Let's talk anime.

It makes you care about the characters better than most shows. Other things too like nice animation and cool fights, but that's the main thing.

For me it also helps to have an actual romance story that isn't padded out with unnecessary angst and drama. Well when compared to other anime series that is. They meet, don't really hit it off but grow to respect each other, finally decide to take a chance with each other, find out that there might be something there, take the time to figure it out, circumstances happen to make them draw closer, they are honest with each other, spend time together strengthening that bond and when threatened, rally to protect each other.

All this in about 9-10 episodes of the first season. Other series would take 24, 56 or even the last 10 minutes of the whole series.

In addition to the things mentioned, I would also say that SAO takes itself seriously and is well served by doing so. It doesn't devolve into either fanservice (see tuffalobuffalo's comments about Maoyu's opening episode for an excellent example of a series that suffers for not resisting this temptation) or forced comic relief (way too many series seem to make this mistake). The show is confident enough in its premise and its characters to let them stand on their own, and it works.

... Or at least this is true of the first arc. The second arc is not as strong.

I am hardly saying the show is perfect. (The ANGRYFACES seen during certain fights rob some otherwise serious scenes of their intended drama, for example.) But the best anime series of 2012? Quite possibly.

About Maou Mayou that was gonna happen no matter what, it's an on going gag between the demon queen and her maid about her "useless lumps of flesh" However still loved the manga and can't wait to see the anime.

Cayne wrote:

About Maou Mayou that was gonna happen no matter what, it's an on going gag between the demon queen and her maid about her "useless lumps of flesh" However still loved the manga and can't wait to see the anime.

Well, that's interesting. I still don't like that particular gag whenever it pops up. At any rate, I imagine it will at least be slightly toned down in further episodes. I'll definitely stick with it if the rest is good.

Essentially they pull that gag for "romantic" moments, and once i believe as a negotiations tactic (i.e distract dumb males with boobies) other than that the action scenes they do have, and the exposition is really interesting, a good primer in macro economics.

Gave Kimi ni Todoke a try. Not my usual choice for an anime but it was definitely charming. The nods to The Ring were fun. Added to my queue.

Also checked out Maoyu. Thanks for the recommendation, Moonquack. I didn't mind the fanservice, although the bouncy sound effect may have pushed the joke a bit too far. The story was interesting--a deconstruction of a fantasy trope through the lens of economics. Nice animation style as well--reminded me of SOA.

KidDork wrote:

Moonquack

Hehe, moonquack.

It's funny about the Maoyu fanservice thing. It doesn't even really fall into that category for me. I just dislike the character design. It seems like she could have looked rather cool, but instead she just looks ridiculous. Anyways, I'm looking forward to the second episode.

I'm enjoying Shinsekai Yori (From the new world) a hell of a lot. Tense as hell too.
Magi is very nice, love the setting in the 1001 Arabian nights.
Another nail-biting series Zetsuen no Tempest, so frikking good!

The fall season was full of epic anime. This winter season... a whole lot of meh...

MOOquack.

Although 'Moonquack' would make an awesome Pokemon...

I just finished watching Summer Wars... Oh my goodness was it good! The surround sound on it was soooo enthralling on my setup! I just went to find other movies by the director, but "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" isn't on amazon on bluray for cheap >.<'

Anyone have suggestions for series/movies that have a similar combination of awesomeness?

Jamull99 wrote:

I just finished watching Summer Wars... Oh my goodness was it good! The surround sound on it was soooo enthralling on my setup! I just went to find other movies by the director, but "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" isn't on amazon on bluray for cheap >.<'

Anyone have suggestions for series/movies that have a similar combination of awesomeness?

Oh man, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is superb. Can you get it off of Netflix? Maybe do a trial run if you don't subscribe. They only have the DVD unfortunately. I added Summer Wars to my Netflix Queue (Blu-ray) and moved it to the top. I am excited!

Jamull99 wrote:

I just finished watching Summer Wars... Oh my goodness was it good! The surround sound on it was soooo enthralling on my setup! I just went to find other movies by the director, but "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" isn't on amazon on bluray for cheap >.<'

Anyone have suggestions for series/movies that have a similar combination of awesomeness?

Paprika is my immediate suggestion. Try your best to get TGWLTT. Maybe Aachi & Ssipak if you aren't scared off by its over-the-topness? I don't really know what else would be comparable in terms of technical excellence in audio and visuals, but would you be interested in suggestions for series/movies with great themes/plots/characterization (in which categories all of the titles named thus far also excel)?

