Tales of the Abyss - Discussion Thread

[Shirachi]

Because I simply couldn't wait for one to pop up on it's own.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, Abyss is the thing I've been looking forward to this season. Just because I'm a ridiculously huge fan of the game, my opinion shall be somewhat biased (well, more then *somewhat*).

I'd also like to mention that the people who played the game should refrain from spoiling.

EPISODE 01

Abyss is very dear to my heart, if simply for the characters (was I the only who screamed “PEONY!” during the opening sequence?). As such, I was skeptical it could be tastefully transformed into an anime; based upon the first episode, I have to conclude it turned out better than most video-game adaptations. They added enough fresh material (Natalia, flashbacks that were only mentioned in the game) to keep old fans interested, unlike Symphonia. The extra-material incorporated a lot for it.

And foreshadowing is fun.

EPISODE 02

I hate cheagles. Wishful thinking that Luke and his merry band would pass them up and leave them dead for the ligers, but nnnnnnoooooo. They have to save the buggers and one joins them (how lame is a creature that says “mieu” and named Mieu?). Furry mascot? Check.

Highlight was without a doubt Jade's Indignation. Epic.

[Westlo]

I'm really happy with how this adapation turned out, they kept Karma as the OP, the animation is fluid and the VAs are great. I haven't got a chance to watch episode 2 raw yet but damn Tear is so fucking moe!!!!!

[Leon_Belmont]

I thought the second half of the game was weak sauce (or at least pretty much pointless) and am curious how the plot progression of this show will go. Will have to read this thread for comments. Can't say I have a lot of hope for this show though. Game shows, while I've at least enjoyed quite a few, rarely astound me. Or anyone.

[Dissonance]

I thought the second half of the game was weak sauce (or at least pretty much pointless)
Someone who agrees with me... wow. I'll be watching at least a few episodes of this regardless because, well, Tear is hawt.

[gundamseed]

I thought the second half of the game was weak sauce (or at least pretty much pointless) and am curious how the plot progression of this show will go. Will have to read this thread for comments. Can't say I have a lot of hope for this show though. Game shows, while I've at least enjoyed quite a few, rarely astound me. Or anyone.

i like second half of the game more to tell the truth . it showed how luke man up . compare to first half when act like a bitch .

[Leon_Belmont]

Dude, kill the spoilers. And this isn't a game discussion. Those were my thoughts going in to the show. Feel free to bash my thoughts into the ground if you don't like em, but it's probably best to say nothing of the plot progression or at least to spoiler tag it.

[Collectonian]

I'd like to see this one myself...curious as to how they will fluff it out and stuff. It seems like it would really lend itself well to an anime series.

[JackC]

I just noticed something

I don't remember Luke and Natalia being engaged in the Video Game, or did I miss something?

[Nork22]

I just noticed something

I don't remember Luke and Natalia being engaged in the Video Game, or did I miss something?
Yes they were.

[Shirachi]

Dead thread, but oh well.

EPISODE 03

Gotta love Anise with her famous "I'll kill you bastards!" line. Nice to actually see it rather than getting Ion's watered down description later on. They also incorporated some of the skits into the actual storyline, which is a wonderful touch since the most amusing aspect of the game were the skit interactions.

Was not showing Asch's face really necessary? It's plastered on both the OP and ED, kinda hard not to make the connection.

I'm actually surprised they're going at such a fast pace. I mean, Choral Castle next episode? ALREADY? They'll have a lot to cram into it, then: Go through that river dungeon (looks like they're skipping St. Binah), meet up with Van and get a explanation, Arietta being an jealous brat and kidnapping that ship-repair person (don't judge me), Sync and Dist appearing, Luke getting himself kidnapped again, Guy finding out about Sync and getting that cursed slot, etc . A bit much.

I loved the preview. Dist has the flamboyance down; now he needs Liam O'Brien and he's prefect.

Glad to see the animation hasn't downgraded.

[idunno]

When I first saw this show, I thought it ran like an rpg, but without player input. Then I found out what it was based on, and laughed my ass off. Overall though, it's pretty entertaining so far, hopfully it won't end up like the many other game adaptations.

[Shirachi]

EPISODE 04

What the hell, Anise? Tokunaga pwns everyone's asses in the game, but here one hit and you're done? From ARIETTA, no less? Weak.

Besides that little tidbit I enjoyed this episode a lot, my favorite so far actually (yes, it's mostly because of Dist's first appearance; which was awesome, in case you were wondering). I really am liking the fact that they are playing around with the foreshadowing for Guy's past, especially that little miniature flashback involving the women, Mary, falling down. Tacky, but appropriate effects included along with it.

