Archive for the English Anime Category


Puella Magi Madoka Magica Rebellion Movie – Guest Review by Katrina C.

February 19th, 2014

This has been an amazing month for Okazu, new Okazu Heros and Guest Reviewers! And today, we welcome Katrina C. for the last of our Madoka Movie reviews…she’s taking on Rebellion, and I know a number of you really want to know how that turned out.  Rebellion is available on DVD or Blu-ray and there is a Rebellion manga, as well. So let’s had the stage over to Katrina! /Applause/

Beware, there be Spoilers here. 

Hello everyone! My name is Katrina. I write queer fairytales, stories and games over at Darkmooncity. Sometimes I also throw events where people can enact those games.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion is the continuation of the story after Madoka makes her universe-changing wish to stop magical girls before they turn into witches. It starts off with our dream team actually…being a dream team. All five of the Magical Girls are present and accounted for, fighting Nightmares, loving and laughing together. It’s kind of the moment we’ve all been waiting for…but wait.. How is that possible?

As the movie progresses and continues to darken, we see the world fall apart (again) and uncover what’s actually going on (again). And like the first series (or first two movies if you watched those instead), it sort of breaks our heart.

Let’s start with the bad. The big bad is and will always remain that Madoka is a shiny thing with very little personality. It’s even more evident in this movie that Madoka exists pretty much so Homura can idolize her. That’s it. That’s her role. I can no more understand Homura’s attachment to Madoka any more than I can understand my own obsessive first loves. Like to my own sixteen year old self, I can try to explain patiently over and over again… but Homura’s not listening. It lessens the story for me because while I lap up Homura’s angst, it’s flattened by the lack of personality in Madoka.

For lesser bad, a lot of timey-wimey cop-outs happen to explain why Sayaka and Bebe know what’s going on… Sayaka I kinda get because she’s dead but who the heck is Bebe anyway? After the movie, we had a lot of deconstructive conversation and pretty much decided the humanoid Bebe was essentially her pre-witch self from the timeline where she didn’t bite off Mami’s head. But that really fails to cover it. Despite her inexplicable presence though, Bebe was darn cute and creepy. We sort of huddled together waiting for her to think Mami would be a tasty treat again.

This movie goes in cycles which for the most part I was indifferent to. It’s an echo of things that happen in the series but it has a deliberateness that makes it tolerable and part of the atmosphere rather than terribly boring.

The good part about this movie is that I found it immensely satisfying on a level that I can’t quite explain. The Incubators were once again being shifty, horrible creatures and Madoka once again does her whole god-form transformation. Except this time as she embraces Homura to ‘save’ her, Homura rejects it and becomes the devil. She rewrites the universe differently than Madoka did, based on her own personal desires. I found it satisfying to see Homura change her fate and Madoka’s. So many years of watching Yuri stories that don’t meet a satisfying conclusion has put me firmly in the “Yeah, it’s messed up but at least she got what she wanted” camp. I think I had trauma flashbacks to Yami to Bōshi to Hon no Tabibito during the end of the original series as Madoka floated away to become god. I loved that Homura’s will stood – that despite Madoka’s role as the Pink Magical Girl Savior, we’re left with a darker ending than the series – Homura’s ending. And one that could essentially pull everyone back into a time loop. We could essentially argue that Homura’s decision brought us right back to the beginning – that this was the Devil’s story all along.

As an out, queer woman I still cringe away from the idea that Homura’s love is cast as impure against Madoka’s universal-I-love-everyone-so-we-can-never-kiss sentiment.. that the source of Homura’s pain is her impure desire and Madoka’s serenity is her universal Mother Mary approach… but I’ll still take it. I always liked the Devil better anyway.

Ratings

Art – 8 – Because this story takes place in a Witch’s Barrier.. and we all know the Witch’s Barriers are the best part.
Story – 7 – No one really learned anything.
Characters – 5 – Homura is the only actual character here.
Yuri – 8 – Because Homura finally comes out to say it. Love.
Service – 8 – Extra points because Mami is like 14 and I’ve seen shots of her breasts more times that I’ve probably seen my own. And I model naked. Think about that.

