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Princess Knight Anime, Part 1 – Disk 2 (English)

October 3rd, 2013

After a rather stressful Disk 1, Disk 2 of Princess Knight settles down. Starting with the final episodes of the first disk,  Sapphire – referred to in the dub as “Prince Knight,” or “Knight” for short – sets off on more adventures.  Of course Duralamin and Nylon still slaver over her uncomfortably and their continuing obsession about her sex is always squicky. Knight’s energy is mostly spent protecting her kingdom from being invaded by shark necromancers and fighting wars on behalf of flower kingdoms. Knight even gets a moment to shine as she goes on an epic quest to save her mother from a poisoned flower.

It is during this last adventure where Knight meets the dashing young Prince Frank (Franz of the manga.) Prince Frank thinks young Knight is funny, always trying to outdo him. Something inside of Prince Frank is clearly resonating to Knight – when he gives the younger Prince a flower, Knight says she doesn’t like flowers, but Frank assures him that he will, someday.

Because we know the two of them are destined to be together, it seems to me that the vibe begins right away. While Knight seeks to establish equal status with Frank, Frank sees him as “cute.” Is the storyline not-so-subtlely reinforcing Knight’s femininity (and therefore her inferiority) even as she herself maintains that they are  equals, or am I working *way* too hard as I watch this out of the corner of my eye while I work? ^_^

Without a doubt, I far prefer the adventure stories to the obsessive creeping of Duralamin and Nylon. They are portrayed as so unambiguously mystery play-style evil they might as well have names like Duke DoNoGood and Sir Henchman. It leaves no room at all for the kind of masterful storytelling one associates with Tezuka. We get a glimpse of this when Knight is fighting off an evil plot to start a war and destroy the Prince of Roses, when she rejects Duralamin’s blustery, dangerous patriotism. (Gee, who does this remind me of….oh, wait, every politician ever, right.) Give me a good old fashioned shark invasion any day.

Ratings:

Art – 4
Characters – 7
Story – 7

Overall – 7





Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 1 (English)

October 2nd, 2013

GitSAriseboxHaving watched Ghost in the Shell since it first arrived on western shores I, like so many other fans, have had a few questions about Major Kusanagi. Who is she? How did she get a fully cyborg body, where did she come from, what her family was like…these all seem pretty reasonable questions, when you think about it.

Ghost in the Shell: Arise 01: Ghost Pain answers these questions – without actually removing much of the mystery behind Kusanagi. Although we now know how she meets Aramaki, Batou, Paz and Togusa, there’s still way more questions than answers we have about her life. With luck, none of them will be addressed in future episodes. ^_^

The main strength in Arise, is that someone with little to no knowledge of the Ghost in the Shell franchise – and the ability to flow with a cyberpunk-y, slightly non-linear narrative – will have no trouble following this story. (Completely unlike Innocence, for instance, which makes little sense if you have not seen at least some of the other GitS franchise.) You do not need to know Kusanagi Motoko – Arise will introduce more about her than we have had in all the previous series.

Of interest to me was Motoko’s superior, Kurutsu, who was a character design that could only exist in anime. Long yanki-style skirt over black leather pants, no bra, shirt open to the navel…what military is this again?  I had very much hoped that she and Motoko would end up fighting, because Kurutsu so wore the look of “mentor gone bad.”

The Japan Collector’s Edition contained Episode 01 on Blu-Ray,  a few frames of “film” of Batou and a booklet with commentary and character designs.  The episode comes in just shy of an hour so whether you feel its expensive, will depend on how you feel about paying for your anime.

The plot is convoluted, and has obligatory government corruption, brain hacking and a fair amount of fanservice, so if looking at Kusanagi in underwear or naked is high on your list, bonus points for you. It is a solid OVA (OBDA, maybe, since it’s a Blu-ray?) for GitS.  I’m definitely looking forward to Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Border 2.

Ratings:

Art – 9 Top notch, except in a few scenes. Faces in 3/4 profile still seem to be the most challenging for animators.
Story – 8
Characters – 7 Comfy, rather than good
Yuri – 0 (I was really hoping for something between Kusani and Kurutsu, sad face)
Service – 6

Overall – 8

My very very since thanks to  an anonymous Okazu hero for sponsoring today’s  review! It was so much appreciated  – and enjoyed! It would be even better if you tell me who you are, so I can thank you.





Hayate x Blade Manga, Volume 18 (はやてｘブレード)

October 1st, 2013

In an industry filled with series prematurely ending, or fading out after hanging around just slightly too long, or long-lived series sputtering to an end a decade after the readers have moved on, it’s not often we’re around to see a well-told story come to a well-told end. It’s even rarer to face the end of a beloved series without tears and accompanying whimpers of self-pitying whining. ^_^ Here we are at Hayate x Blade, Volume 18. The End.

The Black Group has declared their purpose – they will bring Tenchi Gakuen to its knees by snatching all of the students. Unfortunately for them, those same students have developed tough muscles and thick brains in their time at Tenchi and have no intention of going down without a fight.

And while the Black Group fighters meet their matches all around the school, Hayate faces Maki, while Ayana faces her inner demons and fights Yukari. It’s not as emotionally crushing as it might have been, since Yukari has set the past aside and encourages Ayana to let go of hers. Eventually they are able to battle each other with everything they have.

Hayate and Ayana…lose their matches.

Hitsugi brings the Black Group encroachment to an end, by unmasking the leader of the enemy – Hajime is actually her cousin. And Hitsugi comes to a conclusion.

