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[Ladioss]

Venus Wars is great. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's work as a director is generally brillant, too bad he didn't get to direct more stuff after the 80s. He did plenty of designs for the recent universal era Gundam movies/OVAs though.

To-y recently got a remastered BD release in Japan : https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09M57FS4G/
It's pretty important because before then, the only copies in existence were on LD - and the OVA is a great insight into Japanese take on 80s glam/punk scene as seen by manga artist Atsushi Kamijo, with Naoyuki Onda's brand of distinctly realist chara-design that got so popular in the 90s after Akira. Cool Japan before it was cool.

Some other overlooked stuff from Discoteck : Crusher Joe, Robot Carnival and Project A-KO ?

Plenty of great action anime titles in the 90's too and you did last some. I'm not sure where 'greatest action anime' would come from when reviewing Bebop. However, if you type in "top 90's anime series"...they typically put Bebop at number one or will simply write "best anime of the 90's." Which even that's debatable too. There were amazing anime series in the early 90's and I've always felt reviews based those opinion on the fact that they'd only seen anime from the late-90's (which Toonami typically would run on into the 2000's).

The industry changed in a great way if you're into gaming. 80's/90's anime-based video games were so-so but 2000's - present anime based video games have just gotten better. I may be biased because I prefer JRPGs and action type games but the style doesn't bother me. Maybe that's because video games should have digital artwork and it just seems more fitting. I read through the Spring/Summer 2022 anime line up and I just don't really feel anything. I've never given up on modern anime but it just doesn't move me.

Speaking of great (and relatively recent) action stuff, have you ever seen what someone like Ryo-timo can do ? His stuff in Noein, Birdy and Yozakura Quartet - Hana no Uta was legendary.

Pre- and post-2000 anime/manga/vg both have their strong and weak points. Pre-2000 you have all the advantages that come from being a craft, like lots of artistic freedom, but it comes at the price of low production values and artisan processes. Post-2000 (post-2008 actually), you are in industry territory with producers controlling everything, but high-end stuff get plenty of budget to play around with beautifully crafted composite animation like Ufotable does and stuff like that. There is still rough jewels to be found, gifted animators still get to draw impressively beautiful sequences, but it's harder to keep track of what is really interesting and it's often drowned in a ever-increasing ocean of medium-level stuff... I
As for videogames, I do regret the kind of JRPGs we had on later-days SFC and PS1/Saturn though - games like Far East of Eden IV, or Grandia. That feeling of living an epic adventure has almost completely disappeared from today's production.

From last spring/summer anime season, Lycoris Recoil was very good but aesthetically and in its setting it's very much a 2020s anime series, so not something I would recommend if you are looking for that retro feeling.

 

[Happosai]

Venus Wars looks like a winner. Outside of the animation do you like it? I was looking at Cyber City Odeo as well. I think it's called that anyway. One of Kawajiri's early works. I might pick that up too.

Ranma I must admit I've never seen. I've heard nothing but good things about it over the years.

Yeah, I did buy Kite and Mezzo Forte uncut back in the day because I was curious. I found them both pretty gross. Kite especially. I like sex as much as the next guy but those had some nasty situations as I recall. It's a shame because the both have some cool action. They made a Mezzo series back in the early 2000's that was pretty good.

JunkerWoland's info has been the most reliable I've come across with regard toward physical releases and the A/V data.

About some of the general questions. Venus Wars has stunning animation just like Akira, although I'd take it half a tier below that since there wasn't much hybrid Xerox going on in Venus Wars that I'm aware of. It's great as a movie but far from being the most engaging story from an 80's anime movie. It has lots of action but equally it's dull moment IMO. Still worth picking up though as it'll likely fall oop and inflate to some crazy number by 2024 (if not sooner).

Cyber City Oedo OVA really doesn't ask much or take much from the audience. It's 3 OVAs which center around 3 sorta convicts with a 'condition' should they not complete their individual missions. I won't state the condition but there was this Rutger Hauer movie called Wedlock...take out the couples part and you'll get what I mean. The OVAs were pretty great for a quick watch. If you really want a treat...switch off subs and listen to the English dub. If you thought the Devilman OVA dub was something else...try Cyber City Oedo's.

Everyone should watch Ranma 1/2 TV. kunonabi will agree that the best episodes are within the first 3 volumes. However, I'd watch all 7 as the writers did have some freedom to write stories/characters slightly different than Rumiko...making it unique to say the least. The first 32 episode if I remember were from a seperate briefly cancelled production that started in April 1989. Different director, Eijo Mori's amazing work on the music and more polished animation. The U.S. booked them as seasons and the writers who picked the series up when production resumed in Fall of 89' continued mostly where the first left off. These are details that may or not matter as the comedy remains consistent.

K.I.T.E. had potentional as well as Mezzo Forte to be something better. Which is why K.I.T.E. had a spin-off and likely Mezzo Forte had a series. I feel they didn't need to get weird and creepy with it, which is why stores like Best Buy were willing to sell the cut versions.

Long story short, when physical releases come out, we never know how long they'll remain at a set price or quantity. I'd say buy if it's in your budget. I picked up some titles from eBay when many of the older distributors liquidated or closed completely. I still regret never having purchased Gall Force or Outlanders on DVD before they went oop...

 

[Happosai]

Venus Wars is great. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's work as a director is generally brillant, too bad he didn't get to direct more stuff after the 80s. He did plenty of designs for the recent universal era Gundam movies/OVAs though.

To-y recently got a remastered BD release in Japan : https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09M57FS4G/
It's pretty important because before then, the only copies in existence were on LD - and the OVA is a great insight into Japanese take on 80s glam/punk scene as seen by manga artist Atsushi Kamijo, with Naoyuki Onda's brand of distinctly realist chara-design that got so popular in the 90s after Akira. Cool Japan before it was cool.

Some other overlooked stuff from Discoteck : Crusher Joe, Robot Carnival and Project A-KO ?



Speaking of great (and relatively recent) action stuff, have you ever seen what someone like Ryo-timo can do ? His stuff in Noein, Birdy and Yozakura Quartet - Hana no Uta was legendary.

Pre- and post-2000 anime/manga/vg both have their strong and weak points. Pre-2000 you have all the advantages that come from being a craft, like lots of artistic freedom, but it comes at the price of low production values and artisan processes. Post-2000 (post-2008 actually), you are in industry territory with producers controlling everything, but high-end stuff get plenty of budget to play around with beautifully crafted composite animation like Ufotable does and stuff like that. There is still rough jewels to be found, gifted animators still get to draw impressively beautiful sequences, but it's harder to keep track of what is really interesting and it's often drowned in a ever-increasing ocean of medium-level stuff... I
As for videogames, I do regret the kind of JRPGs we had on later-days SFC and PS1/Saturn though - games like Far East of Eden IV, or Grandia. That feeling of living an epic adventure has almost completely disappeared from today's production.

