Anime thread

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

Spice and Wolf is pretty good but in retrospect it's missing something. I guess the second series kind of ended on a muted note.

If you have the time, read the light novels. The show basically took two novels per season, so they've only done 4 volumes. There's several more volumes, and sadly, no plans to animate them.

[SlateSlabrock]

I'm pretty sure you should watch the Rebuild movies instead.

But that'll take another eight years.

I'm not sure I can really recommend only watching Rebuild. It may all come together by the end, but it's the Cliff's Notes version of some sort of alternate 1985 where Shinji got the Sports Almanac, and I'm not convinced yet that it can replace the original.

Budget issues?

Let me introduce you to my friend, "Violinist of Hameln"

Meme time!

In 1998, there was a show called Lost Universe. Thanks to budget problems, they tried to farm out the animation to a cheap Korean studio. Without any detailed character model notes. On a deadline. The fan response was so bad that they had to redraw the whole thing before the home video release.

The episode was titled "Yashigani Hofuru", so "yashigani" has become a Japanese fan term for episodes with horrible animation:

Click here to view video.

Click here to view video.

Here's a comparison of the TV broadcast and home video opening sequences. Note the "UNDER CONSTRUCTION" signs in some scenes.

Click here to view video.

Unfortunately, even in recent years, some studios have embraced the "no-budget TV broadcast redrawn for DVD" model for shows that have a following, or that are sexed-up enough that people will buy the DVDs:

[MalleusMy name is Mike and I do not like ponies.]

That's pretty hilarious hahaha. I wonder, was it intentional that the girl with the green hair kept going back to the right or did they just not care at all?

I've dropped Strike Witches for now because it just hasn't interested me and I've found a few better series to watch. I'm getting into NGE and I'm around episode 6 now, so I'll probably truck through that along with the movies this summer. Also started watching Kokoro Connect.

Has anybody watched To Aru Majutsu no Index? Not totally sure about the English name but I'm downloading it now because it seems like one of those shows everybody watches. You're next, Spice and Wolf.

[RagnarWhat's older? Unicorns, or stars?]

I tried the spinoff, Railgun. I got through four episodes before giving up. The action in that one is good and it's interesting how the characters use their powers, but the characters didn't grab me and the plot wasn't going anywhere. The one girl hitting on her friend nonstop was some pretty tired humor, though Railgun was still occasionally funny.

I can't comment on Index, except that I hear it at least has a plot and I know the main characters are different.

[diribigalNeither dirigible nor dirigibal.]

Nana is so sad.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

Nana is so sad.

Should check out a older, 13 episode show called "Saikano" if you're looking for sad. Amazing show, and pretty heartbreaking at times.

[diribigalNeither dirigible nor dirigibal.]

Should check out a older, 13 episode show called "Saikano" if you're looking for sad. Amazing show, and pretty heartbreaking at times.

I've seen the first episode of Saikano, but that seemed sort of contrived (and had character designs I did not like). Nana is more like "that could really happen; what an unfortunate possible turn of events", which makes it more interesting to watch, for me.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

I've seen the first episode of Saikano, but that seemed sort of contrived (and had character designs I did not like). Nana is more like "that could really happen; what an unfortunate possible turn of events", which makes it more interesting to watch, for me.

Give it a try, it's a sci-fi war show, but it's pretty real with it's characters. And you're not the first person I've seen down to the character designs, they're isnt much special about them.

[MordjaLYRA is the cool pony who likes to hang out. You can find most of the cool ponies with her. LYRA can just chill and do whatever and totally relax. "Take it easy" is the LYRA motto, for example, that's how laid back she is.]

Has anybody watched To Aru Majutsu no Index? Not totally sure about the English name but I'm downloading it now because it seems like one of those shows everybody watches. You're next, Spice and Wolf.

A Certain Magical Index is pretty trashy, but for the most part it's trashy in a fun way. It has fun fights, fun world building and some fun characters. But most importantly, it has nuns getting the shit punched out of them.

Click here to view video.

The pacing is kind of a mess though, especially the first season.

[Silk_SkFriendship is leftover KFC in the fridge. Wait no, that's happiness.]

A Certain Magical Index is pretty trashy, but for the most part it's trashy in a fun way. It has fun fights, fun world building and some fun characters. But most importantly, it has nuns getting the shit punched out of them.

Click here to view video.

The pacing is kind of a mess though, especially the first season.

I prefered To Aru Majutsu no Railgun personally. Much cooler main character and none of that magic baloney.

[SlateSlabrock]

Should check out a older, 13 episode show called "Saikano" if you're looking for sad. Amazing show, and pretty heartbreaking at times.

The worst is Now and Then, Here and There.

Because ten billion years' time is so fragile, so ephemeral...
it arouses such a bittersweet, almost heartbreaking fondness.

[diribigalNeither dirigible nor dirigibal.]

The worst is Now and Then, Here and There.

Because ten billion years' time is so fragile, so ephemeral...
it arouses such a bittersweet, almost heartbreaking fondness.

