X is the name belonging manga created by CLAMP, but was also made into a anime film and anime series. There was a music media made with power metal group X Japan using images from this title. This title can be also named as X/1999. X deals with the end of days, the year being 1999. A young esper, after six years of absence, returns to apocalyptic Tokyo to face is destiny as the man who has in his hands the fate of humanity. Dark as it it, it deals with various ways of the end of the world, taken from popular secular and religious lore, but with their own mythos. It's generally action paced, and increasingly graphic due to its violent nature seen in X.
This title was released as a manga,with the anime film following after. Eventually, X/1999 was made into an anime TV series, created in the studio Madhouse, and published by Manga Entertainment in 2001, the same time the OVA was created. Funimation licensed the OVA as well as the TV anime, called X TV. I saw this and was stunned by it, though much like Witchblade, the ending didn't meet my fancy, though it ended the worst of scenarios. X gets a 6.5. While it was indeed interesting, it was too dark and bloody for my tastes. It speaks of the end of the world, but in a more... fictional way. Still, I sort of liked it, but it's not good to watch if you're not the type that can bear excessive violence.
2011/03/30
XIX: "Dragon Ball" series
Okay, this is another multi-anime review, dealing with the universe of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball. Those familiar with the story Journey to the West may notice that the series mainstay character, Son Goku, has traits of the latter story's Son Wukong. An expanded description of him occurs when Saiyans come into play in the anime's sequel Dragon Ball Z, when he is identified as one of them early in the series' first season.
In Dragon Ball, Son Goku's younger days are explained, starting from his first encounter with Bulma Brief, to the rivalry against Piccolo Jr., and the marriage between him and Chi Chi, daughter of the Ox King. Between the timeline during these events, we get first glimpses at many of the recurring characters in the Dragon Ball universe, among which are fellow Z-Fighters Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, and Master Roshi. Among the DB characters, there are other characters who are nearly absent in the other series, never to be seen nor mentioned again until later, if not at all.
The plot dealt with the central, titular items called Dragon Balls. Created by the guardian of earth Kami, it is said that possessing seven of these would grant the summoner of the Eternal Dragon any wish possible. Should a wish be cast, the Eternal Dragon Shenron would grant this wish, before returning into the balls. They would then scatter across the earth, turning to stone and becoming unusable until the next year. This is, of course how a number of conflicts begin, and Goku is wrapped in the mess from their first hunt, for initially, he possessed the 4-star ball as a keep sake from his grandfather, Gohan, prior to his first adventure alongside Bulma. The series' main antagonists are Emperor Pilaf, Red Ribbon Army, and King Piccolo, though there are other enemies that Goku does encounter as well (some of which are later an ally.) It has action, but also it's dose of silliness. It gets a 7 of 10 from me. It just came to me that aside from the Funimation and Blue Water dubbings, there was a third one under Harmony Gold, the same group responsible for the dubbed Robotech anime. However, this dub was short lived, and is the least known, yet distinguished for changing the name of Goku to Zero. One episode, not to spoil, featured characters deom another work Dr. Slump (which in turn would feature one of them as a fighter for Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.)
In the sequel Dragon Ball Z, it starts off years after the birth of Goku's son, Son Gohan (perhaps named after Goku's adoptive grandfather), who is later to be perceived as a half-Saiyan. However, the fireworks start early after the introduction of Raditz, the brother of Goku and one of the last pure-blood Saiyans around. A bit of the Saiyan history is introduced, and after the battle with Raditz, he meets another who ultimately becomes his rival: the prince of Saiyans, Vegeta. DBZ expands to different planets this time around, having battles not only on Earth, but also the fictional Planet Namek. There was even one instance where events go on in "Other World". DBZ is known for having two different English dubs before its remake as Dragon Ball Z Kai: the original dub was first done by Ocean Productions. which primarily covered to about half of the Namek Saga. From then onward, dubbing was done by Funimation, who also redubbed the start of the series, as well as the remade and compressed DBZ Kai.
