[Mentalist]

Sometimes characters in LoGH make decisions that seem totally irrational, but jumpstart the plot in the fast forward direction. And sometimes they skip the expected buildup and just make things happen.

Example:
Side A recently beat side B in a war and made it a protectorate as a result of a bloody and costly war. Then something happens and now it looks like some elements of B are rebelling.

*cue various people in A saying what a bad idea a new war would be for most of an episode...
Leader of A "hmm, maybe I should take some time to see if we can work this out...
Blood knight: "what happened to you, Leader? You never used to think before fighting!"
Leader of A: "hmm, you make a good point. Let's go to war!"
Everyone else "???"

So to answer your question, it's not outside the realm of possibility that everything will finish in the next 16 episodes.

[Mentalist]

10 episodes left... doesn't seem like much, but this show manages to squeeze a full arc into 4-5 episodes, so I'm taking it all in stride.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 29 April 2016 - 04:01 AM

[D'rek]

That sounds awesome, Ment... I definitely need to find time to watch this show. Is it weird that I'm kinda almost hoping for a crappy summer season so I can actually have time to watch some oldies?


Kabaneri ep 3 was alright, though I'd say not a lot really happened. Kinda frustrating to see a setup that is founded on the one character who knows important things simply not bothering to explain them, but I guess they're at least trying to justify that with Mumei being so arrogant, uncaring and obviously not very good at explaining things, as seen with the training scene.

Looks like the green rock is going to be more than just a rock after all, too. Seems pretty cliche... lets hope they do something interesting with it and that it isn't actually tied directly to becoming Kabaneri, as frankly I think that would undermine the coolness of Ikoma's resistance.

[Mentalist]

Finished LOGH. Marathoned the last 5 episodes.

The conclusion is... fitting. My personal definition of "epic" has always been "a slice of history in the times of monumental changes". In that sense, LOGH fits the definition to a T. best description of the ending is really "the end of an era". And just like every real-life story, someone's end is someone's beginning.

I'm not gonna say this anime was perfect. There were multiple moments where I didn't feel the story development was really organic, and it seemed the authors just forced the plot to go where they needed. There's several facepalm-worthy moments where the previously meticulous characters would do something stupid out of character.

Still, overall, once we got past the opening exposition, I was always interested to see how the story will go. And it kept me interested for 110 episodes, so it must be doing something right.

[Mentalist]

4 episodes into "Baccano!"

Can't...


Stop....



Watching....


It's like "Pulp Fiction" on crack.

[D'rek]

Mentalist, on 02 May 2016 - 09:19 PM, said:

4 episodes into "Baccano!"

Can't...


Stop....



Watching....


It's like "Pulp Fiction" on crack.

Yeah, because Baccano is flippin' amazing!!!

[Mentalist]

D, on 03 May 2016 - 01:59 AM, said:

Mentalist, on 02 May 2016 - 09:19 PM, said:

4 episodes into "Baccano!"

Can't...


Stop....



Watching....


It's like "Pulp Fiction" on crack.

Yeah, because Baccano is flippin' amazing!!!

Anything similar you'd recommend?

[D'rek]

Mentalist, on 03 May 2016 - 02:40 AM, said:

D, on 03 May 2016 - 01:59 AM, said:

Mentalist, on 02 May 2016 - 09:19 PM, said:

4 episodes into "Baccano!"

Can't...


Stop....



Watching....


It's like "Pulp Fiction" on crack.

Yeah, because Baccano is flippin' amazing!!!

Anything similar you'd recommend?

Durarara!! is written by the same author and the first season of the anime was produced by the same studio (the second and final season were shifted to a different studio), so it has a lot of the same stylings, uses a similar non-linear storytelling structure and has the same sorts of character insanities. It's set in modern-day Tokyo, though, rather than 1930s America. It doesn't quite have as much charm as Baccano and the plots are a little more predictable/tropey due to the modern Japan setting, but it's still pretty satisfying.

If you're looking for something that keeps the same premises of mafia families and supernatural powers, there's Arcana Famiglia. There's also Gangsta, but I'm not sure I'd really recommend that (it starts out really interesting and good, but the studio was going bankrupt as they made it and the second half falls apart).

