Destiny_Gundam wrote:Raikoh wrote:The thing is that using terms like "very bad" are strong opinions, probably doubly so in Japan where there's a deeper investment into the concept of Wa and whatnot. He knows that saying something like, "It hasn't really caught my interest so far," or something to that extent wouldn't get nearly as much press as saying, "It sucks!"
Question: did you watch the video or just read the transcript? Because in the video he's pretty jovial about it. I don't get the impression he's just being vindictive, or being all Nostalgia Ciritc-mad about it. He's just being frank about what he thinks.
A man is entitled to his opinion, even if we think his opinion makes him a shithead. At least he is being honest, unlike all the fake PR lovefests in Hollywood. As to criticisms of Tomino being "out of touch" with the younger fans, well only the younger fans can answer that.
This I'm not so sure. Let's look at Bellri. He's our main character, the guy we're supposed to identify with and latch onto, the character who is supposed to have the most put into him. What are his motivations, exactly? Does he want to stop a war? Does he want to protect his friends? Has he been put into a situation where he has no choice? Does he want to convert all the pirates to his religion? I don't really see signs of anything like that. All I know for sure is that he wants to get into Aida's pants. That's a pretty flimsy motive with all this other stuff going on around him, especially when I don't really see anything about Aida worth fighting for.
I can understand your reservations, since two other anime loving friends of mine are likewise confused by Bellri's motive for hokey-dokey joining the Amerians against the Capital Army, other than a half-hearted threat against two girls and a desire to...impress Aida. I rather suspect Bellri isn't entirely sure himself yet, as he is intuitively following his heart and not his head. I would hazard a guess or three at this point.
1. The Capital Army is not the same as the Capital Guard in Bellri's mind. As far as he knows they are wanna-bes with no legit agenda, so if they get some of their pretty MS shot up it's nothing for him to care about.
2. Remembering some of my misspent youth, I must say that impressing a pretty girl, especially a pretty, capable girl who likes the same things, is a valid motive for a young man.
3. The G-Self is a big key, and one that hasn't been fully explored yet. Aida can activate G-Self; Bellri can activate G-Self. Bellri is an excellent MS pilot for his age; G-Self makes the Capital Guard's MS look slow and old. Plus I think G-Self is drawing Bellri towards Aida and the Amerians in ways he may not be aware of yet.
"I am fire. I am death. I am Hashmal."
"Discontent is the first step in the progress for a man or a nation." - Oscar Wilde