Topic: Anime & Manga (NO SPOILERS PLEASE)

Yeah, you know for a long time I thought the cartoon vs. anime debate was dumb (it's still dumb) but I've started to change my mind kinda recently. And the better use of continuity is one, I love ridiculous long term continuity that works. I love animated series and animation but I don't pretend to be an expert or whatever but the best way I've seen it put, multiple times even, is that while animation is often treated as kids stuff in America and Japan, far more in Japan it's just treated more seriously and just as a way to tell stories. Seemingly every cartoon has to limit itself to a comedy series for kids or a comedy series for adults, unless it's the occasional superhero comic based series. Anime does usually limit itself for the major popular stuff but there's a lot more risks and use of different genres happening below that than cartoons seem to. Maybe I just missed those cartoons, I dunno.

I mean it's at least partially also "I like anime more nowadays just because" but still...cartoons can do so much more and often don't. Not that anime is always perfect and creative at times because there's probably more anime/manga that have tried to be DBZ than games that have tried to be Call of Duty or Halo and apparently until 2011 they were in sea of moe for a bit. But there's still a clear difference.

I think Symbionic Titan's cancellation really made me kinda not interested too much in American cartoons anymore. And Symbionic Titan, an American cartoon influenced by anime, was on American tv the same time Tiger and Bunny, a japanese anime influenced by western superheroes was and it shows at least a reasonwhy more different cartoons aren't around on tv. Symbionic Titan was made by one of the most beloved people in animated television in the past 2 decades and was highly praised and had at least decent enough ratings but didn't get a 2nd season for merchandise reasons (that was apparently a surprise to the people who knew about how most series don't get merchandise from 1 season). Tiger and Bunny is a show from an animation studio (or at least part of a studio or something) not known for great content that has a 2nd movie confirmed a year and a half after the season ended basically entirely because it is awesome (well also its brilliant use of advertising products within the series).

@kkslider - I don't have anything to add to that, really, other than I agree whole-heartedly. The limiting genres is the single most painful aspect of cartoons. I don't know why we're still doing this when we have Avatar: The Last Airbender proving that western cartoons can tell stories, and can be financially viable while doing it. It's positively sickening.

...I guess I did have something to add. :/

There's no argument to be made. People have just gotten accustomed to cartoons being nothing more than comedies because no one ever tries to go outside of that. Because of that cartoons have really been labeled hard with the whole "it's for kids" thing. It would most likely not succeed. Yeah, like you said, there's exceptions like Avatar: The Last Airbender but I don't see that sparking any flames. I'd love for there to be more cartoons that try to tell a good entertaining story. Honestly though, I'm fine with watching my animes for story and cartoons when ever I just want to laugh.

I don't really find cartoons to be funny anymore. :/

Gintama, on the other hand, is very funny.

I'll agree with you there. Every cartoon lately either has way too much unnesecary vulgarity or is trying to be something you'd see on Adult Swim but for kids. Or just plain bad.

I've never seen Gintama so I'll just take your word on that.

Yeah, outside of Avatar, I can only think of two other cartoons that actually had a (good) story to tell.

Reboot - This was on the original Toonami. It starts off episodic (like many other action cartoons), but later on it gets a coherent plot, and I really enjoyed it (at least as a kid, it's been years since I've seen it). Lots of good memories watching this & DBZ back to back.

Gargoyles - This was a 90's show, but I didn't get into it until a couple years ago (late night on Disney XD). The animation was wonderful, the story is interesting, and it could get surprisingly dark for a Disney property (always thought it would make a great addition to Kingdom Hearts).

There was also a BattleTech: The Animated Series, Redwall, Exosquad (kinda), Beast Wars (to an extent), Xyber 9: New Dawn...I want the 90's back...

Also Oban Star Racers, though that's kind of a french-produced, japanese-made anime-ish cartoon.

Oban Star Racers was really good.

Most of the good animated stories seem to be in movies nowadays though. I heard Paranorman was basically a really good horror movie except animated, which is cool.

