SYNOPSIS
It is 2031, man kind has abandoned earth after being invaded by the insect like monster known as blue. But there are those still on earth fighting to keep what they call home, who are deemed unfiting by the masses in space. It is 2031, and one man will be awoken from his slumber to find the horrors of this new world, both from the blue, and man.
STORY
If there is one novel I could take on a dessert island, It would be Fahrenhiet 451. I love totalitarianism in a sci-fi setting. Its not like I am into anarchy or anything, I just find the idea of a moralless society driven by a "perfect rule system" intriguing. Blue Gender presents its self as a Starship Troopers Esq show, big alien bugs, mecha, blood, sci-fi. But as the show progresses It shows itself as somthing more deeper than the typical big aliens bigger guns scenerio. Our Hero Yuji is a sleeper ( someone who has the B-cell disease, and is put under chryogenic stasis till a cure is found)
who is awakend by a group of soldiers, incuding the lovely Marlene. Though it plays out as save the world by extermination ( didn't see that coming) We also see the moral issuses that have unfolded on society in such post apocolyptic times. From simple acts of compassion to the complicated area of Love, this show goes to great depths exploring the human mind and how drastic changes can morph ones look on such basic concepts of social interaction. For instance (I will be bringing this up in content as well JSYK!) sexuality becomes a kind of past time for humanity. As Marlene puts it towards Yuji who is shocked to find Marlene not devestated by a soldiers death who only a night before was intament with, She looks a at Yuji and states that no one knows when one will die so why not give them at least a little pleasure before they meet the end (that is not a direct quote by the way).
This of couse is brought up later, but this is not the only social issue discussed in Blue Gender, to put it simply think 1984 if it had giant bugs. In every since of the word blue gender is one thing, classic.
PRODUCTION
Brought together by the famous Production AIC (Anime International Company) legendary for the works Megazone 23, Bubblegum Crisis, Ah! My Goddess, Silent Mobius, And El Hazard. They pull off together quite an amazing peice. Though animation tends to get a bit sloppy from time to time with some choppy and some times odd movement, This ultiamtly dosn't ruin the animation in a whole. With music brillantly conducted by Kuniaki Haishima (who also composed the scores for shows such as Alien Nine, Legend of Himiko, Macross Zero, and Monster, to name a few), the score for Blue Gender really sets the mood for the action (and some time the horror) of this epic serise. All in all Production is pulled together quite nicely.
DUB
Eric Vale and Laura Bailey shine as the lead roles of Yuji and Marlene, and Jerry Jewel proves once again he is the ultimate psycho for anime (The Dennis Hopper of anime if I may be so bold). Another glowing preformance is that of Sean Schemmel as Rick, who really shows his range proving he can be more than just DBZ's goofy Goku! A very well dubbed serise that show the dramatic talents of these wonderful voice actors!
CONTENT
Super violent and bloody, language, sexual content, and nudity. This may say 15+ but this is somthing I would only show to a 17+ audiance, this show is an animated R movie. Now luckly the sexual content/nudity is only apparent in 4 or 5 episodes and does not go to the element of porny and in one instance is used to show the disgusting lack of morals mankind now practices. Language is pretty much everything except F, and The Violence/gore is very heavy depending on the episode and scene. Oh minor note the ending songs video has Marlene walking in a pool of water naked, which I think is about the only pointless fan-service you can find in the show, so if you want to not roll your eyes press the skip button.
EXTRAS
A commentary with Eric Vale, Laura Baliey, and Chris Sabat on episode one, Cast bios, music videos, select music tracks, Image and sketch gallerys, and Funimation trailers.
OVERALL
A epic adult sci-fi that gives a look at not only the decay of earth but the decay of ourselves as a socity, a must see for any sci-fi junky!
4 2/4 out of 5
Monday, August 15, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Cyborg 009
SYNOPSIS
A young man wakes up and finds himself in a strange room, and a smal voice in his head telling him to escape. He finds 8 others waiting for him on the outside, all with unique gifts, all with mysterious pasts, all affected by Black Ghost. They are no longer who they used to be, they are half man, half machine, Cyborgs.
STORY
Only 8 out 51 episodes of this amazing series came to the US, and I bang my head against the wall every time I think about that fact. Cyborg 009 is a series showcase of a golden era of manga. When it reflected a sorta Super hero image, shounen is much different now, and not altogether a bad thing but at the same time not altogether a good thing either. Its an element that has slowly died out, the element of child like wonder. Now most Shounen manga have gone for an element of realism, or the "beat em up" genre that Fist Of the North Star and Dragon Ball Z belong too. But Im getting off topic.
