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Spring Anime 2013 |OT -7| My Giant CG Pony Can't Possibly Read This Much Baudelaire
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Awful Falafel
Banned
Girl und Panzer 1-12
So I kind of dismissed this shows as trashy loli pandering like strike witches or upotte but with tanks. All the hype made me give it a shot and I'm pretty happy that I reconsidered. I've seen comparisons to mecha and sports shows which seems relatively spot on to me on what this show's strengths are. All the action, tension, and set pieces more than make up for the weak characters and comedy and makes this really feel like a shounen show.
In fact I'd say it had one of the best shounen finales of all time. Definitely beats Kenshin vs. Shishio for me (tales of the Meiji never happened) and the FMA:B finale (though any fight with King Bradley topped that ending). Only exception I can think of is maybe the Gurren Lagann one but it comes pretty damn close.
All in all a pretty good action show if you can look past it's trappings.
Which brings me to that genre I've been kind of ignoring. What's a good magical girl show to start with?
I've seen and enjoyed Madoka Magica and Little Witch Academia but otherwise not much else in the genre. I also liked Kannagi and Kamichu but those are more slice of life with god powers, oh and of course Kiki's delivery service.
I was considering Heartcatch Precure, Sailor Moon, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and Cardcaptor Sakura but I'm not sure which ones have aged well or whether they really live up to their praises.
So I kind of dismissed this shows as trashy loli pandering like strike witches or upotte but with tanks. All the hype made me give it a shot and I'm pretty happy that I reconsidered. I've seen comparisons to mecha and sports shows which seems relatively spot on to me on what this show's strengths are. All the action, tension, and set pieces more than make up for the weak characters and comedy and makes this really feel like a shounen show.
In fact I'd say it had one of the best shounen finales of all time. Definitely beats Kenshin vs. Shishio for me (tales of the Meiji never happened) and the FMA:B finale (though any fight with King Bradley topped that ending). Only exception I can think of is maybe the Gurren Lagann one but it comes pretty damn close.
All in all a pretty good action show if you can look past it's trappings.
Which brings me to that genre I've been kind of ignoring. What's a good magical girl show to start with?
I've seen and enjoyed Madoka Magica and Little Witch Academia but otherwise not much else in the genre. I also liked Kannagi and Kamichu but those are more slice of life with god powers, oh and of course Kiki's delivery service.
I was considering Heartcatch Precure, Sailor Moon, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and Cardcaptor Sakura but I'm not sure which ones have aged well or whether they really live up to their praises.
Dedication Through Light
Member
Really? I like their designs. Was hoping theyd get figures too.
Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital
The tricks took a backstage to swordfighting, motorcycle-chasing action, and what puzzles there were relied too heavily on Japanese knowledge for me to solve them while watching.
Conan's gadgets also basically didn't appear - the only fancy thing was
. Apparently the same trick was used before this movie, but it was new to me.
It wasn't particularly good, nor particularly bad. Overall, it was just blah (verdict is 4 or 5 over ten), so I moved on to the next movie right afterwards.
Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky
Hell yeah, much better than the last one. Now this is a Conan movie. Actually, it's also a Magic Kaito movie, which by proxy means it's a Sailor Moon movie, so it gets a pass from me because yay magical girls (ha).
The mystery side of things completely made up for the last movie.
Conan's gadgets also got plenty of use, but Kid got the better end of that too.
.
On the topic of rotoscoping that's all the rage these days, I laughed at the credits (they included live-action shots of scenes in the movie). I don't think it was actually rotoscoped - though there was some CG, both in this movie and the previous one - but the idea of
and painting over it to save animation costs made me laugh.
Anyway, verdict is a solid 7/10, pushing 8. Definitely the best Conan movie out of the ones I've seen. We'll see if that holds true once I'm through with the other half dozen I've got!
2013, Year of the Magical Girl! Even if I hadn't read the manga (which is great, by the way), it's my policy to watch at least a couple episodes of every new magical girl series. If they don't screw up the adaptation, this one'll be a keeper.
The tricks took a backstage to swordfighting, motorcycle-chasing action, and what puzzles there were relied too heavily on Japanese knowledge for me to solve them while watching.
Conan's gadgets also basically didn't appear - the only fancy thing was
Haibara's drug to temporarily restore Shinichi's body
It wasn't particularly good, nor particularly bad. Overall, it was just blah (verdict is 4 or 5 over ten), so I moved on to the next movie right afterwards.
Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky
Hell yeah, much better than the last one. Now this is a Conan movie. Actually, it's also a Magic Kaito movie, which by proxy means it's a Sailor Moon movie, so it gets a pass from me because yay magical girls (ha).
The mystery side of things completely made up for the last movie.
Kid's disguises were obvious to both me and Conan, but that just made it more interesting to see how he was going to succeed despite that. The little I know about Detective Conan includes the fact that he never catches Kid, so I knew I could expect a dramatic twist or three, and I got 'em.
A gun that shoots cards? Well why the hell not! And a hang-glider built into his cape because apparently he's not only Tuxedo Mask, but also Batman. The bit with the retractable wire was also amazing
On the topic of rotoscoping that's all the rage these days, I laughed at the credits (they included live-action shots of scenes in the movie). I don't think it was actually rotoscoped - though there was some CG, both in this movie and the previous one - but the idea of
crashing a plane
Anyway, verdict is a solid 7/10, pushing 8. Definitely the best Conan movie out of the ones I've seen. We'll see if that holds true once I'm through with the other half dozen I've got!
2013, Year of the Magical Girl! Even if I hadn't read the manga (which is great, by the way), it's my policy to watch at least a couple episodes of every new magical girl series. If they don't screw up the adaptation, this one'll be a keeper.
broke
You don't really need two kidneys. This is the land of opportunity!
You're outside the paradigm of good or bad. You are DTL.
I didn't mind Crossroads in the Ancient Capital (nor was I blown away), but damn was that CG motorcycle riding some of the stupidest CG I've seen. I'm interested to know your ranking of the movies once you're through them all.
This is one of those injokes that you're really disappointed nobody stepped in to stop before it went this far.
Strange ways to spell Aku no Hana!!!!
Road to redemption.
I rather liked this episode. I was amused as always and it had some interesting character touches involving Mahiro and his attitude to his situation. Really not a fan of the new opening song though.
So wanted to smack the main protagonist with part of a brick wall. Cheered when his sister punched him in the face. At this point, if it was just him I'd be dropping the show.
Titans creep me out. Its the teeth.
R_thanatos
Member
i feel your pain .. I still plan to watch the next episode to see how they will handle that annoyance and see the new cloth designs in action.
if by then it hasn't improved i'll drop it.
They explain it in the episode where they meet up with her again. Volfogg says that the Repli-Earth is identical to the real Earth, except it is of a lighter pigment. Meaning that it isn't just Papillon's skin, but the entire world is lighter. Why they did this I have no idea, as the only place it is obvious is in the white Papillon. It's baffling, so I just walked away from it and was like "Let's just enjoy the amazing fights instead."
ZachDeKoromaru
Banned
Nanoha StrikerS 26 (END - Rewatch)
This was a much needed rewatch that gave me a renewed perspective on a show that I both sort of like despite its many, MANY flaws but absolutely dislike for what it did to a great series that is also one of my favorites of all time. StrikerS just lacks the soul Nanoha once had, the soul that involves cute girls shooting deadly magical beams at each other for the sake of friendship and saving the universe. But instead we get a show that looks like it got half the budget A's had spread across twice as many episodes, a new cast of main/support characters that besides Subaru and Tiana I couldn't care any less about, familiar faces who largely lack the personalities that made them endearing (Nanoha, Fate), training episodes that almost never felt like it progressed the story or made the characters who were training stronger, some incredibly lame fight scenes that would make young Nanoha cry herself to sleep, and pretty much everything else that made this show so very un Nanoha.
As an action show, StrikerS is at least decent. I'll be the first to say that I LOVE the last few episodes, as it has the vast majority of the good action scenes contained within it and Nanoha and Fate returned to being the badasses I know they can be. I just wish this really wasn't a sequel to something as perfect as Nanoha A's, whose only real problem was setting the bar for the next thing in the series incredibly high. Right now the only thing that can bring me hope is the Movie 3rd, as I doubt Seven Arcs is going to make a new TV series anytime soon.
This isn't from 26 but this was undoubtedly the happiest I've ever been seeing someone befriended
This was a much needed rewatch that gave me a renewed perspective on a show that I both sort of like despite its many, MANY flaws but absolutely dislike for what it did to a great series that is also one of my favorites of all time. StrikerS just lacks the soul Nanoha once had, the soul that involves cute girls shooting deadly magical beams at each other for the sake of friendship and saving the universe. But instead we get a show that looks like it got half the budget A's had spread across twice as many episodes, a new cast of main/support characters that besides Subaru and Tiana I couldn't care any less about, familiar faces who largely lack the personalities that made them endearing (Nanoha, Fate), training episodes that almost never felt like it progressed the story or made the characters who were training stronger, some incredibly lame fight scenes that would make young Nanoha cry herself to sleep, and pretty much everything else that made this show so very un Nanoha.
