Reviews WebAnimation / RWBY

"It's like when someone walks up a wall in one episode with a clipping error that gives them a double image, and then a fan believes it to be a hologram, so the creators just go with that in the next episode." Lol, what? Are you talking about Blake's semblance?

No, was just making a comparison. I was thinking of the kinds of things people would guess at about Vamp from MGS 2 back in the day.

Though the doppleganger illusion blink really shouldn't be anything special in this world, especially now that they gave one of the antagonists a cooler version of a log-substitute blink.

Actually, if you look at the characters, only 'at first' are they the stereotypes - after you dig deeper, you find out they have deeper and more complex reasons. Vol. 2 in particular shows that later aspect.

And hype? The reason for the hype was that Monty Oum, creator of kick-ass fight scenes that physics take a backseat to (which is the point) was making his own series, and intentionally a series that wouldn't just be all fight scenes all the time. And considering many enjoyed his fights for precisely that reason, that's a good enough reason right there. The trailers are in addition looks into the characters situations as well as their abilities, especially since in-series, they're all canon.

And actually, a number of things were already set in stone way before fan theories kicked in. Like Yang's Semblance; it was kinetic energy absorption as early as the Yellow trailer, but many assumed it was fire-related until recently. Plus there's FAR WORSE voice acting out there - the only thing you can hold against these voice actors is that they're completely/utterly new. Which is not a bad thing either imo; it gives them a realistic quality

So Tl;dr, it's not that bad when given a fresh look, without thinking cliche is bad/done before equals less quality/etc to drag it down. Not perfect, hardly, but neither deserving of hatred either

another dumb troll review

@Omegafire: 1: Depth added after the fact does not excuse them being cliches. 2: When did I object to Oum's style? 3: Just because Oum tweets about it later does not mean it's true. Also, I would like some evidence in link form. 4: Except it's not a fresh look, because everyone who was hyped about it naturally had to have watched Dead Fantasy and Rv B at the very least, not to mention the fact that it's clearly anime-styled.

Of course depth added after the fact (when after the fact is 'in the show you are watching') excuses them being cliches :P It just means it had a bad start

"Depth added after the fact does not excuse them being cliches."

That's just how most shows work. You're never going to be told everything about a character when they're first introduced, 'cuz there'd be nothing to learn about them later.

Cliches aren't inherently bad either.

Just look at The Legend of Zelda: a timeless tale of the brave hero saving the storybook princess a fairy-tale kingdom from the forces of darkness. Look at all those cliches. Yet, it's one of the most beloved video game franshises and continues to be one of the best-selling after 25 years and counting.

RWBY also makes use of classic tropes and storytelling conventions and there's nothing wrong with that, so long as they're utilized in a way that the audience finds entertaining. And considering the millions of views its gotten, Monty must be doing something right, or people wouldn't keep tuning in (whatever their reasons are).

Instead of thinking: 'oh my God, not THIS again!', try approaching from the mindset of: 'what makes you different from all the others?' then see where it goes from there.

But there hasn't BEEN anything worth noting that makes them different yet.

Also, have you considered that Zelda sells because the setting and formula is SAFE? Not that they're doing interesting things with it?

"But there hasn't BEEN anything worth noting that makes them different yet."

With "yet" being the operative word, since the series is only on its second volume and currently ongoing. That's like expecting major changes by the second chapter of a novel.

The first volume's episodes were averaged 4-6 minutes each, with later episodes clocking between 8-12 minutes. That's barely enough time to establish the characters and the setting. Volume 2 onwards, is where things should (and already have) begin to pick up.

"Search and Destroy" had Team RWBY examining why each of them chose to become huntresses. That alone heralds the beginning of development for them. Whether you appreciate the direction that takes them is another matter entirely.

"Also, have you considered that Zelda sells because the setting and formula is SAFE? Not that they're doing interesting things with it?"

To quote Oobleck: "Why, what a preposterous statement, you silly boy/girl!" (jk)

See each of the following: Majora's Mask, SkywardSword, and A Link Between Worlds, to name a few that have tried and succeeded in shaking up the classic Zelda formula. And Zelda U is shaping up to be the next one that will try something different with the series.

Yeah, I gotta agree; we've all seen the cliches, but it serves us nothing to look at RWBY and think 'oh god, cliches, it's a fail' before you've even watched it. The fact that we've seen something before, no matter how many times, does not bring down the quality of it happening again. And nothing worth noting is YMMV

And 'Monty Oum tweeting about it later doesn't mean it's true'? You don't consider Word of God basically the next step to canon? Monty's only a mild Troll at worst, so he's pretty much serious a lot of the time. After all, he helped us with hints of upcoming character names, and those were canon after the fact (pretty much all on his Twitter, though some facebook posts as well)

I guess I should share my two cents in this.

Based on how many episodes I have seen so far. I completely agree. I am currently on Season 1 and RWBY is FILLED with cliches. The Genki Girl, the Bishounen, the new girl, Cool Big Sis, the Woobie we've seen it all.

But I still find the show enjoyable for what it is. Even though I so far find no substance at all. And yes, the hype is obnoxious. I watch this thing on youtube, FILLED with comments on ALL CAPS saying "OMFG BEST EPISODE OF ALL TIME" or "IS THIS ANIME?". It's completely obnoxious.

Now to scroll over comments I shouldn't be butting into but I do so anyways!

Lucinator:

"another dumb troll review"

- Another person who's butthurt at people for pointing out legitimate flaws.

Dalsene:

"1: Depth added after the fact does not excuse them being cliches"

- Exactly. There are other ways for introducing characters you know. This may just turn people off the series. And characters who stay cliches for more than ten episodes is completely inexcusable if you are actually trying (this is a Web Series)

Miin U:

"That's just how most shows work. You're never going to be told everything about a character when they're first introduced, 'cuz there'd be nothing to learn about them later"

- Yeah but for over 10 episodes? Come on!

