All about Anime

[neojedi]

Quick review of holiday watching:

Tsukihime disc 2: not as good as 1, needs more action because the character development isn't quite paying off

Peacemaker disc 2: also not as good as 1, but they are basically building for later episodes in a longer series

ROD TV disc 4: The first episode on this disc is one of the most incredible anime episodes I've ever seen. Some unbelieveable stuff near the end, but, ah, you'll have that. The other episodes are mostly story development, but explain most of the plot and tie together the TV and OAV series, which I was glad to see happen.

Twelve Kingdoms disc 9: This is the payoff disc for the current story arc, and is outstanding as well. There's a review episode at the end that begins to set up future storylines.

 

[Kim Kaphwan]

I keep hearing the ROD TV falls apart after the kidnapping incident. I still intend to pick it up tomorrow, despite what people may have said.

I'm just re-watching Love Hina. Once in awhile it's nice to break away from the mecha genre.

 

[slerch666]

I watched Gad Guard 4 last night. If you liked the first 3 discs, you'll like this one. It leaves with a small bit of a cliff hanger, but it's still a good 4 episodes none the less.

I also watched My dear Marie. This one is a 3 episode OVA. It's about a geek who is in love with this girl, and since he doesn't have the balls to ask her out, he decides to build an android just like her. This of course causes issues when they meet for the first time. Second episode has a female punk fall in love with the geek. 3rd episode has Marie (the android) get a dream program. She has quite a few odd dreams. Over all it was a really fun show. I had some laughs and had a good time with it. If you like light hearted love comedies check it out. Be warned that there is only the 3 episodes and no clear ending. It was based off of a Manga, so I'm not sure why they only did the 3 episodes, but it's still fun to watch.

 

[slerch666]

Look who won the award for Favorite Voice Actress over at DVD VISION JAPAN.

HAHAHAHAHA...*barf*

 

[toy_brain]

Look who won the award for Favorite Voice Actress over at DVD VISION JAPAN.

HAHAHAHAHA...*barf*

Give it a rest dude.
Its you verses the insurmountable hordes of Monica Rial fans out there.

(I notice you never post shit like this over at AoD........You aint afraid of the consiquences are you )



EDIT: Might as well add something usefull to this post in respect to DVDvision's choice of Monica as their favorate VA.
I was supprised when I they said....

Her voice for Sakura is deeper, darker, and more emotional than any character she has voice at this time. Everyone at DVJ sat there in total disbelief as episode 5 played out. If it had not been for the credits, I never would have guessed it was her

Frankly, I picked out Monica's voice straight away. While it was a role you dont usually hear Monica in, her voice was still instantly recognisable.
Also, much as I like Monica's performances, I wasn't particularly in 'total disbelief'. Not that there was a single thing wrong with her performance, Its just that I've come to expect a pretty wide range from her - anything from 10-year olds to 30-something women seem to be well within her capabilities.

Side Note: I have to wonder if this role was a bit of 'stunt casting' by ADV, Something dub-fans may pick up on. Monica often seems to get stuck playing Luci Christian's buddy in various series (Pretear, FMP, Azumanga) so this is actually a bit of an in-joke for dub fans (Luci Christian plays the lead role in Mezzo) - I wonder if it was intentional?

 

[slerch666]

Give it a rest dude.
Its you verses the insurmountable hordes of Monica Rial fans out there.

(I notice you never post shit like this over at AoD........You aint afraid of the consiquences are you )

I don't post any of it over at AOD because I don't go into the English forums.

You get pissed on for posting the wrong thing in the wrong forums there all the time, so that's why you don't see me posting anything about her. People also tend to take any "hate" towards their love children worse than anyone here. They think it's a personal attack against her and them, when I never actually get personal with it. I don't like her voice, at all. I met her in person, she's a decent person. I still don't like her voice. I have injected comments about her voice in some of my posts over there and it hasn't miffed anyone yet.

Take a look at where I post over there. It's in one of 4 main places. The News and Views, R2/R3, Feedback and Glitch Disc; each places that aren't meant for posts about which voice actors I like/dislike. I have posted in the Music area a couple times as well. Everything else there is bullshit and worthless. Their unrelated is so much worse than here, but I think that's a given because of how many active members they have compared to here.

