Looking for suggestions please

[Gold_guardian]

Lately I've been having trouble picking out what series I should get next. These days I like to go for cheap boxsets,thinpacks and complete collections when ever possible to both save money and space yet.

I think the problem is that I've gotten alot of the series that I've already been exposed to in some fasion wither from fansubs, tv or conventions and that it's harder for me to basicly buy a series blind.

Keep in mind I only download fansubs for things that aren't comercial available in north america uncut and with good subs so unless the series pops up on tv or I read and like a manga It's hard for me to get a taste for it.

I currently have what I consider to be a medium sized collection as can be seen here
Gold's Collection (http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&id=gold_guardian)

Now currently Full Metal Alcimist is on tv but I'm waiting for it to be boxsetted. Full Metal Panic Fumofo isn't on tv but I've seen the first series and am also waiting for it to be boxsetted. I meen why pay around $80 for it when the inevitable thinpack will be half the price or less with shipping. Anything else I want like .hack//roots won't be out in R1 for a while yet if ever.

On the Gundam front I own pretty much all the stuff released in R1 with the exception of Wing and G. Wing I didn't like much on tv and G I'm unsure of becuse it's so different.

Right now I'm thinking of getting the first of two Dragon Drive complete collections from Bandai since I saw the first couple of episodes at a convention a few years ago and thought it was ok.

Other then that I'm not sure what to pick up in the near future. I'm going to be going to anime north soon so I'll be taking into consideration anything that catchs my intrest their in compination with what you guys have to say.

As for my dislikes. I've seen most of Evangelion and found it highly overrated. I also don't like overly gorry shows like Elven laid or Grantz which have too much blood for my tastes.

Any suggestions you guys have would be highly appricated!

[Captain Impulse]

I could give you several reasons why you should buy these series, but you should just trust me instead. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Planetes
Rune Soldier
Patlabor
My-Hime
Scrapped Princess
Full Metal Alchemist
Galaxy Angel
Urusei Yatsura (you seem to be a big Takahashi fan like me. I know this series is intimidating...but just do it! Take the plunge!) /images/graemlins/wink.gif
Cowboy Bebop
Trigun
Outlaw Star
Master Keaton
Wolf's Rain
Battle Athletes
El-Hazard
Heat Guy J
Orphen
FLCL
Puni Puni Poemy

I just listed series regardless of their packaging status (thinpacks, etc), so you can keep an eye out for them in the future if priced-down collections come around.

All of these are good series and seem to fit in with what I believe to be your tastes, considering the list provided. Hope it helps!

[ape2020]

Hmm, well sticking to mecha I would think about
Dual: Parallel Universe: Been discribed as a Tenchi/Eva hybrid, but I thought the results was very good. Also fits into your romantic comedy I see a lot of in your collection. Has a cheaper boxset.
Dai-Guard: High energy mecha show will a lot of comedy about a corporation that defends the earth with a mech for profit. Has a brick release that you can usaully get cheap.
ZOE TV/OVA: Ova is much more serious then TV but is pretty good. TV is fun fast action with a disfunctal family and pink girly robot. I think you can get it all in a econo box set.
Maze TV/OVA: Fantasy Ecchi Comedy with mechs ala Escaflowne. Girl changes into leech guy after dark and petit princess that love/lust after them both. Uber cheap 26 episodes for under $20.
Silent Mobius: Kind of a Bubblegum Crisis type show with but well done. Both the indivual release are cheap and they have a econo boxset as well.

All have discounted boxsets or have been lowered in price. None of them really seen much expose on TV or the Con scene as far as I know.

Might like to check out Blue Gender & Argentosoma but both are very much a either loved or hate type of shows.

-chimp1010

[Gold_guardian]

Wow I'm going to have to set aside some time tommrow to look up most of the series you guys listed a bit to get an idea about what they are about.

Truth be told I'd like to get Urusei Yatsura but the sheer price point is a bit prohibative. At 50 dvds for just the series with out the movies and Ova's I'm looking at paying about $16 per dvd before shipping at www.dvdpacific.com (http://www.dvdpacific.com) which is one the cheaper places around.

That's $800 right their plus about another $78 for the ovas and and another $120 for the movies. All before shipping and duty. As much as I love Rumkio Takahashi-san's work $1000 for any one series is a pretty darn big pill to swallow.

