ManjoumeThunder

[COLOR=Blue]Well I don't have a lot of time really to even post or watch that much anime anymore. However when I'm not watching anime or posting. I'm actually working in a hobby store for card gaming products called Neutral Ground. I basically judge official UDE tournaments for Yugioh and what not. So when I'm not judging or working, I spend the other portion of free time playing in yugioh tournaments professionally. Other then that I also write in my spare time and go to college on an erratic schedule. Yeah rather boring life.....go me.... v.v [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]Congratulations on your school win Roxie and Lumi. You two should really -.- keep in contact with people....especially when you have their...number...hint hint!! Anyway getting back on topic, I haven't really won anything school wise. Tournament wise....as corney as this is going to sound, I do play yugioh tcg/ocg wise seriously. I've won a couple of regionals in my area but never gotten a chance to go to nationals for that. Then there are some random low level video game tournaments for DOA I've won....but that's mostly for money. Anyway congrats and I hope your school does well at nationals. [/COLOR]

[Color=Blue]Hmm well I wouldn't be able to answer for everyone in the world on why "we" like anime. But I can certainly answer what are my reasons for liking anime. Mostly it has to do with the fact the storylines are actually for the most part well written. Unlike animation in the USA which is for the most part considered for "children" only. Anime tends to give us all the workings of a great adult series. They tend to have a great deal of romance, action, drama, and even comedy. With anime you can find something that will appeal to anyone you know, whether they are a fan of animation or not.That's a trait rarely found in american animation.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]Call me crazy.....but last time I checked.....copying other people's art on deviant violates terms of service. I don't know if confronting her about this really was a wise decision, unless you were intending on breaking off your friendship. If I had been in the position you were in, probably I would of waited it out and let her get in trouble eventually. Things like that don't go unnoticed, and if any of the work posted on deviant was in fact actually copyrighted she'll be in for a nasty suprise. I'm not an artist at all, more like graphically impaired...but being a writer of sorts I can relate to how one would feel if my stuff was being copied.[/COLOR]

