Sgt. Frog... where do I begin with this? Ever deal with anime that deals with a strange being that plots to take over your world, only to live there and do anything but that? On record, there are two titles like this I have seen, one of which I'm still viewing, so I might as well cover this one since I'm done with it.
Sgt. Frog (Sergeant, in case you're not familiar with the abbreviation), also titled Keroro Gunso, is an anime involving an alien race of frog-like beings, who attempt to conquer Earth, only to mess up in comedic outcomes. The leader of this platoon is the point character Keroro, the platoon's Sergeant. While initially successful in missions prior to this, his arrival to Earth more or less changed him. Long story short, he shifted more towards otaku interest as opposed to his original task. Moreover, he ends up residing in the Hinata residence, whose members include the nerd Fuyuki, the brash Natsumi, and the house head Aki. And even with his squad there, something tells me it'll be a while before he completes his goal...
Sgt. Frog is a title that has an absurdly large episode count and a batch of films under its belt. I can't recall how many of them were dubbed, but it has in this phase 358 episodes that began in April of 2004, with talk of its return. The film count is Super Movie Keroro Gunso 5, which is the latest entry that dates back to 2010, and neither of the films are dubbed. In terms of studios, Sunrise was more or less all over this. The episodes that DID come stateside were licensed under Funimation, something I felt would happen. But as I stated, there is talk of its return, and what hardens this statement a bit is that the manga for it is still ongoing.
Honestly, I wasn't sure what to make of it, and in some ways, I still don't. Even when entertained with pop culture references (especially that of different anime titles), and the occasional 4th wall humor, I still couldn't bring myself to thoroughly enjoy it yet. It is a sci-fi- comedy with action involved, but a tad too long for my tastes, which is funny considering I still keep tabs on Detective Conan.
Well, I'll update this when I decide to come back to it, but for now, I'll call it a 6 of 10. It doesn't necessarily suck, but it wasn't all that interesting to me either...
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
2013/05/24
2012/11/02
CCXIII: "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"
Once a strictly film/OVA/manga franchise, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure gained so much popularity that here in 2012, an anime series is in the works under this name. But it wasn't by those alone. There was even a game series that was made, and apparently, it was so well known, the words "ZA WARUDO", which is English "THE WORLD", just rolls off the tongue. But I digress. Even now, other things, such as the MUGEN build-it-yourself titles, often feature characters that mimic, if not the aforementioned phrase, then the oher bizarre, insanely unnecesssary, yet brutally entertaining moves he performs... down to the steamroller! If I come across this game, I'll mention it in the gamer blog, but for now, let's go strictly anime here.
Interestingly enough that the series is pretty long by itself. But this is expanded on by generation-specific characters, much like that of Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, but longer. The eight generations mentioned makes 8 Parts to the plot, taking place in a certain location, with each featuring their proper title and "JoJo" protagonist. Here's the rundown, but I'll leave you to find out their connections:
Part 1 - Phantom Blood - Johnathan Joestar
Part 2 - Battle Tendancy - Joseph Joestar
Part 3 - Stardust Crusaders - Jotaro Kujo
Part 4 - Diamond is Not Cash - Josuke Higashikata
Part 5 - Vento Aureo - Giorno Giovanni
Part 6 - Srone Ocean - Jolyne Kujo
Part 7 - Steel Ball Run - Johnny Joestar/Gyro Zeppeli
Part 8 - JoJolion - "Josuke Higashikata"
Despite being a physical key player in parts 1 and 3, Dio Brando is the series' main villan, and while physically absent from the other 6 parts, his death more or less influences the plot further. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure started animation-wise as a 6-episode OVA title. A prequel to this, titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: ADVENTURE featured 7 episodes, both done under Studio APPP, and licensed by Super Techno Arts for North America. The 6-episode OVA debuted November of 1993, ending on the same month a year later. In addition, the latter OVA set debuted May of 2000, and concluded October of 2002.
There's also a film based on the Phantom Blood arc, and properly titled so. It was made in Studio APPP as well, premiering February of 2007. Now on present day, the anime production is in full swing. An accurate episode cound can't be vouched for, but based on the promotional images of Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando, thoughts point to the anime beginning from Part 1. I will update this as I see the actual episodes released.
For what I have watched, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure isn't in the perfect circle... yet. But with what I have found, a 9 out of 10 is appropriate, as the series is indeed a good one. Here's hoping that the anime performs as highly as the other titles.
Interestingly enough that the series is pretty long by itself. But this is expanded on by generation-specific characters, much like that of Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, but longer. The eight generations mentioned makes 8 Parts to the plot, taking place in a certain location, with each featuring their proper title and "JoJo" protagonist. Here's the rundown, but I'll leave you to find out their connections:
Part 1 - Phantom Blood - Johnathan Joestar
Part 2 - Battle Tendancy - Joseph Joestar
Part 3 - Stardust Crusaders - Jotaro Kujo
Part 4 - Diamond is Not Cash - Josuke Higashikata
Part 5 - Vento Aureo - Giorno Giovanni
Part 6 - Srone Ocean - Jolyne Kujo
Part 7 - Steel Ball Run - Johnny Joestar/Gyro Zeppeli
Part 8 - JoJolion - "Josuke Higashikata"
Despite being a physical key player in parts 1 and 3, Dio Brando is the series' main villan, and while physically absent from the other 6 parts, his death more or less influences the plot further. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure started animation-wise as a 6-episode OVA title. A prequel to this, titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: ADVENTURE featured 7 episodes, both done under Studio APPP, and licensed by Super Techno Arts for North America. The 6-episode OVA debuted November of 1993, ending on the same month a year later. In addition, the latter OVA set debuted May of 2000, and concluded October of 2002.
There's also a film based on the Phantom Blood arc, and properly titled so. It was made in Studio APPP as well, premiering February of 2007. Now on present day, the anime production is in full swing. An accurate episode cound can't be vouched for, but based on the promotional images of Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando, thoughts point to the anime beginning from Part 1. I will update this as I see the actual episodes released.
For what I have watched, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure isn't in the perfect circle... yet. But with what I have found, a 9 out of 10 is appropriate, as the series is indeed a good one. Here's hoping that the anime performs as highly as the other titles.
2012/05/03
CCXI: "The Avengers"
Some posts back, I saw before the masses Captain America: The First Avenger, now my wish was fulfilled, when days ago, I watched The Avengers, the Marvel flick comic fanboys were dying for. And boy, was it a hell of a film!! Heading to Silver Spring with my friends was sorth it, despite returning late.
When Loki decides to raise hell, he does so in a big way. Getting his hands on a certain artifact, he wages war on Earth, with little effort at that. But there's one thing you should never, ever do, and that's to rile up a man of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury to be exact, because it made him desperate enough to assemble a band of heroes to raise Hell. Divided, they are greats on their own, but together, they aren't a team to take lightly. From thawed out legends, to destructive faces, The Avengers will save Earth, or Avenge it!
Starring the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson, it brings together some of Marvel's most familiar and famous faces. The only thing I can say is that you stick around for the whole film to see what Marvel will do next, but if you want destruction, lasers and pipebombs, this movie does not disappoint. Pending on who favors it, we were lucky to see it in IMAX 3D, and it was interesting, despite the gaudy design of the glasses themselves.
Make tomorrow, May 4th, the date people, for this Marvel film is worth seeing. Perfect, 10 of 10, any best rating I say just isn't enough to describe how awesome The Avengers is. I encourage you to see this film!!
When Loki decides to raise hell, he does so in a big way. Getting his hands on a certain artifact, he wages war on Earth, with little effort at that. But there's one thing you should never, ever do, and that's to rile up a man of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury to be exact, because it made him desperate enough to assemble a band of heroes to raise Hell. Divided, they are greats on their own, but together, they aren't a team to take lightly. From thawed out legends, to destructive faces, The Avengers will save Earth, or Avenge it!
Starring the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson, it brings together some of Marvel's most familiar and famous faces. The only thing I can say is that you stick around for the whole film to see what Marvel will do next, but if you want destruction, lasers and pipebombs, this movie does not disappoint. Pending on who favors it, we were lucky to see it in IMAX 3D, and it was interesting, despite the gaudy design of the glasses themselves.
Make tomorrow, May 4th, the date people, for this Marvel film is worth seeing. Perfect, 10 of 10, any best rating I say just isn't enough to describe how awesome The Avengers is. I encourage you to see this film!!
2012/03/27
CCVIII: "InuYasha"
What in the hell took me so long to speak about this one? It's been a long time since I mentioned any of Rumiko Takahashi's works, after reviewing both Ranma 1/2 (Review #58) and Those Obnoxious Aliens/Urusei Yatsura (Review #115). InuYasha is one of Takahashi's later works, which lasted a little over a decade.
The story takes place in two eras, but the series mainly has its plot set in one. Kagome Higurashi is a middle schooler who resides in the hereditary Shinto shrine of the family. One day, she is pulled into the Bone Eater's Well by a centipede demon and ends up in Feudal Japan, more specifically their Sengoku period. Fifty years prior to this, a dog demon was sealed by the priestess Kikyo, his body pinned to a try and weakened by her sacred arrow. In present day, call it irony or fate, but Kagome, who is Kikyo's incarnation, would be the one to remove this seal, in a desperation move to save herself from the centipede demon, who targets her for the Shikon no Tama, a powerful jewel that was embodied in her. Making short work of the demon, he would have had the jewel as well... had it not been shattered into various pieces, the shards scattering throughout the ends of the continent. With this, the unlikely alliance of Kagome and InuYasha is formed, their task: to get the shards of the Sacred Jewel. But it won't be a simple task, as others also have their sights on them, and one shard can amplify a demon's power greatly. That said, they have to make sure neither one of them dies in the process... lest they kill each first.
As opposed to a comical angle (though it has it's moments), the story takes a more darker route, much like with her other work Mermaid Saga. It still retains the romance aspect from the majority of her works. In total, it bears 193 episodes. Majority of this belonged to the original TV anime, while the latter 26 was made as InuYasha: The Final Act. In addition, there were also four movies as well as a few video games derived from this, which was made from a 56 volume manga series. In the US, both TV anime and the 4 movies were licensed and distributed under Viz Media, who also did such for the manga. In fact, namely all her manga works saw English distribution under Viz, while the same could be said for the licensing for most of the anime made from them, the exceptions being Urusei Yatsura, Rin-ne, and Rumic Theatre. The TV anime was made in the Sunrise studio. The first TV anime aired on both Adult Swim (a late night Cartoon Network block), and Animax Asia. Also licensed here, The Final Act was televised only on Animax Asia, unlike the former. Richard Ian Cox voiced InuYasha for the entirety of the dub, who I earlier mentioned also took up the voice of Ranma Saotome (male) in Ranma 1/2. A little side note, but some of the voices heard from that anime you'll be hearing again in this one. Some people tend to make comparisons as to who in this anime resembles what from the other anime. Getting back on topic, Kagome was voiced by Moneca Stori (who did other voices like Ranma 1/2's Princess Ori, Gundam Wing's Sally Po, and Hamtaro's Laura Haruna.) In The Final Act, she is voiced by Kira Tozer.
