Board Thread:News and Announcements/@comment-26428332-20160325222604/@comment-26210494-20161129094738

(bored and replying to forum posts at 1am)

I had a lot of initial thoughts upon first seeing the PV in a livestream, but my first reaction was so begin cry-typing in the wikia chat where everyone could see my bafoonery. I was a mess. A Mutsu-Loving Mess.

Putting that embarrassing persona of mine aside, some serious thoughts!

The visuals look absolutely stunning (duh, it's Ufotable), which is everything we could ask for. The setting of the first half-minute preview hint at an action-packed, tear-packed, suffering-packed, nitty-gritty storyline, which makes me even more excited than I was before! Just 30 seconds?! I've been on the edge of my seat for what, two months now?

I mean no disrepect towards Hanamaru and its creators who've been working hard on the project, but if I were to explain what I want Ufotable to deliver, it would be, um... sorry, the total opposite of Hanamaru. Hanamaru is a cute, fluffy show full of inside jokes, fanservice, and doesn't really have a plot. It's basically paradise for a fan, but it's not what the masochist in me desires.

Or to put it another way, I believe so strongly in the potential of Touken Ranbu's story. Let's be honest, it's all about the attractive guys, but the concept is unique (at least I think so) and full of opportunities for a serious narrative. How do you come to terms with the past? Is it better to do good even if it goes against the laws of time? Are the legends we've heard made to hide the darker, evil parts of history? How many pocky sticks can Nagasone fit between his gigantic bops? Serious questions that could be explored during a fight to protect history.

I want blood, sweat, and tears. I want the swords to stop awakening when they get a papercut, hell, chop someone's arm off (okay, wait no--). I want as much emotional conflict as there's opportunity for physical, and a chance to see our favorite boys fleshed out beyond what we could ever imagine. I'd love the show to not shy away from making its own decisions about their own take on Tourabu's universe, and really develop their own setting, but I do love how Hanamaru respects fandom interpretation. (whispers I'd love it to focus more on plot than jamming every character in, even if I'm sad because I didn't get to see one of my sons.)

Of course, I have my own questions and concerns, but I think it's too early for me to articulate them. For now, I can't help but just feel really, really excited, and grateful that we get to watch two anime adaptations.