AzureWolf

[COLOR=blue]Isn't this essentially the Amish way of life? You know what's interesting about that? They usually toss their teens out into the real world and let them decide for themselves if they want to live in a technologically rich environment or return back to the Amish Lands. And believe it or not, most return. O_o I hope that was on topic. ^^; If not, I'm pretty much with Lore on this one (but she's still an anomaly aka weirdo :p)[/COLOR] EDIT: I bet most of us could [B]survive[/B] such a way of life if worse comes to worse, but prefer it? No, nor would we enjoy it all that much.

[COLOR=blue]The idea actually sparks my interest. I heard about this [B]Kara no Kyoukai[/B] novel from [url=http://www.geocities.com/max3075/top.htm]Moonlit World[/url], and the website creator makes it sounds like it's every bit as good as Tsukihime, if not better. So I downloaded and thought it'd be no sweat to babelfish through... ... No amount of translating is going to work on something that freakin' long, haha. So it would be really nice to see those types of novels translated (those are the types of novels you are talking about, right?). Any idea on the chances of Kara no Kyoukai being translated? It is obscenely long... Also, do think these things are going to succeed? What's the motivation for manga readers to read these? I don't read manga, but I'm betting the pictures are a big factor to its popularity, so taking the pictures out sounds like a bad idea. On the other hand, I realize that, without pictures, novels are almost another entertainment medium, but I think text works better with adults than with kids. I do admittedly hate to read, but if something sparks my interest enough, I'll read [B]volumes[/B] (not manga volumes, but textbook volumes) of things. I'm obsessive like that, haha.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]I've always felt kind of bad to vote for my own stuff so I never do, but the way Lore put it makes sense: sometimes you like what you've done, and other times you don't like it. So, if you rate your own stuff with how you feel about it, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]I'm not really up to speed with news these days, but define "life-threatening." Getting hit by a car is life-threatening, but what about a cancer that clearly can't be cured by practical means? Are you including that in your "anything life-threating should be free" slogan?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]Just so you know, I get a "forbidden" page when I click on the full image link. You could just upload it onto OB, you know. The thumbnail looks interesting, but it's impossible to critique. ^^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]Based on your placement of this thread, and how you talk about it, it sounds like this isn't a manga in any way. Are you saying that these novels are literally stories: no pictures but just writing?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]You know, Generic might be on to something. If someone who doesn't care for spoilers does the job, it'll make it better for the rest of us, haha. I certainly am sick of spoilers, and I'm sorry for the mods (such as Dagger) who have to have great series ruined for them just because someone wasn't considerate enough. What do you think about branding people for a week or something as punishment?

[QUOTE=Lunox][color=darkslateblue] Ha! *has a jolly laugh* Yes, somewhat. Full Metal Alchemist is like my dream anime come true (leaving out some corny parts). I don't want to use the word 'idocy' for Evangelion, since I still have respect for it (I mean, I think I dissed .hack//SIGN in that post, but I still have respect...although I do like it better than Evangelion now). It's just that FMA pulls many elements together so nicely! It's got the whole package: Action, angst, philosophy, humor, etc. etc. AND it's a very nice bonus that I love almost every character in the series. I just feel not many people really see the great quality that lies in FMA. Personally, I don't even want that to be true. I actually liked how FMA ended...as opposed to the other 99% who hated it. O_o. And the movie will most probably wrap things up. Making another series might just damage everything.[/color][/QUOTE] [COLOR=blue]Lunox, how fast can you turn 18?

[COLOR=blue]I'm pretty much at a loss. Your brother clearly knows what good animes are, so it's hard to recommend something that he already doesn't have - unless you want a bad anime. (I'm also very happy to see that he doesn't have ultimately superficial animes like GitS and Evangelion.

