SYNOPSIS
Naota is a young, jaded, and bored individual. He constantly gripes about his hometown and its stale condition saying "nothing ever happens here". His home life is odd to say the least with a lecherous ex-journalist father, a baseball coaching and bakery running grandfather, an american baseball star older brother, and a chain smoking "girlfriend" whos his brother ex-girlfriend. His reptative life looks as if it will never end, until he is mowed down by a guiter wielding, vespa riding, alien bomb shell named Haruko Haruhara.
STORY
In its 6 episodes FLCL only shows anything close to a story in the last 2 episodes. And even then the story is simple and ridiculous, in short aliens want to make us stupid and Haruko is in search of a super being.
Most of the twists and turns in this wild OVA are so out of no where its as if they were pulling all of the plot points out of thin air. Character development is also on the weak side except for one character, our hero Naota. Through out all 6 episodes imagery is used (comedic or strange) as a metaphor for the changes in a teens life. This imagery starts from almost the beginning with Haruko smashing her guitar into Naota's skull living a curious bump on his head, this symbolizes the sudden arrival of the pubescent years on a young man and even the blemishes one receives in such years, the pyscial changes one endures. This symbolizim even dwells into emotional changes, and the fight to become a man when all you reallly wnat is to stay a child. In the end it all comes down to that, will Naota choose this responsobillity as a grown man or will he want to hang on to his innocence for the last fleeting years of simply being a kid.
PRODUCTION
Gainax and Production I.G, bring FLCL to life. Animating it full of vibrant colors and quick paced motion. It also tends to change style each episode paying homage to diffrent animator and art forms. The music is killer, being composed and preformed by The Pilllows. The Music alone whould make this a serise worth watching as it probably is the most rocking anime soundtrack out there with awsome tracks like "Ride On Shooting Star" "Last Dinosuar" "I Think I Can" and "Blue Drive Monster" to name a few.
DUB
Now if this were anyother serise I probably would not give high marks for this goofy and cartoonish dub, But this is FLCL. Kari Wahlgren shines as Haruko, giving her a wierd and wacky personalty but still can be serious when the script calls for it. Dave Mallow is terrific as the serious but stupid Amarao really playing it cool until somthing odd happens. Two other great player were the always terrific Melissa Fahn (Ninamori) and vetran voice actress Barbara Goodson (Naota) who both put humor and a hint of sadness in there character that gave this serise a human feel.
CONTENT
there is language, violence, and some slight nudity but the real issue parents will find with this serise is the over the top sexual humor. Through out the show there is non-stop jokes involving all sorts of lued material that is not for any young ears. There is also a scene of highly sexual activity, there is no nudity but it is very VERY suggestive (my friends and I call it the electric message scene).
EXTRAS
This is surprising for a Bandai/Fuimation dvd to come with so much extra goodies! Multiple audio Commentaries, english outtakes, Music videos and other treats buy the pillows, and of course opening/ending textless and trailers.
OVERALL
4 out of 5
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tower of Druaga (The Aegis + Sword of Uruk)
SYNOPSIS
Based on the arcade franchise of the same name, this fantasy series follows Jil who has been kicked out of his half-brother Neeba's Climber party. Desperate to get to the top of the tower and defeat the evil Druaga, Jil finds himself partnered with the beautiful oracle Kaaya, valliant Spear woman Ahmey, lazy mage Melt, and perky retainer Coopa. Together the band of heroes climb to the top to kill the evil god and claim a legendary treasure, but there may just be more to this adventure than meets the eye.
STORY
This is probably the most epic anime serise I've seen since Fullmetal Alchemist, it also is the funniest as well.
Druaga begins with a dream episode, were Jil is knocked out and fantasyzing about his grand adventure climbing the tower. This episode alone cracks me up, the comedic timing and fooly-cooly like randomness makes the beginning a great start. Now the first season all in all is tons of filler, which would turn me off instantly. but this my friends is good filler (yes there is such a thing). Every filler episode has tons of laughs and tounge in cheek pop culture refrences that few could watch this and not find this serise entertaining.
But it starts to pace itself once we reach episode 6,(which don't fret it's still funny) this show pulls somthing off that very few shows can, Build characters through comedy and define them in tragedy. Druaga is a wonderful example of excellent chracer development, making us fall in love with characters through light hearted adventures and feel for them in epic quests, season one pulls off the perfect combonation of funny and epic all in 13 episodes.
