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What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga)
What have you been watching and reading this week? You don't need to give us a whole essay if you don't want to, but please write something! Feel free to talk about something you saw that was cool, something that was bad, ask for recommendations, or anything else you can think of.
If you want to, feel free to find the thing you're talking about and link to its pages on Anilist, MAL, or any other database you use!
Edit: Adding shows I've watched before
Death parade
Jujutsu kaisen
I was never particularly interested in anime as a genre, because in high school such an interest would immediately have a teen labeled as "other/reject" and I was already fighting for my life. So I missed out on all of 'the good stuff'.
Years ago, after trying to understand a woman I had a crush on, I immediately started getting into Studio Ghibli, so I watched Spirited Away. Gateway drug. I watched Demon Slayer, Soul Eater, Chainsaw man. All good. Contact was lost and I found I was missing my lifeline to 'the good stuff'.
Just this past week I got to enjoy Dungeon Food (which inspired me to try cooking new foods) and Mary and the Witch's Flower. Both excellent. So I suppose, with those films/shows in mind, what would be the recommendations of the resident anime-enjoyers here. (I'm hobbling through One Piece at the moment, and I've found it to be more… expert/enthusiast material. I'm not there yet.)
You never truly miss out on the good stuff, it's just stuff you haven't seen yet! I do look forward to your experience and how you grow as a fan.
I may disappoint you, then. I generally stay away from online discussions surrounding anime because from my current experiences, the conversations tend to dip into stuff like, 'which waifu is the hottest' (spoiler alert: every 'waifu' mentioned is canonically 12-years old); or 'X character could beat
Y character, and if you disagree I will call you a slur and threaten violence.'
I know these types are a minority, but they are the net that catches the most fresh fish. Fingers-crossed that Tildes is different because so far the platform has been exceedingly kind (and has allowed me to be brave enough to say I enjoy some animes without fear of targeted hate).
I do appreciate your comment, though! It has allowed me to let out a few more feet of rope as I wander into the 'Cave of Anime'.
Edit: typo
I too am jaded by the kind of shit I read online on other websites' comment sections. But thankfully Tildes seems to have a much kinder and more welcoming environment, as you noted. I used to post a lot on Reddit, but then over the years just started commenting less and less for the same reasons you described. Used to dread receiving notifications there, thinking 'oh crap what now'. Now on Tildes I actually enjoy getting a notification that someone responded to a comment of mine, because I know that it's almost definitely a positive comment or at the very least a constructive one, even if someone disagrees with something I said.
All this is to say that I hope you continue to post your anime journey on here, as I think you'll find more recommendations and positive encouragement rather than the sorts of stuff you'd see basically everywhere else.
Dandadan is airing this season and it's absurdly good.
I looked briefly into the plot on Wikipedia and it feels like X-Files meets Ghosthunters. It's definitely going onto the list.
That... Is pretty accurate.
But this show is off the walls crazy so when someone asks what genre it's in, the following answer is usually just "yes".
If you end up liking the animation style, check out the other Science Saru and Massaki Yuasa productions. In particular, check out Devilman Crybaby and perhaps Japan Sinks 2020. Once you get deep into the weeb territory, try Tatami Galaxy and the film sequel Night is Short, Walk on Girl.
Feel like that it the reverse order. Devilman Crybaby seems less accessible up front than The Tatami Galaxy. It also has way more baggage, and thus requires more insight on the industry, because it's a remake of something that is both very old and very influential.
Tatami Galaxy requires a rather extensive knowledge of Japanese culture to understand. The title alone requires you to understand what a tatami is and what it relates to. The style also makes it extremely easy to get lost if you don’t understand some of the culture related ideas it brings up because they talk extremely quickly.
Devilman crybaby is a remake, and thus it is designed to be enjoyable for people who are not familiar with the original. If anything, it is the most accessible means of getting into Devilman. While it does take place in Japan, it’s not terribly steeped in Japanese customs (partly thanks to the main character being part of a Christian household with a non-Japanese parent).
I've only seen around 60 shows, but I'm gonna try and think of what I consider "the good stuff." No spoilers, just compressing text to save space:
Mushishi
For Ghibli vibes, I'm gonna recommend Mushishi. One of a few shows I'll call a masterpiece. The pacing is slow and deliberate, and unlike a lot of slower shows, not a single frame is wasted. There isn't a single action sequence in it, so if you're looking for something exciting, it might not be the best fit.
Ghost in the Shell
For something more exciting and just as much a masterpiece, Ghost in the Shell. It changed the way I rate shows, because I can't rate something 10/10 if it doesn't stand up to GITS. The watch order might be intimidating because there are movies and TV shows that are unrelated to each other, but I recommend putting Standalone Complex as high on your watch list as possible.
Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate is a bit less heavy on the talking, though the show doesn't really "start" until you're 13 episodes in. Not that the first half of the show is bad, but it feels like it isn't really going anywhere until suddenly it's very clear that it's going somewhere.
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is your dad's favorite anime. Action, hot chicks, sci-fi, jazz. If you're into anything in this show, it's easy to tune out whatever you're not there for.
Fullmetal Alchemist
As far as shounen goes, Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most famous anime for a reason. The 2003 anime was an attempt at adapting the manga, but when they caught up to the manga, they decided to continue the show in its own direction. I really like where the 2003 anime went with the story, but the 2009 adaptation is much more faithful to the source material. Either way, both shows are good, highly recommend either or both.
Gurren Lagann
By all rights, I should hate Gurren Lagann; I don't often like shounen, I don't like excessive sexualization, I don't like shows where things just happen without explanation, but there's something about this show that brings out the kid in me. The only show where a character can scream the name of the super move they're doing and I'm shouting along with them. I'm a complete sucker for stories about the indomitable human spirit.
From the New World
Last recommendation, a show that merits much discussion: From the New World. It's the show that I've spent the most time thinking and talking about. What is a human? What makes someone human? Is it in their DNA? Their culture? Their appearance? I was still realizing more about the show and revising my opinions months after finishing it.
I look forward to you diving into the medium. I've been watching anime on and off since I was a kid, though I've watched less full series than I would have if I hadn't of got into manga. Reading it was faster and when I started getting more into it I would think "I'd rather read 700 chapters of One Piece then watch 500 episodes of the show to catch up".
Tildes is great, I wouldn't post my somewhat regular watching of a 43 year old anime if it wasn't for the chill and welcoming community.
I'd like to give a few recommendations of my personal favorites, I hope you find them interesting or consider giving them a watch. If not there's tons of great anime out there to enjoy
I saw Starman do this so I'll join in. No spoilers below for any of these, just space saving.
Cromartie High School
A comedy series involving a "straight edge" student ending up at a highschool full of juvenile delinquents. Incredibly absurd and surreal humor. The manga is also great if you ever want to go that route and most chapters are very short.
Samurai Champloo
Where Cowboy Bebop has the "jazz cowboys in space" thing going for it this has more of a "hip-hop samurai in Edo period Japan" feel. The soundtrack is great and Nujabes who did many of the tracks went on to influence a lot of the lofi beats that are so popular
Record of Lodoss War
It's essentially the anime form of a table top RPG campaign that was played in the 80s. It's not too long and found it enjoyable. One of my friends favorites and I hope to rewatch it with him at some point
Code Geass
It's got mechs, political intrigue, revenge. Hard to really describe this series. I had a day without glasses and no homework and asked my roommates for a recommendation. They gave me this and I ended up watching the first 20 episodes straight only stopping to get lunch and go to the bathroom.
Trigun
Follow Vash the Stampede, the man with a 60 billion double dollar bounty on his head. Named "The Humanoid Typhoon", just what kind of man is he? With no spoilers he's not what you expect. I'm a big fan of this show and still need to sit down and finish reading the manga.
Baki the Grappler
Do you like cool fights and the plot not making a whole ton of sense? Great cause this has cool fights and the plot not making a whole lot of sense.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
This has gained a lot of traction over the years. It's hard to describe the series as a whole. I will give one piece of advice, if you look online and think it's interesting, the first arc isn't as insane and exciting as the later ones.
My friends and I would binge watch the seasons together and I actually haven't finished the latest one because I've moved across the world. When I'm back in the states I'm hoping to get the guys together for a weekend to go through it together.
My slow watch through of Taiyou no Kiba Dagram continues! I've watched through episode 38 so far. We've finally crossed the half way long of the series. 37 more episodes until we find out how this all wraps up. Here's to hoping I can get a consistent one episode a week, but my wife is out of town so I might get a handful of episodes in while she's gone when my kids are asleep.
This episode involved more politics and discussion than conflict. Crinn's brother in law, who is running the Earth Federation military contingent for the continent they are currently on, meets with the main group and asks them to work with him to find a way to resolve things. This is rejected as being too late and while his intentions are good he does not represent the rest of Earth and their intentions.
There was mentioned that the Earth Federation has finally finished developing a new generation of mechs, these ones being more maneuverable and "x nebula" proof (atmospheric conditions caused by the system Deloyer is in). They were still taken care of in short order by Crinn but the stakes were raised as his friends weren't able to provide their usual support and he struggled more during this fight.
I hadn't mentioned it in my prior post but the art can fluctuate a bit throughout the show, and in a few episodes Crinn is drawn incredibly ripped. I'm not sure why I find it funny, but the small inconsistencies add to the charm of the show and give me that extra bit of nostalgia for cell drawn animation.
I'm looking forward to more in this series. I did hear in a no spoilers review of the show that there is a mini arc in the show that is 3 episodes just discussing a trade embargo and grain prices. I'm not sure why that makes me want to watch this show but I'm here for it and I hope you all will continue to join me.
