So I just recently found out that the ANN hosts anime episodes for free. And it's all perfectly legal.
*Cue Light's Kira laugh*
Well, looks like I won't be running out of Japanese animation anytime soon! I did start watching a series on there I haven't seen. I've heard the anime version is actually better than the manga it was based off of. In that case, I dove right in.
The series is called Angelic Layer.
The good stuff: CLAMP's artwork in this franchise falls on my "love" half of my love/hate relationship with CLAMP's artwork. The animation is very good, it's cute, and the music, I love the music. It's so whimsical, I get lost just in the music itself. I like the ending song, too. And Icchan is great, in so many ways.
There's just one problem; AL on ANN is dub only. And the dub . . . was recorded by ADV.
Good god, I'm so spoiled. I just got back from playing Persona 4, which had some of the best voice-acting I've ever heard in a game. Not only that, but every anime I own on DVD sounds great in English, (most of them sound good in Japanese, too.) and I have come to idolize some voice actors and actresses as if they were Oscar-winning actors. (Then again, some of them have given Oscar-worthy performances.) Then I see AL. All of the voices are mediocre at best, there's a lot of awkward pauses, some of the Japanese terminology is mispronounced, and I just can't relate to the characters that well. I'm certain the cast was good; I saw Vic Mignogna's name in the credits, but ADV man . . . what is it about your directing and editing and policies that make every last one of your dub jobs barely better than a 4Kids dub? Is this why your company is nearly out of business now; because all the Texan VAs jumped ship for Funimation instead? Well, wouldn't surprise me if that was true. And why the hell do the ANN reviews keep singing high praises for ADV's dubs!? Is someone buying them off!?
(Now, ADV Manga on the other hand, I have no quarrel with, but we're not talking about manga right now, now are we?)
Still, I keep coming back for more AL anyways, if just for the music. I'll talk more about it another time.
Now, to be honest, I don't think I'm gonna find another anime series that will dethrone my Top Five, but I can keep watching if I want to.
Oh, my Top Five? Well, I suppose I can list it right now. Keep in mind, this is only anime series, not movies, and not "OVAs" either. Here goes.
xm0123's Five Favorite Animated tv Show From Japan:
5: Blue Gender. Because it is bloody as Hell, and bloody brilliant!
4: Cardcaptor Sakura: Because it's just so cute, and just so sweet! Awwwwwww!!!! ^_^
3: Haruhi Suzumiya: Because not listing Haruhi would entail the Death Penalty!
2: Death Note: Because potato chips have never been more epic.
1: Eureka Seven: Because . . . it made me cry! And I mean that in a good way.
Honorable Mentions go to: Mushi-Shi, GITS SAC, Trinity Blood, Fullmetal Alchemist, Scrapped Princess, and Trigun.
