Showing posts with label high school of the dead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high school of the dead. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

2010 Anime Report: The Best List

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So I realize that I haven't really made my year-ender report for 2010 as per this blog's tradition in the past two years. I suppose I got busy. I'm also about to get busy but I still have at least one week before work will get the better of me. Therefore, allow me to milk these precious free moments to give you my humble list of best and not-so-best titles of anime for the year 2010. (BTW, for categories, I'm taking my cue from jute's previous year-ender posts.)

Most Highly Anticipated Series

I have to admit that this was a tough choice. What did I most look forward to? These two series came out in two different seasons and perhaps because of the gap in time, it's a little hard to compare the anticipation I felt for each one. So I'm afraid that my decision has largely something to do with the overall feeling of satisfaction I got from the series, and not necessarily with how I felt before I watched the first episode.


Best First Episode

For the most part, this was a no-brainer. Occult Academy did have a strong opening, which makes all the more ironic the extent to which it downgraded and eventually fell flat on its face. In hindsight, the series could have done better if it didn't have such a good first episode because then, expectations would not have been set high and I would have come off it a lot less disappointed.

Best Finale

Another no-brainer. What a revelation Katanagatari turned out to be. This is anime done right, and if I knew a word of Japanese, I'd go read the light novels right away. NisiOisin, you the man!

Best Randomly Picked Series

Hands-down. And just imagine that I never even paid attention to this series the first time I heard about it. I thought the art style was a little child illustration book material and it is, for the most part, but strangely enough, it works for this series. And the best thing about it is the story. Fantastic.

Favorite Title

Do I have to spell it out? And to think that I almost dropped this series, not because of anything lacking in the material itself, but because of its airing schedule. White Fox made it difficult with a once-a-month release, but in the end it was worth it.

Favorite Female Character
Busujima Saeko [High School of the Dead]
(Nino, Yasuri Nanami, Tsurugi Meisai, Kazumiya Rio)

Busujima-senpai ♥ ~ Nuff said. Although Nanami and Meisai made the choice a little tough.

Favorite Male Character
Yasuri Shichika [Katanagatari]
(Watashi, Shizuo, Yaichi, Ichinomiya Kou)

I liked Yaichi mainly because of his sexy voice. Kou, despite the insanity surrounding him, developed nicely. Watashi is love but talks too fast. Shichika, on the other hand, had the luxury of a one-hour-long-episode-a-month-for-twelve-months time to develop from a complete toolbox to a human being. Watching it was superb.

Funniest Character
(Togame, Kuwashiro Maya, Hoshi, Maria, Sister)

No doubt about it. Arakawa Under the Bridge has the best cast that if the categories included one for best cast, it would surely win. As it is, if I were to chose between Hoshi and all the other eccentric characters from the series, I'd chose the former. Why? Watch the show.

Favorite Villain
Yasuri Nanami [Katanagatari]
(Yasuri Nanami, Tsurugi Meisai, Ozu, Izaya, zombies)

I loved Meisai. I thought she had an excellent story. But in terms of bad-assness, Nanami pwns them all.

Favorite Couple
Yasuri Shichika x Togame [Katanagatari]
(Yasuri Shichika x Togame, Watashi x Akashi, Susukihotaru x Riken, Ichinomiya Kou x Nino, Kurashita Tsukimi x Koibuchi Shu)

I couldn't take them seriously at first. Togame was obviously using Shichika for her own gain and Shichika was too quick to declare himself in love with Togame right after she asks him to that it was just too incredible. But as time went, the love story became real, made more poignant by its bittersweet ending. Who can't love this couple after all that?

Favorite Crack Couple
Maria x Sister [Arakawa Under the Bridge]
(Kuwashiro Maya x Uchida Fumiaki, Yaichi x Otake, Kazumiya Rio x Filicia Hiediman, Busujima Saeko x Komuro Takashi)

Talk about S & M. But the love story between Maria and Sister is pretty one-sided, and the violence that occurs whenever the two are together in one scene makes it doubly hilarious. Ah, love.

Favorite Slash Couple
Izaya Orihara x Shizuo [Durarara!!]
(Yaichi x Akitsu Masanosuke, Kazumiya Rio x Filicia Hiediman, Togame x Hitei-hime)

Simon pretty much confirmed it in the last episode, calling Izaya's constant picking on Shizuo as his "Shizuo complex." Besides, what's love without a little man-handling? (and vending machine throwing?)

