Animanga

So this is a list of the animes and mangas that I enjoy, and recommend. For some I've seen both anime and manga (if both exist) so I'm putting my preferred format. Some of these series I'm still in the middle of, others I've finished.

Just wanted to do a thing and get them all in one place, really.

Manga

• Sailor Moon

• Yu-Gi-Oh
• Yu-Gi-Oh Duelist
• Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z

• Cardcaptor Sakura
• Attack on Titan

• Akira
• Death: At Death's Door

Anime

• Seven Deadly Sins
• Death Note
• One Punch Man
• Soul Eater

• Fullmetal Alchemist
• Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood 

•  Puella Magi Madoka Magica/ Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion
• My Bride is a Mermaid!
• Marvel Disk Wars

I'm currently in the middle of  Yu-Gi-Oh Duelist, Akira, Attack on Titan, Cardcaptor Sakura, My Bride is a Mermaid! and Marvel Disk Wars (more or less). The Animes are hard to find (off netflix, and subbed, not dubbed). Soon I'll start Black Butler, or Ouran Host Club, or one of the other series queued on my netflix.

Seven Binging Sins

I'm watching another anime. It's about the seven deadly sins.

No, not that one. Not that one either. Wow, that's a fertile well.
(image from here)

It's Netflix's Seven Deadly Sins!

Yes, I know that's not seven. And those aren't all sins. It's complicated.

The Devil is a Part Timer had a similar sense of playfulness, but was even lighter in tone than this. It's nice to watch a fun series about holy wars, perverts, and people getting the crap kicked out of them that can get dark too.

It's not as non-consensual as it looks!

There are  28 episodes so far, and I'm only on episode 12, so I'm trying just as hard to avoid spoilers for you as for me. But the basic idea is that the girl getting groped is a princess trying to find an order of banished Knights known as the Seven Deadly Sins, who are in hiding for murder, treason, etc. The princess is trying to save her family/kingdom from the Holy Knights who are really screwing things up by being general assholes. Pretty standard for anime, or even a basic hero's quest.

There are less loincloths, however.

The draw comes from the characters and the visuals; the animation is bright and cheerful, and the characters are engaging and fun. I've already found a brown-haired firecracker I'd love to cosplay.

Literally a giant badass.

 The ending credits give you a pretty good feel for the 'bounce' the show has (though there are a few minor spoilers for things established in the first three episodes. Be wary!)

It has dark spots too, but even the one episode which was mostly angsty had a lot of  action, and felt organic. It's like Fullmetal Alchemist by way of Dragon Ball Z; great action sequences and lots of fun, but not afraid to get dark if needed.

On a scale from Goku driving cars to the end of Nina, I put this series tone at a firm Dragon Ball Z Abridged Frieza Saga when Killin dies.

Twenty year old spoilers!

I'm super excited to watch more later. This is what binge watching was invented for!

A new adventure (and by adventure, I mean not that)

After finishing Puella Magi Madoka Magica I found myself without an anime for a bit. Lucky for me, The Devil is a Part Timer! is back on netflix.

Time to go to MgRonald's to celebrate.

This is one of those shows where I watched a few episodes, then Netflix dumped it. It's only been a little while, so I didn't need to rewatch the first two episodes again to recall the premise; The Dark Lord Satan (not our satan, seems to be more of a title) his demon first officer, and the hero who's trying to kill them, are expelled from their fantasy world into modern day Japan. Satan, now a human teen must get a part time job at a fast food joint to survive. Oh the hijinks!

Surprisingly, there's not a lot of 'I'm Satan, bow before me!' humor going on. The Devil, now called Sadao Maou, is just interested in working hard to rise in the world. Granted, this is so he can get back to the other dimension and take it over, but he's nice to his lieutenant/roommate, the coworker crushing on him, and even the hero who's still pursuing him.

It's not what I expected, and that's part of the fun. The joke of 'I'm so much better than you.' would wear thin pretty fast. The 'WTF, he's literally satan, why is he just being a normal dude?' is pretty fun.

