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Bayonetta Bloody Fate Feature Film (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : October 17, 2014
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Bayonetta Bloody FateTitle: Bayonetta Bloody Fate

Director: Fuminori Kizaki

Studio: Gonzo

U. S. Distributor: Funimation

U. S. Release Date: Oct. 21st, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / DVD / 90 minutes / Feature Flim

Genre: Supernatural, Action, Adventure, Gaming Related

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: B-

Synopsis: 

Twenty years after her awakening, Bayonetta is still searching for clues that could help unravel the mysteries of her dark past. Aided in her quest by the clandestine weapon smith Rodin – and his deadly creations: Scarborough Fair – Bayonetta continues to leave a trail of angel corpses in her wake. Her search for answers leads to encounters with a mysterious – and eerily familiar – little girl, a vengeance-obsessed journalist, and a deadly white-haired beauty that seems to know more about Bayonetta than the witch herself.

As she moves through the mystery she begins to discover some rather interesting aspects to her life. Will these remembrances lead her to the truth or will she fall pray to the evil that lies within the secret that has left her without her memories?

Commentary:

Bayonetta Bloody Fate is a slick and fanciful story that gives us an eyeful of a bountiful woman who may not know who she is but she does know that she hates angles and is destine to be the Witch who is out to end the reign of the evil ones. Her re-emergence signals the beginning of the end or is it. She has more power than any angle can through at her and when she comes face to face with another Witch all bets are off.

The story is fast and flows at a furious pace that may be one of its greatest weakness. It told the story so fast that it did allow for any time to digest what was going on and lacked to give any nuances that would have made a big difference. Even with the slick graphics the story fell flat.

I have to admit I did enjoy the look of the film. It was well crafted and Gonzo proved itself as still being a top creator who can take even a weak story and make it look great. If it wasn’t for the heavy stylized animation I feel as though Bayonetta would have been left on the editors floor to become just another anime that never made any difference.

Overall Grade: B-

With the Bayonetta franchise behind the film it might be able to find some reasonable fandom, but I am afraid that once if has time to make the rounds it might be left on the self as just another anime that failed to capture the essence of the game it came from. If you are looking for some great eye candy then give this a chance. If you are looking for a solid story that has a lot to give them maybe you should look else where. Although Bayonetta herself is hot and looks good in lots of black hair.

Toriko Collection 1

Posted by :Patches On : September 7, 2014
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Toriko Collection 1Title: Toriko Collection 1

Director: Akifumi Zako

Writer: Isao Murayama

Original Story Created By: Mitsutoshi Shimabukuri

Studio: Toei Animation

U. S. Distributor: Funimation

U. S. Release Date: Aug. 26th, 2014

Format: DVD / 26 Episodes / 650 Minutes

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Food Fantasy, Absurdity

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Age: A-

Synopsis:

Welcome to the Gourmet Age, a time when the world is full of deliciously-deadly ingredients that the wealthiest appetites in existence can’t wait to devour. But only a mighty masticating mercenary like Toriko can track down the rarest animals on the planet and put them on a plate! This gluttonous gourmet hunter is one of the four Legendary Kings, superhuman warriors born to battle the likes of Troll Kongs, Gararagators, Devil Pythons, and the ferocious Regal Mammoth! Accompanied by his loyal Battle Wolf and the promising young chef Komatsu, Toriko will circle the globe in search of the mouth-wateringly lethal ingredients that will one day make up his Full Course Menu of Life!

But there’s more than just tasty beasts on the prowl. Toriko faces stiff competition in the form of a GT Robot. This seemingly-indestructible mechanized menace is controlled by an unseen evil, and it wants all the delectable delicacies for itself. To save his friends and quench his heroic appetite, Toriko must level up his punching power and turn the bad guy into a bucket of bolts!

Commentary:

Ok, there are plenty of strange anime out there and plenty that have a crazy plot line. Toriko has to stand out as one of the most unique series that has maintained a loyal following in Japan, but not as strong a following in the U. S..I find this as a real shame because Toriko is a genuine standout as a series and one of more solid comedies out there. In Japan there are 147 episodes and the manga is on volume 30 and still going. This alone should tell us that Toriko has something to offer. Honestly I place it at a level of strangeness in par with One Piece. For me the big difference is that I find One Piece a little silly and lacking in solid humor, whereas Toriko takes a much more direct and solid approach to its comedy and a somewhat over-the-top story line. This combination creates a mixture that both intrigues and satisfies at the same time.

