Viz announced on Anime Central today they have relicensed all of Sailor Moon. All five series, and yes, that includes Sailor Stars. And they have the movies too. And they got simulcast rights to Sailor Moon Crystal as well.
Oh, and they are redubbing the whole thing as well, all uncut, with the original names intact, with new dub episodes to stream legally every week on Neon Alley. For now legal streaming of the uncut subbed series will start May 19th on Neon Alley and Hulu. And they are going to be releasing the series on blu-ray as well.
So...yeah, this is pretty big news.
Official announcement trailer. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RWPyM9afQ-w)
Here's an interview on how Viz picked up the license, what the blu ray release will look like, etc. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2014-05-16/exclusive/viz-media-charlene-ingram-and-josh-lopez-on-sailor-moon)
That is big news, crazy big.
I need to try to remember to try the new series out when it starts.
Wow! Way to go, Viz! :thumbup:
When they acquired the European rights to the series last year, I figured a North American release wouldn't be too far off.
I had no clue there was more than one series.
Quote from: gunswordfist on May 16, 2014, 08:20:15 PMI had no clue there was more than one series.
It's divided into weirdly named seasons.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon R
Sailor Moon S
Sailor Moon SuperS
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars (unreleased)
Sailor Moon Crystal (new series)
I will be catching these when they hit Hulu each week. I love how in the trailer it shows Neptune and Uranus together when it says it's uncut.
Quote from: Daikun on May 16, 2014, 10:18:59 PM
Quote from: gunswordfist on May 16, 2014, 08:20:15 PMI had no clue there was more than one series.
It's divided into weirdly named seasons.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon R
Sailor Moon S
Sailor Moon SuperS
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars (unreleased)
Sailor Moon Crystal (new series)
So like HnI and Naruto?
They didn't start using the Letter-system in this country until S.
How are the Hulu releases going to work?
I honestly don't remember much of this series, it's lived on in my memory as "That show that came on before DBZ on both the WB and Toonami"
They are just going to be uploading the episodes, two at a time, each monday on Hulu. They will only be uploading the english-subbed episodes for now, but when they are ready, dub episodes will be added too.
Quote from: Eddy on May 16, 2014, 10:19:19 PMI love how in the trailer it shows Neptune and Uranus together when it says it's uncut.
Yeah, a lot has changed since this first aired for English audiences several years ago. SM was a huge victim of censorship in order to have something.. kiddie friendly at the time - A forced marketing strategy which many frowned upon.
I was never into SM a great deal but I'm still glad this is making a proper comeback.
http://nangbaby.com/post/86155385443/sailor-moon-boycott - I am completely speechless. No seriously... I am completely without speech.
I fucking hate 90s kids.
Quote from: Lord Dalek on May 18, 2014, 10:16:53 PM
http://nangbaby.com/post/86155385443/sailor-moon-boycott - I am completely speechless. No seriously... I am completely without speech.
I stopped reading a little after Sonja Belmont because I'd rather google that than read this.
Quote from: gunswordfist on May 19, 2014, 01:36:14 AM
Quote from: Lord Dalek on May 18, 2014, 10:16:53 PM
http://nangbaby.com/post/86155385443/sailor-moon-boycott - I am completely speechless. No seriously... I am completely without speech.
I stopped reading a little after Sonja Belmont because I'd rather google that than read this.
Probably a good thing. It becomes even more narrow-minded the more you poke around with their other links.
QuoteI have to respond to this. There?s no way I can?t.
The idea that you?re angry that, after twenty years, the people re-releasing the original anime and the new anime are remaining faithful to the original material is hypocritical at best, and worse at worst. ?Serena? was not the original Sailor Moon. She never was. She never will be. ?Serena? - and every other example you have listed - are practically products of the very changes you rail on about and claim to be offended about, when citing your hypothetical George Lucas/Star Trek example. There never was a ?Serena?, save for what was created by DiC, Cloverway and the powers that be which ran the Sailor Moon license in English-speaking countries.
In fact, it is the fact so many changes were made to the anime and manga throughout, not just in English-speaking countries, but in a very large majority of the countries which licensed the show - thus perverting and watering down the original - that no new re-licenses for Sailor Moon occurred for countries outside of Japan in the past decade and a half. The creator you claim is ?ruining? the franchise by insisting the material she created be consistent and uncensored between languages, didn?t want her material - the material she created and also owns - to be censored once more. And yet you think this is a bad thing? She?s the bad guy? Why? Because we finally get to see Usagi Tsukino be spoken as a name in the English language as opposed to ?Serena?, a name Naoko did not approve of? Are you saying its a bad thing that an author has, heaven forbid, licensing control of their own work? Would you say the same thing about, say, J.K. Rowling?
No. But you would about Naoko Takeuchi, because how dare she write about a Japanese girl living in Japan. And how dare she expect something as little as someone respecting her original work.
Its because of ?high-minded? people such as yourself - the so-called ?moral guardians? of Sailor Moon - that we almost didn?t get Sailor Moon re-licensed in English to begin with. The difference is, you?re right. You now have very little power to change things. Why? Because times have changed and so have most fans of Sailor Moon. The days where something like the DiC dub could censor things wholesale and the companies who licensed it could get away with it without scrutiny, is dead and gone. In Sailor Moon?s case, the license also now belongs to the creator, and she has the final say on who she best believes will represent her brand in our country - and around the world.