InuYahsa has received its love and its share of hate. I still favor Ranma 1/2 over this, but I didn't mind the darker Mermaid Saga, and this one is also okay in my book, so InuYasha gets an 7 of 10 in general. At some point, I might do a 4-in-1 movie review of this title, so be on the look out for that.
The story takes place in two eras, but the series mainly has its plot set in one. Kagome Higurashi is a middle schooler who resides in the hereditary Shinto shrine of the family. One day, she is pulled into the Bone Eater's Well by a centipede demon and ends up in Feudal Japan, more specifically their Sengoku period. Fifty years prior to this, a dog demon was sealed by the priestess Kikyo, his body pinned to a try and weakened by her sacred arrow. In present day, call it irony or fate, but Kagome, who is Kikyo's incarnation, would be the one to remove this seal, in a desperation move to save herself from the centipede demon, who targets her for the Shikon no Tama, a powerful jewel that was embodied in her. Making short work of the demon, he would have had the jewel as well... had it not been shattered into various pieces, the shards scattering throughout the ends of the continent. With this, the unlikely alliance of Kagome and InuYasha is formed, their task: to get the shards of the Sacred Jewel. But it won't be a simple task, as others also have their sights on them, and one shard can amplify a demon's power greatly. That said, they have to make sure neither one of them dies in the process... lest they kill each first.
As opposed to a comical angle (though it has it's moments), the story takes a more darker route, much like with her other work Mermaid Saga. It still retains the romance aspect from the majority of her works. In total, it bears 193 episodes. Majority of this belonged to the original TV anime, while the latter 26 was made as InuYasha: The Final Act. In addition, there were also four movies as well as a few video games derived from this, which was made from a 56 volume manga series. In the US, both TV anime and the 4 movies were licensed and distributed under Viz Media, who also did such for the manga. In fact, namely all her manga works saw English distribution under Viz, while the same could be said for the licensing for most of the anime made from them, the exceptions being Urusei Yatsura, Rin-ne, and Rumic Theatre. The TV anime was made in the Sunrise studio. The first TV anime aired on both Adult Swim (a late night Cartoon Network block), and Animax Asia. Also licensed here, The Final Act was televised only on Animax Asia, unlike the former. Richard Ian Cox voiced InuYasha for the entirety of the dub, who I earlier mentioned also took up the voice of Ranma Saotome (male) in Ranma 1/2. A little side note, but some of the voices heard from that anime you'll be hearing again in this one. Some people tend to make comparisons as to who in this anime resembles what from the other anime. Getting back on topic, Kagome was voiced by Moneca Stori (who did other voices like Ranma 1/2's Princess Ori, Gundam Wing's Sally Po, and Hamtaro's Laura Haruna.) In The Final Act, she is voiced by Kira Tozer.
InuYahsa has received its love and its share of hate. I still favor Ranma 1/2 over this, but I didn't mind the darker Mermaid Saga, and this one is also okay in my book, so InuYasha gets an 7 of 10 in general. At some point, I might do a 4-in-1 movie review of this title, so be on the look out for that.
2012/03/17
CCIV: "Hajime No Ippo"
Hajime no Ippo, known also as The Fighting! or Fighting Spirit, is an anime that dwells in the boxing genre, unlike similar titles like Baki the Grappler from the 55th review (that dealt with mixed martial arts instead of one specific discipline.) Alongside Ayane's High Kick, it stands as one of the titles that instantly pops up when boxing is involved.
The protagonist Makunouchi Ippo is the titular character, who is a rather shy and didn't make much friends since he takes priority in helping his mother in the fishing charter business the family runs. When he is picked on and beaten badly, a middle-weight boxer intervenes and takes the injured hero into a gym owned by a retired pro boxer. Venting out his anger on a sandbag, people captured a glimpse at the latent talent Ippo had for boxing. While initially scolded and doubted, Ippo thought long and hard,until he made his decision to pursue a career in boxing, and even undergoes training for it. Potential alone does not make a great boxer, but for Ippo, it serves as a foothold for a man destined to be champion. Will Ippo step into glory by prevailing every match, or will it be too much for him, and prove that his talent was nothing but built up steam? Stand ready Ippo, the bell has rung!
Hajime no Ippo saw two anime series, 2 animated films, and 8 video games, three of which made it to the US for the Sony PlayStation 2 (2) and Nintendo Wii (1). The anime and films were all licensed under Geneon entertainment, and were made in the Madhouse studio, so they retain their visuals constantly. The premier anime, Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!, saw 2 seasons, bearing a total of 76 episodes. From there, the most recognized fight would be the Ippo vs. Sendo match, which would be revisited in one of the films. This title ran between September of 2000 and March of 2002. A New Challenger was the surname for the second Hajime no Ippo anime, and it was much shorter, since it lasted for 26 episodes, running between January and June of 2009. The two films, both debuting in 2003, were named Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road and Hajime no Ippo: Kimura vs. Mashiba. The manga Fighting Spirit, which debuted in 1990, is still ongoing, so if desired, there may be new material to write from, but this is purely speculation. Ippo is voiced by Steve Staley, who also voiced the lead role of Buso Renkin's Kazuki Muto.
Since then, it has gotten the Youtube Poop treatment with various videos taking that one clip from the show (or Champion Road) and spawning everywhere, or better yet, having its audio paired up with characters that do the same move: the Dempsey Roll. This is such a case for Capcom's Dudley of Super Street Fighter IV, and Namco Bandai's Steve Fox from the recently put out Street Fighter X Tekken. Hajime no Ippo storms a great 8 of 10 overall, and with his punches, he sure delivers some entertainment.
The protagonist Makunouchi Ippo is the titular character, who is a rather shy and didn't make much friends since he takes priority in helping his mother in the fishing charter business the family runs. When he is picked on and beaten badly, a middle-weight boxer intervenes and takes the injured hero into a gym owned by a retired pro boxer. Venting out his anger on a sandbag, people captured a glimpse at the latent talent Ippo had for boxing. While initially scolded and doubted, Ippo thought long and hard,until he made his decision to pursue a career in boxing, and even undergoes training for it. Potential alone does not make a great boxer, but for Ippo, it serves as a foothold for a man destined to be champion. Will Ippo step into glory by prevailing every match, or will it be too much for him, and prove that his talent was nothing but built up steam? Stand ready Ippo, the bell has rung!
Hajime no Ippo saw two anime series, 2 animated films, and 8 video games, three of which made it to the US for the Sony PlayStation 2 (2) and Nintendo Wii (1). The anime and films were all licensed under Geneon entertainment, and were made in the Madhouse studio, so they retain their visuals constantly. The premier anime, Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!, saw 2 seasons, bearing a total of 76 episodes. From there, the most recognized fight would be the Ippo vs. Sendo match, which would be revisited in one of the films. This title ran between September of 2000 and March of 2002. A New Challenger was the surname for the second Hajime no Ippo anime, and it was much shorter, since it lasted for 26 episodes, running between January and June of 2009. The two films, both debuting in 2003, were named Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road and Hajime no Ippo: Kimura vs. Mashiba. The manga Fighting Spirit, which debuted in 1990, is still ongoing, so if desired, there may be new material to write from, but this is purely speculation. Ippo is voiced by Steve Staley, who also voiced the lead role of Buso Renkin's Kazuki Muto.
Since then, it has gotten the Youtube Poop treatment with various videos taking that one clip from the show (or Champion Road) and spawning everywhere, or better yet, having its audio paired up with characters that do the same move: the Dempsey Roll. This is such a case for Capcom's Dudley of Super Street Fighter IV, and Namco Bandai's Steve Fox from the recently put out Street Fighter X Tekken. Hajime no Ippo storms a great 8 of 10 overall, and with his punches, he sure delivers some entertainment.
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.
2012/01/19
CLXXXIX: "Tsubasa: Reservior Chronicle"
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle is another CLAMP anime that I caught by chance, around the same time xxxHolic was spotted. In fact, they relate to each other more than just coexisting on the same channel.
The anime follows the Princess of the Clow, Sakura, as she loses her soul, which is the plot device for the protagonist. Being her childhood friend, archeologist Syaoran is instructed by the witch Yuko to venture to different worlds, recovering various fragments of her memories. Under the same order, he is accompanied by two others: Fai D. Flowright, a powerful magician with a calm, lax nature; and Kurogane, a rough-mannered ninja in search of his true strength. Throughout the series, he finds Sakura's memories bit by bit, though things may not be as they seem on the surface...
Made by the manga artist group CLAMP, the character designs and names are akin to their earlier work, Cardcaptor Sakura. Not only that, but as usual with CLAMP's works, they tie in with other titles, more so in this case xxxHolic, with Yuko and, on few occasions, Watanuki. It even spots a few references from Chobits, also made by CLAMP. Strangely enough, Mokona, another character of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle (and ironically the name for one of the members of CLAMP), would appear there, xxxHolic, and another CLAMP title Magical Knight Rayearth. Nevertheless, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle is dubbed already, under Funimation license. The length is 52 episodes, along with a 3-part OVA series called Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations, the 2-Part OVA series Tsubasa Spring Thunder Chronicles, and a film surnamed The Princess of the Birdcage Kingdom, based off of this anime. All of these works, as well as xxxHolic, were done in the Production I.G. studio. Quite much, but since it's CLAMP, who did other things like costume work for Namco Bandai's Tekken 6 video game, I kind of expected no less. Syaoran is voiced by Jason Liebrecht, Sakura by Monica Rial, Kurogane by Christopher Sabat, and Fai by Vic Mignogna.
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle left a mixed feeling in me. I still see it as a little sappy today, but not as much as when i first saw it. That said, 7 of 10 should do it for this title.
The anime follows the Princess of the Clow, Sakura, as she loses her soul, which is the plot device for the protagonist. Being her childhood friend, archeologist Syaoran is instructed by the witch Yuko to venture to different worlds, recovering various fragments of her memories. Under the same order, he is accompanied by two others: Fai D. Flowright, a powerful magician with a calm, lax nature; and Kurogane, a rough-mannered ninja in search of his true strength. Throughout the series, he finds Sakura's memories bit by bit, though things may not be as they seem on the surface...
Made by the manga artist group CLAMP, the character designs and names are akin to their earlier work, Cardcaptor Sakura. Not only that, but as usual with CLAMP's works, they tie in with other titles, more so in this case xxxHolic, with Yuko and, on few occasions, Watanuki. It even spots a few references from Chobits, also made by CLAMP. Strangely enough, Mokona, another character of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle (and ironically the name for one of the members of CLAMP), would appear there, xxxHolic, and another CLAMP title Magical Knight Rayearth. Nevertheless, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle is dubbed already, under Funimation license. The length is 52 episodes, along with a 3-part OVA series called Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations, the 2-Part OVA series Tsubasa Spring Thunder Chronicles, and a film surnamed The Princess of the Birdcage Kingdom, based off of this anime. All of these works, as well as xxxHolic, were done in the Production I.G. studio. Quite much, but since it's CLAMP, who did other things like costume work for Namco Bandai's Tekken 6 video game, I kind of expected no less. Syaoran is voiced by Jason Liebrecht, Sakura by Monica Rial, Kurogane by Christopher Sabat, and Fai by Vic Mignogna.
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle left a mixed feeling in me. I still see it as a little sappy today, but not as much as when i first saw it. That said, 7 of 10 should do it for this title.
