Recommended Anime/Manga?

[Skykid]

If you liked Fressia that much, then read more from Matsumoto. Becchin & Mandara, Uncivilized Planted and City of Honests and Heretics are as good as Fressia.
You may also like Memories of Emanon and Wandering Emanon from Kenji Tsuruta.
As CIT suggested, Homunculus is good reading. I'm at Vol.3 right now and I'm liking it so far .

I liked that Freesia was essentially about a bunch of schizophrenic lunatics working in a daily business... that happened to be Vengeance Proxy Enforcement. It's such a wild premise, and Kano, Mizoguchi etc are so deliciously unhinged, I couldn't help being compelled. There was a really black humour to it all, too. I thought the ending was a bit of a fizzle, sadly, fell back on all that standard Japanese contemplative shit. He could have done something slightly more interesting - but it was never a manga that expressly wanted to make a point, I felt.

I understand they made a live action movie of it, which, based on the calibre of most Japanese live action movies I expect is utterly shit and I shouldn't touch it with a ten-foot bargepole. If you know otherwise, let me know!

I read the first couple of chapters of Dorohedoro last night and it's really not clicking with me. I'll check out your suggestions though. Homunculus sounds intriguing, and it might be good to take a break from Jiro before checking out his other work.

[KAI]

I was considering watching His And Her Circumstances

Watch it. Karenako was the last series Gainax did before they went completely moetard.

[Frenetic]

Ushijima the Loan Shark aka Yamikin Ushijima-kun



Dang, this is one of the most hard hitting manga I've read in a while. It's won the Shogakukan manga award so you know it's good. It's like Breaking Bad/Requiem for a Dream rolled up into one. If you've think you've read it all, check this one out. It won't disappoint.

"In recent years, Japan has become the shining light of Asia - with its noteworthy achievements in the fields of Science and Technology, Medicine and the like.
But while there are a great number of rich and successful Japanese people, there are even more who are engaged in a furious struggle simply to earn their day-to-day living expenses...all the while battling with dangerous and money-consuming addictions such as gambling and alcoholism.

What will these people do when they require the cash to feed the never-ending desires that are part and parcel of being human? How miserable and dangerous might their lives become if they fall into the fearful traps that are set by black market money-lenders with the sole purpose of ensnaring such weak-willed individuals?

Read and find out!" description from http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=5708

[Skykid]

Fucking anime, Jesus.

Wizard Barristers... is kind of lame, but I like how you can really feel it's made by a company specialized in hentai. A really different atmosphere.

Such an insane name, I had to google, and it's the new one from Umetsu - so yeah, specialised in HC porn is more like it. I do like his work though, a really strong animation director, and both Kite and Mezzo were pretty good.

Watched the first two episodes and I'm done, deleting the rest.

Umetsu should be ashamed to have this shit to his name, and that's taking into account he's better known for hardcore pornography.

What a vapid load of crap this one is. I don't even understand anime as a concept anymore, I spend most of the time trying to grasp what the hell I'm watching. CG backgrounds now? Is that the way it's done these days? I must be out of the loop. The laziness in the camera framing and general lack of artistry in all the CG offends me considerably.

Japanese people really can't get enough of talking about adolescent girls, can they? So this isn't hentai, but instead I have to look at a bunch of post-pubescent teens squealing in cosplay attire (something that really irks me - I can't stop thinking about fat white girls dressed as maids) and having laugh-a-minute idiosyncrasies like putting whipped cream on their food, talking about 'doing it' with 'guys', and idiotic talking frogs.

Additionally, it seems pre-requisite to allude continually as to how "cute and young and how she's only 17!" over and over, while making ridiculous excuses for her bend-me-over-and-fuck-me-up-the-ass business attire.

Look Japan, I don't care about cosplay and I don't care about dumb kids being kawayiiii. If you're going to spend an hour teasing about how young and supple and seventeen she is, I'd rather just see her get her duds ripped off and fucked within an inch of her life. All the other shit you can leave at the door.

And that's kind of the crux of the matter. When Umetsu did Kite and Mezzo he had 45 minutes of sufficient animation budget and no time to waste. That resulted in superb action sequences, taut animation throughout, and the girls getting spit-roasted by anything in the vicinity.

This spends all its time waffling, looking half-assed (what's with all the motion blur on the action scenes?) and pitifully trying to pass off a thinly veiled courtroom plot, utterly devoid of drama and intrigue, to parade cosplay uniforms and moe memes about for 25 minutes a piece.

