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SKJAM Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#4051: Apr 10th 2022 at 5:45:00 PM

My local science fiction convention, Minicon, is back after a two-year hiatus, and I have one week to prepare for the Anime and Manga for Speculative Fiction Fans panel (scheduling is very last minute this year.)

Looking for your recommendations with three qualifications: 1) Speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, magical realism on the more "magical" side.) 2) Printed or aired in the last five years. (We've had this panel before and most of the audience will be familiar with the classics.) 3) Since this is a highly literate audience that skews older (many are grandparents, and the primary focus of the convention is SF literature), stuff that's "thinky."

For a quick example of my own, Dr. STONE which just wrapped up the manga this year, and is heavy on the actual science, particularly in the early parts, despite the very shounen capabilities of the characters.

Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#4052: Apr 10th 2022 at 10:15:19 PM

Off the top of my head, The Orbital Children is probably worth a mention, as that's a very recent work that seems to have largely flown under the radar.

There's also Godzilla: Singular Point, which gets very cerebral for a Kaiju show (much to the dismay of the Just Here for Godzilla crowd).

Made in Abyss is probably the big thing on the fantasy side, especially in terms of worldbuilding. There's also the recent adaptation of Dorohedoro, but that's a lot more "gritty" than "thinky."

Makoto Shinkai's recent films might qualify, though they might be more "gushy" than "thinky," but the ending of Weathering With You certainly leaves a lot to chew on.

The new Space Battleship Yamato series is still getting new entries, though I think the official releases lag behind quite a bit. And I'll take any chance I can get to shill Fafner in the Azure: Dead Aggressor, whose latest film series finally concluded its story after nearly two decades, but that's very niche outside Japan.

Edited by Eschaton on Apr 10th 2022 at 10:33:03 AM

NativeJovian Jupiterian Local from Orlando, FL Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Jupiterian Local
#4053: Apr 11th 2022 at 6:36:30 AM

I would second Godzilla: Singular Point. It's basically a sci-fi thriller with some monsters in it.

Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.
fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#4054: Apr 15th 2022 at 3:03:37 PM

Mattaku Saikin no Tantei to Kitara. Basically speaking, it's a comedic series about a former genius detective now running his own detective agency- but he's lost the spark of youth as a middle-aged man with bad hips and eyes, with his agency barely floating and getting any clients. One day, a rather energetic and incredibly strong young girl comes to his agency, forces him to take her on as a "detective's assistant" (it's a typical gender dynamic, I'll admit), and we watch the two bumble, fumble, and try to deduce their way up from insolvency-and maybe reignite the old detective's spark?

I just picked this up on a whim and I'm actually quite surprised about how consistently I've been getting yucks from this. For me, I think it's because I'm a fan of detective manga like Detective Conan and Kindaichi Case Files series so it's easy for me to get the jokes from the tropes they play with and make fun of.

  • An isolated mansion (because the assistant accidentally destroyed the bridge).
  • Everybody getting an ominous reaction shot to a butler talking about an incident "three years ago" (because he had the flu back then).
  • One of my favorite characters, another young genius detective constantly noticing how things are "strange" in a contemplative mood (that are mostly him being judgmental like "I asked for no tomatoes the last time I was invited but the main course uses tomatoes as a base") while saying all this shit out-loud, it's not internal monologue.
  • Phantom thieves that fall prey to their own flash grenades.

Anyway, this is my first post on this thread, specifically, but I would definitely recommend taking a look at this if you're in the the mood for a chuckle.

Trans rights are human rights. TV Tropes is not a place for bigotry, cruelty, or dickishness, no matter who or their position.
doomrider7 Since: Jan, 2011
#4055: Apr 18th 2022 at 10:23:31 PM

[up]

Looked into it. Art was familiar so I checked the author. Same guy a Senryu Shoujo. Instant follow.

Here are my contributions.

Shangri-la Frontier

Seccond year high school student Rakurou Hizutome is interested in one thing only: finding "shitty games" and beating the crap out of them. His gaming skills are second to none, and no game is too bad for him to enjoy. So when he's introduced to the new VR game Shangri-La Frontier, he does what he does best, min-maxes and skips the prologue to jump straight into the action. But can even an expert gamer like Rakurou discover all the secrets that Shangri-La Frontier hides...?

