So what's your verdict on the following shows?
Michael Lo
show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
-Pretear
-Juuni Kokki
-Princess Tutu
-Wolf's Rain
-Haibane Renmei
-Someday's Dreamer (did I get the title right?)
-and whatever other recent/fairly recent show that you're interested
in
To some degree I'm asking on behalf of another person (I sold him on
Noir, X and Little Snow Fairy Sugar). I'm also interested myself in
hearing what people have to say-after hearing some of tunes for Juuni
Kokki I'm already halfway sold. Any show which has an end theme that
sounds like a beerhall song gets a few points in my books.
GundamFan1138
wasn't that bad.
Wolf's Rain has some great animation in it as well, and the story isn't bad
at all either.
I'm also enjoying DNA Angel, E's Otherwise, Gunparade March (just finished
that, excellent series), the rerelease of Gravion, Scrapped Princess, Narue
No Sekai, Gadguard, and of course Gundam Seed.
--
Rob> -Pretear
Animeg3282
>-Pretear
Pretear is wonderful to me. It is a 13 episode magical girl show which means
that it gets to the point. Watch Himeno(the main chracter)'s blue haired step
sister for some powerful devolpment nearing the end. While the 7 member group
of bishounen is a bit clunky at times, the age differences in the group has
some interesting consequences for the dynamics. Himeno herself is a fallible
girl who wants love, but is willing to put herself on the line to protect the
world. Also, there are some good jealousy dyanmics between Sasame and uh..the
main guy(it's been a loooong time, hurry up adv)
>-Princess Tutu
This short magical girl series has a well crafted fairy tale inspired plot.
Every new twist is logical in the story, no matter how strange it is. Also, the
premise is not ignored. Mute doesn't regain his heart and then go on as he
always was, he changes.
--
Hana no Kaitou
http://animeg.blogspot.com/ <--yet another shitty blog.
http://members.fortunecity.com/animeg3282/ <---Fancy Lala Club!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fancy_lala <mailing list for Lala fans
Anthony D. Baranyi
"Michael Lo" <Iwillnev...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:884b7c04.03050...@posting.google.com...
> With a bit more substance than simply saying "This show rocks or this
> show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
>
> -Pretear
Well done retelling of the Cinderella story, done as a mahou shoujo series.
It's a bit too short, but that's characteristic of many Wowow series.
> -Juuni Kokki
Up and down series - the first arc was very good, the second forgetable, the
third started out slowly but finished well. If they focus on Youko and
ignore the secondary characters in the fourth arc it ought to be back up to
snuff.
> -Princess Tutu
A grand, incredibly imaginative retelling of many of the classic ballet
stories, including the music, as a mahou shoujo series that is totally
different. The first half was one of the best series of last year. Finally,
the first R2 DVDs of the second half will be coming out at the end of the
month. ( I've got DVD 4 already on order. )
> -Wolf's Rain
Haven't seen it yet, but I have the first DVD on order.
> -Haibane Renmei
Not bad, but didn't do anything for me. Lots of people love it to death.
> -Someday's Dreamer (did I get the title right?)
Yes, although I prefer the Japanese title. The first two episodes caught me
and I just got the second DVD in this week. But I've been totally captivated
by the re-release of the grand old comedy series, "Stop! Hibari-kun" and
have spent the last couple of nights watching the first 12 episodes (6
episodes per disk and 3 disks in the first set) and haven't put the second
DVD of "Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsuna Koto" on yet.
> -and whatever other recent/fairly recent show that you're interested
Again - "Stop! Hibari-kun" has grabbed me like no other comedy in a long
time. If you are a "Urusei Yatsura" fan, or have seen any other early 80's
comedys, such as "Tokimeki Tonight" or "Haikara-san ga Touru" you've got to
see "Stop! Hibari-kun".
As far as new stuff goes, I'm also buying the R2 DVDs on a monthly basis as
they are released of :
"Overman King Gainer"
"Witch Hunter Robin"
"Meitantei Conan"
"One Piece"
I've also got the first DVD of the second season of "Big O" on order for the
end of the month.
Dave Baranyi
David Watson
> With a bit more substance than simply saying "This show rocks or this
> show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
Ah, just the thing opinionated types like myself like. Especially when I
can praise more than bash.
> -Pretear
Magical girl/male harem show that still has enough substance and wit that
it was a big hit at a local club with both the fangirls *and* fanboys.
> -Juuni Kokki
Historical fantasy stranger-in-a-strange-land drama, straight up. No
comic relief. Enjoyed the first arc; can't wait to see the rest.
> -Princess Tutu
Haven't seen yet. I'd like to give it a chance, though.
> -Wolf's Rain
Pretty good action/drama.
> -Haibane Renmei
Yoshitoshi Abe strikes again, and he has yet to strike me wrong. A
fantasy/drama that works well with its gritty, moody settings. If NieA_7
didn't quite work for you because of how annoying NieA was, then this just
might be what you were looking for.