Satan is adorable!

I'm only three episodes in, but this is another anime with few episodes (13) so I'll get through the rest in a week or so.  No idea what I'll watch next. Maybe they'll bring back 'My Bride is a Mermaid...'

Makes sense in context.

Attack on Titan, Episode 1: To You, in 2000 Years -The Fall of Shiganshina, Part 1

Minor spoilers!

     So Bahamute and I just watched the first episode of that anime I've been hearing so much about, Attack on Titan. The basic premise is 2000 years from now humanity lives behind 150ft walls to keep giant humanoid monsters (aka Titans) out. There are soldiers and scouts who go out to try and fight, but literally get decimated every time.

Oh, and the Titans look like this:

They are between 50 and 160 feet tall, by the by. 

     So far I've only seen the first episode, so I don't know much about the plot. Eren, the young boy hero, wants to join the scouts since he thinks living in the walls is living like cattle. His father the town Doctor understands human curiosity. His mother flips her lid. His friends Mikasa and Armin are for and against leaving, respectively.

      Then a Titan breaks down a wall and things deteriorate rapidly.

     It's a very interesting concept, and I'm eager to see more. Just not in one day. This is a thing I've gotta take slow: and for someone who routinely marathons Law and Order SVU, Stephen King, AND American Horror Story, that's saying something.

Chilling with my peeps

     I don't mind it being subtitled, but it is a very quick-moving plot. There's a lot I didn't mention above so MORE IMPORTANT SPOILERS: the city has been at peace for 100 years and people have grown complacent. Eren gets into fights with other people about it on a semi-regular basis. Right before the Titan attacks he helps Armin to not get his ass kicked.

     The hardest part to watch is Eren going back to the ruins of his home and finding his mother alive, but unable to run. He sees her get torn in half and eaten while being unwillingly rescued by a drunkard/soldier he'd had words with earlier. Wow.

END MORE IMPORTANT SPOILERS

By the by, there's a lot of fanart, but this set is what really drove home the horror for me, and got me to watch the first episode. Have fun!

Attack on Pokemon

Five basic pieces of anime/manga knowlage for non-fans

     As someone who only reads and watches super-popular animes and mangas (or their parody counterparts), I understand how confusing the world is. So, here's a super basic rundown of the most prominent anime/manga related things you'll see on the interwebs, and why they're funny/sad/horrifying. SPOILERS. Lots of them.

5. Yugioh Abridged

     Yugioh is a show about a kid playing card games to save the universe. Normal anime stuff. And while I'm a fan of the manga, the american cartoon show leaves a lot to be desired.

Enter LittleKuriboh and the abridged series.

If you see any ridiculous screencaps from the series (like the above example), chances are they came from this guy. Several catchphrases have spawned as well, such as "BROOKLYN RAGE", "Screw the rules I have money!" and "Super special awesome!"

If confronted with overwhelming in-jokes, just smile and nod. We'll let it go eventually.

Alright, onto legit shows.

4. Who are all these screaming people? Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z is the story of Son Goku and his sons fighting evil aliens with kung-fu and magic. Also, Goku is an amnesiac alien. That's it. Very simple at the core. How do you deal with this if you catch a rerun? Frankly, if you see someone with weird colored hair or skin, they're a bad guy.

(Except Piccolo Jr, Chaotzu, Nail, and Bulma, but you don't care, do you?)

BOOM! You're a Dragon Ball Z expert! Enjoy the screaming and energy balls. There are a lot of 'em.

3. Who are all these screaming people? Sailor Moon.

For anyone confused by my previous Sailor Moon post, here's a handy guide to the cast: If they're in a 'scout' uniform, they're they good guys.

via Sailor Scout World

There are some exceptions, but they're not til later seasons/volumes, so no worries. If they're dressed like those girls, they're good guys. Root for 'em. Planets and colors don't matter. Just name a planet, and the fan you're talking to will be happy. Example: "I like Sailor...Mars!" "Yeah, Rei-Chan is so kickass!" "Yep."

