What anime are you watching?

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Shootfighter Tekken aka High School Exciting Story: Tough aka Tough

I debated putting this one in the "Anime you watch that no one else does" thread, but, since I have another blurb, I decided against it. But, more dudes should watch this. For real. Terrible cover art aside.

This three episode OAV is based on a manga that Viz released in north America as simply, "Tough." We only got half am dozen volumes, but this manga is ridiculously long...42 volumes I think? And there is a sequel that is almost as long that just finished. Aside from this beast, the manga creator is also the wonderful human being that brought us things such as violence Hero Riki-oh and Dog Soldier. Unlike those two wonderful pieces of art, the Tekken/Tough OAV isn't ironically good; it's just straight-up good.

Tekken/Tough's story is rather simple. This is a good thing, since the entire thing runs at two hours and fifteen minutes. The main character and his dad are practitioners of a secret, deadly martial art. Certain in-the-know bad guys are aware of its existence, though, and want to get the rep that comes with killing it off. Awesome fights ensue.

One of the great things about this show, is that it doesn't really take itself too seriously. It's a lot more fun than a stone-faced take on the premise would otherwise be. There are a few comedic moments as well as some only-in-anime craziness. Example: bad guy flies a helicopter to the location in which he is fighting the main character's dad. Dad and bad guy have brief dialogue. Bad guy promptly lifts the helicopter over his head and destroys it. Like, if the show were full of stuff like that, it'd be no big deal; however, since it sticks fairly close to realism, the fact that something like that happens really catches you out.

The main reason to see this is if you like fights. Gorgeously animated, well choreographed, MMA-style fights (with a bit more style and panache than actual MMA stuff). For me this, show is just a notch below Air Master (my favorite fighting anime) and that's a big statement coming from yours truly. As noted above, Tekken/Tough doesn't overreach: it knows what it should be doing, given its run time. So, there's no time wasted on romantic subplots or even fan service. Just fights and plot-driven character interactions. But mostly fights. Awesome ones.

Content-wise, the fighting itself can contain brutal impacts. There is one kinda bloody scene in which a dude gets his eye plucked out. That's pretty much it, though.

Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade

I consider myself a card-carrying Mamoru Oshii fan. I could talk about Angel's Egg for hours. I think Sky Crawlers is one of the most underrated anime films of the last five years. Patlabor is one of my favorite things ever. However, I found Jin Roh to be a decidedly mixed bag.

There's a lot I like about the film. The setting is very intriguing; an alternate post WWII history in which Japan is occupied by Germany and, of course, rife with political unrest. Both the atmosphere of the world and the mood it evokes in the viewer are aspects of the movie that are well realized. The art and animation are wonderful. anyone who enjoys the character design work of Satoshi Kon should find a lot to love about the characters in Jin Roh. And those Kerberos power suits. Awesome. Also, if you're into being disturbed, there is a scene in which a female character narrates the original Little Red Riding Hood (Rotkäppchen) over footage of riots. That freaked me out, man. It was akin to the parts in Monster in which a child reads the fairy tale...only the original RRH is way more disturbing. Stuff in that story really presses my cringe button.

Unfortunately, the elements didn't quite come together for me this time around. While the setting and mood were good, what was transpiring in that setting wasn't connecting with me. I like the main character a lot, but the end to his story felt really odd. I suppose it might work if I had seen the other two Kerberos works, but it just kind of fell flat for me. Which is a shame because the story began really promisingly.

Another issue I have is that I'm not sure what Jin Roh is trying to tell me. Is it just a love story? Just an alternative history exercise that is meant to speak to the Japanese? It's not that the film doesn't have both implicit and explicit stuff going on for the brain. This is a really dense movie. There's a lot packed into each shot, each scene. This is how Oshii operates. On this particular viewing, however, I didn't get even a murky grasp on what the point of the story actually was. If Jin Roh was just a mood piece or produced/written by someone else, then I might conclude that it only operates on the level of atmosphere. But it's Oshii, and he is clearly trying to communicate substantial ideas through this movie. I'm just not sure what they are.

[SierraLea]

I finished Fullmetal Panic! last night. I thought the very end was sweet, although we didn't need all the naked shots in the end episode. Put her in a white dress or something, the kind of thing she was wearing after the experiments.

