Read or Die

Postby **Ashley** » Fri May 30, 2003 9:40 am

Originally posted by Archan

TITLE: Read Or Die
TYPE: OVA-Action Adventure
NUMBER OF OVA's: 3

STORY SYNOPSIS:
Oh man, theres so much cool stuff I don;t know where to start. Okay, from the top, the Whitehouse is attacked by this long since dead samurai who now has the power of micro electricity. turns out, he was searching for the Library of Congress and destroyed the White House by mistake. Soon after, we enter one of our main characters, Yomiko Readman (Code name-The Paper), whom is madly, madly madly in love with books and reads so much in her life that she has developed the ability to manipulate paper in such a way it can be used as a weapon. Soon, she finds a book by Beethoven, but other people are after this book as well. She is then soon attacked, and reveals her true potential with 'paper' that it is soon revealed she is part of an elite secret organization devout to keeping international security. Her boss, Joker, then assigns her to a team composed of two other members, Nancy Makuhari (Code name-Miss Deep) whom has the ability to phase through solid matter of all types, and Drake Anderson whom is the military specialist of the group. They're mission, to find out what is so special about the book, and keep it away from the "Injin", cloned long dead historical figures armed with modern technological weaponry from they're own creative genius bent of purging the world of infirior human life. Among the Injin are Gennai Hiraga (the Samurai), Otto Ririenhahl (German aviotics specialist whom develops high tech flying machines), Genjo (Legendary ancient priest whom posseses the powers of the legendary Goku including a Power Pole, Breathing out fire, and a hovering cloud{gets explained...trust me}), and a few others with other radical abilities.

MY TAKE:
I luv this anime almost as much as I luv ZOIDS, the concept is more then cool, the characters are great, alot of plot twists that keep you guessing, along with whats so special about the book. Above that, the animation is superb. I was completely blown away by this anime, which irronically I found by mistake ^^;;;;; Still, I'm very glad I found it, more then glad, and it keeps a classic genre feel much like that of Cowboy Bebop, but without all the drug refrences and skimpy outfits. Also, theres just about no nudity (And I watched the non subed version! How rare is that!!!!!), or anything else for that matter. This anime is great.....

WARNINGS:
Uh, well, instead of cloned the word reincarnated is used, but it's not reincarnation, it's cloning. Why that word was chosen beats me. but just incase there's little tikes reading this, Kids, don't try to clone long dead historical figures at home........got it?

CHRISTIAN SUBJECT MATTER:
None

RATING:5/5

ALSO RECOMENDED:
Outlaw Star
Cowboy Bebop (For mature audiences)

Links
http://anime.oddball.net/reviewshow.cfm?ReviewID=97
http://cupped-expressions.net/rod/die/
http://animeomiyage.net/rod/ (gallery)

Thats all, all the other sites were not translated...*Phooey*

Postby **BrianC** » Sat May 31, 2003 6:41 pm

I heard a bit about this anime and I am very interested in seeing. I like Superhero cartoons and movies. It sounds like something that I would like to check out.

Postby **madphilb** » Tue Jun 03, 2003 3:59 pm

I mentioned this elsewhere (MSN, might have here somewhere too).... the DVD is out.

I picked up mine at Best Buy for $22.99 US.

Glad I bought it too. DVD's are nice, you can watch subed or dubed on most of them.

PHIL

Postby **Lightbringer** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 9:13 pm

Were shall I start? Well I'll go with, wow what a waste of time. First of all, though the animation was quite nice, there was like no plot really. Sure it had the save the world thing but there was no reason for anything it was like a chaotic romp from start to finish. Cool in some cases, but not in this.
My second big reason for thinking this was dumb was a HUGE lesbian vibe comeing from the two main female charicters, they never said they were, they didn't kiss or hug ( in a non friendly way) or anything, but they were putting the lesbian vibe off like crazy, no if ands or buts, theres no way you could miss it.
Three it put America down pretty good, Our president peed himself all the time, and whined, that and he just wanted to blow everything up all the time. Sure Americans Like explosions and if you mess with us we got bombs and missles and know how to use em, but we dont blow people up for no reason. I was quite disgusted with this movie.

So this movie gets a negative 5000 on my scale of 1 -10. or in other words, this movie was 100% crap!

Lightbringer // Aaron

Postby **Gypsy** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 10:00 pm

Yeah, I got the same impression as Aaron did about the whole thing. Cool art, excellent animation, but that was about it.

Postby **madphilb** » Sat Jun 07, 2003 9:04 pm

Different Strokes an' all....

I did get somewhat concerned about The Paper's and Ms. Deep's relationship... it does seem somewhat that there is something going on there, then again, when you get to the end... it looks a little different.

Everyone likes something different, and I'm fairly easily entertained.... (though I've never been able to get into Sailor Moon even with as much airtime as it gets)....

