At 2/28/08 09:26 PM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: the characters two-dimensional

Yeah, I find that to be the case in a lot of anime.

At 2/28/08 08:03 PM, Mendou wrote: Hahahaha we got a real life Benny in the club. Fucking A.

Haha now all we need is for you to confess your a real life revy, gendo is really a real life dutch and depressed stone is really a real life rock.

And since wonko appears here and there at random he can be Balalaika.

I'd be scared of Roberta too.......

More like your wildest fantasy gone serial killer.

Oh yeah, i'm betting on it. They can't hide the character's past in the dark for long.

Just finished the second barrage.

Rating time;

Episodes 1 - 7 had some pretty good character devolpment with Rock and Revy and some with Dutch and Benny.

Episodes 8-12 were somewhat pointless minus the fact it had lots of Hotel Moscow and Triad devolpment. It also devolped Roberta in the unlikely event she will ever return.

Episodes 13-15 was quite different from the rest of the show before it, I must admit. And while being a nice change of pace for black lagoon I found it rather pointless except for having more Hotel moscow and triad devolpment and introducing eda.

Plus the end was pointless, I would have perferred it if the remainning sysbling were to leave and come back as a reoccuring character.

Episode 16 - 18 were kickass, not only did it devolp Eda even further but it also really shows us some insight with the residents of Roanpur.

Episodes 19 - 26 had a lot of Rock devolpment, it also showed us both a darker side of Hotel Moscow and a brighter side of Revy. As I was reading over the past few pages of the club I agree with the person who said it should've ended on episode 24 with Yukio and Ginji leaving coming back as reocurring characters.

All in all, it really felt like just the first season out of 2 or 3 and not the only 2 seasons.

In fact, if I didn't know better and I just watched those 26 episodes I would think it was all a season 1 and seasons 2+ would be pretty much the same as the earlier black lagoon, only with a much more connected story plot where it doesn't go; "I finished fighting Roberta, well shes gone now! Time for the next episode time to go to the DMZ."

At 2/28/08 10:31 PM, Temporaryaltaccount wrote: Plus the end was pointless, I would have perferred it if the remainning sysbling were to leave and come back as a reoccuring character.

The ending was poignant AND useful.

It established that death in the show is not merely for fun and a fuel for the action, as every other death in the show has been pitiless.

And Hansel/Gretel would not have made sense as a recurring character.

That criticism is completely appropriate for the last arc, however.

Seven episodes of Kanon seen.

I've decided that it, more so than Air, really does feel like a visual novel.

The main character basically goes through a series of one on one encounters with a ridiculously large cast of high school girls. Also, in the most recent episode, the main character was searching for someone, and it went through a series of still shots of him being in areas he's been to before, until at one he managed to get some information.

The series seems to have too many characters to keep track of (almost all female, bar the main character, and one other minor character), and almost all of them have some ridiculous idiosyncratic trait to their speech (e.g. "uguu", "auu" etc.), and quite different personalities.

Still, it's very easy to watch, so I'm enjoying it.

I think it's managed to exhaust every basic anime character type. For females at least.

At 2/28/08 10:31 PM, Temporaryaltaccount wrote: Episodes 8-12 were somewhat pointless minus the fact it had lots of Hotel Moscow and Triad devolpment. It also devolped Roberta in the unlikely event she will ever return.

Roberta does return in the manga.

Episodes 13-15 was quite different from the rest of the show before it, I must admit. And while being a nice change of pace for black lagoon I found it rather pointless except for having more Hotel moscow and triad devolpment and introducing eda.

Plus the end was pointless, I would have perferred it if the remainning sysbling were to leave and come back as a reoccuring character.

In complete and total disagreeance with everything you just said.

Bloodsport Fairytale is the best arc in the series because it actually has a solid and well-written conclusion.

In fact, it's the only arc that has an actual ending. Everything else leaves so many loose threads (like Masahiro Takanaka in Goat, Jihad, Rock n' Roll) that never get resolved.

Episode 16 - 18 were kickass, not only did it devolp Eda even further but it also really shows us some insight with the residents of Roanpur.

The Hunt for Greenback Jane was pretty entertaining, but not much insight is shown into anyone other than Eda.

