Let's talk anime.

I loved Black Lagoon. Lots. But it's not for everyone, or every mood. If you get to the episode where they're making terminator references and not having a good time, then it's time to pull the plug

Random updatism:
Bleach is really getting in the swing of things. Claymore is starting to look pretty damn good. Edo Rocket still has me scratching my head. Lovely Complex has been a little uneven, but has had some great moments. Blue Dragon ... fun but I'd be hard pressed to say it's anywhere near good. Naruto seems to going well enough. I haven't been keeping up on Darker than Black, so I'm not sure if it's improved. Started watching Sola, holding off judgment there.

Has anyone been following El Cazador by any chance?

Wow, I just watched the episode with the terminator reference and.. just wow. I take back my previous assessment, that was awesome. Enough time wasted posting, I'm on to the next episode.

First of all, very impressive list you have going there. I noticed that you had blood : the last vampire but not the anime series that goes along with it. If you actually haven't watched the series then its called Blood+ and it is awesome. Also you might like Trinity Blood. Texhnolyze is one put out by Geneon and most of their stuff is pretty good. That's all got I for you right now but my Netflix subscription is going strong so possibly more in the near future.

Blood+ isn't bad, but it's just a retelling of Blood:TLV. Texnohlyze wasn't bad, but it's definitely my least favorite from Yosh*toshi ABe. Niea_7, Serial Experiments: Lain and Haibane Renmai were better, IMO.

Also, since you bring up Netflix, I feel compelled to toss out this: Rent Anime. It's a netflix style sub service that Animenation puts on. Far, far better selection than Netflix; AN is a distributor of anime as well, so they're going to have stuff on hand that Netflix probably won't.

Rent Anime unfortunately has very few shipping depots resulting in longer transit times and isn't as automated as Netflix seems to be with their account management. It does, however, have a much wider selection.

Kurrelgyre wrote:

Rent Anime unfortunately has very few shipping depots resulting in longer transit times and isn't as automated as Netflix seems to be with their account management. It does, however, have a much wider selection.

There's really only one or two, but that's due to the fact that it's run by a much smaller company. Even so, I'll trade transit times for selection any day.

Another update:
Claymore (@ ep 8) - I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. Has a nice dark and brooding feel to it, but it's certainly not for the weak of heart. Violent and graphically so.
Lucky Star (@ ep 7) - How the heck did I miss this series. I really want to compare it to AzuDai, as it has a similar feeling to the structuring of the show (that is to say, it feels like a number of smaller skits that string together into a larger show) but the main character is basically a geek (self admitted otaku, MMO player, etc). Overall been a great watch, and even higher recommendation if AzuDai tickled you fancy.
Sola (ep 7?) - Another new one. Not sure how to feel on this one. Has a similar feel to it as maybe Kanon, but with more mysterious elements(?) Honestly I need to rewatch the past few episodes, as I'm a tad lost at the moment.

LupusUmbrus wrote:

Another update:
Lucky Star (@ ep 7) - How the heck did I miss this series. I really want to compare it to AzuDai, as it has a similar feeling to the structuring of the show (that is to say, it feels like a number of smaller skits that string together into a larger show) but the main character is basically a geek (self admitted otaku, MMO player, etc). Overall been a great watch, and even higher recommendation if AzuDai tickled you fancy.

I'm not sure how you missed it, I've certainly talked about it enough. As for Kona-chan being the main character.. eh, I kinda hesitate to name any of them a 'main character'. It's an ensemble show, similar to Azumanga, though. Another school life comedy to look into if you're enjoying that is Lovely Complex. Unless you already are, and therefore know the joy that is Kansai-ben.

AnimeJ wrote:

I'm not sure how you missed it, I've certainly talked about it enough. As for Kona-chan being the main character.. eh, I kinda hesitate to name any of them a 'main character'. It's an ensemble show, similar to Azumanga, though. Another school life comedy to look into if you're enjoying that is Lovely Complex. Unless you already are, and therefore know the joy that is Kansai-ben.

Should have made a neon sign or something, it's an awesome show Definitely a little more energetic and zany then Azumanga, which I feel should be mentioned. As for the cast, it is an ensemble, but Kona-chan seems a little more central than any of the characters from AzuDai. Now I don't know if she really gets that much more screen time than the others, or if she's the one that's ... most unique?

As for Lovely Complex, you bet. I think I've mentioned that some of the material feels a little hit or miss at times, but listening to the characters banter back and forth has been fun.

LupusUmbrus wrote:
AnimeJ wrote:

I'm not sure how you missed it, I've certainly talked about it enough. As for Kona-chan being the main character.. eh, I kinda hesitate to name any of them a 'main character'. It's an ensemble show, similar to Azumanga, though. Another school life comedy to look into if you're enjoying that is Lovely Complex. Unless you already are, and therefore know the joy that is Kansai-ben.

Should have made a neon sign or something, it's an awesome show Definitely a little more energetic and zany then Azumanga, which I feel should be mentioned. As for the cast, it is an ensemble, but Kona-chan seems a little more central than any of the characters from AzuDai. Now I don't know if she really gets that much more screen time than the others, or if she's the one that's ... most unique?

As for Lovely Complex, you bet. I think I've mentioned that some of the material feels a little hit or miss at times, but listening to the characters banter back and forth has been fun.

Lucky Star: Kona-chan reminds me of Chiyo, in that she's kind of the focal point, but only due to that uniqueness they both had; Chiyo as a 10 year old genius; Konata as the zany galge otaku. In all truth though, that's just how school life style slice of life shows go; Gokujou Seitokai(I refuse to acknowledge the name ADV is releasing it under, dirty butchers ><) and School Rumble are a couple of other good examples.

