So what's anime like these days?

[gigastar]

Being somewhat less of an old guard than most of the naysayers in this thread, i say theres still good shows out there and youll simply have to acquire a tolerance for the moments when the T&A are suddenly, unreasonably the singular focus of the camera.

As for what shows im watching right now, thats pretty much just KonoSuba. That said though its one of only 2 shows i was expecting to watch while theyre airing this year. Others have been brought to my attention, though i havent gotten around to them yet.

 

[Satinavian]

Most shows are really bad. But i think the numer of good ones has been steady all the time. It is just that anime has became way more accessable and more of the mediocre and even really bad stuff gets out of Japan than before.

As long as there are still 1-3 shows per season i fing enjoyable good anime is not dying.

 

[Mister K]

Well, there seem to be a lot more anime series made than before, which obviously means that there will be a lot more straight up trash. As others have said, today anime is more of a business than it was ever before, which means studios will mostly release stuff that otaku will buy, i.e. harems/fanservice series/self-insert fantasies.

But that doesn't mean that there isn't anything actually good.

If you are looking for recommendations, I'd say watch Ore Monogatari for really sweet non-typical (by animu standards) romance.

Or if you are looking for something with over the top action and follows the "rule of cool" 100%, watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

 

[hermes]

Same as usual. Some are good, some are only okay, and a lot are garbage. Just like it has always been.

Pretty much this.

Yes, there is a lot of garbage, a lot. It is common in commercial genres that release dozens upon dozens of new series every couple of months, many of which are more interested in merchandise or cosplay, but there are some good new things out there if you are willing to dig them from the chaff (or look for recommendations online)

 

[BrawlMan]

Similar to what Ezekiel said, anime has become way too homogenized. I don't watch as much anime as I use to, and I only look at what interests me. Of course, even back then, things weren't always perfect with anime, it's was just the "wild west" era of different genres and unique art styles during the 80s/90s/ early 2000s.

The anime I have seen recently is Michiko and Hatchin (an anime that takes place entirely in Brazil), Space Dandy, Jojo Parts 1, 2, & 3, and the newest Gundam that is airing on adult_swim. That said, you won't catch me watching Dragonball Super (same old shit that is just a glorified fan fic) and Attack on Titan (it's the Walking Dead with giant monsters). I don't have the time for manga anymore; especially after the bullshit of an ending from Shaman King. If I need any fix on anime, there are plenty of older titles for me too look at.

 

[Captain Chemosh]

I would honestly recommend the original Berserk. Yes, it's dark, brutally so, but it is a genuinely grimdark anime. I do not recommend the 2016 remake of the series, both because the writing is terrible and personally I find the art style to be very poorly done. I would also recommend Ajin, Paranoia Agent, and Kekkai Sensen (blood blockade battlefield). None of them are particularly short mind you, but they are rather well written.

 

[Tsun Tzu]

I'm...into the cute stuff.

Give me some light-hearted comedy with cute girls doing cute things and I'm happy.

Why? Because the world is a sad place. I don't necessarily want my entertainment to add onto that general malaise, so the current trends are kind of right up my alley.

Oh, also, Youjo Senki.


Kawaii as fuck.

 

[WorgenHunter]

Don't really watch any of the new anime. But I can say that the last one that really interested me (enough to buy the light novels) was Overlord. Edit: (it's fairly bloody btw, just a little warning)

 

[NPC009]

If there's a problem with anime right now, that certain trends, especially when it comes to adaptations, hog the spotlight. Looking at manga, there's no lack of good material to adapt, and we do get the occassional Rakugo Shinju, but most studios prefer something that's less of a financial risk (to at the very least create a buffer to fund original series). Right now, that'd be light novels and a lot of popular light novels tend to have the same specific target audience: otaku who're into fantasy (and like to imagine themselves as the main character in a video game).

As a result, the past few years have been saturated with series that use the same concepts, themes and tropes. So many boys/young men who get stuck in RPG-like worlds...

That said, some of these series are actually pretty good. Log Horizon shows a good understanding of what MMORPGs are and why people play them, and gameplay mechanics and strategies play a big role in the various challenges the characters face. Re:Zero takes the whole idea of 'wouldn't it be fun to be the main character in a fantasy RPG?' and uses it to gruesomely break its very genre savvy and egocentric main character.

