I'm starting a netflix subscription next month and I am looking to expand my horizons. Never got into anime or manga, so I have no idea what is decent and what shines like a star. I really don't want to waste my time with cr*ptacular vids.
Also, what is a good site to go to to purchase anime and manga on dvd? Amazon doesn't seem to cater to it real well and should I get into an anthology or series I really like I may want to purchase it.
I'm starting a netflix subscription next month and I am looking to expand my horizons. Never got into anime or manga, so I have no idea what is decent and what shines like a star. I really don't want to waste my time with cr*ptacular vids.
Also, what is a good site to go to to purchase anime and manga on dvd? Amazon doesn't seem to cater to it real well and should I get into an anthology or series I really like I may want to purchase it.
Anything by studio Studio Ghibli (They are kinda kids movies but not)
Howls Moving Castle, Totoro, Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Cat Returns, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies - ( Warning - Will make you cry).
As well as
Ghost in the Shell
Akira
Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Patlabor
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise
Should get you going
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Some of my own personal favorites:
Cowboy Bebop. Great show with good humor, soundtrack, and cast of characters. Space bounty hunter/western/weirdness kinda thing. Hard to describe but a lot more fun than it might sound
Samurai Champloo: Same guys that did Cowboy Bebop. Where as CB's a space romp, this is a bit more traditional taking place in the samurai days. However the humor/action/awesomeness carries over.
This might sound lame but ...
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: It's one of those "high school kids" anime but it was honestly just a lot of fun to watch. Don't really know how to describe it other than fun.
Berserk: This is definitely a more grown up anime. It's bloody, violent, and just plain weird sometimes. Might want to do some research on it.
Records of the Lodoss War: I wouldn't both with the Heroic Knight season, just the first one. It's old but it's a great fantasy anime based off a D&D game some people have if I remember right. Good times.
And now because I'm tired of describing I will just list the rest in no certain order:
Darker than Black
Trigun
Slayers (all the seasons though the earlier ones are better)
Vampire Hunter D (these are movies, two of them. Both good)
My taste is different from some people though. I remember when I first got into anime people told me I had to watch ones like Akira and Ghost in the Shell ... and I really didn't like either of them. Apparently it's very taboo or something to say such things but its the truth for me. I thought both were just boring. So just a fair warning.
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Howls Moving Castle, Totoro, Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Cat Returns, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies are definetly worth watching, Nausicaä and Princess Mononoke being on top of my own anime list.
Vampire Hunter D are great movies, too, the second one (Bloodlust) is more dynamic and easier to watch if you're NOT into anime.
Record of the Lodoss War (original Series) ist great and heavily inspired by D&D.
I'd give Ghost in the Shell and Akira a try, sure, it's hit or miss, but as you're not into anime yet, every anime that is not a sure miss (and there are plenty) will be. Both movies can take credit for getting many western viewers interested in japanese animated movies, so there has to be a good chance someone not into animes is going to like them
Armitage III is a great movie (cut together from a tv show and featuring a great synchro), personally I like it better than Ghost in the Shell.
I'd recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion and Hakkenden, but both Shows (especially NGE) seem to have as many haters as they have fans, so is Hit or Miss as well.
(sorry for the wonky english, I'm up 30 hours now and start to loose my grasp of foreign languages...)
edited because of a wrong title...sorry
As far as which anime to watch, try this sight:
The Search function under the Encyclopedia tab has hundreds of titles searchable by genre. Each title has a brief description, viewer ratings and other info. You can't rent or buy titles there, but you can preview them. You're sure to find something you like.
Warning: loss of otherwise productive time may occur.
My taste is different from some people though. I remember when I first got into anime people told me I had to watch ones like Akira and Ghost in the Shell ... and I really didn't like either of them. Apparently it's very taboo or something to say such things but its the truth for me. I thought both were just boring. So just a fair warning.
There is a lot not to like in Akira - it does have a lot of good bits.
I liked Ghost in the Shell but it does spin off into some Japanese philosophical strangeness at times.
Appleseed is cool - I have a fondness for cyberpunk style Anime
As for old stuff - The Castle of Cagliostro is a fun movie
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Hmm. Well, this is tricky, especially without knowing what sort of genres you like. But I'll throw some recommendations at you.
