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[Risette]

While the Baccano dub is more fitting for the setting, some of the voice actors/actresses are really spotty or just downright bad... those mob accents, ugh. The JP track is definitely of higher quality even if it doesn't fit as well.

 

[firehawk12]

Hatin' on Akira? When will your reign of madness end?

Oh, and the manga isn't better, it's worse.

It's a very average science fiction tale with, maybe purposefully, very little humanity. And if you don't care about the philosophy it is raising or the characters, all you're just left with are incredibly pretty designs.

I could probably go another 15 years before watching it again anyway.

---

Seikai-ichi Hatsukoi 4-7: Finally decided to catch up with this and it still fascinates me to no end. First, they decided to do some weird Amagami SS thing and introduce a whole new set of characters who are involved in their own love triangle, so I guess anthology love stories aren't even that novel these days.

But what I find interesting about it is how women are essentially props. I'm not sure if this is better or worse than how women are typically treated in harems - ie, as objects to obtain - since now they are just mere obstacles used to create misunderstandings. Given that the guys are all gay, all the fretting about women seems like plot for the sake of plot. Of course, misunderstandings are what carry most shoujos forward, since that's the easiest way to create conflict...

Which leads me to wonder if the author was self-aware and purposely crafting the perfect and most boring BL/shoujo manga ever... especially given how the whole plot is centred around writing and editing shoujo manga.

On the greater end, I find it interesting how - outside of outliers like Gunjo - non-porn yuri/yaoi and shoujo manga pretty much all share the same beats. No matter what sexual predilections a girl might have, they all want their dokidoki moments to be exactly the same.

The only thing that's messed up are the gender dynamics. If a guy is being saved by another guy, is that a less problematic wishfulfillment fantasy? What if it's a girl who saves another girl? Brain hurting.

 

[jman2050]

Hito's right: Kodomo no Jikan is worth watching. It represents a cultural milestone in Japan and our understanding of Japan. It's actually got a pretty decent story too. You'll feel dirty and want to take a cold shower after the first few episodes, but you get used to it eventually once you've over the sheer culture shock of the whole thing, and then you'll sympathize with the bizarre main cast of characters. It's pretty funny too. :3

Seriously, don't do this.

 

[Articalys]

While the Baccano dub is more fitting for the setting, some of the voice actors/actresses are really spotty or just downright bad... those mob accents, ugh. The JP track is definitely of higher quality even if it doesn't fit as well.

Well, I guess I just don't have discerning enough taste then. It might be weird to choose the language based on the setting but I enjoyed it.
Seriously though, I do need to get around to watching the sub for Baccano and dub for Mushishi one of these days. Maybe the sub for Black Lagoon as well.

I will give you Huey's English voice, though. That was atrocious.

e: While I'm thinking about it, no opinion is universal, but is there any series where a dub has a large majority approval over the sub?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Baccano! 2 and 3:

Okay, after the introductory episode, the story is now getting underway. Is this show going to be like The Last Express, where most of the key events occur on the train? Well, I guess it can't be, since a large story is also unfolding in New York City, Alternate Prohibition Era, Area 11. There seem to be a large number of groups or factions acting in this story, not just the three families in New York City, but also several groups on the train who are directly or indirectly affiliated or connected with the 3 families in some way, shape, or form, as seen back in episode 1 where major characters greet other major characters as they leave the train.

Speaking of major characters, that means literally everybody, although it's primarily being narrated and seen from the point of view of characters which are connected to but for now ancillary to the main story threads. The main key point which links everybody seems to be the search for an immortality formula that has been passing from hand to hand for some time, always with the result of blood being spilled and when immortals get killed they just magically resurrect, even when their heads are entirely destroyed or they are perforated by dozens of bullets.

e: While I'm thinking about it, no opinion is universal, but is there any series where a dub has a large majority approval over the sub?

You just mentioned it: Black Lagoon.

 

[Hitokage]

e: While I'm thinking about it, no opinion is universal, but is there any series where a dub has a large majority approval over the sub?

Black Lion and Garzey's Wing.

 

[Steroyd]

Kaiji - 07

&

Toriko - 07

Both these anime's need to stop ending when I'm really getting into it, all I can say is I'm thankful that I didn't watch these the day they released so now I have less less to wait for the next ep.

 

[Jex]

Mononoke and Trapeze will be erased from history

Monocle-anime-gaf has a collective cry about it.

You think [C] is better than both of those shows, so you should probable be banned from having arms. Or something.

Black Lion and Garzey's Wing.

The only right choices.

 

[Crash Station]

You think [C] is better than both of those shows, so you should probable be banned from having arms. Or something.