Cyborg 009 is th3 3rd anime rendition of Shotaro Ishinomori's legendary manga. It contains the amazing tales of 9 Cyborgs gifted with amazing gifts fighting evil, sounds like a simplistic story right? Wrong. Though dressed in a "Tezukian" (Im sooooooo coining that phrase!) Sci-fi backdrop, It shows raw human emotion and struggles found in such gripping shows as FMA and Macross. Now I'm not saying 009 is a Bosom brother to these shows, but it shares a emotional link to the more down o earth serise while still retaining a youthful, classic design. Now is it worth the watch, being only 8 released episodes, with no ending for an American audiance? Heck yes!!! This is one you have to see at least once, to get the feel of such a beautiful and clssic serise. I highly suggest it! (plus if you leave in Australia, you could just watch the whole serise since they got it, AND WE DIDNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
PRODUCTION
Avex Entertainment andJapan Vistec are responsible for this piece, now mind you this about when cel animation was dropped and we adopted the whole "EVERYTHING MUST BE DIGITAL!!"
state of mind. Now if you have ever seen an early digital only anime, such as Saiyuki or Rune Soldier, you may know how odd and sometimes choppy the animation can get. Luckly, this choppyness rarely shows on any of the released episodes of 009. Thou there are a few times were one can look at the animation and go "man, they really haven't mastered there programs yet." but this isn't so bad as to affect the show. The Music is awsome with both OP and ED preformed by J-Trance group GLOBE.
And with faithful directing by Masayuki Akebi ( who is a 009 veteran since he directed the '79 serise)
this show really pulls together nicely.
DUB
The dub is altogether so-so, some preformances abit over the top but there are a good amount of gems in this serise. Joshua Seth (of Digimon fame) plays a great hero as 009, Kirk Thornton plays the the hot headed and big nosed 002, And Dorothy Elias-Fahn gives a terrific preformance as 003. and I would hate not to mention Richard Epcar as the haunting leader of black ghost, Skull!
CONTENT
Nothing really to worry about except violenec and maybe a little language.
EXTRAS
Sadly nothing really, except trailers and some weblinks (weblinks?!)
OVERALL
Though Toonami fans ignored the serise wanting a more "DBZ" like serise, Cyborg 009 is a diamond in the rough of the toonami a block, a must see!
3 2/4 out of 5
A young man wakes up and finds himself in a strange room, and a smal voice in his head telling him to escape. He finds 8 others waiting for him on the outside, all with unique gifts, all with mysterious pasts, all affected by Black Ghost. They are no longer who they used to be, they are half man, half machine, Cyborgs.
STORY
Only 8 out 51 episodes of this amazing series came to the US, and I bang my head against the wall every time I think about that fact. Cyborg 009 is a series showcase of a golden era of manga. When it reflected a sorta Super hero image, shounen is much different now, and not altogether a bad thing but at the same time not altogether a good thing either. Its an element that has slowly died out, the element of child like wonder. Now most Shounen manga have gone for an element of realism, or the "beat em up" genre that Fist Of the North Star and Dragon Ball Z belong too. But Im getting off topic.
Cyborg 009 is th3 3rd anime rendition of Shotaro Ishinomori's legendary manga. It contains the amazing tales of 9 Cyborgs gifted with amazing gifts fighting evil, sounds like a simplistic story right? Wrong. Though dressed in a "Tezukian" (Im sooooooo coining that phrase!) Sci-fi backdrop, It shows raw human emotion and struggles found in such gripping shows as FMA and Macross. Now I'm not saying 009 is a Bosom brother to these shows, but it shares a emotional link to the more down o earth serise while still retaining a youthful, classic design. Now is it worth the watch, being only 8 released episodes, with no ending for an American audiance? Heck yes!!! This is one you have to see at least once, to get the feel of such a beautiful and clssic serise. I highly suggest it! (plus if you leave in Australia, you could just watch the whole serise since they got it, AND WE DIDNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
PRODUCTION
Avex Entertainment andJapan Vistec are responsible for this piece, now mind you this about when cel animation was dropped and we adopted the whole "EVERYTHING MUST BE DIGITAL!!"
state of mind. Now if you have ever seen an early digital only anime, such as Saiyuki or Rune Soldier, you may know how odd and sometimes choppy the animation can get. Luckly, this choppyness rarely shows on any of the released episodes of 009. Thou there are a few times were one can look at the animation and go "man, they really haven't mastered there programs yet." but this isn't so bad as to affect the show. The Music is awsome with both OP and ED preformed by J-Trance group GLOBE.
