Calling all Love Hina, Planetes, Fantastic Children fans!

[soundchazer]

Maybe not as good as the last offer, but all Bandai Visual titles are 40% off at TheRightStuf.

Yes... that means Onegai Teacher, love Hina, all the Gundam series, Fantastic Children, Planetes, Mai Hime, Eureka 7, etc. etc.

[KiraraKim]

I heard Fantastic Children was a very good series. Maybe I'll consider buying it now. Thanks for the info.

[soundchazer]

If you were to leave behind all your anime and you had only 5 series to take with you, Fantastic Children would most likely be one of them.

It is THAT good.

[Tyrdium]

What, no mention of .hack//Sign and Scrapped Princess? Hater. >_>

[soundchazer]

don't care for a hack, and the schizophrenic princess could have been better.

[Ojisan]

I heard Fantastic Children was a very good series. Maybe I'll consider buying it now. Thanks for the info.

If you were to leave behind all your anime and you had only 5 series to take with you, Fantastic Children would most likely be one of them.

It is THAT good.

If you don't mind excruciatingly slow pacing and mind-numbing development of flawed, overly complicted sci-fi nonsense that mars a perfectly good drama.

[soundchazer]

If you don't mind excruciatingly slow pacing and mind-numbing development of flawed, overly complicted sci-fi nonsense that mars a perfectly good drama.

Don't listen to him... he just hasn't scored lately and is a bit sour about it.

[KiraraKim]

Don't listen to him... he just hasn't scored lately and is a bit sour about it.

It's okay a friend of mine also highly recommended it and I trust her opinion. :)

[Roark]

Oh, I thought you were trying to round up a ban list for us.

[Tyrdium]

Oh, I thought you were trying to round up a ban list for us.Nah, then he'd call for Inuyasha and Naruto fans.

[Emeraldas]

Love Hina makes it to the title of the thread but Cowboy Bebop and Escaflowne don't? WTF?

Anyway, maybe I will take the opportunity to finally watch Fantastic Children; I'd love to get Planetes too, but I don't want to buy the whole box set without knowing if it's good, and they don't have a DVD + artbox :(

[Mailorder]

Indeed, you are faster than I.. but my question still stands! Those DVDs are actually 33% off. I'm curious which DVDs were actually 40% off.

This deal isn't nearly as awesome and dramatic as the Bountiful Bargain, but it'll still save a few bucks. When they drop the Crest of the Stars (Anime Legends) Collection down from $35.98 to $23.99, it becomes about the same price as you can find it used at Amazon. And at Overstock, it's also about 24 bucks. However, if you get it at Amazon for that price, it's used. And both Amazon and Overstock will charge you shipping, while Right Stuf ships for free if you buy over $50 worth.

This example is only for Crest of the Stars. Planetes Complete Collection isn't even listed at Amazon or Overstock, so stealing it for $29.99 is quite a sweet deal.

(Not gonna let my post go to waste, as you can see... please delete my last thread =.=)

[Tyrdium]

The 40% off means 40% off MSRP, not off Rightstuf's standard prices. It's a little odd.

[Mailorder]

Right you are. From the MSRP, it's exactly 40% off. Thanks!

[7Raven7]

I'll have to save a screen pic of SC opening a thread with "Love Hina" in the title mentioned in a semi-positive way...

As for me, I am awaiting the day the discount gods open the gates for Gainex and/or Ghibli. (of course, that Ghibli collection is a pretty good deal at most places.)

[soundchazer]

Love Hina makes it to the title of the thread but Cowboy Bebop and Escaflowne don't? WTF?


I was just trying to attract the vast majority first. You know... like going to a classroom filled with adolescent boys and shout "Look! Boobs!"

That will get their attention.

And I know taste is in the eye of the beholder, but I have to say Planetes is indeed a very VERY good anime. In fact, I'm getting the box myself.

