I absolutely love anime but, beyond the major titles that get released here in the UK, i'm still very much a newcomer to all the stuff out there. Not being able to speak Japanese, it's not often I come across something new that I like and I have very specific likes which don't help: I don't go for all the cutesy art style stuff with the big eyes and the whiny voices , I prefer the more (realistic?) style of Cowboy Bebop, GITS, Samurai Champloo and so on..
I can't quite remember how, but today I discovered crunchyroll (http://www.crunchyroll.com/), a site providing free, legal videos of various anime shows, where I discovered Time of Eve (only 2 years too late!) which was fantastic, albeit frustratingly short. Since many of the other titles on Crunchyroll don't really appeal to me - although i'll watch a few on the off chance i might like them, and may buy a premium account if they add new titles regularly - i'm wondering if anyone who knows more about the anime scene can point me in the direction of similar (legal) services? I'm more than willing to part with my cash once I find stuff I like (I just picked up the dvd set of Time of Eve) but where to start? I've exhausted all the mainstream store shelves really.
Failing that, any recommendations? Films or series? Ideally stuff with English subtitles, rather than dubbed as I prefer to hear the original Japanese voices. I need a good series to really get stuck into=D
Cheers folks
No idea if you've seen them but Paranoia Agent and FLCL are pretty much, for their own reasons, the two most beautiful things in the world.
I'm a noob to anime but the Deathnote mangas are badass, there's a pretty spot on anime as well. Which i'm sure you have already seen :P
You should try searching 'watch free tv series online' in the site www.google.com, i'm sure it will present lots of genuine websites := :=
Quote from: EHCB on Mon 28/03/2011 00:35:50
No idea if you've seen them but Paranoia Agent and FLCL are pretty much, for their own reasons, the two most beautiful things in the world.
I've heard of Paranoia Agent, but haven't seen either. I'll look them out, thanks!=D
Quote from: Chicky on Mon 28/03/2011 00:46:53
I'm a noob to anime but the Deathnote mangas are badass, there's a pretty spot on anime as well. Which i'm sure you have already seen :P
Yeah, i've got the Death Note anime, haven't read the manga yet. The anime's not bad, even if the main character is a total mysoginist=S I lost my patience with it when they introduced Near though.
Quote from: Chicky on Mon 28/03/2011 00:46:53
You should try searching 'watch free tv series online' in the site www.google.com, i'm sure it will present lots of genuine websites := :=
Google? What's that?=P I know, of course, sorry, but recommendations are always welcome=)
Thank you both.
Quote from: straydogstrut on Mon 28/03/2011 00:55:26
Quote from: EHCB on Mon 28/03/2011 00:35:50
No idea if you've seen them but Paranoia Agent and FLCL are pretty much, for their own reasons, the two most beautiful things in the world.
I've heard of Paranoia Agent, but haven't seen either. I'll look them out, thanks!=D
Oh man you don't know of FLCL? It's
amazing!
I liked Monster (at least the episodes I've seen). It's very long and elaborate, around 70 episodes or so, but I enjoyed each of the first like 26 episodes I've seen. It's pretty realistic in tone, somewhat depressing but also optimistic. Backdrops and animation are top-notch. -- Damn, have to finish that one, already ;D
Quote from: Ben304 on Mon 28/03/2011 01:12:23
Oh man you don't know of FLCL? It's amazing!
Just watched the first episode. That was, um, different..i'll see how it goes!
Quote from: nihilyst on Mon 28/03/2011 01:18:06
I liked Monster (at least the episodes I've seen). It's very long and elaborate, around 70 episodes or so, but I enjoyed each of the first like 26 episodes I've seen. It's pretty realistic in tone, somewhat depressing but also optimistic. Backdrops and animation are top-notch. -- Damn, have to finish that one, already ;D
Thanks nihilyst, haven't heard of that one either, i'll give it a try=)
I really Liked Welcome to the NHK. Slice of life, but their lives are a bit crazy in the head.
Anything mentioned so far on Hardydev I can heartily recommend:
http://www.hardydev.com/category/about-anime/ (http://www.hardydev.com/category/about-anime/)
Well, maybe except the ridiculous Fist of the North Star.
Quote from: BruisedWeasel on Mon 28/03/2011 02:14:20
I really Liked Welcome to the NHK.
NHK is awesome. I like really silly and girly anime like Lucky Star or Haruhi.
