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Hey, I did a video essay a few months: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPDR8gZ-Mok Combattler V was the second super robot cartoon produced by Sunrise, and codified several of the genre cliches. It's something of a transitional show, sitting almost precisely between the established conventions of the 80s kids cartoons and the more... narratively idiosyncratic anime of the late 60s (think Speed Racer). It is a wildly melodramatic show, with comic drunkards, violent child death, a villainous bisexual robot, lighthearted gags, and explicit depictions of slavery all competing for the stage. The show is also Christian. God shows up to save the day at one point. Thanks, God! My intent with the essay was both to contextualize it as a product of the marketing and production constraints of mid 70s Japan and also to shine a spotlight on the frequently weird and sometimes entertaining particularities of a very influential show in a genre that's often (correctly) derided for being derivative. I'd also like to give a shout out to my bud Kaz's video essay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6h66VXVhOo Bravely Default was an unexpectedly highly acclaimed JRPG title for the 3DS. It's sequel, Bravely Second, was not. While likely the better game mechanically, the second title lacks a distinct narrative throughline, instead having a multitude of competing plots that never coherently fold into a greater narrative. This has left it as the forgotten sequel to a much better remembered game, all the more so since the completely distinct Bravely Default 2 was released. Kaz's
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Jul 3, 2022 18:01
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| # ¿ May 16, 2024 20:39 |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0UAEjsKy4I A rare movie analysis video from Shaun. I'm more than a little amused by this because I vaguely recall the CD thread on Ex Machina covering many of his points.
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Jul 15, 2022 02:10
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I Before E posted:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aHbrdrvT7M This is a fascinating look at a music scene I knew nothing about, but I got to laugh at how the visuals for many of these tracks are just AMVs.
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Jul 18, 2022 20:14
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa3pAcaIgFk This video does two things: it provides a brief and entertaining overview of an extremely obscure anime from the 60s that largely vanished after the animation company that produced it dissolved, and then takes a sober look at the state of animation and film preservation as well as the laudable efforts of amateur archivists. Even if you could give a take the look at the weird anime you haven't heard of, the film preservation stuff is quite informative.
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Jul 25, 2022 18:29
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSuoemFJGe0 I stumbled across this video today, and while it's perhaps a little outside of this thread's wheelhouse I thought some folks here would get a kick out of it. Toshio Okada (of Gainax fame) hosts a short video discussing the reception of Joker (2019) in Japan. Many of his points will be familiar, but his perspective as a former anime producer who is most familiar with that subculture has him approach things from an interesting direction. (Eg: that Nolan's version of the Joker is unrealistic because a character that indiscriminate couldn't have maintained a villainous organization.) A fascinating watch if only to hear someone compare the various Batmen films with each other and also Madoka Magica in the same breath.   
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Sep 11, 2022 18:39
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YzeWMhS5CE Forum alumni K. Waste just released a video essay primarily on a 1996 documentary by Hirokazu Kore-eda, but also on "the various persuasive and inherently manipulative techniques" that go into producing documentaries. It presents some good thoughts to keep in mind for some other youtube essays, as well. 
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Feb 4, 2023 23:37
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I did another video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6MOz2M_Gvs What starts as an iteration on the cartoon giant robot formula takes a hard left turn midway through when the show reveals a complex system of feudalism and racial slavery which underpins the alien invader's society. Deciding that its not enough to only protect the Earth, the protagonists join the revolution of laborers and plot to overthrow the monarchy. It's a show that's a clear influence on the later Gundam, and through a weird confluence of events would become wildly popular in the Philippians. I honestly don't know if or how much any of this appeals to the folks here. I know CD has a handful of old Ultraman and Kamen Rider fans from talk in the Godzilla thread, but even if there are similarities, kid's robot cartoons aren't quite the same thing. However, Toei had the video delisted for copyright infringement and I went through enough trouble getting it back up that I'm absolutely telling loving everyone about it.
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Apr 20, 2023 00:21
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Calico Heart posted:Hey all. I made a quick little video discussing what I think the big, girthy themes in Beau is Afraid are. Please lemme know what you think, and any comments/subs appreciated!  This sucks but if you appeal the take down claiming fair use youtube is likely to reinstate it (after two weeks).
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Jul 8, 2023 00:20
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| # ¿ May 16, 2024 20:39 |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjPyD-juD38 I'm plugging my own poo poo again. A pre-Gundam Tomino series, Zambot 3 was a tightly paced, heartfelt and affecting cartoon. It's also deservedly infamous. Friendships fail. Dogs die. Certain loved ones explode.
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Dec 1, 2023 23:50
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