Showing posts with label rurouni kenshin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rurouni kenshin. Show all posts

Friday, December 7, 2012

2012 Anime Report: The Best List

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I haven't really watched that many series this year so this list might be a little bit skewed. Moreover, I totally stopped watching anime the whole summer and only really started picking up in time for the fall season. There are many series that I was very enthusiastic about at first but eventually dropped for one reason or another. In any event, this list has a very narrow range: 2011-2012 Winter up to 2012 Fall seasons with a huge gap where 2012 Summer should be.

On a side-note, it's this blog's birthday. Exactly 5 years ago, or on December 7, 2007, this blog was created. :)

Now, on to the list....

Most Highly Anticipated Series

As soon as I saw the promo poster for Sakamichi no Apollon, I had high hopes this was going to be a beautiful series. Plus, the pedigree involved (Watanabe Shinichirou and Yoko Kanno). By the time the trailer came out and I heard the first jazz note, I was a goner. The visuals are just stunning and I loved the music, the setting, the characters, the premise right from the onset. 


Best First Episode


I came into this series with very high expectations and the first episode really delivered. I loved how the show immediately focused on the friendship between Sen and Kaoru, which is the series' selling point. But what I loved best about the first episode was the impromptu jamming session by the boys where you could actually hear Kaoru's initial hesitation and the freeing effect that jazz music has done for him. It was just beautiful.



Best Finale



This show wasn't as great as I'd hoped but it did unveil a neat twist at the end. For me, that's what saved Another from being another lackluster dark anime ambition. That and because there's really nothing better than having tons of characters die in just the span of one or two episodes.



Best Randomly Picked Series

(No runners-up)

This was the only show that I randomly picked up for the entire 2012 season. Ha-ha. And I'm very glad I did. Space Brotherswas one of the better shows that came out this year and it's still running. The sheer amount of episodes and my still watching this series should attest to how much I'm enjoying this show. I never watch anime that go beyond the 26-episode mark. This is an exception.



Favorite Female Character

(RUNNERS-UP: Svetlana Belikova [RE: Damnation], Mizutani Shizuku [Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun], Mine Fujiko [Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna])

Ada Wong isn't my favorite female character from the Resident Evil franchise. That singular title belongs to Jill Valentine. However, I've always liked the lady in red, mainly because of the ambiguity of her allegiance and the sexual tension she has with Leon. And then this movie came out and I was just...WOW. That knife fight has gotta be one of the hottest fight scenes I've ever seen.



Favorite Male Character

Nanba Mutta [Space Brothers]
(RUNNERS-UP: Nanba Hibito [Space Brothers], Leon S. Kennedy [RE: Damnation], Sasha [RE: Damnation], Nishimi Kaoru [Sakamichi no Apollon])

As a twenty-something girl who is among the rank of the plebes, I can relate very much to Mutta. I don't have any younger sibling but I do have older ones and they're all variedly stable in their respective lives. Mutta's insecurities are my insecurities and I have dreams that I don't even know how to begin to make them come true. Some days I'm just barely hanging on. Others, I feel very motivated. I'm just like Mutta, taking it one step at a time, perhaps stumbling along the way but picking myself up and trudging on.



Favorite Villain

(RUNNERS-UP: Karen Low [Jormungand], Orchestra [Jormungand], Svetlana Belikova [RE: Damnation], Makishima [Psycho-Pass])

An eclectic mix of murderers and psychopaths, no one can beat Shishio's "Ten Swords" in terms of villainy.



Funniest Character

Nanba Mutta [Space Brothers]
(RUNNERS-UP: Nyanko-sensei [Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi], Sofia Valmet [Jormungand], Hitagi Senjougahara [Nisemonogatari])


Unlike many characters in "comedy" series who are funny because of what they say or their antics, Mutta is just naturally funny. I mean, you look at him and you just know that he's a funny guy. 


