White Album Episode 1-6 Review.

Yeah, I watched all 6 episodes in the same day pretty much back to back. I just decided I should watch it. No real reason other than that it is popular to talk about. But yeah, it is about a young adult named Toya who is dating a new rising idol. The story is as simple as that. The complications of dating the idol include another school girl who is available and seems to like you but your best friend who is a pussy likes her, a random girl that forces you to walk with her likes you for no reason whatsoever, another Idol seems to maybe kinda like you and has hidden motives, and your girlfriend’s manager is a bitch. There is also a little girl who appears in an episode and then reappeared. She seems to have no purpose other than to be annoying so far. Now that you know what White Album is about, lets get to the reviewing.

When I first started watching the show it was boring as piss for the most part. it starts out pretty plain with uninteresting characters and a straightforward plot. It does, however get better. As you get deeper into the plot, the male lead actually starts to show real emotions, and you can actually relate to him. In addition, the love triangle pentagon gets more interesting as the plot develops. The main problem with the plot is predictability. I could have guess everything that has happened thus far just from reading the synopsis. Thankfully, the execution of plot is rather well done, and you should be compelled to watch more as I was.

The main flaw with the show is that it is redundant. Every episode has over the phone love conversations, some random event, and characters doing the same routine. There have been little actual problems with the exception of the obvious “normal people can’t date idols” bit. If i was actually expecting to like the show I would have been a bit turned off. Of course, I may be exaggerating a bit. New things are presented in every episode but they are, for the most part easily resolved.

The other thing that pissed me off was the lack of interesting characters. So far most of the supporting girls are completely uninteresting. The girl that randomly makes him go on walks is fucking stupid and seems to serve no purpose to the show so far. The other supporting girl at school is just some book worm that gets pushed around. I admit, the non-spoken-for idol is mildly entertaining, but so far she has not done anything to really make me like her character. Toya’s best friend is your common pussy best friend who is morally correct and whines. He reminds me of Suzaku from Code Geass. The other random high-up in the cooperate latter dudes seem to be way more interesting than any of the girls in the show since they are shrouded in mystery and are not annoying.

The show is, of course, not without merit. The whole romance deal is not really my thing, but the short bits of humor mixed in and then small mysteries given are enough to keep me entertained. I feel like I can relate to Toya. Toya is definitely the most fleshed out character and the most entertaining one to watch. Thank god he is the main focus, and not the girl. The show will also catch the attention of fans of moe-esk things. While the show is not completely moe-tastic, there are definite signs of moe. It is done well enough, however that it does not bother me. The Anime also shines in terms of Animation. The animation is actually pretty damn decent. And so, the show is not a complete train wreck.

If you are a huge fan of romance, this show is for you. It has all of the necessary elements and is honestly well done. While the characters suck balls, the anime makes up for it with it’s cunning execution of plot. If you ever decide to check it out, make sure you get to at least episode 3 before you judge it. It is getting better as time progresses.

Ryan Reviews: Clannad ~After Story~ Ep 18

Sorry for the lateness of this review folks! I got distracted by some other things and only just got around to watching this episode. As always I suggest you be up to date with all the episodes excluding this one prior to reading my reviews. How else would I talk about the events?

Tomoya and Ushio go out on the vacation together. Things are still rather iffy since Tomoya hasn’t spent too much time alone with Ushio yet. On their trip, Tomoya meets a person from his past who tells him an important story. A first thing to note in this episode is KyoAni’s choice of colors and lightings. Once again I praise them for they know how to make a setting look so real and beautiful. It’s one of the reasons I’m so attracted to this show. The colors always look nice but in this particular episode, with them traveling around a bit, we get some fresh new backdrops. The relationship between Ushio and Tomoya feels spot on (still). Tomoya treats her as a kid he’s supposed to care about, but not really in the father sense. Hopefully that itself makes sense.

Ushio is still also very adorable. It’s not like they chalk up with a whole bunch of moe personas but they capture the adorable and innocent essence of a 5 year old. (possible spoiler:) As for story I didn’t think this realization was going to come to Tomoya so quickly but I’m pleased with the way it happened and that it did come. I don’t know where we’re going from here but you can bet I’ll be watching!

