Recommended Anime/Manga?

[Raytrace]

episode 10 of Space Dandy is brilliant - Ideon + Groundhog Day .

I really like the music - those Mellotron pads have such a 70s feel to them.

[Bananamatic]

I think everyone here should watch Infinite Stratos

[BryanM]

already have.

It looks really nice, though they skimped on the in-betweens on the animation. Very vibrant. As far as vapid harem shows go, it's very servicable but not recommended if the genre doesn't appeal.

Definitely would recommend it ten thousand times over the gay ninjas who refuse to ever be gay or ninjas, or, well, anything that's one episode repeated 20-something times like Shiki or Pokemon.

I've been looking for a label to apply to that type of show... Groundhog Dayimu doesn't work because there's a difference between Groundhog Day and such things: in Groundhog Day, different things happen every time the day's repeated. It just feels like there's a one or two-word phrase to precisely describe what watching such things is like, and someone hears it and understands it immediately without more context being necessary.

Something possibly referencing Endless Eight?

[KAI]

Fuck yeah! New Berserk chapter on the next issue of Young Animal (April 11)
-this is not an April Fools' joke-

BTW, I've been reading Gigantomachia, the manga that Miura did during Berserk's hiatus, it's awful.

[Raytrace]

Finished Space Dandy - loved the last episode - not since the Analyzer love story of Yamato have I felt so many feels - truly great stuff, I really like how Space Dandy is basically an unrestrained opportunity for various animators and directors to do what they want creatively in every epsiode.

[nasty_wolverine]

has anyone read this > http://www.mangareader.net/303/drifters.html
same author as Hellsing, and its really starting to come around.

[Formless God]

Everybody needs to watch Ping Pong

[DaneSaga]

Everybody needs to watch Ping Pong

not familiar with the manga (or the live action film) but I'll watch pretty much anything from Masaaki Yuasa.
Hadn't realized this started airing yet.

[BryanM]

Aku no Hana has gone from my newest favorite thing to my least favorite old thing. Final issue is next month and it's going to be one of those terrible "these two people once liked each other but have gone separate ways and have lived separate lives. The end" cliches.

I came into this wanting to feel an emotion, not an old bowel movement. :fistshake:

I mean sure, there's 0.00001% chance it goes somewhere completely crazy but I've never seen anything veer into the anticlimax face plant but pull out of it at the last second. Not ever.

... think I'll watch the OVA of the one with the robot legs on the fish or something next...

[null1024]

So, I finally watched all of Kill la Kill.

Its okay. Maybe a bit too silly with the fanservice, episode 4 is irredeemably awful (apparently, that was intentional to reference the infamous fourth episode of TTGL, but still), and the animation quality swerves everywhere. Plot's silly as fuck. Mako is the best. Other than Ryuko pretty much becoming Shadow the Hedgehog for two episodes or so (seriously, I was laughing like crazy and sang the title theme for the game -- but christ, why did this have to be a thing), the show was neat.

I guess I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be as much of a shonen as it was. It pretty much plays all of the shonen anime tropes straight like an arrow. I would never show this to anyone under 16 (mostly because of a few later scenes being super-excessive, otherwise I'd be fine with say, my nephew watching this).

Also, the episode 3 fight with Ryuko and Satsuki was probably the coolest one until the end, which was disappointing.

Spoiler

and goddamn was the whole sisters thing predictable as hell, same with Ryuko not being human, etc
The most disappointing thing of all was when Ryuko never got to face Blade Regalia MK2. Fucking Nui's cockblocking.

Oh, and the elder Kiryuin manages to make a fair few scenes down right pornographic. Jeeeeeeeez.

At least the show doesn't insist on regularly using weird camera angles solely meant to show off pantsu for its fanservice.
and damn, that MANSERVICE -- too much, too much! Those fucking glowing nipples and crotch!

[Raytrace]

So, I finally watched all of Kill la Kill.

Its okay. Maybe a bit too silly with the fanservice, episode 4 is irredeemably awful (apparently, that was intentional to reference the infamous fourth episode of TTGL, but still), and the animation quality swerves everywhere. Plot's silly as fuck. Mako is the best. Other than Ryuko pretty much becoming Shadow the Hedgehog for two episodes or so (seriously, I was laughing like crazy and sang the title theme for the game -- but christ, why did this have to be a thing), the show was neat.

I guess I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be as much of a shonen as it was. It pretty much plays all of the shonen anime tropes straight like an arrow. I would never show this to anyone under 16 (mostly because of a few later scenes being super-excessive, otherwise I'd be fine with say, my nephew watching this).

Also, the episode 3 fight with Ryuko and Satsuki was probably the coolest one until the end, which was disappointing.

Spoiler

and goddamn was the whole sisters thing predictable as hell, same with Ryuko not being human, etc
The most disappointing thing of all was when Ryuko never got to face Blade Regalia MK2. Fucking Nui's cockblocking.

Oh, and the elder Kiryuin manages to make a fair few scenes down right pornographic. Jeeeeeeeez.

