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| Satoshi_Miwa 2470th Post
 
Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master
    
    
    
    
    
|  "Richard's Anime Review 2003"
, posted Sun 21 Dec 22:52:
It may be a bit early with the end of Tsukihime coming next week, along with a few other ending episodes, but here's my 2003 highlights for anime and manga. Anime is broken up into domestic and Japanese releases for the year, with the Japanese side covering shows that started airing this year (so no Kiddy Grade, for example). As always, all listings are my opinion only so take it all with the usual grain of salt.
Overall a good year for anime watching, as I enjoyed shows from all of the seasons. More of a steady year than the year before, and it has 2 or 3 strong series that I will pick up on DVD. Plus it also has a few guilty pleasures I couldn't help but follow.
The domestic side saw more box sets, some nice back cataloge releases on DVD, and Azumanga being licensed. Canadian prices came down thanks to the surging dollar, and manga continued to gain sales dominance over the US comic market thanks to Shoujo (Shonen Jump alone outselling anything from the Big 4).
So without further ado, we'll go into my rankings...
Favorite Anime series from 2003
1 - Stellvia of the Universe: wavered a bit for a few episodes, and had somewhat of a boring start. But the show devloped it's characters, provided a strong sci-fi plot with unique twists. And it had an enjoyable ending that tied the series up, yet left me wanting more. So for that I give it my #1 slot.
2- ROD TV - Episode 15 and 16 almost pushed it up into number 1, and the final 10 eps may more than push it into my favorite slot. Strong characters, and intresting backstory that includes the ROD Manga (Which is boring, IMH), the OAV, and Books and ties into a nice package. A bit slower than the OAV, but that just means we have more devloped characters. The payoff looks to be nice too, even though I worry for poor Wendy....
3- Scrapped Princess - Fantasy anime with twist, turns, and some of the better cliffhangers of the season. The ending is okay, though a bit rushed for my tastes. And the epilouge is not quite as satsifying as Stellvia's, but the journey was fun and better in places. And Pacifica was cute, as was Raquelle so it easily slips into number 3...
4- Someday's Dreamers - Slow paced, but with nice character devlopment and an intresting take on magic on the real world. I really liked the characters, and would like to see more at some point in the future.
5- Full Metal Panic Fummofu - Perhaps my favorite comedy anime of the year that isn't Komugi, Fummofu had some epsidoes that just had me in stiches. It had some less than funny episodes too, and it's plotless nature did irk me considering I liked some of the plot eps of the orginal. But when it was on, it was really on and really funny..
Favorite Domestic Releases 2003
1- Fruits Basket - Started in 2002, but finished off in 2003. This was among my favorite shows in 2001 and it still ranks up there today. A great balance of comedy, relationships, and drama. And wonderfull characters. The manga is coming soon to North America, and I can't wait for the stuff after episode 26 (and for more anime if they do it).
2- Read or Die OAV - Manga's best DVD ever, as it has a high video quality, great extras, and 5.1 channel sound in Japanese. And it's Read or Die, which rocks. It could only rock more if they had Nenene in it, but thats taken care of in the TV series...
3- Excel Saga - Final two discs came in 2003, and ended off the series nicely for me. Solid, extra filled discs and well translated, and if ADV uses the care they did for Excel on Azu than I shall be vary happy.
4- Spirited Away - A little light on extras, but a good picture and very nice sound. And the best sub translation of the 3 Miyazaki DVD's Disney released. And the film is a treat as well....
5- Cowboy Bebop - Knocking on Heaven's Door - Not as extra filled as Metropolis, but it had great pciture quality and sound. And the movie is fun for Bebop fans, a good solid action film that covers all the high points.
Guilty Pleasures of 2003 (Domestic and Japanese)
1- Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito - Sure it has a confusing plot in places, but it has a rocking opening track, awesome character design, and just has yuri tones all over the place. And it doesn't have any annoying qualities either, which is an added plus...
2- Godanner - I'm not a huge super robot fan, getting into anime with the Ranma wave that hit in 95-96. But I do enjoy a solid show, and for the most part Godanner fills the bill. It's fanservicy, but nowhere near as bad as Divergence Eve, and it has an intresting plot to it as well.
