Well, I don't watch anime, but I know what you mean. It's starting to look like the concept behind the armor in Starship Troopers.
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
I thought it was Forever War that had the suits that enhanced movement and strength. Don't remember Starship Troopers having that.
Posted by Jaina (Member # 2387) on :
Did I read that wrong, or did it say that thing was the "Hal 3?" And does that freak anyone else out even slightly?
Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :
The you've never READ Starship Troopers.
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
I wasn't too worried about it being called Hal 3. I was too busy trying to figure out if I'm the only one who never watches anime.
Posted by Jaina (Member # 2387) on :
I don't watch anime very often, which I'm starting to realize is a little odd for a college student. Perhaps that's why I caught the Hal thing.
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
Been several years since I read Starship Troopers.
Posted by limo (Member # 2470) on :
That thing is creepy.
Could anyone old / infirm even put one of those on?
Eugh
Posted by Josh Leone (Member # 2365) on :
The US Military makes no bones about using such tech. In fact, the next generation of soldier armor will be much cooler than that. The suit will be lined with electro-responsive materials that emulate the movement of muscles and amp strength by a factor of 2 or 3. There was a cool article about future military tech in the recent issue of Popular Science. Here's a neat link. http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_FutureWar,,00.html Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
I really liked the proto-type mecha they rolled out a while ago as a "rescue vehicle". Particularly the part where they admitted that initially, it was good mostly for demolishing things rather than rescuing anybody.
I actually don't much care for mecha anime. It's usually about the literary level of that Battleshock story. But it's not exactly a secret that the central ambition of virtually every Japanese scientist is to be the first to build giant robots and take over the world.
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
There is a fair amount of mysticism in anime. Akira is one of my favorites, and even though it is technically mental ability it has an underlying mysticism to it.
Posted by keldon02 (Member # 2398) on :
OK, what is anime in 300 words or less? My pop culture receptors burned out in 1970.
[This message has been edited by keldon02 (edited April 24, 2005).]
Posted by RFLong (Member # 1923) on :
It's only a short hop (pardon the pun) from HAL 3 to HAL 9000! Eek!
Maybe Clarke just got the dates wrong.
Looks uncomfortable.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Anime simply means animation written and produced in Japan for a Japanese audience. By extension it also refers to East Asian animation generally, though most of it is still Japanese.
For cultural reasons that probably have something to do with the development of manga as a legitimate Japanese literary form rather than being regarded as a sub-literate media the way comics were seen in the West, anime has never been regarded as a dumbed-down or for-kids genre of films. At the same time, anime has always tended to concentrate on more cinematic techniques rather than cel/frame counts to achieve effects (both because high cel/frame counts are expensive and because historically the process of integrating key-frames with...never mind that, and also because the form had an older audience).
I have no idea whether that was less than 300 words. If not, tough
Anyway, because of the history of its development, anime is very different from western animation both in form and content. There are a large number of genres, and one common genre is "mecha", shows featuring nigh invincible giant robots (usually piloted by young teenagers).
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
I think aside from what Survivor has already mentioned, that the evolution of Anime versus the evolution of American/Western style animation is also different.
Western animation (in my observation anyways) seems to have focused on how real or life-like you can make things look.
Anime seems to be more about metaphor and will go for more exagerated or inspired graphical concepts to communicate an idea instead going for a literal translation.
Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :
Like "Cowboy Bebop"?
I'm just starting to get into anime. I've seen the movie (as opposed to the series) "Cowboy Bebop", "Castle in the Sky" and "Princess Mononoke" so far. I've liked all of them, though the ending of "Mononoke" felt too rushed and neat for my taste.
Just letting y'all know up front that I'm not an expert but I wanted to comment anyway.
Oh, and I like that pic, Survivor. Is there an article that goes with it?
[This message has been edited by Keeley (edited April 25, 2005).]
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Yeah, probably Posted by dpatridge (Member # 2208) on :
i'm interested more in the fantasy comedy and real-life blown out of proportion comedy animes.
although i must admit i was devastated by Grave of the Fireflies when i first watched it, which was a bad rip and retaping with Japanese subtitles. it was in original Japanese dubbing as well.
i have recently ordered the collectors edition dvd of Grave and greatly anticipate its arrival, at which time i will demonstrate yet again to my mother that Japanese anime != american cartoon... the poor woman is so anti-international that i have NO clue how it is i was spawned from her loins, especially since my dad is even worse.
i've watched and enjoyed greatly Mononoke, Grave, Kiki, Love Hina and Excel Saga. my mom, of course, hates the two comedy series but loved the more serious film, seeing that she has not seen Grave yet. and she was like "what a great lesson to teach our children" to Kiki... yeah. the movie ISN'T strictly targeted to kids, but don't try to convince her of that.
anyways, i shall end my rant here.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 1563) on :
Congratulations on getting through "Grave of the Fireflies." I had to quit after 20 minutes. That movie is just too intense! (I'll take Akira any day. )
Posted by JBSkaggs (Member # 2265) on :
Loved Grave of the Fireflies- broke my d---heart.
A Wind Named Amnesia is a great anime sci fi title. Excel Saga is mind blowing strange and funny.
Posted by Jeraliey (Member # 2147) on :
I'm rather partial to X
Posted by Phanto (Member # 1619) on :
Fullmetal Alchemist -- after episode 8, you can't stop watching. If you have any emotions or empathy that is.
Hellsing -- cheesy but funky enough to hold attention for some time.
Escaflowne -- great music. Pretty good story; tad cliche.
[This message has been edited by Phanto (edited April 26, 2005).]
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
Quick side question for all the anime fans. I want your opinion on metropolis.
Posted by dpatridge (Member # 2208) on :
quote:Congratulations on getting through "Grave of the Fireflies." I had to quit after 20 minutes. That movie is just too intense! (I'll take Akira any day. )
well. i WAS in a constant state of trying to translate at the same time as absorbing. i'm sure that helped take some of the punch out of it. we'll see how bad it is this time around when i watch it in english.
i'm not certain i've seen Akira. could you explain it's basic premise?
also, directed to anyone who has watched the english dubbing of grave: what are the american voice actors like? are they actually reasonable, or, more likely, horribly over-acted? i find too often in foreign imports with an American dubbing that they have horrible voice actors. (i tend to watch the english subtitles track with original Japanese dubbing for this reason, but my mom can't stand watching movies that way... once again: strongly anti-international. she even has difficulty with British entertainment.)
[This message has been edited by dpatridge (edited April 27, 2005).]
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Always use the original soundtrack unless you're showing it to very young children.
The basic problem is that there isn't a well established dubbing industry in America. Also, Hollywood and their evil allies in the music industry totally strangle most of the genuine talent available anyway.
Posted by dpatridge (Member # 2208) on :
Survivor. my mom basically IS like a young child when it comes to international stuff, except worse, since she doesn't like British entertainment either...
)