[quote name='Lore][font=trebuchet ms']I'm not really saying anything of the sort. :) Sometimes, Azure, I just draw parallels without conclusions. Heh.[/font][/quote][COLOR=blue]If only Godel's Sakura avi was a smiley, I'd use it here... -_- So, let me see if I'm getting this straight: there's a symbolic relationship between the Haibane and the crows, but you don't believe that's the main purpose for the crows being in Haibane Renmei? Maybe they are the government. Afterall, there are only two things certain in life, eh?[/bad joke] [QUOTE][font=trebuchet ms]I'm really interested now in watching the rest of Lain, as well. I think I remember seeing crows in the opening, or the first episode... are they there throughout the show?[/font][/QUOTE] LOL! I must have written this in another forum, but I said the same thing when I saw the opening for Lain! I was wondering if the crows were important and if the meaning behind them could be applied to Haibane Renmei. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed when I realized that they were only in the opening and not elaborated on at all throughout the show. Still, it makes one wonder why they are even in the opening. I have a crazy idea about that, but it'll be for some other time. Oh, btw, I can't believe I forgot to show you this after you finished watching Haibane Renmei: [url=http://home.earthlink.net/~azurwolf/images/Kitty%20Haibane.swf]Kitty Haibane![/url]. Yeah, the only downside is that it's in Japanese so you don't know what the story is. If only someone could just tell us the little story. It's still nice, though. ^^ Oh, and a funny wallpaper I found.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]Even if he is innocent, there are other reasons I would want him locked up, behind bars, and possibly do sunlight justice by keeping it fifty feet away from him at all times.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]Geez, Sara! One surprise at a time! First your avatar, and then you were awesome enough to do the title thing in all your posts! That's just crazy. I will follow suit... just, much, much slower and later. Why am I so lazy? O_o [CENTER][U][B]Crows[/B][/U][/CENTER] ^^; Haha, I guess I should have clarified that I was talking about Sara's post and not yours, Mimmi. She was talking about the connotations that crows could have, and so it seemed like she might have been going in that direction is all. Certainly, that is the case, Mimmi. I didn't think you were saying something else. Although, how do you feel about my extrapolation from Sara's comments? [CENTER][U][B]Halo[/B][/U][/CENTER] Actually, [SPOILER]we are never told why they are given halos[/SPOILER], except to possibly live with the stereotype ([SPOILER]"Hey, we've got wings, so why stop halfway?"[/SPOILER]). I mean, as Sara pointed out, the whole event (i.e., "marking" one with the halo) doesn't have a "forced" feel to it, nevermind a Nazi-ish one. Not to say that you are wrong or anything, but it seems kind of pointless to mark someone who is already clearly marked with wings, eh? Unless it is for purely symbolic purposes with no practical use. O_o [CENTER][U][B]Sin-ified[/B][/U][/CENTER] As for Rakka, yeah, I guess it's all about how you percieve the situation [SPOILER]with the crow: either it forgave her or she forgave herself[/SPOILER]. And what about the most important case: the one with Reki? Argh, I can't remember... I need to watch this series again. Still, you can explain that too, heh. [SPOILER]You said that it was all about calling out for help, as it's very hard to ask for help unless it is offered[/SPOILER]. But shouldn't her situation have something about [SPOILER]forgiveness[/SPOILER] in it, regardless of whether [SPOILER]she forgives herself or someone forgives her[/SPOILER]? [CENTER][U][B]FGiWD™ Revisited[/B][/U][/CENTER] Alrighty. That's all I was asking. Sorry for the confusion, heh. (I honestly don't remember this, but Sara mentioned it): [SPOILER]Why was the FGiWD™ helpful at one moment and unhelpful at another time[/SPOILER]? You know, all schizo like. Or, do you think she was just doing what's best at both times in the show? [CENTER][U][B]Toga[/B][/U][/CENTER] O_o Most interesting, haha. Yeah, the power of the wall makes one wonder... Maybe you are on to something there, Mimmi. [SPOILER]"What is beyond the Wall?"[/SPOILER] is a question that Sara and/or I have little conclusion on, so more input would be great material for discussion. Anyway, as I said before, this follows closely with what I originally thought of Glie as. Of course, that doesn't help us get to a conclusion but makes for more possibilities. This will be fun. ^^ What do you think of Sara's [SPOILER]dual-nature[/SPOILER] theory, and which of the two theories do you prefer? [CENTER][U][B]Nutty dreams[/B][/U][/CENTER] O_o Slightly off-topic: I've been having the strangest, almost real dreams as of late, haha. It's quite interesting. Do you put any weight on dreams, and if so, does it make you enjoy the dream aspect of Haibane Renmei more?[/COLOR] Bleh, I'm not pleased with my discussive prowess on Haibane Renmei. I really have to watch it over. Speaking of which...

