Anime question + your recommendations

[PsyClerk]

I'm trying to expand my anime collection on DVD recently. I had several movies on VHS that I have bought again on DVD, however while doing so I noticed something that had slipped my mind for a while. I have Ninja Resurrection on VHS, which includes two distinct 'episodes', and there's no story resolution. It seems that there's more episodes to be expected, but I bought this thing a looooong time ago. I haven't seen the next set available or even talked about anywhere. Anyone know what's up with this series?

Also, if you have any recommendations for good anime, please post them here. I have things like Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll, Graveyard of the Fireflies, Metropolis, etc. I'm also familiar with most (not all) of the anime that's shown on Cartoon Network. Any help here is appreciated.

[moiety]

Any Miyazaki film: Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa (will be released later this year), Laputa: Castle in the Sky, etc.

Also: Cowboy Bebop. The series and the movie are both excellent!

[doraemonkerpal]

http://www.animeondvd.com/

i like this site a lot :)

[Wshakspear]

Last Exile. A must own. If you have Tech TV they show it as part of thier anime block. im just buying the dvd's

[weimerwanger]

in re: to your ninja resurrection inquiry, theres a ninja scroll movie which i believe is the prequel, and a ninja scroll tv series, if you can find it. if you're a fan of anime movies you might want to check out vampire hunter d: bloodlust as well

[dtcarson]

I actually liked Kiki's Delivery Service better than either Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke. Mononoke to me was a little too obvious in it's anti-capitalist/growth message, and SA, well, I know I missed a lot of Japanese mythology references, so a lot of it went over my head. Kiki's, however, relies on pretty universal concepts, and is just a 'feel-good' story, in the best sense of the word. I didn't like the English dub that much, however.

Other titles I like:

Cardcaptor Sakura [not Cardcaptors];
Excel Saga [truly wacky series]
Cowboy Bebop
Princess Nine [girls' baseball team] [I'm not a huge baseball fan, but i enjoyed this series]
Pet Shop of Horrors - EC Comics-like 'horror' vignettes with a twist.

[Wshakspear]

There was Ninja scroll, Ninja ressurection which had 2 parts to it (and thats all...at least all thats been released here) and the newly released tv show.

other recommendations:
RaXephon
.Hack//Sign (video game related...but you have to get past the first disk to really enjoy it)
Hellsing (No Hugh Jackman involved)

Voices of a Distant Star:
Possibly the saddest, thought provoking and well animated anime ever. And its only 30 minutes long.

[carlagyrl]

These are a couple of animes that I liked:
Chobits ( got the whole series for $30)
Rune Soilder Louie
Inuyasha (of course)
Samuri X
FLCL (very very wacky anime)
Akira (great movie)

[WeaponX2099]

Okay here is a good bunch of anime:

Akira (Classic)
Ranma 1/2
Tenchi Muyo
Trigun
Cowboy Bebop
Serial Experiments Lain ( If U like trippy anime)
Street Fighter II V

[daphatty]

Trigun is definitely Awesome.

Also, if you can find it, El Hazard: The Magnificent World. (Don't bother with the sequel or The Wanderers series though).

[godhatesjustyou]

yeah, i would get trigun first, its such a good anime.

[Darke Katt]

Let's not forget Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (better known as Kare Kano), or in english, His and Her Circumstances :D

Your average high school anime about discovering yourself, and having some wacky moments in the process.

[WhipSmartBanky]

Yu Yu Hakusho, Steel Angel Kurumi, Daiguard, Martian Successor Nadesico, Trigun, Neon Genesis Evangelion...

[spidey]

Noir

[JSweeney]

I'm shocked no one has mentioned Mobile Suit Gundam.

All of the UC stuff is really good, and the AC stuff varies in quality (for instance, I liked G Gundam much better than Wing... Heero had none of the depth of Amuro, and Miliardo was a poor subsitute for Char. SD, while completely ridiculous, is pretty good for a laugh... especially the Zakozako hour.

[PsyClerk]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. I see a bunch of titles that intrigue me. I need to make a list.

Sucks that there's no more Ninja Resurrection (continuing from the two parts that were released so far), unless that's where the TV show comes in?

