Jii-san's 500 book reports

Grumpy Jii-san reads a book, then wonders why. It does prove he watches too much TV, though.

This time, the chattering was recorded in Arizona's Vekol Valley.

You can find a transcript of these remarks here:
http://grumpyjiisan.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/grumpyjii-500books/

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• gumpyG
• aniviews
• toonedin
• bookreport

[rossdude]

Jii-san! You should write a book. I'd buy it! That final foot note about the cover really throws a wrench in the gears. Haha! I mean, come on, how can you get Steam Boy mixed with Tokyo Babylon!

[GrumpyJiisan]

I suspect this was an editor's error. Looking at Amazon's UK site, the UK cover is different from the US edition. They probably had several possible cover mock-ups to choose from, and (perhaps due to a last-minute decision) the inside cover text didn't get updated to match the final choice. I know Ms. McCarthy knows the diff, but the publisher probably doesn't.

[whoisyouranime]

I don't think I will get this book. Helen McCarthy made a negative statement about one of my favourite animes, Vampire Hunter D. She stated in her book "The Anime Movie Guide" that Vampire Hunter D is one of her top five films to avoid. That really hurts because VHD is the reason why I love anime so much and she dares to say that it has to be avoided. I would rather listen to any anime reviewers opinion on youtube rather then listening to her. Sorry if this comment is so negative.

[GrumpyJiisan]

Well, "de gustibus non est desputandum" and all that - not that I'd want to talk you or anyone into buying this.

While looking up what she said here about VHD (2 stars, btw), I found it's another of those titles that have the wrong page # in the index. Her editor was really sloppy.

[GrumpyJiisan]

By coincidence, right after I posted this video, I was watching the business news and discovered that publisher Harper Collins was closing its non-fiction Collins subsidiary, which published this book. Apparently people aren't buying enough books.

[darfjono]

if it wouldn't be a pain in the rear, could you maybe do a "review" on your anime collection?

[GrumpyJiisan]

I'm not sure what that would look like... I guess I don't understand what you'd like to know.

"Disorganized, inconsistent rather than eclectic, and kind of old and stuffy, but has a few gems buried within... the shelves are birch by Ikea and the VHS cabinet is maple by Oasis. 4 out of 5 stars." ? :)

[tucker007]

Yeah the internet=the greatest anime reference.

I wish that someone would make a better book reference though... it could be handy/interesting.

But I mainly just lurk /a/ and pick up new series from doing that.

[Warpchy]

Well its one plus, I've never heard of Spring and Chaos.

[Levitz9]

....Sailor Moon....and Grave of the Fireflies...? Compare Bible Black to Bottle Fairy, why don't you...

I'm guessing that this book would be best for a parent who's trying to understand their child's fascination with anime, and try to see some noteworthy shows alongside him/her.

You took me by surprise, making a video about a book, too!

[Hoffyman]

The whole thing about categories is making me think of where some of my favorites would belong. Would the The Big O be mystery? Or Mecha? Hmm

[AssholePatrol]

I wonder if she even actually watched them all.

[bigred2989]

successful troll is successful. 6 out of 5 stars.

[bigred2989]

4:30

0080 is probably included because it tells a much greater story then 0083. 0080 talks about a young boy who lives through much of a sapce war that he only saw on TV for many months. Then it all hits home when the battle moves to side 6 and he realizes that war isn't a game and people die. Plus the characters are more likeable then the ones in 0083, where the main character is afraid of carrots. It's only appeal are the great MS designs like the GP03 Mobile Armor and Gerbera Tetra.

[GrapplerJMo]

good review. i have a friend who owns a copy. i always thought giles poitras was the only publishing authority when it comes to anime

[law244]

OH SNAP!!! (nice catch on the cover art) I actually have a books like this. I got as gift from an Aunt, T_T it was published in 2006, it does include none licensed titles it's still horribly out of date and heavy. gave it to little sister a month later