2012/01/05
CLXXXVII: "Cyborg 009" series
Another retro title, Cyborg 009 was another Toonami entrant I somehow overlooked. Created by Shotaro Ishinomori, who introduced Android Kikaider and the original Kamen Rider, this title was hailed as the first anime dealing with a superpowered hero team made of 9 cybernetic warriors. Oddly enough, despite different creation times, it's often said that Cyborg 009 was based off of Android Kikaider, and the art of his work is similar to that of his mentor's: Osamu Tezuka, who created the iconic Astro Boy, which Ishinomori helped out on.
Cyborg 009 deals with a team of 9 cyborgs that were once human. Against their will, the secret organization Black Ghost kidnapped and converted 9 humans into cybernetic warriors. Their goal: to cause another world war, selling weapons of destruction for profit. To prevent such a conflict, and to securer their freedom, they band together to oppose Black Ghost, while dealing with other threats as well with their unwanted, but very useful modifications.
Cyborg 009 had plenty of animation titles, and the three that appeared in the US was part of it. However, only one of them featured well tolerated English dialogue and voices: that being their third series in 2001, which spanned 51 episodes, seeing daylight in the cartoon block, Toonami licensed under Avex Inc., who are the American branch of Avex Mode. Their first English attempt was the second film Cyborg 009: Legend of the Super Vortex, renamed Defenders of the Vortex, but was a poorly received attempt in English language. Aside from this there are 3 films and two other anime series: the first ran for 26 episodes, and the other ran for 50 episodes. Word is there is another set for 2012, details still unknown in regards to the plot, but Production I.G. and Ishimori Productions are said to be behind this. The title for this, at least for now, is 009: RE-CYBORG. Joe/009 is voiced by Joshua Seth, though Derek Stephen Prince sometimes voices him.
Cyborg 009 is a memorable one, scoring 8 of 10 from me. I never thought it would have such a history, but I see why this is such a big deal.
Cyborg 009 deals with a team of 9 cyborgs that were once human. Against their will, the secret organization Black Ghost kidnapped and converted 9 humans into cybernetic warriors. Their goal: to cause another world war, selling weapons of destruction for profit. To prevent such a conflict, and to securer their freedom, they band together to oppose Black Ghost, while dealing with other threats as well with their unwanted, but very useful modifications.
Cyborg 009 had plenty of animation titles, and the three that appeared in the US was part of it. However, only one of them featured well tolerated English dialogue and voices: that being their third series in 2001, which spanned 51 episodes, seeing daylight in the cartoon block, Toonami licensed under Avex Inc., who are the American branch of Avex Mode. Their first English attempt was the second film Cyborg 009: Legend of the Super Vortex, renamed Defenders of the Vortex, but was a poorly received attempt in English language. Aside from this there are 3 films and two other anime series: the first ran for 26 episodes, and the other ran for 50 episodes. Word is there is another set for 2012, details still unknown in regards to the plot, but Production I.G. and Ishimori Productions are said to be behind this. The title for this, at least for now, is 009: RE-CYBORG. Joe/009 is voiced by Joshua Seth, though Derek Stephen Prince sometimes voices him.
Cyborg 009 is a memorable one, scoring 8 of 10 from me. I never thought it would have such a history, but I see why this is such a big deal.
2012/01/02
CLXXXV: "Mobile Suit Gundam"
Ah, I say this name often, partly because it's one of the mecha series I tend to live for. After covering other Gundam titles, I guess it feels only right to review the franchise origin: Mobile Suit Gundam. It is here where the titular white titan made its debut, spanning other series with the namesake machine.
The timeline here is known as the Universal Century. People have migrated to space colonies that had conditions fit for human living, monitored by the governing Earth Federation, who served a role similar to the United Nations. Independent from Earth Federation was the Republic of Zeon, located on Side 3. However, following the death of the founding leader, Zeon Zum Daikun, they called themselves the Principality of Zeon, and after amassing their guard force into an all-out military, utilizing machinery piloted by man, the term of them being called "Mobile Suits". Featuring that mass of power, Zeon soon declared war on the Earth Federation in order to declare their independence, sparking an atrocious conflict graved into history as the One Year War. The story begins 8 months after the conflict's beginning, and both sides were at a stalemate.
In the year U.C. 0079, the war was still on stalemate status, until the Zeon Army caught wind of intel regarding Project V, in which the Earth Federation Special Forces were having their own mobile suits, one of which that could play a huge part in the war. Picking them up was the newly developed warship White Base, known to their foes as the Trojan Horse. Under orders by Zeon ace pilot, Lt. Commander Char "Red Comet" Aznable, a reconnaissance team was sent to investigate the colony of Side 7. However, one of the members jumped the gun, ignoring orders and opening fire on the place, hoping to disrupt Project V. Side 7 civilian Amuro Ray stumbles upon one of the mobile suits. He then awakens the white mobile suit, called the RX-78. The name given to it was: GUNDAM. After dispatching the foes, he, along with other refugees, make an unlikely crew to serve as the E.F.S.F. flagship, led by Ensign-turned-Captain Bright Noa, with Amuro piloting Gundam. Through many conflicts and losses, it not only stood as the starting point of Amuro's military career, but it also brought forth the knowledge of Newtype pilots, and sparked a longtime rivalry with Char.
Initially intended to be longer, Mobile Suit Gundam ran for 43 episodes on TV, spotted on the likes of Cartoon Network's Toonami block. It was created in the Sunrise studio, with Bandai Entertainment licensing the animation. As such, the merchandise was also licensed by them, among which are model kits, clothing, and games (which are now under the Namco Bandai Games label.) There are also compilation films, which changed some features here and there to set it slightly apart from the anime. Nobody would expect that Gundam would become this big, as it lacked a fanbase before Bandai received the license. It's fame would erupt to a multi-title franchise we know of today, which is currently continuing with the young Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Brad Swaile (who did other roles like Rock of Black Lagoon) voices Amuro Ray in the dub, with Char Aznable voiced by Michael Kopsa (who also voiced Commander Volcott O'Huey of the Galaxy Angel metaseries.)
Mobile Suit Gundam is a doubtless classic to what has become a common name in anime to this very day. Maybe that's saying too much, but this anime has its place in history, and in my book, scores a 9 of 10. Long live Gundam.
The timeline here is known as the Universal Century. People have migrated to space colonies that had conditions fit for human living, monitored by the governing Earth Federation, who served a role similar to the United Nations. Independent from Earth Federation was the Republic of Zeon, located on Side 3. However, following the death of the founding leader, Zeon Zum Daikun, they called themselves the Principality of Zeon, and after amassing their guard force into an all-out military, utilizing machinery piloted by man, the term of them being called "Mobile Suits". Featuring that mass of power, Zeon soon declared war on the Earth Federation in order to declare their independence, sparking an atrocious conflict graved into history as the One Year War. The story begins 8 months after the conflict's beginning, and both sides were at a stalemate.
In the year U.C. 0079, the war was still on stalemate status, until the Zeon Army caught wind of intel regarding Project V, in which the Earth Federation Special Forces were having their own mobile suits, one of which that could play a huge part in the war. Picking them up was the newly developed warship White Base, known to their foes as the Trojan Horse. Under orders by Zeon ace pilot, Lt. Commander Char "Red Comet" Aznable, a reconnaissance team was sent to investigate the colony of Side 7. However, one of the members jumped the gun, ignoring orders and opening fire on the place, hoping to disrupt Project V. Side 7 civilian Amuro Ray stumbles upon one of the mobile suits. He then awakens the white mobile suit, called the RX-78. The name given to it was: GUNDAM. After dispatching the foes, he, along with other refugees, make an unlikely crew to serve as the E.F.S.F. flagship, led by Ensign-turned-Captain Bright Noa, with Amuro piloting Gundam. Through many conflicts and losses, it not only stood as the starting point of Amuro's military career, but it also brought forth the knowledge of Newtype pilots, and sparked a longtime rivalry with Char.
Initially intended to be longer, Mobile Suit Gundam ran for 43 episodes on TV, spotted on the likes of Cartoon Network's Toonami block. It was created in the Sunrise studio, with Bandai Entertainment licensing the animation. As such, the merchandise was also licensed by them, among which are model kits, clothing, and games (which are now under the Namco Bandai Games label.) There are also compilation films, which changed some features here and there to set it slightly apart from the anime. Nobody would expect that Gundam would become this big, as it lacked a fanbase before Bandai received the license. It's fame would erupt to a multi-title franchise we know of today, which is currently continuing with the young Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Brad Swaile (who did other roles like Rock of Black Lagoon) voices Amuro Ray in the dub, with Char Aznable voiced by Michael Kopsa (who also voiced Commander Volcott O'Huey of the Galaxy Angel metaseries.)
Mobile Suit Gundam is a doubtless classic to what has become a common name in anime to this very day. Maybe that's saying too much, but this anime has its place in history, and in my book, scores a 9 of 10. Long live Gundam.
CLXXXIV: "YuYu Hakusho"
Only one anime comes to mind when I think of a junior high student that was once dead, returns to life as a detective, and still cause ass-kicking mayhem with a potty mouth to match his toughness. Of course, by this I'm referring to Yusuke Urameshi and the anime he's in: YuYu Hakusho. Strange that my first post of the year is of a title I should have already went over. Oh well, here's the rough of things...
Yusuke Urameshi is considered a delinquent. He's known to get into fights, ditches class whenever people have pissed them off, and he is accompanied by a overexaggerated rumor to boot. However, he does tend to fight. Strangely enough, he would be the last person expected to die saving a kid, which is exactly where we see him at the very start: as a victim of a hit-and-run. Originally intent on staying dead, the mourning of those who know him: his mother, the school's principal, his childhood friend Keiko Yukimura, and even his punching bag/rival Kazuma Kuwabara, changes his outlook on being dead, and through certain trials, he is given a second shot at being alive. However, he soon learns that he can see, and do things he couldn't manage before. It's not until meeting again with the Spirit World's Grim Reaper, Botan, that he learns that he has gained powers, as well as the label of the Spirit Detective of Earth. Over time, he really starts to acknowledge his responsibilities. Instructed by Koenma, and fighting alongside Kuwabara and Botan, with later demon allies Hiei and Kurama, Yusuke gets ready to throw down at whatever problem comes his way.
A long 112 episode series, YuYu Hakusho also saw 2 OVAs and a movie featuring a few new faces. The anime is licensed under Funimation Entertainment for the U.S. Initially, it was part of the Toonami block back when it existed on Cartoon Network, but as of late, the show found itself on Funimation Channel, as with other works licensed by the company. It was censored during its first Toonami run, but after being featured on the block's Midnight Run, and later Adult Swim, it went uncut in terms of the language. Yusuke is voiced by Justin Cook in the dub (who is also known for Dragon Ball Z's Raditz), but in the movie, Rik Nagel voices him in English.
YuYu Hakusho is a ride indeed, scoring an 8 of 10. In a sense, this anime is one of the more memorable titles, still being broadcast today, and even gained more views that DBZ on its old run. However, as I stated, it has harsh language, and a few situations that may raise a few flags, so take caution when viewing, for it may not be suitable for minors.
