Oh dear, oh lord, oh my! Toshokan Sensou 11 is so ridiculous I HAD to post this before I start the translation.
Okay, I’m sure the ridiculous premise has been discussed by many bloggers. Most of us have probably accepted it as, you know, Toshokan Sensou and decided to shut some logic down in order to continue enjoying the show.
But but but… there’re 2 scenes here that are so unbelievably ridiculous they totally blew my mind away (not in a good way, duh!). I watched it twice and twice I asked myself “Is this for real?”.
Law of Motion Defying Vehicle
First off, there’s this scene where the Media Enhancement’s van just rammed through the negligibly small gap between 2 buses – each more than twice the size of the puny van and undoubtedly a LOT more heavier – and separated them like they were mere… mere… mere LEGO BRICKS!
Not only that, the van came out of the other side with no deformation and none of its glasses shattered! Just what sort of Physics defying stunt is that?!
I bet Newton would be rolling in his grave if he ever learns that Production I.G. totally disregarded his 2nd Law of Motion.
Is Genda Stupid or What?
Minute 19.22 features a very err… BRAVE (read: stupid) Genda standing in front of the art work and telling a Media Enhancement guy: “The best art work of the year is just behind me, try shooting if you dare.”
You are unarmed and you DARE provoke a VERY MAD enemy to shoot? ARE YOU OUTTA YOUR MIND GENDA? Arienai.
Not only that, he very well KNEW that the art work was displayed in a BULLETPROOF glass case. And there was only ONE Media Enhancement guy. What could the enemy do alone? Carry the glass case which is taller and bigger than him? Destroy the art work by shooting it? We’re talking about just one enemy and bulletproof glass here!
What do you know? Genda just stood there and got SHOT all over. After Genda fell, the Media Enhancement guy got arrested by 2 of Genda’s subordinates who were ALREADY there right from the start. Also, a lot of Task Force members including Komaki and Tezuka (I think it was him unless I was mistaken) suddenly appeared out of nowhere at this point. However, they certainly didn’t look like they just rushed there. Instead, they looked as if they’ve been standing there and watching it all the time.
Just what the hell? Couldn’t those 2 idiots arrest the Media Enhancement guy before he shot Genda? Did they really HAVE to wait until after Genda was shot? All I can conclude is that they’re either idiots or they hate Genda so much they’d rather watch him die.
Conclusion
Shinjirarenai. Arienai.
Unbelievably ridiculous.
This post is tagged Toshokan Sensou
This post filed in *Episodic View, Toshokan Sensou
43 Comments
oh lol, I noticed that too. I think there are others like during the burning scene in the last minute. Why nobody else notice the smoke lol
Ashlynne: Lol, now that you mention it…
Awhh you know saying don’t click this just makes people want to click it:(
ah well got a few laughs out of it
Hi , I haven’t seen it yet but to me the scene with Genda make sense . I can make the asomption that given it’s “by the book” attitude it was only a trap to have the right to arrest the last one Media Enhancement Guy . It was just a way to provide a legal and legitimate course of action . Hope that you understand what I mean by that . Thanks for your hard work and good luck for your future “assignments” .
I understand what you mean, Warboss. Still what you said doesn’t really make sense.
Legally, every one has the right to use violent/deadly means for the sake of self-defense. You don’t have to wait till you’re hurt to justify the actions taken to defend your own life.
It makes more sense if the Task Force members just disarm the guy on the grounds that he was going to shoot an unarmed person. I don’t see what legal dispute that would lead to. IMHO, the legal dispute/consequence would be worse to shoot an unarmed person.
ahahaha… i thought about that guy who shot genda too – though i understood why he would stand in front of it. but with all the ruckus that the two did, everyone would have noticed it and arrested the goon before or even during shooting their captain out.
but… my main concern isn’t really that… *fangirl rage* if they killled off who i think they killed off, i’ll have a witchfit because it’s the only reason i watch the show!
Let’s see, the premise of Toshokan Sensou is silly, but shinigami, magical samurai, super-ninjas, demons, witches, androids, mecha, new-types, magical gilfriends and harem comedy are not. Glad that’s cleared up.
Ashlynne: Lol, I never said the rest are not. =_=
To quote the comedian Tom Wilson “It’s…a…mooovie!”
I love this series’ character development, because it helped me overlook such glaring WTF moments. I was too busy cheering for Kasahara and Dojou that I didn’t even wince at that first scene you describe… XD
LOL !!!
