What Current Anime Are You Watching Version v4.0

[bob joe mac]

I just finished Berserk. The last five episodes are actually really dang good and the monsters are fuggin epic. The ending doesn't bother me too much (I will admit ending it Griffith raping Casca for no reason was immensely dumb and pointless) because it does fit the nihilistic tone of this series, but HOW THE HELL DID GUTS ESCAPE? I can literally buy everything else but that. HOW? You know what is also disappointing? More than anything else I've complained about? This track:

Griffith raping Casca was to go back to him establishing his dominance over Guts and restore his ego once again as said above not pointless in any context. As for him escaping if you watch the movies you will get the answear even if they are a even inferior attempt to tell the Berserk story then the show was, not that they were bad just the manga is art. Berserk was a story about Gut's and Griffith's relationship with one another everything else is just a cherry on top.

[DuelGundam2099]

He's charasmatic, egotistical, a master manipulator and views other people as pawns to futher hs advancement no matter how caring he may seem to them outwardly.

That part I understood.

At this point in the story he hates Guts more than anything else because Guts is the one person he can't bend to his will and blames everything that happened after Guts left on him.

Given his illusions in eps 21 and 24 it didn't seem like it. Maybe the manga did a better job at portraying this.

The reason you seem to be confused is because of Guts point of view.

Oh now I see, thanks RL!

His having sex with her was also power trip saying in his head to Guts "see I don't need you, I can take what I want!" that comes back to bite him.

I see. I thought it was because he became so depressed and desperate.... Now I feel silly.

Its the subtilty of Griffith's character that your missing that makes you question and not understand why he does what he does.

Griffith raping Casca was to go back to him establishing his dominance over Guts and restore his ego once again

I never did think of it from that perspective.

As for the Berserk movies I will see them eventually.

[Marzan]

I'm surprised how little you understand about Griffith. He's charasmatic, egotistical, a master manipulator and views other people as pawns to futher hs advancement no matter how caring he may seem to them outwardly. At this point in the story he hates Guts more than anything else because Guts is the one person he can't bend to his will and blames everything that happened after Guts left on him. The rape of Casca was a final insult to Guts and in Griffith's view taking back posession of something he felt he owned. As for how Guts escaped? SKULL KNIGHT, one of the major characters cut from the first episode.

Anyways I just want to go back and touch apon a couple of things from your previous post. Yes Casca was on her period which depending on severity symptoms include dizzyness, fatigue, irritability, and fever. The reason you seem to be confused is because of Guts point of view. The only woman Guts ever really knew besides Casca was Gambino's wife and she died when he was very young so he has no idea how a woman's biology works. Because he is a bit of an idiot in that department is why he wonders if she is sick or wounded when he sees the blood from her menstruation.

As for why Griffith snaps and has sex with Charlotte? Like I already touched on Griffith despite how much of a friend he appears to Guts he still viewed Guts as pawn to bend to his will. When Guts stands up to him, bests him in combat, and leaves him this causes Griffith to lose his cool and throw away all his carefully laid plans in a fit of rage. Remember Griffith's goal all along is to have his own kingdom nothing else matters hence why all along he had intended to seduce Charlotte and depose the king. His having sex with her was also power trip saying in his head to Guts "see I don't need you, I can take what I want!" that comes back to bite him. See how this all ties back into the rape of Casca? Its the subtilty of Griffith's character that your missing that makes you question and not understand why he does what he does.

Spot on with your breakdown of Berserk renegadeleader 1.

There is just one small thing to consider. I think that despite the fact that yes, Griffith considers Guts to be his chess piece to help him get to the top, he is also the only person that has distracted Griffith from his goal. I think it's in volume 12 of the manga where he says something along the lines of "Among thousands of comrades and tens of thousands of enemies, you're the only one who made me forget my dream.” Casca knows this, and it's the reason of her volcanic dislike of Guts .

[CrazyDude]

Watching ガイストクラッシャー, some interesting ideas in that one also reminds me partially of Saint Seyia.