And with faithful directing by Masayuki Akebi ( who is a 009 veteran since he directed the '79 serise)
this show really pulls together nicely.
DUB
The dub is altogether so-so, some preformances abit over the top but there are a good amount of gems in this serise. Joshua Seth (of Digimon fame) plays a great hero as 009, Kirk Thornton plays the the hot headed and big nosed 002, And Dorothy Elias-Fahn gives a terrific preformance as 003. and I would hate not to mention Richard Epcar as the haunting leader of black ghost, Skull!
CONTENT
Nothing really to worry about except violenec and maybe a little language.
EXTRAS
Sadly nothing really, except trailers and some weblinks (weblinks?!)
OVERALL
Though Toonami fans ignored the serise wanting a more "DBZ" like serise, Cyborg 009 is a diamond in the rough of the toonami a block, a must see!
3 2/4 out of 5
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Hetalia: Axis Powers
SYNOPSIS
History has taken turn for the crazy as WWII is being fought by stereotypes with quirky anime humor.
STORY
I like history, so going into this series I was sure I would fall in love with its humorous take on WWII. Wrong, so very very wrong. Now don't miss understand me, It's not like I watched one episode and puked a lung, I gave it more than half a season. And slowly but surely I saw something that I can only describe as one word: Mindless. Sure it is taking actual events from history, but what destroys this series is the humor. Its so over the top, so insane, that anything else going on is white noise. Half the time I had to rewind, or ask my girlfriend sitting next to me "what?". Now I have watched crazy shows before, with zany humor and stereotypical anime antics, but they were half an hour long. This is like watching an edited version of Negima!?, with all the serious parts cut so all you have is the random crazy stuff. A show driven only on spontaneous jokes, even if based on facts, won't work. Another problem I have is some of the jokes content. I'm sorry but I really don't find racial jokes that funny, especially not ones that go ON and ON through out a serise. And even though Germany does represent Nazi Germany, the anti-semitic jokes aren't funny. I guess the show would be less funny if some character representing the jewissh people stood up and talked about there suffering under germany. This show's problem now that I think about it, is that its being to light hearted on serise matters. This really happend, this is not a joke, somethings aren't funny even when joked about.
I think war, rascism, and a world in fear is not somthing to be taken lightly even if it only happend 70+ years ago.
PRODUCTION
The animation okay, I mean its not supposed to be amazing since the web comic was drawn in a simple design. The opening is the chant like Tunes you find in old school shows, which isn't a bad thing. Studio Deen did a good job in remaing faithful to the origonal work, the serise is almost identical to the comic. The bgm's are forgettable and goofy, so I suggest just buying the character albums and stay away from the origional soundtrack.
DUB
There are such terrific dub actors in this serise, yet looking at the preformances all of them are over the top and seem the same. If someone plays audio of two character from this show and then asks me who vocies who, I would probably say Chris Cason for both of them (by the way, this is a joke)
I felt no unique direction from any of preformance from this serise. The dub felt very bland, which was disapointing since several of my favorite actors preformed in Hetalia.
CONTENT
Language and as I mentioned before racial sterotypes and rascist remarks. and there is so much of this in fact that its rated TV-MA. So not suggested for the innocent.
EXTRAS
A lot of Commentaries, and Trailers.
OVERALL
What was a great Idea, turned into a mindless, rascist, and sadly popular serise.
1 3/4 out of 5
History has taken turn for the crazy as WWII is being fought by stereotypes with quirky anime humor.
