A good friend of mine linked me a couple of videos last night, and as much as I dislike admitting anything, I have to agree that these were really fascinating vids.
The first one can be translated differently from person to person, but for me it symbolizes how the internet is both making the world a smaller, yet larger place.
The second is a really good animation posted on Kitsune Noir, a designer/artist-blogg by a user who obviously was really fascinated by a lecture about how the current education system is flawed. The lecture is held by Sir Ken Robinson, a man knighted in 2003 for deeds done for education.
The lecture made me think back on when I was a child, never wanting to do my math homework and always exited when a music class was about to begin. For me it was kind of an eye-opener because when I think back on my own educational experience, I fit into his example. Not that I ever was diagnosed with ADHD, but then again, I was never tested. If I was 10 years old today and got tested, I probably would have had it though. Always high on sugar...
Never the less! Sir Ken has a point.
So watch, have a nice moody monday, and Enjoy!
WORDS from Everynone on Vimeo.
Song of the Week: King Kooba - Fooling myself
A Haven for thoughts, words, beliefs and all other kinds of oddities that comes to mind... The idea is ideas in general. Have a look, and feel free to comment, post ideas, have a laugh, come with responses or requests. This is a haven for words and interests that otherwise gets left out.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Pomplamoose, And the New Publishing Ways.
There is something happening to the music and movie industry.
They are having problems. Big ones... primarily because they are getting new competition. From EVERYONE!
We live in a society where the possibility to publish everything ourselves is possible! Its called "cutting out the middle man", where publishers, producers, managers, movie/recording team, studio and everything else are taken out of the loop. The artists have the option and possibility to do it themselves! This is new to the media industry. Through channels like youtube, myspace, blogs, etc, they can promote their own stuff and get fans faster, cheaper, and world wide at the same time!
It makes me both happy and hopeful. The internet is taking an otherwise very expensive world in a direction that I think and believe we need. The best thing is that it is working. Talented people are getting rewarded for their efforts!
Here are some examples of self-publishing; A group called Pomplamoose. Check them out on youtube here or see an awesome cover below!
The second video is a song Jack Conte has made, who is one of the two artists in Pomplamoose.
Enjoy!
They are having problems. Big ones... primarily because they are getting new competition. From EVERYONE!
We live in a society where the possibility to publish everything ourselves is possible! Its called "cutting out the middle man", where publishers, producers, managers, movie/recording team, studio and everything else are taken out of the loop. The artists have the option and possibility to do it themselves! This is new to the media industry. Through channels like youtube, myspace, blogs, etc, they can promote their own stuff and get fans faster, cheaper, and world wide at the same time!
It makes me both happy and hopeful. The internet is taking an otherwise very expensive world in a direction that I think and believe we need. The best thing is that it is working. Talented people are getting rewarded for their efforts!
Here are some examples of self-publishing; A group called Pomplamoose. Check them out on youtube here or see an awesome cover below!
The second video is a song Jack Conte has made, who is one of the two artists in Pomplamoose.
Enjoy!
Blog Lovin!
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Hey My fellow pedestrians!
Just joined Bloglovin.com! So the rant of the week is coming a little later than expected.
Have a nice afternoon!
Hey My fellow pedestrians!
Just joined Bloglovin.com! So the rant of the week is coming a little later than expected.
Have a nice afternoon!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Next! And a night of fun.
So how is life?
Bored yet?
Feeling like a rabbit trapped in a young lads pants?
Working up your troll skillz?
Do not fear! V01D/Beornegard is here!
This past weekend was Halloween for some of us. Primarily for those in the US, since the only other country that has a holiday similar to Halloween is Mexico... I believe... and I don't think theirs is on the same date.
But anyway! Here is a few delightful photos and a movie I made from my night out in the streets of San Fran SISCO, with my friends.
Enjoy!
And oh. I found Waldo... On a bike. He was quickly gone again though. Elusive as he is known to be...
Bored yet?
