Dagger

I originally came here to talk about anime (and I suppose that would put me in the minority :p). Other boards intrigued me, but their level of quality was somewhat underwhelming. Although OB is a very friendly place, its members don't hesitate to engage in interesting and occasionally heated debates. I love reading these despite the fact that I rarely take part in them myself. Had it not been for OB, I would never have discovered sparring or RPGs--which are both great ways to get rid of excess creativity. ^_~ So while I could discuss anime until Judgment Day and probably beyond, the other forums definitely have their own appeal. Being a mod gives me an extra incentive to visit regularly... not that I didn't already come here several times per day. OB has given me the opportunity to make new partners in crime and meet a number of intelligent and talented people. I want to contribute to the community in any way I can. ^_^ ~Dagger~

[quote name='Hittokiri Zero']Yagami also seems to be your typical bad_***** which is cool =P.[/quote] *grins* Yep, I can already tell I'm going to like him. I'm rather curious about the characters' ages; I assume that Gram is a teenager, if only because most mecha series revolve around adolescent males. He does seem remarkably mature (it must be pretty taxing to take care of those two kids, regardless of whether or not they're actually his siblings). The government pilots look somewhat older, especially Vestemona. I have to admit, I'm hoping that she doesn't become any kind of primary love interest.... she's just a bit too disagreeable for my tastes. [quote]Really the biggest problem I had with the series after the first episode were the opening and ending themes I don't really think they set a tone for what the first episode brought to the table :P.[/quote] I don't have any complaints about the OP. It's nice and catchy, if not particularly memorable, and the accompanying animation is well-done. However, I did think the dolphins in the ED were pretty random. ^_^; ~Dagger~

[QUOTE=Tom Bullivant]I've heard very little about Chrno Crusade. Is it related in any way to the SNES RPG game, "Chrono Trigger", because if it is, I most definitely will have to get it? Also, could I have a link to the CC subb site please? Thanks[/QUOTE] EDIT: Whoops, Hittokiri got here first. ^_^; If you PM me, I can tell you where to download Chrono Crusade. Bear in mind that OtakuBoards permits linking only when the site in question relates directly to the discussion at hand. Illegal material (and this category includes fansubs) is something which can be talked about but not openly exchanged. Chrono Crusade has absolutely nothing to do with Chrono Trigger. It is, after all, about nuns with guns. The anime and the game are unrelated in every possible sense of the word... however, an unlicensed CT OVA [i]does[/i] exist. If you're an ardent GONZO fan or like fast-paced action series, you'll probably enjoy CC. I never really got into it, but it's a very popular show. ~Dagger~

[quote name='Akiya Debisu']I really need to move to Japan...[/quote] Oh, I don't know about that. In my opinion, we foreigners are quite well off; with a decent Internet connection, you have access to incredible amounts of anime, and domestic releases usually cost far less than R2 Japanese DVDs. I guess I'll just mention a few unlicensed shows. These aren't exactly obscure... all the same, I think they satisfy your qualifications. [b]Gunslinger Girl:[/b] Thought-provoking and beautifully animated, this series should appeal to any fan of serious action anime. It relies primarily on strong character development, not slick battle sequences, but offers plenty of both. GSG's voice acting, background music and artwork are also superb. [b]Shingetsutan Tsukihime:[/b] Although Tsukihime took its storyline from an immensely popular hentai game, the twelve-episode series is admirably subtle and restrained. It features beautiful, exotic women but almost no gratuitous fanservice. While one of the main characters is a powerful vampire, she has more in common with Vampire Princess Miyu than Hellsing's Alucard. Similarly, Tsukihime focuses more on relationships, mysteries and impending tragedy than on violence. This makes it unique and extraordinarily enjoyable. ~Dagger~

[quote name='sarah3099']Would you make your anime show? what would it be about?[/quote] Have a look at [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=38196][u]this[/u][/URL] thread, babe. Its opening post is certainly no more acceptable than yours, but it has managed to generate some quality discussion. In the future, please avoid creating duplicate topics; always check the first two pages before making one of your own. More importantly, you need to focus on improving your post quality. Although one- or two-line replies [i]are[/i] sometimes acceptable, starting a successful thread requires much more thought, time and effort. I strongly urge you to review our rules and take my suggestions into consideration. ~Dagger~

