Shinmaru

So many to watch after I get home from work. @_@ I haven't been able to watch this one yet, but I am told that it works surprisingly well: [url="http://tubedubber.com/#25H--2ZPpOA:DlhtVgB7QuY:0:100:0:0:true"][i]Kare Kano[/i] x [i]G Gundam[/i][/url]. Enjoy!

Not that it bothers me much, but I just found out that the swear filter isn't up yet. LOL Imagine my surprise!

LOL That was great. Just imagine if [i]Gundam 00[/i] had a bit of [i]InuYasha[/i] going on storywise, too ... Setsuna: GUNDAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Gundam: ... Setsuna: GUNDAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Gundam: ... And so on. At first I tried mixing [i]Cross Game[/i]'s visuals with the [i]Evangelion[/i] OP music, and it didn't fit at all ... [url="http://tubedubber.com/#qXoIEDYCF-A:7dIPoAYnVDs:0:100:0:0:true"]but the reverse is amazing[/url]. Who knew? EDIT: lol Two people get in before I can post. I'm meant to be responding to Miss A. EDIT2: Holy crap, that [i]Tales of the Abyss[/i] + [i]FLCL[/i] video is freaking AWESOME. Very cool. The [i]Hellsing[/i] + [i]BECK[/i] one is hilarious, hahaha. So awesome. I love you all.

lol, the [i]Excel Saga[/i] x [i]Samurai Champloo[/i] mashup is wonderful. Love the [i]Planetes[/i] one too. Another one from me: [url="http://tubedubber.com/#nRIINEw2O50:61q65SYgAWc:0:100:0:0:true"][i]Aoi Hana[/i] x [i]Ayakashi[/i][/url]. Yuri + hip-hop = KO combo. There's some suggestive imagery at the end of the OP, though, so it's NSFW.

A friend of mine showed me an amusing website, [url="http://tubedubber.com/"]Tube Dubber[/url], in which YouTube videos can be dubbed over with the audio from other videos. Being crazy anime fans, the best use of this site, of course, is to combine anime OPs. Let's see how many fun ones we can come up with! [url="http://tubedubber.com/#eZ5MDA9BKeg:8I9HNrwxbJU:0:100:0:0:true"]This is the one my buddy came up with[/url], a combination of [i]Code Geass[/i]' first OP animation with the OP from [i]Hare+Guu Final[/i]. It's scary how well it fits. And my contribution: [url="http://tubedubber.com/#u6PxCIv5wfo:OghSdTqZ8R0:0:100:0:0:true"]A combo of one of the [i]Shugo Chara! OPs[/i] and the OP of the currently airing [i]Rainbow[/i][/url]. Let's see some other good ones! EDIT: I am almost afraid of how well [url="http://tubedubber.com/#7KoL7__Bmyg:mIKRn1dbT28:0:100:0:0:true"]the OP animation from [i]Escaflowne[/i] fits the [i]Haruhi Suzumiya[/i] OP[/url].

[b]Hetalia[/b] is an up and down series for me. There are some episodes that are downright hysterical ... and there are others that are just pointless. Guess that's what you get when episodes are just five minutes long. Haven't really been keeping up with the new season, though.

Never, mostly because I can't stand the idea of someone else dictating how much I should enjoy a piece of entertainment. I might be less willing to speak up about it, just because I don't like getting into dumb arguments, but I'm not going to stop enjoying [b]DBZ[/b] (dumb as it is) just because a lot of fans grow out of the series and then immediately hate it.

I barely play video games these days, but my brother picked up [b]Super Mario Galaxy 2[/b] a few days ago, so I've been fiddling around with that recently. Don't think it's quite as grand as the first game so far (though I still love the soundtrack). Kind of easy thus far, too, but I'm not that far into the game (16 stars at the moment).

I love orange, and I love Wet Paint.

