Anime Nation

[dragontamer5788]

This show "Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san" has me irritated right now. I don't know If I can making it threw the rest I'm no even half threw the first episode.

Hmmm, care to elaborate a bit? All I've seen is the marketing material / a trailer. Is it a romantic comedy?

 

[Ahhzz]

BTW: Ninja Girl and Samurai Master was one of the better chibi-shows I've seen in a while. That was popular a few years ago. "Ninja Girl and Samurai Master" tries to feel like a kids show, except not at all

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Chibi balls of blood and death.


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Set up in short little 5-minute skits, based on Nobunaga / Warring states period of Japan (~1500s)

Other than the "commercial breaks" every 5 minutes, this one amuses the hell out of me lol

 

[DemonicRyzen666]

Hmmm, care to elaborate a bit? All I've seen is the marketing material / a trailer. Is it a romantic comedy?

I can't just watch it, you'll see. I made it threw it....... eventually

 

[djisas]

Hmmm, care to elaborate a bit? All I've seen is the marketing material / a trailer. Is it a romantic comedy?

More like a tenage girl being a pain in the ass 90% of the time...
I also watched the first, I dont read the manga, but thought I'd give it a try, wasn't super impressed...

 

[DemonicRyzen666]

More like a tenage girl being a pain in the ass 90% of the time...
I also watched the first, I dont read the manga, but thought I'd give it a try, wasn't super impressed...

I think I know what what was irritating me now.
she was basically sexually harassing the poor guy, it's terrible.

 

[dragontamer5788]

I think I know what what was irritating me now.
she was basically sexually harassing the poor guy, it's terrible.

Based on the trailer, I'm thinking this is a Dicks Last Resort sort of thing. Some people find that sort of thing funny. But I guess I'll have to watch it myself to see if it crosses any lines...

 

[DemonicRyzen666]

Based on the trailer, I'm thinking this is a Dicks Last Resort sort of thing. Some people find that sort of thing funny. But I guess I'll have to watch it myself to see if it crosses any lines...

I don't see how that's ever close to the actual show :\
in other news Not an anime but is animated Final Space is pulling at my heart strings. I really feel this should be considered an anime with it's more adult plot going on.

 

[kurosagi01]

Finally finished Sanctuary arc on Saint Seiya..time for some Nord god/Asgard. 75/114 episode completed so far.

 

[DemonicRyzen666]

Finally finished Sanctuary arc on Saint Seiya..time for some Nord god/Asgard. 75/114 episode completed so far.

oh this reminded me I wanted to watch pokemon from the start to now. Then I relized I'm not going to watch 20+ years of episodes in my life time for one show lol. I've watched probably only 150 animes so far in my life.

 

[Totally]

Not anime but the comic adaptation 'Invincible' on Prime Video is really good. I finally got around to watching it and regret both not watching it sooner and for not continuing to forget about it until season 2, or 3 rolls around.

 

[Mussels]

Not anime but the comic adaptation 'Invincible' on Prime Video is really good. I finally got around to watching it and regret both not watching it sooner and for not continuing to forget about it until season 2, or 3 rolls around.

that show is fucking amazing

 

[dragontamer5788]

Okay, When they Cry GOU. Finally finished it.

Non-spoiler review: It feels like a legitimate "Higurashi", but the big reveal does not hit anywhere as hard as the 1st series. Gou seems to be the "missing piece" in the story that nobody asked for: very similar to how Star Wars: Rogue Squadron kind of ret-cons the Death Star plans to make more sense, it feels like Gou is being used to clarify some points that happen "in between" Higurashi and Umineko.

Spoiler

Again: major spoilers. Turn back now because I'm about to discuss the reveal to a Murder-Mystery plot. Last chance!!

In Umineko, we know that Bernkastel and LambdaDelta are two major witches, originally thought (by the fanbase) to be Rika and Miyo Takano. However, LambdaDelta's mannerisms were extremely similar to Satoko (so some theorized Satoko to be LambdaDelta).

Gou's big reveal makes the LambdaDelta / Satoko connection explicit. We have "Not-Fetherine" (now called Eua in Gou) calling Satoko a number of names associated with LambdaDelta. Furthermore, Satoko is becoming more-and-more LambdaDelta-like: gaining witch powers from Eua, using those powers to create "certainty" in the loops. And now we're left wondering if Satoko / Miyo Takano are both related to LambdaDelta somehow.

