Anime

[ibanezmonster]

Pure evil...

I like the top comments:

I want this song to play at my funeral.
THIS SONG DESCRIBES MY ENTIRE LIFE.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Although I usually hate anime dubbing in english and I'm always watching them in japanese, I have to give Pokémon dub this: They made Lugia's song even better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG57tjQTtBY

And it's about the only anime dub I sincerely like, even if japanese version is still far superior.

4kids ruined Sonic X - changed it into a kid's show. When comparing original and dub, I can't  believe they are the same anime. And they censored like 50 % of it.

I get shivers when thinking what they could have done with Death Note, Hagaren or One Piece... no, wait. They did ruin One Piece! Aaaaagh!

Light: I am just randomly writing in this notebook and those guys just faint. No dying, no sir.

[ibanezmonster]

Yeah, 4Kids shouldn't be allowed to touch certain ones.

I could just imagine them getting a hold of Elfen Lied. How would you even be able to show the first episode? Is it possible to censor out an episode involving a naked lady mutilating people for most of the episode? How about Mayu's subplot, where she runs away because she is forced to be a prostitute? (Hmm... what could they change for that?) Or all of the scenes where Lucy rips people apart when she is a kid? Or what about the overall dark tone of the show? Or the questionable relationship of the two cousins who are the main characters? Or Nyuu's inappropriate behavior (of which she doesn't know any better)? What American names would they change them to?

Thankfully, they will never touch it because it wouldn't even be a show if they tried to. 

[ibanezmonster]

Just finished watching an 11-episode series, "Higashi no Eden" (Eng.: Eden of the East). It can be viewed on Funimation's youtube channel, either the English or subbed Japanese version. I watched the English version, and the voice acting is actually pretty good.

The feel of the show is very, very straightforward and realistic, but it mixes it up with some very awkward moments "wtf" moments (best example- in the first episode, the main character makes his first appearance naked, in front of the White House, holding a gun and a cell phone. He doesn't remember anything because he erased his memory). Throughout the show, you learn more about him and the plot reveals itself over time. The realistic side of it being, for example, how they go through NYC and talk about Sep.11 and terrorism, which is a big theme.

I highly recommend this one... it's just easy to like, for some reason. It doesn't show off or try to be clever, but is just simply fun to watch.

[ibanezmonster]

http://www.youtube.com/v/xwlRyKhpf7Q

Arrgghh... listening to Arvo Part got me thinking about Clannad After Story. Revisiting the ending scene of the show... to put this scene in context, the girl (Nagisa) had died when giving birth to their daughter, and his daughter died near the end of the show. He carries his daughter through the snow, and then (the details connecting these scenes elude my memory) this scene happens. It was all like a bad dream or something. This scene imitates the beginning of the show when they first meet. He considers not talking to her, knowing what will happen if he does. That's why she says, "I was starting to think you wished you would have never met me."

It has to be seen to be understood, but if you go through the show, it packs some of the most potent emotional impact of anything. If you are smart enough to absorb the details of what happens, at least.

[ibanezmonster]

I tried watching the second episode of Mushishi (saw the 1st episode already). I couldn't last for more than a few minutes- so boring...

I watched the first episode of Great Teacher Onizuka. It was okay...
I watched the first episode of Nana. It was okay, though I slightly preferred this one the most...

Not sure if I'll try new ones or get into these more next...

[eyeresist]

I loved the first ep of Mushishi, so got the set, and - it's really not one to marathon. But good if you're in the mood, sort of a cross between spooky horror and "healing".

Loved GTO the first time I saw it. Second time, I had seen a bit more anime, and found the humour weak and repetitive.

Nana seems like a chick-oriented soap opera, so I haven't bothered (I hated Rumbling Hearts).

BTW, I have a list of anime ratings and short reviews over at animenewsnetwork.com -
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com.au/MyAnime/?user=eyeresist&categ=3

[ibanezmonster]

That's one long list and way more than I've seen!

Judging by the first episode is unfair most of the time, so I'm not sure what I'll do. If I would have discarded some shows based on the first episode not pulling me in, I would have missed some of my favorites.

Interesting to see the few that you marked "masterpiece." Fruits Basket is one that I, um.... saw a youtube parody of the first episode a long time ago. Still, though, something about it captivated me... I should probably try watching that one for real.

[eyeresist]

It's a sentimental favourite of mine, I admit. 

Generally, parodies are a sign that there is something interesting there in the first place, IMO.

[Sylph]

So how do you find out which anime TV series are currently popular in Japan and which ones are in development?

[ibanezmonster]

I don't know why it's taken me so long to realize this link I saved is like a gold mine:

http://www.youtube.com/shows/animation-cartoons?b=2&p=4

Sure, there are link lists many places which are far more comprehensive, but the pictures above the show titles help enormously, and youtube is much more reliable than linked videos to sites.




Two more first episodes of series I've watched:

Nichijou
This is a new show by KyoAni (makers of K-On, Clannad, Lucky Star, Kanon, Air, Haruhi Suzumiya, and two of the Full Metal Panic seasons). Needless to say, I have high expectations.

