Title: Land of the Lustrous: Complete Collection

Director: Takahiko Kyōgoku

Written By: Toshiya Ōno

Music By: Yoshiaki Fujisawa

Studio: Orange

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: May 21st, 2019

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Fantasy, Drama

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

No matter what the odds, life will find a way to continue, with young Phos and the other gems as the ultimate proof. Instead of flesh, their bodies are made of living crystal, allowing them to survive in a world too toxic for any human. But their gem bodies also attract a terrible danger: the Lunarians, who hunt the gems and use their shattered forms to fabricate jewelry and ornaments. The gems with the strongest forms defend the others, but Phos is too weak and brittle to fight. Instead, Phos is ordered to compile an encyclopedia; but could that research discover hidden secrets that could help the gems? Join Phos, the toxic Cinnabar, the powerful Bort, the valiant Diamond, and others in a glittering world unlike anything you have seen before!

Commentary:

I am not sure what drives creators to chose the style of animation techniques that are employed. I am also not sure what possesses creators to leave stories with so much to be interpreted by the viewer. In any case I will say that Land of the Lustrous falls short in these two areas and excels in almost every other area it used to tell this strange yet poignant tale.

Watching the cast of characters work though their own complexities and trying to discover their own identities is in many ways the story all of us moving through our own life. With such a strong connection to Buddhism the realities of life was not lost in this surreal world. I particularly enjoyed watching Phos grow and overcome her weaknesses.

Overall Rating: B+

The weaknesses that stood out in the series was clearly the decision to use Computer Graphics (CG) to animate the series. In doing so is was easy to see the group of gems in a more natural state, but the over-reliance of the software took away from the ease of watching the story unfold. The hard edge and stiffness of the production delineated from the story and at time overwhelmed the viewer ability to truly absorb and enjoy the story and many of the complexities of what was happening. This really spotlighted the writing which proves to make the series shine. If the animation would have been done using a more sophisticated program of letting the human hand get more involved then I believe that there would have been a second season and more enlightenment about this strange yet poignant world of Land of the Lustrous.

Land of the Lustrous may not be for everyone, but I think that if you are able to overlook the poor choice of animation style then I think you will find a story that gives you plenty to think about.

Title: Armored Trooper VOTOMS OVA Collection 1

Director: Ryōsuke Takahashi

Studio: Nippon Sunrise (Sunrise)

U. S. Distributor: Maiden Japan, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: May 14th, 2019

Format: Blu-ray (Standard Definition) / 8 OVA / 595 Minutes

Genre: Sci Fi, Mecha, Space Opera

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: B-

Synopsis:

They may be encased in suits of powered armor, but the soldiers who wear a VOTOMS unit in battle are simply serving the purpose that infantry has always served in war: to take ground and hold it, no matter what the cost. Combine that mission with the explosive fuel mixture and thin metal of their powersuits, and their chances of survival are decreased rather than enhanced, and only a handful will live to fight again. But of that elite group of survivors, a few will become legends.

Return to the universe of the most realistic mecha warfare ever animated as the beachhead established with the epic 52-episode Armored Trooper VOTOMS widens into a full scale invasion of spectacular and previously unreleased original video animations in Armored Trooper VOTOMS Collection 1!

Commentary:

I am becoming very weary of all the 1980’s Mecha anime that are being rereleased. I understand the ease of reproduction and play to nostalgia along with the quick ability to make money. I also understand that there is a push to revitalize the toy sales from these series. If you remind enough people of what they saw when they were young you might be able to sell them some collectable items.

As for the series, it is a rather predictable story that gives you plenty of melodrama and action along with a taste of how far the Japanese pushed these story lines back in the 1980’s. I can’t say that I found it easy to watch, but I did find it entertaining along with somewhat relaxing because of the total non-committal posture I took while watching it.

Overall Grade: B-

In may ways the series should be rated much lower. I opted to try and place myself in a 1980’s frame of mind and it gave me reason to give it a B-. The writing was fair enough to bring it over the finish line. The production quality was rather interesting if you look at it with the understanding that technology was still a non-starter and the men and women who made this series worked in sweatshops and almost never got to sleep in their own beds even if sleep was something they had time for.

I did find the look into the past rather refreshing which gives me even more reason to be critical of some of the poor quality anime that is being made now.

The main reason I gave Armored Trooper VOTOMS OVA Collection 1 is due to the overall melodramatic quality of the story. It became rather tedious from time to time and in the end I can honestly say that it doesn’t make me look forward to collection 2.

If you are a serious fan of old Mecha and looking for some additional material from the Armored Trooper VOTOMS series then I can tell you that you will need this in your collection.

