Anime

[Jinx]

My secret shame is now my not-so-secret shame: I've been watching InuYasha lately.

Let's talk about different animes and suggest different animes (and how we like them even though they're all pretty terrible).

[NeoCracker]

The only Anime you really need to see is Cowboy Bebop because it is one of the most glorious pieces of any kind of cinema ever made.

Monster and Paranoia Agent also kick ass. :p

[Jinx]

I tried to watch Cowboy Bebop, but I couldn't get past the first few episodes.

[Agent Proto]

I've been watching anime quite often lately, but I've been going off recommendations because I don't trust my instincts when it comes to new stuff to watch. I mean, I tried something new, but it turned out to be really terrible. So I've been going off what I've been recommended.

[charliepanayi]

They're not all pretty terrible!

Cowboy Bebop is obviously one of the greatest things ever. So is Evangelion. So is most Ghibli stuff, and most Satoshi Kon stuff.

And a shout out to Dragon Half, which is hilarious.

[Pumpkin]

I like Inuyasha.

I like Ranma 1/2 too, but I've never seen the anime, only read the manga.

[Shauna]

Dragon Half is amazing.

Anime has the same ratio of crap to good stuff as regular old television. :p No need to tar it all with the same brush as InuYasha. ;)

[charliepanayi]

Maison Ikkoku is miles better than InuYasha and Ranma 1/2 (the manga certainly is anyway, because it doesn't go on for about 50 volumes).

[Quindiana Jones]

I'm currently going through One Piece.

FMA:B is the best anime series I've seen so far.

[NeoCracker]

I tried to watch Cowboy Bebop, but I couldn't get past the first few episodes.

Fucking philistine. O_O

[Jiro]

Secret shame? Pffft. I watch a crap load of anime. I enjoy it for the ridiculous violence, crazy storylines, heavy Japanese influences (duh), and the panty shots.

Recently completed Tengan Toppa Gurren Lagann and A+++ would watch again. The tits and feels in that were epic.

[charliepanayi]

Gurren Lagann is great. Really bittersweet ending though ;__;

[noxious.sunshine]

Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040
Sailor Moon (w00t! I got my kiddo into Sailor Moon. She loves it)
Outlaw Star
Gundam Wing
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Magic Knight Rayearth
NANA (the anime & the movies)

I'm sure there's more that I dig, I just can't think of 'em..

Oh yeah. Chobits. I've only seen a few episodes, but yeah.

[Tasura]

I have watched a lot of anime, and I mean A LOT (Click my sig to see what I mean =P).

As far as recommendations go, Eflen Lied, Samurai 7, Black Cat, Serial Experiments Lain, the Gundam metaverse, and Macross/Robotech.

[noxious.sunshine]

I have watched a lot of anime, and I mean A LOT (Click my sig to see what I mean =P).

As far as recommendations go, Eflen Lied, Samurai 7, Black Cat, Serial Experiments Lain, the Gundam metaverse, and Macross/Robotech.

Serial Experiments Lain is insane. XDDD

[NeoCracker]

Black cat was good, though the last arc felt a bit rushed.

[Shauna]

Uta no Prince-Sama. Watch it all. Both seasons. It is glorious.

[Calliope]

I enjoyed Death Note and Ergo Proxy.

[MJN SEIFER]

To be honest, I'm probably not as much of a anime fan as I always thought I was growing up. Towards the end, there was only a few one's I really cared about, and most of them are one's everyones heard of anyway.

Be that as it may personal favorites (in no order) were;

1. Pokemon (which everyone's heard of - not really following it now, but still give it a chance).
2. Digimon (which I prefered to Pokemon in storyline terms, got up to some of season 4, which I loved then it stopped showing - I watched season 4 eps online, but not much. Even though my friend has a fanfiction of it)
3. Hamtaro (which was hated, but I adored it)
4. Sailor Moon (more familiar with the dub version, eventually stopped airing in the UK just before two knew scouts were going to be introduced).
5. Dragon Ball Z/Dragon Ball GT (Often a joke among anime fans, but "Z" and "GT" hold nostalgic value for me, so I still love them - I only watched some of the original "Dragon Ball" show, as it was only on air for a short time here).
6. Bakugan (fell in love with the design of the battle scenes, and special affects, since they reminded me of Final Fantasy VIII a lot. Another example of the "magic card" anime, that Yugio made famous.)
7. Rave Master (apparently not popular, but I loved it).
8. Hetalia (still new to it, but it's a lot better than I expected it to be).

Honorable mentions;

1. Fruits Basket (loved what I saw of the anime, but am more familiar with the manga).
2. Dual Masters (unfairly hated due to being "a Yugio rip-off, which is unfair due to the fact that a) Yugio doesn't own the whole "magic card" thing, that's a common trope, and b) Dual Masters was a joke anime, so it basically "ripped-off" everything. I liked it at the time, but I'm not missing it as much as I thought I would).

That's all I can think of for now.

[Pumpkin]

Oh my gosh, Hamtaro was amazing.

[Unbreakable Will]

I've watched both versions of Fullmetal Alchemist in the last two weeks...
I'm now on a Black Butler kick as you can clearly tell from my Sebastian setup.

[Lonely Paper Star]

Don't even get me started on the topic of anime. XDDD (http://myanimelist.net/animelist/papershadows) I just really like lists, okay?

Some of older stuff is good, but lately, I've been trying to catch up with the newer (as in, newer than the early/mid-2000s) ones, like Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Psycho Pass, Tiger & Bunny, Durarara!, The Devil is a Part-Timer!, Suisei no Gargantia, and of course, my most recent favorite, Attack on Titan (as seen in my sig lol).

I have a couple friends who have the same taste in anime as me (and are more caught up with the latest shows/manga), so I usually go off their recommendations rather than just diving into shows.

[Shorty]

Cowboy Bebop for life. It is the greatest anime of all time. Hellsing is probably my next favorite. Additionally, Full-Metal Alchemist, Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai Champloo, Tri-gun, Vampire Hunter D and Witch Hunter Robin are all good.

InuYasha suuuuuucks.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

My favorite anime I've seen is probably Paranoia Agent.

Others I really like: Boogiepop Phantom, Darker than Black, Cowboy Bebop, Evangelion (from what I've seen), Gunslinger Girl, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Toradora, and Clannad After Story.

Honorable Mention: Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Nostalgic Anime: Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Yugioh

Sort of Guilty Pleasure: Fruits Basket

Biggest Letdown: Eden of the East. I love this one in concept, but I don't think it was executed very well in the end. That being said, I want an Air King poster and/or shirt.

I will say that while Cowboy Bebop is almost universally seen as great it seems, I do know quite a good number of people that really don't like it.

[charliepanayi]

Those people you know who don't like Cowboy Bebop need to quit whatever it is they're smoking.

[Mirage]

Inuyasha

are you serial?

[Tasura]

7. Rave Master (apparently not popular, but I loved it).

People, or at least I, disliked it because they never actually finished the story. Considering the manga ran for 3 more years after the anime died. Similar to what happened with Tenjou Tenge.

[Jinx]

I like InuYasha, shut up. :( I never got to see past the second season!

[noxious.sunshine]

Don't even get me started on the topic of anime. XDDD (http://myanimelist.net/animelist/papershadows) I just really like lists, okay?

Some of older stuff is good, but lately, I've been trying to catch up with the newer (as in, newer than the early/mid-2000s) ones, like Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Psycho Pass, Tiger & Bunny, Durarara!, The Devil is a Part-Timer!, Suisei no Gargantia, and of course, my most recent favorite, Attack on Titan (as seen in my sig lol).

I have a couple friends who have the same taste in anime as me (and are more caught up with the latest shows/manga), so I usually go off their recommendations rather than just diving into shows.

You dropped Bubblegum Crisis? zomgz. Oh well. It's not for everyone. I mostly really like the vocal soundtrack, "As Sekiria".

Hulu+ Has a major ton of Anime available. I'm slowly progressing through NANA right now and I have the 2nd movie downloaded on the laptop

[Tigmafuzz]

I tried to watch Cowboy Bebop, but I couldn't get past the first few episodes.

I don't understand. Your brain wouldn't allow you to intake that much awesome at once?

[Jinx]

No, it was just boring. And I couldn't pick out any plot. I also tried watching it 4 years ago, so I might feel differently now.

[Shauna]

Impressive list, Pitye. :3 I shall show off my e-peen too. Sheetlebug's Anime List - MyAnimeList.net (http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Sheetlebug)

[Tigmafuzz]

Impressive list, Pitye. :3 I shall show off my e-peen too. Sheetlebug's Anime List - MyAnimeList.net (http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Sheetlebug)


Don't even get me started on the topic of anime. XDDD (http://myanimelist.net/animelist/papershadows) I just really like lists, okay?

Some of older stuff is good, but lately, I've been trying to catch up with the newer (as in, newer than the early/mid-2000s) ones, like Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Psycho Pass, Tiger & Bunny, Durarara!, The Devil is a Part-Timer!, Suisei no Gargantia, and of course, my most recent favorite, Attack on Titan (as seen in my sig lol).

I have a couple friends who have the same taste in anime as me (and are more caught up with the latest shows/manga), so I usually go off their recommendations rather than just diving into shows.

I CAN MAKE LISTS TOO!

Anime's that are awesome. - Eyes on Final Fantasy Forums (http://home.eyesonff.com/lounge/144350-animes-awesome.html#post3119330)

Although that was a year ago, and I've seen a good deal more since then. :bigsmile:

[Jinx]

I want to murder that apostrophe.

[Flaming Ice]

~Gundam~! (seed, destiny,)


FMA
Digimon

[Lonely Paper Star]

You dropped Bubblegum Crisis? zomgz. Oh well. It's not for everyone. I mostly really like the vocal soundtrack, "As Sekiria".


I was much younger when I tried to watch it and couldn't get into it. Maybe I'd like it more now. I added a ton of anime to the list that I watched and remembered from my early college/high school days before this site existed. I was a nerd and kept a list of my own.

[Shorty]

Announcement: Fooly Cooly is the worst anime ever. EVER.

[escobert]

InuYasha, Gundam Wing, Outlaw Star, .Hack series and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex are my favorites.

[krissy]

actually

you'll be surprised to hear that FLCL is in reality the BEST anime ever

gggggg

i also liek macross plus, gundam unicorn, attack on titan, gurren lagaan, ergo proxy, death note, blood+, samurai champloo, cowboy bebop, and of course

general daimos

General Daimos - intro PL (czo?ówka) Polonia 1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF5rJtCBDfA)

[Flaming Ice]

Announcement: Fooly Cooly is the worst anime ever. EVER.




Haven't seen that show but the most creepy thing I've seen so far is some girl getting some leech stuck in her lower region...two other girls try to pull off~ liquid squirts out of the leech...yeah......:roll2

[krissy]

im not sure hentai really qualifies into these discussions

[Mercen-X]

I dabbled lightly in anime until I was 15 and we got extended cable. I was able to watch a huge array of anime for free and I became more or less addicted ever since. I only watch what I can. I don't go out of my way. I pick up cheap dvd from thrifts and I read obsessively about the anime I'm missing 'cause I can't afford it at the moment.


The only Anime you really need to see is Cowboy Bebop because it is one of the most glorious pieces of any kind of cinema ever made.

Monster and Paranoia Agent also kick ass. :p

CB is okay. I wouldn't exaggerate it's value to such an extent though. What the hell is Monster?

As a general rule of thumb, I tend to label any bishoujo anime as being dumb from the get-go. Bishoujo tend to focus on the relationships between girls and their guys. It's pretty rare for a bishoujo not to feature this plotline. InuYasha qualifies because despite its title, most of the focus is on Kagome's relationship with the title character. So I enter into it not expecting much. The characters I appreciate the most from the series are as follow: ...pretty much everyone except Kagome and Inuyasha. I wrote and deleted a fanfiction about a grown-up Shippo shipped with a grown-up Thunder Sister Soten (from Episode 68).

