Dusting off your anime collection...

[Parker]

What is typically the best motivation for you to watch a series again in its entierity? Is it simply a case of having a lack of something to watch, or might there be a specific rhyme or reason as to why you might rewatch a series in the midst of, say, a growing backlog?

While the rewatch value of a show has a lot to do with my going back and repeating it, it's almost always this psychological "nudge effect" that reinforces the urge to do so. Such as when I read up on a series I haven't seen in a while, I somehow receive a spark of interest to watch it again (a good example right now for me would be from the recent Petite Princess Yucie thread).

Length of time is also a consideration, where a year would pass and I decide to pop in a DVD of a series just because my memory of it is sufficiently faded. Diamond Dayreams is recent exception, in which in only about a month I decided to watch again (great rewatch value).

[Suwako Moriya]

Sometimes it's a case of wanting to try the series dubbed. Which is often what the re-watch falls under as the DVD is rarely the initial watch. Sometimes it's indeed inspired by reading posts in a forum that make me think that now is the time. Or something said just gets to me. While other times it's a case of it's been long enough and I have the urge.

Re-watching based on posts can be funny in terms of the motivation. I remember one of those Lucky Star vs Azumanga debates where I flat out said. I watch Lucky Star because it's Lucky Star. If I want Azumanga then I'll watch Azumanga. Thus I decided to re-watch Azumanga Daioh. I figured it was the best way to confirm my point.

[Kellory]

Well, I dont really have a backlog, so it's more a question of me just wanting to watch something. I tend to get on genre kicks. This last week I rewatched several seasons of Star Trek DS9, most of Seasons 2 and 3 of Enterprise, and then interspersed that with Stellvia, Tylor, Crest/Banner of the Stars, Starship Operators, and Megazone 23. Granted, I did skip through a fair bit of the Star Trek (I did not spend some 48 hours straight watching it) and even Stellvia. But I did watch much of it all. It was just a Sci Fi sort of week.

Course, interspersed in there was Record of Lodoss War: Chronicle of the Heroic Knight because I love the music and Dual because I havent seen that in awhile. I just put in what I feel like.

Right now I went through El-Hazard Wanderers yesterday and I'm rewatching Magic Knights Rayearth because I love the opening song. I'm not sure what I'm going to put in when I finish the last disc in an hour or so...maybe season 2 or possibly Fushigi Yugi. Love the opening song there too.

So yeah, it's all about mood for me. But it's why I like having a large collection. There's always something there for me to watch I havent seen in months or even years for me to rewatch when the mood hits me.

[AstroNerdBoy]

My reasons for re-watching an anime series I own are a bit different than the other TV shows I own. For example, I'm going through "Northern Exposure" at the moment and while I enjoy returning to that world, I also do other things while having it play. With so many DVD's, that means a lot of "background" noise (but good noise).

Because I watch anime in Japanese, my rewatching of it tends to be actually sitting down and rewatching it. I did that a couple of months ago with Hand Maid May (http://astronerdboy.blogspot.com/2008/01/hand-maid-may.html). Like everything else I own, it is something I want to visit again, but because I watch it in Japanese, I sit to read the subtitles. ^_^;

So why watch it with a growing backlog of both new and old unwatched titles? Well in the case of Hand Maid May, I just felt the need to return to that world and escape for a bit. ^_^

[GundamWingMan]

My reason for rewatching a particular series is dirt simple, at least to me: because I enjoyed it and want to experience that enjoyment again. Nothing more complicated than that. Case in point: I've watched Fushigi Yugi four times now (the first two times on VHS, the last two on DVD) and I've yet to tire of the show because it's such an incredible adventure with amazing characters.

I've also watched Video Girl Ai three times along with Cardcaptor Sakura, the first two seasons of Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayearth and Azumanga Daioh twice now because all those series were lots of fun for me. At the end of the day, it's all about having fun watching your favorite show. In fact, having just finished Peach Girl, I think I'll dust off my other favorite shoujo series, Boys Over Flowers.

[something]

It's never ever lack of something else to watch, which is why my backlis is roughly 40% of my whole collection. I have absolutely no method or criteria to deciding how or when... I just randomly do it. For example, I started rewatching AIR because the last disc was coming in, and I kept hearing the OP when I listened to the niconico douga medley. I recently rewatched Tsukuyomi and watched Princess Tutu because... er I have no idea why.

[leongsh]

No particular criteria. However, I do make it a point to try and rewatch as much as possible of my anime DVD collection once a year. When the number of DVDs was manageable about 4-5 years back (like less than 200 DVDs), all were easily rewatched once a year in addition to ongoing shows being broadcast. Now... it's tough to even get close to 50%.

