Anime/Manga - Discuss Japanese cartoons and comics here; NO CULTURE WAR DOOMPOSTING!

[Sinner's Sandwich]

Man, I really hope One Piece doesn't fuck itself.

Too late for that.

 

[God of Nothing]

Too late for that.

yeah
there's a reason why the one piece thread has like four posters at best anymore

 

[Scarlett Johansson]

So uhhhh about the GTO anime.....I read about and saw the scene where Onizuka spanks the evil girls and then takes their skirts off and writes on their panties and photographs it/ISPOILER].....uhhh.........so is he a perverted teacher going after minors? That's disturbing imo.

 

[God of Nothing]

So uhhhh about the GTO anime.....I read about and saw the scene where Onizuka spanks the evil girls and then takes their skirts off and writes on their panties and photographs it/ISPOILER].....uhhh.........so is he a perverted teacher going after minors? That's disturbing imo.

japanese humor

 

[VeePeeN]

Definitely watch Beck. It's one of the all time best. Close to my personal top 5 honestly. And watch the English dub, it actually is a lot better than the sub. Some of the animation really is dated even by my low standards. But they don't make stuff like Beck anymore.
It's like Welcome to the NHK for me in that it's a perfect example of just how real and down to earth anime used to be. No crazy fanservice or comedy relief or ADD editing. Just a really beautiful coming of age story.

It's absolutely on my short-list of the recommends I've been getting. The "down to earth anime" is the kind of stuff I can get into. There was another one my daughter showed me that fit in that category, can't remember the name, but it was about a girl who was either mute or deaf and a boy who felt guilty over bullying her in the past, iirc.

I dont immediately discount an anime if it indulges too heavily in the Japanese distinct version of comedy, but the fanservice can be too much at times. It really makes me wonder about the culture there, as I find it hard to believe that they're that flippant about grown men (and women at times) sexualizing young teens. ADD editing I can deal with in short bursts, but when the entire show is just quick cuts with action-lines all over the place and people screaming at each other, the sensory overload is very frustrating.

Kill la Kill is an example of a show that hits all 3 of those points, and while I did find enjoyable things in it, it's not something I could watch again. I did really enjoy the main theme that was in the intro and outro, and took me a few listens to recognize, but its clearly a version of the same song I heard in one of the Inuyasha seasons outros.

I prefer older stuff myself. Unfortunately, I don't detect a pattern with what you listed other than runtime, so I'll list stuff that I like.

I can definitely appreciate the older stuff for the nostalgia factor alone. Something about the animation style, the less vibrant coloring and the synth-heavy music that takes me back.

Ive been watching some Yu Yu Hakusho while I sort thru these recommends for that reason, after first discovering it on one of those youtube channels that shows blocks of old Toonami lineups. Only saw half of an episode about a year ago and it stuck with me.

Gives me that old childhood, Saturday morning with a bowl of cereal feeling, even tho my selection of toons back then was purely western stuff.

Requiem from the Darkness-13 episode horror series about a writer looking for inspiration while Spirits pass judgement on various Horror cows. The art style is very strange. It looks like a blending of Ukio-e, Anime, and Cubism (extras tend to have this look). Worth watching just to see how these styles interact with each other.

Monster- Bit on the long side with 74 episodes, but it's about a doctor turned fugitive hunting down the serial killer he saved during surgery. Also, commies love to scramble children's minds, so pretty based to criticize them for it. Would be neat to find the German dub as that would actually be the most immersive, but Netflix only has the original Japanese.

Any Kon Satoshi movie-He's like a grimmer, more cynical version of Studio Ghibi movies. His movies are typically about the blurring of reality and fantasy, sometimes--but not always--stemming from psychotic break like in Perfect Blue. His editing choices take full advantage of anime as a medium (Millennium Actress probably has my favorite kind of genre-shifting scene transitions). Mostly movies and Paranoia Agent, which is 13 episodes.

Seirei no Moribito-Slow moving story about a female bodyguard hired to defend a prince from assassins and the prophecy that is supposed to end in his death

All of these sound really interesting. The Japanese have always done darker more mature themed stories very well. I should have mentioned in my OP that big robot anime is not to my taste. I can understand the appeal of things like Macross and Gundam, but its never been something that drew me in. I prefer my robotic action-drama human sized, like Robocop and Terminator. Constant cuts to little guys sitting in a cockpit and yapping just doesn't do it for me, no matter how cool the action is.

