New and current FS anime Topic

[sj33]

I really enjoyed .hack/ROOTS.
It's far superior to SIGN, which I felt was good but serverely lacking something... like a big gaping hole. It was the games that really got me into the series.
ROOTS had much more to it, both in terms of actual plot and the characters themselves, with much less walking around making up the plot as they went along (which SIGN felt like).
Really looking forward to the US release of GU Vol.1 now.

Watched DeathNote (HD version), D. Gray-Man and Pumpkin Scissors, all decent stuff and I'll be sticking with them. Really seems to be a a bit of a horror theme going on right now eh? The guy in Pumpkin Scissors smacks of Scar from FMA too.

Could do with something 'happier' to go alongside it all mind, does Kanon fit the bill? I've not seen it. Might go with the a.f.k release after their great job with Haruhi, unless someone says others are better.

[Zapp$ter]

Well the first episode had it's share of comedy moments but from what I have heard they're shortlived. The series is more about the drama/tragedy/etc...As for subbers a.f.k or ss&eclipse are good enough IMO. Both usually release quickly on select series' (I'm still waiting on a.f.k. to finish up Animal Yokocho which has been going very slow). So going by what I've heard I'd say it doesn't really fit the bill of something like that.

There are a couple of shows that might but they've yet to be subbed, Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, Mamoru-kun something or other and Sumomomomomo. There's more but they're not coming to mind right now. I guess you could check out Tokimeki Memorial, Yoaka mae yori ruri iro na(or something like that)or the new Negima. They seem to be more joyful at least(again going by impressions I've read of them). I'll be cheeky and suggest Happiness! too although it's yet to be subbed IIRC.

As ever anidb is your friend. I'd also take the opporunity to point out that perhaps looking at some of the anime blogs out there, if you haven't already, would be a good idea as they can often tell you far more than the short little blurb and single screenshot from anidb. blogsuki.com and animenano.com are one or two aggregator sites(I believe that's what they're called) for anime blogs. Yeah, I'm being kind of lazy but I think I've pointed out a couple you could check up on which sort of fit the criteria and should be enough to get you started. There's loads of shows coming this season so I'm pretty sure all angles will be covered.

[sj33]

I might check out Kanon anyway as it's still on ep 1. I keep putting off Tokyo Mew Mew, might check that out as my 'positive anime' fix once I finish with Mahou Shojou Lyrical Nanoha.

It's interesting that they're remaking Kanon because of the 'good response' they got with Air... I've never heard anyone say anything positive about Air.

[Zapp$ter]

You're obviously not going to the right places then It has more than its fair share of fans. I mean they're re-releasing the show on blu-ray I believe and possibly HD-DVD(can't really remember). So they obviously think they've got enough of a fanbase willing to rebuy the show to make it worthwhile. I've not seen it myself so I can't really comment. But going by the track record of the company involved in its production I'd say I'd enjoy it(although obviously that's not a certainty). Oh well, I'll find out once someone finishes doing the DVD versions, at which point I'll check it out for myself.

Also the good response might be in reference to the company that produces the h-games that the two shows are based off. IIRC they're called Key and they created both the Kanon and Air games. Air's adaptation was fairly well received but I think they weren't satisfied with the original Kanon and having seen the job done on Air by Kyoto Animation they went to them for the remake. It's not unheard of. IIRC Kyoto Animation are a favourite of a couple of people e.g. the guy behind the FMP novels went to them for the adaptations of fumoffu and the second raid whereas Gonzo had handled the first series of FMP but I don't think he liked their work on it thus the switch. There's also the Haruhi dude who I think wanted them onboard too. Similar sort of thing happened with negima, the mangaka behind it didn't like the original anime version so now we have the remake/rehaul of that too.

[sj33]

So new Negima is a remake? A IRL mate of mine adores Negima, but stuff just keeps coming up to side-track me... think I should skip the old Negima?