Yusuke Urameshi is considered a delinquent. He's known to get into fights, ditches class whenever people have pissed them off, and he is accompanied by a overexaggerated rumor to boot. However, he does tend to fight. Strangely enough, he would be the last person expected to die saving a kid, which is exactly where we see him at the very start: as a victim of a hit-and-run. Originally intent on staying dead, the mourning of those who know him: his mother, the school's principal, his childhood friend Keiko Yukimura, and even his punching bag/rival Kazuma Kuwabara, changes his outlook on being dead, and through certain trials, he is given a second shot at being alive. However, he soon learns that he can see, and do things he couldn't manage before. It's not until meeting again with the Spirit World's Grim Reaper, Botan, that he learns that he has gained powers, as well as the label of the Spirit Detective of Earth. Over time, he really starts to acknowledge his responsibilities. Instructed by Koenma, and fighting alongside Kuwabara and Botan, with later demon allies Hiei and Kurama, Yusuke gets ready to throw down at whatever problem comes his way.
A long 112 episode series, YuYu Hakusho also saw 2 OVAs and a movie featuring a few new faces. The anime is licensed under Funimation Entertainment for the U.S. Initially, it was part of the Toonami block back when it existed on Cartoon Network, but as of late, the show found itself on Funimation Channel, as with other works licensed by the company. It was censored during its first Toonami run, but after being featured on the block's Midnight Run, and later Adult Swim, it went uncut in terms of the language. Yusuke is voiced by Justin Cook in the dub (who is also known for Dragon Ball Z's Raditz), but in the movie, Rik Nagel voices him in English.
YuYu Hakusho is a ride indeed, scoring an 8 of 10. In a sense, this anime is one of the more memorable titles, still being broadcast today, and even gained more views that DBZ on its old run. However, as I stated, it has harsh language, and a few situations that may raise a few flags, so take caution when viewing, for it may not be suitable for minors.
2011/12/29
CLXXXIII: "Digimon" (franchise)
Normally, I don't deal highly with mainstream anime. I'm going to make an exception today, brcause it suddenly came back to me out of the blue. Digimon is not similar to the co-existing Pokemon franchise, yet the friendship aspect is generally seen in both. Keep in mind, however, that there is no relation linking them together. Digimon serves as an acronym for Digital Monsters, much like how Pokemon is for Pocket Monsters.
Spanning 6 series, not all tales and characters are the same. The key principle here is that a group of kids team up with Digital Monsters (Digimon), one assigned to a human each. From then on, they are partners as they battle threats to both the Digital World as well as the real world. To help their partners, each human partner carries a "digivice", an article that assists their monster partners in battle, mainly "Digivolving", the evolution of a Digimon. However, at the end, they can return to base form. Feelings play a strong part in this process, and the stronger the feelings, the more powerful they become when digivolving (CORNY, I know, but I call them as it's shown.)
Like I said, this franchise spans 6 series as of now, so it's quite lengthy. Furthermore, as it progresses, the purposes of the digivices, the ways Digivolving happens, and the cast and story changes. As follows, we have:
Movies and games were also made under this name, though US diudn't see much in that aspect. The only well-known one would be 2000's Digimon: The Movie. Sadly, despite that it blended scenes from different movies released in Japan, it received negative responses. In addition, this essentially blended the heroes of Digimon Adventures and Digimon Adventures 02. The plot is made of 3 different scenarios: Eight Years Ago (before Digimon Adventure, in which Agumon first appears to a younger Tai and Kari), Four Years ago (when the team is formed, and it takes some time after their departure from the Digital World), and Present Day (following through the events of the new DigiDestined of Digimon Adventure 02.) It was composed of the three movies Digimon Adventure, Our War Game, and Hurricane Touchdown. Moreover, the movie introduces various other Digimon, at least two of which would appear in the animated series. The two in question would be Cherubimon and Omnimon, who would be seen in series 4 and 6 respectively.
Digimon is mainstream, and it's not necessarily a miss, but it's something I'm not crazy over. In its entirety, I say a 6 or 7 of 10 does it justice.
Spanning 6 series, not all tales and characters are the same. The key principle here is that a group of kids team up with Digital Monsters (Digimon), one assigned to a human each. From then on, they are partners as they battle threats to both the Digital World as well as the real world. To help their partners, each human partner carries a "digivice", an article that assists their monster partners in battle, mainly "Digivolving", the evolution of a Digimon. However, at the end, they can return to base form. Feelings play a strong part in this process, and the stronger the feelings, the more powerful they become when digivolving (CORNY, I know, but I call them as it's shown.)
Like I said, this franchise spans 6 series as of now, so it's quite lengthy. Furthermore, as it progresses, the purposes of the digivices, the ways Digivolving happens, and the cast and story changes. As follows, we have:
- Digimon Adventures: Simply called Digimon here in America, it premiered in 1999, a year after Pokemon debuted. Naturally, people thought Digimon was trying to be a knockoff of Pokemon, though this is obviously untrue. Even though it was considered merely a cartoon by some, for an anime it had a unique trait about it at the time (see below). The plot dealt with seven kids who enter the digital world while at summer camp. From that day, they become the DigiDestined, thrown into battle to save both the Digital World and theirs from evil. Assigned a digital beast (Digimon), they fight against the evil forces lurking about, assisted by Gennai and the digivices, which are essential (with their feelings) to invoke Digivolution.
[Unlike that of others released at the time, Digimon happened to be one of the very few anime that not much alteration, or "Americanizing" happened in terms of characters. While some titles undergone complete name changes in others, Digimon more or less retained the character names, despite that most of them were shortened. An example of this would be the sibling characters Taichi and Hikari, and Takeru. In the American version, they are shortened respectively to Tai, Kari, and T.K. However, common to the way anime was shown in the states, the title was simplified, and had its own set of soundtrack music that played in the title, ending, and inserts. Even the opening/ending tracks were different completely from the overseas counterpart.]
- Digimon Adventures 02: The successor to the first series, the plot had little difference, but the timeline is three years after the 1st series/season. Unlike how it was certain Digimon serving the antagonist role in the first series, the enemy is actually human, dubbed the Digimon Emperor, who enslaves and controls Digimon with black rings and Control Spires. This also makes Digivolving quite impossible by normal means. Though most of the previous team help out occasionally, their new lives in junior high prompts a new team to be formed. And it happens when three new characters, Davis, Yolei, and Cody, team up with DigiDestined veterans Kari and T.K. to make up a new generation of the team, armed with a new digivice known as D3.
- Digimon Tamers: Much like how it's received here, Digimon Tamers featured the namesake franchise as a card game, toy and anime franchise. However, when the monsters become real, three fans of the card game tame real Digimon themselves to combat them. Again, Digivolving is changed, and even abilities can be enhanced using the Card Swipe, known as Digimodify in the U.S. It even grew to the point where they could merge with their partners in one version of Digivolution, called Biomerge Digivolution. The show featured 3 main protagonists, while the main enemy is an AWOL program called D-Reaper. The series is darker in theme in comparison to the other two.
- Digimon Frontier: Another series significally different from others, Digimon Frontier also deals with the digital world, with 5 protagonists using Digimon Spirits, leading them to become Digimon themselves with use of their D-Tectors. The enemies this time are other legendary spirits led by Cherubimon, who plans to conquer the Digital World, and are after the heroes' spirits in the process! The series discards the Card Swipe aspect, showing off a new feature called Fractal Code Digitize, used as a means of purification against possessed Digimon.
- Digimon Savers/Digimon Data Squad: Called Digimon Data Squad in the U.S., it's the 5th series of the franchise, and a fresh take after a nearly four year haitus as a series. However, it bears no connection to the other four, making a different title in theme and art style. Another trait is that unlike the formers, it was aimed for more of family view as opposed to just children, aside from featuring, to date, the oldest set of main characters, the age range of them between teens to early 20s. This time around, they try to keep the Digital and the Real worlds separated, preventing others from knowing about its existence. However, there are still Digimon that cross over into the real world unofficially. To this end, the D.A.T.S. was formed, and escapee Agumon meets with 14 year old Marcus Damon, the undefeated ultimate fighter. After going at each other, they become on good terms with one another, and after many events, join up as part of DATS. Antagonists appear to be Digimon of God status, but there maybe yet another reason as to who may be behind it, which connects to Falcomon and his partner Keenan...
- Digimon Xros: The current series active right now, Digimon Xros is the only series not dubbed as of yet, even though via Crunchyroll, this series has seen airtime outside of Japan. Moreover, the series has 3 titles under its belt. The plot dealt with the Xros Wars, hence the title. The protagonists are known as Team Xros Heart, who are a considerable threat to Emperor Bagramon and his Bagra Army. Though, other problems follow soon after, leading to the current issue at hand where they must stop rampart Digimon and face off against rival hunters. The main head for all 3 titles is Taiki Kudo, who as with the majority of Digimon mains, have a partner and some form of a Digivice. In this instance, the device is called the Xros Loader, and his partner is Shoutmon.
Movies and games were also made under this name, though US diudn't see much in that aspect. The only well-known one would be 2000's Digimon: The Movie. Sadly, despite that it blended scenes from different movies released in Japan, it received negative responses. In addition, this essentially blended the heroes of Digimon Adventures and Digimon Adventures 02. The plot is made of 3 different scenarios: Eight Years Ago (before Digimon Adventure, in which Agumon first appears to a younger Tai and Kari), Four Years ago (when the team is formed, and it takes some time after their departure from the Digital World), and Present Day (following through the events of the new DigiDestined of Digimon Adventure 02.) It was composed of the three movies Digimon Adventure, Our War Game, and Hurricane Touchdown. Moreover, the movie introduces various other Digimon, at least two of which would appear in the animated series. The two in question would be Cherubimon and Omnimon, who would be seen in series 4 and 6 respectively.
Digimon is mainstream, and it's not necessarily a miss, but it's something I'm not crazy over. In its entirety, I say a 6 or 7 of 10 does it justice.
2011/12/25
CLXXXII: "You're Under Arrest!" series
You'll never believe this. A while back, I reviewed the series Ah! My Goddess, which was created by manga author Kosuke Fujishima. Well, even though this became his most famous piece, there was one before this, titled You're Under Arrest! (and yes, this is an actual title, feel free to do your own research.) It left me dumbfounded because, like many I have reviewed, I crossed this title by sheer chance, when I was just getting into anime. Seeing this was my 5th on the list, so I'm surprised at myself for waiting until THIS post to cover it.
The anime follows two female Tokyo Metropolitan Police Officers stationed at the fictional Bokuto Police Precint. Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa are the central characters, and throughout the series, we not only see the on-duty and off-duty lives of those two, but as well as other officers near them. Some could be slice of life, some could be humorous, but at the end of the day, it just shows how the Police are in and out of uniform.
You're Under Arrest! has a hefty sort of media under that name. The first OVA series, which lasted 4 episodes, came out in 1994, around the same time Ah! My Goddess had their last of their 1st OVAs put out. A year later, their 1st TV anime would start, lasting for 51 episodes. These two were licensed for US under AnimEigo. Next, a 21-episodes OVA series, You're Under Arrest! Specials, released in 1999, and there was also a movie out the same year, both of which was licensed under ADV Films, which is sadly inactive now. A second TV anime series, You're Under Arrest!: Fast & Furious, came out in 2001 and lasted for 26 episodes, though per usual, US didn't see it until a year or two later. A single OVA came out the following year titled You're Under Arrest!: No Mercy. Lastly, in 2008, the 3rd TV Anime You're Under Arrest!: Full Throttle released with 24 episodes. Save for the single OVA, the recently mentioned ones were licensed for US under Sentai Filmworks. Even though the licensing groups, directors (and perhaps cast) may differ, every You're Under Arrest! piece was made in Studio Deen.
