Ice Cream Weekend! Some of the flavors I made…
For those who asked, here’s my basement home theater set-up:
The guys who installed the system convinced me to paint the walls black, which I think was a great call as I can also use the room for interrogations.
Thanks to all those who sent – and continue to send – their anime recommendations. I am presently watching the first season of a series called Gintama. I’m two episodes in (of thirteen) and loving it. It’s over-the-top humor with a slew of in-jokes and Japanese pop culture references, occasionally explained in the helpful footnotes that flash by onscreen faster than you can read them. This one could give Excel Saga a run for the title of “weirdest anime ever”!
By the way, someone asked what my opinion was in the Dubbed vs. Subbed debate. Subbed all the way. I just can’t watch a dub – and that goes for live action films as well.
Continuing the anime discussion with regard to some of the titles you’ve suggested:
Silent Moebius: Jeremy, I did watch the series years ago but it didn’t really jump out at me. In fact, I don’t remember much about it. On the other hand, there are plenty of anime I’ve watched and hated that I do remember – exactly because I disliked them so much – so Silent Moebius probably fell into that middle ground of shows that didn’t make a lasting impression on me either way.
Ranma 1/2: Gravy, I watched the first season in a desire to mix in some classics with the more modern offerings. I did enjoy it, but I can’t say I enjoyed it enough to continue watching.
Fantastic Children: Tissuetalk – yes, Fantastic Children IS part of my collection and I’ve heard great things about it. I’ve yet to sit down and watch it (possibly because of the somewhat dated-looking visual style on the cover) but will put it at the top of my to-watch list.
Mahou Shoujotai Arusu: Tissuetalk – not familiar with the title but ran it through wikipedia and came up with “The Adventures of Tweeny Witches”. Hmmm. While the visuals are admittedly lovely, I’m not sure if this series would be my cup of tea. Of course, that’s what I thought about Azumanga Daioh.
Crayon Shinchan, Sazae-san, Doraeman: Tissuetalk – not sure about the last one (seems a little too kiddy-oriented for my liking) but would love to check out the first two. Sadly, at present, Shin-chan is only available dubbed.
Kimagure Orange Road: Rafael, I try to throw in a classic every third viewing. I’ve been meaning to check KOR out, but it keeps getting bumped by the likes of Marmalade Boy.
Gauche the Cellist: Rafael – never heard of it. Is it available in North America.
Captain Harlock: Of course. I’ve watched Arcadia of my Youth and own the series – which I’ve been meaning to get around to as well.
Full Metal Alchemist: Harold – yes, I’ve watched it and, while I did enjoy it, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the other titles I listed (or, apparently, as much as most everyone else).
“the one about where some girl turns into a boy’s right hand”: Jovanna, that would be Midori Days. Another bizarre little offering from our friends on the other side of the Pacific. Still, a fun series.
Yakitate: Jovana, now THIS sounds like a series I’d enjoy in that it marries two of my favorite things – anime and cooking! Sort of like Fighting Spirit with whisks and rolling pins instead of gloves and mouth guards. Will definitely try to track it down.
Kurozuka: Zoomeister, not familiar with this one but a quick google image search has me quite intrigued.
Angel’s Egg: Zoomeister, another one I’m not familiar with that certainly looks pretty darn cool. Has it been released in North America yet?
Gaogaigar, Karas, Bakemonogatari, Kaibo, Umineko no Naku Koro ni: Zoomeister, never heard of these ones either.
Alien Nine: Zoomeister, now this one I’ve heard of. Enjoyable and very, very weird (back-licking aliens?). Great theme song. And the creator lists Stargate among his influences. I exchanged emails with him many years back.
Eureka 7: Zoomesiter – really? This one gets mentioned quite a bit and, while I do have the first volume sitting on a shelf in my DVD room, it’s not a title that has grabbed my attention. It looks like a run-of-the-mill mecha-kids series. Am I wrong?
Genesis of Aquarion: Zoomeister, another one that hasn’t made my radar. My Japanese friend Akemi didn’t like the series, but LOVED the song.
Saikano: Zoomeister, I watched Saikano Girlfriend years ago. While I enjoyed it, it ended up being one of those series I was really expecting to like a lot more than I did.
Cromartie High School: Zoomeister, yes. One of the better wacky school comedies.
Ghost Hound: Zoomeister, another one I’ve never heard of. It looks great however.
Dead Leaves: Zoomeister, I hated this one.
Blue Submarine No. 6: Zoomeister, liked it but found the contrast in visual styles off-putting.
Kakurenbo: Zoomeister, saw it. Liked it.
Noiseman Sound Insect: Zoomeister, I want to track this one down for the title alone.
Genocyber: Zoomeister, I’ve passed this one by on the shelves. Looks to me like yet another in the long line of similar shows. Does it stand out in your opinion?
Tekkon Kinkreet: Zoomeister, watched it last year on the recommendation of my friend Krista in playback. Loved it. It didn’t make the list because I was limiting myself to series. BTW – the director is American, a first for a Japanese animated feature I believe.
Chaos; Head: Zoomeister, another one that I’d never heard of until you listed it – that I’m tracking down based on the visuals.
Clanaad: Zoomeister, looks a little soft…
Bobobo bo Bobobo: Zoomeister, never heard of it but my friend Akemi says: “Soooooooo funny!”
Wonderful Days: Zoomeister, yes it’s South Korean and, yes, it counts. I’ve been meaning to get around to this one forever.
Hell Girl: Zoomeister, saw it. Liked it. I believe they’ve released the second season as well.
Macross Zero/Macross Plus: Zoomeister, I’ve watched the original series but have yet to check out the updated versions.
Casshern: Zoomeister, got it but have yet to check it out.
Barefoot Gen: Zoomeister, I had no idea there were two parts. I watched the movie. Very moving, but Grave of the Fireflies is the movie to watch.
Brain Powered: Zoomeister, another one that has been sitting on my shelf unwatched. Looks a tad cheesy, but I could be convinced otherwise. Convince away!
Fushigi Yugi: Kelly, yes, I checked out the first season. It was fine.
Full Metal Panic: TBA, I watched it and did enjoy it, but not enough to check out FUMOFFU.
Crest/Banner of the Stars: Randomness, they were one of the first of the many anime series I’ve watched over the years. I remember enjoying them quite a bit but the details of the series (I believe there were three) has faded from memory.
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: Tom Jones, I’m not a fan of the magical girl sub-genre. Of course I’d be willing to allow one to change my mind. Or make me vow never to allow another similar series to change my mind. Is this the one?
Seto no hanayome: Tom Jones, haven’t heard of this one. Is it available in North America yet? What is it’s English titles?
Moribito: Justnow, the owner of the new Sakura Media on Robson highly recommended this one as well. I’ve got it downstairs and will move it to the top of the must-watch list.
School Rumble: Justnow, another one that I’ve passed on the shelves. Worth a look, yes?
Aria: Justnow, not familiar with this one. Looks a little soft.
Toradora: Justnow – as does this one.
Nodame Cantabile: Justnow, not familiar with this one either.
Ouran High School Host Club: Justnow, or this one. I see a pattern developing. Your chotto heavy on the high school romance.
FLCL: Justnow – enjoyable over-the-top with one of the best soundtracks of any anime out there.
Planetes: Justnow – liked it; didn’t love it.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: Justnow – now this is the one my friend Akemi has been raving about.
Michiko e Hatchin — Manglobe: Justnow, never heard of it but it does look pretty awesome.
Gintama: Hey, Sparrow-hawk, funny you should mention this series…
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