Garden in which drama is key, it might force me to actually watch it heh.

Suwako Moriya

11-09-2006, 11:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
It seems that it is only you and I that are watching this show /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah others are watching the series. For certain I'm watching the series and I've seen up to episode 05. I'll get around to episode 06 a bit later. Okay maybe I need to comment on the series more, but err I'm a bit lazy about commenting on anime sometimes. I blame it on that poster over there.

hikaru004

11-09-2006, 02:52 PM

I'm watching it too, but haven't gotten to ep. 6 yet.

I like the drama part and don't really think that it's that slow. It's the drama that sets it apart from the other "teens with super powers must become a cohesive group to fight the bad guys" titles.

I also find the designs refreshing.

Suwako Moriya

11-09-2006, 04:47 PM

I just finished episode 6 myself. Heh the part at the end with the girls being shown their own corpses is rather creepy and sad. Yeah I know it may turn out that those are not their corpses and it's all an elaborate trick. However as it stands that's what we're supposed to believe (I think) until possibly proven other wise. Still even the very idea of it is rather creepy.

golthin

11-09-2006, 05:36 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Yuzu Hieda said:
I just finished episode 6 myself. Heh the part at the end with the girls being shown their own corpses is rather creepy and sad. Yeah I know it may turn out that those are not their corpses and it's all an elaborate trick. However as it stands that's what we're supposed to believe (I think) until possibly proven other wise. Still even the very idea of it is rather creepy.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think they are being tricked. This is probably something that she is not supposed to do by the expression of the guy when she took them there. She probably was running out of options considering one of the girls was ready to give up.

hikaru004

11-09-2006, 07:13 PM

But...

Who do you think are in the other 4? 8 coffins were shown and only our 4 ladies are known so far.

golthin

11-09-2006, 09:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
hikaru004 said:
But...

Who do you think are in the other 4? 8 coffins were shown and only our 4 ladies are known so far.

[/ QUOTE ]
Don't you remember the other 4 girls she showed? The one that got killed and turned to dust?

XenoSaber

11-09-2006, 09:32 PM

I was under the impression that they all turned to dust after they died. Then at the end of that episode, I think it was 3 or 4 thier real bodies popped up for the police to find. I think that the bodies they have now are just some kind of avatars for them to fight. Once they die the creepy paul bearers can then ditch the real bodies so the missing investigations won't go on forever.

Also we have see that there was at least one other team of 4 so the other caskets could be for another team.

I wasn't sure what to spoil so I just did the whole thing.

2old2care

11-10-2006, 12:37 AM

I just watched episode 4 and this show keeps getting more and more bizarre and interesting. Did anyone else catch the SEINFELD reference? (Soup Nazi!); and Rachel's definitely my favorite girl of the four. Totally pissed off at Kate and Rose's unannounced visit to her home and generally ticked off at being dead. Finally, she totally 'goes batty' on that night's assignment. If this is a monster of the week show, monsters'll be in short supply fast. DAMN, Girl! /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Lego

11-10-2006, 07:18 AM

[ QUOTE ]
2old2care said:
I just watched episode 4 and this show keeps getting more and more bizarre and interesting. Did anyone else catch the SEINFELD reference? (Soup Nazi!); and Rachel's definitely my favorite girl of the four. Totally pissed off at Kate and Rose's unannounced visit to her home and generally ticked off at being dead. Finally, she totally 'goes batty' on that night's assignment. If this is a monster of the week show, monsters'll be in short supply fast. DAMN, Girl! /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well the show is set in NY /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. Supposedly instead of recording as the show progresses they did all the voice work before the show aired. I actually like that a little better as you can sometimes get a better sounding performance(at least in Red Garden's case).

As for the other "team" if you will, that is interesting. I don't know if they'll introduce a new set of girls, or something like that. It could be a previous set of girls(I assume this has been happening for a while) and so on.

Lego

11-20-2006, 04:43 PM

Well, this episode looked pretty interesting. The only thing that really stood out to me(almost like a sore thumb) was the color choices. Maybe it's just me taking a glance at the shots, but something just seemed kind of "Gankutsuou like" when it came to this episode. 