A slew of characters was introduced here as well, such as the androids 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 (essentially introducing Dr. Gero), Trunks, a half-Saiyan from the future and son of Vegeta and Bulma, Videl, who ultimately becomes acquainted with Gohan towards the end, and Pan and Uub, who didn't have bigger roles until Dragon Ball GT (yet Uub is a reincarnated from of Majin Buu's Kid form). As such, a number of characters are either returning or reincarnated as well, such as General Tao, albeit mechanized. The plot takes a different stem as well, as people would go as far as even destroying the planet, some not concerning themselves at all with the Dragon Balls. Just as much, a lot of fatalities occur in it, so the use of the said items are that much more prominent. It is also in DBZ that we not only know about the true origin behind the Dragon Balls, but also we see a different Eternal Dragon: Porunga of Namek, who grants 3 wishes. Shenron does return as well, but following the merging of Piccolo and the Earth Guardian, Kami, he is soon remodeled by Dende, introduced in the Namek saga, and plays the guardian role late in the Cell saga onward.
The major baddies this time around would be Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu (through various reincarnations). In spite of Dragon Ball having the first ever Saiyan transformation, DBZ is first for having expansions of the Saiyan powers, with the inclusion of the Super Saiyan, introduced in the Frieza Saga. The Super Saiyan powers are also expanded, eventually to the introduction of Super Saiyan 2 (Cell Games Saga), and Super Saiyan 3 (Majin Buu Saga). Unlike Dragon Ball, DBZ is a tad more serious than its predecessor. It gets from me a slightly better 7.25.
Last, but not least, we have the successor to DBZ: Dragon Ball GT. This anime was made in published like the others, but Toriyama did not do work on this anime. As such, it has not a manga based on it either. In DBGT, Goku returns once more, but thanks to old enemies Emperor Pilaf, Mai, and Shuu, a wish was accidentally granted, reducing the size and age of Goku. At this point, in size, Goku has returned to his younger days, while the other members of DBZ remain older, such as his second son, Son Goten, who is in his teens. The Dragon Balls remain as well, but there's a new set debuting, aside from a flock of new Shenrons. The Black Star Dragon Balls hosts the massive Ultimate Shenron, a red dragon whose wish capacity outclasses even that of Earth's Shenron, yet only one wish could be granted. However, this comes with a price. Once a wish is made, they would scatter throughout the galaxy. In addition to this, the hosting planet is on a one-year countdown before it gets destroyed, and can only be nullified when the Black Star Dragon Balls are returned into place.
However, there are other problems that the three heroes, Goku, Trunks and Pan must also deal with: the first major one being Dr. Myuu and General Rildo. As soon as that's out the way, the created parasite Baby is the next big threat. Following these are Super Android 17 and the seven Shadow Dragons, spawned from the evil Smoke Shenron. Along the way, 2 new Saiyan forms are introduced: the Golden Ape transformation (an upgrade to the basic Ape transformation seen in Dragon Ball), and the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, which is the last known form on the Super Saiyan line. Fitting enough, it didn't last as long as the others. And not a lot of fans were drawn to DBGT as compared to DBZ. This series gets a 6.
A number of movies were also spawned from the 3 anime, most of which coming from DBZ. As such, a few characters who remain nearly nameless in the series overall, such as Broly and Goku's father Bardock, are also introduced, though almost none of the movies are considered canon. As such, there are viewer made parodies of it, some being well popularized (DBZ Abridged, Weekly Tube Show), and others being largely hyped and never created (Dragon Ball AF). There was even a recent live action adaption that was poorly recieved, that being Dragon Ball Evolution. Overall, through manga, anime, merchandise, and even video games, Dragon Ball is massively popular. So, people out there had to hear the name, or something of the like, at least once, seeing how it's that popular. Perhaps is too early to say it, but the universe of Dragon Ball is perhaps a staple name in Funimation that everyone knows.
In Dragon Ball, Son Goku's younger days are explained, starting from his first encounter with Bulma Brief, to the rivalry against Piccolo Jr., and the marriage between him and Chi Chi, daughter of the Ox King. Between the timeline during these events, we get first glimpses at many of the recurring characters in the Dragon Ball universe, among which are fellow Z-Fighters Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, and Master Roshi. Among the DB characters, there are other characters who are nearly absent in the other series, never to be seen nor mentioned again until later, if not at all.
