The Anime Thread: Finding Good Anime

SignOfZeta · 03/30/2017, 03:58 AM

Unless it came out in the U.K. I don't think Macross 7 was been released with subs anywhere. The DYRL BR I mentioned doesn't have them either. I think it might be a Harmony Gold issue since Bandai puts English subs on a lot of stuff now.

ClodBusted · 03/30/2017, 05:19 AM

Does HG have the US distribution rights for the whole Macross franchise, or only for the 1982 SDF Macross series?

SignOfZeta · 03/30/2017, 11:42 AM

They own Robotech as if it were an actual show they made. Therefore, any Macross items sold here go through them or nowhere. Any Macross show sold here would have have to have absolutely nothing to do with the original show including the word "Macross".

I read an interview where Kawamori basically says he feels that Macross could maybe be as big as Gundam if fans in America particularly could have access to it. Personally, I don't think Macross could be as good as Gundam because the focus is too narrow but he does have s point. There are more Macross fans here than anywhere precisely because of Robotech but they are unable to legally view Fronteir, Zeo, etc or even DYRL. What kind of a Macross fan can avoid DYRL? It's bullshit. Harmony Gold are total assholes.

ClodBusted · 03/30/2017, 11:54 AM

Well at least they allowed the release of the 1982 TV series unaltered through ADV Films. Also Plus and Lovers Again got official releases on DVD. So I think if US publishers would have the guts, they should be able to negotiate with HG amd Big West about releasing more Macross. Following also the example of Toynami who were able to produce TV and DYRL versions of transformable Valkyries (not just Veritechs) and other toys for the US a few years ago. Toynami must have had a decent enough production run since at one point I was able to buy these toys at a German con, where you'd usually find no Macross related stuff at all, and just very few Gundam kits.

This gets me puzzled why there isn't more like that.

NightWolve · 04/14/2017, 11:42 PM

Hm, just a quick detour, I ran into my scuffle with SignOfZeta from 2 years ago in this thread, and after looking at some of what I wrote, I felt I should apologize... It was extremely over-the-top/unhinged on my part, and I'm sorta surprised I was responsible for writing it, I feel embarrassed looking back at it. Dunno how he got me that angry, but ah well... ;)

Medic_wheat · 04/20/2017, 03:39 PM

Decided to revisit my Anime collection and see what I have. What I am missing so I can try and fill any holes in my attempt to complete my various series runs.

Then I got side tracked re-watching the Moby Dick Anime series.

I forgot how much I got into these Ankme reimagjnnng of classic stories. Makes me want to hunt down the Romeo and Juliet that I never saw and finish finding the last Count of Monticello DVD I am missing fro that set.

Also missing two dvds for my ROD tv show and various other stuff.

Gypsy · 04/20/2017, 06:04 PM

Singles are the devil. Also, that Count anime was crap imo.

Medic_wheat · 04/20/2017, 06:24 PM

Quote from: Gypsy on 04/20/2017, 06:04 PMSingles are the devil. Also, that Count anime was crap imo.

I remember liking it. Granted I haven't re-watched it in maybe ten years. I haven't started watching it as I am still missing one of the dvds. Number two I think. If I re-watch it I want to bing watch it so I can make a fresh assessment of it. Sure I could eBay it, but I have had fun picking these up locally at used DVD stores. Usually for $4 or less a DVD.

Granted I have seen many older anime I enjoyed are getting or have been blu Ray released as a collection.

Outlaw star
Big O (never got to finish it when it aired)
Wolf Rain
Gundom 008 and 08 war
And many more I can't think of at the moment.

Gypsy · 04/20/2017, 10:10 PM

The whole show should be pretty cheap. Though, there may be some mild quality issues compared to the singles due to a lazy release. I noticed this with YuYu Hakusho. Of course that has a bluray release, which is likely cheaper than getting the singles, so I'll just grab those. Though I probably shouldn't, because I'll just keep these dvd sets I have anyway, and I have way too much anime.

SignOfZeta · 04/21/2017, 10:28 AM

I like Yuyu a lot but I didn't even consider buying the US DVDs when they first came out. Too long of a show, way too many discs in their plan, odds of cancelation too high.

Gypsy · 04/21/2017, 10:40 AM

Yeah, I picked up the full season in slim cases releases. The master appears to be the same one from the split season releases.

I'm a pretty big cheapskate when it comes to anime. I typically pre-order nothing.

Medic_wheat · 04/21/2017, 12:14 PM

Quote from: Gypsy on 04/21/2017, 10:40 AMYeah, I picked up the full season in slim cases releases. The master appears to be the same one from the split season releases.

