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I hope Funi gets the New Black Lagoon OVA once its finished. BL is one of my favriote anime/manga series.

And personally The thought of seeing the El Bailia de le Muerte arc animated is just Awsome! Very Happy

jmfsilenthill wrote:

So I have confidence that they would dub Hellsing and Black Lagoon either at Ocean like you said, or just do their own dubbing using the original cast. At least I hope so. Can you picture someone other than crispin Freeman voicing Alucard? I don't even want to think about that Crying or Very sad

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Well, just to clarify, Hellsing wasn't dubbed at Ocean, Black Lagoon was. Hellsing was dubbed by New Generation Pictures.

The DBZ reference I made was a jab at FUNimation from back when they used to dub the series using Ocean-Vancouver's voices. I grew up listening to Peter Kelamis, Brian Drummond, Scott McNeil, and all those great voices, albeit in a horribly cut and edited version of the show, but nonetheless thought just their voices in general were a great choice for the characters.

Then FUNi tried to turn itself into a more "centralized" company by doing their own in-house dubbing, and as far as I'm concerned, completely ruined the English version of DBZ for me from that moment on and for the rest of my life. So I'm saying, if they happen to acquire Black Lagoon, would they make the right decision this time and keep going with Ocean for the dub, or would they just turn the series into complete shit by dubbing it themselves at that point? Hence, the Ocean irony once again.

Yeah I'm aware Hellsing isn't an Ocean dub, but I think if Funimation(or any other company for that matter) licenses the show, they should feel obliged to dub Black Lagoon using the Ocean studio, and Hellsing with the original cast as well. But I know this doesn't always happen obviously (Hell Girl 2....if Sentai does ever decide to dub it, I can't see them using Funi's voice actors for some reason).

The only reason I would see to buy this series in R1 would be if Ocean dubbed it. If Funimation does decide to do their own dub, I might be tempted to buy the JP Blu rays (though they are ridiculously overpriced). Black Lagoon and Death Note are some of my favourite dubs ever. I also feel a bit of national pride, as it doesn't seem like a lot of anime is dubbed up here in Canada. Oh, and I definitely hear you on the DBZ dub.

I think Black Lagoon could've done with a really gritty rock soundtrack. Part of what made Cowboy Bebop good was the amazing soundtrack it had. The music in Black Lagoon was okay, it's just not as good as it could've been, and there wasn't enough of it.

Akimm wrote:

I think Black Lagoon could've done with a really gritty rock soundtrack. Part of what made Cowboy Bebop good was the amazing soundtrack it had. The music in Black Lagoon was okay, it's just not as good as it could've been, and there wasn't enough of it.

Personally I liked the music for the series. It could have been pretty good with more of a rock soundtrack but that all depends on what they put in there.

I've heard rumors that they are going to release the last Manga arc. (The one with Roberta.) I want to say it has been made and everything and Funimation has the rights to it. Rumor is that the original Ocean cast is doing the DUB. Haven't seen any actually episodes for it yet, just relaying what I've seen on that site.

Maybe it will have more of a soundtrack that you are looking for.

Anime Marathon Discussion (Nov. 6th, 2015 - Nov. 15th, 2015)

Spoilers Reminder for Marathon Discussion: Tag all spoilers within your post(s) and record the episode number(s) you're discussing at the top of your post.

First Season Episodes 1-4

Ah my old friend, we meet again. It's been a few years since I watched Black Lagoon from the start. I watched Roberta's OVA much more recently but it's fun going back to the beginning. I have to say for me this title is one that stands the test of time. I was just as excited tonight watching it as I was the first time.

For starters the shows jumps right into it. There's action and explosions right from episode 1. So no worries about taking time to get to the fun parts. You gotta feel bad for Rock. I mean from the start spoiler[he's kidnapped, held hostage, and then his boss says he's been declared dead and basically says oh well.] Talk about a tough break. It was interesting to watch how he starts to bond with the crew and how the dynamic between him and Revy starts. By the end spoiler[of episode 4 after they are trapped in the old WW2 sub you can see they as characters, and their "relationship", are one of the focal points for the show. How Revy influences Rock and how he starts to change over time. And vice versa.]