Fooly Cooly is definitely on the must. I haven't seen Paranoia Agent, but I've seen everything else from Satoshi Kon, and you probably should check it out. My brother says it's quite an awesome series. I also liked a lot Shin Sheiki Evangerion (and not for the battles) but it's a bit of hate or love, and kind of childish at times.
Always watch animes with JAPANESE. I mean yeah, sometimes the english dub is okay, but you're watching foreign cartoons, give em the respect they need. Plus Japanese are awesome to hear.
Now, movies:
Akira (Just for great visuals)
Perfect Blue (Probably the most amazing anime film. I even did a review of it on hardydev)
They Were Eleven (Great plot, reminds me a bit of the Hitchhock suspense style, it's not what it starts to be)
My Neighbour Totoro (Yeah, kind of an okay movie, but the beginning is quite great, and I'd name my daughter Satsuki, any day.)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Cause, IT'S AWESOME)
Memories (3 stories. The first is objectively the best though)
Quote from: Dualnames on Mon 28/03/2011 06:02:17
Always watch animes with JAPANESE. I mean yeah, sometimes the english dub is okay, but you're watching foreign cartoons, give em the respect they need. Plus Japanese are awesome to hear.
Agreed. And this is true for any tv/movie. Satan invented dubbing, if you watch with dubbing you are going to hell!
I don't really watch anime anymore, but I remember Serial Experiments Lain to be pretty cool, if a bit weird. Hmm... Noir and Hellsing (Ultimate).
For some reason I was very dissapointed with Akira, not only do I generally not like the "retro" look in anime (as compared to modern ones (Paprika, Mononoke etc.) where there's even 3d and other effects inside and the drawings seem to be cleaner and animation is more fluid) but the story was just silly and the ending was lame if you ask me.
A lot of anime fans seem to dislike dubs, but usually I find the original voices to be kind of childish sounding. Yes, sometimes the voices in english are reallly bad but for the most part but I really don't like the way japanese sounds (I mean no offence, I just don't like it's sounds). On average I think it's down to personal preference though.
Quote from: straydogstrut on Mon 28/03/2011 00:10:25
Failing that, any recommendations?
Fullmetal Alchemist is
extremely epic.
Quote from: anian on Mon 28/03/2011 08:40:31
For some reason I was very dissapointed with Akira, not only do I generally not like the "retro" look in anime (as compared to modern ones (Paprika, Mononoke etc.) where there's even 3d and other effects inside and the drawings seem to be cleaner and animation is more fluid) but the story was just silly and the ending was lame if you ask me.
I just wanted to point out that compared to the visuals of Akira the looks and animations of all the AGS games out there are as "retro" as a cave painting. Or worse.
Quote from: Ascovel on Mon 28/03/2011 10:28:54
I just wanted to point out that compared to the visuals of Akira the looks and animations of all the AGS games out there are as "retro" as a cave painting. Or worse.
Retro might have been the wrong phrase, I was just thinking that you can (for the most part) see this certain style and look older animes have when comapred to newer ones.
Quote from: anian on Mon 28/03/2011 10:33:47
Quote from: Ascovel on Mon 28/03/2011 10:28:54
I just wanted to point out that compared to the visuals of Akira the looks and animations of all the AGS games out there are as "retro" as a cave painting. Or worse.
Retro might have been the wrong phrase, I was just thinking that you can (for the most part) see this certain style and look older animes have when comapred to newer ones.
The main difference I always notice is that coloring is done by hand rather than by computer, which looks much better.
Of course, since the 60s changes in style of editing and animation were made regularly and they differ greatly from anime to anime anyway depending of the team who did it. Maybe you're just used to a particular style.
if you're into steampunk, Last Exile could be your thing
I hate anime. Well, no, I actually love it, but having plowed through tons of different series, I found very few to really like. It's the same with everything, really, be it western movies and TV-shows or music or games, but with anime it's more frustrating for me, for some reason. Probably because the potential capabilities of the genre are immense, and the quantity and technical quality is very high too. But there are real gems in these stacks of brightly-coloured rocks, so I'll recommend some of my favourites:
Mushishi - beautiful gloomy meditative supernatural series with strong Shintoistic undertones. Very poetic and understated anime, with gorgeous, but not in a usual way, visuals.
nihilyst have already mentioned Monster - I haven't watched the series, but the original manga is brilliant, as everything by Naoki Urasawa is (I'd especially recommend his Tezuka reimagining Pluto). And the anime has a David Sylvian song in the ending, so it must be good. :)
Welcome to NHK is a great example of mature slice of life anime, and has been rightfully recommended many times already. Also, Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a great anime in a similar vein, although it's much more ramshackled.
