Does BIG-O's current lack of closure bother you?

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As for the art...not a big deal to me...

Thank you. Probably the most intelligent response I've heard in regards to animation, this entire thread.

I can understand that the art style isn't important to some folks. And yes, I tend to make too much of that one facet of animation.

However, I strongly dislike digital animation, not only because it looks poor to my eye, but it represents a cheapening of animation on the whole. It has become less of an undertaking and more of a casual medium, which to me is a sign of degrading quality of product.

While I feel strongly about that, I am quite willing to accept other's opinions on the matter and not contest them, as much as I'd like to.

Opinions are opinions, I guess. Personally, I can't bring myself to see eye-to-eye with any of the stuff on the previous page.

Big O's Season 2 was completely rushed which, and for another of different things, killed its chances of being as good as Season 1. Also, I just think that Season 2 devoted more to the main plot (what is Paradigm City, who runs the damn show, Roger... Roger... Roger..., etc.) than Season 1 did and that's one reason I like Season 2 better than Season 1. But Season 2 didn't do the best job in the world at doing that.

Also, Season 1 had fresh as hell characters and great wonderful character development. And that's another thing that Season 2 sucked hard at. It's all about character development, people. Character development. I mean, at the start of Season 2, they throw at us a half human/half cyborg whose like a fake-ass quadripule secret agent and then there's Vera with her fake-ass accent whose all of a sudden a major role player? Don't get me started on Vera, please.

For myself, I'm a sucka for art direction but most of the time when its done right, I don't really give a damn. Season 1's was pretty damn good but then it went to Season 2 and well, you all saw the tailspin from that.

Oh, and by the way, The Greatest Villain was a helluja an episode, even for a filler.

EDIT: I also voted for "Um... don't know." for the poll. I liked the ending personally but as far as plot wise, it sucked and left way too many things unanswered as we already know.
Peace.

well said Nine. I just felt season two was extreamly rushed,not to mention some rather bad filler episodes, although the Greatest Villian was a riot. Also the bad guys in season II where weak, Vera anyone? Alan had his moments but none of them couldn't even come close to toping Schartzwald (butchered that I know >< )

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Originally posted by Randolph I can understand that the art style isn't important to some folks. And yes, I tend to make too much of that one facet of animation. However, I strongly dislike digital animation, not only because it looks poor to my eye, but it represents a cheapening of animation on the whole. It has become less of an undertaking and more of a casual medium, which to me is a sign of degrading quality of product. While I feel strongly about that, I am quite willing to accept other's opinions on the matter and not contest them, as much as I'd like to.

I can definitely understand where you're coming from. The art and the way a series is presented (viewpoints of characters and "cameras" that film the action) is important to me, and was a big reason why I got into Big O. However, the art style in both seasons is top notch in my opinion, thus its not that big a deal to me. There is a difference, but its not a big deal to me since I was already hooked on the show and the way it was created...

I would love to see a season 3 why not after all Konaka said he love to do a season 3 if the fans want it. Sure the ending 50/50 from what I seen here but what could it hurt? Will another 13 eps will hurt Big-O? Who knows but why not have them direct to video instead of airing them on AS which is taken over by bad comedy shows. The idea of sending tomatoes to AS HQ in my opinion is brillant at least that will show them that there fans out there who supports their show.

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taken over by bad comedy shows.

I'd assume 12oz mouse would be one of those "Bad Comedy" shows? I think it's more profitable for them to do "bad comedy" shows, but I never bought the "oh we can't afford season three" excuse they throw out, however like I mentioned in another thread Spamming the AS forums won't accomplish much.

Edit: atleast the Smith Mansion is getting some replies, which is always good.

As I like to say " There's no shame in admitting defeat."

I don't spam their threads all I do is stay informive of Big-O and trying to help out fans that post there. Even though not everyone agrees with what were trying to explain at least I go there and represent what I believe in. The revolution will be televised.

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I'd assume 12oz mouse would be one of those "Bad Comedy" shows?

I'd have to say Minoriteam is worse.

