Topic: Anime & Manga (NO SPOILERS PLEASE)

Anyone care to list off some reflective animes? Things like 5 Centimeters Per Second, Whisper Of The Heart, Only Yesterday. I feel like watching something like that, love those kind of anime (I'm sure there's a specific term for them but I can't think of what it is off the top of my head)

In other news, I found this absolutely stunning Princess Mononoke art I thought I'd share (and promptly set it as my Kindle wallpaper).

@Raylax, unfortunately, I don't think I've seen any shows like that (the only anime I've really watched, is what gets on TV, and that tends to be the action heavy stuff).

Just started reading Beach Stars, myself. It'll be my first sports themed manga (this particular one being about beach volleyball).

I saw the first two episodes of Usagi Drop. This is really adorable and a very welcomed change of pace to what I usually watch. I'll definitely finish it since it's only 11 episodes.

Finished the first volume of Beach Stars. Again, this is my first sports manga, so I can't compare it to anything else, but it's kept my attention so far (small spoilers ahead).

The star player of her school's volleyball team is dismayed when she finds out that the school has discontinued the program. After sulking for a bit, her friends take her to the beach, where she finds out about beach volleyball. Her excitement is quickly dashed however, as she is humiliated by an Olympic pro that just happened to be in the area. Now she's determined to build a team, enter a famous tournament, and get revenge (of course, getting involved in other grudge matches along the way. small spoilers end).

I'll have to warn that this is for older manga fans, as spending plenty of time on the beach, means there have been plenty of fan service-ery moments (although, there's only one quick bit of nudity so far, if that's any consolation).

@Retro_on_theGo - There've been a lot anime EDs that I've liked, but Eden of the East's has always stood out as a highpoint for me:

Just watching the 1980s uncut Astro Boy whenever I can find them legally on the Internet. Currently done at a very slow pace...

I would be watching more anime if I didn't feel so strongly against watching them illegally (admittely, I did watch Yu Yu Hakusho and Dragon Ball on YouTube, but I stopped when I realized that what I was doing was drawing away sales) and I wasn't so strapped for time.

I just started watching Soul Eater. It's pretty good!

Read it. The anime had a totally made-up ending.

yes he should totally drop the anime to read a 30+ volume manga series RIGHT NOW just because "they changed it now it sucks" logic (i.e. no logic)

Just finished volume 2 of Beach Stars.

Slower than the first volume, besides finishing up a match that had started in the first volume, there were no matches in this one. Just lots of training & building the group. Hoping volume 3 picks up a bit.

I now have the first 5 volumes of Beach Stars finished. Things have really improved these past couple volumes. The action has really kicked off (they're in a tournament), and while not gone, the fan service seems to have been somewhat toned down.

@RevolverLink EotE's ED is awesome

Just watched Sacred Star of Milos. It was pretty good, though nothing astonishing - essentially an extended episode just shy of two hours that could be slotted into the series almost anywhere you see fit. Same boat as Conqueror of Shamballa, really. Certainly a good movie, but don't expect any of the earth-shattering twists or shocks that the series pulls off, and there's little of the humour either. A little disappointing to have Mustang and Hawkeye in there but never really do anything asides serve as background scenery - would've been nice to see them get involved in the action.

I just now got what Blast of Tempest is doing wrong; the series wants to do many things when it really shouldn't.

Here's the storys plot-line; the viewer follows a detached, almost uninterested character through a story consisting of several other characters filled with their own agendas and mysteries, with the other characters possessing a broader spectrum of knowledge and talent than that of the main character. Now, you expect the series to follow the main character and ONLY the main character, with the mysteries and agendas of the other characters being unraveled to the main character as they are revealed to the viewer, right? Yeah, about that...Blast of Tempest doesn't even think of trying that approach. The show just throws every single plot, agenda, and character reveal immediately at the viewer when it wants to introduce any sort of conflict. There is no suspense or tension when the viewer knows everything.

Finished up Beach Stars (manga).

Never read a sports related manga before, so the experience was fresh. Of course, being a manga about beach volleyball, fan service was pretty common, but if you can get over that, it's a fun read.

Although, they never get to the main tournament that they're building up to. Apparently, that final tournament is covered by a sequel series, "The!! Beach Stars" (kinda pointless to make a sequel, just for the final tournament, IMO). Can't find the sequel anywhere though, except Mobile Manga, but it's the only mobile manga site that works horribly on my 3DS, so yeah, guess I'm done.

Don't know what I'm going to read next.

Toonami Saturday night!

Bleach - The last new episode before it goes into hiatus. Good episode! Another Espada down, bringing victory closer to the good guys.

Tenchi Muyo GXP - Looks like the series is finally starting to get some sort of direction, even if it is a bit (ok, a lot) silly. It's obviously not a masterpiece, but it's a fun show for a laugh or two.

Samurai 7 - Not as action packed as the last couple of episodes, but the war with the Bandits still wages on!

ThunderCats - I like the idea presented in this episode, but it seems like the whole thing was rushed (it would have been cool if Lion-O were to have to endure his loss in this episode for a few episodes, before earning "it" back). Despite the fact that it's animated by an anime studio, it's still fairly obvious that the story still has the trappings of your traditional western action cartoon (condinsing what could be neat little side story arcs, into a single episode).

Sym-Bionic Titan - A fairly interesting episode (learning about a main character's past). Their home planet has an odd civilization though (futuristic technology, with the fashion sense of the 1910's).

Eureka 7 - Another enjoyable episode. Not much to say about it really, other than it's obvious that Renton has definitely grown.

Oh, and next week sees the return of Naruto to Toonami, only this time, uncut! Was never able to watch it the last time it was on TV, so I'll be sure to give it a watch this time!

I feel bad for Renton's uncle after the ending. And yet I really don't. It's an odd character moment I have to say.

anything coming out to the west made by Production IG? Big Ghost in the Shell Fan....

I'll be giving Naruto another chance. While I would have preferred several other Toonami shows (DBZ, Gundam Wings, Tenchi Muyo, Sailor Moon, Astro Boy), it certainly is going to be good for ratings.

Started up xxxHolic the other night and I gotta say, the weirdness level is just a little too high for me. Does it get better later on? Otherwise the awesome OP and ED might be the only reason I watch it further haha

Compared to what? At worst it's pretty average weirdness by anime standards.