I'll second this.
Yeah, that's the biggest reason why I stopped watching it. Well, that and the manga being much further ahead than what I was watching at the time.
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Spring Anime 2012 | Welcome Home, Space Cowboy
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KillerMan91
Member
ef - a tale of memories and tale of melodies. Especially melodies was damn great.
Also seconding Nodame Cantabile. Check out Lovely Complex as well, if you haven't already. And recently Kimi ni Todoke, it's slowjo but it's good.
Amagami SS Episode 26 FINAL
Overall it was a decent show and it's one of the few where I found every girl to be interesting. While Sae's voice was painful, I did enjoywatching her become more socially adept with people around her (non to mention the unintentional kinky "training" she went through with Junichi).
Ayatsuji's arc was pretty damn good.I absolutely loved the fact that her nice personality was just a front and she could be a total bitch when she wanted to (when she told off those girls spreading rumors about her slacking off before the festival, sogood.gif).
In order of favorite arcs, I would have to go:
1. Ai Nanasaki
2. Kaoru Tanamachi
3. Tsukasa Ayatsuji
4. Rihoko Sakurai
5. Haruka Morishima
6. Sae Nakata
I was always weak for those sports types.
Any other good romance anime out there I should be checking out Anime;GAF?
In addition to the ones already mentioned by others, Toradora is a good one.
Already saw Toradora. Loved it.
Checking out the suggestions thrown so far, keep them coming and thank you!
The Grim Heaper
Member
It saddens me how average the sword fights are, since it usually bogs down Zoro's fights.
But still, I've been a fan since around the time it began(Even watched the... awful 4kids and enjoyed it because of the terrible puns).
Mawaru Peguindrum 6
So, the reason Ringo is... well, Ringo is because
she wants to be her sister who died, because everyone seemed to miss her?
cosmicblizzard
Banned
Not indefinite, just massive. There's a clear end point and there has been since the beginning of the series. It's just progressing at a slow pace because the world is ridiculously fleshed out, but it's progressing nonetheless. There will definitely be closure provided Oda doesn't go insane within the next 10 years.
Jormungand ep1
"her names is koko, she is loco, I say OH NO!"
"her name is koko, she is loco, I say OH NO!"
I‘ve got only a little bit more of clue what this is about then I had with steins gate after ep1 which I had next to none (I really only started to watch it to see people put random stuff in the microwave) but that ended up paying off in spades, plus the premise of having an A-team/killer team of arms merchants selling weapons for world peace sounds interesting, it’s not very often we get call of duty action anime.
-some bad art already how, am not even going ask, whitefox need hire some animators (hopefully some old men that can draw 2d cars and planes)
-anime cg maybe in a 100years it will reach ps2
-impressive gun models with fine detail like minor scratches on them, tons of sweet weapon porn of all sorts.
-finaly something with no angst whiny brats and lolis in, these cast of characters sound fun
The main kid’s eye brows and the shit around his eyes creep me out I think it maybe intentional creepy.
Opening- I think they’re going for black Lagoon bad op where if you hear it enough times you might start to like it.
"her names is koko, she is loco, I say OH NO!"
"her name is koko, she is loco, I say OH NO!"
I‘ve got only a little bit more of clue what this is about then I had with steins gate after ep1 which I had next to none (I really only started to watch it to see people put random stuff in the microwave) but that ended up paying off in spades, plus the premise of having an A-team/killer team of arms merchants selling weapons for world peace sounds interesting, it’s not very often we get call of duty action anime.
-some bad art already how, am not even going ask, whitefox need hire some animators (hopefully some old men that can draw 2d cars and planes)
-anime cg maybe in a 100years it will reach ps2
-impressive gun models with fine detail like minor scratches on them, tons of sweet weapon porn of all sorts.
-finaly something with no angst whiny brats and lolis in, these cast of characters sound fun
The main kid’s eye brows and the shit around his eyes creep me out I think it maybe intentional creepy.
Opening- I think they’re going for black Lagoon bad op where if you hear it enough times you might start to like it.
Ultimadrago
Member
I think the episode would have been much worse if what you wanted happened. That would actually go into bad writing territory.
Why would Fujiko have any part in this? Her job as she was assigned was to steal the gun and be a witness to the final events. She is a professional and she has no emotional attachment to any of the people involved her. I think it would be pretty awful if they made it such that Jigen is actually incapable of killing a bunch of thugs and an untrained woman, just to make it more "dramatic". The way it plays out in the episode is the way it should play out, given what we know about the characters, and the situation at hand.