Well the worst is, and probably always will be, Grave for the Fireflies (火垂るの墓). I had little trouble rewatching Now and Then, Here and There or Voices from a Distant Star or whatever, but I can't bring myself to watch Grave for the Fireflies again. I've tried, but I just can't do it.

[MalleusMy name is Mike and I do not like ponies.]

Grave of the Fireflies is hands down the saddest movie I've ever watched. That movie just kills me inside for a good week or so after watching it. I've wanted to get around to watching some Satoshi Kon movies as I never really have before.

[Daionus The 23rd:3]

The worst is Now and Then, Here and There.

Because ten billion years' time is so fragile, so ephemeral...
it arouses such a bittersweet, almost heartbreaking fondness.

If that's actually in the show, I'm guessing it's a dark comedy, cause they did that with A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

If that's actually in the show, I'm guessing it's a dark comedy, cause they did that with A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

I think that's a warning by the fansubbers at the time. The show really is quite a downer at times. It's about a futuristic war and isn't pulling punches on the consequences of war.

[SlateSlabrock]

Stealth-quotin' this into the anime thread before the YouTube thread gets tetchy:

Back in the day, Spain made their own theme songs to animes/cartoons. Sometimes they were pretty good. This is not one of those times.

Click here to view video.

My favorite is Magic Knights Rayearth.

Here's a video of the opening in Japanese, then... I think the Mexican version. The latter starts around 1:30

Click here to view video.

There's also an English dubbed version, since the show is old enough that companies were still trying to dub theme songs. It's a way more accurate translation than the Spanish version... which means it's as nonsensical as the original.

Click here to view video.

[AzranOh dear oh dear I NEED MORE DRINKING STRAWS]

Translators destroying Japanese intro themes? No way, you must be mistaken.
When it's not the horrible lyrics, it's the horrible voice actors.

I'm not one of those who bothers watching the original Japanese version, as long as there is an English version.
I still remember when I heard the Latinamerican dub of Digimon 3. Then I went and heard the English one. At the very least, the first dub kept the original japanese songs, while the English dub just repeated the "Digimon Digital Monsters" theme over and over.

[SlateSlabrock]

Clearly, the only solution is for every anime company to hire Haim Saban to write all their theme songs from the beginning.

[Mr. BigBrush is mightier than pen.]

Clearly, the only solution is for every anime company to hire Haim Saban to write all their theme songs from the beginning.

Since you mentioned Saban, I thought I share this article about him from The New Yorker.

It's an eye-opener, needless to say.

[MalleusMy name is Mike and I do not like ponies.]

Watched the first episode of Spice and Wolf today. Holo is pretty damn adorable.

I'm probably going to read the novels after I watch the anime because I've heard they were really good, plus I've been wanting to read more light novels.

Also Dragon Ball Z has the coolest English opening ever.

Click here to view video.

[Silk_SkFriendship is leftover KFC in the fridge. Wait no, that's happiness.]

That's a classic to be sure, but this toonami intro always got me psyched. Not I wouldn't rip those video effects to pieces if this were a fanmade AMV, but few anime intros live up to good AMVs.

Click here to view video.

[Daionus The 23rd:3]

Also Dragon Ball Z has the coolest English opening ever.

I was just thinking about this today, and I briefly wondered if I was in the minority for preferring the American intro over the Japanese intro.

I think I was wrong.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

Translators destroying Japanese intro themes? No way, you must be mistaken.
When it's not the horrible lyrics, it's the horrible voice actors.

I'm not one of those who bothers watching the original Japanese version, as long as there is an English version.
I still remember when I heard the Latinamerican dub of Digimon 3. Then I went and heard the English one. At the very least, the first dub kept the original japanese songs, while the English dub just repeated the "Digimon Digital Monsters" theme over and over.

The English Kenshin opening is still creepy because they nailed the voice perfectly. The bad thing is that when that happens, you begin to realize just how silly anime lyrics are...

Click here to view video.

Then you have songs from American cartoons dubbed in Japanese...

Click here to view video.

[AzranOh dear oh dear I NEED MORE DRINKING STRAWS]

^ They really nailed the original voice. The latinamerican dub used the same images, but kept the japanese song.
I think it was Gundam Wing's Season One intro song what brought me into the "Hey, japanese intros sound good!"
I really wasn't impressed with Ruruoni Kenshin intros until Shishio's season (third one?).

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

^ They really nailed the original voice. The latinamerican dub used the same images, but kept the japanese song.
I think it was Gundam Wing's Season One intro song what brought me into the "Hey, japanese intros sound good!"
I really wasn't impressed with Ruruoni Kenshin intros until Shishio's season (third one?).

It's the same animation for the English and Japanese ones That video just used something different for the Japanese one since it's a compilation of both openings.

[Grilox]

Was the Kenshin opening not done by the same person just speaking in English?

I always assumed it was the same as the Tenchi Universe opening:

Click here to view video.

Click here to view video.

And there's another one where the songs are the same (Don't know if it's the same person or not aaa(Though the english one obviously rerecorded EVERYTHING)):

Click here to view video.

Click here to view video.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

Was the Kenshin opening not done by the same person just speaking in English?

