Tuesday, December 15, 2009

2009 Year-Ender Anime Rankings

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This is my last post for 2009. I'm spending the holidays with family in the province and don't expect to log on to the Internet for the period. I'll come back next year and hopefully pick up where I left off. Before that, let me offer you my list of the best anime (IMHO) that 2009 has to offer. (NOTE: included are titles from the Winter 2008/2009 Season)

Most Highly Anticipated Series
Eve no Jikan
(Zoku Natsume Yuujin-chou, CANAAN, Eden of the East, Phantom ~ Requiem for the Phantom)
Only six episodes with one-month interval between each. As if that wasn't bad enough, after episode 4 Studio Rikka and Yoshiura decided to release the last two installments of Eve no Jikan only after two months. The anticipation almost killed me. XD But when it finally came out, it was so good I forgot how much I hated those two months. As wonderful as the last two episodes (and indeed, the entire series) turned out, I say take your time, Studio Rikka.

Naked guy in the middle of a busy street? Check. Cute token girl character with likeable personality? Check. But those aren't the only reason why the first episode of Eden of the East is a winner. It had everything going for it: mystery, likeable main characters, a possible romance, the evil shadow of an unseen villain, the list could go on. I can't say the same for the middle and final episodes but at the onset the series showed so much potential.

I cried shamelessly when Masaki made up with Tex. But it wasn't just the dramatic moment; it was everything about the final episode of Eve no Jikan. It was able to tie all the important loose ends together to create a tightly-packed vignette about a not-so distant future and the more presently-felt human condition.

I was only made aware of Eve no Jikan through one of my favorite blogs, Mono no Aware. The blogger wrote such a raving review about the series and I trust him enough to give the series a look-see. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed.

For a series that I only randomly picked up, Eve no Jikan turned out to be a big favorite of mine. In fact, it is one of my top 5 all-time favorite anime titles.

Favorite Female CharacterGod/Dorm Manager (Maria+Holic)
I liked Nakiami for her taciturn but thoughtful personality but God.is.made of Awesome, hands-down.
RUNNERS-UP:
  • Nakiami (Xam'd: Lost Memories) - I was completely taken the moment she appeared on screen. she was so cool and her beat kayak was so cool and her facial tattoos were so cool. anyway, she's just a really cool character
  • Alphard Alshaya (CANAAN) - she's a frickin' terrorist, dude!
  • Michiko Malandro (Michiko to Hatchin) - I chiefly like her character design. as for her personality, well, she's a bit of an idiot so...uhh yeah
  • Erin (Kemono no Souja Erin) - her development from carefree girl to a thoughtful young woman was brilliant to see

Favorite Male CharacterMihai (DOGS: Bullets & Carnage)
An assassin! And he's got a scar and a Russian-sounding name! Guy is absolutely kick-ass!
RUNNERS-UP:

Funniest CharacterMiyamae Kanako (Maria+Holic)
My favorite lesbian. XD Even though I dropped Maria+Holic, Kanako remains one of the most memorable and funniest characters from the 2009 line-up, if not because she's a flaming closet lesbian then because of her helplessness in the face of so much female pheromones. Excessive nose-bleeding and a certain blond cross-dressing boy making her life hell also helped.
RUNNERS-UP:

Favorite VillainAlphard Alshaya (CANAAN)
Alphard-sama! CANAAN wasn't the best series to come out in 2009, although I had high expectations of it. But Alphard made it worthwhile, especially in the last few episodes. I can totally understand why Liang Qi is obsessed with the woman. Why is she better than all the ass-kicking female superheroes out there? The answer is simple: She's a terrorist and very, very bad. If she had real balls and no boobs, I'd make her my waifu. ^.^
RUNNERS-UP:

Favorite CoupleCasshern and Lyuze (Casshern Sins)
I was rooting for them right from the start although I had no idea at the time where Casshern Sins was going to take their relationship. So when it did happen, Madhouse rendered it so artistically I was wowed beyond words. Currently, the two are a top contender in my OTP list of all time.
RUNNERS-UP:
  • Koji and Rina (Eve no Jikan) - sure it's two androids pretending to be human but it's still love
  • Kuronuma Sawako and Kazehaya Shouta (Kimi ni Todoke) - they are so cute
  • Benikawa Ishuu and Tsunomata Raigyo (Xam'd: Lost Memories) - my crack couple that went canon. for about five seconds before they went and blew up Raigyo

Favorite CrackNakiami and Yango (Xam'd: Lost Memories)
It's not pedophilia. 0.o Yango eventually gew up in the final episode of Xam'd: Lost Memories. Too bad Nakiami turned into stone. Still, with the phenomena called fanfiction, one can still find ways of getting them together.
RUNNERS-UP:
  • Rikou and Sammy (Eve no Jikan) - I have a thing for an android x human couples
  • Ein and Zwei (Phantom ~ Requiem for the Phantom) - well, Zwei at least had a thing for Ein but I don't know about the latter; when the feelings of one-half of the couple are ambiguous, that makes their pairing crack
  • Hamyuts Meseta and Mattalast (Armed Librarians: The Book of Bantorra) - I just like looking at the two of them together so imagine my surprise when they turn out to have a past together

Favorite Slash CoupleEdward and Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Elricest WOOH! That's all. Honestly, Youko and Sei should have occupied this spot but since they only appeared for like two episodes in Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th Season, it hardly seems fair to make them win the top slash couple just because I have a sick obsession with yuri crack.
RUNNERS-UP:

No doubt about it. Aoi Bungaku is only into its fifth episode but I've already made up my mind that this definitely tops the dark series genre. It has everything I require from the darker side of anime: a brooding character, lots of psychobabble, stylized animation, suicide and insanity.

