Thoughts on Aku no Hana's art style

[Crowman]

I just watched the first episode of this season's show "Aku no Hana" and noticed that the artwork is somewhat paculiar, the backdrops/enviroments are done in a very detailed fashion, while the characters themselves are very poorly drawn, which make me wonder if that is done for a reason. I'm just wanting to hear what other peoples opinions are.

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

At first, I wasn't really planning on seeing it, but after seeing how poorly received it was, my curiosity peeked.

And honestly, I'm intrigued. I rarely (if ever) see rotoscope used in anime. Granted, the rotoscoping isn't great. It has the problem like with most rotoscope animation where movement is very jittery and choppy, when characters are standing still they look like still shots, and faces tend to look awkward at times. I'm honestly not a big fan of rotoscope, but still, this is something different, and whether it gets better or goes downhill from here, it certainly has my attention. You don't get anime like this often, so I see no reason to drop it. If whether it works for me or not I'll be sure to check out the manga.

Now, I totally understand why people dislike it, and I do understand the importance of good visuals. Without solid visuals, it's hard to really draw people into your story, and at times can take people out of it completely. While I personally have no problem with it, I can see why others would, and I'm not gonna straight up tell them they're wrong or bias for it or try to defend it, as it's just a matter of taste.

I do have a respect for the staff for trying something new, and they even stated that they anticipated the reaction, and even if the audience hated it, at the very least it left an impression. I appreciate the staff taking risks.

 

[Crowman]

I feel the same way. Normally I am somewhat picky on art styles in anime and if I don't like the way it's drawn, good storyline or not, I will drop it. But this one has me intrigued, so for the time being I am going to keep watching it.

 

[Defeated Detective]

This was from my anime group in Facebook on the whole the director's artistic direction for Aku no Hana:

- At first Nagahama (the director) refused the offer to direct the adaptation, because he thought that simply turning this manga into a pretty, clean-looking anime would be pointless. He says that he believes that when the mangaka draws this story he's seeing something "else" which he expresses as a manga. So there would be no point in simply presenting it in animated form, at that rate you might as well just read the manga and be done with it.
- He thought if it was to be adapted at all, it should be done as a live drama. When he was offered the job the second time, he pitched the idea of using rotoscope. He was aware that the result would be different from the manga.
- Oshimi (the mangaka) says Nagahama is right about the way he creates the manga: the original story is something that exists in his head, and he draws what he sees in his mind. So basically the anime and the manga are two different versions of the story that exists in Oshimi's head. By the way, he was also aware that due to the rotoscope the anime would look different from his work, and he thought it was an interesting idea.
- Oshimi also says that he thinks Nagahama has a very deep insight into the story, and firmly believes that he's taking it in the right direction. He also very much approves of Nagahama's wish of the anime leaving the viewers with a scar.
- Oshimi was pretty much "in" on the whole thing, they tested the rotoscope method on him.

- The interviewer asks about the impact the visuals would have on viewers, and Nagahama says he's well aware that a lot of people will go "what the fuck" and "this is gross," "I hate this, I'm not watching this." But he's pretty much okay with that, too, because he thinks it's fine as long as it leaves an impact on people. Viewers may dismiss it right away, but some may check it out later and find it interesting, or they may come across the manga, recognize the title, and read that.
- Oshimi says that he once got a fan letter from a high school girl who wrote that when she read the manga in middle school she thought it was stupid, but she tried to read it again when she was older and she found it very good. Nagahama says that this is what he's going for, to leave an impact, even if it's negative. He's trying to create something that one can't just ignore or dismiss.
- Oshimi also says that the anime has many scenes that he wishes he would've drawn the way they are in the anime, for example a scene with Kasuga and Nakamura in the classroom.
- Also, he confesses he's writing the manga with the intention of murdering the readers with it (metaphorically, of course), thinks the anime is doing the same, and relishes the idea of the viewers getting slaughtered, jokingly of course.