[Serial Experiments Nobue]

My reason for rewatching a particular series is dirt simple, at least to me: because I enjoyed it and want to experience that enjoyment again.

This is just about how I go at it too. It's usually coupled with "hey, it's been a long time since I've watched this, time to fire it up again." I usually go a year or two between viewings due to the nature of how I watch.

As for doing a re-watch despite a growing backlog? I'm actually doing that right now, though fortunately I have a small backlog. I do this to 'recharge my batteries', so to speak. I'll do this when I want to watch something again that reminds me of why I like anime in the first place. Nothing helps in that department quite like a favorite series, or one of the series from early in my days of discovering anime.

[Profweasel]

This is a really whim based endeavor. I will simply feel like watching a series again. No particular reason or logic behind it just it sounds good at the time.

I also will use re-watches for background noise while I do something else.

[davesimmons]

Two reasons for me, either I want to see it again, or I'm considering getting rid of it to free up shelf space.

I've watched some of the oldest DVDs I have this year to see whether they hold up beyond nostalgia value. For Revolutionary Girl Utena watching the Rose Collection prodded me to finally start buying discs 3-10 (should finish this month), but the Project A-ko movies 2-4 are now in my "give away pile."

[Nosredna]

There needs to be something triggered in my head for me to want to go back and re-watch a show. It could be a forum thread or post, or maybe I just read some of the manga or novel. Or maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic and want to re-watch one of my favorite shows.

[Lego]

I seem to get random urges when I want to rewatch a series. For example I was in a GITS SAC mood a while back before I got hit with the anxiety attacks and I was rewatching both series, listening to the music, everything.

I've had the same thing happen with Gundam Wing and other shows but part of me thinks that getting that involved led to where I'm now. Still though it's fun to pop something in you haven't seen for years and get a new perspective while watching it.

[Buster Blader 126]

When a meal comes along and there isn't a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game, anime, tape with anime that I recorded, or a DVD of a series that I've yet to watch, then I pop in a DVD of something that I've already watched.

Yeah, that hasn't happened yet, with the exception of Love Hina.

Which I don't really count, considering that I watched the subs for it seven years ago, and only started going through the DVDs for the first time this past summer. Dubbed. (It took a while to get used to the voices.)

And I bought the Perfect Collection over two years ago. :crazy:

I rarely even get the chance to watch the DVDs of titles that I've never watched yet, as it is.

Which makes me wonder when I'll get around to finishing Gankutsuou. *Ponders*

[Glamrgrl104]

hmmm it depends what mood I am in and if I have the entirety of the series. Although there are times when I feel like watching a disc of one of my unfinished series. Like I just watched Trigun vol 1 and 2 I might have to rush to hastings to rent the rest lol
Although most of the time I like funny shows I watch Azumanga Daioh whenever I want to watch something I am not going to get too interested in just a funny show I can watch. I watched Fruits basket in two days then like a week later rewatched it eeeeeee.
Today I think I might rewatch Gravi or Heat guy, maybe azumanga or a disc of Tsubasa ahhh can't choose.

[The Great Bear]

Mood. I get in the mood to see a specific kind of show, but I may not have anything in the backlog that fits that category, so I'll pull out a show I saw and liked before.

[Hielostar]

Lately, anime in my collection that comes up for a re-watch are shows that some of my friends haven't seen. This is the case for Azumanga Daioh. The bf and I have seen it already (and loved it), but most of our other friends haven't.

[Busaiku]

Every now and then, I go back to watch the audio track I hadn't seen during my initial viewing. Though this is very rare.

Really the only series I have rewatched are only Azumanga Daioh (about 9-10 times now) and Dragonball Z (technically, with the season sets, it'd be my 3rd go around). Haven't really tried making time to watch anything besides my favorites, but for those favorites, I try to make a lot of time. Every now and again, I may watch a random episode of an episodic series I own though.

Although actually, whenever I show my friends/family a series, I watch it with them. In this case, I'd seen all of the Hellsing Ultimate volumes out, nearly 4 times each.

[Ty]

I honestly can't say. The mood to watch a certain show will just hit me in between viewing of newer material. Generally I like for enough time to have passed that the show feels fresh again. I'm not a fan of repeat viewings the way some people will watch new episodes of current shows more than once.

[driverstart]

My reason for rewatching a particular series is dirt simple, at least to me: because I enjoyed it and want to experience that enjoyment again.

This is just about how I go at it too. It's usually coupled with "hey, it's been a long time since I've watched this, time to fire it up again." I usually go a year or two between viewings due to the nature of how I watch.

