Please feel free to use this thread to discuss Anime in general or ask specific questions about certain films. You are more likely to get your questions answered and your posts read if you put them here. Those who are interested in Anime can simply keep up with one thread instead of hunting around for anime related threads.

Also feel free to check out the Guide to Anime at this link:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...threadid=88502
Feel free to contribute as well.

This system of having these two threads worked great a few months ago. Here's the link to Part 2 of the thread. Part 1 is gone.

I will stop by here from time to time as well. ^_^

New idea - an FAQ for this thread... It will get bigger as time goes by.

FAQ

Q:
Is Ninja Resurrection the sequel to Ninja Scroll?

A:
Short answer: No
Long answer: Ninja Scroll is a movie and Ninja Resurrection is a 2 episode OVA. Jubei is the name of the main character in both shows, but that doesn't mean anything. Jubei is often used in Japanese literature - somewhat of a folk-hero. Sword of Truth and Wrath of the Ninja aren't sequels to Ninja Scroll either.

Q:
What does "otaku" mean?

A:
Sort of like a nerdy fan... like a Trekkie... goes to conventions, collects figurines, etc...

Q:
What's the difference between an OVA, an OAV, a TV series, and a Movie?

A:
OVA and OAV are interchangable... Original Video Animation or Original Animated Video... it just means it's a direct to video release. OVAs and TV series are usually both similar in length and released in episodes, but OVAs are usually a slightly higher quality of animation. Movies are movie length animes.

<small>


[Edited by Trigger on 03-10-01 at 02:43 AM]

Bump for Visibility...
 

Bump to the top since I just saw another Anime thread appear...

This isn't really taking off... I should've started a discussion... anyway...

I have the Lain set (lunchbox) and Cowboy Bebop and Jubei Chan... are there any good series that perhaps aren't out yet that I should keep my eye out for?

trigun's pretty good, still has a dvd or two before its completely out

So much anime I have but I don't know what to recommend.

The only title I watched so far that I can say would be a waste is Amazing Nurse Nanako ... Watched the 3 DVD's yesterday...It had funny bits but what a mostly stale 3 hours

Also watched Shamanic Princess yesterday also and what a pleasant suprise... cool magic and plot twists.... good prologic sound and some beautiful scenes... nice value for $20 ( all 6 episodes )

I just started Gasaraki a while ago (still waiting for dvd #2, although #3 is also currently out.). It's a mecha anime with a different focus. Rather than being invincible fighting machines, the mechs are more like very mobile tanks. It's a very interesting series, and although the first dvd starts the story out rather slowly, it has a very intriguing premise and plot. (see animeondvd.com for more reviews and info). I'm really excited about seeing the rest of the series now.

Also, you didn't mention Neon Genesis Evangelion. I just viewed the 4th dvd 2 nights ago, and I'm really getting into this story. It just keeps getting better and better. I highly recommend it. It is of course another mecha, but it seems (like gasaraki) to be considerably different. You see a lot more focus on the characters and their feelings, thoughts, emotions, motivations, etc. than in a lot of series.

And yep, like some folks already mentioned, definitely check out Trigun. (and maybe outlaw star if you like space adventures).

Tuan Jim

Fushigi Yugi is great too, though expensive you can buy it all now, at least the tv series. I'd also recommend Slayers, Kenshin and the original Tenchi OAV series (all available in one set here called Tenchi: Ultimate Edition), not the tv series. The first tv series was ok, but volume 3 looks like it was mastered off of a bad VCD, so I stopped getting it altogether.

I will second Gasaraki.
I have all three DVDs so far and it just draws you more and more. FOr fair warning though, it does move at times, but I like that personally.

I will also second Tenchi OVA, and third Trigun.

For an excellent (yet sad) movie, check out Grave of the Fireflies.

Definitely check out Outlaw Star if you liked Cowboy Bebop.

I'm not really too much into anime, but I got Revenge of the ninja from columbiahouse for like $5 bucks, figured it's the same as renting it. I thought it was pretty good. What do you guys think? Any suggestions of good anime for someone who hasn't seen alot???

What are some opinions on "Martian Accent Nadescui"(sp?)? My cosin likes it, but I would like some more opinions.

