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[Jex]

I'd agree with you if you weren't talking about SHAFT. The thing which makes SHAFT distinctive is that they've very, very deliberately cultivated a "house-style" - it was part of Shinbous remit when he was brought in to head up the studio, and is so pervasive that people who've since left SHAFT have continued to make SHAFT-looking shows even afterwards. There's a very definite consistency to their post-Moon Phase productions that other studios simply can't boast.

Well it would seem that at least KyoAni is pretty damn consistent, both in terms of animation, art and their approach to creating shows.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Both are less than 30 eps, so they won't be too time consuming, thus watching a few and see how it goes I guess.

I'll be the nice guy and warn you that the Star Driver and Melody of Oblivion suggestions are not serious. Neither show has a good reputation, at least in these parts.

 

[madp]

I'd say that he'll regret this change to eviscerate SHAFT, but he'll do that whenever he wants to anyway.

SHAFT haters don't need a reason

Spoiler

because their arguments don't have a leg to stand on anyway.

 

[Instro]

oh god what have I done

I'd say we have done great justice today.

 

[Thoraxes]

oh god what have I done

I remember when you used to do nice things like tell me to watch Utena.

 

[Jex]

oh god what have I done

You've set someone down a beautiful path. It's their fault if they walk all the way down it when they see what the show is really like.

 

[jman2050]

Well it would seem that at least KyoAni is pretty damn consistent, both in terms of animation, art and their approach to creating shows.

Now if only they'd start making good shows again. That'd be welcome.

 

[Envelope]

Both are less than 30 eps, so they won't be too time consuming, so I'll watch a few and see how it goes I guess.

Don't do it, watch TTGL instead.

 

[Izick]

I'm telling everyone that AnimeGaf has a heart of gold!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR62WFl5Cv0#t=10s

 

[madp]

I'm telling everyone that AnimeGaf has a heart of gold!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR62WFl5Cv0#t=10s

Don't let them take it from you.

 

[Diablos54]

I'll be the nice guy and warn you that the Star Driver and Melody of Oblivion suggestions are not serious. Neither show has a good reputation, at least in these parts.

Ahh, thanks for the warning lol. I see Anime-GAF has a mean side...

 

[Jex]

Now if only they'd start making good shows again. That'd be welcome.

Nichijou had four great episodes. That's enough for me!

 

[Geneijin]

Star driver is an interesting watch if you can tolerate the somewhat formulaic episode structure amongst other problems with the show.

 

[DiGiKerot]

Well it would seem that at least KyoAni is pretty damn consistent.

It's not really in the same fashion, though. There's a very distinctive look and feel to SHAFT productions, in terms of direction and framing and the like, that comes through regardless of the character design or art direction or even the tone of the production.

You can't really say the same when comparing, say, Nichijou to Clannad.

 

[Branduil]

Cajunator clinging to a 21-post lead, I don't think it's going to last.

 

[Envelope]

I'll be the nice guy and warn you that the Star Driver and Melody of Oblivion suggestions are not serious. Neither show has a good reputation, at least in these parts.

Ahh, thanks for the warning lol.

It warms my heart to see animegaf actually being nice for once.

 

[Jex]

Ahh, thanks for the warning lol. I see Anime-GAF has a mean side...

Aw, damn, someone had to spoil the fun.

 

[hellclerk]

Reading that blog post makes me reconsider how well I can talk about anything related to anime.

When I get into something, I want to really understand it and know all about it. That's what I've tried to do with video games, and I like to think I can adequately describe why I like or don't like a game, or what parts are good or bad. And I'd like to be able to do the same with anime, and I want to like good things and dislike bad things. I want to be a monocle and sit on my throne of classy good taste and look down on all these inferior popular shows. But then I read something like that and realize how easily "this is stuff I like" turns into "this is something objectively good".

I don't know whether Madoka is objectively good (I'm kinda in the middle on it), but his argument for the show's quality comes down to it being about themes he likes, and his argument for preferring Steins;Gate comes down to how he doesn't like Sayaka, even though her selfishness is central to the themes of love he so adores. He likes Madoka because some people are really selfless, and he likes Steins;Gate because everyone's a better person there than in Madoka.

It seems silly to me (mostly because of how his telegraphed subjective preferences are mixed with objective statements), but then I think about why I really liked Steins;Gate more than other shows last season. I feel safe saying that the writing is pretty strong, and the voice cast is great, but what pushed it over the top for me and made me care so much were two main elements.