They leave the following messages to the fans:
- Oshimi: He guarantees that those who feel very strongly about Aku no hana will enjoy the anime. However, chara-moe types, those who go "Nakamura-san, unf unf" will probably feel betrayed.
- Nagahama: Since it's so different from the usual anime, he can't say that everyone will love it. But those who watch the first episode and think "I want to see more" will not have their expectations betrayed."

My personal opinion is that Nagahama is one pretentious prick, I don't know how he fooled the mangaka, but even for Rotoscoping, the whole show looks hideous.

At this point, it's just cowardice, he's afraid that he cannot replicate the magic of the manga so he goes for a route where EVERYONE loses, this is the reason why I believe that he has duped the mangaka into believing that his actions must be noble somehow.

And as for rotoscoping in anime, it's been done by SHAFT before although sparingly, but due to the fact that it's done sparingly it blends well with the whole atmosphere of the anime. Here's what it looks like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X4KnAfPACg

At this point, it's just outright pretentious, if you want to enjoy the series as it is, stick with the manga.

 

[Smertnik]

I just took a quick look and I don't really understand how anyone can have a big problem with the animation or even go as far as to call it "poor". Sure, it's a bit jittery, but it still looks way more detailed than most "mainstream" Japanese animated series, especially in terms of facial expressions (which isn't very hard, admittedly).
Either way, kudos to the director for not just copying the manga and doing something different instead. I always found straight adaptations pretty pointless.

 

[Angie7F]

I also just watched the first episode last night.
I think it is pretty cool.
I read the interview before watching the anime so I knew what I was in for, so that effected my views on the whole thing, but i am a little bit tired of the Kyo-Ani type cute characters so it is a refreshing change.

I love the theme songs though. It is so nerve wracking to listen to it and definitely leaves an impression.
i am sure my friends will think i am totally crazy if I sing that in the karaoke.

 

[Gatx]

I haven't seen it but after reading that it uses rotoscoping I'll probably steer clear. The Lord of the Rings animated film left a bad impression on me.

And as for rotoscoping in anime, it's been done by SHAFT before although sparingly, but due to the fact that it's done sparingly it blends well with the whole atmosphere of the anime. Here's what it looks like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X4KnAfPACg

I don't know if it's because it's used sparingly, but more because the anime was completely random and weird, so a weird element like rotoscoping isn't as out of place.

 

[Tanis]

IT-LOOKS-HORRID!

I mean, it's like all the characters have down syndrome or something.

The manga look SO much better than this.

 

[mParadox]

The style is reminiscent of what was used in FLCL... except even worse.

The only reason I know about the 'travesty' is because SankakuComplex(shaddup, it keeps me upto date on anime stuff. >,>) comment section is on fire(when is it never? ) because of this. Apparently the manga is known for its... adorable characters. Well thought out and cute... Obviously.

Spoiler: Here are some comparisons for you fiiiine peoples

The horror.

 

[somonels]

I was intrigued by the premise so I was planning on watching it, that didn't change. The big letdown was the low amount of content that they used in the first episode - first half of which might as well be called filler.

As for the topical part.. I can't say I liked it. It certainly sets a better atmosphere than the manga did - or didn't. The low quality rotoscoping and most actors voicing themselves make me think it might have been better for it to be a live-action adaptation. However, the choice does compliment the work's central theme of self-identification. I'd say more on the series but I already sound like a fool.

*runs off to the rain*
*ch-rying*

 

[Flaery]

They made Aku No Hana into an anime? I'm not sure whether I should be frightened or excited. I really liked the manga's style but I obviously don't know if they used it for the anime as well.

