Anime...

[Lewkowski]

So I just finished watching Angel Beats. This was very different then what I thought it would be and to be honest if someone had told me what this was all about at the beginning I wouldn't have thought to watch it. There was one scene that made me laugh the hardest I've ever laughed in an anime and a few others than hit me like a punch to the nose. Really good stuff. I put it up there with Death Note and Code Geass as one of my favorite anime.

[Kazuha Vinland]

Angel Beats throughout raped the reputation of Key. After having done AIR, Kanon and Clannad, they lead off with the sour aftertaste of Jun Maeda knowing her psychology a bit too well, being able to bond you with characters that are beyond ridiculous, till the point where you actually tear up in sadness. Oh, and may I assume you refer to the scene where the guy rips off his clothes in class, stating that he looks thinner wearing clothes, and then gets his chair rocketlaunched as he failed to divert any attention, with the sentimental ending theme playing in the background? That was genius, just like the rest of the music in it. Still, you feel violated by Jun Maeda pulling your heart strings around something ridiculous. At least the other series had an actual dramatic plot line.

Edit: PV6 being a ridiculously catchy theme

[Lewkowski]

It was the 2nd rocket chair that did me in... holy crap that was hilarious. Beautiful play on expectations.

Also I don't expect Anime to have a plausible premise. Look at my other favorite anime... Death Note is about a magic book that lets people kill each other by writing their names in it. The additional restrictions the Shimigami face and how they can die are equally contrived and random. Then take a look at Code Geass... an even crazier concept. You can control other people but only once... and other people have more advanced versions or different variations.

So having your heart strings pulled for ridiculous characters in a ridiculous situation (like Angel Beats) just proves how awesome the creators are.

And to top it off the final message in the end (trying not to spoil anything but its big twist before the credits roll) is probably one of the best public service messages I've ever seen.

[Kazuha Vinland]

Angel Beats has a way more spaced idea than Death Note or Code Geass. Those two series build around a concept that is pretty nifty, whereas Angel Beats has no concept. It just relies on Jun Maeda, that woman proven a genius so many times, to make you have an emotional reaction as easily as turning on a tap full throttle. She can create them out of ANYWHERE, out of ANY context. If you have seen Key's previous shows, where she actually incorporated those into giving you lasting values through a concept, you would realize how manipulative Angel Beats feels in comparison.

Clannad, for one, is the series to have knocked me the hardest out of balance ever - no matter franchise or genre. It is ridiculously threaded in the way you form bonds with the characters. What seems lighthearted at first, is on an incredibly different scale from what you feel after having landed the last episode of Clannad ~After Story~.

So short resume of Clannad for those interested:

The relationship of Tomoya and Nagisa are forged together through several dramatic story lines. Each story line centers on a side character a few episodes, with the most gripping revelations at the end of them that I have rarely seen something equal even if it was the main story with 40 episodes build-up. As the side characters diminish into the background when their story line is done, with only subtle interactions to the overall story, the relationship of Tomoya and Nagisa always gather strength like a small tornado turning into a F5 category hurricane. When in the end, the story revolves around them only, each breath and word they make is considered heavy weight on your heart. It practices contrasts as a way to express utter pain and happiness, side by side, while keeping a very merry mood with practical jokes as a background. Clannad is the introduction for what is to come in the second season, After Story, where afterwards, it feels as if Key has physically slapped your face with a book. Yesh.

[Lewkowski]

Angel Beats has a way more spaced idea than Death Note or Code Geass. Those two series build around a concept that is pretty nifty, whereas Angel Beats has no concept. It just relies on Jun Maeda, that woman proven a genius so many times, to make you have an emotional reaction as easily as turning on a tap full throttle. She can create them out of ANYWHERE, out of ANY context. If you have seen Key's previous shows, where she actually incorporated those into giving you lasting values through a concept, you would realize how manipulative Angel Beats feels in comparison.
.

I'm trying to understand your argument and I just don't get it. Every show tries to manipulate the audience. That's the point! One show makes you want to laugh, another show wants tension, another show wants a combo. The entire point of entertainment is to manipulate the perspective of the audience! As for as Death Note / Code Geass having a nifty concept - yes I agree but both of them are not plausible. That's totally OK with me. I don't expect plausibility from anime.

