I better get used to Anime seeing as i'll be living in Japan from next month. Anyone for Porco Rosso the pig detective fella.

Ninja Scroll is one of my fave films, let alone animes. This isn't confirmed, but I'm fairly certain it's where they took the formula for Metal Gear Solid from. Full of wicked action, good lines and great humour, as well as being very moving.

X, the movie isn't very good overall, but has a few impressive battles and an awesome closing moment that nearly made me cry. I hear the TV series is one of the best.

Quite possibly the best film I've ever seen.

Yeah. Porco Rosso is very funny in places. I'm a big fan. I prefer it to Akira.

I've only seen Ghost In The Shell as far as anime goes. I liked it, but I didn't understand most of the philosophical messages.

Havent seen pocco rosso (really want to though, ghibli rules)
Seen Spriggan (funniest evil guy laugh *almost* ever)

Cause Im in an anime society at uni we watch tons. In the last few months weve seen Ghost in the shell 2-inocence, Appleseed, Midori days (crazy, bout a bloke whose right hand tirns into a girl who has a crush on him), Photon (crazy) Puni piuni poemy-again (sequal to exel saga which is warpd, still cant believe the bbbc passed it and its coming out here next month, its nuts), Azumaga daioh (if you havent read it, watch it, or visa versa, must see anime)

*pant*

I love manga/anime me

Ill post a pic of me in my Puchuu hat soon.

just got watched my first anime film, Akira, and was freaked out! (in a good way) i'm now an animie convertee. Any suggestions to what i should watch next?

I think Ghost in the Shell would be a good place to move onto, after that either ninja scroll, or, if you feel up to it, one of the series, perhaps Trigun or Hellsing.

Definatly trigun and hellsing for great series's
Also Neon genesis Evangelion which is highly regardes as one of the greatest anime series ever (STILL need to see the rest of it, the movies rock). Get ready for a mind screw up with that.

Excel saga when you know a bit more about anime/japan (and that its a crazy place!) and abinobashi Shoping arcade

Azumanga Daioh too, It rocks

At the mo i'm quite into cowboy bebop, its pretty good but they dont show any anime on tv anymore.

Berzerk
GTO,
Trigun,
Hellsing,
Ninja Scroll (the series)
Full Metal Alchemist,
Samurai Champloo,

All classics.

Just watched Ghost in the Shell: Innocence. Visually stunning, good story, when it finally gets there, and nice for the series to focus on some other characters for once. I love the Major, but its noce to see more of Batou and Togusa.

Also recently got up to episode 24 of GitS SAC 2nd Gig. Again, love seeing more of the other characters. An epidoe on Saito's past and also on Pazu's past make the team a much more rounded group. Saito is cooler than cool and Pazu turns out to be much more of a ladies man - to his detriment - than I realised.

Am currently working my through Cowboy Bebop the series now. Up to about 9 or 12 i think. Ed is one of my favourite characters in ANY show in ANY format. I love the way she leaps around and is totally carefree

Golgo 13

Its needlesly violent, macho, sexist and incredibly early ninteen eighties in feel...

I love it

First of all I have to say that I'm shocked and disgusted that no one has mentioned the amazing Laputa (a.k.a The Castle In The Sky), one of Ghiblis finest in my opinion. Other great anime, Ninja Scroll is one of the finest films I've seen.
Anyone seen a series called Card Captors, it's for kids yeah but still I enjoyed it. And also I liked Pokemon,* runs away and hides in a corner* don't hurt me. Also anyone seen a mini-series called AD Police? thats well worth a watch. A film called Tokyo Revelation is ok, not great on story-line though. I myself am currently looking for another purchase but I'm looking for a bit of extreme, mind-less violence, prefferably huge armies scrapping. Any suggestions?

The Castle In The Sky is nice, but Princess Mononoke is way better I feel.
Grave Of The Fireflies is truly one of the most heart shattering films I´ve ever seen. A must in my opinion.
The Ghost In The Shell stand-alone complex series is something I just love.
Cowboy Bepop is truly one of my favs too.


So Porco Rosso is THAT good? hmm! Should try that one out one day then.

