YCM Secret Santa 2012: Anime Edition (Secret Santas are out!)

[Blake]

Finished Eden of the East about a week ago.

To put it as lightly I can... It was completely mediocre. The only characters with anything compelling about them were Takizawa and the super NEET Panties, though I can't even recall his real name. The lead female was just Orihime from Bleach through and through, and while I don't mind Orihime as much as most people, she did even less and whined a lot more than the original. Hell, she even looks like Orihime. The relationship between the leads wasn't interesting, either, because there was nothing to it, other than OH EMM GEE FATE and abandoning a guy she was supposed to go on a date with.

Hell, I can't remember any names, except Juiz (sp?), Mr. Outside, Yuki, and Takizawa.

Then there's the issue of just throwing writing out the window. I'm gonna use a spoiler for this, due to, le gasp, spoilers.
[spoiler=Minirant]
Why the hell did the serial killer woman grow wings and use telekinesis. The whole damn point of the series was that they used MONEY and REAL MEANS, even if an unrealistic robot was enablign it, in order to better Japan. SO WHY CAN SHIRATORI (I just remembered her name, because it was basically the opposite of her black wings), FLY AND LIFT BODIES!?

Not just that, but she also had a whole Kira thing going, except it wasn't that easy to go along with it. She's succesful as all get out, a model, and has everything money can buy, so that hiring and firing people means nothing. Yet she spends her time gettign revenge because she had some sort of bad encounter with the opposite sex. What does she do? She neuters men who have been convicted of sexual crimes, then kills them or lets them bleed out or something. Okay, maybe you could call her a vengeful hero if she was just eliminating them, but she "blacks out" and sadistically kills them. She's not Kira, she's some freaky sadistic b****.

As for Panties, why was he alive in the finale? It was heavily implied he died from hitting the ground too hard after being hit by a car. When someone goes totally still, eyes and mouth still open, that means they're either dead or paralyzed. Then a flower fell on his face, which sealed the deal that he was dead. THEN HE'S SUDDENLY PERFECTLY FINE, SANS A FEW BROKEN BONES! If I wanted this bullshit on top of Orihime, I'd watch Bleach. Also... he stayed inside because he had no pants? I understand it was meant to be humorous, but... still, I just couldn't really take that even remotely seriously.

Then there's the whole becoming King thing at the end. I don't really understand how that works, even in a metaphorical/figurehead sense. If it was figurehead/literal, why did it cost, at best, the equivalent about $32,000,000? That's not much money, at all, for something so big. I feel like that's a steal. If it was metaphorical only, why did it cost THAT much? For a silly thing like that, that IS a lot of money.

Finally, a little peeve; why the hell do I have to watch a movie to see the real end? Why is there such a high number of Selecao if I don't see them all, at least in the series? There are lots of other minor issues, but nothing I can recall really bothering me.

I didn't watch the movie because I didn't have the time to, but if there are any plotholes filled there, I don't care. You shouldn't make a series dependent on an outside source, so the plotholes and generally stupid events remain.
[/spoiler]

All in all, I wouldn't watch it again. It was neither compelling nor entirely interesting, figuring out who Takizawa was aside. It was bland, rehashed, overused gimmicks and story methods with nothing to break the bounds, really. It wasn't funny, or charming, or even memorable. It just was. And it's not like 11 episodes isn't enough to make a truely compellign story, I've seen it done in 13 easily.

Oh, the doctor guy in episode 4 was kinda cool. You know, until the end of the episode.

Eden of the East in no way lived up to the good things I'd heard about it. I'd give the series a 7/10, and that's being generous. I wouldn't reccomend it.

[King of Games]

Maybe i can clear some things up for, not that'd can your opinion much

[quote name='Sterling Red' timestamp='1356163023' post='6098891']
[spoiler=Minirant]
Why the hell did the serial killer woman grow wings and use telekinesis. The whole damn point of the series was that they used MONEY and REAL MEANS, even if an unrealistic robot was enablign it, in order to better Japan. SO WHY CAN SHIRATORI (I just remembered her name, because it was basically the opposite of her black wings), FLY AND LIFT BODIES!?

