Favorite Male Supporting Character
Major Alex Louis Armstrong
The man fucking sparkles. Enough said.
Until next time: Happy viewing!
30 Days of Anime- Day 16
Anime With The Best Animation
As a fan of animation in general this is hard for me to answer. Different studios and different stories bring different styles. All have something to bring to the table, so defining something as “best” is a subjective matter even to me.
One may argue that some of the more styles that highlight background realism as best and they’d have a point. I did love the animation of Kyoto Animation’s “Sound! Euphonium”. It was well done and often quite beautiful.
In contrast an older show like “Serial Experiments Lain” while not as detailed, has a beauty that came out of well thought out direction to make a visually striking impression on the viewer.
There is so much to love in the visuals in anime, so it is hard for me to narrow it down. However, two stand out for me (I’m sure some of you could guess).
The Monogatari series (along with other Shaft titles) do it for me. I love their style of visuals.
The other series that contains my favorite visuals, although it is not my favorite show (don’t get me wrong, I like it), is Soul Eater.
Something about the dark, Halloween-esque, cartoon-ish visuals that just appeal to me. I really love the look of the show.
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I so love the visuals on this show! I have considered getting the sun and moon as tattoos I like it so much.
So…Best? So much is good, why a best? You like what you like. Each person has their own criteria of what they find aesthetically pleasing. These were a few of mine.
Until next time: Happy viewing!
30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 15
Favorite Animal Sidekick, Pet or Summoning From Any Anime
This was honestly a harder one for me to answer. I couldn’t think of many, but I would have to say one sticks out more than the rest.
Sadaharu
I suppose whether Sadaharu is a pet or a full member of Yorozuya Gin Chan is arguable, but he’s my choice. An Inugami (Dog God) that had lost his original place to guard after the Amanto came, Sadaharu, no longer being able to be kept by his original owners, ends up on Yorozuya’s door step and is taken in.
Although everyone helps take care of him, he’s mostly Kagura’s (as she is the only one who can handle his strength).
He’s giant. He’s cute. He’s good comic relief at times. He’s a master of disguise.
And he can play a mean game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”.
That’s all I got today.
Until next time: Happy Viewing!
30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 14
Anime That Never Gets Old No Matter How Many Times You’ve Rewatched It
Monogatari Series
From the moment I watched Bakemonogatari, I fell in love with this series. The writing, pacing, art style, story, and characters all hit a sweet spot with me. I don’t tend to be a huge person to re-watch series, but this one I have and will.
Bakemonogatari
Nisemonogatari
Nekomonogatari
Monogatari Series Second Season
Owarimonogatari
There’s more and I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Kizumonogatari.
I love this series.
And I really want this figure…
Until next time: Happy viewing!
30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 13
Anime Character You Are Most Similar To
Sorry…I don’t just have one.
As with most things in life we have multiple aspects to who we are. Since anime characters tend to show you limited view of a character due to it being a story that cannot cover all aspects of a person, I have chosen a couple to represent me.
Yuugo Tennouji: aka “Mr Braun”
I’m a dad with a shaved head and similar facial hair. I’m a hard working guy who can seem grumpy if you don’t know me, but ultimately am a caring guy who cares for his kids deeply.
Akio Furukawa
Another dad. However, Akio has a “kid at heart” side to him that I can relate to who likes to sneak off to play and isn’t above bantering, joking, and playing tricks on his family.
Hiroshi Nohara
The dad on Crayon Shin Chan. When I’ve had a long week, I feel like the tired version of him. He’s a nice guy and good family man, but sometimes just wishes for some peace.
If I gave it more thought I’m sure I could find more, but that’s enough for today.
Until next time: Happy viewing!
30 Days of Anime- Day 12
Saddest Anime Scene
*Spoilers!!*
It is a tie for me, and should be obvious what anime my choice(s) will come from.
I couldn’t choose just one.
Both are from Clannad After Story.
Both destroyed me emotionally.