[Tyrdium]

As for me, I am awaiting the day the discount gods open the gates for Gainex and/or Ghibli. (of course, that Ghibli collection is a pretty good deal at most places.)If the DVD is Region 0, it's a bootleg. I know the Ghibli collection you're talking about, and it's Region 0. There is no Region 1 Ghibli collection.

[Emeraldas]

I was just trying to attract the vast majority first. You know... like going to a classroom filled with adolescent boys and shout "Look! Boobs!"

That will get their attention.

Pffft, this is AA, you should know better.

And I know taste is in the eye of the beholder, but I have to say Planetes is indeed a very VERY good anime. In fact, I'm getting the box myself.

I've wanted to see it for a while. Maybe I'll buy it and watch it over the course of the three days I will be recovering from wisdom teeth extraction.

[NausicaaBoy]

Eureka has been ordered thankyou for the tip off ..i feel stupid for buying love hina at the store the other day now..

[Dirty Harry]

Meh, the thing saves you a bit. But DVDpacific has it all for like 3 dollars more after shipping. So I wouldn't worry too much about getting them too fast, DVDpacific has those prices year round.

But that Planetes set looks real nice. >>

[Tyrdium]

Yeah. DeepDiscountDVD pretty much matches the sale prices. Then there's that 20% off everything sale they have a couple times per year.

[Milkymagic]

Darn, just when I thought this was a place to hang out for all Love Hina and Planetes fans...lol!

Fantastic Children looked interesting, mainly because of the director who did a great job with Robot Carnival's "Nightmare." Eureka Seven looked cool too, and I already have Love Hina sadly enough.

Also, Cowboy Bebop does have boobs Soundchazer, and you know it! More than Fantastic Children I imagine!

Ok, I'll stop it! j/k!

Anyway, it's nice to see Bandai's library getting some deals, there's so much I'd like to see. The Anime Legends lineup is excellent (barring a few entries), along with other collections/one-shots, and the Mamoru Oshii Cinema Trilogy! I liked his live-action stuff (though his anime is way better), as it certainly keeps his unique directing style intact, but sadly there's no boobs...

However, Tenamonya Voyagers was very funny, and that had loads of boobs if there's folks here looking for that...

[soundchazer]

Fantastic Children >>>>>> Cowboy Bebop

As far as the price matching goes... well... even with the discounts from DeepDiscountDVDs, you save about 3 dollars, specially if you have the gotanime? card like I do. Now if you add 3 dollar savings and buy 5 DVDs, one would be already paid for by getting the aditional discounts.

Remember, every penny counts!

[7Raven7]

Fantastic Children >>>>>> Cowboy Bebop

blasphemy.

[soundchazer]

Not really. Cowboy Bebop had several filler episodes and those that were not were uneven. Cowboy Bebop was the ultimate roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs. It is an entertaining series nonetheless.

[Milkymagic]

lol, Soundchazer is like cement, and all we can do is follow the road paved for us!

But I get pretty bold with my opinion too, for example: I would sooner gouge out both my eyes than admit Gundam is better than Patlabor, or Voices of a Distant Star is better than The Wings of Honneamise, and don't even get me started on Gunbuster over Macross...along with Oshii as the most skilled director I've witnessed as opposed to fan favorite Hayao Miyazaki (who even gets a leap-frog by mentor Isao Takahata from myself). Opinions rule, but so does the individual, if you are cement then I am steel!

Still, intriguing to see the love for Fantastic Children, I'll definitely check it out sometime if you're willing to put it above Cowboy Bebop.

[Ojisan]

SC is an old dirt road in Chihuahua.

I dare all you "hmm, Fantastic Children seems pretty intriguing cause SC said so" peeps to actually get 10 episodes in and report you findings.

[Milkymagic]

Ojisan is like the wood bridge that holds itself in terrible weather, a fine and sturdy establishment that's lasted for sometime. Village elders talk about this kind of stuff, y'know?

