[LinearPhilosopher]

Story wasn't all that great or original. Standard wandering hero goes in the save the day from some evil menace. I enjoyed it, just not for the story.

[Silencer]

BalrogLord, on 25 March 2013 - 03:04 AM, said:

Story wasn't all that great or original. Standard wandering hero goes in the save the day from some evil menace. I enjoyed it, just not for the story.

>.>

I never said it was.

I just said that it played a traditional storyline fairly tightly (i.e. without being too silly or playing with it for no reason), and that it worked for what it was. Which was, as you say; wandering hero ends up saving the day from some evil menace. The story itself doesn't have to be great or original -because it is such a simplistic story to tell, all they had to do was tell it without ruining it, and they did that to a T. Which makes it a good story, no? Then you take the actual animation and fighting and characters who, again while not unique or outstanding, were depicted without fault and you get a top-in-class performer. Unless you have a candidate for a better "wandering hero..." plot? In which case, do share!

*note, because you and I seem to do this a bit, that I'm not trying to start an argument. XD I just seem to be coming at this from a different angle than you, so wanted to make sure we understand each other's perspective.

[Silencer]

Well...Shin Sekai Yori is over.


It will take me a while to work out how I feel about that. XD


The series, as a whole, was brilliant. I definitely enjoyed the first half more than the second, however, and the final episode was...anticlimactic? Too short? I dunno. The final ending scenes, in place of the ED, however, were spot-on. Either way, this is vying for a top-ten spot (though my top-ten is actually more like "first five, then a garbled mess of ten or so more shows", so...yeah. Somewhere in there).

[Shpetim]

I dunno if anyone's mentioned this already or not, but if you guys haven't seen Kokoro Connect, you should, or at least give it a shot. Toradora was fun to watch, that little girl sure is a piece of work. Ignore these if you're much into sci fi futurism and epic.
And Silencer, lol, your avatar.. you sure like the Haruhi Suzumiya series don't you...

[LinearPhilosopher]

Silencer, on 25 March 2013 - 03:11 AM, said:

BalrogLord, on 25 March 2013 - 03:04 AM, said:

Story wasn't all that great or original. Standard wandering hero goes in the save the day from some evil menace. I enjoyed it, just not for the story.

>.>

I never said it was.

I just said that it played a traditional storyline fairly tightly (i.e. without being too silly or playing with it for no reason), and that it worked for what it was. Which was, as you say; wandering hero ends up saving the day from some evil menace. The story itself doesn't have to be great or original -because it is such a simplistic story to tell, all they had to do was tell it without ruining it, and they did that to a T. Which makes it a good story, no? Then you take the actual animation and fighting and characters who, again while not unique or outstanding, were depicted without fault and you get a top-in-class performer. Unless you have a candidate for a better "wandering hero..." plot? In which case, do share!

*note, because you and I seem to do this a bit, that I'm not trying to start an argument. XD I just seem to be coming at this from a different angle than you, so wanted to make sure we understand each other's perspective

I get what you're saying. If i'm understanding you correctly, it works well and does the job it sets out to do. At which point it's good. I would define such as average. To me getting a good rating implies it going beyond it's expectations. So i guess like last time it's a question of definitions. A good series breaks the mold. a GREAT series completely destroys and rebuilds the mold.

Silencer, on 27 March 2013 - 11:10 AM, said:

Well...Shin Sekai Yori is over.


It will take me a while to work out how I feel about that. XD


The series, as a whole, was brilliant. I definitely enjoyed the first half more than the second, however, and the final episode was...anticlimactic? Too short? I dunno. The final ending scenes, in place of the ED, however, were spot-on. Either way, this is vying for a top-ten spot (though my top-ten is actually more like "first five, then a garbled mess of ten or so more shows", so...yeah. Somewhere in there).

i found that the quiet, anti-climatic ending was actually well suited to the series. The story started off slowly and quietly and ended on the same note. There's also other elements such as the creation of saki's family which mirrors the begining of the series (ie saki being born in her family and finding out about the society ground up). It resolves all plot points and i find the symmetry between the begining and end a nice touch. A great symphony ends not with a crescendo but a falling out. So tell me did you have it figured out the naked mole rats were.

Spoiler

humans?

. I didnt.

Shin Sekai yori is i think is a once in a decade sort of series. Few series can top it, and i must say this year we were very blessed with having psycho-pass as well. Are these series merely a reprieve from the mediocrity of the last little while? or do they stand as ushers as a new era of good anime. Im looking forward to finding out this answer.

