Archive for the Ikkitousen Category


Ikkitousen Xtreme Xecutor Anime

April 19th, 2010

In Ikkitousen: Xtreme Xecutor, we pretend that Ikitousen:GG never happened and go crawling back to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms with our heads down, asking humbly for it to take us back.

On the positive side, the main characters are the women and they are strong – very, very strong. On the negative side, we have to look at them from the ground up to remind ourselves repeatedly that women are no more than breasts and vaginas. However, you can see that even the animators are getting tired of this and whole scenes pass without a single panty shot.

Bachou appears and does something odd – she asks Hakufu to teach her. Although she knows that historically she served Ryuubi, she’s impressed by Hakufu’s power. (And the scene in which Hakufu takes Bachou in as a student may well be be the best scene in the current series.)

We’re introduced to two evil psycho sisters from Nanban  – and yet *another* person claiming to be Kantei fills in the quota of plot complications.

Overall, the story has been as de-Yurified as it can be. If there’s any tension that surpasses the historical context this time, it is that we’ve been seeded with the idea that Kanu and Ryomou have some unfinished business from both their historical past and their current lives. But for the most part, the focus is on the fighting – which is perfectly fine with me. Honestly, if we could lose the service altogether, I’d think this was one of the best series ever. :-)

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 7
Characters – 8 (Am I projecting? Yes, yes I am)
Yuri – 1
Service – 14 million

Overall – 7

I’m not taking one for the team when I watch this – I actually really like this series. ^_^





Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny Anime, Volume 1 (English)

March 12th, 2010

Today’s review is an ode to the “obvious.”

In Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny, Volume 1, it is “obvious” to us that Kan’u has an unrequited passion for Ryuubi and it is “obvious” to me that Ryomou has focused all her passion on two important women in her life – Hafuku and the (still-so far) departed Ryofu.

Still waters run deep and it’s so “obvious” that these women keep their deep well-spring of passionate feelings buried beneath their outward hardness.

It is “obvious” to those of “us” who are “looking” for it, that is.

And by “looking” I mean we are carefully scrutinizing animated facial expressions as if they are real and making judgements based on them, analyzing ridiculously small details of body posture, tone of voice and yes, going frame by frame to see the exact moment when we see that so-subtle shift between delusion and “obvious.” ^_^

In the fine tradition of turning great war heroes into buxom women whose skirts we look up, Ikki Tousen focuses on the awakening of the malignant spirit of the original Sousou and the subsequent chaos unleashed upon the Fighters of Seito, Nanyou and Kyoushou high schools. (I actually laughed out loud when I saw that the tagline for this series is “Romance of the Three High Schools.”)

Sousou is voiced, btw, by Dan Green of Yu-Gi-Oh TV cartoon fame on the English soundtrack.

In Volume 1, we establish the relative peace of Seito Academy, and how, although Chouhi and Kan’u are ever vigilant, Ryuubi is a total slacker. Albeit with a Dragon living inside her.

Ryomou visits to see the Dragon unleashed and we learn that she also has that same power in her. And Hakufu, too. Sousou, too, presumably, although that’s the least of his problems. Through small, poignant flashbacks, we see that Sousou really does have strong leadership qualities and the ability to inspire loyalty. Unfortunately for him, the evil former warlord isn’t having any of that, choosing to rule by fear instead.

Speaking of ruling by fear, Goei rocks. ^_^

So, yes, this series continues to be a travesty, a veritable feast of the most tedious perversions, but despite that, I like it. I would have liked it much better if the camera angles weren’t so obsessively upskirt and the men’s clothes exploded at least half as often as the women’s but…everyone fights. They fight with everything they have and then some. They fight for loyalty and love and because they *can*. That is pretty much what I fuel *my* delusions about Ikki Tousen with. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – No, seriously, no.
Characters – I kinda like them
Story – Heeheehee
Yuri – .5 unless you watch frame by frame as Kan’u deals with her “obvious” passion for Ryuubi, then 10
Service – 10

Overall – 5, unless you crave the “obvious,” then 8. ^_^

You may have heard that Media Blasters recently laid off a number of their employees, with the hope that these folks could be hired back soon. I have a number of friends working there, and I feel a great deal of fondness for them as a company. If they have ever put out anything that you liked, please support them by buying some of their anime or manga and make it possible for them to weather this storm. Your support can actually make the difference. Thank you in advance and here’s hoping that Media Blasters has a strong, building year.

