In Defense of RWBY

LunarisFuryAileron posted a "I'm disappointed" journal about RWBY volume 2. Since I didn't want to start a war in his journal, I've decided to bring the war to home territory.

First off, I recognize that RWBY is still in its infancy. Volume 2 explored a whole new realm of detailed environments and background characters, which as an (albeit amateur) animator, I greatly appreciate. Walking animations are still kinda crappy. Story is somewhat choppy, jumpy. Action isn't at all balanced across episodes. And yes, the World of Remnant episodes proved informational but annoying.

However, I will defend RWBY with all my might. Given that RWBY is only in its second season, with new writers creating the story and being the first true show that RT has made that is completely 3D animated on their own (RvB uses machinima), you can't expect that they'll make a kickass show with no imperfections. Although some parts of the series are perhaps perceived as bad character development, I'd prefer to say that the writers are still learning about what an audience expects and how they should get around doing that. For example, Volume 1's Jaune story arc (pun not intended) was cringey and difficult to accept as a 'normal progression'. We see great improvement in Volume 2 with Blake's development, as the actions her teams takes are more natural and her reactions more believable.

Luna mentions slapstick comedy, clichés, and too much 'cool'. Need I remind you that this is generally considered a variation on anime, not a traditional show? All anime, even the most obscure or unique, use clichés, 'cool' scenes, and excessive slapstick at some point or another, simply because the audience notices and realizes that they are what they are, and are meant to add some more humor to the series. Oobleck is definitely one of the targets of 'excessive slapstick', especially in his interactions with Ruby. However, I'd argue that they give Oobleck his character and Ruby as well, and is similar to a gag panel in a manga that is impossible in real life but is meant to reinforce a certain emotion or action. The 'booty slap' is also disliked, apparently; again, this is a quick, simple, and clean way to introduce the new character, reinforcing her sass and attitude.

Now for my personal opinion. RWBY has been improving ever since day one, and I know it will until the last day it airs. Volume 1 was more about introduction to the characters, and Volume 2 is comparatively more about setting and story development. This means less action, but also means you get a chance to learn a lot more about the fantasy world that the writing team have created. Many have criticized the final episode's action sequences as boring or less-than-good; to be introduced to 6 new weapons (5, if you don't count Velvet) is awesome in itself, especially in one episode. To see how the students and teachers of Beacon work and fight was amazing; Glynda's dedication to preserving the city and the friendship between Oobleck and Port was entertaining.

As a general assumption (therefore this may not apply to you), most people were too hyped up from Volume 1's freshness that they expected a lot more from Volume 2. They wanted an amazing, riveting final episode, but instead they found something below their very high demands. Objectively, Volume 2 was wonderful - better than Volume 1 in many aspects - but the hype that people tend to build up after pauses, specifically the between-season break and World of Remnant episodes, raised their expectations to exceedingly high levels. Being disappointed that their own expectations were not met, they shoot down the season as entirely disappointing.

Like I said before, I will defend RWBY with all my might, so here comes the scathing part.

If you think that Roosterteeth makes content to match you and your hype, you're dead wrong. Roosterteeth is community driven, yes, but still has a mind of its own. They write stories the way they want to, based on what opinions they take into account from the community. If you're saying that Volume 2 didn't live up to your expectations when you obviously hoped that it would be as matured and perfected as professionally produced anime, you may stop watching RWBY altogether until maybe season 6 or 7. Opinions are fine to voice - much like I am voicing my own - but to act like your opinion is the world's and the correct one is childish. To announce your thoughts but avoid others' comments is cowardly. I'm tired of seeing people have a meltdown over some mistakes that the RWBY production team have made - do you not think that Burnie, Matt, and co. made the same mistakes while producing RvB? Do you not think you will make the same mistake if you had not seen them do it first? It isn't that your opinion doesn't matter - it does, since it helps RT learn about what they did wrong and how to improve; but you must realize that if your opinion is based on what you see out of one eye, it doesn't necessarily apply to those that view the world with two.

TL;DR, RWBY Volume 2 was awesome and Vol. 3 is going to be even better.