What did you watch last?

[vapalla]

Ashura wrote:

I tried watching Witchblade #1, but for some reason it isn't working, I get the voices, but no pictures. I have both JLC & real player, so it may be a new codec that I need

You are not the only one. I am not sure if this is true, but I read that the download needed won't work on older computers or Macs. I wish they would release an avi version. I really wanted to see it.

I watched a bunch of things including Tsubasa 27 (2nd season) which appears to be an anime only story, and Zegapain 2, which so far isn't bad. I also watched the The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya ep. 4 and I'm confused. At first I thought I skipped an episode. When did the new guy show up and what is with the time warping?

I also checked out Jyu Oh Sei, which is a well animated series from Bones. Interesting premise, being exiled to a planet where plants rule and humans fight plants and each other to survive. Good Witch of the West Astrea Testament is a fantasy series and also has some very detailed animation. (The eyes of the characters are often very reflective), Both of these series look promising, so I am going to continue to download them. The Third is OK but I don't like the narration. I'll give it a few more eps to see if I want to continue with it.

[Ashura]

Ashura wrote:

I tried watching Witchblade #1, but for some reason it isn't working, I get the voices, but no pictures. I have both JLC & real player, so it may be a new codec that I need

You are not the only one. I am not sure if this is true, but I read that the download needed won't work on older computers or Macs. I wish they would release an avi version. I really wanted to see it.

That can't be true, I have an IBM T30 & T40 (one for traveling and one for home) and there is no way that these are old. I'll ask my friend and see what he can do for me. I'll let you know what I come up with Vapalla

[vapalla]

Let me know if you find out anything Ashura. I think I have the most recent download in my computer but it is a mac. A lot of groups are starting to release in mp4 h264 format (whatever that is) and my computer can only read some of them. Witchblade acted differently than the other unreadable files, though. Some of them would only give me sound with a closed window, Witchblade gave me sound and no viewing window at all.

Warched Zegapain 3 and they threw in an unexpected twist. The series was shaping up to be a somewhat standard mecha series, though nicely animated and with less cliche characters, but now it hints at something new. I'm curious to find out what it means to the story.

Also watched Nana 3, (getting behind in my watching already!) Since I read this story before, there were no surprises, but it was nice to see how it worked in the anime. Guess there is one more episode to her story then it moves to Nana #2.

[Keropi]

I have been playing Ms Pac-man. Sasha, this little girl in the building bought me the little joystick game.

I was seriously thinking about getting one of those since I seen it discounted at the end of Christmas, but I never got around to it. I have fond memories of Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man. I wish there were more stand up arcade machines of those around. If I ever find them they are set to the highest difficulty settings and are hard to play.

Karin -23 (one more ep til the final episode..... )

So how is the ending of the series going? My friend said he is disappointed with it. I've seen up to volume 6 of the manga, but I didn't get very far into the TV series because of Weiner-san.

I tried watching Witchblade #1, but for some reason it isn't working, I get the voices, but no pictures. I have both JLC & real player, so it may be a new codec that I need

I didn't have any problem playing Witchblade #1, but I was using the 3-6-2006 version of CCCP. I'm not knowledgeable on installing individual codecs so I just go with CCCP:

http://www.cccp-project.net/

I've been having some problems playing other anime though such as LuPerry's hack//Roots 3 at 1280X720 h264. Episodes 1,2 and 4 run fine (all at 1280X720 h264), but only the sound works for episode 3. I had to play it on Windows Media Player Classic to get it to show. Sometimes old and simple is definitely the best.

I uninstalled my 3-6-2006 version of CCCP and tried installing the new 5-1-2006 version of CCCP, but the video still doesn't show on the newest Windows Media Player (still have to use Media Player Classic). But downloading it wasn't in vain because now with CCCP 5-1-2006 h264 anime run a lot faster. It's great. I had to use "right click" and "save as" to download the WinXP/Win2K version of 5-1-2006 from the CCCP website.

I also watched the The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya ep. 4 and I'm confused. At first I thought I skipped an episode. When did the new guy show up and what is with the time warping?

Someone said that Kyoto Animation skipped a manga chapter because they needed some staff to help produce the Kanon (2006) anime. Supposedly Suzumiya's only going to be fourteen episodes long.

As per your question: When I mentioned "warping" earlier:

MINOR SPOILER FOR SUZUMIYA EPISODE FOUR:

...I was referring to Haruhi's abilities.

