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[Bluesummers]

Edit:  Does the youtube embed not work?

You left a "[" square bracket at the end of the link, it won't auto-parse it. Remove the bracket, the link works fine without it. 


I first though the picture was shopped, because all the characters look a little off...and then I watched the video.

HOLY SHITBALLS this is a prequel to the S.A.C series!! This...I cannot describe in words.

Ghost in the Shell is my undisputed favorite anime of all time. As such, I can't wait to see this...but by the looks of the text after the preview, it's going straight to DVD? I can't read kanji, someone needs to translate this for me   ARRGHDFSLRGNVKJVSBNFOBNSFNBKDFNTRB @__@

[pwhodges]

Here's a thread about it, with some people's considerable reservations about it.

[Cire27]

...but by the looks of the text after the preview, it's going straight to DVD?

The staff of the Ghost in the Shell Arise anime announced the details of its project on Tuesday. The project will consist of four 50-minute parts.

The first part, "Ghost Pain," will run in Japanese theaters for two weeks starting on Saturday, June 22. There will be advance Blu-ray Disc copies with a bundled scenario book available at participating theaters for 8,000 yen (about US$85). There will also be paid streaming of the project, at least in Japan. The general retail release of the first part's Blu-ray Disc and DVD will be on July 26.

I'm already tired of the bitching about the new VA's, but maybe that's because I've only ever watched GitS dubbed.

[Bluesummers]

Is Yoko Kanno still in charge of the soundtrack? That's half the experience right there...

[pwhodges]

The third Rebuild of Evangelion film: Evangelion:3.33 is coming out for home viewing much, much sooner than expected.  DVD and BD release is 24th April (in Japan).  I don't know the DVD settings (Japan itself is R2), but I gather the BD will be all regions (ABC).  Early orders will also get a new soundtrack CD.  I still expect another year before the English dub arrives, though.

[Shogouki]

Is Yoko Kanno still in charge of the soundtrack? That's half the experience right there...

Sadly I do not believe so.   

[Bluesummers]

Is Yoko Kanno still in charge of the soundtrack? That's half the experience right there...

Sadly I do not believe so.   

Hokay, I'm out.

[Cire27]

You'll totally still watch it for completionist's sake.

This guy is doing the music.

[Bluesummers]

You'll totally still watch it for completionist's sake.

You're damn right I will. I can't help it.

[GarandMarine]

I'll chime in for Angel Beats, Outlaw Star, Le Chevalier D'Eon, Tenchi Universe and the Tenchi OVAs and if you don't mind some serious business with your anime and if you can find it an incredible piece called "Flag"

[Shogouki]

Le Chevalier D'Eon and Flag are actually on my watch list right now!

[Asterus]

D'Eon is... odd. It's entertaining, but still rather odd. I guess the thing is that it was loosely based off of an actual person.

[pwhodges]

So, I finished Haibane Renmei, and enjoyed it very much.  Very gentle, and takes its time to come to a point, but ends up very satisfactorily, I'd say.

Now I've moved on to Texhnolyze, which is drawing me in - but golly, it's hard work! Dark, dark images; no one even speaks for the first twelve minutes of the first episode; and everything that happens is very obtuse.  I have no idea yet what it's really about, either.

[Cire27]

How is Texhnolyze compared to Lain in watchability?

[pwhodges]

Well, I don't know what constitutes watchability in your view.  But I find it harder work.  In Lain, you can tell what's going on most of the time, even if you can't quite understand it; but in Texhnolyze, it feels as if everything is kept as obscure as possible.  People often speak only half a sentence, and break off one word before saying what will enable you to understand; the main(ish) character's name has only been spoken twice in the eleven episodes I've watched; you get shots of just someone's eye, so it's hard even to identify them; you see whole telephone conversations without hearing a single word of either side.  The whole to show you a world so dysfunctional that you wonder why the gangs would even be fighting over it (there is a reason, but it's mentioned so rarely that you have to concentrate to catch it).  But it's well done, and I want to know how it plays out.

[Black Sword]

Texhnolyze is soul-crushingly depressing, easily as painful as Now and Then, Here and There. It's not a show I could watch more than once, unless I was doing anime video reviews.

[Shogouki]

So, I finished Haibane Renmei, and enjoyed it very much.  Very gentle, and takes its time to come to a point, but ends up very satisfactorily, I'd say.

Now I've moved on to Texhnolyze, which is drawing me in - but golly, it's hard work! Dark, dark images; no one even speaks for the first twelve minutes of the first episode; and everything that happens is very obtuse.  I have no idea yet what it's really about, either.

Glad you enjoyed it!  Definitely one that didn't stand out to me (Well aside from just about everyone, including fans of completely opposite genres, giving it huge props) until I started watching it.