Toradora! won last time so I think it's time to name another title and what is better than Maria+Holic? I dropped this series before I could finish it but I am planning to pick it up again. Trap isn't my type of humor as I am more into deadpan or witty repartees but Maria+Holic proved to be a mixture of all sorts of comedic moments from slapstick to black to zingers and at the center of it all is, of course, Kanako, whom I've named the funniest character this season.


Best Drama Series
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
(Casshern Sins, Aoi Bungaku)
Actually, this anime surprised me. I was expecting it to be good and have awesome animation (it's by Production I.G.) but I honestly did not expect the show to take this direction. It's a disaster anime that focuses on the human aspect of it, particularly a couple of two kids (one of them irrepressibly optimistic, another a bitter thirteen-year-old going through the awkward teen years) and a female delivery bike driver all trying to go home and get back to their loved ones. It's just undiluted human drama that's surprisingly touching and deep.


Best Production Value

Casshern Sins came very close but it proved to be a non-contender against Eve no Jikan. I think the latter had the advantage of shorter length and longer gap between releases. Because of that, the studio and creator were able to really give each episode everything they've got.


Best Opening Theme"Falling Down" by Oasis (Eden of the East)
RUNNERS-UP:
"Shut Up and Explode" by Boom Boom Satellites (Xam'd: Lost Memories)
"Paraiso" by SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS (Michiko to Hatchin)
"Marigold" by orange pekoe (Ristorante Paradiso)

Best Ending Theme"Ai Shiteru" by Kourin (Zoku Natsume Yuujin-chou)
RUNNERS-UP:
"Hikari to Kage" by Kuno Shinji (Casshern Sins)
"Vacancy" by Kylee (Xam'd: Lost Memories)
"After the Rain" by cossami (Kemono no Souja Erin)

I actually have the OST and the Special Best Album. That's how much I love the music of Casshern Sins. The tracks helped create the fantastic mood of the anime but standalone they are surprisingly easy listening.

The anime that first got me interested in seiyuus. Of course, Maria-sama ga Miteru was going to win this spot.

It was more than the retro hair that gave Casshern Sins its unique look. It was the whole old school feel to it -- the handrawn figures, Casshern's sleek body despite its mechanical deadliness, the graceful figures of the rest of the characters, the steampunk-inspired rogue robots and the colors...oh, the colors! For an anime that shows a lot of deserts, it's a pretty colorful production.

It's by BONES so yes, I can understand why Xam'd: Lost Memories has flawless animation. It's not just the fight scenes (although they are always beautiful in this series); it's Benikawa smoking her pipe, Nakiami riding her beat kayak or Akiyuki trying to suppress the hiruko in his arm -- the ordinary things so to speak.

Kemono no Souja Erin has a very child-friendly character design but the backgrounds are another thing. Far from realistic, they are akin to watercolor paintings in all their washed up, textured glory.

Casshern Sins has one of the sexiest character designs, this despite the fact that most of the characters are robots.

Eve no Jikan is probably best described as a series of six vignettes with one overarching plot. Each episode is a complete story in itself. A classic story within a story and the greatest thing about it is that it was able to deliver without leaving any loose ends.

Production I.G. was all mysterious about what Eden of the East is. There was only that interesting-looking, politically-flavored poster. Then the synopsis revealed that it's about this girl who went to see the White House only to meet a strange Japanese guy who is wandering around the streets stark-naked with only a gun and a cellphone loaded in 12 Billion Yen. WTF? But it got me hooked.

Of course, was there any other choice? Eve no Jikan has won nearly all the important categories in the list. Xam'd: Lost Memories was a very enjoyable series, but it faltered a little bit in the last few episodes and some of the plot points did not add up. On the other hand, Casshern Sins was almost perfect but the pace was too slow for my taste. So that means Eve no Jikan.


Movie of the Year
Summer Wars
The movie you simply cannot miss about a tradition-bound family in rural Japan coming face to face with a state-of-the-art A.I. seemingly intent on destroying the world and their family along with it. It's the geeks vs. the machine, humanity vs. virtual reality, Denno Coil for the whole family! and much, much more...




And that ends 2009's year-ender report. Happy Holidays and a bountiful New Year to all! See you again in 2010!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Armed Librarians 11: Hamyuts vs. Mokkania

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Mokkania and Hamyuts "resolve their differences," plus a juicy preview between two certain cool characters.