[Ashura]

I have been playing Ms Pac-man. Sasha, this little girl in the building bought me the little joystick game.

I was seriously thinking about getting one of those since I seen it discounted at the end of Christmas, but I never got around to it. I have fond memories of Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man. I wish there were more stand up arcade machines of those around. If I ever find them they are set to the highest difficulty settings and are hard to play.

I love the arcade game and as long as Mr or Ms Pacman moves fast, I can normally last for a good amount of time. I die within 5 minutes if they are moving slow

If you dont want to buy it, I can send you mine and you can test drive it for a bit. See if you like it or not I'm a big old school game person myself (translation = dork) and I have no real experience of any of the new game. Never even played any of the Final Fantasy games...

Karin -23 (one more ep til the final episode..... )

So how is the ending of the series going? My friend said he is disappointed with it. I've seen up to volume 6 of the manga, but I didn't get very far into the TV series because of Weiner-san.

I actually liked how the series progressed. I mean:

I got to see Karin's family caring a whole lot more for her (even sexy Ren was begging for Karin's sake....awww,) I normally hate Winner-kun (Weiner), but even he had some nice moments where I didn't think he was a total spaz. The only part I didn't like was karin's grandma biting the big one, though I am hoping that the last ep shows her okay or at least finally being with her true love in ghostly/heavenly form. Maybe your friend didn't like it because it has less humor, but come on, even in Trigun, in the end the story was serious. Yet even up to ep 23, there was still some mindless humor thoughout it. I just hope it end in a way that I feel good about it because honestly, I like this series so far and the end will definitely make or break my final thoughts on this series. *crossing my fingers*

I tried watching Witchblade #1, but for some reason it isn't working, I get the voices, but no pictures. I have both JLC & real player, so it may be a new codec that I need

I didn't have any problem playing Witchblade #1, but I was using the 3-6-2006 version of CCCP. I'm not knowledgeable on installing individual codecs so I just go with CCCP:

http://www.cccp-project.net/

I've been having some problems playing other anime though such as LuPerry's hack//Roots 3 at 1280X720 h264. Episodes 1,2 and 4 run fine (all at 1280X720 h264), but only the sound works for episode 3. I had to play it on Windows Media Player Classic to get it to show. Sometimes old and simple is definitely the best.

I uninstalled my 3-6-2006 version of CCCP and tried installing the new 5-1-2006 version of CCCP, but the video still doesn't show on the newest Windows Media Player (still have to use Media Player Classic). But downloading it wasn't in vain because now with CCCP 5-1-2006 h264 anime run a lot faster. It's great. I had to use "right click" and "save as" to download the WinXP/Win2K version of 5-1-2006 from the CCCP website.

I'll let you know if this works [/spoiler]

[redwolf]

Los Angeles Lakers versus Phoenix Suns: game six. Fourth quarter gave me a heart attack, but it's off to game seven!

Anime-wise: School Rumble #4 was pure gold with quite a few beautiful moments of misinterpretations. It seems to be comedy week, because Ouran HS Host Club #4 was just as funny as ever; the crazy new "manager" was a nice addition. I thought I was done with High School Girls and its unecessarily blatant fanservice after the first ep...I failed. #3 was quite funny and the most decent episode yet, and #4 reminded me quite a bit of the Azudaioh school festivals...except with more craziness. Kouda is reminding me of Tomo... One Piece #184... Go Nami! Kick that bastard's ass!

[usamamo]

I have been watching GTO. I have 3 episodes left to watch. I keep having to tear myself away to do all the annoying things like eating and sleeping. I am loving it. Like I need another anime that I want the cels from. I can't afford it. Does anyone need a kidney?

[Ashura]

Let me know if you find out anything Ashura. I think I have the most recent download in my computer but it is a mac. A lot of groups are starting to release in mp4 h264 format (whatever that is) and my computer can only read some of them. Witchblade acted differently than the other unreadable files, though. Some of them would only give me sound with a closed window, Witchblade gave me sound and no viewing window at all.

Warched Zegapain 3 and they threw in an unexpected twist. The series was shaping up to be a somewhat standard mecha series, though nicely animated and with less cliche characters, but now it hints at something new. I'm curious to find out what it means to the story.

Also watched Nana 3, (getting behind in my watching already!) Since I read this story before, there were no surprises, but it was nice to see how it worked in the anime. Guess there is one more episode to her story then it moves to Nana #2.

