Anime Thread #2

[suko]

Kama, I have a CR “All-Access Guest Pass” (valid for 48hours) I can give you. My guest passes usually expire so it may come to some use if you use it . PM me if you want, it’s no trouble at all.

What? U let them expire!! I always just give them away/post them at the “Official Guest Pass” sticky thread in the anime sub-forum, so at least someone has a chance to enjoy 'em, lol! XD

I finally finished Steins;Gate, too, yesterday (at least the 24 ep TV series), but I still need to watch the Special Ep 25 that came after the TV series, since I guess it’s kind of a sequel to it (I signed up for a free Funi 14-day trial today just so I could watch this, lol ~ I almost used my trial back when Funi was the first to get the simulcast rights to AoT, but good thing CR got it like a day or 2 after ~ and that never happens when Funi gets something first! XD).
I guess there’s a movie that came out in Japan earlier this year in April, too, and is a sequel to this Special Ep 25. And the synopsis for it seems pretty interesting to me, and I think “Christina” actually is the star of this one! I read a review on it, too, and it’s supposed to close the remaining loop holes in the story and act as the finale to this series. Hopefully, the movie will make its way over here to the states. It better!

 

[jilly4ski]

I have been slowly making my way through anime. Getting some watching suggestions from Catholic Anime on facebook.

I shows I have been enjoying the most are Ghost Hunt and Sword Art Online. Oh, I also like the Sacred Blacksmith, though it could have been longer/more episodes. I also watched Hiiro no kakera which wasn’t bad, but not great. I think the problem for me was the character design of the female lead. (and it became unbearably sappy and just fan service for girls at some point). I watched it after watching Okami-san and her 7 companions which was also entertaining, but very female character driven, so I need some anime with at least more balanced casts.

 

[suko]

Getting some watching suggestions from Catholic Anime on facebook.

Oh, big mistake!! XD U shouldn’t have mentioned that page, because now I know about it, lol! And I just “liked” it, too , and I just might start posting inane, nonsensical comments there now!

shows I have been enjoying the most are Sword Art Online

Everytime I see this show mentioned, I now usually start thinking of SOA (the Sons of Anarchy)! Crazy SAO debates on CR have devolved into discussions about SOA, instead of SAO, lol. Still loved the show myself, but I would’ve preferred if the romance aspects (between a certain couple) could have been left out until the end of the show (among some other minor things). But I hear the new Log Horizon that’s airing this Fall is similar, except without the romance, and more of the gaming aspect. I’m actually kinda curious to check that one out.

I also like the Sacred Blacksmith; it could have been longer. I watched it after watching Okami-san and her 7 companions

I watched both of those, and thought they were pretty decent as well. And yeah, 12 eps is almost never enough for a show. I mean, the LN series for Sacred Blacksmith is 16 volumes, after all! XD I would’ve liked to have seen all of it animated. But I guess disc sales prolly weren’t good in Japan, but the LN seems to have sold over 700,000 copies, so it seems to have done pretty good in that regard.

IDK why people keep calling Stein’s Gate “serious”. It’s a fun show about nerdy people hanging out and messing with time travel. I honestly don’t think there’s anything deeper going on.

Yeah, in the 1st ep, it certainly gave me that “serious” impression because of the animation style (seemed a bit on the dark side, and some of the background scenes seemed kinda gloomy) and especially with what transpired right away in that ep. First impressions mean a lot as they say! XD This is comparable to how Kotoura-san was in the 1st ep before things changed in quite the drastic way. But yeah, I would agree that the show seems to have a cast of characters that seem to just be hanging out and not taking things too seriously at the beginning. It wasn’t until ep 12 when things, to me, got really interesting and took on more of a serious nature:

Steins;Gate Ep 12 Major Spoiler:
[SIGN]That whole end scene of that ep, with Moeka shooting and killing Mayuri, was what really got my attention to the series! I always thought that Moeka seemed a bit suspicious to me. [/SIGN]

I did really like Okabe, though. I honestly thought he was insane at first, but in the end I thought his quirks worked pretty well with the show. He can be serious when he needs to be, and he can be an idiot when that’s what the show requires. Despite his numerous shortcomings, there’s still something admirable about the way he helps his friends out. I think he’s a solid lead, but I guess we can discuss him more when you finish the series.