[Zapp$ter]

Hmmm... the original wasn't bad. Pales in comparison to the manga but it wasn't bad and I reckon it'd fit your "positive" anime criteria. This new one from reading up on it a bit more sounds like it's going to be quite different from the old one. I mean from Tobal's impressions and elsewhere it sounds like it's going to be totally different to the original. I'd say check the original first since it's out there in pretty much complete form, so you could marathon it in a few days and if you like it enough then perhaps check the new one. Dunno if anyone else would agree but I quite enjoyed the original. On the other hand if you watch this new one completely fresh some of the events might have a bigger impact. Tough call... I guess you could go the same route as with Kanon but being that not many decent groups have gotten round to releasing the first episode of Negima yet it could be one of those shows where the subs come out in spurts rather than on a regular basis as you'd get with say eclipse or a.f.k.

Don't think I've really helped in anyway... sorry Oh well some more food for thought I guess.

[Tobal]

Go Negima, even the original anime is enjoyable, until near the very end where it made up its own story to finish of long running manga(if you ever watched Gantz anime you'll get the same feeling),

Original anime - Lots of fan service(but tonned down) and comedy, decent fights but nothing as technical or as brutal as the manga. the art was for the most part good, animation is plentiful till near the end, characters generally looked like there manga counter part and the colouring is correct.

New Negima - Art is strong. A cross between Pani Poni Dash haircuts and eyes planted on the negima cast(which looks pretty good), animation a little dodge outside the CGI magic bits seem to be alot more Shounen, fan service is barely there, fights seem to look like taking centre stage like the Manga(eventually becomes) we'll soon know once the 2nd eps out as its gone straight into the Eva fight already.

[Tobal]

Death Note ep2 - I think this is made it a must watch for me, loved the how sick and slick 'kira' mind works and the mind games L played on him straight away.

Tokimeki Memorial ep1 - liked what i saw, looks like fun show with plenty of fluff, doubt it get as serious in parts like Shuffle. I understand the game goes way back but when watching this i thought i saw just about every single charater arc type from tons of other shows until i remember this is pretty much in most cases the original .Can see all the arc types other mangas and animes have emulated right off the bat. I think im going to keep this.

Red Garden ep1 - continues a similar art style to Paradise kiss and Nana(please someone finish subbing it) annoyed me at first with all this keeping you inthe dark about whats going on until the very end of the episode and even then it went off in a different direction to what i was being lead with, i was expecting some kind of monster like show after 10 mins. Will keep with it for now, seems interesting enough the new developments.

D.Gray man ep1 - enjoyable but i didn't like the main character VA and i got no satisfaction watching him bust is weapon out like i have with other similar shows, he just doesn't seem exciting to watch. Story seems decent enough, hopefully it won't play on the dead soles bit every fight for the emotion vote.

Kanon'06 ep1 - never seen the original anime or played the game, liked want i saw, very good art and animation out the wazu. Ayu is sickening cute and i loved that bit where he asked her about the wings on her backpack. Will keep this for sure.

Busou Renkin ep1 - unlike Grayman this was pretty exciting, decent art and animation and like the whole Alchemy weapons bit, although FMA would come to most peoples mind first, it gave memories of Scryed and Project Arms and the main lead weapon with pretty cool.

[Fuddle]

It's interesting that they're remaking Kanon because of the 'good response' they got with Air... I've never heard anyone say anything positive about Air.

i love air
i even got the stegasaurus t-shirt....GAO

Death note certainly seems to be the top show this season, from the few i've watched. I didnt really know what it was going to be, and its certainly not what i expected....with the main character appearing a bit loopy at the end of the first episode, and with the second he certainly doesnt seem to be a good guy at all. no idea where its going, but it seems cool.

D grey man was ok i guess, but nothing special really. i might knock this one on the head pretty quick...otherwise i'll end up watching it just for the sake of it. as tobal says, Busou Renkin seems nicer to me and not a million miles apart from each other in basic concept.

new negima i've decided to skip. watched about half the first episode, it might be better than the original or closer to the manga, but i cant be bothered to watch something so similar...it feels like a bit of a waste of time.

