What's the appeal of Visual Novels?

Asita

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I recommend Danganronpa, Steins;Gate and Steins;Gate 0, the Zero Escape series.

Anyone have any more "Mystery" type VN's where the focus is on the plot?
I mean...do we count Ace Attorney? I suppose it's technically a VN hybrid, but through finding key evidence and sussing out the truth in court, it pretty much fits the bill.
 

Worgen

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Whatever, just wash your hands.
Neither of which are movies.
He was just saying what he thinks is art. His definition for art was "Art is something that moves society forward, to an egalitarian state of being."
So by his definition almost no movies could be considered art, I'm sure he has one or two of them on hand to call art though.
 

SupahEwok

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I mean...do we count Ace Attorney? I suppose it's technically a VN hybrid, but through finding key evidence and sussing out the truth in court, it pretty much fits the bill.
Ace Attorney isn't a visual novel, it's an adventure game.
 

happyninja42

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and in family guy making fun of Glenn's dad the whole time they first thought he was gay then when they found out he was transitioning to become a woman then every other time he was ever mentioned.

It's true that finding bad representiations of lgbtq people is much rarer in western media now, but so is it in anime and it was actually less common back when we were doing it more then it is here.
I actually recall a video from a trans youtuber discussing the trans representation in Family Guy, and how she didn't think it was bad. She did acknowledge that a lot of people disagree with her ( i have no opinion as I don't like FG or SP, and don't watch either one), but she did point out that in at least one episode where the trans character was center point, they don't actually mock HER, she's the focus of the other characters' bad behavior and prejudices, but she herself is portrayed as reasonable and calm and perfectly fine. And the youtuber felt that the whole point of this was to illustrate, by contrast, how stupid the opinions of everyone else were. How their behavior made THEM look like monsters and douchebags (not hard, as it's the cast of FG, and they are despicable by design.) , and didn't negatively portray the trans character at all.

Again, I personally haven't seen the full episode, but the youtuber did show various clips to support her statement about the intent of the episode. And maybe they did other episodes that were terrible, but *shrugs*. Don't really have a final thought on that, just thought I would mention it, as I did find it interesting.
 

fOx

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Just out of curiosity: what movies would you consider actual art? I am asking for actual examples, not descriptions of what the movies must do.
That would be quite a list. Some of my personal favorite examples would be Eraserhead, Andrei Rublov, The Seventh Seal, There Will Be Blood, Persona, and Silence.

You're just wrong. There is Tiger from my hero academia who is a trans man, Lily from Zombie Land Saga is transgirl, and Bon Clay from One Piece who is one of a kind. None of these portrayals are sexualized, Tiger is pretty much just straight up heroic, Lily is from a comedy series so hers is played for a bit of comedy but only in her death, and Bon Clay might be very stereotypical but hes also leaves the badguys and helps our heroes who treat him as a friend. Compare this to Southpark or Family guy who had whole episodes about 'eww gross trans,' with an episode of South Park dedicated to Mr Garrison transitioning, including showing bloody vaginoplasty video and in family guy making fun of Glenn's dad the whole time they first thought he was gay then when they found out he was transitioning to become a woman then every other time he was ever mentioned.

It's true that finding bad representiations of lgbtq people is much rarer in western media now, but so is it in anime and it was actually less common back when we were doing it more then it is here.
I am not saying that there are no good trans characters. Hana from Tokyo Godfathers is exquisitely written. I am saying that such characters are an extreme minority, when compared to the number of bad examples present. As a whole, the representation of LGBT people in anime is horrendous. The offensive trans characters in the Cowboy Bebop movie, or the gay characters in Gurren Lagann, are much more common then a Hana. Good heavens, the gay character in One Punch Man is one of the most offensive charicatures we've ever seen, and that show only released a few years ago.

A very small smattering of trans characters does not change that. And yet, even then, most of your examples are hardly even trans. To my knowledge, Tiger from My Hero Academia is not confirmed to be trans at all. He may simply be a man who prefers cross dressing, which is completely different. I don't believe it's ever confirmed that the character from Steins Gate is clearly trans either.
 