From last spring/summer anime season, Lycoris Recoil was very good but aesthetically and in its setting it's very much a 2020s anime series, so not something I would recommend if you are looking for that retro feeling.

Regarding overlooked things from Discotek...no sir. I think OmegaSupreme wanted to know about recent blu-ray releases. However, without a double Discotek holds the largest library of blu-ray release for retro titles in North America at the present time. Probably the best release of Project A-Ko so far. I was able to get a hold of the Crusher Joe movie and OVAs but still haven't purchased Robot Carnival. I need to but I have this hope that they'll license NeoTokyo and I'll buy it with that...and because I still have my older copy

I'm relatively ignorant on modern anime titles. I know them by name and see what newer mangas are trending at the bookstores here. I like the somewhat retro style they gave back to Lupin characters in A Woman Called Fujiko Mine and overall I'd still watch one of the newer Lupin TV series...but I've never even finished season 4. There are great artists out there today but I feel like most mediums (including music and modern TV and movies) that it's lost it's touch. Digital has made it all too convenient to produce, writers are making stories based on writer before them rather than thinking of new stories and the continual reboots/sequels to classics shows that material is running short. In one year back in the 70's, 80's or 90's most could list 8 great series out of 20 and another 2 which were good enough for a watch. If I pull anime from 2021...take a look at how many are new seasons/new spins off of a series that already existed 30-years prior or maybe a couple years prior. At work, my staff comes in some morning discussing anime and I ask them, "what's new this season?" Someone always says...well, Demon Slayer. I'm like, "that started in 2019...'new' means never seen before 2022 "

Anyway, the two forums offer the best of both on GAF. But where I really feel the great modern anime is being put to use is in video games. There was a lot of potential for better anime games in the 90's but until the late-90's; we ended up with polygonal figures with the hardware at that time. However...Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage was decent on Dreamcast and would love to see a remaster or remake of that!

We do need a balance of both but there's still a good amount of discussion to be had on retro anime. Especially OVAs...the good and the bad.

Speaking of...I watched 'Big Wars' about a week ago. Strange movie, mildy interesting sci-fi tones in it and some decent animation throughout. Most review sites slapped a 1-star review on it. It's really not that bad. I hate starred ratings but it's easily a 4 if you take everything into account. It's short enough too that it doesn't require too much of an investment on one's time. I always thought that the Americans who licensed years ago just slapped the title BIG WARS on to attract attention to it. Then I checked the Japanese title...and...it would appear that was sorta the title (Biggu Wōzu: Kami Utsu Akaki Kōya ni)).
No GIFs this time but a few images.

 

[ranmafan]

It’s nice to have a retro anime discussion going on, as I feel like so many great classics have been forgotten by the modern fans. At least that’s how it appears to me watching from Japan. I’ve been so happy that so much thought has been brought back via companies like Discotek, which is just doing marvelous work. Their Project A-ko release was so amazing. Also seeing them release Dear Brother and finally after a long wait a uncut Kodomo No Omocha (was so angry at the audio cuts that had to be made due to Johnny’s back in its original release).

There’s still so much more I want to see picked up. One I really wish was brought back is Dominion Tank Police. One of those old ova series that just always interested me. Gaogaigar is another series I wish could be brought back to the market. Love the series in the super robot wars games. Also hoping the recent resurgence in Takahashi interests especially with the release UY coming that Maison Ikkoku can be figured out. And my biggest dream being that the Uy remake is a success and can lead to a remake of ranma so we can get the full story in anime form.

But yeah we really are in a great renaissance of classic anime returning thanks to all these bluray releases. Makes me very happy!

 

[Happosai]

It’s nice to have a retro anime discussion going on, as I feel like so many great classics have been forgotten by the modern fans. At least that’s how it appears to me watching from Japan. I’ve been so happy that so much thought has been brought back via companies like Discotek, which is just doing marvelous work. Their Project A-ko release was so amazing. Also seeing them release Dear Brother and finally after a long wait a uncut Kodomo No Omocha (was so angry at the audio cuts that had to be made due to Johnny’s back in its original release).

There’s still so much more I want to see picked up. One I really wish was brought back is Dominion Tank Police. One of those old ova series that just always interested me. Gaogaigar is another series I wish could be brought back to the market. Love the series in the super robot wars games. Also hoping the recent resurgence in Takahashi interests especially with the release UY coming that Maison Ikkoku can be figured out. And my biggest dream being that the Uy remake is a success and can lead to a remake of ranma so we can get the full story in anime form.

But yeah we really are in a great renaissance of classic anime returning thanks to all these bluray releases. Makes me very happy!

The Dear Brother release surprised me as I figured it would be lost after the DVDs went oop.

Both Dominion Tank Police and New Dominion Tank Police titles are long overdue but I remain optimistic they'll be released as many do remember them well and would pay up should Discotek release them.

We'll post updates on the classic releases as they come. J JunkerWoland did publish news on some of Discotek's upcoming blu-ray releases on a different page in the thread for early 2023 mostly.

Great to have you posting too. We need more posts on the myriad OVAs made in the 80's and 90's.

 

[JunkerWoland]

Both Dominion Tank Police and New Dominion Tank Police titles are long overdue but I remain optimistic they'll be released as many do remember them well and would pay up should Discotek release them.

Not to suggest anything is impossible, but scuttlebutt has long been Dominion Tank Police is in some manner of rights hell on the Japanese side, leading to the lack of any HD release even in its domestic territory. This has had the knock-on effect of no one wanting to touch New Dominion Tank Police. Whatever the case, things may need to be solved in Japan, before international licensees could get a shot at the first OVA.

 

[ranmafan]

Not to suggest anything is impossible, but scuttlebutt has long been Dominion Tank Police is in some manner of rights hell on the Japanese side, leading to the lack of any HD release even in its domestic territory. This has had the knock-on effect of no one wanting to touch New Dominion Tank Police. Whatever the case, things may need to be solved in Japan, before international licensees could get a shot at the first OVA.

Yeah I kinda was thinking that might be an issue. The lack of any release here in Japan probably will keep it off the possibility list for a while. Hopefully that changes, especially with the titles that have shown up in recent years.

Another show I keep wondering about is Mahou Tsukaitai. I have the original dvd release of that but it’s another one of those 90s classics that’s begging for a bluray release. I would even take just a Japanese release if it were possible.

 

[kunonabi]

Dominion tank police was hugely popular with my anime group so it sucks to hear that it might have rights issues. Maho tsukaitai was also a gem but we didnt get through all of it.

 

[JunkerWoland]

Another show I keep wondering about is Mahou Tsukaitai. I have the original dvd release of that but it’s another one of those 90s classics that’s begging for a bluray release. I would even take just a Japanese release if it were possible.