Firstly, Ghost in the Shell. Now, it's important to note there are two Ghost in the Shells, the movie world (Ghost in the Shell and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence) and the tv series world (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex). They are separate entities, but with the same set of characters. Both are very good and well worth watching, but my personal favourite is the tv series, Stand Alone Complex. The series takes away some of the philosophising and symbolism that's rampant in the two films and creates an excellent post-cyber punk world in which the characters fight crime and conspiracies. I'd say it ranks as one of the best Sci Fi series of all time, not just anime Sci Fi series.
Next, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is the other excellent Giant Mecha series. Absurdly over the top but great fun. The guys who made that, Studio Gainax, also made perhaps one of the most important and controversial series of all time, Neon Genesis Evangelion. NGE is meant to be a Giant Mecha show as well, but in the same way that Twin Peaks was a cop show. I still recommend it, as it is very good, but be prepared to not understand anything that happens at the end.
Back to school now, and two series top the list. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, which has God in the classroom. God, in this case, being Haruhi Suzumiya, who is totally unaware of her powers, yet can just make things happen. Haruhi has come to the conclusion that ordinary humans are, as a whole, utterly boring, and that she would rather hang out with aliens, time travellers, espers, and the like. In her quest to find them, she promptly joins all the clubs in school for exactly one day... and quits them all just as rapidly. One day, her classmate Kyon (the Narrator) unwittingly gives Haruhi an idea: if there aren't any decent clubs, why not make one of your own? Even more unwittingly, the first three other people recruited into the club are an alien, a time traveller and an esper. Not that Haruhi knows this, of course. Really, it's a good excuse for Haruhi to get into wacky hijinks ranging from murder mysteries, sci fi space battles and baseball games. Just be warned, Haruhi can act like a total jerk at the start of the show, but she does get better!
The second series I'd recommend for high school stuff is Azamanga Daioh, which can be quickly described as Seinfeld in Highschool. Nothing happens, other then character development and the day to day life of seven female highschool students. Quite enjoyable and funny.
I'd suggest having a look through this list of one anime sites top 50 anime of the decade, and see what catches your eye. Might find something that really appeals.
Hmm. Well, this is tricky, especially without knowing what sort of genres you like.
Guess I should have mentioned that at the get go. I like scifi, fantasy, cyberpunk, western, comedy, romance, post-apocalypse, horror/thriller and modernesque supernatural (zombies, vampires, ghosts, etc.).
Don't see any word of an anime/manga dvd e-tailer yet.
Unfortunately Netflix doesn't have too much of a library for anime. My wife just got me into it, and that was a sobering disappointment.
If you're looking to get into some recent stuff without breaking the bank, I'd suggest Anime Network On Demand. I'm not a fan of their online service(they make you pay even if you are getting it on TV), but I like the version I get through my cable box. A few titles, updated approximately bimonthly, a fair mix of new and old(though HEAVILY slanted toward the new). Subbed and (sigh)dubbed fare, as well. For 7 bucks a month, you can't go wrong.
I'd recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion
I'd recommend the redone Evangelion if you haven't already seen the original. "Evangelion 1.11" (or 1.01, but 1.11 has some redone lighting, a few extra minutes, and slightly modified editing) is the first.
If you are going to watch the Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki movies and want them in English, then make sure they are the Disney-released versions as all other previous dubbed versions are crap.
Also, if you are in the US and have a Big Lots/Odd Lots store in town, head over there. The ones where I live, at least, get in regular shipments of cheap dvds and there are usually some anime titles mixed in with the movies. You can get random season discs of all sorts of shows for $3-5.
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I'll note from the outset that I don't closely follow the American DVD releases, so some of these titles may not be available there.
I like scifi,
Apart from those that have already been mentioned (of which I have mixed opinions albeit), I must highly recommend the Crest of the Stars / Banner of the Stars series. Crest comes first, followed by Banner 1 through 3. Epic space drama, though if you don't like elves, you'll probably hate the Abh.
I'm also a big fan of Code Geass, though it's a mecha and political type show, and has probably just as many haters as it does fans as well. :)
fantasy,
Escaflowne was fun. Twelve Kingdoms I've heard is very well done.
cyberpunk,
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is the best title here. Definitely. I've heard a lot of good things about Darker than Black also.
western,
There are only three shows I can think of that have western themes, and none of them were particularly good in my opinion: Burst Angel, El Cazador de la Bruja, and Trigun.
comedy,
Comedy is hard to recommend to "newbies" to anime because a lot of the best comedy series I've seen really aren't the type of "gateway drugs" that you want. Azumanga Daioh was mentioned, though, and that's probably the best suggestion here. If you like that, there are PLENTY of other similar slice-of-life (or slice-of-school...) series that I enjoy just as much or more.