In the meantime, let me thank Okazu Superhero Amanda M for contributing to MB’s bottom line and to Okazu reader enjoyment. Thank you once more for your support, Amanda.!





Yuri Network News – November 28, 2009

November 28th, 2009

Yuri Anime

It is holiday time, so a number of Yuri Anime releases are right around the corner!

Ikkitousen DD is due to be released next week, so we can get our fix of great heroes of China turned into buxom, strong, yet largely powerless pawns of loathesome guys. :-)

For those of us who can’t ever get enough of this, a *new* Ikkitousen series has been announced in Japan – Ikkitousen XX (Xtreme Xecutor). Ryomou and Kanu are in it, so we can all relax. ;-) In fact, the last issue of Gum magazine I bought had a fabulous Ryomou on the cover, so hopefully she’ll get even more screen time.

Also scheduled for release in the next few weeks is the first Volume of El Cazador. Who wouldn’t want this rollicking tale of witches and gunslingers and mad scientists and bunnymen and sexy assassins?

Don’t forget the complete collection of Blue Drop, which was officially released this month. I was listening to a Blue Drop Drama CD a few weeks ago and I was reminded how much I really liked this anime prequel. I’m very much looking forward to seeing it again “officially.”

And, just to give you something to *really* look forward to, just after the new year we’ll see Rin: Daughter of Mnemosyne the complete series. I may just have to have a party where we all drink everytime Rin dies. :-)

All that *ought* to be enough to tide you over until the 4th season of Marimite arrives in English in the Spring. :-)

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Yuri Manga

It’s a little too early for a link, but Yuri Hime Wildrose 4 is slated for a December 18th release, as is the next volume of Yuri Hime S.

Oh, and despite the apathy I’ve personally shown this series, Apple Day Dream is also getting a second volume. lol

Hakamada Mera’s Watashi no Taisetsuna Tomodachi is also getting a second volume in the next few weeks. I reviewed that first volume a little while ago and would like to see where it goes.

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Yuri Novels

I’ve been kind of disappointed that Ichijinsha’s Iris line hasn’t put out any more Yuri Light Novels recently. It’all been brooding boys lately. Bleah. lol Let’s write the editor and complain. But!

Mori Natsuko has a new novel out – Futari no Hitori Asobi. Her other novels have been such delicious lesbian crack that this has immediately gone into my Amazon JP shopping cart.

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Other Yuri News

Should you be heading to Winter Comiket this year, Media Factory is publishing an official Sasamekikoto fact file/magazine. Brave the long lines and get me a copy, will you? :-)

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Yuricon Contests

Just a reminder that the Yuri Studios AMV Contest is still on and still accepting submissions! The Contest Guidelines are on the Yuricon site. There’s been so much great (and not great) Yuri Anime this year, we’re really looking forward to seeing some wonderful AMVs celebrating them!

And…we’re getting geared up for a really *big* contest. We’re working on a redesign for the Yuricon website and we need a new image of our mascots Yuriko and Midori for the *Home Page*. We’ll be announcing the Cover Girl Image Contest in a few weeks, but start thinking about it now, because the winner not only gets their image on the front page (and maybe as the cover of Yuri Monogatari 7,) there’ll be a great Grand Prize! Check back soon for contest details! No “adult” images will be accepted for this contest, btw.

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Non-Yuri News

I think it’s worth noting this: Simon Jones of Icarus Publishing has announced that Comic AG, Icarus’ long-running adult manga comic magazine, is ending with issue 110. (Link may not be SFW) Jones is one of the most interesting and intelligent critical commentors on the economics of the manga industry, so his post on why this is happening and what the factors are that have changed the market should be required reading for anyone who has ever whined, “We never get anything good.”

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And, that’s a wrap for this week.

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There’s a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage – stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent’s badge.

Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!





