Board 8 > Anime & Manga Discussion Topic 292 - The G Stands for Gear

(+) Yeah! (+)

Hey Roba I'll answer some tv and monitor questions.

I have 2x 32 inch 4k monitors that I use for work/game/anime. I sit pretty close to them so when I play games or watch anime they aren't crystal clear. It's not blurry but you will notice when watching 4k vs 1080p (which most anime are in). I also have a 60+ inch 4k tv that I sit far away from and anime look amazing on it. I would suggest you get a 4k tv over buying a 1080 tv. 1080 is old and more and more content are shifting towards 4k.

Thanks for the info! It sounds like it should work then since I'll be sitting an appropriate distance away. I spent probably way too much time researching TVs this weekend, and the other conclusion I've reached is that I shouldn't get an OLED one because the white/black of the subtitles might eventually burn into the screen. Beyond that, it's just a matter of waiting for the right TV at the right price. Thanks again, everyone.

Mobilezoid posted...

the other conclusion I've reached is that I shouldn't get an OLED one because the white/black of the subtitles might eventually burn into the screen

I don't think this is a concern with modern OLED screens. Burn-in stopped being a big deal a few years ago. Having a PC desktop on an OLED screen might be the sort of thing to cause burn-in to a greater degree though.

We are DEFINITELY at a turning point for Chainsaw Man Part 2!

https://twitter.com/kojion/status/1706984614504652959?s=19

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-27/k-manga-adds-hajime-no-ippo-boxing-manga-in-english/.202900

:O

Great, now you just have to solve Kodansha's Riddles 3, go on an ARG scavenger hunt, and write an essay, and then you'll be able to read a couple chapters of Ippo on K Manga!

SHINE_GET_64 posted...

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-27/k-manga-adds-hajime-no-ippo-boxing-manga-in-english/.202900

:O

That's really cool. Too bad it will take like a decade to get to the current chapter for me to use it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yowAmloydVY
Battle System Overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNC6Pt72T50
Special Story Sneak Peek

Some animes have really awesome openings.

This is one of them;

https://twitter.com/mahoyomeproject/status/1707319235729379416

Zigzagoon posted...

Some animes have really awesome openings.

This is one of them;

https://twitter.com/mahoyomeproject/status/1707319235729379416

I'm going to need proof that half of this OP isn't clips from the show like all the other Magus Bride OPs.

Otherwise bad by default.

That was very cool.

Is the theater thing actually part of the show or just a style choice for the opening? I hope it's the later

Summer anime review zone:

Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence - A bad show! This is mainly due to the relationship between the main two characters. It's supposed to be romantic, but it never really feels like they have much chemistry, and neither of the main two are very interesting, especially Lawrence, who has all the personality of a piece of wood. He gets a lot of focus, so this really hurts the show. The rest of the cast is somewhat better, but they're not amazing, and they can't make up for the main two being so dull.

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon - Ladies and gentlemen, I love fantasy anime. It doesn't take much to please me, which is why it's disappointing that so many isekai series are so bad. Vending Machine avoids many of their pitfalls, being pretty enjoyable for most of its runtime. The cast and environment are interesting (it seems like some sort of cataclysm happened, so everyone on the planet now lives in a giant dungeon?), and while it's not super unique, it's reasonably well executed. Having the protagonist be a vending machine is a novel twist, and I like that he mostly keeps his weaknesses to the end - even at the final moments of the series, he still can't speak more than his stock vending machine phrases, and he needs other people to carry him since he can't move on his own. He does have plenty of amazing abilities, but it doesn't hurt the show like in some isekais. Still, the show doesn't have much for amazing moments, and it's surprisingly not very funny, even when it's trying to be. Not sure whether I'll watch S2 or not.

BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! - I'm a bit disappointed this show didn't ever give us an answer to the core mystery. They're apparently saving that for the spinoff, unfortunately. I really think they should've just given us that answer here. Other than that, this is pretty good! It doesn't focus on the stuff I dislike about idol/music anime (mostly concerts and fan interactions), and the drama between the various characters is a ton of fun. I like how genuinely sad they are, and Tomori especially is an excellent character. Their reactions generally feel quite natural, and following their travails as they try to become a band is quite fun. The best moment is later in the series, when Tomori starts performing solo. The pure emotion there is fantastic. I would've liked to get even more of that, haha.

Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero - Surprisingly better than it seemed at first. It focuses a lot more on a story rather than silly antics, with a solid cast and an interesting setting. I was a bit sad the demon lord didn't get as much focus in the latter half of the series, though. He was by far my favorite character.

