How Houseki no Kuni Shatters Expectations | Traven Talks

CG doesn’t have the best of reputations in anime.
It’s not that CG itself is a problem, for most people, anyway, but many examples of it tend to look, at best, out of place, and at worst . . . yeah. Yet, despite the perception surrounding it, it’s still been used many times in a variety of clever and creative ways for both long-form and short-form projects, sometimes being so subtle that you might not realize it’s even there, other times popping up in and becoming the highlights of things you’d never expect, and other times still being integrated so seamlessly into the aesthetic of a work that it becomes an integral part of it, the latter of which I may come back to in a later video. I may love hand-drawn animation, but I also get just as excited by the opportunities that CG and 3D provide for an animated work.
And today, I want to talk about this interest by looking at one of my personal favourite shows, whose use of CG not only became one of the most well-regarded examples of its artistic potential, but which effectively used those elements to set the stage for a haunting story of loss and growth that to this day still lingers in the back of my mind.
It’s a little hidden gem from 2017, based on the manga of the same name, that you might have heard of, called Houseki no Kuni, or, as it's known in English, Land of the Lustrous.
LINKZ!
====================
♣| Come Fly With Me! |♣
- On This Channel: bit.ly/2n4xEJi
- On Twitter: bit.ly/322Uq77
♣| Watch More: bit.ly/321JFiu |♣
♣| MUSIC USED |♣
- Sour Apples - RAGE
Check Out The Artist: bit.ly/2xKQZlK
- Battle - Yoshiaki Fujisawa
Part of Houseki no Kuni (Anime - 2017)'s soundtrack
Available here: bit.ly/323O6d6
- Unrest - ELPHNT
Check Out The Artist: bit.ly/2Eg5HF4
- Generations Away - Unicorn Heads
Check out the Artist: bit.ly/2WqaPOv
- Synergy - Geographer
Check out the Artist: bit.ly/2oCQTrE
- Special Ed - Rondo Brothers
Check out the Artist: bit.ly/2v6W5ri
- Cinnabar - Yoshiaki Fujisawa
Part of Houseki no Kuni (Anime - 2017)'s soundtrack
Available here: bit.ly/323O6d6
- Early Afternoon - Yoshiaki Fujisawa
Part of Houseki no Kuni (Anime - 2017)'s soundtrack
Available here: bit.ly/323O6d6
- Down - Joey Pecoraro
Check out the Artist: bit.ly/2KjfxZ7
- For We Are Many - Cooper Cannell
Check out the Artist: bit.ly/2MumMzU
- Exhale - Lena Raine
Part of Celeste (Game - 2018)'s soundtrack
Available here: bit.ly/2CwHEOw
- Hypnothis - Kevin Macleod
Check out the Artist: bit.ly/1MyqBJz
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (bit.ly/1rMF155)
♣| FOOTAGE / MEDIA USED |♣
- Handshakers (Anime - 2017)
- Berserk (Anime - 2016)
- KADO: The Right Answer (Anime - 2017)
- Lupin III: The First (Film - 2019)
- Cassette Girl (Short Film - 2015)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Anime - 2019)
- Promare (Film - 2019)
- Hill Climb Girl (Short Film - 2014)
- Yuri On Ice (Anime - 2016)
- Houseki no Kuni (Anime - 2017)
- Houseki no Kuni, by Haruko Ichikawa (Manga - 2012)
- Houseki no Kuni - Promotional Trailer
- Gate (Anime - 2016)
- Houseki no Kuni - Behind the Scenes
- The Simpsons (Animated Series - 1990)
♣| SOURCES / FURTHER READING / ETC |♣
Interviews:
w/ Takahiko Kyougoku
- Sakugablog translation of Animate Times interview - bit.ly/2Ao5iiD
w/ Haruko Ichikawa
- JapaneseTranslationBlog translation of エンタメ Week interview - bit.ly/2H3asFP
- DijehTranslations translation of ‘Kono manga ga sugoi!’ interview
-- Part 1 - bit.ly/31RSmwt
-- Part 2 - bit.ly/30UhyRA
Episode Breakdowns (Sakugablog):
- Episodes 1-6 - bit.ly/2vFg8xC
- Episodes 7-9 - bit.ly/357yl6Z
- Episodes 10-11 - bit.ly/339fGWF
- Episode 12 - bit.ly/35fyYf4
#housekinokuni #landofthelustrous #3danime #cganime #studioorange #traventalks #videoessay #anime #animation

[@franklinzhu6003]

I read the manga and... I just feel so sorry for them

[@TravenTalks]

I only started the 4th volume, so I'm not caught up, but I have seen some screenshots of what happens later, and . . . my god

[@drazien93]

SAMEEEEE, I JUST WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY AND FRIENDS

[@gravel35]

you have no idea.

