Kei

[color=darkblue]If this was a thread asking what your favorite manga is and [i]why,[/i] I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with it. But it's not. The way this thread was started off was not exactly the best it could be, either. I'm not trying to be mean in the least. But there are just certain ways things should be done, and this isn't one of them. I'm going to close this thread, but if you want to try again the right way, go right ahead.[/color]

[color=darkblue]One of the easiest sites to find and comprehend would be the How To Draw Manga website, located at [url]www.howtodrawmanga.com[/url]. Their tutorial section is put together nicely, and is very friendly on the eyes with their examples. BakaNeko, located at [url]www.bakaneko.com/howto[/url], is also a great site to visit. Their side navigation gives you all the direct links to what you want to study. Polykarbon ( [url]http://www.polykarbon.com/tutorials/index.htm[/url]) is another great place to learn about drawing anime and manga characters. A very nice site, indeed. I hope this helps you.[/color]

[color=darkblue]I'm all for looking for help with mangas (I'm about to do so myself, lol), but if you're just going to post short little messages like that, please try to keep it to PMs and such. I'm going to close this thread, but feel free to take my advice.[/color]

[color=darkblue]As much as Tokyo Mew Mew is gaining popularity right now, this thread is from [i]September 2003.[/i] We try not to bring back any threads that are over 2 months old, since they are usually long dead and totally forgotten, and really spammy, which this one is. That being said, I'm going to close this thread, but if you want to start a new discussion about TMM, go right ahead. ^^[/color]

[color=darkblue][center]Mangaka Corner Artist #2[/center] [b]Name:[/b] Hiro Mashima [b]Age:[/b] 27 (!) [b]Nationality:[/b] Japanese [b]Education:[/b] Currently not available [b]Most Famous Works:[/b] RAVE (1998; published manga- 2000) [b]Most Recent Work:[/b] RAVE (Rave Master; TokoyPop- 2003) [b]Bio:[/b] Mashima was born in Nagano, Japan in the merry month of May in 1977. At a surprisingly young age (21), he began drawing RAVE for Weekly Shonen Magazine, where it took off as a hit. To date, RAVE has spawned 18 manga volumes (the first seven of which are currently available from TokyoPop), an animé series (that is to be on Cartoon Network’s new Saturday Toonami block), several guidebooks, and 2 console games. Mashima appears to be very fond of coloring is hair and is deathly afraid of caterpillars.* As an author’s side note, I happen to be very fond of the Rave Master manga. The characters are very well developed, the plot is nice, and the mixture of action, humor, and weird art make for a great read. It’s also very easy on beginning readers, so if you’ve only just gotten into the manga scene, or are looking to get into it, this manga is definitely one to break your Manga Otaku gums on, lol. [center][u]Bibliography[/u] Rave Master: Volume 3 by Hiro Mashima[/center] I deeply apologize to everyone for not getting this new Mangaka Corner up (and for its severe shortness). There’s been a lot of things happening and such and I got very behind, but trust me, this will [i]not[/i] happen again. If it does, feel free to thwack me with whatever large, blunt object happens to be close at hand at the time. Also, don’t be afraid to PM/IM me with suggestions on artists you want to learn more about. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t bite. ^_~ A few of you have already done this (you know who you are), and I will do my best to honor your requests. So…until next time! ^^ *Note: Surprisingly enough, Mashima-san isn’t the only one who has this fear. I do as well. --;[/color]

[color=darkblue]I've come to love Ranma 1/2 a lot over the past couple of years. Having first heard about it from the oh-so-lovable Tony (or Semjaza Azazel), I ran a search for it at my library and was surprised to find it in the catalog. Through that method, I've been able to see the first three seasons (though we do have the fourth, but I can't watch it on my DVD player. --; I really wanted to hear Richard Cox try to play Ranma...), both movies, and the "Best Of" collection. I've not been able to lay hand on the OVA, though... I really love all the characters, but Ryoga (man, he's sure got one heck of a fanbase here), Mousse, Kodachi, and Cologne really stand out to me. Ryoga's my main favorite because he's been through so much, yet he never gives up (and because half the stuff he does is so hilarious), but Mousse runs a close second due to sheer pity. I mean, he loves Shampoo so much, but it's never returned...unless you count that scene in "Nihao, My Concubine!". Kodachi interests me only because of the fact that she's come up with some of the most ingenious methods of cheating I've ever seen an anime character use. That laugh's nothing to sneeze at either, lol. Cologne is only a favorite of mine because she's the only one who could remotely keep Happosai in check (about 30% of the time). The story, though it does lag at certain eps, was overall good with what I've seen. My favorite episodes would have to be "Am I Pretty? Ranma's Declaration of Womanhood" and "A Tear In the Girl-Delinquent's Eye? The End of the Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge" simply due to the sheer hilarity of the both of them. The latter of the two had me laughing so hard by the end of the match, and for Ranma to win that way...lol. It's not hard to see why it's considered a classic, lol. It's really a nice series to get into, especially if you're just getting into anime or a die-hard Takahashi fan.[/color]

