Spike Lives! (Anime talk)

[:]

We love you, Nurdy.

[#1 :]

Don't thank me, thank nerds with loads of time on their hands and art talent.

So, anything new out that is remotely interesting?

[#2 :]

Haven't seen any good new anime for a while. I've been meaning to check out 'Black Lagoon', which sounds like it's right up my alley. Anybody seen it?

[#3 :]

No.
Have you seen FLCL Coldy? I think it'd be up your alley.

[#4 :]

Is the spelling error in the thread title intentional?

No, not the Lincoln one; the other one.

[#5 :]

FLCL looks utterly spastic from what I've seen of it, but so many people have suggested I take a look that I probably ought to.

[#6 :]

It is all about growing up. And hilarious phallic imagery in the process.

[#7 :]

Is the spelling error in the thread title intentional?

No, not the Lincoln one; the other one.

Original Character!  Do not steal!

[#8 :]

Saw She and Her Cat the other day. Its only like 5 mins long, and is sweet.
I've also seen Angel Tales, which is ok, I wouldnt rave on about it though. Also, I'm half way through Welcome to the NHK, which I quite like, but then I got the book and lost interest in the anime. At the moment I just can't get into anything right now. Hmm.

[#9 :]

I watched She and Her Cat too, it was an extra on the Voices of a Distant Star DVD, you are right about it being sweet

[#10 :]

Sorry for the double post but I do have a review to add 

Ghost in the Shell

Set in a not to distant future Ghost in the Shell is an impressive science fiction film that just happens to be animated, so don't be put off if you think "cartoons are for children". The film contains plenty of action and a plot which is up there with films like The Matrix, in fact this film was a major inspiration for The Matrix.

In this strange, almost dystopian, future some people have been augmented with cybernetic implants and other people are in fact fully cybernetic. One such person is Major Motoko Kusanagi, an officer working for Section Nine. They are a tasked with finding "The Puppetmaster" a mysterious computer hacker who has been hacking into people's implants to control them and even give them false memories.

While on the case Motoko questions the nature of her existence; while she may be artificial she is has both self awareness and emotions and is thus to all intents and purposes alive.

The animation is of a high standard and is filmed in a way that makes it feel more like a live action film, for example characters don't show exaggerated facial expressions like huge smiles that are impossibly large as one tends to get in animation. If fact the animation was such that I often forgot I was watching an animated film and enjoyed it as a great sci-fi thriller along the lines of Blade Runner or The Matrix. Some people might be put off by the nudity early on in the film although this is desexualised and is given some justification in the plot. If you like sci-fi I'd recommend giving this film a go even if you don't usually watch animated films.

These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.

9/10

[#11 :]

My friend wants me to watch code geass tonight, has anyone seen it yet? Is it good?

[#12 :]

Thanks Tweek, I might well give it a go. Does it have the song by Aphex Twin in 'Ghost in the Shell', or is that just a coincidence?

[#13 :]

I don't know the song, but don't recall there being a song in it featuring the English title.

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

Having watched the original Ghost in the Shell for the first time ago a couple of nights ago and really enjoying it I had high hopes for the sequel; unfortunately I don't think it lived up to the original, that is not to say it wasn't good, just not as good. Surprisingly one thing that put me off was the improved animation; quite often I found my self thinking about how well animated certain objects were rather than just sitting back and enjoying the story.

The story itself is pretty good; set three years after the original film the major is no longer around but her old partner, Batau, is back, this time he is partnered with Togusa, a less experienced officer who feels he will forever be in the major's shadow. Their case involves a series of murders where people have been killed by their cybernetic dolls. As they pursue those responsible they must confront violent Yakuza and a hacker who can seemingly effect their view of reality.

As mentioned before the animation is stunning to the point of distraction, like the first film there is a fair bit of philosophising which seemed a bit heavy handed but wasn't too bad. I also missed Major Motoko who was my favourite character in the first film, Batau made a good lead though. If you enjoyed the first film I'd certainly recommend that you watch this one too.

These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.

7/10

[#14 :]

My friend wants me to watch code geass tonight, has anyone seen it yet? Is it good?

Run!  Run far away as fast as you can!

Friends don't let friends watch Code Geass.

[#15 :]

I didn't think it was that bad.

[#16 :]

I'm selling three complete anime box-sets if anyone's interested.