One thing I WILL recommend is Lovely Complex (aka LoveCom), it's primarily a romance series though. I don't know how much you know about Japanese comedy, but it draws a lot on Manzai and was great.
romance,
Romance you'll mostly find set in highschools. The ef - memories and ef - melodies series are great, artistically especially so. Also, it only just recently finished airing in Japan, but Kimi ni Todoke was excellent.
I've yet to see it, but I know a number of people enjoy Nodame Cantabile for a romance series that is not about teenagers--something that can be hard to find. :)
Oh, and I almost forgot: Anything by Makoto Shinkai. 5 Centimeters Per Second, Voices of a Distant Star, and the Place Promised in our Early Days. Warning: You will need tissues, and lots of them.
post-apocalypse,
You know, I can't think of any of these off the top of my head... does Grave of the Fireflies count? Great movie, depressing as all heck though.
horror/thriller
The obvious ones here are Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Umineko no Naku Koro ni. I'm extremely biased because I'm a gigantic fan of the visual novels, and the anime adaptions are... well, they're enjoyable in their own rights, but the original stories are far better. Higurashi is more horror/thriller, while Umineko is more thriller/mystery.
and modernesque supernatural (zombies, vampires, ghosts, etc.).
My favourite modern-ish supernatural series as of recently is probably Ga-Rei Zero, followed by Shakugan no Shana.
I've yet to see a good vampire series, honestly. Hellsing and Blood: The Last Vampire/Blood+ are there, but neither of them were anything to write home about imo.
Don't see any word of an anime/manga dvd e-tailer yet.
I often buy from The Right Stuf, because their shipping prices are really good when you buy in bulk and are shipping internationally. There are plenty of other sites though that might be better for someone who lives in the US. I'm not currently at home or else I'd link you a few more that I have bookmarked.
Lots of good recommendations already here (pretty much anything from Studio Ghibli & Miyazaki is made of win).
There's an Appleseed sequel (Appleseed Ex Machina) if you like the 1st one.
But no one's mentioned the beautiful and moving Metropolis (by Osamu Tezuka) so I'll make a plug for that.
X (preferably the series, bot the movie), Fullmetal Alchemist, Wolf's Rain, Samurai 7, Samurai Champloo, Berserk (though the anime makes you want to read the manga since it does not actually go as far as the latter story-wise), One Piece, Basilisk.
I would like to add Ergo Proxy to the list.
I found it a bit weird at first but its quite good.
I'll add my votes for Ghost in the Shell, particularly the Stand Alone Complex, Armitage III, Vampire Hunter D, Darker than Black, and Record of Lodoss War. I also like Fate/Stay Night-it's a case where there's a sad ending that's still good. Watching Trinity Blood right now, near the end, and it's not bad either. I also found Rahzephon to be interesting, but it involves temporal mechanics, be warned. Cowboy Bebop is also a must.
I would like to add Ergo Proxy to the list.
I found it a bit weird at first but its quite good.
Beat me to it, Archlich. I love Ergo Proxy, probably one of the most interesting (visually/mentally) animes in a long time. Not a "check your brain at the door" kind of show though, so you have to actually pay attention to it. Cowboy Beebop is still nice, along with Samurai Champloo, Blade of the Immortal, Ghost in the shell (any will do), Lain, Fooly Cooly (FLCL), Howls Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, The Cat Returns, Heroic Legend of Arslan, Record of Lodoss War (horrible animation, better story), X, probably most Macross related stuff, some Gundam, I cant think of any others.
I also found Rahzephon to be interesting, but it involves temporal mechanics, be warned.
Episode 19 of RahXephon made me want to punch the writers in the face. I think it was 19, anyway.
Episode 19 of RahXephon made me want to punch the writers in the face. I think it was 19, anyway.
Yep, 19. On that note, I didn't know there was a movie version, but I'd suggest steering away from it and watching the series. I don't think there's any way in hell they could sum that up properly in under a couple of hours.
And now I'm bummed out thinking about that episode. PFFFBTBTBTB at you, Lathiira!
(Don't get me wrong, it's a phenomenal series, but dang... that episode is emotionally harsh.)
I like scifi, fantasy, cyberpunk, western, comedy, romance, post-apocalypse, horror/thriller and modernesque supernatural
So just about every genre that exists?
Recommendations...
Well, I dont know what are your choices, so I'm just going to tell you what I like...