> -Someday's Dreamer (did I get the title right?)
Haven't seen enough yet to get a full impression, but I liked the first
episode. A young woman learning magic whilst living among men could go
really pear-shaped in some hands, but both were nicely understated in
this.
> -and whatever other recent/fairly recent show that you're interested
> in
Just saw the first episode of Gad Guard. Let's just say that it looks
like Gonzo's taking tips from Gainax's recent work. Wild stuff.
> To some degree I'm asking on behalf of another person (I sold him on
> Noir, X and Little Snow Fairy Sugar). I'm also interested myself in
> hearing what people have to say-after hearing some of tunes for Juuni
> Kokki I'm already halfway sold. Any show which has an end theme that
> sounds like a beerhall song gets a few points in my books.
I don't remember the ED song sounding like that, but then again, it's been
a bit of time, I've only seen the first thirteen eps, and I might have
missed a few occurrances of it because of running to the can.
Watson
Who wouldn't mind hearing an ED (or OP) theme that sounds like the
Japanese underground music he loves--apart from the pillows' "Ride On
Shooting Star."
--
Dave Watson, Severed Heads Liberation Front (_Stretcher_ CD-R--sevcom.com)
Frezier Balzoff (aka Ottawa), Ontario, Canada Email--shlf [at] ncf [dot] ca
My music and anime webpage: http://www.ottawa-anime.org/~eyevocal/
Yvette Watson, 1942-2002--You will be greatly missed and always loved.
Joe Klemm
I'm currently watching the series at the anime club that I attend. I've seen 6
episodes so far, and I'm definitely enjoying it, as it's premise of angel-like
beings living in a small town is a nice dramatic break from the usual amount of
action (Witch Hunter Robin, Scryed) and comedy (Azumanga Daioh, Jungle Guu)
that is part of the current club meetings.
Joe Klemm
redkanary
> With a bit more substance than simply saying "This show rocks or this
> show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
>
> -Pretear
> -Juuni Kokki
> -Princess Tutu
> -Wolf's Rain
> -Haibane Renmei
> -Someday's Dreamer (did I get the title right?)
> -and whatever other recent/fairly recent show that you're interested
> in
Good list.
Pretear's as good as Sugar, with lotsa romance and sap, but not so
much that the story drags. It's a short series, so the plot goes
fast. Plenty of zany stuff. Mucho bishonen. Mucho fancy battle
outfits. Not so much with the teeth-rotting sweetness. In short,
good.
I've only seen the first arc of Juuni Kokki, but it's fantastic. Gets
much better than the first couple episodes and the writing takes no
prisoners. Yoko rocks.
Tutu is better than Pretear. Better material, better animation, and
Ahiru's just priceless. Nice use of the ballet theme and gets much
darker than you'd think. Reminded me just a smidge of Utena in the
style.
Wolf Rain's keeping my attention so far, but it feels like they're
trying too hard. Plot's taking its time. It looks great and it
sounds great, but I'm still waiting for them to drop the other dang
shoe.
Haiane Renmei is the best thing on your list. I'd camp out in front
of Suncoast for this one. Yoshitoshi Abe's least disturbing show, and
it hits all the emotional buttons just right. Tackles some religious
material, but I don't know how anbody could possibly be offended.
Someday's Dreamers is a slice of life, coming of age drama. Very
pleasant and atmospheric. Too slow and low key for me, but it's a
perfectly solid show.
Other recs, other recs... I finally finished Princess Nine. That
seems to fit in with this list pretty well.
-Red
Arthur Kimes
wrote:
] With a bit more substance than simply saying "This show rocks or this
] show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
]
] -Wolf's Rain
It's growing on me. I've seen the first 12 episodes. The first
few were interesting but no big deal. The arc seems to have kicked in
around episode 8 or so and now I can't wait to see what happens next.
Great idea what they did with "blue" in episode 11 or 12.
One weakness is that they haven't been able to make me care very
much about most of the characters yet. I'd give this a B to a B-.
] -Haibane Renmei
Saw the whole series - it knocked me out.
Based upon the first few minutes I thought I was getting into
something "cute" and amusing*. Ha ha ha. The main arc starts around
episode 6 and serious issues get raised. Damnation, Redemption and so
on. AGONIZING suspense** in the last 2-3 episodes. Unlike Wolf's Rain,
I CARE about these characters so when it looks like bad things might
happen I got really wrapped up in the show. Superb. An easy "A".
*using the halo mold for doughnuts in episode 2 or 3 cracked me up!
** You don't have to have a world-ending threat. If you like a
character and that character is in trouble that's enough to drive a
story.