[quote name='eleanor' date='02 June 2010 - 12:47 AM' timestamp='1275464849' post='694245'] [font="Verdana"]I just watched Rebuild of Eva 2.22 and my mind is blown.[/font] [/quote] Eva 2.22 was kind of strange because the characters are so honest and straightforward! Asuka particularly threw me for a loop. It's weird because the feelings behind the characters aren't really different (they feel the same way they do in the series once you make your way past all the layers of confusion), but Eva 2.22 does away with most of the deliberate confusion, I think half out of storytelling necessity and half because Hideaki Anno is just a different person now than he was 15 years ago when first directing Evangelion. I wouldn't say it is necessarily better or worse yet (especially with two movies remaining); just different. Also Eva 2.22 made me realize that, apparently, Asuka is my favorite Eva character. When in the hell did THAT happen?? ([spoiler]Asuka's eyepatch in the next movie looks pretty boss, gotta say. Wouldn't she be a great pirate?[/spoiler])

It's been a few months, so why don't I post in here again? [b]Akagi[/b]: Good series -- not as good as [b]Kaiji[/b], but Akagi is an electric lead character, even though the series is mostly about the cutthroat way he decimates his opponents in mahjong rather than any growth on his part. It gets a bit repetitive at times, though. [b]Hataraki Man[/b]: Liked it a lot. The stories are episodic for the most part, but they do a good job of presenting a portrait of a modern working woman, with some subtle criticism about capitalism that is pretty much unheard of in modern anime (haven't seen enough older anime to decide whether this was the case back then too). I'm kind of interested in seeing the live action drama because I get the feeling the story would work better in that medium. [b]Kemonozume[/b]: Starts off strong as an interesting take on the [i]Romeo and Juliet[/i] type of tragic romance, but it tails off by the end as the story grows progressively less interesting. [b]Paranoia Agent[/b]: Very good series, even when it turns away from the main story in the middle and presents some standalone episodes. The social criticism really works for me, the story is interesting enough and the visual style is typically imaginative Satoshi Kon. Glad I finally saw it. [b]Mobile Fighter G Gundam[/b]: I always got the feeling this was seen as the black sheep of the [b]Gundam[/b] franchise, but its reputation is surprisingly strong, at least where I look. Honestly, [b]G Gundam[/b] might be my favorite of all the series I've seen. Yeah, it's really goofy, it has a notoriously crappy string of episodes in the middle and it is undeniably the most shounen of any [b]Gundam[/b]; however, the story is legitimately good and exciting. The weakest of the holy mecha trio I've seen directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa ([b]Shin Mazinger Z[/b] and especially [b]Giant Robo[/b] are better), but nonetheless it is a series worth watching. [b]Afro Samurai[/b]: Good if you just want bloody action -- it's what [b]Ninja Scroll[/b] should have been. [b]Alien Nine[/b]: Totally weird OVA about middle school girls who have to fight aliens on campus. There's this bizarrely sinister undercurrent to the series that contrasts with its light and poppy presentation, and the subtext about the growing process is legitimately interesting. However, there are also some major storytelling issues; the story doesn't conclude so much as it just ends, and that's it. Still, it's so different and weird and subversive that I'd recommend it. [b]Infinite Ryvius[/b]: Anime's [b]Lord of the Flies[/b] -- it sticks a bunch of teenagers into a precarious situation in deep space and watches the chaos unfold. Flaws are deep, and virtues are iron-clad; there's also less pure angst than one might expect. Story also moves at a good pace, too, and I love the hip-hop based soundtrack. (Still pretty sure [b]Ryvius[/b] is the first TV anime to make such extensive use of hip-hop as background music.) Seems to be the kind of series that falls through the cracks, so I encourage people to give it a shot. [b]Skip Beat![/b]: And now finally to what I am currently watching! 17 episodes in, and I'm surprised that the romance has really heated up only recently. I like the approach, though: The romance has blossomed mainly as an indirect result of the main character, Kyoko, becoming a better actress and earning the respect of her potential suitor, Ren. Gotta say that Kyoko is a badass heroine. I love her fire and her absolute refusal to let anyone walk all over her. Ren's development is refreshing, as well: He's sort of an antagonistic suitor at first, but his antagonism toward Kyoko actually makes sense even if it's a misunderstanding (he believes she does not show enough respect toward her profession) rather than him being a huge a-hole, but his stance changes as he gets to know Kyoko better, and it feels natural instead of forced. Ren is cool. EDIT: Forgot to mention that Marina Inoue is fantastic as Kyoko. She nails the sweetness, the sarcasm, the anger, the hot-bloodedness and especially the comedy. There's one part in the series where Kyoko has to dress up as a chicken mascot for a talk show, and Inoue is absolutely hysterical during the whole thing.

