Zetsuen no Tempest 10: How to Make a Time Machine

Evangeline fights Natsumura in order to buy the military some time to get air support. Her efforts are not in vain as fighter jets soon arrive to bombard the barrier over the Tree of Zetsuen. Sensing that the barrier can't hold, Tetsuma tries to hasten the ritual by diverting the magic of the second and third barrier to the awakening of the tree. Junichiro also arrives at the scene to a shocked Natsumura.

Meanwhile, within the forest, Yoshino hypothesizes that there is no time paradox and that everything is just an elaborate plot by the Kusaribe Clan to trick Hakaze and the world' logic. According to him, Samon merely put Hakaze to sleep for two years before sending her to the desert island. This means that Hakaze's count of only four months being on the island is correct and that she is in fact in the present timeline. He also explains away the skeleton as being a mere prop created with magic. The theory is convincing enough to lift Hakaze out of despair and cast some doubt on Samon's claims, forcing him to prove the existence of a time shift. He does this by getting Hakaze to carve a word of Yoshino's choosing on the barrel. The same word "Ariel" appears on the barrel in the present timeline, thus, proving Samon correct. However, Samon's suspicious behavior as well as the fact that Hakaze's voice is able to travel through time makes Hakaze and the boys think that there is a way to make her body travel through time.

COMMENTS:

Another talk-y episode. Did it really have to take that long to explain all that? I mean, the episode title is "How to Make a Time Machine." I came into this episode fully expecting that Hakaze will already travel through time and face Samon once for all. But no, they had to drag out the whole thing. Now we have to wait another week to find out if Hakaze will ever be able to get off that damned island.

Meanwhile, I don't give a flying fudge what Junichiro or Natsumura or Evangeline is up to.

Read More

Zetsuen no Tempest 9: Boyfriend

Samon manages to convince Mahiro that Hakaze really is dead and that somehow, through magic, Hakaze's voice has traveled through time in order to communicate with Mahiro. Believing that Hakaze can't help him anymore, Mahiro switches allegiances and strikes the same bargain with Samon about Aika's murderer. This shocks Yoshino to a certain extent, prompting him to take matters into his own hands after remembering something that Aika said to him when she was still alive. Using his remaining talismans, he fights Mahiro in order to force him to let go of the gun talisman. When doesn't work, he bargains with Mahiro: his loyalty to Hakaze in exchange for information about the identity of Aika's boyfriend. Predictably, Mahiro's attention is caught and he agrees to let Yoshino prove his theory about how to get Hakaze back but only until Samon identifies Aika's murderer.

Meanwhile, hat dude is fighting all alone against a battalion of tanks and the entire Japanese army. But his magic gives him an unforeseen advantage. That is, until Evangeline Yamamoto shows up with Yoshino's talismans.

COMMENTS:

This show would be a lot better if the characters were likable. Problem is, the only character I like has so very little screen time while those that I dislike hug most of it. No, I am not talking about Aika, whom I also dislike. Honestly, I don't see what the fuss is about her. I've read the spoilers on wikipedia so I know what she really is but I don't see anything in her character that would attract two of the main characters to her, other than that she serves the plot. Then again, neither Yoshino nor Mahiro are any more likable than her. They have no single redeeming quality. I don't root for either of them to win this stupid war. 

Read More

Zetsuen no Tempest 8: The Hour to Suppress the Princess

The military goes on an all-out attack against the Kusaribe Clan while the boys secretly make their way up towards the clan's hideout. With the help of Hakaze's talisman, they break through the magical barrier that shields the Tree of Zetsuen from prying eyes. Samon himself goes out to meet them and he and Hakaze debate over the wisdom of reviving the Tree of Zetsuen. Apparently, Samon and many of the Kusaribe Clan believe that the awakening of the Tree of Wisdom would right all the wrongs in the world. However, since the world is incomplete and imperfect, the Tree of Wisdom might fix it to the point where all existence would be wiped out. That is why, to prevent this, Samon is attempting to revive the Tree of Zetsuen first. Hakaze disagrees with this plan, believing that the Tree of Wisdom would merely make the necessary changes in the world without destroying it. For her trouble, her clan betrays her and abandons her on a desert island. But she has a trump card in Mahiro, who couldn't care less what happens to the world as long as he gets his revenge for Aika's death. But before Mahiro could make his move, Samon makes an astounding revelation: Hakaze has been dead for two years.

COMMENTS:

Shocking. So Hakaze really is dead and yet somehow, through her mage's power, she is able to travel in time so her past self could speak with Mahiro, etc. who are in the present. Time paradox anyone? Somehow I get the feeling that the Tree of Wisdom, which is on Hakaze's side, would be able to fix this one, too.

This episode is so full of exposition. I suppose they're necessary to get a few things out of the way, such as Samon's motivation and Mahiro's world view, but it's not a good way to present the story. Show, don't tell.

Is it only me? Or was Samon's habit of bringing down his sword hard against the ground for emphasis even when nothing really needed to be emphasized, annoying?

Honestly, how can they tell that skeleton is Hakaze's? They should at least mention DNA instead of Junichirou's comment about Hakaze's perfectly round skull. That's a load of BS.