-Ryan

Akikan! Episodes 1-6 (half-series) review

When I first read the plot synopsis of Akikan I planned to watch it as a joke with Ryan. I’ll give you a similar version of the synopsis, but written by me. Akikan is about a perverted boy named Kakeru whom spends his time flirting with vending machines and collecting empty soda cans. One day, he purchases a can from a vending machine and when he drinks it, it turns into a girl, or rather,an “Akikan”. Akikan are soda cans which can turn into girls when they touch the lips of someone. They also have special powers related to their flavor. Kakeru’s Akikan, named melon, can form melons out of thin air and throw them as explosives. Interesting, is it not? It gets better. The government is making the Akikan girls fight each other because some are aluminum and some are steel. The government wants to have them fight in order to determine which metal is better. As far as I know, the government consists of a homosexual man whom tries to rape Kakeru often, and his female secretary. Best. Plot. Ever.

The best aspect of Akikan is that the plot actually works. The plot sounds stupid, but it is actually gripping and the story hooks you by the first episode. After I watched the first episode of Akikan, I knew I was going to watch the show in its entirety for sure. In fact, I watched the first episode 3 times with 3 different people (one of the times it was just me alone). So far the plot has gotten more complex, because of elements that every single synopsis I have read (including my own) has neglected to bring to light. Kakeru’s school life plays a role in this and for some reason every synopsis doesn’t tell you that. Kakeru happens to have many interesting school mates including a girl who wants to have sex with him more than anything, a lesbian who has magical powers and hates men, some dude that no one cares about and is constantly being used, and a slew of angry classmates that hate Kakeru for being a pervert. The story of course, is not without merit and actually handles dramatic scenes and emotions well using the fact that we, as humans, can not understand how Akikans feel. In the last two episodes released (5 and 6) the plot has actually taken a more serious note, but since this is clearly a comedy, keeps the comedic elements close at hand.

The other main reason I love Akikian thus far is the fact that it is one of the first anime series I have seen that is genuinely funny. I actually laugh out loud frequently due to the splendid humor. While the humor is mostly crude and involving sexual scenarios, it is something that most anime fans that I know can appreciate. If you are curious whether the humor will be to your liking, I suggest that you check out the first episode, if you can dig it, you should definitely watch it to the end since it is only 12 episodes.

The only major flaw to the series is the animation. The animation is very similar to Pokémon. For those of you who don't know what I am saying, I am saying it is bad. I can say, however, that the animation does not make me not want to watch it. The crappy animation actually makes the show feel more likable. I know a lot of people will not agree with me, but the bad animation in a sense, contributes to the whole idea that this is a comedy made to make you laugh. It was not given a high budget because it doesn’t need it. While it may be an awful excuse, if anyone tells me that Akikan has horrible animation I will simply reply “hey, its Akikan”. I feel that it is a perfect response. The people making it know (I think) the show is supposed to be just for fun. That is the kind of show I want to watch.

I advise everyone to check out Akikan. I am fairly certain that most people would, indeed, enjoy it greatly as I have. The characters are hilarious and fit together perfectly in a zany plot that every anime fan can enjoy. I look forward to more in the future.

Episode #25 – Sword of the Stranger

 

Originally recorded February 7, 2009.

We we able to see Sword of the Stranger at our local movie theaters as one time event thanks to Fathom Events and Bandai Entertainment. In feudal Japan, a boy named Kotaro is being hunted by the Chinese. Kotaro hires No Name, a ronin samurai, to escort him to a Buddhist temple where he’ll be safe. Together with Kotaro’s dog, Tobimaru, they take on a journey and begin to create a friendship between one another.

What’s New this Week
Ryan: Kyoto announces rebroadcast of Haruhi first season
Ging: Bandai Entertainment streams Code Geass on Youtube
Nam: Yen Press licenses Yotsuba&! manga

Download Podcast (Right Click: Save as)

Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Rasatsu No En by Naoki Sato (Sword of the Stranger opening scene)
Ending Song: God Knows... (8-bit version) by Aya Hirano

Kurozuka Review

Okay, first off I want to say some non-kurozuka-related things, so just skip this paragraph and go down if you just want to read the review. There will be no more “Ging’s short…Reviews” anymore because I am lazy and can not keep up with my goals. Instead I am going to just do some reviews biweekly I hope completely randomly. I do, however, plan on doing more reviews recently. Oh well, we will see what happens. On to the Review….