[color=darkblue]This is something better suited for the Art by Request forum, so I'll just move it over there. ^_~[/color]

[color=darkblue]I myself have come to be big on fantasy novels. Talking animals, knights fighting dragon and saving princesses, magic and mystery; I love it all. I guess I never let go of that little childhood imagination of mine, lol. I have come absolutely love the [u][b]Redwall[/b][/u] series by Brian Jacques. The imagery he uses and the characters alone are simply wonderful. I've managed to read the entire series (though it took a while to get them from the various libraries off of reserve, lol) and the latest one, [u][b]Loamhedge[/b][/u] was simply marvelous. It took a different path in the end from most of the others, but it was still a great read. [u][b]Night of the Wolf[/b][/u] by Alice Borchart was also a pretty good book. Most people think that werewolf books are all alike, but this one was muchly different from the stereotype. The historical references in it were actually pretty accurate (which is sort of hard to find in some fiction) and interesting. I would definately recommend it. Another book that I would suggest taking a peek at is [u][b]The Sight[/b][/u] by David Clement-Davies. I mentioned it in another thread a while back, and I still love this book. The way the story is told makes it seem like the characters are actually human at times. I couldn't seem to put it down at all, and I read it in about three days. Of course, the [b]Harry Potter[/b] books will always be recommended by me. I don't believe they've become "generic" recently, but some are being annoyed by all the hype they've been given, an example being when [b][u]Order of the Phoenix[/u][/b] came out. I'm sure that HP fans worldwide are waiting with baited breath for the 6th book (myself being one of them), so eh. There are a lot of other books out there, so you can just walk on by if you see them on a bookstore shelf.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Everyone who had posted so far is right; it all depends on what sort of taste you have. Just to cover most bases, I'll post a bit of everything: [b]Comedy-[/b] If you want a good laugh, I suggest picking up a copy of Excel Saga by Rikdo Koshi. It may send you to the dictionary at times, but still a great read. You can also check out Ranma 1/2 by Rumiko Takahashi as previously suggested, which relies less on cultural references for humor. Furi Kuri is a great read, too. [b]Action-[/b] Inu-Yasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale by Rumiko Takahashi is great for lots of action (with some romantic comedy mixed in). Also has it's fair share of drama and evil cliffhangers. Some consider Magic Knight Rayearth I & II by CLAMP to fall into this category as well. Great art + great story line = Great read. ^^ [b]Dark Tone-[/b] Confidential Confessions is more focused towards older teens and adults, but still a good manga to read (though the whole suicide themes and such may be a bit much for some). [b]Teen Drama-[/b] For teen dramas, there's nothing like Peach Girl and Peach Girl: Change of Heart by Miwa Ueda. The ongoing drama square between Momo, Toji, Sae and Kiley is more than enough to keep even the most avid soap opera watcher occupied, lol. You can also check out Boys Over Flowers by Yoko Kamio is a great read too. [b]Kid Drama Aimed at Teens-[/b] Kodocha: Sana's Stage by Miho Obana is a nice read for a dose of pre-adolesent drama. The relationship between Sana and Akito is hilarious and sad, in a way. [b]Mystical Fantasy Worlds-[/b] Magic Knight Rayearth I and II would fall more appropriately here. You can also check out Those Who Hunt Elves for a mix of fantasy and reality (as close as such a manga can get, anyway). [b]Mangas set on other planets-[/b] Trigun by Yasuhiro Nightow is a great buy, and is extremely popular right now. Trust me, fall all the hilarious Vashisms in that series, it's well worth the money. The Candidate for Goddess is another good book, which also falls in the mecha category. [b]Mecha-[/b] The entire Mobile Suit Gundam series is great (though I didn't like the original Mobile Suit Gundam myself.) and is definatley worth at least a looksee. Neon Genesis Evangelion would sort of fall here, but really, it's more of a drama. I've only read the first volume, but if it's anything like the anime, it may get confusing the farther you go along. That's all I can think of at the moment. I'll get back to you with other suggestions.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Well, I have several VAs that I love: [b]Dan Green[/b] (Yugi/Yami & others- Yu-Gi-Oh!, Nabuca- Now and Then, Here and There; Professor Birch, major villians, others- Pokémon)- Yes, Dan Green. Everyone's favorite five-thousand year old spirit. Even though he does Yugi/Yami, not to mention every major villian and several minors in the Pokémon movies and series (and the voice of Knuckles in Sonic X, I'm told), I still love to hear his voice. He did a particularly good job in the Now and Then, Here and There dub as Nabuca too. ^^ [b]Ted Lewis[/b]- (Bakura/Yami Bakura, Bandit Keith, others- Yu-Gi-Oh!; Giovanni, James [1998], others- Pokémon) Again, another Pokémon/Yu-Gi-Oh! VA, but I still love to hear him, even though he doesn't have a lot of versatility like his spiky-haired co-star. [b]Brad Swaile[/b]- (Quatre, others- GW; Amaro- Mobile Suit Gundam; Keisuke- Junkers Come Here) Admittedly, I didn't like his voice at first. I thought it was pretty annoying, but that was only because I had first took notice of him in Mobile Suit Gundam, and Amaro is definately [i]not[/i] one of my favorite characters. After giving him a second chance with Quatre (even though it was just the same) I grew to really like him. [b]David Lucas[/b]- (Spike- Cowboy Bebop; Shishio- Rurouni Kenshin: Legend of Kyoto; announcer for various commercials) Though he seems to do just about everything under the sun, David Lucas' voice is sort of soothing in a way. It's very smooth and easy to listen to without getting annoyed by it. And as much as you hear him nowadays, that pretty amazing, lol. [b]Veronica Taylor[/b]- (Ash, Delia, and May- Pokémon; Seita & Setsuko's Mother- Grave of the Fireflies) I'm just impressed that she can do a boy's voice that well. During an interview (which is on the Director's Commentary on the 4th Pokémon movie DVD) she said that it was sort of hard doing Ash's voice because of what it involves. I admire her for that. [b]Tara Jayne[/b]- (Megumi- Rurouni Kenshin; minor characters- Pokémon) I was always impressed by the sound of Ms. Jayne's voice when I heard her on Rurouni Kenshin. It was a definate turn around from when she did her voice work on Pokémon. A complete 108, if you will, lol. [b]Eric Stuart[/b] (Brock, James [the current one], others- Pokémon; Kaiba, others- Yu-Gi-Oh!) Anyone who can do a crazy laugh like James' deserves some sort of honor in my book, lol. [b]Yuji Ueda-[/b] (Sanosuke- Rurouni Kenshin) I simply love the sound of his voice. It seems so versatile to me. I especially like the tone he takes when a character gets angry. Wonderful. ^^ [b]Lex Lang-[/b] (Sanosuke- Rurouni Kenshin; Crim- .hack//SIGN) He just comes off as your regular smart-aleck cool guy with the way he talks. And his outtakes are some of the funniest around, lol. (Take a look at the 5th volume of the Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai outtakes for an example). Whew, that's all I can think of for right now, but there are many others, lol. I'll come back when I can think of them.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Well, the one on the left makes it seems as if the character is either a) made of metal or b) made of plastic, while the other one seems a bit more like natural light. I don't know what kind of character it is, but if I had to choose, I'd go with the one on the right, simply because it looks more natural.[/color]

