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Shelf Life - Recycled Air

Wow.

I just can't figure out why Hagaren is praised so much. I don't see what makes it stand out so much. It kind of reminds me of a cross between Harry Potter and... well, mostly just Harry Potter. To say that it's the best show that will come out in the next 5 years seems ridiculous to me (aside from the fact that it's impossible to know something like that unless you have a time machine), especially coming from someone who reviews almost every series that's out there. And yet I hear it from Zac and Chris Beverege as well, two other critics who've pretty much seen it all. I've also been told that it gets better later on, and while it's shown some signs of improvement in the past two episodes on Adult Swim (14 and 15) have been a huge step up in quality, almost all of the 13 before them were unfunny or uninspiring during their lighthearted moments, unexciting during their action moments, and starring one of the most irritating, bigheaded characters in the history of irritating, bigheaded child characters, Ed Elric.

The premise of "alchemy misused," as we saw with Ed and Al trying to revive their mother, is very interesting. The backstory regarding the State Alchemists and Ishbalians is also interesting and entertaining. Scar and Mustang are excellent characters. But most of the series so far has strayed away from that, towards pointless side adventures and quests that are not the least bit thought-provoking or even exciting. Maybe it'll focus more later on, but these initial 15 episodes, aside from the last two, have been a huge letdown. It is not terrible by any means, but I was really expecting a lot more. Hagaren is far from being a standout show. If there was real character development going on here during these dull moments (more like dull years), it would be a different story, but Ed does not seem to be maturing at all. He is still whiny, still annoying, and still a self-righteous brat who thinks he's some kind of genius or revolutionary.

With just one review, I would chalk it up as being just a difference in tastes, but the response to Hagaren has been nothing short of explosively phenomenal, with many experienced anime critics hailing it as one of the greatest series of all time. But if you ask me, it's well-animated fluff with its priorities out of place.

Unfortunately Liann is has some personal issue to deal with and it may be quite a while before her column returns.

In the meantime, in oder to get manga content back on ANN, I'm hiring a new manga reviewer (see the Staff Openings page).

-t

Ok. I know someone is gonna kill me for asking this, but I just need to kinda know....

Do they have the original OP and ED on the FMA DVD?

because it hasn't even started yet.

this whole show is one plot twist after another. i always avoided this show because i thought it was just selling off the whole stupid alchemy twist, but it really is quite good. all i gotta say is you've only seen up to where adult swim has it... you know nothing yet.

Wow.

I just can't figure out why Hagaren is praised so much. I don't see what makes it stand out so much. It kind of reminds me of a cross between Harry Potter and... well, mostly just Harry Potter. To say that it's the best show that will come out in the next 5 years seems ridiculous to me (aside from the fact that it's impossible to know something like that unless you have a time machine), especially coming from someone who reviews almost every series that's out there. And yet I hear it from Zac and Chris Beverege as well, two other critics who've pretty much seen it all. I've also been told that it gets better later on, and while it's shown some signs of improvement in the past two episodes on Adult Swim (14 and 15) have been a huge step up in quality, almost all of the 13 before them were unfunny or uninspiring during their lighthearted moments, unexciting during their action moments, and starring one of the most irritating, bigheaded characters in the history of irritating, bigheaded child characters, Ed Elric.

And yeah, I can't predict the next 5 years, so that was a bit of a hyperbole, but the show absolutely took my breath away.

Shiki MSHTS wrote:

Ok. I know someone is gonna kill me for asking this, but I just need to kinda know.... Do they have the original OP and ED on the FMA DVD?

I promise not to kill you... I'll just maim you a little - make it seem like you were born with a club foot maybe?

The original OP and ED's are on there, in their unedited and complete (as far as the show goes) glory.

Yes, it is a must buy.

Unedited, as in unedited to the point of untranslated credits?

=P

I know. I'm not really THAT picky, but just out of curiosity. =P

Am I really the only person that likes Fist of The North Star?

Gantz sucks, plain and simple. The plot is much more stale than your review of Fist of The North Star. I watched Gantz long enough to know that it was a waste of time.

Honestly, though, if you watch New Fist of The North Star without having seen ALL of the Fist of The North Star, you WILL be confused, it'd be nice if that note could be added, so as not to fully persuade everyone NOT to see it.

Please?