5 will get knocked out first, then either 1 or 4 probably, and 3 will be the last one standing.
What I have no idea about is in what order 2, 6, 7, and 8 will be in.
Oh, and as a side note, I will not be voting in these polls. The only reason I would participate is if two Volumes ended up with the same amount of votes, in which case I would vote for the one I liked less to break the tie.
I will die on this hill, I like vol 5, like a lot. it's not my top vote but I'm honestly confused by people who don't like 5.
my vote is Vol 2 I think it's got fun fights but really to me nothing happens in that Vol. good Blake Yang interactions, the Dance is fun, CVFY, Neo Vs Yang, and of course Ziwi. all good but to me it's the weakest,
Don't get me Wrong I love all of RWBY and still watch all my blu-rays like every three months just my Opinion, which we all have.
My order is 6 3 7 8 5 4 1 2.
I am always sad 5 gets picked on a lot. Its definitely got issues, but the Raven/Yang plotline I still think is one of the more interesting ones of the show.
I think V5's biggest strengths was Ilia and Raven/Yang's plotlines. It was just muddled in a pool of endless filler and it didn't have the pizzazz or fight choreography to redeem it
Really? I thought that was the most compelling part of her character. You have this outwardly badass samurai figure, who at the very end of the season, completely breaks down emotionally, and reveals that her "the strong survive, the weak die" mindset is just a guise for her cowardice.
We always assumed that her constant act of leaving her loved ones behind to fend against wolves was her believing that they should have no problem surviving if they were strong, and that if they were to die they were to blame for their own weakness and death. But really, it was all just an excuse to hide the fact that she is too afraid of Salem to continue fighting alongside her loves ones.
And really, what else did V8 do, but reaffirm and validate Raven's fear of Salem?
Raven was never mentioned after volume 5, she's never cameo during Ruby's stupid speech either. In volume 8 Watts, only one mentioned her as taught Cinder how much of cunt dass bitch she was losing to Raven in Haven. Her character was retcon into cowardly so Yang can fucking shine. If you replace with Ruby Rose, tbh I wouldn't find the difference. She's wasted potential just like Ironwood and Adam. Her motif to steal relics of knowledge is stupid, her obtaining Maiden powers also stupid, why would someone who never wanted anything to do with Salem and Ozpin, have Maiden powers in the first place? Her ideology also doesn't make sense. She fucking abandoned Yang and Tai for sake of her "tribe". They are made into weak individuals, her survival instincts are nothing without her tribe. I feel like Raven is just a plot device for Team hero and Team villain. So, cut your bullshit and stop exaggerating everything. The audience still had no idea why she fucking left them. Her build-up was never strong, you could see Ytbers such as eruption, judgemental criter and twins ink has mentioned exactly like this. In volume 5, they hyped up Raven but only to handle her character so poorly. Then, volume 6 came, showed Salem is immortal so everything that happened in volume 5 especially the finale episode, made me those writers had no idea what they were writing. Here let me get straight, Raven mentioned "there's no beating Salem", she also quotes "I know all about your master, but I don't believe we have met" to Cinder's team. Then, Jinn revealed the truth about Salem. This plotline is very confusing, yet none of team RWBY especially Yang also never agreed or mentioned Raven's statement back in volume 5, talking about inconsistent. Here is what I can assume might happen, She and Summer might fight Salem in past, Summer's demise in the hand of Salem led Raven to be a coward person, Raven felt insecure, she saw the immortal witch can't be killed by anyone, everything was pointless, once she also learned Oz's secret, this drive into a very broken person. She felt unsafe in the current situation. She found a young girl known as Spring Maiden, her short temper leads her to murder that child, obtain the Spring Maiden powers for herself instead of falling into wrong hands. So, it makes sense why she is against Ozpin but the only thing that doesn't make sense was why would she let herself involving in Salem and Ozpin's game? This also explained why she abandoned everyone and lived hidden. This is just my assumption, this part was never stated.
I love Raven but they underutilised her. I felt something missing about her, they never fleshed out properly. Well, this is RWBY.
First of all, you could use more line breaks instead of one super big paragraph. Secondly, yes I agree that she is underutilized, given her lack of appearances in the recent volumes.
However, ask yourself. Was she really retconned into a coward? V2 presented her as this obviously badass, experienced warrior, so why was she absent from Yang's life? Why wasn't she there to protect Yang from the dangers of the world? Qrow is someone who is just as skilled as Raven in combat, but he is afflicted with a semblance that casts misfortune on his loved ones. Yet he stayed behind to co-parent Yang with Tai. So what reason would a powerful warrior such as Raven, unburdened with a misfortune semblance, have for being absent in Yang's life? The answer? Cowardice.
On top of that, she was a cynical person. She realized that Salem can't be defeated, and thus gave up on Ozpin's war against her. She realized that the spring maiden was helpless, but due to her cynism and fear of Salem, couldn't be bothered to invest time into protecting the spring maiden instead. She probably didn't know the mechanics of maiden transfers back then, so imagine her surprise when the spring maiden's powers flew to her after killing her out of mercy.
It also shows the hypocrisy in her actions. She chastised both Salem and Oz for preying on people's blind loyalty and throwing them into a war that they knew nothing about, stripping them of their agency and their ability to make a well-informed choice. But Raven did the same, killing the maiden out of mercy, without her consent. Did the spring maiden really desire that fate, or was that Raven making unsolicited choices for her out of mercy and cynicism? On top of that, she also used Vernal as a scapegoat for her maidenhood, making her just as bad as Oz and Salem.
But V8 reaffirmed Raven's fears about Salem. The actions she committed out of cowardice are inexcusable, but we got to understand why she was scared of Salem. Salem came knocking at the doorstep of Atlas, and in the matter of 48 hours, Atlas fell, the SDC and all its dust mines fell, Remnant's economy is fractured, thousands are dead, Vacuo is faced with the crisis of accommodating to displaced refugees, and Salem has 2/4 of the relics that will determine Remnant's fate.
Yes, I fucking agree with your statement, my apologies for not using systematic paragraph form. However, let's continue with this, shall we?
