[TV] The What Anime Are You Watching Thread!

Yeah, this season of My Hero Academia has been kind of fucking amazing. I really wonder why the subject of Midoriya's father has never been more throughly explained than what his perk is and that he's "working abroad". It's the fucking age of the internet; you'd think Midoriya would have heard from him.

I've always thought he was secretly a villain or something.
Maybe he's Endeavor's secret love child. Breathes fire indeed. :p
 
Looks like a few anime movies are coming back to theaters this year, courtesy of Fathom Events.

First, for the Sailor Moon fans:
Sailor Moon R and S: the Movies (July 28th and 30th)
Sailor Moon Super S: the Movie (August 4th and 6th)

Then, for the Dragon Ball Z followers:
Broly: the Legendary Super Saiyan (September 15th and 17th)
Saiyan Double Feature [Bardock: the Father of Goku and Fusion Reborn] ( November 3rd and 5th)
 
Utena's duel song lyrics are wild.

"What song should we write for when she fights her bride's abusive ex-boyfriend again?"
"I don't know, just list the scientific prehistoric eras or some shit."
"How about when she fights a girl she just met but has ideological differences with?"
"Angels. Name some and describe them."
"What about the same stairway animation we play before every duel?"
"DARKNESS APOCALYPSE ABSOLUTE APOCALYPSE!"

I love this show :D.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
I finally overcame my aversion to watching something everybody's gushing about and started watching My Hero Academia.

Ok, I can see why everybody is ga-ga over this... but it is sooooooo very by-the-numbers shonen. At least it's not as much so as Hunter x Hunter.
 
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I finally overcame my aversion to watching something everybody's gushing about and started watching My Hero Academia.

Ok, I can see why everybody is ga-ga over this... but it is sooooooo very by-the-numbers shonen. At least it's not as much so as Hunter x Hunter.
I love this show, but my daughter has become obsessed with it and it's all she ever talks about. It's gotten to the point that I cringe when I hear the theme song for any season that isn't the current one.
 
I finally overcame my aversion to watching something everybody's gushing about and started watching My Hero Academia.

Ok, I can see why everybody is ga-ga over this... but it is sooooooo very by-the-numbers shonen. At least it's not as much so as Hunter x Hunter.
It is and it isn't... some of the best things the show does are the things where it's very clearly spitting in the face of it's shonen peers. The biggest difference is not devoting more than a few minutes to a single battle; you will NEVER get "Freiza Time" where 5 minutes suddenly becomes 10 episodes. There also isn't a huge amount of power creep; everybody on the show gets to be at least useful sometimes and some characters with otherwise middling powersets (like Tsuyu Asui) get real use out of their powers.

The way I see it, if One-Punch Man is a deconstructive parody of shonen manga, then My Hero Academia is the reconstructive response to that deconstruction.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
It is and it isn't... some of the best things the show does are the things where it's very clearly spitting in the face of it's shonen peers. The biggest difference is not devoting more than a few minutes to a single battle; you will NEVER get "Freiza Time" where 5 minutes suddenly becomes 10 episodes. There also isn't a huge amount of power creep; everybody on the show gets to be at least useful sometimes and some characters with otherwise middling powersets (like Tsuyu Asui) get real use out of their powers.

The way I see it, if One-Punch Man is a deconstructive parody of shonen manga, then My Hero Academia is the reconstructive response to that deconstruction.
Well, maybe I'll see it that way once I'm more than 6 eps in, and from what I've seen so far, I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
Alright, so I'm mostly up to date on MHA (UUUNNIIITED STAAATES OF SMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH).

Overall, it's not bad. I'll keep watching it. I know everybody's mad for it at the moment, but to me it's... not bad. I like (as Ashburner said) that they manage to keep a large cast distinct from each other and contributing - especially Tsu the frog girl, it's rare you see a character of decent all-around competency and intelligence in these things who manages to avoid both carrying the idiot ball at some point or becoming someone's romantic MacGuffin or just the fanservice express (looking at YOU, Yaoyorozu).

That said, it does have some issues that chafe me. The MC is literally every shonen MC. Completely indistinct from every other messy-haired young male protag since Simon in TTGL - and is by far the least complex and interesting character. He only has one note, and he plays it over and over and over. His only character growth is "gets stronger," while all his classmates are branching out and growing as people. The other weak spot is his foil - Bakugo. The MC may only have one note, but Bakugo doesn't even have a tone... he's the guy with the cowbell in SNL's "Don't Fear the Reaper" sketch, and his only personality trait is "is a violent narcissist." Literally everyone else in the series is SO much more interesting than the two most prominent characters.

Bakugo's face-heel-turn has been SO blatantly telegraphed since episode one, that when it was trope-averted, I didn't know whether that was clever subversion, or if it was just writing so lazy as to completely shatter any last remaining suspension of disbelief I had in regards to the character. It was a nice little breadcrumb of a narrative morsel, though, for Deku to realize that in order for his rescue plan to work, Kirishima had to be the one to call out to Bakugo and not himself. But that might just be because all other Bakugo-and-Deku related plot elements have been a dusty, bare narrative cupboard.

