Anime adapted from a manga series, a movie or a novel has a tendency to dissappoint. I have yet to see an anime series that is awesome beyond to the point where it is as good (if not better) as the story's original roots. Why is it that every time anime made a mess of things towards the end?

Furuba is ending beautifully -- much, much, much better than the anime! Although, I think the anime would have a chance if it did not end so suddenly.

That's true. I thought the anime of Full Moon had an ending that was about as satisfying as the manga, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

Samurai Seven wasn't based on a manga or novel, though. From what I can tell, the original Kurusawa film also pulled the plug on the romance, so I'm not sure it wouldn't have disappointed me, too. Although...I think maybe it wouldn't have been as bad, because from what I understand, there wasn't much to the girl's character in the original film, so it probably wouldn't have felt as much like there was something built up that needed to resolve a certain way in order to not be a let-down.

hehehe...I think you did get spoiled watching the Magnificent Seven first. It's very Hollywoodized.

You should still watch Kurosawa's version though and see how you feel then. It ends well, sortof, but not everything is going to make you feel warm and fuzzy. It really is supposed to be a story about desperate times where yet, 'the only winners are the farmers'...

Yeah, maybe someday I'll get around to watching it, when I'm not feeling so bitter. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded that he didn't get the girl in the end, if it didn't happen in such an UTTERLY WIERD WAY, which I'm pretty sure is NOT what happened in Kurosawa's version. You'll just have to watch the rest of the series and join me in boggling at this bizarre plot twist. Or maybe you will be smarter than I was and see it coming form a mile away. *shrugs*

As for The Magnificent Seven, I have heard these accusations of "Hollywoodizing" elsewhere as well, but I don't really agree. TMS still had a pretty dark ending, really. The only ray of hope--besides the farmers being saved in general--was that the young guy, who hadn't already given most of his life to the gunslinger's way of life, was sort of redeemed by giving it up and taking the girl instead. I thought that was actually quite supportive of this "the only winners are the farmers" theme. Anyway, I think it probably also added to my disappointment that the anime seemed to promise more of that "Hollywood" ending, because they played up the girl's role so much.

I have that happen all the time (books, anime, TV series). It makes me sad. :(

Hey! I thought I asked you to verify your address, but I haven't got a reply from you, so I'm guessing I totally didn't. I have the 5 Nov Hana to Yume, and I'll get the 20 Nov one when it's out, and then you should have the series that you want, but if you don't let me know. I can keep sending 'em to you, no problem. They are super easy to get.

Anyway, to do all this, I need your address! You can email me, or reply and delete this comment or whatever works. Sorry I've been delaying, I'm the loser. :(

Awesome! That is perfect. The Nov. 20th issue is actually going to have the final chapter of Fruits Basket, so I'll be glad to have that. I'll email you my address. Also, please let me know what would be the best way for me to reimburse you.

Sorry I've been delaying, I'm the loser.

Nope. I'm the loser, because I still haven't copied the .avi files of the shows I said I was going to send you. But I'm going to do it this afternoon. Last night I cleaned off my desk and I found your address that I had printed out a while ago, and it's laying in my stack of things to do today. :)