Ref what else I'm watching... I've seen the first 4 episodes of
Stellvia of the Universe. I like the hard-core SF approach. I thought
it odd that NOTHING HAPPENED in the first episode however it was a good
introduction to the world. I can't rate the series yet but I like the
clean look of the animation.
I'm also watching Dragon Drive. I can't recommend it but I like
dragons so I have to watch it <g>. It occurs to me that if the dragons
were actual characters (that is, if they had personalities) the show
would be much improved. As is, they're more like mecha than dragons.
The storyline isn't so hot but the characters are interesting so I keep
watching.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
- Benjamin Franklin
Glenn Shaw
>
> Haiane Renmei is the best thing on your list. I'd camp out in front
> of Suncoast for this one.
If you plan on doing that, mark August 26th on your calendar. That's when
volume 1 of Haibane Renmei is set to be released on R1 DVD, according to
animeondvd.com.
--
Glenn Shaw
Indianapolis, IN
Sergeant-at-Arms, Indiana Animation Club (www.indyanime.org)
To e-mail me, remove the obvious.
Andrew Hollingbury
> show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
>
> -Pretear
Magical girl series with the correct length to avoid filler. Filled with
impossibly bishounen costumed men with special powers, though the female
characters aren't particularly annoying (a rarity in magical girl series,
perhaps?). The plot's nothing special, but the series is great fun and
works well, and it's a shame there isn't more of it.
> -Juuni Kokki
Brilliant show, though it changes its focus quite drastically in places.
The first arc is a "girl-in-another-world" series, except the girl actually
gets to do some ass-kicking for once, which is completely serious drama.
The second arc is designed to flesh out the world - while potentially
forgettable and useless, as many people find it, I thought it helped
strengthen the background of the Kirin mythos well. The third arc (what
I've seen - I'm trying to stop watching because it's been licensed) follows
three characters as their paths intertwine - it starts off very political,
and then returns to more of the drama from the first arc. I recommend this
series highly.
> -Princess Tutu
Deceptively strange magical girl series about a ballet-dancing duck in human
form trying to win the heart of a fairy-tale prince back from an evil crow
and his daughter. The show mixes in some of the most random things
imaginable (sentient puppets, a cat teacher dying to get married, a jealous
aardvark) with a surprisingly dark plotline about love and jealousy
considering how "cutesy" the series may appear. The first 13 episodes arc
is almost self-contained, despite the slightly rushed ending, due to the
original plan for the series to end there, and may be watched on its own -
however, a further 13 episodes (split into 26 half-length ones for their
current airing) are currently airing, which show no signs of letting down
the quality.
> -Wolf's Rain
Perhaps a slight victim of its own hype, Wolf's Rain is the next series from
Bones, the creators of RahXephon (am I right in thinking that Scrapped
Princess is only animated by them, and not produced by them? They have no
promotional material on their website for it, is all). In a
post-apocalyptic Siberia(?) (the ice caps have supposedly melted), four
wolves go on a search for "paradise" with the help of Cheza, the mysterious
"lunar flower", the only one who can guide them there. However, it is
foretold that when the wolves find it, the world will be destroyed. Cheza
changes the lives of more than them, however - the scientist Cher Degre, who
has been conducting research into Cheza and is convinced that the wolves are
not as harmful as they appear to the other humans that hunt them, her
ex-husband and detective Hubb Lebowski, who mounts a desperate search for
Cher after she mysteriously disappears, and the embittered hunter Quent
Yaiden, whose tragic past sends him on a quest for vengeance. And why does
the mysterious Noble, Darcia, seek Cheza's help in curing his comatose wife
Harmonia?
A labyrinthine plot, as you can probably guess, which doesn't kick in
properly for the first few episodes - indeed, I was left slightly cold by
the start of the show. The "lead", Kiba, is curiously bland in comparison
with the rest of the cast, and the first episode does little for empathy
with him. However, as the wolves come quickly together, they become much
more interesting - the loner (and closet slut ^_^) Tsume, the naive Toboe,
and the...well, randy Hige. Yoko Kanno's music is slightly bizarre, if
that's the kind of thing you look for in a series - the OP and ED are so bad
they're good (Stray is Phil Collins pop, Gravity is a slightly Engrishy
syrupy ballad), and the music in the show doesn't "intrude" as much as it
does in her other shows.
If you don't like the show at the start, it may be worth persisting. Of
course, you shouldn't really be expected to carry on if you don't like
something, but Wolf's Rain really is worth it.
> -Haibane Renmei
I think everyone else has probably said enough about this. It's great, it's
lovely, DVDs out soon.
> -Someday's Dreamer (did I get the title right?)
Yup, also known as Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto (The Things Important to
a Mage). The only "slice-of-life" series I have ever enjoyed, but it
obviously took a different direction by the end of the show than previously
imagined (certain characters in the opening sequence never appear). It
would be lovely to see another series of it, for while it's nothing amazing
or life-changing, it's probably the best thing I've seen for making me smile
in happiness.
