Recommended Anime/Manga?

[Raytrace]

the reopening of HMV in a shopping centre which is literally across the road from me, means I can buy some anime DVDs and indeed BRs pretty cheap now - a lot of it is stuff I don't really give much of a shit about, but I did get GITS 2.0 and Innocence in one pack for €7, which was pretty cheap, even if I would prefer to buy the original original GITS. They have entire Berserk (original I think) for €40 so I might get that soon too. Also all Ghibli's except Poppy Hill for €10 each, so I'll probably get them all eventually, as my kids will no doubt love them all. Sky Crawlere is there too for €7 so Imma get that next time.

[Randorama]

GITS: Innocence and the sky crawlers are by Mamoru Oshii, who can write slightly pretentious but interesting philosophy-written movies like no one else (Pat Labor 2, for instance). Personally I found The sky crawlers very absorbing. Also, the Kenshin movie is relatively good, for japanese standards, so you'd should really go if you have the chance

[Raytrace]

GITS: Innocence and the sky crawlers are by Mamoru Oshii, who can write slightly pretentious but interesting philosophy-written movies like no one else (Pat Labor 2, for instance). Personally I found The sky crawlers very absorbing. Also, the Kenshin movie is relatively good, for japanese standards, so you'd should really go if you have the chance

Oh yeah no I love those drawn out audio visual sequences he does, in fact Patlabor II is probably one of my favourite anime films.

I doubt the Rourouni Kenshin movie will be on here

[xbl0x180]

I'm glad this thred is still going strong. I'm still holding out for TRSI's end-of-year blow out to stock up on anime. However, I'm kinda reserved about buying more stuff, esp. since my recent move has pretty much made me hate having things. It was literally a drag having to carry 15 boxes of DVDs (5 of those boxes were anime!)

[Domino]

I'm glad this thred is still going strong. I'm still holding out for TRSI's end-of-year blow out to stock up on anime. However, I'm kinda reserved about buying more stuff, esp. since my recent move has pretty much made me hate having things. It was literally a drag having to carry 15 boxes of DVDs (5 of those boxes were anime!)

I'm going to be in a boat similar to yours in two months. Eh..

[Softdrink 117]

Realized that I forgot a couple when I posted in here the other day:

Dennou Coil--
Quite interesting overall. Deals heavily with the idea of augmented reality, and the interaction between people and the virtual world. Sort of a more modern take on the kinds of ideas played with in Serial Experiments Lain and Ghost in the Shell. However, it's also a character drama about elementary/middle school children, and how they interact with the augmented world and with each other. I liked it a lot (though not as much as Kaiba).

Eden of the East--
Very cool premise, and very distinctively stylized. I thought the pacing was very good, and enjoyed the series overall. However, the plot is somewhat thin in places that it really shouldn't be, and given the existence of two OVAs, I suspect that this is somewhat intentional... which is never something I care for. When it feels like a show isn't explaining things expressly to force you to go watch a tie-in, it usually rubs me the wrong way. One thing to keep in mind about the series is that it has been widely criticized for having a "Bourne Identity ripoff" plot; I'll let you draw your own conclusions about that.

Read or Die (OVA)--
This was actually the first OVA I ever saw, and one of the first anime anythings I was exposed to. It thus has a lot of sentimental value to me. However, I rewatched it recently, and found myself thoroughly enjoying it. It's campy (the dub especially so, to absolutely absurd levels), but the premise is cool, the characters are charming, and some of the settings and musical numbers are absolutely fantastic. The opening sequence is one of my favorites from any anime. Seriously. Just watch it. Part of what makes it so fun to watch is that it doesn't take itself incredibly seriously, yet it never gets quite light-hearted enough that you can simply write it off.

I should note that while I think the Read or Die OVA is great, the series (ROD the TV) is somewhat less so. It has a lot of the same spirit, but suffers by comparison due to the much slower pacing and slightly more serious tone. Still worth watching, but I would definitely recommend you watch the OVA first to feel things out-- both because it precedes the series chronologically and because it's stronger as a cohesive whole.

