This post focuses on the basic things fans and students of The Ravages of Time can do to clarify and rectify the rumors that have been ...
This post focuses on the basic things fans and students of The Ravages of Time can do to clarify and rectify the rumors that have been spread about it (hopefully to pave the way for a fairer and more critical appreciation of what the series has to offer).
- When people say that Ravages requires thorough familiarity with the background material and source texts in order to be appreciated, offer the suggestion that newcomers can still enjoy Ravages even with very minimal exposure to the context, so long as they are prepared to learn as they go along. Those who know more would of course gain richer fulfillment because of how Ravages plays with its roots and horizons.
- When people say that Ravages characters all have the same facial type with variations limited to wardrobe and eyebrows and beards, offer the suggestion that although this observation has merit with regard to female characters and certain male characters with bishounen features, there is considerable variety in some of the goons and the older generals, with the caveat that such character design differences may not be as sharp as those seen in other series.
- When people say that Ravages is all about super-genius schemers talking their way to victory without showing the details of battle, offer the suggestion that while indeed the action is toned down, there is still action nonetheless, and that Ravages is rather more about the many aspects and factors involved in warfare and statecraft. Also, one must consider that the grandstanding on the part of the advisers is pretty much for show, with off-panel planning sessions implied.