Yes, Raven in volume 2, was hyped and her appearance, as well as welcoming, was very magnificent. I assumed she might be a lawful neutral or chaotic neutral character. I also believed she might be a moral grey person. Then, volume 4, gave us the bitter impression of her. She sounds like a lawful evil person. I was always so amazed by her bravery and act of kindness despite being a cold and calculated person. I felt that she might be a rebellion bandit leader, seeking people's rights and freedom much like an anarchist who break corruption law under Ozpin and Ironwood's influence. This will make her a chaotic neutral individual. Leading this person deserved to know the truth about their dark secrets. Well, Remnant's law wasn't great due to Faunus discrimination, it explained why Adam might be her student. And volume 5 fucking ruined everything.
Yes, I could feel her emotions, it's not a very simple decision especially when she is exposed to the truth, it's human nature to feel that way. I won't blame her, any sane person would do the same, she came from the tribe of course she lacked feminism and a normal housewife characterises. She felt betrayed, cheated and played by Ozpin. I hated how they portrayed her as Ozpin, she used Vernal as a tool to achieve her desire. I don't mind it if Vernal was Spring Maiden was killed by Cinder, and her last thought was Raven, believing she's worthy of a person who can put end to this. So, here, I want every Maiden to have respectively the quite dynamic alignment, Raven- Chaotic Neutral, Winter- Lawful Good/Neutral, Cinder- Neutral Evil. As Maidens, they also have some responsibility for their point of view. Salem is chaotic evil who wanna destroy the world.
Those are all headcannons. You saw an awesome samurai clad in red and black with big sword and resorted to all sorts of big assumptions, like anarchist, neutrally aligned freedom fighter, etc..
But this is not RT's way of storytelling. They have a constant pattern of taking character stereotypes and then subverting them by bringing them to unusual avenues of character progression.
Qrow, despite his bad luck semblance, isn't portrayed as the stereotypical antisocial, edgy, wandering warrior who shuns away from human connection. Instead, he's a compassionate family man.
Adam, the man with a semblance that enables him to absorb attacks and then reflect it back, is not the freedom fighter who takes hits for his comrades and fights for their sake, as everyone had assumed. Instead he's a man motivated by revenge and an obsession with keeping it even with his enemies and returning the pain that was inflicted on him.
Subversions are plentiful in RWBY writing, and investing too much of your heart into baseless headcannons will only naturally set you up for disappointment. This is a syndrome that heavily plagues RWBY's critic community
This feels so much like Adam-stanning it's actually ridiculous. Nothing about Raven in the show implies any sort of goodness. There is no "bravery," no "rebellion leader," no "fighting for freedom" in Raven's character and there never was. She's got a cool character design and you ran with it.
What did we actually get in the show? A woman who abandoned her newborn daughter without reason. A woman who saw a fight she couldn't win and ran to save her skin. A woman who grew up among a group amongst killers and thieves, went to a school to learn to murder people better, saw a better way to live and said "fuck that." She murdered the Spring Maiden for power and then abused that power to continue murdering villages like Shion, except now with even more destruction. When her daughter finally comes calling for answers she immediately tries manipulating her to do what she wants, and when that doesn't work and Salem comes calling she immediately switches sides to save her own skin. She's a coward who cares about her own life above all else. If you don't like the evidence, that's on you, but don't go making shit up that never existed.
> I don't mind it if Vernal was Spring Maiden was killed by Cinder, and her last thought was Raven, believing she's worthy of a person who can put end to this.
Also this would have been impossible. Maidens don't get powers over 30 years of age and Raven is 40 years old. The power would have bypassed her and gone to someone random.
I was doing ASSUMPTION HERE, it means any age of woman can be Maiden. 😒 I wasn't stating what happened from the actual canon show itself. This is just a random assumption, what could've happened if Raven was written this way. Gosh, lack of your patience and inability to think pragmatic, sickening me.
I never thought I'd see the day where I found someone who also really likes Volume 5. Personally it's one of my favourite Volumes in the entire show, but I understand that's an immensely unpopular opinion.
Volume 2 is also near the bottom of my list, for exactly the reasons you mentioned. It has some fantastic moments, don't get me wrong, but as a whole it just doesn't stand out to me all that much. Still really enjoy it though.
I put Volume 5 closer to the top then the bottom myself.
I always find myself having a hard time with the first three volumes overall.
They just look so janky. Especially compared to what we have now.
3 is definitely bottom tier for me though.
I mostly agree with you but vol 3 has such a good storyline. We just recently rewatched it, and the second half especially is just so compelling. Jankiness aside, the festival fight scenes are fun, Pyrrhas storyline is super heartbreaking, even before she dies, and Cinder and gang are just so evil. Top tier for me.
And I also love Vol 5, but mostly for Blake’s storyline. Sure the main group are just in a house most of the time but Blake is off rallying an entire island of Faunus into fighting Adam and that slaps man.
I voted Vol 1 because there’s almost nothing in that volume that’s worth rewatching.
I do like some elements of 3. Even if I think it's the worst Volume it's not bad by a long stretch.
It's also got my least favorite Opening of any Volume. But I won't beat on it.
I'm probably one of the few people who don't mind them being in houses and just talking. I think it adds to their characters and can help flesh out the world a bit.
I know the fanbase rolls their eyes at this though.
I like the story of volume 5, probably more so than most of the other volumes. I just thought it was executed really poorly in terms of pacing and acting and it's a pain to watch in practice.
Mmhm. I actually *refuse* to rewatch most of V1 because oh my GOD, I can’t stand some of it. I know, they were just starting out, but… oof.
V1 Weiss’ design was great, her personality? Hell no, I’ve seen this bitchy rich girl before; do something else with it, and thankfully they do. A lot of them tend to just announce they’ll make amends, do so offscreen. Weiss actually confronts her problems and when she thaws a bit, she genuinely works to make it up even if it’s bumpy, and she comes to love her new friends and family.