PHIL

Postby **Rev. Doc** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 9:42 am

I had heard a lot of praise for this OAV so when it came out I went ahead and purchased a copy. I would have to say I was somewhat disappointed for many of the reasons already mentioned. The premise of the show is great if it had only been done a little differently. The Read or Die TV series has just been licensed. I wonder if it will be better.

Postby **Gypsy** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 9:36 pm

I read about the TV series in the last Newtype. It struck me as far more interesting than the movie. I hope so, because there was a lot of cool ideas in there, it just ... well ... y'know. But I really like the idea that the three heroines of the story are all sisters with very different personalities - yet it seems they can all control paper. I'll keep my eye on it.

Postby **Bobtheduck** » Mon Aug 25, 2003 10:07 pm

St. Peter wrote:I just read somewhere that in the manga Yomiko has a boyfriend. So I'm not as worried about her sexual preferences anymore.

Well, in the Sailormoon Manga, Zoicite was straight... Manga and anime are not always the same...

Postby **lexicalunit** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 8:11 pm

Ashley wrote:ALSO RECOMENDED:
Outlaw Star
Cowboy Bebop (For mature audiences)

I suggest you add "(For mature audiences)" to Outlaw Star as well, or have you not seen the episode where they crew visits a Nudist Planet and spends 90% of the entire anime in full frontal nude scenes? (No, the episode was never show on cartoon network, but you can bet it will show up on the DVDs)

Postby **true_noir_chloe** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:17 pm

I know I'm the only one here who is in agreement with Ashley's review of this anime, but I liked it.

I would have given it a 4/5 rating. It's one of my favorites. It's has a decent story, likable characters, fantastic soundtrack (which I bought because I love all the 007 music too) and the art is pretty nice. Her manipulation of paper is done so artistically, it's the best effects in the show.

Why is everyone so into the lesbian stuff here? My goodness. Yomiko Readman is a character who has always lived in her books. Nancy befriends her and for the first time she has a friend other than a character in a book. They become very good friends, in fact she is so close that at the end she ends up becoming like a big sister to the Nancy clone; but other than that, I wonder about the rampamt homophobia going on around here. I wish you guys would find out your facts before you start calling every couple of women who are friends in anime gay. :cool:

Sheesh!

Postby **yog^sothoth** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 4:35 am

Read or Die was a lot of fun. I mean, where else are you going to find an EVIL MOZART! What's wrong with putting down america? We put down other countries all the time. It would be illogical to think that our culture has nothing bad or wrong about it? Do you live in the perfect american society? No, there is no such thing.

Anyway, rant aside. Read or Dream, the TV show (Rod the TV for those of you on animesuki or supernova) is a lot more fun and Nenene, the girl who wrote all those notes on all yomiko's stuff in the beginning of the first episode, is the main character with 3 sisters, 2 blood one adopted, who run a detective agency and can manipulate paper just like Yomiko. Nenene is searching for Yomiko, who disappeared sometime before the show begins. I reccomend it for the fun factor. But if you don't like the lesbian vibe from Read or Die, Read or Dream is not for you.

Postby **madphilb** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 2:42 pm

[quote="true_noir_chloe"]Why is everyone so into the lesbian stuff here? My goodness. Yomiko Readman is a character who has always lived in her books. Nancy befriends her and for the first time she has a friend other than a character in a book. They become very good friends, in fact she is so close that at the end she ends up becoming like a big sister to the Nancy clone]

I posted about this in another thread yesterday (I think)... I think it was a Noir thread, anyway, to sum up, I think we've gotten to be a bit jaded... if I find the post I'll link it from here for reference, since it's relevant.

PHIL

edit:
This topic here should take you to the post I, er, posted before about this.

Postby **Lightbringer** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:35 pm

Well, they may or may not be lesbians, but the vibe was definatly there. Homophobia? Why is it when someone mentions something about gay people theirs always someone saying their just homophobes. Really, what does fearing homosexuality have to do with saying theirs a gay vibe. It was beyond odvious.

As far as putting down America. sure, we've got lots of stuff to be made fun of for. Letting gay people have so much influence is one of those things really. (a serious lack of praying from America i fully believe)
abortion, demestic violence, raceism. Cowardice however is definatly not one, nor is frivolent and unreasonable use of force. Just cause you get into a lot of fights dosn't mean you like it. (duh i mean alot of anime heros around here are like that) .

Oh and if i stepped on somebodys toes keep in mind these are my opinions and not that of the staffs. Mods have minds of their owns too :lol:

Lightbringer // Aaron

Postby **Technomancer** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:37 am

You know, when people brought up this issue with regards to "Read or Die", I was wondering at first whether I'd seen some completely different version of the show or something. I've seen the whole thing uncut, and I simply cannot see where you people are getting this interpretation.

