Schwarzesmarken & MuvLuv Alternative:Total Eclipse


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funny to see this series continues right after a break of 2 weeks but not Kokoro Connect (13 of 17 eps) and Eureka Seven AO (22 of 24+OVA), both still havent announced official dates to air their last episodes -.- back to topic as i predicted Yui is falling for Yuuya... though I agree the Chihuahua should be together with him xD too bad the soviet hottie Latrova died not by BETAs but a TSF instead, who killed her? that new guy Leon Kuze or maybe Cryska and Inia? anyway if I had to split the first half of M-LA TE in arcs these would be my average scores:

Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse: 1997 arc (eps. 1-2) Imperial Capital - 7/10
M-LA TE: May 2001 arc (eps. 3-7) Yukon Alaska and West Indies Island - 5/10
M-LA TE: July 2001 arc (eps. 8-14) USSR Milkovsky district, Kamchatska - 6/10

Edit: for anyone interested here is the full opening song official video by Koda Kumi aired last week ^^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pos2od2otNI
 
I wouldnt say that Latrova is definitely dead or maybe thats just my hope ^^ If she is then it clearly were Cryska and Inia.

I really dislike Yui falling for Yuuya, it just doesnt suit her and destroys her character. She was better as the Ice Cold Queen.

I really dont know what this anime is trying to do. Instead of focusing on the war against the Beta it jumps here and there. I dont mind character development and background infos but the stuff they did in the beach ep (not that I minded the fanservice ;P) or now with the mockbattles couldve done while fighting the Beta too.
Well lets hope that the new characters at least make their screentime worth it (Sharon probably will ^^).
 
hmm this is slowly turning into a harem after all o_O I'm not talking about only Yui or the Chihuahua but looks like Sharon still has feelings for him too, though she's together with Leon now ¬¬ Stella just admires Yuya as seen in ep.13 but lately is playing cupid and now that Hatsune Miku look-alike confessed to him... Inia reminds me to Canaan being attracted by colors she sees on people then I don't think she's in love with Yuya but Cryska is distracted thinking about him, about Latrova and her Zhar batallion was said they died as "heroes" so I guess russians will order the scarlet twins to kill him "accidentally" next time
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Has anyone read the Total Eclipse VN? Do they stick to the exact set of event the VN does? Does it bother anyone when producers make a 1:1 copy of something like a manga? It might be just me, but knowing exactly whats going to happen in the next scene isn't really much fun. A bit of a change up now & then would serve to spice up the story a little for those who've already read the original or, at the very least, thoroughly confuse fans of the series.
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I still think those mechs look badass! The best ive seen so far. But the eps feel really short.
 
QUOTE (mikekiki20 @ Oct 28 2012, 12:04 PM)Has anyone read the Total Eclipse VN? Do they stick to the exact set of event the VN does? It might be just me, but knowing exactly whats going to happen in the next scene isn't really much fun. A bit of a change up now & then would serve to spice up the story a little for those who've already read the original or, at the very least, thoroughly confuse fans of the series.
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I still think those mechs look badass! The best ive seen so far. But the eps feel really short.
QUOTE (Killer_Ossi @ Oct 18 2012, 05:00 AM)I really dont know what this anime is trying to do. Instead of focusing on the war against the Beta it jumps here and there. I dont mind character development and background infos but the stuff they did in the beach ep (not that I minded the fanservice ;P) or now with the mockbattles couldve done while fighting the Beta too. Well lets hope that the new characters at least make their screentime worth it (Sharon probably will ^^).I havent read the VN or LN but i must agree those mechs are great to be in CG and there will be new TSFs as announced at the last seconds of ep.19, about fanservice looks like the two beach episodes weren't enough and added a mandatory hot spring too xD ...best part was the megane hottie's yuri delusion about Yui laid nude with the other two girls but was censored -.- unfortunately, telling by the preview next time will be a recap before they show new OP and ED ¬¬ does that mean this series will be longer than 25 eps?
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Muv-Luv Alternative -Total Eclipse- (henceforth known as Total Eclipse) is effectively the third main title in the Muv-Luv universe (excluding fandiscs and the like). Total Eclipse is based off a a series of light novels that began in 2007. 5 volumes have been published to date along with a manga that began in 2009. Total Eclipse follows Yui Takamura of Japan and Yuuya Bridges of the US at the Alaska base where they are placed with a project to counter the BETA. Total Eclipse premiered during the Summer 2012 anime season and ran for 24 episodes with 2 additional specials. It was simulcasted by CrunchyRoll during its run.