> -and whatever other recent/fairly recent show that you're interested
> in
Witch Hunter Robin is the ultimate exercise in style with enough in the way
of substance to back it up - highly recommended show about a teenage girl
assigned to work with a group of "hunters", who track down rogue witches in
Tokyo and neutralise them. However, what is done with the witches is a
mystery, and where is the line drawn between "Craft users", who possess the
same powers as the witches, and the renegades? To say more about the plot
would probably spoil it.
From what's just begun to air in Japan, I would personally recommend:
DN Angel - it may be nothing like the manga, judging from the cries of
outrage emanating from the Internet, but that's a good thing IMHO. Daisuke
Niwa discovers on his 14th birthday that whenever he feels love for Risa
Harada, who doesn't return his affections, he will transform into the late
teenage master thief Dark Mousy, who steals magical paintings and seals
them. However, Dark also falls for Risa, who returns the affections this
time, but also transforms back if he can't keep his feelings in check. Risa
has a twin sister, Riku, who may love Daisuke, plus the mysterious Satoshi,
Daisuke's classmate who seems to know an awful lot about him, and Krad, who
appears to be Dark's archrival. The original manga apparently focuses on
love and romance, and while that's still present in the show, there's much
more well-done action and drama which appeals to me without getting rid of
the fairly well-written romantic stuff.
Scrapped Princess - fantasy show about Pacifica Casull, of whom it is
prophesied that she will destroy the world when she turns 16. Protected by
her adopted siblings, Shannon and Raquel, they travel the land they live in,
getting into various scrapes and meeting up with characters such as Leon,
the useless knight who falls in love with Pacifica almost immediately, and
Chris, who tries to kill her at any opportunity. Almost Slayers-esque,
without quite so much humour, it's not particularly outstanding yet but
completely solid.
Matantei Loki : Ragnarok - Mayura Daidouji finds a possessed doll in a tower
as she searches for a mystery to solve. When it goes missing, she enlists
the help of the mysterious boy Loki and his servant Yamino to find it, when
events take a supernatural turn. After her case is solved, she joins the
detective agency that Loki runs - but she is continuously victimised by
strange forces that are trying to kill Loki. As the show progresses,
various characters appear that reveal that Loki is the original Norse god,
banished to Midgard and transformed into a child - and the other gods want
him dead. But why? While the show doesn't employ the brilliant visual
tricks from the first episode throughout, it's surprisingly well done -
genuinely creepy in places, with an interesting cast of characters, although
Mayura is fairly annoying.
Last Exile - stunningly beautiful air-based fantasy drama from Studio Gonzo
(you may mock now, but thus far it seems excellent). Klaus and Ravi are air
couriers, delivering messages through the skies for customers. After they
take on a dangerous assignment that involves them delivering messages into
the middle of a fierce battle, they can finally afford the engine they need
to win the prestigious airship race that takes place in their home town. As
they are about to win, however, an unknown pilot crashes in the woods,
pursued by a high-tech plane that can walk on the ground to stalk its
target. Entrusted with a young girl, Klaus and Ravi make their escape to
deliver her where she must go... yes, that's the first three episodes, so
the plot is fairly slow moving to start with. But sit back and lap up the
atmosphere - this show has tonnes of it, and is gorgeously well made (almost
jaw-droppingly good). And the lack of plot progression is not a bad thing -
despite the large amount of technical jargon flying around in the first
episode, it's a well written story.
Gadguard looks interesting, but I haven't seen enough of it to really
comment yet. From the first episode, however, it seems to be a stylised
sentai robot show, with a seriously weird setting and bizarre character/mech
designs. I've got the second episode sitting on my hard drive - I'll be
watching it later.
> To some degree I'm asking on behalf of another person (I sold him on
> Noir, X and Little Snow Fairy Sugar). I'm also interested myself in
> hearing what people have to say-after hearing some of tunes for Juuni
> Kokki I'm already halfway sold. Any show which has an end theme that
> sounds like a beerhall song gets a few points in my books.
Getsumeifuu isn't much like a beerhall song really, is it? I'm just
thinking of rowdy Germans screaming "TSUKIKAGE NO DOKOMADEMO!" now...can't
quite reconcile the image ^_^
Andrew H
Michael Lo
>
>
> > To some degree I'm asking on behalf of another person (I sold him on
> > Noir, X and Little Snow Fairy Sugar). I'm also interested myself in
> > hearing what people have to say-after hearing some of tunes for Juuni
> > Kokki I'm already halfway sold. Any show which has an end theme that
> > sounds like a beerhall song gets a few points in my books.
