At 8/17/07 07:28 AM, Wesleyiam wrote: The laughing added on to the eerie feeling of the whole series.

It added on a feeling of "I don't know any real horror techniques, so I'm going to repeat this one; OVER AND OVER".

Every anime forum I ever went to was going crazy over it when it came out. Haruhi isn't popular to people who don't like anime, it's popular to everyone who does.

Yes, I realise that, but you gave the impression that you sometimes hate things because they are popular.

Which is pretty lame.

I like longer series, you get to see the characters develop and grow more if they stretch out a series longer.

It's a possibility, but from most long series I've seen, the writers run out of ideas, and start either rehashing old plots, or making episodes about nothing.

At least I have a reason to hate lucky star. They would talk about pastry for 5 minutes, I couldn't stand how slow it was going. The opening was so fast and energetic, I was expecting the whole series to be like that. I was sadly mistaken. :(

As far as I remember, it was more for 15 minutes in the first episode.

As the series goes along it gets more eventful, or at least, the conversations get more varied (as in, there's more than one topic per episode).

Because if I look back at DBZ, I see how horrible the anime really was. I have no idea why it really appealed to me back in the day.

Horrible?

The first season of Dragon Ball Z is still really entertaining to me.

At 8/17/07 07:37 AM, Kuro wrote: It added on a feeling of "I don't know any real horror techniques, so I'm going to repeat this one; OVER AND OVER".

I thought that it was the basis of the series. When someone started laughing, you knew they were the ones fucked in that arc. Plus it made this epic video.

Yes, I realise that, but you gave the impression that you sometimes hate things because they are popular.

Which is pretty lame.

Not at all, just trying to say I don't follow every popular anime trend that happens.

It's a possibility, but from most long series I've seen, the writers run out of ideas, and start either rehashing old plots, or making episodes about nothing.

Kind of true, depends on the series.

As far as I remember, it was more for 15 minutes in the first episode.

As the series goes along it gets more eventful, or at least, the conversations get more varied (as in, there's more than one topic per episode).

I still don't see how anyone can watch a series about ABSOLUTELY no plot or events.

Horrible?

The first season of Dragon Ball Z is still really entertaining to me.

Kind of, but I just can't get pass the fact that after super sayain came in, everything was just shitty.

At 8/17/07 07:43 AM, Wesleyiam wrote: I thought that it was the basis of the series. When someone started laughing, you knew they were the ones fucked in that arc. Plus it made this epic video.

Whatever happened to subtlety?

I still don't see how anyone can watch a series about ABSOLUTELY no plot or events.

No plot or events?

It has a plot: Some girls go through senior high school.

And it definitely has events.

It may not be full of huge events (though it does have that comiket thing, which is sort've big), but it does have events.

Going to someone's house is an event, going to a cosplay cafe is an event, having an athletics festival is an event, etc. etc.

It's watchable because it handles its lack of grandeur with some wit, somewhat interesting characters and good animation.

Kind of, but I just can't get pass the fact that after super sayain came in, everything was just shitty.

Perhaps it's just nostalgia, but I still like the series.

The Namek saga was okay (if a little drawn out at points), but after that I think I got bored of it as a child too.

Also, Dragon Ball GT is one of thee worst things to happen to animation ever.

At 8/17/07 07:51 AM, Kuro wrote: Whatever happened to subtlety?

They just added hints during the first couple of episodes then they just came out and everything just got fucked up in the last episodes of an arc.

The Namek saga was okay (if a little drawn out at points), but after that I think I got bored of it as a child too.

The Namek saga was watchable until "perfect freeza" and everyone powered up 5000000 times their original state.

Also, Dragon Ball GT is one of thee worst things to happen to animation ever.

100% agree

Speaking of 100%, anyone here watch Ichigo 100%? Watched the opening scene to the first episode, do you recommend watching it?

At 8/17/07 02:12 AM, Kuro wrote:

At 8/17/07 01:46 AM, KingPanther13 wrote: http://yuraell.gametrailers.com/gamepad/
index.php?action=viewblog&id=114530

I like how they managed to shove in an ad for Lucky Star into their announcement.

Only thing I dislike about that ad is how Haruhi isn't wearing a pony tail....I mean, wasn't that supposed to be the ending? Kyon talking about her ponytail?

You've watched the series, right?

Is Haruhi wearing a ponytail in the future (non-melancholy) episodes?

Yeah, I watched the episodes...and in the last one, she is wearing the pony tail......Kyon mentions it....then credits roll. I remember it was a big part of the last episode. Then in the continuation ad, she is wearing the normal hair.

Maybe the whole anachronological thing got me confused or something XD.

At 8/17/07 07:13 AM, Kuro wrote: How is that embarassing?

That's how practically every (Western) anime fan got into it.