Other then my little gripe, I'm glad that they're starting to work in some minor characters into the mix

2old2care

11-28-2006, 12:56 AM

Let's talk Gardening with Gonzo: Ep. 7

The episode focuses on Herve and his family 'curse'. His mom succumbed to the mysterious ailment and now, his sister & cousin show signs of same symptoms. Herve promises he'll do whatever's necessary to save the last female members of his family, including getting rid of the 'enemy' - meaning Lula & the girls. Herve's grandfather, head of the family/clan, forbids him from taking action and instead shows him their best hope for salvation: Spoiler
Lise's body!

Later, Herve bitterly observes that night's ritual of Kate, Claire, Rachel & Rose (finally!) whacking the competition. Much of his condemnation stems from some unknown shared connection between him and the 'monsters'.

Really enjoyed this episode. Herve came across as a sympathetic figure, showing more warmth & humanity during the 1st 10 mins. than Lula has since the first episode. More questions need answering...Still...Red Garden keeps on kickin'.

Suwako Moriya

11-28-2006, 02:12 AM

Yeah episode 7 was rather nice for the reasons you mentioned. It was also a needed change of pace. This is not to say the series is bad as I like it so far. However it was good to have some focus on the other elements.

Lego

11-28-2006, 03:24 AM

Red Garden is one of those series where you have to pay attention to the dialog. By looking at a episode by my normal means(I find it easier for certain series to just check the 2chan threads or blogs since I have a general idea about them), I've pretty much given up on making summaries hehe.

Suwako Moriya

12-13-2006, 08:16 PM

This was a rather nice episode in terms of bonding and the "singing" which is a staple of the series is definitely in this episode. Heh one of my favorite parts was the discussions on weapons. One involving Rachel thinking that a heel would be a good weapon and well Claire ended up using her phone as a weapon. Heh go figure on that one. Well time to see episode 9 now.

Lego

12-14-2006, 05:50 AM

I've been busy so I almost forgot about poor little Red Garden heh. I'll have to catch up episode wise :cry:. But with this being a nice looking Gonzo show, I'm sure Funi or someone along those lines will license it heh.

Suwako Moriya

12-14-2006, 12:29 PM

But with this being a nice looking Gonzo show, I'm sure Funi or someone along those lines will license it heh.

Perhaps, but in the end I'll just take the wait and see approach. Still it is your destiny to catch up on the episodes. Heh perhaps I'll comment on episode 9 a little later, but it's hard for me to get into the proper mood to explain things. Thus why I'm a jerk who relies on others.

Lego

12-15-2006, 05:55 AM

Heh, between Christmas time and Twilight Princess, you might be waiting a while :). I'm sure that I'll have some spare time to break it down. I like to be have enough time to watch and take in a show rather then speed watching it. For instance with me and Black Lagoon I know what goes on in each episode, but without seeing the episode you loose things like music, context, mood, and so on. But it doesn't hurt that you're able to take a look at the episode beforehand.

Suwako Moriya

12-19-2006, 11:22 PM

The main thing of interest is we learn more about what's going with the enemies they've been facing. Also even more important Lise is becoming more involved in the story as the enemy for lack of a better term views Lise as their hope and plans to make use of her.

Also in episode 10, Lula's character makes some progress with a scene near the end. Essentially when the girls complain along the lines of "Why don't you help them first?", she flat out states that they've tried and tried. That sadly death is the only solution they have.

Still it's rather strange that all of this resulted from two families placing a curse on each other. It just makes you wonder what the moment in the past that ultimately resulted in that is. Or at least it makes me wonder.

2old2care

12-26-2006, 07:01 PM

Episode 11 has 'Graced' us with more angsty drama direct from Roosevelt Island, NYC:

The other Grace members met to discuss expelling Kate from their group. The final straw? She was late to school. Tough group.

Kate's sister introduced her new boyfriend to Kate. He has a secret, spoilerish past which I can't go into now but let's say it involves another prominent character. Kate's sister teases her by saying she's better with books than she is with boys. Later, our "hero" Herve walks by and introduces himself to Kate, flashing his killer smile. Uh, oh, I think I know where this is headed.

