A Measured Defense of Aku no Hana

[@Rihcterwilker]

It being different from the generic anime art style is exactly what drew me in. Using rotoscopy made it all feel so much more tangible and real.

[@CDsNoots]

wrong

[@Snormite]

I don't think it's the visuals what need to make something feel tangible and real, but the narrative and direction... The original story worked great in the manga despite having a more traditional artstyle, the rotoscopíng just caused this show to look uncanny valley and put off a lot of people.

[@Rihcterwilker]

@@Snormite the show was, imo, greatly enhanced by the visuals. Felt much more grounded than the manga, "real" if i can say so, and the music was perfect to set the tone, which the movie on the other hand, failed hard.

[@aconfusedlacroix3965]

okay

[@boytigerrockin]

I also feel the same way! 😊

[@CantcerCause]

I absolutely LOVED the ending theme of AnH... It definitely fit with the vibe or this psychological drama-esque anime

[@hundvd_7]

The first time it started playing, it scared the living shit out of me, with that crackling and the demonic voices

[@whatisthis1958]

i was so happy when it was finally added to spotify in my country lol

[@Narokkurai]

Aku no Hana turned me onto the music of Asa Chang, which turned me onto the Tabla, which has since become my favorite party trick whenever there's a pair of differently-sized pots or pans nearby.

[@snaek2594]

I watched this anime recently, and I honestly resent the fact that the rotoscoping was what turned people off. It's so uncanny, but that's part of what the anime so good. I'm half believing there's some kind of supernatural element to Nakamura for the first few episodes, almost. The artstyle fits the anime well. I don't think it would have been any better if it wasn't rotoscoped. Also, do people not realize that in order to rotoscope, you actually have to have people act out these scenes?? I would imagine they basically spent twice as much money rotoscoping the ENTIRE ANIME as they would have if they had simply made it a live action, or just animation. Someone had to act, and someone had to take that acting, and bring it into the aninated world. It's no small feat.

[@Robjec53]

Rotoscoping is more expensive, but the way it looks tends to be really unpopular. Something being more expensive and unlike isn't going to make people like it more.

[@snaek2594]

@@Robjec53 art isn't always about making people like it, so that's a nonissue.

[@Robjec53]

@snaek2594 it's an issue when talking about the success of an anime. Animation is expensive, and if you make something people don't like you are going to lose money on it, and not be hired back.

[@snaek2594]

@@Robjec53 oh well. Not everything has to be made to be a box office hit.

[@Robjec53]

@snaek2594 the last line of your initial comment implies that people should like it more because it was more expensive and was difficult to do. I'm am countering that that act is what put people off the show. And if a show costs millions to make, which a seasson of an anime would on average, it has to make that money back, or else you have just put dozens of people out of their jobs.

[@angelamante616]

im glad to find people actually like the rotoscope artstyle

[@tristan_840]

How can you not? Especially for a unique piece of story like this.

[@Apselene]

me too, thought i was alone here LOL

[@littlemrsmods7998]

I think its sick, personally

[@slugbones]

Its incredible actually. There are a few scenes where I will admit it looks like they skimped out (when background actors freeze) but other than that, it is amazing and it does the manga justice in every way possible. The music alone is just perfect.

[@dzikrihadipratama2626]

have a bad experience in the past with this style of animation but thanks to this anime I can adapt to this style now.

[@IRLlosersQ]

Thank you for delving into the making of this show and the people behind it! No matter the medium, I feel we tend to shy away from experimental, unconventional, uncomfortable things. But I would encourage anyone to give it a watch, because when I first went into it I'd never have expected it to be so interesting. It's not one of my favorites, but I ended up thinking about it a lot and even rewatching it.

[@boytigerrockin]

It really pulled me in.

[@solanumtuberosa]

Now I kinda wanna see the full non rotoscoped live action cut.

[@Gaming_Legend2]

you can find some eps in daily motion with portugese subs for what i remember

[@MrDuck-vn2fs]

I think this style could work really well for a Pun Pun anime.

[@shobooknight]

Agreed. They are similar stories but the contrast between the realistic characters and punpun, especially adult punpun would be great

[@Kageryushin]

Absolutely not. The rotoscoping is awful.

[@hundvd_7]

If _anything_ can work for PunPun, this might be it

[@kriswell.]