Announcement: Fooly Cooly is the worst anime ever. EVER.
"You go to hell! You go to hell and you die!"

[Tigmafuzz]

Announcement: Fooly Cooly is the worst anime ever. EVER.

Good thing we already know everything you say is wrong, or else that could have turned really ugly.

[Shorty]

Just stating facts, sweethearts.

[Jiro]

FLCL is fucking awesome. Shorty's opinion is officially struck from this discussion.

Highschool of the Dead is a great series. I love Death Note. Samurai Champloo rocks. Code Geass was surprisingly amazing. Cowboy Bebop is recommended * n even though I haven't even finished it yet.

[Shorty]

No, I still have Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo working in my favor. :<3:

[Mercen-X]

Space Pirate Captain Harlock (own but haven't watched)
Voltron
Dragon Ball (also whole Z, whole GT, and I'm pretty sure I've seen all of the movies)
Pokémon (I'm embarrassed to admit, because I hate this show and only watched because there had been nothing else on after school)
Digimon (nearly all versions and would still be watching if I had the channel. actually a series I liked better than Pokemon because the monsters felt less like pets and more like there own characters... I mean, sh they could talk!)
Cardcaptor Sakura (also a little embarrassing)
Outlaw Star (only recently... I wish there was more. I also watched the spin-off Angel Links)
Ranma 1/2 (bits only)
Tenchi Muyo (exactly one episode had been available on cable)
Cowboy Bebop (whole series)
Lupin III (I hate Lupin. The samurai is cool though)
Fushigi Yugi (only the manga... every last book)
Gundam (I don't know which versions I've watched... I think I watched the Wing series. I haven't completed the Wing series because I can't find further chapters. Seed. I've seen one of the original movies... it was boring)
Slayers (whole series, but I haven't seen NEXT or TRY)
Samurai Pizza Cats (a morning show for a limited time. It was so weird. At least it was better than Stunt Dogs)
Samurai X (only after I watched the entire Rurouni series and then picked up the title on dvd)
Monkey Magic (was frickin awesome... stupid monkey... pretty sure I watched the whole series)
xxxHolic and the Reservoir Chronicles (I was only able to experience the whole via manga)
Angelic Layer (pretty good for a shoujo story... whole series)
Ouran High School Host Club (I was introduced in a short-lived college anime club and then ended up watching it on cable at home... whole series)
Yu-Gi-Oh! (embarrassed to admit I picked up a couple of decks despite never having anyone to play with. I'm still confused about the rules but I'm hesitant to get rid of my cards)
Case Closed: Detective Conan
InuYasha
s-CRY-ed (I called this ES-cry-ED for far too long... whole series)
Android Kikaider (I think I watched the whole series)
Fullmetal Alchemist (whole series)
.hack//SIGN (whole series... wait, maybe I missed some)
.hack//Legend of the Twilight (I may have missed some)
.hack//Roots (only the first two episodes)
Azumanga Daioh (I thought it was something else. Good though... whole series)

GitS:SAC (this show was too cerebral for me... lol)
FLCL (I still don't know what furikuri means... lol)
Samurai Champloo (I'm pretty sure I remember how it ends. I don't think I watched every episode though)
Cyborg 009 (not that great)
Naruto (whole series)
Naruto Shippuden (I've only seen a few episodes which I own and a couple on the internet, I'm only up to like chapter 500 in the manga)
Zatch Bell
Eureka Seven (whole series)
Trinity Blood
Silent Möbius
Boogiepop Phantom (couple of episodes... boring)
Ultramaiden Valkyrie (the first two episodes)
Last Exile (I think I watched the whole series)
Read or Die: ROD the TV (whole series)
Gad Guard (whole series)
Haruhi Suzumiya (whole series)
Abenobashi
BLEACH (haven't gotten past the Arranchar arc even via manga)
One Piece (relied heavily on the manga... lost interest when Trace/Ace bit it)
Prince of Tennis (whole series... also the live-action movie)
Code Geass (whole series)
Death Note (whole series)
Gungrave (whole series)
Trigun (whole series)
Wolf's Rain (whole series)
Samurai Deeper Kyo
Blood +
Megaman Star Force and NT Warrior
Zoids
Rave Master

Bobobo-bo Bo-Bobo
Big O
D.Gray-man (recently, only a few episodes)
Monster Rancher
Medabots (whole series)
Yu Yu Hakusho (whole series)
Kirby
Viewtiful Joe
Ultimate Muscle
Sonic X
Tokyo Mew Mew
IGPX (whole series)
Buso Renkin (whole manga series)
GetBackers (whole anime series... sadly the manga is longer and I've never seen it)
RahXephon (a couple of episodes)
Saiyuki Reload
X/1999 (only about half of the manga series)
Guren Lagann (sporadically)
The Mightiest Disciple (up to the third fight)
Spiral (whole anime series)
Kekkaishi (the whole manga series)
Kaze no Stigma (the first episode)
Anime X-Men
Anime Iron Man
Anime Wolverine
Anime Blade
Pandora Hearts (only the first episode)
Aquarion

Actually, there are some titles here, that, as mentioned in the list, I haven't actually watched and only, in fact, read the manga.

[Shauna]

In this occasion Shorty is correct about the anime known as "Fooly Cooly".

[NeoCracker]

Hell yeah, down with FLCL!

[Shauna]

When Neo and Shorty agree, you know bad things are going to happen. It's been nice knowing you folk.

I'll start watching that Samurai Champloo before the end comes.

[charliepanayi]

Anyone else looking forward to seeing Eva 3.0 when it eventually comes out in the US/UK (or maybe you've seen it already online)? This whole latest set of films is more cash cow milking, but after how great Eva 2.0 was, I'm very happy for them to keep milking it.

[Jiro]

Shorty, you could like all the best things in the world and Hitler and it would completely cancel it out. Your opinion is no longer relevant! :aimmad:

[noxious.sunshine]

Anyone else looking forward to seeing Eva 3.0 when it eventually comes out in the US/UK (or maybe you've seen it already online)? This whole latest set of films is more cash cow milking, but after how great Eva 2.0 was, I'm very happy for them to keep milking it.

I've got 2.0 & 3.0 downloaded on my laptop. I'm trying to get the first one and then I'm just gonna re-watch the series first before I dive into the movies. But I lurve Evangelion.

Chobits is on Netflix right now. I'm halfway through it XDD .. It's so pervy.

[Unbreakable Will]

Shiiiiit, I forgot about FLCL, that's my trout. :cool:

Is that all it takes to get around our filter?
I'm leaving it for posterity. :colbert:

[Mirage]

Announcement: Fooly Cooly is the worst anime ever. EVER.

youre dumb

[NeoCracker]

I will say it' snot the worst ever, though it is fucking awful.

It will never be as bad as Master of the Martial Heart.

[Tasura]

Since apparently no one has clicked my sig >=( Tasura's Anime List - MyAnimeList.net (http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Tasura)

Also, FLCL is amazing, and so are The Pillows >=(.

[noxious.sunshine]

Will and I were discussing this last night. With all different series I've collectively watched, Sailor Moon is probably the only 1 I've actually finished.

He said I have commitment issues. XD

But we can add Chobits and BubblegumCrisis 2040 to the list now. So there's that. Just cuz they both happen to be on Netflix and I'm too lazy to pull up hulu+ and switch stuff around. Also there's only like 26 episodes in each series, so my ADHD can dig it.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

I should add that Now and Then, Here and There was also an awesome anime. I watched it on a whim a couple of months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Unbreakable Will]

Will and I were discussing this last night. With all different series I've collectively watched, Sailor Moon is probably the only 1 I've actually finished.

He said I have commitment issues. XD

But we can add Chobits and BubblegumCrisis 2040 to the list now. So there's that. Just cuz they both happen to be on Netflix and I'm too lazy to pull up hulu+ and switch stuff around. Also there's only like 26 episodes in each series, so my ADHD can dig it.
You do have anime commitment issues. :doublecolbert:

[Yerushalmi]

The only anime I was able to watch really was Death Note. And it remains my single favorite television series ever.

My wife used to be a huge fan of Inuyasha, though, and of a whole bunch of other series too. I just end up a fan of the music she brings me from those series.

[Sephex]

First, I am going to say Dragon Ball Z to make everyone mad.

Okay, so I also enjoy Evangelion, Rah-Xephon, Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Beebop, Code Geass, various Miyazaki movies, Ghost in the Shell (in general), and other stuff I have seen here and there that I plan on watching.

[Flaming Ice]

Gundam SEED Symphony - The Song - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvqnSdwKCYQ&list=RD39-xngiOb6Mx0)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD3N2OU0X8o

[escobert]

Where's all the Outlaw Star fans out there? Cowboy Bebop gets all the sci-fi love but Outlaw Star is freaking awesome and, I much prefer it to Bebop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SPBJRzW2HM

[NeoCracker]

Where's all the Outlaw Star fans out there? Cowboy Bebop gets all the sci-fi love but Outlaw Star is freaking awesome and, I much prefer it to Bebop.

Toonami Outlaw Star Promo - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SPBJRzW2HM)

...You prefer Outlaw Star to Bebop?

just.... Wow.

[escobert]

I don't really like Bebop tbh.

[charliepanayi]

I'm hearing way too much of that in this thread :(

[Jinx]

Can someone just give me a quick spoiler-free synopsis of Cowboy Bebop? I'm afraid to read about it, because I don't want to be spoiled. But the few episodes I saw were lacking in discernible plot.

[Shorty]

Nope. You have to watch it. All will be revealed.

[Jinx]

I'm trying to find a reason to watch it, and you're not giving me one. :p

[Shorty]

Space bountyhunting. Do you need any more reason than that?

[Jinx]

Eh.

[Shorty]

Your loss. The rest of the world likes it for good cause. Just like Firefly.

[Nicolas]

Honestly, most of the episodes in Cowboy Bebop don't really matter. It can basically be boiled down to a few key episodes that make it spectacular. The two parters of Jupiter Jazz and The Real Folk Blues. They also happen to be the middle and end of the series. There are a few good episodes here and there, but overall the show is great because of the wonderful direction, amazing music, and good writing when it counts. But most of all, it's fun!

Also, Sars is a terrible person for her dislike of FLCL. That is all.

[Shorty]

Don't forget the episode titles. I'm not joking when I say that find them magical.

Cram it, Nico.

[Nicolas]

That's because they are either based on genres or actual songs, many of them by the Rolling Stones.

Never, WORST. EVER.

[edczxcvbnm]

I have watched a lot of different ones over the years and there is some really shitty shit out there. Right now I keep meaning to watch "Steins; Gate". Time travel weirdness abound in that one. I have only watched the first episode and it looked pretty awesome.

Also, I can totally understand why some people do not like Cowboy Bebop. I like it but I don't think it is anywhere near as good as most people seem to think. I think it was missing a bit more of a meaningful narrative under all the wacky adventures. Spiritual successor Samurai Champloo had that narrative undercurrent but the great fun wasn't always or the stories got more serious and bogged down than they should have been.

But I will always remember the baseball game episode. SSSSOOOO magical =D

[Skyblade]

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of my favorites. Even if they did miss a few episodes during the early recap of the original show's material, the storyline of the manga is so much better, in my opinion.

I'm currently rocking out to Fairy Tail. Man, that show is fun. Erza is, of course, awesome, and I can't wait for a dub of the 1 vs 100 fight with her (I wonder if Erza was the inspiration for Lightning Return's outfit system).