And I can't pass the opportunity to mention my favourite anime ever: Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - hilarious post-modern satirical series that's quite hard to get into, due to it's crazy off-the-wall tongue-in-cheek style, but it's totally worth it if you do.
And though you said you're not really into all this "cute girls with big eyes" stuff, I think you have to try Azumanga Daioh and Lucky Star - just to be sure. They both are really funny and delightful in a very special way.
I also have to add that I still haven't understood the greatness of FLCL, although I've tried to watch it many times. It's just weird. And I usually like weird. Grrrrr... Oh, well, can't be helped. :)
If you like gits, don't miss the gits series. Writing-wise they're not exactly mind blowing, but aesthetically they kick ass. I have spent SO much time looking at those backdrops, man oh man...
Now we're talking, what an amazing response everyone; lots to get my teeth into!;-)
Quote from: Ascovel on Mon 28/03/2011 02:29:34
Anything mentioned so far on Hardydev I can heartily recommend
Agreed. The reviews on HardyDev are super-special.
Quote from: Dualnames on Mon 28/03/2011 06:02:17
I also liked a lot Shin Sheiki Evangerion (and not for the battles) but it's a bit of hate or love, and kind of childish at times.
Yeah, we have the complete series. I liked it for the technology and the relationships between the characters (ahh some good old teenage angst) but the ending went a bit loopy though. Still, gotta love PenPen!
Quote from: Dualnames on Mon 28/03/2011 06:02:17
Perfect Blue (Probably the most amazing anime film. I even did a review of it on hardydev)
And a wonderful review it was. I still haven't picked this up yet. Buying now..DONE!
Quote from: Dualnames on Mon 28/03/2011 06:02:17
My Neighbour Totoro (Yeah, kind of an okay movie)
I
love that movie, another one in the collection. Think we have all the Studio Ghibli ones now, except a couple where the art style doesn't appeal to me (My Neighbours the Yamadas for example)
Quote from: Dualnames on Mon 28/03/2011 06:02:17
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Cause, IT'S AWESOME)
I could not have put it better myself. It has to be one of my all-time favourites=D
Quote from: Dualnames on Mon 28/03/2011 06:02:17
Memories (3 stories. The first is objectively the best though)
I'm sure i've heard of this, but I haven't seen it. I'll be checking out this and your other recommendations, thanks!
Quote from: zabnat on Mon 28/03/2011 06:31:32
I don't really watch anime anymore, but I remember Serial Experiments Lain to be pretty cool, if a bit weird. Hmm... Noir and Hellsing (Ultimate).
Ultimate? Now is that the OVA version i've heard good things about?* We've got the Hellsing Collection and I love it, so could definitely go for more. I'll try the other two as well=)
*Editor's note: Yes, it is the OVA version
Quote from: anian on Mon 28/03/2011 08:40:31
For some reason I was very dissapointed with Akira, not only do I generally not like the "retro" look in anime (as compared to modern ones (Paprika, Mononoke etc.) where there's even 3d and other effects inside and the drawings seem to be cleaner and animation is more fluid) but the story was just silly and the ending was lame if you ask me.
I found it disappointing too. I thought the visuals were great for what they were, but the story wasn't the best. There's a lot of hype around it but for me it doesn't quite match up. I still like that world though and I can understand why it was so groundbreaking back in the day, but being a latecomer, i've seen better.
Quote from: Radiant on Mon 28/03/2011 09:12:00
Fullmetal Alchemist is extremely epic.
One to try. I've glanced at it once or twice on the shelf as it looks promising. I'll give it a go=)
Quote from: abstauber on Mon 28/03/2011 12:38:32
if you're into steampunk, Last Exile could be your thing
Nice! I just watched a little bit and it definitely looks like something I could get into. I'm going to pick up the first few episodes now and see how I go, thanks=D
Quote from: theo on Mon 28/03/2011 16:49:51
If you like gits, don't miss the gits series. Writing-wise they're not exactly mind blowing, but aesthetically they kick ass. I have spent SO much time looking at those backdrops, man oh man...
Yeah, i've got both seasons of GITS: SAC. Bitterly disappointed there aren't any more=( I've seen all the movies too except The Laughing Man and The Individual Eleven, but i've heard they don't add much more so will pick them up for completeness one day.