Unfortunately, it feels as if Satoko's abilities as an antagonist are too powerful, and somewhat boring. Miyo Takano's villainy in the 1st run was incredible: Miyo Takano built her conspiracy to have so many contingencies, that even when going up against a Looper like Rika, Takano was able to beat Rika for a century worth of timeloops.

Satoko on the other hand: gains access to Rika's memories, and then uses them to torment Rika. From an "Umineko" kind of storytelling style (where the Witches / Spectators exist outside the scenario and are able to use external-knowledge), I guess that's fair. But a lot of why I liked Higurashi is because only Rika is using external knowledge / supernatural powers. Everything else was "played fair" so to speak (Or at least, Miyo Takano used no supernatural powers what-so-ever to accomplish her goals).

If Satoko is playing "Higurashi" with the powers of LambdaDelta, it feels like a bit of power-creep. The only real thing that can take Satoko/LambdaDelta down is the fortold (in Umineko) "Logic Error" that LambdaDelta complains about. It does seem like Satoko/LambdaDelta is playing far too recklessly with her newfound powers (at least, new in GOU).

---------

I think what really bothers me is that Satoko is incredibly small-minded and petty. This entire disaster is brought about because she's doing poorly in high school, while watching her friend Rika soar to new heights. Sure, there's a bit of bullying going on, and a few key misunderstandings... but this is the sort of thing that seems like a looper would be able to solve pretty darn easily.

But instead, Satoko goes out and causes tragedy after tragedy. If she just studied a bit harder (or actually accepts Rika's offer to help her study), she probably can avoid all of this crap entirely. I mean, really, how many time loops do you need before you can pass high-school geometry? At least, I assume high-school geometry is easier than watching literally a century-worth of Rika's memories.

It kind of feels like the story moving forward is pretty clear now unfortunately. Maybe Higurashi Sotsu (next season) will spice things up in an unexpected way... but I'm cautiously pessimistic about how Sotsu can wrap things up.

It feels like Gou would really shine if you're deep into 07th Expansion visual novels: Higurashi, Umineko, and Cidonia. Gou big shining point is the added context in how, and where Higurashi fits into the 07th "meta-universe" of stories. However, I feel like this is a niche-within-a-niche, very few people probably fit in the category that would greatly enjoy this anime.

 

[djisas]

Okay, When they Cry GOU. Finally finished it.

Non-spoiler review: It feels like a legitimate "Higurashi", but the big reveal does not hit anywhere as hard as the 1st series. Gou seems to be the "missing piece" in the story that nobody asked for: very similar to how Star Wars: Rogue Squadron kind of ret-cons the Death Star plans to make more sense, it feels like Gou is being used to clarify some points that happen "in between" Higurashi and Umineko.

Spoiler

Again: major spoilers. Turn back now because I'm about to discuss the reveal to a Murder-Mystery plot. Last chance!!

In Umineko, we know that Bernkastel and LambdaDelta are two major witches, originally thought (by the fanbase) to be Rika and Miyo Takano. However, LambdaDelta's mannerisms were extremely similar to Satoko (so some theorized Satoko to be LambdaDelta).

Gou's big reveal makes the LambdaDelta / Satoko connection explicit. We have "Not-Fetherine" (now called Eua in Gou) calling Satoko a number of names associated with LambdaDelta. Furthermore, Satoko is becoming more-and-more LambdaDelta-like: gaining witch powers from Eua, using those powers to create "certainty" in the loops. And now we're left wondering if Satoko / Miyo Takano are both related to LambdaDelta somehow.

Unfortunately, it feels as if Satoko's abilities as an antagonist are too powerful, and somewhat boring. Miyo Takano's villainy in the 1st run was incredible: Miyo Takano built her conspiracy to have so many contingencies, that even when going up against a Looper like Rika, Takano was able to beat Rika for a century worth of timeloops.

Satoko on the other hand: gains access to Rika's memories, and then uses them to torment Rika. From an "Umineko" kind of storytelling style (where the Witches / Spectators exist outside the scenario and are able to use external-knowledge), I guess that's fair. But a lot of why I liked Higurashi is because only Rika is using external knowledge / supernatural powers. Everything else was "played fair" so to speak (Or at least, Miyo Takano used no supernatural powers what-so-ever to accomplish her goals).

If Satoko is playing "Higurashi" with the powers of LambdaDelta, it feels like a bit of power-creep. The only real thing that can take Satoko/LambdaDelta down is the fortold (in Umineko) "Logic Error" that LambdaDelta complains about. It does seem like Satoko/LambdaDelta is playing far too recklessly with her newfound powers (at least, new in GOU).