• I was really happy to see a non-comedy show set in the modern day focused around the otaku subculture. For a tense mystery/adventure, the setting resembled a reality I could actually experience more closely than other shows I had seen.
• Makise Kurisu fits a character archetype that I really really like. Kinda like FMP's Chidori, it's the right mix of "tsun" and "dere" which bypasses all my intellectual defenses.

These things made all the other pandering that goes on in the show pretty much invisible, and invested me in the stuff that worked deeply enough that the ending came as an enormous happy payoff.

It'd be easy to just let go and like the things I like, but I also don't want to be the kind of guy who writes that blog.

Well, he makes it blatantly obvious he has no academic experience with literary criticism. To be frank, the use of the term "deconstruction" in relation to creators creating is completely unDerridian. Subversion would be the more accurate term, which he does mention, but reading this is like reading a Freshman lit major's symposium paper. The very core of the argument is flawed, and while his arguments are logical, their starting points are not. This in turn exposes his arguments are pretty much naught but psuedo-intellectual rambling.

 

[Haly]

I felt Shinobu's appearance at the end of the Bake webisodes was a bit of an ass pull.

HOWEVER.

After watching Nise and realizing the relationship between Shinobu and Araragi was like that, it makes more sense in retrospect.

 

[Instro]

I'll be the nice guy and warn you that the Star Driver and Melody of Oblivion suggestions are not serious. Neither show has a good reputation, at least in these parts.

Don't believe his lies.

 

[darkside31337]

Cajunator clinging to a 21-post lead, I don't think it's going to last.

This is like that time the Orlando Magic played against anybody.

 

[Jex]

It's not really in the same fashion, though. There's a very distinctive look and feel to SHAFT productions, in terms of direction and framing and the like, that comes through regardless of the character design or art direction or even the tone of the production.

You can't really say the same when comparing, say, Nichijou to Clannad.

I'll agree that lots of SHAFT works have a very similar look, but they aren't nearly as consistent in their approach to that look. They strive for a goal, but lack the technical skill to reach it.

 

[Diablos54]

It warms my heart to see animegaf actually being nice for once.

I don't think they would be if they knew my views on Guilty Crown... (I love that clusterfuck of a show, I know, shameful right?)

 

[PdotMichael]

Well it would seem that at least KyoAni is pretty damn consistent, both in terms of animation, art and their approach to creating shows.

you know, one KyoAni is more than enough

 

[Envelope]

It's not really in the same fashion, though. There's a very distinctive look and feel to SHAFT productions, in terms of direction and framing and the like, that comes through regardless of the character design or art direction or even the tone of the production.

You can't really say the same when comparing, say, Nichijou to Clannad.

Well, after Haruhi, Kyoani finally began having good art in their shows, so that has to count for something.

 

[Neko Mimi Mode]

From what I've hard this seems like a good option, I shall start soon and post impressions. If I don't like it I know who to blame lol

Gurren Lagann is a worthy recommendation for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Mind, TMD is the closest anime to E7 you will find. It's even done by Bones!

Only 2 cour, so give it a try.

 

[hellclerk]

Ahh, thanks for the warning lol. I see Anime-GAF has a mean side...

Not really a mean side, we just like seeing people react to things that they don't expect to react to. School Days is a good example. I actually genuinely like that show, but I'd be lying if I didn't say the average person will be put off by it.

 

[Jex]

I tell everyone that, but it gets boring after a while.

New guy should totes watch Angel's Egg though.

That's the real litmus test for anyone in this thread.

 

[Branduil]

This is like that time the Orlando Magic played against anybody.

That's what you get for hating on the best SHAFT show of the last few years.

 

[Envelope]

I don't think they would be if they knew my views on Guilty Crown... (I love that clusterfuck of a show, I know, shameful right?)

Everyone here loves at least some bad shows, so you fit right into place!

And you should enjoy TTGL, it's one of the best shows in the past few years.

 

[firehawk12]

Nichijou had twenty-four great episodes. That's enough for me!

Yep.

 

[madp]

Well, after Haruhi, Kyoani finally began having good art in their shows, so that has to count for something.

They certainly got creative. I remember a surrealist show about formless blobs that played in a band. It was almost like Kaiba in a school setting.