More than that, though, thankfully. Fans are on a whole smarter about their dubs and the companies doing them than they were 20 years ago. They better understand that things like the imperfect DiC dub were precisely that - imperfect, if not outright offensive to the original material. The advent of the internet aided in the understanding that the dub was barely an accurate representation of the original series, and allowed for the viewing of the original series, translated by dedicated fans. There are entire websites dedicated to just how many changes were made to the original anime and manga to ?pass scrutiny? with the censors - up to and including taking out episodes and erasing out the Japanese culture which permeated through the original Sailor Moon story from animation cels. Changing character?s sexualities and entire identities - including Zoicite, who was originally male (and in the anime, in a -GASP- homosexual relationship with Kunzite/Malachite!) - in an attempt to whitewash the series and make it more ?palatable? to the powers that be who didn?t want anything ?offensive? in their ?American programming was done wholescale.
That?s not something to celebrate and embrace. That is the truly offensive thing that has been done to Sailor Moon. But if you want to cling to the ridiculously outdated myth of ?Serena?, go ahead. Leave. Don?t support the Sailor Moon franchise anymore. The only one losing out on this is you and I doubt there will be many who will mourn your absence after your absolutely offensive words. If you can?t bother to educate yourself as to why ?Serena? is incorrect and always was - regardless of whether you learned of Sailor Moon through the dub - then you might never have been a fan to begin with.
"Serena" is dead. Long live Usagi Tsukino.
Goodbye.
This is a good response.
The first four episodes are up now on Neon Alley!
http://www.viz.com/anime/streaming/sailor-moon
Crunchyroll will streaming Sailor Moon Crystal (https://twitter.com/debaoki/status/470335584775319552), as will Neon Alley and Hulu (https://twitter.com/debaoki/status/470338079404720128). Episodes premiere July 4th at 3pm PDT, new episodes every other friday.
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F31.media.tumblr.com%2F6a58b905a97fd0ba687095be6832b9fc%2Ftumblr_n63rc5Se5H1rgz2s2o1_500.jpg&hash=1e5e5f3a1196e88fca48a5c3554e182c9824a67c)
^I saw a scene similar to that at Mardi Gras a few months back, except it was two dudes in a full embrace and everybody was cheering them on.
Trailer for Sailor Moon Crystal. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Ft3viBgtQ)
The animation and art design look really good, much better than I was expecting from modern Toei. I'm definitely more confident the series will turn out great, now.
^Still retains that rightful shoujo art style. Nice!
Animation is slick.
This is good to see because I was curious if they were going botch things up by changing the character designs.
I like the original designs, too.
Is this going to be 100% faithful to the manga? Some of the changes in the anime were better, in my opinion. Nephrite for one.
Quote from: Spark Of Spirit on June 05, 2014, 06:16:43 PM
Is this going to be 100% faithful to the manga? Some of the changes in the anime were better, in my opinion. Nephrite for one.
That's what they claim. As far as the original anime's changes go, I liked how they gave most of the major recurring villains actual personality and characterization whereas most in the manga were just enemies for the Senshi to kill off in the span of a chapter. But since this adaption shouldn't have filler and whatnot, I doubt they'll expand on their characters like in the original series.
Leaked footage from the first episode of Crystal! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBYsyJGc7DQ)
I don't care for the new opening theme, but the animation in it is pretty awesome, especially the part where the Senshi are performing their attacks. I don't know why they are doing the transformation sequences in CG for this, but it looked pretty decent to me so I can't really complain (it's leagues better than the CG in the Berserk movies, at any rate, though it's also a ways off from being Tiger & Bunny level good CG scenes either). Anyway, the show looks good animation and art direction wise, so I'm hopeful that the series will be well done. I anticipate friday.
I've just been reminded that Crystal premieres THIS WEEK! ;D
My, how time flies...
New dub cast for Sailor Moon revealed! (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-05/new-sailor-moon-dub-cast-revealed-at-anime-expo/.76285)
Good picks, I'd say. I think the choices for the Senshi are pretty perfect.
Anyway, I watched the first episode of Crystal, and thought it was alright.The production values are good and the acting is solid, though the occasional use of CG is a little bothersome and at some points I felt Usagi's seiyuu overacted. The opening has grown on me especially with it's incredibly feminist lyrics, the ending I can take and leave, and the OST is serviceable but not memorable yet. The episode was a pretty straightforward adaption of the first chapter of the manga, so I'd expect that the series will have one chapter an episode pacing (taking it through the Black Moon Kingdom story arc). I wouldn't say this first episode blew me away, but I liked it well enough and overall feel it'll be a fun series to keep up with.
The first blu-ray set of Sailor Moon is now available to pre-order on Rightstuf! (http://www.rightstuf.com/1-800-338-6827/catalogmgr/47Sh9EfHyv9jHQs-Ek/browse/item/102860/4/0/0)
$57 bucks for 23 episodes is kind of a lot, and more than what I was expecting since the Ranma 1/2 blu-rays have the same amount of episodes for only $40 dollars. However, they are re-dubbing this damn thing and it is a blu-ray/dvd combo pack with an 88 page full-color premium booklet, so it's understandable why it costs that much. I'm not sure if I can keep up with these releases, since I'm already keeping up with the Ranma sets plus a bunch of manga purchases, but the fact this set is coming out on my birthday does make it sort of tempting to get it for that occasion. Still, this is sure to be a high-quality release that I'm sure a lot of people will be glad to finally have.