[COLOR=blue]I'm beginning to realize that more and more new members are absolutely inconsiderate of other fans when it comes to anime series and plot twists. There seems to be some satisfacation or air of arrogance among those who spoil shows for others. While I have no clue why knowing what will happen in a show makes one feel like his/her balls are bigger, it's really starting to piss me off. The "What Made You Cry?" thread is a perfect example. I don't know of any solution, but there has to be something that can be done. And it's not only unfair to members, but to the moderators who have to fix the spoilers and tag them. I think there should be [B]something[/B] done. I'm not calling for harsher punishment or anything (but that wouldn't be too bad...

[COLOR=blue]They'll always be rumors about another season of your favorite anime. Let's face facts, though: they are just not true. We just really want them to be true, so we listen to them and buy into it. Another season that wasn't planned from the get-go are rare, and even rarer if a series has completed airing.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]But the guy does have a point: if something needs to be edited, the option should be available. While I do try to proofread things before submitting, something always is wrong, whether it's a typo or if something could have been stated better. So yeah, there should be some type of editing option.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]At first, I just joined because it was something OB-related. I really didn't know what I wanted to do with it, so I just wrote whatever I felt like writing. Later, I thought I'd be writing about touchy topics and the like, with my own opinions and linking places like mad. Why? Because one's opinions might be interesting to other people, and linking to places will give those not familiar but interested on a topic to get things rolling. However, that's not how things turned out. The blog is just about me. I'm not that defensive about personal information, as only one person online knows my real name (the Uchiha, if you are wondering), and one other person thinks my roommate's name is my name because I gave them his campus address and so they traced it, thinking they could get my name by doing so - but I don't live on campus... :animesmil Moving on, I just found that I could write very personal material without worry, as very few people I know IRL are aware that I have this blog. Admittedly, I'm not as personal as I am when I write in my actual, Indiana-Jones-style diary, but that's just for the sake of those who read my blog: I'm not going to get mushy or write something very discomforting if I don't think it'll be recieved well. Rather, I consider what's interesting and omit what is not. For instance, my current crush is on this "red-eyed girl," which has been both a pleasing obsession and a maddening distraction. While I write about her in both my journal and myO, I don't mention things like the disturbing (but not perverted) dreams or how I've actually lost my resting perspicacity when she's around (i.e., "How did you do on the test?" "Oh, I did - what? What were we talking about?"). Those are trivial details that I try to leave out to keep my entries as short and entertaining as possible. I don't know if I succeed in that respect, haha, but that's what I aim for. But give it a whirl for those who don't know about it. [url=http://www.myotaku.com/users/azurewolf/]Not a Girl's Domain[/URL] Blogs are different from journals. While I personally don't think either is going to replace the other, I see the importance of both. There's just a nice dynamic to be had from an online blog, as you interact with others instead of just yourself. But that's ironically the appeal of a personal journal: it's just you, heh. Anyway, I've noticed a lot of buzz around blogs and how important and powerful they are becoming. I even read that there have been quite a few who gave up literally their day jobs because they believe their fanbase will support them, and that what they have to write is something worth devoting eight hours a day to. O_o I'm not disagreeing, but that's quite a brave front some people are venturing towards![/COLOR]

