Ron:
> I first caught the manga via Japanese scans, so I was overjoyed
> when it was announced that it was coming out here in the US.
> And unlike many manga (like Ranma, UY and probably IY included),
> it had a very satisfying ending that actually was an ending (like MI).

	I'm beginning to think manga/anime is simply not capable of be good
consistently..  Almost anything that tries to go on for a while eventually
fails, unless it's something that can go on arbitrarily forever (Inuyasha
for example).

	Azumanga Daioh could've been much longer, but it stopped early and
that's why it's so enjoyable.

> I have the entire Excel Saga set on DVD, and it was enjoyable, if mindless
> (which was some of the appeal; to sit back and let the TV drive for awhile
> ^_^).

	The anime seems to be too dependent on knowing specific jokes, like
toward the end Nabeshin's 'fly away to the atmosphere' was a classic move
from Saint Seiya, and the #1 overused move from that series in fan circles.
Not sure if it'd be as funny if you didn't know where it comes from.

> But I must confess that I am liking the manga more, since there seems to
> be
> more
> actual characterization here (sometimes Excel seems downright
> symphathetic),
> and none of that "Princess from Mars" stuph; However, I am wondering how
> the English translation will change now that Dan Kanemitsu is not
> translating,
> and Carl Horn is at Dark Horse.

	I never found the manga.  Saw it at a few time while going across a
bookstore in the rental section but never find it again.  It's like Here is
Greenwood, only saw it once while browsing aimlessly in the rental section.
I'm pretty sure it's not sold anymore, at least in the bookstores I go to.

> It continued; I ordered Japanese volume 9, which Sasuga got in late last
> month.
> Viz released vol. 8 as a paperback late April or so (I picked it up, even
> tho' I
> had read the stories in Shonen A(ce) and now have the Japanese release.
> Some interesting stuff going down, making me like this more than the anime
> (which is still one of my favorites...).

	Maybe I'll pick up it next time on rental then.  I don't really like
Eva the Anime at all, but it had a lot of interesting premises.  I liked
Asuka a lot, too bad there wasn't much development on her... or anyone else,
for that matter, since the Eva anime is pretty caught up in the whole
instrumentality thing as opposed to actually worrying about the characters.

> I had heard that ADV had the rights to the manga version of Nuku Nuku.
> I am hoping that will include the first version, since I have never seen
> that,
> except for a copy at Ohayocon2003 that was going for 42 bucks.
> And that is because I had heard that, to get the book out (Takada Yuzo
> hadn't completed enough material to get it released in Tankobon format),
> Moriyama Yuji had gotten some material in it. Not sure, just what I had
> heard.
> I read the Shonen A(ce) stories, and the artwork wasn't nearly as tight as
> his
> usual work, but fun, nonetheless.

	I don't know if it's just because I'm jaded but not only do I not
find much of interest in the new stuff, the old stuff doesn't look nearly as
interesting as I remembered them to be.

	Maybe there was never all that much interesting material to read or
watch.

Don
"We are not related by blood, and yet you're still my brother, Shirou.
Protecting my big brother is my duty, is it not?"
Perfect Ilya, Fate Stay Night

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