Recommended Anime/Manga?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

finished the Goddamn OVAs - really enjoyed the racing though I pretty much didn't understand any of the business machinations they were implying, plus the pseudo-philosophical lines at the end were a bit well vague to say the least...

For Raytrace,

Have you checked out that Machine Soldier Dorvack anime series yet? With animation done by Asahi Production Studio circa 1983, it has some interesting mecha designs to propel the series forward. For some strange reason, it was never officially distributed in the USA despite the two main mecha suits of Mugen Calibur VV-54 (Variable Vehicle) and the VH-64 (Variable Helicopter based on the U.S. designed Cobra attack helicopter) were released as Deluxe Autobots under the names of Roadbuster (aka Autobot Ground Assault Commander) and Whirl respectively back in 1985 as part of the Transformers G1 toy lineup. Sadly, neither Roadbuster nor Whirl characters were ever featured in the animated syndicated Transformers cartoon series either.

The G1 Deluxe Autobots even had the special stylized fonts of "AP" red foil sticker placed on the front outer packaging to denote that it was an official Asahi Production toy indeed...how cool was that? The deluxe DVD full-boxed set of Dorvack still commands a premium in Japan these days.

Not to mention those cool Gunze Sangyo Dorvack plastic model kits that they produced back in 1984. Some kits came with cool fully working spring-powered weaponry (like with the 105mm cannon on the AP sled crafts that the Powered Armor mechas used for scooting around) and sometimes even had double AA battery enclosures to power up the optional mini wheat light bulbs for some slick internal lighting effects for the headgear and weaponry for the 1/24th scale Powered Armored mecha suit kits. The enemies were the various Cangrids mechas to fight against.

The Gunze Sangyo transformable plastic model kit of the VV-54 with 100mm Twin Mozart machine gun attachment is ace to get/construct.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Raytrace]

that sounds cool and from what pics I've seen it looks very nice - I can't seem to 'find' it anywhere though :/

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Ah yes, those little Dorvack unfoldable advertising inserts...they were inserted inside one of those cool Dorvack toys that you could buy in Japan back in 1984 courtesy of Tatakotu Toys with a combination of both die-cast metal and plastic parts (before they got bought out and absorbed by Bandai for their cool Macross 1/55th scale Variable Valkyries from the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross anime series). The mecha toys that Tatakotu Toys used to produce were legendary as they were all hand-built in Japan. The full-color photos with super detailed dioramas that the Dorvack mecha were depicted in were impressive on the outer packaging as well. Of course, they were professionally airbrushed to give them that extra bit of detailed realism that they were noted for.

You might recall that it was Tatakotu Toys whom made such cool Super Dimensional Century Orguss toys also (i.e. -- the famous Drifand Dee mecha toy comes to mind).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Raytrace]

You might recall that it was Tatakotu Toys whom made such cool Super Dimensional Century Orguss toys also (i.e. -- the famous Drifand Dee mecha toy comes to mind).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

I c yeah the Orgus toys looked like real hi quality too

[Raytrace]

I went and watched the OVAs as well - exactly the same sentiments. The business thing went totally over my head and I have no idea what the company was supposed to accomplish by getting into WRC. Then there was the girl that had the same last name as the other big company the first company started doing business with, and that connection was totally ignored. I guess when the manga was adapted into anime a lot of stuff was cut out. As a sidenote, the original manga was created by Kaoru Shintani, more famous for the awesome Area 88.

here is my (very) mini review of Goddamn[ OVA - (well more of a car talk) -

http://r4ytrace.tumblr.com/post/3261278 ... ncia-delta

[GaijinPunch]

Started Ponyo last night (finally) but passed out. I was, as usual, drinking. Good, but maybe my expectations were a bit too high. The color balance seems hyper saturated compared to other Ghibli movies, which kind of turned me off. I will finish tonight or tomorrow, but thus far, it doesn't compare to Sen to Chihiro, Totoro, and definitely not Mononoke Hime.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Ghibli is the Super Mario 64 of anime. Not exactly bad, but come on.

[chempop]

Watched about 9 eps of Tytania.. pretty blah...