Saddest Character


Sakakibara Kouichi [Another]
(RUNNERS-UP: Kawabuchi Sentarou [Sakamichi no Apollon], Mizutani Shizuku [Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun], Sasha Kozachenko [RE: Damnation], Natsume Takashi [Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi])


Kouichi lost his mom when he was only a boy, something that still haunts him. His father is in a far away country. And his aunt, who looked a lot like his mom and has therefore become his surrogate mom, turns out to be not quite alive. Yes, Kouichi is a sad character, alright.



Coolest Character


Kogami Shinya [Psycho-Pass]
(RUNNERS-UP: Kawabuchi Sentarou [Sakamichi no Apollon], Saitou Hajime [RK: Shin Kyoto Hen] Sofia Valmet [Jormungand], Kunizuka Yayoi [Psycho-Pass], Katsuragi Junichi [Sakamichi no Apollon])


I mean look at him. He's like Spike Spiegel's spiritual successor, without the martial arts, less of the pathos and more on the rage. His mortal enemy even has white hair. Kogami Shinya, you are one cool dude.



Favorite Het Couple


Yoshida Haru x Mizutani Shizuku [Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun]
(RUNNERS-UP: Nishimi Kaoru x Mukae Ritsuko [Sakamichi no Apollon] Araragi Koyomi x Hitagi Senjougahara [Nisemonogatari])


I just find them cute, okay? I love their blunt honesty, how they always say what they mean and mean what they say. I love that they approach their relationship problems head on. I love that they are such perfect foils for each other -- Shizuku with her reserve and Yoshida with his expansiveness. I love that their more romantic interactions make me feel giddy inside. It has been awhile since I felt anything like this from a canon pairing. They are the reason why I love this series.



Favorite Slash Couple


Karanomori Shion x Kunizuka Yayoi [Psycho-Pass]
(RUNNER-UP: Watanabe Saki x Akizuki Maria [Shin Sekai Yori])


I believe with all my heart that these two are a couple. I mean, there was that very telling episode with Yayoi, fixing her tie as she is coming out of Shion's lab just as Akane is coming in and catching Shion putting on her pantyhose. lolz Plus the fact that Yayoi seems to be always hanging out in Shion's lab. Surely, these aren't all just coincidence.



Favorite Crack Couple


Nanba Mutta x Itou Serika [Space Brothers]
(RUNNERS-UP: Leon S. Kennedy x Ada Wong [RE: Damnation], Karen Low x Sofia Valmet [Jormungand])


I hope these two are going to end up together. At the moment, we're clear on Mutta's crush on Serika but not so sure whether the feeling is mutual. Still, these are my crack couple at the moment and I always look forward to each scene of them together.



Best Dark Series


(RUNNERS-UP: Another, Shin Sekai Yori)


If the execution of Another was better handled, it would have easily won this category. Dark, brooding characters? Check. Futuristic society with dark underpinnings of dystopia? Check. Brutal murders? Check. Mysterious, unrelentless villain? Check. Lots and lots of pathos? Check. It looks like Psycho-Pass wins this round, easy.



Best Comedy Series
(RUNNERS-UP: Jormungand, Space Brothers)


A lot of the antics of this show revolves around the main characters' quirks. Yoshida is violent but is an animal-lover. He has a pet rooster (which is actually a hen), named Nagoya. For some reason, he is afraid of his brother and will go to extremes just to get away from him. Shizuku has virtually no interest apart from studying. Her coldness and other people's reaction to it are a source of consternation and hilarity. Yamaken is rich, handsome and popular but has a bad sense of direction and is too proud to admit it. These characters interactions, plus the usual school tropes, make for a fun show that is reminiscent of Toradora!



Best Drama Series




The series had to win at something. Even though Sakamichi no Apollon comes at a close second, Natsume  is just better in terms of handling drama. This show is gentle and just takes its own leisurely pace but when it does get to that point, the emotional impact will surprise you. At one point, I teared up over this series. That's how good it is at handling emotional scenes.



