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GeekNights 20110831 - Puella Magi Madoka Magica

MrPeriodMrPeriod
edited August 2011 in GeekNights

Tonight on GeekNights, we review the wonderful and recent anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica. In the news, we are back from PAX, the Blob ate the Wasp, and you should all read the Feynman comic. It also turns out we already did a show on Horatio Hornblower, and we're going to do a show on Gasaraki.

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Comments

  • chaosof99chaosof99
    And now you know why Shaft is my favorite studio.
  • Gold ExperienceGold Experience
    What is Scott's deal with Vocaloid? I find the fandom for those things vaguely creepy because of how much Vocaloid porn there is.
  • AriaAria
    What is Scott's deal with Vocaloid? I find the fandom for those things vaguely creepy because of how much Vocaloid porn there is.
    As far as Japanese cartoon-y things go, the ratio of good non-porn art and porn of Vocaloid is way above average.
  • NeitoNeito
    What is Scott's deal with Vocaloid? I find the fandom for those things vaguely creepy because of how much Vocaloid porn there is.
    If that were your standard, then Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and Windows XP would all be creepy.
  • AprecheApreche
    What is Scott's deal with Vocaloid? I find the fandom for those things vaguely creepy because of how much Vocaloid porn there is.
    After Photoshop and your video editor of choice, Vocaloid is the ultimate tool of amateur digital expression. Everything from Creative Commons to a Dystopian future a-la Macross Plus is embodied in the spirit of Vocaloid. If all you know about Vocaloid is porn, I suggest you do some research and learn about it. I've actually never even seen any porn of a Vocaloid character, and I've searched for vocaloid on wallbase.


  • Conan-SanConan-San
    edited September 2011
    Again with the pro Gasaraki / anti fumoffu propaganda?

    Seriously, do you guys like having blueballs or sumsuch?
    Post edited by Conan-San on
  • TheWhaleSharkTheWhaleShark
    pro Gasaraki
    It's an awesome show and if you don't like it, you're wrong.
  • a1sa1s
    What is Scott's deal with Vocaloid? I find the fandom for those things vaguely creepy because of how much Vocaloid porn there is.
    If that were your standard, then Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and Windows XP would all be creepy.
    ... Wait. There's WinXP porn? My view of humanity is shattered once again.
  • RuffasRuffas
    There's porn of most operating systems.
  • a1sa1s
    There's porn of most operating systems.
    Now I have to see that. For research purposes, you understand.
  • KapitänTimKapitänTim
    What episode did they mention off hand? June something 2007 maybe?
  • Li_AkahiLi_Akahi
    edited September 2011
    A good litmus test as to whether or not you will like Madoka is whether or not you like Evangelion. They are very similar in content and if you didn't like one of them, chances are you won't like the other.

    Just as a note: I was satisfied with the ending of Madoka, I just wasn't satisfied with the rest of the show.
    Post edited by Li_Akahi on
  • RymRym
    Just as a note: I was satisfied with the ending of Madoka, I just wasn't satisfied with the rest of the show.
    I consider it one of the better anime of the last several years.
  • Li_AkahiLi_Akahi
    edited September 2011
    Just as a note: I was satisfied with the ending of Madoka, I just wasn't satisfied with the rest of the show.
    I consider it one of the better anime of the last several years.
    I thought it dragged (mostly because I really didn't like any of the characters for most of the show) and that Kyubey's intentions were hilarious rather than sinister.

    I can see why people like the show (like how I can see why people like Evangelion), but it really just wasn't for me.
    Post edited by Li_Akahi on
  • Conan-SanConan-San
    edited September 2011
    pro Gasaraki
    It's an awesome show and if you don't like it, you're wrong.
    If that's being right, then I shall shoulder being wrong in a world of crazies that somehow is able to be boring as fuck.

    As for Madoka, I understand why it's a good show but I'm not fanatical for it.

    Also, fuck Kyubey, he's a lying sod of the worst kind, a white liar.
    Post edited by Conan-San on
  • ApsupApsup
    It has been mentioned multiple times in the show including this episode so I'll ask about it. Rym mentioned "that one episode in Utena" with the car and the candles and I know what episode he is talking about, but what is that mindblowing thing "someone on the background". What exactly is this thing? I'm asking because after seeing the series (and that particular episode) twice I still don't know.
  • NeitoNeito
    What is Scott's deal with Vocaloid? I find the fandom for those things vaguely creepy because of how much Vocaloid porn there is.
    If that were your standard, then Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and Windows XP would all be creepy.
    ... Wait. There's WinXP porn? My view of humanity is shattered once again.
    OS-tans.
  • chaosof99chaosof99
    Before I forget again: Rym said in the show that he feared that the character design would, in another context, easily be abused for a moe show. Actually, there kind of is that, because the character designer is the person who made Hidamari Sketch. It's a somewhat moe-ish slice-of-life comedy. I liken it to Lucky Star as an enjoyable little thing you can toss between anime you watch to get a breather, but definitely not something you have to go out and watch immediately. However, the art direction definitely elevates the show a couple of notches and it's one of the few properties where the anime is much better than the manga, despite the manga being the original. I guess that's Studio Shaft for you.
  • Gold ExperienceGold Experience
    What is Scott's deal with Vocaloid? I find the fandom for those things vaguely creepy because of how much Vocaloid porn there is.
    If that were your standard, then Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and Windows XP would all be creepy.
    Grown men who like Pokemon and Sailor Moon are definitely creepy.
  • Li_AkahiLi_Akahi
    Grown men who like Pokemon and Sailor Moon are definitely creepy.
    =_____=

    I don't like you.

    image
  • Gold ExperienceGold Experience
    I'm okay with that, you can't please everyone and maintain your principles.
  • CodgerCodger
    edited September 2011
    Man this show was so FREAKING boring and the protagonist a whining wuss. I couldn't stand her, spending the entire show being indecisive and a burden to her friends, who had the balls to step up.
    A good litmus test as to whether or not you will like Madoka is whether or not you like Evangelion. They are very similar in content and if you didn't like one of them, chances are you won't like the other.
    No way man, I loved Neon Genesis and hate this show... I so got trolled into watching it!