Muv-Luv is one of the most popular franchises in the visual novel community, mostly due to its character relations with Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and Kimi ga Ita Kisetsu. The Alternative portion of the franchise is a sci-fi, mecha setting and Total Eclipse is no exception. Total Eclipse starts off with two anime original episodes, which are arguably some of the better/best episodes in the series. You know that when such an event happens, the show may be in for a rough ride. Turns out, the show does only get worse from there. Instead of good mech action against the BETA, we are left with training arc after training arc with the main Total Eclipse cast. Occasionally we see some battles but at the end of the day, the show barely picks up. You really only need to see the first two episodes, a few middle episodes and maybe the final four or five episodes. Together this makes it about a 1 cour series. There really is no reason for Total Eclipse to be 2 cours, especially with such little source material that is presented in a visual novel like fashion. Conclusion wise, the show took yet another nosedive. It needed some sort of conflict to end the series but this was rather an annoying way to do it let alone a cheap way out.

Art is above average but not outstanding like the Alternative visual novel. Character designs are rather weak as well with too many look alike characters. Animation is horrible for a Satelight title. The mech designs are cheap and the animation quality ranging from simple facial expressions and small character details to mech movements are all over the place. Clearly the budget went elsewhere this season.

OP1 is by Kumi Koda, one of the famous hip hop singers of Japan. The song is rather catchy but that's about it. OP2 and ED1 are by Minami Kuribayashi who continues to be as impressive as ever. Though I will say her Medaka Box themes are better. Ayami performs ED2 which is decent but have never really heard of her. Background music is average as are sound effects. Seiyuu is okay overall.

Enjoyment? Total Eclipse started off with some potential. However, it began to lose momentum quickly as it fell into stereotypical visual novel traps despite not having a visual novel as a source material. Presentation is weak overall, especially in the middle of the series where it felt like a never ending fanservice training arc. The lack of BETA and any sort of "good" action was a major turn off. The show could never balance properly whether it wanted to do a sci-fi mech show or a visual novel romance title and that's what ultimately sinks this show's ship. The plot becomes jumbled and resolutions are overly simplistic. Soukou no Strain and Sousei no Aquarion are more competent titles in this field and of course the classic Blue Gender and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Overall, if Total Eclipse is used as a test pilot for the rest of the Muv-Luv franchise, it's one heck of a failure and likely to be a hindrance for future Muv-Luv anime titles if any are to be adapted. They should really just bring back the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien cast and staff to do the Muv-Luv titles as they have also worked on titles like Soukou no Strain and Stratos 4, thereby already having experience in related franchises as well as sci-fi mech titles. The series clearly set itself up for a sequel but whether it truly deserves one remains in question given how much time was wasted in these 24 episodes.

Preliminary Score: 7/10
Final Score: 3/10
 
Kit, I haven't watched the series yet because I am waiting for the BD releases. However, I do know that this series will probably not get an anime sequel anytime soon because the sequel to the anime is actually going to be a visual novel that's being released next year. Hence, I don't think doing a season 2 anime for the series is going to be happening since effectively that's what the new visual novel will be.

(*Lolz I repeated myself*)
 
QUOTE (JCDRANZER @ Dec 26 2012, 12:36 AM) Kit, I haven't watched the series yet because I am waiting for the BD releases. However, I do know that this series will probably not get an anime sequel anytime soon because the sequel to the anime is actually going to be a visual novel that's being released next year. Hence, I don't think doing a season 2 anime for the series is going to be happening since effectively that's what the new visual novel will be.