Read More

Zetsuen no Tempest 6-7: She of the Beautiful Smile

It's official. I like this series. Why? Because it's so convoluted when it comes to the relationships with its characters. Apparently, Mahiro isn't even blood-related to Aika, which puts the more uncomfortable tension I get between the two in somewhat better light. That doesn't make it any less dark and mangley though because Mahiro can't accept his feelings for Aika and Aika is...a weirdo. I don't know. Why do I get the feeling she's playing these two boys like puppets on strings and that she's not at all sunshine and roses this one? She calls Yoshino manipulative. I think the pot is calling the kettle black. And then there's the thing with Hakase's skeleton. Juniichiro thinks its real but we've got the real live Hakase talking to our boys so it can't be her. So what's up? Samon is probably faking her death to make his ascension to power even more legitimate, but he didn't look happy about it though, so my theory that Samon isn't a bad guy still stands. I think he's just misunderstood. Juniichiro, though. I'm guessing he's got some kind of latent ability that somehow negates all forms of magic and that's why nobody from the Kusaribe Clan can touch him. Not even spear dude. The government part of the plot is boring me but for Yamamoto's outfit and long black hair. I'm glad that Yoshino gave her some talismans. Does that mean she's gonna have more screen time? Also, when is Hakase getting off that island? I'm excited to know how she's going to react in person to the boys as well as to Samon. Do I sense a ship between these redheads? Time will tell.

Read More

FIRST LOOK: Zetsuen no Tempest 1-5

Here's another show that's taken me awhile to hop on to.

Zetsuen no Tempest is about two boys, Mahiro and Yoshino, who over a year ago lost someone very important to both of them: Aika, who is Mahiro's sister and Yoshino's secret girlfriend. A few months after Aika's murder, Mahiro disappears, presumably to seek revenge against his sister's murderer, leaving Yoshino to fend for himself against bullies and girls in black leather jackets and big shotguns. The latter comes in the form of Evangeline Yamamoto, a self-professed volunteer working to solve the "Black Iron Syndrome," a mysterious illness that turns all living creatures in a given area into, well, black iron. Yamamoto goes after Yoshino because of his connection to Mahiro, who in turn seems to have gotten himself involved with mages in the interim.

Long story short, it turns out Mahiro has gotten himself embroiled in some kind of mage war. He's allied himself with a powerful mage by the name of Kusaribe Hakase. Earlier in the story, Hakase was marooned and trapped on a desert island by her followers, led by Samon in his bid for power and goal of awakening the Tree of Zetsuen, which is set to destroy the world. In exchange for helping him find his sister's murderer, Hakase teaches Mahiro how to use talismans embued with her magical powers to battle the Kusaribe Clan and stop the Tree of Zetsuen in its tracks. Yoshino decides to join his friend.

This one's by BONES so the production values are really high. I particularly like the character designs. The Shakespeare is a little pretentious but the show is entertaining enough, the story compelling enough, for me to let that one pass.

Something tells me all is not what it seems with this series. Particularly with Aika (was she murdered or was she sacrificed?) and the frequent mention of "fate." It's not a coincidence that Mahiro stumbled upon Hakase's wooden doll and make a pact with her. It's not a coincidence either that Yoshino learns all about Mahiro's involvement through Yamamoto. Moreover, Samon doesn't seem to have any evil intentions against the world.

The music is okay, too. I like the rock OP theme better than the cutesy patootie ED theme. Voice acting is also top-notch. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Miyuki Sawashiro voices Hakase, making Zetsuen no Tempest the second series I'm watching this season with this same VA playing a prominent role.

Well, adding this one to my watchlist then.

Read More

2012 Anime Fall Season

This is a bit late but eh, who cares. Thanks to CR for the charts.

Litchi DE Hikari Club 

It sounds pretty dark and mangly and psychological wtf and I know just the person who likes this sort of shit. Maybe, maybe not. The promo art is pretty unique and, therefore, attractive though.

BTOOM!

It's by Madhouse so I guess I'll check it out. Seems like the spiritual successor to Summer Wars, except the main character isn't just playing a character in a game but is actually in the game. Might be interesting. Also, did I mention it's by Madhouse?

Zetsuen no Tempest

I'm not really sold on the plot but it might turn out to be good. Especially considering the fact that this is by BONES. If anything, the visuals should be worth it.

Sukitte Ii na Yo

My obligatory romance series for the season. I've heard about this manga. Seems pretty popular but meh. I'll just check it out for a while and may be drop it if the other series get their groove on.

Shin Sekai Yori

It's one of those horror fantasy series and the first thing that come to mind is Another. But the series' plot couldn't be further from that show. The preview doesn't do anything for me but I could be wrong.

Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

Brains Base. The plot intrigues me more than Sukite but I guess I'll watch the first episode of both shows at least before making any sort of comparison. I just have this feeling that I'm going to like this one better than the other.

Jormungand: PERFECT ORDER

I actually enjoyed the first season. I love Koko and her harem of tough, hard-as-nails ex-soldiers! And I love her crazy adventures, so yes, I'm going to watch this series. Hell, this might just be the only series I'll watch fo' sho' this season.

Psycho-Pass

Production I.G. + noitaminA = gold. That's all.

Asura
Promo poster looks hot.

Arata Naru Sekai
Don't know what it's about. Don't even know if I can find it on Tokyo Tosho but adding this here anyway for in case I stumble upon a torrent of it one day.

Biohazard: Damnation
Already seen it. All I can say is, Leon is hot and Ada is hot and that Russian dude is hot, and the president is totally a MILF. Also, zombies.

009 Re:Cyborg
Gives me Casshern Sins feels.

Well, that's it, you guys. I hope I get to finish at least three series from this not-so short list of mine this season. Because summer season, I was just crap.

Read More