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Last edit: 2024-6-10
Edit: 2024-6-10
It looks like I've triggered an algorithm that has identified me as someone who consistently tries to manipulate the percentages either up or down. Oh, well.....

I try to add enlightening commentary, but let's face it:
I'm far from perfect.

For cartoons that are not listed in the encyclopedia please click here.

    EDIT: 2020-12-31
    I have seen two three videos that examine the concept of "classics" from distinctly different perspectives:
  1. Gigguk | Garnt Maneetapho

  2. Mother's Basement | Geoff Thew

  3. Bonsai Pop | Mike ?
EDIT: 2020-04-11
In this video YouTube user Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho) talks about SAO in the context of gateway anime.
    2 Videos That Share a Common Theme:
  1. "The Greatest Thing Anime Has Done"|Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho)
  2. "A Love Letter to a Place Further than the Universe" | Isla McTear (Line/link added 2020-06-24)
EDIT: 2020-06-10
3 Different Perspectives On the Importance of The Ending EDIT: 2021-05-10
Geoff Thew ("Mother's Basement") has a fascinating video essay on the concept of "sakuga".
EDIT: 2021-12-27
10 Anime That Are Fantastic But Hard To Recommend
Anime only continues to get more and more mainstream, but these are 10 anime we wouldn't want to recommend even though they're great.
By Jacob Buchalter
(posted on cbr.com on 2020, Mar 30)
Seen/Read All (public list) Rating
Twilight (movie) Decent
Brings back bad memories of my viola days.....
Definitely gonna have to watch all of this (~1 hr.) just to make up my own mind.
Just how good is it? Just how bad is it?
From what I've seen so far, the animation is pretty good.....
Uh, oh.....
https://fast.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2020-08-13/.162868
Twilight Q (OAV) Very good
It's a 2-part art-house film that lasts a total of 60 minutes. Your enjoyment will be in direct proportion to your tolerance of art-house films. Evidently there wasn't much money available for this project ― and it shows. Like I said, this is an art-house film.....
Under the Dog (OAV) Masterpiece
Running ~30 minutes in length, this is a distillation of Claymore and Gunslinger Girl.
Utawarerumono (TV) Masterpiece
    Pros:
  • Double Tragedy
  • Great OST
  • Bloody violence
  • Cons:
  • Graphics degrade in the middle of the series
  • Some antagonists are caricatured villains
Utawarerumono: The False Faces (TV) Excellent
Even though the ending is open ended, there is still a fair amount of tragedy.
Uta∽Kata (TV) Excellent
Uta∽Kata (OAV) Excellent
Vampire Hunter D (OAV) Good (dub & sub)
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (movie) Excellent (dub), Masterpiece (sub)

"Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust: The Story You Never Knew"| Bonsai Pop
So I originally rated the dub at 8/11 (Good).
Not everything is explained.
I have rewatched it and I have changed my mind. I just loved the subtitled version.* And the OST wasn't half-bad at all!!! I particularly liked the ED. The dub had some minor issues with demonstrating the intent of the Japanese dialogue.
EDIT:
*Now that I reflect back on it, I respectfully submit that that the 2 ending scenes subvert the expectations created by the film.
Upon reflection, I've changed my mind: The dub changed just enough that the actions of Meier Link and the villagers ─ and Charlotte's consequent feelings of guilt ─ are not properly explicated.
Vampire in the Garden (ONA) Excellent (dub & sub)
    I gave some serious thought to rating this at 9/11 (Very Good). There are 2 reasons that I've rated this at 10/11 (Excellent):
    1. The OST; and
    2. This is only 5 episodes long.
    Just take the time to see what you think of it. This series was just too damned short. This is an original intellectual property; maybe there just wasn't enough funding to give it the necessary length.
    Five ~25 Minute Episodes
  1. That's pretty intense. Wonder what the remaining 4 will be like? 10/11
  2. That last scene with Fine & Momo driving away couldn't help but remind me of the last scene in Akudama Drive in which Brother & Sister are (Literally!) running for the promised land. 10/11
  3. This episode starts with a thrilling high and the middle is a crushing despair. The last part is a stunned shock. You don't know what to think or feel anymore. The OST is to die for; which is appropriate, seeing as how civilization is ─ at best ─ ephemeral when so much of it is so graphically dying. 10/11
  4. Fine is suspicious while Momo wants to believe; so it's entirely appropriate that the episode has what every every other episode has -- burning buildings.
  5. This final episode is as tragic as the others. There's a final scene after the credits. 10/11
Vampire Knight (TV) Decent (dub), Very good (sub)
In the beginning, this series doesn't know if it wants to be a drama or a comedy. In my opinion, it would have done better to have lost the comedy. Also, aside from Vic Mignogna, the English dub was -- in my opinion -- quite jarring.
Vampire Knight Guilty (TV) Very good (dub), Masterpiece (sub)
OK, so for very personal reasons it got to me.
Vampire Princess Miyu (OAV) Good
Vampire Wars (OAV) So-so
Video Girl Ai (OAV) Excellent
This OAV just cries out to be remade into a 13-episode series.
Reminder to self: Check out the manga.....
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