[QUOTE=Qukey] I try not to get into any discussion about Gundam Seed as I am too old to enjoy it :catgirl: The flashback and recap episodes are killing it for me. The story starts with very promising pace but it can not keep up with the standard. Some of the scenes are too predictable only because we have already seen them in other Gundam series.[/QUOTE] [COLOR=Blue]I hope you don't mind Qukey but I'm going to borrow on what you said in that above statement if you don't mind. Perhaps the reason why opinions for the most are split on this topic has to do with the age of the Gundam Fan. I'm not trying to offend anyone but after asking this question a lot on forums and including at anime cons it varies based on how long a person has been a Gundam fan. I noticed for the most part that Gundam Fans who started with the Original Gundam series tend to dislike Seed because literally everything it's trying to do, has been done in the Gundam Franchise and literally we've seen it done. Most fans who came in thanks to the poularity and airing of Gundam Wing on Cartoon Network tend to like Seed perhaps cause they haven't been really exposed to any other Gundams for the exception of what was is really available in the american market. So to them everything they see is original and unique, they have no knowledge of the previous series that haven't made it to the stateside yet. That's just my theory about why things are split. I haven't really had much time to discuss Gundam Seed Destiny here....but I won't go into major detail since a lot of you haven't seen it yet. My biggest gripe with Gundam Seed Destiny has to be the fact the show tries to get too political. And as already meantioned here the storylines are really off pace. Sadly anytime I was watching Gundam Seed or Destiny for that matter the only sentiment that ran through my head was oh great "T.M. Revolution is promoting another album". The only thing decent out of those series in my opinion is the opening and ending music. But we all know -.- Sunrise, Bandai, and various other companies are using Gundam name to market toys and music. Anyway getting to another point made earlier....if the Gundam Franchise in many's opinion is at a stalemate why not do the most reasonable thing in my eyes. If your going to reinvent the story all together. Throw out all the Gundam mythology we've come to know. Give the Gundams a new origin, new designs that don't look anything remotely like the Gundam design we've been use to, throw out the whole idea of colonies, and lastly stop making Char -.- ripoffs. Literally start from a new point, and actually create something original instead of borrowing off all the Gundam cliche we are use too. Perhaps you'll scare away fans perhaps you'll make more money but I wish Sunrise would actually be more daring with it's franchise as of late. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]Sorry ahead of time for bringing this topic up from the second page. But I'm a big macross and also robotech fanatic. So I couldn't help putting in my two cents into this topic. It's rare to actually come across any people who know of Macross outside of the "Macross Saga" of Robotech. Umm for starters most people usually found out about Macross via Robotech which aired in 1983 in most places it was airing around that time period. I'm one of the few fortunate people that actually saw Super Dimensional Fortress Macross before it's basic animation would be taken to create the first generation in Robotech known as the Macross saga. More ironically Macross was my first anime and still remains my favorite of all time. It had this perfect balance of drama, action, romance that just wasn't found in animation at the time. Then to further help the genre somewhat it was licensed by Harmony Gold and squashed together with two other series to make Robotech. Luckily Robotech for the most part kept true to "Macross" in that story arc. However I can't help but feel bitter for the great injustice it did to Super Dimensional Calvary Southern Cross (second generation), and Genesis Climber Mospeda (New Generation). As far as favorite characters are concerned I have to break this into two groups: [B]Super Dimensional Fortess Macross: [/B] Misa Hayase: What more can I say, she had the brains and the beauty. Even in her most harshest mannerisms of trying to have a cold exterior for taking her job too seriously she had a sense of vunerabilty. On top of that her story by far was the most intriguing out of everyone. Hikaru Ichijyo: Well for starters he's the main character of the show. I suppose all males at some point in their lives can relate to being in a love triangle and going after a girl they know will just do you harm. I love his character because he feels just so human and relateable. [b]Robotech:[/b] Lisa: Look above at Misa Max: His character was more devolped in the Robotech version. In the japanese version he didn't have too much of a backstory he was often soft spoken and really wasn't so noticeable. Then it all changed, and he became very likeable. As for the character I disliked the most.....well that honor goes to Lynn Minmei whether you hated her in english or japanese it was all the same. A spoiled selfish teenager that played on guys emotions.....she's just one of those characters you love to hate... How she became earth's greatest defense.....still irks me to this day. Anyway moving on, for the Robotech fans there's a new spinoff movie coming out soon. Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles it should tie in all the loose ends that episode 85 caused. In which Scott Benard left earth to find Admiral Rick Hunter, when it comes out is still unknown. I'll buy it just to complete the Robotech collection and also I'm intrigued how harmony gold is going to fix the continuity problem that has plagued robotech for many years now. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]The great debate that really has no definitive answer to it. Well either way this topic will always go 50/50 it's really a matter of one's preference. I personally perfer watching my anime subtitle, I guess one would say I'm a purist at heart. Mostly the reason I perfer to watch it is, because I really don't need the subtitles to understand what's going on for starters. Then well sometimes with dubs things can tend to get lost in translation. Certain jokes and just phrases in general don't translate well in english. But every once in awhile there are certain cases where the dub has actually been better then the original version. Umm for starters I think the english dub of Cowboy Bebop actually was a better version. I felt more emotion coming from the english cast then the japanese. Then there are certain times that I stopped watching an anime just because of the english cast....I'm not hating on 4-kids but...they do a real bad job and in many cases forced me to find the alternative japanese versions of shows like One Piece and yugioh to really tolerate what's going on. So exceptions to the rules do apply, almost 95% of the time I'll watch an anime in Japanese first. Then switch over to the english dub if it's available on the disc the second time around to compare.....but usually I ended up just sticking to subs afterword. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]In regards to what's been said so far, I don't take any offense to the comments made about blasphemy. It was meant as a joke so no big deal lets ignore that off topic segment. I've been coming here....longer then most of you guys anyway just a different name this time >.> Anyway back on topic, in regards to Gundam SD. I completely even forgot about that series ironically, until you meantioned it. By far even more worse then Mobile Fighter G-Gundam. As for Gundam Seed and it's counterpart paying homage. That was done intentionally but more so to re-invent the franchise all over again. My only gripe with them reinventing the franchise over and over again is they really don't do much different. We for the most part have the same layout, which goes as follows. Young Boy stumbles upon a Gundam. Young Boy, is forced to pilot it based on circumstances beyond his control. Eventually he's drafted into a war he doesn't want to fight and so on and so forth. With Gundam Seed.....too many of the many plot devices from Gundam series were over used. We have Kira who is suppose to be the pretty boy version of Amuro. Similar situation with him happens that it did to Amuro with little differences. And then it falls into the problems that every alternate universe timeline has followed. They have more then one gundam and in certain cases too many gundams! What made Gundam so original in the days of the original series and going into Zeta. Was there was only one Gundam....fighting in the war. Now in every new series you show that anyone who has a hair color other then brown can own a Gundam. They literally turned a gundam into a child's play thing.... It basically is the same formula that makes for a great horror movie you never show the killer too much.....In this case you shouldn't show more then one Gundam. I'll post more thoughts later when more people respond. I appreciate people responding to this topic. I thought after a day or two it might of been a lost cause. [/Color]

