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Bonocorium
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I cant believe that people still watch DBZ. Its was so addicting I dont even want to watch snippets of it on Youtube, if in case I get into it again.
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Kamaduck
Guest
It’s different for everybody, and for each story. It’s never an issue for me because I think extreme violence is disgusting and will ONLY watch it if it is accompanied by a compelling story, never for its own sake. “Excessive” means that the story has violence it doesn’t need- ie. you could cut out most of the violence and not lose anything, story-wise. Your individual line can be crossed if your entertainment causes you to think about violence more, if you start enjoying it for its own sake, or if you stop thinking of the violent characters’ actions as bad (or only justifiable due to other circumstances, as the case may be). That’s how I think of it, anyway.
Marathoning Baccano crossed my individual line a little. I would say a show like DBZ is one that glorifies violence for its own sake, though I guess even shows like that are fine if it doesn’t affect you. (I wouldn’t want little kids watching it, even though I know tons of them did.
) Passion of the Christ doesn’t cross either line, because I always remember that the violence shown is painful/evil, and it is 100% necessary for the point of the story.Sometimes you can make it through a show that would be bad for you to marathon by spacing out the episodes or watching other stuff in between, too. It’s mostly a question of how the show affects you.
As for the first few episodes of FMA, I mostly think of them as important character development for Ed. He doesn’t believe in God, but I’m not sure the narrative ever really says he’s right. The Ishbalans never stop believing in God. (Does anybody else feel like the Ishbalans are supposed to be Jews? I really feel like they are, and the military reminds me of Nazis. Am I just making that up?
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MatsudaBerry
Guest
I’ve actually seen The Passion of the Christ, and I have to admit that it was one of the most, if not the most, violent things I have ever seen. However, I said that we weren’t supposed to watch things with excessive violence because of comments like this: gosugamers.net/starcraft2/news/5614-pope-benedict-xvi-takes-stand-against-violence-in-video-games.
This is besides the USCCB film rating system, though that system seems to have its flaws. If I’m not mistaken, those ratings aren’t given by the actual bishops, but it makes watching something like Blade Runner or Pulp Fiction seem like an occasion of sin at best. I hope you’ll pardon me for using non-anime examples.
This is besides the USCCB film rating system, though that system seems to have its flaws. If I’m not mistaken, those ratings aren’t given by the actual bishops, but it makes watching something like Blade Runner or Pulp Fiction seem like an occasion of sin at best. I hope you’ll pardon me for using non-anime examples.
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Kamaduck
Guest
I haven’t seen either, but I still think it has to do with what the story is saying. If you’re playing a game where the point is killing as many people as possible and where violence is glorified- I don’t play games like that, other than maybe Super Smash Bros., but I think that’s what they’re talking about. Something like Pokémon, where the violence is not graphic and the emphasis is on getting stronger, collecting pokémon, and forming bonds with them, would be different. Same with Fire Emblem, my current video game interest- the point of each game is strategy and themes like friendship, responsibility, and family, NOT glorifying the inevitable violence of war. And I think even these games would be questionable for the target audience of Pokémon.
So applying this to anime, I think something like Baccano! ranks higher on the “excessive violence” scale than something like Evangelion- in the former, violence is part of the fun, while in the latter, it’s part of the horribleness of the children’s experience. And this is just me, but I’d rank DBZ higher on our hypothetical scale than something like Kino’s Journey, because the violence is more center-stage and presented as part of the fun (even though its more irreversible and disturbing in Kino).
That doesn’t mean you can’t watch DBZ (though there are probably better things people could do
), it just means that the viewer needs to be aware of it and stop/take a break every now and then. It’s not a good thing to marathon without contrast, nor is it the best thing to show to really little kids. Actually, DBZ might not be the best example since most of it is people standing around taunting each other, but I hope you see my point. (We probably shouldn’t show them Kino, either, but for the same reasons we wouldn’t show them The Passion of the Christ- it might scare them, and they wouldn’t understand the significance.)
So yeah, I don’t think “violence for violence’s sake” is a good thing, but a lot of violence doesn’t fall under that. Much of it has story significance or is treated as a byproduct of other events.
