What Anime are you watching now?

[LiquidShu]

Thanks for the replies, dropping Charlotte before it's to late. 

Started Gakkougurashi! Watching it is entertaining enough, but it makes me really want to watch something more serious more than anything. Might start up Ergo Proxy.

[Scars Unseen]

Just finished Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, and.... hmm...  On the one hand, I like the premise as well as the overall story.  On the other hand, the pacing is weird, and it just kind of cuts off.  In other words, a typical LN adaptation.

I think I may follow LiquidShu's lead and go with Ergo Proxy next.

[Eclipsed]

Up to Ep. 5 Rakudai

Just keeps getting better and better, Ep. 3 was actually pretty tense for a fodder-villain-of-the-week episode given how them baddies were about to execute women & children along with their little Stella strip ultimatum (thank you, fodder villains, for that btw )

Ep 4 was just AWESOME, yes yes there was that one battle b/w Ikki and Kirihara and it got pretty grim for a bit before Stella cheerleader-no-jutsu'd Ikki to victory, but nevermind that, Ikki x Stella is official!!!!!@$#%$&^& HUZZAH

Spoiler

Some might say falling in love/confession within 4 episodes is too fast, but eh, it should've been evident from episode 1 that these two have waaay better chemistry then many other ships out there  

Episode 5 was such a tease. I legit got frustrated as hell at their lovely 2 weeks (20 minutes) of relationship stagnation but it's all worth in the end when they finally miscommunication-explode on each other and blurt out in unison their desire to officially kiss
 

[LiquidShu]

OK, I'm now on episode 11 of GakkouGurashi!. I take back the comment about wanting something more serious after watching a few episodes of this.

Spoiler

Holy fucking shit stick, episode 10 man, episode 10. Holy fucking shit stick. This show is freakin' awesome, this had to be the best episode by far. I felt fear, sadness, anxiety, curiosity, but no happiness, at all. I legitimately felt scared this episode. The music was fucking creepy, Kurumi was in such despair that I felt it, and Megu-nee writing while having blood drip down her mouth, HOLY SHIT. Not to mention Taroumaru... man I loved him. Holy fucking shit stick.

 

[Eclipsed]

^Kurumi-chan salutes you, fine soldier

 


~~
Finished the Sword Eater arc for Rakudai Kishi no Calvary. This is where I stop all the hype & enthusiasm spam train and just say "it was good"; Ayatsuji's story with the swordsmanship & her pride was aight, and Kurashiki was a cool enough villain. Didn't expect that it would go on for 3 episodes though.

Hope the last 4 episodes can WOW me like the first 4 did

~~

e: yup, they delivered. Damn, it's been a while since I felt this good finishing an anime. Really, they just did everything RIGHT. And uhhh it's 2AM for me so good nite

 

[Fred the Barber]

Now that the special edition physical release is out, it's finally time to watch season 2 of Love Live!, but when I started it up I was horribly confused because 1) it was dubbed, and 2) I couldn't remember all the characters clearly and instantly. So I decided to go back and re-watch season 1 first, to refresh memories and recall whether I should be watching it subbed or dubbed (the answer is subbed, by the way, because I don't think there even was a dub of season 1, and changing character voices partway through is obviously not allowed).

[Scars Unseen]

Watching Texhnolyze as part of a Rewatch on /r/anime.  2 episodes in.  Bleak as hell.

[Ceris]

19 hours ago, Fred the Barber said:

Now that the special edition physical release is out, it's finally time to watch season 2 of Love Live!, but when I started it up I was horribly confused because 1) it was dubbed, and 2) I couldn't remember all the characters clearly and instantly. So I decided to go back and re-watch season 1 first, to refresh memories and recall whether I should be watching it subbed or dubbed (the answer is subbed, by the way, because I don't think there even was a dub of season 1, and changing character voices partway through is obviously not allowed).

I was not aware there was a dub to S2, S1's dub just came out a couple months ago afaik, since it did not come with the original EN release. 

I'm a bit biased because I generally hate dubs, but to me, there's no sense in watching an idol anime with English dub, when they sing in Japanese.

[Fred the Barber]

2 hours ago, Ceris said:

I was not aware there was a dub to S2, S1's dub just came out a couple months ago afaik, since it did not come with the original EN release. 

I'm a bit biased because I generally hate dubs, but to me, there's no sense in watching an idol anime with English dub, when they sing in Japanese.

