bebio wrote:

well, there's a big difference between calling something "random" and "not knowing what to do with it in a logical sense". Just because something does not appear to be logical does not mean that it is random. Human beings are NOT logical creatures. We are emotional creatures that invent so-called "logical" reasons to mask up the "un-logical", emotional decisions that we make. FLCL is of the same vein as movies like Mulholland Drive, or Lost Highway. Why does everything have to be "explainable" in a logical sense? The wonderfulness of FLCL and others of the sort is that it forces you to get involved with it in a very different way than other animes (which basically spoonfeed us with a "logical" plot).  It forces us to think for ourselves, to create the meaning of things. In life, things just "happen". It is each of us that decides (creates) what the "happenings" mean to us, if they are good or bad, or if there is any symbolism in it. It is human beings that atribute symbolism and meaning to "happenings". In FLCL, you have to "go with the flow", forget judgefulness, forget common sense or logic, or maniqueism. A lot of music does not make sense, yet it inspires us and touches us in a way that a lot of "logical" works don't. When a musician is expressing his feelings on an instrument, sometimes there are passages which are not logical, or even stupid, and yet they touch us somehow.

That's a real nice post and all but I don't agree at all. This is a big difference between good random and bad random. FLCL is bad random. It's just taking the first thing that comes into your mind and putting it into movie form. ANYONE could do it. Just write some stuff down, drink some beer, write some more, do some drugs, write some more... then have a computer randomize the content. There used to be a musical genre like this but I've forgotten the name.. basically they called it the new thing or something, invited tons of people to watch.. and then he just started to hit random instruments randomly. Since everyone THOUGHT this was pretentious, they liked it. Turns out, it was all a big joke, he was messing with their head. It was not planned or anything, he just hit instruments. Proves what happens when pretentious people are to review random things.

Tobberoth,
it's certainly a matter of tastes and if you don't like those anime there's nothing wrong about it. But calling them "random" or "bad random" is not polite towards the authors (but who cares) and towards those who like those shows. The people who like them may actually have reasons to do so, without having to feel stupid.
(wait, I thought that in a relaxed manner, but it may have come out harsh, sorry )

In short:
Haruhi doesn't seem random at all to me. It's actually very witty and quite logical, with no "crazy" element whatsoever. Maybe you were confused by the fact the order in which the show was aired was apparently random, but if that's the case I suggest you watch it again in the normal order, you may even like it

FLCL is indeed crazy, but I wouldn't call it a totally random show anyway. It has a quite solid philosophical backbone, and almost every "strange" thing in there is a metaphor for something, carrying meaning. Still, if you like more linear plots I do see how you can hate it. I love it ^^

On a side note, I don't think random is that bad, actually. That's because the "random" stuff generated by the human brain is never even close to random. It's a representation of the inner, hidden, powerful workings of our psyche. And everyone can do it, sure, but doing it in a way that truly mirrors the human feelings is part of the art. Do you like abstract paintings of any kind? The concept is the same, I think.
I'm definitely not an expert of art, so that was just my clumsy attempt at expressing my tastes.

Though I kind of agree with what Tobby said.  The same thing seems to be happening in places like poetry and other arts.  People write/create completely random things and claim that there's some sort of deep symbolism.  That's really insulting to people who actually like poetry and art b/c it may make some of them feel stupid when they're not.  The artist is just stupid, lol.  But haruhi's different.  That's actually really fun.

I've tried unsuccessfully to promote Legend of Galactic Heroes before, maybe someone will read this and decide to watch it. It's awesome.

thermal wrote:

I will try Legend of Galactic Heroes nest0r, sounds interesting.

Cool! Yes, once you get sucked into that series you won't escape. I have a volume or two of those Fukumoto manga, I will have to try reading them.

@thermal: akagi is pretty good - I just watched the 1st 3 episodes... 
...will probably watch to the end.  It's a little dated, but I like the rough style of the drawings.  Japanese MJ rules are kind of funky with respect to TenPai - I will want to review them after watching akagi, I'm sure.  Thx!

I just set up the recorder to take down One Outs in high-def. 
Obviously, no subs, but the quality of the picture will be fantastic.

Edit: Akagi gets better after the first 3 episodes.  I am constantly trying to determine whether the guys is just skillful, lucky, cheats, or has supernatural abilities - maybe it's a combination of all four.  All I know is, after watching Akagi, I will >NEVER EVER< gamble in MJ: it's really scary what professional gamblers and cheaters do.  Up to episode 10 now.

Last edited by kfmfe04 (2009 January 03, 5:52 am)

wccrawford wrote:

MeNoSavvy wrote:

Any other suggestions of stuff I should check out? I don't want anything too wierd or out there. Thanks.

Scryed
Read or Die (OVA is best)
Kino no Tabi (Kino's Journey)
NHK ni Youkoso (Welcome to the NHK)
Monster

The above are all 'serious' series that don't go for random or jokes.  I think it's what you want.

If you want some comedy, tr Irresponsible Captain Tylor and Baccano!

Personally, I love the 'random' and weird animes as much as I love the normal ones, but I understand how others might not.  I've only listed the 'normal' ones here.

All of those anime are pretty out there At least, by what MeNoSavvy said.
I recommend Toki wo kakeru shoujo.

I never thought Read or Die (OVA) was 'non-typical', but what it does, it does in an generally entertaining way.

nest0r wrote:

I've tried unsuccessfully to promote Legend of Galactic Heroes before, maybe someone will read this and decide to watch it. It's awesome.

I was actually about to watch that when I get around to it.

MeNoSavvy wrote:

The only anime I enjoyed are some of the studio Ghibli movies as well as Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, and that's about it really.
Any other suggestions of stuff I should check out? I don't want anything too wierd or out there. Thanks.

You might try some of Makoto Shinkai's stuff -- serious, beautifully animated, leaning towards the SF side, short films not series. (If you don't like the SF angle then try '5 centimetres per second'.)

zodiac wrote:

N・H・Kにようこそ! Satou Tatsuhiro, a 22 year old young man, is a NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) and a hikikomori. Explores many social problems.

I have only seen two anime so far (but all the episodes each) - Death Note and Welcome to the NHK. Both are great. I can definitely recommend N・H・Kにようこそ! Loved it!

I'm going to have to second the recommendation of Texhnolyze; as a grim, low-cyberpunk dystopia, it sounds like what's being asked for. Also simply anything that ABe吉俊 has been involved in (Serial Experiments Lain, NieA_7, 灰羽連盟/Ailes Grise, TEXHNOLYZE).

Also 神霊狩／GHOST HOUND, which features some very enjoyable dialect.

~J

Not sure if it's been mentioned but... #Ergo Proxy# is one of my all-time faves. Dark, psychological sci-fi. Not funny in the slightest but very well done.

A good site for finding similar animes is anime-planet. Have a looky there or join up.

So, thermal, albion: ever get around to watching Legend of the Galactic Heroes? ^_^

Last edited by nest0r (2009 February 11, 7:57 am)