And finally, if any of you are looking for a good fantasy type anime, give legend of the legendary heroes. I'm about 4/5ths done and enjoying it a lot. I get the premonition it's one of those read the manga type endings however so we'll see.

This post has been edited by BalrogLord: 05 April 2013 - 06:09 PM

[superhans]

forgive me if this has already been discussed but has there ever been any talk of converting the malazan books into an anime tv series? i mean i would love to see a 'real life' tv show but imagine that due to the niche appeal of the subject, coupled with the extraordinary budget required to do it any sort of justice a tv show is impossible, but it seems these books would be perfect for transformation into an anime series. so, will it be done?

[Silencer]

BalrogLord, on 05 April 2013 - 06:04 PM, said:

*snip*

I get what you're saying. If i'm understanding you correctly, it works well and does the job it sets out to do. At which point it's good. I would define such as average. To me getting a good rating implies it going beyond it's expectations. So i guess like last time it's a question of definitions. A good series breaks the mold. a GREAT series completely destroys and rebuilds the mold.

Hmmm...I think that's close but rather, I look at how well it works for what it is - my point is that as far as "wandering samurai hero" stories go, there really aren't that many that are better, this one has no stumbling blocks, and it tells its story perfectly - to me, that is a good show. It may not be groundbreaking or anything, but within the confines of its genre it sits at the top in terms of how it all comes together. To me that makes it stand out. That may not be the same thing as saying it's amazing - it doesn't really break new ground in terms of story - but not every show that is good HAS to do that, imo.

I guess it's just a perspective difference/that sense of ambiguous "how much I liked X" feeling at play, really. XD

Quote

i found that the quiet, anti-climatic ending was actually well suited to the series. The story started off slowly and quietly and ended on the same note. There's also other elements such as the creation of saki's family which mirrors the begining of the series (ie saki being born in her family and finding out about the society ground up). It resolves all plot points and i find the symmetry between the begining and end a nice touch. A great symphony ends not with a crescendo but a falling out. So tell me did you have it figured out the naked mole rats were.

Spoiler

humans?

. I didnt.

Shin Sekai yori is i think is a once in a decade sort of series. Few series can top it, and i must say this year we were very blessed with having psycho-pass as well. Are these series merely a reprieve from the mediocrity of the last little while? or do they stand as ushers as a new era of good anime. Im looking forward to finding out this answer.

Mmm, if you look at it that way, I do agree that the ending fits. "Not with a bang, but with a whimper" kind of deal, but in *that* sense I still think it felt a bit abrupt. Though that may just be my SSY addiction screaming at me for "more". I certainly agree with the nice way it mirrored the first episode.
I guess mainly I'm just talking about the bits before the "credits" rolled - the interim between "yay, it's over!" and "this is the conclusion of our story" bit? XD

As for teh spoilarz; I can't say that I did and still be honest, but I had an inkling, for sure. There were plenty of clues - obviously more apparent in hindsight, but nonetheless still there - and I think (kudos to the show for the timing on that one) I was probably about one clue away from it actually dawning on me before the final episode. I had it pegged in that episode though, before it ever got said out loud.

I think SSY stands above because it is so different, in terms of setting and pacing, than the vast majority of anime out there. And my GOD is the animation beautiful at times. Actually, after watching the latest trailer for the Carrie remake, I do wonder how much inspiration SSY took from that book? But I certainly think it was special. I don't think there's much in the way of a resurgence of "good" anime (we'll be using your definition of good for that one, obviously ) - look at the upcoming season's announced titles; all sequels and/or average stuff.
That being said, I find it hard to comment on "eras" of anime - I have only been watching for a short while, and in that time I've covered anime from almost the birth of the medium to present day. To me, a lot of the mid-2000's anime that I've watched has been brilliant...but if you consider the amount of time that covers, there could only have been one or two good shows per year, realistically speaking. It's just that I watched them all at roughly the same time without regard for the distinction between 2003 and 2005, for example. So to me, there isn't really a "golden age" of anime - just a couple of good shows per year, with a few stand-out years have three or four good shows rather than one or two. XD

Still, it would be nice to have another "great" year in anime. And ffs, would KyoAni PLEASE do the next season/movie of Haruhi? And while we're at it, BONES - where's my Darker than Black season 3/prequel season?! *rawr* Shaft owes me another movie/season in the Monogatari series, too*. Still waiting on more Durarara and Baccano. And Fate/Heaven's Feel by ufotable.

