It seems like Hulu has been adding a couple new anime shows a week so they are getting a good amount of them. With that volume I don't have the time to go through them all so who likes what Anime that is on Hulu? Don't bother suggesting any of the ecchi ones please >.<. Also I don't torrent but if you know another official site for anime, like Funimation, I'd like to know of it.
I'll give my opinions on some of them (if you want them) in the spoiler and mention any objectionable material I can remember in them. Just take it for granted they all have the ubiquitous Japanese view on fan service >.< . Also apparently whatever rates a "mature" disclaimer on Hulu is different than American Television. A couple of the shows I've listed would not make it on TV for one reason or another even though only one has a Hulu disclaimer.
I'll give my opinions on some of them (if you want them) in the spoiler and mention any objectionable material I can remember in them. Just take it for granted they all have the ubiquitous Japanese view on fan service >.< . Also apparently whatever rates a "mature" disclaimer on Hulu is different than American Television. A couple of the shows I've listed would not make it on TV for one reason or another even though only one has a Hulu disclaimer.
I rate these about a 7 out of 10. I'm not crazy about any of them but I liked them...
School Rumble: I liked the first season a lot but the second season seems to lack direction so I've lost interest. It's as if the writer only planned the first, had success and then threw together a second. The second season also seems to have little more subject matter that makes me uncomfortable while all the first had was poor Harima getting embarrassed through no fault of his own. I found the dubbing good until the very end of the first season when Harima "sings" (and I use the term loosely). It was only that one time but it scarred me for life "shudders"
.
The Tower of Druaga: Based on a RPG it boasts a strong plot line with good characters. Use of CG for some monsters is noticeable but the production values and plot line are high enough it doesn't break it. You can also currently watch the complete second season "The Sword of URUK" on Funmation's web site which is a must to finish the plot line. I must mention I really like the way they did the intro for both seasons. Unfortunately the series does have some light nudity in it though occurrences are infrequent and the focus remains on the story not the fan service. As far as the dub I hardly noticed crossing over from the dub to the sub in seasons one and two so it's quite good. Don't let the first episode throw you either the series gets more serious as it picks up. I probably wouldn't have rated it as high as I do except it has that nostalgic RPG feeling.
Buso Renkin: It's really, really, predictable from beginning to end but the ride isn't upsetting and the romantic in me likes it when Tokiko cries over Kazuki . What did you say? That the end of season one just glossed over all the people a character directly or indirectly killed and you saw it coming from a mile away? I can't hear you la, la ,la .
Jyu-Oh-Sei: My primary discomfort watching this series was the looming suspicion of a guy on guy romance however it was apparently just some Bishōnen pretty boyishness and he likes girls after all, whew. Other than that the series seems a bit rushed at points but it all wraps up passably (though not everything makes sense). It's also worth mentioning the main character makes sound moral choices while maintaining a flawed human quality other anime don't come across with.
5 or 6 out of ten. I rate these mediocre...
Ramen Fighter Miki: Fluffy and forgettable. I'll probably end up finishing it but the lack of any real plot hasn't drawn me in enough to care to.
Kekkaishi: Honestly I think the unique powers and waiting for him to feed the girl cake are the only things keeping me watching this (and no I'm not kidding about the cake ).
Slayers: I can see this show being popular back in the day. I would have rated this higher except it is just similar to other shows that came after it I find nothing to hold it apart. I've watched the first few seasons (when they had them) so I'll probably end up watching the latter ones at some point.
4 or 3 out of 10...
Fist of the North Star: Made for a time when having people explode was apparently the height of animation it has not weathered well. For children probably much of it's draw was their parents not wanting them to watch it rather than it's actual content. The advance of animation has reduced it appeal to "it's so bad it's good" though it was unquestionable deliberately campy from it's creation. The villains are all drooling mad max sociopaths whose only use for their brains is a inevitable explosion. Which is fine for the protagonist who is more than happy to find new ways to explode them. The plot line feels like a one trick pony akin to inspired derivative Dragon Ball Z with more gore and less likability. Some anime, like Red Garden, are more shocking in the actual act of violence than this nowadays. It's worth noting in TF2 sometimes when someone I set on fire runs away to burn to death I want to qoute it saying "You are already dead".
Gurren Lagann: The only reason this one sticks out in my mind is up until the very last show the characters were all about I will be greater than God, my drill will pierce the Heavens etc. all in a very typical anime bravado way. However in the last show it actually gives an acknowledgment of not being God and even one character makes a reference "that humans used someone much greater than themselves". This seeming humility towards God all left me scratching my head as to it's origin because it really comes out of left field from everything before it and is something I've not seen in anime. Otherwise it's a stereotypical anime.
