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[Dannylonglegs]

Yeah, Almei was my start of darkness. They were just too freaking adorable for me to resist. And they both kick butt, so they fulfill the necessary battle couple appeal. But yeah, I tend to ship realistic things, like Momo and Appa. I'm telling you, Appa was teaching Momo how to airbend. There is no other way he could have "glided" up the wall of Ba Sing Se at a ninety degree angle. Not to mention that save when he caught Aang.

By the way, any thoughts about Legend of Korra? I was a big fan of Airbender, but I just can't get into Korra.

Yeah, I watched a few episodes and I've been meaning to catch more, but I can't seem to find the time. I guess it's not as involving as Avatar.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[Aanchir]

Yeah, Almei was my start of darkness. They were just too freaking adorable for me to resist. And they both kick butt, so they fulfill the necessary battle couple appeal. But yeah, I tend to ship realistic things, like Momo and Appa. I'm telling you, Appa was teaching Momo how to airbend. There is no other way he could have "glided" up the wall of Ba Sing Se at a ninety degree angle. Not to mention that save when he caught Aang.

By the way, any thoughts about Legend of Korra? I was a big fan of Airbender, but I just can't get into Korra.

I loved Korra and found it extremely engaging. It was nice to see plot lines not explored in Avatar: The Last Airbender. And the series has the same compelling characterization, great music, and balanced humor (neither corny nor understated) as I enjoyed in A:TLA. Overall, I also think it's incredibly successful at establishing a sense of familiarity for fans of A:TLA without bogging itself down with continuity references like some similar franchise revivals. I greatly look forward to book two.

[Tanma]

See one of the big reasons I can't bring myself to watch it is that from what I learn second hand, it seems like they try to create a gray verses gray atmosphere, but it fails. Like that the Equalists are seen as completely bad, justifying Korra's actions in a way, while there are legitimate concerns about treatment. Again I haven't seen it for myself, but that is my impression.

The other issue I have is with the ending. In my opinion, book one should have ended with Korra still only able to do Airbending. Instead, book two would have involved her going on a spiritual journey to regain her bending, perhaps aided by Aang as Roku before him. A side effect could be that earth, water, and fire bendrs could be lossing comtrol of their powers without the avatar being able to bend. This could further the bender-non-bender divide.

Of course I might be a hypocrite for being okay with Airbender's season three finale, but in my defense Aang's journey was all but completed then, so at the least it didn't deprive him of much development. And I suppose one could make a case that it was hinted that bending could be stolen (Ty Lee) and the Lion Turtle wasn't completely out of left field. (library, blue spirit)

[Aanchir]

See one of the big reasons I can't bring myself to watch it is that from what I learn second hand, it seems like they try to create a gray verses gray atmosphere, but it fails. Like that the Equalists are seen as completely bad, justifying Korra's actions in a way, while there are legitimate concerns about treatment. Again I haven't seen it for myself, but that is my impression.

My impression of the series was not nearly as simple as that. The series typically presents the Equalists themselves without sympathy becaubut their cause is treated as legitimate in that peaceful protestors of bender oppression (not connected to the radical Equalists movement) are shown as legitimately innocent victims of mistreatment by the bending establishment. And later (I can't reveal the exact context without revealing a major finale plot twist), it is shown that some of the Equalists do indeed have some degree of honor, in that they believe in their cause as a necessary and virtuous path for society rather than just a tool for grabbing power.

The other issue I have is with the ending. In my opinion, book one should have ended with Korra still only able to do Airbending. Instead, book two would have involved her going on a spiritual journey to regain her bending, perhaps aided by Aang as Roku before him. A side effect could be that earth, water, and fire bendrs could be lossing comtrol of their powers without the avatar being able to bend. This could further the bender-non-bender divide.

While that's a neat plot direction for book two, I personally like that book one wrapped up the plot thread of Korra connecting with past Avatars, and I also feel it would have left a lot of other loose ends if not only Korra, but also all the other victims of the Equalists, were left without their bending.