I'm with you guys. I normally do that because I enjoy it and want to experience it. I also watch because there's nothing else on the TV and I don't have the time to watch a movie from my DVD collection, so I just often pull out an anime DVD.

Also, because I feel like some of my series aren't getting enough air time on my TV, every Friday and Saturday as of last week I'm doing an anime marathon. I watch one episode of every series I got until the series ends or I just run out of DVDs for the series. I'm watching quite a bit, Tsubasa, Shuffle, Negima, Bleach, and School Rumble.

[ADC]

It really just depends on whether the whim catches me at the right time. I've been thinking these days about taking out Crest of the Stars and watching it again, but I'm also trying to power through the backlog. Emphasis on "trying."

[Shsway]

Reading discussions about certain shows that I haven't seen in a fair amount of time does make me want to pull at least one volume out. Recently though, I've lined up several shows in a massive re-watch queue because my attention span is such that I can't take the same themes or mood for too long. I can't even begin to imagine how many shows I'm actually in the process of working through again. I know I'm at least halfway through two movies, and have been on the last episode or two of a particular OVA series forever. :sweatdrop:

[Mateo_home]

I'm sort of in that situation right now. I haven't purchased a lot of anime lately, so I decided to use the opportunity to go back and re-watch something I haven't seen in quite awhile but have been meaning to. For instance, it was snowing up here so I decided to give Snow Fairy Sugar another run. And after that I looked at another show and went with Ai Yori Aoshi because it would feel fresh to watch it again. I think I last saw that like three years ago.

When it comes down new releases (singles), I'll watch the disc twice. Once the first night and again the following to get a better understanding of what happened. When I get the last disc, I'll marathon the show from around the time I bought the first disc, kind of like a one year anniversary. The same could go for thinpak/collections or singles bought at once during a sale, however in that case I'll watch through the discs once because it's more all at once, I need to see what happens next the following night, and I don't have time to watch a collection twice from the start of purchase, but I will re-watch a year later from when I first got it.

I think that sums it up right.

[Buster Blader 126]

Every now and then, I go back to watch the audio track I hadn't seen during my initial viewing. Though this is very rare.

That's exactly how I will go with my rewatching.

The only titles that I've rewatched in their entirety are Witch Hunter Robin and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, but the former was watched dubbed on YTV prior to buying the DVDs and the latter subbed on the hard drive, so while I technically am rewatching them, it's actually the first time I've gone through the disks.

[DanielJr]

Re-experiencing charming romances is probably my most persuasive reason to re-watch a show. Examples are Video Girl Ai, Maison Ikkoku, and RahXephon. In the case of manga, it's all about Emma.

[Chuplayer]

I'll rewatch an old series to save money. Maybe I bought a new video game or something recently, and I don't want to be spending money on a new series so soon.

Sometimes I'll simply watch it to watch it again.

[CGord]

I typically watch first via fansubs, then the second viewing is when I've purchased the R1's. Right now on R1 I'm finishing up season 1 of Ah! My Godess.

[Martine23]

If I have a day off from work or school and no other real plans, I'll find myself pulling down a series and trying to run through it all in a day or over the span of a couple of days. I find that I'm far more willing to rewatch a shorter series than a longer one though. I can't tell you how many times I've seen FLCL because I've been bored and have an afternoon to spare.

Other than that, I normally just watch something that strikes my fancy. I've really been craving some .hack//Sign lately. Maybe I'll try to plow through it during Spring Break.

[akitafuki]

I tend to rewatch a series if I really enjoyed it the first time around. Otherwise, it just sits on the shelf :x

[Andrew Cunningham]

I can't remember the last time I had time to rewatch anything. I barely even bother to watch DVDs as I buy them any more.
The only reason I ever get around to rewatching something is if I'm showing it to a friend who somehow missed it.

[Njr Scrawl]

Its usually because of wanting to see & hear "old friends", characters & stories I'm familiar with & know I like. Also if a show is atmospheric, & I want to experience immersion in its world again.

2nd watchings in particular are to pick up things I missed 1st time, paying more attention to detail & subtleties to see how they have an affect. Reviews & discussions are most responsible for shoving me to rewatching a show.

Other reasons are if a show has been re-licensed, re-mastered etc. I'm interested in what has improved, or not.

Lastly, change of hardware. New player, TV, PC etc. Trying out anything I'm familiar with is a good test of the new equipment & my observation!

[Suwako Moriya]

Wouldn't it be funny if this thread itself inspired some to re-watch a series? On another note sometimes listening to tunes can inspire someone to re-watch a series in part or in whole.

[ZhenJi]

Solely based on my mood. Sometimes I'll watch the whole series, sometimes I'll watch a few episodes.

Right now I don't have much time, so I've been focusing on my backlog.