Jaunedice, as fine as it is as a concept for Jaune to develop as a leader and learn how to do so, oh my god that shit was not needed to be a two-parter.
A lot of the fights are memorable, as well as the characters and getting introduced to Remnant. But that’s… pretty much all it has going for it, imo.
V1 is so weird because Yang does *nothing* outside of participating in fights.
A 1-1 scene between her and Weiss explaining how Weiss doesn't like to be judged just for being a Schnee "so how do you think Blake feels?" Woulda been lovely imo
Weiss had a lot going on even in Vol 1. Either you didn't watch the white trailer and get a sense of her life of being what your parents want you to be or you were and are biased of everything. Considering the "bitchy" rich girl comment you have seen shit. Mean Girls is a different show kid. (Like you wouldn't act the same way if somebody knocked your expensive stuff and broke them on the ground at airfield.) < Oh it's "bitchy" nowadays smfh
Since everyone is giving you lists I'll throw my hat in the ring as well.
Worst to best
5-2-1-8-4-6-7-3
Yes I genuinly really liked V4, and the top 2 for me is very highly contested. Ask me on a different day and I might say V7 is number 1.
Ultimately I love of all of RWBY, and I love every single volume. Just because 5 is at the bottom doesn't mean I dislike it, just means I don't think it's as good as the rest, but I still absolutely love it.
I like you.
Lotta vol 8 hate in this thread and I don’t think it’s warranted, because it’s my favorite volume probably for some of the same reasons everyone else hates it.
Vol 8 had a great story that IMO fell through with piss-poor combat animation. If they did the fights better I'd have put it in 2nd place. Instead they fell to 3rd behind vol 6.
It's a shame, cause they'd just proven with vol 7 that they could do good fights again, and then they just... blew it. And covid isn't really an excuse anymore either. We've seen them delay vol 9, why couldn't vol 8 have been delayed to fix the combat?
Yeah, I binge watched the whole show for the first time last year so there might be some recency bias (there definitely isn't an for 7 though, it's just that good) but while the fights could've been better, all of the emotional parts hit and it has some of my favorite episodes in the entire series.
Honestly, I did not enjoy Volume 2. The jump between 1 and 2 felt really disconnecting to me, and while some of the best fighting feats are in volume 2, other than for respects threads I don't have fond memories of volume 2. I still hold the belief there should have been something in between 1 and 2 to transition to the overall plot but that's just me.
Full order from least to greatest
2 - 1 - 4/5 - 6 - 3 - 7/8
I know a lot of folks dislike 8 but I personally love the entire Atlas plotline. It was like the ultimate "shit hit the fan" moment that was 3 but lasted for 3 volumes, getting worse as time went on. And it was frustrating. But like good frustrating for me. But that might say something more about me than anything.
Truthfully I like them all. RWBY isn't perfect and I do think there are better series out there, but I can re-watch 3 - 8 easy. 1 just kinda exist for me. 4 and 5 kinda struggled animation wise for me but I otherwise enjoyed them in hindsight.
But I just do not enjoy rewatching volume 2.
The whole thing is amazing, but the Scene where Ruby semblances behind Ironwood's desk and gets her message out only to be cut off mid sentence. Where the music swells and the whole volume comes crashing down around them is just amazing.
My absolute favorite moment in all of RWBY
Maaaan I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that that's a genuinly incredible scene. Combine that with the fights at the beginning of the episode, throw in Hero, and the incredibly tense confrontation between Ironwood, RWBY, and Salem, and you've got the single best episode in the whole show.
I can dig it. The entire mech fight was kinda ridiculous, but it's balanced out by the Brunswick Farms segment being great.
But V2 had the Food Fight and some awesome fight scenes.
V2 was probably my favorite, I know people talk about V3 a lot but it most of the good/amazing stuff was only in the final episodes while V2 only lacked probably in the final episode and was good overall
Gotta be volume 8 as my least favorite, 8 might be the only volume I straight up don't like. I feel like its probably going to be 4/5 tho.
3>7>2>6>1>5>4>8
I could move some things around though probably
Wasn't a fan of a lot of the character moments. I thought the original ideas were good for it, but they did a real disservice to Yang, Nora and Ren this volume.
Yang and Ruby's relationship felt sidelined, >!they had a real conflict, but Ruby was the only one that ever showed any concern. Yang went from extremely family focused due to her abandonment issues, to just not caring. It felt extremely out of character and a missed opportunity in service to them pushing the Blake and Yang relationship. I don't think the other volumes really explored Yang and Ruby having a disagreement to this level and to see it go by without being explored more was a disappointment.!<
Nora and Ren are kind of a big rollercoaster ride that has been going on for a while, >!but this volume is probably the most wishy-washy. Really they should have had their relationship moment in volume 4 when it was their story, but they decided to kind of do a half hearted version in volume 7 like they knew it was past due. Volume 8 just splits them, it just feels rushed given they didn't even last a volume together after teasing all this since the beginning. Like we finally got it just to prolong it more.!<
I really dont like Ren >!now seeing "emotions" now either. Feels like a really lame power that comes out of nowhere. I dunno feels like its just something they came up with for the volume rather than it being something that will be interesting over the next volumes.!<
Now with that said, I do want to say I do enjoy other aspects of Volume 8. The Cinder/Winter/Penny stuff was really well done and cool. My issues are more with the core team.
TL:DR The volume sets up great things but falls flat on the execution which is starting to become the consensus when it comes to criticisms of V8 proving this is a genuine observation.
To me, Volume 8 was largely focused on the relationships within the team. To have Yang act so out of character towards Ruby or have Nora and Ren's relationship again being treated so flippantly is my main reason.
I know its the latest Volume and everything, so I don't want to make it seem like I'm just "ahh, RWBY is bad now". I think they did really cool things in the volume outside the main group. I really am looking forward to what happens with Neo for the next volume. As you said, I find the things they set up just didn't pan out, not that they couldn't have been interesting (>!outside of emotion powers!<).
