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Where to start?; The newbie thread...
Topic Started: Jun 30 2005, 05:39 AM (1,190 Views)
rjb182	Jun 30 2005, 05:39 AM Post #1
First Lieutenant Posts: 47 Group: Members Member #17 Joined: June 28, 2005	So... suppose somebody has never seen any real anime. Like, ever. What one show/series/movie/what-have-you would you suggest they view to get started? Consider both quality and ease of acquisition here... Jes' curious...
	The Garden Spot: It's an online comic strip. About vegetables. Seriously.


Josh	Jun 30 2005, 06:02 AM Post #2
Captain Posts: 74 Group: Members Member #22 Joined: June 29, 2005	I'm kinda in the same boat you are in, John... However, Carl has been very helpful to me, suggesting stuff that I haven't gotten around to watching. I'm sure he'll be in shortly (or Rommie or any helpful person here) to hook you up.



Josh	Jun 30 2005, 06:07 AM Post #3
Captain Posts: 74 Group: Members Member #22 Joined: June 29, 2005	As an addition, a lot of people have been enjoying "Full Metal Alchemist" which I believe has been running (albeit dubbed) on the Cartoon Network. It's fairly dramatic stuff, but with a humorous twist. I'd recommend it... although it might be tough starting right in the middle...



Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 06:33 AM Post #4
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	I'd recommend Inuyasha on CN (if you get that channel) They just started it from the beginning so you really haven't missed a lot and it's a fun little anime. When I first got into anime (all Rommie's fault, btw) I started on Cowboy Bebop but they don't run that on CN anymore. Of the ones on that channel, I'd say Fullmetal Alchemist, Inuyasha or maybe Case Closed which is on early in the morning. That one's a fun mystery solving one, I think you might enjoy it, John.



rjb182	Jun 30 2005, 06:40 AM Post #5
First Lieutenant Posts: 47 Group: Members Member #17 Joined: June 28, 2005	^ I do get Cartoon Network, in fact. I suppose that's a more logical place to start than buying DVD's, at that... Recommendations noted, thanks.
	The Garden Spot: It's an online comic strip. About vegetables. Seriously.


NeuralClone	Jun 30 2005, 06:45 AM Post #6
Resident Tachikoma Posts: 507 Group: R&D Team Member #5 Joined: May 19, 2005	Wow! Where to begin? First of all, whether you watch the dubbed or subtitled version of a series may make a huge difference when it comes to first impressions. There have been many movies/series where I was unimpressed because of a bad dub. When I went back later and watched them in Japanese with subtitles, my opinion did a complete 180. This isn't true with every series and it really all boils down to your personal preference, but definitely keep that in mind when watching a series/movie for the first time. If you dislike the dub, try the subtitled version and vice versa. Okay, now onto some series and movies that I think will leave a good impression. Please note that since I usually only watch subtitled versions, all of my recommendations are for the subtitled version unless otherwise specified. Series: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (sci-fi/action/mecha) Cowboy Bebop (sci-fi/action/drama) both dubbed and subbed versions are good Noir* (action/drama/psuedo-fantasy) first 7 or so episodes have repetitive flashbacks; gets really good after that point Serial Experiments Lain* (sci-fi/paranormal/mind frell) not your typical anime series Rurouni Kenshin* (action/samurai/fantasy/sort of historical) Full Metal Alchemist Haibane Renmei (drama/fantasy) Samurai Champloo (comedy/action/samurai) Movies/OVAs: Appleseed Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal Director's Cut (called Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal in the U.S.) Grave of the Fireflies Princess Mononoke Spirited Away Ghost in the Shell (very different style than the series) Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (if you like the first movie) Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (very violent in places but still very good) Beyond the Clouds Castle in the Sky Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door (called Cowboy Bebop: The Movie in the U.S.)



Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 06:48 AM Post #7
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	I definitely agree with Carl on Cowboy Bebop the series and the movie. Watch the series first though. Bebop is one of my favorite animes, partially cause it was the one the started my descent into the anime fandom and partially because it's just so damned entertaining. Oh and if you're looking into series to possibly buy on DVD, I highly recommend Fruits Basket. I got my first disc at Best Buy for $13 and it's a really amusing and great little anime.



NeuralClone	Jun 30 2005, 06:52 AM Post #8
Resident Tachikoma Posts: 507 Group: R&D Team Member #5 Joined: May 19, 2005	Oh, one more thing. I recommend starting with movies/OVAs mainly because they usually have higher production values than series and they require a smaller time investment. Plus, many of them are very good.



rjb182	Jun 30 2005, 07:15 AM Post #9
First Lieutenant Posts: 47 Group: Members Member #17 Joined: June 28, 2005	Wow, that's quite an extensive list of recommendations, NeuralClone. More than enough to get started with, I think (though of course further opinions are always welcome :)). Thanks very much!
	The Garden Spot: It's an online comic strip. About vegetables. Seriously.


Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 07:17 AM Post #10
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	Carl and Rommie both will have a whole LIST of things you must watch. And I'll be AA could make some recommendations as well.