Stuff from that genre you generally don't want to watch is stuff that revolves around wish fullfilment, like Sword Art Online or GATE.

In any case, if you ask me, enjoying anime becomes easier when you acknowledge there are always trends and that you will not always like them. And that there will always be crap. You might not notice all the crap, but that doesn't mean it's not there. There has always been so much crap... These are constants in pretty much any part of the entertainment industry.

I find that the people who complain the loudest (about anime not being like it used to be) are often the ones least aware of what is actually available. They just see what's popular and think everything is like that, conveniently forgetting that less than 15 years ago, anime revolved around series like Inu Yasha, Martian Successor Nadesico and Gundam Wing. Oh, and the merchandise empire Neon Genesis Evangelion evolved into. Cowboy Bebop? Considered a forgettable series in Japan. The reason Americans remember it, is because of the endless reruns on American television. Anyway, if you actually look, really look at what's being made, you'll see people are still creating all sorts of innovative, creative and awesome stuff with a ton of personality. Anything from Red Line to Flip Flappers. And like I said before, good adaptations of good material still exist and might even be more common, or at the very least more varied, than ever. A mature drama series about rakugo is nearing the end of its second season. That is a thing that is happening right now.

 

[Samtemdo8_v1legacy]

That said, you won't catch me watching Dragonball Super (same old shit that is just a glorified fan fic)

And it totally lost its edge.

The fights aren't brutal anymore, no blood and everything is too flashy now.

And the new characters are abysmmal.

I still stand by that Dragon Ball GT is now better because that's how bad Super is.

I mean you can't deny GT more interesting characters in the evil Dragons like Omega Shenron and Baby.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

If there's a problem with anime right now, that certain trends, especially when it comes to adaptations, hog the spotlight. Looking at manga, there's no lack of good material to adapt, and we do get the occassional Rakugo Shinju, but most studios prefer something that's less of a financial risk (to at the very least create a buffer to fund original series). Right now, that'd be light novels and a lot of popular light novels tend to have the same specific target audience: otaku who're into fantasy (and like to imagine themselves as the main character in a video game).

As a result, the past few years have been saturated with series that use the same concepts, themes and tropes. So many boys/young men who get stuck in RPG-like worlds...

That said, some of these series are actually pretty good. Log Horizon shows a good understanding of what MMORPGs are and why people play them, and gameplay mechanics and strategies play a big role in the various challenges the characters face. Re:Zero takes the whole idea of 'wouldn't it be fun to be the main character in a fantasy RPG?' and uses it to gruesomely break its very genre savvy and egocentric main character.

Stuff from that genre you generally don't want to watch is stuff that revolves around wish fullfilment, like Sword Art Online or GATE.

I have an issue with likening Gate to SAO. I think the story of war and reconciliation and refugees and all that was actually very topical and the protagonist isn't quite as much a "hero" as he is a guy trying to do his best so he can go to a convention, not at all herolike, very actual otakulike, thus relatable. You can clearly see everyone make fun of him for having all these super top tier military credentials, they all go "how is a guy like him this or that!?!?" which is I think a similar thing to how Re:zero is self aware (died at the Tsukihime maid references in that one lol) so I think Gate is actually worth watching.

I think the premise of the series, taken straight out of Stargate but with a whole lot of anime fantasy poured in, combined with the general plot themes make that series stand out and I thoroughly enjoyed it because of those elements.

 

[TheMysteriousGX]

That said, you won't catch me watching Dragonball Super (same old shit that is just a glorified fan fic)

And it totally lost its edge.

The fights aren't brutal anymore, no blood and everything is too flashy now.

And the new characters are abysmmal.

I still stand by that Dragon Ball GT is now better because that's how bad Super is.

I mean you can't deny GT more interesting characters in the evil Dragons like Omega Shenron and Baby.

Sorry, but I watched GT recently. Zamasu and the Universe 10 Supreme Kai have more personality then all the evil dragon's combined.

 

[NPC009]

I have an issue with likening Gate to SAO. I think the story of war and reconciliation and refugees and all that was actually very topical and the protagonist isn't quite as much a "hero" as he is a guy trying to do his best so he can go to a convention, not at all herolike, very actual otakulike, thus relatable. You can clearly see everyone make fun of him for having all these super top tier military credentials, they all go "how is a guy like him this or that!?!?" which is I think a similar thing to how Re:zero is self aware (died at the Tsukihime maid references in that one lol) so I think Gate is actually worth watching.

