SciFi Anime Recommendations:

Saiph · Aug 29, 2007

PistolPete made a reply in the I Robot review thread that got me thinking. Hollywood can rarely produce a good SciFi movie that actually cares about science as anything other than a backdrop. There are a few exceptions (Independence Day) of course, but they're just that, exceptions. With the high production costs hollywood cuts corners and streamlines the movie, trying to reap the rewards with sheer charisma rather than actual substance. So this got me thinking, where do I see good scifi? When I went to Anime Expo this july I attended an interview with the staff of a new anime short series called Freedom, and the director and lead animator explained why they got into anime instead of regular film: They love SciFi, but SciFi is expensive to produce. If you use the medium of animation however, your production costs are pretty stable, so long as you don't go completely overboard on quality. You certainly don't have to meet the incredibly rigourous standards of a live-action production while still looking really good. They're able to focus on the worlds and stories of the science fiction universes. Here are some Scifi (or scifi-ish) anime that's high qaulity that I recommend. These shouldn't be too wierd or head-trippy for even the normal audience, listed in descending order of scientific integrity (roughly): Planetes * Freedom * Moonlight Mile * Ghost in the Shell +* Appleseed * Robotech # Cowboy Bebop # Coyote Ragtime Show # Serial Experiments Lain + The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (good laughs) # Captain Herlock # Nadesco # Outlaw Star # Crest of the Stars # Steamboy (steampunk) Blue Chikyuu SOS (an over the top johnny quest homage) Forthcomming: Mutineers Moon * What I'd consider good classic SciFi + CyberPunk # Episodic Space Opera (akin to Star Wars style of sci-fi) Anyway, I'll list a few more as I think of th <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Mee_n_Mac · Aug 29, 2007

I'll give a mention to Trigun (# category I'd say) while mentioning it's aimed at a younger audience than say Ghost in the Shell. I appreciated the larger story line but at times it's just goofy. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> -----------------------------------------------------Ask not what your Forum Software can do do on you,Ask it to, please for the love of all that's Holy, STOP ! </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Aug 29, 2007

I will admit: I can't stand Anime. At least not what I have seen here in the States. It reminds me of some of the old 70's cartoons I used to watch when I was a kid. You know, the ones that had the characters drawn on the screen but they didn't move much and they had a live actor's mouth superimposed on their face speaking the dialog. Yeah, I didn't like that as a kid either. My biggest problem: The lack of anything meaningful to do with FPS. (Frames per second.) They all feel like they're run at 5 fps or even 1 fps. It's maddening. If I wanted that, I'd go read a graphic novel. I will admit some of the artwork is outstanding, the cell shading on some is top notch and even some of the stories (but not most) are pretty good. I just can't get over the lack of animation. Moving the camera/frame or drawing flashing lines to denote a character flying through the air is not "animation" in my book. I want to see things move.. I've come to expect that when watching video. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I greatly respect Saiph/Ricimer so it pains me to say this: I must give teh poo poo on Anime, in general. I do have a couple of questions that you may be able to answer - What the heck is up with the Japanese fascination for hair? Anime hair either looks like a fractal experiment gone terribly wrong or would take 200 years to grow. Also, what's up with the schoolgirls and panties thing? I can somewhat understand their pre-occupation with schoolgirls having to do a little with their culture and such but.. sheesh. Of course, IIRC, the appropriate term is "Manga" (?) for that dedicated genre. But, still, you see that theme all over Anime as well. Boobs, panties, weird hair, improbable sized swords, giant robots.. Freud would simply LOVE Anime and would go apoplectic over Manga. Maybe I just haven't seen the "right" Anime? If you were recommending Anime to a traditionally western guy who appreciates the chara <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

docm · Aug 29, 2007

I usually recommend these to anime newbies, "Ghost in the Shell" (great doesn't begin...lots of live films still take cues from GITS) GITS @ Amazon.com the 2004 remake of "Appleseed"; Appleseed @ Amazon.com.... or 2001's "Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within"; FF @ Amazon.com The latter 2 are CG, but in the spirit to get them used to the concept. Then they can get gritty with "Akira" and the rest. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Aug 29, 2007

