I've just started watching Soul Eater. I'm on the pilot episode and it's great. It's a shame that Naruto, Bleach and DragonBall get all the glory for anime here in North America.
If you're looking solely at what virtually everyone knows, that's about right. But as soon as you focus in on the anime community, Soul Eater is hugely popular and very mainstream.
Honey & Clover has been doing a fine job of entertaining me, but at the risk of sounding jaded: I'm kind of sick of how whiny main characters are in anime, especially drama (maybe it's a Japan thing - oh hello there Other M). Thinking things over in everlasting internal monologues... I like a bit of character development as much as the next person, but sometimes you should just act? The anime's been fairly clever and nicely paced about everything else but the romance though.
I'll check out Honey and Clover.
However, I'm having a hardtime finding Soul Eater fans in this part of Atlanta, GA and I don't really see much Soul Eater merchandise in stores like Hot Topic, Rue23, Books A Million and Barnes and Noble. The only store that seriously pushed Soul Eater more than Naruto was Borders. Basically, Hot Topic promotes Naruto, Sailor Moon and InuYasha.
So in what way is Soul Eater mainstream and popular here in the USA please? I'm looking for it but not finding it (x_X)
Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant? Isaiah 42:19
My Youtube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/royalusher
I've just started watching Soul Eater. I'm on the pilot episode and it's great. It's a shame that Naruto, Bleach and DragonBall get all the glory for anime here in North America.
If you're looking solely at what virtually everyone knows, that's about right. But as soon as you focus in on the anime community, Soul Eater is hugely popular and very mainstream.
Honey & Clover has been doing a fine job of entertaining me, but at the risk of sounding jaded: I'm kind of sick of how whiny main characters are in anime, especially drama (maybe it's a Japan thing - oh hello there Other M). Thinking things over in everlasting internal monologues... I like a bit of character development as much as the next person, but sometimes you should just act? The anime's been fairly clever and nicely paced about everything else but the romance though.
I'll check out Honey and Clover.
However, I'm having a hardtime finding Soul Eater fans in this part of Atlanta, GA and I don't really see much Soul Eater merchandise in stores like Hot Topic, Rue23, Books A Million and Barnes and Noble. The only store that seriously pushed Soul Eater more than Naruto was Borders. Basically, Hot Topic promotes Naruto, Sailor Moon and InuYasha.
So in what way is Soul Eater mainstream and popular here in the USA please? I'm looking for it but not finding it (x_X)
Anime is pretty niche aside from a few exceptions. Within the anime community, though, Soul Eater is well known, thanks to magazines, web advertisements, and the popularity of the studio (for the Anime) and writer/artist (Manga).
@TokyoRed: Actually, the Honey & Clover bit was just a continuation on my earlier post and not really a specific recommendation for you. Unless you like slice of life shows with a healthy bit of comedy, drama and romance? Even then there's better choices though. If you do want some recommendations, such as action anime, more than welcome to ask away. Have you seen Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann? And Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood? Things don't get much better than that, action-wise.
Are you talking about production values or storytelling?
I personally feel (despite films like Wall*E) there's more of a division in America between what is seen as for kids, and what's for adults. In Japan it blends a lot more, and all the creative adults love producing content for all ages. This is true for Nintendo as much as for anime productions (I invite you to think of one Western developer that makes games for all ages like Nintendo does.) It's partially because it's more culturally accepted over there.
If you're referring to production values alone, I'd have to disagree, although experimental animation styles definitely seem more appreciated over there. But there are plenty of quality Western animations; I personally am just not a big fan of their storytelling (not counting brilliant creative shows like Invader Zim).
Are you talking about production values or storytelling?
I personally feel (despite films like Wall*E) there's more of a division in America between what is seen as for kids, and what's for adults. In Japan it blends a lot more, and all the creative adults love producing content for all ages. This is true for Nintendo as much as for anime productions (I invite you to think of one Western developer that makes games for all ages like Nintendo does.) It's partially because it's more culturally accepted over there.
If you're referring to production values alone, I'd have to disagree, although experimental animation styles definitely seem more appreciated over there. But there are plenty of quality Western animations; I personally am just not a big fan of their storytelling (not counting brilliant creative shows like Invader Zim).
