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[hosannainexcelsis]

Yu Yu Hakusho 26

So I've reached the famous Dark Tournament, huh? I look forward to it. It'll be nice to have a bit more long-term narrative structure, as the show has been rather aimless. I've certainly enjoyed the sakuga extravaganza and some striking visual direction decisions, but the narrative linking the various fights together hasn't had much thrust to it so far. Often a long-running battle shounen manga will establish some goal for the main character at the very beginning - become Hokage, find the One Piece, track down my deadbeat dad - which gives him a defining motivation that guides his actions. Yu Yu Hakusho doesn't really have that - after the initial hook of reclaiming his body was quickly taken care of, Yusuke hasn't had any goals beyond doing whatever Koenma tells him to do. In fact, none of the main cast have much in the way of motivations beyond surviving the next fight. The Dark Tournament doesn't look to be changing that - after all, now there isn't even a nominal goal of saving the world or the princess to provide something to look forward to beyond surviving battles - but at least it'll presumably provide a greater organizing principle for those battles.

 

[LotusHD]

Yu Yu Hakusho 26

So I've reached the famous Dark Tournament, huh? I look forward to it. It'll be nice to have a bit more long-term narrative structure, as the show has been rather aimless. I've certainly enjoyed the sakuga extravaganza and some striking visual direction decisions, but the narrative linking the various fights together hasn't had much thrust to it so far. Often a long-running battle shounen manga will establish some goal for the main character at the very beginning - become Hokage, find the One Piece, track down my deadbeat dad - which gives him a defining motivation that guides his actions. Yu Yu Hakusho doesn't really have that - after the initial hook of reclaiming his body was quickly taken care of, Yusuke hasn't had any goals beyond doing whatever Koenma tells him to do. In fact, none of the main cast have much in the way of motivations beyond surviving the next fight. The Dark Tournament doesn't look to be changing that - after all, now there isn't even a nominal goal of saving the world or the princess to provide something to look forward to beyond surviving battles - but at least it'll presumably provide a greater organizing principle for those battles.

Heh, just realized that despite you saying they often have a goal, one of your examples came after YYH, assuming you're referring to HxH. But yea, not a hard rule for sure, Ichigo from Bleach didn't have a goal either.

 

[Lain]

Action Heroine Cheer Fruits 1-5

Way more fun than I expected. This show feels so innocent and charming and even if the background story feels implausible to me I've really been enjoying watching these girls getting their jig going to save the city (hall).

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Heh, just realized that despite you saying they often have a goal, one of your examples came after YYH, assuming you're referring to HxH. But yea, not a hard rule for sure, Ichigo from Bleach didn't have a goal either.

I'm pretty sure all three of my examples are from manga that postdate YYH.

 

[DNAbro]

Heh, just realized that despite you saying they often have a goal, one of your examples came after YYH, assuming you're referring to HxH. But yea, not a hard rule for sure, Ichigo from Bleach didn't have a goal either.

Well Bleach not being very good and completely unfocused especially as time went on kind of shows goals seem somewhat important to shounen.

 

[Jarmel]

Kare Kano-16

Before | After

 

[LotusHD]

I'm pretty sure all three of my examples are from manga that postdate YYH.

Ah true lol, was focused on HxH, so I forgot to make sure which came first lol

Well Bleach not being very good and completely unfocused especially as time went on kind of shows goals seem somewhat important to shounen.

I wasn't saying they're not important, in fact it's because of him not having a goal that I realized Ichigo is one of the most bland protagonists out there, was just pointing it out is all.

 

[Crimson_Echidna]

Heh, just realized that despite you saying they often have a goal, one of your examples came after YYH, assuming you're referring to HxH. But yea, not a hard rule for sure, Ichigo from Bleach didn't have a goal either.

What definitely works in YYH's favor is that even with a "major goal", one of the underlying themes of the series was Yusuke actually growing up over the course of the series.

Ichigo kind of went in the reverse; he starts off with a fairly interesting personality but then regressed into this one-dimensional "I must protect my Nakama" hollow shell that we ended up with at the end.

 

[Kickz]

Space Brothers ep 64

This show always hits home with its themes, this one being alot of brilliant people out there are often driven by tragedy.

 

[LotusHD]

What definitely works in YYH's favor is that even with a "major goal", one of the underlying themes of the series was Yusuke actually growing up over the course of the series.

Ichigo kind of went in the reverse; he starts off with a fairly interesting personality but then regressed into this one-dimensional "I must protect my Nakama" hollow shell that we ended up with at the end.

The only (mainstream) protagonist that gets away with the whole "Protect my nakama" shtick is Luffy. But of course, he has the aforementioned goal, among other admirable/amusing traits, so not that surprising.

