Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa, a visual novel by NitroPlus and written by Ittetsu Narahara that has reached an acclaimed status , but how? In this video I go over some stand out main ideas, mainly the themes that this story covers.
Another great review friend. I started this VN in January and finished in June. Personally one of the most memorable sections of the VN is the part where Ukyo visits Ichihime's grave. He knows the route he is on is maddening and self destructive, yet he insists on continuing. I've re-read that scene many times. "Whether in bones or in memory, Ichihime will be mine."
That was definitely my favorite arc of the common route! Despite only being small supporting characters Ukyo and Yagenta were such well developed characters. Probably the scene has stuck with me most was the first fight between Kageaki and Sorimachi. The dialogue and inner monologue still gives me chill.
Kageaki has upstanding morals, is honest to a fault and earnestly wants to do good? If you mean this, in reference to his loved ones, then sure, but that's not his true nature. Still, this is the beauty of Muramasa, right here. Different people, have diverse takes on what they read. Ichijou and Kageaki's "mother"aside, characters in Muramasa, want to do what pleases them, when they feel like it. Duty and beliefs, are often secondary to individual will and personal satisfaction. I'm gonna like and subscribe to see some more.
There is definitely a bit more I should have added. That was the impression I had of him from his backstory and earlier chapters on the surface. Of course he bares much more complexity, but I didn't want to go too deep into spoilers. There are many angles to look at its story, themes and characters which makes it a great source for discussion. It's as you said "this is the beauty of Muramasa."
For me, the impression I got was that Kageaki is a man of contradictions. He says he is a villain, but insists on acting like a hero. What he says and what he does doesn't line up. To me it seemed like he wanted it both ways. Have the moral high ground and gain a sort of admiration by acting as a hero, but at the same time gain pity and seeking atonement by punishing himself in the eyes of others by acting as a villain. In a roundabout way, he is extremely self righteous and treats himself like he is the center of the world. At least that is how I see it.
Been over year since I read this on release, blew me away with a lot of how it handled kageaki and hikaru. Probably the most unexpected series I read lmao as I went knowing nothing
The relationship of the two was so beatifully executed that made for some shocking twists. I went in blind as well, and was caught by surprise by Chapter 1's ending, haha.
Yea, I agree. To me, Fate had great ideas, but what I take umbrage with is just how it executed on those ideas. That, and the fact that I found the characters either annoying or bland certainly didn't help.
@@jeremyargha9086 Far from it. If anything, its side characters were even weaker than the main characters, many of which I often forget even ever existed. Hell, even the so called main villain was completely forgettable. I one played through Fate/Stay Night in the past and hated it. Then I replayed it quite a few years later to ascertain if I had been too harsh on it in the past. Found even more stuff that ruined it for me. And the main villain I had even completely forgotten even existed due to how bland and generic he was. The only character I found that was memorable or likeable by any stretch was Kotomine and it took until the third route before he got any attention whatsoever. In Muramasa by contrast I found its cast consistently strong across the board.
@@jeremyargha9086 bruh Fate's side characters were its weakest part. Everyone that is not Shirou, Archer, Kirei, Illya and Saber are incredibly mid characters. Muramasa on the other hand has way more consistent characters and villains who are also fleshed out more evenly.
100% agreed on the ridiculous amount of explanations and narrations. Heavily bringing down the pacing or fight scenes and world building. Don't get me wrong, some of them were pretty interesting, but like you said, many of them went on for at least an hour. Don't get me started on the gameplay segments, including the point and click moving stuff. You didn't bring up the edgy or dark each scenes of the visual novel, which are a big part of Nitro plus stories. To me, that was the only thing that was probably worse than the articulus amount of narration. But unfortunately, since this is in Nitro plus story, you just kind of have to expect them. That said, I did overall still like the visual novel. I just don't think it's quite the top tier story telling that many people hype it up to be.Then again, maybe I just have different standards on story visual novels than others.
The exposition was lightened the impact of so many moments. If those scenes were a bit more concise and shorter the story would have have much better flow. The puzzles too is something I I completely agree on. Some felt really out of place, especially the airship and sudoku bit. The edgy/dark content, I felt, were par for the course given the story's premise. I thought the story's dark nature was handled well for the most part. However, this does not apply to the *R*/h-scenes which I should have definitely mentioned and given a warning of. I share the same thoughts as you there. The topics the VN touches upon were pretty insightful, but could have been polished in a few areas. We all have differing opinions and standards for what is considered enjoyable and poorly done. That's the beauty of fiction!
