Suggestions on something like Midori Days or Psychic Academy

[jejune]

I loved Psychic Academy and Midori Days, and am looking for more series in that vein. I know there's a lot of romantic comedies out there, but I'm mostly looking for something lighthearted and funny, not terribly serious or sad or 'stressful' at all. Just something with fun characters, and easy and addictive to watch.

I'm thinking maybe something like Boys over Flowers? I loved the manga for that one, though there might be too much melodrama for what I'm looking for. I read the description for Kamichu that Geneon allegedly licensed, and that sounds pretty spot on, but that's not until June.

Maybe Urusei Yatsura, though that's a big commitment. I've seen the Beautiful Dreamer movie, and it was fun, but a little too serious for what I want - is the series more lighthearted? I really enjoyed what I saw of Trouble Chocolate (though Chris hated it), so if UY is like that I'll be pleased.

Any other suggestions?

[Captain Impulse]

[ QUOTE ]
jejune said:
I loved Psychic Academy and Midori Days, and am looking for more series in that vein. I know there's a lot of romantic comedies out there, but I'm mostly looking for something lighthearted and funny, not terribly serious or sad or 'stressful' at all. Just something with fun characters, and easy and addictive to watch.

I'm thinking maybe something like Boys over Flowers? I loved the manga for that one, though there might be too much melodrama for what I'm looking for. I read the description for Kamichu that Geneon allegedly licensed, and that sounds pretty spot on, but that's not until June.

Maybe Urusei Yatsura, though that's a big commitment. I've seen the Beautiful Dreamer movie, and it was fun, but a little too serious for what I want - is the series more lighthearted? I really enjoyed what I saw of Trouble Chocolate (though Chris hated it), so if UY is like that I'll be pleased.

Any other suggestions?

[/ QUOTE ]

Urusei Yatsura is definitely more light-hearted than Beautiful Dreamer. It's been a while since I saw the first episodes so my recollection may be a little fuzzy, but bear with me: although it's enjoyable from the start, it takes a little while to really get rolling and into the best episodes. The "romance" portions are few and far between though. UY is one of my all-time favorites.

Doesn't fall into the romance category, but Azumanga Daioh it's a wonderfully light-hearted comedy that demands little from the viewer other than a funny bone. Well, I guess there is a bit of a one-sided romance, but it's not quite what you'd expect. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Vandread is a good example of a comedy series in a sci-fi setting, with very little melodrama. However, things do turn slightly "darker", I guess, in the second season. Overall it's a fun show, and watching Dita and Hibiki slowly (very slowly) get closer to each other is cute.

I'll think of more when I'm done eating. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[jejune]

Yes! I've seen most of Azumanga Daioh and that is exactly the type of thing I'm looking for. The romantic part of my question wasn't as important as the easy going, funny part. A series populated entirely by Osaka would be perfect.

I've been a bit interested in Vandread for a while, especially because I've heard it compared to Nadesico, one of my favorite series ever. I might check it out, except it's hard to find the volumes for cheap, and if I'm spending $20 on 3 episodes nowadays, they'd better be darn good.

[Captain Impulse]

If you're into fantasy at all, Rune Soldier and Scrapped Princess are light-hearted and fun. Rune Soldier, however, is pure comedy with maybe 2-3 episodes of actual "plot", spaced far, far apart from each other. Has a perfect ending too.

Scrapped Princess is notably more serious at times, but the main character, Pacifica (my current avatar) often manages to change the tone of a scene on the fly with her bratty but loveable nature.

Mahoromatic would fit your description perfectly, if it didn't get very stressful near the end of each season (much more so at the end of season 2).

...must go back and consult my list again.

[Captain Impulse]

[ QUOTE ]
jejune said:
I've been a bit interested in Vandread for a while, especially because I've heard it compared to Nadesico, one of my favorite series ever. I might check it out, except it's hard to find the volumes for cheap, and if I'm spending $20 on 3 episodes nowadays, they'd better be darn good.

[/ QUOTE ]

See if you can win SkinnedRat's auction, then. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Vandread 1st & 2nd stage with box
Affilate link (http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-1113704-5463217?loc=http%3A//cgi.ebay.com/Vandread-Complete-Series-legit-REGION-1-with-ArtBox_W0QQitemZ9110116214QQcategoryZ617QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Non-affilate link (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vandread-Complete-Series-legit-REGION-1-with-ArtBox_W0QQitemZ9110116214QQcategoryZ617QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[jejune]

I flipped through a bit of the Scrapped Princess manga in Borders one day, and I found it to be nearly unreadable. It was confusing, jumped around too much, and there was no flow at all from panel to panel - so much so that I couldn't tell what was going on. I did get the same feeling from the FMA manga too though, and I enjoyed the show pretty well. Do you know how the manga and anime compare?

And now that you mention it, I've seen an episode or two of Mahoromatic and remember enjoying it quite a bit, but I wasn't sure if the whole show was like that or if I had stumbled in on some filler. Also, I'm glad to hear Rune Soldier doesn't bother too much with a plot. I wasn't wowed by the trailer, but I might check it out now that you can get the whole series cheap.