2. Why is that guy in a suit of armor? Fullmetal Alchemist

These are the Elric brothers. They're genius alchemists (science-y magic, can turn things into other things). And he's not IN the armor: he IS the armor.

The reasons are unimportant for the non-fan, but they did wrong, and now they're looking for a way to get Al's body back. Simple. But not as bad as...

1. Who is Nina Tucker? Fullmetal Alchemist

This is Nina Tucker and her dog Alexander. She is cute, sweet, and wonderful.


Then her father uses alchemy to fuse them into an abomination hell-beast.

AND IT TALKS.

It's the most depressing moment of the series. Naturally, the internet has taken this and run with it.

(Yes, more Dragon Ball Z. They are about to fuse. That's the joke)

So, when you see this pop up, it's NOT FUNNY. Well okay, it is funny, but also super sad. T_T "Big brother Edward...can we play now?" Bwaaaaaaaaaa...Makes me upset EVERY FREAKING TIME.

Five Things I love about Sailor Moon

     With the Sailor Moon manga being re-released and re-translated, and the new anime coming out soon, my interest in Sailor Moon has perked. I remember watching some episodes of the anime back in the 90's, but that was it for a long time. Now, I own/have read the entire library of manga. So, here's five of my favorite things about everyone's favorite pretty guardian.

Sailor Moon omgby lucidsky

5. The costumes.

     I am not a girly girl. I don't give a rats ass about fashion, as my friends will attest. But...SHE'S SO PRETTY!

Super Sailor Moon.by Sailor-Serenity

     All of the Senshi have such cool outfits and wants and tiaras and boots and frilly things and GOOD GOD, LOOK AT THIS!

Do you have wings? No? Then shut up.

4. Girl Power

     In the manga more than the anime, Sailor Moon and the other Senshi save themselves: Tuxedo Mask helps, but usually the girls do fine by themselves. And that was a big deal to pre-teen me, when girl characters were boring, damsels, or at best Dot Warner.

 "I think this uniform needs something; something that says "I'm here to destroy you", but with a sense of fun."

   
Not that Dot wasn't amazing as well.  But that's another story.

3. Toon Maker's Sailor Moon

     You may have seen the infamous almost-was american remake clip of Sailor Moon. If not, check this out.

     Including space-sailboards, a sailor scout in a wheelchair, and the leftover fashion from Blossom, this never saw the light of day. But thankfully, some wag posted it on the internet, and we get a glimpse into a terrible alternative universe.

2. The massive cast of characters

     My personal fav is Sailor Jupiter, a big-boobed but kicker in green, with boots and a pony tail.

Eternal Sailor Jupiterby GreatMik

She's also a great cook.

     Don't like her? There's literally a sailor Senshi for every star in the sky, as well as a bunch of moons. And it's nit just chicks! Like a man's man? Tuxedo Mask. Like a gay man's man? Zoisite.  Nobody fit? Hell, make your own! Everyone else on the internet has done it...

Her name is Sailor Sinann, and she's from Ireland. She has a team.

1. The fact that a normal screwup kid is given the time and scope to blossom into a leader and have a character arc.

     Sailor Moon undergoes very complex persoanl growth thru the series. So do many of the other characters, but none as much as Usagi. It's wonderful to read along as she becomes what is essentially the guardian of the whole galaxy. Bravo, Naoko Takeuchi. Bravo.

Not to mention one of the few romances I actually give a crap about.

AlmaCon: Epic-tastic

So, some time ago, I attended a local anime and gaming convention, AlmaCon. Granted, local in this case is a two hour drive, but it was well worth it. Only $5 to get in for the whole weekend, you can't beat that. The Motor City Comic Con charges about $25 PER DAY. And that's just to get in, not meet any special guests. I'm looking at YOU, Stan Lee.

So what was at AlmaCon? Well, the short list is:
Doug Walker, AKA The Nostalgia Critic
Chris Niosi, AKA Kirbopher.
Martin Billany, AKA LittleKuriboh
As well as several fine voice actors from things like DBZ, FMA, and other great artists.

