All about Anime

[SouthtownKid]

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:

Thanks, man.

Wait until you get a load of the opening credits, the lyrics of which they do not subtitle, but do add the note: (Japanese singing).

I was pretty upset to find out this same company is handling the domestic release of Casshern, which I was also really looking forward to. Now, I may avoid it. (Robot crunches)

 

[slerch666]

I watched Paranoia Agent disc 2 today.

This show is... interesting. Imagine starting a series and imagine it as a pond or small body of water. Now it starts off calm. Then someone drops a rock in the center of the pond and the ripples continue for a while. Just when you think the ripples are calming, someone drops 2 more rocks in the water at opposite ends of the pond. As the calm begins to take hold, drop 4 rocks on opposite ends of the pond and contiinue to do so.

Just as you think you are starting to understand, something else is added to the mix to confuse the issue. Just when you think you know who Shounen Bat is, the definition changes and you learn what you thought was true really may not be the whole truth.

One of the episodes, episode 5 where they are questioning Shounen Bat (I'll leave it at that) the show reminds me of Millennium Actress. Why? Because as they are questioning the suspect, the 2 detectives are engulfed in the suspect's world. Like MA, one character takes part in certain scenes while the other sits confused or at least, not a piece of the action. I really like this style and I'm glad Satoshi Kon set it up in this series as it fits perfectly with the show itself.

Paranoia Agent is an odd series, yet really interesting. I wish it were all out so I could get a 1000 ft view of the entire thing, instead of being stuck with 1/2 the puzzle. I wish the release schedule wasn't a 2 month separation.

 

[slerch666]

Thanks, man.

Wait until you get a load of the opening credits, the lyrics of which they do not subtitle, but do add the note: (Japanese singing).

I was pretty upset to find out this same company is handling the domestic release of Casshern, which I was also really looking forward to. Now, I may avoid it. (Robot crunches)

lol

Like I said, I saw it in the theatre and it was subbed properly. I'm not sure wtf they were thinkning. I understand it to a point, I guess, but they should have at least had the option of a normal sub stream.

Just so you know, they didn't sub the opening in the theatre either, though IIRC they did the ending (forgive me if I'm wrong, I saw the damn thing opening weekend of Oct, so it's been a while).

Shit, and they did Millennium Actress almost perfectly too.

edit- maybe you will want to send a snail mail message as well, even if it's just a print out of the email you sent? I mean, supposedly taking the extra effort and small cost goes a long way with these companies.

Another unfortunate is that being a big company like Universal, they'll probably just ignore the problem and move on rather than fixing it for those that are pissed. For a company wanting to bring out Japanese stuff (supposedly the Go Fish name is a nod to them "gambling" on Japanese movies being hits), they really know how to piss off the fans of what they are pushing.

 

[slerch666]

Just finished watching Rumiko Takahashi Anthology 1. I have to say, I prefer the Japanese title, Takahashi Rumiko no Gekijou, or Rumiko Takahashi's Theatre. Or, Rumic Theatre as it's sorta known in Japan. They should have gone with the theatre name as far as I am concerned.

Anyway, naming aside, it's a pretty good show. Each episode is about a different person. The first is about a family living in an apartment building where a woman in the same building tries to strictly enforce the "no pets" rule. It turns out they have to take care of a penguin for a week and avoid getting caught. Second is about a woman who owns a wedding hall that she is planning to close down. The last episode on the disc is about a man who is being transferred to Hokkaido for work, but his wife and son want to stay in Tokyo, leaving him for Hokkaido alone. He ends up getting amnesia and believes he is a 13 yr old...

It's some interesting stuff. Another interesting thing to note is the voice actors/actresses. I don't know about the English version, but in the Japanese version they use a lot of old time Takahashi Anime voices. Hayashibara Megumi, check (Female Ranma). Kamiya Akira, check (Shun from Maison Ikkoku). Yukino Satsuki, check (Kagome, InuYasha). Dodo Asako (Kagome's Mom, InuYasha). Yamaguchi Kappei, check (Male Ranma, InuYasha). Last but not least, Takayama Minami (Tendo Nabiki from Ranma... she's also the vocalist for the group Two-Mix, best known for their opening theme to Gundam Wing. Also a great fucking group)

Ther's probably more, but those are the ones I've heard so far anyway. Good stuff.

It's a 13 episode series, which is amazing for a Takahashi Anime. Of course, it appears to have a "sequel" called Mermaid Forest. Wonder if Geneon picked that one up too?

 

[Now Loading]

Mermaid Forest is Rumic Theatre 2. It's based on her 1 shot manga. It isn't very good.