---------

I think what really bothers me is that Satoko is incredibly small-minded and petty. This entire disaster is brought about because she's doing poorly in high school, while watching her friend Rika soar to new heights. Sure, there's a bit of bullying going on, and a few key misunderstandings... but this is the sort of thing that seems like a looper would be able to solve pretty darn easily.

But instead, Satoko goes out and causes tragedy after tragedy. If she just studied a bit harder (or actually accepts Rika's offer to help her study), she probably can avoid all of this crap entirely. I mean, really, how many time loops do you need before you can pass high-school geometry? At least, I assume high-school geometry is easier than watching literally a century-worth of Rika's memories.

It kind of feels like the story moving forward is pretty clear now unfortunately. Maybe Higurashi Sotsu (next season) will spice things up in an unexpected way... but I'm cautiously pessimistic about how Sotsu can wrap things up.

It feels like Gou would really shine if you're deep into 07th Expansion visual novels: Higurashi, Umineko, and Cidonia. Gou big shining point is the added context in how, and where Higurashi fits into the 07th "meta-universe" of stories. However, I feel like this is a niche-within-a-niche, very few people probably fit in the category that would greatly enjoy this anime.

Welp, I enjoyed it, can't wait for more, still can't quite beat the impact of the first season, also I quite agree with your pov...

 

[dragontamer5788]

Welp, I enjoyed it, can't wait for more, still can't quite beat the impact of the first season, also I quite agree with your pov...

Ah yes, I should say that I've definitely enjoyed it. Its imperfect (especially compared to the crazy good first run), but still above average as an anime.

 

[80251]

I got into anime shortly before Cowboy BeBop and the first Ghost In the Shell series were on Toonami. Naruto: Shippuden, Attack on Titan and Black Clover are all I watch now.

Does anyone know what's going on with Attack On Titan? I find it hard to believe the anime is following the manga because there seem to be some large plot holes and time shifts. Last season ended with Aaron getting to the docks where the other Titans are created and brought over from Marley and then suddenly jumped to Aaron being much older and events happening in Marley. How did Aaron even get to Marley? How did the people of Paradis get an airship or learn how to fly it? And now it seems like production on Attack on Titan has ceased?

 

[Mussels]

I got into anime shortly before Cowboy BeBop and the first Ghost In the Shell series were on Toonami. Naruto: Shippuden, Attack on Titan and Black Clover are all I watch now.

Does anyone know what's going on with Attack On Titan? I find it hard to believe the anime is following the manga because there seem to be some large plot holes and time shifts. Last season ended with Aaron getting to the docks where the other Titans are created and brought over from Marley and then suddenly jumped to Aaron being much older and events happening in Marley. How did Aaron even get to Marley? How did the people of Paradis get an airship or learn how to fly it? And now it seems like production on Attack on Titan has ceased?

there was a huge time shift, but it then gets explained - i guess they wanted the season to start on action?

 

[dragontamer5788]

Does anyone know what's going on with Attack On Titan?

EDIT: I'm NOT current with Attack on Titan. But... I've seen enough anime to say...

Endings are hard to write: and the longer a story goes the harder-and-harder it is to conclude. Its far more often for an anime to go into nonsense-territory the closer and closer it gets to the ending.

Sure, there are anime out there like Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, or Kenshin (at least, the Samurai X movies) which end a long-running series gets an exceptionally well written / thought out conclusion. But more often than not, we get hit with Erased, Soul Eater, or (probably) what's going on with Attack on Titan. (Or even American shows, like Game of Thrones S8. This phenomenon is not unique to anime at all).

Appreciate the show for its best moments. Erased would have been better if its conclusion made a lick of common sense, but I still recommend it as a good show to people (just with the warning of "conclusion kinda sucks, don't overthink it"). And if you see an adequate (or well-written) ending, really appreciate those shows (When they Cry: Kai, Kenshin, FMA:Brotherhood... the list of "well written anime endings" for anime with more than 50 episodes is extremely rare)

Alternatively, watch more ~13 or 26 episode runs. These shorter anime have more effort placed on the ending and have a higher chance of well written conclusions. Madoka Magica, Haruhi Season1 (yeah, S2 happens and the novels continue the story, but S1 finale was solid), Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers (again: the novels continue, but S1 finale was solid).

