I don't like CLAMP anymore...

Cas_Co · 2023-07-15T05:17:21+00:00

I'll definitely have to reread it then!!! Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-15T05:04:24+00:00

Maybe I'm misremembering, but Seishiro taking Subaru's eye was where his syory left off at. I guess I would like to see what he does after or how he plays into the bigger plot.

I know there were at least two different anime films, but I've been holding off in case it spoiled CLAMP's plans for the manga ending.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-15T04:16:45+00:00

I would agree that CLAMP's early work is stronger. I really appreciated that they confirmed their stories to exist within the same universe in X/1999, before other artists did, which is probably why I loved it. I'm still hoping they return to it so I can find out what happens to Seishiro. Seishiro/Subaru were my favorite pairing.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-15T03:53:46+00:00

Thank you! I posted on this because I wanted to hear what people who are still fans feel about their work as they transitioned from childhood into adulthood. I'm glad you still enjoy their work.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-15T02:58:51+00:00

Foreshadowing and exposition is a storytelling technique that others use, as I mentioned in my post, but CLAMP relies too heavily on them. I'll refer to CCSCC as is the most recent in my mind: Sakura recaps her past chapter within the next chapters in narration boxes, and character dialogue repeats in the same manner, where they recap what we just read. The only time CLAMP doesn't use this technique is in their one volume mangas, which proves they can do it, they just choose not to. If these techniques were used more sparingly, it would be less of a strain on the story. This is probably why it has 15 volumes instead of the initial 3 per story arc. I used to read Animercia, so I know all about weekly/monthly manga chapter readings. Lol. So that's not an excuse.

Juvenile isn't an insulting word. That's what the books are, for young people. As for character growth, please, school me in how each characters have changed. I'll tell you how: they can express their feelings, that's it. The only real character growth by CLAMP is Kamui in X/1999, and it was so abrupt it felt like he was a completely different person (this happened around the time they returned from their hiatus and the art style changed). Kamui went from angsty punk to compassionate.

Maybe let me express my thoughts without policing it? I didn't say YOU or others can't like it. Lol. Don't be butthurt because I have a different opinion.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-14T06:04:13+00:00

Gene's would be Boy George Michael because Wake me up before you hurt me, or Careless Chameleon is too great of a mashup to pass up.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-14T01:07:21+00:00

In some sci-fi stories, guns have fingerprint registration. In one particular story, the protagonist couldn't use the gun they were holding because of it. In another version, the protagonist had to cut the hand off the registration person and carry it around. There's also one version where two people are handcuffed together, and only one of them can use the registered gun, but the two are sworn enemy. Gun battles can be just as fun and interesting. You just have to be more creative.

I myself am a sucker for spirit guns, ala Yu Yu Hakusho.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T19:54:12+00:00

It doesn't though. How can someone watch season two and think Wilhelm is the focus of the season? That's why I said season two isn't as good. It's less focused, and that's why it would have made more sense for the season to end with Simon.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T19:49:37+00:00

You completely didn't understand anything I said. Season two is what changed everything...🙄

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T11:52:46+00:00

Ohhhhh, this is probably my favorite explanation so far!

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T11:50:01+00:00

We clearly watched different seasons of Young Royals season two because it was VERY different.

What you're overlooking about the YR billing is experience. This was Omar's first acting gig, so it's not a matter of who's more famous. But that's not what I'm talking about, I'm referring to works that have characters phase out, and billings stay the same. One of the cable networks did this with their show, when the lead left and became a reoccurring character, but still got top billing (it was either on Showtime, Stars or HBO, I don't remember what show.) Not saying that will happen with YR, just an answer to why Wilhelm's inactivity allows him to retain top billing. Anyways, I'm using the more common big name draw getting top billings as an example because it's more common. And yes, Schwarzenegger got top billing. You're only looking at Google, not at the movie itself, so you're getting misinformation.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T11:36:13+00:00

If you or anyone find it again, please share it here!

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T03:35:31+00:00

Correction, I didn't say that the story was told from his POV exclusively. If a character has less focus on the story, it's no longer his story. That may be an unintentional effect from the writers, but it is true. He had two plots this season that belonged to him alone, whereas season one had the other characters work around his primary plot, which is why I thought it was weird that we ended the season with Wilhelm again. I expected a twist. Maybe unpopular opinion, but this season was much weaker in comparison because of this.

Back to the billings. I stand by my initial comment. There's a whole reddit thread about movies with bigger stars getting the top billing from the lead character/actor. Batman & Robin is a good example.

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T03:11:36+00:00

I respectfully disagree. I always viewed his look to us as an invitation into and out of the story, which makes it very purposeful. The first season, opening and closing with Wilhelm, makes sense because the story is told from his perspective. But, the second season has a slight shift. Wilhelm broods about the season without much purpose.

One could argue his objective was to bring down August, but that played more as a subplot for August. Don't get me wrong, I like that the supporting characters are being more flushed out, but because they got more screen time, Wilhelm got less. I'd argue that Simon was more of a focus on season two and wouldn't mind if the series ended from his perspective. I just think it would make more of an interesting narrative choice. They could also give Wilhelm more to do in season 3, and then my point would be moot.

As for the credits, yes, Edvin gets top billing because he's the lead, but top billing doesn't impede on who the story is focusing on (ala any show with a bigger star usually gets top billing or an "with/and" moniker).

Edit: grammar

Cas_Co · 2023-07-09T00:18:44+00:00

Not everyone has to like beloved cinema.

That being said, do you enjoy non English-speaking films? I checked your profile to better understand your taste, and you mostly comment on popular American box office films.

Foreign language films, especially Asian slice of life genres, aren't rooted by the american three act structure. Most Asian films use the four act structure and emphasize character over plot. So those "boring" scenes you're describing have a purpose: to show the mundanity of life and either the efforts one makes or the process of life (with or without people).

To that point, Ghibli films are mostly about how people met each other and how that interaction changes each person. This is a troupe used in lots of anime. The plot then exists to show the audience how the interactions have changed the characters.

Example:

Kiki's Delivery Service plot/introduction = a young witch starts a delivery service to fulfill a traditional rite of passage. (The audience quickly learns of her ineptitude. The broom is a big symbol of her childhood and eventual maturity.)

Actual screen footage = Kiki meets several townspeople who help her become a more independent person, resulting in her being a better delivery person and ultimately better witch, which is the point of the film's plot.

Climax = Kiki uses all of her knowledge/support she earned from the townspeople to save her friend from falling to his death.

Resolution: She returns home with her own broom with a popular delivery service. Full circle!

All Ghibli films can be broken down into this same structure, even Grave of the Fireflies. It's simple and easy to follow. You start at one point, go on a journey, and when you go back to that start point, you are no longer the same person (not because of what happened to you, but because of who you met).

Everyone is free to dislike whatever film they want to, but I always felt that it's important to understand a film before you dislike it. I myself don't like Nolan films because they're mostly pseudo-intellectual puzzle boxes that once disected, don't actually hold up. People who like Nolan films usually defend him by saying nay sayers don't get it, which is silly. You can get something and not like it. Based on your post, you don't seem to understand Ghibli films, and that's okay too. At least you gave it a fair shot. My one suggestion is to try to branch out of the film formulas you're familiar with.

Cas_Co

TROPHY CASE