This week I binged on Wistoria. It's amazing. It takes this premise that is so incredibly overplayed in anime (the weakest / most hated guy is actually the strongest guy!) and does just about everything it can to make it feel fresh again.
I really loved the art. Particularly I appreciate how incredibly varied Will looks, with many variations on how he's wearing his clothes and accessories. The framing is also constantly immaculate, and it does little tricks with positioning that if you look carefully you will see aren't actually in continuity with where the characters are standing, but it makes a big effect in how the scene affects you. A lot of the details are rough at times and places - the CGI backgrounds look pretty terrible in motion but they use them in conjunction with the 2D animation so well that it creates an indescribable synergy. At times it reminds me of some of the action scenes in the Wachowskis' Speed Racer film. The sakuga! My god, the sakuga! The kineticism in the animation of fights (which happen in every episode) is astounding!
But the thing that I think makes it all the more impressive is how low-key excellent the storywriting is. Sure, the characters are not terribly fleshed out, but the worldbuilding is immaculate. The show is constantly hinting at machinations of a world that does not work entirely like anything you've ever seen before, but outside of some setup at the beginning of the story, it doesn't really lore-dump on you. You're basically getting a super-concentrated injection of storytelling and worldbuilding constantly throughout the entirety of the production. I particularly liked the way the relationship between the characters build towards the end of the show and how uplifting it ends up being.
And of course all of this is backed up by an incredible soundtrack that does a great job of creating that continuously building swell.
Wistoria tends to break a lot of rules and is pretty messy at times for many reasons, but that's part of the appeal for me. It's never not interesting, and none of the 'bad' parts ever take me out of it - probably because of its breakneck pacing. Somehow it manages to do so without ever feeling like it's going too fast. Though I am a little annoyed that the intertitle screens with lore descriptions go way too fast to read. The one thing I find annoying about it is some of the names - Rosty Nowman is a really strange name and it's a little bit too on the nose that the bad part of town is called Slumtown Street.
Just watched the final episode of Uzumaki. And all I can say is, I am content with it. It's clear most of the effort went into this and the first episode. The animation was back to high levels, and while some bits were shortened and truncated, the pacing was good this time. The mountain scene in particular felt so much more creepy when animated, it really felt otherworldly.
I have mixed feelings overall though. The second and third episode were just such a drastic drop in quality, and so hectically paced. I feel like it dampened my feelings towards the finale. I lost the hype I felt from the very first episode, which saddens me because again, the finale seems good.
That said, I'm glad Uzumaki got animated. The middle two episodes were... "Mixed bag" is putting it lightly, but the first and final episodes were just terrific. I'll have to reread the actual manga sometime soon though, just to fill in the gaps the anime left.
Ergo Proxy has been on my list since before I had a list. Another one whose name has existed in my mind since I was a kid, but I never got around to watching until now. It's a little bit of Ghost in the Shell, mixed with a dash of Witch Hunter Robin, and a heaping helping of Wolf's Rain.
I love a show that makes me think while I'm watching it. I really love a show that makes me think even when I'm not watching it. I like series that question the concept of personhood, and I love ones that assert that machines can have souls.
The antitheist themes are interesting. A portrayal of "gods" that are cruel and vindictive, even more distressed by the things humans fear like mortality or lack of purpose, is fascinating.
The show is very heavy on the discussion of raison d'etre, and the effects of a lack thereof. Humans, machines, and gods alike need a reason to exist, and being forced to exist without reason drives them mad. Only those who can provide a raison d'etre to themselves can survive without some external force bestowing meaning upon them.
The end is confusing, I'm still not sure I understand the timeline of events, but I'm giving it a 9/10. It's no Ghost in the Shell, but it's up there.
I loved Ergo Proxy when I was young. But nowadays I feel it was very much a product of it's time. It's aged in a not-so-pretty way. Though I've got to say, I do still appreciate it for how gonzo it could be. Hopefully you watched it with a better translation than I did because I was very confused by how poorly some of the things come across. It took a long time for me to realize that "Reaelle" was "Re-L". I don't think I understood the things it was trying to say until I watched the series over probably the third time.
I miss Manglobe. Everything they made was pretty good.
Your Lie in April aired 10 years ago, starting from October 2014. I re-experienced parts of it through this music video (Major Spoilers!) of its 2nd ending theme, "Orange."
For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, it's one of my favorites and can't be forgotten. It's an emotional drama about a boy with very low self esteem, who falls in love with the girl full of life who has everything he lacks, and she inspires and lifts him up. Helps him rediscover his love of the piano after his trauma makes him unable to play. Many opportunities to cry throughout the 22 episodes.
I just read the first 6 chapters of LOVE-BULLET, and I'm fully on board. Really got me choking up. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.