The show is about Fujiko, but it's also about the people and places that Fujiko encounter in her life. I think it's an interesting direction for the series to take, and I absolutely disagree that Fujiko *must* take a larger part in every plot element in an episode.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
Lovely Complex is the best conventional romance show I've seen. For more unconventional romance, I suggest Kemonozume and Kaiba.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Jigen usually isn't too affected by another woman's love for him to begin with, and he doesn't have any trouble just getting the job donethat's what he's best at. And knowing anything: Fujiko could give less of a shit, as she's more interested in the threat and image posed by Jigen than by the sordid love story surrounding Ciccolina. The whole point of this episode was to reintroduce old stand-bys from a new perspective, visually and literally, and it makes what is otherwise a typical Jigen scenario and makes it work really well. Fujiko is the context here, and the producers are just biding their time before they can get on to more interesting scenarios involving her at the center. The best part about the Lupin franchise is that it's never about one character, but many.
Basileus777
Member
Lovely Complex is better than most shoujo romances, but still suffers greatly from the problems inherent to that genre, especially the endless stalling and all the contrivances necessary to keep the couple apart. The characters suffer from that too.
There was a point where Ootani's unbelievable idiocy and indecisiveness just made him unsympathetic and unlikable. And there was all that awful stuff with the teacher in the 2nd half of the show.
Jormungand 1
Well, damn. I'm pretty sure I'll like this a lot.
The OP and the OST are awesome, the CG wasn't bad (if you ignore that fighter in the beginning), the characters have cool designs and seem interesting, and the kid protagonist's a badass, rather than a whiny brat.
Koko's great, too.
Looking forward to the second episode.
Well, damn. I'm pretty sure I'll like this a lot.
The OP and the OST are awesome, the CG wasn't bad (if you ignore that fighter in the beginning), the characters have cool designs and seem interesting, and the kid protagonist's a badass, rather than a whiny brat.
Koko's great, too.
Looking forward to the second episode.
Cross posting from the OT
The Woman Called Fujiko Mine - 02
I liked this episode more because there was more to it than "oh hey let's steal shit". I liked Jigen's backstory, it had the right amount of style so as not to make it super cliche. There's very little action, however, but I'm not really an action guy so whatever to that. To all the worries about Fujiko's mystery though, I don't think that's gonna be an issue until much later based on the way they're going about it. The hideous shadows are more hideous than ever this episode though.
The Woman Called Fujiko Mine - 02
I liked this episode more because there was more to it than "oh hey let's steal shit". I liked Jigen's backstory, it had the right amount of style so as not to make it super cliche. There's very little action, however, but I'm not really an action guy so whatever to that. To all the worries about Fujiko's mystery though, I don't think that's gonna be an issue until much later based on the way they're going about it. The hideous shadows are more hideous than ever this episode though.
The amount of wrong in so few words cannot be matched.
I personally don't like FMP as much as others do but that list is pretty accurate. Clannad AS is indeed their best. Turns from just another generic school harem into a breathtaking, coming-of-age show. Certainly a step above their other works.
Kuroko no Basket is indeed a decent watch. Is the manga as good as Slam Dunk?
I don't think Kuroko will be as good as Slam Dunk though.
Basileus777
Member
Don't challenge Envelope, surely there is some other GAF sacred cow he can casually dismiss in a sentence.
Ultimadrago
Member
I want my Envelope-Hix super villain team up!
hosannainexcelsis
Member
It does take some time for Lovely Complex's relationship to develop, but its progress is believable and not particularly drawn-out considering the characters' situation and personalities.
Ootani's blindness was deliberate, since he didn't want to disrupt his close friendship with Risa by the uncomfortable presence of romance. He's not indecisive - this isn't Kimagure Orange Road here - it just takes him a while for him to examine his relationship with Risa and come to terms with taking it to the next level. I find that much more believable than if he had said "I've only thought of you as a buddy to hang out with up to now, but sure, I'll date you and kiss and all that, no problem." Love does take time to develop - it usually doesn't spring fully-formed overnight Romeo-and-Juliet style.
I didn't have any problems with the teacher - he was just an outlet for Risa to act out her frustration at her love being unrequited. If there was any side character I disliked, it would be Seiko.
I didn't have any problems with the teacher - he was just an outlet for Risa to act out her frustration at her love being unrequited. If there was any side character I disliked, it would be Seiko.
If you have a better conventionally romance-focused anime to recommend, I'm all ears. I have heard good things about Paradise Kiss, though I haven't gotten around to it yet.
First rule of AnimeGAF: don't talk about stuff like this.
Good luck on Kannazuki no Mio. I never got past the first episode and all I remember is lesbians at a school.
That actually makes me want to finish it now...
