Robotics;Notes’ upcoming animation by Production IG has received its first PV and key visual – both of which, unsurprisingly, show the artwork to be horrid in comparison to the superior visual novel.
To see something officially of the Robotics;Notes series be of such lacking quality is a tragedy – yet it was unfortunately highly likely when the anime was announced, and then inevitable when confirmed to a studio experiencing a consistent decline in capability. The points of shame span so heavily in this awful artwork which sullies the “Robotics;Notes” name – and one needn’t even examine the artwork too intently to see a blatant degradation in comparison to the visual novel’s artwork.
Within the artwork of the visual novel, one reason the shadows were transcendent was that they were carefully plotted out – and applied in a manner of stunning transition from the light source, the sun. This was done all quite masterfully – and served as one of the major distinctions of Robotics;Notes’ artwork. Unfortunately, the illustration above is sub-par at best – the visual novel’s extensive shadow would ultimately formulate a perspective effect, yet this image is completely flat, with the only value being of the generic kind of darkened shapes.
There’s no essence of vitality to this image whatsoever – one can sense that the artist was simply attempting to create a scene based on reference material they were given, rather than sketch a moment of an enthusiastic bishoujo standing in a windy area under the summer sun as is the case with the visual novel. The setting seen behind the girl, robots and all, is completely bland – feeling as if a backdrop in a photographer’s studio, although that’s quite fitting in this instance seeing as the heroine is equally as lacking.
In respect to the heroine, her body wasn’t even given any depth at all – leaving her looking like a cardboard cut-out. And on that note, an aspect acting as a total desecration of our heroine is that her immense beauty has been lost. The visual novel artwork portrayed the heroine in such a manner that her mere visage would rock the foundation lust and desire, and this was accomplished through an expert degree of line, shape, and shadow – yet this not so lovely take on an otherwise gorgeous girl instead settles for a remedial visage.
Her face as seen here is simply of the conventional moe type – with no consideration taken into devising an individualistic character. All the defining aesthetic features of the visual novel’s unbelievably enticing heroine have been lost – as has hope for humanity.
The PV for this coming animation, available below, isn’t any more promising – all the intensity found within the promotional videos for the visual novel is absent, and the graphic quality can again be seen to be on a lesser scale. Sadly, if this anime succeeds in satisfying expectation, that would be as expectation is of failure.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 9:40 CDT
It doesn’t even look like Robotics;Notes, good thing you pointed that out. It looks like a generic anime from 2003
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:11 CDT
And preparing for failure in 3..2..1..
Jul 21, 2012 @ 9:53 CDT
Despite all the flaws you have cited, I hope the anime stays justice to the VN’s plot just like Steins;Gate, considering they share the same series composer in anime adaptation.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:08 CDT
As mentioned with another comment, even if the anime is true to the plot – if it ends up true to the plot in completely poorly done manner, it won’t be very beneficial.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 10:14 CDT
It looks fine, except that girls hair.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 10:14 CDT
Why White Fox wasn’t given this project to animate, I have no clue. It still boggles my mind. Steins;Gate was a success and one of the top rated animes of 2011. So let’s get a different studio with a recent track record of crap and have them animate the new installment.
I’m just gonna hope it turns out decent/good, and see what happens.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 10:31 CDT
White Fox is too busy making a second season of Jormungand for whatever reason.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 10:17 CDT
Putting aside the horrible art, it looks like the anime will be a direct adaptation of the visual novel, like Steins;Gate without original content.
I recognized a few CGs and even a scene from the demo.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:05 CDT
I wouldn’t put too much faith in that – and it wouldn’t help either way if the presentation is poor.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 10:18 CDT
Concern before even being aired? I’ll admit I was really looking forward to R;N, but this PV didn’t leave me with the slightest ounce of anticipation, or excite worth hype. I guess all we can do it just wait it out, and see if it’ll join the garbage pile, or rise from the fate of a destined failure.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:12 CDT
“all we can do it just wait it out, and see”
Production IG?
Nope.