[dtcarson]

Oh, I forgot about Steel Angel Kurumi....That was a good one, although it somewhat dragged in the middle. And another interesting thing--that is the only anime on dvd release for which I listened to the opening song every single episode. It's just so catchy.
I finally made it through Neon Genesis Evangelion...I don't know, that one didn't do too much for me.

[magilacudy]

Most of my recommendations are already up here, but here goes ... Fruits Basket, Mad Bull

[Wshakspear]

Fruits basket is funny.

And, yeah, evengelion is close to crap, if the mecha and character designs werent so good.

[sm04as]

A couple of more titles:

Onegai (3 syllables, not 2 :wink: ) Teacher
Love Hina
Escaflowne

[giftbj]

To clear matters up, the only thing Ninja Resurrection and Ninja Scroll have in common is the same main character. Jubei is a famous folk hero of Japan, thus is in numerous stories and movies...a quick example is like American stories featuring Billy the Kid or the Lone Ranger. The stories of the two are completely different. Ninja Scroll is a classic (and not the prequel), whereas Ninja Resurrection is junk. There is a Ninja Scroll series as well, but it too is completely separate from either of the movies. If you want a great series, check out my favortie, Berserk. Biohunter is also a decent flick (done by the same people as Ninja Scroll).

[giftbj]

One I just thought of is Wonderful Days, an excellent Korean anime. You should be able to find a relatively cheap copy (I think I paid $10 for mine)on EBay.

[MorganWebbLover]

Last Exile , Cowboy Bebop, Blue Gender , Witch Hunter Robin , Outlaw Star and Vampire Game . Those are pretty much all of my Favorit Anime

[bileanddecay]

Macross Plus, Wings of Honneamise (DVD is titled Royal Space Force), COWBOY BEBOP (been said, but bears repeating. if you can find the limited box set, get it - has a jazz CD. awesome soundtrack to that series). Evangelion licks my neck (that's a bad thing, BTW). I gave it a second chance (after having watched the entire series when it first came out), and purchased the supplemental The End of Evangelion and Death and Rebirth. IT STILL SUCKED. You're supposed to like the protagonist, not want to kill his whiny, sick, twisted ass (the sick and twisted is revealed when he stands in front of Asuka while she's hospitalized. . . ). And to top it off, there are TWO new DIRECTOR'S CUTS to sap more of your spending cash if you really REALLY want to know what's up with that convoluted storyline.

If you like great animation in general (though this suggestion is not anime-related), get the 2 disc Spider-Man DVD, the one with the new shit that MTV produced. It's all CG, but it is pretty true (in spirit) to the comic. And the animation is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. Some of the best I've seen, well worth the purchase.

I also hear Spriggan is good as well (it's on my list 8) ). Also, Kai Doh Maru has great atmosphere, but the story in general irked me. Lot's of loose ends on both ends.[/code]

[suprsaiyanMAX]

Some I didn't see mentioned thus far:

Series:
Berserk
Now and Then, Here and Now
Crest of the Stars
Record of Lodoss War
Patlabor
Starblazers
Initial D
Gasaraki
X

Movies:
Castle of Caglioastro
Ghost in the Shell
Grave of the Fireflies
Jin-Roh
Golgo 13

[oNeWiNgEdAnGeL]

I can't believe no one said Vampire Hunter D, unless I missed it. Check that one out for sure.

[suprsaiyanMAX]

A couple people mentioned Bloodlust, but I don't think anyone mentioned the original. Personally, I liked Bloodlust a bit better, but that may just be me.

[PsyClerk]

I've got the first two Berserk DVDs, that's a cool series. Starts off a little odd, but still cool.

This reminds me that I should look into Patlabor...I saw a chunk of it on TechTV or one of those cable channels a while back and forgot about it.

I didn't watch any Cowboy Bebop when it was on Cartoon Network. Where should I start with it? The movie or the series?

/makes his 'to get' list even larger

[moiety]

I'd do the series first, then the movie.

The movie takes place close to the end of the series (and was released after the series ended).

[Wshakspear]

Initial D? Personnaly, i prefer playing my video games...

[suprsaiyanMAX]

I admit the premise of a car racing anime seemed odd to me at first (except Speed Racer of course). I didn't like it too much, but after watching the 3rd episode something clicked and I quickly got addicted to the series.

