Anime and Manga Thread Vol. 1: Visions of a God

[quote name='PrarieD0G']Nah, it wasn't, you're right. I guess Kirin was talking about Ghibli films in general there and I got mixed up..

It's based on a true story though, IIRC.[/QUOTE]

Indeed I was. Grave of the Fireflies was directed by Studio Ghibli co-head Isao Takahata, but it's such a superb film, I didn't want to exempt it from my list. And the film was based on a semi-autobiographical novel that was written in the 60's, I believe.

[quote name='Rei no Otaku']I'll give you Cagliostro (which isn't Miyazaki) and Mononoke.[/QUOTE]

But Cagliostro *is* a Miyazaki film - he served as writer and director. It is not, however, a Studio Ghibli film. Which is exactly what I said before.
 
[quote name='Kirin Lemon']Lolicon is gross. Really, really gross. And creepy.[/QUOTE]

That's an overstatement; I wouldn't categorize Kanamemo as lolicon. Haruka—a female college student—is the only character that is interested in little girls. It's so hyperbolic that it becomes hilarious instead of gross and creepy like you are saying. If you want some context, then maybe you should watch an episode—unless you already have, which means you would just be wrong.;)
 
[quote name='Kirin Lemon']But Cagliostro *is* a Miyazaki film - he served as writer and director. It is not, however, a Studio Ghibli film. Which is exactly what I said before.[/QUOTE]
Sorry, malapropism.
 
To Prarie: Yeah Genshiken was dope. I can't wait to watch season 2. My wife is pretty cool with watching a lot of anime because she's from Asia and they all read manga as children. Her favorite show is Reborn or One Piece.

On Ghibli: Jeez we've had this discussion before. Ghibli films are pretty shitty in my opinion. I hate the art style, I hate the preachyness, I hate the characters, but I like the animation I guess.

On anime movies: I haven't watched any in years because they all sucked so much for so long. Are any actually good enough to be comparable to watching a good hollywood movie yet? It could be a side effect of Japan's movie making style which has a lot of slow/boring parts and mindlessly depressing endings. Hence I rank Asia as: 1. Korea, 2. Hong Kong, 3. China, 4. Japan in terms of theatrical awesomeness.
 
[quote name='Kirin Lemon']Lolicon is gross. Really, really gross. And creepy.[/QUOTE]


[quote name='lilboo']Oh dude totally. I'm gonna get myself banned when I put a video of my boyfriend in a Jesus costume, and I dress up like Mary and totally ride that shit.[/quote][quote name='Kirin Lemon']I'd jack off to *that*, too![/QUOTE]

Kirin: Standard bearer of morals.



Satoshi Kon movies are pretty good. Kara no Kyoukai is up there as well.
 
Just finished NieA_7. I really liked it, it was a fun slice of life anime. I thought Niea was hysterical, but the somber parts never felt tacked on or out of place. I already want to watch this show again.
Also finished Gungrave a week or so ago. Overall it was a decent, but I really liked how they did the last episode. It really ended with a bang, and it was the first time I really cared about Brandon or Harry. Really well done.

Not sure what to watch next; I'm thinking a more lighthearted show then Gungrave, but more action then Niea. Probably either Sorcerer Hunters or Outlaw Star, or possibly Escaflowne.
 
[quote name='kewlrabbit'] Probably either Sorcerer Hunters or Outlaw Star, or possibly Escaflowne.[/QUOTE]

Having seen all 3 (but not for years), I would say Escaflowne is the best choice.
 
[quote name='Kuroi Kaze']Also, Niea7 was uber trash in my opinion. I'm still pissed I watched it.[/QUOTE]

Ditto. The humor fell flat every single time, and the title character was aggravating and beyond abrasive. It was absolutely painful to watch.
 
[quote name='kewlrabbit']Just finished NieA_7. I really liked it, it was a fun slice of life anime. I thought Niea was hysterical, but the somber parts never felt tacked on or out of place. I already want to watch this show again.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, NieA_7 is a fantastic show. I agree with NieA being hysterical; also, NieA's English voice actor is amazing at being NieA if that makes sense—she really brings the character to life. I love all of the characters. Another great thing about the show is how much depth it has. It has this funny slice of life front end with an intelligent and meaningful back end. I agree with wanting to watch the show again. I miss the characters and their adventures, but I am only going to start re-watching shows when I run out of new stuff to watch.

Since you enjoyed NieA_7, then you definitely need to watch Haibane Renmei.
 
[quote name='Razzuel']Yeah, NieA_7 is a fantastic show. I agree with NieA being hysterical; also, NieA's English voice actor is amazing at being NieA if that makes sense—she really brings the character to life. I love all of the characters. Another great thing about the show is how much depth it has. It has this funny slice of life front end with an intelligent and meaningful back end. I agree with wanting to watch the show again. I miss the characters and their adventures, but I am only going to start re-watching shows when I run out of new stuff to watch.[/QUOTE]

C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!! Way to ruin our streak, ass.
 
