AnimeSuki Forums

Lord Raiden · 2003-12-23, 19:09

Now this might seem like a stupid question, but I'm starting to see more and more series that are actually good to very good, and some are easily classics (last exile, da capo, FMA, FMP, etc) right off the bat. A lot different than most anime used to be, at least in my book. A good example of this would be the last 2 years of anime. Spring 2001 I was following 1 anime. Fall 2001 I was following 2 anime. Spring 2002 I was following 2 anime. Fall 2002 I was following 3 anime. Spring 2003 I was following 8 anime. Fall 2003 I'm now following 25 anime. Now uh, doesn't that kinda say something? I'm of course using my anime habits as the example here, but I've also seen numerous others who have mentioned much the same thing about their anime collections as well. I would probubly say over the last 12-15 months the quality of the anime, the artwork, storylines, and so much more has grown exponentially in quality in my book.

What do you guys think? I'm hoping this trend doesn't let up. At least 8 of the series I'm following will be ending just after the 1st of the year and a whole new group will be coming in. I wonder how many of these I'll be picking up next?

Personally, it's my belief that the surprising rise in the number of good to excellent quality animes is partially do to the "instant stats" the anime companies are getting from numerous sources like Kazaa, TV ratings, BT, IRC, forums like this one, and much more. In turn they're finding out faster what works, what doesn't, and are very rapidly and directly applying that to all the new and existing anime's out there. All I can say is this is a huge plus for us fans.

Moon The Cat · 2003-12-23, 19:26

Well, lately I can say I haven't watched a series that make me say "damn this is a good job". I am watching LasEXILE, and I hope it keeps interesting. I am too lazy to write a lot of crap, so I will just say, that anime isn't as exciting as it used to be.

method · 2003-12-23, 19:28

Its hard to say if the anime if the anime of today is any better than the 80's or 90's since we have only seen a some percentage of anime from that time period as compared to today. Another thing a lot of people are biased to today's anime since they are used to styling of the art and despise the art of the earlier anime. The presence of fansubs really only have a bearing on what may be licensed for other countries. Only the Japanese audience have an affect on what the companies produce. There have been a few titles that have been more popular in the States than compared to Japan like Trigun.

FinFangFoom · 2003-12-23, 19:37

In short, yes I agree with you. There are lots of good series coming out all the time, I think artwork and animation can carry a story so much more than in the past.

Lambda · 2003-12-23, 19:38

I'm not sure, I've always been of the opinion that the last decade has been the best one, mainly due to the influence of Evangelion allowing studios far more freedom in what interesting things they can do with the medium, but over such a short period like 12-15 months there's not enough information to say, it might just be coincidence.

kj1980 · 2003-12-23, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Raiden

Now this might seem like a stupid question, but I'm starting to see more and more series that are actually good to very good, and some are easily classics (last exile, da capo, FMA, FMP, etc) right off the bat. A lot different than most anime used to be, at least in my book. A good example of this would be the last 2 years of anime. Spring 2001 I was following 1 anime. Fall 2001 I was following 2 anime. Spring 2002 I was following 2 anime. Fall 2002 I was following 3 anime. Spring 2003 I was following 8 anime. Fall 2003 I'm now following 25 anime. Now uh, doesn't that kinda say something? I'm of course using my anime habits as the example here, but I've also seen numerous others who have mentioned much the same thing about their anime collections as well. I would probubly say over the last 12-15 months the quality of the anime, the artwork, storylines, and so much more has grown exponentially in quality in my book.

What do you guys think? I'm hoping this trend doesn't let up. At least 8 of the series I'm following will be ending just after the 1st of the year and a whole new group will be coming in. I wonder how many of these I'll be picking up next?

Personally, it's my belief that the surprising rise in the number of good to excellent quality animes is partially do to the "instant stats" the anime companies are getting from numerous sources like Kazaa, TV ratings, BT, IRC, forums like this one, and much more. In turn they're finding out faster what works, what doesn't, and are very rapidly and directly applying that to all the new and existing anime's out there. All I can say is this is a huge plus for us fans.

It's what happens when Japan is in the midst of "anime bubble" where we have over 70 anime shows being aired in any given season.