And I'm saying that DESPITE the fact that Kuwashima Houko plays a major role. So, it's that bad.

 

[slerch666]

Mermaid Forest is Rumic Theatre 2.

I just looked it up, and it appears as though Geneon does also have it. It's only 11 episodes.

It's a shame it's not good, as at least the first 3 eps of this series are good.

And I'm saying that DESPITE the fact that Kuwashima Houko plays a major role.

Never thought I'd hear you say that about anything...

 

[slerch666]

I've started watching Samurai Champloo disc 1 tonight. So far, damn good series. I'm 2 eps into it and enjoying it.

The series, for the 2 of you living under a rock, is about 2 wandering samurai who end up working together to help a girl find another samurai that "smells like sunflowers." So far that's all we know about the mysterious samurai she is looking for; no reason for the search as of yet. First eps was about them all hooking up, second was about a little mishap along their journey. It's directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, the Cowboy Bebop director.

For those picking up the DVDs and who watch in Japanese, you are in for an aural treat. If you have a DTS capable surround system, the Japanese audio can be put into DTS 5.1. The clarity is amazing. Geneon did a damn good thing licensing/releasing it this way.

Now Loading probably loves it for Fuu's seiyuu (Kawasumi Ayako... Mahoro).

The animation is highly stylized and has plenty of animation frames. I still don't understand, given the subject matter and the quality of the series, why any TV station would just dump it like it's first station did. Odd.

Definitely something to check out, I highly recommend it.

I also received a couple other discs today:
Petite Princess Yucie 2
Shrine of the Morning Mist 1
GitS 2: Innocence
Lain box (cheap ass $40 set)

and something else I'm not remembering at the moment.

 

[racecar]

doe's anybody like older animes ??
like berserk.. it was fucking awsome..but WHY only 25 episodes WHY.......
also can anyone recommend some similar type of anime like berserk(good story..and alot of fights and blood)

 

[Now Loading]

Now Loading probably loves it for Fuu's seiyuu (Kawasumi Ayako... Mahoro).

Actually, I loved Kawasumi as Fuu. OMG I just said something positive in this thead! Positive about Kawasumi Ayako! This is surreal.

 

[toy_brain]

doe's anybody like older animes ??
like berserk.. it was fucking awsome..but WHY only 25 episodes WHY.......
also can anyone recommend some similar type of anime like berserk(good story..and alot of fights and blood)

Y'know what, although it was the blood and violence that got me interested in anime, it turned out to be the comic and non-violent shows that kept me coming back, so I'm probably not the best person to comment on this.

There are just 2 series that spring instantly to mind.

1) Gantz. Not out yet, but all reports point to an incredably violent show with OTT gore and nudity. Theres quite an interesting premise of a mysterious black ball that resurrects people and forces them to fight against evil aliens, and the first 2 episodes have been well recieved.
Its a Gonzo show so lovely shiny animation is a given, and there seems to be a healthy splash of CGI in there as well.
BUT...... Its being released 2 episodes at a time, at $17.99 per disk. and the disks are released (it would seem) every 4 weeks.
Thats too much for me to be bothered with, but if that dosent bother you - go for it.

2)The Devil Lady. Out on Brick-set at a mere $50 RRP for the entire 26-episode series, this is a much easier recomendation. Basically the story of a woman who can transform into a beast, that fights against other 'evil beasts'. Theres plenty of twists and turns along the way, with the main charachter - Jun - being forced into fighting by a mysterious organisation whom she never fully trusts.
Its a bit 'monster-of-the-week' in its formula, but there is still a decent amount of plot depth, and every charachter seems to have at least one hidden secret to provide some interesting revelations.
Oh, and a quick note that most of the 'blood' is blue monster-blood. Not sure how much that'll bother you, just figured it would be worth mentioning.

 

[SouthtownKid]

doe's anybody like older animes ??
like berserk.. it was fucking awsome..but WHY only 25 episodes WHY.......
also can anyone recommend some similar type of anime like berserk(good story..and alot of fights and blood)

I never imagined I'd live long enough to hear Berserk referred to as 'older' anime... think I'll go take a nap.

 

[Tron]

doe's anybody like older animes ??
like berserk.. it was fucking awsome..but WHY only 25 episodes WHY.......
also can anyone recommend some similar type of anime like berserk(good story..and alot of fights and blood)

Kind of hard to say Berserk is old.

When i think of older anime shows it's stuff from, the 60's,70's and 80's

 

[Robert]

Grendizer is old, original cutey honey is old, original Lupin the third is old but berserk..comes on.