Feeling like a rabbit trapped in a young lads pants?
Working up your troll skillz?
Do not fear! V01D/Beornegard is here!
This past weekend was Halloween for some of us. Primarily for those in the US, since the only other country that has a holiday similar to Halloween is Mexico... I believe... and I don't think theirs is on the same date.
But anyway! Here is a few delightful photos and a movie I made from my night out in the streets of San Fran SISCO, with my friends.
Enjoy!
 | ||
| The good. The bad. And Jonas. |
He played the role as a thirsty captive, just escaped from Azkaban! He played his role to perfection and the fullest, just not the part of being a prisoner from Azkaban... I just made that up.
 |
| NINJA!1!11! ... and his bride. |
So... I was walking along the street, minding my own awesome business when a freaking NINJA appeared out of nowhere! I swear I felt like pooping my pants, but was so shocked that I didnt think of it.
It may however, explain the nastylooking shuriken still sticking out of my back though.
 |
| Wilma: with the look and the glasses but without the hungry dog and hippies. |
She played the role of the all-knowing Wilma from Scooby Doo, only with a ice-cool groove of coolness added to her attributes.
He was the funny/sad/broke/angry/crazy/happy clown all children fear and dread.
Personaly I am still not very fond of clowns. This guy is awesome though.
The cookie-monster stalked us for nearly 5 mins, running around us and freaking us out. Especially when his eyes started dangling.
The skipper! Creds for having such a good costume! The sunflower in the back has no chance!
Now here are two clowns. Do you see the resemblance? The only difference is that I (to the left) have put less makeup on.
Oh. And Hanna Montana joined us for the full night! See extensive interview in the movie... see how articulated she is? haha! But seriously! This girl is great fun!
The everlasting couple. The blue alien and penguin; off to roam the world of Pandora.
Hurray! Nice! Four!...
Friday, October 29, 2010
Something for the mind
Halloween is here, ladies and gentlemen.
I can understand how this is irrelevant for those of you who are not in the US right now, but for me its pretty exiting!
The first halloween in the US, and I´m going as a undead jester! tada!
San Fran is the place to be the next 48 hrs. Hopefully its going to be fun as well!
OH! And btw;
For those of you who have yet to visit www.ted.com are seriously missing out on a great way to keep in pace with the development of the world.
I have been checking in for the last 4 years now, and the site keeps surprising me. Both with new interesting ideas and new kinds of music from the cultural aspect.
Here is a video for the pleasure of the imagination and the relaxation of the mind.
Enjoy
I can understand how this is irrelevant for those of you who are not in the US right now, but for me its pretty exiting!
The first halloween in the US, and I´m going as a undead jester! tada!
OH! And btw;
For those of you who have yet to visit www.ted.com are seriously missing out on a great way to keep in pace with the development of the world.
I have been checking in for the last 4 years now, and the site keeps surprising me. Both with new interesting ideas and new kinds of music from the cultural aspect.
Here is a video for the pleasure of the imagination and the relaxation of the mind.
Enjoy
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The art of not saying a word
When it comes down to what we really want to say, it usually doesn't get said.
That's my thesis anyway.
We care too much about people you see. Their feelings towards us reflect the person we are. So who we really are afraid to disappoint is ourselves. Is´t that kind of weird?
Some people lack this inhibitor that makes up conscience, or restraint if you will. They are usually viewed as socially awkward people, but I would want to see them as selfless rather than socially unconscious. It just makes sense if you think of norms as a social construction and nothing more. Then the question becomes something more like; Who am I to give attributes to an individual other than myself?
My point is this; we are afraid of saying what we really want to say to people, because we are more afraid of the reflection we will see of ourselves rather than the actual reaction we would get.
It gets in the way of everything.
