The last thing we watched, cartoon/animu edition

Gordon_4

The Big Engine
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I used to buy anime on blu-ray on a site called Archonia. I haven't checked it out in a good couple of years and decided to see what's what... Now I've bought Gunbuster, Cyber City Oedo 808, and Memories on blu-ray. They also had Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I'm not made of fucking money.
I’ve still got my platinum DVD collection of Neon Genesis from back in the day. Although in hindsight I wish I hadn’t sold the original ADV released DVDs either but I sort of used one to find the other. Alas. Mind you, I’d have had trouble picking between those four items myself.
 

Casual Shinji

Should've gone before we left.
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I’ve still got my platinum DVD collection of Neon Genesis from back in the day. Although in hindsight I wish I hadn’t sold the original ADV released DVDs either but I sort of used one to find the other. Alas. Mind you, I’d have had trouble picking between those four items myself.
I still have my platinum collection, too! But I can't run them anymore since they're region 1, I'm in Europe, and the time of region free DVD players is a thing of the past.
 

TheMysteriousGX

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Huh, what with the OP/ED change on episode 14 and counting out where the chapters would be, I really figured Delicious in Dungeon was gonna be a 26 episode season

Jokes on me, Dungeon Meshi Season One is over at 24 episodes. Studio Trigger has already announced that Season 2 is in production, and unless something goes really funky, that will be the entirety of the show

Overall impressions wise, I think it's the best adaptation anime I've ever seen. Anything cut or modified has generally been because comics are just inherently different as a medium then animation, voice work is solid in multiple languages, there's really only one small anime-only scene and it's cute as heck. The show ending on a couple of episodes rewarding viewers for paying attention to prior details really helps set up what the back half of the show is (hopefully) going to do

Here's a cute picture of them playing instruments

 

Bob_McMillan

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Huh, what with the OP/ED change on episode 14 and counting out where the chapters would be, I really figured Delicious in Dungeon was gonna be a 26 episode season

Jokes on me, Dungeon Meshi Season One is over at 24 episodes. Studio Trigger has already announced that Season 2 is in production, and unless something goes really funky, that will be the entirety of the show

Overall impressions wise, I think it's the best adaptation anime I've ever seen. Anything cut or modified has generally been because comics are just inherently different as a medium then animation, voice work is solid in multiple languages, there's really only one small anime-only scene and it's cute as heck. The show ending on a couple of episodes rewarding viewers for paying attention to prior details really helps set up what the back half of the show is (hopefully) going to do

Here's a cute picture of them playing instruments

I was also a little blindsided that the season was over. I didn't think the episode they ended on felt like a finale.

Overall, it was an anime that I enjoyed more than a lot of others this season. I'm still not too crazy about it, I wasn't exactly counting down the days to the next episode, but it's well made in every aspect.
 

Casual Shinji

Should've gone before we left.
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I watched Gunbuster again. It's neat seeing all the Anno-isms that would make their return in Evangelion. Other than that what really makes this series stand out is the time dilation angle that feels horrifically existential and monumentally depressing. The ending in which the two leads save the Earth but get jumped 12.000 years into the future is chest-tighteningly (no pun intended) harrowing despite the happy ending it presents us with. Having the final episode be completely in black and white only to switch back to colour for the end credits is also extremely effective and very much something Anno would pull.

Another thing that drew my attention is this thing that a lot of 80's and 90's anime tended to do, which was to pull sound effects from Hollywood blockbusters. The Ghostbusters proton pack is a recurring one in many sci-fi anime from that era. And what's funny is that usually it's not even the isolated sound effect, but literally the soundmix of the movie. In Gunbuster for example while using the proton pack sound effect you can actually catch some quick Slimer grunts. Another example is Ninja Scroll using the sound from when Judge Doom throws the record at one of the weasels in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
 
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meiam

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Just saw this poster (never watched the movie) but whoever added this title there is an evil genius, can't unsee this guy as a weird dwarf.

1719364677195.jpeg
 

Bob_McMillan

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This season of Demon Slayer ended with a WOMP WOMP. We always knew it was basically a filler arc, but they put more filler... into the filler. Eh. Really hoping they were saving up time and effort for the final arc, rather than this just being only what the studio is capable of now.

