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silverthunder) wrote2009-10-19 10:36 am
silverthunder) wrote2009-10-19 10:36 am
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Tales of Phantasia: The Animation
So, a few days ago, I finished watching all four episodes of Tales of Phantasia.
First and foremost, this anime is too short. I read up on the game's storyline before watching, so I knew what was going on, but if I hadn't, it would've been pretty confusing. Probably about 3/4 of the story was left out. It really was just an abridged version, which is a shame. The plot and characters could've been fleshed out so much more. I never felt much of a connection to either Cress or Mint, and they were the main characters. The only reason I got attached to the others at all is because their intereactions and behavior were more interesting. The script writers did what they could, but with only this much time to present a fairly complex story, there wasn't a heck of a lot they could do to properly develop the various heros. It's a shame, because I would've liked to see more, particularly in Claus's case. He seemed to have the most interesting personality, but he got no back story whatsoever. The others all had at least something that defined them (Cress's doubt about his motivation for fighting, Chester's determination not to be dead weight, Arche's rejection by the elves, Mint's connection with Yggdrassil), even if it was just on a surface level. Claus got practically nothing (except something vague about a girl back in the past), and in my opinion, he was the best character!
For what they had to work with, I think this was done passing well. They had good music, good animation, and they made a valiant effort to endear the characters to the audience. The plot suffered more than anything, I think. It was too complex to fit into 4 episodes.
To start with, the entire beginning of the series was cut out, and we start with characters we don't know being held prisoner by a villain whose motivations aren't clear. The first thing that springs to mind is: what the heck is going on? The exposition meant to explain this is not done poorly (ie, it flows well), but it blows by too fast, so if you're not paying attention or you didn't do your research before watching, you'll still be confused. Then another character we don't know shows up to rescue our heros (who we still don't know), a demon lord who we know nothing about is raised, the villain we never knew is obliterated, and yet another character we have no clue about sends them back into the past to look for two more characters who we don't know.
What.
There are good points to the start. Like I said, everything flows well. They manage to work some explainations in there without stalling the action or seeming awkward. The animation is gorgeous, and all of the action sequences and spell casting is fantastic. Meanwhile, the music playing in the background fits beautifully. Even though you're thoroughly confused, you can't help but get in the mood at least a bit. This would've been a fantastic scene if you were watching it after an equally well executed beginning and knew what lead up to it.
Anyway, the opening credits play and then we're in the past. Again, they cut out a LOT of material and attempt to place us right into the action. How they meet the two characters they were looking for is not explained. If you're just watching the anime and know nothing about the original story, you assume that the two were fighting in Midgard's army and our two heros sought them out that way. In fact, it doesn't happen this way, but no point getting into that. I think this is probably a good way to save time, but I still feel cheated in a way.
The main beef with this condensed story is that you're really given no time to adjust to new settings and situations. First you're thrown into the middle of the story, then you're thrown into a huge battle in the past, then you're thrown back into the present, and then thrown again into the future. Then some little ninja girl shows up and does some fighting without really being introduced. She seems cool, but... we don't know who she is and never get a real explanation! It's jarring. Once you're in each new setting, things move along more smoothly, but these jerks and jolts pulling you around the story happen just a little too frequently.
It's really a shame, because Tales of Phantasia is a really neat story. They make a fair attempt to handle the time travel, although I recall one mistake (Mint heals the World Tree in the past after remembering seeing it unhealed in the present - if she healed it, her younger self would never see it unhealed). The rest of the time it seems the laws of cause and effect are in place here. I'd love to see a 26 episode series where everything unfolds gradually. They could have the beginning where Chester and Cress's village is slaughtered, the scenes where Cress and Mint encounter Arche and Claus in the past, a proper introduction and explanation for Suzu, and overall more development and interaction for the characters. It'd be absolutely fantastic, and I would watch each new episode eagerly.
As it is, I bought the game on ebay and I am more anxious than ever to read the manga (I hope I can scanlate it!). I want the whole story!
First and foremost, this anime is too short. I read up on the game's storyline before watching, so I knew what was going on, but if I hadn't, it would've been pretty confusing. Probably about 3/4 of the story was left out. It really was just an abridged version, which is a shame. The plot and characters could've been fleshed out so much more. I never felt much of a connection to either Cress or Mint, and they were the main characters. The only reason I got attached to the others at all is because their intereactions and behavior were more interesting. The script writers did what they could, but with only this much time to present a fairly complex story, there wasn't a heck of a lot they could do to properly develop the various heros. It's a shame, because I would've liked to see more, particularly in Claus's case. He seemed to have the most interesting personality, but he got no back story whatsoever. The others all had at least something that defined them (Cress's doubt about his motivation for fighting, Chester's determination not to be dead weight, Arche's rejection by the elves, Mint's connection with Yggdrassil), even if it was just on a surface level. Claus got practically nothing (except something vague about a girl back in the past), and in my opinion, he was the best character!
For what they had to work with, I think this was done passing well. They had good music, good animation, and they made a valiant effort to endear the characters to the audience. The plot suffered more than anything, I think. It was too complex to fit into 4 episodes.
To start with, the entire beginning of the series was cut out, and we start with characters we don't know being held prisoner by a villain whose motivations aren't clear. The first thing that springs to mind is: what the heck is going on? The exposition meant to explain this is not done poorly (ie, it flows well), but it blows by too fast, so if you're not paying attention or you didn't do your research before watching, you'll still be confused. Then another character we don't know shows up to rescue our heros (who we still don't know), a demon lord who we know nothing about is raised, the villain we never knew is obliterated, and yet another character we have no clue about sends them back into the past to look for two more characters who we don't know.
What.
There are good points to the start. Like I said, everything flows well. They manage to work some explainations in there without stalling the action or seeming awkward. The animation is gorgeous, and all of the action sequences and spell casting is fantastic. Meanwhile, the music playing in the background fits beautifully. Even though you're thoroughly confused, you can't help but get in the mood at least a bit. This would've been a fantastic scene if you were watching it after an equally well executed beginning and knew what lead up to it.
Anyway, the opening credits play and then we're in the past. Again, they cut out a LOT of material and attempt to place us right into the action. How they meet the two characters they were looking for is not explained. If you're just watching the anime and know nothing about the original story, you assume that the two were fighting in Midgard's army and our two heros sought them out that way. In fact, it doesn't happen this way, but no point getting into that. I think this is probably a good way to save time, but I still feel cheated in a way.
The main beef with this condensed story is that you're really given no time to adjust to new settings and situations. First you're thrown into the middle of the story, then you're thrown into a huge battle in the past, then you're thrown back into the present, and then thrown again into the future. Then some little ninja girl shows up and does some fighting without really being introduced. She seems cool, but... we don't know who she is and never get a real explanation! It's jarring. Once you're in each new setting, things move along more smoothly, but these jerks and jolts pulling you around the story happen just a little too frequently.
It's really a shame, because Tales of Phantasia is a really neat story. They make a fair attempt to handle the time travel, although I recall one mistake (Mint heals the World Tree in the past after remembering seeing it unhealed in the present - if she healed it, her younger self would never see it unhealed). The rest of the time it seems the laws of cause and effect are in place here. I'd love to see a 26 episode series where everything unfolds gradually. They could have the beginning where Chester and Cress's village is slaughtered, the scenes where Cress and Mint encounter Arche and Claus in the past, a proper introduction and explanation for Suzu, and overall more development and interaction for the characters. It'd be absolutely fantastic, and I would watch each new episode eagerly.
As it is, I bought the game on ebay and I am more anxious than ever to read the manga (I hope I can scanlate it!). I want the whole story!