I'm trying to get into *some* anime and I think I found a winner...

[Easter Lily]

Miziyaki's stuff is terrific... My favourites are Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle and Nausica. I think Spirited Away, while good fun is somewhat overrated when compared to other things that he's done.

But my favourite anime series of all time is probably Cowboy Bebop, whose only flaw was that it ended somewhat abruptly. The writing was top-notch, the music was fabulous and it was hilarious. The same director did Samurai Champloo, which is also terrific and very funny.

Another one that I've enjoyed is Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex which is really fascinating adult fare. But you do need to pay close attention. The plot and subplots are very convoluted.

 

[Delusive]

I watched Princess Mononoke over the weekend. I'll tell everyone my impressions when I have more time.

Anyway, the short answer is that it was good.

 

[Elijya]

eager to hear more of your thoughts

the american screenplay was written by Neil Gaiman, who's most well known as the author of Sandman from DC comics

 

[Delusive]

Ok, here's what I thought about it (please note, I'm no professional reviewing things so I'm going to make it as simple as possible):

Pros:

1) Great animation
2) The movie's environment felt alive
3) The animals felt alive
4) Artistic action rather than mindless action
5) Felt like a classic and treated itself as one
6) Story felt epic and was good; loved the character's designs and such, went nicely with the story
7) I loved the severing of the main character's hair as symbolism to cutting himself off from his village

Cons:

1) The people didn't feel as alive as the environments and animals
2) The story felt slow at times
3) The love story in the movie felt somewhat forced

Neither:

1) I'm a big fan of lip syncing so the words not matching the English sometimes distracted me from the movie though, since this is a Japanese movie, I'm not counting this as a con

In ways, I liked this movie more than Spirited Away but in other ways I liked Spirited Away more than this one. I think I like the story and characters more than the story and characters in Princess Mononoke but not by much. The action and overall scope of the world felt grander in Princess Mononoke.

Not a really good review, I know. I'm really bad on reviewing things so thanks for bearing with me. Overall, I'd give Princess Mononoke a solid 9/10.

 

[Elijya]

if you felt Princess Mononoke was slow, you'll find most other ghibli/miyazaki movies even slower (ESPECIALLY My Neighbor Totoro, I fell asleep the first time)

I highly recommend moving onto an action series next

 

[Venom160]

I recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion (26 episodes) plus the (alternate ending) movie The End of Evangelion.This show's ability to f**k your head alone is enough of a reason to check it out. Its intriguing story combined with amazing animation makes this series (in my opinion) a must see for anyone who likes anime.

 

[Elijya]

I recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion (26 episodes) plus the (alternate ending) movie The End of Evangelion.This show's ability to f**k your head alone is enough of a reason to check it out. Its intriguing story combined with amazing animation makes this series (in my opinion) a must see for anyone who likes anime.

I don't. If he felt that Princess Mononoke was slow, I don't think he's going to enjoy two minute sequences of characters riding in elevators in silence.

 

[Avangarde]

Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and Ninja Scroll are considered the essential anime. As for series I'd recommend The Guyver, Astro Boy, Nurato, Neon Genesis Evangelion.

 

[Elijya]

I don't consider Ninja Scroll essential at all, and I've never cared ofr GitS, personally

 

[Sloth7d]

I don't think Akira is all that great. Back in a different time, it was all the rave. But now it really is outshined by alot of other better animes.

 

[Delusive]

I know I don't care for Ghost in the Shell and Naruto. I used to like Naruto but...it just wasn't up to par with what I was expecting, I may watch it on Toonami now and again but I'll never buy a DVD of it.

Anyway, I may try watching faster paced anime, Princess Mononoke wasn't THAT slow but it was slower than what I'm used to, I still loved the movie though.

I'm used to fights like Avatar's, that spoiled me! >_>

It may even surpass the fights from my favorite universe of cartoons ever, the DCAU.

 

[Venom160]

I don't. If he felt that Princess Mononoke was slow, I don't think he's going to enjoy two minute sequences of characters riding in elevators in silence.

even so, small price to pay for the awsome fights between the Evas and the Angels.

 

[Elijya]

I know I don't care for Ghost in the Shell and Naruto. I used to like Naruto but...it just wasn't up to par with what I was expecting, I may watch it on Toonami now and again but I'll never buy a DVD of it.

Anyway, I may try watching faster paced anime, Princess Mononoke wasn't THAT slow but it was slower than what I'm used to, I still loved the movie though.

I'm used to fights like Avatar's, that spoiled me! >_>

It may even surpass the fights from my favorite universe of cartoons ever, the DCAU.

I'm telling you, man: Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Fullmetal Alchemist

 

[Sloth7d]

Also, HellSing if you like fast paced.