T w e n t y S i d e d

After episode 5, Girls and Panzer ran a recap episode of the previous five entries. A “the story so far” summary that honestly wasn’t needed. If I remember correctly there were rumors of technical difficulties or budget control issues that had to be addressed. I mentioned previously that the practice battle against St. Gloriana had some strange inconsistencies, the main one getting addressed later. That is, Miho pointing out the problems with Momo’s strategy against St. Gloriana seems to be addressed in Episode 3 when Miho is put in charge, but then is brought up again AFTER the battle, in Episode 4 when Anzu says maybe they ought to leave strategy to Miho in the future. This “part two” of the Saunders battle will feature some other interesting tidbits. There’s still the issue of Miho’s self-confidence to contend with. This will come up weirdly twice in a row, only seconds apart. But also there are some bizarrely-high-quality-animated scenes, almost randomly. For those who don’t know, and I won’t speak for anime in the 2020’s, only the 2010’s and before (because I know those eras pretty well) animation isn’t necessarily always done “in house.” Usually some is, but often a portion or even most of a series’ run is contracted out. Sometimes *all* of it is. The opening song animation is typically allocated more time, which of course means more money. That’s your prime advertising media and the first thing most viewers ever see once the series has started. You then spend extra time (money) on the FIRST episode, or at least important scenes, because; again, that gets people’s attention. What remains of the budget is then spaced out for the remaining episodes. Good producers and directors know ahead of time what scenes will take extra effort (money) and which scenes can be “skimped” on. Distance shots, for example, don’t need the extra effort and can be completed faster. Where tension frequently arises in *action* anime is high-movement scenes with unimportant details. The motions have to look good, or good enough, but there isn’t anything vital to impart to the viewer. Along with that, close-ups and reaction shots frequently have very little movement, but expressions have to have the detail to clearly distinguish a character and convey emotion. Episode 6: Our first battle comes to a climax! seems to have examples of poor budget management. In my opinion, of course.

Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Girls und Panzer: Our first battle comes to a climax!”

Paige Francis He/him

I spend most of my week driving people. That’s been a big portion of my time for a couple of years; I mentioned I take my parents to doctor appointments regularly. My current vehicle, a Subaru Ascent, was chosen mostly because it’s incredibly comfortable and roomy. For a while now another family member has started a new job and because of a car breakdown I’ve been driving them. This means half of that driving time is by myself, and I tend to write essays in my head. I don’t always remember them, unfortunately. I remember something about the development and use of GPS, because some anon on Reddit asked the other day why people didn’t have to pay a “GPS access” fee. I think the comparison was “if you have to pay for a cell phone or internet, why don’t you have to pay for GPS?” And I won’t get into the explanation; like I said, it was a whole-ass essay.

The last week or two some of the trips have been fairly late at night, and unfortunately this has caused me to flash back to Middle School/Junior High and High School. Based on “traditional American” views my time in public school was “normal” to “good.” And I used to think of it that way, too. But as I’ve aged I have come to realize it was really pretty awful. Very few of my memories, even those I once considered “happy” memories, evoke nostalgia at this point. They make me cringe at best (and I know that’s a common thing, realizing how “cringe” you were when you were younger); but they also make me angry. Angry that I ever thought some of that was “good” or even “acceptable.” I have mentioned to my kids many times I wish I could take back my parenting of them when they were younger and do it over again. I made so many mistakes. While that is still the stronger emotion, because it concerns my children, I think I was even worse as a young person in school. It was ALL a mistake.

I don’t like these moments when they come over me while driving. I shake my head and try to drive the thoughts away.

Deep Thoughts aside, back to Girls und Panzer Episode 5; titled Veterans of their trade: Sherman Corps!

Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Girls und Panzer: Veterans of their Trade: Sherman Corps”

Paige Francis He/him