I'm not stating Fantastic Children will be awesome, I'm just declaring an interest in watching it. Of course, Oji knows the "10 episode rule" like most seasoned vets.

Hell, some people I know have a "10 minute rule" and walk out to do more interesting things, like not watching anime and being totally normal to the max.

[soundchazer]

SC is an old dirt road in Chihuahua.

I dare all you "hmm, Fantastic Children seems pretty intriguing cause SC said so" peeps to actually get 10 episodes in and report you findings.

Or... knowing that some people will want to have some additional assurances, they can check the links and see I'm not the only one raving about it:

http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19411
http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19671
http://icelava.net/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1044

[Grasshopper]

Cowboy Bebop had several filler episodes

I didn't find any of the episodes to be "filler". I thought every episode was entertaining in its own right and none of the episodes really detracted from the show. This is just my opinion anyway, we all have different takes on the show.

[soundchazer]

Read Eek's review:

http://www.animeacademy.com/finalrevdisplay.php?id=65

I really agreed with it so much I felt it was unnecessary to write a new one.

For ever episode like "Hard luck woman" or "The Real Folk Blues" which were amazing and added to the story of the characters, we get a "Heavy Metal Queen" which bortherlines mediocre and adds no characterization or plot advancement.

[Ojisan]

Or... knowing that some people will want to have some additional assurances, they can check the links and see I'm not the only one raving about it:

http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19411
http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19671
http://icelava.net/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1044

All of those people are wrong.

And I like being a sturdy Oak Bridge.

:D

[KiraraKim]

Hmm well I watched the first 4 episodes of Fantastic Children (because I decided I should watch it before deciding if I would buy it) and already I am really impressed. Of course I can't completely give my opinion until the end but so far I have to give this one to Soundchazer.

[soundchazer]

All of those people are wrong.

And I like being a sturdy Oak Bridge.

:D

I should change your title to Master Baiter.

[C0MPL3X]

I know people look for different things in anime, but I'd like to think that there are some animes that will please everyone if they give their full attention and stay with them. Characters you can't help but feel for, story you can't help but be intrigued by, and the world you can't help but be withdrawn to its sheer immensity, beauty and imagination. I think Fantastic Children and NTHT are one of them.

[Ojisan]

I think a big reason I could never get into Fantastic Children was my distaste for sci-fi.

Now and Then, Here and There is exquisite. Beautiful, gripping story-line with sci-fi elements that don't detract and characters you can't help but feel for.

Fantastic Children starts with two seperate storylines which later converge by some complicated series of uninteresting science fiction. The plot moves along so slowly, characters you initially dislike nor understand flesh out eventually as the story's protaganists, but I feel the connection between them and the story's former half just too convoluted. It tries to make a grand display of it's fictitious psuedo-science, which is entirely yawn-enducing. The ending was the only redeeming aspect of the whole show because of romantic and dramatic qualities, but the rest of the show's action and science fiction was dull and stupid.

[animanic_critic]

Read Eek's review:

http://www.animeacademy.com/finalrevdisplay.php?id=65

I really agreed with it so much I felt it was unnecessary to write a new one.

For ever episode like "Hard luck woman" or "The Real Folk Blues" which were amazing and added to the story of the characters, we get a "Heavy Metal Queen" which bortherlines mediocre and adds no characterization or plot advancement.
I can't help but agree with the Doctor... and perhaps with Prof. Eek as well on Cowboy Bebop. It's one of the most entertaining series out there, but the entertainment level between each episodes are inconsistent. Most of the episodes aren't devoted to the main plot, and this is one big reason why I don't really like it as much as I should IMHO. Personally, the only episodes that intrigued me in the series are the ones concerning Spike's past.

[7Raven7]

Sorry SC, didn't mean to start up the lynching squad...

Don't get me wrong, Fantastic Children is an anime I can respect, and respect a lot. And for those who are looking for a solid story in a complete arc format, Bebop is not the place to start. Mostly this is do (correct me if I'm wrong) because originally Bebop was several episodes shorter, then it was revamped adding cult favorites like "Mushroom Samba" into the mix. So the side episodes are litterally that, just thrown in.