Fuck it. If this is anime today - and I mean this is really it - keep it, I'm done. I used to come to anime for subversive themes and the occasional thought-provoking concept. If I want to see retarded kids who don't have two pennies to rub together I only need to walk down the street.

Think I'll stick with the manga.

[drauch]

Space Dandy, man. Do it.

[Formless God]

Oh hell no, he isn't going to like it.

[KAI]

Even Shinichiro Watanabe is doing crap these days.

[Skykid]

Wait what, Shinichiro Watanabe has done a new show, and it's crap?

I don't believe it. That guy can't fail.

I loved Bebop and Champloo so I'll have to give it a look. If anyone can rekindle some faith, it's him.

[KAI]

Well, it's not crap, but it's full of stupid jokes and sometimes it's really boring.
Watch Kids on the Slope if you want some Shinichiro goodness (warning, it's kinda gay)

[drauch]

Wait what, Shinichiro Watanabe has done a new show, and it's crap?

I don't believe it. That guy can't fail.

I loved Bebop and Champloo so I'll have to give it a look. If anyone can rekindle some faith, it's him.

It rules. But I also think Champloo is crap and Bebop is extremely overrated. It's fun space opera with lots of references to horror and sci-fi. It's like a modern Space Cobra, except he's a complete doofus. I think it's fantastic, and I hate almost all modern anime and manga.

Breastaurant.

[Skykid]

It's like a modern Space Cobra, except he's a complete doofus. I think it's fantastic, and I hate almost all modern anime and manga.

Breastaurant.

That sounds awesome. I may postpone the divorce a while longer.

[HenAi]

Skykid, instead of Wizard Barristers, you should give Sakura Trick a go. No really, just an episode or two. I don't think you'd want to watch more than that.
It's at least very very honest about what it's going for.

[KAI]

That would be sooooooooo funny. Sakura Trick anime of the century

[Xyga]

Umetsu should be ashamed to have this shit to his name

Indeed, Wizard Barristers sucks, I've watched a few more episode and it doesn't get better at all.

Things people do today for a living...

[Skykid]

That would be sooooooooo funny. Sakura Trick anime of the century

I think I'm being tricked into something here.

Umetsu should be ashamed to have this shit to his name

Indeed, Wizard Barristers sucks, I've watched a few more episode and it doesn't get better at all.

Things people do today for a living...

Really disappointing for me. Umetsu has talent, so I'm surprised he wasted his time with something so trite and unremarkable. Should have stuck to underage rape and oversized handguns.

SPACE DANDY

Is instantly 100 times superior, in that it has actual character, wit, and art direction. Only seen ep1 just now but yeah, Watanabe still has style. Love the retro throwback visuals, some of it's framed like sci-fi book covers of 30's fiction.

Plenty of fun, no serious. And breastaurants ftw.

I briefly saw a review on YT by some nerd jockey or another last night, and he expressly asked female viewers to tell him how they felt about the boob-related content, as if it's a concern.

What's all this Sarkeesian spillover about?

Who gives a fuck, for crying out loud. It's a humorous aspect meant to show up the klutzy hero as a womanising loser, and it's a Japanese product - it would be weird without some kind of smutty showcasing of the fairer sex.

Seriously, why doesn't someone do a YT vid asking women what they think about the Hooters chain of restaurants?

I totally get that people shouldn't be exploited based on their sex, but this political correctness is getting ahead of itself.

Men like tits. Deal with it.

[drauch]

Awesome, man. I figured you'd like it. Good, plain ol' fun. Nice to have a non-sequential series themed around sci-fi, adventure and breasts. Can't remember (if it was ever brought up at all) how big of a fan you are of George A. Romero's zombie films, but episode 4 is a real hoot if you are. Total nonsense and references o' plenty. Just like the golden days of the OVA.

And shiiiiiet, how can you complain about tits!? Space Dandy reminds me of myself, which is another reason why I like him so much. I used to have a pompadour and my infatuation for big breasts is unequaled. And I'm a doofus! Yeeeeeeeeehaaaaaawwwwww.

[Raytrace]

OK as Drauch and now Skykid have condoned Space Dandy I shall start watching it again - I watched the first episode and thought jit was a bit too aimless or something, though I did love the art and style.

Is This Ugly Yet Beautiful World any good? It looked ok apart from 'stupid hair' and stuff - but I liked the way the monster in the first episode looks VERY TTGL.

I looked through a bit of His And Her Circumstances too - it did look quite funny, though I don't know if I could handle something so much set in the 'real world' haha - Utena was the closest I've ever been to watching something entirely set in a school.