OH, HEY, A NEW CHARACTER!

WOOPS, NOW THEY'RE DEAD!

Episodes 19 - 26 had a lot of Rock devolpment, it also showed us both a darker side of Hotel Moscow and a brighter side of Revy. As I was reading over the past few pages of the club I agree with the person who said it should've ended on episode 24 with Yukio and Ginji leaving coming back as reocurring characters.

Not only should have Yukio and Ginji lived, the arc should have ended at episode 22 and moved on to a different story.

Killing Chaka should have closed the books on Lagoon Company's involvment in the Yakuza story.

All in all, it really felt like just the first season out of 2 or 3 and not the only 2 seasons.

Probably because it's based on an on-going manga.

Chances are if the show stays popular and the manga lasts a few more years, there'll be a third season.

Just got up to Episode 74 of Hokuto no Ken. Lots of motherfuckers died and introduced into the storyline. Also, Shuu's son is a fucking terrorist.

"MINOR SPOILERS

Shuu's kid suicide bombed a bunch of foddere characters, which was fucking hysterical.

END SPOILERS!

So yeah, watch this fucking show already or die.

I finished JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. poor Iggy. :(

Also, the best character in the whole show was the chimp in the captain's outfit smoking a pipe. Am I right or am I not wrong?

At 2/28/08 05:02 PM, Gendo wrote: For God's sake, there NEEDS to be another season.

yes

At 2/28/08 05:23 PM, Mendou wrote: Everyones broken english on episode 19 was pretty amusing.

also yes

At 2/28/08 08:15 PM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: and I watched fully half of Tekkonkinkreet before giving up in utter disgust.

Yeah, well, so's your face. >:(

No, but really, I hate you right now.

At 2/29/08 06:47 PM, Sense-Offender wrote: No, but really, I hate you right now.

Tell someone who cares. I honestly don't give a shit f you disagree with my olpinion, because it's my fucking opinion and you can't change it.

At 2/29/08 09:31 PM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: Tell someone who cares. I honestly don't give a shit f you disagree with my olpinion, because it's my fucking opinion and you can't change it.

Someone's in a cranky mood.

I really enjoyed Tekkonkinkreet myself, in fact it's probably one of the best anime movies I've seen.

I really loved the animation style, and as you said, the background art was amazing

I liked the characters, and *SPOILERS* that scene where Nezumi dies is fantastic *END SPOILERS*.

I also liked the large amount of hats that Shiro had.

At 2/29/08 09:31 PM, Wonko-the-Sane wrote: Tell someone who cares.

So's your face.

I honestly don't give a shit f you disagree with my olpinion, because it's my fucking opinion and you can't change it.

Do you need a nap?

At 2/29/08 09:54 PM, Kuro wrote: I really enjoyed Tekkonkinkreet myself, in fact it's probably one of the best anime movies I've seen.

what he said

At 2/29/08 10:07 PM, Sense-Offender wrote: Do you need a nap?

Probably. Hangovers are never fun.

At 2/29/08 09:54 PM, Kuro wrote: I really enjoyed Tekkonkinkreet myself, in fact it's probably one of the best anime movies I've seen.

what he said

Well I disagree.

Just watched Hellsing Ultimate IV.

While I appreciated and enjoyed the style, I didn't like this one too much.

I have a problem with a series if I start to want the main character to die.

I just watched the first episode of something called Darker Than Black. I have no fucking clue as to what the fuck is going on, and will continue watching. Any information you cretin's can give me about it would be appreciated.

At 3/1/08 01:11 AM, Kuro wrote: I have a problem with a series if I start to want the main character to die.

Yeah, the writers made a conscious effort to make Alucard as hateable as possible in this episode.

I think that's great, though, because Alucard IS supposed to be a horrid monster with few redeeming qualities, not some bishonen hero like they made him in the TV show.

Is it odd that I find myself rooting for Millenium to win in the end?

At 3/1/08 11:01 AM, Gendo wrote: I think that's great, though, because Alucard IS supposed to be a horrid monster with few redeeming qualities, not some bishonen hero like they made him in the TV show.

Rip Van Winkle (freckles on a vampire?) was essentially just as horrible during the OVA, but I still found myself wanting her to win.