Because of the length of the series there is plenty of story to tell and setting the basic plot in motion at the beginning is rather direct even if it ends up being sidetracked as things go on. This is indicative of the writing style for these types of series where the story is so crazy that it almost doesn’t make any sense. In this case this insanity works well and keeps working throughout.

Overall Grade: A-

Part of the quality of this series is the animation. The high quality and bold approach makes a Toriko stand out and easy to watch. The other strength to Toriko is the absolute stedfast storyline that takes our own effect ion to food and turns it into a battle story with a unusual approach to the characters.

I find Toriko easy to watch and also enjoy the strange quality to the story. All of the characters are rich and fully developed. Once all of these characteristics to are brought together we end up with a series that has a lot to offer. If there is a drawback to Toriko is has to be the strangeness of the story. In its strength is the one thing that can make it hard to follow and connect with. This effect is found in these series that push the boundaries and through reality out the window. Toriko does manage to make itself assessable and enjoyable. So, if you are looking for something that is over-the-top in strangeness but plan out fun to watch you should give this series a try.

Sengoku Collection DVD Complete Collection

Posted by :Patches On : August 11, 2014
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Sengoku CollectionTitle: Sengoku Collection DVD Complete Collection

Director: Keiji Gotou

Studio: Brian’s Base

Author: Touko Machida

U.S. Distributor: Lucky Penny / Nozomi

U.S. Release Date: August 5, 2014

Format and Length: DVD / 26 Episodes / 650 Minutes

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Parody, Samurai

Industry Age Rating: 16 and up

Overall Personal Rating: C+

Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Battle Girls: Time Paradox

Synopsis:

Oda Nobunaga is a feisty Warring States era general who is locked in a massive struggle to dominate the land, however, that all changes when a strange light sucks friend and foe alike into our era. But how will the Warring States era generals and their servants adapt to a strange land full of technology? Some will do better than others and become Idols or models while others are determined to go back to their own era. Japan and Feudal Japan will never be the same again when the generals are done wreaking havoc and collecting the “Secret Treasures.”

Commentary:

Sengoku Collection DVD Complete Collection once again brings us an all female cast for the Warring States era generals, but this time they are brought into the modern era. However, I wish that the story line would have meshed together a bit better. Each general had one or two episodes devoted to their adventures in the modern era. The only character that was in almost every episode was Nobunaga. I wish the other characters would have had some more screen time and more advancement of their character. Sengoku Collection DVD Complete Collection ended up feeling like a slice-of-life anime because the episodes are very loosely related to each other and they did not add much to the main story. The name of this series makes perfect sense after watching because it is basically a collection of all of the generals’ stories with no actual plot. You see hints of a story line in each episode, but for the most part there is none.

There were also some problems with the characters. Some of the characters are horribly written and have almost no relevance to their Feudal image that they should have either been left out of the story or shared an episode with another character. One of those characters would be Tsunehisa Amago, the general that came into our era as a four year old child. Her episode really threw me for a loop. However, some of the characters were well written and brought their episode to life. Some of those characters would include Masamune Date, Nobunaga Oda, and Ieyasu Tokugawa. I really enjoyed their episodes and their voice actors really brought their characters to life. Some of the episodes were awesome, most were okay, and a few were a chore to get through. There were also a large number of parodies in this series but most are Japanese-related media so the average viewer will probably not understand the references.

The art work quality seemed to change from episode to episode, however it did not take away any enjoyment from the series for me. I thought the opening and closing songs were catchy and cute. Every episode had different styles and artists for the music depending on the episode and parodies used in the episode. Be forewarned, there is a ton of fan-service in this series and I felt it took away from the episodes and was overdone.

Extras:

Sengoku Collection DVD Complete Collection includes clean opening and closing animations and trailers as special features. This release only included Japanese with English subtitles as the language options.

Overall Grade: C+

Sengoku Collection DVD Complete Collection had so much potential but it was not executed well. This was still an okay series but at times it was tough to make it through an episode.

