Defining Moment

[animanic_critic]

Well, I'm a little jaded and bored for now (obviously nothing much else better to do), so feel free to discuss on the moment that make (or break) the anime series itself, meaning which moment during an anime series chartered it into legendary or oblivious status.

For me, Cowboy Bebop became a mega-hit when in Session #5, Spike was thrown off the top of the chapel and simultaneously reminisce of his past lover, Julia. Many would rebuke and say the final episode made the series famous, but there's just something magical about that scene said above.

[jetfire]

Man, I can see this becoming a major spoiler thread, but anyways:

The defining moments of FullMetal Alchemist to me, were the scenes with Ed, Nina, and Scar, the scene where Hughes finds out who Envy is, the origin of the Homunculi, FullMetal vs. Flame (very fun, funny and entertaining) and the ending. Actually, just the whole freaking thing. As well as the movie where Ed separates the ship from Al. I got so mad at that point, yet it was pretty powerful.

For Blood+, definately episode 32 and 33. They left a huge impact on me. For Trigun, episode 24 with Wolfwood in the Church, and episode 25, where Vash faces Legato. In Cowboy Bebop, the very final minutes (yeah, I'm part of the group that you mentioned. But it was so cool and powerful at the same time), as well as the part with Ed and Ein going on an "adventure" with the Call Me, Call Me music in the background in ep 24.

And I'm not trying to spoil anything. In fact, I've basically just given certain episodes and very vague descriptions so that other people who have watched the series will know what I'm talking about.

[animanic_critic]

Well, in order to avoid spoiling other people's fun, use the spoiler tag. I don't usually resort to it, for my previous post didn't really spoil anything. Try to make it not so obvious if you will.

[Yodatsubato]

For me, it was in Mai HiME, at the end of episode 16, when Nagi announced that each HiME would have to defeat each other HiME, and no matter what they did, they could not avoid this destiny. In my opinion, it was the defining breakpoint between the light-hearted first part of the series, and the crazy no-holds-barred mayhem of the second part. At that point, I realized that Nagi was an absolute loonie, yet he was driving the anime into a place where it could not turn back. His choice of diction was great, too. Finally, while standing upon that big dome thingy, he stroke the perfect anime pose that screams, "All I really need is a hug!"

[General Suburbia]

Defining moment in anime...

To be honest, the only thing I can think of right now was when Goku from DBZ turned SuperSayon for the first time. Don't know why that's the only thing that comes up, it's been ages since I saw the series or actually enjoyed it. Must be the pubescent kid inside of me jumping up and down at the thought of anime.

[soundchazer]

The first Naru punch... it made me horny. Naru was such an amazon woman... my heart just skipped a beat... I'm telling you... she was hawt. I would love to see my wife hit me like that. Such a candid display of affection is hard to come by these days.

[animanic_critic]

Dokuro-chan's club mauling was one memorable moment. Makes you see the good side of smashing someone's head into smithereens...:moron:

[bwing55543]

Cowboy Bebop----> Session 5: Ballad of Fallen Angels

Rurouni Kenshin---> When the Kyoto arc started and the first OVAs

[Apolyion]

Noir:
In the final arc of the series, when Kirika begs Mireille to shoot her in the graveyard, and Mireille can't do it.

Last Exile: Ravie's "your chivalry is rotten" speech.

Magic Knight Rayearth: the ending of season 1.

Berserk: Gatts' first duel with Griffith.

Simoun:
Eri's breakdown after entering the spring following her first battle in episode 2; Aeru cutting off the enemy soldier's hands to get his corpse out of her aircraft in episode 4; Neville's speech in front of her government in episode 9.

[f1rst children]

Setsuko burying fireflies in Grave of the Fireflies.

Osaka and Chiyo practicing volleyball in Azumanga Daioh.

Tenma's practice confession to Harima as Harima in School Rumble.

Onizuka's Batman impression crashing through a hotel window while hanging from a blimp in Great Teacher Onizuka.

[aoi_n_asul]

i agree with animanic about session 5 of cowboy bebop. just finished watching it yesterday and i still have goosebumps.
Gunslinger Girl, episode two or three i think, with Rico.
Rurouni Kenshin, with Saito and Kenshin starting to duel.
Yuyu Hakusho, when Yusuke was reborn for the second time.

