What Anime Are You Watching?

Wagomu

I noticed that we didn't really have a place here to discuss non-current series, and us goats are notoriously prone to providing a location to talk about general anime and manga, so here we are.

Edit: Looks like we have a manga thread, so this one will be for anime.

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I've been doing a rewatch of Paranoia Agent after introducing a friend to it. It's the first time I've really given it a serious watch, since I was too young to really get it when it first aired on Adult Swim. I always enjoyed being an unsettling show, but the overarching narrative is also really interesting. Plus, it still has one of the best intros of all time:

Furisu

I am currently watching FLCL. Really weird show with a godlike soundtrack and stunning animation. But I don't really understand what is going on. After that I plan on watching either Parasyte or Hellsing Ultimate.

Halfmetal-lich

I just finished the final episode of ReZero.

I was afraid, like many short series that it wouldn't stick the landing, but it did and is probably the best piece of Japanese animation I have watched in the last seven years. What a wonderful little story.

Nobodyman

@Furisu:

I am currently watching FLCL. Really weird show with a godlike soundtrack and stunning animation. But I don't really understand what is going on.

FLCL is definitely a show that needs to be re-watched a few times to fully understand what's going on, which is a, mercifully, relatively easy task since it's only six episodes.

Anyway, I just recently got around to buying and reading the Dragon Ball manga. Sometimes I feel it's a bit too briskly paced, but overall it's still a really fun series that holds up. And, of course, it's fun seeing the differences between the anime and manga.

KageKageKing

As much as I want to check out Hellsing Ultimate, I wanna follow the TFS abridged series without "spoilers".

Wagomu

@Furisu:

I am currently watching FLCL. Really weird show with a godlike soundtrack and stunning animation. But I don't really understand what is going on. After that I plan on watching either Parasyte or Hellsing Ultimate.

FLCL gets at least a yearly rewatch for me. It's a classic that I find less people have seen than I think, because I remember the dub being really popular. It's also one of two series that I actually have the soundtrack for, because it is so legit.

There are few anime that put music culture at the center of their experience (without overtly being about music), and of them, FLCL is the only one I've seen take on alt-rock. It's a funny feeling, since alt-rock is so common for 90s, and early 00s American television, which may be why it struck such a chord with folks out west. FLCL still stands out among them, though, for being a show that I think hits really close to the experiences that fuel the music. Between the coming of age, confusion, ennui, and all the things that seem to feel so meaningful, even when you don't know what the meaning is, and whether or not there even is one, it captures a tone that I think even stuff like the Breakfast Club only skims.

Sorry, waxing philosophical because I really love a confusing cartoon about robots and aliens.

Kdom

Is it possible to stick this thread which is a bit similar but for manga and have this one anime only ?
http://www.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=41188

HeartOfDarkness

Planning to soon watch Re:Zero, and waiting for the 3 Gatsu No Lion anime and Haikyuu season 3 to air.

Aside from that, i haven't been watching/reading anything new.

Wagomu

@Kdom:

Is it possible to stick this thread which is a bit similar but for manga and have this one anime only ?
http://www.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=41188

Ooooh, good point. I originally wanted separate ones, anyways, but not sure how that would go. This is great, though. Thanks for bringing this to my apparently limited attention! I'll get right on that.

Kdom

@Wagomu:

Ooooh, good point. I originally wanted separate ones, anyways, but not sure how that would go. This is great, though. Thanks for bringing this to my apparently limited attention! I'll get right on that.

Thanks a lot

Femme

Oooh great timing wags.

I'm rewatching Hunter x Hunter and I'm so smitten with Killua all over again. Watching Episode 34 where

! Loser contestant dude in Heavens Arena breaks his promise not to screw with Gon by forcing him to schedule his match early, then when he does, Killua pops up in his room and tells him to never show his face around again **or else.**His spunky murderous-ness is just so precious. Great, now I sound like a psychopath.

Nobodyman

@Femme:

Oooh great timing wags.