Dude you are watching an anime where people fight over .. a BOOK !!! .. DUH ..I wouldn’t be surprised if that Van jumped or flyed to pass by the buses ! .. XD
Sadly … one more episode of this crappy non logical stuff .. X_X .. i admit it .. i’m gonna miss this T_T … thnx guys for choosing this anime to sub ! ..
“KITT activate physics laws defying mode ”
“Roger Michael”
Now i can say that genda like to show off. I bet next episode he will try to escape from medics yell “this is nothing! “.
ToshoSen has to top the list of ’suspension of disbelief’ abuse among all the anime I’ve seen this year. At one point, it tries to do a serious approach, and the next moment, it defies all logic.
Production IG, i think, is just fucking with us with this, i think XD
Ashlynne: Darou? >.<
I was just pointing out that looking for any resemblamce of reality in anime is pointless. Being able to stretch ones imagination beyond the believable is what makes it so appealing. Old proverb: If you examine the rose too closely, you miss the beauty of the flower. Personally, if I want reality I’ll watch CNN and FOXNEWS, I figure realtiy resides in somewhere in the middle.
@tthekidd
We’re only bitching about this for good reason. IG has been producing shows that are, more often than not, make sense and condone to logic and rules that apply in the real world – unless declared otherwise.
Toshokan Sensou opens up with this serious approach that it condones with real-world rules and limitations. Yeah, we forgive the silly political situation behind the story, but if it decides to start out obeying basic laws of logic only to defy it later – that’s what makes it ridiculous.
First, it tries to show that it’s realistic, and the next minute it turns into slapstick. If it wants to go slpastick, do it right from the start.
Well, it has been pretty funny but… What the hell? Fighting over books? That is slightly ridiculous and the van part was like WTF? I got a hell of a laugh out of the Genda and the hating members in the back… Anyways, I wonder how they will patch this up in episode 12. Pretty eager to see if Dojo got burned to black ash… Poor Kasahara, probably hyperventailating in the continuing of the next episode.
Thanks for the van part. I didn’t notice it at first but… I sort of expected it to be crushed into a piece of paper, not come out unscratched…
Thanks for subbing Toshokan Sensou, looking forward for other stuff… (that you will do.)
I don’t understand why everyone is so taken aback by the premise of this anime, that is “fighting over books”. War over information is forged everyday in this world, albeit in a slightly less dramatic sense. If one day, god forbid the government decides to censor knowledge, (ie. Libraries, the Internet) I know I would fight back.
Thanks for the subs btw, Malaysia Boleh!
Ashlynne: Don’t get me wrong, we’ve already accepted the premise of the anime no matter how ridiculous that is, because this is Toshokan Sensou – the name already implies that this is a story where they “fight over books”. And since this is based on a light novel, there’s nothing much the studio can do to change the premise.
But the least they can do is to obey some basic real world limitations (refer to Silencers’ comment) when they animate the scenes… The law of motion defying vehicle is one glaringly WTF moment. It’s so ridiculous I feel my intelligence being insulted, lol.
I understand the whole WTF why did they wait till he actually got shot we all have been thinking after watching this ep. Unfortunately this incident sounds reminiscent of an incident that occured in Jena, Lousiana in which depending on who you ask either the victim was chased out of a conveinance store by a group of teenagers, ran to his car and grabbed the shotgun he kept there so he could defend himself. Or a group of teenagers were walking of out said conveinences store and came upon the victim coming towards them with a loaded shotgun and fearing for their safety wrestled the shotgun away from the victim. The reason I am calling the shotgun wielder the victim is because the group of teenagers ended being charged with theft of a firearm and second degree robbery. The reason from what a cop friend told me was because its not illegal to carry a shotgun out in the open, as long as your licensed, in that state and unless he actually used the weapon even if you feel or think he is threatening you you cant do anything except maybe tell a cop or run since he’s legally allowed to carry it wherever he goes. Im assuming the same principal applies to the Media enhancement guy since hes allowed to carry automatic weapons in the open you cant touch him til he uses it.
Ashlynne: Hmm… you have a point there. I’ve never thought about such scenario as it’s illegal to carry firearm in my country (except for police or security guards and other military personnel)… Even if it’s licensed I don’t think we can carry it out in the public like that.
@Hoszer
In a country with all kinds of fetishes, I think it’s extremely dangerous to pass that kind of firearm law, lol.