Characters go along way in a series with a not-so-solid plot and the characterization of the Bebop crew is the best I have seen, period. This is not to confuse it with 1) character development or 2) character background, but you have to admit you get an immediate sense for who the characters are and this remains consistent throughout the series despite the lacking in the other two categories. In fact this, in my opinion, helps to fuel your curiosity and even to a mythology standpoint where you can piece together, through multiple viewings, what you think happened in their past, but never really know for sure.

Next we move to music. Again, you will be hard pressed to find a better soundtrack in either quality or variaty. A perfect 10 in my book. Throw in the fact that Bebop made famous that ever-elusive style trend of anime popular and used some of the best voice talent ever. Animation? Fluid and very good for the time, if maybe a minor complaint from the CG. And the action.. oh, the action.

As for the story, the episodes are extremely independent of each other. Figuring you keep "Hard Luck Woman" and "Real Folk Blues" at the end, the first three episodes at the beginning, and all the two parters together you can throw the mix into the blender and watch them in any order you want. There are advantages and disadvantages to this.

As the disadvantages are easy to point out (and have been if you look at the AA reviews) one advantage is you can pop in an episode you want and not have to think about where it fits into the story. Just enjoy it. Try throwing in a random episode of Escaflowne or .hack/Sign, it just doesn't work. Also, even if you dislike the concept and will undoubtedly hate one of the episodes (i have a bad habit of skipping past "Toys in the Attic" almost every time), you will be hard pressed not to find an episode you love in this eclectic mix. And some of the best moments in anime overall are in this series, including when Stella by the Moor plays in "Waltz for Venus", Call Me, Call Me during "Hard Luck Women" and that famous fall from the chapel while Green Bird plays during "Ballad of Fallen Angels."

[loner]

Why are we comparing apples and oranges here? In fact, why are we discussing the merits/faults of various anime in a thread meant to alert people to get some anime for cheap?

[Ojisan]

Cause SC is gay.

[Barrelhaven]

Master Baiter.

Hah! I dunno if it was intentional or not, but if you say that really fast, it sounds like...well, I'll let you figure it out for yourself.

Anyway, I totally agree with everything 7Raven said concerning Cowboy Bebop's "filler" episodes. It's all a matter of personal opinion though...some people like linear storytelling while others enjoy a more roundabout method. I personally thought CB did an excellent job entertaining us with thrilling action and hilarious comedy between the meatier, Spike/Vicious-centric episodes. Just because they don't directly relate to the "main" storyline, doesn't mean they can't be interesting in and of themselves. Besides, all these "sub" storylines help add to the unique and interesting environment the story takes place in. Without em, it'd be a bland, unengrossing series.

And for the record, Cowboy Bebop > all.

EDIT: Oh yeah, thanks for the heads up on the discount.

[soundchazer]

Cause SC is gay.


Is this the part where I'm supposed to say that it takes one to know one?

[Mana]

Is this the part where I'm supposed to say that it takes one to know one?

No, it's the part where you politely ask people to at least try to stay on topic, like I'm doing now :p

This is one of those times where I really wish we had a "split thread" feature....

[Erigion]

One thing to do before you buy DVDs from this sale or any sale from TRS is to check prices at http://www.dvdpricesearch.com/

Most of the time the prices at TRS are so much higher than at places like DeepDiscountDVD that even with a 33%-40% discount DeepDiscountDVD is still cheaper than TRS. And if you're willing to wait for one of DDD's 20% off sales you can get DVDs for even cheaper.

For example, individual PlanetES DVDs are selling for $22.48 at TRS. But at DDD, the highest a PlanetES DVD costs is 17.99. Ok, so they don't have it all but they'll eventually have them in stock again. Or if you want to get the Thinpak it'll only cost you 30 bucks, instead of the 40 at TRS.