All the rest I haven't heard of so will go a-Googling and see what takes my fancy. I'm spoilt for choice now!=D
I've just started watching Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, which I had been meaning to watch for a while, but recent events in Japan reminded me about it. Only 3 eps in so far and I'm liking it. It focuses on a teenage girl and her kid brother, and I guess their quest to get home and find out if their parents are okay after 'The Big One' hits Tokyo...
I'd say anything from Studio Ghibli, some of their movies has already been mentioned. Their production vary from ok to great. Can't wait for Karigurashi no Arietti to be released in Finland...
At the moment I'm watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which is like the original anime, only more faithful to the manga. I really don't like how the original anime ended (the movie was horrible), but the manga was great.
Oh and Grave of the Fireflies. Absolutely great movie. Got 8.3 in IMDb.
Samurai 7 is absolutely magnificent (Anime series version of Kurosawa'a masterpiece- Seven Samurai)
I also think Desert Punk and Cowboy Bebop are noteworthy.
Oh, and Cromartie High is pretty goddamn hilarious;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCIWsfPxJ2k&feature=related
Mechazawa worries about you more than anybody else!
Man I love that robot.
Quote from: Stupot on Mon 28/03/2011 19:37:41
I've just started watching Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, which I had been meaning to watch for a while, but recent events in Japan reminded me about it. Only 3 eps in so far and I'm liking it.
It looks really good, i'm going to give it a try, thanks=)
Quote from: Jonez on Mon 28/03/2011 19:39:58
I'd say anything from Studio Ghibli, some of their movies has already been mentioned. Their production vary from ok to great. Can't wait for Karigurashi no Arietti to be released in Finland...
Oh and Grave of the Fireflies. Absolutely great movie. Got 8.3 in IMDb.
I can't wait for Karigurashi no Arietti to be released either, I grew up on The Borrowers. While I wasn't so impressed with the Tales of Earthsea reinvention from the Ursula le Guin books - it was good, but they left so much out!! - i'm hopeful they can make this something special. I think it comes out in August here (UK).
Grave of the Fireflies is a wonderful, sad, beautiful film=)
Quote from: Pinback on Mon 28/03/2011 19:49:26
Samurai 7 is absolutely magnificent (Anime series version of Kurosawa'a masterpiece- Seven Samurai)
I also think Desert Punk and Cowboy Bebop are noteworthy.
Ha, yeah, Cowboy Bebop is my first love;-) Samurai 7's going on my list of 'Ones to Watch' as I loved the Kurosawa film, thanks.
Oh yeah, I second Samurai 7. I've never really been able to get too much into Anime, so I much prefer the shorter self-contained series'... never been into any of the long-running 'big-boys' like Bleach or Naruto... Although I've been tempted to start watcing One Piece, because a lot of my friends rave about it.
Quote from: Jonez on Mon 28/03/2011 19:39:58Oh and Grave of the Fireflies. Absolutely great movie. Got 8.3 in IMDb.
I cry at the end of that movie every time. Much much crying.
I didn't mention earlier, I'm a Captain Harlock fangirl, and Galaxy Express 999 made me squee. Pirates and rebels in giant space frigates, IN SPACE! And big trains IN SPACE!
And then there's the delightful little anime accompanying the songs from Daft Punk. (Interstella 5555?)
I LOVE Serial Experiments Lain, but yes, I agree, it's very weird ...and wired. But it leaves you with that "what the heck was this anime about?"-feeling, which I like.
Spiral kept me entertained. It's not too serious and a sometimes very clever mystery series.
As for movies, I can recommend Jin-Roh (quite interesting story, although slow at times).
I recently watched The Sky Crawlers; this is a VERY SLOW one, but I kind of liked it.
Quote from: BruisedWeasel on Tue 29/03/2011 01:59:45
I didn't mention earlier, I'm a Captain Harlock fangirl, and Galaxy Express 999 made me squee. Pirates and rebels in giant space frigates, IN SPACE! And big trains IN SPACE!
And then there's the delightful little anime accompanying the songs from Daft Punk. (Interstella 5555?)
Yay! Another Leiji Matsumoto fan! Captain Harlock is the best of his creations for me. How do you like Space Battleship Yamato?
