I'm still a rookie when it comes to manga, never got into comics either but I have been reading a lot more lately and have come to realize that sometimes it's better to read the manga. I'm not a fan of redundancy or extreme fandom so I tend to shy away from reading a manga if I've already seen the anime or vice versa unless either of the works are significantly different.
You can also catch up with me on Crunchyroll. I do think that as a connoisseur in general of Animanga, that one should at least attempt to support the artists in which they enjoy by purchasing their work when possible. Of course that doesn't mean that I don't support the idea of open sourced media, it just means that if one watches something and likes it, I think they might want to think of a way to support the artist for creating it. It's important if we want to continue having great media to entertain us.
I recognize the obsessive tendencies that we anime fans tend to fall victim to and am not above it, or any person who defines themselves as an Otaku or anything else.
I tend to be an easy going person but am certainly not above defending a particular view in an argument. Although it should also be known that I am a skeptic philosophically so you could easily find me arguing any side of an issue, it just depends on how I feel that day. I'm certainly 'mortal' so sometimes people do try my patients. Don't be surprised if you notice me attempt to help an underdog if I think an argument has become too one sided. Of course being a skeptic is extremely difficult so being completely impartial and objective is impossible, but I do my best and aspire to be better at it daily.
I don't accept random friend requests, but if you think you want to be my friend then introduce yourself and start up a conversation with me, I think you'll find that I can be extremely friendly once I get to know you.
More Spice and Wolf Onegai Shimasu!
Rating Criteria
I basically use the MAL standard, but I will elaborate further.
I haven't given too many 1/10's because to be honest, I try not to waste my time with a series that is completely unwatchable. Meaning the work's production is beyond failure if there is such a category. The story is completely incomprehensible or reprehensible. This is a place that no animation should have to go, but unfortunately I suppose there are some that have.
A 2/10 also means that a production has completely failed in creating a work that deserves to be watched. The animation will probably be jumpy with the over usage of still shots, and even those still shots have bad line work and possibly even unfinished key animation and art. The work must also have a really bad plot design that basically points out the writers failure to produce a script/storyboard that makes sense or doesn't in any coherent way.
3/10 means that a work's production is also a failure. It includes some aspects mentioned in the 2/10 classification, but in this case the plot design is mostly to blame. The characters lack any originality in design and dialogue. There is no controlling theme usually and the story itself is generally unbalanced. Overly used industry cliches. Art, Music and Animation usually must be completely substandard to get a 3 from me.
4/10 means that a work's plot failed. While it might have had a chance at being average, it's ending lacked conclusion, it's plot lacked character development, the character designs were cardboard anime cut out cliches. It's also possible for an original character designed show to earn a four, but that would mean that it's story completely lacked any type of coherency or interesting chaos. Usually 4's will have decent production values, and a controlling theme, however it is most likely a complete rip off that can not be considered a work paying homage to it's said victim. Very often they are just simple attempts by studios to reproduce a past work that might have made some money. And in this case, everything they tried to mimic failed to capture even enough allure to be considered average.
5/10 can be considered the industry standard. They have generic character designs, recycled plot designs of older anime series and almost always use recycled character designs. These cliche character designs can sometimes be defined as the "Moe" standard character designs. Many other designs like Bishounen type male character designs have also become cliche. These character designs often involve harems or reverse harems, mecha, magical girl, basically any genre or theme that has been getting reproduced in a redundant fashion since the 80's mostly. 5's usually have static characters who never develop emotionally or mentally.
6/10 is a story that has potential but falls short. The character designs might also be cliche, but some part of the plot actually has potential. Meaning there is an interesting character that is not completely static. Climax's might be present, but end up becoming inconclusive or anti-climactic. The art and music in 6's are usually above average, meaning that the art and animation is well done and the music does an effective job of creating mood. Usually sixes are interesting and generally recommendable. Why not a 7?
I don't give 7/10's unless a series is unique in some way, meaning there is a stylistic approach that either worked or failed but was attempted. They are generally not unique for only art and animation but also character design, voice acting, plot structure (linear/non linear...) Flow of the picture, usually implies editing. So how does the work flow, how's it's continuity, or anarchy?... A seven means that a work was interesting with a balanced or interesting non-linear plot design that still effectively disseminates it's premise toward a cognitive conclusion. These works generally have good introductions, body and conclusions. There art is clean and doesn't overuse still framing. The dialogue helps make characters more dynamic and generally character development is established well enough to give a sense of empathy towards them, meaning the writing was well done, and the voice actors didn't distract the immersion into the story. These works successfully elicit emotion through the usage of well placed music, and art that have been scrutinized upon.