...see, what irks me is that out of all the series that get sequel after sequel after spin-off? Not for the truly awesome/well done/masterpiece series. Not for the ones I love, and hold high above all others. I don't demand more seasons to shows that are self-contained in the story they've told - but the ones which I *know* there is more to be explored, or even more story already available to adapt...those I want to see more of.

ETA: *in fairness, just found out that the "Monogatari series second season" is greenlit and due in the "summer" 2013 slot. Thanks, Shaft...at least I can count on the crazy-awesome studio of insane people to finish what they start? XD (Though granted, they then have to do the final third of the material, and judging by the amount of anime that stall after two seasons...though to be fair, Monogatari has already had two "seasons", plus a movie. So after Nekonomogatari White and this "Second Season" movie...yeah, that' breaks the mould.( <3 Studio Shaft, I guess? XD

superhans, on 06 April 2013 - 08:30 PM, said:

forgive me if this has already been discussed but has there ever been any talk of converting the malazan books into an anime tv series? i mean i would love to see a 'real life' tv show but imagine that due to the niche appeal of the subject, coupled with the extraordinary budget required to do it any sort of justice a tv show is impossible, but it seems these books would be perfect for transformation into an anime series. so, will it be done?

It has, but that doesn't hurt to bring it back up.

Some are for it, some are against. But I don't think the budgetary concern would make much difference - a high-quality anime is expensive to create. Like, beyond belief expensive. And the primary issue here would actually be Erikson himself. He doesn't seem to be into having his work adapted unless it fits his vision for how it would work - and that's a fair call, to be sure - and unless some anime studio knocks on his door and has a decent vision/sample for him to approve of, he won't be doing it under his own steam.

[superhans]

thanks for your reply. would be great to see, but it just increases my admiration of erikson if that is the case. clearly a man of integrity. i also apologise for my clear ignorance over creating anime. and there's me thinking it would be the cheap option....maybe a little undermining of the genre. my bad!

[Silencer]

superhans, on 08 April 2013 - 07:09 PM, said:

thanks for your reply. would be great to see, but it just increases my admiration of erikson if that is the case. clearly a man of integrity. i also apologise for my clear ignorance over creating anime. and there's me thinking it would be the cheap option....maybe a little undermining of the genre. my bad!

Oh, don't worry about it. Most people don't realize the cost of production for what is, in public opinion, basically a "cartoon". It's not something that is easy to recognize based on the final product, but full-length anime movies do run production costs somewhere in the stratosphere. See this Wikipedia section for more specific figures. Notably: $2-4 million (US) for a typical 13-episode series. And that's BEFORE it gets translated, which can run upwards of another $10k per episode. In order to make costs back, most anime apparently retails in Japan for about $90 US for 2-4 episode DVD boxes. And we thought WE had it bad?

Anyway, as I said, don't sweat it. XD



So, has anyone in here watched ef: a Tale of Memories? I'm about five episodes in and enjoying it quite a lot.
(For reference, it is a series animated by Studio Shaft (whee, trippy art style and weird cutting of sceness... ) and in the vein of Kanon/AIR/Clannad in terms of storyline. Oh, and it's actually a pair of interwoven stories, happening separately but related, not just one main plotline. So yeah.)

[blanketman2.0]

Quote

So, has anyone in here watched ef: a Tale of Memories? I'm about five episodes in and enjoying it quite a lot.
(For reference, it is a series animated by Studio Shaft (whee, trippy art style and weird cutting of sceness... ) and in the vein of Kanon/AIR/Clannad in terms of storyline. Oh, and it's actually a pair of interwoven stories, happening separately but related, not just one main plotline. So yeah.)

yes it very good and it also has a sequel ef a tale of melodies witch i did enjoy and it brings the series to a complete closer although i did prefer the first season overall.

on a side note holy shit Attack on Titan it definaly has the the potential to be the best spring anime along with suisei no gargantia written by Gen Urobuchi (modoka magika, psyco pass and FATE/ZERO)

[Silencer]

blanketman2.0, on 11 April 2013 - 03:39 AM, said:

Quote

So, has anyone in here watched ef: a Tale of Memories? I'm about five episodes in and enjoying it quite a lot.
(For reference, it is a series animated by Studio Shaft (whee, trippy art style and weird cutting of sceness... ) and in the vein of Kanon/AIR/Clannad in terms of storyline. Oh, and it's actually a pair of interwoven stories, happening separately but related, not just one main plotline. So yeah.)

yes it very good and it also has a sequel ef a tale of melodies witch i did enjoy and it brings the series to a complete closer although i did prefer the first season overall.

Yup, got melodies lined up for immediate follow-up.