Asatte no Houkou looks quite interesting too, the first episode i thought was great. almost a slice of life style show till the twist at the end

->Open Spoiler<-

small girl and youngish woman get swopped over, girl grows up, woman turns into a kid

not really sure where its headed next as hardly anything at all happened in the second episode, but its interested me.

[sj33]

D. Gray-Man's second episode has much more of a comedy leaning, FYI.

[Vince]

I've watched a few of the new series about and particually like Pumpkin Scissors, Death Note and Kanon. I really liked the original Kanon but this one seems even better so i think i'll really enjoy watching it again in a different light. To any of you watching it i'd advise to stick to the new one so you don't spoiler it as its a good tale.

[Tobal]

Utawarerumono ep23-26 end - took a while for yesy to get them out,

->Open Spoiler<-

i didn't enjoy the ending arc to this show, felt it went way to stupid with the Monster vs Mecha stuff from what was at the begining and middle a Dynasty Warriors style hack'n'slash. At least the story made sense until that whole i split my good and evil side up, and the black wing girl being a control platform for the space lazer... oh well.

Eureka 7 43-50 end - another huge batch torrent ;_; took for forever to download but it was worth the time,

->Open Spoiler<-

story started to make sense and alot of characters got payoff's especially Anemone face turn which although seemingly mostly against her character for most of the show until the final couple of espisodes you could see them teasing it and her final battle with theEND was ace(swear i've heard the fight music elsewhere) and she got the live . Everyone got a happy ending which is like to see but, very final bits made Renton and Eureka look like forest pixies which just looked totally stupid, they should have ended it with them turning up and end it there with everyone welcoming them back..

Code Geass ep1 - hmmmm, i was kinder ok with it even with all the british empire stuff but that bit at the end with his ability to command people seemed totally stupid so i i expect the mecha will take a backsit in this one.. gonna give it another episode to see if improves as theonly good thing to come out of it was the main leads crazy revenge plans that made him as evil as the British Empire.

Negima! ep2 - continues the mega fast pacing, the opening is fantastic(and different to lot of other shows) and its certainly making the manga story its own so i don't have much of clue where their taking this.

Nana ep22 - is this show ending on ep26? cos it got a new intro..

->Open Spoiler<-

liked that drama that went on and that long hair guy makes a prefect jerk and Hachi's certainly going regret all this. Strange that NanaO seems cut up about seeing them together, i'm guessing its cos she was kept inthe dark about it.

[Zapp$ter]

Agreed on Utawarerumono, thought the ending arc was weak compared to some of the earlier stuff. Still a decent watch overall and certainly one of the stronger shows from the spring season, but not one I'll be looking to buy DVDs of anytime soon, that's for sure. I'd say a solid 7/10 for me.

Nana is 50 eps, I'm pretty sure that has been confirmed. Still haven't seen the latest ep of that or the latest Bokura Ga Ita(which had a superbe episode 13 and 14).

In fact I've got a lot to catch upon but definitely Eureka 7 is high up on my list. I plan to finish off some of the older shows that are just getting completed before properly moving into the new season's stuff. At the moment I've only been keeping up with Kanon and Pumpkin scissors, so there's a lot of new stuff to watch.

[Tobal]

Suzuka ch1-124 - Well, deicided to read everything covered in the tv series which was worth while as has there was no mystery fog covering body parts ,

->Open Spoiler<-

i pretty much expected the akitsuki/Suzaka to go bad as all they did was argue and Suzuka stayed an utter bitch throughout the dating arc, heck i think every kiss they has was followed up with a slap, and then the cow dumps him after he worked his ass off (although forgetting her birthday was mess-up i think it was evened out by her not tell him about leaving the country). The only thing that annoyed me more was Akitsuki turning down Yue (the younger, perkier, happy version Suzuka) while she offered her self on a plate, Akitsuki is a total sucker first Honoka then Yue.

I'm disappointed they didn't show more of this suzuka year out business, all we got we're a few chapters, bearly any fleashing out of secondry characters and not it looks set to repeat the Honoka arc again with the bitch back in town. Also i how we haven't seen the last of Yue, but then its been a Year inthe anime world and we've seen nothing of her inthe few passing chapters. Hope they get around to another season, there's enough story to filler up 26eps and finish on Suzuka leaving.

