Thoughts on the series for the curious

[Dryden-san]

A Blue Seed forum? That was unexpected. I've seen the entire series, and I enjoyed it, but apparently there is little interest judging from the number of posts. I understand why. The animation, while boasting some impressive sequences, is not usually of outstanding quality. Also, ADV never realeased a subtitled version that I know of. The series as a whole certainly never got anywhere near the level of publicity Evangelion did. It's a pity, really. Because it is absolutely worth watching. I hear they're going to be releasing it DVD soon, too, so it'll get a second chance.

Without actually giving away anything, I will try to summarize for the curious. I hope it stirs your interest:

There is a certain bloodline whose daughters have the power to quell an ancient race of monsters. Yet, the only way to exert the power is to sacrifice the girl, and so it has been for thousands of years: a daughter born, a daughter sacrificed, the monsters forced into sleep. Fifteen years before the series starts something happened, and the monsters stirred in their slumber and began to slowly awaken. Now the current generation of the bloodline called 'Kushinada' must face them, regardless of what she wants. The government which kept the secret of the monster's existence from the public has assembled a team to aid her. Too bad she doesn't know they exist. Or that any of the other stuff exists. The only thing on her mind is getting to school on time, when a young man steps out of the brush and tries to kill her. He won't be the last.

The title "Blue Seed" comes from the physical form of the monsters' souls. When these seeds bond to an organic host...

Anyway I hope I've got your interest. The series presents an original and fascinating take on Japanese mythology and history, so it definetly helps if you know some of it, but the series can be understood and enjoyed regardless. For those who find Evangelion too dark, there is also more humor here. The omakes in particular are hilarious. Interested in hearing more? Post to this forum! Blue Seed doesn't have a huge cadre of fans, but there are people like me who are eager to see it elevated above cult status. Let's get the number of posts up, people!

Dryden-san

[tekblade]

hey i loved blue seed, i got the whole thing. there is a subtitled ver and i know since i have it. it was sad that the first 2 episodes i have are dubbed which, well its not so bad except for some of them. i forgot which company subed it but ill see.

[Katz00]

I have seen the series (too bad it was dubbed to spanish)... but yet I think that it is great... too bad as said before that it is not too popular cause it is really good...

EVERYONE should watch it!!!

[kusinagi-kun]

yeah i got some pirated dubs, so i really didn't have a choice, but at least i got 'em...

blue seed is my number 2 anime ever!

(next to EVA of course)

[Schizm]

And the DVD extras are SOOOOOOOO funny :)

[kusinagi-kun]

omake theater ? those are on the VHS

[isamudyson]

Is the dvd out? Or are you talking about Japanese dvd.

[Dryden-san]

I have to admit that the sereis is not in my top five, but its definetly in th top ten somewhere. I really ought to arrange that list sometime. Picking a favorite thing about the series, I would choose the way they resolved without a massive apocalyptic battle and still made it satisfying. For what its worth, the battle is intense, just not in the physical sense. More like two opposing views of humanity struggling to make themselves heard.

Dryden-san

[kusinagi-kun]

damn straight... one the better "non-bummer" anime endings

[isamudyson]

And a happy ending without too many unanswered questions. I'd say more but I don't wanna give it away.

[kusinagi-kun]

but it's so true!

that's more of why i chose it as on par with EVA

[tekblade]

yeah the ending was good, but a tad on the sappy you know that was gunna happen ending in way, but hey at least its a good ending.

[Dryden-san]

I agree. The animation may not be as good as Eva, but having a satisfying ending that answers all questions makes up for it. For the record though, I did not see the ending coming. The revelations about the real nature of Susano-oh were very suprising. Blue Seed would be my number 1 pick to get remade with better animation. Maybe if it looked prettier it would finally get the attention it deserves.

[kusinagi-kun]

aha, but therein in my problem. i think it's great the way it is... and re-making would be a big bad idea. (except maybe not have Tiff Grant doing a VA job in the new one :))

[Barret]

I'm tryin to figure out how Dryden thinks this was 'unexpected'. I saw it as inevitable. Sooner or later I knew this fourm would be put up here, now all I need to do is get my tapes back from chad, re-watch the series and BOOM! I can start posting normally here.

[Dryden-san]

It was unexpected because it's just not a series that gets a lot of attention. I've found exactly two web pages dedicated to it in all the searches I've done. Ask a random anime fan, and chances are, they'll say "huh?" Nobody seems to know about it except us. And people who have seen the previews in ADV tapes, but how many of them have SEEN it?