Darker Than Black: Akin to shows like One Piece the main draw is guessing each new character's abilities. However that's all it has in common as the show is completely different. It's pretty much all about the supernatural characters repeatedly showing emotion even though they are supposed to be incapable of emotion. I found it all rather blasé and leading to end I probably would not care about so I stopped watching it. It's not that the show is bad it's just neither the plot, characters or fights are compelling enough for me to continue to watch it. I can't remember what was objectionable in this show but apparently Hulu found something to give it a mature, need log in verification, rating.
2 out of 10. The bad ones...
Red Garden: The promise of a more touchy-feely realistic approach to girls fighting the supernatural drew me to look at Red Garden but it's execution is more horrible than the ones the girls are forced to do. Frequently animes slowly reveal their plot to keep you watching until the end however this can only be tolerated when you actually like the characters (like Tower of Druaga) this is not the case in Red Garden. First the girls don't ask obvious questions until several shows in which is a must if you want to keep any semblance of realism. Second, and on the opposite hand, having the girls scream and be unable to deal with bludgeoning people to death may be realistic but it's just not fun to watch for the protracted period it goes on. I'd like to think it would be better subbed but the content of the dialog, plot and reoccurring "singing" leave me with the conclusion it would be just as horrible in it's original language. This anime is also sprinkled with a couple more cuss words than most of the anime on Hulu. I just want all of the characters to die, wait all the main characters in Red Garden are already dead? Well at least that's a plus. I did find the Japanese interpretation of New York high school students to be amusing too.
Jing King of Bandits: Seventh Heaven: It's one of those shows that feels more like a drug trip than a plotline that will ever make sense (not that I've had a drug trip mind you ). It's pretty bad when a show only has three episodes and I can't make myself watch all three >.< .
And finally these shows. They aren't in a rating order or anything I just gave them a quick blurb...
Virus: Blech.
Heroic Age: Blarg.
Astro Boy: Show is too young and eye roll inducing for me.
Murder Princess: Well at least the plot is two girls swapping bodies and not a girl and a guy. Err me hopes the absence of a male love interest doesn't mean something though >.<.
Naruto Shippuden: I WILL finish it I consider watching the filler episodes a challenge of manhood XD .
One Piece: Colorful character design but uninteresting plots which go on too long. I am not a fan of the over the top animation style either.
Dragonaut: The Resonance: Bosom powers unite. I did not get past the first episode.
Inuyasha: It's not that bad but the entire story could have been told in two seasons and it drags on for 7 (8 with the final act) clearly for a younger audience who doesn't like plot development.
Bleach: Just wasn't in the mood for the spiritual aspects of it.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Ditto of the Bleach but to lesser extent. It's just some of the things the main character said.
Soul Eater: Meh. With it's cartoony approach the spiritual aspects seem less annoying in this than Bleach.
Samurai X: I have minor interest in watching it but can't stand the horrible dub on Hulu/Crackle.
Death Note: When I mouthed the main character's words at the end of the first episode (I will be worshipped as a God) before he said them I lost all interest.
I was looking at "Monster" but my vote is still out so far. It touts itself as a serious thriller but I've yet to be drawn in.
School Rumble: I liked the first season a lot but the second season seems to lack direction so I've lost interest. It's as if the writer only planned the first, had success and then threw together a second. The second season also seems to have little more subject matter that makes me uncomfortable while all the first had was poor Harima getting embarrassed through no fault of his own. I found the dubbing good until the very end of the first season when Harima "sings" (and I use the term loosely). It was only that one time but it scarred me for life "shudders"
.The Tower of Druaga: Based on a RPG it boasts a strong plot line with good characters. Use of CG for some monsters is noticeable but the production values and plot line are high enough it doesn't break it. You can also currently watch the complete second season "The Sword of URUK" on Funmation's web site which is a must to finish the plot line. I must mention I really like the way they did the intro for both seasons. Unfortunately the series does have some light nudity in it though occurrences are infrequent and the focus remains on the story not the fan service. As far as the dub I hardly noticed crossing over from the dub to the sub in seasons one and two so it's quite good. Don't let the first episode throw you either the series gets more serious as it picks up. I probably wouldn't have rated it as high as I do except it has that nostalgic RPG feeling.
Buso Renkin: It's really, really, predictable from beginning to end but the ride isn't upsetting and the romantic in me likes it when Tokiko cries over Kazuki
. What did you say? That the end of season one just glossed over all the people a character directly or indirectly killed and you saw it coming from a mile away? I can't hear you la, la ,la .Jyu-Oh-Sei: My primary discomfort watching this series was the looming suspicion of a guy on guy romance however it was apparently just some Bishōnen pretty boyishness and he likes girls after all, whew. Other than that the series seems a bit rushed at points but it all wraps up passably (though not everything makes sense). It's also worth mentioning the main character makes sound moral choices while maintaining a flawed human quality other anime don't come across with.
5 or 6 out of ten. I rate these mediocre...
