As is apparently the function of this site now (which is totally fine by me), posting about anime and anime-related news. With that in mind, the new Fall line-up of anime is soon to make it’s way onto TVs near you. Or more specifically, TVs near Japanese people which is then taken and subbed and put on an Internet near you. Same difference, really.

I tend to get all my anime news/reviews/whatever from Random Curiosity. And as such, omni, the chief contributor, just posted reviews for all the new shows this Fall, which you can check out here.

There are a ton of new shows coming out, however a moderate percentage of them are sequels. This is both good and bad. Some of the sequels that make the fanboy in me squeal are Inuyasha -Kanketsu-hen- (The Final Act), Darker than BLACK: Ryuusei no Gemini, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Purezza, and To Aru Kagaku no Railgun. Granted that last one isn’t really a sequel and more of a spinoff. Same characters, but a different focus and plot. Most specifically however Inuyasha and Darker Than Black have my full attention. I watched all 167 original episodes of Inuyasha and then it just ended. No real conclusion to the story, so I’m excited to see them finish up where they left off, even if I don’t remember where that was since the series ended all the way back in 2004.

Conversely, there are quite a few sequels I don’t really care about. Either I didn’t watch the original or I did and it wasn’t good enough to warrant more. Also, beyond sequels, there’s (as always) a good chunk of brand new shows premiering. Some seem cool or interesting enough to at minimum keep my attention for the first episode and plenty others that won’t even get an illusory glance.

I’m going to try really hard not to go overboard and pick up more series than I can handle, which seems to be my usual approach. “Oh, this show isn’t very good. Oh well, better keep watching it”. Not sure why I subject myself to that level of mental anguish and torture. I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment. In any case, I’m hopeful that some gems might be found in the sands of this new season. Last season was filled with more coal and less diamonds. I’m sure if something catches mine or Cas’ eyes, you’ll be the first to know.

Peace.

The series Canaan has come to a conclusion, and as the only series this season that I have watched from beginning to end (I have yet to finish Bakemonogatari, and I did not watch a good episode and a half of the Suzumiya Endless Eight arc), I feel that I owe it a proper wrap-up review. Without further ado, my final take on season one of Canaan.

“Season one,” you might say, “do you know something we don’t?” Yes, I probably know a lot of things you don’t. Oh, about the series you mean? Then let me end my feigned dickishness and reply that no I don’t, but the ending of the series leads me to the conclusion that this could not possibly be the end of the story. Of course, it led anyone with half a brain and any concept of how to formulate a story that this is the case. SPOILER ALERT!

Less than half of this episode is the final battle between Canaan and Alphard/Canaan, with the beginning picking up where episode 12 left off and the boxcar holding Maria exploding in the distance. Canaan ignores the trap and leaves Maria to her own devices, insisting that she knows she is still alive. She engages Alphard in mortal combat, this time finally exposing her true strength as the aforementioned superhuman soldier, which wholly freaks out Alphard.

After a short beat down and a kick ass firefight on top of the train where Canaan sends a helicopter careening into the side of a mountain with glorious explosions, Canaan pistol whips Alphard to a pulp and then saves her life as she falls off the side of the moving train. Hanging on with all of her might, Canaan watches as her gun falls off the train and into the dangling Alphard’s hand. After some plot progression where Alphard realizes she’s been living with Siam in the past, she points the pistol at Canaan before finally redirecting it to her own arm, shooting it in repetition until it rips apart and she goes careening into the gorge below. My favorite part of this scene is the symbolism of her shooting off the tattooed arm where her snake insignia rested-simultaneously destroying her past affiliations and her strongest bond to Siam.

The rest of the episode is some pretty obvious concluding of the loose ends and a completely unnecessary revision of the taxi cab character that the series so loved. We see Yun Yun back to her old breast-enhancing tricks as Maria and Minoru leave Shanghai behind. The last moments reveal that Alphard survived, and after the credits we see Canaan taking another job where the target is a one-armed woman. What will the future bring? We are left to wonder (although if Canaan was able to beat Alphard so handily when she was at full strength, it’s hard to imagine her losing when Alphard is short-handed).

