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Underground > Film, TV & Theatre >

Anime: Pick Five

  
 
gentleman loser
19:38 / 10.03.02
[begin godlike narration voice]

I. . . am an anime poseur!

[end godlike narration voice]

I'm not a total ignoramus. I've have seen Akira, Princess Mononoke, Macross Plus, various hacked to bits for U.S. TV stuff like Robotech, etc. and a few other things.

My inquiry is to find five anime examples as to "this is what's good about it; this is why it's worth watching", that sort of thing.

Five is just an arbitrary number. Feel free to choose more or less as you see fit, but please explain why you picked them.

Thanks in advance!

[ 10-03-2002: Message edited by: gentleman loser ]
 
 
uncle retrospective
20:00 / 10.03.02
Try Perfect Blue.

Weird thriller with no monster shit.

It's about a girl band member who gives it all up be be an actress. Who plays a girl band member who gives it all up be be an actress.

It's odd and a little confusing in places but is very good. Some very good "what's really happing" bits.
 
 
Trijhaos
20:06 / 10.03.02
I'm not a anime fanboy, haven't tried to learn japanese so I could watch raw anime, and don't throw a hissy fit when other people mispronunce japanse words, but I'll give this a try.

Vampire Hunter D - Yes, yes. I know. Its been hacked to bits and shown on the Sci-Fi channel, but its really a nice movie. Why did I pick this? One word. Vampires. Vampires are cool. Vampires with talking hands are nifty, and vampires with talking hands and big-ass swords fucking rule. I liked the art style of this particular movie. Its not the most intellectual one out there, but its still a nice way to spend 90 minutes.

Ninja Scroll - Ronins, baby. I love the idea of masterless samurai going around doing their thing. The cartoon boobies didn't really add anything to it, but if you just want an anime that doesn't require you to think too much and you think blood spurting out all over the place is nifty, then this is the anime for you.

Galaxy Express 999 - I liked this on the sci-fi channel, even though it was hacked to bits and when I rented it awhile back, I liked it even more. Its an older anime but I like the fact that it kind of connects with the whole Harlock Saga and Queen Emeraldas. Its about some kid who wants to be a robot because as a robot he feels he'll have a better chance at life. A woman takes pity upon him and takes him to a planet where he can obtain a robot body. Throughout the movie, he ends up in some pretty strange places. I'm not sure why I liked it, but give it a try. Oh wait, now I remember, I think trains flying through space are fucking cool.

Those Who Hunt Elves - I haven't seen much of it, only an episode or two downloaded off the internet, but from what I've seen I like it.Its about a group of three people and a tank thrown into a fantasy world. They have to hunt down some hot elven chicks to find some map so they can return to their own time. Unique premise, nice animation all that.

Neon Genesis Evangelion - Personally, I haven't seen it. I've met a number of people who'll swear up and down its the greatest thing since sliced bread. You want deep? NGE has it. You want action. Yup. got it. Romance? You better believe it.

Sonic the Hedgehog - No, not that shit they show on the disney channel at midnight. I'm talking about the one they showed on ABC awhile back. It was dark and pretty damn cool for a kid's show. Half-robotic rabbits. Robotnik taking over the world. Sonic as a freedom fighter. Cool shit that. If you can hunt down the episodes, do so. Really wish I had taken the chance to record them when it was on.

Ok, so there's my attempt. Not the greatest anime in the world, but stuff I have enjoyed. I don't go in for that whole philosohpical cartoon thing.

[ 10-03-2002: Message edited by: Trijhaos ]
 
 
videodrome
20:10 / 10.03.02
I've been looking at buying an import copy of Avalon, by some of the kids behind Ghost In The Shell. I'll use this thread to solicit comments on the film - seems like a worthwhile purchase.

IMDB listing

DVD listing
 
 
T*M*U*M*A
22:21 / 10.03.02
another non-nut .. but i do like 'em..

