Misunderstood Animes

[Heero_Yuy84]

Mobile Suit Gundam (the original series) -- If I had a dollar for every American anime fan I've seen dismiss this show based on its older animation, I'd have given it to them to please be quiet.

I've seen WAY too many people say the likes of Wing and SEED are immediately better just because they're newer...if you get past the dated animation, MSG is actually quite good.

In conclusion:

Newer =/= better.

Thank you.

[Zero]

I'm with you Heero. I feel that the story and feelings of the UC were probably much stronger than any other series, including my personal favorites.

Seriously. While all of the Gundam series contain the same theme (War is HELL!), they do it differently and UC seemed to be much more gripping.

-Zero

[RanChan13]

In all honesty, the only Gundams that were ever worth a damn were 0080 and 0083. The original Gundam set the stage for the dynasty, but it's story was crap, and a bit forced, it was predictable and cheesy, and the animation, even for an older series, was not that great.

[Zero]

0083 sucked. I'm no UC elitist (nor am I awake enough to give you reasons). But basicly it doesn't fit (for a lot of reasons) between MSG and Zeta. Too many problems tech-wise.

-Zero

[Heero_Yuy84]

In all honesty, the only Gundams that were ever worth a damn were 0080 and 0083. The original Gundam set the stage for the dynasty, but it's story was crap, and a bit forced, it was predictable and cheesy, and the animation, even for an older series, was not that great.

A few points:

-How was the story crap? Or forced for that matter?

(I find this ironic for you to say since personally, I felt 0083 got very forced in the second half. By the time they introduced the GP-03, it was like they didn't know what they wanted to do with the story, so they just tried to see how much they could blow up. To say nothing of the lead-in to that point...which was one of the most poorly constructed stories I've ever seen...it had more holes in it then James Caan by the end of The Godfather)

-It's only predictable now because every other freakin' series has done it. This is one of those twists you have to take in context. Much like how, at the time, Darth Vader being Luke Skywalker's father was a serious bombshell...nowadays, it's been exposed so much, it's old hat.

-Of course it was cheezy...look at the stuff that came before it. Tomino wanted to play it seriously, but given most of the mecha in Japan at that point were campy super robots, the man had to make some compromises. Besides, the animation actually improved quite a bit when they released the compilation movies two years later. It's like bitching about classic Star Trek being campy while ignoring the fact it was made in the 1960s. Creators aren't obligated to constantly update their works to seem more contemporary.

-and in regards to animation. I'm curious. How many other titles have you seen from 1979 or earlier? From what others I've seen of the era (Lupin III series 1, Getter Robo, Mazinger Z) MSG had them pretty effortlessly one-upped. (This with all respect for all three titles)
Besides, you need to remember two things:
1. No Gundam had existed by that point, so Tomino didn't exactly get a heavy-duty budget to work with. Hell, the show was actually cancelled early and they had to hurry to finish it with the time Bandai let them have
2. You're comparing the animation of an older TV series with no foundation, with two OVAs (which had higher budgets since Gundam had been established as big at the time)...stop and realize how ridiculous this is.

Seriously...before you persecute it, take a step back and look at the context.

[Tainted_Eden]

To add to the Gundamness, I really thought that 8th MS Team was a TERRIFIC, if short, series. It kind of got into what it meant to be a mobile team, rather than a complete overview of politics... 'Least I hope so, been years since I last saw it. *pout*

Uhm, misunderstood Anime... I think people misunderstood Angelic Layer for something entertaining.... I like the manga better, personally. >> No crappy music.

[peaches11]

Cowboy Bebop

Most people I will talk to agree that it is action oriented and has no plot or significant character development.

When really, the action is just some here and there stuff. THe whole show is a piece of art; the music is what ties the enture CB universe together. The character development is the main focus of the plot, there only seems like there is no plot episodes to some people because of the lack of an antagonist staying through most of the episodes. If you look at each episode, there really is no filler; there's always something very relative to the characters typically background wise. Which is probably why most will view it as plotless; because the plot isn't handed out on a platter and isn't really the focus. Brilliant characters, I can't stand it when that or the music and stylings of the seires get put behind the action.

I feel personally that Gundam 08th MS squad is the only good Gundam, at least of all that I've watched. I'm not a big gundam fan, I do remember watching Wing back in the day. It was one of te biggest introducers to anime for me.

[Tofu_Panda]

yeah i thought FLCL was all humor too until i watched all the eps again and now my friends think im strange for saying theres more than just action and comedy. but i can't get anything past thier thick skulls

..hey i said that too..n my friend said i got bonged on the head too hard..

[kenji kun]

It looks like we both have thick skulled imature freinds then

[Bardiel13]

Okay, I agree with a lot of people that Excel Saga is SEVERLY misunderstood, probably because you need to know a lot of Japanese culture, TV shows, anime, and be apart of the JC Staff to actually get most if the in-jokes.

But, I do think that Milk-chan is misunderstood. I think the creators of that show smoked enough weed to make Hidaeki Anno envoius. I mean- ecen Excel Saga had SOMEWHAT of a plot! But, hey, if some people like cheap laughs from [adult swim] cartoons, then they'll fell right at home with The Super Milk-chan Show.