So there you have a little peek into the complexity that is me.

edit- BTW, I didn't go looking for the DVJ article. Animeigo won some awards from them and posted a link, so I went. Notice all the BGC remastered awards, along with AD Police? That's why I went.

And you tell me to give it a rest, but when was the last time I said anything about her?

 

[toy_brain]

And you tell me to give it a rest, but when was the last time I said anything about her?

Yea I know, but it seemed a bit unlike you to make a single post just to take a friendly dig at you least-favorate english VA again.

And on the flipside, I dont really like making posts just to attack/defend peoples opions - hence the large EDIT I made to it - I guess most people here dont really care about the english side of things, but I figured I might as well point out the casting 'in-joke' related to Monica's character in this instance.

Anyway, I bet you just posted that because you knew it would get a response from me - well, congrats dude, you succeeded


Aaaannnnndddd now for the more usefull part of the post - the bit where I actually talk about anime, and this time its Galaxy Angel #1

Yea, I'm a bit late to the party on this one - what with disks 1-4 allready out and Galaxy Angel Z just starting its DVD release as well, but anyway, I had some cash spare and the box-set with all those figures was too damn tempting.
Firstly, the box-set is pretty good value IMO. Sturdy box, full set of 4-5" figures and 2 transparent pencil-boards all for under £20. Not bad!
As for the show, well its a lot of fun, but possibly not as funny as could be. All the main characters are cute/attractive and very likeable, the animation is servicable and the pacing throughout is nice and brisk. There are a lot of good visual gags based around the main characters incredable luck, and her total cluelesness, and also a mixture of random and parody gags as well. Not all of them work as well as they could, sometimes they seem a bit too predictable, but otherwise its still a fun show and each episode passed by very quickly, but it never felt like they were rushing to fit everything in to the 15-minute time limit.

Also late-to-the-party, I watched Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi #1.
Initially I was keeping clear of this series due to complaints of a dull first episode, jokes that not everyone liked, and a supposedly terrible english dub.
Well, the dub is fine IMO, I've no idea what everyones problem with the Texan accents is - I mean c'mon, ADV is based in Huston Texas! If anyone knows how southern drawl should sound it should be them. (Not that I'd have a clue - what with being a UK'er )
As for the show, well I've always liked stupid stuff like Nurse Witch Komugi, FLCL and Puni Puni Poemy, so this was right up my alley. The near-constant barrage of parodies, piss-takes and just downright silly gags kept me amused throughout.
I also liked how the first episode played out, with the 2 lead characters just hanging out, talking about random stuff. It gives the viewer a chance to see them in their everyday surroundings, which helps flesh them out a little more and provides the basis for all the twisted characters and settings in subsequent episodes, that are derived from this very normal world.
Recomended for those that like stupid stuff like this, and for viewing after a few cans.

 

[Kristian Meller]

Abenobashi was the second series I ever bought. I liked it. Not the best shit ever but definitely a good buy, although I would have bought a lot of what I have later bought before Abenobashi had I been aware of how good it is or isn't.

Funny. I like FLCL and Abenobashi and really dislike Excel Saga, yet a lot of people always mention them in the same sentence...

 

[slerch666]

Yea I know, but it seemed a bit unlike you to make a single post just to take a friendly dig at you least-favorate english VA again.

I guess most people here dont really care about the english side of things, but I figured I might as well point out the casting 'in-joke' related to Monica's character in this instance.

Anyway, I bet you just posted that because you knew it would get a response from me - well, congrats dude, you succeeded


Aaaannnnndddd now for the more usefull part of the post - the bit where I actually talk about anime, and this time its Galaxy Angel #1

Also late-to-the-party, I watched Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi #1.

Well, you HAD been kinda quite in recent days, and this thread hasn't been too active so... you know. It's also not like you to go off about it as much either, so whatever. At least you saw it as a friendly dig, as I mean nothing personal.. well, except I can't personally see how she could win an award for her voice. I can't remember her name, but there was another VA I'd rather see win the award, though the name escapes me, as she was one of the people who seemed to do a good job. May have been Luci Christiansen.

Actually, pointing out the "in joke" is kinda cool. Not being a dub fan doesn't mean interesting facts about them aren't appreciated, even if I ignore the dubs.

