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Saddletank
Miyazaki's Best Friend
Registration Date: 09.28.06
Location: On your case
Posts: 10069 |
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I've watched the first 3 DVDs on this (14 eps) and as it seems to be well liked both on here and generally, having been nominated for a number of awards when it was made I thought it deserved it's own thread.
I thought I had bought the whole series, but it turns out it's 6 DVDs not 3  so I'll have to wait a while before my budget lets me see the second half of the season.
My first impressions were good, it has high production qualities, very good voice acting and the music is lovely. Much of the BG art is so beautiful it could stand as paintings in their own right, Miyazaki films came to mind when I saw them. I thought the directing was so-so, nothing clever or eye catching. I enjoyed the first two episodes then went through a period of a few more where I wasn't sure I liked it or not. I'm a fan of a story arc myself and episodic anime isn't for me. I tried to like Kino's Journey and really really struggled to watch that given the episodic content and that it made it's point within the first 4 episodes.
I was afraid Mushi-shi might turn out like that but once I got to the episode about the rainbow-chaser I really sat up and took notice, mostly because some of the ideas in use here are ones I've been using in the RPG which was both a nice and slightly annoying discovery 
But I love the old-Japan setting, the natural environments, the simple way of life depicted and the simple unpretentious people, the concept of a species of creature that are neither animal nor plant but have the characteristics of both, plus a more spiritual presence is a great story idea.
I just like the whole feel of the thing, it's slow pace, the unassuming gentle lead character.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
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Post last edited by Saddletank on 06.02.2008, 06:49 AM.
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 06.02.2008, 06:48 AM |
   
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T.C.
Totoro
Registration Date: 08.28.07
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 709 |
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Indeed! very good, sir!
I agree that Mushishi can leave you doubting at certain points, but then it pulls you in again making the good bits even better. I find myself clinging on for the episodes that give me more about Ginko. he's an excellently constructed character i think.
My only complaint is that the series is perhaps a little to long sometimes re-hashing similar ideas. once i buy the rest of the series, which hasnt been released here yet, i look foward to watching it again.
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| 06.02.2008, 08:18 AM |
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Saddletank
Miyazaki's Best Friend
Registration Date: 09.28.06
Location: On your case
Posts: 10069 |
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Yes, that is it's one weakness, you could tell this story in a 90 minute OVA, no need for 26 episodes. I think 13 episodes would be enough. Even though each episode is quite different and the problem solving Ginko does is different in many ways you are left with a slight feeling of, yeah, I saw all this 2 or 3 episodes agao, you made your point.
But yes, Ginko is marvellous, one of those nicely written characters that for a long time is an engima and you wonder why he's always smoking that cheroot (which never gets shorter, always has exactly the same bend in it and which you never ever see him light or put out ) His modern clothing is interesting too. I sit there thinking "why?, why are you dressed that way?"
The episode that covered his childhood and why he does what he does was one of the stronger ones because it was different to the others.
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Isakaya High School Roleplaying Info
"An old man like me stands no chance fighting against a high school girl in her underwear" - Oshino Meme, Nekomonogatari (Kuro)
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| 06.02.2008, 09:46 AM |
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Roarkiller
Your Daddy-O
Registration Date: 06.03.03
Location: Home, resting...
Posts: 6077 |
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Mushishi is more of an episodic anime than one with a real story. The focus is on these mushi beings and Ginko, the man who studies them, rather than about Ginko himself.
Think of it as National Geographic of the supernatural with a dash of drama.
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| 06.02.2008, 10:20 AM |
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Miyrru
Graphic Designer
Registration Date: 08.16.06
Location: Freezing cold Northern Ontario
Posts: 7178 |
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I loved the show.
The episodic nature was the first series that Ive seen of it so it was a nice change of pace. I was a little wary of an endless rotating cast of characters and problems, but I liked the show to something like House MD. Now before im too far off, its like there is a puzzle in each episode and Ginko does what he can to figure out and heal the situation. Its a good anime to watch on autopilot and not worry about delving too deep into it. It was relaxing, there were maybe 10 episodes that stood out beyond the rest and those were really really good with the rest of them being solid. To me its an instant classic and occupies a spot in my top 5 of all time.
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The truth had to be seen. Anything else was a story, entertaining but more embroidered fib then crude, shapeless fact. ~Dave Eggers
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| 06.02.2008, 06:52 PM |
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T.C.