RightStuf being able to license rescue Mahoutsukai Tai!, back in 2015, and provide an improved DVD re-release over Media Blasters' original at least suggests the series is accessible. This also probably means the US license still technically rests with RightStuf. Assuming the original film elements exist, this could be a situation of the Japanese no longer having any business interest in the series and may require an international entity to create the first HD release.

 

[ranmafan]

RightStuf being able to license rescue Mahoutsukai Tai!, back in 2015, and provide an improved DVD re-release over Media Blasters' original at least suggests the series is accessible. This also probably means the US license still technically rests with RightStuf. Assuming the original film elements exist, this could be a situation of the Japanese no longer having any business interest in the series and may require an international entity to create the first HD release.

Dang I didn’t know rightstuf rescued the license back then. Was kinda out of the loop on anime western releases back then. Wish I had known as I would love a better version of it then the media blasters one I have. Sounds like a mess to make a blu ray happen. Looking at the streams of the series in Japan now and yeah it’s just the old sd versions. Sadly probably a lost cause at the moment.

 

[JunkerWoland]

Wish I had known as I would love a better version of it then the media blasters one I have.

I know no one really wants to buy DVDs anymore (which I totally get), but RightStuf's version is still available, both on the retailer's site (where it's a bit cheaper) and Amazon. Personally, I'm generally of the opinion almost everything that can receive a HD release will eventually see one, and with the rights to Mahoutsukai Tai! seemingly held by Bandai Visual, I'm more inclined to think Blu-rays will find a way. That said, the question might be whether the show will see a nice, new 2K scan from film or some messy upscale from video. But yeah, it always sucks, when a show finds itself in some manner of limbo.

 

[ranmafan]

I know no one really wants to buy DVDs anymore (which I totally get), but RightStuf's version is still available, both on the retailer's site (where it's a bit cheaper) and Amazon. Personally, I'm generally of the opinion almost everything that can receive a HD release will eventually see one, and with the rights to Mahoutsukai Tai! seemingly held by Bandai Visual, I'm more inclined to think Blu-rays will find a way. That said, the question might be whether the show will see a nice, new 2K scan from film or some messy upscale from video. But yeah, it always sucks, when a show finds itself in some manner of limbo.

Oh that’s nice it’s still in stock. Might have to consider it in the future as the import store I use in Japan to get anime disks from the us has it too. I am reluctant to get dvds too, although that’s due to just bluray being easier to watch here for me. Hopefully Bandai Visual revisits it one day. Probably just low on the to do list for them these days

 

[Ladioss]

Both Dominion Tank Police and New Dominion Tank Police titles are long overdue but I remain optimistic they'll be released as many do remember them well and would pay up should Discotek release them.

A sequel for the No More Noise Dominion manga is long overdue too... by almost 25 years. Come on Shirow, I loved that one

Also hoping the recent resurgence in Takahashi interests especially with the release UY coming that Maison Ikkoku can be figured out. And my biggest dream being that the Uy remake is a success and can lead to a remake of ranma so we can get the full story in anime form.

I'm digging the new OP/ED songs and the animation looks nice, but as a 80s kid I don't get that modern obsession for flashy neon colors everywhere

Regarding overlooked things from Discotek...no sir. I think OmegaSupreme OmegaSupreme wanted to know about recent blu-ray releases. However, without a double Discotek holds the largest library of blu-ray release for retro titles in North America at the present time. Probably the best release of Project A-Ko so far. I was able to get a hold of the Crusher Joe movie and OVAs but still haven't purchased Robot Carnival. I need to but I have this hope that they'll license NeoTokyo and I'll buy it with that...and because I still have my older copy

I'm relatively ignorant on modern anime titles. I know them by name and see what newer mangas are trending at the bookstores here. I like the somewhat retro style they gave back to Lupin characters in A Woman Called Fujiko Mine and overall I'd still watch one of the newer Lupin TV series...but I've never even finished season 4. There are great artists out there today but I feel like most mediums (including music and modern TV and movies) that it's lost it's touch. Digital has made it all too convenient to produce, writers are making stories based on writer before them rather than thinking of new stories and the continual reboots/sequels to classics shows that material is running short. In one year back in the 70's, 80's or 90's most could list 8 great series out of 20 and another 2 which were good enough for a watch. If I pull anime from 2021...take a look at how many are new seasons/new spins off of a series that already existed 30-years prior or maybe a couple years prior. At work, my staff comes in some morning discussing anime and I ask them, "what's new this season?" Someone always says...well, Demon Slayer. I'm like, "that started in 2019...'new' means never seen before 2022 "

Anyway, the two forums offer the best of both on GAF. But where I really feel the great modern anime is being put to use is in video games. There was a lot of potential for better anime games in the 90's but until the late-90's; we ended up with polygonal figures with the hardware at that time. However...Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage was decent on Dreamcast and would love to see a remaster or remake of that!

(I may have difficulties grasping the signification of recent, sorry)

I agree with you when you say that a lost of mediums appear to have lost their touch, and I would add books to your list. Too much control from the producers and everything being designed by committee vs directors being relegated to work-for-hire drones come at a price. As a result, most of modern culture feels... empty ? Devoid of vitality, overdesigned, gentrified, and without that weird and joyful feeling you get when basic entertainment impulses succesfully meet high art. You can't anything of value when everything is piloted by managers and bureaucrats - at best, you can produce an ersatz of an ersatz of an ersatz of something that was succesful 30 years ago.
I used to do the JP TV viewership column for a website years ago, and it's frightening how much the more mainstream side of the anime industry has been stagnant for a long time now - eveything has been Doraemon, Shin-chan, Precure One Piece and Detective Conan for more than 15 years now. It's depressing.

Anyway, the two forums offer the best of both on GAF. But where I really feel the great modern anime is being put to use is in video games. There was a lot of potential for better anime games in the 90's but until the late-90's; we ended up with polygonal figures with the hardware at that time. However...Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage was decent on Dreamcast and would love to see a remaster or remake of that!

Won't disagree with you on that one. We know how those plans on merging the vg and anime industries screwed some Japanese companies in the early 90s (the Saturn, the PC-FX...), just at the moment when the western vg industry was pivoting into 3D graphics. In retrospect, I'm really curious of how the industry would look like today if it has succeded.

 

[ranmafan]

I'm digging the new OP/ED songs and the animation looks nice, but as a 80s kid I don't get that modern obsession for flashy neon colors everywhere

Animators today really do like to overdo the neon colors and all. Got to get all that flashy work out of the computers. I do admit I miss the old style a lot as well. Felt so much more expressive in some ways to me vs digital work. But new UY I will enjoy in the new style for sure, can’t wait. Just wish it had an earlier start time than 1am.