NeuralClone	Jun 30 2005, 07:17 AM Post #11
Resident Tachikoma Posts: 507 Group: R&D Team Member #5 Joined: May 19, 2005	rjb182 Jun 30 2005, 03:15 AM Wow, that's quite an extensive list of recommendations, NeuralClone. More than enough to get started with, I think (though of course further opinions are always welcome :)). Thanks very much! Whew! I was afraid I had scared you off with that list.



Josh	Jun 30 2005, 07:17 AM Post #12
Captain Posts: 74 Group: Members Member #22 Joined: June 29, 2005	^ By all rights, you should have. That list scared even me!



Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 07:19 AM Post #13
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	LOL! Carl just gets very excited about his anime. It's endearing, really.



NeuralClone	Jun 30 2005, 07:23 AM Post #14
Resident Tachikoma Posts: 507 Group: R&D Team Member #5 Joined: May 19, 2005	Josh Jun 30 2005, 03:17 AM ^ By all rights, you should have. That list scared even me! Well, I bet that Rommie, ArchAngel, and Niko would have had equally impressive lists.



Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 07:23 AM Post #15
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	Indeed.



Niko	Jun 30 2005, 01:03 PM Post #16
Traveller Posts: 418 Group: Henchmen Member #6 Joined: May 19, 2005	Yeah, Cartoon Network's current lineup is definitely a great place to start, with FMA at the top of the list. If you only want to bother taping one show, definitely start with that, regardless of where they are in the season right now. I'd also suggest checking your local library and/or video rental place before taking the plunge and committing to a DVD. Not everything they carry will be mind-blowingly good, but it's a nice place to start. There's also the fansub route, if you've got a good internet connection, though we can't really discuss specifics of that in public. :ninja: I'm just reinforcing what others have said on most of these, but here are the first shows that immediately spring to mind as good "starter" titles, outside of what's on TV: Cowboy Bebop and GITS:Standalone Complex: Probably the two best "starter" series out there. Can't go wrong with either these. Grave of the Fireflies: The best flat-out FILM that anime has to offer. Fruits Basket: Can't recommend it enough. From what I've seen of your writing, John, I'm guessing some of the wry humor in this will fit your tastes. Scrapped Princess: Not earth-shattering or anything, but one of the more immediately engaging fantasy series out there. Full Metal Panic: Similar to Scrapped Princess in its immediate likeability and long-term enjoyment factor, but from a mecha direction. I also had a big win with Now and Then, Here and There when I lent it to G35Guy when he first got interested in anime. It may be darker than some folks are comfortable with, but it has a definite impact, and I know my local Blockbuster carries it, at least. *********** Aside: You know, I've been thinking for a while now (since the first time someone at EI generalized something about anime based on one or two shows and got pounced on by all of us, actually ) that it'd be neat to compile a sort of sampler tape that showcases episodes or sections from a range of anime to give a taste of the variety out there.



Nexus	Jun 30 2005, 06:09 PM Post #17
Posts: 229 Group: R&D Team Member #4 Joined: May 19, 2005	A few other titles you may want to check out are: -Record of Lodoss War (Action/Fantasy) -- 12 episode OVA (Original Video Animation) -Akira (Science Fiction/Fantasy) -- Film -Perfect Blue (Psychological Thriller) -- Film: If you like Hitchcock, you'll proabably like this -Tenchi Muyo! (Sci-Fi/Action/Comedy) -- 13-episode OVA with bonus 14th episode -Visions of Escaflowne (Fantasy/Action/Adventure) -- 26-episode series -Those Who Hunt Elves (Fantasy/Action/Comedy) -- 12-episode series -Castle of Cagliostro (Capper/Adventure/Comedy) -- Film: One of my favorite Miyazaki films -GTO (Comedy) -- 43-episode series -Metropolis (Sci-Fi/Drama) -- Film -Spriggan (Sci-Fi/Action) -- Film: Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of Akira, works on this film -Comic Party (Comedy) -- 13-episode series: A hilarious look at Anime fandom -Trigun (Fantasy Western/Comedy Drama) -- 26-episode series: Funny half the time, very serious the other half -Appleseed 2005 (Sci-Fi/Action) -- Film: There is no "2005" in the film's title, I put this in the title because their are two different Appleseed films out there. Well, there's a few more for ya. I also second Fullmetal Alchemist, both Ghost in the Shell films, GitS: Stand Alone Complex, Cowboy Bebop and pretty much what everyone else has already mentioned.
	Avatar: Nene Romanova (Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040) --English Voice Actor - Hilary Haag --Japanese Voice Actor - Hiroko Konishi


Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 07:42 PM Post #18
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	This should keep you busy for a good long while, John. Also, Niko mentioned that Blockbuster has some select anime titles (grr, Niko. I work at Hollywood Video ). Hollywood Video is worth a look as well, I know that dependent upon where you are and how big a Hollywood you have near you, that will affect what they have to offer. We've actually got a small VHS anime section at our store, but we're bigger than most Hollywoods.



