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Post by Tug on Jan 1, 2017 0:40:36 GMT -5
"Ah Evangelion, the show that's a cult classic and more or less the symbol of what Anno was looking for... But that covers the Mecha Genre for the time being, as we skipped over two important shows from the early 90s, Sailor Moon and Yu Yu Hakusho... But then back to the late 90s once again, a little pirate show premiered based on a popular manga of the time called One Piece began to air in 1999... Which then went on to be one of the biggest anime series to ever exist in Japan, as well as still hold the title of still being on air, and popular today, with currently over 770 episodes aired at the time of this post... But anyways, in 1998 a little anime called Cowboy bebop premiered in Japan, though not widely acclaimed there, in the West however, that was a different story, which brings us to a great moment in Anime history, when Anime finally arrived in the West..."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jan 1, 2017 0:48:33 GMT -5
"Cowboy Bebop- the Space Western anime that has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed anime series of all time. In fact, while we will not spoil anything, it is this anime that is regarded as having one of the greatest endings of all. See normally, anime series are notorious for having very unsatisfying endings. However, the lead character, Spike, quite literally ended this series by going out with a bang, in what is arguably the greatest finale to an anime series. While that may be the story, the significance alone of the show is undeniable, isn't that right Tug?"
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Post by Tug on Jan 15, 2017 23:47:02 GMT -5
"Right Frank, it along with many other shows, including the likes of DBZ, sailor Moon, Pokemon, and Digimon, all shook up the West's interest in these imported cartoons, frank, don't you have something to say about Pokemon?"
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jan 15, 2017 23:55:28 GMT -5
"Indeed I do. Pokemon in particular stands out from this lot for its enduring success. Starting in the nineties and continuing even into today, Pokemon actually started out as a video game, before turning into an anime series. Whether its video games, anime, merchandise or the like, just about every nineties kid has some sort of recollection of Pokemon. And that brings us into a new century. Say Tug, where should we start when it comes to 2000s anime?"
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Post by Tug on Jan 16, 2017 0:01:38 GMT -5
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jan 16, 2017 0:19:15 GMT -5
"None that I think we need to bring up at this point. But it is worth noting that the 2000s saw a huge spike in the trend of adapting Manga for anime series. And while we talking it, it is also worth mentioning that while most animes ran for 12, 13, 24 or 26 episodes, Naruto ended up becoming one of only a small handful of anime that actually ran for hundreds of episodes, especially if we include the sequel series Shippuden. Indeed, Naruto is one of only a handful of anime to achieve both a long-lasting run and maintain a large fanbase."
"That's right Frank; same can be said for Dragon Ball Z" Tug pointed out.
"Though Dragon Ball is really a few separate series. There's Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT... GAH!!"
Frank is holding his head in pain as Tug looks at him. "We don't talk about that one..." He said sternly
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Post by Tug on Jan 16, 2017 1:04:05 GMT -5
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jan 16, 2017 1:14:04 GMT -5
"Ow... yes, I do. So, what is the takeaway from all this? Anime has gone through many forms and has a long, rich history. Though some may accuse modern anime of having too much Otaku influence, it is important to note that unlike the early years of anime, those who are creating anime today are the ones who were watching anime as kids, and now are making it themselves. So sure, you can argue that anime is something for niche people; but once you get past that niche, it is a rich, fulfilling field of media. I'm gonna go get an ice pack tug, anything you want to add before we wrap up?" Frank said as he stood up.
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Post by Tug on Jan 16, 2017 1:28:03 GMT -5
"Just that no matter they type, length or quality of the anime, Japan always seems to come out with a show that can appease anyone's tastes, now that we've gone over the industry's history, let's get into the Meat of this show, shall we?"
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Jan 16, 2017 1:53:08 GMT -5
"Indeed Tug; coming up next time, we'll tell you about how anime is broken down" Frank said as he left.
Episode 3: Genres of Anime
Frank and Tug are sitting at their desk when the show starts again.
"Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Frank and Tug talk about Anime. I'm Frank."
"And I'm Tug. Today, we'll be breaking down the different genres of anime and what categorizes each one"
"Anime has several genres. In addition to the "typical" categories, like Sci-fi, mystery, action and the like that we will be talking about, anime has genres that quite literally are all its own. The ones we will be talking about today include:
Mecha
Shounen
Ecchi
Magical Girl
Harem
Slice-Of-Life
So Tug, where do you want to start?" Frank asked as he tried to make sense of all the genres and sub genres he was reading about that he couldn't list here.
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Mar 9, 2017 18:10:35 GMT -5
Frank suddenly heard a noise outside of the door, opening it, he found 1,000 Eyes sitting on the floor watching an episode of Hellsing.
"Um... hi?"
"Oh, hello again," said MIs.
