Comments on: my anime watchlist http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/ a celebration of science fiction, anime, and geek culture Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:42:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Mitch H. http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1208 Mitch H. Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:50:06 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1208 Bear: <i>Kaze no Yojimbo</i> came out about the same time as <i>Samurai 7</i>. I watched most of it on fansubs, and then Bandai licensed it, and I've never seen the ending. I'm going to have to get around to buying the brick one of these days. It's a contemporary provincial-Northern yakuza retelling of the basic Yojimbo story, along the same lines as <i>Samurai 7</i> without the mecha and SFnal touches. I liked what I saw of it, but the animation is very... rudimentary. Almost crude, although the art itself is sharp. Character designs in the modern no-nose style. Looks a bit like <i>Witch Hunter Robin</i>, without the money or gothic aesthetic. They've also grafted a massive mcguffin hunt for a train full of stolen Army gold onto the basic drifter-blows-into-town-and-sets-the-local-gangs-at-each-others'-throat story. Bear: Kaze no Yojimbo came out about the same time as Samurai 7. I watched most of it on fansubs, and then Bandai licensed it, and I’ve never seen the ending. I’m going to have to get around to buying the brick one of these days. It’s a contemporary provincial-Northern yakuza retelling of the basic Yojimbo story, along the same lines as Samurai 7 without the mecha and SFnal touches. I liked what I saw of it, but the animation is very… rudimentary. Almost crude, although the art itself is sharp. Character designs in the modern no-nose style. Looks a bit like Witch Hunter Robin, without the money or gothic aesthetic. They’ve also grafted a massive mcguffin hunt for a train full of stolen Army gold onto the basic drifter-blows-into-town-and-sets-the-local-gangs-at-each-others’-throat story.

]]> By: Bear http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1207 Bear Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:28:02 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1207 Steven: mea culpa, I even had read a breakdown of the three movies on imdb before submitting my comments and still got the name wrong. blah! Steven: mea culpa, I even had read a breakdown of the three movies on imdb before submitting my comments and still got the name wrong. blah!

]]> By: Steven Den Beste http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1206 Steven Den Beste Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:17:42 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1206 Yojimbo was remade as "Fist full of Dollars". "For a few Dollars More" was a new creation -- and not as good. Yojimbo was remade as “Fist full of Dollars”. “For a few Dollars More” was a new creation — and not as good.

]]> By: Bear http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1205 Bear Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:09:52 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1205 Wonderduck: no disrespect taken... to me, the Noir/Madlax debate is the same as debating iced tea over sweet tea... they are the same but different and both can be religiously defended as one being better than the other. My affinity toward Madlax is probably based on two factors. a) I saw Madlax first as it was being released on DVD. and b) I got Noir as an entire set which probably led to me overdosing on it as you described. But, even still, I can find no fault with Noir... I did indeed enjoy the series. Mitch: Yojimbo! I was trying to remember that title last night. Yojimbo/For a Few Dollars More/Last Man Standing. Has there been an anime version of Yojimbo? It almost seems like something Cowboy Bebob should have done. Fledgling otako: If I remember correctly, the RoD OVA was done before the series, so even though the main characters don't follow into the series, the OVA should set up the series nicely. As for Samurai 7, no you haven't missed anything by not seeing the other movies. They all are independent and just follow the same general story. I was just expelling some of the miscellaneous knowledge I have accumulated. Wonderduck: no disrespect taken… to me, the Noir/Madlax debate is the same as debating iced tea over sweet tea… they are the same but different and both can be religiously defended as one being better than the other. My affinity toward Madlax is probably based on two factors. a) I saw Madlax first as it was being released on DVD. and b) I got Noir as an entire set which probably led to me overdosing on it as you described. But, even still, I can find no fault with Noir… I did indeed enjoy the series.

Mitch: Yojimbo! I was trying to remember that title last night. Yojimbo/For a Few Dollars More/Last Man Standing. Has there been an anime version of Yojimbo? It almost seems like something Cowboy Bebob should have done.

Fledgling otako: If I remember correctly, the RoD OVA was done before the series, so even though the main characters don’t follow into the series, the OVA should set up the series nicely.

As for Samurai 7, no you haven’t missed anything by not seeing the other movies. They all are independent and just follow the same general story. I was just expelling some of the miscellaneous knowledge I have accumulated.