The Unwanted Undead Adventurer

It's been ten years since Rentt Faina, a down-on-his luck Bronze-class adventurer, set his eyes on becoming Mithril-class. Unfortunately, Rentt finds himself helpless when confronted by a legendary Dragon in the Labyrinth of the Moon's Reflection...and is summarily eaten. But Rentt has miraculously reawakened...as a Skeleton?!

FOFD Since: Apr, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishing you were here
#4056: May 12th 2022 at 6:17:53 PM

I'm looking for something where the characters don't have Running Gag's or catch phrases.

Edited by FOFD on May 12th 2022 at 9:19:11 AM

Akira Toriyama (April 5 1955 - March 1, 2024).
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#4057: May 14th 2022 at 8:06:30 PM

I'm not looking for a suggestion so much as the name of a specific thing that I swear exists. The set up, I think, was there was either chosen ones or prophesied BBE Gs (the more I think about it the more I'm sure it was the latter) and to prevent the end of the world or something the MC just adopts all of the kids. And the thing that stands out in my mind was that one of the characters was a lion and that there was a meme about voting for him. I swear to God this had to have been something real.

gropcbf from France Since: Sep, 2017
#4058: May 15th 2022 at 1:50:00 AM

I suppose that would be a question to be asked in You Know That Show.

[up][up] That is a very vague request. Most animated films that are not based on a successful series would qualify for instance.

OrangeBun Formerly Hail Muffins (He/Him) from The only sane region left in Brazil (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: I'm her lunatic and she's my sociopath
Formerly Hail Muffins (He/Him)
#4059: May 25th 2022 at 6:26:41 PM

Wrong thread.

Edited by OrangeBun on May 25th 2022 at 10:27:25 AM

El sexo es temporal. LA PENITENCIA ES ETERNA!
Ninety Absolutely no relation to NLK from Land of Quakes and Hills Since: Nov, 2012 Relationship Status: In Spades with myself
Absolutely no relation to NLK
#4060: Jul 25th 2022 at 7:44:53 PM

I don't know if I would necessarily recommend it unless you're really into the harem romcom genre, but I just finished Nisekoi and found it to be pretty enjoyable. The ship/flame wars it engendered are pretty legendary, but since I read it as a binge and removed from a fandom context, the primary issues (how much the plot spins its wheels in the third quarter or so and the vicious Ship-to-Ship Combat with a rather brutal resolution) didn't stick much with me. Read as a comedy/slice of life rather than with expectations of constant romantic developments or even treatment of the female cast (a Balanced Harem this is not), it's a fun ride. Leaving aside the not-even-particularly-Fair for Its Day slapstick at the male lead's constant expense (and at least it's cartoony enough that it rarely really grates), I liked the slow burn of the main couple's relationship and their chemistry together quite a lot. Mostly, I went in with low expectations due to how much vitriol it generates (largely from fans of the romantic runner-up, I've been noticing) and was pleasantly surprised.

Dopants: He meant what he said and he said what he meant, a Ninety is faithful 100%.
FOFD Since: Apr, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishing you were here
#4061: Aug 17th 2022 at 6:27:33 PM

[up] (2) Fair enough.

Any anime that feature a particularly overpowered Isekai protagonist, or a protagonist who is a fish out of water?

I know of

  • the smartphone one

Edited by FOFD on Aug 18th 2022 at 10:24:59 AM

Akira Toriyama (April 5 1955 - March 1, 2024).
aNinjaWithAIDS The 'absent-minded' Seventh Daughter. from The Kingdom of Adrashelm Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!
The 'absent-minded' Seventh Daughter.
#4062: Aug 17th 2022 at 10:32:05 PM

[up]

Why is it that almost every protagonist of noble birth has family members that hate them?
FOFD Since: Apr, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishing you were here
#4063: Aug 18th 2022 at 7:12:52 PM

Thank you.

Akira Toriyama (April 5 1955 - March 1, 2024).
doomrider7 Since: Jan, 2011
#4064: Oct 9th 2022 at 12:25:09 PM

Asebi and Adventurers of the Sky world is very, very good and everyone should read it. It's...weirdly reminiscent of those old JRPG's like Skies of Arcadia and the like with ancient super advanced magitek, lost continents, sky islands, air ships, mysterious waifs, and all of that kind of cool stuff.

