I’ve only just started Tsukihime, and that’s about it in terms of visual novels, but what you said does make sense. For example, people get tired very quickly of shows like .hack//SIGN because despite being animated, nothing really dynamic showing off the animation is happening. And I guess that falls on what people expect anime should provide for them. It’s interesting.

CalAggie: But a beach trip with flashbacks? Sounds like the possible stuff of legends.

However, you’ll find that many visual novels are much more centered around the characters than the plot. This is due to the limitations of words and CG frames; people expect to see more happen on screen due to the fact that its animated.

I believe that a good show lies somewhere in the middle, a good balance of plot movement and character development. Those seem to work out well, don’t you think?

I think what really captured me in Manabi is how forcefuly the characters are painted in it. I thought that I liked how Azumanga treaded light on it, and thought that fine-tuning the exposure would be good. But this is out of all proportions, and it it’s the best. And another thing, I like girls not being psychotic and neurotic wrecks. Mei took her transformation so well, coming out of her dark room. Even the frail Mikan’s mind keeps it together. So out of the ordinary teen-angst pampering anime of yesteryear. Go Manabi!

I just finished Kamichu. Would you classify that as show where nothing happens? It’s quite good.