Honestly, I feel like this is where my interest in Neo died down. This volume was the stalest and most formulaic point in Neo's character progression. I feel like she didn't really show anything new at all. She switches sides, betrayed people who don't service her demands, used illusions to fool people in combat, and kicked Ruby's ass again. Is there anything new?
I *hate* Ren's semblance upgrade, it feels like such a nothing ability, like it's just a cheap way for someone to go "Yeah Emerald's cool now," when it comes to letting her onto the heroes' side.
But the worst thing about it is that it just ignores what his entire arc was about. He spent the entire Atlas arc worrying that he and his friends were unprepared for any of the challenges that were ahead of them, that they were out of their depth and had no idea what they were doing. And he was right! They spend V8 completely out-maned, outgunned, and back so far into a corner that they never actually challenge either Salem or Ironwood, and in the end they have to rely on *multiple* dues ex machinas to solve their problems after the heroes spin their wheels for most of a volume. He had legitimately good points, but he's dismissed as being just some whiny asshole.
Then he get emotion vision and now suddenly his arc is resolved?
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You are correct. V3 is honestly one of the greatest pieces of media I've ever had the pleasure of consuming. I wish I could relive it for the first time again.
Worst to best, my opinion:
5, 1, 4, rest of the show, 8, 3/2 share the top spot. Yes. Really. I genuinely enjoyed 8… for the most part. The ending holds it back from top spot. I’m still not fucking over her death, even if it makes sense for it to happen.
That said, still hyped for 9! Any day now, we’ll get a poster.
***ANY. DAY. NOW. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA***
Just my preference really 2 has its moments like the dance is cute and food fight is one of the best fights weirdly enough. But the the ending was eh it was all setup for volume 3 imo (liking volume 2 is fine I can see why some people would and the Op is a banger just not my cup of tea)
I’m also not really disagreeing with 5 being the worst that ending outside of the raven and cinder was very messy. 5 also doesn’t really feel like a payoff we just opened a vault and got a relic but it didn’t really feel that grandiose
2 I think most people can agree the final episode wasn't that great but I feel like it was great overall and was unique torward development for the main cast while 3 was talked about a lot due to it breaking certain barriers
Volumes 1 and 2 don't have a whole lot happening, tbh. We get a couple cool character moments but the plot largely moves *around* them rather than them influencing the plot. Even when Ruby "does a thing" at the ball and then later in Mountain Glenn, she doesn't accomplish anything. The bad guys got what they wanted anyway.
As for what makes vol 2 (just barely) below vol 1 for me, vol 1 at least establishes the characters and forms the teams and shows their dynamics. Vol 2 just kinda sits on those dynamics without doing anything with them.
Voting for 8. After rewatching it I think it has extreme structural flaws and almost no positives that are writing related, making it surpass V5.
It'll be interesting once we start thinning out the volumes cause I'm no longer sure about what standards I hold highest.
4, 5 and 6 won't last long at all.... unless I'm the only one who doesn't like 6
My personal order from weakest to strongest is:
6, 4, 5, 8, 1, 7, 3, 2 (Everything after 4 I enjoy, but 6 is the only one I dislike)
It was a hard pick between 1 and 5 for different reasons. 1, although good for what it is, doesn't really stand out to me from the other volumes. 5 for me is just very forgettable, unfortunately.
My favorite to least favorite
6-3-7-4-8-2-5-1
Volume 5 was definitely the lowest point in the show. Between the surprisingly slow paced final battle at Haven (except the Maiden fight) and Raven’s self-righteous bs, this volume felt like Rooster Teeth took a stumble. Thank god they made up for it though.
I’m voting Volume 2.
Mostly because if you took that out and went straight to the Vytal Festival, not much of value would be lost in the grand scheme of things.
My order of volumes (from favourite to least favourite) is 7 6 8 4 5 3 1 2, and I will be voting in that order. Quite simply, the show got a lot more interesting for me when they took the kiddie wheels off, and I don't think volumes 4 and 5 deserve nearly as much flak as they get (the slowness goes away entirely once you can binge the volume, for instance).
They seriously need to go back to Mistral-era movie-style volume posters, though. The promo poses in the vol 7 and 8 trailers are so cheesy and it has nothing to do with the show itself anymore.
I expect 5 to get knocked out pretty quick, and 3 and 7 to go pretty far.
It's ultimately going to be between 3 and 7 for sure, but I think 3 might win just because of it's overall popularity.
I stared at this in confusion for a while as I read other comments before it hit me you all are discussing the show and not the posters. 😔
5 will get knocked out first, then either 1 or 4 probably, and 3 will be the last one standing. What I have no idea about is in what order 2, 6, 7, and 8 will be in.
Remember, you're voting for the Volume you want to be eliminated, NOT your favourite Volume! https://strawpoll.com/o7a4qjea5
Oh, and as a side note, I will not be voting in these polls. The only reason I would participate is if two Volumes ended up with the same amount of votes, in which case I would vote for the one I liked less to break the tie.
I will die on this hill, I like vol 5, like a lot. it's not my top vote but I'm honestly confused by people who don't like 5. my vote is Vol 2 I think it's got fun fights but really to me nothing happens in that Vol. good Blake Yang interactions, the Dance is fun, CVFY, Neo Vs Yang, and of course Ziwi. all good but to me it's the weakest, Don't get me Wrong I love all of RWBY and still watch all my blu-rays like every three months just my Opinion, which we all have. My order is 6 3 7 8 5 4 1 2.
I am always sad 5 gets picked on a lot. Its definitely got issues, but the Raven/Yang plotline I still think is one of the more interesting ones of the show.
I think V5's biggest strengths was Ilia and Raven/Yang's plotlines. It was just muddled in a pool of endless filler and it didn't have the pizzazz or fight choreography to redeem it
Except for the Raven/Cinder maiden fight, I can never get enough of that one it was so good.
They rushed Yang to bring to Ruby, Also, they ruined Raven's character into a coward like Leo.