That, or Pokemon or something.

i got into anime prior to the DBZ craze. but i did like it until i realized it just rehashed the everything just with a different villain. plus, i couldn't stand Goku with his nine lives. speaking of nine tails, i never could get into Naruto at all, Believe It! sorry bout that. naruto never sparked my interest; maybe i should try to watch the 3 day naruthon on CN.

At 8/17/07 07:13 AM, Kuro wrote: Mindfuck for the sake of mindfuck is pointless in my eyes, and the constant laughing got quite irritating in that series.

What this guy said.

Also, horrid dub and weak "comedy" scenes.

Everything else on his list is good in my books.

At 8/17/07 07:28 AM, Wesleyiam wrote: The laughing added on to the eerie feeling of the whole series.

No, if anything it ruined any and all dramatic tension.

It was silly and gratuitious.

At 8/17/07 01:13 PM, KingPanther13 wrote: Yeah, I watched the episodes...and in the last one, she is wearing the pony tail......Kyon mentions it....then credits roll. I remember it was a big part of the last episode. Then in the continuation ad, she is wearing the normal hair.

The events of the last episode as aired on TV is actually the sixth episode chronologically, there are several episodes before it in the original airing order that take place afterwards.

At 8/17/07 01:13 PM, KingPanther13 wrote: Yeah, I watched the episodes...and in the last one, she is wearing the pony tail......Kyon mentions it....then credits roll. I remember it was a big part of the last episode. Then in the continuation ad, she is wearing the normal hair.

Maybe the whole anachronological thing got me confused or something XD.

In the last one broadcast she has a ponytail.

But you have to remember that in the first season there are 8 episodes that follow the last broadcast episode chronologically, and in none of those episodes does she wear a ponytail.

And anyway.

It only shows her with a ponytail for a few seconds, and then for the rest of that episode she has her hair in the normal style.

Perhaps she isn't as fickle as to permanently change her hairstyle because someone says she looks good in it.

Finished reading Read or Dream and began Read or Die today, both are sheerly amazing.

Read or Dream had a very satisfying conclusion, it fortunately manages to avoid giving a melodramatic conclusion or a really nasty cliffhanger. Like the TV series, it's a calm and uneventful ending, but leaves a smile on your face.

Also, just dropped about $110 online for Ranma 1/2 DVDs, a new statue (Osaragi Hazumu) and one of those newfangled "how-to-draw manga" books (bought it for my younger sister). Knowing Robert's Anime Cornerstore and their speedy delivery, it shall arrive in give or take 9 days (despite me cheaping out on poverty shipping).

At 8/17/07 05:16 PM, Gendo wrote: Also, just dropped about $110 online for Ranma 1/2 DVDs...

Speaking of Ranma 1/2, I'm about halfway through season 2 so far (I've been watching it way too much), and so far it's no where near as good as it was made out to be in this club.

I mean, it's good, it's watchable and it's a way to pass the time, but I definitely wouldn't call it the best anime of all time.

It just seems to be using the exact same jokes (visual humour) over and over, and the same thing happens in almost every episode (Ranma does something that makes Akane mad, Akane gets bitchy, the situation is made worse by Ranma turning into a girl at an odd moment, random exchanges of insults by both parties etc. etc.)

It's okay, but I'm not really impressed.

At 8/17/07 05:24 PM, Kuro wrote: Speaking of Ranma 1/2, I'm about halfway through season 2 so far (I've been watching it way too much), and so far it's no where near as good as it was made out to be in this club.

That's a matter of opinion, but me bitching about semantics would be wasteful.

Do note that most of the individuals here praising the series (namely myself, MattTheParanoidKat, Mendou and uhnoesanoob) are fanatical fanboys, so we're hardly going to speak ill of a series we hold that dear.

I mean, it's good, it's watchable and it's a way to pass the time, but I definitely wouldn't call it the best anime of all time.

Understandable.

It just seems to be using the exact same jokes (visual humour) over and over, and the same thing happens in almost every episode (Ranma does something that makes Akane mad, Akane gets bitchy, the situation is made worse by Ranma turning into a girl at an odd moment, random exchanges of insults by both parties etc. etc.)

Despite it being my favourite series, I cannot deny the glaringly obvious presence of repetition.

As the show goes on, the repeating plot devices get worse since some stories are rehashed near verbatim.

The manga is a lot less formulaic for the first 10 or so volumes, but past that it starts to repeat a lot, and then there's all the needlessly serious martial arts battles near the end.

At 8/17/07 05:39 PM, Gendo wrote: That's a matter of opinion, but me bitching about semantics would be wasteful.

Eh, pretty much everything regarding the media is subjective.

Do note that most of the individuals here praising the series (namely myself, MattTheParanoidKat, Mendou and uhnoesanoob) are fanatical fanboys, so we're hardly going to speak ill of a series we hold that dear.