For laughs: Slayers, Trigun(early parts), Ranma1/2(not as good as the manga tough), Historys Strongest Disciple Kenichi and Detective Conan
For awesomeness: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (Very Awesome), Black Lagoon (Bloody Awesome, emphasis on the bloody), Basilisk(Awesome ninjas) Samurai X(Awesome samurais), Fullmetal Alchemist, Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass, and everybody has their favorite Gundam season.
For more seious, dramatic and introspective stuff that makes you think... Dont really watch those sorry :)
Note of advice for beginers: Neon Genesis Evangelion and Ghost in the Shell are considered masterpieces by 9 in 10 Otakus,they get a lot of hype and praise... but the other 10% of us consider it OK but dont see what all the fuss is all about. You've been warned.
Note of advice for beginers 2: 4kids is the dark spawn of Demogorgon and Lolth. If what you are about to see is dubbed by 4kids, consider searching for the subbed version or another anime altogether. I can't stress it enough 4kids is EVILLL!!!
And yes, I'm an Otaku. How did you guess?
Howls Moving Castle, Totoro, Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Cat Returns, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies are definetly worth watching, Nausicaä and Princess Mononoke being on top of my own anime list.
Vampire Hunter D are great movies, too, the second one (Bloodlust) is more dynamic and easier to watch if you're NOT into anime.
Record of the Lodoss War (original Series) ist great and heavily inspired by D&D.I'd give Ghost in the Shell and Akira a try, sure, it's hit or miss, but as you're not into anime yet, every anime that is not a sure miss (and there are plenty) will be. Both movies can take credit for getting many western viewers interested in japanese animated movies, so there has to be a good chance someone not into animes is going to like them
Armitage III is a great movie (cut together from a tv show and featuring a great synchro), personally I like it better than Ghost in the Shell.
I'd recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion and Hakkenden, but both Shows (especially NGE) seem to have as many haters as they have fans, so is Hit or Miss as well.
(sorry for the wonky english, I'm up 30 hours now and start to loose my grasp of foreign languages...)
edited because of a wrong title...sorry
Totally forgot about the Hakkenden, amazing story, although the animation is sometimes a bit dated and very very stylized (even for anime), oh...and throw DeadLeaves on the top of that pile...
Samurai 7: An anime based off of the Seven Samurai.
It's really good IMO
I'm enjoying To Loveru and Tears to Tiara. I just wish I could get my hands on the H game that they used to make the latter series, as well as the H game for Utawarerumono- they're supposed to be KICK ASS Strategy games with a bit of heavily spiced cheesecake after each battle.
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I'm enjoying To Loveru and Tears to Tiara. I just wish I could get my hands on the H game that they used to make the latter series, as well as the H game for Utawarerumono- they're supposed to be KICK ASS Strategy games with a bit of heavily spiced cheesecake after each battle.
There are torrents for this, you know... :)
I'm enjoying To Loveru and Tears to Tiara. I just wish I could get my hands on the H game that they used to make the latter series, as well as the H game for Utawarerumono- they're supposed to be KICK ASS Strategy games with a bit of heavily spiced cheesecake after each battle.There are torrents for this, you know... :)
True, but they're not translated. The only strategy game I love so much to play it untranslated would be the Super Robot Taisen series of games. Still, I suppose I could just torrent the naughty pics/scenes from those games.
Episode 19 of RahXephon made me want to punch the writers in the face. I think it was 19, anyway.Yep, 19. On that note, I didn't know there was a movie version, but I'd suggest steering away from it and watching the series. I don't think there's any way in hell they could sum that up properly in under a couple of hours.
And now I'm bummed out thinking about that episode. PFFFBTBTBTB at you, Lathiira!
(Don't get me wrong, it's a phenomenal series, but dang... that episode is emotionally harsh.)
...and now my day is complete. I feel better about myself as a human being. Thanks Shinmizu!
j/k
I'd add Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit to the list as well.
Female protagonist, good story, good voice acting and great animation.
I'd recommend When They Cry, both seasons for a strange mind twisting and sometimes violent adventure.
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Back in the day, I remember enjoying Dirty Pair, Project A-ko, and Venus Wars. Might be a bit difficult to find now, though.
I saw The Girl Who Lept Through Time and thought that it was well done.
I would strongly recommend Fullmetal Alchemist. Incredibly good (although creepy) writing and good animation.
I've asked our library to order the Death Note animated series. I saw the live action movie and was pleasantly surprised. If the animation series is even close, it should be really good.