 

[jman2050]

Kemono Friends x JRA

Who needs a season 2, all we need are short videos of "Serval reacting to things" from now until the end of eternity.

 

[jonjonaug]

Fate/Fanfiction 6

This show is so terrible oh my god. The characterization is dumb, the fights are lame, and the animation is slipshod as heck. I nearly died laughing at this "car".

 

[Meier]

So I signed up for Crunchyroll to watch My Hero Academia and I'm now caught up with the broadcast. Anyone have some suggestions for other shows that are on there and of similar quality in terms of production values, etc? I have only watched One Punch Man and Attack on Titan in recent years. I am gonna check out this Terror in Resonance show since I see it's from Watanabe.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

So I signed up for Crunchyroll to watch My Hero Academia and I'm now caught up with the broadcast. Anyone have some suggestions for other shows that are on there and of similar quality in terms of production values, etc? I have only watched One Punch Man and Attack on Titan in recent years. I am gonna check out this Terror in Resonance show since I see it's from Watanabe.

We'll warn you right now that Terror in Resonance is very forgettable/disappointing considering Watanabe was involved.

If you want action shows with fantastic production values watch:

Mob Psycho 100- From the same author of One Punch Man, same studio that animates MHA, but keep in mind it has a distinct artstyle emulating the comic but it's still very beautiful and amazing.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood- likely you've seen it, but if not do so. Always a safe bet for people to enjoy.

Fate Zero- not similar tone but fantastic action with superpowers that is also usually a safe bet for people to like.

And in general you can find an action show from Studio Bones and you'd get decent animation, but I'm sure others have other specific recommendations.

 

[Jarmel]

So I signed up for Crunchyroll to watch My Hero Academia and I'm now caught up with the broadcast. Anyone have some suggestions for other shows that are on there and of similar quality in terms of production values, etc? I have only watched One Punch Man and Attack on Titan in recent years. I am gonna check out this Terror in Resonance show since I see it's from Watanabe.

Mob Psycho 100
Space Dandy
Sword of the Stranger(movie)

 

[LotusHD]

So I signed up for Crunchyroll to watch My Hero Academia and I'm now caught up with the broadcast. Anyone have some suggestions for other shows that are on there and of similar quality in terms of production values, etc? I have only watched One Punch Man and Attack on Titan in recent years. I am gonna check out this Terror in Resonance show since I see it's from Watanabe.

Nah, don't bother with Terror in Resonance, show sucked. Go with Mob Psycho 100.

 

[Meier]

We'll warn you right now that Terror in Resonance is very forgettable/disappointing considering Watanabe was involved.

If you want action shows with fantastic production values watch:

Mob Psycho 100- From the same author of One Punch Man, same studio that animates MHA, but keep in mind it has a distinct artstyle emulating the comic but it's still very beautiful and amazing.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood- likely you've seen it, but if not do so. Always a safe bet for people to enjoy.

Fate Zero- not similar tone but fantastic action with superpowers that is also usually a safe bet for people to like.

And in general you can find an action show from Studio Bones and you'd get decent animation, but I'm sure others have other specific recommendations.

Thanks for the scoop! I watched the original FMA back in the day but have not seen anything beyond the first season. That is too bad about Terror in Resonance -- I watched Kids on the Slope some years ago..how does this compare?

I'll definitely check out Mob Psycho then. To the other poster who responded also, I didn't mention it before but I watched Space Dandy (for better or for worse) as it aired on Adult Swim. Certainly my least favorite show of his that I've seen but it had its moments. Not familiar with Sword in the Stranger but I'll add it to my list as well.

 

[Jarmel]

I can't believe Imaishi did this. Oh my god. I'm fucking dying here.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Kids on the Slope has issues but ultimately I feel it's a fantastic watch and continued the jazz soundtrack he seems to love which was great.

Terror in Resonance's main issue is that it never really stood above other generic anime that does something similar. It stands well below Bebop and Kids on the Slope.

If you've watched the original FMA and liked it, watch Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. The original anime diverged from the manga fairly early on and has key differences that end up making it into a whole different beast. Even the homunculi are completely different.

IMHO I like FMA original better, but FMA Brotherhood has amazing action scenes.

Jarmel above suggested Space Dandy and it wouldn't be a bad bet if you want to watch a comedy-inclined take on something aching to Cowboy Bebop just be warned that it's extremely episodic. Also that every episode director had almost complete free reigns with their particular episode so some are so out there it's better seen as a nice experiment of using the same setting and characters by different crews.


edit: nvm I saw you've seen Space Dandy. Sword of the Stranger is a safe bet, arguably one of the best action anime film. If you get a chance as well, find an anime film called Redline (not sure if on Crunchy but it's amazing).

