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[faridmon]

What's your guys' opinion on Level E? This OP is an awesome throwback, and the premise seems novel enough.

Loved it. The Humor is spot on and the unverse is suprisingly well thought of, despite the series being only 12 Ep. Yoshihiro Togashi stuff always resonate with me, So I am really glad the made that into an Anime.
Beware though, the best charcter only apears in 3-4 Ep. so most of the episode are shuffled between weak to OK characters.

 

[Dynedom]

Happy new year, AnimeGAF

 

[sleepykyo]

Happy New Year. So animu may be mended.

 

[mAcOdIn]

Immature you mean.

No, immature would be a lot more bearable.

It's FDA approved! Or recalled & banned for human consumption, I can't really remember which!

Perhaps both as you can't really be the latter until you've satisfied the former.

 

[iavi]

Loved it. The Humor is spot on and the unverse is suprisingly well thought of, despite the series being only 12 Ep. Yoshihiro Togashi stuff always resonate with me, So I am really glad the made that into an Anime.
Beware though, the best charcter only apears in 3-4 Ep. so most of the episode are shuffled between weak to OK characters.

I'm liking it a lot myself. The prince has some god tier trolls going, left and right like it's nothing, lol.

Level E 1-2

This is actually pretty good. I'm surprised I saw so little talk about it on GAF. I've become something of a Davids Production fan since they did Ristorante Paradiso aka best moe ever, so I'm glad to see this is just as fun.

 

[InfiniteNine]

May your 2012 be bodacious. & miniskirted.

Such love! Happy New Years everyone. o:

 

[Jintor]

Lol it's been the new year for like a day now, catch up you guys

 

[trejo]

Sorry guys, but I can't seem to spell Raxphone correctly. It is a confusing title.

Spoiler

Disclaimer: I am not drunk

It's RahXephon!

Spoiler

Disclaimer: I am totes drunk.

 

[trejo]

It's FDA approved! Or recalled & banned for human consumption, I can't really remember which!

It's legal in 7 states in Mexico!

What's your guys' opinion on Level E? This OP is an awesome throwback, and the premise seems novel enough.

There are a few misses but overall it's a pretty cool show. And yeah, prince Idiot totally steals it everytime.

 

[wonzo]

What's your guys' opinion on Level E? This OP is an awesome throwback, and the premise seems novel enough.

It's well worth watching. Kinda tappers off towards the end but overall a fairly enjoyable series.

 

[weeaboo]

Happy yearmonogatari AnimuGAF!

 

[zeroshiki]

Happy New Year AnimeGAF

 

[Steroyd]

Daily Lives of High School Boys Preview 7-8

All these previews have been great, dat mole no aware.

 

[Articalys]

Back from party, another happy belated new year yaaaay

e: few more pictures via ANN:

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

It's well worth watching. Kinda tappers off towards the end but overall a fairly enjoyable series.

I can't agree with that. The weakest part of Level E was the middle, with 9 being its low point, and even then it wasn't terrible, just comparatively dull. Afterwards it bounced back, with 10 being great, 11 good, and 12-13 amazing and a fitting bookend to the series.

Spoiler

Seeing the Prince be out-trolled was glorious. Glorious.

The show also has my favorite OP of the year outside Nichijou.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Thats a nice Ano hana image.

 

[Jex]

Watch the tv series

Then End of Eva

Then stop.

Happy new year all!

I'm glad to see that there shall be no escape from the Evangelion discussion, even in this new year.

As for the franchise itself, I must echo the words of previous posters by saying that Evangelion TV and The End Of Evangelion are the only essential works to watch. The Rebuild films aren't shoddy or terrible, they're just not nearly as good as the rest of the franchise. That said, plenty of people have said they prefer them over the original series.

I like how the special features are clean opening and ending sequences.

Those are truly the lowest kind of extras on a DVD, except perhaps for trailers. The Nausicaa BD I just purchased has of those standard extras, but it also features commentary by Hideaki Anno, which is the kind of interesting extra that I'd like to see more often. Then again, commentaries themselves can be a bit of a mixed bad, some of them are packed full of insightful discussion whereas others are a series of silences occasionally punctuated by a brief interjections about the film.