The first episode of [b]Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Sekai[/b] (also known as This Ugly and Beautiful World) was released several days ago. So far, it's only been fansubbed by A-E & A-Keep, but both are such high-quality groups that I really have no reason to complain about lacking a variety of choices. Since Kono Mini is Gainax's much-heralded twentieth anniversary series, I'm sure other people are eager to start subbing it. I can't say I've developed a deep attachment to this anime, but it has more promise than I'd originally hoped. The animation is, as expected, smooth and very pretty. I didn't take well to the occasional instances of blatant fanservice--although it's something that I normally enjoy, the show would be much sweeter and perhaps more serious without it. I was fully prepared to dismiss Kono Mini as insubstantial eye candy, but the emergence of [spoiler]Hikari's alter ego[/spoiler] forced me to think twice. If she ends up being [spoiler]Kono Mini's villainness,[/spoiler] I will give Gainax a [i]lot[/i] of credit for originality. ~Dagger~

[quote name='DanteDemonSlayr']I dont like the fact that anime is so expensive. i dont wanna pay 20-30 dollars for three episodes of a show. The only reason I would pay a lot for an anime would be for the entire set.(speaking of which, does anyone know of a site to get the whole inuyasha series fairly cheap?preferably not ebay)[/quote] *laughs hysterically* Sorry, darling, but you should be [i]thankful[/i] for the fact that North American DVDs often cost less than $30. Their Japanese equivalents are astonishingly expensive (think $60+), and may contain a mere one or two episodes. I'd love to import some Japanese releases, but my budget simply isn't that flexible. It's technically impossible to purchase the entirety of Inuyasha, seeing how as the show is still running in Japan. At this point digisubs are probably your best bet (unless you're the kind of person who wouldn't mind paying for crappy bootlegs >_

This anime ended on a good note, although I don't really know what to expect from season 2. For me, episode 11 is the high point of the series. Flawlessly scripted, animated and acted, it's infused with a sense of true tragedy that makes the other girls' troubles seem somewhat trivial by comparison. Sure, I enjoy watching Yumi agonize over what to wear, but Sei's [spoiler]hidden sorrow[/spoiler] is more apt to bring tears to my eyes. Marimite has the unique distinction of being the only show I've ever seen that incorporates a well-done "title moment." The part when [spoiler]Shiori pushes Sei away, telling her that the Virgin Mary is watching, was beyond perfect.[/spoiler] I personally found it to be the most emotionally charged and heartrending confrontation in the entire anime. I was surprised to see that Shizuka figures fairly prominently in Marimite's final episode. That's hardly a bad thing, but I'd expected her to simply vanish from the series. I thought [spoiler]her date with Shimako and Yoshino's struggle to overcome her jealousy[/spoiler] were much more fascinating than [spoiler]watching Yumi shop with Sachiko.[/spoiler] *shrugs* Heh, maybe it's just me.... On a side note, have you seen Maria-sama niwa Naisho? ~Dagger~

Ah, thanks for correcting me. ^_^; I think you might enjoy this one--in any case, the first episode features some spectacular action sequences. I downloaded a.f.k.'s fansub (which is labelled "Kenran Butoh Sai"), but I'm sure some other groups will pick it up eventually. If you do decide to try out Kenran Butousai, be sure to tell me whether it compares favorably with other recent mecha series; sadly, I never did get around to seeing Gundam SEED. I guess I'll just have to wait until its North American release. Kenran could either become an average (albeit highly derivative) sort of show, or develop into something much more sophisticated and entertaining. I already like its battles, characters and laid-back sense of humor, but only time can tell about the rest. ~Dagger~

