Recommended Anime/Manga?

[Raytrace]

Yeah I have - I tried to watch all the UC stuff somewhat in order chronologically, so I watched the Unicorn episodes after Char's Counterattack and before F91. I really liked Unicorn (again apart from the actual Gundam Unicorn and Banshee's design (they seemed far too bitty and un-UC for my liking - also I'm not a big fan of the bigger V's on Gundam's heads)) - I REALLY liked all the 'classic' looking mecha in it - esp. all the GM looking variants... I think that while some of the drama/accentuation/styling is lost in Unicorn due to it's polygonal cel-shaded nature, I think the intensity, speed and intricate battle choreography it being polygon based make possible is very good, however I think some bits went too far and were so fast that they just became a blur, like so many action films these days.

wasn't too into the main characters emo elements visually, but the Char characters hair is pure ace - he looks like Dolly Parton in the 80's or something :p -

I've started reading Gundam Sentinel too and it seems pretty cool so far...

[Ghegs]

Finally decided it was time to get Legend of the Galactic Heroes after hearing so much. Anyone seen the whole thing?

YES.

I've watched through the whole 110-episode main series twice, plus once through all the OVAs and sidestories. It is that awesome. One of the best space operas ever, anime or otherwise.

[drauch]

Excellent! Will probably be awhile before I take on such a grand task due to my huge queue line of anime, but I await it with the utmost anticipation!

[Gus]

LoGH is the best work of fiction I've ever seen.

[xbl0x180]

I finally buckled and bought a copy of the American version of GunBuster. I probably never will see an intact, official version of it released here. I also got two seasons of Wedding Peach and some Battle Athletes videos along the way

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yep, the 3 DVD disc set of Gunbuster from Bandai Visual/Honneasmise label is ace. I like how the very last episode is presented in 16:9 aspect ratio and in B&W montage.

The Gunbuster movie was re-released on Blu-Ray as part of the three Blu-Ray disc set of "LE Gunbuster Vs. Diebuster: The Gattai!! Movie - Aim For the Top!" from Bandai Visual/Honneamise label as well.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Raytrace]

Just bought both Eva Rebuilds and Akira on Blu-Ray - £27 sterling in total, pretty good - and the Rebuild 2 is the combi pack one...

[xbl0x180]

Yep, the 3 DVD disc set of Gunbuster from Bandai Visual/Honneasmise label is ace. I like how the very last episode is presented in 16:9 aspect ratio and in B&W montage.

The Gunbuster movie was re-released on Blu-Ray as part of the three Blu-Ray disc set of "LE Gunbuster Vs. Diebuster: The Gattai!! Movie - Aim For the Top!" from Bandai Visual/Honneamise label as well.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

It still chaps my arse that Bandai censored the bit of "Chariots Of Fire" music score during the training scene in the first OAV episode. That's actually a very referential piece and stands out. I still have the three US Renditions videocassettes and I'm probably going to download the first episode to file it away for future reference.

I'm not so interested in Diebuster. It looks ugly, sounds mediocre, and belongs in the "Why Modern Anime Sucks" thred

[neorichieb1971]

Is 5cm per second worth $85 on blu ray?

I really want it but only the JP version exists and is most likely not going to change. The company in Japan even released a global edition with English dub so that wouldn't have to release in region B territories at Western blu ray prices.

[moozooh]

Unless you like watching introverted Japanese teenagers being way too introverted for their own good for slightly over an hour, no. It has probably the most gorgeous background designs to date, though.

[Raytrace]

just watched the whole of the first episode of Space Battleship Yamato - really does seem brilliant, has the proper 'military honour/boshido' type theme running thick through it's veins like the original Mobile Suit Gundam...

[drauch]

^Yamato rules pretty hard. Analyzer is one of my favorite characters ever. He's pretty heartbreaking at times.

[Obiwanshinobi]

5 Centimeters Per Second is the only hyped anime feature film released in recent years I really liked (taking Miyazaki films and the Suzumiya Haruhi one out of equation since those were just "good as axpected"; also, I've yet to see Towa no Quon).
Just watch the initial part of 5 cm... released for free online and make of it what you will.

[xbl0x180]

I expect Haruhi Suzumiya to be terrible, so that's not saying much for 5cm other than "AVOID"

[Gus]

I expect Haruhi Suzumiya to be terrible,

wtf

[xbl0x180]

I expect Haruhi Suzumiya to be terrible,

wtf

That shouldn't be surprising. I don't like the character designs and the story about a little girl who does cute things doesn't interest me at all. It belongs in the "Why Modern Anime Sucks" thred

[drauch]

I dunno, xblox, I think you have a soft spot for cute girls who do cute things--or at least says some of your recent purchases

But honestly, I figured I would hate Haruhi as well, mainly due to my hatred of almost all modern anime. I kinda got hooked on it and it even made me laugh out loud(!), something I rarely do in my hateful existence. I could see your grievance on the character designs, but beyond that it's pretty damn great.