On an unrelated note, I'm a huge fan of Lupin III - you know that series that inspired the style of Cowboy Bebop. A lot of it is actually awful and the fondest memories I have of it are the original series from the early 70s and several feature films, but it's three long series and about 100 feature films (new ones are still created) so no wonder the quality wavers.
From the newer ones I loved: Azumaga Daioh, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and FLCL - all of which were already mentioned. Also, Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou.
And Mamoru Oshii of course - mainly his two GITS movies and the first Patlabor OVA.
I agree with theo on the beauty of gits scenery, but have to say I find the backdrops in The Place Promised in Our Early Days and 5 Centimeters Per Second even better again. The colours are stunning!
Quote from: Ben304 on Tue 29/03/2011 10:39:02
I agree with theo on the beauty of gits scenery, but have to say I find the backdrops in The Place Promised in Our Early Days and 5 Centimeters Per Second even better again. The colours are stunning!
Agreed, Makoto Shinkai's films are absolutely stunningly gorgeous, his high-contrast work with light is nothing short of amazing, shame that I can't say the same about his stories, or rather, a story. Not that it's bad, just not on par with his spectacular visuals.
Also just remembered -
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - a thoroughly charming and enjoyable sci-fi time-travel movie about a girl who leapt through time. Duh.
I might sound lame to all you HC-animefanboys, but I really did have a soft spot for Love Hina, which is a short one with a romantic story. Also, I've been watching Urusei Yatsura for ages because it's so awesomely funny :D
Quote from: Ilyich on Tue 29/03/2011 16:48:04
Also just remembered - The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - a thoroughly charming and enjoyable sci-fi time-travel movie about a girl who leapt through time. Duh.
There's an awesome Japanese live-action film from the 70s based on the same story. I never seen the anime though.
Oh yeah, while this is technically not made in Japan, MegaTokyo (http://megatokyo.com) is very well done. After all, how many webcomics do actually end up in real bookstores worldwide?
Quote from: Ben304 on Tue 29/03/2011 10:39:02
I find the backdrops in The Place Promised in Our Early Days and 5 Centimeters Per Second even better again. The colours are stunning!
I loved The Place Promised in Our Early Days. It's a beautiful, thoughtful film. 5 Centimeters Per Second has recently piqued my interest too so will definitely take it for a spin.
Quote from: Ilyich on Tue 29/03/2011 16:48:04
Also just remembered - The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - a thoroughly charming and enjoyable sci-fi time-travel movie about a girl who leapt through time. Duh.
Yeah, another favourite in our collection, and I loved the simple way the sci-fi/techy elements were presented, especially the time travel 'device' itself. I like character stories like these that anime does so well. You're missing out if you haven't watched this;-)
Quote from: Ascovel on Tue 29/03/2011 10:38:19
On an unrelated note, I'm a huge fan of Lupin III - you know that series that inspired the style of Cowboy Bebop. A lot of it is actually awful and the fondest memories I have of it are the original series from the early 70s and several feature films, but it's three long series and about 100 feature films (new ones are still created) so no wonder the quality wavers.
Shockingly, the only Lupin anime i've seen is The Castle of Cagliostro, but I loved it. I'll definitely check out the series/films if they're anywhere near as entertaining.
Quote from: straydogstrut on Tue 29/03/2011 23:12:05
Quote from: Ascovel on Tue 29/03/2011 10:38:19
On an unrelated note, I'm a huge fan of Lupin III - you know that series that inspired the style of Cowboy Bebop. A lot of it is actually awful and the fondest memories I have of it are the original series from the early 70s and several feature films, but it's three long series and about 100 feature films (new ones are still created) so no wonder the quality wavers.
Shockingly, the only Lupin anime i've seen is The Castle of Cagliostro, but I loved it. I'll definitely check out the series/films if they're anywhere near as entertaining.
The Cagliostro one I didn't like that much because Miyazaki decided to go with much idealized versions of the characters and consequently made them much blander than usual. I think that movie was meant for younger audience than Lupin usually is targeted at.
I'd say my favorite Lupin feature film is Bye Bye Liberty (though it's difficult to pick just one).
No one's suggested Garzey's Wing yet, have they?
Quote from: BruisedWeasel on Wed 30/03/2011 02:46:28
No one's suggested Garzey's Wing yet, have they?
:o
I'm utterly speechless. ;)
As far as anime goes, I'm strictly old school. Macross, Project A-Ko, BGC, Mazinger. That sort of thing. Azumanga Daioh and Cowboy Bebop were the last of the relatively new things I've picked up.
