To all ASC-only people.....

[Sora Takenouchi]

.....why can't you at least watch Lupin III? After last night's hilarious episode, I'd say it's right up ASC's alley.

[jfurdell]

I don't usually watch ASA shows anyway, but as for Lupin:

1. It looks like ass. The look reminds me of the "Mysterious Cities of Gold" that Nickelodeon ran in the '80s. People should not look like monkeys.

2. "Lupin" always makes me think of the Monty Python sketch with Dennis Moore, who rides through the land stealing lupins from the rich and giving them to the poor:

http://www.graphicszone.net/monty_py...eries_3/91.htm

3. Why is it "Lupin III"? Clearly I missed the first two series, so I won't know what's going on. Or, I'm wrong.

4. I just can't get into these anime TV series. Don't know why. There are some anime films I like, "Akira" and "Spirited Away", etc. But these TV series just strike me as having inpenetrible back stories.

I'm know I'm off-base thinking that about a genre of animation, but it seems like too much work trying to decipher what's going on in these shows. It seems like there are people out there who could write entire volumes about the Gundam series or Dragonball, and I just don't have the energy to invest in watching 5,000 episodes of a dramatic series.

The titles don't help. I know Lupin is about a thief, but what the hell is an "Inuyasha?" Is it that guy with the ears? What's a "Yu Yu Hakusho?" I have no idea what these shows are about. "Cowboy Bebop?" So does it have cowboys, or bebop? No? It's in space? I'm so confused!

So there's my thought process. I guess I'm prejudiced against these shows from the outset. Not a good attitude to have, I know.

[Zero Angel]

Originally posted by jfurdell
3. Why is it "Lupin III"? Clearly I missed the first two series, so I won't know what's going on. Or, I'm wrong.

well at the very least i can answer this one.

there was only one tv series before this one and it was called Lupin III as well. the reason that it is entitled Lupin III is because the main character is Lupin Arsende (sp) the III.

and no you dont need to watch the first series to understand this one nor do you need to watch the movies. one could actually say that all of them are just seperate stories that Lupin has participated in.

[painaxl]

Sorry, but I've got to agree with jfurdell on this one. I'm usually exclusively ASC and Lupin III does nothing to make me want to watch it. The only anime series I ever got into was Cowboy Bebop (I'm sure there's a couple people like me) because of the killer music, art et al. I've tried watching Lupin (granted, it's late, I'm surly, and I usually don't catch it right at the beginning), but it hasn't done anything for me.

I mean, the humor in Lupin III seems slightly more American-flavored then any other anime I've seen with comic tendencies, but I don't know if that helps.

Whatever, maybe I'll sit down and watch it all next week, then make a judgement call, but I certainly don't think it's that great yet. I'm always ready to be surprised, though.

[Arde]

Basically, it's just like the first time I saw the ASC WS series.
For me, the animation was bad and not helping to the series.
Luckily, however, I found out the content of the series was much better than the animation most of the times (some of the times the eps of the series stank worse than a wasted skunk).
Basically, if you can go ahead past the animation then you can found a new animation series that can rival the best in ASC, but if you can't then you'll be missing a great series to quench your thirst for comedy.

Toodles.

[The Landstander]

Actually I've been considering giving this show a shot. However my mind clock shuts down at 12:00, so I guess I'll tape them next week.

[Mynd Hed]

I don't know if Lupin III is really a good recommendation for people who enjoy ASC. It really has nothing in common with the ASC shows except for the fact that it has humor in it. The humor style is VERY different than the Williams Street shows, Futurama, and Home Movies, which are the staple comedies in the block right now. Sure, some people who like ASC will like Lupin, and I'd recommend that everybody at least give it a chance, but just because someone likes ASC doesn't really have any bearing on whether they'll like Lupin or not.

As for Lupin having ugly animation... well, first, it was made back in the 70's, so you can't expect it to look like Futurama. And second, Home Movies has ugly animation. (I HATE HATE HATE Squigglevision.) Sealab has recycled 70's animation. Ditto The Brak Show. ATHF's animation is so-so at best. Ditto just about every ASC show except Futurama. Yet people still watch and enjoy those shows. If you don't like the comedy in Lupin, hey, that's your business, it ain't for everyone. But don't knock the show because of the animation.

Why is it "Lupin III"? Clearly I missed the first two series, so I won't know what's going on. Or, I'm wrong.

It's Lupin III because the main character's grandfather was named Lupin, his father was Lupin II, and he is Lupin III. Simple as that.

