Genshiken

I gave the first 3 another fair go around, since I thought I was too harsh.

I don't hate it, but it really feels like a different show compared to the first Genshiken. It feels less like its about Otaku culture and more about gender identity with a heavy dose of BL.

Is talking about actual Otaku stuff So Last Season now?

BL is a facet of otaku culture. Hato's gender identity is no more off-topic than the various romantic subplots of the first series.

edited 24th Jul '13 2:12:46 AM by Clarste

Eh, that may be true, but it's true that the otaku stuff has been really sidelined now. there's a few references to Oguie's work, and that's about it.

Bingo.

Episode 2 and 3 almost felt like..."If Hato is not on the screen, other characters must be asking "Where's Hato?"

To me I felt even the original Genshiken got less about the nitty gritty of otaku culture and more about people who also happen to be Otaku, which I do not mind really.

edited 24th Jul '13 12:15:11 PM by Galeros

Again, BL is part of otaku. All the time spent discussing whether Mada or Hato would be on top is pure otaku-talk. Maybe you can't personally relate to it, but that's a central part of modern otaku culture.

It's much more narrow though.

I mean, don't get me wrong-I still follow the manga. But I think it's hard to argue that there hasn't been a significant change in tone and style.

edited 24th Jul '13 3:21:32 PM by TheyCallMeTomu

The original series had plenty of BL focus as well, only framed in the context of self discovery and an awkward courtship .

Wait, that sounds like Nidaime.

edited 24th Jul '13 5:03:41 PM by Recon5

And building plastic models, or cosplaying, or whatever else is less narrow? Every individual thing is narrow. Heck, I really don't see how Ogiue drawing professionally has anything to do with otaku culture...

I don't know, to me complaints like this just feel biased. Like you're disrespecting their interests for not being real otaku. Anti-fujoshi sentiment. Kinda subtly sexist and homophobic.

I feel like the anime's less about otaku culture and more about dealing with otaku culture. Saki had to get over the fact that her boyfriend's a huge otaku, Ogiue had to get over the fact that she's an otaku, and now Hato has to deal with something bigger than accepting someone's hobbies but still essentially the same issue. It's always been about the interaction between the characters, and now that interaction's less obviously otaku-centric.

At least that's what I take away from it.

The issue is that the plastic models, for instance, were never the only thing going on for any significant period of time. There was always one thing, and then another, and then another. But this arc really is pretty much BL BL BL.

It's quite interesting that the original mostly male Genshiken had representatives of a diverse set of interests while the new predominantly female Genshiken is built around Yaoi fandom, rather than going from a set of Yuri fans to a set of Yaoi fans. Maybe it's a result of Ogiue deciding that drawing a bunch of attractive Bishonen was the best way to attract new members.

It's also interesting that I can't recall even a single instance of commentary on Yuri in the series, though I might just be mistaken.

I'm guessing the main issue is that quite a few readers want Shimoku to broaden the subject matter again, to bring back comments on general/genre cliches and such. Maybe even more Kuji Un.

I kinda feel like the series jumped the shark a while back, and that narratively it would have been best off ending when the "original cast" graduated.

Same.

But I'm not even complaining about the BL (Thats at least Otaku stuff) so much as I am about the focus on Hato and his cross dressing, which is constantly being the focus of this show so far.

I don't really feel that applies to Otaku culture.

edited 25th Jul '13 9:29:24 AM by Thorn14

That's not to say the series is bad or anything, I just think it's not quite as good.

So the latest episode was neat. Sue was great, as was the random cosplay cameos (Katyusha! )

The episode preview between the guys felt ripped exactly from several discussions I"ve had on /a/, to the point it was actually a little eerie.

edited 28th Jul '13 2:14:28 AM by Thorn14

Screw Girls Und Panzer, Azazel is where it's really at!

That, and that one anime with the goat? I already forgot the name of it, but it was hilarious.

Nichijou?

Oh wait, that can't be right...

The one starring the dog with a hair fetish.

Hehe, funny episode. I like Angela.

I do too, though I suspect for very different reasons.

Two of them.

<Trollface>

In all seriousness though, I liked that Panty and Stocking cosplay.

edited 3rd Aug '13 4:11:59 PM by TheyCallMeTomu

Damn, Angela is not afraid of her sexuality is she? I don't know if I should feel bad for Madarame or not.

Poor Madarame, doomed to either forever alone or BL it seems.

Also Hato's strategy bathroom strategy I'm a dude disguised as a girl disguised as another dude!'

edited 4th Aug '13 2:43:04 AM by Thorn14

Name of anime you looking for was Detective Inaba.

Madarame should just get together with Sue and live long and happy life.

Forever alone? He seems to have plenty of option :p

Well doesn't he still want Saki? Which will never happen.