In the way of progress. Of love. Of apology. Of humility. Of expression. Of truth. Our egos are actually blocking the view of a lot some times. That's why I have come to see most of interaction between people as selfish. Not because we are greedy. But rather because we need to feel and see ourselves as something we like and admire. Perhaps it´s a good thing in most circumstances. But not when the choice to stay silent is made through the strength of our cowardice. Sometimes the situation demands harsh words to be spoken even though it is at the cost of social standing and the degrading of your reflection.
Which leads me over to my original thought thread.
I´m going to write a paper on something called Anonymous; What it is, how it and if it organizes, if it has an ideology or main agenda, if it can be categorized as a social movement, and whether the Internet is a barrier used to become less concerned with the reflection of the "self".
The internet itself is a huge area for a human geographer such as myself; just the theory of how we as humans react to it is fascinating.
Some may even say that Anonymous is the result of us using the internet. And they are certainly not afraid to say what they feel.
The song of the week: Mike Milosh - The City
That's my thesis anyway.
We care too much about people you see. Their feelings towards us reflect the person we are. So who we really are afraid to disappoint is ourselves. Is´t that kind of weird?
Some people lack this inhibitor that makes up conscience, or restraint if you will. They are usually viewed as socially awkward people, but I would want to see them as selfless rather than socially unconscious. It just makes sense if you think of norms as a social construction and nothing more. Then the question becomes something more like; Who am I to give attributes to an individual other than myself?
My point is this; we are afraid of saying what we really want to say to people, because we are more afraid of the reflection we will see of ourselves rather than the actual reaction we would get.
It gets in the way of everything.
In the way of progress. Of love. Of apology. Of humility. Of expression. Of truth. Our egos are actually blocking the view of a lot some times. That's why I have come to see most of interaction between people as selfish. Not because we are greedy. But rather because we need to feel and see ourselves as something we like and admire. Perhaps it´s a good thing in most circumstances. But not when the choice to stay silent is made through the strength of our cowardice. Sometimes the situation demands harsh words to be spoken even though it is at the cost of social standing and the degrading of your reflection.
Which leads me over to my original thought thread.
I´m going to write a paper on something called Anonymous; What it is, how it and if it organizes, if it has an ideology or main agenda, if it can be categorized as a social movement, and whether the Internet is a barrier used to become less concerned with the reflection of the "self".
The internet itself is a huge area for a human geographer such as myself; just the theory of how we as humans react to it is fascinating.
Some may even say that Anonymous is the result of us using the internet. And they are certainly not afraid to say what they feel.
The song of the week: Mike Milosh - The City
Oh... And here is a demotivator I thought was funny.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Project 0/1
We have this project in one of our classes that involved making a movie.
The rules were many, so it was a little hard to find out just WHAT we were supposed to make it about, so we improvised and had a lot of fun.
The thing is. We get an A on this project if we get more views than our professor, so if you get the link to this video a couple of times over the next few weeks, you know why.
Sorry.
But Enjoy!
The rules were many, so it was a little hard to find out just WHAT we were supposed to make it about, so we improvised and had a lot of fun.
The thing is. We get an A on this project if we get more views than our professor, so if you get the link to this video a couple of times over the next few weeks, you know why.
Sorry.
But Enjoy!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thus Far in the US
I´ve gotten some information this past week, most of it about the internet, about its massiveness and its divide.
You see. It is generallt thought that the internet is HUGE, that it expands beyond boundaries and explodes through cultural differences... which it does, but what is mostly overlooked is the fact that that it really doesnt, and here is why:
- Most of the users of internet are based in developed countries (Based on how many web pages are made and where: Japan & USA).
- 60% of the users of internet are 35 years or older.
- 70% of the users has some kind of education.
The fact that the developing countries are on the rise "internet"-vise, is almost invisible in the shadow of the already "established" users. So the internet does not represent the general public of planet earth, as some may think.
I can recommend a book called "Technology in Our Time" edited by Laura Robinson for those of you who want to read more.
But enough about that.
What I really wanted to write about today is what i have learned thus far in my period here in the US!
I love to make lists of things, so enjoy!