I'm a pretty big cheapskate when it comes to anime. I typically pre-order nothing.

I am the same. I'll go for the cheapest option that allows me to complete a series and save as much space on the DVD wall.

Minus my days of just torrenting the shot out of everything and having my apartment littered with HDDs wfilled with tv shows movies and anime.

Haven't torrented in nearly three years so now I just look for deals.

roflmao · 04/22/2017, 11:13 PM

Both of these I've had as either VHS or DVD, but I finally got around to adding them to my LaserDisc library, and the both look phenomenal in that format.

SignOfZeta · 04/23/2017, 12:21 AM

You should consider a version of GitS that isn't shit! I recommend the Premium Box (BEAL-921). You get both languages and the video doesn't look like dirareah like all Manga's LDs did. It also has CCs/LD+G.

ClodBusted · 04/23/2017, 06:14 AM

Yes.

Source:

Loading: twitter.com/colonydrop/status/851960447766978560

Oh and by the way, I found Ghost in the Shell with Scarlett Johannson quite decent. I wasn't expecting much when friends asked me to go with them to the cinema, but eventually I was pleasantly surprised. Not mindblown, but since I forgot most about the story from when I saw the Anime on DVD over ten years ago, I was able to enjoy it without having to compare the new and old one back and forth in my mind.

SignOfZeta · 04/23/2017, 08:45 AM

Getting my mind blow is why I watch GiTS. I have no need for a $200M large print edition for the punters. Totally fucking pointless. I'm glad to hear it isn't bad, but "not bad" isn't high enough praise for GitS. I still think about Stand Alone Complex on a daily basis and I haven't seen a single episode in probably five years.

Gypsy · 04/23/2017, 09:16 AM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 04/23/2017, 08:45 AMGetting my mind blow is why I watch GiTS. I have no need for a $200M large print edition for the punters. Totally fucking pointless. I'm glad to hear it isn't bad, but "not bad" isn't high enough praise for GitS. I still think about Stand Alone Complex on a daily basis and I haven't seen a single episode in probably five years.

But yeah I hear you, this version is no doubt pretty pointless.

@Clod That's pretty awful. Never much understood the desire to watch unboxing videos myself.

That Bubblegum Crisis set is pretty nice, much much much better than say, the recent blu release of GiTS SAC. Referring purely to the quality of the release. Unfortunately, it's really a complete joke that no one should buy, out of fear of showing a penny of support for such shit practices.

esteban · 04/23/2017, 09:56 AM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 04/23/2017, 08:45 AMGetting my mind blow is why I watch GiTS. I have no need for a $200M large print edition for the punters. Totally fucking pointless. I'm glad to hear it isn't bad, but "not bad" isn't high enough praise for GitS. I still think about Stand Alone Complex on a daily basis and I haven't seen a single episode in probably five years.

Hollywood.

Nuff said.

TR0N · 05/27/2017, 05:45 AM

Well this is a pleasant surprise,record of the lodoss war ova and tv series being released again on bluray.

It pop up on my recommendations through amazon.This is a must buy for me since i like to replace my copy of it on dvd.Still i wish funimation would redub it i all ways thought CPM did a terrible job of it.By the way it's release will be in july.

esteban · 05/28/2017, 07:12 AM

Quote from: TR0N on 05/27/2017, 05:45 AMWell this is a pleasant surprise,record of the lodoss war ova and tv series being released again on bluray.
It pop up on my recommendations through amazon.This is a must buy for me since i like to replace my copy of it on dvd.Still i wish funimation would redub it i all ways thought CPM did a terrible job of it.By the way it's release will be in july.

I have the DVDs, too.

I was going to rewatch them and see if my kids were interested.

Now, I don't even want to think about how much better the picture quality could be if I wasn't watching DVD.

TR0N · 05/29/2017, 05:14 AM

Quote from: esteban on 05/28/2017, 07:12 AM
Quote from: TR0N on 05/27/2017, 05:45 AMWell this is a pleasant surprise,record of the lodoss war ova and tv series being released again on bluray.
It pop up on my recommendations through amazon.This is a must buy for me since i like to replace my copy of it on dvd.Still i wish funimation would redub it i all ways thought CPM did a terrible job of it.By the way it's release will be in july.
I have the DVDs, too.

I was going to rewatch them and see if my kids were interested.

Now, I don't even want to think about how much better the picture quality could be if I wasn't watching DVD.

Ditto have both on dvd as well.I did watch the ova and the tv series originally on vhs first before getting it on dvd.If the transfer is done right i assume it will look better on bluray.The most i'm buying it for the ova it's one of my favorites from the 90's.