 

[Noirulus]

Daily Lives of high school boys pre-air

I change my stance on this show, it looks quite good. The preview I saw prior to this didn't give me a taste for the comedy but the pre-airs were fun to watch.

 

[Terareflection]

Christ was I bored just now. Found a bunch of Penguindrum images, decided they looked nice for avatars. Figured maybe someone here would want one. If not, whatever, only took like a half hour or so.

Snatched one, thanks.

 

[Jex]

There's way too much moe/fanservice-focused stuff these days because they get the most DVD/blu-ray sales. I think once this popularity wanes (if it does) we'll get good stuff again. That's not to say there aren't those few gems every year even now, but i'd like to see an era where we can just get normal story/character driven content like in the past. The 90s and early to mid 00s were a great era for anime fans. Right now this industry looks hopeless but only time can tell.

I don't really think that anime production exists on a sliding scale where at one end most of the anime being produced is 'good shows' and on the other end most of the anime being produced is 'targeting the niche otaku market only'. I imagine that the ratio of good shows to bad shows has changed over time but even back in the 'heyday' of anime production, say 2006, a large amount of fanservice orientated titles were still being produced, it's just that they were also producing more of every kind of show.

The 90's were not necessarily a great era either, it's just that far less anime got released in a form that Western audiences had any access too. Now, practically every single crappy show from every season can be accessed from a streaming site.

Regardless of whether or not you can pin down a golden age in anime (2007 anyone?) it's not like the industry isn't producing anything of note. A casual glance at the Top anime of the Year thread shows that this year produced a number of excellent titles.

 

[Uchip]

I don't really think that anime production exists on a sliding scale where at one end most of the anime being produced is 'good shows' and on the other end most of the anime being produced is 'targeting the niche otaku market only'. I imagine that the ratio of good shows to bad shows has changed over time but even back in the 'heyday' of anime production, say 2006, a large amount of fanservice orientated titles were still being produced, it's just that they were also producing more of every kind of show.

The 90's were not necessarily a great era either, it's just that far less anime got released in a form that Western audiences had any access too. Now, practically every single crappy show from every season can be accessed from a streaming site.

Regardless of whether or not you can pin down a golden age in anime (2007 anyone?) it's not like the industry isn't producing anything of note. A casual glance at the Top anime of the Year thread shows that this year produced a number of excellent titles.

its easy to miss the good ones when the fanservicey moe-pandering shows are the most advertised and most talked about
i know a few people that actually believe that there is nothing good anymore

 

[Noirulus]

I don't really think that anime production exists on a sliding scale where at one end most of the anime being produced is 'good shows' and on the other end most of the anime being produced is 'targeting the niche otaku market only'. I imagine that the ratio of good shows to bad shows has changed over time but even back in the 'heyday' of anime production, say 2006, a large amount of fanservice orientated titles were still being produced, it's just that they were also producing more of every kind of show.

The 90's were not necessarily a great era either, it's just that far less anime got released in a form that Western audiences had any access too. Now, practically every single crappy show from every season can be accessed from a streaming site.

Regardless of whether or not you can pin down a golden age in anime (2007 anyone?) it's not like the industry isn't producing anything of note. A casual glance at the Top anime of the Year thread shows that this year produced a number of excellent titles.

I don't mind fanservice shows being produced at all, and i'm aware that there was a fair share of them even in the past, but I find a problem with it when it's dominating the industry itself.

Now we have artistic/animating talent being wasted, and not necessarily because they're working on pure fanservice shows. Even the shonen-action shows are affected because studios are pressurized into showing more fanservice (Guilty Crown comes to mind, such wasted production values)

But yeah, i'm more infatuated with the 90's and early-mid 2000s probably because of nostalgia, but there is some truth to the decline of this industry in terms of quality. At the same time, we still get good stuff every year so I can't complain too much I guess, even if some of that content doesn't fit my tastes.

 

[faridmon]

I'm liking it a lot myself. The prince has some god tier trolls going, left and right like it's nothing, lol.