Rachel and Luke are having relationship issues as well. Luke can't believe the change in Rachel. The girl is reading books, of all things. They throw a mutual hissy fit and Rachel smacks Luke pretty good - mark that one as one the best slaps in anime whenever that thread appears next, heh.
Both finally chill at a party and seem to be having a good time together; until those damn butterflies hover overhead. Rachel says her goodbyes, leaving Luke saying, WTF! or some other Japanese equivalent. But that hussy, Amanda, looks all too eager keeping Luke company for the rest of the evening. After Rachel finishes that evening’s business, she phones Luke but there’s no answer on the other end.

Rose and her friend search for Rose's dad somewhere in town. He left the family for some unknown reason, leaving Rose to care for her two younger siblings while their mom is sick in the hospital.

Claire's job search hasn't been productive, striking out at every place she's applied. Swallowing her pride, she goes back to the ol' Burger joint and the old geezer is sort of happy to see her. The regular customers been nagging him about Claire's whereabouts because they miss her rock hard BAVARIAN WEINER dish -- You can't make this shit up! LOL.

Oh, there was no singing during this episode. It’s now been three episodes since anyone’s sung. I really miss those songs, sigh.

golthin

12-26-2006, 08:16 PM

I can't believe the "keepers" didn't realize that Harve is one of the Enemies. I am afraid for Kate.

Suwako Moriya

12-27-2006, 04:15 AM

I really miss those songs, sigh.

I'm sure they'll return and continue to appear on occasion. It's probably just that for some episodes they can't really find a place for a song. Still it will be interesting to see what the final song ends up being. In any case it will be interesting to see if/when Herve finally gives in to the curse himself.

2old2care

01-07-2007, 04:09 AM

Red Garden hits the halfway point with episode 12:

Kate learns that Herve is interested in seeing her again and so Kate, Herve, Emma (Kate's sis) and Emilio, Emma's boyfriend, meet for dinner. Herve gains everyone's approval after being interrogated by Emma. Emilio isn't so sure; he has his own reasons for being suspicious of Herve's sudden interest in Kate. After dinner, Kate and Herve leave the restaurant and take a short walk. Herve playfully warns Kate that he might be dangerous but Kate believes otherwise. She agrees to accompany him to Coney Island on Sunday. Lula and JC notice the couple on their stroll and think it's wonderful Kate is with someone. Strangely, neither one recognizes Herve.

There's a nice scene at school, with the four girls commenting on their relationships or lack thereof. Funny bit with Rose, of all people, dishing out advise and getting called on it. Kate surprises the group with the news there is someone she likes.

Later at school, Paula speaks to Kate about how her position was spared. She pleads with Kate to remain in Grace.

Claire and Rachel attempt to patch things with their boyfriends. Rose visits her mom at the hospital and learns her dad is working and sending money to the family.

Herve, during one of his regular visits with Lize, offers to start a diary exchange together, not that he truly cares. He has much darker motive in mind.

No singing again during this episode and there's a new ED. It's kinda creepy. Playtime at the concert is over!
-----

At midpoint, the pace of the story needs to pick up. How many times is Rose going to visit her mom? I left out the two detectives on the case: How long will they look at photographs and proclaim the investigation into the recent suicides isn't over yet? What are the group's plans for Lize?

All the relationship stuff is starting to wear thin. Of course, it's important to the characters but this viewer wants less talking and more action. And by action, I don't necessarily mean 22 minutes of fighting between the girls and monsters during each episode. What I am afraid will happen is everything will be rushed at the end. Red Garden, so far, deserves better. Don't let me down, GONZO!

Suwako Moriya

01-07-2007, 08:18 AM

I left out the two detectives on the case: How long will they look at photographs and proclaim the investigation into the recent suicides isn't over yet?

It's almost like they want to make sure you didn't forget those two exist. Seriously their part of the story has been the weakest so far. Not counting the obvious like minor characters that happen to walk in the background. As for the pacing I remain hopeful that things will come together and yet fearful that like other shows they'll suddenly remember how many episodes they have left too little and too late.

golthin

01-07-2007, 06:18 PM

Lula and JC notice the couple on their stroll and think it's wonderful Kate is with someone. Strangely, neither one recognizes Herve.

this is one the biggest plotholes in the story. It would make more sense if they would want the girls to avoid getting involved with "humans" as relationships will only get in the way of their mission.