Go Go Loser Ranger just plain sucks. Characters and their motivations are all over the place, and the animation quality is equally uneven. Rather disappointing from what seemed like a great premise.
 
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BrawlMan

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We always knew it was basically a filler arc, but they put more filler... into the filler. Eh. Really hoping they were saving up time and effort for the final arc, rather than this just being only what the studio is capable of now.
This is what I am always afraid of when it comes to anime like this.
 

BrawlMan

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The Grimm Variations - I finished and it's a great anthology series with wonderful animation. Due note that this anthology does get dark and serious depending on the episode. Though my personal favorite is The Town Musicians of Bremen. The western episode, because of how much fun it is. I do feel the second episode, Little Red Riding Hood, is the weakest, because you can already see the twist coming as soon as the Cinderella episode is finished. Each tale is a subversion or twist in some type of way. Though not all cases are super dark and twisted. Great job on this one CLAMP.
 

Piscian

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I watched Girls Band Cry last weekend

Its a bit like shouting into the neither though because from what I understand the show isn't available on any US streaming service. You'll need to watch it on a pirated streaming service like 9anime or download it. I only heard of it due to all the reddit memes being posted. For awhile you could only watch it because some kind soul was posting it in clips.

Anyhoo if you are curious Girls band Cry would best described as BOCCHI THE ROCK for millennials, or very similar to Jellyfish can't swim at night. It takes place in Tokyo where a highschooler has shown up essentially having run away from home, only to run into her music idol playing a guitar in the street. They end up randomly forming a band. I think the show really appealed to me for a variety of reasons, more so than the afore mentioned Girl Band shows.

I think a part of it is the high quality 2.5D animation. I can't help but feel like theres some rotoscoping going on because of how well the characters are animated, but really it's the maturity of the writing. These aren't twee highschool girls, they are fully developed characters personalities that are thoughtful and engaging.

A lot of anime has more archetypical characters. Rarely being really empathetic, but making up for it by being funny or "fun". With Girls Band Cry you get much more human Characters. It's revealed in snippets that the protagonist actually ran away from home because she was bullied in highschool and her parents & school ignored it. The former idol musician is a drunk who was planning to leave Tokyo and give up music. The always cheery calm voice character of the show's entire family died in an accident.

Ok maybe I should be more honest and admit the shows got a bit of misery porn to it, but to be clear it uses these elements to develop purpose and motivation. It's a show about redemption and stoicism.

Anyway I wouldn't bother talking about it if I didn't highly recommend it. Its got an 8.5/10 on animelist if that tells you anything. The memes alone are already becoming iconic

girls-band-cry-fuck-you.gif

 

Drathnoxis

I love the smell of card games in the morning
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Finally finished Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders after I don't know how many years. It was ok. I still don't like the art style and pretty much everything boiled down to Jotaro winning because he's simply the best, but it was ok. Miles better than what I watched of Season 1.

Now I'm watching YuYu Hakasho and it seems pretty good so far. It starts off pretty strong by having all the important characters grieving at Yuuske's funeral, and it was actually really well done. Other shows have got far less of an emotional response from me with far more build up. There's just something about early 90s shonen comedy anime that I really enjoy.
 

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the art style and pretty much everything boiled down to Jotaro winning because he's simply the best, but it was ok.
Not really. He does have moments like that, but there are plenty of times he makes mistakes or needed the help and team efforts from his friends and allies. He's got plenty of awesome solo moments, but there are just many awesome team moments as well. Not to mention, all the Crusaders have to use strategy, trickery, and slight of hand to outwit most of their foes and aren't all about muscles. Despite the entire crew, save Iggy, are all pretty muscular. I do admit Part 3 does drag most, but it when it gets to Egypt, the anime goes at a much better pace. Phantom Blood/Part 1 is not bad and I actually enjot. It's only the "weakest", because it's the first one.

Now I'm watching YuYu Hakasho and it seems pretty good so far. It starts off pretty strong by having all the important characters grieving at Yuuske's funeral, and it was actually really well done. Other shows have got far less of an emotional response from me with far more build up. There's just something about early 90s shonen comedy anime that I really enjoy.
Big YYH fan myself. It's one of those shows where the anime adaption is so much better than the original manga.
 