With GA, I enjoyed it. The Z series is actually a full 23 minute eps series, though it's broken into 2 basically 11 minute episodes. The series is entertaining, but not bust a gut laughing your ass off funny. Watching some of the eps subbed and trying to keep up with all the on screen stuff and the dialog (when I need the subs that is) can become quite an exercise. Z is the same at some points as well. The extras w/ the box were a nice addition. I may have paid a little more the $40 (your £20 in our toilet paper dollar amount), but it was still worth the fun it gave.

With Abenobashi, the Texan accent problem, I THINK, had more to do with the extent they used it. I believe they were using the Texan (redneck) accent to show the Osakan dialect, which is actually what most dubbing companies do I believe (you'd know better than me). Why did people single this release out for it? Probably because it was a show where 90% of the people speak with this dialect, thus 90% of the voice acting uses this. In most shows, say like Azumanga, there are usually only a select few characters using the Osakan dialect, most Japanese voice acting uses the Tokyo dialect which is done as "normal" 'Merican English. When it's only 1 character you are less likely to pay attention to it, when it's the majority of the cast, it's deifinitely noticeable.

When you get to disc 4, you have to make sure to watch the outtakes. Yeah, they're in English. They say some seriously fucked up, funny shit.

edit- the level of funny is 100% higher in Abenobashi than Excel or Puni Puni Poemy. Komugi is good too. Wonder why that is, if most people lump them together?

 

[Now Loading]

Tsukihime disc 2: not as good as 1, needs more action because the character development isn't quite paying off

Ha!

 

[slerch666]

Ha!

It could be worse. They could have given Tsukihime to AIC and they could have completely changed the characters in a much worse fasion, maybe make Ciel a hermaphrodite. Perhaps Shiki could be turned into a werewolf, just to fit with the horror theme? Need I mention the Tenchi OVAs and the TV series? Or how about the El Hazard OVA series with the perfect ending and them changing everyone for the TV series?

Out of all the people who have posted about Tsukihime here, all but NeoJedi's current post could be seen as positive. Hell, even over at AOD.com the response has been positive. These are all people with no knowledge of the game, nor are they people with interest in playing an interactive novel. I thought about trying it out if I could find a copy, but it really doesn't seem like something I want to waste my time on honestly.

I've also seen the second disc and enjoyed it, so much so that I really would like to see the finale ASAP. Too bad I have to wait until Feb for it.

If there is one thing this thread has taught me, it's that people's tastes vary widely. Is this bad? No, it just solidifies the fact that we are all different people with different ideas and tastes. Hell, toy_brain being a dub lover really drives home that fact. I may poke fun at him for it, but it's just that, fun. It's never meant in a vicious manner and I'm sure he's not taking it as such. TB likes Anime and that's good enough for me. He could watch in Latin with French subtitles for the hearing impaired and I wouldn't care.

On a related note, I just received these today:

Paranoia Agent 2
Dokkoida 3
Rumiko Takahashi Anthology 1 w/ box

Does wanting to watch Dokkoida before Paranoia Agent make me a bad person?

 

[toy_brain]

Does wanting to watch Dokkoida before Paranoia Agent make me a bad person?

I dunno. If it was me, I would put in Paranoia Agent first, whack the speakers waaay up and just watch the opening - then make my decision on what to watch.

Yes, I really, really love that opening music.

 

[slerch666]

LOL

I didn't take toy_brain's recommendation (though he may wish to check this out instead of wearing out his DVDs), I ended up just finishing Dokkoida 3. Overall, I have to say this is one of the more memorable funny series I've seen in a long time.

The concept is REALLY silly. 2 companies building powered suits to try and win a contract with the Galaxy Police Force. They decide to test run these suits to see which is better by randomly choosing an Earthling as the person in the suit and release 3 very... interesting... criminals for them to fight with. To save money, they stick them all in the same house. If your secret identity is discovered, you lose by default. Somehow they are all too stupid to figure it out, even though it's blatantly obvious. I guess it's the Magical Girl Syndrome where even though you look just like counterpart, no one realizes your real identity.

I seriously had a lot of laughs with this one. Anyone in the market for more of that funny Anime should check it out. Hell, Chris from AOD.com liked it... though my tastes don't seem to sit in the same place as his at times.

I highly recommend this one, not that anyone really pays attention to my recommendations anyway.