[@Socvinc]

ive been reading the manga and uh ACK NOOOO im not going to put any spoilers but yeah

[@hoho7029]

@@Socvinc yeah its even...sadder now

[@DarylTalksGames]

Look man I'm not gonna lie, I've always felt very strongly that CG in anime is deadly sin. I understand why it's used, but for me it just shatters the suspension of disbelief. That said, you may have changed my mind with this one. I didn't know this anime existed but I think I absolutely need to give it a watch now. Because you're right, the CG really does actually add a ton of style to the character designs. You changed my mind, thank you for this TED talk xD

[@TravenTalks]

Glad I was able to give you a new perspective on it man :D But I can understand the frustration. I always try to stay open minded with anime CG, but it can get under my skin quite often as well. Still, it's great when you run into these little diamonds in the rough!

[@nezunish-898]

I don't like cg when it is use unnecessary. But for this anime , I really like it . I seriously mean it.

[@soratheorangejuicemascot5809]

I am thirsty for any houseki no kuni discussion

[@soratheorangejuicemascot5809]

Shoooo

[@Skidoodle18]

I feel that

[@stanil2043]

I relate this into spiritual level

[@hustinyano.a]

Yes

[@robertoa8699]

yes x2

[@43TH3RR.__]

Phos changes a lot- I’m scared

[@marvalice3455]

this is only the beginning!

[@marvalice3455]

the manga is a trip. Dia: "being a away from you showed me how important you are to me" _a few hundred years later_ "I'll ceush that nuisance into dust!"

[@purkeyonehundred7154]

Please God I need my season 2

[@filament57]

I like how HnK story really like that one paradox, if you keep changing one part of the ship, will it be the same ship / new ship ? I forget who’s paradox is that

[@hasanafrezsa4608]

Ship of Theseus

[@t.w.7057]

that lupin the III footage has me shook

[@TravenTalks]

I know, it looks so good! Can't wait for it to come out!

[@gochathetruly2624]

I really hope to be a s2

[@Envy_May]

"diamond in the rough" **cuts away from diamond**

[@Skidoodle18]

Man, I hope it gets a season 2... I need to see the current point in the Manga animated

[@TravenTalks]

Come for the breakdown, stay for the solid minute of blackscreen I accidentally rendered ! Also, [CC] is available for this video!

[@youtagames2071]

At this point I'll watch every video about Houseki no kuni. xD It's such an underrated anime/manga. Nice video !

[@MABfan11]

i love the Buddhist symbolism in Houseki no Kuni

[@Lukz243]

I saw some animations of this series and I found it stunning, but had no idea how much impressive this was story-wise

[@NZPIEFACE.]

Welcome back dude. I love how you've made another video on Houseki no Kuni, as it's one of my favourite anime of all time.

[@TravenTalks]

Thanks man! It's one of my favourites aswell, and honestly I've had this video in mind for a while and was just itching to get it out of my system, lol

[@madamkoifish]

The manga’s writing is truly a wonderful work of art. I’m glad I’m collecting them and I have the anime complete collection. By the way will you do a review of orange studio’s Beastars anime?

[@TravenTalks]

Yeah, it's fantastic! Tho I need to catch up, I'm still only at the start of the 4th volume And yes, I am hoping to cover Beastars, eventually! I'm still not sure when, but definitely at some point this year, lol

[@xellosmakuzo2586]

The manga is…breathtaking and heart wrenching…

[@JellyB3ll]

So many puns! AAAH! I liked your video!

[@TravenTalks]

Thanks! I was actually aiming to cram in more but it just started sounding a bit too awkward, lol

[@lookatthepicture4107]

Houseki no Kuni... A CGI anime that in twelve episodes jumped to be my very top 1 anime of all times Wait... 2017?! Is been already two years?!! Good Madoka does time flies

[@TravenTalks]

I know! Doesn't feel like it's been that long at all, and yet . . .