[color=darkblue]I actually first read this is manga format, lol. Confusing much. ^^; This is indeed a great piece of work. The coloring and effects are all done exceptionally well. The only problem I have with it is that there isn't much in the dialouge department. It might be better if you did add some, but then again, I have no idea what type of tone you're going for, so eh. A model piece. Keep it up. ^_~[/color]

[color=darkblue]Practice is a big part of making good art (otherwise, how can you improve yourself?), but talent pretty much makes or breaks the entire thing if you ask me. A person can make art until their fingers are cramped and red, but if you don't have any sort of talent, well...you and your art may not get the sort of reception you're expecting. Of course, there are those who never had any talent and yet still manage to make good art, so I suppose it really depends on the person. I mean, I've hardly ever taken an art class, but my original works (the few that I've done, lol) are somewhat decent. So, yeah. I'll go with "depends on the person," lol.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Well, not actually a Sonic banner, but a Knuckles one. ^^; I was hoping someone could be kind enough to make me a banner of everyone's favorite hot-headed echidna for me. The style and design are totally up to you. All I ask is that it have his name in the bottom right-hand corner. You can find a ton of Knuckles pictures (not to mention pics of everyone else) [url=http://www.teamartail.com/sonicx/17/]here.[/url] Thanks a lot in advance. ^^[/color]