I think the premise of the series, taken straight out of Stargate but with a whole lot of anime fantasy poured in, combined with the general plot themes make that series stand out and I thoroughly enjoyed it because of those elements.

The protagonist of GATE is very much a typical wish fullfilment character. Just look at this:
-He's an otaku (just like the readers/viewers! instant connection!)
-But he's also totally awesome at being a soldier and he ends up saving the day several times
-There's a small herd of young (and 'actually 700 years old') girls surrounding him

It's not similar to Re:Zero at all, because his interest in otaku stuff never actually impacts his life in a negative way (beyond being at the wrong place at the wrong time - which turned out to be for the best anyway). At worst, other characters joke about his hobbies. At best, it turns into diplomacy, because some foreign princess turns out to be a fujoshi.

Meanwhile, Subaru is pushed into a lot of painful situations, ranging from brutal deaths to ugly reminders that he is not the main character to the people around him. Scenes like the one where he desperately wants Emilia to understand he's doing it all for her hurt to watch, as they should.

Re:Zero holds up a mirror, GATE does not.

Just because the author has a boner for the JSDF and thus 'realism' doesn't mean the story is all that balanced when it comes to how the main character is presented.

If you're going to watch GATE, watch it because you want to see a modern military take on an ancient dragon. That shit is actually pretty cool.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

I have an issue with likening Gate to SAO. I think the story of war and reconciliation and refugees and all that was actually very topical and the protagonist isn't quite as much a "hero" as he is a guy trying to do his best so he can go to a convention, not at all herolike, very actual otakulike, thus relatable. You can clearly see everyone make fun of him for having all these super top tier military credentials, they all go "how is a guy like him this or that!?!?" which is I think a similar thing to how Re:zero is self aware (died at the Tsukihime maid references in that one lol) so I think Gate is actually worth watching.

I think the premise of the series, taken straight out of Stargate but with a whole lot of anime fantasy poured in, combined with the general plot themes make that series stand out and I thoroughly enjoyed it because of those elements.

The protagonist of GATE is very much a typical wish fullfilment character. Just look at this:
-He's an otaku (just like the readers/viewers! instant connection!)
-But he's also totally awesome at being a soldier and he ends up saving the day several times
-There's a small herd of young (and 'actually 700 years old') girls surrounding him

It's not similar to Re:Zero at all, because his interest in otaku stuff never actually impacts his life in a negative way (beyond being at the wrong place at the wrong time - which turned out to be for the best anyway). At worst, other characters joke about his hobbies. At best, it turns into diplomacy, because some foreign princess turns out to be a fujoshi.

Meanwhile, Subaru is pushed into a lot of painful situations, ranging from brutal deaths to ugly reminders that he is not the main character to the people around him. Scenes like the one where he desperately wants Emilia to understand he's doing it all for her hurt to watch, as they should.

Re:Zero holds up a mirror, GATE does not.

Just because the author has a boner for the JSDF and thus 'realism' doesn't mean the story is all that balanced when it comes to how the main character is presented.

If you're going to watch GATE, watch it because you want to see a modern military take on an ancient dragon. That shit is actually pretty cool.

This is kind of what I meant. Otaku stuff isn't all that relevant in Gate, it's more about dragons vs tanks and the whole fantasy refugee situation so even if the protagonist "is an otaku" as we're told, it doesn't really come up enough to make it be a focal point of the story. Subaru actually expected to have super powers when he first came into the fantasy world and he often breaks the fourth wall talking about this or that so in his case, he stumbled because he was treating the fantasy wold like a game. In Gate you just have a modern military fighting fantasy beings and every now and then there will be some random joke. You didn't have the protagonist thinking he's a hero or expecting to use magic, he just acted like a normal soldier like everyone else did. Even if we know he is an otaku, he doesn't really behave in a way which makes this be wish fulfillment, unless we want to say that otaku just wish to be riajuus deep inside, which I don't think this show is going for lol.

