Podcast: Episode #11 - Baccano!

This week we review Baccano! The show revolves a non-linear storyline consisting of three different time periods all becoming one. It's the 1930s, and many mafia factions meet themselves on the train, the Flying Pussyfoot, each with their own agenda. Throw in a group of robbers, a mysterious monster known as the Rail Tracer, and immortals, and the show becomes a confusing but fun ride. Add a dash of classy, swing music and fairly interesting fighting choreography into the mix, and what comes out is a flurry of excitement and interesting storyline.

 

We also discuss the top ten things that happen to the ordinary guy (you) in a harem show. Actor Ken'ichi Matsuyama gets an Asian Producers Network Award for his work in the Death Note and Detroit Metal City live-action films. Finally, we comment on the most discussed anime of the fall season.

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Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Guns & Roses by Paradise Lunch
Ending Song: Odoru Akachan Ningen by Kenji Ohtsuki & Fumihiko Kitsutaka

Podcast: Episode #10 - Code Geass R2

This week we review the highly popular series Code Geass R2. The show follows a year after the end of the first season. Lelouch, prince of Britannia, once again takes the persona Zero. Using the power of the geass, Lelouch can control any person to perform whatever he wishes. With his rebellion army, he sets out to create a perfect world for his blind sister Nunally by taking down his father's Britannian Empire.

This week we discuss our impressions of some of the shows of the fall season, including Tytania, Shikabane Hima: Aka, Michiko to Hatchin, and Toradora. The discussion includes our weekly discussion on Clannad: After Story and the weirdness of Chaos; Head.

In the news, Shikibane Hime: Aka gets stream by Funimation and the dangers of the Pro-IP Act. Ryan discusses "UNICEF Japan Continues Push against Virtual Child Porn".

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Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Kaidoku Funo by Ali Project
Ending Song: Komm, Süsser Tod (M-10 Director's Edit Version) by Shiro Sagisu/Arianne

Podcast: Episode #9 - New Fist of the North Star/Shin Hokuto no Ken

This time in Anime Pulp: Badass Anime. That's right folks. We're doing New Fist of the North Star, a 3-part OVA based on the original television series Fist of the North Star. In a post-apocalyptic Earth, mankind is under constant oppression by tyrants who use the fact that they're three times the size of normal human beings and ride motorcycles. The star of the story is Kenshiro, a powerful man with a unique fighting style known as Hokuto Shinken. By controlling the area's water supply, a man named Sanga enslaves the villagers nearby in order to create his own fortified kingdom called Last Land. Now it is up to Kenshiro to save the heroes of the village and defeat the evil tyranny.



We talk quite a bit before the review this time around. A woman in New York researching hentai wants your thoughts. Street Fighter IV gets its own anime. Nam reflects on the Answermans' thoughts on anime today.



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Time stamps:
(00:00-01:19) Intro music and introductions
(01:20-31:54) What we've been watching
(31:55-50:06) What's new
(50:07-63:57) Spoiler-free review
(63:58-72:21) Spoiler-filled review
(72:22-75:53) Final thoughts and rating

Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Lu:Na by Gackt
Ending Song: After, in the Dark - Torch Song by Mai Yamane

Ging’s Short Serious Business Review #4: Code Geass (season one)

Ging’s Short Serious Business Review #4

CODE GEASS (SEASON ONE)



First Impressions: At first I thought that it was a solid anime, no real things to be picky about in the first couple episodes. (although CLAMP was a downside for me) With it's early popularity and quick subgroups, at the time it was a very promising anime.

Character: The characters over all seemed like they were fleshed out enough, but certain characters seemed kinda two dimensional and plain. In most cases the minor characters are extremely boring. However, the lack of explanation of some character's pasts (C.C.) do cling on to the show watching for more. (or maybe it was just me) 7/10

Plot: As I have heard 1000 people say the plot is like "a combo of death note and gundam" I am going to agree with this. It is not really a bad comparison, many key points to the plot as well as characters can be justly compared to death note characters with a twist of mecha to sweeten the deal. The plot was actually pretty good with some "what the fuck?!" moments. 8.5/10

Animation: The animation was pretty just a hair above much your average new "stylish" animation. I am not a huge fan, but it gets the job done. 7/10

Sound: Not much to talk about here, it was sound, I think it was well placed, and well made. Twas Solid. 8/10

Enjoyment: The constant cliff hangers and plot twists combined with good mecha fight scenes and interesting dialogue makes this an extremely enjoyable season of anime. The pizza hut endorsements are fun too. 9/10


Overall: I really enjoyed this season of the anime, and it certainly is one of the better newer anime out there. Despite me liking this anime I can't recommend this anime with a clear conscious because it leaves a lot for the 2nd season to do, and the 2nd season is not that good. 8/10

Podcast: Episode #8 - Castle in the Sky

This time we go in the total opposite direction of Strike Witches and review the Miyazaki classic: Castle in the Sky. The story begins with a young girl named Sheeta who falls from the sky into the arms of a boy named Pazu. Her pendent holds a mysterious power that is connected to a lost floating city. The two ends up searching for the castle in the sky Laputa, while being chased by pirates and the army.



Before the review, we discuss the Hellsing manga ending. We talk about the rumor regarding ADV films licensing Clannad. We also discuss Nam's recent purchase of New Fist of the North Star/Neo Tokyo Double Pack at Best Buy for only $13.



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Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Sora kara Futtekita Shoujo (The Girl Who Fell From the Sky) by Joe Hisaishi
Ending Song: Who Put the Bomp by Me first and the Gimme Gimmes

Podcast: Episode #7 - Strike Witches

This week in Anime Pulp: lolis, furries, and shooting stuff! Strike Witches is set in the 1940s and revolves around young girls flying around in the sky blowing up alien ships known as Neuroi. The main character is a girl named Yoshika Miyafuji. She is the daughter of the inventor of the Striker Unit. The striker units are the weapons used to fight the Neuroi. The story, however, revolves less around the war and more on the girls' pasts.



And we talk about a few things before we go to the review. Bandai Entertainment picks up the Gurren Lagann manga. Macross Frontier movie was announced. Plus, we talk about shows coming out this Fall. (Here's a image which pretty much summarizes it.)



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Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: STRIKE WITCHES by Yoko Ishida
Ending Song: Dogfight by M.O.V.E.