And, of course, I'm glad I took the extra effort to find the english dubs :D I'm really starting to wonder why I even bother with a crunchyroll subscription. Is it REALLY such a hardship for them to have both audio options?
 
Alright, so I'm mostly up to date on MHA (UUUNNIIITED STAAATES OF SMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH).

Overall, it's not bad. I'll keep watching it. I know everybody's mad for it at the moment, but to me it's... not bad. I like (as Ashburner said) that they manage to keep a large cast distinct from each other and contributing - especially Tsu the frog girl, it's rare you see a character of decent all-around competency and intelligence in these things who manages to avoid both carrying the idiot ball at some point or becoming someone's romantic MacGuffin or just the fanservice express (looking at YOU, Yaoyorozu).

That said, it does have some issues that chafe me. The MC is literally every shonen MC. Completely indistinct from every other messy-haired young male protag since Simon in TTGL - and is by far the least complex and interesting character. He only has one note, and he plays it over and over and over. His only character growth is "gets stronger," while all his classmates are branching out and growing as people. The other weak spot is his foil - Bakugo. The MC may only have one note, but Bakugo doesn't even have a tone... he's the guy with the cowbell in SNL's "Don't Fear the Reaper" sketch, and his only personality trait is "is a violent narcissist." Literally everyone else in the series is SO much more interesting than the two most prominent characters.

Bakugo's face-heel-turn has been SO blatantly telegraphed since episode one, that when it was trope-averted, I didn't know whether that was clever subversion, or if it was just writing so lazy as to completely shatter any last remaining suspension of disbelief I had in regards to the character. It was a nice little breadcrumb of a narrative morsel, though, for Deku to realize that in order for his rescue plan to work, Kirishima had to be the one to call out to Bakugo and not himself. But that might just be because all other Bakugo-and-Deku related plot elements have been a dusty, bare narrative cupboard.

And, of course, I'm glad I took the extra effort to find the english dubs :D I'm really starting to wonder why I even bother with a crunchyroll subscription. Is it REALLY such a hardship for them to have both audio options?
I have a vrv sub for Funimation now because of this nonsense.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
I have a vrv sub for Funimation now because of this nonsense.
You know, that's exactly what I was considering. I watched most of it on vrv (moving to the pirate "watchcartoononline" site when they started turning episodes "premium only").

Thing is... nnngh... any day now... new Overlord eps on Crunchyroll... rrrgh... Can't... cancel... yet...
 
You know, that's exactly what I was considering. I watched most of it on vrv (moving to the pirate "watchcartoononline" site when they started turning episodes "premium only").

Thing is... nnngh... any day now... new Overlord eps on Crunchyroll... rrrgh... Can't... cancel... yet...
I think VRV premium includes Crunchyroll though? I think the price is comparable to just Crunchyroll, or possibly cheaper.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
I think VRV premium includes Crunchyroll though? I think the price is comparable to just Crunchyroll, or possibly cheaper.
I heard something about a "vrv combo pack" or something that includes crunchyroll (for $9.99 or so?), but I'm having problems finding details to confirm.
 
I heard something about a "vrv combo pack" or something that includes crunchyroll (for $9.99 or so?), but I'm having problems finding details to confirm.
It's just VRV Premium. You can merge your Crunchyroll premium with VRV to access your premium membership through the VRV client, but if you want access to both Crunchyroll and Funimation, you should probably just sub to VRV premium and drop the crunchyroll sub.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
It's just VRV Premium. You can merge your Crunchyroll premium with VRV to access your premium membership through the VRV client, but if you want access to both Crunchyroll and Funimation, you should probably just sub to VRV premium and drop the crunchyroll sub.
I may end up doing just exactly that. It seems bizarre to me that VRV is owned by Crunchyroll, but has to be a separate service instead of just incorporating it into crunchyroll.
 
I think it's because with Crunchyroll premium, you also get discounts on things in their online store (manga and figurines and things), where as VRV premium only gets you access to anime. *Shrug* I do agree that it's dumb.
 
Alright, so I'm mostly up to date on MHA (UUUNNIIITED STAAATES OF SMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH).

Overall, it's not bad. I'll keep watching it. I know everybody's mad for it at the moment, but to me it's... not bad. I like (as Ashburner said) that they manage to keep a large cast distinct from each other and contributing - especially Tsu the frog girl, it's rare you see a character of decent all-around competency and intelligence in these things who manages to avoid both carrying the idiot ball at some point or becoming someone's romantic MacGuffin or just the fanservice express (looking at YOU, Yaoyorozu).
I like that the Internships actually showed some growth for Ochaco, who was in danger of this before the Summer Games. She has basically no offensive ability, so what does she do? She signs up with a guy who shoots bullets from his face and he teaches her judo so she can actually DO something besides use her power. Then she actually uses it effectively to pass her final exam. This is a show that's self-aware of the tropes it wants to avoid.