I'm rewatching Hunter x Hunter and I'm so smitten with Killua all over again. Watching Episode 34 where

! Loser contestant dude in Heavens Arena breaks his promise not to screw with Gon by forcing him to schedule his match early, then when he does, Killua pops up in his room and tells him to never show his face around again **or else.**His spunky murderous-ness is just so precious. Great, now I sound like a psychopath.

HxH seems to have a way of making its audience perfectly okay with the fact that half its cast are remorseless murderers

Purple Hermit

We're not going down this slippery slope again

Femme

Come on Purp ^_^ you've gotta admit Killua is a darling character. Couple eps ago Killua was like "Sigh. Living a clean life and not killing people is so difficult." and my reaction was like D'awww you adorable killer, you.

@Nobodyman:

HxH seems to have a way of making its audience perfectly okay with the fact that half its cast are remorseless murderers

Gosh it really does o.o but it also does an equally great job of making Other murderers super vile and repulsive in comparison. Interesting observation!

Hanz

just finished quite a few shows i've had on my hard drive…

Neon Genesis Evangelion+The End of Evangelion: weird. i really don't know what to think of it. at the surface, you'd think it's an action mecha show but when you watch it you realize it's a psychological thriller of some sort with a heavy focus on depression and antisocial behavior. both of which i can relate to, and have been suffering from.
whats even weirder is that "the end of evangelion" seems to throw everything that the show had built up and disregards all of it's messages. it's all most seems like it was made as a "fuck you" for it.

! shinj is a very shitty character in it. all the things he seemed to have learned in the last episode of the anime are entirely disregarded. he's even worse here, with him masturbating on asuka's unconscious body and trying to kill her at the end.

FLCL: i watched it for the first time, loads of fun and laughed like crazy. can't wait for the sequel.
Armitage III: okayish Si-Fi. some good action here and there, and the music opening is kickass!

Black Leg

Well I'm working my way through all of UC Gundam and I just finished up Char's counterattack just recently. Good film but boy was Quess the worst character in Gundam ever. All the traits of the usual annoying newtype crazy girl but instead of being spread throughout a 50 episode series we get all her terribleness condensed within 1 solid movie. Worse than Reccoa and Katz combined.

Also I feel like there are only 2 types of people in the world. Those that love Gundam ZZ and those that hate Gundam ZZ. Care to guess which sort of person I am…
[Hide][/Hide]

Wagomu

I started working on Revolutionary Girl Utena, mostly cause Steven Universe takes some influence from it in fighting.

I'm only two episodes in and I'm reeling at how surreal an experience it is. The shoujo character designs are a little hard to get used to for me, but the thing is stylish in a strange and feminine way. I don't really understand the character's motivations or what's happening, but maybe that gets better past ep 2. It's gripping me, though. It has this combination of cheese and imagination that has me excited to see more.

Sakonosolo

Just found a show I watched like a decade ago called Heat Guy J. Funimation has the entire series up on their Youtube channel so I started watching it.

KaizokuFan22

going to start rewatching one piece at episode 360 And starting to watch gintama.

Pachylad

attempts to set off Wagomu goat-signal

Aggressive Retsuko - A red panda who screams death metal when reaching her anger limit because why the fuck not

Ruin

I started reading Hajime no Ippo a little while ago after putting it off for so long
150 chapters in already, so you know, 1/10th. I'm definitely enjoying it. Also, my god, there was a bunch of homoerotic tension with Miyata but the series just goes from zero to full-on gay at breakneck pace once Sendou arrives. I honestly expected him and Ippo to just start making out with how much they were crushing on each other. It's great, tbh.

Also also, the Saeki fight is probably one of the best uses of negative space I've seen in a manga for some time and this shit was in the 90s. Good stuff. Hopefully, I don't hit the fatigue too hard, but I'm well aware that Ippo is a long runner.