EPISODE 11: A Past, A Weakling and Moving the Queen
More Screencaps from Armed Librarians: The Book of Bantorra 11

After taking care of Feekie, Mokkania hurries to his mother's side. Just as Feekie discovered, Mokkania's mother is not evil. On the contrary, she abhors violence and only tolerates it in Mokkania this time, believing that they are under attack. Hamyuts arrives at that moment and Mokkania has to let one of his ants lead his mother back to his room where she would be safe while he faces against the Acting Director herself.

Even with Schlamuffen, Hamyuts has a lot of trouble fighting off Mokkania and his ants. The fight between the two strongest armed librarians is long and intense. During the fight, it is revealed that Mokkania fought in the Quinbecs War but was so overwrought with his guilt over killing so many that afterwards he refused to leave the labyrinth. Meanwhile, Winkenzy also has a flashback of when he was a child left in the care of the Shideki Church by his mother. It has been prophesied that Mokkania would someday threaten the Shideki Church so the organization instill in the child Winkenzy's psyche to see Mokkania as his enemy -- "ignore the pawns and knights and aim only for the queen." In his quest to understand Mokkania, Winkenzy's investigation turned into an obsession. While retracing Mokkania's childhood, he discovered that Mokkania lost his mother at an early age. Not long after, Winkenzy met his own mother but found that she didn't hold any memories for him. With this, Winkenzy finally realized what made Mokkania join the armed librarians: to someday see his mother through her book.

Mokkania does find the book in question. Winkenzy, however, finds a meat that looks exactly like Renas Fluru and makes her read Renas' book over and over until the former's memories become her own. In short, the woman that Mokkania meets in the labyrinth is an impostor but with the real person's memories. Winkenzy then blackmails Mokkania into betraying the armed librarians and kill Hamyuts Meseta by threatening to expose the truth to the meat. Not wanting to lose his mother all over again, Mokkania has no choice but to do as told.

Meanwhile, the fake Renas is slowly making her way to Mokkania's room. On her way there, she stumbles on a rock and falls down. While looking for her cain, she accidentally touches the fragment of the real Renas' book. Back in the battle arena, Hamyuts chases Mokkania into a narrow hallway, but this turns out to be a trap. Mokkania watches Hamyuts struggle and then suddenly everything goes quiet. Realizing that he has won this battle, Mokkania hurries again to his mother. However, the fake Renas already knows she isn't really Mokkania's mother.

After some time, Hamyuts manages to break free and calls out for Mokkania. He heeds the call and leaves his mother side once more but not before asking her to forgive him. When Hamyuts sees Mokkania's countenance, she is disappointed. Mokkania soliloquys his regret at killing so many people when his mother taught him not to bully the weak. To end his suffering, he uses his own powers against himself. After he dies, Hamyuts mutters that he is a stupid child. Winkenzy negates her, arguing that Mokkania has achieved true happiness. Hamyuts nonchalantly lights a match and throws it at Winkenzy. As Winkenzy burns up, he also makes the realization that all his efforts have so far been to help Mokkania unite with his mother. At this, Hamyuts also brands him a stupid child.

Later Hamyuts walks up to the fake Renas and introduces herself. Renas is surprised to find that Hamyuts is a woman. Hamyuts offers to help her back to the surface but Renas insists that she can walk by herself.

In a flashback, Renas is shown walking hand in hand with a young Mokkania. They come upon a swarm of ants and it is here that Renas imparts the lesson that would define Mokkania throughout his life. The scene whites out and then adult Mokkania's voice could be heard saying he's home.
COMMENTS:

What an anticlimactic end for a character who exhibited so much initial promise. What the hell is wrong with this series? Coming up with such tragic characters. I mean, I don't mind tragedy, really, but when it's being taken as seriously as this series does (when the plot isn't really much to begin with), it gets a bit self-laudatory. They might as well say: "I have a tragic past so I kill myself." Hamyuts has it down: stupid children.

That aside, the showdown between Hamyuts and Mokkania was pretty fun to watch. I don't think I've ever seen Hamyuts with a desperate expression like she did in this fight. Not even when she was fighting Cigal wielding the Schlamuffen. So Mokkania really is her equal but now that he's dead, I wonder if there is anyone left who could stand a chance against her? Not that they wouldn't try anyway.

I think the series also made it clear in this episode that Hamyuts isn't necessarily working with the Shideki Church for whatever purpose. I think she just allows these Shideki Church members to infiltrate Bantorra because without them constantly trying to kill her, she would be spending her days sewing up little bunny cartoons on her shirt. So she does it for the lulz. Somehow, that makes her a cooler character in my eyes.

Speaking of cool characters, check out the next episode's preview.

EPISODE 12 PREVIEW
Hamyuts was a glasses chick! lulz how apropros



And what's this? Did my crack couple become canon (again)?

Tanizawa Tomofumi - Kimi ni Todoke (Kimi ni Todoke OP Single)

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This week I'll be interrupting my regular schedule in order to make room for personal plans to take effect later this week.