So I've seen at least one episode of everything I'm interested in watching this season. Some quick thoughts! [b]Angel Beats![/b]: Wasn't huge on the first episode, but the subsequent episodes have been pretty damn good, particularly when it comes to mastering the overall tone of the series. There are some interesting bits and pieces about the world and characters coming into play; I'm interested to see where everything is going. [b]Arakawa Under the Bridge[/b]: Again, not terribly into the first episode, but 2-3 are both quite funny. I love how Kou/Recruit's interactions with all the crazies subtly tear apart his own obsessive, workaholic lifestyle. Nino is really cool in her nonchalant way (score one for Maaya Sakamoto), I love the star dude and his crazy range of facial expressions and Takehito Koyasu as a burly man masquerading as a nun is a home run. [b]Giant Killing[/b]: Solid sports series so far; has a good shot of falling into the normal cliches and developments, but Tatsumi is a good lead character, so I don't really mind right now. I need more sports anime in my life, anyway. [b]Heroman[/b]: Pure Saturday morning cartoon fluff, and I am greatly enjoying it so far. Sometimes you just need a hulking giant robot to kick some ***. IN AMERICA. [b]House of Five Leaves[/b]: I enjoyed the feel and tone of the first episode, but not much about the story or characters particularly excited me. But I get the feeling that will change pretty soon. [b]Kaichou wa Maid-sama[/b]: Liked the first episode and thought the second stagnated, but the third develops Misaki and Usui's chemistry to the point that they're an effortlessly enjoyable pair, even if neither is totally breaking free of their stock types so far. Chemistry is the important thing in romantic-comedies, though, so good on this show for nailing that early. [b]Rainbow[/b]: I'm in the middle with this series -- I think it could develop into a strong, gritty story, but I'm not ready to jump on the "potential anime of the year!!1!1!11!" bandwagon yet, nor am I ready to decry it for being depressing and/or pretentious. (Though the narration has to be scaled back; ep2 seems to do this, which is good.) The part where the boys eventually get out of the prison is probably where the series will really shine. [b]Senkou no Night Raid[/b]: People are watching this like a hawk due to the time frame it is set in; I didn't see anything too objectionable in the first episode (just a guy acting like you'd expect a deluded Japanese higher-up to act), but it doesn't seem as if any subbers want to touch this at all, which is a shame. Maybe all the history and politicospeak are driving people away. [b]The Tatami Galaxy[/b]: Seems like there's plenty to like, but damn, the dialogue -- particularly the speed at which it is delivered -- just about gave me a headache. Probably not too bad if you understand Japanese (like listening to Robin Williams speak nonstop), but I found it a bit tough to read the subs on Funi's site and appreciate the visuals at the same time.

Big bump, but [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-04-15/bandai-entertainment-adds-the-disappearance-of-haruhi-suzumiya"][b]Bandai licensed the (awesome) Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya movie[/b][/URL]. For anyone whose faith in the [b]Haruhi Suzumiya[/b] franchise was shattered by the second season/"Endless Eight" catastrophe, the best story in the series is ready to make all those bad feelings go away. The movie is pretty long -- two-and-a-half hours! -- but hey.

That actually makes me like Japan more.

[b]Iron Man[/b] was delayed until the fall season, which is why it was taken out of the chart. Definitely a series I was interested in watching, so that's a bit disappointing.

Haha, my initial reaction to the thread title was, "'Not funny anymore'? Have you seen anime comedies? They almost all suck." Speaking of unfunny ****, the amount of (potential) incest in anime has always baffled me, doubly so when it's in a comedy and apparently supposed to be hilarious instead of uncomfortable and awkward. And then there's the incestual variation where the romantic attraction is to an adopted sibling, which is just infuriating because we have to deal with this **** AND it's basically the anime creators announcing, "Hey! They're not [i]really[/i] related, so it's OK! By the way, we are lacking in testicles!"

