Anime recommendations

[Bzalthek]

baka-updates is what I use.  Animesuki and AnimeTake are also options.  I don't really care if the series is licensed or not, but if it's decent enough that I want to watch it to its conclusion then I will buy the anime once it is distributed in NA.

[Dion]

baka-updates is what I use.  Animesuki and AnimeTake are also options.  I don't really care if the series is licensed or not, but if it's decent enough that I want to watch it to its conclusion then I will buy the anime once it is distributed in NA.

Most shit dosen't reach Europe, especially not Sweden, so my options are pretty much DLing or GTFO...

[stray]

Well, since you're new, you should check out some of the classics. Well, modern classics at least (90's and afterwards). Fortunately these are easier to find (legitimately and otherwise):

Studio Ghibli movies.. Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies, etc.. Basically the pinnacle of anime with crossover appeal and high production values (I think even Disney helps distribute them.. although they're not typical family movies by any shot).

Cowboy Bebop - There isn't anything cooler before or since.

Vampire Hunter D

Ninja Scroll


Some people would put Ghost in the Shell up there as a modern classic, but I have no clue why. The Laughing Man stuff is cool, but I think it's pretty much unwatchable.

[Rendakor]

Since we're talking about classics, I can't resist the urge to suggest Neon Genesis: Evangelion. Excellent mecha show that's deeper than just ZOMG GIANT ROBOTS !
FLCL is another great one: a coming of age show on an LSD trip.

[DLRiley]

Neon Genesis: Evangelion is turd. Just save yourself some time and look at the ending. No matter how many episodes you watch before that, it won't matter.

[stray]

I've taken plenty of acid and FLCL is still too much for me to bear. 

[Bzalthek]

Fuck the classics.  Go straight to Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.  Do not pass go.  Do not collect $200. 

THEN, Akira, Ninja Scroll (movie), FLCL, etc.

[stray]

Wow, gurren laggan is that great to you? Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it.. Just kind of surprised, and think it's somewhat for an acquired taste and somewhat inside jokey for fans of an already existing genre.

[Bzalthek]

It's got a little hokey and a little corny, and a good dash of fan service.  But it's one of those animes that start out cute and just rolls into awesome. 

I'm also a sucker for rooting for the little guy.

But "Who the fuck do you think I am!?" (paraphrased) is the line that keeps me a fan forever.

[stray]

Fair enough! I'll cheer for the little guy myself.. SPOILER:

[Bzalthek]

Heh, time to fire up the series again.  I can't talk about it too much without watching it again.

[rk47]

I didn't like it either (Gurenn)

[Hindenburg]

THEN, Akira

Anyone that watches akira instead of reading it deserves to be shot.

[stray]

The comics were my first exposure to Akira (picked up on a whim when I was a wee little comic fan), but I don't particularly care for either a whole lot. I do have a bad memory with the anime though. I remember getting way too stoned, coupled with the fact that I was lying on someone's dirty couch watching it, and got a stye in my eye. I felt as bad as Tetsuo. The whole ordeal has made me never revisit it since (this is at least 16 years.. maybe I'll appreciate it now, I don't know).

[Bzalthek]

Akira was more of a nostaligia thing.  Though I enjoyed using it as a dub/sub example.  At one time I had both the sub and dub on VHS and I would play them back to back to show exactly how retarded they dubbed shit.

I watched it a couple months ago.  I found it to be tediously long and drawn out.  Though I would still recommend it to anyone who has yet to see it.

And fuck comics, this is a god damned anime thread.

[Bismallah]

To Dion I would also suggest trying to find Last Exile. Good story line and decent characters. I use dattebayo but that's because the bulk of my downloads are keeping up with Bleach and Naruto (both of which are not toooooo bad, they have their sucky points but whichever).

If I had to have someone sit down though and watch Anime who didnt know a lot about it, I would start with the Ghbli stuff like someone said before. Spirited Away, Mononoke, awesome stuff. Then a series like Last Exile, not too intense, then maybe FMA (even though its longer). FMA for me was just incredible. The movie kind of tied it up for me so that was good too (Shambala).

Anyhow, if anyone is heading to Otakon shoot me a PM. I should be there Fri/Sat/Sun.

[Dion]

Thanks for all the tips

I've actually seen some stuff, see last page 

I tried to watch a few episodes of Cowboy Beebop but I didn't like it at all even tho the music is pretty cool. I've also watched ten episodes or so of Neon Genesis and I haven't really got into it yet, it's too much Japanese cuteness/humor for me. I saw Ghost in the Shell the movie and I really enjoyed the music and action. Especially the music.

This is my line-up right now:

Paranoia Agent
Serial Experiments Lain
Princess Mononoke
Grave of the Fireflies
FLCL
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Akira
Ninja Scroll
Last Exile

[stray]

You can't be my friend if you don't like Bebop.   

[Stormwaltz]

Nanoha is good once it gets past "generic magical girl show with creepy transformation sequences" and turns into a SRWs/mecha tribute...with magical girls replacing the mecha.

We watched up to the second half, and it was a dudewtf? when all of a sudden it's about dimensions and starships. I wonder how many people who started watching it quit at that point?

It's better without the creepy transformations. Much better.

Evangelion: I found my peace with it by imagining that about three episodes were missing before the end, and enjoying the ride to that point.

[Bzalthek]

Thanks for all the tips

I've actually seen some stuff, see last page 

I tried to watch a few episodes of Cowboy Beebop but I didn't like it at all even tho the music is pretty cool. I've also watched ten episodes or so of Neon Genesis and I haven't really got into it yet, it's too much Japanese cuteness/humor for me. I saw Ghost in the Shell the movie and I really enjoyed the music and action. Especially the music.