Yeah I know, I'm the resident 12 oz mouse fanboy..in fact, if I felt like it I could probably convince you the overall plotline from season 1 seems vaguely similar to Big O (long story, but I do hold that theory)..but...comeon. MINORITEAM!?

I'm actually sort of saddened the guy who did "I'm with Busey" is responsible for that...to go from something so good to something so BAD...

Again though...I have to ask...how badly do we WANT a season 3. I know alot of you have pushed for it, designed an incredibly snazzy website for it (again, I love how it looks, my cynicism about internet petitions aside, thats a very well done site). But really...Act 26 CAN be construed as an ending, and I'd say a fairly valid one.

I bring this up alot..but...the best example I can think of is Millennium. Season 2 ended almost perfectly, the apocalypse happened, the last shot was of the main character with a jaded look as if he knew nothing good could happen. It fit perfectly with the general theme of the show...then they decided to continue it. Season 3 invalidated half the plotline, wrote it all off, the apocalypse wound up being a localized viral outbreak.

I understand its different with Big O...the writer "has an idea" (as opposed to morgan and wong writing it into a corner and jumping ship with millennium). But really..how do you explain act 26? How can you keep it going, without repeating the same old plot? If things reset themselves, then wouldn't a third season just be sort of a rehash?

I mean..I liked Big O. I REALLY liked it..as much as I'd love to see more, I'd want to see it done RIGHT. And my only concern is it wouldn't stand up to the quality of the past two seasons.

Then again I'm a pessimist...so...keep fighting the good fight if you must. And if you succeed, more power to you. I'll still reserve judgement until I see the new stuff.

oh no sharp, I love 12oz mouse and yes minoriteam does suck although I have my new show coming out called majoriteam.

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Act 26 CAN be construed as an ending, and I'd say a fairly valid one.

well said sharp.

Like I've said before, if people wanna keep sending letter, more power to ya, even though AS has made it pretty clear there won't be a season 3

I think we need a prequel season more than anything.

And speaking of really cliffhanging series endings, Angel had me going WTF.

Yes. That show.

Nice Idea Zap. I could see a prequel season, but the end was infact final but I could see a prequel season, and honestly that would be much more interesting in my opinion.

A prequel to Big O has been discussed a number of times in the past, and I still think it would be better than continuing the story into the future. Since the actual Event of 40 Years Ago was never clarified, a prequel would certainly be of use.

Sooo... all together now...

WE WANT SEASON 0!!

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WE WANT SEASON 0!!

Yes, and to get it we must flood AS with letters, and send truckloads of fruits and or vegtables, or if that fails, storm the front and make the infidels burn. Sorry I couldn't restrain myself

I'm sorry, but I'm just going to throw in my opinion here without much regard to the discussion thus far.

To me, The Big O was all about characters, premise, and setting. Paradigm City was an extremely fascinating concept that, although dealt with a fair deal by the series, still has unfathomable potential left for poking and prodding by another The Big O. It's a stage... a huge, mysterious, haunted play house that you can plop characters down in and have great fun watching them act out their lives according to the stage and script.

I think that's why TBO manga didn't bother me. I just considered it a different play performed on the same stage. And that's why I don't so much want another season of TBO, as I just want more of it in one way or another. I would be open to an OAV or a movie that could even be totally alternate universe, just as long as the characters are the same and the setting is Paradigm City.

I would love to see the current story brought to a proper finish, but I am more interested in Paradigm City itself.

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Originally posted by Mistress-Samwise To me, The Big O was all about characters, premise, and setting. Paradigm City was an extremely fascinating concept that, although dealt with a fair deal by the series, still has unfathomable potential left for poking and prodding by another The Big O. It's a stage... a huge, mysterious, haunted play house that you can plop characters down in and have great fun watching them act out their lives according to the stage and script.

Yah, I agree with the above... but just speaking my mind, I don't think the "whole world's a stage" motif should be taken completely into account should SeasonIII make it to production. I mean, it played an important role in SeasonII, but SeasonIII probably should steer around that and stick closer to the film noir aspects and giant robot awesomeness (and maybe giving Angel an actual character type, other than "wtf?"). But you're right, the aspects you've listed really give Big O a uniqueness that no other show can compare to.