I also should've mentioned that the only anime I can access right now is on Netflix, Crunchyroll and whatever Amazon might have for free (Ghost Story eng dub being one that I saw there). So some suggestions I've been unable to find.

And thanks again, everyone that took the time to offer some!

 

[(((I am NOT a jew)))]

japanese humor

Essentially this. Onizuka's a good guy who has some of his students actively lusting after him throughout the series that he doesn't engage in (the first episode is literally a girl he helps telling him she'll wait until she's old enough for him because he doesn't go there). I can't completely remember the scene, but I think that was just him doing the kind of thing that would humiliate the girls the most because he was pissed at them in the moment. Onizuka goes to pretty severe lengths to establish his point, not usually sexual. He just doesn't give a fuck.

 

[God of Nothing]

I dont immediately discount an anime if it indulges too heavily in the Japanese distinct version of comedy, but the fanservice can be too much at times. It really makes me wonder about the culture there, as I find it hard to believe that they're that flippant about grown men (and women at times) sexualizing young teens.

Age of consent there was really low (13 but with corruption of minors and obscenity laws by prefecture that raised it to 16 with the exception of parental permission) until amended to 16 nationally (with restrictions) in 2023 with 18 being unrestricted. That doesn't really mean they're having much sex, though prostitution is a thing there. It is really fucking weird. Don't get me started on idol simping industries and the JK (high schoolers hired to pretend date older men) shit. The Japanese are repressed as fuck socially speaking. Anime is so weird and expressive as a result of this repression. Teenagers are sexualized because they're thought of as young adults there rather than children like we think in the west.

 

[VeePeeN]

Teenagers are sexualized because they're thought of as young adults there rather than children like we think in the west

That would also explain why Im constantly seeing teachers in anime beat and abuse their students as well, if they view them as young adults.

Was there ever a thing in Japan of teachers hooking up with students? I can only imagine, given the cultural context, considering how it happens all the time in America when it's more of a taboo (tho clown world is working hard to change that)

 

[God of Nothing]

Was there ever a thing in Japan of teachers hooking up with students? I can only imagine, given the cultural context, considering how it happens all the time in America when it's more of a taboo (tho clown world is working hard to change that)

It happens. Still considered sexual misconduct because, you know, teacher student relationship and parents alarm bells would go off if their child was fucking their teacher.

 

[VeePeeN]

It happens. Still considered sexual misconduct because, you know, teacher student relationship and parents alarm bells would go off if their child was fucking their teacher.

Wow, I thought 200 in a year was a lot, but apparently they have around 1.5 million teachers in Japan. Still, how many of them didn't get caught?

And over 5K taking leaves of absence for "mental health" reasons. Sounds pretty typical for over there with their work ethic.

 

[(((I am NOT a jew)))]

Teenagers are sexualized because they're thought of as young adults there rather than children like we think in the west.

That and I think a lot of it ties into the level of independence placed on japanese youth.
Even though it's an anime trope, it's not completely rare for the off japanese kid to essentially live by themselves.
That and you look at the themes and maturity shown in shonen media made ostensibly for kids over there compared to our equivalents (or even our mature content) as well as GPA and... yeah you start to get the idea.

Not trying to open that can of worms but the general truth is Japan has a higher standard for it's citizens, which extends to the young.
That and

The Japanese are repressed as fuck socially speaking.

Essentially the Japanese have the concept of "face", and societal cohesion. So as a result you're expected to present less aspects of yourself in public, work your job, and generally not disturb the peace, but are free to let your freak flag fly in your own time.
This contrasts with American culture where on the surface everyone can dress and act how they want in the open (yet still have extreme judgement) but there's less pockets for "extreme" expression (i.e almost all sources for sharing art/media being neutered and censored over the past decade and there being heavy critical risk if committing a social faux pas).
So a result you get a place that's animated entertainment primarily appeals to nonces, yet also has some of the lowest reported sexual assault cases in the world, and isn't in any hurry to encourage their children to mutilate themselves.
Japan is interesting.

 

[God of Nothing]

Wow, I thought 200 in a year was a lot, but apparently they have around 1.5 million teachers in Japan. Still, how many of them didn't get caught?