Space Battle Ship Yamato (live action movie review)

Posted by :Patches On : May 11, 2014
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Space Battleship Yamato MovieTitle: Space Battle Ship Yamato

Director: Takashi Yamazaki

Screenplay Writer: Shimako Sato

Actors: Kazuki Namioka, Meisa Kuroki, Takuya Kimura and Tsutomu Yamazaki

Studio: Tokyo Brodcasting System, Toho and may others

U. S. Distributor: Giant Ape

U. S. Release Date: April 29th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / DVD / Feature Film / 131 minuts

Genre: Sci Fi, Drama, Action, Adventure

Age Rating: Not Rate, but I rate as PG 13

Overall Personal Rating: B+

 

Synopsis:

A cult classic from the glory days of anime blazes to life on the big screen in this feature-length sci-fi epic starring Takuya Kimura (Redline, Howl’s Moving Castle)!
The year is 2199. Mankind teeters on the brink of extinction as the Gamilas, a heinous race of alien invaders, wage an endless war for the right to inhabit the Earth. The last hope for humanity lies on the distant planet of Iskander, and the only battleship capable of attempting the journey is the legendary Yamato. Armed with the devastatingly-powerful Wave Motion Cannon, grizzled Captain Okita and the Yamato’s crew venture boldly into the darkest depths of space. The Gamilas attack at every turn, but fallen hero Susumu Kodai and ace pilot Yuki Mori fight side-by-side for the future of their world. Together, these young lovers unlock the secrets of Iskander – only to face a harrowing voyage home that will change their world forever!

Commentary:

Space Battleship Yamato is one of those highly rated anime that finally made its way into a live action film. The complexity of the series clearly posed a genuine issue when trying to compress it into a two hour film. I have to hand it to Takashi Yamazaki and Shimako Sato for creating a faithful film with only a few minor changes, that could be argued, added to the overall appeal of the story. I found the film to be entertaining as a stand alone film even if I did get the feeling that some of the special effects may have been taken with a lower level of production quality. On a whole it managed to come togehter and tell the story within a very limited timeframe.

As a person who grew up watching film where actors follow the very western method acting approach I still find myself becoming a little annoyed with the over the top Kabuki style acting that comes across in many Japanese action films. I have a real tendency to find over the top acting as rather funny and distracting when the moment should rally be tense and dramatic. I guess it is all about each of our own perception and it is clear to me that this type of exuberant facial expression acting is something that is well received in Japan and much of the Asian world. I think will does pose a problem for american fandom to really wrap their approval around films like Space Battleship Yamato.

Overall Grade: B+

The fact that Space Battleship Yamato is a fun and action filled Sci Fi is almost enough for me to like it, but the way that they put this complex story together is far and away the strength behind the film. The acting fell apart for me a little. I would have loved to see it acted in a much more conservative style and for the American market I think it would find a much larger fan base.

If you are a fan of Star Blazers / Space Battleship Yamato then this film is a must. If you are just looking for a Sci Fi that provides a solid two hours of fun and entertainment I highly recommend this movie for you.

 

The Familiar of Zero: Season One Complete Collection (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : April 25, 2014
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The Familiar of Zeroreview provided by Katie and Andrew

Title: The Familiar of Zero: Season One Complete Collection

Director: Yoshiaki Iwasaki

Studio: J.C. Staff

Author: Noboru Yamaguchi

U.S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U.S. Release Date: April 8, 2014

Format and Length: DVD / 13 Episodes / 325 Minutes

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, School, Harem

Industry Age Rating: 14 and up

Overall Personal Rating: A-

Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Shakugan no Shana and Toradora!

Synopsis:

Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere’s name is so long and her spell-casting skills are so poor that everyone at the Tristain Academy of Magic just calls her “Louise the Zero”. Louise’s humiliation only increases during an important second-year test, where the other students summon up mythological creatures as their familiars, and she inexplicably summons a human named Saito, a totally normal teenage boy from Tokyo. Now she’s stuck with him and Saito’s stuck with the lousy life of being a familiar. Except, maybe there’s more going on than meets the eye, because Saito’s not prepared to accept the social inequities that Louise and other aristocrats consider the status quo, and he may not be quite as normal as everyone thinks. And the reason Louise is so bad at magic might just be that she has yet to figure out what she is good at. In fact, they might even have the makings of a great team… if they can learn to stand each other first, that is!