 

[GoldenX]

Combatants was consistently meh.
Can't wait for Nomad's last episode.
But most importantly, Fruits Basket earned a very special place within me. Even with Covid disrupting the work, the team behind it manages to make magic, and crunch your feelings like nothing ever before could.

 

[dragontamer5788]

Oddtaxi was the best anime I saw in Spring 2021.

Though the finale airs next week (?? Maybe??), I can confidently say that this is an extremely strong anime even without knowing the ending.

As you can see, there's a huge cast of characters, and they all get an episode or two to really shine. The main character, Odokawa (The Walrus) is a Taxi driver who is related to almost everybody by shear coincidence: he is either direct friends with most of these characters, or these characters are one of his customers.

The show starts off with a missing person's report: a teenager has gone missing in the city (reported over the radio that Odokawa listens to while driving). And in the first episode alone, you'll meet the crooked cop, the cop's naive twin brother, a criminal, pop-star idols, a college-kid trying to become an influencer, Odokawa's doctor / nurse, and the comedians that Odokawa regularly listens to on AM radio. The show integrates all of their plotlines together marvelously, as they're all related to the missing person within 1 or 2 degrees.

In short: I'd describe Oddtaxi as a film-noir Zootopia anime. Odokawa is your cynical film-noir main character with a detective-like mind and strong analysis skills, which provides insight into the greater mystery and conspiracy that is occurring here. Its a marvelous ride.

----------

Not everything adds up quite yet, but again, the last episode hasn't aired yet. I expect that the last piece of the puzzle is in the last episode (or maybe last two episodes? I dunno how many episodes this is expected to have...)

 

[80251]

Did anyone here ever see Monster? It was a strange anime that took place in the Czech Republic, I only saw a couple of episodes of it.

 

[robot zombie]

Did anyone here ever see Monster? It was a strange anime that took place in the Czech Republic, I only saw a couple of episodes of it.

Monster is a classic! I know that one's always had a cult following. Top-shelf, high-class. Very few out there with that aesthetic and storytelling style. I wish more people would watch it. It's a very deep series. Really takes itself seriously and pulls out all of the stops.

 

[Tartaros]

Monster is a classic! I know that one's always had a cult following. Top-shelf, high-class. Very few out there with that aesthetic and storytelling style. I wish more people would watch it. It's a very deep series. Really takes itself seriously and pulls out all of the stops.

Urasawa is great author, he has plenty of good mangas. If you like Monster check out the rest of his works.

 

[dragontamer5788]

Not everything adds up quite yet, but again, the last episode hasn't aired yet. I expect that the last piece of the puzzle is in the last episode (or maybe last two episodes? I dunno how many episodes this is expected to have...)

Holy shit this ending. Uhhh... okay, the last episode explained a LOT about what's going on. Way more than I expected.

Solid anime with a very rare, solid ending. Best anime this season, and likely the best anime this year. Oddtaxi is really, really good.

Spoiler: Major Spoilers

Lol at Odakawa's "condition". Since he sees the world in zootopia-like cute animals, he's pretty much the perfect character to figure out which characters are which, even in a crowd. The various characters were always so confused when Odakawa was saying "You're the only Alpaca in town" or "You're that Caclio Cat". The only character who "saw" people as animals was Odakawa himself.

Which happens to be a superpower in the Film Noir genre, lol. Recognizing faces perfectly is a really useful skill (even if their face is somewhat of an illusion made up by his brain damage).

Revealing the murderer without "furry vision" makes it a bit difficult. But upon review, its clear that its the black-cat lookalike. Seems like she murdered the idol, since she knew she was 4th place from the tryouts. If one of the 3 died, then she'd be the natural replacement, especially because she looks so much like one of them.

We're left with an ambiguous ending: she's likely trying to make a move vs Odakawa, because she's been "looking for the taxi driver". On the other hand, Odakawa has proven himself to be extremely savvy, and isn't exactly an easy target to take down. Furthermore, Odakawa seems to still be very good at recognizing people's faces even if his "furry vision" is off, so he likely knows who the murderer is (he's implying at the middle of the episode that he knows the murderer).

My head cannon is that Odakawa drops her off with the Police. After all, Odakawa is friends with the Yakuza boss and the Police at this point. I think its safe to assume that the wannabe idol (black cat character) is going to be caught.

 

[GoldenX]

Fruits Basket was perfect.

 

[Space Lynx]

Fruits Basket was perfect.

Do you recommend watching/reading the manga or anime first?