Kurozuka is about a man named Kurou who meets a wonderful woman named Kuromitsu. One day he walks in on Kuromitsu playing with a decapitated head and he falls in love. Minutes later she is revealed as an immortal…thing. He winds up agreeing to also be an immortal thing, and then wakes up one thousand years in a post-apocalyptic future. His goal is to find Kuromitsu and live happily ever after. The problem that is found is that the evil red empire which seemed to be around back in the old ages is now a super power in the world and so Kurou meets up with some nifty new pals to help him get his beloved back.

 

The story of Kurozuka is actually about a real dude who was Minamoto no Yoshitsune who was said to have committed suicide. Kurozuka is apparently what really happened. The start of the anime shows him running about in the mountains and woodlands. He then meets Kuromitsu and yadda yadda. The execution of plot in the beginning is great, you are immediately pulled in to the story and are curious to see how everything plays out it the somewhat peculiar plot. Later you get the one thousand or so year lapse. New characters are introduced to help Kurou defeat his new enemy: the red empire which is shrouded in mystery, but is related to Kuromitsu somehow. New characters that assist Kurou include a blonde girl named Rai whom collects information, Kurata who is apparently decent at combat and drives the car, and Kuon, a standoff-ish white haired guy who is a great killer. I cared little for the characters but they do their job as anime characters so I was, at least, entertained. The story just progresses from there and builds up more mystery about Kuromitsu and the red empire while also providing the viewer with wonderful scenes of people being slashed to pieces. Unfortunately, the ending is bad in the sense that it is both disappointing and anti-climatic.

 

Visually, Kurozuka is amazing. Of the shows I have seen in 2008 it is the best animated show. The colors do a fantastic job capturing that monotone feel very well. The fight scenes are also visual bliss. The choreography was great and the over exaggeration of blood flying out was just enough to not be completely excessive. If you are curious as to just how great this animation is, check the opening on youtube. It is damned good. To say the least, I loved the animation

 

The musical scores used in Kurozuka also make for an astounding piece of work. The music wonderfully sets the tone for every single scene wonderfully. I can not say that the music is original though, it sounds like your normal background music, but this is forgivable because it is done very well. Besides, it is hard to do background music that differs from the norm in terms of style and allow it to work. The general dark atmosphere is definitely supported greatly by the wonderful music scores.

 

All in all, Kurozuka is a good show that is hindered by a poorly done ending. I would still recommend this show, however. I just wish to advise one to not expect a deep philosophical meaning behind the show or a great ending, which is what, In my opinion was the worst part of the show. It really ruined an experience. I would give it somewhere around 7.5/10 if I had to give it a rating.

Good: Amazing animation, wonderful music, good start of story.

Bad: Many characters were overly average, and uninteresting, ending sucked.

Episode #24 – Bus Gamer

 

Originally recorded January 30, 2009.

In the secret corporate underground, an illegal sport called Bus Game is conducted. Teams are made by individual corporations in order to win money. Three young men, Mishiba Toki, Nobuto Nakajou, and Kazuo Saitou, are hired. Each need money for their own reasons but never told anybody what the money is needed for. These three team up and form the Triple AAA, or Team Anonymous, in order to compete in this bloody sport. The goal is to take the other team’s disc at all costs.

What’s New this Week
Ryan: Lantis & Sunrise demand bloggers to remove screenshots and fanart
Ging: Bandai Entertainment delay anime titles
Nam: Japan FTC reported anime companies forced to accept low payments

Download Podcast (Right Click: Save as)

Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Follow Your Dream by Valerie Stevenson
Ending Song: GLAMOROUS SKY by Nana starring Mika Nakashima

Ryan Reviews: Clannad ~After Story~ Ep 17

Hi, hi! I’m back again with another look on ~After Story~’s latest episode. As the story progresses it becomes harder and harder to talk about the show without spoiling it. I will be talking about things that occurred in the episode so it’s best if you’ve seen every episode before this one. So if you haven’t seen episode 16, it would be in your interest to go watch it before reading this.