[ABlipinTime]

Watched Sword Art Online ep 1 one day, and then the next 5 episodes yesterday (technically 2 days ago - see my post time). Interesting? Well, I still miss .hack, and this isn't any bit of a substitute, but I like the scenery.

Tried out Space Brothers. omgosh - I never thought I'd instantly like an anime where the characters remind me of the 70s, but sure enough, I'm hooked.

[Maokun]

Evangelion movies D&R and EoE (yes, both of them). A half hour from the end of EoE, I stopped being sad and started having a headache. Wha-? More thoughts on by Going in Blindly blog next Sunday.

Do not be alarmed. This is a totally common and expected reaction.

[quote="TheSubtleDoctor (post: 1584979)"]Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade

I consider myself a card-carrying Mamoru Oshii fan. I could talk about Angel's Egg for hours. I think Sky Crawlers is one of the most underrated anime films of the last five years. Patlabor is one of my favorite things ever. However, I found Jin Roh to be a decidedly mixed bag.

There's a lot I like about the film. The setting is very intriguing]

Thanks as always for your reviews, Doc. It surprised me that you hadn't watched Jin Roh until now. I have to agree with you, I liked the movie but the whole time it felt purely as an intellectual exercise which is definitely a failure when it comes storytelling; it failed to connect at emotional or personal level, I think. And it's not for lack of emotional moments: as you mention, it has an abundance of cringe-worthy human tragedy. However the conductive thread of the story always felt like floating indistinctly above all these events, rather than interweaving, looping and tightening them together neatly.

It may be a result of it's too-aloof main character that makes a bit hard to care for him even when he's doing something as emotionally compelling as sidestepping from a dangerous institution and a promising career to do the right thing. It's hard to get emotionally involved with the events in the movie when they hardly are able to generate a strong facial reaction in our avatar in this world. I mean, the character is well explored and his aloofness is not a flaw of the writing but a flaw of his character: He's a very believable slow-witted, emotionally stumped person which is kind of refreshing after the barrage of unerringly optimist and/or supercool mains we usually get in anime... but I have to wonder if such protagonist is conducive to engaging storytelling especially on a film feature where you barely have time to have his character grow or develop.

[TheSubtleDoctor]

the conductive thread of the story always felt like floating indistinctly above all these events, rather than interweaving, looping and tightening them together neatly

I think you've nailed it there, Mao. We all have weaknesses and bad habits that we slip into, from time to time, at our jobs. I believe that this sort of storytelling is one of Oshii's bad habits. His weaker moments, for me, usually involve a disjointedness. If I was being as critical as I could possibly be, then I'd say that this sort of thing can occasionally creep into Ghost in the Shell. But, only occasionally, and not enough to affect my own enjoyment of that film.

It may be a result of it's too-aloof main character that makes a bit hard to care for him even when he's doing something as emotionally compelling as sidestepping from a dangerous institution and a promising career to do the right thing. It's hard to get emotionally involved with the events in the movie when they hardly are able to generate a strong facial reaction in our avatar in this world. I mean, the character is well explored and his aloofness is not a flaw of the writing but a flaw of his character: He's a very believable slow-witted, emotionally stumped person which is kind of refreshing after the barrage of unerringly optimist and/or supercool mains we usually get in anime... but I have to wonder if such protagonist is conducive to engaging storytelling especially on a film feature where you barely have time to have his character grow or develop.

I really like the main character a lot and think he's a refreshing kind of protagonist, but I do agree that in the context of a film he might limit what a director can do. His story probably would have made an incredible book, rather than a movie because we'd be able to get inside his head.

[Atria35]

Story of Saiunkoku 6-10 - Still cute, and has unexpected plot twists. I like that. It beats about half of my expectations for it. Expected finishing time? 6 weeks.

Heroic Age 17-19- >.> Who reasonably lets irresponsible war-starters run amok? Apparently the supposed 'good guys' do, letting them do whatever the fudge they want in their own ship. The bad guys really at this point have absolutely no reason to think the 'good guys' would reasonably rule the galaxy without subjugating everyone in it. When sheer stupidity means I'm rooting for the 'bad guys', a show has issues.

[Vega]

I just finished Higurashi Naku No Koro Ni and Amagami SS

[Atria35]

I just finished Higurashi Naku No Koro Ni

And now you're gonna watch Higurashi Kai, right?!