 

[Jex]

I felt Shinobu's appearance at the end of the Bake webisodes was a bit of an ass pull.

HOWEVER.

After watching Nise and realizing the relationship between Shinobu and Araragi was like that, it makes more sense in retrospect.

I think it will all make a lot more sense when get around to watching the prequel movie.

 

[hellclerk]

I don't think they would be if they knew my views on Guilty Crown... (I love that clusterfuck of a show, I know, shameful right?)

No, it's alright if you like something bad, so long as you can recognize it as bad. A personal favorite of mine is Hidan no Aria. What a mind numbing show that is, but then again, it has UZIS ON SEGWAYS.

 

[AngryMoth]

So I haven't watch any anime since Dragon Ball Z when I was 12, but I'd like to start watching some stuff as a supplement to my japanese studies. One of my housemates recommended me Full Metal Alchemist, but he generally has terrible taste in things so I'm seeking a second opinion from gaf. Is it a good show?

 

[darkside31337]

Yep.

*high five*

Truly a nakama.

 

[Haly]

I think it will all make a lot more sense when get around to watching the prequel movie.

Yes that is another reason why I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Jex]

you know, one KyoAni is more than enough

Well, if other studious nurtured talent like they did perhaps they'd be doing better.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

I tell everyone that, but it gets boring after a while.

New guy should totes watch Angel's Egg though.

Now this is a legitimate suggestion I can endorse!

Yep.

My Nichibro.

 

[Diablos54]

Gurren Lagann is a worthy recommendation for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Mind, TMD is the closest anime to E7 you will find. It's even done by Bones!

Only 2 cour, so give it a try.

Well then, I guess I'll go with those 2 after I finish season 1 of Veronica Mars, I shall return Anime-GAF!!

So I haven't watch any anime since Dragon Ball Z when I was 12, but I'd like to start watching some stuff as a supplement to my japanese studies. One of my housemates recommended me Full Metal Alchemist, but he generally has terrible taste in things so I'm seeking a second opinion from gaf. Is it a good show?

I watched Brotherhood after it was finished and loved it, so I say give it a go!

 

[Haly]

I bet that one post per minute thing is really killing Jex.

 

[Jex]

Yep.

Don't talk crazy. You can't possibly claim to like the whole show!

 

[Envelope]

They certainly got creative. I remember a surrealist show about formless blobs that played in a band. It was almost like Kaiba in a school setting.

I hope you didn't just insult K-on.

No, it's alright if you like something bad, so long as you can recognize it as bad. A personal favorite of mine is Hidan no Aria. What a mind numbing show that is, but then again, it has UZIS ON SEGWAYS.

Bad Aria is awesome, I really hope we get a second season.

I think it will all make a lot more sense when get around to watching the prequel movie.

Kizu is the best -monagatari novel, hopefully the movie lives up to it.

 

[Branduil]

I bet that one post per minute thing is really killing Jex.

He's praying that Hitokage/duckroll are offline right now.

 

[firehawk12]

My Nichibro.

*high five*

Truly a nakama.

The true Nichibros. The only Nichibros.

Also, before I forget - Thin Red Line > Redline.

 

[jman2050]

Well, if other studious nurtured talent like they did perhaps they'd be doing better.

Maybe those other studios would actually leverage their talent into something exceptional rather than safe Disney Channel-esque pap.

 

[madp]

So I haven't watch any anime since Dragon Ball Z when I was 12, but I'd like to start watching some stuff as a supplement to my japanese studies. One of my housemates recommended me Full Metal Alchemist, but he generally has terrible taste in things so I'm seeking a second opinion from gaf. Is it a good show?

Actually, your friend is right on the money with this one. In my opinion, Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the best anime of all time, so it's certainly worth watching, though you may lose some of the impact if you're too focused on using it largely as an educational supplement.

 

[Instro]

I bet that one post per minute thing is really killing Jex.

If only he could just respond to his own posts every few seconds.

 

[Haly]

Hito is ready, and waiting.

Like a hawk.

 

[Jex]

So I haven't watch any anime since Dragon Ball Z when I was 12, but I'd like to start watching some stuff as a supplement to my japanese studies. One of my housemates recommended me Full Metal Alchemist, but he generally has terrible taste in things so I'm seeking a second opinion from gaf. Is it a good show?

The original show is quite good, but I'd recommend the remake, Brotherhood, if you're going to watch anything.