No, I'm not a salesman for DDD. Just don't believe that you have to buy from online "anime" stores. There's almost always a cheaper option.

[soundchazer]

Erigion...just so you know... I only put these messages up when TRS is on sale. Right now, you will save around 2-5 bucks over the discounted DDD pricing.

DDD is usually the best choice when TRS is not on sale or you will buy just a couple of DVDs since you won't get free shipping from TRS for small sales, but when TRS is on sale, they beat even DDD prices. Just as an example, PLanetes thinpack will cost me $27.99 vs. 30.24 at DDD. The Fantastic children DVDs will cost me 11.99 a piece vs. $12.09 at DDD. My Hime will cost me $14.99 vs. $15.11 at DDD.

And I don't know if you have noticed, but it has been at least 6 months if not a year since they have had anime on sale at DDD. Usually their 20 to 40% discounts have not included anime as of late, since they have those already heavily discounted.

And no, I'm not a TRS salesman either, but it seems they do not get a fair shake because of their regular pricing.

Edit: Now that my gotanime? membership kicked in, my price for the FC DVDs is $10.79, My Hime are $13.49 a piece and The Planetes thinpack will be 27.00 even. Overall, I'm saving $11.68 over DDD prices with this order, so pretty I got an additional DVD for free using TRS. I will still recommend DDD is no sale if going on at TRS and you MUST have the DVD then. Both are quality services and neither have let me down.

[Emeraldas]

No, it's the part where you politely ask people to at least try to stay on topic, like I'm doing now :p

This is one of those times where I really wish we had a "split thread" feature....

As long as the conversation is civil and/or intelligent, I don't see why it matters if it goes off topic. I'm enjoying these guys' discussion, personally.

[Erigion]

Edit: Now that my gotanime? membership kicked in, my price for the FC DVDs is $10.79, My Hime are $13.49 a piece and The Planetes thinpack will be 27.00 even. Overall, I'm saving $11.68 over DDD prices with this order, so pretty I got an additional DVD for free using TRS. I will still recommend DDD is no sale if going on at TRS and you MUST have the DVD then. Both are quality services and neither have let me down.Yea, not everyone has that membership. I'm definately not spending money on a membership at a site where I'd use it two or three times at most.

And it's not only them I'm not "giving a fair shake," it's pretty much every other major online shopping website. If you look hard enough you probably can find a cheaper price somewhere else.

[soundchazer]

Erigion: If you care to read what I had before the edit, even without the membership I would have ended up paying less.

[Erigion]

Erigion: If you care to read what I had before the edit, even without the membership I would have ended up paying less.
Ehh? How? Even with the skysurf coupon I get a 29.99 price with 4 bucks shipping for the PlanetES Collection.

[soundchazer]

Ehh? How? Even with the skysurf coupon I get a 29.99 price with 4 bucks shipping for the PlanetES Collection.

DDD is usually the best choice when TRS is not on sale or you will buy just a couple of DVDs since you won't get free shipping from TRS for small sales

You are still just reading what you find convenient man.

For the record, TRS will pay for shipment after $49.00

It is all a matter of learning how to shop. DDD is the place to go for the impulse buy (I would NEVER buy anime at SUNCOAST). TRS when you plan in advance and save the money for a bigger order.

Edit: This is also the last time I discuss the issue with you since we are going in circles. My point is that I feel you are not informing the rest of the forum goers correctly. Yes, TRS can be quite expensive if you plan to buy from them at their regular pricing, but they can be a better choice than the usual places like Deed Discount DVD and DVDPacific when they have a sale going. Obviously, anyone who wants to save money will still need to check beforehand if the savings are worth it or not. Also, they will have to check shipping and finally, what is the international clauses if they are buying from outside the U.S.. But just because they are an anime specialty store it shouldn't automatically make them a worse choice than other more generalized DVD providers, like you are implying.