Anime Discussion (2021)

[ChrisIII]

It's kind of a running joke with both women, Yor is a highly dangerous woman and generally caring person (In part because she had to take care of her brother, although he's barely in the movie) but kind of clueless when it comes to social interactions and relationships.

Nightfall is just obsessed as well.

Although the movie did explain a lot in the narration, it kind of left out that part of Yor's backstory and Nightfall.



The City Hunter netflix live-action Japanese movie came out today, getting mixed reviews.

[ChrisIII]

So overall the City Hunter movie was pretty good IMO. It's a bit small universe in that it ties in Kaori's origin (and possibly Ryo's as it's implied) with the main plot.

The story is very much kind of an origin story for the Ryo and Kaori partnership (With of course the bit about her brother/Ryo's partner dying, but a bit different from the anime's approach) their usual chemistry doesn't really start until the very end (The mallet curiously gets an origin story of sorts)

Ryo's characterization is pretty much spot on, but Kaori is somewhat way too serious for most of the movie. Film could've used more comic chemistry with Saeko like in the anime, she mainly just gives him information and little else.



There's no Umibuzo either, although one of the henchman does closely resemble them, although with hair.

The villains are ones that are mostly from the manga and didn't have much to do with the anime, although I'm pretty sure they were in the last movie (Which hasn't had an American release yet).


"Get Wild" is at the ending, it's a new version called continual by the same group TM Network although their vocals are understandably not as strong.

"Footsteps" (song used in many of the action sequences in the anime) actually shows up as an instrumental version with a bit more of a electronic sound during a big action scene.

[ChrisIII]

Watching Frienen: Journey's End.

It's kind of a slow burn. The characters are also kind of very reserved emotionally so far compared to Delicious in Dungeon (another currently running quest anime) which, although it took an episode or two, really got fun IMO. The pacing reminds me a bit more of Vinland Saga season 2, although not quite as gory or detailed. Although Frienen does seem to smile or emote more when she's doing the actual work (apart from early morning stuff...)

[Doctor Know]

Imagine my utter bewilderment to learn that Detective Conan (Case Closed) is still going.

The manga started in 1994 and is currently at 110 volumes and over 1000 chapters.

The anime started in 1996 and is at 1,121 episodes. Eat your heart out, Onepiece.

Add in 27 films, and Detective Conan has an extraordinary 30 year legacy.

I intend to catch up by watching the most recent movie first. The Million Dollar Pentagram.

[batnbreakfast]

Seoul Station- Does it count as anime? I have no idea when it comes to anime and watched it because its a prequel to a certain movie. Is there something similar?

[ChrisIII]

Anime-at least from an American perspective (From a Japanese perspective, the word "Anime" refers to all animation in Japan, not just their own-so say, Hanna Barbera, Looney Tunes, Disney etc would all be "Anime")-is generally Animation produced in Japan for generally a Japanese audience (So animation outsourced to Japan but meant for an American audience-as a lot of American TV animation is-probably doesn't count, just for example).

South Korean animation is generally known as "Aeni" so that's what Seoul station is. A lot of American animation is also outsourced to Korea and even some anime, but that also doesn't count.


On a side note/slightly OT,Although anime certainly can be watched by everyone but naturally the first audience is Japanese audiences although some creators probably do have overseas sales in mind. The revival/continuation of Dragonball, Pokemon in General, Miyazaki directing a ton of films in the early 00's was probably influenced by overseas success. The Gundam HGUC line originally was meant to only update support and enemy suits and leave the Gundams to the other lines; that got broken as soon as Gundam Wing started becoming a success in America.

[Dark Soul # 7]

The anime started in 1996 and is at 1,121 episodes. Eat your heart out, Onepiece.

The One Piece anime started in 1999 and is at 1102 episodes. So just 19 episodes behind with DC having a three year head start. So One Piece is moving a long at a faster rate actually.

I intend to catch up by watching the most recent movie first. The Million Dollar Pentagram.

While the movie is doing really well, and is probably a lot of fun, I don't think it's a good avenue for catching up to the anime. The movies are usually standalone adventures that don't really fit into the main series canon.

[K7P5V]

While the movie is doing really well, and is probably a lot of fun, I don't think it's a good avenue for catching up to the anime. The movies are usually standalone adventures that don't really fit into the main series canon.

For a while, I've heard the same thing about the DBZ movies...

[Gray Lensman]

The One Piece anime started in 1999 and is at 1102 episodes. So just 19 episodes behind with DC having a three year head start. So One Piece is moving a long at a faster rate actually.

While the movie is doing really well, and is probably a lot of fun, I don't think it's a good avenue for catching up to the anime. The movies are usually standalone adventures that don't really fit into the main series canon.

I have to ask how much of each is filler content? One Piece is infamous in some circles for the amount of filler that can't actually develop the story or characters in it without risking contradicting the source material. Not sure about Case Closed.

[Doctor Know]

I have to ask how much of each is filler content? One Piece is infamous in some circles for the amount of filler that can't actually develop the story or characters in it without risking contradicting the source material. Not sure about Case Closed.