As an action show, StrikerS is at least decent. I'll be the first to say that I LOVE the last few episodes, as it has the vast majority of the good action scenes contained within it and Nanoha and Fate returned to being the badasses I know they can be. I just wish this really wasn't a sequel to something as perfect as Nanoha A's, whose only real problem was setting the bar for the next thing in the series incredibly high. Right now the only thing that can bring me hope is the Movie 3rd, as I doubt Seven Arcs is going to make a new TV series anytime soon.
I am looking forward to it, given its set around a shooter not a MMO in the next arc. I imagine this will amp up the neogaf reaction.
RyougaSaotome
Member
Tamako Market 1-2
Been catching up on all of last season's stuff finally, and next up on my list is Tamako Market. Really charming setting that hits super close to home (there's a shopping arcade just like that near my place). KyoAni once again proves that they're the kings and queens of replicating day to day Japanese life. I have a student who's the daughter of a mochi maker, so it's not hard for me to be invested in Tamako's goofy, sweet nature.
Loved episode 2.
I'm all in.
Been catching up on all of last season's stuff finally, and next up on my list is Tamako Market. Really charming setting that hits super close to home (there's a shopping arcade just like that near my place). KyoAni once again proves that they're the kings and queens of replicating day to day Japanese life. I have a student who's the daughter of a mochi maker, so it's not hard for me to be invested in Tamako's goofy, sweet nature.
Loved episode 2.
Midori having feelings for Tamako is super sweet, and the way its handled and the subsequent message of "it's ok to have feelings for anybody" was really great. Living in this country, it's sometimes painful to hear people comment on homosexuality, but KyoAni did a really great job of not handling it like every other anime series.
I'm all in.
RyougaSaotome
Member
I haven't watched any Precure, and Sailor Moon is something I haven't seen in a very long time, so I don't feel comfortable commenting on either.
Utena and CCS on the other hand are fairly recent watches for me, and I feel comfortable recommending either of them. They have their slow, not so great moments, but I think both shows are absolute requirements.
EDIT: AW SHIT. Sorry for the double post. Internet got all wonky on me at work. =(
I'm not very familiar with Magical Girl as a genre, but if you're looking for thrilling action, Heartcatch is as good as it gets.
I reckon all of those are good, but for extremely different reasons.
F/SN anime is garbage, and you don't need to know anything else to watch F/Z.
ZachDeKoromaru
Banned
Being somewhat familiar with the F/S N universe is probably best when watching Zero, but isn't needed at all. I haven't heard a single good thing about the anime, so I'd recommend not watching that.
The Vision of Escaflowne 1
This is sort of a weird looking show, but I definitely remember watching this show for a little while when I was a kid. Pretty sure there are people with giant wings at some point. Anyway Fantasy Prince Kid is a dick, and Hitomi sort of looks like a boy. Also, there wasn't exactly any Fantasy Mecha in this episode.
Still, it comes highly recommended, so I'll give it a whirl.
This is sort of a weird looking show, but I definitely remember watching this show for a little while when I was a kid. Pretty sure there are people with giant wings at some point. Anyway Fantasy Prince Kid is a dick, and Hitomi sort of looks like a boy. Also, there wasn't exactly any Fantasy Mecha in this episode.
Still, it comes highly recommended, so I'll give it a whirl.
Save 'N Quit
Banned
Amnesia Episode 12
I came to this series with absolutely low to zero expectations. In fact, looking at the summary alone, I had myself dropping this series early on and never actually finishing it. Well turns out it wasn't as bad as I originally thought.
First about the final episode. Wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad either. Sure the creator fairy being the cause of all the world hopping came out of left field but it sure isn't the worst thing that's been revealed in a final episode. I think I'm supposed to be sad about her never being able to see fairy boy again, but I honestly think its good riddance. Kid was easily the worst thing about the show and I'm honestly glad they ditched him for the majority of it.
Art style was fine for the most part. The eye and clothing design for each character was kinda awkward at first but I just went along with it and accepted it with each passing episode.