Additionally, we don't have many details on how the actual book two plot will go. Perhaps the creators didn't want to devote a great deal of extra time to wrapping up book one's loose ends because they have bigger plans for book two.

Of course I might be a hypocrite for being okay with Airbender's season three finale, but in my defense Aang's journey was all but completed then, so at the least it didn't deprive him of much development. And I suppose one could make a case that it was hinted that bending could be stolen (Ty Lee) and the Lion Turtle wasn't completely out of left field. (library, blue spirit)

I personally had no problem with the A:TLA finale either. While energybending hadn't been hinted much before, there is some narrative value in the idea that Aang can't only look to the past Avatars for answers (explored further in The Promise, in which he learns that continuing to look to the past might actually be holding him back from serving the world's changing needs).

[Tanma]

I don't know, I feel like Korra was handed Energybending in a way more blatant Deus Ex Machine than Aang. Aang had three seasons of growth, we really got to see him at his greatest and weakest before we saw him achieve his full power. To have Korra receive energybending now, after one book, (and a short book at that) it just doesn't feel right to me. And of course from what I pick up, there was a love triangle that was...not well executed. Although it is good to hear that the Equalists had some honorable people, I had not picked that information up. And I also have nothing against the three young Airbenders.

[Aanchir]

I don't know, I feel like Korra was handed Energybending in a way more blatant Deus Ex Machine than Aang. Aang had three seasons of growth, we really got to see him at his greatest and weakest before we saw him achieve his full power. To have Korra receive energybending now, after one book, (and a short book at that) it just doesn't feel right to me. And of course from what I pick up, there was a love triangle that was...not well executed. Although it is good to hear that the Equalists had some honorable people, I had not picked that information up. And I also have nothing against the three young Airbenders.

Part of the reason Korra was able to acquire Energybending do easily is that she was literally handed it... by Aang, who quite rightly didn't want her to have to hunt down a lion-turtle (assuming there are even any still alive). And from a storytelling perspective, the writers don't want to end up telling the same stories they told in A:TLA.

As for the love triangle, I felt it was well-handled. It was a new kind of storytelling for the franchise overall, since love triangles in A:TLA were often either unbalanced (let's face it, no right-minded person wanted Hahn and Yue to end up together) or more or less imagined. In this story, it was explored with brutal honesty how even if you "follow your heart", there's a lot of uncertainty in romance and people can end up hurt by your actions. Romance isn't always neat and tidy, and it's nice to see that handled in a way that none of the parties involved are treated as bad or undeserving, but their pratfalls and mistakes are still given serious consequences for them and the people around them. I hope the relationships of the characters continue to be explored in book two so that nobody thinks book one's finale gave Korra and Mako a happy ending with no strings attached. Like any real-life relationships, two people agreeing that they want to be together is just the first part of making a relationship work.

[Dannylonglegs]

......

Well, I didn't get more then 10 episodes into the first season. Maybe I should give it a second chance. I didn't get hooked is the only thing. I didn't dislike it at all, and I actually found it quite entertaining. Maybe I should take it up again. It's better then Code Geass IMO.

I just started watching it on recommendation of my friend, but it's all I can do to keep watching it. I don't know if it came out before or after Death Note, but it seems like a really quick version of that stuck on a revolutionary plot with a set-up "Lulu I am your Best-Friend." coming at some point. I can hardly maintain the willing suspension of reality. I'm only 10 or so episodes in, so have I come to a premature conclusion? Does it get better? I heard it was really good, but I'm having a hard time finding much greatness to it.

