What anime are you watching?

[Neane]

I just finished watching Space Battleship Yamato.
I need a tea right now.

[Neane]

Finished Kaiba.

It was quite Brilliant. Some of the most amazing animation, and the way everything was brought together in the end was superb.

I have to say that he main philosophical theme of this show is the value of human beings and to what level is the body a necessity. There were also heavy themes including the future of humanity, the power of emotions, the absolute absurdity of existence and the all consuming greed of humans. And I must say, all of those themes were carried out brilliantly, be it through dialogue or through sheer presentation.Also I have to say that this sort of animation makes a lot more impact than super slick realistic animation. Also I have to say, watching this show felt like the same as playing the PC Game Planescape Torment.
Don't know why, but it had the same sort of atmosphere in it. [Also started the same way.]

In the end, It Kicks *** and takes names! Blows most anime out of the sky! Rules over most of weirdland! Yeah baby, rock da world!

Now I need to watch Kemonozume and Mind Game.

[the_wolfs_howl]

D.Gray-man episode 42 - Okay, I don't seriously ship anyone in this series because I really don't see enough evidence for any romance so far, but in this episode the idea of LaviXLenalee became surprisingly attractive to me. I love it when Lavi shows his gentle side ^_^

FMA: Brotherhood episodes 30-36 with my roommates. I've never been a huge fan of the Briggs arc, but there are some of my absolute favorite scenes scattered throughout, like [spoiler]the revelation of Pride, Hawkeye's message to Mustang indicating such, the Xerxes flashback, the sneaky plan with Scar to get Winry to safety, Ed getting impaled...the list goes on ^_^[/spoiler]

[Juliannesan]

Oh my goodness. Princess Jellyfish!!!
It is just... wow. Brilliant! Haha.

[Makachop^^128]

Watching Hanasaku Iroha Its really cute on ep 13 and I'm really liking it alot, I really love the art style and the characters are very interesting.

[Atria35]

Jungle Emperor Leo - Sad Face Forever

[A_Yellow_Dress]

Started Paradise Kiss.... And dropped it. I'm not good at handling those kind of romantic relationships.

I bought the complete collection recently (Funi dropped the license for it right? I thought I may never have the chance again...) but... I think I'm going to sell it. (I was thinking Amazon but any other suggestions?) Should have sampled a few episodes first, I guess. ^^;

[Neane]

Watched the Birth OVA. What the heck was that all about?

[Maokun]

Watched Angel Beats in its entirety. I actually thought it was quite good! It managed to pluck all the right heartstrings and I believe it carried a powerful and beautiful message. It's too bad that Maeda tried to pack a crapload of development in the last two episodes which made for jerky storytelling and unconvincing characterization (not to mention tons of off-screen happenings barely thrown as a reference here and there.) The series paced itself for the first 10 episodes as though it were a 26 episodes series but then suddenly remembered that they only got 13 and rushed to close business as well as it could! Whether it needed more episodes or a tighter structure, I can't tell, but I'm a bit sad that it had to go like that because I loved its premise, I loved what it had to say and I loved its characters. Otonashi is one of my favourite male anime characters now!

[Zeldafan2]

Watching mobile Suit Gunadam 79, and Eyeshield 21.

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Kemonozume

I believe that this is Masaki Yuasa's (Kaiba, Tatami Galaxy) first time directing for television. Though Kemonozume isn't a perfect show, I'd say Yuasa's TV debut is a success, all things considered.

The premise to this show is definitely the strangest of the yuasa stuff that I've seen. There are these beings appropriately called Flesh Eaters. Though they look like humans, Flesh Eaters can transform into pretty vile looking monster and proceed to, well, eat people. When the show begins, the existence of these creatures isn't common knowledge. A small, shadow organization of swordsmen called the Kifuken does know about them and has been protecting the world from them for generations. The main character, Toshihiko, is in line to succeed his father as leader of the Kifuken...that is, until he meets the love of his life, Yuka. She happens to be a Flesh Eater, but that does not deter our hero, who abdicates his post.

The story has these two facets, the relationship between Toshihiko and Yuka, and the internal power struggle caused by the vaccum left by Toshihiko at the top of the Kifuken. Love and politics. And creepy, brutal horror. On the "how disturbing is this" continuum of Yuasa's shows, Tatami Galaxy lies as one end as something that isn't really disturbing. Kaiba, a disquieting show that can bother your brain, sits in the middle. Kemonozume is on the far, far other side from TG. Where Kaiba disturbs your head, Kemonozume disturbs your gut, with its violence, gore, cannibalism, biological experimentation and just plain old madness (of the clinical variety, rather than the sort exhibited by super robot shows). There is also a boatload of sex and nudity. Kemonozume is, at least partially, saying something about sex and sexuality with its monstrous Flesh Eaters, so it doesn't shy away from things sexual.

