Author Topic: What Anime are you watching? (Read 1377373 times)

B E C K · « **Reply #2250 on:** Sep 13, 2016, 03:19:44 PM »

Yeah, it's hugely convoluted. It had some potential but alas...

Quote from: joerammstein on Sep 13, 2016, 05:20:19 AM

The whole concept of people trapped on an island killing each other off reminds me of Danganronpa. Are you familiar with that one?

Nope, but I looked it up. Curious at to who the VAs are, I scanned the cast list:

Quote from: Wikipedier

Makoto Naegi (苗木誠 Naegi Makoto?)
Voiced by: Megumi Ogata (Japanese); Bryce Papenbrook (English)

Well, can't watch this in English anyway.

Quote

I finished Madoka. Got a little emotional at the end there. Anytime someone takes something that has become rote, and tries to do something unique with it, I respect the effort.

Same here. Overall, I didn't care for it but they get a big thumbs up for the concept.

Quote

I was going to watch Eden of the East, but it's not on Netflix anymore! Any recommendations?

Recommendations on Netflix anime or just recommendations in general? On Netflix there's Ajin, Seven Deadly Sins, Magi: Adventure of Sinbad, and Kuromukuro. I haven't seen the last one and the last two don't have dubs fyi, but they should be available on your Maple Syrup Netflix since Netflix acquired exclusive streaming rights to all four. The first two have decent English dubs, even with Papenbrook contamination.

Off Netflix, uh, have you watched Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress yet?

joe · « **Reply #2251 on:** Sep 13, 2016, 05:17:31 PM »

It's festering on my external HDD. Maybe I'll watch that next.

The thing that really gets me is that I had Eden for the longest time, but then I got rid of it in The Great Purge. Same with Fujiko Mine. Kicking myself over those.

Rodent of Unusual Size · « **Reply #2252 on:** Sep 13, 2016, 10:16:40 PM »

Fujiko Mine was not among my favorite shows. I did download the new Lupin season, but I have yet to watch it.

Speaking of such I picked up Eden of the East but it still sitting on my server waiting to be watched.

B E C K · « **Reply #2253 on:** Sep 14, 2016, 12:14:35 AM »

I recall Eden of the East being recommended to me many a time but I never had any interest in watching it. Even a quick Google search and read up of it is kinda putting me to sleep.

B E C K · « **Reply #2254 on:** Sep 16, 2016, 03:38:20 PM »

Started Kuromukuro but don't see myself finishing it. It feels generic to me. I have it playing in the background right now. Not really invested in the cardboard MC or anything that's happening here. The mech-thingies are kinda cool but that's it.

B E C K · « **Reply #2255 on:** Sep 17, 2016, 04:54:49 PM »

Jojo-ramram, did you ever watch One Outs? Where Xanatos's Japanese cousin plays baseball?

joe · « **Reply #2256 on:** Sep 18, 2016, 01:00:08 AM »

What the heck? The bad guy from Gargoyles?

B E C K · « **Reply #2257 on:** Sep 18, 2016, 03:36:43 AM »

Yeah, because the MC in One Outs is a manipulative genius.

B E C K · « **Reply #2258 on:** Sep 19, 2016, 01:10:59 AM »

Also, maybe should warn you, the OP is a little... odd. Lots of super-skinny, shirtless Tokuchi for some reason. I discovered the series on YouTube and someone had strung together the episodes in a way that omitted the first couple of minutes and the first last minutes, cutting off the OP and ED so I never saw those until way after I had seen the whole series. Like I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, it can get a little "over-explainy" at times but it's cool how he overcomes his opponents. And the first few episodes move things kinda slow, I think.

ワンナウツ 4+5+6 (One Outs Episodes 4-5-6)

The MC is a gambler recruited by the star player of a baseball team but instead of taking a regular salary, he has a special One Outs contract with the team owner. Once the team owner realizes what a great player Tokuchi is and how much money the owner stands to lose, he actively works against Tokuchi. So Tokuchi has to one-up not just his opponent but the team owner (the actual antagonist) who keeps trying to screw him over. And he's uber-chill while doing it.