I also remember seeing Origins. Worth seeing, but I wouldn't say that it was "fantastic".
I'm starting a netflix subscription next month and I am looking to expand my horizons. Never got into anime or manga, so I have no idea what is decent and what shines like a star. I really don't want to waste my time with cr*ptacular vids.
Also, what is a good site to go to to purchase anime and manga on dvd? Amazon doesn't seem to cater to it real well and should I get into an anthology or series I really like I may want to purchase it.
Only for the fact that I'm into Rockstar's stuff, I do recommend finding the short, "Princess Robot Bubblegum". Everything about anime from the US perspective is summarized here.
Back in the day, I remember enjoying Dirty Pair, Project A-ko, and Venus Wars.
I'm a huge Venus Wars fan. I'm still tracking down the original manga, parts I and II. I watch the movie about once a year, ditto with Project A-Ko.
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I'd recommend When They Cry, both seasons for a strange mind twisting and sometimes violent adventure.
Also When the Seagulls Cry by the same studio. (Umineko No Naku Koro Ni)
Season 2 needs to come out.
Also, on Fullmetal Alchemist, go with Brotherhood, the second series. It is much more expanded over the first series, and the first box set comes out this June/July.
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The Le Chevalier D'eon anime is well worth checking out. It's easily the best historical/fantasy/horror/political thriller/drama series released in recent years. High production values and distinct faces.
The manga on the other hand...not so much.
Also, Monster.
Also also, Lupin III.
Fans of Lodoss War may or may not be interested in checking out Rune Soldier Louie, a comedy set in the same universe. Features a wizard with min-maxed fighter stats.
I'd recommend Berserk, but with the warning that it will make you want to read the manga, it will turn your stomach at times, and you will not be able to quit the series because you'll wind up desperately wanting things to work out for the poor, poor main characters.
Token mention of the space-western troika, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Outlaw Star. 1998 was a good year.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex as well.
If you ever enjoyed watching giant robot cartoons as a kid, Gurren Lagann might be right up your alley. Alternately, if you just watched the original run of Evangelion and need to purge your system with sheer hotbloodedness, it is right up your alley. It's not referred to as the Anti-Evangelion for nothing.
Speaking of Gainax series that are good for the soul, Nadia and FLCL.
Paprika is simply pretty to look at.
And anything by Miyazaki, which just happens to include some Lupin III! Castle of Cagliostro is good fun.
Both Vampire Hunter D films are must-see movies for Castlevania fans.
Cromartie High School would not be at all out of place tucked between Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Sealab 2021.
And going back to Evangelion...if you've seen the original run and you felt that it was just maybe sort of a tad bit too downbeat, the series is being revisited in a series of four movies by the original director who now actually enjoys life. Even with all of the horrible crap happening in the movies, it's still much more optimistic than the original.
IMO what's good?
I like the following series:
Trigun (also the movie)
Cowboy Bebop (also a movie)
Outlaw Star
Samurai Champloo
InuYasha (the only anime my wife will watch with me)
Tactics
and what I've seen of Lupin III is pretty fun too.
And yes, I have a weak spot for Gundam Wing (there are lots of Gundam stories, so if you like giant robots, you can have lots of fun). Then again, the Universal Century Gundam series is fun, but you have to understand the war story they're trying to tell. G Gundam Fighter is silliness. And I've not seen the Gundam Seed series at all.
As far as movies are concerned:
Dominion Tank Police
Venus Wars
Akira (very twisted, but it sets a good tone).
Any Miyazaki movie, but Howl's Moving Castle is a personal favorite
Vampire Hunter D was my first anime,
and Barefooted Gen was the one that affected me most as a human being.
Mind you the Sci Fi channel had, at one point, a "Festival of Anime" (back in the day), and I watched it every year that it was on. It was awesome. I wish I could remember some of the movie names for you.
Later,
/d
My 2cp on some of the mentioned shows:
Escaflowne- TV series was fun, the movie, like most anime movies, tries to cram too much into too little time. Good animation though.
Akira- Excellent animation, but the story is convoluted and requires multiple viewings and perhaps reading the manga to fully grasp. Still, a classic work that has stood the test of time.
Evangelion- I've only seen the original series and thought it was excellent...up until the last couple episodes which are some of the worst things I've ever seen BAR NONE.
Patlabor- I have the first two movies, and both are great. The first is a great detective show, while the second is one of the most political animes ever. Both very Japanese in their directorial style.