Case Closed/Detective Conan is also riddled with filler. Both the manga and anime. If you know the basic premise of the story; just know that Conan is still trying to uncover the identity of the Black Organization that poisoned him, what their motive is and how to reverse the de-aging effects. You know it’s bad when even the director of the anime admits to have run out of ideas around the 800th episode or so. There are only so many murder plots, mysteries and unique crimes they can do spins on and keep things fresh. I think the director of the anime said that the main characters are solving 10 crimes a day at this rate.

The manga author wrote the ending years ago, when his health took a turn. He’s recovered since then. But he doesn’t know how or presumably doesn’t want to end the series.

Onepiece will overtake Conan soon no doubt.

[Dark Soul # 7]

[center]For a while, I've heard the same thing about the DBZ movies...

I mean, that is true. Of the Z movies only the last one, Battle of Gods, can be considered canon. And that one has kinda been supplanted by the anime version of the same story.

I have to ask how much of each is filler content? One Piece is infamous in some circles for the amount of filler that can't actually develop the story or characters in it without risking contradicting the source material. Not sure about Case Closed.

One Piece has a lot of filler arcs, this is true. But the majority of the series is still an adaptation of the canon manga, some of the filler is also just expansions on the manga content for when Oda has to rush the story a bit. So even though there's a lot of filler, the story does still move along pretty consistently.

[ChrisIII]

Is sticking to canon really as important/as big deal in Japan's anime fandom and creative process?

As a Gundam fan it's kind of funny, there's the "Universal Century timeline" but even that's like a bunch of separate continuities:

-The original Gundam series
-The Movie trilogy compilation continuity which makes a few tweaks such as the Core Booster, the order of events, and some of the fates of characters
-The Origin continuity. While the OAV could be continued a loose prequel of sorts to the original series despite things such as the mobile suit development being different, the manga which is a more complete remake changes a lot. The Doan's Island movie also features Sleggar on Earth when he never was in the show, GMs developed earlier etc. Not to mention a few changes to the uniforms such as Bright's
-The Zeta trilogy movie compilation which totally changes the ending, as Kamille doesn't become catatonic and therefore ZZ at least could've been totally different. Probably CCA as well.

The Tenchi continuity is also a bit of a mess too.

[Doctor Know]

Is sticking to canon really as important/as big deal in Japan's anime fandom and creative process?

As a Gundam fan it's kind of funny, there's the "Universal Century timeline" but even that's like a bunch of separate continuities:

-The original Gundam series
-The Movie trilogy compilation continuity which makes a few tweaks such as the Core Booster, the order of events, and some of the fates of characters
-The Origin continuity. While the OAV could be continued a loose prequel of sorts to the original series despite things such as the mobile suit development being different, the manga which is a more complete remake changes a lot. The Doan's Island movie also features Sleggar on Earth when he never was in the show, GMs developed earlier etc. Not to mention a few changes to the uniforms such as Bright's
-The Zeta trilogy movie compilation which totally changes the ending, as Kamille doesn't become catatonic and therefore ZZ at least could've been totally different. Probably CCA as well.

The Tenchi continuity is also a bit of a mess too.

To the Japanese audience, “content” trumps canon. More of a popular thing is better than less. Filler be damned.

Just look at the longest running series.

Gundam - The main series and over a dozen spin-offs/parallel universes.

Pokemon - 10 year old Ash Ketchum has been the protagonist of his series for 25 seasons. Following 8 generations of the game releases. Original Gameboy to Switch.

Dragon Ball - Original, Z, GT, Super, Super Hero. Started in the mid-80s and still going. Periodically vs non-stop.

Naruto - Original, Shippuden, Boruto, II Blue Vortex. Anime for the spin-off is on hiatus due to low engagement with the spin-off. But it’ll be back for sure.

Detective Conan - Manga started in 1994, anime started in 1996, over a thousand episodes and over a thousand manga chapters. The series creator has said the entirety of the story takes place in just one year.

One Piece - Almost identical situation to Detective Conan. Started in the late 90s, over a thousand episodes and over a thousand manga chapters. Has a western Netflix adaptation. Still no end in sight, but I’m sure we are”almost there”.



In Japan, these shows and others are culture milestones. Like how Marvel and DC are to us in the West. Shows like Pokemon, Conan, One Piece get dinged for not altering their formula as the years and decades progress. Other IPs at least try to shake things up or pursue a new arc or obstacle to overcome.

Of course, people in the industry are aware of the limitations of pursuing content over canon. Detective ConanÂ’s manga and anime have been running on fumes and spring wheels since episode 800 range and around the 400 chapter mark in the manga.

With time, engagement and money. We may see several of these series get a more manga accurate adaptation. Like how Full Metal Alchemist had its original series; filled with filler to buy time to allow the manga time to get ahead. Then years later, they released Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood. Which followed the source material better. Same with Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate.

[ChrisIII]

I've been watching a lot of Lupin III lately. It's kind of interesting how Lupin's characterization and content varies between the manga, the Miyazaki directed "Green jacket" Castle of Cagliostro and part of the first series, and the longest-running "Red jacket" series.

Haven't seen Pink Jacket (Part III) or the more recent shows (Part IV-VI, Fujiko Mine, Zero etc.) yet apart from the The First and the Cat's Eye crossover movies.

[K7P5V]

^^^I know, right?! When I began reading the manga version after watching The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), the differences were quite jarring...