Also Steins; Gate sequel anime just started airing a few days ago, from content producers trying to maximize views perspective this is a good time to make a video.
FuzzyZergling To be fair it’s not that surprising, I was rewatching because Steins; Gate 0 first episode came out a few days and I wanted to refresh my knowledge on the show so I don’t forget anything important for 0, and since Stein; Gates 0 is out more people are going to be looking up Steins; Gate so releasing a video on it is likely going to net more views if he just made this video randomly out passion.
McBaws not all people collectively think of it as a masterpiece, but I do and it’s my favourite anime. But it cannot be called a true universal masterpiece because the target audience is kinda specific and the anime isn’t perfect for everyone.
@@neel4062In my opinion, you shouldn't worry about "target audiences" when reviewing a show and simply focus on your experience with it. This show is a masterpiece for me, and while it may not be for many others, I still loved it. I do admit I was projecting my opinion on @Joe in my other comment, though.
I disagree. Being a masterpiece has nothing to do with target audience. It's about how the story goes, the journey, emotion, expression of ideas and being able to tie the loose ends before ending and conclusion. Maybe more or less. And Steins:Gate as a series does a great job in that aspect. Just my opinion but If Steins:Gate is not considered as a masterpiece then most good anime can't be as well.
This is exactly why Steins;gate was so impactful, and it's borderline criminal how little it's brought up. For those who have ever seriously struggled with strong feelings of hopelessness and how meaningless existence and choice can seem: this story was for all of us.
I always love hearing your thoughts. Steins Gate has always left me at a loss for its stance on free will, but this really helped me digest it in a new way.
I think S;G isn't really about soft determinism at all; it's about the difference between determinism and fatalism. Technically, these two are the same, the only discrepancy is the subjective emotional attitude they inspire. Determinism is emotionally neutral, while fatalism is associated with despair and submissiveness to what is perceived as inevitable. I actually think S;G isn't making a statement on Free Will - I'm not even sure it's mentioned at all. It's about avoiding fatalism, and that's where this video hits the nail on the head.
I love your outlook on this and couldn't agree more. Perhaps this is the reason why I love Steins;gate so much, especially the visual novel's other endings and the way it portrays hope and choices. The future is always what you and those around you make it. Through self determination and the love of others that brought you to this point, a "happy" end is always able to be achieved. Maybe how you think and what you think was determined by someone, something, by a "Steins;gate", but the choice is always there. "This is the choice of Steins;Gate"...Yes, it was the choice of Steins;gate: the choice of allowing us tiny humans to create our own future through our *own* choices.
Thanks pal. There are many other ways to interpret the story's philosophical outlook but this is personally what I think holds the most weight. Glad to see you agree.
"This is the will of Steins Gate" means that it's the "will of the worldline" he is in-- a dream, a goal that Okabe crafted for himself through all of his hardships. The ideal worldine, Steins Gate.
It's saying that if you can time leap 3000+ times (including the time leaps 0 Okabe experienced in the beta world line) to reach the world line that might not exist you are truly a mad scientist
I always thought that the ending "this is the choice of Steins;Gate" needed to be interpreted in relation to what the future Okabe tells our Okabe after he fails to save her once. "And I was the one who named the target world line Steins;Gate. You know why I named it that." (Both at once) "It doesn't really mean anything." In other words, it is only Steins Gate because of the value that Okabe himself has placed onto it. It is the future that he wants to reach. "This is the choice of Steins Gate" is to say this is the true choice among all possible choices, even though they are all true worldlines. At various times throughout the series "this is the choice of steins gate" is a phrase uttered in dismay at the fatalism of the world lines Okabe can't escape. In the ending, the phrase is turned on its head and from a certain perspective it means 'this is the world line that can't escape Okabe'. That's what I thought about the ending line anyway.
I love how the last two episodes of S;G have the latter part of the song play in the OP instead of the usual. Take one of the final lines of the first part, which played up to episode 22, "A swallowed solitary observer" which then turns to ""I observe alone in my solitude, but I never doubt myself." All the lyrics of the two parts of the song in fact contrast each other very well. This is a good example of the sort of thematic shift that ties into what you're saying in this video, I feel, and marks the fantastic progression the show goes through when characterizing Okabe and his experience leading to the true ending. I think all the major elements of S;G's story really do link very well with your philosophical perspective elucidated in this video, regarding fatalism/predeterminism vs Okabe's epiphany that causality and determinism do not have to devolve into the negative views of a binding fate without free will. I think you were spot on about how well S;G balances this philosophical debate, by not completely invalidating one side of the argument for the sake of the other, emphasizing the power of causality without diminishing free will and the integral impact of choice and agency. Which is exactly why it is the choice of Steins;Gate, of Okabe himself, just as you said. It really is a great way to express the main theme of the story, and Okabe is absolutely instrumental in how well it was done, which is definitely why he is one of my favorite characters in the entire medium, there's just so much development, complexity and thematic progress embedded in his journey, and I'm sure it's even more nuanced and amazing in the VN, with all the alternative endings. I'm glad I rewatched all of S;G this week to prepare for 0, it really helped me appreciate this video more, and you did a fantastic job highlighting the central theme and the philosophical backdrop to it all, as usual. Well done, and let's hope 0 is as good as S;G was (it certainly looks like it has the potential)!
Thanks pal, I’m definitely in agreement. It’s a story of nuanced compromises in many aspects and it all feeds in to some very uplifting messages by the end. I just finished the 0 VN and while I’m not sure if the anime will live up to the original, there’s a very good story in there if they adapt it effectively. The first episode has given me plenty of encouragement on that front as well.
