Zalor

However, Rider as an independent character was alright. Honestly, the show would have been a bit better imo if they didn't use actual ancient heroes and epic heroes. If they created their own characters with different names the series would have been a bit better, (and more tolerable for me) imo. However, they insisted on using these mythological heroes, yet it's as if they did no research about these figures at all. The least they could have done was remain faithful to the descriptions and characterizations of these heroes from the cultural mythologies they came from, yet evidently they didn't put the least bit effort to do that.

I was recommended Fate/Zero multiple times, and praise surrounds this anime from lots of reviewers. After a year of procrastinating it, a friend of mine whose anime tastes I respect recommended it to me. At which point I decided to download the first season and watch it. I wasn't just disappointed, I was thoroughly disappointed with it. I expected a series impeccably well written, philosophical, and an analysis of humanity. Instead, in my opinion I was given pseudo intellectual bullshit. As custom I've noticed with Urobuchi, his writing tries to be philosophical, (and in his defense it is a bit), but it never feels appropriate and often pretentious. It's the pretentiousness of it that had me label it as pseudo intellectual. I would go on, but I'm not reviewing the series so I'll abstain from ranting. P.S. I'm sorry to fans of Fate/Zero for my admittedly rude comments of the series. But I really expected great things from it, and the disappointment upset me a lot.

My dad loves all Rock, but particularly Punk, and has a huge collection of classic 70's Punk records. He's a real connoisseur of music, (loves classical, Baroque, Renaissance), and he still really respects classic Punk. Anyway If he knew you compared Punk to hip-hop and rap he would have a heart attack.

Thanks man, It's a real shame Littlewitch went out of business, (It's also a shame I'm not wealthy enough to afford spending $174 on a single game). I may settle for a fan book, as it's the art that really interests me in Quartett.

Classical is probably my favorite. I love most instrumental stuff and listen to a variety of things, but classical always makes me feel spiritually enriched. I also love how effective classical music can be used in dramatic scenes, whether it be anime, or film. I've been listening to this collection of songs a lot recently: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duu1ZKtJDsw 2:24 is when my favorite song of the collection starts, which is the 3rd movements of Mozart's 40th symphony.

I really like your post and agree with a lot of it. As for your last part where you said, "The worst part of all this is that I want to be able to buy affection and that's depressing.". That is because of our capitalist society, and consumer driven economy where we can pretty much buy anything we want, except love. Real love is really the only thing you can't buy in a consumer economy, which is weird for some people, as they can buy anything else they want with money.

I want to buy the PC version of Quartett, but all I can find is the ps2 version, and I don't feel like buying a Japanese ps2 as well...

I've actually heard of it, saw an interesting review of it on YouTube a while back. But you are right, I've yet to see it.

Someone who understands what I am trying to get at, thank you. Anyway, that is exactly what I was trying to say. One of the biggest problems VNs in the west have are that they are marketed as games, when some VNs would probably sell better if marketed as an alternative to books. I almost feel confident enough to guarantee that Visual Novels will never have a market in the west if no company takes a risk with them. For small and developing markets risks are necessary in order to expand, and if no one takes any risks, then the western VN market will continue to stagnate. Sure, I understand why JAST or MG don't take risks, but they will never get anywhere if they don't.

HackaFreak, great avatar you have there. I can't really explain why but I just really like it. Anyway, if you enjoy lighthearted VNs then I recommend you checkout Da Capo 2. I found it to be really relaxing and funny when it wanted to be.

Obviously there are bad works in any art form, just like how there are bad paintings and bad poetry. But I think anime as a medium of story telling, using drawn images, incorporation of music and movement, has lots of potential and some anime have reached that potential. Monster comes to mind when I think of an anime that is very deep and thought proving. Monster is on par with great litereature. I would also argue the same of Berserk, Kaji, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and a few others. Great animes do exist, just like how great literature exists. However, most books, films, and anime are bad,but there are a minority that achieve something absolutely genius and deserve to be analyzed and revered. I never watch currently airing anime. If I were going to recommend an anime to an academic, I would pick something like Monster, Berserk, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, etc. Anime deserves to be respected on the academic level because there are anime out there that are brilliant and that have proven that anime is capable of deep and sophisticated story telling.