 

[kunonabi]

I'm not sure how I'd feel about a Ranma remake. On the one hand there are a bunch of stories the anime butchered which would benefit from a second chance but on the other I'm not sure how interested I'd be without the OG English dub cast. I mean once Richard Cox took over for male Ranma the show was basically unwatchable and that was just one character. Not to mention we would probably miss out on some of the improvements the original anime did make.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

Not sure if it was mentioned in this topic but I loved as a kid Saber Rider and the star Sheriffs. I thought everyone would of seen this but it seems it was mostly a big boom in Europe. To this day, the main theme rocks!

 

[ranmafan]

I'm not sure how I'd feel about a Ranma remake. On the one hand there are a bunch of stories the anime butchered which would benefit from a second chance but on the other I'm not sure how interested I'd be without the OG English dub cast. I mean once Richard Cox took over for male Ranma the show was basically unwatchable and that was just one character. Not to mention we would probably miss out on some of the improvements the original anime did make.

I know the feeling. The Japanese version would have to have some changes in cast too but the UY remake cast is new and sounds great in the trailers so far so I’m very optimistic. Ranma was one of the few dubs I watched before switching quickly to subs. But I only saw the first 12 episodes in English. When I saw some later episodes in English years after and heard male ranma’s new voice actor it was a big shock to me. Felt very off. I really liked that original cast. And even though I can’t stand dubs at all, it’s one of two I can still watch today without a problem (at least the first batch of episodes). one thing I do wonder though is how they would handle the nudity in the show. Japanese tv has changed so much since the late 80s. I imagine they would make it tamer. I guess we will see though soon with UY what the limits will be.

Still even with cast changes, ranma I think deserves a nice full remake telling the full story. Interestingly here in Japan new merchandise for it has been going on sale for it at cheap stores. All kinds of items from eco bags to all types of cases and other Knick knacks. Part of me is surprised but then again, talking with people here in Japan, the show was a lot more popular than people have said it was back in its broadcast. So it’s nice to see it returning in some small ways. So much so my daughter has started watching the show with me. It’s such a great thing introducing it to her. My wife gets a kick out of it too as she used to watch the original broadcast when she was young too.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

I never saw more than a few episodes of Big O back on Adult Swim way back when. Has anyone seen all of this? It seemed fun back in the day. Amazon recommended it to me. It's got a nice blu ray set.

 

[Happosai]

I know no one really wants to buy DVDs anymore (which I totally get), but RightStuf's version is still available, both on the retailer's site (where it's a bit cheaper) and Amazon. Personally, I'm generally of the opinion almost everything that can receive a HD release will eventually see one, and with the rights to Mahoutsukai Tai! seemingly held by Bandai Visual, I'm more inclined to think Blu-rays will find a way. That said, the question might be whether the show will see a nice, new 2K scan from film or some messy upscale from video. But yeah, it always sucks, when a show finds itself in some manner of limbo.

I do ...I mean, if I could get my hands on the Outlanders anniversary release on DVD; I'd pay double. But mostly, my physical collection had gone toward blu-ray. It's really disappointing to hear the case about Dominion & New Dominion Tank Police in terms of the licensing. The original OVA I had on VHS but missed my chance to get it on DVD before the price got crazy. I really hope the don't leave it as is and the money & research is in the right place to examine how to possibly bring it back. Mahoutsukai I didn't ever realize had a DVD release in N.A. -- not a fan of MediaBlasters or RightStuf releases...but, it'll work.

A sequel for the No More Noise Dominion manga is long overdue too... by almost 25 years. Come on Shirow, I loved that one





I'm digging the new OP/ED songs and the animation looks nice, but as a 80s kid I don't get that modern obsession for flashy neon colors everywhere



(I may have difficulties grasping the signification of recent, sorry)

I agree with you when you say that a lost of mediums appear to have lost their touch, and I would add books to your list. Too much control from the producers and everything being designed by committee vs directors being relegated to work-for-hire drones come at a price. As a result, most of modern culture feels... empty ? Devoid of vitality, overdesigned, gentrified, and without that weird and joyful feeling you get when basic entertainment impulses succesfully meet high art. You can't anything of value when everything is piloted by managers and bureaucrats - at best, you can produce an ersatz of an ersatz of an ersatz of something that was succesful 30 years ago.
I used to do the JP TV viewership column for a website years ago, and it's frightening how much the more mainstream side of the anime industry has been stagnant for a long time now - eveything has been Doraemon, Shin-chan, Precure One Piece and Detective Conan for more than 15 years now. It's depressing.



Won't disagree with you on that one. We know how those plans on merging the vg and anime industries screwed some Japanese companies in the early 90s (the Saturn, the PC-FX...), just at the moment when the western vg industry was pivoting into 3D graphics. In retrospect, I'm really curious of how the industry would look like today if it has succeded.

I'm excited that U.Y. is getting re-introduced to a younger generation. However, I don't think the younger generation would watch this and go back to the original TV show. With the original getting the blu-ray release early 2023, I feel the anticipation should be on both. I feel everyone should watch the original and then check out this reboot. Many (including myself), have only seen individual episodes of the original U.Y. the same and the newer -- it may help others to know about the same.

The industry will remain stagnant until we get better writers (from manga or wherever). As I mentioned, I've found some more modern manga online or with Kindle which were great enough for an original series. Yet, that's not what they'll make into a story. That's also why you'll continue to hear the story go around One Piece, Doraemon, etc.

Animators today really do like to overdo the neon colors and all. Got to get all that flashy work out of the computers. I do admit I miss the old style a lot as well. Felt so much more expressive in some ways to me vs digital work. But new UY I will enjoy in the new style for sure, can’t wait. Just wish it had an earlier start time than 1am.

I've been calling it "the glow" for awhile. This actually started in the late-90's when post-production digital artists would come in and see how they could 'touch up' a particular scene. It didn't look great on hand painted cels post processing. Once digital ink replaced cel painted, traditional photography was replaced by digital and hand painted backgrounds were replaced with air brushed...the aesthetic was lost IMO. That's why I don't get nostalgia 'feels' for these reboots of Bastard!!, U.Y., Trigun or whatever it is or will be. I feel that we were spoiled and got the best of the best. But, there's really no going back and as I watched the trailer -- I can't help get it out of my head that it's impossible to even make the characters look replica. Seems like expressions and such still reflect the modern production. I want to like it but I've been seeing reboots for about 15-years now and I believe the one and only that I watched/sorta liked was A Woman Called Fujiko Mine (which wasn't even that recent). I guess, there are some TMS titles I'll still watch. The original was more expressive and it's really hard to bring back that touch if they don't bring back the original artists, directors, animators, VAs, composers, etc.

