Evangelion

[frederic_g54]

I know we discuss films in general on this site, but since I watch TV shows aswell, I though I might discuss another one (since "Twin Peaks" got so much attention )

Some of us all know (and love) famous prematurely canceled shows like "Arrested Development, "Firefly",... but I thought I'd discuss one that may not have entered people's minds yet.

It's called "Evangelion" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112159/)

A friend of mine thought I should give it a try (after I told him I was an fan of Asian cinema), then he told me it was a manga series... why not, I loved Dragonball Z as a child, Japanese shows rarely disappoint...

"A young boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of teenage giant-robot pilots by his father"

It may seem corny I know but it wasn't until I had seen the films (which served as an ending to the show), that I realised how fantastic and groundbreaking it really was. The first 13 episodes (26 in total) felt pretty formulaic (kids fighting robots ), but you get emotionally invested in the characters (who are far from being one-dimensional), and rather great stroyline, which becomes more and more intriguing (if not arresting) near the end.

If you're a manga fan, I highly recommend it

PS. maybe ask mpowell to add a TV show forum...

[Jellysauce]

i love neon genesis evangelion. i own the complete series and its still one of my favorite shows. i have yet to watch any of the movies though.

i also recommend the show.

[MmzHrrdb]

For really good anime series check out:

Kino's Journey http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kino%27s_Journey
Beatiful episodic anime about a girl and her talking motorcycle traveling in a world where each city represents a different culture. She set a limit of 3days per city she visits and try to know and understand the people in this time.

Monster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_(manga)
Japanese doctor disobeys order and saves the life of a child instead of a vip adult. Child becomes later a serial killer and the doctor hunts him. Epic adventure through many european countrys, the author of the manga also wrote 20th Century Boys, if you like to read check this out too.

Now and Then, Here and There http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_then_here_there
Analogy of child soldiers. Guy gets into alternate world where water is rare and madmen commands army of childs filled with false rage to obey him.

Paranoia Agent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranoia_agent
By Satoshi Kon ( Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika). When you liked the movie Paprika check out this series, its even better with slightly same motives.

Haibane Renmei http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haibane_Renmei
Beatiful slow series about a girl who wakes up in world where each person has to confront sins of a former life.

Gankutsuou http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gankutsuou
The Count of Monte Cristo set in the future, amazing animation art.

Serial Experiments Lain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Experiments_Lain
Melting of cyberspace and real world.

I have to rewatch Evangelion sometime but I liked the above series all much more.

[frederic_g54]

I liked the above series all much more.

more hey, I'll look into it...

[sengir]

Thanks for the great suggestions, they sound quite good. I usually only watch Anime movies but I'll definitely check some of those out.

[omgfridge]

Neon Genesis Evangelion is amazing and the movie End of Evangelion just tops off what already was a masterpiece.
I recommend watching FLCL after Evangelion.

[KGB]

I've never paid much attention to anime series but I do remember watching the 13 episodes of Kino's Journey on TV a few years ago and it was a beautiful and bizzare show. Might watch it again someday.

[Kusanagi]

NGE is good. I watch quite a lot of anime, but I hadn't watched Eva until just recently. Very addicting, even if its not my genre. Did you hear they're planning a live action miniseries in Japan? It sounds like it should be pretty interesting, but I'm a little concerned about how the Evangelions will look....

If you want some good anime, I recommend these:

Ghost in the Shell (also GitS: Stand Alone Complex, which is as good, if not better, than the original film)
Mushi-shi
Seirei no Moribito
Ghost Hound (which, to me, is on par with Paranoia Agent)

As for manga, these:
Monster
Fullmetal Alchemist (although you could just watch FMA: Brotherhood, which is currently airing)
Planetes (for a more mature look at sci-fi with excellent character development)
Eden: It's an Endless World (for a MUCH more mature look at sci-fi)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (do not confuse this with the movie, they're practically two different things, story wise. This is a lot more dark in comparison, but the major improvements to the story and the amazing artwork make this a must read)

Oh, and a TV forum is a wise idea.