Intro to Anime

[Asher]

I've never actually watched any yet, but someone who's very important to me is an anime nut. So I want to see what it's all about.

Where's a good place to start for a newbie to the scene? I've heard a lot about Ghost in the Shell (being a compsci geek), is it a good one?

Any terminology I should be aware of?

[Apocalypse]

The most techish anime I know of is Serial Experiments Lain. That would be a good start for you. You'd probably be able to catch all the operating system references in it. I have the box set which I no longer have much use for though. If I end up going to Calgary this month I could just give it to you.

[Wraith]

Hahaha!! Bow to the Otaking!

--"Where's a good place to start for a newbie to the scene?"

Well, it really depends on your taste in movies. Anime is just another medium. Let me know what kind of movies you like and I'll give you some suggestions.

--"I've heard a lot about Ghost in the Shell (being a compsci geek), is it a good one? "

It's a pretty good one. It's equal parts action and cyberpunk-ish philosophy. It's definitely one of the most well-known ones in the US (and, I imagine, in Canada) since it's been out for a while. I will have to suggest watching it subtitled rather than dubbed, since the dub was pretty flat. If you're into cyberpunk you'll probably like this one, although I do think Bladerunner was better.

Apocalypse is right about Lain, too. Excellent series, my second-favorite.

--"Any terminology I should be aware of?"

Lots if you get into it, but nothing incredibly critical for a starter. Just keep in mind that while it's perfectly acceptable to call a US anime fan an otaku, don't ever try that with a Japanese fan...

Wraith
"What the hell did you use?"
"Your standard issue big gun."
-- Motoko and Batou ("Ghost in the Shell")

[Asher]

Originally posted by Wraith
Well, it really depends on your taste in movies. Anime is just another medium. Let me know what kind of movies you like and I'll give you some suggestions.

Basically I like something that's well-styled, well-acted, with an intelligent plot. I really wouldn't know what to tell you about a favorite movie, I don't have a favorite movie or movies really. The last movie I saw that I liked was Matrix Reloaded...

It's a pretty good one. It's equal parts action and cyberpunk-ish philosophy. It's definitely one of the most well-known ones in the US (and, I imagine, in Canada) since it's been out for a while. I will have to suggest watching it subtitled rather than dubbed, since the dub was pretty flat. If you're into cyberpunk you'll probably like this one, although I do think Bladerunner was better.

The subtitled version is better? I suppose I'll try that, usually subtitles distract me too much from what's going on screen, though.

[Apocalypse]

About subtitles...

Generally it depends on how much you care about voices. If you don't mind less than stellar voices once in a while, then dubbed is fine. A lot of proponents of subs really just like subtitles because they like to pretend anime is a religious text that shouldn't be altered from its original form. Quite immature really.

[Wraith]

--"Basically I like something that's well-styled, well-acted, with an intelligent plot."

You won't get well acted from the dub, but I'd guess you'll like Ghost in the Shell based on the Matrix. Also consider Jin-Roh, although if you require lots of action it won't be your thing (lots of political intrigue in that one).

--"If you don't mind less than stellar voices once in a while, then dubbed is fine."

This depends. Sometimes there are large changes made in the dub script that greatly alter the story. End of Evangelion is an example of this, and that was only a small number of changes. Some of them, especially ones done by the likes of Steven Foster (of ADV) can completely ruin the story.

Of course, there are good dubs out there, like Cowboy Bebop.

In Ghost's case, it's more a matter of the dub acting just not being very good.

Edit: To clarify, it doesn't suck horribly, but it's not going to win any awards either. It's listenable, but not what I'd pick. I don't find subtitles distracting, though.

Wraith
"What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror. Then we shall see face to face" -- Motoko ("Ghost in the Shell")

[Frankychan]

Asher-

Most people I know started their "anime fetish" with Ninja Scroll. It's a very good movie that many of my friends consider a "classic". Violent, good plotline, and animation is very good.

[Seeker]

Whatever you do, DON'T start with AKIRA, despite the fact that so many have.

Many 'logical-rational' type geeks get really turned off by the stupid, badly translated 'Imagine a man with the power of an amoeba' part.

I'd say Ghost in the Shell is a good place to start for you. Then move on to a couple Cowboy Bebops.

I liked Tokyo Tank Police for its action (maybe the wrong title? Wraith knows what I'm talking about).

Definetly DON'T start with Excel Saga or you will try to get anyone who tells you they love anime committed.

[Frankychan]

I agree with Seeker. Whatever you do, do NOT start with Akira. I've been watching anime for a long time now and I still get confused with it.

I throw my support for Cowboy Bebop

[SnowFire]

Wraith is correct when he says that anime is just another medium. Myself, I hated most of the anime exposed to me early- Ninja Scroll, Dragonball Z, etc. Once I got to college and had friends with good taste in anime, I gave it another shot, and found that there is some highly decent stuff out there. So don't trust your first impressions always; much like American television, lots of anime is bad, but the good stuff is worth the effort.

As for Ghost in the Shell, I know some people like it, but personally, I hate it. Your mileage may vary.

For good movies or short series, Princess Mononoke is pretty easy to find, and is quite good (side note: the dub is good as well). Grave of the Fireflies is excellent if you want to see a very serious anime; Roger Ebert stuck it on his Great films list if it makes a difference, but in any case, the quality is certainly very strong there. If you're up for something Blade-Runnery, my personal suggestion would be Battle Angel over Ghost in the Shell; it's not technically a movie or OAV, but being that they only made 2 episodes of it, it's functionally a movie in two parts. Lastly, the Rurouni Kenshin OAV (not the regular series; be careful) is very high quality; it's a historical fantasy, I suppose, set in the Meiji era of Japan. Nice mix of action & random philosophy & a good plot, which is the case in a lot of the best animes.

Anyway, I mostly listed movies because you can watch them quickly and find out what style you like a lot faster than with series. Although as already pointed out, if you want a good techie style series, Serial Experiments Lain is a great place to start.

[Harry Seldon]

Ninja Scroll is IMHO the best anime ever. Great animation, great story. A good place to get started if you want to learn more. Ninja Scroll is the anime I compare all others to, at least until I find something better.

[Zero]

Originally posted by Apocalypse
About subtitles...

Generally it depends on how much you care about voices. If you don't mind less than stellar voices once in a while, then dubbed is fine. A lot of proponents of subs really just like subtitles because they like to pretend anime is a religious text that shouldn't be altered from its original form. Quite immature really.

that and usually japanese voice actors seems to act better.

But I strongly suspect its because we're not really understanding it. (How can you tell if its bad acting if you dont know their language and how they speak it? )

I bet if english dubbed actors just talked a bit more lively (they tend to talk in mono-tone in most of the dubs), the japanese will probably think its top notch acting.

[monolith94]

If you like really stylish movies, check out "Metropolis". Great plot and well acted, too!

[DinoDoc]

I like Inuyasha & Trigun myself.

[Zero]

Watch berserk. But unfortunately, watching the series will automaticaly get you hooked onto the manga series and you will be forever tormented because you'll be waiting for that accursed vol 25 (which should come out in 2 or so weeks! finally! )