 

[Now Loading]

It could be worse. They could have given Tsukihime to AIC and they could have completely changed the characters in a much worse fasion, maybe make Ciel a hermaphrodite. Perhaps Shiki could be turned into a werewolf, just to fit with the horror theme? Need I mention the Tenchi OVAs and the TV series? Or how about the El Hazard OVA series with the perfect ending and them changing everyone for the TV series?

Out of all the people who have posted about Tsukihime here, all but NeoJedi's current post could be seen as positive. Hell, even over at AOD.com the response has been positive. These are all people with no knowledge of the game, nor are they people with interest in playing an interactive novel. I thought about trying it out if I could find a copy, but it really doesn't seem like something I want to waste my time on honestly.

I've also seen the second disc and enjoyed it, so much so that I really would like to see the finale ASAP. Too bad I have to wait until Feb for it.

If there is one thing this thread has taught me, it's that people's tastes vary widely. Is this bad? No, it just solidifies the fact that we are all different people with different ideas and tastes. Hell, toy_brain being a dub lover really drives home that fact. I may poke fun at him for it, but it's just that, fun. It's never meant in a vicious manner and I'm sure he's not taking it as such. TB likes Anime and that's good enough for me. He could watch in Latin with French subtitles for the hearing impaired and I wouldn't care.

Ah, I wasn't upset or anything. Just poking a little fun. Animation aside (which sucks), Shingetsu is pretty decent if you're not someone who would buy one of these.

 

[Deyer]

Just got finished watching GTO. Better than what I expected. Had some good
humor plus the propaganda to try and make you want to be a teacher or some
nonsense.

Looks like the rest of Slayers is up next....

 

[slerch666]

I think... I just blew a load.

That release... that TV series... better be fucking awesome. Supposedly they are focusing on the stories done in the Manga, focusing on those stories AFTER the OVAs (not that the OVAs were spot on or anything) and animating everything from start to finish, as long as the TV series does well.

They are also retaining the voice actors from the OVAs and the movie, so I'm really wet for this release.

Add on the fact that the same team that animated the movie is animating the TV series (I'm sure the quality won't be as high as the movie, given the cost of doing theatrical quality animation on a TV series), and instant orgasm is nearly mine.

When I get the R2, and you know I have it ordered, I'll be sure to post my thoughts.

It's very rare for a series that is just beginning in Japan to get me excited. It's very rare I'll purchase R2s for a series I KNOW someone has either licensed or will license, but it's one of my favorite properties ever, bar none.

Oh, and for anyone wondering, it's the Ah! Megami-sama TV series I'm posting about.

 

[Now Loading]

The preview is awesome. It's definately going to be at least good.

 

[slerch666]

I finished watching Kaze no Yojimbo vol 6. End of the series.

Overall the series was high quality stuff. Plenty of suspense, plenty of mystery. The only problem I have is the ending. It leaves a lot for the viewer to think about, but with the amount of thinking they expect you to do throughout the series, I suppose it doesn't really surprise me at all. I wish I could discuss the ending with someone, but that would end up posting a ton of spoilers, plus it doesn't seem as though anyone here has followed the series at all, which is a shame.

If you like mysteries and don't mind it being loosely, VERY loosely, based on the Yojimbo character from Kurosawa, then check this one out. It's only a 6 disc release for 26 episodes, so it won't break the bank and it's quality overall. Not many extras to be had, but I think that has to do with there not being many for the R2 release either.

Now Loading- where'd you see that preview?

 

[Now Loading]

I actually got it from a link on 4chan. But it's on Anime Suki now.

 

[slerch666]

I actually got it from a link on 4chan. But it's on Anime Suki now.

OK, so I did something I don't usually do... I downloaded a fansub. I don't know that this counts 'cause they fansubbed a commercial and that's all it is, but I did it anyway.

It looks like it's going to be fucking GREAT. Wonder why it's showing at ~2AM though. It's not like there's anything objectionable in it. I hope that's not sealing it's fate to be canceled early.

I'm actually surprised no one has announced licensing this one yet. I mean, it's been known it's coming for quite some time, and I figure they'd want to stave off as much fansub downloading as possible. Whatever, I ordered the R2s, first DVD intiail pressing and the initial pressings of all subsequent volumes through Hoteiya LV. I hope this one goes on forever. One of the few series that could run for 1000 episodes and I wouldn't care, I'd be there from start to finish, even if it's shit, which it won't be. They already got the full vocal cast from the previous releases, and it's based on the Manga, so what more could I ask for?