But these TV series just strike me as having inpenetrible back stories. It seems like there are people out there who could write entire volumes about the Gundam series or Dragonball, and I just don't have the energy to invest in watching 5,000 episodes of a dramatic series.

Depends on the series. Gundam turned me off for exactly the same reason: I watched the first episode of Gundam Wing when it first aired on Toonami, thought it was pretty cool. I missed the second episode and when I watched the third, I was already lost.
But not every show is like that. Cowboy Bebop and The Big O are two shows where you can pick up (almost) any random episode, watch it, and enjoy it whether you follow the back story or not. As for the shows that do have strong continuity, my advice is to watch them in order. Find a friend who's into them and borrow the DVDs, or rent them, until you're caught up with what the TV is showing. Or, pay attention to the schedules and wait until they start rerunning a series you think you might be interested in from the beginning.
And for the record, every episode I've seen of Lupin III other than the first one needs no knowledge of the back story in order to enjoy it. All you need to know is that he's a thief. If you still don't enjoy it, that's fine, you're entitled to your own opinion, but don't blame it on not understanding the back story.

The titles don't help. I know Lupin is about a thief, but what the hell is an "Inuyasha?" Is it that guy with the ears? What's a "Yu Yu Hakusho?" I have no idea what these shows are about. "Cowboy Bebop?" So does it have cowboys, or bebop? No? It's in space? I'm so confused!

Well, look at American show titles. If you heard of a show called "Home Movies" and didn't know anything about it, would you really want to watch it? What about "The Simpsons"? What the hell is a "simpson"? Don't judge a book by its cover. That which we call a rose, by any other name, still has bees in it... or something....
Most of the show titles that are in Japanese are simply the main character's name, the name of an important place where most of the story is located, or something like that.

[Obi]

Originally posted by jfurdell
1. It looks like ass. The look reminds me of the "Mysterious Cities of Gold" that Nickelodeon ran in the '80s. People should not look like monkeys.

It was made in the 70's, s that's why, by today's standards, the art is bad. If you overlook that, it's a very good series.

The titles don't help. I know Lupin is about a thief, but what the hell is an "Inuyasha?" Is it that guy with the ears? What's a "Yu Yu Hakusho?" I have no idea what these shows are about. "Cowboy Bebop?" So does it have cowboys, or bebop? No? It's in space? I'm so confused!

Not to sound rude, but maybe if you'd watch the show you'd know the main characters name is "Inu-Yasha". -_-' FYI, Inu-Yasha means Dog Demon in Japan, but having someone named Dog Demon sounds even stupider.

Yu Yu Hakusho means Ghost Files/Poltergeist Report.

As for Cowboy Bebop, they're space cowboys...and they're ship is called the Bebop. It just sounds better than "Space Cowboys in Their Ship Called the Bebop".

[gristl24]

I am (primarily) an only ASC watcher. I like Bebop (don't know many who don't) and I've given the other series a chance, but I can't just seem to get as into them as the comedy stuff. However with the new schedule I have been watching Lupin and I have enjoyed it so far. It's a good mix of action and comedy and its easy to follow with at least somewhat interesting characters. I'm hoping Reign will be a decent replacement for it when it takes over. Oh and as for the animation, it really doesn't get to me that much, I guess with the Squiglevision before it it's almost a pleasant change...

[SSDDR]

you should check out castle of cagliostro, its older than the TV series, and has animation thats unbelivable for when it came out.

[Dogasu]

I don't usually watch ASA shows anyway, but as for Lupin:

1. It looks like ass. The look reminds me of the "Mysterious Cities of Gold" that Nickelodeon ran in the '80s. People should not look like monkeys.

As mentioned before, it WAS made in the 70's. Though it could stand to be digitally remastered (like Mobile Suit Gundam was...I swear, those episodes have so much grain and dust on these Lupin episodes), overall I like the look. And, as was also mentioned before, it's no worse than any of the other shows on ASC.

As for the monkeys comment...that's just the art style. You shouldn't be so focused on the art style, because by doing that you're missing out on a lot of good shows that way.

2. "Lupin" always makes me think of the Monty Python sketch with Dennis Moore, who rides through the land stealing lupins from the rich and giving them to the poor:

http://www.graphicszone.net/monty_p...Series_3/91.htm

...And? Do you not like Monty Python, don't like drawing unintentional references to it, or what?

3. Why is it "Lupin III"? Clearly I missed the first two series, so I won't know what's going on. Or, I'm wrong.

It's not that hard. He's the third person in his family to be named Lupin. There was a Lupin I and a Lupin II, but apparently their lives weren't exciting enough to focus a TV show on them.