    At least Shinji steps into the cockpit and kills some angels. This girl spends the entire time procrastinating on the decision and not helping on multiply occasions.

    AAAAAAAaaarghhhhh...
    Post edited by Codger on
  • Li_AkahiLi_Akahi
    Man this show was so FREAKING boring and the protagonist a whining wuss. I couldn't stand her, spending the entire show being indecisive and a burden to her friends, who had the balls to step up.
    You are now my best friend.
  • ClockianClockian
    Man this show was so FREAKING boring and the protagonist a whining wuss. I couldn't stand her, spending the entire show being indecisive and a burden to her friends, who had the balls to step up.
    Uh, Codger, would you sentence yourself to death if your friends did so?
  • GregGreg
    edited September 2011
    At least Shinji steps into the cockpit and kills some angels. This girl spends the entire time procrastinating on the decision and not helping on multiply occasions.
    The Evas were just giant mechs. Well, yeah, they were a tad more than that, but in terms of affect on the pilots, they were just mechs. Becoming a Puella Magi is 20 times more fucked up than becoming a pilot. Mix that with how Akemi and Kyoko were constantly telling her that any healthy -- physically, mentally, and emotionally -- human being should never become a Puella Magi are perfectly good reasons to not sign on to Kyoko's satanic deal.
    Post edited by Greg on
  • CodgerCodger
    You are now my best friend.
    Sup! :)
    The Evas were just giant mechs. Well, yeah, they were a tad more than that, but in terms of affect on the pilots, they were just mechs. Becoming a Puella Magi is 20 times more fucked up than becoming a pilot. Mix that with how Akemi and Kyoko were constantly telling her that any healthy -- physically, mentally, and emotionally -- human being should never become a Puella Magi are perfectly good reasons to not sign on to Kyoko's satanic deal.
    Did you forget when Shinji was absorbed into the S2 engine in Unit 01? Or when Misato sacrificed herself to get him into the Unit 01 (in the movies)? Or when Rei offered the world to Shinji and he refused, leaving only himself and Asuka alive?

    The point is it took Madoka (in that timeline) 12 episodes to make a decision, mulling it over and offering useless advice while people around her where dying. It took Shinji the first 10 minutes of the first episode for him to realise the dire situation and see people (mainly Rei) suffering to man up and get in the Eva.

    The best part of the series is when Sayaka told Madoka "You can do anything, but refuse to do anything". She GOT TOLD!!! Man up or PISS OFF!!! (That part was extremely satisfying for me).

    Same thing happened to Shinji, at least he had the decency to leave when he felt he wasn't up to the task. Instead of hanging around and say shit like "I know I can't help, but at least let me follow you..."

    AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHH... This show makes me RAGE so much!
  • lackofcheeselackofcheese
    Are you kidding? Madoka did it right. Acting sooner would've been catastrophic by comparison.
  • GregGreg
    Are you kidding? Madoka did it right. Acting sooner would've been catastrophic by comparison.
    QFT

    The situation in the grand scheme of the world wasn't as dire in Madoka. In Eva, if Shinji didn't get in Unit 01 and fight the Angel, the world was going to end. In Madoka, if she doesn't become a Puella Magi, the world will continue to exist in the way it has for thousands of years (see Kyube's time warp.) During the 12 episodes, Madoka wasn't asking herself "should I become a Puella Magi" she was asking "what can I wish for to take away the pain from Akemi, Kyoko, Sayaka and Mami".
  • AprecheApreche
    Shinji's choice was to man up and save the world, or to be a coward and let the chips fall as they may. Madoka really wanted to become a magical girl, the problem was she had to make a wish. She wasn't cowardly or wishy-washy. She was smart enough to realize if you only get one wish, it better be a fucking good one. So she took her sweet ass time until she knew she had the right wish.
  • chaosof99chaosof99
    edited September 2011
    I think the comparison between Eva and Madoka are really just completely dumb to make in the first place. Both are very good series that I enjoyed.

    But anyway, the choices that Shinji and Madoka face are very different ones, at least from a surface perspective. Shinji is more or less forced into piloting Unit 01. He has infinite utility to gain (as in survival) and infinite utility to lose (as in death, to him and the entire human race) with relatively low risk in case he succeeds. It seems like a mech he is piloting at first, and he could stop at any time. In fact, he does stop multiple times.

    Madoka faces very minor benefits as it seems on the surface. The first thought when hearing "I grant you any wish you want" is something personal, and in fact this is the trap that Sayaka steps into. The positive utility of the decision for seems rather small at first. The negative utility of deciding against taking up the offer is also relatively small when the proposition is made. At worst Madoka would remain a regular high school girl living a regular high school life, blissfully ignorant of the existence of Magical Girls. The risk however appears to be enormous. Becoming a Magical Girl is irreversible, and she is being warned every step of the way of the severe detrimental effects that becoming a magical girl brings with it.

    It is therefore highly understandable for Madoka to take her sweet time to make her decision, and the situation is not really comparable to Shinji who faces almost certain death if he decided against piloting Unit 01.
    Post edited by chaosof99 on
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