[Dolmen 2.0]

D, on 29 January 2015 - 03:20 PM, said:

Cajun King, on 28 January 2015 - 11:45 PM, said:

When is Attack of Titans S2?

2016

Dolmen 2.0, on 29 January 2015 - 03:42 AM, said:

the .hack series is tricky as there are several. in general kinda tropey and generic.

linky

that's a chart of how they all relate to each other unilaterally. I have not watched much tbh maybe a bit of /sign and a bit more of /roots. Alot of the SAO and Log Horizon elements we watch today have echoes in the .Hack series but are far more developed in these more popular shows. I did enjoy some of the dubbed episodes of /roots series on animax back in the day but not so much that I followed up and got the whole batch.

In retrospect it would be fun to watch them all in order and figure out whats really going on.

Interesting, I had hardly heard of this before beyond the one episode of the one show I watched. I think it was .hack//Sign. Something about a teleporting guy and a catgirl... but that's like every anime ever right?

Are you referencing Aisha clan clan from outlaw star?

or maybe you're talking about Ryoko/ryo-ohki from Tenchi Muyo?

Where there's a harem there must be fur!!

Damn...I kinda miss those shows.

[D'rek]

QuickTidal, on 29 January 2015 - 05:47 PM, said:

D, on 29 January 2015 - 03:35 PM, said:

With Kill la Kill, it's a big mix of things I do like and things I don't like. I'll keep watching for the good parts, even if it means having to sit through the bad parts. That's still more engaging to me than a show that is just boring and doesn't have anything really good or bad either way. Since it's Trigger, the good parts are really, really awesome, but unfortunately some of the bad parts are just awful, because Trigger is a hyperactive bipolar kangaroo on crack jumping around an animation studio. At the end of it I expect that I won't regret watching the show because it did thoroughly entertain semi-consistently but on the other hand I will think there's a lot of places it could have been much better/had more of a point to itself.

This is me too. The bad parts/aspects are intermingled with such great stuff that I persevere. Each episode I watch I can actually pick out the best stuff, and what I feel could be discarded. The lines are clear.

Example: I love the whole sentient outfits/fabric thing...but the fact that it's applied with such T&A is a REALLY big hurdle to me.

I like when creators reference ridiculous fan service (Asuka in the Rebuild Eva film putting on her new plugsuit and shouting "?What pervert designs these?!")...but when it gets to the KILL LA KILL level of "explanation" I find it hard to quantify.

And Drek, I love your description of Trigger. LOL!

If they'd taken the sentient outfits and T&A aspects a lot farther thematically, I could potentially get behind it. To continue the TTGL comparison:

{{TTGL themes spoilers, just in case}}

Spoiler

The constant/repetitive winning-by-sheer-audacity of TTGL would have gotten quite annoying too, on its own. Soooo many animes have characters that don't have skills or a plan but simply win by believing themselves and its totally puke-worthy!

But that aspect was integrated into the rest of TTGL as this big DNA-metaphor / man-versus-beast / progress of civilization theme that gave reason for the characters to win solely by perseverance and audacity, gave reason for things to continually get more over-the-top, mixed in various commentaries on both the nature of humanity and parodied this trope in other animes.

And like that, it works fantastically and is an enormous part of what makes TTGL not just another silly shounen.

I feel like there were some root elements to that sort of grand plan in the start of Kill la Kill. I really thought the talking clothes, transformations into skimpy versions of themselves, character revelations about accepting it making you stronger, etc, was going to lead into a bigger meta-commentary.

But they didn't really do anything with it so far (granted, I'm only up to episode 14, but they've had lots of time!). It's just sort of making references to the idea and going over-the-top with them, but doesn't really seem to have any point to make about it. Which is too bad, because there's some really great potential for a powerful commentary on both the magic girl anime tropes, on the studios who make them and on the audiences who watch them in there.

If they had done that, and there was a point to all of it, then it'd be easy to accept the gratuitousness as a part of the satire and commentary. But there doesn't seem to be much point, so it just annoys.

[QuickTidal]

Cajun King, on 29 January 2015 - 07:20 PM, said:

Continues with Knights of Sidiona. I'm on ep3.

What about this Sword Art? It was shown in my related stuff. Anyone watch it?

Yup. Loved it. WELL worth your time. Only S1 is on Netflix...so you'd have to seek out S2 on Crunchyroll or watchanimeon...but yes, watch it for sure!

[D'rek]

QuickTidal, on 29 January 2015 - 07:42 PM, said:

Cajun King, on 29 January 2015 - 07:20 PM, said:

Continues with Knights of Sidiona. I'm on ep3.