I feel like I should definitely play the VNs for both S;G and 0 one day, I feel like some of my most significant issues with the anime were the lack of good characterization and arcs for some of the side characters, but I assume the VN rectifies these issues because of each person having a far more fleshed out route (those scenes from Suzuha's route you mentioned in the video seem CRAZY, goddamn, I did not know about that, with all the rape contemplation being particularly fucked up....poor Suzuha, easily second besto after Kurisu). Sadly, I lack much VN experience (mostly just FSN), but S;G seems worth exploring the medium further for sure, I know it adds a lot to a story I already love and am invested in from the anime. I really hope the adaptation of 0 can match or at least come close to S;G, that would be fantastic. The first episode is definitely a strong start, I would say, I loved the tonal shift and this direction it took with Okabe's character, the same Okabe that we know will eventually be the one to support the Okabe of the original S;G and give him purpose and faith in his self-determinism again in episode 23, which was such a decisive moment in relaying the message of the entire show, as your video extrapolated upon. Speaking of that story link between S;G and 0, the other day I was contemplating how 0's premise is quasi-similar in a few ways to Fate/Zero (the name similarities also being another fun thing to note). I know that we both laud S;G and Fate/Zero as being among our most loved works in the medium, I believe, so do you think this adaptation of 0 has a chance of being on that level of quality as an anime, based on your experience with the story from the VN? It would certainly be amazing if it could match that vaunted level for me, S;G and Fate/Zero really are works of art, and if 0 could fulfill its seemingly darker thematic feel and act as a poignant and potent prequel in the same way F/Z did for the overall tale, that would really make me love it as a tragedy that links to S;G, much like I loved how F/Z acted as a classical tragedy that connected so wonderfully to what followed in FSN. Sorry for the rant, I went on a tangent, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, I always enjoy how you break down your analyses and the philosophy you bring into your discussions.
Just finished watching steins gate today and it's definitely my favorite anime now which surprised me since I've watched so many other masterful animes like Hunter x Hunter, code Geass, etc. I've never been more attached to a character and his suffering/determination. I've never been so heartbroken after seeing a character death. The characters are so well written and I love the chemistry between the characters man😤✊
Hisoka 1986 I can't, I was sad at the end of the original and that was the good ending, I can't imagine how stiens;gate 0 will break me if it's the bad end
You remember the d-mail video that encouraged Okabe to save Kurisu? Okabe in that video is Okabe in the end of Steins;Gate 0. There is an episode called 23beta and it is the episode of true ending, where Okabe gives up on saving Kurisu. That leads to Steins;Gate0. Story goes like this: episode 1-22 -> episode 23beta -> Steins;Gate0 -> episode 23-25
The opening line in the English dub says it best. "Consider, could the world justifiably be called infinite? Doubtful. It may not have a dicsernable end,but it had a beginning. And its component parts definitely have a limited cosmological shelf life. Splitting hairs or not, if history tells us anything, its that scientists often make poor poets. We're all just a ship of fools chasing phantoms heedless to what really underwrites natural law."
Amazing video, I never realized that I loved S;G so much in part because it fully espouses my views on determinism vs free will: I also agree fully with "soft determinism". The choices you make are your own, but you are always always always influenced by factors outside of your control. Thank you so much for making this vid, I will soon watch your other S;G vid and then see what else you have on your channel, but regardless, you've earned yourself an avid follower!
thank you very much for creating this video! i think a lot of effort is necessary to creat such kind of vids and i hope you really think it is worth your time because i would really really miss your psychological analysis if you would stop doing them! kind reagards from germany
I like your ideas of "personal agency" very much. I always thought stein's gate hinted towards determism atleast for a certain timeline but your video change my views.
The attractor field theory is quite beautiful in how it allows the time travel shenanigans to ensue, keep free will intact and ultimately, offering an opposing force to the butterfly effect.
Man, this video is just perfect, the theme, the editing, the music, and most important the analysis is just top notch. You deserve more suscribers than what you have
Thanks for making a distinction between types of determinism! People who talk about macro events that are of human significance being determined because they're "meant to be" or something like that is VERY different from a belief in determinism due to physical laws and causality.
A few minutes back i read unaired episodes of steins;gate 0 are going to be released next year (2022) its truly the choice of steins gate , i really can't contain my joy right now
Might be on a binge of your videos, just watched the fma and Pokémon gen 4 one and now into code geass. Really love your stuff man and this one was amazing
I love how you explain everything in this. it's a more nuanced explanation than I've ever been able to give. It's basically how I reflect on my past and look to my future. I am who I am and I've gotten to where I am because of my past. Changing my past changes how I act/react and how I think of things: I would no longer be who I am now. Changing my past would change how I decide things and what I decide on: I would not be where I am now.
Just finished Steins Gate for the first time and it became one of my most favorite anime ever. And this video along with a few others actually made me appreciate it more. It's probably now one of my all-time favorite pieces of media, along with HxH, which is another series I also appreciate more now thanks to these quality videos. Great content as always!
by far my favorite anime, loved it so much, i even spent some money on Kurisu figure even though i really really wanted a mayuri figure but they don't make high quality ones.
Damn, an Alexander video during dinner is clutch. Great video. I finished Steins;gate without as much resolution as I'd hoped for, but these video made the positive message of the show much more clear to me. Spot on man.
Did you think you could sneak a soundtrack from another time travel game without me noticing? I see you with your Radiant Historia OST in background, and yes, I love you all the more for it.
It's just me or the themes of steins gate of struggle, choice and always go forward are similar to the ones of gurren lagann? Maybe that's why I love both anime so much
I always end up looking back at the meaning of steins gate as it really inspires me. I truly live by it and it helps me get out of a pinch and race forward toward my dream 💯❤️
I'll never be able to analyze shows like Steins; Gate and various other favourites of mine the same way you and many of the other anime analysis TH-camrs do. This was another awesome video. Just in time for the sequel.
I think that the ending, by which i mean the contrast between what our protagonist eventually gained and lost, strongly hints at triumph of freedom of will. If Okabe`s choise between Mayuri and Kurisu's life had some continuity, meaning either of them would be dead for good (which, must i say, would have made for a great heart-breaking moment and a painful lesson, that everything comes at a price and not all things can be undone by a simple click of a button), we would have gotten a classic tragic protagonist, who, while fighting against fate, still loses the struggle. This realization (again, under the impression of Your video) gave me a new appreciation for the finale, which was not only heart-warming, but quite smart, in a manner of speaking.
