[Kiryu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpsilonX

I don't know what to watch now after finishing Code Geass...

Well Valvrave is sorta code geassy if you need.

[Dr Kain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpsilonX

I don't know what to watch now after finishing Code Geass...

Gankutsuou.

[KR Blade King Form]

Gurren Lagann.

[Dr Kain]

As I continue my rewatch and reread of Yu-Gi-Oh!, it is time to discuss the differences between the manga and anime versions of both Dungeon Dice Monsters and Battle City.

It is amazing at how little of the story was adapted into the anime for Otogi and DDM. I really prefer the way the manga did it as it made Otogi feel more like a tragic character rather than just a spiteful spoiled brat. Not only that, but we never actually found out who the dude Otogi was with in the anime since it was clearly not his father. Another thing I did not like the anime was the additional of Duel Monsters monsters included in the game. Sure, it made sense since Pegasus put his touch in the game, but how did he manage to pass that by without Otogi's knowledge? And how did Yugi just happen to know it was a Black Magician? There are just too many things that do not make sense in the anime version.

Oddly enough, they decided to take the concept of the black room in Otogi's store and combine it with the main story of the anime, but with a brainwashed Bandit Keith and in a warehouse. That just seems so random and awkward. Plus, what was the point of even bothering with Bandit Keith when he did absolutely nothing in the first place?

Battle City itself is quite great in both versions, but I do prefer the speedier duels in the manga. I do feel like the duels between Yugi/Kaiba/Dark Mask/Light Mask and Yugi/Jounouchi are an episode too long, but they are still good. My favorite duel goes to the one against Pandora as it is enjoyable in both formats. I do prefer Kaiba dropping the key in the water to Jounouchi over Shizuka jumping in to save him is just funnier. Oh yeah, and I also prefer Kaiba's line after throwing BEWD at the Ghouls dude's hand in the manga, as he says something like, "Damn, your blood got onto my card." They really should have had him say that in the anime.

Now one thing I do like done better in the anime is the duel between Bakura and Ghost. That duel itself is just really cool and great to watch. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the Jean Claude Magnum episode, as it not only sucks, but is boring as crap.

Sadly, there are a few things that just do not make much sense in the anime version for me. First off, Jounouchi knows in the battle against the Exodia Deck dude that he needs to tribute summon level 5+ monsters. Suddenly, he does not know that in the duel with Esper Roba. Secondly, time is just weird. In the manga Battle City takes place two days after Kaiba announces it. However, in the anime, he says it will be one week from his announcement, but when Yugi and Jounouchi go to get their duel disks, Yugi says the tournament is tomorrow and that it was announced yesterday. Also, the anime seems to imply that Battle City is a two day event as everything seems to be the next day at the beginning of the episode when Jounouchi goes to duel Insector Haga instead of a single day one.

There are other things I could nitpick about, but those are the ones that really stuck in my mind throughout the entire thing because they just don't work well for me. The same goes for the ability to watch the duels on the internet, but whatever. Overall, once again I definitely feel the manga is superior, but the duels are enjoyable in both versions and the main purpose of the story remains the same.

So what are your thoughts on this arc between the anime and manga? Do you prefer one over the other?

[Powerman293]

Zeta Gundam 31 and 32

SOOOOO MUUCCCH AGNST. Watching Kamille interact with Sarah was just painful, not because it was bad, but that the angst levels that are normal for Zeta were off the charts. Oh and Sarah isn't a cyber newtype.

Kamille was quite heroic in episode 31. He got the information out of the enemy, tried to save the people and warned them of the impending danger. granted, in between all of those heroic moments were still Kamille's austistic teenage angst, but its been better.

I was fine with the kids getting killed until they revealed that they were actually still alive. I fucking hate those shitty kids.

Episode 32 actually focused on an adult relationship for once, that being between Recocca and Quattro. I can she why she's falling for him, the hair and Quattro is a very masculine man. And we learn Recocca is willing to risk herself to save Kamille. Sirocco is still a creep who thinks he knows everything.