"Just look at The Legend of Zelda: a timeless tale of the brave hero saving the storybook princess a fairy-tale kingdom from the forces of darkness. Look at all those cliches. Yet, it's one of the most beloved video game franchises and continues to be one of the best-selling after 25 years and counting."

- That's cause the gameplay and exploration of the world of Hyrule is the main focus. Hell, the gameplay is the main focus in any game. Plus, they tweak and change pieces of the formula and the main objective is to get YOU, not Link, YOU to care about the things going on in Hyrule and basically have fun.

"RWBY also makes use of classic tropes and storytelling conventions and there's nothing wrong with that, so long as they're utilized in a way that the audience finds entertaining. And considering the millions of views its gotten, Monty must be doing something right, or people wouldn't keep tuning in (whatever their reasons are)."

- I can't disagree with that. These stuff get views.

Dalsene:

"Also, have you considered that Zelda sells because the setting and formula is SAFE? Not that they're doing interesting things with it?"

- The formula is there in some sort of form or just isn't there period. The variations and the new things these games try is very interesting and what keeps people buying these games for years.

"With "yet" being the operative word, since the series is only on its second volume and currently ongoing. That's like expecting major changes by the second chapter of a novel."

- So you're telling me that over ten episodes of one Volume of a series is enough to excuse all of the cliches it has? And you're comparing it to expecting major changes by the second chapter of the novel? Sorry but no. The characters should have SOME type of development.

Example: Hunter x Hunter : Hunter Exam Arc

This plot itself was very generic and average but the characters are great. We learned about both Kurapika and Lerorio, why they are pursuing their dream to become Hunters and how they go about doing it. We also learn about Killua and his home life and his worldview.

They don't really grow but we get to know something about them. And that's just the first arc. The show gets much better than it already is much later on but this arc lays the foundation, the stepping stone for this show to go off to greatness.

Plus, there are shows out there that did this within THREE EPISODES. (Avatar the last airbender, Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater (in a way...), etc.)

"The first volume's episodes were averaged 4-6 minutes each, with later episodes clocking between 8-12 minutes. That's barely enough time to establish the characters and the setting. Volume 2 onwards, is where things should (and already have) begin to pick up."

- I understand that it only has 4-6 minutes but they were divided into parts. There are some cartoons that don't even get that chance and STILL have a good plot and decent characters (Star Wars:Clone Wars)

The plots shown in these episodes based on what I am seeing are generic Shounen plots with characters that are just cliches. That's how it looks to me. I'll still keep watching but come on...

omegafire:

"Yeah, I gotta agree; we've all seen the cliches, but it serves us nothing to look at RWBY and think 'oh god, cliches, it's a fail' before you've even watched it. The fact that we've seen something before, no matter how many times, does not bring down the quality of it happening again. And nothing worth noting is YMMV"

- True but when you have bad dialogue, animation that looks stiff, poorly timed jokes, and a generic plot.....it just makes me want to drop it....but I won't though =).

"And 'Monty Oum tweeting about it later doesn't mean it's true'? You don't consider Word of God basically the next step to canon? Monty's only a mild Troll at worst, so he's pretty much serious a lot of the time. After all, he helped us with hints of upcoming character names, and those were canon after the fact (pretty much all on his Twitter, though some facebook posts as well)"

- HE'S A TROLL? You have no idea what a troll is until you've seen Andrew Hussie. And be grateful that these are the only flaws you find in him. I would much rather deal with people like him and Hussie (who aren't even that bothersome) compared to the outright laziness as shown with Yoshiro Tohgashi. Lazy bastard.

"So you're telling me that over 10 episodes of one volume of a series is enough to excuse all of the cliches it has?"

There's been 11 main entries in The Legend of Zelda series and any one of 'em's longer than the entirety of RWBY combined several times over. Yet, LoZ is loaded with cliches, so I don't see why RWBY can't be given the same consideration, since its had far less time to work with.

"And you're comparing it to expecting major changes by the second chapter of a novel?"

Pretty much. The first 10 episodes of RWBY averaged 4-6 apiece = 40-55 minutes total = the length of two regular anime episodes.

So expecting major changes in so short a period of time is equivalent to expecting major changes by a novel's second chapter.

I said 'mild' at worst lol, because he's kinda teasing; his only response to this boatload of images (and questions) thing awhile back in Vol. 1 was 'Oh, oh, I know!' for one thing :) And I've certainly seen trolls; I've dealt with bad kinds on MMO forums

But anyway, YMMY on bad dialogue, stiff animation, poorly timed jokes and generic plot. Not just on them actually being so, but also that even if they are, they aren't unenjoyable anyway. And personally, I think people need better patience with cliches, because they're not bad things (but they can be good anyway imo). But I'll leave it at that.

I didn't. I just saw the trailers and thought they were promising. I know I'm not the only one.

But anyway, how is the pre-series hype even relevant anymore? Most people who've gotten into RWBY by this point would've done so long after the series premiered.

I'm with this review 100%.

Fuck I give up hate the goddamn show. I honestly don\'t care. I enjoy it and that\'s all that really matters. So have a nice life.

Extremely late to this, but I only just got curious on the \'NO REASON\' angle of this review OP (if you ever come back and see this)

Why is having four trailers not justifiable? Ignoring the pre-release hype and style angles entirely, it was their show, so they had the right to do what they wanted with it - and it did basically work in drawing interest, as they were meant to (while at the same time foreshadowing many elements that show up later), if only for the cool fights/music, initially.

Where is this blog at? I want to read it. NOW.

You know, it\'s not impossible to watch something, enjoy it and still find it\'s quality to be shit.