"Shounen Bat" is mostly for the weeaboos, haha. I watched the show in Japanese but still refer to him as Lil Slugger, just because I think it is a good translation that gets the idea of the name across (plus it actually sounds like a media-appointed nickname, haha).
The more we as humans engineer the ability to connect with anyone anywhere, the more we start to disconnect from anyone and everyone. Which I will admit I'm slightly guilty of, but then again I was like that before, so.
And, yeah, that's a big part of why Paranoia Agent will probably remain fairly timeless. Every advance in communication is a double-edged sword -- we can keep up with each other easier on a basic level, but that ease of communication, I think, encourages simple communication a bit too much and isolate ourselves in technology. But as with most things, it's up to us to use it correctly, of course. :p
I watched it in Japanese, just because (although from my faint memories of the English dub when I watched the first five episodes way back when, it's pretty good). There were a couple of instances I remember where the dubbing track and the lip flap seemed off, but nothing so bad that it took me out of the show. I'm usually pretty bad at noticing that sort of thing unless it is really obvious, though, haha.
Random: Seeing your comment reminded me to look at my library account, and Fiddler on the Roof finally came in, like, months after I first requested it. :p
Vagrant AI (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
I pretty much fell in love with Paranoia Agent by the end of the first episode. The crazy and lovable OP to the very first scene of everyone on their cell phones to just... ugh. It's great, I'm so glad I own it on DVD. lol
Satoshi Kon is, like, one of if not my favorite anime (or otherwise) director (right now). He really seems to think when it comes to his work, you know? I've loved all his films, too, but it all started with Paranoia Agent.
Anyway, enough of me gushing.
I think either writing a small summary or copy-pasting one from another website (with a link provided) would help for those who aren't in the know.
Oh hey, also, did you watch it in English or Japanese? I've only ever seen it in English myself, actually, 'cause I like the English voices plenty. But there is a small issue with the lip movements, as Timey Boy mentioned. I was wondering what you thought of that.
One of the main problems with some more "experimental" anime is that some creators tend to mistake being oblique with being intelligent.
That's also the trouble with experimental/progressive artists in any genre, and is I think a lesson everyone would do well to learn: just because it sounds deep doesn't mean it is deep.
While I do enjoy the mystery behind Lil Slugger (or Shounen Bat if you're a stickler for that sort of thing :p)....
Here I find I favor the idiomatic translation. Shounen Bat makes no logical sense in English, and even though it's technically a name, calling him Shounen Bat would be tantamount to calling one of our popular antiheroes Deru Deviru.
The series is not all about social change brought about by technology, of course, but I think the very first scene of the series -- the swaths of people talking on their cell phones, alienating themselves from each other -- shows that the specter of technology and the social advancement and change brought about hangs over Paranoia Agent.
You know, that's a good point. The more we as humans engineer the ability to connect with anyone anywhere, the more we start to disconnect from anyone and everyone. Which I will admit I'm slightly guilty of, but then again I was like that before, so.
I don't want people to feel like they can only read these posts if they have actually seen whatever the hell I'm talking about, because that would defeat the purpose of writing about, like, 3/4 of the series I watch lol.
Madman With a Box (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
A summary would help, especially if it's something new being subbed. Actually, I might try this sort of post as well, cuz I'd still like to tell people about things I'm watching. Although, we still have the Anime and Manga Review World, which is sitting there pretty much neglected...
I remember I tried watching Paranoia Agent, but there were too many little things about it that got under my skin. One thing I couldn't get over was the dubbing vs. the lip movements. The lips were so detailed that you could just notice the disconnect between the audio and the visual.
I think it might be beneficial to give a one-paragraph summary (if that can cover it) to help people out a little bit. Just as a courtesy.
But I really did love Paranoia Agent when it was on television. That was during the time when I was really getting into psychological anime, and for me, that was one of the few that really hit the mark. When you compare it to something like Serial Experiments Lain (though that was an okay series on its own), it kind of stands out, since it provided a fairly accurate view without feeling accurate and thus made you consider the subject matter. It gives you plenty of "Hunh." moments.
It also gave me a fear of little boys on in-line blades, but that's a different matter. =p
"I adore children. A little salt, a squeeze of lemon--perfect." -Harry Dresden
Allamorph
Spiritus Memorae (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
@Shinmaru:
I think it might be more accurate to say that technological advances encourage data transfer over communication, at least in recent years.
Miss Anonymous
Vagrant AI (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
@Shinmaru:
8O
... wait, you still haven't seen it? GO NOW, MAN!!