[Raytrace]

watched first ep of Desert Punk - I did like but possibly a bit too wacky for me, but I shall definitely watch the rest.

I liked the Hokuto No Ken references in it.

[Raytrace]

I hate when this thread goes quiet - it's usually after one of my posts hahahah

im on episode 42 of my Zeta rewatch, occasionally watching eng dub for my children's sake - I have to say while in general the original Jap audio is better (IMO), there ain't many things as cool as when at the end of the eng dub the voiceover goes 'YOU WILL SEE THE TEARS OF TIME!'...

[BryanM]

Well I didn't enjoy Fujiko Mine as much as I thought I would've. It's kind of Tropes Against Women: The Anime, but worse I just don't think I can give a damn about stand alone episodes in my advanced age. And the myth-arc ones are highly repetitive, drawn out, and simply not that great. Grimdark Lupin coulda been better.

My Little Sister Can't Be This Incest was kind of fine until it flowed into massive nonsensical "romance" tumors in the second season. I assume a bit of the unjustifiable character actions comes from typical anime truncation: animated light novels = an abridged series more oft than naught. The ending is a great big Shoot the Shaggy Dog trope that does not make sense. Apparently the author wanted the wincest, but his publisher said he can not has it. And the animation company was all like "yeah no we're not going to make it that obvious." A very bizarre Japanese Thing that could never ever happen anywhere else. At least I can "get" the many internet references to this thing now.

Genshiken is a lot less anime and more realistic than the average animu, for some value of "realistic". Only thing really notable about it, is that it takes place in college instead of High School so the characters are allowed to have sex and drink alcohol in-universe. And, in theory, have incestual relations perhaps; I still have zero idea how that all works in Japanese media. (I don't know if it's some kind of rule written in stone or whatever, but that trope in anime where some wiener kid is all like "oh noes I can't do anything illegal~~" esp. with alcohol really rustles my pantaloons.) Genshiken is widely beloved in internet culture, probably because it's a dramatized retelling of our No Life selves, but I'm not that crazy about it.

*The most entertaining part of all this was that moment when I realized the protagonist of Oreimo is the same guy as in Sword Art Online. It explains so much about both series in a meta sort of way. Still, a good time to take a break from the scene and listen to the sounds of the ocean or something to fall asleep to instead...

[Raytrace]

watched episode 4 of Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, I dont' like it's feel and art half as much as the OVA, however story wise it has started introducing some interesting stuff.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yeah, noticed that the entire Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 series was made available on Netflix just recently. Interesting opening and closing credits...especially the ending credits -- looks to be a bit experimental with that visual motif of early CG overall presentation. It still retains it's original 4:3 screen viewing format for posterity.

PC Engine Fan X ! ^_~

[Raytrace]

Yeah, noticed that the entire Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 series was made available on Netflix just recently. Interesting opening and closing credits...especially the ending credits -- looks to be a bit experimental with that visual motif of early CG overall presentation. It still retains it's original 4:3 screen viewing format for posterity.

PC Engine Fan X ! ^_~

yeah the OP is great musically definitely - that kinda pseudo industrial early 90s sound - I do like

[GaijinPunch]

watched episode 4 of Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, I dont' like it's feel and art half as much as the OVA, however story wise it has started introducing some interesting stuff.

Everything I've read said it's a gigantic turd... just like 99% of the remakes out there in any country.

[Raytrace]

Everything I've read said it's a gigantic turd... just like 99% of the remakes out there in any country.

well it is obviously nowhere near the OVAs, but I don't think it is that terrible seriously

[BIL]

Just finished Shingeki ch50, still interested and 49's cliffhanger was satisfyingly resolved, but I may read this on a volume by volume basis. Grrr, I hate it when I get roped into an ongoing monthly series. Of anything. A week is my limit before I start getting resentful.

[Hagane]

Sad about that chapter's death. He was a very secondary character, yes, but it made much more impact on me than most other fallen guys.