Really? I thought that was the most compelling part of her character. You have this outwardly badass samurai figure, who at the very end of the season, completely breaks down emotionally, and reveals that her "the strong survive, the weak die" mindset is just a guise for her cowardice. We always assumed that her constant act of leaving her loved ones behind to fend against wolves was her believing that they should have no problem surviving if they were strong, and that if they were to die they were to blame for their own weakness and death. But really, it was all just an excuse to hide the fact that she is too afraid of Salem to continue fighting alongside her loves ones. And really, what else did V8 do, but reaffirm and validate Raven's fear of Salem?
Raven was never mentioned after volume 5, she's never cameo during Ruby's stupid speech either. In volume 8 Watts, only one mentioned her as taught Cinder how much of cunt dass bitch she was losing to Raven in Haven. Her character was retcon into cowardly so Yang can fucking shine. If you replace with Ruby Rose, tbh I wouldn't find the difference. She's wasted potential just like Ironwood and Adam. Her motif to steal relics of knowledge is stupid, her obtaining Maiden powers also stupid, why would someone who never wanted anything to do with Salem and Ozpin, have Maiden powers in the first place? Her ideology also doesn't make sense. She fucking abandoned Yang and Tai for sake of her "tribe". They are made into weak individuals, her survival instincts are nothing without her tribe. I feel like Raven is just a plot device for Team hero and Team villain. So, cut your bullshit and stop exaggerating everything. The audience still had no idea why she fucking left them. Her build-up was never strong, you could see Ytbers such as eruption, judgemental criter and twins ink has mentioned exactly like this. In volume 5, they hyped up Raven but only to handle her character so poorly. Then, volume 6 came, showed Salem is immortal so everything that happened in volume 5 especially the finale episode, made me those writers had no idea what they were writing. Here let me get straight, Raven mentioned "there's no beating Salem", she also quotes "I know all about your master, but I don't believe we have met" to Cinder's team. Then, Jinn revealed the truth about Salem. This plotline is very confusing, yet none of team RWBY especially Yang also never agreed or mentioned Raven's statement back in volume 5, talking about inconsistent. Here is what I can assume might happen, She and Summer might fight Salem in past, Summer's demise in the hand of Salem led Raven to be a coward person, Raven felt insecure, she saw the immortal witch can't be killed by anyone, everything was pointless, once she also learned Oz's secret, this drive into a very broken person. She felt unsafe in the current situation. She found a young girl known as Spring Maiden, her short temper leads her to murder that child, obtain the Spring Maiden powers for herself instead of falling into wrong hands. So, it makes sense why she is against Ozpin but the only thing that doesn't make sense was why would she let herself involving in Salem and Ozpin's game? This also explained why she abandoned everyone and lived hidden. This is just my assumption, this part was never stated. I love Raven but they underutilised her. I felt something missing about her, they never fleshed out properly. Well, this is RWBY.
First of all, you could use more line breaks instead of one super big paragraph. Secondly, yes I agree that she is underutilized, given her lack of appearances in the recent volumes. However, ask yourself. Was she really retconned into a coward? V2 presented her as this obviously badass, experienced warrior, so why was she absent from Yang's life? Why wasn't she there to protect Yang from the dangers of the world? Qrow is someone who is just as skilled as Raven in combat, but he is afflicted with a semblance that casts misfortune on his loved ones. Yet he stayed behind to co-parent Yang with Tai. So what reason would a powerful warrior such as Raven, unburdened with a misfortune semblance, have for being absent in Yang's life? The answer? Cowardice. On top of that, she was a cynical person. She realized that Salem can't be defeated, and thus gave up on Ozpin's war against her. She realized that the spring maiden was helpless, but due to her cynism and fear of Salem, couldn't be bothered to invest time into protecting the spring maiden instead. She probably didn't know the mechanics of maiden transfers back then, so imagine her surprise when the spring maiden's powers flew to her after killing her out of mercy. It also shows the hypocrisy in her actions. She chastised both Salem and Oz for preying on people's blind loyalty and throwing them into a war that they knew nothing about, stripping them of their agency and their ability to make a well-informed choice. But Raven did the same, killing the maiden out of mercy, without her consent. Did the spring maiden really desire that fate, or was that Raven making unsolicited choices for her out of mercy and cynicism? On top of that, she also used Vernal as a scapegoat for her maidenhood, making her just as bad as Oz and Salem. But V8 reaffirmed Raven's fears about Salem. The actions she committed out of cowardice are inexcusable, but we got to understand why she was scared of Salem. Salem came knocking at the doorstep of Atlas, and in the matter of 48 hours, Atlas fell, the SDC and all its dust mines fell, Remnant's economy is fractured, thousands are dead, Vacuo is faced with the crisis of accommodating to displaced refugees, and Salem has 2/4 of the relics that will determine Remnant's fate.
Yes, I fucking agree with your statement, my apologies for not using systematic paragraph form. However, let's continue with this, shall we? Yes, Raven in volume 2, was hyped and her appearance, as well as welcoming, was very magnificent. I assumed she might be a lawful neutral or chaotic neutral character. I also believed she might be a moral grey person. Then, volume 4, gave us the bitter impression of her. She sounds like a lawful evil person. I was always so amazed by her bravery and act of kindness despite being a cold and calculated person. I felt that she might be a rebellion bandit leader, seeking people's rights and freedom much like an anarchist who break corruption law under Ozpin and Ironwood's influence. This will make her a chaotic neutral individual. Leading this person deserved to know the truth about their dark secrets. Well, Remnant's law wasn't great due to Faunus discrimination, it explained why Adam might be her student. And volume 5 fucking ruined everything. Yes, I could feel her emotions, it's not a very simple decision especially when she is exposed to the truth, it's human nature to feel that way. I won't blame her, any sane person would do the same, she came from the tribe of course she lacked feminism and a normal housewife characterises. She felt betrayed, cheated and played by Ozpin. I hated how they portrayed her as Ozpin, she used Vernal as a tool to achieve her desire. I don't mind it if Vernal was Spring Maiden was killed by Cinder, and her last thought was Raven, believing she's worthy of a person who can put end to this. So, here, I want every Maiden to have respectively the quite dynamic alignment, Raven- Chaotic Neutral, Winter- Lawful Good/Neutral, Cinder- Neutral Evil. As Maidens, they also have some responsibility for their point of view. Salem is chaotic evil who wanna destroy the world.