Yay, I found the new codec needed. PM sent Vapalla!!!

[Keropi]

I love the arcade game and as long as Mr or Ms Pacman moves fast, I can normally last for a good amount of time. I die within 5 minutes if they are moving slow

I find the high difficulty setting Ms. Pac-Man arcade machines (like the one that was at the Disneyland Hotel during Anime Expo) to be terrible to play. It's no fun having your game end at 42,000 or whatever.

I loved Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Tempest. Those were the only three arcade games I was decent at. A problem with a lot of those Pac-Man classic game programs they sell is that they use the program that was designed to kill the pattern's people used. Who wants to play the pattern killer Pac-Man games? I want to play the earlier pre-pattern killer programs.

I'll let you know if this works [/spoiler]

Did you get it to work?

Los Angeles Lakers versus Phoenix Suns: game six. Fourth quarter gave me a heart attack, but it's off to game seven!

Yay Phoenix!

It seems to be comedy week, because

A lot of anime seemed funnier this week for some odd reason.

[Keropi]

I took some time to play my Dreamcast First Kiss Story game this week. Now at least I have a better idea where those cels we've seen for sale might come from. There aren't as many animated scenes as I thought there would be. But I did see the cel of Yukiko riding up to the guy on her bike. The scenes so far have only been about 10-15 seconds long each and they were mainly for introduction scenes of new characters. I haven't played very many games, but First Kiss Story reminds me a little of the Sentimental Graffiti 2 city/day-by-day gameplay with a bit of the Kakyuusei story in it. Heck...in the second case, the main guy (just like Kakyuusei) moves in (rents I guess) a room in the house of the main girl and also accidentally sees her in the bath (just like the Elf ban Kakyuusei anime).

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yutsu 5 (okay/decent - 5.5):
We ARE hopping around a bit aren't we? The weird happenings are being explained. Or are they?

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 5 (okay/decent - 5.45):
Oh boy. This series is seriously whacked. I like that in an anime. I was laughing at that scene just like she did.

Ugly male villains being psychotic is routine and cliche.
Cute girls being psychotic is different and fun.

What a freaky sponsor page picture to show. o_O;; Higurashi is making me wonder how much "School Days" influenced the growing psychotic, homicidal cute girl trend. It reared it's ugly head a tiny bit in Shuffle!, but in Higurashi it's full blown. This is like a slow train wreck waiting to happen and yet I can't stop watching it occur.

We need some Rilezu for this show!! <---------------joke

Ouran High School Host Club 4 (decent - 5.6):
I thought this was pretty funny. I liked those jokes related to Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side:
http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/tokimeki/e ... index.html

I'm going to have to place this on my ren'ai game joke/parody anime list to go along with Girls Bravo ep2, exCel Saga ep4, Full Metal Panic ep8, Abenobashi ep8, Dokkoida ep8, Galaxy Angel 4th Season ep10, Bakuretsu Hunters OVA, Nadesico, Comic Party and Outlaw Star.

Utawarerumono 5 (decent - 5.6):
I liked this episode a lot more than the fourth one. As someone else said, it was pretty balanced and the animation looked good. The smoke effects stuck out like a sore thumb however. I thought this show would easily fall into Fourth Place on my new anime list this week, but this episode saved it from that fate. My four favorite shows this season remain Suzumiya, Ouran, Higurashi and this. It's a big drop after those top four.

Witchblade 5 (okay - 5.35):
I guess the confrontation shown in the preview doesn't really happen until next week. The pacing of this show is still pretty relaxed.

School Rumble 2nd Term 4 (decent - 5.6):
Okay forget what I said earlier about my top four anime. I thought this was pretty damn funny. I wasn't expecting to see another Tokimeki Memorial anime joke on the SAME DAY. That was a good one.

Himawari 4 (okay/fair - 5.2):
Once again, I didn't find this terribly exciting. I like the animation, but I don't find the comedic parts too funny or the "relationship" scenes too involving.

Inukami! 5 (okay - 5.27):
I guess I'm going to have to place Inukami! ahead of Himawari on my list at this point. I don't enjoy Inukami! a ton, but it's been more enjoyable overall for me (averaged out) than Himawari. Yoko was awfully cute in this episode.

Black Lagoon 3 (okay - 5.35):
Fairly fun even if the action scenes are over-the-top and not meant to be taken that seriously.