Beautifully done as always however I would like to note that irreversible reboot is not an undesirable ending but more of a representation of the unknown it is the option to explore even more infinite possibilities
Like I said in the video, the ending itself contributed to the main theme. But the context of that ending and everything leading up to it makes it a pretty clear example of failure to reach the light and a subsequent improvisation. It doesn’t undercut the theme but it is definitely undesirable relative to the “better” endings.
Aleczandxr I see what you're saying and I do agree to an extent but each of the so-called less desirable endings are actually desirable in their own right since they reflect the theme of sacrifice or the theme of not giving up on the dreams of his friends rather than his own dreams and ideals but I can see why they might seem undesirable as a loss of light but by that extend the actual desired ending or true ending would be a loss of life to those stories he had to sacrifice on the road back to that light
As I said, it’s all relative. Okabe leaves his friends, never to see them again. He goes back to change history in an era that was already insinuated to be a likely dead end for changing history. He only makes this choice because it was his only way out from tragedy and spiraling nihilistic hell. It’s very consistent as I said but it’s also clearly comparably dark and depressing despite the escape. I can’t really see any alternative with regards to this topic.
I can see why some can come to that conclusion as okabe himself does take an out when availed to him which is what occurs in Zero each avenue offered as alternatives are all attempts to achieve the same goal some with more success than others irreversible reboot is one way that leads back to his original goal a new beginning to save his friends sadly it is not shown whether it succeeds or fails so it remains ambiguous unless it gets and extended adaptation in the future as zero did, where giving up and taking the escape led to sending the message that lead to eventual success. It can be viewed as an escape or as hope that there is in fact light at the end. I appreciate that you have taken the time to hear me ramble about this I greatly respect your opinion and deep analysis of fiction and will continue to share your content in hopes of bringing more attention to your channel and I apologize if it seemed like I was nitpicking, I also look forward to your future content and who knows maybe this is a selection of Steins:gate.
10:48 Everything you said at this point, I don't think words can describe how much weight it held for me personally at the current time of my life. I know this was in the context of Steins Gate, but I can't help but find that a lot of what was said are things that I've been thinking about within my own life. Life for me just seems to keep getting worse, and no matter what I do to try, nothing seems to be making things better. I've done things that have prevented things from becoming worse, but I can't help but just think back to one decision I made with the best of intentions, but ultimately caused a domino effect that has resulted in my emotionally suffering for more than a quarter of a year now. I'd say, my thought about Fate is very similar to Homura's in Madoka Magica. That no matter how many scenarios I play out, it just leads to the same inevitable outcome and I just have to accept it. And the more you try to fight it, the more Fate reminds you that you only have so much control. I keep thinking of a world line, where if I did one thing differently, I could be living a much better life at the moment, and how I fear each day, not knowing what decision I make that will affect me in the long run. I've always believed that we have control over our lives, but at the same time, it's like life has a way of settings up that some people can live, pretty comfortable lives, and others just have to deal with darkness being thrown at us all the time. I just want to give up, but I still have hope that I do find a scenario that does lead to me finding light in my life again.
I’m sorry that you’re in this situation, but thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. Your fears make sense, but S;G would say that you just need to shift your perspective to make better of the situation, as tough it sounds. Your last sentence is entirely correct and I hope you do find that scenario.
Steins Gate is honestly one of the best time travel fiction that I got to experience, it has both such a depressing but hopeful theme when it comes to fate
Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Steins;Gate is the flaw in the cycle. When you find it, you can break free of it. And you can exceed all expectations. Steins;Gate is the rejection of defeat. It is the belief in something more. It unrealistically fights for a better world, and manifests that fantasy into reality through an elegant balance of courage, intellect, creativity, love and sheer agency. It goes against conventional logic. "There's no way you can achieve this goal." "There's no way to find a better solution." Or this, or that. But that's so shallow. What do you think differentiates the smart from the genius? Logic is limited. Creativity will take you anywhere. The greatest minds were not only smart. They could see beyond the obvious. Beyond the standard and conventional wisdom of the world around them. They had the courage to take intelligent, creative leaps, which would eventually lead them to change the world. That, is the will of Steins;Gate. The will of the genius mind.
Free will is the strong hope of freedom while also being the pure, scary notion that _we_ are responsible for nearly _everything._ Determinism is the bleak acceptance of fate while also being the kind and lax notion that we are ironically _free_ to do whatever we want as we had no say in the matter at all. What they both fail to mention is that they both focus on the past and future while neither truly represent the presence of "the present" if you really think about it. edit: they're both too big, too grand. They aren't a perfect nor amazing tool for the job.
I know this video is 2 years old, but, anyway, I would like to thank you man for this video, I really found it awesome and inspiring (and your other reviews are all great). I just finished watching Steins;Gate (well, actually I watched it twice, now) and I loved it. It came to my mind, during your review, that the phrase "the choice of Stein's Gate" is indeed an intrinsically ambiguous one: it can either be "Steins Gate (whatever this may mean in the mind of Okabe; to me, it felt like some kind of external entity) has already made a choice, so Steins Gate is the subject of the action, OR "I (in this case, the main character) chose Steins Gate", with Steins Gate being the object of Okabe's choice. In the first part of the anime, when Okabe is on full "mad scientist" mode, the first option seemed the right one, but, in the last episode, I do think the second meaning is the most fitting. I hope my comment makes sense, anyway cheers from Italy ;)
Far more complete take on the topic than the Philosophy of Steins;Gate. You pointed out what I wanted to in that video: That the choice of steins;gate line signifies that Okabe can always choose another path rather than submit to fate.
