Anime: Whatcha watching?

[glaman5266]

I also tried getting into two other animes that seem to be really popular, My Hero Academy and JoJo. I guess I’m just not into modern anime.

I absolutely hear you on this. There are so many newer titles that just crank out episodes like it's no one's business & the lowest common denominators continue to lap it up. I realize I probably sound rather insulting when I say that, but I think it's a big issue in today's anime. Japan is cranking it out as fast as they can & IMO the quality has generally gone downhill over the last maybe 15 years. We need studios to actually have good writing & world development, and incorporate good CGI (a big sticking point for me). I realize CGI is the way it's done these days, but when I watch newer titles like Attack on Titan I just cringe. Most things Netflix puts out as well. I have a hard time watching any Netflix original anime. I find one that looks good on paper, but I watch the first couple episodes & lose all desire to go further due to the odd (to me) writing & poor CGI.

I too have tried newer major titles- Fairy Tail, One Piece, Gin Tama, MHA... only to watch a few episodes & lose interest. Stuff needs to grab me within the first couple episodes for me to keep watching. And the amount of filler is obnoxious in the case of the hundreds-episodes-long titles.The only newer title I've actually watched most of is MHA. The newer Fruits Basket is pretty good too, but I have yet to watch season 3 (the final one). Aside from that, nothing else maintains my interest.

IMO it's hard to find a super good anime nowadays, unlike from the late '90s through the mid-2000s.

[Jonnydread]

I don't know exactly what kind of anime I like as a standard, but I have found that I need something entirely different (a la Mushishi) or something dark/violent. I've tried to watch a few popular animes, but when they're too cheery without being balanced out by some darkness I get restless and can't engage.

[the_matrix_guy]

Yeah man, same here, probably why I am a huge fan of Berserk, Ninja Scroll, etc. Also for video games and movies, I like dark and gritty. Like I can see the appeal in Zelda but I will choose to play Witcher every-time.

[the_matrix_guy]

glaman5266

Yeah we are definitely like-minded, I feel the same, quality has definitely gone down. Just the music alone was way better. Saint Seiya, for instance, had a professional philharmonic orchestra music score. But in regards to One Piece, I would say that One Piece is actually old school, I believe its Shonen Manga debut was in the mid 90's and the anime debut was in 99 and its considered one of "(New) Big Three" with Naruto and Bleach. The previous big three worldwide mega-hits from the late 80's to mid 90's being Dragon ball/DBZ, Saint Seiya, and Sailor Moon. But yeah I'm not that into Naruto, One Piece, or Bleach myself. they are better than the new stuff coming out now but just not my all time faves.

Which BTW, for any old-school anime and Dragon ball power fantasy fans: I highly recommend Saint Seiya. Its been described as a mixture of Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken) and Sailor Moon, but that description is a bit of a misnomer. The anime is an absolute masterpiece. The only thing about Saint Seiya is that the quality of the anime and production varies a lot. But the original '87 anime and a couple of the movies are still considered some of the best anime of all time. That being said, the original 87 anime hasnt aged so well, the first two arcs especially. The animation in the first 40 episodes is really old, and story is so-so. But by the time the series enters the Sanctuary Arc (around the 50-ish episode), it becomes one of the best animes ever. Even the animation improves quite a bit from the original two arcs in 87-88, to the 50-ish episode of the introduction of the sanctuary arc in 89-90. So if you can push through the first 50 episodes, I think you'll be rewarded with one of the best classic anime experiences of all time. Saint Seiya is up there with Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball in terms of world wide popularity, and with good reason. The music score alone of this Toei classic is some of the best anime music ever. The animation as well. A lot of the iconic Dragon Ball (Japanese) voice actors are in SS. The voice of Seiya is none other than Toru Furuya (of Yamucha DB/DBZ And Tuxedo/Sailor Moon renown), Sheiryu is voiced by the original Tien-Shinhan voice actor before he passed in 2006, and Ryō Horikawa who voices Vegeta, voiced Shun no Andromeda -- who is a beloved but effeminate and androgynous character and unless you were told before hand you'd never know it was the same voice actor. Ryo has some of the biggest range and is definitely one of the most talented voice actors.