Yuri Network News – September 27, 2009

September 27th, 2009

Yuri Anime

The big buzz on the Yuri Network is the existence of Himegami no Miko, a possible new, alternate-universe series by Kaishaku recyclying everyone’s favorite lesbian priestess couple….again. The links on the site imply some kind of animation production. If this all sounds vague it’s because it all sounds vague. I want to thank a number of YNN correspondents for this item, but especially Aesyl for poking me to check back until the site had some actual information.

Ashley wants to remind everyone that the entire run of El Cazador can be watched streaming on Funimation’s online channel.

Speaking of El Cazador, the DVD volume is on the Yuricon Store.

Blue Drop Complete Collection is also on the Shop.

And as I reported yesterday, Ikkitousen DD will be out for November. I have actually heard some fans wondering incredulously why so *many* titles are coming out in November and December. Let me gently remind you of the phrase “holiday shopping.” :-)

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Yuri Drama CD

Say what you will about how painful it is to sit through, there is *no* doubt that Maria-sama Ga Miteru: Rainy Blue is the story of a break up. And now you can sit through it once more, listening to Yumi’s heart break as Sachiko drives away in the newest Drama CD. The good news is…after this, it’s *all* downhill.

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Snatches of Yuri

Significantly, one of Tokyopop’s new licenses, Seikon no Qwaser, is something that has piqued my interest *every* time I’ve seen it. There is a cool, competent female lead, uniforms, violence, and the smell of Yuri.

Death Co-mu-ni-ka-shun is another spin on school girls at a school for /fill in the blank/ theme. The first volume is apparently strong nioi-ke, the second volume not much of anything, but in Volume 3, Valentine’s day hits and with it, girls giving chocolate to one another – and a kiss scene.

Mahou no Jumon follows girls in a school for magic. In Volume 3, there’s enough girls’ love that two of the characters are discussing how using magic allows women to have a child together. This title also is significant because you can read three chapters online through KR comic’s reader:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

For heaven’s sake, please don’t ask if these are in English. These are from a Japanese comic, from a Japanese magazine, on a Japanese reader for Japanese people…in Japanese.

Sugar ha Otoshigoro seems to have settled down to having a storyline by…Volume 3. Asami is ignoring Hatanaka and she’s getting desperate. In a dream sequence, Hatanaka sings a love song to Asami, who responds with interest….at the end of the volume we’re not sure what is real or not.

Last month’s Cobalt Shueisha had a Maria-sama ga Miteru story that starred Yumi, Tsutako, Shimako and Kagura, so it looks like she’s caving and writing more about “our” characters. lol

And I might as well put this down here too. There is an anthology movie, (i.e., made of shorts) called GL – Imp’s Seduction. The code phrase here for “this is for FanBoys” is “No Men Allowed.”  In fact, I was talking to James Welker about that in regards to Yuri Hime, because it’s so suspicious sounding. As soon as a publisher puts “No Boys Allowed” or something similar on a magazine or DVD, you know *instantly* this is for guys. It’s so dreadful – it’s that whole fake girls in their lingerie eating bonbons, pillow fights and light foreplay crap in softcore sorority movies.The worst part is, if it *is* a book or movie that might appeal to women, tagging it like that is a clear “keep away” sign. So, now, these stories might actually be okay…which I doubt because Japanese on-screen kisses are excruciating usually…but ugh. Do I get this and suffer through a bunch of servicey, icky vignettes for what might be a good story or two as seen through the eyes of a Fanboy or not? I don’t know. I’ll have to think about.

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That’s a wrap for this week.

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There’s a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage – stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent’s badge.

Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!





Yuri Anime: Ikkitousen GG OAV 2

October 31st, 2008

Ikkitousen Great Guardians OAV 2 is five minutes of absolutely nothing. But in those five minutes, thousands of LFs of every gender get to watch Ryoufu Housen play doctor with Ryomou Shimei.

So, really, what do I have to complain about?

Nothing, except “doctor” doesn’t do it for me and I really, really want to see them beat the crap out of each other. Sadly, thousands of otaku prefer dress up to beat down. Oh well. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 0
Yuri – 5
Service – 10

Overall – 5

It’s probably going to take you longer to read this review than to watch the whole OAV. It might make more sense, too. ^_^