Thanks for that Now Loading.

 

[Kristian Meller]

*wants the OVA and the movie*

 

[ajsega]

I finished watching Kaze no Yojimbo vol 6. End of the series.

Overall the series was high quality stuff. Plenty of suspense, plenty of mystery. The only problem I have is the ending. It leaves a lot for the viewer to think about, but with the amount of thinking they expect you to do throughout the series, I suppose it doesn't really surprise me at all. I wish I could discuss the ending with someone, but that would end up posting a ton of spoilers, plus it doesn't seem as though anyone here has followed the series at all, which is a shame.

If you like mysteries and don't mind it being loosely, VERY loosely, based on the Yojimbo character from Kurosawa, then check this one out. It's only a 6 disc release for 26 episodes, so it won't break the bank and it's quality overall. Not many extras to be had, but I think that has to do with there not being many for the R2 release either.

I have watched the first 5 R1 discs of Kaze no Yojimbo and I will probably pick up vol. 6 this weekend. This is a very enjoyable show that has gone mostly unwatched by the anime community.

On another note I finally bought InuYasha the first season boxset. I have only watched a few episodes before that were on Cartoon Network.

 

[slerch666]

InuYasha is good, but too long for it's own good, like all Takahashi stuff. I'm not opening that can of worms again, so we'll leave it at that.

I watch Ruin Explorers Essential Anime version this morning. I bought this on because Toy_Brain recommended it a while back I think it was and because TRSI seems to be the only place to get it. It's a fun show. It's like a mix between Slayers and Lodoss Wars. Some of the character designs remind me of both series, actually. It was also directed by Takeshi Mori, the man who directed many Gonzo shows, but more importantly... VANDREAD! Good show. You can get the DVD for ~$15 and for 2 hrs of show it's worth it.

I also finished watching Onegai Twins disc 2. It continues the fun of the first disc but takes the "relationships" between the 3 main characters to a whole new level. I know I could find out how it plays out on the Internet, but I prefer to be surprised. Something tells me they're going to find out they are all related at the end, but if anyone knows for sure, please don't ruin it. And even if they find out one isn't related, you already know sorta how it's gonna play out 'cause you know Maiku won't kick anyone out.

I like Twins MUCH better than Teacher, even if Inoue Kikuko played a big part in the first and a lesser part in this one. The angsty shit was over the top in the Teacher series, they keep the fun in the front of this one.

I plan on watching Paranoia Agent 2, Saint Seiya 9 (or is it 10?) and Chrono Crusade 3 today as well.

 

[SouthtownKid]

Slerch, do you know the e-mail address people are using to complain about the Ghost in the Shell 2 DVD? I e-mailed Universal Home Entertainment, but there was no link on their page to either Dreamworks or Go Fish (and neither of those sites had any contact info), so I wasn't sure my message would get to the right people.

I tried watching it again...it's impossible. You'll see what I mean when you get yours (unless you just watch it in plain Japanese w/o subs). I probably wouldn't be so mad, except I missed it in the theater, so this was to be the first time to watch the movie.

 

[slerch666]

Slerch, do you know the e-mail address people are using to complain about the Ghost in the Shell 2 DVD?

It's my understanding that people contacted Universal since they are the parent company to Dreamworks and Go Fish. Unfortunately the only other contact information I have is here:

DreamWorks Studio

DreamWorks SKG
1000 Flower Street
Glendale, CA 91201

Tel. (818)-695-5000

As far as how I will watch GitS 2, I will be using subtitles (or captions as it is). I know some Japanese and can watch movies/shows aimed towards a younger audience like most Anime, but the level of complexity of something like this is well beyond my means. I'll let you know how it turns out when I watch it, but after seeing your post and many of the other posts over at AOD.com, I'm starting to question my decision to buy it. It was either this version with some form of subtitles or the R2 with no subs. I decide going the cheaper route with a way I could understand the movie. Fortunately I DID see the movie in the theatre. It was the last movie I've seen in the theatre and I drove 1.5 hrs one way to go see it. I guess it was worth it if this is how the DVD release turned out.