On another note, I just finished Cowboy Bebop and it was spectacular. Sooooo Good! It deserves its status as a Classic piece of Anime history. Should I watch the movie? I loved the ending of the last episode, but I want to watch more at the same time. It's like a mix between Firefly, Blade-Runner, and a dozen other Classic Movies. It gave me such a lonely melancholy feeling mixed with nostalgia (for some reason) and amusement. All in all, I suggest it to anyone. Any suggestions for a good follow up to Cowboy Bebop? I think I may start watching Korra again to catch up.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Edited December 24, 2012 by Dannylonglegs

[just2good]

I don't have much time to talk, but I thought the newest MLP:FiM episode, Apple Family Reunion was fairly average.

The most interesting part is that whole conspiracy involving her parents.

I'll give it a 7/10.

[Aanchir]

I don't have much time to talk, but I thought the newest MLP:FiM episode, Apple Family Reunion was fairly average.

The most interesting part is that whole conspiracy involving her parents.

I'll give it a 7/10.

I enjoyed that episode. It was more or less just a heartfelt slice-of-life episode, which I tend to enjoy, and it had a great song for Applejack, who's been needing one. While the song was very situational, it still expressed some of Applejack's core values, those being hard work and family.

I found the hint regarding her parents' death very touching. It really helps show her family dynamic in a new light.

I definitely also understand the decision to push this episode ahead in the Season 3 schedule. It is, after all, very timely, as a lot of viewers will be spending time with family around this time of year.

[Walter]

Yes, the new episode was pretty average and it may've been the weakest episode of the season, but I still enjoyed it.

As soon as I saw the stars at the end of the episode I instantly thought of the Apple's parents. It is indeed one of the most clever and touching details I've ever seen in the series, let alone a children's cartoon. I was glad to see so many others caught this as well. I don't think we'll ever get a mention of it again because it is too delicate of a subject to tackle on the show, although maybe we'll get some more subtle hints about it in future episodes.

Also Applejack got a song! Yay!

Edited December 27, 2012 by Walter

[just2good]

Saw the MLP:FiM episode, Spike at Your Service. It was so generic. I know it used a plot that was done a billion times before, but the Hey Arnold episode where Phoebe saves Helga's life and Helga starts doing everything is what this episode reminded me of.

Still, this episode used some cool animation techniques and was still enjoyable, but I give it a 7.25/10.

[Dannylonglegs]

I just finished Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and some of the movies. It was as good as Cowboy Bebop (which I've now watched twice--the movie's great too!) in a different way! I love Sci-fi/CyberPunk. I love the cold, inhuman, electronic feel of a lonely, impersonal, rainy future. (which is not to say that GitS:SAC was overly rainy. I think they captured the feel very well!)

It got me so inspired for my Avatar vig that I'm working on for the Sci-Fi contest going on! I'm worried it's too big for a typical Vig shot now, though.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Edited January 11, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[Dannylonglegs]

Double Post:

I just finished watching Spice and Wolf, and I'm really sad that it's over. I really really enjoyed it. I wouldn't say that I liked it more than Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell, but I became absorbed in the unique fantasy, and would really like to continue watching it, but there aren't anymore episodes. I feel like they could make three more seasons, and I would gladly watch every second. Anyone have any suggestion for a similar feeling Anime?

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[just2good]

I didn't really like the new episode of MLP:FiM. I found it boring. I'll elaborate further later...

[Aanchir]

The latest episode of MLP:FiM was entertaining for me, but I agree it could have been better.

I felt the narrative tone stayed a bit too similar throughout. Fluttershy was cautiously optimistic through the whole thing, while the rest of the Mane Six were consistently cynical. It could have used a few more twists and turns, such as the rest of the Mane Six almost trusting Discord, but then him showing he was just toying with them, or with Fluttershy almost losing hope in herself before deciding that she owes it to herself and Celestia to try harder. Some segments approached this, such as Pinkie enjoying Discord's living gravy boat, but this was tempered by Rarity and Rainbow Dash's skepticism. Also, it had already been established that Pinkie has more of a stomach for Discord's reality-twisting than the rest.

I also think that a musical montage or song would have helped the episode. However, this would have probably required making it a two-parter, and that might have dragged it out a bit TOO long.