]]> By: Wonderduck http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1204 Wonderduck Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:10:30 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1204 Fledge, watch the OVA first. It's not absolutely required, but it does give some... well, not 'essential' information, but stuff that's nice to know, for the tv series. The series IS standalone, but... *shrug* Fledge, watch the OVA first. It’s not absolutely required, but it does give some… well, not ‘essential’ information, but stuff that’s nice to know, for the tv series.

The series IS standalone, but… *shrug*

]]> By: Mitch H. http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1203 Mitch H. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:07:48 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1203 The Seven Samurai story has been told and re-told almost as often as the Yojimbo story, in various gangster, western, SF, and chambara genre shows. As these things go, I'd say that <i>Samurai 7</i> was a pretty good schizo-tech SF version of the basic plot. I haven't watched the Kurosawa movie in about a decade, so my memory of that movie wasn't exactly fresh when I bought & watched the DVD set of the anime this fall. It was pretty nifty. Much less gloomy and misanthropic than the Kurosawa movie, which groaned under a pretty heavy load of Marxist cant. It's probably the best Gonzo anime I've seen. I wouldn't show it to children, though. Lots of death, taken fairly seriously. Personally, I liked the Read or Die OAVs more than the TV series. There's a *lot* of filler in the TV series, the villain/heroine dynamics are a real downer, and I didn't think much of the ending of the TV series. To get into much more detail requires a lot of spoilers, though. The Seven Samurai story has been told and re-told almost as often as the Yojimbo story, in various gangster, western, SF, and chambara genre shows. As these things go, I’d say that Samurai 7 was a pretty good schizo-tech SF version of the basic plot. I haven’t watched the Kurosawa movie in about a decade, so my memory of that movie wasn’t exactly fresh when I bought & watched the DVD set of the anime this fall. It was pretty nifty. Much less gloomy and misanthropic than the Kurosawa movie, which groaned under a pretty heavy load of Marxist cant. It’s probably the best Gonzo anime I’ve seen. I wouldn’t show it to children, though. Lots of death, taken fairly seriously.

Personally, I liked the Read or Die OAVs more than the TV series. There’s a *lot* of filler in the TV series, the villain/heroine dynamics are a real downer, and I didn’t think much of the ending of the TV series. To get into much more detail requires a lot of spoilers, though.

]]> By: fledgling otaku http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1202 fledgling otaku Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:38:43 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1202 ah, you're right Mitch -Knight Templar is what I was looking for. From what you guys Bear/Duck are saying, I think my best bet is to start with Read or Die. The premise is appealing and unique - but do I watch the OVA first or watch it after the rest of the series? And regarding Samurai 7, am I missing out if I haven't seen the originals at all? I'll be going in cold. ah, you’re right Mitch -Knight Templar is what I was looking for.

From what you guys Bear/Duck are saying, I think my best bet is to start with Read or Die. The premise is appealing and unique – but do I watch the OVA first or watch it after the rest of the series?

And regarding Samurai 7, am I missing out if I haven’t seen the originals at all? I’ll be going in cold.

]]> By: Wonderduck http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1201 Wonderduck Sat, 01 Dec 2007 03:51:00 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1201 READ OR DIE is really two different shows. The OVA takes place some years before the TV series, and follows "The Paper". The TV show has three sisters (with similar powers to "The Paper"'s). The OVA is very much like a James Bond movie, silly but fun action. The TV show is deeper, and ultimately more successful. I'm quite fond of NOIR, and (with all due respect to Bear) found Madlax to be much, MUCH inferior. One warning: if you can manage it, don't rush Noir. One or two episodes a night is about right... that way, you won't get sick of the music. *chuckle* DEATH NOTE is surprisingly good; my friend The Librarian wanted to see the anime, so when it was first coming out I d/l'd it for her... and got hooked pretty quickly. The two live-action movies are pretty stunning, too. Light as paladin... actually, that's not a bad description, come to think of it. RANMA 1/2 was the first anime I ever watched, so I've got a soft spot for it. Because of that, I won't comment on it. I dropped SZS after about six or seven episodes. I just stopped caring after the hot-springs episode... shark-jumping abounded. At least it became an entry in my running feature: Ducks In Anime. I kinda hated SAMURAI 7. Sorry 'bout that. Haven't seen any of the others. I guess, when it comes down to it, it all depends on your mood. I can always watch ROD the OVA, because it's nicely mindless. If I'm serious, NOIR would come out... but I've not watched it in two years. READ OR DIE is really two different shows. The OVA takes place some years before the TV series, and follows “The Paper”. The TV show has three sisters (with similar powers to “The Paper”‘s). The OVA is very much like a James Bond movie, silly but fun action. The TV show is deeper, and ultimately more successful.