STORY
I like history, so going into this series I was sure I would fall in love with its humorous take on WWII. Wrong, so very very wrong. Now don't miss understand me, It's not like I watched one episode and puked a lung, I gave it more than half a season. And slowly but surely I saw something that I can only describe as one word: Mindless. Sure it is taking actual events from history, but what destroys this series is the humor. Its so over the top, so insane, that anything else going on is white noise. Half the time I had to rewind, or ask my girlfriend sitting next to me "what?". Now I have watched crazy shows before, with zany humor and stereotypical anime antics, but they were half an hour long. This is like watching an edited version of Negima!?, with all the serious parts cut so all you have is the random crazy stuff. A show driven only on spontaneous jokes, even if based on facts, won't work. Another problem I have is some of the jokes content. I'm sorry but I really don't find racial jokes that funny, especially not ones that go ON and ON through out a serise. And even though Germany does represent Nazi Germany, the anti-semitic jokes aren't funny. I guess the show would be less funny if some character representing the jewissh people stood up and talked about there suffering under germany. This show's problem now that I think about it, is that its being to light hearted on serise matters. This really happend, this is not a joke, somethings aren't funny even when joked about.
I think war, rascism, and a world in fear is not somthing to be taken lightly even if it only happend 70+ years ago.
PRODUCTION
The animation okay, I mean its not supposed to be amazing since the web comic was drawn in a simple design. The opening is the chant like Tunes you find in old school shows, which isn't a bad thing. Studio Deen did a good job in remaing faithful to the origonal work, the serise is almost identical to the comic. The bgm's are forgettable and goofy, so I suggest just buying the character albums and stay away from the origional soundtrack.
DUB
There are such terrific dub actors in this serise, yet looking at the preformances all of them are over the top and seem the same. If someone plays audio of two character from this show and then asks me who vocies who, I would probably say Chris Cason for both of them (by the way, this is a joke)
I felt no unique direction from any of preformance from this serise. The dub felt very bland, which was disapointing since several of my favorite actors preformed in Hetalia.
CONTENT
Language and as I mentioned before racial sterotypes and rascist remarks. and there is so much of this in fact that its rated TV-MA. So not suggested for the innocent.
EXTRAS
A lot of Commentaries, and Trailers.
OVERALL
What was a great Idea, turned into a mindless, rascist, and sadly popular serise.
1 3/4 out of 5
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Baccano!
SYNOPSIS
It Is 1930 and 1931, random events, random people (unusual but random). But as the wheels turn and time shows not all events are as unconnected as they seem. Some deal with the devil, and others are along for the ride, unknowingly a cog in the clock of immortalty. Baccano follows a group of individuals who have been affected by a stormy night in 1711.
STORY
I Loved this show. This may be one of the most clever and well written anime series I have ever seen. With a terrific cast of characters set in a wonderful take on Depression era New York. This really threw a bone to the history buff in me. But at the same time this is probably one of the most violent and grisly series I've seen to date, going up there with Akira, Rin, and Elfen Lied. The show has been described as complicated but once you get the hang of the shows settings its not really that complicated. This show most surprising quality is that even though being a super violent and dark series, it manages to have some of the most unique and heart warming characters in anime. This is one of those shows that after watching just sticks with you and never lets go. A must watch for anyone looking for a dark and seedy mystery, fun adventure, or even both.
PRODUCTION
The animation is two words: breath taking. No repeating animation, no choppy movements, just fluid clean animation that breaths life into its characters. Studio Brain's Base is the masterminds behind the artistic glow of Baccano, Never heard of them? They are the ones behind such series as Durarara!!, Spice and Wolf II, and Shin Getter Robo (shout out to the old school meca fans!!) The music is just as spectacular with a jazz infused soundtrack and a killer opening song by Paradise Lunch.
Spearheaded By Director Takahiro Omori (of Hell Girl Fame) this series packs a punch in every way.
DUB
J. Michael Tatum and Catlin Glass ARE Issac and Miria, They pull off these characters so flawlessly it makes you think they were made for those roles. I have rarely fallen head over heels in love with such a dynamic duo, at least not since Ed and Al of FMA. But along side Tatum and Glass is another equally shining voice Bryan Massey, who plays the raving mad Ladd Russo who is so crazy and sadistic you just LOVE to hate him. Bryan's performance puts me in that unique position as a viewer were I know this guy is evil as evil gets and I should loath this guy but his just to wild and crazed to not enjoy him. Its the same problem I have with Batman's Joker. Of course this show has many more great preformances from actors like R. Bruce Elliot as Szilard Quates, Jerry Jewel as Claire Stanfield, Colleen Clinkenbeard as Nice Holystone, Brina Palencia as Enni,and Sean Hennigan as Maiza Avaro.
CONTENT
The serise as I said before is VERY violent to the point were I was suprised. This is a show that is TV-MA for violence and language. No f-bombs but the mafia pretty much use everyother word in the book. Not for children or the squimish.