Thanks

In regards to the Fushigi Yugi sets. Its a terrific series, but unfortunately the high cost keeps a lot of people away, including me. I ended up buying both sets from someone in Hong Kong on Ebay. With shipping it only cost me $100 for both sets. I'm not sure what the differences are between it and the US release, but its region free and has an English language track that sounds pretty good (not a bad dub). I see a lot on Ebay with no bids - people are usually wary of buying from people overseas, but in this case its very much worth it.

I also have been getting Black Heaven, Dual, Gasaraki and a few others... Dual is kinda like Gasaraki meets Tenchi Muyo. Black Heaven kinda sucks. Martian Successor Nadesico sucks... I simply don't like goofy children's mecha shows... lots of exaggeration and YELLING and stupid characters. Perhaps the story gets better, but I can't get into it.

I actually like Dual kinda and I've been getting into Gasaraki. I have Trigun and Outlaw Star ordered - I saw one disc of Trigun and a few episodes of Outlaw Star - they didn't impress me much, but I figure perhaps the story gets alot better if you watch all of them. I don't see either of them being nearly as good as Cowboy Bebop.

What's Fushigi Yugi all about? I don't want to invest all that dough unless it's really good. I know everyone thinks Ruroni Kenshin or Samurai X or whatever is good, but I thought it was hella boring and I didn't like any of the characters.

has anyone bought the Streetfighter Alpha series that came out in conjuction with the movie? i'm thinking about buying them because i saw 7 episodes on the first dvd but not real sure about the quality of the series...

I'm a big fan of the evangelion series. one of the best series i have seen so far (IMHO) great character design, and the story is not your standard giant mech plot. it has real thickness to it, and has more plot twist then you can imagen down the line.. I am thrilled to see them putting them out at a fast rate. :)

I decided to start an FAQ for the first post. I ran out of ideas quickly... If you guys think it's a bad idea, I'll take it off. If you think it's a good idea, then perhaps you could toss one out there. I just thought it would be helpful for those who were perhaps new to anime. If you see someone ask a common question, answer it and tell me if I should put it up in the FAQ or not. Good idea? Bad idea? /me shrugs

{edit} Oh yeah - and by all means - I'm no expert, so please correct me if I'm wrong in my answers or even if I'm slightly off or even if you could just explain it better.

I went and bought the remaining Cowboy Bebop discs(4,5,6), Mononoke, Endless Waltz and Bulletproof at Suncoast today...DAMN their prices are astronomical($32.99 for Cowboy Bebop)!

When I finally have the complete Macross, Evangellion, Cowboy Bebop, and Escaflowne series sitting on my shelf however, I'm gunna have a goo fest:)

Search for my thread in DVD Bargains, the first 3 Lost Universe DVD's are only 15$ a piece with free shipping in the US up to the 31st of March. Check this link and suscribe to the newsletter... they probably have the best anime deals (or sure seem to when looking at this months list).

https://www.advfilms.com/coolanime.html

As for you folks who don't touch VHS, check out the DVD releases of Orphen and Crest of the Stars. I've only seen 2 episodes of both but am already very eagerly awaiting the dvd's. Both are listed as March releases and both have now been apparently pushed back by ADV it seems... so you might have to wait, but I'm thinking that those 2 series will be the best ones to make their apparition to DVD for 2001.

Does anyone know what's up with Rurouni Kenshin? The release date for Volume 5 keeps being pushed back. Also, is there any truth to the rumors that they will be decreasing the number of episodes on each disc?

[RANT]
Why do ppl who ask for anime suggestions always get told to watch Akira, GITS and Ninja Scroll?? If I saw those 3 only, I'd never watch any anime again! There is an infinite amount of better anime out there than those 3 outdated movies that don't cut it. My friend has the GITS DVD and he hasn't even opened it yet and doesn't plan on it. I watched Akira last summer and was "this sucks bad". And if you absolutely want Ninja anime, get some Kenshin, it's so much better than Ninja Scroll could ever be. If ppl ask for anime and those 3 are the only ones you've seen, don't answer the question.
[/RANT]

I disagree... I think Ninja Scroll is a classic. The only people I know who don't like it are those who are too jaded to just enjoy it without worrying about all the attached hype because they've seen like almost every anime out there. Ghost in the Shell is a terriffic movie... It's not without flaws, but it's a great film to start with to get somebody interested in the genre. Akira I haven't seen in many many years, and I don't remember it. I just remember that I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen before when I first saw it. I imagine I'd still enjoy watching it again since I kinda like the director.