Ramen Fighter Miki: Fluffy and forgettable. I'll probably end up finishing it but the lack of any real plot hasn't drawn me in enough to care to.
Kekkaishi: Honestly I think the unique powers and waiting for him to feed the girl cake are the only things keeping me watching this (and no I'm not kidding about the cake
).Slayers: I can see this show being popular back in the day. I would have rated this higher except it is just similar to other shows that came after it I find nothing to hold it apart. I've watched the first few seasons (when they had them) so I'll probably end up watching the latter ones at some point.
4 or 3 out of 10...
Fist of the North Star: Made for a time when having people explode was apparently the height of animation it has not weathered well. For children probably much of it's draw was their parents not wanting them to watch it rather than it's actual content. The advance of animation has reduced it appeal to "it's so bad it's good" though it was unquestionable deliberately campy from it's creation. The villains are all drooling mad max sociopaths whose only use for their brains is a inevitable explosion. Which is fine for the protagonist who is more than happy to find new ways to explode them. The plot line feels like a one trick pony akin to inspired derivative Dragon Ball Z with more gore and less likability. Some anime, like Red Garden, are more shocking in the actual act of violence than this nowadays. It's worth noting in TF2 sometimes when someone I set on fire runs away to burn to death I want to qoute it saying "You are already dead".
Gurren Lagann: The only reason this one sticks out in my mind is up until the very last show the characters were all about I will be greater than God, my drill will pierce the Heavens etc. all in a very typical anime bravado way. However in the last show it actually gives an acknowledgment of not being God and even one character makes a reference "that humans used someone much greater than themselves"
. This seeming humility towards God all left me scratching my head as to it's origin because it really comes out of left field from everything before it and is something I've not seen in anime. Otherwise it's a stereotypical anime.Darker Than Black: Akin to shows like One Piece the main draw is guessing each new character's abilities. However that's all it has in common as the show is completely different. It's pretty much all about the supernatural characters repeatedly showing emotion even though they are supposed to be incapable of emotion. I found it all rather blasé and leading to end I probably would not care about so I stopped watching it. It's not that the show is bad it's just neither the plot, characters or fights are compelling enough for me to continue to watch it. I can't remember what was objectionable in this show but apparently Hulu found something to give it a mature, need log in verification, rating.
2 out of 10. The bad ones...
Red Garden: The promise of a more touchy-feely realistic approach to girls fighting the supernatural drew me to look at Red Garden but it's execution is more horrible than the ones the girls are forced to do. Frequently animes slowly reveal their plot to keep you watching until the end however this can only be tolerated when you actually like the characters (like Tower of Druaga) this is not the case in Red Garden. First the girls don't ask obvious questions until several shows in which is a must if you want to keep any semblance of realism. Second, and on the opposite hand, having the girls scream and be unable to deal with bludgeoning people to death may be realistic but it's just not fun to watch for the protracted period it goes on. I'd like to think it would be better subbed but the content of the dialog, plot and reoccurring "singing" leave me with the conclusion it would be just as horrible in it's original language. This anime is also sprinkled with a couple more cuss words than most of the anime on Hulu. I just want all of the characters to die, wait all the main characters in Red Garden are already dead? Well at least that's a plus. I did find the Japanese interpretation of New York high school students to be amusing too.
Jing King of Bandits: Seventh Heaven: It's one of those shows that feels more like a drug trip than a plotline that will ever make sense (not that I've had a drug trip mind you
). It's pretty bad when a show only has three episodes and I can't make myself watch all three >.< .And finally these shows. They aren't in a rating order or anything I just gave them a quick blurb...
Virus: Blech.
Heroic Age: Blarg.
Astro Boy: Show is too young and eye roll inducing for me.
Murder Princess: Well at least the plot is two girls swapping bodies and not a girl and a guy. Err me hopes the absence of a male love interest doesn't mean something though >.<.
Naruto Shippuden: I WILL finish it I consider watching the filler episodes a challenge of manhood XD .
One Piece: Colorful character design but uninteresting plots which go on too long. I am not a fan of the over the top animation style either.
Dragonaut: The Resonance: Bosom powers unite. I did not get past the first episode.
Inuyasha: It's not that bad but the entire story could have been told in two seasons and it drags on for 7 (8 with the final act) clearly for a younger audience who doesn't like plot development.
Bleach: Just wasn't in the mood for the spiritual aspects of it.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Ditto of the Bleach but to lesser extent. It's just some of the things the main character said.
Soul Eater: Meh. With it's cartoony approach the spiritual aspects seem less annoying in this than Bleach.
Samurai X: I have minor interest in watching it but can't stand the horrible dub on Hulu/Crackle.
Death Note: When I mouthed the main character's words at the end of the first episode (I will be worshipped as a God) before he said them I lost all interest.
I was looking at "Monster" but my vote is still out so far. It touts itself as a serious thriller but I've yet to be drawn in.
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