The new, official, stand-alone anime thread!

[Guest CED Ordonez]

Good stuff to know about the Kenshin series. And thumbs up for the Lupin avatar RickyChosyu.

[Guest Kagato Otaku]

Excel Saga is one of my favorite series right now, just because of the total insanity of everything that happens. A lot of the jokes I didn't notice or understand until the DVD release, and I only saw the first four episodes before then anyways. Course, the dub ruined part of episodes 2 and 3...

 

More fair to say the dub loses a little something in the translation than "ruins". Garbled Engrish is one of the innate charms of this show, so dubbing it into said language is gonna hurt. Parts of Episode 13 and especially 17 may not come across very well at all.

 

And not even the weirdness of Excel Saga can match the sheer insanity of its bastard child, Puni Puni Poemi, which is just friggin' NUTS. Which is what happens when you give Nabeshin free reign to do his very own OVA.

 

I <heart> both these series a lot.

[Guest pochorenella]

Welcome back, Kagato. Hope you stay around for a while.

 

The Samurai X OVA series is a different story. You see, the events covered in the OVA are played upon heavilly in Season 2 and Season 3

 

Ricky is right. It would be wise for you to check out the OVAs before you see Seasons 2 or 3 of Kenshin. But if I may be so bold, I would suggest you rent those DVDs instead of buying them (unless you're a really really huge Kenshin fan) because they go for like, 40 minutes or something each, so it's very little meat for what they're charging.

 

Still, definitely worth checking them out.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

I would agree. The OVA's are definitely a must, and they allow you to understand Kenshin's character a lot more clearly after seeing what he's gone through. I would also recommend renting them, if you can.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

Time for me to pop back into this thread again...

 

Hey, on the end of Records of Lodoss War when Parn was the main character, Ashram tosses himself into Shooting Star's lava grave because he lost to King Kasheu(sp?). Okay, all's well that ends well, except for when they skip 10 years and focus on Spark. Ashram is seemingly back from the dead, which puzzles the fuck out of me.

 

Anybody know what the fuck happened? I've watched the entire series like 8 or 9 times(not in a row, mind you) and I just now picked up on this. I don't recall there ever being an explanation for Ashram's reemergence at all.

[Guest El Psycho Diablo]

*spoiler space*

 

 

 

 

I haven't seen Lodoss in a while, so I'm rusty on the names.

 

It's revealed later that the sorcerer in Ashram's party saved him, and had his powers stripped from him by Wagnard.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

Ahhhhh.... okay then.

 

Mucho gracias, EPD. I was about to rip my hair out because I couldn't remember anything surrounding his coming back at all.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

AlwaysPissedOff: I was wondering what the hell that was about too. Just so you know, the OVA for Lodoss War is the one that everyone pimps to high heaven, as the animation is better and the characters are less one dimensional. I have yet to see it, unfortunately....

 

To jet completely off topic once again, has anyone see Ah! My Goddess!? I just saw the first episode, and I'm digging it so far. I've heard nothing but good things about the movie, too.

[Guest pochorenella]

I've seen some episodes and I find it quite enjoyable, too. I must be a sucker for those cheese-type romance angles or something (almost like Saber Marionette J). The Goddess's sister (forget her name) I find really funny for whatever reason. The movie I've never seen, though.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

AlwaysPissedOff: I was wondering what the hell that was about too. Just so you know, the OVA for Lodoss War is the one that everyone pimps to high heaven, as the animation is better and the characters are less one dimensional. I have yet to see it, unfortunately....

I've seen it, Ricky. Odd thing about it is that it's like a condensed version of the Parn portion of the TV show and the Spark portion, only that they basically use the characters from the Parn episodes as it's reveals all of Parn's past like his meeting Deedlit, Kasheu, and Slain(sp?). I loved what they did with the Grey Witch part, too as I didn't expect to ever see her in the OVA at all.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

AlwaysPissed: Sounds very intriguing. I've been saving for the box set for a while now, actually. I really liked the style of the TV series. I've heard that Orson and Shiris are in the OVA too, which kind of confuses me, since the TV series treated them as brand new characters. Is this true?

 

pochorenella: I've watched some more of it, and Skuld is probably who you're thinking of. There are three Goddesses total, Urd being the third one. Great stuff.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

AlwaysPissed: Sounds very intriguing. I've been saving for the box set for a while now, actually. I really liked the style of the TV series. I've heard that Orson and Shiris are in the OVA too, which kind of confuses me, since the TV series treated them as brand new characters. Is this true?

To be honets, it's been a while since I've rented it, but I think if they DID appear, it was just a real minor role because I can't remember ever seeing them at all in the OVA. I might go rent it again tomorrow and get back to ya on that.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

I just heard it mentioned as an aside in a review of the TV series. It could have been just a small appearance type deal.

