Strangely, I'm SURE I covered this prior to making a standalone anime blog. Powerpuff Girls Z is, as the name implies, an anime based of the classic Cartoon Network hit: The Powerpuff Girls. I was skeptical at first, and plenty of the online fanbase deemed it horrible compared to the original. But alas, throgh very litte videos made dealing with them, it has a fanbase of some sort. I'll admit, even I caught on to it.
The premise isn't THAT much different from its American counterpart, but there are some noticeable changes, but I'll get to those later. The story takes place in Tokyo City, though over here, it's called New Townsville (I guess to keep in line with the PPG lore.) In this town, PPG's Professor Utonium has a son named Ken Kitazawa, who despite his age is incredibly smart (and his stature is a cross between young Utonium and Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory.) Using a new form of energy based on Chemical X, Ken fires a beam to break a glacier, the substance known as Chemical Z. Now in the original, some freak accident gave birth to 3 heroes: the titular Powerpuff Girls. Albeit different, another freak accident happens. In this case it would be black and white rays triggered by Chemical Z's impact. The black rays caused various individuals to turn evil, while the white ones, obviously, fell and came into contact with three girls: the sweet-loving Momoko Akatsutsumi, the gentle animal communicator Miyako Gotukuji, and the gutsy tomboy Kaoru Matsubara. Respectively, they transform into Hyper Blossom, Rolling Bubbles, and Powered Buttercup. Rectifying Ken's mistakes, they work together to stop these powered up villains before havoc ensues.
Debuting in mid-2006, both the anime and the 2-volume manga has aged little. Even so, the differences are plenty. For starters, as opposed to being a mere superhero action/comedy, it retains the latter 2 genres, tossing in more of a Magical Girl theme this time around. Second, as with the protagonists themselves, the cast in this are generally designed significantly different from the American cartoon. The other difference is its creation. Naturally, as it was Japanese made, series creator Craig McCracken (who made the American cartoon and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends) was not directly involved with this project. It was co-produced by Cartoon Network Japan and animation studio Aniplex (who are known for works like Fullmetal Alchemist.) As far as actually animating it, the credit goes to Toei Animation, who also had under the name Sailor Moon and the Dragon Ball franchise. In fact, Miho Shimogasa, who was the anime director for Sailor Moon's 4th and 5th seasons (SuperS and Sailor Stars), did the character designs for this title.
In length, there are 52 episodes. Oddly enough, while it didn't see airtime in the US, all episodes are dubbed in English, thanks to the Ocean Corporation (who did English work for some of the Gundam metaseries as well as Dragon Ball Z's first 2 seasons.) As of now, there is no word when, nor IF this will be licensed for the UK and US. Never the less, Momoko is voiced by Nicole Bouma, Miyako by Maryke Hendrikse, and Kaoru by Kelly Metzger. Should you want to find it, your only bet is to hope and pray for a DVD copy in the Philippines, which is where the dub debuted. Alongside these two, a Japanese-exclusive Nintendo DS game was also made, published by Bandai/Namco Bandai Games.
PPGZ may not be everyone's cup of tea, and granted there are a few things in the anime that can cripple it, but I don't dislike it. Could have used more, but I'll give Japan credit: apart from the artist Bleedman, I never thought someone would come up with their own rendition of The Powerpuff Girls. I'll call it a 7 of 10. Not the greatest, but all the same, it's not mediocre in my opinion (though the dub is another story...)
2012/01/23
2012/01/22
CXCI: "Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack"
Returning to the sides they are known for, the movie Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack revisits the historic rivalry of the One Year War veterans, but it also dwells deeper into the newtype character the original Mobile Suit Gundam started. Chronologically, this carried on after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ and precedes the more recent Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.