Best Horror Series

The series started out very slow, so slow in fact that I could barely get through it. Add to that the very distracting character design and hair-do. But don't let appearances fool you because this series is creepy. No, I don't mean you're going to spend the entire time screaming pantsless at your monitor. The scary is more psychological here for the monsters aren't the only monsters in Shiki.

Best Comedy Series

When I came up to this point, I thought to myself: "Hm, which is funnier? A cross-dressing nun with an unhealthy regard for guns or a boob wall? But Arakawa Under the Bridge has the advantage of having an insane number of cast who, well, insane, so it wins by sheer number.

Best Drama Series

I think Shiki should win this category. But I have not yet finished watching the entire series so I can't really say. House of Five Leaves, however, turned out very well.

Best Action Series
(Durarara!!, Katanagatari, Star Driver Radiant Takuto, Heroman)

If there was a category for best fan service, the series would win it, too. Busujima-senpai ♥ ~

Best Romance Series

I don't know if you can correctly classify this series as a romance. There certainly are some romantic elements in it. At the very least, there are unrequited crushes. But the show doesn't resolve any of the possible romantic entanglements so...eh. On the other hand, the runners-up aren't really about the romance either so there. Kuragehime wins this category because I actually was aware of the romantic tensions at first blush and primarily watched this show for that.

Best Production Value

Madhouse. Need I say more? With this title, they've saved themselves this year. Now, if only I could say the same thing for 2011. But perhaps, I'm saying too much too soon. After all, we have two whole anime seasons still coming up.

Best Opening Theme
"Maigoinu to Ame no Beat" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (The Tatami Galaxy)

Best Ending Theme
"Kimi no Kirei ni Kizuite Okure" by Sambomaster (Kuragehime)

Best BGM

Kaijura Yuuki, baby. Also, Kalafina. (Keiko-san ~)

Best Voice Cast

I really, really liked Yaichi's voice. But I'm judging this based on the entire voice cast and Katanagatari has the best, IMHO. The Tatami Galaxy also came close because...Sakamoto Maaya (who is also in Arakawa Under the Bridge). 

Best Style

SHAFT / Shinbo did something amazing with Arakawa Under the Bridge. But stylistically, The Tatami Galaxy was pure insanity. Add to that the really messed up presentation and we have ourselves a winner.

Best Animation

Because I don't know. The whole series was just cute.

Best Background Art

Not much of a choice really. I thought High School of the Dead would win this one for sure but on second look, SHAFT did a pretty good job with the river scenery.

Best Character Designs

The designs fit the characters. Watashi looked generic enough as to be anonymous. Ozu certainly looks devious. And Akashi is seriously cute and fits the bill for the girl-next-door type only with more grrr.

Best Storytelling

NisiOisin. Nuff said.

Best Concept

Everything about it, even its title, screams: GENIUS. And the whole rewind bit confused the shit out of me at first but in the end, all I could say was BRILLIANT. And a main character named "Watashi?" Absolutely inspired!

Anime Series of the Year

As much as I loved The Tatami Galaxy (for its eclectic style) and thoroughly enjoyed Kuragehime, Katanagatari offers a more complete package. Style, it has it in spades. Cuteness, why, yes. See Togame and Nanami and Pengu. Story? Absolutely.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Final Thoughts: Highschool of the Dead, Occult Academy

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Summer 2010 turns out to be a disappointing season. I shouldn't have been surprised. My shortlist contained only 5 titles, not to mention that I was only really watching 3 shows in all and I still couldn't get interested enough to blog with the fervor with which Jute used to do. I thought at first it was just me. I've been through two seasons of anime since I took over this blog and I haven't exactly been great at it. It's not for lack of trying. I have tried both being discriminating and being open-minded, but neither of which methods really worked and I'm still bored. So then I started thinking that maybe it's not me; it's the shows themselves. For some reason, they're just not bringing it this year. Not even when they bring the zombies in (even Jute agrees with me on this).

Take Highschool of the Dead for instance. The manga is practically a confluence of pop entertainment. It has everything -- action, romance, zombies, heaving bosoms. All in all, a very, very fun read. So they made it into an anime and frickin' Madhouse takes the helm and, as expected, they do everything right, and yet somehow, the anime still falls flat. Simply put, there was just no magic in it, no x-factor, nothing to make a person really go, OHMYGODSHI that was gold! (Kurozuka, at least, for all its confusing psychobabble had its moments - jute). So final thoughts? Thank god for Busujima-senpai. She was the only reason I stuck it to the show.