4. I just can't get into these anime TV series. Don't know why. There are some anime films I like, "Akira" and "Spirited Away", etc. But these TV series just strike me as having inpenetrible back stories.

I'm know I'm off-base thinking that about a genre of animation, but it seems like too much work trying to decipher what's going on in these shows. It seems like there are people out there who could write entire volumes about the Gundam series or Dragonball, and I just don't have the energy to invest in watching 5,000 episodes of a dramatic series.

That might be a valid point if this was another anime show, but Lupin III is very episodic. Outside of that first episode (which, judging from your comments, is all you've seen), you can watch it in any order and not get lost. In fact, you don't even need to have much of a back story to the first episode, since they give you a convenient flashback during the episode.

The other ASA shows? Well, Inu-Yasha gives you about 20 flashbacks an episode, so that, combined with the opening WS made for it, should help you catch up real quickly. Each case in YYH is pretty self-contained, so there's not a ton of continuity. You just need to know that YYH is about a guy who died before it was his time to go, so he was made into a Spirit Detective, a guy who goes around fighting rogue demons and the like. Cowboy Bebop, like Lupin, is mostly self-contained, so jumping into the series now wouldn't hurt you at all.

The titles don't help. I know Lupin is about a thief, but what the hell is an "Inuyasha?" Is it that guy with the ears?

Yup. It's the main character's name. You know, the guy that all the promos for the show focus on? It's not all that uncommon for shows to be named after a main character. Batman, Kim Possible, Tom and Jerry...really, I don't see where the confusion is.

What's a "Yu Yu Hakusho?" I have no idea what these shows are about.

Well, depending on who's translating, it's either "The Ghost Files" or "The Poltergeist Report," both of which sound pretty akward and clusmly in English. I mean, if you wanted to tune in to a show named "The Ghost Files," you'd probably think it was a rip-off of the X-Files or something, which Yu Yu Hakusho is not. The Poltergeist Report doesn't. But if you keep the Japanese title, people will know that it's a Japanese show and will probably think that it has a lot of action in it. Yeah, it's a narrow stereotype, but at least it gives people a better idea of what the show's really like than "The Ghost Files" would.

And if they named it "The Yusuke Urameshi Show," you'd probably wonder what a "Yusuke" is.

"Cowboy Bebop?" So does it have cowboys, or bebop? No? It's in space? I'm so confused!

The show's about a bunch of bounty hunters (or "cowboys") who go around space looking for bountys on their spaceship (named the "Bebop"). In addition, the show has a lot of jazzy music, and bebop music is kinda similar. I think it's a good name for the show--it's a lot more creative than "The Spike Spiegal Show" or "Bounty Hunters in Space." I think "Cowboy Bebop" describes the show very well.

If you give the shows a chance (about two weeks' of episodes should do, which isn't a HUGE chunk out of your life), then you should find some shows that you really like. If, afterward, you don't like them, that's fine. But you're doing yourself a disservice by not watching a show because it's anime.

[JDuncan]

While I am primarily interested in comedy shows, I try to watch action too, and these are my current overall opinions of the current anime:

Lupin III: Great show. Shalow, one-dimensional characters but the writing is good and the stories are interesting. I think the animation is stylish and unique from the other shows on the block. Probably would be number 3 on my list of best weekday shows, behind CB and 1st season HM. So great, in fact, that I am making VCD's, which I probably wouldn't be doing had I been aware of the schedule change and DVD's before it aired.

Inu Yasha: I watched this show when it premiered in August, it didn't really interest me too much. I found the character's and the plot too bland and I had a hard time staying interested and awake those first two times i watched it. After reading all of the positive comments made by people on the board, which I attributed as either there being some genius to the show that I didn't recognise or that it was all that was new on ASA at the time so all of those A's were awarded out of pity and/or to justify claims of "ASA r00lz", I decided to start watching again at the schedule change. Unfortunately, while I am watching it every night, or afternoon if that's the case, I still can't seem to find too many nice things to say about it. But that's just my opinion.

Yu Yu Hakusho: I tried to watch this over the summer and just coldn't get into it. The only episode I can actually say I liked was the one where the principal was messing with Kuwabara.

Cowboy Bebop: Excellent show. Best anime ever, IMO. I urge anyone who hasn't already to immediately buy the DVD's, you won't regret it.

Well those are my opinions.