Also, Berserk is an awesome series, the ending is....well, interesting. And if you a DC you should give the video game a go.

[Wshakspear]

Watch EX-Driver if you want coo cars and good technical driving. Also, it hasnt been givin a hip-hop upgrade :)

[suprsaiyanMAX]

I didn't like EX-Driver as much to be honest, there was just something about Initial D I liked more. I should mention that I watched Inital D in it's original form.

[mrtoki]

Some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned:

GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka
Azumanga Daioh (US release in April)
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi
Read or Die

Also, a good place to buy full series (Chinese/Japanese editions and non bootlegs as far as I know)
is www.nextdayanime.com
My first purchase from them (last week) was the Kiddy Grade series (24 eps), which was only $30 and came in a nice 3-dvd set. It beats paying for the Region 1 dvds, which would have been about 5-6 dvds for $20-$30 each

Some other good series that haven't been licensed/released by a US distributor yet (to my knowledge) that you can find or download are Naruto, Prince of Tennis, Stellvia, Scrapped Princess, GundamSEED, Hajime No Ippo...

[Wshakspear]

One Peice, dont forget One Peice...sooo fun

[Darke Katt]

Has anyone seen Naruto? I've heard alot about it and am thinking of getting it. Recommendable? Funny? What is it about? Fill my ears!

[ctice44]

Here's some DVDs that I own & love:
Akira (great movie)
Cowboy Bebop movie & entire series (awesome!! I guess that's why everyone is posting it)
Final Fantasy Unlimited (only for a select few fans- kinda cutesy and cheesy to be a Final Fantasy)
Metropolis (a good movie)
Princess Mononoke (one of my favorites)
SIN (a very underrated movie- hardly anyone's talked about it)
Trigun (Vash is the man!)
Vampire Hunter D (I own both movies and they both rule!- Bloodlust is a little better that the original)

I was thinking about getting "X", anybody know if it's any good?

[TiKi2]

lupin the III-it's old but funny
cowboy bebop-hook you in after a few eps
ninja scroll the movie- pretty sweet
ninja scroll resurrecction- wasn't that good IMO
X- is pretty interesting as well

new eps of ninja scroll ( not resurrecton )came out a couple months back

[Shadows916]

Can;t believe no one mentioned Berserk.
A majore hit, even has a Dreamcast Game, Sword of the Berserk: Gut's Rage. The DVD box set, Art of War came out a few months ago in the U.S- $$$ or hit ebay for the VCD like I did for 15. Also check out Record of Lodoss War (episodes 1-13)
Don't waste your time on Lodoss War: Chronicals of the Heroic Knight, total crap- MD Giest is a decent 2 dvd series, Mobile Suite Gundam, Endless Waltz is DAMN good to!Outlaw Star box set is great if you can find it-but diefinetly find Berserk if your looking for a bloodbath and sword hacking one(25 episodes)

[doraemonkerpal]

my favorites (althought they're showing their age) are record of lodoss war and bastard. record of lodoss war has awesome music and has a lot of action. it also has it's "touching" moments throughout the 2 dvd's. bastard is action packed and full of comedy, and you can see the influence of heavy metal/rock n roll in the names of the characters/cities in the anime. too bad bastard was never finished.

[suprsaiyanMAX]

I haven't seen Naruto at all, mainly because it has yet to see region one release and i can't download anyhting at the moment. I've read some of the manga though. The story is about a ninja boy (named Uzumai Naruto of course) who is in training at a ninja academy. He causes much mischief, but is also skilled. He also happens to be the reincarnate of a demon. This is assuming the anime follows the manga, but I have enjoyed what I've read thus far.

On a sidenote, if you have the means I suggest trying out the imort games that were released for the gamecube. They are quite fun.

[jaykrue]

Gotta clarify something for you all:

Ninja Resurrection is NOT the sequel to Ninja Scroll. If anything, it would be Ninja Scroll TV which came out last year I think. It's available now at BB or Suncoast...but if you're smart, u'll find it elsewhere for cheaper *cough* http://animeondvd.com*cough* *cough*http://www.animeniacs.com*cough*

[jaykrue]

You can find good fansubs of Naruto on Animesuki.com or animemircx.com... but you gotta pick up the Bittorrent downloader. Naruto is up to 76 or more episodes so far.