Totoro
Registration Date: 08.28.07
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 709 |
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it is a classic! i think it should be recommended to all anime viewers as a must see. it slots in nicely between Bebop and NGE as far as im concerned.
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| 06.05.2008, 11:44 AM |
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Seiji
Totoro
Registration Date: 07.29.06
Location: USA
Posts: 968 |
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I didn't have the interest to finish it personally. made it about half way through the episode where a guy and a girl were running away to avoid her marriage. Don't know which one that is numerically.
The series is such high quality all the way through, and each individual episode deserves much praise, but all together it just seems like a lot of the same.
Want to love it, since it's all so beautiful, just can't find the interest...
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| 06.06.2008, 03:24 PM |
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T.C.
Totoro
Registration Date: 08.28.07
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 709 |
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i could see why some wouldnt like it.. but i think most people can enjoy it alot if they have the patience for it.. not that your impatient, seiji. i guess it just comes down to how much you see in it.
i actually just bought the series the other day and hope to start watching it for the second time soon, as i am now on holidays! 
Post last edited by T.C. on 06.13.2008, 04:12 AM.
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| 06.13.2008, 04:12 AM |
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Saddletank
Miyazaki's Best Friend
Registration Date: 09.28.06
Location: On your case
Posts: 10069 |
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I too began to have the same feelings as Seiji, wonderfully made but essentially boring after about half the episodes because it's repetitive. I've bought the first 3 DVDs and plan to buy the others - but have no great compulsion to right now.
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| 06.13.2008, 05:07 AM |
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fizzy
Kodama
Registration Date: 05.04.06
Location: AUS
Posts: 42 |
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The Raindrops and Rainbows episode is what hooked me too. I've never felt bored once watching this series, although I understand that some may call it sleep inducing. Most of my favorite episodes come from the second half (17 and 21) of the series so keep on sticking with it. It's a lovely show; simply beautiful.
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| 06.14.2008, 08:46 AM |
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Roarkiller
Your Daddy-O
Registration Date: 06.03.03
Location: Home, resting...
Posts: 6077 |
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You know, if slice-of-life if your kind of anime, I highly recommend the Aria series, total three seasons. It has a running storyline, at least, if only vaguely.
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quote:
Originally posted by fenkashi
Screw your opinions, they are not relevant ^^.
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| 06.14.2008, 10:49 AM |
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fenkashi
Dibs on Supreme Overlord
Registration Date: 08.12.07
Location: Canada
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You like Aria? Really? I dunno...I could never get past 3 or 4 episodes of that show, much less 3 seasons.
I did like Mushi-shi a lot though. I was pretty sure I'd get bored, but I didn't. Maybe it had to do with when I was watching it...? Meh, it was good.
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| 06.14.2008, 07:16 PM |
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Miyrru
Graphic Designer
Registration Date: 08.16.06
Location: Freezing cold Northern Ontario
Posts: 7178 |
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I found Mushshi to be the best at about midnight- 1am watching 3 eps and going to bed. Its just nice. There isnt any serious commitment to the plot or characters, you can just watch and enjoy a little mini story and move on. I found that to be quite enticing. Its still in my top 5 series of all time so far.
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The truth had to be seen. Anything else was a story, entertaining but more embroidered fib then crude, shapeless fact. ~Dave Eggers
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| 06.14.2008, 07:18 PM |
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Roarkiller
Your Daddy-O
Registration Date: 06.03.03
Location: Home, resting...
Posts: 6077 |
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quote:
Originally posted by fenkashi
You like Aria? Really? I dunno...I could never get past 3 or 4 episodes of that show, much less 3 seasons.
Like it? You kidding? I LOVE it.
Apart from the standard gushings about how beautiful the background art is, it's like a story set in Utopia, literally. Everything is just so sweet and innocent, and although I do get gripes when things start to cross the mushyness lines, that's just Akari being Akari 
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I am me.
I am who I am.
I am Roarkiller.
No one else is me.
Roarkiller.net
Isakaya High RPG Site
quote:
Originally posted by fenkashi
Screw your opinions, they are not relevant ^^.
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| 06.15.2008, 03:41 AM |
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twirble
Kodama
Registration Date: 05.15.08
Location:
Posts: 37 |
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It is a very slow moving series, very meditative and beautiful with a sensuous, dreamy feel to it that holds your interest.
It's one of those series that really makes you feel good afterwards.
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| 06.25.2008, 10:23 PM |
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