Postby **yog^sothoth** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 6:49 am

It has to do with American Society. We're brought up thinking that touch is bad (oh my god he touched her that's so gay!) and that we must be independent and always look for monetary gain. When people, especially of a sort that believes in the total of american christian dogma see's something like Read or Die and there is a "love" interest that entails nothing more than that of a sisterly device, people freak out and call it gay.

and...yeah...my bad, beethoven....

Anyway, that's my opinion. And yes, I am American. And yes, I do believe in the totality of the christian dogma. And yes, I am in school for anthropology.

Postby **madphilb** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:25 am

hmmm.... I noticed a trend... might be something in the male mind, but it seems most of the people who are "crying lesbian" are male. From that perspective I think I can see where some people are comming from, but I don't know any of you all very well, so it would be an assumed theory.

Women in general tend to be more "touchy feeley" in a non-sexual way, where men.... aside from the "slap on the butt" thing at sports, tend to connect the "touchy feeley" thing differently (I can still hear that one Christian comic from years ago with his "don't touch me"... gosh, what was his name?)

This is a generalization and an assumption, but it might explain some things. The fact that Japan does have a bit of a different take on sexual morals compared to the west, well, that doesn't help.

PHIL

Postby **true_noir_chloe** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:05 am

>hmmm.... I noticed a trend... might be something in the male mind, but it seems most of the people who are "crying lesbian" are male. From that perspective I think I can see where some people are comming from, but I don't know any of you all very well, so it would be an assumed theory.

Women in general tend to be more "touchy feeley" in a non-sexual way,<phil

>there is a "love" interest that entails nothing more than that of a sisterly device, people freak out and call it gay.<yog'sothoth

>You know, when people brought up this issue with regards to "Read or Die", I was wondering at first whether I'd seen some completely different version of the show or something. I've seen the whole thing uncut, and I simply cannot see where you people are getting this interpretation.<technomancer

Okay, I give Lightbringer. I shouldn't have called you all homophobes. *bows deeply* I'm sorry, but when I said you guys, I did mean the males on the board. Because I had just come from the Noir thread (where Techno was) and read all the comments there I was a little upset. :shady:

I have friends from all different countries and women are just very "touchy feely" and close. (look at Phil's comment) Here in America we do perceive friendly relationships very differently, in that I agree with yog'sothoth.

Example: My friend who spent a great part of her life in Europe came back and we always greet each other with a peck on the cheek. At her showing at a local gallery we easily walked around elbow in elbow and that was no problem; yet, someone here would have thought we were gay. We've both been happily married for 15 years with our husbands. :lol:

America does see closeness different and that comes from our puritan roots. There's nothing bad with us, Americans, this is the greatest place to live on earth IMHO, it's just that we need to stop and think of what the rest of the world does when it comes to human interaction and always realize the cultural relevance.

That is why I can watch anime and enjoy it from the wonderful culture it comes from, Japan.

Postby **yog^sothoth** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:25 am

Cephas wrote:Whatever. People are entitled to accept or reject any cultural mores as they see fit.

umm, not really. I mean...to judge another culture using one's own culture as a guide is one of the worst things that a person can do. It makes us close minded and by traveling somewhere else in the world will ensure that our trip will be filled with the gloom and doom of someone who thinks they are so superior as to enrage the local population and make time spent in said culture a horrible travesty. It is true that we use our culture as a moral guide but in doing so we tend to look down on other cultures, especially here in the land of capitalism. We tend to forget a lot about how we got here and what we've done to ensure our own protection and/or liberties. We look as ourselves as grown up and superior but we have just as many problems with our society, if not more, than most other cultures around the world.

I'm not saying, oh...so you're saying that the nazi's were justified in what they did because that was what their culture wanted? No, a dictator is a dictator no matter the culture and if they allow such a person to rise through their ranks this culture will turn surely to evil. It's been shown throughout history.

I am saying that things like homosexuality, child labor, working conditions, food consumed, religions practiced and all the rest of the stuff that makes up a culture is what they know and you can bet your anime collection that if you are making assumptions biased from your culture then there are members of that culture doing the same thing to you. Understanding and peace can be reached only through taking the time out to learn about other peoples and their ways of life. Closing yourself off to this is nothing short of a viscious tragedy.

Well, that's my opinion of course. Take it as you will.

Postby **Lightbringer** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:49 am

cant judge a cultures morals with your own? Sure, put them up agenst the Bible. i dont care what country it is, if it dosn't measure up then it dosn't measure up. Culture is trash, its just a list of tradition that people follow cause they always have. Its a giant waste of time, people need to be doing things that are right. and dont bother telling me people have different views of what is right and whats wrong.
We're all decendents of Adam, we all have the knowledge of what is good and what is evil. People simpley choose to do what is right or wrong. the crys of culture are a weak excuse to continue in a way that isn't right.
As a country its very true America isn't up to snuff either, but that has nothing to do with the discussion. whats right is right, wrong is wrong. simple.

as for the[color=black] "Example: My friend who spent a great part of her life in Europe came back and we always greet each other with a peck on the cheek. At her showing at a local gallery we easily walked around elbow in elbow and that was no problem; yet, someone here would have thought we were gay. We've both been happily married for 15 years with our husbands." thing as well as the the odvious stuff in read or die.

