Special A

[animus]

If you have never been beaten your entire life, and is always the best at everything, it is only natural to assume that you will win right? That is what he did, and by the definition of arrogant I gave, he is not arrogant in that case. Its justified by all his previous experience and he merely stated fact. If he did get beaten by Hikari, its not an overestimation of himself, but rather an underestimation of Hikari's abilities, which is quite different (unless of course you want to clump them together again, which I don't really mind as long as you explain).

To put it simply, you are judging the situation as if its real. In reality, there is no such thing as a person who never loses or is the best at everything. But in Special A, he does exist, and that person is Kei. You can't really judge his actions with the usual standard, especially because he obviously thinks and acts much differently from "normal" people. Just because it seems arrogant to you doesn't mean he is arrogant on every standard (and this can be used in argument as long as the standard is clarified and explained, which I did).

I know there is a premium to humility, which indicates that one must not brag about one's abilities. But all we are discussing here is the meaning of the word "arrogant" itself (the issue about Kei depends entirely on this), and if you cannot even understand that, then I will simply end here.

Now, you're just being a sore loser. What was the point of even saying you can't judge his actions with the usual standard because he acts different in anime than someone would in reality?

"...in the sense that the belief in oneself or self confidence is in excess. That is in every definition you can find, or at the very least almost all of them."

That is your own words, and using what you presented yourself as a definition I came to the conclusion that Kei was arrogant.

Your last statement has no meaning. Arrogance ties directly whether a person's bragging, or overestimation, of one's own abilities, ideals, beliefs, etc. It's clear that Kei himself thinks he's better than a certain demographic of the school.

But my last points were moot because according to you, you just can't judge Kei for being arrogant at all because he doesn't fit the usual standard.

[shinta|hikari]

@Kraco - No, I'm only saying that what Kei did is not arrogant according to the definition. Just remember the context of the situations given as example. Was he ever really out of hand when he spoke? I bet even you thought that in most cases his words were deserved. If he starts screaming that he is better than everyone for no reason, then even that would be arrogant from any (including my) viewpoint. I've never used it as a meter for skill, but rather, I'm saying that the judgment of behavior should be in consideration of that person's worth. Either way, it is a very limited definition, and it should be taken as it is. I never generalized as you think I am. Check the previous posts if you doubt me. EDIT: In fact, I even conceded "common usage" to animus (automatically implying that mine is a minority opinion, even if it is based on the original definition from the dictionary).

@Ryll - That is again, another valid way of understanding arrogance. I'm only saying it is not the only way. In my definition, the way Hikari acted was not arrogant at all, because it was justified from her experiences, but even Kei disagrees with me there. If you disagree with my definition then that is that. It simply has no bearing with the conclusion regarding whether Kei is arrogant or not, since we can't even agree on the premise.

This definition is indeed quite elitist, but it does not justify being an ass. It merely shows that some people can afford to talk with more pride because they have the stuff to back it up. Talking (or acting) without being able to back it up is arrogance. I know its quite unrealistic in application (while the standard Ryll gave probably has the most usefulness in actuality), since as Ryll said there is no way to objectively judge the situation in reality, but in anime, we are given a basically omniscient look at the story and events which enables us to do just that.

@animus - you misunderstood what I said about the standard. It doesn't mean that he can't be judged at all. What I was trying to address was the fact that you simply assumed that he was arrogant just because he talked to Hikari that way which is almost always the case (in real life), but not when you are practically perfect. That is all it meant, so don't stretch it out.

Kei doesn't think he is better than a certain demographic (or all) of the school. He knows it. He is number one after all. That's not overestimation. It's quite an accurate estimate, I think.

EDIT: I know, I know. This thing has gone on for too long, and I apologize for that. This will be my last post on this (since it is already this out of hand, I'm even getting neg reps for prolonging it, apparently). Its not that big of a deal, and I simply wanted to get my opinion across. I hope this post clarifies everything.

EDIT: @animus below - haha, I know, but someone did, and that someone has a point.

[animus]

I wasn't neg repping you XD

[Kraco]

Don't make useless posts, animus, or I'll give you something worse than neg rep for your troublemaking.

Nevertheless, while I maintain Kei is arrogant, not depending on that his personality surely needs to be like it is for the story to go anywhere. His cool pride was also shown in how he defended Hikari's efforts in front of the delinquents (before beating them up). It's reasonable to assume he was like that even before he met Hikari all those years ago, but I wonder if he's also partially kept going because he knows Hikari is right below him and uses all her efforts to close the gap. Hikari's source of motivation is indeed easy to understand but what is Kei's motivation? And though something else existed for him earlier, but does Hikari now play a role there as well?