And I have to say, I can see why some comments I've seen about it accuse it of trying to be "too artsy". When you combine the inherent eye-rape that is Studio Shaft's signature style of animation with a pair of storylines like this, along with a frankly gorgeous level of quality all around, you're going to get those kinds of accusations. Personally, I'm now thoroughly a fan of Studio Shaft, but even so, the weirdness of some of their cuts really fits the themes these stories are going for. I mean, the last five minutes of episode seven, where

Spoiler

We get to see those messages Miyako left for Hiro,

and the screen is basically just a white background with text slowly filling it up, and just the messages being read out over the top of it all...Was really quite chilling, on a couple of levels. And it worked really well for what they were trying to convey, even though there was basically no "animation" there at all - which actually ties into the message of being ignored/talking to nobody. Good stuff.

Quote

on a side note holy shit Attack on Titan it definaly has the the potential to be the best spring anime along with suisei no gargantia written by Gen Urobuchi (modoka magika, psyco pass and FATE/ZERO)

They are on teh list for watching, but I haven't started them yet. I'd like a few episode's run-up first, I think (don't really want to get *too* invested before the story is developed...though...Urobuchi has a LOT of respect backing him up. XD).

[Dolmen 2.0]

My watch list Updated!

Shinsekai Yori ep 09 and I am seeing what Silencer kept raving on about, the tension is ramping up and the action has been pretty epic. the two year time shift is an awesome plot jump, can't wait to get home and watch the rest. Thus far Shun is looking a bit...cracked? but then again they all seem a tad eccentric which reminds me of Durarara, super interested to see where this all goes. I'm reminded of Looper everytime I watch SSY. Its like the two shows knew about each other.

I keep watching the "extra" episode of Angel Beatz, Funny doesn't even begin to describe it. I recco this series yet again just to get to the point where this episode makes sense.

Magi is going the obvious shonen route, but still a fun thing to watch. not gonna stick with it though. Short anime is where its at. As a result I am trying to get hold of the Evangelion remakes in HD quality. This one is a keeper.

[Silencer]

A Certain Scientific Railgun S.

Now, I confess to being a massive fan of the first season, even if it does kinda fall under "guilty pleasure" for the overall feel of the show (though also, not), but the first episode of this season was so freaking cool!!!!!!!!!!!

Though everything feels like it's a bit "too large", somehow? But that is irrelevant next to the awesomeness that is Ms. Railgun and just about every single thing she does.

Spoiler

Friend being harassed/about to be assaulted by gang of thugs? Oh, it's OK, Kuroko is here as Judgement! (Not that the thugs are worried, hehhe, more fool them...) No, wait, Misaka just showed up. What's this? Some new middle school chick just walking into the middle of the thugs, ignoring the fuck out of them while talking to her friends? I KNOW! Let's assault HER instead! *cuts to nearby alleyway* All you can hear is the sound of great thunder and a flash of light from the other alley. Cut back...yup, they all done been shocked.

I mean really now, I know that there is actually going to be a plot, and it will probably be reasonable, if not stellar, but frankly I don't care. If this entire season was just moments of awesome like that (and, really, the rest of the episode), I would be a happy duck. XD

Can't wait to see where this season goes though, it promises to be a bit darker and deeper than the first season (which, to be fair, dealt with some quite dark subject matter itself, if nicely sprinkled with comedy and light-hearted thug-beatings too), and best of all it's more insight into the Sister's arc from the Index series, which is an awesome arc anyway. I expect much more participation of main Index characters too.



...and yes, this is the first thing from this season's lineup that I have watched. It was probably the biggest "surprise"/most initial excitement when I saw it on Tropes' Spring 2013 list, because I had no idea it was coming and it is awesome.
I'm sure there will be other good, new IP shows/adaptations this season, as some people have recco'd above, but this gets pole position, in terms of watching order.

[LinearPhilosopher]

This season's most anticipated, ep 1 is out and looks good, We'l see. Now that im done the majority of my finals and assignments, and my next final is not a for a week i can finally get to catching up on all the new releases on my to-watch list.

[Silencer]

Episode one of Attack on Titan was pretty good. The exposition about the world/setting was handled briefly and efficiently, and while we didn't really establish the main character's motivations (do we really need to, though? He's a kid, he wants to see outside. Simple.) the character development we did was plenty to make the rest of the episode have plenty of impact. Good start, really. Episode 2, here I come!

