The increase in sequel is getting tiresome and i greatly prefer original work over sequels. Unless the original was great and didn't really tie loose ends then im down for a sequel other than that a sequel Is like eating a great meal and your stuffed but its followed up with another decent sized meal. If a series starts falling apart and turning into a obvious mess i'm probably giving up on the series. I mean its sorta asking someone would you stay on a sinking ship?
i wouldn't

I would prefer sequels geared towards better animes such as ghost hunt, true tears, ouran, gurren.... etc.. But then preference for these things are always subjective.

I just don't see the need for several screen panty shots of characters from Ikkitousen and Rosario to Vampire..

There's barely any original works for a while. The overwhelming majority of anime that have been coming out for the last couple of years are based off mangas, light novels or games. It's as though all the anime producers decided it wasn't worth the time to sit around and think of something new, but to play it safe and copy someone else's work to make it easier for them. With sequels, they make them because the source material has finally been extended with the story.

But there's nothing wrong with that in itself. The real problem I have is that everything, regardless of being original, a sequel or really being original, seems to be the pretty recycled crap, only with different character designs, seiyuus or music. In other words, nothing seems to be fresh. Or call me burned out and it's time to take a break.

I think the "Mai" franchise had a good idea with sequels. Reset the whole thing, and put the existing characters in brand new situations or settings. Throw in some new characters to keep things fresh. However, Sunrise has been static with the Mai-Otome franchise, so this concept couldn't live up to its potential.

"ROD TV" is a great example of a sequel that effectively uses the plot of its predecessor to produce an engaging, continuous, and dramatic story. Ideally, most animes should follow this format of bringing back former main characters to enhance the story.

Most sequels consist of the same shit with different openings and endings.

Also, I think the limit to tell an effective story is 52 episodes. 26 falls a little short, 39 is perfect, and 13 is too much of a tease.

Anime's position in my life has taken two major blows over the past couple of years. Curiously enough, the blows were dealt by my trips to Japan in 2006 and 2007. I guess there's something about seeing a culture in the flesh that's more illuminating (?refreshing), or perhaps just plain different. I wonder if you found the same thing with your holidays...

Anyway, I too remember falling in love with the cover art of the Japanese DVD Box Set for Someday's Dreamers... the manga artwork is just gorgeous; but I agree - the anime didn't translate as well visually, but this is a sequel that I would look at - particularly if the tone and cadence remain faithful to the originial, and also if Aoi Miyazaki has a role in it... I've always been a fan of School Rumble, and eagerly await the latest installments. Thanks for the update as always!

Curiously enough, the blows were dealt by my trips to Japan in 2006 and 2007. I guess there's something about seeing a culture in the flesh that's more illuminating (?refreshing), or perhaps just plain different. I wonder if you found the same thing with your holidays...

Yeah, I feel the same way as well. In comparison to the actual country/culture, anime doesn't look as interesting. I thought that by being in Japan, I'd watch more anime but the reverse usually happened. That's why I always end up neglecting some series that I follow everytime I go there. For some reason my desire to watch anime actually decrease when I'm in Japan.

Maybe it's because there are so many things to see, festival to go to, and activities to do. And I'm not talking about going to Akihabara and visiting the shops there (although that's rather fun to go to as well). This is the same with the TV shows in Japan. I usually find that I'm more drawn to the travel shows than the anime that are airing late at night. I especially love it when a travel show visits a particular rural area in Japan and try the local onsen/food, etc.

I prefer dramas over anime, although J-dramas tend to be too slow-paced and have a repetitive plot. But the J-dramas show more of the culture, which is why I enjoy them instead of anime. You're better able to notice things like how there is a lot of apologizing in business, how Japan is still very sexist and there is a glass ceiling for working women, youth culture regarding fashion, language and food, etc.

I think it's strange that Japan overkills series, though. With some series, there's a book version, and a manga version, a live action movie, and live drama, and an anime series - all retelling the same story! Craziness. Rather than spend money on so many different media, they should consolidate their money and buy better cameras for their dramas (Japanese shows/movies are always so cheap-looking despite having better technology than what they use. =( Does that mean Americans and Koreans spend too much money on entertainment, though?).

I'm very excited about Slayers Revolutions but I'm also a bit worried about it. I mean, it's been about a decade since I finished watching the original three series. Why are they bringing back the series now? And will it be any good? I'm glad that it looks like the four main characters will be making a comeback, since before there was speculation if they would even show up or if the story would just take place in the same universe.