"What are you doing here?" asked Frank.
"Waiting for you to get around to a show that I like."
"So you're waiting for a good moment to hijack our show?"
"Pretty much. That reminds me, I have a suggestion for you guys. How about this - alternate the episodes so that it's something like: Episode 3: Show Spotlight - Pokemon, Episode 4: Types of Anime, Episode 5: Show Spotlight - Cowboy Bebop, Episode 6: Theme Songs, etc. Gives it more variety. And if you get to a show I like, I'll be waiting."
"Uh, okay I guess?"
"And if Tug doesn't wake up..." *camera shows Tug fast asleep in true Portgas D. Ace style* "...then bring me in and I'll happily discuss shows I don't know squat about. (Also how the f*ck did you guys skip over Death Note when discussing 2000s anime, that is just completely beyond me...)"
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Post by Tug on Mar 9, 2017 21:45:04 GMT -5
"GUM GUM RIFLE!!!" shouted Tug, now wide awake, as his arms stretched to launch MIs out a window a la Team Rocket...
"DAMNIT!!!!" screamed MIs as he was sent flying beyond the sunset, and disappeared in a sparkling flash into the far off distance...
"Bastard thinks he's hot shit because he's seen 2 and half anime... You're a hundred years too young to boss us around boy, This... Is... OUR SHOW!!!" yelled Tug as he stood in an imposing victory pose...
"What are you doing?" asked Frank
"Edited quotes and specialized moves..." replied Tug with a smile
Frank replied, "Alright, back to the show, might as well start where we left off, now about Mecha..."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 9, 2017 21:58:27 GMT -5
"... mecha anime can be summed up with two words: giant robots. Or giant machines, depending on the context. Basically, mecha anime involves people piloting giant robots or "exosuits" depending on the series and battling to save the world... yea, it's pretty hard to spice up the variety, the tropes are pretty consistent. First there was Mazinger Z Then there was Mobile Suit Gundam And Neon Genesis Evangelion "And several other, less notable series. But the tropes were pretty consistent throughout- there's a major threat that threatens the safety of the world, so to combat it a secret military organization is established and the main character is some average Joe that happens to posses some gift that makes him extremely talented with the robots in question. Then there's a lot of fighting and the giant explosion, and by the end of the series either the threat is defeated and humanity begins to rebuild, or the ending is so damn confusing you need to release an equally confusing movie just to make sense of it... cough cough Evangelion. Anything you'd like to add Tug?"
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Post by Tug on Mar 9, 2017 22:13:56 GMT -5
"Though there are exceptions to the genre that add new things or story variations not done before, like: Gurren Lagann: Big O: What genre would you like to talk about next Frank?"
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Mar 9, 2017 22:19:31 GMT -5
"I suppose we can do Shounen; you want to cover that one Tug?"
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Apr 6, 2017 1:42:17 GMT -5
Frank notices that Tug is catching up on One Piece, so Frank shrugs and continues on. "Shounen Anime, or "Boy's comic" anime, refers to anime that tends to be aimed at younger male audiences. The typical age group target is 8 to 18, and is characterized high action; so the theme tends to involve sports or fighting. Rule of thumb though, you know it's a Shounen anime when they've got at least one scene like this:
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Apr 13, 2017 11:43:07 GMT -5
*We interrupt the regularly scheduled show to bring saddening news.
Kazunori Mizuno, the animator whose works include Yu Yu Hakusho, Bleach and Naruto, passed away. RIP to a talented man.
Though his name is not well known, his creative legacy will last a very long time.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 16, 2017 20:48:37 GMT -5
"Our producers have just informed us that we are better off doing individual episodes deidicated to genres as a whole, so we'll wrap this up with brief explanations of the rest
Ecchi anime is fan service; any anime that is made strictly for pleasing the fans.
Magical girl is anime where a young girl or group of girls are given supernatural powers and fight evil using them
Harem is any anime where on guy gets surrounded by a bunch of girls; though sometimes the genders are inversed
And slice of life is anime that focuses on everyday experiences, and usually based on "the real world" or supernatural themes are very minimal.
"And that about sums up the major genres; anything you want to add before we close Tug?"
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Post by Tug on Sept 16, 2017 20:52:54 GMT -5
"Just that there tends to be a lot of overlap regarding anime and so many tropes we can't count them all... Anyway, I have a treasure to find, ninja exam to pass, and souls to reap, so peace! Believe it and shit or whatever... I never watched Naruto..." shouted Tug as he jumped out the window as a giant mecha hand grabbed him, put him in a cockpit, and flew off towards the moon...
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Post by Biblically Accurate Angel on Sept 16, 2017 20:57:15 GMT -5
"While Tug's away, we cats can play!" Eyes said, walking in. Frank gave him a good hard smack, knocking him out.
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