Perfect Blue is brilliant for all of the reasons mentioned above..

i;ve been watching (and taping) the original Bubblegum Crisis, its got a fair bit of retro 80's charm.. but the cyberpunk stylings are still very fresh. there were lots of follow ups to it but the only one really worth checking out is AD Police.

i take it for granted that you've already seen Ghost in the Shell.. but one of the movies by the same guy is quite good..

its called Appleseed.. it has similar themes to Ghost .. and its not as good by a long shot.. but if its on.. give it a look.
 
 
Mystery Gypt
02:14 / 11.03.02
5 piece variety pack hitting everything from vampires to little kids to demon erections:

1 -- Serial Experiments: Lain
is fucking nuts. some visual moves i've never seen before in a cartoon.

2 -Vampire Princess Miyu is a fun dark lovecraftian atmospheric show.

3- Another vote for Perfect Blue, it's philip k dick with a girl band and a psychic serial killer... or something.

4- and you can never go wrong with the japanese and their giant-cocked monster rapists, which is why Legend of the Overfiend is on the list.

5 -and of course there's My Neighbor Totoro, the sweatest movie in the world, by mr. princess mononoke.

bonus -- what was that movie came out last year about the vampires roaming a gi base in vietnam with the brand new visual style?
 
 
The Strobe
13:20 / 11.03.02
Firstly, overfiend and stuff is getting on for hentai, and is enjoyable if you like... well, rape. I'd avoid.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is marvellous and great, but darn hard woro - 26 * 25min episodes. It spends a few episodes in Big-Robot-Hell with brief glimpses of genius, and then suddenly goes nuts and ends remarkably. You do also need to watch "End of Evangelion", which was a film released later which is what the team who made it REALLY wanted to do with the ending. Same result, but a different perspective - the series internalises the ending, the film shows you the outside world and has the most stunning visuals of the series. It's good.

Serial Experiments: Lain is superb, only 13 episodes, very messed up but makes MORE sense as it goes along. Very Gibsonesque, but beautiful visuals and underplayed, and I thought it was superb.

Umm, Akira's a nice visual counterpart to the manga, but the books are better.

I thought Porco Rosso was STUNNING - strongly recommend this, but Miyazaki/Ghibli stuff in general is worth a look always.

There are LOADS of good anime communities on the net, simply because it's so hard to get in the west. I've got NGE and Lain in rather good quality DivX; NGE is about 12 CDs, Lain is 4, and I STILL owe expressionless some copies... but yeah.

That's all I know so far. I'm not a big anime nut, finding the style/conventions at times limiting (especailly in mainstream series - fanservice in evangelion pisses me off HUGELY), but I thought the above were pretty good. Oh, and I'm really enjoying Hellsing for messy ridiciulous vampire-slaying action.
 
 
tSuibhne
15:06 / 11.03.02
I've been slowly getting into anime, as the budget allows (it's part of my, admiting that I'm a geek, program) So, my picks are:

Another for Perfect Blue. Great film, reasons have been given.

Ninja Scroll is a classic. As said before the "sexual situations" are pretty childish, but the over all movie is very cool. This, Vampirer Hunter D, and Akira were the first classics. Its at least worth a renting.

Another vote for Neon Genesis. I've only got the first couple of DVDs but its pretty cool.

I've also been recently getting into the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. MSG was one of the first giant robot series. And what I've seen so far (The 08th MS Team and the original Mobile Suit Gundam) is pretty cool. 08th MS Team is a short, "in the trenchs" war story. MSG is more straight ahead giant robot. Cartoon Network is currently showing 0083 during Adult Swim. Caught an episode this weekend, and it was alright. Need to see more though.
WARNING: There is A LOT to the MSG franchise. Movies and TV shows. There used to be a cool site that gave a great review of what was going on in the different series, and how they all fit together. Can't find it though.