2old2care

01-17-2007, 01:57 AM

Red Garden 13

Red Garden pulls itself off the compost and gets back to basics: a severely whacked out drama about terrorizing incredibly whiny NYC schoolgirls. This episode reintroduces the angst and horror of their situation in a manner unseen since the earliest episodes. And while it isn’t perfect, Red Garden proves, once again, perfectly entertaining. Let the spoilers ensue:

Jessica emotionally melts down in front of Paula because she's afraid for their future. Our group had a nasty, painful fight which fed off their terror and horror. Someone needs to buck up, before one of them is killed. Rachel explodes on Rose, ashamed, starts training (couldn't help but hear "Rocky's theme" while she ran laps around her backyard and attempted a single pushup). Luke hears Amanda's cry of love and fidelity forever, unlike what's-her-name. Herve's hatred burns when a family member's health takes a turn. Even from her hospital bed, a semi-catatonic Lize sputtered and mumbled something fierce, after Herve 'let it slip' that he and a old friend were sharing Coney Island hot dogs on the side.

On the contrary, Kate is in high spirits. Her strength and fighting technique has increased exponentially; perhaps, due to a new emotion enveloping her for the first time? Rachel and her teacher share a bitter espresso. A children's playground serves as a stakeout for our detectives to observe suspects. At least it beats looking at photos. Lize's memory slowly returns.

A big spoiler was introduced about the girls' environment. Sort of confirms for me, why Paula is so interested in Kate. No singing again.

It's obvious by now that Red Garden is a twisted template of Romeo & Juliet and its Broadway offspring, West Side Story. Had my suspicions beforehand, but the latest ED, 'Oh, My Juliet', made that clear even to me. I’m dying to follow where "Shakespeare" and GONZO lead next.

Lego

01-17-2007, 08:29 AM

While I've been busy lately so I haven't kept up with the show, I wanted to pop in and say that I enjoy reading your take on the newer episodes. The writing style is a little new, but everything flows nicely.

2old2care

02-10-2007, 06:45 AM

Red Garden 14 - "Rose Gets Her Irish Up, Part 1"

The next morning, Rose greets Rachel with an "ohayo" and gets the silent treatment in return for her trouble. Someone's still pissed off over the other night. Encouraged to train together, a chastened Rose starts training with Kate. She has a long way to go before she can match Kate's prowess.

Claire's car won't start, which only exasperates her money problems, not to mention making her late to school. Upon arrival, Claire bumps into Kate (in full Grace mode), apologizes and pleads with Kate not to report her. Hidden nearby, Jessica listens in. Kate asks Claire if she would join Rose and her for some late night training. However, what a disgusted Jessica thought she overheard: "Let's get Rose and make it a threesome".

Claire visits her brother's business after school hoping to see him, and instead finds the office in an uproar. Phones are ringing off the hook while employees frantically answer. Randy, Claire's brother, is nowhere to be found.

Rachel spends less and less time socializing with her friends and more time at the coffeehouse drinking that bitter brew with her Lit teacher, Nick. Looks innocent enough but Luke and Rachel's relationship has to be reaching the breaking point

Kate's dad notices her being late for school more often and wonders if a meeting with the headmistress might be in order. Emma persuades him that it would be better if she pays a visit instead. Emilio joins her at the Academy and together they meet with the Headmistress, who assures them there's nothing to be concerned about. It's to be expected that Lize's death would affect Kate. Paula is introduced as Kate's guide and mentor in Grace during this difficult time.

After their meeting, Emilio appears uncomfortable walking the school halls. Find out later this isn't Emilio's first time in that building. While Paula, the headmistress and Kate's homeroom teacher remain in the conference room, Lula and JC walk in. There's more conversation amongst them, and once again, Jessica happens to be at the right place at the wrong time, and overhears another conversation she shouldn't have.

Herve met Kate to apologize for lying to her about the reason he left her during their last date. Herve said the real reason he cut short their date was because a family member took ill. Herve played the sympathy card like a master. Kate was blubbering like a baby.

Finally that night, the girls had to take care of business and, boy, did Rose's training pay off. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it. Our girls left this episode with warm, happy feelings.

