I've started an interest in watching anime (thanks mostly to an anime store opening down the road from me) and I've seen some some good and some bad. I would have to recommend to those who like a good story, drama, humor, character development to rent Blue Seed. It's about a high school girl whose life is turned upside down when she discovers that she is destined to save Japan. She discovers things about herself and even falls in love. A great story to see if you can.

Do you mean this.

I hadn't heard of it before but the intro looked good. The story sounds deep. Buts thats Japanese anime for you. Thats why I like Gatchaman so much.

That sounds interesting, Condorfan. I'd like to broaden my anime horizons, but am never sure where to start... I want to watch Naruto (to see what all the hype is/was about), but so far the only version I can find on DVD is the Americanized version, or at least Netflix and Blockbuster don't seem to carry the "Uncut" version, which is the original Japanese subbed. I also seem to keep falling back into the old-school stuff... I have GoLion on my list to watch, and have already watched the first few eps of StarBlazers (as StarBlazers, not Ghost Ship Yamatto). Anyone else have any suggestions for anime to watch?? Springie's mentioned Inu Yahshu a couple times... What else would be good to view?

Originally posted by Hinotori Anyone else have any suggestions for anime to watch?? Springie's mentioned Inu Yahshu a couple times... What else would be good to view?

I own all of Fullmetal Alchemist, and I enjoyed it. It's readily available, with sub/dub. I think there's 51 episodes, plus one movie that ties up some loose ends.

Originally posted by lborgia88

Originally posted by Hinotori Anyone else have any suggestions for anime to watch?? Springie's mentioned Inu Yahshu a couple times... What else would be good to view?

I own all of Fullmetal Alchemist, and I enjoyed it. It's readily available, with sub/dub. I think there's 51 episodes, plus one movie that ties up some loose ends.

I was going to say I watched Fullmetal as well. I started in the middle of the series and had to figure out what was going on but it was great once I understood. Another series I watched, because it came on immediately after Fullmetal was Gundam Seed. I gather there are several newer series of this show but I was watching the first one. Unfortunately I missed the very last episode so I have been watching to see if it is shown again.

Full Metal Alchemist is a must to watch for all anime lovers.It has everything a good anime must have:fantastic story, great and beliavable character development,and a balanced dosage of humor and tragedy. In fact, based on the online poll by TV Asahi in Japan in 2005, Full Metal Alchemist was ranked no. 1 in the list of top 100 Anime in Japan. Our beloved Gatchaman made the cut too, although it was just in the position of 91, but hey, Gatchaman has been around for more than three decades, and that itself deserved some special recognition. For the full list, you can see it here: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime if you prefer more Japanese mecha anime like Gundam,I must recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion , as this can be considered as one of Anime masterpiece.Be warned though, that this anime deals with controversial matters. For something more contemporary, I truly recommend Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Detective Conan/Case Closed (Meitantei Conan), Inu Yasha, Shaman King, Zatch Bell, and Yu-Gi-Oh! If you like Blue Seed, I would like to recommend The Vision Of Escaflowne (Tenku No Esukafurone) and Mysterious Play (Fushigi Yugi). I would like also like to add that you will never appreciate the beauty if anime if you haven't watched any films made by Studio Ghibli.My recommendations are Nausicaa, Laputa, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and Grave Of The Fireflies (my personal favorite)

Alchemist... I read a great deal about those early ideas that they explored interesting stuff.... It makes good work for the darker side of a Fantasy story... Saturn you have some good knowledge to share on Japanese anime.

Thank you for all the recommendations Saturn ... one day I may get around to watching some of them .... but then I really do like to focus on Gatchaman , so we will have to see what happens. If I spread myself too thin I might never get any work done.

Originally posted by Metaliant Do you mean this.

I can't get YouTube with my lousy connection but I'm sure that it is the same. Basilisk is also a good story..I thought so anyway. It's like a Romeo and Juliet in feudal Japan.

Great recommendations, Saturn! There are a couple on your list I'd like to see (Evangelion and Bleach being two of them, though I don't know much about them). And I'm a bit of a Studio Ghibli fan myself. I've only seen 4 Miyazaki films so far (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl's, and Nausicaa) SA and PM are my faves of the ones I've seen.

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne Alchemist... I read a great deal about those early ideas that they explored interesting stuff.... It makes good work for the darker side of a Fantasy story... Saturn you have some good knowledge to share on Japanese anime.

Dear Ebonyswanne Can't help it, I have to say that I am obsessed with anime, manga, dorama and even Japanese music.

Originally posted by clouddancer Thank you for all the recommendations Saturn ... one day I may get around to watching some of them .... but then I really do like to focus on Gatchaman , so we will have to see what happens. If I spread myself too thin I might never get any work done.

Dear Clouddancer ITA, I would love to focus on Gatchaman too, considering that I have never watched the Gatchaman version of my beloved cartoon, G-Force. However, I am completely relying on YouTube to watch Gatchaman Episodes, which unfortunately are not really updated periodically by the fans. The ADV DVD never make its way to my country, sigh, therefore I have to kill some time by watching more contemporary anime.

