Interest Thread for a Group Watch

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@SuperAdventure it has been hard finding shows none of us has watched (mainly myself, @inim and @whiteflame55) and we picked up some of the better known shows during the first couple of years of the watch group, ie Macross SDF, Gundam, Fruits Basket 2019, Hyouka, Darker Than Black, Tamako Market, Casshern Sins, Kimi ni Todoke, Nadia & Secret of Bluewater.

I'll say that yes it'd be great if every show was a banger that kept us entertained from start to finish, but we all know that's not always the case and for me personally I've got a lot out of our discussions of some of the weaker shows like Clannad AS and Cross Ange. The one ep a day format allows us to tackle a range of shows that I otherwise might not watch, such as Paniponi Dash, Excel Saga, ACCA-13, Banana Fish, Magical Circle Guruguru, and even when I really didn't like a show (for me Banana Fish) it was still a rewarding (if taxing) experience and helped me discover new genres and what I do like and what I don't like. Don't think I would have picked up the WMT Romeo & the Black Brothers without the group watch. And every now and then we pick a completely random show like Treasure Island 1978 and it's a genuine hidden gem. Ofc there are some shows that don't live up to expectations (Vandread, Secrets of Cerulean Sand, Rainbow), but for me, that's just part of the experience.

I've never heard of a Teams watch, if that like Zoom or Skype (eg a voice chat)? Looked it up on google and sounds like it's a Microsoft voice chat app. Not sure how coordinating people living over the world would work and not something I'd be interested in, all trying to talk as we're watching sounds counter productive. Watching one ep in my own time and then posting is very handy for me. If you have any suggestions for possible future watches (preferably that neither I or @whiteflame55 have watched) then please let us know, always good to get new suggestions and would be nice to have someone new along for a group watch.

23feanorAug 20, 2024 12:39 AM

Aug 20, 2024 6:08 AM

#304

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@SuperAdventure

I'll echo @23feanor 's sentiments. There are still plenty of big series I haven't seen yet myself, but I do find a good deal of value in going through these series with others and discussing them episode-by-episode. Even when I fall behind or if I had to abandon a series entirely for outside reasons, I think I'd still enjoy being able to read others thoughts on it as the series are going. I also think that working through series I otherwise might dismiss as dated or just uninteresting has really expanded my horizons as an anime watcher. I might have gotten to Kimi ni Todoke one of these days without the group watch, but I doubt I would have enjoyed it nearly as much if I'd watched it alone. I definitely wouldn't have gotten to the likes of Nadia and the Secret of Blue Water, the original Mobile Suit Gundam or Treasure Island, and while my enjoyment has ranged even across those series (and a couple of them have even been negative experiences with the series), I don't regret watching any of them.

As for doing some kind of live anime watch, that might be difficult to coordinate considering just the variety of time zones, but we might be able to manage something. I did a couple of those once upon a time, and I think the idea works as long as we confine it to either very short series or movies, since neither requires an extended commitment.

Sep 15, 2024 2:00 AM

#305

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Baby and Me (once full sub available) (1996)
Kanon 2006 (2006)
Kikou Souseiki Mospeada (1983)
Kokkoro Connect (2012)
Lovely Complex (2007)
Lupin III: Part 6 (2021)
Ore Monogatari (2015)
Silver Fang (1986)
Tenjo Tenge (2004)
Tears to Tiara (2009)
Pumpkin Scissors (2006)
Sailor Moon S (1994)
Eureka Seven (2005)
Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life (2019)
Planet With (2018)
Punch Line (2015)
Glass Mask (2005)
Magical DoReMi (1999)
Dennou Coil (2007)
Shiki (2010)
Gungrave (2003)
Mai Otome (2005)
Sonny Boy (2021)
Wolf's Rain (2003)
Searching for the Full Moon (2002)
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986)

23feanorDec 11, 2024 9:18 AM

Oct 14, 2024 5:35 AM

#306

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@whiteflame55 I know we're only coming up to half way through Kids on the Slope, but thought we should think about the next set of shows for the watch. I'm feeling like some completely different type shows, so my top picks would be:

1. Texhnolyze - it's been a good while since we saw Casshern Sins, and if it's similar could be interesting. It's nihilistic and dark, and @inim recommended, always a good sign.
2. Eureka Seven
3. Beast Player Erin

As usual though, I'm up for anything on the list, which thanks to the recent flood of additions is looking pretty beefy!

Oct 15, 2024 4:02 AM

#307

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We look pretty similar on this one, @23feanor.

1. Texhnolyze - sounds too interesting to pass up
2. Beast Player Erin
3. Planet With

Oct 15, 2024 5:13 AM

#308

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Reply to whiteflame55

We look pretty similar on this one, @23feanor.

