Vivian on 12/8/2009 at 08:10
Maybe I was expecting something else having been a big fan of Macross Plus for a while now, but what is so awesome about Cowboy Bebop? Apart from decent production values and some unusually subtle (for a popular anime) characterisation, it just seemed like a average 80's cop show in space. Mind you, I don't really like things that are that strongly episodic, I prefer longer story arcs, so maybe I'm just prejudiced.
ZymeAddict on 12/8/2009 at 08:27
I just really like the style, humor, characters, and setting of the thing. Yeah, it tends to eschew story arcs, but it still has a couple good double and triple-parters which give more depth to characters.
Also, I wouldn't say it's just channeling 80s cop shows. It has elements of pretty much every major 20th century pop culture genre - from Westerns, to kung fu films, to 70s and 80s crime dramas, to straight up science fiction and cyberpunk.
Enchantermon on 12/8/2009 at 08:33
Well, most of the best sci-fi stuff has already been mentioned. Gurren Lagann, Haruhi Suzumiya, Outlaw Star (this may be the "mysterious ship" anime you couldn't remember the name of), Black Lagoon (not for the kid) and Ghost in the Shell all get recommendations from me. Tonamel makes a good point about Haruhi, though (although I don't recall anything in Gurren Lagann that would need explaining).
Full Metal Panic! is an awesome sci-fi anime blending comedy and mecha rather well.
D.Gray-man is a blend of sci-fi and medieval themes with twinges of comedy and romance and an incredibly well-done storyline.
Ergo Proxy is a good sci-fi tale that may make your head spin at first; it's one of those shows you really need to pay attention to (kind of like Ghost in the Shell) so that you understand what's going on. But even if you don't understand the episode, you get to hear Radiohead at the end, so it's all worth it. ;) It also takes itself seriously.
Beyond sci-fi, there's Ah! My Goddess; a slice-of-life anime with a few magical women added to the mix. I enjoyed it, though the main focus of the show, the romance, moves quite slowly (though realistically); if you want a faster-moving romance, check out the OVA.
Chobits is a cute and humorous slice-of-life with some sci-fi in the form of humanoid robots with advanced AI (think Star Trek's Data, but more human in looks and actions).
Trigun looks great so far; I'm only halfway through, though, so I won't comment too much. It's a Western theme with a healthy dose of comedic activity.
Escaflowne is also pretty sweet; think mecha in medieval times. It also takes itself fairly seriously, though. If you check it out, I recommend the Japanese dub; from what I've been told, the company who produced the English dub mangled the show when attempting to gear it towards a younger audience of mostly boys (kind of like what happened with CardCaptor Sakura).
This last one may be a stretch: Aria. While a plot exists, it's not the focus of the anime; the main theme is the enjoyment of the simpler things in life. It is very much a "feel-good" series. If you've got a healthy romantic and sentimental side, as I do, you'll enjoy it.
Tonamel on 12/8/2009 at 09:29
Quote Posted by Enchantermon
(although I don't recall anything in Gurren Lagann that would need explaining).
I guess there isn't that much confusing stuff, aside from maybe the bathhouse episode. I'm still not sure I'd recommend it as a starter anime, just from the "X-TREEEM (guitar wail)"-ness of it all.
Matthew on 12/8/2009 at 10:01
Quote Posted by Tonamel
Fun Fact: In the "Intro to Japanese Culture" class I took in college, the clip they showed us to introduce us to anime was from Urotsukidoji (NEVER google that. It is where we got the phrase Tentacle Rape). They followed this with Grave of the Fireflies. The mind boggles.
Off-topic but related: in my first 'Medical Law and Ethics' class at university, we walked into the auditorium to be greeted by a huge projected picture of a chap in a gimp mask having interesting things inserted into him in various places. Amazingly, it was relevant.
Sulphur on 12/8/2009 at 18:46
Quote Posted by Tonamel
Fun Fact: In the "Intro to Japanese Culture" class I took in college, the clip they showed us to introduce us to anime was from Urotsukidoji (NEVER google that. It is where we got the phrase Tentacle Rape). They followed this with Grave of the Fireflies. The mind boggles.
Yes, but Grave of the Fireflies is an actual example of solid, well-written anime. This is, of course, overlooking the fact that it's the most depressing thing I've ever experienced aside from Requiem for a Dream and that new Antlers album.
PeeperStorm on 13/8/2009 at 01:13
Quote:
Originally Posted by TonamelFun Fact: In the "Intro to Japanese Culture" class I took in college, the clip they showed us to introduce us to anime was from Urotsukidoji (NEVER google that. It is where we got the phrase Tentacle Rape). They followed this with Grave of the Fireflies. The mind boggles.
That's like a class that introduces you to American movies with the original version of
Last House on the Left along with
Leaving Las Vegas. Aside from the alliteration with the "l"s, I mean.
Enchantermon on 13/8/2009 at 01:16
Quote Posted by Tonamel
I guess there isn't that much confusing stuff, aside from maybe the bathhouse episode. I'm still not sure I'd recommend it as a starter anime, just from the "X-TREEEM (guitar wail)"-ness of it all.
Ah, yes, there was an onsen episode.
I think it depends. Gurren Lagann was one of the first anime series that I saw and I loved it immediately despite its "kick reason to the curb" style.
Tonamel on 13/8/2009 at 01:27
I feel so quotable!
Aerothorn on 13/8/2009 at 01:54
For some reason, despite my love of Bebop, I couldn't get into Champloo at all. All the characters seemed to be cardboard cutout anime archetypes. Maybe it gets better after the first 4 episodes?
But yeah, I'll second Paranoia Agent and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The latter in particular is much better than you might expect - the first couple episodes seem a little formulaic but it really starts going somewhere, and has two very good seasons.