Hmmm, Mononoke. Does that count as anime, seeing as it`s basically a Disney film? And was pretty much written by Neil Gaiman?

I dont suppose anyone has heard/read anything about a second series of Berzerk? The first series ends on such a massive cliffhanger. I was told that Casca survives somehow.
Anyone got a recomendation for a decent action/comedy manga series to get?

When I first started watching Manga/Anime, I thought it was brilliant. Looking back on it, though, a lot of it is total style over substance. Films like Fist Of The North Star, Battle Angel, Monster City and (especially) Wicked City start off on interesting premises but never seem to get anywhere particularly interesting.

Even most of the 'classics leave me cold'. I never got into Akira. Loads of my mates swear by it, but it did nothing for me. Same with Urosukidoji: Legend Of The Overfiend, but that was just crap.

You have to hunt to find the real gems - Ghost in the Shell is an exception though - and it's one of my favourite films of all time. I was also lucky enough to get hold of Manga's Cyber Punk Collection on video when it first came out, which contains all three episodes of AD Police (Brilliant) Cyber City OEDO 808 (even better!) and Geno Cyber (thoroughly sickening crap).

Any recommendations?

It's way past your bedtime motherf*cker!

I liked spirited away, me and my friends wanna see howls moving castle but bugger knows if its even playing now. Erm....we watch one with cats in, it was quite dodgy in a sense as the girl was in love with a cat statue and fancied him, but otherwise quite good.

Something botherin' you, sh*t-wits?

As cheesy as it is, I love Fist of the North Star. Its funny watching Kenshiro walking into a town and knowing he's the biggest badass. Loved the game until it got wrecked in my local arcade. Used to know all the words to the Easy and Normal difficulty levels.
Has anyone seen the New Fist of the North Star? Very tempted to buy it, but because of my lack of online shopping capacity the cheapest I can find it is £20 per dvd which is a shitload of money if it turns out to be rubbish.

I agree that Akira is overrated. The story just doesnt make much sense to me. Having seen the massive books for the manga though, I can appreciate that they couldn't fit all the detail into the film.

Castle in the sky (which I admit ive only seen once, very badly subtitled) is one of my favorites. I still need to buy it. I loved spirited away and Princess Mononoke, but my friend is write saying that althouh spirited away has loads of cool things like dragons etc, Mononoke has a better story which I think is true. Howls moving castle was great as well as Nausicca (really need that too) and I love My neighbour totoro (the most non violent film ever)

Aparently Disney is working on the Tanuke film, but are editing it to hell because toy can qute clearly see their balls and disney dont want that.

Im in the anime society at uni and currently we are watching

Genshiken-My favorite series at the moment. Basically about a visual arst club at uni (anime, manga and vidiogames) and its few members. Really funny.

Now and then,here and there (i think thats what its called)- by pioneer. At first it looked a little boring and nothing special. but after each episode (i think we've watched 3 or 4 now, its getting really sinister and interesing. Its about a boy who finds this strange silent girl whom he witnesses getting abducted (and tries to rescue her, getting transported to anotehr world). I didnt like it at first, but its really growingon me

Samurai champloo-has to bee seen, brilliant, wnated to see it for over a year now

Thats just on tuesdays, thers horror night on thursdays which I cant make it to any more but the best series (which I am SOOO getting) is Elfin Lied (pronounced lead). Bio wepon Saughter machine escapes, fantastic brilliantly gorry bloodfest at the beguining (i dont like violence but this was great!) and after helmet is blown of when they try to kill her, shes found as a sweet lass whos pure at heart. only seen the first episode and im hooked.