After the Neo Zeon conflict ended, Gundam ZZ heroes Judau Ashta and Roux Louka venture to Jupiter with his sister Leina. AEUG is no longer active, but conflict still lurks. The year is UC 0093. Returning to the menace known as the Red Comet, Char Aznable, who went by the alias Quattro Bajeena during his days with AEUG, returns to take up the helm of Neo-Zeon, launching a war for independence much like how the Principality of Zeon did in the days of old. However, the EFSF was prepared for such a measure one day, giving rise to the anti-insurgent force known as Londo Bell. Watched over by the Federatioon during the events of Z Gundam, Amuro Ray has since returned to the pilot seat, regaining the skills that made him the One Year War hero. Now, he serves as the Lieutenant of a mobile suit team from Londo Bell's flagship: Ra Callium. After encountering the Jagd Doga and Char's new red powerhouse, the funnel-wielding Sazabi, the ace flies to the moon, gaining the titular mobile suit he largely designed himself: the RX-93 v-Gundam (pronounced Nu Gundam), armed with the psychoframe and funnels to rival Char. While the threat of Axis is till a major plot device, for the two newtypes, it's more than that. Part of the battle revolves around the death of Lalah Sune, a person that mattered to both of them. Despite that Lalah died in the act of sacrifice, Char condemns Amuro and wants to kill him for revenge. Among Amuro's allies, Bright Noa returns as Londo Bell's commander and the captain of Ra Callium, with his son Hathaway as a pilot. The newtypes go toe-to-toe once more, with the fate of Earth at stake...
Char's Counterattack returns the 3 iconic characters to their respective sides, and features new mecha, including what's considered to be the mass production Zeta Gundam, the Re-GZ. Before Gundam Unicorn surfaced, this was to conclude the UC storyline, as the series Mobile Suit Gundam F-91 proceeded years after. Hathaway Noa takes a heel turn in the film, with his plot further stretched out as EFSF's enemy in Hathaway's Flash, a novelization succeeding Char's Counterattack, which starts in the year UC 105, after the events of this novel series. In this film, which lasts for almost an hour and a half, the voices of Amuro, Bright, and Char are reprised from their original roles, consisting of Brad Swaille, Chris Kalhoon, and Michael Kopsa respectively. The studio behind this is Sunrise, and was released for the US August of 2002. Around January the following year,, it made its television debut on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on the Saturday block. Before the release of Z Gundam years later, this was to mark not only the supposed end to the Universal Century timeline (prior to Gundam Unicorn), but also marked the end of the first incarnation of the Saturday Adult Swim Action block, as they changed afterward.
Char's Counterattack brought the legendary rivals back on opposing sides, and scores an 8 of 10. A few differences were minor, but as opposed to the novelization, it ended with the fates of those two in a cliffhanger. Nonetheless, it is a title that found its fanbase.
After the Neo Zeon conflict ended, Gundam ZZ heroes Judau Ashta and Roux Louka venture to Jupiter with his sister Leina. AEUG is no longer active, but conflict still lurks. The year is UC 0093. Returning to the menace known as the Red Comet, Char Aznable, who went by the alias Quattro Bajeena during his days with AEUG, returns to take up the helm of Neo-Zeon, launching a war for independence much like how the Principality of Zeon did in the days of old. However, the EFSF was prepared for such a measure one day, giving rise to the anti-insurgent force known as Londo Bell. Watched over by the Federatioon during the events of Z Gundam, Amuro Ray has since returned to the pilot seat, regaining the skills that made him the One Year War hero. Now, he serves as the Lieutenant of a mobile suit team from Londo Bell's flagship: Ra Callium. After encountering the Jagd Doga and Char's new red powerhouse, the funnel-wielding Sazabi, the ace flies to the moon, gaining the titular mobile suit he largely designed himself: the RX-93 v-Gundam (pronounced Nu Gundam), armed with the psychoframe and funnels to rival Char. While the threat of Axis is till a major plot device, for the two newtypes, it's more than that. Part of the battle revolves around the death of Lalah Sune, a person that mattered to both of them. Despite that Lalah died in the act of sacrifice, Char condemns Amuro and wants to kill him for revenge. Among Amuro's allies, Bright Noa returns as Londo Bell's commander and the captain of Ra Callium, with his son Hathaway as a pilot. The newtypes go toe-to-toe once more, with the fate of Earth at stake...
Char's Counterattack returns the 3 iconic characters to their respective sides, and features new mecha, including what's considered to be the mass production Zeta Gundam, the Re-GZ. Before Gundam Unicorn surfaced, this was to conclude the UC storyline, as the series Mobile Suit Gundam F-91 proceeded years after. Hathaway Noa takes a heel turn in the film, with his plot further stretched out as EFSF's enemy in Hathaway's Flash, a novelization succeeding Char's Counterattack, which starts in the year UC 105, after the events of this novel series. In this film, which lasts for almost an hour and a half, the voices of Amuro, Bright, and Char are reprised from their original roles, consisting of Brad Swaille, Chris Kalhoon, and Michael Kopsa respectively. The studio behind this is Sunrise, and was released for the US August of 2002. Around January the following year,, it made its television debut on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on the Saturday block. Before the release of Z Gundam years later, this was to mark not only the supposed end to the Universal Century timeline (prior to Gundam Unicorn), but also marked the end of the first incarnation of the Saturday Adult Swim Action block, as they changed afterward.