A Black Falcon
Member
My order. It's worth noting that I liked all of these shows except for K-On. though, so they're all good.
Nichijou
Lucky Star
Kanon 06
Air
Haruhi (S1)
FMP: Fumoffu
Clannad
FMP: TSR
K-On!
Haven't watched Munto, Clannad AS, S2 of Haruhi, or S2 of K-On.
The original Saki has very few relevant adult characters (except for a couple of pro mahjong players), but maybe this will have more... oh, and Biyori has some "adult's story" chapters about the pro players, too.Totally forgot about her.
Yeah, I'd probably like watching that quite a bit less than I do Saki.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
You're a brave soul.
Ultimadrago
Member
Correct.
Sword fights are generally fine in the manga, it's just that animators have become progressively lazier about animating them as the series has gone on.
Mihawk's scenes in Marineford
Marineford
I haven't watched OP in about a year, and I'm really hoping that
post-timeskip Zoro
darkside31337
Tomodachi wa Mahou
Mai Ritoru Poni: Yuujou wa Mahou 13
Okay this series is clearly not exactly in chronicle order. The last episode was the winter wonderland and this episode was about the falling of the leaves. So not in order. Thats a little jarring but not really a big deal as the two episodes really arent all that important in the grand scheme of things.
Fun episode featuring two of my favorite ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash is a sore loser, she got her ass kicked and her wig split and had to go all sour apples so the rivalry had to be settled once and for all in a race.
But of course the real star of the show, Twilight Sparkle, wanted to take part in the festivities, well really she just wants some screen time because shes been doing a lot of cameos of late and of course
Most importantly though Pinkie Pie is a fan of the superior condiment on their dogs. Mustard. Anypony who likes ketchup on aveggie hot dog gets a thumbs up from me. The Pinkie Pie + Spike is a nice comedy duo, they should get more screen time together. Clearly he has a better rapport with her than he does with Rarity. Poor Spike.
Princess Celestia to end the episode, are you serious? Of course she would think that friendship is more important than competition. Probably because she has never lost at doing anything in her entire life!
Okay this series is clearly not exactly in chronicle order. The last episode was the winter wonderland and this episode was about the falling of the leaves. So not in order. Thats a little jarring but not really a big deal as the two episodes really arent all that important in the grand scheme of things.
Fun episode featuring two of my favorite ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash is a sore loser, she got her ass kicked and her wig split and had to go all sour apples so the rivalry had to be settled once and for all in a race.
But of course the real star of the show, Twilight Sparkle, wanted to take part in the festivities, well really she just wants some screen time because shes been doing a lot of cameos of late and of course
Twilights book smarts helped her beat AJ and Rainbow along the way! Whoo whoo!
Most importantly though Pinkie Pie is a fan of the superior condiment on their dogs. Mustard. Anypony who likes ketchup on a
Princess Celestia to end the episode, are you serious? Of course she would think that friendship is more important than competition. Probably because she has never lost at doing anything in her entire life!
Ultimadrago
Member
Black Falcon, you know I be in loooove wit you, right?
Post delaying till the next page for Ponies to be seen by all!
So devious!...yet clever
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Owning the BDs, think I watched the Hong Kong planning featurette more than the actual S2 of the series. lol
It's all about Fumoffu anyway.
Nichijou>Lucky Star>Fumoffu if we're talking just pure comedy KyoAni shows.
You're not missing out on much. It's pretty good but nothing spectacular.
Did I already mention that Jormungand is pretty awesome so far? Feels very similar to Black Lagoon. Nice soundtrack and great use of music, too. We really need more anime like this and less generic moe shit (Except for moe Cthulhu. There's never enough moe Cthulhu). But other than that, this show reminds me of the old days - no high schools, no moe blobs, no harems, no panty shots, no whiny, angsty teenagers. Instead, we get insane characters old enough to sign contracts and drink alcohol (except for Jonah, but I'm totally okay with a child soldier in a show like this), badassery, guns, blood, explosions, an impressive body count... Just good, old fashioned fun.
Don't listen to frostbyte. Best/ only worthwhile thing KyoAni ever did.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
FMP Fumoffu is spectacular, my second-favorite comedy behind Gintama. As much as I like Nichijou, it is hit-and-miss while Fumoffu is constantly gold.
InfiniteNine
Rolling Girl
I don't really get Fumoffu's high ranking after grabbing it on BD a while. I rewatched it and I got almost nothing out of it.
There goes me ever being able to see one of my favorite Hairu arts the same way ever again.