And to add a point about berserk: manga>>>>>>>anime (like for all the series IMHO)

 

[slerch666]

doe's anybody like older animes ??
like berserk.. it was fucking awsome..but WHY only 25 episodes WHY.......
also can anyone recommend some similar type of anime like berserk(good story..and alot of fights and blood)

Berserk was only 25 episodes because it didn't do very well on Japanese TV. they only animated a very small amount of what was available in Manga format, skipping some and using other stories. The Manga is still going in Japan (think EvilMike said they're up to book 27) and it's still going strong. No end in sight.

As far as older Anime, I agree with Robert. Berserk is nowhere near old. A series from '98 (or was it older than that?) old? I own Cutie Honey TV, Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger and Koutetsu Jeeg. THOSE are from the 70s... now THAT is old.

As far as looking for something violent, try Samurai Champloo. It's got a lot of action, a lot of story and some violence.

BTW, toy_brain- Gantz begins release sometime soon in the US. Have mine preordered.

 

[toy_brain]

BTW, toy_brain- Gantz begins release sometime soon in the US. Have mine preordered.

Yea I know, but I cant be arsed with the 2-eps-per disk thingy. at least not now anyway.
I might get it once its halfway through its release - so that I at least have a decent number of episodes to watch all at once, or I might get the Madman R4 release (which they stated will be 6-7 disks rather than 13), or wait for the inevitable collection/brick-set, or just not bother alltogeather.

Oh, and I just got 6 anime DVD's through the post this morning.
Eva Platinum #2-4
Mezzo TV #2
Chrono Crusade #3
BGC 2040 EA #2

Hmm, all of them ADV titles. Fancy that!
Well, my next order will probably be heavily tilted towards Geneon. I'm planning on ordering Samurai Camploo, Paranoia Agent, Dokkoida, Burn-up Scramble and Gungrave......... after I get paid.

10 days to go.......

 

[slerch666]

Oh, and I just got 6 anime DVD's through the post this morning.
Eva Platinum #2-4
Mezzo TV #2
Chrono Crusade #3
BGC 2040 EA #2

I skipped on EVA Platinum. I don't need to buy the series a 3rd time, no matter how much better it looks. I bought VHS and DVD, don't need any more, thanks. I've seen it too many times to even be bothered to rewatch it if I did buy it.

Mezzo 2 I've had for a while... and I still have disc 1 that I haven't watched. Every time I get close to watching it, something else I want to see more pops up.

Chrono Crusade 3 is a good one.

How was the BGC 2040 EA compared to the original? Would you say it's worth buying it again, even though I already own the full set (and the BGC 2040 Paul Champagne box)?

With Gantz, the 2 eps don't bother me. The cost comes out to be about the same, since the MSRP is lower. Watching 2 eps is OK as well, I mean shit, I've bought some R2 with only a single episode on it (usually the eps is longer than the regular 23 minutes, but still). Preordering saves me money as well, so I'm all for that. Whenever it turns up I'll definitely let everyone know how it is. I

'm still hoping for Japanese op/ed, either in show or as an extra, but this is ADV we are talking about and they seem to want to obliterate the Japanese language from all their releases (Geneon has even stopped putting Japanese op/ed on discs as extras as well, bastards).

OK, so that's a sweeping generalization and probably wrong, but of all the R1 companies I think ADV are more dubcentric than any other. Perhaps it's because they own their own dub studio? Is this a bad thing? Not really, at least not until they decide to remove all the Japanese extras and the sub track from their releases. I still prefer Bandai's and MB's new-to-them credit style (JPN op/ed, credits for each episode at the end of each disc), and really love Animeigo's the most, though not many companies are willing to soft sub things quite the way they do. If you've not seen Animeigo's subtitles, they soft sub the Kanji but also speed them up a little to be able to include the dub cast in there. Good stuff.

Of all the R1 companies, I like ADV least, though the majority of my collection is probably ADV because they have a diarrhea of releases. The quality is generally good, but the people I've met from the company have been... vaginas.

 

[toy_brain]

I skipped on EVA Platinum. I don't need to buy the series a 3rd time, no matter how much better it looks. I bought VHS and DVD, don't need any more, thanks. I've seen it too many times to even be bothered to rewatch it if I did buy it.

Eva Platinum is my first contact with the series. If I had the original DVD's I wouldnt have bothered, If I'd had the VHS' I'd be sorta tempted but more likely to wait for an EA collection.
The thing that stopped me from watching Eva for so long is the fact that there were just so many versions of it - normal, directors cut, death and reberth, different endings - I didnt really know where to begin.
I figured, as an anime fan I really should have Eva in some form, and Eva Platinum seemed like a good, straightforward solution.