1. How to make a burrito.
2. Mango and turkey is a pretty good mix. (Who knew, right?!)
3. The internet is based upon the idea of sharing. (Shrewd communists, making us like their ideology indirectly! Hah!)
4. How to use and make something out of basic movie editing software.
5. That food poisoning is not cool.
6. That Youtube is the larges media site ever and that there is actually other things on it apart from music videos and amateur movies.
7. That the crossover from PC to Mac is like going from a country at war to a utopia where everyone makes love and agree with everything you ever want to say or do... not that this is a commercial or anything...
8. That live commedy is better than recorded.
9. That coffie is best served warm, but they actually serve it cold if you for some demonic reason want it so. Hence "ice-coffie" got a whole new meaning.
10. That quiddich (Rompeldunk) is something people have made into a real sport with brooms and everything... yet without the flying.
11. That "Rat-tail" (Rottehale) is still in for some people.
12. That the best way to read is when you have access to the internet at the same time (at least for me).
13. That California is more radical/liberal than the rest of the US in general.
14. That poor people here really ARE poor and not necessarily addicts... like in my home country.
15. That Godwins law says: on a long enough timeline, someone will eventually call someone else a nazi in a discussion thread.
16. I learned what an "Otaku" is. (Me being one makes this a little embarrassing)
17. Macro is something outside WoW as well.
18. That Twitter is like Facebook, only smaller, more compact and less informative. (Thats right... I´ve never had a Twitter account until now. Internet: 1 - Me: Zero)
19. That Californian girls are, if not more attractive than north-european, more open than most of north-europeans.
20. That America, contrary to north europe, has held on to the culture of "just chilling out".
The list gets updated as I remember more stuff.
... So that is pretty much what I have learned so far. The moral here is; never stop learning. What did YOU learn the past 2 months? Something interesting? Something boring? Something that isnt even remotely interesting but really funny if you see it in the right light?
Leave a comment, and have a nice week!
You see. It is generallt thought that the internet is HUGE, that it expands beyond boundaries and explodes through cultural differences... which it does, but what is mostly overlooked is the fact that that it really doesnt, and here is why:
- Most of the users of internet are based in developed countries (Based on how many web pages are made and where: Japan & USA).
- 60% of the users of internet are 35 years or older.
- 70% of the users has some kind of education.
The fact that the developing countries are on the rise "internet"-vise, is almost invisible in the shadow of the already "established" users. So the internet does not represent the general public of planet earth, as some may think.
I can recommend a book called "Technology in Our Time" edited by Laura Robinson for those of you who want to read more.
But enough about that.
What I really wanted to write about today is what i have learned thus far in my period here in the US!
I love to make lists of things, so enjoy!
1. How to make a burrito.
2. Mango and turkey is a pretty good mix. (Who knew, right?!)
3. The internet is based upon the idea of sharing. (Shrewd communists, making us like their ideology indirectly! Hah!)
4. How to use and make something out of basic movie editing software.
5. That food poisoning is not cool.
6. That Youtube is the larges media site ever and that there is actually other things on it apart from music videos and amateur movies.
7. That the crossover from PC to Mac is like going from a country at war to a utopia where everyone makes love and agree with everything you ever want to say or do... not that this is a commercial or anything...
8. That live commedy is better than recorded.
9. That coffie is best served warm, but they actually serve it cold if you for some demonic reason want it so. Hence "ice-coffie" got a whole new meaning.
10. That quiddich (Rompeldunk) is something people have made into a real sport with brooms and everything... yet without the flying.
11. That "Rat-tail" (Rottehale) is still in for some people.
12. That the best way to read is when you have access to the internet at the same time (at least for me).
13. That California is more radical/liberal than the rest of the US in general.
14. That poor people here really ARE poor and not necessarily addicts... like in my home country.
15. That Godwins law says: on a long enough timeline, someone will eventually call someone else a nazi in a discussion thread.