Texhnolyze is soul-crushingly depressing, easily as painful as Now and Then, Here and There. It's not a show I could watch more than once, unless I was doing anime video reviews.

Soul-crushingly?  Yikes.  I haven't seen that many that I consider to be that hard (I was depressed for weeks after watching End of Evangelion).  If its well done though I might have to watch that one, though not when I'm feeling really depressed!

[pwhodges]

Texhnolyze seems to be asking the question: how far can we retain our humanity as we repair and improve our bodies more and more using technology?  Given the somewhat optimistic note that Serial Experiments Lain's discussion of the mind migrating into the universal network appeared to end on, I find it interesting that the same author's conclusion in this instance is so deeply pessimistic.

[Shogouki]

Texhnolyze seems to be asking the question: how far can we retain our humanity as we repair and improve our bodies more and more using technology?  Given the somewhat optimistic note that Serial Experiments Lain's discussion of the mind migrating into the universal network appeared to end on, I find it interesting that the same author's conclusion in this instance is so deeply pessimistic.

Not a bad idea to explore the other side of the coin as I'm certain there are just as many, if not more, dark possible outcomes of our ever increasing use of technology in all facets of our life.

[GarandMarine]

Le Chevalier D'Eon and Flag are actually on my watch list right now!

Flag is really hard to find certain parts of, I had trouble even finding a download, the second volume in particular is a bear. I believe I payed $12 + S&H for volumes 1, 3 and 4, along with the fancy box for the series, but I payed $20 for volume 2... after looking for a copy for months!

D'Eon is... odd. It's entertaining, but still rather odd. I guess the thing is that it was loosely based off of an actual person.

Wow! I didn't know there was some actual historical relevance to it! I thought it was all fluff arranged in a vaguely historical setting around the fall of L'ancien Regiem. Off to do research! I'll agree it's slightly... different for an anime, it almost came off as a hybrid with Western animation in many respects. Still quite good! I have a thing for the opening theme as well.

On a spoilerish note for D'Eon

(click to show/hide)

I really hated the serious cock tease for the revolution the whole series seemed to be, it was clearly what it was leading up to with the French tricolor every where, but it didn't seem to /make/ it there you know?

On to another anime, this one has earned my ire. Gankutsuou, which masquerades as an adaption of Le Comte de Monte Cristo, masterpiece of Alexander Dumas, and my favorite book got me ripping mad about how loosely it's adaption was handled, at least when I got over being ill from it's garish visual design.

For my current watch lists, I'm a Spice and Wolf fanboy so I'm really enjoying Maoyu through Crunchyroll, and I'm excited to finally get the conclusion of Girls Und Panzer. I'm looking at Heaven's Note Pad and Infinite Stratos as anime to watch... but they aren't dubbed yet, and I tend to "watch" anime while I'm painting or doing something else, so a dub is just convenient. It's rare I'll watch an anime with a dub in the Japanese, usually if a purist forces me to, or a dub is /really/ that atrocious... like Love Hina, which I'm pretty sure was supposed to be offensive to English speakers, and Sailor Moon... *shudder* too... much.... 90s....

Also just finished a rewatch of the Tenchi OVAs (like literally a couple minutes ago) the shift in VAs, and series tone from season 2 to season 3 is /really/ jarring when you watch it straight through. Like shifting from first to fifth without a clutch. Still good, just really different.

Texhnolyze seems to be asking the question: how far can we retain our humanity as we repair and improve our bodies more and more using technology?  Given the somewhat optimistic note that Serial Experiments Lain's discussion of the mind migrating into the universal network appeared to end on, I find it interesting that the same author's conclusion in this instance is so deeply pessimistic.

Not a bad idea to explore the other side of the coin as I'm certain there are just as many, if not more, dark possible outcomes of our ever increasing use of technology in all facets of our life.

Well then the question really should become, what is humanity exactly? and does one really have to be human to be.,, well human? That's a pretty common theme in futuristic anime, lots of synthoids walking around, of course it's a pretty common theme in sci-fi of all hardness levels, with Blade Runner/Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? being the most blatant example.

<mod edit>Fixed YouTube link - the tag doesn't handle https<mod>

Edit: Thanks Mod! I'll keep that in mind.

And to add to my own post, I just finished Infinite Stratos in a single binge marathon, great mecha fights with harem comedy? It's my anime version of junk food <3

[satsugaikaze]

Aw fuck I can't believe I forgot to mention Eden of the East. Did I mention Eden of the East?

