Any anime fans round here?

[Android 72264Y]

I’ll start off by saying I’m a fan of Serial Experiments Lain and Madoka Magica with a crush on Evangelion for good measure. 

Topic

[Flap Jack]

Oh you bet. I’ve watched Pokémon and Digimon.

[Android 72264Y]

 Digimon.

Sweet. Got a favourite season/era?

[Flap Jack]

Adventure – but unfortunately that preference doesn’t mean much because I’ve only watched that and Tamers, and it’s the only one I’ve seen to the end. 😬

Actually I did watch the first episode of Ghost Game out of curiosity but it didn’t grab me. Nostalgia might be too big a thing when it comes to this franchise.

[Technopeasant]

My first anime was Evangelion, which I’m told isn’t a very good one to start with. It did the job though and is still my favorite. I mostly prefer films to shows though. Your obvious Miyazaki, but also Satoshi Kon, Matoko Shinkai, and Mamoru Hosada. I avoid the ones with hundreds of episodes. Even 50 makes me pause.

[Dave]

I watched a few of the big anime movies in the 90s – Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll etc. – and enjoyed them, but outside of Ghibli movies (which I love) I haven’t seen much modern stuff. 

I did watch the recent Netflix Terminator anime though, which I thought was pretty good.

[Warbodog]

I feel like I missed out on it growing up (especially the Miyazaki films – maybe they were in the video rental place and we just never got lucky when trying out shite like The Pagemaster), so tried to find the best ones in recent years. Started many that didn’t grab me, but favourite series I saw through were:

– Neon Genesis Evangelion (definitely top)

– Berserk (amusingly bloodthirsty, then gets mental at the end)

– Legend of the Galactic Heroes (probably too long though)

– Cyber City Oedo (too short though)

Made it about half way into Serial Experiments Lain and Cowboy Bebop, but wasn’t feeling it so much.

The 90s Sailor Moon was the most entertaining thing I watched with my kid for a couple of seasons, though she hasn’t been interested for a while now.

Films:

– Kiki’s Delivery Service & Totoro are my favourite Miyazaki/Ghibli. Watched Kiki about 100 times now because my daughter loves it and I’m still not sick of it.

– Angel’s Egg was a nicely weird short film.

– Neo Tokyo & Memories were good sci-fi anthology films.

– Saw Akira early on. Didn’t really care for Ghost in the Shell though.

[Dave]

Kiki’s Delivery Service & Totoro are my favourite Miyazaki/Ghibli

I love that everyone can have a different favourite Ghibli and it’s still totally justifiable. My favourite is Spirited Away, which had a profound effect on me and I think is incredibly layered and meaningful. My daughter’s favourite is Howl’s Moving Castle which is also brilliant and beautiful in its own way. And I love Totoro too (and like Ponyo it’s a great entry point to Ghibli for younger kids).

Saw Akira early on. Didn’t really care for Ghost in the Shell though.

[Warbodog]

This persuaded me to take control in my life and suggest we start a new Sailor Moon season for breakfast. Looking forward to watching almost exactly the same episode 40 times in a row again.

[Ian Symes]

All I know about Sailor Moon is that it’s the cartoon that’s got the boom anime babes that make me do the wrong thing.

[tombow]

I was actually thinking of stocking up on the Ghibli classics this week as I’ve only seen the post Spirited Away ones

[Spaceworm Jim]

Today my favourite Ghibli is Whisper of the Heart, yesterday it was The Wind Rises. The first anime series I saw was Fullmetal Alchemist, which I enjoyed, and then Ranma 1/2 which I loved. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood shits on the original after a certain point but is in an awkward position of the climax being so much more emotionally resonant if you’ve seen the original before. Ranma 1/2 just had a remake on Netflix which I’m watching, but it does seem a bit perfunctory in a way. I hope it continues for a while, though.

Most of my anime memories involve either my best friend or my sister bringing me stuff and saying ‘this is really good, watch it with me’ and then I do and they’re always completely correct. Anything I’ve found on my own hasn’t been as good, so it may have something to do with the company/lack of company I watch it in. Another friend recently made me sit down to watch Mashle and I found that very fun.

[Dave]

All I know about Sailor Moon is that it’s the cartoon that’s got the boom anime babes that make me do the wrong thing.

I have never properly heard what this lyric was until today.