I guess I can’t argue much with what u said here now, since I think, for the most part, his personality fits fine with the other main characters of the show. Personally, I think the overall atmosphere of the show isn’t anything like a Monster. I chuckle at the thought if Tenma (the male lead from Monster) had a zany personality like Okabe. He’d get killed right away if he did, LOL.

---

Also, because of ep 25 (which actually had some pretty hilarious scenes), I couldn’t help but notice this again, but why is that Americans in almost any anime always have bad English, lol? Can they not find a single seiyuu that speaks the language well! XP

Anyway, overall, I really did love this show! It actually reminded me a bit of Amnesia and Madoka Magica because of similarly major things that happen in the plot. Okabe and Moeka (with her constant texts, sometimes with her just standing next to him, LOL) were pretty amusing at times, too! And the ending was certainly well thought out, and some ways, kinda clever and brilliant! I honestly can’t say that I have too many gripes about it, except that I would really like to see the movie, now, lol!

On a slightly different note, I thought it would take a couple years since JAST USA (North American video game publisher that publishes many VNs) made their July announcement of releasing the VN of Steins;Gate in English for the PC. But it seems it already has a release date of some time in the winter of 2013/2014, and pre-orders are already being taken on JAST USA’s website (which does contain some eroge/18+ images!. This is one VN I would love to play (it’s not an eroge thankfully), especially with all the varying routes and endings there are. It’s supposed to take around 30-50 hours to play thru, so obviously, there’s quite a bit of the story that was left out of the anime, and possible endings and pairings that would be interesting to see. Hmm, Okabe and Moeka, perhaps, lol?

This series apparently is so popular it also has 4 on-going manga series! 3 of which tell the events according to their point of view: Suzuha’s, Yūgo’s, and Christina’s! I’d actually love to read Kurisu’s! And Suzuha’s (for obvious reasons) would probably be quite interesting as well! Maybe one day, the publishers for those manga series will partner up with CR. I can only hope so!

And speaking of CR and publishers, I kinda wonder who else will be partnering up with CR. I honestly think this whole thing will be a success, and expect this to really start taking off in a year or so, once they’ve grown their manga library to a pretty extensive amount. I remember reading from a comment from someone that they should have around 50 or so by next summer. But we’ll see, I guess. ^.^

 

[ironchapman]

My anime rankings for the new shows I am watching this season:

1. Golden Time–Because I am a Toradora fan boy.
2. Arpeggio of Blue Steel–A great story, some great battle animations, nice use of military tactics and strategy, and good characters on the whole. Also, the battleships’ mental models (read: avatars) are varying levels of cute. Chihaya Gunzou is awesome.
3. Kyousougiga–I love the zaniness of the action and animation, but the story of the quest to find family and the place where you “belong” is what really gives this show its strength. Koto is an excellent character.
4. Outbreak Company–Despite the description, it’s a great show. Main dude can be a stand up guy when things get rough. Also has the world’s best maid.
5. Log Horizon–No, it’s not a knock-off of SAO. It’s interesting to watch the characters explore the world of the game they’re stuck in. Akatsuki is also the world’s cutest assassin. SHE WILL KILL YOU WITH HER CUTENESS.
6. Samurai Flamenco–Probably the most original show I’m watching this season, although Kyousougiga also contends for this title. It’s a different take on the superhero genre.
7. Gingitsune–A fun slice of life and coming of age story. Very easy-going. Although the main girl is a Shinto priestess (or will be one when she becomes an adult), the themes of respecting tradition and religious devotion are fairly universal.
8. Strike the Blood–Not the most original story, but the characters are interesting and their development is worth watching.
9. Blazblue–Honestly, I’m only watching it because I like the video games.
10. Kyokai no Kanata/Beyond the Boundary–I really like most everything about this show except for the main girl. I realize I’m supposed to care about her, but I just get this lukewarm “meh” reaction where she’s concerned. It’s a real drag on the show. Worth a look if you’re a Kyoto Animation fan, though.