>
> Getsumeifuu isn't much like a beerhall song really, is it? I'm just
> thinking of rowdy Germans screaming "TSUKIKAGE NO DOKOMADEMO!" now...can't
> quite reconcile the image ^_^
>
> Andrew H
To me it does, I never saw Juuni Kokki in any form except as covers on
CDs. It piqued my curiousity and I did a trade for the op and ed.
The singer rips into Getsumeifu with some pretty good boister and the
rhythm resembles something certain jovial beerhall songs, just a bit
more melancholy in places.
Michael Lo
Woohoo, these reviews are totally what I'm looking for. Thanks for
all the contributions you guys. Keep the details coming
D B Malmquist
>
> With a bit more substance than simply saying "This show rocks or this
> show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
Well, these are all pretty good shows, no losers in the bunch.
> -Pretear
A magical-girl story that incorporates bits of the "Snow White"
fairy tale, as well as "Cinderella". It's not too long and moves
along nicely, with an appealing older heroine and nice art and
animation. Not too sugary nor too angsty, I enjoyed it and its
themes of loyalty and betrayal.
For another review, see
http://www.themanime.org/reviews/i-q/nlswp.html
(These guys liked it even more than I did.)
> -Juuni Kokki
Straight-up, hard core fantasy about teenage girls taken away to
a fantastic world of Chinese magic and gods. I'll agree with what
others have written, and add: the main characters are all poster
children for character development. All of them change and grow
(or shrink) due to their strange, harrowing experiences.
Bonus points for the author's world design. "Juuni Kokki"
posits a supernaturally created world, where authority and power
flow downward from heaven to earth, but humans have all the
problems and difficulties of free will that we do here. It
seems very artificial - intentionally so - but is perfectly
consistent internally and action follows naturally from its
basic principles. As such it's not better or worse than our
world, just very different, and the characters must somehow
adapt themselves to its rules.
The second story arc (eps 14-20 I think) is a little slow, but
adds depth and mystery to how this world works.
> -Princess Tutu
Wildly imaginative and good magical girl story from Jun'ichi
Sato, who throws in all sorts of crazy mythic, folktale,
and ballet story fragments and somehow makes them all fit
together. A really sympathetic heroine, a subtly dark
storyline, and decisions with real consequences makes this
a winner.
> -Wolf's Rain
I wrote this positive review after two episodes:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=3E2687DB.5CCE6B2F%40com.swap-com-and-rcn.rcn
After 13 episodes I still like it, say an A-. The director weaves
together storylines about humans, wolves and nobles very skillfully
in a way that reminds me a little of Robert Altman. Each episode
continues to show me something new and surprising as the show
ranges across its strange future world. One reason I watch anime
is to see something new and surprising, and "Wolf's Rain" shows
me just that - I still have no idea how this show will end, or
even what will happen next episode.
> -Haibane Renmei
Incredibly cathartic show about solitude and redemption. It's
emphasis that salvation comes through the caring of others as well
as how one responds to that caring reminds me a little of "Fruits
Basket". The how has an amazingly rich and detailed world design
with one of my favorite characters ever, the chain-smoking, acerbic,
caring Reki. A couple of the early-middle episodes are a little
"precious", but the beginning is rich in mystery and detail, and
the second half is very emotionally powerful. Outstanding animation
and background painting, no "domestic poor animation" here.
> -Someday's Dreamer (did I get the title right?)
A warm, friendly slice-of-life show about a 17-year-old girl
come to Tokyo for the summer for professional training. While
she's actually a mage, and her training is in magic, the show
is incredibly realistic and gives a credible feeling of everyday
life in Tokyo.
Appealing characters make this show work for me, as well as
breathtaking urban landscape painting. To see what I mean,
look here:
http://www.aniradi.net/mahou/simokitazawa.html
> -and whatever other recent/fairly recent show that you're interested
> in
>
> To some degree I'm asking on behalf of another person (I sold him on
> Noir, X and Little Snow Fairy Sugar). I'm also interested myself in
> hearing what people have to say-after hearing some of tunes for Juuni
> Kokki I'm already halfway sold. Any show which has an end theme that
> sounds like a beerhall song gets a few points in my books.
Well, here's what I wrote about "Witch Hunter Robin", recently
licensed by Bandai, should be coming out this fall or winter:
WITCH HUNTER ROBIN: (after 15 episodes) In recession-hit modern
Japan, a mysterious group called "STN-J" hunts and captures criminal
magic-users. Into the group is transferred a young woman named Sena
Robin. Coming from Europe, she is dourly dressed, has a mysterious
background, and has powers similar to those of the people the group
hunts. The group could use some help, as morale is low due to unspoken
recent events and ineffective management. Robin, a surprisingly
sweet-tempered 15 year old despite her harsh upbringing, has some
learning to do before she can be of much use. She may also be
fronting for a faction opposed to STN-J. And just what are STN-J
doing with their witches after they are captured?