If you love mecha, you really ought to see Kenran Butousai: The Mars Daybreak. It's a fun, well-animated science-fiction series that began airing on April 4th of this year. Although Kenran is obviously influenced by shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon and Last Exile, it also offers its own unique twist--most of the mecha battles take place underwater. Although that might sound like a simple gimmick, it's actually [i]extremely[/i] cool, and I like to think that Kenran will bring some variety to the genre. Kenran Butousai was produced and animated by BONES, which explains why its mecha look strikingly similar to RahXephon's. The character designs also seem somewhat familiar, but I love them nonetheless. This show's artwork is clean, colorful and quite attractive. However, the best thing about Kenran (well, besides all those awesome fight scenes) is definitely its characters. The male lead, Gram, is practical, down-to-earth and thoroughly likeable. Unlike Shinji, he's not a whiner, and he's far more self-confident and mentally balanced than Ayato. Episode 1 follows a typical trajectory. Through no fault of his own, Gram--a seemingly ordinary teenager--ends up caught in the midst of an epic battle and must fight to save his life. Yet few similar anime, except perhaps Full Metal Panic, bother to explain why a regular boy would make such a brilliant mecha pilot. Kenran does this while hinting at mysteries yet to be revealed. Gram ends up falling in with an infamous crew of pirates (a plot twist that reminded me strongly of Last Exile). Surprisingly, they appear to be a rather friendly bunch.... unlike the government forces which oppose them. It's made clear that, at least in this case, the bad guys are the protagonists. I have high hopes for Kenran Butousai. You guys should definitely give it a shot. ^_^ ~Dagger~

[b]RahXephon[/b] has some of the best background music I've ever heard. Lush, daring and well-orchestrated, it sets just the right tone in every single scene. Cowboy Bebop was the series which originally kindled my love of jazz, but RahXephon blends that genre with classical so successfully that I can't help giving it higher praise. Incidentally, Bebop's Yoko Kanno composed the RahXephon's opening theme, "Hemisphere," a beautiful, exciting song and one of my favorite OPs. Maaya Sakomoto's gorgeous vocals lend the lyrics added meaning. Music plays a big role in this show, both literally and thematically; much of it has to do with the raw power of sound. The Dolems frequently attack by singing--rather, by producing destructive sound waves--and only certain characters are able to hear their hollow, haunting voices. Because music is so integral to RahXephon's storyline, it's the kind of anime that could easily be ruined by a poor OST. Fortunately, the opposite is true, and RahXephon's soundtrack can make the show seem nothing short of brilliant. ~Dagger~

[quote name='bobbybob942']yeah but i like moth man too i saw them both "kagome do you have that thing what thing ya know that thing ah pulls out ramen kagome boil water inuyasha sit down sitsitsit sit sit sit sit sit sit sit sit" inuyasha was twelve feet under[/quote] Honey, this is [i]totally[/i] unreadable. Posts which the mods cannot decipher will be treated as spam and promptly deleted; please private message me if you have any questions about our policies. OtakuBoards places a strong emphasis on post quality, so you will find that we enforce the rules quite strictly. Reading them may help you to improve. ~Dagger~

I like to think that Muraki (Descendants of Darkness) and Karasu (Yu Yu Hakusho) would make an excellent couple. Both are extraordinarily sadistic and have a tendency to become obsessed with pretty men. They also strive to destroy and/or kill the people whom they love most.... common goals are always important, don't you agree? Together they could have all sorts of evil fun with seemingly innocent heroes like Tsuzuki and Kurama--or, better yet, with each other. ~Dagger~

This show has an amazing amount of potential. Produced in part by PBS, it promises to be one of the most inventive and beautiful series I've ever seen. The first episode's production values are only a notch or two below what one might observe in a typical Miyazaki film. Something about the background music (which is extremely well done) gives you the sense that you're watching an epic fantasy, and Hi no Tori's OP is nothing short of captivating. To tell you the truth, I can't come up with any serious complaints--although I've noticed a couple instances of awkward dialogue. HnT may be unusually fast-paced, but I suspect that it has a lot of ground to cover. Hopefully future episodes will be more relaxed, giving the viewers time to bond with specific characters. Hi no Tori means "Firebird," or "Phoenix." Animated by Tezuka Productions (Metropolis, Astro Boy, Black Jack) and directed by Ryousuke Takahashi (Gasaraki), it manages to be completely different from the mediocre action titles which are currently so popular. Its influences range from traditional folklore to Native American culture to heaven knows what else--one character looks just like my mental image of Attila the Hun. I'll refrain from providing a summary because I have no clue where the show is heading. However, I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has an interest in Hi no Tori. ~Dagger~

In case anyone's interested, James Cameron (best known as the director of Titanic and The Terminator) has expressed interest in creating a live-action film based on the story of Battle Angel Alita. His next big movie is set to start filming sometime this year, and although he's been careful not to reveal very much about the project, there's a strong chance that it [i]could[/i] be Alita. If this is true--and not merely the stuff of Internet and magazine rumors--then we can expect Cameron's Alita to be chock-full of amazing special effects. In any event, I'm sure that he has enough talent and experience to successfully pull it off. ~Dagger~