B E C K · « **Reply #2259 on:** Sep 21, 2016, 02:54:48 PM »

UGH. Ok, so looking for shows similar to One Outs--in that they use tricks and psychology, not another baseball anime necessarily--I came across Kaiji and Akagi. Both by the same author, both starring the same voice actor Masato Hagiwara (who also plays the MC Tokuchi Toua in One Outs), and both supposedly are full of "mind games" or whatever so I thought I'd give 'em a try. I started with Kaiji.

Now, before I continue, if you google Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji, you'll see a bunch of 8/10, 4/5, 9/10 whatever-star reviews. "Why aren't more people watching this show?" Shit thrown about like "tactics" and "emotional thriller." I tried to find a negative review and couldn't (granted I didn't search that long or anything). I mean, there are a handful on MAL, but for every one of those there are several good ones. One of the lower reviews even said how much the reviewer enjoyed the first arc. I can only conclude I didn't get my dose of Koolaid today because I found it all really, really stupid. 10 eps in, it just fails all of my tests for enjoyment and I'm dropping this shit.

- Does the show look nice? Not really. Odd art. But I could live with that if...
- Is the MC cool? No, he's pathetic. He whines. He cries. He's lazy. He's a pathetic petty vandal. Not really as smart as he needed to be.
- Does the MC grow during the course of the series? He was just as stupid in the beginning as he was in the ep I left off at.
- Ok, um, well, was ANYONE likable? Nope. I hated everyone I saw. I HATED EVERYONE I SAW.
- What about the mind games and tactics? Mostly shit in the eps I saw.
- Is it at least an "emotional thriller?" If "emotional thriller" means grown men whine and cry a lot, then yes.

--RANTY MCRANT ONLY ONE PERSON ASIDE FROM ME WILL PROBS READ BUT, YOU KNOW, WHTEVER--

The MC is dragged into some game on a ship because he co-signed some loan that's now blown up to a 3 million yen debt. Winning the game will clear his debt. The game itself and all of the weird rules was actually interesting, which is the only reason I stayed with this 10 episodes. But how the game is played is fuckin' shitty. The MC is immediately swindled (FOOLISHLY) and cries. The MC has several thoughts along the course of the game that are interesting but the ideas are always half-executed. Team up with others, get immediately betrayed and forgive the betrayer. Buy up all of one card, so does someone else. Instead of being a smart gambler (although he sometimes is) he leaves things to chance too much. He only manages to expose the swindler character later because the stupid swindler made an idiotic slip of the tongue. But the MC doesn't manage to do this until he gets swindled by the same fucking guy AGAIN and cries.

Not that there aren't flashes of brilliance here and there, but they're too short. How he beats the other dude buying up cards was kinda neat, I guess. In the end, he still doesn't save himself because every ally he makes backstabs him. Why does he trust these fools? He loses the game and later fuckin' steals a bandage full of jewels off a naked guy's back and convinces two strangers to save him. That's what the "mind games" and the "tactics" result in. Steal the fucking bandage that happened to be taped on the back of the naked guy. Then ask two strangers to save you. What an asspull! Then the MC has a breakdown and saves some other rando he just met with money that could've been used to whittle down his debt. In the end, he has no nakama and now owes twice as much money as he did before! So of course he proceeds to play more games. Fuck this.

People who like this remind me of people who liked Inception. Granted it was a good idea and interesting premise, but I just found the whole thing crappy. At one point, it takes several minutes to flip over a fucking card. And the narration is super dramatic, with dramatic visuals to go with it. Too damn dramatic. Now I'm hesitant to try Akagi. It'll probably be more of the same shit.

--END RANTY MCRIB RANT--

And, er, that's muh story.

I'm watching One Outs for the nth time to wash this shit outta my brain.

One Outs - Tokuchi throwing bat

B E C K · « **Reply #2260 on:** Sep 21, 2016, 03:42:07 PM »

Yay, I finally found someone else annoyed with Kaiji. (Also ten episodes in, so they were duped into watching until the end of the arc like I was.)

