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Winter 2012 Anime Thread 2.22: You Can (Not) Outpost Cajunator

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Branduil

Member
Birdy the Mighty DECODE 08

stargazing.jpg

So :firehawk

There was some nice background art in this episode, which was important for establishing the setting and the atmosphere. The second half of the episode had excellent sound design as well, it was very effective at pulling you into the show.

 

Kagami

Member
Thats an odd place to drop, considering the second half has raised the bar on Shu's epicness, as well as missing The Everlasting Guilty Crown.
Eh I dropped it at 11, myself.
From what I've read of reactions since then, it sounds like it's just as well.
I still read the /a/ threads on it every week though; they've been amusing.
 

Brazil

Living in the shadow of Amaz
I'm very apprehensive of touching that piece of shit ever again. I hyped it up way too much when I first heard of the staff behind it. How did it go wrong??? ;_;

No, yeah, the series is definitely crap. The second half is more interesting, though, and the new OP is wonderful.
 

frostbyte

Member
BRS anime is super LOL. Its fucking awful. It crosses the boundary into AWESOME awful.

I only ever watched the OVA because of the song and Yamamoto's big mouth. Holy crap what a steaming pile that was. and don't make me mention Fractale.


Thats an odd place to drop, considering the second half has raised the bar on Shu's epicness, as well as missing The Everlasting Guilty Crown.

I'm sorry I was weak, I couldn't take it anymore. Does it become watchable from there on?

No, yeah, the series is definitely crap. The second half is more interesting, though, and the new OP is wonderful.

I guess I'll give it another three episode test again, just for the OP. If it doesn't grab me, then I'll ditch it forever.
 

madp

The Light of El Cantare
I've lurked around a bit in this thread to check it out. Seems pretty safe since there isn't any weird fanart around :p Hope to have a good time here! Do you guys usually just discuss the current season of anime?

I've been watching a bit of this current/continuing from last season and to me it's kinda middling. Maybe I'm not choosing the right shows or I dropped it too early? Would like some recommendations.

Nisemonogatari: awesome as expected. up to date
Guilty Crown: so so shitty and derivative. Only the OP/music was good. dropped at ep 12
Ano Natsu: seemed so cliche. expected to enjoy it since I loved Ano Hana and Toradora. on hold at ep 2
Persona 4: mildly entertaining. up to date.
Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou: amazing. up to date.
Amagami SS+: watchable. worst than last season. up to date.

Hey, welcome! We discuss everything here, it's not just limited to what's airing. Feel free to post about anything that you watch.

Other people have the Mouretsu Pirates recommendation covered, so I'll also recommend Rinne no Lagrange. It's a competent mecha series with quality music and animation and a mostly-female main cast. Personally, I'm enjoying it more than anything else this season save for Danshi Koukousei, though they're nothing alike so I can't exactly recommend it just based on the fact that you like Nichibros (which is a great choice to watch, good for you.) Give it a try, it's free to watch on Hulu!
 
I've lurked around a bit in this thread to check it out. Seems pretty safe since there isn't any weird fanart around :p Hope to have a good time here! Do you guys usually just discuss the current season of anime?

I've been watching a bit of this current/continuing from last season and to me it's kinda middling. Maybe I'm not choosing the right shows or I dropped it too early? Would like some recommendations.

Nisemonogatari: awesome as expected. up to date
Guilty Crown: so so shitty and derivative. Only the OP/music was good. dropped at ep 12
Ano Natsu: seemed so cliche. expected to enjoy it since I loved Ano Hana and Toradora. on hold at ep 2
Persona 4: mildly entertaining. up to date.
Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou: amazing. up to date.
Amagami SS+: watchable. worst than last season. up to date.

