I don’t want to linger too long on why I’m dropping Arte, because why dwell on negativity and if you like it, who am I to argue? But I should at least explain why I don’t (which I don’t).
Realism? OK, I can give a partial pass on that – within reason. No this isn’t realistic in terms of historical accuracy (there was no artist like Arte in the early 16th century, the merchant class wouldn’t treat a nobleman’s daughter that way, etc.). My problem is that everything about Arte is conventional, from the OP to the art style to the writing. I can’t speak to the manga because I haven’t read it, but in the anime at least there’s no sense whatsoever of authenticity. Nothing and no one in this situation remotely plays as “16th century Florence” – it’s modern anime characters acting like modern anime characters in fancy dress. And the issues it explores are explored is such dumbed-down and broad terms that it’s impossible to take them seriously.
The other major flaw to me is how bland and generic the visuals are here. This is goddam Renaissance Florence – it almost seems like it’s be harder not to make it look interesting, but Arte manages it. This is not a terrible staff by any means – the director and writer are not just experienced but generally quite good. That makes me believe that the problem has to come in part from the manga, at least as far as the tone and characterization is concerned. It’s harder to give a pass on the visuals – even if the manga is on the bland side the anime can do things to spice it up. But from I’ve seen in retroactively scanning a few manga chapters, the anime seems to have made that problem worse if anything.
It’s not really fair, but given the potential inherent in its choice of subject matter I hold Arte to a higher standard than a stock manga or LN romcom or action series. So my level of disappointment is higher than it would be, and my criticism probably harsher. But I know what this kind of story can be in the right hands (Ikoku Meiro no Croisee being the prime but by no means only example). Arte isn’t just missing, but missing quite badly for me so there’s really no point in dragging this out. It’s a shame, but that’s why you don’t treat previews and anticipation as gospel.
Yukie
April 12, 2020 at 6:29 pmExactly how I felt about the manga. I was sorely disappointed, because the premise seemed so interesting, and yet the execution and end result is anything but. There are shoujos out there with far more interesting characters and stories. Also, with such a specific historical context, you would’ve think more could’ve been incorporated (whether it is through minor trappings or the general atmosphere).
Guardian Enzo
April 12, 2020 at 6:51 pmI may not have learned much, but if I’ve learned anything over the years of being a manga and anime fan, it’s that demographics are just labels, not quality descriptors.
Put it this way: Akatsuki no Yona = shoujo, Arte = seinen
Kim
April 12, 2020 at 7:26 pmIf they wanted to put this in a fantasy setting influenced by the Renaissance maybe I could have bought it but no way is this good historical fiction.
It’s a shame because I also really wanted to like this one
Mus
April 12, 2020 at 7:57 pmExactly. I read the manga about 10 chapters in and quickly lost interest. I was expecting at least cultural nod in painting world in that era but turns out all I learn about it is “Arte loves painting and never gave up” and that’s all.
New characters and hurdles come & go but the series hold unto that idea too much, leaving no room for indepth cultural narratives.
Guardian Enzo
April 12, 2020 at 8:03 pmI see it this way. The setting is strictly interchangeable – they could substitute any vocation in any place and time, and the characters’ behavior would make just as much sense. There’s nothing culturally or technically specific to the execution – it’s pure anime formula.
Panino Manino
April 13, 2020 at 12:35 amBut you have to see it by what it is not just see the scenario and start to imagine what you would want to see.
This is a story about a specific character, yes, not different from many others. You’ll see a lot of historical places and culture, but this isn’t a hardcore history setting, this isn’t different from Otoyomegatari for example.
I maintain that the manga is actually good, I’m very pleased about what the story have brought to Arte and how challenged her (she is even confronted by the fact that despite all, she is privileged).
BlueBlue
April 12, 2020 at 9:40 pmSo after having shifted my expectations since the first episode, I will say that episode 2 goes more smoothly. Even though, I won’t fight against people finding it blant. My main issue is that I am start wondering if it is about art or an ucronia about feminism. I am not a misogynist but if the series plan to rub in our face everytime boys VS girl and resolution of issues just by toughness, that will be difficult to swallow every episode.