And over 5K taking leaves of absence for "mental health" reasons. Sounds pretty typical for over there with their work ethic.

you know how it is trying to prove a negative
shounen abyss had a plotline about the protagonist's school teacher taking advantage of him in his depressed suicidal state of mind
that entire manga seemed like it was about the japanese condition of being in an absolute shit situation they feel like they have to go along with and doing horrible things to cope

That and you look at the themes and maturity shown in shonen media made ostensibly for kids over there compared to our equivalents and higher as well as GPA and... yeah you start to get the idea.

Not trying to open that can of worms but the general truth is Japan has a higher standard for it's citizens, which extends to the young.

High trust society with a very context based language (as someone learning it, official text trying to teach it and casual speech in anime or by Japanese people are night and fucking day). I'd be envious if it weren't a wageslave's absolute nightmare.

Essentially the Japanese have the concept of "face", and societal cohesion. So as a result you're expected to present less aspects of yourself in public, work your job, and generally not disturb the peace, but are free to let your freak flag fly in your own time.
This contrasts with American culture where on the surface everyone can dress and act how they want in the open (yet still have extreme judgement) but there's less pockets for "extreme" expression (i.e almost all sources for sharing art/media being neutered and censored over the past decade and there being heavy critical risk if committing a social faux pas).
So a result you get a place that's animated entertainment primarily appeals to nonces, yet also has some of the lowest reported sexual assault cases in the world, and isn't in any hurry to encourage their children to mutilate themselves.
Japan is interesting.

Yup. It makes sense for our countries to be fascinated by each other. Japanese portrayals of America are wild and wholesome when they're not coping about their state in geopolitics.

 

[VeePeeN]

Essentially the Japanese have the concept of "face", and societal cohesion. So as a result you're expected to present less aspects of yourself in public, work your job, and generally not disturb the peace, but are free to let your freak flag fly in your own time.
This contrasts with American culture where on the surface everyone can dress and act how they want in the open (yet still have extreme judgement) but there's less pockets for "extreme" expression (i.e almost all sources for sharing art/media being neutered and censored over the past decade and there being heavy critical risk if committing a social faux pas).
So a result you get a place that's animated entertainment primarily appeals to nonces, yet also has some of the lowest reported sexual assault cases in the world, and isn't in any hurry to encourage their children to mutilate themselves.
Japan is interesting.

I think these odd cultural differences is what's driving a lot of my interest in anime right now. There's so much dissonance that I find fascinating. The perception of Japanese here in America, is that they are very prim and proper, they mind their own business and you'd rarely ever see them showing out in public.

But then when you dig a little into their psyche through their media, holy hell, they are fucking lunatics!

My wife and I, are both at odds with something as simple as how often anime characters are so loud and overexpressive. Our limited experience with Japanese people are them being usually very soft spoken and emotionally neutral, compared to America. Its one of the things I really respect about them, how they don't tolerate loud and obnoxious foreigners.

I can only imagine how much they prob despise the weebs that emulate the mannerisms of their favorite characters.

 

[God of Nothing]

I think these odd cultural differences is what's driving a lot of my interest in anime right now. There's so much dissonance that I find fascinating. The perception of Japanese here in America, is that they are very prim and proper, they mind their own business and you'd rarely ever see them showing out in public.

But then when you dig a little into their psyche through their media, holy hell, they are fucking lunatics!

My wife and I, are both at odds with something as simple as how often anime characters are so loud and overexpressive. Our limited experience with Japanese people are them being usually very soft spoken and emotionally neutral, compared to America. Its one of the things I really respect about them, how they don't tolerate loud and obnoxious foreigners.

I can only imagine how much they prob despise the weebs that emulate the mannerisms of their favorite characters.

With personal friends and family, they're a lot more expressive because they're around people who really know and like them. Anime is escapism. A world where they don't have to keep it all in. So yeah.

The Japanese in anime is heavily exaggerated too. Like, it's radio voice type shit. Tons of slang. Most weeaboos who actually learn to speak Japanese through anime will sound like a character from it.

 

[VeePeeN]

With personal friends and family, they're a lot more expressive because they're around people who really know and like them.

Yeah, I imagine so. Can't say I've ever had a friend from there. I've often had the oddest feeling whenever I've met or interacted with the females tho. I usually get the feeling that they're staring daggers through me, like they're disgusted, and just assumed that they don't like white dudes. But then I hear all the time that japanese girls love white men.

Occasionally come across very nice and humble Japanese guys tho.

The Japanese in anime is heavily exaggerated too. Like, it's radio voice type shit. Tons of slang. Most weeaboos who actually learn to speak Japanese through anime will sound like a character from it

Just like our animation and other media. Radio voice is a good analogy. I'd imagine its like if a Japanese learned all their English from Tarantino flix. Everytime I watch one of his movies, its very off-putting because no normal person talks like he writes.