Brief run down of the other crap and not so crap stuff i've watched.

Ah My Goddess s2 ep21/22 end - strange number to finish the 2nd season and yet again another season passes with nothing happening at all, total filler, ep21 was decent

->Open Spoiler<-

with belldandy's 'evil doings' being laughably cute

. Guess it just the way the TV series, hopefully one day they might get further than blushing at each other, urgh!

Rose Garden ep2 - well, its interesting and and they fight like girls allright even if one of them managed to show a glimps power. Also it seems we have to endure a musical number every episode to...

Mushishi ep26 end - another self contained episode to finish the season off at last, decent story with a bit more history for ginko. I've enjoyed every single story so i hope there's more to come eventually. I think i'll go find the manga.

Naruto ep200-206 well the fillers still going, and im still downloading, wtf is wrong with me... at the least the mangas going strong with the villians being totally kickass.

Yoake mae yori ruriiro na ep2/3 - hmm, i think im gonna keep with it, but no idea why, the Moon princess is already dropping in art and animation quality. i wouldn't be surprised if we got Soul Link levels in ep4.

Eyeshield ep49 - meh, shows getting worse and worse, GET TO FOOTBALL ALREADY, also i'd wish for once they would animation above Soul Link/Gundoh levels.

NHK ep13-15 - lol, Satou becoming a total wreck of human from Misaki 'don't die speech' when he got caught up in that suicide pact stuff to his current MMORPG rmt'ing, i'm loving every minute of his insaneness.

Aria N ep14 - more lazy good stuff with them making a pole, just wish the subbers would be a bit faster than 1ep a month

Kiba ep29 - Noa still acting like a dick as the tournament continues on should be a good fight next episode as Noa and Zed come face to face.

->Open Spoiler<-

Still plenty of action outside the main feud with Roia going to get executed for breaking the rulez, those Techno people and ton of badguys(i reckon that masked guy is Roia mum's bodyguard)

Kanon'o6 ep3 - Art and animtion continue to amaze me, although they size of the eyes in proportion of the head does bother me.

->Open Spoiler<-

loved the bit where he drops that cold, wet food thingy down her back. Still the story main arc starting to creep in with all this forgetting stuff and then that monster/sword cutting stuff at the end = wtf.

All i can say is carry on

[Zapp$ter]

Kanon ep 3 -

->Open Spoiler<-

I enjoyed that bit Tobal mentioned in fact most of the Makoto- Yuuichi stuff from last episode and this episode was great, but for me the best bit was his whole scene with Ayu. Particularly him taking the piss out of her "uguu~" sounds. I loved his "Were you casing the grounds before committing your next crime." line, in reference to her running off with the Taiyaki for two eps in a row The stuff at the end was rather unexpected. Might be red herring to throw us off, as I admit I never thought about there being any supernatural elements to the show.

Nana ep 22 -

->Open Spoiler<-

Oh how I've missed this show. Would be nice to see more recent episodes subbed too. I think I've enjoyed pretty much every episode that hasn't been a recap. Yeah, even the ones with Shouji . I guess Takumi is the guy I heard about Hachi hooking up with. I'd heard her new guy was a real jerk and he seems to fit the description. In particular I hated his line about her wagging her tail to please him. So I was especially glad when Shin threw his drink over him. I only wish Nobu and Shin had double teamed him then and there. I do wonder why he's there at Hachi's place though. Is it to spite Nobu? Or does he really care about Hachi? Or is he just horny? Signs point to the first and probably the third options at the moment. Though again I've heard from manga readers that he does stuff that makes you question whether he is a good guy or a real jerk. I was kind of hoping for Nobu X Hachi myself, they seem like a decent match.

Oh btw, quick heads up, the show I was talking about that had a few people excited has been subbed by Pino No Usagi and Shinsen-subs joint. It's called Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto. Don't be surprised if the video quality is poor though, 'cos apparently the raw is only available in the form of internet streams which don't tend to have the best quality video. Looking forward to it regardless.