Kill La Kill made me cringe out of my skull

[Deleted member 2474]

i watched the whole thing and wish i hadn't. shallow as hell. clearly plagued by production issues. lots of choppy and poor animation (especially in the second half - honestly really weird to see so many people say it has great animation when it so rarely does). there was clearly a major plot rewrite at some point partway through. only redeeming qualities are ryuko is hot, mako is funny, and "before my body is dry" is always hype.

frankly trigger's entire output has been pretty disappointing, though i haven't seen promare yet, which i've heard very good things about from people whose opinions i normally trust. so, fingers crossed.

 

[RecRoulette]

The whole anime is basically a deconstruction of fanservice in anime.
I thought that was really obvious.

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What's funny about this take (not that I entirely disagree) is that most folks defending it thinks "it goes too far" later on.

Folks are fine with it and go "OH COME ON IT'S TAKING THE PISS OUT OF IT" until it crosses their individual line and then all of a sudden they're in the "This is too much" camp. Looking at you bathtub scene.

 

[Mendrox]

Seeing this video going around in lefty spaces and knowing Hbomb likes the show has made me want to reconsider and watch it but like.. I've seen the images, I've seen the gifs.. do I really want to? Can it really be worth it. I still haven't got down to it and I don't know if I actually will, but I at least assume there's some sort of value in it if these are the spaces receiving it positively.

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It has Gurren Laganns spirit, rather big spoilers

 

[Psittacus]

Kill la Kill is a super problematic show that is also adventurous in its commentary and ridiculously entertaining throughout. It's all three at once, as far as I'm concerned.

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It's a rare and fascinating piece of media in that it's attitude towards fanservice is so schizophrenic that everyone sees the show very differently and it's difficult to argue that anyone's take away is an incorrect one

 

[Razmos]

I still really liked it. It's absolutely creepy fanservice justified by a metanarrative about shame and virtue and objectifying women. (see that proZD link above, kinda nails it) I definitely wish it wasn't quite so complacent about the actual sexualisation of minors. But for me, a story that doesn't treat women as untouchable (-save for the trope of threatening sexual violence), means more to me than not having fanservice. And yeah I think if you got a lot further in you'd start to see the shift in tone that other fans liked about it. The metanarrative about socialised womanhood really stuck for me, and the over-the-top stylish action was pretty fresh. But don't force yourself to like it. It's not for everyone.
It also helps to not be a straight guy I guess? I think i'd feel more self-conscious about people thinking I was a pedo for watching if I was.

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I have the exact same opinion of it as a gay man

 

[Sabretooth]

It's a rare and fascinating piece of media in that it's attitude towards fanservice is so schizophrenic that everyone sees the show very differently and it's difficult to argue that anyone's take away is an incorrect one

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Yeah, this is a fair assessment. I have a friend who I watched the series with, and despite the both of us enjoying the shit out of the show while we watched it, my friend eventually became very jaded on it because of the fanservice. I, on the other hand, stuck to my appreciation of the show, and we can never seem to convince each other otherwise.

 

[just a slowpoke]

Seeing this video going around in lefty spaces and knowing Hbomb likes the show has made me want to reconsider and watch it but like.. I've seen the images, I've seen the gifs.. do I really want to? Can it really be worth it. I still haven't got down to it and I don't know if I actually will, but I at least assume there's some sort of value in it if these are the spaces receiving it positively.

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it's a work that i think for once actually manages to equally sexualize men and women while making a poignant point about how shame is used to control people and stifle their self-expression as part of a wider rebuke against fascism and the idea that it can be combatted solely within its own system of rules and expectations

however, there are a few uncomfortable scenes in there that i think are entirely fair to criticize as well

 

[Akainu]

Show is trash there are only really three good episodes but it aint worth it.

 

[NHarmonic.]

I don't know why because usually I can't stand creepy anime shit but I loved this show. I think it's because the sexual content feels kind of more positive than negative and is not the usual shit like the sex offender with a heart of gold or having the entire reason for female characters to exist is to be sexualised.

