Manga/Anime You Read/Watch

[quote=YayaFTW][quote=lifebaka] [spoiler=On Mephistophelian contracts]One thing to keep in mind is that Kyubey isn't human, or even strictly sentient. It really doesn't have any real power except as a middleman. And those on the other side of the contract are, really, divergent enough from the mahou shojou that it doesn't even matter if one of the latter breaks the system. There are other universes for them to generate energy from. To make the parallel a little more clear, Madoka has very Faustian influences. This is very deliberate; in one of the middle episodes there are some quotes from Faust written on the walls of a building as graffiti. So Kyubey is the Mephistopheles-figure. Mephistopheles is traditionally viewed as a demon, which in the Japanese imagination would make Kyubey some kind of yokai. Yokai behavior is very frequently standardized, nearly the point of seeming kind of mechanical/robotic. Using the rules of a yokai's behavior against it is a fairly common theme in Japanese folklore, as far as I'm aware, which would make using Kyubey's rules against it fairly standard. The existence of the witches, from a different perspective, is necessary actually because Kyubey offers a Mephistophelian contract. Sure, you get exactly what you want, but it screws everything up [b]and[/b] condemns you to ultimate damnation. Without the existence of witches, there's no typical enemy for the mahou shojou to fight, and the mahou shojou turn into witches as the damnation part of the Melphistophelian contract, so it's necessary on both points. Looking at it from the perspective of the science-fictional overlay misses a lot of the literary elements, which are a major part of what's going on.[/spoiler] [/quote] I would have never noticed the references to the german folklore if I hadn't read your explanation. Now I feel like I've missed on a lot while watching Madoka :/ Thanks though! --------------------------------- Since college started for me, I don't feel like downloading new anime to watch, so I'm going to rewatch the whole monogatari series (my favourite anime, don't hate me) while I settle myself down. Then I'll get back to watching new anime.[/quote]

[quote=Satella]I think going into madoka blind makes it way more enjoyable. You really miss out on it when you have high expectations from the hype. (True for most series imo)[/quote]

[quote=IShouldGetALife]Not sure how I missed all that extra stuff in Madoka :/ damn unattentiveness[/quote]

[quote=MrCuddowls][quote=Searz] [quote=lifebaka] [quote=YayaFTW] [spoiler=I don't understand this particular point] The existence of Witches was in favor of Kyubey (Incubator), right? And the main reason behind the creation of magical girls was to create huge sources of energy without being hindered by the entropy, if I am correct. In other words, a gigantic source of energy is released when a magical girl becomes a witch, to satisfy the energy needs of the universe. The question is, why would Kyubey approve and grant Madoka's wish, knowing that it will drastically reduce the amount of energy created in the future, which goes against his ambitions? Is he forced to grant the wish? I mean it's a contract, and if Kyubey doesn't like the terms of the contract, I don't see why he is forced to complete it. [/spoiler][/quote] [spoiler=On Mephistophelian contracts]One thing to keep in mind is that Kyubey isn't human, or even strictly sentient. It really doesn't have any real power except as a middleman. And those on the other side of the contract are, really, divergent enough from the mahou shojou that it doesn't even matter if one of the latter breaks the system. There are other universes for them to generate energy from. To make the parallel a little more clear, Madoka has very Faustian influences. This is very deliberate; in one of the middle episodes there are some quotes from Faust written on the walls of a building as graffiti. So Kyubey is the Mephistopheles-figure. Mephistopheles is traditionally viewed as a demon, which in the Japanese imagination would make Kyubey some kind of yokai. Yokai behavior is very frequently standardized, nearly the point of seeming kind of mechanical/robotic. Using the rules of a yokai's behavior against it is a fairly common theme in Japanese folklore, as far as I'm aware, which would make using Kyubey's rules against it fairly standard. The existence of the witches, from a different perspective, is necessary actually because Kyubey offers a Mephistophelian contract. Sure, you get exactly what you want, but it screws everything up [b]and[b] condemns you to ultimate damnation. Without the existence of witches, there's no typical enemy for the mahou shojou to fight, and the mahou shojou turn into witches as the damnation part of the Melphistophelian contract, so it's necessary on both points. Looking at it from the perspective of the science-fictional overlay misses a lot of the literary elements, which are a major part of what's going on.[/spoiler][/quote] Wellp, Madoka just rose to the top of my list for the sole reason of curiosity. #spoilersOP #nerfplox [/quote] You never watched the show... Searz I'm starting to think that your another shameless and belligerent conman who sticks their undeserved elitism in people's faces. @baka [spoiler] Tell me, what did you think of Sayaka's transition to madness. Specifically when she stopped caring about her body since it looked to her like a hunk of meat now that her soul was in an egg. Her lack of care eventually led to her downfall as she refused to take any help that other provided.[/quote]

[quote=IShouldGetALife]What order should I watch the monogatari series and where does monogatari series season second fit in because no other list has said where it fits in.[/quote]

[quote=MrCuddowls][quote=IShouldGetALife] What order should I watch the monogatari series and where does monogatari series season second fit in because no other list has said where it fits in. [/quote] Watch in airing order. Bakemonogatari ---> Nisemonogatari ---> Nekomonogatari: Kuro ---> And then Nekomonogatari: Shiro Kabukimonogatari Hanamonogatari Otorimonogatari Onimonogatari Koimonogatari Or simply "Monogatari Second Season".[/quote]

[quote=IShouldGetALife]I thought I should watch it in chronological order, thanks, so anyway Monogatari second season is made up of Nekomonogatari: Shiro, kabukimono, hanamono, otorimono, onimono and koimono? this series confuses me. You get my +rep for helping[/quote]

[quote=NoobyPower]Just finished watching Steins;Gate. It's a really good anime :> Anyone else watched it/want to discuss it?[/quote]

[quote=Searz][quote=NoobyPower] Just finished watching Steins;Gate. It's a really good anime :> Anyone else watched it/want to discuss it?[/quote] There's a rather big plot hole at the end of it. The anime really had some great potential, but I was seriously disappointed by the ending. And of course: let me guess; you didn't notice anything? Good luck finding it/figuring it out. I'm gonna wait for Bioalchemist to finish Stein's;Gate before I reveal anything more about it. [quote=MrCuddowls] You never watched the show... Searz I'm starting to think that your another shameless and belligerent conman who sticks their undeserved elitism in people's faces.[/quote] Oh Cuddles <3 You're as hilarious as ever.[/quote]

[quote=Bioalchemist][quote=NoobyPower] Just finished watching Steins;Gate. It's a really good anime :> Anyone else watched it/want to discuss it? [/quote] just finished it...i thought it should have ended at episode 22. but all in all fantastic anime. not a lot of anime that i have seen elicit an emotional response from me. top 5 best i have ever seen probably give it between 9-9.5/10, will have to watch again. it does leave a big plot hole that i noticed. also one scene is left unexplained. but all in all when you consider how many plot holes/twists they had to cover it isn't surprising that they couldn't cover them all. curious if you see the same searz. MMMMMUUUUUAHAHAHAHAHA mad scientist for life. anime actually lit a little flame under my butt. going to have to start trying hard at work again. next stop is code geass[/quote]