“it’ll join the garbage pile”
Jul 21, 2012 @ 10:42 CDT
Some previews sometimes don’t even look that well. Usually when I’m watching a preview that looks bad, the anime tends to turn out good. Well I’m still going to watch Robotics; Notes for a couple of episodes and see how it turns out in my opinion.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:14 CDT
Most everyone is going to watch it anyways and see the failure for themselves – though on another note, there’s also the occasional impressive PV and terrible anime series.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:33 CDT
Some people will like it and some people will not like it depending on how the story and the animation goes.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:42 CDT
Thanks for pointing that out – I had absolutely no idea.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:13 CDT
I lost half the hype waiting for this show the moment I heard it wasn’t White Fox, but then again you might have a point…Guilty Crown had a pretty good trailer…and look how that turned out.
…ughh…
Jul 21, 2012 @ 11:13 CDT
I don’t see anything wrong. I like the anime artwork even it’s not good as the game’s. Though I’m not sure about the story if you look back to Guilty Crown
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:03 CDT
Saying the anime will fail only because of the artwork is ridiculous.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:29 CDT
“when confirmed to a studio experiencing a consistent decline in capability”
“The PV for this coming animation, available below, isn’t any more promising”
And lastly, I take it you don’t understand the significance of visuals in animation – which by the way, is based around visuals. If you want a good story, go read a book.
Mamoru Oshii, who directed Ghost in The Shell, which is arguably one of the greatest animations of all time and has inspired even Hollywood films, would insist that visuals are foremost before story and characters.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:39 CDT
I think you don’t understand that the key animator is a veteran, so you can count on the action scenes and fluidity being great. The only thing bad there is the character design(amateur on staff), which doesn’t even look that horrendous. Not to mention the one in charge of the series composition is the same as S;G. Furthermore, the VA’s are great and the music played on the PV was too.
Well, to be fair, the director is also a rookie and Production I.G’s name doesn’t give me confidence at all. But, based on the PV, there are more pros than cos.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:47 CDT
Well the aesthetics are variable, and I personally find that they look horrendous – if comparing to the visual novel however, they definitely do regardless.
Secondly, even if there’s some better members on staff – it doesn’t automatically make the series exempt from failure as who knows to what extent this potential will be utilized, if at all. As mentioned on other comments, if the overall presentation proves bad, it won’t matter if the voice acting was legendary or if the A was B. With the visuals being so lackluster in comparison to the visual novel, the series is looking rather bland based on the key visual and PV, and this is not very promising – perhaps the actual anime will prove different, or someone else will feel otherwise, yet that doesn’t change what is seen.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 13:47 CDT
I never said it was exempt from failure, the point I was trying to get across is that labeling it as one already is wrong, since the PV hasn’t done so much wrong to already get this kind of reaction.
The opinion that the “character design is horrible” is something that will differ depending on the person and I think the real way to truly judge the quality of the anime is from the script instead of the character design. Sometimes the design sucks, but the story and characters are handle masterfully.
It’s not like I disagree with your point of view though, the visual does look better on the VN.
I will be holding my comments for until the anime begins.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 13:54 CDT
It’s a “failure” already in the sense that the visuals have, definitely, failed. Though incidentally, I don’t disagree with you much either except on this:
“I think the real way to truly judge the quality of the anime is from the script ”
Yet that goes back to something I’ve already stated.
“I will be holding my comments for until the anime begins.”
I look forward to them.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:25 CDT
I’m not sure why people keep mentioning Guilty Crown. The director and writer of Guilty Crown aren’t even working on Robotics;Note.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:28 CDT
You’re the only one who mentioned “Guilty Crown” here aside from lucarion’s comment – yet he wasn’t referencing it as comparison to Robotics;Notes.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:30 CDT
“I don’t see anything wrong. I like the anime artwork even it’s not good as the game’s. Though I’m not sure about the story if you look back to Guilty Crown”
Airetta
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:33 CDT
Oh I see – fair point then, my mistake.
It would be preferable if you made comments which are directed or reference another comment by using the “Reply” mode.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:34 CDT
Ah alright then, my bad.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 12:39 CDT
No worries at all – I also made a mistake.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 13:25 CDT
Production I.G. also recently produced Usagi Drop, Kimi ni Todoke, Rinne no Lagrange and Library Way (including upcoming movie) and the GITS: Solid State Society movie.