This is a slice of life comedy with high school girls in normal situations. But they dramatize it to make it crazy and funny.

The music stands out quite a bit. Just think of the whole vibe of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf- the playful music and playful story, and you might get an idea of what watching this show feels like. I will definitely have to follow this one...




Fractale
I liked the first episode. Reading the reviews, for the remaining ten episodes, it's like the creators didn't know what they were aiming for, and it's all just a jumble of ideas with no coherence. Not encouraging, but being only 10 more episodes, I'll consider watching it.

It's about a boy that lives in a futuristic world where you don't have to work, and you can make these things called "doppels," which I guess are just robotic-like holograms that supposedly substitute for people. He lives in the countryside, and one day, these crazy people (that seem like a parody on Team Rocket) are chasing some girl. She gets injured and has to take her home to heal her, leading to awkward situations. (Yes, high pitched voice blond boy who is scared to touch this girl is a bit cliche  )...

Supposedly they don't exploit their idea of the futuristic world in later episodes, which would hold some serious potential. 

[eyeresist]

So how do you find out which anime TV series are currently popular in Japan and which ones are in development?

Learning Japanese would probably help.

[ibanezmonster]

Learning Japanese would probably help.

I'm sure famitsu.com mentions new anime, but I can't say where since I hardly visit the site anymore.

Here's a list of new anime (in English):
http://www.animeph.com/spring-2011-new-anime-season-preview-list

The ones to watch out for are:
Kaiji 2
[C] – The Money of Soul and Possibility Control
Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai
Nichijou
Gintama 2




Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai
Watched the first episode of this. Strangely, even though it's only 5 or 6 episodes into the series, it is already voted into the #45 spot on MAL.
Not a ton of stuff happens in the first episode, but this is the basic summary: a guy lives with a ghost of girl (that only he can say) that died when they were both children.
Sounds corny, but in fact it is very intriguing the way everything is presented. It would be fun to learn more about the details- it hooks you in.

[DavidW]

Whenever I see anime on the new to netflix watch instantly! list it was always looks like borderline porn... weird stuff out there...

[eyeresist]

Whenever I see anime on the new to netflix watch instantly! list it was always looks like borderline porn... weird stuff out there...

Well, some anime contains what is called "fan service", generally meaning panty shots, jiggling boobs, etc. To a certain extent you just have to accept it as part of the medium, as its presence does not necessarily contraindicate the presence of worthwhile drama, visual art, etc. There are plenty of boobies in neo-Classical art!

[ibanezmonster]

Well, some anime contains what is called "fan service", generally meaning panty shots, jiggling boobs, etc. To a certain extent you just have to accept it as part of the medium, as it's presence does not necessarily contraindicate the presence of worthwhile drama, visual art, etc. There are plenty of boobies in neo-Classical art!

Lol, good point.



[C] - Control
This one is about a guy who needs money. One day, this clown-like guy shows up and offers him a way to make money, so he wouldn't have to have two part-time jobs while going to college and never having money at the same time. He takes him to the "Financial District."
Not sure what to think about this one...

[ibanezmonster]

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (aka "Ano Hana")... watched the first 5 episodes (all that are out), and it will air up until late next month, where all 11 episodes will be released.

It's pretty good... it slowly reveals stuff in a way that makes you keep on asking questions.
A couple of weird things...

1) when the main group of friends are in places that are normally supposed to be crowded (like a cafeteria or subway station), for some reason it is only them, and no crowds.
2) replacing brand names with just one letter... McDonalds = WcDonald, Pokemon = Nokemon, etc.

It's a really nostalgic, kind of sad show. I've seen the scenario of someone as a ghost showing up after dying and only being visible to a couple of people in anime before. I think it's more of a Japanese thing in general, probably because it's the idea of being stuck in limbo, and not being able to go to heaven. I'm not sure if that explains this show or not at this point, though.

[eyeresist]

The WcDonalds thing is extremely common in anime. I don't think I've ever seen an anime refer to a commercial trademark by its proper name.

Western ideas of limbo and heaven are largely irrelevant to the Japanese, as they are predominantly Shinto and Buddhist. By these beliefs, dead people either pass on to a different spiritual realm, or are reincarnated. The practice of ancestor worship suggests they believe that family and friends who die stay to watch over them. The dark side of that belief is the notion of ghosts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ano_Hi_Mita_Hana_no_Namae_o_Bokutachi_wa_Mada_Shiranai

Title apparently means "We still don't know the name of the flower we saw that day." Poetry!

This sounds like a good show, and I hope it gets picked up for Western distribution.

[ibanezmonster]

(wrote this on facebook):

Today finished watching a short (11 episode) anime series, "Fractale." A masterpiece- it's like an explosion of imagination, and it has pretty much everything- comedy, tragedy, adventure, etc. all mixed in together. All of the elements and ideas work together to create something very original. And the ending is very bittersweet. Highly recommended.

This is likely going in my top-ten list. I won't be able to stop thinking about this show for days. 

[DavidW]

Oh no!  Cross posting facebook on gmg!!  It really is the end of days!