I generally like dubs - even though I read fast, with subtitles I still have a tendency to spend a lot of time looking at the subtitle text rather than the animation (I don't know why - I'll catch myself reading the same text multiple times... and I can't seem to break the habit). Anime English dub quality is pretty consistently good for the last few years, as well. I think the anime fandom has something of a bias against dubs mostly because there were so many terrible dubs a decade back that fans have a tendency to not even try newer ones, and then older fans indoctrinate that bias into new ones who wouldn't know any better by using the "I hate dubs" line.

Now, don't get me wrong - it's not hard to run afoul of a bad dub, especially if you're watching something a little older, so I empathize with the desire to just avoid that problem entirely by never watching dubs. And your point about the singing being in Japanese makes a lot of sense. For what it's worth, this angle did bother me a little bit at times when I was watching K-On!, but ultimately it must not have made much of a difference since I'm still crazy about that show.

In this case, all that said, I'm definitely going to watch the sub, but really just because I'm used to the Japanese character voices from season 1 and changing mid-stream is just weird. Also, Kotori's voice is so cute it should be classified as a deadly weapon.

[LiquidShu]

Was looking through my backlog for my next show and picked Fate/Stay Night. Made it through the first half of ep.0 and will finish it tonight then ep.1 right after. The artwork and animation is gorgeous, the art and what not in Zero was good but I don't remember it being this good.

Already love Tousaka 

[ittaku]

In response to this thread:

 where people were raving about Shinsekai Yori, I felt obliged to watch this through.

I can see why people were raving about it since the production quality and execution is very good. However I think there's a tendency to overrate shows (in my opinion) that are dark, horrific, nasty, unpleasant, shocking, disturbing... etc. but that just doesn't resonate with me. This show started out dark and just remained dark throughout the whole thing. There wasn't much in the way of emotional journey besides remaining dark from start to end and, I hate to say it, but it was mostly predictable, right up to the conclusion, even if the writing and execution was very good 8/10. Still rates well overall though, but not in my top 5. I certainly wouldn't want to sit through it again.

[Templarseeker]

Watching Black Bullet at the moment. The action is kinda nice and entertaining, also it got lolis on it! 

[Fred the Barber]

8 hours ago, ittaku said:

In response to this thread:

 where people were raving about Shinsekai Yori, I felt obliged to watch this through.

I can see why people were raving about it since the production quality and execution is very good. However I think there's a tendency to overrate shows (in my opinion) that are dark, horrific, nasty, unpleasant, shocking, disturbing... etc. but that just doesn't resonate with me. This show started out dark and just remained dark throughout the whole thing. There wasn't much in the way of emotional journey besides remaining dark from start to end and, I hate to say it, but it was mostly predictable, right up to the conclusion, even if the writing and execution was very good 8/10. Still rates well overall though, but not in my top 5. I certainly wouldn't want to sit through it again.

I've picked up and put down Shinsekai Yori twice now, the last time at about 10 episodes through. Like you said, the production values and the execution are excellent, and that's why I go back to it (and still want to go back to it again and finish, or at least make some progress), but the dark tone makes me have a lot of trouble keeping with it. I get easily distracted by anything a little bit brighter - clearly my mind's way of telling me that it doesn't want to be watching the show. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

[Abyssal Monkey]

5 hours ago, Fred the Barber said:

I've picked up and put down Shinsekai Yori twice now, the last time at about 10 episodes through. Like you said, the production values and the execution are excellent, and that's why I go back to it (and still want to go back to it again and finish, or at least make some progress), but the dark tone makes me have a lot of trouble keeping with it. I get easily distracted by anything a little bit brighter - clearly my mind's way of telling me that it doesn't want to be watching the show. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

The execution and plot do it for me.  It fully felt like the show thought every last detail through from start to finish, which makes sense because it was a book, but it also didn't compromise on the rest of the values as well.  That dark perspective actually comes from what I believe was HG Well's The Time Machine if I'm not mistaken(it was some notable work of that era), from which Shin Sekai Yori novel was almost a rehash of.

[ittaku]

58 minutes ago, Abyssal Monkey said:

The execution and plot do it for me.  It fully felt like the show thought every last detail through from start to finish, which makes sense because it was a book, but it also didn't compromise on the rest of the values as well.  That dark perspective actually comes from what I believe was HG Well's The Time Machine if I'm not mistaken(it was some notable work of that era), from which Shin Sekai Yori novel was almost a rehash of.

I'm not disagreeing with you at all on that. As a journey it was very well executed. My problem is... it's not the sort of journey I enjoy.

[Nosebleed]

9 minutes ago, ittaku said:

I'm not disagreeing with you at all on that. As a journey it was very well executed. My problem is... it's not the sort of journey I enjoy.