[@matteste]

A little sad no one ever brings up the CG used in the Black Rock Shooter anime as it was stunning in it's visuals. Though from what I understand, it had the same animation director as Houseki no Kuni.

[@gnrngkcntnf]

The manga seems to be nearing its end, do you think you'll make a video on it?

[@TravenTalks]

I am thinking of covering it, actually - I just want to both wait for it to end, and then catch up (not necessarily in that order), cuz from what I remember, I'm still only around volume 4/5, lol

[@Mako_683]

@@TravenTalks yes, please! I would die to have someone like yiu review the manga as well.

[@shaswatsaincher4641]

Great analysis video! Thank you so much :)

[@LightSashimi]

coming to watch every hnk vid i can because i just finished reading up the manga . i cry everytime when i see phos ahhh... i need a season 2 !!!

[@smokymcbobby5123]

What an amazing review. Thank you very much for the efforts you put into it !

[@lucashass3476]

why do you have only 2k subs?? you deserve way more.

[@leahbivens3849]

Amazing video! I adore all love letters to this beautiful anime. 🤍

[@David-qg3vr]

Pls make a talk on the manga

[@rosegewen5690]

It's sad cause it hunk they're not coming back with a season two but we can hope

[@MSonMarss]

honestly i just feel sorry for phos now.

[@Skidoodle18]

Yup...

[@animetrip18]

Great!

[@smolmoru]

this video is 3 years old ... still no season 2. I'm in *need* to see Laphos animated also thanks for focusing more on the important stuff about the characters. I've seen some anime/manga reviews before where it was basically just all about literal immortal(tho they only "live" through probably bacteria sized human remnants from ages ago. aka inclusions) rocks happening to not need reproductive organs -- nor a digestive system, but people just hyperfixate on the no gender/sex thing(and call it non binary, which .. is not how this works). I mean I enjoy HnK for the representational reason too, as someone who identifies as genderless/agender. my main focus is on the amazing story and stunning artwork/visuals tho, because the genderless thing, like the immortal/not understanding death is most likely just there to detach the gems from actual humans. something that is crucial to make this whole "make a gem as human-like as possible, so they either get Kongo to pray or become the prayer themself" thing work. sorry for that little semi-rant, but I'm just annoyed by people weirdly fixating on immortal *rocks* not having sex characteristics or a gender. those people always seem kinda salty

[@user-vr9jh1gg2c]

This video is too underrated! :(

[@cefrinaldi8060]

As ichikawa fans and houseki no kuni manga reader, i really hope phos and their friends can go back like the anime once was. Edit. Ichikawa always have a way to shatter my hope.

[@smolmoru]

at least Phos has their little pebble buddy now.

[@nightshade8538]

The manga…Dw no spoilers It’s just You think it can’t get worse but it just does :’) Edit: still, 10/10 would recommend

[@breeie9900]

What is the show at 0:31? It looks really good

[@TravenTalks]

It's the 2nd season of One Punch Man

[@hairold5680]

@@TravenTalks think they were talking about that one movie with the mechas after opm

[@thelilyshadow]

I know this is a year old and no one will probably see this buuut, the next season will come out in 2021

[@dove_annarchie6787]

Nope :')

[@thelilyshadow]

@@dove_annarchie6787 well what i saw said it was supposed too :(

[@gabbyn.3049]

liar...

[@luckyrage4890]

weeb videos are back!

[@TravenTalks]

Yeah! Though, with the way I have things planned out, it's gonna be another while before I dip back into anime stuff (unless you count the Traven's Top Things videos, of course)

[@apolloandwarrior_3229]

One thing that's really sad is that Cinnabar's job was to fight Phos

[@leannetsai9171]

kudos to you for using gender-neutral pronouns! Tho in the manga, they use he/him!

[@ClannerJake]

Houseki no Kuni has horrible CGI, animation quality can swing violently, but i've watched it subbed, and dubbed. it isn't tacklessly cheap, or CTRL+C, CTRL+V backfill. but it is a massive dodge of sakuga bills. Lupin III, The First; that is quality CGI and animation at work.