I mean yah Ranma 1/2 was pretty expensive back in the day at about $230 per box set after tax but I got almost all of that between mowing the lawn,birtday and christmas something that probally won't work well anytime soon since I've already asked for Wii related stuff (The new nintendo video game system)

[itsuka]

OK, you have a collection with a lot of comedy...

What I'd definitely would add to your list now are series that already out in cheaper versions, which will give you more bang for your buck.

Super GALS - thinpack boxset, not expensive at all. Very humorous show with good character stuf. One of those titles that I missed because I thought I couldn't possibly relate to a show about a bunch of fashion oriented girls - was I wrong...

Rune Soldier - Fun fantasy comedy series. It's a bit episodic, but the characters are great.

GokuSen - This is one of those series that has an extremely cheap set coming up ($12.79 for 13 episodes at DVDpacific for instance), and is a great comedy about a yakuze heiress that decides to become a teacher. For that price, you really can't go wrong.

And just in case you want to branch out a bit to non-comedy quality series, I'll name a few you might want to consider:

RahXephon - You didn't like Evangelion, but if you want to try another show in this genre, you might want to try this one, which I personally consider better than Evangelion. Since you have a lot of Gundam, angsty teenagers on average don't make you flinch, probably /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Twelve Kingdoms - Epic fantasy series of a very high quality. Premium boxes are out now, and economy will surely follow some day. It's my favourite series of all time.

Last Exile is a great series, and one of the few from Geneon that got a slightly cheaper set.

[Captain Impulse]

[ QUOTE ]
Gold guardian said:
Truth be told I'd like to get Urusei Yatsura but the sheer price point is a bit prohibative. At 50 dvds for just the series with out the movies and Ova's I'm looking at paying about $16 per dvd before shipping at www.dvdpacific.com (http://www.dvdpacific.com) which is one the cheaper places around.

That's $800 right their plus about another $78 for the ovas and and another $120 for the movies. All before shipping and duty. As much as I love Rumkio Takahashi-san's work $1000 for any one series is a pretty darn big pill to swallow.


[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, it's a bit intimidating I know. I throw around a bit more money than the average anime collector does I think, so I made quick work of the entire series (I think I got it all in a month). Here's a suggestion for you, that'll make it easier on you to collect and give you the feeling that you're actually accomplishing something.

Start with buying either all the movies (6 discs) or all the OAVs (6 discs). Then, the next time you're up for it, do whichever you didn't do before hand.

Once you've got those out of the way (you'll actually feel like you accomplished something), start by buying the series in 5 disc blocks, as if you were collecting the now out-of-print boxes. Eventually before you know it, you'll have it all.

Or, if you're really lucky, watch for the boxed sets on Ebay. Sometimes (rarely) you can get lucky and get them for cheap like me. Othertimes, it's like a feeding frenzy for them, and you'd be better off buying the singles. The boxes are kinda flimsy anyway.

...and I will second every other series that has been mentioned so far by someone else, as they are all great shows as well.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Itsuka said:
Super GALS - thinpack boxset, not expensive at all. Very humorous show with good character stuf. One of those titles that I missed because I thought I couldn't possibly relate to a show about a bunch of fashion oriented girls - was I wrong...


[/ QUOTE ]

I second this suggestion. I noticed you have several ADV thinpack sets but you don't have this. Definitely recommended. Also buy to help support it so maybe season 2 will get licensed.

[Gold_guardian]

While considering that Urusei Yatsura would basiclly eat up my entire monthly anime budget for almost a year I may want to wait until I have more money or something so that I get a bit more verity in.

Right now I'm aiming mostly at the cheaper boxs that will probally cost around $30 to $35 canadian after shipping. Which meens that stuff like Rahxephon at $60 and Dual at $70+ will have to wait (That much for 14 episodes what the fudge?)

While Captain Impluse listed alot of intresting series most of them are either a) still singles and thus too expensive or the complete collection is still too high priced at this time with no economy version around like with Heat guy J.

My main idea is to sweep up the cheap stuff that I'm intrested in first then start working on the bigger slightly more expensive stuff

I've set my budget to around $150 canadian a month.
This is a preliminary Idea of what I'd like to get so far

May
Crest of the stars
Dragon drive 1(of 2)
Dia-guard
Rune Soldier
Gundam Seed Destiny 2(of 12)

June
Galaxy Angel
Galaxy Angel A
Maze
Banner of the stars 1
Banner of the stars 2


July
Dragon drive 2(of 2)
Gokusen
Giant Robo
Gundam Seed Destiny 3(of 12)
Maison Ikkaku Box 8

Aug
Galaxy Angel Z
Rahxephon

Now Gundam Seed destiny is one of the few exceptions I'm willing to make at the monent towards not buying singles. Mostly becuse I want to get the fansubs I've been saving off my computer and becuse It'll take way too long for a good priced box or two to come out. Hell the orginal Seed still hasn't seen a good priced box or two yet.