I'm going to watch the new series later tonight, but I can't say that I'm interested in owning the old one. There's just too much fluff in it to hold up, but I still think SM has some good ideas behind it.
Edit: Not a bad first episode. It's basically a remake of the original's first, but since I'm not very familiar with the manga, I can't tell if this is the first story period. Still, the animation is quite nice and works for the story, which is still pretty solid.
I'll be honest, I was never that into Sailor Moon. Granted that, I haven't read the manga, which I would imagine is better than the anime, but the old anime was a bit too slow-paced and repetitive to my liking, and I did watch it subbed (albeit only the first 20 episodes or so). I recognize it as a classic, of course, but I never felt that compelled to continue on with the story. I'll give this version a shot, since it's supposed to be more faithful to the manga, anyways, without any filler, but I'm honestly not expecting much, which is probably for the best since it's easiest to change my mind when I have low expectations.
Yeah, if you weren't impressed with the earlier part of the show subbed, this wont win you over yet, since this is basically a remake of the first episode. But the show is bound to deviate and become better soon, so I'm still keeping an eye on it.
Here's a sneak peak at what Stephanie Sheh's Usagi sounds like. (http://sailormoon-obsession.tumblr.com/post/91014579068)
For me, it'll take some getting use to, especially since I'm so used to the old dub voice, and because her voice comes across as a little too high-pitched right now. However, I'm sure it'll grow on me once I actually watch the dub for a good few episodes.
Official dub clip! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPMh2ZZOCzI)
I still think it'll take me a while to get used to Sheh's Usagi, but the acting is much better than the original dub already. As for Robbie Daymond's Mamorou, I think he's pretty spot-on. I hope Viz releases some more clips, especially some with the other Senshi in them.
New dub clip. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS_uDeu_3SQ)
Michelle Ruff's sounding pretty good as Luna. I'm still used to the old dub voice, though, so like Sheh's Usagi it's going to take some getting used to for me.
Also, here's an interview with some of the dub cast on how they got their roles/their opinions on their characters and the show/etc. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2014-07-16/exclusive-the-new-english-language-cast-of-sailor-moon/.76730)
New dub clip, featuring Queen Beryl and Jadeite! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcSyO_piUGQ)
I just watched the second episode, which is a step in the right direction IMO. There isn't too much to talk about the show yet, but Ami's introduction is strong, and Usagi is a little more bearable here, which is what I was hoping for!
I'm not crazy about the bi-weekly schedule, but the show's decent enough for me to stick around for it to come out.
It really helps that they can pace this show out better than the first anime. I remember it took a few episodes until Sailor Mercury joined up in the first anime.
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on July 19, 2014, 06:22:32 PM
It really helps that they can pace this show out better than the first anime. I remember it took a few episodes until Sailor Mercury joined up in the first anime.
That's because they are basically adapting one chapter of the manga per episode with this series. In the manga the first three scouts are introduced one chapter after another, with a bit more time before Minako/Sailor Venus is introduced. Additionally, this arc should only last around 13 episodes in
Crystal, compared to 40 episodes as it was in the original anime.
Quote from: Avaitor on July 19, 2014, 04:57:48 PM
Usagi is a little more bearable here, which is what I was hoping for!
Usagi develops into a more mature character much faster (and more consistently), than she did in the first anime. She comes out of this arc a much stronger and capable character than she was at the start, moreso than I feel her first anime counterpart did.
The official "Moon Pride" music video, featuring clips from the series! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Va228UhRs)
Since october of last year, a group of 250+ animators each contributed a single shot in an attempt to reanimate an episode of the original Sailor Moon anime shot by shot in each artist's own personal style.
Now, ten months later, witness the results of their collaboration! - Moon Animate Make-Up! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orhh6TZ6qCE)
Oh wow, gotta save that for later.
Quote from: Cartoon X on July 20, 2014, 10:05:33 PM
Since october of last year, a group of 250+ animators each contributed a single shot in an attempt to reanimate an episode of the original Sailor Moon anime shot by shot in each artist's own personal style.
Now, ten months later, witness the results of their collaboration! - Moon Animate Make-Up! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orhh6TZ6qCE)
That was great! Each style of animation was directed well and blended into each other nicely. Some of the character designs where hilarious. I highly recommend to anyone to give this a watch. You don't even have to be a fan of the series to enjoy this.
New dub clip (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-27/4th-sailor-moon-dub-clip-features-sailor-mercury-mars/.77061), featuring Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, and Jadeite, all of whom I think are sounding pretty good! :)
I really don't get why this show needs 2 weeks in between each episode. It's not like it has substantially better animation than any other shows. In fact, it's been downright mediocre so far, and the CG is horrible. Of course, as a Toei series that isn't the least bit surprising. For the sake of comparison, just look at a series like HXH, which is over 100 episodes long and released weekly (without any season-long breaks), and the average episode of that even has better animation than the first 3 episodes of Crystal, IMO.