Looks as bit more interesting than Monsoono.

[DarrinG]

To Dunbine episodes 16 and 17 where they break through to Upper Earth, Tokyo.

Really great action, scenes well done, enjoying the series a lot.

Here is Garlaria in the Aura Battler Bostune -- cutting a copter in half . . .

[DuelGundam2099]

Dunbine only gets better from there!

Anyway, earlier I started watching Hellsing (TV version) and went as far as the first three eps. Nothing really wrong with it thus far, but WOW are the opening and ending themes not match the tone or style of this series. "Why whatever could go with a series about vampires? Why country and alternative of course!" It doesn't even match the sequences! I have NEVER seen an anime do that.

[CrazyDude]

Heads up for the members in the kanto plain.

Tomorrow at 19:00 on MX-TV "Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning" will be shown.

I am a fan of that series and got all the released models build up.

[antibiotictab]

Heads up for the members in the kanto plain.

Tomorrow at 19:00 on MX-TV "Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning" will be shown.

I am a fan of that series and got all the released models build up.

Yup. I have already booked the program on my recorder. Thanks to Tokyo MX TV, we can watch many animes and some special programs. You know Ghost in the Shell: Arise episode 1 was also aired in November.

T&B was re-aired 2 times. I am looking forward to the 2nd movie.

[DuelGundam2099]

Yesterday I finished Hellsing. The music was stupid and it ended on one of those dumb cliffhanger notes, but overall it was very likeable. The day before that I finally got around to finishing the Machine Robo OVAs Wolf Sword Legend. Don't you love it how they don't explain how the main heroes travel to other planets in between episodes? Other than that I thought they were a nice way to wrap up the story even if poor Rom had to kick the bucket and the Meteor Sword ended up breaking.

[Beltane70]

After knowing about its existence for as long as I've been an anime fan (29 years to be exact), I finally got to see Space Carrier Blue Noah. I found it to be pretty enjoyable even though it was the English dub version of it, Thunder Sub.

[antibiotictab]

Space Carrier Blue Noah

Nishizaki's anime... Did not get popular compared to his Space Battleship Yamato.

In Yamato Fukkatsu-hen, a ship "Blue Noah" actually appeared. I guess it was Nishizaki's idea.

[technoblue]

I started watching Wizard Barristers on Crunchyroll. The show has me hooked and reminds me of what would happen if someone mashed up Boston Legal with Someday's Dreamers and then added a double portion of action for good measure.

[Marzan]

Finished Sword Art Online. I enjoyed it, but cannot help wondering if it could have been so much more. A very good premise and setting is let down by some pacing issues in the first half and a rather cliched, less gripping second half. I wish they had split it up in 2 seasons. Still, I'm rather curious about the upcoming SPA series.

[DuelGundam2099]

A couple days ago I started watching Ergo Proxy. Really not sure how to talk about it really.... A mixed bag maybe? I'm only three eps in so far. I hope this isn't a "it looks pretty but is really dull" type of series.

[renegadeleader1]

Well its been awhile since I posted in this thread, but I've had some spare time to get caught up on some series.

Blue Drop- Decent show, but fairly slow moving and at 12 episodes I doubt the story will evolve much.

Aquarion- Look I don't really care that Shoji Kawamori had anything to do with this show, it's just plan awful! I'm nearly 20 episodes through it and its been nothing but the same repetitive crap. Same annoying characters with no development, no real explanation of what the hell is really going on, and production values that drop into the gutter at various random points. Damn it I don't know why I'm even continuing this crap other than I've already gone this far I might as well finish. Stupid repetitive garbage.

Birdy the Mighty Decode- I really regret not getting into this series sooner, and has been quite the fun little surprise. I like its mix of superhero and sci-fi and its plot really has me guessing what might happen next.