I think the aftermath of this episode will open a lot of potential for future episodes, though. The Elements of Harmony are now staying in Ponyville, which might have some interesting repercussions. And Discord is free, meaning he can now become a supporting character much like Princess Luna or Zecora.

[just2good]

For any fans of classic Cartoon Network cartoons, Adult Swim posted the "lost" Dexter's Lab episode over on YouTube, which is an unaired episode due to the use of swears (which are bleeped anyways).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLN_ka1ZSDg

[Walter]

I never really watched Dexter's Lab, but that episode sure is something.

On the subject of the latest MLP episode, I enjoyed it fairly well. It wasn't perfect and it had it's flaws, but I liked it. Also who caught the obvious Beauty and The Beast reference?

[CM4Sci]

For any fans of classic Cartoon Network cartoons, Adult Swim posted the "lost" Dexter's Lab episode over on YouTube, which is an unaired episode due to the use of swears (which are bleeped anyways).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLN_ka1ZSDg

I read about this a few months ago. Searched the web all over for a vid. The forum post (not on here) I read back then... describes the episode as different.

Thank you!

-Sci

[Lordofdragonss]

This Dexter episode is so weak. I preffer the PPG one. At least it was funny.

Today I find out a trailer from a new Canadian (!) cartoon:

Looks pretty... amazing.

[Oky]

The latest episode of MLP:FiM was entertaining for me, but I agree it could have been better.

I agree with pretty much all you said. I found it very entertaining, more so than any of the other episodes this season, but mostly because Discord and Fluttershy are my two favorite characters on the show, so an episode about the two was an automatic win for me. True, the plot could have been better, and a song definitely would have helped too (Discord really needs a villain song, but alas I don't think that's going to happen now) but it was still fun. The elements are just plot devices, so I'm not too thrilled about them staying in Ponyville, but Discord is such a delightfully mischievous and creative character, even when he is trying to do good, so I'm definitely looking forward to see more of him.

For any fans of classic Cartoon Network cartoons, Adult Swim posted the "lost" Dexter's Lab episode over on YouTube, which is an unaired episode due to the use of swears (which are bleeped anyways).

That was... amusing. I'm a bit shocked that they even produced this episode, but being a fan of Dexter's Lab, I'm glad I got to see it. Thanks for sharing!

Today I find out a trailer from a new Canadian (!) cartoon: SNIP Looks pretty... amazing.

Hm... Looks stylish! I like it. Where/when will this air?

[Fred Daniel Yam]

I just finished watching through Teen Titans again :/ Never really got into Young Justice, I dunno, maybe because it tried to be the Justice League in some respects?

Then I watched through most of TRON: Uprising on a plane; the art style took some getting used to but I liked how they presented the Grid. Then to finish off I watched through the formally Danish turned American cartoon Chaotic. 4Kids canned that too I was quited annoyed by that. I liked the show just like how CN canned Teen Titans but they at least had a good reason for doing so

[Peppermint_M]

Well, Urbance looks rather cool, will keep an eye open for that.

I am catching up on Adventure Time, wishing MotorCity hadn't ended up as a lame duck, wondering when TRON will be on dvd, keeping up with MLP and looking out for some more cool cartoons to watch.

I have a massive list on LoveFilm to rent so that should be good.

[Oky]

Yeah, shame about Motorcity. It seems as though all the good shows are getting axed in their prime these days. Let's hope Tron will get renewed and that Transformers Prime and Korra will return soon.

[just2good]

...and Korra will return soon.

Yea, when is Korra coming back?

Oh, and I clip from tomorrow's MLP:FiM:

Fluttershy!

[Walter]

Just for Sidekicks was hilarious! The story was pretty cliche, but I loved all the jokes, details, and animation. This episode felt very different, but in a good way.

Also I loved the:

First scene! It was a great way to show that Spike wasn't great with pets while telling us what happened to that baby phoenix! Very smart.