My opinion to the characters themselves varied. I truly wish the boys would have appeared more than just the episodes when they were the boyfriends. Toma I like for his yandere qualities, but Kento was snubbed big time just for his two episodes and a half. Shin was forgettable and the only time I cared about Ikki was in his own story. N was basically a background character until near the end, but his split personality definitely brought in some entertainment. Still mad that the mob characters only got away with a stern talking to from Ikki even though they did try to kill someone. Other characters like Sawa and the manager I liked and wished they had more appearances in the series.
MC girl was bad. Already stated how idiotic she seemed to be and wish someone else (Sawa) would have replaced her as the heroine. Oh and I STILL DON'T KNOW HER NAME!!!!!! They seriously couldn't even be bothered to say it in the final episode??? What a rip off.
And now for the most important part:
Best Guy Ranking
Toma > N > Kento > Ikki > Shin
Best Boyfriend Ranking
Kento > N > Ikki > Shin > Toma
6/10 Decent. Everytime MC was left alone was boring and the only good moments happened when she was interacting with the boys or was in the cafe. I don't think I'll rewatch the series but it certainly gave me more entertainment than what I expected it to.
RyougaSaotome
Member
Fate/Zero was written after Stay Night, so there're some details you might miss the relevance of if you watch it first, though I think it is BY FAR the better show in every conceivable way. It's also important to note that it's very possible to love one and hate the other, as the overall tone is very different between the two.
I'm not at all a fan of the Stay Night adaptation either, but meh.
Heartcatch PreCure!
Episode 14
---
It's interesting to see when shows like this for a younger crowd decide to tackle more mature theme's such as this episode being a Mother's Day themed episode but centered around a family
I thought it was pretty well done showing a glimpse of the struggle the older sister faces in trying to take care of her younger sister as a mother would and having to basically grow up fast but still wanting to do the things kids do such as playing with friends. The younger sister wanting to give the Mother's Day flowers to her mother directly to hear what she thinks personally instead of everyone telling her she would be happy.
It kind of gets mono no aware around the end and overall I thought it was a pretty well done episode again for Heartcatch.
Episode 14
---
It's interesting to see when shows like this for a younger crowd decide to tackle more mature theme's such as this episode being a Mother's Day themed episode but centered around a family
whose mother has passed away.
Basically her learning to accept she's gone at such a young age.
Heartcatch is VERY girly, to the point of them using stuff like makeup and perfume to transform. If you're fine with that, go for Heartcatch Precure. Its pretty fun stuff.
Sailor Moon is classic and uses a lot of formulaic monster of the week stuff but its an icon that should be watched. At least the first season.
Utena isnt magic girl so much in the traditional sense. Its just...Utena. Its fucking bizarre and amazing and filled with sexual innuendo.
Cardcaptor Sakura is a classic mahou shoujo anime with the cuteness levels ramped up to Max and probably broke the dial to achieve an even higher level. Its refreshing in that Sakura has a different outfit in every episode and not always a monster (card) of the week. It mixes it up sometimes.
Of the four, I would say start with Sailor Moon. Its the most well known of the shows and the others have derivative parts from it. But you cant go wrong with any of these.
Dedication Through Light
Member
Attack on Titan 2
I guess the best result of the episode. Anyway, I think I largely felt like the episode could have been better and not really liking the direction it seems like it is trying to go. Its almost as if they are trying to pain Mikasa as some strong character while having Eren and even Armin be weak of sorts. Further than that, I hope I am wrong, but I bet theyll even have Eren constantly fail missions and stuff. I like his personality and what not as it is definitely the breath of fresh air needed in this anime that seems like it may just stay consistently and constantly depressing. These two episodes so far made me miss what I like most in my lead characters, everyone is all scared and what not and lack any sort of heart or whatever. Where are characters filled with courage, undying determination, and strength to tackle and and every task thrown at them, the true go getter's in life? If it had that, maybe if Eren embraces those ideas and maybe gets some close rival/partner character, then I think I will finally warm up to this anime as a whole and that it would also improve considerably.
The beginning segment is odd to and kind of a weak premise. ~100 years ago Thousands of Titans just "somehow" appeared and nearly extinguished the human race and somehow they had enough time to build, without the aid of modern tools these huge stone walls? (the titans didnt attack in the process?).