There isn't much to expect from this series, but that's not saying it's terrible. Depending on the taste in anime, this may/may not bore some of you. I'm grading this a solid 7 of 10. It's unusual for me to see an anime that has police that's not intense, but heck, I can't hate this title worth anything.
The anime follows two female Tokyo Metropolitan Police Officers stationed at the fictional Bokuto Police Precint. Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa are the central characters, and throughout the series, we not only see the on-duty and off-duty lives of those two, but as well as other officers near them. Some could be slice of life, some could be humorous, but at the end of the day, it just shows how the Police are in and out of uniform.
You're Under Arrest! has a hefty sort of media under that name. The first OVA series, which lasted 4 episodes, came out in 1994, around the same time Ah! My Goddess had their last of their 1st OVAs put out. A year later, their 1st TV anime would start, lasting for 51 episodes. These two were licensed for US under AnimEigo. Next, a 21-episodes OVA series, You're Under Arrest! Specials, released in 1999, and there was also a movie out the same year, both of which was licensed under ADV Films, which is sadly inactive now. A second TV anime series, You're Under Arrest!: Fast & Furious, came out in 2001 and lasted for 26 episodes, though per usual, US didn't see it until a year or two later. A single OVA came out the following year titled You're Under Arrest!: No Mercy. Lastly, in 2008, the 3rd TV Anime You're Under Arrest!: Full Throttle released with 24 episodes. Save for the single OVA, the recently mentioned ones were licensed for US under Sentai Filmworks. Even though the licensing groups, directors (and perhaps cast) may differ, every You're Under Arrest! piece was made in Studio Deen.
There isn't much to expect from this series, but that's not saying it's terrible. Depending on the taste in anime, this may/may not bore some of you. I'm grading this a solid 7 of 10. It's unusual for me to see an anime that has police that's not intense, but heck, I can't hate this title worth anything.
2011/10/29
CLXXIV: "Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike"
Once more, we have anime that is set as a legit part of a game's storyline. We visited this scenario before in post 22 covering Devil May Cry. This time, it's the game Tales of Vesperia, another game created by Namco Bandai games, and it has a prequel anime film called Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike.
Obviously, it tells the events prior to the game's setting, but more so in the past of the protagonists. Continuity is in question, and it isn't entirely clear exactly when this takes place, but supposedly, this is 10 years after the Great War (the game goes into detail as to what the war dealt with.) The story kicks off as the previous Emperor passes away in the Imperial Capital of Zaphias. People use the substance known as aer for day to day living, be it for mere handwork or for defensive purposes. When gathered, large amount of aer is concentrated in a crystallized form known as Apatheia, which people use in inventions known as blastia. Whether to fight off monsters, or to protect the town, Apatheia is used and cores are made, to be used in various blastia, more commonly for Barrier Blastia to fend off monsters from the outside. Even with all of this, and save that there has been no heir prior to the Emperor's death, Zaphias' Imperial Knights still perform their duties of defending the people outside the towns.
Childhood friends Yuri Lowell and Flynn Scifo (both protagonists of the game) are seen as new recruits of the Imperial Knights, fed up with the treatment they were forced to endure within their home, Zaphias' Lower Quarter, thus, wanted to change and uphold the laws from within. With new characters known altogether as the Niren Corps, Yuri and Flynn, alongside the puppy Repede, encounter many trials and tribulations of being a knight (with a conflict that revisits somewhat in-game.) Aside from those three, we also see other characters known from the games: the mage Rita Mordio, Princess Estellise, and the mysterious old man Raven. Protagonists omitted were Judith, Karol Capel, and the PS3-exclusive Patty Fleur. The movie tells of the many conflicts as an Imperial Knight, which leads to his resentment towards being one in the game.
Nearly 2 hours in length, the animation was done in studio Production I.G., also responsible for the animated scenes in game. For now, it's a Japanese release under Kadokawa Pictures, which came out in 2009, a year after the Xbox 360 game was released in both Japan and US. While it's unknown if it'll be dubbed at all, Funimation has gained the license for the animated movie, with release rumored to be sometime in 2012, but this isn't confirmed quite yet. While the concern of continuity was posed before, it poses more of a concern with the Japan exclusive PlayStation 3 game, released the same year. But judging by the dialogue involved within the game, ToV: The First Strike bears some relevance to the game storyline, mainly into Yuri/Flynn's character development.
I enjoyed it, but found it's conflict (late in the film) all too familiar with the game's, save for numerous factors. In any case, ToV: The First Strike gets a 7 of 10 from me, and while I am quite the fan of the game, I was a bit disappointed with the prequel film, for it didn't amaze me much as far as the protagonists' pasts. Still, to be 1 of 4 animated adaptions of the Tales game series, I was pleased.
Obviously, it tells the events prior to the game's setting, but more so in the past of the protagonists. Continuity is in question, and it isn't entirely clear exactly when this takes place, but supposedly, this is 10 years after the Great War (the game goes into detail as to what the war dealt with.) The story kicks off as the previous Emperor passes away in the Imperial Capital of Zaphias. People use the substance known as aer for day to day living, be it for mere handwork or for defensive purposes. When gathered, large amount of aer is concentrated in a crystallized form known as Apatheia, which people use in inventions known as blastia. Whether to fight off monsters, or to protect the town, Apatheia is used and cores are made, to be used in various blastia, more commonly for Barrier Blastia to fend off monsters from the outside. Even with all of this, and save that there has been no heir prior to the Emperor's death, Zaphias' Imperial Knights still perform their duties of defending the people outside the towns.
Childhood friends Yuri Lowell and Flynn Scifo (both protagonists of the game) are seen as new recruits of the Imperial Knights, fed up with the treatment they were forced to endure within their home, Zaphias' Lower Quarter, thus, wanted to change and uphold the laws from within. With new characters known altogether as the Niren Corps, Yuri and Flynn, alongside the puppy Repede, encounter many trials and tribulations of being a knight (with a conflict that revisits somewhat in-game.) Aside from those three, we also see other characters known from the games: the mage Rita Mordio, Princess Estellise, and the mysterious old man Raven. Protagonists omitted were Judith, Karol Capel, and the PS3-exclusive Patty Fleur. The movie tells of the many conflicts as an Imperial Knight, which leads to his resentment towards being one in the game.
Nearly 2 hours in length, the animation was done in studio Production I.G., also responsible for the animated scenes in game. For now, it's a Japanese release under Kadokawa Pictures, which came out in 2009, a year after the Xbox 360 game was released in both Japan and US. While it's unknown if it'll be dubbed at all, Funimation has gained the license for the animated movie, with release rumored to be sometime in 2012, but this isn't confirmed quite yet. While the concern of continuity was posed before, it poses more of a concern with the Japan exclusive PlayStation 3 game, released the same year. But judging by the dialogue involved within the game, ToV: The First Strike bears some relevance to the game storyline, mainly into Yuri/Flynn's character development.
I enjoyed it, but found it's conflict (late in the film) all too familiar with the game's, save for numerous factors. In any case, ToV: The First Strike gets a 7 of 10 from me, and while I am quite the fan of the game, I was a bit disappointed with the prequel film, for it didn't amaze me much as far as the protagonists' pasts. Still, to be 1 of 4 animated adaptions of the Tales game series, I was pleased.
2011/10/12
CLXVIII: "Lupin the 3rd"
An oldie, but a memorable title somewhat. Lupin the 3rd followed the exploits of a famous thief and womanizer, accompanied by a beautiful femme fatale, a sharpshooter that smokes, and a lethal swordsman, and sought after by a famous, yet clumsy Interpol inspector. Spanning movies, anime, manga, and even a crossover or two, who knew that Monkey Punch's well dressed expert thief would come so far? On a related note, Maurice Leblanc created a novel series dealing with the gentleman thief Arsene Lupin, and, hence the title, this particular anime deals with his grandson.
The anime, as I said follows the exploits of a band of thieves, and they're pretty damn good too. The leader of this outfit is Arsene Lupin III, who is the most wanted thief. However, he's not your common brand thief: when stealing, he makes it announced that he'll do so to whoever's owning or guarding them, and he's generally successful in that aspect. At times, however, he may foil the plans of more serious crimes, showing that he has some honor as a thief to uphold. He's never alone in his works, and he is assisted by his closest ally: a skilled marksman and chain smoker named Daiskue Jigen. Occasionally helping him, but much less often, is Goemon Ishikawa XIII, whose blade is said to cut just about anything. With him being the 13th generation of the renegade samurai, his skills as a swordsman isn't for show, and he is flashy, yet efficient, in whatever he cuts down. Even with him being loyal to Lupin, the master thief still annoys him with his antics from time to time. The last member to appear is Fujiko Mine, Lupin's love interest. While his infatuation with women is seen as Lupin's weakness, this is especially true whenever she's around. She is perhaps the only one to rival Lupin in her skills in thievery and disguise. For her own interest, she can be seen working for, or against him given the situation. She is usually forgiven for double crossing him, but she is the one making off with most, or ALL of the loot when the job is done. Even so, she does care for him in some way.
However, there are people after them as well during their exploits, and one of them will always be Inspector Koichi Zenigata, and he has a bit of a history in chasing around Lupin (though he is never truly successful in capturing him.) He is usually the one seen getting hurt a lot for comedic reasons, but despite their initial meeting, he does hold some form of respect for him, which is why he never go as far as to kill the mastermind. Even with his bitterness, they are shown at times to be on much friendlier terms, though on his part, he is rather reluctant to exhibit this, unlike Lupin. If he and the police aren't after him, other thieves are, and usually with the intent to do away with him. Lupin has his hands full, and hopefully with his crew and even Zenigata helping him at times, he might just survive!
The anime is indeed a lengthy series, broken up into 3 parts. Lupin III Part I had 23 episodes made. This is the shortest of the trio. The longest one happens to be Lupin III Part II, which had 155 episodes made. Concluding this is Lupin III Part III, which had only 50 episodes, which is 1/3 of its previous series. All made in the TMS studio, the only one licensed was Lupin III Part II, and this was done by Geneon Entertainment. This one featured him in his signature red jacket. Also, contrary to most media, it has all the key players assembled in the initial episode, in which they know each other personally. Aside from this, there were films made, one of which is more like a predecessor to Part I, rightfully addressed as the Pilot Film, but due to budget issues, this film was never released in theaters, and was later packaged as part of Lupin III's Secret Files. In addition there were two versions of this, but this, too, is most likely not licensed. There was another title that spoke of the origins of how they met, titled Lupin III Episode 0, which was a TV special. Again, not licensed under US, this wasn't dubbed either, but it was told through Jigen's perspective on how they first came together. Fujiko and Lupin are after an artifact for their own reasons, while Jigen, part of the Mafia then, guarding it. Goemon is after ancestral treasure, and Zenigata is pursuing after Fujiko, as a Japanese police officer back then. This special shows how they first met, and what became the trigger to Zenigata starting his relentless pursuit against Lupin.