[Lupin the 3rd]

The car chase in Castle of Cagliostro is a favorite of mine.

[animanic_critic]

I don't know which, but Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen has two of the greatest moments in anime history:

Tomoe and Kenshin met foor the first time, followed by "You've done it... you made the bloody rain fall"
Tomoe completes the cross scar on Kenshin's cheek moments before her death

Ain't too sure which actually made the OVA... guess both of them did.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

I don't know which, but Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen has two of the greatest moments in anime history:

Tomoe and Kenshin met foor the first time, followed by "You've done it... you made the bloody rain fall"
Tomoe completes the cross scar on Kenshin's cheek moments before her death

Ain't too sure which actually made the OVA... guess both of them did.

Aw damnit, now I have no reason to watch Tsuiokuhen. Thanks a lot.

[animanic_critic]

Oh, gimme a break! Just as jetfire warned before, this thread's gonna be full of spoilers. Those two things I've listed doesn't add anything to the OVA until you actually watched it. Believe me, watch it and you'll know what I've listed up there doesn't really spoil anything.

Back to topic, BECK has one particular scene that's mesmerizing. For KRS' sake, I'll tag it to make sure I don't jinx your anime-viewing prowess.

Maho and Koyuki went skinny-dipping in a pool and sang together. A feast for both the ears AND particularly the eyes, if you get the drift.

[isolatedotaku]

Evangelion:

Evangelion's first defining moment for me was when Shinji yells at Gendo in the first episode telling him he doesn't want to pilot the big giant robot. What anime character does that? Shinji was the first character I ever saw who actually protested against getting into a mech. From that point on I do Evangelion was going to be something different.

Genshiken:

Madarame's "If you can't jack-off to anime, you have mental problems" speach. Not much to be said about it, other than it was frickin' awesome. Definitely the funniest part in Genshiken, IMP. Really set it apart from other shows.

[Grasshopper]

The ending of the Berserk anime was definitely a defining moment in my book. It was just so powerful and it has left such an impact on me that I doubt I'll ever forget about it.

[Ghostmaster]

Vash's duel with Legato and also the whole train robber guy that was a good few episodes. In Outlaw Star when Jean and Harry Mcdougal face off is a pretty big momment in the series. And finally in Gungrave the showdown in the buidling where Big Daddy has his big event

[animanic_critic]

My-HiME has this particularly unforgettable scene:

In episode 20, Mai was seething when she thought Mikoto killed Akira's Child, hence killing his baby brother. She scared the sh*t outta me when she bit her lip to bleed!

[Grasshopper]

Ah yes of course I almost forgot. The infamous elevator scene in Gungrave. Truly classic. Thanks for reminding me Ghostmaster.

[Shadowmage]

Here is a short list..

Haibane Renmei: The train scene
Gungrave: The retrospective conversation
Speed Grapher: The brothel episode
Now and Then, Here and There: The attempted abortion
Infinite Ryvius: The psychotic friend
Eureka 7: The double wammy
Gankutsuo: The unexpected sacrifice

[animanic_critic]

Ah yes of course I almost forgot. The infamous elevator scene in Gungrave. Truly classic. Thanks for reminding me Ghostmaster.
I'm not sure about that one... it did remind of Cowboy Bebop's Session #5 ending, doesn't it? Call me 'paranoid', if you will.

Shadowmage: Ah yes... the abortion scene in NTHT. Heart-wrenching, but another scene can match up with that:

Sala finally escaped from Heliwood, when she ran through the desert under the moonlight. *SOB*

[Selius Raine]

Ah, I think you should throw something about spoilers in the title of this thread, for the slow ones ^^;

Anyway, some things that made/broke some animes...

I believe that Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World [AKA Kino's Journey] would have probably been one of the best anime's out there if it weren't for the ending's being so much like every other epsiode. I mean, the final sequence was just fine, but the epsiode itself felt like it wouldn't be the VERY end of an anime series... third to last, perhaps?