[ryu]

is anyone here familiar with silent mobius? i've been watching the anime (10 episodes in now), and am wondering if the movies or manga are actually worth checking out. the tv animation pretty much seems to be "wasted potential the anime" thus far, since the serious arcs are really good deep down however restrained by the timeframe of single episodes which is a real bummer.

[BIL]

Sad about that chapter's death. He was a very secondary character, yes, but it made much more impact on me than most other fallen guys.

Same - although there was some release in that particular titan finally ending up on the receiving end, and Reiner and Bertholdt very nearly getting the same, the series' human toll does a good job of making such things seem ultimately futile. Good ending panel for the chapter.

[Formless God]

- Kyouso motherfucking giga now airs weekly. All of my yes
- A few days ago I watched KLK's trailer and it got me very worried because it looked too much like Want Piss, but the show itself's been pretty nice so far. I preferred LWA's Western animation look, though.
- Golden Time. The heroine's design rustles my jimmies very much but I'm curious to see where this is going. Oh, and don't you dare fucking up the ending this time.
- Kyoani somehow found a way, so I'm following this as well.

I haven't even finished last season's stuff ...

[KAI]

is anyone here familiar with silent mobius? i've been watching the anime (10 episodes in now), and am wondering if the movies or manga are actually worth checking out. the tv animation pretty much seems to be "wasted potential the anime" thus far, since the serious arcs are really good deep down however restrained by the timeframe of single episodes which is a real bummer.

The movies are good, but they have cheap-korean-animation. The manga is the real deal.

[Domino]

I'm curious, how many people here collect Anime OSTs? I posted my collection on a cool thread on /m.

http://images.4chan.org/m/src/1381202853160.jpg

[drauch]

I'm curious, how many people here collect Anime OSTs? I posted my collection on a cool thread on /m.

http://images.4chan.org/m/src/1381202853160.jpg

I always wish I did. I've been seriously eying a Leda Yohko record for ages now, and just about everything Dirty Pair, Bubblegum Crisis, and Maison Ikkoku. I always tell myself "when I get a real job, then I can collect more shit I don't need."

[gbaplayer]

has anybody here ever tried "Berserk" (Anime + Manga)?
totally awesome series.

[Raytrace]

has anybody here ever tried "Berserk" (Anime + Manga)?
totally awesome series.

I have not yet - but it is indeed supposed to be the stuff of legend.

[DaneSaga]

Recently watched the Ninja themed 1989 OVA Youma (aka Blood Reign: curse of the youma).
Not all that dissimilar to the works of Yoshiaki Kawajiri, at the very least it uses a similar template (stoic main character, gauntlet of boss like fights, a demonic presence with a hint of horror/ dark fantasy), only sans the perverted “Yoda” old kook and main protagonist getting any from the ladies (far too engrossed in brooding to try anything I would imagine).

The narrative was relatively weak and a little perplexing, possibly just undeveloped because of its short runtime, and unfortunately action scenes felt too rudimentary, ending in the same fashion almost every time, lacking any sense of excitement.
That said I was never bored during my viewing and it’s absolutely full of that late ‘80s aesthetics and charm (too stupid to take seriously) that I tend to gravitate toward.
Certainly not on the same level as the seminal Ninja Scroll or Dagger of Kamui but definitely watchable.

has anybody here ever tried "Berserk" (Anime + Manga)?
totally awesome series.

Love(d) the world of Berserk, both in manga and animated form. Despite Kentarou’s wonderful artwork though I feel the manga has really descended into shit. Just too much JRPG, loli witches and trivial time wasting nonsense from volume 20-ish or so. Still read every new volume though as I need the eventual closure.

[nasty_wolverine]

has anybody here ever tried "Berserk" (Anime + Manga)?
totally awesome series.

