Recommended Anime/Manga?

[MX7]

I watched Cowboy Bebop on Toonami first, so there's almost certainly an aspect of nostalgia. Even then, however, I was a sub purist and felt bad that I was missing out on what was surely the 'definitive' version. When I finally, gleefully got my hands on a version with the original language track I was very disappointed for two main reasons;
1) The Japanese voice acting was far too flat, deadpan. This became particularly apparent on the 'Big Shot!' inserts, in which a moustachioed black guy with an almost impenetrable Hispanic accent melodramatically presented a prime time TV show on bounty hunting alongside a blonde female sidekick in fetish gear. It just didn't seem to work in such a monotone... Also,
2) Having every character speak in Japanese seemed to undermine the transnational/hyper-multicultural themes of the show. Of course everyone speaking in English means the dub can be subjected to similar criticism, but I suppose I am able to distinguish between English and American accents far more fluently.

I can't think of another animated Japanese show that works better dubbed than subbed so this is probably a one off. (I think I'd like to see a bilingual dub of Legend of the Galactic Heroes in German and Russian).I'll be watching Space Dandy in Japanese anyway I think.

[50Hz]

No offense to anyone this may apply to, but I think it's a pretty bad attitude to go into any anime that has both subbed and dubbed versions available under the assumption that the dub is going to be shit. Some shows (Panty and Stocking is probably the best example) just don't feel "genuine" with the original VAs and others can be pretty much interchangeable in terms of overall quality (Gurren Lagann). Come to think of it, Gainax in general has a good history of pushing out decent English dubs.

Regarding Space Dandy specifically, I somewhat agree with Skykid concerning the difference in tone. Whilst I believe that the Japanese VAs here are better, I think that the dub is deliberately sort of unpolished in order to emphasise the B-movie vibe it has going on as a kind of homage. Not sure which version I prefer so I keep switching from one to the other although that said, the OP and ED do feel kind of lazy in the dub and I'm not sure I like the English narrator that much.

[drauch]

No offense to anyone this may apply to, but I think it's a pretty bad attitude to go into any anime that has both subbed and dubbed versions available under the assumption that the dub is going to be shit.

Offense taken.

A lot of shows are created with particular voice actors in mind. It's how it was intended, and I've yet to hear one that I thought sounded natural. I've seriously never heard a good animated dub from any country that wasn't the creator. It's harsh, yeah, but it's seriously how I feel. Most English voice actors in this day and age are horrible. Such wooden emotions or just poor melodrama. I can't ever take it serious. The only dubs I can ever stand are from Italian films, but a lot of that was from the mixed casts that were so prevalent at the time during the heyday, so a bit more care was involved, rather than just taking the first guy in line who plays every tough male lead in anime.

I dunno, no sense arguing, really. The dub and sub war will always go on.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Noticed that Miyazaki's The Wind Rises which was nominated for Best Animated Picture subcatagory at the 2014 Oscars show, didn't win but rather it was Disney's Frozen CG animated flick that ended up taking the honors instead. Makes me wonder just how the Academy handles the distribution of DVDs and/or Blu-Rays of it's nominated films to all it's members for proper viewing to cast a vote? Hmmm...

I find it odd that none of the local movie theater chains are showing The Wind Rises but it's currently playing elsewhere stateside in both English subbed format and with the original Japanese language with English subtitled text format as well.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[50Hz]

No offense to anyone this may apply to, but I think it's a pretty bad attitude to go into any anime that has both subbed and dubbed versions available under the assumption that the dub is going to be shit.

Offense taken.

A lot of shows are created with particular voice actors in mind. It's how it was intended, and I've yet to hear one that I thought sounded natural. I've seriously never heard a good animated dub from any country that wasn't the creator. It's harsh, yeah, but it's seriously how I feel. Most English voice actors in this day and age are horrible. Such wooden emotions or just poor melodrama. I can't ever take it serious. The only dubs I can ever stand are from Italian films, but a lot of that was from the mixed casts that were so prevalent at the time during the heyday, so a bit more care was involved, rather than just taking the first guy in line who plays every tough male lead in anime.

I dunno, no sense arguing, really. The dub and sub war will always go on.

Wasn't really here to argue, just gently nudge people to at least give some dubs a chance.