Aside from that, I think that show was pretty much made in epsiode one when there was a [I]talking motorbike and a non-scantilly clad almost-manly girl with a non freakily high-pitched voice.

[gdavall2003]

A defining moment in anime has to include the after effects of the Yukari Mobile on Chiyo Chan.

[Grasshopper]

The elevator scene in Gungrave was the turning point of the show and it set up the 2nd half of the series so I can't see how you disagree with me. I don't think you're paranoid though.

The last few scenes in episode 23 of Last Exile.

[animanic_critic]

The elevator scene in Gungrave was the turning point of the show and it set up the 2nd half of the series so I can't see how you disagree with me. I don't think you're paranoid though.

The last few scenes in episode 23 of Last Exile.
I'm not intending to. It's just that the presentation between Brandon and Spike's falling sequence seemed quite similar; that's all.

Another memorable scene from MONSTER:

Grimmer crying towards the end of the series because he's finally sad that his son died. I feel you, man... *weep*

[Mamimi]

Me being the FLCL addict I am will of course think of something from FLCL, so here goes: The very first time Naota gets attacked by Haruko. Not quite as dramatic as the beautiful "Spike falling" scene in Cowboy Bebop, but just as memorable.

[soundchazer]

Here is a short list..

Haibane Renmei: The train scene
Gungrave: The retrospective conversation
Speed Grapher: The brothel episode
Now and Then, Here and There: The attempted abortion
Infinite Ryvius: The psychotic friend
Eureka 7: The double wammy
Gankutsuo: The unexpected sacrifice

That is quite a good list. I like it very much.

I would add 2 more, courtesy of Fantastic Children:

- The truth regarding Touma
- The ending scene

[Lupin the 3rd]

My Neighbor Totoro

When Mei goes down into the tree and finds the big Totoro and gets on him and cuddles up to his tummy without being scared. It always put a smile on my face when i see that scene.

[Ghostmaster]

Ah yes of course I almost forgot. The infamous elevator scene in Gungrave. Truly classic. Thanks for reminding me Ghostmaster.
Sure np. I actually haven't seen the whole series. I'm only up to episode 9. But I anxiously want to see the rest.

[animanic_critic]

As sappy as it is, Ayashi No Ceres has this poignant moment:

Touma forgot who Aya is, and Aya decided to leave him, followed by her crying in the forest.

[Erigion]

In Bible Black, when you first meet Reika, the school nurse, molesting a student and she grows a dick. You know you've got something special

[animanic_critic]

Uh... huh. I never see this coming, actually. I don't not what to say.

Anyway, here's another Ayashi No Ceres moment that just popped in my mind:

Aya saw her cousin plummet from a skyscraper roof to the ground... right in front of her. She then went almost insane for that.

[Dirty Harry]

When Vash blows up that city with his big arm and his brother makes him do it.

Oh and

When Vashis about to drop the rock on Knives' head.

[silan]

When Vash blows up that city with his big arm and his brother makes him do it.

Oh and

When Vashis about to drop the rock on Knives' head.
Nah. For me, it was:

When Vash kills Legato. It was done in such a simple, quick way, that it was shocking. That was the best moment in the entire anime; I've forgotten the rest of it, but that still stands out in my mind

[Erigion]

Uh... huh. I never see this coming, actually. I don't not what to say.

Anyway, here's another Ayashi No Ceres moment that just popped in my mind:

Aya saw her cousin plummet from a skyscraper roof to the ground... right in front of her. She then went almost insane for that.
How does a series have 2 defining moments? Unless you wanted poignant or important moments in a series, but then your thread is titled wrong.

[Dirty Harry]

How does a series have 2 defining moments? Unless you wanted poignant or important moments in a series, but then your thread is titled wrong.

Eri

There is the point where the series is defined.

And then it is REDEFINED.

[Erigion]

Eri

There is the point where the series is defined.

And then it is REDEFINED.
Then the defining moment would be the point when it is "redefined."

[animanic_critic]

Eri

There is the point where the series is defined.

And then it is REDEFINED.
Umm... thanks?

I believe that an anime can have more than just one defining moment. Maybe my thread title's a little deceiving - my bad :sweat: .

