Hatrack River Forum: Anime Films

This is topic Anime Films in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Paul (Member # 3904) on :

No, I don't want to know what you think about anime in general or anything like that, I was just wondering if any of you anime fans could reccomend some movies for me. You see, my friend Joe works at a movie store. His boss asked him about anime, and he told his boss that I would make a list of anime that she could order. Now, I've put this off way too long now, and all I have is a dinky little list. Apparently, they do not want the names of good serieses, just mostly one-part movies or 2 or 3 part movies or something.

Here is what I have so far:

Movies
---------
Cowboy Bebop Movie (I heard that is coming to US soon from here?)
Ah My Goddess Movie (I'm pretty sure I saw this, but that might have been something else)
Samurai X Movie
Iria (is that a movie or a 4-part miniseries?)
Perfect Blue
Golgo 13
Slayers Movie
Vampire Hunter D
Something (there is this film about a piece of nursing home equipment that goes crazy and destroys tokyo or something... anyone know it? I think it's Ry- something.)
X

Serieses (short ones)
-----------
Lain
Love Hina
Trigun
Outlaw Star

So, what do y'all think? What else can I add?

Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :

Some of these are series, some are movies:

Akira (you left this out HOW?)
Record of Lodoss War
Armitage III
Captain Tylor
Tenshi (multiple movies; I think there are two or three)
Kenshin
Evangelion (I think there are two movies)
Princess Mononoke
Spirited Away
Final Fantasy (the Square movie, but there are also some animated releases)

Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :

Ghost in the Shell
Ninja Scroll

Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :

*smack self for forgetting GitS*

Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :

yeah...seriously dude.

Posted by ae (Member # 3291) on :

Movie: Jin-Roh.

Posted by Paul (Member # 3904) on :

Thanks so much for this, guys.

Posted by Pod (Member # 941) on :

If you're talking series that have actually been released in the US, then i think you've hit on alot of the major ones.

Except that everyone forgot Macross Plus, either the mini-series or the movie that was culled from it.
Grave of the Fireflies has always been an oft mentioned film as well

However series you will want to look out for in the future:

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Full Metal Panic
Infinite Ryvius [its lord of the flies in space!]
RahXephon [like evangelion, but better!]
Chobits [its shojo, but hey, some people like shojo]

Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :

Gundam is another classic (and I forgot Macross!), and M.D. Geist and Genocyber are two that I've rented from Blockbuster. They're a bit more graphic (violence-wise), but interesting nonetheless.

"The Animatrix" is a given, I think - once it's released, anyway.

Also, two longer series that are pretty good: Escaflowne (I think it's about 8 tapes, ~25 episodes, but one of the best animes I've ever seen) and Fushigi Yugi (much longer; something like 70+ episodes - shoujo anime).

[This message has been edited by coil (edited March 16, 2003).]

Posted by Paul (Member # 3904) on :

I remembered the title of that last one, it's Roujin Z. Again, thanks for the help, I'm off to the video store now.

Posted by Pod (Member # 941) on :

There is an Escaflowne movie, but i've never seen it, and i don't think its been released in the USA.

but it exists.

Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :

I second a lot of coil's recommendations, especially the series Record of Lodoss Wars and The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (the funniest anime I've ever seen).

Other movies:
Metropolis

Short series:
Earthian (six episodes)
Noir (26 episodes, a normal series)

Pod--the Escaflowne movie has been released in the states. I saw in the theaters a year ago and loved it, and I saw in the fall that a local anime store was stocking it. A lot of people who like the series didn't like the movie, but I actually liked the movie a lot more. Maybe because I saw it first. I really liked both the series and the movie, though.

edited because I have counting issues

[ May 14, 2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: Ophelia ]

Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :

more more Ghibli!

My Neighbors the Totoros
Laputa Castle in the Sky
Castle of Cagliostro
Kiki's Delivery Service
Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind

these are all stand-alone movies. I'm pretty sure they're all Miyazaki/Ghiblis. Cagliostro is a stand-alone but part of the larger Lupin III series that was produced before Ghibli Studios, I think.

Posted by esl (Member # 3143) on :

Yu Yu Hakusho - movie and series

Posted by coil (Member # 4571) on :

Ooo... Nausicaa...

Posted by Khavanon (Member # 929) on :

I thought it may be important to note that a lot of the suggested moveis are attached to a series and may be difficult to follow without the previous episodes.