[SneakyPenguin]

dont know if it was mentioned, but i just saw the first episode of wolf's rain on saturday. wow. this is a must see show.

[jaykrue]

Also, I can't believe no one's mentioned the Ghost in the Shell TV series subtitled Stand Alone Complex. It's already in its second season

[shadd01]

Wolfs rain is a great anime. I also would like to recommend slam dunk! its one of my all time favorites. Also, if anyone is really hardcore into anime, i would suggest checking out streamload.com. You buy blocks of downloads and theres message boards where you request anime. All of it is unlicensesed of course. I would also check out samurai deeper kyo as well as flame of recca, and tokyo underground. enjoy
--Shadd

[Admiral Ackbar]

Pick up Yamamoto Yohko and Gasaraki. Both are good and especially cheap. $6 and $35 respectively. Not bad for one 8dvd set and another that contains 180 minutes on two OVA's over 6 episodes.

You can get these at the weekly specials @ rightstyf.

Other great shows, GTO, Now and Then is really depressing but it's high impact. It's one of the harshest anime's I've ever seen, and Ive seen a lot.

[PsyClerk]

Wow, a post blast from the past.

Since I started this post, I've picked up a good bit of anime. I grabbed the first two Ninja Scroll TV discs, but where is the third?

I've also got all the Cowboy Bebop discs except CB The Movie, Record of Lodoss War, Grave of the Fireflies, and I'm starting to collect Zone of the Enders.

Question about www.animeondvd.com ...is this site SUPPOSED to be confusing? It was posted as a place to get anime cheap, but all I see are links to buy.com , the Right Stuf, and Amazon. I also see about a dozen other links to check prices, but hell that's too much work.

[Girion47]

Jin Roh is good and so is Last Exile. the first 13 episodes have been translated so far but I managed to find the last 13 w/ subtitles. had to ship it from Hong Kong and the english was horrible. but damn that is a cool series. Tech TV said they'd get the second half early 2005

[dtcarson]

Animeondvd.com is more of an information source.
In the forums there is a section for retailers to post deals
http://forums.animeondvd.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=testiip
Primarily that consists of Shawn Kleckner or Chris Beveridge from Right Stuf posting the same deals found in their email list.
Here's where users post deals
http://forums.animeondvd.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=retailforum
but I haven't browsed it much.
I mostly go to Animeondvd.com for disk/title reviews
http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews/category.php?category=1
My favorite dvd price check site is
www.dvdpricesearch.com [catchy huh?]
My last anime purchase was completing my Cardcaptor Sakura collection thanks to TRSI's sale. Now I just have to find the time to watch them all : )
Actually DVDPricesearch has links to the following:
Anime Test Drive 8 pack 35.47
Burn Up Excess 1st Complete Collection 33.20
Revolutionary Girl Utena: Rose Collection 44.53
I don[t know if those prices or series are good, but thought i'd share.

[jaykrue]

Wow, a post blast from the past.

Since I started this post, I've picked up a good bit of anime. I grabbed the first two Ninja Scroll TV discs, but where is the third?

I've also got all the Cowboy Bebop discs except CB The Movie, Record of Lodoss War, Grave of the Fireflies, and I'm starting to collect Zone of the Enders.

Question about www.animeondvd.com ...is this site SUPPOSED to be confusing? It was posted as a place to get anime cheap, but all I see are links to buy.com , the Right Stuf, and Amazon. I also see about a dozen other links to check prices, but hell that's too much work.

NSTV Disk 3 might be out of stock where u are but I saw it at my Best Buy so u might be able to find it later on. Also if you liked the robotech series from way back there's a new Macross series that's been playin' in japan recently called Macross Zero. I don't think it's licensed yet here in the States but you can try and DL it from animesuki.com or animemircx.com.

[Hereticked]

I've become an anime snob in recent years mainly because I see the anime industry turning into Hollywood, and that is to say, about 95% of the stuff they make is utter garbage.

