The Anime Thread

[Agelastus]

Unlike all the other Key-based shows I'm actually considering hunting down and watching Little Busters if I have the time; now I know the key conceit behind the show it's actually interesting me.

[Monoriu]

Unlike all the other Key-based shows I'm actually considering hunting down and watching Little Busters if I have the time; now I know the key conceit behind the show it's actually interesting me.

This is probably one of those shows where it is more interesting to know the main secret before watching the show.  Looking back, I didn't realise that I needed to look for the subtle hints when I watched the first 30 episodes, and missed quite a lot of things.  But I just don't have the time to rewatch 30 episodes. 

BTW, the EX route so far is very interesting, actually more interesting than the main story. 

[Monoriu]

I found this link which is pretty interesting.  Lists the anime shows by the number of internet votes they each get.  Good way to find the more popular and mainstream titles.


http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/ratings-anime.php?top50=best_bayesian

[Monoriu]

Girls und Panzer.  World of tanks, the anime.  In this world, "tankery" is a national sport for middle/high school girls, on the same level as tea preparation and swimming.  There are unspecified protection measures in place so that nobody dies. 

This is one of the best shows that I've seen, despite the unusual premise.  To fully enjoy this show, there are quite a few aspects that viewers need to overlook.  Don't ask why the sport is girls only, who pays for all the tanks, why all the schools are located on the decks of giant aircraft carriers, how come nobody dies from the battles, how come the tanks are fixed so quickly, how a school girl can load and fire an 88 gun on a Tiger tank, how come the girls know how to operate these tanks with so little training etc.  Just forget all that. 

This is actually a reasonably realistic tank and wargame show.  All the tanks shown so far are realistically drawn WWII tanks.  The highlight of the series is the actual battles.  Granted, some of the tactics used are quite whacky, but there is no magic, psychic powers or mechs involved.  The show never drifts too far from its realism roots.  Another attractive aspect is that the battles are shown in great detail.  They don't waste too much time on character interactions and development.  There are dozens of characters (because they show the correct number of crew for each tank), but only the few major ones are described in detail.  Precious screentime and budget are spent on what matters most, i.e. the battles themselves, not the chit-chat beforehand.  And there is very little fanservice.  The director challenged the animation crew to *try* to insert a panty shot without him noticing, because he won't allow any.   

[Agelastus]

Girls und Panzer is probably the most enjoyable show to come out of Japan in years. It's appeal seems to be almost universal among western anime fans; I don't see why it shouldn't appeal to non-anime fans either.

You can tell that its popular by the price of the British DVD version. And by the fact that for the first time that I can recall we're actually getting the "specials" that the Japanese include on their DVD releases - albeit as a separate, also pricy, release.

Girls und Panzer.  World of tanks, the anime.  In this world, "tankery" is a national sport for middle/high school girls, on the same level as tea preparation and swimming.

I always preferred the "Tankwondo" name used by the best of the subbing groups; "Tankery" sounds dumb to me. Almost better if they'd left the sport as "Senshado" in the English - it's not as if Kendo gets translated to "Swordery" or a western term such as "fencing" after all.

As for the background have you watched the specials? The whole schoolships thing actually goes back to Roman and Greek times in GuPs alternate world [Neil would probably love the fact that the first modern schoolship was an overgrown HMS Dreadnought!]

Don't ask me about how they actually built the current schoolships, of course.

And there is very little fanservice.  The director challenged the animation crew to *try* to insert a panty shot without him noticing, because he won't allow any.

Which is why at one point we have the most well endowed member of the student council washing down her team's tank in a bikini!

[Josquius]

There's something about it that just puts me off watching it.

Interestingly since I watched Attack on Titan it seems to have really hit the mainstream in Japan. 7-11 currently has a promotion based on it and there is another TV commercial (for what I can't remember) using it

[Lettow77]

I've got a bunch of pictures from a pilgrimage to Girls und Panzer's tiny hometown; but the more material contribution to this discussion is that the tanks are crewed by separate high school clubs, and of these, the history club is magical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHzwNNbO7h0 This basically makes my heart flutter.

[Syt]

I have only watched a bunch of episodes of G&P, but I did like their sincere parody of the clichéed high school sports team series. And it's decent panzer porn.

[Monoriu]

I've got a bunch of pictures from a pilgrimage to Girls und Panzer's tiny hometown; but the more material contribution to this discussion is that the tanks are crewed by separate high school clubs, and of these, the history club is magical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHzwNNbO7h0 This basically makes my heart flutter.

For those who don't understand the video:

Each of the tanks of the protagonists' side is crewed by a different high school club.  There is a volleyball club, history club, automobile club, internet gaming club etc.  They are celebrating, and each club needs to perform something other than their usual schtick on the stage.  The history club is pretending to perform a play, but actually they are trying to insert all sorts of historical references into their dialogue.  That's why one of the student council members considers them cheating and shut down the show.  The historical stuff that they mentioned includes all sorts of American civil war references, e.g. Robert E Lee is the best general of the war, Lincoln was assassinated in a theatre etc. 

[Monoriu]

Girls und Panzer is probably the most enjoyable show to come out of Japan in years. It's appeal seems to be almost universal among western anime fans; I don't see why it shouldn't appeal to non-anime fans either.

