Makoto Shinkai English Fan Forum and Site

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

In reading some reviews of Shinkai-sensei's work as a whole, one critic made the statement that these works tend to be too sappy, for lack of a better word. The critic (I'll need to find the link t the review) inferred that people in real life wouldn't act so melodramatic.

What do you think? Too sappy or just enough emotion?

Laz

Junpei · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:09 am Post subject:

Shinkai's works are indeed deep, are full of emotion and meaning. But that is probably the great thing about it. Not many people usually think about these things in real life nor would they would act so melodramatic as you have said but this is his own choice he has made. Shinkai-san was really inspired deeply in his life by anime and manga which is what made him start his career.

(Bit of history plus some pictures used in his works)
http://www.anime-source.com/banza...ntent&pa=showpage&pid=473

Personally, no matter what you say, Shinkai is a great man. His animations have all meaning in them and I'm sure others would do a lot better explaining a lot of other reasons in detail. Anyway, he has passion, and with that led him to what he is now so that is a major step in his life. To me, realizing, experiencing and understanding is one of the biggest things that could happen in life.

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

I do not agree with the critic or the critique I was mentioning ... just thought I would throw it out there to the group to see what people thought.

I would say that yes, these works are dramatic (not melodramatic) and full of emotion .. because they cover areas that are dramatic in anyones life (love, longing, desire, fear, etc.). We've all been through those feelings at one time or another and reacted differently. I know when I was at the age of some of these characters these types of feelings were very strong and deep and so these characters make sense to me and act in a way that I believe is possible.

As much as I am always amazed with the images, it is always the characters and their stories that I love the most.

Laz

Menasha · vc_bios_b960909 Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 822

No, I think that's the point of his narratives, a major part of his stories come from the emotions the characters feel.

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

It also seemed that, from reading the 2 short pamphlets in the Voices/Place Promised box set, that these were emotions that he felt strongly at various times. I think he does a great job of conveying the emotions in these films.

Laz

the_emh · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:40 am Post subject:

the point of the movies is to be emotional. how can you have a romantic tragity that is not emotional.

o hope that in his next movie instead of showing the problems of a couple he focusses on one person who is completely ignored by the person he/ she loves. that way i will be able to relate to it more.

Menasha · vc_bios_b960909 Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 822

I actaully hope it's something completly different then 5 CM haha. But ill still be waiting no matter what it is!

Chobi · Tracer Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 16 Location: NH, USA

First post- i'd just like to say Laz you are the man for making this board. I've been a fan of Shinkai-sama since voices of a distant star came out and I rented it on netflix then i was hooked. Its great to collaborate with fellow admirers.

As far as it being too sappy I don't think so at all. I agree with the rest of the group that is is certainly the heart felt emotion that grips the viewer so much in his films so much that you can fell emotionally and see visually (with amazing visuals) the pain and sadness and happyness the characters go through which is what makes an anime great, and his works are certainly that. I have a lot of relation to the characters on a personal level especially in 5cm per second, because the events of Tono's life are almost identical to mine in his situation with Akari. I'll be honest that the emotion in his works brings me to tears sometimes because of how much I can empathize and relate to the characters.
_________________
"This world, I think we like it"

Junpei · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject:

"The advanced point of animation is that we can show more beautiful landscape than the real world. A creator can pour something beyond language into the beautifulness.

In addition, I think landscapes can be the most intimate "cure" when we feel sad or pain. Even if your emotions didn't reach someone, and you could do nothing for it, you can see from panoramic viewpoint that you are surrounded by beautiful landscapes and have connections to the huge world...."

-Shinkai Makoto

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

Thanks Chobi ... it's folks like you and the other folks on the board that make this all worth while.

From time to time I'll throw some questions out to the group just to see what they think. I had seen this review (and there are a few others) where the critic found some fault with Shinkai-sensei's works. I guess that's their opinion ... for what it's worth.

I've always felt that Shinkai is very honest in his films. I never feel like he's "trying" to make you feel a certain way. I think he just kinda lays the story out there and you feel what you feel.