1. Texhnolyze - sounds too interesting to pass up
2. Beast Player Erin
3. Planet With

@whiteflame55 I'm good with these. Planet With was another Geoff rec so happy to see what it's about. Beast Player Erin looks interesting as well.

Oct 16, 2024 5:48 AM

#309

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@whiteflame55 - talking to @inim he had another couple of darker recs for possible inclusion in our list for future watches; Shiki and Gungrave. Not sure about Shiki, but Gungrave looks interesting?

Oct 16, 2024 2:59 PM

#310

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@23feanor be happy to add both to the list, heard good things in both cases, though I have heard Shiki gets particularly dark.

Nov 17, 2024 12:18 AM

#311

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@whiteflame55 can't remember if I mentioned this in our group watch thread or not, but I've added following 3 shows to the list. We've both got Sonny Boy in our ptw list and thought it could be a thought provoking watch, although if you wanted to watch this one solo just let me know and I'll take it off. Mai Otome and Wolf's Rain look interesting so thought they'd be good additions. I watched the Mai Otome side story, Mai Hime years ago in a group watch on r/anime and it was fun, lots going on, girls with powers. Then I saw this video about Wolf's Rain and thought it would be perfect for a group watch candidate, artwork looks gorgeous.

Mai Otome (2005)
Sonny Boy (2021)
Wolf's Rain (2003)

23feanorNov 17, 2024 12:22 AM

Nov 17, 2024 7:07 AM

#312

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@23feanor All of those look like good additions. Sonny Boy is a show I've been wanting to get to for a while, so I'm definitely down to watch that together. Wolf's Rain is one of those shows that I took in a few episodes of once upon a time and just never finished. Would be great to get through that one. And Mai Otome looks fun. I'd be up for any of these, so we can make our picks as we get a little later into Erin.

Dec 29, 2024 5:15 AM

#313

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@whiteflame55 we're down to the last handful of eps of Erin so thought we should look at possible next picks. Here's the updated list of potential picks:

Baby and Me (once full sub available) (1996)
Kanon 2006 (2006)
Kikou Souseiki Mospeada (1983)
Kokkoro Connect (2012)
Lovely Complex (2007)
Lupin III: Part 6 (2021)
Ore Monogatari (2015)
Silver Fang (1986)
Tenjo Tenge (2004)
Tears to Tiara (2009)
Pumpkin Scissors (2006)
Sailor Moon S (1994)
Eureka Seven (2005)
Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life (2019)
Planet With (2018)
Punch Line (2015)
Glass Mask (2005)
Magical DoReMi (1999)
Dennou Coil (2007)
Shiki (2010)
Gungrave (2003)
Mai Otome (2005)
Searching for the Full Moon (2002)
Fantastic Children (2004)
Bokura no (2007)
Now And Then, Here and Now (1999)

My top picks would be:

1. Wolf's Rain - has such a distinct style and gorgeous backgrounds, looks promising, and unique
2. Dennou Coil - heard a lot of good things about this show over the years but never gotten around to it
3. Mai Otome - girls with powers in alternate world setting. I remember the alternative setting version, Mai Hime, being pretty good, but that was years ago.

Maybe after one of these, or another pick from the list, we could tackle ZZ? One thing I got from chatting to people in the gundam threads was the sense that Seed and Fighter G gundam entries may be more my cup of tea, both are 90's entries and AC (alternative century setting), so not bogged down by UC background and details. Find myself kinda wanting to check these out at some point, but not on a group watch, we've got loads of shows to chose from.

23feanorMar 30, 3:54 AM

Dec 29, 2024 6:52 AM

#314

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@23feanor

Crazy how much we've added to this. In terms of series I'm hoping to get to (though later this year), I'd like to continue our watches of Sailor Moon and Lupin III (the latter to round out the modern seasons and the former to just continue the fun - even with R being a disappointment, I had a good time with it) and ZZ is more of an obligatory watch, but I agree we should just get to it after our next one. I haven't seen Seed (let's just say I've heard mixed reviews - some people absolutely love it, but there are a good deal of haters), but I love G Gundam. A worldwide tournament with some of the most batshit insane Gundam models you'll ever see (and a few slightly racist ones that made me laugh), it was one of the early series I picked up after Gundam Wing and so much more fun. Planet With, Lovely Complex, Shiki and Gungrave are all series I've been meaning to get to for a while as well, though as per usual, I'm good with branching out from my preconceived choices.