Level E 1-2

This is actually pretty good. I'm surprised I saw so little talk about it on GAF. I've become something of a Davids Production fan since they did Ristorante Paradiso aka best moe ever, so I'm glad to see this is just as fun.

Glad you ar enjoying this. I am surprised as well at the low level buzz it has recieved here on GAF, but again, this could be happening due to HxH pissing people off.

I just wish Yukitaka appeared in more episodes as I have seen him the best charcter in the sreis but yeah, Prince trollings are one to stay, and its gets better as the series continues.

 

[NewFresh]

its easy to miss the good ones when the fanservicey moe-pandering shows are the most advertised and most talked about
i know a few people that actually believe that there is nothing good anymore

I know we all love to joke, but nothing good anymore? That seems excessive.

 

[Uchip]

I know we all love to joke, but nothing good anymore? That seems excessive.

i also know someone that thinks that dragonball Z is the only anime worth watching

 

[RurouniZel]

Its funny how Me and Rorounizel are thinking in the same exactly way. Dude, you are like my long lost twin.... or something.

and yes, I have also avoided Steins;Gate because of everyone was talking about it. I have heard amazing thing about it and I have yet to watch it. I think at this point, I'll just wait for the localisation. If not, then I am going to pick it up on the easter. I really wich I had more time

Heh, some of us are just wired that way I suppose. ^^;

Well, either way, I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it. ^_^

 

[faridmon]

I know we all love to joke, but nothing good anymore? That seems excessive.

It is a hyperbolic statement, no doubt. But it it is clear that the Japanese Animation industry is being fuled by Otakus and moe-lovers. To a degree that it seems that quality stuff in terms of Storyetlling and characterisation is produced at slower turtle-like rate.

 

[Risette]

I know we all love to joke, but nothing good anymore? That seems excessive.

Well that happens to every medium and such. Some people hate modern movies because they think everything is Michael Bay. Some people hate modern music because they think everything is bad pop and rap. Some people hate modern games because they think everything is Call of Duty.

Of course they're wrong and probably just trying to look cool, but it happens.

 

[Jex]

Someone mentioned Gothicmade and got my hopes up.

Redline.

Katanagatari 12

I cried a little. Ending was way too unfair. I should've heeded the warnings of stopping before the ending.

In the first place, why the hell wasn't this listed as a

Spoiler

tragedy

? Fuck you wikipedia. Fuck you to hell.

Sounds like you’ve joined the small band of people who managed to watch the show all the way through and also felt that it ended effectively. Perhaps it didn’t end in the way you wanted it to, but if it resonated with you on some level then it must have been successful.

Kaleido Star 49- End

Ah. So that's why I stopped watching it.

The second half of the series felt like what happens after a shounen protagonist achieves their goal... and then the story continues afterward, like after Luffy becomes pirate king, or Naruto becomes hokage or Ichigo... Ichigo... bah whatever the heck Ichigo is.

That's one ghost laid to rest, even though I haven't watched the OVA's.

That's clearly something you need to fix, although I'd have recommended skipping the second season and just watching the OVA's.

 

[Uchip]

Perhaps it didn’t end in the way you wanted it to, but if it resonated with you on some level then it must have been successful.

School Days will remain in our hearts

 

[faridmon]

Well that happens to every medium and such. Some people hate modern movies because they think everything is Michael Bay. Some people hate modern music because they think everything is bad pop and rap. Some people hate modern games because they think everything is Call of Duty.

Of course they're wrong and probably just trying to look cool, but it happens.

Wow...

 

[Noirulus]

Sounds like you’ve joined the small band of people who managed to watch the show all the way through and also felt that it ended effectively. Perhaps it didn’t end in the way you wanted it to, but if it resonated with you on some level then it must have been successful.

I don't think it ended effectively, but it did resonate a lot, mainly due to the last scene.

Spoiler

The ending itself didn't make sense to me, why didn't Shichika kill the princess, knowing she was responsible for Togame's death?

 

[Jex]

In the UK Film4 had a Ghibli season, so I caught Ocean Wave, The Cat Returns, Nadesico Valley of the Winds, Whisper of the Heart, Porco Rosso, My Neighbour Totoro and bits of some Ghibli movie about sky people.