Eren Armin moment is most memorable and was mindblown at the titan,
I guess the best result of the episode. Anyway, I think I largely felt like the episode could have been better and not really liking the direction it seems like it is trying to go. Its almost as if they are trying to pain Mikasa as some strong character while having Eren and even Armin be weak of sorts. Further than that, I hope I am wrong, but I bet theyll even have Eren constantly fail missions and stuff. I like his personality and what not as it is definitely the breath of fresh air needed in this anime that seems like it may just stay consistently and constantly depressing. These two episodes so far made me miss what I like most in my lead characters, everyone is all scared and what not and lack any sort of heart or whatever. Where are characters filled with courage, undying determination, and strength to tackle and and every task thrown at them, the true go getter's in life? If it had that, maybe if Eren embraces those ideas and maybe gets some close rival/partner character, then I think I will finally warm up to this anime as a whole and that it would also improve considerably.
The beginning segment is odd to and kind of a weak premise. ~100 years ago Thousands of Titans just "somehow" appeared and nearly extinguished the human race and somehow they had enough time to build, without the aid of modern tools these huge stone walls? (the titans didnt attack in the process?).
Eren Armin moment is most memorable and was mindblown at the titan,
these things have to be synthetic? no way they are actually humans or whatever, the team and the metallic sound?
Attack on Titan = Gargantia > Aku no Hana > Azazel-san Z > Valvrave > Maou-sama > Majestic Prince > Hentai Ouji > Devil Survivor 2 > Date A Live (still morbidly curious) > Yahari (dropped) > Foto Kano (dropped)
Still need to watch:
Muromi-san
Red Data Girl
Nope not gonna watch can't make me
OreImo S2
Still need to watch:
Muromi-san
Red Data Girl
Nope not gonna watch can't make me
OreImo S2
Ultimadrago
Member
Attack on Titan 2
Why are people wasting their limited rations?!
Escaflowne is goooooooooood. Legit good. The villain is kind of insane and that makes him really memorable and the art style stands out. Musically it is absolutely classic. And yes, there are people with giant wings.
As someone who actually enjoyed Fate Stay Night...stay the fuck away from Fate Stay Night.
ZachDeKoromaru
Banned
Maybe shounen tears are like dressing.
Ultimadrago
Member
I'm going to hold you down.
Well...from what I recall it is a MMO shooter, but not a scifi/fantasy one.
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
Heartcatch is the most :firehawk season of Precure.
Like I said, it comes well recommended, so I'll give it its due chance.
Majestic Prince 2
Oh my goodness, the giant boobed mechanic woman may well be the worst Hirai design ever. She's a goddamn catastrophe to look upon.
That said, the idea of being corporately sponsored heroes was okay, but not as well handled as humorously handled as in Martian Successor Nadesico. That's really my problem with the show so far: it isn't as funny as it seems to think it is.
And she calls herself Boss, and while her design has similarities to The Boss, she doesn't stack up.
Regulus Tera
Romanes Eunt Domus
Utena should be mandatory viewing for every anime fan.
All those shows are pretty timeless, though.
Out of those, the best starting point is Card Captor Sakura. It's just a perfect show, and also the most traditional of the shows you listed.
Heartcatch Precure is badass, and would be the second best starting point. As a Precure series not named Smile, it has a lot more punching than the average magical girl show; the art style is pretty far out; and the team dynamic is fairly modern. But other than those, it's quite traditional as well.
Utena is 10/10 great, but only lightly / superficially magical girl. It's more hardcore.
Sailor Moon is 200 episodes long and greatly varies in quality. The third season, S, is astounding, but you have to get through the average-at-best second season, R, to get to it. It's more or less the show that brought the Super Sentai team dynamic to magical girls.
But you should watch all of those eventually, they're all top-tier. Also check out Princess Tutu, Re: Cutey Honey, and Nanoha the Movie 1st and 2nd.
It's pretty darn sci-fi. How else would Kirito getQuasar said:
a lightsaber to cut bullets with
Hot!
-Heartcatch Precure I'm currently watching. I like it a lot, but it's very girly and frilly, if that turns you off.
-Sailor Moon I absolutely love, but it's a very long series, so you may want to keep that in mind. I still haven't finished it lol (plan to fix that sometime this summer break).
-Revolutionary Girl Utena: see avatar. It may be my favorite anime ever. But it's VERY bizarre and sexual, and makes heavy use of symbolism and abstractness. Also really isn't the same thing as the other series you've mentioned.
-Never seen CCS.
I would recommend starting with SM. If you like that and want to keep going, do that. If you like it, but don't want to watch 200 episodes and 3 movies as your only exposure, watch Heartcatch in between. If you don't like SM, then you probably won't like Heartcatch, but don't let that stop you from watching Utena.
Seraphis Cain
bad gameplay lol
Ultimadrago x moonspeak doujins plz
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