Thread: Iron Man - Surprisingly good?

Was anyone else here pleasantly surprised by the Iron Man anime?

I know it is a western IP, but the story is actually quite good IMO. I like the way they have taken a western super hero and crossed it with the Japanese mecha genre. The animation is good quality and the fight sequences - while a little over the top (but hey, this IS anime) - are enjoyable. I like the way Tony Stark is portrayed as flawed but with good intentions (like being a womanising play boy but genuinely interested in helping people and trying to gain the trust and admiration of the Japanese people), and how the Iron Man is not overly powered and must use technology and ingenuity to defeat enemies.

I find the reporter really annoying though.

I wasn't taken away buy the first episode as you were. I think the animation is done very well but I don't like a lot of the character designs. The story was somewhat interesting to me but I don't think I'll continue this series.

It's in the middle for me. Anything Madhouse spews out, I'm attracted to it visually. The story is okay but I'm not expecting an epic with only eight episodes left. It looks like the other Marvel Anime characters could cross inbetween their show and others, so there's some kind of continuity within the Marvel Anime universe, which I usually like to see in a franchise, seeing from the last episode (episode 4). On the bad side, Tony Stark glistens more than the Iron Man suit. That and that Nanami woman that keeps popping up when she's not really needed storywise.

So, I'm wondering, did I give up too early on this series? Does it get a lot better and does the reporter girl get less annoying?

I've still got half the series to watch, but as far as I can tell it's very much a predictable monster of the week affair and the characters don't seem to change much. From where I left the series the main overarching plot seemed like it was just kicking in. The action is great and the animation is generally very good, but the story kinda lets it down. It's not bad, but it won't be remembered as a classic. Good if you just want some cool action anime.

Maybe when I'm bored I'll give it another go.