I feel kind of the same way with Nodame. I'm pleased that they're going to continue the story, but at the same time, I hope they don't mess it up, especially since the manga not finished. That's usually what disappoints me with anime whose manga is still ongoing. The story has to come to an abrupt stop or they make a new ending for it (Ouran, Fruits Basket, Full Metal Alchemist, etc.).

So, if either of these turns into a hot mess, I probably won't watch it the end. I'll probably ignore it and enjoy the original works instead. I think if a sequel is done right, then there should be no worries about how many are made. But if it's just a hot mess trying to get more money out of the franchise, well, it's not worth my time.

Another Jigoku Shoujo....as if the first wasn't enough!

I'm actually looking forward to quite a few of these sequels. At least it's not like shows here in the states...where shows just keep airing without end for years... (besides the shounen anime already mentioned)

I've heard that Tomoko Ninomiya is hoping to finish off Nodame by the end of the year, so hopefully by the time the second season of the anime ends, the manga will have ended as well, so we don't have deviation from the manga canon.

Ehhhh?! I didn't know there'd be a sequel to Nodame Cantabile. Yay!!!!!! This has just made my day especially since testing is finally over. ^_^

YEs I like sequels mainly because there arent that many good animes now anyway but nodame and gundam are great choices for sequels zero and ikki arent it just depends on what show they make a sequel about

The only sequel that I am looking forward to is Nodame Cantabile. I liked how they depicted the anime because it was faithful to the manga. I think the manga already goes as far as 20 volumes and I don't think they will be closing the chapters still...

As for your poll question, I think the ideal number of seasons for an anime is 1 or 2, depending if they're actually going to use the spreading of the episodes and chapters wisely. Like Nodame, there would be more than enough material to cover a second season. But they're just going to be making a second season filled with fanservices and filler episodes, screw them! That's blatantly obvious that they're doing it for the money.

But there are anime that's only good for one season even though they have an on-going manga filled with more arcs. A perfect example of this is Ouran High School Host Club. The magic of this anime revolves around the friendships and dynamics of the club members. If they place in a second season with more lovey-dovey stuff that's happening in the manga right now, I would really be disappointment. In all honesty, Ouran (as much as I would like a second season) ended it's first season perfectly.

garten,

a US adaptation of honey and clover? please, let's wait until the taiwanese and egyptian and martian versions all finish airing first. but i'm open to casting suggestions. who do you think should play takemoto? should his character's name be changed to brad, or edward? ;p

a US adaptation of honey and clover? please, let's wait until the taiwanese and egyptian and martian versions all finish airing first. but i'm open to casting suggestions. who do you think should play takemoto? should his character's name be changed to brad, or edward? ;p

I see, you decided to take the red pill. >:) Welcome.
As for who should play the US version of Takemoto, I can't believe you'd even suggest such travesty. That version must not exist.

I also had no idea about the Nodame 2nd season. Thanks for the news! The Paris bits have been my favorites so far in the manga, so it would be nice to see a faithful adaptation of them.

The live action version was a disappointment for the most part...I think some of the cartoonishness (especially the slapstick) just really doesn't work with real people.

ah no garten, i'm not taking credit for your idea. the US vers. of h&c--who infected me w/ that? methinks it was you :)

actually, i never made it past ep. 4 of nodame, so the 1st season already seems unnecessary. are you already regretting telling me i'm invited to run my mouth? ;p

@Lynn
I felt the same way with the first and second episode. After that though, it felt natural.

@spitzfan
LOL no. An opinion is just that: opinion. I rarely feel offended if someone doesn't like the anime/series that I like. Because what's the point? Unless, of course, someone just plain trolls the series.

actually, maybe i would've liked nodame if i had the patience to stick through it. i didn't embrace h&c until episode 8 (?)--when they all gathered to celebrate takemoto's birthday, then forgot why they were all there in the first place. after having watched the entire series, i can't say that ep. was the strongest--but something about it just reached inside and grabbed me at the time--enough of a hook to make me stick around to be wowed later.

now, if you want comments of a fawning rather than trolling nature, post about ep. 2 of osen already ;p

I welcome the sequels, as long as they're to titles I like. :) Haruhi, Shana, Geass, bring it. Clannad, not so much (where is my FMP sequel KyoAni?). I also welcome more original titles, but the ratio of quality to crap doesn't really improve here either (Blassreiter anyone?).

As far as series length, some of my favorite series are quite long. One Piece, Slam Dunk, Maison Ikkoku, all great. Oddly enough though, I can rarely find the patience to sit through an entire movie. :)