16. I learned what an "Otaku" is. (Me being one makes this a little embarrassing)
17. Macro is something outside WoW as well.
18. That Twitter is like Facebook, only smaller, more compact and less informative. (Thats right... I´ve never had a Twitter account until now. Internet: 1 - Me: Zero)
19. That Californian girls are, if not more attractive than north-european, more open than most of north-europeans.
20. That America, contrary to north europe, has held on to the culture of "just chilling out".
The list gets updated as I remember more stuff.
... So that is pretty much what I have learned so far. The moral here is; never stop learning. What did YOU learn the past 2 months? Something interesting? Something boring? Something that isnt even remotely interesting but really funny if you see it in the right light?
Leave a comment, and have a nice week!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Night/Day/
I´m pretty much in the middle of my midterms now, and there is a LOT to do, remember, do over, read, explain, complain about and think about, which leads me over to my rant of the day: HURRAY!
To study is like having a long dream while you sleepwalk. You are semi conscious half the time and the other half you are trying to drink as much coffee as your liver can take. Mine is definitely a dark solemn black by now.
While among all the blur that is your average studies day, you suddenly wake up one morning and start to remember a load of stuff that happened while you were an oozing zombie-reader. Its almost like a hangover, only you are getting your brain working again, and not regretting the multitude of drinks.
Waking up from the student reading-rush can be quite exhilarating, though very confusing.
Let me show you what I mean. Here is something of a chaos movie I put together to the pleasure of myself... and YOU Internet, YOU!
Here is the Link... Enjoy Night/Day/
Monday, October 11, 2010
Top Ten Dark Anime
As some may know, I´m an Anime fan.
Being a westerner makes things hard though, since most people here see it as any other cartoon, as of yet. I´ll spare anyone from wondering any more; it ain't. For you ignorant heathens out there; Japanese Anime is more like the industry where all the stories we cant put to the normal screen, go, because we don't have the animation, time or the technology to make them as good as when we draw them.
In this respect I just have to mention that there are many bad Anime stories out there. Like Naruto. I´m sorry Naruto fans, but it sucks more than a drunken Santa on x-mas eve. I got to episode 130-something when I at last gagged at yet another filler, making me watch some idiotic eating-contest all the characters joined in on... or something. Anyway. The story is half-bad, with lots of holes and no character development what-so-EVER. That goes for Bleach, Code Geas, and whatever series you THINK are good, but really isn´t. They are what I call time fillers from complete boorness (Yes, i just invented a new word for just that occasion)!
Yet... as I said; I´m a fan. And that is because of all the better series out there. Like Samurai Champloo, Mushishi or Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood. But I won´t rate them here. What we need is a good, old-fashion "Evil" theme-rating.
So with no further ranting, Here is my top 10 Dark Anime list.
1. Monster
Monster gets my number one here, not because it is especially brutal or action-filled, but because it actually scared the crap out of me. Some episodes shook me to the very core, not because of a bloody scenery, but because of the inhumanity animated in this series. It is written so very, very well and leaves so much up to the imagination, and has this mood going that nothing can beat.
Here is my bad recap of the story: The story is about a Japanese surgeon who saves the life of a young boy, who had been shot in the head for some mysterious reason. Little does he know that this boy is hell-reincarnate. The boy grows up and begins to haunt the doctor through deeds only the doctor knows to be the boys doing. So what does he have to do? Find and kill the boy... ofc.
The story takes place in Germany twenty years after the war, and follows a handful of characters trying to track down the boy, who is ten times smarter and always ahead of everyone. It gets my number one because it plays on the paranoia of the viewer, who is always conscious of a huge darkness just out of eye shot through the whole series.
2. Death Note
Death Note should have been my number one, but it lacks some ties to the real world that could easily been written in. Though, that is what much Anime is about isn't it? If you like combination of tactics, strategy and paranormal activity, death note is for you.
