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Ash and I don't watch a lot of anime, but we've watched enough to fill an hour's worth of podcastery. If you've got a soft spot for Cowboy Bebop, or if you absolutely hate Azumanga Daioh, you probably won't like us very much at the end of this week's episode.
I still need to watch My Neighbor Totoro.
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Contest:
9:58 PM on 02.05.2010
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The first one's older, from the 80s I believe, which the aesthetic definitely reflects, but it's still great. Diebuster is in the distant future of the original series, so it's not like a direct sequel and it stands on its own, and it was produced just a few years ago, by the FLCL animation crew so they look similar visually. Also recommended for the infectious, extremely danceable opening theme.
Same guys also did Gurren Lagann, which is even more over-the-top and parodical (is that a word?), but I haven't had the pleasure of watching all that yet.
Also, no talk about Full Metal Alchemist?
You guys might like Seto no Hanayome, Hare Nochi Guu, or Mushishi. I'd also recommend trying Gintama and Slayers. Just 'cuz.
As for Pokémon and that Charmander, that bugger became highly disobedient, almost resentful, under Ash's command, namely as a Charizard. Wouldn't be surprising if your scenario led to that.
Akira... I saw it, was p cool, but I'm still not sure WTF happened, what was going on with Akira himself and the purpose/use of those powers.
Now, to go back and finish this; in the Azumanga Daioh part, nao.
As for other shows you might like I really suggest is Baccano.
I'm going to hope you shit on Cowboy Bebop for the same reason I do (the shit "story" episodes...), but I assume it'll be for some bullshit like the awesome soundtrack or something.
You didn't like how it was a new music genre reflected per episode? Or how all the characters adopt a different stylization to reflect their personalities? Or how it used bounty hunting as a vehicle to give differing insight into varying cultures?
I mean sure the characters were kinda just thrown together, and the ending was abrupt, but I thought that was a strength. Hell, 12 years later I still consider it a standard to judge anime against in terms of design and scope.
Eh, maybe I just like it too much.
Considering anime, I recommend Monster. Although it has some bullshit plot points, it managed to reduce me to tears one episode, and then terrify me on another while remaining believable in terms narrative. If you like film noir, you will probably like Monster, it is less of a traditional anime and more of a serious drama.
As for sub-vs-dub, I hate relying on fansubs because, despite their best efforts, they are still technically amateur and the subbers don't have access to the people in charge of the shows, so they can't know how some things are spelled, maybe what some lines are in reference to, and I especially hate the unnatural way things read off ("It can't be helped," being my archnemesis), and it wouldn't bug me so much if my anime-portal of a friend had ofikaly subbed copies of things, but his collection is mostly fan-subs. With dubbing, I lean toward English so that I can focus on the show rather than the scrolling words, but I will say that if a show is particularly Japanese, it'd be better to watch it in that language, especially if it plays off of other languages (fantasy settings that aren't Japanese, though, they're fair game to the viewer's language). But there's also the humorous instances of Engrish (and one show that will just, for a few minutes each episode, break out into English/Engrish for all its dialogue), and voices that are just better in the Japanese version, either by actor differences or leniencies in Japanese that aren't feasible in English (ex: Lelouch's voice in Code Geass; it's ridiculously deep and smoooth in the Japanese version, but sounds cool all the same, whereas he's voice by Johnny Young Bash (sp?) over here, a voice that doesn't do Lelouch's magnificent bastardry justice, fitting better with Trigun's Vash, and to lesser extents BLEACH's Ichgo and DFF's Firion). But, ah well, I know that Outlaw Star's Aisha is even more annoying in Japanese, and I can't fathom watching Bebop in any other but English (BTW: Spike's VA, very recognizable; Vincent is a Martian?).
I guess my final verdict on subs and dubs is...
1) No fan-subs, at least when an official one is available (assuming modern standards of quality).
2) Yes on original languages, unless the English is just that good, in which case you can forego.
3) Yes on good dubs, especially if the setting doesn't mandate a particular real-world language.
Not sure it's possible to like CB too much! It was the first anime I watched (or one of the first), and the more anime I see, the more I'm impressed by it.
Plus I still listen to the CB OST to this day.