With just a few days until the first crop of spring shows make their debut, it's finally time for me to get off my lazy *** and start the new thread! Hooray! Spring 2009 had some solid shows -- among them [b]FMA: Brotherhood[/b], [b]Eden of the East[/b] and [b]Cross Game[/b] -- and hopefully the same will hold true for this season. For a quick peek at the shows, [URL="http://chartfag.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/spring-2010-v2march.jpg"][b]the seasonal chart[/b][/URL] is your best bet, and if you want more detailed looks into each show, [URL="http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2010/03/49-spring-anime-full-previews-wstaff.html"][b]here are[/b][/URL] [URL="http://www.thatanimeblog.com/index.php/2010/03/t-h-a-t-spring-2010-anime-preview/"][b]some[/b][/URL] [URL="http://www.seaslugteam.com/archives/2010/03/21/spring-2010-preview/"][b]season previews[/b][/URL]. (The first link is chock full of information, probably because the blogger actually knows Japanese and is better equipped to research this information than most other sites. :p) [b]Series I am definitely interested in watching:[/b] -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11188"][b]Arakawa Under the Bridge[/b][/URL]: I've heard some good things about the manga, and the set-up certainly seems right in SHAFT's wheelhouse. Really interesting pair of leads in Hiroshi Kamiya and Maaya Sakamoto, along with some other heavyweights in the supporting roles (Chiwa Saito, Tomokazu Sugita, Takehito Koyasu, Rie Tanaka, Keiji Fujiwara, etc.). My only concern is whether the humor will grate on me after a while. -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11228"][b]Senkou no Night Raid[/b][/URL]: The big buzz about this series is how it will potentially portray this period in Japanese history, where they didn't, er, treat the Chinese particularly well. Kind of tricky, sensitive ground to walk on there. That said, it still could be a cool series (and, if nothing, it could inspire some interesting historical posts about the time period from people who will rail against its inaccuracies :p). Also notable as the second series in the Anime no Chikara timeslot -- which is dedicated to anime-original stories -- after [b]Sora no Woto[/b]. -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9700"][b]Rainbow[/b][/URL]: People don't seem to be much interested in this because the story appears to be fairly depressing, but I am unafraid of depressing works, so soldier on I shall! I'm artsy-fartsy like that. Plus apparently Megumi Hayashibara is acting as the narrator -- now there's a name you don't see too often these days! -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11176"][b]House of Five Leaves[/b][/URL]: Interesting look, also a noitamina series. Sold. -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11200"][b]Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei[/b][/URL]: The other noitamina series of the season, from Masaaki Yuasa, the eccentric director of [b]Kaiba[/b], [b]Kemonozume[/b] and [b]Mind Game[/b]. I'm always up for something different, although obviously there's the potential of crazy artwork being used to dress up something boring. But for now I am all in. [b]Series I am kind of interested in watching:[/b] -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11189"][b]Giant Killing[/b][/URL]: I kind of feel like getting more into sports anime; plus, soccer isn't actually half bad, though it's only good when watching in person (this of course is the opinion of someone who is not invested in any particular team). -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11266"][b]Heroman[/b][/URL]: Just to see if it is as goofy as it seems, or if it could be sneaky good. I am starved for mecha, can you tell? Plus, it has that Eureka Seven look to its character. Good sign, right?? -- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10885"][b]Angel Beats![/b][/URL]: Seemingly a different type of story for Key, so I'm interested in what they pulled out of their hat for this one. I also love that even after death, you can't escape student councils. Only in anime. That's about all for me. Anyone else?

Mustang has comedic moments, but he is most definitely not just a comic relief figure. Don't worry, he'll have plenty of awesome moments as the series progresses.