Commentary:

When first picking up The Familiar of Zero, at first glance it doesn’t look to be much more than a standard cliché love comedy, harem anime. It has all the usual suspects, and has kind of the same set up. The standard leads are the under-developed tsundere, the well endowed easy girl, the quiet bookworm that you know could kick butt if she has to, and the unsuspecting innocent girl. All these are old cliché character archetypes, all used over and over again, over many series. In all truth, these clichés hold pretty firm throughout the series. But it was not the cliché characters that made this series fun to watch, it was how well they were utilized. The first thing you will notice different from the status quo is the male lead. In most harem love comedies, the male lead is beta, shy, and socially inept, and we always wonder what the girls see in him. Saito does not properly fit that mold. He is hardly the mamma’s boy we expect. He’s a bit of a playboy, seems to have guts, and never backs down if he feels spited. Oh and he had no issues flirting with the ladies, a typical teenage boy, for once. Outside of that, the character development is a bit lacking. The story is based in a cliché setting, a school named Tristain Academy of Magic, seeming quite similar to a very popular children’s book about a boy wizard. You know the one. Of course this looks to be a standard middle ages european style setting. And the magic is based on basic elementals, nothing new here. But all the cliché stuff hardly detracts from the series. Its strengths are the character interactions and the comedy anyway. At first you will probably watch The Familiar of Zero with a bit of reluctance, but that will all vanish quickly as the story picks up.

Louise, a member of a high ranking noble family with a history of producing powerful mages, seems to be the odd ball of the family, having little to no magical ability. As a second year student, she must, as all the others must, summon a familiar, to be a lifetime companion. She is extremely worried, because she is so inept she couldn’t summon a hungry cat, standing in front of her with a piece of meat. As the others summon their familiars, she prays and cowers in fear, praying she will be able to summon anything. As she does, everyone watches in astonishment as she manages to summon a boy. A peasant boy. In a world where peasants basically are slaves to the nobility, can anything be more embarrassing than summoning a peasant boy? Anyway what is done is done, and she has to keep him. The rules forbid she do anything else. Saito, confused after being ripped from his world to this one, is quickly surprised when Louise seals the deal with a kiss. Saito is quite reluctant in his new role, as a familiar. He has no regard for the hierarchy that is in place, separating nobility from peasantry, and practically enslaving them. It does not help that Louise treats him like nothing more than a dog. Of course Saito seems to be completely useless, being a human and not a creature, he seems to have little to offer Louise as a familiar, until he insults a peer of Louise’s names Guiche, and does not back down from a challenge to duel him. The comedy quickly picks up and becomes the main stable of the show. The story line does have its good points, but at times you may find it predictable. But even so, you will laugh.

Extras:

The Familiar of Zero includes extended episode previews, Japanese promos, clean opening and closing animations and Sentai trailers as special features.

Overall Grade: A-

Even with all its clichés and predictability, The Familiar of Zero, is a well done comedy. Also a quick note to Sentai Filmworks, please release the seasons that follow this one unlike the last company that released this title. We beg you.

One Piece volume 70 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 18, 2014
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One Piece 70Title: One Piece volume 70

Writer/Artist: Eiichiro Oda

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: March 4th, 2014

Format: manga paperback / 192 pages

Genre: shonen, adventure, comedy, action

Overall Personal Rating: B

Publisher Age Rating: T for teen

Synopsis:

The battle on Punk Hazard heats up as Luffy faces off against the diabolical Caesar Clown. Meanwhile, can the rest of the Straw Hat crew escape the deadly gas that is spreading all over the island?! The goal of capturing Caesar may be realized but the real goal of bringing Doflamngo to his knees might be even a bigger deal.

While trying to make it all work the crew manages to save some kids and at the same time give some Marines a reason to question how much they hate Pirates. Now with the battles winding down will things get even more interesting? Will Luffy finally get that great meal he’s been waiting for or will dinner be interrupted? What is going on in the New World and how does this effect the plan to bring down all four Emperors? I guess you will just have to read volume 70 to get back on the path of understanding.

