Management of Novice Alchemist is cuuuute, just watched the first episode and i'm into it. Basically "Atelier Series: The Anime" in all but name, including subtly gay undertones, what's not to love?

Having finished Lycoris Recoil, I decided to throw my own thoughts on it here too.
It was definitely within my expectations when it came to plot (meaning it didn't offer much), but I never got the impression it was trying to sell itself as anything more than it was in that department, so I didn't really mind that—especially since it was actually quite enjoyable to watch. What actually exceeded my expectations (and will likely make me come back to this one at some point) was how much I came to like Chisato. The overly cheerful and energetic protagonist seems to be somewhat of a standard in female-led shows, and while I don't have any particular problem with them, it can feel like I'm seeing the same character again and again. But somehow Chisato was very charming and stood out from the rest to me; she was fun and cute, without being overbearing, and the va did an excellent job bringing this character to life.

On the matter of yuri bait, I can't really decide if I would name it as such. To be honest, I find idol (of which I admittedly haven't watched many) and cgdct anime often feel a lot closer to that than LycoReco did to me. Though perhaps I should note that I'm not generally bothered much by what others may call "bait" (hell, I even like Hibike Euphonium! For reasons other than the Kumiko-Reina ship yes, but I know many people were, understandably, very angered by that one). Besides, right before watching Lycoris Recoil I came across two shows with diffferent levels of implied romantic feelings between het pairings, so it's definitely not something exclusive to lgbtq+ content. I can't say if it's more common though, since a majority of the shows I watch have a female main cast.

I watched the new gundam show because I heard about yuri and honestly I feel like this is very promising but I keep seeing gundam junkies talk about how the love interest girl is gonna die like its a tradition and now im concerned

...It is, but Miorine is the wrong type of love interest for that. Newtype love interests have a very low survival rate, but Gundam princesses very rarely die

Oh, and speaking of Gundam, the 0.5 short story got translated

Management of Novice Alchemist is cuuuute, just watched the first episode and i'm into it. Basically "Atelier Series: The Anime" in all but name, including subtly gay undertones, what's not to love?

I'm not sure I'd call Sarasa's crush on Ophelia "subtle". And, yeah, show's alright

last edited at Oct 3, 2022 12:57PM

Well well Whale...
"Gundam : The Witch From Mercury debuted this weekend, with many fans realizing its overt references to Revolutionary Girl Utena.

The most obvious reason comes from Gundam Witch ‘s writer, Ichirou Ookouchi– while he’s had a stellar history with the Gundam series, writing The 08th MS Team and Turn A Gundam- but he also wrote the light novel adaptation of Revolutionary Girl Utena."

https://www.gamerbraves.com/gundam-witch-from-mercury-is-basically-just-revolutionary-girl-utena-and-fans-are-into-that/

Well well Whale...
"Gundam : The Witch From Mercury debuted this weekend, with many fans realizing its overt references to Revolutionary Girl Utena.

The most obvious reason comes from Gundam Witch ‘s writer, Ichirou Ookouchi– while he’s had a stellar history with the Gundam series, writing The 08th MS Team and Turn A Gundam- but he also wrote the light novel adaptation of Revolutionary Girl Utena."

https://www.gamerbraves.com/gundam-witch-from-mercury-is-basically-just-revolutionary-girl-utena-and-fans-are-into-that/

SQUEEE!

Well well Whale...
"Gundam : The Witch From Mercury debuted this weekend, with many fans realizing its overt references to Revolutionary Girl Utena.