Posted by Khavanon (Member # 929) on :

quote:
There is an Escaflowne movie, but i've never seen it, and i don't think its been released in the USA.

It was terrible. Don't get it. The series was fun to watch, but the movie was completely detached from the series, and the art was totally different. I don't know why it even exists.

Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :

Some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned:

Dragonballs (very popular)
Jin-Roh The Wolf Brigade
Ranma 1/2
Orange Road (KOR)

Other animes that I haven't seen but I hear "the kids" talk about:

Oh My Goddess
Nadesico
3x3 Eyes
Sailor Moon
Armitage
Cardcaptor Sakura
Royal Space Force - Wings of Honneamise
Urusei Yatsura
Battle Athletes
Blue Submarine
A Wing Named Amnesia

And I second the posts regarding Studio Ghibli stuff

Posted by JuniperDreams (Member # 3471) on :

Escaflowne has been released in America. I'ts very good. Some other possibilites:

Video girl Ai
X99
Fushigi Yuugi

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

Princess Mononoke.

Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :

(I think a lot of people forgot that Paul wanted to avoid series animes)

Side note. Urusei Yatsura is the longest running anime I can think of. Definitely not a good choice if you want to have all of the episodes =). There were about 200 in the five years it was showing in the first half of the 80's.

Posted by JuniperDreams (Member # 3471) on :

I saw Geneshaft the other day. For a dubbed, it wasn't that bad. Have you seen X the movie? Awesome. Lots of hentai though.

Posted by ^Saudade^ (Member # 175) on :

People. Remember some of the movies you are suggesting (example: Nausicaa), haven't yet been released in the US, and are only available with English subtitles in fansubs.

I just hope they get to release this stuff already, I was Nausicaa and Whisper from Ghibli.

I recommend the series Fruits Basket, shojo, but it rents very well at my local store.
On the Card Captor Sakura movie, make sure they purchase the unedited Japanese version. There is also an American chopped up version with the same cover and everything, but they butchered that series like there was no tomorrow here in the States. [Mad]

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

quote:
It was terrible. (The Escaflowne Movie) Don't get it. The series was fun to watch, but the movie was completely detached from the series, and the art was totally different. I don't know why it even exists.

I didn't think it was terrible, but it was meant to appeal to male audiences more, hence the violence. I liked the style of animation, but I liked the series a lot better.

Anyhow, other good movies include:
Plastic Little (Nudity, but it's pretty funny)
Grave of the Fireflies (I know it's already been mentioned, but it's super-great..)
A Dog of Flanders (The second saddest movie ever, after Grave of the Fireflies...)
Kiki's Delivery Service (Actually, anything by Ghibli.)

Personally, though, I'm no good for movies and short series, I'm practically addicted to shonen manga and series... (Stuff like Yu-Gi-Oh and One Piece that goes on forever and ever...) However, for hilarity, Those Who Hunt Elves can't be beat, and it's pretty short.

Posted by Koholos (Member # 4249) on :

Ahem.... Spirited Away! Ahem....

Posted by Lime (Member # 1707) on :

I think it's safe to say that anything Miyazaki's done should be on your movies list - Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, all of 'em. [Smile]

I can also recommend these series:

Tenchi Muyo!
Tenchi Universe
1st Tenchi Movie (only this one!)
Ranma 1/2
You're Under Arrest!

Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :

quote:
People. Remember some of the movies you are suggesting (example: Nausicaa), haven't yet been released in the US, and are only available with English subtitles in fansubs.

They haven't? *innocent look* Heh. I never know these things. I just watch 'em on my computer... [Big Grin]

(I just bought Spirited Away in Korean so I could practice listening to Korean language. It has the japanese, too.)

Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :

quote:
(I just bought Spirited Away in Korean so I could practice listening to Korean language. It has the japanese, too.)