Basically, the protagonist doesn't really feel like a stereotypical otaku, he's just a normal dude who likes anime and manga and stuff, and he also has other aspects to him, like a real person. I think that's way more interesting than just a caricature of a hardore fan. I don't see this as wish fulfillment that is specifically tied to otaku and not to just any random dude, especially not in the same way SAO is aimed at gamers. There's a much greater degree of separation between his otakuness and his being skilled at other tasks. Usually, shows aimed at glorifying otaku traits do so by making your amazing otaku skills be the key to solving the problems plaguing this world. Gate doesn't do that, his otaku skills just let him I guess not be as amazed by fantasy races and be more at ease conversing with them than average, nothing all that significant ever comes out of his being an otaku. His military training is what ends up mattering.


Finally, only one of them was 900 years old, the elf girl was only 180ish and the mage girl was actually 15 lol.

 

[NPC009]

This is kind of what I meant. Otaku stuff isn't all that relevant in Gate, it's more about dragons vs tanks and the whole fantasy refugee situation so even if the protagonist "is an otaku" as we're told, it doesn't really come up enough to make it be a focal point of the story.

But it is relevant in Gate. The world on the other side is very much a place you might find in any JRPG and the main character isn't the only one who sees this. One of the other characters is actually very excited when he finds out cat girls actually exist. And when it comes to fantasies like that, they often end up playing out like the characters imagined them.

Not to mention (again), those fantasy girls orbiting around the main character like a bunch of trope-y moons...

Subaru actually expected to have super powers when he first came into the fantasy world and he often breaks the fourth wall talking about this or that so in his case, he stumbled because he was treating the fantasy wold like a game. In Gate you just have a modern military fighting fantasy beings and every now and then there will be some random joke. You didn't have the protagonist thinking he's a hero or expecting to use magic, he just acted like a normal soldier like everyone else did. Even if we know he is an otaku, he doesn't really behave in a way which makes this be wish fulfillment, unless we want to say that otaku just wish to be riajuus deep inside, which I don't think this show is going for lol.

Basically, the protagonist doesn't really feel like a stereotypical otaku, he's just a normal dude who likes anime and manga and stuff, and he also has other aspects to him, like a real person. I think that's way more interesting than just a caricature of a hardore fan. I don't see this as wish fulfillment that is specifically tied to otaku and not to just any random dude, especially not in the same way SAO is aimed at gamers. There's a much greater degree of separation between his otakuness and his being skilled at other tasks. Usually, shows aimed at glorifying otaku traits do so by making your amazing otaku skills be the key to solving the problems plaguing this world. Gate doesn't do that, his otaku skills just let him I guess not be as amazed by fantasy races and be more at ease conversing with them than average, nothing all that significant ever comes out of his being an otaku. His military training is what ends up mattering.

You're kinda failing at anime here...

Look, more often than not, the main character of an otaku show is an ordinary otaku who turns out to be extra-ordinary (or at the very least a chick magnet). He doesn't look special and doesn't care about being special, hence his often humble attitude, but he turns out to be awesome at what he does anyway. While in some cases that is thanks to his otakuness, it's usually a secondary (actual!) skillset or a special power that makes the difference. In a way, it's just an evolution of the common harem manga protagonist.

Gate's main character fits that description perfectly. And just to be clear: he was not an ordinary soldier. He's in the special forces, something he didn't even specifically aim for. He got there by just sort of consistantly doing the minimum.

Subaru subverts the trope, because he expects to be that kind of protagonist. But, he can't act like it and his special power is only useful when he DIES. Aside from the reboot button he's on his own and we see him screw up again and again.

Finally, only one of them was 900 years old, the elf girl was only 180ish and the mage girl was actually 15 lol.

If you want to discuss trope-y anime, it really helps to know your tropes [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ReallySevenHundredYearsOld]. Also, how does mage girl being only 15 make anything any better?!

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

But it is relevant in Gate. The world on the other side is very much a place you might find in any JRPG and the main character isn't the only one who sees this. One of the other characters is actually very excited when he finds out cat girls actually exist. And when it comes to fantasies like that, they often end up playing out like the characters imagined them.

Not to mention (again), those fantasy girls orbiting around the main character like a bunch of trope-y moons...

See, that guy, the cat girl fan, jeep driver guy, he is more of what you'd find as a tropey otaku character. And I never said there's no such elements, just that they're not really what the story is about. They're a seasoning rather than a main ingredient, they don't really affect much or go anywhere. You know that guy from Gintama who has a mayo fetish? Otaku traits are the mayo in Gate.

You're kinda failing at anime here...

