Anime

[Sessha]

Despite having 'Magic' in its name, Knight's & Magic is a very grounded or 'hard' mecha. For someone that likes crazy bullshit like using the souls of your fallen allies as a shield or God Gundam's very existence, I ended up getting very attached to it.

The series is fun and relatively light-hearted, though the anime does skip over a ton of information that both the anime and the light novels do put in. All that said it is quite the fun watch and still remains one of my favorite series to this day.

[Kakihara]

I recently found In/spectre. It's one of those supernatural animes that really it comes down to the two main characters and their interaction and complications around them.  I'm hoping they do a second season as I was fascinated by the whole idea, it has a lot of potential.  It is a small cast as there is only two main characters and then one reoccurring character.  I went through the series pretty quickly and wanna see more.  In addition, an interesting isekai is Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious.  I wasn't sure if I'd like it as it's a bit silly in the beginning, but I love that they couched some pretty serious bits of the story in the silly, like when you learn why he's overly cautious and his past, as well as the Goddess who's summoned him and traveling with him past, it's pretty good hit.  It's like damn, didn't expect that. 

Also a nice little slice of life/drama one I've recently discovered that's just being released is Deaimon: Recipe for Happiness.  It's an interesting story about a family sweet shop in Kyoto and the son who comes back after 10 years finding his parents have taken in a young woman who they are training to take over the shop since he left with no care of the family business to be a musician.  And him wanting to come back and learn again and the conflict.  But they focus on both the journey of the young woman and the returning son so it's been an interesting drama to watch, intrigued to see where it goes.

[Kakihara]

I'm deep in on Irena: The Vampire Cosmonaut, a newer anime, and at face value, this anime should not be so good as the concept just sounds so damn silly.  But wow, this series is pretty good, it's got some nice overtones for the overall story and the characters, they've only touched on the main guy but the vampire female is pretty interesting.  The backstory they have for her is quite interesting and I'm intrigued to see how the second half of the series ends.  I think my only complaint is some things move too quickly where it might have been nice to see it drawn out, makes me curious how different it is from the manga.  Though from what I see the manga was only one issue due to the artist health issues, though I guess the light novels are still going but not sure where to find them.

[Zelcyone]

I recently watched a Japanese oav called Steamboy and I must say it's impressive. It's from Katsuhiro Otomo, the same director of the legendary movie Akira and was released around 2004 but for some reason it escaped my radar until a couple of days ago when I discovered it because of an AMV with Sabaton music (LOL).  Long story short, if you like anything steampunk you should definitely watch it! It uses many tropes of the genre masterfully and I'd say it could easily be taken as a movie that defines and represents the genre. Essentialy being for Steampunk what Akira has been for Cyberpunk.
Without spoiling too much, I'll say that it touches on some interesting and heavy topics, like the relationship between science and politics, the liability of scientists, and the quality of life of people in the late 1800, but does it in a way that's never too hard on the viewer. The details of the drawing are astounding especially towards the ending where you see complex machineries and panoramic views of London and the direction of the action scenes is simply flawless. There's some CG but it's used wisely. No wonder it was the most expensive film ever produced in Japan at the time. Also you can tell Mr. Otomo really likes chases and motorbikes. 
I don't know why the critics downplayed the movie so much, but I'm glad I stopped reading movie reviews long ago.

[Sessha]

 Much has been made about the Akira anime...and not a lot of it very good. Now that said from a visual standpoint the movie is sort impressive for the time period. However as time has passed and more and more people dug into it the hype did not add up very well in the slightest sadly. If you can find it, I am very much told by people who have read it the manga for Akira is leagues and mountains above it's animated counterpart. I have not sat down to read it myself, but I have seen all six volumes of the manga and they are quite very huge indeed. But from critical response the manga itself is hugely better.

[Oniya]

So, I didn't see anyone address it, but the reason for the ridiculously long titles these days is the absolute explosion of the isekai genre.  In order to get views/sales, the authors put as much information as they can about the story right there on the cover, since otherwise the synopses are comically similar.  Most of the time, the protag is a teenage male, and the rest of the story involves the number of alien/monster/other-than-modern-human girls he ends up trekking around with.

[Kakihara]

Much has been made about the Akira anime...and not a lot of it very good. Now that said from a visual standpoint the movie is sort impressive for the time period. However as time has passed and more and more people dug into it the hype did not add up very well in the slightest sadly. If you can find it, I am very much told by people who have read it the manga for Akira is leagues and mountains above it's animated counterpart. I have not sat down to read it myself, but I have seen all six volumes of the manga and they are quite very huge indeed. But from critical response the manga itself is hugely better.

