Hi there, the Secret Santas got revealed today - I hope you don't mind but thank you so much for the recommendation! I will get on it as soon as my Watching list comes down a bit
Natsume and Elegant Apartment Yokai Life have a similar feel to them - a little scary, a little dark, full of humor and Life and any excuse (for the Yokai) to drink! The Eccentric Family shares some of that, but can veer right off into a higher degree of tension and drama. There is also a bit of relationship stuff going on there as well.
The Eccentric Family is anime at it best - and again, a show that mines the legends and spiritual 'assignment' - or weight, given to animals in Japanese mythology. Things that for us are fantastic beliefs and ideas, are not surprising, and just the way things are - given how that spirit world runs thru Japanese people's seeming everyday lives.
I watched it so long ago - and found it enjoyable, but not a 'Holy Grail' show as many have raved over. Maybe it was the first show for them too?! I plan on re-watching it after I get thru a few other shows.
Oh, also at the top of that 'supernatural' heap is "The eccentric family" which is damn near perfect. In fact I'm not sure I can come up with a negative on it: it's funny, odd, quirky, has spirit-type animals (raccoons) that can change to appear human living among us in modern Kyoto, Japan. It has magic and vanity and ego and love-crushes and terrible sadness, too.
Maybe 'favorite' could be broken down to 'favorite type' of show: Mushishi is my favorite supernatural show of its type. But 'Natsume' and 'Elegant Yokai Apartment' are neck and neck for their type! 'Samurai Seven' has a special place in my heart for alternate future/mecha/samurai.
"High school of the Dead' for ultimate fan service AND weapons accurately depicted! 'Gintama' hands down best irreverent comedy!
If FMA didnt use the funny faces, and perspiration droplet, etc.. it would be one of - if not favorite shows. As it is, it might be the best shounen action show...
No, no, not a long reply by any means - and please don't think you ever need to tailor, edit, shorten replies - I can take it, honestly :-)
First, I want to say that there iis always a very special "bonding" that occurs in our brains - not just our mind - but actual neuropsychological changes due to chemicals released when we are exposed to something for the first time: first kiss, first awesome anime, book, movie, or rock concert.
Whatever that "moment" was, it is will always have a 'special' place in our hearts and minds, and strongly directs our future as well. You don't 'think' you llike FMA, you know that you "love' FMA... (which is perfectly OK!)
This also helps explain why some viewers give better than average scores on certain shows - it 'touched them' in some way...
I did not know you loved FMA when I mentioned the upcoming live-action FMA, back when we first began chatting! For me, FMA and especially 'Brotherhood' are well-rounded, superlative shows - about as perfect as shows can get, and without a doubt Top three in its genre for the World - and me!
Rakugo! Easily my Top three in its genre - A mature, dark and complex story interspersed with comedy....in fact, just like Rakugo stories themselves! It's a story within a story, isn't it?
It is a question that I should have to answer every few years, it's important to help organize the streams of anime that collect over time. But hearing it asked still makes me twinge for a second ;-)
Do I have to have a singular favorite, or can I have favs in every genre I watch? I have watched a 'fair' amount of anime over the years. The more I watch, the MORE favorite 'moments' within shows there are, and other things like "best show for future weapons" or "most poignant" or "awesome Voice Acting" - and the LESS a singular favorite stands out --- for very long, at least!
"Favorite Show" sounds like it would be like "comfort food" - that one meal we ate growing up, that we eat once in a while now, that never fails to deliver...
I don't know if I have that one favorite... What do your friends say? If they do have a favorite, has it been more or less than a year?
I agree that our....OK, I'll call them festivals - but it's *not* the same as in Japan - that pop up around my town are ridiculously shallow and empty, and devoid of any grace. (with the exception of State Fairs, which can be pretty fun)
(BTW, my town is Palm Springs, California - which has some tradition, and a glitzy Hollywood history, but it's just not Japan, is it?)
In all fairness, we don't have festivals tied to religious occasions - we're not burning used chopsticks or old dolls; or lighting lanterns so the dead can find their way; or asking for prosperity on New Years, or asking for children's health, etc..
We got lucky on our last trip there. I'd read about a Flea Market in Kyoto, held at the 1200 year old pagoda at Toji Temple; and we would be in town that day! It has been going on *every* month for over 600 years! A Flea Market! It was an awesome peek into the closets of everyday Japanese, and we scored 3 old hand made, hand painted fans for $5 each...what a fun way to buy a souvenir.
I just cannot wait to go back - my wife and I are discussing what month to go: She would like Springtime/cherry blossoms; I have asked for late Summer to see the BIG Fireworks Festivals and Competitions.... Our previous trips were November - for Fall Leaf colors. In either time, though, I am hoping there will be actual festivals like we see in anime - with the goldfish scooping and all the different foods!
They do a great job of managing to keep their past active and in the present, while keeping an eye out for the future. (it doesn't hurt that the country is surrounded by Buddhism, and sees holy spirits in everything from trees to Foxes ;-)
I think that it is only by being such a stubborn people, that we can hope to see the continuity of their culture continue! In many of the 'Begin Japanology' videos, you'll see 3rd, 4th, or 10th generation artisans, plugging along at their craft, every day for 40 years... Companies that have been making soy sauce, or sake, that have been around for hundreds of years - and who' sole intention is to simply stay in business for the next 200 years; not to make piles and piles of Yen.
OMG, yes, you are right - it is a completely 'alien' culture. But, so are all the Asian countries, so it begs the question: why is Japan talked about so differently?