Having incredible animation did help a lot too.

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Helps that male characters are also sexualized to hell and back, even with a character that's into BDSM and enjoys pain (a trait other authors would automatically assign to a female character).

 

[AnansiThePersona]

You better go back in there and expose your ears to the greatest anime villain song ever made. After that, I don't care what you do.

 

[Deleted member 7051]

I avoided watching Kill la Kill for years because the "battle outfits" and magical girl transformation scenes were way too sexual for me...

...but eventually I relented, tried to just ignore it. Turns out Kill la Kill is actually one of the best anime I've ever seen and for once the sexualisation had a purpose beyond fanservice. It doesn't excuse it but it's an improvement over shows where they sexualise everything for no discernable reason.

Besides, everyone knows the best outfits in the show are the ones with the most clothes.

 

[DFG]

You better go back in there and expose your ears to the greatest anime villain song ever made. After that, I don't care what you do.

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The soundtrack is fine. It's no My Hero Academia though

 

[kiaaa]

I don't think Kill la Kill is amazing or anything, but being involved/following the discussion around the show when it aired was fun as hell.

 

[Zoidn]

Never finished it, only watched a couple of episodes. I really enjoyed what I watched though, looked good and was entertaining.

 

[AnansiThePersona]

The soundtrack is fine. It's no My Hero Academia though

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MHA's isn't that great in my opinion. You Say Run is a standout but outside if that it's alright. There is a song half way through this series that is a masterpiece tho. Also you want to talk about shows that actually have their female characters do things and be powerful and important... and you bring up My Hero 👀👀👀👀

 

[SteelBeast6Beets]

Do people really think that KlK is a satirical show? To me, it's the polar opposite and has a lot in common with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Both are works that take themselves as seriously as it is possible regardless of how ridiculous and laughable everything becomes. The difference being that JoJo is old enough to predate concepts like "irony" and "self-awareness".

 

[Mendrox]

The soundtrack is fine. It's no My Hero Academia though

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I would agree if you said Run with the Wind or Haikyuu, but MHA is Yuki Hayashis most standard work so far where as Hiroyuki Sawano made a phenomenal soundtrack for KlK (Attack on Titan is another level). I can't decide if I like Hayashis or Sawanos rap titles more lol

 

[Masoyama]

Remember someone recommending it a while a go. It is frankly an embarazada and, yeah, cringe all the way through. Cant take anyone's opinion seriously after the admit to even liking it.

 

[Evilisk]

i watched the whole thing and wish i hadn't. shallow as hell. clearly plagued by production issues. lots of choppy and poor animation (especially in the second half - honestly really weird to see so many people say it has great animation when it so rarely does). there was clearly a major plot rewrite at some point partway through.

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This is how I feel about the show.

I watched it while trying to ignore all the sexualization (which was pretty fucking hard), and in the end all I got was a painfully mediocre action show with action (and writing) that just got worse as the show went on. The only thing I didn't hate by the end was the music

My recommendation, OP, is to just listen to the soundtrack and call it a day.

I don't think Kill la Kill is amazing or anything, but being involved/following the discussion around the show when it aired was fun as hell.

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Ugh don't remind me

Can't believe I wasted so much time following this show, I want all my time back

 

[FluxWaveZ]

It's fucking terrible, even if you ignore the blatant and overbearing sexualization. The Tsumugu introduction episode and Fight Club Mako were basically the only good things about it.

 

[DFG]

MHA's isn't that great in my opinion. You Say Run is a standout but outside if that it's alright. There is a song half way through this series that is a masterpiece tho. Also you want to talk about shows that actually have their female characters do things and be powerful and important... and you bring up My Hero 👀👀👀👀

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Only cuz it has few good soundtracks. Don't really care for MHA lol

 

[Kwigo]

I liked it, it's stupid fun.