I can sort of see your point though - I don't really want these films to be as representational as they are for Anime. Despite a few complex subtexts, they are basically just showcases for fantastically bloody and violent cartoons. The uninitiated will see these and realize that just because it's animated doesn't mean it's for kids. They are certainly well done and although they lack the depth of many other anime, they are at the very least an important staple in the genre. I think Cowboy Bebop or Perfect Blue would be good starters also.

The thing that makes these films so popular and what makes them such good canditates for de-virginizing someone into the world of anime is that they are a slap in the face... most people have short attention spans - especially when it comes to things unknown but that they have a preconception about. If someone thinks cartoons are for kids and that it wouldn't interest them, these 3 films are a great way to grab them by the balls and make them interested. Once they are interested, throw some deep and meaningful stuff at them... they'll be more receptive.

I guess I just don't share your idea that these are bad films. I enjoy them. Much the same way I enjoy hollywood action movies like Die Hard and Armageddon and Lethal Weapon and Jackie Chan films. However, I also love films that touch me on a deeper level or make me think or evoke an emotion or two. Half or my collection (excluding anime) is hollywood blockbuster mindless eye candy while the other half is quirky low-budget or independent films made to mess with your head in one way or another.

I also don't think that there's an infinite number of better anime out there... there's very little good anime out there. I guess I exclude alot of it because I'm not into mecha... several years ago, it seemed like the only anime out there was either about mechas in outer space or mechas or outer space. Things have changed only slightly, but they are getting better. I have to say though that I didn't like Kenshin at all... I didn't find any redeeming qualities in the characters at all and thus I don't care about them. It's just really boring so far (I'm watching the OVA and I'm on disc 2). You're entitled to like it though... It's at least produced well and has some good drama in it. I wish I could get into it, but I can't.

This was posted in the Guide to Anime Thread - so I brought it over here...

Are you kidding me?

Go to http://www.pricegrabber.com and type in "Magic User" in the search box... I found the DVD going for as low as 16 bucks and everyone had it listed as having a running time of 60 min. There appear to be 2 discs available - vol 1 and vol 2. I imagine there are 2 episodes to each disc... I don't know since I've not seen it (at least I don't think I have - I may have). It looks like Cardcaptor Sakura kinda... Since it's from Media Blasters though I'm guessing it's some sort of prOn.

^^^

As for mahou tsukaitai (aka Magic Users Club, or the Japanese pun, I Want to Use Magic), the one being released on DVD is the OVA series, which contains 6 episodes, and since there are only 2 eps per volume, then there will be 3 volumes coming out on DVD in the U.S.. Don't let the witch thing fool you...it's part sci-fi, and part witch...but the sci-fi won't take effect until the very ending and continue into the TV series (yes, there is a TV seris of this show, that came much later than the OVA).

As for the rant, most of the best anime shows are not even out in the U.S. and there are more to come. What people suggest for others to see, generally, are the anime shows that got them into anime. I remember in the early 90's, it was Robotech-this or Robotech-that, or Akira-this, or Akira-that, or Bubblegum Crisis-this or Bubblegum Crisis-that, that got them into anime in the first place. Those were the shows that people were using to get people interested in anime. Naturally, everyone has different tastes, and for those who have seen more anime, can recommend better anime than the popular titles everyone else states, because most current fans have very limited anime experience, and mostly seen what has been released in the states, dubbed or subbed (and that's not saying a lot). Rurouni Kenshin TV series, OVA, and movie are quite good, but the TV series only started getting better around mid 30's and ends the great sequence close to ep. 70. After that, it's back to being plain and boring. GITS is actually not that old, considering the other two titles mentioned like Akira or Ninja Scrolls. Both of these latter movies were released in the late 80's and they hold up pretty well over the test of time. The former, GITS was created in the mid-90's and hence is not considered old by any means. If you were an anime fan post GITS, it may seem old to you, but if you are a true anime fan of the old generation (the generation that still accepts watching raw Japanese anime), then GITS is still considered pretty new in relativity, because the movie redefined anime, like most of its predecessor, like Akira, which redefined the style and story-telling and animation techniques. GITS did the same thing, which created a whole new computer-generated overlay look of anime, which is the new adopted look of newer anime (if you couldn't tell already). Prior to GITS, there were less computer generated anime than there are currently. Akira redefined in-between drawing, smoothing out a lot of the choppy look of the 80's anime. If you compare anime movies prior to Akira and post-Akira, you can tell there has been a huge shift of production value. Why do you think the recent anime movie, Gundress, bombed in the Japanese anime movie market? If you have seen it, it went back to the old style that was heavily seen in the 80's...very poorly animated, poorly colored, poor execution and in-between work. And this movie came out in 1999, and is by Shirow, with character designers by Kenichi Sonada (of BGC fame). When a shift occurs in anime, it's due to great works of art. Princess Mononoke has shifted anime movies to a whole new height, and has brought Ghibli to reconsider their target audience a bit better, since PM made the most money of all the Ghibli movies combined.