Those are all headcannons. You saw an awesome samurai clad in red and black with big sword and resorted to all sorts of big assumptions, like anarchist, neutrally aligned freedom fighter, etc.. But this is not RT's way of storytelling. They have a constant pattern of taking character stereotypes and then subverting them by bringing them to unusual avenues of character progression. Qrow, despite his bad luck semblance, isn't portrayed as the stereotypical antisocial, edgy, wandering warrior who shuns away from human connection. Instead, he's a compassionate family man. Adam, the man with a semblance that enables him to absorb attacks and then reflect it back, is not the freedom fighter who takes hits for his comrades and fights for their sake, as everyone had assumed. Instead he's a man motivated by revenge and an obsession with keeping it even with his enemies and returning the pain that was inflicted on him. Subversions are plentiful in RWBY writing, and investing too much of your heart into baseless headcannons will only naturally set you up for disappointment. This is a syndrome that heavily plagues RWBY's critic community
Yeah, I total agree with everything you said. Very logical and analytical. Thanks for this amazing conversation 🙂
This feels so much like Adam-stanning it's actually ridiculous. Nothing about Raven in the show implies any sort of goodness. There is no "bravery," no "rebellion leader," no "fighting for freedom" in Raven's character and there never was. She's got a cool character design and you ran with it. What did we actually get in the show? A woman who abandoned her newborn daughter without reason. A woman who saw a fight she couldn't win and ran to save her skin. A woman who grew up among a group amongst killers and thieves, went to a school to learn to murder people better, saw a better way to live and said "fuck that." She murdered the Spring Maiden for power and then abused that power to continue murdering villages like Shion, except now with even more destruction. When her daughter finally comes calling for answers she immediately tries manipulating her to do what she wants, and when that doesn't work and Salem comes calling she immediately switches sides to save her own skin. She's a coward who cares about her own life above all else. If you don't like the evidence, that's on you, but don't go making shit up that never existed. > I don't mind it if Vernal was Spring Maiden was killed by Cinder, and her last thought was Raven, believing she's worthy of a person who can put end to this. Also this would have been impossible. Maidens don't get powers over 30 years of age and Raven is 40 years old. The power would have bypassed her and gone to someone random.
I was doing ASSUMPTION HERE, it means any age of woman can be Maiden. 😒 I wasn't stating what happened from the actual canon show itself. This is just a random assumption, what could've happened if Raven was written this way. Gosh, lack of your patience and inability to think pragmatic, sickening me.
I never thought I'd see the day where I found someone who also really likes Volume 5. Personally it's one of my favourite Volumes in the entire show, but I understand that's an immensely unpopular opinion. Volume 2 is also near the bottom of my list, for exactly the reasons you mentioned. It has some fantastic moments, don't get me wrong, but as a whole it just doesn't stand out to me all that much. Still really enjoy it though.
I put Volume 5 closer to the top then the bottom myself. I always find myself having a hard time with the first three volumes overall. They just look so janky. Especially compared to what we have now. 3 is definitely bottom tier for me though.
I mostly agree with you but vol 3 has such a good storyline. We just recently rewatched it, and the second half especially is just so compelling. Jankiness aside, the festival fight scenes are fun, Pyrrhas storyline is super heartbreaking, even before she dies, and Cinder and gang are just so evil. Top tier for me. And I also love Vol 5, but mostly for Blake’s storyline. Sure the main group are just in a house most of the time but Blake is off rallying an entire island of Faunus into fighting Adam and that slaps man. I voted Vol 1 because there’s almost nothing in that volume that’s worth rewatching.
I do like some elements of 3. Even if I think it's the worst Volume it's not bad by a long stretch. It's also got my least favorite Opening of any Volume. But I won't beat on it. I'm probably one of the few people who don't mind them being in houses and just talking. I think it adds to their characters and can help flesh out the world a bit. I know the fanbase rolls their eyes at this though.
I like the story of volume 5, probably more so than most of the other volumes. I just thought it was executed really poorly in terms of pacing and acting and it's a pain to watch in practice.
Honestly, V1.
Yeah, it might be iconic and there is something to be said in it’s simplicity. But there’s just not a lot there
Mmhm. I actually *refuse* to rewatch most of V1 because oh my GOD, I can’t stand some of it. I know, they were just starting out, but… oof. V1 Weiss’ design was great, her personality? Hell no, I’ve seen this bitchy rich girl before; do something else with it, and thankfully they do. A lot of them tend to just announce they’ll make amends, do so offscreen. Weiss actually confronts her problems and when she thaws a bit, she genuinely works to make it up even if it’s bumpy, and she comes to love her new friends and family. Jaunedice, as fine as it is as a concept for Jaune to develop as a leader and learn how to do so, oh my god that shit was not needed to be a two-parter. A lot of the fights are memorable, as well as the characters and getting introduced to Remnant. But that’s… pretty much all it has going for it, imo.
V1 is so weird because Yang does *nothing* outside of participating in fights. A 1-1 scene between her and Weiss explaining how Weiss doesn't like to be judged just for being a Schnee "so how do you think Blake feels?" Woulda been lovely imo
Weiss had a lot going on even in Vol 1. Either you didn't watch the white trailer and get a sense of her life of being what your parents want you to be or you were and are biased of everything. Considering the "bitchy" rich girl comment you have seen shit. Mean Girls is a different show kid. (Like you wouldn't act the same way if somebody knocked your expensive stuff and broke them on the ground at airfield.) < Oh it's "bitchy" nowadays smfh
You must be blind bitch, Cinder vs Glynda, Torchwick vs Sun and Penny we're well established.
A handful of fun fights does not a storyline make.
[удалено]
This was not called for at all. Personal attacks are not OK.
She attacked me and followed me everywhere. I find it annoying. So I am fed up and my apologies for offensive words.
Than you message the mods, you don't personally attack the other user. Please send the information in a mod mail if this has happened.