 

[Village]

Do people really think that KlK is a satirical show? To me, it's the polar opposite and has a lot in common with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Both are works that take themselves as seriously as it is possible regardless of how ridiculous and laughable everything becomes. The difference being that JoJo is old enough to predate concepts like "irony" and "self-awareness".

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How, how did you pull defeat from the warm embrace of victory. You came into a KLK thread, this anime is easy to slam dunk on , people who like it will admit to you " No yeah its kinda weird " . People are not dying on the KLK hill. you could have come in said " KLK" is weird peevy mess and you would have walked out with the trophy

You have somehow , come out of the other end of this with one of the worst opinions I have seen in this thread.

 

[Evilisk]

It's fucking terrible, even if you ignore the blatant and overbearing sexualization. The Tsumugu introduction episode and Fight Club Mako were basically the only good things about it.

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Ugh don't reopen that old wound

I will never not be mad at this guy becoming a complete fucking joke

 

[DFG]

I would agree if you said Run with the Wind or Haikyuu, but MHA is Yuki Hayashis most standard work so far where as Hiroyuki Sawano made a phenomenal soundtrack for KlK (Attack on Titan is another level). I can't decide if I like Hayashis or Sawanos rap titles more lol

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Maybe i should've started Attack on Titan season 3 instead. I actually forgot it existed for some reason

 

[SteelBeast6Beets]

How, how did you pull defeat from the warm embrace of victory. You came into a KLK thread, this anime is easy to slam dunk on , people who like it will admit to you " No yeah its kinda weird " . People are not dying on the KLK hill. you could have come in said " KLK" is weird peevy mess and you would have walked out with the trophy

You have somehow , come out of the other end of this with one of the worst opinions I have seen in this thread.

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Not interested in preaching to the choir, that's all.

And I'd consider JoJo to be easier to dunk on. What other work has the author bragging about having a runaway success without including any female character as part of the main assemble?

 

[Mendrox]

Maybe i should've started Attack on Titan season 3 instead. I actually forgot it existed for some reason

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Well then clean up and watch it because Season 3 is the best so far. I mean look at the top 20 episodes on IMDB for every series:

Advanced search

www.imdb.com

4 of it's episodes are in it and one even the number one so do that next :P

 

[AnansiThePersona]

I won't argue the complaints people have, but I will admire the show for the tournament arc being awesome, the character designs (the Elite Four in particular), Ryuko getting cooler transfomations, and Mako being hilarious. It's nowhere near perfect, but it's a really fun show.

 

[Village]

Not interested in preaching to the choir, that's all.

And I'd consider JoJo to be easier to dunk on. What other work has the author bragging about having a runaway success without including any female character as part of the main assemble?

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There are jojo series where women are apart of the main cast(s)
and jojo part 6 is headlined by a women. Multiple women.

Along with that though while jojo just has had a some issues in the beginning in did do a lot and changed over time. Starting with First of the northstar esque giant manly dudes and over time changing and creating its own art style challenging a macho guy status quo with more androgynous, feminine dudes.

And went from kind of offensive depiction of a black person in part 2, to in part 6 having an entire storyline about the KKK being evil shitheads. So things have , over time gotten better.

Now they aren't perfect

sits in deep thought about jojo part 8

But your statement is factually untrue

 

[SteelBeast6Beets]

and jojo part 6 is headlined by a women. Multiple women.

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And that part turned to be such a flop that almost got the manga canned if it wasn't for Araki's huge clout in Shueisha. Of course, laying the blame on the female cast alone would be disingenuous, even though I do use Stone Ocean as a prime example of why having a large female fanbase doesn't mean they actually want women as protagonists. The gimmicky, confusing fights, overall poor pacing and editorial meddling are most likely to blame for SO being perpetually at the bottom five for its entire run.