As for what to watch now (and post-ZZ), here's my top 3:

1. Dennou Coil - Read the info for this one and was immediately intrigued. Hadn't heard of it before, but definitely seems worth our time.

2. Sonny Boy - it's just one of those series that has been burning a hole in my ptw list for a while and I've heard such good things about it. Not my top choice right now since it's much shorter than our usual picks and I want to have something we can dig our teeth into first, but it's one of the more intriguing ones we have on here.

3. Wolf's Rain - I'm fine with either Dennou Coil or this one being our next watch. This has been sitting in my ptw for ages (almost as long as Black Lagoon before I knocked that one out), so I say we flip a coin on these two to pick our next watch unless someone else wants to weigh in.

Dec 30, 2024 4:05 AM

#315

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@whiteflame55 ditto, also looking forward to Sailor Moon, yes R wasn't as good as the 1st season, but I like the goofy comedy and aesthetic. Same with Lupin, be good to finish off the last of the modern series, although someone mentioned that this last one is the weakest of the lot, we'll find out. I didn't realise you'd seen G Gundam and Gundam Wing. I've also heard mixed reviews on Seed, but apparently Seed and G Fighter are both products of the 90's with over the top mech action and drama, which sounds good to me. The major issue I have with UC gundam is that it tries to be too serious too often. Once you've seen LotGH you'll appreciate just how big a gulf there is between Gundam and LotGH and how badly it does serious drama and world building. Although to be fair to early gundam, they got their funding through toy sales so had to focus on mech of the week action.

How about we watch Wolf's Rain next, then ZZ, get it out the way, then Sonny Boy then Dennou Coil?

Wolf's Rain
ZZ
Sonny Boy
Dennou Coil

Dennou Coil often comes up in conversations about shows like Ergo Proxy, Fantastic Children (which I haven't seen yet), Simoun etc, shows with very good sci-fi/mystery writing, and something a bit different. I've seen it recommended time and again but never gotten round to it.

Dec 30, 2024 6:52 AM

#316

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@23feanor

I approve of this order. Should be a fun start to the new year!

And I very much look forward to LotGH, which is also coming up early in the year. G Gundam and Gundam Wing were my first exposure to Gundam and very distinct from one another, but I’ve been looking forward to a truly epic space drama, especially since we started down the UC route.

Dec 30, 2024 2:40 PM

#317

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Reply to 23feanor

@whiteflame55 ditto, also looking forward to Sailor Moon, yes R wasn't as good as the 1st season, but I like the goofy comedy and aesthetic. Same with Lupin, be good to finish off the last of the modern series, although someone mentioned that this last one is the weakest of the lot, we'll find out. I didn't realise you'd seen G Gundam and Gundam Wing. I've also heard mixed reviews on Seed, but apparently Seed and G Fighter are both products of the 90's with over the top mech action and drama, which sounds good to me. The major issue I have with UC gundam is that it tries to be too serious too often. Once you've seen LotGH you'll appreciate just how big a gulf there is between Gundam and LotGH and how badly it does serious drama and world building. Although to be fair to early gundam, they got their funding through toy sales so had to focus on mech of the week action.

How about we watch Wolf's Rain next, then ZZ, get it out the way, then Sonny Boy then Dennou Coil?

Wolf's Rain
ZZ
Sonny Boy
Dennou Coil

Dennou Coil often comes up in conversations about shows like Ergo Proxy, Fantastic Children (which I haven't seen yet), Simoun etc, shows with very good sci-fi/mystery writing, and something a bit different. I've seen it recommended time and again but never gotten round to it.

23feanor said:
Dennou Coil often comes up in conversations about shows like Ergo Proxy, Fantastic Children (which I haven't seen yet), Simoun etc, shows with very good sci-fi/mystery writing, and something a bit different. I've seen it recommended time and again but never gotten round to it.

To add to the confusion a bit.

Wolf's Rain is a "dying world / end of the world" show, that particular world dies in a whimper and not a bang. Insofar it's similar to Ergo Proxy, Texhnolyze, Gilgamesh and Cashern Sins.

Dennou Coil is a mystery show in which alternate dimensions overlap. Insofar it's similar to Noein, Fractale, Shinreigari or even Serial Experiments Lain. However, it's family friendly and has Ghibli vibes. It's nowhere as bleak as Wolf's Rain.

Fantastic Children is a reincarnation and romance story transcending time and space, i.e. dimensions. It can be considered a watered down TV version ofthe Please Save My Earth OVA (which is sort of incomplete). It also has some aspects of Noein.

inimDec 30, 2024 2:50 PM

Mar 23, 1:18 PM

#318

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@whiteflame55 I've heard good things about Bokura no, a dark mystery thriller with some mech elements. Thought this might be a good addition to our list?