It's a relatively weak season, and everyone will agree on that. In fact, most people here will think less of it than you, since Nisemonogatari is not well-liked. Still, there are some good shows. I'd encourage you to keep watching Ano Natsu - it's a much better show than Ano Hana, as the narrative has a stronger focus and the direction is generally solid and sensitive, refraining from over-the-top melodrama. The other two new shows I quite like are Daily Lives, which you're already watching, and Natsume S4, which has had a couple weaker episodes but mostly has been at or near the high quality level of the original season. Besides that, there's Milky Holmes S2, which I've only seen an episode of so far (since I need to watch the first season) but seems like a fun wacky comedy, and Poyopoyo which is a nice weekly 3 minute bundle of cute cats. The continuing shows Gintama and Chihayafuru are also well worth watching.
 
Fairy Tail 26-27
tumblr_lvj3unfF5g1qcnoxxo1_r1_500.gif

Well the fight was pretty intense and epic. Was definitely pleased with how Gajeel v Natsu turned out and the intense action. I was about to scramble to find my volumes to see how in the world I missed that both of them could fly and fight in the air but it was cool. The backstory put in was really touching and heartwarming, I almost teared up with kid Natsu in the guild and being embarrassed over inability to read and write much.

But even though I know the outcome of the fight they did an excellent job of making it appear that it wasnt going to go that way leaving me in suspense.

Bradley's voice from FMA BroHood works great for Master Jose, Gajeel seemed like one I never heard before, and Loke, Natsu, Gray have perfect voices.
 

frostbyte

Member
Hey, welcome! We discuss everything here, it's not just limited to what's airing. Feel free to post about anything that you watch.

Other people have the Mouretsu Pirates recommendation covered, so I'll also recommend Rinne no Lagrange. It's a competent mecha series with quality music and animation and a mostly-female main cast. Personally, I'm enjoying it more than anything else this season save for Danshi Koukousei, though they're nothing alike so I can't exactly recommend it just based on the fact that you like Nichibros (which is a great choice to watch, good for you.) Give it a try, it's free to watch on Hulu!

Thanks! I'll think about giving Mouretsu Pirates and Rinne no Lagrange a try.

Guilty Crown episode 12 is the best episode of the show, if the insanity of that didn't entertain you then there's no point in continuing.

It's just I expected so much more from the staff of that caliber. I'll give it another 3 episodes before deciding though.

It's a relatively weak season, and everyone will agree on that. In fact, most people here will think less of it than you, since Nisemonogatari is not well-liked. Still, there are some good shows. I'd encourage you to keep watching Ano Natsu - it's a much better show than Ano Hana, as the narrative has a stronger focus and the direction is generally solid and sensitive, refraining from over-the-top melodrama. The other two new shows I quite like are Daily Lives, which you're already watching, and Natsume S4, which has had a couple weaker episodes but mostly has been at or near the high quality level of the original season. Besides that, there's Milky Holmes S2, which I've only seen an episode of so far (since I need to watch the first season) but seems like a fun wacky comedy, and Poyopoyo which is a nice weekly 3 minute bundle of cute cats. The continuing shows Gintama and Chihayafuru are also well worth watching.

Really? Most people I talk to, including some anime bloggers, gush about Bake/Nisemonogatari. I thought that had near universal praise, other than SHAFT's love-it-or-hate-it animation style.

I want to watch Natsume S4 but I haven't watched the previous 3 seasons yet. Same thing with Milky Holmes and Gintama. I've heard good things about Gintama but marathoning those 200+ eps are gonna be hard.
 

iavi

Member
I don't know much about what happened at Madhouse, but it is my understanding that nonconformity wasn't the sole reason for their problems. Obviously it remains to be seen how successful Mappa will be.

I didn't mean that to state the obvious, but incite discussion on trend. Being roundabout doesn't help, it seems, lol.

Imagine what happens when they make a yuasa show afterwards.. I heard he is working on something this year at least.

I swear, If Yuasa is next up on Mappa's list, it'd feel like they were formed for the sole purpose of writing me a love letter. Past him, that'd be taking Nakayama from his cameras, or the Dream Machine.
 

cajunator

Banned
Thanks! I'll think about giving Mouretsu Pirates and Rinne no Lagrange a try.