I'm surprised noone mentioned Cowboy Bebop yet. That tends to be one of the first mentions on this board. Charecter development isn't that good. But, stylistically it just fucking rocks. Very hip and cool. Story is basically space bounty hunters. I really can't describe it, with out making it sound terrible. But, it really is cool as fuck. Also gets points for the coolest intro music.

For light hearted stuff, there's always the classic Ranma 1/2. Another LONG series (it did end right?) but what I've picked up so far (the first DVD collection) is pretty funny.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I did happen to catch a couple of Dragonball Z episodes this weekend, and for the first time acctually bothered to watch it. Didn't strike me as that bad (better then the stuff I'd seen before). Are the DVDs edited as much as the TV series is?

Oh, and I've got to throw in a dissenting opinoin of Vampirer Hunter D. Personally, I don't think this film aged well at all. It just did nothing for me. I haven't seen the new version yet though (Vampirer Hunter D, Bloodlust, I think it's called) If you really dig vampirer movies, D might be a good purchase. If not, rent it first.

I also have to reccomend that if you want to check out new anime stuff, and you live in the US (not sure if it's shown in other places) start watching Toonami, Adult Swim, and Midnight Run on Cartoon Network. They've ussually got some pretty cool stuff on there. Midnight Run and Adult Swim are the anime more geared for adults.
 
 
Trijhaos
15:56 / 11.03.02
Dragonball Z is crap!!! Crap!! crap!!! crap!!

Ok, now that that's over with, I'll give you my non-fanboy opinions on cartoon network stuff.

Gundam Wing - pretty good, but the gundam pilots are all cliches. the silent one, the honorable one, the gay one, the joker, and the circus freak. I'm easily entertained though and giant robots wielding lightsabers and doing battle is cool

Tenchi - Just watch the first series, Tenchi Muyo. Its short, only 13 episodes or so, but its better than the other two. Tenchi Universe is ok, but it screws with a lot of things like the fact that Yosho has actually aged. Tenchi Universe looks to me to be something that a cat vomited up and a monkey stirred with a stick. Don't watch it.

Big O - Now this is what I'm talking about. Cities inside domes, steampunkish robots, and evil monsters. Think an anime version of Batman with a giant robot and you've got Big O. It too is only 13 episodes or so.

DragonBall - The origianl series. Its pretty good so far. I like the fact that Goku doesn't function well in society.

Dragonball Z - As I said above. CRAP!!! CRAP!! CRAP!!! You do not need to draw out a single fight. I do not need to see 2 men grunting and sweating and saying maybe two words per episode, kicking each other and grunting some more for five episodes or more. Where the fuck is the story? CRAP!! CRAP!!! UTTER CRAP!!!!

Mobile Suit Gundam - This was pretty interesting before they pulled it so they could show that shit-fest Dragonball Z. I liked the fact that characters died and I liked the fact that Amuro was an angsty little bastard.

08th MS Team - Interesting. I think this shows what war would be like if we had giant robotic suits. Short, but it doesn't really need to be any longer. There's a movie out that shows what happens after the end of this series.

Outlaw Star - This is nifty. Its shown on the Midnight Run and Adult Swim on Saturdays. Its about this guy who finds this starship with arms and has to find this repository of all the universe's knowledge. Its not as goofy as I make it sound.

Cowboy Bebop - Haven't watched enough to form an opinion.

Sailor Moon - Yep, you heard me Sailor Moon. I liked Sailor Moon dammit. Sure it may have been anime aimed at girls, but it had some nifty music. I especially liked episode 25(?) where Darian has that chunk of ice shot through him and everybody finds out that Serena is the moon princess. Wonderful, wonderful music is played during that scene. *sniff* Its just lovely.

I'll admit Vampire Hunter D hasn't aged well, but it has aged better than some shows. Starblazers anyone?

[ 11-03-2002: Message edited by: Trijhaos ]
 
 
Tuna Ghost: Pratt knot hero
16:00 / 11.03.02
quote:Originally posted by tSuibhne:

I'm surprised noone mentioned Cowboy Bebop yet.