I also checked out the dub of the anime and I have to say, it's messy but there's a certain heart into it that endears me to it. It's got some really snappy dialogue and solid casting. No one really sounds their age, but that's more or less true to the japanese version too.

sggupta

@Hanz:

whats even weirder is that "the end of evangelion" seems to throw everything that the show had built up and disregards all of it's messages. it's all most seems like it was made as a "fuck you" for it.

not really.the fuck you imo was the last 2 episodes which completely disregarded the actual plot.i mean,yeah the show mainly is a deconstruction but that doesn't mean you just ignore the basis of the show.i really thought that the movie was a proper conclusion to all the themes and messages of the series before.

! i thought the end of evangelion,while controversial as an ending by many people,followed the themes.generally speaking,i don't know how people expected a cheery and completely happy ending.shinji did change,but in his own way and not just automatically becoming a normal person

! shinji is a very shitty character in it. all the things he seemed to have learned in the last episode of the anime are entirely disregarded. he's even worse here, with him masturbating on asuka's unconscious body and trying to kill her at the end.

! the stuff he does at the beginning is fucked up,and is supposed to represent that he is at his lowest.but i really don't think he was trying to kill her.it's open to interpretations,of course but considering the ending parts and dialogue,this makes zero sense.my take(and there can be many) on it is that when Shinji experienced the singular consciousness or whatever you call it,that there is no happiness in such a thing.he realised that unless there is anyone else,your existence is not real.so he basically realised that unless you are able to feel pain,or loneliness or love,you can't really exist.you need others to validate your existence.
but the only way he could interact with others is through hurting them.so,after coming to a real world from a place where you can't hurt others or be hurt(and conversely,can't accept or love others or be loved),so he hurts her to feel real again.
tl;dr i wrote some not that great analysis but he most probably wasn't trying to kill her.

currently,i am watching katanagatari and am around halfway through.it's good,but personally isn't as good as i was hoping.

Hanz

watched samurai champloo and it was amazing. from it's animation to it's soundtrack and the story, all of it was pure awesomeness.
i heard it was made by the same guy who made cowboy bebop and it really shows. the episodic structure, the social commentary, and the backstory that is revealed bit by bit as the series progresses, all things that cowboy bebop had.
the soundtrack was the best i've ever heard in any anime, it's all hip hop beats with a calm relaxing jazzy sound, the opening was the best song in it.
it was an amazing series, ill definitely rewatch it some time.

@sggupta:

! so he hurts her to feel real again.

i guess thats likely, considering that he

! backed down when she woke up.

Wagomu

@Hanz:

watched samurai champloo and it was amazing. from it's animation to it's soundtrack and the story, all of it was pure awesomeness.
i heard it was made by the same guy who made cowboy bebop and it really shows. the episodic structure, the social commentary, and the backstory that is revealed bit by bit as the series progresses, all things that cowboy bebop had.
the soundtrack was the best i've ever heard in any anime, it's all hip hop beats with a calm relaxing jazzy sound, the opening was the best song in it.
it was an amazing series, ill definitely rewatch it some time.

Yeah, Watanabe's great, and the soundtrack is great. All the artists on it are awesome, and I'd recommend checking out their other work!

Did you watch dub or sub? Because they're both really good experiences.

Hanz

the sub. i don't like english dubs very much, but if it's as good cowboy bebop's then maybe i'll rewatch it in it.

Wagomu

Yeah, some folks even call the dub better than the sub. Plus, it's got Steven Blum (dub Spike Spiegel) back as Mugen, and he does a killer job.

Wagomu

I just finished my second rewatch of FMA:B yesterday. I'm still so impressed by the emotional impact it has on me.

I think the series has a lot of flaws. The first episode is a weaker place to start than in Liore, the beginning is rushed, and a lot of the directing of the comedic scenes clashes with the more serious ones. There's also a few character arcs that I could complain about, and some lines and character beats get repeated to death throughout.

Even so, the way it really culminates in its darker moments, and especially in the whole finale just floor me every time. I think it's that Arakawa's thoughts and feelings come through them almost nakedly at times. Like with the ends of the homunculi, there's a certain fragility there that makes me cry even when these horrible monsters are being killed. Some of the final moments regarding main characters, both sad and happy, make me tear up a lot, too.

