Recommended Anime/Manga?

[xbl0x180]

In any case, most TV anime before wasn't any better in the animation department. LOTS of animation shortcuts, still frames or characters only moving their mouths when talking. TV anime has never been a paramount of animation quality, really.

Pretty much this. Movies and OVAs have always had all the good animation.

80s robot/mecha shows bucked this trend (i.e., Macross, "Southern Cross," Mospeada, Orguss, etc.). On the same note, I don't care for choppy animation as long as the designs are fairly unique and have a distinguishable style (unlike modern animated trash)

[chempop]

I just watched Pale Cocoon, shame it's only one episode, loved it.
Also watched half of Usagi Drop, nice little show if you like kids.

[KAI]

Usagi Drop is a serious (and not so funny) version of Yotsubato!
But I loved it.

[Raytrace]

trying to get through RahXephon Im on episode 8 - it's ok though I don't understand how some reviewers can even attempt to try and say it's not at least influenced by Evangelion, even some of the scenes look the same.

The RahXephon itself, is quite possibly the ugliest mecha I've EVER seen, though the fighter plane/Macross/Su-27 ones mecha are kind of cool.

Character animation and faces I can't get into - they've got that weird cold boring feel a lot of more modern stuff seems to have.

I shall persevere as supposedly the ending and when it all ties up is actually very good, and the time skip storyline bit which hasn't been explained yet I am intrigued by...

[xbl0x180]

trying to get through RahXephon Im on episode 8 - it's ok though I don't understand how some reviewers can even attempt to try and say it's not at least influenced by Evangelion, even some of the scenes look the same.

To me, anything compared to Evangina is to be avoided at all costs

[Op Intensify]

The RahXephon itself, is quite possibly the ugliest mecha I've EVER seen

The series is skippable, but I recommend you at least see the RahXephon movie. A condensed retelling of the series that cuts out the chaff and focuses on the heart of what the series was all about. It's all new footage too, unlike so many of those "movie" adaptations that just splice bits of the TV series together.

It is totally an Eva ripoff, but it has enough unique concepts (i.e. Tokyo Jupiter, robot singing battles) and a different enough aesthetic identity that it feels like its own thing.

[Raytrace]

The series is skippable, but I recommend you at least see the RahXephon movie. A condensed retelling of the series that cuts out the chaff and focuses on the heart of what the series was all about. It's all new footage too, unlike so many of those "movie" adaptations that just splice bits of the TV series together.

It is totally an Eva ripoff, but it has enough unique concepts (i.e. Tokyo Jupiter, robot singing battles) and a different enough aesthetic identity that it feels like its own thing.

yeah I am going to finish it - the mecha are just - its just kindof annoying how they seem to be solid statues as opposed to any pretense of the mechanical - the faces of the enemy mechas usually are kinda freaky/chilling though which is cool..

[Raytrace]

watched first episode of G Gundam with kids, I thought it was alright haha, it definitely knows what it is anyway...

[Obiwanshinobi]

RahXephon the movie is bad. I liked the TV show to an extent, although BONES could do better than that, but I wouldn't recommend the feature film to anybody.

yeah I am going to finish it - the mecha are just - its just kindof annoying how they seem to be solid statues as opposed to any pretense of the mechanical - the faces of the enemy mechas usually are kinda freaky/chilling though which is cool..

They are made of clay, like Golem. Man-made mechs come into the picture late into the series and do look mechanical.

Character animation and faces I can't get into - they've got that weird cold boring feel a lot of more modern stuff seems to have.

The animations are top-noth, cut above TV standards, modern and old alike. The design is a kind of high concept, "feminine" so to speak, like put together by a lady obsessed with symmetry. I can't think of another anime quite like it, but it does remind me of The Divine Nymph and other such aestheticised films and comic books.

[drauch]

Just watched Angel's Egg. I know it's one of your favorites, Mr. Bl0x. Have any personal interpretations?

[DragonInstall]

Anyone can recommend a good punk futuristic anime, something like cowboy bebop / outlaw star?

Any post apocalyptic world anime that's bit more serious, with guns and futuristic machinery stuff?

[Obiwanshinobi]

I didn't like Cowboy Bebop (the dude's hairdo being one hell of an issue), but I can recommend Sunabouzu (a.k.a. Desert Punk). Two first episodes might raise some eyebrows, but it gets better.
Then there goes Wolf's Rain, which isn't the BONES' upper shelf stuff, but you'll get to see some nice drawings and good animations for sure.
Last but not least - Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku - things get SERIOUS in this one.

[KAI]

Mardock Scramble
Didn't like it, but maybe that's what you looking for.
or you can try with Ghegs's favorite (?) Gungrave.

[Raytrace]

well I suppose 'ugly' in it's original meaning was the wrong word to use - as I like the above and I suppose it would be considered 'ugly'...

[Raytrace]

The animations are top-noth, cut above TV standards, modern and old alike. The design is a kind of high concept, "feminine" so to speak, like put together by a lady obsessed with symmetry. I can't think of another anime quite like it, but it does remind me of The Divine Nymph and other such aestheticised films and comic books.