Legit, too. Um, more or less. Silly regions. [Big Grin]

Posted by Lime (Member # 1707) on :

The problem of fansubs can be a blessing in disguise. Take for example, the fansubs done for You're Under Arrest! YUA is a comedy already, but with the added fun of a fansub, it skyrockets into the completely hysterical. If you ever get the chance to watch the YUA fansubs, do it - you won't regret it. [Smile]

Posted by LR (Member # 5109) on :

Watch These:
Ninja Scroll
X
Vampire hunter D Bloodlust
Akira
The Gundam Movie trilogy
Char's Counter Attack
The Spawn series on HBO(not technically anime but still good)

Warning do not watch these(I borrowed these from a co-worker and seriously wondered if I could ever look at anime the same again):

La Blue Girl
Lady Blue
Twin angel

This stuff is called hentai(means crack) and its cartoon porn not something your really need to have in your old movie watching memory vault. I loaned that guy X and ninja scroll and he gives me that garbage. bah *refuses to ever loan out anime again

Posted by ^Saudade^ (Member # 175) on :

Fansubs are not a problem, if it weren't for fansubs I wouldn't have purchased many of the "legal" DVD's I own, and I wouldn't know of many fantastic titles!

I just wish they'd hurry up bring the authorized copies out faster.

I got to watch the entire Chobits anime in the space of 3 DVD's, it took me a couple of days, but it was so worth it!

I love my local comic store, they have a wonderful fansub club that allows us to rent any fansub they get over here, and they follow fansub rules, once the legal versions get released, the fansubs are pulled from the shelves and replaced with authorized copies.

Posted by Gottmorder (Member # 5039) on :

I disagree with X. I thought it was pretty crappy. I mean, they took a whole series, and stuffed it into a two hour movie. Akira had the same problem.

Anyway, the only movie I could think of reccommending is Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven's Door, simply because the series was so awsome.

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

But X was so pretty, and the dub was so good!! Plus, I forgive them because they're releasing a comprehensive series.

Posted by ae (Member # 3291) on :

I didn't much like the Bebop movie. It felt hollow and directionless.

Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :

I'm not sure Paul is able to use these suggestions, seeing as he was banned a month ago. [Razz]

Who knows, though...he may still be lurking.

*waves to Paul*

Posted by Koholos (Member # 4249) on :

Actually, Subtitles are a lot better than dubbing

For instance, I might point @ Mononoke, which was good subbed, but was ruined by dubbing, since certain characters (especially the women) didn't sound natural...

Posted by ^Saudade^ (Member # 175) on :

definitely, subtitles rock. Somehow most of the voice actors in charge of anime dubbing manage to make everything sound liveless and extremely forced, what is worse is that they chop the scripts completely sometimes when making a dubbed version. Subtitles are the best.

Posted by policyvote (Member # 3044) on :

A Wind Named Amnesia?? That was TERRIBLE. Kind of tepidly interesting from a setup standpoint (post-apocalyptic USA; apocalypse in this case resulting in a drastically decreased population that can't remember anything, including how to speak English). Main character has some sort of physical affliction, and was in stasis or something the whole time, then wakes up and the whole world is empty and stupid.

The dubbed voice acting is BEYOND atrocious. It's this movie that sold me on subbing for good. Again, might have been kind of worthwhile in the original language, but as translated and acted, it's painful to watch.

Peace
policy

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

Good taste exhibited here.

Let me add Battle Angel.

Posted by Gottmorder (Member # 5039) on :

Wow, that was a nice bump there...

Of course, now I can add Big O and FLCL to the list.

Posted by Godspeed (Member # 6094) on :

I don't know if it counts, but I'm going to mention it:

Transformers the Movie is one of my favorite animated movies of all time. Maybe it doesn't count as anime though.

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

Well, recently I'd have to add Spirited Away and Castle in the Sky.

I have to agree with Ryuko's sentiments above about Studio Ghibli.

Posted by BYuCnslr (Member # 1857) on :

The classic movie "My Friend Tortoro" (I may have spelled it wrong)
The Wings of Honneamise is a completely amazing movie, a lot of critics say it is among the best movies ever made, I'd have to say it is the best. As an anime, it is a completely revolutionary movie. Not only is it beautifully drawn for Gainax studios was actually founded to create this movie, but the music is also by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who won an Oscar for The Last Emperor (the same year). Four notes: 1)You have to get the subtitled version of this, not only because I'm one that generally doesn't believe in dubs, but especially in the case of this movie, a lot of the message is completely distroyed by the dub. 2) This is NOT a light watch, when you watch this, watch it understanding you're going to be watching very powerful social comentary. 3)The movie starts out very slow, there is a lot of character development (in fact...that's what most of it is), the beginning will seem boring. 4)You cannot watch the movie with a completely western mindset, you're going to have to take it very open and attempt to see it from an Eastern point of view.
Satyagraha

Posted by Tresopax (Member # 1063) on :

Anything by Miyazaki: Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Castle in the Sky.