Look, more often than not, the main character of an otaku show is an ordinary otaku who turns out to be extra-ordinary (or at the very least a chick magnet). He doesn't look special and doesn't care about being special, hence his often humble attitude, but he turns out to be awesome at what he does anyway. While in some cases that is thanks to his otakuness, it's usually a secondary (actual!) skillset or a special power that makes the difference. In a way, it's just an evolution of the common harem manga protagonist.

Gate's main character fits that description perfectly. And just to be clear: he was not an ordinary soldier. He's in the special forces, something he didn't even specifically aim for. He got there by just sort of consistantly doing the minimum.

Subaru subverts the trope, because he expects to be that kind of protagonist. But, he can't act like it and his special power is only useful when he DIES. Aside from the reboot button he's on his own and we see him screw up again and again.

I'm drawing a distinction here. These chars you describe, their primary trait is "is otaku", and then they also have this or that other talent or skill or amazing component.

That's not Youji from Gate. His primary trait is "is kindhearted, lazy soldier". His actions and behaviors are evidence of this. If not, he wouldn't have volunteered to go to the other side of the gate when he didn't need to. He felt a sense of duty and his nature was to go, it had nothing to do with his being an otaku and it even caused his divorce. I don't think that you can say his being a kindhearted soldier is only secondary to the character. That being so, even if the show explains that he's an otaku, it can't help but be again, a small aspect of the character. Seasoning rather than main ingredient.

His attitude of trying to be an underachiever such that he can get the most out of his hobby is also a much more realistic and accurate depiction of an "actual" otaku, so the lack of overly tropey elements that not many people would identify with (or any, even, in some cases) helps make an actual character out of the protagonist.


Ultimately, I know very well the archetype you describe, and I know the type of fun to be had by experiencing such a story. Because I know that, I can be confident in that this isn't that. The entertainment in Gate doesn't stem from the badass actions of the protagonist which lets you have a power fantasy or this or that. It's more about the premise and the world. It might try to have it's cake and eat it too by introducing all these elements, but at worst I'd call it just pandering to otaku on the side as lip service while also telling a really gripping story, as opposed to a full-fledged parade in their favor in the vein of Oreimo or The world God only knows.

The elements you point out are all there but they are so subdued that most of the time, I didn't even feel their effect in the story at all.

If you want to discuss trope-y anime, it really helps to know your tropes [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ReallySevenHundredYearsOld]. Also, how does mage girl being only 15 make anything any better?!

I don't visit that site, I don't like the memefications of a lot of these things and people who throw around terms from that site often seem to not understand them (not saying you don't, just past experiences have shown me that XD). But yeah, the elf girl looks grown up and it's common for elves to be that old even in western stuff, the 967 year old girl is clearly a self-aware character since her name is Rori (and she was amazing btw, probably the best char in the show) and the mage girl is 15 which I don't get what's not fine about. It's not like she has sex with the protagonist, she seems to just have a crush and even if she did I come from a country where 15 is the age of consent so that's not at all weird for me, but that's a whole other can of worms I guess lol.

Now, if you wanna call the police over someone, it'd have to be that noble girl who fell for the diplomat, she is worth being outraged over. Maybe you feel Gate is like SAO because her and Silica share a voice actress, ever think of that!? XD

 

[NPC009]

But it is relevant in Gate. The world on the other side is very much a place you might find in any JRPG and the main character isn't the only one who sees this. One of the other characters is actually very excited when he finds out cat girls actually exist. And when it comes to fantasies like that, they often end up playing out like the characters imagined them.

Not to mention (again), those fantasy girls orbiting around the main character like a bunch of trope-y moons...

See, that guy, the cat girl fan, jeep driver guy, he is more of what you'd find as a tropey otaku character. And I never said there's no such elements, just that they're not really what the story is about. They're a seasoning rather than a main ingredient, they don't really affect much or go anywhere. You know that guy from Gintama who has a mayo fetish? Otaku traits are the mayo in Gate.

This is more than seasoning. This is a world made out of mayo. The mayo is very much part of the premise.

If anything, the politics are reduced to seasoning at times.

I'm drawing a distinction here. These chars you describe, their primary trait is "is otaku", and then they also have this or that other talent or skill or amazing component.