How was the BGC 2040 EA compared to the original? Would you say it's worth buying it again, even though I already own the full set (and the BGC 2040 Paul Champagne box)?

I only previously had it on VHS, so the EA version is a big improvement. Its nice to be able to compare Christine Auten's singing with the original Japanese, and the 4 commentary tracks are good for a dub-fan like me.
Probably no point in you re-buying it though. The Jp audio is still in 2.0 and the video quality seems to be identical.

OK, so that's a sweeping generalization and probably wrong, but of all the R1 companies I think ADV are more dubcentric than any other. Perhaps it's because they own their own dub studio?

Probably. ADV do seem a lot more talkative towards their dub fans, and eager to give their VA's more exposure than, say, Bang Zoom or Animaze. Thats great for people like me, but sometimes even I wish for the days of series like ZOE: Dolores i, each of which had a really good number of extras all geared towards the japanese-language fan.
I was interested to discover that, similar to american VA's, the Japanese VA's spend a lot of time doing local theatre work. I'd always thought they were these uber-admired 'super-VA's' that would never have to 'stoop' to doing local theatre - turns out I was wrong.

(BTW: I'm in no way trying to diss anyone who does theatre work, I did some myself when I was younger. Its a lot of hard work and dedication, and I totally understand why so many actors love it so much).

 

[Now Loading]

I was interested to discover that, similar to american VA's, the Japanese VA's spend a lot of time doing local theatre work. I'd always thought they were these uber-admired 'super-VA's' that would never have to 'stoop' to doing local theatre - turns out I was wrong.

In fact, that's where most of them get their start.

I don't know if you want to know this or not slerch, but the first epsidoe of that series has been released. It was... well let's just say they should cancel everything else, we already know what's winning all the awards this year. Anime of the year. Only thing that could beat this is a Yotsubato! from J.C. Staff.

 

[slerch666]

I don't know if you want to know this or not slerch, but the first epsidoe of that series has been released. It was... well let's just say they should cancel everything else, we already know what's winning all the awards this year. Anime of the year. Only thing that could beat this is a Yotsubato! from J.C. Staff.

Seriously, that is the only series that is out in Japan today that even remotely excites me like this (sure, there's a lot of stuff I want to see, but nothing like this, not even close). I may break down and go download it, even though I don't usually do that sort of thing. I won't feel TOO bad if I do it, however, as I will still, no matter what, even if it means stopping several R1 series to get them, buy the R2 DVDs. Thankfully the first disc is 3 eps and "only" $60. I can take $20 an eps, as opposed to the $30 or so I am paying for Godannar.

 

[slerch666]

If I'd had the VHS' I'd be sorta tempted but more likely to wait for an EA collection.
The thing that stopped me from watching Eva for so long is the fact that there were just so many versions of it

I'll give you an AMEN to that. However, had you been really interested in seeing it, the best way to go, at the time, would have been the box set. It came with a nice box (also own ADV's Paul Champagne box for that one too) and was cheap. PLUS, that was the series they saw in Japan, how could you go wrong? The director's cuts were pretty lame ways to milk the Eva fan, IMO. The movies were the same. In all honesty, even though most despise the ending, the TV ending is the one that fits best AND makes the most sense. The ending in the movies makes the first ending seem like child's play in comparison.

I only previously had it on VHS, so the EA version is a big improvement. Its nice to be able to compare Christine Auten's singing with the original Japanese, and the 4 commentary tracks are good for a dub-fan like me.
Probably no point in you re-buying it though. The Jp audio is still in 2.0 and the video quality seems to be identical.

I really liked the BGC 2040 series, so I was thinking of rebuying the EA versions at some point. Perhaps when they are full released and if I can find the entire series for $30 or less I'll go that route. Hell, I'll just put the EA DVDs in the original's boxes so it still fits the Paul Champagne box, put the originals in the EA cases and sell them or store them away.

I actually really enjoyed the JPN vocal tracks. I have both OSTs (no vocals on them, but the music is good), the 1999 Collector's File and the Priss Asagiri Vocal Collection. Hearing the one track Asakawa Yuu recorded was a nice bonus (all the other vocals are done by a Japanese J-Pop person, Sudou Akira. Not sure how popular she was, but she was around in the late 80s early 90s). Were the vocals re-recorded for the EA version, or is Christine Auten's vocal tracks in the original? And where are they? I'd like to check them out but don't want to watch the entire thing in English for them.

Probably. ADV do seem a lot more talkative towards their dub fans, and eager to give their VA's more exposure than, say, Bang Zoom or Animaze. Thats great for people like me, but sometimes even I wish for the days of series like ZOE: Dolores i, each of which had a really good number of extras all geared towards the japanese-language fan.