Guys, I love the good work so far with TS. Seeing as this fansubbing project is going to end soon, could you please make a v2 for episode 8 before you come up with a batch? I did raise the issues about typesetting for the intro and the timing for the ending before, but I think everyone would really appreciate you correcting that and reposting (at least I know I would).
Pretty please?
Ashlynne: We will most probably be releasing v2 for all the episodes that we think need improvements. But we’ll have to depend on the encoders for that >.<
@Ashlynne:
uwah, thanks! >.<
Biankita, I think they won’t kill anyone, the preview pics are too calm in the ending.
Ashlynne & the group, thanks for Your hard work! :)
@Silencers
Well for one its part of the US constitution meaning its been law since the country was founded, everyone has ” the right to bear arms” and there have been attempts to try and get it changed but for every story of how a guy who legally owned a gun committed a crime you will here a story of how a pizza delivery guy just doing his job got attacked by one of the most violent gangs in chicago and managed to kill all 3 of them with his pistol which he had a concealed permit for. On the whole though it really depends in what state you live in that really determines if and what you can and cannot carry. California is no an almost all counts if you transport a firearm it has to be in your trunk in a locked container, magazines in a seperate container away from you gun and bulletes in a third container. While i believe Florida has a concealed carry permit that is legally recognized in 30 other states. As for the southern states I have been told it ranges from you can carry shotguns, rifles, and pistols in the open but you cant carry any of them concealed to you can carry a pistol concealed and cant carry any firearm in the open. Of course this is also totally dependent on the types of firearms licenses each state give out.
Well the scene with Genda may not make sense, but it has got to do with honour, and that usually doesn’t make sense, coz it makes people shut off their brains and act in an illogical manner. In this case Genda’s honour made him stand in front of e gun to protect the exhibition. Maybe he juz forgot it was bulletproof, to protect his honour.
BTW, makes sense about the van, but maybe the brakes were not engaged on the buses? Who knows… ^-^
I know I’m saying alot of maybes here… =P
Now that I’ve managed to watch this episode, I’d just say that the premise of people killing people over books is quite absurd in itself that other things pale in comparison.
Then again, I just realized/remembered that the artwork is indeed covered in bulletproof glass that Genda and all the other LTF guys around just didn’t have the sense to just tackle the guy. I mean, did they want to simply look ‘heroic’ about it? In that case they failed. And about the van thing, I was really not paying attention to that detail at first because of the building intensity of the situation, but it’s either the buses were made of rubber or the van was made out of diamond.
This series still goes into one of my favorites of the season, but I really suppose it’s not for the logic-sensitive people out there. I can hear WTF’s echoing in the distance…
On another note, I look forward to the 12th (and last?) episode. I hope Shibasaki would be doing something more… pivotal, next time?
@ttthekiddd:
What you said is true, but on the other Hand, we like certain stuff in media because we can relate to them. Its all about the amount of “slice-of-life”. Toshokan Senshou would loose big parts of its appeal if it weren’t about the reality-like content. And thats also why Toshokan Senshou RULES so hard. Sweet character development AND a very interessting setting is what makes it so fun. If it were about some spacemarines protecting picturebooks from pirates which wants to eat them, the story probably wouldn’t have left the novel.
If I.G. themself starts not taking it serious anymore this sure feels like some sort of mindf*ck (in form of retards which would have died of stupidy way before reaching the rank of general). Its like suddenly drawing big mustaches on the females and still acting all naturally.
The fight to preserve knowledge and the rights of freedom of speech and expression have been fought over for a very long time. There are those that will do anything to censer and control what information you have access to.
I was at a Harry Potter book release with my step daughter age 10 and the rest of my family, and among the hundreds of people were protesters. People who wanted to ban the book from the schools and prohibit the sale of the book to minors on the ground that it was satanic and promoted witchcraft. They came out in full force and they were angry. Yes there were fights physically between parents and these protesters who called the children in cos play satanists and told them the were going to hell for reading.
This is only one of the more resent examples of violence over books and one that I witnessed. History is filled with them. Pyrotechnics aside, I think the show has a realistic concept.
@Fahya: I actually thought that the previews were more telling – since it involved Inamine making a grim speech, the Task Force members honoring someone and Kasahara making some kind of eulogy *cries*
But I’m over it now. Now that i’ve been able to make some research that I regret doing.