ArchAngel	Jun 30 2005, 08:09 PM Post #19
Posts: 212 Group: Henchmen Member #7 Joined: May 20, 2005	No big lists from me. The only recommendation I will make is: RahXephon Its Sci-Fi. Its Fantasy. Its Dramatic. But at its heart... Its a Love Story. Highly complex, yet deceptively simple.
	[size=7]Ra-Ra?[/size]


Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 08:23 PM Post #20
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	I'll more than likely be picking this one up at the ADV sale. Rommie and AA both rave about this so I must admit, I've very interested.



RommieSG	Jun 30 2005, 09:01 PM Post #21
Brigade Leader Posts: 1,017 Group: Brigade Leader Member #1 Joined: May 17, 2005	I'm afraid my list isn't as extensive as my colleague's are. I try not to go into too much detail, as it does tend to scare off potential converts.....I mean interests. As previously mentioned, one of the best series to start out with in anime is Cowboy Bebop. Now it's not being shown on CN at this time, but if you want a feel for the series, you can rent the movie at a local rental store. It's set inbetween the latter episodes, but there are no spoilers for the series itself. If that sparks your interest, then the Cowboy Bebop REMIX edition will be coming to DVD within the next couple of months. A perfect time to get that aspect of your collection started. The series is about a group of Bounty Hunters, called 'Cowboys', set in the future. There's a bunch of intrigue about Spike's past that's littered throughout the series, and it's a hell of a ride, with some great music carrying you along the way. A highly recommended starter series for anyone interested. Case Closed is another long running series that you can jump into anywhere, and understand what's going on. Jimmy Kuko was an ace teen detective, solving murders for the police with hardly any effort. He happens upon a secret meeting, and is poisoned. The poison doesn't kill him though, it shrinks him down to the size of an 8 yr. old. Through his 'girlfriend's' father, another detective by the name of Richard Moore, he helps him solve cases on the sly, as he attempts to track down who did this to him, and make him normal again. This show has been running forever in Japan, and is up to over 400 episodes. When a series normally runs about 26, it only goes to show you how popular the series is. The cases themselves are standalone, most of the time, so you can jump in anywhere. They're really enjoyable, but the kicker is that it's on at 5:30 in the morning PST. From what I've seen of your Transformers fanfic, you may have a taste for Mecha. In that case, the aforementioned RahXephon would be a good choice. Or if you're into old school, then Robotech or Gundam would also be an excellent choice. Hopefully with my, and the other's suggestions, you're able to find something to your liking. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask! Rommie



Pipster	Jun 30 2005, 09:50 PM Post #22
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	I kinda like that there's mecha intersperced (sp?) into FMP! but isn't the focus of the entire show. (course I've only seen the first four eps). But I think that one would be a good one to see too, if you can get a hold of a copy.



NeuralClone	Jun 30 2005, 10:47 PM Post #23
Resident Tachikoma Posts: 507 Group: R&D Team Member #5 Joined: May 19, 2005	Pipster Jun 30 2005, 05:50 PM I kinda like that there's mecha intersperced (sp?) into FMP! but isn't the focus of the entire show. (course I've only seen the first four eps). Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex works that way as well (assuming that Full Metal Panic! actually works that way ;)). There are mechas in it but they aren't the focus of the series. Well, the Tachikomas are a big part of the series but not in the way typically found in mecha series. Therefore, I don't consider it to be a true mecha series. It's more of a sci-fi, action, and cyberpunk type series. (Ack, here I am pimping GitS again )



Niko	Jun 30 2005, 11:15 PM Post #24
Traveller Posts: 418 Group: Henchmen Member #6 Joined: May 19, 2005	Eek! Sorry about the Blockbuster thing, Pip. I'm afraid they outnumber Hollywood Video about 5-to-1 in my area... I think FMP's mecha are pretty integral to the show, but Pip's right that it's not a flat-out mecha extravaganza or anything. The focus is mostly on the characters. That's what makes it a great "starter" series, I think. It's got those elements that lots of people go "Ooooo...all anime has is stupid giant robots" and proves that you can have an engaging, character-driven story that, yes, does have giant robots.



Pipster	Jul 1 2005, 12:26 AM Post #25
Pervy VA Fancier Posts: 815 Group: Henchmen Member #8 Joined: May 21, 2005	Niko Jun 30 2005, 06:15 PM Eek! Sorry about the Blockbuster thing, Pip. I'm afraid they outnumber Hollywood Video about 5-to-1 in my area... I think FMP's mecha are pretty integral to the show, but Pip's right that it's not a flat-out mecha extravaganza or anything. The focus is mostly on the characters. That's what makes it a great "starter" series, I think. It's got those elements that lots of people go "Ooooo...all anime has is stupid giant robots" and proves that you can have an engaging, character-driven story that, yes, does have giant robots. no worries, hun. It's my little joke. Show my loyalty to a job that makes me a little crazy 90% of the time. And I haven't checked Blockbuster (for obvious reasons) but they may actually have a better selection of anime. Either way, people at least have to option to rent them first to see if they'll like it.



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