Bakugo's face-heel-turn has been SO blatantly telegraphed since episode one, that when it was trope-averted, I didn't know whether that was clever subversion, or if it was just writing so lazy as to completely shatter any last remaining suspension of disbelief I had in regards to the character. It was a nice little breadcrumb of a narrative morsel, though, for Deku to realize that in order for his rescue plan to work, Kirishima had to be the one to call out to Bakugo and not himself. But that might just be because all other Bakugo-and-Deku related plot elements have been a dusty, bare narrative cupboard.
Bakugo's problem is literally that he spent his entire life as the center of attention because he has a flashy, incredibly powerful perk... but never had any REAL friends because of it. His gang of thugs fauned on him because he treats people like shit and can get away with it because of his perk. Kirishima is probably the only person who has ever treated him both as a friend AND an equal, something not even Midoriya did. It's not surprising they get along anyway; Kirishima is the only person in the class with a perk that real compliments Bakugo's. His defense keeps him from getting hurt by Bakugo's explosions... which is literally a metaphor for their relationship.

Despite all of that, it's really not surprising that Bakugo didn't flip sides. Sure, he picks on Midoriya, but we never see Bakugo actually do that to anyone else and when his crew of thugs suggest they try to go to a bar, he immediately shuts it down. Aside from his unwillingness to hold back his power against Midoriya, he really hasn't done... anything villainous. He's just kind of a dick, like Todoroki's dad Endeavor.

And, of course, I'm glad I took the extra effort to find the english dubs :D I'm really starting to wonder why I even bother with a crunchyroll subscription. Is it REALLY such a hardship for them to have both audio options?
Funimation has it's own online service the headlines the english dub as one of it's major draws, so... yes. Funimation isn't interested in licensing out something it wants people to watch on it's own service. It heads to Toonami for their Saturday block though.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
It's here. And it's fucking awesome.
I liked the first episode - even though it is clearly a bandwagon series, it doesn't take itself seriously.

Oh wait, it's tuesday! You mean OVERLORD! NNNGH NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER WORK

EVERY SEVEN DAY WAIT FOR THE NEXT TUESDAY FOR THE NEXT 10+ WEEKS IS GONNA BE EXCRUCIATING
 
I liked the first episode - even though it is clearly a bandwagon series, it doesn't take itself seriously.

Oh wait, it's tuesday! You mean OVERLORD! NNNGH NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER WORK

EVERY SEVEN DAY WAIT FOR THE NEXT TUESDAY FOR THE NEXT 10+ WEEKS IS GONNA BE EXCRUCIATING
Yeah Overlord. Holy shitballs. :D
 

GasBandit

Staff member
Interviews with Monster Girls -



Genre: School, Slice of Life, Monster
Fanservice: Mild to moderate
Premise: Demi-humans such as vampires, dullahans, snow-women and succubi are rare, but becoming more accepted in human society. Their integration into normal human life is of particular interest to a high school biology teacher, who is luckily in the enviable position of teaching at a high school that has not only three demihuman students, but also a demihuman faculty member. He takes it upon himself to interview and closely work with them all, to better understand demihumans and help them with problems that are both common and unique to them due to their nature.

What happens when you take Monster Musume, strip out 90% of the Ecchi, and cram it into Azumanga Daioh's mold? This. It's not bad, but it tries SO HARD to be wholesome and uplifting and that often clashes with the occasional boob joke or succubus-teacher fanservice that it causes a bit of dissonance. Furthermore, it's a bit too saccharine for my particular taste, and the cast of characters seems a bit limited. Additionally, there's only one 13-episode season and there's been no indication of a second season in the works, so the story just kind of is left hanging halfway through their first school year.

Verdict: It's alright. The biggest strike against it is the lack of closure, but apart from that, it's watchable but not an anime I'd be putting on my list of "Anime everyone should be sure to watch."
 
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Interviews with Monster Girls -

Genre: School, Slice of Life, Monster
Fanservice: Mild to moderate
Premise: Demi-humans such as vampires, dullahans, snow-women and succubi are rare, but becoming more accepted in human society. Their integration into normal human life is of particular interest to a high school biology teacher, who is luckily in the enviable position of teaching at a high school that has not only three demihuman students, but also a demihuman faculty member. He takes it upon himself to interview and closely work with them all, to better understand demihumans and help them with problems that are both common and unique to them due to their nature.

What happens when you take Monster Musume, strip out 90% of the Ecchi, and cram it into Azumanga Daioh's mold? This. It's not bad, but it tries SO HARD to be wholesome and uplifting and that often clashes with the occasional boob joke or succubus-teacher fanservice that it causes a bit of dissonance. Furthermore, it's a bit too saccharine for my particular taste, and the cast of characters seems a bit limited. Additionally, there's only one 13-episode season and there's been no indication of a second season in the works, so the story just kind of is left hanging halfway through their first school year.

Verdict: It's alright. The biggest strike against it is the lack of closure, but apart from that, it's watchable but not an anime I'd be putting on my list of "Anime everyone should be sure to watch."
Watched it and I like it. But I agree it goes not further and explore other problems the girls and other demihumans might have in the society. People are a little to acceptable for my taste. It also feels lile the traits of the girls are stand ins for disabilities.
 
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