C isn't a snorefest like both of those shows.

 

[Jex]

It's a very average science fiction tale with, maybe purposefully, very little humanity. And if you don't care about the philosophy it is raising or the characters, all you're just left with are incredibly pretty designs.

I could probably go another 15 years before watching it again anyway.

Well, as the (apparently) sole defender of Akira, I'd have to say that it doesn't make much sense to ignore the characters, considering that like, the film is all about them.

 

[Izayoi]

Well, as the (apparently) sole defender of Akira, I'd have to say that it doesn't make much sense to ignore the characters, considering that like, the film is all about them.

You are not alone. I loved Akira.

Maybe it's just my soft-spot for old anime films, but I thought it was great.

 

[Angry Grimace]

I'm going to be super pissed if it turns out Jintan just has some kind of lame brain cancer. I've already seen that plot in ten million western TV shows.

 

[Jex]

Toriko 7

Build up.

Fireball Charming

I'm glad this still lives.

Ano Hana 6

This show is a lot better when Menma isn't mounting Jintan. Stupid ghosts, trying to get all the action.

 

[firehawk12]

Well, as the (apparently) sole defender of Akira, I'd have to say that it doesn't make much sense to ignore the characters, considering that like, the film is all about them.

It breaks down in the second half. Tetsuo's penis envy causes him to go insane and want to destroy the world? I mean, it's the classic "two brothers/Cain and Abel" tale, but it didn't pay off at all in this version.

I'm going to be super pissed if it turns out Jintan just has some kind of lame brain cancer. I've already seen that plot in ten million western TV shows.

It's both funny and sad that this is still a possible outcome of the series, when it looked like they wanted to go one way last week. Like I said, they're just trolling at this point. :lol

 

[Jex]

It breaks down in the second half. Tetsuo's penis envy causes him to go insane and want to destroy the world?

When did he want to destroy the world?

 

[firehawk12]

When did he want to destroy the world?

Well, destroy the world being short hand for destroying Neo Tokyo on his little tantrum. Surely he could have just flown to the stadium without murdering all those people/soldiers.

 

[Izayoi]

I'm going to be super pissed if it turns out Jintan just has some kind of lame brain cancer. I've already seen that plot in ten million western TV shows.

You know the ending is going to be dumb. We've got what, five episodes left? It's practically begging for a train wreck at this point.

 

[mAcOdIn]

That sound you hear is macodin celebrating Tessa's demise. I'm torn though. Naru is a bad character from a lame show.

Lol, that'd be like me celebrating the sun coming up, it was going to happen, it HAD to happen, no reason for me to celebrate events like that.

I will however gladly throw salt in the wounds of any naysayers of the orbital cycle or Tessa sucking.

Oh also, Rightstuf shipped my Utena set 1 preorder! Considering it was dated as June 7th that's mighty early but I'll take it.

 

[Lafiel]

It breaks down in the second half. Tetsuo's penis envy causes him to go insane and want to destroy the world? I mean, it's the classic "two brothers/Cain and Abel" tale, but it didn't pay off at all in this version.

I think that's one aspect that works so well in the anime version versus the manga, it keeps focused on the core conflict, while the manga on the other hand has all these lame subplots that break it up.

 

[Jex]

Well, destroy the world being short hand for destroying Neo Tokyo on his little tantrum. Surely he could have just flown to the stadium without murdering all those people/soldiers.

He didn't need to kill anyone, but he had been repeatedly locked up and shot up with drugs, so he wasn't in the best of moods. That would be bad for a normal person, but he spent his whole life being the punching bag that Kaneda would defend, so when he has power of course he uses it to get a bit of payback. Some could even say it was part of the whole "story" thing.

 

[Angry Grimace]

You know the ending is going to be dumb. We've got what, five episodes left? It's practically begging for a train wreck at this point.

I'm just saying that a nose-bleed practically invites brain cancer. Anyone who thinks up that plot thinks they're a genius when really it's cliched as fuck.

 

[firehawk12]

I think that's one aspect that works so well in the anime version versus the manga, it keeps focused on the core conflict, while the manga on the other hand has all these lame subplots that break it up.

In the chat, Hito was saying how the manga can be downright dull with the tangents it goes on, so I suppose so. In the anime, it just feels like a series of scenes stitched together... oh hey, that's just like LA Noire!

He didn't need to kill anyone, but he had been repeatedly locked up and shot up with drugs, so he wasn't in the best of moods. That would be bad for a normal person, but he spent his whole life being the punching bag that Kaneda would defend, so when he has power of course he uses it to get a bit of payback. Some could even say it was part of the whole "story" thing.