Steins;gate is telling us that "CERN" is up to something we just don't know yet lol (becuz it is real and LHC does do some stuff that is scarily accurate to the anime) It was warning us of the future .... (the year 2036 to be exact)
I don't think that multiple world lines would exclude the possibility of determinism, since the whole multiverse itself could be deterministic, and okabe could be unavoidably lead to doing what he did in the multiple lines because of everything that happened before, as if every decision of his, changing everything and getting to steins;gate, were always the only possible decisions
Just discovered your channel, watched your latest video and this one. I have to say, you resolved towards the same conclusions that i did, so it was nice for me to hear another person think in the same way. In particular, the meaning(lessness) of the last sentence Okabe says: the Steins;Gate can the objective we decide ourselves, and we can choose to pursue it or not, and this is a choice that will be made many times over. While this is all good and all, my opinion is that thinking for the sake of thinking is not strictly useful to a person, so here's the last step i think you omitted for the sake of the video: Okabe's Steins;Gate was a world where he could get both Mayuri and Kurisu to live, independently from the consequences connected to those lives (respectively, WW3 and SERN dystopia). What's YOUR Steins;Gate? Whats the objective you want to realize, uncaring of any circumstances related to them? What'sthe path that can lead you to the Steins;Gate timeline, that is NOT the realization of your objectives, but a possibility of achieving it, THE possibility to achieve it? Sadly I have yet to define my Steins;Gate, and maybe an event in the future will shape it, leaving the task of creating the path to it to myself. But i hope you have at least a vague idea of what your Steins;Gate is. And remember that, indepedently from the outcome of your struggle, what you do is the choice of Steins;Gate.
that's the beauty in art, everybody understands whatever the hell they want based on their experiences, memories, you see stuff how you are, not how it actually is :) or how the creator intended. Personally what i see in steins gate is the attempt to cross worldlines basically an attempt to beat 'god' just to save your loved ones. That is like the biggest form of love in my opinion, because you're fighting time itself for someone, w o w
Steins;Gate is one of my favorite things ever, but the one thing that bothers me a little about it is that it never wants to let go of it's waifu-game mechanic. No matter what, you always end up with a girl. If i were to adapt Steins;Gate i would not make Suzuha, Faris and maybe Lukako datable. Or maybe i just love Kurisu too much and don't want to cheat on her. That may be it too.
@@Byakko_Byakuya No need to imply anything. It's as blatant as it gets. I love me some waifu games, but the requirement that every female character is in love with the main guy and secretly hopes to be the chosen one can sometimes feel forced.
I wondered why my own video from ages ago appeared in my subscription feed. Oh. Wow. That's weird. Just happened to use the exact same screen shot for the thumbnails, lol. World lines converge every day, it seems.
*tuturu* obviously
Mayushi's clock has stopped :(
@@NoNameAtAll2 NO SHUT UP
jk
@@NoNameAtAll2 Ah shit, here we go again
hxh sucks (just stating random facts) also lol
"A man can do what he wants, but he cannot will what he wills."
-Arthur Schopenhauer
yeah, this quote makes much more sense in German
@@puya4866 Der Mensch kann tun was er will; er kann aber nicht wollen was er will
Wait, w- a youtuber actually noticed this and talked about it?!
This must be the choice of Steins;Gate.
He's a long time fan of this show. Made a big video on it 1-2 years ago and its in his top 5.
Also Steins; Gate sequel anime just started airing a few days ago, from content producers trying to maximize views perspective this is a good time to make a video.
@@InquisitorThomas hello from the future.
@@contemptman3646 hello from the future
@@JKyouma hello from the future
Steins;Gate is trying to say Kurisu Makise is best waifu.
TheAutistWhisperer true Best Waifu Kurisu ❤️❤️
TheAutistWhisperer nah john titor is the best waifu
Could've rhymed so well lol
Mayushii*
Kurisu >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mayuri and others
I'm SO glad to see more people talk about Steins;Gate again.
I've been talking about it for ages! Only two videos though, to be fair.
I know, I watched them xD
I literally just finished rewatching all of Steins; Gate, clearly this is the will of Steins Gate!
El Psy Kongroo
Same. It's kinda creepy how thing seem to line up sometimes.
FuzzyZergling To be fair it’s not that surprising, I was rewatching because Steins; Gate 0 first episode came out a few days and I wanted to refresh my knowledge on the show so I don’t forget anything important for 0, and since Stein; Gates 0 is out more people are going to be looking up Steins; Gate so releasing a video on it is likely going to net more views if he just made this video randomly out passion.
Perfectly in time for Stein;Gate 0
*TU TU RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU*
Steins;Gate is a borderline masterpiece, but look how cool Killua's skateboard is.
borderline??
McBaws not all people collectively think of it as a masterpiece, but I do and it’s my favourite anime. But it cannot be called a true universal masterpiece because the target audience is kinda specific and the anime isn’t perfect for everyone.
@@neel4062In my opinion, you shouldn't worry about "target audiences" when reviewing a show and simply focus on your experience with it. This show is a masterpiece for me, and while it may not be for many others, I still loved it. I do admit I was projecting my opinion on @Joe in my other comment, though.
@@mcbaws21 yeah which is why @joe thinks it's borderline, because opinion... Though I still think of it as an actual masterpiece
I disagree. Being a masterpiece has nothing to do with target audience. It's about how the story goes, the journey, emotion, expression of ideas and being able to tie the loose ends before ending and conclusion. Maybe more or less. And Steins:Gate as a series does a great job in that aspect. Just my opinion but If Steins:Gate is not considered as a masterpiece then most good anime can't be as well.
This is exactly why Steins;gate was so impactful, and it's borderline criminal how little it's brought up. For those who have ever seriously struggled with strong feelings of hopelessness and how meaningless existence and choice can seem: this story was for all of us.
I always love hearing your thoughts. Steins Gate has always left me at a loss for its stance on free will, but this really helped me digest it in a new way.
Awesome to hear that.
have a ^+1 Big boy
I think S;G isn't really about soft determinism at all; it's about the difference between determinism and fatalism. Technically, these two are the same, the only discrepancy is the subjective emotional attitude they inspire. Determinism is emotionally neutral, while fatalism is associated with despair and submissiveness to what is perceived as inevitable.