Hmm. Erza versus Izumi Curtis. Erza is insanely OP, but magic is, in general, more powerful than Alchemy (at least partially due to the tone of the shows). If you balanced the two, that would be one tough fight to call.

[Jiro]

If you're not enjoying an anime that people are saying is wonderful then you should try a technique a buddy of mine just mentioned: watch the episodes in VLC at 2x speed.

[Yerushalmi]

If you're not enjoying an anime that people are saying is wonderful then you should try a technique a buddy of mine just mentioned: watch the episodes in VLC at 2x speed.

I have a better technique. It's called "watching something else". :p

[Forsaken Lover]

Can someone just give me a quick spoiler-free synopsis of Cowboy Bebop? I'm afraid to read about it, because I don't want to be spoiled. But the few episodes I saw were lacking in discernible plot.

There's pretty much no plot. A story kinda struggles to manifest about every eight episodes but every other episode is self-contained and a waste of time.

Quite frankly, I'm appalled at the lack of Trigun mentions. Now there is a Space Western with an awesome plot, especially the manga. Vash the Stampede will forever be more awesome, more interesting and just more better than Spike Spiegel.

Yu Yu Hakusho is the best written "traditional" shounen I've seen. Think DBZ but actually well done, with interesting fights and character development.

INuyasha remains an okay series and not half as bad as people make it out to be. Love me some Kagome.
Also the soundtrack is just perfection.
10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdvdj1J9A

This song is basically a darker and eerier version of Kikyo's theme. In the anime at least Kikyo was a straight up villainous bitch for quite some time. I thus mostly associate her with this theme and not the sad one. Even still, it's just a really cool and creepy piece of music.

9. Inuyasha OST 2 - To the End of Feelings - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmKBFgUrBzc)

I've also seen this called "To Love's End". It is one of the many themes and arrangements for Inuyasha and Kagome. I chose this one in particular because of the instruments used. The basic melody is just perfect and we'll be hearing it again on this list.

8. Inuyasha OST 2 - Naraku's Treachery - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q8A-eK7h-w)

Naraku's ordinary theme is wonderfully sinister and all but it's one of those songs that only really grabs you in the context of when it's being played. Just listening to it all on its own does nothing for me. This more bombastic tune however is awesome whenever you listen to it. I'll always remember Naraku's Mt. Hakurei transformation because of this song.

7. InuYasha OST 3 #5 - Two-Faced, Suikotsu - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVq1sixa0-4)

I simply knew that at least one of the Band of Seven themes must make it on here. It was a tough decision which one ot include. I ended up settling on this piece because of the wonderful duality of it which perfectly fits the character it represents. It's so peaceful and nice and then creepy as trout.

6. Sesshomarus Theme - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yR2S9iwdbU)

Ah for the days when Sesshy was a straight up villain... I like this because the initial bit is very becoming of our suave and debonair demon. When the muis csweels however it truly captures the overwhelming power hidden behind that stoic face.

5. Inuyasha OST 3 21 - Sango To Miroku - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crLQmMwDrPQ)

This track takes Sango's own beautifully tragic theme and combines it with a more awesome, action-packed version of Miroku's theme. So...I kinda just cheated and managed to put two songs I really like on her while keeping it a top 10.

4. ) Inuyasha OST Futari No Kimochi (Two Hearts) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1IbpKKiCM4)

I have to say it was such a pain mixing this list up so it wasn't just variations of Inuyasha and Kagome's theme. I left out such wonderful tracks as "Fate of Awakening Love". Even still, this specific arrangement has always been one of my favorites. The beginning part is pure love.

3. InuYasha Ost 1 - 09 A Difficult Situation HD (Original Soundtrack) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG6neec7sRE)

This song epitomizes "inspirational heroic moment." I can still see Inuyasha first being able to use Tetsusaiga while this blasts in the background. Whenever this song plays you know Inu is gonna stop being a dumb mongrel and show us all why he is the son of the Great Dog Demon.

2. Inuyasha - Hakudoshi's theme - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRRBhdiDhw4)

I really liked when this kid showed up just because it meant I could hear this. You typically hear the first bit as Hakudoshi tended to just gloat and stand around so a gentle, eerie theme was best. But if that first part wasn't cool enough, when the song really gets going it reaches even higher levels of memorability.

1. Inuyasha and Kagome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vGG3U2AuyQ

Maybe it was too obvious? But who smurfing cares. This song is the unequaled power of love given musical form. I like Inuyasha and Kagomea ll on their own but I wold be lying if I said this amazing theme wasn't part of why I support them as a couple.


Angel Sanctuary the anime is awful beyond words. The manga however was quite interesting. Also has absolutely gorgeous art.

[Jiro]

If you're not enjoying an anime that people are saying is wonderful then you should try a technique a buddy of mine just mentioned: watch the episodes in VLC at 2x speed.

I have a better technique. It's called "watching something else". :p

Some people really don't want to be ridiculed on their (lack of) taste, and also are unable to lie and/or don't know how to look up series synopses on the internet :monster:

[Yerushalmi]

If you're not enjoying an anime that people are saying is wonderful then you should try a technique a buddy of mine just mentioned: watch the episodes in VLC at 2x speed.

I have a better technique. It's called "watching something else". :p

Some people really don't want to be ridiculed on their (lack of) taste, and also are unable to lie and/or don't know how to look up series synopses on the internet :monster:

Bah. If you don't enjoy something, don't force yourself to suffer through it just to win approval from others. I have great difficulty respecting that sort of behavior.

[charliepanayi]

Can someone just give me a quick spoiler-free synopsis of Cowboy Bebop? I'm afraid to read about it, because I don't want to be spoiled. But the few episodes I saw were lacking in discernible plot.

There's pretty much no plot. A story kinda struggles to manifest about every eight episodes but every other episode is self-contained and a waste of time.

A waste of time? Jamming With Edward? Toys in the Attic? Mushroom Samba? Speak Like A Child? Cowboy Funk? Disagree completely. Humour, excitement, surprisingly moving moments, the cutest dog ever, there's so much there to enjoy. Not a duff episode in the whole series. As for saying a story struggles to manifest itself, not sure how it struggles, the overriding plotline that comes up at times is very simple and clear.

In the end, I have to think not liking Cowboy Bebop is like not liking The Beatles or the Toy Story trilogy. It means you're either a contrarian, or crazy.

[Agent Proto]

I usually give something at least an episode before I deem it unwatchable or terrible. Like, I've watched an episode of Yu-Gi-Oh, and I don't really like it very much. Same with this one anime, I don't really remember what it's called. I've watched one or two episodes, and I just couldn't really get into it. It was so strange and awkward, I wasn't even sure what the hell I was watching. Plus it didn't help that I was watching a dubbed version from Netflix. :( It was really awful. If I don't enjoy something, I'm not going to waste my time watching the entire series if others like it.

[Sephiroth]

My current list with some titles that cannot be replaced: I. Dokokade Nakushita Aitsuno Aitsu - D.N.A.2 - Katsura II. Black Cat - Yabuki III. Dragon Ball - Toriyama & Toei IV. Detective Conan - Aoyama V. Inu Yasha - Takahashi

[Mahad]

Most of the anime I have watched is mostly what I used to watch on the weekends when I was a kid. I went back to watch the shows I didn't see through to the end, like I remember when I was 11 or so watching Monster Rancher. I forgot most of it but a couple years ago I went to look it up and watched it, up to the point it turned into pokemon. I don't really watch all that much anime, but occasionally if I'm bored of games and nothing else needs to be done I might take a look at something.

[Elite Lord Sigma]

I'm just going to mention Pokémon, Digimon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Dragon Ball Z out of nostalgia.

In general, I simply go where the awesome is in shows. That being said, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is amazing. I decided not to blow through it in one weekend, instead deciding to watch about two episodes per day. I knew the majority of the plot going in, but that did nothing to cheapen the experience for me. Sure, the first 10-15 episodes can drag a bit, but the series quickly ensnares you and doesn't let you go. The action moves at a quick and satisfying rate, and the themes are explored without being belabored and beaten to death. However, the characters are really its greatest strength. When you manage to create a cast where you care about even the minor characters (e.g. Knox), you know you're doing something right.

I'm actually almost finished with my first viewing of the series; I only have six episodes remaining to watch. If they're even half as good as I hear, it'll be a treat.

[escobert]

Space bountyhunting. Do you need any more reason than that?

Outlaw Star is better space bounty hunting! :p

[Jiro]

Horizon In The Middle Of Nowhere (or is it on? fucking engrish sometimes man) is great fyi. Just finished the second season. If you like the really ~Oh Japan~ types of anime, you will probably love this. It's about a moron and his quest to reclaim his dead girlfriend's emotions and put them in an automaton doll while the rest of the world is re-enacting history in alternate dimensions.

There's a pair of lesbian witches, if that entices anyone.

[Mercen-X]

speaking of anime...ish.... RWBY.

[Agent Proto]

I don't know if this deserves its own thread or not, so I'll just post it in this thread.

_Lyi2RSVxqg

[Jiro]

Everything and everyone just looks wrong.

[Mercen-X]

It's fine. ಠ_ಠ


Speaking of Poke-Edo Monster:
Squirtlenardo, Wartortello, Blastolangelo, and Torphael star in:

http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/teenage-mutant-ninja-squirtles.jpg

[Cloudane]

I'm currently rocking out to Fairy Tail. Man, that show is fun. Erza is, of course, awesome, and I can't wait for a dub of the 1 vs 100 fight with her (I wonder if Erza was the inspiration for Lightning Return's outfit system).

Just watched the first 5 or so episodes of Fairy Tail and glad I'm not the only one who thought this XD Erza is SO Lightning.

I notice quite a few FF similarities in it really - eidolons, guild mission boards straight out of XII, fire elemental people absorb fire and can get accidentally healed from it, and I guess Happy isn't too far away from a moogle...

[Skyblade]

I'm currently rocking out to Fairy Tail. Man, that show is fun. Erza is, of course, awesome, and I can't wait for a dub of the 1 vs 100 fight with her (I wonder if Erza was the inspiration for Lightning Return's outfit system).

Just watched the first 5 or so episodes of Fairy Tail and glad I'm not the only one who thought this XD Erza is SO Lightning.

I notice quite a few FF similarities in it really - eidolons, guild mission boards straight out of XII, fire elemental people absorb fire and can get accidentally healed from it, and I guess Happy isn't too far away from a moogle...

I hadn't actually though this out, but it's kind of scary how well they compare.

I mean, the Celestial Spirits are even tied to the zodiac, making each of them essentially one of Ivalice's Espers.

And if you think Happy is a moogle now, just wait until we meet the rest of his kind.

[Lonely Paper Star]

In case you want to keep up with the anime coming out this fall. (http://i4.minus.com/ibnAswhqXHciE7.jpg)

[krissy]

kill la kill maybe cause the writer for gurren lagann is on it
maybe samurai flamenco
everything else looks kind of crappy
but im old now

[Karifean]

I've already shared my love for Elfen Lied.

A friend of mine recommended Shingeki no Kyojin. Anyone know anything about it (or is it better to approach without asking any questions)?

Honorable mentions go to Darker Than Black, Baccano! and Death Note. All 3 of them are really awesome.

[Shauna]

Attack on Titan is apparently one of the better shows that came out this past season. I know some people swear by it.

[Lonely Paper Star]

I swear by it. :D

[Flaming Ice]

I've already shared my love for Elfen Lied.

.



Ugh...that show was disgusting :| and really really weird.