It's just I expected so much more from the staff of that caliber. I'll give it another 3 episodes before deciding though.



Really? Most people I talk to, including some anime bloggers, gush about Bake/Nisemonogatari. I thought that had near universal praise, other than SHAFT's love-it-or-hate-it animation style.

I want to watch Natsume S4 but I haven't watched the previous 3 seasons yet. Same thing with Milky Holmes and Gintama. I've heard good things about Gintama but marathoning those 200+ eps are gonna be hard.

I like Rinne no Lagrange too, but the latest episodes have been somewhat weaker. It needs to pick up a bit before I'd really recommend it.
 
Really? Most people I talk to, including some anime bloggers, gush about Bake/Nisemonogatari. I thought that had near universal praise, other than SHAFT's love-it-or-hate-it animation style.

Something to know about AnimeGAF is that there are often shows which are widely praised in the larger anime community but strongly disliked in here. Ano Hana would be an example. As far as Nise goes, you not only have the contingent of Shaft haters but you also have the contingent of people such as myself who enjoyed Bake and see Nise as a notable drop in quality in every way.

I want to watch Natsume S4 but I haven't watched the previous 3 seasons yet. Same thing with Milky Holmes and Gintama. I've heard good things about Gintama but marathoning those 200+ eps are gonna be hard.

Gintama is long, but well worth it. Fortunately as a mostly episodic comedy, it's easy to just watch an episode whenever you feel like it. If you like Daily Lives, it's got a similar style of humor (and several of the same staff), only crazier and better.
 

Brazil

Living in the shadow of Amaz
Mawaru-Penguindrum 1

Man, this show seems so stylish. The backgrounds in their house are freakishly awesome.

I've been told that this is good stuff. Looking forward to it.

uHllf.jpg
 

madp

The Light of El Cantare
There's not actually universal dislike for Nisemonogatari among AnimeGAF. Like with many things, the critics are louder than the fans, which isn't any sort of statement on the validity of the criticism, just an observation. Any discussion involving SHAFT falls apart quickly so it's best to stay out of such discussions entirely.

It's the only studio that you can denigrate wholesale and not be asked for a more nuanced opinion on the matter.
 

frostbyte

Member
Something to know about AnimeGAF is that there are often shows which are widely praised in the larger anime community but strongly disliked in here. Ano Hana would be an example. As far as Nise goes, you not only have the contingent of Shaft haters but you also have the contingent of people such as myself who enjoyed Bake and see Nise as a notable drop in quality in every way.

Really, could you elaborate? Nise is pretty much the successor to Bake in every way. We still have the usual Shinbou SHAFT suspects: tilting heads, close ups to the eyes, abstract scene changes, etc. Koyomi still has a thousand fetishes, there's the constant roundabout maneuvering and one-ups in their dialogue that furthers the character chemistry and interaction; it's still as pretentious as ever. I don't really see what's that different.

and for the record, I don't really prefer SHAFT's style, except in Bake/Nise and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. I just find Shinbou a blatant hack.

Mawaru-Penguindrum 1

Man, this show seems so stylish. The backgrounds in their house are freakishly awesome.

I've been told that this is good stuff. Looking forward to it.

http://i.imgur.com/uHllf.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]

Oh yeah, Penguindrum is great. I really like the grandiose style. I won't elaborate since I might spoil something :P


[quote="Mad Pierrot, post: 35914752"]There's not actually universal dislike for Nisemonogatari among AnimeGAF. Like with many things, the critics are louder than the fans, which isn't any sort of statement on the validity of the criticism, just an observation. Any discussion involving SHAFT falls apart quickly so it's best to stay out of such discussions entirely.

