Dagger

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The Mac Attack[/i] [B]Actually, I believe in this kind of art you can call it 4d, the fourth dimension being sound. At least that's what my old art teacher taught me.[/B][/QUOTE] While I know very little about physics, I was under the impression that the fourth dimension is generally thought of as being time. It's a nice idea, however, to imagine that sound adds an entirely new level to the "moving pictures" category of art, which includes cinema, television shows, video games and animation. [quote][i]Originally posted by OtakuSennen[/i] [b]More natural objects, such as trees or mountains, keep their "natural" aura if they are drawn with a more ancient, polished medium such as paint brushes.[/b][/quote] I agree, with one important exception. A lot of shows, such as Pretear and Last Exile (a series that I referred to in my original post) make good use of CGed water. If it's relatively calm and still, with only a few ripples, this can look really fantastic and usually blends quite well with 2-D backgrounds and characters. Active bodies of water, on the other hand--like stormy oceans--appear more natural when they're drawn (as opposed to rendered). ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Manic [/i] [B]The simple truth is (and there are a select few anime fans who won't admit it) Japanese animation is so much lazier than Western animation. There are a series of tricks used to give the illusion of animation in instances where there is none. For example, some animators will place a single cel of a character with their back turned over a background. You hear dialogue, but you don't necessarily need to see anything move. Also, Japanese animation uses less frames-per-second than Western animation. The only exceptions are full-length animated films.[/B][/QUOTE] Yes, this is very true. When watching "He-Man" a few months ago, I was actually shocked by the fluidity of the characters' movements. At the same time, it seems to me that many American cartoons are more stylized than anime. This may sound silly, considering that anime's reputation is based upon the distinctness of its style. Yet while anime sometimes trades impressive animation for elaborate character designs, western cartoons often appear to do the reverse--achieving remarkable smoothness by simplifying their artwork and backgrounds. Older, longer anime series are particularly guilty when it comes to cutting corners. Motion lines, still frames, and crowd scenes in which not a single person seems to move can be found throughout these shows. In general, however, anime is starting to improve: several recent offerings, such as X-TV, have demonstrated that a television production can display almost the same level of quality that one might find in an OVA or theatrical film. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by James [/i] [B]On that note, I've even found myself being very impressed by a lot of French animation in recent years -- especially with video games.[/b][/quote] I enjoy animation in general, regardless of its origin, and I've heard quite a bit about the merits of French movies (The Triplets of Belleville being one current example). I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out of France in the future. ~Dagger~

Oh my gosh, Dan, I love this banner. The first frame in particular is absolutely fantastic--those two images just look so perfect together (this is partly due to the fact that the orange flames complement the color of Tetsu's hair). While I like your choice of quotes, and the animation seems very smooth, I'm not terribly fond of the text's font or color. It's a little too plain, and the white seems rather stark--especially when juxtaposed with the second picture. But overall, lovely work. ^_^ EDIT: Heh, I PMed you with a request almost immediately after spotting this. I suppose that goes to show just how much I like the banner. ^_~ ~Dagger~

Eris gazed out across the starry expanse. Though her face had remained neutral throughout Gi'Uen's explanation, she was deeply troubled. It had never occurred to her that she might somehow break free from her machine; she could hardly imagine why one might want to do such a thing. [i]Isn't this what everybody dreams of? We play God until we die, and in my world I [/i]am [i]a god. Why want more? We're incredibly lucky to have encountered the seeker--why would anyone wish to disturb our peace?[/i] "Fair is fair," the girl finally told him, her voice low and flat. "You answered my questions, so I'm letting you go." She concentrated briefly on leaving the phase space, and they soon found themselves standing upon a desolate, windswept plain. The landscape was dotted with bizarre rock formations and the metallic skeletons of ancient buildings. Eris brushed the hair out of her eyes before turning around, unwilling to leave anyone in this barren place, but aware that Gi'Uen would be able to reach his destination on his own. "Wait," she called as he began to walk away. He glanced back at her, mildly surprised. "I don't understand why you're challenging the seeker. If you ever feel like telling me the truth in its entirety, come back to this world. And try not to get killed in the interim."

[b]OB Haiku[/b] For those of you who are grammar-impaired, please learn to post. Thanks again. And if you don't know how to have a debate, then say nothing at all. It's not that hard to form coherent sentences. First subject, then verb. Capital letters are good when deployed wisely. Don't use "i" or "u." Speaking of which, "boi" is no shorter than "boy." I really hate that song. So, newcomers and oldbies alike, write well, write thoughtfully. Be smart.