Now this list is by no means final since I have yet to decide or spend a coin so please keep your suggestions coming since I'm finding them extremely helpful especially for my long term planning.

[cjed]

I second the recommendation for Dual!, I enjoyed it very much. Also currently available in low cost collections from TRSI are Hand Maid May, Gokusen and Sabre Marionette J collection.

[Chloe]

I absolutely think you need to stick with Crest/Banner. Great show, reasonable prices, and the sets are OOP though still available...for now. I think they are OOP now, I may be wrong on that point, but still, go for that show!

Going to second some of the ones Captain Impulse mentioned:

Patlabor- Very good cop/mecha/comedy show. Cheap sets, and not too many of them either. If you do bite on this be sure you are getting the cheaper price; CPM repriced this along with other shows in it's catalogue recently, or is in the process of doing so.

Rune Soldier - In your price range, and I see you are a big fan of Slayers! This is a bit different, but the same genre.

Cowboy Bebop - Highly episodic, but great sci-fi and not a lot out there to compare it too. You really need to see this one at some point if you want a well-rounded collection.

Outlaw Star - OK, you can make some comparisons to Bebop with this show, but it is definitely some good sci-fi. With a Cat-girl! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Master Keaton - Really good detective/action/slice of life. Tons of variety, and an interesting adult cast, almost no angsty teens to be found! Robert's Anime Corner store had this insanely cheap in it's bargain bins last time I checked. Well, like $7.50 per disc.

Battle Athletes - Older, but you don't seem to be leery of older animation. A really good story. Both the OVA & the TV version are viable. Not connected in any way though.

Edit: Some more recs of my own, not going to go into the whys as I don't want this to be too big a post:

Gunslinger Girl
Noir
Kino's Journey
Lost Universe - A bit like Slayers! in space...

A question: You are not interested in movies or OVAs much?

[Gold_guardian]

[ QUOTE ]
Kingmole said:
I absolutely think you need to stick with Crest/Banner. Great show, reasonable prices, and the sets are OOP though still available...for now. I think they are OOP now, I may be wrong on that point, but still, go for that show!

Going to second some of the ones Captain Impulse mentioned:

Patlabor- Very good cop/mecha/comedy show. Cheap sets, and not too many of them either. If you do bite on this be sure you are getting the cheaper price; CPM repriced this along with other shows in it's catalogue recently, or is in the process of doing so.

Rune Soldier - In your price range, and I see you are a big fan of Slayers! This is a bit different, but the same genre.

Cowboy Bebop - Highly episodic, but great sci-fi and not a lot out there to compare it too. You really need to see this one at some point if you want a well-rounded collection.

Outlaw Star - OK, you can make some comparisons to Bebop with this show, but it is definitely some good sci-fi. With a Cat-girl! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Master Keaton - Really good detective/action/slice of life. Tons of variety, and an interesting adult cast, almost no angsty teens to be found! Robert's Anime Corner store had this insanely cheap in it's bargain bins last time I checked. Well, like $7.50 per disc.

Battle Athletes - Older, but you don't seem to be leery of older animation. A really good story. Both the OVA & the TV version are viable. Not connected in any way though.

Edit: Some more recs of my own, not going to go into the whys as I don't want this to be too big a post:

Gunslinger Girl
Noir
Kino's Journey
Lost Universe - A bit like Slayers! in space...

A question: You are not interested in movies or OVAs much?


[/ QUOTE ]

Actually as far as I know the Crest/Banner box sets are just coming out, or at leas that's they way they are listed on dvdpacific.

How's Robert's Anime Corner store with shipping and such? Usually I buy from dvdpacific since while not the absolute cheapest they are pretty close and are very relibable and provided A+ levels of customer service to me in the past.

You guys have defenitly sold me on Rune soldier. I'm pretty sure that's one of the first ones I'll be picking up very soon.

I'm using mostly your guys suggestions to try and start to plan on the rest of the year more or less for what I want to pick up. It's really hard to plan more then a couple months ahead of time but it's well worth it since it gives me goals to work towards.

Your right Old animation and stories never really bother me. I meen the orginal gundam movies are amoung my favorites and those things are techinally older then I am xd.