Worgen

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Whatever, just wash your hands.
I actually recall a video from a trans youtuber discussing the trans representation in Family Guy, and how she didn't think it was bad. She did acknowledge that a lot of people disagree with her ( i have no opinion as I don't like FG or SP, and don't watch either one), but she did point out that in at least one episode where the trans character was center point, they don't actually mock HER, she's the focus of the other characters' bad behavior and prejudices, but she herself is portrayed as reasonable and calm and perfectly fine. And the youtuber felt that the whole point of this was to illustrate, by contrast, how stupid the opinions of everyone else were. How their behavior made THEM look like monsters and douchebags (not hard, as it's the cast of FG, and they are despicable by design.) , and didn't negatively portray the trans character at all.

Again, I personally haven't seen the full episode, but the youtuber did show various clips to support her statement about the intent of the episode. And maybe they did other episodes that were terrible, but *shrugs*. Don't really have a final thought on that, just thought I would mention it, as I did find it interesting.
The character herself is actually a really good portrayal, but the issue is that the rest of the cast are just pretty much making fun of her the whole time. From everything I've read/heard the hardest part about being trans/gay is coming out to those around you and the fear of being mocked/shunned and pretty much the full cast was doing that on the two episodes I remember seeing with her. I mean they do come off as douche bags but I don't really remember them being called out for that, granted it has been years. There might be more episodes by this point with her but I haven't watched the series in years.
 

Worgen

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Whatever, just wash your hands.
I am not saying that there are no good trans characters. Hana from Tokyo Godfathers is exquisitely written. I am saying that such characters are an extreme minority, when compared to the number of bad examples present. As a whole, the representation of LGBT people in anime is horrendous. The offensive trans characters in the Cowboy Bebop movie, or the gay characters in Gurren Lagann, are much more common then a Hana. Good heavens, the gay character in One Punch Man is one of the most offensive charicatures we've ever seen, and that show only released a few years ago.

A very small smattering of trans characters does not change that. And yet, even then, most of your examples are hardly even trans. To my knowledge, Tiger from My Hero Academia is not confirmed to be trans at all. He may simply be a man who prefers cross dressing, which is completely different. I don't believe it's ever confirmed that the character from Steins Gate is clearly trans either.
What makes them bad? Are they bad because they are flamboyant?


Straight from the manga, Tiger was originally a woman. Steins Gate is complicated enough that I think you could go with cross dresser or trans, it might be more clear if I played the game, but I'm not spending like 30 hours playing a VN to win an internet argument.
 

fOx

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What makes them bad? Are they bad because they are flamboyant?


Straight from the manga, Tiger was originally a woman. Steins Gate is complicated enough that I think you could go with cross dresser or trans, it might be more clear if I played the game, but I'm not spending like 30 hours playing a VN to win an internet argument.
They're bad because they're typically mocked, rely on gay panic from other characters, or as is the case in the Cowboy Bebop Movie, are implied to be paedophiles.
 

happyninja42

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The character herself is actually a really good portrayal, but the issue is that the rest of the cast are just pretty much making fun of her the whole time. From everything I've read/heard the hardest part about being trans/gay is coming out to those around you and the fear of being mocked/shunned and pretty much the full cast was doing that on the two episodes I remember seeing with her. I mean they do come off as douche bags but I don't really remember them being called out for that, granted it has been years. There might be more episodes by this point with her but I haven't watched the series in years.
Well the youtuber's opinion on the matter was that it's been well established that the cast of FG are all assholes, and completely irredeemable shitbags, so putting those mockery lines in THEIR mouths immediately establishes it as something you shouldn't do. I mean you're already not supposed to think Peter's logic on ANYTHING is even remotely close to actual logic. *shrugs* Maybe it could've been done better, I just know at least one trans content creator didn't have an issue with it, because she already knew they were assholes, so it was just highlighting them as being assholes about this issue too.
 

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Just poppin' in before the thread gets locked.

MEMEME! literally depicted the dangers of addiction to consumerist products, while Paranoia Agent suggested that such products were used as a way to avoid societal and personal trauma, and would lead to mass decline of japanese society.
Thanks for reminding me i need to watch PA, and scratch Kon off the list.
 