Best Action Series



This is like Black Lagoon light. The stories of Jormungand are nothing but the mayhem that happens every other episode is nothing short of fantastic. Truly, there is nothing more thrilling than traveling with an arms dealer.



Best Romance Series



Sakamichi no Apollon does not win this round because that series is more about the friendship between Sen and Kaoru than a love story. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is unabashedly about a romantic couple and the only other romance series in the running is Sukitte Ii na Yo, which I abhorred on first viewing, so that leaves only this. This is both a default win and a deserving win because I do enjoy the romance in this title.



Best Production Value



It's by Production I.G. What else do you expect? Overall, the series just looks really good from its character designs to its color pallet and its excellent use of CGI. Even the music is good and I loved both the OP and ED animation sequences.



Best Opening Theme

BTOOOM! ["No Pain, No Game" by Nano]
(RUNNER-UP: Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna ["New Wuthering Heights" by Ichiko Hashimoto])


The tune is forgettable but every time I watch an episode and don't skip the opening credits, I find myself enjoying this song. 



Best Ending Theme

Sakamichi no Apollon ["Altair" by Motohiro Hata]
(RUNNER-UP: BTOOOM! ["Aozara" by May'n])


Piano solo. Nuff said.



Best BGM



Yoko Kanno. Jazz. Eargasm.



Best Ensemble Cast



They're just cool and like sex in black and white. Film noir with a sci-fi twist. And radiating danger like no tomorrow. The minute Kogami and Shion showed up on my screen.... AND OVARIES EXPLODE.



Best Art



The most stylistic outing this year, Lupin III: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna took me by surprise because I honestly did not expect the art vomit. It is so visually stunning and eye-candy and so very, very different from everything else this year, I just can't find any comparison.



Best Character Design

(RUNNER-UP: Space Brothers )


Nothing beats a classic.



Best Storytelling



Perhaps because it has the advantage of spanning over several episodes. I don't really know how many episodes this is going to be but I'm not paying attention. I'm just here for the ride. That and because the story of Mutta and Hibito is that compelling.



Anime Series of the Year



This series for me is the most complete. It had a very good story, told really well, peopled by wonderful, well-developed characters with music that is to die for and visuals that are just gorgeous.


Thursday, March 29, 2012

MEME: 50 Questions

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All three series I've been following this season have had their finale (although I should be posting my "first look" of Ozuma sometime this week), I've got nothing better to do now than to answer the latest anime meme that's been floating around in my blogroll. Fair warning, I am not an old hand at anime. Sure, I've watched it intermittently through the years but I have to say that I haven't been quite as avid as I seem to be now. And let's not forget my brief "break-up" with anime last November, which, thanks to Chihaya Furu, didn't last very long. Anyway, my point I guess is that this is probably not a very interesting meme.


1. Who is your favourite male anime character?




Saitou Hajime from Rurouni Kenshin. It helps that his character is actually based on a historical figure -- albeit one that's been bastardized too many times in many a Shinsengumi anime (yes, I'm looking at you, Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan!) His motto: Aku. Zoku. San. "Bring swift death to evil" is the stuff of heroic dreams. He is my hero. And when my other  Rurouni Kenshin  favorite, Sagara Sanosuke, leaves me alone, Saitou is usually there to take his place as my fanfic muse.









2. Who is your favourite female anime character?




Takani Megumi, also from Rurouni Kenshin. Oh, I know she isn't a popular character. In fact, many fans hate her for professing to steal Kenshin from Kaoru, her mean attitude towards Kaoru and to the other characters in general,  her generally obnoxious behavior, but I like to think that all of that are just a front for an emotionally damaged character. Sure, one can always argue that everybody in Rurouni Kenshin is damaged in one way or another -- everybody has lost someone -- but you can't quantify pain. You can't really judge people simply because they are suffering the same pain as the others or lesser pain. It's pain nonetheless and everybody reacts to them differently. She's just a fascinating character and I just love writing her in fanfiction.






