The manga thread

[Eggie]

Entertainment Companies at the moment really need to try and get out of their "profits over quality" phase.

All the games are clones...
All the movies are over-hyped...

And good cartoons are slowly being phased out!

What next? Even novels have started to just become clones of the latest bestseller!
It isn't right I tell ya'! IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!!!

*Breaks down and cries*

WHY???

[Trapezoid]

Well, the reason I liked Lilo and Stitch was because it WASN'T a huge emotional investment, it was just a fun, cute movie and yes, about 30 times better than Disney's recent films.
I would like to see Spirited Away some time, though. I guess what turns me off from most anime probably is the cultural difference. Japanese characters express emotion in a different way, and a lot of anime just strikes me as too serious, too messed up (Excel Saga), or too juvenile (Pokemon). I would like to know if there are any anime series you could recommend though, which you think I might like.

[DGMacphee]

Well, the reason I liked Lilo and Stitch was because it WASN'T a huge emotional investment, it was just a fun, cute movie and yes, about 30 times better than Disney's recent films.
I would like to see Spirited Away some time, though. I guess what turns me off from most anime probably is the cultural difference. Japanese characters express emotion in a different way, and a lot of anime just strikes me as too serious, too messed up (Excel Saga), or too juvenile (Pokemon). I would like to know if there are any anime series you could recommend though, which you think I might like.

Most Miyazaki films, especially Castle of Cagliostro, My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoko, Spirited Away, etc.

As for other stuff, try:

Berserk -- Cool fantasy anime with big-ass swords!

Bastard -- Same as above, plus with cool-assed magic that blows up lots of shit.

Cowboy Beebop -- Sci-fi action series about bounty hunters

Neon Genesis Evangelion -- Very philosphical series with big robots -- it doesn't take itself too seriously all the time -- And the characters have a lot of depth and feeling to them.

Initial D -- Series about teenager guys who race cars on highways -- character development isn't too great, but it's fun to watch.

Great Teacher Onizuka -- Very cool and funny series about a teacher who used to be part of a biker gang -- he beats up a lot of people too!


These are probably the most mature series without being too serious or too "out there".

[2ma2]

Don't read much manga, but I like really serious stuff. Almost all traces of the usual manga stylisation is annihilated, so I guess it doesn't qualify Lone Wolf And Cub is good, I recommend it.

[Shattered Sponge]

Neon Genesis Evangelion -- Very philosphical series with big robots -- it doesn't take itself too seriously all the time -- And the characters have a lot of depth and feeling to them.

You forgot to mention the extremely depressing ending(s), but otherwise I'd agree.

Also, Trap, if you want something completely different visually I suggest you try Ebichu.

[SSH]

Cowboy Beebop -- Sci-fi action series about bounty hunters

Neon Genesis Evangelion -- Very philosphical series with big robots -- it doesn't take itself too seriously all the time -- And the characters have a lot of depth and feeling to them.

Cowboy Beebop is currently showing on CNX channel on UK Sky Digital at 9pm each day. It always seems to be the episode with two cat space ship pilots, though...

As for NGE, aren't 99% of Mangas about very big robots? Gundam, Escaflowne, RoboTech, BattleTech, etc.?

[DGMacphee]

Neon Genesis Evangelion -- Very philosphical series with big robots -- it doesn't take itself too seriously all the time -- And the characters have a lot of depth and feeling to them.

You forgot to mention the extremely depressing ending(s), but otherwise I'd agree.

Also, Trap, if you want something completely different visually I suggest you try Ebichu.

I haven't seen the ending as yet -- that is actually on my list of TO DO things this week.

I even bought an as-of-yet-unwatched copy of End of Eva several months ago, but promised myself I'd watch the final episodes in the series.

Then I I decided to watch them all from the beginning in Japanese w/subtitles.

Cowboy Beebop -- Sci-fi action series about bounty hunters

Neon Genesis Evangelion -- Very philosphical series with big robots -- it doesn't take itself too seriously all the time -- And the characters have a lot of depth and feeling to them.

Cowboy Beebop is currently showing on CNX channel on UK Sky Digital at 9pm each day. It always seems to be the episode with two cat space ship pilots, though...

As for NGE, aren't 99% of Mangas about very big robots? Gundam, Escaflowne, RoboTech, BattleTech, etc.?

I've got my ticket for the Cowboy Beebop movie that's playing at our local indie cinema -- and it's a subbed version too.

And yes, most series are about giant robots, but NGE is one of the better ones.

[Eggie]

I saw Shin Chan on Fox Kids. That show is FUNNY!  

[Femme Stab Mode >:D]

I used to watch sailor moon as a kid. Saw every single episode twice a day. I like drawing manga more than looking at it however, and I dislike giant robots.

[plasticman]

I don't think Manga is easy.


Anyway, I like some stuff more than others. The amazing GUNNM then I''s, Video Girl Ai, Zetman, DNA^2, Shadow Lady (see a pattern?) BLAME, NOISE, of course, original AKIRA and other assorted works, of course loads of Macross...

Just wait until Cornjob posts in this thread.

That's some great stuff. I love Katsura's works - esp. I"s - and Akira is one of my favorites too. The anime movie is also awesome.