Unfortunately, the last third of the show falters a bit. Where the first two-thirds of the series built up a palpable tension and general atmosphere of creepiness, the end just ratchets up the weird craziness bar until there is no tension left. Sure, the shows asks you to buy into the existence of monsters at the beginning, but it still manages to bother you and freak you out a bit until the wheels begin to move towards the final confrontation. Also, the relationship element, the strongest element in the show, is put on the back burner for the last four episodes.

Fans of Kaiba who can tolerate the content described above and would like to see Yuasa do something more immediate and visceral, check this out.

Ring ni Kakero 1, Season 2: The Pacific War

From the sublime to the ridiculous =). This is going to sound a lot like my schpiel about the first season of this show, but it's because season two isn't too different from season one. This boxing series is based on the 70s manga of the same name, created by the guy who brought us Saint Seiya. From what I hear, though a lot was cut from the source material, the spirit of the series remains intact. And what a spirit it is.

Clearly, as an old school shounen series, Ring ni Kakero is going to be about underdogs overcoming their problems, personal and sporting, to beat the odds and topple fighters with superior talent. Hard work can bring about a miracle. This theme is delivered in a classic shounen way that those familiar with Saint Seiya or Dragon Ball will feel comfortable with. However, Ring ni Kakero adds an element of ridiculousness (the good kind) that those other shows don't. It bills itself as a realistic boxing show, but goodness, it is not that. There are powers and killer blows, sonic waves, hypnosis, nuclear-explosion-inducing punches...it's great. So, it's more Punch-Out!! than Hajime no Ippo.

Then, there's the race stuff. I mentioned that this comic was from 40 years ago. Well, see, the Japanese aren't the most socially progressive people, so back then having characters called Black Shaft and King of the South: Mister Whitey was A-OK. The aforementioned Black Shaft refers to one of the Japanese characters as "yellow baby" (!) multiple times (!!). The whole story behind this show is an America vs Japan team boxing fight, and there are images of Pearl Harbor that are not so subtly evoked ("He's going for a suicide attack!!!" as a character dives down out of the sky, transparency of a WWII bi-plane visible behind him). And there are boxing Nazis. The whole thing is pretty nuts and comical, really. The show doesn't portray different races as inferior because of their ethnicity, just the names of some characters along with how the characters talk to each other are both more racially-charged than modern anime and may be off-putting to some. Like I said, I can't help but laugh that they did not modernize the story for the 2006 anime airing.

Good fun if you dig classic shounen, and/or boxing and aren't easily offended by sensibilities of past generations.

[Purin]

Just finished Princess Jellyfish again. It's still as wonderful as before. The extras on the release are pretty funny, too.

I'm currently working my way through Chihayafuru. I kept hearing good things about it, but I've never been very interested in competitive shows about random games. It turned out to be emotionally very touching and much more about growing up and building friendships than playing a card game. Which makes it rock.

[Juliannesan]

I rewatched Princess Jellyfish AGAIN! After watching it for the first time all the way through yesterday. All I can say is... THE SHOW MUST GO ON! Haha.

Not really sure what to finish next... I'm undecided.

[Neane]

Kemonozume

I believe that this is Masaki Yuasa's (Kaiba, Tatami Galaxy) first time directing for television. Though Kemonozume isn't a perfect show, I'd say Yuasa's TV debut is a success, all things considered.

The premise to this show is definitely the strangest of the yuasa stuff that I've seen. There are these beings appropriately called Flesh Eaters. Though they look like humans, Flesh Eaters can transform into pretty vile looking monster and proceed to, well, eat people. When the show begins, the existence of these creatures isn't common knowledge. A small, shadow organization of swordsmen called the Kifuken does know about them and has been protecting the world from them for generations. The main character, Toshihiko, is in line to succeed his father as leader of the Kifuken...that is, until he meets the love of his life, Yuka. She happens to be a Flesh Eater, but that does not deter our hero, who abdicates his post.

The story has these two facets, the relationship between Toshihiko and Yuka, and the internal power struggle caused by the vaccum left by Toshihiko at the top of the Kifuken. Love and politics. And creepy, brutal horror. On the "how disturbing is this" continuum of Yuasa's shows, Tatami Galaxy lies as one end as something that isn't really disturbing. Kaiba, a disquieting show that can bother your brain, sits in the middle. Kemonozume is on the far, far other side from TG. Where Kaiba disturbs your head, Kemonozume disturbs your gut, with its violence, gore, cannibalism, biological experimentation and just plain old madness (of the clinical variety, rather than the sort exhibited by super robot shows). There is also a boatload of sex and nudity. Kemonozume is, at least partially, saying something about sex and sexuality with its monstrous Flesh Eaters, so it doesn't shy away from things sexual.

