Sengoku Basara: Two for the Price of One

sengoku-basara-anime-of-mystery.jpg

Sengoku jidai anime Sengoku Basara recently aired, and observers soon noticed some very strange differences between two of the broadcast versions.

Rather than the usual censorship differences, it appears for some inscrutable reason broadcasters CBC and TBS have each acquired their own not so subtly different version of the anime…

2ch provides a detailed comparison below.

CBC is on the left, TBS the right:

sengoku-basara-anime-of-mystery-1.jpg
sengoku-basara-anime-of-mystery-2.jpg
sengoku-basara-anime-of-mystery-3.jpg

Just what might be the cause of this? And which will become the canonical DVD version?



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    Comment by NT01
    12:33 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Er... I don't know, looks kinda shopped, but I know nothing, what I say doesn't count at all.

    Comment by Orochium
    12:18 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    My take on this is that it seems like the different tv stations in japan have different 'emotional impact ratings' they apply to violence/adult situations to make them 'suitable to the target audience'.

    The psychology of art is an interesting creature, but having more shadows, lines, and more exagerated features, a more 'emotionally effective' image is generated, while one that is stripped down is, instead, less impacting to the viewing audience. CBC likely has a 'softer' market for its target viewing audience, while TBS (in general) seems to generally request fewer alterations to things with a high Emotional Impact rating.

    Hope that makes sense, Marketing is marketing, and what a station shows, is also what its image is to the the nation and the rest of the world.

    Comment by halotoo
    12:58 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    They maybe looking for feedback from viewers and decide who win the DVD spot, only seen the CBC version so can't say anything.

    Comment by Anonymous
    12:10 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    two groups of animation working in the same project. The team of animation that demonstrates the best quality is the group that will retain his job in the company xD

    Comment by TenAkira
    12:14 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    WOW... survivor scheme!?

    Comment by gyudon
    18:11 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    If this is true, the lol

    Comment by Atma
    10:45 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    CBC version is clean and manly. TBS looks like it's trying too hard.

    CBC wins.

    Comment by ManaYagami
    13:36 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    So, a GAR version isn't considered manly, but a simplified version is...

    Comment by Anonymous
    18:01 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Yes, basically.

    Comment by Muffler
    10:36 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The TBS version sure looks better

    Comment by Anonymous
    10:06 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    two different animation for one title?
    I will suprised if the anime studio doesnt has any budgeting issue!

    Comment by Icy-nee-san
    10:04 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I like the CBC version

    Comment by Anon
    11:28 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Aside from some of the wapfags in here, it's obvious what this is.

    As my friend said, this is jus a case of Regular edition and MAN edition.

    I expect strong amounts of Gar to swell from the TBS version.

    Comment by ManaYagami
    13:40 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Well spoken Anon! Let's hope that this show justifies the need of a GAR version and that it will bring MANLINESS to our screens.

    Comment by Anonymous
    11:32 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    CBC = current anime style
    TBS = 90's anime style
    I suppose they are just showing it to us what would sengoku basara look like if it was shown back then?

    Comment by chindogu
    12:08 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    animators are always reworking their art. maybe one was sent out and then they had second thoughts and decided to change it around? that kind of thing happens all the time before a show comes out, but i can't think of any time that two different stations have aired a show in this way. either way it's a bit odd...

    Comment by Storm Wing
    13:46 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    CBC version owns, dewd! Date's mouth in TBS version is almost like a shark!! XD

    Comment by shimazaki
    02:50 14/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Maybe the DVD version will have both broadcast versions, like the angle feature on the DVD's those two versions could be to change betwen versions in realtime.

    That could be intresting.

    Comment by Muzaffar
    01:11 14/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Well maybe it has been mentioned before but I do think I know why they did that. Maybe because they are undecided which version is better so they decided to release both of them. If either of them doesn't get a lot of viewing, they will drop that certain animation style and opt for the better one for future episodes.

    That or they are doing 2 separate versions for each broadcast? Doesn't matter though, its a win-win situation for the fans.... =P

    Comment by Anonymous
    00:35 14/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    For those of you who actually watch this, has anyone seen the so-called "TBS version"? Because I watched it on TBS and it looks just like the CBS version. None of those crazy extra tones, contrast is heavier, Date doesn't smile so widely and all that.

    Comment by C.C.
    04:09 15/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I like CBC's version more, actually... While it's less realistic, it's easier on the eyes.

    Comment by korgito
    07:41 16/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    been looking for the images posted here.. and can't find them in episode 1.. hehe.. are these episode 2 sreenshots? or is this just a joke or something.. hehe

    Comment by Anonymous
    13:53 18/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    It would be awesome if they were two alternate universes. So right now it's just some differences in the expressions, just to point out the slight differences in the characters' personalities (somber characters look more serious, energetic characters more manic, etc) and then the plot starts to diverge due different choices of these characters until they branch out into two totally different endings. Yeah, probably not gonna happen but that would be awesome.

    Comment by Anonymous
    20:13 17/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    TBS is GAR.

    fuck you CBC.