The story is about two geniuses playing a deadly game with each other; the one who gets the others name first, wins. The story is about a student (Light) who one day finds a special book. It has 10 rules, but the only one I´m going to mention here is; any ones name written in the book will die within a short time span. Light, being a cool guy, decides that he is going to be the moral compass of the world. He begins killing every criminal or person he deems unfit for society. This brings him a lot of attention from the police, the only problem is that there is no connection between the murders and Light. After all. He is just writing names in a book. This brings in one of the best characters the Anime world has to offer; "L", the genius detective who is determined to find the murderer.
Death Note plays on a fine line between the imaginative world of Anime and the real one. By this I mean that everyone else in the series has no idea that there is such a thing as a magic book, able to kill people.
If you are new to Anime, and want to begin, this is a "must see" series. Its just two seasons, and is finished.
3. Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is an awesome series if you like well written script and character development. The story takes place in a lawless city, where everyone is either corrupt, morally depleted, a murderer, a whore or a mafia member (pic explains for itself). Though the story is about the only people in the whole place, who has some sort of moral compass; the Lagoon company. Being lawless themselves and living in a den of thieves, we get a lot of action out of these guys, but they earn their money by being neutral to anyone. Its a shipping company, delivering and transporting any sort of package for any sort of employer.
The story takes place in the Indian ocean in the mid 80s, with palm trees and a soft environment. I personally enjoy this series, both because it has a variety of different characters and because there is a lot of explaining of how the underworld works. And not everyone has the boring, tear filled back story so common for everyone in anime-world to have. No... they just skip that part, and lets us know stuff a little by little, like it should be done, unlike NARUTO goddamnwasteoftimecrapbagofaproduction.
Good story, great characters and a lot of twists. Season 3 just started.
4. Elfen Lied
I was unsure where to put Elven-pokemon-like-girl with the ability to rip peoples limbs of without touching them. Exiting if you like that sort of thing. The series plays on the amorous/demonic, and switches between the two more often than I change pants. The story is probably not why you continue watching this series, but it has a tendency to get you glued to the screen anyway. A lot of whining and sad back stories though. Being fed up with the backtracking and the continuous moaning from every second anime series I see, this is not a good trait in my book. The sheer brutality and plot of the story is what keeps this series floating.
Good enough, but is probably not something you want to watch if you are sensitive person.
5. Claimore
This is full-out a fantasy anime. Having been a fantasy slave through my early days and beyond, I can´t help but love this series. The story is about a world infested with daemons taking human form. They eat people, are immune to normal weapons and threaten to destroy everything. That is why Caimors are made. Being something between a human and a daemon and the only ones capable of destroying daemons, we follow one of them fighting between two worlds and hated by both. Oh, and only girls become Claimores... because they have the gene that can transfuse with that of a daemon... where as the men simply die. The series has a good plot, but was somehow stopped in the middle of producing, so we only got the first season of it. Apart from being a little condescending towards women (being a hairs length from being corrupt daemons) it is a pretty good series. Its dark and action filled with pretty good character writing.
6. Berserker
Berserker is like the testosterone of the anime world. Apart from the halfhearted drawings (something you get used to), this series owned. Its a shame that they didn´t finish the series in anime. Not being a manga reader, this is a hard blow to the groin.
The series is simply enough about a band of renegade mercenaries who slowly but surely becomes the most powerful battle force in the country. We follow a stone hard character, who has the occasional fit on the battle field, therefore nicknamed berserker. But the series has a great big twist, 20 episodes into it! Before that it was a pretty straight forward story. I think the writers got bored and figured; "Lets spark things up with a bit tabasco and blood... this mucking about in battles all the time is boring our awesome minds."
So they did.
It gets my number 6 because it takes a while for it to become really bad-ass. Apart from that, its great.