Just for shits n giggles, listen to him voice Andromeda Shun:

And then Vegeta:

And just an idea of a Saint Seiya fight sequence (Sanctuary Arc): this one of the 12 Gold Saints, Virgo Shaka versus Ikki Phoenix. The anime is based on both Greek/Roman and Norse mythology, each saint is a reincarnated god or god-warrior and only a select few are granted Myth Cloths (armor), each Myth Cloth is a living, breathing artifact that represents a constellation and/or zodiac sign:

They edited to make it a short video, just FYI hence why it skips. You could also start SS with the 2004 movie Seinto Seiya: Tenkai-hen joso - (Heaven) Overture. Its the only movie thats cannon and takes place after all of the events in the anime, including the last battle vs Hades -- but you could still watch it. I've actually turned a lot of people unto the anime with this movie. Also, its the last production with the original Japanese voice cast. But the quintessential SS experience will forever be the (Sanctuary Arc) 12 Gold Saint sanctuary battle. Thats some of the best anime of all time.

Saint Seiya (1987) OST:

[Tarsun2]

wow, yeah you guys aint kidding..
i watch attack on titan and dorohedoro and am blown away. i then try and watch some of the older stuff and cant do it. lol

maybe because i dont read the original manga and because before 86, i wasnt born yet; so i got no real connection with it or really that style of animation or music. i remember DOOM and DOOM II and couldnt understand why everyone was making such a big deal about the music...

i like the newer stuff for what its worth but find myself googling what makes certain anima' so good. From what i can gather, if the manga was followed closely and the manga stood on its own, chances are, the anima' will also be good. but things like netflix originals that were created to sell dont have a strong footing to stand on and lack luster.

[the_matrix_guy]

I actually do like Dorohedoro, I’m rewatching it now dubbed, I usually watch everything subbed, but it does have a decent DUB. That said, we were actually saying the opposite. I hate AOT and most of the new animes that seem to be really popular like JoJo, Tokyo Ghoul, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer. Cant get into ‘em.

[glaman5266]

the_matrix_guy If/when you get around to watching FMA:Brotherhood I'd suggest watching it dubbed. It's pretty good IMO. Slayers as well. Slayers is rocky at first, but give it a chance. They work well after a while. Hits it's stride in Slayers: Next.

[the_matrix_guy]

glaman5266, awesome, actually yeah thanks for reminding me, I’ll download it today 😎

[SignOfZeta]

The best anime are usually not based on manga. Anime based on a manga that is already popular is a financial decision not an artistic one.

There are of course exceptions, Nausicaa being a big one, Ghost in the Shell is another. And there are of course plenty of Gundam manga even though Gundam is not based on a manga originally, but what’s the point of watching (zero budget) Fist of the North Star or Ranma anime if you already read it?

If you’re ready for the next level, check out Angel’s Egg or Memories.

[the_matrix_guy]

Not sure about that, 99% of anime is based on manga. The exceptions are too few and far in between.

IMO watching anime is way better, not only cause everything comes to life especially action sequences but the music and overall immersiveness. You dont get maestro level compositions like Seiji Motoyama’s legendary anime music in the manga.

[Jonnydread]

I can't remember if it was mentioned or not, but the Hellsing Ultimate OVA series is amazing

[the_matrix_guy]

Dang that actually looks really good, adding it to the list

[Jonnydread]

the_matrix_guy it's fantastic. The original series was decent, but the OVAs are next level.

[chrislognshot]

right now what ever on adult swim.

[the_matrix_guy]

We powered through the first season of Demon Slayer since its on Netflix. It’s actually very watchable—but my initial impression remained, that it’s pretty mediocre (especially if you’re stacking it up against the all time favorites battle-Shonens like Naruto.) But out of the cookie-cutter clones it’s probably a little better. It’s actually very similar, even in animation style to the new-ish 2016 Berserk series which was not received well at all by Berserk fans — and with good reason — it pales in comparison in every regard to the original story, in everything: writing, story telling, and even animation style.

But if you like Demon Slayer then yeah give Berserk a go, just make sure you start with the three OVA movies. The 2016 series as mediocre (an clone-ish) as it is, follows the events of the original manga and anime. But like I said, it’s actually very similar in animation and writing styles.

And of course, similar to all the other cookie cutter power-fantasy battle shonen like Goblin Slayer, Black Clover, Blue Exorcist, etc.

I also recommend Project K (2013) It breaks out of the mold with a murder mystery whodunnit and has some pretty neat animation and flare. Have you guys seen it? The first season was on Netflix for a while but the licensing expired about a year ago. And it’s considered a shounen/shoujo/seinen hybrid intended for all demographics.

[Bow]

One Piece is the GOAT. JJBA is a very close second, I didn't like JJBA at first, but trucked through to part 2 and fell in love.



A list of my watches off the top of my head.
Black Bullet - has some pretty funny crude humor and an interesting plot

Tokyo Revengers - haven't finished it, but pretty cool

Konosuba - Hilarious; seriously, well worth the watch. Movie is hilarious too.

So i'm a spider, so what? - interesting take on the other world series, excited for more.