Just to remind everybody: [b]Witch Hunter Robin[/b] will premier at midnight on Monday, February 16. Produced by Sunrise and distributed by Bandai Entertainment, this twenty-six episode series has been highly anticipated ever since news of it first reached the States. Even now, a few months after its first volume was released in North America, WHR hype still continues to build. I'm really looking forward to watching it, regardless of what Adult Swim may or may not have been forced to edit out. As a fan of stylish supernatural anime, I have little doubt that Witch Hunter Robin will turn out to be a winner. So don't forget to set your VCRs for February 16. ^_~ ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by haruno_sakura [/i] [B]Dunno why, but my slightly overactive imagination wants to see shounen ai LOLLLL. >.> [/B][/QUOTE] Whew, what a relief! I thought I was the only one.... ^_^;; PMK's training scenes are consistently great. I'm normally not a fan of motion lines--they tend to look rather cheap, and only end up distracting me from the action at hand. Yet the motion lines in PMK actually add something to its animation. (A sense of [i]motion[/i], perhaps? Poorly put, but I can't think of any other way to describe it. They seem to lend those sequences a certain kind of depth--without resorting to CG, as GONZO so often does.) Anyway, the sequence in which Tetsu [spoiler]defeats Heisuke[/spoiler] is among my favorites, second only to all the times he's sparred Okita. It's wonderful to see him [spoiler]start to make some serious progress, and he does show off some really nifty moves.[/spoiler] In regards to the shonen-ai vibes (and believe me, I've been getting a lot of 'em ^_~): What do you think of Suzu's....er, admiration for his master? ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by haruno_sakura [/i] [B]This show just gets better as it progresses, and stranger now that I've seen episode 16! o_0 If anyone has seen episode 16, I would love to know your thoughts about it![/B][/QUOTE] Episode 16.... where to start? It's pretty much packed with important and portentous events. I guess I'll begin by mentioning my favorite humorous moments, and then later delve into the more serious material. I love the part where Okita puts Saizo on top of Tatsu's head, prompting yet another one of Tatsu's frequent spaz attacks. He seems to have so much fun tormenting the poor guy. I almost had a heart attack when Ryoma (is that how you spell his name?) [spoiler]dropped his loincloth onto Tatsu's head, and then proceeded to glomp him. Ryoma may be slightly insane, but he has the ability to magically turn any scene into fantastic comic relief.[/spoiler] On a different note, I'm quite curious about [spoiler]Okita's evil twin.[/spoiler] Have you come up with any theories regarding who he truly is? EDIT: Attached my PMK banner. >_>; ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Luminaire [/i] I have seen Yami no Matsuei, but I have yet to buy the series even though I want it soooooooooooo much. >glares at mother< There's a manga? Who is that distributed by?[/quote] I don't think it's been licensed yet. I haven't been following the manga, though, so I could very well be wrong. [quote]I kinda wish the series was longer, but it was excellently done.[/quote] So do I. It seemed as though the creators had deliberately left it open for a second season. While I'm not sure that a sequel will ever be produced, I would certainly welcome one. I, for one, was disappointed that no actual relationships ever developed, despite the show's numerous shonen-ai hints. [quote]btw, Dagger, the swordsman in the Kyoto Arc that fights with Hisoka is named Oriya. I really like him, so I thought I should point that out.[/quote] That's the one! Thanks for refreshing my memory. ^_^ Oriya is a very unconventional character; I love his clothing and his devotion to Muraki. I wish that he had shown up earlier in the series, since I'd love to know more about his background and relationship with everyone's favorite evil doctor. ~Dagger~

I suppose it has to do with Sundays, their weary afternoons and heavy sunlight. Or perhaps my shoulders bow beneath some other weight, a painful sloth with other sins stirred in to make the load. Why walk forward? I stand and wonder where my feet will aim. It's not as though I try to hide in silence, to smother emotions cast in stone. The apathy is effortless, after all's been said and nothing ever done.