I'm a big fan of Final Fantasy: Spirits Within. I thought it was excellent CGI work and the story wasn't too bad. I have it on DVD just for that. They did an awesome job with 3d animation of hair. Something that is darn hard to do. Not that I'm fixated on hair, mind you. It's just that it is extremely difficult, possibly the most difficult, human feature to recreate properly in 3d. Eyes and teeth, imo, are a close second. I've heard of Ghost in the Shell and have read about its acclaim. I've seen, at least I think I have seen, some clips. Is there a series named that as well? Could that be what I am thinking I saw? I think I have also seen "Vampire Hunter D" (Mentioned on the Amazon page) years ago when some channel I liked to watch used to run Anime every once-in-awhile on the weekends. I haven't seen Appleseed that I know of. I'll see if I can find it somewhere. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

docm · Aug 29, 2007

Hair IS A PAIN <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> There was a weaker but OK sequel to GITS, but the TV show follow on is very good, often with story lines spanning episodes and with continuing themes that run the season. The name has changed along the way; Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Ghost in the Shell: 2nd Gig Ghost In The Shell: Solid State Society All are out in DVD sets with several episodes per set. I like "Vampire Hunter D" and its sequel " Vampire Hunter D - Bloodlust", but then I like vampire flicks period. There are two versions of Appleseed; the drawn version from 1988 and the CG noted earlier. Both are well worth seeing because their scripts differ using the same characters. I like each for different reasons. BTW: the creator of "Ghost in the Shell", Masamune Shirow, also did "Appleseed" <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

PistolPete · Aug 29, 2007

FYI: Manga are Japanese comic books and aren't necessesarily pornographic. I think what you are thinking of is Hentai which can either be in manga or anime form. BTW, if you want to dip you toe in good anime but don't want to pay buku dollars for a whole season and if you have broadband access, then go to http://stage6.divx.com/GITS-SAC-AND-GITS-SAC-2nd-GIG/videos/ where you can see high quality streaming full episodes from both seasons. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> So, again we are defeated. This victory belongs to the farmers, not us.-Kambei Shimada from the movie Seven Samurai </div>

PistolPete · Aug 29, 2007

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />They love SciFi, but SciFi is expensive to produce. If you use the medium of animation however, your production costs are pretty stable, so long as you don't go completely overboard on quality. You certainly don't have to meet the incredibly rigourous standards of a live-action production while still looking really good. They're able to focus on the worlds and stories of the science fiction universes. <hr /></blockquote> My major in college is film studies and I've come to the same conclusion myself. There are also other options including CGI like what Pixar does and a hybrid of live actors against a blue screen with a CGI background like what was in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I've recently learned of a new and very cheap form of CGI which uses an existing game engine to create cartoons. It's called Machinima. If you've seen the web series Red vs. Blue, based on the Halo game engine, then you know what machinima is. If you haven't seen it, I really suggest you check it out. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> So, again we are defeated. This victory belongs to the farmers, not us.-Kambei Shimada from the movie Seven Samurai </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Aug 29, 2007

Thanks for the link! I'll watch when I can just to get a taste. Thanks for the correction between manga and hentai. I forgot about that... so many Japanese cartoon styles. In my day, there was Warner Bros, Hannah Barbara and Disney. That's about it. PS - Bugs Bunny could beat up Vampire Hunter D... just fyi. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

Saiph · Aug 29, 2007

a_lost_packet: If those are your objections to anime, you need to revisit the medium. I'll grant that a LOT of anime, even the action oriented ones, can be highly (and overly) stylized. As a matter of fact, I don't like most of whats out there. I'm just willing to slog through a lot of crap to find the good ones. And my girlfriend is willing to slog through vast amounts of the worst rubbish, and bring all that to my attention, then we sift out the gems. With that in mind I highly recommend Freedom, GITS (the series), Appleseed, Moonlight mile (so far) and PlanetES (never though space trash would be cool....) They have outstanding animation without any of the "gimmicks". They're also some of the best anime I've ever seen, and in the Sci-Fi category to boot. Other low gimmick sci-fi on that list would be Cowboy Bebop. Of those I just listed, none of them are remotely "hentai" or perverted, though they do address adult themes or personalities. Nothing I'd break the TV14 rating for though (IIRC). The anime I'd take off the list, considering your quality bias, would probably be: RoboTech Nadesco Outlaw Star Irresponsible Captain Taylor...though it's a fun one despite the "70's" animation. Even though I've given you a short list, anime has come a long way from what you probably remember. The titles that come to mind from your description are: Voltron and Thundercats. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Saiph · Aug 29, 2007

Forgot to discuss the wild hair styles in anime: Theory 1: Japan has, on average, pretty bland hairstyles. Everybody has black hair, and it's all basically straight. So, they compensate <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Theory 2: A little more serious. Most Anime uses a pretty standardized character build, especially in the face. That means they've got two real ways to differentiate characters, clothing and hairstyles. It's really just a style choice, and most of the anime I listed goes beyond that into completely unique character design. Definetly the ones I recommended in the post above this. Btw, one of the absolute best looking animated films, let alone anime, I've ever seen is "Voices of a Distant Star" Another highly recommended anime, though it isn't SciFi is Full Metal Alchemist. And, Red Vs. Blue is incredibly awesome. Each episode gets a good laugh out of me. Btw, Caboose is the best. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Aug 30, 2007

