If any of you anime fans have a chance, check out the new version of Masamune Shirow's "Appleseed".  I think they rotoscoped a LOT of the animation but it is an absolute joy to watch.  The animation in general are ultra high quality, and had me floored.  The story is a rewrite of the classic comics, but it works none the less.  The opening and final battles alone are worth checking out.  It cost me about 15 bucks to get at my local Suncoast Video, so I'm sure it's cheaper out there elsewhere.

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I've actually just aquired it after it was recomended to me by a mexican friend. just havent had time to watch it yet LOL.

Oh it's going to knock your socks off then.  Especially if you saw that travisty of a first attempt at making a movie out of the comic.  This script is a minor improvement, but the cinematography & animation make it an instant classic eyefeast.  You can tell they stole a lot (okay okay, were inspired by) the Matrix for the action scenes that make it really fun.  I find it a great sidebar movie for my growing GITS collection (my favorite Anime)

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GITS and Appleseed are ok (I have both), but to really have your socks knocked off, watch "Last Exile" by Studio Gonzo.

Take a look at "Voices of a Distant Star" by Makoto Shinkai / CoMix Wave Inc. It's one of the best anime I've ever found.The main feature is only 30 minutes long, but is exceptional in concept and story, well worth the price...;)

Just watched it. It's pretty cool! I would've wished for the skin shading to show a little more depth and the shading on the old men made the faces look a little messy due to their complex wrinkled faces. Some of the effects looked just a little flat also. But apart from that it was great eye candy! Story was pretty cool too, though it only really started to thrive about halfway through the movie. I'd say its pretty good, but not quite knocking my socks off yet.

I still think Neon Genesis Evangelion is very very hard to top. The combination of excellent animation, complex story lines and vey well developed characters was awesome. They are supposed to be planning a film version, not sure if it is still going ahead.

I liked it - It is in my permanent collection. So is all the GITS, 1, 2 and both SAC.

You have both SAC?!  Sigh... you lucky ferretous goob you. ;c)  I haven't even seen more than 2 episodes of 2nd gig yet.  So loving poo poo to you.  I have much good natured envy towards your collection then.  Then again, with my new job, I may actually be able to start buying things I like, like that, soon.

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Appleseed is actually Mocap + GCI, no rotoscoping whatsoever. As for Gonzo, sometimes they are brilliant and other times, well let's not mention it, its not only technique that makes up a anime.

As for Makoto Shinkai, he is definitely a name that is rising within the anime-industry.

And i won't mention my collection then ^______^