A Speakerphone glued onto the ground?
'Cept I can take a metal bat and smash that.
BUT THE BRICK WALL JUST STAYS THERE.
(And yes, I know I can follow up on that with a Pink Floyd joke, but I choose not to.)
And I'm going to put most of this post in spoilers, because I want you to see the bottom and potentially skip all of this because you're just too darn stubborn to see it any other way.
[spoil]
Yes, it had all the eccentricities. But did it really balance it successfully?
I and thousands upon thousands of others think so.
But that's room for subjectivity, so if you don't like the balance, whatever. I can't recall any other story in recent times that attempts to tackle so many genres and tropes, never mind actually blends them all in a convincing manner.
Actually, FLCL is the first anime that I've seen stayed dedicated to its unique style. Maybe it is just the fact that I haven't seen enough anime, but to me, it is really was one of a kind.
Methinks you do need to see more anime.
But it still remains one of your favorites. It is VERY, very hard for a comedy anime to have rewatch values. FLCL did that, but where can you find that in Haruhi?
I've already seen
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya a few times. I plan on eventually selling the LE volumes (I realized that broadcast order is basically irrelevant after the first viewing and prefer the chronological order). Then I'll replace them with the RE volumes. Then watch the series some more, then the next upcoming series.
FLCL,
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and
Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu have a lot of re-watch value for me. They're all excellent directed. All very well-timed. The writing oozes confidence and control that so many anime in general lack. The characters are entertaining yet fleshed out enough to go beyond their archetypes. They don't rely on annoying plot. They're fun.
I think that's enough re-watch value for me.
I see FLCL to be much more mainstream than you find in the series.
No,
FLCL is pretty mainstream and accessible as far as anime goes.
But it's also very, very, very otaku-friendly, with the style ("RANDOM AND MECHA **** HAPPENING AT 532,747,921 MILES PER HOUR!!!!") and content (young, bored guy surrounded by girls that have some interest in him, experiencing a coming-of-age tale).
But using predictable comedic devices, on the other hand, are really unfunny and lazy in terms of production. Who would want to watch a comedian shouting out "your mama is so fat, when she jump for joy, she got stuck!".
Really random humor isn't good, as well.
And I would hope that you're not trying to compare the humor of TMoHS to that example. There is actual wit (beyond the dull Mikuru gags) to the humor, with a lot of dry observations about human behavior, as well as a good deal of sarcasm.
I'd actually like to compare it to Monty Python's
Life of Brian, which also has a lot of biting and ironic humor that makes TMoHS (though LoB has social commentary).
Now, this was all under the assumption that Haruhi is a "normal" egocentric-person. No, she was an extremely egocentric person. And I stay with the fact that she cannot really care for others if her personality was that extreme.
And I think you seem to either underestimate and/or misunderstand a lot of basic truths about humans.
With an exception to the truly uncaring people that have no regard for life and despise humanity as a whole, acts of kindness can be found in any type of person. Whether it be small gestures of help or actual sacrifices made purely on a whim, the possibility for human kindness -- just as much as cruelty -- is infinite.
Haruhi's development makes sense. Up until growing tired of "boring, normal life" she was likely no different than most other school girls. Then we're introduced to the eccentric that she is at the beginning, and this frustration of her not managing to get anything her way continues to build until episode seven (the final episode in the broadcast episode). Haruhi's wish essentially comes true, except a truth is relayed upon her through that experience and also by way of Kyon's words: The real world isn't so bad. There can be excitement there. Interesting things can and will happen. From then on, Haruhi remains the same, but also undergoes subtle development because her whims aren't as demanding. The second half of the series from that point on indicates those subtle changes, the ability to compromise with others, etc.
And really, man, you seem to be the only one who has taken up with this issue, both for the series' detractors and supporters. I suspect that it's not a case of hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of viewers being tricked and ignorant to this, but rather that it's something indicative about you.
Before FLCL? Or using it to the extend of FLCL?
Before and after.
Bad grammar or the fact that I've never seen it? Or both?
Both; but watching
Dr. Strangelove is first and foremost.
It is the most intelligent comedy ever.
Start as indifferent, after inspirations changes for the better, goes through harsh times and beliefs are shaken, then continues with the "right way". I have never seen this repeating in any form of Fiction...
Wait...
Dude, I said that his development is an exception, not completely unseen.
Oh, and you also managed to screw up the analogy and development.
Shinji is alone. After his mother's death and father's abandonment at such a young age (three, for Christ sake), he lived with others but never connected. He's remained at remote contact with people.
But when he actually has people who start to appreciate and care for him as a friend, this changes. He starts to gain a bit of confidence.
Yet, in the end, those around him are just as fragile and troubled as Shinji, and cannot provide the comfort that he seeks. And as things descend into even worse situations beyond his control, Shinji struggles but tries to hold on and hold on until he breaks (see episode 24).
Shinji does come to accept reality, but it's not an easy road; he's not instantly rewarded and changes for the better. He has taken the first step -- to face reality -- but that's all. It's not a crowd-pleaser, but it's an optimistic ending.
Rei lost, Asuka lost. If Shinji was a normal person, wouldn't he notice this?
No, because Shinji wants to survive. He isn't a coward (he whines, yes, but he is one of the most genuinely brave characters in recent fiction). If he doesn't fight, then he and everyone else dies. If he does fight, then there is a chance that they will live.
Unless you're some idiotic fatalist (and I really hope you aren't), then there is no way you can argue against that.
Yes, when all these factors SHOULD act oppositely to SCARE Shinji, not to motivate him. Put me, or you, or anyone in that situation. I am willing to say that there is a greater chance of that person running away.
Unless they want to, y'know, actually live. That's just common sense that you seem to be forgetting about.
And are they suppose to be doing that? They are really pretty much the same as most Haruhi fans.
Naw, TMoHS actually offer justification to why they like the series. CG generally rave like standard otaku-sheep.[/spoil]
... Y'know, check out
ANN's forum, as well as
EvaGeeks. Bring up your complaints there. Start some threads. You'll get more reactions; not only that, but also at your target audience that you want to convince.
Seriously, you'll disappoint me if you don't.
Seriously man, you're comedy gold.