Cowboy Bebop was my first anime too, and the entire OST set has been in my music library since 2003, I just wanted to put it up there that maybe I am reading into stuff too much.
I mean for Cowboy Bebop, although the main draw was on the characters in new situations, more emphasis was on the world than on what the characters were saying or doing. Generally it was to the point where the world was a character in itself. I really love that type of design philosophy because it exploits what visual media is capable of while being fairly unobtrusive.
Man, I really feel like watch Cowboy Bebop again.
I didn't update the Podtoid twitter. I never use that thing, for the exact reason you're cuntwhining about. Maybe Samit did.
artha14:
Well, that makes me feel better. Everytime I see anything related to Akira I assume (for whatever reason) that I'm the only one who thinks it's shit. It's good to know that isn't the case.
Mecha Six VII:
First season is awful, second season is better, third season is fantastic.
Here's a short list of some of the best anime that have come out over the past few years, all of which you guys would definitely enjoy:
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi - One of my personal favorites. A very entertaining, endearing, unconventional show that I could literally talk about for days, it has so many layers to it. It's worth watching the 14 eps the first time in the mixed up original airing order.
Death Note - An intense, fast-paced, psychological thriller. The first season is very, very good.
Gurren Lagann - Pretty much the definition of epic, as you would see if you watched the whole season. Great characters, lots of comedy, and tons of over-the-top action. (1 season)
And some other stuff lower on the list...
Toradora - This is another person favorite of mine, and one I keep rewatching. I find it to be the most entertaining, most mature, well-made anime romantic comedies I've seen so far. (1 season)
Ga-Rei Zero - If the first few episodes do nothing for you, you sir, have no heart. Only 12 eps, and it's a very unique action/drama that's very much worth watching half-way.
Lucky Star - Just for fun.. This one, you either love it, or hate it, but if you love it, it provides endless entertainment. Its characters pretty much embody and make fun of every anime stereotype out there. Great fun for an anime-lover. (1 season)
So anyways, yeah, see if you can get your hands on a few of these, and I promise you, your love for anime will increase to epic proportions, and hopefully spill onto some future podcasts. Enjoy!
I think the only show that came close to toppling Cowboy Bebop for me was Paranoia Agent. That show never gets enough credit.
Stuff I can't watch are ego stroking harem shows, after Tenchi, EL Hazard or Urusei Yatsura, since most of them are treading the same predictable lines. 'Oh no, I accidentally squeezed her boob again'.....fucking lame, tired stuff.
I can't watch pandering moe stuff either, but thats where a large part of the market unfortunately is. Each to their own.
Akira isn't crap, but its cool if you don't personally like it (as the manga is far better. Azumanga Daioh is a really fun show, that is very accessible. Bebop is also very cool and acccessible beyond regular fans.
As a fan, the anime market isn't producing much that I want to buy, these days. This has me back tracking to a lot of earlier anime series that I missed, even on fan sub (what matters is that I can understand whats going on. Legend of the Galactic Heroes is awesome deep kind of show I need (thank you fan subs and Anime World Order), but will never see release to buy. Baccano, Giant Robo and Black Lagoon I've seen and are on my buy list. Now monster is going on DVD I can get that too.
I'll check out HAWPcast more in future.
It's not like it's of a genre I've grown out of - It's the characters. They're annoying. They never develop. Nothing Ever Happens.
Riding Bean,the old Gundams,Legend of The Galactic Heroes(if you have the patience),Super Dimensional Fortress Macross(NOT ROBOTECH!),Fist Of The North Star(again,if you have the stamina),Jojo's Bizarre Adventure,Armored Trooper Votoms,Mazinger Z,Getter Robo,and the list goes on....
For current ones,just go to Japanator for ideas.Heck,just ask either Dale,Collete or Topher.They'd tell you guys what to watch.
I can't believe nobody has mentioned the Patlabor movies (especially the second one) though.
Also RARARAR Cowboy Bebop etc.
But it's interesting to read the Azumanga, er, manga after watching the anime to find ouy it's like newspaper cartoon length. Although it does explain why the plot is like it is.
It's spelt OUT you stupid deviant.
In return, I've added Azumanga Daioh to my Netflix que since I just finished watching all of Lucky Star. Thanks!