Except this will be the last time for any warm feelings or happy endings for our cast. From here on, Red Garden turns black. Pitch Black. (at least thru episode 17)

Suwako Moriya

02-10-2007, 05:22 PM

Except this will be the last time for any warm feelings or happy endings for our cast. From here on, Red Garden turns black. Pitch Black. (at least thru episode 17)

Wow so it's going to be even darker. This should be interesting. Note to self actually get around to catching up on some of the episodes later. I still need to see 13 for one thing. All I can say is the girl's need a miracle if their lives are ever going to truly get back together.

Suwako Moriya

02-11-2007, 05:22 PM

Okay so I finally saw the episode. It's nice to see the two cops actually do something a bit different for a change. Maybe their boss told them that they'd be fired if they didn't do something else. :) Although I think one of the interesting parts was watching Kate practice after the battle. Despite the dark nature of this series it was kind of fun to see. Granted I feel wrong saying that, but ah well.

Lego

03-14-2007, 08:02 AM

Apparently Red Garden is getting an OVA:

3-14-07 (1:41AM EDT)---- Red Garden OVA Announced
GONZO's Red Garden will get an OVA adaption to be released in Japan in August, 2007. The subtitle is "Dead Girls".

Suwako Moriya

03-14-2007, 11:25 AM

2old2care

03-14-2007, 09:24 PM

Yeah, the TV series ends at episode 22. The ending feels a little rushed but it's not bad. We finally see the 'red garden'.

Edit: OVA info from ANS:
The official Red Garden production blog has some new details on the plot for the upcoming 45 minute OVA "Dead Girls". The story will be a standalone extra chapter from the existing TV story which will be self contained. The story occurs in New York, Manhattan in the near future." I elbow my way through the mass of high-rise buildings of steel and endless repetitions of daily life. I have continued to fight as a bounty hunter while roaming the world that goes into ruin. Kate, Rose, Rachel, Claire.. four girls. They are running after the wanted man today. Women who live a the commonplace campus life usually, though every day is spent in a war. The voice is multiplied by a female transfer student one day. The girl who introduces herself as beautiful, lovely Louise to Kate et al.. It is offered, "I want to become your friend". The handsome youth EDGAR also appears. A huge shadow of mystery approaches them. "

Sheena

03-15-2007, 03:01 PM

Heh I wonder if this OVA will be a continuation of the TV series or an alternate telling. I guess I'd probably want it to be a continuation. Especially if the TV series ends in a manner that requires a few more episodes to conclude properly.

I've only watched up to ep. 19 so can't say how it ends but from synopsis of OVA, it sounds like it'd be a chapter after the end of the TV series. And to me it also kinda hints at an open-ended resolution for the TV series. With upcoming clash in ep. 22, really anything can happen.

Atomsk

03-26-2007, 08:59 AM

2old2care

03-31-2007, 05:58 PM

..but it's more about relations than action.

Which is probably why they're adding Mecha (http://www.trinet-ent.com/deadgirls/) to the Dead Girls OVA. Hope they don't sing. :D

masterpez

03-31-2007, 07:05 PM

Which is probably why they're adding Mecha (http://www.trinet-ent.com/deadgirls/) to the Dead Girls OVA.

Since it's a Gonzo series, one could argue that it's almost a requirement that there'd be mecha at some point. :sd: And I happened to like the singing, although if it happened every episode...

Suwako Moriya

04-01-2007, 08:05 AM

Which is probably why they're adding Mecha (http://www.trinet-ent.com/deadgirls/) to the Dead Girls OVA. Hope they don't sing. :D

Okay the only comment I have right now is that could be err interesting. Also they don't need to sing, they'll be like Escaflowne and get their own ego stroking chanting song. Listen as "Red Garden" is said repeatedly in differing tones. *Note to self finish remaining episodes of Red Garden before watching OVA*

Suwako Moriya

04-24-2007, 10:15 PM

*Note to self finish remaining episodes of Red Garden before watching OVA*

And on that note I've finished the TV series. Thus another show is removed from the backlog. Over all while some elements did need to be fleshed out a bit more it was one of the better series I've seen. Although the dark nature does kind of make it hard to re-watch. Still I am at least curious about the OVA. I'll have to think about more about how I feel about the series over all, but at the very least I can say it was interesting in many regards.

golthin

04-26-2007, 12:54 PM

Yeah, the TV series ends at episode 22. The ending feels a little rushed but it's not bad. We finally see the 'red garden'.