The first two have excellent dubs, so I'd recommend the English version over the subtitled one for all but the most extreme anti-dub anime fans. But for Castle in the Sky watch the subtitle version.

Posted by Black Fox (Member # 1986) on :

I have to admit I've seen a good 80% of the Anime thats listed here and I agree with all the choices, so I won't throw in most of the names of what I have seen as I would simply be repeating. My big thing is though does anyone know a decent place to buy anime on DVD that doesn't cost a good 30 dollars a pop for movies. Where is a good place to go get some at a decent price, without downloading it all.

Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :

Ebay is a good place to get some anime DVDs. You might get some fan sub and/or pirated material though.

Posted by Pepek (Member # 3773) on :

Princess Mononoke all the way...

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

Whoa, I totally forgot I ever posted in this thread...

On topic, though, I want to see Millenium Actress!! [Cry]

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

quote:
Ryuichi Sakamoto, who won an Oscar for The Last Emperor

He was also from Yellow Magic Orchestra, and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, and had a solo career that included Left Hand Dream with Robin Scott and Adrian Belew.

You mean that guy?

Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :

I will very soon have Gasaraki. I haven't seen it yet, but I picked up on several recommendations and the fact that it was on sale. It'll probably take me a couple of weeks to watch it.

Posted by BYuCnslr (Member # 1857) on :

quote:
He was also from Yellow Magic Orchestra, and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, and had a solo career that included Left Hand Dream with Robin Scott and Adrian Belew.

You mean that guy?

Ya that guy, have you heard of him? Eh, probably not [Big Grin]

Satyagraha

[ January 12, 2004, 01:53 AM: Message edited by: BYuCnslr ]

Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :

Bump

Disney is releasing Miyazaki's Nausicca and Porco Rosso on DVD on August 31, 2004.

Yoshi!

Posted by Alexa (Member # 6285) on :

Mike,

Why do you need to practice listening to Korean? I spoke it once, but I have been too far removed to remember anything. Kill Bill has Korean subtitles if you wanna practice reading.

As Far as Anime,

My FAVORITE has always been "Yotoden." It is a Three Part movie that is STELLER!!! You can get the condensed Movie, but since it is just a montage of the three movies, it is too hard to follow and not very good. You need to get and watch all three!

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

I recently saw Now and Then, Here and There. It's very disturbing and graphic.

Dagonee

Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :

I think that was directed to me (the comment to mike about korean). I have rudimentary korean language knowledge from my childhood (and three semesters of college korean). I understand loads more than I can speak.

My reading is awful, too slow. I can sound out the characters, but only recognize them by saying them to myself. So I wouldn't get much out of korean subtitles.

Listening to korean, however, lets me improve my vocab and a little grammar. But only in the household-korean way, not in the scholar-structure way. It helps that I have an understanding of grammar now, because I didn't as a kid. Things just sounded "right" or "wrong."

Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :

Nothing beats "Neon Genesis Evangelion"...

The greatest Anime mini-series EVER! And I've seen alot...

Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :

Mmm, Eva.

A friend of mine made a mix video of clips from Eva to a song for Anime Boston AMV contest (and made it to the finals). If you can figure out the video format and things, it's on this page.

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

I just saw Blue Submarine No. 6. All in all, fun to watch, nicely drawn, but good grief, do the Japanese know how to ruin a movie with awful music. Meh. The action scenes had this kind of paen to the kind of cheese you would hear during old Godzilla movies.

The plot was kind of confusing. There was a little girl on the submarine whose purpose I'm still not entirely clear on. I gathered she was the resident empath or something, but I never really saw the crew of the No. 6 make use of her empathy in any kind of useful way.

Also, note to any Japanese anime directors who might read this, while I understand it's a trope of the genre, drawing all the women in either skin tight uniforms, or topless, does *not* help the viewer to focus on the story!

Oh, and there aren't any goofy cute side kicks. I hate those and their lack automatically earns the movie points from me.

Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :

Pole shift... watch out!

Posted by Xaposert (Member # 1612) on :

I have to say that I love Neon Genesis Evangelion, particularly the last two episodes... although I suspect there are those who would disagree....