Digi.k · 05/31/2017, 01:40 PM

Gonna keep a look out for this one in the coming months.

Ex-Ghibli Director Yonebayashi's Mary and the Witch's Flower

Also if you don't mind the slight bromance and pretty boys in speedos there is Free! Iwatobi Swim Club which I actually enjoyed the characters develop.

ClodBusted · 06/07/2017, 02:32 AM

I just watched Project A-Ko on DVD yesterday.

Hilarious story, likeable characters and so much parody everywhere (without the need for the audience to have seen the parodied references). Is this where Gunbuster got its idea of girl schools and mech training? The animation is pretty good with lots of smooth scenes, impressive tracking shots over towns, mechs and spaceships, battles, etc.

You won't get this much hand drawn animation out of today's anime.

TR0N · 06/07/2017, 02:45 AM

Quote from: guest on 06/07/2017, 02:32 AM
I just watched Project A-Ko on DVD yesterday.

Hilarious story, likeable characters and so much parody everywhere (without the need for the audience to have seen the parodied references). Is this where Gunbuster got its idea of girl schools and mech training? The animation is pretty good with lots of smooth scenes, impressive tracking shots over towns, mechs and spaceships, battles, etc.

You won't get this much hand drawn animation out of today's anime.

Project A-ko is pretty much one big parody.I remember when i first watched it on vhs originally thinking how ridiculous it was

DragonmasterDan · 06/07/2017, 01:50 PM

Quote from: guest on 06/07/2017, 02:32 AM
I just watched Project A-Ko on DVD yesterday.

Hilarious story, likeable characters and so much parody everywhere (without the need for the audience to have seen the parodied references). Is this where Gunbuster got its idea of girl schools and mech training? The animation is pretty good with lots of smooth scenes, impressive tracking shots over towns, mechs and spaceships, battles, etc.

I believe it was already borrowing a lot of those tropes from existing Manga and Anime. I know A-Ko is very nostalgic for a lot of people and I see why people like it so much, but it isn't exactly a favorite of mine either.

QuoteYou won't get this much hand drawn animation out of today's anime.

With that said, I really do prefer the fully hand drawn look, painted backgrounds before traditional animation went digital.

xcrement5x · 06/07/2017, 03:52 PM

Heh, it's funny that you watched A-Ko recently because I decided to grab an older title myself recently. I started watching Magic User's Club and it's another one of those that you can tell there was definitely some time spent on doing the animation by hand since it's an OVA. I'll easily admit that it was seeing a picture of Akane that made me research the show a bit more before starting it though.

Something about that anime from that period just gets me!

SignOfZeta · 06/07/2017, 04:00 PM

Yeah, sorry, not even in the same universe. Granted, I've only ever seen the TV version and it wasn't terrible animation-wise but honestly once you get past 1990 or so anime was already over the hill and rolling down fast. All those insanely high end cuts in things like DYRL, MADOX, Riding Bean, Five Star Stories, To-y, Angel's Egg, etc were becoming very rare to extinct...the kids who drew them for free, after school, for the love of it, had to move to actual paying jobs. New fans/staff had the same drive, but less of the background. By the end of the decade Korea had inherited the industry as it was.

xcrement5x · 06/08/2017, 01:19 PM

Lol, you know I actually even debated posting my previous comment (and picture) because I had a feeling you were going to rip into it about the animation being mid-90s instead of 80s or earlier.

I spent a lot of time when I was younger watching probably more 90s anime than anything else, and while I will easily admit that the difference in quality is noticeable, I personally don't mind too much. I still like the character styles and the animation quality from that time, and to use an oft-overused meme:

Gypsy · 06/08/2017, 02:25 PM

That reminds me I'm hoping for a Madox-01 blu-ray via kickstarter. I backed BGC and Riding Bean. I was very happy with BGC and I'm sure Riding Bean will be a fine release as well. I wish I had been following AE before Kickstarter back when they restored Super Dimensional Fortress Macross. A blu of that would be a dream. I'd support pretty much anything Macross if they put it out through Kickstarter.

SignOfZeta · 06/08/2017, 03:19 PM

I sorta forgot and missed Riding Bean but I sure as hell got the Otaku no Video one. MADOX is way up on my list of OVA faves and I still don't have an LD so I'd fund that for sure.

SignOfZeta · 06/08/2017, 03:30 PM

Quote from: guest on 06/08/2017, 01:19 PMLol, you know I actually even debated posting my previous comment (and picture) because I had a feeling you were going to rip into it about the animation being mid-90s instead of 80s or earlier.