The most obvious reason comes from Gundam Witch ‘s writer, Ichirou Ookouchi– while he’s had a stellar history with the Gundam series, writing The 08th MS Team and Turn A Gundam- but he also wrote the light novel adaptation of Revolutionary Girl Utena."

https://www.gamerbraves.com/gundam-witch-from-mercury-is-basically-just-revolutionary-girl-utena-and-fans-are-into-that/

Well, if it's 08th's writer, I know we're in good hands.

edit: More research shows they're just the writer for an extra made for the BD release, not the series itself.

last edited at Oct 5, 2022 4:25PM

Well, Do It Yourself is already in the realm of heavy subtext. The main character's next door neighbour is tsundere for her, and their relationship is a major motivating element for both of them

I'm not gonna spend too much time hating, but my goodness Lycoris Recoil felt like one of the most uninspired shows I've seen. Girls with guns is like my favourite, but everything about this show felt so purposeless and overdone. With the exception of Mika and his lover, I guess. The fights rarely had much choreography or narrative weight. The plot on its own felt like a retread of other popular anime. The side characters didn't get enough screen time for me to treasure them. The comedy mostly consisted of panties and poop, neither of which I care for.

I'll agree with TB earlier. If you're like me or protectmomo and don't find yourself particularly enthralled by episode 3, just move on. It doesn't get better from here. If you're into it for the eminently giffable flirting, I can promise it disappears after episode 5. Unlike similar "subtext" shows, i.e. Machikado Mazoku, the narrative never grants their relationship primacy, either. Each time Takina is called upon to save someone she fulfills that role, but is then immediately discarded to focus on other, more important character conflicts (Chisato v Majima, Chisato v Yoshimatsu, Chisato v Fuki, etc.).

As for the yuri bait discussion earlier, I wasn't finished with the show so perhaps I shouldn't have participated. After finishing, I just wanted to agree with protectmomo in broad terms. As far as their classification, anyway. If we define "yuri bait" as "overt flirting between girls, portrayed to garner some audience with no interest in further development" then I think this one is pretty close. I've personally never experienced feeling baited till now - but this show just about did it. Yes, the two characters were sometimes physically close. Yes, they're sometimes forced by circumstance into intimate situations (panties, sleepover). These scenes never amounted to anything, though**. They're interesting out of context, but in the context of the story being told they never seemed to have any impact or relevance after.

I get that most don't agree with me on most of the above. That's okay! No need to worry about me using the word yuri bait in the future, it seems super inflammatory. Maybe I'll find joy in the doujins. I'm also hopeful this series' bombastic success spurns a bunch of copycats. The more girls with guns, the better.

** Episode 5, which actually does weave Takina's concern/curiosity for Chisato's heart into its episodic narrative with some fluidity. I was thrilled with that, it was a big motivation to keep watching. Unfortunately for me, I never fully bought into Takina caring so much in the first place, nor did she ever initiate any level of affection again.

Guess I should say it here too, SHY is getting an anime! https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-05/bukimi-miki-shy-manga-gets-tv-anime-at-8-bit/.190449
The manga is going very well I think, almost 150 chapters already

I've personally never experienced feeling baited till now - but this show just about did it.

Vindication! I take solace in knowing I'm not the only one who felt that this just wasn't the same as the subtext found in series like Madoka or Machikado Mazoku. Although I am sorry that my reprieve comes at the expense of somebody else having suffered through it without finding what they were looking for.

If you're a big fan of girls with guns, you've probably heard of this one already, but I'll mention it just in case; the aptly-named Gunslinger Girl might be up your ally. There is no pretension of yuri (nor het) whatsoever, mind you, but it has a very similar concept to Lycoris Recoil of orphan girls becoming government assassins who fight terrorism. Unlike Lycoris Recoil, it's much darker in tone and takes itself seriously, but I found that it had an actually engaging plot that was capable of turning on the waterworks.

Well well Whale...
"Gundam : The Witch From Mercury debuted this weekend, with many fans realizing its overt references to Revolutionary Girl Utena.

The most obvious reason comes from Gundam Witch ‘s writer, Ichirou Ookouchi– while he’s had a stellar history with the Gundam series, writing The 08th MS Team and Turn A Gundam- but he also wrote the light novel adaptation of Revolutionary Girl Utena."

https://www.gamerbraves.com/gundam-witch-from-mercury-is-basically-just-revolutionary-girl-utena-and-fans-are-into-that/

Well, if it's 08th's writer, I know we're in good hands.

edit: More research shows they're just the writer for an extra made for the BD release, not the series itself.