Edit: Oooh. Vandread auction now on my watch list.

[Captain Impulse]

I can't believe I forgot about this series for even a half second: GALAXY ANGEL. Consider it Azumanga Daioh's semi-sci-fi counterpart.

If you can handle a little ecchi, you can't go wrong with Golden Boy.

If you can handle a character on crack, coke, smack and every other drug known to man, Excel Saga runs 26 episodes with no plot whatsoever.

Some other titles worth mentioning:
Nuku Nuku TV & OVA (Dash! is a little more stressful than these two), Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, Dragon Half, FLCL (Fooly Cooly)...

...I think I'm starting to run out of ideas.

[Captain Impulse]

[ QUOTE ]
jejune said:
I flipped through a bit of the Scrapped Princess manga in Borders one day, and I found it to be nearly unreadable. It was confusing, jumped around too much, and there was no flow at all from panel to panel - so much so that I couldn't tell what was going on. I did get the same feeling from the FMA manga too though, and I enjoyed the show pretty well. Do you know how the manga and anime compare?

And now that you mention it, I've seen an episode or two of Mahoromatic and remember enjoying it quite a bit, but I wasn't sure if the whole show was like that or if I had stumbled in on some filler. Also, I'm glad to hear Rune Soldier doesn't bother too much with a plot. I wasn't wowed by the trailer, but I might check it out now that you can get the whole series cheap.

[/ QUOTE ]

I also checked out the Scrapped Princess manga and didn't like what I saw. The show, however, is awesome IMO. I just finished it last night actually, and it's earned a spot on my top 10 list, easy.

Rune Soldier (which is also on my top 10 list, with Azumanga Daioh) is something you can't miss, especially for the price it's offered at now. I've almost bought several thinkpacks just to give to friends (although they've already seen it with me and loved it).

Most of Mahoromatic is like the first few episodes, except the last few episodes of Season 1 & 2. It gets really dark at the very end of it's run, and has an ending that you won't see coming, I guarantee it. Although it's really depressing.

My Top 10, just so you know it's not ALL mindless comedy:

1) Azumanga Daioh
2) Cowboy Bebop
3) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex & 2nd Gig
4) Haibane-Renmei
5) Twelve Kingdoms
6) You're Under Arrest
7) Rune Soldier
8) Scrapped Princess
9) Outlaw Star
10) Crest/Banner of the Stars

Close Runners-up:

Gungrave
Berserk
Hajime no Ippo
Golden Boy
Trigun
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Chrono Crusade
Zone of the Enders
Now and Then, Here and There

[Puppet Master]

[ QUOTE ]
Captain Impulse said:

If you can handle a character on crack, coke, smack and every other drug known to man, Excel Saga runs 26 episodes with no plot whatsoever.



[/ QUOTE ]

Excel Saga has a plot it's just very basic and random.

[Wpt1031]

[ QUOTE ]
Puppet Master said:
[ QUOTE ]
Captain Impulse said:

If you can handle a character on crack, coke, smack and every other drug known to man, Excel Saga runs 26 episodes with no plot whatsoever.



[/ QUOTE ]

Excel Saga has a plot it's just very basic and random.

[/ QUOTE ]Well theres not really a plot till the very end of the series.

[Puppet Master]

[ QUOTE ]
Wpt1031 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Puppet Master said:
[ QUOTE ]
Captain Impulse said:

If you can handle a character on crack, coke, smack and every other drug known to man, Excel Saga runs 26 episodes with no plot whatsoever.



[/ QUOTE ]

Excel Saga has a plot it's just very basic and random.

[/ QUOTE ]Well theres not really a plot till the very end of the series.

[/ QUOTE ]

As I said it's basic and random the plot is the <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Excel trying and failing to take over the world for ACROSS. The last episodes were funny though with the Fist of the North Star parody.</span>

[JackProton]

I wouldn't call Boys over Flowers lighthearted or funny. Its fun in the sense of being a campy, over-the-top, melodramatic soap but its not very lighthearted at all.

Yes, definitely put Kamichu on your list. This is exactly what you're looking for, I think. Its funny, cute, lighthearted, very mildly romantic, has interesting characters and uses some of the most imaginative storylines I've seen in a while. Great fun.

I'm not sure I'd exactly say Scrapped Princess was light-hearted and fun. The major plot is really kind of heavy. Great series though.

How about Kimagure Orange Road -- its got the romantic elements and often has a light, sitcom style storyline.

I'd really like to recommend I'm Gonna Be an Angel but there are a number of drawbacks, i.e., its hard to find and there's no telling when the series will be continued. Its really quite charming and good quirky fun, though, and the characters are all just great.

Kyo Kara Maoh! might be something you might be interested in -- breezy and light and humorous.

Perhaps Shrine of the Morning Mist which is something like a cross between Azumanga Daioh and Blue Seed. It does get a bit (melo)dramatic in later episodes but I found it quite satisying.

Grenadier might also be of interest.

Have you seen Princess Tutu yet? Even I couldn't resist the utterly charming cuteness of the main character, Duck. But, like all fairy tales, it does have a dark side to it. Very highly recommended though.