To be honest, I knew that it'd be a bit of a waste of time posting as it seems the majority of fans feel similarly to you but eh, it was worth a shot

Forgot to mention this but when it comes to my preferences, it matters more to me that people are speaking the language of/ best suits the setting; if it's set in Japan then I will always go the sub route for authenticity. In an perfect world, I'd watch something like Monster with a German dub and English subs (if a German dub existed that is).

[drauch]

Really, though? The majority? Maybe on here, but I seem to run into a lot of diehard dub fans across other avenues. Guess it probably just depends where you're at. I've given dubbing lot's of chances in the past, but at this point I think I'm done for the long run.

I can agree with the authenticity, though. It'd be a bit more believable for something like Legend of the Galactic Heroes to be in German, or the aforementioned Michiko to Hatchin in Spanish.

[Bananamatic]

I thought the GaoGaiGar dub was pretty good, but sadly only 50% of the show was dubbed

otherwise always subs, I'm not perfect at understanding spoken english and having something said and reading something different in the subs can get confusing sometimes. I'd rather take japanese I can't understand as background noise

[DaneSaga]

ehh.. I'm one of those uncompromising pricks that says Fuck dubs entirely.

I mean how can you turn something as great as this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0xHKBU5C64

into a monstrosity such a so:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ4UV0WtoMc

Obviously dubs vary in quality depending on studio and actors chosen, but I’d rather listen to something in how is was originally planned to be listened to by its creators rather than suffer through a total butchering job like the example above. I don’t even give them the chance to prove me wrong anymore. Subbed/ raw or nothing for me.

[Skykid]

No offense to anyone this may apply to, but I think it's a pretty bad attitude to go into any anime that has both subbed and dubbed versions available under the assumption that the dub is going to be shit.

Offense taken.

Same, but more on behalf of the creators.

The only dubs I prefer are most certainly because of nostalgia, and most being 90s manga video label releases. It was a time where you watched anime for its extremes, most of the releases being ultra violent seinen with expletive ridden, highly amusing dubs to cement the ridiculousness. Today I'd probably still drop a few of those in favour of the sub, but things like Ninja Scroll and even the original Island World video Cam Clarke Akira dub, are close to my heart.

Additionally, some anime back then were so bad they benefitted from a bad dub to make it entertaining. Although Baoh isn't complete trash, I can't imagine trying to take it semi-seriously in Japanese.

Only SF animated movie I thought was legitimately improved by the dub and OST. The Japanese one is weak!

Otherwise, I'm still trying to fathom who is cloning one particular American helium filled girl to voice act every prominent female role in every show, film and game out of Japan. Drives me nuts. I can't stand it.

Anime is trash enough these days without me having flashbacks of cosplayers due to a US dub - that and the fact that the original representation of the work should be respected. I think dubs are mostly for lazy people.

Space Dandy definitely has a changed mood and energy in the dub. It's another example of a good, unnecessary job. The original character's unflappable cool amid his prime time idiocy is a thing to behold, somewhat diminished by the English voice actor seeking to make him sound like an idiot at any given opportunity.

[BIL]

Only SF animated movie I thought was legitimately improved by the dub and OST. The Japanese one is weak!

Recently watched the sub for the first time, and was mostly appalled by the motivational speaking seminar-worthy OST. Was never keen on the English version's angstier licensed choons, but the presence and atmosphere of its original material was excellent, particularly those chugging guitars. edit: some of the licensed stuff was pretty rugged though! Put a bullet in dat ass, imma sharpshooter!

Only thing I enjoyed in the JP OST was the juxtaposition and then dead silence during Chun v Claw, quite effective. Also BIGGU SOAPY TITSU beforehand. Was that ever in the English release? I know my old VHS copy from the days of middle school lacked it, I'd have jerked myself Jamaican.

VA I'm happy with either way, it's a fucking daft movie however sliced. I prefer the US's more vulgar cracks though. Fei Long. He's an asshole! Cammy? I don't give a shit.

[soprano1]

Only SF animated movie I thought was legitimately improved by the dub and OST. The Japanese one is weak!

Recently watched the sub for the first time, and was mostly appalled by the motivational speaking seminar-worthy OST. Was never keen on the English version's angstier licensed choons, but the presence and atmosphere of its original material was excellent, particularly those chugging guitars.

Only thing I enjoyed in the JP OST was the juxtaposition and then dead silence during Chun v Claw, quite effective. Also BIGGU SHOWA SCENE TITSU beforehand. Was that ever in the English release? I know my old VHS copy from the days of middle school lacked it, I'd have jerked myself Jamaican.