[b]Drugs. Siratori uses Juiz to simulate supernatural powers by causing hallucinations. Basically to ensure her escape.[/b]

Not just that, but she also had a whole Kira thing going, except it wasn't that easy to go along with it. She's succesful as all get out, a model, and has everything money can buy, so that hiring and firing people means nothing. Yet she spends her time gettign revenge because she had some sort of bad encounter with the opposite sex. What does she do? She neuters men who have been convicted of sexual crimes, then kills them or lets them bleed out or something. Okay, maybe you could call her a vengeful hero if she was just eliminating them, but she "blacks out" and sadistically kills them. She's not Kira, she's some freaky sadistic b****.

As for Panties, why was he alive in the finale? It was heavily implied he died from hitting the ground too hard after being hit by a car. When someone goes totally still, eyes and mouth still open, that means they're either dead or paralyzed. Then a flower fell on his face, which sealed the deal that he was dead. THEN HE'S SUDDENLY PERFECTLY FINE, SANS A FEW BROKEN BONES! If I wanted this bullshit on top of Orihime, I'd watch Bleach. Also... he stayed inside because he had no pants? I understand it was meant to be humorous, but... still, I just couldn't really take that even remotely seriously.

[b]The not leaving because he had no pants wasnt the real reason, just the excuse he uses. [/b]

Then there's the whole becoming King thing at the end. I don't really understand how that works, even in a metaphorical/figurehead sense. If it was figurehead/literal, why did it cost, at best, the equivalent about $32,000,000? That's not much money, at all, for something so big. I feel like that's a steal. If it was metaphorical only, why did it cost THAT much? For a silly thing like that, that IS a lot of money.

[b]Since your skipping the movies (I dont Blame you) Juiz makes it look like Takizawa is the Prime Minister's illegitimate child, then presumably kills him. A bit of a loose Interpretation of the term "King".[/b]

Finally, a little peeve; why the hell do I have to watch a movie to see the real end? Why is there such a high number of Selecao if I don't see them all, at least in the series? There are lots of other minor issues, but nothing I can recall really bothering me.

I didn't watch the movie because I didn't have the time to, but if there are any plotholes filled there, I don't care. You shouldn't make a series dependent on an outside source, so the plotholes and generally stupid events remain.
[/spoiler]
[/quote]

I think what people like about it is the social commentary. What's wrong with Japan and whats the right way to fix it.
I probably liked it most for "Bang" just Rule of Cool there

[Blake]

Well, thing is, most of the stuff you explained is from some sort of outside source. And yes, I know Panties had a better reason, but he finally had the resolve to do it when he lost his pants, which just left me going "huh?". I love humor, but I just couldn't wrap my head around that reasoning, seriously or otherwise.

Problem that social commentary ended with female Kira, a "King" with amnesia, and a plethora of other underdeveloped characters who just weren't intriguing. There was no real answer, other than "Forums save Japan via jobless people who live with their parents."

I know a little about the movie being a sort of endgame, but, again, external source.

[Susie]

Holy jeez
I completely forgot about this
But anyways I've only watched the first 3 episodes of my anime
So far it looks really promising
I should get around to finishing it

[DL]

I wonder who WILL finish xD


Finished Lovely Complex.


Man

It was...wow

One of the funnier anime I've seen, to be honest. I love the drama and romance factor to it, and that comedy is always a recurring thing. The characters are all compelling, and I love the main couple.

Makes me want to have a comedy duo with someone of the opposite gender. I do

The art wasn't spectacular or anything, and the motions sometimes seem still-ish, but it was nice and simple. Plus, the characters were obviously the main focus of the art.


All in all though, I'd watch it again, and recommend it to anyone who likes romantic comedies with drama in it.

9/10 easy.