[jejune]

[ QUOTE ]
JackProton said:
Yes, definitely put Kamichu on your list. This is exactly what you're looking for, I think. Its funny, cute, lighthearted, very mildly romantic, has interesting characters and uses some of the most imaginative storylines I've seen in a while. Great fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm definitely looking forward to this, and I just heard about it for the first time yesterday. I was trying to come up with anything else that sounded similar, and I was thinking maybe I should try Hare + Guu, but I'm not sure.

[ QUOTE ]

I'd really like to recommend I'm Gonna Be an Angel ... Its really quite charming and good quirky fun, though, and the characters are all just great.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen the first disc of this, and I really hoped I'd like it, but I'm afraid I didn't get pulled into it as much as I desperately wanted to. I'll definitely be getting the other 2 discs eventually, but it didn't have that addictive quality I'm looking for right now.

[ QUOTE ]
Kyo Kara Maoh! might be something you might be interested in -- breezy and light and humorous.

[/ QUOTE ]

This name rang a bell, and I realized that there was a preview for it on my last Fighting Spirit disc. Watched the trailer, and it definitely seems like what I'm looking for.


[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps Shrine of the Morning Mist *snip*

Grenadier might also be of interest.

Have you seen Princess Tutu yet? *snip*

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen some Tutu on the Anime Network, but missed a few episodes so now I can't watch without being lost. I'll have to check out the discs eventually. Shrine has a cheap collection out, so I'll definitely look for a trailer.

Now there are so many options! I might look to see if I can add a poll, let people vote on which of all these series would be worth my while.

And I actually have a disc of Grenadier sitting in my backlog! That, and I just recieved some Miami Guns from Rightstuf - so I guess I'll go check those two out now.

[JackProton]

Not quite sure what you could compare Kamichu to. Its a slice-o-life show with some fantasy elements but they're treated in the most delightful matter-of-fact way. Maybe a light, light sort of Spirited Away. Haven't seen Hare + Guu so I can't comment on that one.

I should warn you that Kyo Kara Maoh! has lots and lots of "boy-boy" jokes in case that might be an issue.

Tutu is actually one of the very few magical girl show I can watch. I thought the Japanese voice actress for Duck was so perfectly cast.

Let us know what you thought of Grenadier.

Oh, BTW, have you seen Popotan? I haven't seen the third disc yet though.


You know, I didn't even think I enjoyed that many lighter shows... until I started compiling this list. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[jejune]

[ QUOTE ]
JackProton said:
I should warn you that Kyo Kara Maoh! has lots and lots of "boy-boy" jokes in case that might be an issue.

[/ QUOTE ]

I always thought that kinda thing would be unwatchable, but I've been watching Gravitation on Anime Network, and I'm really enjoying myself. I just pretend that Shuichi is a flat-chested girl (which for all intents and purposes he is), and I'm fine.

[ QUOTE ]
Let us know what you thought of Grenadier.

[/ QUOTE ]

I watched four episodes of Miami Guns last night (which totally rules, by the way) and then fell asleep. I know I watched one episode of Grenadier when I first got it, but now I don't remember it very well. I'll revisit it today.

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, BTW, have you seen Popotan? I haven't seen the third disc yet though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember springing about nine nosebleeds and a mild aneurysm when I looked at the cover of volume 1 (not a loli fan, so the other two covers did nothing for me), but it was another one of those "$20 for three episodes!?!" reactions, so I never actually checked it out.

[The Pirate Queen]

[ QUOTE ]
jejune said:
[ QUOTE ]
JackProton said:
I should warn you that Kyo Kara Maoh! has lots and lots of "boy-boy" jokes in case that might be an issue.

[/ QUOTE ]

I always thought that kinda thing would be unwatchable, but I've been watching Gravitation on Anime Network, and I'm really enjoying myself. I just pretend that Shuichi is a flat-chested girl (which for all intents and purposes he is), and I'm fine.



[/ QUOTE ]

Kyo Kara Maoh is even less "offensive" than Gravitation, honestly. And it's just such a fun show.

[JackProton]

[ QUOTE ]
jejune said:
[ QUOTE ]
JackProton said:
I should warn you that Kyo Kara Maoh! has lots and lots of "boy-boy" jokes in case that might be an issue.

[/ QUOTE ]

I always thought that kinda thing would be unwatchable, but I've been watching Gravitation on Anime Network, and I'm really enjoying myself. I just pretend that Shuichi is a flat-chested girl (which for all intents and purposes he is), and I'm fine.


[/ QUOTE ]
Cool. You'll be fine then. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, BTW, have you seen Popotan? I haven't seen the third disc yet though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember springing about nine nosebleeds and a mild aneurysm when I looked at the cover of volume 1 (not a loli fan, so the other two covers did nothing for me), but it was another one of those "$20 for three episodes!?!" reactions, so I never actually checked it out.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, I haven't been in a great hurry to pick up volume 3 (got the first two discs on a whim during a sale). Tons of fan service, a light slice-of-life feeling and a story you forget after 5 minutes. Not essential viewing, just wondered.

Happy viewing!