The series has a very dark, foreboding, humorless feeling. It is
colored almost entirely in black, brown and gray, without even the
flashes of gleeful saturated color that come through in, e.g.,
"Hellsing". The character cel animation is outstanding, with
detailed, naturalistic designs. Much of the grimy urban cityscape is
rendered in 3D CG. This works rather well - it's vastly better than,
say, "Vandread", almost on par with "Hoshi no Koe", and blends well
with the cel animation. The writing is subtle and deft. We learn a
lot about the characters of the protagonists through their "normal"
daily interaction, without recourse to contrived explanatory dialog.
Most episodes are focused on dialog and investigation, actual violence
is brief and not especially graphic.
The first third of the series is deceptively episodic. As STN-J
struggles to track its targets the characters grow on us almost
unnoticed, until the second third of the series when the major
story-arc kicks in with a vengeance and the secrets of STN-J - and
Robin herself - begin to play out. This business of witches being
hunted down & killed recalls some bitter episodes in Western history,
and sets an expectation of extreme moral ambiguity upon which the
series is delivering well so far.
Suggested for those who like "Blade Runner", Lance Henrickson's
"Millennium", the "X-Files". The alt-rock OP and ED by Bana are
highly recommended also.
"Robin", from Sunrise, started broadcast on TV Tokyo in July 2002.
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/robin/
Also I wrote a review about Gadguard ep 1 here:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=3EACECC5.F547EA2A%40com.swap-com-and-rcn.rcn
--
- dbm
Random link: http://mysticrealmstudios.com/drew/dw32.html
Michelle Klein-Hass
> With a bit more substance than simply saying "This show rocks or this
> show sucks", what do the people here think of the following shows:
>
> -Pretear
> -Juuni Kokki
> -Princess Tutu
> -Wolf's Rain
Haven't seen any of these.
> -Haibane Renmei
OMG this is the series of the year!!!! Folks...BUY IT. You won't be sorry.
Incredible freakin' show. I hope that Pioneer Animation US does right by
it like they did with Lain. And where do they get off with advising only
13 year olds and up to see this? Aside from Reki's tobacco habit, (which is
a badge of her internal flaws) one gory sequence that any person who has
dealt with losing baby teeth and getting one's adult teeth can understand,
and the pottymouth on some of the fansub subtitles (easily fixed) it is
definitely family fare in the grand tradition of Miyazaki's family movies
like Totoro, Kiki and Sen.
Maybe the most religiously bigoted (for or against) might have a hard time
with this definitely unorthodox view of these beings straddling the gulf
between human and divine, but for everyone else, it's quite an experience.
> -Someday's Dreamer (did I get the title right?)
> -and whatever other recent/fairly recent show that you're interested
> in
I haven't seen it yet, but I want a look at Texhnolize. (sp?)
-.\\<-H-
--
Ms. Geek (Michelle Klein-Hass)...terrorizing Usenet since 1992!
Charter member, SPCM, (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Menchi)
"Families of Japan, it is not too late to enjoy Turkey with Gravy." -- Kaga
D B Malmquist
>
> In article <pan.2003.05.03....@spamcop.net>,
> Michelle Klein-Hass <msg...@spamcop.net> wrote:
> >OMG this is the series of the year!!!! Folks...BUY IT. You won't be sorry.
> >Incredible freakin' show. I hope that Pioneer Animation US does right by
> >it like they did with Lain. And where do they get off with advising only
> >13 year olds and up to see this? Aside from Reki's tobacco habit, (which is
> >a badge of her internal flaws) one gory sequence that any person who has
> >dealt with losing baby teeth and getting one's adult teeth can understand,
> >and the pottymouth on some of the fansub subtitles (easily fixed) it is
> >definitely family fare in the grand tradition of Miyazaki's family movies
> >like Totoro, Kiki and Sen.
> >
> >Maybe the most religiously bigoted (for or against) might have a hard time
> >with this definitely unorthodox view of these beings straddling the gulf
> >between human and divine, but for everyone else, it's quite an experience.
>
>
> From a sci-fi point of view, you have these people with amnesia in this strange
> place, where the sexes are segregated, everyone (among the Haibane) is a
> certain range of ages, where there are electric wires but no copper mines,
> school uniforms but no schools, where there are things outside that the
> people can't learn about and captors who the captives aren't allowed to talk
> to. It's a low-tech Big O.
>
> The logical conclusion is that someone put them there. Someone not so nice.
> That they're an experiment of some sort. And Reki's idea that they're all
> trapped isn't a sign of her lack of personal growth, it's the truth.
>
> It wasn't clear until near the end that we weren't supposed to think of it
> that way, and even now I'm not so sure. And the show's very different and
> sinister when seen that way. They finally got Reki to run the maze....
It never occurred to me to think that way.
I was, however, reminded somehow of Doris Lessing's "Canopus in Argos:
Archives The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four, and Five". The Haibane
world seems like it might another level after, or near, the ones shown
in the novel.
