What Anime are you Currently Watching?/Anime Recommendations

[Exhuminator]

Licensed by Royalty, a 13 episode anime from 2003.

Here's an anime about two spy agents working for two different royal families, protecting their interests and safety. Sometimes they work together, sometimes not so much. It's a little bit James Bond-ish, but not that good. If you've never heard of Licensed by Royalty, despite the show being 14 years old now, it's because it's a bit boring. Sure I enjoyed the clean art design, well animated combat scenes, and thoroughly convincing setting. But the writing is often tepid with dialogue scenes that can last ten minutes long and accomplish practically nothing. The ending didn't make much sense, and the ride getting there never excited me. This is a 5/10 show, I'm not sure why I bothered watching the whole thing. Probably just to see how many secret gadgets the writers could create out of cigarettes.

[Xeogred]

Never even heard of that one.

Still slogging through Noir. Chloe is pretty cool and I like that it has the composer who worked on Xenosaga 2-3. But it's still really average.

[isiolia]

I vaguely recall Licensed by Royalty being released...never watched it though. Possibly watched the first episode or so... is the soundtrack mixed -way- too loud in it? I recall watching a show like that where it was, though I may be thinking of Get Backers.

Noir was decent when it came out, but I honestly haven't really watched it since (it is, however, what my Steam username is based on >.> ). Possible that they skewed the animation budget to the action scenes. I think of the soundtrack more with the one she did for .hack//SIGN, but it was definitely a standout part of the show.
The director did a "girls with guns" trilogy, starting with that, which also includes Madlax (which I haven't watched) and El Cazador de la Bruja, which I also watched as it came out on fansub years back. It has a bit more personality, if nothing else.

[Xeogred]

That's what I hear about Madlax as well. Better and more fun characters.

Noir just makes me want to rewatch Black Lagoon or something haha. Plus I'm a fan of the kickass girls thing, but the older stuff is a lot cooler... Dirty Pair, Bubblegum Crisis, Gall Force, Iria, etc.

[Exhuminator]

Still slogging through Noir.

I can't remember if I ever finished that one or not. The few people I know with decent taste in anime said it was boring. There are certainly better "girls with guns" shows out there.

is the soundtrack mixed -way- too loud in it?

Yes, very annoyingly so.

Madlax (which I haven't watched) and El Cazador de la Bruja

I own, but have not seen either of those. I think I'll go watch some trailers to refresh my memory.

I started watching "Night Raid 1931" last night. The first episode was decent. I'll see how it goes with the second.

[isiolia]

I think I watched a few episodes of that fansubbed, but didn't stick with it. I do remember it seeming good.

[Fragems]

Think I got 3-4 episodes in before flaking on Night Raid 1931. Can't remember exactly why I think it was just to slow paced for me.

[Exhuminator]

When we were talking about "girls with guns" earlier, I tried to remember an anime I liked. I could see it in my mind, but couldn't remember the name. It finally came to me:

Najica Blitz Tactics

So yeah, there's a "girls with guns" anime that I enjoyed.

[Xeogred]

Looks ecchi.

[Exhuminator]

Looks ecchi.

Not like that's a bad thing.

---

Well I made it halfway through Night Raid 1931. Show had great production values but it was incredibly boring. I couldn't get attached to any of the characters or any of the plot elements. So, that one's out the window.

I think it's time I watch the second season of Gunslinger Girls. Been meaning to do that for... many years actually.