I also rewatched some of my favourite scenes from Gunbuster last night - beautiful.

Drauch - I see you like City Hunter - I watched one episode and he just seemed to be constantly emm groping girls, does that continue for the whole thing? o_O

[Raytrace]

I used to have a pompadour

good man

'We walk the streets at night,
We go where eagles dare...'

[Raytrace]

I briefly saw a review on YT by some nerd jockey or another last night, and he expressly asked female viewers to tell him how they felt about the boob-related content, as if it's a concern.

What's all this Sarkeesian spillover about?

Who gives a fuck, for crying out loud. It's a humorous aspect meant to show up the klutzy hero as a womanising loser, and it's a Japanese product - it would be weird without some kind of smutty showcasing of the fairer sex.

They should be forced to watch Mad Bull 34 (dub) repeatedly :p

[Skykid]

Who isn't a fan of Romero's zombie films? I'll look forward to that one.

And yeah, it is good simple fun. I can see how the theme clicks with Cobra fans for this one, but I'm still unsure why you didn't like Bebop and Champloo. The latter is a bit more take it or leave it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless - probably because I dig feudal Japanese manga & games - but Bebop is great. I'd say overrated perhaps, but that's because everyone puts it on a ridiculous pedestal: I just thought it was a damn good show.

As for complaining about tits, hrmph. In-fact, anime nerd wasn't complaining, just encouraging women to comment about how they felt about the show's tame and inconsequential comedic theme. If, through some kind of new-wave bohemian internet microphone people actually managed to force mass media to stop giving men tits and ass to look at, will we want them any less?

It would so be one of those, "Oh great, good job. Well done, you broke it. Happy now?" realisations.

[drauch]

Drauch - I see you like City Hunter - I watched one episode and he just seemed to be constantly emm groping girls, does that continue for the whole thing? o_O

Yeah, I loooove City Hunter! Almost dropped way too much money awhile back on some figures, but (un)fortunately decided my bank account couldn't take it. Sigh.

But yes! Indeed, a big part of City Hunter is his infatuation with "mokkori." Mokkori bust, hips, butt, legs, etc! He's a super cool dude and the best shot in the world next to Golgo 13, but he can't help his perversion. Some episodes are very serious, but he's almost always doing a mission for a total babe, whom he'll constantly try and grope or hit on. Some episodes it's a bit more out there than others, but it's primarily action/thriller with a bit of humor thrown in. You might try Cat's Eye as well from the same mangaka, Tsukasa Hojo. It's a bit more serious, but again, total 80s babe lighthearted heist stuff. RightStuf is planning to release it after they're done with Space Cobra. Can't wait. It's aces stuff.

[CIT]

@Skykid

Have you watched Michiko to Hatchin? For me it's basically part 3 in an unofficial "trilogy" with Bebop and Champloo. Not directed, but produced by Watanabe, but the staff was largely the same. Maybe not as good as the other two shows, but still very enjoyable.

[drauch]

And yeah, it is good simple fun. I can see how the theme clicks with Cobra fans for this one, but I'm still unsure why you didn't like Bebop and Champloo. The latter is a bit more take it or leave it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless - probably because I dig feudal Japanese manga & games - but Bebop is great. I'd say overrated perhaps, but that's because everyone puts it on a ridiculous pedestal: I just thought it was a damn good show.

Nah, I actually like Bebop quite a lot, but there's plenty of other shows out there that I like a bit better. Definitely deserves praise, but like you said, it's certainly put on a hyperbolic pedestal.

Champloo I just can't do. I can't stand samurai inspired fiction shoved into modern settings. That and the whole hip-hop thing is fairly irritating to me. I just don't like the way these things are meshed together into a series that seems so desperate to be cool and hip.

And the main character has a teen stache. Mmm, yeah. Mainly that.

[Raytrace]

And yeah, it is good simple fun. I can see how the theme clicks with Cobra fans for this one, but I'm still unsure why you didn't like Bebop

I have watched about 5 episodes of Bebop, and I thought they were indeed very well directed and animated - all the jazzy sh1t kinda pissed me off though tbh, but I shall soldier through, also stupid as it may be, I HATE yer man the main guy's hair lol.

[drauch]

@Skykid

Have you watched Michiko to Hatchin? For me it's basically part 3 in an unofficial "trilogy" with Bebop and Champloo. Not directed, but produced by Watanabe, but the staff was largely the same. Maybe not as good as the other two shows, but still very enjoyable.