Anyway, from what I read of manga critics (after the surprise of “episode 1”), this is actually more a slice of life. I have no problem with that but a slice of life with a character mindset of Arte, that is huuuugggge challenge. Well, I will stay on board few more episodes I think (lockdown so what will I do anyway?), hoping that the good criticism are not mainly for the manga art. For technical aspects or things similar, I start to be afraid that it will be like the “Runway de waratte” adaptation. That is, kept into the manga….
Panino Manino
April 13, 2020 at 12:29 am“That makes me believe that the problem has to come in part from the manga, at least as far as the tone and characterization is concerned.”
NOOO!!! You’re wrong!
Having Wave and Yesterday with such high quality in the same season spoiled me, made me careless, expecting that Arte would also be good. Unfortunately this adaptation is going against all of the manga’s strengths! Don’t be fooled by this anime, the manga is actually good, the manga is very good.
If the problem was just “low budget” I could give it a pass (did you noticed the reused scenes?), but that’s not the problem, it’s how they changed the order of the chapters and the personalities. Angelo like other characters is not introduced at once, his/their introduction is done little by little. Why the anime had to rush his introduction like this? This episode went from chapter 2 straight to chapter 8 jumping over all the proper introduction of the city, Leo, and the world of ateliers and the Guilds. Maybe because they are unable to properly animate all the scenarios? This is already bad enough, but there’s also Arte’s personality. That’s not “her”, where is all her optimism and energy? And of course there’s all this preaching and “forced misogyny”…no, seriously, don’t laugh please. The way the anime handled all this was not just obvious and manichaean beyond being ridiculous to watch, they even had the trouble to make Arte weaker than she originally is! Do you know that Arte is actually “stronk”?
What incredible waste of good material…
Sorry for the rant, you’re right in dropping this Guardian, this isn’t worth the time, unfortunately.
Okuni
April 13, 2020 at 1:11 amKnowing that there was a supreme female artist who came out of Italy at this rough period, Artemisia Gentileschi, I was ready for some really engaging art and social commentary. Such a letdown. Gimme that scimitar, heads will roll.
Guardian Enzo
April 13, 2020 at 9:11 amShe really did come almost a century later than this setting, though. The world had changed an incredible amount in that time.
Panino Manino
April 14, 2020 at 4:28 amArte is too early in time? Yes, and that’s part of the setup.
Leo is a guild member and he took Arte as apprentice, officially. Now the Guild don’t know what to make of it, if she is even allowed to be a guild member and be considered an official apprentice because they have no precedent. The Guild have to discuss her case now only because she is a woman, also because they don’t know if a woman is even capable of doing the hard work they do there. They never seen one before…
That’s why Arte tries to force her way into Danilo’s workshop, she wants to be part of that world, have access to the ateliers. The majority are against for a number of reasons, obviously, but the fact that they heard she comes from a noble family goes against her because this also makes they believe it’s just a fad of a feeble child. In this episode she manages to prove to Danilo that, yes, she is serious about being an painter/artisan, and that she has the physical strength and endurance required from the work. (close clay bags don’t need too man to be moved, it’s just easier and faster for two apprentices to share the work).
But anyway, all this is valid for the manga, not the anime.
Jen
April 14, 2020 at 5:59 amI was wondering why I couldn’t find myself sucked into the world. I love Sixteenth century cultures, I find them fascinating, I didn’t realize why my attention was drifting until you pointed it out. The lack of authenticity. There’s nothing about it that I find genuine enough to make me stay. Not that I expect all shows I watch to be grounded in reality, but if it’s the main setting and related to the plot, then I definitely expect it.
Panino Manino
April 14, 2020 at 8:20 amThere’s what you want to see on this, but looks like they’re trying to cram 7 full volumes and two chapters into 12 episodes.
A lot of what they already skipped will probably never appear in the next episodes.
Guardian Enzo
April 14, 2020 at 8:46 amYup. It’s a deal-breaker for me, sadly. And whatever the manga is or isn’t doesn’t really matter – if the anime can’t stand on its own for new viewers, it’s failed in its main job.