I'm not sure how I'd feel about a Ranma remake. On the one hand there are a bunch of stories the anime butchered which would benefit from a second chance but on the other I'm not sure how interested I'd be without the OG English dub cast. I mean once Richard Cox took over for male Ranma the show was basically unwatchable and that was just one character. Not to mention we would probably miss out on some of the improvements the original anime did make.

Goodness, I hope they don't touch Ranma 1/2 and screw that up. I get that there was a lot more going on during the original series with Rumiko and financially which prevented them from really giving it a great closing. Likewise, I prefer subs but I grew up on anime on VHS in the late-90's and the only thing affordable had been the dubs. When DVD started to come out I started to transition over to subs but when I saw Ranma 1/2, I likewise grew attached to Ocean Group's English work. The Canadians who'd worked on that actually made a much more solid effort than most U.S. 'dubs' were. If Ranma 1/2 had a remake and they were to dub...they likely won't even let Canada touch it. It'd likely be run on Netflix with a Netflix dub. Unfortunately, Ranma 1/2 was so popular - it's likely already in the works of being 'remade.' Agreed too that Sarah Strange did a much better job at Ranma's English voice that Richard Cox. However, I appreciate that Richard tried to at least get the voice right. My recollection reading about the Canadian O.G. production was that Richard was cast because Sarah Strange left to become a singer or something like that. The voice actress for "Miriam...?" became a flight attendant and left voice acting completely. So, unfortunately we likely wouldn't get them cast back. With the JP casting, it'd likely be the same for certain characters. Let's just hope they wait until we're all so old that we just don't care anymore when they remake.

I never saw more than a few episodes of Big O back on Adult Swim way back when. Has anyone seen all of this? It seemed fun back in the day. Amazon recommended it to me. It's got a nice blu ray set.

I bought a random DVD of Big O back in the day out of sequence. It wasn't that bad but I'm not sure about the details of the blu-ray set. If that's Section 23, hopefully the did it some justice.

 

[ranmafan]

I've been calling it "the glow" for awhile. This actually started in the late-90's when post-production digital artists would come in and see how they could 'touch up' a particular scene. It didn't look great on hand painted cels post processing. Once digital ink replaced cel painted, traditional photography was replaced by digital and hand painted backgrounds were replaced with air brushed...the aesthetic was lost IMO. That's why I don't get nostalgia 'feels' for these reboots of Bastard!!, U.Y., Trigun or whatever it is or will be. I feel that we were spoiled and got the best of the best. But, there's really no going back and as I watched the trailer -- I can't help get it out of my head that it's impossible to even make the characters look replica. Seems like expressions and such still reflect the modern production. I want to like it but I've been seeing reboots for about 15-years now and I believe the one and only that I watched/sorta liked was A Woman Called Fujiko Mine (which wasn't even that recent). I guess, there are some TMS titles I'll still watch. The original was more expressive and it's really hard to bring back that touch if they don't bring back the original artists, directors, animators, VAs, composers, etc.

I know how you feel, as it’s been the same for me since the glow and digital took over. So much has been lost with the classic look of ink and pen. The old look was much more impressive as it looked so much more natural and expressive. Things today look too perfect at times. And the colors are too light in ways. I’m all for making things easier and improvements in technology, but yeah that classic look always wins out. Took me forever to get into the digital era. Give me the look from the 70s-90s over today any day. Although the one exception is Makoto Shinkai works, those are just so beautiful to me.

 

[Happosai]

I know how you feel, as it’s been the same for me since the glow and digital took over. So much has been lost with the classic look of ink and pen. The old look was much more impressive as it looked so much more natural and expressive. Things today look too perfect at times. And the colors are too light in ways. I’m all for making things easier and improvements in technology, but yeah that classic look always wins out. Took me forever to get into the digital era. Give me the look from the 70s-90s over today any day. Although the one exception is Makoto Shinkai works, those are just so beautiful to me.

I watch a new series every now and then to be honest. I really want to give new series a chance and sometimes do. But it's a personal thing too as I went to art school to study 2D animation abd media art years ago. The Western and Eastern animators and students were sonething else. We had drawing tablets already becoming common and the warning from A.I.S. that 3D would take over animation in a few years as well as 2D hand drawn to be taken away from paper and put in the drawing tablet. I grew up with tradional animation both in anime and from the West. I think it wasn't until about 2007 that I noticed it was pretty much gone.

Like I said, we were spoiled with so many years of hand drawn animation that most didn't really care when it was gone.

I remember seeing the trailer for the 3D Lupin movie a few years ago and wondering why they didn't just use digital ink. Why did they make a great character look like a 6th gen video game rendering?

 

[kunonabi]

I watch a new series every now and then to be honest. I really want to give new series a chance and sometimes do. But it's a personal thing too as I went to art school to study 2D animation abd media art years ago. The Western and Eastern animators and students were sonething else. We had drawing tablets already becoming common and the warning from A.I.S. that 3D would take over animation in a few years as well as 2D hand drawn to be taken away from paper and put in the drawing tablet. I grew up with tradional animation both in anime and from the West. I think it wasn't until about 2007 that I noticed it was pretty much gone.

Like I said, we were spoiled with so many years of hand drawn animation that most didn't really care when it was gone.

I remember seeing the trailer for the 3D Lupin movie a few years ago and wondering why they didn't just use digital ink. Why did they make a great character look like a 6th gen video game rendering?

Could have been worse...

 

[ranmafan]

I watch a new series every now and then to be honest. I really want to give new series a chance and sometimes do. But it's a personal thing too as I went to art school to study 2D animation abd media art years ago. The Western and Eastern animators and students were sonething else. We had drawing tablets already becoming common and the warning from A.I.S. that 3D would take over animation in a few years as well as 2D hand drawn to be taken away from paper and put in the drawing tablet. I grew up with tradional animation both in anime and from the West. I think it wasn't until about 2007 that I noticed it was pretty much gone.

Like I said, we were spoiled with so many years of hand drawn animation that most didn't really care when it was gone.

I remember seeing the trailer for the 3D Lupin movie a few years ago and wondering why they didn't just use digital ink. Why did they make a great character look like a 6th gen video game rendering?

Yeah I remember watching how Sakae san slowly became the last show to be on pen and paper and then eventually it too made the change. I will say things have gotten better from the beginnings of 2d digital (things like Gundam seed for example and how it looked make me cringe, well that and it’s terrible story and cast). I watch things from time to time, but yeah that classic look still draws me in the most. Always was amazed what could be done on pen and paper. I was like the guy in Otaku No Video being introduced to how amazing animation was. As for 3D animation, especially with anime, it’s something that I don’t ever want to become the norm like it has in the west.

Also just to get one more thing out, retro anime titles were so much better. Short interesting titles for any series. Now a days you get stuff named like “is it rude for My junior high school girlfriend’s younger sister to turn into a toaster while playing in a vr dungeon with my mom.” It’s too silly.