To summarise it's credentials, the genre's generally listed as involving dark mystery/psychological intrigue alongside light-hearted romance. It's written/directed by Kenji Kamiyama (the main brain behind Stand Alone Complex), scored by Kenji Kawai (the GitS films). In a nutshell it's a classic Production I.G title - smart, well-written, thoughtful and with a level of animation quality people would take for granted from I.G. There's also a level of humanity and character that is honestly quite surprising coming from a Kamiyama script.

And its OP and ED contain fucking awesome gems like this:

If there was one tiny (and honestly quite petty) gripe I had about this series, is that it's very much an introspection on Japanese society and the changing of their demographics and their working population. It doesn't quite address more broad themes of humanity like Ghost in the Shell does, but there's nothing wrong with that. What is significant, though, is that because it's so focused on Japanese culture and society that it might take a certain understanding of context (the prevalence at the time of NEETs and the social stigma against them) as well as an understanding of Japanese sensibilities, in order to fully appreciate the things Kamiyama writes in this series.

Otherwise, it's a fucking good, self-contained series with both whimsy and thoughtfulness.

[Yayniall]

What are we all watching this season?
Started on Attack On Titan which is absolutely amazing one episode in and has a boss level OP.

Also watching Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru (stupid name which is even stupider in english) for a bit of light entertainment, quite funny with Monogatari-esq back and forth conversations.

[pwhodges]

I don't know about the new season - I'm still catching up with the classics. 

Anyway, I just finished Nadia (what a curate's egg that is!); but I took time out to watch Girls und Panzer, which is lightweight fluff but really good fun too (just select the sensible subtitles rather than the fake Germanic ones which are (a) unjustified by the original, and (b) mildly offensive, to my mind).  Next up: Mobile Suit Gundam 0080, which will be my first of that franchise. Oh, and Little Witch Academia.

[Asterus]

Not watching anything new, but working through my backlog. Recently watched list includes:
Chuunibyou
Anohana (Technically a rewatch. I was kinda bored)
Eden of the East
Bakemonogatari

Working through To Aru Index, and planning on moving on to either Niseimonogatari or a few others that have caught my eye. Of course, that's if I don't keep getting distracted by other things (If anyone's appreciative of Visual Novels like me, check out Katawa Shoujo. It's very well written AND has the commendable option to turn the porn off, something that more games of its genre would do well to emulate.)

[GarandMarine]

Assault on Titan looks really good! Gonna go look that up now, otherwise I have a ton of backlog stuff to work through... finally getting to Real Bout High School, currently going through My Bride is a Mermaid and My Ordinary Life which are both wonderful in the unique brands of madness sense.

[pwhodges]

Not watching anything new, but working through my backlog. Recently watched list includes:
Chuunibyou

Oh yes, Chu-2, I forgot that one - it's also queued up for watching; as is [C]: Control - The Money of Soul and Possibility.

My Ordinary Life [...] wonderful in the unique brands of madness sense.

Aka Nichijou unless I'm confused; see my comments on that earlier (I prefer Azumanga Daioh).

[mtmerrick]

Have I mentioned I get kinda dyslexic-ish when I get tired? Cuz I read this thread title as "autism anyone?" and was like WTF is going on here?

[Cire27]

Attack on Titan had a great first episode.  So did Suisei no Garugantia, which is Urobuchi's newest anime.

[GarandMarine]

My Ordinary Life [...] wonderful in the unique brands of madness sense.

Aka Nichijou unless I'm confused; see my comments on that earlier (I prefer Azumanga Daioh).

Yeah that's the one, I was way too tired to remember the Japanese title last night.

I decided to give Oreimo when it popped up on CrunchyRoll last night... and it really didn't have much going for it or really going on besides creepy incest undertones. The OP "Irony" by Claris is probably the high point of the series... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCqjZ3MJqXo otherwise forgettable and creepy. Don't waste your time.

[Blue Kitty]

I finished the Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica manga and I'm moving on to the anime

[Cire27]

I'm surprised you didn't watch the anime first.

[pwhodges]

I really like the anime - but I haven't read the manga to compare.  At least when seen with no prior knowledge, as I did, it does appear to benefit from being seen again.  I've seen a number of people criticise the Madoka character first time through, but decide on another viewing that they were too harsh.

[Cire27]

Even if I hated all of the characters (which I didn't) I think that the design choices would have carried me through it.  The witches are amazing.

[Asterus]

Well, a lot of the Madoka criticism is that she's the titular character and she really doesn't do anything at all upon first glance. Sayaka acted more like a main character, and to be honest, I hated Sayaka.

(click to show/hide)

You find out why that is later

It kinda reminds me of the first impression I had of Kyon from the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, where he was the only "normal" character in the series. Of course, I liked Kyon more because he was a deadpan snarker.

