Talk to me about Air

[Redcoffin]

I recently had the chance to see a few episodes of Air TV--about the first 6 eps. I have watched a lot of anime in my time but I can honestly say that I have never, ever seen a show that displays such a wild combination of utter greatness and teeth-grinding awfulness.

In particular, IMHO the character designs suck--and I do not use that word lightly. I cannot be the first person to have perceived this. Not only is every single character ugly in a way that can never have been in style outside of H-games, but the character designs are completely inappropriate for the subtle, beautifully written, moving, sensitive, literary, mythic story that is shaping up.

Now I don't know what to do. I have been offered the opportunity to see more but on the other hand it's like the hedgehog's dilemma--so much pain. So tell me, AoD, how should I deal with Air?

[The Great Bear]

May want to fix your subject line a little :sd:

As for AIR TV: opinions vary on it, as I've seen people here on AoD who absolutely hate it, and those who think it's great.

Personally, I think it's one of the prettiest animes to look at. And the story is not too bad. I would say go ahead and watch the rest.

[Splitter]

Watch the rest. I was pretty meh at the halfway mark, with the exception of Minagi and Michiru on the rooftop, but from there on I found that for me the series just shot up the ladder in storytelling, characterization, and emotion. It's not the first half that makes it one of my favorite anime of all time, it's the second.

[Dagger]

Look at the character designs for Kanon 2002 (Toei). Look at the character designs for the AIR game. Then shrug and thank your lucky stars that the anime ended up looking the way it did. :P

[XenoCrisis0153]

the story takes many twists and turns (I compared it to a "twisty straw on a rollercoaster during a tornado") and will may or may not require viewings to fully understand, but it's well worth it in the end. Heck, just watching it for the soundtrack alone makes it time well-spent.

Tohno <3 <3 <3 <3

[Pelianth]

...

I like the character designs for Air.

[treatment]

I recently had the chance to see a few episodes of Air TV--about the first 6 eps. I have watched a lot of anime in my time but I can honestly say that I have never, ever seen a show that displays such a wild combination of utter greatness and teeth-grinding awfulness.

In particular, IMHO the character designs suck--and I do not use that word lightly. I cannot be the first person to have perceived this. Not only is every single character ugly in a way that can never have been in style outside of H-games, but the character designs are completely inappropriate for the subtle, beautifully written, moving, sensitive, literary, mythic story that is shaping up.

Now I don't know what to do. I have been offered the opportunity to see more but on the other hand it's like the hedgehog's dilemma--so much pain. So tell me, AoD, how should I deal with Air?

I like the designs of Air alot. However, if you don't like it, stop watching it. Like, pronto.

Get yourself a copy of Bible Black or Discipline, instead.

[Shikamaru824]

...

I like the character designs for Air.


Seconded.

[BluWacky]

Now I don't know what to do. I have been offered the opportunity to see more but on the other hand it's like the hedgehog's dilemma--so much pain. So tell me, AoD, how should I deal with Air?

I dunno; I had the opposite reaction to you really, I thought the show looked gorgeous but basically had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the face!

I think if you like the story it's worth sticking it out; the character designs can only offend you once or twice really, and it's not as if the production quality is poor, you just don't like the designs that much. The payoff by the end is worth it if you're that involved in what's going on.

[something]

In particular, IMHO the character designs suck--and I do not use that word lightly. I cannot be the first person to have perceived this.
Not the only but you're definitely rare. Air is one of the most beautiful shows I've ever seen. I'm not so into original Key art, but the anime designs were incredible.

[Ty]

It's worth it to stick around for the ending. Depending upon how you react to such things you'll either find it to be the most heartbreaking thing you've ever watched or you'll be pissed off at it's blatant attempt to manipulate your emotions.

I'll say this though: I couldn't get the last episode out of my head for days after seeing it. Weeks actually, though that had more to do with the music. Whether you leave the show with good or bad feelings you have to admit anything that accomplishes that is out of the ordinary and worth experiencing.

For the record I didn't find the character designs ugly. They're meant to reflect the original designs and aren't quite as devoid of line detail as current styles. Some of the stories tend to drag, especially in the beginning but as long as the Kanna arc catches your interest you'll be wanting to stick around for the whole thing. The show tells a surprisingly deep story if you take the time to connect the dots.

[Mitsuki]

Chalk me up as another who loves Air and its character designs. Come on, R1 companies, license this!

[LimePie]

...

I like the character designs for Air.


Seconded.

A big ol' "thirded" from me.

I watched Air for the first time yesterday, and I was absolutely glued to the screen. Both the story and visuals captivated me, and wouldn't let me go until I'd marathoned the entire series. Needless to say, I was a blubbering mess by the end. :cry:

[Fencedude]

I really hated Air.

I felt like I was being bludgeoned by the tragedy.

BE SAD DAMMIT. CRY. THIS IS SAD. DON'T YOU SEE HOW SAD THIS IS?!

Also, fuckin' HATED Misuzu.