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Johnny Novgorod

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Started watching Batman TAS but I'm confused about the episode order. Apparently there's a production order, an air date order, a DVD release order (the one featured in Wikipedia) and a Max order, which is the one I went with (starts with the Catwoman two-parter). I'm not sure how to follow up now.
 

Piscian

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Screenshot_20240803-160411.png

Finishing up the first season today. Easily a 10/10. Putting nostalgia aside I honestly think its an improvement on TAS. The animation, acting and writing is really a step above.

I started watching assuming it was a reboot or continuation of the original series, but its not. Its a reimagining of 1940s Batman with a very dark noir slant.

You'd kinda think taking Batman back to the basics without the bat gimmicks and super villains would be off-putting but it actually makes it, imho, more compelling. Batman is much more focused on fighting the mafias and city corruption with a bit of supernatural & occult stuff. I think this would really appeal to hellboy fans. Its definitely served by being on Amazon. They don't have to hold back on the violence or darker themes, lots of shootouts in this one.

They also do a solid job of reimagining the villains in this. Its not the rogues gallery shoved haphazardly into the 1940s, but instead a version of these characters that suits the time period. Even bruce is much more troubled and struggles to maintain his playboy persona, especially when confronted by friends and those who knew him as a child. Definitely worth checking out, does not feel redundant. Its got its own unique energy.
 
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BrawlMan

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View attachment 11620

Finishing up the first season today. Easily a 10/10. Putting nostalgia aside I honestly think its an improvement on TAS. The animation, acting and writing is really a step above.

I started watching assuming it was a reboot or continuation of the original series, but its not. Its a reimagining of 1940s Batman with a very dark noir slant.

You'd kinda think taking Batman back to the basics without the bat gimmicks and super villains would be off-putting but it actually makes it, imho, more compelling. Batman is much more focused on fighting the mafias and city corruption with a bit of supernatural & occult stuff. I think this would really appeal to hellboy fans. Its definitely served by being on Amazon. They don't have to hold back on the violence or darker themes, lots of shootouts in this one.

They also do a solid job of reimagining the villains in this. Its not the rogues gallery shoved haphazardly into the 1940s, but instead a version of these characters that suits the time period. Even bruce is much more troubled and struggles to maintain his playboy persona, especially when confronted by friends and those who knew him as a child. Definitely worth checking out, does not feel redundant. Its got its own unique energy.
All of these Caped Crusaders episodes are bangers! There isn't a "weak" episode in sight. I know some people are gonna favor certain episodes more than the other, but all of these episodes kept me in the suspense.

Of course they held their Joker boner in the after credits teaser. Joker will be in Season 2.

I am ready for whenever Season 2 comes out.
 

meiam

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View attachment 11620

Finishing up the first season today. Easily a 10/10. Putting nostalgia aside I honestly think its an improvement on TAS. The animation, acting and writing is really a step above.

I started watching assuming it was a reboot or continuation of the original series, but its not. Its a reimagining of 1940s Batman with a very dark noir slant.

You'd kinda think taking Batman back to the basics without the bat gimmicks and super villains would be off-putting but it actually makes it, imho, more compelling. Batman is much more focused on fighting the mafias and city corruption with a bit of supernatural & occult stuff. I think this would really appeal to hellboy fans. Its definitely served by being on Amazon. They don't have to hold back on the violence or darker themes, lots of shootouts in this one.

They also do a solid job of reimagining the villains in this. Its not the rogues gallery shoved haphazardly into the 1940s, but instead a version of these characters that suits the time period. Even bruce is much more troubled and struggles to maintain his playboy persona, especially when confronted by friends and those who knew him as a child. Definitely worth checking out, does not feel redundant. Its got its own unique energy.
Just tried the first episode, and yeah its really good. I dunno why DC is constantly wiffing on movie cause there animated stuff is consistently solid.
 
