Secondlina&#39;s Panels

(*cough* Are you chance refering to the The Ember Island Players episode? )

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Ember Island Players is hilarious. What don't they make fun of in that episode?

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It's like they spied on the Avatar fandom just so they could use it in that one episode. Nothing was safe in that episode. XD

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I actually think that they did.

Even the commentary on that episode is funny.

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auriga

(Yep! It was kind of amusing, though I liked other parts better.)

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A few people told me the whole - Avatar, a kids show argument. I'm also somewhat scared by the fandom of adults, which is sometimes petrifying. That's MOSTLY why I didn't get that much into avatar. I watched maybe 5 episodes.

Link's cousin seems to really like it though. She gave it two thumbs up.

Finally, someone who has seen Last Exile! I didn't even know this anime existed. Apparently it's treally good but not that known.

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auriga

Avatar definitely is a kids' show, but does manage to be deeper than most. I think it matures as it goes on. My favourite part, however, is a little chibified short at the end of one of the episodes. XD

I kept seeing Last Exile actually listed on TV, so I went and tried it out. It's very interesting and the characters are great.

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You know they have several other SD shorts, right?

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auriga

Oh? I suspected they existed, because I've seen what looks like pictures from them, but I've never seen any of the other shorts.

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They're on youtube, if your interested, and they're much better than Swamp Skiing, but that's just me.

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paynesgrey.livejournal.com

Avatar is AWESOME. A really great show, not just for kids. I know several adults that are really into it.

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I think it's most likely really fun, and I almost bought the full box set the other day, but honestly, the fandom scares me. I think i'll still watch it, but stay away from the fandom of doom.

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snapdragon76.livejournal.com

Yes, the fandom can be utterly batshit, but if you stay away from the scary, it's worth it.

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I totally recommend Avatar: The Last Airbender (big surprise there ^_~) it's really good. I can see you enjoying that a lot, it has nice character and plot development and you know what I would say about Spice and Wolf. XD

I did watch some of Last Exile, but I didn't finish the series, so I can't tell you if it has a good ending or not. However, the series was interesting from what I saw and I was up to...epiosde 12 I think? The characters were intriging at least.

As for Romeo x Juliet, I've only watched the first two episodes, but there is a one volume manga for it at onemanga.com
http://www.onemanga.com/Romeo_x_Juliet/
So, maybe the manga can tell you whether the anime is worth watching or not?

And this is off topic, but have you seen The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Stu got me to watch this anime, and it's really good. It probably has one of the more original plots I've seen in an anime for awhile, but if anything, it's worth watching for the characters. (What amuses me is that Zelgadis english voice actor does the voice of kyon the main male character in the dub XD)

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Sorry, forgot to add one thing: Haibane Renmei
That series is both good and...odd, I'm not entirely sure how to describe it. It's not a horrible series or anything, but there is A LOT of symbolism in it. You may have a couple of "What just happened?" moments when watching it, but besides that it's not a bad series. I think it depends on your own personal tastes.

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Wow, so you pretty much saw all of these series. Funny how we basically have the same taste huh? I really want to finish Spice and Wolf, I just find it a little slow. The Romeo x Juliet one looks like it could be really good or really horrible, so i'll definitly check out the manga thing, thanks!

Haibane Renmei sounds really weird, but i'm a bit fan of Niea_7 and I like weird symbolism, so I say i'm all set.

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Yeah, I can't deny that Spice and Wolf is a bit slow, but the plot does pick up around episode 5-6 I think?

*laughs* Something tells me you'll enjoy Haibane Renmei. Call it a gut feelings I guess. Just be warned, you may want some tissues on hand for the ending. It's not sad, it's just touching. ^_~

(Sometime, I must expose you to the Skip Beat manga. It's a very addicting manga series. I introduced it to Stu and he read all 133 chapters in one night. XD)

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Well, you know me, I have to recommend Avatar, it's more than a kids shows, and at times I actually forget that it was written for kids.

Gourry recommends 12 Kingdoms. I'm not really sure what it's about, but he said it's good.

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A few people reccommend 12 Kingdom, and they always tell me : *Remember, this is serious anime. You might not like it.* I've got a reputation as a lover of comedy :)

I figured everyone on my list would be all like *Avatar is amazing!* and I agree, it looks pretty awesome, but the fandom gives it bad publicity.

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I don't like the serious ones as much either, but every now and again I'll find a good one.

Oh god, I told myself that I wouldn't jump into that fandom too. I am such a liar. ^_~ But that's the same reason I avoided it for so long too-the majority of the fandom is insane.