I've watched quite a bit of Cyborg 009, although this was mainly because Yu Yu Hakusho used to air directly after it. While the series has its moments, I don't particularly like it. Artistically, it's somewhat similar to Android Kikaider (a vastly superior series). I have to admit that I detest the retro-looking character designs; they work well enough in Kikaider, but made it difficult for me to take Cyborg 009 seriously. Some of the show's underlying concepts are pretty nifty; for example, it's interesting to watch 009 use his special abilities. However, I had a hard time telling all of the characters apart--although they look pretty distinctive, it didn't feel right to associate a face with a three-digit number (as opposed to an actual name). Am I the only person who was incredibly annoyed by 009's eye-covering hairstyle? ~Dagger~

Nowadays, many shows are animated digitally. If done successfully, this makes them look fresh, modern, and very attractive. However, a growing number of studios (such as GONZO and Bones) are also enhancing their series with 3-D special effects. For example, in the recently released Last Exile, the airships are entirely computer-generated. Last Exile is filled with amazing battle sequences, but it's quite easy to tell which parts of the show are two-dimensional, and which parts were rendered in 3-D. I'd like to know how you feel about series that seek to integrate CGed machines, ships, weapons, water, etc. with traditional animation. Do you love these kinds of effects? Hate them? Does the contrast between 2-D and 3-D irk you to no end? I've been thinking about this for a while, and I welcome your opinions. ^_^ ~Dagger~

I would [i]love[/i] to be a part of this RPG. If there's anything you'd like me to change, don't hesitate to tell me. [b]Name:[/b] Sachiel Asmodeus [b]Age:[/b] 23 [b]Race:[/b] Black Mage [b]Weapon:[/b] He carries a long, well-kept katana, and is skilled in the use of various kinds of swords. [b]Magic / Spells:[/b] To be determined. [b]Picture:[/b] See attachment. [b]Biography:[/b] Born in the city and orphaned at a young age, Sachiel was forced to become self-sufficient long before most children even dream of leaving their homes. He also had to learn to control his growing magical powers--left unchecked, they could cause incredible destruction. Though he initially relied on begging to acquire adequate food, clothing and shelter, Sachiel was later recruited by a ring of bandits. His intelligence and quickness made him a valuable asset. These men could never substitute for a proper family, but they taught Sachiel how to properly wield a katana. When the gang broke up, his newfound skills enabled him to survive on his own. Shortly after turning thirteen, he was caught breaking into a nobleman's house. Rather than cutting off his dominant hand, which is the normal punishment for thieves, the corrupt authorities sold him into slavery. Disobedient and dangerous, Sachiel was passed from one owner to the next until he encountered a wandering sorceress. Sensing his latent powers, she bought his freedom and took him to one of Memoria's finest magical academies. Despite the fact that he began studying at seventeen (whereas most children enter such schools before they turn ten), Sachiel mastered the intricacies of black magic in a mere two years. Now twenty-three, he is known to be one of the finest mages in all of Memoria. As his services are in great demand, Sachiel has become quite wealthy. However, he has never forgotten his bitter hatred of slave-owners. The clever and self-assured Sachiel will stop at nothing to get what he desires. This includes blackmail, extortion, and seduction--but once you gain his loyalty, he will never break your trust. He was given the name "Asmodeus" when he graduated from the Academy. [b]Where from:[/b] Memoria. I'll PM you with a link sometime today. ^_^ ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Takun [/i] [B]can you really call something anime when it's made by a person who isn't japanese? If I were to buy manga, I'd probably want to buy manga that was made by the original creators of anime-the japanese. I know some of us want to make our own series when we grow up, but would people really buy it?[/B][/QUOTE] What about manwha (Korean manga)? Tokyopop is currently in the process of publishing several manwha series, including Demon Diary, Under the Glass Moon and King of Hell. These have all become quite popular, and I don't know of anyone who minds the fact that manga and manwha are sold side-by-side. If a show or movie looks like anime, it's probably anime--regardless of its merits or lack thereof. [i]Most[/i] anime is not very good; the few series with beautiful animation, well-planned plots and skillful characterization are what make watching it worthwhile. A few months ago, someone created a thread about whether or not Teen Titans could be considered anime. I doubt that the show's creator intended for it to be anime--after all, it's based on western comic books. So I suppose that's my answer: in order to learn if something (a TV show, web-comic, movie, etc.) is anime, ask the person who made it. His or her nationality shouldn't factor into the equation. ~Dagger~