That time I reincarnated as a slime - really cool first episode with cool world building

Charlotte - another HS powers anime, but had a great ending

Re:Zero starting life in another world - Gets dark seeing the MC slowly go insane.

Ascendance of a bookworm - about an avid reader going to a world in low medieval fantasy where books are expensive and nobody can read.

Rising of the shield hero - I am so hyped to see season two. So good.

Overlord - one of the best Isekai animes IMHO funny but neat.

Is it wrong to try and pick up girls in a dungeon? - cute adventure anime

Akame ga kill - really cool lighthearted adventure turns around and says F you to the protagonist. Dark and gritty.

Kaiji - old gambling anime I think they based Squid game off of. Came out before SG and shares many traits. Great watch.

Trigun - it's Trigun. Watch it if you haven't.

One punch man - great anime

Mob Psycho 100 - same mangeka as OPM, different story, cool premise.

Cannon busters - Netflix anime that combined bebop and Trigun. Loved it.

Case closed - one of the first animes I remember, but I haven't watched in years.

Lupin the third - absolutely classic series and movies, the new 3d movie was so inline with lupin and he translated so well into 3d.

Steins gate - depressing story but really good.

Erased- Netflix original that was super good.

Death parade - had one of my favorite bands for the intro, pretty neat plot.

GATE - cool modern military vs fantasy and the following politics anime

Girls UND Panzer- cute HS girls anime about tanks and mock battles.

Desert Punk - cool.

Fist of the North Star - worth the watch for the memes alone.

Little Witch Academia - holy shit, how could I forget one of the cutest and most feel good anime series I've ever seen. So hype Netflix bought it.

Parasite - cool body horror type anime.

Tokyo Ghoul - anime about a guy stuck between the world of ghouls and humans.

Grimgar: Of Fantasy and Ash - keeps you on your toes.

Yu Yu Hakusho - what a classic.

Great teacher Onizuka - amazing anime.

Cowboy bebop - one of the GOATs of anime.

Code Geass- so freaking good. Political drama disguised as a Mecha anime.

Devil is a part timer - revers Isekai, the devil gets teleported to earth and needs to get a regular job.

Eye shield 21 - American football anime.

Space Dandy - haven't finished it, need to hop back on. Really funny.


Movies you should check out, regardless of tastes;

Redline - probably my favorite anime movie, seen it like 100 times.

Your name - good one, lots of people like it.

Weathering with you - cute story with incredible animation.

The Boy and the Beast - great film

Grave of the fireflies - everyone needs to see it once

Paprika - same guys as Redline



I need to watch;
Bingo Stray Dogs
Banana Fish

[Jonnydread]

Ooh I forgot about Parasyte, that was a solid one. The intro music gets me super amped.

[the_matrix_guy]

Cowboy Bebop one of the GOATs? Hell yeah. We agree. I have seen Trigun, I like it, its very light hearted similar to One Piece.

[glaman5266]

Ahahaha, Desert Punk. One of my favorites when I'm in a mood for something crass, shameless & loaded with innuendo.

[Tarsun2]

thats your "off the top of my head" list...
lol

[Bow]

Yeah, I'm a Filthy Closet weeb. Lol

[the_matrix_guy]

I have Slayers and Rurouni Kenshin / Samurai X downloaded. Watching those next, but we’re watching Kuroko’s Basketball on Netflix. I like sports animes. My friend recommended Days. I was a huge Captain Tsubasa fan growing up

[Jonnydread]

Oh dude if you're into sports animes you gotta watch Ippo. It's a boxing anime and it's amazing. I don't like most sports (boxing included) and I loved it.

[glaman5266]

On Samurai X- I'm not a fan of feudal Japan settings, but that one is pretty darn good. For the Ruroni Kenshin series I prefer the English dub, though I haven't seen beyond the first 15 episodes or so. Decent, judging from what I've seen.

[the_matrix_guy]

glaman5266 Yeah same here, as I mentioned in my OP, I was never able to get into Naruto, Inuyasha, or Samurai Shamploo even though they are considered among the best animes of all time. The only two I have liked are Basilisk which is a short 12 OVA series and its like a cross between Fist of the North Star and Ninja Scroll. And also, of course, Ninja Scroll (1993 movie). But a friend recommended Samurai X knowing this, I also appreciate the historical elements of it being loosely based on the Bakumatsu / Meiji Revolution and Hitokiri Battousai. For feudal Japan and Chinese settings i like to stick to real cinema.

[anson]

Just finished "Vinland Saga" and I loved it.

[Tarsun2]

did anyone else fall in love with Arcane?

[chrislognshot]

facebook up 1033 for one piece one shows and what ever adult swim has.