~This is only my OWN opinion but I think some people who find TS’ premise silly is because they may have been exposed to so much freedom when it comes to accessing information that they find things like censorhip absurd. I agree with VG-Alchemist – placing it in a real-world setting is part of the appeal. If this story was set in the world he just described, I wouldn’t touch the series. And anyway, should we be all over the premise by now??? I mean, especially since Chocolate Underground released their first episode ROFL!
The most astonishing thing about this series has hardly been mentioned here, and that is even though it is one of the most important political works since 1984 (the book, not the year in case anyone didn’t get that), and Fahrenheit 432, people still think that fighting over books is silly. This kind of people is priceless to anyone who wants to seize power.
That aside, regarding the American constitution, I’m thoroughly convinced that it is the right to the arms of a bear that is being mentioned and nothing else. :P
Genda’s actions aren’t all that strange either, as someone mentioned before, honour can be a part of the explanation, and from what I’ve seen in anime and deduced from other sources it seems like sacrificing yourself, be it for another person or your beliefs (shouldn’t that be pluralized believes? oh, well firefox says it’s kosher), is close to common sense in Japan, or it least an ideal instilled in people from a young age.
And lastly as for the van, yes, it might not be in accord with what newton thought that the universe behave like, but on the other hand, animators (or who ever is responsible for the ‘glitch’) are probably more likely to be trained in the art of making cool action scenes than newtonian mechanics. ;)
Thank you for another release. My logic is always off when watching anime and I enjoy the anime better that way.
Had anyone here thought the “human wave tactics” on the end of the battle were truly ridiculous, LET’S MOW ‘EM DOWN!!!!. And I was gasping with disbelief watching the whole scene. God! and where did all that machinegun they were holding gone? Looks like a riot scene to me though.
Speaking of that human wave. I was wondering the whole time – why didn’t they just lob a grenade in there? At least a smoke or flashbang if they want a non-lethal force.
Regarding Chocolate Underground, that is obviously a criticism of modern drug policy, if anyone missed that. ;)
@Ferrelas
What drug policy? In Malaysia, recreational drugs aren’t supposed to be consumed at any time of the day at all XD
Guess the criticism aint that obvious yet :p
Ferrelas, you consider Library Wars one of the most important political works since 1984 and Fahrenheit 451?!? Seriously, what are you smoking? It’s quite obviously a rip-off of those themes but it doesn’t add anything to it at all and there have been far better rip-offs of such themes, for example, Equilibrium or Matrix. You really shouldn’t try to be such a smart ass because pretty much everyone with a brain whose seen a school from the inside gets those references.
And your claim that
“people still think that fighting over books is silly. This kind of people is priceless to anyone who wants to seize power.” is completely backwards. It’s people who think that any form of censorship is alright who are dangerous. I’d even say that’s most people and even despite knowing 1984. If it protects the children or helps against terrorism, censorship is okay, isn’t? No, it isn’t. Absolutely never. And Human Rights are absolute. No matter what anyone in this universe thinks.
What does Library Wars make out of this scenario? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It’s as if a 12 year old wrote the story.
There are also lots of serious anime doing a much better job – even if they aren’t absolutely realistic – like GITS, Texhnolyze or Kino’s Journey. All Library Wars tries to add is some goofy romance and extremely cheap slap-stick comedy. About the only thing that makes it worth watching is the quality of the animation.
Pretty much everyone here has watched tons of anime which might have been far less realistic or logic without complaining. As so many people complain about Library Wars despite the high production values, the creators were definitely doing something wrong. Look at “You’re under arrest” which is rather similar except for any specific conflict. It’s often very unrealistic but it’s actually funny, charming and even heart-warming. That’s probably because it doesn’t try to switch between genres as Library Wars does. So either you like it or not right from the start whereas the latter just keeps disappointing.
The reason I find it important is the fact that it takes the themes from the aforementioned books and puts it in a form that actually reaches young people today. Yes, equilibrium is an astonishing movie and it too does a good job at conveying these themes to our generation. The matrix however I find quite silly, to be honest, it’s mostly like a rip off of ideas that platon had, but later debunked himself. Sure some of the themes are about control society, but it gets lost in all the action and mindf*ck in my opinion. As for what I’m smoking; tobacco, cannabis and sometimes DPT. I have a reatively high verbal iq (and judging from the way you express yourself, your must be quite high aswell) but I’m having abit of trouble wielding it in a way that accurately conveys what I’m thinking. ;)
If I phrase it like this: “people who think that it is silly to go the length of taking up arms to protect your rights to freedom of speech”, instead of: “people who think fighting over books is silly”, do you understand my point then?