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The marvel films, for instance, are just as bad as anime. As is star wars. I view both as socially regressive.
You're full of shit. I don't care for nor like every single Marvel film or Star Wars, but they ain't regressing society. Getting rid of them would solve nothing.

Anime actively encourages the worst in us, and is, on an individual level, destructive. Hence tye existance of hikikomori's, and otaku, who are bad at social interaction because they avoid it. On a larger scale, this is one of many factors that has led to a massive population decline.
You sure as hell are not speaking for me. Anime never brought the worst in me. Sounds more like self hatred than anything else. I know Japan has its problems, and looked down on Otaku culture back in the 80s, 90s, early 2000s. But with the newer generation running the asylum, this is less of an issue, but that's where some of it comes from. A divide between generations. Now some otaku are rude sociophobes, and there is no excuse for it, but when you have people mock or hate them for enjoying something, you understand why. Getting rid of anime would solve nothing, and those problems would not lessen or disappear. Just like how banning all violent media, would not stop mass shooting serial killers with nothing better to do with their pathetic lives. It's the people in general that the problem. Too many screaming, shouting, fighting, and not sitting down and discussing problems or pretending like they don't exists. Or shifting the blame. It's up to them know and fix it.

While it's nice to see another fan of Paranoia Agent, and that music video with the psycho blue haired chick, you sir are going overboard. The Japanese will be around for a long time. Besides, they got bigger things (the whole fucking world with this fucking virus!) to worry about, than some otakus that don't get out much. You sir, have good one. Try not to let your insecurities get the better of you. Listen to this, and I am being enerest and sincere:


I have the important part time stamped at 14:32.
 
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Worgen

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Whatever, just wash your hands.
Well the youtuber's opinion on the matter was that it's been well established that the cast of FG are all assholes, and completely irredeemable shitbags, so putting those mockery lines in THEIR mouths immediately establishes it as something you shouldn't do. I mean you're already not supposed to think Peter's logic on ANYTHING is even remotely close to actual logic. *shrugs* Maybe it could've been done better, I just know at least one trans content creator didn't have an issue with it, because she already knew they were assholes, so it was just highlighting them as being assholes about this issue too.
I can't really argue with that.
 

Elvis Starburst

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You're full of shit. I don't care for nor like every single Marvel film or Star Wars, but they ain't regressing society. Getting rid of them would solve nothing.

You sure as hell are not speaking for me. Anime never brought the worst in me. Sounds more like self hatred than anything else. I know Japan has its problems, and looked down on Otaku culture back in the 80s, 90s, early 2000s. But with the newer generation running the asylum, this is less of an issue, but that's where some of it comes from. A divide generations. Now some otaku are rude sociophobes, and there is no excuse for it, but when you have people mock or hate them for enjoying something, you understand why. Getting rid of anime would solve nothing, and those problems would not lessen or disappear. Just like how banning all violent media, would not stop mass shooting serial killers with nothing better to do with their pathetic lives. It's the people in general that the problem. Too many screaming, shouting, fighting, and not sitting down and discussing problems or pretending like they don't exists. Or shifting the blame. It's up to them know and fix it.
Spot on. This whole thing stinks of a 'holier than thou' attitude where one's opinion doesn't come from understanding the other side, but condemning them entirely for liking what they like and blaming them for society's problems. No idea where it comes from, but it's so full of broad sweeping strokes that there doesn't seem to be much room for middle ground or nuance at all
 
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SupahEwok

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Spot on. This whole thing stinks of a 'holier than thou' attitude where one's opinion doesn't come from understanding the other side, but condemning them entirely for liking what they like and blaming them for society's problems. No idea where it comes from, but it's so full of broad sweeping strokes that there doesn't seem to be much room for middle ground or nuance at all
 

Elvis Starburst

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Yeeeaaahhh, you can keep posting that, but I don't think it's gonna magically make anyone change their minds. I mean, why bother having a meaningful discussion with words and trying to understand/debate the other side when you can just hide behind an image and throw it at anyone you don't agree with? Yes yes, that's much easier
 
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SupahEwok

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Yeeeaaahhh, you can keep posting that, but I don't think it's gonna magically make anyone change their minds. I mean, why bother having a meaningful discussion with words and trying to understand/debate the other side when you can just hide behind an image and throw it at anyone you don't agree with? Yes yes, that's much easier
Actually, I must thank you, you've given me the platform to segue into an announcement.

