Recommended Anime/Manga?

[Raytrace]

OH I c, what I actually meant was an Anime that came from a shmup (like a Gradius one or somesuch )

Cool I'll check out the OAV then

There is a Salamander anime, but it's not particularly good. Still worth a watch for a shmup-fan I suppose, you can make a game out of recognizing all the bits it takes from the games.

interesting imma look for it :p

[xbl0x180]

I wouldn't be opposed to see an Otomedius animu, but it's gotta have smooth-as-hell quality production with lots of t-'n-a to help things along (God knows how mediocre those games were). If Urushihara Satoshi was in charge, this thing would be an instant hit

A Parodius anime series would be totally killer a la Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo and maybe Wataru, Papuwa, and Ushio To Tora

Addendum: Strike Witches is a side-scroller for the 360, but it blows (the series blows too).

[Raytrace]

man 08th MS Team is incredible - I'm glad I got over my original dislike of the character design

[Raytrace]

anyone here who's seen the 'Frag' Gundam shorts - that definitely is an Ideon tribute in the second one isn't it?

[Raytrace]

now watchin Gundam 0083 - great stuff so far

[drauch]

Thinking of starting Space Pirate Captain Harlock next.

The original series is head and shoulders everything else by everyone else, ever.

But seriously, by all means please do, and add Galaxy Express 999. The original Harlock was a prototypical example of speculative fiction, sci-fi with the goal of discussing serious themes. I guess that the finale will break your heart.

In many aspects, it is the quintessential seinen anime, although at the time there was no distinction among age groups. The '83 remake was shit, although better animated: it was just another "bad aliens invade Earth, let's kill them!" series. I won't even mention the rest.

The animation in both was not the best, by their period's standards, but they are both very well-thought, thought-provoking, entertaining series.

Fun facts:

Harlock was *immensely* popular in Europe, especially Italy, Germany and France, to the point that my generation (born in the '80s) were called the Harlock generation (Albator, in France).

Daft Punk produced Interstella 5555 with Matsumoto because they wanted to work with their "national" and cultural hero. Also, Matsumoto received the highest honorary title for a foreigner, for artistic merits.









...and, Maya is friggin moe

Felt like quoting your entire write-up because I liked it so much! Started episode 1 today...by Crom, I am going to love this so much. I don't think I've ever been so moved by an introductory episode before. The music is absolutely phenomenal and the direction is fantastic. Going to watch moarrrr.

[Raytrace]

I really like the GMs in 0083 - cool colour...

[Raytrace]

ok I just watched about 5 mins of first episode of Space Pirate Captain Harlock - it does indeed look amazing...

[Randorama]

Felt like quoting your entire write-up because I liked it so much! Started episode 1 today...by Crom, I am going to love this so much. I don't think I've ever been so moved by an introductory episode before. The music is absolutely phenomenal and the direction is fantastic. Going to watch moarrrr.

Harlock has possibly the most evocative song ever in an anime, this shanty, which is sung a cappella.

I guess you will really like the finale, if you were moved by the first episode, then the final few will probably be heart-wrenching, in a good way.

[Siren2011]

Gunm is only 2 episodes long and incomplete. WHYYYYYYYY?????!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Drinks the last drops of anime goodness from his anime grail* I need MOAR!!

But seriously, dudes. That show had so much fucking potential. It was more detailed and atmospheric than even Evangelion, and I love the main characters.

Anyone who hasn't seen this, GO GET IT, NOW!! You'd be doing yourself a huge service. ADV did a fantastic job with the dubs. I honestly would never care to hear the Japanese VO.

Skykid, that means you!

Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRwwsSR_IzM

[xbl0x180]

Just got a few more shipped in:

Air Complete Series
Armitage III Bundle of Matrices
Chobits Complete Series
Vermilion Pleasure Night (live action)
Zero Woman DVD Bargain Bundle (live action)

Definitely agree that Gunm had potential for more. There's always Kishiro Yukito's manga from Viz. I feel the same way about Plastic Little



Thankfully, the manga was also done by the same guy who animated the stuff, so the quality of the chara designs remains the same.

[xbl0x180]

Mayu is so freakin' MOE! The anime is still bona fide MANLY

[Raytrace]

his head and hair could be considered proto-Emo though :p

[Raytrace]

also (well according to wiki) - the Skull and Crossbones T-shirt Danzig used to wear was a reference to this - I knew he was really into Devilman but never about him being into Harlock

[Randorama]

Mayu and the girl in the Lupin's first movie (The castle of Cagliostro) were taken as prime examples of moe, by the (then) shut-in/otaku fringe of anime fans. [EDIT FOR TYPOS]

Harlock looks a bit punkish, but he is more or less the "lone hero" type of character. In the first series especially, he never budges, never complains, never shows hate or distrust towards anyone (especially his "enemies"), says what he means and means what he says, and shows sharp thinking and calmness when everyone else panicks.