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/2000121-anime-and-manga-other-titles/65314180
Different thread but, I dunno, kinda seems like the same person to me: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/2000121-anime-and-manga-other-titles/70445602

B E C K · « **Reply #2261 on:** Sep 24, 2016, 03:12:34 AM »

All righty, so I watched a bunch of Akagi. Firstly, I do think it's superior to Kaiji overall. It's much better at suspense for being centered on mahjong, probably due to the yakuza element. Secondly, the MC actually isn't that much more likable than Kaiji. Where Kaiji was a foolish, crying whiner, Akagi's too nihilistic and willing to die over even the most insignificant gambles. However, he's smarter while playing so that makes him far less annoying than Kaiji. Thirdly, the first half of Akagi is great. Eps 1-13 could've been its own stand-alone thing and the viewer can get away with watching only those because the last half is shit. In episode 14, a crazed murderer is introduced as Akagi's next opponent. It's actually interesting in premise until you realize the rest of the anime (until episode 26) is going to focus on this entire plot line. When the anime was made, this last mahjong match was not yet concluded and the anime does not make up an ending. I can't even find out if it's still ongoing because it remained ongoing for years and about 18 manga volumes, making it one the longest, most drawn out games of fucking mahjong ever. Are you frickin' kidding me? It too bad because by episode thirteen, I was really drawn into things. Then this ridiculous, never-ending mahjong match occurs.

joe · « **Reply #2262 on:** Sep 27, 2016, 12:45:00 AM »

I finished watching Shiro T Poison! Overall, I'd say it was preeeeeetty gooooood. Yup.

Oh yeah, also finished Berserk. Or, what's available of it so far. I still think the story is mostly great, and it manages to shine through a lot of the time, but man that CG animation is just awful. And they got Susumu Hirasawa to do some new music, and that's fine, but the way they use it is just ugh. It's like it's supposed to be the MC's battle theme or whatever, but it just isn't that kind of song even, and it comes up way too often. Bad. Bad, bad.

B E C K · « **Reply #2263 on:** Sep 27, 2016, 04:11:07 AM »

Quote from: joerammstein on Sep 27, 2016, 12:45:00 AM

I finished watching Shiro T Poison! Overall, I'd say it was preeeeeetty gooooood. Yup.

Argh, I forgot. Last episode for now, right?

joe · « **Reply #2264 on:** Sep 27, 2016, 09:19:12 AM »

Yeah boyeeeeee. I mean gurrrrrrl.

I was becoming bored with JoJo, but now that they're finally into the meat of the central conflict, I'm hooked again. Many truly badass confrontations to be had.

B E C K · « **Reply #2265 on:** Oct 01, 2016, 03:18:30 AM »

I watched some of Katanagatari. Kinda like with Madoka Magica, I appreciated that it was being something different. I'm not actually sure I enjoyed it tho'. I was kinda bored. I love the look of it so there's that. Sometimes, it was like the characters on the screen just sit there like they're contractually obligated to stretch out their scenes and fulfill the longer running time.

I also watched some of Rage of Bahamut. I'm not sure about this one. The story's not really pulling me in. I like it better when it doesn't leave the main character. Like I get there's a whole giant battle at the beginning to get the viewer hyped or whatev, but I felt so impatient watching that shit. Like, I don't give a shit so get started with the story. It's sorta a peeve of mine now when shows and movies start with the epic-looking shit instead of ramping up to it. You need to earn those feels, bro.

I also saw some of The Irregular at Magic High School but won't be continuing it unless I need some background fodder. I found some of the side characters more interesting than the mains but the dull brother and sister are who this is about so fuck it. It seemed the overall story could've been simplified somewhat. Is this about the blooms vs weeds bullshit? Is this about a brother and a sister? Is this about a terrorist group? Is this about the acceptance of one who was deemed unexceptional? Sometimes it seems very slice of life and other times it's hinting at something bigger. It's going on too many tangents. Also, I hate the uniforms.