Boogiebop Phantom would be something of a compromise - not 1930s America nor mafias, but still something of a dark urban setting with some supernatural elements, and not quite the same non-linear narrative structure but it's still got a plot that starts out mysterious and unfold part by part.

[Mentalist]

*takes notes*
Gonna have to add these to the list. Thank you.

[Terez]

Can anyone recommend an anime with an advanced language level? Preferably one based on manga. I'm trying to learn Japanese, and eventually it's going to get to the point where the language in DB is too generally simplistic to do me much good. It will probably be a while before I get to that point.

An acquaintance in the DB fandom recommended My Hero Academia, but that's pretty new, right? Another friend recommended Your Lie in April because Chopin. I have no idea what that's about.

[Andorion]

Hey guys, posting here after quite some time.

I have managed to watch very little anime in the meantime. If only I could stream to my phone....but my net isn't good enough for that

Shingeki Bahamut - 2 episodes -still my favourite so far

Fate Stay Night - 4 episodes - very interesting - thing has potential

Black Lagoon - 4 episodes - love it

Berserk - 3 episodes - very very bloody, but I love it.

I have a question. Fate Stay Night and Bleach are both set in contemporary Japan. But in Bleach the family lives in western style house with compatible furniture and lifestyle whereas in FSN its Japanese furniture. Is there any reason behind this difference in stylistic choices?

Also watching Berserk made me wonder, is there any predominantly military oriented anime which is set in the present/future like Mobile Suit Gundam but more recent?

[D'rek]

Terez, on 03 May 2016 - 09:58 PM, said:

Can anyone recommend an anime with an advanced language level? Preferably one based on manga. I'm trying to learn Japanese, and eventually it's going to get to the point where the language in DB is too generally simplistic to do me much good. It will probably be a while before I get to that point.

An acquaintance in the DB fandom recommended My Hero Academia, but that's pretty new, right? Another friend recommended Your Lie in April because Chopin. I have no idea what that's about.

The Tatami Galaxy (Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei) has, I think, pretty advanced vocabulary, but it also does the main character' internal monologues very fast... maybe too fast for you to use for that. Worth checking out and seeing (it's also a really good show).

I think probably any more adult-rated show would probably qualify, really.

Michiko & Hatchin
Psycho-Pass
Planetes
Sakamichi no Apollon (jazz!)
Nodame Cantabile (classical music!)
Lupin III
Shirobako
Summer Wars
FLCL
Nana

Or Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai if you want to improve your Japanese sex-pun vocabulary

Andorion, on 04 May 2016 - 01:56 AM, said:

Hey guys, posting here after quite some time.

I have managed to watch very little anime in the meantime. If only I could stream to my phone....but my net isn't good enough for that

Shingeki Bahamut - 2 episodes -still my favourite so far

Fate Stay Night - 4 episodes - very interesting - thing has potential

Black Lagoon - 4 episodes - love it

Berserk - 3 episodes - very very bloody, but I love it.

You have excellent taste

Personally, I don't like Fate Stay Night as I don't think it really makes very good use of that potential, but a lot of people disagree with me, so who knows what you'll find. But even if you don't like the direction that it goes, try checking out Fate/Zero some time after, as it uses the same starting premise but takes a very different tone and plot to it.

Andorion, on 04 May 2016 - 01:56 AM, said:

I have a question. Fate Stay Night and Bleach are both set in contemporary Japan. But in Bleach the family lives in western style house with compatible furniture and lifestyle whereas in FSN its Japanese furniture. Is there any reason behind this difference in stylistic choices?

As far as I know, there's no specific reasoning in either of those particular instances, it's just what the original writer/designer/director/whatever decided. Certainly some homes or apartments in Japan do, in fact, have all traditional furnishings and tatami rooms while other homes have more western-like decor. That sort of stuff comes up a lot in anime (or its source material) - you'll see lots of people using Japanese futons instead of having a bed, etc. I have no idea if the proportions of it in anime match real life, or not... it could just be one of those anime things like kids always going to high school in another county without their parents (which I'm sure does sometimes happen... but not nearly as often as it does in anime!).