[Vii]

Started Princess Jellyfish. Why haven't I watched this sooner?! O3O So good. Love the crossdresser-y guy.
I wish that all the dubbed episodes were up on Youtube instead of just the first two episodes. I like the dub. T3T Subs it is.

[Atria35]

Started Princess Jellyfish. Why haven't I watched this sooner?! O3O So good. Love the crossdresser-y guy.
I wish that all the dubbed episodes were up on Youtube instead of just the first two episodes. I like the dub. T3T Subs it is.

If you go to the Funimation site, it's all up there in dub.

[FllMtl Novelist]

Started Princess Jellyfish. Why haven't I watched this sooner?! O3O So good. Love the crossdresser-y guy.
I wish that all the dubbed episodes were up on Youtube instead of just the first two episodes. I like the dub. T3T Subs it is.

Yayyyyy! I am always happy when someone watches this. Please tell me what you think when you finish! : D

[Vii]

If you go to the Funimation site, it's all up there in dub.

I've checked there before. You can't watch them without a subscription.
I do like the links they have, though. I may just have to make that jellyfish plushie pattern. :3

Yayyyyy! I am always happy when someone watches this. Please tell me what you think when you finish! : D

Will do!

[Atria35]

I've checked there before. You can't watch them without a subscription.
I do like the links they have, though. I may just have to make that jellyfish plushie pattern. :3

Ouch. I watched it all in dub on there just a few weeks ago >.<" I forget they change what they have on there once in a while.

[FllMtl Novelist]

I've checked there before. You can't watch them without a subscription.

Try Hulu, maybe? I watched the whole series (albeit subbed) on there not too long ago and there weren't any complications.

[Vii]

I've tried all the legal sources I know (Youtube, Hulu, Funimation, Crackle, Netflix, Crunchyroll...). Anyway, subs are fine, I don't hate them or anything.

[Rusty Claymore]

Currently: Tari Tari, Sket Dance, Sword Art Online, and I'm trying to find time for Fate/Zero.

[Vega]

And now you're gonna watch Higurashi Kai, right?!

Oh yes I am! lol

[Juliannesan]

Story of Saiunkoku 6-10 - Still cute, and has unexpected plot twists. I like that. It beats about half of my expectations for it. Expected finishing time? 6 weeks.

Yayyyy! You're finally watching it! It IS sooo goood! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. I may have to start watching the 2nd Season of it again.

I wish sooooo much that they would license that season.

[Atria35]

Yayyyy! You're finally watching it! It IS sooo goood! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. I may have to start watching the 2nd Season of it again.

I wish sooooo much that they would license that season.

How about re-licensing the first season? I know Funi had announced that they'd saved it from Geneon, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of it since then... and that was about two years ago.

[Juliannesan]

How about re-licensing the first season? I know Funi had announced that they'd saved it from Geneon, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of it since then... and that was about two years ago.

YES! That too! I'm glad I bought the first season when I did. It really is a shame that they stopped licensing it... :/

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Funi actually agreed to distribute the Geneon set in 2008. I think sales were not good enough to warrant keeping the license. It was out there for three years, though.

[Vii]

Princess Jellyfish 3-8: A dress with ruffles like jellyfish? That sounds so...Pweeettttyyy. :3 *goes to draw fashion designs*

[MomentOfInertia]

Finished Darker than Black, Season 1 Great show; Good animation, good writing, very open ended.

Watched Xam'd: Lost Memories Another great show; Good animation, good writing, Slows down slightly at the end. The world and action feel a lot like Eureka 7.

Watching Baccano! (8/13) Very good, convoluted timelines.

Hyouka (18/-) An excellent, unusual little show.

And Kuragehime [Princess Jellyfish](7/11) The weirdest thing I have seen in a long time, funny though. I think that there is some social commentary/parody that I'm not quite picking up on.

[Zeldafan2]

Hyouka- 18/21 (at least, that's how wikipedia says how long its going to be.

Eureka 7- episode 1: Now I see why a lot of you guys like it.

Casshern Sins- episode 13- Now the story starts to get really interesting.

Samurai 7- episode 1- Pretty slow, but I'm hoping it'll get better.

[AngelicTotoro]

@Zeldafan, Eureka 7 is pretty amazing, I'm glad you're watching it.