Yes, I read the manga (so many bloody volumes, and yes, indeed bloody). But there hasnt been a new release in quite a while. i feel like the series has slowed down a bit, but still pretty intense.

any news if HunterXHunter is ever starting again? or if Oh! Great is gonna do a new manga?
Has anybody read Drifter (from the same author as Hellsing)?

[MX7]

I'm curious, how many people here collect Anime OSTs? I posted my collection on a cool thread on /m.

http://images.4chan.org/m/src/1381202853160.jpg

I always wish I did. I've been seriously eying a Leda Yohko record for ages now, and just about everything Dirty Pair, Bubblegum Crisis, and Maison Ikkoku. I always tell myself "when I get a real job, then I can collect more shit I don't need."

I'd love to start collecting properly. Got Dirty Pair's RU-RU-RU-RU-RUSSIAN ROULETTE 7" and a Yamato drama/OST LP. Were the Bubblegum Crisis OSTs released on vinyl? CDs don't aren't really my thing.

Drauch - What's Maison Ikkoku? You have pretty kicking taste in cartoons so I feel I have to ask.

[Domino]

I'd love to start collecting properly. Got Dirty Pair's RU-RU-RU-RU-RUSSIAN ROULETTE 7" and a Yamato drama/OST LP. Were the Bubblegum Crisis OSTs released on vinyl? CDs don't aren't really my thing.

Some ads I saw somewhere were advertising the first BGC Soundtrack on LP. I don't think all eight volumes were released on the LP format.

[drauch]

has anybody here ever tried "Berserk" (Anime + Manga)?
totally awesome series.

Love(d) the world of Berserk, both in manga and animated form. Despite Kentarou’s wonderful artwork though I feel the manga has really descended into shit. Just too much JRPG, loli witches and trivial time wasting nonsense from volume 20-ish or so. Still read every new volume though as I need the eventual closure.

I feel exactly the same way. I'm skipping the new series because I think it looks dreadful, but I really enjoyed the original take. I used to anxiously await each Berserk translation like my wife was giving birth, but now I'd rather just have it aborted. I hate it now. Just thinking about it gets me fired up. Probably the biggest sellout move I've ever seen. I still haven't made it through book 34 or so, and that came out a year or two ago. Every once and awhile I'll pick it up while I'm on the john and try a few pages, but I eventually gave up and stored it for good. It's sad to say, but I think I'm done at this point. It's taking so long for each volume because we finally caught up with Miura. While I think the current state is dreck, the art just keeps getting better and better. I wouldn't be surprised if it never got finished with the time it takes to draw those castles and fortifications.

Funny, I've actually got two copies of Blood Reign (one came in a two-pack, I just need to sell it.) Looks cool, and even cooler now due to my admiration for all things Kawajiri and Dagger of Kamui. Love the 80s anime babe, definitely. I'll give this a shot hopefully soon. I've been slacking.

MX7: Maison Ikkoku is the adaptation of the Rumiko Takahashi (Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura, Inuyasha) manga of the same name. Excellent slice-of-life series with plenty of relatable drama and confusion for the mid-20s awkward slacker before the sub-genre was overwhelmed with poor imitations and infinite harem comedy/dramas. Easy top five for me. Just thinking about it makes me sad. I love it so much. It makes me regret how I've spent my life, but then I watch Fist of the North Star to balance it out. Don't get Gaijin Punch started on it.

[BryanM]

The Berserk guy is all kinds of sick, and I wouldn't be surprised if he carks it before anything new is made for it. As dismal as its become, there is still the very rare instance of Seriously Messed Up Stuff.

But it really hammers home "have a plan, you bastard" when you're writing something. You can't be like Lost, and be all like "Ah, I'll just say it was Jeezurs all along. Dumb bible thumping americans do love their Jeeburs/long seaweed pirate battle sequences." It says something when all your audience expects is a dude walking around murdering demons 24/7, and you somehow manage to disappoint them still.

I just like to pretend Guts and Griffith made up, made out, and made a baby (a good non-defective one this time) and call it quits. And that Guts and Casca finally come to love Final Fantasy 8 somehow.