Really once you get past the edgy shock value of the opening chapters, there's really nothing to discuss outside of the numerous problems with the setting, and we've already discussed both to death. There's no real substance to the series to speak of.
I'm actually of the opinion that the goblins themselves make the series boring once the novelty of the premise wears off. There is fun to be had watching the characters play around with their near-dungeons and dragons type campaign, like seeing how they use their magic in interesting ways, but all of it is wasted on making the low level enemies the primary focus.
Edited by VeryMelon on Dec 15th 2018 at 10:16:56 AM
Personally, I kind of feel the tonal shift is...not really that well done. "This is a dark, grim series where death is cheap and it won't be about lighthearted adventure!"
Series proceeds to be mostly lighthearted adventure with buddy dynamics.
Lobster Magnet's Review (who I thought was Moviebob but wasn't) did a good analysis on the series that covers the tonal dissonance issue. He even brings up Berserk and Games of Thrones, series that could be said to have similar dark content yet managed to be popular for years anyway (with the Berserk point being used to defend GS by its fans), to further explain why their use of sexual violence didn't feel out of tone compared to the rest of their settings and storytelling.
Edited by VeryMelon on Dec 16th 2018 at 12:17:56 PM
CHADhan Player.
Glass Reflection did a similar video on the series` issue with it's tone.
In short, this series is the equivalent to clickbait; it has a graphic rape scene in the first episode, but then later episodes do nothing to follow up on that. Its not even the rape itself that I take issue with, but how the series just devolves into a generic harem fantasy.
And that sucks because, even with that first episode/chapter, the series could have still told a message, but it never really does.
And before anyone thinks I'm backpedaling on my earlier stance in this thread; I wasn't arguing that "ZOMG, THIS SERIES IS GREAT, WATCH IT" but just against the idea that rape in media is some abhorrent taboo that should never be touched. Anything is fair game as far as media is concerned, including murder, rape, and all that.
THAT SAID, if you are going to include those things, even if it's going to be the first impression of your series, then you should commit to that tone and follow up on it. Something this series doesn't do.
Edited by BlackYakuzu94 on Dec 16th 2018 at 4:16:34 AM
A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.
I saw that one as well because I hadn't seen him in a while. Funny enough, I do think GS would have been better off if the entire series was closer to episode 1 than it is now.
CHADhan Player.
Exactly. It's kinda like Akame ga Kill! hilariously, a show also known for it's very gracious violence. And while both shows kind of fall into the same "Dark and edgy/Generic Anime cliche" mix, I kind of felt a bit more respect for Akame because it stayed dark and violent throughout and it's moments of levity felt a bit more well earned.
A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.
Oddly I'd argue the first episode is the fucked up bit. It's not how the LN author intended, and the rest of the series is closer to his original work...
Yeah, I'm not found of the anime, but that's more due to being a poor adaption of series in general. And it's not like the series is entirely lighthearted after the first episode. The dark stuff is more psychological, like how messed up GS and Sword Maiden are. If anything, there's a point to the lightheartedness, like with HEA's efforts to get GS to not be so obsessed with killing goblins.
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet Unless I grew it. In that case, throw it in the trash.
vicarious
It took me a while to catch up to episode 10, so hadn't been popping in lately.
The whole Moria scene where they're being overwhelmed and how they survived that I found pretty harrowing. Priestess screaming when her arm is being bitten off is chilling and I think anime just has her recovering from it instead of losing an arm?
I actually like the more happy scenes or downtime in GS, because I've gotten attached to the characters and think it's healthy, especially for our titular character, to bond.
So I guess that's how Water Town ends and it wasn't really presented too clearly,imo, on what Sword Maiden's role was in the conspiracy. We see the past, and from what I can tell, Water Town was housing a cult that wanted goblins to run over? Sword Maiden isn't able to deal well with goblin threats at this point so she needs outside help to clean house, because official sources won't help her? It seems as if she personally killed the cultists? Also the women who were being Ripper'd in the beginning, were they the victims of the cultists? For some reason, I got a suspicion that it was the other way around, that the women were cultists that Sword Maiden would kill so it would draw attention?? Or she knew it was happening but didn't do anything so it would become big enough a problem to call for help without raising suspicion?? Like I said, what the anime showed was confusing to me but it could also be me misinterpreting things so idk.
I feel ambiguous, or unsure, on what to think of how Sword Maiden is portrayed. On one hand, I can see how it would be touching for Goblin Slayer in the end to iterate how he can't fully be the total solution to all her problems, but reassure her nonetheless in his own way. Yet, her presentation feels patronizing? Too much fragile women are weak in a sense aura for my liking??
What I really liked about episode 10 was Goblin Slayer's inner thoughts about how he had his own dreams before everything happened and that he remembers them, and realizes how stuck he is in his trauma and past but can't let go yet. It was very self aware and it surprised me. It was interesting to see how Lancer expy treated him without armor, and makes it more clear he's more asshole to Goblin Slayer because of his preconceptions while Sorceress is delightfully aware of GS.