 

[Tenofovir]

Galilei Donna – wow, just wow!
Nagi No Asakura - OK
Golden Time - Not bad.

 

[suko]

I don’t know why, but I was a little excited to see that CR just announced that they picked up the end of the year SAO Special for Simulcast on Dec. 31st at 7pm Pacific ~ It probably won’t be anything that great, though, considering from the synopsis, it looks like it might be one of those fanservice swimsuit eps (but I could be wrong and I hope so)… O_O

“Kirito and the others decide to go on an underwater quest within the world of ALO to grant Yui her wish to see a whale. As they all prepare for the quest, they face a shocking revelation… Leafa, or Suguha is afraid of water. So, Asuna and the other female members decide to teach Suguha how to swim at a pool in the real world. Meanwhile, Kirito was meeting somebody…”

Also recently finished Kids on the Slope… and I loved it! For such a short series, I couldn’t help but actually care for the characters. Probably because it’s a slice of life kinda show, and I think the character designs and the artwork just made the characters feel more real than usual. I don’t listen to much jazz, actually any, lol, but I still liked the songs they played in the series! I have to say that the ending surprised me, too. I didn’t cry at the ending, but it was kinda refreshing and I thought an excellent and beautiful way to end things! I gotta say that I LOVE that opening theme song!!!

Now on to Utakoi (since it deals with the origins/explanations of Chihayafuru’s Karuta cards ~ I wouldn’t watch it otherwise, lol)…

Galilei Donna – wow, just wow!

Thx for mentioning that one. I like the artwork in it. I’ll prolly check the 1st ep out pretty soon. =)

 

[Tenofovir]

Thx for mentioning that one. I like the artwork in it. I’ll prolly check the 1st ep out pretty soon. =)

Galilei Donna has 3 nay 4 cute girls as leads. Rest is good but the winning formula is there already.

It’s like … who doesn’t like idolm@ster? That has the winning formula as well.

Ah and yes

Coppellion.

 

[Retro_Ace]

mine is the Retro-Futuristic

Earth S.O.S.

and

Giant Robo The Animation

 

[ShameonMe]

Hmmm. I’m new here, but I guess I can add that I’m going through The Daughter of 20 Faces right now.

 

[Tenofovir]

Steins;Gate Ep 12 Major Spoiler:

Faris Nyannyan! Now she should have her own show-nyan.

 

[Tenofovir]

I must also add how much A Certain Scientific Railgun S sucked. While ACSR (first season) was probably one of the best anime series ever written and produced, ACSRS really sucked because of the “Sisters” angle. That was really a most contrived, evil thing and it was presented in a lousy way too. At least there are a few eps after that ridiculous scenario.

I’ve rewatched Hidan no Aria recently and Tora Dora and I must again in my usual fashion praise TsundeRie (my heroine Rie Kugimiya) for her wonderful portrayal of a tsundere princess (whether it is Taiga or Aria). She’s also great as Iori Minase - the best character in idolm@ster. Anyway… . She’s also amazing as Louise in Zero’s Familiar. I am lucky to possess the 1st Season DVD set of that series. It’s gone out of print since then. The way she always calls the guy who waits on her, a dog or a mongrel is just sooo… tsundere.

If anyone wants some recommendations:

Aria the Scarlet Ammo, available on DVD or Bluray
Tora Dora available on DVD

 

[suko]

Faris Nyannyan! Now she should have her own show-nyan.

I have to admit, I actually found her “nyan” kinda cute… I only watched a few scenes with her in the dubbed version, and it’s just too different! The Japanese seiyuu sounds SOOOO much better! The English dub for her, quite honestly, seems to lose that cuteness in her voice.

I think my favorite scene with her was at the 15:55 mark of ep 9 (subbed version) where Kyouma calls out to her saying “Faris NyanNyan!” and asks her who she really is, and her response was “Faris is… … … … … Faris Nyan!” ~ I just lol’d when I first saw that; just too cute and funny!

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Have u guys heard about the censoring of SAO’s Asuna in Taiwan? Here’s the CR article on it:
Taiwan Censors SAO’s Asuna ~ I just think the red circle with a red line thru it and placed over her body is just too funny-looking!! If they want to censor something, they ought to use steam considering this is what they already use in some animes, and it works just fine. And most importantly, it’s also much less distracting and comical to look at. ^.^ What do u guys think of this?

