shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 13, 2016 11:38:12 GMT -5
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Post by thwhtguardian on Apr 2, 2016 20:53:25 GMT -5
I really liked the history portion in the prologue, it was a fun adventure but interesting too as it mixed historical fact and fantasy into one in a way that in the west is only associated with religious texts. Another think I picked up this time but some how missed in the earlier stories with Priest Sanshobo was that he served under Ikeda, I looked back and it was mentioned before but I never put two and two together and it's a fun connection between two of my favorite supporting characters and their reunion was awesome but it was so sad that it was short lived.
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Post by stillpoint on Nov 20, 2016 1:38:17 GMT -5
Not that I have a better idea, but calling this "Grasscutter II" really invites comparisons with "Grasscutter," and they aren't the same kind of story. This one has fewer threads to follow, Usagi plays a larger part, and lacks the supernatural element that gave "Grasscutter" a more fantasy epic feel. Also, the climax in "Grasscutter", with the souls blasting from Jei's body and leaving him a pile of ash, was a mind-blower, and then there was a denouement chapter. G2's climax, to my mind, was the battle on the coast, but then there's another climactic battle in the next issue, so everyone's machinations and efforts lead to two moments rather than one. That diminishes the emotional impact a bit even though this story had more tragedy in it with Ikeda and Saru.
That's not to say I dislike G2; I actually really like it. Chizu is one of my favorites, and she carries the story here while having several great moments.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 22, 2016 8:09:38 GMT -5
Not that I have a better idea, but calling this "Grasscutter II" really invites comparisons with "Grasscutter," and they aren't the same kind of story. This one has fewer threads to follow, Usagi plays a larger part, and lacks the supernatural element that gave "Grasscutter" a more fantasy epic feel. Also, the climax in "Grasscutter", with the souls blasting from Jei's body and leaving him a pile of ash, was a mind-blower, and then there was a denouement chapter. G2's climax, to my mind, was the battle on the coast, but then there's another climactic battle in the next issue, so everyone's machinations and efforts lead to two moments rather than one. That diminishes the emotional impact a bit even though this story had more tragedy in it with Ikeda and Saru. That's not to say I dislike G2; I actually really like it. Chizu is one of my favorites, and she carries the story here while having several great moments. I'd go so far as to say that G2 is the total opposite of G1. Whereas Grasscutter was an extremely complex tale with so many characters and plotlines threading through it, leaving Usagi as a relatively passive participant, G2 is tightly focused and gives Usagi the most critical role. I'm the only person I know who prefers G2. The desperate, against-the-odds battle of a small team of noble warriors against mounting odds felt very Seven Samurai to me. |
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Post by stillpoint on Nov 24, 2016 18:31:33 GMT -5
Not that I have a better idea, but calling this "Grasscutter II" really invites comparisons with "Grasscutter," and they aren't the same kind of story. This one has fewer threads to follow, Usagi plays a larger part, and lacks the supernatural element that gave "Grasscutter" a more fantasy epic feel. Also, the climax in "Grasscutter", with the souls blasting from Jei's body and leaving him a pile of ash, was a mind-blower, and then there was a denouement chapter. G2's climax, to my mind, was the battle on the coast, but then there's another climactic battle in the next issue, so everyone's machinations and efforts lead to two moments rather than one. That diminishes the emotional impact a bit even though this story had more tragedy in it with Ikeda and Saru. That's not to say I dislike G2; I actually really like it. Chizu is one of my favorites, and she carries the story here while having several great moments. I'd go so far as to say that G2 is the total opposite of G1. Whereas Grasscutter was an extremely complex tale with so many characters and plotlines threading through it, leaving Usagi as a relatively passive participant, G2 is tightly focused and gives Usagi the most critical role. I'm the only person I know who prefers G2. The desperate, against-the-odds battle of a small team of noble warriors against mounting odds felt very Seven Samurai to me. I didn't get a Seven Samurai vibe until you mentioned it, but I think you're right. "Three Seasons" and Jizo", where Usagi isn't the driver if the story, are two of my favorites, so maybe G1 appeals more to me for that same quality. Also, I really liked the Tomoe/Ikeda sub-plot in G1. G2 suffers from a lack of Tomoe. |
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Post by randomjc on Mar 20, 2017 14:53:00 GMT -5
While I like this one, I'm a touch sad at Ikeda's death, but was good. My biggest problem is that battle at the cliff feels more like a climax, and that the final issue feels less impactfull to me. I do enjoy the road travel aspect of the story. It's such an odd duck, It doesn't feel his best, but it's still strong.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 21, 2017 9:29:15 GMT -5
While I like this one, I'm a touch sad at Ikeda's death, but was good. My biggest problem is that battle at the cliff feels more like a climax, and that the final issue feels less impactfull to me. I do enjoy the road travel aspect of the story. It's such an odd duck, It doesn't feel his best, but it's still strong. The cliffs truly were the climax, but the resolutions were so meaningful that they needed their own space to breathe. I particularly love what we learn about Gen at the end. It reveals a whole other side to him that I'd always hoped was there. |
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Post by brutalis on May 8, 2018 8:34:57 GMT -5
Grasscutter II, the sequel that really isn't a sequel because it is it's own thing. Very 70's ish in that they have the same title and part of an over all continuing story yet each stands alone and are great arcs. The fight on the run with each escape only a momentary reprise before the fight continues is also a very WW2 movie kind of thing. The constant struggle physically and mentally wearying as you keep pushing onward exhausting all your options in hopes of surviving long enough to achieve your goal only to see it fail (or so it seems) in the end. Then the big reveal after that a switch was made and the real prize got away with all your fighting acting as a cover/subterfuge against the enemy. Stan does it again with creative writing and splendid characters. I like Chizu and it really hurt when Ikeda died after having survived so much in his past and finding a peace he deserved only to have it taken away. Tears in my eyes with this one...
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