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[frostbyte]

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.

It just felt to me 2 episodes was too little time to fit in the whole mini-drama Amagami SS had in the first season. The drama felt more forced because of this reason and it just didn't feel very well implemented or executed. Not to mention the whole shocking fetishes thing wasn't really shocking anymore. The original felt like a breath of fresh air with some drama interspersed around, the second season just felt like an unnecessary tack-on for milking the franchise, with some drama simply for the sake of having drama.

I personally want Envelope to start posting on gaming side just for some of the reactions.

You don't say.

Spoiler

What's the closest gaming parallel of Cowboy Bebop? Link to the Past?

Don't listen to frostbyte. Best/ only worthwhile thing KyoAni ever did.

The original FMP was pretty good, as I said, but nothing really special. Fumoffu recycles too much of its jokes and comes off as rather bland to me.

FMP:TSR on the other hand is definitely a step up though. Quite well done and actually made me appreciate the franchise more than FMP/Fumoffu ever did.

 

[wsippel]

Fumoffu is great but I'd have a hard time putting it ahead of every other Kyoani shows. The comedy relies on the same bits too much imo. 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.

I really think it's an age thing. FMP is pretty much the only anime all my non otaku friends born in the late 70ies/ early 80ies really enjoyed. There are just so many jokes and references younger people most likely won't appreciate or even notice. There are whole scenes ripped straight out of obscure 80ies TV shows... for starters, it really helps to know this guy:

 

[Basileus777]

You don't say.

Spoiler

What's the closest gaming parallel of Cowboy Bebop? Link to the Past?

"Ocarina of Time is terrible, I quit playing after that awful first dungeon." Or maybe "Mario 1-1 is a poor introductory level, I saw no reason to keep playing after that."

 

[Ultimadrago]

Long time, no type, Typo (well, just not here). How's it going?

 

[A Black Falcon]

You don't say.

Spoiler

What's the closest gaming parallel of Cowboy Bebop? Link to the Past?

Cowboy Bebop's good, but I don't love it as much as many people do. I don't think I ever actually finished the series... oh, I did like Samurai Champloo more, though.

The original FMP was pretty good, as I said, but nothing really special. Fumoffu recycles too much of its jokes and comes off as rather bland to me.

FMP:TSR on the other hand is definitely a step up though. Quite well done and actually made me appreciate the franchise more than FMP/Fumoffu ever did.

I've always thought that the first season was the best of the three, and I still do... I know, most people prefer Fumoffu or TSR, but I like the first season the most. The mixture of comedy with serious but usually not TOO serious action works quite well. Fumoffu's lacking because it's really only got one joke that it recycles in various ways, and because I did miss S1's version of serious, and TSR because it's not very little comedy, and got a bit too serious and dark. (Far less so than the series gets after that, of course, but still, pretty serious.) The first season has the best balance.

Black Falcon, you know I be in loooove wit you, right?

I found deciding between Lucky Star and Nichijou for the top spot quite difficult, and had Lucky Star there first, before I switched it... they're both very good shows though.

 

[Ultimadrago]

When I watched the first two episodes of Lucky Star waay back when, I dropped it.

Still don't really remember why though, it is on my list to peek at again in the future for that very reason along with some others.

 

[Typographenia]

Long time, no type, Typo (well, just not here). How's it going?

Pretty swell. I've been feeling the pangs of guilt for not participating more.
I fell into a hole of Mass Effect 3 / Witcher 2 / Alice Madness Returns, and things for work have been getting hectic recently. Trying to get around to watching more stuff, but sometimes it's easier to just browse GAF instead of actually tackle my backlog of anime.

Glad to know I haven't been forgotten entirely! Not having Rinne No Lagrange each sunday hasn't helped... That reminds me, I need to go watch this week's PMMM!


I have Green Legend Ran, IRIA, Phantom Quest, Armitage III (the movie), and a few other things on my "soon" list, haha. I'm looking forward to Armitage since I literally haven't seen it in almost 10 years. My first and only viewing was back in the anime club at the first high school I went to.