Of course that couldn't happen.

Is it odd that I find myself rooting for Millenium to win in the end?

Well they are Nazis.

At 3/1/08 03:24 PM, Kuro wrote: Rip Van Winkle (freckles on a vampire?) was essentially just as horrible during the OVA, but I still found myself wanting her to win.

She had one thing Alucard didn't, though.

A fucking beautiful singing voice.

Of course that couldn't happen.

The villain of the episode never, ever wins.

Well they are Nazis.

And certainly more charming than the Hellsing Organization.

At 3/1/08 03:49 PM, Gendo wrote: She had one thing Alucard didn't, though.

A fucking beautiful singing voice.

Well Zamiel never did sing.

The villain of the episode never, ever wins.

Except Alucard.

And certainly more charming than the Hellsing Organization.

Hellsing has a certain... Je ne sais quoi.

The most likable Hellsing Organisation character was present for about 3 minutes.

Just got back from SakMedia with good shit

A GAR AS FUCK TOKI F-P FIGURE!

Aswell as:

Ninnen Ga Shinobuden Volume 1
And a Fist of the North Star 2 disc CD soundtrack...

I WONDER WHO THESE ARE FOR?

At 3/1/08 04:06 PM, Kuro wrote: Well Zamiel never did sing.

True, but imagine the novelty value of a singing Alucard.

Except Alucard.

BUT ACCORDING TO THIS SHOW'S FRACTURED LOGIC, DRAC IS THE HERO!

At 3/1/08 05:47 PM, MattTheParanoidKat wrote: Just got back from SakMedia with good shit

A GAR AS FUCK TOKI F-P FIGURE!

Mmmmm, manly.

Ninnen Ga Shinobuden Volume 1
And a Fist of the North Star 2 disc CD soundtrack...

Waitaminute...

And a Fist of the North Star 2 disc CD soundtrack...
And a Fist of the North Star 2 disc CD soundtrack...
And a Fist of the North Star 2 disc CD soundtrack...

FUCK
YES

I WONDER WHO THESE ARE FOR?

GEE I DUNNO

At 3/1/08 06:35 PM, Gendo wrote: BUT ACCORDING TO THIS SHOW'S FRACTURED LOGIC, DRAC IS THE HERO!

He shoved a gun through a girls chest and drank her blood as she died slowly, crying.

Yep, that's pretty heroic.

Often I'm fine with the idea of an anti-hero, but I couldn't root for that.

At 3/1/08 06:46 PM, Kuro wrote: He shoved a gun through a girls chest and drank her blood as she died slowly, crying.

Yep, that's pretty heroic.

Often I'm fine with the idea of an anti-hero, but I couldn't root for that.

Neither could I, as demonstrated by that really ranty post I made the first time I watched the episode.

Never really liked Alucard anyway, always found the villains more likable. Alucard doesn't have any real positive traits about him, so it's hard to take him seriously as the righteous one here.

Even Paladin Anderson's crazed bending of theology to justify his actions seems a bit less evil than Alucard's moral stance (or lack thereof).

At 3/1/08 06:57 PM, Gendo wrote: Neither could I, as demonstrated by that really ranty post I made the first time I watched the episode.

Yeah, but you also said it was the best episode of Ultimate so far, and gave it a 10 out of 10.

I'd say it was the worst.

Seras is a much more likable vampire, even when she's going insane.

At 3/1/08 07:49 PM, Kuro wrote: Yeah, but you also said it was the best episode of Ultimate so far, and gave it a 10 out of 10.

So? Hardly changes the fact we've got the same stance on a character.

I'd say it was the worst.

First was the worst, story moved too quickly and the animation was pretty sloppy (bad CGI, big time).

Even on technical merits alone, this episode stood out over the others.

Re-watching it has slightly dulled the impact (a lot of the story-related problems that plagued previous episodes are still around, like how Sir Penwood's screentime adds up to fuck-all), but I still enjoyed it.

From a writing standpoint, two was the best, great dialogue and it actually enhanced the plot as opposed to detracting from it (probably because the raid on Hellsing manor was pretty quick in the manga).