Japan has the MOST Michelin 3 star restaurants in the World - their attention to detail is at the top of the Asian 'heap' if you will.
Is it the cleanliness, the unparalleled courtesy everywhere you go? As big as Tokyo is - almost 40 million people in in greater Tokyo - the trains all stop around midnight! It is surprisingly quiet at night. It's quiet on buses and subways too - no one talks on phones.
I think that while Asian and European countries also have old buildings and streets, it is Japan that has an intact culture that lives on to today! Women and men still walk around in kimono, yukata, and jinbei! At the Kabuki show, it was stunning and intense seeing so many women wearing VERY expensive kimono, with their little tabi socks and sandals!
So I guess I'm saying is Japan is modern, and ancient - with the old blending seamlessly and enhancing each other.
All Comments (41) Comments
So you're watching Gintama that's great.
Well let me give you an advice.
Just for the information.
The first Episodes and the following first Episodes can be quite average.
I know that it can be for many people. So maybe for you as well.
But it will improve a lot afterwards.
So I hope you will keep on watching Gintama.
also watching anything else recently?
Oh, also at the top of that 'supernatural' heap is "The eccentric family" which is damn near perfect. In fact I'm not sure I can come up with a negative on it: it's funny, odd, quirky, has spirit-type animals (raccoons) that can change to appear human living among us in modern Kyoto, Japan. It has magic and vanity and ego and love-crushes and terrible sadness, too.
"High school of the Dead' for ultimate fan service AND weapons accurately depicted! 'Gintama' hands down best irreverent comedy!
If FMA didnt use the funny faces, and perspiration droplet, etc.. it would be one of - if not favorite shows. As it is, it might be the best shounen action show...
First, I want to say that there iis always a very special "bonding" that occurs in our brains - not just our mind - but actual neuropsychological changes due to chemicals released when we are exposed to something for the first time: first kiss, first awesome anime, book, movie, or rock concert.
Whatever that "moment" was, it is will always have a 'special' place in our hearts and minds, and strongly directs our future as well. You don't 'think' you llike FMA, you know that you "love' FMA... (which is perfectly OK!)
This also helps explain why some viewers give better than average scores on certain shows - it 'touched them' in some way...
I did not know you loved FMA when I mentioned the upcoming live-action FMA, back when we first began chatting! For me, FMA and especially 'Brotherhood' are well-rounded, superlative shows - about as perfect as shows can get, and without a doubt Top three in its genre for the World - and me!
Rakugo! Easily my Top three in its genre - A mature, dark and complex story interspersed with comedy....in fact, just like Rakugo stories themselves! It's a story within a story, isn't it?
What to watch? Anything that catches my attention, if I don't like it I can always drop it...
Do I have to have a singular favorite, or can I have favs in every genre I watch? I have watched a 'fair' amount of anime over the years. The more I watch, the MORE favorite 'moments' within shows there are, and other things like "best show for future weapons" or "most poignant" or "awesome Voice Acting" - and the LESS a singular favorite stands out --- for very long, at least!
"Favorite Show" sounds like it would be like "comfort food" - that one meal we ate growing up, that we eat once in a while now, that never fails to deliver...
I don't know if I have that one favorite... What do your friends say? If they do have a favorite, has it been more or less than a year?
(BTW, my town is Palm Springs, California - which has some tradition, and a glitzy Hollywood history, but it's just not Japan, is it?)
In all fairness, we don't have festivals tied to religious occasions - we're not burning used chopsticks or old dolls; or lighting lanterns so the dead can find their way; or asking for prosperity on New Years, or asking for children's health, etc..
We got lucky on our last trip there. I'd read about a Flea Market in Kyoto, held at the 1200 year old pagoda at Toji Temple; and we would be in town that day! It has been going on *every* month for over 600 years! A Flea Market! It was an awesome peek into the closets of everyday Japanese, and we scored 3 old hand made, hand painted fans for $5 each...what a fun way to buy a souvenir.
I just cannot wait to go back - my wife and I are discussing what month to go: She would like Springtime/cherry blossoms; I have asked for late Summer to see the BIG Fireworks Festivals and Competitions.... Our previous trips were November - for Fall Leaf colors. In either time, though, I am hoping there will be actual festivals like we see in anime - with the goldfish scooping and all the different foods!
I think that it is only by being such a stubborn people, that we can hope to see the continuity of their culture continue! In many of the 'Begin Japanology' videos, you'll see 3rd, 4th, or 10th generation artisans, plugging along at their craft, every day for 40 years... Companies that have been making soy sauce, or sake, that have been around for hundreds of years - and who' sole intention is to simply stay in business for the next 200 years; not to make piles and piles of Yen.
Japan has the MOST Michelin 3 star restaurants in the World - their attention to detail is at the top of the Asian 'heap' if you will.
Is it the cleanliness, the unparalleled courtesy everywhere you go? As big as Tokyo is - almost 40 million people in in greater Tokyo - the trains all stop around midnight! It is surprisingly quiet at night. It's quiet on buses and subways too - no one talks on phones.
I think that while Asian and European countries also have old buildings and streets, it is Japan that has an intact culture that lives on to today! Women and men still walk around in kimono, yukata, and jinbei! At the Kabuki show, it was stunning and intense seeing so many women wearing VERY expensive kimono, with their little tabi socks and sandals!
So I guess I'm saying is Japan is modern, and ancient - with the old blending seamlessly and enhancing each other.