Season 2 continues were season one lets off (which was a exciteing twist). Though has its momments of humor, season 2 does not have the same comedic jolt as season one, but this is actually quite fitting. New characters are introduced, though some are not quite as memorable as others ( While Uragon and Henaro are wonderful Gremica and Nakia are forgetable)
But were season two lacks in humor and in minor character development it makes up in story OH HOW IT MAKES UP IN STORY! the story for season 2 is nothing more than brilliant and epic, a tale that feels like somthing from Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. and I wont spoil anything but the ending is wonderful.
PRODUCTION
The animation is nothing short of astounding, of course it is Gonzo so why wouldn't be? The movements and expressions on each charcter is fluid and alive, and gives off a warmth that shows rarely have. The Music is quite impressive with sounds similar to any epic fantasy film, though some tracks were a little over used.
And least we forget the super fun opening songs and there even more energetic opening animation, which had me grining every time it came up.
DUB
This dub had an incredible cast spear headed by the wonderful Leah Clark (who played Kai) . Todd Haberkorn shines yet again as the quirky hero and does a great job doing so. Teh comedic timing of Monica Rial and Chuck Huber as Coopa and Melt was brilliant to say the least, and Chuck Huber really brought Melt a element of sadness in a later episodes that showed Melt as more than just a plucky comic relief. Travis Willingham plays it cool (as allways) with Neeba. and two wonderful noteable proformances from Josh Grelle as Young Gil and Brittney Karbowski as Henaro.
CONTENT
There was quite a bit of fanservice, but was always censored by steam or ironic turn if events (episode 5) But season 2 has 3 scenes were ther was no steam or irony were nudity was shown. Language was about as heavy as any TV-14 show, nothing to bad but there was still language present. Violence and blood are throughout the show, but its about as violent as what you see in an episode of DBZ. There are a few suggestive jokes and events, one involving Fatina in episode 1, were she is groped by Roppers ( aka tentacle monsters) in a VERY sexual way ( though I must admit the male memmbers of the group made this scene VERY funny) there is also a scene that I would like to mention, after Kaaya begins to defend her beliefs in her gods which Neeba has only but hatred for, Neeba pushs Kaaya down while he is shirt-less and asks is it the gods will for this, implying would the gods want me to rape you, though he dosn't it still is a pretty edgey scene for younger eyes.
EXTRAS
This had a collection of wonderful extras. Season one Comes with an OVA and a super funny commentary with Todd Haberkorn, Monica Rial, and Chuck Huber. Season Two has a serise walk-through with some intresting history about the druaga franchise, a commercial for some promo dish at a resturant inspired by Melts's favorite dish, and a commentary with Trina Nishimura, Lia Clark, and Jamie Marchi. and Of course bothe seasons of clean Opening/Ending animation and a collection of trailers.
OVERALL
4 1/2 Out of 5
Based on the arcade franchise of the same name, this fantasy series follows Jil who has been kicked out of his half-brother Neeba's Climber party. Desperate to get to the top of the tower and defeat the evil Druaga, Jil finds himself partnered with the beautiful oracle Kaaya, valliant Spear woman Ahmey, lazy mage Melt, and perky retainer Coopa. Together the band of heroes climb to the top to kill the evil god and claim a legendary treasure, but there may just be more to this adventure than meets the eye.
STORY
This is probably the most epic anime serise I've seen since Fullmetal Alchemist, it also is the funniest as well.
Druaga begins with a dream episode, were Jil is knocked out and fantasyzing about his grand adventure climbing the tower. This episode alone cracks me up, the comedic timing and fooly-cooly like randomness makes the beginning a great start. Now the first season all in all is tons of filler, which would turn me off instantly. but this my friends is good filler (yes there is such a thing). Every filler episode has tons of laughs and tounge in cheek pop culture refrences that few could watch this and not find this serise entertaining.
But it starts to pace itself once we reach episode 6,(which don't fret it's still funny) this show pulls somthing off that very few shows can, Build characters through comedy and define them in tragedy. Druaga is a wonderful example of excellent chracer development, making us fall in love with characters through light hearted adventures and feel for them in epic quests, season one pulls off the perfect combonation of funny and epic all in 13 episodes.