Three manages to cover everything nicely, but the dub's quality dropped (almost everyone sounds a little off, and some sound terrible) and the fight scene at the end with Alhambra lacks a lot of the horrific gore the manga had.

Seras is a much more likable vampire, even when she's going insane.

Well, yeah, it's obvious that the "adorable well-meaning sidekick" is gonna be a bit easier to root for than the "sadistic nutcase with absolutely no respect for human life".

At 3/1/08 07:59 PM, Gendo wrote: So? Hardly changes the fact we've got the same stance on a character.

You also said you loved how they made Alucard a horrible bastard.

First was the worst, story moved too quickly and the animation was pretty sloppy (bad CGI, big time).

I liked that, considering I felt it moved too slowly in the TV series.

Even on technical merits alone, this episode stood out over the others.

Only on technical merits alone.

Re-watching it has slightly dulled the impact (a lot of the story-related problems that plagued previous episodes are still around, like how Sir Penwood's screentime adds up to fuck-all), but I still enjoyed it.

I found the episode difficult to follow. But that's largely because I forgot what happened in the last episode, and forgot half of the characters.

From a writing standpoint, two was the best, great dialogue and it actually enhanced the plot as opposed to detracting from it (probably because the raid on Hellsing manor was pretty quick in the manga).

I quite liked the vampire fight that occurred in episode 3.

Three manages to cover everything nicely, but the dub's quality dropped (almost everyone sounds a little off, and some sound terrible) and the fight scene at the end with Alhambra lacks a lot of the horrific gore the manga had.

I didn't watch it in dub, and I'm beginning to dislike gore in anime.

It always seems like it could be so easily left out, and thus pointless and ugly.

Well, yeah, it's obvious that the "adorable well-meaning sidekick" is gonna be a bit easier to root for than the "sadistic nutcase with absolutely no respect for human life".

Point taken.

At 3/1/08 08:25 PM, Kuro wrote: You also said you loved how they made Alucard a horrible bastard.

Because I fucking hated how everyone seems to think he's this dashing heroic stud thanks to the crappy inaccurate characterisation on the TV show.

It's more fitting that they're showing him for what he really is, a bastard who's hard to get behind.

I liked that, considering I felt it moved too slowly in the TV series.

The only thing I really liked about the show (aside from the music) was the slower pace.

Allowed more time for development and atmosphere.

Moving at a breakneck pace with little to no exposition is going to alienate people not familiar with the story, unless they're twelve-year-olds who like brutal violence.

I found the episode difficult to follow. But that's largely because I forgot what happened in the last episode, and forgot half of the characters.

That and the opening bit is really disjointed, jumping between three unrelated scenes.

I quite liked the vampire fight that occurred in episode 3.

The battle with Tubalcaine Alhambra was one of my favourite manga scenes, and it translates nicely to animation.

I didn't watch it in dub, and I'm beginning to dislike gore in anime.
It always seems like it could be so easily left out, and thus pointless and ugly.

Yeah, a lot of anime is needleesly violent (remember the gunshot wounds in Elfen Lied?).

At 3/1/08 08:40 PM, Gendo wrote: Because I fucking hated how everyone seems to think he's this dashing heroic stud thanks to the crappy inaccurate characterisation on the TV show.

I'm fine with him not being heroic.

Being an anti-hero would be appropriate.

It's more fitting that they're showing him for what he really is, a bastard who's hard to get behind.

It may be fitting, but it's less enjoyable to watch a series when the character you're rooting for dies in a horribly pitiless way. Especially when the character you're rooting for is supposed to be the antagonist.

Moving at a breakneck pace with little to no exposition is going to alienate people not familiar with the story, unless they're twelve-year-olds who like brutal violence.

It's perfectly fine when the story isn't really that great in the first place.

I never look at something containing Nazi vampires, and think that it's going to have a great plot.

With that idea behind it, it should be aiming for fun, which it has for most of it.

That and the opening bit is really disjointed, jumping between three unrelated scenes.

Yeah, that could be it.

I should read the manga to see if it helps.

The battle with Tubalcaine Alhambra was one of my favourite manga scenes, and it translates nicely to animation.

That one was going for fun, more than anything else.