I'm old, is what I'm saying. :-\
Like a lot of people my first introduction to Lupin III was through the Miyazaki movie and I liked it quite a bit.
Of course I've since discovered the series debauched, randy, violent and crazy-well-drawn history and now I love it with all my heart despite only seeing the pilot for the TV show on youtube and owning one random volume of the comic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMhr_6BVO3Y The pilot's still up and it's still a smorgasbord of visual insanity. People who say animé is never expressive need to get this shit down their necks.
EDIT: And don't worry that the subtitles are in Italian, you'll get it.
I used to be a huge Anime fan and I've only recently stopped, but nevertheless...I enjoyed a plethora of titles both old and new, as it doesn't really matter to me as long as the story is engaging. I'm not a heavy critic on the artwork as so many of the new generation of young fans are.
My favourites are...
1. Urusei Yatsura <-- Very funny if you're open to a more eccentric sense of humour. This Anime inspired tons of Anime of the same genre/theme. Lum is an iconic Anime character.
2. Haibane Renmei <-- Very top tier artwork with compelling fairytale-type story and likable characters.
3. Infinite Ryvius <-- The emotional realism in this makes it feel like Lord of the Flies in space.
4. Welcome to the NHK! <-- About a recluse, but it's a grand emotional roller-coaster experience. Slice-of-Life at its finest.
5. Vision of Escaflowne <-- A classic from the 90's. You'll like it if you're into action/adventure/mecha and subtle romance.
6. Ergo Proxy <-- A philosophical post-apocalyptic Anime with intriguing artwork and music.
7. Touch <-- Another classic for sports Anime fans, but even if you're not a sports Anime fan, this is a must for the drama.
8. Kimagure Orange Road <-- Fun and nostalgic romance. It's very similar to Rumiko Takahashi's work. If you do watch this, make sure to watch the "I want to return to that day" movie afterwards. It's some serious drama as opposed to the TV series' lightheartedness.
9. Monster <-- Amazing pyschological Seinen thriller Anime. I can't recommend this enough. Grimmer is such an interesting character.
10. Maison Ikkoku <-- The best Slice-of-Life Anime in my honest mind. It has very enjoyable characters, a fluctuating romance and deep story development. Very funny and intense at times too.
Other shows you might enjoy are City Hunter, Gunbuster, Cowboy Bebop, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Baccano!, Beck, Casshern (any of the incarnations), Fantastic Children, Honey & Clover, Genshiken, Hataraki Man, True Tears, Twelve Kingdoms, Macross, Major, One Piece, Trigun, Birdy the Mighty Decode...
and the one Anime movie I recommend is Whisper of the Heart.
Anyway, I was gonna recommend iTunes for legal Anime purchasing, but I guess if you want physical copies...then you can try Animenation. There's a lot of epic stuff out there if you explore.
Nice-looking list EKM. I might check a few of those out, myself.
Also, has anyone seen the film Tokyo Godfathers, about three homeless people who find an abandoned baby. That's a really funny and heartwarming story. Highly recommended.
Quote from: Stupot on Fri 08/04/2011 01:58:45
Also, has anyone seen the film Tokyo Godfathers, about three homeless people who find an abandoned baby. That's a really funny and heartwarming story. Highly recommended.
Yes, that's actually my favorite Satoshi Kon film, preferred over his more famous ones.
Quote from: EKM on Thu 07/04/2011 21:24:13
6. Ergo Proxy <-- A philosophical post-apocalyptic Anime with intriguing artwork and music.
I did enjoy this, but wasn't expecting quite so much weirdness when I bought it. If you go in expecting it to be anything like the trailer, then just watch the first 3 episodes, I guess. After that... prepare yourself for basically anything :P
Thanks for the recommendations EKM, i'll be checking those out when i'm well again. I've got both Whisper of the Heart and Tokyo Godfathers and would also recommend them!=)
There's a few that I'd recomend that's already be said so I won't repeat them here.
If you like thing like Manga creation stories then Bakuman is pretty good, and is fairly new to anime though the manga has been running for 125+ chapters. Also in the same vein, but older is Comic Party. Both are Slice-of-Life/Comedies.
If you like mind-fu*k stories then definilty check out Boogie-Pop Phantom. Each episoide is simingly disconected until you watch them and see all the little events that connect all the chracters together. Texhnolyze is another M.F. anime, and it has a more structured continuity.