Commentary:

Eiichiro Oda has one of the most active imagination I have ever come across and proves that there are very few people that can pull off this absurd of a story with the simplistic comedic touches that make it so popular. Personally, I have never been a great fan of One Piece, but as I get further into this story I can say that I respect Oda’s talent. He sure can weave a story together and at the same time come up with some of the craziest ideas. I know that his creativity and story telling is what keeps all the fans coming back, but what amazes me is that he just keeps pulling it out of nowhere. No matter how tiresome I find some of the characters I have to recognize Oda for being very talented.

Now as for the characters and their tiresome ways, I must be very clear that Luffy is by far the worst of the bunch. I get the fact that he comes cross as a simpleton who just might be a lot smarter than everyone else, but it would be great to see him take on an air of awareness that makes him look a lot less stupid. Most of the others have good and bad moments except for maybe Usopp who is the second least favorite character. I don’t mind it when some of the secondary characters are simpletons but when they reach the main group it is nice to see them have something other that naive or dumb written on their foreheads.

Overall Personal Grade: B

Volume 70 of One Piece sells the story well and keeps the action moving. It is a show case of Oda’s creativity and at the same time gets off the island. It also helps take this arc to the next level and sets up some rather interesting premisses. Of course there is no clear end to this arc in sight which could honestly become a real detriment to its development. I am hopping to see more in volume 71, but because of the way Oda typically move through these arcs, I don’t have much hope for any real enlightenment.

Anyway, One Piece 70 is a very fun read and plenty of great stuff happens to give this one a solid grade. I am looking forward to volume 71 and can only hope we learn even more once it is delivered. All you crazy One Piece fans enjoy it is worth it this time.

Mardock Scramble The Third Exhaust (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 14, 2014
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Mardock Scramble The Third ExhaustTitle: Mardock Scramble The Third Exhaust on Blu-ray

Director: Susumu Kudo

Writer: Tow Ubukata

Studio: GoHands

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U. S. Release Date: March 25th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / Feature Film / 66 minutes

Genre: Cyberpunk, Sci Fi, Drama, Action, Adventure

Age Rating: MA

Overall Personal Rating: A

Synopsis:

Rune Balot’s struggle to bring the man who killed her to justice continues amid the world of high-stakes gambling and glamour at the Eggnog Blue Casino. The odds are stacked heavily in the house’s favor, and even with the aid of Dr. Easter and Oeufcoque, a universal item capable of turning into anything and everything, Rune’s chances of winning are slim. But winning the golden chips containing Shell Septinos’ memories is only the next step on a long and treacherous road.

Run will still have to live long enough to bring those memories before the court, and even that isn’t the end of the journey. Rune’s search for answers to the questions that haunt comes to a shattering climax!

Commentary:

Finally we have the chance to see how the animated form of Tow Ubukata’s dark Sci Fi thriller Mardock Scramble. Coming to the anime after reading the 750 page novel several years ago brings plenty of expectations and desires, but in the end this anime managed to take on a life of its own without letting me down. This last installment and third film brought Rune Balot’s personality to full fruition and completed the connection between her and the AI weapon that is her partner, Oeufcoque.

As this story developed it brought together a look at humanity in both its darkest and lightest at the same time. There is also a very eastern approach to the dark side that allowed it to have a small but intense sense of honor and love. That does not say that most of the antagonist have something honorable, but there are one or two that bring some added baggage along with their external personas. The yin and yang within the characters adds so much death to the story it makes it all worth while.

Overall Grade: A

This final installment of the Mardock Scramble films does exactly what it needs to do. There is very little waist to the story and also develops a rather deep and enlightening interaction for Rune  that results in a very special aspect of the human condition. Mardock Scramble is something very special in the way it is constructed and executed. Tow Ubukata gives a look at ourselves in a raw and brutal way that goes straight to the core of our existence. I’m not sure that I can do justice to the fine story in this rather weak review, but if you have any interest in the underbelly of humanity and are looking for an honest approach to this genre that provides a hero, or should I say heroin who struggles with her own demons and hatred just to become stronger in order to defeat not just the person but ideals of that dark world. Then you should pick up these movies and enjoy each film. My only complaint is that it took so long to produce and distribute them. Now, I guess it is time to package them all together.

If you are looking for a real treat, be sure to read the novel and them watch the film. I think you will find the translation worth while and get a real treat in seeing for once a genuine translation that gives us two visions of the same story and succeed with both.

