The Film Library

Anime-niacs

So, I know there's already a few anime groups, and I don't want to step on their toes, but it just occured to me that Anime and other Manga-inspired films have been completely ignored by me in this group.

I'm not the world's largest anime fan, but I've probably seen more than most. I've also read my share of manga, due to working at a store where I got a 40% discount, and a second night job where I was encouraged to read books all night. So let's say I have a fairly decent grounding in both forms.

Right now I'm reintroducing myself to anime, after a few years of not really following the genre. I'm watching Azumanga Daioh, based on the manga of the same name. I've read a couple volumes of the manga, and so far it seems almost word for word accurate to the source material. That's a good thing, actually. The manga(and anime) is a bit unlike what most casual watchers would expect, if they're mostly familiar with the ever popular giant robots, big eyed scantily clad girls, or wacky sci-fi shenanigans. Azumanga Daioh reads like a newspaper comic strip, with basic 3-4 panel strips that add up to a larger, loosely connected story(basically a series of strips will involve the same setting, even if there isn't a plot per se). It's funny, although even when it isn't laugh out loud funny it's warm and enjoyable. The anime carries that feeling of low key, laid back fun, but due to some great timing and voice acting has more than it's share of laugh out loud moments.

Anyone else have any favorites?