I actually think S;G isn't making a statement on Free Will - I'm not even sure it's mentioned at all. It's about avoiding fatalism, and that's where this video hits the nail on the head.
I love your outlook on this and couldn't agree more. Perhaps this is the reason why I love Steins;gate so much, especially the visual novel's other endings and the way it portrays hope and choices. The future is always what you and those around you make it. Through self determination and the love of others that brought you to this point, a "happy" end is always able to be achieved. Maybe how you think and what you think was determined by someone, something, by a "Steins;gate", but the choice is always there.
"This is the choice of Steins;Gate"...Yes, it was the choice of Steins;gate: the choice of allowing us tiny humans to create our own future through our *own* choices.
Thanks pal. There are many other ways to interpret the story's philosophical outlook but this is personally what I think holds the most weight. Glad to see you agree.
"This is the will of Steins Gate" means that it's the "will of the worldline" he is in-- a dream, a goal that Okabe crafted for himself through all of his hardships. The ideal worldine, Steins Gate.
Exactly! Some people think Steins Gate means fate/destiny , but it actually means the opposite. Steins Gate is the world that Okabe strives for.
It's saying that if you can time leap 3000+ times (including the time leaps 0 Okabe experienced in the beta world line) to reach the world line that might not exist you are truly a mad scientist
Man, whenever I have trouble finding words for my thoughts, it's great to see someone who's able to give me those words.
I always thought that the ending "this is the choice of Steins;Gate" needed to be interpreted in relation to what the future Okabe tells our Okabe after he fails to save her once. "And I was the one who named the target world line Steins;Gate. You know why I named it that." (Both at once) "It doesn't really mean anything."
In other words, it is only Steins Gate because of the value that Okabe himself has placed onto it. It is the future that he wants to reach. "This is the choice of Steins Gate" is to say this is the true choice among all possible choices, even though they are all true worldlines. At various times throughout the series "this is the choice of steins gate" is a phrase uttered in dismay at the fatalism of the world lines Okabe can't escape. In the ending, the phrase is turned on its head and from a certain perspective it means 'this is the world line that can't escape Okabe'. That's what I thought about the ending line anyway.
Steins;gate is one of the few anime that actually made me feel strong emotion.
I love how the last two episodes of S;G have the latter part of the song play in the OP instead of the usual. Take one of the final lines of the first part, which played up to episode 22, "A swallowed solitary observer" which then turns to ""I observe alone in my solitude, but I never doubt myself." All the lyrics of the two parts of the song in fact contrast each other very well. This is a good example of the sort of thematic shift that ties into what you're saying in this video, I feel, and marks the fantastic progression the show goes through when characterizing Okabe and his experience leading to the true ending.
I think all the major elements of S;G's story really do link very well with your philosophical perspective elucidated in this video, regarding fatalism/predeterminism vs Okabe's epiphany that causality and determinism do not have to devolve into the negative views of a binding fate without free will. I think you were spot on about how well S;G balances this philosophical debate, by not completely invalidating one side of the argument for the sake of the other, emphasizing the power of causality without diminishing free will and the integral impact of choice and agency. Which is exactly why it is the choice of Steins;Gate, of Okabe himself, just as you said. It really is a great way to express the main theme of the story, and Okabe is absolutely instrumental in how well it was done, which is definitely why he is one of my favorite characters in the entire medium, there's just so much development, complexity and thematic progress embedded in his journey, and I'm sure it's even more nuanced and amazing in the VN, with all the alternative endings.
I'm glad I rewatched all of S;G this week to prepare for 0, it really helped me appreciate this video more, and you did a fantastic job highlighting the central theme and the philosophical backdrop to it all, as usual. Well done, and let's hope 0 is as good as S;G was (it certainly looks like it has the potential)!
Thanks pal, I’m definitely in agreement. It’s a story of nuanced compromises in many aspects and it all feeds in to some very uplifting messages by the end. I just finished the 0 VN and while I’m not sure if the anime will live up to the original, there’s a very good story in there if they adapt it effectively. The first episode has given me plenty of encouragement on that front as well.
Keyboard Warrior Nope, and I haven’t seen it so it won’t be happening. Sorry.
I feel like I should definitely play the VNs for both S;G and 0 one day, I feel like some of my most significant issues with the anime were the lack of good characterization and arcs for some of the side characters, but I assume the VN rectifies these issues because of each person having a far more fleshed out route (those scenes from Suzuha's route you mentioned in the video seem CRAZY, goddamn, I did not know about that, with all the rape contemplation being particularly fucked up....poor Suzuha, easily second besto after Kurisu). Sadly, I lack much VN experience (mostly just FSN), but S;G seems worth exploring the medium further for sure, I know it adds a lot to a story I already love and am invested in from the anime.
I really hope the adaptation of 0 can match or at least come close to S;G, that would be fantastic. The first episode is definitely a strong start, I would say, I loved the tonal shift and this direction it took with Okabe's character, the same Okabe that we know will eventually be the one to support the Okabe of the original S;G and give him purpose and faith in his self-determinism again in episode 23, which was such a decisive moment in relaying the message of the entire show, as your video extrapolated upon.
Speaking of that story link between S;G and 0, the other day I was contemplating how 0's premise is quasi-similar in a few ways to Fate/Zero (the name similarities also being another fun thing to note). I know that we both laud S;G and Fate/Zero as being among our most loved works in the medium, I believe, so do you think this adaptation of 0 has a chance of being on that level of quality as an anime, based on your experience with the story from the VN? It would certainly be amazing if it could match that vaunted level for me, S;G and Fate/Zero really are works of art, and if 0 could fulfill its seemingly darker thematic feel and act as a poignant and potent prequel in the same way F/Z did for the overall tale, that would really make me love it as a tragedy that links to S;G, much like I loved how F/Z acted as a classical tragedy that connected so wonderfully to what followed in FSN.
Sorry for the rant, I went on a tangent, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, I always enjoy how you break down your analyses and the philosophy you bring into your discussions.
