#it would feel detached and fumble its themes for the sake of ''''originality''''

[bloodsbane]

a criticism ive seen leveled at zenshu multiple times since finishing the show and reading others' comments about it is the claim that it doesn't do much beyond making references to old media, as if the context in which those references are made doesn't matter at all. and im not here to argue that the anime is secretly a masterpiece or anything, but like, i just saw a post saying it was essentially doing the same thing marvel movies do?? and i simply cannot think of a more reductive view of what the show is trying to convey!

the ENTIRE point of zenshu's themes is about the power of media we engage with. it is about how falling in love with a piece of art can literally change your entire life.

i hate to make arguments that sound like "well you just don't get it because of xyz", but based on what i've seen, i really do feel like a lot of what zenshu is actually trying to say is getting a bit lost on its more general audience; if you're an artist, or anyone who was inspired to create something because you discovered art that was very meaningful to you, the way zenshu chooses to engage with its own influences makes perfect sense.

it's not just "and for this episode, we will reference THIS cool thing that people know and like!" it's "the character is drawing something referential because art and animation are her life, and these are the things that came before her, which she studied and draws inspiration from." it's meant to be a bit cheeky and referential, yes, but it's not JUST "hey remember This Thing?" it's paying homage to real great works of art that inspired the REAL people making the show - the ART - that you're literally in the process of viewing! it's artists celebrating the art that made them fall in love with creating things and become artists themselves