I’m quite fond of NOIR, and (with all due respect to Bear) found Madlax to be much, MUCH inferior. One warning: if you can manage it, don’t rush Noir. One or two episodes a night is about right… that way, you won’t get sick of the music. *chuckle*

DEATH NOTE is surprisingly good; my friend The Librarian wanted to see the anime, so when it was first coming out I d/l’d it for her… and got hooked pretty quickly. The two live-action movies are pretty stunning, too. Light as paladin… actually, that’s not a bad description, come to think of it.

RANMA 1/2 was the first anime I ever watched, so I’ve got a soft spot for it. Because of that, I won’t comment on it.

I dropped SZS after about six or seven episodes. I just stopped caring after the hot-springs episode… shark-jumping abounded. At least it became an entry in my running feature: Ducks In Anime.

I kinda hated SAMURAI 7. Sorry ’bout that. Haven’t seen any of the others.

I guess, when it comes down to it, it all depends on your mood. I can always watch ROD the OVA, because it’s nicely mindless. If I’m serious, NOIR would come out… but I’ve not watched it in two years.

]]> By: Bear http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1200 Bear Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:55:13 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1200 bah! stupid spellchecker... second paragraph should read anti-hero, not anti-here. bah! stupid spellchecker… second paragraph should read anti-hero, not anti-here.

]]> By: Bear http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/comment-page-1/#comment-1199 Bear Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:53:16 +0000 http://www.haibane.info/2007/11/30/my-anime-watchlist/#comment-1199 An interesting smorgasbord you have there. Hope my comments don't ruin any watching... I just picked up the first release of Deathnote this week. I must say it is intriguing. I can't really think of anything to compare it to. From the first disk it looks like the story will follow closely with the anti-here. (I must resist the urge to go pick up the manga to get ahead of the story...) Read or Die - I haven't gotten the season yet (problems finding the complete set and having money at the same instance). If by pilot, you mean the first "movie", I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heroin is amazingly unique and makes for much entertainment. Ergo Proxy - had its moments. I haven't made a strong decision about it yet. I think Astro's blog has a good synopsis of it... though I probably would be less harsh toward the series, I can't deny what he has to say about it. Fate Stay Night - hard to say much without interlacing spoilers. Unfortunately there are a few story bits that seem to purposely left out of the show since they happen in the FSN games. So, best to stay away from the FSN wikipedia page until you finish... to many of the spoilers could ruin the watchability of the show. Noir - a wild ride of a show... though I liked Madlax better (close to the same premise and made by the same people... can you say "formula," I new you could...) But Madlax isn't without fault either since it has a pretty scrambled and obtuse story line. But, both are very enjoyable. Samurai 7 - very well done adaptation. I don't think I've ever seen original Seven Samurai, but I have seen the Magnificent Seven (a long time ago). The Samurai 7 is definitely a unique twist on the story. It is entertaining and engrossing. That's my take anyway... enjoy your bottle time! An interesting smorgasbord you have there. Hope my comments don’t ruin any watching…

I just picked up the first release of Deathnote this week. I must say it is intriguing. I can’t really think of anything to compare it to. From the first disk it looks like the story will follow closely with the anti-here. (I must resist the urge to go pick up the manga to get ahead of the story…)

Read or Die – I haven’t gotten the season yet (problems finding the complete set and having money at the same instance). If by pilot, you mean the first “movie”, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heroin is amazingly unique and makes for much entertainment.

Ergo Proxy – had its moments. I haven’t made a strong decision about it yet. I think Astro’s blog has a good synopsis of it… though I probably would be less harsh toward the series, I can’t deny what he has to say about it.

Fate Stay Night – hard to say much without interlacing spoilers. Unfortunately there are a few story bits that seem to purposely left out of the show since they happen in the FSN games. So, best to stay away from the FSN wikipedia page until you finish… to many of the spoilers could ruin the watchability of the show.

Noir – a wild ride of a show… though I liked Madlax better (close to the same premise and made by the same people… can you say “formula,” I new you could…) But Madlax isn’t without fault either since it has a pretty scrambled and obtuse story line. But, both are very enjoyable.

Samurai 7 – very well done adaptation. I don’t think I’ve ever seen original Seven Samurai, but I have seen the Magnificent Seven (a long time ago). The Samurai 7 is definitely a unique twist on the story. It is entertaining and engrossing.

That’s my take anyway… enjoy your bottle time!

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