What about this Sword Art? It was shown in my related stuff. Anyone watch it?

Yup. Loved it. WELL worth your time. Only S1 is on Netflix...so you'd have to seek out S2 on Crunchyroll or watchanimeon...but yes, watch it for sure!

Hurry! Start watching it and enjoying it now before Grumpy Silencer comes in and tells you how much you have to hate it!

[The Hust Legion]

i agree with ya there drek. but yeah the latter half was better for me, i think it adresses some of the issues you said and now i think about it. its eerily similar to TTGL... a bit too similar. in plot and everuthing. AND SAO IS PRETTY DAMN GOOD... FIRST ARC ONLY THOUGH.
another side note.... anyone seen magi?

[D'rek]

The Hust Legion, on 29 January 2015 - 08:33 PM, said:

i agree with ya there drek. but yeah the latter half was better for me, i think it adresses some of the issues you said and now i think about it. its eerily similar to TTGL... a bit too similar. in plot and everuthing.

Well, I'll finish KlaK whenever the dub of the second half is uploaded, so we'll see! It would indeed be sad if it was the first Trigger show I overall wasn't crazy about (and that includes Inferno Cop!).

The Hust Legion, on 29 January 2015 - 08:33 PM, said:

anyone seen magi?

Yunamander and I were watching it and semi-raving about it waaaaay up-thread when it was first coming out. I think Dolmen has seen it, too. Are you watching it? Liking it?

I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, but it is a lot of fun and very well executed, plus the rare arabian nights-esque setting and a fabulous score. Good stuff! I do hope they'll do a season 3 some day, as apparently the arcs immediately after Magnoshutatt return to Alibaba's city (who's name eludes me at the moment) and explore the mythical backstory more.

[The Hust Legion]

yeah i saw it. i enjoyed it so i read the manga too. they are making a sinbad series. i enjoyed it immensely.....>.< embarrassing but aladdin is fricking adorable. and yes the score is amazeballs.
fairy tail is one of my favourites, so anything with that kinda vibe i kinda like. but i think its a little underated, the character powers and plot and stuff is actually really good! and yeah they do. the manga just finished that not tto many chaps ago.
also it must be noted im a big fan of bleach too

[D'rek]

So, Durarara!! x2 Shou starting motivated me to finish reading volumes 5 and 6 of the LNs. The ending of volume 6... OMG, just OMG!!!! If the three cours of season 2 of the anime follow LN volumes 4 to 6 as I expect, you guys are in for a real treat at the end of it!!!

[LinearPhilosopher]

Cajun King, on 29 January 2015 - 07:20 PM, said:

Continues with Knights of Sidiona. I'm on ep3.

What about this Sword Art? It was shown in my related stuff. Anyone watch it?

s1, part 1>ok, had its moments but it wasted most of the potential of the story.
s1 part 2> godawful, really reallly bad.


s2 part 1> Phenomenal mix of tension, directing and writing
s2 part 2> the feels!!! THey HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andorion]

I am watching the Bleach series,

Spoiler

and season 8 ended with Ichigo defeating Grimmjow. Then Season 9 starts with everybody back in the World of the Living? WTF? Rukia and Chad were dying. How are they all better and back? Uquiorra did not stop Ichigo from leaving the Hollow world with Orihime? What happened to Renji's battle with the Espada? That was paused in the middle. I thought the Court Guard peoiple were supposed to be preparing for a big winter battle against Aizen, but now they have this new captain storyline?

Whatever happened to continuity? Seriously confused here.

This post has been edited by Andorion: 31 January 2015 - 08:07 AM

[Dolmen 2.0]

Andorion, on 31 January 2015 - 05:01 AM, said:

I am watching the Bleach series,

Spoiler

and season 8 ended with Ichigo defeating Grimmjow. Then Season 9 starts with everybody back in the World of the Living? WTF? Rukia and Chad were dying. How are they all better and back? Uquiorra did not stop Ichigo from leaving the Hollow world with Orihime? What happened to Renji's battle with the Espada? That was paused in the middle. I thought the Court Guard peoiple were supposed to be preparing for a big winter battle against Aizen, but now they have this new captain storyline? Whatever happened to continuity? Seriosuly confused here.

I think you better spoiler that for people not current on bleach. long story short, its filler you watching atm. when airing the animation team often worked faster than the manga team, in Bleach manga a fight can span 8 pages while in the animation it can go as quickly as 15 minutes. Because of this the anime would have to throw on the emergency brakes. I'm not sure who got away with suggesting a point blank stop and shift but the best part of watching bleach late is you can skip the filler and get right back to the Hueco Mundo Arc.

