From: z_beddoerj@ccsvax.sfasu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime
Subject: Video Girl Ai (reactions)
Date: 10 Jan 93 15:09:44 GMT
Article-I.D.: ccsvax.1993Jan10.090944.2381
Organization: Stephen F. Austin State University

Hello all,

Well, I just returned from Colorado a couple of days ago, and had a great trip,
filled with fun, friends, anime and culture.  (well, Japanese culture.)  I 
will recount my little trip only to discuss some aspects of a karaoke bar,
but that's not what this is for.

I finally got to see some anime that I'd been waiting to see, thanks to Jareth
Hein. (Hail Mighty JHod!!!)  One of the things that I got to see was 
Video Girl Ai Volumes 1-3.  I can sum it up in 2 words.

My God.

Ok, well, maybe that's not a good summation, but it sure is the reaction to
it.  I don't think that a show has that deeply affected a group of people
like that in a long time.  Not a group that I've been in.  Ok, so volume 1
doesn't really get that deep.  You get to see some pain, sure, but not like 
the pain you get to experience when volume 2 gets going, and then there's
volume 3 rolls around.  Geez.  All of us where cringing all the way through
volume 3.  And then at the ending, Jareth summed it all up for us:

"Those putzes!  ....but how beautiful."

OK, so, sure lots of stuff gets left out/changed from the manga.  But Video
Girl Ai has go to be one of the most moving shows I've seen in quite a while.
And just when I was about to get in to a post-Ranma funk. :)  Hey, there IS
life after Ranma 1/2.  In fact, VGAi is somehow more satisfying.  Sure, the
finale is a bit ambiguous, but still, there is that haunting final few
seconds....and the scene with the clock starting again.....*sigh*  Very
touching.  

Ok, so I haven't done much to discuss the show, but more like my *reaction* to 
the show.  If there is interest, I'll post about the show.  In fact, the
animation, and all the visuals in general were extremely well done.  Good
stuff.

I give it a 5 out of 5 stars.  Very rare indeed. :)  I recommend this to
everyone.  If you've ever been in a "painful" relationship, or if you have a 
pulse, this will touch you.  Be warned though, volume 3 will pull the plug on
your soul, and let it drain out....

I can still remember what I said at one time during the showing:

"Would someone please pull this knife out of my heart?"

Really though, it well worth checking out.

-- 
Ja ne,
"Crusher" Joe.

  *-----------------------------------------------------------------------*
  |  "Crusher" Joe Beddoe * President, Shampoo International Fan Club *   |
  |  Moderator, shampoo-l (shampoo-l@calvin.sfasu.edu) * KYKS 105.1 DJ *  |
  |      Academic Support Guy, SFASU * Partner, Datamagic Computers       |
  *-----------------------------*-----------------------------------------* 
  | Hey!!  Mail me!  Pick one!! |          *  September 25, 1992  *       |
  | z_beddoerj@ccsvax.sfasu.edu |"...all Good Things must come to an End."|
  |  crusher@ccsnext.sfasu.edu  | I invite all Ranma fans to join me on   | 
  |  crusher@calvin.sfasu.edu   | this day in mourning in memoriam of the |
  | a_beddoerj@ccsvax.sfasu.edu |     passing of our favoritie show.      |
  *-----------------------------------------------------------------------*