Launch ahead 5 years after the birth of Ushio. Tomoya is mindlessly slaving away at work and is not surprisingly beginning to look more and more like his own father. Ushio appears to have been taken in by Sanae and Akio because Tomoya is in no shape to raise a little girl. On a normal basis I’m not a fan of time-skipping in anime but I think it worked well here for ~After Story~. I thought the relationship/chemistry between Ushio and Tomoya was demonstrated well. It wasn’t too awkward, and it definitely wasn’t too comfortable either. Her shy attitude captures the innocence of a 5 year old perfectly well. I think I was expecting Tomoya to hate Ushio a little but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

I heard somebody complaining how ~After Story~ is currently following the awful Toei Clannad movie. WELL OF COURSE IT IS! It’s based on the same freaking visual novel. Now I admit I’ve never seen the movie but I have heard nothing but bad things about it so I’m going to be staying away from it. I’m pretty sure the execution and pace of the events is very different in the series then it is from the movie. Well anyway, that’s it for this week. Looking forward to the next episode of ~After Story~ as always!

-Ryan

Episode #23 – Project A-ko

Originally recorded January 24, 2009.

Two best friends, A-ko and C-ko, have joined a new high school. A-ko is the red-headed fighter, while C-ko is the blonde, ditsy, innocent girl. In standard shonen style, this means a rival has to appear to challenge the new  students. B-ko, an intelligent rich girl, seeks out to win C-ko’s heart by defeating A-ko. Oh and then aliens appear. And jets. And tanks. And a Kenshiro-sized girl.

What’s New this Week
Ryan: Haruhi-chan to be streamed on Kadokawa's youtube channel
Ging: Shinichiro Watanabe on board with Cowboy Bebop live-action film
Nam: "Miyazaki says he can't stand modern animation"

Download Podcast (Right Click: Save as)

Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Follow Your Dream by Valerie Stevenson
Ending Song: Game by Perfume

Episode #22 – Shikabane Hime: Aka

Originally recorded January 17, 2009.

Produced by Feel and Gainax; licensed by Funimation. Shikabane Hime: Aka is a 13 episode series about a schoolgirl with uzis shooting zombies. Makina, a living corpse, makes a deal with a priest named Keisei Tagami in order to reach heaven. Now she must destroy 108 corpses. Makina and Tagami are aided by Ouri Kagami, Tagami’s brother. Shikabane Hime is available for stream legally.

What’s New this Week
Ryan: Clannad half-season sets for $40
Ging: New Dragonball: Evolution trailer
Nam: Rumor: Bandai Entertainment receives 5 Centimeters Per Second license

Download Podcast (Right Click: Save as)

Opening song: Kuusou Runba by Kenji Otsuki and Zetsubou Shoujo-tachi
Transition: Beautiful fighter by angela
Ending Song: Yuusha-Oh Tanjou! (The King of Braves is Born!) by Masaaki Endoh

Ryan Reviews: Clannad ~After Story~ Ep 16

Hi again. It’s time for another review of ~After Story~. First off, because this episode is a very important point in the series, I will be spoiling events of everything up to this point. It is most likely in your best interest to ignore this if you haven’t seen episode 15 yet.

In this episode, Nagisa is further into her pregnancy and the season is changing. Old friends stop by for a chat so they can catch up on each others life. Talks of the theory regarding the “other world” come up in conversation and something inside Tomoya clicks. At this point, I think I’m beginning to see the contrast between the illusionary world and the real one. It’s great because if at first you don’t know what’s going on it seems like a story happening in the background, and then later you realize that it coincides with the main story. I like seeing that kind of thing. Now what actually happens in this episode is something I think we all predicted. I know I said that before and it being predicted isn’t bad either.

Yes I knew what was going to happen yet the way it was executed caused me to keep second-guessing my thoughts. As the event drew nearer I became more unsure if what I thought was going to happen would actually happen. I gotta say it again, brilliant execution on Clannad’s part. It was able to move me, touch me, and throw me off until the very end. I have only a vague Idea of where we will be heading from here but you can be sure I’ll be watching it!

-Ryan