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MatsudaBerry
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You’re probably right about the story making a big difference. I actually had stuff like Baccano! in mind when I commented. I’ve seen the first six episodes, and I mentioned Pulp Fiction because I’ve sometimes heard comparisons between it and Baccano! The characters are mostly over-the-top gangsters, and it’s hard not to want to find out how it ends, but I don’t know if that interest is wrong. Either way I obviously wouldn’t suggest making it the only kind of anime you watch.I haven’t seen either, but I still think it has to do with what the story is saying. If you’re playing a game where the point is killing as many people as possible and where violence is glorified- I don’t play games like that, other than maybe Super Smash Bros., but I think that’s what they’re talking about. Something like Pokémon, where the violence is not graphic and the emphasis is on getting stronger, collecting pokémon, and forming bonds with them, would be different. Same with Fire Emblem, my current video game interest- the point of each game is strategy and themes like friendship, responsibility, and family, NOT glorifying the inevitable violence of war. And I think even these games would be questionable for the target audience of Pokémon.
So applying this to anime, I think something like Baccano! ranks higher on the “excessive violence” scale than something like Evangelion- in the former, violence is part of the fun, while in the latter, it’s part of the horribleness of the children’s experience. And this is just me, but I’d rank DBZ higher on our hypothetical scale than something like Kino’s Journey, because the violence is more center-stage and presented as part of the fun (even though its more irreversible and disturbing in Kino).
That doesn’t mean you can’t watch DBZ (though there are probably better things people could do
(We probably shouldn’t show them Kino, either, but for the same reasons we wouldn’t show them The Passion of the Christ- it might scare them, and they wouldn’t understand the significance.)
So yeah, I don’t think “violence for violence’s sake” is a good thing, but a lot of violence doesn’t fall under that. Much of it has story significance or is treated as a byproduct of other events.
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Kamaduck
Guest
Yeah, that’s the main thing. I can watch stuff like Baccano!, but only if I follow up with something like Haibane Renmei or another thoughtful, quiet story. As long as you recognize that such stories CAN cause harm, even if well-done, and you balance them out with more healthy fair, you’ll probably be fine.
(I think of it like junkfood. A little now and then is OK, in between the brainfood. )
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Oren
Guest
In that quote the Pope was talking about entertainment directed at children. Blade Runner is a classic sci fi movie. To say that it’s an occasion of sin at best to watch it is completely ridiculous. Is it an occasion of sin for me to watch Passion of the Christ? Pulp Fiction has other problems in it than Violence. I mean, Schindler’s List is very disturbing and violent with lots of images of people being shot in the head. Is that an occasion of sin to watch?? Give me a break.
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Kamaduck
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Hmm, no posts for two days… 
I won’t be able to properly muse/gush about steins;gate for a few days yet, so in the mean time- what’s everybody’s favorite shonen fighter anime, and why? Most of the people I know only seem to like Naruto, and the lack of variety is a bit depressing at times.
My favorite is probably Soul Eater. I could come up with lots of reasons why, but it’s mostly because of the lead weapon/meister pair. They work really well together and I love Maka. She’s pretty awesome, considering she’s a girl in a shonen.
Reason #2 would be that Character interaction is actually relevant, since the kids relationships with each other literally determine how strong they are in battle. (Yaay, characters!
)
I won’t be able to properly muse/gush about steins;gate for a few days yet, so in the mean time- what’s everybody’s favorite shonen fighter anime, and why? Most of the people I know only seem to like Naruto, and the lack of variety is a bit depressing at times.
My favorite is probably Soul Eater. I could come up with lots of reasons why, but it’s mostly because of the lead weapon/meister pair. They work really well together and I love Maka. She’s pretty awesome, considering she’s a girl in a shonen.
Reason #2 would be that Character interaction is actually relevant, since the kids relationships with each other literally determine how strong they are in battle. (Yaay, characters!
)
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MatsudaBerry
Guest
Soul Eater is probably my favorite shounen fighter anime, too, although there’s definitely some competition from stuff like Yu Yu Hakusho and Kekkaishi. As good as those are, though, the larger-than-life characters of Soul Eater place them on a level above most fighter series that I’ve ever seen.Hmm, no posts for two days…
I won’t be able to properly muse/gush about steins;gate for a few days yet, so in the mean time- what’s everybody’s favorite shonen fighter anime, and why? Most of the people I know only seem to like Naruto, and the lack of variety is a bit depressing at times.
My favorite is probably Soul Eater. I could come up with lots of reasons why, but it’s mostly because of the lead weapon/meister pair. They work really well together and I love Maka. She’s pretty awesome, considering she’s a girl in a shonen.
Reason #2 would be that Character interaction is actually relevant, since the kids relationships with each other literally determine how strong they are in battle. (Yaay, characters!