[quote name='Razzuel']Since you enjoyed NieA_7, then you definitely need to watch Haibane Renmei.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that's actually on my list to buy right now. I'm probably going to get the first disc in a few days. I liked Lain as well, so I'm thinking about getting Tehxnolyze. Is it as good as Lain?
 
[quote name='kewlrabbit']Yeah, that's actually on my list to buy right now. I'm probably going to get the first disc in a few days. I liked Lain as well, so I'm thinking about getting Tehxnolyze. Is it as good as Lain?[/QUOTE]

I think that Texhnolyze is great. Don't listen to Dark Sage. I would say that if you liked Lain, then you should end up liking Texhnolyze; however, they are different: Texhnolyze isn't as obfuscated as Lain and it covers different themes. Also, Texhnolyze has a slow pace in the beginning, but it eventually picks up. I am wary in how detailed my recommendation should be, since I don't know what you consider to be a spoiler.
 
[quote name='Razzuel']I think that is great.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, yeah, we get it.

Due to moving into college, i've been on hiatus from anime for the past couple days. I really want to get back to Now and Then, HaT, hopefully i can do that soon.

I still don't see why everyone loves Ghibli movies. Saying Spirited Away is an average movie is a slight overstatement, and Princess Mononoke is interesting but also pretty boring. I don't even have an interest in seeing Ponyo, it looks like it's for five years olds, and Razzuel's opinion obviously isn't going to change my mind (maybe someone else could though).

I also brought Pumpkin Scissors and Pani Poni Dash with me, both of which i hear are excellent, and i'm looking forward to watching them.
 
[quote name='the_punisher']I also brought Pumpkin Scissors and Pani Poni Dash with me, both of which i hear are excellent, and i'm looking forward to watching them.[/QUOTE]

Oh man, who told you that? I guess Pani Poni Dash is amusing, but Pumpkin Scissors is the very definition of mediocrity. You've been deceived.

Also, if you were bored by Princess Mononoke, kindly go fuck yourself. ;)
 
[quote name='the_punisher']I don't even have an interest in seeing Ponyo, it looks like it's for five years olds, and Razzuel's opinion obviously isn't going to change my mind (maybe someone else could though).[/QUOTE]

fuck you, you heartless bastard.

Anyway, I just got done watching The Last Unicorn. I have been trying to watch every anime movie that I can rent from Netflix and MyAnimeList has The Last Unicorn in its database, so that's why I rented it. The soundtrack is pretty damn awesome, since it is performed by America. I love the opening theme song. The movie itself is really good. I was surprised of how well made it was for being made in 1982. I recommend it if you like fantasy/adventure stories.
 
Finished Lucky Star yesterday. Unfortunately I didnt get too many of the references but I thought it was a pretty funny show overall. I gotta say the OP made my ears bleed though. Next up is Romeo X Juliet...

Anyone with SyFy (Scifi Channel) set your DVR's to October 12th from 11pm to Midnight for the premiere of Monster! It looks like SyFy is going to be showing 2 eps a week so it'll be a 6 month run assuming things dont change. I doubt it, but it would be nice if all the boxsets were released by the end of the run on TV, but knowing Viz I highly doubt it.
 
Man, I've had some terrible luck as of late.

I bought Initial D earlier in the month. Got the package and some discs were damaged. It took the seller two weeks to send me the replacement, which got here today. They ended up sending me USED DVDs that are in just as bad a shape. Wonderful.

I also got DVD 7 and artbox for R.O.D. TV today. I bought it new from a seller on ebay. I opened it and to my horror it was in pretty crappy shape. The corners were worn down and it looked like it had been to tell and back. The DVD was also loose in its case and was banging around inside, so of course it was damaged. Just e-mailed them to see wtf happened. I payed insurance for it, so lets see how this one goes.

Anyhow, lesson learned. Only buy from rightstuf or amazon. No one else.
 
I just finished RahXephon. Got pretty crazy towards the end, but I guess that goes for pretty much any mecha anime, heh. Great show overall, though. Spoilers:
Felt bad for Megumi... and Asahina. When she got killed I was like "WTF?! I can't believe that actually just happened." Heh.

Going to watch the movie next, although I don't have too high hopes for it after seeing the E7 movie, heh.

Also, I randomly started watching Sora no Manimani. Pretty much your standard romantic comedy, the twist being the main focus of the show--astronomy club. It's done well though; I like it a lot more than I thought I would, heh. Pretty funny stuff. At first the President dude grossed me out, but he's hilarious now, haha.

I could get used to these 720p encodes, heh.
 
Just finished Eureka Seven: Rainbows in my Pocket and I gotta say... It's much better than the main series. We're talking night and day in terms of excellence here. Fantastic movie. I wouldn't recommend watching it if you haven't seen the main series, but it's really good.
 