The pacing, sure. The art style/rotoscoping, no 🙅‍♂️

[@Qimchiy]

True EXCEPT the face. Rotoscope the body. The face can be used as reference footage instead of direct rotoscoping like Aku no Hana (the anime in this video) did it.

[@Junior-ts1xg]

Hiroshi Nagahama is making Uzumaki. I will wait for the day it is released. Nagahama standards must be high!

[@prinzexisalowqualityytber]

couldnt find a better director to do it

[@Lukkasilver]

it´s coming out this September, so excited!!

[@youbluethatone1017]

It was announced to be airing late September possibly early October!!! LFG!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@Tektosunny]

​@@prinzexisalowqualityytberlook the newest teaser. Well im big fan of ito and the anime was really great in teaser

[@godislove3339]

wait uzumaki is not finished yet? It's been years

[@lovkarts]

I love how I was already so tired of that saturated anime art style that when I saw Aku no Hana's art stile and soundtrack, I immediately fell in love with it and it became one of my favorite animes, it was nothing like anything I've ever seen before.

[@leoblack8497]

It's what actually encouraged me to pick up manga for the first time in my life

[@sugarkane1571]

I’ve never watched the anime on its own, but I think it fits the specific vibe really well, like coming back from school in the summer under the sweltering sun, with everything you see wavering in heat or your own confusion. The movements feel wobbly but still solid and controlled, like the weird stuff going on isn’t people outside, but with you inside.

[@dogwalk3]

man i just watched it this past year after hearing not great things when i looked it up. i watched a lot of anime around 2002-2007 but stopped up until 2023, so i had a lot of good stuff to catch up with. the art was something that felt "odd" but in the same way the story is kinda uncomfortable. idk what ppl are talking about - i loved it. the music is absolutely incredible as well. binged the manga in two nite's after finishing the anime season. can't believe he was hating on it. i do agree with him that the Live Action is... not good.

[@PoollShietz]

Stile

[@lovkarts]

@@PoollShietz FUCK

[@beelzemobabbity]

The people that see anime like this, or cgi, or a “weird” style and instantly put it off as bad, don’t deserve how good those anime are, and im glad they’re missing out. Every time i see someone saying a manhwa, or manga, has bad art, or “the art gets better!” I wish they never read them.

[@Mimyakko]

The ending song gave me chills the first time I heard it. The first episode ended in silence with a long, still shot and then that terrifying song started playing 😭

[@slugbones]

Reading the manga now after finishing the anime. The anime hits way harder than the chapters it covers. I loved the rotoscoping. It makes it so much more real. The music is incredible. Such an absolute shame people couldn't get past superficial dislike of a different art style. People want to treat stories like video games and judge the "graphics" its juvenile and ridiculous. I really hope someone let the director know what an amazing job he did.

[@Forcommentingpurposes]

The art style isn’t for everyone but it’s for me. There’s something so awkward about it that mirrors the feeling of adolescence. Awkward when you first approach it but a certain fondness that grows as you spend more time with the characters and aetting

[@boytigerrockin]

absolutely

[@swirlybulldozer3105]

FRRR I feel like a normal style would've just been generic without the discomfort

[@redthepale]

So happy to see other people appreciated this show. I still need to get around to reading the manga, but I kept hoping maybe one day we'll get a continuation in the same unique style musically and visually. But remembering now how long it's been since I watched it when it was new... Yeah that's probably not going to happen. :( It's also so upsetting to see that this show effectively ended the career of the director as well. I looove DMC and you just don't get this kind of stylized avant-garde anime anymore. Thank you for covering this one. I'm hoping it'll get more people to watch it because it deserves it, despite its minor flaws.

[@matheusgomessoares6180]

Aku no Hana is by far on of my favorite animes, and i'm so sad tha we won't be able to watch a continuation, the impression the show gave me was so strong that I knew I needed some time to read the manga, so here I am after a year, I finally read the manga and it's great, but I really think for the part the anime covered the story, the anime does better.

[@AlexDimLight]

I actually disliked the animation so much I was like "I'm reading the Manga" and read it within one night, i was THAT hooked

[@nikkisixx4923]

Same, like I know it was supposed to be an amazing new stylistic choice that made it stand out from other anime BUT definitely fell flat and it got memed on. And yea I agree because you look at the manga and it’s got amazing art but then you look at this and it just doesn’t measure up. One of the main things about this medium is about visuals, so of course it ended up the way it did

[@cipaternet]

imagine wanting to post so loudly about having bad taste

[@WolfRain216]

​@@cipaternet people are allowed to dislike things you like and vice versa lmao

[@AlexDimLight]

Is there a problem?