(*Lolz I repeated myself*)
I actually forgot to mention that it was getting a full visual novel adaptation in my review. I had that in my mind the whole time I was writing it but it ultimately slipped just because nothing could really change how terrible (and disappointing) this show was at the moment.
 
QUOTE (Kit-Tsukasa @ Dec 26 2012, 09:43 AM) I actually forgot to mention that it was getting a full visual novel adaptation in my review. I had that in my mind the whole time I was writing it but it ultimately slipped just because nothing could really change how terrible (and disappointing) this show was at the moment.
I so want to watch it though, it's the first Muv-Luv anime lol. I'll just marathon it so the disappointment doesn't last too long....of course when all the BD releases are out.
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QUOTE (JCDRANZER @ Dec 26 2012, 02:19 AM) I so want to watch it though, it's the first Muv-Luv anime lol. I'll just marathon it so the disappointment doesn't last too long....of course when all the BD releases are out.
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I do want to see this on Blu-ray given the massive amount of censors this show had from episode 1. I personally want to see the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien staff make a return to do the actual Muv-Luv Alternative and call that "the first Muv-Luv anime"
 
QUOTE (Kit-Tsukasa @ Dec 26 2012, 12:07 PM)I do want to see this on Blu-ray given the massive amount of censors this show had from episode 1. I personally want to see the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien staff make a return to do the actual Muv-Luv Alternative and call that "the first Muv-Luv anime"I'm interested to watch the first half of MLA:TE uncensored too but I don't care that much about its other episodes, sadly it went downhill kinda like E7AO if we talk about recent and disappointing mecha series... at least this one had fanservice and didn't trainwreck as bad but I wonder why they included the new OP/ED in only 5 eps, through the so called "great climax" that useless recap promised -.- anyway telling by the final episode I wouldn't be that surprised to see a S2 ¬¬

Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse 1st part (TV eps. 1-14) summer 2012 - 6/10
M-LA:TE 2nd part (TV 2nd cour episodes 15 to 19 and 21 to 25) fall 2012 - 4/10
M-LA:TE ep.20 "TE: Before the Climax SP" (TV special recap) fall 2012 - 3/10
Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse TV series average final score
- 5/10
 
QUOTE I'm interested to watch the first half of MLA:TE uncensored too but I don't care that much about its other episodes, sadly it went downhill kinda like E7AO if we talk about recent and disappointing mecha series... at least this one had fanservice and didn't trainwreck as bad but I wonder why they included the new OP/ED in only 5 eps, through the so called "great climax" that useless recap promised -.- anyway telling by the final episode I wouldn't be that surprised to see a S2 ¬¬


I actually had re-check the list of eps because I wasn't sure that it had ended. The way they left several things unexplained suggests that they probably want to continue this. Given the way they spread the story thin, (It was like "do one thing per episode) I would like it to advance more plot-wise in the next season- if there will be a next season. Whatever they did here could have easily be done in 13 eps. I still liked it though, maybe because I enjoyed the original Muv-luv VN?

And E7AO totally tanked. After eps 4, I had my foot in my mouth for the remainder of the show.
 
Takamura yui and yuya havent even kissed man!!!!! Of course must have a season 2!!!!! And pls don move to haremm.....i hope it has good action in season 2 and yui and yuya together....not haremm.....T_T
 
gimme a season 2 man pls.......i don take a no after the final dialouge at the last episode....if there is no season 2.....the company which made this anime is fking irresponsible damn it.....TT
 

