You cannot tell me Angel Beats wasn't directly influenced by Haruhi. What is that, if not pandering?
The problem with harem and shounen anime is that they aren't unique, yes? Explain to me how Angel Beats is unique.[
Angel Beats wasn't directly influenced by Haruhi. Trollish speak aside, yes, there are many parallels between the show, but intentional or not is not one for me to judge. I didn't make either of those shows. But so what if something has influences from something else? It's the execution that's the matter. There's hardly anything out there hasn't been done before in some way or form. Like the central theme in almost every work nowadays; it almost always come down to: be a good guy. Not every optimistic story with that theme has to be bad, necessarily, don't you agree?
My point wasn't to push that Angel Beats! is an absolute unique story, but rather that it isn't to the same degree generic as the other shows. As for its own appeals, the characters were entertaining and their backstories are at the very least well thought out and not shallow.
Why is "decent" acceptable? And is it really decent? The character designs are appealing, yes, but how much do you know about animation? Anime is very cheaply produced; frankly, there is a very large disconnect between shows like Angel Beats and FLCL in terms of quality... and yes, I'm aware FLCL is an OVA but that's a moot point.
Whether an anime's animation is acceptable or not is vastly subjective. I
don't know a lot about animation; however, I've watched enough anime/cartoons/other animated works in my lifetime to judge for myself whether the animation looks fluid or below par. And compared to the vast majority of anime this season, and in the past in general, I'd say Angel Beats does a pretty good job.
I sometimes wonder if anime fans even stop to realize how convoluted the shows they love really are. It helps to read "simpler" stuff like Greek plays and whatnot. Angel Beats is so needlessly over-the-top... just what does the whole afterlife / angel / god angle do for the story? Where is the meaning? It's like Final Fantasy XIII; a bunch of words with no meaning. Just story for the sake of it. =/
What does it do for the story and overall meaning? Nothing, and it doesn't have to. Angel Beats doesn't go out of its way to be The Tempest of the 21st century, nor should anyone think of it as such. It's to entertain and for the viewers to have a good time watching it.
You know, I was okay with this actually. But then I realized how few people question the quality of the stuff they're fed. I'm not trying to attack anybody, I just think... I dunno, people accept mediocrity too much because it's familiar to them. I use to hate on people who played World War II shooters all the time, right? But... how is anime any better half the time? People just ask for the same thing over and over, and we get shows like Angel Beats or Umineko no Naku Koro ni.
I don't mind people accept mediocrity so long as they don't resent actual quality. But then again, that's also highly subjective what is quality, cultured, and what's not. There's a simple solution if you don't like those shows, and you've heard this a million times before: don't waste your time with them. There are more than enough great things for you to discover in this world so that you don't have to dwell on lamenting over things that don't exactly fit your bill. I take my own advice on this usually; I don't stick around on something I know I won't like. I guess that makes me less of a critic, but at least I'm having fun.
But I guess you're right, you have a right to your opinion. I don't disrespect anyone for liking Angel Beats. I'm just tired and should probably take a nap, I dunno.
Rest well, my friend. You deserve it.
Fear not, that's not my motivation... certainly not. Clannad was garbage.
But not before you and I have a fist fight!