Edited: Drama genres tend (not always) to have their defining moments poignant, thus I use the word often. Just so you know =)

[punkusa20_2001]

lol....just lol, AND nobody commented on SC's naru punch.........the only defining moment in the whole series, thankfully it happened alot. In Unihabited Planet Survive it def had to be when it ended, literally you realize you watched 50 episodes and youll never get that time back. It was really moving, I almost cried.

[Dirty Harry]

Umm... thanks?

I believe that an anime can have more than just one defining moment. Maybe my thread title's a little deceiving - my bad :sweat: .

I know what you mean, man. Like I said with Trigun. And Cowboy Bebop too.

Like when Spike first encounter Vicious in the series, I was like woah, and then halfway through they met again, it was like it redefined the series for me, and then again at the end it was like another big moment that set the series up.

[animanic_critic]

lol....just lol, AND nobody commented on SC's naru punch.........the only defining moment in the whole series, thankfully it happened alot. In Unihabited Planet Survive it def had to be when it ended, literally you realize you watched 50 episodes and youll never get that time back. It was really moving, I almost cried.
Prof. Soundchazer did comment on it before. It made him horny and he'd wish how his significant other could do such a thing more often.

[punkusa20_2001]

THAT WAS HIS POST NOT A COMMENT ON IT. grrrrr

[animanic_critic]

Okay, I'll comment on it. Naru's punches are memorable, but I'm not sure whether they are defining altogether. In fact, Love Hina doesn't seem to have any really defining ones, because all the things happen in almost all episodes, which makes the series more popular as a whole rather than having that one special scene that makes the series popular.

I hope you get the drift of what I'm saying.

Edited: Back to the topic, so far I can think up of one title that made AND broke the series all in one: Kimi ga Nozomu Eien.

Moment that made the series: Haruka got into an accident at the end of episode #2
Moment that broke the series: Takayuki leaned his love towards Mitsuki after being miserable at Haruka's absence in episode #4

[punkusa20_2001]

thats why the comment was funny, the series is a total lack of anything, but naru punches. So the naru punch is a defining moment it sets the entire show.

[ant]

THAT WAS HIS POST NOT A COMMENT ON IT. grrrrr
That was the defining moment for this thread but Erigon's post came pretty close.

Off the top of my head GotF/Berserk/FMA/FMP:TSR

Seita sitting on/near his sister Setsuko's grave, Gatts having to watch Casca being raped, Ed dies, hair cut scene

[animanic_critic]

I concur that Akira was made legendary status because of the following scene:

Either the bike rumble on the highway or the grotesque/freakish transformation in the stadium towards the end of the show

[punkusa20_2001]

everyone knows the most definitive moment for cowboy bebop was the moment that we saw sumblime's santeria as "smack that bitch down" played behind spike's girl falling to the ground.

[animanic_critic]

everyone knows the most definitive moment for cowboy bebop was the moment that we saw sumblime's santeria as "smack that bitch down" played behind spike's girl falling to the ground.
:eyebrow:

I don't recall that moment; I do remember the scene where Julia got shot at the back. This can be a defining moment, since it triggered to Spike's eventual demise.

[isolatedotaku]

In Bible Black, when you first meet Reika, the school nurse, molesting a student and she grows a dick. You know you've got something special

I prefer Minasi groping his half-sister after his run in with Reika in the Witch's club room, truly his turning point.

On that note...

Bible Black Gaiden: Takashiro summoning the devil with the dead dog, and the aftermath.

Bible Black New Testament: The bank robber's fun in the rest room. And his doom at the hands of Uber-Imari.

:smoker:

Moving away from that note...

DieBuster! - Awaking of Nono, need I say more?

[animanic_critic]

Very well, in this case, here's one defining moment:

Immoral Sisters: The old lecher took Tomoko's virginity. The point where her sexual hunger is realized... including mine.


SC: Big Brother is watching you...

[General Suburbia]

Most guys and girls start masturbating at the age of 12. Doesn't surprise me one bit that they find porn not too soon after.

[punkusa20_2001]

I dont care if the mods come down on me like a fiery blaze of hellfiery blaziness. animanic_critic do you feel it necessary to post every damn 5 min. You couldn't of even read my post before responding to it, because well damn, i was talking about an amv.....it was a joke. you know funny haha, clown funny.