There were plenty of theatrical films made as well, as well as a TV specials. One of those I've mentioned before is Lupin III vs. Detective Conan, a movie where Lupin and co. cross paths with the young, but tenacious Conan Edogawa of the Detective Conan/Case Closed series. Adding to his fame are, of course, manga, OVAs and video games, the last title seeing US soil thus far being Lupin the 3rd: Treasure of the Sorcerer King, which faced mixed reviews overall. While licensed in US, this series was dubbed by various companies, three of which being Streamline Pictures, Funimation Entertainment and Pioneer Entertainment. The titular thief is voiced by:
The anime, as I said follows the exploits of a band of thieves, and they're pretty damn good too. The leader of this outfit is Arsene Lupin III, who is the most wanted thief. However, he's not your common brand thief: when stealing, he makes it announced that he'll do so to whoever's owning or guarding them, and he's generally successful in that aspect. At times, however, he may foil the plans of more serious crimes, showing that he has some honor as a thief to uphold. He's never alone in his works, and he is assisted by his closest ally: a skilled marksman and chain smoker named Daiskue Jigen. Occasionally helping him, but much less often, is Goemon Ishikawa XIII, whose blade is said to cut just about anything. With him being the 13th generation of the renegade samurai, his skills as a swordsman isn't for show, and he is flashy, yet efficient, in whatever he cuts down. Even with him being loyal to Lupin, the master thief still annoys him with his antics from time to time. The last member to appear is Fujiko Mine, Lupin's love interest. While his infatuation with women is seen as Lupin's weakness, this is especially true whenever she's around. She is perhaps the only one to rival Lupin in her skills in thievery and disguise. For her own interest, she can be seen working for, or against him given the situation. She is usually forgiven for double crossing him, but she is the one making off with most, or ALL of the loot when the job is done. Even so, she does care for him in some way.
However, there are people after them as well during their exploits, and one of them will always be Inspector Koichi Zenigata, and he has a bit of a history in chasing around Lupin (though he is never truly successful in capturing him.) He is usually the one seen getting hurt a lot for comedic reasons, but despite their initial meeting, he does hold some form of respect for him, which is why he never go as far as to kill the mastermind. Even with his bitterness, they are shown at times to be on much friendlier terms, though on his part, he is rather reluctant to exhibit this, unlike Lupin. If he and the police aren't after him, other thieves are, and usually with the intent to do away with him. Lupin has his hands full, and hopefully with his crew and even Zenigata helping him at times, he might just survive!
The anime is indeed a lengthy series, broken up into 3 parts. Lupin III Part I had 23 episodes made. This is the shortest of the trio. The longest one happens to be Lupin III Part II, which had 155 episodes made. Concluding this is Lupin III Part III, which had only 50 episodes, which is 1/3 of its previous series. All made in the TMS studio, the only one licensed was Lupin III Part II, and this was done by Geneon Entertainment. This one featured him in his signature red jacket. Also, contrary to most media, it has all the key players assembled in the initial episode, in which they know each other personally. Aside from this, there were films made, one of which is more like a predecessor to Part I, rightfully addressed as the Pilot Film, but due to budget issues, this film was never released in theaters, and was later packaged as part of Lupin III's Secret Files. In addition there were two versions of this, but this, too, is most likely not licensed. There was another title that spoke of the origins of how they met, titled Lupin III Episode 0, which was a TV special. Again, not licensed under US, this wasn't dubbed either, but it was told through Jigen's perspective on how they first came together. Fujiko and Lupin are after an artifact for their own reasons, while Jigen, part of the Mafia then, guarding it. Goemon is after ancestral treasure, and Zenigata is pursuing after Fujiko, as a Japanese police officer back then. This special shows how they first met, and what became the trigger to Zenigata starting his relentless pursuit against Lupin.
There were plenty of theatrical films made as well, as well as a TV specials. One of those I've mentioned before is Lupin III vs. Detective Conan, a movie where Lupin and co. cross paths with the young, but tenacious Conan Edogawa of the Detective Conan/Case Closed series. Adding to his fame are, of course, manga, OVAs and video games, the last title seeing US soil thus far being Lupin the 3rd: Treasure of the Sorcerer King, which faced mixed reviews overall. While licensed in US, this series was dubbed by various companies, three of which being Streamline Pictures, Funimation Entertainment and Pioneer Entertainment. The titular thief is voiced by:
- Under Streamline Pictures: Bob Bergen
- Under Funimation Entertainment: Sonny Strait (voice of One Piece's Usopp and Dragon Ball Z's Krillin)
- Under Pioneer Entertainment: Tony Oliver (voice of Vandread's Hibiki Tokai and Tenchi Muyo GXP's Seina Yamada)
2011/10/02
CLXIV: "Dirty Pair"
I almost can't believe myself for not covering this before (and I thought I did, actually), but Dirty Pair is not as dirty as the title suggests. In fact, how that name even came to be is a bit humorous... mainly because of what they do.
The world of Dirty Pair is set in the future, between years 2138-2143, to be exact, and humanity has migrated across thousands of star systems in space. To serve the regulator role, the World Welfare Works Association, commonly referenced as WWWA or 3WA, assists the United Galactica Federation (UG) in handling conflicts of the planetary scale, for profit. Their means of assistance is sending agents from 3WA, who go by the titles trouble consultants. Consultants that solves crimes and mysteries are from the Criminal Investigations section, and our protagonists just happens to come from this very section.
The titular duo consists of Trouble Consultant Team 234: Kei and Yuri, code named Lovely Angels. However, almost every mission they go on doesn't end up with "lovely" results. Though they succeed in their work, almost all of them end in disaster, which is there the title comes in: due to leaving destruction in their work, they are nicknamed the Dirty Pair, a name they resent very much. In addition, they also quarrel with each other from time to time, but they remain partners through the thick of it all.
The series is vast in a sense, spawning comics, manga, light novels and anime. The anime of Dirty Pair was made in the Sunrise studio, much like the Gundam metaseries. While dubbed by different companies such as ADV and Streamline Pictures, all works were licensed for US under Nozomi Entertainment, the product division formerly know as The Right Stuf International. The TV anime ran for 24 episodes, with the addition of 2 more episodes in the VHS release. An OVA, titled Dirty Pair: Affair of Nolandia, was made in 1985, with the film Dirty Pair: Project Eden done the following year. In the years 1988-1989, an OVA series was made, lasting 10 episodes. Succeeding this was the 1990 OVA Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy. Lastly, in 1994, the final entry Dirty Pair Flash was made, featuring a different take on the characters and plot. The major changes involved the designs, outfits and behaviors of Kei and Yuri, for they quarreled much frequent in comparison to the original anime, aside from wearing new and separate attire. In the original versions, they wore basically the same type of uniform, only sporting different colors, and this outfit appeared in an episode of Dirty Pair Flash, worn by someone else in the flashback of the character Iris.
Starting from the same time as the first OVA series, an original English manga was made called The Dirty Pair, published for US under Eclipse Comics and Dark Horse Comics, and generally dealt with the same characters. Kei and Yuri went by different voices dub wise, as Kei's voices were done by Lara Cody under Streamline, and Pamela Lauer under ADV. Likewise, Yuri was done by Wendee Lee under Streamline, and originally by Jessica Cavello under ADV, with Allison Sumrall replacing her. The dubbing for Dirty Pair Flash was also ADV's doing, with Kim Seiver as Yuri, and Sue Uli as Kei.
Dirty Pair is an oldie, but I loved it more or less. Trying to find all of it in English, however, will be a chore. In general, I call it an 8 of 10, and stands as one of my favorites in anime.
The world of Dirty Pair is set in the future, between years 2138-2143, to be exact, and humanity has migrated across thousands of star systems in space. To serve the regulator role, the World Welfare Works Association, commonly referenced as WWWA or 3WA, assists the United Galactica Federation (UG) in handling conflicts of the planetary scale, for profit. Their means of assistance is sending agents from 3WA, who go by the titles trouble consultants. Consultants that solves crimes and mysteries are from the Criminal Investigations section, and our protagonists just happens to come from this very section.
The titular duo consists of Trouble Consultant Team 234: Kei and Yuri, code named Lovely Angels. However, almost every mission they go on doesn't end up with "lovely" results. Though they succeed in their work, almost all of them end in disaster, which is there the title comes in: due to leaving destruction in their work, they are nicknamed the Dirty Pair, a name they resent very much. In addition, they also quarrel with each other from time to time, but they remain partners through the thick of it all.
The series is vast in a sense, spawning comics, manga, light novels and anime. The anime of Dirty Pair was made in the Sunrise studio, much like the Gundam metaseries. While dubbed by different companies such as ADV and Streamline Pictures, all works were licensed for US under Nozomi Entertainment, the product division formerly know as The Right Stuf International. The TV anime ran for 24 episodes, with the addition of 2 more episodes in the VHS release. An OVA, titled Dirty Pair: Affair of Nolandia, was made in 1985, with the film Dirty Pair: Project Eden done the following year. In the years 1988-1989, an OVA series was made, lasting 10 episodes. Succeeding this was the 1990 OVA Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy. Lastly, in 1994, the final entry Dirty Pair Flash was made, featuring a different take on the characters and plot. The major changes involved the designs, outfits and behaviors of Kei and Yuri, for they quarreled much frequent in comparison to the original anime, aside from wearing new and separate attire. In the original versions, they wore basically the same type of uniform, only sporting different colors, and this outfit appeared in an episode of Dirty Pair Flash, worn by someone else in the flashback of the character Iris.
Starting from the same time as the first OVA series, an original English manga was made called The Dirty Pair, published for US under Eclipse Comics and Dark Horse Comics, and generally dealt with the same characters. Kei and Yuri went by different voices dub wise, as Kei's voices were done by Lara Cody under Streamline, and Pamela Lauer under ADV. Likewise, Yuri was done by Wendee Lee under Streamline, and originally by Jessica Cavello under ADV, with Allison Sumrall replacing her. The dubbing for Dirty Pair Flash was also ADV's doing, with Kim Seiver as Yuri, and Sue Uli as Kei.
Dirty Pair is an oldie, but I loved it more or less. Trying to find all of it in English, however, will be a chore. In general, I call it an 8 of 10, and stands as one of my favorites in anime.
CLXIII: "Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team"
Frankly we see for the majority of the Universal Century timeline Newtypes as the central characters for the story. Yet again branching from it comes Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, an OVA series set before, according to the timeline, Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, even though production wise, this is succeeded by the popular Gundam Wing. This OVA series also deals with the One Year War period, viewed in the perspective of the average soldier.
You can say that the plot deals with star corssed lovers, and the story of 08th MS Team is a Gundam series take on Romeo and Juliet. Ensign Shiro Amada is the newly appointed commander of the titular unit under the Earth Federation Army. He is sent to Southeast Asia to assist in a guerrilla war against Zeon forces, who has on their side an experimental mobile suit and its pilot Aina Sahalin, someone Shiro knows thanks to a resuce in space. Realizing who the pilot is, Shiro is reluctant to fight her, which prompts the Earth Federation to arrest him for treason. Given one final chance, he must make a painful choice: lose to Zeon and not kill her, or side with the Earth Federation and lose someone important to him.