Unfill the Bleach

Follow that format and you're golden.

This post has been edited by Dolmen 2.0: 31 January 2015 - 01:05 PM

[Andorion]

Dolmen 2.0, on 31 January 2015 - 06:53 AM, said:

Andorion, on 31 January 2015 - 05:01 AM, said:

I am watching the Bleach series,

Spoiler

and season 8 ended with Ichigo defeating Grimmjow. Then Season 9 starts with everybody back in the World of the Living? WTF? Rukia and Chad were dying. How are they all better and back? Uquiorra did not stop Ichigo from leaving the Hollow world with Orihime? What happened to Renji's battle with the Espada? That was paused in the middle. I thought the Court Guard peoiple were supposed to be preparing for a big winter battle against Aizen, but now they have this new captain storyline?

Whatever happened to continuity? Seriosuly confused here.

I think you better spoiler that for people not current on bleach. long story short, its filler you watching atm. when airing the animation team often worked faster than the manga team, in Bleach manga a fight can span 8 pages while in the animation it can go as quickly as 15 minutes. Because of this the anime would have to throw on the emergency brakes. I'm not sure who got away with suggesting a point blank stop and shift but the best part of watching bleach late is you can skip the filler and get right back to the Hueco Mundo Arc.

Unfill the Bleach

Follow that format and you're golden.

Oh, I didn't understand that this was a non-spoilery thread! Fixed. Thanks for the link. That should help out immensely!

[D'rek]

Finished Trigun. Last 25% same as the first 75%. It's alright, was probably pretty awesome by current standards when it first aired, but now just fine. Not sad I watched it but it was more passing-the-time show than rave-about show.

[QuickTidal]

I realize this isn't the Manga thread...but it seems the most apt place to ask this question.

Anyone read AZUMANGA DAIOH manga (they have a sweet omnibus on sale at the store) or VINLAND SAGA (also a sweet store deal)?

I perused them and they both seemed interesting...but I wanted a little more info before dropping the cash on them. Anyone?

[D'rek]

Wow, Durarara!! x2 Shou episode 4 was AWESOME!!!

And also really, really efficient! I didn't think they would get through so much so fast in the anime! The reason the end of this episode might feel especially 'endish' is because they've already reached the end of LN volume 4!

So that completely breaks my initial expectations of season 2 = 3 cours = 3 LN volumes.

If they keep up this pace, they could conceivably get through the entire Akane arc (volumes 5 and 6), Dollars&Squares arc (mostly volume 6) and the Toramaru storyline (woven throughout volumes 4-6) all in this cour which would be totally awesome AND mean we'd still have 26 more episodes of adaptation promised after that! Whoa!

And looking even further... there are 13 LN volumes in the "main series" of Durarara. After that the author started writing "Durarara!! SH" which is like a sequel series - same setting, same style, but taking place a year and a half or so later with new main characters. So... could the anime plan be to adapt all the way to volume 13 by the end of season 2, thereby basically completing the main series? Ambitious but awesome if so, and unlike so many animes that don't manage to get a second/third/xth season and so never reach the ending of their loooong manga/LN series, Durarara having a solid ending at volume 13 and then going into the sequel series means we could get that big ending with season 2 and not need to worry about whether there will ever be a season 3! Soooo excited!


Unfortunately for the twincest fans among you (this is one of those "did I really just write that?" moments), having already completed volume 4 you will not be seeing anymore Mairu and Kururi until at least the Summer cour!


As for this latest episode itself, awesome! Those biker idiots just can't get a break can they - first Kadota, then Celty,

Spoiler

then Igor, then Ruri, and finally Shizuo...

ouch.

There's this whole thing in the LNs about how Igor doesn't need to be inhumanely strong or fast like Shizuo and the supernatural characters (nor is he mentally weird like Vorona and Slon), he's just so skilled that he reacts exceptionally quickly and his every move is so perfectly efficient that he can almost keep up with the supernatural ones. The anime didn't waste time having anyone talk about this explicitly, but they did a great job showing it in the fight with how Igor just slips past enemy attacks and nimbly hits them in the best places with the best timing - totally in contrast to

Spoiler

Ruri

who was just bashing through everyone with supernatural strength.

Then the yakuza meeting scene - definitely setup for the next arc. Shiki and Akayabashi (the one in the OP, who I can confirm for sure is indeed him now) who we already know were there, and the other two look like Aozaki (the one with tons of facial scars) (though it's hard to say for sure since Mikiya looks pretty similar in the LNs) and the guy with the weirdly round head I am guessing is Kazamoto. Shiki is the only one that is really all that important to the story right now, though it is worth noting that Akayabashi and Aozaki have reputations as super yakuza badasses (I know, I know... who isn't a badass in this series...).

