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Meant to post this last Friday, but April 2nd marked 15 years after The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya appeared on television screens for the first time. For me, the first time I heard about this anime was when I saw the manga version of this in a local library that I frequented to over a few years ago (knowingly not realizing that this was based on a light novel of the same name).

I like to joke that somehow this show came calling to me when I was just trying to find some manga that I’ve never read before, and it brought back memories of when I read Yotsuba&! for the first time, not knowing what I was getting myself into.

This anime to me is much more that just typical sci-fi, school of life comedy/drama. You never would have guessed that Kyoto Animation created this, since most fans of that now unfortunately burnt down studio moved on to K-On! and Clannad, which to be fair are both series that I also enjoy as well.

Even as a grown adult, I tried doing the outro dance moves to this while no one was watching:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A9yyX1bb3lw
And unsurprisingly, I failed *sigh*

But nonetheless, this was a great anime, and the movie version was very well done in my opinion. I’m looking forward to see what the new light novel chapters will look like when it comes out.

Did you know that Haruhi and her great smug anime face helped solve a very hard math problem a few years back? It was also with the help of 4chan with their /sci/ board.


Pretty great read.
I remember this. I never actually watched it though. I kind of forgot about it until Red Bard made a video on Endless Eight. I do recognize the characters and dance though. I use to watch the dance clip on Youtube back in about 2008. I think I remember a lot of high schoolers making their own version and uploading on Youtube. I'm pretty sure the anime club I was in did it for the talent show. I wasn't a part of it but I did play Sosuke from Ponyo for a float we made for homecoming in 2009. I still have a piece of that float actually.
 
I haven't been watching much anime as of late. But during last weekend when I saw one of my siblings watching Attack on Titan, I decided to continue a couple of shows I haven't finished yet.

- Started getting into Space Dandy. A lot better than I was expecting. Gives me tons of Cowboy Bebop and Lupin the III vibes (especially with the protagonist himself), so that's good. Currently on episode five, I think.

- Continued watching more of Sailor Moon S. I feel dumb thinking that Uranus and Neptune were legit going to fucking die, but was glad that they managed to pull through nevertheless. Liking the addition of Hotaru and Pluto/Setsuna here.

One gripe I do have about this season is that I didn't like how the Inner Senshi were basically shown to be incompetent compared to the Outers (more specifically, Uranus and Neptune). Especially when Usagi/Sailor Moon was considered. I don't know. Something about that rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it's different in the manga. Speaking of which, I'm currently finished with volume 2 on that one. It was fun but Naoko whipped through the plot lines too quick for my liking.

--- Watched another episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion. My progress on that has been slow but I do like what I'm seeing from it (spoilers I've 'stumbled' across aside). Strangely enough, I don't find the characters to be too grating and the plot always leaves me feeling pretty tense. Still can't wait to finish it soon so I can watch the movies.
 
--- Watched another episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion. My progress on that has been slow but I do like what I'm seeing from it (spoilers I've 'stumbled' across aside). Strangely enough, I don't find the characters to be too grating and the plot always leaves me feeling pretty tense. Still can't wait to finish it soon so I can watch the movies.
Are you watching the sub? Most people’s issues come from the hammy acting in the dub, and honestly even then I find the whole thing to be kinda overblown.
 
Are you watching the sub? Most people’s issues come from the hammy acting in the dub, and honestly even then I find the whole thing to be kinda overblown.
Yep. The dub (the one Netflix did. I didn't see the original dubs aside from clips here and there) didn't keep me engaged. I liked it better when I switched it to sub, but I don't see myself binge-watching it in the future.

I'm surprised to hear that about the OG dubs. I didn't hear much criticism about the show as a whole aside from gripes about the characters and Netflix making a few adjustments to it (i.e. removing "Take Me To The Moon" ending theme because of I think budget reasons?).
 
Yep. The dub (the one Netflix did. I didn't see the original dubs aside from clips here and there) didn't keep me engaged. I liked it better when I switched it to sub, but I don't see myself binge-watching it in the future.

I'm surprised to hear that about the OG dubs. I didn't hear much criticism about the show as a whole aside from gripes about the characters and Netflix making a few adjustments to it (i.e. removing "Take Me To The Moon" ending theme because of I think budget reasons?).
Eva doesn’t pick up steam until episode 8, at least it didn’t for me. Before then, it was an alright show with a lot of neat ideas but nothing that ever became whole. Episode 8 is where pieces start falling into place, the show starts to really have fun, shit gets done, and best girl gets introduced.
 
- Started getting into Space Dandy. A lot better than I was expecting. Gives me tons of Cowboy Bebop and Lupin the III vibes (especially with the protagonist himself), so that's good. Currently on episode five, I think.
The various episodes of Space Dandy were done by different people, so the quality can vary a lot. The best ones are incredibly good, though. I'm partial to the Wacky Racers and Limbo Planet ones.
 