I'd have to be pretty blind to be in this club and not notice that.

Despite it being my favourite series, I cannot deny the glaringly obvious presence of repetition.

As the show goes on, the repeating plot devices get worse since some stories are rehashed near verbatim.

I come to expect repetition in long series', but when you notice it within the first season it gets a bit iffy.

The manga is a lot less formulaic for the first 10 or so volumes, but past that it starts to repeat a lot, and then there's all the needlessly serious martial arts battles near the end.

Yes, but there's always the problem with availability in mangas, and of course the price.

I mean, I can rent 5 DVDs of a series for 10 dollars (6-7 dollars US?), but I'd have to pay more than that to buy even the first manga, which I would read maybe 2-3 times during its lifetime, and then lose it. So that's like a total of... 2 hours reading for maybe 15 dollars, when I can rent maybe 6-7 hours worth of video for cheaper.

The fact that I'm nigh on moneyless doesn't help either.

Perhaps I'll just watch to the end of this season and then go back to Last Exile.

At 8/17/07 06:07 PM, Kuro wrote: Eh, pretty much everything regarding the media is subjective.

Yeah, there are very few universally agreed upon facts in the history of the arts.

I'd have to be pretty blind to be in this club and not notice that.

Yeah, we're not big on subtlety.

I come to expect repetition in long series', but when you notice it within the first season it gets a bit iffy.

Yeah, it's not exactly the kind of stuff you wanna see in as lengthy show's formative episodes.

Yes, but there's always the problem with availability in mangas, and of course the price.

Don't remind me.

I used to pay $16 a volume, and the shops on my island don't stock it anymore, to make matters wose, the stores on this island only have volumes 33-36.

I mean, I can rent 5 DVDs of a series for 10 dollars (6-7 dollars US?), but I'd have to pay more than that to buy even the first manga, which I would read maybe 2-3 times during its lifetime, and then lose it. So that's like a total of... 2 hours reading for maybe 15 dollars, when I can rent maybe 6-7 hours worth of video for cheaper.

Yeah, I doubt it'd even take 2 hours to read it.

I downed all 300 pages in 55 minutes, and that's while eating a snack and watching a Frank Zappa concert.

The fact that I'm nigh on moneyless doesn't help either.

Cashflow problems plague us all, friend.

Perhaps I'll just watch to the end of this season and then go back to Last Exile.

That'd be a smart move, since Ranma really drags after the second season, and from seasons four to six it is nigh unbearable.

At 8/17/07 07:53 PM, Gendo wrote: Yeah, there are very few universally agreed upon facts in the history of the arts.

Largely because of idiots who hate everything that doesn't include explosions.

Yeah, I doubt it'd even take 2 hours to read it.

That was 2 hours for including possible re-readings.

I downed all 300 pages in 55 minutes, and that's while eating a snack and watching a Frank Zappa concert.

I should listen to more Frank Zappa.

That'd be a smart move, since Ranma really drags after the second season, and from seasons four to six it is nigh unbearable.

You don't sound particularly complimentary about what you consider to be your favourite anime series of all time.

At 8/17/07 08:02 PM, Kuro wrote: Largely because of idiots who hate everything that doesn't include explosions.

Sad fact of life.

That was 2 hours for including possible re-readings.

Of course.

I should listen to more Frank Zappa.

Everyone should, he was a genius.

You don't sound particularly complimentary about what you consider to be your favourite anime series of all time.

I consider it my favourite because out of the first three and final seasons, I can only find one episode I did not enjoy (the final one).

Plus, I can hardly lie and say it's all excellent. Season one is the season with a plot (but even that kinda fades after the first five or so episodes), season two is the one with all the funny episodes, season three is passable, season four to six are mostly really unmemorable and ignorable and the final season brings back the laughs (and adds on nice animation and a "Bohemian Rhapsody" rip-off opening theme) despite its awful conclusion.

It's a mixed bag, but the good parts are really damn good.

Not to mention all the nostalgia attached to it....

At 8/17/07 07:53 PM, Gendo wrote:

At 8/17/07 06:07 PM, Kuro wrote: The fact that I'm nigh on moneyless doesn't help either.

Cashflow problems plague us all, friend.

Get jobs, you lazy bums. Quit bitching about not having money if you wont do anything about it.

Thought for the moment: I pity people who don't drink, when they wake up in the morning that's the best they're going to feel all day.

Last night was rough.

At 8/17/07 10:11 PM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote:

At 8/17/07 07:53 PM, Gendo wrote:

At 8/17/07 06:07 PM, Kuro wrote: The fact that I'm nigh on moneyless doesn't help either.

Cashflow problems plague us all, friend.