[Lt. Colonel Remo]

Yeah

I probably won't finish xxxHolic, but I think I know who gave these wonderful anime

[Susie]

[quote name='Darklink401' timestamp='1356371468' post='6101085']
I wonder who WILL finish xD
[/quote]

We're all too big of procrastinators to finish our series

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

[color=#0000CD]Seeing as how the deadline is tomorrow and I still haven't even gotten to episode 15 I might as well make my thoughts clear about it. And by that I mean, complain. A lot. You may call it a minirant. But unlike my rant I doubt I could possibly completely miss obvious factors to the story yet still complain about it and I can't just say "there's outside source material" as an excuse over and over even when it's not. You got that, DL? Yeah, I'm talking about you. F*ck you, DL.[/color]

[color=#0000CD]Okay, so it should be noted that the anime I was assigned to was Beelzebub. You know, that anime with 8 more episodes than what I said was pushing it. YAY FOR ILLLITURAHSEE! I blame the public school system. *Possibly went one or two over the limit for mine so yay for possible hypocrisy?* Whatevs though. I had like a month to procrastinate on it. But it only took a few days to not give a sh*t. Okay, I will also note though that the one anime I accidentally forgot to list that I've seen more than 50% of, Buso Renkin, was the first recommendation so what I may end up saying should be taken with a grain of salt seeing as how that person could actually recommend something I really liked...the manga of. Didn't finish the anime. Most of it yes but since I read the manga I didn't really care to see the last four or so episodes. But then again the third option was Dragon Drive so I might be speaking too soon...[/color]

[color=#0000CD]Okay, so Beelzebub was an anime I did decide to check out when it first came out. Watched the first two episodes, thought it kind of sucked, and left. Don't know why though. My bet is the copious amounts of little baby d*ck. But that'd just sound silly. So maybe it was the semi-decent humor that I just didn't care a whole lot for and from what I've seen my favorite episode was probably 8 because dem misunderstandings and 14 was okay because of rape charges. Hey, at least it wasn't the first 25 or so episodes of KHR, right? But me being perhaps like a lot of people (or it's just me) and kind of forgetting why I didn't like it Beelzebub entered the back of my head as something maybe I should watch more of just to see if I would like it. Probably because I remember the main being kind of cool. So when I got this recommendation I was ehish but went with it anyway. And apparently the humor in it would suit me so maybe I did just need to see a little more! Ahahaha we were wrong. Really, 8 was the only one that I actually laughed at. Maybe there was a giggle every so often and 14 was okay but I just think of 14 being okay since it was the last I saw. But 8 is still the most notable. [/color]

[color=#0000CD]But hey, maybe it started getting really funny after episode 14 and I'm just an ignorant procrastinating bum. I wouldn't throw that possibility out. Maybe if I could have kept my eyes open for 30 more minutes I'd see how good this sh*t is. Or MAYBE the whole genre of comedy should be somewhat avoided for these kinds of things since comedy is so subjective. Maybe just a "hey, check it out" kind of thing but a "hey, watch ALL OF THIS YOU MASSIVE PIECE OF SH*T" kind of thing like this doesn't work. It doesn't help that comedy anime tend to look fairly cheap and just plain basic. Or maybe the manga is better. That was certainly true for the gag arc in KHR.[/color]

[color=#0000CD]But...really...it was a comedy...what am I supposed to review based on the little I saw?[/color]

[color=#0000CD]Humor: Very meh.[/color]
[color=#0000CD]Animation: Basic[/color]
[color=#0000CD]OPs: First kind of sucked. Second was pretty solid.[/color]
[color=#0000CD]Ending Themes: Okay, I really liked the first. Second was meh...but why did the animation and just about everything look like it was better in this fanserviceyish kind of crap? It reminded me of how much I didn't like it normal.[/color]
[color=#0000CD]Characters: Meh.[/color]
[color=#0000CD]Plot: Concept is actually pretty good but it's a comedy and doesn't actually make sense in retrospect. He knows this baby's supposed to destroy the world, right?[/color]

[color=#0000CD]I miss anything?[/color]
[quote name='Captain Remo' timestamp='1356398627' post='6101422']
I think I know who gave these wonderful anime
[/quote]

[color=#0000CD]I'd be surprised if mine wasn't completely obvious.[/color]

[Nicο]

I watched all of Seitokai no Ichizon. almost a month ago, but I decided to only talk about it on Christmas.