Also, if you do check out The Place Promiced in Our Early Days, and you enjoy it, definily check out the movie Voices of a Distant Star since it's created by the same person.
Millennial Actress is also a good movie to look up.
I remember a film... or should I say Series of films that my old school buddy had at the time, back in the early 80's.
If I remember correctly it was called 'Crying Freeman'.
As far as I remember it was Japanesse with subs.
I think it was about an assassin who took jobs to kill people. He cried everytime he did so, I believe.
There was a reason for this... although, for the life of me, I can't remember why.
In my mind I remember it as being a good animation and bloodthirsty ninja tale.
Jay.
Quote from: EdLoen on Sat 09/04/2011 00:56:42
Also, if you do check out The Place Promiced in Our Early Days, and you enjoy it, definily check out the movie Voices of a Distant Star since it's created by the same person.
Millennial Actress is also a good movie to look up.
Thanks, i've seen all of those, I think Voice of A Distant Star is the only one we don't have on dvd yet. They're all really good. I'll check out your other recommendations.
Sounds intriguing Jay, and Wikipedia agrees with you, Crying Freeman it is. I'll try it out, thanks!
Anime, eh?
It's funny, really, I rarely watch anime at all anymore - I guess the problem that I have with it lately is that ever since the whole 'Moe' (Mo-ei) thing picked up over here and every single cartoon became about teenaged girls, I started to lose interest. Seriously, I haven't seen a new popular series over here that hasn't had a lolita-complexey heroine in years. Couldn't bring myself to watch the N of Suzumiya Haruhi stuff, Lucky Star and don't get me started on K-On!. Still, I'm kind of tied to the anime industry, so try to keep my finger on the pulse of what's big.
I'm a fan of what is now really something of a dying breed of anime: Cerebral stuff. Since nobody has mentioned yet, or if they have I missed it, I'd like to recommend Jin-Roh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxMDUFl2WxU) (Trailer's in Japanese, but I'm sure there's a subtitled or dubbed version if you look harder than I did). Beautiful piece of fatalist storytelling, and some great references to Little Red Riding-Hood, as well.
I also second the nomination of Death Note (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Led6Biv2RuY&feature=related) (Would've linked to the Andrew WK "Ready to Die" AMV, but spoilers). I've heard some very interesting conversation about good and evil come up from that comic/cartoon, and I guess in a way, it confirms my realization that I'm probably more on the evil side, as I was rooting for Light from beginning to end.
And even though it only covers the first few books, I also recommend Berserk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MluZ93lyuwU). By far one of my favorite comic series, and a decent translation to the small screen. If you can find the comics, I would suggest sinking your teeth into them, but know it's a long walk - The most recent issue I have is number 35, and they're hefty volumes. Also, there's a new Berserk movie (http://www.younganimal.com/berserk/) on the way as well.
Finally, there's Angel Densetsu. This one did have a short-lived cartoon adaptation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96nSK66xVrM), the comic is pure comedic gold. The story of a basically angelic young boy with a face of pure evil - The concept sounds odd, but it's a sublime comedy of errors type of story. Definitely worth a read, if you can get your hands on it.
Here's a little update (hope it's okay to unintentionally bump this):
We watched Perfect Blue finally. Now there's a weird film. It's like Paprika without the feel-good factor. It was brilliantly executed though and deserves its space on my shelf. It's a keeper.
Memories also arrived. Like Dual, I also found the first feature to be the best, and by a mile. It had all the sci-fi elements I like mixed with some psychological tom-foolery. The second, Stink Bomb, was quite fun and different, but the third, Cannon Fodder, was really disappointing. We weren't keen on the graphical style, but the story really let it down. It basically borrows the perpetual war idea from Orwell's 1984 but does nothing with it. It felt pretty pointless..but maybe that was the point!
I also got Are You Enjoying The Time of Eve? on DVD after watching it on my iPod through Crunchyroll. I absolutely love it and only wish there was more of it=(
Finally, I got Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 based solely on Stupot's recommendation and it was fantastic. It's such a beautiful, wonderful and heart-breaking tale. I actually cried at the end - I mean, really cried. I would definitely recommend it.
I've also been watching a bit Occult Academy via Crunchyroll which is a bit silly but kinda fun. I also ordered the first volume of Last Exile, and the Samurai Champloo Departure soundtrack i've been wanting for ages, but neither has arrived yet.
Still lots of other recommendations here that appeal to me so will keep you posted!