Yeah, a lot of anime is needleesly violent (remember the gunshot wounds in Elfen Lied?).

Almost everything explicit seemed unnecessary.

Akira did the first scene of Elfin Lied perfectly well without making you think "oh man, that's just pointless".

At 3/1/08 08:48 PM, Kuro wrote: I'm fine with him not being heroic.

Being an anti-hero would be appropriate.

Yeah, he's a bit overpowering on the "questionable heroics" scale.

It may be fitting, but it's less enjoyable to watch a series when the character you're rooting for dies in a horribly pitiless way. Especially when the character you're rooting for is supposed to be the antagonist.

True, a bit less malicious sadism would be nice from the guy who's supposed to be the fucking protagonist.

It's perfectly fine when the story isn't really that great in the first place.

I never look at something containing Nazi vampires, and think that it's going to have a great plot.

Yeah, Hirano's writing is amateurish (it never has been great, since he mostly did hentai and little inside-jokey one-offs).

But still, devoting no attention whatsoever to the development of secondary characters is a bit annoying.

I should read the manga to see if it helps.

It helps substantially, gives you a better understanding of the characters and goes a bit more in-depth with the details that get glossed over.

That one was going for fun, more than anything else.

The fancy card moves were fucking amazing.

Almost everything explicit seemed unnecessary.

Damn straight.

Akira did the first scene of Elfin Lied perfectly well without making you think "oh man, that's just pointless".

Yeah, that head explosion bit was genuinely cool instead of "Gee, that'd didn't really need to happen".

At 3/1/08 08:56 PM, Gendo wrote: Yeah, Hirano's writing is amateurish (it never has been great, since he mostly did hentai and little inside-jokey one-offs).

I've totally seen some well written hentai.

Well, one.

But still, devoting no attention whatsoever to the development of secondary characters is a bit annoying.

Alexander Andersson should get his own show.

It helps substantially, gives you a better understanding of the characters and goes a bit more in-depth with the details that get glossed over.

Maybe I'll do that, if I can be bothered.

I'm still not all into black and white.

The fancy card moves were fucking amazing.

He's the Gambit of Hellsing.

Yeah, that head explosion bit was genuinely cool instead of "Gee, that'd didn't really need to happen".

There's a big difference between the two. Akira had style, and pretty much everything felt appropriate.

At 3/1/08 09:01 PM, Kuro wrote: I've totally seen some well written hentai.

Well, one.

Hahahaha.

Alexander Andersson should get his own show.

Iscariot had their own manga back in the olden days, Crossfire.

Anderson only shows up to talk a bit instead of actually fighting, but it was still a fun read.

Eschews any kind of coherent stories for hilariously over-the-top action scenes.

Maybe I'll do that, if I can be bothered.

I'm still not all into black and white.

Hellsing is one of the few manga series I can honestly say I probably wouldn't like it in colour.

Probably due to Hirano's obsession with thick shadows covering EVERYTHING.

He's the Gambit of Hellsing.

He's even got a funny accent, to boot.

There's a big difference between the two. Akira had style, and pretty much everything felt appropriate.

But of course.

At 3/1/08 09:08 PM, Gendo wrote: Iscariot had their own manga back in the olden days, Crossfire.

Wow.

My suggestion wasn't really a serious statement, as I'm sure it would be ridiculous.

It's very rare that vampire hunter stories work.

Anderson only shows up to talk a bit instead of actually fighting, but it was still a fun read.

Oh, that's pretty useless then.

Eschews any kind of coherent stories for hilariously over-the-top action scenes.

I doubt I'll look out for it.

Manga is too expensive, anyway.

Perhaps I'd buy some more often if there was a New Zealand or Australian distribution company like Madman for manga.

Hellsing is one of the few manga series I can honestly say I probably wouldn't like it in colour.

Probably due to Hirano's obsession with thick shadows covering EVERYTHING.

That sort of thing worked perfectly well in Hellboy.

I love that comic series, I should read more of it.

But it's always out at the library.

He's even got a funny accent, to boot.

I don't remember much of the X-Men cartoon. If I looked at it now, I'd probably think Gambit was lame.

But I hear he may be turning up in Wolverine. That alone is enough to make me excited about it.