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I think that's why TBO manga didn't bother me. I just considered it a different play performed on the same stage. And that's why I don't so much want another season of TBO, as I just want more of it in one way or another. I would be open to an OAV or a movie that could even be totally alternate universe, just as long as the characters are the same and the setting is Paradigm City.

The anime is awesome, but the manga is awesome too... (this ain't really a comment on what you've said...I'm just adding on :embarassed: )
In the manga Angel's role actually makes sense. (for those who didn't read the manga...don't look at the spoiler)

spoiler (highlight to read):

Angel is portrayed as the mysterious "Russian spy" type woman. Hell she's there in the sexy-but-do-I-trust-her? Fujiko-esque way (she WAS modeled after Fujiko Mine afterall). Her piloting Big Four makes a LOT more sense than the Anime's reason.

I know they're two different story lines, but if parts of the manga were intertwined with the anime's style, I think we'd have a winner!

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I would love to see the current story brought to a proper finish, but I am more interested in Paradigm City itself.

Indeed. Make an OVA or something to bring some sort of 5 episode resolution...but make another season so we can see more awesomeness from Roger and Big O in the City of Amnesia.

Addressing multiple topics in one post, yay.

Season 3: Whether a third season is a good idea or not seems to depend less on how confused the ending was, and more on if you believe the series was intended to have more than two season.

If it was only supposed to have two seasons, a third season might not work out too well. They'd have to make up new plots, which might ruin the previous two seasons. And judging by Big O's track record of having confused cliff-hanger endings, it's very likely a third season will end on the exact same note.

If it was intended to have three seasons, a third season would give the show a chance to wrap things up and give the series the conclusive ending it deserves. Plus... more of Big O. Is that really so wrong?

I suspect the truth lies somewhere in between. I really want a conclusive ending. Season three would be a wonderful thing, but only if it doesn't have a "Wait--- WHAT?" finale like the first two. If it the show really was meant to go on, then the best scenario will probably be an OVA. Long enough to provide an answer for Damn Episode 26, but too short to introduce insignificant plots or filler episodes/characters.

Season 1 vs. 2: Wow. I love the style of Big O. Setting, character designs, the music (ohhhhh yes the music), the mood. I love the characters, the mysterious Paradigm City, and yes, even the giant robots (not a mecha fan here). The quality of the animation doesn't bother me one bit.

Season 1 does a lot of character development for the main characters-- so does Season 2. Not just Roger and Dorothy, just look at Angel. By the end of Season 2 she was a sympathetic and even likeable person. The worst thing about "Electric City" is her introduction, she makes such a terrible first impression. Beck grows beyond being just a flat comedic relief villain, and becomes someone you can at least understand. Alex Rosewater also has a lot of character development, so you have some believability behind the 'creepy all-powerful government ruler guy'.

The story and secondary characters in Season 2 are a heck of a lot more interesting than those of Season 1. Episodic is fine (that TBC can get really annoying), but for gods sake 'episodic' doesn't have to equal 'formulaic'. And if you MUST use a tired old formula, there are a lot better ones than mad scientist of the week. And for that matter, if you've got to do the mad scientists thing... well. Eugene. Gisang. Pleeeease, we can do much better than that.

"40 years ago, etc. OMG a mad scientist! Now lets have a giant robot fight."



Tomatoes: As far as tomatoes are concerned, not something I'd do personally, but look at it this way. If it accomplishes nothing... it's still a great prank! Many, many people have spent far more time and money invested in pranks that serve positively no purpose whatsoever. If sending tomatoes to CN gets attention and helps at all, great. If not, it's still really funny.

~J

To me, the big thing about big O was that it didn't explain everything, or resole evewrything, but let the viewer inperpret it and make what he could of it.

it was interesting, original, unique and I loved it, but to have all the issued 'resolved' would rob it of the mystery and the special quality it had.

It would bother me, because Season 2 was a total wreck and, it did have a really big lack of closure, and I would think, if a Season 3 were ever to come up (and I hope it would), they should make it, to make up for the bad ratings Season 2 made.