Her time as Chair of Tenchi has been fun, she tells the gathered students, but she wants to return to a more normal life. To that end, she is stepping down as Chair of the school and President of the Student Council. Furthermore, she’s splitting the student body into 2 dorms  – one headed by Hajime, the other by Kurea (whose punishment will never end, seemingly.) Sword-bearing students will still be able to fight, but the rules (and I’m guessing, the uniforms) will change. In two months, students will need to decide which dorm they will align themselves with. I’ve been guessing which pairs will go where since I read this the first time. ^_^

All the while this is going on, Hayate is visiting Tanpopo Garden, to present Chiharu with the school’s deed and to announce that she and Ayana have been awarded A rank.

The series comes to an end officially as Shizuku rings the gong, announcing the next round of Hoshitori.

The epilogue consists of Hayate (and Ayana) handing out Shigeru Family cat mascots to willing and unwilling (and confused, poor Kei,) recipients, as the students consider which dorm they will join.The volume ends with Hitsugi and Shizuku considering their mascots, while everyone else heads out to practice, as they all wait to use their swords in the Hoshitori once again.

I would write something really touching and emotional right about now, however I have already read the prologue of the new series and it begins with a visual gag that is spit-take inducing – it is this gag that is used as the promo for the prologue and now I’m laughing again.

So long Hayate x Blade! It’s been fun.

Welcome Hayate x Blade 2!  We look forward to meeting you.

Rating:

Art – 9
Story – 10
Characters – 9
Yuri – 0
Service – 0

Overall –  10

Thank you, Hayashiya-sensei, for being one of the best storytellers in manga. ^_^





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime (コミック百合姫) September 2013

September 30th, 2013

The cover of the September 2013 issue of Comic Yuri Hime (コミック百合姫) is 3D, with a pair of glasses inside the magazine, so you too can look down the bikini tops of the girls of Yuru Yuri in 3D.

For me, one of the highlights of the issue was a fractured fairy tale by Minamoto Hisanari about “evil” stepmother Mars-sama, her step-daughter Snow, and the magic mirror, that was utterly silly and not all that sweet, really.

Momono Moto’s “Kuryaami no Asterisk” finishes up with both characters stepping out of their bad habits and reaching out to one another. A better ending than beginning.

“Bousoku Girlsteki Mourou Reainaiteki Suteki Project” heats up with a bitter rivalry for Student Council Vice-President. Less “harem battle” than I expected, but still kind of fun.

Takahashi Mako’s “Mujintou e Matte Ikunara” was lovely. Honestly the best story I’ve ever read by her. The feeling of going through life alone, as if one was on a deserted island, is something that probably many readers of manga can identify with.

I absolutely loved Katakura Ako’s “Warawane Majou no Shikeisenkoku” in which a witche’s prediction comes true, with a smile.

Nana is still working through her feelings for Satomi, but once she learns Satomi’s not-so-secret secret, she comes to a conclusion of a sort in “Kiss ChuChu” by Takemiya Jin.

The circumstances change between Ruki and Sachi, but not necessarily for the better, in “Watashi no Sekai o Kousei Suru Chiri no You na Nanika.”

Zaou Taishi and Eiki Eiki’s “Love Gene Double X” is climbing tortuously towards a climax. We learn the source of the bitter feelings between Sakura’s and Aoi’s families as they face each other in a duel. The loser will be forced to become an Eve.  I’m still super uncomfortable at the direction of this story and I don’t have any hope that the real issues in the story will be resolved. Grrr…

In “Rock It Girl” by Tanaka Minoru, the band faces a new crisis/opportunity as they head to a summer music festival. Kaede is moved so deeply by the energy and the crowd that when Seira kisses her, she doesn’t resist. For a moment the two of them are able to not freak out and just be comfortable together.

The 4-koma strips “Nekoyama-san to Inugami-san” and “Kimono Nadesico” go through the paces as they usually do. Fans of “Yuri Yuri” and “Yuri Danshi” will find nice juicy bits to enjoy.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

This was a pretty decent volume.





My Little Pony Friendship is Magic – Season 1 (English)

September 29th, 2013

mlpfim1Due to the kindness and generosity of my Okazu Heroes, I have very much been enjoying capping off a day’s hard anime watching with the whipped cream and cherries of this ridiculously pleasant series. If you’re the Hero who made this possible, please let me know so I can thank you properly!

My Little Pony ~ Friendship is Magic, Season 1 takes what is a well-known and well-worn toy franchise and has imbued it with new life. Several of my friends suggested I watch it, culminating in a passionate plea from one friend, and so, I acquiesced. Not surprisingly, I fell for the charm of Twilight Sparkle and her friends…and the sugar-sweet morality plays about friendship and love. I’m a sucker, I admit it. ^_^ But there’s plenty to like.

MLP ~ FiM has easter eggs for fans of all sorts of pop culture media. The first arc climaxes with something that feels awfully Sailor Moon-like, but it was the Pinky and Brain reference that hooked me. Seeded in the episodes are  many and varied references and part of the fun of watching and rewatching the series is catching them all.

Ultimately what MLP ~ FiM is about is the very same thing Hayate x Blade is “about” – deep, abiding friendship with the kinds of friends you call on in the worst of times. This is probably lost on the under-12 audience, but those of us who know who our shinyuu are, who we want at our back, know that friends are friends, whether online or off.

Decent animation, excellent writing and morals of the story that don’t make one gag. Totally worth watching.

Ratings:

Art – Clever and silly
Story – Variable, but mostly smile-making
Characters – I can’t decide who my favorite is, (much like the Senshi, in fact). I consider that a good sign.

Overall – 9

So, thank you, my friends in Yuri. And thank you my friend who  bought me this entertaining Season 1 set! And all my friends who made me watch this in the first place. ^_^ In return I give you this awesome piece of fan art.

pony girls

 

Update: While in Japan, I was able to see an episode of this. It was fun, as expected. I’ve now seen this cartoon in three languages. But most interestingly, I note that they did not attempt to Localize Applejack’s country twang to some kind of regional accent. ]