As for Dual, it is more Tenchi meets Evangelion (not Gasaraki). Dual is practically the same as Evangelion with a Tenchi point of view. Of course, this is coming from the producers/creators of Tenchi. <heh heh> Great TV series (yeah, it looks like an OVA, but it ain't).

As for Martian Successor Nadesico, ADV did a poor job with the translation, or whoever translated it, did a poor job with the translation. There are many Japanese culture subtexts and anime references, that if you don't know it, it will seem stupid and silly to you. Basically, this series has so many inside-jokes of the anime world, that if you haven't watched that many anime, then it will just go over your head. Many of us old-school anime understand it because we know what the jokes are all about. I am amazed they don't have liner notes to explain all the significance behind everything. The Japanese DVDs have every info on all their inside jokes. However, Trigger, this is a funny series, but you will need to watch a whole slew of old 70's and 80's anime to understand what shows they are making fun of. In addition, it's not a "Chulip", it's a TULIP!!! Ugh, I hate bad translations...like Media Blaster's Rurouni Kenshin.

As for Gasaraki, it's great that people enjoy it because it's one of the few "serious" anime series out there that do not exaggerate and give a really mean plot and character development. Other great series are Legend of Galactic Heroes (104 episodes, a few movies, some side stories movies and series) which is one great space opera, very serious and very political. Another one is Votoms (52 episodes) which is coming out soon on DVD, and this one is a mecha-show, but the tone is pretty serious and not taken lightly. Gasaraki follows in this tracks of serious anime that most anime fans really don't know much about. It's a great series, 26 episodes total.

Fushigi Yuugi is a 52 episode series, based on a shoujo (girl) manga of the same name. If you don't like angst, then don't buy it. (Due note: most shoujo manga and anime are angst-ridden...most but not all). It is about a Japanese school girl, Miaka, and her best friend, Yui, who gets transported back into Ancient China via a book called the "Four Gods of Heaven and Earth". These girls become the prophesied "Miko" (priestess)...Miaka is on the Suzaku (the sign of the Phoenix...one of the four gods), and Yui is on the side of the Seiryuu (the sign of the Dragon...another of the four gods). Basically, to get back to their world, they have to call up the power of their god, and they are granted 3 wishes. But in order to do so, they have to find 7 protectorates each, with symbols on their bodies that correlate with the sign of their god. (All this is under Chinese mythology...fyi). Anyhoo, the two-pack each consist of 26 episodes, which is not too shabby considering what they are charging. It's a great series for die-hard Fushigi Yuugi fans. If you have not watched the whole series, rent it first or watch someone else's. Pioneer only made so many and doesn't expect it to be ultra popular with newbie anime fans, but only for die-hard FY fans. Great series...lots of angst...a lot of great characters die...'nuff said.