Title:  Kokkoku the Complete Series

Director: Yoshimitsu Ohashi

Original Creator: Seita Horto

Screen Play: Noboru Kimura

Music by: MICHIRU

Studio: Geno Studio

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Please Date: April 16th, 2019

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Thriller, Drama, Sci Fi, Supernatural

Age Rating: MA

Overall Personal Rating: A

Synopsis: 

Juri Yukawa needs a timeout from her life. She’s failed 19 job interviews, she’s stuck living with her crazy family, and her chances of escaping to a life of her own are becoming increasingly remote. Suddenly, all of that becomes unimportant when her brother and nephew are kidnapped and held for an impossibly high ransom. That’s when Juri’s grandfather reveals an incredible secret: a mystical stone that allows Juri, her father and her Grandpa to enter the state of Stasis, where everyone else in the world is frozen in time! That should make rescuing their family easy, right? Wrong, because there’s a sinister organization working against them who also can literally beat the clock!

Commentary:

Every year there is typically a standout drama that captures my imagination and continues tp support my belief that the anime world has not given way to the fan service or pop idol craze. This year may not be half way through but Kokkoku is that anime so far for 2019 hard copy releases. In may ways it is sad that Amazon streaming had this one because it meant a very limited viewership. I am glad I discovered this as a hard copy blu-ray because it is a series that I will go back to over and over again as the years pass by.

Kokkoku gives us a rich imaginative world that has the confusion that our main group deals with having just learned of this strange family power and the overwhelming religious cult that has a singular mission. Each character has very unique personalities and very special roles in this story. 

Overal Grade: A

Kokkoku is a shinning star in the sea if mediocre anime so far this year. I gives us a solid drama that allows the viewer to follow along and grow to like and dislike the characters as the story unfolds. I felt as though the writing and character development are the strongest part of the series. There are some very human characteristics portrayed in this group of unlikely characters. There are a few mysteries that are not fully explained but there are even more that are. This short 12 episode series does a wonderful job of giving us a complete story.

Dramas for adults are very hard to find and Kokkoku is one of the few that does not find itself pandering to overly sexualize or give us gratuitous violence just because it sells. We get to see humanity at its purest form. We have the idealist, the hard core family member and plenty of the simple minded followers that are just looking for something to gasp onto and of course we have the pure self centered greed motivated ones that look to make themself richer or more powerful among the peers. 

If you are starving for a great drama? Well, Kokkoku is for you. Get ready for a interesting story that makes you want only the best outcome not looking for blood and gore or bouncing boobs in every scene.

Title: Doreiku The Animation on Blu-ray

Director & Writer: Ryōichi Kuraya

Studio: Zero-G, TNK

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: April 23rd, 2019

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Seinen, Drama, Thriller

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating D+

Synopsis:

Doreiku: The Animation contains episodes 1-12 of the anime directed by Ryoichi Kuraya.

It’s an insidious invention, originally created to control animals. Now it’s the ultimate rush for a dark cult of jaded thrill seekers. Place one SCM in your mouth and your opponent does the same. Then play a game… any game… and the winner literally takes control of the loser, binding them to their will and turning them into a personal plaything until the winner decides to set them free – if they ever chose to free them at all. And as the use of SCMs snakes its way through the undercurrents of society, with increasing numbers of unfortunate players bound into submission as drones and harems, the even more terrifying discovery of SCMs that can take over anyone, at any time, threatens to enthrall the rest of the population.

Commentary:

Wow, I am never really surprised when I watch a series that makes me cringe over and over again. Doreiku clearly is made to make the viewer cringe and it is all about being a voyeur into a world of forced masochism. I understand that human nature lends itself to this torture and violent underlying tendency, but that doesn’t make this series any easier to watch.

There is a great deal of that overarching good natured affront to the series when it is really all about watching slavery and torture as it washes across the screen. I felt a little ashamed that I watched and try to justify its existence .

Overall Grade: D+

I wish I could give Doreiku a better grade and I know that there are many out there that will disagree with my opinion, but I am not sure how spotlighting this type of masochism and control of another human being. Yes, I know that it spotlighted the evil and darkness behind it all, but it also might play in the overall normalization of this behavior. I think that it should remain taboo and a topic of derision rather than something to be viewed and approved of.

Title: Princess Resurrection: Complete Collection on Blu-ray

Director: Masayuki Sakoi

Studio: Madhouse

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: April 9th, 2019

Format: Blu-ray / 650 Minutes / 25 Episodes + OVA

Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, Harem

Age Rating: PG

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

Princess Resurrection the Complete Collection contains episodes 1-25 of the anime directed by Masayuki Sakoi plus the OVA: Princess Comatose in standard definition on a blu-ray disc.