[quote name='Ikillion'][COLOR=#35160f][SIZE="1"][FONT="Trebuchet MS"][spoiler]Seeing[/spoiler] Mustang in the upcoming battle will be a [spoiler]sight[/spoiler] to behold.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] I [spoiler]see[/spoiler] what you did there. :p Crazy chapter. I'm still taking everything in, especially since it is a hell of a lot longer than I expected it to be. I guess Arakawa believed everything needed to happen at once to have the most dramatic impact. Everything with Wrath is definitely my favorite part of the chapter. He has been shooting way up my favorite characters list since I've been watching [i]Brotherhood[/i]. I love how much he blurs the line between [spoiler]human[/spoiler] and Homunculus. Hell, he might be the most tragic figure in this series, even if he does not see it that way at all.

I lost The Game. [spoiler]Congrats to all those deemed Nifty![/spoiler]

Time for yet another overdue update!! Let's see ... I watched [b]Simoun[/b] and absolutely loved it. I don't think I could describe [b]Simoun[/b] without sounding half-crazy, so read about it [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simoun_%28anime%29][b]here[/b][/url]. Everything about it is wonderful; absolutely the best thing Studio DEEN has ever made (yes, including [b]Higurashi[/b] and [b]Marimite[/b]). Tons of good characters, interesting visuals and a story that isn't afraid to go off in its own direction rather than follow convention. I picked up [b]Red Garden[/b] again after putting it on hold for a while. There are a bunch of elements that could lead to a good series, but overall it doesn't gel well enough to make the whole great. Frankly, I could have done without the nonsense regarding the centuries-old feud between the two families -- it's underdeveloped, save for Herve's concern for the fates of his sister and cousin -- and the conclusion is completely unsatisfying. The focus on the four main girls is by far the most interesting aspect of the series. Watched the first two [b]Kara no Kyoukai[/b] movies. They look fantastic and have a great atmosphere, but I'm underwhelmed by the story so far ... the first movie particularly feels like a 20-minute anime episode stretched out to 50 minutes. But I'm keeping in mind that the seven [b]Kara no Kyoukai[/b] movies are more like a [i]really[/i] long series than standalone movies, so I'm trying not to be too hard on it. Hopefully the third movie picks things up. Lastly, I should finish up [b]Ayakashi[/b] tonight. It's a horror anthology featuring three stories -- the final story in the series, "Bake Neko", spun off into the excellent [b]Mononoke[/b] a year later. It's not difficult to see why: "Bake Neko" is the most distinct, visually creative story in the series, and the Medicine Seller is of course an awesome hero. He's also [i]way[/i] more expressive in this story than he is in [b]Mononoke[/b]. It's so weird to see him actually pissed off.

Man, I really need to attend an All-Star game at least once in my life. I was at work while the All-Star game was on, so I taped it and am watching it right now ... there's barely any defense, but the offenses are clicking at a pretty good level, unlike in years past where they'd be sloppy as hell and throwing up OVER 9000 stupid alley oop attempts and retarded no look passes. Even though I know the Western Conference is going to lose (damn it all), this game will still be fun to watch. And I'd definitely be up for NBA topics. :) Basketball needs more love here. EDIT: That sequence in the second quarter where Deron Williams and Dwyane Wade trade dunks is awesome. EDIT2: As a total Lakers homer, this would be the scariest thing ever for me ... but we need to do everything possible to get Kevin Durant and Deron Williams on the same team. Those two have instant chemistry on the court. It's ridiculous.