IukaSylvie from Kyoto, Japan Since: Oct, 2017 Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
#4065: Nov 5th 2022 at 12:37:31 AM

I watched Princess Arete thanks to the Ranking of Kings Discord server this morning.

I love the serene, fairytale-like atmosphere, the sci-fi elements of a lost civilization of witches and wizards, how the protagonist breaks the curse all by herself, and how the film makes the story more complex than in the source material.

The Woobie Drafts; Pending Woobie Writeups
Ninety Absolutely no relation to NLK from Land of Quakes and Hills Since: Nov, 2012 Relationship Status: In Spades with myself
Absolutely no relation to NLK
#4066: Dec 25th 2022 at 6:16:39 PM

Just caught up with Yofukashi no Uta. It's... weird, but good. A coming-of-age supernatural dramedy with some romcom and (later) action elements about a misanthropic middle schooler and a listless vampire. The character writing and plot are pretty odd at times, but it has some really brilliant moments here and there, and the development is genuinely engaging

Dopants: He meant what he said and he said what he meant, a Ninety is faithful 100%.
Mishmash Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#4067: Jan 7th 2023 at 4:40:36 AM

I did mention LN/Manga series Let's Manage The Tower to a folder on the Honest Axe page back in October, only i made sure not to give the title a Red-Link.

Does anybody else here plan to create a page for the above series?

Lightbearer77 Since: Aug, 2019
#4068: Jan 24th 2023 at 5:32:42 PM

There one gag manga I found called Fist of the North Star: Post-Apocalyptic Drama Filming Arc by Hiroshi Kurao. The title speaks for itself; it's Fist of the North Star, Animated Actors edition.

Nachtwandler Since: Dec, 2014
#4069: Feb 2nd 2023 at 6:17:50 AM

So, one of the guys I know asked an interesting question today: is there any manga/LN about "overdue harem". I.e. MC got in his 30-40s and the same is with the girls. But they still continue the typical harem antics and MC still have not chosen any of the girls or made any real advances.

Edited by Nachtwandler on Feb 18th 2023 at 11:29:22 AM

fillerdude from Inside Since: Jul, 2010 Relationship Status: Getting away with murder
#4070: Feb 17th 2023 at 7:17:54 PM

Unfortunately no, that sounds like it would be hilarious.

doomrider7 Since: Jan, 2011
#4071: Feb 25th 2023 at 11:18:52 AM

Is anyone reading Me and my Gangster Neighbor? No? Well then get around to it!

jawal Since: Sep, 2018
#4072: Mar 7th 2023 at 2:36:44 PM

I just finished The Girl from the Other Side in one night.

If somebody here loved PandoraHearts, you may like this one, though it is too short (Only 53 chapters).

Every hero has his own way of eating Yoghurt
fateslay56 Since: May, 2023
#4073: May 29th 2023 at 5:40:24 PM

Hey Guys do some of you like horror stuff or b grade horror moves?

I recommend checking out Kichikujima (Freak Island in English) it is basically Texas chainsaw massacre meets other horror movies mixed with anime and manga tropes. Also got a prequel called Zoumotsujima (Offal Island in English).

Also another recommendation for those who likes vampires and mutant fights is called Higanjima it is a long running manga that has two sequels, a prequel, and a spin-off.

A third recommended manga is Killing Morph a small manga that was canceled at the end of part 1 but still a small good read.

Also lasty I Recommend Gannibal a 13 volume manga series that has a live action adaption in Disney+ in Japan it is really good.

Edited by fateslay56 on May 29th 2023 at 6:29:58 AM

Hello world
omega2900 Just Some Guy from The Midwest, where everything is MID! (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: In my bunk
Just Some Guy
#4074: Jun 11th 2023 at 3:27:15 PM

I'm looking for anime and/or manga similar to Black Lagoon.

Not sure on the similarity but I already read Hellsing, so that suggestion can be checked off the board.

Help me. I can't get it out of my head.
jak2130472 Since: Apr, 2023
#4075: Jun 16th 2023 at 4:21:54 PM

May I recommend Ringing Bell for fans of the Star Wars prequel trilogy? I mean, Anakin and Chirin are very similar. Those who compare him to Bambi are greatly mistaken.


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