3. What is your favourite anime soundtrack?



At the moment, I can't seem to stop listening to Chihaya Furu OST. It's a fine combination of traditional Japanese instrumental music and high-energy tracks. I especially love listening to it while driving on my way to or from work.









4. What is your favourite anime opening + animation?

Eden of the East had "Falling Down" by Oasis as its opening theme, a cool song that I still listen to from time to time, and its accompanied by an equally cool, very interesting and incredibly artistic animation sequence. Although I never really warmed to the series, I have to give it at least this much: it had so far the best animation sequence ever. Of interest are the opening songs for Mushishi and Durarara!!

5. What is your favourite anime ending + animation?

It's a tough choice between Xam'd: Lost Memories and virtually all the ending themes of Natsume Yuujin-chou series. In the end, I'd have to choose Xam'd because I loved the Kylee song and I can actually sing to it. But there are moments in Natsume Yuujin-chou where I couldn't help but feel like the ending theme provides the perfect clincher to a particularly satisfying episode. So in other words, it's a close call.

6. What is your favourite anime scene?

Wow, that's a tough one. A really tough one. Nothing comes to mind. Uh-oh. Let me get back to you on that one.

Let's see...

I can remember that scene in Macross Frontier where Sheryl Nome is running through the streets in the rain. She's something depressed. All around her are posters of the newest darling of the media, Ranka Lee. She slips and falls, right on a spoiled, water-damaged poster of herself. That was sad.

For the funny, I'll never forget that scene in  Arakawa Under the Bridge  where Recruit tried the princess hold on Nino. That made me laugh so much.

And finally, very recently, a scene in Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi brought tears to my eyes. It's where a young Takashi tries to run away from his foster family to look for his old home and on his way there, he keeps shouting out for his father and nobody answers.

I don't know if these are favorite scenes but I liked them well enough.

7. If you could meet an anime character, who would it be?




For the girls, Nino from Arakawa Under the Bridge. I don't know. She seems like a fun character to be with. Innocent to some degree and therefore gullible, yet somehow wise where it matters, unpredictable and probably completely insane. Yep. Sounds like my kind of gal. And if you ask, I am a bit of a Recruit myself, in terms of personality so there's the attraction.






For the boys, I guess I'd like to meet Okabe Rintarou, the self-proclaimed mad scientist in Steins;Gate. I'd be very interested what nickname he would bestow upon me.











8. What anime character is most similar to you in terms of personality?



A long, long time ago, I took this Bleach character quiz and came out as Kuchiki Rukia. So I guess that's the person I am most like. I am apparently tough as nails, crazy over the weirdest things, look up far too much to my big brother, and kind when least expected.










9. What is your favourite thing about anime?

The unusual stories they contain and the art to go with it. Mostly, it's the art that attracts me and draws me in but it's the stories that make me stay.

10. What is your least favourite thing about anime?

The obvious pandering to the audience, often at the cost of content. There are many quality anime out there. And for every quality anime, there are dozens that are utter crap so that sometimes I can't help but wonder why these things are even made. And then I look at the sales and things click into place.

11. Who’s your favourite anime couple?

Well, my all-time favorite fanfic pairing is Sagara Sanosuke and Takani Megumi from Rurouni Kenshin but they are sadly not canon. I also like Makie Otochibana and Anotsu Kagehisa from Blade of the Immortal but again, this coupling is not canon. Although very heavily hinted at, it's never explicitly stated in the manga or the anime. So I guess that leaves only Senjougahara and Araragi from Bakemonogatari and its not-exactly-sequel Nisemonogatari. It's an odd couple to begin with -- Senjougahara is...weird, for lack of a better word. A tsundere but not a typical one. She says the most outrageous things which could put off anyone, though not Araragi who is as stoic as they come. Their relationship dynamics is fascinating because if you understand a typical Japanese comedy duo: there's always the sbokken who says outlandish things and the straight one who brutally corrects his less-than-intelligent partner. But in the case of the this couple, the characterization is reversed because Senjougahara, though the more intelligent of the two, is the bokken and Araragi is the straight-laced partner. The two just complement each other and their growth both as individuals and as a couple is fascinating to see in the series.