[quote name='Kirin Lemon']Heh.[/QUOTE]

LOL. You got me on that one. I do it because it gives more of a feel of how I'd talk in real life, but I definitely get carried away with it sometimes. HEH.

I know I've already gone over this, but I felt the exact opposite about the E7 movie (story and characters=not that great/developed). What made it so great for you?
 
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Because all the sniveling dipshits turned into badass motherfuckers, the kids were basically absent for the entire thing, and the show wasn't filled with preachy bullshit that you'd have to be retarded to believe in.
 
Ah, I guess I could see that. For you (who didn't care too much for the series) at least, it makes sense, heh.
I suppose I must be retarded then. :whistle2:(

Although, for all the "badass" stuff you like, I was surprised to see Azumanga and Haruhi in your top 5. (haven't seen the latter, though) :p
 
All this talk almost has me wanting to see Eureka Seven. I'll be finishing up Darker Than Black tonight, so I'm debating about jumping into that one or Code Geass next.
 
Watched the first DVD of Gad Guard today. I'm really digging the music, had a cowboy bebop feel to it. As for the story, it's starting to pick up, but I'll wait and see where it goes before making a judgment on it.
 
[quote name='Bezerker']
Anyone with SyFy (Scifi Channel) set your DVR's to October 12th from 11pm to Midnight for the premiere of Monster! It looks like SyFy is going to be showing 2 eps a week so it'll be a 6 month run assuming things dont change. I doubt it, but it would be nice if all the boxsets were released by the end of the run on TV, but knowing Viz I highly doubt it.[/QUOTE]
Monster is long. as. fuck. At least it seems like it because it moves so slowly. I think I only managed to get halfway through the series before losing patience with it. Interesting concept, but it just moves way too slowly for me, and I'm usually patient with these kinds of things. It's fairly fast moving at the beginning, but it slows down to baby-steps by the beginning-middle.
 
[quote name='DarkSageRK']Just finished Eureka Seven: Rainbows in my Pocket and I gotta say... Fantastic movie. I wouldn't recommend watching it if you haven't seen the main series, but it's really good.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this edited opinion. The movie is good, no doubt about it.

I would avoid Pani Poni Dash. To me it was not funny. It was mostly annoying.

And I agree that Monster is slow. The first 10 episodes or so are some of the most compelling stuff you will ever see, and then.. it kind of drags. Definitely worth finishing, but honestly at times, boring.
 
RahXephon movie was better than I expected (after hearing a lot of negative reviews). It made some things that were unexplained in the series much clearer. Worth the watch (after you've seen the series).

The OVA was confusing as hell though, haha. I mean, I got the basic gist of it, but the dialogue was crazy. Doesn't matter too much in the whole scheme of things though. It's just a little 15-minute extra, I guess.
 
The RahXephon movie explained
Haruka's situation (like how she got outside Tokyo Jupiter to begin with) and some of the family relationships more clearly. Also, it explained some details about the Mu, and more on Lord Bahbem's motives as to why he was pulling the strings with the RahXephon. I'm sure there were a few other things that I can't remember off the top of my head. You also have to remember that it's an alternate retelling, so not everything that's true for the movie is also true for the series. Either way, it's worth seeing at least once, I think.

Today is my last day home and probably the last chance I'll have to veg out on anime for a while, haha.
 
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monster is slow, that's why i would recommend the manga first.

i finished e7 and thought it was okay, but i may check out this movie based on comments.
 
Update on my situation (if anyone cares about it, haha). I'll be getting a refund for Initial D, which is something I'm relieved about. My only worry now is the ROD TV artbox. The ebay seller has sent a replacement, and I'm praying like crazy that it be in better condition than the first one that was sent. I'm not holding my breath, though.
 
oh btw i finished genshiken and i really, really liked it.

the story tells a both inside and outside culture story that really hooked me.
 
[quote name='Chronis']Wow, I haven't been to this thread in a while. I missed everyone ripping on Razz and Kirin's smartassness.[/QUOTE]

What's new, right? =P

Fury, buying anime from other sellers is always a gamble. I've gotten screwed a few times like that too, but I've also gotten some amazing deals (ie. Scrapped Princess complete series for $10 shipped. Mint. That was probably the best deal I've gotten, but I've had a few others that were pretty awesome too.) In the end, you can save a lot of $$$. It can definitely be a hassle sometimes though, I won't deny that.
 
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Watched The Castle of Cagliostro and it was pretty good. Definitely had a lot of the same designs that Studio Ghibli used in their many movies following it, though the video quality was poor when multiple of those spots you see in theater versions of movies were visible. I see that there's a newer version with a better transfer, so I may end up checking that out if it's on sale for $10 or less.

I still prefer the red Lupin series that aired on Adult Swim, though I was surprised to see that David Hayter did the Lupin in Cagliostro. I'd like to get the DVD's that did come out, but I guess they're out of stock, so that may hinder that.

Edit: I see some bundles of Lupin the Third movies. Are any of the movies in them any good?
 
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