[@bokuboke482]

Your video brings back so many fond memories... Saeki-san's "taisougi", Nakamura-sama's machinations and excesses, a barebum ride in a cop car(?!) near the end of S1. So many fond memories! This anime(?!) dared to flaunt its quality and artistry in ways that would surely have pleased Baudelaire. Cheers!!

[@freshporkbun]

I loved this anime when it was airing and was really sad when it ended. At the time i had never sat through something so moody. Thank you for showing the anime some love.

[@gregkrazanski]

i have no clue what people are saying when they say "shots don't work" they all looked completely fine to me. I loved the animation and art style throughout, it was a great choice

[@Revealingstorm.]

Yeah I don't get it either

[@pvgaming8243]

Because anime fans are annoying and if it deviates from its usual cliche art style even just a little, they immediately write it off.

[@tinand69420]

@@pvgaming8243 fucking weebs lmao

[@placeholder4988]

@@pvgaming8243no because it gets into an uncanny valley

[@sethozera4246]

@@pvgaming8243if it looks like shit, it looks like shit. I’m glad other people can enjoy it, but if I hate how something looks I’m not gonna watch it lol

[@wealthybomb1816]

It's wild to see a 2 year old video say that the Uzumaki adaption is just "later this year" when it only just aired a little over a month ago. Still a shame that anime only had one actual episode...

[@Ramses060784]

I love this anime, thanks for paying attention to it.

[@Camyu0]

I've always loved this OST to such a degree that I was able to quickly get into the anime on a rewatch many years later, having forgotten every bit of it. I probably only paid half of my attention to it, mildly disgusted by the poor rotoscoping. But there is absolutely something to be said about what it does for the framing of each scene. It's fresh and unnerving in a way that really just hits the spot and matches the tone of the series perfectly.

[@EyesDontCry]

I think it makes many scenes absolutely stunning in a purely shocking way. The scene where they paint the classroom is so engrained into my head and while obviously it could have been done in a "normal" animation, I'm glad it was rotoscoped for scenes like that. I think the advantage of rotoscoping in general is both the expressions you can capture and the weight of action. It's like taking all the nuance of a human face and human action and translating it near 1 to 1 in an animated world where there's still plenty of control over the set pieces and action that animation has the liberty to explore. It's a melding of live action and 2d which I appreciate when it's done right.

[@Alysan73]

I looooved the ANH manga, it was my favorite for a long long time, and admittedly I was disappointed when the anime was announced to be rotoscoped. I wanted a "regular" anime adaptation of the story I loved so much. I still watched it as it aired and generally enjoyed it though. Looking back, while I still would like a more traditional adaptation, I think the uniqueness of the rotoscoping is a great choice for a series like ANH and I absolutely respect the director taking a chance like that. It's creative and there's really very little like it. It's not for everybody, but that's a good thing imo. I think the uncomfortable uncanniness of the faces at times fits very well in the deeply uncomfortable content of the series, and I think that discomfort is very much what Oshimi Shuzo would want lol. His works are all so much about the innately human awkwardness that comes with growing up. Rotoscoping suits it well. Plus, the opening is a banger. All of this to say, I really loved this video and your takes on it! Lmao

[@rinzzzzie718]

Same here; even now, I would still prefer an animation that is true to Oshimi's art style (something like the upcoming Uzumaki movie would be fun). But I honestly loved what the Aku No Hana anime was; it fit the mood and the theme of the story, and it had lots of beautiful moments, although it drags a lot in most parts. It's honestly a shame we'll never get a 2nd season.

[@sova2725]

​@@rinzzzzie718 I watched anime and I was pretty satisfied with how it concluded, I kinda love when endings are left untold completely, so I didn't really know there is more of a story, much more in fact. So from your personal experience do you think if I should read the manga to complete the story or leave it as it is?