I as well. It's one of my favorites. Great music, very hip. And it fits with whatever is going on. The fifth session was a great example of how to set mood with music. Good enough for me to want recordings of many of the songs, especially the intro. The only beef I had was that it left so many questions about various characters' past unaswered.
 
 
ill tonic
16:32 / 11.03.02
mystety gypt say

quote: bonus -- what was that movie came out last year about the vampires roaming a gi base in vietnam with the brand new visual style?


The flick you're thinking of is BLOOD and I believe it was set in Okinawa (sp???) Japan not Vietnam. Wasn't a fan of that one -- I expected a feature length piece of work and instead got a 40 minute short with a really crappy "making of" documentry tagged on the end -- pissed me right off.

My choices (in no particular order)-

PERFECT BLUE reminded me of Brain de Palma. I wasn't all that impressed after I watched it but the damn thing stuck in my head for days afterwards - for that fact alone it gets my vote.

Then of course, AKIRA for the sheer splendor of the animation and P.MONOKOE for it's storytelling. (And for showing me things I'd never seen before - like the heart of the forest. It had the same flavor as a Charles de Lint novel -- who I absolutely love.)

The OVERFIEND series is interesting if you can stomach that kind of thing. I first saw it in Japanese (which I can't speak) while tripping on acid -- which was, uh, a unique experience.

Personally, I'd recommend ZERAM which is live action but has that anime feel too it -- does anybody know if it was it origanlly based on a comic or a cartoon?

[ 11-03-2002: Message edited by: nightguard ]
 
 
tSuibhne
16:39 / 11.03.02
quote:Originally posted by Trijhaos:
Gundam Wing

I've been very hesitant to pick up Gundam Wing for pretty much the same reasons that you mention. The alternate universe Gundams don't seem to be as good as the reguliar ones (I can't remember what the other AU Gundam's are, but GW was the biggest one) They strike me as pretty blatant cash ins.

quote:Tenchi

I didn't see the original Tenchi series. Tenchi Universe was alright (the parts I've seen) and Tenchi In Tokyo had it's moments (near the end when you acctually start to understand what the hell is going on) Your comments force me to ask though, you do realize that all three shows are set in alternate universes (common for anime series) and have no real connection between them, don't you?

quote:Big O

I caught part of an episode, lasted about 10 mins, and turned the channel. It didn't grab me at all, but I never gave it a fair chance.

quote:DragonBall - The origianl series.

I saw a commerical for this, and really need to give it a watching. Looks cool.

quote:Dragonball Z

See, this is what I originally throught as well, but then this weekend I came across two episodes back to back that were solid story. outside of a little training footage, there was no fighting at all. Hence why I'm wondering about the editing on the DVD releases. I know the TV show is edited to death, hence why it's basically just fight after fight. And I'm wondering how much of the story was stripped. I mean, it's not classic stuff. But, the two episodes this weekend were enjoyable.

quote:Mobile Suit Gundam
08th MS Team - Interesting.

They really are good shows. MSG is still being released, I think. But 08th MS Team is all out (I still need to pick up the movie, but I've got the series on DVD) Very good shows. And 08th MS Team is only four or five DVDs. Very short.

quote:Outlaw Star

Fun series, I might pick this up at some point. But not until I pick up a bunch of other stuff.
 
 
Trijhaos
16:53 / 11.03.02
Yeah. I'm aware that the three Tenchi's are all in different universes. The first series is great, its short, sweet, and to the point. Tenchi Universe I just don't like, don't know why. Maybe because its drawn out and most of the episodes don't add much. Tenchi in Tokyo, as you said has its moments, but it never really grabbed me.