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For any Kids on the Slope fans, check this out: Real Life Pics ~ The scenes from the show are actually from real life places, like the school, the church, the Virgin Mary statue, etc. It’s awesome stuf!! I’m not sure if all the scenes are from real life places, but I believe, at least, most of them are.

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Also, wow, things are heating up on the SAIMOE 2013 tournament, as we’re finally down to the last 8 or so…

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
Full results can be seen here: SAIMOE 2013 ~ As a forewarning, the F-bomb is used a couple times.

Now while I’m happy to see Kuroneko make it this far, I smell doom for her since she’s up against the great Madoka (who came back into the tournament after winning thru the losers bracket) in today’s match! I’m actually trying to vote in this match (which would be the first time in this tournament), but something tells me the code needed for it won’t be generated in time for me to use for this particular match. I still don’t really understand when a voting code is generated for someone, all I know is that I requested for one a few hours ago now.

In any case, looks like it’s shaping up to be a magical girl final once again like in 2011.

 

[CesarAugustus]

I must also add how much A Certain Scientific Railgun S sucked. While ACSR (first season) was probably one of the best anime series ever written and produced, ACSRS really sucked because of the “Sisters” angle. That was really a most contrived, evil thing and it was presented in a lousy way too. At least there are a few eps after that ridiculous scenario.

I’ve rewatched Hidan no Aria recently and Tora Dora and I must again in my usual fashion praise TsundeRie (my heroine Rie Kugimiya) for her wonderful portrayal of a tsundere princess (whether it is Taiga or Aria). She’s also great as Iori Minase - the best character in idolm@ster. Anyway… . She’s also amazing as Louise in Zero’s Familiar. I am lucky to possess the 1st Season DVD set of that series. It’s gone out of print since then. The way she always calls the guy who waits on her, a dog or a mongrel is just sooo… tsundere.

If anyone wants some recommendations:

Aria the Scarlet Ammo, available on DVD or Bluray
Tora Dora available on DVD

Toradora is fantastic!

ACSR seemed interesting, until I read about that character with the pigtails and her obsession with the protagonist.

 

[Tenofovir]

Toradora is fantastic!

ACSR seemed interesting, until I read about that character with the pigtails and her obsession with the protagonist.

Kuroko? People could say it’s borderline lesbianism, I think it’s not quite that extreme. It’s a trend common in anime, where there is a very close, borderline lesbian (but not getting into anything sexual) love between female characters, usually unrequited by the other party, as here. I think it’s done for comic relief and to prevent introducing more males into the series, which would be off putting for the mostly male demographic who watches these shows. In this series I would not say Kuroko is lesbian, I would only say she’s a young girl who just hasn’t realised males can be attractive and who may be over dramatising the whole close affection between girl bosom friends. It’s not lesbianism when young girls hold hands, hug each other and are very close together. Kuroko also doesn’t show any non-platonic feelings for her close friend Uiharu or any other people. In the series all of Kuroko’s over the top advances are met usually with physical force from Misaka and she usually spends the night tied up under her bed.

There is only one male in the whole series and he is really a sort of a romantic interest for Biri Biri (Misaka). Of course Misaka being a tsundere, doesn’t realise what romance is, she can’t stand this guy (who is a nice, mellowed down, fellow) for some reason yet she also doesn’t hate him - she desperately wants to fight him and he is capable of nullifying her level 5 powers.

A Certain Scientific Railgun is one of my favourite series. Season 2 becomes very dark and really off putting. Still the four characters in Railgun: Misaka, Kuroko, Uiharu and Saten are richly developed and endearing and IMHO some of the best from any anime.

Now the parent series “A Certain Magical Index” with the lolita character, Index, is a series I just have no affection for. There are some religious undertones in the series with the Catholic Church being present somewhere but I never bothered to watch the series long enough to find out. Railgun has none of that though, with the first series focusing on a series of mysterious events which culminate in a finale, while the second series mostly deals with Misaka and her cloned sisters who are grown as test tube babies in a really sickening experiment. Misaka’s reaction to these events and attempts to save her sisters take up a vast chunk of the second season.