Overall –  7

Once again the creators of Madoka have shown us that while they can think critically about Magical Girl and Yuri tropes, they can’t think critically enough to escape those tropes. But that’s okay. They tried at least.

Erica here: I’m pretty sure that, should I watch this movie, I’d come to the opposite conclusions on most points, Katrina, so thanks for weighing in with your perspective! ^_^





Puella Magi Madoka The Movie Anime – Parts 1 & 2 (English) Guest Review by Greg C.

February 12th, 2014

Modoka-Magica-DVD-V1Wahoo, it’s Guest Review Wednesday and today by a long-time commenter and friend of Okazu, but first-time Guest Reviewer, Greg  C.! Greg has graciously offered to review The first two Puella Magi Madoka Magica movies for us.  I would like you all to welcome Greg with your usual warm welcome. Take it away, Greg!

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie – Part 1: Beginnings (also available on DVD or BD) / Part 2: Eternal (also available on DVD orBD) are the two disks in the Blu-Ray Collector’s Edition that I purchased.  Various vendors will give you different bonus materials with purchase, so shop around.  (Not bonus materials on the disks, but merchandise goodies with the movie.) Important safety tip:  the sub-titles default to “None” and the sound defaults to “Dolby Stereo” and you probably don’t want either of those choices.

“They’re dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle.” – Sherlock Holmes.

Let’s start with picture quality.  I’m watching the Blu-Ray release on a big screen plasma TV. It gets the most amazing picture quality. If you’ve seen the series, then you know where I’m going with this. Supposedly they redid some of the animation for the movie releases. The backgrounds, especially the witch’s labyrinths, look amazing. The main character designs are STILL pencil quality moe-blobs.  *sigh*

Madoka-Magica-Vol2-Cover-DVDMadoka Magica is a Shaft production and it shows. It shows so very, very hard. The “Shaft neck-tilt” is ubiquitous throughout. It would make a great drinking game to take a shot every time a character looks over their shoulder. A great drinking game if you want to get totally blotto. The changing art style trick they love to do works because of the complexity of the story. It’s done at very appropriate times. My main gripe is that this show about magical girls is definitely a male gaze production. The over use of the “zettai ryouiki to face” pan when characters are speaking is incredibly annoying. (Not as egregious as in Rebellion, but that’s a story for another day.) Be sure to watch for the trademark “Easter eggs” as well, such as “SHAFT” written on the side of a crashing train. The movies are littered with them. At least that’s fun.

“Hush, now — spoilers!” – River Song.

Now, let me warn you THERE BE SPOILERS HERE. If you haven’t seen Madoka in any form: RUN AWAY! AVERT YOUR EYES! Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.

 

Okay, everyone still here doesn’t care about spoilers, right? Good. Here we go. My main nitpick with the movie release editing is right at the beginning: I gasped, “Wait… what happened to Madoka-chan’s opening dream sequence?” Gone. So immediately I’m upset because I know that all the foreshadowing that made re-watching the Madoka Magica TV series so awesome the second time is gone. Why is Madoka so upset in class when she sees Homura for the first time? WE DO NOT KNOW. It will have to be explained to us later, indirectly. The first episode is titled “I Met Her in a Dream… or Something” but that’s all out the window in the movie. Seriously, my favorite scene in the TV version is when Sayaka spoils the whole series in the first episode. However, after that, I’m okay with the choices they made to reduce 12 episodes into two movies. It’s mostly the school scenes that got cut. There is an overwrought Ryouko additional scene, but that is forgivable.