And why won't pokemon die ....team rocket here to steal your pokemon, pikachu lightning bolt *flies into the air and lands without dying*....i haven't watched it for a long time and I can guess what happens in every episode ~.~

[Flaming Ice]

I'm currently rocking out to Fairy Tail. Man, that show is fun. Erza is, of course, awesome, and I can't wait for a dub of the 1 vs 100 fight with her (I wonder if Erza was the inspiration for Lightning Return's outfit system).

Just watched the first 5 or so episodes of Fairy Tail and glad I'm not the only one who thought this XD Erza is SO Lightning.

I notice quite a few FF similarities in it really - eidolons, guild mission boards straight out of XII, fire elemental people absorb fire and can get accidentally healed from it, and I guess Happy isn't too far away from a moogle...



I couldn't stand that show.,....especially after seeing that fairy man...that was creepy...too creepy.....(i think he's after episode 5 but you'll see).


And the English voice of that red headed guy is really annoying.

[krissy]

i like attack on titan a lot
btu it drags sometimes
but there's huge payoff in terms of insanity and destruction

[Karifean]

I've already shared my love for Elfen Lied.
Ugh...that show was disgusting :| and really really weird.

Sure it was, but only partially. Mostly, it just knows how to make you invested in the characters, and boy, does it work.

So I just watched the whole 24 episodes of Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titans) and I like it a lot. Eagerly anticipating the 25th episode. Why though did Levi and Mikasa spare the Female Titan, aka Annie in the forest? I mean, that was a really good chance to end it right there.

[Skyblade]

I'm currently rocking out to Fairy Tail. Man, that show is fun. Erza is, of course, awesome, and I can't wait for a dub of the 1 vs 100 fight with her (I wonder if Erza was the inspiration for Lightning Return's outfit system).

Just watched the first 5 or so episodes of Fairy Tail and glad I'm not the only one who thought this XD Erza is SO Lightning.

I notice quite a few FF similarities in it really - eidolons, guild mission boards straight out of XII, fire elemental people absorb fire and can get accidentally healed from it, and I guess Happy isn't too far away from a moogle...



I couldn't stand that show.,....especially after seeing that fairy man...that was creepy...too creepy.....(i think he's after episode 5 but you'll see).


And the English voice of that red headed guy is really annoying.

I'd need to know who you mean. The head of the Pegasus Guild? If so, I agree with you, but he's an extremely minor character who's only there for a short time.

I don't mind Natsu's English voice because he's voiced by the guy who was Ling in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. Imagining Ling doing or saying 90% of the things Natsu does is just absolutely hilarious.


It's a very odd anime. Mostly I just enjoy it for the ridiculous awesomeness of it (Erza especially), but every so often it throws a complete curveball that hits you right in the heartstrings. Like the Deliora arc when it's talking about Grey's backstory.

[Cloudane]

And why won't pokemon die ....team rocket here to steal your pokemon, pikachu lightning bolt *flies into the air and lands without dying*....i haven't watched it for a long time and I can guess what happens in every episode ~.~

Haha, the latter is why I stopped watching it pretty early in its tenure. Loved the first season, Orange was ok (but wasn't keen on that Tracey character), got a little into Johto and by then I was like "this is so predictable and repetitive, why am I watching it"

I don't mind them not dying. It's a show for 10 year olds pretty much, and like with MLP, I like my little escapes from reality sometimes, not just the shows that plunge you head-first into feelsy tragedy stuff (but those can be good too)


I couldn't stand that show.,....especially after seeing that fairy man...that was creepy...too creepy.....(i think he's after episode 5 but you'll see).


And the English voice of that red headed guy is really annoying.

Guess i'll see soon enough. I watch the subbed version (which to my surprise is default on Netflix), I can be snobby about wanting to hear everyone exactly how they were intended to sound. It could be that I was put off by the dub of Naruto, where his voice is really annoying and exaggerated even after he grows up, while in the Japanese version it seems to calm a little over time.

[krissy]

i think attack on titan because in some ways its like the current eras death note in terms of the general feel and energy even though the setting and story and art and everything else is different
production values are about the same tho
im only talking abotu this bc im catching up tho its likely bs

[Karifean]

Ah just watched the finale of Season 1 of Shingeki no Kyojin. I liked it a lot. Mikasa is a very likeable character, she's probably my favorite. Admittedly I have yet to see a goal in her other than protecting her brother, but that little scene in Episode 7 (or was it 6?) where she 'motivates' the squad is enough.

Kinda sucks that apart from one mission, NOTHING has yet worked out. Makes me wonder who's behind the Armored & Colossal Titans, though. And no, I'm not gonna read the manga, I'll try my best to wait patiently for Season 2. Whenever that is...

[Jessweeee♪]

My favorite anime ever of all time is Welcome to the NHK. Other favorites:

When They Cry/Higurashi no naku koro ni
Eden of the East
Trigun
Durarara
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Kids on the Slope
Lovely Complex
Fruits Basket



Monster and Paranoia Agent also kick ass. :p

Yes.



FMA:B is the best anime series I've seen so far.

Yes.



Sailor Moon (w00t! I got my kiddo into Sailor Moon. She loves it)

Yes.


Serial Experiments Lain

Yes.


Announcement: Fooly Cooly is the worst anime ever. EVER.

<img src="http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/eoff_smilies/nonono.gif" width="250" height="250" />

[Elskidor]

Way too much talking about Space Cowboys in this thread. I'd recommend Escaflowne, because it's awesome. Not the movie, but the show itself.

http://www.animecubed.com/animewallpaper/wallpaper/jesca2.JPG


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e3/Escaflowne_dvd.png

The Anime Critic - The Vision of Escaflowne Review (http://www.animecritic.com/escaflowne/anr-visionofescaflowne.html)

There is quick review and summary of it. Epic adventure.

[Shauna]

Escaflowne. Dat nose.

[MJN SEIFER]

As a kid, I always thought people were saying "S Club Flowne" when they talked about it. I don't think I ever watched the show, but I just I'd share some of my stupidity with you.

[Shiny]

Cowboy Bebop was really the only one I could enjoy and finish. I've tried to like so many others, but I end up giving up halfway through or sooner. If there is any anime that's like Cowboy Bebop I'd love to watch it. Oh, also forgot Gurren Lagann I liked, but haven't finished.

[Shorty]

Announcement: Fooly Cooly is the worst anime ever. EVER.

<img src="http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/eoff_smilies/nonono.gif" width="250" height="250" />

But I love you, dear!

I am going to sit down and watch Hellsing again. I haven't seen it since I was a teenager and I'm bored with all my other shows right now.

[Karifean]

Anyone can recommend something even remotely similar to Elfen Lied? What I loved most about that show was how much you came to care for Kaede/Lucy/Nyuu, how much you just wish that she could be happy after all the hell she went through. And yet she can't...

[Shauna]

Anyone can recommend something even remotely similar to Elfen Lied? What I loved most about that show was how much you came to care for Kaede/Lucy/Nyuu, how much you just wish that she could be happy after all the hell she went through. And yet she can't...

Something that is sort of similar is Shiki. I think, at least. I'd also recommend Shiki to anyone.

[krissy]

ok im caught up on attack on titan now

if anyone did not see who

the female titan was right away i dunno how you watch your drama anime but there's something to be said for character placement and timing and their ratios of presence within the show and within the intro hahaha

too friggin obvious imo
just curious about how it's all connected now but i guess we'll have to wait ten years or soemthing

[Karifean]

So I finished Shiki. I was actually pleasantly surprised. What at first seemed like a rather uninspired plotline turned out to be quite... eerie.

It does a good job of first portraying the one party as the villains, and then the other. At first, was there any question that the Shiki were the "bad guys"? And yet, there's Sunako. For such a long time, she's the only Shiki that's actually sympathetic. Still, for most of the anime, I rooted for the humans. Up until it happened. The good doctor lost his humanity completely. And the holocaust began. Damn it.

It's quite nice in how it refuses to paint the world black and white. Nearly all the human characters consider the Shiki evil, no more, no less. Seishin is the one true exception to this and only because he got to know Sunako. They only kill to survive. If humanity didn't hold itself in such high regard, it would all just be natural.

I did have a few issues with it. For one, most of the characters felt under-explored. I got to see a lot less of Yuuki, the two young siblings, Megumi, etc. I mean, you got to know them a bit, but are neither given closure nor a lot of background/characterization on any of them. It just felt lacking.

[Shauna]

Glad you enjoyed! I just remember coming out from my marathon of Shiki feeling the same sort of emptiness that I felt following the marathon of Elfen Lied.

[Karifean]

I think I see what you mean, although it didn't quite bring out the emotions that Elfen Lied did for me, it was certainly a good anime. One thing I feel it didn't have that Elfen Lied did so well is the characterization of the main characters. In Elfen Lied, you know all about Kaede and Kouta (and also the other characters), their pasts, their motivations, and you empathize with them so much, while that did not really apply at all to Yuuki and the others (though Ozaki is up there). I did feel reminiscent of one particular line from Elfen Lied throughout the entire last quarter of the show... "The ones who aren't human... the ones who are inhuman... ARE YOU!"

Edit: Time to look for another anime. I do have a pile of suggestions. I'll probably go for FMA soon, or Cowboy Bebop, or alternatively just a short one. I've also been told to look at Steins;Gate and Eden of the East. Anyone else can give me some opinions on those?

[Scotty_ffgamer]

I enjoyed Eden of the East quite a bit. However, it was ultimately a big disappointment to me. It had a lot of potential that it didn't really live up to, and I really didn't enjoy the 2 movies they did to conclude the story. It's worth a watch and pretty enjoyable if nothing else than for the concept behind it, though.

[Karifean]

Steins;Gate... man, talk about a series that made a sudden turn. Up until the halfway point, it's all rather happy. I mean, you can feel that important hints are dropped left and right and that it's a really intricate storyline, but the overall tone is positive. I'm up to episode 15 now and man has it turned around. Episode 13 might have been the darkest in any anime I've seen thus far.

Has anyone else seen Steins;Gate?

[Shauna]

It is on ~the list~ for me.

I am currently getting through Tsuritama, Mushishi and Tokyo Mew Mew. They have absolutely nothing in common. xD

Another recommendation is Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales and Mononoke. I lump the two together as the third arc of Ayakashi is what spawned the whole series of Mononoke. They're dark and weird and full of Japan folk lore and such. I love that sort of thing. The first arc of Ayakashi was also animated by Yoshitaka Amano, if that can sway an opinion. xD

[Karifean]

So I just finished Steins;Gate after marathoning it for about 13 hours today. Holy shit, it's so good. And I only NOW just found out that it was a actually a visual novel game before it was a manga and anime, and actually had multiple endings. Now I wonder whether it would be better to play or watch it. I'm gonna have to play the visual novel myself at some point.

I feel like discussing the plot even just a bit would already go into spoilers, so I'll leave it at this: Play it, or watch it. It's very much worth it.

[Jessweeee♪]

Is that a sequel to Chaos;head? That I've seen, but man that was so wtf I think if I try watching it I'll be lost before I even start.

[Lonely Paper Star]

I just read AND watched all of Deadman Wonderland and it was great. I liked the manga much more, though.

[Karifean]

Is that a sequel to Chaos;head? That I've seen, but man that was so wtf I think if I try watching it I'll be lost before I even start.

Technically yes, but AFAIK they hardly have anything to do with one another. Steins;Gate is a great show in and of itself. And no, I didn't have those kinds of moments of "being lost". I mean, you kinda feel like hints on future events are dropped left and right but it's all rather clear nonetheless.

I'm definitely getting my hands on the Visual Novel when it comes out in English.