 

[duckroll]

Terror in Resonance isn't actually bad-bad. It's just.... idk..... Watanabe has a problem with original stories when he no longer works with really strong writers. Macross Plus and Cowboy Bebop were both Keiko Watanabe, who is one of the most talented screenwriters for the sort of drama/series mythology mix Watanabe likes to go for. She's pretty much retired now.

There's some really great action in TiR, great character designs, and an interesting premise. It just shits the bed when it has to introduce a compelling villain and tie everything together. So in the end it feels more like a bad season of 24 than something more memorable.

 

[phaze]

I can't believe Imaishi did this. Oh my god. I'm fucking dying here.

Anno leaves and right off a bat you get a masterful episode !

-----
Nintendoman got banned ?

 

[Jarmel]

ittekimasu

https://a.pomf.cat/ddttcq.webm

He has reached the mountaintop.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Anno leaves and right off a bat you get a masterful episode !



-----
Nintendoman got banned ?

RealIy? can only assume it was a political thread, I've seen him get heated on those.

 

[Sesuadra]

wife and I finally decided what to throw out of the window and what to watch..

re-creators is something she really enjoys, which is not often with this kind of anime. but she seriously loves everything about it.
made in abyss is also good.
gamers is dumb fun, we both enjoy it.

everything else we looked into was trash tho. aho girl, tsurezure children and konbini..awful.

 

[Ascheroth]

wife and I finally decided what to throw out of the window and what to watch..

re-creators is something she really enjoys, which is not often with this kind of anime. but she seriously loves everything about it.
made in abyss is also good.
gamers is dumb fun, we both enjoy it.

everything else we looked into was trash tho. aho girl, tsurezure children and konbini..awful.

Watch Princess Principal, which is, despite the name and a cast comprised of cute girls, a steampunk spy action anime. Also featuring samurai sword fights on trains occasionally.

 

[BGBW]

Action Heroine Cheer Fruits 1-5

Way more fun than I expected. This show feels so innocent and charming and even if the background story feels implausible to me I've really been enjoying watching these girls getting their jig going to save the city (hall).

everything else we looked into was trash tho. aho girl..awful.

 

[duckroll]

Princess Principal is the best show of the season.

 

[dimb]

Yu Yu Hakusho 26

So I've reached the famous Dark Tournament, huh? I look forward to it. It'll be nice to have a bit more long-term narrative structure, as the show has been rather aimless. I've certainly enjoyed the sakuga extravaganza and some striking visual direction decisions, but the narrative linking the various fights together hasn't had much thrust to it so far. Often a long-running battle shounen manga will establish some goal for the main character at the very beginning - become Hokage, find the One Piece, track down my deadbeat dad - which gives him a defining motivation that guides his actions. Yu Yu Hakusho doesn't really have that - after the initial hook of reclaiming his body was quickly taken care of, Yusuke hasn't had any goals beyond doing whatever Koenma tells him to do. In fact, none of the main cast have much in the way of motivations beyond surviving the next fight. The Dark Tournament doesn't look to be changing that - after all, now there isn't even a nominal goal of saving the world or the princess to provide something to look forward to beyond surviving battles - but at least it'll presumably provide a greater organizing principle for those battles.

Yusuke never really develops into a protagonist that feels worthwhile to follow. If anything his backstory and ties to the human world just become increasingly nonsensical and illegible as they try to connect him to the more supernatural elements of the story. His character development is limited...if not regressive to a point of laughable simplicity. The younger Toguro pushes forward a set of motivation, purpose, and history that gives emotional weight to the Dark Tournament. Most of that does not really come out into the open until far later on.

 

[BGBW]

Nintendoman got banned ?

Yeah. Basically he said Xenoglossia was an awful show and thus felt the wrath of the powers that be.

So let that be a lesson to you all.

 

[Sesuadra]

Watch Princess Principal, which is, despite the name and a cast comprised of cute girls, a steampunk spy action anime. Also featuring samurai sword fights on trains occasionally.

Princess Principal is the best show of the season.

wow, I've to say b/c of the name we did not even look into it lol...

but okay, will give it a watch later

u know what. b/c you're so cute I'll give episode one another chance!

 

[roflwaffles]

Hi AnimeGAF,

I just watched Fate/Zero after hearing how good it was for years and liked it alot. I thought Kiritsugu was an amazing protagonist and although the pacing in the middle of the series was pretty bad, I was totally captivated by the final half of S2.