Anyways, as for the episode itself, it's just more standard, formulaic stuff. I'm really just waiting to get to the later arcs. I've only ever managed to watch most of the first arc of this series, and it's no wonder why I always drop it before finishing; it's just so....boring. Even the Saint Beasts arc of Yu Yu Hakusho wasn't this derivative (and that's by far the weakest part of that series).
Sailor Moon is honestly a pretty standard, formulaic series. I'd say the biggest reason I enjoy the series, or at least the manga, is Usagi's character arc, which I find really well done and paid off beautifully in the final arc (which is a good part of why the final arc is my favorite part of the entire series). In any case, the first arc is the weakest part of the series, since it's mostly set-up to get you introduced to the characters and has the least interesting villains/character growth. I can see how it can be boring to a lot of people, though I do think the later parts of the series do make slugging through the beginning rewarding enough.
I think the real reason this series is bi-weely is because Toei is just working on too much shit right now. They've got a heck-ton of tv anime they are working on plus feature films and such and they've got to be swamped. I don't think they can handle releasing this series weekly, and they can get away with releasing it bi-weekly anyway because SM is so popular internationally fans will wait for it and it won't lose momentum.
Is her character arc sort of like Joe's, in the sense that she is kind of unlikable and incredibly selfish at first, but becomes a more well-rounded, yet still flawed, person over time?
The only reason its biweekly is Toei couldn't get a single tv station to air it in Japan, no doubt because of all the endless delays and cockups.
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on August 02, 2014, 04:17:03 PM
Is her character arc sort of like Joe's, in the sense that she is kind of unlikable and incredibly selfish at first, but becomes a more well-rounded, yet still flawed, person over time?
Basically, yes. She matures into a capable, strong-willed hero by the end of the series. Though really, it's only in this first arc where she's really all that whiny and bratty, outside of her initial interactions with Chibiusa in the Black Moon arc, where she does still act a bit childish.
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on August 02, 2014, 03:31:47 PMIn fact, it's been downright mediocre so far, and the CG is horrible. Of course, as a Toei series that isn't the least bit surprising.
From what I understand, some of the animation was outsourced, and boy, DOES IT SHOW.
It was done by a cheap studio in the Philippines, and this is their first solo project.
Quote from: Daikun on August 02, 2014, 09:38:54 PM
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on August 02, 2014, 03:31:47 PMIn fact, it's been downright mediocre so far, and the CG is horrible. Of course, as a Toei series that isn't the least bit surprising.
From what I understand, some of the animation was outsourced, and boy, DOES IT SHOW.
It was done by a cheap studio in the Philippines, and this is their first solo project.
Yeah, these guys are back in business. (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Unknown_Filipino_animation_studio)
https://twitter.com/Bunnynaut/status/496042916234948610
I just watched the new episode, and it was okay. The animation comments are getting a little out of hand, though. True, the show doesn't look fantastic, but neither does the original. This isn't a big improvement, but it's not like Crystal is a big downgrade either.
The comments have nothing to do with how the original looked. I'm just calling this out for the usual cheap Toei production that it is. Most companies would put at leas some more money and effort into one of their biggest money-making franchises. Instead Toei uses cheap animation and bad CG that doesn't mesh well with the rest of the art-style. Just because the original anime was nothing special doesn't mean that the remake should be exempt from any criticisms for poor animation.
But poor animation is so typical of Toei that complaining about it is literally beating a dead horse. Its just a fact of life.
true but you'd assume an anime as big as sailor moon would get better treatment though. i expected this show to have amazing animation until i heard the complaints.
Quote from: gunswordfist on August 04, 2014, 09:26:50 PM
true but you'd assume an anime as big as sailor moon would get better treatment though. i expected this show to have amazing animation until i heard the complaints.
This is from the company that celebrated DragonBall's legacy by reairing the show with really obvious additional and removed animation frames and no final arc until years later.
Quote from: Rosalinas Spare Wand on August 04, 2014, 11:31:02 PMThis is from the company that celebrated DragonBall's legacy by reairing the show with really obvious additional and removed animation frames and no final arc until years later.
Not to mention that they hired a composer who flat-out plagiarized the soundtrack for that show, forcing them to recycle Kikuchi's score for the Cell saga.
And speaking of that final arc, it's a complete joke. The original anime did a bad enough job of adapting the Buu arc, IMO, but Kai somehow just butchers it even further. The "re-mastered" animation is a hilariously cheap upgrade to wide-screen HD format, and the new soundtrack is pitiful.
Toei can go fuck themselves. What a terrible studio. I have no idea how they keep getting away with cutting so many corners in this day and age. In the 70's and 80's it may have been acceptable, but I have no idea how their shows still make so much money today. It really must just be the fact that they license the most popular shounen manga around (like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Toriko, etc.).
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on August 04, 2014, 11:38:03 PM
It really must just be the fact that they license the most popular shounen manga around (like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Toriko, etc.).
I feel bad for fans of
World Trigger. Considering how bad Toei fucked up
Toriko, I can't imagine how awful they could make that series, especially since they are guaranteed to adapt only one chapter an episode pretty shortly into it since the manga is only around 70 chapters long so far (then again, they could make it just a 2 cours series or something, but I can't remember the last time Toei's done that for a currently running WSJ series...).
I'm so glad they didn't get
Seven Deadly Sins or
Assassination Classroom.