This latter feature is one of the main narrative drives of the series, as Harlock takes the critical decisions during the key events of the series. Can the series be manlier than that?

[Raytrace]

oh yeh I wasnt in any way implying that he actually was emo or anythin jus saying that haircut specifically in and of itself

[Raytrace]

finished Gundam 0083 I did like it a lot, though I still think original MSG and then 0080 are probably my favourites so far...

I now am deciding whether to watch ZZ Gundam (is it really as bad as people sa?) or to take a break from Gundam and watch SDF Macross.

I kinda feel I have to watch ZZ to prepare for Char's Counterattack...

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Just got a few more shipped in:

Air Complete Series
Armitage III Bundle of Matrices
Chobits Complete Series
Vermilion Pleasure Night (live action)
Zero Woman DVD Bargain Bundle (live action)

Definitely agree that Gunm had potential for more. There's always Kishiro Yukito's manga from Viz. I feel the same way about Plastic Little



Thankfully, the manga was also done by the same guy who animated the stuff, so the quality of the chara designs remains the same.

Plastic Little's fan service of T&A by Urushihara Satoshi is legendary -- the whole premise seems like that if filler "sub plot" material was used, it could've been stretched out into a 90 minute or 120 minute OVA instead of it's usual given alloted running time (but the tightly paced action scenes never lets the viewer down as everything flows quite smoothly).

With Vermilion Pleasure Night, it was released as a seperate 3 DVD set for all three volumes (ADV released all three seperate DVDs of VPN stateside). The 3rd DVD in the VPN series features a short live-action story that was shot in downtown Kyoto by the underground subway entrance for some of the exterior background scenes.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Ghegs]

I now am deciding whether to watch ZZ Gundam (is it really as bad as people sa?) or to take a break from Gundam and watch SDF Macross.

I kinda feel I have to watch ZZ to prepare for Char's Counterattack...

I'm a bit over 30 episodes into ZZ Gundam and while it is slightly better now than at start, the main reason I'm watching it is because I don't want to miss any cool Amuro/Char stuff before watching Char's Counterattack, but I'm not even sure if there is any here. Like with Zeta Gundam, it feels all the episodes are filler and I'm still waiting for the show's actual plot to start.

The original Macross is pretty damn good, though. You should definitely watch that at some point.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Even the original Tatakotu Toys produced 1/55th scale Macross Variable Fighter die-metal toys sold in Japan back in 1982 go for some serious yen these days on the secondary collector's market. When Bandai bought out TT, they used the original molds for their own VF die-cast toys. Back in 1990-1992, it was still possible to buy the Bandai VF toys at a respectable $55.00 USD pricepoint before they shot up in value later on as the years went on by. The 2002 re-issued Bandai VF toys are based on the old-school 1982 VF toys but the all-important decals/insignia are factory painted on for a rather sharp & better overall presentation IMO (rather than using stickers on the original '82 releases).

Yeah, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross is ace in my book. The arcade PCB release from Banpresto/NMK of the same name is cool to play/own as well.

Transformers Factoid: The 1985 release of G1 Jetfire aka Autobot "Air Guardian" (basically a red & white colored variant of the famous Skull Squadron VF-1S of the SDFM anime + extra battle armor accessories to make it into a "Super Valkyrie" variant Battloid) from Hasbro had instructions on how to transform from jet mode into Battloid mode but not Gerwalk mode. But with a bit of ingenuity, it could be done. Plus the fact that Hasbro didn't market Jetfire as a "triple changer" Transformer seems rather odd but it is, indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Raytrace]

I now am deciding whether to watch ZZ Gundam (is it really as bad as people sa?) or to take a break from Gundam and watch SDF Macross.

I kinda feel I have to watch ZZ to prepare for Char's Counterattack...

I'm a bit over 30 episodes into ZZ Gundam and while it is slightly better now than at start, the main reason I'm watching it is because I don't want to miss any cool Amuro/Char stuff before watching Char's Counterattack, but I'm not even sure if there is any here. Like with Zeta Gundam, it feels all the episodes are filler and I'm still waiting for the show's actual plot to start.

The original Macross is pretty damn good, though. You should definitely watch that at some point.