My opinion of Dragonball Z stems from the fact that I have watched all of the episodes put out on cartoon network. After while, you get really bored. But, I have to admit I did like the last half of the Cell Saga. Gohan went mad with power and underestimated cell, he caused his own father's death. The latest episodes aren't endorsed by Akira.....whathisname...the dude who came up with the idea. He wanted the cell saga to be the end of it. I don't know about the quality of the DVDS, maybe they're better than the episodes shown on Cartoon Network
 
 
The Strobe
17:02 / 11.03.02
I didn't ask that, the guy above me did.

I'd really rate Hellsing as another anime-vampire thing. Some fabulous animation, which is hard to explain, a strange plot involving the Hellsing Institution in england (get the pun) hunting vamps, along with Arkard, their very own pet vamp. Who has a pair of foot-long handguns.

Take George Romero, add Vampires, EXCESSIVELY big guns all round, some dodgy two-frame animation mixed with some nice CG stuff and some very, very ODD moments later with Brummie vampires... and you get... Hellsing. Episode 10 is about to be released over IRC any time soon (13 ep series). Hunt on the net, but DON'T read the mangas... which are DREADFUL.

Oh, Lain and Eva will do you fine for starters. Lain first. First ep will FORCE you to watch the rest to work it out, and it has no tedious bonding/fanservice/hackneyed bits in it.
 
 
Seth
17:02 / 11.03.02
Don't worry, Paleface. I'm sure it's worth the wait.

I have to throw in the two Patlabor films: both criminally underated. Am I right in saying there's a series? Anyone seen it? I've also heard there's a third movie on the way...
 
 
tSuibhne
18:32 / 11.03.02
Oh, you fucking bastards!

Had to mention Lain, so I go to look, and I find this

I got a budget you know? I can't be dropping $120 on a box set (why even bother getting individual collections) But, now I've got to get this. Bastards! All of you.
 
 
rizla mission
12:39 / 12.03.02
I'm still pretty clueless regarding anime, but having seen them all down the cinema in the past month, I reckon everyone in the entire world should go out of their way to watch:

Nausicca
Laputa
Princess Mononoke
the new Metropolis one
 
 
Thjatsi
04:34 / 13.03.02
I've seen Dragonball Z a few times and was pretty unimpressed. However, I was wondering, in case someone was keeping track, what's the longest number of thirty minute episodes that they've used to drag out a single battle?
 
 
Trijhaos
10:12 / 13.03.02
Hmm....longest running battle. Are we talking about between just two combatants, like Freeza and Goku, or with a number of different combatants like that whole cell saga?

I'm going to assume you mean one on one, so I'm going to say the battle between Goku and Freeza. I think it had to be at least 15-20 episodes. I'm probably wrong though.
 
 
tSuibhne
14:32 / 20.03.02
So I just picked up Lain, and finished watching it last night. Um... What a great series. This is why I love anime. Where else are you going to find shit like this?

Highly reccomended.

Oh, and the Neon Genesis Box Set is being released on 4/9. Might just have to pick that up.
 
 
shirtless, beepers and suntans
02:27 / 21.03.02
Cowboy Bebop

quote: Charecter development isn't that good.

quote: The only beef I had was that it left so many questions about various characters' past unaswered

you guys are joking, right? i think the characters are more realistic and interesting than i've ever seen in a cartoon (and in most movies).

and with regards to their past, you just have to read between the lines. it's very subtle. everything you need to know is there, and whatever isn't makes them all the more interesting.

poor, poor Faye.
 
 
tSuibhne
12:43 / 21.03.02
quote:Originally posted by the shirtless moron:
you guys are joking, right? i think the characters are more realistic and interesting than i've ever seen in a cartoon (and in most movies).


You're the first person I've ever met who felt that there was charecter development in Cowboy Bebop. How exactly have the charecters evolved? I don't see it.
 
 
Tuna Ghost: Pratt knot hero
17:45 / 21.03.02
quote:Originally posted by the shirtless moron:

and with regards to their past, you just have to read between the lines. it's very subtle. everything you need to know is there, and whatever isn't makes them all the more interesting.

poor, poor Faye.