Andorion, on 04 May 2016 - 01:56 AM, said:

Also watching Berserk made me wonder, is there any predominantly military oriented anime which is set in the present/future like Mobile Suit Gundam but more recent?

TONS! TONS!

There's everything from GATE (modern Japanese military travels through a magic portal to a low-tech fantasy world), to Legend of Galactic Heroes (futuristic sci-fi space epic that Mentalist just finished watching) to So Ra No Wo To (teenage military bugling girls) to Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (a single earth spaceship tries to attack an alien homeworld) to KanColle (naval warfare where the ships are cute girls) to Code Geass (terrorist rebels fighting a tyrannical empire using mechs) to a whole slew of military Mecha-in-space shows like Macross, Valvrave, Appleseed, Soukyuu no Fafner...

Though frankly, if you liked Mobile Suit Gundam but want something more recent... why not try one of the more recent other entries in the Gundam franchise? E.g. Gundam:Iron-Blooded Orphans aired just last year and got lots of praise.

[LinearPhilosopher]

D, on 03 May 2016 - 04:05 PM, said:

Mentalist, on 03 May 2016 - 02:40 AM, said:

D, on 03 May 2016 - 01:59 AM, said:

Mentalist, on 02 May 2016 - 09:19 PM, said:

4 episodes into "Baccano!"

Can't...


Stop....



Watching....


It's like "Pulp Fiction" on crack.

Yeah, because Baccano is flippin' amazing!!!

Anything similar you'd recommend?

Durarara!! is written by the same author and the first season of the anime was produced by the same studio (the second and final season were shifted to a different studio), so it has a lot of the same stylings, uses a similar non-linear storytelling structure and has the same sorts of character insanities. It's set in modern-day Tokyo, though, rather than 1930s America. It doesn't quite have as much charm as Baccano and the plots are a little more predictable/tropey due to the modern Japan setting, but it's still pretty satisfying.

If you're looking for something that keeps the same premises of mafia families and supernatural powers, there's Arcana Famiglia. There's also Gangsta, but I'm not sure I'd really recommend that (it starts out really interesting and good, but the studio was going bankrupt as they made it and the second half falls apart).

Boogiebop Phantom would be something of a compromise - not 1930s America nor mafias, but still something of a dark urban setting with some supernatural elements, and not quite the same non-linear narrative structure but it's still got a plot that starts out mysterious and unfold part by part.

Ok i tried watching arcana familiglia, do not reccomend. The only thing that show has to do with mafia is that the characters are part of a mafia, thats it. Its not a gansta flick in the slightest

If you're looking for a mafia flick i'd reccomend gungrave.

[Dolmen 2.0]

LinearPhilosopher, on 04 May 2016 - 10:31 AM, said:

D, on 03 May 2016 - 04:05 PM, said:

Mentalist, on 03 May 2016 - 02:40 AM, said:

D, on 03 May 2016 - 01:59 AM, said:

Mentalist, on 02 May 2016 - 09:19 PM, said:

4 episodes into "Baccano!"

Can't...


Stop....



Watching....


It's like "Pulp Fiction" on crack.

Yeah, because Baccano is flippin' amazing!!!

Anything similar you'd recommend?

Durarara!! is written by the same author and the first season of the anime was produced by the same studio (the second and final season were shifted to a different studio), so it has a lot of the same stylings, uses a similar non-linear storytelling structure and has the same sorts of character insanities. It's set in modern-day Tokyo, though, rather than 1930s America. It doesn't quite have as much charm as Baccano and the plots are a little more predictable/tropey due to the modern Japan setting, but it's still pretty satisfying.

If you're looking for something that keeps the same premises of mafia families and supernatural powers, there's Arcana Famiglia. There's also Gangsta, but I'm not sure I'd really recommend that (it starts out really interesting and good, but the studio was going bankrupt as they made it and the second half falls apart).

Boogiebop Phantom would be something of a compromise - not 1930s America nor mafias, but still something of a dark urban setting with some supernatural elements, and not quite the same non-linear narrative structure but it's still got a plot that starts out mysterious and unfold part by part.