Another problem with KEY is that most KEY games receive fan translations. There isn't much of a point in officially translating a game that was already translated for free. However, if Mangagamer and Jast translated games with at least a decent story and removed H scenes then the games would be more marketable in the west, which would increase sales and improve the industry. Also, even if prices can be expensive for titles of quality, risks are necessary for young businesses to grow. Playing it safe is a bad long term decision particularity for a market that is in its infancy. One pro about translating KEY games though, is that if translated and then released on game consoles like Xbox, then VNs would reach a new audience. Also, if well advertised I think KEY games could sell well since I don't think most new comers will know about the free translations. Basically the problem with western VN distributors is that they are catering to a very small niche, when they should be focusing on expanding the market and using innovative and possibly risky strategies to do so.

Just my opinion here, but I think that in any well written plot twist the resources and information to guess it should all be available. What makes them great is that the story presents them in a way that you most likely wouldn't have thought of. If all the clues are given to you, but then the story does something really unique with those clues, then it really feels like I was out smarted, (like plot twists should make you feel). Plot twists where the full resources aren't available are a bit cheap in my opinion because then I wasn't properly tricked and outsmarted. And I don't feel G-senjou gave enough sufficient information to properly trick.

I agree. The only way visual novels will ever have an English speaking market is if western VN distributors adapt to the market. The nukige and hentai games that usually get translated won't expand the market and they minimize profits. The biggest problem with English VN distributing companies is that they are incompetent as companies. The very nature of capitalism if for businesses to adapt to the market and try to expand it, they aren't doing that. If they were doing that, then they would be translating well received and well written VNs that haven't gotten a fan translation, (of which there are probably plenty to choose from). They also don't advertise which is a huge problem, or if they do advertise it's at a minimum.

Yes, but it was poorly executed on multiple levels. If they had thought it out more and planned ahead while writing than the plot twist could have been a lot smoother. In fact, a lot of things could have been smoother if they polished up the writing... (Not a huge fan of G-Senjou if you can't tell).

I always blamed this on poorly constructed writing and dismissed it as a plot hole.

Will I still be able to download the game from Fuwanovel if it gets green lit. I'm probably in a minority of people who think this, but I don't really like Steam. Downloading from Fuwa is so much easier for me.

Alright, I think I kind of get it. It's a pretty interesting distinction to draw. However, I would argue that everything is adaptive behavior. If as a child I was raised in a culture that believed killing other people was acceptable, then that would contribute into what I am. However, If I was raised in say a more civilized culture, than what I am would be fundamentally different. Sorry, I take a very anthropological view of people; I am pretty convinced that culture plays a more important role in development than anything else. Individual experience is second to culture in the development of people, or at least that's what I think.

While admittedly I do disagree with a lot of what you said, I really liked this one line. Could you please elaborate a bit on it. I don't really understand the difference between, "what you are", and "who you are". I always thought they were kind of synonymous so could you explain the difference.

I usually only play visual novels on breaks, (like winter or spring break) in order to get completely absorbed without having to worry about real life. I tend to use meals as a kind of rest from obsessive reading. Thus I still eat healthy, and us the time while eating to contemplate what I read before going back to it. But while VN playing doesn't interfere with my meal schedule too much, I do tend to snack on chips and cookies while playing.

Sorry man. It's just not a very common thing to run into someone who supports something so taboo, so I had to kind of confirm it. Also, most people I run into online who like sibling routes tend to be only children, so I mistakenly assumed the same of you. Anyway, I didn't mean to offend you and again, I'm sorry about my rudeness.

When you say that you, "don't see siblings being in a relationship as something wrong", are really referring to a sexual relationship? Are you honestly in support of actual incest? If you had a sister, than you would realize just how nasty the mere thought of that is.

^ This. If the violence is used well than great. If it's just there to be there, then no. It's a lot like H-scenes in that regard. Some H-scenes are actually good and add to character development, but a lot of them don't, and feel unnecessary to me.

The anime you listed was filled with great stuff. The only one I might disagree with you on is Fate/Zero, but hey, life would be boring if everyone had the same opinions. Anyway, I know what your saying. While an impressive list for a self proclaimed newbie, I know there are plenty of anime that could conceivably get you to challenge your list when you finally watch them.