[GarandMarine]

I wanted to watch it, but it just couldn't keep my attention (Madoka)

[satsugaikaze]

Niseimonogatari

If you're not a fan of porn in anime, you might be disappointed by the direction of Nisei compared to Bake. 

The level of taboo in the series ramps up to eleven, self-awareness or no.

[Asterus]

Eh, I sat through Yosuga no Sora with little to no issues. I'm sure I could handle a little squick as long as it's not specifically there for squickyness' sake.

[Cire27]

Well, a lot of the Madoka criticism is that she's the titular character and she really doesn't do anything at all upon first glance.

In my mind Homura will always be the main character.

[pwhodges]

Like Sam is the main character of The Lord of the Rings.

[Yayniall]

Niseimonogatari

If you're not a fan of porn in anime, you might be disappointed by the direction of Nisei compared to Bake. 

The level of taboo in the series ramps up to eleven, self-awareness or no.

It left a bad taste in my mouth that made me really want to brush my teeth.

[Shogouki]

So does Nisemonogatari just become extreme fanservice?  I thought Bakemonogatari looked interesting but reading AniDB's summary of Nise is a bit of a letdown.  Does the prequel Nekomonogatari go the same route as Nise?

[Cire27]

Oh god that avatar-post synergy is great.

As far as I remember, there are two or three major scenes that top (in taboo) Bakemonogatari's fanservice in Nisemonogatari, and all of the fanservice in Nekomonogatari is focused on Hanekawa.

[Cire27]

These two episode of Suisei no Gargantia have been fucking amazing.



I just know Urobuchi is going to take it in a dark direction, though.

[GarandMarine]

Good recommendation Cire! Really enjoying this.

[satsugaikaze]

So does Nisemonogatari just become extreme fanservice?  I thought Bakemonogatari looked interesting but reading AniDB's summary of Nise is a bit of a letdown.  Does the prequel Nekomonogatari go the same route as Nise?

Pretty much. I haven't seen Neko (should get around to it i guess) but Nise just carries on with the pedo vibes less because there was exposition to be gained from it (like in the first show) and more just because "Oh, he likes fondling schoolgirls and that's funny." It also brings up incestual undertones - again, just because.
The only fanservice I didn't roll my eyes at was with scenes with Kanbaru Suruga in it, because she's basically a lesbian who openly flaunted her appeal to get a rise out of the main characters and it wasn't any less ridiculous than the things she did in the first series. The last couple of episodes of the series do better than the early ones because they sort of deal with issues that offhandedly parallel family problems and feelings of belonging and actually treat it with a modicum of seriousness.

But then HAHA HE KISSED HIS SISTER IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE IT'S HIS SISTER HAHA.

It left a bad taste in my mouth that made me really want to brush my teeth.

I see what you did there, you tyrant.

[Cire27]

Never read the light novels guys.

[GarandMarine]

I tried it with Sword Art Online and Infinite Stratos.... Yeah totally regretting that decision on all counts.

Just finished Otome Youkai Zakuro. Not a bad anime, but it's labeled as seinen, don't be fooled, it's shojo in disguise, useless bishis being saved by pretty girls with fox ears every where. However I enjoyed the cast enough to stick it out past the lamer moments, Zakuro herself besides being OP as all hell, is one of the best balanced tsundere characters I've ever seen, so while a cliche riddled anime it was over all a beautifully executed cliche riddled anime, by both voice actors and the art team. It's a nice 13 episode length that doesn't over stay it's welcome and doesn't pull any stupid crap like an onsen or beach episode which I SWEAR I thought was mandated by Japanese law. I award this a 7/10 and it is available for free on crunchy roll.

OH! And it receives a super special award for avoiding my two anime pet peeves of not wrapping up the plot at the end (you know by having an actual freaking ENDING) and for actually wrapping up it's romance sub plot. That there's actual character development is just sweet icing on the cake.

[Shogouki]

@satsugaikaze - Yeah the pedo stuff really creeps me out, especially if its portrayed as being humorous.

@Cire27 - The light novels even worse?

@GarandMarine - I'll have to check that one out.  Might be a nice break from all the shonen anime where the females are all sub-par in ability compared to the male characters.

[satsugaikaze]

Never read the light novels guys.

Yeah it honestly felt a bit tragic for me when I realised that Niseimonogatari was probably closer to the "script" per se in terms of level of fanservice etc. I want to see how they do with Nekomonogatari though.

[pwhodges]

CDJapan have shipped my copy of Evangelion 3.33 (officially out on Wednesday), so I could get it as early as Friday; though next week is more likely


Keeping myself amused meanwhile, I found this hilarious fan-fic manga which takes place in the world of Evangelion 3 (it bears no relationship to anything in the film, but has several spoilers for it none the less):  here (hover over the Japanese text for the translations).