I agree that Amagami SS+ was weaker than the original, though I don't necessarily know that it was because of the half-length arcs for each character. I was more bothered by the show's need to upend the stability of each relationship and use the resulting drama to drive the plot of each arc. It really constrained creativity and didn't allow each waifu's endearing qualities to shine quite as brightly as they did in the original.
I personally want Envelope to start posting on gaming side just for some of the reactions.
Speaking of KyoAni, Sentai has announced Clannad: After Story finally hits blu-ray on July 24th.
You did watch FMP! first, right? You can't really appreciate FUMOFFU? unless you already know FMP!. Being old enough to remember the A-Team and Sledge Hammer also helps.
Fumoffu is great but I'd have a hard time putting it ahead of every other Kyoani show. The comedy relies on the same bits too much imo, and narrows down the cast a lot. It doesn't have as much variety, although it makes up for it by being very good with its hit and miss ratio. Also it doesn't fall into the trap of just being a pure sketch show like Nichijou.
The TSR OVA is actually my favorite comedy related FMP, or at least its on par with the best episodes of Fumoffu. It makes use of the full cast, which Fumoffu usually does not.
The TSR OVA is actually my favorite comedy related FMP, or at least its on par with the best episodes of Fumoffu. It makes use of the full cast, which Fumoffu usually does not.
hosannainexcelsis
Member
There's more than enough mediocre shows with lame direction and animation.
I'm not sure what "old days" you're thinking of where none of that stuff existed in anime.
Everyone does have different comedic tastes after all; I won't begrudge anyone for feeling differently from myself on this.
InfiniteNine
Rolling Girl
I've seen all of it when I was a kid. I was more appreciative of Fumoffu when I was a kid now not so much. I still think TSR is KyoAni's best work with the series.
Ultimadrago
Member
One Piece (of) Nakama!
(But we've already established this)
Anyways, I agree with this post.
I've also taken a break from the anime for now. Went on a journey to watch different stuff.
(There was a time I was watching only Bleach and One Piece! I know, I was a fool.)
I'll feel like I'll be jumping back within a few months.
Typographenia
Member
Sukeban Deka
What the heck did I just watch?!
Story
Okay, so the main character, Saki, is in a correctional facility for past crimes at her high school. She's told by the head of the facility that they will get her mom off of death row if she agrees to go undercover at the very school she was kicked out of because they suspect some kind of crazy criminal activity is going on there. It is a prestigious school that many politicians and rich people send their kids to, so they can't infiltrate it without being noticed. She reluctantly agrees, and thus begins SUKEBAN DEKA!
It turns out there are three sisters with their own insidious plans and ideas for the school, and it's up to Saki to get to the bottom of it with the evidence to put them in their place.
Saki is interesting enough, since she doesn't take crap from anyone, and she easily provokes all sorts of trouble. They managed to balance her rugged side with a softer side when she befriends a girl at her school after rescuing her from some attackers shortly after release. She fights with a crazy, super-science yo-yo, and she freaking rips it up when she does.
The various side characters were all fairly interesting or bizarre enough to leave lasting impressions, but I failed to really ever recall names. They just simply don't say them enough, or maybe it's because I was too busy trying to make sense of some of the visuals I was seeing. It's pretty scatter brained at times, but they do a decent enough job of presenting the overall idea of the story that I never felt entirely lost.
Oh, and some of the more memorable moments included
Just dumb, silly fun to be had.
Presentation
Presentation was really where this shined. It really didn't do too much with the aesthetic itself, but it had some choices in presentation that really helped give it a nice feel. The budget was definitely put most into the fight scenes, and they really look great. It's unfortunate there weren't more, but the ones they had were rather nice. The best scene, by far, was the very first true fight scene the show presents in the school yard.
One choice that initially baffled me (but I grew to love) was the still frame useage. You know, the thing anime does where they cut to a more painterly/sketchy still of the animation for a few seconds? They do that A LOT. However, the way they used it didn't feel at all like budget cuts, but more for style. Characters were constantly mugging for the camera, and the animation ran long enough that the stills were never necessary for what was happening. It was pure cheese, and it was spectacular.
Another choice I found interesting (pointless, but entertaining) was the use of snakes. The antagonists were so completely obvious the entire show, that they decided to just beat you over the head with how evil they were. At the very beginning of the introduction to the characters of the three sisters, we get a cut to a still of a snake that zooms briefly, then cuts back to the show. It felt like some kind of other movie was trying to break into this one, and it happened numerous times. It cracked me up every time, and I honestly believe that was what they were going for. It was so heavy handed and deliberate that it just had to be. It had to!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really liked Sukeban Deka, but it suffered from a rather serious flaw. The tone.