But in a way, isn't it like real life? *insert mind blown gif*

To be honest I loved the message of Shinsekai Yori even more than it's execution. It certainly is a dark tale, but the themes are so well explored that i couldn't help but be mesmerized by the end. You watch these characters grow in a sheltered environment snd then break out of their shell, discovering humanity's ugly side, and then that ending that's so bittersweet and twisted. It kinda felt like everything the show did was perfect for the message they wanted to deliver and that's probably why I loved it so much.

If you want to try another show with a similar "humanity is shit" kind of vibe, I recommend Ima soko ni iru, boku. 

Be warned though, it's basically a depression fest through and through.  The show has a very clear message, and it's all about whether or not you can stomach through it. I personally really enjoyed it and cried a few times.

[ittaku]

4 minutes ago, Nosebleed said:

If you want to try another show with a similar "humanity is shit" kind of vibe, I recommend Ima soko ni iru, boku. 

Be warned though, it's basically a depression fest through and through.  The show has a very clear message, and it's all about whether or not you can stomach through it. I personally really enjoyed it and cried a few times.

That's precisely what I don't want to experience, so thanks for the warning. Real life is bad enough, and I'm too old to experience what amounts to aggravated teenage angst all over again as though it's bringing me some kind of enlightenment any more (I felt different 30 years ago). Anime is where I go to escape these days, not to remind me of what I hate about the real world.

[Dergonu]

Just started watching Tantei Opera Milky Holmes. It's been on my list for quite a while, and I was like ... Meh, why the hell not. It seems cute

Watched 3 episodes and it's pretty decent. Funny and cute is a good way to describe it so far.

(Not gonna lie, the reason it got on my list was because of the 10 hour Kokoro, kokoro! song on youtube )

[Nosebleed]

3 minutes ago, Dergonu said:

Just started watching Tantei Opera Milky Holmes. It's been on my list for quite a while, and I was like ... Meh, why the hell not. It seems cute

Watched 3 episodes and it's pretty decent. Funny and cute is a good way to describe it so far.

(Not gonna lie, the reason it got on my list was because of the 10 hour Kokoro, kokoro! song on youtube )

Milky Holmes is memes. Just remember to not expect the characters to... well... be intelligent.

The first 2 seasons will be the most enjoyable. Season 3 sucked pretty bad. Season 4 kinda recovered from the blow a bit.

[Fred the Barber]

Finished Nisekoi. The last episode was amazing, but the lack of resolution is still annoying. I have no desire to get embroiled further in the ongoing story, so I'll hold out at least until the manga is finished, and hopefully they'll make a season 3 at that time to wrap it all up.

It's weird, though. I usually really like shows that end, satisfyingly, conclusively, tying up the knots. Don't get me wrong: there's a certain artistry to an open ending, and when it's done well it is actually the most interesting kind of ending for me, vs. a neat, complete ending. However, standard otaku content is usually not at a level that can pull that off; Haibane Renmei, in anime, and Rewrite, in VNs, are the only exceptions that come immediately to mind, but if you look in literature you can find plenty of examples. This story couldn't pull it off, but nonetheless it's got me so emotionally invested in both Chitoge and Kosaki that I don't really want to see an ending, because then one of them has to lose (or the ending has to be open, and therefore annoying; or worse, harem).

Or, wait, one more option: I think it's going to have to be a dramatic sudden death for one of the main three players. It's the only way I'll enjoy the ending. Sorry, Raku, but the plot just won't allow you to live.

[Nosebleed]

16 minutes ago, Fred the Barber said:

Finished Nisekoi. The last episode was amazing, but the lack of resolution is still annoying. I have no desire to get embroiled further in the ongoing story, so I'll hold out at least until the manga is finished, and hopefully they'll make a season 3 at that time to wrap it all up.

It's weird, though. I usually really like shows that end, satisfyingly, conclusively, tying up the knots. Don't get me wrong: there's a certain artistry to an open ending, and when it's done well it is actually the most interesting kind of ending for me, vs. a neat, complete ending. However, standard otaku content is usually not at a level that can pull that off; Haibane Renmei, in anime, and Rewrite, in VNs, are the only exceptions that come immediately to mind, but if you look in literature you can find plenty of examples. This story couldn't pull it off, but nonetheless it's got me so emotionally invested in both Chitoge and Kosaki that I don't really want to see an ending, because then one of them has to lose (or the ending has to be open, and therefore annoying; or worse, harem).