 

[wsippel]

There's more than enough mediocre shows with lame direction and animation.

Yes. And I'm not saying Jormungand excels in either of those areas.

I'm not sure what "old days" you're thinking of where none of that stuff existed in anime.

20 to 25 years ago. And I'm not saying it didn't exist at all back then, but it wasn't as prominent as it is today as far as I remember. At least not in the shows available in the western world at the time. And that was a good thing.

 

[madp]

It just felt to me 2 episodes was too little time to fit in the whole mini-drama Amagami SS had in the first season. The drama felt more forced because of this reason and it just didn't feel very well implemented or executed. Not to mention the whole shocking fetishes thing wasn't really shocking anymore. The original felt like a breath of fresh air with some drama interspersed around, the second season just felt like an unnecessary tack-on for milking the franchise, with some drama simply for the sake of having drama.

Yeah, I can agree with all of that. The things that made the first season special couldn't be employed again because they were elements of the courtship phase of the relationship, and all that they could come up with to fill the void was drama. Maybe anime is right and the fun ends once you actually get the girl

Spoiler

actually, real life says that too and it's absolutely right

"Ocarina of Time is terrible, I quit playing after that awful first dungeon." Or maybe "Mario 1-1 is a poor introductory level, I saw no reason to keep playing after that."

There are probably enough super duper Zelda hipsters who believe that every Zelda made after LttP sucks to keep Envelope from getting totally eviscerated. He needs to say something like Planescape: Torment having terrible writing or Mario Sunshine being better than Mario Galaxy to truly incur comic levels of wrath.

 

[frostbyte]

"Ocarina of Time is terrible, I quit playing after that awful first dungeon." Or maybe "Mario 1-1 is a poor introductory level, I saw no reason to keep playing after that."

Nicely done.

Spoiler

I really hope Envelope doesn't bear those opinions because I'd have to rage at him too.

Cowboy Bebop's good, but I don't love it as much as many people do. I don't think I ever actually finished the series... oh, I did like Samurai Champloo more, though.

I can't decide between Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. Doing so would just break me either way so I put them on the same level of brilliance.

I've always thought that the first season was the best of the three, and I still do... I know, most people prefer Fumoffu or TSR, but I like the first season the most. The mixture of comedy with serious but usually not TOO serious action works quite well. Fumoffu's lacking because it's really only got one joke that it recycles in various ways, and because I did miss S1's version of serious, and TSR because it's not very little comedy, and got a bit too serious and dark. (Far less so than the series gets after that, of course, but still, pretty serious.) The first season has the best balance.

Eh, I actually liked the whole dark and serious tone of TSR more. Different stroke for different folks, I guess.

I found deciding between Lucky Star and Nichijou for the top spot quite difficult, and had Lucky Star there first, before I switched it... they're both very good shows though.

As much as I love Lucky Star, it relies too much on Japanese culture/otaku references. For example, the whole

Spoiler

shampoo scene with Timotei~

. Even some of the ending sequences did nothing to me. That disconnect is clearly me not being part of the intended audience but I still have to dock a few points off it. Needless to say, Nichijou is much more accessible and I loved the animation style.

Pretty swell. I've been feeling the pangs of guilt for not participating more.
I fell into a hole of Mass Effect 3 / Witcher 2 / Alice Madness Returns, and things for work have been getting hectic recently. Trying to get around to watching more stuff, but sometimes it's easier to just browse GAF instead of actually tackle my backlog of anime.

Glad to know I haven't been forgotten entirely! Not having Rinne No Lagrange each sunday hasn't helped... That reminds me, I need to go watch this week's PMMM!


I have Green Legend Ran, IRIA, Phantom Quest, Armitage III (the movie), and a few other things on my "soon" list, haha. I'm looking forward to Armitage since I literally haven't seen it in almost 10 years. My first and only viewing was back in the anime club at the first high school I went to.

I know that feeling bro.