7. Hellsing
I want to say; Anime loves Christianity and vampires, and preferably a mix of the two. So here is Hellsing. But I´m not saying that. Instead I´m saying; Vampires cant touch crosses you idiots. But here they do. Its WHAT they do apparently. Not being a twilight fan, but preferring the traditional stories about vampires, I can´t help but frown a bit while viewing Hellsing. The story is good enough though. Its dark, and chaotic, and filled with undead people, so don´t get me wrong when I´m criticizing the vampires shown in this series. They are actually pretty good... or evil rather. Like they should be. The story is about an evil vampire playing the part of the all- powerful secret weapon of the English "good" government. He protects the crown from being overrun by undead... so he ACTS good, but really isn´t. And that is really what I like about this series. That the main character is actually wearing the "mask" of control, but unleashes his true chaotic self whenever he feels hungry or horny.
8. Samurai 7.
The first thing that came to mind when seeing this series was; Where have you been all this time? Like all anime series, it loves heights, puffy eyes, all powerful evil and a robotic machine swinging a jumbo sword at peasants, but the initial 20 min into the series got me going. Can a few samurai overthrow a robotic, uber-boosted clan of sky-lords out to take over the world and rob it of its rice? In the real world, no. In anime world; hell yeah. I´m a huge fan of ninjas, and therefore forever paranoid. They are everywhere, and no where, and they can kill you without you noticing.
The only large hole in this series was; how did a few people suddenly get such a wast electronic advantage over the rest, leaving most of the world in a borderland between doomed-modern world and the middle ages, while they fly around in giant, meat-eating fortresses? Good question, you say. Indeed, says I.
Apart from that; Good character building and plot, and a lot of action.
9. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
This is a true thriller series, based on a popular Japanese detective game. It is a series where the plot suddenly changes from being "puffed up" "big-eyed" to become something more sinister. It is great anime, and with a great plot, I just hate that they had to put in all the extra "tears-in-back-of-head" whenever they want to make the characters look stupid. And Yeah... the eyes are probably the most effective effects they have. Notice how all the "bad" or experienced characters has thin eyes with small pupils, and all the innocent has huge puffy eyes taking up 3/4 of the head.
The story takes place in a small town in Japan, where everyone knows each other and shares the same school-book... and where there is a serious shortage of dudes. The story begins with us being introduced to a murder that took place at a dam where all the victims were decapitated, and the search for the murderer(ers). It quickly changes from being a lolipop-tale to becoming one of the best back-chilling thrillers anime has to offer.
Apart from the constant distractions, this is a true thriller once you get into it. 9 is probably way too harsh.
10. Gantz
Gantz is simply dark to its very core. Being somewhere between borderline hentai and ghost hunting, it is packed with crazy, bloody and cynical scenes. The writing is probably done by hysterical pill-users, because its hard to get the storyline, but I think the general line is; When you die you come to this room (picture above). You have no idea that you are dead (because of different reasons, one of them being that you fell asleep in front of a bus and can´t believe that such a stupid way to die exist, so you refuse it), and there are other people in the same room with you. You are all part of a game no one tells you about or explains the rules of, but if you loose, you die horribly. The only hint you get that you have a mission is that the hovering ball in the middle of the room opens to give you guns, a nice trendy uniform and a great big countdown timer. The rest you have to figure out on your own, so naturally this takes about 20 episodes for the characters to do. Dumb as breakfast ham, they refuse to see the simple fact that they are supposed to use the guns, so naturally most of them gets killed... Horribly.
This is a horror series, bordering on the macabre. So enjoy if you like gore and no story.
Being a westerner makes things hard though, since most people here see it as any other cartoon, as of yet. I´ll spare anyone from wondering any more; it ain't. For you ignorant heathens out there; Japanese Anime is more like the industry where all the stories we cant put to the normal screen, go, because we don't have the animation, time or the technology to make them as good as when we draw them.
In this respect I just have to mention that there are many bad Anime stories out there. Like Naruto. I´m sorry Naruto fans, but it sucks more than a drunken Santa on x-mas eve. I got to episode 130-something when I at last gagged at yet another filler, making me watch some idiotic eating-contest all the characters joined in on... or something. Anyway. The story is half-bad, with lots of holes and no character development what-so-EVER. That goes for Bleach, Code Geas, and whatever series you THINK are good, but really isn´t. They are what I call time fillers from complete boorness (Yes, i just invented a new word for just that occasion)!