"What is your name, child?" [i].........Mira.[/i] "Will you serve me, Mira? I breathed life into your bones. I filled your ice-cold veins with fire and stripped you of the world's filth. Will you serve me?" [i]Please...st-stay by my side. It was so...lonely.[/i] "Death by its nature is lonely. Devote yourself to me, and I'll stand between you and the black abyss. How does it feel, hm? I've been told that your last breath consumes eternity--it's one final exhalation as you fall down, down, down to nothingness. Just one....long...sigh." [i]Don't go![/i] Ciel glanced curiously at the tiny hand that clung so desparately to hers. Mira's skin was almost warm. She smiled, pleased by the thought of a successful resurrection, and glanced critically at the girl's mutilated face. Mira might have been pretty in life, but now long rows of dark stitches gave her the appearance of a sloppily sewn quilt. And yet it mattered not. Her body had been painstakingly reconstructed, and Ciel's hands--more precise than any expert's tools--had tuned its inner workings to perfection. "Will you serve me?" the necromancer repeated, lips curving cruelly as she watched the child's confusion. [i]Yes.[/i] Mira's scarred fingers plucked nervously at Ciel's sleeve. [i]Yes.[/i] One could never have too many Dolls. Lady Arciela of the Kai'Belborun, she who drew dead bodies from the ground--the soft-spoken sadist whose voice fell like a lullaby upon every listening ear--this place was her domain, and these corpses her precious playthings. Upon her silent command, the Dolls began to rise from every corner of the room. They were weak-willed slaves, ones whose organs would eventually degenerate. But Mira was a special kind of Doll. Always young, always half-way dead, she would become Ciel's new favorite toy. Innocence would fade into despair, into hatred, into shadow.

Eris wasn't sure whether to be offended or amused, but this boy's dismissive attitude was beginning to grate on her nerves. "What's your name?" she snapped, glaring balefully at the motionless androids around them. He hesitated, then ran a hand through his hair and glanced away. "Gi'Uen," he muttered. "Are you satisfied?" "No," came Eris's curt reply. "Tell me what you learned about the seeker." Could she possibly help? Would she try to stop him? Eris obviously enjoyed controlling this vast, sterile world--and yet she also allowed herself to be governed by its rules. She fought with a calm, practiced ease, as though combat consumed a large portion of her life in the machine. If she refused to let him pass, he could reach the border other ways; her warlike demeanor didn't perturb him in the slightest. All the same, Gi'Uen found himself wondering whether Eris would turn out to be an ally of the seeker--or, alternatively, a friend of his. "Why do you care?" he finally asked. The brunette pursed her lips, fixing him with a piercing stare, and then grabbed his wrist. Her hand was shockingly strong. A second later, their surroudings faded away into darkness: they now stood upon what appeared to be an endless field of stars. "Phase space," Eris said shortly. Gi'Uen tore his arm from her grasp and backed away, watching her warily. "Time does not exist here," she continued. "Now, explain to me what you meant by 'the border.'"