If Highschool of the Dead was bland, then Occult Academy is just absurd, and not in a good way. Everything about it -- from the monster-of-the-week approach, to the highly derivative futuristic set-up, to its clumsy attempt at character development, the completely unnecessary fan service and the ohmygodplot! last three episodes -- just screamed SILLY. Final thoughts: What a silly, silly show.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

High School of the Dead 08-10

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EPISODE 8: The Dead Way Home

The US President gets bitten by a zombie. Before he is finished off, his aide takes it upon himself to launch their missiles against the other countries before said other countries could do the same to the US. Meanwhile, Takashi and co. finally manage to get to the other side of the river. After changing clothes (oh my, Busujima-sempai ♥ ~), they all decide to head first to Takagi's house since it is the closest. But as they get nearer, more and more zombies appear. They unexpectedly come upon a wire barrier, causing Rei to fall off the humvee. As Takashi tries to protect her, the others fend for themselves with unfamiliar weapons. Finally, Takashi and Saeko do the brave thing and try to lure the zombies away. However, their plan backfires as the zombies are still drawn towards Rei and the others. Fortunately, a group of firefighters arrive to save them. To their surprise, the leader of this new group is none other than Takagi's mom.
EPISODE 09: The Sword and Dead

After getting separated from their group, Takashi and Saeko decide to take a different route towards Takagi's house. They manage to secure an amphibious vehicle which they use to navigate the river. This unexpectedly works to their advantage as the zombies don't attack them while they are in the water. Later, they leave the vehicle running in the middle of a park fountain to lure the zombies while Saeko attacks them. However, Saeko suddenly freezes up when she encounters a bunch of zombie children, forcing Takashi to rescue her. Later, they find shelter in a temple where Saeko reveals her dark secret. A long time ago, she fought and nearly killed her would-be rapist.  But the most disturbing thing about the whole incident was that she actually enjoyed beating up that person. The zombie apocalypse and her recent actions only proved that she was secretly a sadist and because of this, she believes that she does not deserve to be loved. Takashi's only response is to kiss her. The next day, zombies show up outside the temple and Saeko freezes up again. But after Takashi's reassurance that no matter what, he always admires her, Saeko gains the inner strength to fight and they both make it back to Takagi's house safely.
EPISODE 10: The Dead's House Rules

Takashi and co. spend a "normal" day at Takagi's house. But in a house filled with adults, they discover that what independence they gained in the past few hours bears no meaning as people continue to treat them as no more than kids. The question boils down to whether they should stay and be forever treated like kids or separate from the group and gain back their independence. Saya gets mad at her parents for immediately concluding that she did not survive the zombie apocalypse and instead spent all their time and effort securing the house and their servants. Takagi's dad later arrives with his zombified best friend in tow. He severs its head in front of everyone in order to show to them that this is now their reality. His men also try to confiscate Kota's gun from him, much to his dismay. The others come to his rescue and they all find themselves standing up to Takagi's dad and his men. Meanwhile, one of Shido's students, who has been spying on the group, reports the situation to Shido, who decides to ask for the Takagi's help once Takashi and co. leave.
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Monday, August 30, 2010

Kishida Kyoudan and the Myoujou Rocket - High School of the Dead OP Single

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RELEASED: 08.18.2010
LABEL: Pioneer LDC
TRACKLIST:
1. HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD
2. Ripple
3. HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD (Tv size)
4. HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD (instrumental)
5. Ripple (instrumental)
DDL: MF
BUY @ Play-Asia.com | Yesasia.com

This took a while for me to upload. Not because my internet is that slow (although it is that slow, come to think of it), but because I haven't really found time to do so. However, here it is, the OP single for High School of the Dead. Hope you enjoy. It's a pretty awesome single.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

High School of the Dead 07: Rescue Service

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ACT 07: DEAD Night and the DEAD Rock

In this episode, all the usual dose of fan service and zombie apocalypse cliche is present. Oh yeah, and Busujima-senpai ♥ in that damned apron! SQUEEE XD
apron ~
dead meat
i don't know about you but i think hirano's pretty awesome

While our heroes are taking a well-deserved break in Shizuka-sensei's friend's apartment, the city outside is being taken over by the walking dead. The crowd down at the bridge are quickly dispersed as zombies swarm around them. To escape "them," many civilians end up in the nearby residences, trying to find a safe place. But the people holed up in these houses are not only unwilling to risk their own lives to save a few, they're openly hostile against these survivors.