I do like Ova's and movies and happen to own several. The only reason I'm not really aiming to much at aquiring any of those now is becuse when you think about it they can be kind of pricey for the amount of content they contain.

For example, I want to get the Oh my goddess ova but that's only 5 episodes and would cost me the exact same amount of money as say Rune soldier which has 24. In an ideal world I'd be able to afford both with out much of a problem but that's not always the case.

In any case my budget is a low end one based on how many hours I've been getting at work averaging around 10-15 a week at &7.75 an hour canadian. I'm supposted to be full time but they cut our hours back more and more to the point that it's extremly frustraiting. I'm hoping to reach the 20-25 hour mark a week soon becuse then I'd be able to pad my budget out a little more.

But for now faced with reality of the situation and not having any luck getting a job elsewere I just have to do what I can. If that meens not buying singles and expensive movies and ovas for now then so be it.

Actually my biggest debate right now is WHEN to buy the anime I'm thinking of getting for this month. I could order it online now in order to get it to ship sooner or I could wait until Anime north knowing with certainty that it will be more expensive there unless I get lucky while bargining.

A few years back buying anime at cons used to be the cheapest way to go and now I'm lucky if I can match the online price with shipping with the few rare exeptions like when I got Pretear for $25 instead of $40 like it comminly goes for. On the flipside buying it at a con meens I get it in my hands right away instead of having to wait for it to get to me.

Worse I'm parandiod that the Canadian doller is going to match the american doller AFTER I've bought the dvds thus costing me a extra set or two.

Any advice of my situation to go with suggestions would be extremly helpful. Already alot of what you've said has helped temendusly.

For example I've found Cowboy Bepop to still be too expensive at the single prices (at the moment anyhow) but Outlaw star is at just the right price point and I'll be sure to be picking it up in the coming months ahead.

And heck even the ones that are too expensive now like Cowboy Bepop will come down in price eventually and I never would have considered it before the suggestion.

The number 1 problem I have with my list is that I won't be getting Galaxy Angel in Order. Galaxy Angle A is the third season but for some bizare reason it was the first to be cheaply boxed. I'm thinking of dropping it down to get with Z since but I'm not sure what to sub in yet in it's place for june that would still make my budget ($150 canadian) work.

I'm getting Z about a month after it comes out since July is already jam packed. I just couldn't pass up Gokusen and Giant Robo both at under $20 each. It's wierd how it all works out to 5 things each for the first three months despite the varying prices but that's the way it goes.

I've actually got about an extra $80 set aside exlusively for Anime north that isn't part of my $150 a month budget and I might use part of that to pick up something early if I can get it for the right price like say Rahxephon for $50.

Anyhow plese keep the suggestions coming, They have proven to be extemely insightful and helpful so far. Thank you everyone who's posted so far /images/graemlins/happy.gif

edit: NOOOO! Master keaton is now $23.99 a disk and $189.98 for the bundle (I assume those are american prices) Damn that one sounded really darn intresting too.

[Chloe]

If you were looking at RACS you were looking at the wrong page; unfortunately I see that only two of the combo packs are available still:

http://www.animecornerstore.com/dvdvilitwofo.html

See? Those two packs are $14.98 each. Not sure what RACS regular shiping is like, since I always save up and buy enough to get free shipping. RACS is rather high in that they require $100 as a minimum to qualify for that though. The free shipping is always Media Mail and I have never had a problem with them(2-3 days usually!), but I am in the U.S. and fairly close to them. You're being in Canada is obviously a different situation. Though again, I've had nothing but great service from them.

Ah, if that is a new Crest/Banner it must be a thinpack? I was talking about the Bandai bricks that I have. Regardless, don't overlook that one too long.

Only other thing I will say re: Outlaw Star vs. Bebop is OS has definitely more humor to it. Oh, and if you like jazz music Bebop is for sure something you want at some point.

If you are more intereted in getting more quantity for your $$ then you are going about it the right way. Though I had a 50/50 split between the two types until recently, and it served me well. You could also look at more movies/OVAs as giving you more variety overall.

[Gold_guardian]

[ QUOTE ]
Kingmole said:

If you are more intereted in getting more quantity for your $$ then you are going about it the right way. Though I had a 50/50 split between the two types until recently, and it served me well. You could also look at more movies/OVAs as giving you more variety overall.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's true that I want mostly quantity but of course I don't want to get any one particular longer anime over a shorter one if the longer one is crap or not to my tastes.