What anime are you watching right now? Summer 2014

[robersora]

Kenji Nakamura is a directional genius. Now finally give him enough money to make his awesome visual ideas come to life more gracefully.

[Bagheera]

Maybe Rurouni Kenshin? It's alright up into the Kyoto arc, after that it hits the second half with filler hell.

RK's pretty goop up to the Kyoto arc, at which point it becomes some of the best anime ever made for its genre. The show loves complex antagonists, and goes out of its way to show that very few are beyond redemption. And everyone gets their share of badass moments, which is great. AFAIC it stops with the end of the Kyoto arc, because there's really nothing to do with it after that. Also, dub version is perfectly watchable. Very amusing to hear Spike Spiegal's voice as that of the main antagonist!

Movies can be safely avoided, though the LAM, while a retelling of the basic story and pretty much disposable, is better than one might expect.

[Rosenakahara]

Very amusing to hear Spike Spiegal's voice as that of the main antagonist!

Shishio was dubbed Shinji?........and now i cant take him seriously anymore.
However that does confirm my idea that the direction was the reason the dub is laughable and not the voice talent.....mostly anyway (tiffany grant has never sounded good in anything)

[pwhodges]

Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop. Not Spike Spencer!

[Rosenakahara]

Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop. Not Spike Spencer!

Get the two mixed up at times., not editing my post though because my point still stands i am forever going to imagine shishio with dub shinjis dialogue after that idea got in my head.

[Dataprime]

Oh! My Goddess The Movie

[Fireball]

KyoAni keeps finding a way

[Alaska Slim]

RK's pretty goop up to the Kyoto arc, at which point it becomes some of the best anime ever made for its genre. The show loves complex antagonists, and goes out of its way to show that very few are beyond redemption. And everyone gets their share of badass moments, which is great. AFAIC it stops with the end of the Kyoto arc, because there's really nothing to do with it after that.

True... I'll admit though, I was entranced by the Amakusa Shōgo arc, for being as surreal as it was unintentionally hilarious ( a literal Christ complex... Kira Yamato, eat your heart out. And then die, for still being more insufferable.)

[Gus Hanson]

Haganai episode 1

At first I thought I wasn't gonna like it since the whole misunderstood male protagonist with blond hair bit was done to death but after giving it full attention, I feel like I am in for a swell ride. As for Yozora and Sena's rocky start, I quote Bogart in Casablanca: "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

[Alaska Slim]

Akame Ga Kill episode 19-20

The hell? A fight with three of the jaegers resolved themselves off-screen. Considering one of them was with Esdeath, I don't get how this is possible without any repercussions.

Yeah... this bugs me.

In other news, my prediction that what's-his-face would be the next one to die was dead-on. Next I bet it'll be lion girl, followed by pink hair, then the boss.

Btw, I started watching this show for an odd reason. I saw the abridged series beforehand. Must be the first time I've done that for a show that hasn't even been finished. How do you abridge something that has no ending?

[Final Messenger]

Akame Ga Kill episode 19-20

The hell? A fight with three of the jaegers resolved themselves off-screen. Considering one of them was with Esdeath, I don't get how this is possible without any repercussions.

That played out differently in the manga, anime is going for a anime original ending since it's sales aren't doing so well and they won't get a second season.

[moonwolf2024]

So decided to try out Orenchi no Furo Jijō, because i thought it would be cute. And it is, but.....what the hell is up with the 5 min eps. I mean, you start getting into and saying " hey, this is a kinda funny" then it's over . They could've stretched that to 15 mins. Oh well

[Stryker]

Been watching Berserk.

English dub is nothing short of entertaining. OST is legendary.

[Squigsquasher]

Been watching Berserk.

English dub is nothing short of entertaining. OST is legendary.

My love for you is like a truck. Berserker. Do you want to making f**k, Berserkeeer. BEEERSEEEERKEEEER.

[Guy Nacks]

My love for you is ticking clock,
Berserker.
Would you like to suck my cock,
Berserker?

[Oz]

I really need to rewatch Clerks at some point. It has been way too long since I last saw it.

[Ray]

Eden Of The East (First Impressions):


Why is it I'm always the last on the band wagon?