Char's Counterattack brought the legendary rivals back on opposing sides, and scores an 8 of 10. A few differences were minor, but as opposed to the novelization, it ended with the fates of those two in a cliffhanger. Nonetheless, it is a title that found its fanbase.
2012/01/20
1st Impressions: "Princess Jellyfish"
Quite an odd name for another anime dealing with otaku. Princess Jellyfish seems innocent enough, and to my knowledge, there's nothing in relation to the aquatic animal in question. It's another young title, and dubbed episodes for this anime surfaced just today, under Funimation at that. Info tells me it's rather short, so it shouldn't be TOO long before I can create a legit review on this one.
Another Kodansha manga, it received the award for best shoujo in 2010. The title of this in Japanese is Kuragehime. Should be an interesting one, so I'll fill you on my take when the dub is complete. but frankly, as much as I enjoy romantic comedies, I'm not sure how I can feel about this for right now.
Another Kodansha manga, it received the award for best shoujo in 2010. The title of this in Japanese is Kuragehime. Should be an interesting one, so I'll fill you on my take when the dub is complete. but frankly, as much as I enjoy romantic comedies, I'm not sure how I can feel about this for right now.
Ev6: Magfest X
I know it's late. Just had to organize my thoughts. Early this month, I had the privilege to work as a dealer in the convention Magfest. Running its 10th year, I found myself going back to the Gaylord Hotel and Resort in the National Harbor, MD.
The commute was bothersome, and lunchtime was a curse, but it was fun going there. The convention is unlike any of the others I've went to. For one thing, it felt more like a gamer's Heaven and Hell than anything related to anime. In fact if I must say so, it was clearly dominant of video games, even for cosplay. This fact I don't mind at all, because being there put the gamer in me into berserker mode. While there, I tried out some titles old and new, mainly Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition: Version 2012, Tekken Tag Tournament HD, EA's NBA JAM, and Dance Dance Revolution Extreme. What's more, I tried more Asian treats from the vendor across from the table I was manning, and even got to meet some of the people of the game site ScrewAttack face-to-face, even though I SOMEHOW missed James Rolfe, who is known as Cinemassacre's Angry Video Game Nerd (a webseries I'm VERY fond of.). Nobou Uematsu, known for the music from Square Enix's Final Fantasy series, was also there, and along with the concerts, everyone had a blast seeing him. Walking through there felt like an Antiques Roadshow for gamers, as old games, parts and consoles, both US released and foreign, were sold here, and even some hand-created games for the older consoles appeared.
Frankly, I'm glad I went. I felt as though I revisited my past being there, mostly from Sega Genesis and Saturn, and got some good competitions in. I felt, however, that it was aimed more towards retro gamers, as most of the tournaments dealt with the real classics from back in the days of early Nintendo and Atari. There were even pinball machines there. I don't mean the small ones you buy for your kids, I'm speaking of the 4-leg, coin-op ones we usually see in arcades and bowling alleys. Speaking of arcades, there were many, and I mean MANY arcade machines there, from Dig-Dug to Initial D to Capcom vs SNK 2. Thankfully, we didn't need to bring an overhaul of quarters to play any of them (it's enough of a hassle for travel, pass fee, and food, and if your lucky or rich enough, a room!)
Magfest X was a definite thrill, though the shift had me drinking on the first night (but then again, my old man DID treat me.) I hope the next time it comes nearby, I'll be able to have more of a fun time, and maybe get some souvenirs as well. But by then, I better be gaining an income for such a thing. Seiko once again, signing off for now.
The commute was bothersome, and lunchtime was a curse, but it was fun going there. The convention is unlike any of the others I've went to. For one thing, it felt more like a gamer's Heaven and Hell than anything related to anime. In fact if I must say so, it was clearly dominant of video games, even for cosplay. This fact I don't mind at all, because being there put the gamer in me into berserker mode. While there, I tried out some titles old and new, mainly Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition: Version 2012, Tekken Tag Tournament HD, EA's NBA JAM, and Dance Dance Revolution Extreme. What's more, I tried more Asian treats from the vendor across from the table I was manning, and even got to meet some of the people of the game site ScrewAttack face-to-face, even though I SOMEHOW missed James Rolfe, who is known as Cinemassacre's Angry Video Game Nerd (a webseries I'm VERY fond of.). Nobou Uematsu, known for the music from Square Enix's Final Fantasy series, was also there, and along with the concerts, everyone had a blast seeing him. Walking through there felt like an Antiques Roadshow for gamers, as old games, parts and consoles, both US released and foreign, were sold here, and even some hand-created games for the older consoles appeared.