 

In other news, has anyone ever seen Crest of the Stars, or Hellsing? I just saw the first DVD of each series, and I have to say I think they're both awesome, albiet in totally different ways.

[Guest El Psycho Diablo]

Lodoss War Spoilers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The TV and OVA are treated as different timelines/universes/whatever.

 

Up to Ep 6 of the OVA, (where the dwarf dies) I believe it remains the same. From there, it splits.

[Guest CED Ordonez]

Could you give me some info about Hellsing, Chosyu? I see a bunch of copies at my local Best Buy and keep wondering what it's about.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Could you give me some info about Hellsing, Chosyu? I see a bunch of copies at my local Best Buy and keep wondering what it's about.

Hellsing is a Vampire anime, and not the "gothic angsty" kind that you find in many from the genre, too. The strongest Vamp working for the Hellsing organization, Alucard (Dracula spelled backwards, get it?) is a full-blown Vampire with all the abilities that you would come to expect. He regenerates, turns into bats, the whole nine yards.

 

The main storyline revolves around an organization called Hellsing that hunts the undead and is funded by the Protestant church (quite a lot of Blasphemy's if that kind of thing offends you) and runs out of England. Alucard is a total anti-hero and even though he's inately evil as they come, you grow to like him. It also revolves around a girl (forget her actual name, but they call her Kitten) who joins Hellsing as a human but becomes a Vampire after nearly dying; Alucard bites her so that she may change into a Vampire and live. It follows her struggles as a Vampire, too, as she's really hisitent to accept it and just really confused.

 

If you like that sort of thing at all, it's deffinately worth your time. Be warned, though, it's got, lots of blood, lots of sacriligious stuff and some really disturbing imagery. But then again, if you just look at the box art, it's pretty obvious that the show isn't exactly kids fair. Really good stuff, though.

[Guest pochorenella]

Hey, Ricky, I would like to ask the Anime fans on the board their opinion on which is the greatest fight/battle they've ever seen on a show/movie. Should I start a new thread or do we keep it on this one? I'm asking you since you're the boss here!

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Well, you're free to do whatever you want, but, just out of curiousity, would it be only pertaining to anime, or live action movies as well?

 

If it's anime only, I don't really see a problem with either one. It's a great topic, by the way.

[Guest pochorenella]

Anime only fights. So since I'm such a Dragon Ball mark, here's my vote:

 

Gokuh vs. Piccollo Daiumahu Jr. from Dragonball.

 

Not to be confused with young Gokuh vs. Piccollo Sr. early on the same series. Anyway, this is really a battle for the ages. An epic struggle between two of the greatest warriors in the universe, before they even got anywhere near to the god-like powers each ended up having later on DBZ or DBGT. And what a way to end the original series. As much as I love DBZ (the fight against Vegeta was a very close second for me) this one came out on top. Anybody who's watched it knows what I'm talking about.

 

Special mentions for me go to the above mentioned Gokuh vs. Vegeta, Gokuh vs. Freeza, the Cell Tournament (damn, they had great slugfests on DBZ, didn't they?), Ninja Scroll (sorry, forgot the names of the guys), and Pegasus vs. the Olimpian Pantheon from Saint Seiya (maybe few people have seen this one.)

 

Ok, people, let's see how far this one goes.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

I gotta say the Goku/Vegeta battle. It was the one thing that got me into DBZ in the first place. The emotion was just off the charts as I thought Goku was dead meat once Vegeta transformed.

 

There are a bunch of other fights, but I can't remind them at all right now.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Goku Vs. Vegeta was good, especially with Goku putting himself at risk more and more with the Kayo Ken technique. Addes a lot suspense.

 

I hate the Freeza battle. I'm sorry, but it's just waaayyy too damn long, much like the show. I mean, seriously, after the third transformation I just stopped carring.

 

Anyway, mine would have to be Himurai Kenshin Vs. Hajime Saito from Rurouni Kenshin. Completely amazing fight with incredible anymation a slow build that saw Himurai transform slowly in the savage Batosai until he became an outright monster. The way he continued to avoid the Gatotsu and find ways to attack was really amazing. Great example of the really smart fighting scenes that come up in Kenshin.

 

Runner up goes to Spike Vs. Mad Pierrot from Bebop. The freaky imagery with the theme park, the disturbing visciousness of Pierrot and the vulnerability in Spike durring his countless brushes with death, all wonderfull. Disturbingly terrific.

[Guest CED Ordonez]

Spike vs Pierrot was a darn good battle. It really made me wonder how Spike was going to survive that ordeal.

 

Anywho, sorry to get off topic but, somebody please tell me what the hell is up with the ending of Kite? I just finished watching it and the very last scene with Oburi before the end credits made my jaw drop with a major "WTF?" expression. It was a late night viewing so I must've missed something.