My first and only viewing at an anime club back when I like 8 (I somehow got roped in by my friend's brother) was Blood: The Last Vampire. I'll never forget it to that day ;_;
Truly opened my eyes to this wonderful medium.

Yeah, I can agree with all of that. The things that made the first season special couldn't be employed again because they were elements of the courtship phase of the relationship, and all that they could come up with to fill the void was drama. Maybe anime is right and the fun ends once you actually get the girl

Spoiler

actually, real life says that too and it's absolutely right

There are probably enough super duper Zelda hipsters who believe that every Zelda made after LttP sucks to keep Envelope from getting totally eviscerated. He needs to say something like Planescape: Torment having terrible writing or Mario Sunshine being better than Mario Galaxy to truly incur comic levels of wrath.

oh god no. I haven't seen anyone have that opinion before and I hope I never see anyone with that opinion.

 

[chickdigger802]

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.

Spoiler

Mihawk's scenes in Marineford

were probably the most egregious example of this as he was reduced to shooting green lasers out of his blade or some shit, but then again mediocrity was par for the course in

Spoiler

Marineford

outside of a few great sakuga scenes.

I haven't watched OP in about a year, and I'm really hoping that

Spoiler

post-timeskip Zoro

hasn't suffered the same fate.

hmmm sakuga scenes in one piece.... My brain can't think of any besides the finishing punch, or from movies or from the opening .

And god, mihawk... Strongest swing... sigh.

And I personally don't mind endless shows, because let's face it... 9/10 anime have rushed/shit/wtf endings. Hair/clothes does not move in one piece... which is funny because it's a show about the ocean... which has wind and waves!


I am proud for sticking with Bleach since episode 1, which was like middle/high school, and own quite a few dubbed boxsets (JYB is an awesome ichigo). Heck I even own that shitty wii game =/

I dropped naruto besides the occasional sakuga eps once every year or so.

 

[SDBurton]

Nice list, Amagami bro!

I have to say that the second season is weaker than the first though. Just watered down in general. Maybe the omnibus format of 2 episodes each heroine was a bit too fast for the plot.

Kare Kano. Only my favourite romance anime out there. Also, seconding Nodame Cantabile. I'd say it's even better than Kare Kano but my allegiance still lies with the brilliant Kare Kano.

Spoiler

I still have to check out Lovely Complex myself though.

Right on man. I'll be watching Plus for sure. Putting Kare Kano on my list as well, thanks!

 

[Regulus Tera]

Just FYI, 8, 16, and 24 are also Nanami comedy episodes and they are equally insufferable. Brace yourself.

You used to be cool.

 

[DrForester]

Just FYI, 8, 16, and 24 are also Nanami comedy episodes and they are equally insufferable. Brace yourself.

I can't hate Nanami.

She was horrible, but

Spoiler

THAT LAST EPISODE REDEMPTION!

 

[Risette]

hmmm sakuga scenes in one piece.... My brain can't think of any besides the finishing punch, or from movies or from the opening .

uhhh

Wrong.

 

[ponpo]

Good.

Good.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Hair snap gif: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m251c1lJl01qb93d1o1_500.gif
Good.

Great, now I have the weirdest boner right now.

 

[Typographenia]

I know that feeling bro.

My first and only viewing at an anime club back when I like 8 (I somehow got roped in by my friend's brother) was Blood: The Last Vampire. I'll never forget it to that day ;_;
Truly opened my eyes to this wonderful medium.

Oh man, I need to add that to my "list of things to buy" list. I totally didn't think about that when compiling my additions... I hope it's easy to pick up at this point. : (


Dang it, now I'm sort of wanting to watch Final Fantasy Unlimited. I remember watching that in the anime club and we were all baffled at there not being an episode 26, hahahaa. That thing had such great summon/gun stuff. GOT YOU SO PUMPED.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Yes. And I'm not saying Jormungand excels in either of those areas.

I certainly appreciate variety, and Jormungand's premise appeals to me. I wanted to like it. But it didn't do a good job of explaining the characters or setting or making the action exciting. I'm not going to praise a poorly-made show just because it's different.