Trigger, you should change your answer for Otaku. The Japanese do not know where the word originally came from, but a lot of them expect the break down of Otaku comes from the word taku, which means home. O is an honorific prefix and combined creates the word, Otaku. The Japanese people believe that those who are labeled otaku implies people who usually do not leave the house, so people who stay indoors a lot...and anime would do that to you (as seen in the OVA series Otaku Generation). Otaku now implies, by definition of the Japanese, to imply "someone who is really into (along the lines of obsession) something"...this could be applied to anything, and not just anime hobby, basically any hobby where one is obssessed over it. Basically, the American equivalent word we can give Otaku is close to the word Freak, but Freak has a negative connotation in the American usage of the word. Otaku, by Japanese definition, is not a negative connotative word, so it isn't deragatory...it's more along the lines of a neutral adjective of someone. But, we Americans now use the word solely for anime purposes. Funny how things work out... :P

Hmm, anything else to discuss...<shrug> if anything pops up, I'll discuss that one too.

[Edited by The Eigeman on 03-12-01 at 03:45 PM]

First off - WOW - you said a mouthfull. You're quite the expert. I knew my definition of Otaku wouldn't be acceptable. It seems to be used to describe a geeky collector nerd. I don't know - Do you even think an FAQ is worth it? This thread seems to go overlooked. I saw 4 Anime threads above this one. Guess people aren't catching on.

In reply to the above portion of your post, you seem to think I'm a newbie to the whole Anime thing... I'm not. When I say there aren't that many good anime out there, I'm talking about anime that's accessible to me. Living in the states, I don't get to see all the good stuff. There are several titles I have been itching to see but that aren't available here. Like I said though... I'm just not into mecha anime. It's not that the jokes in Nadesico were over my head... I got the jokes and knew where most of the references were coming from. I just didn't find them very funny. I got all the jokes from the A-Ko stuff and I found that to be an amusing show. I liked it heaps more than Nadesico... But I also like Kekko Kamen, so my taste is questionable.

I grew up on healthy doses of Robotech and Voltron and stuff like that. I saw Akira when it first hit the states. I saw Ghost In the Shell the day it hit the shelves in the video store I was working in. I had seen stuff like old bubblegum crisis, fist of the northstar, old sol bianca, wicked city, ninja scroll etc etc.. I didn't really start getting into it until DVD came around. DVD put anime in a collectible price range for me. If only I was fortunate enough to have ALL anime available to me, then my life could be complete. Seriously though, I do know my knowledge of anime is limited, but I'm neither an "otaku" nor am I a newbie. I have about a dozen different animes on VHS and about 100 anime DVDs.

I have my own tastes when it comes to anime, I like certain things and I dislike others - just like with regular movies. I don't think that I am required to see every anime in existence before I can decide whether or not I like or dislike a particular show. I'm glad to have an expert like you around though so I can consult with you before buying into another stupid series. I picked up 3X3 Eyes having passed over it several times over the years... I had only started hearing praises of it recently surrounding the DVD release. I can see that the story is developing nicely despite a rocky start, but I don't think I can handle the artwork. It's the guy's eyes in particular. I thought they stopped doing those half-moon slits ages ago (ages before this was inked). I can't remember the last time I saw that... it was sure annoying though. It's making it hard for me to get into the series cuz all I can think about is "when is he gonna open his regular eyes??". I'm only about 40 minutes worth in to it... I'm hoping it will get better.

Blue Seed is cool too. I picked this one up on DVD. I saw an episode or two a long time ago and remembered it being much cooler, but it's still pretty cool. Very involving story. It's reminding me a little bit of Urotsukidoji without the tentacle porn. Urotsukidoji was my second anime DVD. :) I actually am among the few who think it's a good story with a little tentacle porn thrown in now and then. Speaking of hentai - Imma Youjo isn't bad either (storywise)... it's better than Cool Devices in that respect.

Anyway - thanks for all the info - I appreciate it. Keep it up. :)

As for 3x3 Eyes, the whole joke is his eyes. He only opens it once...and only once throught the 2 OVA series. Remember, he has a "Wu" on his forehead, which means "nothing"...basically a body w/o a soul. His eyes are a reflection of his souless nature. It's an inside joke. It's better explained in the manga which the anime ova's are based off of.

As for Nadesico, it's not really a mecha show as it is a comedy. The mecha is more a sub-plot to the comedy, but the characters are what pulls Nadesico into a great series.
The new series created by the same producers and production company called Gatekeepers is not a mecha show as it is a more "super-hero" type show, but still along the same comedy lines as Nadesico. This new series has more CG in it and you can really tell the production cost is pretty high per episode. Don't watch for the mecha. Watch for the comedy plot.