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If you like really long stories with fun characters that take a while to uncover the main plot, not to mention gorgeous artwork...then yes, watch 12 Kingdoms! As far as 'serious' anime goes, it is my favorite! (And the box sets aren't too expensive. Check at Anime North if you don't find them elsewhere. I saw the box sets there last year for a pretty decent price.)

Or, if you really twist my arm hard enough I'll loan you all ten of the DVDs. You'll have to twist really hard though (and possibly with a certain doujinshi). ^_-

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auriga

I'm thinking I ought to give 12 Kingdoms another try. I once rented the first volume, but it's admittedly hard to enjoy anything with someone nattering in your ear every five seconds asking what's happening. XP

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Gah, well yeah, that'll make it hard for anyone to enjoy! I hate when people do that to me. I had someone do that to me when I was watching Lost one time and I finally shouted, "I don't know! Just shut up and watch so we can figure it out!" Thankfully, they did. I think anymore people are used to having everything known up front, so having to actually watch something to know what's happening? Painful!

Plus, you get the gist of what 12 Kingdoms is going to be about from very early on, but you go more in-depth as the series progresses. (And...Keiki is Rezo!) XD

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auriga

Really! It's very annoying and distracting. XP You really have to wonder if they think you've been privy to some information they've missed when you're both watching at the same time. *sigh*

I remember very little from the few episodes we watched, so perhaps I'll try. ^^ (In that case, should I be watching the sub instead of the dub? ~.^)

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Hmm...I have been told the dub is really good, but I watched it subbed. If you want to hear familiar voice actors, then yes, watch it subbed. I'll let you know now that sooner or later you'll hear Gourry as well. ^_-

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You don't have to loan me the Dvd's, but I would definitly trade copies for drawings & doujinshis. XD

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Bleh, that would take a long time to do! It would be just as easy to loan the real deal. Or I could always just send along the first DVD and you could decide whether or not you wanted to see more of the series...

(As to the novels, they're not light novels like Slayers. They're actually pretty long! Not Harry Potter length, but verging on it!)

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yukinoomoni.livejournal.com

12 Kingdoms is angsty love. Youko, at the start, is really annoying, but as time progresses, she's an amazing character.

Look into the novels as well. They're awesome.

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Novels heh? I'll check that out. Thanks.

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elfgrove.livejournal.com

Last Exile
I've tried to watch this a half dozen times. It is extremely slow to get going --if it ever does. It has a huge fanbase, so they can't all be wrong, but I always got too bored to continue around episode 3~5. So not one that I advise personally.

Romeo x Juliet
Only watched the first 2 episodes. Need to try to finish this one. It looks good at least.

Haibane Renmei
I liked this one. It has a rather unique art style and a nice deeper meaning. But I haven't re-watched it in years, so if you have the option, I'd say try renting it rather than buying.

Avatar - the last airbender
Surprisingly, worth your time. It has a good, fun plot. Still obviously a kid's show, but it has great elements and an interesting universe.

12 Kingdoms
I love this one. Its an epic series. Even nicer if you're even a bit of an Eastern history or mythology buff.

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Wow, you have something on everything! You are a much truer anime fan then me XD

The problem with Bones is that their animation is amazing but their stories tend to go very very slowly... Hence why i'm afraid of starting Romeo x Juliet and Last Exile, both created by Bones. They both look like they rock, bnut it could all be flashy colors and special fx with no real story.

Haibane Renmei - I'd actually buy those. I bought Niea_7. I'm usually pretty happy with that guy's stories.

Avatar - Considering I watch things like Scrubs holding a toy ninja, I think i'll be immune to the kid effect. lol.

12 kingdoms - I like how everyone described it as epic and good. I think this one passed the test!

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elfgrove.livejournal.com

Ex-officer for two different anime clubs. You have to keep up with what everyone's talking about.

Yeah. Bones is chronic about that. I haven't seen enough of RxJ to fairly judge it, but if you normally have that problem with them (like I do) I'll specifically advise you against Last Exile then. I've asked friends and been told that it stays pretty slow (since I got to 5 and was still bored).

Oh, if you like his stuff, then you'll definitely like Renmei.

Haha. Point.

Yeah. I'd say it has a solid "Pass" then.

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gullwhacker.livejournal.com

"Beautiful and sad" is a good way to describe Haibene Renmei. If that's what you want, then I don't think you have to look much further.

Last Exile - I never finished it, but I liked what I saw of it. I'd give it a shot.

I can definitely recommend Avatar. Technically speaking, not anime...but we don't particularly care about that little detail.

As for other series to look into, I have a few ideas...