1 Thessalonians 5
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

meaning basicly it dosn't matter what their intent was, if it looks like it. (and it did) then dont ... theirs no argueing that. if you dont like it then take it up with God Im not the one who wrote the book. thats not a jab at anyone. thats just what the Word says

Lightbringer // Aaron [/color]

Postby **yog^sothoth** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:53 am

now, would you be saying the same thing if you were born in India or if you were born in Pakistan? Would you find yourself thinking that you were right and everyone else infidels (especially those pretend amero-christians)? What would you be like then?

Postby **Lightbringer** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:00 pm

I believe i said that everyone has the ability to disern right from wrong. They can be from anywere, it dosn't matter, they dont because they choose to believe that what their hearing is wrong. Chooseing to shut off that naging voice and follow something known inside them to be wrong. Culture to blame? if you want, but its no excuse at all.

if you want to argue that then you are more then welcome to, but it wouldn't be very smart.

Lightbringer // Aaron

Postby **Technomancer** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:07 pm

That is your interpretation Lightbringer, and the rightness or wrongness of that particular example is how it appears to you. A continental European might not think anything of it.

Culture and tradition, moreover are not trash (at least not in and of themselves). They represent the incredibly rich and fertile store of human expression, they inform our thinking, and remind us of what has gone before. Culture is. You yourself live and breathe a particular culture that is heavily influenced by your religion, elements of which (such as interpretation) likewise rely on a tradition of Protestant thought. This is not to say that there exist no universals, our faith certainly dicatates that there are some: such as the inviolable dignity of human life, or the right to one's freedom of conscience.

Postby **true_noir_chloe** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:15 pm

Whoa, time to pull in the reigns.

So much fighting and Ashley went and gave Read Or Die a really good review.

>Lightbras for the "Example: My friend who spent a great part of her life in Europe came back and we always greet each other with a peck on the cheek. At her showing at a local gallery we easily walked around elbow in elbow and that was no problem; yet, someone here would have thought we were gay. We've both been happily married for 15 years with our husbands." thing as well as the the odvious stuff in read or die.

1 Thessalonians 5
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.<Lightbringer :eyebrow:

Lightbringer, mod or not, you're being very rude to me. Enough said. I served the Lord for eight years on college campuses, overseas, and then as a graphic designer for a Christian Youth Ministry. I've witnessed and seen converts for years before you were possibly born. I am very open with other cultures because I've lived with other cultures overseas and in California when my roommates were from the Phillipines and Korea.

Why are you bringing the Bible into this, the Bible is moot and has nothing to do with this disagreement? It's uncalled for. I'm not appearing evil because I love to be close to my friends. You need to look at yourself if you think this is evil. You need to in fact, travel to Asia or Europe or Africa and watch how people interact. Even Christians act according to their culture in other countries slightly different than Christians here.

For you to say something like that is very offensive to me. And, I expect an apology.

Postby **Gypsy** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:15 pm

Ok, just a small reminder: This thread is for discussing R.O.D., not the "culture makes things right or wrong" thing. I can see we have some very strong views, and I like seeing that - but not in any form of debate or argument in the wrong thread. Also, this has turned into one of those topics that no matter what you say, it's not going to make a whole lot of difference to the other person, and it will build and build until ... an admin steps in.

So, back on track - R.O.D. Whether I agree with the review or not, the first post in this thread is the official CAA review unless specified otherwise.

I will watch this anime again with an open mind and neutral stance. If I think something about the review needs to be changed, then I will make a note about it.

Until then, please try to stay on topic. Thank you.

Postby **inkhana** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:17 pm

EDIT: Sorry, Gypsy beat me to it... :sweat:

Postby **Gypsy** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:19 pm

Afterthought:

#1 - Ash didn't write that review. It was written by Archan, one of our mods from the old board.

#2 - Any kind of personal affairs, please take that to either the admins/mods or PM ... or both.

Postby **Gypsy** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:21 pm

Ink, that's fine, don't worry about it. Glad to see you were on top of it.

Postby **true_noir_chloe** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:52 pm

Sorry I messed up your thread guys. *bowing deeply to Gypsy and Ink* Lightbringer apologized as I asked.

Postby **Gypsy** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 3:00 pm

Not a problem. I'm just glad everyone's all set now. *steals Chloe's sunglasses* :cool:

Read or Die

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