And as for your anime history, sorry about that. Sometimes, people in the states don't really understand all the significance of the little subtleties of anime jokes or the Japanese culture. ANd what makes it worse are Japanese puns which are impossible to translate in dub and can only be expressed in subs. I always say the more you know, the better you can appreciate the little subtleties of anime. Even I don't like everything I watch either, but I will watch the whole thing to make a final judgement because you will never know, sometimes the series will get better or worse as you continue to watch.

And be lucky anime became more popular in the U.S., it was a niche market in the past and a highly expensive hobby because we had to import all of our stuff from Japan. And Japan is still pretty expensive.

I'll be getting R2 of GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) (43 eps), which is a great series (gonna translate it for our club).


Eigey

I saw the first 5 or 6 episodes of Orphen at our campus anime club last semester -- very good stuff and I like the music a lot too. I'm waiting to pre-order it since it arrives 3/27, but not too many places are listing it. I wrote to the guy at bestprices.com though and he said he'd talk to their pre-order person about listing it and NGE vol 5.

Tuan Jim

Hey... We're looking for someone to pen an ANIME column here on DVD Talk and people to do more anime reviews.

Interested?

E-mail me at [email protected] with a writing sample if you are interested.

I just wish animeigo would get off their butts and get us Crusher Joe on DVD....

I also can not wait until someone gets Galaxy Express 999 to us!!!!!

Has anyone here seen the new Sol Bianca DVD series?? It's fantastic. I was not sure if I liked it at first, but once I got past the computer animated style (like Blue Sub 6) and got into the story, it really grew on me. I've only gotten the first disc so far and I'm really looking forward to the other 2 I have on order. It is somewhere between Cowboy Bebop and Blue Submarine No. 6 kinda...

Have you watched the first two movies of Sol Bianca?? The first two movies were actually better than the OVA series. They also came out in the early late 80's/early 90's. But overall, the OVA series is not bad. The style of CG coloring is really gonna be part of anime nowadays. That won't go anymore since it seems to be a whole new wave for Japanese studios to explore and work with.

No - I've always been curious about the previous Sol Bianca stuff... my video store has this really old VHS copy of Sol Bianca, but it's in episodes, so I don't think it's a movie. Never watched it. Much of the older anime is leaving me cold these days - much like when I go back to my old punk rock records... I'm just not in the mood. Sol Bianca is something I'd be interested in seeing the older stuff though. Is it available on DVD?

Never thought I could get into Love Hina until I actually sat down and watched it. Right now it is in Japanese and not released in the US yet.

what's Love Hina?

Anybody know where I can find the uncut Kite? I know that Media Blasters released it on VHS in the US this past January... I don't know if it's still cut or what - 800.com lists a Director's Cut version on VHS, but it's out of stock - they also say it came out in 98. It would be nice to get the Region 2 disc if it's NTSC (even if it's PAL) - anybody know where I can find that? I believe the UPC code for the US VHS version is 631595993233. I don't care if it's sub or dub. I have the cut version on DVD and it's a decent show... I'm curious to see if the uncut version is better.

anime is good
 

i don't know about you guys but i thought black heaven is really cool, with the music theme and references to heavy metal and the 80's (although the 80s kind of sucked), trigun is awesome cool characters and just hilarious hijinks, cowboy bebop is sweet, outlaw star is also good but doesn't have as high production values as cowboy bebop, martian successor is hilarious and the characters and their development is what makes this series good (the occasional fight helps too) and of course the macross plus series is in my opinion one of the best out there.
oh by the way is anybody else excited about the macross box set coming out?

All that was cut are scenes of the girl having sex with the man, basically, you're lacking pedo sex... yay...

It's a comedy serie about a guy who lives with a bunch of girls, it's not ecchi in the sense of the term, but it's a lot of sexual enuendo and stuff. (I think, I heard tons about this last summer, but was too lazy to ever get any of it, the first part is right though)

Odds are slim that Galaxy Express will be released... I don't think it's popular enough and the animation is kinda horrid :p

You'll have to settle for Queen Emeraldas and some Harlock DVDs which I think are all you'll see of that storyline.