Fantastic Childre, Rideback and general recommendations

[Gundamhead]

I've been out of the loop as to new shows for awhile and I'd like to ask for recommendations from more knowledgeable people. I want to get to buying anime again but I don't really know where to start. Two shows that I'm looking at are Fantastic Children and Rideback but I'd like opinions before I spend my money.

Also, any general recommendations are welcome. Some of my favorites are Princess Tutu, Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Slayers (the first two seasons of the old T.V. show), Puella Madoka Majica (one of the few newer ones I've seen), Zeta Gundam and Lucky Star if that helps at all.

Anything you liked, just give a few words about what makes it good. Thanks in advance.

[ibby]

Inregards to Rideback and Fantastic Children, I really loved and enjoyed the rollercoaster that Fanstastic Children is, though if you can get past the simple character designs, it is a story you won't regret owning and watching over again. Inregards to Rideback, I have seen the first few episodes of it, and got tired of the characters and setting. I will say the series was interesting on the level of combining ballet and motor cycle riding together. If I were you I would rent this first before owning.

Inregards to other shows to recommend to you, I don't know how long you have been out of the loop for new shows, but I would recommend the following shows to you.

Baccano! - It's got action, comedy, interesting characters and no winey kids in it. It's a personal fav of mine.
Utena Remaster DVD - Don't know if you have seen this series, but this show is my no.1 fav title of all time. A must purchase in my eyes.
Darker Then Black - A gritty world where people with superhuman powers are called contractors, with their powers comes a price (remusion). Again a personal fav, if you are looking for some quality entertainment and action. Animated by Studio Bones.
Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail - This five part OVA series is liscensed but hasn't been released yet, and goes into deepth about the character ROberta from the anime series Black Lagoon. I don't purchase DVD's unless the series is a personal fav, but I'm more then happy to part with my money for a release of this OVA series.
Gundam Unicorn - This is a 6 part OVA series by Studio Sunrise to mark the 30th anniversay of Gundam. I'll admit I'm no Gundam fanboy, but I like so far were this OVA series is going. To date 3 OVA episodes are released. I'm waiting for an OVA complete collection personaly o be released in the near future, as I have other priorties.

Hope I'm helped you in some way, but it would have been nice to know in advance how long you have been out of the purchasing anime game.

[Gundamhead]

Utena Remaster DVD - Don't know if you have seen this series, but this show is my no.1 fav title of all time. A must purchase in my eyes.


I do have the Rose and Black Rose sagas from the original Utena release. I was already going to get the remastered version of the third arc. How different is the Remastered version? Is it worth re-buying the first two?

[ibby]

Inregards to the Utena DVD remaster, after having a read at Rightstuf's website, the Utena DVD remaster contains no hard subs that plays during dueling and transformation scene. I personally have all the CPM releases of Utena but am rebuying the whole series again because it's Limited, and I'm a big fan of the series. I though that I might mention that director Kunihiko Ikuhara has a new series airing of japan right now called Mawaru Penguindrum. This series might be worth a look at in the future, since it seems you are enjoying Reveloution Girl Utena. By the way Gundamhead how long have you been out of the anime buying game, I just ask because I'm sure other people beside me will give you some good insightful thoughts about other anime shows. Hope I'm helped in some way, and appreciate to know what you are doing in regards to the Utena remaster.

[Gundamhead]

By the way Gundamhead how long have you been out of the anime buying game, I just ask because I'm sure other people beside me will give you some good insightful thoughts about other anime shows.


I dunno. Maybe four years.

[ibby]

I dunno. Maybe four years.


My recommends about anime to possible acquire can be seen below:

K-ON - Story about 4 girls that are in a band together in high school.
Baccano! - Story about pyscho's, nutters, alchemist's together aboard a train ride from hell.
Death Note - Story about a intelligent high schooler acquiring the a note book called the Death Note that has rules about killing/murdering people.
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood - The manga adaption of FMA: Brotherhood.
Kobato - A heart warming story about a girl. Orginal story by CLAMP.
Ouran High School Host Club - A reverse harem about a girl caught breaking an expensive vase, and has to be a member of the Host Club to pay of the debt.

[Gundamhead]

K-ON


This one seems to be pretty popular. What is it like? Is it similar to something like Super GALS or Lucky Star?