[quote name='Lunox][color=darkslateblue'] Since you brought that up...FMA is somewhat predictable...[/color][/quote][COLOR=blue]Indeed, it is predictable. At the same time, though, it's a testament to how cohesive a story FMA is. That is, while you, Lunox, were able to see things coming, those that are not familiar with analyzing stories, situations, and details may have missed all the trace plot elements FMA has. It's like a good storybook: it tells you just enough so that you could know if you knew any better, but not enough so that it's blatant (all I can come up with right now is "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie). I can't think of an example off the top of my head that doesn't use foreshadowing and the like, but without these little elements, a story seems obscure and random, and not very well-planned. I was actually talking about [SPOILER]Hohenheim of Light[/SPOILER] earlier, when I mentioned that it was around here that I picked up on the last sin-related theme FMA has. I have always loved and been familiar with literary theme of [SPOILER]"The Sins of the Father are passed on to the Sons"[/SPOILER], so I thought that indeed [SPOILER]everything - Ed and Al's quest, problems, and troubles would all stem from their father's trangression(s)[/SPOILER]. And I was quite ecstatic when that plot twist arrived - not so much because I guessed right, but moreso that they were wise enough to include it since it works so well. [quote name='Lunox][color=darkslateblue]...I've heard some nice themes and such on the show plenty of times. I mean...I think I heard one of my favorite quotes from FMA in episode [i]two[/i']. And the latter half of the series is anything but...'light-heated'... o_o[/color][/quote] Indeed! FMA is simply amazing! I have never seen anything quite like it. I too have written a ton of things on the themes and other particulars about FMA (and I still have more to write)! There's just so much to be found and appreciated about FMA. ^^[/COLOR] P.S. I think I saw you mention that you attained enlightenment and realized the idiocy that is Evangelion. Did FMA play any part? That is, after you watched FMA and noticed how philosophies that do make sense work so much better than made-up and often plot-hole-inducing ones, did you attain enlightenment? :p