VA I'm happy with either way, it's a fucking daft movie however sliced. I prefer the US's more vulgar cracks though. Fei Long. He's an asshole! Cammy? I don't give a shit.

Guile:Bison! I'll rip your fucking heart out, you filty bastard!

[Skykid]

Only SF animated movie I thought was legitimately improved by the dub and OST. The Japanese one is weak!

Recently watched the sub for the first time, and was mostly appalled by the motivational speaking seminar-worthy OST.

It's just bad. Everything the dub manages to serve the fight scenes in terms of adrenaline is totally doused in the JP one. I was really shocked when I first saw it.

Only thing I enjoyed in the JP OST was the juxtaposition and then dead silence during Chun v Claw, quite effective.

They fight to fucking jazz music. It totally kills all the pace of the scene. Switch to the dub and it's all "GIVE IT TO ME!" thrash guitars, culminating in Vega getting his head kicked through a wall. Like chalk and cheese.

Also BIGGU SOAPY TITSU beforehand. Was that ever in the English release?

Yep!

VA I'm happy with either way, it's a fucking daft movie however sliced. I prefer the US's more vulgar cracks though. Fei Long. He's an asshole! Cammy? I don't give a shit.

Film's got legendary B-Martial Arts movie dialogue. Fei Long's fight dialogue alone is just too good.

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

SFII dub:

"What's thisss.........(weird pause).....Shadowlaw?"

"Ohyoudontknow?Nope"

[Raytrace]

ok, I'm pretty sure a lot of people don't like this because of the CG, but I just watched GITS 2: Innocence, and I have to say I fuckin loved it, even all the philosophical shit was at least 90% directly linked to what was going on at the time etc.

There were some particularly glaring CG parts (for example that 1930's looking car with the full on shiny reflection maps). I really think anything other than a diffusey or preferably cel shaded texture when putting CG in anime is a big no no.

Still overall I did really like it.

So I'm finding the order kinda confusing now - Ok I've watched both movies, which would be best for me to start watching now? - the 'Stand Alone Complex' movies? or TV episodes?

[Obiwanshinobi]

GitS TV looks like Vice City. I don't mind well made CG in anime, but Stand Alone Complex isn't well made. (Last Exile is if you care to read.)

[KAI]

Raytrace, Watch both series (SAC and SAC 2nd GIG), then the Movie (Solid State Society) and then Arise.

[Raytrace]

GitS TV looks like Vice City. I don't mind well made CG in anime, but Stand Alone Complex isn't well made. (Last Exile is if you care to read.)

I am watching Last Exile on and off at the moment. Why would I need to read? It doesn't seem particularly verbose.

Last Exile's CG isn't exactly amazing either IMO, well it is nice in and of itself but it doesn't blend very well with the drawn stuff. A lot of the lines seem to be way too thick or out of focus too (in general).

I know a lot of people hate them, but I still think the Rebuild's combinations of CG and drawn art is very impressive as is Yamato 2199.
The worst I've seen?:

Probably Seed and that submarine one Submarine No 6 I think, it was a shame in Submarine No. 6 because some of the character art and backgrounds were really nice.

[BIL]

They fight to fucking jazz music. It totally kills all the pace of the scene.

I liked how it's soundtracked as more of a home invasion in the sub - she could've had the weather channel on for all I care, the lack of a cued cut to BOSS BGM is neat (and in an ocean of brainless, balls-less muzak, stood out more than it might have!). Obviously the sheer horsepower of the English ST exploding perfectly on cue wins out, though, with this ultimately being a rip-roaring AZNpantsu vs ninjaman battle.

That particular licensed song and a few others work great, and the original material is brilliant, but having ran back to the dub straight after I did wince at some of the grunge. "AH FEEL SO ALONE, GON END UP A BIG OL' PILE O DEM BONES" and "WHAT IF AH SHOULD DIE? BLIND, BLIND" ? How about you OD on some persil while I enjoy my badass martial arts anime, kthx!

[Raytrace]

Raytrace, Watch both series (SAC and SAC 2nd GIG), then the Movie (Solid State Society) and then Arise.

Thanks I shalls, probably after I finish Giant Gorg and my SDF Macross rewatch .

[drauch]

ok, I'm pretty sure a lot of people don't like this because of the CG, but I just watched GITS 2: Innocence, and I have to say I fuckin loved it, even all the philosophical shit was at least 90% directly linked to what was going on at the time etc.