I'm gonna tell y'all just in case you don't know: episode 1 is great for a first episode and totally like RGU, but there's an episode 0! And if you plan to follow this show then you should watch it because it's full of mega important info.

I might as well spoil you: mc is not just Utena, she's also Char Aznable, LOL! No wonder she's a redhead! A red helmet would've been too much, so they gave her red hair instead. :P Anyway, in episode 0 her family is murdered by baddies and the big bad boss is Delling Rembran who is also Miorine's father. So mc is actually in a mission of revenge, just like Char, but she's gonna fall in love with Miorine, so... ouch. I foresee angst and difficult decisions.

Stuff White Rose said

Uh, you might want to read the short story set between episodes 0 and 1

Well well Whale...
"Gundam : The Witch From Mercury debuted this weekend, with many fans realizing its overt references to Revolutionary Girl Utena.

The most obvious reason comes from Gundam Witch ‘s writer, Ichirou Ookouchi– while he’s had a stellar history with the Gundam series, writing The 08th MS Team and Turn A Gundam- but he also wrote the light novel adaptation of Revolutionary Girl Utena."

https://www.gamerbraves.com/gundam-witch-from-mercury-is-basically-just-revolutionary-girl-utena-and-fans-are-into-that/

Well, if it's 08th's writer, I know we're in good hands.

edit: More research shows they're just the writer for an extra made for the BD release, not the series itself.

I'm gonna tell y'all just in case you don't know: episode 1 is great for a first episode and totally like RGU, but there's an episode 0! And if you plan to follow this show then you should watch it because it's full of mega important info.

I might as well spoil you: mc is not just Utena, she's also Char Aznable, LOL! No wonder she's a redhead! A red helmet would've been too much, so they gave her red hair instead. :P Anyway, in episode 0 her family is murdered by baddies and the big bad boss is Delling Rembran who is also Miorine's father. So mc is actually in a mission of revenge, just like Char, but she's gonna fall in love with Miorine, so... ouch. I foresee angst and difficult decisions.

Don't worry, seen episode 0 already (and by now also ep1). (Never seen RGU, though.)

Stuff White Rose said

Uh, you might want to read the short story set between episodes 0 and 1

Ooh, also nice. Mom reminds me a bit of grown-up Flit from AGE, but it's nice to see that Suletta doesn't share (or even realize) her obsession with revenge. While she's managed to actually fulfill her mother's plan so far without knowing, it's good to know that whatever develops between her and Miorine is their true feelings.

Also, just saying, Suletta really reminds me of Izetta...

last edited at Oct 6, 2022 4:50AM

Well well Whale...
"Gundam : The Witch From Mercury debuted this weekend, with many fans realizing its overt references to Revolutionary Girl Utena.

The most obvious reason comes from Gundam Witch ‘s writer, Ichirou Ookouchi– while he’s had a stellar history with the Gundam series, writing The 08th MS Team and Turn A Gundam- but he also wrote the light novel adaptation of Revolutionary Girl Utena."

https://www.gamerbraves.com/gundam-witch-from-mercury-is-basically-just-revolutionary-girl-utena-and-fans-are-into-that/

Well, if it's 08th's writer, I know we're in good hands.

edit: More research shows they're just the writer for an extra made for the BD release, not the series itself.

I'm gonna tell y'all just in case you don't know: episode 1 is great for a first episode and totally like RGU, but there's an episode 0! And if you plan to follow this show then you should watch it because it's full of mega important info.

I might as well spoil you: mc is not just Utena, she's also Char Aznable, LOL! No wonder she's a redhead! A red helmet would've been too much, so they gave her red hair instead. :P Anyway, in episode 0 her family is murdered by baddies and the big bad boss is Delling Rembran who is also Miorine's father. So mc is actually in a mission of revenge, just like Char, but she's gonna fall in love with Miorine, so... ouch. I foresee angst and difficult decisions.