RabuCom: Watching All-Hanshin Kyojin interact is seriously one of the best parts of the show. Listening to them rant and rave at each other is hilarious, although I'm really really excited to see what happens given the cliffhanger that they dumped on me. ; ;

Lucky Star, et al: *head nods* I think another factor that makes for Kona-chan feeling like more of a focal point of sorts is the fact that the cast is slightly more limited, at least so far. AzuDai and School Rumble both have large casts to pull from. I haven't watched Gokujou Seitokai: worth watching? Alternative title translation? (ADV's title not great, but fairly accurate if I'm reading the name right)

RabuCom: They don't have subs out for ep 7 yet?

I watch Lucky Star for her. She's awesome!

LupusUmbrus wrote:

Lucky Star, et al: *head nods* I think another factor that makes for Kona-chan feeling like more of a focal point of sorts is the fact that the cast is slightly more limited, at least so far. AzuDai and School Rumble both have large casts to pull from. I haven't watched Gokujou Seitokai: worth watching? Alternative title translation? (ADV's title not great, but fairly accurate if I'm reading the name right)

RabuCom: They don't have subs out for ep 7 yet?

On Gokujou Seitokai vs "Best Student Council" It's completely inaccurate; Gokujou is a compound word, similar to Rabucom. So, Student Council is accurate, but that's where it stops. I've only seen about 2/3 of it though, but I enjoyed what I've seen.

As to subs for RabuCom 7, I haven't seen any, but that was as of last night.

Thirteenth wrote:

I watch Lucky Star for her. She's awesome!

LUCKY CHANNELU!! OHAYLUCKY!!!!

I love how she's so cynical and sarcastic, yet can turn the idol moe factor on in an instant.

Lucky Channel Parody

Thirteenth wrote:

Yub, totally awesome.

Yea, that was pretty awesome. I still about fall out of my chair laughing at the bit in the first one where she starts scratching herself.

Heh, yeah, Lucky Channel is f'in awesome, and some manages to get better with every episode.

AnimeJ: I'll withhold commentary on LovCom 7 then if that's the case, hope you enjoy it ^^;

Just finished watching Kino's Journey. Good stuff but it felt quite weird often. Very surreal stories.

I got into Death Note due to recommendations made in this thread and wow, it is now my favorite anime series of all time.

I mean I enjoy it so much that when I was first watching it, I was giddy in between episodes as I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

Are there any other anime series that is similar to Death Note in it's pscyhological thriller and sharp animation?

Not in the same amount of intensity as Death Note.

Elliottx wrote:

I got into Death Note due to recommendations made in this thread and wow, it is now my favorite anime series of all time.

I mean I enjoy it so much that when I was first watching it, I was giddy in between episodes as I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

Are there any other anime series that is similar to Death Note in it's pscyhological thriller and sharp animation?

There's not a whole lot out there in the psychological thriller category, but if you're looking for stuff in that genre that looks good, try out the following

Higurashi na Koro Ni
Paranoia Agent/Mousou Dairinin
Boogiepop Phantom << This is a pretty old series, but outstanding
Infinite Ryvius << It's got a scifi bent on it, but it's essentially Lord of the Flies in space.

AnimeJ wrote:

Paranoia Agent/Mousou Dairinin

Quite a good show, and the theme song/opening sequence is absolutely amazing. It literally gives me chillbumps every time.

Satoshi Kon is pretty much a genius creator. Some other good works of his include Millenium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers and Perfect Blue.

As for a somewhat slower paced/longer one I would also recommend Monster.

FYI, One Piece streams to the 360 perfectly with no need to change anything. K-F already does their stuff in avc1/mp4a. I'm watching movie 6 right now with nothing changed to the file itself.

It looks awesome upscaled on my HDTV.

Did anyone else see that Maison Ikkoku has a 2007 live action sequel? I nearly shat myself when I spotted it.

Edwin wrote:

Did anyone else see that Maison Ikkoku has a 2007 live action sequel? I nearly shat myself when I spotted it.

O RLY? The inner fanboi in me screams that I need to see this. However, I remember exactly how horrible the show was in the first place, despite the fact that I will love and revere it as the One and Only Rumiko Takahashi series that has AN ACTUAL ENDING. Yes, you heard it folks. Maison Ikkoku has an actual, conclusive ending.

For anyone looking to pad their anime collections, TRSI is having a killer sale on Geneon/Pioneer series right now. 10 discs for $50 or 25 for $100.

http://rightstuf.com

One of my favorites that no-one's mentioned is Hunter x Hunter and its OVAs. The survival aspect of it just attracts me - the manga is a bit better, but the anime is excellent. It's at least somewhat realistic until later on in the series, and even then the magic system has some unusual limitations, sorta like Fullmetal Alchemist. Currently I'm watching Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - it's rather uneven, but I'd recommend it if you like old-school adventure type series like Mysterious Cities of Gold, or Laputa/Castle in the Sky. I think Last Exile ripped off its plot, pretty much. From what I read it has some awful fillers later on that I haven't gotten to, though. :-p

I'll second the recommendation on the Astro Boy 2003 series - also kinda uneven but very faithful to the original overall. Have to give a thumbs down to Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien - it had some interesting parts, but total soap opera mostly. I might have to try Death Note - it sounds nifty from what I'm reading about it.

Nadia was decent, but it was only set for 30 eps, and they stretched it out to 39. As for the Last Exile comparison.. I dunno. I didn't really see it there, but I hadn't seen Nadia in a while when I watched Last Exile.

Speaking of endings, I'm still pissed that the InuYasha ending accomplished NOTHING.