Redeemed myself by watching Tokyo Godfathers, WHOA, how have I not seen this before!?!
I was blown away, possibly a top 5 feature length for me. I really need to see Millenium Actress and Perfect Blue...

[KAI]

PAPRIKA!

If you guys want something ghibli-like, watch Hoshi wo ou Kodomo, it's decent.

Watching Black Jack OVA, too good!!

[Hagane]

Ghibli is the Super Mario 64 of anime. Not exactly bad, but come on.

That's a bit too much, but Mononoke Hime would be much better if it were twenty minutes shorter.

[Obiwanshinobi]

To be honest, of Ghibli films I watched only Porco Rosso/Kurenai no Buta did as much for me as proto-Ghibli Doubutsu Takarajima back in the day (the latter being THE film that got me ultimately hooked on anime before I even knew the word "anime", although I did know it was Japanese). How glad I am that Akira wasn't the one...

[GaijinPunch]

Ghibli is the Super Mario 64 of anime. Not exactly bad, but come on.

I like Mario... and based on some of your pickins in this thread I'll stick w/ Ghibli.

That's a bit too much, but Mononoke Hime would be much better if it were twenty minutes shorter.

I do remember it being kind of long. Still going to buy the BR when they eventually transfer it.

[drauch]

Well, Porco Rosso is only a decent movie, really. It's just Miyazaki's "fun" film he essentially made for himself.

I thought Mario 64 was pretty awesome...

[GaijinPunch]

I've had Paprika for ages. Maybe it's time to finally watch.

[Hagane]

Do it, it's Kon's best movie.

[KAI]

Too bad Paranoia Agent sux, Kon's worst.

[EmperorIng]

Paranoia Agent was good for the first six episodes, when all the stories of the individual characters were woven together and intertwined, with this really cool mystery behind it.

Then, Kon for some reason decided to say "Fuck that noise", have another six random episodes not dealing with the plot of the actual story at all, and then just end it on a finale that doesn't really satisfy, because by the time we get back to the main characters, we've stopped caring. Maybe he was trying to be "bold" and "visionary" but it was really lame to me.

Also, speaking of proto-anime, this rare anime film is quite obviously the inspiration for Wind-Waker's art style.

It helps that it's a really fun movie, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulQ5jumhk1Y

Oh, it looks like someone uploaded the entire Japanese version on youtube - without subtitles though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JEi-Zq21cQ

shame, though the dialogue in the movie isn't TOO important. Just don't watch the dub! 70s dubbing isn't anything to be proud of > . >

[Obiwanshinobi]

Paranoia Agent was good for the first six episodes, when all the stories of the individual characters were woven together and intertwined, with this really cool mystery behind it.

Then, Kon for some reason decided to say "Fuck that noise", have another six random episodes not dealing with the plot of the actual story at all, and then just end it on a finale that doesn't really satisfy, because by the time we get back to the main characters, we've stopped caring. Maybe he was trying to be "bold" and "visionary" but it was really lame to me.

Everything by him I've seen was like a teenager's idea of "adult stuff". Not the good sort of juvenile. Rather embarrassing actually. Or like North American mythology: Jersey Devil, men in black, Stephen King...
One thing Paranoia Agent has going for it is that the menace didn't come from the outside for a change, but having played quite a few Shin MegaTen games since then, I consider even this done better by that one Gintama episode... Was it called "The legend of Atlas"?

Well, Porco Rosso is only a decent movie, really. It's just Miyazaki's "fun" film he essentially made for himself.

He essentially made it for me, really, just like Cross made Sky Odyssey for me.
The other day I saw some military people and vehicles on the street. Nothing alarming, but it reminded me of certain scenes in Japanese and Italian films set in mid-to-late nineteen-thirties, where troops marching down the street are harbingers of things to come.

[chempop]

I like Paranoia Agent, perhaps it's all the experimenting I did as a teen
I fully realize it's not a show for everyone, too bad more people didn't enjoy it.

Started Blade of the Immortal (anime), expected this to be good, but it's kinda crap. I hear the manga is actually decent, oh well.

Has anyone seen the newer Last Exile or Kino's Journey eps?

[KAI]

Paranoia Agents started as an interesting mystery series and then turned into a Fantasy series, that's the reason why I don't like it.