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Kamaduck
Guest
I had to look up Kekkaishi, but I’ve definately heard some positive opinions about Yu Yu Hakusho. I think I’ll be wrapping up Inuyasha after Steins;Gate, but if I do run out of fighter titles, it’s good to know what people like.
I think Soul Eater works on a lot of different levels. The plot and characters are really solid, but if all you want is fight scenes, those are great, too!
I really think it was the premise and the characters that made that show, though. The premise was awesome because (aside from the automatic coolness of people who become weapons), it demanded high degrees of teamwork. You couldn’t have a situation where one character became super high-powered and everybody else was useless- they HAD to fight together. And luckily, the characters made that dynamic a joy to watch.
Also, it had the coolest personification of Death I have ever seen.
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ironchapman
Guest
Since Crunchyroll recently picked up GJ-bu, I’ve been watching and enjoying that show.
I also got Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko (aka Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl) on DVD & BR (released together as a box set). Looking forward to enjoying it soon.
I also got Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko (aka Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl) on DVD & BR (released together as a box set). Looking forward to enjoying it soon.
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Kamaduck
Guest
Me watching steins;gate-
Finishes Episode 20 - What?
Finishes Episode 22 - What???
Finishes Episode 23 - YES.
Ahhh, just one more episode~ But I have to wait until after school to watch it.
Finishes Episode 20 - What?
Finishes Episode 22 - What???
Finishes Episode 23 - YES.
Ahhh, just one more episode~
But I have to wait until after school to watch it.
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MatsudaBerry
Guest
It’s too bad Revolutionary Girl Utena is yuri. I would have been interested in the shoujo equivalent of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Furthermore, I first heard about it when people compared one of my favorite anime, Star Driver, to it. I suppose you can’t always get what you want, though.
Anyway, I’ve been hopping around different anime lately, and if anyone is interested in sci-fi comedy, I would recommend Level E. It’s based on a manga by the same guy who brought us Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter.
For that matter, the latest episode of Magi should be up on Hulu in a few hours. Nice.
Anyway, I’ve been hopping around different anime lately, and if anyone is interested in sci-fi comedy, I would recommend Level E. It’s based on a manga by the same guy who brought us Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter.
For that matter, the latest episode of Magi should be up on Hulu in a few hours. Nice.
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Kamaduck
Guest
Just finished Steins;Gate! It had a really good resolution, IMO. It was definitely on the sweet side of things, but it’s good to have unambiguously happy endings sometimes.
Have to give Star Driver a go, too. I know I’ve heard it’s amazing. We’ll see what I’m in the mood for after the emptiness that is Inuyasha’s non-ending.
It had a really good resolution, IMO. It was definitely on the sweet side of things, but it’s good to have unambiguously happy endings sometimes. Anybody know how objectionable the actual show was? I know I’ve heard the yuri elements are “symbolic” and it’s generally hailed as a classic… So if it’s not too explicit or anything, I might end up watching it. Someday. Definitely not today, or any day in the near future.
Have to give Star Driver a go, too. I know I’ve heard it’s amazing. We’ll see what I’m in the mood for after the emptiness that is Inuyasha’s non-ending.
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ironchapman
Guest
Did you see the OVA episode 25?Just finished Steins;Gate!
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Kamaduck
Guest
Whoopsie, not quite done after all!
EDIT: I can only find it without subs and with italian subs on youtube, and it isn’t with the episodes released by funimation. I guess that means no more steins;gate for me.
is the OVA really important or anyhting?EDIT AGAIN: Nevermind. Found it.
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MatsudaBerry
Guest
Thinking about Revolutionary Girl Utena has made me think about dueling in general. Dueling is supposed to be wrong, but I’m not sure whether the duels in Utena count. The Cybody fights in Star Driver probably don’t count as duels because the fights have to do with protecting people, especially Wako, though the reasoning behind that becomes clearer as the story goes on. It’s just that the villains take their sweet time between attempts at basically kidnapping Wako so they can break her Maiden seal.
I apologize if I sound a little incoherent.
I apologize if I sound a little incoherent.
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Oren
Guest
I like Soul Eater and Bleach and One Piece and Hunter X Hunter but Naruto is my favorite.
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ironchapman
Guest
Might as well quit fencing or kendo if duels are wrong.
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Kamaduck
Guest
I thought neither of us had seen Utena?
Anyway, I thought the duels were more of a sport tournament with ridiculously high stakes. And Utena is ultimately fighting to protect Anthy, right? It’s not really the same as turning around and shooting at each other.I haven’t seen it, but I would think the main problem would be the problematic portrayal of homosexuality.
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