Get jobs, you lazy bums. Quit bitching about not having money if you wont do anything about it.

Thought for the moment: I pity people who don't drink, when they wake up in the morning that's the best they're going to feel all day.

Last night was rough.

It's hard to get a job when you're sixteen, and you're actually active in some school functions :(.

It's also even harder to buy things when your only parent works a part time minimum wage job....maybe you should talk to my dad for me :). (He doesn't drink either, he thinks it's evil or something.....you'll really like him).

No, I'm not serious about talking to him. Yes, it's ok to laugh at that lazy bum. I'm just exhausted and typing random things :) lalalla

At 8/17/07 10:11 PM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: Thought for the moment: I pity people who don't drink, when they wake up in the morning that's the best they're going to feel all day.

To be honest, I've never woken up feeling as good as I would the rest of the day.

I'm tired as all hell when I do.

Also; New sig.

Just cuz.

At 8/17/07 10:11 PM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: Get jobs, you lazy bums. Quit bitching about not having money if you wont do anything about it.

You forget some people have shitty jobs and bills that eat what little money they make; or they're sixteen like KingPanther.

Thought for the moment: I pity people who don't drink, when they wake up in the morning that's the best they're going to feel all day.

Last night was rough.

you pity people who don't have hangovers and can remember what they did last night? waking up in front of a toilet is something i can easily live without.

At 8/17/07 11:49 PM, culade wrote: you pity people who don't have hangovers and can remember what they did last night? waking up in front of a toilet is something i can easily live without.

I have never gotten so drink that I don't remember what happened, nor have I woken up to an ivory pillow. I may be alcoholic, but I'm still functional.

At 8/18/07 02:42 AM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: I may be alcoholic...

It does my heart good to see How they keep their Marines in peak fighting condition.

At 8/18/07 02:42 AM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: I have never gotten so drink that I don't remember what happened, nor have I woken up to an ivory pillow. I may be alcoholic, but I'm still functional.

Luckly I don't drink, which is a good thing I guess. Sometimes, I have been hearing that drinking actually makes you feel good. I can't stand when people say that. It's like they want me to drink. :/

As long as we're still mildly showcasing anime art, he's a shitty little sketch I did, which I coloured in with my crappy colouring pencils.

Though I am impressed with myself, as this is the first thing I've drawn on paper that isn't around the level of detail as a stick man in nigh on a year.

Finally got back from my trip, picked up a volume of Kimagure Orange Road at a rural videostore on impulse during the drive back home. There's a good chance I'll never watch it (like I did with Saikano) unless NS /A/ does an "oldschool" theme meeting or something.

Anyone know if the dub for Paranoia Agent is any good, or should I just watch the subbed version instead? I usually jump at the dubs if they're equal to or better than subs XD sometimes it's hard to read in my household.

At 8/18/07 08:26 PM, KingPanther13 wrote: Anyone know if the dub for Paranoia Agent is any good, or should I just watch the subbed version instead? I usually jump at the dubs if they're equal to or better than subs XD sometimes it's hard to read in my household.

As far as I remember the dub is worse.

Or perhaps it's just that the anime doesn't feel right in English.

It's too Japanese to be put into English.

At 8/18/07 08:26 PM, KingPanther13 wrote: Anyone know if the dub for Paranoia Agent is any good, or should I just watch the subbed version instead? I usually jump at the dubs if they're equal to or better than subs XD sometimes it's hard to read in my household.

The dub was okay, but I've never seen the subbed version for comparison....

Also, decided to search up some info about Kimagure Orange Road, and I had a laugh.

According to Anime News Network, oldschool fans claim the series is possibly the best romantic comedy in anime history. Clements & McCarthy's "The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 " says otherwise...

It is the single worst-selling anime in the history of the United Kingdom.

At 8/18/07 08:38 PM, Gendo wrote: According to Anime News Network...

I still find it odd that Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal is the top rated on that site.

I saw it once, I found it okay (partially because at the time I was addicted to violence or something), and left it at that.

It also managed to make me severely disappointed with Rurouni Kenshin (as I rented a DVD of that a little while afterwards) when I realised it wasn't as badass as the OVA got me believing it was.

Though I did find it hilarious in the way the explained his scar, since it just seemed so odd.

At 8/18/07 08:57 PM, Kuro wrote: I still find it odd that Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal is the top rated on that site.

I find a great deal of the highly rated series, OVAs and movies on the site ill-fitting of the praise.

It also managed to make me severely disappointed with Rurouni Kenshin (as I rented a DVD of that a little while afterwards) when I realised it wasn't as badass as the OVA got me believing it was.

Yeah, it's such a major change-up in tone.

Hi guys. I just recently bought the first volume of the Read or Dream manga at Hairy Tarantula in Downtown Toronto earlier today. I'm planning on reading it tomorrow.