 

[Deleted member 62282]

Kill la Kill is a send up of the kind of insipid fanservice that pervades most otaku-bait anime by dialing it way the hell up to 11 (and beyond) and being pretty equal opportunity about it, all things considered, to the point that it completely desensitizes the whole thing.

Like go watch a show like Val × Love (or don't, I seriously wouldn't recommend it, I only know it because it was on TV when I was in Japan and hoo boy!) and then compare that to Kill la Kill, and it's pretty clear they're going for very different things despite both being overtly sexual in nature.

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You can't be serious about this. It's quite blatant who this is trying to appeal to and it isn't the female audience.

 

[Menchin]

Clearly you didn't understand the d e e p l o r e

 

[Mendrox]

You can't be serious about this. It's quite blatant who this is trying to appeal to and it isn't the female audience.

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Which is why there are also naked buff dudes with most of them being handsome.

 

[SunKing]

It's a creepy show that thinks it's being clever by making its fanservice elements plot relevant.

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This is honestly how I felt about it in the end. It's just...eeesh. And just because it lampshades certain tropes doesn't make it any better honestly. Not when you include scenes like one of the protagonists getting sexually abused by her own mother. Blegh.

Also, a lot of it felt like an inferior retreading of Gurren Lagann.

 

[Kthulhu]

I do agree the show is more than just a dumb fan service show, but it is still a fan service show to a degree, so I can't really blame people if they're put off by it.

If none of that really bothers you though I say watch it all the way though, as it's indeed one of the better anime out there.

Or you know just watch JoJo, cuz you can't go wrong there except for maybe that ape in part 3.

 

[DFG]

I do agree the show is more than just a dumb fan service show, but it is still a fan service show to a degree, so I can't really blame people if they're put off by it.

If none of that really bothers you though I say watch it all the way though, as it's indeed one of the better anime out there.

Or you know just watch JoJo, cuz you can't go wrong there except for maybe that ape in part 3.

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Part 3 sucks in general. Worst part. Part 7 is best followed by part 6 + 8 then part 4 + 2 + 5 anime.

 

[Deleted member 5334]

Kill la Kill is a weird show, because for everything it gets right (discussions about nudity, why society views it as such, etc.), it also gets so much wrong, especially given said content is at conflict with the message it's trying to discuss about. I still think the whole stuff with Ragyo is one of the most uncomfortable shit in the entire show (and I wonder how Romi Park felt voicing that scene of all people, especially given her previous roles over the years).

I do not blame anyone who really didn't like Kill la Kill, especially given a lot of the content in the show. It's frustrating, as the core topic it wants to discuss is a really interesting one and it's absolutely marred by the problematic content that kinda goes against that said message. I did enjoy a lot of stuff the show had to offer (music, animation, some of the fights, some of the character interactions, Tsumugu is also one of my favorite characters in the show in particular), but I'm absolutely not gonna down play a lot of the problematic issues with it.

 

[Kthulhu]

Part 3 sucks in general. Worst part. Part 7 is best followed by part 6 + 8 then part 4 + 2.

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I highly encourage you to go back and read/watch part 1. That part is such a slog in retrospect it's no wonder some fans advise people to skip it.

I can't hate on 3 since it gave us stands.

 

[Pacote]

Kill la Kill was freaking great!

 

[DFG]

I highly encourage you to go back and read/watch part 1. That part is such a slog in retrospect it's no wonder some fans advise people to skip it.

I can't hate on 3 since it gave us stands.

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I watched part 1 again, and it's just ok. I can't remember the manga since it's been so long ago now, but to me part 5 was very low as well until anime fixed some of the issues for me. Part 3 will always be the most boring to me.

Kill la Kill was freaking great!

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Is your avatar "Monster"? What a ride that manga was.

 

[Inugami]

Why after all these years someone hasn't invented a Creepy Anime Bullshit scale that we could just rate all anime on... "I'm looking for an anime, I'm okay if it's a 3.0 or lower on the CAB scale." "This show is great, you'll love it, as long as you're able to handle handle a 7.0 on the CAB scale."