It would have worked even better without the second half, which was just plot and exposition. It's like this "oh hey, 80s extravagance is leaving the little people behind" tale that 80s scifi was so fond of back then and sprinkled in a bit of hokum mythology for good measure.

I'm just saying that a nose-bleed practically invites brain cancer. Anyone who thinks up that plot thinks they're a genius when really it's cliched as fuck.

Yup!!! :lol:

 

[Articalys]

Tiger & Bunny 4-5
Kotetsu's power isn't super strength, it's getting zero respect from anyone else and having the world's worst luck at the worst times. He's just a big idealistic goofball stuck in this corporate-driven world.

I'm really curious for the eventual explanation of how Heroes became commercialized in the first place. Also, whatever meaning there is behind that "NC 1978" medal from the ending.

e: Ooh, mysterious creepy guy after the credits.

 

[Steroyd]

I'm just saying that a nose-bleed practically invites brain cancer. Anyone who thinks up that plot thinks they're a genius when really it's cliched as fuck.

Lets just hope it's culmination of him going so far out of his comfort zone and it just caught up on him. Although at this rate I'm really not looking forward to the last episode.

 

[Risette]

(I haven't seen EoE, but knowing Production IG, it should pack some amazing visuals)

It doesn't.

 

[tiff]

In the chat, Hito was saying how the manga can be downright dull with the tangents it goes on, so I suppose so. In the anime, it just feels like a series of scenes stitched together... oh hey, that's just like LA Noire!

If only that was the biggest problem with LA Noire.

 

[faridmon]

Being objective, if Canaan was trying to be something more than a simple action show with some cool and improbable powers, I might agree that it wasn't all that.
But I can only see it as a simple action show with cool powers, explosions, strong female leads, the old "skill vs hardwork" theme and some side drama to add a bit more spice.
The comedy moments with the Chinese girl also worked on me all the time. Plus I never found the execution to be tedious or drab.
So at the end, with all that in mind, I can only judge it positively, flaws (like some stuff left unexplained, to name one) or not.
Is Canaan a quality anime overall? I don't know. I know that I found it to be good entertainment and I'm happy with that.

Fair enough. I don't want to sound forceful, even though I sort of done that so I apologies for that. However, I could say, comparably to other Animes that have similar themes such as ''La Burja'' people here call it mediocre, that Anime did all those mentioned above in a very meh way. But I guess I have to learn to take ''Different taste'' thing more seriously.

Some crazies out there even say that Vagrant Story is a bad game!

What on earth? People have no soul confirmed

 

[Branduil]

Me: "On Mikuni's level? Damn, this is gonna be epic."
*Fight starts and Mysu gets fucked up
Me: "Holy shit holy shit holy shit, how is Yoga gonna get out of this one!?"
*The two hold hands and Yoga starts screaming
Me: "Oh boy oh boy, here it comes! Mezzoflation the fuck out of that angel!"
*Cut to dude packing up shit
Me: "....WHAT THE FUCK!?"

If you can't see how that's disappointing, then you need to learn to see how that's disappointing.

That part wasn't disappointing because the fights are lame and make no sense.

 

[Jex]

X-Men 7

Plot and character development abound! Who would have thought it?

 

[faridmon]

Enma 1 and 2

this show is ...... not so good. Why did GAF recommend me this again?

 

[dimb]

Enma 1 and 2

this show is ...... not so good. Why did GAF recommend me this again?

Because Enma is a *BAMF*.

 

[zeroshiki]

Getting caught up:

Denpa 06 - MC still gay, all these girls falling for him makes no sense, Erio still best character by miles.

Ano Hana 05 (yes 5, not yet 6) - Poppo showing his damage as well. Sheesh. Is no one from the 6 normal? Everyone's creepily obsessed with Menma except for the girls who're creepily obsessed with the dudes. Also, only Yukiatsu could be smooth enough to shrug off getting caught wearing girls' clothes and be a boss and saving a girl from creepy salarymen.

 

[faridmon]

Because Enma is a *BAMF*.

I am quite lost here. Is this the result of me not spending enough time around here? *shudder*

 

[Crash Station]

I am quite lost here. Is this the result of me not spending enough time around here? *shudder*

BAMF=Badass Mother fucker. It's also the sound effect prominent in the show (or at least that's what the subs say which don't seem entirely accurate).

 

[faridmon]

BAMF=Badass Mother fucker. It's also the sound effect prominent in the show (or at least that's what the subs say which don't seem entirely accurate).

right! cheers. Yeah he is badass alright, for a shonen type of a guy. Nothing screams Gurran Lagann as I was led to believe initially.