[Individual11]

The attachments that came with my new Dyson vacuum cleaner are very useful for dusting. My anime collection is nice and shiny....

I also have a backlog, but I love to rewatch good series with friends and get people addicted to anime. I've won over my fair share by popping in a disc and then lending them the box if they get enthusiastic. I've turned five people into collectors that way.

[Parker]

Wouldn't it be funny if this thread itself inspired some to re-watch a series?
Indeed. :)

But of course, even if there was any sort of inspiration for another rewatch, a lack of time is always the biggest hurdle in doing so. Right now I'm just lucky enough to even consider going back to watch one series, much less try to keep up with new shows I am currently collecting.

On another note sometimes listening to tunes can inspire someone to re-watch a series in part or in whole.
You know, that's actually worked quite well for me a couple of times in the past. I'd pop in a random OST without having any intention of watching the anime again, and then afterwards end up having the urge to reminisce some more with a rewatch.

The Azumanga Daioh Original Soundtrack, for instance, got me to rewatch the entire show after listening to the first ten tracks. And at that time, I haven't seen the show in about a year and a half.

[Glamrgrl104]

WOW I haven't watched anime all week *SHOCK

I have just been to busy with work and I guess watching horror movies with my friends doesn't help much lol
I'll try and pop a disc in on sunday if not too busy.

[jlazar]

Just finishing rewatching Macross TV from Animeigo and did all of the FY anime a bit ago.

I usually do a initial watch, put the disks in a special rack near my av equipment and then rewatch it within a couple of months. Then it goes into my library. I try to rewatch what older stuff that I can, but I definitely have found my older dvds have been watched more than some of the recent stuff (back in the early days of animeondvd, there was less to buy and rewatching older stuff was easier due to the lower quantities).

Non-animewise, I also just watched the lord of the rings extended movies and am in the middle of the James Bond movies.

[Suwako Moriya]

But of course, even if there was any sort of inspiration for another rewatch, a lack of time is always the biggest hurdle in doing so.

Yeah finding time to re-watch stuff can be challenging. Especially when has new stuff to watch as well. However in spite of that, there are times I find it easier just to re-watch a series as opposed to deciding what new series to progress in. I guess it's because with the re-watch I have familiarity to help guide my choice.

Still it's always a trade-off. Each time you decide to watch or re-watch an episode of a given series, you further delay the watch of an episode of any other series by 24 minutes on average. which in of itself can sometimes make deciding what to watch next a challenge. Especially if you want to get through a DVD in one sitting and they average 3-5 episodes.

[Kellory]

But of course, even if there was any sort of inspiration for another rewatch, a lack of time is always the biggest hurdle in doing so.
Yeah finding time to re-watch stuff can be challenging. Especially when has new stuff to watch as well.

Sleep is for the weak! :D

No seriously. I got about 2 hours of sleep last night after closing the store at 10 and then having to come in at 6am to open as I had gotten Tokko in and wanted to watch it. Thank god it's Spring Break here and it was slow at work. I was even more useless than usual...

[Suwako Moriya]

Sleep is for the weak! :D.

I prefer to think of it as some of us require recharging. Which I should be doing soon, but I had to finish watching disc 4 of Princess Tutu. Proof that re-watching causes people to lose sleep. Then again there unexpected delays too...

[Njr Scrawl]

Do you find watching one kind of show either puts you in a mood to switch to another, unplanned? For example watching moe/cuties, you then want to watch (say) mecha or vice versa. Like a 2 (or 3) course meal!

[Parker]

Do you find watching one kind of show either puts you in a mood to switch to another, unplanned? For example watching moe/cuties, you then want to watch (say) mecha or vice versa. Like a 2 (or 3) course meal!
You mean if you were to rewatch another show afterward?

Sometimes I do that, but it's usually only after watching a series like Evangelion or Saikano, where I have to consider watching an anime that I know is the opposite of serious and depresssing in order to cheer me up.

Though I've never really gone from watching a lighter, happy show and going into something dark in my collection (since I collect far fewer dark shows than 'light' ones).

[meganly_chan]

It all depends on mood. For instance, if I come across a picture or read a particularly interesting fanfiction, I might say to myself, "It's been awhile, I should see this again." If I go and see a fantasy film in the theater, I might find myself eager to watch Snow Fairy Sugar or Risky/Safety.

These are just a few examples - the urge to rewatch something pretty much comes on a random whim.

[Suwako Moriya]

Do you find watching one kind of show either puts you in a mood to switch to another, unplanned?

To be honest not really. Mainly because my desires for what to watch next are rarely if ever genre based. So it's really just a matter of coincidence that determines how closely similar or different the two series are.