Go-lytely · 2003-12-23, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Raiden

Now this might seem like a stupid question, but I'm starting to see more and more series that are actually good to very good, and some are easily classics (last exile, da capo, FMA, FMP, etc) right off the bat. A lot different than most anime used to be, at least in my book. A good example of this would be the last 2 years of anime. Spring 2001 I was following 1 anime. Fall 2001 I was following 2 anime. Spring 2002 I was following 2 anime. Fall 2002 I was following 3 anime. Spring 2003 I was following 8 anime. Fall 2003 I'm now following 25 anime. Now uh, doesn't that kinda say something? I'm of course using my anime habits as the example here, but I've also seen numerous others who have mentioned much the same thing about their anime collections as well. I would probubly say over the last 12-15 months the quality of the anime, the artwork, storylines, and so much more has grown exponentially in quality in my book.

What do you guys think? I'm hoping this trend doesn't let up. At least 8 of the series I'm following will be ending just after the 1st of the year and a whole new group will be coming in. I wonder how many of these I'll be picking up next?

Personally, it's my belief that the surprising rise in the number of good to excellent quality animes is partially do to the "instant stats" the anime companies are getting from numerous sources like Kazaa, TV ratings, BT, IRC, forums like this one, and much more. In turn they're finding out faster what works, what doesn't, and are very rapidly and directly applying that to all the new and existing anime's out there. All I can say is this is a huge plus for us fans.

Well, I cant say that the some of the shows you quoted above as being classics, but i do agree that there are a lot more watchable shows now than before. Then again, there is such a flood of anime out there right now that there is bound to be a couple of good ones. Back in 2001 there werent nearly as many fansub groups and shows being fansubbed as there is now. Maybe that has contributed to the overall number of shows you are watching now.

Thelastguardian · 2003-12-23, 21:04

i don't feel that way, if you are talking about drawing technique yes I like the new one better than the old ones (ex. Saint Say.). But in terms of story, I think it drops a bit modern day.

Tomomi · 2003-12-23, 21:11

Yeah... I thought so too. Like:

Chrno Crusade
Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
Fullmetal Alchemist

Blah, blah, blah... They are having more and more potential this days... Hehe, soon, we will be having top of the line anime series to watch and enjoy!

Asakura_Y0h · 2003-12-23, 21:55

I haven't been watching anime long enough to give accurate comments but I dare say that the quality of animation is getting better. Stuff like water looks more real and the colours are more lively in the present day animation.

In terms of plot and excitement I think that there's a little less creativity not that the plots aren't good but mostly because there's been so many animes that striking a highly different plot or a plot not done before is more difficult.

But one thing though about animes nowadays as compared to before. If you're the type that likes unrealistic super powers and crazy action, animes now definitely top the animes in the past on that..... Maybe its because the quality of animation is better so you are able to see more detailed fighting scenes and more colour in zapping powers and stuff ....... coool

Muraki · 2003-12-23, 22:04

The animation should be getting ebtter w/ the technology advancement..

You can't really say they're getting less creative since the more animes there are out there the less space there is to be "creative" though this will more or less depends on the restrictions in culture. You really can't expect for a strict government that wishes to control its ppl completely (cough cough i won't go ne further ~_~ lest I rant) to allow an anime that questions human psychology and in general the meaning of existence or a strict religious culture to display something that would shatter a belief.

As culture becomes more liberal there are newer aspects to explore so in general I think anime should be getting better. As long as Japan doesn't suddenly get a dictatorship(tyrant) or something ~_~ ... I won't say keep westernizing since it could be bad in some ways...

Asakura_Y0h · 2003-12-23, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muraki

You can't really say they're getting less creative since the more animes there are out there the less space there is to be "creative" though this will more or less depends on the restrictions in culture.
As culture becomes more liberal there are newer aspects to explore so in general I think anime should be getting better. As long as Japan doesn't suddenly get a dictatorship(tyrant) or something ~_~ ... I won't say keep westernizing since it could be bad in some ways...

Yes, that's why its more difficult to strike an anime with an entirely different plot nowadays but I am waiting for something totally new to come out soon...... I have a feeling that there's a new anime revolution waiting to happen.... although there's been many good animes lately i'm waiting for a mind blowing one..... then again, i think full metal alchemist is pretty mind blowing but that's just me

Lain · 2003-12-24, 07:53

FM Alchemist is definetly good, but I'm still waiting for something to beat SE: Lain. I haven't seen anything that comes close to it's perfection. I mean, it's like NGE, but with characters that are flawed instead of characters that are flaws.

