Shangri-La seems like it could be an interesting show, but after one episode it’s way too early to tell. There are quite a few things thrown in there that are a little hard to make out what is what, but so far the star of the show is the setting. Ruins covered in vegetation make for pretty scenery. The view of the world we’ve been given so far is rather slim, but it looks like there’s been a backslide of civilization, though not necessarily in technology, as those with power seem to have advanced technology in spades.
Carbon regulation is the power lever angle of this world and is a interesting touch, if you’ve followed discussion of cap and trade issues. A dominating cap and trade like system appears to be central to the condition of the world, but I’m not all that clear if the system is the cause or the result of what’s going on. What is clear is the system places a burden on some and those in power are able to leverage it with back breaking effectiveness. So far it doesn’t seem like it’s been a good thing, but we’ve only been given a slim view of the world, much of which hasn’t been put into context yet. I’m not a big fan of preachy stuff (like really, who is?), so I cross my fingers that this will be more of a vehicle for an interesting setting and source of conflict than an excuse to bludgeon a message.
The lead character, Kuniko she seems okay, maybe a little difficult to feel why she garners so much respect from people around her, but I’ll give that a pass — I’m still in love with the boomerang weapon and imagining the cool stuff that can be done with it. I’ll have to wait, since it suddenly seems like she’s not as good with it as she seemed.
As far as entertainment value, most of it was setting based and thinking of the possibility. I didn’t particularly find the episode itself to flow well.
I’m also following this show and so far I like what I see. Hopefully we don’t get bored to death with politics about carbon tax and they show the world with a wider view so we can understand it better. I’m also loving the boomerang and I like Kuniko’s character. I think the reason everyone respects her so much is she’s supposed to be the next leader of this Metal-Age movement, though she doesn’t seem the least bit interested. Of course we still don’t know much about Metal-Age.
I’m kind of laughing since it seems like the boomerang is the most loved thing so far.
Kuniko just doesn’t seem to inspire much to me. I guess I’m not sure why she’s the next leader of Metal-Age. I got the hints that there’s something “special” about her, like the way she floats in the air and stuff like that, but I dunno. Like I’m thinking of Nausicaa and I got why people in her village gave her reverence and sort of miss that with Kuniko. There’s still a whole lot of show left, which I’m looking forward to, so hopefully we get a more solid footing with her.
[...] Happysoda: The lead character, Kuniko she seems okay, maybe a little difficult to feel why she garners so much respect from people around her, but I’ll give that a pass — I’m still in love with the boomerang weapon and imagining the cool stuff that can be done with it. I’ll have to wait, since it suddenly seems like she’s not as good with it as she seemed. [...]
I’m follwing this series…
I can’t tell just by 1 episode but there are a few things that I want answers to and such.
I’m expecting good things and so far from the first ep…it is good..so far…
The OP is good…
I wonder is what this Metal-Age thing all about…
Yeah, the OP is a good. At least it psyched me up when it was playing.
The scenery is quite striking in this series, I almost feel the detail in the characters doesn’t match well with it. They seem slightly too simple in comparison to some of the backgrounds.
I’m not sure why the boomarang seems to be everyone’s favourite, I think it’s a really dumb weapon personally. Fun to play with, but lame as a weapon. Though I’ll give it one thing, it’s entertaining, I laughed so hard when it cut the tanks. I guess I’m just having trouble allowing my beliefs to be suspended enough to enjoy the weapon.
The best part of the episode for me was the cross dresser. Quite a character that one is.
-Aka
For the boomerang, it’s what I imagine can be done with an acrobatic character and fighting while trying to catch the weapon as it returns. Plus, it’s not a sword or a gun or an energy blast, so it’s different.
You have a point. Swords, guns and energy blasts are played out, a boomarang is a much more novel approach. I still can’t believe it enough though.
-Aka