That's not Youji from Gate. His primary trait is "is kindhearted, lazy soldier". His actions and behaviors are evidence of this. If not, he wouldn't have volunteered to go to the other side of the gate when he didn't need to. He felt a sense of duty and his nature was to go, it had nothing to do with his being an otaku and it even caused his divorce. I don't think that you can say his being a kindhearted soldier is only secondary to the character. That being so, even if the show explains that he's an otaku, it can't help but be again, a small aspect of the character. Seasoning rather than main ingredient.

His attitude of trying to be an underachiever such that he can get the most out of his hobby is also a much more realistic and accurate depiction of an "actual" otaku, so the lack of overly tropey elements that not many people would identify with (or any, even, in some cases) helps make an actual character out of the protagonist.

I think you've stepped into a trap without noticing. Youji is very much a common special anime snowflake. He might act like an underachiever but all the evidence points in another direction. Again, this is not some random private, he has a good rank (and actually gains some more throughout the anime) and he continues to achieve amazing things during the shows' run.

Ultimately, I know very well the archetype you describe, and I know the type of fun to be had by experiencing such a story. Because I know that, I can be confident in that this isn't that. The entertainment in Gate doesn't stem from the badass actions of the protagonist which lets you have a power fantasy or this or that. It's more about the premise and the world. It might try to have it's cake and eat it too by introducing all these elements, but at worst I'd call it just pandering to otaku on the side as lip service while also telling a really gripping story, as opposed to a full-fledged parade in their favor in the vein of Oreimo or The world God only knows.

The elements you point out are all there but they are so subdued that most of the time, I didn't even feel their effect in the story at all.

Subdued?! There are literal bunny warriors. Sexy ones. Sexy bunny warriors. There is nothing subdued about it! Not to mention Youji's entourage, which includes a killer lolita, an underage mage and a sexy blonde elf girl who at one point slept in the same bed as him. And while some characters point out this is like totally out of a videogame, it's played straight most of the time.

But then again, you've shown in the past you're a fan of 'she breathes through her skin' justifications, so I can see how you'd either skim over this or not notice it at all, because you have no intention to ever be critical of these aspects.

I don't visit that site, I don't like the memefications of a lot of these things and people who throw around terms from that site often seem to not understand them (not saying you don't, just past experiences have shown me that XD). But yeah, the elf girl looks grown up and it's common for elves to be that old even in western stuff, the 967 year old girl is clearly a self-aware character since her name is Rori (and she was amazing btw, probably the best char in the show) and the mage girl is 15 which I don't get what's not fine about. It's not like she has sex with the protagonist, she seems to just have a crush and even if she did I come from a country where 15 is the age of consent so that's not at all weird for me, but that's a whole other can of worms I guess lol.

Self-aware would mean actually acknowledge lolita tropes beyond 'she dresses like a lolita'. It might have made a difference if the killer lolita was something new, but it isn't. gate plays it very safe, rarely going beyond a reference or 'joke'. Like naming the lolita girl Rori.

And again, dude, the age of the mage girl does not make it better! She's fifteen, protagonist dude is in this early thirties. (Fictional) legality aside, the age difference should raise some questions. And yes, while she does not attempt to have sex with him, she does sort of consider him sort of her fiance. You know why writers write stuff like that? Because it lets readers/viewers justify fantasies without having to technically cross any lines themselves. Nice and safe otaku fantasy fodder.

Now, if you wanna call the police over someone, it'd have to be that noble girl who fell for the diplomat, she is worth being outraged over. Maybe you feel Gate is like SAO because her and Silica share a voice actress, ever think of that!? XD

Actually, I think that character was done better than mage girl and whatever, because it does tie into the diplomatic issues that are part of the overarching story and is not waved of as 'loli girl falling for protagonist but nothing happens so it's all totally okay here are some hot bunny girls to look at instead (but we totally don't mind if you fantasize about her falling for a person like you. Wink. Wink)'.

I've said it before and I think I should say it again: I don't mind people fantasizing about this stuff. Go play your girl spanking game or buy some Rori dojinshi if that's what you're into. However, properly analysing fiction you consume is the smart thing to do, because manipulative writing is everywhere and there's a big difference between knowingly letting yourself be manipulated for short periods of time and blindly diving into the deep waters only to be dragged away by the currents.