I spent a lot of time when I was younger watching probably more 90s anime than anything else, and while I will easily admit that the difference in quality is noticeable, I personally don't mind too much. I still like the character styles and the animation quality from that time, and to use an oft-overused meme:

I wasn't trying to make a value judgement. I enjoy the You're Under Arrest OVAs from the same time and they have very good animation, much better hand drawn animation of passenger cars that just about anything from any era.

However, the simple reality was that nearly all the money was gone by the time those OVAs came out and people had stopped working for free. I remember at the time (let's say 1997) I knew people in the industry who were constantly complaining about how nobody would fund good ideas anymore, how the labor was being offshored, and at the time I didn't really see it as someone who's just a consumer. Now that time has passed and I've seen a lot more anime and have had time to take a broader view of the whole situation it seems super obvious as hell when the bottom fell out.

Great anime came from the 90s (Giant Robo, Beebop, etc) just as it's being made today but when it comes to stuff like A-ko...well, it was already over by the time it came out. That's why it's 90 minutes of theatrical grade animation and all the sequels are shorter and cheaper. Many of the really top tier shit from the 80s was too lovingly crafted to make a profit. Five Star Stories and To-y come to mind. By now of course pretty much every studio has gone under or was bought out, it was a slow progress with them cranking mediocre stuff to pay the bills. Sunrise only exists because Bandai owns them now. Ghibli is only still here because they are able to work with Disney for international distribution.

Gypsy · 06/08/2017, 05:41 PM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 06/08/2017, 03:19 PMI sorta forgot and missed Riding Bean but I sure as hell got the Otaku no Video one. MADOX is way up on my list of OVA faves and I still don't have an LD so I'd fund that for sure.

If you want it, you can still buy it via the kickstarter page. Or just wait for it to go up for sale on their web store. If you don't need it on blu the dvd is only $8 off their web store.

I'm actually not as familiar with 80s era oavs in general and our tastes seem to intersect, so I'm definitely down for some recommendations.

Medic_wheat · 06/09/2017, 12:11 AM

Just finished rewatching Blood C tv show. Will watch the movie/ending to the show this weekend.

I remember when it came out it was pretty much hated especially compared to blood + (never saw it in full just a episode or two on tv many years ago). Also I use to own and enjoyed the original blood the last vampire movie when it was a new release.

But back to blood c

I greatly enjoyed it. 12 episodes no filler or crape. People tend to think it's bad because the characters are "hollow" uninteresting and slow.

However I tend to look at it similarly to Madoka Magica as a slice of life Anime with a twist.

The characters are playing (literally) stereotypical arcatyoes of a typical high school slick of life Anime similar to say Card Capture Sakura or xxxHolic.

You have a "typical" naive high school student who at night fight evil with super powers. A shrine maiden with a sacred sword. Never been done! And who's father can sense evil and sends his daughter out I. Missions with little explanation as to why or how

The unacquainted love interest

The hard to get love interest whi doesn't like to talk or army he likes the girl.

The chibi/Moe character who is there to be relatable this time twins who are interchangeable

The jock girl who is like a bi sister or mother

The teacher who acts more as a friend then an adult or educator.

And lastly a seemingly random coffee shop owner who seems to have a store just for he main character. With a flirting possibly love interest in the main heroin.

So it starts off with seemingly cardboard archetypes. You'd expect them to play their roles. However. Slowly. You start to realize. They are doing just that. Playing a role. A deeper mystery is around each corner. Even in the first episodes you get the sense things are being watched. Scenes are shown in a fish eye lense. He town is stated to be mostly empty. A ghost town. There is "one of everything". The population is reported to be the size of nearly 2,500 and people seem to almost break character at times.

I found it to be enjoyable after the second viewing. I first watched it off YouTube two years ago and didn't pay much attention. I just sort of fat forward through the "slow parts" and speed group 12 episodes just because I heard he ending was "messed up and full of gore". People would say just watch the last episodes he rest isn't worth it. However, after watching it and paying attention his feel like a under rated and falsely hated anime.

ClodBusted · 06/09/2017, 02:32 AM

I was surprised to see the Golden Boy anime had pretty good animation for its time in the mid nineties.

I got my hands on the Otaku no Video blu-ray last year and have backed the Riding Bean blu-ray this year.

By the way, have you guys seen Roujin Z? I remember having seen it in some cinema around 2000, I think. Was amused by how much Sony brand placement was in this movie.

SignOfZeta · 06/09/2017, 11:03 AM

Roujin Z is pretty cool. These days the most remarkable thing about it is that it doesn't have any high schoolers in it. It's a really good movie in general, but the (IIRC) total lack of high schoolers...kinda nice.

ClodBusted · 06/09/2017, 01:23 PM

Exactly!