I'll go into more detail later once I've re-watched more and hopefully by then someone else will have joined the party. I will say through episode 4 my favorite moments spoiler[were when they jumped the Lagoon and Rock flipped off the gun ship while they fired the torpedo in mid air. Plausible or not it was badass. The same goes for Revy playing hopscotch from pirate ship to pirate ship blowing them away with the grenade launcher.]

I think 2 other great things the show had going for it were the dub and the music. Personally I think this show had one of the best dub tracks. The VA's fit the roles for the most part and really brought the characters to life. Then of course you have the fast paced action music playing in the background, Many of the badass cool action scenes I think are elevated from simply cool, to amazing because of the music. The music took a good product and made it great IMO. I have always felt that truly great movies, anime, tv etc were in part made great by the music that accompanied them. Black Lagoon is no exception. Still have Red Faction in my I-tunes heh.

Episdoes 5-12

Finished season 1. Lots of gun fights, explosions, cursing, and badass moment abound. And the second half to 2/3 of the first season really expand on the budding working relationship between Rock and Revy.

Episode 5 picks up in the sunken u-boat with Rock and Revy searching for the painting they were hired to retrieve. We really see how their relationship starts to change as they argue when Rock gives Revy grief spoiler[for looting the dead nazis corpses. We find out some more about her history and really how she sees the world. Especially in contrast to Rock. I think this back and forth between them is where Rock really starts to change. I think this is where he starts to see things aren't as simple and black/white s he originally thought. It's also where I think he starts to realize what it means to be part of the Lagoon company and what it will mean for him to stay on. He's going to have to change some or he's going to be swallowed up by everything.]

After the events and fallout from that mission Dutch sends Rock and Revy out on some errands. She's not happy of course because as this point she doesn't trust Rock and questions why he's there IMO. I think at this point she felt he was nothing more than a liability. Then they go to the church of violence. Things of course get heated spoiler[and Revy gets all excited (to put it mildly) and starts pulling out the guns and Rock provides the calm cool head. After that the recent issues between them comer to a head. I think in between being trapped in the sub with Revy and after the meeting with Yolanda Rock came to the decision internally that it was time to shed the old life behind. Afterwards when he and Revy fight he says she's the one who "woke him up" and reminds her of how he came to be there. How he was discarded by his bosses like garbage. Much as how Revy was discarded her whole life. That he didn't want her becoming like them. Revy appears shaken up by his anger and defiance (and more so I think from his actually caring about her) before recovering and basically dropping the issue and says Rock sure is a PITA.]

They get arrested (just a formality) and on the drive to the station Revy asks him straight up spoiler[which side he wants to be on. She's asking him basically which life he wants. To go back to his old comfortable easy life or continue down the life he's making there with them in Roanapur. He tells her he's right there where's he sitting and isn 't anywhere else. Then they have one of the more iconic moments of the show when Revy lights her cigarette by pressing it to Rocks and lighting it off of his. Lot of people calling it an indirect kiss between them. I don't know if I buy into that but I do believe it was a big turning point for them. Where Rock starts to harden up some and shed his old life while Revy perhaps starts to ease up on the edges a bit having someone actually worry about her. I think this is furthered proved in the last 2 episodes of the season when Revy and "Chinglish", as she calls Shenhua, actually save Rock when he is captured. Sure Revy gives him grief for being kidnapped but it really feels more like it's because she was worried and busting his chops as opposed to true anger. Before their fight and subsequent start of understanding each other back a few episodes ago I don't think Revy would have come for him. Since that car ride moment though I think Revy has started to change some and it shows by her coming to get Rock.] Plus Shenhua is just awesome and funny and as an Irishman I had to giggle at Leigharch. "Jimi Hendricks is calling me back! We gotta defeat the Klingons!" Laughing

In between all of that we meet Roberta the killer maid. The Bloodhound of Florencia. If there was a definitive picture for crazy blood thirsty terminator (pun to the show) it would be Roberta's mug shot. spoiler[She's about the only thing as unstoppable, or more so, than Revy. Roberta is practically a force of nature. A bloody and violent force of nature. A pretty hot and violent force of nature. Embarassed

Though Balalaika is still my BL hottie of choice heh. The ensuing action scenes at the bar, car chases, and show down with Revy and Roberta are some of the best action scenes in season 1. It almost felt like a bit of a let down having them come before the final 2 episodes of the season. I mean after Revy and Roberta knock each other out that would have been a great ending to season 1. Of course we have not seen the last of dear Roberta and if you thought she was crazy now, you ain't seen shit yet lol.]