 

[Story]

I have an issue with likening Gate to SAO. I think the story of war and reconciliation and refugees and all that was actually very topical and the protagonist isn't quite as much a "hero" as he is a guy trying to do his best so he can go to a convention, not at all herolike, very actual otakulike, thus relatable. You can clearly see everyone make fun of him for having all these super top tier military credentials, they all go "how is a guy like him this or that!?!?" which is I think a similar thing to how Re:zero is self aware (died at the Tsukihime maid references in that one lol) so I think Gate is actually worth watching.

I think the premise of the series, taken straight out of Stargate but with a whole lot of anime fantasy poured in, combined with the general plot themes make that series stand out and I thoroughly enjoyed it because of those elements.

The protagonist of GATE is very much a typical wish fullfilment character. Just look at this:
-He's an otaku (just like the readers/viewers! instant connection!)
-But he's also totally awesome at being a soldier and he ends up saving the day several times
-There's a small herd of young (and 'actually 700 years old') girls surrounding him

It's not similar to Re:Zero at all, because his interest in otaku stuff never actually impacts his life in a negative way (beyond being at the wrong place at the wrong time - which turned out to be for the best anyway). At worst, other characters joke about his hobbies. At best, it turns into diplomacy, because some foreign princess turns out to be a fujoshi.

Meanwhile, Subaru is pushed into a lot of painful situations, ranging from brutal deaths to ugly reminders that he is not the main character to the people around him. Scenes like the one where he desperately wants Emilia to understand he's doing it all for her hurt to watch, as they should.

Re:Zero holds up a mirror, GATE does not.

Just because the author has a boner for the JSDF and thus 'realism' doesn't mean the story is all that balanced when it comes to how the main character is presented.

If you're going to watch GATE, watch it because you want to see a modern military take on an ancient dragon. That shit is actually pretty cool.

Hate to innterject but this pretty much hit the nail on the head
I have not seen GATE, but this pretty much highlights my problem with the series I've seen so far No Game, No Life and Konsuba. While I really liked Re Zero. All of them have male protagonists with a Gary Stu self insert syndrome. They have character flaws mind you, but they are only used or comedic affect and they are never encouraged to over come them. The expectation was Re: Zero's Suburu, I turned around on the series during the episode you discribed because his preserved Gary Stu ness was actually treated with contempt with the characters around him. It was a flaw he recognized and hated but wanted to change. That made for good drama to me. I got none of that type of self reflection from No Game, No Life which was a straight power fantasy or Konosuba which was a straight comedy.
Of course it doesn't help too that I can't relate to this "otaku male who attracts all the ladies" protagonist anyway. that's not really my type of preferred escapist fantasy. Guess I'm not into this current trend right now.

 

[NPC009]

Hate to innterject but this pretty much hit the nail on the head
I have not seen GATE, but this pretty much highlights my problem with the series I've seen so far No Game, No Life and Konsuba. While I really liked Re Zero. All of them have male protagonists with a Gary Stu self insert syndrome. They have character flaws mind you, but they are only used or comedic affect and they are never encouraged to over come them. The expectation was Re: Zero's Suburu, I turned around on the series during the episode you discribed because his preserved Gary Stu ness was actually treated with contempt with the characters around him. It was a flaw he recognized and hated but wanted to change. That made for good drama to me. I got none of that type of self reflection from No Game, No Life which was a straight power fantasy or Konosuba which was a straight comedy.
Of course it doesn't help too that I can't relate to this "otaku male who attracts all the ladies" protagonist anyway. that's not really my type of preferred escapist fantasy. Guess I'm not into this current trend right now.

You're not alone.

I think one of the problems with this trend is that it's a very adolescent one, something many people grow out of at one point or another. And once you're past that point, certain limitations just become too obvious. Take romance for instance. Most of these series never go much beyond an awkward confession, if they get there at all. They're about falling in love at best, not about relationships. And once you're old enough to have some experience with relationships yourself (heck, in your mid-twenties you might already have a family of your own), it just seems irrelevant if not done well.

On top of that, this trend is very consumer oriented. These works contain many elements that are not there to serve the characters or the story but are purely there to please the consumer. And unless your fantasy happens to be pinpointed by the fanservice, it just seems like a waste of time.

That said, I do like some of the series this trend brought forth and I absolutely don't mind people enjoying this stuff. And hey, there are trends I was/am into myself. Like the current gourmet manga trend that gave us anything and everything from What did you eat yesterday? to Sweetness & Lightning to Dungeon Meshi.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

I think you've stepped into a trap without noticing. Youji is very much a common special anime snowflake. He might act like an underachiever but all the evidence points in another direction. Again, this is not some random private, he has a good rank (and actually gains some more throughout the anime) and he continues to achieve amazing things during the shows' run.