Out of all the series I'm currently following, Yugo certainly isn't the best--that prize would go to either Paranoia Agent or Gokusen--but it [i]is[/i] very, very good. The title character, Yugo, is a professional negotiator. In episode 1, he's hired to arrange the release of a Japanese businessman who has been taken hostage by Pakistani rebels known as the Daku. Since much of the show takes place in Pakistan, its environment, backgrounds and overall atmosphere are quite different from those found in the majority of anime available today. If nothing else, Yugo makes for a fantastic change of pace. I absolutely love its character designs, which showcase the type of plain, dark artwork made popular by Serial Experiments Lain and Boogiepop Phantom. I was initially unimpressed by Yugo's animation. It seemed solid but hardly noteworthy, especially when compared to the rich detail, consistency and fluidity seen in other recent offerings (such as Paranoia Agent). However, I soon realized that this simply isn't a flashy series. When smooth, sharp movements are required to maximize the emotional impact of a particular scene, Yugo rises to the occasion. Some of the most impressive sequences take place in episode 3, which is rather unusual; in my experience, a lot of directors focus on creating visually striking first episodes in order to capture the viewers' interest. Yugo is just a more subtle type of show, and I really appreciate that. Some people may complain that its plot is far-fetched, but it's no less unrealistic than the storyline of an American show like Alias or CSI. As it features relaxed pacing, minimal action and characters with nuanced personalities, Yugo seems to be geared towards older teenagers and adults. I'd love to know what you think about this show, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys serious anime. ~Dagger~

[quote name='maikiratori]But right now I'm writing a fanfic involving Inu's Father and I need his name... I've given him the generic 'youkai' for his name until I can actually find his name but I can't find it anywhere and I've been looking for a [I]very[/I'] long time!![/quote] According to fanon, Inuyasha's father's name is Inutaisho. Of course, this can be no more reliable than the widely held belief that Kurama (from Yu Yu Hakusho) worships the fox god--or goddess, depending on your sources--called Inari. But since you're writing fanfiction, "Inutaisho" is definitely your best bet. Some people think of it as borderline canon, and using it would certainly be easier than simply making up some random name. ~Dagger~

I seriously hate this thread. >_< Listen carefully, [i]mes amis[/i]. Queen Asuka and I have edited/deleted at [i]least[/i] four or five posts in the last page alone, and it would be nice if the quality of the discussion finally started to improve. I'm sure that all of you are reasonably intelligent people, so implementing my suggestions shouldn't be too difficult. 1. Write clearly and coherently, using correct grammar and punctuation at all times. 2. Don't get off-topic. We have plenty of threads for talking about anime like Big O and Witch Hunter Robin; you [i]cannot[/i] discuss those shows here unless you plan on comparing them to Inuyasha. 3. Lastly, refrain from correcting each other's spelling, capitalization, etc. That sort of thing should be left to the mods. Feel free to PM me if you have any comments or questions. Thank you very much. ^_^ ~Dagger~

I've only watched the first episode, and I reserve my right to change my mind about this series.[/disclaimer] With that having been said.... Anime comedies rarely manage to win my heart, but Gokusen seriously kicks ***. All of its characters are quirky and likeable, from Kumiko to the music teacher to Kumai. Even though the show's unusual-looking artwork does take some getting used to, I'd never call it ugly or unappealing, especially considering that I find Shin [i]immensely[/i] attractive. In a show filled with scrappy-looking students and caricaturish adults (such as the principal and Kumiko's thugs), he definitely stands out. Because of that, and because he features so prominently in the opening credits, I'm inclined to think of Shin as Kumiko's strongest romantic option. I haven't seen enough of the show to even know about other potential suitors/victims. However, it would be nice to learn whether or not I'm totally off the mark. Either way, I guess I can't help being pre-disposed to favor him; that kind of character manages to get me every time. ^_^; Is Gokusen very much like GTO? I'm still a GTO virgin (so to speak -_-), but if the show has anything in common with Gokusen, I might want to check it out. ~Dagger~