Finally:

Spoiler

Poor Izaya, no hot-pot for you

[D'rek]

QuickTidal, on 02 February 2015 - 02:17 PM, said:

I realize this isn't the Manga thread...but it seems the most apt place to ask this question.

Anyone read AZUMANGA DAIOH manga (they have a sweet omnibus on sale at the store) or VINLAND SAGA (also a sweet store deal)?

I perused them and they both seemed interesting...but I wanted a little more info before dropping the cash on them. Anyone?

No, but I've watched the Azumanga Daioh anime and it was really funny!

[QuickTidal]

D, on 02 February 2015 - 02:25 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 02 February 2015 - 02:17 PM, said:

I realize this isn't the Manga thread...but it seems the most apt place to ask this question.

Anyone read AZUMANGA DAIOH manga (they have a sweet omnibus on sale at the store) or VINLAND SAGA (also a sweet store deal)?

I perused them and they both seemed interesting...but I wanted a little more info before dropping the cash on them. Anyone?

No, but I've watched the Azumanga Daioh anime and it was really funny!

Cool. Yeah it looked like charming slice-of-life manga to me...which might be good for some lighter fare.

Thanks

[LinearPhilosopher]

Andorion, on 31 January 2015 - 05:01 AM, said:

I am watching the Bleach series,

Spoiler

and season 8 ended with Ichigo defeating Grimmjow. Then Season 9 starts with everybody back in the World of the Living? WTF? Rukia and Chad were dying. How are they all better and back? Uquiorra did not stop Ichigo from leaving the Hollow world with Orihime? What happened to Renji's battle with the Espada? That was paused in the middle. I thought the Court Guard peoiple were supposed to be preparing for a big winter battle against Aizen, but now they have this new captain storyline?

Whatever happened to continuity? Seriously confused here.

iirc, this is the princess himiko arc... So bad

Bleach had a really good filler arc later on though, the zanpakutou rebellion arc.

Anyways good luck on bleach. I stopped watching it when i reached a point i could say,. ok im done with this garbage. That point was when the battle of karakura town ended.

D, on 31 January 2015 - 04:27 PM, said:

Finished Trigun. Last 25% same as the first 75%. It's alright, was probably pretty awesome by current standards when it first aired, but now just fine. Not sad I watched it but it was more passing-the-time show than rave-about show.

You heartless cur!!!

Spoiler

whatdya mean it was alright. You have what is likely one of the best bromances in anime (vash and nicholas), the episode where nicholas dies, on the episode where legato forces vash to break his morals, and just vash being a funny guy overall,

What dya mean it was just ok. That series was good for the comedy but knew when it was time to get serious.

This post has been edited by BalrogLord: 02 February 2015 - 03:04 PM

[D'rek]

BalrogLord, on 02 February 2015 - 02:59 PM, said:

D, on 31 January 2015 - 04:27 PM, said:

Finished Trigun. Last 25% same as the first 75%. It's alright, was probably pretty awesome by current standards when it first aired, but now just fine. Not sad I watched it but it was more passing-the-time show than rave-about show.

You heartless cur!!!

Spoiler

whatdya mean it was alright. You have what is likely one of the best bromances in anime (vash and nicholas), the episode where nicholas dies, on the episode where legato forces vash to break his morals, and just vash being a funny guy overall,

What dya mean it was just ok. That series was good for the comedy but knew when it was time to get serious.

It's just too shallow and episodic for any of that late-season stuff to really mean much of anything. The first 20 episodes are all just Vash being silly and occasionally a serious gunfighter but no greater depth or exploration other than the one mandatory backstory episode. It's the same thing you see in shows like Samurai Champloo, Big O, even Cowboy Bebop - older animes that even though they are more adult-oriented are still drawing from the same presentation format of kids' shows where it's just Premise -> 20 episodic episodes that don't have any relevance to the overall plot -> a couple climax episodes that wrap things up.

And while that can be done very well and very entertainingly, in Trigun's case there just isn't enough development of the characters, setting or plot beyond the initial premise to make either the characters or the story more engaging.

[QuickTidal]

Because of time constraints with watching ONE PIECE I've shifted all the way over to the manga (Comixology has the volumes for only $7 each) and reading them digitally. I'll probably catch up faster this way, but finding the time to watch even 4 or 5 eps of the show is tough these days. That said, the volumes of manga translate beautifully to the digital format. I recommend Comixology for digital manga reading.