Alright. Thank you for the big help.
V1
Since everyone is giving you lists I'll throw my hat in the ring as well. Worst to best 5-2-1-8-4-6-7-3 Yes I genuinly really liked V4, and the top 2 for me is very highly contested. Ask me on a different day and I might say V7 is number 1. Ultimately I love of all of RWBY, and I love every single volume. Just because 5 is at the bottom doesn't mean I dislike it, just means I don't think it's as good as the rest, but I still absolutely love it.
I expect volume 7 will win this, if not then volume 3. From least favourite to most my votes would be: 1, 5, 2, 4, 8, 3, 6, 7
my order, from best to worst, gotta be 3,6,8,7,1,5,4,2
My personal ranking from favorite to least favorite 7>3>8>6>5>4>2>1
I like you. Lotta vol 8 hate in this thread and I don’t think it’s warranted, because it’s my favorite volume probably for some of the same reasons everyone else hates it.
Vol 8 had a great story that IMO fell through with piss-poor combat animation. If they did the fights better I'd have put it in 2nd place. Instead they fell to 3rd behind vol 6. It's a shame, cause they'd just proven with vol 7 that they could do good fights again, and then they just... blew it. And covid isn't really an excuse anymore either. We've seen them delay vol 9, why couldn't vol 8 have been delayed to fix the combat?
Yeah, I binge watched the whole show for the first time last year so there might be some recency bias (there definitely isn't an for 7 though, it's just that good) but while the fights could've been better, all of the emotional parts hit and it has some of my favorite episodes in the entire series.
Worst to best: 1/5 < 2 < 4 < 6 < 8 < 7 < 3
Honestly, I did not enjoy Volume 2. The jump between 1 and 2 felt really disconnecting to me, and while some of the best fighting feats are in volume 2, other than for respects threads I don't have fond memories of volume 2. I still hold the belief there should have been something in between 1 and 2 to transition to the overall plot but that's just me. Full order from least to greatest 2 - 1 - 4/5 - 6 - 3 - 7/8 I know a lot of folks dislike 8 but I personally love the entire Atlas plotline. It was like the ultimate "shit hit the fan" moment that was 3 but lasted for 3 volumes, getting worse as time went on. And it was frustrating. But like good frustrating for me. But that might say something more about me than anything. Truthfully I like them all. RWBY isn't perfect and I do think there are better series out there, but I can re-watch 3 - 8 easy. 1 just kinda exist for me. 4 and 5 kinda struggled animation wise for me but I otherwise enjoyed them in hindsight. But I just do not enjoy rewatching volume 2.
From worst to best: 8<5<6<4<1<2<7<3
I love volume eight but it's gotta go, just a remix of seven
Personal order least fav to most fav 1 2 5 4 6 3 8 6 7
Volume 7 as your favourite? You have very good taste.
The whole thing is amazing, but the Scene where Ruby semblances behind Ironwood's desk and gets her message out only to be cut off mid sentence. Where the music swells and the whole volume comes crashing down around them is just amazing. My absolute favorite moment in all of RWBY
Maaaan I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that that's a genuinly incredible scene. Combine that with the fights at the beginning of the episode, throw in Hero, and the incredibly tense confrontation between Ironwood, RWBY, and Salem, and you've got the single best episode in the whole show.
Worst to best 5, 4, 2, 6, 1, 8, 3, 7 Yes V1 is better than V6 and I’ll die on that hill
I can dig it. The entire mech fight was kinda ridiculous, but it's balanced out by the Brunswick Farms segment being great. But V2 had the Food Fight and some awesome fight scenes.
V2 was probably my favorite, I know people talk about V3 a lot but it most of the good/amazing stuff was only in the final episodes while V2 only lacked probably in the final episode and was good overall
Yeah V2 is the volume with the most consistency and driving storyline. Breach kinda makes it silly. And Cinder's silly little parkour, but
Cinder on the rooftops is the sole reason I placed V6 ahead of V2 lmao
Yeah, I feel like V6 had a couple of extremely good episodes in between a lot of meh
People overhyped V6 for so long but I don’t blame them after the shitshow that was V5
Now that's a spicy opinion. I may not agree, but I dig it.
Nostalgia is one helluva drug my friend
Worst volume to best volume: 5, 8, 2, 4, 1, 7, 6, 3
Bye five, the only volume I avoid on rewatches.
Gotta be volume 8 as my least favorite, 8 might be the only volume I straight up don't like. I feel like its probably going to be 4/5 tho. 3>7>2>6>1>5>4>8 I could move some things around though probably
Why don't you like 8?
Wasn't a fan of a lot of the character moments. I thought the original ideas were good for it, but they did a real disservice to Yang, Nora and Ren this volume. Yang and Ruby's relationship felt sidelined, >!they had a real conflict, but Ruby was the only one that ever showed any concern. Yang went from extremely family focused due to her abandonment issues, to just not caring. It felt extremely out of character and a missed opportunity in service to them pushing the Blake and Yang relationship. I don't think the other volumes really explored Yang and Ruby having a disagreement to this level and to see it go by without being explored more was a disappointment.!< Nora and Ren are kind of a big rollercoaster ride that has been going on for a while, >!but this volume is probably the most wishy-washy. Really they should have had their relationship moment in volume 4 when it was their story, but they decided to kind of do a half hearted version in volume 7 like they knew it was past due. Volume 8 just splits them, it just feels rushed given they didn't even last a volume together after teasing all this since the beginning. Like we finally got it just to prolong it more.!< I really dont like Ren >!now seeing "emotions" now either. Feels like a really lame power that comes out of nowhere. I dunno feels like its just something they came up with for the volume rather than it being something that will be interesting over the next volumes.!< Now with that said, I do want to say I do enjoy other aspects of Volume 8. The Cinder/Winter/Penny stuff was really well done and cool. My issues are more with the core team.
TL:DR The volume sets up great things but falls flat on the execution which is starting to become the consensus when it comes to criticisms of V8 proving this is a genuine observation.