I started Fate Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and got to the end of S1 and...I'm having a bit of a mixed reaction. Shirou is a bit insufferable as a main character and nothing seems to have half the weight that Fate/Zero's storyline had, although I am enjoying the action sequences alot and its beautifully animated. It just seems like no one really has any defined motivations to be doing anything they're doing. Does it get better in S2? I'm starting to wonder if this series is worth watching or if I should just watch the pretty fights on Youtube instead.

 

[veloxStrix]

Was Anonymous Noise any good from last season?

I'm now watching Princess Principal as well. I don't know how anyone could say it is the best anime of the season. Maybe the best general setting though. Steampunk is pretty cool.

Hi AnimeGAF,

I just watched Fate/Zero after hearing how good it was for years and liked it alot. I thought Kiritsugu was an amazing protagonist and although the pacing in the middle of the series was pretty bad, I was totally captivated by the final half of S2.

I started Fate Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and got to the end of S1 and...I'm having a bit of a mixed reaction. Shirou is a bit insufferable as a main character and nothing seems to have half the weight that Fate/Zero's storyline had, although I am enjoying the action sequences alot and its beautifully animated. Does it get better in S2? I'm starting to wonder if this series is worth watching or if I should just watch the pretty fights on Youtube instead.

Shirou is meant to be a bit insufferable. If you enjoyed Zero I imagine the ending of UWB has something for you.

 

[BGBW]

I'm now watching Princess Principal as well. I don't know how anyone could say it is the best anime of the season. Maybe the best general setting though.

Well that goes without saying.

It's set in London after all.

 

[Moaradin]

Hi AnimeGAF,

I just watched Fate/Zero after hearing how good it was for years and liked it alot. I thought Kiritsugu was an amazing protagonist and although the pacing in the middle of the series was pretty bad, I was totally captivated by the final half of S2.

I started Fate Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and got to the end of S1 and...I'm having a bit of a mixed reaction. Shirou is a bit insufferable as a main character and nothing seems to have half the weight that Fate/Zero's storyline had, although I am enjoying the action sequences alot and its beautifully animated. It just seems like no one really has any defined motivations to be doing anything they're doing. Does it get better in S2? I'm starting to wonder if this series is worth watching or if I should just watch the pretty fights on Youtube instead.

As someone who loved F/Z and had no other experience with the Fate franchise, I was pretty disappointed in UBW as a sequel to F/Z. The second season gets a little better, but if you're like me, you're gonna be pretty upset at how the show handles some of the returning characters from F/Z. I never really cared about Shirou or the new characters compared to any of the masters and summons from F/Z. Might be better to just look at the pretty fights on sakugabooru unless you really want to see it through imo.

 

[NaDannMaGoGo]

Hi AnimeGAF,

I just watched Fate/Zero after hearing how good it was for years and liked it alot. I thought Kiritsugu was an amazing protagonist and although the pacing in the middle of the series was pretty bad, I was totally captivated by the final half of S2.

I started Fate Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and got to the end of S1 and...I'm having a bit of a mixed reaction. Shirou is a bit insufferable as a main character and nothing seems to have half the weight that Fate/Zero's storyline had, although I am enjoying the action sequences alot and its beautifully animated. It just seems like no one really has any defined motivations to be doing anything they're doing. Does it get better in S2? I'm starting to wonder if this series is worth watching or if I should just watch the pretty fights on Youtube instead.

Yeh, don't bother further with that crap.

We can always recommend you more good series instead.

 

[Turin Turambar]

Hi AnimeGAF,

I just watched Fate/Zero after hearing how good it was for years and liked it alot. I thought Kiritsugu was an amazing protagonist and although the pacing in the middle of the series was pretty bad, I was totally captivated by the final half of S2.

I started Fate Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and got to the end of S1 and...I'm having a bit of a mixed reaction. Shirou is a bit insufferable as a main character and nothing seems to have half the weight that Fate/Zero's storyline had, although I am enjoying the action sequences alot and its beautifully animated. It just seems like no one really has any defined motivations to be doing anything they're doing. Does it get better in S2? I'm starting to wonder if this series is worth watching or if I should just watch the pretty fights on Youtube instead.

The latter.

 

[Turin Turambar]

So I signed up for Crunchyroll to watch My Hero Academia and I'm now caught up with the broadcast. Anyone have some suggestions for other shows that are on there and of similar quality in terms of production values, etc? I have only watched One Punch Man and Attack on Titan in recent years. I am gonna check out this Terror in Resonance show since I see it's from Watanabe.

Fate/Zero
Mob Psycho 100
maybe Haikyuu!