Film4 have a Ghibli season that they run quite often, better yet they run the movies dubbed and subbed, which is mighty impressive

 

[faridmon]

I wish I had Film4. I am still rocking with the 5 UK channels only :/

 

[Steroyd]

Film4 have a Ghibli season that they run quite often, better yet they run the movies dubbed and subbed, which is mighty impressive

That caught me off guard when it was playing on my TV.

Almost makes me regret that I ignore the channel 90% of the time.

I wish I had Film4. I am still rocking with the 5 UK channels only :/

Wait that shouldn't be possible, the analogue signal was killed off years ago, it should be freeview channels or bust.

 

[faridmon]

Wait that shouldn't be possible, the analogue signal was killed off years ago, it should be freeview channels or bust.

In London, they gave us a pass until April. I think its time to actually buy a TV...

 

[Jex]

[Katanagatari]

I don't think it ended effectively, but it did resonate a lot, mainly due to the last scene.

Spoiler

The ending itself didn't make sense to me, why didn't Shichika kill the princess, knowing she was responsible for Togame's death?

Spoiler

There's a difference between responsibility and actually killing someone yourself. More over, the series is about freedom vs restraint, choice vs fate and by the end of it Shichika has changed, he's more than a blade because he understands how important the sanctity of life is. He chooses to go against the grain.

 

[Ryuukan]

I'm liking it a lot myself. The prince has some god tier trolls going, left and right like it's nothing, lol.

Level E 1-2

This is actually pretty good. I'm surprised I saw so little talk about it on GAF. I've become something of a Davids Production fan since they did Ristorante Paradiso aka best moe ever, so I'm glad to see this is just as fun.

It keeps getting better, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Jex]

Lol, yeah, that's actually why I used 'solid' instead of my usually hyperbole. I didn't feel as if the show had any moments where it suffered in its direction, but there were few moments that resonated with me as amazing; much like the final scene in ep 9, for example. That was one of the few beautifully executed scenes. Hell, I actually watched a few times over, it was so effective.

The only time the quality of the direction seriously impacted by enjoyment of the work was, problematically, in the very awkward first episode which certainly put me off from watching the rest of the show. Luckily they didn’t try and do anything as originalagain.

As the cast learns what the hell they're doing, you'll learn what the hell they're doing. I feel like it was a case of deliberate obfuscation with that intro. Just keep watching, it all pays off. Watch for threads too.

I understand what they were trying to do but the execution is really bad. You can achieve the same goal without all the terrible editing and awkward camera work.

Steins; Gate Fin

And it's over ;_;, for now anyway. I do have some reservations about the ending and its convenience

Spoiler

for the sake of feel good,

but I ain't complaining too much. Loved it. AOTY list updated.

For me, a much bigger problem with the plot was

Spoiler

the whole ‘fated to die’ element which makes no real sense given how tine-travel is usually depicted. It didn’t impede my enjoyment of the show in any significant manner but it certainly bugged me.

 

[Noirulus]

[Katanagatari]

Spoiler

There's a difference between responsibility and actually killing someone yourself. More over, the series is about freedom vs restraint, choice vs fate and by the end of it Shichika has changed, he's more than a blade because he understands how important the sanctity of life is. He chooses to go against the grain.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Spoiler

Also, I wonder the reason behind why the princess tags along with Shichika? Sense of guilt? Lost the purpose in life that she was fighting for? I wish they brushed upon that as it felt out of the blue

 

[Cwarrior]

For me, a much bigger problem with the plot was

Spoiler

the whole ‘fated to die’ element which makes no real sense given how tine-travel is usually depicted. It didn’t impede my enjoyment of the show in any significant manner but it certainly bugged me.

why did that bug you,

Spoiler

It was explain that in that time line a fix point in time mayuri dies and only way to change that was jumping the 1% barrirer changing to a completely new world line.

A lot other shows use the whole "fated to die" element in time travelfor example doctor who, it's not uncommon

 

[Noirulus]

You know, I think some korean web comic adaptations would do real good for anime. I'd like to experience the Melo Holic mindfuck all over again in anime form.

