Blazblue: Alter Memory

[Lucalibur]

...N.O.L.S...

This is nightmare fuel straight out of my childhood. Loved RE3.

[swordsman09]

*doesnt get it* =__=

Either you've never played UMVC3 with Nemesis, or you don't like Resident Evil.

[Shinhwa]

Either you've never played UMVC3 with Nemesis, or you don't like Resident Evil.

Never played it sorry. Not a console gamer sadly.

[Volt]

Never played it sorry. Not a console gamer sadly.

The only thing Nemesis says in the entire game is S.T.A.R.S. which is the name of the police force the protagonists of the game worked in.

And this episode wouldn't be that bad, if the series were longer. The hot spring only showed how Ragna healed so fast, also that Ragna kind of likes Noel, and that Rachel kind of likes Ragna and is a jealous rabbit. Aside from that, tons of unnecessary fanservice that only raised a greater question: "They rushed CT for this?" but everything aside from this scene, was good and interesting. And we'll finally have a fight scene in episode 6 to show us if they actually learned how to do a proper fight scene or if every fight that includes Murakumos and Ragna will be a bunch of DBZ scribbles.

[LordSpectreX]

The only thing Nemesis says in the entire game is S.T.A.R.S. which is the name of the police force the protagonists of the game worked in.

And this episode wouldn't be that bad, if the series were longer. The hot spring only showed how Ragna healed so fast, also that Ragna kind of likes Noel, and that Rachel kind of likes Ragna and is a jealous rabbit. Aside from that, tons of unnecessary fanservice that only raised a greater question: "They rushed CT for this?" but everything aside from this scene, was good and interesting. And we'll finally have a fight scene in episode 6 to show us if they actually learned how to do a proper fight scene or if every fight that includes Murakumos and Ragna will be a bunch of DBZ scribbles.

To be fair, you have to understand that most of Continuum Shift as the game, is just exposition while standing in an empty stage field. The important plot point during the hotsprings scene was when Rachel tells Ragna to calm down and not let the Black Beast consume him through his anger. It's a pretty important plot point as it is what leads Ragna to his normal or bad ending. If they just explained stuff like they did in the game, it would be pretty boring. So I do understand why a scene LIKE the hotsprings scene is there.

[FinalDoomGuy]

But the problem here is, not only is the whole black beast laying dormant inside Ragna thing much too important to leave to a really fucking cringey hot springs scene, it's something that could've been introduced in a much better way.

One of the things I loved about that plot point is that both Jubei and Rachel knew how fucking stupid and amoral it was to give a weapon of mass destruction to an emotionally damaged young boy but didn't have a choice; they needed a weapon of their own against Terumi. Why not show those scenes then? Like the flashback where Jubei says "I got him involved after all. I'm sorry. I really am. You can hate me if ya want. I promised I'd never use it again, but... I'm just gonna borrow this one more time...".

There's really no point in having a character spout exposition when you've got lines like that to use to not only show plot points but add some character development as well.

[SixWingedAngel]

And we'll finally have a fight scene in episode 6 to show us if they actually learned how to do a proper fight scene or if every fight that includes Murakumos and Ragna will be a bunch of DBZ scribbles.

Judging by the horrible scene where noel just stands there and shoots down the random mobs that appear on the way to kagutsuchi, no, they didn't learn siet, lol.

[Narroo]

But the problem here is, not only is the whole black beast laying dormant inside Ragna thing much too important to leave to a really fucking cringey hot springs scene, it's something that could've been introduced in a much better way.

And that's not counting the fact that they haven't really even mentioned what the BB is or what the grimore is. We know, because we played the game, but from the standpoint of the series, this makes no sense and is poorly done.

Such back-story and exposition would have been much better done in CT. The time loop would have given them the perfect excuse to introduce all the characters and plot threads and back story, all in a coherent fashion. Instead, we have random cameos and hot spring baths.

The best part of this show, I claim, is end of episode one: "Please remove the jinx on cartoons based on fighting games!"

[FinalDoomGuy]

And that's not counting the fact that they haven't really even mentioned what the BB is or what the grimore is. We know, because we played the game, but from the standpoint of the series, this makes no sense and is poorly done.

Such back-story and exposition would have been much better done in CT. The time loop would have given them the perfect excuse to introduce all the characters and plot threads and back story, all in a coherent fashion. Instead, we have random cameos and hot spring baths.

The best part of this show, I claim, is end of episode one: "Please remove the jinx on cartoons based on fighting games!"

Yeah, CT would've been excellent for world and character building along with a pretty decent hook with the whole time loop thing. Plus they had an opportunity to expand on stuff never really explained in any detail or to a satisfactory amount in the games. After all, considering how important the NOL is meant to be, they don't actually have much of a presence. So they have total control on the land masses where people live, but why should I care? People seem to be living quite happily and seem free to do whatever they like. Whatever snippets of actual bad things they do such as rich and upper class people living at the top, and the proles staying near the bottom where there's still seithr don't get elaborated on to any satisfactory level which makes the world seem quite dull and empty.