Mar 23, 1:29 PM

#319

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@whiteflame55 I've heard good things about Bokura no, a dark mystery thriller with some mech elements. Thought this might be a good addition to our list?

@23feanor Sounds good to me, let's put it on the list.

Mar 30, 3:57 AM

#320

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@whiteflame55 just watched Geoff's video about sad anime and reminded me I haven't gotten around to Now and Then, Here and Now (1999), an early isekai with a distinctly traumatic theme and some lovely cel animated backgrounds and thought it might be a good group watch candidate. Saw it on your ptw list so added it to the ever growing list. You can never have too many good shows to chose from, and anything recommended by Geoff is usually worth checking out.

Mar 30, 6:44 AM

#321

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Reply to 23feanor

@whiteflame55 just watched Geoff's video about sad anime and reminded me I haven't gotten around to Now and Then, Here and Now (1999), an early isekai with a distinctly traumatic theme and some lovely cel animated backgrounds and thought it might be a good group watch candidate. Saw it on your ptw list so added it to the ever growing list. You can never have too many good shows to chose from, and anything recommended by Geoff is usually worth checking out.

@23feanor We can absolutely add Now and Then, Here and There to the list. It's been on mine for a while. In fact, I just added a couple of recommendations from that very video of Geoff's, including Maquia and Tokyo Magnitude 8.0.

Apr 18, 3:17 AM

#322

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@whiteflame55 this is the updated, new and improved, guaranteed best enjoyment, list of potential candidates for our watches:

Baby and Me (once full sub available) (1996)
Kanon 2006 (2006)
Kikou Souseiki Mospeada (1983)
Kokkoro Connect (2012)
Lupin III: Part 6 (2021)
Ore Monogatari (2015)
Silver Fang (1986)
Tenjo Tenge (2004)
Tears to Tiara (2009)
Pumpkin Scissors (2006)
Sailor Moon SuperS (1995)
Eureka Seven (2005)
Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life (2019)
Punch Line (2015)
Glass Mask (2005)
Magical DoReMi (1999)
Shiki (2010)
Gungrave (2003)
Mai Otome (2005)
Bokura no (2007)
Now And Then, Here and Now (1999)
Space Battleship Yamato (1975)
Argento Soma (2000)
Gamba no Bouken (1975)
Future Boy Conan (1978)

We kind of spoiled for choice, but my top 3 picks would be:

1. Full Moon - this one comes @inim recommended, he sold me on the series in his review a few years back but I've never gotten around to it.
2. Planet With - something a bit different, and Geoff recommended
3. Fantastic Children - this is one of the last major mystery shows that get mentioned alongside Noein, Dennou Coil and others. Reincarnation and romance sounds interesting.

Then maybe after that, or before, we could pick up the next Sailor Moon season (Sailor Moon S), and Lupin 6. But as usual, I'm open to any of the shows on the list.

23feanorSep 1, 3:14 AM

Apr 18, 4:27 AM

#323

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Reply to 23feanor

@whiteflame55 this is the updated, new and improved, guaranteed best enjoyment, list of potential candidates for our watches:

Baby and Me (once full sub available) (1996)
Kanon 2006 (2006)
Kikou Souseiki Mospeada (1983)
Kokkoro Connect (2012)
Lupin III: Part 6 (2021)
Ore Monogatari (2015)
Silver Fang (1986)
Tenjo Tenge (2004)
Tears to Tiara (2009)
Pumpkin Scissors (2006)
Sailor Moon SuperS (1995)
Eureka Seven (2005)
Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life (2019)
Punch Line (2015)
Glass Mask (2005)
Magical DoReMi (1999)
Shiki (2010)
Gungrave (2003)
Mai Otome (2005)
Bokura no (2007)
Now And Then, Here and Now (1999)
Space Battleship Yamato (1975)
Argento Soma (2000)
Gamba no Bouken (1975)
Future Boy Conan (1978)

We kind of spoiled for choice, but my top 3 picks would be:

1. Full Moon - this one comes @inim recommended, he sold me on the series in his review a few years back but I've never gotten around to it.
2. Planet With - something a bit different, and Geoff recommended
3. Fantastic Children - this is one of the last major mystery shows that get mentioned alongside Noein, Dennou Coil and others. Reincarnation and romance sounds interesting.

Then maybe after that, or before, we could pick up the next Sailor Moon season (Sailor Moon S), and Lupin 6. But as usual, I'm open to any of the shows on the list.

23feanor said:
1. Full Moon - this one comes @inim recommended, he sold me on the series in his review a few years back but I've never gotten around to it.