BTW, I'm up to chapter 513 in Bleach. This is easily the most intense/bloody I've seen the series get yet. I won't spoil who, but they're actually starting to kill people off (then again, this is the final arc, so it's no huge surprise, just sad).

Just doing my part to make this a better thread.

_{For the 99% of you who don't get it, that's Char Aznable from Mobile Suit Gundam. All of his Mobile Suits were said to be three times faster than regular mobile suits. Due to his popularity (he outranks even the Main characters in popularity in all the shows he's been in), it's a semi-common meme in Japan to make anything related to him 3 times better/faster/etc. ad nauseum. even his balls are three times faster. So yeah, now that Char Aznable has graced this thread, it is now three times more awesome. Thank you, good night.}

Detective Conan has a character who pretty much exists to be Char Aznable. Like same voice actor and everything. The current arc is apparently partially just a giant gundam reference from a mystery standpoint.

I'm not kidding about any of that.

What episode does the arc start? I must watch this.

...no...

I can't do that. "Arc" in Detective Conan means "small parts in certain cases that eventually leads into an occasional big plot related case". Not to mention how little technically happens in the plot. It's more like mysteries by themselves, giving you hints towards everything that will be revealed at major points in the stories. Also, it's a japanese naming pun...thing. I'm not the biggest expert on it but at this point we have characters roaming around being mysterious named Akai Shuichi, Okiya Subaru, Masumi Sera and Tooru Amuro.

Best I can give you is to look up Detective Conan 425, near the end is Akai being awesome (though awesome is semi-limited for a fairly realistic series like Conan, but still awesome). Or look up Detective Conan 674 which is the only time so far Okiya, Sera and Amuro have been in the same area at the same time (mainly because the latter two were only introduced recently with Amuro introduced literally in the previous case).

Doh....well, the naming puns I get. That's good enough for me.

@konata lol thats kinda why i never started baka and test i heard it was too ecchi but idk i might give it a go at least later xP

yeah i know i seen this situation a few times before even in like pokemon(were story isnt much needed) but at times i feel like it could so lead to 1 or 2 more episodes just based on that scene

what about when a anime is ok but the whole plot or episode seems to go so slow that by the time the characters get to the point its the end of the episode? -.-

oh and yeah sorry im a few days late D= seems like i havent been on here much

As RR is slow...

TOONAMI UPDATE GO

Naruto - On the chat I was on during this before I got distracted, halfway through people were annoyed with the lack of strategy from Naruto. Perfect timing for the first real good strategy of this series. Thinking about it, I'm surprised at how believable it is that the 12 year old ninja stopped Zabuza from trapping Kakashi. He underestimated them and beginning of the next episode, he has no choice but to let go of the prison jutsu. He can't dodge it any other way.
Thundercats - The 3rd trial is the dumbest thing ever, but I forgive it. I'll even forgive the lack of consequences shown at the end. This show is my current best example of dumb fun action so it doesn't matter (though it does prevent the series from reaching the levels of Avatar or Symbionic Titan for me).
Samurai 7 - It's still...pretty good. Going towards a climax maybe. But, the series peaked during the village arc and I only care about a few of the characters, most of which are NOT the samurai themselves. I still demand Kiku and his little kid friend to just have a series of their own. I'd watch the hell out of that.
Symbionic Titan - Cliched "no one will listen to me until it's too late!" story but it works and the action was awesome.
Eureka 7 - I nearly forgot about the "Renton vs. racism" episode. Also, I love the contrast between his new family and the Gekko State. This is such a well done story in every way, and it hasn't even gotten to the best parts yet.

Yeah, sorry I spaced out on my Toonami update (I miss most stuff anyways, lol). Anywho:

Bleach - Repeat. Missed it.

Naruto - just caught the very end, where they just fooled whomever they're fighting.

ThunderCats - Pretty good episode, although I missed last week's episode.

Samurai 7 - Missed it.

Sym-Bionic Titan - Missed it.

