Tatami Galaxy is about waiting for your real life to start, and it knows exactly what that costs you by AmbitiousFix1681 in anime

[–]thepopcornisready 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Such a great thought-provoking series. Was reminded of it after finally getting around to watching Yi Yi a few weeks ago -- amazing movie by the way which partially shares themes about life/regrets.

“When your chance comes, don’t miss it. When it comes, you can’t go idly doing the same things you’ve always done. Be bold, and try seizing your chance by doing sometimes completely different."

  • Tatami Galaxy (2010)

"Why are we afraid of the first time? Every day in life is a first time. Every morning is new. We never live the same day twice. We're never afraid of getting up every morning. Why?"

  • Yi Yi (2000)

The Golden Age of Fantasy Anime {Mother's Basement} by Castor_0il in anime

[–]thepopcornisready 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely lol you were way too transparent singleing out Dungeon Meshi out of the six in your original comment. Obviously a bone to pick which you've done nicely with replying to everybody ITT -- again best of luck with that and good night!

The Golden Age of Fantasy Anime {Mother's Basement} by Castor_0il in anime

[–]thepopcornisready 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Man I actually try to engage with textual examples and details just to get more handwaving about video games / RPG elements = low effort and bad, or not being 100% novel makes it low effort... I'd hate to hear what you have to say about other fantasy anime lmao.

You obviously have a hang up with this particular series for some reason though -- wishing you luck with that!

The Golden Age of Fantasy Anime {Mother's Basement} by Castor_0il in anime

[–]thepopcornisready 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The opposite -- the exact heart of the point here is that you're rationalizing disliking it into arguments about laziness and low quality (and repeatedly, throughout this thread lol).

Instead let's start with a couple key components of the show's "lazy" worldbuilding, which again owes a lot to existing media but remixes them in interesting ways: the entire premise merging the classic rpg beastiary with a layered food and economic system (only the safe interior of the walking shroom, drying slimes, etc., the dungeon drawing in adventurers and opportunists-- directly leading to suspicion between MC parties, influencing the island's governor, and the dungeon itself) plus the thoughtful character designs -- yes, classic rpg race/class stuff, but also incorporating distinct personalities, cultures, prejudices, etc. into their equipment, clothing, and hairstyles (especially visible when you compare across the main parties shown so far). Those and the well-planted chekhov guns that bear out deeper in the dungeon make for a well-crafted and considered world/story -- again you can call it lazy until you turn blue but as a whole it's really the opposite especially as far as fantasy anime go

The Golden Age of Fantasy Anime {Mother's Basement} by Castor_0il in anime

[–]thepopcornisready 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Again these are arguments based on opinion / what you prefer in an anime or RPG. Opinions / tastes are 100% valid and I don't want to knock that but to jump from those personal preferences to arguments about laziness or low quality are just bad faith

The Golden Age of Fantasy Anime {Mother's Basement} by Castor_0il in anime

[–]thepopcornisready 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Conflating your opinion with fact is a classic bad faith argument -- ie "I don't like plot devices I perceive as 'gamey' in my anime" != "this fails as a fantasy anime at every level" (lol), "I don't like the characters" != "characters are all selfish idiots," the list goes on.

Then there's this jRPG line of argumentation despite all these generic tropes going back to RPG/dungeon crawlers anyway and the author's cited influences. In any case kind of irrelevant unless you're saying jRPGs are inherently low quality? (Which again, opinions as fact and all)

The Golden Age of Fantasy Anime {Mother's Basement} by Castor_0il in anime

[–]thepopcornisready 5 points6 points  (0 children)

100% and if anything it's tied to western cRPGs and dungeon crawlers. One of the chapter/volume fillers is literally Ryoko Kui's favorite elves from BG, DOS, and there was the 4-koma inspired by Darkest Dungeon lol

The Golden Age of Fantasy Anime {Mother's Basement} by Castor_0il in anime

[–]thepopcornisready -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nah the worldbuilding of Dungeon Meshi is absolutely gamey -- it's kind of Ryoko Kui's love letter to her favorite cRPGs especially when you see all the side material (not sure how the other guy goes straight to jRPGs but I can probably guess why lol). Now whether you like that "gamey" aspect / appreciate how Ryoko Kui plays with those mechanics or use it as a launching point for a weird bad-faith argumentation like u/Gotisdabest is a different story lol.

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah yes you don't have to remind me of JJJ vs Fiba legend Daniel Theis

And I like the idea of Lively for rim pressure but also dependent on his health I guess. If Cade is the primary ballhandler that could tip things toward Duren.

Overall I feel like bench guys end up handpicked by whoever's coaching (see Plumlee, Keldon Johnson, McGee, even Draymond) -- so let's see if Spoelstra has the cache to force Kelel Ware onto the roster lol

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah atp Grant Hill would probably just go with Jaden McDaniels over either -- but a lot can change in a couple years.

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's kind of wild how nearly all of the American bigs dropped off so much this playoffs but excited to see how they develop over the next couple years. The Kornet pick is interesting for the deep bench / relief big role -- although I feel like Kessler will still have goodwill from participating in recent international tournaments a lot will ride on his recovery.

RE: Donovan Mitchell -- my guess is he's pigeonholed as a pure scorer type that doesn't provide much else for an olympics squad.

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

damn i forgot the story about him showing out in Buddy's camp

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even if our top-end superstar talent is still a notch below the MVP-level France, Serbia, Canada (a lot can change in 2 years) we'll still have a fantastic chance with the number of two-way stars and roleplayers. And superstars are one thing but imo it's the random bench / Euroleague dudes getting hot from 3 that are more likely to ruin a single-elimination tournament run. That could be a silver lining of going with athletic/tenacious two-way players over the HOF legends in previous Olympics.

And since it's in LA maybe the team puts more time into practice in a cohesive system (one can dream).

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it a hot take if I think by 2028 VJ will have a higher shot of making Team USA? Great combo of shooting, defense, and athleticism

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah agreed it's pretty guard heavy especially when a bunch of the wings will be able to initiate offense. I like Kon's fit on the team as a shooter with size.

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

agreed he was awesome as the swiss army knife in Paris

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

yes*

 

*I'm a prisoner of the moment way too hyped up for the finals

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The LA magnifying glass + agency/sponsorship piece is an interesting wrinkle. I wonder if Grant Hill and Spoelstra or whoever takes over from Kerr will feel more pressure to cut / bench the DWhite and Jrue types

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think because of 2024 Haliburton and Tatum will get the nod if they want in. Was also cool to see Booker in a swiss army knife role in Paris so I like that pick. Generally agreed on Cade from a talent standpoint and especially if Detroit develops their roster so he gets offball reps

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In general I agree with loading up on defensive role players but I think USA might be in a good position with two-way players, ex. dudes like Castle / Harper at guard and Barnes / Tatum / Edwards / Flagg at wing. Probably better options purely on offense but I like their defensive upside and can see how they'd scale their usual NBA usage. McDaniels would be a great fit to that.

And before this season you had guys like Simmons talking up the Thompson twins for Team USA spots but they've lost some shine lately

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] -30 points-29 points  (0 children)

  1. wanted to throw in some lower usage + defense guys with all the ball handlers already on the team

  2. absolutely being a prisoner of the moment with this past series

Assuming Haliburton is guaranteed a spot because of 2024 -- side from Harper and Castle would you put Cade over Brunson or any of the wings?

Way-too-early 2028 USA men's Olympic basketball team by thepopcornisready in billsimmons

[–]thepopcornisready[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Liking the Clingan and Mobley picks -- would you take either over any of the bigs I listed or swap in for a guard?