I also rewatched Sword Of The Stranger which is possibly the best non Ghibli anime film I have seen. The pacing and how it builds to its climatic showdown is amazing. Speaking of the showdown every fight in this film is lushly animated and flows so smoothly.

[DuelGundam2099]

I'm nearly 20 episodes through it and its been nothing but the same repetitive crap.

I've seen a lot of critiques over my favorite normal anime, you're the first to use repetition (and it is legit), I tip my hat off to you.

no real explanation of what the hell is really going on

If you want RL I can explain what is going on.

Anyway, after seeing ep 4 of Ergo Proxy I can finally sum it up: Really good art style and potential military conspiracy plot with some good background music, but the lackluster opening and ending themes, sluggish pacing, and boring characters kind of kill it. Lets see if it really is as good as everyone says it is.

[frothymug]

Aquarion- Look I don't really care that Shoji Kawamori had anything to do with this show, it's just plan awful! I'm nearly 20 episodes through it and its been nothing but the same repetitive crap. Same annoying characters with no development, no real explanation of what the hell is really going on, and production values that drop into the gutter at various random points. Damn it I don't know why I'm even continuing this crap other than I've already gone this far I might as well finish. Stupid repetitive garbage.

I watched one episode and also saw that the show had the "same annoying characters". As much as I love Macross, SK's involvement in this show isn't nearly enough to keep me interested.

[DuelGundam2099]

You're missing out on one of the greatest anime of all time, frothymug. Even if you might not enjoy it. Even I thought the first episode was lackluster.

[Gubaba]

You're missing out on one of the greatest anime of all time, frothymug. Even if you might not enjoy it. Even I thought the first episode was lackluster.

I'd say the same thing about the Five Star Stories manga...

[Marzan]

Daisuki is streaming Gundam Seed remastered so I'm taking the dip. It's the first non UC Gundam I watch with the exception of Turn A Gundam. I know I'm like a decade late to the party and that 3/4 of the people here have already seen it. So far, it's remarkably like MSG and Zeta in it's story. Almost feels like a remake.

[technoblue]

I finished Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust earlier this week. It was an impressive trilogy, with only a slight slow down during the events of The Second Combustion. The trilogy is a gritty, mature, cyberpunk anime, and it is no clone of Shirow Masamune's Ghost in the Shell. That said, I do think anyone who has enjoyed Mamoru Oshii's GitS movies will probably enjoy the Mardock Trilogy. Rune Ballot is an excellent main character and watching her relationship with Dr. Easter and the enigmatic Oeufcoque change throughout as she became a stronger person was touching. The Third Exhaust brings with it some surprising character development, a nice bit of action, as well as an end to the casino plot (I thought the second movie could have done more with this, but that is a minor gripe).

Amazon.com notes that the domestic US release for this on blu is scheduled for March:

http://www.amazon.com/Mardock-Scramble-Third-Exhaust-Blu-ray/dp/B00GY3S6LW

However, the Japanese release is already available and that includes subtitles.

Edited February 5, 2014 by technoblue

[modelglue]

Just finished 1-25 of Attack on Titan, I enjoyed it and I was glad to have it recommended to me. For any of you on the fence about how you want to spend your 'anime-watching time' this is a good way to kill hours. The developments were up my alley and unexpected. I still grapple with the teen/child warrior aspect of these shows but I can get over it.

I also watched the first set of episodes (1-12) of 'Dance in the Vampire Bund'. Really good. A little perverse at times and uncomfortable themes popped up but they all get ironed out towards the end of the dozen shows. Again, Kids are fighting but it makes perfect sense and I found it more acceptable when I inferred what I needed to from the plot. Some great characters and neat themes that I personally haven't seen before.

I tried watching Aquarion guys, but ultimately I found myself bored after 5-6 episodes. It was neat to begin with but as I experience with Chrome Shelled Regios, I was fatigued with the cast and had better things to do with my time.

I'm still working through Blood+ but I find it enjoyable as I like the monsters. I'm fickle when it comes to beasts apparently.