But then again, maybe I'm a bit biased

Muraki · 2003-12-24, 11:11

NGE is like .... 8 years old ^_^;; wouldn't be the best example and its mentioned somewhere by the makers that its really not supposed to be taken as extremely symbolic/different since it was originally only meant for a population that didn't look much into Christinity so while in the west it seems out there, to the Japs it wasn't quite so revolutionary

kazusa · 2003-12-24, 22:16

Yup, anime is getting better alright.

Keen · 2003-12-25, 13:08

No, if anything, it's getting worse over time. Stupid corporations.

vio5555 · 2003-12-25, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keen

No, if anything, it's getting worse over time. Stupid corporations.

Thats definitely true of news. Someone needs to nuke News Corp. and their subsidiaries especially FOX.

guynextdoor · 2003-12-25, 20:04

the animation technology has obviously improved a lot since last time, but story-development wise i see no apparent diff

Joe Dalton · 2003-12-25, 23:48

actualy.... the line between good vs evil is becomming more and more blurry in allot of animes plus the characters get more depth and since the stories are really just based on the characters their pasts and their goals you can say the stories have improved.
An evil character doesnt always make the choice for what he is fighting for these days........... popular example is haku or something from naruto i guess.
So yeah i think the anime is getting better but thats only natural since its only natural to learn more as you go. ...... i guess more acuratly you could say its moving allong with its time

kamehameha · 2003-12-26, 17:06

Well hi im new here but im no anime newbie..

well i loved animes such as kenshin cowboy bebop dbz db dbgt gundam (all of it) trigun inuYasha and alot lot more but since these most of em have ended i have found nothing really to watch . I am used to really watching 20 series at a time and since ive finished most of them i feel like a dumbass lol.. i wish i never watched em and could watch em over and relive the moments i had while watching them.. i dont see any directions to new anime as of right now but that could change...

2003-12-23, 19:09	Link #1
Lord Raiden Uber Coffee for da win! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Middle of insanity	Do you think anime in general is getting better? Now this might seem like a stupid question, but I'm starting to see more and more series that are actually good to very good, and some are easily classics (last exile, da capo, FMA, FMP, etc) right off the bat. A lot different than most anime used to be, at least in my book. A good example of this would be the last 2 years of anime. Spring 2001 I was following 1 anime. Fall 2001 I was following 2 anime. Spring 2002 I was following 2 anime. Fall 2002 I was following 3 anime. Spring 2003 I was following 8 anime. Fall 2003 I'm now following 25 anime. Now uh, doesn't that kinda say something? I'm of course using my anime habits as the example here, but I've also seen numerous others who have mentioned much the same thing about their anime collections as well. I would probubly say over the last 12-15 months the quality of the anime, the artwork, storylines, and so much more has grown exponentially in quality in my book. What do you guys think? I'm hoping this trend doesn't let up. At least 8 of the series I'm following will be ending just after the 1st of the year and a whole new group will be coming in. I wonder how many of these I'll be picking up next? Personally, it's my belief that the surprising rise in the number of good to excellent quality animes is partially do to the "instant stats" the anime companies are getting from numerous sources like Kazaa, TV ratings, BT, IRC, forums like this one, and much more. In turn they're finding out faster what works, what doesn't, and are very rapidly and directly applying that to all the new and existing anime's out there. All I can say is this is a huge plus for us fans.

2003-12-23, 21:04	Link #8
Thelastguardian ... Join Date: Nov 2003	i don't feel that way, if you are talking about drawing technique yes I like the new one better than the old ones (ex. Saint Say.). But in terms of story, I think it drops a bit modern day. __________________

2003-12-24, 22:16	Link #15
kazusa Helping Translator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Geneva Age: 37	Agreed Yup, anime is getting better alright.

2003-12-26, 17:06	Link #20
kamehameha Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003	Anime getting better? well.. Well hi im new here but im no anime newbie.. well i loved animes such as kenshin cowboy bebop dbz db dbgt gundam (all of it) trigun inuYasha and alot lot more but since these most of em have ended i have found nothing really to watch . I am used to really watching 20 series at a time and since ive finished most of them i feel like a dumbass lol.. i wish i never watched em and could watch em over and relive the moments i had while watching them.. i dont see any directions to new anime as of right now but that could change...

