And these are the penultimate episodes for Zetsuen no Tempest, with its finale about to air tomorrow. They weren’t about a mindfuck, but instead about a complete role reversal from what you’d expect: Hanemura gets to play the hero, while everyone else plays backup. It might seem insignificant, but I find this really refreshing to see: it isn’t trying to force its main characters into the spotlights. Instead it’s offering everyone his chance for this.
And I really like Hanemura by the way, for a character who got introduced in the second half of this series. He is a very good example of a wimpy looking character done right. First of all because amongst the cast, he was often the only one stupid enough to state the obvious. Plus, his little outburst in episode 22 was pretty damn cool for him. I really loved the irony there: this series prides itself with its focus on logic. And here Hanemura just coms and kicks some emotions back into the characters.
What also was really refreshing was the way episode 23 ended: when they were all rounding up those crewmembers on the boats, I was really wondering why everyone just complied like sheep. I mean, I know that they put bombs on the ships and all, but the way in which everyone just complied neatly felt a bit like they were all just plot devices. To think that nobody was crazy enough to try something… And they did. It’s not the first time Yoshino has been shot to near-death, but this is slightly different than before, with all of the build-up of “we’re not going to care about you or anything”.
Now, as for the actual ending… Zetsuen no Tempest really was an awesome series, but I do not think that it will have the strongest ending out of the “Big Four” of the Autumn Season (Psycho Pass, Tempest, Jojo, From the New World). Out of all of the penultimate episodes, I’d say that this one has the least hints that it’s going to become something special. But who knows? It might surprise us again. I’d love it if it did that.
Rating: 5.5/8 (Excellent)
Here’s what I think will happen: Hakaze won’t let the tree be destroyed anymore, because she will need it to revive Yoshino.
These were pretty meh for final episodes. I’m still hopeful that. The finale will deliver, Psycho Pass and From the New World did, I’ve read Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure arc 2 so I know that one will deliver. Tempest is the last one I’m unsure of.
The voice-over strategy explanation during the action scenes was a bit much in my opinion. It’s not like anything that fiendishly complicated was transpiring. The delivery needn’t be so ham-fisted. Other than that, the last couple episodes were pretty solid I guess.
I’m hoping and expecting for at least one or two more surprises by the end though. It’s Zetsuen no Tempest, after all.
In my opinion Tempest has been the weakest of the shows Psgels mentioned. Thats not to say it is bad. Its just that it has throughout the series spoon-fed its audience with over explanation, I feel, to try and give this perception that its all very logical; which in turn would not need any explanation if it were.
I try not to be too hard on the show though, as its not that easy to examine the themes it has shown, and few shows before it have done it well. But Shakespeare it definitely is not. You should expect some criticism where it falls short if you are going to piggy-back some exposure and/or devices from a more successful work. Although, again I try not to be too hard on it, as not many stories can match the literary canons, such as Shakespeare’s work.
The Shakespeare? I don’t even try to go there.
I had more issues with Tempest first half than second half, probably because there were more parts of the first half that tried to force-feed exposition, had lots of people dying or turning into stone with little impact. And dem flying fruits. That said, I’m not quite sure it ever really established the setting of the second half in a satisfying way (didn’t feel that real or clicked together), or was that intentional?
Out of the four shows I’d say JoJo’s had the most consistency and fewest misses, but that’s the nature of that kind of action series when done well. Doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best, though I might consider that.
Tempest. I have high hopes. The ending. I’m hoping it’s great. PP was very disappointing. Sakura was a bit lack luster. The rest I dropped so I don’t know. But I’m hoping for a grand ending! This show deserves one.
Humm, can you entertain me in how PP ending was disappointing?
I mean unless you were expecting some happy go lucky ending were the protagonists naivety touch’s peoples hearts and they give up on all their beliefs for some naive dream they know will never happen.
As for Zetsuen, the episodes were quite solid, and even if its not obvious there’s so much space for crazy stuff and twists to happen that I cannot wait for it, even if the shadow of “bones pathetic endings” is always lurking in my consciousness I still have hope because of the creator.