[color=darkblue]I personally don't think of Digimon as dead, but eh. Everyone has the right to their own opinion. Anyways, there does happen to be a Digimon manga series that's distributed by none other than TokyoPop. I just checked out the entire first series (the being Season 01 with Tai & Co.) and Season 02 is supposed to be coming out soon, if it hasn't already been released. You can check [url=http://www.tokyopop.com]here[/url] to see if it's available.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Well, in the most important aspects, I'm here to do what I was chosen to do, which is moderate. But in all the other ways, I'm here because I love the little community that we've built here. Admittedly, it's kind of hard to say that when hardly any of us have met face to face, but we all have a feeling of what someone's like by the way they post. It's just a really cool place to some and talk about issues, interests, etc. That was the reason I joined way back when (I can't even remember the exact day). I just saw a lot of people talking about DBZ (lol) and decided to get in on it. *shrugs* I just got attached to everyone here. And having a cool beans Mod position is nothing to sneeze at either, lol.[/color]

[color=darkblue]Ever since Shonen Jump started the trend (and ever prior to that), reading manga online has become a past time for a lot of people. Admittedly, for people who don't have the money to buy them themselves for whatever reason, it's a great way to read a series (or at least part of it) and a lot cheaper (hopefully). As a bonus, with the Internet being the Internet, you have access to several different ones. I suppose what I'm getting around to are these two questions: 1) Do you read online manga or Ameri-manga (i.e. MegaTokyo, RPGamer, etc.)? If you do, which ones and what is it about them that makes you keep reading? 2) Do you feel that, like online anime, reading manga online is wrong in a way? Why or why not? For me, the answer to the first question is occasionally. I sometimes make a stop by MegaTokyo's site once in a while, but only if I'm really bored. I don't feel right reading it since I missed about the first 275 issues, lol. I just wait for the hardcopy mangas to come out. The reason I read it is that I just want to see what happens to Piro and Largo (not to mention Boo. ^_~). Plus, the art is really interesting to see since it seems so simplified to me. 'Tis nicey much. As for the second question, both yes and no. I feel that it's okay to read the manga if it's just to catch a glimpse of what it's like (which is SJ's gimmick, since they do every other chapter). If I just sit and read an entire manga series online, I don't feel right about it. Sort of like music piracy in a way. *shrugs* Of course, I'm more than a bit weird, so eh. I'd love to hear everyone else's thoughts on the matter. ^^[/color]

[color=darkblue]"Looks like you could use a couple, if you ask me." Gatomon replied as she walked toward Flamedramon. She placed a gentle paw on the skin around his gunshot wound, but pulled it away quickly when he sucked in his breath loudly. "Still a bit more than tender, I see." "Obviously so." he responded, still wincing from the pain. "Hmph. I suppose you're in more than your fair share of pain, too." Deciperemon stared at his dislocated arm and then back at Gatomon. "Yeah. You could say that." Gatomon sighed and looked up at the still looming rain clouds above the city. She trotted outside on all fours and looked over her shoulder at her two new "companions." "Listen. Stay here. I'll go and find something to help you two out. Try not to get killed while I'm gone. I'd like it best if I didn't use my time in vain." Flamedramon and Deciperemon gave each other sidelong stares as Gatomon bounded off to who knows where. "You think we can trust her? Doesn't seem like the most pleasant Digimon around..." Deci asked as he settled into a postion as comfortable as he could manage. "Do we really have a choice? Plus... I really don't think she's as bad as what she makes herself seem. Digimon can put on fronts just as well as humans can. If not better." "I suppose..."[/color]

[quote name='King Ansem']anyone else read .Hack//Leagend of the twilight I liked the books since I loved the others but it is a little odd since it is more silly then the others but If you are like me you will get in to it at the 2nd book and the best part is there are charecters from the game there but I was just Excited :D[/quote] [color=darkblue]Well, as excited as you are, I suggest taking some of that energy and putting it into using better grammar in your posts. There's not one period in that entire thing, not to mention some spelling is off. I'll do you a favor and fix it this time, since this is a thread that could actually generate a decent discussion, but do try to do better in the future. I haven't personally read any of the .hack//- Legend of the Twilight series, but it does strike my interest, as I'm a .hack//SIGN fan. I know that hardly any of the characters from .hack//SIGN are in the manga, but it still has my curiousity piqued. I may very well indeed go out and buy Vol. 1 on my next go 'round at the mall.[/color]