[spoiler=So, I tried writing stuff about each episode, but they were basically just talking about what happened mostly and maybe a few faces for no reason so I'll put that in spoilers, also for no real reason.]



[spoiler=Episode 1]Like Joshiraku (or rather Ebiten, same original character designer and more otaku references), a lot of references, one room most of the time, and hilarious.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 2]Still so funny, and that was sweet.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/EDv05.png[/img]That doesn't work? Well, I'm too lazy to see what that was so whatever.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 3][img]http://i.imgur.com/Yjtty.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/nSuUL.png[/img][/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 4]French. =o[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 5]That locker thing, especially "It started to fit me." really got me laughing. xD[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 6]Those sound like she'll forget them pretty soon.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 7]"That's impressive when you're that little." xD
Those stories and scaring Aka were so cute and funny. :3[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 8]O.O[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 9]"We were just talking about you." Yeah... That stuff from under the table was the funniest for me, but this episode was kind of sad.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 10]He keeps saying "You'll get fat." She should be one of those characters that don't get fat no matter how much they eat. =o

lol, Chizuru's story even made me sad. =o

Everyone dying after that was funny. =o
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 11]...

[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Episode 12]So Aka is really a moron by Aka's point of view?

There is a second season now. :3[/spoiler][/spoiler]

There are a lot of references like I said in that first episode spoiler so basically I didn't get all of them but I found the majority of the show funny. I guess. [spoiler=Also,] since Nakameguro is real I wish that at some point Echo of Death-nii san would be even though I seem to remember someone saying he isn't real but no one ever said anything like that about Nakameguro.[/spoiler] Though I guess Echo of Death doesn't sound like a real thing so I wouldn't imagine someone would actually have that name. Yeah, I don't know. I think I just typed that stuff without thinking.

[Rapidfire]

Alright since I am like the queen of procrastination I got one episode done. i felt kinda bad because I only watched one episode and kinda threw it the pile of animes I will never finish because it is so damn weird or uninteresting. Let's get down to the matter at hand, this anime was way to boring for my tastes. I mean I know I only watched one episode but I could not even pay attention to it. It was pretty common if you ask me, tho it was really weird. I mean here is this village that has never seen the sky before, and out of no where this giant monster tumbles down, and crushes the village. Somehow everyone is still alive, and then this other random chick pops in and starts fighting with the thing. My thoughts were wtf is this? The animation was Okay, I mean they could have done so much better. Plus one characters shades look like they could stab someone just by touching them. The humor in it is okay, I mean it was not as funny as you'd think it is. They don't really explain much in the plot, some of the things really just don't make sense. The characters don't really excite me at all, none of them really interest me, and you can't even relate to any of them. In some animes you can actually relate to a character. That is all I can really say about the anime. Maybe I would have liked it if I got past episode one, but I didn't. Who ever gave me this anime even tho I did not fancy it I appreciate the thought. Thanks, and happy holidays.

[King of Games]

Well i DID finish what i was given(Bartender and Time of Eve), then asked for more and got Student Council's Discretion(Same as Nags~).
Got about halfway because i was taking it in small doses.

Got some enjoyment outta the soon to be outdated references like; to the dramatic writing of YuGiOh! or to Full Metal Panic.
Decently funny, but yeah, a comedy that's best in small doses.

Thanks go to [s]my SS[/s] Tama for Bartender and Time of Eve and to Fusion for SCD.

[Chiri Tsukikawa]

I started FLCL on the first Saturday after getting it and finished it within a week, and even though it was only 6 episodes I didn't ask for another because I wanted to watch what Nags got (We had planned to watch it together sometime but since I have no idea when that would have been, I'm glad one of us got it. Also, we should do this again sometime [size=1]before Christmas next year.[/size]).

As a side note, I went through my "Plan to watch" anime before posting my app and deleted anything I didn't really want to watch from my list and this was one of them, but I watched it anyway.