Originally posted by Hinotori Great recommendations, Saturn! There are a couple on your list I'd like to see (Evangelion and Bleach being two of them, though I don't know much about them). And I'm a bit of a Studio Ghibli fan myself. I've only seen 4 Miyazaki films so far (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl's, and Nausicaa) SA and PM are my faves of the ones I've seen.

Dear Hinotori Don't worry, sometimes knowing too much about an anime before watching it will kill the excitement due to over expectation.. I have experienced it myself. Nice to know that you are a fan of Hayao Miyazaki's works too, will strongly suggest you to get hold of Grave Of The Fireflies, I'm sure you will love it. Well, in the end, despite all that, I still have to give my props to Gatchaman, as it is the one that brings me to this board and meeting all wonderful people here,

Originally posted by saturn [quote]Dear Clouddancer ITA, I would love to focus on Gatchaman too, considering that I have never watched the Gatchaman version of my beloved cartoon, G-Force. However, I am completely relying on YouTube to watch Gatchaman Episodes, which unfortunately are not really updated periodically by the fans. The ADV DVD never make its way to my country, sigh, therefore I have to kill some time by watching more contemporary anime.

Saturn could you get a region free DVD player where you are? Then you could get and watch the Gatchaman DVD's.

Originally posted by Condorfan Saturn could you get a region free DVD player where you are? Then you could get and watch the Gatchaman DVD's.

Dear Condorfan In fact, my current DVD player is region free. Are you going to suggest that I buy them online?because I would rather not buying them online, at least, not from my place.The security of the internet system in my country is so weak, all those hackers can easily track down all of my personal info from a single online transaction. Or perhaps you have better suggestions, Condorfan?Would really appreciate that.

Dear Saturn, I can understand your feelings about Internet security. I worry each time I use it. I really don't feel safe myself getting things online. I don't know if the ADV DVD's can be copied because if so then that's what we could do.

Dear Condorfan Thank you very much for your suggestion.To tell you the truth, despite any write/copy protection in DVDs today, any DVD should be able to be easily cracked and copied nowadays. However, that is not the route that I am going to choose right now,!I have actually ordered the DVDs long ago from an Anime shop at my place, but so far no luck. Hopefully, they can get hold of the DVDs soon. Hope that you can enjoy more anime with the opening of anime shop near your place. There are indeed many other fantastic anime worth checking out.

Dear Saturn: I would like to be able to help you get the DVD's. If you continue to have problems, PM me and perhaps I can try here or through some websites where I have had some success or even through eBay. My brother has high speed internet and better security with his network so I could be your intermediary and see if we can get those DVD's for you.

Originally posted by Hinotori Great recommendations, Saturn! There are a couple on your list I'd like to see (Evangelion and Bleach being two of them, though I don't know much about them). And I'm a bit of a Studio Ghibli fan myself. I've only seen 4 Miyazaki films so far (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl's, and Nausicaa) SA and PM are my faves of the ones I've seen.

I have Evangelion. The basic premise is that about 15 years after a destructive global calamity, a heavily fortified underground research complex is using giant robot-type things called "Evas" (whose origins are mysterious) to combat attacks by other giant robot-type things called "Angels" (also with mysterious origins). For certain reasons, the human pilots of the Evas are all about 14 years old, and one of them is the estranged son of the man who runs the research complex. It seems like a mostly action-oriented premise, but it sort of turns into a study of various psychological states -depression being the key one. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, it was always interesting. But, I think I liked Fullmetal Alchemist better. If you're reluctant to purchase Evangelion or Fullmetal Alchemist, unseen, and if they aren't readily rentable, I could easily stick them in a box and mail them from Indiana to New Jersey on an extended loan.

Originally posted by lborgia88 I have Evangelion. The basic premise is that about 15 years after a destructive global calamity, a heavily fortified underground research complex is using giant robot-type things called "Evas" (whose origins are mysterious) to combat attacks by other giant robot-type things called "Angels" (also with mysterious origins). For certain reasons, the human pilots of the Evas are all about 14 years old, and one of them is the estranged son of the man who runs the research complex. It seems like a mostly action-oriented premise, but it sort of turns into a study of various psychological states -depression being the key one. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, it was always interesting. But, I think I liked Fullmetal Alchemist better. If you're reluctant to purchase Evangelion or Fullmetal Alchemist, unseen, and if they aren't readily rentable, I could easily stick them in a box and mail them from Indiana to New Jersey on an extended loan.

Thanks LB, I'll be sure to try and see those A.S.A.P. I just finished another interesting short series Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka. It's about a mysterious unlicensed doctor who performs amazing surgeries and solves strange medical cases. It's kind of graphic on the medical scenes but there is no sex (although there is some brief nudity). It kind of like House M.D. crossed with Phantom of the Opera (to me anyway).