[COLOR=blue]I think Generic is right. However, I should make one caveat: culture and religion should not be confused. Culture is a regional (i.e., geographical location) practice, while religion isn't bound by any particular culture/place. In fact, there are a lot of times where you'll find cultures conflicting with religious practices (probably because religion was introduced later to the ignorant ones and they just added/mingled their old ways that they couldn't part with).[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]It's all about connotations. I think people are used to hearing the prefix a- stand for "the lack of," but in this case, atheism actually stands for the "belief that there is no God." When you are an atheist, you are assertive in your belief that God most definately does not exist. I'm not sure how the argument of "it's a belief" makes it NOT a religion, as I'm pretty sure religion is also a belief. Theism is the belief in God - that's it, and most people consider theism a religion and its subsets religions as well. Also, if you are going to try to argue that religion is a belief system while atheism is simply a belief, I think that doesn't make any sense. How is atheism any different? When you believe in God, you believe that He created us and the universe by His infinite power. On the other hand, if you believe God does not exist, then you believe that the universe was created by tangible rules and is a structured and ultimately predictable/foreseeable (at least in theory) formation.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]For me, my pet peeve is animation over all. I don't know how many of you played games as the jump from 30 FPS to 60 FPS was being made, but it [B]really[/B] made a difference! Even if the graphics were exactly the same between two games, if the frame rate was 60, it was just a wonder to watch. There's something about movement that makes my eyes tingle. ^^; That being said, I'd probably put Ghibli films on the top of my list. I'm not fond of the character designs, mind you, but I do love the detail and "life" of movement. I think, if you can, go out and see/play a 30 FPS game, and then see/play a 60 FPS. Ghibli films do that and more. On the other hand, my objective mind, based on just artwork, would go to Last Exile. While it may not be the most beautiful what with it's use of boring colors, it is definately the most... "comprehensive" anime I've seen. That is, they added the right things, colored them the right way, and put everything together in just the right fashion to create a very involving atmosphere. Yeah, and while I usually don't agree with the moron, Ask John! on AnimeNation actually has something worth reading this time about this topic. O_o[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]While it is certainly a neat idea, it's my strong opinion that this whole thing is going to die, and die fast. While cellphones are popular things in Japan, they aren't [i]that[/i] integrated here in the US. Yes, everyone has them, but no, most do not use it for everything they do in their lives. It's also very impractical. How many pixels does the average phone have? Is it going to even be readable without the expense of the picture itself? They might as well have a storybook or something. Also, I hate reading manga on my computer, so why would I want to read it on my cellphone? Does anyone like reading with their cellphone?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]I'm not sure how the "FMA is not dark" stereotype began, but it's a terrible rumor plaguing a NOT light-hearted anime. Just watching the first five episodes made me realize that. I guess it's just because the characters smile, eh? [quote name='Lunox']Yeah, apparently a lot of fangirls like pairing Envy with Ed...and I've even seen Envy with Roy in which Envy SEDUCES Roy by pretending to be Ed. It was jolly. XD[/quote] O_o There's so many things wrong with that sentence. o_O That's quite twisted, haha. I have to agree with Lunox about the whole final ingredient thing: it wasn't that shattering. Sure, [SPOILER]it sucked[/SPOILER], but it wasn't really anything to "OMFG!" over. [quote name='Dagger']Now I'm going to be in horrible suspense for heaven knows how long. I hope his secret is revealed soon, because I know so little about the situation that I can't even be bothered to start speculating properly. I also hope it's as shocking/horrific as his tone of voice (and his reluctance to tell Al) seemed to imply.[/quote]As a person fond of not having any anime spoiled, I won't spoil anything. I'll say everything when it is revealed, but for now... That's an interesting point, Dagger. I didn't consider Ed's way of asking shocking or horrific (although I'm not saying I was right or that you are wrong). What made it seem so? The hesitation? There has to be some element in that scene that I must have missed, as I didn't pick up on that. At this point in the game, I remember distinctly having thought of something by using my own brother-little bro relationship: [i]if I was in Ed's shoes, what would be on my mind[/i]? Again, not that it was necessarily correct, but it's just kind of interesting to note how different our speculations are/were.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]I'm assuming that gaarasgirl is from the US, so excuse me if this doesn't apply should she's not be from here. The United States is depraved and liberal as hell. It's the bottom bunker. Here, to tell someone something is porn is to get them to look into it. It doesn't matter what adjective is there is before it: "hardcore," "fetish," or "animated." Porn is porn. And so, by giving into the consensus that anime is indeed animated porn is to bring popularity to the medium as soon as possible. I'm not even joking, and I'm not saying everyone here is like that. However, while my first anime was Ronin Warriors, [U]every[/U] anime fan I met at Stevens (which adds up to four people...) watched some porn anime first. It was only then that they decided to look at other anime series. So, live with the stereotype, if only to make anime more popular and let it solidify its fate in the states. And hey, there might be a few people who actually start liking anime for reasons other than porn. ^^[/COLOR]

[quote name='Lore][color=indigo']You can love someone without being in love with them.[/color][/quote] [COLOR=blue]Words most anime fans (elite or otherwise) really need to listen to and understand. That's truly one of the most problematic things I've noticed when it comes to anime (and anime fans) in general: "Oh, look, those two are [i]talking[/i] too each other like friends do! It must be love! Hehehe, and guy-guy or girl-girl love is between anyone with the same endowments and they are shown in the same shot!" *cough* Getting back to Spirited Away, I really wonder how Ghibli manages to do that animation. Everything always moves in a hypnotic fashion. You can't help but appreciate it when watching. Did anyone find the story to be weird as hell? O_o[/COLOR]

[COLOR=blue]Like most words, anime varies based on where you are. In the US, it's [i]technically[/i] any anime from Japan. In Japan, it's [i]technically[/i] any animated show. However, the US meaning constantly has different connotations, and while no person is necessarily wrong, what anime means depends on who you ask. To some, it's a particular art style, and so shows like Teen Titans can be included (and if not, are still considered "anime-ish"). To others, anime is an epic story told through animation, and so people brush off anything that doesn't fit the bill. And still to others, anime is considered animated porn. ^^[/COLOR]