 

[cajunator]

I need to watch Steins: Gate. Actually I need to watch about a dozen shows I am way behind on.

 

[Jex]

[Steins;Gate]

why did that bug you,

Spoiler

It was explain that in that time line a fix point in time mayuri dies and only way to change that was jumping the 1% barrirer changing to a completely new world line.

Uh, because

Spoiler

none of that really makes any sense, especially the concept of a fixed point. I mean, if someone crosses the road and gets killed by a speeding car that's unlucky, so going back in time to make sure they don't cross the road would save their life. It seems bizarre that the same person would then, say, get shot by a mugger instead of getting hit by that car. For that to happen some guiding hand would surely be having to push all these situations onto that person.

 

[Erigu]

[Steins;Gate]

why did that bug you,

Spoiler

It was explain that in that time line a fix point in time mayuri dies and only way to change that was jumping the 1% barrirer changing to a completely new world line.

Spoiler

The problem is that it's completely arbitrary.
"You can change this, you can change that, you can even change the circumstances of Mayuri's death (the day she died, too), but Mayuri's death itself? No, you can't change that. Why does Mayuri's death matter more than, say, Nae's trauma? Or even the consequences of Okabe's time jumps on the insect world of Tôkyô, really (no reason to be anthropocentric)? Because."

"Serious" time travel plots either pick a model where you can't change anything at all (the time traveler didn't change anything but merely played his part in the past), or a model where you can change anything you want because you end up in a new, separate timeline where time paradoxes aren't an issue.

Spoiler

A lot other shows use the whole "fated to die" element in time travelfor example doctor who, it's not uncommon

Spoiler

Sadly, it's not uncommon on TV and in movies, indeed...
"The first model is tempting because, y'know... Fate! Irony! That's always nice. But then again, it's also very restrictive whereas the second model allows us to go wild and show amusing alternate histories... Hmm... I know! Let's pick a bit of both!" Dude, I see why that would be tempting, but that makes no sense: they're not compatible models!

 

[RurouniZel]

[Steins;Gate]

Uh, because

Spoiler

none of that really makes any sense, especially the concept of a fixed point. I mean, if someone crosses the road and gets killed by a speeding car that's unlucky, so going back in time to make sure they don't cross the road would save their life. It seems bizarre that the same person would then, say, get shot by a mugger instead of getting hit by that car. For that to happen some guiding hand would surely be having to push all these situations onto that person.

Spoiler

I believe that phenomenon is referred to in the show as the "convergence point." Think of it like magnets. Let's say you want to separate them. So you pull one of the magnets ever so slightly away from the other, and you can still feel it pulling toward the other magnet. If you let go, it'll just reattach to the magnet. But if you keep slowly pulling, you'll get to a point where the pull seems to suddenly drop. It doesn't have to be worlds apart, just enough to stop the pull from drawing it all the way back. That's why he needed the full 1% divergence.

 

[cajunator]

Holy shit what is this a government document?

 

[RurouniZel]

Holy shit what is this a government document?

Steins;Gate, serious business.

 

[Steroyd]

Holy shit what is this a government document?

Steins Gate son, get on it.

 

[Jex]

Taro the Dragon Boy

A lazy fat boy can talk to animals and gets super strength by drinking alcohol that a strange old man gave him after a sumo match. There are also genitals, dragons, and demons.

The background work was beautiful, and the character animation was smooth and fluid. It was pretty enjoyable in a early Disney type of way.

4 / 5 Hand stand penises

Of course, early anime films from that era, such as the works by Toei, would try and emulate the Disney style of animation rather than going for the 'limited animation' style that eventually became commonplace.

Bakemonogatari 5

This arc was starting to feel monotonous - being in the same park setting for the majority of three episodes didn't help matters[...]
K-ON! 5

After a relatively lackluster beach episode, we're back to our normal pleasant watch[...]

It must be quite an interesting experience to watch one of the most lavishly animated TV series back to back with Bakemonogatari, which was clearly made on a shoe-string budget for most of it’s run.