Shinmaru
Baron of Terribad (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
@Allamorph:
"Shounen Bat" is mostly for the weeaboos, haha. I watched the show in Japanese but still refer to him as Lil Slugger, just because I think it is a good translation that gets the idea of the name across (plus it actually sounds like a media-appointed nickname, haha).
The more we as humans engineer the ability to connect with anyone anywhere, the more we start to disconnect from anyone and everyone. Which I will admit I'm slightly guilty of, but then again I was like that before, so.
And, yeah, that's a big part of why Paranoia Agent will probably remain fairly timeless. Every advance in communication is a double-edged sword -- we can keep up with each other easier on a basic level, but that ease of communication, I think, encourages simple communication a bit too much and isolate ourselves in technology. But as with most things, it's up to us to use it correctly, of course. :p
Love thy Evangelion.
Shinmaru
Baron of Terribad (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
@Miss Anonymous:
I watched it in Japanese, just because (although from my faint memories of the English dub when I watched the first five episodes way back when, it's pretty good). There were a couple of instances I remember where the dubbing track and the lip flap seemed off, but nothing so bad that it took me out of the show. I'm usually pretty bad at noticing that sort of thing unless it is really obvious, though, haha.
Random: Seeing your comment reminded me to look at my library account, and Fiddler on the Roof finally came in, like, months after I first requested it. :p
Love thy Evangelion.
Miss Anonymous
Vagrant AI (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
I pretty much fell in love with Paranoia Agent by the end of the first episode. The crazy and lovable OP to the very first scene of everyone on their cell phones to just... ugh. It's great, I'm so glad I own it on DVD. lol
Satoshi Kon is, like, one of if not my favorite anime (or otherwise) director (right now). He really seems to think when it comes to his work, you know? I've loved all his films, too, but it all started with Paranoia Agent.
Anyway, enough of me gushing.
I think either writing a small summary or copy-pasting one from another website (with a link provided) would help for those who aren't in the know.
Oh hey, also, did you watch it in English or Japanese? I've only ever seen it in English myself, actually, 'cause I like the English voices plenty. But there is a small issue with the lip movements, as Timey Boy mentioned. I was wondering what you thought of that.
Allamorph
Spiritus Memorae (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
@Kei:
Honey, you're afraid of everything, it's starting to seem like.
Allamorph
Spiritus Memorae (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
One of the main problems with some more "experimental" anime is that some creators tend to mistake being oblique with being intelligent.
That's also the trouble with experimental/progressive artists in any genre, and is I think a lesson everyone would do well to learn: just because it sounds deep doesn't mean it is deep.
While I do enjoy the mystery behind Lil Slugger (or Shounen Bat if you're a stickler for that sort of thing :p)....
Here I find I favor the idiomatic translation. Shounen Bat makes no logical sense in English, and even though it's technically a name, calling him Shounen Bat would be tantamount to calling one of our popular antiheroes Deru Deviru.
The series is not all about social change brought about by technology, of course, but I think the very first scene of the series -- the swaths of people talking on their cell phones, alienating themselves from each other -- shows that the specter of technology and the social advancement and change brought about hangs over Paranoia Agent.
You know, that's a good point. The more we as humans engineer the ability to connect with anyone anywhere, the more we start to disconnect from anyone and everyone. Which I will admit I'm slightly guilty of, but then again I was like that before, so.
I don't want people to feel like they can only read these posts if they have actually seen whatever the hell I'm talking about, because that would defeat the purpose of writing about, like, 3/4 of the series I watch lol.
yesplz =P
TimeChaser
Madman With a Box (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
A summary would help, especially if it's something new being subbed. Actually, I might try this sort of post as well, cuz I'd still like to tell people about things I'm watching. Although, we still have the Anime and Manga Review World, which is sitting there pretty much neglected...
I remember I tried watching Paranoia Agent, but there were too many little things about it that got under my skin. One thing I couldn't get over was the dubbing vs. the lip movements. The lips were so detailed that you could just notice the disconnect between the audio and the visual.
Bazinga!
Kei
Hell-bound Heroine (Ceiling Cat) | Posted 04/09/10 | Reply
I think it might be beneficial to give a one-paragraph summary (if that can cover it) to help people out a little bit. Just as a courtesy.
But I really did love Paranoia Agent when it was on television. That was during the time when I was really getting into psychological anime, and for me, that was one of the few that really hit the mark. When you compare it to something like Serial Experiments Lain (though that was an okay series on its own), it kind of stands out, since it provided a fairly accurate view without feeling accurate and thus made you consider the subject matter. It gives you plenty of "Hunh." moments.
It also gave me a fear of little boys on in-line blades, but that's a different matter. =p
"I adore children. A little salt, a squeeze of lemon--perfect." -Harry Dresden