SC: Big Brother is watching you...

[Mana]

I dont care if the mods come down on me like a fiery blaze of hellfiery blaziness. animanic_critic do you feel it necessary to post every damn 5 min. You couldn't of even read my post before responding to it, because well damn, i was talking about an amv.....it was a joke. you know funny haha, clown funny.

SC: Big Brother is watching you...
Seeing as that according to the time-logs there were over 2 and a half hours between your post and his reply to your post, I'd say he very well could have read it. In retrospect, I can see how your post may have been originally meant to be a joke, but any and all humour in it was completely lost on me.

It's... good to hear that you don't really care what the mods say or do to you, but please be aware that it is the mods who let you remain on this site. If you choose to get on their bad-side by disregarding the rules of AA, then do so at your own risk.

[animanic_critic]

C'mon guys, let's not stray off the topic and get back to what basically made certain *wholesome* anime series famous, for all our sake :rolleyes: :

One defining moment:

Motoko fought against the Armor Suit. The mug on her really showed what she made of and how the plot thickens for a thrilling ending

[isolatedotaku]

Wholesome?

Koi Kaze - The plot in itself made the anime. It was definitely daring to do what A.C.C.T did with Koi Kaze.

[Erigion]

Hentai is anime. Just because it makes you uncomfortable or you believe it's unwholesome doesn't mean it's not anime.

[animanic_critic]

Don't worry; I'm not saying it isn't. Big Brother's watching me and I'm keeping myself clean... that's all. No disrespect to your liking whatsoever, Mr. Erigion. I just don't want the thread to stray into an adult one. I have no problems with your previous posts anyways :rolleyes: ...

Punkasa: I'm not spamming or anything close, as I only feel like contributing to the thread (let alone my own) and to the forum. I love to speak up my mind, which explains why I've been very vocal since I've joined AA.

[Tremolo]

Mobile Suit Gundam Movie III:

When Char calmly and casually blows Lady Kycilia's head clean off with a bazooka through the glass windscreen of her spaceship. Punch-the-air awesome and one of the main reasons why Char is such a legendary character.

[kobi666]

trigun

when vash wakes up in the morning and realizes he killed legato and continues
when he finds out that it wasn't wrong of him

[Pachinko]

Often the "defining" moments occur for me near the beginning of the series'. It varies, but if that is the case, it sets the whole series in motion for me. Like in Utena, when she figured out that there wasn't a way to back from the duels (most importantly, as her friendship with Anthy grew). In this case, the defining point was not one single point, however a long drawn out process of the friendship and it's beginnings.

[LCeh]

Now and Then, Here and There:

When the girl, after all the oppression were able to escape from the base and finally got freedom again, and she looked up and saw the starlights.

Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu:

The final confrontation between Iriya and Asaba

Black Lagoon:

Second half of episode 7.

[soundchazer]

You know... there are also series that have PLENTY of defining moments. A good case for this are older series like Candy Candy and Ie Naki Ko (Remi):

Candy Candy


- Meeting the Prince of the Hill
- Being adopted by the Andry's
- The death of Anthony
- Meeting Terius in the ship
- Her first kiss
- Susana's accident
- Meeting "Grandpa" William

Remi:

- Remi being sold to Vitalis
- Meeting Mattia
- Vitalis being incarcerated
- The encounter with Ms. Milligan
- The death of the dogs
- The death of Vitalis
- The meeting with Lise
- The death of Jolie Heart (monkey)
- Remi being kidnapped
- Remi finding out the truth about Ms. Milligan
- The reunion with the Swan

[animanic_critic]

There's something ironic about Rurouni Kenshin: Seisouhen; its defining moment was at the very end:

Kenshin and Kaoru finally reunited under the sakura tree. The scene showed how the series ended on a bittersweet note.

[majorna]

I'd say the defining moment of Berserk was Guts overhearing Griffith explaining his views on friendship to the princess.

Ok, this is a bit eerie. Here's what someone else wrote in the "Favorite serious moment" thread when Gatts overhears Griffith explain what he thinks a friend is.

Haha.