I am reminded why this is one of my favorite titles to date. Definitely a top 5 for action. For me what really elevates this show over most normal action titles is it has unexpected depth with the characters. A fair amount of the side characters get fleshed out to varying degrees. They also feel like they are important and not just there to fill space. The big draw is of course the ever changing relationship between Rock and Revy and how they influence and change the other over the course of season 1. It gives the show added depth beyond the amazingly done action scenes and damn solid dub performance. This is one of those times where I think the dub easily out does the original Japanese VA's. Not that they were bad, but the dub cast was just that good. It'll be fun watching season 2 again next.

Yeah, this dub is the reason why I get really depressed by the lack of Ocean Group anime dubs in recent years. Since 2010, the only things they've dubbed are new seasons of shows they've previously dubbed (specifically Inuyasha and Black Lagoon). Tabitha St. Germain, Scott McNeil, Brad Swaile (especially)... I miss you!

Season 1 Episodes 1-12

I've had this show sitting on my shelf unwatched for years; I'm not sure why I left it unwatched for this long. I originally bought it based on having seen the first 2 episodes fansubbed. I kept hearing about how great it was supposed to be, so maybe I was concerned about being disappointed after having it built up so much. I figured at this point it would be a good change from the talkfest that was Fate/Zero.

So imagine my surprise when I found myself listening to (well, reading) more talk. It doesn't reach the level of F/Z but it was more than I expected. This is not a bad thing, however, as the character relationships are important.

The show does a good job of delivering plenty of action; if you're looking for plausibility or realism though you won't find it here. After all, when a show starts out with spoiler[slaughtering a bar full of people and a PT boat torpedoing a helicopter in flight within the first 2 episodes the bar for insane action and violence is set pretty high]. While the show is not really a comedy, I think it helps to approach it almost as if it was; that is, don't take anything too seriously.

The fact that the show has interesting and colorful characters is a big bonus. The relationships between the main characters are well developed without being too cliché. Although Revi is the featured character I don't find her all that interesting in and of herself; watching spoiler[Rock figure out how to use the skills and knowledge he has in this strange new world he finds himself in (while growing a pair) is more fun.]. I'm also curious to see if going forward we may learn more about Dutch, the actual leader of the gang. I find the way he "works" people reminiscent of that master manipulator Captain Goto of Patlabor.

Over all, at this point while I don't feel this show is a masterpiece it is a solid piece of entertainment and I am looking forward to watching the rest (probably later this evening).

2nd Barrage episodes 1-3

Gonna keep my thoughts brief for now as I gotta get my stuff ready for work in the morning. Well season 2 picks up right where season 1 left off. With violence and action heh. I actually watched the first 4 but episode 4 starts another multi episode arc so I'll discuss it with the rest of that arc later.

The whole first arc of season 2 deals with a pair of assassin twins. Hansel and Gretel. So cute and aodrable....and so utterly psychotic. Like kids out of a Stephen King book. spoiler[The swapping genders and characters was an interesting little twist.] Though admittedly their life growing up was pretty messed up. spoiler[Being used in child porn and snuff films....honestly their backstory is on of the most depressing and sadistic I've seen in an anime ever. Or almost in any story. Once you hear about their past you really start to feel bad for them.]

What I liked most about how season 2 started was we got to see more of some the more major side characters. Namely Balalaika and Chin. More Balalaika is always good by me, and Chin reminds me of a kick ass Chow Yun Fat with his double barettas. With how season 2 starts I reaffirm my position that if they ended season 1 with Roberta's arc it would have flowed into season 2 better. Just my opinion anyways.