Watched Hyouka, Eureka 7 Ao, and Kare Kano episodes 13 - 19.

(I know I haven't been posting my thoughts on anything lately, I'm going to start that up again after I finish KK.)

[Kaori]

おおかみこどもの雨と雪: The new Hosoda Mamoru film, Ame and Yuki, Wolf Children. I seriously thought for a while there that this movie wasn’t going to show at any theaters in my prefecture, but it did, and I just now got to see it. The animation was lovely, and the story and the movie as a whole were absolutely beautiful. I have to admit that after seeing the trailers I thought it was just going to be just a heartwarming werewolf-family movie. But actually, the story was much deeper and tackled more difficult themes than I thought it would. The beginning of the film spends a significant amount of time developing the relationship between Hana and the children’s father, so that

(not really a spoiler for anyone who has seen the trailers)

[spoiler]when he dies, viewers are able to be emotionally involved in feeling Hana’s grief.[/spoiler]
After that, it was not just a cute movie about cute werewolf kids growing up and having cute escapades like the ones that we see in the trailers; of course those moments are abundant, but then the movie delves into the difficulties such as the way that the two siblings choose different paths, fitting in or not fitting in with human society, and the necessity of letting go. The characterization of the two children was realistic and resembles things that one really does see happen in the personalities of certain children as they grow up. Also, did I mention this movie is beautiful? Somehow I found certain scenes of the characters running through the countryside to be incredibly moving; I think it is because something about that sense of freedom and running strikes a chord with me somehow.

TL;DR This movie is pretty much fantastic in every way, as expected of Hosoda.

[Juliannesan]

Funi actually agreed to distribute the Geneon set in 2008. I think sales were not good enough to warrant keeping the license. It was out there for three years, though.

Yeah, I heard that was why. But it still makes me sad.
It's a great series that has been overlooked by many many anime fans.
It makes me mad that so many stupid anime that have tons of fanservice or whatnot get so popular, and the ones with actually great storylines get put aside. Grrr. Anyway!

AGAIN! I can't believe I did this, but I have done it again.
I watched the LAST episode FIRST. Of Tsuritama.
I did that when I watched Itazura Na Kiss.

I was all like... what the heck?? Whilst I had NO inclination at all that it was the last episode. Because you know, some anime start pretty abrupt. STILL didn't get it, until the very end when I went to look the episode I watched on Hulu, and realized it was the FINAL episode! AArghh! But anyway, I'm glad that's not how it started, because it was really confusing. Haha.

But NOW! I know what to expect, I guess? Haha, no spoilers for me. I still watched the first episode after that, I really like it so far, and since I know the end, I think it's only going to be interesting to see how everything panned out to the end.

[AngelicTotoro]

Finished Kare Kano (His and Her Circumstances).

Well, up until the last three episodes or so, the show was still going really strong. The only episodes I didn't really like were the last two and that's mainly because the 25th episode was really stupid filler and the final episode had basically no voice acting for the entire thing.
[spoiler]I'm especially mad about no voice acting for the parts between Tonami and Sakura. Okay, so they kissed for some reason, which is awesome but I'd like to know why...? And poor Arima, is still so messed up by the end of the whole thing. I mean, really. Talk about no ending at all.[/spoiler]
I loved the characters, I loved the music, art and setting. However, I didn't like the ending at all.

8/10.
I'm totally reading the manga now.

[Angel in Blue]

Started Princess Jellyfish. Why haven't I watched this sooner?! O3O So good. Love the crossdresser-y guy.
I wish that all the dubbed episodes were up on Youtube instead of just the first two episodes. I like the dub. T3T Subs it is.

You will enjoy this! It is by far one of the best anime I've ever seen! I know you'll enjoy it even more!


In addition, I'm watching Naruto Shippuuden, Rock Lee and His Ninja Pals, and Fate/Stay Night. All pretty cool thus far.

AGAIN! I can't believe I did this, but I have done it again.
I watched the LAST episode FIRST. Of Tsuritama.

Whether you watch the first episode first or the last episode first– YOU WILL ENJOY THIS. lol. This anime was so cute and quirky, I don't see how anyone couldn't like it! Please tell me what you think when you finish!

[Koshka]

I'm really getting into Shakugan no Shana, as evidenced by my new avatar. :3