Anime Returns to Sci-Fi

[Young Avenger]

Starting next Monday Sci-Fi will start an anime block called Ani-Monday. I caught the commercial for it while I was watching ECW. According to their website they are going to air Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society next Monday. Can't wait.

[Armless Penguin]

Damn, I remember back in the day when they had their "Japanimation" weeks where they'd air some off-the-wall movies. I used to watch those with my brother before I really got into anime. Good times.

[Young Avenger]

Was "Japanimation" the block they use to air on Saturday mournings? They show tons of great anime movies on Saturdays. It's how I became a Fatal Fury fan.

[Armless Penguin]

I was actually referring to the times in the mid-90s when they would sporadically air anime movies every night for a week (usually during the summer). That was probably before the whole Saturday Anime thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci_Fi_Channel_(United_States)#Anime

^ Mentions it, I think.

[LordEd1976]

I remember that. They did some sort of marathon. I seem to remember Apollo Smile hosting one.

One time I taped Vampire Hunter D and Demon City Shinjuku off of SCi-Fi for a friend of mine. I also still have tapes of Galaxy Express 999 and Adieu Galaxy Express 999. SciFi helped turn me into the Leijiverse lover I am today.

[Kevin M.]

The Sci-Fi anime block was the reason why I became a fan of anime. Nice to see it back in action.

[Inkthinker]

That's pretty awesome... and a good way to start, too, I've been looking forward to a chance to see Solid State Society.

[SpydaWeb]

Sci-Fi used to sensor their anime so, I'm not too interested in seeing anything they've got going.

[Silver Knight]

I cant wait untill futher down the road, I mean GITS: SSS Will be awsome no doubt (Why wont the they work on a 3rd GIG already) but I cant wait futher down the road when they start showing Ninja scroll, I've waited along time for that one.

[Robotech Master]

Did they already confirm Ninja Scroll? Are you talking the TV or the movie? I did some snooping around the sci-fi website and so far their schedule shows GITS: SAC: SSS (say that whole name three times fast), Tokko, Noein, Macross Plus, and Street Fighter II V. Oh, and the Highlander anime movie.

IIRC, when some of the people who worked on SSS were interviewed, they said that Solid State Society is not planned to be the final iteration of the Stand Alone Complex series, which means that we might indeed get a 3rd Gig, or maybe another feature length thing like SSS.

[Young Avenger]

Sci-Fi used to sensor their anime so, I'm not too interested in seeing anything they've got going.

That was back in the early-mid 90s. Every anime used to get censored at that time. Being that it's Sci-Fi and it's going to air on a late night timeslot censorship is out of the question.

[Inkthinker]

I'd be more worried about censorship if it wasn't in the 11PM timeslot... and I think that Sci-Fi has become a lot edgier in the past few years. All that combined with the fact that I think Adult Swim has made it clear that leaving it as uncensored as possible is where the ratings are at (I mean c'mon, have you watched Shin Chan?), and I'm willing to approach this with open expectations.

Noein is well worth watching... it's a bit of a mind-bender (not Satoshi Kon level, but just enough to be pretty fascinating) and the action is hot-hot-hot.

Street Fighter II V is pretty weak, but I'll watch it for free. I own like, three versions of Macross Plus, but I'll watch it just for the soundtrack and that final battle between Guld and Isamu ("You still owe me 11 lunches").

Haven't heard of Tokko. What's the rundown on that one?

[Robotech Master]

RE:
Haven't heard of Tokko. What's the rundown on that one?

Some sort of horror/mystery sci-fi show. I'm not sure about the plot at all, but I remember that ANN's review of the first DVD volume said that it ultimately had a great plot but poor execution. We'll have to see.

[Young Avenger]

I have the first volume of Tokko on a Manga Entertainment DVD sampler. From what I can tell it's about a secret division of the Tokyo police department that hunt down monsters. Judging from the first episode the plot was meh and the dubbing was awful.

[Cleric of Hell's Brigade]

With G4TV not doing their anime anymore, I'm glad that Sci-Fi will be bringing in more of the good stuff.



Props to them.:)

[Sean Whitmore]

That's neat. Sci-Fi Channel is largely what got me into anime in the first place, with its weekend showings of Lodoss War, Vampire Hunter D, and Casshan: Robot Hunter.

Just a shame I'm not home weeknights to watch it.


SEAN

[blackphoenix]

It's about time dammit. I remember the summer festivals of anime SCI-FI used to do...good times! I saw the Tenchi Muyo In Love movie for the first time during that...*sighs* ah, my mis-spent youth...

[Zero Hunter]

SciFi seems like a perfect place for anime. Always had to wonder why it wasn't on there more. It is weird where anime ends up on TV somtimes. I just noticed that Fuse has started airing weekly shots of Ergo Proxy and Tenjo Tenge. Plus you have Samurai 7 Seems to show up on IFC here and there once in a while still.

[kain5252]

I remember back when the only reason I watched Sci Fi was for the Anime and Mystery Science 3000. I just pray that the Anime thay they show is just as good as it was back then.

[Sanagi]

They used to show Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer. Still one of my favorite anime movies. Although when I saw Akira on a rental I suddenly realized how much they had to censor it...

[goldenarms]

For those of you worried about Scifi channel censorship, they did censor a few scenes in GITS SSS. They added mosaics to a few of the characters when Aramaki paid his respects to his old mentor in the hospital.