There is too much ambiguity, and straight up dishonesty with a lot of anime fans. You see people straight face recommend shows like Made In Abyss while completely hand waving all of the troubling sexualization of children for instance.

 

[Jangowuzhere]

The entire show is absolute bonkers. I just gave myself into the madness and it's one of my favorite animes.

For me, it's not really pervy imagery. All of it is super comedic in its depiction. Even the characters recognize how dumb all this shit is.

 

[Deleted member 56306]

KLK is suuuuch a mixed bag. I think at the time I watched it I gave it more of a sexualization pass because it gave a reason for it that wasn't like, breathing through the skin.

At the same time, that really ain't enough. I feel like a lot of this stuff could have been done without the characters being minors, with different camera angles etc. Not to mention while it tries to sexualize both men and women I don't think it successfully manages to equally sexualize them. I mean I appreciate BDSM man - but he's kind of the exception from what I can remember. It falls into the trap of becoming what it's trying to criticize I think.

I love it and hate it and feel like a hypocrite because of it.

 

[iAmPossum]

The show's vibe looks stupidly dumb and over the top. I'm hesitant but I'll check it out someday.

 

[Deleted member 25606]

Why after all these years someone hasn't invented a Creepy Anime Bullshit scale that we could just rate all anime on... "I'm looking for an anime, I'm okay if it's a 3.0 or lower on the CAB scale." "This show is great, you'll love it, as long as you're able to handle handle a 7.0 on the CAB scale."

There is too much ambiguity, and straight up dishonesty with a lot of anime fans. You see people straight face recommend shows like Made In Abyss while completely hand waving all of the troubling sexualization of children for instance.

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I could get down with this.

as for Kill la Kill I enjoyed it for what it was, but then again I think most of the fan service flew over my head.

 

[Entryhazard]

It started off wildly entertaining with how they implemented intentionally cheap animation but ended with incest rape. And yet its still super popular and has videogames and everything *shrug*

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What was the mother fingering her daughter deconstructing exactly? That scene alone should have removed that show from any and all recommendations.

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You're acting like the rapist wasn't the absolute villain and the show didn't regard her as such

 

[Deleted member 62282]

Which is why there are also naked buff dudes with most of them being handsome.

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Is that really the excuse you're going with? Because I seem to hear that excuse a lot to wave away problematic content.

 

[HStallion]

Its a series I thought was ok when I first saw it but as the years have gone my opinion has changed to a garbo series that a lot of people cling to with some really asinine reasons. People act like its the Lolita of anime when its just a really horny fucking dude's really horny fucking anime that happens to have a plot about saving the world from alien clothing. Is there subtext and themes beyond that? Sure but I consider them more than overwhelmed and subsumed in the usual anime tropes and overal horny nature of the show. Its got its moments but they're few and far between plus its ugly as fuck after a few episodes. Watch Madoka Magica if you want to see an anime about young girls seriously dealing with trauma and fucked up situations.

 

[Kapryov]

I tried it out a few months ago and only made it to the second episode before dropping it.
I've watched a decent amount of anime over the past year or two, and I've become desensitized to a lot of the typical tropes now. I can even enjoy some trashy stupid shows, but this one ... eh.

It looks well animated though, I guess.
If this is the same team as Gurren Lagann then that explains a lot, I dropped that one 2 episodes in as well. That was a recommendation from a work colleague, I couldn't stand it.

 

[Gaming_Groove]

The show is extremely horny. The sexualization is very much over the top. It also has some good messages, some great animation, excellent music, and wonderful performances. There are some bad writing decisions and the plot becomes a bit of a mess at points. Sort of a reverse compliment sandwich there, but I digress.

It's definitely divisive, and I won't hold it against anyone for not liking it due to its problematic elements. There are certainly parts of the show that make me uncomfortable (including one element that I could have used a content warning for =\), but in general I can appreciate what it does well.