OwlChemist81 Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 2019 seems to be the year of the Fantasy sub-genre on Toonami--but is it too much? Let's examine: Dragon Ball Super - Martial arts multiverse fantasy/sci-fi Boruto - Modern-day-esque ninja society fantasy My Hero Academia - Superhero sci-fi/fantasy Sword Art Online - VR Sci-Fi...with fantasy overtones MegaloBox - Sports/political sci-fi JoJo's Bizarre Adventure - Super-ability horror fantasy Black Clover - Magic-based fantasy Hunter x Hunter - (currently) …chimera ant fantasy?? Shippuden - Slightly less modern-day ninja society fantasy Attack on Titan - apocalyptic dark fantasy The only show missing fantasy overtones is Megalobox--and that's only got 3 episodes left. Since Pop Team Epic and Gundam IBO left the block, it's been lacking a lot of variety. It is quite easy to argue that it's taking more of a fantasy bent these days than ever before, though the first half is quite well-laced with sci-fi as well (yes, I have to give it to DBS since the multiverse is kind of a sci-fi concept). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokeNirvash Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 To me, "fantasy" means that the main setting - assuming humans are native - is not Earth as we know it, no IRL country namedrops or nothing. To that end, I'd say that MHA, Megalobox, JoJo, and maybe SAO are the only non-fantasies. And I say maybe on SAO because outside of the VR worlds (Aincrad, Alfheim, GGO Land, Underworld), it still takes place on our Earth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwlChemist81 Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 (edited) This may be helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy I guess JoJo doesn't really fit into the "fantasy" sub-genre either, but since it takes place in 1999, it also CAN'T be sci-fi. It may have been when it was written, but in modern day it feels more like "historical fiction", though a bow and arrow that causes people to be able to control their life energy in super-powered ways is certainly a fantasy concept. I guess that's the wonderful thing about JoJo: it really doesn't fit nicely into any sub-genre. As for SAO, though improbable that we will ever reach that level of sophistication by the 2020's with virtual reality at this point, it is currently sci-fi. However, yes, the VR worlds have an abject fantasy overtone. In time (well beyond its airing on Toonami), it may be seen as "historical fiction" as well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Is_Unbreakable This confirms that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 4 was written in 1992-1995. Therefore, indeed a story set in 1999 was at the time post-modern science fiction. But nowadays with the anime and its Toonami run, it can only be considered "historical fiction," and of course we also have a wonderful song from the period used as its ending theme! Edited March 4, 2019 by OwlChemist81 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketch Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 They could certainly use more sci-fi in the mix. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daos Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Fantasy would be Goblin Slayer. Jojo qualifies as "supernatural" Well if you really want Sci Fi... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwlChemist81 Posted March 4, 2019 Author Share Posted March 4, 2019 How about Star Blazers 2199/2202?? You want quality, that show has it in spades! It's a TV remix of a Theatrical Movie series, for goodness sake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Gun Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 Like two of those are actual "fantasy," so no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daos Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 (edited) Official Genre list according to MAL Super - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Super Power, Martial Arts, Fantasy, Shounen Boruto - Action, Adventure, Martial Arts, Shounen, Super Power MHA - Action, Comedy, School, Shounen, Super Power SAO - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Game, Romance Megalobox - Action, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Sports, Drama Jojo - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Supernatural, Drama, Shounen BC - Action, Comedy, Magic, Fantasy, Shounen HxH - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Shounen, Super Power Naruto - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Super Power, Martial Arts, Shounen AOT - Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen I would say aside from AOT and BC nothing else would qualify as a fantasy anime. The rest with the fantasy tag just have a few fantasy elements. Edited March 4, 2019 by Daos 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katt_goddess Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 I don't think so. I think these things tend to go in waves and it's just that these sort of animes are popular and they have access to them all at the same time. As other stuff comes available, things might shift towards another genre. Megalobox seems to be testing the waters to see if slice-of-life sports dramas can hold ratings. But I will also admit to my bias because I like all the current offerings. Whenever something like Gundam was on, I'd mute things. At least I'm honest about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenigundam Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 (edited) Sword Art Online, Megalobox, and Attack on Titan are what I follow most. I'm considering dropping MHA because it runs like a Naruto clone with different animation and the sappiness, weak music, and over the top voice acting is killing it. Gundam Unicorn and Outlaw Star were infinitely better than any of the shonen. Tokyo Ghoul was even better than the shonen. Guess they weren't renewed Edited March 5, 2019 by Zenigundam 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daos Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Weak music? MHA is kinda known for it's music. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 There is too much Toonami in Toonami. #canceltoonami 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwlChemist81 Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, Daos said: Official Genre list according to MAL Super - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Super Power, Martial Arts, Fantasy, Shounen Boruto - Action, Adventure, Martial Arts, Shounen, Super Power MHA - Action, Comedy, School, Shounen, Super Power SAO - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Game, Romance Megalobox - Action, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Sports, Drama Jojo - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Supernatural, Drama, Shounen BC - Action, Comedy, Magic, Fantasy, Shounen HxH - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Shounen, Super Power Naruto - Action, Adventure, Comedy, Super Power, Martial Arts, Shounen AOT - Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen I would say aside from AOT and BC nothing else would qualify as a fantasy anime. The rest with the fantasy tag just have a few fantasy elements. Well, I say, that's pretty interesting! Why don't we compare it with the official genre lists on Anime News Network, since I am kind of an "ANN Loyalist": Dragon Ball Super: Genres: action, fantasy, science fiction Themes: aliens, developing powers, fighting, martial arts, superheros Boruto: NOTHING, but for the Boruto movie, we have this: Genres: action Themes: ninja My Hero Academia (Note: Article is Season 1): Genres: action, comedy, drama, science fiction Themes: developing powers, growing up pains, school life, special abilities, superheroes, superpowers Sword Art Online: Alicization: Genres: action, drama, fantasy, science fiction Themes (from SAO Ordinal Scale): augmented reality, MMORPG, survival game, swordplay, virtual reality Megalobox: Genres: drama, science fiction, tournament Themes: boxing, future, sports JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable: Genres: action, supernaturalBlack Clover: Genres: action, comedy, fantasy Hunter X Hunter: Genres: adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, tournament Themes: bounty hunters, coming-of-age, developing powers, gore, organized crime, special abilities, survival game Naruto Shippuden: Genres: action, drama Themes: evil organization, fighting, ninja, powerful creatures, revenge, war Attack On Titan: Genres: action, drama, fantasy, horror, psychological, thriller Themes: Dystopia, military, post-apocalyptic, shapeshifting, superpowers, titans/giants, tragedy Hmmm, both 5/10! So I guess the lineup could be considered to be "half-fantasy", though why the Naruto franchise isn't considered fantasy is beyond me. And just in case you were wondering, as for the other shows that have left the lineup so far in 2019 (for whatever reason): Mob Psycho 100 - Genres: action, comedy, supernatural; Themes: espers, special abilities, superpowersPop Team Epic - Genres: comedy; Themes: absurdity, parody, sketch comedyMobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (Season 2) - Genres: action, drama, science fiction; Themes: mecha, military, politics, space, war Edited March 5, 2019 by OwlChemist81 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasqueradeOverture Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 On 3/4/2019 at 4:15 PM, Daos said: Fantasy would be Goblin Slayer. Jojo qualifies as "supernatural" Well if you really want Sci Fi... Crest Of The Stars has the single worst dub I've ever heard (or pretty close behind "Big Green" at least). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daos Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 I always hoped Funimation would redub it after they got it. But come on it's not thattttttttt bad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1gairon Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 Dude, anime IN GENERAL has too much fantasy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasqueradeOverture Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 18 hours ago, Daos said: I always hoped Funimation would redub it after they got it. But come on it's not thattttttttt bad. The first 13 episodes of Utena are dubbed better, and those are atrocious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Gun Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 On 3/6/2019 at 3:28 PM, MasqueradeOverture said: Crest Of The Stars has the single worst dub I've ever heard (or pretty close behind "Big Green" at least). I've heard far worse. It's definitely rough, especially the supporting characters, but Jinto and Lafiel's actors get more comfortable in their roles, and Banner's dub is a definite improvement. I'd certainly say Utena's sounded worse from the bits I've heard of it. That's a series that absolutely relies on emotional nuance, so a mediocre dub harmed it much more than Crest/Banner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daos Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 Meh, for the year the dub was pretty much standard quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Gun Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 (edited) <3 Lafiel And yeah, Jinto's actor in particular really stepped his game up from here. Edited March 8, 2019 by Top Gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daos Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 I think part of what people find jarring is the slow... halting way they say so much of the dialogue. But it almost seems like it was intended by the director. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Gun Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 It was a smaller studio that handled the dub, and a lot of the lower-tier dubs back then had a similar sound. I think it probably came from a lack of directing and script writing skill to match lip flaps while still sounding natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwlChemist81 Posted March 8, 2019 Author Share Posted March 8, 2019 Getting back on topic, this would give the sub-genres of sci-fi and cyberpunk a shot in the arm, but of course Toonami would have to air the first 2 seasons first: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-03-08/psycho-pass-anime-gets-3rd-season/.144332 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatch Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 The problem with this question is that it has too many variables and is too obtuse to answer. This block is airing shows like the Dragon Balls and Narutos that are such eclectic mixes of genres and are very hard to pin down. For instance, the former has the typical sci-fi elements of traveling through space/between universes and dimensions as well as alien races, but some of the aliens have powers that are in the realm of the fantastic. There are more casual elements of a fantasy thrown in as comedic relief, which I assume were more prominent in the first DB series, but I don't know for sure. Additionally, most arcs of Hunter × Hunter (I would except Greed Island) aren't fantasies. They're action-adventure stories with heavy supernatural elements (like JoJo's), and then you have Chimera Ant with its psychological thriller bent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mochi Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 considering half the lineup is different versions of the same series right now.....yes 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The1gairon Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 Just now, mochi said: considering half the lineup is different versions of the same series right now.....yes They're so similar, a ton of them crossover in Jump Force without much new unique fighting styles, effects animation, etc! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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