Akira

[gnossos]

I was talking to co-workers today and no one knew what this was.

I consider it to not only be possibly one of the most involved japanese animation projects but also the film that has the most thought-out and memorable soundtrack, using a lot of traditional Japanese instruments that few people now know how to play at all.

This is basically the anime that introduced America to anime in the 80s. It is based off a serial cartoon that started in the gutter and gained wide acclaim. This is an anime that has effected movie-making as well as animation as a whole.

Based on the reading thread, I think it's clear I don't read a lot of fluffy stuff, but I recently purchased the first of six collections of the original Akira anime which is apparently quite a bit different, and I am really enjoying it.

The author, in the preface, says "It reflects the essence of my views toward life and death, and the world which surrounds us."

Here is one of the bits off the soundtrack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lOPDD_p5u0

I think the soundtrack alone is a masterpiece.

[chaissac1]

G,
I really enjoyed the middle part of the soundtrack, good stuff. The composition reminded me of a user-friendly version of Aphex Twin's Windowlicker (I know...far stretch. You're rolling yer eyes )
I need to get with the program and check out some Manga--any suggestions would be much obliged. jk

[highstump]

It is obvious that at my age I need to just stay out of here. I have no Idea what either one of you just said.

[chaissac1]

It is obvious that at my age I need to just stay out of here. I have no Idea what either one of you just said.

No worries Jim, I just made reference to a song (Windowlicker) by an electronic musician (Aphex Twin) that has a"cut & paste, slice & dice" kind of quality which remotely resembles the song that Gnossos posted. The 2 songs don't sound anything alike--so I might have been stretching the comparison.

Oh yeah, manga are illustrated stories, kind of like comic books, that are popular periodicals for all ages in Japan. They're read back to front, opposite of how we read.

[gnossos]

I generally just watch it, but Akira is something that should be read.

Ghost in the Shell is good, FLCL as a series, Lain, and even something called - of all things - Boogiepop Phantom. Seriously, the latter is awesome, I was really not down with it because of the name but it is pretty good. Cowboy Bebop is a great series.

I know more about cartoons than manga, there is a TON of BS out there, but the good stuff is really good. In Japan they have anime for all ages because it's cheaper than real life filming, and it's a norm. Mainly we get the stupid stuff like Naruto or Dragon Ball. But there truly is some great stuff out there. You just have to wade through a sea of shit to get to it.

Basically most of it is BS, but the good stuff is worth the slog.

[gnossos]

also NEVER watch the live-action stuff they put out from anime. It is stupid as all hell.

What I was told is that Neon Genesis Evangelion was made by schizo on medication, and FLCL was made when he was off it. Eva is good but as I've aged it's gotten cheesier.

[BillConnelly]

Don't hate on Naruto and Dragon Ball... They're no designed to be serious and thought provoking. You should judge them against what they were aiming for.

If you like Cowboy Bebop you should watch Samurai Champloo. I always smoke a cigar when I watch Cowboy Bebop, and I always smoke a pipe when I watch Samurai Champloo.

I'm waiting till they release all the DVDs of the new Neon Genesis, then I'm definitely watching them. I hear they are scene for scene remakes, but I don't really care.

[Karok01]

If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it. Just an awesome piece of film, animation or not.