The plot dealt with the central, titular items called Dragon Balls. Created by the guardian of earth Kami, it is said that possessing seven of these would grant the summoner of the Eternal Dragon any wish possible. Should a wish be cast, the Eternal Dragon Shenron would grant this wish, before returning into the balls. They would then scatter across the earth, turning to stone and becoming unusable until the next year. This is, of course how a number of conflicts begin, and Goku is wrapped in the mess from their first hunt, for initially, he possessed the 4-star ball as a keep sake from his grandfather, Gohan, prior to his first adventure alongside Bulma. The series' main antagonists are Emperor Pilaf, Red Ribbon Army, and King Piccolo, though there are other enemies that Goku does encounter as well (some of which are later an ally.) It has action, but also it's dose of silliness. It gets a 7 of 10 from me. It just came to me that aside from the Funimation and Blue Water dubbings, there was a third one under Harmony Gold, the same group responsible for the dubbed Robotech anime. However, this dub was short lived, and is the least known, yet distinguished for changing the name of Goku to Zero. One episode, not to spoil, featured characters deom another work Dr. Slump (which in turn would feature one of them as a fighter for Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.)
In the sequel Dragon Ball Z, it starts off years after the birth of Goku's son, Son Gohan (perhaps named after Goku's adoptive grandfather), who is later to be perceived as a half-Saiyan. However, the fireworks start early after the introduction of Raditz, the brother of Goku and one of the last pure-blood Saiyans around. A bit of the Saiyan history is introduced, and after the battle with Raditz, he meets another who ultimately becomes his rival: the prince of Saiyans, Vegeta. DBZ expands to different planets this time around, having battles not only on Earth, but also the fictional Planet Namek. There was even one instance where events go on in "Other World". DBZ is known for having two different English dubs before its remake as Dragon Ball Z Kai: the original dub was first done by Ocean Productions. which primarily covered to about half of the Namek Saga. From then onward, dubbing was done by Funimation, who also redubbed the start of the series, as well as the remade and compressed DBZ Kai.
A slew of characters was introduced here as well, such as the androids 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 (essentially introducing Dr. Gero), Trunks, a half-Saiyan from the future and son of Vegeta and Bulma, Videl, who ultimately becomes acquainted with Gohan towards the end, and Pan and Uub, who didn't have bigger roles until Dragon Ball GT (yet Uub is a reincarnated from of Majin Buu's Kid form). As such, a number of characters are either returning or reincarnated as well, such as General Tao, albeit mechanized. The plot takes a different stem as well, as people would go as far as even destroying the planet, some not concerning themselves at all with the Dragon Balls. Just as much, a lot of fatalities occur in it, so the use of the said items are that much more prominent. It is also in DBZ that we not only know about the true origin behind the Dragon Balls, but also we see a different Eternal Dragon: Porunga of Namek, who grants 3 wishes. Shenron does return as well, but following the merging of Piccolo and the Earth Guardian, Kami, he is soon remodeled by Dende, introduced in the Namek saga, and plays the guardian role late in the Cell saga onward.
The major baddies this time around would be Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu (through various reincarnations). In spite of Dragon Ball having the first ever Saiyan transformation, DBZ is first for having expansions of the Saiyan powers, with the inclusion of the Super Saiyan, introduced in the Frieza Saga. The Super Saiyan powers are also expanded, eventually to the introduction of Super Saiyan 2 (Cell Games Saga), and Super Saiyan 3 (Majin Buu Saga). Unlike Dragon Ball, DBZ is a tad more serious than its predecessor. It gets from me a slightly better 7.25.
Last, but not least, we have the successor to DBZ: Dragon Ball GT. This anime was made in published like the others, but Toriyama did not do work on this anime. As such, it has not a manga based on it either. In DBGT, Goku returns once more, but thanks to old enemies Emperor Pilaf, Mai, and Shuu, a wish was accidentally granted, reducing the size and age of Goku. At this point, in size, Goku has returned to his younger days, while the other members of DBZ remain older, such as his second son, Son Goten, who is in his teens. The Dragon Balls remain as well, but there's a new set debuting, aside from a flock of new Shenrons. The Black Star Dragon Balls hosts the massive Ultimate Shenron, a red dragon whose wish capacity outclasses even that of Earth's Shenron, yet only one wish could be granted. However, this comes with a price. Once a wish is made, they would scatter throughout the galaxy. In addition to this, the hosting planet is on a one-year countdown before it gets destroyed, and can only be nullified when the Black Star Dragon Balls are returned into place.
However, there are other problems that the three heroes, Goku, Trunks and Pan must also deal with: the first major one being Dr. Myuu and General Rildo. As soon as that's out the way, the created parasite Baby is the next big threat. Following these are Super Android 17 and the seven Shadow Dragons, spawned from the evil Smoke Shenron. Along the way, 2 new Saiyan forms are introduced: the Golden Ape transformation (an upgrade to the basic Ape transformation seen in Dragon Ball), and the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, which is the last known form on the Super Saiyan line. Fitting enough, it didn't last as long as the others. And not a lot of fans were drawn to DBGT as compared to DBZ. This series gets a 6.