Oh yeah baby, bring me that good Romeo and Juliet drama! My body craves it!

If you're a big fan of girls with guns, you've probably heard of this one already, but I'll mention it just in case; the aptly-named Gunslinger Girl might be up your ally. There is no pretension of yuri (nor het) whatsoever, mind you, but it has a very similar concept to Lycoris Recoil of orphan girls becoming government assassins who fight terrorism. Unlike Lycoris Recoil, it's much darker in tone and takes itself seriously, but I found that it had an actually engaging plot that was capable of turning on the waterworks.

I second this. It was a series I avoided for a time because it looked like it was going to be all Loli girls (especially knowing some of the other thing Yu Aida worked on). But it ended up being quite amazing. There's a bit of het crush--especially later in the books, less so in the parts covered in the anime--but it's addressed really well. The quality of the story is excellent, and many tears were shed.

Re: Lycoris Recoil -- I get where people are calling it yuri bait, but I guess I was able to enjoy it because it never felt to me like there was going to be anything between them. Maybe because Chisato reminded me too much of Hikari from Amanchu. (Cue saltiness.)

I would understand calling LycoReco bait if and only if it wasn't obviously setting up a season two. Even if said season two never comes the fact that it's set up still shows that the story isn't finished.
Now, were season two to also ignore the obvious romantic tension between Chisato and Takina and not develop romance between them so that they may become a couple then I'd call it bait but for now it's just unfinished

I'm okay with a good bait so long as we don't get the switch... Like, I'm very happy with gundam but I'm keeping my guard up ! LoL

I would understand calling LycoReco bait if and only if it wasn't obviously setting up a season two. Even if said season two never comes the fact that it's set up still shows that the story isn't finished.

Personally, this doesn't matter for my purposes because there is a 0% chance I'm watching a season 2.

Ending spoilers
I mean, I already went into how I disliked the whole story, but the way they set up for a continuation was especially appalling. Majima surviving a fall from, like, literally 1000 feet high is such bad writing. Give me a break! I have zero investment in the plot when it continuously does this.

Stuff White Rose said

Uh, you might want to read the short story set between episodes 0 and 1

Thank you so much for the link! I had no idea that this short story even existed. In the anime forums I read, for some reason, nobody mentioned it.

Tbh I did think it was a bit weird that mc didn't seem to recognize at all the surname Rembran. So it's not that she's out for revenge from the start, rather she's in for a big, horrifying revelation in the future, huehehe. I wonder how far with revenge her mother will ask her to go?

Oh yeah baby, bring me that good Romeo and Juliet drama! My body craves it!

Hehe, Romeo and Juliet are a good reference, but in this case I think Rodrigue and Chimène are even better. (⁀ ᗢ⁀)

DY4Y posted:

I would understand calling LycoReco bait if and only if it wasn't obviously setting up a season two. Even if said season two never comes the fact that it's set up still shows that the story isn't finished.
Now, were season two to also ignore the obvious romantic tension between Chisato and Takina and not develop romance between them so that they may become a couple then I'd call it bait but for now it's just unfinished

Yeah, totally fair. For me, the lack of ending confirmation wasn't significant. I never expected that going in, nor do I find it necessary. So I probably couldn't label it bait at that point, but I still wouldn't have been recommending it for strong female relationships, either. Open to trying a few episodes in season two (or more likely its movie series, I guess) to see if anything's changed, though.

protectmomo posted:

If you're a big fan of girls with guns, you've probably heard of this one already, but I'll mention it just in case; the aptly-named Gunslinger Girl might be up your ally. There is no pretension of yuri (nor het) whatsoever, mind you, but it has a very similar concept to Lycoris Recoil of orphan girls becoming government assassins who fight terrorism. Unlike Lycoris Recoil, it's much darker in tone and takes itself seriously, but I found that it had an actually engaging plot that was capable of turning on the waterworks.