My Happy Marriage - Despite how depressing/frustrating they were, the first few episodes were my favorite part. I quite enjoyed Miyo suffering in her terrible situation and the ray of sunshine of her new life. The storyline in the second half just wasn't as interesting to me. Kiyoka and his sister were good characters though. Would've probably enjoyed it more if this focused more on slice of life interactions rather than being a big action series.

Rankingz so far:

1. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
2. Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero
3. My Happy Marriage
4. Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
5. Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence

I've been watching that Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence anime too because it looked like it could be cute. I haven't seen the final episode yet, but I doubt it'll change my opinion much. I thought it was mediocre. Cecilia had some great facial expressions and reactions, but the setting was really half-baked. Her being a saint barely mattered in most episodes. I also agree that Lawrence was incredibly boring. I'll at least give the show points for never descending into melodrama, even if they did tease it a few times.

Overall, the Ice Guy anime from earlier this year was a much, much better "two people act cute around each other" show.

The editorial blurb for Shimeji Simulation (by the Girl's Last Tour author) says that the next chapter will be the finale. Dunno if it's going to be the actual last chapter (since it feels like there's still too much to unpack in just one more chapter) but even if it's not it seems that it's going to wrap up soon at any rate.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably check that out when it's done. Is it good?

Frieren four episode premiere is live GET HYPE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwr1aLEDpe4

I've seen people recommending Frieren also recommend Apothecary Diaries in the same breath so I'm prob gonna check that out too

Damn I thought I was safe until the month started at least.

Will watch it this weekend.

The official website for SPYxANYA: Operation Memories, a new game based on the SPYFAMILY anime, revealed that the game will launch for Nintendo Switch in Japan on December 21. The game will then launch for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in 2024. The PlayStation 4 version will be digital only.

The game will launch in the West in 2024 for Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC.

In the daily life sim, players control Anya with the goal of completing a photo diary for homework. Players can go on outings, play minigames to get costumes, and dress up characters. Other characters from the series, such as Loid, Yor, Damian, Becky, Yuri, and Fiona appear.

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-29/spyxanya-operation-memories
-life-sim-game-launches-in-japan-for-switch-on-december-21-ps5-ps4-in-/.202992

Anya

Still haven't watched but it sounds like Frieren totally killed it.

Not that I expected otherwise.

CoolCly posted...

Frieren four episode premiere is live GET HYPE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwr1aLEDpe4

I've seen people recommending Frieren also recommend Apothecary Diaries in the same breath so I'm prob gonna check that out too

Apothecary Diaries should be excellent, it's just a shame that it's not starting for another three weeks.

This season has an unusual density of series I'm interested in - usually zero to two series pique my interest per season but there are three series that I'll be making it a point to watch and a handful of others that I know enough about to say they'll probably be good. The other series aside from Frieren and Apothecary is Shangri-La Frontier, which comes out on Sunday. It's a series focused on VR MMOs, with an emphasis on the personal skill and mastery of the game mechanics. I like the main cast a lot, and I think it's an interesting take on the genre overall.

https://youtu.be/JZH-M2hdtdM

no break for Kenshin going straight into cour 2 next week

Forgot that was even airing.

Absolutely nobody talking about it.

I haven't watched this past week's one yet but I am really enjoying the season, every episode is comfy. Love the OP and gets me hyped to watch the episode every time. And with the Oniwaban group stuff done, well I don't know how many episodes (or how much filler original series had) before Shishio stuff begins but I know it's on the horizon and the hype is building let's fucking goooooooo

Between that, and Goblin Slayer and Spy x Family starting in a week... as someone who hasn't watched as much anime as most people in this topic and usually just binge series years after they're completed, I don't think I've ever watched 3 anime series live before in my life.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Absolutely nobody talking about it.

BECAUSE YOU'LL ALL CRITICIZE US FOR WATCHING IT

I meant like

On Twitter

I ain't seen a clip or gif hit the timeline

Watched the first 2 episodes of Frieren. It's a pretty understated show which I think makes it hard to say much immediately, but it seems quite good so far.

A+ on the music. Looking it up apparently it's the same composer as Violet Evergarden, which in retrospect I can totally hear the similarities.

Watching PVs in airing order.

Wow this Shangri-La show sure has some BUDGET, huh?

UshiromiyaEva posted...

I meant like

On Twitter

I ain't seen a clip or gif hit the timeline

It's not a very exciting adaptation. The original one looked cooler (at least the well animated episodes)

That's kind of the Lidenfilms way, isn't it? A production that makes for great screenshots but mediocre videos.

I don't think the screenshots are that amazing. Still gives away a lack of style.