At least the show doesn't insist on regularly using weird camera angles solely meant to show off pantsu for its fanservice.
and damn, that MANSERVICE -- too much, too much! Those fucking glowing nipples and crotch!

yeah I still don't know what I really think of it, but I am enjoying watching each episode.

I watched first two epsiodes of Captain Earth - not sure yet about story but art is very nice - especially the mecha which is some kinda weird Physalus/Gunbuster/Big O/Eva Unit 1 hybrid.

[soprano1]

Like null, i also finished Kill la Kill. Loved it. Now waiting for Little Witch Academia 2.

[KAI]

New Lupin II movie announced! Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen Daisuke no Bohyo directed by Takeshi Koike.
Trailer


Da Hype!

[DaneSaga]

New Lupin II movie announced! Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen Daisuke no Bohyo directed by Takeshi Koike.

So they’re doing another character spin-off like the recent Woman Called Fujiko Mine series. This will be Takeshi Koike’s second full length film won’t it? First obviously being Redline.

Edit: hmm..spoke too soon of a full length movie, only 51 minutes. Seems pretty short.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Noticed that the final Episode 7 Unicorn Gundam is already out on the JPN PSN site. And how is it?

PC Engine Fan X ^_~

[KAI]

Noticed that the final Episode 7 Unicorn Gundam is already out on the JPN PSN site. And how is it?

Wut? Ep.7 hasn't come out yet.

[Raytrace]

finished Victory Gundam rewatch - yet again I was kinda wavering a bit towards the end but the last 2 episodes are so incredible thaty (as usual) you end up forgiving Tomino for everything :p.

Also read the Victory Gundam Gaiden manga, quite nice short story. Maybe it could be connected to Reconguista G .

[Raytrace]

at episode 50 of Hokuto No Ken - brilliant, but godamnit I hope Rei doesn't die :'(

[BryanM]

Oh don't worry about him. He's a cool guy and usually makes it out alright in these sorts of things.

[DaneSaga]

ugh. Was set to start watching Galaxy Express 999 TV series again but the recently released Blu-ray set is a damn upscale of the existing ancient SD masters.

Look at these screen grabs:

Spoiler

Spoiler

nothing HD about those.

Whats with the influx of upscaled material coming out of Japan as of late? Surely with the price they charge for such sets, you'd expect a brand new quality HD telecine scan. Who the fuck would spend upwards of several thousands of dollars on this junk?
I suppose I should have seen this coming, as they did the same with the GE999 movies. With Smore ent. bailing of the DVD sets and now this, GE999 can't seem to catch a break. Fucking hell Toei this is not how you should treat cel based animation.

moving on..my Nadia & Ranma 1/2 Blu-rays arrived, as well as Space Adventure Cobra TV vol 2 DVD set.
With first volumes of Mazinger Z and Cat’s Eye, the rest of Ranma, and some miscellaneous Lupin releases looming, its proving to be hard to keep up with all these animated releases. All these Godzilla and Gamera Blu's aren't helping either. My wallet am cry.

[drauch]

Fucking figures. I was unfortunately one of those poor, stupid bastards that bought the first S'more GE999 set for like $50, only to get the same garbage that has been on the net for years. Pussies couldn't even finish releasing it because it was such an insult. Hope they choke on it.

Seems like another case of "eh, it's old, so who gives a shit about it. Let's focus on releasing new shit." Gah! The bastards. Maybe someday...

Was tempted to get the Nadia and Ranma sets, but the money flow isn't enough for all my hobbies, unfortunately. The ADV Nadia stuff will probably do me in, but I was kinda tempted to just sell all my old VIZ Ranma stuff and just buy the first season on BluRay, since that's really the only one I think I'd watch, anyway. I've barely watched any of the other stuff; I felt that it was lacking... something. I dunno, maybe I need to just give it another shot. Worth the effort to continue?

God my Godzilla BDs in the mail yesterday. Haven't had a chance to check them out just yet, but goddamn, the packaging is annoying as fuck. They've got nice original poster art on the cover, but the front and back is plastered with obnoxious rhymes and stupid snippets of "lol godzilla" humorous writing. I appreciate the BDs, but this isn't fuckin' Mystery Science Theater.

Ugh... slacking on all these new releases as well. Lily CAT, Dallos, Mazinger, Casshan, Gatchaman... the list goes on. Most importantly, though, I've got Ringing Bell pre-ordered. Can't wait to get depressed all over again.

[DaneSaga]

Worth the effort to continue?

I’d say it’s pretty well documented that viewing past the first season of Ranma ½ is not essential, beyond that you’re entering repetition and irritating supporting character city. I actually haven’t finished the shows entire run either (stopped around 70 odd I think?), but I do intend in purchasing the new sets just to basically have them there if I ever do get really anime starved. Fortunately I never started collecting the DVD sets so I have nothing holding me back aside from a steady cash flow.

God my Godzilla BDs in the mail yesterday. Haven't had a chance to check them out just yet, but goddamn, the packaging is annoying as fuck. They've got nice original poster art on the cover, but the front and back is plastered with obnoxious rhymes and stupid snippets of "lol godzilla" humorous writing. I appreciate the BDs, but this isn't fuckin' Mystery Science Theater.

