This page is mostly my ramblings (trying to be instructive, but probably not real useful) and links to other anime pages (more useful)

Anime

Anime is not "cartoons", even though they are both animated. Anime is usually (always?) Japanese in origin, and much of it incorporates a number of "conventions" such as big eyes/small mouths and some vastly exaggerated facial expressions. However, anime covers such a variety of topics that to lump it all together is like lumping all American TV, including made-for-cable shows and specials that would never, ever get shown on broadcast TV, together. There is anime both serious and silly, for children and for adults - something for just about everyone.

There are a number of themes which tend to show up in anime, and very often more than one will appear in a given show. With just a few minutes of reflection, I came up with the following list, which I know is not complete. If you want to add anything to it, email alange@rahul.net.

My favorites tend less towards the mecha-centric shows (although I do like a lot of them) and more towards the romantic and comedic. These are among my favorites right now:

Aa Megamisama

(Ah! My Goddess or Oh! My Goddess, depending on who's translating)

Ranma 1/2

the Ranma 1/2 Expanded Home Page has probably more than you ever wanted to know about this series.

Ranma 1/2 Song Lyrics Home Page is still under construction, but will have English translations of songs, especially the DoCo CDs. (The stickers in DoCo SECOND are cool!)

Urusei Yatsura

Kimagure Orange Road

I've only seen the Animego subs of the OVAs and the movie, but I like it. For completeness' sake, I will eventually acquire the complete TV series, but that may take a while. (There is a movement afoot to convince Animego to sub the complete TV series on LD - for more information watch for the periodic postings to r.a.a.

And if the anime isn't enough, there's a fanfic following the protagonists (and a bunch of new characters) through college called Kimagure Orange College

Video Girl Ai

First there was the manga... then 6 episodes of anime, based on most of volumes 1-3 of the manga (adapted somewhat, but it definitely keeps the character of the manga). The Video Girl Ai Home Page has a lot more information.

There's also a HK live-action movie called something like "Summer Love" which is obviously based on VGAi. I believe it predates the anime, and at about 90 minutes does not cover as much of the manga as the 5 anime episodes produced.

Miyazaki films

- Totoro, Laputa, Nausicaa, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Porco Rosso (which I haven't seen yet, but I'm sure I'll like if it's anywhere near as good as the others)

Other Shows

Information on specific series that don't qualify as my favorites.

Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon has achieved widespread notoriety in the US my being dubbed into English by DIC and shown on syndicated television (mostly by local UPN affiliates). DIC has done a reasonable job adapting it to US television standards, although fans of the original show still prefer that.

Dirty Pair

Bubblegum Crisis

The Knight Sabers versus GENOM. MegaTokyo, look out.

Other Anime resources

Sources

Conventions

Fanime Con Small con in Northern California - March 2nd, 1996. Presented (at least in part) by No-Name Anime
Author: Andy Lange email: <alange@rahul.net>
Last Updated: Tue, Dec 19, 1995 4:40 PM PST