Title: Black Marks
Japanese: シュヴァルツェスマーケン
Airing date: 10/1/2016 (TV series 12 episodes)
Genres: Action, Drama, Mecha, Military, Science fiction, Harem?
Original creator: Hirohiko Yoshida (ixtl/âge)
Original character designer: Carnelian
Original scenario by: Hiroki Uchida
Director: Tetsuya Watanabe
Written by: Tatsuto Higuchi
Music by: Elements Garden
Character designer and chief animation director: Shuichi Hara
Sub-character designer: Masatoshi Kawano
Sound director: Satoshi Motoyama
Music producer: Evan Call
Studios: ixtl, Liden Films and Sanzigen
Network: TV Tokyo, TVO, TVA, AT-X
Opening theme: "white foeces" by fripSide
Ending theme: "Kanashimi ga Jidai o Kakeru (哀しみが時代を駆ける / Sadness Runs Through the Times)" by Zähre

Main cast: Theodor Eberbach (テオドール・エーベルバッハ) voiced by Kenichi Suzumura
Katia Waldheim (カティア・ヴァルトハイム) voiced by Minami Tanaka
Irisdina Bernhard (アイリスディーナ・ベルンハルト) voiced by Nozomi Yamamoto

Supporting cast: Liae Hohenstein (リィズ・ホーエンシュタイン) voiced by Yoshino Nanjō
Gretel Jeckeln (グレーテル・イェッケルン) voiced by Kiyono Yasuno
Anett Hosenfeld (アネット・ホーゼンフェルト) voiced by Chika Anzai
Pham Thi-Lang (ファム・ティ・ラン) voiced by Emiri Katō

Sylvia Kschessinska (シルヴィア・クシャシンスカ) voiced by Michiyo Murase
Walther Krüger (ヴァルター・クリューガー) voiced by Kenta Miyake
Beatrix Brehmer (ベアトリクス・ブレーメ) voiced by Yukari Tamura
Circe Steinhoff (キルケ・シュタインホフ) voiced by Manami Numakura

Heinze Axmann (ハインツ・アクスマン) voiced by Ken Narita
Inghild Bronikowski (イングヒルト・ブロニコフスキー) voiced by Kaori Fukuhara
Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/embed/dPaqOq9MDUQ?autoplay=1&rel=0
PV#1: https://www.youtube.com/embed/oRTHb6WyebM/?autoplay=1&rel=0
PV#2: https://www.youtube.com/embed/IauR3QlFsz4?autoplay=1&rel=0
CM: https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3Jx6Wvn8yE?autoplay=1&rel=0

Synopsis: Schwarzesmarken is a spin-off of the Muv-Luv Alternative series, but the events takes place in 1983. The East German Army 666th TSF Squadron "Schwarzesmarken" (Black Marks) are a special-forces unit tasked with assaulting BETA forces through unconventional tactics; specifically, they target Lux and Magnus Lux to deny the BETA the advantage of ranged firepower. Their orders are given the topmost priority, such that it is common practice for the 666th to ignore allied distress calls that will result in deviation from their original mission, even if only for a short moment. The 666th Squadron mostly operates MiG-21s, with their squadron commander Irisdena Bernhard piloting an MiG-21PF.

Germany was divided into East and West after WWII, where citizens of either treated the other side as enemies. In the midst of Cold War, however, the Earth was invaded by an alien life form landed on Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, known as "Beta." Now, ten years after the first contact, East Germany, formally German Democratic Republic, has become the front line.

QUOTE (chungyi8455 @ Mar 29 2013,05:35 AM)gimme a season 2 man pls.......i don take a no after the final dialouge at the last episode....if there is no season 2.....the company which made this anime is fking irresponsible damn it.....TT
QUOTE (mikekiki20 @ Jan 20 2013,3:14 PM)I actually had re-check the list of eps because I wasn't sure that it had ended. The way they left several things unexplained suggests that they probably want to continue this. Given the way they spread the story thin, (It was like "do one thing per episode) I would like it to advance more plot-wise in the next season- if there will be a next season. Whatever they did here could have easily be done in 13 eps. I still liked it though, maybe because I enjoyed the original Muv-luv VN?Hoping this guilty pleasure takes away the bad taste MLA:TE last eps left me
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