[Ayen]

I have my brother to thanks for my current love of anime. I'll just list the ones I watched and enjoy and no doubt will end up leaving some out. The following list is in alphabetical order because I'm OCD when it comes to making lists,

Cardcaptor Sakura
Claymore
Digimon
Dragon Ball
Full Metal Alchemist
Hellsing
Monster Rancher
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Pokemon
Ranma
Record of Lodoss War
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Sailor Moon
Slayers
Sonic X
Sorcerer's Hunters
Strawberry Panic
Street Fighter
Yu-Gi-Oh

[Karifean]

Just finished watching SAO. I really liked it. First time I actually heard "Aishi te Imasu" being said (damn filter).

[krissy]

sao shouda ended after the first season
i heard they're considering another one? ridic milking
couldn't take the second half seriously, the sibling incest side story was stupid, and the sexual violence was really weird after the first season having none of that (that i remember).

also stupid setting for 2nd season

[Fynn]

How has nobody mentioned Wolf's Rain yet? One of the most beautiful pieces of anime ever created?

Also, Wolf's Rain, Kids on the Slope and Cowboy Bebop (all awesome anime, easily in my top ten) have one thing in common. The music was composed by the marvelous Yoko Kanno. Is all that awesomeness a coincidence, then? I think not. :)

Also, Nisemonogatari almost made me quit anime altogether. I mean, Bakemonogatari was so surreal, smart and witty, and then they just raped the series into this fetishy mess. I literally could not watch any anime for about two months after that.

[Jessweeee♪]

Kids on the Slope and Cowboy Bebop...

...The music was composed by the marvelous Yoko Kanno.

Well goddamn no wonder Kids on the Slope was so amazing.

[krissy]

so im gonna go get kids on the slope now
just cause of that info
never heard of it but i mean here we go

also she did a lot of the ghost in the shell stand alone complex musics

[Jessweeee♪]

I didn't even like that show but I loved the soundtrack. omg.

[black orb]

>>> Manga > Anime..:luca:

[Jessweeee♪]

But manga doesn't have music!

[Karifean]

But manga doesn't have music!

This, so much.

[Fynn]

>>> Manga > Anime..:luca:

Haruhi Suzumiya?

[Karifean]

So I just finished watching Cowboy Bebop and Another. Two series that have literally nothing in common.

Cowboy Bebop was pretty damn fun. It had loveable characters, great comedy and a dark underlying backstory that surfaced every now and then. Loved it.

Another is entirely different. It's more mystery than anything. Kept me on the edge of my seat all the time. It's very dark, especially the later episodes. Mei is one of the most mysterious and unnerving yet intruiging and interesting characters I've seen in quite a while. The OVA also made me feel really sorry for her. I kinda wish there had been more hints towards the final conclusion of the anime, but then again it would've hardly been possible without spoiling it outright.

[Shauna]

Another had a great level of camp. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I enjoyed it more the second time I watched it with a bunch of friends and took the right piss out of it because of its nonsense. xD

[Cloudane]

But manga doesn't have music!

It does for me! It just happens to be inside my head!

[Quindiana Jones]

I have a massive back catalogue of anime to get through, and this thread is not helping. :colbert:

That's two more already, just from the Yoko Kanno revelation.

[Fynn]

Seriously. Wolf's Rain nas the most amazing soundtrack in existence.

[Jessweeee♪]

Ghost in the Shell - spotter - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPEo_BB2Kok&list=FLg4Fvt9L-PP4QHBgZeihI_A&index=1)

[krissy]

yeah like holy crap gits music is the best music
in terms of levels
it is on the top level
all the soundtracks are spectacular

[Karifean]

So after way too much time (I rewatched Elfen Lied and Steins;Gate in the meantime) I finally started watching Clannad. Can't really say anything about it yet, I've just seen the first three episodes but I've heard a lot of good about it (particularly The After Story) so I'm looking forward to the later parts.

[MJN SEIFER]

yeah like holy crap gits music is the best music
in terms of levels
it is on the top level
all the soundtracks are spectacular How did I not realize sooner that the initials spell out "Gits" - I must be loosing my touch...

[JodoBaggins]

See you space cowboy...

Ninja Scroll the movie and Cowboy Bebop...next question?

[Karifean]

Down to the last 6 episodes of Clannad After Story. It's starting to rival Elfen Lied. It's been a while since I last had seen a series that put a smile on my face so often and at times made me cry.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

Clannad was mostly just okay for me when I watched it, but you really just have to force yourself through it to watch the masterpiece that is After Story. I have some issues with After Story, but Ushio more than makes up for all of them for me.

I just got my hands on the box set for Evangelion, so I'm definitely going to start watching that again soon. I'm thinking about rewatching Boogiepop Phantom after that just because I haven't watched it since buying the box set.

[Karifean]

Just finished Clannad After Story. The last two episodes were just OVAs, first is set 1 year before everything, second is just a recap of the entire series, narrated by Tomoya.

For the most part, I agree. Clannad largely just "happened". For a lot of After Story, this is true as well. However, the "golden" part of the series is so good that it's all worthwile. Even if you absolutely hated the series, it'd still be worth watching it just for that story arc. I liked it, but admittedly it was nothing too special.

Now getting into very heavy spoilers: After watching Ep 16 for the first time, I had to take a breather. I literally fell into a bit of despair and I was in denial over what just happened. That was also when I looked at the series in a different light. Over all this time, you build up a strong relationship with the main characters. Ep 16 made me reflect on all the time I had spent with them, how much I came to care for them.

Of course, the series is rather cruel about the Ep 16 twist. I was expecting a Deus Ex Machina considering all this "miracle" talk they've been having up till then. Next episode: 5 years later. No miracle. She died. It was heartbreaking. And then as Tomoya slowly got back on his feet, they go even further and put Ushio in the same situation as Nagisa. I can't even begin to describe what I was feeling at the time.

The end seemed a little out of place, honestly. It's a situation where you can make your own sad ending by simply ending an episode or two before. It did remove the depression though...

So yeah. Overall, most of it just kinda happened, but the good parts are too good to let them go. White Darkness (Ep 16) was the absolute culmination of it all for me... Nagisa's death really hit me hard. Those few episodes are probably my favorite part of any anime, period. And while I say it just kinda happened, I certainly enjoyed it - great characters, some good humor and just overall a nice atmosphere, just a bit lacking in the compelling story department. Also, I really liked the OVAs with the different girls. I'm glad I watched them before After Story though, I don't think I'd be as accepting of a Nagisa-less relationship now.

I still don't think it beats Elfen Lied, but it's closer than even Steins;Gate. Definitely in my Top 3. Looking forward to rewatching it some time in the future, or maybe I'll try to get my hands on a translated version of the visual novel.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

The one consistently awesome thing in all of Clannad was Nagisa's dad. He's just awesome.

I also largely agree with the things you have to say about the series. I'm okay with not having an overarching compelling storyline. I like the more slice of life feel it has to it a lot of the time.

[krissy]

dunno how i feel about kill la kill
on one hand its ridiculous
on the other hand its a whole lot of fan service which i do not like
arguments for continued watching after ep 1?

[Jessweeee♪]

Best of Anime Engrish Compilation - Funny - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykf4D4-aKHg)

Jeeeesuuus

[Karifean]

Just finished Higurashi No Nako Koro Ni, gonna watch through Kai - or at least most of it - tomorrow. It had kind of a dull start but really caught my interest a couple of episodes in. There're still quite a bunch of questions left unanswered, but I heard Kai does answer some of them so I'm looking forward to it.

Spoiler territory: Shion was probably my favorite character. And I know how weird that sounds. In the end she is an absolute sadist and murders many people, all because she wants to take revenge on those who killed her crush (and they didn't actually do it). But even so, just like with Kaede/Lucy, I can't help but feel sorry for her. They managed to present her in such a likeable way at first and that scene where she pulls her own nail was hard to watch. Another character I just want to find happiness, because they couldn't and it made them into monsters. Plus, she was surprisingly delightful in her sadistic phase and it was fun watching her scheme even though it always ended in her killing someone. And her maniacal laughter was really well done, kinda like Kefka's.

[Shauna]

The second season wraps up Higurashi nicely. :}

[Karifean]

It's interesting. Now that I've seen both seasons, I like the first one more, precisely BECAUSE I've seen the second one and now have come to understand the first one better. Meakashi-hen (Shion's arc) is still my favorite and I'm gonna rewatch it soon^^

Something I really like about the series is that there is an overall the protagonist of Storyline A and the villain of Storyline B.

What about the OVAs? I've watched Nekogoroshi-hen, but there's still Rei and Kira. There's also Ura Higu but I've heard little good about it.

[Shauna]

I haven't seen beyond Higurashi Kai, so my knowledge ends here. It's on the to watch list though, along with Umineko which is completely unrelated as far as I know.

[Karifean]

I suppose I might as well share my thoughts on them now that I'm finally completely done with Higurashi. None of them are particular must-watches. Rei is alright, at least the episodes in the middle, though the first was so downright ridiculous I laughed at how stupid it was. Kira has 4 episodes and they share no particular connection. Out of those 4, the latter 2 were the only enjoyable ones. Nekogoroshi-hen was underwhelming, it presents a backstory and does nothing further.

So yeah, you don't miss out if you skip them. Main thing I like about them is that they go further into the Keiichi - Mion - Rena triangle, particularly the last episode of Rei and the 3rd episode of Kira (IIRC). Rei is the only one I'd actually consider worth checking out, and only if you're interested.

Next up are Ano Hana, Mirai Nikki and the Clannad VN. I peeked into the first 30 min of the latter and I think I'll enjoy it, particularly since Clannad (or After Story in particular) is now my second favorite anime, behind Elfen Lied and followed by Steins;Gate. I'll probably also check out Tomoyo After: ~It's a Wonderful Life~ as well, though the fact that it's an erogé is a tad disappointing. Nonetheless, it seems it has a good storyline and may be comparable to After Story in emotional weight. I doubt it is, but it's definitely a good reason to play it.

[Jessweeee♪]

Man those eroge anime are so sappy and full of cliches and they always make me cry like a daytime soap opera I'm watching because "it's so bad it's funny." :cry:

[Karifean]

Ano Hana was neat. It had some good characters, every one of them had a distinct personality. Menma kinda reminds me of Mayuri. It also had a good length of 11 episodes, any more than that would've been pushing it. Took about 4 hours. Nothing spectacular, but nice to watch through.

[Karifean]

I can't just let this thread die.

My Anime Fever hasn't really died down. Since my last post, I've watched Accel World, Air, Code Geass, Guilty Crown, K, Kanon 2006, Kokoro Connect, Mirai Nikki, Spice and Wolf and Zetsuen no Tempest. Not to mention having watched a playthrough of Phoenix Wright Dual Destinies since I don't own a 3DS as well as the movies to both Clannad and Steins;Gate. Might as well give my thoughts on each of them.

Accel World was good while it lasted. In retrospect it's not really different from most Shonen series. It does have a rather nice concept. But what bothered me most was the fact that it doesn't end. It just stops.

Air was... weird. It had its heavy moments and for the most part it really did feel like a precursor to Clannad. It has an alright cast of characters and puts them to good use. The finale was quite heart-wrenching. Only problem I had with this series was that it made no sense whatsoever.

Code Geass was pretty damn good. It reminds me of Death Note in a lot of ways which is a good thing. It made great use of the Geass concept and Lelouch was an awesome protagonist, especially since he kept jumping through the moral grey zones and I never knew whether to root for or against him. The plot has some very good twists and turns and the ending of Season 2 is what seals the deal.

Guilty Crown, sadly, left a bad aftertaste. It had a lot of good points but whenever I think about it I can't help but notice just how much better it could have been. I loved it towards the middle. But after that it kinda goes downhill. It's not that bad, it's just that it keeps wasting potential. Interesting characters are thrown out of the picture prematurely while some plot twists arise that made little sense to me and the ending felt... unnecessary. It was good, but it could've been great.