12. Who is your favourite anime animal?

Densuke, the heroic virtual dog from Denno Coil. The human characters in the series were pretty generic and Densuke, despite being just a cyberdog, was the only one whom I really latched onto emotionally. And the fact that he saved the day for his owner and her friends, proving his loyalty and devotion, all but cemented my love for this wonderful cyberpet.





13. What anime would make a good game?

No idea. I don't play a lot of games and I don't really go around watching anime and wondering at the same time whether it would make a good game.

14. What game would make a good anime?

Refer to Answer 13.

15. What is the first anime you ever watched?

It was Voltron, I think. The one with the lion robots. My favorite was the black lion.

16. Do you think you’ll ever stop watching anime?

Not really. I may withdraw awhile from the genre but I don't think I'll ever really stop watching it. Maybe a time will come when they stop making animes that I like but if that time does come, I'd still have the old anime series I have and I can just re-watch them.

17. What is your favourite genre of anime?

Well, I like light, humorous fare with a little bit of everything. Let's see, if Natsume Yuujin-chou had romance in it, it would be the perfect anime for my taste. As it is, it comes short in that aspect.

18. What is your least favourite genre of anime?

Ecchi for the sake of ecchi. I don't get it.

19. Are you open about watching anime with people you know?

I've watched anime with people I know. Mostly my brother. But then, we have very different tastes. He watches mostly shounen stuff and he likes watching them over and over. I normally go through my anime only once -- maybe a couple of times for my absolute favorites but no more. So yeah, I guess I'm open to it but I prefer to watch on my own. It's more of a private past time anyway as none of my real life friends have any interest in it.

20. Have you ever been to Japan?

No, but I plan to. One of these days. I plan to tour all of Asia actually and Japan is definitely on the list.

21. What anime was the biggest letdown for you?

Occult Academy. I remember how I loved the very first episode and how that love got eroded with each episode that came after it until it was all I could do to keep from screaming at my screen. And I hated myself more for bearing it through the end.

22. What anime was better than expected?

Angel Beats! A friend of mine once recommended it to me but I wasn't sold on it. Then, later on, another friend lent me the DVD and one day I finally decided to watch it. Surprise, surprise. I enjoyed it immensely. I still occasionally listen to Girls Dead Monster on my phone.

23. What is the best anime fight scene?

Manji vs. Otochibana Makie in Blade of the Immortal. Actually, every fight scene with Makie was badass. The anime was too short but I'm still following the manga. It's nearing the end now and I think Makie might finally fall because of her illness but she will remain the strongest fighter in the series.

24. Who is your anime waifu?


It would have to be Busujima-sempai ♥ ~ from High School of the Dead. Yes, I'd swing that way if it's her. Definitely. No question about it. That apron outfit alone had me wondering about my orientation. lolz I guess there's the inner 12-year-old fanboy in every one of us.





25. What was your favourite video game as a child?

I remember playing Donkey Kong in Game & Watch and Super Mario Bros. in Family Computer. I also played a lot of Tetris as a child. I loved all those games.

26. Most embarrassing moment?

Too many to mention.

27. Can you drive?

Yes.

28. Are you mature?

I like to think I make mature decisions about relevant things in life but I don't know if I am a mature person.

29. What year were you born?

1984. I'm also a gemini so I'm forever young.

30. Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Dogs. Although I admire cats.

31. Describe yourself physically.

I'm 5'2" and about 100 lbs. I've recently put on a few pounds though because of a lack of exercise and the fact that I just got myself a car and now move around the city primarily by car. I look Chinese but I have brown skin, like most Filipinos.

32. What would you name your first child?

I'd name it after some European city. Venice, probably.