[quote name='Dark_Magician][FONT=Arial']My limit is..... NONE you cant have a limit with anime. it unlimited[/FONT][/quote] This, dear sir, is spam. Please take a moment to read OB's [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?][u]rules[/u][/URL] (they're only one click away!). Your grammar could use a bit of work, and I'm not certain whether you understand our minimum requirements for post quality. Anyway.... your [i]desire[/i] to watch anime may indeed be unlimited, but the size of your wallet most likely isn't. Think about it. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE=shikamaru]hello every body, do this matchs to the subject.... " hey you dont know what true magic is .... "true magic is like looking to the music with your eyes" NOTE: i need somebody to help me plz! [email]shikamaru_lover@hotmail.com[/email] :rolleyes:[/QUOTE] If you're going to post quotes, the least you can do is tell us which anime they're from and which character(s) originally said them. Otherwise, this information is virtually useless. An analysis of the quote (or an explanation of why you like it) would be even better. I suggest that you read our rules before writing another reply, but I'd also be quite happy to help you out--provided that you let me know what you need assistance with. ~Dagger~

Yes, I'm in the process of downloading Anime-Keep's PMK "Special." From what I've heard, it's supposed to be extremely funny.... but I [i]am[/i] a little annoyed at them for shattering a fangirl's dreams. ;_; I believe that the spoof is, as you mentioned, a mis-translation of episode 13. I personally think episode 15 is probably the most worthy of being parodied, but A-Keep hasn't gotten to it yet (they're currently on 14). EDIT: What do you guys make of this? [quote name='Anime News Network']Although ADV will not comment on unannounced manga licenses, they have clarified that, to date, they have only announced licenses for the portions of Peace Maker Kurogane and Matantei Loki Ragnarok that were published by Mag Garden. They have not announced any license for Shinsengumi Immon Peacemaker or the first seven volumes of Matantei Loki. As for whether or not they have licensed or are pursuing the licenses to the first parts of those two series, ADV would not comment.[/quote] EDIT #2: Ahahaha, A-Keep is [i]awesome.[/i] "Suzu, I may be sexy, but I am not gay." *dies laughing* ~Dagger~

Even before its first promotion was fansubbed, [b]Monster[/b] had already attracted much interest and speculation. As the series is based on a well-known manga, I expect that it will continue to get a lot of attention. Manga fans seem to think the anime will really play with your head, and I love shows that make my brain hurt. Monster's dark, potentially disturbing plot and mature themes (the trailer mentioned something about a serial killer) also appeal to me on numerous levels. Its character designs are quite realistic and unique--some remind me vaguely of Master Keaton, but I can't come up with any other stylistically similar anime. In any case, the Monster promo is short and smoothly animated; it features detailed shading and well-done artwork. I'm definitely looking forward to this series. ~Dagger~

In my opinion, any show with more than 60 or 70 episodes is more than likely to be crap. A number of people have already complained about Dragonball Z, Inuyasha, Yu Yu Hakusho and even the uber-popular Naruto. I can't say I blame them... all of these series suffer from what I call Kenshin syndrome. Despite the fact that they're marketed as action anime, their animation is usually sub-par--or, if it starts out well, eventually begins to degrade and become frighteningly erratic. Their combat sequences tend to be very long and often involve more talking, flash-backs, and poor artwork than actual fighting. The reason I prefer Yu Yu Hakusho to other lengthy shows is that most of its battles are relatively fast-paced and rarely last more than an episode or two. During the Dark Tournament saga, many episodes contain multiple fights; others are simply devoted to comedy and character development. But even YYH is far from problem-free..... I find it ironic that these kinds of anime are generally the most popular. ~Dagger~

[quote name='Prismatic Tears']i am going up tomorrow to do a presentation oral on a style of film so i am doing it on anime its a 10 minute oral with visual presentation so i am going to use a preview of either full metal panic or Noir and i got really into its like twice its supposed length and i am going into great detail about the differences between styles of anime and what not oh its gonna be fun[/quote] Hello there. ^_^ I would be extraordinarily happy if you took a couple minutes to edit and polish your reply. It could use some commas, periods and other strategically placed marks of punctuation, and the lack of capitalization is also quite disorienting. Our rules will tell you about OB's expectations, but feel free to PM me or another moderator with any questions or concerns. ~Dagger~