Frankly, I'm glad I went. I felt as though I revisited my past being there, mostly from Sega Genesis and Saturn, and got some good competitions in. I felt, however, that it was aimed more towards retro gamers, as most of the tournaments dealt with the real classics from back in the days of early Nintendo and Atari. There were even pinball machines there. I don't mean the small ones you buy for your kids, I'm speaking of the 4-leg, coin-op ones we usually see in arcades and bowling alleys. Speaking of arcades, there were many, and I mean MANY arcade machines there, from Dig-Dug to Initial D to Capcom vs SNK 2. Thankfully, we didn't need to bring an overhaul of quarters to play any of them (it's enough of a hassle for travel, pass fee, and food, and if your lucky or rich enough, a room!)
Magfest X was a definite thrill, though the shift had me drinking on the first night (but then again, my old man DID treat me.) I hope the next time it comes nearby, I'll be able to have more of a fun time, and maybe get some souvenirs as well. But by then, I better be gaining an income for such a thing. Seiko once again, signing off for now.
CXC: "Foxy Nudes"
Very often do I see anime that has some form of newscasters as minor characters, however, I cannot say the same for those revolving around them. A rare case indeed, the hentai OAV Foxy Nudes is one of those, and frankly... I was at a loss as to how I feel about it. The original title for this is Hana no Joshi Ana: Newscaster Etsuko.
The story for this one deals with Etsuko Tamanobe, the titular character. As depicted she is the anchorwoman of Flower News, and to men, a very attractive one. She loves stories that can reel in great ratings, and should it come to that, she'll step in to make those ratings possible. Such a case occurs early when a fired businessman goes crazy, taking a girl hostage (which turns out to be the boss's daughter), yet can't seem to follow through the act of defiling her. To this end, Etsuko coaxes him into doing so with the hostage, even if it means getting her own hands dirty in these sexual acts! Normally, one would say lucky, but in a sense, I pity the newbie cameraman she has tagging along with her on this job...
Typical of hentai animations, it's not very long, only lasting 2 episodes released on separate discs, despite each being within a 30-min timeframe. It is also old, with the release of both episodes dating back to 2004. The production company behind this go by DISCOVERY, a Japanese animation group. It does have English voices, but they're mainly spotted in its native language, subtitled for English. Ashley Thrill voices Etsuko in English, and has worked on numerous related works (none of them clean, obviously...)
Frankly, I'm only glad we don't have this kind of news happening for real, otherwise, I'd be at a loss for words, as I was with Foxy Nudes. I'll go on a limb and say 6 of 10 for the hentai OAV. Not horrible in my opinion, just... hard to grasp.
The story for this one deals with Etsuko Tamanobe, the titular character. As depicted she is the anchorwoman of Flower News, and to men, a very attractive one. She loves stories that can reel in great ratings, and should it come to that, she'll step in to make those ratings possible. Such a case occurs early when a fired businessman goes crazy, taking a girl hostage (which turns out to be the boss's daughter), yet can't seem to follow through the act of defiling her. To this end, Etsuko coaxes him into doing so with the hostage, even if it means getting her own hands dirty in these sexual acts! Normally, one would say lucky, but in a sense, I pity the newbie cameraman she has tagging along with her on this job...
Typical of hentai animations, it's not very long, only lasting 2 episodes released on separate discs, despite each being within a 30-min timeframe. It is also old, with the release of both episodes dating back to 2004. The production company behind this go by DISCOVERY, a Japanese animation group. It does have English voices, but they're mainly spotted in its native language, subtitled for English. Ashley Thrill voices Etsuko in English, and has worked on numerous related works (none of them clean, obviously...)
Frankly, I'm only glad we don't have this kind of news happening for real, otherwise, I'd be at a loss for words, as I was with Foxy Nudes. I'll go on a limb and say 6 of 10 for the hentai OAV. Not horrible in my opinion, just... hard to grasp.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)