20 to 25 years ago. And I'm not saying it didn't exist at all back then, but it wasn't as prominent as it is today as far as I remember. At least not in the shows available in the western world at the time. And that was a good thing.

Panty shots in 1974. (NSFW)

 

[Basileus777]

Great, now I have the weirdest boner right now.

I guess we know about your hair fetishes now.

 

[Trojita]

Kore wa Zombie Season 2 Episode 1

I like how everyone is more freaked out that Ayumu is cross dressing and using a chainsaw instead of the fact that he magically transformed in front of them, is fighting a giant squid monster that was attacking the school, and Ayumu can jump extraordinarily high.

 

[Instro]

Panty shots in 1974. (NSFW)

Those are some ugly panties.

 

[Risette]

Even Miyazaki and Takahata were doing pantyshots in the 70s.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Those are some ugly panties.

Maybe she has diarrhea and needs to wear diapers in case of an emergency.

 

[Brazil]

Those are some ugly panties.

Well, they're all grandmas by now.

 

[Trojita]

Lupin the 3rd: Fujiko Mine Episode 1

She was topless for like half of the episode. Half of the episode.

It wasn't even the good kind of topless. I mean I'd rather see this on the original Lupin the 3rd than this thing. But I guess this is the product of the current straits Anime is on, so I guess I shouldn't expect this to be in the original.

 

[Ultimadrago]

I guess we know about your hair fetishes now.

Just the wobbliness of the pickle plus the curls and the impact!

...Looks like I've been caught red-handed.

 

[Hellsing321]

Those are some ugly panties.

Obligatory Panty Evolution Chart
/Flawfuls

 

[Regulus Tera]

Well, they're all grandmas by now.

Does this mean the grandmas of the future will wear strings?

 

[Branduil]

it seems crunchyroll's gonna release episodes of medaka box on the same day it airs, only a couple of hours after broadcast.

Gotta get those episodes out there while the fetid stench of decay is still fresh.

 

[dimb]

Lupin the 3rd: Fujiko Mine Episode 1

She was topless for like half of the episode. Half of the episode.

It was a cult's drug/sex den. It would be weird if she wasn't.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

Kore wa Zombie Season 2 Episode 1

I like how everyone is more freaked out that Ayumu is cross dressing and using a chainsaw instead of the fact that he magically transformed in front of them, is fighting a giant squid monster that was attacking the school, and Ayumu can jump extraordinarily high.

Haha, that was pretty much my reaction too. The people in this show clearly have their priorities out of whack. Ah well, I can suspend my disbelief for fun!

 

[Branduil]

Sukeban Deka

I certainly hope you watched the superior English dub.

 

[madp]

hmmm sakuga scenes in one piece.... My brain can't think of any besides the finishing punch, or from movies or from the opening .

And god, mihawk... Strongest swing... sigh.

There's plenty of sakuga in OP, just search for some on youtube and you'll have entire episodes worth of clips.

Gotta get those episodes out there while the fetid stench of decay is still fresh.

more like soggyroll amirite

 

[frostbyte]

Oh man, I need to add that to my "list of things to buy" list. I totally didn't think about that when compiling my additions... I hope it's easy to pick up at this point. : (

Dang it, now I'm sort of wanting to watch Final Fantasy Unlimited. I remember watching that in the anime club and we were all baffled at there not being an episode 26, hahahaa. That thing had such great summon/gun stuff. GOT YOU SO PUMPED.

Blood: The Last Vampire is my personal favourite but I'm a dedicated fan of the franchise so my opinion is more than a little skewed. Still a good but short watch though, especially for that sakuga.

Final Fantasy Unlimited? Is it any good? The fact that I'm asking this makes me thinks it's a bomba just like Final Fantasy Spirits Within.

Maybe she has diarrhea and needs to wear diapers in case of an emergency.

Well, they're all grandmas by now.

Welp, I'm bailing out for a while.