Ok i tried watching arcana familiglia, do not reccomend. The only thing that show has to do with mafia is that the characters are part of a mafia, thats it. Its not a gansta flick in the slightest

If you're looking for a mafia flick i'd reccomend gungrave.

If you're looking for anime mafia flavour Gangsta was good. Sad to hear about the studio behind it going bankrupt tho.

I think Jormungand was an excellent segway from baccano. Not similar in the slightest but action packed and a kindred spirit. I'd maybe squeeze Black lagoon in between the two. Excellent criminal element, deep rooted story and great characterization. Depends on who you talk to on which of these two you should watch first but they work well together.

[Andorion]

D, on 04 May 2016 - 04:15 AM, said:

Terez, on 03 May 2016 - 09:58 PM, said:

Can anyone recommend an anime with an advanced language level? Preferably one based on manga. I'm trying to learn Japanese, and eventually it's going to get to the point where the language in DB is too generally simplistic to do me much good. It will probably be a while before I get to that point.

An acquaintance in the DB fandom recommended My Hero Academia, but that's pretty new, right? Another friend recommended Your Lie in April because Chopin. I have no idea what that's about.

The Tatami Galaxy (Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei) has, I think, pretty advanced vocabulary, but it also does the main character' internal monologues very fast... maybe too fast for you to use for that. Worth checking out and seeing (it's also a really good show).

I think probably any more adult-rated show would probably qualify, really.

Michiko & Hatchin
Psycho-Pass
Planetes
Sakamichi no Apollon (jazz!)
Nodame Cantabile (classical music!)
Lupin III
Shirobako
Summer Wars
FLCL
Nana

Or Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai if you want to improve your Japanese sex-pun vocabulary

Andorion, on 04 May 2016 - 01:56 AM, said:

Hey guys, posting here after quite some time.

I have managed to watch very little anime in the meantime. If only I could stream to my phone....but my net isn't good enough for that

Shingeki Bahamut - 2 episodes -still my favourite so far

Fate Stay Night - 4 episodes - very interesting - thing has potential

Black Lagoon - 4 episodes - love it

Berserk - 3 episodes - very very bloody, but I love it.

You have excellent taste

Personally, I don't like Fate Stay Night as I don't think it really makes very good use of that potential, but a lot of people disagree with me, so who knows what you'll find. But even if you don't like the direction that it goes, try checking out Fate/Zero some time after, as it uses the same starting premise but takes a very different tone and plot to it.

Andorion, on 04 May 2016 - 01:56 AM, said:

I have a question. Fate Stay Night and Bleach are both set in contemporary Japan. But in Bleach the family lives in western style house with compatible furniture and lifestyle whereas in FSN its Japanese furniture. Is there any reason behind this difference in stylistic choices?

As far as I know, there's no specific reasoning in either of those particular instances, it's just what the original writer/designer/director/whatever decided. Certainly some homes or apartments in Japan do, in fact, have all traditional furnishings and tatami rooms while other homes have more western-like decor. That sort of stuff comes up a lot in anime (or its source material) - you'll see lots of people using Japanese futons instead of having a bed, etc. I have no idea if the proportions of it in anime match real life, or not... it could just be one of those anime things like kids always going to high school in another county without their parents (which I'm sure does sometimes happen... but not nearly as often as it does in anime!).

Andorion, on 04 May 2016 - 01:56 AM, said:

Also watching Berserk made me wonder, is there any predominantly military oriented anime which is set in the present/future like Mobile Suit Gundam but more recent?

TONS! TONS!

There's everything from GATE (modern Japanese military travels through a magic portal to a low-tech fantasy world), to Legend of Galactic Heroes (futuristic sci-fi space epic that Mentalist just finished watching) to So Ra No Wo To (teenage military bugling girls) to Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (a single earth spaceship tries to attack an alien homeworld) to KanColle (naval warfare where the ships are cute girls) to Code Geass (terrorist rebels fighting a tyrannical empire using mechs) to a whole slew of military Mecha-in-space shows like Macross, Valvrave, Appleseed, Soukyuu no Fafner...

