Magic cards? I vaguely recall those.... My ex-brother-in-law was apparently some kind of 'champion' with those things. (this was 10+ years back, mind..) He would spend every dime he had on them, beg
me to learn the game, and went to a bunch of those larger tournaments where he actually won a good bit of bread!
As for me, I was too busy with other things....work, actually leaving the house, getting
laid, etc. etc..
Regarding the anime scene, eh, its mostly come and gone, so far as I'm concerned. By all means, enjoy what you like, but it just seems like re-re-re-treads of things past, as with so many things. Example: when I was coming up, we used the term 'Japanimation', and those few select films and series that were translated were super-stylized, FRESH, and even deemed by some to be
dangerous. Really grand stuff from visionaries with something to actually say. (Akira, Appleseed, Ninja Scroll, Fist of North Star, Darkside Blues, Bio Hunter, etc.etc.)
These days, those elements and those crafted storylines seem to have given way to a more childish/whimsical mindset, essentially hokey 'romance' stuff involving sexually androgynous young people, loads of teen angst and blushing cheeks, with traces of watered-down sci fi/fantasy/horror elements.
Although I believe that this art form achieved it's zenith 20 some years ago, I
have seen a few modern works that have that classic spirit. A fairly recent film about a small girl entering a bizarre afterlife based on Japanese lore is a wonderful and beautifully done film. The name escapes me now, but the characters and scenarios are so well done. (There is a part where the various spirits are being ushered in, among them a massive daikon radish....I want a figure of this radish spirit, badly!!)
....And yes, Crunchy; The Dark Crystal is in a league of its own. I heartily recommend viewing it alongside 'Labyrinth'. Seeing these two, in the theatre, was a real highlight of my childhood.