[@sydoine4519]

​@@sova2725you should read it imo

[@tristan_840]

​@@sova2725same question

[@itachiuchiha572]

"The most beautiful thing is always bizarre" I really love the music and animation tho

[@Elliot226]

I honestly really had loved Aku no Hana, and still do. Sure, it's not perfect. But it was such a breath of fresh air when it came out and so unlike anything else at the time. I LIKED the parts most people hated, the rotoscope and pacing and awkwardness. It made it more visceral and real (have you HEARD teenagers speak? It IS cringey and they really think they're doing something when they try to talk edgy. It was the same when I was growing up). It's still one of my favorite shows and I was crushed when I found out it would never get a season 2. Really glad now that time has passed people who actually enjoyed the show are able to talk about it without being bogged down by people who disagreed. Also the music and end theme were absolutely incredible. Made you feel something.

[@grimwzl7462]

I really like the ending of aku no hana, the detached voices add a creepy feeling of indifferent people (or beings) observing something live and stating their interpretations on it without a single care for the "thing" which is actually alive, observing it as a "thing" rather than a "being"

[@grimwzl7462]

And the flower in this case being subjected to all these bombardments of voices, left and right, not actually seeing the flower itself, but just its physical form, no more no less, like being backed into a corner and surrounded by a crowd, the anxiety pushing you down into a fetal position to try to protect yourself from all the noise and intrusive eyes. The flute I think adds to it aswell, it sounds confused somehow, as if reacting to the events, as the flower might be doing, interpreting the voices as a flute growing louder at times, eventually the stress climaxing in a hollow shell of what used to be a growing flower, now only wanting to grow with minimum effort, cause it is too afraid of the wind, the voices, to put itself out there anymore

[@grimwzl7462]

Now that I'm writing this I realise, it's like the maelstrom of emotions a teenager might be going through, change, hormones, feelings, sense of self, all these things, coming out as noise, I think it's beautiful, an expression of adolescent struggles

[@aceportgas42]

The way they were able to animate fast movement looks so good. Easily the best enimated way for conveying force and movement

[@kaitotties]

episode 1 of uzumaki was spectacular due to Hiroshi Nagahama's influence. the loss of his work in episode 2 became extremely obvious. great video.

[@TheGoslapa]

Never saw this anime, never read the mangá, not even an avid consumer of the genre. But watched the video and aprecciate it a ton. Great analysis

[@Marqueli]

As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy the aesthetic or potential laziness from rotoscoping, I personally love the use of it in this anime. Combining the uncanniness of the animation with the dark story and eerie random soundtrack makes a perfect atmosphere of unease. I adore it

[@banano-bread9864]

Just for the record, it isn't lazy. A lot of effort goes into rotoscoping - you have actors, acting all of this out, and then artists, tracing over all of that. As a whole, it takes more work to do that than to just do live action or animation. A 5 second clip can take 5-10 hours to rotoscope, so it's tedious work. But, I agree, I looove the use of it in this anime. The feel of it goes so well with the story. I'm a big fan

[@ireqsavagevocaldinosaur5795]

This one of my favorite mangas too. Glad you seen the source material

[@海苔-k3d]

My opinion: I like the artstyle of this anime because it gives the viewers this unnerving, uncanny valley atmosphere that goes well with its themes and genres.

[@mr.foxasmg]

2:35 wtf 😭 This attacked my god damn ears

[@PiggieMom]

This was wild to stumble upon. I've read all of Shūzō Oshimi, with Blood on the Tracks being one of my favorite manga. I had no idea there was an anime adaptation of Aku no Hana. And I love Mushishi, so Hiroshi Nagahama's involvement makes my blind spot to it even more surprising.

[@jmalmsten]

Loved this anime when it came out. I didn't know he did those other shows. But it does track. He is one of those directors where my ears perk up whenever he's attached to a show now. Like the loooooooong in production Uzumaki anime (first production stills and project announcement was way back in may 2019). I really hope he brings his odd atmosphere to that manga adaptation. The released clips seem to promise that we will finally see a good Junji Ito adaptation (though, I kind of enjoyed Gyo). And considering they have been working on those 4 episodes for... 4 years... and counting, as we have no new release date as the october 2023 released was postponed. I do hope it is worth the wait.

[@nath5360]

*Babe, wake up. It's a new Ozzy video* Nice defense. People should really watch this piece of excellent work!

[@lolnothxyt]

I loved this anime and the music, especially. It hurts my soul to know this killed his career. People just don't appreciate... ugh I can't even get into it. Trying to describe how incredibly unique it was and how perfectly it touched on the void of being a despairing adolescent coupled with the twisted sexuality and obsession which can come with it. "A flower bloomed that shouldn't have." It's the only anime that got anywhere close to anything I've ever felt.