A number of movies were also spawned from the 3 anime, most of which coming from DBZ. As such, a few characters who remain nearly nameless in the series overall, such as Broly and Goku's father Bardock, are also introduced, though almost none of the movies are considered canon. As such, there are viewer made parodies of it, some being well popularized (DBZ Abridged, Weekly Tube Show), and others being largely hyped and never created (Dragon Ball AF). There was even a recent live action adaption that was poorly recieved, that being Dragon Ball Evolution. Overall, through manga, anime, merchandise, and even video games, Dragon Ball is massively popular. So, people out there had to hear the name, or something of the like, at least once, seeing how it's that popular. Perhaps is too early to say it, but the universe of Dragon Ball is perhaps a staple name in Funimation that everyone knows.
2011/03/29
XVIII: "Fancy Lala"
Heaven forbid why I decided to even watch this, in spite of warnings, but I confirmed it: Fancy Lala does fall under the [too sugary for otaku] type of anime (if such a category even existed). This anime is that of the magical girl genre, and centers on nine year old Miho Shinohara. Here's the thing about her: aside from having a magical sketchbook and pen (which are capable of bringing to life whatever she draws in there), she also has this ability to transform into the 15 year-old titular character: Fancy Lala. In addition to this, she is scouted by this agency, who pretty much sets her on a road to stardom. This is done without the knowledge of her family.
...I'm sorry, but to go beyond this would mean gagging online.
Studio Perroit worked on this title alongside Bandai Visual, being localized for US by Bandai Entertainment. There was an OVA more or less similar to the anime in question, but I won't go into it. Now for the grading.
Before I proceed to grade it, I'll state this: as a guy that watched anime for a while, I've probably seen my share of sugary ones, but this could be one you might want to have floss nearby just watching it. Okay, maybe that's a little harsh, but that's my experience about it. Fancy Lala was just oh too Fancy for me. Deeming it was one of those unsuccessful anime, I didn't expect much, and not much was offered to me, so it gets a 3.5. Not the worst I've seen, but it made me cringe. Some thing tells me that, in spite of this, it doesn't stop here...
...I'm sorry, but to go beyond this would mean gagging online.
Studio Perroit worked on this title alongside Bandai Visual, being localized for US by Bandai Entertainment. There was an OVA more or less similar to the anime in question, but I won't go into it. Now for the grading.
Before I proceed to grade it, I'll state this: as a guy that watched anime for a while, I've probably seen my share of sugary ones, but this could be one you might want to have floss nearby just watching it. Okay, maybe that's a little harsh, but that's my experience about it. Fancy Lala was just oh too Fancy for me. Deeming it was one of those unsuccessful anime, I didn't expect much, and not much was offered to me, so it gets a 3.5. Not the worst I've seen, but it made me cringe. Some thing tells me that, in spite of this, it doesn't stop here...
2011/03/26
XVII: "Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker Street"
I love Detective Conan, that's a fact I can't lie about. So I was kinda thrilled when I saw the movie, titled Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker Street. A little FYI for those that don't know, Detective Conan is known as Case Closed in the US.
Common to most episodes and films, it has a backdrop as to how he got shrunk down to size, so I won't bother getting to that, maybe not until I review the series itself. The plot starts off from a suicide of a young boy, then moves on to a murder, and a plot endangering kids that play a certain game. Among those are Conan, Ran, The Detective Boys, and Ai. The game played consist of a virtual brain known as Noah's Ark, who is somehow dead set on "resetting Japan", which puts in danger the 48 lives of children. As usual, Conan is on the job, but while he does so in the virtual world, his old man takes this case in real time. All the while, the game they play reenacts a certain time in London, with a certain killer and detective. The father-son team must bust their respective cases before Conan's game, and life, ends.
I was kept entertained as usual. I give this a 7.5 of 10. It was a good case, especially when this plot ties with well known fictional characters. I really hope I find the other movies, now that I saw this.