Their relationship, or a potential for a deeper relationship, looks quite fragile to me. Hikari seems to view Kei only as a rival so is it up to Kei to make the first move? And can he do it?

[Buffalobiian]

BakaWolf & m.3.3.w - Special A 02 (XviD)
BakaWolf & m.3.3.w - Special A 02 (h264)

[Nipponsei] Special A OP Single - Special days [Gotou Yuuko et al].zip
[Nipponsei] Special A ED Single - Hidamari no Gate [Various].zip

[Ryllharu]

Special A is episodic. Really episodic. I don't know if I really want to keep watching it.

The manga is probably enough for me, but the voice cast was a big plus for the series.

I'm going to drop it, but everyone that enjoys it should definitely keep watching. It's a light and fun series, good for those days when you don't want to think about Code Geass episode leaks.

[Buffalobiian]

I'm still borderline. I don't mind this series, but there's better ones out there. I'll tag along for now. Like you said, it's a light series, and it looks like it has potential to be funny. Just that there are funnier ones.

[Kraco]

Special Argh:

Episode 3 h264 - BakaWolf-m.​3.​3.​w
Episode 3 xvid - BakaWolf-m.​3.​3.​w




- - - - - -



I thought in this episode Hikari realised Kei is seeing more in her than just somebody to keep number two through heavy competition, but in the end I'm not too sure. Hikari is a bit thick.

[Ryllharu]

Hikari is a bit thick.

This seems to be the understatement of the year. You can already tell pretty well that Akira, Jun, Megumi and the others know how Kei has felt about Hikari for years.

I was never expecting too much out of this series, it's sort of like Ouran, but a little less self-parody and a little more over the top (at least in a different direction, physical aptitudes).

[Buffalobiian]

BakaWolf-m.​3.​3.​w - Special A 04 (XviD)
BakaWolf-m.​3.​3.​w - Special A 04 (h264)




-----------------------------------------
I never thought Kei's dad would turn out to be so... childish/girly. It's alright for an anime, and provides some of the lightheartedness this series boasts, but in real life, I don't know what I'd do if I had a dad like that. In fact, I can't begin to imagine how what I'd grow up to be if he was the only manly influence.

[Kraco]

Episode 5 h264 - BakaWolf-m.3.3.w
Episode 5 xvid - BakaWolf-m.3.3.w

I'm still liking this series, despite the fact it doesn't actually have any strong points, nothing unique, nothing novel. The only suspence is to wonder whether Hikari finally realises Kei's true feelings or not.

[Darknodin]

mmm... I'm not entirely sure I would have liked this party. There is such a thing as too awesome. you feel like this is a "last supper" kind of thing.

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 5 h264 - BakaWolf-m.3.3.w
Episode 5 xvid - BakaWolf-m.3.3.w

I'm still liking this series, despite the fact it doesn't actually have any strong points, nothing unique, nothing novel. The only suspence is to wonder whether Hikari finally realises Kei's true feelings or not.

Yes, I find it funny every time Kei looks like he'll finally be acknowledged, only to be disappointed, and lets it out sometimes by calling Hikari Miss No.2. I guess when you're talking about making the grandest party ever, money is the real issue.

Funniest part of this episode for me: "I'm bored. I'm going to sing." <here be shocked faces>

[Buffalobiian]

Episode 6 h264 - BakaWolf-m.3.3.w
Episode 6 xvid - BakaWolf-m.3.3.w

[Kraco]

Now Hikari knows, but clearly doesn't know what to do with the information. Yet it certainly affected her so Kei is not without hope. I guess it now depends only on what manner of a series this is: One of those where the end situation is identical to the beginning (comedy) or one of those where something actually concludes (a real romance).

[Buffalobiian]

Ouch, that's gotta suck, getting punched by a childhood friend on a birthday. At least Hikari got a push in the right direction though. At least she'll think before saying something like "I understand your feelings now Kei."

I think as soon as Kei calls her Miss No.2 again, we'll be back where we started.

[Kraco]

Ouch, that's gotta suck, getting punched by a childhood friend on a birthday.

It might have hurt physically a bit but since he knew it would happen yet did it nonetheless I woudn't say it sucks.

[Buffalobiian]

It might have hurt physically a bit but since he knew it would happen yet did it nonetheless I woudn't say it sucks.

I was just meaning getting a knock on your birthday in general. But again, he did call for it.

[Buffalobiian]

BakaWolf & m.3.3.w Special A 07 (XviD)
BakaWolf & m.3.3.w Special A 07 (h264)

[narutosharingan]

I guess people CAN be that thickheaded