Yet... as I said; I´m a fan. And that is because of all the better series out there. Like Samurai Champloo, Mushishi or Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood. But I won´t rate them here. What we need is a good, old-fashion "Evil" theme-rating.
So with no further ranting, Here is my top 10 Dark Anime list.
1. Monster
Here is my bad recap of the story: The story is about a Japanese surgeon who saves the life of a young boy, who had been shot in the head for some mysterious reason. Little does he know that this boy is hell-reincarnate. The boy grows up and begins to haunt the doctor through deeds only the doctor knows to be the boys doing. So what does he have to do? Find and kill the boy... ofc.
The story takes place in Germany twenty years after the war, and follows a handful of characters trying to track down the boy, who is ten times smarter and always ahead of everyone. It gets my number one because it plays on the paranoia of the viewer, who is always conscious of a huge darkness just out of eye shot through the whole series.
2. Death Note
The story is about two geniuses playing a deadly game with each other; the one who gets the others name first, wins. The story is about a student (Light) who one day finds a special book. It has 10 rules, but the only one I´m going to mention here is; any ones name written in the book will die within a short time span. Light, being a cool guy, decides that he is going to be the moral compass of the world. He begins killing every criminal or person he deems unfit for society. This brings him a lot of attention from the police, the only problem is that there is no connection between the murders and Light. After all. He is just writing names in a book. This brings in one of the best characters the Anime world has to offer; "L", the genius detective who is determined to find the murderer.
Death Note plays on a fine line between the imaginative world of Anime and the real one. By this I mean that everyone else in the series has no idea that there is such a thing as a magic book, able to kill people.
If you are new to Anime, and want to begin, this is a "must see" series. Its just two seasons, and is finished.
3. Black Lagoon
The story takes place in the Indian ocean in the mid 80s, with palm trees and a soft environment. I personally enjoy this series, both because it has a variety of different characters and because there is a lot of explaining of how the underworld works. And not everyone has the boring, tear filled back story so common for everyone in anime-world to have. No... they just skip that part, and lets us know stuff a little by little, like it should be done, unlike NARUTO goddamnwasteoftimecrapbagofaproduction.
Good story, great characters and a lot of twists. Season 3 just started.
4. Elfen Lied
Good enough, but is probably not something you want to watch if you are sensitive person.
5. Claimore
6. Berserker
The series is simply enough about a band of renegade mercenaries who slowly but surely becomes the most powerful battle force in the country. We follow a stone hard character, who has the occasional fit on the battle field, therefore nicknamed berserker. But the series has a great big twist, 20 episodes into it! Before that it was a pretty straight forward story. I think the writers got bored and figured; "Lets spark things up with a bit tabasco and blood... this mucking about in battles all the time is boring our awesome minds."
So they did.
It gets my number 6 because it takes a while for it to become really bad-ass. Apart from that, its great.
7. Hellsing
8. Samurai 7.
The only large hole in this series was; how did a few people suddenly get such a wast electronic advantage over the rest, leaving most of the world in a borderland between doomed-modern world and the middle ages, while they fly around in giant, meat-eating fortresses? Good question, you say. Indeed, says I.
Apart from that; Good character building and plot, and a lot of action.
9. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
The story takes place in a small town in Japan, where everyone knows each other and shares the same school-book... and where there is a serious shortage of dudes. The story begins with us being introduced to a murder that took place at a dam where all the victims were decapitated, and the search for the murderer(ers). It quickly changes from being a lolipop-tale to becoming one of the best back-chilling thrillers anime has to offer.
Apart from the constant distractions, this is a true thriller once you get into it. 9 is probably way too harsh.
10. Gantz
This is a horror series, bordering on the macabre. So enjoy if you like gore and no story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)