Oh, why not? 1. [b]Revolutionary Girl Utena[/b]: A great story that somehow succeeds while 1) Begging you to not take it seriously at all, and 2) Being presented in such a way that the only thing you can really be sure of is that 99 percent of what happens onscreen is not meant to be taken literally. In theory I should hate this, because so much of it is ******** symbolism, but all that is counteracted by the series being totally out there and going all the way with its themes and motifs and whatnot. Plus, it has some of the funniest "LOL STALLING" comedy episodes ever. 2. [b]Monster[/b]: Come for the thrilling plot, stay for the amazing way the series effortlessly makes you think about the actions of just about every character (including the near-saintly Dr. Tenma). Tons of memorable characters (including my favorite protagonist and antagonist in anime), great stories and the willingness to let the plot unfold at its own pace. (Seriously, what are the chances this would [i]ever[/i] get made today?? And it has only been about six years or so since [b]Monster[/b] came out, mind.) 3. [b]Eureka Seven[/b]: For my money, the best mecha series I've ever seen (though I am still sort of a mecha n00b, so that doesn't mean [i]too[/i] much). Sure, the characters are almost uniformly annoying and/or complete a-holes at the beginning of the series, but the series in the beginning survives on the fun and adventure of Renton discovering the world, and later, the harshness of his discovering reality. When the characters are able to mature at the halfway point, the series really takes off. 4. [b]Kaleido Star[/b]: HARD WORK AND GUTS meets the circus. In the wrong hands, main character Sora could be an annoying doof, but instead she is the most shining, endearing example of her character type I've seen -- the relentlessly positive, "work until my hands are bleeding" go-getter who won't stop until she accomplishes her goal. Seriously, she is like the Terminator, if the Terminator were a trapeze artist instead of a deadly cyborg. Almost as awesome is Layla Hamilton, who comes off like the Ice Queen, except that she is perfectly willing to lend anyone her respect and admiration -- they just have to earn it, is all. 5. [b]RahXephon[/b]: Confusing and confounding because it takes the "show, don't tell" mantra to the extreme, but I'd rather have to think too much to understand a plot than not at all. Plus, Ayato Kamina is a main character with whom I can really identify -- someone who has ties to two worlds and isn't really sure which he wants to make "his" since they both have positives and negatives. Tying into that, I think [b]RahXephon[/b] has one of the more thoughtful, mature depictions of racism and prejudice I've seen in anime. Also, Haruka is kind of awesome. 6. [b]Gankutsuou[/b]: If there is one thing anime does exceptionally, it's melodrama, and [b]Gankutsuou[/b] is just about the perfect melodrama (not surprising, considering it is adapted from [b]The Count of Monte Cristo[/b]). Vengeance never looked so great on the screen -- people tend to be mixed on [b]Gankutsuou[/b]'s visual style, but I think it's brilliant, lively and fresh. A great departure from Generic Harem Series No. 87. Jouji Nakata's vocal performance as The Count of Monte Cristo may be my favorite ever seiyuu performance. He hits every right note. 7. [b]Rose of Versailles[/b]: Oscar is the GARest character in the universe, but also emotionally complex and, a rarity in anime, a fully-realized woman. What a triple threat! Oscar's struggles with roles and identities is fascinating and fantastic to watch unfold because she carries herself with such grace and dignity, never afraid to go where her heart says she must go. And the backdrop of the French Revolution is of course the perfect place for tragedy to unfold. Still holds up more than 30 years after its initial release because of its complex characters and storytelling, and because of its influential visual style. 8. [b]Planetes[/b]: A recent addition to my top 10! [b]Planetes[/b] takes a hard science-fiction concept (the realities of garbage collecting in space), and with it weaves a very human tale about ambition, human relationships and our duties and responsibilities to the world as a whole. It's a superbly intelligent series with characters you can really get behind. And despite how serious it may sound, the show rarely loses its sense of fun. 9. [b]Cowboy Bebop[/b]: I find that this series slips further down by top 10 as I watch more series, but I don't know if I could ever bear to have it leave completely. Objectively, I would not say it is one of the best 10 anime series of all time; however, as with many other people, it holds a great deal of personal meaning to me as the show that really ignited by anime fandom. That definitely counts for something, and it's a fantastic show to boot. 10. [b]Honey and Clover[/b]: A rare romantic comedy with brains, perhaps because it focuses just as much on the complexities of a group of people at a crossroads in their lives as it does on the budding romantic feelings between certain characters. [b]Honey and Clover[/b] is often hilarious, pleasant and charming, and will probably hit many a college student where it hurts the most with its depiction of several art school students standing on the brink of entering the world. Along with that, [b]Honey and Clover[/b] is also a thoughtful depiction of talent and the differences between those who possess talent and those who do not.