I don't think so. if it is the same singer, she's an excellent English speaker. No hint of a Japanese accent that I can hear.


Time for some research I think.

Edit: A group called Judy and Mary sung the original. Sandy Fox sung the English version. Apparently she also did an English cover of the Rayearth opening.

Click here to view video.

Impressive voice.

[diribigalNeither dirigible nor dirigibal.]

Was the Kenshin opening not done by the same person just speaking in English?

No. For one thing, the Japanese version sounds like it was done by a native Japanese speaker and the English version sounds like it was done by a native English speaker (beaten on this). There are bilingual singers, but it's unlikely one of those would be available to do the song in both countries.

I just looked it up, and the English version was sung by Sandy Fox, who had an anime-ish voice even when she was on Whammy! and the Japanese version was made by JUDY AND MARY whose lead vocalist is Yuki Isoya.

[Grilox]

There are bilingual singers, but it's unlikely one of those would be available to do the song in both countries.

Uh, I literally have an example of someone doing the song in both languages in my post.

[diribigalNeither dirigible nor dirigibal.]

Uh, I literally have an example of someone doing the song in both languages in my post.

No, I meant in particular, a singer who is actually bilingual (there aren't many). The English version of that Tenchi opening sounds a little off (but maybe that was due to poor direction), and it's really hard to find information about the right SONIA.

[SlateSlabrock]

Was the Kenshin opening not done by the same person just speaking in English?

Tenchi Universe's opening was performed by "Sonia", and the English version was Kit Thomas.
Yuu Yuu Hakusho's opening was Masaya Onishi, and the English version was Sara White.

In the early days, most American anime companies worked under the (correct) assumption that most people didn't want to read subtitles, so everything got dubbed, including the theme songs. It's not very common now unless the show ends up on TV. English themes actually dubbed by the Japanese are rare because they tend to overestimate how much sense their pronunciation makes.

Click here to view video.

...but I finally thought of one!

Click here to view video.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

The Reviewer for S.F. Debris has posted a very amusing review of Evangelion 1.11 . Guy is mostly known for Sci Fi reviews (mostly Star Trek), but has started doing animation including Avatar, Cowboy Bebop, and even a review of the Friendship is Magic pilot. He is not familiar with the series, and decided to forgo the usual research before reviewing as the movie was made with the stated goals of being accessible to new fans. It's pretty funny. I'm impressed how much he was able to just pick up like the religious symbols being used for no reason other than their foreign and look cool.


http://sfdebris.com/videos/animation/evangelion1.asp

[PinkemonIts SO limited edition! :'D]

^Huh, that's interesting. In the original series I'm pretty sure the "Sound only" monolith images in the "Gendo talks to the other secret organisation members" scenes were eventually added instead of their floating heads cause of the budget issues. Apparently they became iconic enough for them to be used regularly for the movies.

[tdkgunghoulI'm still spinnin'!YEAH YEAHYEAH]

What, all this NGE talk and nobody posted the superior alternate version of the story?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOoUbbXiVxw

[Grilox]

The english Digimon theme is unironically awesome.

Click here to view video.

Not many people seem to think so, though.

(Possibly because the Japanese themes are also really good:

Click here to view video.

Click here to view video.

)

[AzranOh dear oh dear I NEED MORE DRINKING STRAWS]

I loved the hell out of the japanese Digimon songs. I still hum the digi-evolution songs from time to time.

Also, the "g" sound in "Digimon" is supposed to be soft when you say it in Spanish, but since the dub used the english pronunciation, I spent years using a heavy "g" sound.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

The english Digimon theme is unironically awesome.

Click here to view video.

Not many people seem to think so, though.

(Possibly because the Japanese themes are also really good:

Click here to view video.

Click here to view video.

)

Click here to view video.

[Grilox]

Click here to view video.

Click here to view video.

Why would you post an mst3k clip in the anime thread you goof!!!

This is how we do things 'round these parts:

Click here to view video.

[The DoctorTurner Of All Things Timey Wimey]

Click here to view video.

Why would you post an mst3k clip in the anime thread you goof!!!

This is how we do things 'round these parts:

Click here to view video.

Loophole!

Click here to view video.

[numsOic]

Also, the "g" sound in "Digimon" is supposed to be soft when you say it in Spanish, but since the dub used the english pronunciation, I spent years using a heavy "g" sound.

To explain, since I know what you're referring to, the phenomenon is slightly more complex than that. Typically, the terms "soft" and "hard" refer to the difference in pronunciation of the letters c and g before e/i and a/o/u, such as "ceiling" and "car", or "gel" and "gas", among Western European languages. What you're referring to is the Spanish tendency to use the /ʝ/ ("yema") phoneme when attempting to imitate the subset of /ʃ/ ("shoe"), /ʒ/ ("massage") and /dʒ/ ("John") phonemes, which is a different thing. The catch here is that "digi-" is a productive prefix in Spanish too, with its own pronunciation /ˈdixi/, so a properly naturalized pronunciation would've been /ˈdiximon/.

Since this is the anime thread, I feel I should clarify that the Spanish language does not use カタカナ.