This is my line-up right now:

Paranoia Agent
Serial Experiments Lain
Princess Mononoke
Grave of the Fireflies
FLCL
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Akira
Ninja Scroll
Last Exile

That looks like a solid line up.  Once you get through that you might want to check out titles that branch into other genres like Mushishi, Jigoku Shoujo, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Welcome to the NHK!, etc.

Oh, and I highly recommend Black Lagoon on that top list (It's tied with TTGL for my fav anime.)

[Teleku]

I didn't like it either (Gurenn)

Yeah, this.  I'm still struggling to make it through the series.  I watch one or two episodes randomly, then forget about it all until I have absolutely nothing else to do again.  Think I'm about half way through, but its just so damn boring.  It has its moments, but I'm still not seeing what everybody loved about it.  Its getting worst especially after the event you spoilered, because I don't like him either.

[Bzalthek]

I'd give up, honestly.  I wouldn't struggle to watch anything, no matter how many people thought it was awesome shit.  If you're halfway through and don't like it, I highly doubt you're going to like the other half.

[Strazos]

Paranoia Agent is garbage, sorry.


Also, I might be going to Otakon this year, not sure really. I've gone the past 2 years, but I've been watching anime less and less the last 2+ years. Lot of garbage coming out.

That, and I just don't have the time to sit around and watch anime all the time anymore.

[Bismallah]

I mostly go for the dealer's room. I found some great deals on cell art the past couple years. That guy has a racket going (grabbing all the old cells from some inside track in Japan and selling them over here for crazy marked up prices). You have to pour through loads of cell books but you can find some good deals every once in awhile.

I go over the sked, pick a few episodes of things I might enjoy and watch those. I spend most of the time either in panels or wandering around.

My problem is I have so much stored on my external drive, I can't get through it all...

[Merusk]

Bebop gets started really, really slowly.  If you made it to the episode where Vicious is introduced and still don't like it, fair enough.

[Rendakor]

I didn't like it either (Gurenn)

This, also. The obnoxious loli they introduced shortly after the above did nothing to help the show's case and I gave up a few episodes later.

Strazos, what's your beef with Paranoia Agent? It's got a pretty interesting theme, despite being about as mindfuck-y as FLCL. Did you like any of Satoshi Kon's other works? (Perfect Blue, Paprika, etc)

[Bzalthek]

Hrm, well in its defense

[Dion]

Bebop gets started really, really slowly.  If you made it to the episode where Vicious is introduced and still don't like it, fair enough.

Who is Vicious? About how many episodes in does it get good, I might have to try again because I really want to like it.

[Viin]

Bebop gets started really, really slowly.  If you made it to the episode where Vicious is introduced and still don't like it, fair enough.

Who is Vicious? About how many episodes in does it get good, I might have to try again because I really want to like it.

Wait.. what? Bebop is the best. Are you a huge I Love Lucy fan or something?

Careful what disc set you watch. There's a "best of" that is not in order and is missing some episodes, and then there's the whole set. The "best of" set would probably be easier to get into, but of course I recommend the real thing.

My philosophy is to always give a new anime series at least two discs to catch me, otherwise I move on. Bebop *should* catch you on the first disc. Unless you are broken. Or "distracted".

[Dion]

Bebop gets started really, really slowly.  If you made it to the episode where Vicious is introduced and still don't like it, fair enough.

Who is Vicious? About how many episodes in does it get good, I might have to try again because I really want to like it.

Wait.. what? Bebop is the best. Are you a huge I Love Lucy fan or something?

Careful what disc set you watch. There's a "best of" that is not in order and is missing some episodes, and then there's the whole set. The "best of" set would probably be easier to get into, but of course I recommend the real thing.

My philosophy is to always give a new anime series at least two discs to catch me, otherwise I move on. Bebop *should* catch you on the first disc. Unless you are broken. Or "distracted".

Well, everyone doesn't have the same tastes. I'll try to find the correct version and watch that. And for the record, I haven't seen I Love Lucy 

[stray]

No! Having different tastes is no excuse to not like Bebop. 

Honestly, if there is one series where such a preposterous statement applies, it's that one. There's a little bit of everything.

Vicious comes in at ep 5, the Ballad of Fallen Angels.

Bebop is sort of non-huge-story arc episode centric show, and I think can be appreciated in small doses - but there is a storyarc underneath it all, but they don't spell everything out right away. The whole thing is dense and a landmark series though, no matter how you view it.

edit: spelling

[Bzalthek]

I need to rewatch Bebop.  I remember liking it, but not to the extent displayed here.  Now I gotta dig my DVDs out of the closet.

[stray]

I had this argument before, but re-watch it in the dub form. It's almost universally held as better. I'm not as pro- dub as you think, but in this case, I am.

For a variety of reasons, I guess. The actors are good for one, but they recorded it with time and care like the Japanese studios do. Also, since the show essentially has a Western vibe to it, I think the nuances of that vibe come through better with English voices. The only thing that's equal either way is Ed, I guess. Both actresses knock it out of the park there.

[Bzalthek]

I'll give it a try.  Usually nuances are lost in translation, but sometimes it's the opposite.  Big O is another example of that.

[Dion]

No! Having different tastes is no excuse to not like Bebop. 

Honestly, if there is one series where such a preposterous statement applies, it's that one. There's a little bit of everything.

Vicious comes in at ep 5, the Ballad of Fallen Angels.

Bebop is sort of non-huge-story arc episode centric show, and I think can be appreciated in small doses - but there is a storyarc underneath it all, but they don't spell everything out right away. The whole thing is dense and a landmark series though, no matter how you view it.

edit: spelling

Is episode 5 the one where he almost gets killed in a church?