Just finished watching steins gate today and it's definitely my favorite anime now which surprised me since I've watched so many other masterful animes like Hunter x Hunter, code Geass, etc. I've never been more attached to a character and his suffering/determination. I've never been so heartbroken after seeing a character death. The characters are so well written and I love the chemistry between the characters man😤✊
Radiant Historia Music in a Steins Gate Video? I love you.
Been playing through it lately, had to include it.
K S 🖒
Dang man, I've cried over this show enough. Bringing me back those memories, it hurts
Worth it for the good video tho
Insamity steins;gate 0 ep 1 is out,time to cry again...
Hisoka 1986 I can't, I was sad at the end of the original and that was the good ending, I can't imagine how stiens;gate 0 will break me if it's the bad end
actually events from steins gate 0 are the cause of the end of steins gate
Tonchez what do you mean?
You remember the d-mail video that encouraged Okabe to save Kurisu? Okabe in that video is Okabe in the end of Steins;Gate 0. There is an episode called 23beta and it is the episode of true ending, where Okabe gives up on saving Kurisu. That leads to Steins;Gate0.
Story goes like this: episode 1-22 -> episode 23beta -> Steins;Gate0 -> episode 23-25
"Leave time travel alone. Something always goes wrong" That's it :D
The opening line in the English dub says it best.
"Consider, could the world justifiably be called infinite? Doubtful.
It may not have a dicsernable end,but it had a beginning.
And its component parts definitely have a limited cosmological shelf life.
Splitting hairs or not, if history tells us anything,
its that scientists often make poor poets.
We're all just a ship of fools chasing phantoms
heedless to what really underwrites natural law."
Damn great video bro, glad to see you still puttin in the same effort as initially. Kee it up!
This video is so powerful I am actually holding back tears
same here
When you’re 11, just finished steins gate 0 and have no idea what is going on
One of my favorite Anime, thank you for making this video. You should make more on Steins;Gate
Thanks! I don't plan on doing too much more on Steins;Gate, but I might do something on 0. I'll see how it goes.
Aleczandxr I’m looking forward to it
Amazing video, I never realized that I loved S;G so much in part because it fully espouses my views on determinism vs free will: I also agree fully with "soft determinism". The choices you make are your own, but you are always always always influenced by factors outside of your control. Thank you so much for making this vid, I will soon watch your other S;G vid and then see what else you have on your channel, but regardless, you've earned yourself an avid follower!
Glad you enjoyed!
Understanding Steins gate accurately while watching on real time is pretty satisfying, ngl best feelings a mad scientist can experience
thank you very much for creating this video! i think a lot of effort is necessary to creat such kind of vids and i hope you really think it is worth your time because i would really really miss your psychological analysis if you would stop doing them!
kind reagards from germany
No worries! Thanks for supporting.
Man, the way you break everything down is just absolutely beautiful.
Thanks so much.
This Anime gives me a whole new appreciation for the "Mandela Effect".
I like your ideas of "personal agency" very much. I always thought stein's gate hinted towards determism atleast for a certain timeline but your video change my views.
I just finished this series, it's become one my favorites of all time, your video just made me adore it even more.
Awesome!
Clever using that Perfect Chronology Radiant Historia Track in a discussion about determinism. Subtle touches are appreciated .
Glad someone caught that!
Another excellent video as always
Thanks mate.
This is a throwback to the early days of Aleczandxr. Nice to see you revisiting a favourite!!!
3 minutes into the video and I've learned so much, Determinism, soft determinism, fatalism and more.
Earned a sub.
The attractor field theory is quite beautiful in how it allows the time travel shenanigans to ensue, keep free will intact and ultimately, offering an opposing force to the butterfly effect.
THIS! This right here is why this Anime is my favorite of all time. Its inspiring to me in that sense. The will to keep moving.
Nice video dude.
It helps highlights parts of Steins;Gate I'd not hugely considered so thank you ^^
Cheers!
Man, this video is just perfect, the theme, the editing, the music, and most important the analysis is just top notch.
You deserve more suscribers than what you have
Thank you! And 100k+ is plenty, I can’t be greedy :)
i really love Steins Gate.... i think that you hit the nail on the head with this video
Thanks.
Thanks for making a distinction between types of determinism!
People who talk about macro events that are of human significance being determined because they're "meant to be" or something like that is VERY different from a belief in determinism due to physical laws and causality.
I love the part of zero where he says “That is MY choice!”
A few minutes back i read unaired episodes of steins;gate 0 are going to be released next year (2022) its truly the choice of steins gate , i really can't contain my joy right now
Source?
I’m always in awe with your speech.
Amazing video! Thanks for the insight, your final thoughts really hit me hard :(
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Might be on a binge of your videos, just watched the fma and Pokémon gen 4 one and now into code geass. Really love your stuff man and this one was amazing
Glad you’re enjoying the channel, hope you can continue to find the videos valuable! :)
I love how you explain everything in this. it's a more nuanced explanation than I've ever been able to give. It's basically how I reflect on my past and look to my future.
I am who I am and I've gotten to where I am because of my past. Changing my past changes how I act/react and how I think of things: I would no longer be who I am now. Changing my past would change how I decide things and what I decide on: I would not be where I am now.
Thank you! That explanation sums some of my main points up beautifully.
SteinsGate is so awesome. Great video buddy.
:-)
Man, you thought this through so deeply. I'm marvelled by your choice of words. Good job!
Thanks!
I am so glad i subscribed to you.
Just finished Steins Gate for the first time and it became one of my most favorite anime ever. And this video along with a few others actually made me appreciate it more. It's probably now one of my all-time favorite pieces of media, along with HxH, which is another series I also appreciate more now thanks to these quality videos. Great content as always!
by far my favorite anime, loved it so much, i even spent some money on Kurisu figure even though i really really wanted a mayuri figure but they don't make high quality ones.
Damn, an Alexander video during dinner is clutch. Great video. I finished Steins;gate without as much resolution as I'd hoped for, but these video made the positive message of the show much more clear to me. Spot on man.
Thanks Matty!