I can say I did follow what was going on but I didn't really get why until the end, and I only really liked the characters, though not that much. What else I can say is watch it if you want, for it is only 6 episodes (though there are some people that say it's not even worth their time for 6 episodes if THEY feel they probably wouldn't like it). (Honestly though, for a short anime I would rather recommend Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs Forever)

[Blake]

And now I know Rapidfire has awful taste in everything and to never listen to them again.

It's fine not to like Gurren Lagann. That's not the issue. Being lazy as f*** then acting like it was drivel because you refused to fill your obligation, however, is stupid as hell. You cannot judge a series by the first episode, ad you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to.

[Rapidfire]

[quote name='Sterling Red' timestamp='1356449587' post='6101659']
And now I know Rapidfire has awful taste in everything and to never listen to them again.

It's fine not to like Gurren Lagann. That's not the issue. Being lazy as f*** then acting like it was drivel because you refused to fill your obligation, however, is stupid as hell. You cannot judge a series by the first episode, ad you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to.
[/quote]

XD Oh god you got me. I totally was lazy as f***, but I don't have much free time. I really thought I would have enough time to watch something, but sadly I did not. Also I do agree with you I can't really judge a anime with one episode, but like that is how much I watched, and really I was just judging the first episode. Oh and even tho I am not one of those people who judge a anime by first look, I had to I mean the dead line is today.

[Fusion X. Denver]

Well, glad some people enjoyed their gifts at least.
Merry Christmas YCM, here's the Secret Santa list, the user above your name is your Secret Santa (the top person's Secret Santa is the last name on the list).
[spoiler=Secret Santas]
[color=#333333]YuYuHakusho13[/color]
[color=#333333]Comrade TentaSparkle[/color]
[color=#333333]sicknastyKakashi[/color]
[color=#333333]Sterling Red[/color]
[color=#333333]Nags~[/color]
[color=#333333]MoogSourceVermona[/color]
[color=#333333]Haruka Saigusa[/color]
[color=#333333]Captain Remo[/color]
[color=#333333]jazzyTurtle[/color]
[color=#333333]Cinnamon Star[/color]
[color=#333333]Darklink401[/color]
[color=#333333]Rapidfire[/color]
[color=#333333]finiteGunslinger[/color]
[color=#333333]Tama the Chibi Sage[/color]
[color=#333333]King of Games[/color][/spoiler]

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

[color=#0000CD]So it was Rapid. Kind of figured it was somebody with little anime experience if DRAGON DRIVE is an option.[/color]

[quote name='Sterling Red' timestamp='1356449587' post='6101659']
And now I know Rapidfire has awful taste in everything and to never listen to them again.
[color=#0000CD]I already knew that.[/color]

It's fine not to like Gurren Lagann. That's not the issue. Being lazy as f*** then acting like it was drivel because you refused to fill your obligation, however, is stupid as hell. You cannot judge a series by the first episode, ad you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to.
[color=#0000CD]Even Lucky Star?[/color]
[/quote]

[Blake]

Oh, Kakashi gave it. That explains everything.

[Nicο]

Considering I don't know how but I've seen Black talk about it, I should have guessed. But really he's pretty good at giving gifts. Or at least for me.

[quote name='finiteGunslinger' timestamp='1356461309' post='6101783']
[color=#0000CD][font=tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Even Lucky Star?[/size][/font][/color]
[/quote]Considering it was that Chocolate Cornet for 15 minutes (maybe I'm exaggerating but that doesn't really matter) thing I'd say no, but it does give a general opinion besides the fact that that was so long and that was a good idea to see why the director of the first 4 episodes was fired. But yeah.

[quote name='Rapidfire' timestamp='1356425200' post='6101566']
and you can't even relate to any of them. In some animes you can actually relate to a character.
[/quote]I would say that there are way too many kinds of people to have you say that you, as in somebody else, can really not relate to any of them, but I won't. Oh wait.

[Blake]

For the record, I can easily relate to Simon, even from the start.

As for SnI, Creator found it, I watched it, and loved it despite the harem. Figured it was the best general thing to give, considering I really don't know THAT many anime.