3- Ultra Maniac TV- I have a soft spot for Shoujo shows, and I loved the preview OAV. Sadly the TV series suffered from an orginal plot that wasn't quite as good as the manga's was, and a few other issues. But still, it was a fun watch as the strength of Yoshizumi's characters came through in the end. And it had some fun episodes as well...
Favorite Manga of the Year - (Domestic, mostly...:)
1- Marmalade Boy - A close second to my favorite relationship comic of all time, the classic Maison Ikkoku. Finished off in 2003, and one of Tokyopop's better translated books. And it also didn't have the US episodes and some of the more annoying made for anime characters (and benefited from a more focused plot). All that equals up into a fun read.
2- GTO - Onizuka rocks and kicks butt, and it's fun in 2003. ^^
3- Kodoma no Omocha - While most like the more hyper comedy anime, I enjoyed the more dramatic take the manga took in the later volumes and the tighter focus. Also one of Tokyopop's better translated titles of the year...
4- Excel Saga - Yeah, most of the anime fans don't like the manga. But the more satire focused antics here are enjoyable, and the characters are more devloped than in the anime.
5- Oh My Goddess - Still going strong, though I'm really tempted to drop the montly comic for the GN (overpriced as they are).
Favorite Anime Openings of the Year:
1-Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito
2-Stellvia
3-Scrapped Princess
4-Full Metal Panic Fummofu
5-Ultra Maniac
Favorite Anime Endings of the Year:
1-Stellvia Ending 1
2- Scrapped Princess
3- Divergence Eve
4- Ultra Maniac
5- Full Metal Alchemist Ending 1
Domestic Releases I'm looking forward too next year (Announced already)
1- Azumanga Daioh
2- Marmalade Boy (Finally)
3- ROD TV
4- Komugi-chan
New Anime I'm looking forward too next year
1- Jubei-chan 2
2- Comic Party OAV
3- The end of ROD TV ^^
Separated at Birth?
[this message was edited by Satoshi_Miwa on Sun 21 Dec 22:54] |
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| Freeter 4117th Post
Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master
| "Re(1):Richard's Anime Review 2003" , posted Sun 21 Dec 23:26
My top picks for 2003:
1. ROD TV - Had a rocky start but the latest eps propelled it to the top. Haven't seen any other series successfully tie together several incarnations like this one did.
2. Chobits - Funny, charming, and Chi is too cute for words.
3. FMP! Fumoffu - Very funny spinoff, even if a few of the eps were sour. The hot springs ep is priceless.
4. GITS: Stand Alone Complex - Still need to finish this one, but definitely top notch in all areas.
5. Scryed - Solid action series with a very catchy OP song. Had a bit of a "villain of the week" slump but quickly did a 180 and became more intriguing.
And now, the disappointments of 2003....
1. Ikkitousen - OMG. Whoever approved this needs to be fired on the spot. The manga was already terrible, and the anime didn't help any. Plus the site is a complete joke.
2. Onegai Twins - Are they related? Are they not? Who cares, I just tuned in to see what kind of incestuous scenario the trio would blunder into next. BTW, the Mina + Karen bath scene with overdone drama = comedy gold.
3. Excel Saga - Started out funny, then fell flat. The last ep may have went for the shock value but certainly not for the funny bone.
4. Wolf's Rain - I'll admit, there were times when I really got into this show. But the FILLER....ugh. Four eps. Straight. Inexcusable. Bones better hire the Bebop director for the OAVs to make up for such an atrocity.
5. His and Her Circumstances/Kare Kano - Wow. You know your budget has hit rock bottom when you have to resort to POPSICLE STICKS and CRAYONS. Not to mention that "not so last" ep...well, at least Right Stuf made some good DVDs...
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| Rid Hershel 5704th Post
Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master
| "Rid's picks" , posted Wed 24 Dec 05:21
1- Scrapped Princess: finally as somebody pointed out, a fantasy anime that's not retarded. Bones usual excellent animation, and Mogudan's excellent designs, a great soundtrack and a very well developed storyline. Probably one of the best things I've ever seen. Still, I would like an ova or two covering the most underdeveloped characters (like the Obstinate Arrow).