I'm not saying they should stop using the English extras, it just seems like ADV's focus is the dub, sometimes at the expense of the Japanese extras that should have been on there (assuming they could even license them that is). Hell, whenever anyone asks about the Japanese track at Otakon, the attitude you get is "WHY would you listen to the Japanese when our English dub is CLEARLY the superior version?" OK, you don't want to hear that from a sub fan anymore than a sub fan wants to hear it from you. I joke about it, yes, but to get that attitude directly from the company? No thanks. I felt that way about them as have many sub fans. Dub fans ignore that and say it's because we are biased. I'm not biased in anything but my own watching.

I was interested to discover that, similar to american VA's, the Japanese VA's spend a lot of time doing local theatre work. I'd always thought they were these uber-admired 'super-VA's' that would never have to 'stoop' to doing local theatre - turns out I was wrong.

(BTW: I'm in no way trying to diss anyone who does theatre work, I did some myself when I was younger. Its a lot of hard work and dedication, and I totally understand why so many actors love it so much).

Sakura Taisen live musicals. You can tell the people have had SOME experience in the field as they do some AMAZING performances (right, Now Loading? ).

Some of those Super-VA's you speak of in Japan ARE in the ST musicals.

 

[Now Loading]

So you're still buying R-2s of Godannar? The series was announced as licensed right before I could download the last 2 episodes, so the entire plot just exploded in my face. I haven't been able to find any raws, either. I guess I'll just have to get the DVDs *some day*.

 

[slerch666]

Yeah man, still buying the R2s. Yeah, it's coming to R1, but WHEN? Probably next month I'll have all of the first season. I'm thinking of tacking disc 5 and 6 onto my Feb Hoteiya LV order. Then I'll only need discs 1,3-6 of the second season.

 

[slerch666]

So I did it, I took the dive. Found it and downloaded it. In the process of watching it now.

First, the animation quality is actually better than I expected. The designs seem to follow the movie closely, which definitely isn't a bad thing. Definitely not theatrical quality, but not bad either.

Second, I can't wait for something with higher video quality. I hate stuff compressed all to hell, this being no exception. Makes me even more excited waiting for the R2 DVD release, which will be unmolested by hard subs and compression blocking. Can't wait for something with higher audio quality either. I hate what massive compression does to audio, and this is no exception.

Third... this one is going to have a proper Peorth episode at some point (I fucking hope!) and Mara... SWEET! Well, that's assuming it does as well as I hope and it becomes an ongoing series that is.

Fourth., I fucking hate sitting in front of my PC to watch stuff, and again, this is no exception.

Fifth, the opening and ending themes, while the lyrics fit, suck. WTF were they thinking? Where the hell is my Goddess Family Club? Bastards.

All of the negative above (that won't be corrected even with a proper DVD release) still can't bring this one down from being fucking great.

Thanks for the heads up NL. Let me know when they get eps 2 out as well.

 

[Now Loading]

The OP and ED I didn't even think about. Come to think of it, I just watched it last night and I don't remember what they sound like. Forgetable.

The next epsiode should be out next weekend or Monday, Solar is pretty fast most of the time.

 

[toy_brain]

I actually really enjoyed the JPN vocal tracks. I have both OSTs (no vocals on them, but the music is good), the 1999 Collector's File and the Priss Asagiri Vocal Collection. Hearing the one track Asakawa Yuu recorded was a nice bonus (all the other vocals are done by a Japanese J-Pop person, Sudou Akira. Not sure how popular she was, but she was around in the late 80s early 90s). Were the vocals re-recorded for the EA version, or is Christine Auten's vocal tracks in the original? And where are they? I'd like to check them out but don't want to watch the entire thing in English for them.

I think I have the same 1999 Collectors file CD as well. I got it mainly because I really liked the ending song.

As for Christine's singing - they never recorded an entire song, just what was needed for the show, so her singing is all just in bursts of a few seconds.
To be honest, when I first heard her sing in Ep1 I thought it was pretty....umm.....rough, is probably the nicest way of putting it.
However, the episode Fire Ball,where they fight the high-speed Boomer on the highway (which features a lot of Priss singing) came out pretty well IMO, Christine's singing was much improved and sounded more natural.
They havent changed any of the english vocals for the EA release, so if you dig out your old DVD's and find that episode you'll be able to compare.
It never comes anywhere near to matching the lip-flaps, but neither did the original Japanese so..... cant complain too much there

(Edited because I got the episode name wrong the first time)