I mean, I think the reason for the hype really is it's timing, kind of like Spirited Away.  Akira hit just at the right time where there was an opening in the market and dazzled the western audience.  As I've mentioned before, I was never really into anime, but I still remember when my brother brought home a VHS copy of Akira and watching it.  Watching the taillights blur and the very adult theme of the story, I feel it was quite a contrast and shock to the American audience who only knew like He-man, GIJOE, Transformers, ect. (Not to say these were bad shows but they were clearly for kids as no one ever really got hurt badly.)  Like even Disney and Don Bluth animated movies were marketed towards kids, so this was really the first touch for many of animation intended for more mature audiences.  I think it's why I loved Starblazers as a kid, something I'd only learn was a cut of version of Space Battleship Yamato many years later.  Yeah, looking at it now it looks pretty bad, but compared to it's timeframe, it was revolutionary for the non Japanese market.  I mean I have to say I was too young and Akira looked pretty but was way too convoluted for my brain at the time and I've not revisited it since I started to enjoy anime in my middle age, so perhaps I'll have to give it a look.

[Zelcyone]

I've to admit I've contrasting feelings about Akira. Just to add a little context, the first time I've seen it is in 2018 at the teather, for the 30th year anniversary of the debut of the movie and I believe it was a 4k remaster of the original. Even if that particular edition loses a bit of the "historical value", so to speak, it makes the impressive technical prowess of the director all the more impactful. The motorbike scenes, the fading neon backlights, the smoke billowing up from the cigarettes, were all jaw-dropping really. That said I can certainly see how the movie lacks critical details, especially in the second half, where you're left with a story that has a lot of blank spaces and leaves the spectator the daunting task of filling them. I haven't personally read the original manga version but, as Sessha said, I can confirm the general opinion is that it's better storywise. Ultimately, I've to agree with kakihara too. I think it's importance lies in the fact that it spearheaded the diffusion of the cyberpunk genre in the anime culture. For me the first encounter with the genre was the 1995 GitS movie directed by Mamoru Oshii. I had casually bought the vhs without even knowing what it was about and I was positively shocked by how different it was from the series I used to watch at the time. So I can totally relate to kakihara's experience.

On the other hand though, Steamboy is much different. It briefly hints at other material from the franchise that isn't showed in the movie but the story is presented in a more structured way and you get a complete movie. The adult themes are presented in a more nuanced way but it's all there if you stop a moment to analyze what's being shown. I think it's worth watching if you like Steampunk cause I think it masterfully puts on screen the tropes of the genre. And it has soldiers equipped with steam powered full plate and grenade launchers lol.

[Sessha]

I mean, I think the reason for the hype really is it's timing, kind of like Spirited Away.  Akira hit just at the right time where there was an opening in the market and dazzled the western audience.  As I've mentioned before, I was never really into anime, but I still remember when my brother brought home a VHS copy of Akira and watching it.  Watching the taillights blur and the very adult theme of the story, I feel it was quite a contrast and shock to the American audience who only knew like He-man, GIJOE, Transformers, ect. (Not to say these were bad shows but they were clearly for kids as no one ever really got hurt badly.)  Like even Disney and Don Bluth animated movies were marketed towards kids, so this was really the first touch for many of animation intended for more mature audiences.  I think it's why I loved Starblazers as a kid, something I'd only learn was a cut of version of Space Battleship Yamato many years later.  Yeah, looking at it now it looks pretty bad, but compared to it's timeframe, it was revolutionary for the non Japanese market.  I mean I have to say I was too young and Akira looked pretty but was way too convoluted for my brain at the time and I've not revisited it since I started to enjoy anime in my middle age, so perhaps I'll have to give it a look.

I've to admit I've contrasting feelings about Akira. Just to add a little context, the first time I've seen it is in 2018 at the teather, for the 30th year anniversary of the debut of the movie and I believe it was a 4k remaster of the original. Even if that particular edition loses a bit of the "historical value", so to speak, it makes the impressive technical prowess of the director all the more impactful. The motorbike scenes, the fading neon backlights, the smoke billowing up from the cigarettes, were all jaw-dropping really. That said I can certainly see how the movie lacks critical details, especially in the second half, where you're left with a story that has a lot of blank spaces and leaves the spectator the daunting task of filling them. I haven't personally read the original manga version but, as Sessha said, I can confirm the general opinion is that it's better storywise. Ultimately, I've to agree with kakihara too. I think it's importance lies in the fact that it spearheaded the diffusion of the cyberpunk genre in the anime culture. For me the first encounter with the genre was the 1995 GitS movie directed by Mamoru Oshii. I had casually bought the vhs without even knowing what it was about and I was positively shocked by how different it was from the series I used to watch at the time. So I can totally relate to kakihara's experience.