Plot-wise, I like to describe Puella Magi Madoka Magica as my favorite episode of Doctor Who. Homura is, of course, The Doctor. And Madoka… well… Madoka is River Song. Starting with “Silence in the Library” River and the Doctor were going different directions relative to each other. Homura and Madoka at the beginning of the movie are in different timelines. Of course, you don’t learn Homura’s secret until much later. How they ended up this way is unraveled beautifully over the two movies. And in the end Madoka has the will to do what The Doctor, and even Buffy, never did – give herself fully to the cause. And I do mean fully. Madoka went where only Lain has gone before. Gen Urobuchi, you magnificent writer!

Even with all the nit-picky things I mentioned, I still enjoyed these movies immensely. As many times as I’ve watched them, there are still tears. I’ve read the main manga, and some of the alternate story manga. I saw Rebellion twice. I haven’t bought any of the figures yet, but I’m sure I’ll crack when the Yukata Homura figure comes out. (So far I only have figures of my waifu, Saber.)

Be sure and watch until the very end after the credits. Nick Fury asks Homura to join the Avengers Initiative. I’m kidding, of course. But there is a tiny bit that is important to the next movie, Rebellion.

“That is enigmatic. That is textbook enigmatic.” – The Doctor.

Ratings:

Art – 3/9 The “moe-blob” characters are terrible but everything else is rendered beautifully.

Story – 10 It felt very well-crafted and it pushed all my buttons. I loved it.

Characters – 6 In the movies we get less depth because a lot of what is cut out are the little bits of character development that round out their personalities.

Yuri – 4 Homura loves Madoka but not that way. “Obsession” might be a better description than “love”. There is only the faintest whiff of Sayaka x Ryouko. Actually “4” is probably overstating it, but that can represent each couple getting a “2”.

Soundtrack – 10. Yuki Kajiura does her usual wonderful work. The Kalafina end themes, especially “Magia” are perfect. The ClariS opening “Luminous” is a typical bouncy anime title song.

Fanboy/otaku appeal – 1000. Seriously. At times enough to make me angry.

Erica here: Enigmatic indeed. Now I don’t know if I want to see these or not! Thanks Greg for compounding the question. And thanks for a great review!





Yuri Anime: Sakura Trick (English) Guest review by Jocilyn W.

January 12th, 2014

sakura trickAsk and you shall receive. Yesterday I admitted that I would not be reviewing the Sakura Trick anime, as I declined the role of excessively creepy thigh-starer the audience was cast in.  Luckily for all of us, there are many people who watched Sakura Trick who are not me! Today we welcome back Jocilyn W., to Okazu. I cannot thank you enough Jocilyn – take it away!

Following in the proud Yuricon tradition of “Story A, bordering on PWP,” the Sakura Trick anime delights in being cute, colorful and… feisty?

Originally published in the MangaTime Kirara Miracle! (Houbunsha) as 4-koma, Tachi’s Sakura Trick manga, having already achieved decent marks on Okazu a month or so ago, has been faithfully reproduced in a vibrant pastel 1080p animation by S.tudio DEEN for the Winter 2014 anime season. Thanks to a last minute addition by Crunchyroll, the anime has already legitimately been shown in the West, though it’s so far met with a mediocre regard on various anime blogs.

Our protagonist, Takayama Haruka is a lively and fun soda bottle of raging teenage hormones. Opening as it does on a tumultuous first day of high school, the oft-pined for object of Haruka’s craving (desire may not be strong enough of a word) is revealed to be none other than her bestfriend Sonoda Yu’s affections.  Yu, though seemingly somewhat more level-headed than Haruka (note the froggy shaped iPhone case and pantaloons), is presented to the audience as being either reticent and/or thickheaded in her affections toward her bestfriend, as well as possibly a little embarrassed at the prospect.  Eponymously, the would-be couple discovers a forgotten classroom strewn with cherry-blossom petals: perfectly setting the stage to allow Haruka’s affections to give flight and Yu’s akogare to tumble into a basket of giggles.

