- Seldom watch anime these days. Mainly spend my free time playing PS3 games nowadays. -
- FUCK English Dubs. Useless Junk. -
Manga is more detailed but Anime brings the characters to life. I prefer watching anime over reading manga anytime. Still, the best anime keep true to the spirit and storyline of the original manga. Anime is an excellent story telling tool.
Most of the time, I usually watch anime one series at a time. I'm trying to be more open minded when it comes to various anime genres, but my tastes have changed and evolved throughout the years I've been watching anime, and I've realized that I can't always trust the tastes of other people. Even here on MAL.
Shows that I would have rated highly in the past and enjoyed way more when I was younger (15 to 20) do not exactly appeal to me that much right now.
For example, although the animation and colors were good and there were good parts in it, I couldn't see what the big deal was with Clannad. I just watched it cause I heard that it was really good, although it did not live up to my expectations.
Even if the anime has a lot of people watching it and the rating given to it is high, as in 8s or 9s; even if a lot of people rave about it here on MAL or elsewhere, I try to watch it without too many expectations.
Over the past one year during which I've watched more series compared to the previous 4 - 5 years, I've come to realize I prefer shows like Berserk, Claymore, Kaiji, Higurashi.
I used to watch shows like Bleach, D.Gray-man, Full Metal Alchemist more for the fighting and sense of adventure. If there is a lot of character development and an excellent storyline, it is an added bonus. Good animation can never make up for Crappy storylines.
I'd really appreciate it if anyone could recommend me an anime as dark as Claymore or Berserk. So far, nothing I've watched has managed to surpass the sense of hopelessness and despair of the last few episodes of Berserk.
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All Comments (27) Comments
And for the record I really HATE HATE HATE their animation style. Although I can see they put a lot of work into it. Personally I find it overly detailed to the point where it detracts from the film. It's like they are saying "look we spent a lot of money on this!". Not to mention that to me their character desings look terrible and generic, and their backgrounds just look ugly and boring.
I don't get the raive reviews, by profesional and amatuere critics alike. They must be watching some other movie. However there is one critic out there who panned the film (worse raiting then I'd even give it, he ranks it a one out of ten!), and he's on this site. I highly suggest reading Arakkis review of the film. He is the only person who watched it and reviewed it critically that I know of, perhaps on the planet. And what he says is all true. It's not hate for the sake of hate. he gives me some hope for the planet earth. At least there is someone out there with a brain...
I'm glad I'm not alone in dislike of the film.
And I can't agree with you more. There are problems with Narutaru's pacing and it's a shame all those plotlines were left open. The last 3 episodes are my favorite as well! The childish opening theme is a favorite of mine. In fact all the music in the show (from background to op and ed themes) was great. I too think it's a real shame that Kitoh's mangas keep going to studios that don't know what their doing. The director for Narutaru was very inexperienced, he was just some random key animator. And the budget for the series was terrible (sort of expected because who would want to put their money on adapting such content?). It all irritates me as well. We are on the same wavelenghts here.
And no problem man just glad you liked the shows. I'll recommend yah another show or two one day.
Shame it sags in the middle, but I am useally good with slower stuff, so it might not be as bad for me as it was for you. Lain and Le Chevalier D'Eon were incredbly talky, but I have no real problems with them.
Glad the ending stands on it's own, although how it compares to the manga is still in the air for me (only read the first 2 chapters of the manga atm). I hate cliche endings so that's good at least.
Anyway thank you so much for your interesting and in debth post. I look forward to watching it. I have a feelign I'll like it more then you did.
People like Ghibli films because of the fantasy worlds? Well that is the only thing they do right, so I guess that makes some sense. But really now there are so many better shows that are set in fantasy setting, in a completely re-made world. And they have better plots and better characters too. Plus they aren't the same story, just repackaged over and over again (like Ghibli films are). I mean I can name a bunch right now. Moribito, Maze, Slayers, Petite Princess Yucie , Princess Tutu, Black Jack, Record of Lodoss War, Orphen, etc etc. They are all much better then most if not all of the films by Ghibli. The only movie I really liked from them was "Grave of the Fireflies", but that was vastly different then their other sutff. More of their movies should be like that IMO. I also liked Miyazaki's Lupin III movie, but it's not my favorite Lupin the III movie, although it is great. I also don't understand the worshiping of Miyazaki either. I mean just look at his recent appearence at Comic Con. Ok I get it...they like him. Now shut up, he's not that good...
I really dislike Clamp, esecially xxxHolic. Terrible series. I see no reason anyone would like it. Haven't and won't see the second seasons.
Yeah it's true today's animes are toned down a bit. Not that I don't like new anime, I REALLY really do. Nothing like a new series that just came out. But the better shows tend to be from the mid to late 90's and early 2000's IMO. Late 80's had some great hits as well. Glad you agree!
Not that I mind mainstream shows, but I do agree sort of. While I'm glad the companies are making money, and at least something is selling. It's such a crying shame "what" is selling. Very rarely do the good shows sell and that's sad. I wish a few great series were more popular then they are. But then again it can't be helped with the age group of the typical anime watcher. Guess we get what we get.
Thanks again for your very well thought out post.