EXTRAS
Commentaries with the english crew and cast, Textless songs, and the Funimation Trailers.
OVERALL
A gem of a anime serise, a must watch for any who love somthing beyond the sterotypical! In numbers: 4.25/5
It Is 1930 and 1931, random events, random people (unusual but random). But as the wheels turn and time shows not all events are as unconnected as they seem. Some deal with the devil, and others are along for the ride, unknowingly a cog in the clock of immortalty. Baccano follows a group of individuals who have been affected by a stormy night in 1711.
STORY
I Loved this show. This may be one of the most clever and well written anime series I have ever seen. With a terrific cast of characters set in a wonderful take on Depression era New York. This really threw a bone to the history buff in me. But at the same time this is probably one of the most violent and grisly series I've seen to date, going up there with Akira, Rin, and Elfen Lied. The show has been described as complicated but once you get the hang of the shows settings its not really that complicated. This show most surprising quality is that even though being a super violent and dark series, it manages to have some of the most unique and heart warming characters in anime. This is one of those shows that after watching just sticks with you and never lets go. A must watch for anyone looking for a dark and seedy mystery, fun adventure, or even both.
PRODUCTION
The animation is two words: breath taking. No repeating animation, no choppy movements, just fluid clean animation that breaths life into its characters. Studio Brain's Base is the masterminds behind the artistic glow of Baccano, Never heard of them? They are the ones behind such series as Durarara!!, Spice and Wolf II, and Shin Getter Robo (shout out to the old school meca fans!!) The music is just as spectacular with a jazz infused soundtrack and a killer opening song by Paradise Lunch.
Spearheaded By Director Takahiro Omori (of Hell Girl Fame) this series packs a punch in every way.
DUB
J. Michael Tatum and Catlin Glass ARE Issac and Miria, They pull off these characters so flawlessly it makes you think they were made for those roles. I have rarely fallen head over heels in love with such a dynamic duo, at least not since Ed and Al of FMA. But along side Tatum and Glass is another equally shining voice Bryan Massey, who plays the raving mad Ladd Russo who is so crazy and sadistic you just LOVE to hate him. Bryan's performance puts me in that unique position as a viewer were I know this guy is evil as evil gets and I should loath this guy but his just to wild and crazed to not enjoy him. Its the same problem I have with Batman's Joker. Of course this show has many more great preformances from actors like R. Bruce Elliot as Szilard Quates, Jerry Jewel as Claire Stanfield, Colleen Clinkenbeard as Nice Holystone, Brina Palencia as Enni,and Sean Hennigan as Maiza Avaro.
CONTENT
The serise as I said before is VERY violent to the point were I was suprised. This is a show that is TV-MA for violence and language. No f-bombs but the mafia pretty much use everyother word in the book. Not for children or the squimish.
EXTRAS
Commentaries with the english crew and cast, Textless songs, and the Funimation Trailers.
OVERALL
A gem of a anime serise, a must watch for any who love somthing beyond the sterotypical! In numbers: 4.25/5
Monday, June 27, 2011
Panty And Stocking With Garterbelt
Synopsis If you didn't know better, a title like that would scream porn, h-content, H-E-N-T-A-I, with a capital H and a Capital I (snicker! That Rhymes!) But fear not, this is not your nerdy older brothers hentai titke stashed neatly in the bottom of his bed, This is but Gainax newest comedic anime. Where Angels Panty and Stocking are lead by the priest Garter belt, to slay ghost for coins to redeem themselves back into heaven. (pause) Okay (sigh) its a little perverted. But let me explain better.....
Story
Imagine if Powerpuff Girls had a baby with FLCL, on acid. You may just picture the craziness that is PSG. For Years I thought Nothing could in japan could be closer to the adult swim generation of cartoons ( Robot Chicken, Sealab 2021, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, etc.) than Fooly Cooly. I was dead wrong. PSG not only carries the same wicked humor of Seth Greens brain child Robot Chicken, at times it even goes one step further in its insanity. I would cup my hands to my mouth often, looking at my girlfriend chuckling "that's so wrong!!!" It is a series driven on this new breed of American comedy cartoons. And I'm Postive, once in the U.S. it will be a hit with the Adult Swim youth such as myself.