RELEASED: 11.25.2009
LABEL: VAP
TRACKLIST:
1. Kimi ni Todoke
2. Uchuu Ryokou
3. Betelgeuse Girl (instrumental)

This is the self-titled single Kimi ni Todoke by Tanizawa Tomofumi. The title track is used as the opening theme for the Production I.G. anime of the same name.
BUY:

Tanizawa Tomofumi - Kimi ni Todoke @ Play-Asia
Tanizawa Tomofumi - Kimi ni Todoke @ Yes Asia
I was quite surprised to hear this single. I didn't really think much of the opening song of Kimi ni Todoke. In fact, I usually skip through it when watching each episode. But now that I got a chance to hear the full song and by itself, I found myself (unconsciously, I might add) nodding my head to it. It's actually a catchy song, appropriately upbeat and really fun to listen to.

Aside from the title track Kimi ni Todoke, the single also includes two others. Uchuu Ryokou is a bit more "rock"-sounding and begins with heavy, albeit fun, guitar riffs that take you right through the first verse where the guitar gives way to the drums. Departing from the upbeat, Jpop style, the third and final track Betelgeuse Girl is an instrumental song, dominated by what sounds like a shamisen interlaced with the melancholic sound of a zither.

This is an entertaining single, one that I did not regret trying out.
MORE INFO:

Kimi ni Todoke OFFICIAL (JPN)
Kimi ni Todoke @ Wikipedia
Kimi ni Todoke @ ANN

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Kimi ni Todoke 10: Kurumi? Kurumi...zawa?

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And some hints of the real personality behind the pretty face.
EPISODE 10: Cooperation
More Screencaps from Kimi ni Todoke 10

After becoming friends with Kurumi in the last episode, Sadako finds the girl popping up everywhere. Sadako is practically in ecstasy over having another friend, seemingly without any effort on her part, but Yoshida isn't. Yoshida expresses some concern over having "their girl" taken away from them. She later tells Yano how in middle school Kurumi once asked her "cooperation" in getting one of her girlfriends with a crush on Kazehaya to have some time alone with him in order to confess. What was just one girl, became two, then three, then an entire crowd. Kazehaya didn't like it one bit and neither did Yoshida so that was the end of the confessions. But Kurumi somehow managed to turn everybody's sympathy on her, resulting in the no. 1 unwritten rule among his fangirls: Kazehaya is everybody's property. Of course, that meant banding up against anyone who comes too close to him.

Although Yoshida doesn't entirely get Kurumi's tactic, she doesn't really like the girl. Yano understands too well what Kurumi is trying to do but doesn't tell right away. Meanwhile, Sadako, who is even more clueless than Yoshida about these things, continues to be friendly with Kurumi, the strange tension that has suddenly come over her relationship with Kazehaya notwithstanding. At one point, she sees Kazehaya and Kurumi talking casually together and wants to emulate the same but she can't really picture herself acting casually around Kazehaya.

When Kurumi hears about this from Sadako herself, she says that Kazehaya can only be casual with people with the same personality, implying that Sadako doesn't fit him and that Kurumi does. But instead of getting discouraged by this revelation, Sadako only resolves to be more like Kurumi. This, of course, angers the other girl although she hides it very well.

Sadako gets her chance when Kazehaya stumbles upon her watering the plants by herself. But again, that strange tension stops whatever words they want to say each other. Kazehaya starts to leave but not before muttering something about being nervous. This makes Sadako laugh and, after realizing that she isn't laughing at him, Kazehaya joins in. This breaks the tension between them and soon they are talking like they used to. Kazehaya tells her about their dog and the new doghouse he got for it, and invites her to visit if she likes. Before Sadako could answer, Kurumi, who has been watching the two with some alarm, calls her name. Unconsciously, Kazehaya calls Kurumi's name as well but it's not "Kurumi" but "Kurumizawa." It turns out that Kurumi's real name is Kurumizawa Ume.

Kurumi asks Kazehaya if she could borrow Sadako for some girl talk, to which Sadako hilariously reacts. Kazehaya can't really say no but wonders to himself why he keeps getting interrupted. Sadako is all nervous and giddy at the prospect of "girl talk" and all its implications and even ventures to call Kurumi "Ume-chan." But Kurumi doesn't like to be called by that name. Eventually, Kurumi does reveal why she called Sadako to that place: she has a crush on Kazehaya and wants Sadako's help.

COMMENTS:

I knew from a mile away that that was coming but that doesn't make it boring. It's all about the execution, THE EXECUTION! And with Kimi ni Todoke I have no complaints. Sure, the building up is slow and the characters' cluelessness (or is it lethargy) can sometimes get on my nerves, but this is shoujo so that's to be expected. I just hope that this series will deliver because that makes it ten episodes out of twelve and Sadako and Kazehaya are still nowhere around getting together. I'm afraid the series will end with some sort of "understanding" between the two of them, which isn't really what I want from it. They either have to end up boyfriend and girlfriend or I'll kill somebody's pet hamster.

p.s. No, I won't really kill a hamster. ^.^

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Armed Librarians 10: Oh my ants are on fire