Production values. Anime just seems so polished, the art styles are amazing, the character designs, poses, all the little details, background art, etc. is all very high quality.
I must say that Samurai Jack is one of my favorite American cartoons ever, yet it was highly inspired by anime. Anime has a very large influence in the animation industry. But Samurai Jack looks like crap when compared to anime like Afro Samurai.
And again, I see a show like The Boondocks, which completely copies Japanese animation styles, and that's why I like it so much.
There are plenty of anime with lazy animation too, though, still frames (with voice-overs), animation loops etc are a lot more common than in Western cartoons. Of course anime has had its influence (and rightfully so), but modern anime itself in turn took much of its inspiration from classic Disney films (and European cartoons).
That being said, I do prefer anime over cartoons by far, and eventhough I've become a bit jaded about anime (it's hard not to when about half the new shows feature storylines which have been done to death, filled with the most terrible cliches... and panties-revealing moe girls), I still get excited about new experimental anime. Which makes Masaaki Yuasa my anime god (the guy uses creative storylines that put even Christopher Nolan to shame.)
There are plenty of anime with lazy animation too, though, still frames (with voice-overs), animation loops etc are a lot more common than in Western cartoons. Of course anime has had its influence (and rightfully so), but modern anime itself in turn took much of its inspiration from classic Disney films (and European cartoons).
That being said, I do prefer anime over cartoons by far, and eventhough I've become a bit jaded about anime (it's hard not to when about half the new shows feature storylines which have been done to death, filled with the most terrible cliches... and panties-revealing moe girls), I still get excited about new experimental anime. Which makes Masaaki Yuasa my anime god (the guy uses creative storylines that put even Christopher Nolan to shame.)
Who's the guy that created Ponyo and Spirited Away? He's been praised for his wonderful storytelling and art design.
I just started watching another newer anime called 'Jing King of Bandits: Seventh Heaven' and it is outright strange, surreal and captivating. It's unlike anything I've watched since Rod Sterling's The Twilight Zone and it's got the 1940's music to go with as well. I can't say that I don't like as it's got a strange charm sort of like Irwin Allen's Lost in Space or Adventure Time's charming surreal appeal.
Oh, and yes tealovertome, I think that Hayao Miyazaki, of Studio Ghibli is great.
Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant? Isaiah 42:19
My Youtube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/royalusher
Black Star is a bit brash and knuckleheaded like Naruto at times but his quirky, childish antics are balanced nicely by the innocent, dainty and sweet personality of Tsubaki. That new fellow, Kid Death coming up in the third episode of Soul Eater reminds me of Shadow The Hedgehog while his double girl reminds me of Triplicate Girl from Legion of Super Heroes.
All in all, Soul Eater is a great show. In fact, it is even more exciting than the manga.
I'm looking for comedies that aren't too zany and over-the-top. I know some people will read that as "comedies that aren't too funny", but I just can't handle stuff that's too crazy. So yeah, stuff like Bobobo, Pani Poni Dash, Excel Saga, Nichijou, etc. that has me saying 'WTF?!' all the time are out.
Stuff that I do like:
Idol Project - This is about as I can take, I think. It was weird and crazy, yet I still managed to enjoy it.
Ah! My Goddess (OVA) - I don't normally go for romantic comedies, but this one seemed pretty good, and makes me want to try more R-Cs.
Sgt. Frog - It was a little too stupid at times, but otherwise it was well within tolerance levels.
Irresponsible Captain Tylor - I'm watching it right now and it's perfect for me so far. Very clever and funny, and while it can be zany it usually stays, er, I guess classy(?).
Yeah, I'm a bit picky, but I'll be willing to give every recommendation a chance.
"Love your ego, you won't feel a thing, always number one, the pen with a bent wrist crooked king, sign away our peace, for your war, one word and it's over." ~ Deadmau5
hey, i just finished watching Claymore, and i love every minute of it. However i cant seem to find a good replacement for it now, any suggestions?
First off, read the Claymore manga. It fixes the ending.
What was it you liked about Claymore? As in what themes, elements, etc.? If it's the medievel theme and the action I can think of tons to recommend you. If it's the story and characters you'll have to get more specific.
Forums
Topic: Anime & Manga (NO SPOILERS PLEASE)
Posts 1,281 to 1,300 of 13,188
Please login or sign up to reply to this topic