Determinant vs determination. Well said. Love ur outlook n deep philosophical dives into anime bruh
Cheers man.
Did you think you could sneak a soundtrack from another time travel game without me noticing?
I see you with your Radiant Historia OST in background, and yes, I love you all the more for it.
It's just me or the themes of steins gate of struggle, choice and always go forward are similar to the ones of gurren lagann? Maybe that's why I love both anime so much
Great video man I can't believe I only just found you . Keep up the amazing work
Thanks a lot!
i like the use of Radiant Historia music, loved the music; earned a new sub
It’s a great OST.
I always end up looking back at the meaning of steins gate as it really inspires me. I truly live by it and it helps me get out of a pinch and race forward toward my dream 💯❤️
Your Canadian really shines Oouut in this.
I always enjoy your videos. Ty for the good content
I'll never be able to analyze shows like Steins; Gate and various other favourites of mine the same way you and many of the other anime analysis TH-camrs do. This was another awesome video. Just in time for the sequel.
Thanks a lot mate.
Good video
Thanks!
Join me brethren in waiting 6 years for the next Steins installment.
I think that the ending, by which i mean the contrast between what our protagonist eventually gained and lost, strongly hints at triumph of freedom of will. If Okabe`s choise between Mayuri and Kurisu's life had some continuity, meaning either of them would be dead for good (which, must i say, would have made for a great heart-breaking moment and a painful lesson, that everything comes at a price and not all things can be undone by a simple click of a button), we would have gotten a classic tragic protagonist, who, while fighting against fate, still loses the struggle. This realization (again, under the impression of Your video) gave me a new appreciation for the finale, which was not only heart-warming, but quite smart, in a manner of speaking.
if you find a time machine, run as fast as you can
HxH and Steins Gate both are my all time favourite anime and share No1 spot in my list.
Beautifully done as always however I would like to note that irreversible reboot is not an undesirable ending but more of a representation of the unknown it is the option to explore even more infinite possibilities
Like I said in the video, the ending itself contributed to the main theme. But the context of that ending and everything leading up to it makes it a pretty clear example of failure to reach the light and a subsequent improvisation. It doesn’t undercut the theme but it is definitely undesirable relative to the “better” endings.
Aleczandxr I see what you're saying and I do agree to an extent but each of the so-called less desirable endings are actually desirable in their own right since they reflect the theme of sacrifice or the theme of not giving up on the dreams of his friends rather than his own dreams and ideals but I can see why they might seem undesirable as a loss of light but by that extend the actual desired ending or true ending would be a loss of life to those stories he had to sacrifice on the road back to that light
As I said, it’s all relative. Okabe leaves his friends, never to see them again. He goes back to change history in an era that was already insinuated to be a likely dead end for changing history. He only makes this choice because it was his only way out from tragedy and spiraling nihilistic hell. It’s very consistent as I said but it’s also clearly comparably dark and depressing despite the escape. I can’t really see any alternative with regards to this topic.
I can see why some can come to that conclusion as okabe himself does take an out when availed to him which is what occurs in Zero each avenue offered as alternatives are all attempts to achieve the same goal some with more success than others irreversible reboot is one way that leads back to his original goal a new beginning to save his friends sadly it is not shown whether it succeeds or fails so it remains ambiguous unless it gets and extended adaptation in the future as zero did, where giving up and taking the escape led to sending the message that lead to eventual success. It can be viewed as an escape or as hope that there is in fact light at the end. I appreciate that you have taken the time to hear me ramble about this I greatly respect your opinion and deep analysis of fiction and will continue to share your content in hopes of bringing more attention to your channel and I apologize if it seemed like I was nitpicking, I also look forward to your future content and who knows maybe this is a selection of Steins:gate.
I need to watch more of these series so I can get in on the discussion! Sure this was another awesome vid!
10:48 Everything you said at this point, I don't think words can describe how much weight it held for me personally at the current time of my life. I know this was in the context of Steins Gate, but I can't help but find that a lot of what was said are things that I've been thinking about within my own life. Life for me just seems to keep getting worse, and no matter what I do to try, nothing seems to be making things better. I've done things that have prevented things from becoming worse, but I can't help but just think back to one decision I made with the best of intentions, but ultimately caused a domino effect that has resulted in my emotionally suffering for more than a quarter of a year now. I'd say, my thought about Fate is very similar to Homura's in Madoka Magica. That no matter how many scenarios I play out, it just leads to the same inevitable outcome and I just have to accept it. And the more you try to fight it, the more Fate reminds you that you only have so much control.
I keep thinking of a world line, where if I did one thing differently, I could be living a much better life at the moment, and how I fear each day, not knowing what decision I make that will affect me in the long run. I've always believed that we have control over our lives, but at the same time, it's like life has a way of settings up that some people can live, pretty comfortable lives, and others just have to deal with darkness being thrown at us all the time. I just want to give up, but I still have hope that I do find a scenario that does lead to me finding light in my life again.
I’m sorry that you’re in this situation, but thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. Your fears make sense, but S;G would say that you just need to shift your perspective to make better of the situation, as tough it sounds. Your last sentence is entirely correct and I hope you do find that scenario.
The last part about finding a way through in darkness triggered some serious goosebumps here. Thanks for reminding me why I love this anime so much ♥
Glad you enjoyed, thanks for watching!
Steins Gate is honestly one of the best time travel fiction that I got to experience, it has both such a depressing but hopeful theme when it comes to fate
It taught me to be careful and not tamper with my microwave
I hope there is a gamma worldline were it's just pure happiness, then the series ends early. Hahaha
Sounds like "My darling's embrace" A world line that's a slice of life romance VN
Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Steins;Gate is the flaw in the cycle. When you find it, you can break free of it. And you can exceed all expectations.
Steins;Gate is the rejection of defeat. It is the belief in something more. It unrealistically fights for a better world, and manifests that fantasy into reality through an elegant balance of courage, intellect, creativity, love and sheer agency. It goes against conventional logic. "There's no way you can achieve this goal." "There's no way to find a better solution." Or this, or that. But that's so shallow. What do you think differentiates the smart from the genius? Logic is limited. Creativity will take you anywhere.