[b]Name:[/b] Helena Bahbem [b]Age:[/b] 29 [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Specialty:[/b] Strategist [b]Short Bio:[/b] Helena was born into a wealthy French family, but her parents divorced shortly after she reached elementary school. While she was never lacking in material luxury, she quickly learned to detest the selfishness and immaturity of the adults who surrounded her. Because of this, Helena didn't mind attending boarding school--a place where she could remain as cold and contemptuous as she desired. At fifteen, she took her mother to court and was legally emancipated; at seventeen, she was accepted to a highly selective American university, and used her paternal grandfather's money to pay her tuition. Out of a desire for order, discipline, and a more Spartan way of life, Helena later joined the military. While she enjoyed testing her physical limits, it soon became clear that her sharp mind and talent for manipulation made her best suited to specialize in intelligence and strategy. She was assigned to this mission not only to assist Allen, but also to keep a careful watch over the ship's crew. Even after years of speaking English, she still has a light French accent. [b]Personality:[/b] Though naturally rather icy, she is an excellent actress, and uses her skills to their full advantage. Most of the time, Helena seems quite friendly and compassionate. She also happens to be devastatingly good at chess, and will play nearly any challenger. A perfectionist to the core, she is very serious about her work. [b]Appearance:[/b] About 5' 5", with shoulder-length blonde hair and pale blue eyes. She has a slim, fragile-looking body, but is actually startlingly strong. Helena usually wears white. I hope that's okay. ^_^ ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by SadClown [/i] We're changing the voices behind the charectors and giving them a different personality.[/quote] Don't generalize. Only in the worst of dubs is a character's personality altered. Cardcaptors (the Card Captor Sakura dub) is an excellent example of terrible dubbing. The entire storyline was changed, for reasons so moronic that I'm utterly incapable of understanding them. [quote]And while there are some dubs that are better than others, i will admit this, you can offer me no proof that there is ANY that are better than the original audio.[/quote] If you won't even consider accepting my evidence, how can we possibly carry on a proper debate? Besides, this is all a matter of taste. I've watched every single episode of Fruits Basket, [i]first[/i] subbed, then dubbed. And you know what? I ended up preferring FB's English VAs. The same thing applies to Voices of a Distant Star and Read or Die. Maybe you like Tohru Honda's Japanese voice actress. I personally think that her voice is extremely annoying. Does this automatically make me some kind of uncultured pig? [quote]Your simply changing the original into something else. So my overal gripe is that I don't support how we have to change everything from the original before anyone will like it. I understand that things are done a certain way to appeal to the masses. I understand marketing and I know its sneaky. Ane becuase of it, a lot of times you sacrifice what might be quality work, for the flavor of the week. And not only that, I am bothered at people who claim to be fans of anime or japanese pop culture in general, when their panties only get wet when they talk about dubbed this and dubbed that.[/quote] I hope that last sentence isn't referring to me, because I watch most of my anime subbed. [quote]I still stick by my belief, and you can dissagree with me all you want, but you cannot enjoy something like this to its fullest extent unless its in its raw form.[/quote] Actually, I can. [quote]I welcome all views on this from everyone, but do it in a cival manner.[/quote] So far, so good. My previous post was most definitely civil, and I like to think that this one is as well. [quote]So dont pick apart and respond to each sentence i've written with a paragraph, dont tell me I havent "justified my statements" and dont correct my grammar; that is so childish.[/QUOTE] [i]We're having a debate.[/i] Call it what you will--but pray tell, how else can I respond to your point of view? I have provided examples to back up what I'm saying, and you haven't. You're right--correcting someone else's grammar is definitely a cheap shot. I apologize; I simply couldn't resist.... ....Although I was actually correcting your spelling. I don't want to take this any further off-topic. If you'd like to start a dub vs. sub thread, then feel free to do so. I'll see you there. ^_~ EDIT: Just to clarify my viewpoint--I feel that most subs are better than most dubs. However, there are notable exceptions to this rule, and a lot of it depends on one's personal preferences. It just irritates me when people are so close-minded; i.e., when they flat-out refuse to give dubs (or subs) a chance. ~Dagger~

What happens in #8? I know it's part of the Tarot arc, but I can't remember which events are specific to that episode. To tell you the truth, the Tarot mini-saga is probably my least favorite of YnM's four story arcs. Its cliched premise bothered me (as did the introduction of a female love interest), although it does contain plenty of Muraki-related goodness. Despite the fact that Muraki doesn't make a single appearance in the Devil's Song arc, I had a lot of fun watching it. Who wouldn't enjoy seeing Tsuzuki [spoiler]a) display a bit of tasteful nudity, and b) come on to innocent little Hijiri?[/spoiler] He acts quite unlike his usual self, that's for sure. ~Dagger~

motion through the evening, a swimmer afloat on rocking waves. this is how I come back to the cradle, tears unshed and silence kept intact. nothing shall be shattered, only shifted to the shadows. and fate may change so secrets left unspoken can be lost.

Actually, mal, Voices of a Distant Star's graphics [i]are[/i] amazing. While the characters tend to look a little bit sketchy (which is perfectly understandable, considering that Mr. Shinkai drew them entirely by himself), the battle sequences are astounding. Even the backgrounds have a level of detail that I'm used to seeing only in films and short, high-budget series. In other words, this OVA is a feast for the eyes as well as for the heart. ....Wow, that sounded incredibly corny. ^_^; ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Xyandar [/i] [B]On the OTHER hand I don't think we need ENGLISH after grade 8 because i am always at home typing on the computer all day and reading messages. i teach myself lol. who needs that crap that they teach you??:P [/B][/QUOTE] No, no, no. You clearly have a lot to learn about English, dear. I could point out all of the grammatical errors contained within those three short sentences, but that would be a little bit too embarrassing. If you're going to argue that you've mastered the language after several years of middle school instruction, then I advise you to proof-read your posts more carefully. One more thing: [i]it's not crap.[/i] My heart nearly stopped when I read those words. English is my favorite class--not only because I have a wonderful teacher, but also because it does [i]so[/i] much to enrich and expand one's mind. Would you read great literature if doing so was not required? Would you seek out Shakespeare, Tolstoy, and Dickens of your own free will? I'd better stop writing now, because I'm absolutely fuming. However, I'll answer your (presumably rhetorical) question first. [i]I[/i] need that "crap." And apparently you do, too. ~Dagger~