Oh and pink mobile suits appear out of nowhere.

[Kiryu]

Man I know the new season of Vanguard is only six episodes in but…this entire season just seems like Yaoi bait. It's kinda ridiculous how they all talk about him like he's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I can already see the plot twist coming a mile away...

[Powerman293]

Zeta Gundam 33

Axis time! And Quattro fucked up relations with Neo-Zeon because he doesn't like his kid sister being made the leader. And for Haman Karn to be manipulating her. It really adds a lot to Char's character about what he thinks is best for others close to him.

I found it really weird that Kamille was wearing an old school Zeon suit while piloting the Zeta.

So this episode finally moves the stroy along by telling us that the Titans and Neo-Zeon have joined forces. Damn, I'm scared.

8th MS team episodes 5 and 6

Eledore got some pretty good focus in episode 5. Although the whole singer thing was really confusing. He says that he can't die because he wants to get his song popular implying that he's gonna finish it once he's done with his tour, yet in the next episode, its playing and was already made despite him not leaving.

Episode 6 was a Michel focus episode. I really don't like how whiny Michel is when he has to take the brunt of the communications work, considering he did jack shit when Eledore was there. I love how Kiki also got some development, as she has a crush on the commander, yet is still childish with things like reading Michel's letter. I like the change of scenery too. the desert atmosphere allows for more awesome assault battles unlike the quick and stealthy jungle battle. Oh and Shiro and Anina find out that they are in the other mobile suit they've been fighting.

[Dr Kain]

I watched the Battle Ship episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! today (episodes 82-97) and they are great, but compared to the manga, they are a mixed bag. I kind of prefer the Bakura duel in the anime since I just love the deck Bakura uses, but the Mai/Malik duel is pretty bad. It isn't bad because it is a terrible duel, but it is so dumbed down compared to the manga. And I mean really dumbed down. I don't even get some of the things altered between the manga and the anime as there was nothing wrong with the way it was done in the manga. The Jonouchi/Rishid duel drags on a little too long in the anime, but I love how Jonouchi claims the duel will be over in 11 turns and it really is in both versions. Another thing I like better in the anime is Malik's transformation into Yami Malik. The music and audio really help make it seem as creepy as it showed be. My favorite duel between the lot though is the one between Kaiba and Isis, which is great in both versions. Unfortunately, the anime stretches out the duel between Malik and Bakura, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with it, some of the things that occur in the duel are pretty pointless. There was no reason to have Bakura get Ra and summon him just for him to die in the anime. It was better with none of that happening as in the manga.

Well, now my read and viewings are going to get massively spread apart as I'm currently in the Jounouchi/Malik duel of the semi-finals for the manga while I am a few episodes into the Noa arc. As such, there is no way in the Dark Realm I am going to be anywhere close to the Pharaoh's Memories arc in the anime when I am reading the manga, even if I read R first.

[guncannon109]

Just watched the FMA Brotherhood movie. All in all, not half bad... but not half good either.

[Locke]

Build Fighters 03.

Sei is really really annoying, and in such an otherwise excellent show that puts way more effort in than you'd really expect, it's so odd having to follow around someone so bland and generic.

Also kinda weirdly bad in an otherwise good series is the dialogue. As soon as Reiji revealed his backstory to Sei he just started making really not as mysterious as he seems to think they are references to who really is to everyone - it got old, and annoying, fast. Meanwhile when he's not doing that we've got a bunch of characters who all speak entirely in exposition, all the time which equally becomes grating very quickly.

The saving grace, unsurprisingly, is definitely the action. Well the action and the incredible soundtrack. Full Package is a gorgeous Gundam but I feel sorry it had to be introduced in the same episode as Fellini as his Gundam is just...damn. That like two second sequence more than achieved it's aim of making me desperately want to see him in action.