Created in the Sunrise studio, this OVA series featured 12 episodes in total, but only 11 were televised on Cartoon Network's Toonami block, with the final episode, an epilogue episode, included in the DVD release with the others. In addition, a compilation film Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Miller's Report featured a new character, investigator Alice Miller, and the story more or less focuses on the court martial of Shiro Amada for his actions towards the enemy. While it had additional footage, it also borrowed those of the OAV episodes to use as evidence against him. While this scenario isn't exactly unique (since the original Mobile Suit Gundam had a similar scenario, which was repeated), it showed the follies of personal feelings affecting a soldier's judgement during war. Shiro Amada is voiced by Steve Staley in English, while Aina Sahalin is voiced by Emilie Brown. As such, the machines would be featured in games like Gundam Battle Assault and Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo, and even Gunpla models were made afterwards. This series would also premier the Ground Combat Gundam, a model rarely seen in the Gundam universe in general.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team gets a 7 of 10 from me, mainly because it was a fairly decent take from their usual works, though it does prove once more that romance and war don't go well hand in hand.
You can say that the plot deals with star corssed lovers, and the story of 08th MS Team is a Gundam series take on Romeo and Juliet. Ensign Shiro Amada is the newly appointed commander of the titular unit under the Earth Federation Army. He is sent to Southeast Asia to assist in a guerrilla war against Zeon forces, who has on their side an experimental mobile suit and its pilot Aina Sahalin, someone Shiro knows thanks to a resuce in space. Realizing who the pilot is, Shiro is reluctant to fight her, which prompts the Earth Federation to arrest him for treason. Given one final chance, he must make a painful choice: lose to Zeon and not kill her, or side with the Earth Federation and lose someone important to him.
Created in the Sunrise studio, this OVA series featured 12 episodes in total, but only 11 were televised on Cartoon Network's Toonami block, with the final episode, an epilogue episode, included in the DVD release with the others. In addition, a compilation film Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Miller's Report featured a new character, investigator Alice Miller, and the story more or less focuses on the court martial of Shiro Amada for his actions towards the enemy. While it had additional footage, it also borrowed those of the OAV episodes to use as evidence against him. While this scenario isn't exactly unique (since the original Mobile Suit Gundam had a similar scenario, which was repeated), it showed the follies of personal feelings affecting a soldier's judgement during war. Shiro Amada is voiced by Steve Staley in English, while Aina Sahalin is voiced by Emilie Brown. As such, the machines would be featured in games like Gundam Battle Assault and Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo, and even Gunpla models were made afterwards. This series would also premier the Ground Combat Gundam, a model rarely seen in the Gundam universe in general.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team gets a 7 of 10 from me, mainly because it was a fairly decent take from their usual works, though it does prove once more that romance and war don't go well hand in hand.
2011/09/22
CLVIII: "Neon Genesis Evangelion"
What is there to say about Neon Genesis Evangelion? From an otaku's perspective, a lot, seeing as how this mere TV anime spawned other media based on it. Some recognize the anime as a failed result in merging two different religions, on top of blending it in an apocalyptic mecha. Even so, it found its fans.
After the Second Impact in the year 2000, the continent of Antarctica was badly damaged, and nearly half of the human population were wiped out. In the year 2015, life seems to continue as normal in what's left of the world... if it wasn't for a small yet major problem. Areas like Tokyo-3 is in a bind, thanks to malevolent beings called Angels, hellbent on wiping out humanity. With powers unknown to common man (like the AT Field), the United Nations (UN) seems to be powerless to stop them. The planet is doomed, or at least it would be. The people of NERV HQ, led by Commander Gendou Ikari, fights these beings in ways the UN can't, making them the last defense for planet Earth.
Called by Gendou after 3 long years, the protagonist Shinji Ikari is Gendou's son. Bitter at him for reasons explained later, he reluctantly becomes the pilot of the humanoid titan Evangelion Unit 01. As the story progresses, he encounters different Angels, and interacts with his allies, namely Captain Misato Kisaragi, and fellow "Children" pilots Asuka Langley Sohryu and Rei Ayanami. However, while he deals with haqnds-on combat with his Eva, he must also deal with his mental problems as well, should he wish to maintain control of (and understand) Eva 01.
The TV anime originally ran for 26 episodes, licensed for US under AEsir Holdings. Succeeding the 1996 anime were 2 movies: Evangelion: Death and Rebirth, and The End of Evangelion. People weren't thrilled with the original conclusion to the series, which was mainly why these two were conceived. After that, as well as tax issues Gainax dealt with, it was proposed years later that another series, called Rebuild of Evangelion, would be made. It was planned that 4 movies would be the series: the first 3 being a retelling of the anime, and the last featuring a new ending. So far, only 2 has been released from this series: Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone, and Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance. Originally, they planned for all 4 to be out in 2007 and 2008, but only Eva 1.0 released in 2007, and Eva 2.0 released in 2009. As of now, the 3rd film is in progress. However, there are some differences in the movies that weren't originally there. For starters, as with nearly half of anime titles released in this period, Rebuild of Evangelion features 3D CG Animation. To add, and this is perhaps the main difference, it involves new scenes and characters, among which is Mari Illustrious Makinami And even Asuka features a different last name in the films (from Sohryu to Shikinami). The storyline of the first film is faithful at best, with designs for Rebuild striking a solid, but altered resemblance to the original. The changes happens in the second film, as the story is altered somewhat. Rebuild of Evangelion, at least the first 2 movies, have been dubbed already, licensed for US under Funimation. In all dub works, Shinji Ikari is voiced by Spike Spencer. In fact, his voice is one of the few that were unchanged in all Evangelion dub media, the other two being Asuka's (Tiffany Grant) and Misato's (Allison Keith).
Neon Genesis Evangelion was a mind trip in general, but not an awful one, just... hard to get at times. While the ending failed to meet my fancy, it became a name well known in the anime world for a reason, so in all, I say that the original series gets 7.8 of 10, while Rebuild of Evangelion, for the time being, gets 8.1 of 10. I can only wait to see how they end the series this time.
After the Second Impact in the year 2000, the continent of Antarctica was badly damaged, and nearly half of the human population were wiped out. In the year 2015, life seems to continue as normal in what's left of the world... if it wasn't for a small yet major problem. Areas like Tokyo-3 is in a bind, thanks to malevolent beings called Angels, hellbent on wiping out humanity. With powers unknown to common man (like the AT Field), the United Nations (UN) seems to be powerless to stop them. The planet is doomed, or at least it would be. The people of NERV HQ, led by Commander Gendou Ikari, fights these beings in ways the UN can't, making them the last defense for planet Earth.
Called by Gendou after 3 long years, the protagonist Shinji Ikari is Gendou's son. Bitter at him for reasons explained later, he reluctantly becomes the pilot of the humanoid titan Evangelion Unit 01. As the story progresses, he encounters different Angels, and interacts with his allies, namely Captain Misato Kisaragi, and fellow "Children" pilots Asuka Langley Sohryu and Rei Ayanami. However, while he deals with haqnds-on combat with his Eva, he must also deal with his mental problems as well, should he wish to maintain control of (and understand) Eva 01.
The TV anime originally ran for 26 episodes, licensed for US under AEsir Holdings. Succeeding the 1996 anime were 2 movies: Evangelion: Death and Rebirth, and The End of Evangelion. People weren't thrilled with the original conclusion to the series, which was mainly why these two were conceived. After that, as well as tax issues Gainax dealt with, it was proposed years later that another series, called Rebuild of Evangelion, would be made. It was planned that 4 movies would be the series: the first 3 being a retelling of the anime, and the last featuring a new ending. So far, only 2 has been released from this series: Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone, and Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance. Originally, they planned for all 4 to be out in 2007 and 2008, but only Eva 1.0 released in 2007, and Eva 2.0 released in 2009. As of now, the 3rd film is in progress. However, there are some differences in the movies that weren't originally there. For starters, as with nearly half of anime titles released in this period, Rebuild of Evangelion features 3D CG Animation. To add, and this is perhaps the main difference, it involves new scenes and characters, among which is Mari Illustrious Makinami And even Asuka features a different last name in the films (from Sohryu to Shikinami). The storyline of the first film is faithful at best, with designs for Rebuild striking a solid, but altered resemblance to the original. The changes happens in the second film, as the story is altered somewhat. Rebuild of Evangelion, at least the first 2 movies, have been dubbed already, licensed for US under Funimation. In all dub works, Shinji Ikari is voiced by Spike Spencer. In fact, his voice is one of the few that were unchanged in all Evangelion dub media, the other two being Asuka's (Tiffany Grant) and Misato's (Allison Keith).
Neon Genesis Evangelion was a mind trip in general, but not an awful one, just... hard to get at times. While the ending failed to meet my fancy, it became a name well known in the anime world for a reason, so in all, I say that the original series gets 7.8 of 10, while Rebuild of Evangelion, for the time being, gets 8.1 of 10. I can only wait to see how they end the series this time.
2011/08/29
CXLIV: "Ah! My Goddess" series
Oh My Goddess!, Ah! My Goddess... whatever name you want it to go by, this series is quite entertaining in my opinion, having spawned 2 seasons, a few OVAs, a spinoff series, and a movie. Hence the title, it deals with goddesses, and they have a physical form, so they can interact with humans. Let's get into what it's about.
Life doesn't seem to be fair for the good-hearted Keiichi Morisato. An ordinary college student, he's constantly under stress by his elder college roommates, on top of not having a girlfriend. Being forced to do any and everything his roommates force him to do, some would say that he's at the end of his rope. One day isolated in his dorm, he calls a number unintentionally, which happens to be the Goddess Technical Help Line. Sometime later, a woman happens to materialize in the very room. This woman is the goddess Belldandy. Of course, since the dorm is male only, he is forced to find another location, especially after wishing that Belldandy stayed with him forever. They find one, which is a temple they must maintain, and Keiichi from then on must live while dealing with Belldandy, and the other goddesses Urd and Skuld. Of course, like any story, this doesn't come without its difficulty, and should he truly wish for her to remain with him, Keiichi must be ready to deal with whatever comes his way, that of course referring to not only other mythical entities, but also day-to-day living as a student.
Oh My Goddess! had some title controversy upon translation. Some felt the title to be a play on "Oh my God!", a common phrase used to represent shock or surprise. Seeing as how some found this saying offensive, it doesn't come too much as a surprise that this raised some eyebrows. Like it or not however, this title was more towards the creator's (Kousuke Fujishima's) intent. The title Ah! My Goddess was used by the manga published by Kodansha, the movie released by Pioneer, and the TV anime. All other media used Oh My Goddess! instead.
At any rate the TV anime went for two seasons, one licensed by Media Blasters and the second season under Funimation. In total, Ah! My Goddess TV ran for 50 episodes, followed by a 2-episode special titled Ah! My Goddess Fighting Wings, made in celebration of 20 years since its publication. There was another TV series called The Adventures of Mini-Goddess, which has the main 3 as small goddesses and a rat, Gan-chan, as their companion. This series lasted for 48 episodes. Those, the film, and the OVA all loosely base around Norse mythology, using/recycling names from it in a sense of humor. And in the universe of Ah! My Goddess, there are 3 worlds, Eath, Heaven, and Hell. The OVAs, film and TV anime uses different voices.
