Impeccable vibes on this one, but the story felt a bit jumbled and hard to follow. I'm all for show-don't-tell, but I think it could have benefited from trimming down the number of unfamiliar elements to throw around, at least to start with. I couldn't really get a read on any of the characters' motivations or goals, either. It feels like the selling point is supposed to be "tokusatsu, but make it cyberpunk", but I've got no personal attachment to either of those genres, so it didn't do much for me.

But it's always good to see original anime, so I'll give Bones some time to cook before I give up completely. Judging just from the premiere, though, I give it a 3/5

[–] ludrol@bookwormstory.social 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I really liked the jumbled mess of the story. It felt like complex story told in a complex way. For me it felt refreshing from all the isekais that have simple story told in a simple way.

I don't think director wanted us to already have motivation of our characters. They wanted us to guess. Does antagonist want all those nectars for money or to control androids?

[–] glilimith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

For sure, I'd take this style of storytelling over the handholding we get in many other shows any day. I just typically look for a show to exemplify its own strengths early on, which includes its ability to pay off things it's built up.

The best case for me is when a story weaves a smaller version of its larger arc within the first episode, giving us a taste of what the show is aiming for, be that twists and turns of intrigue, cathartic payoff of some tension it's built up, or the solution to a mystery. Obviously it won't hit as hard as later events will, but it proves that a show is capable of following through on its promises. (which helps spot shows like Lost, who keep promising and never deliver)

And it can be fun to watch characters and try to figure out what their motivations are, but it would be nice to get a bit of something for any of our characters, even if it's incomplete or even false, because as it is I feel a bit adrift in the story without anything to hold onto.

But I'm still hopefully my issues with the show get resolved soon. I do want to trust Bones on this one, even though the premiere didn't wow me.

[–] Rozauhtuno@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 10 months ago

The 'Show, don't tell' techinque can make for a great show, but to make it work you really need to strike the perfect balance (e.g. Haibane Renmei, Sora no Woto...)