Thanks for the offer, LB!!! If I can't get them through Netfllix, I may just take you up on that. I'll keep you posted! And great suggestions, everyone! I'm enjoying reading the reviews/suggestions you're all offering.

Originally posted by Condorfan Dear Saturn: I would like to be able to help you get the DVD's. If you continue to have problems, PM me and perhaps I can try here or through some websites where I have had some success or even through eBay. My brother has high speed internet and better security with his network so I could be your intermediary and see if we can get those DVD's for you.

Dear Condorfan Thank you so much for your offer, it is very kind and sweet of you. I am still waiting for confirmation from the anime shop who has actually informed that there is a big chance I can get hold of the DVDs by the end of August.Will keep praying for that, I would surely keep you posted on the progress.Thank you again for your kind offer. And yes, I love Black Jack too, and I like your comparing him to House, although I think that Black Jack is more compassionate than the ever sarcastic and egoisitic House (still love him, though,!)

Originally posted by lborgia88 I have Evangelion. The basic premise is that about 15 years after a destructive global calamity, a heavily fortified underground research complex is using giant robot-type things called "Evas" (whose origins are mysterious) to combat attacks by other giant robot-type things called "Angels" (also with mysterious origins). For certain reasons, the human pilots of the Evas are all about 14 years old, and one of them is the estranged son of the man who runs the research complex. It seems like a mostly action-oriented premise, but it sort of turns into a study of various psychological states -depression being the key one. Even though it wasn't what I was expecting, it was always interesting. But, I think I liked Fullmetal Alchemist better. If you're reluctant to purchase Evangelion or Fullmetal Alchemist, unseen, and if they aren't readily rentable, I could easily stick them in a box and mail them from Indiana to New Jersey on an extended loan.

Dear lBorgia88, I agree, Evangelion is a very complex anime which sometimes actually requires deep thinking way beyond other anime that I have ever watched. I think it has got to do with the fact that the creator, Hideaki Anno, wrote the story in the midst of overcoming clinical depression. I also agree with you that despite Evangelion being called anime masterpiece, Full Metal Alchemist is actually a lot more enjoyable than Evangelion, and is a definite must to watch for all anime lovers. I always love the tagline of Full Metal Alchemist "People cannot gain anything without sacrificing anything. You must present something of equivalent value to gain something" I think this principle perfectly applicable in my life. Wish that I know what is the equivalent value for me to be able to get , sigh. For the others, LBorgia88 has been kind enough to lend the above great anime, which I think you all should really make good use of,!

Originally posted by Condorfan Thanks LB, I'll be sure to try and see those A.S.A.P. I just finished another interesting short series Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka. It's about a mysterious unlicensed doctor who performs amazing surgeries and solves strange medical cases. It's kind of graphic on the medical scenes but there is no sex (although there is some brief nudity). It kind of like House M.D. crossed with Phantom of the Opera (to me anyway).

Condorfan, if you enjoy Black Jack you need to read the "kind of crossover" of BOTP/Black Jack. At least I think it is the same BJ character and I think it was BOTP - Mark that was injured instead of Gatch - Ken. It was written by Daniel Rush and involved Mark being shot by a sniper and a character called Black Jack is called upon to repair his spine.

Originally posted by saturn Dear lBorgia88, I agree, Evangelion is a very complex anime which sometimes actually requires deep thinking way beyond other anime that I have ever watched. I think it has got to do with the fact that the creator, Hideaki Anno, wrote the story in the midst of overcoming clinical depression. I also agree with you that despite Evangelion being called anime masterpiece, Full Metal Alchemist is actually a lot more enjoyable than Evangelion, and is a definite must to watch for all anime lovers. I always love the tagline of Full Metal Alchemist "People cannot gain anything without sacrificing anything. You must present something of equivalent value to gain something" I think this principle perfectly applicable in my life. Wish that I know what is the equivalent value for me to be able to get , sigh. For the others, LBorgia88 has been kind enough to lend the above great anime, which I think you all should really make good use of,!

I didn't know that the creator of Evangelion had experienced depression, but I can see now how it influenced the story. With Fullmetal Alchemist, I loved the way the story unfolded, with each episode revealing clues or backstory or plot twists, until in the final episodes, the whole big picture came together powerfully. (I also had a bit of crush on Colonel Roy Mustang).

Originally posted by Hinotori Thanks for the offer, LB!!! If I can't get them through Netfllix, I may just take you up on that. I'll keep you posted! And great suggestions, everyone! I'm enjoying reading the reviews/suggestions you're all offering.

If you belong to Netflix, you should be able to get them. One word of warning for Fullmetal Alchemist: If you want to avoid a few spoilers, don't read the little booklets inside the DVD cases until you've watched the episodes.

I think I'll hold off an Evangelion for a bit... It sounds like it's one that you have to be in the right mindframe or mood to watch. But my curiosity is piqued with Full Metal Alchemist (probably because I love stories that don't spell everything out at once. I love being kept guessing!!). Good thing about Netflix is that they don't send the cases or jewel cards (is that what they're called on DVD'S??). So, no worries about spoilers there!