 

[Happosai]

Could have been worse...

What did they do? It neither resembles Cat's Eye or Lupin... It looks like a Korean working of Lupin. I guess Amazon original should have been the warning. Is this TBA or already airing? Did you watch it?

Yeah I remember watching how Sakae san slowly became the last show to be on pen and paper and then eventually it too made the change. I will say things have gotten better from the beginnings of 2d digital (things like Gundam seed for example and how it looked make me cringe, well that and it’s terrible story and cast). I watch things from time to time, but yeah that classic look still draws me in the most. Always was amazed what could be done on pen and paper. I was like the guy in Otaku No Video being introduced to how amazing animation was. As for 3D animation, especially with anime, it’s something that I don’t ever want to become the norm like it has in the west.

Also just to get one more thing out, retro anime titles were so much better. Short interesting titles for any series. Now a days you get stuff named like “is it rude for My junior high school girlfriend’s younger sister to turn into a toaster while playing in a vr dungeon with my mom.” It’s too silly.

I think I first noticed it with TMS (as I tend to still watch TMS' series even today). Albeit a pretty bad anime (in terms of story and quality), I saw the traditional in about 1999 in particular with Monster Farm or Excel Saga. Again, they weren't great anime titles and there was some cel usage in production of those shows. However, later episodes seemed to use CG quite frequently and the backgrounds clearly became airbrushed.

Sakae was a renegade production. They were still on cels until about 2011 I think? They lasted longer than Miyazaki. Miyazaki (although this may just be a Mandella memory) stated in an interview that he'd never transition to digital animation. It appears that his productions from 2003 onward are relatively high production digital. However, Miyazaki's team still manages to make it look great...digital or otherwise. There's this photo that's floating around from Neon Genesis Evangelion of Misato from the original TV run and digital on the left.

The amount of detail in cel shading, texture, lighting and overall detail seems to disappear with most digital productions. Anyway, it's here to stay and I have no problem with that. It'd be a much more difficult world if anime had just ceased at the end of the cel drawn era and we ended up with just manga. As much as I appreciate a great manga...I've always been intrigued by animation.

Another one which has confused me which started with the overall art-style change is why a young girl's character artist draws the faces the same as they would for a 30-year old woman? Never really understood that either.
I think you can see that when you look at Remy and characters from

Maybe it's just me but Remy in Goshogun (Time Etranger) is supposed to be the same age as the characters in Dolls' Frontline.

Anyway, I'm well aware of the run-off sentence titles too. I wonder how that goes over in Japanese.

I'll state this again too -- I like modern titles the same but I never understood 'the need' to transition traditional to digital. I get why they did it but I don't understand where the demand was? Especially Flash animation. I mean, I've seen some digital artists who are really great artists but typical flash animation (no offense) reminds me of the way South Park was animated...like moving digital paper cut-outs (although, I'll give it to them for animating the pilot using actual cut-outs...).

 

[kunonabi]

Lupin special should be next year. It's pink jacket and cats eye so I'll definitely be checking it out despite the visuals.

 

[Labolas]

Another one which has confused me which started with the overall art-style change is why a young girl's character artist draws the faces the same as they would for a 30-year old woman? Never really understood that either.
I think you can see that when you look at Remy and characters from

Maybe it's just me but Remy in Goshogun (Time Etranger) is supposed to be the same age as the characters in Dolls' Frontline.

Anyway, I'm well aware of the run-off sentence titles too. I wonder how that goes over in Japanese.

I'll state this again too -- I like modern titles the same but I never understood 'the need' to transition traditional to digital. I get why they did it but I don't understand where the demand was? Especially Flash animation. I mean, I've seen some digital artists who are really great artists but typical flash animation (no offense) reminds me of the way South Park was animated...like moving digital paper cut-outs (although, I'll give it to them for animating the pilot using actual cut-outs...).

Man, that is one huge drawback I have with modern anime. Gone are the days of characters from series like Bubblegum Crisis, Gunbuster, Slayers, Read or Die, Burn Up, Dirty Pair, Fam and Ihrie, Project A-Ko, and Gall Force. Hell, you barely get it in manga nowadays.

I do miss when female characters more look like this:

Hell even the 2040 versions are great:

To:

A lot of these characters were badasses in their own right:

I would take a lot of the females characters and female centric series over a lot of modern anime we get nowadays.

 

[GymWolf]

Boy i'm rewatching hunter x hunter 2011 and komugi\meruem must be the best and saddest love story in shonen history...

 

[Happosai]

Man, that is one huge drawback I have with modern anime. Gone are the days of characters from series like Bubblegum Crisis, Gunbuster, Slayers, Read or Die, Burn Up, Dirty Pair, Fam and Ihrie, Project A-Ko, and Gall Force. Hell, you barely get it in manga nowadays.

I do miss when female characters more look like this:

Hell even the 2040 versions are great:

To:

A lot of these characters were badasses in their own right:

I would take a lot of the females characters and female centric series over a lot of modern anime we get nowadays.

Character design for most characters in general was better. Not sure why you don't see many muscle clad types in newer anime series or evil characters who actually seemed evil. The Kenshiros, Takis, Goglos, or Parns...seems like that male character type has been replaced by something beta male. That trope was hard to watch in retro anime too. The guy who had a couple girls attracted to him and is scared to death. That probably hasn't changed much.

Anyway regarding the female design...they looked like women...not children in adult bodies. kunonabi may remember the Ranma 1/2 OVA where a sub teacher transforms to an adult by absorbing the aura of those around her. Had that OVA been animated today, they'd only need to animated the body.

Boy i'm rewatching hunter x hunter 2011 and komugi\meruem must be the best and saddest love story in shonen history...

It's a great one. Did you get a chance to see the 1999 Hunter x Hunter?

 

[GymWolf]

Character design for most characters in general was better. Not sure why you don't see many muscle clad types in newer anime series or evil characters who actually seemed evil. The Kenshiros, Takis, Goglos, or Parns...seems like that male character type has been replaced by something beta male. That trope was hard to watch in retro anime too. The guy who had a couple girls attracted to him and is scared to death. That probably hasn't changed much.

Anyway regarding the female design...they looked like women...not children in adult bodies. kunonabi may remember the Ranma 1/2 OVA where a sub teacher transforms to an adult by absorbing the aura of those around her. Had that OVA been animated today, they'd only need to animated the body.

It's a great one. Did you get a chance to see the 1999 Hunter x Hunter?

No, only the 2011 version.

That scene was gut-wretching and i can't stop thinking about it...the voice actors did a great job.

 

[Doom85]

Not sure why you don't see many muscle clad types in newer anime series or evil characters who actually seemed evil.