Given that “pairing off” seems to be one of the anime’s chief themes, and that the first episode lands squarely on the first day of high school, two other pairs of female friends are introduced.  Chief among them are Ikeno Kaede (of the “Shall we link arms?”) and Iizuka Yuzu (of the denyingly gay), as well as their classmate from middle school Noda Kotone (of the “Yoroshiku Harorin~”, no doubt her future pet name for Haruka) and a new girl bearing a name that conjures in everyone’s mind the image of a green young woman from a well-to-do family, Minami Shizuku (of the “I can’t live up to that image…”).

Ratings:

Art – 3 (*puts on sunglasses*)
Character – 7 (Definitely stronger than archetypes but they’ve really yet to emerge)
Story – 4 (Never before seen: a 4-koma based on the interpersonal lives of cute schoolgirls?!)
Yuri – 9 (Apart from Strawberry Panic!, I feel like this is a hard one to top in anime)
Service – 9 (Despite my best efforts, I can’t seem to unclench my jaw)

Overall – 7 (Giving it the benefit of the doubt and rounding up)

Erica here again: Thank you Jocilyn. So much.





Non Non Byori Anime (Guest Review by Bradley M.)

January 8th, 2014

nnbacrWhoo-hoo! Our first Guest Review of 2014. Even more exciting, it’s a brand-new Guest Reviewer. How cool is that? Today we welcome Bradley M. of Those Damn Cartoons! with a review of sleeper series Non Non Byori, the anime based on a manga I have never reviewed here. Please welcome Bradley to Okazu and shower him with praise and thanks!

Natsumi, Komari and Renge live so far out in the Japanese countryside that they’re not even sure they live in the countryside, since they’ve never had anything else to compare it to. But it’s a comfortable life. Their small town, which probably isn’t even a town but a small collection of farms that just happen to be within a few kilometers of each other, has a bus stop, a candy store, an unoccupied vegetable stand and a rundown school, where they make up three-fourths of the entire student body. But now they’re getting a fifth student and a new friend, Hotaru, who transferred in from the far-off land of Tokyo. She assures them that yes, they do live in the countryside, and also, Renge, it is weird for a family to own an entire mountain.

Non Non Biyori is an iyashikei anime like Aria and Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, set in the modern Japanese countryside. It’s an idealistic cartoon that’s a bit like a picture of puppies- completely relaxed, intensely cute and utterly charming. This thirteen episode series is the ideal anime for a Sunday afternoon, watched while wrapped in a blanket and sipping coffee. These kind of anime tend to get labeled as “slice of life” and dismissed as moe fodder, but there’s a distinct tone that separates series like this one from, say, K-ON!, that’s important to note. That tone is gentleness, and a sense that anything wrong or threatening is miles away. It’s the idealism of Tolkien’s Rivendell transplanted to Japan, and while there may be cutesy comedy or some stressful problems, comfort is the overriding feeling through it all. That’s different from other series like Azumanga Daioh or K-ON! which, not to take away anything from them, are basically sitcoms.

Non Non Biyori opens with the strained, heartfelt sounds of a recorder playing a simple tune over lingering shots of its idealized countryside, firmly placing it in the iyashikei category. Its children are practically ideal as well, especially the very smart, if a bit loopy, second grader Renge, whose intensely cute voice (voiced by Kotori Kowai) is a little rough and always excited. If you aren’t grinning after hearing her greet Natsumi with a cheerful “Meowning!,” you could very well be dead inside.

Relationships and observational jokes about life in the countryside, children, and first (Yuri!) crushes are the dominant source of humor and heartbreak in Non Non Biyori, not only between the children but also their parents, teachers, and the other adults in their life. There’s a great sense of community here, where everyone knows everyone else and that provides a sense of security to the children and the viewer, even when the children struggle with losing friends to the end of summer break or have a hard time with their parents. It’s a community that would be the envy of Mennonites. This is a sensitive anime that’s completely in tune with its characters and setting.