Awwwwwww.... reading my own thoughts from 2021 feels like a completely different time, not only 4 years. My life changed so fundamentally since. Back then I was in the last stages of a long therapy, now I'm a busy working bee trying to make a belated mini-career in engineering. It really feels like that is a distance past, but isn't.

I've just rewatched the first episode for nostalgia and don't need to change my opinion, it's still good. It's pure entertainment anime which doesn't try to be anything else but that. Found that the EN sub is on youtube, btw. And I just noticed that the first scene in the first episode is the ending of MC's arc, if one can be sure with all the supernatural twists towards the end. I didn't noticed it back then, thought it is a different ending but I'm no longer sure now. In any case this shows that the show is really planned ahead from A-Z, the hallmark of good scripts.

inimApr 18, 5:00 AM

Apr 18, 4:42 AM

#324

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inim said:
reading my own thoughts from 2021 feels like a completely different time, not only 4 years. My life changed so fundamentally since.

I get the same feeling reading old comments and reviews, especially those from our older pre-kids group watches. Back in December 2021, Aria still hadn't arrived and we'd just moved. We were watching Fruits Basket for our group watch iirc, very good show.

Doesn't look like there's a dub for Full Moon so sub it is. Was the ending mistakenly included at the beginning of ep 1? Should we skip the first 5 mins, or is it one of those directorial decisions, show the ending first, as the audience won't understand the significance until much later?

Apr 18, 5:08 AM

#325

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Reply to 23feanor

inim said:
reading my own thoughts from 2021 feels like a completely different time, not only 4 years. My life changed so fundamentally since.

I get the same feeling reading old comments and reviews, especially those from our older pre-kids group watches. Back in December 2021, Aria still hadn't arrived and we'd just moved. We were watching Fruits Basket for our group watch iirc, very good show.

Doesn't look like there's a dub for Full Moon so sub it is. Was the ending mistakenly included at the beginning of ep 1? Should we skip the first 5 mins, or is it one of those directorial decisions, show the ending first, as the audience won't understand the significance until much later?

@23feanor It's both I'd say. It is one possible ending, and it is also true that it shows the dream she has. Is a first episode usage it is a dream sequence, so maybe that version of the ending is one too? Or the ending we really see in the last episode? So much magic and twist in this show, it doesn't really spoil anything. At this time you can not possibly know what the symbolism in the scene means. And yep, for sure this is a directoral decision. And it's not 5 mins, it's more like 20 secs :)

EDIT: OK boomer, now I wanted to know and rewatched a bit more. Trying not to spoil anything.
The first scene is part of a larger scene in episode 52, but it differs from what is shown there. They start in a similar way, but then diverge. As a result of this difference, the "ending after the ending" happens.

inimApr 18, 7:38 AM

Apr 18, 10:13 AM

#326

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1995

@23feanor Yep, got a lot of great choices. I think this is my preference:

1. Lovely Complex - I keep being told this is one I absolutely must watch, and I think we're overdue for this kind of comedy romance.
2. Planet With - Been wanting to do this one for a while, seems kind of insane but in a good way.
3. Full Moon - Looking over that review and gleaning what I can from your conversation with @inim about it, this one does seem like the kind of series I'd love to dive into.

So I'm good starting with Full Moon. We can do that, then Planet With (since we both have that high on our lists as well), and then as you suggest, we can diverge for a bit to either Sailor Moon S or Lupin Part 6 before picking up Lovely Complex and Fantastic Children.

Apr 18, 4:31 PM

#327

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Here are three oldies I always wanted to watch but never made it. All icons of sorts. If you guys approve, please add them to the list.

Jun 7, 11:55 PM

#328

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Reply to inim

Here are three oldies I always wanted to watch but never made it. All icons of sorts. If you guys approve, please add them to the list.

@inim Added. I watched the more recent Yamato OVA series and it was very good, be interesting to see how it compares to the original.

Jul 29, 12:18 AM

#329

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@whiteflame55 Getting into the final stretch of Sailor Moon S so checked out what we had planned for the next watch. Looks like it's Lovely Complex, then Fantastic Children, then maybe we could pick up Lupin Part 6?

Jul 29, 4:40 AM

#330

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1995

Reply to 23feanor

@whiteflame55 Getting into the final stretch of Sailor Moon S so checked out what we had planned for the next watch. Looks like it's Lovely Complex, then Fantastic Children, then maybe we could pick up Lupin Part 6?

@23feanor that order sounds good to me. I’ve had a friend who keeps checking in to see when I’m going to watch Lovely Complex, so it’ll be extra nice to knock that one out.

Sep 1, 3:14 AM

#331