Yuki Kitsune posted:

I second this. It was a series I avoided for a time because it looked like it was going to be all Loli girls (especially knowing some of the other thing Yu Aida worked on). But it ended up being quite amazing. There's a bit of het crush--especially later in the books, less so in the parts covered in the anime--but it's addressed really well. The quality of the story is excellent, and many tears were shed.

Thanks for the double rec! Yeah I have seen it, but so long ago I've forgotten almost all of it. Definitely enjoyed it at the time though. Maybe we'll go for a rewatch...

last edited at Oct 6, 2022 2:39PM

I would understand calling LycoReco bait if and only if it wasn't obviously setting up a season two. Even if said season two never comes the fact that it's set up still shows that the story isn't finished.

Personally, this doesn't matter for my purposes because there is a 0% chance I'm watching a season 2.

Ending spoilers
I mean, I already went into how I disliked the whole story, but the way they set up for a continuation was especially appalling. Majima surviving a fall from, like, literally 1000 feet high is such bad writing. Give me a break! I have zero investment in the plot when it continuously does this.

Yeah, true. Majima surviving virtually anything was absolutely ridiculous. Really, if we're talking about the writing itself, the show is at best mediocre, if not outright bad. I only came to enjoy it because I went into it expecting this kind of writing. I mean, you can already tell a lot about an anime just from the opening, and when they throw what I'd basically count as fanart of the girls during intermissions just to show them in cute/cool/hot/whatever outfits, says a lot about what their focus was on during production...

As for the original post, I don't think I agree with this idea. It seems to me that they are never planning to be explicit about it, no matter how many seasons the show gets. I'd honestly be surprised if they followed through any of these implications in a second season.

Stardust Telepath is getting an anime. Did the yuri in that ever go anywhere?

Ending spoilers
I mean, I already went into how I disliked the whole story, but the way they set up for a continuation was especially appalling. Majima surviving a fall from, like, literally 1000 feet high is such bad writing. Give me a break! I have zero investment in the plot when it continuously does this.

Nothing against you not liking the show cause that's totally valid but I don't know why you expect realism given Chisato casually dodges machine gun bullets and Majima surviving an almost point blank explosion previously already. Have you seen John Wick? Pretty sure he survived some five hundred feet building fall and you don't see him dodging bullets the way Chisato does. You're expecting the show to give you something it never promised you.

last edited at Oct 6, 2022 4:19PM

Ending spoilers
I mean, I already went into how I disliked the whole story, but the way they set up for a continuation was especially appalling. Majima surviving a fall from, like, literally 1000 feet high is such bad writing. Give me a break! I have zero investment in the plot when it continuously does this.

Nothing against you not liking the show cause that's totally valid but I don't know why you expect realism given Chisato casually dodges machine gun bullets and Majima surviving an almost point blank explosion previously already. Have you seen John Wick? Pretty sure he survived some five hundred feet building fall and you don't see him dodging bullets the way Chisato does. You're expecting the show to give you something it never promised you.

That's a fair point, but given that Chisato supposedly had a "gift" that allowed her to do that and that everyone else seems to die more or less normally, it is a bit silly that only Majima somehow survives every damn thing, so I kinda get where the op is coming from.

On a somewhat unrelated note, the mention of bullets also reminded me of the fake bullets that Chisato used and can I just say that those seemed like the most useless thing? Like, I get that the whole point was that they shouldn't simply take anybody's life, but I couldn't help but think that: (a) there was literally no reason for anyone to drop unconscious the way they often did when they were shot, and (b) the amount of times someone was put in danger because of these damn fake bullets being useless and not taking enemies out was absurd and actually had me thinking they'd be better off killing them. I mean, the "injure but don't kill" policy made some sense but those things offered no protection and constantly put their team in danger.

Hylarn posted:

Stardust Telepath is getting an anime. Did the yuri in that ever go anywhere?

Oh my God, we're getting nice stuff all of a sudden !
My friend said to look forward if the animate something from vol 3 so I guess... we will see