Since this is Okazu, I should mention the Yuri, which comes from a subplot where Hotaru crushes on her sempai Komari, who is largely oblivious to her feelings. While it’s played largely as a childhood crush, the humor from this borders on creepy obsessiveness, since Hotaru does things like make little handmade Komari dolls, but it’s generally played tastefully and in good fun. It’s also just a cute pairing. Komari may be older but she’s much shorter and physically and mentally less mature than Hotaru, making for a nice contrast that lets the two of them play off of each other very well. Since this anime is almost entirely devoid of men, you can also detect hints of more Yuri goodness from other characters, though nothing else is as explicit.

Overall, Non Non Biyori is a very good cartoon with a narrow audience that does what it does competently. It does cute, funny and heartbreaking equally well on what is obviously a very small budget, with very little in the way of animation. Heck, they shamelessly try to save money by holding onto a still of a character’s face for nearly a minute, absent even some mouth flapping, and it says a lot about the writing that the scene still works, and made for one of the saddest moments in the series. We seemed to get at least one relaxed Yuri-esque comedy like this every season, and for my money, this one was my favorite.

Non Non Biyori is currently streaming (free, legally, with regional restrictions) on Crunchyroll.

Art – 5 (Unremarkable animation)
Character – 8 (Well realized characterization, both children and adults, is core to the series’ appeal)
Story – 8 (Equally adept at low key comedy and more intimate drama)
Yuri – 4 (Not primarily a yuri series, but it’s a welcome element)
Service – 2 (Beyond a beach episode, this series doesn’t have much fanservice, and I prefer it that way. It fits the tone.)
Overall – 7
Erica here: Many, many thanks to you, Bradley for this relaxing, pleasant review of what definitely appears to be a relaxing, pleasant anime!




Rose of Versailles Anime, Part 2, Disk 1 (English) and a Contest

December 27th, 2013

Rose-of-Versailles2Part 2, Disk 1 of Rose of Versailles begins with an extremely low point, from which everything will flow downhill until the very end. We are launched into the Affair of the Diamond Necklace which contributed strongly to the already bad feelings both the people and the nobility had for the Royal Family.

Jean Valois, her husband Nicholas de la Motte and Cardinal Rohan are all real people involved in the affair, as were the  prostitute Nicole Lequay d’Oliva and forger Rétaux de Villette. Jean did have a sister, but her name was not Rosalie. And, while rumors were supposedly to have been circulated of lesbianism between the Queen and her favorites, those were later, some even after the revolution began. She was accused of the double crime of lesbianism, in fact, with a notorious British lesbian – as if the French ones might not have been good enough. But, then, she was also accused of sleeping with every man in France, including her own sons. Marie Antoinette was not well liked. But this anime works very hard to make sure we find her sympathetic, Rohan is a letch, Jean and Nichiolas are sociopaths, Marie just wants time with her family, she’s not a bad person, just tone-deaf to…well, everything.

In the context of the anime, it is of course, sensible that Oscar be painted with this same broad brush of accusation and, of course, for her to be unmoved by it.

The pit of effluvia that is the Affair of the Necklace does not come to a neat end, it comes to a worn, frayed, painful end, at last. Rosalie leaves for the worst reason ever and we are catapulted back to time spent with Oscar and Andre, after wallowing in Jean Valois’ admirably sociopathic schemes.

Fersen returns and Oscar admits she could love him…we all squirm with discomfort in a way that is remarkable when you think how stoically we viewed the idea that she slept with the Queen. But the look on her face when she sees Fersen hurts, somehow.

The trajectory is inevitable…we are on the downwards curve of the parabola and we know what waits at the end. As not-cheerful as this all is, I have never been more interested in French history as I am while watching this series, so that has to count for something! ^_^;

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 9
Characters 9
Yuri – 1
Service – 1

Overall – 8

I have 2 Rose of Versailles Part 2 Box Sets to give away, courtesy of RightStuf! Tell me in the comments your favorite moment in French History and your age and country. I will announce winners when I review the next Disk.

Today’s review was brought to you by Brigid Alverson’s article on Robot 6, A writer writes! But it’s not that easy… because although I was feeling all lazy today, I really should have been writing this. ^_^