That said, here are the ones worth owning in my opinion :

TV Series
-----------

Cowboy Bebop (best of the best)
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Berserk
Record Of Lodoss War (the original 13 episode OAV series, not the 27 episode series that followed)
Serial Experiments Lain


Movies
--------

Akira
Ninja Scroll
Ghost In The Shell
Cowboy Bebop : Knockin On Heavens Door
Samurai X (the first 4 episode Kenshin OAV series is good stuff, but don't waste your time on the tv series)
Princess Mononoke
Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust

If you like old school anime you may also enjoy the original Vampire Hunter D, MD Geist and Fist Of The North Star (the movie, not the long winded tv series), but those are more of an aquired taste. :wink:


To clear matters up, the only thing Ninja Resurrection and Ninja Scroll have in common is the same main character. Jubei is a famous folk hero of Japan, thus is in numerous stories and movies...a quick example is like American stories featuring Billy the Kid or the Lone Ranger. The stories of the two are completely different. Ninja Scroll is a classic (and not the prequel), whereas Ninja Resurrection is junk.

Ninja Resurrection has earned a reputation for being "junk" over the years because most anime fans simply assumed it was a sequel to Ninja Scroll and when they didn't get Ninja Scroll 2, they were disappointed.

Ninja Resurrection was trying to do something quite different by weaving history, action and fantasy together. I happen to think they did a pretty good job and I own the DVD to this day. It's a shame they never finished the series and because of that, I can't recommend it to anyone but history buffs and big Jubei fans.

[Derfel]

As far as I can tell, no one has recommended S-cry-ed so far. I definitely vouch for this series, it's one of my favorites, as is Great Teacher Onizuka (though I saw a couple mentions for it). Another good show is Jungle wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu, but that's only available in fansubs at the moment (and probably ever). If you don't mind shoujo stuff, watch Fushigi Yuugi. One last show I found quite interesting is Generator Gawl. Check it out if you get a chance.

There's probably more I could list, but I don't want to ramble on too long... :)

[PsyClerk]

I now own all the Cowboy Bebop DVDs (the 6 disc series collection and the movie) as well as Record of Lodoss War (2 disc set). Is that RoLW 2 disc set the one that's supposed to be better?

I've also got Lain on order.

[Hereticked]

Is that RoLW 2 disc set the one that's supposed to be better?

Yes, the 2-disc set is the 13 episode OAV series, the original.

Good stuff!

[asaraa]

Azumanga Daioh
Comic Party
Please Teacher

[cgq]

so many great anime out on dvd...here a short list of some of my fav minus some of the ones already spoken for....
Berserk one word awsome ( the very end leaves alot to be desired but still great)
Record of Lodoss great lord of the rings style anime
anything street fighter with the exception of the us cartoon
Samurai X trust and betrayal outstanding OVA
Lupin III all around great show
GTO plus many, many more
just a bit to get you started

[Darke Katt]

For those who enjoy cross dressing teachers, I My Me! Strawberry Eggs is for you.

[Dead of Knight]

Boys Over Flowers
His and Her Circumstances
Azumanga Daioh
CardCaptor Sakura
Marmalade Boy
Fruits Basket
Chance Pop Session

[peteyrose]

Naruto is probably my favorite anime ever. Ninjas are awesome.

Also recommend Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien.

[JSweeney]

I haven't seen Naruto at all, mainly because it has yet to see region one release and i can't download anyhting at the moment. I've read some of the manga though. The story is about a ninja boy (named Uzumai Naruto of course) who is in training at a ninja academy. He causes much mischief, but is also skilled. He also happens to be the reincarnate of a demon. This is assuming the anime follows the manga, but I have enjoyed what I've read thus far.

On a sidenote, if you have the means I suggest trying out the imort games that were released for the gamecube. They are quite fun.

While close, you aren't technically right... Naruto wasn't a reincarnation of a demon... when he was born, the hokage and other shinobi in his village defeated and sealed a fox demon into the body of one of the village's newborns... which was Naruto.

[SneakyPenguin]

later tonight, im going to try and bittorrent naruto. it looks really funny/cool.