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Finally, Armed Librarians is picking up the goods. Unlike the Noloty x Enlike arc, this certainly looks interesting.
EPISODE 10: A Weird Guy, A Mother and a Nest of the Black Ants
More Screencaps from Armed Librarians: The Book of Bantorra 10

A Shideki Church member manages to infiltrate the Bantorra Library labyrinths but seems content for the moment to observe the proceedings. He overhears Rithly and a couple of armed librarians talking about Mokkania Fluru, said to be the strongest armed librarian equal even to the Acting Director but also a little weird. Ireia scolds the three of them and orders them to finish their work. Afterwards, she proceeds to Mokkania's room, which is housed inside the 4th Labyrinth, to ask him to help with library duties. However, Mokkania is not in a welcoming mood. On her way out of his room, Ireia takes note of a fragment of a book on Mokkania's desk and urges him to return it to the shelves. But Mokkania has such a frightening expression on his face at that moment that Ireia gives up on the idea.

Meanwhile, everybody else in Bantorra Library are minding their own tasks. Even Hamyuts is busy with the menial job of arranging the books in the 4th Labyrinth even as her sensory threads pick up the Shideki Church member's presence. At the public library, Noloty and Mince are likewise busy. A fellow armed librarian hands Noloty a glass of water, which she promptly drinks. Immediately after she finishes the glass, her vision blurs. A man and a woman then approach Noloty to ask if they could be led to the labyrinths. Noloty cheerfully agrees to take them there.

Out on the cliff, Enlike is working out under the watchful gaze of Mattalast, who is his usual provoking self. It is revealed that Enlike has been offered a position as an armed librarian but refused it. Enlike says that he has discovered Bantorra's weak point. At that moment, the entire Bantorra headquarters receive an alert -- something is wrong in the labyrinths. Milepoch, who is in the 4th Labyrinth, hears the cry for help by a fellow armed librarian. She arrives at the scene but is too late to save him. Mokkania's black ants have already swarmed over his body and Mokkania himself, accompanied by a woman carrying a cane, warns Milepoch to get out at once. Without stopping to think, Milepoch begins running for the exit, telling everyone through telepathy that Mokkania is the one causing the havoc.

Meanwhile, Hamyuts, who is also in the 4th Labyrinth but relatively safe behind a stone door, realizes what's going on. Mokkania wants to kill her but she is more than up for the challenge. The Shideki Church member finally reveals himself to her, introducing himself as Winkenzy Bizee and saying that he wants the book of a particular armed librarian. Hamyuts isn't surprised by this. After he leaves, Hamyuts continues to listen in on what's happening outside. Her sensory threads pick up the Schlamuffen's location as well as Mokkania with the woman, whom he calls "mother."

Back in the Bantorra headquarters, Milepoch and the other armed librarians plan how to rescue the Acting Director and to defeat Mokkania. They discover that the woman who is with Mokkania is an impostor because his real mother died several years ago. Noloty, assisted by Enlike, arrives at that moment to reveal that she might have been the one who led the woman to the labyrinth. Feekie and Milepoch scold her for this violation of Bantorra rules but Noloty insists that there is no such rule. Ireia steps in, saying that Noloty must have drunk a potion to make her forget about that particular rule. She then announces that she's going into the 4th Labyrinth and face Mokkania alone.

Back in the labyrinth, Winkenzy warns Mokkania that Ireia is coming. True enough, Ireia waits for Mokkania at the hall. A violent fight follows in which Ireia reveals the extent of her powers. Her magic is to control time for anything that comes within her sight. Knowing this, Mokkania is careful to stay hidden from her. But Ireia, realizing his tactic, starts destroying the pillars around the area so that Mokkania would have nowhere to hide. She succeeds and freezes Mokkania, along with all his ants, in time. Afterwards, she collapses and freezes herself as well.

As soon as she does, everybody goes into action. Hamyuts breaks out of the room where she was trapped and heads straight for the Schlamuffen while Feekie dives into the labyrinth in order to capture the woman impostor. However, when Feekie gets to the woman, he realizes that she isn't what they were led to believe. But before he could tell the others that, Ireia's magic runs out and Mokkania sends his ants to attack Feekie. Elsewhere, Hamyuts gets a hold of the Schlamuffen at the same time she realizes that Feekie failed.

COMMENTS:

Alright! Some action and between the two strongest armed librarians, too. What a treat...for the next episode.

Mokkania playing with those stuffed toys in that creepy voice was really, really weird. I don't think I've ever been frightened of the word "kuma" before. lolz

Whoa. I had no idea Ireia was so strong. The old woman has spunk. Jeez. That's some serious powers she's got.

Poor Feekie. I liked his character design. Why'd they have to go and kill him? Eaten alive by ants is a terrible way to die.

Anyway, this looks like an interesting arc. After a lot of garbage, I think the show is slowly starting to recover. Even the production values look okay now. Here's to hoping the show is consistent from now on.

Friday, December 11, 2009

In Review: Summer Wars

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I'm not going to post about the latest fansubbed episode of Aoi Bungaku because I want to wait until the other half of the two-episode arc (titled Run, Melos!) is released. So instead, I'll post a review of an anime movie that I've been meaning to watch (and did) and review.