 

[Therumancer]

This was from my anime group in Facebook on the whole the director's artistic direction for Aku no Hana:

- At first Nagahama (the director) refused the offer to direct the adaptation, because he thought that simply turning this manga into a pretty, clean-looking anime would be pointless. He says that he believes that when the mangaka draws this story he's seeing something "else" which he expresses as a manga. So there would be no point in simply presenting it in animated form, at that rate you might as well just read the manga and be done with it.
- He thought if it was to be adapted at all, it should be done as a live drama. When he was offered the job the second time, he pitched the idea of using rotoscope. He was aware that the result would be different from the manga.
- Oshimi (the mangaka) says Nagahama is right about the way he creates the manga: the original story is something that exists in his head, and he draws what he sees in his mind. So basically the anime and the manga are two different versions of the story that exists in Oshimi's head. By the way, he was also aware that due to the rotoscope the anime would look different from his work, and he thought it was an interesting idea.
- Oshimi also says that he thinks Nagahama has a very deep insight into the story, and firmly believes that he's taking it in the right direction. He also very much approves of Nagahama's wish of the anime leaving the viewers with a scar.
- Oshimi was pretty much "in" on the whole thing, they tested the rotoscope method on him.

- The interviewer asks about the impact the visuals would have on viewers, and Nagahama says he's well aware that a lot of people will go "what the fuck" and "this is gross," "I hate this, I'm not watching this." But he's pretty much okay with that, too, because he thinks it's fine as long as it leaves an impact on people. Viewers may dismiss it right away, but some may check it out later and find it interesting, or they may come across the manga, recognize the title, and read that.
- Oshimi says that he once got a fan letter from a high school girl who wrote that when she read the manga in middle school she thought it was stupid, but she tried to read it again when she was older and she found it very good. Nagahama says that this is what he's going for, to leave an impact, even if it's negative. He's trying to create something that one can't just ignore or dismiss.
- Oshimi also says that the anime has many scenes that he wishes he would've drawn the way they are in the anime, for example a scene with Kasuga and Nakamura in the classroom.
- Also, he confesses he's writing the manga with the intention of murdering the readers with it (metaphorically, of course), thinks the anime is doing the same, and relishes the idea of the viewers getting slaughtered, jokingly of course.

They leave the following messages to the fans:
- Oshimi: He guarantees that those who feel very strongly about Aku no hana will enjoy the anime. However, chara-moe types, those who go "Nakamura-san, unf unf" will probably feel betrayed.
- Nagahama: Since it's so different from the usual anime, he can't say that everyone will love it. But those who watch the first episode and think "I want to see more" will not have their expectations betrayed."

My personal opinion is that Nagahama is one pretentious prick, I don't know how he fooled the mangaka, but even for Rotoscoping, the whole show looks hideous.

At this point, it's just cowardice, he's afraid that he cannot replicate the magic of the manga so he goes for a route where EVERYONE loses, this is the reason why I believe that he has duped the mangaka into believing that his actions must be noble somehow.

And as for rotoscoping in anime, it's been done by SHAFT before although sparingly, but due to the fact that it's done sparingly it blends well with the whole atmosphere of the anime. Here's what it looks like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X4KnAfPACg

At this point, it's just outright pretentious, if you want to enjoy the series as it is, stick with the manga.

If the quotes your responding to are accurate then pretentious is an understatement, and "everyone loses" is kind of the point.

To be honest this isn't the only guy who claims he wants his work to hurt the audience, it seems to be a minor trend so far, and I find it, along with the fandoms for this kind of stuff, to be disturbing to say the least. Listening to reports of what this guy sounds like kind of makes me think of what the makers of "Warbot In Accounting" had to say about their work.

 

[ZehMadScientist]

Eeeh, I'm not a fan of the whole rotoscoping shabazz, though I appreciate the fact that they're trying something different. But I can kind of really see where the haters' and their flamers are coming from. Let's say the adaptation of Silver Spoon would look like this, I would be pretty pissed as well.

I find the director's reasoning behind the rotoscoping a bit dubious though. I get that het doesn't want to turn this all moe moe KyoAni, but why is rotoscoping the only alternative? I've seen plenty of shows that were gritty enough and didn't have any of that rotoscoping business.