I started Aldnoah.Zero. Only got one ep in before the TheraFlu gave me the drowsies so I'll have to continue to see if I feel like sticking with it any further.

joe · « **Reply #2266 on:** Oct 01, 2016, 07:09:49 PM »

Quick question: do you pronounce it ba-HA-mutt, or BA-ha-moot?

B E C K · « **Reply #2267 on:** Oct 02, 2016, 03:47:32 AM »

Neither. Ba-HA-moot. The first vowel sound is short, the emphasis is on the second vowel, and the last vowel is lengthened.

Rama · « **Reply #2268 on:** Oct 02, 2016, 09:50:18 AM »

For some reason all of that sounded gross....even though it wasn't.

B E C K · « **Reply #2269 on:** Oct 02, 2016, 11:48:04 PM »

Quiet, Ra-MA-moot.

joe · « **Reply #2270 on:** Oct 03, 2016, 01:45:18 AM »

I've been saying mutt forever and I'll never stop.

B E C K · « **Reply #2271 on:** Oct 03, 2016, 02:49:07 AM »

Joeramm-moot.

B E C K · « **Reply #2272 on:** Oct 04, 2016, 01:26:10 AM »

Aldnoah.Zero is surprising me. I expected to dump this one or get bored. It has mechs, which have never been a go-to genre for me. It has a dull Gary Stu-ish kid MC with a slightly-too-peppy sister. The vet who killed his best friend just gets on my nerves. He reminds me of Kaji in NGE without a shave and extra PTSD. Also, there are some shots which are obviously cringey fanservice some animator or storyboard person snuck into the show. The dub also has freakin' Papenbrook (but not as the mc, thank god).

But for all of that, the show is constructed in a very engaging way. Each episode left me wanting to see the next. While on first impression the villains appear to be eyeroll-inducing mustache twirlers, I actually felt bad for most of them before their inevitable bump off. They are written above standard. The show also shares that characteristic in Fate/Zero where we have multiple focuses. We're not just stuck on a single character but get to explore the issues and perspective of multiple characters. (Even tho' cardboard kid is undeniably the mc.) The director and the creator also worked on Fate/Zero, with the creator being none other than Urobutcher. So I'm sensing I'm in for some heartbreak as we get to the later episodes.

B E C K · « **Reply #2273 on:** Oct 04, 2016, 01:32:52 AM »

Oh, yeah, and in case anyone missed this, this is a thing:

Funi not only acquired Escaflowne, but launched a Kickstarter to do a redub (that decision had something to do with bonus footage, if I understood correctly). I don't get this whole "Introducting Aaron Dismuke and Caitin Glass" thing in the trailer, tho'. They've been voicing shit for years.

joe · « **Reply #2274 on:** Oct 04, 2016, 06:08:04 PM »

That looks pretty nice. I remember later there was a show called Heat Guy J, that I think shared a character designer with Escaflowne, but the animation itself had already entered into the digital age, so it mostly looked like ass.

Also, can Escaflowne be credited as the originator of abstract mecha design, or had that been going on already? You know what I mean right? Like, it's almost ornamental in nature. I don't care for it at all, and there seemed to be a proliferation of it following that show.

joe · « **Reply #2275 on:** Oct 04, 2016, 07:43:50 PM »

Also, the still for that video is very unfortunate. Looks like some kind of gruesome hentai or something. What was that one? Bible Black?

I watched the first episode of Gakuen Handsome. Jesus. I know the look is intentional, but I can only be expected to go so far for a joke. Will not watch again.

Rodent of Unusual Size · « **Reply #2276 on:** Oct 04, 2016, 08:24:21 PM »

Vision of Escaflowne is a classic anime that should be required viewing. And I shall procure this HD edition. But, to be honest, I'm just fine with the old Ocean Group dub.

B E C K · « **Reply #2277 on:** Oct 05, 2016, 01:44:49 AM »

Quote from: joerammstein on Oct 04, 2016, 07:43:50 PM

Also, the still for that video is very unfortunate. Looks like some kind of gruesome hentai or something.