[@boytigerrockin]

I’m not completely sold that it ruined his career - he has a solid repertoire post this series (which I loved). 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@lolnothxyt]

@@boytigerrockin I hope not. I really loved that anime and his particular style. What else has he done that you loved, if you don't mind my asking?

[@redgrave4492]

I can't see the appeal to the rotoscoping, even if they tried to go for something different. I think adding slightly more detail to the faces could've helped it feel less uncanny, for me at least.

[@nattypatty_610]

this is such an experimental gem how have i never heard of this??

[@elementallobsterx]

Rotoscoping is… an interesting thing. As an animator, I don’t really like the idea of copying real angles, volumes, etc for your cels, but I DO love the backgrounds, line style, and color. I already love this show as a watcher, but if this was animated with a realistic style but not rotoscoped, I’d love it as an animator too.

[@robby7499]

Show looks like my sleep paralysis demon.

[@immortalmangafan7155]

that is so true

[@charpkun]

I forget what i felt about the aesthetic, but i certainly was compelled to watch it all the way through. I think the weird soundtrack was very memorable though. To this day, i adore mushishi, esp the first season, and cherish the time i got to meet director nagahama in person to get an autograph board signed.

[@PhilieBlunt666]

Did anyone else just hear the "HEYYY HEYYYYEAAAA" music playing for the scene of her running on the sparkly background? 😅

[@RandomAnimeFighter]

The rotoscope gave me headaches watching the anime

[@BlackKanye]

I read the manga after finishing the anime. I'm a weirdo who thought the arstyle really lent itself to the feel of the atmosphere honestly. I'm glad I gave it a chance.

[@cawcawbang90]

holy FUCK the guy who made mushishi made an anime abt metal music???

[@P1XXYVEN0M]

got an aku no hana flower tattoo when I turned 18 bc I just loved the manga

[@kta_0187]

The OST of this anime made me messed up in a good way. It made me focused during my college exams and get almost perfect grades.

[@SLANKEY342]

I think that the animation of Aku no hana is great. I hate that it got meme'd on so hard. It's a really good show with it's thematic shots.

[@jase276]

It didn’t get “meme’d” on, people just didn’t like it. Memes weren’t even a thing back then

[@immortalmangafan7155]

7:17 Kingu Crimson

[@Blueskies2513]

I just binged the anime and god damn. This was cool

[@GetDenked]

Man, this series is so underrated... I remember picking it up back when it was airing and immediately getting hooked because the visuals were so unique, like a breath of fresh air compared to all the other generic anime styles. It's a travesty that so many people were put off just because it deviated from the norm, and I wish more of them gave it a chance by going outside their comfort zone. The uncanny looks and slow atmosphere felt like they complimented the themes in the plot really well. Maybe it would have done better if the story was original to the anime, instead of a manga adaptation - the dramatic change in style for people who enjoyed the manga probably wasn't largely appreciated, which I can understand if the original style was appealing to them. It's just such a shame that it did so poorly. I hope the director's new projects get better reception.

[@markflakezCG]

I don't watch anime but this one hooked me.

[@hennaoctopus]

I collect anime on a hard drive with custom folder icons. Only 4 times have i been unable to find a premade folder for a series, and this was one i had to make myself, so i thought it must be really obscure, but i guess a character study about adolescence and deviance isn't as popular as something like hero aca go figute 🤷

[@Jurarigo]

I read the manga two weeks ago, in just two days. It's one of those works that stick with you, and now I'm watching the anime and loving every second of its cinematic style. In setting a mood and displaying the town as an oppressive, decaying entity, I think it's superior to the manga, and even the author praised the director for taking his time setting the mood in the first episode.

[@boytigerrockin]

yes!

[@vkm9156]

For those who're unaware, it's Aku no Hana & got itself a pretty wholesome live action.

[@Sagowie]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who likes the style lmao

[@Bullboy_Adventures]

17:11 uh, actually, not till September 2024. 😳

[@Belladonna-x2c]

Malfiore, my flower of evil Maledicione, cursed yet beautiful Malfiore, priestess of evil Maledicione, enslaved to you I kneel

[@xSaraxMxNeffx]

something feels like it was all really intentionally unsettling and off putting. im into it

[@NausicaaRaine]

I never got around to reading the manga but I watched this as it aired and loved it, especially the ending theme to be honest. I never got why people bitched about it being "ugly" or "weird" so much. It seemed to fit the awkward uncomfortable tone of the characters and story perfectly to me. Definitely felt more like a weird artsy movie than an anime, but I found that refreshing. I was always sad we didn't get the second season.