 

[Ascheroth]

As someone who loved F/Z and had no other experience with the Fate franchise, I was pretty disappointed in UBW as a sequel to F/Z. The second season gets a little better, but if you're like me, you're gonna be pretty upset at how the show handles some of the returning characters from F/Z. I never really cared about Shirou or the new characters compared to any of the masters and summons from F/Z. Might be better to just look at the pretty fights on sakugabooru unless you really want to see it through imo.

The 'problem' here is that UBW is not a sequel to F/Z but F/Z a prequel to UBW.

 

[Turin Turambar]

Terror in Resonance isn't actually bad-bad. It's just.... idk..... Watanabe has a problem with original stories when he no longer works with really strong writers. Macross Plus and Cowboy Bebop were both Keiko Watanabe, who is one of the most talented screenwriters for the sort of drama/series mythology mix Watanabe likes to go for. She's pretty much retired now.

There's some really great action in TiR, great character designs, and an interesting premise. It just shits the bed when it has to introduce a compelling villain and tie everything together. So in the end it feels more like a bad season of 24 than something more memorable.

I'm gong to disagree, I remember having issues with some aspect of the plot in the first episodes already, it's just that the latter part was so bad it made people forget them!

 

[NaDannMaGoGo]

I'm gong to disagree, I remember having issues with some aspect of the plot in the first episodes already, it's just that the latter part was so bad it made people forget them!

Like setting a skyscraper on fire, but retaining the 'good guys' status because miraculously nobody got hurt.

 

[moogs]

Yeah. Basically he said Xenoglossia was an awful show and thus felt the wrath of the powers that be.

So let that be a lesson to you all.

The wrath aroused by the awful Xenoglossia was a lesson learned in one episode.

 

[duckroll]

I'm gong to disagree, I remember having issues with some aspect of the plot in the first episodes already, it's just that the latter part was so bad it made people forget them!

What are you disagreeing with? I didn't say only the later episodes are badly written. I'm saying the problem with the writing is a poor villain and the inability to tie stuff together elegantly. It's a problem that persists throughout the series.

 

[roflwaffles]

Shirou is meant to be a bit insufferable. If you enjoyed Zero I imagine the ending of UWB has something for you.

As someone who loved F/Z and had no other experience with the Fate franchise, I was pretty disappointed in UBW as a sequel to F/Z. The second season gets a little better, but if you're like me, you're gonna be pretty upset at how the show handles some of the returning characters from F/Z. I never really cared about Shirou or the new characters compared to any of the masters and summons from F/Z. Might be better to just look at the pretty fights on sakugabooru unless you really want to see it through imo.

Yeh, don't bother further with that crap.

We can always recommend you more good series instead.

The latter.

Ahhh that's disappointing. I actually grew to like Archer alot, but I just saw the opening for S2 and it pretty much confirmed that

Spoiler

Archer is some form of Shirou

which makes me somehow like him less.

 

[moogs]

Like setting a skyscraper on fire, but retaining the 'good guys' status because miraculously nobody got hurt.

But the good guy was the detective...

One can always just listen to the soundtrack and watch the closing credits instead of the show itself.

 

[Cornbread78]

Was Anonymous Noise any good from last season?.

I liked it quite a bit, but it is very "shoujo" focused around a love triangle with two guys

 

[Shard]

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 19:

I want Sasuke in prison more then ever now and Sakura is still a piece of shit. Naruto is also proving to be a pretty shitty father as well.

 

[AquaWateria]

I guess I was the only one who thought Terror in Resonance was a alright show. It wasn't a bad show although it did have some issues.

 

[Infinite_Respawn]

Ahhh that's disappointing. I actually grew to like Archer alot, but I just saw the opening for S2 and it pretty much confirmed that

Spoiler

Archer is some form of Shirou

which makes me somehow like him less.

I will say that Season 2 of UBW does make a valiant attempt to give context to why exactly Shirou is such an insufferable protagonist, your opinion of the show as a whole will definitely depend on how you feel they handle that story element. Even though I like UBW more than most people I've seen talk about it here, I definitely understand why it's more divisive than Zero.

 

[Cornbread78]

I guess I was the only one who thought Terror in Resonance was a alright show. It wasn't a bad show although it did have some issues.

I really should watch this at some point...



Aho Girl ep.6

I can't even... I got nothing... I just, so childish, yet I cannot stop laughing at her stupidity...... This freakin' stupid show.

 

[DiGiKerot]

Yeah. Basically he said Xenoglossia was an awful show and thus felt the wrath of the powers that be.

So let that be a lesson to you all.

Wait, I've only been on vacation for a day and people are slagging off Xenoglossia already?

Bah.