Hell, they don't even give a shit about Ragna, who's apparently the most wanted criminal strolling around in full uniform and a massive sword. So is Hazama just telling Noel about Ragna and trying to stop a panic from happening? Why are there no NOL officers patrolling about?

I know this isn't THAT related to the anime specifically, but when we've had an episode with a fucking hot springs scene taking up the majority of the 20 minutes, there's nothing of substance to actually say about it.

[kibakirain]

For me, the best episode was episode 4 because it actually made sense. Even from the point of view from someone who doesn't play the games. I showed it to my sister and she actually got some shit.

I really get what you guys are saying about the hot springs scene. It is a waste of time and the plot of Blazblue, especially Continuum Shift, has already a lot going on and has no space for fillers. At least gag reels are not canon...

[swordsman09]

I'm gonna call it. The next episode will have Drunken Litchi dressing up somebody.

[FinalDoomGuy]

For me, the best episode was episode 4 because it actually made sense. Even from the point of view from someone who doesn't play the games. I showed it to my sister and she actually got some shit.

I really get what you guys are saying about the hot springs scene. It is a waste of time and the plot of Blazblue, especially Continuum Shift, has already a lot going on and has no space for fillers. At least gag reels are not canon...

And I was really looking forward to 5 after 4 being pretty good.

[raziel12]

well i can see where they going with this though they dont want make the anime and the story all about fighting since things gonna get serious now its a good change i kinda liked it

[Zazz]

I felt the hot springs detour was very much in the same style of Ragna's usual gag story routes where he's surrounded by crazy females and he just wants to escape. Sure, there's no love powered glasses, but its pretty much a situation that fits with how things tend to end up with Ragna.

I figure things will get back on track now that Lambda & Tager are on the scene.

I'm more interested in seeing if there are more "out of order" cameos like Trinity and Phantom showing up super early. I wouldn't be surprised if Kagura or Homura have a scene in Bang's Tenjo flashback.

[kylehyde]

Maybe I'm defending this show too much but honestly I liked the hotspring detour. It wasn't overt fanservice and I thought it was somewhat amusing.

Af first I thought each episode would have the focus on a specific character, but it does seem like this will be all Ragna POV. Which means he's almost going to reach Terumi. If their going by the game, then it's Lambda, Rachel, and then Terumi. That is if there is no bad ending route.

[Shinhwa]

I swear, there needs to be a Spectacles of Eros episode for sure... XD

And Noel's Cooking of Death episode 8D

[swordsman09]

I swear, there needs to be a Spectacles of Eros episode for sure... XD

That'll happen.

And Noel's Cooking of Death episode 8D

This'll probably be some sort of flashback or something.

[Shinhwa]

I actually wish Ragna's death dream gag route was also animated... but that's too much to dream I guess... ^^;;

[kylehyde]

I think the series is too short to devote an episode to gag endings.

[mAc Chaos]

How would that even work in an anime.

"lol just kidding, none of that stuff happened. time for episode 9!"

[kylehyde]

How would that even work in an anime.

"lol just kidding, none of that stuff happened. time for episode 9!"

They could make it a dream sequence, the way Ragna's gag ending was. And then he just wakes up and is like WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!!!

[Shadow Draygon]

Or just do 1 to 2 minute sketches at the end of each episode like some anime do.

[BlackYakuzu94]

They could just make the Gag Reels OVA's

[Volt]

Come to think of it, was there a shift in this series? I mean, Rachel and the guys who actually know what's going on keep talking about it but looks like the continuum shift was a dud.

[SoWL]

Another surprisingly good episode.

- A Ragna-Lambda fight, featuring FIIRUDO HASSEI, DDDD spam, and ground sickle... turned sideways.

- Lambda shows some Nu memories, so Tager pulls her in with his POWER OF MAGNETISM and teleports away to Koko's base.

- Meanwhile, Jin is found in some alleyway by Bang (!), who knocks him unconscious in a single strike, but then brings him to Litchi in a fit of guilt.

- A short discussion of seithr and how it corrupts things between Litchi and Jin.

- Bang takes Jin for a walk in Ronin-Gai, showing how nice he is to everyone in town.

- Jin meets Tsubaki after Bang walks away. Tsubaki activates Izayoi and stabs Jin in the chest.

- CONTINUUM SHIFT TIME! Jin walks away along with Bang, and Tsubaki barely misses them.

- The episode ends with Tsubaki meeting Noel at the station.

Outside of some derpfaces on Bang's side, I found this episode even better than ep 4.