People who have read my blog before may already know that this was the first anime that I really sat down and watched with my two boys. As we watched this, all those years ago, we all sobbed. As a parent I could only imagine (and feared) the pain that Tomoya was going through (as well as the pain Ushio was experiencing) and having children of my own made the impact of these scenes all the greater for me. These are both very powerful scenes for me. They are very sad, but also very beautifully done.
The show still remains very special to me today.
And yes, I sat here crying as I watched these clips for this post.
Until next time: Happy *sniff* viewing! I need to go get some tissues…
30 Day Anime Challenge – Day 11
Favorite Mech Anime
Neon Genesis Evangelion
I guess this may seem like an obvious choice, but the truth is Evangelion is the only mech anime that I’ve watched. I found the entire series, along with the movie, “End of Evangelion”, at local used book store for under $200.00, so I decided to get it.
It is a dark, psychologically challenging, often perplexing, show. I really enjoyed it…most of it…all of it…except that last episode. That last episode wasn’t bad exactly, but it was a big bag of “Huhh??”. The “End of Evangelion” movie wasn’t a lot better either as far as wrapping up things goes (which I thought it was supposed to be). I have yet to watch the three movies, but do plan on doing so.
Besides having a compelling story, the animation is really great and for that alone is worth a watch (the direction is excellent).
Until next time: Happy viewing!
30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 10
Favorite Fighter Anime
KenIchi The Mightiest Disciple
KenIchi, why of course! It’s all fighting! One big martial arts fest. Getting beat up, getting stronger, win the fight, wash, lather, rinse, repeat.
It’s not high-minded, it’s just good fighting, get stronger fun. And there are some great characters. KenIchi is pretty typical, but I love the masters.
Akisame and Sakaki being helpful.
Shigure, so casual and expert with her weapons.
The ever enthusiastic (kid at heart killing machine), Muay Thai Master, Apachai.
Kensei Ma. Kempo Master and standard anime pervert.
The head of the dojo, Ryouzanpaku, Hayato (aka: the Elder).
It’s a fun show. It’s pretty typical shounen but it’s well done and enjoyable. I watched the English dub for this one, which was excellent and highly recommended.
It also has one of the most baffling translations in a theme song ever:
“But if I feel like bursting into tears, giving it up and losing to my own weakness. I put myself in a birdcage and push it in the valley.”
That’s damned inspiring, that is.
Watch KenIchi. Get inspired!
Until next time: Happy viewing!
*Oh! I actually cosplayed Kensei Ma once! No pictures though.*
30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 9
Best Anime Villain
Kyubey
For anyone who has read my blog is this really a surprise?
Kyubey, from Puella Magi Madoka Magica is my favorite villain far a few reasons. The first being that I don’t tend to watch a lot of shows with villains (I watch a lot of slice of life). The other being: Kyubey is a real bastard in the way the a corporate CEO or the devil is.
Kyubey offers an amazing deal to people (specifically, young teen girls) but will omit the details purposely to avoid sticky questions later. He chooses young girls not only for the emotional power benefits he’ll reap later, but also because critical decision making is not at their height at this age. When Madoka stalls, he pushes her often with statements like:”You could help them if you agree to become a magical girl”. He is knowingly manipulating her emotions to get her commit.
When confronted with the magical girls horror and disillusionment of what has happened to them, he feigns innocence and rationalization.
Making a contract with Kyubey is very much like signing a contract with the devil: you may get what you want initially but eventually you’ll have to pay and it’s all laid out in the fine print (which no one ever reads).
That is why Kyubey is my favorite villain. Soulless, cute, psychotically logical.
Until next time: Happy viewing!
30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 8
Favorite Anime Couple
Takeo Gōda and Rinko Yamato
Takeo and Rinko from Ore Monogatari!! This couple is just so unbearably sweet and I loved watching their relationship begin and grow.
They are both expressive in their self consciousness and joy in getting to know one another that it makes it both a hilarious and incredibly sweet show to watch.
I don’t really know what else to say, but that I found them to be a joy to watch.
This post was Takeo approved.
Until next time: Happy viewing!
dadwatchesanime 