It's the only studio that you can denigrate wholesale and not be asked for a more nuanced opinion on the matter.[/QUOTE]

I find Evangelion-age GAINAX another studio that's constantly flamed/put on a pedestal.
 

madp

The Light of El Cantare
Brave 10 08:

Errbody on the boat gettin' tipsy. Nothing of consequence happened. NOTHING. Somehow in 22 minutes, Yukimura got his final Brave and then it was one long scene of everyone getting wasted in celebration. The new character is a waste of Nakai Kazuya's voice.

Brave 10 09:

Shitty twist #1:
Suddenly, Ana's a spy! Let's have lots of jiggling tits and crotch shots to reward the male viewers that have made it this far
.

Shitty twist #2:
The kushimitama isn't dangerous, it's Isanami! She's some kind of evil thing that sucks people into the underworld!
And how do we know this? Because lol sudden Yukimura intuition or something.

And because I convinced cajun to drop this series in exchange for HNNNNNNG pictures of Isanami:

 
Really, could you elaborate? Nise is pretty much the successor to Bake in every way. We still have the usual Shinbou SHAFT suspects: tilting heads, close ups to the eyes, abstract scene changes, etc. Koyomi still has a thousand fetishes, there's the constant roundabout maneuvering and one-ups in their dialogue that furthers the character chemistry and interaction; it's still as pretentious as ever. I don't really see what's that different.

There are two main problems with Nise.

1) The source material. Bake was a collection of relatively short, concise arcs, each with a strong focus on one character and one goal. Nise is much more rambling, with Araragi wandering around and having aimless conversations with each of his harem members for a while before finally buckling down to tackle the real plot. This self-indulgence on Nisioisin's part causes the structure to fall apart.

2) The direction. There have been a couple episodes which are at or near the quality of the best Bake episodes, but most have been much weaker. Overall it's been watered down - less creative camera angles and duller editing and pacing. It often feels like it's going through the motions instead of actually putting its style to good use.

and for the record, I don't really prefer SHAFT's style, except in Bake/Nise and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. I just find Shinbou a blatant hack.

My understanding is that Shinbo doesn't really direct any Shaft shows himself; he's just given them his style and sat back to get credit as chief director while the series director on each show actually does more of the work. This produces mixed results, as some people are more capable of working within Shinbo's unusual style than others. Tatsuya Oishi, series director of Bakemonogatari, is one of the better ones, and his absence from Nise is obvious. He's directing the Kizumonogatari movie, and I expect that to be much better.
 
Brave 10 09:

Shitty twist #1:
Suddenly, Ana's a spy! Let's have lots of jiggling tits and crotch shots to reward the male viewers that have made it this far
.

Shitty twist #2:
The kushimitama isn't dangerous, it's Isanami! She's some kind of evil thing that sucks people into the underworld!
And how do we know this? Because lol sudden Yukimura intuition or something.

And because I convinced cajun to drop this series in exchange for HNNNNNNG pictures of Isanami:

I wonder how they can recover from Twist 1
lose of mukuro and the ice witch means were back to brave 8, two steps back
 
Ah! My Goddess: The Adventures of the Mini-Goddess 06-12
Yes, at least you noticed Belldandy.
Besides that, I am enjoying the wackiness of this show. We have mold-ratzilla attacks, aliens from the Planet Can Food, a businessman bad luck cat and pretty much just craziness all around. I do enjoy that the mini-goddess can multiply themselves so we can get baseball games and military adventures.
Speaking of baseball games, it was my favorite one out of these, with such over top moves like this:
 

madp

The Light of El Cantare
I wonder how they can recover from Twist 1
lose of mukuro and the ice witch means were back to brave 8, two steps back

Date's ninja stooges switch sides, obviously.

Seriously, spend three-quarters of the series gathering the Braves and then suddenly take some away? WHY AM I WATCHING THIS
 

frostbyte

Member
There are two main problems with Nise.

1) The source material. Bake was a collection of relatively short, concise arcs, each with a strong focus on one character and one goal. Nise is much more rambling, with Araragi wandering around and having aimless conversations with each of his harem members for a while before finally buckling down to tackle the real plot. This self-indulgence on Nisioisin's part causes the structure to fall apart.