So anyways my favorites?
Im not going to mention films but series's
Excel saga-funny crazy fun with Pucchus and my favorite anime charater Hyatt who dies throughout each episode (I should mention puni puni poemy but it is wrong in so many leves, which is why its fun )
Azumanga Daioh- I personally prefer tha manga, but the anime is good (if you dont cound some slow jokes, which do consume the first dvd). Basically about schoolgirls and their teachers and lives. Osaka (spaced out girl) and Sakaki (mean and strong looking, but is extreamly kind and loves everything cute, Big girly)
GTO-Great teacher onizuka. Biker gang leader turned teacher to pick up chicks at first, then reallises his love for teaching. No wonder the manga is such a huge hit.Really need to own it someday
Neon genesis Evangelion- does this really need an introduction?
Still need to see it all, love the films
Trigunneed this too, pasifist gunslinger has a huge bounty on his head for destroying a city. very good scifi western that gets rather twisted at the end
HelsingNothing to do with Hugh Jackson. Organisation hunting down vampires, with chiped humans made into vampires increasing they need to be destroyed. Alucard the vampire against vampires KICKS ASS

Is this list too childish?!

Last Exile
Paranoia Agent
Full Metal Alchemist (working my way through)


Film wise I say the last half of one where this woman fights this mutating madman on a space station whilst sealing this little girl into a cryo capsule, and remainging behind to fight, and die if I remember correct.

Anyone know what it was?


Aside from that one, the standard "kiddie" fare

Spirited Away
and less kiddy Ghost In The Shell

Then there were those Animatrix shorts which weren't bad.

AmazonGirl: Do you know what the name of the anime series is that is set in a city that was apprently akin to Dark City/The Matrix concept of a virtual world?

Cant think of it off the top of my head.

Rahxaphion has some weird thing going on with a city blocked off by aliens where 3 years have passed and outside of the 'domed off city' 12 years had passed.

All I know is that Ghost in the shell influenced The matrix alot

Can´t remember any disney films with lots of blood? But then again..I haven´t seen many disney films. Written by Neil Gaiman?! Where did you get that from? *google*


= Princess Mononoke, Written and
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki... (?)

I do love Gihbli studios for embracing nature in their films.

Never liked Akira...sure it´s well made..but the story does nothing for me. As long as the story doesn´t click..the effects doesn´t matter at all to me..it becomes like technical ingenious music with no melodyAnd yes, I hate films which turns out to have one huge boss at the end...ok so Princess Mononoke also has this..but ...it´s done in a better way...heh. I would like to elaborate...but don´t have the time.

Nobody into Lain here?

Edit: Ahh..this explains it: http://www.hollywoodgothique.com/gaiman.html

It being the Neil gaiman thingy.

Does anyone know if the Final Fantasy : Unlimited series is any good?

Got The New Fist Of The North Star yesterday.
They say you shouldnt mess with a classic and they haven't. Just like the old stories with better animation and the gore turned up. Really enjoyed it. Looking forward to volumes 2 and 3. Only thing I didn't like was that when Ken did Hundred Crack Fist of the North Star he didnt say anything and it didnt come up on the screen. Loved that in the old stuff.

After college I'm off to get me Akira and Ninja Scroll special 2 disc editions in Virgins 3 for £20 offer, just don't know what else to get.

You can get Hana Bi, Rumble in the Bronx or Rush Hour 2 in the 3 for £20. I go crazy for that offer. Already filled 6 of those addict cards in the last 3 months.

Might be getting Bleach off Ebay quite soon. I hear its kick ass. Also going to get copies of Trigun, GTO, Berzerk and Fist of the North Star for myself as well.

I got tickets to the Ghibli Museum next month. Apparently you get to take home an animation cell from a film. I hope theres some of Howls Moving Castle left.

The what what in the where where? I must investgate this.

Im hopefully going there a year after I graduate.

I wanna play on the Neko bus!

Am I right in assuming this is in Japan and not touring the world or something? Bum, I'm spending all my money on going to India next year, and I really really want to go to Japan. Ah well, I guess that will have to wait for the year after

Tis in Japan but make sure you get tickets for the Ghibli museum way in advance. It took 3 months for me to get mine. Its supposed to be shit hot and worth the wait. From what ive heard they really put on a good show and all. Best　of all it costs no more than a fiver with free animation cell included. Theyve given away pretty much all of Spirited Away by now unfortunately.

Bought and watched Dead Leaves last night. Crazy shit. Intense vivid action that barely stops. Highly recomended.