I can vouch for this one as well. I love it. Probably my favorite modern series in the past few years. It kinda feels like a dirty crime film from the 70s. Stays sequential, but has a lot of nice little vignettes in between with a lot of memorable characters. Was actually thinking of this while taking a shit earlier (sorry.) Quite unique as well with the setting, which is basically a fictional South America. Kinda nice not seeing something in Japan or some fantasy period world.

[Raytrace]

@Skykid

Have you watched Michiko to Hatchin? For me it's basically part 3 in an unofficial "trilogy" with Bebop and Champloo. Not directed, but produced by Watanabe, but the staff was largely the same. Maybe not as good as the other two shows, but still very enjoyable.

I can vouch for this one as well. I love it. Probably my favorite modern series in the past few years. It kinda feels like a dirty crime film from the 70s. Stays sequential, but has a lot of nice little vignettes in between with a lot of memorable characters. Was actually thinking of this while taking a shit earlier (sorry.) Quite unique as well with the setting, which is basically a fictional South America. Kinda nice not seeing something in Japan or some fantasy period world.

yes I remember way deep in the annals of this sacred thread someone recommending it.

[BryanM]

I find the most misogynistic thing in the medium is the complete helplessness of the women. Like I said before, the little girl android with all the superpowers of your typical 5 year old ordinary human female in Ergo Proxy, displayed more ferocity than you'd see from all of the gender put together during the typical animoo season.

Saying that women can't solve their problems or other people's problems, ever, is a lot more offensive than flipping the courting roles in haremus or drawing toddlers with huge tits or magical giant boobs with the power to dodge bullets.

... christ in retrospect... this stuff really is seriously fucked up. No wonder I watch it.

CG backgrounds now? Is that the way it's done these days?

Time of Eve uses CG backgrounds, and not only do I not notice it (too busy watching robots talk about their feelings I guess), but I think it's actually the better for it. Especially when the camera rotates during a scene; that adds a surprising amount of life to the thing.

Japanese people really can't get enough of talking about adolescent girls, can they?

You watch one softcore porno and complain about having watched a softcore porno. So what if it's a drug for 30-something forever alone japanese otaku to go to sleep at night/not commit suicide out of despair from their empty salaryman lives with no hope of ever seeing any sort of reward from their suffering. The production boom is already over anyway, after everyone trying to capitalize off the Haruhi craze blew it..

At least watch the (non-porno) one made for ten year old girls about the magical girls who decapitate the hell out of everything always or something if you're going to target what's actually popular these days. Being that that's at least one a recent one that made $millions in the theatres.

Wizard Barristers isn't going to make 1/100th what Madoka makes in a month from merchandising, ever.

[Raytrace]

Time of Eve uses CG backgrounds, and not only do I not notice it (too busy watching robots talk about their feelings I guess), but I think it's actually the better for it. Especially when the camera rotates during a scene; that adds a surprising amount of life to the thing.

I have to say, when done well I really do like polygonal backgrounds, especially if the textures are applied in a 'painterly' way. Some of the polygonal based planetary environments in Yamato 2199 were amazing; a lot of them I literally could not tell were polygons untill the camera moved.

[Skykid]

I find the most misogynistic thing in the medium is the completely helplessness of the women.

I agree, that's why I said they should just get on with the tits.

Time of Eve uses CG backgrounds, and not only do I not notice it (too busy watching robots talk about their feelings I guess), but I think it's actually the better for it. Especially when the camera rotates during a scene; that adds a surprising amount of life to the thing.

Ugh. Very different tastes. I much prefer the detailed and evocative art of hand drawn backgrounds: CG is just cold and clashy. I suppose WB was exceptionally bad - Space Dandy is much better at doing the same thing, and the former's art direction was boring. Let it be known, the opening three minutes of WB Episode one is a lie - it does not maintain.

You watch one softcore porno and complain about having watched a softcore porno.

It's not a softcore porno.

At least watch the (non-porno) one

It wasn't a porno.

Being that that's at least one a recent one that made $millions in the theatres.

Does anything that makes millions in theatres automatically equate to quality viewing?

To reiterate the point and quash the obvious misunderstanding, Umetsu is good at porn. Wizard Barristers is not porn, but if it was, it would be improved. I'd rather the giggling vapid harem got taught some grown up manoeuvres by a club of oversized cocks than have to have them witter on about being cute and young and moe as some kind of stand-in for plot and characterisation.

Space Dandy at least puts tits and ass on parade, because being a pervert is part of its protagonist's nature, much to the amusement of the audience.

[HenAi]

I reiterate my suggestion for Sakura Trick. You'll see what BryanM meant once you've seen an ep or two of that one.