Oh, and I wasn't going to, but I guess I'll have a quick pass at the art style. I was iffy at first, but given it is set in (presumably something Europe-ish) somewhere not Japan, and the overall "rustic" feel of the community around it, I feel that it fits pretty well with the story, and is otherwise quite decent. There's a certain amount of dissonance with the tech of the weapons/harnesses and the overall tech of the world as it appears, though (plus the 50m high massive walls of doom), but one assumes that will either be addressed/hand waved/is presumed to be exceptional due to the fact that people can't really live with modern technology in a couple-hundred square km space, but they still have the ability to produce high-tech-ish gear where necessary (i.e. the weapons/harnesses). But don't really mind that anyway.

[Dolmen 2.0]

So keen to watch attack on titan but while looking it up I found ai-no-senshi as recommended somewhere above. Beautifully well done first episode, I just hope they haven't blown the scale already with the sudden shift backwards in time.

[LinearPhilosopher]

So been looking around at what's good this season. I'll be watching 5 series, it's ambitious for me. Usually theres a lack of quality

Attack on Titan: looks awesome so far
Devil Survivor 2: never heard of the video game but this could be interesting
Valvrave: It starts as you typical mech story, but, halfway through the episode you realise that they aren't takin it in the traditional way. And the last minute of the show post credits? omg i was not expecting that.
Gargantia: interesting premise, it starts on the right track. No idea how it will pan out. (Gen uro is working on this one apparently)
Majestic princes: i don't know how it will pan out. On one hand it's stupid, on the other it knowingly doesn't take it self seriously, on another hand it may have a good plot. idk.

This post has been edited by BalrogLord: 14 April 2013 - 09:20 PM

[OberynM]

I dont know if its talked about cause i didnt read all the thread but must see anime : Fate Zero second season( first one kinda weak), the most epic anime ever ofc Legend of Galactic Heroes ( this is like a Steven Erikson written anime) , Code Geass has some epic moments in it !! i am a big fan of anime and if anybody want to chat here about me you can find me anytime

[OberynM]

Also i recommend watching Nodame Cantabile its a greaet anime love/music ..Silencer WATCH ANIME:) Hellsing and Kenshin OVA are grade A ...

[Silencer]

OberynM, on 16 April 2013 - 05:18 PM, said:

I dont know if its talked about cause i didnt read all the thread but must see anime : Fate Zero second season( first one kinda weak), the most epic anime ever ofc Legend of Galactic Heroes ( this is like a Steven Erikson written anime) , Code Geass has some epic moments in it !! i am a big fan of anime and if anybody want to chat here about me you can find me anytime

I don't know if you could really call the first half of Fate/Zero a "season", but you certainly cannot call it "weak"! It's largely vested in a few things to do with setup, I will grant you: introducing the concept of the Holy Grail War, the factions, characters, the Servants, and establishing the manner of the contest itself. However, we're talking the part of the story which has:

Spoiler

Gilgamesh, being a pompous ass, and fighting Berserker. Rider interrupting Lancer v Saber in order to suggest they join forces with him. Kiritsugu dropping a frigging building on Kayneth (hahaha, so much for that 'perfect magical atelier', eh, Kayneth? XD), the ludicrously cool, if ineffective Volumen Hydragram mercy-ball-thing, and Kiritsugu's Origin Bullets ripping right through it the first time, and then making Kayneth's magic circuits overload and disintegrate when he tries to block it the next time; not to mention introducing the concept of creating a REALITY MARBLE inside oneself and using it to alter your own time...I could go on, there's a lot more than just the obvious action-awesome bits...

So, yeah. I contest the first half of F/Zero was pretty damn awesome! But the second half was indeed a cut above, and god-tier.


Code Geass was good, but it suffered from a few drawbacks which kinda detracted from it overall, even if they were a direct result of what made some bits awesome.

OberynM, on 16 April 2013 - 05:31 PM, said:

Also i recommend watching Nodame Cantabile its a greaet anime love/music ..Silencer WATCH ANIME:) Hellsing and Kenshin OVA are grade A ...

I shall add it to my list. I've watched Hellsing Ultimate, it is indeed awesome (though I wouldn't call it "grade A" in terms of quality, just in terms of crazy awesomeness), and I've got the Kenshin OVAs on my list (the main anime is not really to my taste, I found...).



I'm going to check out Suisei no Gargantia now, see if I'm going to wait for it to finish airing or watch along. Currently got a several shows in the watch-along category plus a few completed series to watch, so I'm not sure I want another in-progress one on the list. Depends how good it is, I guess. XD



Also, blanketman's avatar is absolutely killing me! *weeps quietly in the corner* Dammit, Clannad!!!