I am fearing the day I see Animal Land get greenlit for an anime adaptation and I see Toei as the animation company. Please be busy with other shit Toei.
Well, I think the ship has sailed on an Animal Land anime, since the manga is already over and stuff and there's been no buzz about one. But, yeah, I really hope Toei doesn't adapt anything I like anytime in the near future.
Well it can't look as bad as Kyosougiga, am I right guys?
...god that show's animation >_<.
watch toei get the anime for lone wolf and cub just because.
Quote from: gunswordfist on August 05, 2014, 12:43:04 AMwatch toei get the anime for lone wolf and cub just because.
Well, they did get the license on amother 70's manga, which is currently running, and as expected has godawful animation. So, with Toei, anything's possible. No series not currently licensed by another studio is safe from their legendary cheapness and desire to make a quick buck with absolutely no effort.
Thank god the never licensed Hunter X Hunter.
Has anyone started a blog yet showing how much Toei sucks?
I think such a blog needs to exist. The world must know!
at least one togashi got a good remake for one of their series.
I'd do it if I had more time, but I'm studying for board exams this mint. Perhaps by Fall, if nobody else decided to go at it before I do (but I fully encourage anyone who's up to it).
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F33.media.tumblr.com%2Fe050c26fb3c8b2d789c3fc2e76aa41cf%2Ftumblr_n9vx38QszV1tienzco1_1280.jpg&hash=4acc6f105b1335a4dcbaf544934eb8d4260b1f34)
My god, I LOVE this blog! (http://crystalquality.tumblr.com)
While still nothing great, this episode was a nice change of pace from the usual formula.
This is a kind of episode that the original anime would treat as silly, forgettable filler that actually mostly succeeds in its storytelling goals here. The series isn't great yet, but this is one of the stronger episodes thus far.
I find it interesting that this isn't a completely faithful adaption of the manga after all. If it was, Jadeite should've died in the last episode, and the scene where the villains introduce themselves to the senshi does not happen at all in the manga. I guess they are expanding these characters' roles some? Can't really complain about that, since I've always felt that a lot of the villains in the manga were very underdeveloped.
The villains were the one thing the anime unquestionably did better than the manga, so I would hope so. I was never really interested in a 1:1 adaption, personally.
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmoesucks.files.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F08%2Fsailor-moon.jpg&hash=5719f1dae8622ffc5b2eb7f71342a84fd8d5233f)
The first four episodes of the new dub will be up on Hulu and Neon Alley starting this friday. (http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/09/03-1/viz-presents-sailor-moon-english-dub-premiere-slumber-party)
Quote from: Dr. Insomniac on August 22, 2014, 11:36:57 AM
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmoesucks.files.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F08%2Fsailor-moon.jpg&hash=5719f1dae8622ffc5b2eb7f71342a84fd8d5233f)
:lol:
Watching episode 5 really highlighted a fundamental problem with this remake. The episode itself was the usual formula, which itself isn't the main problem, but rather the fact that they allowed it to be that way. What I mean is that, while thus is meant to be a more direct adaptation of the manga, perhaps that is NOT a good thing. For its time I'm sure it was great. However, compared to many series of today, it's silly, and downright demeaning for its target audience, which is young girls.
The main point that highlighted this was at the very end of the episode, where Usagi was declared the leader....just because. Yeah, for any viewer with half a brain, it's clear that she is the least qualified to lead any team. It would be better if another Sailor Scout was sinitially selected to be leader (and any of them are more qualified than Usagi currently is). In turn, Usagi could have worked her way up to becoming a leader as she matured. It may be different than the original, but it SHOULD be different. Having a remake like this would work much better as an update of a classic franchise for modern day kids. Instead it's just a lazy adaptation, and many fans will blindly hide behind the belief that the manga is like the series' holy bible and it must be followed at all times. Quite frankly, I'm sick of this notion, and honestly, series like these could really do with some innovation.
And, that doesn't just apply to this series. Series like Hunter X Hunter could also benefit from this treatment. While I like the 2011 anime, they hardly did anything to Improve upon the weaker elements of the manga. The Greed Island arc was still lackluster, and the narration-heavy half of the Chimera Ant arc wasn't re-worked to be better suited to animation (breaking the fundamental concept of "show, don't tell"). It's an adaptation that almost feels pointless to view if you've already read the manga, a big reason for why I prefer the 1999 anime. And for that matter, earlier anime series really did put in a lot more effort to spruce up some stories to make them better, and anime like Ashita no Joe 2, Dragon Ball, and Yu Yu Hakusho are all examples of how to do these sorts of adaptations well.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that Japan has gotten super lazy with anime adaptations of manga, and SMC is the prime example of this. They prefer a quick buck over true innovation, creativity, and quality improvements.
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on September 07, 2014, 12:55:13 AMWatching episode 5 really highlighted a fundamental problem with this remake. The episode itself was the usual formula, which itself isn't the main problem, but rather the fact that they allowed it to be that way. What I mean is that, while thus is meant to be a more direct adaptation of the manga, perhaps that is NOT a good thing. For its time I'm sure it was great. However, compared to many series of today, it's silly, and downright demeaning for its target audience, which is young girls.
I've read the original manga. The original series, filler aside, actually tried to improve on the source material. This is exactly why I was never that interested when everyone kept jumping up and joy about it being centered on the manga only. The original manga was fine for its time, but its far too bare-bones.