That's a shame but not entirely surprising, especially if you're a long time Kaiju faithful.
These are the Kraken Showa releases your referring to right? I'm still waiting for my order to arrive. Those Sony double features are yet to budge.

Most importantly, though, I've got Ringing Bell pre-ordered. Can't wait to get depressed all over again.

Ah yes, Ringing Bell. Getting set to emotionally disturb a new generation of 7 year olds.

[Raytrace]

rewatching Megazone 23 - pure ace- I forgot the hommage to Streets of Fire was so blatant that they actually go to the cinema and watch it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYmhN_18ZzE

[DaneSaga]

rewatching Megazone 23 - pure ace- I forgot the hommage to Streets of Fire was so blatant that they actually go to the cinema and watch it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYmhN_18ZzE

Yeah Megazone OVA is indeed ace (well 1 & 2 at least)
there's a slew of references in Megazone:

Dagger of Kamui Duffle Bag

Lupin & Jigen as piggies

As you mentioned, Walter Hill's Streets of Fire

Harrison Ford in Blade Runner on a monitor

[Raytrace]

rewatching Megazone 23 - pure ace- I forgot the hommage to Streets of Fire was so blatant that they actually go to the cinema and watch it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYmhN_18ZzE

Yeah Megazone OVA is indeed ace (well 1 & 2 at least)
there's a slew of references in Megazone:

Dagger of Kamui Duffle Bag

Lupin & Jigen as piggies

As you mentioned, Walter Hill's Streets of Fire

Harrison Ford in Blade Runner on a monitor

Cool I never noticed the Blade Runner reference. Yeah while I do like the overall story in MZ23 'Part 3' - there is a REALLY noticeable drop in art quality - and similarly to Victory Gundam it's made even more annoying by how it doesn't seem to be a 'choice' what I mean is the linework seems to be setup for more shading work than it actually gets. This is made very noticeable by the fact that Part 2 managed to be similar, but more luscious/detailed than Part 1.

[Raytrace]

Oh don't worry about him. He's a cool guy and usually makes it out alright in these sorts of things.

greats

[Raytrace]

ugh. Was set to start watching Galaxy Express 999 TV series again but the recently released Blu-ray set is a damn upscale of the existing ancient SD masters.

in a sortof similar thing, rewatching Megazone 23 makes me realise how a REALLY good DVD (well close in resolution anyway I'm not sure of the exact maximum res of DVD) can be better quality or very near to an ok 720p or even bad 1080p.

The emm 'version' of MZ23 I'm watching is I think 720x480 pixels - and it looks INCREDIBLE when upscaled using Jinc at 4 taps though to be honest it looks almost perfect even using Softcubic at 100% blur. I regularly had to stop and check the file details as I couldn't believe it wasn't at least 720p.

[DaneSaga]

in a sortof similar thing, rewatching Megazone 23 makes me realise how a REALLY good DVD (well close in resolution anyway I'm not sure of the exact maximum res of DVD) can be better quality or very near to an ok 720p or even bad 1080p.

The emm 'version' of MZ23 I'm watching is I think 720x480 pixels - and it looks INCREDIBLE when upscaled using Jinc at 4 taps though to be honest it looks almost perfect even using Softcubic at 100% blur. I regularly had to stop and check the file details as I couldn't believe it wasn't at least 720p.

Megazone 23 is certainly beautiful, but resolution can amount to nil if the source film isn’t up to scratch. Megazone's film elements are obviously in fine shape and received a complete restoration back in 2003, which both the Adv R1 DVDs, and R2 Japanese set are sourced from.

In GE999’s case, no major remastering has ever been done (to my knowledge). It will always look terrible regardless of res until a new telecine master has been authored.
Why it’s getting released on Blu-ray in the state it’s in when numerous, more obscure anime received proper restorations is a mystery.
Purely speculation but I’d say its either a) the 16mm positives have deteriorated to the point where the SD master tapes are in fact better quality, b) they can no longer account for all film reels, so any restorative work would not cover the entire show, or c) Toei just don’t give a flying fuck. Just upscale it via Q-tec post processing and release as is.
Heck I remember when people where saying Toei probably gave S’more old masters as to the reason their release looked no different than those found on streaming sites, but its pretty evident now that what S’more received were the only masters available. Cramming a dozen episodes onto a single disc is never a good idea but if the information just isn't visible, no astronomically high bit-rate will make it presentable.
I don’t fucking know!

[Raytrace]

yeah the GE999 TV which is out there is pretty blurry alright - full softcubic for that one ;o. It is a shame because Matsumoto's style is so imaginative that it would be really nice to have decent HDs from the originals. Come to think of it, is there ANY decent Matsumoto stuff in HD (I'm including Yamato here)?

Arcadia Of My Youth and GE999 movie?

[Raytrace]

does anyone know whether Mazinger Z is being done/has been done well?

tbh the fanmade (by a Spanish Super Robot fan forum) collection of DVD .iso's I've seen has pretty good picture quality.