The greatest minds were not only smart. They could see beyond the obvious.
Beyond the standard and conventional wisdom of the world around them. They had the courage to take intelligent, creative leaps, which would eventually lead them to change the world. That, is the will of Steins;Gate. The will of the genius mind.
Free will is the strong hope of freedom while also being the pure, scary notion that _we_ are responsible for nearly _everything._
Determinism is the bleak acceptance of fate while also being the kind and lax notion that we are ironically _free_ to do whatever we want as we had no say in the matter at all.
What they both fail to mention is that they both focus on the past and future while neither truly represent the presence of "the present" if you really think about it.
edit: they're both too big, too grand. They aren't a perfect nor amazing tool for the job.
One of your best videos! Great job
Thanks!
i think the fact that steins gate 0 exists kinda implies a sense of choice here. an alternate outcome driven by choice.
I know this video is 2 years old, but, anyway, I would like to thank you man for this video, I really found it awesome and inspiring (and your other reviews are all great). I just finished watching Steins;Gate (well, actually I watched it twice, now) and I loved it. It came to my mind, during your review, that the phrase "the choice of Stein's Gate" is indeed an intrinsically ambiguous one: it can either be "Steins Gate (whatever this may mean in the mind of Okabe; to me, it felt like some kind of external entity) has already made a choice, so Steins Gate is the subject of the action, OR "I (in this case, the main character) chose Steins Gate", with Steins Gate being the object of Okabe's choice. In the first part of the anime, when Okabe is on full "mad scientist" mode, the first option seemed the right one, but, in the last episode, I do think the second meaning is the most fitting. I hope my comment makes sense, anyway cheers from Italy ;)
Glad you enjoyed!
Amazing as always!
Thanks!
I literally just finished this show yesterday this is perfect timing
Wow, that video was amazing ! >o<
All you said just make sense and the montage was great too !
Thanks!
I know you like Xenoblade Chronicles but how fitting to put a track in the video when talking about fate and free will lol
Far more complete take on the topic than the Philosophy of Steins;Gate. You pointed out what I wanted to in that video: That the choice of steins;gate line signifies that Okabe can always choose another path rather than submit to fate.
Oh man I clicked on this video with the quickness! One of my top 5 favorite anime!
Steins;gate is telling us that "CERN" is up to something we just don't know yet lol (becuz it is real and LHC does do some stuff that is scarily accurate to the anime)
It was warning us of the future .... (the year 2036 to be exact)
I found my words. This is why steins;gate appealed to me so much. The possibility of infinite futures.
I love that you used Xenoblade music
I don't think that multiple world lines would exclude the possibility of determinism, since the whole multiverse itself could be deterministic, and okabe could be unavoidably lead to doing what he did in the multiple lines because of everything that happened before, as if every decision of his, changing everything and getting to steins;gate, were always the only possible decisions
maybe it doesn't want to say anything specific but wants to make you think instead
Just discovered your channel, watched your latest video and this one. I have to say, you resolved towards the same conclusions that i did, so it was nice for me to hear another person think in the same way. In particular, the meaning(lessness) of the last sentence Okabe says: the Steins;Gate can the objective we decide ourselves, and we can choose to pursue it or not, and this is a choice that will be made many times over.
While this is all good and all, my opinion is that thinking for the sake of thinking is not strictly useful to a person, so here's the last step i think you omitted for the sake of the video:
Okabe's Steins;Gate was a world where he could get both Mayuri and Kurisu to live, independently from the consequences connected to those lives (respectively, WW3 and SERN dystopia). What's YOUR Steins;Gate? Whats the objective you want to realize, uncaring of any circumstances related to them? What'sthe path that can lead you to the Steins;Gate timeline, that is NOT the realization of your objectives, but a possibility of achieving it, THE possibility to achieve it?
Sadly I have yet to define my Steins;Gate, and maybe an event in the future will shape it, leaving the task of creating the path to it to myself. But i hope you have at least a vague idea of what your Steins;Gate is. And remember that, indepedently from the outcome of your struggle, what you do is the choice of Steins;Gate.
Great video! Really summed up SG naisu naisu
Thanks!
And now we have Steins;gate 0 .. can this year get any better??
Well look how that turned out lol
@@Octambulism wdym?
Well.. I actually don't like dr.pepper but watching Stiens Gate I started goin mad scientist mode and drinking it
that's the beauty in art, everybody understands whatever the hell they want based on their experiences, memories, you see stuff how you are, not how it actually is :) or how the creator intended. Personally what i see in steins gate is the attempt to cross worldlines basically an attempt to beat 'god' just to save your loved ones. That is like the biggest form of love in my opinion, because you're fighting time itself for someone, w o w
Steins;Gate is one of my favorite things ever, but the one thing that bothers me a little about it is that it never wants to let go of it's waifu-game mechanic. No matter what, you always end up with a girl. If i were to adapt Steins;Gate i would not make Suzuha, Faris and maybe Lukako datable. Or maybe i just love Kurisu too much and don't want to cheat on her. That may be it too.
I still dont know why Steins Gate is so loved im telling you its really not that good
@@Emerardo If you get in the story, It's a train of emotions
The waifu game mechanics are a problem of many Animes, You like those when your are really young, but when you mature those only are annoying
Have you even read the VN? Just because the routes are centered around heroines, doesn't make it a fucking moege like the one you're trying to imply.
@@Byakko_Byakuya No need to imply anything. It's as blatant as it gets. I love me some waifu games, but the requirement that every female character is in love with the main guy and secretly hopes to be the chosen one can sometimes feel forced.
I wondered why my own video from ages ago appeared in my subscription feed.
Oh. Wow. That's weird. Just happened to use the exact same screen shot for the thumbnails, lol.
World lines converge every day, it seems.
And now we wait for 0 to finish.
As Okabe says: why have I choose this name? For no reason