[color=darkblue]It's a very nice plotline, Gavvers. I like how it leaves room for a lot of different things to happen. I'll go out on a limb here. Would the priest would end up being a sort of "sidekick" to the archangel? It could very possibly leave some room for comedy, but I don't even know if that's the direction you'd want to go in. ^^; I'm really interested in seeing exactly what would happen with this idea of yours. You must keep us updated. I demand it. lol ^_~[/color]

[color=darkblue]I redid my old deck since I went out and got some new cards the other day, but I'm sure there's something I can do to make this a little better so I won't make a complete fool out of myself at the tournament Wendsday, lol. I'd appreciate any suggestions. [b]Monsters:[/b] 23 [u]Tribute & Ritual Monsters[/u] Performance of Sword Swordstalker Dark Magician Invitation to a Dark Sleep [u]Non-Tribute Monsters[/u] Sonic Bird x2 Witch of the Black Forest Armed Ninja Old Vindictive Magician Pixie Knight Trap Master Hayabusa Knight Queen's Double Hane-Hane D. Human Mysterious Guard Rouge Doll Kojikocy Warrior Dai Grepher Frontier Wiseman Lady of Faith Marauding Captain Man-Eater Bug Dream Clown [b]Spell Cards:[/b] 23 Fissure x2 Monster Reborn (thanks for reminding me, Solo.) Commencement Dance Dark Hole The Warrior Returning Alive De-Spell Ookazi Heart of Clear Water x3 Mystical Space Typhoon The A. Forces Sogen Remove Trap Raregold Armor Rush Recklessly Black Pendant Graceful Charity Tremendous Fire Shooting Star Bow- Ceal Banner of Courage Dian Keto the Cure Master [b]Trap:[/b] 16 Gust Magic Jammer Jar of Greed Horn of Heaven Begone, Knave! Castle Walls DNA Transplant Energy Drain Enchanted Javelin x2 Just Desserts Trap Hole Reinforcements Ready for Intercepting Waboku x2 Again, thanks in advance for any help you can offer. ^^[/color]

[color=darkblue][i]Gatomon watched after the wounded Fladramon as he limped towards the city from her perch in a tree. She was surprised he actually did have it in him to get up and walk away.[/i] "He'll be lucky if he makes it back before he passes out from blood loss." she mumbled. [i]As much as Gatomon held the philosphy of "Do for self," she couldn't help worrying about him. He seemed to be strong enough on his own. Maybe it would be to her benefit to at the very least follow him around for a while.[/i] "He's got to be something for me to care about him." [i]She nimbly lept down from the thick branch and trotted after the Fladramon, careful keep enough distance as to where she wouldn't be in too much danger if he suddenly turned hostile.[/i] "Heh. Maybe I'll even make a friend...[/color]

[color=darkblue]Welcome to OB, gohons daddy. Threads like this are considered spam by our standards, simply because you haven't really added anything to your post. As for this "Dragonball NG" thing, unless it's a fan comic, there's no truth to this at all. I've just gone to the website and haven't seen a mention of this anywhere. I'd suggest trying to put a little more thought into your posts in the future. Thread Closed[/color]

[color=darkblue]Gatomon lay spread eagle out in the middle of the glades staring up at the sky. She'd found herself doing that a lot lately. "It's changed so much... I remember when it was nothing but blue and white. It was so beautiful. Now, it's just pitiful..." [i]Gatomon heaved nosily and sat up, checking her surroundings. It wasn't long before she saw a small party of Gazimon strolling casually toward her.[/i] "Great. As if I haven't dealt with enough idiots today," she thought. The leader, signified by a bloodied and tattered blue bandana he wore around his neck, was the first to speak to her. "Hey, cutie. Wanna come along with us? We're going to kill that group of humans over there." "Yeah. They keep takin' all the grub around here!" said one of the others. Gatomon glanced over at him quickly before focusing her attention back on the leader. "Sorry. I'll pass. I've got better things to do." "Like what?" "Like avoiding more losers like you..." she said as she strolled away. ---- I apologize for not being able to post something more detailed. I'm sort of in a hurry.[/color]

[color=darkblue]To be truthfully honest, rules on picture request threads are sort of unwritten, unless you happen to be the Art Request forum. Since, in most cases, someone can see the request and say "Oh! Look! I found this at so 'n' so place! Here you go!", therefore making the thread fall under the spam category. That being the case, we usually ask that members keep requests like that strictly to their signatures. So, if you could do that, that'd be wonderful. Thread Closed[/color]