[Kazuha Vinland]

True, but obviously there are different degrees of absurdity. Like I explained, Angel Beats completely lacks consistency in its drama. It doesn't rely on any build-up or wiring between the characters. Jun Maeda just goes in there and starts playing your heart strings like a harp. That brings for very short-lived pleasure after seeing the series, as there aren't really any dots to connect. The dots themselves are just that great.

[Lewkowski]

We'll agree to disagree

Watching Darker Then Black. I enjoy the main character most when he is 'undercover.'

[Kazuha Vinland]

I remember watching Darker than Black as I drove across Norway in a caravan, a distance equaling half of Europe. Sometimes if you are on an adventure yourself, watching a series feel all the more liberating. Partially why I loved Darker than Black, partially because it is damn good. I'm also one of the few who think of the second season as charming, not a worthless follow-up who threw away all that Hei stood for as a character.

Those who like Darker than Black might also like Black Lagoon, Baccano and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

[Lewkowski]

About halfway through Darker than Black. Enjoying it quite a bit might take a look at Baccano when I'm done. Fullmetal Alchemist seemed right up my alley but I've tried to watch it before and couldn't get into it.

[Lewkowski]

I really enjoyed Darker than Black. Especially the fan fiction last episode... had me rolling. Overall I'd give the show a 9/10.

It looks like this was just the first season though... but its all Netflix has.

I'll be starting Baccano next.

[Kazuha Vinland]

Baccano has a few first episodes that can be boring, but at the end I don't know of a single living soul who wasn't in ecstacy

Been watching a show called Uchuu Kyoudai, or roughly translated to Space Brothers. It's about a pair of brothers, who from their childhood on has been really set on space since spotting a UFO. While the older brother, growing up, disregards his dreams of becoming an astronaut because it is too "unrealistic", his little brother takes the leap and becomes Japan's first person travelling to the moon. Never having forgotten about their pledge as kids, he makes sure his older brother gets a shot at the next astronaut space exam.

7/10, worth watching as it's a fun show, but does not have the heavy scenes like Planetes, which I consider the best space anime by far.

[Lewkowski]

Finished Baccano - awesome series!

Also finished Gun Grave. Enjoyed it but not as much as Baccano or my favorites like Geass and Death Note. The material for Netflix is drying up.

[Veldan Rath]

I must be doing something wrong...were do you guys get all this free time? (See video game's thread)

[Lewkowski]

I must be doing something wrong...were do you guys get all this free time? (See video game's thread)

Episodes are about 20ish minutes. It can be watched in about 11-12 hours if you cared to do it in one sitting. The average American spends about 5 hours of leisure time a day. Other than Game of Thrones and Dexter I don't watch traditional television which free's up a lot of time (Americans watch about 2 hours a day of it). Since the wife is stay at home she does all the domestic stuff while I'm at work.

[Veldan Rath]

Well, me no so lucky. 2-4 days a week Better Half travels for work. So I have to balance 2 kids, job, dogs, and my sanity.

[Lewkowski]

Well, me no so lucky. 2-4 days a week Better Half travels for work. So I have to balance 2 kids, job, dogs, and my sanity.

Sucks to be you.

To be honest it would be really rough to have to do domestic stuff and do my full time job. I get that's a reality for a lot of folks but man... I'd miss my anime and games.

[Kazuha Vinland]

Finished Baccano - awesome series!

I knew you'd love it!

As of late I was reminded why I enjoy anime so much compared to televised series. Friends of me talked so highly about Prison Break and Shawshank Redemption, and I realized they only meant a flicker to me compared to Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin. I can get the drama in the former two, but the sincerity of the characters just seem to fade compared to Rainbow.

[Lewkowski]

Update... watching Fate/Zero right now. Hahahah Rider is awesome.

[Lewkowski]

Update -

Just recently watched Parasyte - really interesting anime. I do dislike having to wait for episodes now though.