Some modern examples:

Spoiler

Couldn‘t find a better shot, but Denji from Chainsaw Man has some decent muscles on him (which is honestly baffling given he was nearly starving every day when the series begins).

And then Dorohedoro had a bunch of muscular characters. Also reading Golden Kamuy right now where the mangaka is all but screaming, “I really like muscular dudes, okay?!”

As for evil looking characters (I assume you meant design, for evil characters who act evil, Geezus, I could list characters all day), I assume you have not read Promised Neverland.

And bringing it back to Chainsaw Man, I won’t post pictures as it will be a while before the anime gets to this point but it’s in Vol. 8 IIRC (so this will be adapted in the second batch of 12 episodes of the anime) where things get downright Lovecraftian in tone. When a supporting character who never showed any fear suddenly screams at her superior to kill her rather than face what she knows is approaching them, you know shit is about to get fucked up, and OH BOY. I can’t wait to watch reactions to anime-first people seeing that episode.

 

[Labolas]

Some modern examples:

Spoiler

Couldn‘t find a better shot, but Denji from Chainsaw Man has some decent muscles on him (which is honestly baffling given he was nearly starving every day when the series begins).

And then Dorohedoro had a bunch of muscular characters. Also reading Golden Kamuy right now where the mangaka is all but screaming, “I really like muscular dudes, okay?!”

As for evil looking characters (I assume you meant design, for evil characters who act evil, Geezus, I could list characters all day), I assume you have not read Promised Neverland.

And bringing it back to Chainsaw Man, I won’t post pictures as it will be a while before the anime gets to this point but it’s in Vol. 8 IIRC (so this will be adapted in the second batch of 12 episodes of the anime) where things get downright Lovecraftian in tone. When a supporting character who never showed any fear suddenly screams at her superior to kill her rather than face what she knows is approaching them, you know shit is about to get fucked up, and OH BOY. I can’t wait to watch reactions to anime-first people seeing that episode.

Well, tbf those examples are of shonen anime with a lot of those characters being supporting roles (Golden Kamuy is a good example from what I've seen). I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, Happosai means more in the masculine leading roles. There's really no denying that there is a shift towards less main characters looking like Guts and Kenshiro. I wouldn't necessarily say a character like Denji is a complete bad ass in the same way that Kenshiro is. In fact Denji is a kind of simp in a lot of ways. Denji does have his moments though.

 

[Doom85]

In fact Denji is a kind of simp in a lot of ways.

To be fair

Spoiler

Denji is being manipulated by a character who kind of excels at manipulation. And given he came from basically nothing due to being essentially homeless, it makes sense he would have trouble restraining himself around the first person ever in his life who appeared to offer him kindness.

As for the other masculine examples, I mean if they’re part of the main duo/trio/etc., I think that should be close enough. Inosuke from Demon Slayer and Rak (the lizard-like guy) from Tower of God are definitely more than supporting characters. And it wouldn’t make sense for anyone besides Brawler (the dude with the dreads) from Akudama Drive to be that muscular as each member of the team is chosen for a specific speciality they excel in (hacking, medical, serial killing, LOL, yes this anime has some fucked up leads) so having another muscular person on the team would diminish his unique speciality he brings.

 

[Labolas]

To be fair

Spoiler

Denji is being manipulated by a character who kind of excels at manipulation. And given he came from basically nothing due to being essentially homeless, it makes sense he would have trouble restraining himself around the first person ever in his life who appeared to offer him kindness.

As for the other masculine examples, I mean if they’re part of the main duo/trio/etc., I think that should be close enough. Inosuke from Demon Slayer and Rak (the lizard-like guy) from Tower of God are definitely more than supporting characters. And it wouldn’t make sense for anyone besides Brawler (the dude with the dreads) from Akudama Drive to be that muscular as each member of the team is chosen for a specific speciality they excel in (hacking, medical, serial killing, LOL, yes this anime has some fucked up leads) so having another muscular person on the team would diminish his unique speciality he brings.

Also

Spoiler

yea, Makima is essentially a god of manipulation but other characters manipulated Denji ie the bureau and the bomb devil as well.

And I wouldn't considering those characters as main characters or on the same level as main characters either because they aren't meant to drive the plot forward as much as the actual main character/s and we aren't follow their story as much as the mc. Klll them off and the story will relatively remain the same. I love Yu Yu Hakusho but Yusuke is the main lead. Hiei, Kurama, and Kuwabara can be considered supporting characters. They do have a bigger role than a lot of characters but it isn't so much their journey as it is Urameshi's imo.

But I do agree with the idea that there's a duo/trio that can share equal time with a main lead.

 

[Doom85]

Also

Spoiler

yea, Makima is essentially a god of manipulation but other characters manipulated Denji ie the bureau and the bomb devil as well.

And I wouldn't considering those characters as main characters or on the same level as main characters either because they aren't meant to drive the plot forward as much as the actual main character/s and we aren't follow their story as much as the mc. Klll them off and the story will relatively remain the same. I love Yu Yu Hakusho but Yusuke is the main lead. Hiei, Kurama, and Kuwabara can be considered supporting characters. They do have a bigger role than a lot of characters but it isn't so much their journey as it is Urameshi's imo.

But I do agree with the idea that there's a duo/trio that can share equal time with a main lead.

I guess it depends on one‘s use of the word. For example in Naruto, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi would be main characters (at least for Part 1) to me while the genin and their senseis of the other three teams would be supporting characters to me.

 

[Labolas]

I guess it depends on one‘s use of the word. For example in Naruto, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi would be main characters (at least for Part 1) to me while the genin and their senseis of the other three teams would be supporting characters to me.

Fair enough, I would say I meant strictly main character roles ie Naruto, if there was any confusion.

 

[Happosai]

Labolas correct on the masculine characters. One thing I don't want to happen with this thread is to ever lean too much on which is better. I know it's come up in older threads long before I joined where people would battle in posts about modern vs. older anime. I do like it when we can discuss how the differences have affected quality in both ways.

But I'll GIF my way on the point that you're not likely going to see anime today with male characters like this...

Doom85

Regarding the comment on the Ranma OVA where Miss Hinako transforms. I doubt the 'little girl' face would change with the modern trends if they tried this today. That's one I can't explain at all...why are modern anime women drawn with the faces of young girls.

Miss Hanako before transformation

and...

Miss Hinako after...she's drawn as a woman

I'm nitpicky though and in some ways biased as I grew up with the anime as shown above. However, I'll state as I have before, I'm happy with the new design and animation of anime characters in most Japanese games of the current gen. Particularly in JRPGs.

 

[Happosai]

No, only the 2011 version.

That scene was gut-wretching and i can't stop thinking about it...the voice actors did a great job.

Check out the 99 version too. There are great reviews on both.