Yeah, the ending is sad, yet beautifull. Nothing more to add really. The series a bit slow at times, but it's more about relations than action.
I didn't think the ending was that sad, 4 of the girls were still "alive" at the end with one of them turning to dust.

Suwako Moriya

04-29-2007, 01:43 PM

BluWacky

04-29-2007, 03:41 PM

While we're on the subject of the final episode and thus the series in general. Is it just me or was Herve like several times more powerful than a lot of the other characters? It's like he secretly equipped bracelets that give +700 to all stats.

He was the youngest male Doral and the only direct descendant of the head family (after he killed his granddad). I presumed it was in his genes or something.

He probably wasn't much more powerful than the headmistress or the Animus teacher who'd been around for years who fought with her - together they killed most of the Doral forces, whereas Herve didn't do that much fighting (aside from in the episode where JC died) and Kate and co. were never particularly strong fighters anyway. Lula gave him a good kicking, though.

Suwako Moriya

04-30-2007, 07:17 AM

Lula gave him a good kicking, though.

Seeing Lula do that to Herve does give a nice sense of satisfaction for multiple reasons. Still in general your explanation does make sense. Also I have to admit it was kind of refreshing that the girls didn't suddenly start glowing and say "We were only pretending to be hurt Herve!" Sure that would work for some series, but would be out of place for Red Garden.

2old2care

05-15-2007, 03:42 AM

shannonleighd

05-15-2007, 03:48 PM

Our gals received new colorized character designs (http://www.trinet-ent.com/deadgirls/) for the RG: Dead Girls OVA. Rose is biggest beneficiary imo; unsure of Rachel's makeover. At least, their looks were not drastically changed. Of course, who knows if these are the final designs?

Wow, I really like them. Rachel kind of looks unrecognizable, but not in a bad way. Rose looks more grown up and softer, the longer hair really suits her. Claire is sexier and less tomboyish and Kate looks like she's ready to kick ass and take names - although I like here first sketches better in the face.

Can't wait for this to come out.

2old2care

06-12-2007, 05:51 PM

EWD

06-13-2007, 10:49 AM

Found this via ANN:

New RG:Dead Girls Promo (http://www.trinet-ent.com/deadgirls/visual.html) video (vol 2). Is it just me or has everyone from Red Garden TV been reincarnated or something? I don't think those are flashbacks. Hope ADV has this.

Note the flying bikes, police cars and futuristic city. Looks like this new series takes place well in the future. Given that the 4 girls were immortal, the others are probably kids or grandkids of the characters in the previous series.

Suwako Moriya

06-13-2007, 11:00 AM

It's also possible that some may merely be re-used character designs. Either way the fact it takes place far in the future means a lot could have taken place during the time gap. Including perhaps the girls becoming better trained by whatever means including self-training.

pianocello

11-07-2007, 08:13 PM

Has anyone actually seen the OAV? So is it just one episode or is there more? Do the girls remember the events of the TV series? Do they remember each other? By the way, I've seen some really ecchi covers for the OAV? Is there any ecchi? :virgin:

Anyhow, I hope the R1 releases will be faster. Would be nice to watch with subs as watching the rest raw makes me miss quite a lot.

Anyhow, my thoughts on the entire series (may include vague spoilers):

Unless I get to watch something much more awesome in the finishing months of the year, Red Garden is officially my No. 1 anime of the year. The character development is incredible and it's nice to see how characters grow. Heh. The coming out scene in ep 19 was great. It's nice to see how Kate who is the natural leader of the team becoming an uke in a yuri relationship. :)
While some people sympathize with Herve, I lost my sympathy due to his rather cruel actions with Lise and Kate. Not to mention that all the girls were in their current dilemma due to him.
Oddly, the one scene in the series that moved me to tears was when Claire's father tried to reconcile himself with his daughter. I also liked how Rachel changed from an ultrab*tch to someone more sympathetic.
I think the voice-acting is one of the more unusual that I have heard. Typically (due to seperate recording), characters will wait for one character to finish talking before they talk. Here, you sometimes have characters interrupting and trying to talk at the same time. Very unusual.

Heh. Did anyone else get Shizuru vibes from Paula in the earlier episodes?