K is a strange one because I don't think I've ever watched an anime only to think to myself in the last third "when did this anime become so good?" I was rather indifferent towards it at the beginning but then all of a sudden it turned out pretty good. Maybe it's because you finally find out just what the hell is going on.

Kanon 2006 I just finished. Likeable cast of characters, sad stories, good presentation. Very good show, and once again feels kinda like a precursor to Clannad. If only it had had an After Story...

Kokoro Connect... I love this show. I don't know why I just love it. Maybe because it toys with the human psyche in a believable manner, maybe because it had a love triangle that actually worked, maybe because its already great concept was so beautifully executed. Most of all I feel the insights into the human mind are not pulled out of thin air, but rather I felt the show did a great job presenting what it would be like if it were real. How this sort of occurence can really affect a person in both positive and negative ways.

Mirai Nikki has an interesting concept. Having twelve different people who can all predict futures slightly differently fighting each other to the death is rather unique. But in the end, by far the most memorable part of this show is Yuno, the Second. She is downright insane. Very much so. But her insanity is what drives this show. Her unpredictability is just frightening and you just never know what crazy trout she's gonna do next. And yet it never seems out-of-place. Just... wonderfully executed is what I can say.

Spice and Wolf, if I had to describe it in one word I'd say "charming". It's a series that just has a certain charm to it and I can't really explain it. I suppose what I can say is that its best point is its character interaction between the two main protagonists. Really, that's what most of this show is about. Putting the two of them in different scenarios and further exploring and evolving the relationship between them. It works quite well.

Zetsuen no Tempest, finally, excels in its writing. I can say that without second thoughts. It doesn't really have an original concept. Magic, Godlike Trees, People trying to resurrect an "old evil". Nothing spectacular here. But what it does have is a duo of very interesting protagonists and while the concept isn't unique by any means, its execution is what sells it. Plus, you know, it constantly references Shakespeare. Gotta love it.

Clannad Movie isn't worth the watch. The series is better in pretty much every way and trying to fit 20 hours worth of anime into 1.5 hours (or even 40+ hours if you go by the visual novel) doesn't work out.

Steins;Gate Movie on the other hand is. If you liked Steins;Gate, don't pass up on the movie. Especially if you liked Kurisu. It's no After Story, but it does its best to expand on the series without destroying anything and it does a good job.

Sooooo... up next on my To-Watch list would be NANA, Angel Beats! and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, most likely in this order. Although it might take a bit until I get around to it since I still have to finish The Office, watch through Steins;Gate again and do the last bit of university stuff before Christmas. Besides that there's also FF8 on Steam eating away hours off my free time. There's just way too much I want to do with way too little time :P

[Shauna]

Spicy Wolf is awesome. ~Economics~

[Shiny]

Currently watching Sword Art Online. People are put in a virtual reality MMO world and cannot leave unless they beat the game.

[Karifean]

A classic. I don't find the second half to be nearly as bad as people make it out to be.

[Shaibana]

i have watched Naruto, wich pretty much died at a certain moment.
i have watched Bleach, wicj got so boring at a moment that i stopped wtching
i have watched Fairy Tale (or taile) i loved it and i dont really know why i stopped watching it, i do mean to pick it up one day.

my latest watch was Attack on Titan, i stopped watching becaus i got so fed up with those long emotionly politicly right speeches that they give 2x an episode :l
that pretty much counts for every anime.. so i think im done with it (for now)

[Ayen]

Animes I watched, but not limited to because I tend to forget a lot, are:

Cardcaptor Sakura
Claymore
Dragon Ball
Hellsing
InuYasha
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Pokemon
Ranma
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Sailor Moon
Shaman King
Slayers
Sorcerer's Hunters
Strawberry Panic
Trigun
Yu-Gi-Oh

Haven't watched many of these in a while. Most recent anime I watched was the first four episodes of Utena.

[Karifean]

Geez, you guys need to watch Steins;Gate. If that doesn't rekindle your hopes in anime then I give up. But you need to watch it.

[starlet]

Trigun has the best opening ever

[LadyYunaFFX2]

I usually read much more than watch animes. I find it more fun to read, though that likely contributes to having been a fan of reading more than watching TV in my lifetime.

Anyways, here's a list of things I've seen/read thus far:

Naruto (And as someone said earlier, yes this has basically died. Shame, really ... )
One Piece
Elfen Lied (So damn sad .. but beautifully well written.)
Waltz in a White Dress (I don't think they've made an anime but this is a really worthwhile manga to read, especially if you love anything involving romance)
Claymore
Gundam Wing
Angelic Layer
Cardfight!! Vanguard (Seen only, not read up)
Sword Art Online (Saw all of Season 1 ... never yet tried Season 2 due to recommendations to avoid it)
Yu-gi-oh!
Yu-gi-oh GX
Yu-gi-oh 5Ds
Hellsing/Hellsing Ultimate
Vampire Hunter D
Sailor Moon
Pokemon
Romeo x Juliet

And there's a lot more. In fact, that's not even half my list, I'm pretty sure. But those are definitely some off the top of my head of my favorites, hands down.

[Ayen]

Forgot about One Piece. Then again I only saw the 4KIDS dub of it so it's probably good I forgot.

Add Sonic X to the list too.

[LadyYunaFFX2]

That's a good reason I read over watch. Dub is more often than not horrid in terms of voice actors. And .. ugh. I just can't stand it. x.x

That's the beauty of reading; no fear of bad voice acting and why I do that much more often. If I do watch, it's always ​subbed. Always.

[Shauna]

Currently watching Sword Art Online. People are put in a virtual reality MMO world and cannot leave unless they beat the game.

You die in the game, you die in real life

One of the most overused plotlines I have ever encountered in anime. xD It is probably never bad, but I just can't bring myself to watch it.

[LadyYunaFFX2]

You die in the game, you die in real life

One of the most overused plotlines I have ever encountered in anime. xD It is probably never bad, but I just can't bring myself to watch it.
To some degrees, I can't blame you. I only watched it to see what the hype was.

The concept of being able to go into an MMO you love and actually be the character you make is awesome ... but yeah, there were definitely some things about SAO I didn't overly enjoy, especially as a realist.

But the two things I can say I loved on it no doubts were ...

1. It's opening song (though this is coming from a musically-inclined person so ..)
2. The combat scenes. When they did show up, they were really well done.

[Shauna]

I don't even mean just SAO. I mean every single anime with that plotline that comes out each season without fail. There's always at least one. xD

[LadyYunaFFX2]

Maybe it's just because I grew up insanely sheltered ... but I don't see that many animes/mangas which use the same plotline.

I know .//Hack does (sorta with some very obvious differences) for sure but only because Vein's given me brief info on it.

Aside from that though .. I can't say I've overly heard it used much elsewhere.

[Karifean]

I prefer watching anime over reading manga mainly for one reason: the soundtrack. I could not imagine Elfen Lied without Lilium anymore. And I suppose I also enjoy the overall anime experience more.

I found SAO to be very much enjoyable and definitely one of the better shonen series I've seen. I do think there are miles between shonen in general and the shows I'd consider my favorites. Shonen are typically pretty awesome when you first watch them, but don't leave a long-lasting impression. Pretty much the opposite of, say, Clannad, which I still grow to appreciate more and more even now (and has taken over Elfen Lied as my favorite anime btw).

[Fuzakeru]

I have an opinion! :D I don't watch as much anime as I used to but it still holds a dear place in my heart.

My favorites list:

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Seriously. I love this anime so much! It does help that I watched it week by week (constantly anticipating the next episode) but it holds well back to back too. I felt so pumped up and inspired by every episode! Simon and Kamina and Yoko and Nia and Kitan.... my goodness. Just endless likable and lovable characters. I rarely like shows with mechs in it but this one did it for me.

Seto no Hanayome
I laughed the entire way through this anime. It was endearing and genuinely funny the entire way through, I thought. I watched the entire thing in one giant marathon because I couldn't put it down.

Fate Stay Zero
The only sad thing about this anime is that it helps to either read a very, very long wiki about the story before watching, play the game (which is a hentai game but so much more than just that), or watch Fate Stay Night the anime first which is by no means bad but it just isn't as entrancing as this one. Dark, deep, morbid, infuriating, etc. This one really was spectacular and filled to the brim with amazing fight animations and suspense.

Full Metal Panic Fumoffu
First, you should watch Full Metal Panic before watching FMPFumoffu so you can appreciate it to the full extent! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Full Metal Panic series though (there's two seasons plus Fumoffu). Fumoffu is just goofy OVA stuff and it is HILARIOUS! The regular stuff is also very funny but has a great number of very romantic/serious moments too.

This is going to take way too long if I give my opinions about each one but others that are high up on my list -

Genshiken - hilarious!
Durarara!! - quirky, badass
Gankutsuou - beautiful, unique, dark

I'm currently watching Puella Magi Madoka Magica. I'm only one episode in so far but I'm looking forward to things getting to crazy soon.

[Karifean]

...I haven't seen any of those. Reminding me yet again that I still have a long way to go.

I just watched the first episode of NANA. I think this series is gonna be good.

[Fuzakeru]

Whenever I have a giant list of recommended anime to watch I always look up an AMV or two from the anime and watch it. I'm the type that doesn't mind vague spoilers 95% of the time and if I see something epic or if it looks like someone gets a badass powers or something important dies and it has a giant impact on everyone else it just gets me pumped up and excited to watch. I don't know who that is or what is happening but it looks amazing so - gimme!

I already know the anime I'm watching has some dark twists and turns but that just makes me drink it in all the more.

PS: Diebuster is another fun and great anime. :) Very mech and space and fighting aliens but ..... in a unique way, imho. Plus, Nono is amazing.

[Shauna]

Best to watch Gunbuster too if you're gonna watch Diebuster. In the order of Gunbuster->Diebuster.

[Fuzakeru]

True and Gunbuster is a pretty short series (was it six or seven episodes?) too and well worth watching as well.

[Karifean]

So what are some other posters' favorite anime series? Can't have too big of a to-watch-list, right?

[Tasura]

So what are some other posters' favorite anime series? Can't have too big of a to-watch-list, right?

Bahahahaha. Click my sig.

[Forsaken Lover]

Trigun is still better than Cowboy Bebop.

[Karifean]

NANA is difficult to describe... I've only seen the first 7 episodes so far and it feels like it could either turn out really good or really horrible.

[Mercen-X]

Trigun is still better than Cowboy Bebop.

*nods mischievously* I wish it had gone on longer (also GetBackers), I read Trigun Maximum to get a feel for how the anime would have gone had it continued. It was pretty good. I've never been able to find GB in manga form but I have read in-depth wikis and god how I wish that show would have continued.

[Lonely Paper Star]

I just watched Saint Oniisan/Saint Young Men ... it was kind of weird, interesting, and silly.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/585ce99455ef717fb55df8027f4ed945/tumblr_inline_mxvj7s6o0m1qjphhj.gif

[TrollHunter]

I adore berserk. I always say that the golden arc is one of the most beautifully screwed up and morbid tragedies ever. I love almost everything about it, except for how much the anime screws things up and leaves insanely important events out.

Also, if you cant tell from my avatar... GinTama. It's my go-to show for when I'm in a bad mood. This show never fails to cheer me up, and the writing, while childish... is also very maturely written and surprisingly respectful to everyone its making fun of. It just has a sort of endearing charm about it that makes it an absolute joy to watch.

[Niale]

I am currently watching Yu-Gi-Oh GX, i really like the main character, headstrong and fun. I really like the series :D

[Forsaken Lover]

I also liked GX. It gets a bum rap just because it doesn't take itself super seriously like the original.