8/10's have to be very special, meaning the work excelled on all levels of production and has a story that is polished, intelligent, and even has some figurative language that successfully disseminates a deeper meaning behind it's dialogue, images, music, character design, background art...
9/10's go above and beyond a typical anime. They must include all of what's expected from both a 7 and and an 8. The work must also have some sort of transcending message that can be interpreted in multiple different perspectives. What do I mean? It must be more than meats the eye? hehehe
10/10's have to be masterfully executed in some way. Meaning that there is somewhere in the production method and execution that shows a director/artists mastery of their work. There must be vision, and the ability to feel the directors particular style/methods in creating stories that transcend time. If a story doesn't age well it can't be a 10 on my list. So don't expect a new show to get a 10 from me. Unless it overwhelmingly exemplifies or redefines methodology and or a genre so profoundly that it's obvious that it will be a remembered in the future. Even then, I'd still probably give it a 9 and wait a few years before returning to it and re-evaluating the rating.
hi Orion i suggest watching this film and maybe making it future movie of the week i have yet to see monsters club and hanging garden but i would like to know what you thought of the film
Yes, I see. The absence of a mass mailing function means every member has to take the initiative to check the club out regularly in order for it to function--and there's so much stuff on the Internet that it's hard to remember to return to anywhere.
I am indeed sorry to hear about your friends passing. I meant no ill will toward him or anyone else in regards to the dates in question. I know people can get hazy about dates and I was only trying to give the proper dates. I do remember making the statement, but not where I made it.
Hey, 'sup? Yeah, indeed, it's been a long time since we last 'spoke'. I'm doing ok, just about (I hope) to graduate from University and trying to get out of Venezuela as soon as possible. Planning a trip to Japan on Fall as my graduation gift to myself.
Post-Chavez? Nothing has changed. We got a guy who uses his image for his campaign and follows his same ideas. Problems it's... This guy it's actually dumb and can't even do a freaking speech (bus driver, didn't finish school [didn't even start high-school], more than driving a bus he was always protesting in the streets as a syndicalist, etc). Worst of all it's that he will win by a bigger margin; he will get more votes than Chavez ever did in the last 5 years ("Each nation has the leader they deserve"). So, summing it up, we are going from bad to worst.
Nice! I'll try all of those out. But, honestly, the anime I'm looking forward to the most it's Ore no Imouto's second season. Yeah, yeah. Chliched as hell, but I still love the hell out of it. Most entertaining show I've watched in recent years (entertaining not meaning "good").
Btw regarding Bakuman 3, it seems that episode episode 25, it seems that there may be a one break on March 23rd. I'm not sure the reason yet but from this schedule, it might be the case. However, this might give some extra time for fansubs to sub the series. It's about two episode behind now (assuming if episode 23 isn't subbed by today).
I see you're enthusiastic.:) That's a good thing. I myself like to be in that state. According to anime, manga and of course in many other areas of my life. But I still think the same. Yes I've seen the psychology and the multiple interpetations (it's not surprising, Tekkon Kinkreet was similar) - at first reading, in the first half too. And I like surrealism, avantgarde graphical presentation. But I don't want a re-read even if not everything was clean naturally. Maybe you might think it over again with cool head... Or maybe not - I don't want to take away your entusiasm!:) I admire and envy this wall of texts in a way - but I don't really like them. I like the shorter ones better. And you know my "insulting, scansalous" opinion about criticism and reviews...
I'm sorry to bother you. I just want to say thanks for the deleted part of your comment in the C&C club althougt I know it wasn't mean to defend me. And - as I said to ridojiri a minute ago - sorry for the "mess" casued by me there.
I have zero interest in Playbook, but I'm super excited about 2 Days!! As I said before, I love Julie Delpy as a writer, actor, and as a director - but her writing is definitely my favourite! Her work with Richard Linklater is also particularly good.
I'm looking forward to seeing 2 Days in New York, because I am a HUGE fan of Julie Delpy! And I want to see Amour too. Django Unchained? That's playing here now! LOL. I wish you lived here You'd see everything late, but at least you would probably see it! ^_^
I had not even heard of this and I suspect it is a shame I hadn't because it looks fantastic! "Poetry that is soul-shaking" is right up my animated alley needs! ^_^ Thank you!!!