[drippynmeatwad]

i really don't like asa, but i love lupin! he's so funny, but he looks like he always wants some action from Fujiko. this is the first anime that i've ever liked, and some people should give it a try. imagine it as sealab without water and stormy

jfurdell needs to calm down! they're just a missled person hung on a sterotype of anime and the Japanese culture, reminding me of power_of_mullet

People should not look like monkeys.

PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK LIKE MONKEYS!! WE SUPPOSEDLY EVOLVED FROM THEM!!!

[MothMonsterMan]

Originally posted by SSDDR
you should check out castle of cagliostro, its older than the TV series, and has animation thats unbelivable for when it came out.

Its older than the TV series? It looks so much better though

[Arde]

Originally posted by jdoggg
Inu Yasha: I watched this show when it premiered in August, it didn't really interest me too much. I found the character's and the plot too bland and I had a hard time staying interested and awake those first two times i watched it. After reading all of the positive comments made by people on the board, which I attributed as either there being some genius to the show that I didn't recognise or that it was all that was new on ASA at the time so all of those A's were awarded out of pity and/or to justify claims of "ASA r00lz", I decided to start watching again at the schedule change. Unfortunately, while I am watching it every night, or afternoon if that's the case, I still can't seem to find too many nice things to say about it. But that's just my opinion.
Well those are my opinions.

I guess that's the problem with some anime they have in ASA.
The eps are dependent upon one another, missing one means that you'll be left like a cold fish when you saw the newer eps. So missing some eps of IY will not definitely help you understand the current storyline in the series.

As for YYH, well...YYH isn't exactly the anime that broke the grounds for being the best animated series. It's just an above average action animation although it does get much better as the series progresses.

As for CB, well...it's Cowboy Bebop...so unless you really have an opinion so different from the masses or even the smallest niche group, then you'll usually agree that CB is a series worthy of its hype.

[MothMonsterMan]

Originally posted by drippynmeatwad
jfurdell needs to calm down! they're just a missled person hung on a sterotype of anime and the Japanese culture, reminding me of power_of_mullet

And he was banned. You don't want that to happen, do you?

[Zara]

As being a huge fan of the kind of humor featured in shows like Sealab & Harvey Birdman, I still enjoyed watching Lupin III. I, too, was weary of the animation style when I first saw its commercial a couple of weeks ago. But after reading this board and realizing its creation date, I fully understood, so the animation doesn't bother me.

It does have some funny catchy banter between Lupin and Zenigata aka Pops. I was in another room and only heard the dialogue between their conversation and I still laughed --- another reason the animation isn't a big deal. The stories are simple and have a different style. I consider myself a big ASC fan, and I highly recommend anyone to watch a few episodes - at least give it a chance.

But I'm extremely open-minded, so I tend to enjoy all the shows be it comedic or anime. I always give a show a chance. I also think you have to watch several episodes of a series to form an opinion, because the one episode you decide to watch may have been one of those "filler" or "off-day" shows. I try to appreciate all styles of animation... I feel that it educates me on different cultures, creativity & ideas. The exception to that is Ripping Friends---now there's a show that Lupin III beats hands down. Forget 70s animation, caveman drawings from 20,000 B.C. beat that cartoon.

As far as the question regarding storylines, if I miss an episode of Inuyasha (which I've only done twice), I'll go to TV Tome and read the episode guide (they have a really detailed one) and catch up. Same can be said for other animated shows, usually a good episode guide exists somewhere on the internet, so that you can read what you missed.

Geez, I talk too much..

Looking forward to ASW - Week 3!

[gristl24]

Originally posted by MothMonsterMan
Its older than the TV series? It looks so much better though

It's also a movie, movies have a higher budget therefore are probably going to look a good deal better.

[JeffTMBG]

Originally posted by MothMonsterMan
Its older than the TV series? It looks so much better though

No, it isn't older than the second series. The only reason I can see that someone would think that would the fact that Lupin wears a green jacket in that one like he did in the first tv series. Cagliostro came out in 1979, two years after the second series began.

[PluribusFinn]

well i guess i'm an ASC person, cause i never watch inuyasha or yu yu but i immensely enjoy cowboy bebop, i cant understand how anyone could watch that show and not like it. all my other adult swim friends made me watch lupin and now it's my #1 favorite new show. it is extremely funny and well-written and the characters play off of each other in unique ways. especially between lupin and the villains, he always treats them with total disrespect which i find very funny. even though the shows basically follow a predictable format, i can't help being taken off guard when pops or fujiko show up unexpected.