I got to meet Doug first thing, with Bahamute. He complimented me on my home made Harley Quinn mallet. He congratulated Bahamute and I on our upcoming nuptials. "You (me) must be busy, and you (Bahamute) must be terrified." We got a pic, and scuttled off with a couple of signed DVDs. A great experience!

Next, there were a few fun panels. How to make a Manga Character (hilarious and informative), Kirbopher's Flashstravaganza, (lots of info about animating and how not to be in it for the wrong reasons), an acting workshop with the voice of Shou Tucker where Bahamute got to do a fun acting exercise. Lunch at the Braveheart Pub, and back to the Con for Doug's panel about movies that you love/hate and every disagrees with you on. Then, on to the FMA panel with Shou Tucker, Scar (Brotherhood) and Jean Havok. Those three are a FREAKING HOOT, and told a LOT of fun stories when they weren't tossing around water bottles.

Then back to the merch room to buy one more character coin from LittleKuriboh. He was nice enough to call Grizz as Seto Kaiba. I was crying, it was so funny. And LOOOONG. Like at least 5 minutes.

Then, I was a creep.

I overheard the volunteer mention that Doug and the other Talent were going to the Braveheart Pub for food and drinks. So, I muttered to Bahamute "Wanna go back to the to Braveheart?"

 "That's where they're all going, isn't it?" He knew.

"Yeeaah, but I'm not gonna ambush 'em or anything."

"...Sure. I could use a drink." He agreed. So, we were creepers together.

On the way, I confessed a small fantasy: That the bar would be nearly empty, and Doug would recognize us and call us over to sit with him and the others, to just talk and hang out. Stupid. It was a college town on a Saturday night. No way would the bar be empty. No way would they want to hang with some weird fans.

Well, when we parked and got out. I wasted a few minutes throwing on a shirt over my leather bodic (borrowed from my RenFest outfit). As I closed the door, Doug Walker walked past with a small group. Holy Crap! Was my fantasy about to come true???

I fell into step a few paces behind, and we all entered the pub. The very, very full pub. Doug and the others headed for the back. Bahamute and I grabbed a table a few seats away. My heart sunk. No fantasy becoming reality today. We ordered our drinks and got ready to head out. I went to the restroom, nearly slipping on the wooden floor behind Doug.

'Perfect. Fall and break your leg in front of The Nostalgia Critic and LittleKuriboh. That'd be a really shitty end to the day.' I made it to the bathroom, admittedly a little buzzed, and headed out a few minutes later. Passing back by Doug, my mind flashed to a scene in Hannibal where Lecter is on a Merry-Go-Round behind Starling. He reaches out and barely brushes her hair. She turns, but he's already gone, and she's not sure he was even there.

'You could do that.' A devilish little voice whispered as I saw Dough's thinning, short hair.

Then, the voice of reason perked up 'Okay, you just crossed the line from fan to stalker. TIME TO GO.'

And go I did, leaving Doug Walker unmolested, and not landing myself in jail. All in all, a good day.

Things I learned from Yu-Gi-Oh the Abridged Series.

Your voice can give you super strength, but you'll sound incredibly silly.
Child grabbing classes are well worth the money.
If you have money, you can screw the rules.
Card games have everything to do with all facets of life.
Adding 'In America' to your sentences makes you awesome.
Wankers cramp is a deadly disease.
You only need a few keyboard keys to hack a computer.
Kidnapped little brothers are an every day occurrence.
The gaydar is an actual physical item.
Crazy hair can open doors for you.
When you get picked on by orphans, you know you're a loser.
Japanese puberty makes you think you're a pokemon.
Censorship can help you win, if you're male.
Large breasts will mesmerize any man (well, to be fair, that's also true IRL).
Saying 'Attention, duelists!' isn't as good as having a personality.
The more you look like a shemale, the more fan girls you'll have.
Having a sexy alter ego will destroy your love life.
When all else fails: MIND CRUSH!