--
- dbm
Random link: http://www.ruin-japan.com/
alan
minor spoiler space
> From a sci-fi point of view, you have these people with amnesia in this strange
> place, where the sexes are segregated,
No arent (the other Haibane home is co-ed)
> everyone (among the Haibane) is a
> certain range of ages,
Not really. Haibane, if they don't leave, grow old, lose their wings
and halo, and become crusty old men like the Toga.
> where there are electric wires but no copper mines,
Stuff gets imported
> school uniforms but no schools,
How did you figure that?
> The logical conclusion is that someone put them there. Someone not so nice.
> That they're an experiment of some sort. And Reki's idea that they're all
> trapped isn't a sign of her lack of personal growth, it's the truth.
>
> It wasn't clear until near the end that we weren't supposed to think of it
> that way, and even now I'm not so sure. And the show's very different and
> sinister when seen that way. They finally got Reki to run the maze....
I think "trapped" is a relative term. Here is a quote for you:
"I liken starting one’s computing career with Unix, say as an undergraduate,
to being born in East Africa. It is intolerably hot, your
body is covered with lice and flies, you are malnourished and you
suffer from numerous curable diseases. But, as far as young East
Africans can tell, this is simply the natural condition and they live
within it. By the time they find out differently, it is too late. They
already think that the writing of shell scripts is a natural act."
— Ken Pier, Xerox PARC'
Shez
Arromdee <arro...@violet.rahul.net> said:
>In article <b90bu4$acp$1...@news.Stanford.EDU>,
>alan <acf...@yahoo.do_not_spam_me.com> wrote:
>>> school uniforms but no schools,
>>How did you figure that?
>
>that her uniform itself isn't used in the city--as far as everyone is
>concerned, it's just a piece of clothing.
It is just a piece of clothing, it's a sailor suit style of dress.
Sailor suits are first and foremost something worn by sailors, so it
might be more pertinent to ask why there are no boats.
>>By the time they find out differently, it is too late. They
>>already think that the writing of shell scripts is a natural act."
>
>I think the point of that quote is that people who use Unix *are* trapped
>and don't know it.
I think it's more a case of enforced freedom, when most people would be
happy trapped inside the limitations of a GUI.
-Shez.
--
______________________________________________________
Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand
progress. -- Epigrams in Programming, ACM SIGPLAN Sept. 1982
______________________________________________________
Anime at the Last Stop Cafe: http://www.xerez.demon.co.uk/anime/
Use http://www.xerez.demon.co.uk/mailform.html for personal replies
D B Malmquist
<<snip>>
> >> school uniforms but no schools,
> >How did you figure that?
>
> Well, they don't seem to have schools for people of Rakka's age,
That may be because she's a Haibane. Haibane don't take part in
the regular economic life of the city, nor would it seem that
individual Haibane around for long enough to make 12 years of
schooling appropriate. It would also appear that the "older"
ones are "born" with basic literacy and numeracy.
OTOH recall that Nemu's colleague at the library was pregnant, so
non-Haibane are born and grow up, and old, in a more conventional
manner. So it's reasonable to suppose there are schools for non-
Haibane children.
--
- dbm
Random link: http://hverrill.net/pages~helena/origami/sonobe/
Steveite
> It is just a piece of clothing, it's a sailor suit style of dress.
> Sailor suits are first and foremost something worn by sailors, so it
> might be more pertinent to ask why there are no boats.
I think it's symbolic. Rakka's clothing changes as her attitude does.
eps 1-2 : Nightgown and brown dress = Initiate. She's still brand new and
doesn't really know anything.
eps 2-5 : Sailor suit (school uniform) = Learning. Rakka's curious about how
this world works, and wears the costume of one who goes to school.
eps 6-9(?) : Sailor suit + Kuu's coat = Knows more. She now knows the basics of
how this world is, but has some very important things still to find out and the
disappearance of Kuu weighs heavily on her shoulders.
eps 9-13 : Red dress. Now that she's been down the well, Rakka has learned most
of what she needs to know, so she gets rid of her Learning clothes. This has a
more mature appearance than her sailor suit too.
Yeah, the changing weather is also a major factor. :-) I just found it
interesting that the really major events in Rakka's character development (Kuu
disappearing, the well) coincide with clothing changes.
--
GKScotty
Visit the Simpsons Fanworks Central - http://www.simpworks.com
Shaun Baker
so be warned.
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On Sat, 3 May 2003 17:11:13 +0000 (UTC), arro...@violet.rahul.net
(Ken Arromdee) wrote:
>In article <b90bu4$acp$1...@news.Stanford.EDU>,
>alan <acf...@yahoo.do_not_spam_me.com> wrote:
>>> everyone (among the Haibane) is a
>>> certain range of ages,
>>Not really. Haibane, if they don't leave, grow old, lose their wings
>>and halo, and become crusty old men like the Toga.