It's really improving on things that made the game somewhat weak - skipping completely useless and annoying mini-quests that you don't get the option for (ex: St. Binah), which apparently Chesedonia is going on that list as well. I wonder how they will introduce the Dark Wings based upon this development; along with Sync's and Dist's "formal" introduction.

And again with the hiding of Asch's face. If Sunrise wanted to be hush-hush about it, as I've mentioned before, don't plaster it all over the OP and ED.

Animation, once again, consistent.

[Ty]

I like this show so far (it's Sunrise so it's a given) but man is Luke getting on my nerves. His VA really knows how to hit the notes just right to make it even more irritating. I can handle the whining, and I can handle the spoiled brat act. He swithes back and forth so fast, though, that it's basically being served up both at the same time. I hope he grows up soon and stops getting on my nerves. Luckily every other character introduced so far is pretty good.

[pathos]

Dead thread, but oh well.
I'm actually surprised they're going at such a fast pace. I mean, Choral Castle next episode? ALREADY? They'll have a lot to cram into it, then.

Well, its a very long game, really. I dunno how long the series is, but if its less than 24 episodes, I'll be surprised. They'll have to get to a certain event at least by the mid way point, and there is a whole lot after that.

on a different note, anyone know if the op is the original artist who sang it? Of course, in the import version of the game, they removed the vocals, so I never actually got to here how it originally sounded.

[Shirachi]

On a different note, anyone know if the op is the original artist who sang it? Of course, in the import version of the game, they removed the vocals, so I never actually got to here how it originally sounded.

Yeah, it is.

About Choral Castle: I understand the need for speed, but it seemed a little way to fast. It's nice not to be rushing about all the time, even though it could give Luke more time to emo later. ;)

[pathos]

Yeah, it is.
)

Ahh, thanks. Its....not quite what I expected :P

[Shirachi]

Ahh, thanks. Its....not quite what I expected :P

Takes a couple of times listening to it to warm up to the song. Didn't like it myself much in the beginning, either.

[Shirachi]

EPISODE 05

Despite the awesomeness that is Dist (although I have to say that *lipstick* is hideous), I was vaguely bored with this episode. This part of the game never interested me that much, especially considering this is the prologue to Luke's decline into bastard mode. Decent, if not a lot of jumping around.

Strange, though, Natalia annoyed the hell out of me in the game. I don't mind her now, she's actually funny with her fresh and bitchy attitude.

Based on the preview, it seems my guess was correct: they're introducing the Dark Wings later, skipping Chesedonia (Uh, cursed seal? Sync and Guy? How's that going to work out, because Sunrise would be total idiots if they cut that out) and getting right down to the meat next episode. Awesome.

Yeah, this episode didn't impress me all that much. Maybe because I watched it RAW and tired, with all the tech-babble going on. Talking heads don't interest my sleepy brain in the least. Main reason I've been putting off watching Tytania until I feel better.

I'll probably re-watch it after I get some sleep, but that's my first impression.

Animation once again keeping up.

[pathos]

Well< I said earlier I couldn't see how they could make the show less than 24 episodes. Ok, I've changed my mind. I can't see now how they'll make it more than 13 :P

Speeding right along, aren't they?

Well, I do like the second half of the game better, but I've been really impressed with the first half of the show. But, yeah, this episode, while important, wasn't a big attention grabber.

[Collectonian]

Finally getting to watch this (currently up through ep 7) and I have to say...DAMN that's a long ass opening sequence! Good lord. Beyond that, its good so far. I like that they kept the actual game elements of monster fighting instead of just removing them all like a lot of game to anime series do. Luke is slightly less of an ass here, though certainly no less fun :D Interesting way of getting around the need for Guy to get cursed and I like that they already gave a hint about his past.

Random side note...will it show the doomed relationship between a certain set of generals that was a side story in the game? :-P

[russ869]

I just started playing this game for the first time. I've only watched the first episode of this anime adaptation, but now that I'm playing the game I might as well come back and watch the rest of it.

Glad they're actually doing a longer TV series for a Tales game.

[Leon_Belmont]

I just started playing this game for the first time. I've only watched the first episode of this anime adaptation, but now that I'm playing the game I might as well come back and watch the rest of it.

Glad they're actually doing a longer TV series for a Tales game.

They kinda have to because the game was so damn long. Out of the 3 Tales game I've played, Abyss was the only one I felt could have benefited by ending long before it did. They seriously just start making shit up.

First 2/3 of it was the best Tales I've played though. I have a slight preference for this character cast too. Good choice to at least attempt this 26 episode feat on. It still "feels" like a game anime, which is an awful thing, but is trudging along far better than most do.

Karma still kicks ass.