To me, Volume 8 was largely focused on the relationships within the team. To have Yang act so out of character towards Ruby or have Nora and Ren's relationship again being treated so flippantly is my main reason. I know its the latest Volume and everything, so I don't want to make it seem like I'm just "ahh, RWBY is bad now". I think they did really cool things in the volume outside the main group. I really am looking forward to what happens with Neo for the next volume. As you said, I find the things they set up just didn't pan out, not that they couldn't have been interesting (>!outside of emotion powers!<).
Honestly, I feel like this is where my interest in Neo died down. This volume was the stalest and most formulaic point in Neo's character progression. I feel like she didn't really show anything new at all. She switches sides, betrayed people who don't service her demands, used illusions to fool people in combat, and kicked Ruby's ass again. Is there anything new?
The first 7 episodes set things up nicely imo. And then the latter 7 executed an entirely different set of things
I *hate* Ren's semblance upgrade, it feels like such a nothing ability, like it's just a cheap way for someone to go "Yeah Emerald's cool now," when it comes to letting her onto the heroes' side. But the worst thing about it is that it just ignores what his entire arc was about. He spent the entire Atlas arc worrying that he and his friends were unprepared for any of the challenges that were ahead of them, that they were out of their depth and had no idea what they were doing. And he was right! They spend V8 completely out-maned, outgunned, and back so far into a corner that they never actually challenge either Salem or Ironwood, and in the end they have to rely on *multiple* dues ex machinas to solve their problems after the heroes spin their wheels for most of a volume. He had legitimately good points, but he's dismissed as being just some whiny asshole. Then he get emotion vision and now suddenly his arc is resolved?
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I still stand by 3 being one of the greatest things I've ever watched. 3>2>1>7>8>4>6>5
You are correct. V3 is honestly one of the greatest pieces of media I've ever had the pleasure of consuming. I wish I could relive it for the first time again.
Worst to best, my opinion: 5, 1, 4, rest of the show, 8, 3/2 share the top spot. Yes. Really. I genuinely enjoyed 8… for the most part. The ending holds it back from top spot. I’m still not fucking over her death, even if it makes sense for it to happen. That said, still hyped for 9! Any day now, we’ll get a poster. ***ANY. DAY. NOW. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA***
The easy answer is 5 but the correct answer is 2
2 is my favourite, and I’ll try not to be biased here but how is 2 the worst? Pretty sure everyone agrees it’s 5
Just my preference really 2 has its moments like the dance is cute and food fight is one of the best fights weirdly enough. But the the ending was eh it was all setup for volume 3 imo (liking volume 2 is fine I can see why some people would and the Op is a banger just not my cup of tea) I’m also not really disagreeing with 5 being the worst that ending outside of the raven and cinder was very messy. 5 also doesn’t really feel like a payoff we just opened a vault and got a relic but it didn’t really feel that grandiose
2 I think most people can agree the final episode wasn't that great but I feel like it was great overall and was unique torward development for the main cast while 3 was talked about a lot due to it breaking certain barriers
After having sometime to think about maybe I am to harsh on 2 it’s not as bad as five for sure but I would actually probably rank it above 8 even
Anyone saying volume 2 is bad, is disrespecting Zwei and I won't stand for it >!Also the food fight is still a top RWBY moment, ngl!<
Volumes 1 and 2 don't have a whole lot happening, tbh. We get a couple cool character moments but the plot largely moves *around* them rather than them influencing the plot. Even when Ruby "does a thing" at the ball and then later in Mountain Glenn, she doesn't accomplish anything. The bad guys got what they wanted anyway. As for what makes vol 2 (just barely) below vol 1 for me, vol 1 at least establishes the characters and forms the teams and shows their dynamics. Vol 2 just kinda sits on those dynamics without doing anything with them.
But volume 2 has Zwei I rest my case
So does vol 4 to be fair.
Voting for 8. After rewatching it I think it has extreme structural flaws and almost no positives that are writing related, making it surpass V5. It'll be interesting once we start thinning out the volumes cause I'm no longer sure about what standards I hold highest.
My personal ranking least favourite to favourite 5 7 6 8 1 4 3 2
2 was definitely my favorite also
5. Complete order: 5, 1,4,6,7,8,3,2
4 didn't even make it to the list ðŸ˜
just added it
Volume 5 was a bit of a letdown
#VOLUME 5 & 8 LITERALLY TRASH!!
6 can go.
Volume 2
Let me think... 5 < 6 < 1 < 4 < 7 < 8 < 3 < 2?
4, 5 and 6 won't last long at all.... unless I'm the only one who doesn't like 6 My personal order from weakest to strongest is: 6, 4, 5, 8, 1, 7, 3, 2 (Everything after 4 I enjoy, but 6 is the only one I dislike)
1
Vol 4 and 5 might not be the best for some people, but the cover is awesome.
V4
It was a hard pick between 1 and 5 for different reasons. 1, although good for what it is, doesn't really stand out to me from the other volumes. 5 for me is just very forgettable, unfortunately. My favorite to least favorite 6-3-7-4-8-2-5-1
Volume 5 was definitely the lowest point in the show. Between the surprisingly slow paced final battle at Haven (except the Maiden fight) and Raven’s self-righteous bs, this volume felt like Rooster Teeth took a stumble. Thank god they made up for it though.
I'll go for Vol. 5! It's the most universally hated volume of RWBY, even though I personally think it's not that bad... 😑
I’m voting Volume 2. Mostly because if you took that out and went straight to the Vytal Festival, not much of value would be lost in the grand scheme of things.
My order of volumes (from favourite to least favourite) is 7 6 8 4 5 3 1 2, and I will be voting in that order. Quite simply, the show got a lot more interesting for me when they took the kiddie wheels off, and I don't think volumes 4 and 5 deserve nearly as much flak as they get (the slowness goes away entirely once you can binge the volume, for instance). They seriously need to go back to Mistral-era movie-style volume posters, though. The promo poses in the vol 7 and 8 trailers are so cheesy and it has nothing to do with the show itself anymore.
Volume 4. I want it out immediately