Though frankly, if you liked Mobile Suit Gundam but want something more recent... why not try one of the more recent other entries in the Gundam franchise? E.g. Gundam:Iron-Blooded Orphans aired just last year and got lots of praise.

Thank you!

So a long list of military recs, I will have to work through that. I saw Ment's post. That series is certainly interesting. BTW how is Attack on Titan? (For about three months I thought people were attacking Titan the moon of Saturn)

I am trying to make around 30-60 minutes every alternate day to watch anime. Lets see how that works out.

[D'rek]

Andorion, on 05 May 2016 - 01:43 AM, said:

BTW how is Attack on Titan? (For about three months I thought people were attacking Titan the moon of Saturn)

It's good. Even better if you go into it with no spoilers, no hype, no expectations at all, really. The combat in it is really fun, and the setting is fairly intriguing (though it is not very complex). I would say its strongest aspect is that the main characters end up having to deal with realistic limitations to their ability to act - this world will not simply let a trio of 12-year-olds go off on their own. On the other hand, this means that there is not exactly a clear overall plan/goal for them - fairly early on there's one long-term objective revealed but they can't realistically expect to resolve it for a long time in the plot due to that same 'realism'. The characters are also a bit one-dimensional... so it's really more the setting and episode-to-episode plot that need to keep you watching, not the characters or overall story. Definitely still worth checking out, I think.

[LinearPhilosopher]

Im just gona repeat myself, if you want a mafia anime, Gungrave's the way to go in terms of style and ambience.

Beyond that. Military Animes... Quite a few.

We talking recent?

Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans is great and its been renewed for season 2.

Want something more medieval? the Arslan senki remake is very well done.

If you want something more in the past. Gundam Wing is an all time favourite. Code geass is also a good mecha show.

Mecha not your thing? But still want a SCI-fi opera? Tryt space battleship yamato but go with the remake (more maturely done with more female characters)

Theres a short OVA called the Cockpit about some world war 2 fighter pilots that might catch your eye.

Want a medieval anime? The original berserk is really good.

There that should keep you busy for a few months.

In regards to AoT, its quite good, with an interesting narrative cycle. Merit much of the praise given, unfortunately the anime community as a whole overhypes the living hell out of stuff.

[Mentalist]

I've seen quite a few Gundams (Wing, X, Seed + Destiny, Double O + the movie). I also have Turn A, AGE, and Reconguista in G on the to watch list in the near-ish future. Iron-Blooded orphans too, most likely. So far, all Gundam that I've seen is worth watching (Destiny probably being the weakest)

Btw, finished Baccano! really fun show, one I'll probably re-watch sometime not too far off with the dub just to see how it goes.

Next I'll probably watch "Tenge Toppa Guren Lagann", but not for some time since for the nearest future all free time will be devoted to FoL

[amphibian]

Gurenn lagann is one of the very best out there. It sorta starts off a bit slow and goofy, but ue end, is flat out amazing. Very short too.

I would also put One Punch Man at the top of my list of goofy yet serious excellent animes.

[D'rek]

Mentalist, on 05 May 2016 - 04:33 AM, said:

Btw, finished Baccano! really fun show, one I'll probably re-watch sometime not too far off with the dub just to see how it goes.

Ohhh, you watched it subbed? IMHO, the Baccano English dub is actually better than the Japanese voice-acting. Though once you get used to either one it's hard to switch, of course.

Mentalist, on 05 May 2016 - 04:33 AM, said:

Next I'll probably watch "Tenge Toppa Guren Lagann", but not for some time since for the nearest future all free time will be devoted to FoL

YYEEESSSSSSS!!! DO IT!!! Gurren Lagann is absolutely phenomenal!

As Amph said, it is pretty goofy, especially at the start, but that's a big part of what makes it so charming and immersive.

I know I say this for, like, everything, but don't google it or do anything that might risk spoilers! There are indecent people on the internet who will carelessly ruin it for you!

Not sure I agree that it is short, though - it's 27 full episodes! Speaking of which, there are two versions of episode 6 - there's the real episode and an alternate recap version, so make sure you watch the real version.

Also, the dub is fantastic. I'd say the sub and dub are equally good, but I would recommend watching it dubbed just to get more immersion.