"The blonde-haired guy with the green eyes" is Hisoka Kurosaki, Tsuzuki's partner. I also enjoy Yami no Matsuei's music. I believe that its opening, "Eden," is sung by a group called To Destination (but I'm not completely sure of this, so you might want to verify it elsewhere). YnM's ending theme, however, leaves a lot to be desired--it sounds too fast, too rough, and altogether rather sloppy. This is a shame, since it's accompanied by such beautifully colored manga images. I would have preferred a gentler-sounding song, something more along the lines of X-TV's soothing ED. ~Dagger~

Ten corpses, all fresh and relatively clean, lay piled helter-skelter upon the floor. They had been stripped naked and meticulously bathed. Even now, the motionless bodies were wrinkled with water, the residue of which make them resemble pale, bloated fish. Glazed eyes stared blankly at the dark ceiling above. These people had been commoners, lacking the power or money needed to guarantee themselves a decent burial. Ciel, on the other hand, possessed plenty of both--and now, their departed souls lay within her reach, all for less gold than what was required to purchase an edible dinner. The necromancer lifted a child's corpse, cradling it tenderly in her arms as she carried it over to the harshly lit table that stood in the center of the room. A hideous cut had begun to fester on the back of the dead girl's clean-shaven skull. Ciel probed it with her fingers, frowning at its depth and ugly greenish tint. She then began to work, delicately dissecting every fragile limb and slim, twisting vein. Though she occasionally used a thin blade to slice through the stiffer portions of the body, the woman completed nearly every other task with her fingernails alone. Only marginally longer than normal, they were filed to talon-like points, and soundlessly, effortlessly separated skin from flesh. Once the corpse lay spread-eagled beneath the glaring light, its muscles and organs exposed, Ciel stepped back. "Pleased to meet you," the woman said softly. Her voice was low and rich, and a haunting gentleness resounded in her quiet words. The air had grown cold, so cold that Ciel's breath curled from her parted lips like steam. She stared at this carefully prepared body, pale eyes glinting without the slightest hint of emotion. And as she smiled, the girl sat up, limbs lolling as though controlled by a puppet's strings. Blood dripped slowly from Ciel's nails to the shining floor.

Thank you, Elrick. [quote][QUOTE][i]Originally posted by maladjusted [/i] [B]Dagger: I watched episodes 15 and 16 of RahXephon on the Anime Network [bad idea, I know], it I actually found it quite good. ...Even though I sort of had no idea of who everyone was, I could get a good enough grasp of things. Maybe there's something with me about first episodes. *shrugs* Happens a lot to me. Heh, you see, I never started off watching any anime series in the right order. The first Evangelion I watched was episode four, and I sort of drifted in between the whole series until I watched them all. I'm a bit odd at those kind of things. [/B][/QUOTE] Under normal circumstances, I would never attempt to control another fan's viewing habits. And while I'm incredibly happy that you liked those two segments of RahXephon, I [i]strongly[/i] advise you to watch it from the beginning. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to piece together Evangelion's complex plot while watching its episodes out-of-order. RahXephon's storyline is probably no more or less elaborate, but half the fun of watching it lies in discovering how all the characters are related. Just before Episode 16, important revelations begin popping up all over the place--and without having developed an attachment to the show's major players, you won't fully comprehend the significance of these epiphanies. Episode 15 is actually among my favorites. It's said that many twenty-six episode series reach a turning point around somewhere around their fifteenth episode. This doesn't quite hold true for RahXephon, but #15 stands out for several reasons. First of all, it takes place almost entirely in the past. Secondly, it focuses on three [i]supporting[/i] characters--two of whom are actually pretty minor. The third, Itsuki Kisaragi (the boy with the glasses) has more significance. He appears as an adult in the remainder of the show, and is among my most beloved anime characters. Because of these factors, #15 is devoted almost entirely to character development; for example, it explains why Makoto and Helena act the way they do. I find it very admirable that RahXephon's director spent so much time on fleshing out its supporting characters. Every single person in this anime has a three-dimensional personality. ....Which is, of course, one of the reasons I like it so much. ^_~ EDIT: Here's a question--do you think that Voices of a Distant Star can be considered a mecha anime? ~Dagger~