There may very well be anime out there that does the job I think Toshokan Sensou does, better, however, I have to seen any of the animes you mention or any other anime that touches the subject, be it doing a better job or not. ;)
I was not out to upset anyone with my comment, and if I have offended you I sincerely apologize.
Re: “Law of Motion Defying Vehicle”
Re:” Is Genda Stupid or What?”
Re: “Is Genda Stupid or What?”
Yes, the scene shows his true worth as “Kenkaya-Chunen”.
I agree with your idea when I saw Komaki and Tezuka were the location just after Genda was shot.
Anyway, Genda’s improvise was based on his strong belief that “protecting the work without any harm” means his win, and the success of the mission.
Regarding 2 guys who were near to Genda all the time, if they are the members of local library squad but not the Task Force member, they only could nothing but just watch the situation, because they are nobice at battle and emergency. Episode#10 shows deep-laid scheme that made the squad so vulnerable with taking a long time.
As a Japanese, I was very impressive all the comments here.
Although “Toshokan Sensou” itself is a sort of fiction and love story, all the episodes claims the importance of “protecting right to freedom of speech against political pressure” continuously.
That’s why love the series of Toshokan Sensou very much.
This episode makes me cry..
i hope 12 comes out soon =D
I think that the most funny thing of all is that during the war Doujou says to Kasahara she will not die because she’s waring bulletproof jacket, which obviously told the viewer that every solder out there is wearing one. So why did Genda needed to say such silly words as “this is the end,ha” and than fell off like he’s dead <.<
Yes i’m aware of the fact that he was shot in legs as well but not even one on vital point (not to mention there is no blood at all), i can actually take the rest of the crap (there would be no drama and cliffhangers with out them XD9.
I wouldn’t be too hard on the Message TS tries to bring us. Well, the whole “we’re comprimised in the inner, now the good guys have to clean in here too”-Thing is sort of disturbing, way to early to happen. The essential part about censorship and the dangers it comes with too are somewhat low on priority it seems. The militäry-thing works mostly, especially the whole no killing.
@Silencers:
Think why they don’t use a grenades generally. Its the same reason why they use the most time small Submaschineguns, don’t drive Tanks, the Snipers don’t shot fataly and there are no rockets flying.
There are limitations put on them, so it won’t get out of hands. Makes sense, since their acting on civil grounds.
I wanted this series to take its issues more seriously. I want any series to be consistent with itself. Therefore I’d have preferred the Laws of Physics apply, except during intentional deformations for humor, because it IS anime, after all.
I’m more concerned about the viewers who seem to think it’s silly to fight over a book. Wake up, people! The kids’ books, and the centerfold that first guy was stealing from the library, and the odd statue defended by Genda all represent OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES.
Toshokan Sensou is based on the actual “Statement of Intellectual Freedom in Libraries” of the Japan Library Association. Important stuff… not “just a book.”
P.S. Please put up a note about the status of subbed Ep 12. Obi-wan… you are our only hope!
Sub-machine guns are the new Tasers. Less lethal than uhm… a nuke! I’m surprised they can still move with those vests. If they protect against bullets launched from assault rifles from close distant, they have to weigh at least a ton.
VG-Alchemist:
Okay, so HE-grenades are out of the question. Why not tear-gas rounds, smoke grenades or even flashbangs? Those are not lethal, but hell they’re damn efficient at crowd control.
Hey! Love this show, this blog made me giggle. You’re right about the van.
But I checked the idea of the bulletproof glass after yelling ‘You doof!” at Genda a couple of times.
Apparently, bulletproof glass is made with layers of glass and plastic. And it’s made so the glass will shatter, leaving the plastic. So it cracks, but doesn’t break.
Mostly it’s made to prevent one or two bullets, since Genda got shot a lot, and a machine gun has a lot of ammo, maybe the guy would have succeeded.
And really, what are they gonna do, just stand aside as go ‘Douzo’ ? (Think I got that right)
So Genda was showing his resistance, still fun to call him a doof though, that insane grin was awesome!
That bit when Iku shot the Media guys gives me the chills every time.
Thanks for some great subs! I wish there was a second season . . .
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