Moreover it's tough these days when even toei is trying to hit the twitter clips.

https://twitter.com/GoodSmile_US/status/1707229425551511847?s=20

Oh sick, was wondering if they would ever get a Pop Up Parade style run

The idea of a Rurouni Kenshin anime remake always seemed to me more like an obligation a studio feel necessary to make at this point in order to eventually get around to properly adapting the final arc rather than something people were actually excited about potentially happening. Skip the filler and the original anime was already cool as is; maybe the remake would be neat if the animation was up to modern high quality standards but it sounds like it's not? So yeah, a pretty muted response sounds appropriate!

How did the bumper for that Anya game miss out making the "ooting" reference?

Anyway, finished My Home Hero. Kinda goofy final fight, complete with a shit animation budget. However, Tetsuo and especially Kasen hold the show together.

Sounds like Mappa is imploding.

Studio employees coming out saying they've been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements today regarding working conditions.

Still technically in the rumor zone, but it IS coming from Mappa animator's twitters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdxjVRHB_GI

CHAIR-SAMA ARRIVES 2024

Jujutsu Kaisen 237 spoilers

So are you happy now pj? Sukuna wins, now reincarnates in Megumi thus killing him and healing himself to 100%. So much for Gojo weakening him. I guess this is just good for the story.

Now 3 of the 4 main characters are dead and the last one remaining is useless. He makes Sakura from Naruto look like a competent character.

I had somehow never even see the PV for this new show Shy, but boy is this definitely my one to watch for the season.

Other than Frieren obviously, which even though I'm sure is fantastic I may not even watch since I only just recently read the manga, this is the only one that has landed so far.

Anime.

https://twitter.com/G0ffThew/status/1708928195964387352?s=19

Started watching Black Cat. Not a complete hit with me (some really doofy comedy and visuals at times), but the crime thriller/bounty hunting stuff always gets a rope. This seems a show I'd stick with, unlike GunxSword, which kinda died off a few episodes in. There's a bit more going on, and it takes itself a smidge more seriously.

pyresword posted...

Finished part 1 of Mushoku Tensei season 2.

Already said this but I didn't like this as much as the first season. The first arc was generally good but felt somewhat rushed, and the arc at the university had some great moments but overall seemed set up to play to the series' weaknesses rather than its strengths.

Just finished, I feel the same. Had some good highs, even some of the ecchi humor landed, but overall felt like a definite step back for the series from the Fantastic S1P2. Hopefully S2P2 manages to bring us back. I have heard the series will get much better but also worse in the future.

https://youtu.be/9ez8lm9I26Y?si=xHVpLGa1bG_Vqd8d

Looks incredible, but just like Monster I'm struggling with doubt as to whether I should read his manga before watching the anime.

Read ahead in Shy a bit and stopped, just enough to know I definitely want to watch it animated. This is my dark horse pick for the season.

Undead Girl Murder Farce is pretty easily the best of the season for stuff I watched. The animation is great, with a fantastic directorial style (Kaguya/Monogatari guy does an excellent job), the cast is all super fun, and the arcs are good in their own unique ways. It's not a boilerplate mystery series, every arc approaches things differently. Would love to see a second season of this someday, but apparently the anime already covered almost all the source material, alas.

The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen ended up being a pretty good villainess series to me, though it seems not to be super well-liked in general. It takes things more seriously than other series I'm familiar with. I really liked the flashbacks to the evil things the MC did in the original version - she's actually like, incredibly evil, not just misunderstood or mean like a lot of villainesses in these series are. The supporting cast is solid too, but the MC's the real highlight.

The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today started out pretty good, since I like cats a lot, but it got pretty rote as it went along. It felt like every episode was repeating content from earlier episodes. The cast got somewhat less likeable as it went too. Still pretty okay all around, but not something I'd recommend.

Summer anime rankingz continued:

1. Undead Girl Murder Farce
2. The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen
3. BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
4. Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero
5. My Happy Marriage
6. Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
7. The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today
8. Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence

Not much left to watch. Pretty barren season as far as non-sequels go.

everyone ready for the great autumn shonen hit Undead Unluck???

pjbasis posted...

everyone ready for the great autumn shonen hit Undead Unluck???

I hope its good

Tomorrow.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/6/3/AAeolZAAE5WH.jpg

I refuse to watch a PV.

Those character designs are tragically mediocre.

I've taken a long overdue chainsaw to my seemingly endless backlog of shows. I've gone through about 20 different shows, varying from instantly repulsed to sticking for an episode or two. I guess it was bound to happen that I'd hit a stretch where I just had to dive in and get rid of things that weren't either any good or interesting enough to stick with.

That's what I get for putting anything I've never seen before in my watchlist without thinking.