Or, wait, one more option: I think it's going to have to be a dramatic sudden death for one of the main three players. It's the only way I'll enjoy the ending. Sorry, Raku, but the plot just won't allow you to live.

Sadly season 2 of the anime leaves out everything that was good about the plot. There was a whole arc dedicated to the locket and how it functions and it gave you a ton of hints on what's to come and what you should expect.

Instead the anime was pandering so much to Chitoge fans that there was no room for anything else. Haru's arc, one of the BEST in all of Nisekoi was completely overlooked and skipped over in season 2, just to give you the bullshit open ending with Chitoge. Haru, in the manga, is the perfect compromise between Chitoge's tsundere personality and Onodera's bashfulness, and reading her arcs brought me utmost joy. Watching the anime though, all I got was disappointment and more disappointment.

Make no mistake, Chitoge will undoubtedly win in the end, and the recent manga chapters are a clear indication of that, but at least in the manga all characters had their fair share of arcs whereas in the anime it was all about Gorilla-ge after season 1, and it was a damn shame to witness.

I fear season 3 won't touch upon all the important stuff season 2 skipped over and Nisekoi will turn into a mess of filler episodes that make little to no sense.

Nisekoi is a series that grabs your attention in a very peculiar way. Hate it or love it, most people end up sticking with it just to see who will win, but right now the anime is clearly biased towards Chitoge and I fear that will impact Nisekoi's perception in the future.

Well, I may just be salty because my favorite Nisekoi girl already got rejected, but I think it's pretty common sense among fans that the 2nd anime season was a huge disservice to the series overall.

If you're expecting some really crazy twist in the resolution though, I'm afraid to inform you Nisekoi did things in a pretty generic way: rejected girls one by one, giving each of them about 2 chapters of closure.

[ittaku]

Doesn't matter for as an anime, Nisekoi standalone is still a very enjoyable experience for those of us who don't want to invest in the manga. Like FTB I'll wait till an inevitable 3rd season comes out to wrap things up, so long as it does wrap things up and there are enough spoilers scattered all over the freaking place on this forum to see that it is wrapping things up. You know who I'm looking at...

[Fred the Barber]

1 hour ago, Nosebleed said:

Sadly season 2 of the anime leaves out everything that was good about the plot. There was a whole arc dedicated to the locket and how it functions and it gave you a ton of hints on what's to come and what you should expect.

Instead the anime was pandering so much to Chitoge fans that there was no room for anything else. Haru's arc, one of the BEST in all of Nisekoi was completely overlooked and skipped over in season 2, just to give you the bullshit open ending with Chitoge. Haru, in the manga, is the perfect compromise between Chitoge's tsundere personality and Onodera's bashfulness, and reading her arcs brought me utmost joy. Watching the anime though, all I got was disappointment and more disappointment.

Make no mistake, Chitoge will undoubtedly win in the end, and the recent manga chapters are a clear indication of that, but at least in the manga all characters had their fair share of arcs whereas in the anime it was all about Gorilla-ge after season 1, and it was a damn shame to witness.

I fear season 3 won't touch upon all the important stuff season 2 skipped over and Nisekoi will turn into a mess of filler episodes that make little to no sense.

Nisekoi is a series that grabs your attention in a very peculiar way. Hate it or love it, most people end up sticking with it just to see who will win, but right now the anime is clearly biased towards Chitoge and I fear that will impact Nisekoi's perception in the future.

Well, I may just be salty because my favorite Nisekoi girl already got rejected, but I think it's pretty common sense among fans that the 2nd anime season was a huge disservice to the series overall.

If you're expecting some really crazy twist in the resolution though, I'm afraid to inform you Nisekoi did things in a pretty generic way: rejected girls one by one, giving each of them about 2 chapters of closure.

Thanks, this is an interestingly different perspective. From my perspective of just watching the anime, I find Haru more a nuisance than anything else, and Kosaki and Chitoge by far the most interesting. Kosaki has the lead most of the time, but Chitoge takes a slight edge near the end. You've definitely got me interested in starting fresh with the manga, so maybe I'll do that once it's all released. But, I really do love the Shaft treatment it's getting in the anime. While I've actually never read a manga before (back off, I've got enough otaku hobbies already; I don't need more), but I can't imagine it would be remotely near this visually appealing.

11 minutes ago, ittaku said:

FTB

I haven't been called that since college...

[ittaku]

Just now, Fred the Barber said:

I haven't been called that since college...

I got lazy

[Fred the Barber]

Just now, ittaku said:

I got lazy

I didn't dislike it.