Personally, I think that the chances of the Robotics;Notes adaptation being good somewhat high – and the art showed aren’t bad at all.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 13:36 CDT
First, Rinne no Langrange is horrible.
Secondly, “recently produced”?
Library Wars, if that’s what you meant, is several years old – and the upcoming movie isn’t out yet so quality is unconfirmed. Not to mention, the anime series is average – not extravagant. Solid State Society is also several years old and the one who should be praised for that first and foremost is Kenji Kamiyama, not Production IG.
“the art showed aren’t bad at all.”
Yeah, your nonexistent in-depth analysis proves this very well.
“the chances of the Robotics;Notes adaptation being good somewhat high”
If that’s all you have to make the judgement, then far from it.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 14:07 CDT
Man lol
1st Rinne no Lagrange is animated by Xebec
2nd in terms of animation if you watch GITS, Toshokan Sensou or Guilty Crown carefully you will see hundreds of shots that have enormously bad animation/art (EXcluding the CGI and backgrounds – they are superb)
3rd… from the “not so old” Anime produced by I.G. I can say that xxxHOLiC Kei/Rou, Kimi ni Todoke and Usagi Drop had more than amazing animation.
4th and last, from the PV it doesn’t seem to have everything that we saw(expected) from the VN trailers and reviews, but still I am gonna give it a chance when it comes out
Jul 21, 2012 @ 13:52 CDT
Understand the differences in media. Intrincate shadows and colouring? Sure, there are some examples of anime having such. However, in most cases they have to get rid of that “”depth”" yo talk about for the sake of animation.
The promo image which you obsess so much over isn’t even half as bad as you make it to be. Sure, the VN one was better, but the anime one must reflect what will be seen in the anime (and the Gunbuster reference will attract more than a viewer, but that’s a separate matter).
Such a strong obsession over such little things makes me wonder whether you’re being serious or just trolling (like some lines seem to imply).
Jul 21, 2012 @ 14:03 CDT
“but the anime one must reflect what will be seen in the anime”
So in other words, it’s reflecting the poor quality visuals to be seen in the anime.
“for the sake of animation.”
For what sake do they need to make the visuals look as if the background is a photographer’s backdrop from the sheer lack of depth? The visuals of the anime do not have to be the visual novel recreated, that’s not expected either – however the point, which you appear to miss, is that the key visual showcases a character who packs an extensive amount of artistic individuality within the visual novel who has been sandpapered to become a generic anime character with an overall below average appearance.
“Such a strong obsession over such little things makes me wonder whether you’re being serious or just trolling (like some lines seem to imply).”
Such a lack of understanding of aesthetics makes me wonder whether you’re just totally ignorant of animation, or just trolling (like your entire comment seems to imply).
Jul 21, 2012 @ 14:34 CDT
Nobody should take you seriously when you’re trying to be a ‘critic’… that’s for sure :)
And you’re a nice guy, kind enough to feed them.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 14:38 CDT
“Nobody should take you seriously when you’re trying to be a ‘critic’”
And why would that be?
Jul 21, 2012 @ 16:59 CDT
Hmm, am I wrong?
If I’m, then maybe you’re wrong too ;)
Jul 21, 2012 @ 17:03 CDT
Just so you know, if you’re attempting to make an argument, it is recommended you do it in a coherent manner – otherwise, you would want to refrain from saying anything at all.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 15:38 CDT
I saw this picture and instantly thought of the main character of Moshidora. Is it just me or am I the only one not hyping up this series?
Jul 21, 2012 @ 15:45 CDT
There’s no reason to be hyped for the series to begin with, it’s looking poor as far as the key visual, PV, and production studio goes.