[@homika9982]

Kino no Hana

[@himapyneni550]

Personally, I liked this anime. Mostly due to the pacing which as you said gave a good depth to it.

[@prinzexisalowqualityytber]

the pros of rotoscoping: makes the characters look real, and feel real the cons of rotoscoping: looks like shit

[@keibatsuluffy6152]

What made it unwatchable for me was low framerate count. It makes it uncomfortable for my eyes to focus. I also believe one of the major point of animation is to be not restricted by limitations of real world and actors and rotoscoping kind of defeats that purpose. I believe with the enhancement of AI, rotoscoping lost it artistic value as well in my opinion.

[@austinbath8605]

Doesn’t seem like his career was ruined. Decent vid but clickbait title

[@lrgogo1517]

A New Years' festival? In April?

[@fumomofumosarum5893]

This guy: " It totally got memed on! " Me: " What the.... I have never heard of this show in my whole life ! " ^^;

[@Diyomaro]

I actually enjoyed the bold adaptation. It wasn’t perfect but it really knocked it out of the park with the atmosphere. The classroom destruction scene alone shows the strengths of the rotoscoping.

[@dzikrihadipratama2626]

Not bad at all, I still want a season 2 for this one

[@AE1OU]

Aku no Hana was honestly ahead of its time, I saw this anime earlier this year while randomly browsing crunchy roll and thought I'd just check it out. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The rotoscope while jarring at first, you very quickly adjust to it and I think its really strong to establish the psychological tone the anime will get into. One thing not mentioned but I personally loved about this are the environments and background details, from the shots of alleyways with potted plants to even the way the street signs looks worn and rusted. Just the details in the background are what I really like seeing in this anime. The semi realism really works well. Honestly I dont see why people had a hard time accepting the rotoscope stye when its by far the most unique and detailed. Such a shame this will never get a season 2. I could read the manga but it wouldnt feel the same as watching the anime in that style

[@boahancock3461]

Love oshimi shuzou work and know these info really make me happy.

[@mistabrown830]

I remember reading this manga its had a happy ending from what i remembered.

[@XxPuffyWolfxX]

That outro was a banger tho 🎉

[@EmilyTheOtakuofficial]

Honestly I wonder if it would've done better with today's audience. Because today's audience has evolved to enjoy more experimental styles. It looks interesting though I'll definitely have to check it out.

[@scandinavianserialki]

You really get used to the rotoscoping after a while

[@dreamshell.121]

The ed became one of my fav songs of all time when I heard it ngl

[@MrXhukari]

I really love the anime, ngl. It was my first foray into Aku no Hana, and the rotoscope was a draw for me, due to how different it looked! It really fits Aku no Hana so incredibly well, much better than the actual style used in the manga. Speaking of, I actually didn't like the manga after the timeskip, it lost what drew me in.

[@TheSangreT]

Well, he's animating Uzumaki (junji ito)

[@LandonErp]

Detroit Metal city got adapted to a Yakuza Substory in reverse.

[@jeremyharrison4778]

I originally found this anime a few years ago cause I typoed the name of another anime and this one was what showed up. I absolutely love it. To me, it's ugly in a good way. It's almost like watching a Joel Haver animation. I was really bummed when I tried searching for any talk of a season 2 and learned that it was from 2013 and people hated it, so there's no way a season 2 is happening. I watched it at a very interesting time in my life and even though I'm a bit too old to directly relate to the character's situation's the emotions behind it really resonated with me and I think about this anime much more regularly than I do most peices of media out there. I haven't read the manga yet. I almost worry that the atmosphere and pacing of the anime may be too different for me to enjoy it as much. Plus the dramatic change in art style is a bit jarring, even going in the other direction. But maybe I'll get around to it eventually cause this story did mean a lot to me and it'd be nice to see how it ends.

[@1stRedCommander]

i like the manga cause i could relate to it as a kid

[@craveracer]

Thanks for the crumbs. It feels nice to see other people appreciating this wacky anime I saw ages ago. HAHAHA

[@averagewhiteguy2]

I forgot about this anime. I remember it causing a storm on the internet, with the scene at 7:16 being one of those ones people would post about a lot. Man, the rotoscoping was mocked so much (and for good reason) that it lead to a level of infamy that is not often seen.