Unfortunately, the last third of the show falters a bit. Where the first two-thirds of the series built up a palpable tension and general atmosphere of creepiness, the end just ratchets up the weird craziness bar until there is no tension left. Sure, the shows asks you to buy into the existence of monsters at the beginning, but it still manages to bother you and freak you out a bit until the wheels begin to move towards the final confrontation. Also, the relationship element, the strongest element in the show, is put on the back burner for the last four episodes.

Fans of Kaiba who can tolerate the content described above and would like to see Yuasa do something more immediate and visceral, check this out.

Ring ni Kakero 1, Season 2: The Pacific War

From the sublime to the ridiculous =). This is going to sound a lot like my schpiel about the first season of this show, but it's because season two isn't too different from season one. This boxing series is based on the 70s manga of the same name, created by the guy who brought us Saint Seiya. From what I hear, though a lot was cut from the source material, the spirit of the series remains intact. And what a spirit it is.

Clearly, as an old school shounen series, Ring ni Kakero is going to be about underdogs overcoming their problems, personal and sporting, to beat the odds and topple fighters with superior talent. Hard work can bring about a miracle. This theme is delivered in a classic shounen way that those familiar with Saint Seiya or Dragon Ball will feel comfortable with. However, Ring ni Kakero adds an element of ridiculousness (the good kind) that those other shows don't. It bills itself as a realistic boxing show, but goodness, it is not that. There are powers and killer blows, sonic waves, hypnosis, nuclear-explosion-inducing punches...it's great. So, it's more Punch-Out!! than Hajime no Ippo.

Then, there's the race stuff. I mentioned that this comic was from 40 years ago. Well, see, the Japanese aren't the most socially progressive people, so back then having characters called Black Shaft and King of the South: Mister Whitey was A-OK. The aforementioned Black Shaft refers to one of the Japanese characters as "yellow baby" (!) multiple times (!!). The whole story behind this show is an America vs Japan team boxing fight, and there are images of Pearl Harbor that are not so subtly evoked ("He's going for a suicide attack!!!" as a character dives down out of the sky, transparency of a WWII bi-plane visible behind him). And there are boxing Nazis. The whole thing is pretty nuts and comical, really. The show doesn't portray different races as inferior because of their ethnicity, just the names of some characters along with how the characters talk to each other are both more racially-charged than modern anime and may be off-putting to some. Like I said, I can't help but laugh that they did not modernize the story for the 2006 anime airing.

Good fun if you dig classic shounen, and/or boxing and aren't easily offended by sensibilities of past generations.

Thank you Dear Doctor for your excellent reviews.

[_GazeRockMei_]

Hikaru No Go. So far I love it!

[Makachop^^128]

Just finished Hanasaku Iroha, it was really good! very sweet ending and the characters are really interesting.

[TheSubtleDoctor]

It's been a while since your latest review, Dr! We were jonesin' here The bad news is that now I have more anime to watch in my ever increasingly long list -__-

Thank you Dear Doctor for your excellent reviews.

Thanks for your appreciation. I remain grateful that people actually read them.

[SierraLea]

I just finished Buso Renkin. Great series, especially since it's by the same person as RurKen. Must watch!

[MomentOfInertia]

Thanks for your appreciation. I remain grateful that people actually read them.

I find you posts to some of the most informative in this thread.

Though I may never get the chance to use the information.

[Atria35]

Finished Another - Well, that was disappointing in some ways, good in others.

Chihayafuru 4-16- I've been meaning to finish this for a while, and now I have the chance. Powering through it! My only issue is that since it really focuses on the relationships, Chihaya really isn't given a chance to grow as a player - she's miracualously fantastic. We've only seen her lost twice, and that's really not very engaging. I preferred Hikaru no Go for a better take on this while still having good interpersonal relationships.

[Falx]

Finished Another - Well, that was disappointing in some ways, good in others.

Chihayafuru We've only seen her lost twice, and that's really not very engaging. I preferred Hikaru no Go for a better take on this while still having good interpersonal relationships.

Keep watching.

[Neane]

Okay, I have stopped Mouretsu Pirates.

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Feeling a bit blue? A little down in the dumps? Need a little bit of fun and spontaneity to liven up your day? The English dub of MD Geist, aka the most unintentionally hilarious anime I've ever seen, is here to help you.