Production
Funny Story: Gainax animation team was on a business vacation of sorts, and after many a drink and a bit to much goofing PSG was born. Thats right, this entire show was born from a drunk Gainax, let that soak in for a sec. But once you watch the show, this fact becomes quite evident. The writeing is more bizare than FLCL and thats quite a feat. The animtion is almost Craig McCracken meets Rodney Greenblat. And as in FLCL the animation style changes with each homage it makes towards whatever genre or franchise it chooses to spoof next. The Music is killer with a mix of hip-hop and rave beats by multiple talented artists. Gainax proves once again they are the kings of anime comedy, and anime wired.
Dub
Though Funimation has officialy bought PSG there is no Dub as of yet.
Content
NO CHILD OR PERSON WHO IS EASILY OFFENDED SHOULD SEE THIS SHOW.
If you can't watch anything on the adult swim line, there is no way you could watch PSG without slapping the person next to you. Its humor is that of (as I said before) Robot Chicken, only one step further. I can't begin to stress that this show is NOT for everyone. The Humor is in one word MATURE. Watch a couple nights of Adult Swim, and if your ready, come watch some PSG.
Extras
There is a wonderfuly funny OVA on PSG but since there is no real region 1 release I can't say as to what the DVD will contain.
Overall
Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt is Funny, Crude, Epic, Cute, Moe, Immature, and in numbers
4.75/5
Story
Imagine if Powerpuff Girls had a baby with FLCL, on acid. You may just picture the craziness that is PSG. For Years I thought Nothing could in japan could be closer to the adult swim generation of cartoons ( Robot Chicken, Sealab 2021, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, etc.) than Fooly Cooly. I was dead wrong. PSG not only carries the same wicked humor of Seth Greens brain child Robot Chicken, at times it even goes one step further in its insanity. I would cup my hands to my mouth often, looking at my girlfriend chuckling "that's so wrong!!!" It is a series driven on this new breed of American comedy cartoons. And I'm Postive, once in the U.S. it will be a hit with the Adult Swim youth such as myself.
Production
Funny Story: Gainax animation team was on a business vacation of sorts, and after many a drink and a bit to much goofing PSG was born. Thats right, this entire show was born from a drunk Gainax, let that soak in for a sec. But once you watch the show, this fact becomes quite evident. The writeing is more bizare than FLCL and thats quite a feat. The animtion is almost Craig McCracken meets Rodney Greenblat. And as in FLCL the animation style changes with each homage it makes towards whatever genre or franchise it chooses to spoof next. The Music is killer with a mix of hip-hop and rave beats by multiple talented artists. Gainax proves once again they are the kings of anime comedy, and anime wired.
Dub
Though Funimation has officialy bought PSG there is no Dub as of yet.
Content
NO CHILD OR PERSON WHO IS EASILY OFFENDED SHOULD SEE THIS SHOW.
If you can't watch anything on the adult swim line, there is no way you could watch PSG without slapping the person next to you. Its humor is that of (as I said before) Robot Chicken, only one step further. I can't begin to stress that this show is NOT for everyone. The Humor is in one word MATURE. Watch a couple nights of Adult Swim, and if your ready, come watch some PSG.
Extras
There is a wonderfuly funny OVA on PSG but since there is no real region 1 release I can't say as to what the DVD will contain.
Overall
Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt is Funny, Crude, Epic, Cute, Moe, Immature, and in numbers
4.75/5
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
NOEIN (To Your Other Self)
SYNOPSIS Yu and Haruka are childhood friends who have been there for each other no matter what. But both now live in broken homes and Yu suffers from the pressures of cram study due his controlling mother. Yu fears his losing his mind and wishes to run away with Haruka. But forces from a different time and space have entered into there world, and they want Haruka.
STORY
I grew up watching re-runs of Star Trek TOS and TNG, I couldn't get enough of it. One of the most over used plot points in Star Trek lore is alternate universes or dimensions. Noien's whole storyline is built around quantum physics, specifically the multi-worlds theory first conceived by Hugh Everett in 1957. This is possibly one of the coolest and most well constructed story lines I've seen in an anime serise. It's a Star Trek episode, expanded into a much larger scale. Elements of The multi-worlds theory are anialyzed in much greater detail the 24 episodes of noien than in a 45 minute episode of Star Trek. Character development is also amazingly will detailed, with twists and turns that few anime can or even try to pull off. Noien is a magnificent accomplishment in Japanese story telling.