>
>But only people of certain ages are brought there in the first place, which
>is more what one would expect of an experiment than of an afterlife.
One of the reasons I've heard is that the people who become the
Haibane Renmei have not had there after-life fate decided, they were
in a grey zone. This world is sort of a mild purgatory. It's often
viewed that children are innocent and by the time you're an adult
you've already decided your fate - that basically leaves the teen
years/young adults as the ones on the borderline which appears to
correspond to the ages of the Haibane. I've also seen it theorized
that all the Haibane's were suicides.
Shaun
Steveite
"Shaun Baker" <Endle...@att.net> wrote in message
news:kf8abv4ltshfer9cb...@4ax.com...
> I suppose that a few Haibane Renmai spoilers are being thrown around
> so be warned.
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
> .
> .
> .
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Haibane Renmei have not had there after-life fate decided, they were
> in a grey zone. This world is sort of a mild purgatory. It's often
> viewed that children are innocent and by the time you're an adult
> you've already decided your fate - that basically leaves the teen
> years/young adults as the ones on the borderline which appears to
> correspond to the ages of the Haibane. I've also seen it theorized
> that all the Haibane's were suicides.
I doubt all the haibane's are suicides, because there's at least as many little
kids as there are older haibanes... and the thought of 7 year old's commiting
suicide en masse is very depressing...
However, I do think that both Reki and Rakka were suicides. (Rakka's time in
the well definitely implies she was) I doubt the others were. But that raises
the question of why Reki was born with black wings and Rakka wasn't. (my
speculation - Reki was fully concious of what she was doing. Perhaps Rakka was
under the influence of something and didn't quite realise what she was doing to
herself?)
IMO, it's as the Washi implies - all the haibane came to Guri because they have
a character flaw that would cause problems on the other side of the wall.
(lazy, rash, unskilled, untrusting, etc) In Guri, they live a life that should
help them improve their character. Those that cross over the wall are ready to
live in wherever the other side is. The grey-zone is a good theory too though.
PS. I might be writing Haibane Renmei fanfics, once I get this university work
over with. (have three ideas) Anybody interested in beta-reading?
Dot Warner
>
> Well done retelling of the Cinderella story,
Dontcha mean Snow White? (Even the title is something like "New Snow
White Legend Pretear", or something like that.)
>done as a mahou shoujo series.
> It's a bit too short, but that's characteristic of many Wowow series.
Haven't seen enough of it yet to get hooked, but it's nott too bad, I
guess.
The transformation scenes are mildly disturbing, though.
And after _Rurouni Kenshin_, I have gotten annoyed at protagonists
that can talk down a villain with pretty speeches of whatever, so I
was sort of "meh" on those parts.
Anthony D. Baranyi
"Dot Warner" <dot_wa...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:89096a6.03050...@posting.google.com...
> > > -Pretear
> >
> > Well done retelling of the Cinderella story,
>
> Dontcha mean Snow White? (Even the title is something like "New Snow
> White Legend Pretear", or something like that.)
>
Oops - you caught that slipup nicely - thanks. ( There I go writing too fast
again. ) I should blame the fact that I saw it a long time ago, I guess. <g>
Thanks -
Dave Baranyi
Thomas Edge
"Steveite" <steven...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:b93q3n$j3d$1...@sparta.btinternet.com...
I think what is going on there is that it is a matter of acceptance of the
way things are, at the time Kuu moves on Rakka is coming to terms with being
a Haibane and cannot cope with the loss of someone close at that critical
time. This causes her to start to shut down and push herself further into
denial. The greater the denial the faster the wings seem to change colour.
Reki by comparison has never accepted things (and to be fair she has had a
series of knock backs that haven't helped, not least of all being born and
growing her wings alone).
The scenes and dialogue we see at the end leave no doubt that Reki is a
suicide. Rakka could also be a suicide, but it is also possible that she was
ill and turned away those that could help her. I'm not saying this THE
correct answer but the translated dialogue can also be interpreted this
way. I'm convinced that we shouldn't take all the dreams literally as some
of them seem more allegorical than others, Reki's dream could be showing a
slow deterioration (the slow fall with Reki being calm) with someone close
being in a position to offer at least some support/help and certainly in a
position to at least slow her fall (if not nessesarily to stop it) by
turning that person away she made her situation worse (acceleration of the
fall and the ground coming into view).
All of the Haibine clearly have unresolved issues from their past lives. In
some cases it may well be that it is not that they died so much as how they
chose to die. I certainly don't think it is as simple as they all being
suicides.
> PS. I might be writing Haibane Renmei fanfics, once I get this university
work
> over with. (have three ideas) Anybody interested in beta-reading?
>
I'm game
regards
Tom Edge