Yeah I have watched one Macross and it is very cool - as someone who is very into aircraft also it obviously appeals to me :p.
Hmm I dunno im kinda drawn to the hilarity of the ZZ intro too though haha - 'THIS IS NOT ANIME! THIS IS NOT ANIME! THIS REALLY IS REAAAL!!!...

yeah I'm of a similar feeling about Zeta as you - it was ok, and Char was cool as fuck, but Kamille wasnt really that likeable at all, unlike Amuro or indeed (by the end of the show) Cosmo from Ideon... Also anything involving Miss Reccoa just annoyed me no end.

[Gus]

I haven't seen the original Macross but Macross Frontier is awesome. Way better than boring Gundam shit.

[xbl0x180]

Gundam... boring?! GASP I could see that term be applied to Votoms or Galactic Heroes, but Gundam? Speaking of which, def. check out Armored Trooper Votoms. I think the four DVD sets are still being sold on the cheep, unlike the last two volumes of Aura Battler Dunbine. Also, AnimEigo are the ones who released the best version of Macross (better translations and better picture quality), so make sure to get those over the ones AD Vision put out.

Hey, how are y'all getting ZZ Gundam? That was never officially released.

Just got a few more shipped in:

Air Complete Series
Armitage III Bundle of Matrices
Chobits Complete Series
Vermilion Pleasure Night (live action)
Zero Woman DVD Bargain Bundle (live action)

Definitely agree that Gunm had potential for more. There's always Kishiro Yukito's manga from Viz. I feel the same way about Plastic Little



Thankfully, the manga was also done by the same guy who animated the stuff, so the quality of the chara designs remains the same.

Plastic Little's fan service of T&A by Urushihara Satoshi is legendary -- the whole premise seems like that if filler "sub plot" material was used, it could've been stretched out into a 90 minute or 120 minute OVA instead of it's usual given alloted running time (but the tightly paced action scenes never lets the viewer down as everything flows quite smoothly).

With Vermilion Pleasure Night, it was released as a seperate 3 DVD set for all three volumes (ADV released all three seperate DVDs of VPN stateside). The 3rd DVD in the VPN series features a short live-action story that was shot in downtown Kyoto by the underground subway entrance for some of the exterior background scenes.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Urushihara can do no wrong, in my opinion. I've seen Lemnear, his work on the OAVs for Lodoss War and BubbleGum Crisis. He even worked on Akira, that's how badass he is. I have his Cel Works paperback art book from way back in the mid-late 90s (I think 1996). People can probably download all of it for free and see for themselves the top quality of his designs. During the time I was not collecting manga and anime, I remained a fan of his stuff and would comment on it whenever I got a chance

Vermillion Pleasure Night was a barg'in at about 12 USD (new). I enjoy the visual aesthetic and truly zany themes going - it's the televised version of graffiti


Just got another shipment of junk:

Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox Complete Series
Kanon Complete Box Set
Machine Robo: The Revenge Of Chronos 3-DVD set

[drauch]

Urushihara is king!!!! No one draws anime girls better than him--or at least their boobs.

[Raytrace]

OK - W T F is going on with these sh1tty 'quiz' bits in ZZ Gundam? :'(

[GaijinPunch]

There's a special showing (increased volume) of Redline at Shinjuku Wald 9 on 01.06 assuming they sell 160 more tickets. Thinking of pulling the trigger.

[xbl0x180]

Urushihara is king!!!! No one draws anime girls better than him--or at least their boobs.

I dunno, man. I also used to buy U-Jin's manga and art books, and he was fairly proficient with the female form. I also dug Utatane Hiroyuki's stuff, but on a more non-erotic level. Nagano Mamoru and Amano Yoshitaka had some interesting stuff, but not much in story

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Checked out the 1080p HD version of the fourth episode of Unicorn Gundam...epic battles on Earth this time around. The ending is quite a surprise/stunner.

It's just the anticipation of the last two episodes to find out what happens to the characters...should be worth the wait indeed.

The transformable RGZ-95C ReZEL mobile suit featured in the 2nd episode of UG was cool...the recently 2011 released 1/100th scale Bandai model kit of the same name does transform from fightercraft mode to Gundam mode.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Raytrace]

haha I dunno what's goin on, but so far (Im at episode 9) I actually maybe even prefer ZZ Gundam to Zeta Gundam - Camille just really annoyed me through most of Zeta...

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Just started reading Shingeki no Kyojin yesterday under a friend's recommendation and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with how the story's going so far. Just the kind of post-apocalyptic plot I was looking for too, where mankind has pretty much backed themselves into a corner rather than just wandering the Earth, looking for resources. Though I think the author's going a little overboard in the later chapters in regards to the war against titans since it's lost A LOT of it's mystery.