 

[CesarAugustus]

Kuroko? …

Yes, her.

While I know that hugging, closeness and that kind of affection is not lesbianism, I have noticed the trend too, and I think is troubling. What is their intention with these characters? normalization of the behavior? fanservice for the yuri fans? both?

I’m watching Samurai Flamenco and there are some singer characters from a pop group. The leader, while having a crush on the policeman deuteragonist, kisses in the lips (and is implied is frequent) one of the other girls on the pop group. A good series with an interesting premise, and they put that. Why? how frustrating.

 

[CesarAugustus]

Galilei Donna has 3 nay 4 cute girls as leads. Rest is good but the winning formula is there already.

It’s like … who doesn’t like idolm@ster? That has the winning formula as well.

Ah and yes

Coppellion.

I’m watching Coppelion too. Currently, I’m in the second episode.

How is Galilei Donna?

 

[ironchapman]

Kuroko? People could say it’s borderline lesbianism, I think it’s not quite that extreme. It’s a trend common in anime, where there is a very close, borderline lesbian (but not getting into anything sexual) love between female characters, usually unrequited by the other party, as here. I think it’s done for comic relief and to prevent introducing more males into the series, which would be off putting for the mostly male demographic who watches these shows. In this series I would not say Kuroko is lesbian, I would only say she’s a young girl who just hasn’t realised males can be attractive and who may be over dramatising the whole close affection between girl bosom friends. It’s not lesbianism when young girls hold hands, hug each other and are very close together. Kuroko also doesn’t show any non-platonic feelings for her close friend Uiharu or any other people. In the series all of Kuroko’s over the top advances are met usually with physical force from Misaka and she usually spends the night tied up under her bed.

There is only one male in the whole series and he is really a sort of a romantic interest for Biri Biri (Misaka). Of course Misaka being a tsundere, doesn’t realise what romance is, she can’t stand this guy (who is a nice, mellowed down, fellow) for some reason yet she also doesn’t hate him - she desperately wants to fight him and he is capable of nullifying her level 5 powers.

A Certain Scientific Railgun is one of my favourite series. Season 2 becomes very dark and really off putting. Still the four characters in Railgun: Misaka, Kuroko, Uiharu and Saten are richly developed and endearing and IMHO some of the best from any anime.

Now the parent series “A Certain Magical Index” with the lolita character, Index, is a series I just have no affection for. There are some religious undertones in the series with the Catholic Church being present somewhere but I never bothered to watch the series long enough to find out. Railgun has none of that though, with the first series focusing on a series of mysterious events which culminate in a finale, while the second series mostly deals with Misaka and her cloned sisters who are grown as test tube babies in a really sickening experiment. Misaka’s reaction to these events and attempts to save her sisters take up a vast chunk of the second season.

When I encounter those lesbian or gay stalker types in anime, I usually just laugh at the joke if it’s intended for laughs (like Kuroko glomping Mikoto or similar things), but I don’t ever, even for a moment, entertain the thought of actually supporting such a pairing. I take it as a joke an move on. Now, at the same time, there is only so much of it I’m willing to tolerate before I get annoyed or drop it or something.

You also have to take into account the idea that it might run the risk of looking like sexual assault or rape if a guy was crawling all over Mikoto like Kuroko does (using Railgun as the example, but there are plenty of other similar cases). Making it a stalker girl eliminates some of that and allows us to laugh and say, “That’s not how it works, Kuroko.” and move on with the episode.

…At least for those of us who refuse to accept the normalization of homosexuality (which, on tangential note, does not excuse us from "hating the sin, loving the sinner).

 

[tantumquantum]

I must also add how much A Certain Scientific Railgun S sucked. While ACSR (first season) was probably one of the best anime series ever written and produced, ACSRS really sucked because of the “Sisters” angle. That was really a most contrived, evil thing and it was presented in a lousy way too. At least there are a few eps after that ridiculous scenario.