TITLE: Summer Wars
DIRECTOR: Hosada Mamoru
SCREENPLAY: Okudera Satoko
STUDIO: Madhouse
VOICE CAST: Sakuraba Nanami, Kamiki Ryounosuke, Saitou Ayumu, Tanimura Mitsuki, Fuji Sumiko


Summer again and 17-year-old math nerd and computer geek Kenji is in for a long, hot one working part-time as a maintenance assistant, along with best buddy (also another geek), for OZ World, the newest innovation in computer technology which combines social networking, Internet, e-commerce and practically everything else into a single platform. So when campus crush Natsuki offers a part-time job that consists in spending a weekend with her and her family in the province, Kenji volunteers for the job. However, Kenji soon finds that he's virtually a fish out of the water when Natsuki proceeds to introduce him to her grandmother as her fiance.

After that hairy scene, Kenji soon receives a mysterious text message containing a math equation and, like a true nerd, spends the whole night solving it. Imagine his horror when the next day he discovers that what he supposed was just a math problem turns out to be the password to the high-level security for OZ World. As the media picks up the story of the OZ hacking, Kenji's face is plastered all over the news as the culprit and as a consequence, his cover as Natsuki's fiance is blown. Now, he must work hard to redeem himself in front of Natsuki's family and at the same time save OZ, and possibly the whole world, from its devastating effects.
BUY:

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time DVD @ Amazon.com
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time DVD @ Rightstuf
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time DVD (Limited Edition) @ Rightstuf
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time DVD @ Play-Asia
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (product list) @ Yes Asia
Summer Wars Graphic Novel 1 @ Yes Asia
The movie plays out in typical summer fanfare formula: geek boy who, by some accident of the universe, spends time with school hottie to help her out of a scrape but ends up entangled in the whole mess himself. Then geek boy puts his geekiness to awesome use, wins the admiration of school hottie and eventually her heart and save the world in the process. It's a summer movie. What else can you expect? But I certainly wasn't expecting something quite like Summer Wars.

I'm familiar with director Hosada's past work, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, which was essentially a romance anime set against the scifi plot device of time travel. The beauty of that film was its ability to maintain a certain level of realism despite the scifi fantasy elements. One concrete example of that is the way Makoto kept using time travel to do petty things, like eat her pudding or get to class in time. When you think about it, that's what a kid would realistically do given that kind of ability, and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time does not shy away from depicting that brand of minimalistic realism. It doesn't need grandiosity or any other sort of treatment. It just is.

But while The Girl Who Leapt Through Time capitalized on its concept of minimalism, Summer Wars is all about the grand things, the big stuff, the whole saving-the-world schtick but in a refreshing, thoroughly imaginative way.
More Screencaps from Summer Wars movie
Summer Wars Trailer (YouTube)
Summer Wars PV (YouTube)
Unlike most anime features which either focus on the folkloric past or the distant future, the setting for Summer Wars is the present with all its wonderful and familiar innovations. There's OZ World which is Facebook, iPhone and Playstation in one and the catchfire idea of using the Internet to provide basic services. The implication is that Summer Wars is a story that could be about you or someone you know. And with such a large cast of individual characters, it's not hard to identify yourself with any one of them.

Speaking of which, Summer Wars has probably one of the most interesting and charming cast of characters I've ever seen in an anime. They are at the same time ordinary and at the same time special. The best thing about the cast is that, despite their numbers, they manage to be unique and memorable in their own little way. Sure, the anime is not above recycling hackneyed characters. There's the blacksheep of the family with the usual devil-may-care attitude and insolent manners, the teenaged recluse who wants as little to do with the family as possible, the overprotective, often violent older brother-type, the loud and boisterous family historian, the stiff, tradition-bound aunt, the laidback cousin with the mysterious job, the athlete and his no. 1 fan, and then there are the kids. They're stereotypes of family members but they have their own funny little quirks that make them more than just carbon copies of characters you might have seen in other family films.

The movie has some social criticism to offer to boot. But rather than get all preachy and intense about the effect of technology on family ties and society in general, Hosada gracefully sidesteps the academic debate trap and instead offers this fantastic counter-argument. Summer Wars does not demand that you accept the role of technology in modern society to the exclusion of everything else. Neither does it posit about the glories of analogue and tradition. What it does is to simply ask if some middleground can be achieved where connections can be made and family bonds strengthened through digital -- or analog -- means.IN SUM --

The movie begins with all the familiar elements of anime feature films -- a reluctant unlikely hero, his secret crush, a world disaster in the making -- but combines them in such a way that everything comes out as fresh, unique and highly imaginative. Summer Wars is one movie you do not want to miss.
MORE INFO:

Summer Wars OFFICIAL SITE (JPN)
Summer Wars @ Wikipedia
Summer Wars @ ANN

Monday, December 7, 2009

Happy Birthday, Animeshoon!