I get emotional over a lot of shows to some extent or another, but I don't think I've found any other media that could make me outright cry like some of those moments. Like messy tears falling kind of crying. FMA:B is the kind of show that makes me want to do better as a human being, and appreciate all the things that I have.

If there are any of you left who haven't given it a shot, I'd wholeheartedly recommend it.

KageKageKing

Since we are next to Halloween, I finished watching the entirely of Hellsing Ultimate.

Zar

So lately I've been stressed by studies (and I guess I'm bit homesick) and I'm looking for something to help me relax. Do you know any shows with these characteristics?

The overall mood is positive
But the show is not above drama and sad moments
Has heartwarming moments; the kind that makes you cry and smile at the same time.
Character-oriented

Doesn't matter how old or new it is, if its famous, length, etc. Something that makes you feel at home and makes you care for the cast like a family. One Piece is a good example. And for non-animated shows, Star Trek.

Or alternatively something similar to Tim Burton's movies or Laika's productions. That halloweeny feeling.

Wagomu

@Zar:

So lately I've been stressed by studies (and I guess I'm bit homesick) and I'm looking for something to help me relax. Do you know any shows with these characteristics?

The overall mood is positive

But the show is not above drama and sad moments

Has heartwarming moments; the kind that makes you cry and smile at the same time.

Character-oriented

Doesn't matter how old or new it is, if its famous, length, etc. Something that makes you feel at home and makes you care for the cast like a family. One Piece is a good example. And for non-animated shows, Star Trek.

Or alternatively something similar to Tim Burton's movies or Laika's productions. That halloweeny feeling.

I have no clue what you've seen, so:

My biased recommendation is Tatami Galaxy. It doesn't exactly suit all of your needs, since it's much more comedy than drama, but it's pretty character-driven and, though it has a bit of a slow start, it's really cleverly-written, and has an immensely satisfying ending, that I think covers your third point pretty nicely.

A few that you're more likely to have seen, but if not then here:

Mushishi came immediately to mind. It isn't really character-oriented, or incredibly upbeat, but it is definitely relaxing. It essentially follows a spirit doctor, who deals with these primordial spirits called Mushi. The tone is sort of sort of somber, but not necessarily downbeat. Some people are helped, some can't be helped It has a really calm, yet engaging pace, though, that's good to unwind to.

FLCL is pretty classic, and mostly an over-the-top comedy, but at its core, there's a good coming of age story, helped by its alt-rock soundtrack that can be pretty frantic, or mellow, when it needs to.

Tokyo Godfathers is a movie, and it's a Christmas story about a trio of homeless people who find a baby and journey to return it to its home. It's a really good character-driven story that I think hits everything you're looking for.

Zar

@Wagomu:

I have no clue what you've seen, so:

My biased recommendation is Tatami Galaxy. It doesn't exactly suit all of your needs, since it's much more comedy than drama, but it's pretty character-driven and, though it has a bit of a slow start, it's really cleverly-written, and has an immensely satisfying ending, that I think covers your third point pretty nicely.

A few that you're more likely to have seen, but if not then here:

Mushishi came immediately to mind. It isn't really character-oriented, or incredibly upbeat, but it is definitely relaxing. It essentially follows a spirit doctor, who deals with these primordial spirits called Mushi. The tone is sort of sort of somber, but not necessarily downbeat. Some people are helped, some can't be helped It has a really calm, yet engaging pace, though, that's good to unwind to.

FLCL is pretty classic, and mostly an over-the-top comedy, but at its core, there's a good coming of age story, helped by its alt-rock soundtrack that can be pretty frantic, or mellow, when it needs to.

Tokyo Godfathers is a movie, and it's a Christmas story about a trio of homeless people who find a baby and journey to return it to its home. It's a really good character-driven story that I think hits everything you're looking for.

I was going to say I haven't seen a lot of anime, and then it turns out I saw half of them (FLCL & Tokyo Godfathers) But thank you! And in my case it's actually better if it's leans more towards comedy than drama, so it sounds like Tatami Galaxy is the one for me. I know I've been interested in that one before (the intro and outro are very memorable).