Dude... Don't knock Voltron! And the Thundercats! Wow, those hairballs aren't high on your list, huh? <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I spent many a day sitting in the commons room of my dorm, drinking to Voltron and the Thundercats! It bring it into an entirely knew experience! It was a communal dorm activity, regularly scheduled and catered by the local package store. .. Maybe that's why I didn't notice the animation was terrible? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Aug 30, 2007

Those sound like sound reasons for the hair fixation. Btw, one of the absolute best looking animated films, let alone anime, I've ever seen is "Voices of a Distant Star" I'll remember that when I go hunting for DVDs. I've always been a Bakshi fan myself. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

kelvinzero · Aug 30, 2007

I have often wondered if anime characters are often characatures of how japanese view westerners: multicoloured, loud and with no self control <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Startrek also uses racial characatures after all. It is also very common in anime SF for the world to be near destroyed by apocalyptic alien technology, the only defense being based on that same technology at the risk of losing self... go figure <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

a_lost_packet_ · Aug 30, 2007

Ever notice that a lot of anime characters have huge round eyes? I think Saiph hit the nail on the head in his post explaining his thoughts on why they appear to be fascinated with hairstyles. Anecdotal evidence abounds - How many women with flowing or curly blonde or red hair have commented on the attention it received in Japan and other regions where hair color and style are fairly genetically homologous? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

Saiph · Aug 30, 2007

Oh, I'm not dissing Voltron and Thundercats, just pointing out that those are the classic 70's style anime here in America. And while those shows weren't duds, the genre has matured a lot. OF course, there's always "galactic railways"...yay! Trains in space! As for anime and it's protrayal of westerners: You'll notice when an "american" character shows up, it's really, really strong stereotypes of a loudmouth, bullheaded, and arrogantly ignorant giant blonde men for the most part. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

junkheap · Aug 30, 2007

Btw, one of the absolute best looking animated films, let alone anime, I've ever seen is "Voices of a Distant Star" I looked into that and I learned that the whole thing was done by ONE guy (with the exception of the female voice actor) on his Mac! <img src="/images/icons/shocked.gif" />

Saiph · Aug 30, 2007

yep, crazy isn't it? He's put out a couple other films (with actual staff this time) of the same caliber as well, though the names escape me at the moment. My gf would know immediately, she's smitten with them, but she's at work at the moment. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

oker59 · Aug 30, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEvrgABj8rA since this topic was started; i of course am a big Robotech fan; it might not be hard sci-fi, but it is creative sci fi like Homers epics!

a_lost_packet_ · Sep 3, 2007

Question: I watched a few minutes of Sci-Fi Anime's "No e in" this evening. Is this considered "good" anime or is it just pulp? The next time I hit the vid store, I plan on picking up one of the highly recommended suggestions. I just want to get a feel from the anime consumer on how their standards for judgment work. Hey, I'm givin' it a shot at least. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I did the same with "Dr. Who" but, out of deference to all our fans of the good Dr., I will reserve comment. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

Saiph · Sep 9, 2007

One thing to remember about anime, is that it's a much more diverse medium now than it used to be. So even if you run into a few (or many) duds, don't write it off as a medium. As for "No e in"...I haven't heard of it, so I just managed to snag a few episodes and I'm watching them now. It's more fantasy than Sci-Fi if you ask me, or rather fantasy justified by science (so far). After I see a few more eps I'll be able to give a thumbs up or down. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Sep 10, 2007

Ok, I'll stand by with thumb on remote, just in case. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Sep 11, 2007

I watched "Ghost in the Shell" this evening. About 3/4 of the show I think. It wasn't bad. Interesting plot, horrible dialog. But, there are, after all, translation and cultural hurdles to get through. The one thing I hated was the ten minutes of credits before the show. They even give credit to the guy that designs the weapons. Credit just for the weapons.. in an anime/manga program. Yeah.. OK. Just the weapons... Did someone else get credit for designing the nipples? Did I miss that part? Too bad they had to mask out the bouncy bits. Anyway, it "didn't suck." So, I may watch another episode of that particular show. The only problem is now I have to do some background work to figure out what it is about. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

docm · Sep 11, 2007

The movie or TV series? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

a_lost_packet_ · Sep 11, 2007

I think it was the movie. At least that's how it is listed in my online guide. Two hour long, premier, Not Rated - "A cybernetic agent must stop a potent form of artificial intelligence before it can attain human form. Animated." Is that the movie? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I put on my robe and wizard hat... </div>

SciFi Anime Recommendations:

Saiph

Guest

Mee_n_Mac

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

docm

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

docm

Guest

PistolPete

Guest

PistolPete

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

Saiph

Guest

Saiph

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

kelvinzero

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

Saiph

Guest

junkheap

Guest

Saiph

Guest

oker59

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

Saiph

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

docm

Guest

a_lost_packet_

Guest

Similar threads

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Share this page