Anyways the first three episodes of Eden Of The East:

Setting:

I always find it interesting when another country decides to set a TV series or Movie in the United States. America does it all the time for other countries, sometimes its done well, other times. . . not so much. When a writer or filmmaker decides to set a book or movie in a country not their own obviously mistakes are going to be made. But for the most part, actually having been to both DC and New York the animators have done a really bang up Job in representing both very accurately, of course some 'Engrish' shows up here and there that seems out of place in an American setting.


Animation:
The animation isn't much to speak about. Its Excellent.

The character designs are very soft, rounded, and expressive. Very Ghibli-ish. Which contrasts (in a good way) with the more realistic case of the setting. The CGI and the hand drawn animation blend together very well (considering Production IG also worked on GITS and Psycho Pass that comes as no suprise). That establishing shot of Washington DC is easily one of the best I've seen in any medium.

Characters:
Akira is definitely the star of the show. An eccentric Amnesiac with may or may not be a super criminal involved with said mass conspiracy. He's very childish and wacky, but very intelligent and fun to watch at the same time.

Saki isn't necessarily a strong female character. She's just an ordinary girl pulled into an extraordinary setting. Having said that, she is at least likable as a character. Although I keep having to mentally remind myself she's Japanese because of that red Mary-Jane Hairstyle

But both Akira and Saki have something thats very important, that can make or break a romantic subplot and viewer interest. chemistry. They play of each other very well, and you can tell they do like each other even if their relationship started out really awkward.

The supporting cast (from what we've seen of them so far) are also fun. Especially, the geek who has a crush on Saki. His reactions and exasperation are very funny

Story:
Its too early to tell where the story is going. Aside from the fact that it involves a big conspiracy of some sort. A story set in what I can only assume is modern day America. Its a refreshing plot telling the story of Japanese tourists in America getting involved in a conspiracy bigger than them. A setting I'm familiar with, but being seen fresh through the eyes of people who have never seen it before.

I'll keep watching. The plot still hasn't really been fleshed out enough. The show seems to like taking its time building atmosphere, as opposed to rushing headfirst into the plot. Maybe that wont be such a bad thing in the long run.

[Squigsquasher]

Been watching more Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, and have just finished episode 12. This show is awesome. I can't stop watching. This may be a new favourite of mine. I was worried at first by the fairly long episode count (36) but given how much I'm enjoying it and how many I've watched already, I can't see myself getting bored of it anytime soon.

Also, My Boyfriend Is A Pilot is the best song ever. No question. kawaii~~

VERDICT SO FAR: Kyun Kyun~

[Fazmotron]

Right, so I just finished watching Sakurasou no Petto na Kanojo (bo bo bo bo) after the recommendation from Demo-senpai and it was very nice. It had a lot of the same tropes as other entries in that genre, but the writing managed to stay just interesting enough to get me through all my grumbling.
It was a very enjoyable watch, with a bunch of very nice moments, so give it a watch if you've got nothing better to do.

[robersora]

I always find it interesting when another country decides to set a TV series or Movie in the United States. America does it all the time for other countries, sometimes its done well, other times. . . not so much. When a writer or filmmaker decides to set a book or movie in a country not their own obviously mistakes are going to be made. But for the most part, actually having been to both DC and New York the animators have done a really bang up Job in representing both very accurately, of course some 'Engrish' shows up here and there that seems out of place in an American setting.

I've never been to the U.S. myself, but Eden's depiction of it alone makes the first Episode a blast to watch. Also, I know where you're coming from. It's always fun to see your home being portrayed through an outsider's lens. You're bound to notice certain things, that are so normal to you, you normally overlook.

And yeah, Eden of the East is fun; it has a very light-hearted way to present its story. Some part of me will always crave for a darker take on the setting, though.

But both Akira and Saki have something thats very important, that can make or break a romantic subplot and viewer interest. chemistry. They play of each other very well, and you can tell they do like each other even if their relationship started out really awkward.

Yes, the creators really made that work. I can't think of another Anime that has done such a great job in nailing the chemistry between two characters down. (they surely exist, I'm open for suggestions)

Interesting you haven't mentioned the music, since the Opening for this is one of this decade's favourites of mine.