Appreciation post: my buddy's throwaway comment about rewatches

Last night my friend Marcus said he never rewatches anime because 'the first watch is the only honest one,' and it got me thinking about how I've seen Steins;Gate three times now. Each pass I catch details in the dialogue that totally change how I read Okabe's breakdowns, but I also find myself less surprised and more analytical about the pacing. Do you guys rewatch shows to study the craft, or do you stick to fresh experiences only?

2 comments

2 Comments

paulnguyen3d ago

My buddy had the same thing about music, he refuses to listen to an album twice because he says the magic dies. But I've noticed this pattern everywhere, not just media. People do the same thing with food they love or even routes they drive to work. Once you know the twists, you start noticing the little stuff you missed, like the way a coffee shop smells on a street you pass every day. That first time is pure feeling, but the second time is when you actually see how the thing is built. Both have their place, it just depends on what you're after that day.

jana5093d ago

Three years back I forced myself to re-read a book I hated the first time, The Road. Second read was totally different. I already knew the sad ending so I stopped rushing and noticed how the father's hands shook when he poured water. Same thing happened with a diner I drive past. First time was just a greasy spoon. Now I look for the old guy who sits by the window at 7am sharp. Not saying your buddy's wrong, but sometimes the second pass is where the real stuff hides. Both ways work, depends on what you want to get out of it.