Gurren Legan- Totally over the top and redicoulous, but somehow very moving nonetheless.
EDIT: A word of warning with anime series. A recurring trend is that they rarely have a satisfying ending. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a good show muck it up in the last two episodes. However, one of the most moving endings I can remember is for Chrono Crusade
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EDIT: A word of warning with anime series. A recurring trend is that they rarely have a satisfying ending. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a good show muck it up in the last two episodes. However, one of the most moving endings I can remember is for Chrono Crusade
** spoiler omitted **
Tends to happen a lot with anime based on a manga that is currently continuing. The anime often outpaces the manga, and the anime writers are left having to write filler stories or tack on an ending to a series well before the manga has gotten to, or passed, that point.
EDIT: A word of warning with anime series. A recurring trend is that they rarely have a satisfying ending. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a good show muck it up in the last two episodes. However, one of the most moving endings I can remember is for Chrono Crusade
** spoiler omitted **Tends to happen a lot with anime based on a manga that is currently continuing. The anime often outpaces the manga, and the anime writers are left having to write filler stories or tack on an ending to a series well before the manga has gotten to, or passed, that point.
I also find that Japanese stories are told a little differently to western stories, and sometimes they go in directions I don't quite expect or I have a little difficulty relating to. This is a good thing of course, as I find the stories refreshing and highly original.
I'd recommend Berserk, but with the warning that it will make you want to read the manga, it will turn your stomach at times, and you will not be able to quit the series because you'll wind up desperately wanting things to work out for the poor, poor main characters.
An additional warning is that while the manga will get you hooked if you like the anime, the really really annoying thing is that there are colossal delays from issue to issue.
I'd recommend Berserk, but with the warning that it will make you want to read the manga, it will turn your stomach at times, and you will not be able to quit the series because you'll wind up desperately wanting things to work out for the poor, poor main characters.An additional warning is that while the manga will get you hooked if you like the anime, the really really annoying thing is that there are colossal delays from issue to issue.
It's like Bastard for a new generation.
Fans of Lodoss War may or may not be interested in checking out Rune Soldier Louie, a comedy set in the same universe. Features a wizard with min-maxed fighter stats.
Another one of my favorites.
Not sure if it was mentioned but Now and Then, Here and there is also a good series to watch. It's a very deep and brutal look at war through a young persons eyes.
Oh yeah. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Absolutely beautiful "eye candy". I've watched it many times and I'm still not entirely sure what the plot is or how or why things transpire the way they do -- but it LOOKS really cool.
~laughter~ I am glad to know that I am not the only one scratching my head in confusion while enjoying the eye candy.
Not sure if it was mentioned but Now and Then, Here and there is also a good series to watch. It's a very deep and brutal look at war through a young persons eyes.
One of the most brutal things I've had to watch outside of Graveyard of the Fireflies- I wouldn't suggest this for those with issues with war.
1998 was a good year.
It's because I went to Japan that year. They loved me so much, they even produced Dance Dance Revolution for me that year!
So far, the stuff I've seen produced by Gonzo's been pretty good. Red Garden took a while to get going, but it was refreshing to see American characters that actually looked like Americans... differing skin shades, noses, hair color... not all melon-chested/super-ripped blondes.
Their adaptations of Romeo & Juliet and The Count of Monte Cristo (Gankutsuou) were quite bizarre and very enjoyable. (At the very least, Gankutsuou was a visual feast.)
Not sure if it was mentioned but Now and Then, Here and there is also a good series to watch. It's a very deep and brutal look at war through a young persons eyes.One of the most brutal things I've had to watch outside of Graveyard of the Fireflies- I wouldn't suggest this for those with issues with war.
Grave of the Fireflies is a hard movie to watch, but it's a really, really good movie, and produced many conflicting emotions in me about WW II. It shows that even in a "good war" or whatever you want to call it, things aren't always so cut and dry, good and evil. You get to see what it's like on the civilian end of the bombing runs.
So far, the stuff I've seen produced by Gonzo's been pretty good. Red Garden took a while to get going, but it was refreshing to see American characters that actually looked like Americans... differing skin shades, noses, hair color... not all melon-chested/super-ripped blondes.
*sniff*
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I watched a bit of manga back in the day - I'd strongly second the recommendations for the Patlabor and Appleseed movies and Akira. I liked Ghost In The Shell and Trigun as well. If I'd add anything, I liked the first Ninja Scroll film (but the second one was pure garbage). Never saw any series, so I can't add anything there.