This little ditty comes complete with awful acting, a horrendously erroneous sound mix, and a plot that just doesn't make sense. Watch it with a freind for added enjoyment =). A glorious 47 minutes, this best "Worst Movie Ever" also comes with a nudity/gore content warning, so be advised. After all, the regular army couldn't handle "Mister Geist" because he was "TOO FEROCIOUS."

What a terrible anime. I laughed until I cried.

[Neane]

Feeling a bit blue? A little down in the dumps? Need a little bit of fun and spontaneity to liven up your day? The English dub of MD Geist, aka the most unintentionally hilarious anime I've ever seen, is here to help you.

This little ditty comes complete with awful acting, a horrendously erroneous sound mix, and a plot that just doesn't make sense. Watch it with a freind for added enjoyment =). A glorious 47 minutes, this best "Worst Movie Ever" also comes with a nudity/gore content warning, so be advised. After all, the regular army couldn't handle "Mister Geist" because he was "TOO FEROCIOUS."

What a terrible anime. I laughed until I cried.

He can't stop! He's just a soldier!

When I don't know what to do, I ask myself:
What would M.D. Geist do?

And then everything is clear.

[TheSubtleDoctor]

When I don't know what to do, I ask myself:
What would M.D. Geist do?

And then everything is clear.

T-shirts of this need to exist.

[Neane]

T-shirts of this need to exist.

I would buy it.

Aaand Chihayafuru ended.
Everyone has gotten better at what they are best at and remain optimistic, working towards their goal.
Definitely going to miss it (until 2nd season, that is).

[rocklobster]

Started the second season of Gundam 00.
Yay, more teen robot pilot angst from the pros!

[Juliannesan]

Aaand Chihayafuru ended.
Everyone has gotten better at what they are best at and remain optimistic, working towards their goal.
Definitely going to miss it (until 2nd season, that is).

Yeaaah!!! I can't wait till the 2nd season!

[AngelicTotoro]

Watching Eden of the East 1 - 9.
It's actually pretty interesting, the start of the show was better imo. The last three episodes have been lagging just a bit.
I like Akira, he's eccentric yet still a little cool, and I haven't watched an anime with a main character like him in awhile. Saki is okay, and I like the rest of the members of Eden minus Ohsugi. He's kind of pathetic.

I like the background scenery (One of the best things about EotE), and the music fits the show.
(It doesn't really blow me away or anything though.)
I guess I'll have to keep watching and see if the plot continues to get back on track.

7/10.
_______
Also watching Ghost in The Shell Stand Alone Complex episodes 1 - 18, with my older brother.
This is a really, really good show. It is super violent at times though.
[spoiler]Like the episode with the guy who skins woman alive.... I closed my eyes but... It made me scared to take the trash out at night. (We have a manhole near our house.)[/spoiler]

Batou is seriously awesome, he's my favorite character. Hands down.
I also think that Major Kusanagi is freaking cool. I wish they didn't use the poor Major as a fanservice tool, she is a really good character and doesn't deserve it.
(Or need it, she has enough appeal with her face, she's very pretty. )
[spoiler]I think the Chief kind of looks like the Head Olmec, those of you who have seen The Mysterious Cities of Gold will know who I'm talking about. [/spoiler]

I really like Togusa and Saito, not to mention the uber cute Tachikoma's!
(I think my favorite has to be the Major's tachikoma, it's voice is so cute!)
I also like that, even if the show can be very edgey and serious, it also has a good sense of humor. I love the way the main cast interacts.

The plot is also really great, I like all of the cases they've handled and the laughing man main storyline is very interesting.
The soundtrack is one of the best parts of the show, I already knew that the op theme was great thanks to my brother. (He's watched the show like three times.) But the music that plays during the show is... fantastic. More proof that Yoko Kanno is a musical genius, I guess.

I like the 'realistic' feel GitS has too, the artwork and character designs are extremely well done. I absolutely love it.

I'm watching the english dub, and it's very well done. I like all of the voices and I think they fit who they portray.

Overall I give it a 9/10 so far.
(The violence can be a little hard to handle sometimes and the sexual content did make me wince a few times, but thankfully it's mostly innuendos or still images. I do suggest you don't watch this until your at least 17.)

[Neane]

Watched the King of Thorn Movie.

WOW, I don't care about how good the manga is, this movie was brilliant.
More or less, I expected a gory and thrilling Survival Horror with cool visuals and action...instead I got a got a full fledged SF movie with some really well thought out plot twists and was also very philosophical.

I'll definitely watch this movie again.

The only thing bad was that the CG looked ugly in a few occasions.