I don't know, while I'll admit a lot of the cinematography/scene layout is very pretty in that kinda relaxing way, almost like something like Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters, the characters faces I just can't get into AT ALL, just cold or something. I really really do like the fighter type mechas though and yes the smoothness of the animation of their fights is great no doubt. I just wish they didnt have that ridiculous RahXephon beside them, though I will admit I am biased cos one of my pet hates is mecha with pointy feet, in fact I dont like pointy shoes in general even in the 'real world'...

Actually looking closer at Rahxephon 'he'/it doesn't even have just pointy feet, he has those weird kinda binded looking extremely high platform feet/shoes, like in Bubblegum Crisis (but obv I think it suits the Knight Sabers much more.)

[Raytrace]

Anyone can recommend a good punk futuristic anime, something like cowboy bebop / outlaw star?

Any post apocalyptic world anime that's bit more serious, with guns and futuristic machinery stuff?

while I don't know about the 'seriousness' if you ain't seen it you should check Cyber City Oedo 808 OVA, preferably with the Manga Ltd. dub

http://r4ytrace.tumblr.com/post/2849743 ... b-swearing

http://r4ytrace.tumblr.com/post/27258946854/oedo808a

[Raytrace]

Just watched Armitage III OVA 1 - I liked

[xbl0x180]

Just watched Angel's Egg. I know it's one of your favorites, Mr. Bl0x. Have any personal interpretations?

Hell if I know, man. I first saw it back in the early 90s, then I had a VHS copy from the mid-90s up to recently, and then I downloaded it. It is a very, very, very slow piece. I recommend it only for the look and sound of it, and, usually, I tell people they may want to watch it in parts throughout the week. I think this form of viewing doesn't try viewers' patience as much as if they were to sit through the whole film in one sitting.

I see this film as an art movie, like one of those old Ken Anger shorts. The artist has an image in his mind and then goes with that, irrespective of coherent storyline. I feel that if I were to attach a more definitive meaning to it, I may just make it sound as some pretentious and overwrought banal art film, which it is not

[drauch]

Aye, that's how I viewed it. Really loved the dark imagery; was quite a feast on my eyeballs. Plus, that score--god, the score! Very haunting and surreal. Hopefully--like the rest of the thousand titles we talk about on here--it'll get picked up someday soon.

[xbl0x180]

Totally, the music score for "Angel's Egg" is a great soundscape on the level of Eno or Moebius, or whoever does the music for those long-winded Bela Tarr films from the past decade or two (Mihaly Vig?). That one, as well as Tezuka's Kanashimi No Belladonna, some small production company, such as Fantomas or Shout! Factory, needs to pick these up and put these out for art film collectr0s and lovers

[DaneSaga]

Oshii’s atypical approach and Amano's divine illustration style and art direction are a match made in heaven. It's a shame their paths haven't crossed again since.

[Raytrace]

this site is nice for reviews:

http://www.anime-games.co.uk/retro.php

[Raytrace]

up to episode 8 of Dirty Pair - have enjoyed every single episode so far...

[Raytrace]

has anyone watched Planetes (or Planites if one is to actually read the Greek) ?

[Hagane]

Haven't watched the anime, but the manga is excellent and totally worth a read. Anything by Makoto Yukimura is a must read.

[Daigohji]

I just finished rewatching Witch Hunter Robin. I keep forgetting how much I love that show. It's just so damn polished in every technical aspect. Where the typical TV anime rushes its key animation through the bare bones of one cut to the next, here the time is taken for moments of subtle body language that make the characters feel real. Every object that appears on screen is meticulously designed. The only downside of the show is that its big final episode twist can be figured out in the first episode, but this episodic, occult take on the X-Files is well worth buying.

After that, I've been rewatching Shuko Murase's other classic series, Ergo Proxy. Again, the attention to detail brings the world and characters to life. Be warned that the first couple of episodes give a false impression of the kind of story being told. It's hard to tell where all the mounting strangeness is leading the first time watching Ergo Proxy. It's a show I enjoyed far more the second time I watched it, and continue to enjoy it on each subsequent viewing. It's a damn shame that Murase hasn't helmed another TV series since this one in 2006.

watched first episode of G Gundam with kids, I thought it was alright haha, it definitely knows what it is anyway...

I love that show. It's a shameless, over the top Saturday morning cartoon. Scrub thoughts of the UC Gundam continuity from your mind and revel in the awe and majesty that is... MASTER ASIA. http://youtu.be/8AwV3o0nAYk

has anyone watched Planetes (or Planites if one is to actually read the Greek) ?

The manga is great, but I found the TV series dull. The TV series focuses on office tedium that wasn't a factor in the manga, and recasts a less interesting character as the lead. The manga has effective human drama, while the TV series feels more like a soap opera. They're both slow paced and low key, which is a plus or minus depending on what you're looking for.

[KAI]

Finished reading Sanctuary. Flawless, what else can I say

[Illyrian]

has anyone watched Planetes (or Planites if one is to actually read the Greek) ?

It's awesome, and actually has a really good dub that's worth using.

[Lordstar]

Finished reading Sanctuary. Flawless, what else can I say

how many books is that?

[Raytrace]

Haven't watched the anime, but the manga is excellent and totally worth a read. Anything by Makoto Yukimura is a must read.

cool yeah it seems very good and the art is very nice too