[@Revealingstorm.]

Shows how the internet can get things wrong a lot of the time

[@mryoshi1221]

i love this show. i watched it during a time when i was getting constantly bullied.

[@lrgogo1517]

You know, the shot of a sentient bread ripping its head apart that you applied before any footage of the actual subject of the video probably piqued at least *one* viewer's interest. What was its name again? _Humanity Has Crestfallen?_

[@Kiwiiizzz]

When are you coming back for uzumaki its out today

[@reid.7680]

I loved this anime so much... I was so heartbroken at the cancelling

[@dvoraklovelace2801]

What I liked most about aku no hana, besides everything you said which, by the way, is absolutely accurate, is the incredible animation (or acting, considering the rotoscoping) of Nakamura. Her facial expression and especially, her smile, conveyed a sense of discomfort and unease that I loved.

[@jureigeeksoutoccasionally]

I've decided I will read Aku No Hana if it doesn't have a season two in ten years. The first season was just too good to not wait

[@Slimehardtshawty]

I don’t wanna burst your bubble but apparently the show sold really poorly and I’ve come across multiple people on Reddit stating this throughout the years

[@jureigeeksoutoccasionally]

@@Slimehardtshawty i know… but if uzumaki does good, maybe the director will want to go back to this because he’ll see that there’s still stock in the rotoscoping It’s dumb, but I love this anime so I’ll wait

[@Slimehardtshawty]

@@jureigeeksoutoccasionally now I'm kinda wondering how they will manage the cinematography in the later arcs. while it seems like we are seeing a resurgence in interest for this show, do you think that the Japanese audience feels the same type of way? I feel like it depends on them more to be able to see other seasons come to light. Despite knowing the ending, imma still check it out if we ever get seasons 2 and 3. The director did his absolute thing 👏

[@jureigeeksoutoccasionally]

@@Slimehardtshawty I think stuff like Mob Psycho, CSM, and Trigun Stampede have been steadily been making advances with how animation is seen as a story telling tool recently. There are so many manga and comics that have super cool visual identities, and get super popular for that reason. When a comic is popular, people inevitably ask for an adaptation, especially in anime culture. But this automatic anime adaption end goal often ends up with super uninspired animation that makes the whole thing worse. Recently though, really popular manga have been getting super creative adaptations. We’re getting more Houseki No Kuni’s, and less Boogiepop 2019’s(that’s a LN adaptation, but I think my point still stands. Especially when you compare it to other animated material Boogiepop has had in the past)

[@nahuelferreyra]

What is there to defend? Aku no hana is perfect and the animation and designs are better than the manga.

[@johnbrockiii2]

"Uzumaki anime adaptation later this year." -Posted 2 years ago. lmao

[@lenOwOo]

I can't go past the uncanny valley watching it and have to stop after just 3 episodes

[@lol-hy4mk]

Dude was literally making dozens of dollars from death metal, idk why he would want to do something else.

[@sorryminati4719]

This is a brilliant anime imo

[@hotcoldman77]

Won't have even bothered with this show if it wasn't rotoscoped. Heck I found out about it because I literally looked up rotoscoped anime lol. I LOVED Aku No Hana. Need more stuff like this and less of the shonen power up crap

[@captaiawesome2260]

Considering the themes and events that occur in Aku no Hana, it was directed incredibly well. The music and rotoscoped animation adds a tremendous amount of unease and disjointedness to the tone of the show. If chosen to tell this story with a typical animation style while playing typical j-pop/j-rock anime music, it would make the audience feel comfortable, which would heavily neglect and tone-down the psychotic actions done by Kasuga and Nakamura. The real question is, can someone actually enjoy a show that constantly makes the viewer uncomfortable? That's what distinguishes the people that liked how this show was directed/produced and those who didn't. Personally, I'm in the latter.

[@koyumi_no_kumo]

Bruh why did you stopped ? Your videos are so good

[@phaeste]

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[@Nayue]

"Get past" the art style? It's precisely the eldritch feeling the show needs to get folks' attention and hold fast in their memory. Also that ending song is unsettling and discordant, and that's the point. I hate manga, but you convinced me to read the rest. Thanks!