This is not for everyone and it doesn’t hold back when showing off the darker side of our species, but if you are looking for a insightful Cyberpunk story that says more than most in a way that leaves you thinking rather seriously about the world we live in and where we are headed, then Mardock Scramble is for you.

Space Adventure Cobra part 1 ( anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 12, 2014
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Space Adventure Cobra part 1Title: Space Adventure Cobra part 1

Director: Osamu Dezaki

Studio: TMS Entertainment

U. S. Distributor: Nozomi / Lucky Penny

Original Run: Oct. 1082 – May, 1983

Re-Release Date: March 4th, 2014

Format: DVD / 15 Episodes / 375 minutes

Genre: Sci Fi, Space Opera, Action, Adventure

Age Rating: 16+

Overal Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

Seeking reprieve from a painfully ordinary 9-to-5 existence, mild-mannered office worker Johnson visits the TM Corporation, a company that sells virtual dreams.

In Johnson’s dream adventure, he’s the notorious space pirate Cobra! Accompanied by his android partner Lady Armaroid, Cobra fights the lowlife scum of the Pirate Guild by day and saves sultry sirens of space by night. After the journey is over, events unfold that bring reality into focus. His experience wasn’t a dream at all – it was a reawakening of his buried past!

With the most feared weapon in the universe, the Psycho Gun, Cobra sets out into the galaxy in pursuit of love, fortune and fame!

Commentary:

Within the first 15 minutes I was sitting back and asking a simple question. Can you say Total Recall? Yes for those of us old enough or geeky enough to have see Total Recall I would have to say I now understand where the idea for the film came from. Cobra came out 8 years before The seminal Arnold the Govenator movie and much of the original premiss is the same. The only difference is that I can’t tell if Cobra will follow the same notion of questioning the reality of what happens in the series. Even with that heavy preconceived notion in my head I still kept going and ended up finding Cobra to be a fun ad very entertaining series.

I found the characters to have richer personalities and a much more solid plot line that the western live action film and of course the animated Cobra is a much better actor than “I’ll Be Back” Arnold ever was. All kidding aside, I found Space Adventure Cobra to be just that, a fun space adventure that lead us on a simple but entertaining getaway.

Overall Grade: B+

With older series that have been re-mastered and re-released it is often very hard for me to get past the dated animation, but in Space Adventure Cobra I only found that it took me a few episodes to get past the poorly or rather dated animation stylings of the early 1980’s. I found it easy to loose myself in the story and sit back enjoy the ride. I can’t say that the english dub is all that great, but again the age of the series sleeks volumes for what you should really expect to see and hear.

The concept and vision of the suture is what makes it stand out for me. Based on how fast we are moving I think it just might be very plausible to plug in very soon and experience an adventure while never leaving the couch. There is also that bizarre thought that someone could hide themselves in such a way that would allow them to discover a simple live without too much concern of giving themselves away. There are plenty of day that I would like to reinvent myself and at the same time forget about my past.

For all you Sci Fi lovers this one os for you and for all you wonderful people out there that know and have seen the original Total Recall this all I can say is that you better pick this up because I know you will be wanting to have one of those wow moments I had during the first episode. I can’t wait to find out if this is a dream or reality.

Naruto volume 65 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 2, 2014
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Naruto 65Title: Naruto volume 65

Creator: Masashi Kishimoto

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 5th, 2013

Format: Manga / Paperback / 192 pages

Genre: Shonen, Action, Adventure, Supernatural

Age Rating: T for Teen

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

The ninja war approaches its climax as Obito and Madara manage to awaken the powerful beast known as Ten Tails. Standing in their way are Naruto and the Allied Shinobi Forces. However, the entire war may be turned upside down when Sasuke succeeds in doing what many thought was impossible!

With Sasuke and Orochimaru returning to Konoha to revive all of the Hokages this take a turn for the strange. Orochimaru is able to bring them back and also give them enough freewill to be able to answer Sasuke’s questions. As the enlightenment follows what comes next is the real question. Will Sasuke decide that Konoha still needs to be destroyed or will he take the power of the Hokage and use it to help defeat Madara and Obito and end the great war?