PRODUCTION
Starlight studio is not a widely well known animation studio (heck I didn't know who they were till I wiki'ed them!) They were the animators for Heat Guy J, Hellsing Ultimate, and Baldr Force EXE. These were all amazingly well animated shows, Noien is no exception. Noien is unique, its animation style is so different from your typical "narutard" anime. Its characters move, talk, fight, and breathe like no other anime does, And man do they fight different! The fight scenes are so fluid and unique in there animation that it had me on the edge of my seat every time (no joke). From music to art this series has few if any production flaws.
DUB
The Dub has a wonderful cast spear headed by the wonderful talents of Crispin Freeman and Yuri Lowenthal. Certain performances begin at a painfully silly tone, such as Lara Cody's Miho and Bryce Papenbrook's Isami, but surprisingly this grows onto you in a odd sort of way. Melissa Fahn shines yet again vocally giving life to are heroine Haruka. another note worthy performance is Mona Marshall and Ellyn Stern as the mothers of our two heroes, and lest we forget Eddie Frierson who brings life to the wicked Atori!
CONTENT
Except for violence and language, this show is altogether a pretty clean 13 Up series. Now I would leave it at that but the DVDs do contain Easter eggs with very harsh language (everything up to F) but these are only on the hidden blooper reels ( of course I found them quite easily).
EXTRAS
some great behind the scenes features, an on location with the actors and director, and any anime with a blooper reel on its dvd is all right with me! and some wimpy image galleries were shoved in on each DVD. Noein also has some cool alternate opening/ending videos and of course the trailer gallery!
OVERALL
4 1/2 out of 5
STORY
I grew up watching re-runs of Star Trek TOS and TNG, I couldn't get enough of it. One of the most over used plot points in Star Trek lore is alternate universes or dimensions. Noien's whole storyline is built around quantum physics, specifically the multi-worlds theory first conceived by Hugh Everett in 1957. This is possibly one of the coolest and most well constructed story lines I've seen in an anime serise. It's a Star Trek episode, expanded into a much larger scale. Elements of The multi-worlds theory are anialyzed in much greater detail the 24 episodes of noien than in a 45 minute episode of Star Trek. Character development is also amazingly will detailed, with twists and turns that few anime can or even try to pull off. Noien is a magnificent accomplishment in Japanese story telling.
PRODUCTION
Starlight studio is not a widely well known animation studio (heck I didn't know who they were till I wiki'ed them!) They were the animators for Heat Guy J, Hellsing Ultimate, and Baldr Force EXE. These were all amazingly well animated shows, Noien is no exception. Noien is unique, its animation style is so different from your typical "narutard" anime. Its characters move, talk, fight, and breathe like no other anime does, And man do they fight different! The fight scenes are so fluid and unique in there animation that it had me on the edge of my seat every time (no joke). From music to art this series has few if any production flaws.
DUB
The Dub has a wonderful cast spear headed by the wonderful talents of Crispin Freeman and Yuri Lowenthal. Certain performances begin at a painfully silly tone, such as Lara Cody's Miho and Bryce Papenbrook's Isami, but surprisingly this grows onto you in a odd sort of way. Melissa Fahn shines yet again vocally giving life to are heroine Haruka. another note worthy performance is Mona Marshall and Ellyn Stern as the mothers of our two heroes, and lest we forget Eddie Frierson who brings life to the wicked Atori!
CONTENT
Except for violence and language, this show is altogether a pretty clean 13 Up series. Now I would leave it at that but the DVDs do contain Easter eggs with very harsh language (everything up to F) but these are only on the hidden blooper reels ( of course I found them quite easily).
EXTRAS
some great behind the scenes features, an on location with the actors and director, and any anime with a blooper reel on its dvd is all right with me! and some wimpy image galleries were shoved in on each DVD. Noein also has some cool alternate opening/ending videos and of course the trailer gallery!
OVERALL
4 1/2 out of 5
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Negima!
SYNOPSIS
Negi Springfield is a 10 year old wizard with a bright future ahead of him. Theres just one little thing he has to do before setting off as a full fledged wizard, teach at Mahora academy. Negi soon finds this teaching job maybe more than he can chew when its an all girls school and the students of 2-A may just be the most diverse (and deadly) group Negi has come across, Magic may not be enough to save little Negi!
