Seriously, what happened to it? Where did it go? It’s not simply an anime thing either. Just look at how series like James Bond have changed over time. Everything has gotten way too serious.
Now, I’m not saying I don’t like to think about my anime, but I am saying that I do like to not think about it. I’d also like to think that the previous sentence was worded poorly on purpose to confuse you. There exists three main types of mindless entertainment in anime these days, probably more, but I’m settling on three. Pure comedy series (usually gag series that never at any point try to deal with real life issues in a non-humorous manner), fanservice series, and bad action shows. The first of these is still a big favorite of mine, but the best ones tend to reach a much smaller audience and never get enough attention. Fanservice series are complete crap 99% of the time, and I still don’t understand why people hold so many of the worst ones in high regard when there is actual porn out there that has better characters, a better plot and actual porn. Finally, bad action shows are the exact opposite of what I’m looking for. I’m referring to series like Dragonaut, even though I’d prefer not to talk about it as the mere mention of its name makes me biologically depressed. If you think that isn’t possible, you haven’t seen Dragonaut. These are series that force you to shut off your brain for all the wrong reasons. When I go out looking for a mindless action show, I’m looking for something that prompts me to willingly shut myself down and enjoy the ride without worrying about anything. I am not looking for something that prompts my brain to turn itself off as a form of defense mechanism against possible neural damage. Seriously, the damage Dragonaut inflicted can never be undone.
But I’m not here to bash that show whose name I no longer wish to mention. I’m here to ask, why are the good mindless action shows so underappreciated? Why don’t they dominate the damn market? Why aren’t new ones being produced every season? Why isn’t Golgo getting subbed for the love of god? These questions are the result of two episodes of the new Cobra OVA, which is all it took to make me wonder what the hell happened that the only good mindless entertainment anymore is based off original material that was written decades ago. I guess that leads me to the bigger question: why isn’t there an audience for series about badass men with ridiculous gadgets chasing after beautiful women with ridiculous hair? Is that not the pinnacle of entertainment? The man has a laser gun for an arm! Half of his tools are disguised as cigars!
Basically all of that was my long way of recommending you watch the new Cobra OVA as well as the old tv series and the upcoming series. Maybe it will make you all become different people who have better taste. And maybe people will fucking sub it.
I was going to reply saying that I don’t watch mindless entertainment so I’m in no position to judge it, but I realized I just finished watching Lucky Star for the third time. :P
A bunch of people have been recommending “ecchi” anime series to me lately, and I don’t really understand their appeal. There’s plenty of stuff out there that goes a lot further than it if you’re just looking for the sexual aspect, and there are many shows with much better everything else if you’re not. What’s more, I know more than a few people that love these shows but can go on for hours about how anime I like such as Lain or Kino are “overrated.” Same situation with american TV; I have friends who watch American Idol religiously but refuse to watch, say, House or Battlestar Galactica.
There’s no accounting for taste, I guess. I’d love for people to have “better” taste in entertainment, but they certainly don’t see it that way.
FUCK YES COBRA
FUCK YES BEEFY IS BACK!!!!
I like mindless action shows but they are somewhat hard for me to complete just because they don’t really compel me to continue. Man, Birdy should have been a great mindless action so but halfway through it got all serious and weird. VIVA COBRA!
You have to blame the MOE. Cuteness sells more than action these days, and most anime produced are for otaku. The best place to look for action these days is to Shounen Jump, I guess. And we all know what Shounen Jump shows are like these days. Gone are the days when Jump stories like Cobra and Hokuto no Ken were popular. They’ve all pussied out.
Fanservice shows are popular /because/ they tease. Not everyone wants hardcore porn, and the people who do sometimes just aren’t in the mood for it. Fanservice shows are meant to give you a satisfying enough rise, but not enough to drop everything and fap. I compare good fanservice shows to 1960s sex comedies, since they’re basically the same thing. Of course, it’s all a matter of preference.
Anyway, you’re stuck if you want good mindless anime action. Most old anime is animated poorly, with the action being pretty bad, and a lot of the better shows will be plot heavy (see: Gundam.)
Oh, d’oh! How could I have forgotten!
80s OVAs! Watch a bunch of those. Low on plot, high on entertaining violence!
Riding Bean is pretty good, but it doesn’t get nearly as gory as some of the classics from that period. Colony Drop has write ups of some good popcorn action things, so read up there.
Off the top of my head, here’s some good series from the 80s. I haven’t seen any of these, but they are AWO approved.
BubbleGum Crisis
Project A-Ko
Maybe Dirty Pair?