Eureka 7 - Pretty hard hitting episode, emotionally wise.

Tenchi Muyo! GXP - Yeah, he (Seina) was was pretty much just running dirty errands for the perverted robot all episode...

So apparently tomorrow ShonenJumpAlpha becomes Synced with WeeklyJump in Japan. That's... actually really neat.
Anyways, I'll just leave some manga impressions here.
(I always feel awkward talking about the manga since I don't watch much anime myself, I can't seem to force myself into hunkering down and watching some)

Bleach: Well, the final arc is... err...well, it's Bleach all right. Taking it's slow time, trying to force another "twist" on us, trying to play Ichigo up as having "deeper unknown strength!". It's disappointing. Well, then again Bleach started disappointing me ever since the end of the Soul Society Invasion arc.

Naruto: I hope that the Shinobi War Arc is wrapping up (or the whole series) since it seems to be wrapping up fairly well, and right now I'm more interested than I've been for the rest of this arc. Seriously, if they keep up the momentum of the last chapter or two, and get a good conclusion this arc (or the manga itself, I dunno, it seems like it could be fitting if they just wrap up more stuff...) then I'd be a very respectable ending in my eyes.

One Piece: ...Hmm... you know, Punk Hazard's pacing is weird. It seems to be speeding up/wrapping up like the arc is ending, but it's clearly not. It's really shaken up the pacing and formula for the arcs... wait. One Piece has plenty of non formulaic arcs. Well, this one is just odd. I like it, and I think it started out great, but the way it is currently is probably lowering it on my list of favorite arcs. I'd place it lower than Thriller Bark, and MAYBE Fishman Island, cause I liked the whole 10,000 vs. 10 thing in that one.

Toriko: Anyone read Toriko? It's pretty decent. I like it. Anyway, this arc was kinda boring, but it does a whole 's*** just got real' moment and I like it. Though I probably like the series solely for it's charm, but that's okay with me.

Nura: This one just ended. I have no clue what it is, tried reading it, and it bored me too much couldn't get it to it.
Cross Manage: Some manga about lacrosse. There probably is a more descriptive term for what kind of manga it is but heck if I know. I like it though. It's amusing, and it's lighthearted, and interesting.
Nisekoi: Don't know what to call this either. I probably should look up the terms for these things. Or you guys could tell me. It's a comedy with like 1 guy and 7+ girls who are all, like, romantically interested in him. Yeah... it's... not as bad as Bleach. :3 (sometimes it's interesting, sometimes it's a chore to read.)
Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal: Hey, I um, liked 5D's. I thought it was okay. This isn't.
Blue Exorcist: I don't like it.
Ruronni Kenshin Restoration: This is like a remake, right? Well regardless, it's decent. It's got good action and interesting characters, albiet the pace isn't something I'm too fond of. But It's neat.

Now, someone who actuals knows what they're talking about, rip me apart for any and all ignorance.

@TysonOfTime Nisekoi is refered to as a Harem. Hm, nice to meet someone else who didn't enjoy his first impressions of Blue Exorcist. I liked the anime more from what I've seen but it still doesn't grab me.

The Final Arc has me the most excited I've been about Bleach since the Soul Society Invasion Arc, personally.

I don't know how far you're into it, but I just finished up 512, and so far, it feels like it's going to be long enough to be worthwile, while not dragging on (something new seems to be revealed, or something new happens, every couple of chapters, so it feels fresh).

I still don't understand how the Quincy are able to steal (and then actually use) Bankai, and I'm still wondering where the Quincy have been hiding all this time (prior to their reveal), but I'm sure that'll be revealed soon enough. I also can't wait until they finally reveal the history of Ichigo's dad (why he, a captain level Shinigami, left Soul Society, & why no one in Soul Society seems to know he exists. You'd think they'd know something is up with Ichigo when he first arrived in Soul Society during the Invasion arc, sharing the same family name & abilities as someone who was obviously high ranked in their organization at one time).

Whatever the case, this arc is better than that crappy Fullbring Arc...