STORY
This is a very simple plot, one boy a bunch of girls, one roof, mayhem (kinda sounds like a Ken Akamatsu story, oh wait, IT IS!) but the simplicity of Negima is ultimately its charm. Though yes, all most all of the episodes are on the verge of predictable, the charming and unique cast of girls, ghosts, robots, ninjas, mad scientists, vampires, and other unique characters rescue the show from the pits of dull and boring. The shocking twist and sweet ending are what really set this apart from most harem anime. While most comedic harem anime stay on the constant beat of joke after joke and gag after gag, negima has a shocking sadness and happy resolution that makes it more than just "another harem anime". Negima is a wonderful treat!
Production
Negima's animation is simple, thats it in a nut shell. It's nothing flashy, fancy, or fantastic, just simple. Now I'm not saying its bad animation, It's just not great, its okay, but I think the simplistic animation really sets the tone for the story. So its sort of fitting in a way. As for music the bouncy opening songs and BGM's are wonderfuly fitting for Negima.
DUB
Greg Ayres shines as Negi Springfield giving him a very convincing welsh accent. As for the class, outstanding voice talent as Luci Christian, Monica Rial, Brina Palencia, Catlin Glass, Jamie Marchi, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Trina Nishimura, Carrie Savage, Laura Bailey, Clarine Harp, and Leah Clark bring the Class 2-A to life ( note: thats not even all the actresses!). Other note worthy preformances are Chris Cason as the allways funny Camo, Mark Stoddard as the cool Takamichi, and the always awsome Christopher Sabat as the devil (vegeta = satan?)
CONTENT
except for some minor fanservice (swimsuits, some bathing sences, and Negi sneezing Asuna's clothes off) this show is all togther really clean except for a rather dark plot twist that involves the devil and a twisted deal (can't.....spoil......details!!). Also some parents may find the constant use of magic and spell casting not sutible for there younger children.
EXTRAS
This has some awsome extras! A funny blooper reel, 3 commentaries, editor notes, and of course a clean opening/ending and a collection of trailers.
OVERALL
3 3/4 out of 5
Negi Springfield is a 10 year old wizard with a bright future ahead of him. Theres just one little thing he has to do before setting off as a full fledged wizard, teach at Mahora academy. Negi soon finds this teaching job maybe more than he can chew when its an all girls school and the students of 2-A may just be the most diverse (and deadly) group Negi has come across, Magic may not be enough to save little Negi!
STORY
This is a very simple plot, one boy a bunch of girls, one roof, mayhem (kinda sounds like a Ken Akamatsu story, oh wait, IT IS!) but the simplicity of Negima is ultimately its charm. Though yes, all most all of the episodes are on the verge of predictable, the charming and unique cast of girls, ghosts, robots, ninjas, mad scientists, vampires, and other unique characters rescue the show from the pits of dull and boring. The shocking twist and sweet ending are what really set this apart from most harem anime. While most comedic harem anime stay on the constant beat of joke after joke and gag after gag, negima has a shocking sadness and happy resolution that makes it more than just "another harem anime". Negima is a wonderful treat!
Production
Negima's animation is simple, thats it in a nut shell. It's nothing flashy, fancy, or fantastic, just simple. Now I'm not saying its bad animation, It's just not great, its okay, but I think the simplistic animation really sets the tone for the story. So its sort of fitting in a way. As for music the bouncy opening songs and BGM's are wonderfuly fitting for Negima.
DUB
Greg Ayres shines as Negi Springfield giving him a very convincing welsh accent. As for the class, outstanding voice talent as Luci Christian, Monica Rial, Brina Palencia, Catlin Glass, Jamie Marchi, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Trina Nishimura, Carrie Savage, Laura Bailey, Clarine Harp, and Leah Clark bring the Class 2-A to life ( note: thats not even all the actresses!). Other note worthy preformances are Chris Cason as the allways funny Camo, Mark Stoddard as the cool Takamichi, and the always awsome Christopher Sabat as the devil (vegeta = satan?)
CONTENT
except for some minor fanservice (swimsuits, some bathing sences, and Negi sneezing Asuna's clothes off) this show is all togther really clean except for a rather dark plot twist that involves the devil and a twisted deal (can't.....spoil......details!!). Also some parents may find the constant use of magic and spell casting not sutible for there younger children.
EXTRAS
This has some awsome extras! A funny blooper reel, 3 commentaries, editor notes, and of course a clean opening/ending and a collection of trailers.
OVERALL
3 3/4 out of 5
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