[xbl0x180]

Hahaha. Yeah, I've been re-watching Magical Stage: Fancy Lala, which is, literally, a cartoon about a little girl who does cute things and who transforms into an older girl who does cute things. It's kinda nostalgic to see how stuff used to be drawn and it doesn't hurt that the main theme of the show borrows heavily from another blast-from-the-past series, Jem. I may move onto watch Ultra Maniac once I complete the set (volume 2 got lost in the mail - first missing video of the year).



I see a difference in how designs used to look like and it's significant enough for me to avoid [almost entirely] new series; considering that North American animated series have gotten better and better, as well (with the usual sitcom set-up), there's little reason to check out new stuff from Japan. I still might give Haruhi a chance if the videos turn up real cheep. However, I don't like the way they're drawn

[iconoclast]

That shouldn't be surprising. I don't like the character designs and the story about a little girl who does cute things doesn't interest me at all.

Haruhi isn't like that, it actually has a plot. I guess I would call it a mix of mystery/slice of life/sci-fi. And the movie is absolutely awesome.

[xbl0x180]

Alright, alright. I may give Haruhi shot, although I already have a large back log of junk I need to sort through

This week, I will be getting:

- The rest of the Battle Athletes Victory videos
- Fullmetal Panic!: Heavy Metal Collection (the two seasons and the spin-off comedy season, Fullmetal Panic? Fumoffu)
- Girls' High
- Nadia, Secret Of The Blue Water
- Urotsukidoji: New Saga

In an earthquake, I know I'll end up being buried under this animu hoard... either that or the pile just topples when I try to reach for something underneath it

[Estebang]

I found Haruhi to be incredibly obnoxious and actually kind of offensive, though it's probably because I watched the original out-of-order broadcast when it was being fansubbed.

Gasaraki is getting a DVD reprint in the US next week! It's a surprisingly intellectual real-robot mecha series with a political focus, though there's still plenty of character development and action.

[drauch]

^Haruhi offensive? How?

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water is amazing. The first couple of episodes kinda present it as nothing more than a silly, fun adventure period piece, but shortly after it becomes quite the amalgamation of emotions. I can certainly tell once I finish these last 10+ episodes or so I'm going to be missing it.

[Estebang]

^Haruhi offensive? How?

Mikuru abuse. Also, I had the strong urge to slap Haruhi to the ground in every scene she was in.

And yes, Nadia is a truly classic series, even if they got too carried away with the "stranded on an island" arc. It's fascinating to see how so many of the Gainax archetypes were developed on from the very beginning, with some clear parallels (i.e. Samson -> Kaji -> Kamina).

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Gave the ol' Five Star Stories DVD another spin...is quite an interesting anime flick indeed, considering it's initial 1987 release in Japan. The intricate detailing of the internal mechanism of the extravagant mecha suits is quite something (as shown in one scene). The prices of some of them FSS garage kits are insane.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Ghegs]

Gave the ol' Five Star Stories DVD another spin...is quite an interesting anime flick indeed, considering it's initial 1987 release in Japan. The intricate detailing of the internal mechanism of the extravagant mecha suits is quite something (as shown in one scene).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

If you can get your hands on the original manga, go for it. That's the really good stuff. Some years back I managed to collect all of the 26 books released in english, which was no cheap or easy feat.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yeah, I'll have to check out the manga version of FSS. Thanks for the heads up on that, Ghegs. Is it still in print or is it out-of-print nowdays?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[xbl0x180]

Gave the ol' Five Star Stories DVD another spin...is quite an interesting anime flick indeed, considering it's initial 1987 release in Japan. The intricate detailing of the internal mechanism of the extravagant mecha suits is quite something (as shown in one scene).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

If you can get your hands on the original manga, go for it. That's the really good stuff. Some years back I managed to collect all of the 26 books released in english, which was no cheap or easy feat.

The prices for some of those outta print Five Star Stories translated manga are insane. However, I usually list Nagano Mamoru as one of my favourite illustrators. I used to catch this manga when it was published bit by bit on NewType magazine back in the 90s

[Zeether]

Princess Jellyfish/Kuragehime is awesome and more people should watch it.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'm afraid some people won't touch stuff with the word "princess" in the title unless it's by Miyazaki.

[Estebang]

Princess Jellyfish/Kuragehime is awesome and more people should watch it.

This is somehow getting a deluxe US Blu-ray set. Someone explain more about it to me.

I'm afraid some people won't touch stuff with the word "princess" in the title unless it's by Miyazaki.

Bug Princess?