 

[Lain]

Not sure if anyone has even touched Kuroko no Basuke, but as someone who read the manga up to date in 2 days and has a love for Slam Dunk and most basketball anime/manga, this went down quite a treat. Faithful to the manga and well animated, I'd vouch for a watch.

What's a basuke anyways? What does Kuroko do with this Basuke?

 

[Regulus Tera]

Lupin the 3rd: Fujiko Mine Episode 1

She was topless for like half of the episode. Half of the episode.

It wasn't even the good kind of topless. I mean I'd rather see this on the original Lupin the 3rd than this thing. But I guess this is the product of the current straits Anime is on, so I guess I shouldn't expect this to be in the original.

If it had been a dude being shirtless the entire episode you would not be making any complaints.

Stop oppressing the boobs.

 

[Risette]

There's plenty of sakuga in OP, just search for some on youtube and you'll have entire episodes worth of clips.

I tried to link Murad's sakuga compilation videos but it turns out his account got closed for copyright shit. All those videos (not just OP) gone. Lol. ;(

 

[Brazil]

Does this mean the grandmas of the future will wear strings?

If today's youth has its way.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Stop oppressing the boobs.

Regulus Tera: The peoples' perverts' champ!

 

[Dragoon En Regalia]

Lupin the 3rd: Fujiko Mine Episode 1

She was topless for like half of the episode. Half of the episode.

It wasn't even the good kind of topless. I mean I'd rather see this on the original Lupin the 3rd than this thing. But I guess this is the product of the current straits Anime is on, so I guess I shouldn't expect this to be in the original.

Think about the context clues, students. What might "topless" mean in the case of a young Fujiko Mine who has no shame and is hellbent on getting some hallucinogens?

It could be worse.

 

[Lain]

Any other good romance anime out there I should be checking out Anime;GAF?

I don't know how many will agree with me, but I'll add First Love Limited to the suggestions of others. It's short but I think good.

 

[Femmeworth]

Just FYI, 8, 16, and 24 are also Nanami comedy episodes and they are equally insufferable. Brace yourself.

And here I thought you loved Nanami episodes. I wish you had given me that same warning. :\

 

[madp]

I tried to link Murad's sakuga compilation videos but it turns out his account got closed for copyright shit. All those videos (not just OP) gone. Lol. ;(

Well fuck. Those were the best, too.

Welp, I'm bailing out for a while.

Inspired to peruse some new Pixiv tags? It's okay, I don't judge.

 

[Mandoric]

If it had been a dude being shirtless the entire episode you would not be making any complaints.

Stop oppressing the boobs.

Don't you mean stop holding them down?

 

[Typographenia]

I certainly hope you watched the superior English dub.

I didn't. : (
That's one thing I've felt guilty over is whether or not I'm making the right choices with the japanese dubs. I don't know whether or not the english VOs will be funny or not, and I don't ever know if the subject matter will end up being "so-bad-it's-good" or surprise me and end up liking it. I should probably go back and check out a few (like Garaga) with the english.

Final Fantasy Unlimited? Is it any good? The fact that I'm asking this makes me thinks it's a bomba just like Final Fantasy Spirits Within.

Probably not, hahaha. I don't remember much about the series, but the summons were always great (basically the transformation sequences). Also, it ends on a HUGE cliff hanger, so yeah. It devastated me back in the day.

It was rather generic, from what I remember, but yeah. It might be worth looking into at some point.

 

[wonzo]

Gotta get those episodes out there while the fetid stench of decay is still fresh.

sounds about right

 

[Regulus Tera]

Final Fantasy Unlimited? Is it any good? The fact that I'm asking this makes me thinks it's a bomba just like Final Fantasy Spirits Within.

It had chocobos so it wasn't that bad.

 

[wsippel]

Panty shots in 1974. (NSFW)

That isn't a "panty shot". I'm sure you know what I mean.

 

[DrForester]

Final Fantasy Unlimited? Is it any good? The fact that I'm asking this makes me thinks it's a bomba just like Final Fantasy Spirits Within.

It wasn't very good, I'd say barely watchable. There were a few nice visuals, but ultimately it fell very very flat.