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on September 07, 2014, 12:55:13 AMThe main point that highlighted this was at the very end of the episode, where Usagi was declared the leader....just because. Yeah, for any viewer with half a brain, it's clear that she is the least qualified to lead any team. It would be better if another Sailor Scout was sinitially selected to be leader (and any of them are more qualified than Usagi currently is). In turn, Usagi could have worked her way up to becoming a leader as she matured. It may be different than the original, but it SHOULD be different. Having a remake like this would work much better as an update of a classic franchise for modern day kids. Instead it's just a lazy adaptation, and many fans will blindly hide behind the belief that the manga is like the series' holy bible and it must be followed at all times. Quite frankly, I'm sick of this notion, and honestly, series like these could really do with some innovation.
Usagi is a terrible leader at the beginning, yes. That's why the unofficial leader is supposed to be Minako who is actually used to this sort of thing. Until she joins, it's pretty much a free-for-all without anyone having much of a clue about what to do. The original anime worked it in by having more standalone episodes where Usagi actually learns more about being a leader before everyone joins. That's the downside to making the beginning of the series so fast.
Quote from: Dr. Ensatsu-ken on September 07, 2014, 12:55:13 AMAnd, that doesn't just apply to this series. Series like Hunter X Hunter could also benefit from this treatment. While I like the 2011 anime, they hardly did anything to Improve upon the weaker elements of the manga. The Greed Island arc was still lackluster, and the narration-heavy half of the Chimera Ant arc wasn't re-worked to be better suited to animation (breaking the fundamental concept of "show, don't tell"). It's an adaptation that almost feels pointless to view if you've already read the manga, a big reason for why I prefer the 1999 anime. And for that matter, earlier anime series really did put in a lot more effort to spruce up some stories to make them better, and anime like Ashita no Joe 2, Dragon Ball, and Yu Yu Hakusho are all examples of how to do these sorts of adaptations well.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that Japan has gotten super lazy with anime adaptations of manga, and SMC is the prime example of this. They prefer a quick buck over true innovation, creativity, and quality improvements.
A good adaption of Sailor Moon would have taken what worked best from the manga and the anime, cut out a lot of the filler, and worked from there. But then, adaptions have recently been a lot more straightforward with a lot less involvement in the staff in trying to work out the kinks of the source material.
There is solid stuff here, but no one is really taking advantage of it.
In this week's episode, Usagi admits to Tuxedo Mask that she is Sailor Moon, and literally a few minutes later, she is surprised that he knows her identity when he calls her Sailor Moon. Do people actually refuse these scripts, or do they literally just pull it out of their ass and go with whatever's on the first draft. On top of that little mishap, Usagi and the rest of the characters are made to be the most incredibly bland cast of any series ever. It's funny because, in the little that I saw of the original anime, I know that they weren't nearly this bland, but this anime literally sucked any fun out of any of the characters. They literally have no personality at all. I mean, just listen to all of their dialogue, and tell me just one time that ANY of them (in the context of this anime alone) have even sounded remotely intereresting, or inspired, or genuine. This while reboot/remake so far feels like an over-long commercial to sell Sailor Moon merchandise to a new generation of kids, and has absolutely no heart to it, whatsoever. Fuck you, Toei. If I ever do get into this series, it'll be through the manga. I refuse to keep watching this crap.
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Fcad1292960fe36fe5cd248bdd798d2ee%2Ftumblr_inline_ncphj4B7G71sluwgl.png&hash=e1564d75af9589a4ab28162e702409b9a104882b)
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Fe676b971ad47a3e55907935ea99b0a45%2Ftumblr_inline_ncphjp2RLV1sluwgl.png&hash=bbdb03a01798a3ee4d6f958ec9cad50cbbdee8d0)(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2F3f0156d255fd5c1bac6768af28ad6ad8%2Ftumblr_inline_ncphk0JD5F1sluwgl.png&hash=47262678a240dbfad7e4bcd719fae3e5180b81dd)
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Fb3257692f55478ee8fc29c51714459f5%2Ftumblr_inline_ncphk9iqUU1sluwgl.png&hash=ddfaea4bffae020e3b25c3b2f66d7c6fba1e0167)
(https://animationrevelation.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Fca55b5bbcc5434f3fb08ce28d84e3464%2Ftumblr_inline_ncphkibnvg1sluwgl.png&hash=fd254aeecc4677b5e88bc0a59aca4e1a0be56773)
Yeah, so, seriously, who writes this shit? Was this really dialogue from Takeuchi's manga?
Toei will fix Crystal's shitty animation. (http://kotaku.com/the-new-sailor-moon-anime-has-changed-1670373950)
^ Wow, that is a huge improvement. I'm actually interested in the series now!
Wow, they are basically re-drawing almost every frame of this. They should have just fixed all the inconsistencies the first time and save themselves time and money. Well, at least we know the show's drawings and animation will be better in the home video version, whenever Viz gets around to dubbing this and releasing that. Whether the versions we already have online will be replaced by these remains to be seen though.
Crystal is finally getting dubbed. (https://mobile.twitter.com/Sailor_Moon_NA/status/584038146721058816)
Somehow, this just makes me want to watch the original even more while ignoring this version.