[Keith]

Robot Girls Z is officially the new hotness. Who would have thought a moe interpretation of Go Nagai would work so well.

[technoblue]

I tried watching Aquarion guys, but ultimately I found myself bored after 5-6 episodes. It was neat to begin with but as I experience with Chrome Shelled Regios, I was fatigued with the cast and had better things to do with my time.

I gave Aquarion about the same five episodes before quitting it.

Edited February 6, 2014 by technoblue

[renegadeleader1]

I tried watching Aquarion guys, but ultimately I found myself bored after 5-6 episodes. It was neat to begin with but as I experience with Chrome Shelled Regios, I was fatigued with the cast and had better things to do with my time.

You aren't missing much, and what you have been is pretty much awful repetitive dreck. The series is 26 episodes long and only in the last 4-5 episodes does any plot development occur. This show would have been better served as a 8-9 episode OVA. Seriously you can watch the first 3-4 episodes and the last 5 and not miss a damn thing plotwise.

[DuelGundam2099]

Actually yes you can, like how midway through the series two protags are revealed to be shadow angels. So many lies. Anyway, I got caught up with Robot Girls Z, why is this series so hilarious? I also go up to ep 10 in Ergo Proxy and it is BORING. Some parts are interesting, but it is like it tries to hard to not be engaging. Ugh.

[renegadeleader1]

Finshed Aquarion... waste of my damn time with a plot that ended up making all the repetitive monster of week battles meaningless. I really REALLY dislike this show and its almost nonexisting/contradicting plot. Hell Ikki Tousen Great Guardians had a deeper, more coherent, and compelling plot than Aquarion, and that show was 95% boobs and crotch shots!

Anyways moving on to Polyphonica. It has a good pedigree coming from the original creator of Scrapped Princess. Speaking of which I'm looking forward to the upcoming Casket Princess Chaika which reunites the original creator, director, and Studio(Bones) from ScraPrin.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-06/chika-anzai-junji-majima-lead-hitsugi-no-chaika-anime-cast

[technoblue]

Ergo Proxy presents a very interesting sci-fi conspiracy. It does takes its time world building, though. Also, the split focus between the two main characters can be confusing if you are not into the plot. It is one of my favorite anime series, but I do tend to enjoy the philosophical, noir, cyberpunk stuff.

And I can see how it's not to everyone's taste. Wikipedia does have this interesting note from the writer, Dai Satō:

It is set in the future. A group of robots become infected with something called the Kojiro [sic] virus, and become aware of their own existence. So these robots, which had been tools of humans, decide to go on an adventure to search for themselves. They have to decide whether the virus that infected them created their identity, or whether they gained their identity through their travels. This question is meant to represent our own debate over whether we become who we are because of our environment, or because of things that are inherent in us. The robots are all named after philosophers: Derrida and Lacan and Husserl.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergo_Proxy

[DuelGundam2099]

Ergo Proxy presents a very interesting sci-fi conspiracy. It does takes its time world building, though. Also, the split focus between the two main characters can be confusing if you are not into the plot. It is one of my favorite anime series, but I do tend to enjoy the philosophical, noir, cyberpunk stuff.

I'm trying to enjoy it.

Also sorry you didn't like Aquarion RL, here's a hug to make you feel better.

[Marzan]

Ergo Proxy presents a very interesting sci-fi conspiracy. It does takes its time world building, though. Also, the split focus between the two main characters can be confusing if you are not into the plot. It is one of my favorite anime series, but I do tend to enjoy the philosophical, noir, cyberpunk stuff.

And I can see how it's not to everyone's taste. Wikipedia does have this interesting note from the writer, Dai Satō:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergo_Proxy

I really enjoyed Ergo Proxy, although my favorite in that genre is probably Texhnolyze. Ergo Proxy has some of the weirdest, stand alone episodes I've seen though.

For anyone watching Kill la Kill, the latest episode has a little Macross reference. See if you can spot it...