2- Mazinkaiser - Shitou! Ankoku Daishogun: Awesome, awesome, awesome. Violent Super Robot fighting with power metal music, some memorabe scenes and lots of blood and explosions. Powerful.
3- R.O.D the TV: started good, then it turned into the annoying adventures of an underaged angsty girl. Luckily in the last episodes it picked up a LOT, and with the events of the last two episodes it's getting extra points. Very good, could be better if it weren't for the lolicons making it.
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| Jazzie D 2252th Post
Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master
| "Don's Anime Review of 2003" , posted Wed 24 Dec 23:52:
Might as well give out my view too. Keep in mind that I will only list series that ended in 2003. So, there are no series like Ashita no Nadja, which I regret not watching up to this point. Plus, I know that I might have missed some series. I just got up and got barely any sleep or I have not seen it yet. That's why.
The series that might win the title of being my anime series of the year:
1. Sutepri - Touching characters, great music, great art, obviously, this has a good chance.
2. Tsuki Hime - This is here because of powerful character interactions, nice art, Arc and Ciel as well as Orikasa Fumiko-san. That's all you need to know. =P
3. Ultra Maniac - Having discovered this late in the year, I don't know why I missed out on this early on. Oh yeah. Too many series I was watching early on. Anyway, it's so fun. Plus, I liked Marmalade Boy and I like mahou in general.
Other honorables: Fumoffu, Get Backers, Mahoutsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto, Last Exile, and a few others.
Surprises:
1. Kidou Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken (Mobile Shinsengumi Burning Sword) - First off, I want to say that, yes, I did edit the script in the only fan subbed episode of the series out there (though personally I thought I did an average job). Second, if you have not seen this yet, think Sakura Taisen with a Takahashi Rumiko-sensei touch and you have this in a nutshell pretty much. I am loving the trio of Orikasa Ai-sama as Yuuko, Matsui Naoko-san (Katsumi, if that should help anyone) as Toshie and Ikezawa Haruna-san (who is Athena's seiyuu if you don't know who in the world I'm talking about) as Kaoru. Oh and the Professor did report on the game this series is based on last year if I recall.
2. Binzume Yousei (Bottle Fairy) - You know what's funny? I have had thoughts about giving this series a chance to be my series of the year, and to be honest, even though it's down here, I still do. Aside from a few bland moments, I'm loving this. I'm starting to see why guys are loving Mizuki Nana-san. I got to see Osaka as a fairy. I have more goodness from Yui-sama and Haruko-san. I have a theme song stuck in my head. I wish I can get the game this series is based on though.
3. Piano - If there's a dark horse of this year, it has to be Piano. Piano has done a task I have never seen done before in anime/manga: give out a documentation on a seiyuu's life. If you want to see a good representation of Kawasumi Ayako-san's life, this is one way to do so. It may not have the best characters in the world, but it has good piano pieces done by Ayako-san herself and it has art done by Fujishima Kousuke-sensei.
Other honorables: Nanaka, Naru Taru and Kiddy Grade.
Let-downs:
1. Onegai Twins - It had good potential early on, but the ren'ai schtick killed it towards the end and I didn't care who was the twin, though it did keep the good character interactions trait from Ote.
2. Ikki Tousen - I think it ended this year. Regardless, I thought this would surprise me, but I stopped in the middle, mainly because I only cared about Kikuko-sama and not much else.
3. Da Capo - The only reason I watched this in the first place? The seiyuu. I gave up after a few episodes. Will I give it a second chance? Only Kami-sama would know.
Other series to mention here: At the top of my head, Divergence Eve. (It end this year, ne?)
Series to look forward to:
1. Area 88 - I never saw the OVA's, but since I love Area 88, I'm watching this for sure. Avex is doing the music and that's a big plus. It's the second retro anime Avex is involved in for the last few years. (Cyborg 009 is the first one if I recall.)
2. Yumeria - This is obvious. Many people have been waiting for this for a while.
3. Tales of Phantasia - It has been a hot topic now, but I must see the trailer, dag nab it!
Other series to mention here: Rabbie and some others.
Questions for 2004:
1. What will be some strong series next year?
Not much can be said up to this point. Area 88, Yumeria, Ashita no Nadja, Macross Zero and some others that aren't at the top of my head look good.