A second season of Sailor Moon Crystal has been confirmed. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-10/toei-europe-2nd-sailor-moon-crystal-series-coming-this-summer/.86989) It will start in the summer, promptly after the first season ends.
Time to give up on humanity.
Why the first anime is better than Crystal. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqkpcJJNJEY)
Crystal's dub will debut at Anime Expo. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-12/anime-expo-to-premiere-english-sailor-moon-crystal-dub-cardfight-vanguard-film/.89214)
Crystal gets a third season. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-28/sailor-moon-crystal-gets-3rd-season-on-death-busters/.93487)
I gave up on the show towards the end of the first arc, but I heard that the Black Moon arc was handled a bit better. Death Busters/Infinity is my second favorite arc in the series after Stars, so I'd hope they'd do it justice and don't fuck it up. But this is Toei we're talking about, and after the lack of quality shown from the first season, I expect it to be just as bad.
Seriously though, Crystal, Super...it's one thing for Toei to not give a shit about making World Trigger good, but how can they stand to make such piss-poor, lazily made series based on their most popular and profitable properties? Do they really not have the talent needed to make good shows in their employ, have they spread themselves so thin that their production schedules don't allow them to make anything better, or do they seriously just not care enough to make something good? Thinking about what we should have gotten with SMC and DBS, and what we've been actually given, really annoys me.
It's a combination of not caring and overworking an extremely underpayed staff of animators to reach ridiculous deadlines (though, unfortunately that's true of most animation studios, but Toei is one of the worst offenders). This is the same thing that they did for Sailor Moon and DBZ back in the 90's, except now they give even less of a shit than before.
These are idiotic corporate businessmen that run Toei, and they seem to believe that nostalgia alone will sell these products for them, regardless of any lack of quality. Clearly they never learned their lesson from GT.
But you know what pisses me off more? The morons who defend these practices and actually support this company. I'm talking about hopeless fanboys who can't admit that new iterations of their favorite series are basically being treated like an utter joke.
Now, the last two DBZ movies were pretty good, most likely due to more room for creative freedom, a much higher budget, and Akira Toriyama's direct involvement in story and writing. Super, however, is really just Toei's version of that without any heart or soul behind it.
At least DBZ and Sailor Moon both had noticeable effort put into their productions. While the animation quality has always been a mixed bag, when it was good it was exceptional, and those shows still hold up pretty well visually and there are many great scenes that still stand out and hold up really well even by today's standards. There's a reason you still have people going back to and getting into those series two decades later; on the most basic level, and even in spite of their pacing issues and filler (really the main reason why both shows don't hold up well, imo), there was still a good level of quality in the production, and it was clear that they genuinely tried making the best shows the possibly could under their limitations back then.
Both SMC and DBS look like shit. They sound like shit. They move like shit. The writing and pacing are shit. The fact that they are inferior in essentially every regard to shows over two decades old, despite the huge advantage of not having to pad out episodes with filler as a necessity to not keep up with source material, is absolutely unforgivable. I've still kept up with DBS because it's Dragon Ball, and I care about Dragon Ball too much to just give up on it. But it's precisely because Dragon Ball means so much to me that I'm so pissed off that it's not being given better treatment, that Toei doesn't care enough to enough to put in any effort, to even try, to make it as good a show as it could be, when by every right they should have the means and the capability, or at least an incentive, to do so.
I would have preferred a Sailor Moon Kai, honestly. Yes, even knowing what that entails. Crystal is so very dull in comparison to the first anime where you can tell they tried despite budget and filler problems.
I didn't mean to say that DBZ was as bad as this. I've said before that without the padding, it has some real stand-out moments (Gohan going SSJ2 for the first time with that amazing music in the Japanese version gets me every time).
I'm just saying that as cheap as Toei was back then, they are even worse now.
What gets me about Super aside from just the animation is the inexcusable padding and the fucking soundtrack....or lack thereof. I mean, seriously, even the Faulconer track was more interesting than this garbage (and I hate that score). Think about how iconic and well-composed Kikuchi's classic music for DB/Z was. And even though plagiarized, I'd be lying if I said that Kai's soundtrack during the first 50-something episodes didn't sound good. Super sounds like glorified elevator music, but somehow even more forgettable. This is honest-to-god one of the most dull and lifeless scores that I've ever heard....and it's fucking Dragon Ball!
I love the Infinity/Death Busters arc, but I'm not expecting anything good from Toei. Crystal was just awful. I'll admit that the Dark Kingdom arc isn't all that interesting in the manga, but Toei managed to make it even worse with terrible animation and pacing.
Yeah, that's the thing. Dark Kingdom was already pretty dull in the manga. But Crystal made it a slog at best, and unwatchable at worst. But it didn't have to. It could have told that story in a better, more interesting way. I mean, they fucking did it before in first anime. Yes, the filler and annoying whiny Usagi stuff sucked in the first season of the anime, but the canon material was certainly made more interesting, if not just simply improved over the manga's version on the whole. I honestly do really appreciate a lot of the old SM anime's narrative changes, mostly in regards to fleshing out the supporting villains and protagonists. It's the filler and annoying characterizations, especially with Usagi, Chibiusa, and Rei, that really bring it down for me on the whole and why I prefer the manga overall. But you know, at least they tried back then. They did some things differently, some of it worked, some of it didn't, but they clearly wanted to make an entertaining show that wasn't just a lazy copy of the manga but it's own thing, with the ambition to be even better than the manga.