    Comment by Anony mouse
    03:55 17/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    CBC version is waaaay better , and more realistic.
    TBS looks Naruto-ish and bad, and the heads and noses...eww

    Comment by Kinny Riddle
    22:18 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Perhaps one station paid more for the "better" version, though which one is "better" depends on the studio's tastes when deciding to sell these drastically different versions. Still, a good lol nonetheless.

    Comment by Nis
    18:19 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The TBS version subtle-ly reminds me of the art in like, Fist of North Star or something like that.

    Still, it's very mysterious why two versions were made...

    Comment by Anonymous
    15:03 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Is one more targeted at yaoi loving women? One side seems to have more bishonen qualities.

    Comment by metatron
    14:56 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    this looks interesting and i wonder what marketing gimmick is the producer thinking

    Comment by Psyvariar
    14:17 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The fansub I watched was using CBC, looked just fine to me. From the comparisons it looks like the CBC version just has a few revised shadows and occasionally other minor features, I'm going to guess some senior animator decided to do a last-minute reworking, and the revised edition didnt make it to TBS in time for broadcast.

    The reason I'm thinking TBS is using an earlier version is because in the first image comparison of the close-up on the face, you can clearly see hatching and cross-hatching has been used to resemble shadows. Hatching is commonly used in rough sketches to convey an aproximate depth of a shadow -- perhapse it was drawn by an animator lacking experience in working with shadows; whilst the CBC version looks like a fixed version. The work around the eyes is also much smother.

    Also, pay attention to the far-left and far-right of that first comparison, to me the face looks too flat or too wide on the TBS, whilst the shadows in the CBC version convey a more accurate sense of depth (the helmet has also been extended to help with this, or the comparison is not comparing direct equivalent frames.)

    The colours are slightly different, looks like the TBS version has a slightly higher contrast setting than than the other, indicating a minor change in some post-processing filter (I'm going to presume the comparisons are between unfiltered .ts raws, in the case that they are not, could be due to filtering on the end of the raw release group or possibly even the broadcasters.) Just some thoughts.

    Comment by Anonymous
    16:35 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Just to inform some of you, the TBS version isn't all grainy and pixelated like the screenshots would suggest. It's still crisp and clean, just with added GAR.

    Comment by Anonymous
    10:02 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I'm already accustomed with the CBC version. Hence it's the same style used in the first episode. Hope they keep it that way.

    Comment by kenjiharima
    09:49 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    probably this is a test or survey of sorts to which the audience who would like the artwork most. Probably one will be the dvd.

    Comment by Sydneian
    04:55 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    an expensive marketing scheme...... see if it'll work...

    Comment by ikk
    04:51 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    What? One manlier version..?

    Comment by Otaku Dan
    04:59 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    its the GAR version

    Comment by Anonymous
    05:10 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    TBS is definitely the GAR edition.

    Comment by ManaYagami
    13:29 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    With Mio picking up the Goldion Hammer and turning everything into light?

    Comment by Firo
    08:23 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I wish there was K-ON! GAR edition :\

    Comment by RawrFear
    05:04 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    Can anyone think of any point to doing this? I'm rather confused. =/

    The only -possible and reasonable- thing I can think of (although, I admit, it is unlikely) is that two versions were made so that die hard fans would buy both versions of the DVD (that is, of course, assuming both get a DVD release) thereby increasing DVD sales without all that much extra work. After all, I can imagine that they aren't complete reworks, rather just a bit of details is added to make it look more manly. If someone told me this was their reasoning, I wouldn't believe them, but it's the best I can come up with.

    Wth?

    Comment by Carrie
    07:32 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I know it's not unusual for certain things to be altered depending on when/where they're airing to better suit the audience (though I'm not sure I've ever seen it done with anime.) That said, though it's a rather out-there idea, I wonder what the viewing demographics of both broadcast channels are. Are they different? Perhaps they were altered to make a better appeal?

    Comment by Riiku
    05:14 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The most obvios reason - some dumb dude just fucked up.

    Comment by Anonymous
    04:45 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    This must be indecisiveness at its best. Or perhaps its worst, depending on how you look at it.

    I can just picture the company being split in half regarding the more likelike, facial wrinkles that TBS showed, and the more conventional anime style that CBC has, and they decided to waste time doing both.

    I'll speak for what I believe is the general consensus of animu fans everywhere: No one would have bitched if you just settled on one.

    Comment by b0122
    04:45 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    weird... whats the purpose?
    is it just me or the TBS does look kinda more naruto-ish

    Comment by iPood
    07:18 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    No, you're just dumb.

    Comment by b0122
    09:16 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    nyoron <: 3

    Comment by Anonymous
    04:21 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    So one version doesn't like scars? Ah well

    Comment by kingalekz
    04:19 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    I don't see where the point is in making two slightly different versions with no real selling point (as in no nipples vs. nipples or no pantsu vs. pantsu), and you have to animate it twice. Wasted money?
    Also, I think the faces in the TBS version look a little bit more manic.

    Comment by Riiku
    05:10 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    The point for the animators is - to look stupid in our eyes.

    Comment by Keigami
    08:26 13/04/2009 # ! Neutral (0)

    But the more work the animators do the more money they make (depending on country it was animated in...)

    Comment by Anonymous




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