Eva doesn’t pick up steam until episode 8, at least it didn’t for me. Before then, it was an alright show with a lot of neat ideas but nothing that ever became whole. Episode 8 is where pieces start falling into place, the show starts to really have fun, shit gets done, and best girl gets introduced.
I could never get into Eva myself. I have a few friends who are big fans and love digging into every little bit they can out of the lore but it never appealed to me in any large way. Though I haven't watched any of the movies or extended stories, only the original 24 episode run. I can see the appeal of it, but I was incredibly bored throughout the entire series.
 
I could never get into Eva myself. I have a few friends who are big fans and love digging into every little bit they can out of the lore but it never appealed to me in any large way. Though I haven't watched any of the movies or extended stories, only the original 24 episode run. I can see the appeal of it, but I was incredibly bored throughout the entire series.
Whether or not you enjoy it is going to hinge entirely on you relating personally to the characters. Among my friends at least, the ones I’d describe as happy or generally content tended to be the ones who found it boring.

Without that personal connection, it’s harder to look past the effects of the rushed production on the later episodes.
 
Is it worth getting the Rose of Versailles bluray sets? I already have the DVD sets from before

Yep. The dub (the one Netflix did. I didn't see the original dubs aside from clips here and there) didn't keep me engaged. I liked it better when I switched it to sub, but I don't see myself binge-watching it in the future.

I'm surprised to hear that about the OG dubs. I didn't hear much criticism about the show as a whole aside from gripes about the characters and Netflix making a few adjustments to it (i.e. removing "Take Me To The Moon" ending theme because of I think budget reasons?).
Oof don't bother with Netflix dub tbh. ADV and subs or bust
 
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Yesterday officially marks 10 years after Puella Magi Madoka Magica aired on your TV screens for the first time. I always like to joke that this is the cute, though darker version of Hidamari Sketch. Even Madoka Kaname reminds me of Yuno, only this time she looks like a princess in a different world:


Either way, this is just one of a handful of memorable anime that I have to finish watching, since I know they made two movies after the success of the original and spinoff series that were based on this anime. Also, unpopular opinion but, Homura Akemi was one of the best well written characters of the 2010’s as far as how magical shoujo is concerned.
 
View attachment 2067426

Yesterday officially marks 10 years after Puella Magi Madoka Magica aired on your TV screens for the first time. I always like to joke that this is the cute, though darker version of Hidamari Sketch. Even Madoka Kaname reminds me of Yuno, only this time she looks like a princess in a different world:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DQEEbQsr2Xk
Either way, this is just one of a handful of memorable anime that I have to finish watching, since I know they made two movies after the success of the original and spinoff series that were based on this anime. Also, unpopular opinion but, Homura Akemi was one of the best well written characters of the 2010’s as far as how magical shoujo is concerned.
The ending of the anime series definitely ranks as one of the best I’ve seen.
When I was watching the series, I had been baited by an anti-spoiler because at some point I had seen the Homura vs. Mami fight from the movie in some “top 5 anime fight scenes” video, so I went at least halfway through the show believing that Madoka’s wish would be to bring Mami back to life. It wasn’t til around maybe episode 8 that I realized her accepting the contract would happen in the finale.
 
View attachment 2067426

Yesterday officially marks 10 years after Puella Magi Madoka Magica aired on your TV screens for the first time. I always like to joke that this is the cute, though darker version of Hidamari Sketch. Even Madoka Kaname reminds me of Yuno, only this time she looks like a princess in a different world:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DQEEbQsr2Xk
Either way, this is just one of a handful of memorable anime that I have to finish watching, since I know they made two movies after the success of the original and spinoff series that were based on this anime. Also, unpopular opinion but, Homura Akemi was one of the best well written characters of the 2010’s as far as how magical shoujo is concerned.
I find it surprising that a series such as this was nearly as influential as Sword Art Online. I love Madoka Magica, but god if it didn't spawn some shitty derivatives during the rest of the 2010s. Magical Girl Raising Project and Magical Girl Site are ones that immedately come to my head when it comes to this topic.

Also Homora is amazing and I liked both the TV endings and Rebellion.
 
View attachment 2067426

Yesterday officially marks 10 years after Puella Magi Madoka Magica aired on your TV screens for the first time. I always like to joke that this is the cute, though darker version of Hidamari Sketch. Even Madoka Kaname reminds me of Yuno, only this time she looks like a princess in a different world:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DQEEbQsr2Xk
Either way, this is just one of a handful of memorable anime that I have to finish watching, since I know they made two movies after the success of the original and spinoff series that were based on this anime. Also, unpopular opinion but, Homura Akemi was one of the best well written characters of the 2010’s as far as how magical shoujo is concerned.
I remember watching the show back when I was at the army. It was an amazing show that pretty balanced hope and despair without going too far, plus absolutely great design and pacing. I also think Rebellion was great and Homura did what was fitting for her character. I remember theorizing Homura was the cat in the OP that Madoka wished to be human...
Madoka did spawn a few shows with an angsty tone but it never picked up as much as Eva did to mechas. Especially once isekai got into the picture and became the new hot thing for several years now.
 
I find it surprising that a series such as this was nearly as influential as Sword Art Online. I love Madoka Magica, but god if it didn't spawn some shitty derivatives during the rest of the 2010s. Magical Girl Raising Project and Magical Girl Site are ones that immedately come to my head when it comes to this topic.