 

[Defeated Detective]

Eeeh, I'm not a fan of the whole rotoscoping shabazz, though I appreciate the fact that they're trying something different. But I can kind of really see where the haters' and their flamers are coming from. Let's say the adaptation of Silver Spoon would look like this, I would be pretty pissed as well.

I find the director's reasoning behind the rotoscoping a bit dubious though. I get that het doesn't want to turn this all moe moe KyoAni, but why is rotoscoping the only alternative? I've seen plenty of shows that were gritty enough and didn't have any of that rotoscoping business.

If the quotes your responding to are accurate then pretentious is an understatement, and "everyone loses" is kind of the point.

To be honest this isn't the only guy who claims he wants his work to hurt the audience, it seems to be a minor trend so far, and I find it, along with the fandoms for this kind of stuff, to be disturbing to say the least. Listening to reports of what this guy sounds like kind of makes me think of what the makers of "Warbot In Accounting" had to say about their work.

Exactly what I think. My common justification to as to why I believe what he's doing is bullshit is that that's not what good directors do, good directors do their best to capture the essence of what makes the source material great, and this has been done with Kaiji, Akagi and One Outs where the character noses look odd at first, but once you get used to it it's there because it's meant to respect that original source material(and ultimately, Fukumoto's art style itself) and it does the source material justice, while great directors transcend by making the adaptation better than the very source material itself(something that's been done by Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and Christopher Nolan's The Prestige), those are adaptations where the message of the source material is captured perfectly and the directors didn't have to choose an art direction that butchers the adaptation and the reputation of the source material. In a sense, I'd like to retract my former statement, I guess this anime is indeed like A Scanner Darkly, where it fails to do the source material justice and they're just using rotoscope for the sake of using rotoscope.

 

[tahrey]

Badly drawn? I'd have to disagree, though I only just saw about two minutes of it in a trailer uploaded to youtube.

Stylised, rotoscoped, and very different from your typical anime or manga (largely because of the more realistic proportions and smoother motion), yes. Bad? Naw.

Bear in mind that it's the animated adaption of what appears to be a HEAVILY messed up, mindfuck of a manga (which itself looks to be VERY well drawn, possibly with pencils rather than inks), and it's literally called Flowers Of Evil. I think you have to expect something that's going to give your comfort zone a kick in the balls. And certainly a good way of doing that is by deliberately subverting the usually accepted anime "style".

I do even wonder if it's so they can make it seem more "real" but then take it into some much more bizarre / surreal / fantastic places without having to bother with all that pesky CGI stuff and just go hog wild with the wacom tablet and cel-shader.

Besides, a lot of modern anime has something of a similar "feel" to the colours, outlines and motion ... but at the same time still sticks to the old big-eyes-and-plastic-hair design trope.

The one thing I suppose you could criticise is the flesh-coloured eyes, but that never did Cities of Gold et al much harm.

 

[Baneat]

A Scanner Darkly isn't anime.

And I want to firmly slap about the protagonist already, whose name I can't remember.

 

[kailus13]

A Scanner Darkly isn't anime.

And I want to firmly slap about the protagonist already, whose name I can't remember.

It only gets worse. No named character is entirely sane by most people's standards.

If it's deliberately bad then they've succeeeded. Too well, I think. Who would buy this?

 

[Baneat]

A Scanner Darkly isn't anime.

And I want to firmly slap about the protagonist already, whose name I can't remember.

It only gets worse. No named character is entirely sane by most people's standards.

If it's deliberately bad then they've succeeeded. Too well, I think. Who would buy this?

Well the rankings for the first ep are horrible so maybe the populis got it right this time.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

It looks absolutely horrific. I'd just go with the manga and save my eyes the agony of such disgusting character design.

 

[madwarper]

I tried to watch the first episode, but I couldn't even get 20 seconds into it before closing the window.
I hope they scrap this art style for more traditional animation.

Regardless, I wonder how the anime will handle the... you know...

Spoiler

rape scene.