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - can be a bit odd, but it's well planned and is a quality production. You'll have to decide which order to watch the episodes in, though - there's the chronological order, and then there's the airing order which pulled the later-in-timeline filler and interspersed it with the main arc.

Jubei-Chan - Two short seasons about a girl who is the reincarnation of the legendary samurai, Jubei Yagyuu. A good blend of drama and crack - although the ratio switches between seasons. A good watch, I think.

Hope that's a good start.

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inverce.livejournal.com

12 Kingdoms- is really awesome and they've also started releasing translations of the novels in english.

I also am a big fan of Avatar. They did a great job with that whole series.

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dqbunny.livejournal.com

I bought all of Twelve Kingdoms during a sale last year - the entire series for $50. I still need to watch it. Other than that, I want to try out Romeo x Juliet as well.

As for anime on iTunes, all of it is dubbed. If you like dubs, go ahead and go that route. The only thing holding me back is those dubs. I've been wanting to watch Death Note, which is all posted subbed I think through either Hulu or Joost legally. I've seen the second live-action movie for it, but heard mixed things on the anime.

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filia-umbrae.livejournal.com

I would definitely recommend Avatar, though the fandom can get kind of crazy. Lots of stupid shipping wars and people taking things waaay too seriously. It's a kids show, but surprisingly well thought out, and with a pretty rich backstory. Also, the animation is gorgeous.

RomeoxJuliet I've not seen but heard good things from my friends who have seen it.

Haibane Renmei...I wanted to like it, but it was a lot like Serial Experiments Lain for me. Took a lot to get into and kind of bored me to tears. Which is a shame cause it's really pretty.

Last Exile I really enjoyed what I saw of it. It was pretty and had pretty interesting characters. They did a good job on the English dub, too.

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snapdragon76.livejournal.com

I don't know much about the other series, but I do recommend Avatar. Art and story are both good and it has a definitive ending. It's not one of those series that run forever and ever.

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brendala.livejournal.com

This show isn't on your list, but its a great comedy that I think you'd like. Its called 'Magic Users Club' and its a story about a high school club that dabbles in magic and the nutty adventures they get into. It sounds lame when you try to describe it; but I swear its fantastic! Here's a review that sums the show up WAY better than I can...
<http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/buried-treasure/2008-08-21/magic-user-club>
I don't know if this matters to you; but Magic Users Club also has one of the best dubs I've ever heard. And the bloopers on the US DVDs are freakin' hilarious.

I also HIGHLY recommend Avatar. It really is an amazing show and it manages to be surprisingly mature considering its on Nickelodeon. The show creators studied real martial arts to get the "bending" moves down, and its really amazing to see it in action from an artist's perspective.
Just avoid the fanbase and you'll be okay. ~_^

Last Exile has fun characters and a neat setting. But the political war story surrounding them is pretty dull and convoluted. And the ending is anti-climatic (I still don't understand who/what the hell Alvis actually is!!). If you can look past the dull political story and enjoy the steampunk and characters, then the show is worth your time.

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cottoncandykid.livejournal.com

Of that list, I've only seen Haibane Renmei, but I would highly recommend it. I agree, beautiful and sad is the perfect way to put it. It's not a huge time commitment either, and the series is addictive, you want to watch episode after episode. I know you said you wanted to buy it, but if you can't find it cheap I can lend it to you.. I think I'll be in Ottawa sometime in April if you can wait... I don't know if you've seen it, but I also adored Gunslinger Girl, I actually watched one right after the other, so despite them not being at all related they became intertwined in my mind..

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poison-prison.livejournal.com

Haibane Renmei was friggin' awesome. Watch it D< >_____>
Actually, it's really good. The plot's a little difficult to get into unless you're curious, or like slice of life. But overall it's a think-y anime >____>

And Haibane is available on youtube, and RightStuf.com sells it pretty cheap (it's an overstock company, kind of. *got utawarerumono from rightstuf when they bought it from best buy $5 per disc XD >.>)

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plainlyvague.livejournal.com

I enjoyed Haibane Renmei. It's one of those animes that you don't forget in a hurry.
My brother says good things about Laxt Exile though I've never watched it.

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jyusan.livejournal.com

Another heads up for Avatar. It can be incredibly hilarious and touching, it's also drawn well, has many interesting characters, DEVELOPMENT and it's pure love.

I've been meaning to check out 12 Kingdoms because one of my best friends is extremely obsessed with it but I haven't got the time yet. :)

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merc16.livejournal.com

Last Exile was ok, the art was phenomenal but I wasn't all that impressed with the story. ;_;

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I love Avatar - the last airbender :)

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