PS: I know some people don't like Tiffany Grant, but I think she hit Kome's character dead-on. I like her Asuka voice too, but that's another forum thread...

[Drizzten]

Thanks for the summary, Dryden-san! Tomorrow I'll test the series out.

[Dryden-san]

No problem Drizzten. I think you'll like what you see.

[isamudyson]

I agree that Tiffany was the perfect Kome. Abusive and abrasive. Sorry Kusinagi-Kun, I know how much you hate her but who else would fit that role so well?

I think some people can't get into Blue Seed because it's gets into Japanese spiritualism and mythos far more than most other anime. It takes a few episodes to really get an idea what its about and there's no giant robots or big busted women to keep your attention. I'm not knocking any other anime; just saying it's just a lot different. If you want some mindless anime talk go over to the Burn Up W thread.

[kusinagi-kun]

well, i'm sort of glad that you brought up the spirtualism, cause that's the main reason i like Blue Seed so much. it's heavy into cultural and historical Japan, which is my favorite period and place in history. which is why i kind of understand little things in anime more than most people - small, unrelated things like Shoe Lockers (EVA), Fried Octopus Balls(EVA), School Uniforms (Tenchi + Sailor Moon) and Okonomiyaki(Ranma1/2)

[isamudyson]

Fried octopus balls! How nasty! Don't suppose you've ever tried them?

[kusinagi-kun]

well, first , it's not octupus testicles. and second, it's like Calimari in any Italian restuarant, except this version is carried around in a round form on sticks (kinda like Swedish meatballs, but fishy) they're good, and really cheap.

[isamudyson]

That sounds better. I didn't think they had testes anyway. I've eaten tentacles from squid but it's like chewing on rubber bands.

[LouisZepher]

Two simple words: "Blue Seed Rocks!".
Hmmm, OK, maybe three words.

[Dryden-san]

Yes, Blue Seed does indeed rock. I can't wait to see people's reactions on this board after watching the second DVD. I've seen the whole series, so I know what happens. And if they put 6 epsiodes on the 2nd DVD, I know where it'll end... It's worth the wait. Plus you get to see Murakumo, the only person in the series who's a bigger badass than Kusanagi.

PS: I like squid; always wanted to try octopus balls.

[LouisZepher]

Squid's kewl, I prefer it deep fried.

[kusinagi-kun]

tsk, Dryden-san, Maurakumo ain't so tough.

wait a sec... flying, swords from wrists, laser shooting.... uh... disregard that .

anyway, this board should get more interesting as a a few friends of mine just got their copies of Blue Seed back from me, and are about to register with the boards. i hope they find us.

[Dryden-san]

Murakumo is a great character. Plus, he raises the interesting question of how matamas correspond to power. One seed seems to grant the power to sense Aragami (Momiji), while eight seeds grants flight along with all that other groovy stuff (Murakumo). What powers do 2 seeds grant then? How many do you need before you get weapons coming out of your wrist? How many before you get the stretchy/springy ability for your arms? That kind of thing, you know? We ought to come up with a list or something. We could convert it to new rules for the Big Eyes, Small Mouth RPG, if nothing else.

[tekblade]

isnt momijis 8th seed also gave kusanagi the ability to fly?

[kusinagi-kun]

right, 8 altogether... but what about the lower levels? the aregami that have only one in the series have big-ass powers... so why does Momiji get the short end of the stick, power-wise?

[Dryden-san]

True, but remember that for those Aragami, the seed was their natural form, their heart and soul. On Momiji and Kusanagi, they're just parasites. Beneficial parasites maybe, but still parasites.

[LouisZepher]

Originally posted by Dryden-san
True, but remember that for those Aragami, the seed was their natural form, their heart and soul. On Momiji and Kusanagi, they're just parasites. Beneficial parasites maybe, but still parasites.
So that explains Kusanagi's human form. Thanx again, Oh Wise One. *Bows and exits.*

[tekblade]

i think that each seed has a unique ability or like someone said before you need a certain num for powers. for kusanagi he didnt have 8 seeds so he wasnt able to match momori :heh: i forgot hehe, but when he got it he was able to fight him. i think each seed might have a different ability or maybe it has its own ability but if combined with other seeds new ones come or something.

[kusinagi-kun]

also, you gotta realize that while Kusinagi was originally human, Maurakumo was BORN Aregami. this changes things greatly when it comes to power and the extent to which you control it...

[tekblade]

yup :D

[isamudyson]

Murakumo isn't just any old Aragami either.

[Dryden-san]

Shhh... Don't tell. Sore wa himitsu desu!