[goldenarms]

For those of you worried about Scifi channel censorship, they did censor a few scenes in GITS SSS. They added mosaics to a few of the characters when Aramaki paid his respects to his old mentor in the hospital.

[jesse_custer]

There's no way Sci-Fi can run Highlander and Ninja Scroll uncensored. The channel still abides by many of the same rules you see followed by TNT, USA, etc.

Sci-Fi actually introduced me to Iria: Zeiram the Animation, and I encourage everyone to watch that if you haven't already.

As far as my opinions on Sci-Fi's current choices, anything with "Ghost in the Shell" in the title will have awesome animation and a really pretentious and boring story line with flat characters. Macross Plus is classic, one of the best series of all time. Street Fighter II V starts off well and gets better toward the middle (especially when Ken fights Vega), then it takes a downward plunge and never recovers. Haven't seen any of the rest.

[AnimeAvatar]

*sorry this is so long, i haven't been on in awhile and i had a lot to say*
I was actually referring to the times in the mid-90s when they would sporadically air anime movies every night for a week (usually during the summer). That was probably before the whole Saturday Anime thing.

1) I actualy remember watching that! That's where i first saw Last Exile. I got so mad when they took it off the schedual.

Did they already confirm Ninja Scroll? Are you talking the TV or the movie? I did some snooping around the sci-fi website and so far their schedule shows GITS: SAC: SSS (say that whole name three times fast), Tokko, Noein, Macross Plus, and Street Fighter II V. Oh, and the Highlander anime movie.

IIRC, when some of the people who worked on SSS were interviewed, they said that Solid State Society is not planned to be the final iteration of the Stand Alone Complex series, which means that we might indeed get a 3rd Gig, or maybe another feature length thing like SSS.

2) I thought GITS-SSS was the 3rd ... so what does it count as? The series or a seperate movie?

3) They made a Highlander Anime? ok...it any good?

With G4TV not doing their anime anymore, I'm glad that Sci-Fi will be bringing in more of the good stuff.

4) Does anyone know why G4 stopped their Anime block?

SciFi seems like a perfect place for anime. Always had to wonder why it wasn't on there more. It is weird where anime ends up on TV somtimes. I just noticed that Fuse has started airing weekly shots of Ergo Proxy and Tenjo Tenge. Plus you have Samurai 7 Seems to show up on IFC here and there once in a while still.

5) I've got a few ep. of Tenjo Tenge and Ergo Proxy, they're pretty good. I've never noticed them on T.V. though it did surprise me when i first saw Afro Samurai on SPIKE. Odd channel to have Anime on in my opinoin, but hey, i'm not complaining.

I remember back when the only reason I watched Sci Fi was for the Anime and Mystery Science 3000. I just pray that the Anime thay they show is just as good as it was back then.

6) Science Theatre 3000 rocks, i kinda wish they'd bring it back.

There's no way Sci-Fi can run Highlander and Ninja Scroll uncensored. The channel still abides by many of the same rules you see followed by TNT, USA, etc.

Sci-Fi actually introduced me to Iria: Zeiram the Animation, and I encourage everyone to watch that if you haven't already.

7) Agreed, if they put up Ninja Scrool uncensored i'd be slightly shocked. What did you think of Iria Zeiram? I'm debating on getting it.

[Robotech Master]

RE: 2) I thought GITS-SSS was the 3rd ... so what does it count as? The series or a seperate movie?

Solid State Society isn't really a movie--so much as a 4 episode OVA with an extremely high budget, which has been spliced together into a movie length feature, similar to how we received such titles as Iria: Zeiram the Animation, and Green Legend Ran. Solid State Society is not a TV series, but it does take place in the same continuity as the Stand Alone Complex series, taking place 2 years after the end of 2nd Gig. In that respect, you can essentially think of it as a movie sequel to Stand Alone Complex. It has nothing to do with the movies, and isn't related to the movie continuity at all.


RE:3) They made a Highlander Anime? ok...it any good?

Yes, they did, and I haven't seen a second of it.

[jesse_custer]

What did you think of Iria Zeiram? I'm debating on getting it.

I would get it. It has an interesting premise and a great atmospheric quality. Granted, a couple of the characters are on the annoying side, but overall this isn't a huge problem. The soundtrack is like a blend of techno and classical, and the animation and art-style are both pretty good.

[AnimeAvatar]

Robotech Master-> Ok, that makes more sense. Thank you.

Jesse Custer-> That's about what i've heard. I've yet to find it but i wanted to make sure when i did, it was worth getting.

[Citizen V]

I would think Sci-Fi would show anime not already shown on telvision,Record Of Lodoss War was already broadcasted.

[Inkthinker]

Make sure don't confuse the animated Zeiram vs. the live-action Zeiram.

Both are pretty cool, but the live-action version is much sillier.

[Inkthinker]

Make sure don't confuse the animated Zeiram vs. the live-action Zeiram.

Both are pretty cool, but the live-action version is much sillier.

[Tuan]

3) They made a Highlander Anime? ok...it any good?
I've seen it and highly recommend it. Personally, I thought it was better than all the live action films put together.

What did you think of Iria Zeiram? I'm debating on getting it.

Good story and animation. I recommend this one too. One of the first earlier animes I got into.

[yeoman]

They used to show Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer.

Hat eto use such an over used statement of internet slang, but, quoted for truth. I'm not really a fan of most of the rest of Urusei Yatsura, but Beautiful dreamer is just a fantastic flick.