Also Homora is amazing and I liked both the TV endings and Rebellion.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=TrgxHDoe8gA
I liked Magical Girl Raising Project, ngl the first novel which the anime adapted just isn't the greatest. It gets into the groove of things and becomes its own thing after a while.
 
View attachment 2067426

Yesterday officially marks 10 years after Puella Magi Madoka Magica aired on your TV screens for the first time. I always like to joke that this is the cute, though darker version of Hidamari Sketch. Even Madoka Kaname reminds me of Yuno, only this time she looks like a princess in a different world:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DQEEbQsr2Xk
Either way, this is just one of a handful of memorable anime that I have to finish watching, since I know they made two movies after the success of the original and spinoff series that were based on this anime. Also, unpopular opinion but, Homura Akemi was one of the best well written characters of the 2010’s as far as how magical shoujo is concerned.
Ah Madoka Magica. At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, it's still one of my favorite anime, and as far as I'm concerned, one of the greatest of not just the 2010s, but of all time.

It may be hard to describe, but back when it was airing, the buzz surrounding it was absolutely insane. Theories were popping up left and right, already fans were making detailed analysis of the characters and world, and when it finished, it was racking up awards left and right. Even now, it still has people debating and analyzing its themes and characters. There's a very good reason that it is considered the Magical Girl equivalent of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Heck, at the risk of sounding blasphemous, I'd even go so far as to argue that it communicates several of the themes seen in Evangelion even better and in a more subtle manner. The third film, Rebellion, I'll even say did this even more so, and was everything that 3.33 tried and failed to do.
 
Watched Vivy, while I felt like what happened could've been its own episode other than that it was almost a funny kick in the head. Since it was the second episode, if felt more of a final establishment of tone before the actual plot begins rather than anything else. Wasn't like the character was going to stick around for much anyway, if it commits to the entire 100 years idea instead of having it clustered within a month or so.
 
So I'm on episode 14 of Zeta, not bad I like it I'm just overwhelmed there is so much Char and my stupid ass has no idea how to handle it ngl.
Simping aside, how the FUCK did Fraw and Hayto get MARRIED and have kids. I'm not shipper trash per say, but maybe it's my bias but Fraw and Amuro had so much chemistry and the most I ever saw Fraw and Hayato interact was after Hayato got shot in the shoulder and she was in med bay, and the part where they ran to the hanger together to see the old people.

Maybe i'm missing context, I finally bought a volume of the gundam manga (only V1 ofc shits $30 a volume and it was a treat for myself) so maybe when I get more of it i'll get context??? But Hayato and Fraw marrying and having a child just feels so out of left field.
Btw Hayato does suck and really didn't do a damn thing in 0079 outside of bitching since i've had time to digest 0079.
For me I always found the main reason Fraw and Amuro never got together is due to how traumatised the war left Amuro. Especially Lalah's death left a huge emotional scare on Amuro and I'd like to believe their relationship never coming together was because Fraw realized Amuro was a mess and decided to "move on" in a way to the more stable Hayato.

I much greater enjoyed the relationship between Fa and Kamille because I find there's a lot more between the two and Fa really sticks with Kamille. Small ZZ spoiler that isn't that big but I loved when Fa and Kamille showed up there just because you could still see how much Fa cared.
View attachment 2067426

Yesterday officially marks 10 years after Puella Magi Madoka Magica aired on your TV screens for the first time. I always like to joke that this is the cute, though darker version of Hidamari Sketch. Even Madoka Kaname reminds me of Yuno, only this time she looks like a princess in a different world:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DQEEbQsr2Xk
Either way, this is just one of a handful of memorable anime that I have to finish watching, since I know they made two movies after the success of the original and spinoff series that were based on this anime. Also, unpopular opinion but, Homura Akemi was one of the best well written characters of the 2010’s as far as how magical shoujo is concerned.
Man I still remember the threads when it aired on /a/, feels not that long ago. Still remember Poorfag-chan too, no idea if she ever became popular outside of memes on /a/.

I find it surprising that a series such as this was nearly as influential as Sword Art Online. I love Madoka Magica, but god if it didn't spawn some shitty derivatives during the rest of the 2010s. Magical Girl Raising Project and Magical Girl Site are ones that immedately come to my head when it comes to this topic.
I think the only real "madoka knock-offs" I enjoyed was Yuuki Yuna, though I only saw the first season so far and had meant to watch further. Still remember having a good cry at one scene in particular from episode 9 and then just seeing the shit hit the fan when the characters start realizing what's going to actually happen to them.

A lot of them are just way too edgy for their own good.
Also Homora is amazing and I liked both the TV endings and Rebellion.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TrgxHDoe8gA
Rebellion really made me love Homura because its focus on her really helped me understand her as a character and just seeing how much she was suffering due to Madoka's decision, it also helped that I had done a rewatch of the series right before watching the movie. I'm still hoping for some sort of third film to wrap the series up because there was enough left open by the end of the film for it.
 
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