When Hiro Hiyorimi tries to save a beautiful young woman from certain death, he ends up a dead hero himself! However, since the drop-dead girl is Princess Hime, daughter of the King of the Monsters, his “reward” is to come back as a not-quite-living soldier in her honor guard of horror!

That means helping fight off the army of supernatural monstrosities Hime’s siblings are unleashing against her in hopes of moving up the ladder of succession. And if facing off with vampires and zombies isn’t bad enough, how can anyone be prepared for the truly weird ones like were-sharks, pandas and killer dumplings? This sure isn’t the afterlife Hiro was hoping for, but the really sad part is that Hime is the good girl in all of this. Or at least, as close to good as you can come when you’re on the wrong side of the gates of Hell! Get ready for the wildest animation about reanimation ever in Princess Resurrection – The Complete Collection!

Commentary:

As the anime market expands there is a rush to bring back some almost classic anime that have been set aside for years. This is just the case of Princess Resurrection. In other words this humorous anime has bee resurrected. Weh I say humorous I really mean it. I did find myself laughing out loud several times but most of the time I managed a smile in the simplistic approach to this harem. It made me think of other anime that conjure up a very similar story such as Is This A Zombie and even Karen.

The premiss of Princess Resurrection is not as groundbreaking as hopped for, but the execution is entertaining enough to justify its return to the anime sales shelves.

I am not saying that Princess Resurrection is just laughs, i found it to have just enough drama and mystery to keep me watching. There is a underlying mystery that needs to be discovered, but getting there is fun and entertains.

Overall Grade: B+

I often worry about these older series that are bing brought back for the new generation of fans to discover. Princess Resurrection manages to make itself a little more accessible than many others. The animation is average and not too dated. The writing is strong enough to keep the viewers interest and the humor is solid enough to keep you smiling.

Princess Resurrection is a worthy revival anime that more than deserved to be resurrected.

Title: My Girlfriend is Shobitch; Complete Collection

Director: Nobuyoshi Nagayama

U. S. Publisher: Sentai Filmworks

U. S. Release Date: 2-12-19

Format: Blu-ray / 10 Episodes plus OVA/ 275 Minutes

Genre: Comedy (Fan Service)

Age Rating: MA

Overall Personal Rating: A- For Episodes 1-10, D if you include the OVA See commentary for explaination.

Synopsis:

My Girl Friend is Shobitch  (better translated as a “slutty teen”, but she actually wasn’t) is a sexual comedy. It is all about the jokes, puns, slapstick and fan service. So, the plot isn’t that important, but it does actually have one. So, here it is:

A typical high school boy in Japan, Haruka, confesses his feelings for fellow classmate Akiho. He has been admiring her (fantasizing) for a while. However, those images where not anywhere near the relationship that he has suddenly entered. Akiho is serious and studious by nature (Wait until you meet her mom, you’ll see where it all comes from.), yet she has no natural sense of human interactions, especially between a romantic couple. So what to do? Study of course. In her matter of fact, monotone and nearly emotionless voice, she succinctly asks for his preferred fetishes and more. She is a top student, and she will put the same study skills into being the ideal girlfriend. Unfortunately for Haruka, her informational sources are above and beyond what he had in mind.

Commentary:

First and foremost, it needs to be said that this is an anime for adults. It is a comedy completely about sex, using dating as the platform for nearly nonstop innuendos, cliches, puns, sight gags and fan service. Again, it is a cartoon but it is made for actual adults.

The second thing I thought that was very important, was that the episodes 1-10 were very funny (especially the earlier ones before too much character development) but the OVA was not funny, not one bit. It was awful. I don’t think unwanted nonconsensual bondage and unwanted forced participation in sexual type “activity” is humourous in anyway at all. Really, I have no comprehension as to why this final piece was put on the Blu-ray. Okay, sure I do, to make sales, unfortunately. It was perfectly fine to end it at episode 10, at that point it appears they were already having trouble with keeping up the comedy and resorted to obvious food/anatomy comparison. Still fine enough, and a good place to end. Unfortunately, the OVA kind of soured me on the series which is a shame. So my recommendation is to skip the OVA and enjoy the adult comedy for what it is and should be

The elements of the show seems to all work together. The characters were either ones you could connect with or necessary for the comedic element. Most of the situations were good set ups for the comedy routines. Visually it is bright and well animated. The scenery and props added to the whole. It is another layer to check out things that might be lurking in the background.

I watched some in Japanese and some English audio. I found it funnier in English, although the guy, Haruka’s verbal expressions for the situations he finds himself in are better in Japanese.

So, it is a comedy, fan service and more. The humor is for adults and it works. It was funny, even funnier to watch with a date. Plenty of laugh out loud moments. So, hey, that is what a comedy should be.

Overall Grade: A- For Episodes 1-10, D if you include the OVA See commentary for explaination.