With regards Ghost in the Shell an FYI - There's the original movie and then there's the more recent series Stand Alone Complex (1, 2 & Solid State Society). Now I might have to put on a helmet to say this but while both are regarded as legendary/classic I'd recommend the series over the original movie. The stories aren't exactly sequential (the series isn't a true sequel) so you don't need to see the movie before watching the series. For me the movie was a sort of draft concept. Almost an isolated episode to itself. The series is far better. If you like depressing, dark stories, watch the movie. If you like dark, but more intriguing and less depressing, go for the series.Quote:
Originally Posted by Makzilla
For more recommendations it would be helpful to know what aspects it is you've enjoyed in the anime you've seen, or at least, some non-anime movies which you love.
If you like sci-fi there are some classic recommendations which will always surface - Cowboy Bebop for one. If you like samurai then Samurai Seven, Rurouni Kenshin (lighter feel but it's my all-time favourite anime/manga). For adventure, Hunter x Hunter (2011) is worth a look, long series, still on-going. For slice of life, Silver Spoon is on its second season and that's been surprisingly good.
Actually, it's just occurred to me - are you familiar with the basic genres of anime? For example, off the top of my head, do you know what these are? -
Sci-Fi
Cyberpunk
Steampunk
Sports
Slice of Life
Samurai/Ninja
Mecha
Harem
Comedy
Martial Arts
Fantasy
Common themes:
Super-power
High School
Video Game
Card Game
??
If not, a brief introduction into some of those might be worth while.
On another note:
I've just started watching Log Horizon and it's pretty good. Wasn't sure what to expect, and it's definitely different, but because of that I keep watching.
Evidently, a lot of people have tried Log Horizon because of Sword Art Online - the premise is similar - but the two approaches are very different.
Quick summary of what I've seen so far, with a comparison of SAO:
Both - Premise - Ton of players trapped in a video game MMORPG fantasy world.
SAO - Sinister feel/reason for the trapping which gets revealed up front and which makes it a quest for survival/escape - with sub-plots about how life in the game world changes their perspective.
Log Horizon - No reason given for the lock-in so far (about 7 episodes in). There's a sense of an intention behind the whole thing but it's subtle, the whole thing culd be an accident for all we know. Since there's no reason given for the lock the premise is more to do with how do you live, trapped in a game, when you're not sure if you'll ever leave. - Sort of. So far it doesn't have a dark feel about it.
Log Horizon is a bit more intelligent than SAO, I'd say primarily for two reasons - 1 - the premise/approach is to explore almost sociological issues - building a society inside a game - along with strategy, outwitting other players and guilds and everyone starts to try to establish themselves. 2 - The lead character (so far) is an experienced strategist so we know he has a plan.
For those looking for tons of action, then from the first few episodes I'd see this isn't for you. Maybe it gets more action packed later, I don't know, but overall it's more mental than action-oriented. Having said that, there is some action, and as players get used to using their abilities after the lock-in, power/abilities etc. do feature a bit.
It might be obvious, but this series will definitely make more sense and appeal more to those who are more familiar with MMORPGs. In fact, my guess is that the best way to summarise this is as one big, What If?, mmo scenario.
Other interesting feature that might factor in, the idea behind the game-world is that it is a replica of Earth, scaled down by half, but sort of an over-grown apocalypse (think over-grown ruins - don't think desert like Trigun or Fist of the North Star).
There are a couple of semi-annoying 'weak-girl' characters in there.
There's no real fan-service so far (which is a plus to my mind) - just one big-bosomed character who gives hugs (but whose breasts are surprisingly absent from those hug scenes) and another female character with a weird fascination with a young female assassin character, although this is portrayed as a 'cuteness-factor' attraction which the under-sized assassin hates. The weirdest bit with that is how the lead strategist seems to trade time with the assassin for work by the female character, against the dutiful assassin's will. There is also a primary character who is portrayed as pervert fascinated by panties but thankfully this has taken up precious little time and has been purely conversational, giving rise to a semi-regular gag where the assassin boots him before he can even finish whatever perverted statement he might be trying to make.
Overall, it's much different to anything else I've watched in a while, and the fact that there seems to be some depth to the writing/story is appealing. If it were just a simple adventure story I don't think I'd be watching, but honestly, I've no idea where this is headed, so I'm enjoying this more cerebral offering.
There's already a second season in the works, so it has a chance of longevity.
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