At least Asuka/Alexis is hot. Tea/Anzu was unbelievably unappealing.

[Karifean]

So what are some other posters' favorite anime series? Can't have too big of a to-watch-list, right?

Bahahahaha. Click my sig.

Point taken.

Although I was more shocked at the amount of entries in your "On Hold" list. I always finish what I start because I never feel like I could honestly judge a series without having seen it in its entirety. That and most shows I watch are recommendations and I usually trust other people's tastes :P

...I will finish Gantz someday.

@TrollHunter You got me interested in GinTama, but I don't quite get the structure of the series. There's GinTama, GinTama' and GinTama' (2012). Is it a cohesive chronological story or is the (2012) series a remake? What about the movie?

[TrollHunter]

So what are some other posters' favorite anime series? Can't have too big of a to-watch-list, right?

Bahahahaha. Click my sig.

Point taken.

Although I was more shocked at the amount of entries in your "On Hold" list. I always finish what I start because I never feel like I could honestly judge a series without having seen it in its entirety. That and most shows I watch are recommendations and I usually trust other people's tastes :P

...I will finish Gantz someday.

@TrollHunter You got me interested in GinTama, but I don't quite get the structure of the series. There's GinTama, GinTama' and GinTama' (2012). Is it a cohesive chronological story or is the (2012) series a remake? What about the movie?

Yeah, I was confused about that as well. Gintama is the one to watch first (this is the one I'm still watching), then Gintama' and then Gintama' 2012.
Let me warn you about some things in this show though.
A) It's basically a show of filler. There is a story, and there are occasional arcs (that are extremely impressive) but for the most part the show is a comedy based filler show... but the filler is done well.
B) The anime also takes a bit to really get going good and funny. Give it a decent number of episodes where you meet more of the characters and it really starts to shine.
C) Episode 1 and 2 should probably be avoided because they are merely used to show you all the characters you'll eventually meet... and as such the writing is a bit rushed and pretty unfunny. Start with episode 3 as its the official beginning to the story and the manga.

This anime shines in its use of humor as it also uses it to set you up for more intense and gloomy scenes. Many of the jokes get lost in translation though as they are riffs on Japanese lifestyle. Watching it on chrunchyroll helps a lot though. In the end this is not the anime to watch if you want a constantly moving story. There is a story, and it is really good... but it is not the main focus by any stretch of the imagination.

[Tasura]

So what are some other posters' favorite anime series? Can't have too big of a to-watch-list, right?

Bahahahaha. Click my sig.

Point taken.

Although I was more shocked at the amount of entries in your "On Hold" list. I always finish what I start because I never feel like I could honestly judge a series without having seen it in its entirety. That and most shows I watch are recommendations and I usually trust other people's tastes :P


My On-Hold list is things I no longer have access to, or I started to watch and got distracted by something else and haven't watched an ep in years, or I didn't particularly care for, but since I don't drop things I'll finish them eventually.

[Hollycat]

I watch so much anime.

My favorite animes of this year are
My mental choices are ruining my life (I haven't laughed this much in a long time)
Attack on Titan
Kill la Kill- absolutely love the art style in this.

[Forsaken Lover]

I'm just going to post my thoughts on Neon Genesis Evangelion in here.

It's not even that I hate the whole thing. It's just that it starts so....normally and proceeds to be more or less normal for many episodes. Hell, half of the original anime series I'd say. Sure there's Angels and shit but it doesn't have anywhere near the same tone as the last few episodes. And those last few episodes were when it was actualy GOOD.

Only...it hurts what was good by having what came before. The last couple episodes of the anime don't address jack shit about the plot. It doesn't explain Adam or SEELE or what make Fuyutsuki join up with Gendo or... The list of things that are never explained in the anime is very, very long. And so even though I genuinely enjoy the mind trip through Shinji's head, and I find the end of the last episode inspirational, I'm still left feeling frustrated and confused.

Also know there's End of Evangelion. I'm watching it now. But that is not doing anything to make me happy. The use of CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM has taken on a whole new level of gratuitousness while having even less merit. Stigmata? Really? When robots attack Shinji's robot and he has blood on his hands? That's some great sign?

Uch....

I guess what I'm saying is that Eva is great when it does what it actually does good and that is examining the characters. When Asuka loses her mind, the history of Dr. Akagi and her mother and Rei, the episode with the last angel and how it devastates Shinji to kill him - that was actual quality I'd say.

But everything before that? The pretenses ata coherent narrative or to establish a believable fictional world? They fail spectacularly.

[Ayen]

I'm the opposite. I thought Evangelion started out great and then went so far from out of left field it didn't even feel like the same show anymore and my brother and I couldn't make sense out of what the hell was going on. I only saw the original ending when they ran out of budget and had to rely on stock footage to finish it and then the renewed ending when they had the budget again. Never watched anything Evangelion related after that.

[Karifean]

Rewatched parts of Kokoro Connect just now. Goddamn that was an awesome show.

[Karifean]

So I just marathon'd Clannad with a couple of friends. 48 episodes including the OVA episodes (we left out the summary episode though), took 22 hours in total, with a combined break duration of 4 hours.

I haven't ever watched for this long at a time before and I doubt it'll happen again anytime soon. But it was awesome.

I'm currently in the process of watching Steins;Gate with my dad (10 episodes in, he's pretty bored, I have faith it will change by the halfway mark) and my brother's christmas present for me was that he will watch Clannad with me. I don't mind seeing it a third time, though any more than that feels dangerous. Don't wanna ruin the series for me.

All the while I still try to watch some NANA every now and then. A friend of mine is also watching it and is now quite a ways ahead of me and told me that the series gets pretty good. Motivated!

[Forsaken Lover]

*points at my sig*

Everyone should watch Fairy Tail.

[Quindiana Jones]

Just got cracking on Attack on Titan. Four episodes in and it's already one of my favourite series EVARRRR. :love:

[Botchmun]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure anime? Soundtrack includes tons of tracks by Yes?

CamPXxfl7Lw

WRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

And this April they're releasing Stardust Crusaders, the first appearance of the Stands. You have no idea how awesome this is.

[Shauna]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is amazing. I didn't know what to expect from it, but it was completely brilliant.

[Black Magic Shopkeeper]

This year the only thing I'm looking forward to is...
Space Dandy!


...ok maybe Sailor Moon too.

But SPACE DANDY!!!

[Shorty]

Goddamn stupid Cowboy Bebop getting me all messy and emotional and shit!

[Quindiana Jones]

Messy?

Ew. :erm:

[Shorty]

Excuse me? :colbert:

[Quindiana Jones]

Messy?

Ew. :erm:

[Shorty]

:aimmad:

It's been years since I've watched Hellsing, but I am going to pick it up again this weekend! I don't even remember much of the story, just that I loved it.

[Shauna]

The new season of anime has just started! (http://anichart.net) Matt and I are going to watch too much of crappy high school antics!

[Karifean]

I finally finished NANA. It got a lot better during the second half. A lot of anime I watch are like that, I wonder why.

It's definitely worth checking out. It's unlike any other series I've seen yet. It has its habit of putting incredibly over the top facial expressions which also makes the art style stand out in a really weird way.

It had this moment where I suddenly went "when did this show suddenly get so good?" Really, all of a sudden all character relationships and interactions are really intricate and interesting. It's hard to predict where the plot will go. Quite captivating.

Next up on my list, Angel Beats!

[Black Magic Shopkeeper]

...

Space Dandy.

[Shauna]

Space Dandy is waiting to be watched here.

[Karifean]

Angel Beats!, done. Went by pretty quickly. Overall, it was pretty good, Key (or rather Jun Maeda) products always seem to be quite amazing.

Sadly, I feel the series made the wrong decision. Episode 9, it seems like the perfect setup to have the show go on for quite a while - we have a clear goal and great setting - but no, it doesn't take long for them to introduce the reason that makes it end at Episode 13 already. This makes a lot of characters go without much-desired character development.

Otonashi was a really good protagonist and by far my favorite character of the bunch. Kanede fulfilled the role of someone you never really know what to think of very nicely. Overall, a show well worth watching. Not Maeda's best work (gee I wonder what is) but I'm looking forward to the Key VN. I just wish they'd gone with what they had after Ep 9.

Next up, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica. Decided to watch this now since it's short as well and it seems to be a bit of a must-watch. Little Busters comes afterwards. Anything to fill the Clannad Void would be wonderful.

[Karifean]

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica was the best anime I've seen in quite a while. It starts off as if it were a clichéd magical girls show... takes three episodes to show that that's not quite true... takes another three episodes to prove the exact opposite. It basically takes your preconceptions of series of the genre and throws them right back at you.

The story is pretty dark. I won't go much further into it to prevent spoiling anything, but the plot has a lot of twists that (may) go directly against your expectations of what the show would turn out to be. It had great pacing, always keeping on pressure to make you continue watching. By the end it very much reminded me of two other anime I like a lot, and that would be Steins;Gate and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni.

It's one of rather few shows with an episode count in the ~12 range that didn't feel cramped. Air and Angel Beats felt like they should've been longer. Not the case with Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, it took just as much time as it needed, no more, no less.

I can only recommend it further, particularly to people who like shows such as Elfen Lied. Definitely among my Top 5.

Next up, finally Little Busters! I've been itching to watch it ever since someone who's seen Clannad told me it was the saddest anime they'd ever seen. And that's quite a statement. Might take a while till I finish it though since I have a couple of deadlines coming up this week.

[Shauna]

Homura. :(


Little Busters... certainly is something. It flip-flops between serious and silly like nobody's business. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though.

[Karifean]

Homura. :(


Little Busters... certainly is something. It flip-flops between serious and silly like nobody's business. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though.

So basically just like all Key adaptations, gotcha^^
I trust you've seen Refrain?

For a long time I actually felt really bad for Sayaka. She becomes a Mahou Shoujo with no regrets and a positive outlook and then over the course of the next episodes that positivity is completely destroyed and regrets just pile up. But well, when you get further into it, Homura's backstory is really insane. And it also further established just what a certain other anime character had to go through.

[Shauna]

I have indeed seen Refrain. So much "What is going on!?". xD

It is less wtf than Air though, which really was the creme de la creme of wtf.

[Forsaken Lover]

Is Death Note as good as a lot of people said years back?

[Botchmun]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is amazing. I didn't know what to expect from it, but it was completely brilliant.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is, I believe, the longest running manga to still be in production, nearing its thousandth issue and recently having celebrated its... 25th anniversary? The ending theme of the show, Roundabout by Yes, is full on eight and a half minutes of badassery. Also, because people might not get how badass the show is:

RPxXvrjpxCk

Fun fact: every time you hear "Yare Yare Daze" or "ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!" in an anime, it's referencing this upcoming series.

[Tasura]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is amazing. I didn't know what to expect from it, but it was completely brilliant.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is, I believe, the longest running manga to still be in production, nearing its thousandth issue and recently having celebrated its... 25th anniversary? The ending theme of the show, Roundabout by Yes, is full on eight and a half minutes of badassery. Also, because people might not get how badass the show is:

RPxXvrjpxCk

Fun fact: every time you hear "Yare Yare Daze" or "ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!" in an anime, it's referencing this upcoming series.

It is definitely long running, but not as 1 continuous series, there are currently 8 separate series, the longest continuous series would be Hajime no Ippo.

[Karifean]

"Little Busters!" does seem to have pretty crazy leaps in tone. You go from Episode 15 to 16 and it's literally going from light-hearted harem to psychoterror. Loving it.

This image is certainly intriguing:

50689

I'm certainly looking forward to Refrain. If it's anything like After Story was to Clannad, that would be amazing. No spoilers, mmkay?