There were some particularly glaring CG parts (for example that 1930's looking car with the full on shiny reflection maps). I really think anything other than a diffusey or preferably cel shaded texture when putting CG in anime is a big no no.

Still overall I did really like it.

So I'm finding the order kinda confusing now - Ok I've watched both movies, which would be best for me to start watching now? - the 'Stand Alone Complex' movies? or TV episodes?

I dig all the GitS stuff, be it manga, show, and the movies. Both Oshii and Shirow are mega pretentious bastards with their philosophy and techno babble, but it's still good stuff that I enjoy immensely. I'd certainly prefer it without the CG stuff, because I think it's kinda incongruous, but I've seen far worse.

[Raytrace]

I dig all the GitS stuff, be it manga, show, and the movies. Both Oshii and Shirow are mega pretentious bastards with their philosophy and techno babble, but it's still good stuff that I enjoy immensely. I'd certainly prefer it without the CG stuff, because I think it's kinda incongruous, but I've seen far worse.

I have yet to read any of the manga - are they different stories, gaiden type things or the same main plots?

[drauch]

Yeah, primarily. Movies, manga, show--they're all different in certain ways, but a few certain story lines are followed to an extent. Each is a fairly different experience. I'd say I probably enjoyed the show most of all. It's the least pretentious of the bunch and the most consistent.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Last Exile's CG isn't exactly amazing either IMO, well it is nice in and of itself but it doesn't blend very well with the drawn stuff. A lot of the lines seem to be way too thick or out of focus too (in general).

I know a lot of people hate them, but I still think the Rebuild's combinations of CG and drawn art is very impressive. Yamato 2199 also, the worst I've seen?

Probably Seed and that submarine one Submarine No 6 I think, it was a shame in Submarine No. 6 because some of the character art and backgrounds were really nice.

Come on now, Last Exile is nicely drawn, which SEED isn't.

[Raytrace]

Come on now, Last Exile is nicely drawn, which SEED isn't.

Yeah I don't think I worded it very well, no there can be no doubt that Last Exile's drawn stuff is WAY better than Seed's, which is sterile and soulless IMO.

[Raytrace]

finished Otaku No Video rewatch - man I loved the Macross mixed with Gunbuster think in Otakuland, and also the way it had pretty much exactly Yamato's bridge too. Anno really, really likes that show.

Also I noticed the Arale girl in it quite a lot, I had never heard anything about that show before to be honest o_O.

I really like Otaku No Video. While it is taking the piss out of itself a good bit, the genuine warmth and affection which Gainax had for anime shines through I think. It's like the manga Moeyo Pen, while he is obviously joking around a lot, you can tell he simply does truly love 'hotblooded' manga.

[KAI]

That reminds me, WHY THE FUCK NO ONE IS SCANLATING AOI HONOU!?!?!

Honou vs Anno. I'm dying to read that!

[Raytrace]

that looks fuckin amaze - is it by the Blazing Transfer Student/Moeyo Pen guy? And is it specifically about Blazing Transfer Student anime.

Well I have to say, as Blazing Transfer Student is being so consistently worked on scanlation wise, no doubts they'll do that too eventually.

[KAI]

Yep, the same author and main character as Moeyo Pen.
Here's a summary of the plot

In this story set in the early 1980s, a young man dreams of becoming a renowned comic writer in years to come. His name is HONOO Moyuru. He has no money, only a dream. Then, he feels overwhelmed by his lack of ability, and buys some sake, although he has no head or stomach for alcohol. This is a tortured elegy for any dashing young art student who spends his days careening around in burning ambition.

[Raytrace]

OK I watched second episode of Space Dandy and loved it, wonderfully fluid animation, lighthearted, but for some reason the old man alien ramen makers story still managed to give me the feels - great stuff.

[Skykid]

Come on now, Last Exile is nicely drawn, which SEED isn't.

Yeah I don't think I worded it very well, no there can be no doubt that Last Exile's drawn stuff is WAY better than Seed's, which is sterile and soulless IMO.

Don't listen to him about Last Exile, he's always going on about it. Murata's amazing promo art isn't translated that well into the show, which happens to be as dull as watching paint dry and several shades of tin. Good sleeping material.

Glad you're feeling Dandy! Watched ep 5 last night; heartwarming. I'm running out though. Need to hang back and let the series finish.