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Johnny Novgorod

Bebop Man
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Watched Batman: Caped Crusader

The show tells the story of the Gordons. Set in the 1940s, James Gordon is the Police Commissioner of Gotham City while his daughter Barbara is reimagined as a bleeding heart lawyer who often clashes with her dad's black and white worldview. Gordon is a righteous man beset by corruption - with crooked cops Flass and Bullock often sabotaging his efforts at law and order - while his daughter butts heads with Harvey Dent, a flashy DA that's all about cutting deals and bending the law. They have one ally, Detective Renee Montoya.

The show strikes a fine balance between a monster-of-the-week format (the Gordons face off against a different rogue practically every episode) and a developing, overarching narrative - chiefly, about the Gordons' encroaching circle of trust and their disillusionment with the system they're trying to uphold. Other subplots include Dent's slipping hold on the conspiracy he created, which is slowly turning against him, and Montoya's budding yet tragic affair with the consulting police shrink (initials HQ).

The 1940s setting is kinda lost on the show and they do very little that represents or necessitates that period outside of making every character look like a fridge wearing a raincoat, but I get a kick out of seeing the Flintstone version of modern-day gadgetry (phones have cords!) and there're some cute references to film noir and monster movies of the time. There's also an episode set in a wandering carnival that I'm 99% sure is inspired by The Dreaming Jewels.

Ultimately though I binged the whole thing over just two days, so whatever criticisms I have for the show, I'm excited to see what season 2 has for the Gordons; whether Barbara will become Batgirl and start kicking ass in and out of court, She-Hulk style, and how will James Gordon and Renee Montoya deal with the poisonous corruption of the GCPD.
 

Piscian

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Watched Batman: Caped Crusader

The show tells the story of the Gordons. Set in the 1940s, James Gordon is the Police Commissioner of Gotham City while his daughter Barbara is reimagined as a bleeding heart lawyer who often clashes with her dad's black and white worldview. Gordon is a righteous man beset by corruption - with crooked cops Flass and Bullock often sabotaging his efforts at law and order - while his daughter butts heads with Harvey Dent, a flashy DA that's all about cutting deals and bending the law. They have one ally, Detective Renee Montoya.

The show strikes a fine balance between a monster-of-the-week format (the Gordons face off against a different rogue practically every episode) and a developing, overarching narrative - chiefly, about the Gordons' encroaching circle of trust and their disillusionment with the system they're trying to uphold. Other subplots include Dent's slipping hold on the conspiracy he created, which is slowly turning against him, and Montoya's budding yet tragic affair with the consulting police shrink (initials HQ).

The 1940s setting is kinda lost on the show and they do very little that represents or necessitates that period outside of making every character look like a fridge wearing a raincoat, but I get a kick out of seeing the Flintstone version of modern-day gadgetry (phones have cords!) and there're some cute references to film noir and monster movies of the time. There's also an episode set in a wandering carnival that I'm 99% sure is inspired by The Dreaming Jewels.

Ultimately though I binged the whole thing over just two days, so whatever criticisms I have for the show, I'm excited to see what season 2 has for the Gordons; whether Barbara will become Batgirl and start kicking ass in and out of court, She-Hulk style, and how will James Gordon and Renee Montoya deal with the poisonous corruption of the GCPD.

I feel like Barbaras character reminds me a lot of Maggie Gyllenhaals character in The Dark Knights. TBH I prefer her the way she is and would rather not see her "put on the suit". I feel like it might jump the shark a bit and undercut this being a more hardboiled show. Nothing about her character insinuates she wants to put on a purple suit and punch bad guys.
 

Johnny Novgorod

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I feel like Barbaras character reminds me a lot of Maggie Gyllenhaals character in The Dark Knights. TBH I prefer her the way she is and would rather not see her "put on the suit". I feel like it might jump the shark a bit and undercut this being a more hardboiled show. Nothing about her character insinuates she wants to put on a purple suit and punch bad guys.
I'd rather she didn't suit up either, it would end up feeling like an indictment of her morality. There's already enough grey in other characters. The show doesn't need a Daredevil or She-Hulk.

Speaking of sharks and jumping them, I kinda wish the show had steered away from the supernatural stuff. Experiments gone wrong and rare (ie. weaponized) genetic conditions are fine, even if I think the vampire girl was a stretch. But the ghost was too much.