2003-12-23, 19:26	Link #2
Moon The Cat Hoi! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mexico Age: 36	Well, lately I can say I haven't watched a series that make me say "damn this is a good job". I am watching LasEXILE, and I hope it keeps interesting. I am too lazy to write a lot of crap, so I will just say, that anime isn't as exciting as it used to be.

2003-12-23, 19:28	Link #3
method Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003	Its hard to say if the anime if the anime of today is any better than the 80's or 90's since we have only seen a some percentage of anime from that time period as compared to today. Another thing a lot of people are biased to today's anime since they are used to styling of the art and despise the art of the earlier anime. The presence of fansubs really only have a bearing on what may be licensed for other countries. Only the Japanese audience have an affect on what the companies produce. There have been a few titles that have been more popular in the States than compared to Japan like Trigun.

2003-12-23, 19:38	Link #5
Lambda Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Age: 44	I'm not sure, I've always been of the opinion that the last decade has been the best one, mainly due to the influence of Evangelion allowing studios far more freedom in what interesting things they can do with the medium, but over such a short period like 12-15 months there's not enough information to say, it might just be coincidence.

2003-12-23, 21:11	Link #9
Tomomi chrno fangal Join Date: Nov 2003 Age: 36	Yeah... I thought so too. Like: Chrno Crusade Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Fullmetal Alchemist Blah, blah, blah... They are having more and more potential this days... Hehe, soon, we will be having top of the line anime series to watch and enjoy!

2003-12-23, 21:55	Link #10
Asakura_Y0h little black butterfly Join Date: Nov 2003 Age: 42	I haven't been watching anime long enough to give accurate comments but I dare say that the quality of animation is getting better. Stuff like water looks more real and the colours are more lively in the present day animation. In terms of plot and excitement I think that there's a little less creativity not that the plots aren't good but mostly because there's been so many animes that striking a highly different plot or a plot not done before is more difficult. But one thing though about animes nowadays as compared to before. If you're the type that likes unrealistic super powers and crazy action, animes now definitely top the animes in the past on that..... Maybe its because the quality of animation is better so you are able to see more detailed fighting scenes and more colour in zapping powers and stuff ....... coool

2003-12-23, 22:04	Link #11
Muraki Dreamer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Drifting in an endless sea... Age: 33	The animation should be getting ebtter w/ the technology advancement.. You can't really say they're getting less creative since the more animes there are out there the less space there is to be "creative" though this will more or less depends on the restrictions in culture. You really can't expect for a strict government that wishes to control its ppl completely (cough cough i won't go ne further ~_~ lest I rant) to allow an anime that questions human psychology and in general the meaning of existence or a strict religious culture to display something that would shatter a belief. As culture becomes more liberal there are newer aspects to explore so in general I think anime should be getting better. As long as Japan doesn't suddenly get a dictatorship(tyrant) or something ~_~ ... I won't say keep westernizing since it could be bad in some ways...

2003-12-24, 07:53	Link #13
Lain Member Join Date: Nov 2003	FM Alchemist is definetly good, but I'm still waiting for something to beat SE: Lain. I haven't seen anything that comes close to it's perfection. I mean, it's like NGE, but with characters that are flawed instead of characters that are flaws. But then again, maybe I'm a bit biased

2003-12-24, 11:11	Link #14
Muraki Dreamer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Drifting in an endless sea... Age: 33	NGE is like .... 8 years old ^_^;; wouldn't be the best example and its mentioned somewhere by the makers that its really not supposed to be taken as extremely symbolic/different since it was originally only meant for a population that didn't look much into Christinity so while in the west it seems out there, to the Japs it wasn't quite so revolutionary

2003-12-25, 13:08	Link #16
Keen Member Join Date: Mar 2003	No, if anything, it's getting worse over time. Stupid corporations.

2003-12-25, 20:04	Link #18
guynextdoor arcueid !! ^^ Join Date: Dec 2003	the animation technology has obviously improved a lot since last time, but story-development wise i see no apparent diff

2003-12-25, 23:48	Link #19
Joe Dalton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003	actualy.... the line between good vs evil is becomming more and more blurry in allot of animes plus the characters get more depth and since the stories are really just based on the characters their pasts and their goals you can say the stories have improved. An evil character doesnt always make the choice for what he is fighting for these days........... popular example is haku or something from naruto i guess. So yeah i think the anime is getting better but thats only natural since its only natural to learn more as you go. ...... i guess more acuratly you could say its moving allong with its time