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Exactly today two years ago, this blog was born. So to celebrate that, I offer freebies for my readers and random visitors, whom I love even when they don't comment *urk* ^_^


Hotarubi no Mori e (In the Forest of Fireflies)
story & art: midorikawa yuki
length: one volume (one-shot)
ddl: 4shared (scanlated by DragonVoice)

A little girl is lost in an enchanted forest and is rescued by a masked young boy. They become friends but the boy refuses to let her touch him. Years pass, the little girl grows up. She returns to the forest and finds that her feelings for the boy has changed. The boy still refuses to be touched, saying that he will disappear...





Paprika
director: satoshi kon
script: minakami seishi, satoshi kon
voice cast: hayashibara megumi, furuya toru, yamadera koichi, emori toru, otsuka akio

In the near future, a revolutionary new psychotherapy treatment called PT has been invented. Through a device called the "DC Mini" it is able to act as a "dream detective" to enter into people's dreams and explore their unconscious thoughts. Before the government can pass a bill authorizing the use of such advanced psychiatric technology, one of the prototypes is stolen, sending the research facility into an uproar. In the wrong hands, the potential misuse of the device could be devastating, allowing the user to completely annihilate a dreamer's personality while they are asleep. Renowned scientist, Dr. Atsuko Chiba, enters the dream world under her exotic alter-ego, code name "PAPRIKA," in an attempt to discover who is behind the plot to undermine the new invention.



Cencoroll
director: atsuya uki
script: atsuya uki
voice cast: shimono hiro, hanazawa kana, kimura ryohei

A huge monster shows up on the top of a building of an ordinary city, prompting the Defense Forces to go into action and causing the citizens of the city to start an uproar. Yuki, a brave-hearted and naturally inquisitive girl, happens to know a secret. Her friend Tetsu has been keeping and raising a strange creature called Cenco. Instantly becoming fascinated by Tetsu and his pet, a mysterious boy appears with control over the huge monster threatening the town. With that, an unexpected battle begins.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Kimi ni Todoke 09: Of Dolls and Names

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EPISODE 09: A New Friend
More Screencaps from Kimi ni Todoke 09

Sadako's after-school soccer practice with Kazehaya is paying out. Even Yoshida is starting to notice the improvement and congratulates her on a job well done. Sadako watches Kazehaya also practice soccer with the rest of the boys in her class. But she can't seem to watch him for long without feeling her face warm up.

After the break, Sadako goes back to the classroom ahead of Yoshida but when she arrives there, she finds out that none of her classmates have returned yet. Just then, Kurumi drops by, apparently looking for Kazehaya. Sadako immediately recognizes her as the "French doll" girl and reminds her about the incident in the hallway where Kurumi helped Sadako pick up some papers she dropped. Kurumi smiles and seems so nice that Sadako can't help but admire her. But unknown to her, Kurumi also thinks that Sadako looks like a doll. The unexpected compliment sends Sadako into a spasm and while she is in this state, Kurumi is called by her friends and goes to them, leaving Sadako to comtemplate by herself this first-time experience of being complimented.

Yano and Yoshida soon join Sadako who then tells them what happened. But the girls don't seem to believe that Sadako being called a "doll" is really a compliment. Kazehaya enters the classroom and Sadako immediately feels nervous although she has no idea why. Yoshida is upset that Sadako continues to call her by her last name. However, Yano points out that even Yoshida still calls Sadako "Sadako." This prompts Yoshida to challenge Ryuu into remembering Sadako's real name. Ryuu wrongly answers that it's "Kuroyuma Takako." Sadako dutifully introduces herself to Ryuu again. Meanwhile Yano gets an idea and tells Kazehaya to say Sadako's full name. Kazehaya has no problem saying it but when Yano asks him to say Sadako's first name, he falters and finally shouts that it's impossible. Sadako's nervousness goes up to new heights.

After class is over, Sadako, who is carrying some class documents, happens to overhear a couple of students talking about Kazehaya and a certain female student. Sadako goes to see what's it all about and is surprised to find Kazehaya and Kurumi having a friendly chat. Seeing the two of them together makes her want to be cute (like Kurumi) as well. So the next day, Sadako asks Yano and Yoshida if she should get a perm. They don't think it's a good idea and insist that Sadako should keep her current hairstyle.

Later, Sadako waits at the lockerroom for Yano and Yoshida who are borrowing a soccer ball from Pin. While there, she overhears Kazehaya talking with another boy about Kurumi and is surprised to find that he could say Kurumi's first name without any trouble. The discovery somehow makes Sadako upset, although again she does not know why. After a moment, Kazehaya notices herand goes to greet her. But Sadako is still tongue-tied about the whole thing. As Kazehaya tries to say Sadako's first name, Kurumi arrives, effectively putting a stop to his attempt. Kurumi notices that Sadako is practically bathed in sweat and uses her own handkerchief to wipe Sadako's face. The gesture touches Sadako so much she mentally declares herself Kurumi's fan. But Kurumi has other plans as she says that she and Sadako are now friends, much to everybody's shock.
COMMENTS:

It's really hard to recap a single episode of a slice of life anime like Kimi ni Todoke. Harder even to comment about it.

So there goes another episode of Kimi ni Todoke where characters do a lot of thinking, staring and blushing though nothing actually happens.