Season 2 Episodes 13-24

As dark and nasty as season 1 was, season 2 gets even more twisted starting with a spoiler[brother-and-sister team of murderous goth-loli children who torture and kill (and swap identities/genders) for fun; they almost make Gunslinger Girl look tame by comparison]. This is followed by a more "comical' tale of spoiler[counterfeiting ] bringing in more crazy characters and the final story arc which has spoiler[Rock and Revy going to Japan with Balalaika for more over-the-top violence with some Yakuza clans].

The show still gets a bit talky at times, though to be fair some of the conversations are fun (spoiler[like the one between Eda and Revy about what sort of weapon Jesus would use]). The action scenes are mostly well done, although at times (as in season 1) a lot happens off-screen; this is typical of budget-conscious TV anime but at least in this show it never becomes annoying and they even sometimes can get creative with how they do it.

One other thing is that spoiler[some of the "main" characters are somewhat missing in the second season, primarily Dutch and Benny. The show makes up for this somewhat with more Balalaika (and a bit more Chin) as well as some other fun and colorful supporting characters that are more well-written then in most anime].

Like I said in my previous post, this show is not quite a masterpiece but it is a solid piece of action entertainment for those who can take the violent and often very twisted storyline and some really nasty characters. Originally, I was going to rate both seasons as "very good" but upon further reflection I think season 2 deserves a rating of "excellent".

Since it's not on the marathon list I guess I'll have to wait till next week to check out the Roberta's Blood Trail OVA.

I know that viewers are supposed to suspend disbelief, but when you are forced to roll eyes every episode at the ridiculousness of what is happening, it is overboard -- on the level of "C movie" action films from the 1980s.

This aspect would be less annoying in a purely fantastical setting, but this is not a fantasy/sci-fi, so it is worse. It looks like the main heroes cast powerful magical spell that make all of their enemies completely inept, unable to aim or to shoot at all.

The show's level of realism is so cartoonish that its age rating should be PG-8.
The level of violence shown suggests an older demographic, but this conflicts with just how stupid the fights are.

Considering that this anime has received bordering between Very Good and Excellent rating, I am genuinely surprised at the ability of people to watch this avoiding facepalming the whole time and give ratings this high.

The only excuse that is possible to provide for this project is that the concept, even though beaten to death otherwise, is rare specifically for the anime industry. Not a lot of anime are about "real world" mercenaries/pirates.

* * *

Another aspect is that at one point, the show is telling a story of Latin America revolutionaries joining cartels. This is neocolonial propaganda since in reality right-wing/fascist death squads have joined cartels, not communist guerillas, which were fighting them all. This aspect shows just how brainwashed by the media even Japanese writers are for them to create this Orwellian picture.

* * *

A few episodes of the first season were way better: a terminator spoiler[lady] was introduced. At this point, the show did not seem to take itself as serious any more, which makes it way better.

Just like much anime from the era, this one always has someone smoking, which is truly repulsive (for more than one reason).

@ MaxSouth - the only reason you are "surprised" at the high ratings that Black Lagoon gets is because you seem highly invested in prioritizing "realism" in popular entertainment (I'm basing this on your comments about Monster, as well). I think you should probably stick to slice of life dramas since just about anything else is going to have you "face-palming" at the lack of "realism." I can only imagine what would happen to your brain if you watched a James Bond movie. BUT IT'S SO UNREALISTIC!!! HOW COULD ANYBODY LIKE THIS??? THAT COULD NEVER HAPPEN!!! Laughing

Black Lagoon is unapologetically over the top when it comes to its action scenes, situations and its colorful characters. It makes zero effort to be a gritty, realistic drama. To watch it through that kind of lens is... well, there's lots of words I could use, but in keeping with the "polite and respectful" tone of this board I'll just say "unproductive."

Some of the most realistic scenes in Black Lagoon are the quieter ones like Rock & Revy in the submarine or his discussions about existentialism with Yukio. Often they are among the most insightful moments of this show as well.

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