Considering the circumstances, this behavior only makes sense, as Busujima-senpai ♥ explains to Takashi. However, despite her advice, Takashi and Hirano both decide to save one little girl whose Dad is killed by people who refuse to let him enter their home. With Hirano providing him cover and the help of Busujima-senpai ♥ and Rei, Takashi heads out on his motorcycle to rescue the girl.
her ditziness knows no end
flower for you
don't cry now. you'll attract "them"
enjoying ourselves, are we, hirano?

Meanwhile, Takagi gets wind of the situation and concocts a plan to make their escape in the Humvee while the zombies are distracted by Takashi. She gets everyone to load their provisions into the Humvee as quietly as possible. At the same time, Takashi, with the girl in tow, tries to make his own hairy escape from the zombies. To his utter relief, the girls arrive just in the nick in time, Busujima-senpai ♥ in her hot samurai apron girl (TM) outfit and Hirano with his ramboo sniper commando accessories. Hell yeah. Together, the two of them do a lot of damage and while at it, Takashi takes the chance to leap safely into the Humvee. SAFE. But for how long?
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Thursday, August 12, 2010

High School of the Dead 05-06

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In this episodes, OMGWTFNOODLES HAWT BUSUJIMA-SENPAI IN AN APRON AND NOTHING ELSE WOOT I CAN'T THINK SORRY GIRL CRUSH!!!!!11

*cough* *cough*

Ahem.

Okay, that aside, we're now on the second day of the zombie apocalypse and guess what, Shido is crazy, the people are crazy, the police are crazy, hell, even the heroes are crazy. The whole world has gone crazy! Point taken. But apparently, there's still a little bit of order left in all this chaos, at least for a little while before the inevitable happens. Zombies, you know, and stupid human sentiment. Which reminds me, if ever a zombie apocalypse ever happens in real life, the first thing I'm going to do is raid a gun store and get me a riot shotgun. And some hand grenades. And a goddmaned Gatling gun. Oh, and an apron ♥
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Highschool of the Dead 04: There's no helping it

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ACT 04: Running from the Dead

So we've got Takashi and Rei on their motorcycle, running all over Tokyo, and while they're doing that, the series decides to recap the last three episodes in a pointless attempt to make sure that we're all on the same page. Uhm, it's only been three episodes guys. Four, if you can't this one.

Previously, we've met Shido, the scheming jerk teacher who's appointed himself the leader of the ragtag group of students that Takashi picked up while he and his new buddies tried to make it out of school alive. Rei, however, didn't like the dude and Busujima-senpai ♥ is starting to see why.
not enough Busujima-senpai ♥ this episode but that look will sustain for at least another week

Meanwhile, Takashi and Rei cruise around the city and discover that almost every place is deserted. That means that the survivors have probably made it out somehow. Or, they've all been killed and turned to 'them.' Either way, it's not a good idea to stay around for too long. So after snagging a gun and some bullets from two dead cops, the two head out but have to stop first to get some gas. The name of the gas station is SHAUN. lolwut

The station turns out to be self-service but Takashi only has 30 yen in his pockets. Rei accuses him of being the worst, which of course prompts Takashi to blurt out his insecurity, saying that he's not as good as Hisashi. Damn if this guy isn't becoming "he whose name cannot be mentioned." The very sound of his name brings back really bad memories for both Takashi and Rei. Anyway, long story short, Rei doesn't have money either so Takashi goes into the convenience store to steal some cash from the cash register. While he's not looking, a punk with braces (lolwut) sneaks behind Rei and threatens her with a knife.
BRACES?! Talk about losing street cred

The horror of seeing his entire family get eaten by "them" has pushed the punk over the edge. All moral compunctions are gone. Now, all he wants is a nice piece in this suddenly apocalyptic world. This doesn't sit too well with Takashi. A tense little hostage crisis follows but Takashi has yet to reveal the ace up his sleeve: the gun he took from that dead cop. So when the first opportunity presents itself, Takashi runs towards the punk and shoots him. It's not a lethal shot but it might as well have been because the noise of the gunshot has attracted "their" attention. With more of "them" heading towards the station, Takashi and Rei hurry out of there, leaving behind the wounded, desperate punk.
no help comin'

On the road once more, Takashi muses that it's only been a day since the apocalypse but already, he has killed a man.

Well, that was...boring. But also an interesting end. Mmmmno. Still boring.
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