I found it worth my while, so this is obviously a high marking one from me: a 9.4 of 10 as a whole. Ah! My Goddess stands as a title to look over in my book, because I became quite the fan of it. Whoever thought that this title would be so entertaining? It definitely gets props in my book!
Life doesn't seem to be fair for the good-hearted Keiichi Morisato. An ordinary college student, he's constantly under stress by his elder college roommates, on top of not having a girlfriend. Being forced to do any and everything his roommates force him to do, some would say that he's at the end of his rope. One day isolated in his dorm, he calls a number unintentionally, which happens to be the Goddess Technical Help Line. Sometime later, a woman happens to materialize in the very room. This woman is the goddess Belldandy. Of course, since the dorm is male only, he is forced to find another location, especially after wishing that Belldandy stayed with him forever. They find one, which is a temple they must maintain, and Keiichi from then on must live while dealing with Belldandy, and the other goddesses Urd and Skuld. Of course, like any story, this doesn't come without its difficulty, and should he truly wish for her to remain with him, Keiichi must be ready to deal with whatever comes his way, that of course referring to not only other mythical entities, but also day-to-day living as a student.
Oh My Goddess! had some title controversy upon translation. Some felt the title to be a play on "Oh my God!", a common phrase used to represent shock or surprise. Seeing as how some found this saying offensive, it doesn't come too much as a surprise that this raised some eyebrows. Like it or not however, this title was more towards the creator's (Kousuke Fujishima's) intent. The title Ah! My Goddess was used by the manga published by Kodansha, the movie released by Pioneer, and the TV anime. All other media used Oh My Goddess! instead.
At any rate the TV anime went for two seasons, one licensed by Media Blasters and the second season under Funimation. In total, Ah! My Goddess TV ran for 50 episodes, followed by a 2-episode special titled Ah! My Goddess Fighting Wings, made in celebration of 20 years since its publication. There was another TV series called The Adventures of Mini-Goddess, which has the main 3 as small goddesses and a rat, Gan-chan, as their companion. This series lasted for 48 episodes. Those, the film, and the OVA all loosely base around Norse mythology, using/recycling names from it in a sense of humor. And in the universe of Ah! My Goddess, there are 3 worlds, Eath, Heaven, and Hell. The OVAs, film and TV anime uses different voices.
I found it worth my while, so this is obviously a high marking one from me: a 9.4 of 10 as a whole. Ah! My Goddess stands as a title to look over in my book, because I became quite the fan of it. Whoever thought that this title would be so entertaining? It definitely gets props in my book!
2011/08/28
CXLIII: "Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory"
Another one of those side story Gundam titles, Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory once again branches off the exploits of the main story. However, this one deals with a federation fleet of their own, as well as a tenacious group of Zeon remnants. Moreover, Gundam 0083 is significant as it pretty much shows the transition of the Earth Federation, a backstory to the rise of the elite unit Titans in Zeta Gundam.
In the year U.C. 0079, Anavel Gato returns from his battle in A Baoa Qu against the Earth Federation's White Base and its hero, Amuro Ray and the RX-78-2 Gundam. However, upon hearing the deaths of both Gihren and Kycilia Zabi, he and a fellow soldier are forced to withdraw, with aspirations to make Zeon rise another day. The battle is declared in victory for the Earth Federation, thanks to the exploits of the White Base crew and Amuro. Of course, this isn't the end of the story.
Four years later in October U.C. 0083, Zeon has yet to make themselves known. Within the Earth Federation, one of it's space carriers, Albion, delivered 2 Gundam prototypes of the Gundam Development Project: the RX-78 GP01 Zephyranthes and the RX-78 GP02A Physalis. Thanks to a mole from Zeon, Anavel Gato makes a move and hijacks the nuclear Physalis Gundam, leading Kou Uraki to pursue him in the sleeker Zephyranthes Gundam. From then on, Kou faces not only other Zeon remnants, but even has a bit of tensions with few of the Albion crew, ultimately leading to a mentionable, yet forgotten battle known as Operation Stardust.
Being a side story, this OVA lasted 13 episodes, twice as long as Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Though the OVA began first, the compilation movie Gundam 0083: The Last Blitz of Zeon was finished beforehand. The OVA series was done in DVD quality sometime later, released in May as a box set in celebration of 20 years since its creation. The movie lasted for 120 minutes, and even had a limited edition Blu-Ray release. There were merchandise modeled after this as well, and though they have been in games before, I found interesting the inclusion of the GP01Fb Full-Vernian Zephyranthes and GP02 Physalis, alongside respective pilots Kou and Anavel, in Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3. Anavel was seen before in the first DW Gundam title, but as a non-playable character. Kou is voiced by Paul Stephen in the dub, while Anavel is voiced by Kirk Thorton.
Stardust Memory is a stepping stone to the transpiring events of Zeta Gundam, supported when Bask Om appears. Ready to launch once more, Gundam 0083 shoots a 7.6 of 10.
In the year U.C. 0079, Anavel Gato returns from his battle in A Baoa Qu against the Earth Federation's White Base and its hero, Amuro Ray and the RX-78-2 Gundam. However, upon hearing the deaths of both Gihren and Kycilia Zabi, he and a fellow soldier are forced to withdraw, with aspirations to make Zeon rise another day. The battle is declared in victory for the Earth Federation, thanks to the exploits of the White Base crew and Amuro. Of course, this isn't the end of the story.
Four years later in October U.C. 0083, Zeon has yet to make themselves known. Within the Earth Federation, one of it's space carriers, Albion, delivered 2 Gundam prototypes of the Gundam Development Project: the RX-78 GP01 Zephyranthes and the RX-78 GP02A Physalis. Thanks to a mole from Zeon, Anavel Gato makes a move and hijacks the nuclear Physalis Gundam, leading Kou Uraki to pursue him in the sleeker Zephyranthes Gundam. From then on, Kou faces not only other Zeon remnants, but even has a bit of tensions with few of the Albion crew, ultimately leading to a mentionable, yet forgotten battle known as Operation Stardust.
Being a side story, this OVA lasted 13 episodes, twice as long as Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Though the OVA began first, the compilation movie Gundam 0083: The Last Blitz of Zeon was finished beforehand. The OVA series was done in DVD quality sometime later, released in May as a box set in celebration of 20 years since its creation. The movie lasted for 120 minutes, and even had a limited edition Blu-Ray release. There were merchandise modeled after this as well, and though they have been in games before, I found interesting the inclusion of the GP01Fb Full-Vernian Zephyranthes and GP02 Physalis, alongside respective pilots Kou and Anavel, in Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3. Anavel was seen before in the first DW Gundam title, but as a non-playable character. Kou is voiced by Paul Stephen in the dub, while Anavel is voiced by Kirk Thorton.
Stardust Memory is a stepping stone to the transpiring events of Zeta Gundam, supported when Bask Om appears. Ready to launch once more, Gundam 0083 shoots a 7.6 of 10.
2011/08/27
CXLII: "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya"
A while back, we went over The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, the TV anime that revolved around Haruhi, Kyon, and the rest of the SOS Brigade. The movie The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya sort of deviates from that, as it's a film made from the fourth novel of the Haruhi Suzumiya series.
Set after the events of the Japanese Cultural Festival, the time is December 16th, a little more than a week preceding Christmas Eve. As usual, Haruhi has the SOS gang doing plannings for a Christmas Party, with Kyon acting his usual self. Just when the plans are in order to have the party, then comes the morning of December 18th. It was odd enough that Tanaguchi, one of his friends, came down with a cold that lasted a while, as he was just fine yesterday. The oddity strikes when Ryoko Asakura, someone who was wiped from existence before, returned, and that Haruhi was forgotten. In addition, the other SOS Brigade members appeared to forgot not only her, but supposedly of each other. The only one who remembers, even though he is made to be a fool towards everyone else, is Kyon. Rooms were gone, people weren't there, and the SOS brigade didn't exist. These are things he didn't want to believe.
With everything and everyone different than before, Kyon stands as the only outcast in a world that seemingly normal. Only a bookmark left behind was a significant clue about the life he knew. With this evidence, he gets to know the human Yuki Nagato and learned that from the Tanaguchi in this period, a Haruhi Suzumiya does exist, but in a different school. With the bookmark telling him to gather the keys necessary to use a program built by the alien Yuki, Kyon must gather the members, alongside the Haruhi of this time, in order to use this machine, should he want to go back to the life he had, where his knack of getting dragged into danger was normal.
About 3 hours long, this film is animated the same way as the TV anime, maybe enhanced a bit. It's currently in Japanese dubbing, but a license for US disbribution has been acquired by Bandai Entertainment, who also licensed the TV anime. As such, an English language version is in the works, set for release in September. It is interesting to note that the spin-off manga, The Vanishing of Nagato Yuki-chan, takes place in a similar setting, with the Nagato of this story as the main character. In fact, her character in the film, her relationship with Ryoko, and her gradual relationship with Kyon in the film is built upon in the spin-off manga.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya gains an 8.4 of 10 for the time being, and will be updated upon seeing the dubbed version of the film. I suppose from one of the TV episodes, it answers the question about the significance of his second alias, but otherwise, it retains the air of the TV anime.
Set after the events of the Japanese Cultural Festival, the time is December 16th, a little more than a week preceding Christmas Eve. As usual, Haruhi has the SOS gang doing plannings for a Christmas Party, with Kyon acting his usual self. Just when the plans are in order to have the party, then comes the morning of December 18th. It was odd enough that Tanaguchi, one of his friends, came down with a cold that lasted a while, as he was just fine yesterday. The oddity strikes when Ryoko Asakura, someone who was wiped from existence before, returned, and that Haruhi was forgotten. In addition, the other SOS Brigade members appeared to forgot not only her, but supposedly of each other. The only one who remembers, even though he is made to be a fool towards everyone else, is Kyon. Rooms were gone, people weren't there, and the SOS brigade didn't exist. These are things he didn't want to believe.
With everything and everyone different than before, Kyon stands as the only outcast in a world that seemingly normal. Only a bookmark left behind was a significant clue about the life he knew. With this evidence, he gets to know the human Yuki Nagato and learned that from the Tanaguchi in this period, a Haruhi Suzumiya does exist, but in a different school. With the bookmark telling him to gather the keys necessary to use a program built by the alien Yuki, Kyon must gather the members, alongside the Haruhi of this time, in order to use this machine, should he want to go back to the life he had, where his knack of getting dragged into danger was normal.
About 3 hours long, this film is animated the same way as the TV anime, maybe enhanced a bit. It's currently in Japanese dubbing, but a license for US disbribution has been acquired by Bandai Entertainment, who also licensed the TV anime. As such, an English language version is in the works, set for release in September. It is interesting to note that the spin-off manga, The Vanishing of Nagato Yuki-chan, takes place in a similar setting, with the Nagato of this story as the main character. In fact, her character in the film, her relationship with Ryoko, and her gradual relationship with Kyon in the film is built upon in the spin-off manga.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya gains an 8.4 of 10 for the time being, and will be updated upon seeing the dubbed version of the film. I suppose from one of the TV episodes, it answers the question about the significance of his second alias, but otherwise, it retains the air of the TV anime.
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