So rarely does an anime turn out exactly as I thought it would at the beginning of the series. In my preliminary analysis, I said that the show had sweet animation, but little in the way of plot. That ended up being the case throughout, which is not to say that there weren’t some moments of plot that I enjoyed, but I never really felt like I had a handle on what was going, and there was way too much left unresolved. For one thing, we are still no closer to finding out why Canaan is such a great soldier and how her synesthesia was enhanced by the Ua virus, or why she was in a position to get infected. We don’t know how Maria was infected, but her father was not, or how she managed to be cured and the rest were not. In actuality, the answers may have been there, but the presentation made it difficult to digest them.

If they do end up making another season of this series, you can bet I will be watching, if for no other reason than to see some more sweet animation and well done action sequences.

–Casimir

In keeping with my vow to write up anime reviews once I’ve finished the series, the newest anime to make that list is Princess Lover!. This is the actual title of the anime, so there is no translated Japanese involved, which may explain the awkward sound it makes when you say it to yourself. Leave it to the Japanese to do whatever they want with English. That’s alright, I still love them.

In the native Japanese, written in katakana (one of the Japanese syllabaries used primarily for writing foreign words), we get プリンセスラバー! Literally Pu-ri-n-se-su Ra-ba with the horizontal line elongating the last sound.

Apparently I went to the wrong high school

The story revolves around main character, Arima Teppei, a second-year high school student who loses both his parents in a traffic accident. His grandfather, Arima Isshin, just so happens to be an incredibly powerful and successful business man, leader of the Arima Group, having wealth and respect at his disposal. After Teppei’s parents are dead, his grandfather calls upon him and wishes for Teppei to become his successor as head of the Arima Group.

Teppei accepts and enrolls in an elite academy for the scions of the rich and powerful. From here, the setting and story look pretty stereotypical for what is referred to as a “harem” anime. This classifies series usually centered around a young high school male (what main characters in anime aren’t in high school?) who somehow attracts the attention of multiple – usually ridiculously voluptuous – young female peers fighting for his love and attention. This kind of story always seems like a blatant use of Mary Sue writing. Although, I guess I can’t say I blame them.

Oh those accidental sexual situations

In this particular instance, there are four main female choices for Teppei. I would go through and describe them, but you’ve seen them all before, really. They are the typical archetypes of women we see in a series such as this. The ditzy, clumsy girl with pink hair and enormous breasts. The dedicated yet shy maid with enormous breasts. The blonde, stalwart defender of justice who is unusually strong and is skilled with a blade. Oh yeah, she also has enormous breasts. I think you see the pattern emerging here.

Even with Princess Lover’s cookie-cutter appearance, it does have some value to offer. Firstly, the series is only 12 episodes in length. Just a few hours of commitment. Secondly, for what it is, the show is really well done. The animation style is crisp and pleasant to the eyes – and not only because of all the curves. The first half of the show is centered around what we would expect; Teppei trying to fit into high society while at the same time wooing his new female friends without any real effort. The second half contains something you don’t generally find in harem animes; a plot, which is overly dramatic and ridiculous, but it’s anime. I wouldn’t expect any less.

Who doesn’t do this at a hot spring?

The show is actually pretty funny, most especially during the first half. In a way, I may have enjoyed it more if they kept the mood light and continued to focus on the four central girls and their determination to get a piece of Teppei pie. Also, since most of the females in the show seem to be anatomically perfect, there is a heavy dose of fan service, such as panty shots, a trip to the hot spring, and lots of cleavage. Interestingly enough, episode 10 of the series was “accidentally” shown on air without the usual censoring elements (conveniently placed fog, furniture, shadows, etc). So if you ever think to yourself, “they might as well just show the nudity”. Well, they did. Enjoy.

Overall, I would give Princess Lover! a moderate or casual recommendation. I think it tries too hard to be serious in places, when it might benefit more from accepting its silliness and running with it. If you’re looking for a quick, noncommittal series with humor, some action (and plot), and young busty high school girls that can never quite seem to get long enough skirts, then you’re in for a treat.

Peace.

P.S. This is the kind of series, that if when looking for images for a blog post you have your Google images filter turned off, you get some interesting stuff.

As you all know, I watch anime. Quite a bit of it, actually. A lot of which I’d like to review – hey, I have a blog, might as well use it for something – but, due to volume it can make it difficult to pump one out for each of them. So, I decided it might be easiest to write these things once the series has come to completion, possibly spreading out these reviews enough to not drown in a sea of anime. Although that sounds like a pleasant way to go.