And if anyone comes up with more examples, I'm happy to hear them. The more the merrier!

madriano

Hanasaku Iroha@Zar:

I was going to say I haven't seen a lot of anime, and then it turns out I saw half of them (FLCL & Tokyo Godfathers) But thank you! And in my case it's actually better if it's leans more towards comedy than drama, so it sounds like Tatami Galaxy is the one for me. I know I've been interested in that one before (the intro and outro are very memorable).

And if anyone comes up with more examples, I'm happy to hear them. The more the merrier!

I think this one fits pretty well what you asked in the earlier post, Hanasaku Iroha. I found it while hitting the random button on crunchryroll, it's a SoL and I've come to like pretty much all characters. I don't want to put your hopes up to high, but I reaaaaly liked it xD

Neaeran

@Zar:

….

If you don't mind an anime that runs a bit longer i can heartly recommend Uchuu Kyoudai. It definitely fits the points you want exactly.
It's kind of a Slice-of-Life/Comedy-anime that is very realistic, doesn't have many typical anime-tropes and has great characters that really grow on you.

Zar

@madriano:

Hanasaku Iroha

I think this one fits pretty well what you asked in the earlier post, Hanasaku Iroha. I found it while hitting the random button on crunchryroll, it's a SoL and I've come to like pretty much all characters. I don't want to put your hopes up to high, but I reaaaaly liked it xD

It sounds so cute! I like that its using a very simple setting too.

@Neaeran:

If you don't mind an anime that runs a bit longer i can heartly recommend Uchuu Kyoudai. It definitely fits the points you want exactly.
It's kind of a Slice-of-Life/Comedy-anime that is very realistic, doesn't have many typical anime-tropes and has great characters that really grow on you.

Watched the intro, I have NO idea whats going on. Guess I have to watch to find out!

hosemisnuba

I just finished watching the ReLife anime. I liked it a lot for its entertainment value, but it didn't offer the greatest material in terms of actual substance; it hit me on a primal level, I must admit (Rem is bestest of best girls and the intense gore appealed to my sensationalist desires), but far too many things bothered me about it to put it on a pedestal (specifically Subaru's inconsistent development and the poor utilization of series namesake plot device). Despite all of that, I do suggest giving it a go. Its very fun as long as you don't think about too much.

The Tenth Strawhat

I just got finished watching Cowboy Bebop for the first time and I gotta say, no wonder most people love it. From the characters, to the overall tone, to the music, it's all great. It felt like an experience than just simply watching. You could even have your own interpretation of an episode, even the ending of the series. I never hear anyone say that Jet was their favorite (it's mostly Spike), but he was mine (along with Edward).

It's a short series, only 26 episodes, but it's well worth watching.

CaptainAppleJack

@hosemisnuba:

I just finished watching the ReLife anime. I liked it a lot for its entertainment value, but it didn't offer the greatest material in terms of actual substance; it hit me on a primal level, I must admit (Rem is bestest of best girls and the intense gore appealed to my sensationalist desires), but far too many things bothered me about it to put it on a pedestal (specifically Subaru's inconsistent development and the poor utilization of series namesake plot device). Despite all of that, I do suggest giving it a go. Its very fun as long as you don't think about too much.

You watched Re:Zero, ReLife is in fact a different anime. xD

Cyclone_Baroness

@CaptainAppleJack:

You watched Re:Zero, ReLife is in fact a different anime. xD

Lmao. I had watched Relife before and The Tenth Strawhat's commentary made me think I had missed some episodes.

hosemisnuba

@CaptainAppleJack:

You watched Re:Zero, ReLife is in fact a different anime. xD

This may come of as silly, but I thought they were synonymous. Google dashed that notion pretty quickly.

BellisarioFaith

Recently started watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, together with some pals here on AP on their recommendation. I have to say, I'm liking it a lot! My second favorite out of my various animanga series (which, admittedly, isn't many) after One Piece at this point.