On the other hand though, Steamboy is much different. It briefly hints at other material from the franchise that isn't showed in the movie but the story is presented in a more structured way and you get a complete movie. The adult themes are presented in a more nuanced way but it's all there if you stop a moment to analyze what's being shown. I think it's worth watching if you like Steampunk cause I think it masterfully puts on screen the tropes of the genre. And it has soldiers equipped with steam powered full plate and grenade launchers lol.

And the fact is you are both right about your feelings. Hell even I can join the fun when I started watching Robotech in the mid-90s when it was re-aired on The Toonami Block. It would only be a decade or so later when I found out that Robotech was in fact three separate series mashed into one here in the States. So much did I love this series that I pretty bought the whole novelization of the series myself. But I digress, I had no idea what anime was at the time and yet I was enamored with it all the same. When Sci-Fi Channel(yeah who all remembers that logo?) use to screen anime for watching on Saturday mornings I tried to watch it when I could. It's where I saw many titles I would end up enjoying for many years. Chief among them is one of the Quintessential fantasy animes Record of Lodoss War. A twelve episode OVA series that is basically D&D the anime.

I can also point out further examples of how these early attempts garnered more. For example take the original Hellsing and Full Metal Alchemist animes. In retrospect...they were not very good. However these would have the effect of inspiring later works. Such as Hellsing: Ultimate which tells the full story of the Hellsing world and Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood which is the completed story for FMA. So yeah you guys are very both right that while on more critical inspect the movie Akira was not good, it did however lodge in our minds for it's evocative nature and a visual style none of us knew anything about at the time.

Though in a sort of funny twist to things, some anime that were based on exsisting manga managed to do something their manga counterparts were not able to do. Take the characters and the story in a direction that while following the story ended up doing it better. I of course speak of the anime for Trigun. The anime takes a major departure from the manga in that Vash does everything he can not to kill anyone. It lends a certain nobility to his character and a certain tragedy to him as well. Something that wasn't in the original manga and something that help elevate the anime above it's roots.

[Yukina]

So, I didn't see anyone address it, but the reason for the ridiculously long titles these days is the absolute explosion of the isekai genre.  In order to get views/sales, the authors put as much information as they can about the story right there on the cover, since otherwise the synopses are comically similar.  Most of the time, the protag is a teenage male, and the rest of the story involves the number of alien/monster/other-than-modern-human girls he ends up trekking around with.

Here's an interesting video you might like then, Oniya :) Red Bard has a whole discussion on it.

https://youtu.be/pi79l5k8gBM

[Zaer Darkwail]

I agree that some animes may not have aged well or feel outdated to watch (either in animation quality or writing), but some classic titles need to give respect for opening the road for future animes and giving exposure to the anime genre. Akira is one example among other examples (as well prequels like Hellsing and Full Metal Alchemist). Some classics are cause they stay the test against time and remain always a good recommendation, some others remain relevant just cause of historic factors tied to them.

The same comparison can be made for classic movie films; or any entertainment medium. Whether it be anime/animated shows, film movies or books, or even theater. Plays written by famous playwrights like William Shakespeare haven't become irrelevant over time and have remained in theater classics cause they were written well and stories as well which then inspired movies and books. Or the legends and stories of the ancient mythos.

It may sound perhaps too grand a comment for mere anime discussion but it relates to why some titles remain relevant even if production or quality no longer match audience demands. Also why what people universally like; good stories told in any medium, stories which awaken emotions in the audience. In my own experience my first exposure to anime was in cartoon VHS shelves, but also same cartoon section there was hentai, and the first ones I picked up were Overfiend and Bible Black, and Devilman (which definitely dispelled the idea of cartoons just being for kids and VHS shop owner giving no fucks about it seems). But also one memorable classic for me as a movie was Ghost in the Shell. But as usual first anime exposition (albeit unknowingly as I did not know what anime was) was through Pokemon TV series.

[Kakihara]

So I saw the announcement for Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence being made into an anime though it's far off.  I was intrigued though as you don't see many church based stories and I thought it might have some inspiration as it's one of those areas I don't often explore, so I tracked down the manga.  I read the first two volumes and started into the third, they are quick reads.  Though I'm wondering how it will transfer into an anime as it is interesting but can be slow paced, intrigued to see how it translates. 

Also I know everyone loves SPY x FAMILY but... I don't know for me I'm just luke warm on it.  Like the characters are interesting and the animation is nice but like, it doesn't grab me.  I mean I have access so i did watch the whole series since it was new stuff, but honestly just didn't excite me, though perhaps the second half will add to this.  Maybe a lot of the hype comes from anticipating the adaption, but overall, it's just ok.

