(no subject)
You know what I like? When you're reading a book, or watching a movie or tv show or whatever, and you actually have to stop to say to yourself "Man, whoever wrote this is a damn good writer!" But you know what I like even more? When you stop and say yourself, "Man, whoever wrote this is a damn good writer and must be a sort of kindred mind/spirit!"
That's how I feel right now watching an anime series called Planetes. I was afraid I was "over" anime because over the last few months I'd started watching a number of highly-rated series... only to be disappointed and quit midway time and time again. It seemed there was nothing new under the anime sun, nothing that would be creatively stimulating to me, at any rate. Gladly I was wrong! I had to stop about 2/3 of the way through the first episode of Planetes just to jot down 3 or 4 really nifty things that I noticed they were doing in terms of storytelling and presentation. I knew even right then I'd hit upon a special one.
Since then (I'm up to episode 8 of 26), every episode has been a joy to watch. Interestingly enough, I was looking at some comments on the internet, and many "typical anime fans" found this show meandering and boring. Not terribly surprising, though. Planetes doesn't have much in terms of fast-paced action scenes or female characters with huge boobs and outlandish hair. What it does have is the most well thought-out setting I've ever seen in a science-fiction show, great characterization and storytelling, and heart. Unlike most sci-fi anime, which tend to be about the glamorous, the royal, the beautiful, and the strong, Planetes is a story about the lowly and marginalized, about blue collar space workers with dreams and hopes and ideals that seem unattainable in the face of their meager pay, low standing in society, and stratified socio-economic structure of the space age. Does that sound too heavy? No worries, those are the recurring underlying themes, but the episodes I've seen are dominated by a sometimes zany, but always honest sit-commy feel, reminiscent of stuff like The Office or Chalk.
I'm pretty certain by the time it's all said and done this will be one of my favorite anime of all time.
If you're curious, my top 10 anime are the following:
1. Maison Ikkoku
(Romantic comedy, 1988)
Unsurpassable. A hilarious and heartwarming masterpiece. After watching this I felt like I'd lived in 80s Japan.
2. Saber Marionette J
(Comedy, action, sci-fi, 1996)
Androids that make you question what it means to be human. Some comedy, some action, lots of heart. Unforgettable.
3. Saint Seiya
(Action, 1986)
One of the biggest hits ever in Europe and Latin America. These guys are the toughest, bravest, ballsiest ever to be seen on screen. Saint Seiya will set your soul ablaze.
4. Outlaw Star
(Action, adventure, sci-fi, 1998)
A pretty traditional, straightforward sci-fi anime, but tons of fun.
5. X tv
(Fantasy, action, 2001)
Dark and extremely stylish, this is my favorite from the talented animators known as CLAMP.
6. Death Note
(Mystery, suspense, 2006)
Spellbinding mind games between two brilliant characters. Had me glued to the TV and wondering what would happen next. Too bad the second season sucks.
7. Paranoia Agent
(Mystery, suspense, 2004)
Man, I love Satoshi Kon. A stylish, thought-provoking mindbender.
8. Rurouni Kenshin
(Action, adventure, historical, 1996)
A classic. The second season is like Saint Seiya in the Japanese Meiji era.
9. Galaxy Angel
(Comedy, 2001)
Don't be deceived by the cliche cutesy look. Galaxy Angel is one of the most creative comedies out there.
10. Captain Tsubasa
(Sports, 1983)
If Saint Seiya played soccer. Duh, of course I'm gonna love it.
Honorable mentions: Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Slayers, Haibane Renmei, Patlabor, Ranma 1/2, Scrapped Princess, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Perfect Blue, Golden Boy, The Vision of Escaflowne, Magic Knight Rayearth, CardCaptor Sakura, El Hazard
That's how I feel right now watching an anime series called Planetes. I was afraid I was "over" anime because over the last few months I'd started watching a number of highly-rated series... only to be disappointed and quit midway time and time again. It seemed there was nothing new under the anime sun, nothing that would be creatively stimulating to me, at any rate. Gladly I was wrong! I had to stop about 2/3 of the way through the first episode of Planetes just to jot down 3 or 4 really nifty things that I noticed they were doing in terms of storytelling and presentation. I knew even right then I'd hit upon a special one.
Since then (I'm up to episode 8 of 26), every episode has been a joy to watch. Interestingly enough, I was looking at some comments on the internet, and many "typical anime fans" found this show meandering and boring. Not terribly surprising, though. Planetes doesn't have much in terms of fast-paced action scenes or female characters with huge boobs and outlandish hair. What it does have is the most well thought-out setting I've ever seen in a science-fiction show, great characterization and storytelling, and heart. Unlike most sci-fi anime, which tend to be about the glamorous, the royal, the beautiful, and the strong, Planetes is a story about the lowly and marginalized, about blue collar space workers with dreams and hopes and ideals that seem unattainable in the face of their meager pay, low standing in society, and stratified socio-economic structure of the space age. Does that sound too heavy? No worries, those are the recurring underlying themes, but the episodes I've seen are dominated by a sometimes zany, but always honest sit-commy feel, reminiscent of stuff like The Office or Chalk.
I'm pretty certain by the time it's all said and done this will be one of my favorite anime of all time.
If you're curious, my top 10 anime are the following:
1. Maison Ikkoku
(Romantic comedy, 1988)
Unsurpassable. A hilarious and heartwarming masterpiece. After watching this I felt like I'd lived in 80s Japan.
2. Saber Marionette J
(Comedy, action, sci-fi, 1996)
Androids that make you question what it means to be human. Some comedy, some action, lots of heart. Unforgettable.
3. Saint Seiya
(Action, 1986)
One of the biggest hits ever in Europe and Latin America. These guys are the toughest, bravest, ballsiest ever to be seen on screen. Saint Seiya will set your soul ablaze.
4. Outlaw Star
(Action, adventure, sci-fi, 1998)
A pretty traditional, straightforward sci-fi anime, but tons of fun.
5. X tv
(Fantasy, action, 2001)
Dark and extremely stylish, this is my favorite from the talented animators known as CLAMP.
6. Death Note
(Mystery, suspense, 2006)
Spellbinding mind games between two brilliant characters. Had me glued to the TV and wondering what would happen next. Too bad the second season sucks.
7. Paranoia Agent
(Mystery, suspense, 2004)
Man, I love Satoshi Kon. A stylish, thought-provoking mindbender.
8. Rurouni Kenshin
(Action, adventure, historical, 1996)
A classic. The second season is like Saint Seiya in the Japanese Meiji era.
9. Galaxy Angel
(Comedy, 2001)
Don't be deceived by the cliche cutesy look. Galaxy Angel is one of the most creative comedies out there.
10. Captain Tsubasa
(Sports, 1983)
If Saint Seiya played soccer. Duh, of course I'm gonna love it.
Honorable mentions: Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Slayers, Haibane Renmei, Patlabor, Ranma 1/2, Scrapped Princess, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Perfect Blue, Golden Boy, The Vision of Escaflowne, Magic Knight Rayearth, CardCaptor Sakura, El Hazard