Edit: Btw, Kyousuke is the most awesome character in the history of anything. "RIN LEARNED THE RISING MEOWSTBALL!"

Editra: Well, I've been watching pretty much nonstop since I made this post, which was 5 hours ago. First season done and now I'm gonna go sleep and look forward to watching the half-as-long Refrain^^ I'll surely be done by Monday.

[Tavrobel]

I'm certainly looking forward to Refrain. If it's anything like After Story was to Clannad, that would be amazing. No spoilers, mmkay?

Refrain does feel a little more like the last 16 episodes of Clannad AS, and it goes through and establishes some of the rules (http://media-hearth.cursecdn.com/avatars/38/150/23.png), unlike Air or Clannad.


Don't believe the hype. People who are trying to compare Clannad to Busters are just looking for the next emotional-dramatic fix, and they won't get it. The ending of the anime for Refrain was heavily mismanaged, and the explanation for how the world was maintained was not correct.

You could pretty much go to Wikipedia after you watched Air and Clannad to figure out what was going on. For Clannad, Nagisa is saved because Tomoya goes through all of the routes and collects their good wishes. Clannad the anime plays this off as a traditional harem, except for the part where the visual novel has routes for male characters. If you've ever wondered why there's no Ryou route, it's because that's actually the Kappei or Kyou routes.

In Air, they sort of brush over the Misuzu-Kanna connection. The most important part that they leave out is that Uraha's puppet/magical ability is inherited by all of her descendants. This is especially important in that Yukito may have been the only male inheritor after 1000 years. In a one-frame flashback, we see that Yukito's mother looks exactly like Uraha, but with different hair.

Kurugaya pls

[Karifean]

And there we go. Refrain done. It was amazing.

I'd say of the ones I've seen, Little Busters is Key's second-best work. I'll still have to wait before I can honestly judge how I feel about it, but I like it very much. I will try to refrain (heh) from comparing it to Clannad too much although I don't know how well I'm gonna manage.

There are a lot of things Little Busters did right. Kyousuke was a wonderful character from beginning all the way until the end, and the fact that he had Yoshino Yuusuke's voice made him all the more awesome. While it sometimes ended up being downright cheesy, the show also had some very good humor thrown in.

I thought it was good. It seemed a bit of a daring move to have them survive after the ENTIRE show has been about making the Ri's strong enough to cope with the loss, but in the end, it worked out fine. You can just as easily say that their gained strength ended up giving them the resolve they needed to be able to also save their lives. Although they might've changed something from the Visual Novel so hell if I know.

All in all, typical Key^^
Seriously, I would've easily and quickly guessed it was a Key adaptation even if I had had no idea. From structure to storytelling to plot points to character synergy to comedy to soundtrack style, it all oozes Key. And that's great since I like Key a lot.

I'm considering checking out the Visual Novel. So far, I've only read Clannad, but it seems LB was not as good an adaptation as Clannad was (not entirely surprising since Clannad was a superb adaptation IMO and in some points even exceeded the original) so I should probably check it out to get the full storyline experience.

At least I might do that once my backlog gets a little lighter. My next choices will be Rin - Daughters of Mnemosyne (it's only 6 eps, might just quickly watch it tomorrow), Ef. Tale of Memories and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. I should also be watching FMAB at some point. Oh well, February, February...

[Tavrobel]

Little Busters is Key's second-best work.

I thought it was good. It seemed a bit of a daring move to have them survive after the ENTIRE show has been about making the Ri's strong enough to cope with the loss, but in the end, it worked out fine. You can just as easily say that their gained strength ended up giving them the resolve they needed to be able to also save their lives. Although they might've changed something from the Visual Novel so hell if I know.

... what? If you mean second to Planetarian. Of adapted media, the Little Busters source material is not second to anything.

This is probably more a result of not having read the novel, so I'll explain, but you missed the point. The overall result is the same, everyone lives; however, the extra stuff in between is gone.

It was mismanaged in that JC Staff decided to gloss over the scene by playing stock music over it and having it take the all of twelve minutes. We've already heard the opening 20some times by now, yes, we get that when this music plays, it's supposed to be dramatic. When you're watching the show, they just walk on through the bus and start rescuing people like there's no issue.

In the original novel, there's two endings. The first time you reach the bus, you either die, or you run away. You don't have the option of rescuing anyone, because if you do, you pass out in the bus, and you die. This leads to a scene in the hospital, in which Riki and Rin both have to resolve to change the situation.

You have to come back to the bus later, after another scene in which Riki has to decide to be born and meet Rin. This is the actual result of the wish, to be reborn in a second timeline without any of the issues that would keep Riki and Rin from saving everyone. In the show, it's implied that the wish is simply to save everyone, which is the lazy way out.

When you get there the second time, there's a set of six choices or so that you have to get correct. Even after being reborn, Riki still has to make correct calls when he's going through and saving everyone. Just because he was reborn as a badass doesn't mean that he can't get everyone killed. A leader Riki may be, but a leader can still lead his people to horrible tragedy. JC Staff leaves all of this out, and makes it look easy, draining the situation of its potential full impact.

The original ending is only three hours long because of the text. From novel to show, you're missing out on quite a bit. You're missing out on Riki really stepping up to his new mantle of leadership, something that is gained through multiple lifetimes. You're missing out on the music that plays during the bus scene, the music of impending and immediate doom. You're missing out on how much smarter Riki and Rin got, in that they could stomp their emotions out, and rescue everyone in a timely order and without getting everyone killed. From what I remember, all they left in was that Kyousuke was stopping the gas leak. They never included how he was stopping it.

[Karifean]

Little Busters is Key's second-best work.



... what? If you mean second to Planetarian. Of adapted media, the Little Busters source material is not second to anything.


You're talking to someone who's currently suffering from a severe case of Clannad Void.

The rest of your post pretty much assured that I'll be checking out the LB VN sooner than I originally planned. Sounds like I still have a lot to look forward to.

[Tavrobel]

ef melodies and memories are also excellent shows.

[NeoCracker]

Well, considering it's geen a few years since I've seen a new anime, I checked that link from Jeswee and... Two of them greatly intrigue me.

Nobunaga the Foolish, and for the silliness of the name, Nobunagun. XD

Also interested in Z/X Ignition and Noragami.

And as for more recent ones that are praised, what is everyones thoughts on Attack on Titan? Does it live up to the insane hype some people give it? :p

[Karifean]

Shingeki no Kyojin was one of the better Shonen series I've seen. It's very enjoyable all the way through. It just suffers from A. it's not finished, and B. for me there are worlds between Shonen series and REALLY good shows.

In short, definitely worth a watch.

[NeoCracker]

I had to google that just to make sure you were talking to me. XD

[Botchmun]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is amazing. I didn't know what to expect from it, but it was completely brilliant.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is, I believe, the longest running manga to still be in production, nearing its thousandth issue and recently having celebrated its... 25th anniversary? The ending theme of the show, Roundabout by Yes, is full on eight and a half minutes of badassery. Also, because people might not get how badass the show is:

RPxXvrjpxCk

Fun fact: every time you hear "Yare Yare Daze" or "ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!" in an anime, it's referencing this upcoming series.

It is definitely long running, but not as 1 continuous series, there are currently 8 separate series, the longest continuous series would be Hajime no Ippo.

How long has that series been going on for? I mean Jojo's broken up into the 8 separate series but series 1 through 6 all were interconnected and shared characters for the entirety of its run. Similarly, even though its broken up into 8 series, series, they all share the same name, if that counts for something.

I've read every series except for Steel Ball Run, which I have been mentally preparing to take on now that I'm caught up on Jojolion.

[Tasura]

Hajime no Ippo started publishing in 1989 and has been ever since, so even though the first Jojo started in 1987, there were a few years with nothing coming out Ippo is still the longest continuous series.

[Karifean]

I'm still slowly but surely creeping through Ef Melodies. Memories was pretty good but I'm a little burnt out right now and it's taking me a very long time to get through Melodies.

Similarly to Clannad, my appreciation for Little Busters! has grown exponentially since I finished the visual novel last week. It's now in my Top 3 along with Clannad itself and Steins;Gate. And I've yet to read the Steins;Gate visual novel.

Let me quickly go into the matter of the Little Busters anime adaptation. IMO it's not a bad adaptation, they did what they could, but they unavoidably had to take out the interactive aspect as well as the repeating storyline and that is a big part of LB's charm. The end of Refrain is so good in the visual novel because of the choices it gives you. A lot of that is just lost in the anime and there's nothing you can do about that.
So in the end, it's a good anime, no question, but LB just isn't that adaptable and quite a bunch was lost. I'd recommend reading the visual novel over watching the anime.

Edit: Following my making of this post I've been watching Melodies since and I had a little episode of going insane at Episode 6+. I may still be a little out of it, so I'll just come back tomorrow with hopefully a more clear mind.

[TrollHunter]

Been slowly working my way through Great Teacher Onizuka. Gotta say, it is quite a fun little watch. Enjoyable characters, enjoyable writing and some pretty touching moments. It's far and away not the best anime I've seen but I'm liking my time with it.

[Mercen-X]

I recently finished re-watching Geass. I also am trying to watch Fairy Tail online, although it's difficult because I'm not used to watching things in Japanese with subtitles. I feel I miss a lot when I have to focus on the top or bottom portion of the screen to know WTF the characters are saying. Translation: I hate subbed anime. I also hate people who insist subbed is better than dubbed. I don't care how bad the dub sounds, subbed is not better.

[Karifean]

I had a Higurashi no Naku Koro ni marathon a few days ago and reminded myself just why this series is so damn good.

Still trying to find the time to rewatch Death Note while my brother insists that I finally watch Game of Thrones. Although at the moment most of my time is taken up by reading the Higurashi visual novel and playing Lightning Returns. Oh well, eventually, eventually.

On the Dub vs Sub debate I find myself on the Sub end. For one, English is not my native language so hearing it isn't that big an improvement over reading it. Secondly, I find myself having no problem reading the subtitles while also paying attention to what happens on set. It's just something I got used to. Third, once I hear a character's voice in Japanese, I usually cannot stand hearing them with another voice. This goes both ways and there are exceptions, but that's mostly how it is. A lot seems to get lost in a dub, since there is so much more to spoken language than just its literal meaning.

[Fynn]

Still, clifnotes are not a good way to go about this, which is why they're an exclusively fansub thing. A good translation, be it sub or dub, doesn't require it, as the context is either made clear through the dialog or a culturally relevant equivalent is imported. Trust me, I'm doing my MA on translation :D

I think dub and sub can both be good. It's not that all dubs are objectively worse, a different voice on a character you like will always sound jarring.

[NeoCracker]

If the English Dub is good, I will always take it over subtitles. I don't watch shows to read. :p

Very few shows can I not stand the english VA's though, so I do have a pretty high tolerance fur sub-par voice acting.

[Fynn]

Have I already mentioned how Nisemonogatari ruined anime for me? I believe I have. But it totally did.

[Noctis Caelum]

Attack on Titan. Holy crap what an amazing anime.

[Colonel Angus]

IDK if this was mentioned, because I don't feel like going through 17 pages right now, but Baccano! was pretty great.

[AssassinDX]

Both of the above are incredible, Attack On Titan had me O_O from start to finish and Baccano! had me o_O but I enjoyed every minute of it.

I can't even remember if I've posted in this topic yet, but I'm currently 125 episodes into Fairy Tail and thoroughly enjoying that too. Gonna start on Fate/Stay Night when I've caught up as that's recently appeared on Netflix.

[blackmage_nuke]

Attack on Titan is a great anime during the parts where it's actually animated (so many still frames) though I guess it's a lot more entertaining if you hadnt read the manga before hand