[suprsaiyanMAX]

I haven't seen Naruto at all, mainly because it has yet to see region one release and i can't download anyhting at the moment. I've read some of the manga though. The story is about a ninja boy (named Uzumai Naruto of course) who is in training at a ninja academy. He causes much mischief, but is also skilled. He also happens to be the reincarnate of a demon. This is assuming the anime follows the manga, but I have enjoyed what I've read thus far.

On a sidenote, if you have the means I suggest trying out the imort games that were released for the gamecube. They are quite fun.

While close, you aren't technically right... Naruto wasn't a reincarnation of a demon... when he was born, the hokage and other shinobi in his village defeated and sealed a fox demon into the body of one of the village's newborns... which was Naruto.

bah...close enough. I didn't know that I had to define the technical bits of the story and the true definition of reincarnation. If it isn't reincarnation what would you call it...spiritual demon transfer recipient? Reincarnate just popped in my head. Anyways, I appreciate you clearing it up in case anyone else had the same quesiton. Like I've said I only read some of it and never seen the anime. I was just trying to give help by giving the basics of the story.

[JSweeney]

I haven't seen Naruto at all, mainly because it has yet to see region one release and i can't download anyhting at the moment. I've read some of the manga though. The story is about a ninja boy (named Uzumai Naruto of course) who is in training at a ninja academy. He causes much mischief, but is also skilled. He also happens to be the reincarnate of a demon. This is assuming the anime follows the manga, but I have enjoyed what I've read thus far.

On a sidenote, if you have the means I suggest trying out the imort games that were released for the gamecube. They are quite fun.

While close, you aren't technically right... Naruto wasn't a reincarnation of a demon... when he was born, the hokage and other shinobi in his village defeated and sealed a fox demon into the body of one of the village's newborns... which was Naruto.

bah...close enough. I didn't know that I had to define the technical bits of the story and the true definition of reincarnation. If it isn't reincarnation what would you call it...spiritual demon transfer recipient? Reincarnate just popped in my head. Anyways, I appreciate you clearing it up in case anyone else had the same quesiton. Like I've said I only read some of it and never seen the anime. I was just trying to give help by giving the basics of the story.

I know. I just wanted to make sure I got that in before someone else who proclaimed themself an "anime otaku" proclaimed you a "noob" and generally made an ass of themselves. Beyond that one little point, your description was perfect.

You know, just like the kind of people that were mentioned in the links that Darke Katt had provided earlier... those types who wish they were Japanese, or automatically assume something must be cooler because it is Japanese.

[cmndrhavok]

One I really enjoy is older but was released is Aura Battler Dunbine. Really good storyline and decent mech designs, at least for a mid 80's show

[suprsaiyanMAX]

Oh yeah...I know the type JSweeny and I totally agree with you. We're on the same page. Plus, to have some weird die-hard otaku call me "noob," as the kids call it nowadays, word be disheartening seeing as how I'm an all-star now. The really, really die-hard "otaku" people can be downright creepy and horribly strange at times.

[suprsaiyanMAX]

Someone mentioned Full Metal Alchemist earlier I think...they maybe interested to know that the video game is coming Stateside soon.

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/510/510589p1.html?fromint=1

[hunter_d]

Most of the anime sitting on my shelf has been mentioned...But some I don't think I saw are Perfect Blue, a great suspense movie, and Spriggan, a action flick with an akira-influence. Also, I can't recommend Hellsing the series enough. It's got flaws throughout its 13 episode run, but is a good adaptation of its manga counterpart, and cool, imo. And of course, Excel Saga, one of the funniest things created by the hand of man. Forgive me if any of those were mentioned before.

And I love Evangelion-But I definately think it's not for everyone.

[suprsaiyanMAX]

I think I talked a bit about Spriggan on another thread. I gotta say I liked it a lot. There's certainly a Akira-style influence in there, but it's no clone (not that you said it was.) For me it was like Universal Soldier and Indiana Jones mated and this was the result. If nothing else, you should at least watch it for the interesting plot.

[karmapolice]

I'd say:

Ghost In The Shell
Jin-Roh (kinda confusing but very well animated)
Spirited Away
AKIRA (of course, but get the two disc platinum set)
Endless Waltz
Outlaw Star

Cant think of any others off the top of my head...but those are def. worth the cash