Season 2 continues were season one lets off (which was a exciteing twist). Though has its momments of humor, season 2 does not have the same comedic jolt as season one, but this is actually quite fitting. New characters are introduced, though some are not quite as memorable as others ( While Uragon and Henaro are wonderful Gremica and Nakia are forgetable)
But were season two lacks in humor and in minor character development it makes up in story OH HOW IT MAKES UP IN STORY! the story for season 2 is nothing more than brilliant and epic, a tale that feels like somthing from Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. and I wont spoil anything but the ending is wonderful.
PRODUCTION
The animation is nothing short of astounding, of course it is Gonzo so why wouldn't be? The movements and expressions on each charcter is fluid and alive, and gives off a warmth that shows rarely have. The Music is quite impressive with sounds similar to any epic fantasy film, though some tracks were a little over used.
And least we forget the super fun opening songs and there even more energetic opening animation, which had me grining every time it came up.
DUB
This dub had an incredible cast spear headed by the wonderful Leah Clark (who played Kai) . Todd Haberkorn shines yet again as the quirky hero and does a great job doing so. Teh comedic timing of Monica Rial and Chuck Huber as Coopa and Melt was brilliant to say the least, and Chuck Huber really brought Melt a element of sadness in a later episodes that showed Melt as more than just a plucky comic relief. Travis Willingham plays it cool (as allways) with Neeba. and two wonderful noteable proformances from Josh Grelle as Young Gil and Brittney Karbowski as Henaro.
CONTENT
There was quite a bit of fanservice, but was always censored by steam or ironic turn if events (episode 5) But season 2 has 3 scenes were ther was no steam or irony were nudity was shown. Language was about as heavy as any TV-14 show, nothing to bad but there was still language present. Violence and blood are throughout the show, but its about as violent as what you see in an episode of DBZ. There are a few suggestive jokes and events, one involving Fatina in episode 1, were she is groped by Roppers ( aka tentacle monsters) in a VERY sexual way ( though I must admit the male memmbers of the group made this scene VERY funny) there is also a scene that I would like to mention, after Kaaya begins to defend her beliefs in her gods which Neeba has only but hatred for, Neeba pushs Kaaya down while he is shirt-less and asks is it the gods will for this, implying would the gods want me to rape you, though he dosn't it still is a pretty edgey scene for younger eyes.
EXTRAS
This had a collection of wonderful extras. Season one Comes with an OVA and a super funny commentary with Todd Haberkorn, Monica Rial, and Chuck Huber. Season Two has a serise walk-through with some intresting history about the druaga franchise, a commercial for some promo dish at a resturant inspired by Melts's favorite dish, and a commentary with Trina Nishimura, Lia Clark, and Jamie Marchi. and Of course bothe seasons of clean Opening/Ending animation and a collection of trailers.
OVERALL
4 1/2 Out of 5
So this is how I run my ship.....
Hi, for a 2+ years I have built a very large anime collection, and have wanted to do a otaku review series foe quite some time. My girlfriend Zizi just started a blog and this got me thinking, HEY! I could do that! So here's how its gonna work, and I will demonstrate with the sections.
SYNOPSIS
A basic outline of the story
STORY
I say what I like and didn't like about the overall story and character development
PRODUCTION
I review the technical like and dislikes I found in the animation, music, etc.
DUB
How good did the english translater do and what I thought about the cast
CONTENT
This is mainly for parents, I point out elements with in the anime that are questionable for younger viewers
EXTRAS
My opinion of the extra features on the DVD ( though some times I will not review extras since some of my shows are on VHS)
OVERALL
I will grade each title on a 1-5 star scale
so there you go, I hope you find my review helpful!
SYNOPSIS
A basic outline of the story
STORY
I say what I like and didn't like about the overall story and character development
PRODUCTION
I review the technical like and dislikes I found in the animation, music, etc.
DUB
How good did the english translater do and what I thought about the cast
CONTENT
This is mainly for parents, I point out elements with in the anime that are questionable for younger viewers
EXTRAS
My opinion of the extra features on the DVD ( though some times I will not review extras since some of my shows are on VHS)
OVERALL
I will grade each title on a 1-5 star scale
so there you go, I hope you find my review helpful!
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