Dear Escapist users, I must confess to a teensy case of chicanery. You see, I elected to conduct an experiment for science, which I could not disclose until now. Approximately 25 hours ago, I used all the skill I possessed to craft an erudite message containing the whole of my position on the debate of the harm wrought on society by acceptance of a particular degeneracy. I quoted a scholar and author, made use of a classical myth to illustrate an analogy, quoted a beautiful segment of poetry, all to demonstrate the recognition across time of the danger of allowing sexual peccadilloes to run rampant, and set to a beseeching yet whimsical and accessible progrock track.

As a matter of fact, my only purposeful omission to my supporting arguments was any kind of illustration, not even using any kind of data visualization for statistics in the form of graphs and charts. For the central question was thus: would those weened on picture books, animation, and the titular "visual novels" deign to read and respond to a well written and civil posting, if that posting were detailed, eloquent, and yet completely lacking in any kind of visual aid?

Nobody has responded, or even given any indication of having read it.

Yet a proper scientific experiment needs a control. To whit: I have made 3 postings in this thread in the same time period consisting of nothing but a single image. And even the same image, no sort of variety.

Each and every one of those postings has provoked a response proving it was read.

Thank you, dear posters, for your participation in this scientific endeavor, for I have found my answer, both to my posited question and to the question of whether anime truly rots brains.
 

Houseman

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Heh, I just reached the part in Root Double where it goes over some of the same themes as the Zero Escape games, namely, telepathy.

I like how all these games share similarities. What is it about Japanese culture and their love of "closed-area" "someone-here-is-a-murderer" games? Whatever it is, it's great, and I'm into it.
 

SupahEwok

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Heh, I just reached the part in Root Double where it goes over some of the same themes as the Zero Escape games, namely, telepathy.

I like how all these games share similarities. What is it about Japanese culture and their love of "closed-area" "someone-here-is-a-murderer" games? Whatever it is, it's great, and I'm into it.
In network television, the phenomenon is called a "bottle episode", wherein most or all of an episode takes place on a single set. Their primary use is to make an episode cheaply, similar to "recap episodes" which are mostly previously used footage.

As I said earlier in the thread, the existence of visual novels comes down to artistic compromise, and the limits of talent or budget (sometimes both). Locked area mysteries present a narrative excuse for re-using a limited set of art assets over the course of the experience.
 

fOx

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Actually, I must thank you, you've given me the platform to segue into an announcement.

Dear Escapist users, I must confess to a teensy case of chicanery. You see, I elected to conduct an experiment for science, which I could not disclose until now. Approximately 25 hours ago, I used all the skill I possessed to craft an erudite message containing the whole of my position on the debate of the harm wrought on society by acceptance of a particular degeneracy. I quoted a scholar and author, made use of a classical myth to illustrate an analogy, quoted a beautiful segment of poetry, all to demonstrate the recognition across time of the danger of allowing sexual peccadilloes to run rampant, and set to a beseeching yet whimsical and accessible progrock track.

As a matter of fact, my only purposeful omission to my supporting arguments was any kind of illustration, not even using any kind of data visualization for statistics in the form of graphs and charts. For the central question was thus: would those weened on picture books, animation, and the titular "visual novels" deign to read and respond to a well written and civil posting, if that posting were detailed, eloquent, and yet completely lacking in any kind of visual aid?

Nobody has responded, or even given any indication of having read it.

Yet a proper scientific experiment needs a control. To whit: I have made 3 postings in this thread in the same time period consisting of nothing but a single image. And even the same image, no sort of variety.

Each and every one of those postings has provoked a response proving it was read.

Thank you, dear posters, for your participation in this scientific endeavor, for I have found my answer, both to my posited question and to the question of whether anime truly rots brains.
Nobodies going to read this, ewok.
 
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