There is no effort put into Crystal. They copied the story as it is from the manga with no attempt to tweak things to make it work better (there were minor changes, sure, but they didn't really add anything), and then they bring everything, both the good and bad, crashing down with an awful production that made through the show tedious rather than entertaining. It just didn't have to be that way. They have the advantage of foresight - they could have made changes to the manga that would improve upon what's already there. They could have made the show a visual treat for fans, and really do their best to sell the story for old and new audiences alike. Same with DBS. There is just no good excuse for why these shows turned out as badly as they have.
Sailor Moon Crystal dub will premiere on Hulu in November. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-11/viz-media-reveals-english-voice-cast-for-sailor-moon-s-villains/.94078)
The first two dubbed episodes of Crystal will debut on Neon Alley/Hulu on November 20th. (http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/11/05-1/neon-alley-schedules-sailor-moon-crystal-english-dub) Subsequent dubbed episodes will then premiere every friday night starting with episode 3 the following week.
A new preview has been released for Sailor Moon Crystal Season III (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzIZe_TYRho) as well as the new opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hZXIdwFox4) and ending (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PIfPZSorwA) themes.
It looks like Toei is putting a more effort into this season, so I'm actually somewhat optimistic about this adaption now. It also helps that the Infinity/Death Busters arc is legitimately well written and superior to the Dark Kingdom and Black Moon arcs in every way possible. :sly:
So I hear that season 3 of Crystal fixes all the problems of the previous seasons.
Can I get confirmation on this? I'm scared to check.
Yes. It's been very competent so far. They ditched the CGI transformation sequences, the animation doesn't go horribly off model, they added back in the humor, and the characters actually emote now. Obviously, this is Toei we're talking about, so they could still screw it up down the line, but right now it seems that they've listened to fans' complaints and have made an effort to address them.
Yet we're still getting literally all of those problems with Dragon Ball Super.
Has Toei ever considered that maybe if those features aren't OK in one show, that they aren't acceptable in ANY show. Do they really need to test fans with bad animation and production values, as well as bad pacing, and wait to see how long it will take them to complain about it enough to force them to change their ways? It's like they are intentionally trying to piss off fans in order to determine what they can get away with.
Personally, I've really enjoyed the last few episodes of Super. The animation quality is still not the best, but all the tournament fights have felt unique and well-paced (except maybe Vegeta vs. Megata, which did feel padded a bit), and there's been some really great character moments, and even genuine character development for Vegeta. And the most recent episode was really well made from both a story and execution standpoint. I've felt all the fights in the tournament so far have felt like classic Dragon Ball in different ways, but the fight between Goku and Hit has been especially cool, and I was genuinely excited and fully immersed while watching it, even physically reacting with fanboyish glee to the AWESOME twist and beam-struggle at the end. So, idk, I'm pretty optimistic that Super's finally gotten on track and am really looking forward to where it'll go after this arc. Especially if Future Trunks really is coming back like Toriyama hinted at in his interview with Toyotaro for the first DBS manga volume. ;) (http://www.kanzenshuu.com/translations/dragon-ball-super-manga-vol-1-tori-toyo-interview-web-version/)
I wasn't really commenting on the quality of the story itself (which personally I have problems with, but also enjoy some stuff about it). My issues are with the bad animation and awkward pacing.
Fair enough, but while they still aren't ideal, I do feel the pacing and animation quality have been much better recently than they were before. There were some really good looking moments in the most recent episode in particular, imo.
Quote from: Daikun on April 17, 2016, 02:49:16 AM
So I hear that season 3 of Crystal fixes all the problems of the previous seasons.
Depends. How gay do you like your Sailor Moon?
Quote from: Lord Dalek on April 23, 2016, 09:04:16 PM
Quote from: Daikun on April 17, 2016, 02:49:16 AM
So I hear that season 3 of Crystal fixes all the problems of the previous seasons.
Depends. How gay do you like your Sailor Moon?
Sailor Moon's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtKJsmZ1zAY) always been pretty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcYNoSRZCBg) fucking gay though. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5znRxLqs4k)
Quote from: Dr. Insomniac on April 23, 2016, 09:11:37 PM
Quote from: Lord Dalek on April 23, 2016, 09:04:16 PM
Quote from: Daikun on April 17, 2016, 02:49:16 AM
So I hear that season 3 of Crystal fixes all the problems of the previous seasons.
Depends. How gay do you like your Sailor Moon?
Sailor Moon's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtKJsmZ1zAY) always been pretty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcYNoSRZCBg) fucking gay though. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5znRxLqs4k)
They're not even trying to hide it this time.
Sailor Moon Crystal Season 4 will be two films, and will adapt the Dead Moon (aka Dreams) arc. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-30/sailor-moon-crystal-anime-4th-season-revealed-as-2-part-film-project/.118230)
Chiaki Kon will also be returning as the director for the series. Considering that the arc isn't particularly long, I think this will turn out quite well.
The movie comes out 2020. (https://twitter.com/SailorMoon_News/status/1145313076423430144)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA2VOuqaOnk
:joy:
I'm in utter shock.
The person who found the pilot also uncovered some production history, like how Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh did some work on the animation. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L67YFwnQCQ)