Fate/stay night 18 (rather good - 6.0):
I liked this episode quite a bit although it didn't go quite the way I thought it would. It explained something that I didn't understand earlier. Hmm...it really does make more sense now. I really should play this game someday. The ratings given for the Fate/stay night game from Yahoo Ren'ai Games Board is 10, 10, 10, 9, 10, 10, 10, 9, 9.5 in comparison to ratings from these other games:

AIR's -- 9, 8, 10, 10, 9, 10, 10, 9.5, 8, 9, 10, 9, 9, 9, 5
Ever17's -- 8, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 9, 10, 10, 8, 10
Giniro's -- 10, 10, 10, 10, 10
Kakyuusei's -- 10, 9, 10, 10, 9, 10, 8, 8
Kanon's -- 7, 8, 9.5, 10, 9, 9, 9.5, 6, 7, 9.5, 8
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien's -- 10, 10, 10, 10, 9, 9, 9
ONE's -- 9, 9.5, 9, 9
Pia Carrot 2's -- 6.5, 8, 6, 9, 8, 7
Shuffle!'s -- 6.5, 6.5
To Heart's -- 8, 5, 7, 7, 6, 8, 5, 10
Tsukihime's -- 9, 9, 8, 9.5, 7

Strawberry Panic 3 (okay - 5.28 ) :
It wasn't until Nagisa said, "So daiyo ne..." and giggled that I recognized that Mai Nakahara was doing her voice. Mai Nakahara is also voicing Rena in "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni". I recognize her a lot more when she's doing her more mature voice like in Mai (Mai HiME), Maika (Magikano), Iku (Boku wa Imouto) instead of her higher "cute" voice that she used with Nagisa (Strawberry Panic), Yuna (Kage Kara Mamoru), Rena (Higurashi) and Yuzuha (Utawarerumono). I think it's more distinctive. I thought this episode was "alright".

My watch list changed a lot again hence I post it again:

1. Suzumiya Haruhi no Yutsu 1-5 (okay/decent - 5.5) - **bows down before KyoAni**
2. Ohran High School Host Club 1-4 (okay/decent - 5.48 ) - Pretty fun show.
3. Utawarerumono 1-5 (okay/decent - 5.47)
4. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 1-5 (okay/decent - 5.45) - Didn't like the 1st episode, but I liked it after that (esp. episode 4).
5. School Rumble second term 1-4 (okay/decent - 5.43) - I'm into it now.
4. Witchblade 1-5 (okay - 5.35) - Not bad, but I'm not really rolling with it yet.
7. Zegapain 1-3 (okay - 5.34) - It's keeping me off-balanced. :b
8. Black Lagoon 1-3 (okay - 5.29) - Fairly fun (esp. if I have nothing else to watch).
9. .hack//ROOTS 1-3 (okay - 5.28 ) - Starting off slow, but I'll see where it goes.
10. Strawberry Panic 1-3 (okay - 5.25) - I guess I'll keep watching this.
11. Inukami! 1-5 (okay/fair - 5.24) - I'm off and on with this series.
12. The Third 1-3 (okay/fair - 5.23) - I hope this picks up soon.
13. Himawari 1-4 (okay/fair - 5.22 ) - I liked the first ep more than the 2nd, 3rd or 4th episodes.
14. Soul Link 1-3 (fair - 5.15) - Pretty bland so far, but I'll try to tough it out. :b
15. Sasami ~ Mahou Shoujo Club 1-2 (fair - 5.15) - Can't get the episodes after the second one.

[Keropi]

woops. I hate when that happens. Hazukashii.

[Ashura]

I'll let you know if this works [/spoiler]

Did you get it to work?

Nope, but my friend install his Zoomplayer on my laptop and now I can watch witchblade and kashimashi.

Unfortunately I am still sick as a dog and have been just sleeping, aside from waking up and puking *gross*. I feel so bad, I hope someone is kind enough to put me out of my misery soon

I managed to watch Ouran High School Host Club 5 (I love the twin thing..."twins with time on their hands are just evil LOL") and xxxHolic 5 (I really like how this show is progressing).

[Cloud]

Oh. I will pray that you get well soon.

[Ashura]

Oh. I will pray that you get well soon.

That is one of the nicest things you've ever said to me Cloud!!!!!

[Cloud]

I am very happy for you.