I hear the manga is actually decent, oh well.

(Waiting for Hagane's reply)

Has anyone seen the newer Last Exile or Kino's Journey eps?

Newer Kino eps? there's only 1 series and it's good.

[Raytrace]

Also, speaking of proto-anime, this rare anime film is quite obviously the inspiration for Wind-Waker's art style.

It helps that it's a really fun movie, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulQ5jumhk1Y

Oh, it looks like someone uploaded the entire Japanese version on youtube - without subtitles though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JEi-Zq21cQ

shame, though the dialogue in the movie isn't TOO important. Just don't watch the dub! 70s dubbing isn't anything to be proud of > . >

Yeah Gulliver's Space Travels has that same great look too - big solid colours and not many outlines - I like it

[Raytrace]

Just watched a tiny bit of Tatakae!! Ramenman - the intro was enough to kinda depress as I'm pretty sure I'd love it all - yet theres only 6 subs out so far - though it does seem 'active' as the 6th sub came out August this year...

[Hagane]

I hear the manga is actually decent, oh well.

It's not decent, it's a masterpiece. Don't be fooled by the awful anime adaptation.

[drauch]

Been watching Iria: Zeiram the Animation, the prequel to the Zeiram live-action films. 6 part sci-fi OVA with some good action and solid animation from '94. Only downside is a completely unnecessary child sidekick with obnoxious 90s anime spiked hair (a'la Akira Toriyama). He's got a very poorly drawn buddy that tags along for awhile; thankfully he dies almost instantly, which had me physically cheering. Most probably know the series from the Super Famicom game.

Also, finally watched my DVD of Amon Saga, a sword & sorcery film from '86. Some questionable animation at times, and the Manga DVD release has a slightly distorted image, but overall it's a damn good time for fans of sword & sorcery. No bullshit "save the world from evil" high fantasy nonsense, just plain ol' fantasy action. Sorcerer battles, loads of monsters and mercenaries, all on top of a giant moving turtle's back. A possible inspiration for Golden Axe? I dunno.

[GaijinPunch]

Been watching Iria: Zeiram the Animation, the prequel to the Zeiram live-action films. 6 part sci-fi OVA with some good action and solid animation from '94. Only downside is a completely unnecessary child sidekick with obnoxious 90s anime spiked hair (a'la Akira Toriyama). He's got a very poorly drawn buddy that tags along for awhile; thankfully he dies almost instantly, which had me physically cheering. Most probably know the series from the Super Famicom game.

I never got over "Bob".

[Daigohji]

I've just noticed that Eastern Star are releasing the original 1984 Locke the Superman movie (aka. Chojin Locke, Locke the Superpower, or Star Warrior). If you like over the top esper battles and that distinctive 80s SF design aesthetic, this is a must buy. I'm looking forward to seeing it in Japanese, finally, though I hope they include the original English dub, which falls firmly into the category of 'so terrible, it's awesome'. http://youtu.be/uYUZbiEA9eg

Eastern Star are doing a commendable job of licensing older anime shows and movies, especially since they're virtually the only distributor who are bothering at the moment.

[KAI]

Locke Lord Leon was directed by Noboru Ishiguro, must watch.

I'm looking for mystery series, any recommendation? I want something as good as Umineko.

[Hagane]

Stop wasting your time with those Conan Doyle wannabes and read Soil already. Nijigahara Holograph is also a great mindfuck and is just one volume.

[Raytrace]

episode 14 of Dirty Pair - man I love their little perfectly contained mini stories...

[drauch]

Been watching Iria: Zeiram the Animation, the prequel to the Zeiram live-action films. 6 part sci-fi OVA with some good action and solid animation from '94. Only downside is a completely unnecessary child sidekick with obnoxious 90s anime spiked hair (a'la Akira Toriyama). He's got a very poorly drawn buddy that tags along for awhile; thankfully he dies almost instantly, which had me physically cheering. Most probably know the series from the Super Famicom game.

I never got over "Bob".

Yeah...it certainly has its fair share of flaws. Not as bad as Bob in Lucio Fulci's House by the Cememtery, for those who have seen that.