Madlax eps 21-26
Jul. 18th, 2008 02:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meganbmoore No spoilers except: MUWAHAHAHA! I was right!
ANYWAY!
All in all, I give this series a pretty solid thumbs up. As much as I like it as an idea, I tend to give a lot of the "girls with guns" anime a pass, as they tend to be an excuse for rabidness and extreme fanservice. There are a few fanservice moments here, but not too many, and the character designs are pretty understated and respectful, even when they do show some skin. In addition, Madlax herself seems designed to be a little more muscular than the other chacters. It also has a wide variety of female characters, both fighters and otherwise, all of whom are pretty well developed and easily identifiable.
I can't really think of much to say that isn't purely spoilery that I didn't say in my first post, so I'll just skip talking about things like plot. While my capslock squee is probably noted for being set off by every little thing (it really isn't, I just try to only read/watch things that will set it off!) I should note that it was out in full force through most of the series, as most of what could set it off was present. Take that as you will. It can be slow in parts, and you have to pay attention, but it's worth it. In a lot of ways, you're better off not really thinking about it and not trying to figure out what's going on, as you'll just give yourself a headache and start missing things. It comes together on its own as long as you pay attention.
It does tend to randomly introduce interesting little quirky things that are never explained, such as why Madlax will randomly change into an evening gown for battle, but those somehow only cause mild amusement, not irritation. Also, the soundtrack is amazing and at least part of the plot revolves around Sooper Speshul Books. See the "capslock squee" part above.
And now I must hunt down the other parts in the studio's "girls with guns" series.
ANYWAY!
All in all, I give this series a pretty solid thumbs up. As much as I like it as an idea, I tend to give a lot of the "girls with guns" anime a pass, as they tend to be an excuse for rabidness and extreme fanservice. There are a few fanservice moments here, but not too many, and the character designs are pretty understated and respectful, even when they do show some skin. In addition, Madlax herself seems designed to be a little more muscular than the other chacters. It also has a wide variety of female characters, both fighters and otherwise, all of whom are pretty well developed and easily identifiable.
I can't really think of much to say that isn't purely spoilery that I didn't say in my first post, so I'll just skip talking about things like plot. While my capslock squee is probably noted for being set off by every little thing (it really isn't, I just try to only read/watch things that will set it off!) I should note that it was out in full force through most of the series, as most of what could set it off was present. Take that as you will. It can be slow in parts, and you have to pay attention, but it's worth it. In a lot of ways, you're better off not really thinking about it and not trying to figure out what's going on, as you'll just give yourself a headache and start missing things. It comes together on its own as long as you pay attention.
That said, if you are like me and tend to overanalyze almost everything and examine teeny plot points and lines and characterizations when you shouldn't, and you latch onto the most absurd, implausible theory ever early on...uhm...stick with it.
It does tend to randomly introduce interesting little quirky things that are never explained, such as why Madlax will randomly change into an evening gown for battle, but those somehow only cause mild amusement, not irritation. Also, the soundtrack is amazing and at least part of the plot revolves around Sooper Speshul Books. See the "capslock squee" part above.
And now I must hunt down the other parts in the studio's "girls with guns" series.
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no subject
Date: 2008-07-18 07:55 pm (UTC)I was a bit wary of it at first because it was another Bee Train Girls with Guns series... even with similar character designs, and, in some ways, personalities.
But they really impressed me, and it hit on some of MY kinks that I don't see as much... which I probably wouldn't say because of spoilers.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-18 08:52 pm (UTC)as my orders to not automformat are being ignored, spoiler code here: http://rilina.livejournal.com/445834.html
no subject
Date: 2008-07-18 08:20 pm (UTC)Re: absurd, implausible theory--or, you could have just watched the OP. Granted, I didn't really try to figure it out way back when I was watched it for the first time, but I was watching the Spanish subs on Youtube last night and I realized, "Waaaait a minute. That's symbolic. Oh, okay, got it."
NOIRNOIRNOIR. There are no men, unless they're getting killed. There are plot-twists of doom. There are psycho lesbians. There are nuns with guns. The soundtrack is one of Kajiura's masterpieces. I should probably stop harping on about it, I'll put you off it.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-18 08:45 pm (UTC)With the caveat that the first episode is just something that must be endured.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-18 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-18 08:56 pm (UTC)