[COLOR=Blue]I'll add some info if that's alright with everyone here. I live in the greater metropolitan area so for those of you who don't understand what that means I live in NYC. NYC isn't really known for too many anime related conventions. We use to have the Big Apple Anime Fest but after the 2003 convention and all it's problems it ended up closing. However soon after that I discovered a convention 10 minutes outside of New York in Secacus NJ. The name of the convention is Anime Next I've been going for 3 years so far. This year it'll be located at the Medowlands Expo Center from June 16th-18th. So for anyone around that area interested in this con there you go. Also in NYC there's the annual NYC comic con, this happened last weekend but I didn't attend. Since it's more comic book related but there are anime panels and guest there too. I ended up not going though but from what my friends tell me it was pretty fun. [/COLOR]

[quote name='NekoSama101']There's just one problem, he lies to me all the time, he's a pothead, and every girlfriend he's had so far he's cheated on.[/quote] [COLOR=Blue]Believe it not my dear that's actually three problems not one. :p However all kidding aside the problems you've listed are quite serious. See relationships for the most part are built on trust. If this guy is known to be a pathological liar and then on top of that a cheater. Chances are your steering yourself in for a bad relationship.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]Mhm....Love's a very strong word to be using. I tend to cringe at using that word or it being used in conjunction with myself. The only advice I can really give you on this situation, being in it a couple of times myself. If she doesn't seem interested move on and don't dwell on it. I'm not going to give you the random speech of there's plenty of fishes in the sea cause that's just been overdone too much. Instead I'll ask you to heed my advice....personal attachments aren't always healthy so don't get too attached if a person's not interested. You can't really force them to like you. So there might not be much sense in trying to force a relationship that's one sided you may end up getting hurt. I'm not telling you to not try and go for the person you love, just be cautious and know when to quit instead of ending up like that guy in the picture Mr. Vampire posted.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]Hmm somewhat interesting question. Well you know it really just boils down to an old saying "The needs of the many outweight the few". If you have to sacrafice one life to cure all diseases and hunger (as outrageous as that idea is) why not? But then you have to pose another question....if you cure all diseases and hunger you kinda upset the balance of life a little. People need to die, it's part of life and its what helps keep the planet from becoming overpopulated. If you don't have people dying from diseases and hunger, then you pose more problems such as food shortages and overcrowding which can lead to other health and unrelated issues. So in trying to help out what is a big problem in this world you may end up creating even more problems and upsetting the balance of nature. I know that sounds pretty harsh but the truth in many cases hurt. Btw....if we're only sacraficing one person for this project I nominate my ex-girlfriend.....>.> can't think of a more deserving person. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Blue]Well lets get started this is my first topic, so bear with it. Unlike the nature of other generic topics you'll see at message boards from newbs. I hope to bring some insightful articles here. First up I'd like to discuss a franchise that has been going strong for generations now Gundam, some fans of the show might agree with me while others may want to throw stones at me but please bear with it. [B]The State of Gundam:[/B] I've been a Gundam fan since the first time I saw Amuro get into the RX-78 and from that moment I was hooked on the Gundam Franchise. Granted Gundam has not been the most stable of franchises. It's often had several failures along with several success stories. Some titles that come to mind when I think of success would be naturally Gundam Zeta and Double Zeta, along with a fan favorite of many Gundam Wing which is where most of the new generation of Gundam fans started and moved on to Gundam X. However at times Sunrise really just drops the ball on certain series none more painful to watch then Mobile Fighter G-Gundam. However gradually after Turn A Gundam, I decided to take a long deserved break from the franchise. Only to later come back in thanks to a friend of mine that was kind enough to lend me Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny. And so we get into the topic at hand. After watching almost a good 104 plus episodes combiding both series I just can't help but feel a little cheated. What happened to the once favorite mech anime series of mine? I know a lot of people are really consumed with Gundam Seed and it's counter part but I just can't for the love of me get it. It fails on a lot of levels to really create anything new for the Gundam Franchise. It tries on many levels to basically just recreate the original Gundam series and Zeta series but I feel it doesn't really have the same impact of story telling like the older series did. It just feels like watching Kira and his counterparts is watching an episode of "degrassi junior high". As I sat and watched the series I was entertained by the action but the characters and their inner workings just didn't make me feel too much for them like I had with other Gundam Characters. Also I can't help feel they really didn't try to appeal much to the older gundam fan generation. It seemed like the creator of these series were more focused on appeasing and creating a "fangirl" anime then keeping true to what made Gundam successful. So overall this poses my question for this topic? Do you feel that the Gundam Franchise is starting to fail? If you agree please explain if you don't agree please explain as well? Also from what I've heard they're intending to do another Gundam Seed spinoff. What do you think about this? Should the Sunrise team perhaps move on to another project and just let this series end. Even the creators of Wing knew when to quit. [/COLOR]