You can tell that its popular by the price of the British DVD version. And by the fact that for the first time that I can recall we're actually getting the "specials" that the Japanese include on their DVD releases - albeit as a separate, also pricy, release.

Girls und Panzer.  World of tanks, the anime.  In this world, "tankery" is a national sport for middle/high school girls, on the same level as tea preparation and swimming.

I always preferred the "Tankwondo" name used by the best of the subbing groups; "Tankery" sounds dumb to me. Almost better if they'd left the sport as "Senshado" in the English - it's not as if Kendo gets translated to "Swordery" or a western term such as "fencing" after all.

As for the background have you watched the specials? The whole schoolships thing actually goes back to Roman and Greek times in GuPs alternate world [Neil would probably love the fact that the first modern schoolship was an overgrown HMS Dreadnought!]

Don't ask me about how they actually built the current schoolships, of course.

And there is very little fanservice.  The director challenged the animation crew to *try* to insert a panty shot without him noticing, because he won't allow any.

Which is why at one point we have the most well endowed member of the student council washing down her team's tank in a bikini!

I have no idea about the English translation conventions.  I watched the video with Chinese subtitles 

It is a great show, but I was initially put off by the entire idea of school girls driving tanks.  I assumed it was another fanservice show.  I only admitted that I was wrong when I read the raving reviews that the show got everywhere. 

Yeah, I watched all the specials and OVAs.  Even the aircraft carriers are crewed by school girls.   

I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming OVA.  Is it going to be on the battle with the Italians?

[Monoriu]

There's something about it that just puts me off watching it.

Interestingly since I watched Attack on Titan it seems to have really hit the mainstream in Japan. 7-11 currently has a promotion based on it and there is another TV commercial (for what I can't remember) using it

When I was in Japan, I saw One Piece stuff everywhere.  I also saw Attack on Titan, Madoka Magica, Naruto and Bleach stuff, but none of them are as big as One Piece.  None of them is a match for Tony Tony Chopper 

Interestingly Levi is possibly the most popular Attack on Titan character, even though he isn't one of the big 3.  For Madoka Magica, it is Akemi Homura.  Hinata is the breakout character for Naruto, I think, and she possibly helped propel Nana Mizuki to stardom.  No idea about Bleach as I haven't watched any.

[Monoriu]

So I have watched at least one episode of all the new shows in this season.  First impressions.

Riddle Story of Devil: 8/10.  My favourite so far.  The overall tone is creepy and disturbing.  Lots of mysteries that are only slowly revealed.  The yuri (lesbian) undertones are handled quite well - nothing too explicit, yet not too subtle.  Blatent plagiarism of character traits from Madoka Magica, and almost every character appears over-the-top and insane.  Outstanding voice work by Hisako Kanemoto as Haru.

Irregular at Magic Highschool: 7/10 "Irregular" is a very poor choice of word, and probably an incorrect translation.  The main character is a dead serious, mature, icy cold and highly competent student, who is somehow sorted into the "poor performing" half of the class.  The world looks huge, with tons of characters, complicated magic rules, and a rich backstory.  The hype surrounding this show seems well-justified.  Looking forward to this one.

Brynhildr in the Darkness: 6/10 From the same author as Elfen Lied.  The story is intriguing and it looks to be sliding toward a really sad, depressing and horrific path.  Nothing substantial happened in the first two episodes.  The execution looks a little lacking as some of the scenes that should be emotional and moving seem to lack punch.  Wins the title of "most disturbing scene" so far. 

Mekaku City Actors: 4/10 Story is boring so far.  First episode only talks about an otaku with his computer programme girlfriend.  They go out to buy a replacement keyboard and somehow become hostages in a robbery.  The director has done a lot to make an uninspiring story somewhat interesting.  Art style is similar to Monogatari series.

Black Bullet: 7/10 Looks promising, with an Attack on Titan humans-under-siege-by-monsters feel.  Lots of emotional contrasts - light, comedic moments mixed with serious, graphical fights. 

Fairy Tail: 6/10 Continuation of a good shonen fight story.  Continues right from where they left off a year ago.  Didn't waste too much time on recaps and introductions.  Pace is a little slow for now.  Hope it picks up soon. 

Nisekoi: 8/10 second half of a two-cour romantic comedy.  New girl makes me laugh out loud.  The story is cliched and unimaginative, but the excution is excellent and the comedic moments work. 

[CountDeMoney]

Jesus H Christ with Big Eyes and a Little Mouth, Mono.

Even the aircraft carriers are crewed by school girls.

OK, so that sounds a little hot.  Maybe.

[CountDeMoney]

Jesus H Christ with Big Eyes and a Little Mouth, Mono.

Yeah, I Googled that.

[Monoriu]

Jesus H Christ with Big Eyes and a Little Mouth, Mono.

Even the aircraft carriers are crewed by school girls.

OK, so that sounds a little hot.  Maybe.

Not to disappoint you, but there is very little coverage of the aircraft carriers in the show proper

If you don't prefer the anime style of moe girls with big eyes, small mouths and non-existant noses, Attack on Titan, Ghost in the Shell and Legend of Galactic Heroes are probably suitable for you