If you could direct anime characters in a "groundhog day" scenario

[pianocello]

A discussion here. When They Cry has this scenario of the characters going through the same storyline over and over again with the similar storyline but with some variations each time. The one other anime I can think of that has done that is Noein in one of its episodes and perhaps Urusei Yatsura movie 2.


Here's a discussion for you folks to try. You are the director. You are going to make an alternate universe version of an existing anime. There are certain conditions:
(1)You have to use the characters from one particular anime. (no crossovers)
(2)The series (say about 26 episodes, for example) will be broken into arcs similar to When They Cry of around 4 or 5 episodes each.
(3)This can but does not necessarily have to be about murder like When They Cry. The important thing is that the storyline is repeated over and over again for each arc but each time there is some slight variations and differences.
(4)While not necessary in the 1st arc, by the 2nd arc, at least one of the characters (which one) has to be aware that they are in a kind of a time loop and are trying to do something to break it so that they will eventually have a good ending instead of a bleak one each time. Perhaps by the final arc, gradually more and more characters are aware of it.


So which anime would you choose to make this setting? And what will the story be about?

[Redcoffin]

Hmm, the subtlety and difficulty of the requirement presupposes actual deliberation and effort on the part of the respondents... nnng, brain hurts...

How about a version of Evangelion where everybody doesn't die? :evil:

[HellKorn]

How about a version of Evangelion where everybody doesn't die? :evil:

They don't. They either return to their physical forms or live out happy lives as tang.

I could imagine a Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu style Ground Hog's day. Or maybe one could argue that Kaname relives the same day again and again knowing Sousuke's habits.

[itsuka]

My first idea is that it would be a fun idea for the Saiyuki universe. Stuck in a sort of time loop where every time they have to get to a certain place or take out a certain villain, someone else will interfere or something else will happen with their reincarnated memories. I don't think I would play it out over a full season, but half a season, why not.

[Njr Scrawl]

How about a version of Evangelion where everybody doesn't die? :evil:

They don't. They either return to their physical forms or live out happy lives as tang.



Well you have the Angelic Days alternate Evaverse, &...who knows how Rebuild will change the story. There are some theories already that the Rebuild might be Shinji's reboot of reality rewound after EoE - though that's only after seeing "You Are Not Alone", the 1st movie. Even if so, the 2nd time around might be no better than 1st & he might go with the other option next time, or try for 3rd time lucky!

:crazy:

[Njr Scrawl]

Always the Kimagure Orange Road Christmas episode as a classic example, also Kyosuke's birthday episode, which is eerier. And less directly still the 2nd movie "Summer's Beginning".

I seem to remember an early UY episode (pre-Beautiful Dreamer), where Lum (&/or Ataru) wakes up the same morning & things are a little different each time. There are similarly themed other UY episodes, with "resets" usually triggered by magic or mad science.

In Macross, Hikaru when wounded in bed has a dream where previous episodes events (same animation), are angled differently in his favour (new dialogue). But its only a dream. :offline:

If I could direct a character scene myself...it would probably be in Ah! My Goddess, Negima or Love Hina, which would lend themselves well to such a scenario.

[TalonG4]

Many harem anime would work easily in this format and I would choose the granddaddy of all harem anime; Tenchi Muyo.
I would have Tenchi be the one who is aware of the loop and after exhausting all the choices of a mate including Ryo-Ohki in a very weird arc, he would have to eventually choose, much to his chagrin and eventual delight, Ryoko to break the loop.
The fan favorite arc would probably be the Kiyone one just because it's never been hinted at before.

[Pachi]

I would make the Fullmetal Alchemist characters re-do the last half of the series over and over again with random circumstances, until they came up with an ending that didn't underwhelm. :susel:


In all seriousness though, I don't have a particular show in mind, but I would take a show where a particular character dies at a pivotal point in the series. So I would take it and keep redoing that section of the series, each time having what would happen if a DIFFERENT character had died, or maybe if more than one had died. Just to see where the new situation would take them.

[Dicrel Seijin]

My first idea is that it would be a fun idea for the Saiyuki universe. Stuck in a sort of time loop where every time they have to get to a certain place or take out a certain villain, someone else will interfere or something else will happen with their reincarnated memories.

I'd have to check, but I think this does happen in the manga.

If I could direct a character scene myself...it would probably be in Ah! My Goddess, Negima or Love Hina, which would lend themselves well to such a scenario.

I take it you have not read the Negima1? manga?

I'd go with Princess Resurrection. I'd have Hiro be the, er, groundhog. The plot would be very simple--save Hime. I'd have him go through the loop repeatedly so that he could gain a backbone, judgment, fighting experience and prowess, and other things he is so lacking. When he finally breaks out of the loop, he would honor title of and embody the blood warrior. In addition to all the necessary blood and brutal violence, it should still keep the camp and comedy.

[pianocello]

Many harem anime would work easily in this format and I would choose the granddaddy of all harem anime; Tenchi Muyo.
I would have Tenchi be the one who is aware of the loop and after exhausting all the choices of a mate including Ryo-Ohki in a very weird arc, he would have to eventually choose, much to his chagrin and eventual delight, Ryoko to break the loop.
The fan favorite arc would probably be the Kiyone one just because it's never been hinted at before.


Now that you mention harem anime, I just remembered that Magikano had this time loop element. I'd love to see them do a 2nd season where the female lead tries (and eventually succeeds) in breaking out of the time loop.

[Suwako Moriya]

Now that you mention harem anime, I just remembered that Magikano had this time loop element. I'd love to see them do a 2nd season where the female lead tries (and eventually succeeds) in breaking out of the time loop.

A second season along those lines would greatly improve the first season to the point it might be worth collecting. Still I'm not holding my breath.

[StanS]

Ataru from the Lum series first.

The jerk from ElHazard, I forget his name, sorry.

Haruhi needs time to understand other peoples feelings & try to look at life through the eyes of others,

Naga the Serpent from Slayers. She needs her own coming-of -age story.

I agree on Tenchi, having to relive life until he understands Ryoko's feelings would make a grand story^^