[Vracer111]

ibby, for Rideback it is very much a character driven story with lots of action later on as well. Once you get to episode 4 the environment the characters are in starts turning upside down and things go south and get very involved. A combination of GiTS SAC and Viper's Creed (not licensed here and may not ever be :( ) is kind of what the rest of the show feels like. The first few episodes are just a setup before things turn for the remaining 3/4 of the show...much like Solty Rei, though Solty Rei took longer to turn and was more effective at unexpected plot twists with greater emotional impact. But overall Rideback is more unified than Solty Rei, and on Blu-Ray it's a sight and sound to behold - the English dub is pretty good as well!

Gundamhead, some personal favorites of mine released during the past few years are as follows:

Origin: Spirits of the Past - I just recently watched this and man what an anime experience! The movie's storyline was enjoyable as was the extremely well done English dub. The show's vibe is somewhat between that of Arjuna and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. The art and animation however is just jaw dropping on another level...as is the audio - top of the anime pile level here. This on Blu-Ray is stunningly beautiful. :beatingheart:


Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit - A journey adventure/fantasy story with great visuals and some of the best animated sword/spear play in all of anime. The English dub is on par with the Japanese dub, either works very well with the series. A technical issue with the English dub audio is the only reason I watch the Japanese dub.

Birdy the Mighty: Decode One of my favorite recent series from the past few years. Like a combination of Men in Black and Wonder Woman. Basically a new take on the original OVA from the mid 90's with a more fleshed out story and character development. Characters bring you in and don't let go...it's an emotional and action show all at the same time, kind of like Canaan but much better. The two seasons can be thought of as 2 separate shows - and the feel is different between them with the TV-14 season 1 being more light-hearted friendship orientated than the more gritty and violent MA rated season 2. Season one is about Tsutomu and his relationship with Birdy and season two focuses on Birdy and her past. Did not care for the English dub on this one, changed the feel of the story too much in comparison to the Japanese Dub...felt like watching a different show.

Birdy the Mighty: Decode, season 1 trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z72hAGOWy_w)

Birdy the Mighty: Decode, season 2 trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3WOSIbYVtE)


Ergo Proxy One of my favorite anime series of all time. Doesn't quite fit in with what you have listed, but I at least wanted to bring it up since it recently went out of print after only a few years and probably won't be available anymore in the near future. If you like cyber-punk like Blade Runner and psychological/meaning of things shows then this is one to watch. New price's have tripled for it in the last few months.

[ibby]

K-ON is about 4 girls in junior high school that take part is a band and club called the Light Music club. If you like moe, then I would reccomed this to you. I to would like to second
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit and Erogy Proxy from Vracer111.

[Legion]

Fantastic Children is just that: fantastic. One of the most underrated series ever released over here. I love the look, but I'm a sucker for retro character designs. The story is the real selling point: a surprisingly well paced and tense mystery with a likeable, energetic protagonist. When the questions give way to answers in the second half I was worried the show was going to go down hill but I couldn't have been more wrong. About the only fault I can find is the ending should have included a follow-up with the protagonist but otherwise it's a great show, well written, well animated, well scored and well acted (in Japanese).

Fantastic Children is a triumph.

[Buckeye]

I have not seen Rideback, but I do think you should watch Fantastic Children. The animation style is old-schooled, similar to the one used for Metropolis. The story is well-developed with everything going on, and there is a lot going for it. This is one show that goes under the radar and as an indication, the dub went overseas (which meant lowest profile back before Bandai started release things sub-only).

[Gundamhead]

I got Fantastic Children. I'm five eps in and I'm liking it, though it seems to be moving VERY slowly and have somewhat odd pacing. Still, I definitely want to see where it's going.

[Legion]

I got Fantastic Children. I'm five eps in and I'm liking it, though it seems to be moving VERY slowly and have somewhat odd pacing. Still, I definitely want to see where it's going.

It's been awhile since I've seen FC (need to break my DVDs out for a rewatch) so I'm not sure where you are in the story but it definitely keeps getting better and more layered. There's also powerful character drama in the second half after you start getting the answers. Glad to hear you're checking out FC and sticking with it, hope you enjoy.