I particularly like the female characters in the series. One of the few issues I occasionally have with One Piece is the way it sometimes portrays its female characters, but I can't really think of a woman in FMAB who's badly written. Winry, Riza, Izumi, Olivier…it's hard to figure out who's my favorite. And of course, the male characters are super cool. Both the leads are great, as are Roy, Hughes, Armstrong, Ling...guess I just really like the characters in general a lot. It's an interesting, engaging storyline, and after the ridiculously slow pace that the OP anime has had lately, the actually-good pacing of FMAB has been such a fresh change. Overall, really really solid series so far (and I have no reason to think that will change). Definitely a keeper. :happy:

Cyclone_Baroness

I started to rewatch Log Horizon ontop of my usual weekly line up. It's definitely my favorite in the "trapped in an mmorpg" genre type of series. I like how they try to handle the issues like food and what dying actually means in a world where you can't actually die. Also it took into account the NPCs which I hadn't seen addressed before. It makes it feel like a really solid setting.

The romance placed within it also feels more organic and I never felt annoyed when it appeared. I actually rooted for the characters involved when it appeared.

And the combat and strategies made me miss playing an mmo like WoW. It really just all felt right. I'm so annoyed it kinda had an open end. But I have no idea if the manga is even ongoing lol.

Cyclone_Baroness

Not sure where to post this.

But Crunchyroll's poll results for anime in 2016 are in. Yuri on Ice and Mob cleaned up.

http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-976961/crunchyroll-presents-anime-awards-2016?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=video&utm_keyword=results-fb&utm_campaign=anime_of_the_year&referrer=anime_of_the_year_twitter

The Tenth Strawhat

Currently watching through Naruto for my first time and I just recently finished the first series (not without skipping loads of filler) and am at Episode 4 of Shippuden. I'm definitely enjoying it even though ninjas aren't my thing (I blame pirates). I like how the battles center around strategy and conserving Chakra. You can't afford to use more than you have to (unless you REALLY have to) or you'll tire yourself faster making you open to a possibly sure-killing attack, and all the different types of Jutsus are pretty freaking awesome.

Most of the main cast of characters, some of them being Rock Lee, Choji, Shikamaru, Asuma, Kakashi, Perv Sage Jiraiya and more are already my favorites. Plus, since I heard the series ended, I can skip all the filler I want and see Nardo's kid, Burrito, without having to wait for long, pointless filler arcs to finish, yay!

Nobodyman

@The:

and am at Episode 4 of Shippuden. I'm definitely enjoying it

Don't expect it to last

KageKageKing

@The:

Most of the main cast of characters, some of them being Rock Lee, Choji, Shikamaru, Asuma, Kakashi, Perv Sage Jiraiya and more are already my favorites.

The Tenth Strawhat

@KageKageKing:

I don't get it. :l

MrBits

@The:

I don't get it. :l

A frequent criticism of later Naruto is that many of it's initially interesting side characters don't do enough and feel wasted. Many (but not all) of the characters you listed are like that.

The Tenth Strawhat

@MrBits:

A frequent criticism of later Naruto is that many of it's initially interesting side characters don't do enough and feel wasted. Many (but not all) of the characters you listed are like that.

Wait, so you mean to tell me Naruto's gonna turn into DBZ where most of the side characters end up as underutilized caricatures of themselves? Well, that fractured my heart a bit…

Ruin

i watched Space Patrol Luluco
it was very nothing. a resounding meh. the only episode i really cared for the Sex & Violence w/ Machspeed crossover, because wow was I not expecting that

other than that i mostly just want to rewatch Panty & Stocking now

sgamer82

Today I came across something on Crunchyroll, a series called Alice & Zoroku.

Thumbnail had an old man and little blonde girl. I thought "little kid and crotchety old man", looks slice of lifey. Scene 1 is a stormy night outside a pharmaceutical company, girl is staggering and supernatural powers are getting thrown around.

I quickly realized this was not what I signed up for, but I was on board nonetheless.

First episode, at least, is 45 minutes long. One thing I liked is that the old man, Zoroku, was not in the least intimidated by kids flinging around superpowers. Also the way the first episode plays out suggests a nice twist of dynamics, since Zoroku takes it upon himself to take in the girl, Sana, and keep her out of trouble.