Yeah, I could swear that's one of the randos in Dilandau's group when they get slaughtered by Van. What a weird still to have.

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I watched the first episode of Gakuen Handsome. Jesus. I know the look is intentional, but I can only be expected to go so far for a joke. Will not watch again.

Yeah, the look was an immediate pass. I don't care if that's shallow or not.

Quote

Vision of Escaflowne is a classic anime that should be required viewing. And I shall procure this HD edition. But, to be honest, I'm just fine with the old Ocean Group dub.

Even though that dub gets Drummond points from me, their use of Genki from Monster Rancher as Dilandau was such a massive 'no' to me. Which was a shame because Kelly Sheridan as Hitomi, Kirby Morrow as Van, Paul Dobson as Folken, and Venus Terzo as Millerna were all so nicely casted, I thought. Now we have Winry as Hitomi, First Alphonse as Van, Ed Elric as Folken, and Riza Hawkeye as Millerna with Maes Hughes as Allen. In other words, the main cast is now a Fullmetal Alchemist reunion. MEH. If we were gonna us Funimation's usual suspects anyway, I would've preferred Tia Ballard as Hitomi, Haberkorn as Van, Sabat as Folken, Laura Bailey as Millerna, and Chris Patton as Allen. Although I don't think Laura Bailey does anything for Funi anymore, so whoever can do a similar husky voice like she used for Lust. I'm genuinely interested in Joel McDonald's Dilandau. Maybe that would've been a better role for Haberkorn. Oh, well. I wonder who Miguel's voice is gonna be. A minor character, I know, but I'm still curious.

Man, I'm continuing Aldnoah.Zero and already into the second season, and it's like someone said "how can we make this Stu here even stuwier" with that new eyeball and the ability to powet the ship. And then in the next ep when his buddy's all "lol, ur soooo Odin, bro." I still like this show but so much facepalm there.

B E C K · « **Reply #2278 on:** Oct 07, 2016, 08:55:22 PM »

Okay, so having finally finished Aldnoah.Zero, I have to say there's a dip in quality. It's odd. Season 1 (Cour 1) was 9/10 from the brisk pace to the Kalafina opening music (and the ending themes).

With S2 (Cour 2), it began moving very slowly. We had a time jump and a change of situation. I lost hype without the Kalafina music and I wish they hadn't changed openings. Worst offense, I think...

OBLIGATORY
SPOILER
SPACE
FOR
ANIME
OVER
A
YEAR
OLD
BUT
WHATEVER

...was that not enough named Earth people died for a war anime. Marito or Humeray's sister. Inaho or Yuki. Inko or Rayet. Pigtails or Calm. From these eight alone, it was telegraphed at least three of them would probably not live. Instead, we lost of a bunch of red shirts for the remainder of the show, which felt cheap. Inaho, the MC, pretty much saves everyone with his autism and his magic eye. It's bad enough to not have the balls to kill off one or two more of the good guys, but then to limit their contributions to the battle. I mean, no one else could science? Meh. And then this whole "save the bad guy Slaine" business in which "saving" means rotting in prision and blaming him for everything. Yuck. The Martians gave up too easily. Slaine gave up too easily. There was just a lot of lost potential, I think. To where the second half like's 4/10 or 5/10.

Found this an interesting read:
The truth about Urobuchi Gen’s involvement in Aldnoah.Zero

B E C K · « **Reply #2279 on:** Oct 07, 2016, 09:48:12 PM »

I'm watching Drifters now and it seems it doesn't know what the hell it wants to be. It gets serious and bloody and then we have goofy scenes and comedic expressions. Mmm, okay?

Also tried All Out!! the rugby anime. I liked the main character but I was sorta bored.

Also tried getting back into Haikyuu with it's new 10 ep season. Wasn't really feeling it but it was like visiting an old friend, too. I still haven't finished S2.

Also... did not know this: Little Witch Academia the Series coming to Netflix in 2017.