[BeyondTheGrave]

I really enjoyed Ergo Proxy, although my favorite in that genre is probably Texhnolyze. Ergo Proxy has some of the weirdest, stand alone episodes I've seen though.

For anyone watching Kill la Kill, the latest episode has a little Macross reference. See if you can spot it...

Didn't see it. The but the one mecha looked like metal gear.

So what did you think of the M. Knight moment?

[Marzan]

Didn't see it. The but the one mecha looked like metal gear.

So what did you think of the M. Knight moment?

I'm afraid I missed that one.

[technoblue]

Okay, now I'm curious about the Macross reference from the last episode of Kill la Kill.

This scene stuck out for me, in particular:

When Ragyo Kiryuin arrives at Honnouji Academy and gives her presentation before releasing the life fibers on the audience, I was getting a huge Sharon Apple vibe. Even the music at that point had a similar melody to one of the bits during the concert at Macross City.

Edited February 11, 2014 by technoblue

[DuelGundam2099]

I just finished Ergo Proxy. Might as well list the pros and cons:

Pros:

-Action bits were decent

-The music sort of grew on me after a while

-No annoying characters

-Solid conclusion

-Some episodes were paced well

-Good use of philosophy

-No fan service

-Great art style

Cons:

-First ten episodes were slow as well as a few others beyond it

-Eps 15 and 19 were too out of place, not that the episodes were bad, but they were strange

-The conspiracy plot amounted to nothing

-Why did Auto-rave Re-L become an angel? What was she supposed to be exactly?

-So Ergo made a second body of himself to become the bringer of death? Why the unnecessary complexity

-Raul and Pino were useless

-More of a nitpick, but ep 16 having toilet seat jokes was stupid

I can understand some of the praise this series gets, but I have to admit it is somewhat of a mess and can be hard to follow. Anime I've thought of taking on next include Trinity Blood, Blood +, Black Lagoon, Gasaraki, Great Teacher Onizuka, Infinite Ryvius, Vampire Knight, Penguindrum, and VS Knight Ramune and 40 Fire.

Edited February 11, 2014 by DuelGundam2099

[Vepariga]

I just finished Ergo Proxy. Might as well list the pros and cons:

Pros:

-Action bits were decent

-The music sort of grew on me after a while

-No annoying characters

-Solid conclusion

-Some episodes were paced well

-Good use of philosophy

-No fan service

-Great art style

Cons:

-First ten episodes were slow as well as a few others beyond it

-Eps 15 and 19 were too out of place, not that the episodes were bad, but they were strange

-The conspiracy plot amounted to nothing

-Why did Auto-rave Re-L become an angel? What was she supposed to be exactly?

-So Ergo made a second body of himself to become the bringer of death? Why the unnecessary complexity

-Raul and Pino were useless

-More of a nitpick, but ep 16 having toilet seat jokes was stupid

I can understand some of the praise this series gets, but I have to admit it is somewhat of a mess and can be hard to follow. Anime I've thought of taking on next include Trinity Blood, Blood +, Black Lagoon, Gasaraki, Great Teacher Onizuka, Infinite Ryvius, Vampire Knight, Penguindrum, and VS Knight Ramune and 40 Fire.

Yeah Ergo Proxy was nice,it did get quite dull in some areas but the design is something that kept me watching.

out of the ones your going for next,I really enjoyed Blood +. Trinity Blood is also good but completely different from the manga,its still enjoyable to watch but missed so much story wise and character wise by diverting from the source so much. GTO is hilarious as for the others i cant say.

Okay, now I'm curious about the Macross reference from the last episode of Kill la Kill.

This scene stuck out for me, in particular:

When Ragyo Kiryuin arrives at Honnouji Academy and gives her presentation before releasing the life fibers on the audience, I was getting a huge Sharon Apple vibe. Even the music at that point had a similar melody to one of the bits during the concert at Macross City.

haha,yeah it was abit. when her image hologramed over the staduim i thought of Sharon