TR0N · 06/10/2017, 02:56 AM

Quote from: Gypsy on 06/08/2017, 02:25 PMI wish I had been following AE before Kickstarter back when they restored Super Dimensional Fortress Macross. A blu of that would be a dream. I'd support pretty much anything Macross if they put it out through Kickstarter.

Macross is still a license nightmare thanks to harmony gold and there bs.Don't ever expect to see it on bluray for the west at least.

ClodBusted · 06/10/2017, 03:35 AM

But SDF Macross has been released twice on DVD (Animeigo and ADV). Also there had been Macross VF-1 toys for the west by Toynami. All officially licensed through Big West and Harmony Gold. I think that shows everything is possible.

Gypsy · 06/10/2017, 07:30 AM

Well there are usually even more hindrances with bluray. The spectre of reverse importing and whatnot.

ClodBusted · 06/10/2017, 08:15 AM

What I'm saying, and I've said it before, people are pretty quick in blaming HG for anything. Plus, I don't worry too much about that reverse importing thing for something as old as a 1982 animated tv series. What eventually counts is: Can a product sell well enough?

SignOfZeta · 06/10/2017, 01:53 PM

Well, lets see. It was super difficult to get western Macross releases to happen during the anime boom, now %90 of the revenue is gone and still no NA release of DYRL (beyond its first VHS release in like 1985 or whatever). Still no Frontier, 7, Zero, Flashback, or Delta.

I wouldn't hold out hope. If you like it that much pay $700 for the import.

I personally wouldn't since this is extremely cheap and crude anime that was quickly drawn into A4 sized cels and made for TVs that were only slightly larger. My LD box will do just fine.

Gypsy · 06/24/2017, 09:58 AM

Is GiTS Arise any good? Planning a GiTS marathon and wondering if I should bother with it. If it were cheaper I'd just buy it anyway to find out, but it's costly enough that I am seeking opinions on it.

SignOfZeta · 06/24/2017, 12:03 PM

I haven't seen it.

xcrement5x · 06/25/2017, 02:01 AM

Quote from: Gypsy on 06/24/2017, 09:58 AMIs GiTS Arise any good? Planning a GiTS marathon and wondering if I should bother with it. If it were cheaper I'd just buy it anyway to find out, but it's costly enough that I am seeking opinions on it.

I enjoyed the first two on Netflix, haven't watched the rest of it yet though. If you enjoyed GiTS and Stand Alone Complex you'll probably like this, though it is a prequel of sorts.

Gypsy · 06/25/2017, 09:21 AM

Yeah a prequel to the whole thing if I was understanding right. And yeah I love GiTS. Too bad the blus for the first movie and SAC 1/2 are garbage.

I actually need to pick up the DVDs for SAC, fortunately they seem to be back in print.

Right now I've been watching some random OAVs/movies I accumulated but hadn't got around to watching or haven't watched in a long time. Watched Venus Wars last night it was okay. Started on Dominion Tank Police and it seems fine.

Gypsy · 06/29/2017, 01:46 PM

Finished Dominion Tank Police awhile ago. It was pretty good.

Other things watched recently: Cyber City Oedo 808, 801 TTS Airbats, Elf Princess Rane. Nothing too great here.

Waiting on GiTS stuff to trickle on in through the mail. Giant Robo coming as well.

ClodBusted · 06/29/2017, 03:33 PM

Quote from: Gypsy on 06/29/2017, 01:46 PMFinished Dominion Tank Police awhile ago. It was pretty good.

It is, indeed.

SignOfZeta · 06/29/2017, 04:04 PM

Good to hear Stand Alone Complex is available again. I didn't buy it back in the day because of the confusing nature of the releases. I actually fell in love with it on cable and VoD and by then it was hard to find anything that looked like a "volume 1" anywhere.

Gypsy · 06/29/2017, 04:45 PM

Yeah the collection DVDs are still in print thankfully (you can actually order them directly from Amazon). The BD release is an embarrassment, otherwise I'd have gone with that.

Oh and if anyone here would like a UV code (digital HD) for Innocence just message me, I got on with this combo pack and I'm not going to use it. Also it should definitely be valid, because I bought new.

Medic_wheat · 06/29/2017, 10:22 PM

Quote from: Gypsy on 06/29/2017, 04:45 PMYeah the collection DVDs are still in print thankfully (you can actually order them directly from Amazon). The BD release is an embarrassment, otherwise I'd have gone with that.

Oh and if anyone here would like a UV code (digital HD) for Innocence just message me, I got on with this combo pack and I'm not going to use it. Also it should definitely be valid, because I bought new.

That's very nice of you. Not interested as I have a downloaded file of it and The bluray.