The tone could best be described as a mountain. It started in a low valley of silliness, and overly dramatic visuals/writing that were a pleasure to watch. Absurdity done well! However, the very end of episode one and the start of episode two took a decidedly dark turn that left me reeling. This kind of tone was very, very lightly sprinkled earlier on, but nowhere near to the degree of what actually happened here. It was jarring, but the events that occurred were somewhat necessary for plot progression. It just felt like nobody was really keeping the desire to go over the top just for the more light-hearted parts, and it bled over into this whiplash of a mood shift. It comes back down to the cheesy, fun stuff again, but it left an impression on the piece as a whole in a way somewhat similar to what I would suppose PTSD would be like.
However, it didn't change the fact that I really still enjoyed it for what it was. Sukeban Deka was an enjoyable way to pass 1.5 hours, and I wouldn't mind revisiting it again. The visuals were stronger than I imagined they would be, the characters were all deranged in their own ways, and the many crazy events made it worth my while.
What the heck did I just watch?!
Story
Okay, so the main character, Saki, is in a correctional facility for past crimes at her high school. She's told by the head of the facility that they will get her mom off of death row if she agrees to go undercover at the very school she was kicked out of because they suspect some kind of crazy criminal activity is going on there. It is a prestigious school that many politicians and rich people send their kids to, so they can't infiltrate it without being noticed. She reluctantly agrees, and thus begins SUKEBAN DEKA!
It turns out there are three sisters with their own insidious plans and ideas for the school, and it's up to Saki to get to the bottom of it with the evidence to put them in their place.
Saki is interesting enough, since she doesn't take crap from anyone, and she easily provokes all sorts of trouble. They managed to balance her rugged side with a softer side when she befriends a girl at her school after rescuing her from some attackers shortly after release. She fights with a crazy, super-science yo-yo, and she freaking rips it up when she does.
The various side characters were all fairly interesting or bizarre enough to leave lasting impressions, but I failed to really ever recall names. They just simply don't say them enough, or maybe it's because I was too busy trying to make sense of some of the visuals I was seeing. It's pretty scatter brained at times, but they do a decent enough job of presenting the overall idea of the story that I never felt entirely lost.
Oh, and some of the more memorable moments included
the hardcore teacher beating up a student over his attitude, an undercover officer taking on a helicopter with a magnum, the sidekick guy shaving his head on a street because Saki said she wasn't interested in guys with long hair, and "collecting data" by bludgeoning an arcade full of students with a yo-yo.
Presentation
Presentation was really where this shined. It really didn't do too much with the aesthetic itself, but it had some choices in presentation that really helped give it a nice feel. The budget was definitely put most into the fight scenes, and they really look great. It's unfortunate there weren't more, but the ones they had were rather nice. The best scene, by far, was the very first true fight scene the show presents in the school yard.
One choice that initially baffled me (but I grew to love) was the still frame useage. You know, the thing anime does where they cut to a more painterly/sketchy still of the animation for a few seconds? They do that A LOT. However, the way they used it didn't feel at all like budget cuts, but more for style. Characters were constantly mugging for the camera, and the animation ran long enough that the stills were never necessary for what was happening. It was pure cheese, and it was spectacular.
Another choice I found interesting (pointless, but entertaining) was the use of snakes. The antagonists were so completely obvious the entire show, that they decided to just beat you over the head with how evil they were. At the very beginning of the introduction to the characters of the three sisters, we get a cut to a still of a snake that zooms briefly, then cuts back to the show. It felt like some kind of other movie was trying to break into this one, and it happened numerous times. It cracked me up every time, and I honestly believe that was what they were going for. It was so heavy handed and deliberate that it just had to be. It had to!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really liked Sukeban Deka, but it suffered from a rather serious flaw. The tone.
The tone could best be described as a mountain. It started in a low valley of silliness, and overly dramatic visuals/writing that were a pleasure to watch. Absurdity done well! However, the very end of episode one and the start of episode two took a decidedly dark turn that left me reeling. This kind of tone was very, very lightly sprinkled earlier on, but nowhere near to the degree of what actually happened here. It was jarring, but the events that occurred were somewhat necessary for plot progression. It just felt like nobody was really keeping the desire to go over the top just for the more light-hearted parts, and it bled over into this whiplash of a mood shift. It comes back down to the cheesy, fun stuff again, but it left an impression on the piece as a whole in a way somewhat similar to what I would suppose PTSD would be like.
However, it didn't change the fact that I really still enjoyed it for what it was. Sukeban Deka was an enjoyable way to pass 1.5 hours, and I wouldn't mind revisiting it again. The visuals were stronger than I imagined they would be, the characters were all deranged in their own ways, and the many crazy events made it worth my while.
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