[Rapidfire]

[quote name='finiteGunslinger' timestamp='1356461309' post='6101783']
[color=#0000CD]So it was Rapid. Kind of figured it was somebody with little anime experience if DRAGON DRIVE is an option.[/color]
[/quote]

I think I was drunk or something because like I don't even remember when I gave you that. Now I know my original choice is by far one of my favorite animes.

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

[quote name='Nags~' timestamp='1356462030' post='6101797']
Considering it was that Chocolate Cornet for 15 minutes (maybe I'm exaggerating but that doesn't really matter) thing I'd say no, but it does give a general opinion besides the fact that that was so long and that was a good idea to see why the director of the first 4 episodes was fired. But yeah.
[color=#0000CD]Lucky Star is pretty much that one anime I just gave up on at episode 1 and refuse to watch more of.[/color]

I would say that there are way too many kinds of people to have you say that you, as in somebody else, can really not relate to any of them, but I won't. Oh wait.
[color=#0000CD]Not to mention she's only seen three characters and very small parts of their personality and is already labeling the characters as impossible to relate to. And that plot had her so damn confuzzled.[/color]
[/quote]
[quote name='Sterling Red' timestamp='1356461692' post='6101791']
Oh, Kakashi gave it. That explains everything.
[/quote]

[color=#0000CD]Who would have known that Kaka could give out an anime that was apparently over your head?[/color]
[quote name='Rapidfire' timestamp='1356462425' post='6101803']
I think I was drunk or something because like I don't even remember when I gave you that. Now I know my original choice is by far one of my favorite animes.
[/quote]

[color=#0000CD]Apparently Dragon Drive was the third option after I said "ew, no" to Beelzebub and it actually going over my simple limit. But Buso Renkin IS indeed good. Probably in my top 10.[/color]

[Blake]

It wasn't over my head. I understood it completely. It just had a farfetched story, characters with no development/draw, and a need for Word of God. All of which can easily wreck a story, which it did.

[Lt. Colonel Remo]

Eh, apparently Eden if the East is one of those anime where it's viewers are highly polarized between it being God-tier and s***-tier

If they incorporated the movies into the actual anime it would probably rate much higher than it did

I mean, the first one was utterly useless and the second one could've been expanded into a second season considering all the Selecao that weren't shown and how they could've made the Ato Saizo plot twist more.....well twisty

[spoiler 'Realized this was a spoiler']I preferred to have him stay dead and I would have like Juiz to been an actual individual for bonus bad ass points. (Realistically it could have only been an AI, but a human Juiz would've totally been better)
[/spoiler]

Anyhow, thank you Saigusa for at least giving two anime to focus on. As of late I've kinda dropped a bit from anime, and catching up to One Piece seems like such an impossible task, so thanks for giving me my Focus.

[DL]

[quote name='Howling Black' timestamp='1356449587' post='6101659']
And now I know Rapidfire has awful taste in everything and to never listen to them again.

It's fine not to like Gurren Lagann. That's not the issue. Being lazy as f*** then acting like it was drivel because you refused to fill your obligation, however, is stupid as hell. You cannot judge a series by the first episode, ad you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to.
[/quote]
Funny how today seems to be "say everything DL wants to say before he does" thing

Cept I'd be less insulting, I can see why a fan of the series would get riled up :'D


Oh and I need to check otu Eden of the East o3o


JS, Desu

Actually, Beelzebub becomes more action-oriented

SO it's a bit like KHR in that way

[Desu the Blue Nerd]

[quote name='Fluttershy401' timestamp='1356552289' post='6102640']
Funny how today seems to be "say everything DL wants to say before he does" thing

Cept I'd be less insulting, I can see why a fan of the series would get riled up :'D
[color=#0000CD]I would have mentioned something but what I'd have said would have been TOO insulting. Black is the "just right" in our little trio of misfits.[/color]

Oh and I need to check otu Eden of the East o3o
[color=#0000CD]Yesh.[/color]

JS, Desu

Actually, Beelzebub becomes more action-oriented

SO it's a bit like KHR in that way
[color=#0000CD].............................ehhhhhhhhh...........maybe...............maybe I'll watch more but I can't say that I bet I'll be all that impressed.[/color]
[/quote]