2) The direction. There have been a couple episodes which are at or near the quality of the best Bake episodes, but most have been much weaker. Overall it's been watered down - less creative camera angles and duller editing and pacing. It often feels like it's going through the motions instead of actually putting its style to good use.

I can accept that. Nise does seem more roundabout and doesn't seem as focused as Bake.
I'm undecided on the direction though. I didn't really notice any major part that felt as though the camera angles and style were tacked on. Then again, I didn't really focus on this particularly when watching.

My understanding is that Shinbo doesn't really direct any Shaft shows himself; he's just given them his style and sat back to get credit as chief director while the series director on each show actually does more of the work. This produces mixed results, as some people are more capable of working within Shinbo's unusual style than others. Tatsuya Oishi, series director of Bakemonogatari, is one of the better ones, and his absence from Nise is obvious. He's directing the Kizumonogatari movie, and I expect that to be much better.

Ah, didn't know that.
 

survivor

Banned
Ano Natsu 2

Lemon's laugh is so awesome.

Also I'm such a sucker for ending credits that play during the episode. They are so great.
 

Bullza2o

Member
Just finished trying out Ano Natsu, and somehow while watching I kept wondering, is the seiyuu for Kanna and Madoka (Lagrange) the same person?
 

cajunator

Banned
Brave 10 08:

Errbody on the boat gettin' tipsy. Nothing of consequence happened. NOTHING. Somehow in 22 minutes, Yukimura got his final Brave and then it was one long scene of everyone getting wasted in celebration. The new character is a waste of Nakai Kazuya's voice.

Brave 10 09:

Shitty twist #1:
Suddenly, Ana's a spy! Let's have lots of jiggling tits and crotch shots to reward the male viewers that have made it this far
.

Shitty twist #2:
The kushimitama isn't dangerous, it's Isanami! She's some kind of evil thing that sucks people into the underworld!
And how do we know this? Because lol sudden Yukimura intuition or something.

And because I convinced cajun to drop this series in exchange for HNNNNNNG pictures of Isanami:

I appreciate what you did sir. Shall not forget this.

Ano Natsu 2

Lemon's laugh is so awesome.

Also I'm such a sucker for ending credits that play during the episode. They are so great.
Lemon is not Kanna, but she is the second best thing about Ano Natsu.
 

Narag

Member
Armor Hunter Mellowlink 8

Aw yeah, time for some Bountydog action. The Balarant forces did a pisspoor job of inspecting the train though. This episode is weird as it's a direct continuation of the previous after everything prior being episodic. I'm curious if this means a continuation to the finish.

Infinite Stratos 7

Well, they sure went out of their way to put Laura over and the fight was cool at least but oh man, I'd been waiting forIchika's sister to step in like that and I wasn't disappointed. Shame about the harem antics to close it out.

G Gundam 20

Georde de Sand has some serious issues. A pissed off George is scarier than a pissed off Domon at this point.. The liberties taken by this show astound me sometimes too. We're in the middle of nowhere in the Guyana Highlands and George's butler is upset needs a drink. Better throw a bar in the jungle where he can park his mobile suit and get one just because.

Gundam 00 S2 7

Trans-Am remains some damn hax.
Sergei is probably the most sympathetic character as the badass ace who keeps losing everything important to him.

Sailor Moon 11

Jadeite's disguises are the best. Change clothing? Unrecognizable. I laughed at Rei's assertion Mamoru looked an awful lot like Tuxedo Mask and how vehemently Usagi argued against it. The youma tranformation was damn creepy too. Can't get enough of Usagi's enthusiasm but the secret star of this ep, at least in the first half, was Luna. Maybe I didn't notice it in earlier eps but she seemed to have a more feline body language in this one, especially in using her ears to convey her feelings.

Resized maybe a bit small but didn't want to end up spamming,
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