[Sessha]

 And there is nothing wrong with that in the least. While I want to go watch more I haven't really watched it. Indeed. However many new stuff coming out this season worth looking for. Like season of Devil is a Part-timer, Season 4 of DanMachi and a few others. I can't exactly wait to see it happening.

[aqua]

I was looking around the forums, and I couldn't seem to come across a thread on anime. So I decided to start one. ( correct me if I'm wrong guys (^_^ )

Guess this forum is for the sole purpose of the discussion of anime!

Anyway. What anime have you watched recently ( or not recently, just any time )and what did you think about them? What sort of anime would you recommend to others based on your opinion?
( If you don't already know, I'm an anime nut )

Well recently, I watched the original season of " Hellsing ". This I'd an excellent representation of what vampires are supposed to be. Brutal, cunning, and lustful. ( very sorry twilight fans, but these are real vampires )

I also recently watched a romance anime called " Say I Love You " This anime is great because it takes an extremely unpopular girl and pits her with an extremely popular boy. Great love story.

So don't be shy guys! ! ^_^

I couldn't agree more with Hellsing. But If you all want to try a great Anime. I can say with much confidence. My favorite anime of all time is, Vandread.

Honestly is a harem anime but with a twist. Males and females have been separated for a period of over 100 years long enough for there to be women and men that don't know about the other gender. Only Rumors about the other gender being grotesque monsters and what not. The MC is a boy that finds women repulsive(most of the females are the same way) at first. Its funny because when harem shenanigans happen hes grossed out and not perverted. Its an interesting twist. And despite the harem nature he develops feeling for one girl and sticks with her. Its a big middle finger to the harem trope. Mixed with a admittedly some what generic giant robot plot. Its one of the best anime I've ever watched!

The main girl Dita

[Kakihara]

I recently discovered Phantom of the Idol a new show for this season and while I dislike the whole idol stuff, this one is far too amusing that after watching the first episode I had to catch up to the current broadcast.  It's basically about a male idol who only is doing the idol gig because he thought it would be easy but turns out, it's not and he's not happy about it.  And then after a performance that he basically gets told he is nearing being let go, he meets a female idol who died and is the only one that can see them.  Eventually they decide she'll possess him and do his performances, leading to some good amusement.  It surprised me how much I like it but I think it's the comedic elements with just a hint of serious topics they deal with. 

The big one that so many people are taken with is Call of the Night, and I will say it's an interesting one, I love the style and everything but I will say I'm still not sure about it on a whole.  Like one, the female vampire is both sexual but at the same time innocent when it comes to relationships which seems weird, especially considering how one becomes a vampire.  You have to love the vampire who is drinking from you is the rule.  It has potential but so far it's a bit slow and inconsistent to really blow me away. 

Also, have to say I decided to try and watch Rent-A-Girlfriend since people rave about it but... I don't get it.  Like none of the characters are very likable and people make some of the stupidest freaking choices I've seen in an anime.  I watched through to Episode 4 and just think I'm done.  Like the Quintessential Quintuplets I finally watched when it was big enough to get a movie so figured would check it out, it's not bad but not sure why people are gaga over it, but at least can understand that the characters are all interesting without being painfully annoying like the characters in Rent. 

[Yukina]

In the last month or so, I've gotten simply addicted to Senki Zesshou Symphogear (and its other seasons). It's an idol magical girl (with a lot of mechanical motifs) anime that runs on Gurren Lagann levels of crazy, yet still manages to be rather grim and/or meaningful at times. It helps that most of the songs (which nearly everyone sings in combat) are absolute bangers. Plus, if you're a fan of mecha anime and tokusatsu shows, you'll certainly love it since there's a lot of influence and VAs that come from those types of shows. Not to mention, it's incredibly gay. :)

[Sessha]

In the last month or so, I've gotten simply addicted to Senki Zesshou Symphogear (and its other seasons). It's an idol magical girl (with a lot of mechanical motifs) anime that runs on Gurren Lagann levels of crazy, yet still manages to be rather grim and/or meaningful at times. It helps that most of the songs (which nearly everyone sings in combat) are absolute bangers. Plus, if you're a fan of mecha anime and tokusatsu shows, you'll certainly love it since there's a lot of influence and VAs that come from those types of shows. Not to mention, it's incredibly gay. :)

I lost track of the series about the fourth season I think. It's not a bad series and is quite fun and yes the main protag is totes gay for her GF and the two other girls with the pink and green motifs are totes for each other.