Like I said above, he is a special snowflake, just not specifically otaku-aimed. He is just your run of the mill character who is skilled at those tasks that anyone can identify with.

Subdued?! There are literal bunny warriors. Sexy ones. Sexy bunny warriors. There is nothing subdued about it! Not to mention Youji's entourage, which includes a killer lolita, an underage mage and a sexy blonde elf girl who at one point slept in the same bed as him. And while some characters point out this is like totally out of a videogame, it's played straight most of the time.

But then again, you've shown in the past you're a fan of 'she breathes through her skin' justifications, so I can see how you'd either skim over this or not notice it at all, because you have no intention to ever be critical of these aspects.

I am fighting, and losing to, the urge to ask "well if they're bunny girls how can they not be sexy" but seriously, they're not anything special. They reminded me of the Viera race from Ivalice but slightly more furry. I don't think FF stuff is particularly "otaku aimed", it's just...sexy bunny girls. Practically everyone who likes women likes them.

I am critical in seeing if I like how they go about it or not, not just purely being critical of them on a conceptual level, docking points regardless of execution. Every story element deserves fair treatment. I think my job is to try to like everything and then figure out why I didn't like the things I didn't and be critical about that. When I like something, well, I like it, it's perfect, nothing need happen. Depending on how much I like it, I will treat it accordingly. It's not that I am not critical, it's that I genuinely enjoyed everything to the max so I have nothing to take issue with. If that sounds absurd to you, well, sorry, agree to disagree .

Self-aware would mean actually acknowledge lolita tropes beyond 'she dresses like a lolita'. It might have made a difference if the killer lolita was something new, but it isn't. gate plays it very safe, rarely going beyond a reference or 'joke'. Like naming the lolita girl Rori.

And again, dude, the age of the mage girl does not make it better! She's fifteen, protagonist dude is in this early thirties. (Fictional) legality aside, the age difference should raise some questions. And yes, while she does not attempt to have sex with him, she does sort of consider him sort of her fiance. You know why writers write stuff like that? Because it lets readers/viewers justify fantasies without having to technically cross any lines themselves. Nice and safe otaku fantasy fodder.

Oh, it's definitely safe. I never said those things were original. Just well-executed.

The fiancee thing was just because they shared sleeping quarters 3 times (one of which everyone was sleeping together in a hotel), hardly of any consequence. It was just humor. I don't think anyone can get any worthwhile fantasies off of such a joking moment. I just found it cute and moved on since that scene lasted for like 20 seconds, focusing on her sister's outrageous reaction was much more gripping than whatever fantasy potential offered by the joke.

Actually, I think that character was done better than mage girl and whatever, because it does tie into the diplomatic issues that are part of the overarching story and is not waved of as 'loli girl falling for protagonist but nothing happens so it's all totally okay here are some hot bunny girls to look at instead (but we totally don't mind if you fantasize about her falling for a person like you. Wink. Wink)'.

I've said it before and I think I should say it again: I don't mind people fantasizing about this stuff. Go play your girl spanking game or buy some Rori dojinshi if that's what you're into. However, properly analysing fiction you consume is the smart thing to do, because manipulative writing is everywhere and there's a big difference between knowingly letting yourself be manipulated for short periods of time and blindly diving into the deep waters only to be dragged away by the currents.

There was literally no reason for them to actually become engaged, that seemed entirely unnecessary. It was more of a heat of the moment event (since that diplomat doesn't really strike me as a creep) and the story didn't at all need to go that way and nothing was gained by it either. I guess it was an emotional moment for the 12 year old female audience members in Japan, I can't really testify to that, but I saw no point to that story development. He could have just let her in the embassy without declaring he'd marry her lol.


Proper analysis, if only there was such a thing. I think everyone at least in their head tries to do that in one way or another. Kinda like how no evildoer thinks themselves evil. I don't think anyone can say that they do that, and you can't look at the conclusion an analysis reaches and then say "I like this conclusion, therefore the analysis was proper". In this kind of thing you just have to take a step back and accept opposing interpretations. Just claiming to be more deeply analytical of something without fully knowing what contributed in the opposing conclusion borne out of another person's analysis isn't gonna solve anything.