Anime Apolyton

[Colon™]

Watched Akira for the third time tonight. As with the 2nd time I'd somewhat forgotten I had already watched it, but unlike previously I was now watching in utter fascination. It really is a piece of art. I also hadn't realised the movie was so deep but I suppose it requires some maturity to appreciate the subtler aspects of the movie.

Also checked Howl's Moving Castle and I think this also requires to be watched more than once. Didn't always have an easy time following the story and the more subtle messages, but the settings are a feast to the eye, the characters are adorable and movie as a whole is just overflowing with imagination.

Think I'll try Ghost in the Shell now. There's also another anime I half-watched about a decade ago and that's been burning on the back of my mind ever since, but unfortunately I can't remember the name or even much of the story.

[Nostromo]

Originally posted by Colon™
Think I'll try Ghost in the Shell now. There's also another anime I half-watched about a decade ago and that's been burning on the back of my mind ever since, but unfortunately I can't remember the name or even much of the story.

The manga, the movies and the TV series are all amazing. IMO, all the anime TV series that I've seen so far pale in comparison to Ghost in the shell: stand alone complex. Its a techno thriller with a very intricate plot. And its not dumb like Robert Ludlum novels. Its an anime for adults, not for kids or teens. I can't think of a single anime show that's on the same level. Maybe the count of Monte Cristo, but its an adapation of Dumas's novel.

[The Mad Monk]

Strange. There must be another anime thread around here.

[Tattila the Hun]

There should be a newer one, somewhere.

[Colon™]

I've seen no anime thread.

[Colon™]

Originally posted by Colon™
Think I'll try Ghost in the Shell now. There's also another anime I half-watched about a decade ago and that's been burning on the back of my mind ever since, but unfortunately I can't remember the name or even much of the story .

Heh, that movie that was burning in the back of my mind was actually Ghost in the Shell. Kind of hard to describe, so I'll just state that it was too short. When you got a lot of those meditative sequences (which I love BTW) the movie should last at least 2 hours.

[DanS]

Originally posted by nostromo
all the anime TV series that I've seen so far pale in comparison to Ghost in the shell: stand alone complex. Its a techno thriller with a very intricate plot. And its not dumb like Robert Ludlum novels. Its an anime for adults, not for kids or teens. I can't think of a single anime show that's on the same level. Maybe the count of Monte Cristo, but its an adapation of Dumas's novel.

Suit yourself, I guess. IMO, the first series was pretty good and had some flair. The second gig wasn't very good, IIRC.

[DanS]

Originally posted by Colon™
I've seen no anime thread.

http://apolyton.net/forums/search.php?s=

Just noticed that Trip changed handles. More respectable now.

[Colon™]

Originally posted by DanS

http://apolyton.net/forums/search.php?s=

Why bother? No anime threads on poly mister.

[Nostromo]

Originally posted by DanS

Suit yourself, I guess. IMO, the first series was pretty good and had some flair. The second gig wasn't very good, IIRC.

Yeah, the first series was better.

Mind you, I'm saying this based on my limited experience. I'm not an anime connoisseur like you guys. Here are some of the shows I've seen.

- Gundam suit (don't remember which one). Boring.

- Inuyasha. Boring.

- Gilgamesh. PoS.

- Elven Lied. Meh.

- Count of Monte Cristo. Very good. The artwork is interesting, but a bit distracting. Story is classic, but obviously not original material. Of all the anime shows I've seen, its the only one on the same level as GIS: SAC.

I come to these threads for recommendations, but the stuff you're talking about is often hard to find.

[loinburger]

Originally posted by nostromo
I come to these threads for recommendations, but the stuff you're talking about is often hard to find.

Some stuff is available off of fansub (animesuki provides a decent indexing thingamawhatsit), and some stuff will be easier to find if you can locate a Canadian equivalent to Netflix.

[Nostromo]

and some stuff will be easier to find if you can locate a Canadian equivalent to Netflix.

Yeah, its called Zip and I've been a member for a while. They have a fairly good choice.

[DanS]

Yeh, you must be a more honorable man than I am. I just download the fansubs from animesuki/bitorrent and anidb.net/eMule. Must suck for those who only have dial-up. I buy the best stuff that is available in the US (covers ass slightly). Not much is available, but more is coming on the shelves. Sometimes when we talk about a series in this thread, it will show up on the store shelves a year or two later.

Anyway, I agree with your "meh" list. That said, there's a lot of good ones in a list like animenfo's. I don't agree with much of it, but at least it gives a good place to start and details the licensing situation if you're looking for stuff on DVD.

[Nostromo]

Yeh, you must be a more honorable man than I am.

That and I don't like watching movies on my computer.

That said, there's a lot of good ones in a list like animenfo's.

Thanks for the link. Man, Fullmetal Alchemist is high up there. I'll have to check it out.

I discovered Anime news network a while ago.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review

It pretty good, IMO. I first heard about "Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo" on that website. Here's what they have to say about it:

Gankutsuou, the latest effort from legendary director of Blue Submarine No. 6 and the Last Renaissance segment from The Animatrix, is without a doubt one of the finest anime series ever made and probably the best thing released this year. [...]

It's an adaptation – well, okay, a reimagining - of Alexander Dumas' classic revenge tale, The Count of Monte Cristo. [...]

That said, Gankutsuou's story is unlike most other anime, and many fans will either find themselves overwhelmingly fond of it or totally bored; there aren't any giant-breasted girls with too little clothing on, no ninjas to speak of (at least, so far), and Albert isn't on a quest to become the world's number one cockfighting champion or whatever. This isn't something from the pages of Shonen Jump. It's a remarkably sophisticated retelling of a classic novel (a particularly dense one at that), and therefore patience and an appreciation for something a little different is required to truly enjoy the show. That fact doesn't make the show fundamentally better, per say, than your average action anime, but it sure is a refreshing and welcome change of pace from the Gokus and Luffy D. Monkeys of the world.

It's impossible to discuss Gankutsuou without making a huge deal out of the visuals, which are breathtaking to behold. Mahiro Maeda, the show's director, is a fantastic artist and has a remarkable background in fine art, and his penchant for flashy but dignified visuals shines in Gankutsuou more than any of his previous projects. Clothing is rendered as a basic outline of the garment that moves over a static “fabric” background; hair is done in the same fashion, as are many other textures and surfaces in the show. The result will either make you weep tears of joy at how marvelously unique and beautiful it is or it'll make you sort of nauseous and dizzy and maybe your eyes will hurt a little. I found myself firmly in the former camp; what Maeda has created is an absolute feast for the eyes. Fans of art nouveau pioneers like Gustav Klimt will love what they see here.

For the full review:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/gankutsuou/dvd-1

[Colon™]

Checked Ghost in the Shell 2: the story and dialogue tend to get lost in fanciful philosophising. Also thought the 3D visuals made it look too smooth and you know it's going to age badly. OTOH, the settings are beautiful, there's a feeling of haunting mystery through it all and the portrait Oshii draws of Batou is engaging.