[Aimless]

After many failed attempts and false starts, I've finally found an anime I enjoy in the English-dubbed Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. The English voice-acting is excellent and solve the greatest problem I have with Japanese anime, namely the annoying Japanese voices. The writing (and translation) is surprisingly sophisticated and improves noticeably in Shippuden. There are many poignant moments as well as a great many laugh-out-loud hilarious moments

I love the entire cast of characters, and have come to appreciate even the ones that annoy me the most I've been esp. impressed with how skilled the writers are at doing each character justice. Protagonists have many weaknesses, many of which they overcome and some that they come to accept and understand. Antagonists are deliciously villainous but also have a lot going for them, and often redeem themselves in surprising but satisfying ways. I was a little frustrated with the apparent stupidity of several of the main characters but have come to feel that their behaviour is consistent with their personalities, their principles and their feelings and relationships. Sakura in particular used to annoy the hell out of me, but I kinda get it now. I get easily annoyed by all the moody guys who take themselves way too seriously and the female characters who're often portrayed in an extremely sexist as well as annoying way, but those things have improved a lot.

The show effectively uses recurring themes such as the different ways in which loneliness can affect people who lead different lives, incredible hardship that is endured and overcome through determination and/or through the support of friends, all-powerful and driving motivation, the hidden costs of revenge, the importance of being "useful" or having some other thing that gives you a sense of purpose, fighting for those who are precious to you, etc. The action is excellent and I love the over-the-top showdowns spanning multiple episodes with frequent (well-placed) flashbacks that give added depth to every match-up and move. Sometimes it feels like writers are just making things up as they go along, but, for the most part, the fights are thoroughly satisfying and often surprising. Of course, the action would be nothing without all the emotional turmoil and philosophising that goes on simultaneously. Each fight in eg. the Chuunin exams constituted a story-arc in its own right and I loved it. The only thing I didn't enjoy about Naruto was the extremely long run of filler-episodes in the final season (there are good filler-episodes but once they introduced flower-ninjas I gave up and skipped to the last episode).

I'm currently watching the second season of Shippuden and it feels a little bit of a let-down after the incredible first season with Sasori and the extended puppet-battle. I'm glad they're developing the whole Jinchuriki aspect of the story but ordinary Naruto is a lot more interesting than berserker-Naruto and I hope they get back to his personal development soon.

I've been looking around for some suitable shows to watch after I'm done with Naruto. I think I'll give Bleach a try and then maybe One Piece.

[littlelolligagged]

The girl child likes all of those. Particularly One Piece.

[Lewkowski]

After many failed attempts and false starts, I've finally found an anime I enjoy in the English-dubbed Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. The English voice-acting is excellent and solve the greatest problem I have with Japanese anime, namely the annoying Japanese voices. The writing (and translation) is surprisingly sophisticated and improves noticeably in Shippuden. There are many poignant moments as well as a great many laugh-out-loud hilarious moments

Now you need to move on to the next level of fandom. Fanfiction.

[Lewkowski]

So... need a new Anime recommendation.

Already watched these:

Trigun
Trinity Blood
Code Geass
Death Note
Attack on Titan
Tokoyo Ghoul
Angel Beats
Bleach
Chrome Shelled Reigous
Aldnoah.zero
Elfen Lied
Baccano!
Gun Grave
Darker than Black
When They Cry
Cowboy Beebop

Charters like Vash or Lelouch (yes I know opposite ends of the spectrum) tend to be my favorite. Any ideas?

[Lebanese Dragon]

I watched Gurren Lagaan recently, and I thoguht it was pretty good. It's very shallow and fun and doesn't take itself seriously, but it has some serious undertones if you care to pay to attention to them as well. being adventurous vs playing life safe. human potential when we're not scared. The overall theme is humans and individuals can conquer the challenges that face them and we have limitless potential. I'd highly recommend it.

[Veldan Rath]

I wrapped up Attack on Titan...ummm...it was only 1st season...but...ummm

[littlelolligagged]

Hey Aimless, since your taste in anime matches the girl's what's next?

[Echovirus]

Just finished the second season of Sword Art Online. Not keen on the wait for season 3 though.

[Lewkowski]

I wrapped up Attack on Titan...ummm...it was only 1st season...but...ummm

Liked it? Didn't like it?

I thought it was a great action anime. I recently went to an anime convention and oh man everyone was into the cosplay. Fairly easy costume I get it but wow.

[Veldan Rath]

It was okay, but the premise is just odd.

[Aimless]

Mini-lolli should watch Dr. Who and/or Buffy and read The Chronicles of Prydain