Actually, the Sisters arc in Railgun is an expanded version of the Sisters Arc that happened in the main series A Certain Magical Index. In Index it is shown from the perspective of Touma and the two days in which he was involved in the issue. In Railgun it is shown from the perspective of Biribiri. I understand why it might have turned off a couple of people who have only watched Railgun since Season 1 is fairly lighthearted compared to Season 2 which has a more serious tone and showed a different side of Biribiri. For Index watchers though like me, it was nice to see more world building and watch Touma beating up Accelerator again in HD.

Regarding Kuroko, I find her antics quite endearing actually. She is so over the top in her affection for Misaka that I find it somehow not objectionable the same way I guess I find Dick Dastardly and Mutley amusing in how they try to cheat the other wacky racers.

A number of anime though especially ones with majority female casts tends to have some characters who give off “yuri” overtones especially in magical girl anime and the like. CCS for example has Tomoyo. CCS also does have BL overtones as well with Syaoran and Yukito so in effect Anime does equal opportunity shipping since there are fans who cater to these kind of stuff.

With regards to this season my nod goes to Log Horizon. It explores the world of MMO more expansively than what SAO could ever do. It also has a more likeable cast and frankly a better story and scenario. It reminds me of the days that i’ve played MMO and co-opted with people to reach a common goal. Not like SAO where it was much of Kirito soloing. I was also pleasantly surprised that Log Horizon is being shown in an NHK educational channel so that’s cool.

Other than Log Horizon, i’ve also been enjoying Samurai Flamenco, Kill la Lill, White Album 2 and Gundam Build Fighters.

 

[CesarAugustus]

…At least for those of us who refuse to accept the normalization of homosexuality (which, on tangential note, does not excuse us from "hating the sin, loving the sinner).

Regarding Kuroko, I find her antics quite endearing actually. She is so over the top in her affection for Misaka that I find it somehow not objectionable the same way I guess I find Dick Dastardly and Mutley amusing in how they try to cheat the other wacky racers.

A number of anime though especially ones with majority female casts tends to have some characters who give off “yuri” overtones especially in magical girl anime and the like. CCS for example has Tomoyo. CCS also does have BL overtones as well with Syaoran and Yukito so in effect Anime does equal opportunity shipping since there are fans who cater to these kind of stuff.

I’m aware of these types of characters, and the reactions in various fandoms. I have years observing the behaviors of fans. Is problematic how these characters or situations are helping normalizing homosexuality. And every year the fandom gets worse. Now incest is a trend for “shippers”.

Another thing is the level of influence the fandoms have over people, for example, various blogs in Tumblr. Add that to the prevailing progressive/liberal environment, and you have Catholic losing their Faith, and Catholics that previously rejected yaoi/yuri becoming obsessed fans, and even lgbt suporters… and more puzzling, considering themselves “practicing” Catholics. I don’t know in what kind of metal gymnastics they are engaged on. This is what people like Herbert Marcuse and Wilhelm Reich were envisioning, and not only that, I think this is more widespread or massive.

Plus the more common ecchi fanservice, and similar things.

This is very worrying.

 

[Kamaduck]

I’m aware of these types of characters, and the reactions in various fandoms. I have years observing the behaviors of fans. Is problematic how these characters or situations are helping normalizing homosexuality. And every year the fandom gets worse. Now incest is a trend for “shippers”.

Another thing is the level of influence the fandoms have over people, for example, various blogs in Tumblr. Add that to the prevailing progressive/liberal environment, and you have Catholic losing their Faith, and Catholics that previously rejected yaoi/yuri becoming obsessed fans, and even lgbt suporters… and more puzzling, considering themselves “practicing” Catholics. I don’t know in what kind of metal gymnastics they are engaged on. This is what people like Herbert Marcuse and Wilhelm Reich were envisioning, and not only that, I think this is more widespread or massive.

Plus the more common ecchi fanservice, and similar things.

This is very worrying.

I have a friend who routinely ships guy/guy pairings. When I told her I couldn’t support that, she said something to the effect of “Oh, I know, I don’t in real life. But it’s just anime, so it’s OK.”

I don’t think most people realize the effect that media can have on us. People are always telling me that something or other is “only” a story, as if the stories we tell don’t matter in the least. In reality, the stories we tell are a large part of what we use to understand the world.