33. What is the worst injury you’ve ever had?

My mother once slammed the door of the car on my elbow. It was an accident but it hurt like seven hells. The worst part about it was that my mother actually scolded me for being careless. Good times, good times.
.
34. What is your worst habit?

I bite my fingernails.

35. Do you drink or smoke?

Neither. I used to smoke in fun but I never got a taste for it. And I'm a lightweight and don't really enjoy alcohol that much.

36. Do you have a tattoo?

Nope.

37. Are you a morning or a night person?

Night person. I think more clearly at night. But I also like early mornings for the same reason.

38. Have you ever slept past midday?

Yes. My first job was a call center agent, answering calls from US clients so I worked nights and slept in the day. I had a rotating schedule so there were times when my work ended at midnight so I'd sleep from around 5 a.m. to around 4 p.m. It felt weird every time.

39. Do you regret anything?

Only crazy people don't regret anything. I'm not that crazy.

40. Can you count the number of friends that you have on one hand?

Yes. I keep a few friends, mostly from my college days. We don't get to see each other often now because of work but we find time to get together when our work schedules permit. Usually to chill over coffee or watch a movie.

41. Do you wear glasses?

Yes.

42. Are you a picky eater?

Not really. There are certain foods that I don't like and would prefer not to eat or drink -- like bananas, oranges, oysters, squid, milk. Then again, I may randomly eat these things.

43. Would you die for someone?

Probably. I can't know for sure. I have pretty strong self-preservation instincts but I guess it depends on the situation.

44. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I'd love to be able to fly.

45. Do you believe in the supernatural?

Not really. But sometimes I get scared of my own imagination.

46. Would you rather be rich or famous?

I'd rather be rich. What good is being famous if you don't got the money to back it up? I mean it must be terrible what these celebrities go through everyday. Whereas rich people can afford to build themselves a hideout somewhere. Rich people are also not weird. Just eccentric. I think I'd like that.

47. Have you ever committed a crime?

Yes. Then again, who hasn't?

48. Time traveller or ghost?

Time traveller. I'd like to see Ancient Rome at its prime. History was my favorite subject.

49. Does anybody have a crush on you?

Oh, dozens, I'm sure. I am clueless about these things, however.

50. Are you in a relationship?

I just said I'm clueless about these things.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Rurouni Kenshin Live-Action Trailer

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I just found out that the trailer is out! Lookin' good. Love the brief glimpses of the live-action characters. :) In spite of my habitual sneering reaction towards live-action adaptations, I'm excited over Rurouni Kenshin. Please, anime god, let it be good.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

2011-2012 Winter Anime Line-Up

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Except for the new installments to Natsume Yuujinchou and Rurouni Kenshin, I'm not so excited about the line-up. I've shortlisted a few titles below, but as I have mentioned before, I don't know if I will be able to watch any of these titles, let alone blog about them on a semi-regular basis:

Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi
Of course. I started blogging about this series last season. Liked what I saw. Already checked the first and second seasons. No reason why I shouldn't watch the fourth one. Crossing my fingers for more Reiko.

Inu x Boku SS
I don't know about this but the promo art looks really good. Keeping an eye out for this.

Nisemonogatari
The sequel to Bakemonogatari. This time it focuses on the protagonist's little sisters but Senjougahara will probably do a cameo. If so, that would be enough reason to check this anime out. Also, NisiOisin. Nuff said.


Another
A ghost story. Need at least one for my year-ender report. Although, at the rate I'm going, I don't think I can make a proper report.

ToraDora! BD
jute followed this show. She's gonna insist that this be part of the line-up.

Gyo OVA
The promo art looks good. Probably of the horror genre or something dark. This might be a gem.

Steins;gate Special
I actually liked this show. Just never got around to blogging about it. :)

Usagi Drop Special
This was adorable until I found out what happened later on in the manga. Err. But watching this, I guess.

Rurouni Kenshin: Shin Kyoto-Hen
Yeah.

The Moon: Tsuki ga Hoshii to Oujo-sama ga Naita
The title freaks me out. Might be good.
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