If you're referring to the transformation scene, there's one in the above post. I had to dig it up as I felt it's a fairly good example of how modern anime artists should think that drawn 'cute' women does meaning having to drawn them like girls.

 

[GymWolf]

Check out the 99 version too. There are great reviews on both.

If you're referring to the transformation scene, there's one in the above post. I had to dig it up as I felt it's a fairly good example of how modern anime artists should think that drawn 'cute' women does meaning having to drawn them like girls.

No i'm referring to ep 135 where

Spoiler

the king dies but he stay with komugi in the last moments of his life and they both died together.

 

[Happosai]

No i'm referring to ep 135 where

Spoiler

the king dies but he stay with komugi in the last moments of his life and they both died together.

I think more writers should have ended anime like that. Remember GoShogun the TV series? It was marketed as Macron-1 in the West with a terrible dubbed rewrite of the intro. Well...when the series ended, the creators decided to make movie. GoShogun: Time Etranger and what a movie. And in the end...

Can't say because the bloody spoiler tag ain't wotking

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Wings Of Honneamise https://a.co/d/6DFdX62

that price though.

 

[kunonabi]

Wings Of Honneamise https://a.co/d/6DFdX62

that price though.

Yeah, certainly a shock to the system. One of these days I'll actually be able to turn these kinds of purchases down. That day is not today though, lol.

 

[ranmafan]

Wings Of Honneamise https://a.co/d/6DFdX62

that price though.

Wow that’s insane even compared to Japan’s prices these days, in general and for Honneamise in particular when compared to the list price especially. Although granted with exchange rates it’s a bit close but still a ridiculous high price for today. I would love to get it but it’s hard to justify paying ¥11000 right now on just one movie.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

I remember seeing ads for Honneamaise on old Manga DVDs and VHS tapes.

 

[Happosai]

Wings Of Honneamise https://a.co/d/6DFdX62

that price though.

That's really weird. The release you posted with the inflated price is the Section 23 release. Not sure why that fell out of print if it had not been in print with them that long.

Yeah, certainly a shock to the system. One of these days I'll actually be able to turn these kinds of purchases down. That day is not today though, lol.

Well, you still can buy it. Depends if you're willing to watch the Manga Entertainment version or not. I see it still available here. The blu-ray is pretty high though.

Wow that’s insane even compared to Japan’s prices these days, in general and for Honneamise in particular when compared to the list price especially. Although granted with exchange rates it’s a bit close but still a ridiculous high price for today. I would love to get it but it’s hard to justify paying ¥11000 right now on just one movie.

It's high priced but you should see the price on some of Pioneer's old titles (U.S. releases). I bought everything I needed from them in 2012 (which seemed to be the year everything started to go past oop and highly inflated).

I remember seeing ads for Honneamaise on old Manga DVDs and VHS tapes.

I remember seeing the ads in an old anime forum back in the early 2000's. No one could pronounce the name. I think the funniest one I heard was 'the wings of honey mayonnaise.'

The trailer too for measure...

 

[kunonabi]

That's really weird. The release you posted with the inflated price is the Section 23 release. Not sure why that fell out of print if it had not been in print with them that long.

Well, you still can buy it. Depends if you're willing to watch the Manga Entertainment version or not. I see it still available here. The blu-ray is pretty high though.

It's high priced but you should see the price on some of Pioneer's old titles (U.S. releases). I bought everything I needed from them in 2012 (which seemed to be the year everything started to go past oop and highly inflated).

I remember seeing the ads in an old anime forum back in the early 2000's. No one could pronounce the name. I think the funniest one I heard was 'the wings of honey mayonnaise.'

The trailer too for measure...

I have the old blu-ray but I'm a sucker for a good 4k release. Hopefully, they actually do a good job with this one.

 

[JunkerWoland]

For people surprised by the price on Amazon for that forthcoming Honneamise release, the listing is for the new 4K version of the film. Also, while Section23 is handling the North American distribution, the product is a direct import of the Japanese set; the main feature will have English subtitles and the existing English dub, but we still aren't sure, whether any of the extra content will be English-friendly (my guess is it won't).

You can view a more detailed product listing at Sentai's website: Link.

 

[ranmafan]

It's high priced but you should see the price on some of Pioneer's old titles (U.S. releases). I bought everything I needed from them in 2012 (which seemed to be the year everything started to go past oop and highly inflated).

Oh yeah I’ve seen some of those prices. And I still remember the good old days of 1 episode video tapes for prices that adjusted for inflation makes it all look even worse than it already was.

That reminds me I have all the old right stuf catalogs from like 1994 - 1998 or so in storage back at my parents home in the us. Wish I had those right now. Those were so fun to read though. So much nostalgia and history in those catalogs.

 

[Happosai]

Oh yeah I’ve seen some of those prices. And I still remember the good old days of 1 episode video tapes for prices that adjusted for inflation makes it all look even worse than it already was.

That reminds me I have all the old right stuf catalogs from like 1994 - 1998 or so in storage back at my parents home in the us. Wish I had those right now. Those were so fun to read though. So much nostalgia and history in those catalogs.

If you still have the magazines and can request they be sent to you, I'd encourage you to publish some of that. I doubt any of those old catalogs have been archived online.

It's been discussed many times the frustration of purchasing in the days of VHS. It was expensive. The worst part being that by the time I got into anime in the mid-90's, VHS' already had over 15-years as a commercial product and there was no justifying those prices. I'm sure someone has a more detailed explanation of the price range was $19.99 for an individual English dub and $29.99 for an individual English subbed tape. I recall the only two series I owned during that time were those I could afford because they were discounted were El Hazard: The Wanderers and Maze the Mega Burst Space. I really leaned more on OVAs and movies as for an individual release -- I felt I could get my money's worth. I recall see Martian Successor Nadesico in Sam Goody for $199 in a large VHS boxed set. Then again, nothing was lower than retail in Sam Goody.

Anyway, special of videos...we haven't had much discussion around Video Girl Ai. Who's watched it and what were your thoughts.

(warning: audio wasn't mixed well when this trailer was ripped and uploaded)

 

[kunonabi]

I've always known of video girl ai but I don't think I've actually seen it.

 

[Happosai]

I've always known of video girl ai but I don't think I've actually seen it.

Video Girl Ai was one I put off for years but it was worth waiting for. It's not too long like most OVAs and follows pretty close with most of where the artist wanted it to go. Someone else in the thread can probably tell you where production credits had like members to those who'd worked on DNA² or 3 X 3 Eyes.

To fit it into a genre I'd call it a dramady. Humor isn't over the top as I know they really want you to get pulled into the 3 lead characters' arcs. Not sure if I'd call it shoujo either as I imagine the original target included adolescent males alike. The finale is pretty intense as well. If all else fails and it doesn't get a newer physical release anytime soon...I'd recommend checking it out on YouTube.