OK, this is an absolute MUST BUY! This is number one on my christmas list. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Season 1. Normally, £20 per volume, at a total of 7 volumes thats £140. there is now a 7 disk box set available in HMV for £39.99 and on Amazopn for £29.99. This is unbelievably cheap for an entire 26 episode series, plus extra features and a booklet too. This is a MUST BUY!! The series rivals, if not betters, the movies in my opinion.

Amazon

And on Play

spirited away great film great film.

Could anyone tell me what "Bleach" is like?

I've yet to see it but from what I've heard it kicks ass.
Its about a school kid who can see ghosts. For whatever reason he ends up fighting the ghosts and adventure ensues. Seems to be quite dark and weird. Its not actually finished airing in Japan yet so I'm going to wait until I can get all the episodes before shelling out for it.

About 2/3 of the way through Full Metal Alchemist. One of the best anime series I've ever seen. Only downside is that none of the games have come out in the uk. Damn it all.

Got 4 episodes of Samurai Champloo to go as well. ANIME OVERLOAD

URgh, stopped watching after 10 eps cos...I forgot! It's basically like a better more htought out version of Lost! IT has flashbacks, exploration, and a real sense of moving on.

Was sad (sickened:??) when the little girl got turned into a dog/human hybrid and then murdered by that antitransfiguration guy.

I really should get round ot watching it....

ALso, have to watch Last Exil ep and Bleach 1-10 (when they bleedin well download!)
So I sense I'm headed for a similar anime overload!

That is indeed a sick episode, but believe me it gets even better. Im on about episode 42 and things are finally falling into place. Very satisfying.

apprently, from someone whose watched it through, it's a depressing ending....

What I've been told is that the conclusion to the series isn't the end and that theres going to be a movie on the way to finish it all off.

I heard they did 2(?), or at the very least 1 that is out now?

Is Bleach, if you've watched it in it's entirety, concluded within the 50 eps or does it too hook into a future film?

As I said before, I've yet to see Bleach and its not finished in Japan. I gather that its quite popular, so a movie may not be out of the question.

Just had a look for the FMA movie info. By the looks of things theres only one movie. It came out in July in Japan. FMA is massive in America too so the likelyhood of them making another movie would be quite high, provided they didn't actually finish the story altogether.

One anime movie I really want is Trigun. The ending to the series is so open ended it drives me nuts.

Any comments on Evagelion [sic]?

And visited local comic shop recently and saw an overwhelming selection of manga!

Would you happen to be able to recommend any for a total newbie like myself, or should I just stick to my Supes comics?!

I know nothing about Evangelion. I've seen big robots fighting a million times before.

I would recomend the Berzerk or Battle Royale mangas. Berzerk is a nice quick read with tons of action and mystery. Battle Royale is *NOT* an adaptation of the film. Based more on the book, which the film also took a lot from, the manga focuses less on the Shuya and Noriko and more on the rest of the cast.

Not read all of either of these series but I'm itching to. GTO is also worth a look if its comedy you want.

Some brillinat sounding suggestions, espeically Battle Royale (yes I'm thinking of the film but I get whatyou're saying!)

I've watched all of Neon Genesis Evangelions and the big final film I think, and I really don't get it I'm afraid. Its not that I dodn't like it, but after a while the reptition became a little boring. It gets a bit like pokemon, with each new Angel having differing strengths and weaknesses and having to be defeated in some way by a, or a combination of, Evangelions. It does get quite deep, but its so confusing I was never really sure what was actually going on. By the end I was only watching ot for two reasons:

1) On the off-chance that there was some massive revelation that explained everything. There was massive revelations, but it didn't really help.

2) Grim determination to finish the bloddy thing after I'd invested so much time in it.

In fairness, some of the visuals, especially towards the end in Shinjis dream/nightmare sequences are beautifully drawn, often in coloured pencil and they are quite breathtaking. Mind you the high speed words interspersed with the bizarre imagery do get a bit much after a few minutes.



I've got volume 1 of the BR manga series. I read the book, then watched the film - bit dissapointed, watched the 2nd film - highly dissapointed, and haven't managed to make myself read through the first volume yet.