Commentary:

I know that most Naruto fans dislike Sasuke and over the years he did become even more of a punk than he should have, but now that he is back it looks like maybe his brother, Itachi did have an impact on him after all. This reunion with the Hokages does something that I never thought I would enjoy in this extra long series. That something is the journey back in time and the almost inevitable flashbacks that always seem to drag on and on. In volume 65 history actually makes a difference in the story. No only does it help enlighten us in the motives of Madara but it also gives us insight into what makes the Uchia Clan so different and also the motivation that lead to their destruction. Honestly, I found it rather nice to read about this history. Most of the time the flashbacks and history lessons don’t have much meaning and just muddy to waters and extend the series in a way that is not always desirable.

Masashi Kishimoto does us a big favor her and in the end I think everyone will be happy with what happens. I’m not real sure why it took so long to get to this point other than the fact that the longer the series the more money they will make. I think the movement in this volume just might make all the difference and allow the series to actually bring a few issues to a close. At least that is what I hope to see.

Overall Grade: B+

Just the fact that I didn’t find this volume tedious is a huge plus, but there is also the fact that part of the plot finally turns a corner and allow some light to be shed in a possible closure of a long running plot device. I was also impressed with the speed in which the answers came to Sasuke, I expected it to take several volumes to get to this point and have to live through some rather pointless flashback and history lessons. Naruto 65 should be a huge hit with all of the Naruto fans and maybe just maybe Sasuke can find a little appreciation for the person who he is becoming.

Tiger and Bunny vol. 4 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : February 24, 2014
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Tiger & Bunny vol 4Title: Tiger and Bunny vol. 4

Art By: Mizuki Sakakibara

Planning / Original Story: Sunrise

Script: Masafumi Nishida

Character Development: Masakazu Katsura

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: Feb. 11th, 2014

Format: Manga, 184 pages

Genre: Sci Fi, Super Hero, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Seinen

Age Rating: T for teen

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

The heroes face down the deranged NEXT killer, Lunatic. Lunatic’s vigilantism has the city on edge, and the heroes find themselves having to convince everyone that NEXT are working for the good of Stern Bild City. Lunatic is in the wrong, but there is much more to the madman than anyone knows.

All the while we find Origami, Tiger and Bunny asked to visit Origami and Bunny’s alma mater. This sends Origami into a real funk and makes him question his entire existence as a hero. Tiger is quick to be supportive and is also put on the spot by the students to judge their powers. Of course they all have very strange powers and it forces him to come up with powerful idea for them. All of his enthusiasm from Tiger  and Bunny just listening ends up helping  Origami out and giving him something that he has needed for a long time.

Bunny is still charging forward looking of anything or anyone connected to Ouroboros and when he gets the chance to confront Lunatic he learns something he would have never expected. Does Bunny get any closer to discovering the truth and will Origami become a Hero who is interested in being in the forefront rather the side line?

Commentary:

As much as I like the Tiger & Bunny anime, I must say that it is a much better story in manga form. I don’t typically have that reaction, but in the case of this series there is something more personal about these heroes that is not caught in the animation format. I get a much better sense of who these characters really are by the emotional essence of their personas thought the print media. I think that when animated everything moves rather fast and some of the nuances are lost. Most of the time voice acting is able to bring the character to life and portray the emotional aspects of the character, but for  Tiger and Bunny I see it the other way. It may also be this volume that brings that to the forefront because of Origami’s personal struggle.

This volume also is a great example of the difference between Japanese graphic novels and American Graphic Novels. In most American hero stories there might be some emotional issue that the characters are dealing with but they tend to be rather dark and depressing. In Tiger & Bunny and many other super hero style manga the personal issues tend to be somewhat more mundane or even something that most of the readers can connect with. There seems to be a real empathy for the reader that we just don’t get with many American stories. I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen, but most of the time the personal trauma’s are much more melodramatic and supercharges.  They just don’t spotlight a young mans lack of self confidence because he is having a hard believing in himself.

Overall Grade: B+

Tiger & Bunny is a many layered series that reaches across the ocean to try and blend with the west’s superhero genre and at the same time add that very eastern touch to the story. For all american comic and graphic arts fans I would seriously recommend Tiger & Bunny. I might not be as dark as the new generation heroes on our side of the pacific, but it does provide a great picture of a group of heroes that still have to live their lives just like everyone else.  Don’t be afraid to give it a try!