Just this morning, I finished up Aoi Hana, which as the post title suggests means “Sweet Blue Flowers”. I’m not exactly sure where “sweet” comes in as Aoi is Japanese for “blue” and Hana means “flower(s)”. Regardless of this, the show could probably have been called “High School Girl Lesbian Drama”. It’s lacking the same brevity, but it’s a little more descriptive.

Fumi has this face on most of the time

You should keep in mind I watch just about any kind of anime I can get my otaku hands on. This includes but is not limited to media almost exclusively intended or created for young girls. So, high school romances especially. For some reason, perhaps my inner female, I’ve always dug the all-too-often sappy love story. This leaning somewhat strangely not carrying over to live action English content. You’ll more than likely never see me at a “chick flick”. But, give me some animated high school girls and their love drama – I’m so there.

Anyway, Aoi Hana, revolves around a young high school freshman named Manjoume Fumi. She has just moved back to the town she grew up in. While standing at the train station (which I think composes 90% of Japanese life), she is reacquainted with her childhood friend Okudaira Akira. They attend different high schools, but are able to reconnect and rekindle their lost friendship. Ironically enough, Fumi and Akira (or A-chan as she’s colloquially known) are not the lesbians in this story.

A-chan and Fumi

At school, Fumi meets an older classmate named Sugimoto Yasuko (Sugimoto-sempai). This is where the show spends most of its time. It follows the budding relationship between Fumi and Sugimoto-sempai as well as touches on different aspects of homosexual life, such as coming out to your friends and family. There are a few side-plots interweaving into the main story as well; love triangles (both homo- and hetero-sexual). So, it isn’t as if every girl in this anime is gay. Fumi does ask A-chan if she thinks she’s “weird” when she tells her about her feelings for another girl making it clear that the setting isn’t some homosexual utopia.

The anime is only 11 episodes long, which is probably to its advantage. I could see it going on longer than that, but in this case I don’t think length would add any value. The show is pretty much a straight (no pun intended) forward drama. There are moments of comedic relief, but not nearly enough to call the show funny. I can’t recall watching many other series that tackle mainly homosexual issues, but I think it’s done in a loving and understanding way. It’s a typical high school romance story, the only caveat being the central relationship is between two women.

Sugimoto-sempai and Fumi in foreground from left to right

I would give this series a low-to-moderate recommendation. The show isn’t for everyone. And at times, the pace makes the show feel like it drags on. Not to mention the main character, Fumi, not only in personality, but also the voice actress playing her, makes her a little annoying to listen to. If you have some time on your hands, like a lot of time, then feel free to give this series a watch. It only takes 11 episodes to get through it, but you may not feel justified in how you spent your time.

Peace.

It’s hard to imagine a more lackluster DVD release than X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and I say that as a person who was a huge fan of the movie itself. Perhaps it was concerns over the pirated release of the film, but the DVD is hardly anything more than the movie itself and some uninspired intro graphics.

Granted, I purchased the no-frills copy of the movie, but have we reached a point where I need to pay $6 extra just to hear what Stan Lee thinks of the film? I mean, I can see how someone might argue that in the VHS era we paid the same price for only the movie; no commentary or special features were ever included, and we were blissfully ignorant of what could be. However, does every movie that comes out now really require a special edition when the standard release is so bare bones there’s no way a second disc is required?

What I’m trying to say is the production of the DVD for Wolverine is in such stark contrast with the production of the film itself that it’s almost embarrassing to have to navigate through just to get to the film. Included on the version I purchased are a short featurette on the making of, trailers for shows and movies I’ve never heard of and do not care about, an anti-smoking PSA (what the hell?), and of course commenta–oh, wait, not even commentary. I guess $20 doesn’t buy you too much anymore.

Honestly though, the movie itself is worth the price, and I would have still would have paid the same just to own the film. The insulting part is that the features are there, the effort was made, but they decided to punish me for not upgrading and being what is apparently now cheap by movie purchasers standards. This is probably the way DVD releases are trending, and I probably sound petty for harping about it, yet do they have to make even the packaging of the special edition so much better?

Good thing I have some badass Hugh Jackman action to get me over my griping.

–Casimir