2. What will be some weak series next year?
At the top of my head, I have to say Maburaho and Negima. That's a darn shame too. I was so hyped for Maburaho this year and as much as I like Akamatsu Ken-sensei, I don't think that one gig will gather enough attention to get a television series because there's a lot of better stuff out mainly.
3. What will be some surprises next year?
Even though I said it's a strong series next year, I have to say Area 88. I doubt that a big name fan sub group will pick this up. I will look forward to the conclusion of True Love Story. Oh and R.O.D's television series has had surprises, even though I haven't seen much of it lately. If I had to pick a dark horse of 2004, it would be Tales of Phantasia and I'll explain why in a bit.
4. Who will play Dhaos now?
Remember. Shiozawa Kaneto-san passed away three years ago. So, we don't know who will play as this evil fellow now. If I had to throw in a guess, I would say Koyasu Takehito-san, but I wouldn't count on it.
5. Who will play as Mint, Kourogi Satomi-san or Iwao Junko-sama?
Want a big surprise? I don't think either seiyuu will play as Mint. Yeah, that's a big surprise.
The seiyuu who will play as her most likely is Iizuka Mayumi-san (who played as Aoi in To Heart, Makoto in Kanon, Nanaka in Mahoutsukai Tai and such). When was the last time I've heard Junko-sama's name anywhere other than Card Captor Sakura? Plus, Satomi-san hasn't done a series in a while. The only gig she has been doing in the last few years that people know of, including myself, is playing as May for the Guilty Gear games. I picked Mayumi-san because she has the ability to play as her and she's on a roll.
6. Will Rabbie have a television series next year?
The OVA is out now, but only time will tell if it will have a television series.
7. How's the manga scene this year?
I like Ten Ten and surprisingly Yotsuba has caught my attention. I need to catch up on my Yokohama. I need to catch up of Rose Hip Rose also.
8. How will the manga scene be next year?
Solid like this year. Ten Ten will be strong and I'm looking forward to the translation of the manga of Mizuiro Jidai.
9. What can be said about the anime and manga scene in North America?
Even though I don't talk about this a lot, there has been a lot of ups and downs. I'm surprised that the run of (the two-year old) Juunikyuu de Tsukamaete (Zodiac Detective) began and ended already, though I did like it. (I personally thought it would end next year.) GTO's manga is still strong. R.O.D's OVA series certain has received attention. I hate the fact that Azumanga's manga has changes that I don't like, though I can't forget the marketing gig. I thought Ai Yori Aoshi's dub was questionable, which made me think twice before getting the DVD's in the future.
Even though it's nice to see Komugi-chan come here, I want to see more of it, dag nab it! Samurai Champloo will be good. Only time will tell if Marmalade Boy's anime was worth the wait and trouble.
10. Any last words?
I want to play Dash de Lei-Lei and Capcom should make a Justice Gakuen game like Jakuniku Gakuen! You know what? Let's call that game, "Justice Gakuen III". Then, when Capcom decides to release another Justice Gakuen game, they should call it "Justice Gakuen IV".
Puffy's latest album is that good. I feel sorry for people who don't have the International Channel not only because of anime, but because of the opportunity to see Japanese and Korean music shows as well as various Asian cinema. They need to show Hong Kong music shows, dag nab it! (Freeter, harass your cable company until they all have experienced Hell if you haven't done so by now.) If you can't visit California, especially the Bay Area, you need to ask someone to record the various dorama for you. Ha ha ha! Okay. I'm done with the random insanity.
In terms of anime and manga, people should look at series big name groups aren't working on. Major kudos go to Geneon (darn name change is hard to get used to) for bringing out so many good music albums the last few years and proving to people why they're one of the best companies out there when it comes to any subject relating to anime. I would like the Tales of Phantasia anime to be good, but I don't know if it will carry the same magic nine years ago because I fear that it won't have majority of the original staff. I think 2004 will be a decent year, but it won't be as wonderful as say last year.
Tomo - Kimura-sensei why did you become a teacher?
Kimura-sensei - CUZ I LIKE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS AND STUFF!
[this message was edited by Jazzie D on Thu 25 Dec 13:25] |
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"Re(1):Richard's Anime Review 2003" 