That's just it, though. There were obviously plenty of stories and character-defining moments that we never got to see. We never got to know the whole story of...well, anything, really. Unless it was all explained in the very last episode, the only one I haven't seen (curse my luck. And if anyone ruins it for me, I will hurt them badly).

I mean, we see one scene of Vicious in bed with Julia, and the rest of the time he's either trying to kill her or trying to get her to kill Spike. There's obviously a great deal of story there that we never see. And Spike's left eye! What the hell? We're left with the suspicion that he was part of the same program that came out with Pierott le Fou, but again, only with suspicions, when apparently there are plenty of stories.

I enjoyed it a great deal, but it left me wanting more. Which isn't a problem in and of itself, it's just that it left me wanting a great deal more. Stuff that could've made for better viewing.
 
 
tSuibhne
18:01 / 21.03.02
It's all a plot to make sure we all run out and see the movie when it's finally released in the States. Speaking of which, anyone heard reviews of the movie? I keep meaning to look, but never do. I think it was making the convention circuit last summer.
 
 
Margin Walker
18:41 / 21.03.02
quote:Originally posted by tSuibhne:
It's all a plot to make sure we all run out and see the movie when it's finally released in the States. Speaking of which, anyone heard reviews of the movie?

No, but I read somewhere that they're trying to re-do the music so that it'll be more palatable for us round-eyes. Which is such an inexcusably stupid thing to do that I'm denying that it might happen. As far as "character development" goes, they're already "developed". In fact, the interesting episodes deal with their back stories & histories rather than bounty hunting--with the exception of the 'shrooms episode.

And yes, there is a lot that wasn't explained. The thing that foremost comes to mind is the importance of the do, Ein. There was a big bounty on it because it held so much valuable information, but they never explain anything about it in the subsequent episodes. Although, I do get a kick out of saying it's name with a thick Japanese accent: "Ein! Weeeeeeeelch Kohr-ghee!"
 
 
shirtless, beepers and suntans
03:27 / 22.03.02
quote: How exactly have the charecters evolved? I don't see it.

like someone posted above, they're already "developed" at the start of the series.

we're just thrown into their story in the middle of things, and have to slowly piece together everything that's bubbling under the surface.

then in the last three or so episodes we see it all boil over (even Edward has her moment), and are left to speculate on how they've been affected by...

well, i'd go further into but i don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen the series as a whole.
 
 
drzener
08:21 / 22.03.02
Has anyboy seen Berserk?
There was a (shitty I think) computer game based on it called Sword of the Berserk and its based on the first series of a manga. I've watched in on import and while it can be slow moving it has some of the deepest character development in any anime.
The whole saga is set in a sort of feudal setting with interesting politics and shit regarding medieval style war and mercenaries.
Also the main character is this real hard ass who packs a fucking huge sword. Lots of homosexual connotations between the two male leads and without a doubt the most excellent and twisted end to any anime series. I'd recommend it to any one!
 
 
glassonion
12:11 / 24.03.02
1 Commando
2 Predator
3 Terminator
4 Twins
5 Terminator 2

i am detective john kimball!
 
 
netbanshee
23:19 / 24.03.02
Boogiepop Phantom is going around now...saw an episode of it and got kind of interesting. I think there's a total of four - five episodes all coming from different points of view from different characters. Very much on a Lain tip but different...involving a serial killer, the soul, electronics...
 
 
Trijhaos
23:24 / 24.03.02
Just another suggestion, but if you get the chance watch the current season of Digimon.

Yes, yes, I know its supposedly a pokemon rip-off and all that but its pretty damn cool for a kid's show. Digimon dying, the fact that the digimon seem to kind of be a mirror for the tamer's souls/emotions. It's a great deal better than the previous digimon seasons, a great deal darker too.

Mmmmm....I love though-provoking children's programming.
 
  
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