[Ben Saunders]

I watched an episode of the Pokemon anime recently (the one on the St. Anne) and found myself laughing my head off, shit’s really funny. I watched two episodes of the Persona 4 anime but I’d just finished the game so didn’t really feel like it. I tried to watch the original Evangelion series but it starts so unbelievably slow that I gave up on it unfortunately. (Queue the image of the two guys mining and one of them is turning back just before hitting diamonds). So you could say I’m something of an expert.

Oh we also watched some Yu-Gi-Oh episodes recently, from an older series and a newer series, but it’s really hard to care about people playing a card game. Same reason I couldn’t really get into Casino Royale until they wrapped that shit up. Oh Mr. Bond, it appears I got luckier than you. Yawn.

Pokemon was an obsession of mine when I was very young, almost too young to remember, I had the big Pokedex book (back when there were 151) and a bunch of toys (remember the pogs?) and the “novelisations” of some of the anime episodes:

[Warbodog]

I didn’t watch Pokemon when my younger brothers did, but caught up on the first year and a bit when my daughter was too young to have developed tastes yet and would watch anything colourful. I never failed to be amused by their obliviousness to Team Rocket’s shit disguises, but it was more wearying when every episode in a row would resolve with Jigglypuff singing its song.

A big part of the appeal of anime for me is the comforting sounds and visuals that take me back to random 80s/90s morning cartoons, so I don’t really bother with newer ones than that. (Encapsulated by the sound effect 0:17 seconds into this Sailor Moon opening). None of the appeal is in wanting to have sex with the drawings, which is probably the only benefit of not having grown up with it and getting all confused.

[sleepey]

I was only really into anime for a few months back in the early 00s, but it felt like much longer because I watched Dot Hack

[Technopeasant]

He’s not wrong though. I prefer Patlabor myself.

Also, can I just say how much I love no one mentioning anything from after 2005?

[Android 72264Y]

Adventure – but unfortunately that preference doesn’t mean much because I’ve only watched that and Tamers, and it’s the only one I’ve seen to the end. 

Tamers and Frontier are the two I’ve watched to completion — the latter was a special pain in the arse because Jetix or CITV (can’t remember which) didn’t bother showing it in the UK, a similar fate with Series 5/Savers. (I’m holding out the original unedited broadcast resurfaces in a physical release someday).

I watched two episodes of the Persona 4 anime but I’d just finished the game so didn’t really feel like it. 

The anime is worth it. They rebuilt Yu into a charismatic gigachad teasing his party members (What he pulls on Yosuke in Episode 19 is hilarious and their take on the Kings Game is something you have to see for yourself).

 Also, can I just say how much I love no one mentioning anything from after 2005?

My favourite post-’05 works has to be Ouran Host Club, Bocchi the Rock, K-On!, the aforementioned Madoka Magica, Hyouka, Toradora, Your Name, A SIlent Voice and Suzume. SoL fare peppered with psychological horror.  

[Jenuall]

I’ve never managed to put the time into it that I would like to in all honesty. I’ve watched and enjoyed the mainstream old boys of Akira and Ghost in the Shell, and always liked the look of other stuff that was trailed on the home media releases of those back in the 90s but back then it was harder to get hold of more stuff. 

The only other thing that I did manage to watch and love back then was the first two Patlabor movies – absolutely loved those, but I rarely find anyone else who has watched them! 

[Spaceworm Jim]

Also, can I just say how much I love no one mentioning anything from after 2005?

The Wind Rises is from 2013. Mashle is from 2023.

[Technopeasant]

Mashle is fair, but Miyazaki is very much an old hand.

It was however a sincere compliment.

[Technopeasant]

None of the appeal is in wanting to have sex with the drawings, which is probably the only benefit of not having grown up with it and getting all confused.

[Moonlight]

You’re watching Evangelion wrong if you don’t first see it as a suicidal teenager.

[Technopeasant]

[Technopeasant]

The only other thing that I did manage to watch and love back then was the first two Patlabor movies – absolutely loved those, but I rarely find anyone else who has watched them! 

Have you ever played Shogo: Mobile Armour Division? It was almost literally made as Patlabor meets Quake.
https://youtu.be/l_cCOBF9KZ8

Which, if we count it, was my actual first and favorite anime…

[Ridley]

I watched an episode of the Pokemon anime recently (the one on the St. Anne) and found myself laughing my head off, shit’s really funny.