After Paprika, I would also recommend Tekkonkinkreet. That's another great Blu-ray.

seswa wrote:

I'm enjoying Shinsekai Yori (From the new world) a hell of a lot. Tense as hell too.
Magi is very nice, love the setting in the 1001 Arabian nights.
Another nail-biting series Zetsuen no Tempest, so frikking good!

The fall season was full of epic anime. This winter season... a whole lot of meh...

I just finished Episode 13 of From the New World. I still don't know what to make of it. It's rather interesting, but I feel like it's missing something. I tried Magi, but I couldn't get into it after 1 or 2 episodes. I may have to give that another shot since there isn't much interesting on right now.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:
seswa wrote:

I'm enjoying Shinsekai Yori (From the new world) a hell of a lot. Tense as hell too.
Magi is very nice, love the setting in the 1001 Arabian nights.
Another nail-biting series Zetsuen no Tempest, so frikking good!

The fall season was full of epic anime. This winter season... a whole lot of meh...

I just finished Episode 13 of From the New World. I still don't know what to make of it. It's rather interesting, but I feel like it's missing something. I tried Magi, but I couldn't get into it after 1 or 2 episodes. I may have to give that another shot since there isn't much interesting on right now.

I remember reading Magi early on and enjoying myself but the flow and story shifted fairly quick, and basically stopped being fun for me. Not sure how the anime handles that.

Has anyone watched Fractale on blu-ray? It is $34 for the one-season series on amazon right now. Im trying to decide if I should pounce or wait for a lower price!

New Chihayafuru episode on CR today! Woo! Can't wait to get home to watch it.

Gintama is back this week! Already in fine form. I'm so freaking happy.

Last week I caught up on around 70 eps of Bleach. It is pretty cool when Ichigo always just turns into that final badarse.

casual_alcoholic wrote:

Gintama is back this week! Already in fine form. I'm so freaking happy.

+1000
-
At the end of that episode (257):

Spoiler:

When Gin-san kicks the can...

I have not laughed that hard in a looong time. It's still giving me the giggles just thinking about it :lol:.

Eldon_of_Azure wrote:
casual_alcoholic wrote:

Gintama is back this week! Already in fine form. I'm so freaking happy.

+1000
-
At the end of that episode (257):

Spoiler:

When Gin-san kicks the can...

I have not laughed that hard in a looong time. It's still giving me the giggles just thinking about it :lol:.

Yeh, I completely burst out laughing as well. So great.

Blasted through four episodes of Ixion Saga DT today. Very enjoyable, very funny. They had me at the Monster Hunter posters in Kon's room.

Jamull99 wrote:

I just finished watching Summer Wars... Oh my goodness was it good!

I just watched it. It's a delightful film. Thanks for the heads up! I hope that you enjoy The Girl Who Leapt through Time. It's even better.

Other things I can think of that are vaguely similar to, but not actually very much like Summer Wars:

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi?
Brave Story?
Origin: Spirits of the Past?

Also in the process of looking up a couple of those, I found out that there is way more to the Monogatari series than the first season of Bakemonogatari that I watched back in 2009!

I loved Brave Story. What about it is like Summer Wars? I might be interested.

Tone, I guess? The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a closer comparison than any I mentioned. They both have a healthy dose of mundane everyday life stuff, grabbing real human issues at the core of a sci-fi drama, all while managing to avoid dumb tropes that so commonly bring a good anime down. Brave Story manages to do some of the same within its fantasy JRPG setting instead of using sci-fi.

Summer Wars is excellent. I'd take it over Ponyo most days of the week.

psoplayer wrote:

Other things I can think of that are vaguely similar to, but not actually very much like Summer Wars:

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi?
Brave Story?
Origin: Spirits of the Past?

Also in the process of looking up a couple of those, I found out that there is way more to the Monogatari series than the first season of Bakemonogatari that I watched back in 2009!

Sweet, added the first two because I haven't seen them. I liked Origin: Spirits of the Past.

So, I'll accept that marathon watching all of Nisemonogatari and Nekomonogatari over the weekend probably wasn't the most responsible use of my time. Still...

Having played Persona 3 in the time since seeing Bake~, I'm struck by the similarities in their styles. They're still getting really good mileage out of bold colors and hard lines at stylistic angles. Even more striking, I did not remember Bake~ being nearly so sexually charged. Everything else about them was so consistent with what I remember of Bake~ that I assume it also remains faithful in that respect.

Spoiler:

Regardless, I know for a fact that Bake~ did not feature such situations with the Araragi sisters, and could have happily done without it. (I probably wouldn't have even batted an eye at such things in SAO if I had seen Nise~ first.)

I'm most excited to see Shinobu developing as a character. Hopefully we get to learn even more about her in Monogatari 2nd Season, though it seems more likely to be explored in the next movie, Kizumonogatari.