 

[God of Nothing]

I've often had the oddest feeling whenever I've met or interacted with the females tho. I usually get the feeling that they're staring daggers through me, like they're disgusted, and just assumed that they don't like white dudes. But then I hear all the time that japanese girls love white men.

lol, they do and she was probably too surprised

Just like our animation and other media. Radio voice is a good analogy. I'd imagine its like if a Japanese learned all their English from Tarantino flix. Everytime I watch one of his movies, its very off-putting because no normal person talks like he writes.

if i hear dead nigger storage in engrish or don't cry in front of the mexicans, i will die happy

 

[BananaSplit²]

The Japanese are not well known for good Storytelling or Military Tactics. Remember these are the retards that invented the word for intentionally being a shitter for your team/suicide crashing a plane. Kamikaze. The only thing they understand is the concepts of "style over substance" and "sex sells" at the cost of literally everything else.

This kind of statement does emphasize your inexperience in the manga & anime medium more than anything though. Maybe try to expand your horizons with Japanese adult graphic novels instead of sticking solely to the ones for teenagers? I'm even willing to give you a bone or two:
Good Morning Leon
Keyman: The Hand of Judgment
A Distant Neighborhood and The Journal of my Father
Britanny Hayome Ibun
Henkyou no Roukishi: Bard Loen

Not that reading and enjoying the works shown above prevents me from doing the same on titles like Youkai Izakaya Nonbereke, Cleopatra and the Iron Cross, Normal and Monsters amongst plenty.

That and you look at the themes and maturity shown in shonen media made ostensibly for kids over there compared to our equivalents (or even our mature content) as well as GPA and... yeah you start to get the idea.

Because Japanese comics are fictions, which mean they can depict and romanticize otherwise questionable things. And I argue to say as a french myself, I'm flabbergasted by the amount of Internet English-speaking users genuinely struggling to accept the separation between fiction & reality and not virtue-signal.

 

[McMitch]

This kind of statement does emphasize your inexperience in the manga & anime medium more than anything though.

He’s even disingenuous about the military aspect:

Remember these are the retards that invented the word for intentionally being a shitter for your team/suicide crashing a plane. Kamikaze.

Kamikaze (god-wind) came about because the Mongols were turned back twice by bad weather. Applying that term to the suicide bombers for Pearl Harbor was an intentional metaphor to inspire the exact type of zealotry such an act requires. Attacking Pearl Harbor was never intended to achieve militaristic results as much as it was to achieve PR results back in Japan.

And I argue to say as a french myself,

I will admit, with all there is to criticize about France, your country’s handling of manga seems to have been the least censorious and treated it the least like a fad (which the US has for like thirty years, it’s why the likes of VIZ and Crunchyroll can still make the heavy script changes they do today).

 

[God of Nothing]

And I argue to say as a french myself, I'm flabbergasted by the amount of Internet English-speaking users genuinely struggling to accept the separation between fiction & reality and not virtue-signal.

puritan fundamental values, pls understan
we have this extreme value dissonance where we can portray gore and brutality yet sexuality is another thing entirely
our kids media is either baby shit or groomer shit.

 

[VeePeeN]

lol, they do and she was probably too surprised
https://youtube.com/watch?v=LeaCkuYRhzM
if i hear dead nigger storage in engrish or don't cry in front of the mexicans, i will die happy

A drunk Japanese girl rubbing her hands all over some strange white guy is the complete opposite experience I've had lol

I cite the "Don't fucking talk to me" expression of Japanese girls in my exp, but I've also been accused of having that look, so prob my fault more than anything.

And not just the 2nd and 3rd generation J-americans I've dealt with, but the student-visa types I've seen at work for 2 decades. Oddly enough, I see them accompanied by black athletes more commonly.

It's actually quite wholesome when I see a cute Japanese couple in puppy love walking around campus. I feel for that dude in the clip. Must be disheartening to see the chick you thought you were taking home, fawning over some doofy looking tourist. (edit: missed the streamer say "You're married". Fucking oof, that was her husband? She'd be walking home alone, and she better hope she had a key when she got there.)

Tbf tho, she was probably just as intrigued at him being a streamer. It sounds like she called him "white speed", like 'ishowspeed'? Even the streamer was confused, "you like what?"