Yeah, I'd have to second that the end being Priestess being the new GS when he dies is actually a Bad End for the characters. From what I can tell from spoilers, especially not for Priestess.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Its been awhile since I read it but I believe the cultists were the people that HaruHero wiped out. They put Goblins there specifically to keep Sword Maiden from going after them as they conducted their plans and to get back at her for killing their boss in the past. Official sources when asked by Sword Maiden just told her to handle it herself because they knew her personally but were unaware of her history with Goblins so saw no reason she couldn't just march in and wipe them out all on her own. The women who were killed in Water Town were killed by the cult, and Sword Maiden was blaming it on Goblins despite knowing otherwise.
Edited by doineedaname on Dec 16th 2018 at 7:25:42 AM
For all of Akame ga Kill's numerous problems, I can agree that at least comitted to its edgy nature and remembered to give characters actual names and arc, to the point that it became something of a guilty pleasure for me. And you know your series fucked up when Akame ga Kill looks better in comparison.
Baby dango
Personally Akame ga Kill elicit way more anger in me for its try hard edginess, meaningless character deaths and gratuitous use of rape as well the single most irritating antagonist I've ever had to suffer through, while GS I could probably somewhat enjoy if the rape didn't exist.
Yeah, even if it's not exactly a great series I actually think Goblin Slayer has a better show underneath it's gratuitousness. Akame Ga Kill would look very different if it lost the gore and dark content, but I'm not sure if the material left over would make an experience as potentially entertaining or enjoyable as lightening Goblin Slayer could.
Edited by VeryMelon on Dec 16th 2018 at 11:29:13 AM
The Head of the Hydra
Which one cause I remember there being several? 
Baby dango
I was referring to Esdeath because the remaining barely counts as characters. The entirety of Wild Hunt are basically Goblins that can speak. The general dude has less character than sand paper. The prime minister is Jabba without his dignity. Esdeath, on the other hand, has way more screen time, have actual fans willing to defend her because she's into Tatsumi and is hot, female Madara in terms of asspull and a wonky set of characteristics pasted together to form her personality.
The Head of the Hydra
Ha don’t forget Justice-Spazz. ![[lol]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lol2v12_4863.png "[lol]"){kind=small}
...... Though huh Esdeath is Madara...... that makes sense.
Esdeath was one of the characters I legitimately enjoyed for both being an irredeemable monster while still being a competent leader. That being said, I do not ship her with Tatsumi despite liking both characters in the end. Should've been a lesbian goddammit!
If nothing else, AgK still had appealing characters that weren't just Captain Ersatz' of other characters from various Japanese media.
I consider her more of a female Aizen since she had her own "since when were you under the impression" moment.
Edited by Rynnec on Dec 16th 2018 at 10:51:10 AM
I say Akame Ga Kill is worse as well. Tatsumi's motive to join Night Raid was seeing his friends's tortured bodies. Yet said friends barely had any personality or backstory to them. At least GS give some insight into the rookie party's life before killing them off.
Heck, didn't Tatsumi set out to get funds for his village or something? As far as I'm aware, Tatsumi's background, for what little he has, never actually came into play for the series.
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet Unless I grew it. In that case, throw it in the trash.
Granted, the anime did skip other graphic scenes like what happened to the all Women silver rank team.
It was pretty much forgotten once he joined Night Raid.
Edited by Cortez on Dec 17th 2018 at 12:27:03 PM
Oh, bother.
Yeah, I wasn't really a fan of Akame ga Kill either.
Disgusted, but not surprised
CHADhan Player.
Agree to disagree then.
A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.
Just in case people assume otherwise, I'd have the same opinion of Goblin Slayer's first chapter shift even if I had read the Light Novel first. It's not about the content, but the writing intentions.
The one-side arguments here is infuriating to read and that "Akame Ga Kill" comment is just crossing the line.
Since no one is offering a counter argument and everyone is letting one side dominate without question, I'll do the honors.
Regarding the "inconsistent tone". Hasn't anyone thought that the series is bitonal? It's actually consistent.
The lighthearted stuff happens indoors. The guild hall, the towns, villages, the campfire and the wagon,etc. The likes in which socialization,bickering and introspection occurs because no danger occurs.
The dark stuff occurs during missions and quests. The likes in which the adventures put their lives on the line against monsters. The brutal stuff likes in which Episode 1, 2, 4 and 7 occurs.
It matches how a D&D session shifts in tone from joking to utterly serious or dark depending on the scenario.
Edited by Auralian on Dec 19th 2018 at 10:21:36 AM
Anyone else find it hilarious after how much a stink we made about the first episode, we basically just forgot about the series lol.
A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.