Common to most episodes and films, it has a backdrop as to how he got shrunk down to size, so I won't bother getting to that, maybe not until I review the series itself. The plot starts off from a suicide of a young boy, then moves on to a murder, and a plot endangering kids that play a certain game. Among those are Conan, Ran, The Detective Boys, and Ai. The game played consist of a virtual brain known as Noah's Ark, who is somehow dead set on "resetting Japan", which puts in danger the 48 lives of children. As usual, Conan is on the job, but while he does so in the virtual world, his old man takes this case in real time. All the while, the game they play reenacts a certain time in London, with a certain killer and detective. The father-son team must bust their respective cases before Conan's game, and life, ends.
I was kept entertained as usual. I give this a 7.5 of 10. It was a good case, especially when this plot ties with well known fictional characters. I really hope I find the other movies, now that I saw this.
2011/03/24
XVI: "Full Metal Panic!" series
This post is not necessarily a SPECIAL post, but it's a 3-in-one post regarding the anime Full Metal Panic! Not to be confused with other media bearing the name Full Metal, Full Metal Panic!, or FMP!, deals with a member of a secretive anti-terrorist military "Mithril", who is hired to guard a high school girl. This Mithril agent, Sousuke Sagara, is sent to Japan as a student in Jindai High School, bearing the task of protecting Kaname Chidori, later revealed to be one of a special breed of people known as the 'Whispered', beings that posses information of Black Technology.
Noteworthy enough, FMP! is based on events occurring in 1998, making the world of FMP! parallel to our own. There are some differences though. In FMP!, it was during the Cold War, with a divided China, with Hong Kong being the center of that division. This mirrors how it was for Germany and it's city, Berlin, in years past. Quite a few events happened as well that kinda mirrors what ACTUALLY occured in real time. Even Jindai High is a fictional take on a school by the same name in real time.
While FMP! is serious in tone, it's companion title, FMP? Fumoffu, doesn't share this trait. In fact, Fumoffu is a romantic comedy take, bearing little reference to the mecha theme of the original, and bearing no trace of the political theme involved. It more or less centers on the romantic tension between the two main characters, while taking a more comedic turn, notably at Sousuke's attempts to fit in as a normal person.
It returns to being serious with the direct sequel, FMP! The Second Raid. Sousuke's mission is terminated, where he is replaced by the agent known as Wraith. To add to this, he is more so on front lines against the organization Amalgam. A certain face from the original is seen once more, but the enemies this time around are a new threat, bearing Black Technology capable of defeating the ECS mode for Arm Slaves. FMP! The Second Raid also has an OVA, centering on Captain Testarossa rather than the main two characters.
In all, as a mecha, I enjoyed it, heck, I enjoyed it overall. All three gets a pretty stable 8: FMP! getting an 8, Fumoffu a 7.5 (for humor), and FMP! TSR an 8.5. This definitely falls as one of my faves overall, this being next to Detective Conan and both Ai Yori Aoshi titles. It was kinda long, but I'm glad I finally finished this article. Till next time anime fans!
Noteworthy enough, FMP! is based on events occurring in 1998, making the world of FMP! parallel to our own. There are some differences though. In FMP!, it was during the Cold War, with a divided China, with Hong Kong being the center of that division. This mirrors how it was for Germany and it's city, Berlin, in years past. Quite a few events happened as well that kinda mirrors what ACTUALLY occured in real time. Even Jindai High is a fictional take on a school by the same name in real time.
While FMP! is serious in tone, it's companion title, FMP? Fumoffu, doesn't share this trait. In fact, Fumoffu is a romantic comedy take, bearing little reference to the mecha theme of the original, and bearing no trace of the political theme involved. It more or less centers on the romantic tension between the two main characters, while taking a more comedic turn, notably at Sousuke's attempts to fit in as a normal person.
It returns to being serious with the direct sequel, FMP! The Second Raid. Sousuke's mission is terminated, where he is replaced by the agent known as Wraith. To add to this, he is more so on front lines against the organization Amalgam. A certain face from the original is seen once more, but the enemies this time around are a new threat, bearing Black Technology capable of defeating the ECS mode for Arm Slaves. FMP! The Second Raid also has an OVA, centering on Captain Testarossa rather than the main two characters.
In all, as a mecha, I enjoyed it, heck, I enjoyed it overall. All three gets a pretty stable 8: FMP! getting an 8, Fumoffu a 7.5 (for humor), and FMP! TSR an 8.5. This definitely falls as one of my faves overall, this being next to Detective Conan and both Ai Yori Aoshi titles. It was kinda long, but I'm glad I finally finished this article. Till next time anime fans!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)