They are:

Ninja Scroll: The series
Last Exile
Blue Gender

All complete, all in good nick. But I would prefer to only post to Australia.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=300301090242

[#17 :]

I'd buy Last Exile off of you if I lived in Australia.

I didn't think it was that bad.

No, it's not bad.  If it was bad, I wouldn't care; I just wouldn't watch it.

It's just...  I like most of the characters, and I even kinda like the premise of the show, but it just went so horribly wrong in so many ways.

[#18 :]

I know that feeling.

...I can has edited topic title?  If anyone finds a way to draw it, I'll change the title to "Rei Ayanami trying to seduce Comrade Stalin. - Anime Reviews"

[#19 :]

How about 'Evangelion Unit 01 battles King Kong'?

[#20 :]

First Rei, then After Shinji jamming with Woody Guthrie.

[#21 :]

Speaking of animes Red Headed Step Child, you guys get the feeling it is only a matter of time before we get a following series to NGE?

What with all the remakes and endless prethora of NGE themed anime merchandice it is only a matter of time.

[#22 :]

Neon Genesis: Senior Year

"I can't believe Shinji blew me off on prom night to go fight some stupid giant monster! That is so like him! I wish Kaji were still alive..."

"I am!"

"Oh my God! I thought you were dead!"

"I was! But now I'm your new science teacher!"


(VOMIT)

[#23 :]

Speaking of animes Red Headed Step Child, you guys get the feeling it is only a matter of time before we get a following series to NGE?

What with all the remakes and endless prethora of NGE themed anime merchandice it is only a matter of time.

Back when I was a fanfic author I wrote an NGE fic called "the play" in which the characters were forced to repeatedly rehearse a play that they would never perform.  In my own mind it was a meta joke about how Eva did so much so differently it will never be able to escape itself.  Little did I know what was to come.

I hate being right sometimes.

[#24 :]

Heh, depressingly true.

[#25 :]

So for someone who owns Bebop, Trigun, Outlaw Star and the Read or Die OAV and couldn't get into FLCL, what should I look into?

[#26 :]

Probably Azumanga Daioh.

[#27 :]

You ever see any of the Ghost In A Shell stand alone TV series Nix? you might like them...

Not watching the movie is required.

[#28 :]

I prefer S.A.C. to the GitS movies. It's more action-y and less depressing.

[#29 :]

Tweek: Second, third, or whatever on the GitS series, it is pretty excellent. Much better than the movie sequel.

Nix: I've said it before and I'll say it again. Three of the best anime series of all time:
Irresponsible Captain Tylor (comedic space opera)
Great Teacher Onizuka (legendary street thug turned high school teacher)
Last Exile (no words, just win)

[#30 :]

Irresponsible Captain Tylor

That's something I've been meaning to get a hold of. It's good, eh? It sounds similar in tone to Bebop.

[#31 :]

Nix:  You've seen all you need to see.

[#32 :]

ca: er, no, not.. really. Bebop is much more serious than tylor.

:resists the urge to delete pitt's post:

[#33 :]

So what's it like? Lupin the 3rd in space? I'm up for that too.

[#34 :]

I'll just say the central message is one of Captain Tylor's most frequently-uttered phrases, "Stop worrying."

Also, in the first episode, Tylor seduces the military AI which is performing his psych test.

[#35 :]

Sounds cool.

[#36 :]

GTO and Last Exile are better, but Tylor is near and dear to my heart for some reason. And the ending is extremely satisfying, as long as you ignore the OVAs.

[#37 :]

I've seen Last Exile. Too many child characters for me. I prefer adult characters. It was good though - loved the airships.

Great Teacher Onizuka probably isn't for me, 'cause I only grelly go in for the sci-fi stuff.

[#38 :]

I can relate but I must object, the characters in last exile were barely children, it wasn't the generic child-hero achetypes so common in anime, at least in my opinion.

as for GTO, I can understand but really, GTO is truly excellent. Onizuka is the best and worst teacher rolled into one guy, one minute he is waterboarding a group of students, the next he's jumping off a building to save them. If you are haunted by any demons from high school, you should give it a chance.  And if you're not haunted by any demons from high school, you can go fuck yourself.

[#39 :]

Haunted, but not by the teachers.
Understatement, actually. Bullies turned me into the vile monster I am today.
Alright, if I ever chance upon it, I'll have a look.