 

EDIT: And remember to post spoiler warnings for those who haven't seen it.

[Guest pochorenella]

Anyway, mine would have to be Himurai Kenshin Vs. Hajime Saito from Rurouni Kenshin. Completely amazing fight with incredible anymation a slow build that saw Himurai transform slowly in the savage Batosai until he became an outright monster. The way he continued to avoid the Gatotsu and find ways to attack was really amazing. Great example of the really smart fighting scenes that come up in Kenshin.

 

Runner up goes to Spike Vs. Mad Pierrot from Bebop. The freaky imagery with the theme park, the disturbing visciousness of Pierrot and the vulnerability in Spike durring his countless brushes with death, all wonderfull. Disturbingly terrific

 

The Kenshin battle is indeed very good. You could see it in his eyes that he was slowly turning into Batosai. And was it here that he punches himself in the face to get back to normal? Anyway, I really love how they describe all those sword fighting/martial arts techniques.

 

Regarding the Cowboy Bebop fight you mention, yes it was creepy and the ambientation and imagery was effective, but the way it ends!?!? What the f...?? I don't want to spoil it here but you know what I mean, Ricky.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

And was it here that he punches himself in the face to get back to normal?

 

That would be the one. Just awesome how they find increasingly sick ways to hurt each other. Kenshin's use of his sheeth is particularly awesome.

 

Regarding the Cowboy Bebop fight you mention, yes it was creepy and the ambientation and imagery was effective, but the way it ends!?!? What the f...??

 

*SPOILERS*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, it is quite wierd, but it fits right in with the battle entirely. The idea was that children's innosense can make them horrible and that's exactly what Pierrot was, except he was also a trained a perfect killing machine. When he goes to pieces after being hit with the knife, you see that he is, quite clearly, a child; he doesn't have any idea how trully cruel and vicious he has become. Just really freaky and really surreal at the same time.

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

Regarding the Cowboy Bebop fight you mention, yes it was creepy and the ambientation and imagery was effective, but the way it ends!?!? What the f...??

 

*SPOILERS*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, it is quite wierd, but it fits right in with the battle entirely. The idea was that children's innosense can make them horrible and that's exactly what Pierrot was, except he was also a trained a perfect killing machine. When he goes to pieces after being hit with the knife, you see that he is, quite clearly, a child; he doesn't have any idea how trully cruel and vicious he has become. Just really freaky and really surreal at the same time.

My mind is blank about that fight and I know I've seen every Bebop episode...

 

 

 

*MILD SPOILER FOR THE UNINITIATED*

 

 

 

 

That isn't the one with the kid who'd been alive for thousands of years, right? You know, the kid who saw that gigantic flash of light and Spike had to shoot him with a specially coated bullet to kill him? Or is that fight the one with that crazy looking bastard where in the previews for the that episode there was that maniacal laughing the entire time?

[Guest NoCash]

It's the fat dude with the crazy laugh.

 

Seen some Kenshin fans out there. Anyone else drooling for the released of the new OVAs? I went to Otakon about a month ago and it looked really awesome.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

AlwaysPissedOff: You're thinking of Sympathy for the Devil. The episode I'm referring to is Pierrot Le Fou, which, as NoCash pointed out, is about a fat guy with a crazy laugh. Him and Spike have quite a surreal fight through a Theme Park at the end. Quite unlike any other Bebop episode I've seen, just because it's so damn deranged and freaky.

 

NoCash: Are you refering to the OVA's that take place after the series ends? I've read some reviews, and they sound like a pretty mixed bag. Whatever, it's Kenshin, so I'll give it a try. That's an awesome avatar, by the way.

[Guest NoCash]

Heh heh, thanks. I honestly plan on getting an Aku Soku Zan tattoo one day.

 

Yeah, I heard the manga version of it is better, but it IS Kenshin... and anyway it should be better than a good chunk of the 3rd season.

 

Lupin III is awesome too by the way.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

You have to get the Tatoo done in Kanji, though. It just wouldn't be right done otherwise.

 

Ugh...I never even finished the 3rd Season. I so wish it had just ended after 2. Does Inishi even appear in the series at all? I've heard he's manga only.

 

And yes, Lupin III is the God of all things good and pure. Spike owes his entire fashion statement to Lupin. Yes he does.

[Guest NoCash]

The problem with the 3rd season is that it didnt follow the manga. I wouldnt even consider it a true season of the Kenshin universe (The Christian Arc wasnt bad, but everyone ive seen thus far could have been better).

 

The manga (I forget what arc it was at) wasnt done yet by the time the 3rd season was set to go, so the writers of the anime had to improv something. Its a shame.

 

The 3rd ep of Bebop had a nice homage to Lupin, with Spike dressed just like him and Jet as Jigen.

 

And of course ill be getted inked in Kanji. Just gotta find someone who can pull it off. Oh and money.