 

[JKTrix]

right! cheers. Yeah he is badass alright, for a shonen type of a guy. Nothing screams Gurran Lagann as I was led to believe initially.

Whoever described it to you either doesn't know GaoGaiGar, or knows you haven't seen GaoGaiGar which would have been a more relevant robot comparison.

Also I didn't know what BAMF meant either, thought it was just a sound effect.

 

[Neo C.]

I'm very glad I didn't drop Gosick. I feel sorry for the orphan girl though.

 

[hellclerk]

Getting caught up:

Denpa 06 - MC still gay, all these girls falling for him makes no sense, Erio still best character by miles.

Actually... for once it does. The character's other than Niwa are pretty deeply written, and while it's not particularly a deep fall for anyone, Erio attaches to him because she doesn't have her other "I'm an alien!" support system anymore, Ryuuko's like is a sort of moe crush. The MC's earnest nature gets him into rough spots and as one of his only friends in class, she feels obligated to help since he humors her as well. Add competition for catalyst and you have a complicated, but relatively shallow infatuation, though it is set up to get deeper under her skin. Tall girl I don't even really think has fallen for him at all and just finds him interesting. Will probably result in at the least a mild crush on him, though it'll mostly just be infatuation. And Meme? She's not interested at all, she just likes toying with him.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Lets just hope it's culmination of him going so far out of his comfort zone and it just caught up on him. Although at this rate I'm really not looking forward to the last episode.

The thing I hate about the brain cancer idea is that it actually does solve the plot. Stupidly.

 

[Jex]

Whoever described it to you either doesn't know GaoGaiGar, or knows you haven't seen GaoGaiGar which would have been a more relevant robot comparison.

Also I didn't know what BAMF meant either, thought it was just a sound effect.

That's what I assumed as well. But I've been wrong before.

 

[firehawk12]

The thing I hate about the brain cancer idea is that it actually does solve the plot. Stupidly.

Best ending = Jintan dies and he is reunited with Menma. It combines both the ghost and hallucination theories. :lol

 

[dimb]

Also I didn't know what BAMF meant either, thought it was just a sound effect.

In the context of the show BAMF is just a sound effect, I was just making a joke.

But yeah, Enma is just a fun show. It's not trying to be anything but entertainment, and it fully delivers on that. To expect it to be something in the vein of TTGL is sillier than the show itself. Just go into it without expectations and enjoy it. It's worth watching just for how damn good it looks.

 

[KtSlime]

Best ending = Jintan dies and he is reunited with Menma. It combines both the ghost and hallucination theories. :lol

Pfft. Best ending: Anjyou gives up school and her bitchy friends and hikikomorus with Jinta, Yuki wears an aodai and hooks up with Poppo, and Turu becomes a psychiatrist and kills the ghost of Menma, just like she killed the real one 10 years ago...

 

[Crash Station]

Sekirei 11

Why would you change the ending at the 2nd to last episode?

Discipline committee girl has some awesome slasher eyes. Musubi got fucked up.

 

[Jex]

Hyouge Mono 4

Excellent as always. I just can't get over how so incredibly cultured this show is. This week we basically get a classy fashion show with old Sengoku warriors.

There was actually a rather more in depth discussion of fashion here than in Paradise Kiss, which is frankly rather baffling. But also awesome.

 

[flawfuls]

There was actually a rather more in depth discussion of fashion here than in Paradise Kiss, which is frankly rather baffling. But also awesome.

The 1500's look is like sooo coming back this year. Cherry blossom branches are like totally in.

 

[Cwarrior]

Lovely complex ep1

Show reminds me a lot of one piece its not that main girl is voice by the person who does nami but its also the jokes,character expression and the sound effects.

Entertaining and funny first episode, liking it so far.

 

[Articalys]

Another attempt to bridge the Mari Okada gap:

Entirely predictable, but amusing nonetheless.

I guess I'm just less of a natural cynic than most people here, as I'm content enough with where AnoHana is now and will let it play out however.
Hopefully Iroha will start having more story arcs and less one-off episodes though.

 

[Crash Station]

Sekirei 12

The incantations seem broken as hell if even a shitty Sekirei like Kuno and a newly emerged one can fuck up the elites. Why hold back a trump card like that if it only does minimal damage to the caster and only costs a kiss?

Overall, this series was a good introduction. The fanservice was annoying at times, but it didn't detract from the battles outside a few instances. Can't really do much about that since it's Pokemon with tits.

Guess Pure Engagement is up next, but maybe I'll take a break from this first and finish Betterman.

 

[Hellsing321]

Tiger and Bunny 8
Ivan was so moe and yet so badass this episode. Great to see Tiger busting his ass for Barnaby is starting to get through to him too.