Unless you’re also speaking in reference to the visual novel.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 19:14 CDT
To be fair, story-wise the actual R;N game doesn’t match up to S;G’s quality at all. It’s even a bit questionable whether it matches up to C;H. So if the anime plot ends up being crap, don’t just blame it all on IG, because the source material itself isn’t up to the standards that S;G set.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 19:18 CDT
Regardless of whether it’s comparable to Steins;Gate or not – the Robotics;Notes anime isn’t looking so great. Even going under the view that the story of the game is lacking, the visuals were exquisite – in which case, the anime has neither.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 20:49 CDT
I know you’re not fond of the animation style; I’m just saying that if the anime is terrible it’s not going to be completely IG’s fault.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 20:57 CDT
Well in that case I agree.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 20:50 CDT
So, the VN seems to be supirior to the anime? I’ll give the anime a shot for a few episodes to see if I like it anyway. Does anyone know if the VN’s getting an english translation?
Jul 21, 2012 @ 20:52 CDT
There’s a group translating it most likely, although it won’t be released any time soon.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 22:27 CDT
Whatever，I’ll watch it.
Jul 21, 2012 @ 22:37 CDT
I find the anime’s art style to be aesthetically pleasing while translating the original character designs to animation really well. No where near the worst example of original source to adaptation character design downgrades. It’s not as bad as say Steins;Gate where I felt the anime’s designs really was a HUGE downgrade removing a lot of what made Huke’s character designs cool. Robotics;Notes just takes the detail down a notch for budget reasons which is fine. As long the show itself delivers good animation quality, then I’ll be perfectly fine.
Jul 22, 2012 @ 22:51 CDT
i loved Steins;Gate, hated Chaos;Head, so I don’t know what to think about this, cause the anime’s to 5pb Adventure Science fictions Games can end up either superb or teribly animated trash. Anyway, can’t wait for the next game.
Jul 27, 2012 @ 23:33 CDT
I can’t stand why Chaos;Head is hated even for those who haven’t played the game, besides the fact it has anime adaptation whose its long plot have been condensed into 1 cour.
Jul 28, 2012 @ 12:15 CDT
Most people are like that in general – if the consensus hates X, they’ll hate it too just because of the bangwagon effect, and they’re easily manipulated due to a lack of functioning cognitive processes.
Nov 1, 2012 @ 23:49 CDT
I watched half of Chaos;Head. It was awful. The characters were boring, the plots was boring, the action scenes were boring. I gave up when the pink excavator appeared. At the point in time that I watched it, I wasn’t aware what anyone else thought of it.
But, of course, if I disagree with you then I lack the functioning cognitive processes.
Btw, I’m watching and enjoying Robotics;Notes. The art is fine.
-Not the guy you were replying to.
Nov 2, 2012 @ 6:52 CDT
It does indeed seem like you lack the functioning cognitive processes – because if you read my comment properly, it says “Most people”, of which I can only assume you are now one of.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 20:44 CDT
I really don’t care about the art. If want to stick to the original art then just don’t watch and stay a true fan to the VN only?
Oct 12, 2012 @ 0:55 CDT
And here I thought this review, or whatever it is, was actually going to say something meaningful. Oh wait, that’s pretty much impossible seeing as the anime is not even out yet so there’s nothing to really say anything about. If all you’re complaining about is the art, which is not even all that different BTW, then GTFO.
Also, the VN (or original source) will always be superior in terms of content, nobody is surprise by that and some don’t even care because they prefer to watch than read. The story was written to fit the VN format and VN has much more time to explain and cover everything the author intended the story to cover. Only sometimes is the adaptation superior due to its presentation.
Oct 12, 2012 @ 6:12 CDT
“was actually going to say something meaningful.”
Someone says something you disagree with, therefor it is not meaningful?
” seeing as the anime is not even out yet ”
It was released yesterday.
“If all you’re complaining about is the art, which is not even all that different BTW, then GTFO.”
You would know what I’m complaining about if your reading level were of at least a 5th grader.
“Also, the VN (or original source) will always be superior in terms of content, nobody is surprise by that and some don’t even care because they prefer to watch than read. The story was written to fit the VN format and VN has much more time to explain and cover everything the author intended the story to cover. Only sometimes is the adaptation superior due to its presentation.”
Again, you’re showing you haven’t read anything presented here.
Nov 2, 2012 @ 19:45 CDT
Everyone here comparing it to the VN, is it available in English, for American systems, or do you all speak Japanese? What about Steins Gate and Chaos Head?