I ended up watching through the Journeys run when I put the first episode on as a curiosity to see what it was like X seasons on and to kill 20 minutes. Turns out the show gets good when the makers are just throwing anything at it while winding down Ash’s involvement though it suppose it helps that by that stage anything and everything is a Pokemon.

Most recent things I’ve seen are Dragon Ball Daima and got around to Mobile Suit Gundam Blu-rays when I dropped of partway through an imported DVD. Gundam really got lucky that people latched onto Gunpla. It could do with a remake if exploration of its premise was taken more seriously. Red Baron flying ace vs rookie with adaptive tech should be a lot more compelling than it is. Plus, y’know, big robots going boom.

[Cardinal_Hordriss]

I love By the Grace of the Gods, really easy viewing and uplifting.

I quite like Mashle: Magic and Muscles.

Pokemon will always have a special place in my heart.

Digimon was alright, I particularly liked season 2.

I’m trying to watch Akashic Record of Bastard Magic Instructor but I find some of the emphasis on sexual imagery quite off putting. 

[Hamish]

Have you ever played Shogo: Mobile Armour Division? It was almost literally made as Patlabor meets Quake.

[Technopeasant]

Nah man, you’re thinking of Oni.

[Android 72264Y]

I quite like Mashle: Magic and Muscles. 

I recommend Konosuba — it’s a brilliant satire on the isekai genre; the protagonist is a smeghead but cares deeply for his party members who are different shades of goit. 

[Jenuall]

The only other thing that I did manage to watch and love back then was the first two Patlabor movies – absolutely loved those, but I rarely find anyone else who has watched them! 

Have you ever played Shogo: Mobile Armour Division? It was almost literally made as Patlabor meets Quake.

Which, if we count it, was my actual first and favorite anime…

Yes, and I loved it!

Monolith were such a good developer, sad to see them go

[Cardinal_Hordriss]

I quite like Mashle: Magic and Muscles. 
I recommend Konosuba — it’s a brilliant satire on the isekai genre; the protagonist is a smeghead but cares deeply for his party members who are different shades of goit. 

Sounds interesting. Thank you for the recommendation. 

[Technopeasant]

 Yes, and I loved it!
Monolith were such a good developer, sad to see them go

Kinda weird the video DOES embed in quote form.

[Moonlight]

This is another good opportunity to plug Space Dandy, which I think I like better than Cowboy Bebop.

They’re from the same creator though so they share a lot of vibes.

[Android 72264Y]

Space Dandy is the closest we’ll get to ‘anime’ Dwarf tonally, great pick. 

Outlaw Star’s another sci-fi classic that needs loving every now and again.

[Technopeasant]

Space Dandy is the closest we’ll get to ‘anime’ Dwarf tonally, great pick.

Unless it emerges from the buttski. Would be better than it being like Rick and Morty…

[Technopeasant]

Somehow never thought to post this here: 

https://youtu.be/j33D3pEtaVI

And your background: 

https://youtu.be/2A4eMG8PfBU

[Android 72264Y]

Tangentially anime related but I started P3R and paid respects to the Duke of Dork

[Technopeasant]

[Warbodog]

[Rushy]

I used to enjoy Le Chevalier D’Eon back in the day

[Technopeasant]

It insists on putting the green thingie in ALL of them.

[Android 72264Y]

What am I looking at. 

[Android 72264Y]

And if it’s not worth doing, give it to Aigis

[Technopeasant]

Not sure it even understands what is meant by anime style…

[Flap Jack]

That is pretty clearly a Brain Slug. It’s a cutting commentary on what easy access to ChatGPT does to some people.

Or it’s just calculated that Red Dwarf ought to have its own equivalent to the Cosmic Cutie.

[Warbodog]

[Dave]

[Nick R]

“I’d go with Betty… but I’d be thinking of the Great Gazoo.”

[Technopeasant]

That is pretty clearly a Brain Slug. It’s a cutting commentary on what easy access to ChatGPT does to some people.
Or it’s just calculated that Red Dwarf ought to have its own equivalent to the Cosmic Cutie.

Google Gemini actually, as I already have a  Google account. The biggest thing that surprised me is it doesn’t seem to understand Kryten at all. When DALL-E came out I remember it made EVERYTHING Kryten. Gemini however renders everything as boringly generic as possible. Kitsch sci-fi. For example…

Thank god the show has had actual designers…

[Dave]

That last one is a blatant Telebugs ripoff. 

[Author]

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