But to be fair to the series, Kurumi's introduction should provide the right stimulus for Sadako and Kazehaya's relationship to develop. It was established from the start that Kazehaya has a thing for Sadako but Sadako is a little bit on the slow side so it takes her about nine episodes and Kurumi to realize that she's "noticing Kazehaya too much." Here's to hoping something more dramatic happens next episode.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Sheryl Nome starring May'n - Universal Bunny (Macross F Movie Mini-album)

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RELEASED: 11.25.2009
LABEL: Victor Entertainment
TRACKLIST:
1. Universal Bunny
2. pink monsoon
3. Gira Gira Summer
4. Izorado
5. Ae nai Toki
6. Eien
7. Obelisk
8. Tenshi ni Nachatta (universal version)


No posts for Armed Librarians today because the fansub is just out and I haven't downloaded the latest episode (10) yet. So instead, I give you this treat.

Universal Bunny is the first mini-album by Sheryl Nome starring May'n. It's connected with the theatrical release of the first Macross Frontier movie adaptation. All music is again composed by Yoko Kanno-sensei with lyrics written by Gabriela Robin and other collaborators.
BUY:

Sheryl Nome starring May'n - Universal Bunny @ Amazon.com
Sheryl Nome starring May'n - Universal Bunny @ Play-Asia
Sheryl Nome starring May'n - Universal Bunny @ Yes Asia
The album's title track, Universal Bunny, is a rock song but still playful and has enough bubblegum in it so as to make no mistake that this is a Sheryl Nome song. Also included is pink monsoon which was released as Sheryl Nome's debut single before the movie came out. pink monsoon is more flirtatious with a seductive beat and May'n sounding more and more like Britney Spears so if you like that, then you'll like the track. Gira Gira Summer, by contrast, is very happy, very pop it's sickening. The album touches back on its rock beginnings with Izorado before slipping on its dainty slippers for the soft piano piece that is Ae nai Toki. I half-expected Eien to take after its preceding track but instead I was met with heavy guitar riffs for an intro and May'n singing with a slightly guttural voice. Style-wise, it's strangely reminiscent of Diamond Crevasse although the sounds couldn't be more different. Obelisk is a nice pop song that sounds like Christmas at the intro but quickly transforms itself into a melodious rock number. Tenshi ni Nachatta (universal version) is my favorite from the mini-album because it shows me the softer, stripped-down side of May'n's voice.

All in all, this is a good album. It showcases May'n's range as a singer, a regular universal bunny indeed. And of course, Yoko Kanno-sama is still a genius.
MORE INFO:

May'n HoriPro Official Site (Japanese)
May'n Universal Music Official Site (Japanese)
May'n Victor Entertainment Official Site (Japanese)
May'n (Wikipedia)

Friday, December 4, 2009

Claymore 98: Beth/Alicia tandem vs. Priscilla

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Cynthia is down, all of her limbs and part of her organs damaged. She asks Yuma to kill her, saying that she should have died during the North Campaign along with her captain Veronica. But instead of doing as she asks, Yuma decides to synchronize her yoki with Cynthia's. Whether or not Yuma is successful at a process she has only seen done once remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Riful watches Beth struggle to keep herself from awakening. A fallen Dauf urges Riful to kill her but something catches Riful's attention. All of a sudden, Beth darts away to rescue her twin sister, Alicia, who has come face to face with the horned one, Priscilla. Beth arrives at the scene just in time to save Alicia from Priscilla's killing blow. But Beth's appearance does not seem to make an impression on Priscilla until Beth also decides to awaken. Priscilla muses that now none of them is going to return to their human state. At first, the twins' teamwork seems to give them an advantage over Priscilla but it soon becomes apparent that Priscilla (who hasn't even awakened yet) is the superior warrior. She cuts off Alicia's head with just a touch of her hand. While Beth weeps at seeing her sister die, Priscilla uses this time to regenerate a new leg. So when Beth attacks, Priscilla is ready, declaring that the two of them would soon meet. Far away, Riful realizes that the battle is over while still further away, Clare senses Priscilla's all-too-familiar yoki.

COMMENTS:

I'm glad Riful did not die. But now that I see Priscilla's crazy power, I'm a little afraid for both Riful and Miria's harem (TM). How did Priscilla even end up there anyway? Wasn't she with Raki? What the hell happened? Where is Raki?

Priscilla is even stronger than I imagined. I think at this point the only thing that could stand a chance against her is the Raphaela/Luciela mutated combo.

And yes, it's totally obvious that I don't care a wit's end about Cynthia and Yuma. I've even forgotten how they ended up in that situation any way.

Yorihiro Nagi is probably going to stretch out Clare and Priscilla's meeting so it's not likely it will happen next chapter. I'm guessing then that next chapter will show a bit of Raki and maybe about what's up with Miria and Galatea and also about the Organization discussing the Alicia/Beth failure. And Miata, too, since Alicia/Beth's death means automatic promotion for her to No. 1 status.

Ack, I hate this characters being all over places. Hard to keep track of them.
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