[MatchaMochi]

In the last month or so, I've gotten simply addicted to Senki Zesshou Symphogear (and its other seasons). It's an idol magical girl (with a lot of mechanical motifs) anime that runs on Gurren Lagann levels of crazy, yet still manages to be rather grim and/or meaningful at times. It helps that most of the songs (which nearly everyone sings in combat) are absolute bangers. Plus, if you're a fan of mecha anime and tokusatsu shows, you'll certainly love it since there's a lot of influence and VAs that come from those types of shows. Not to mention, it's incredibly gay. :)

I rarely see Symphogear discussed/namedrop anywhere, so seeing it immediately when I decide to look this thread is awesome! Extremely fun series that gets progressively better and over-the-top every season it gets. So many gay-ships, banger OST and great cast are a few things I really love about the series too. Since I'm craving a show like this to watch I might finally start Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, which I've heard has some similarities with the Symphogear.

---

Since this anime season I have only ten or so shows I'm watching I've started a few older and longer anime. Started Inuyasha few days ago and so far I've liked it. Also continued to binge-watch Sailor Moon (from S2/R) and thinking of finally watching Zeta Gundam or Origin so I can finally progress with my UC-Gundam watchthrough... Though I also have Build Fighters on my watch list which I should maybe finish before taking another Gundam to watch...

[GanonDwarf]

Symphogear is one of my favorite anime. Like top 5 easy. I'm glad more people are getting into it. Chris is my favorite girl, but I also love Maria. Most of the songs are a banger for sure.

[Yukina]

I lost track of the series about the fourth season I think. It's not a bad series and is quite fun and yes the main protag is totes gay for her GF and the two other girls with the pink and green motifs are totes for each other.

Fair. :) It has five whole seasons. What's amusing is that in an ova, it's revealed that the songs come from what the relic is reading of their subconscious, making all the gay subtext into brilliantly loud screaming text :)

I rarely see Symphogear discussed/namedrop anywhere, so seeing it immediately when I decide to look this thread is awesome! Extremely fun series that gets progressively better and over-the-top every season it gets. So many gay-ships, banger OST and great cast are a few things I really love about the series too. Since I'm craving a show like this to watch I might finally start Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, which I've heard has some similarities with the Symphogear.

---

Since this anime season I have only ten or so shows I'm watching I've started a few older and longer anime. Started Inuyasha few days ago and so far I've liked it. Also continued to binge-watch Sailor Moon (from S2/R) and thinking of finally watching Zeta Gundam or Origin so I can finally progress with my UC-Gundam watchthrough... Though I also have Build Fighters on my watch list which I should maybe finish before taking another Gundam to watch...

*high fives* Symphogear brings fun a lot in the ways Gurren Laggan does: Increasingly over the top nonsense that connects the viewer on a spiritual and emotional level with just how honest it is.

Symphogear is one of my favorite anime. Like top 5 easy. I'm glad more people are getting into it. Chris is my favorite girl, but I also love Maria. Most of the songs are a banger for sure.

*high fives* My favorite characters are Hibiki and Chris, but my favorite relics are Shul Shagana and Ichival. :) Also definitely agreed with the songs because it's been nearly a month since I finished it and I keep listening to more and more of them on loop

[Kakihara]

I had watched the first season of My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU but then ran into the problem of no one having the second season but the third season being everywhere.  I was intrigued as based on the first episode of the third season, which I accidently watched before realizing there was a missing season, seemed to indicate they may be delving into a kind of polytriad relationship between the three main characters, handling it interestingly.  So was curious to see how it evolved but having finally tracked down the second season and watched it and now watched the third season, I'm a bit disappointed.  I do like the characters, they are fairly unique compared to the general ones you see, but the ending was unsatisfying.  They kind of threw the third woman to the side in the end and it's like only focused on the guy and the one woman's budding relationship.  I guess at least they didn't go the harem route but was hoping for something different out of this anime.

[Inkidu]

Since Netflix has them, I've been working my way through the original Mobile Suit Gundam. On the third one now.

[Yukina]

Since Netflix has them, I've been working my way through the original Mobile Suit Gundam. On the third one now.

Nice :)

-A huge gundam weeb

[Inkidu]

Nice :)

-A huge gundam weeb

G Gundam is my personal favorite.

[Sessha]

G Gundam is my personal favorite.

AhmG Gundam. One of,the most Culturally insensitive animes of its time. And do make no mistake on that one. However it is done in such an over the top fashion that it is almost beautiful. It isn't my absolute favorite, but it is one of my favorites simply for,the interesting and yes overmthe top plot elements and just simply how much fun the anime is to,watch.