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Nobunaga The Fool Collection 1(anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : April 2, 2015
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Category: Reviews

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Nobunaga The Fool Collection 1Title: Nobunaga The Fool: Collection 1 on Blu-ray

Director: Eiichi Sato

Writer: Shoji Kawamori

Studio: Satelight

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: April 28th, 2015

Format: Blu-ray / 13 episodes / 325 minutes

Genre: Mecha, Action, Drama, Romance

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

Long ago, in an age when the cosmos was still known as Chaos, the world was split into two planets, forming the West and East Stars. After years of war and strife, the Western Star has finally become united under a single king, the legendary Arthur. But conflict still threatens to consume all until hope arises in a vision: a vision of a champion who could save the futures of both worlds.

Setting forth on a dangerous journey, Joan d’Arc must travel from the West world to the East, seeking the man she believes can use the devices of the great Leonardo Da Vinci and become their savior. But will Nobunaga Oda be the kind of man they are expecting? Will history’s greatest heroes find themselves choosing not a liberator, but a destroyer? Or is Nobunaga’s role that of the Fool from a deck of Tarot, the wild card whose purpose is to invoke change, no matter what the cost?

Commentary:

It is great to see the Mecha genre having a bit of a revival and maybe even a renaissance. Nobunaga The Fool takes this literally by introducing historical figures from both the far east and the western cultures divided by worlds not just simple geographical lines on a map. These cultures get to play out a rather interesting battle to see if there is a true Savior King who will save both worlds not just their own. Of course we have king Arthur on the western worlds guiding light and the young and inexperienced Nobunaga for the East to maintain a brash arrogance that represents some level of true grit.

I do like the touch of having these mechanical armor to wield, but so far it has not gotten to any viable explanation on how they power them other than the magical lay lines or dragon lines / earth forces. This aspect comes out a little weak in the story, but that is of no real significance to the series of its value as a solid anime. I guess that if I were to question the physics of anime then most of the great Sci Fi / Mecha series would fall apart rather quickly. It’s not like we question the force in Star Wars so why question the dragon lines in Nobunaga The Fool.

The real strength of the series is the way that these strong characters enter act and develop. For Nobunaga it is obvious from the very beginning that he is something of a adventurist and not concerned with the politics that exists in his fathers world. he is also very crude and undisciplined. In the Japanese voice over with english subtitled version he comes across a little more subdued than he does in the English dub. With that in mind I can easily say that I prefer the brash young man in the English dub. He doesn’t mix words and can even offend in a single word. This plan in your face approach is well suited to his character and in many ways helps save the series from its own heaviness.

Overall Grade: B+

I don’t always gravitate toward mecha series, but it seems that as of late many of them are of a higher quality and have given me a reason to watch out for them. Nobunaga The Fool proves to be one of these series that keeps the action going without a severe amount of repetition. There is also a slick approach to the story that keep the two groups at odds but at the same time interesting in their own right. I know that the story doesn’t compare to Full Metal Panic, but there is something about the series that I like and it reminds of my fondness to the way the characters became well like in the FMP classic.

I am very interested to see how this series ends up and I hope that they just take it higher from here. It can be very easy to screw this up and I have seen it happen all too many time. So, Nobunaga The Fool has a real chance at become something even better lets just hope that the writers don’t give up on the remainder of the story. If you like history or historical figures put in crazy stories you will really like Nobunaga The Fool, I know I do.

Majestic Prince Collection 2

Posted by :Patches On : September 14, 2014
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Category: Reviews

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Majestic Prince collection 2Title: Majestic Prince Collection 2 on Blu-ray

Director: Keitaro Motonaga

Studio: Dogakobo, Orange

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: July 15th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Mecha, Sci Fi, Comedy, Romance

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: B

Synopsis:

For the members of Team Rabbits and Team Doberman, each new sortie becomes increasingly dangerous. As the fight against the Wulgaru continues, it’s harder to determine what the real objectives of Team Rabbits are, and the arrival of a new addition to team’s lineup only further confuses things. The unwritten rules of mecha combat teams seem to require that there’s always at least one mysterious loner in the group, but the enigmas and conundrums surrounding Ange Kuroki are so extreme that even the new pilot’s gender is a riddle!

As the pieces of the puzzle come together and the layers of the riddle slowly peel back, it becomes apparent that everything Izuru, Asagi, Kei, Tamaki and Suruga have encountered are interconnected to a greater extent than they ever imagined. Deadly reversals and shocking revelations await!

Commentary:

I knew it was going to tough to wrap this series up, but to my delight it wrapped up very nicely. The utter silliness of the first half of the season has settled down and a relative seriousness of the story line takes over. This change of pace makes difference in how these young hero’s come across and it is for the best. Of course not all of the comic relief is removed and there are still some rather funny moments, but there is nowhere near the focus on this approach in the final 12 episodes. There are a few hidden secrets discovered that help solidify the plot line and at the same time clear up some mysteries about our mecha pilots.

The animation stylings still tips it’s hat to the great series of the past and manages to prove that it can have some fun with the past and at the same time show respect to what set the stage for today’s mecha stories. It is in this animation production styling that some of the strength and weakness to the series come out. There are moments in the series that I felt like they relied on the past a little too much and made the imagery look 20 to 25 years old. As much as I appreciate what they are doing I also found it distracting and somewhat disappointing.  At least this did not ruin the series for me.

Overall Grade: B

With everything that is happening with the series and how they build toward the final battle it was nice to see how they dealt with the mix in cultures and how the outcome was not totally devastating. I also felt like much of the portrayal of the Wulgaru in mays takes stab at our own species and our obsession with hunting and superiority. I found it to be a nice touch of commentary.

In the world of good and great mecha anime, Majestic Prince falls solidly between just good and great. It is very possible that with a little time, there might be a following for this somewhat quirky series. I found it to be rather entertaining and easy to watch. I also found myself comparing it to some of the more beloved mecha series that have graced our screens in the past. At time this comparison was fun and other times I found it rather distracting, but all in all I must express my appreciation for the effort that was given to reminding us all that without the past we would have a hard time enjoying the present.

All you mecha fans, Majestic Prince is a series you should check out if for no other reason than to see how many older series does it pay homage too. In doing so, you just might find it to be a positive and enjoyable show.

Majestic Prince Collection 1 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : July 10, 2014
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Category: Reviews

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Majestic PrinceTitle: Majestic Prince Collection 1

Director: Keitaro Motonaga

Studio: Dogakobo, Orange

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: July 15th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Mecha, Sci Fi, Comedy, Romance

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: B-

 

Synopsis:

In the not-so-distant future, the people of earth have expanded their frontier into the solar system. And now, we’re under attack! Advances in physics and genetic engineering have created astonishing new flying war machines and pilots with a wide array of enhanced abilities.

Young Izuru has been chosen to lead the hapless Team Rabbits into battle against the sinister Wulgaru forces. Spearheaded by the cold and savage Prince Jiart, these dark invaders possess both superior firepower and technology, as well as an unwavering thirst for earthly destruction. It will be up to Izuru and his brash band of misfits to vanquish the enemy and save us all… if they don’t kill each other first.

Commentary:

It is always fun to watch a series that proves to be a fine omage to a archetype from the past. Majestic Prince just so happens to be one of those series. In its opening segments and the others to follow it manages to tip its hat to most of the great mecha anime of the past. Of course with Majestic Prince our heroes are setup a losers right off the bat and it doesn’t take long to see where they are headed. This leaves out much of the mystery and only gives us some sad moments of self doubt and societal abuse pointed in their direction. The other side of that plot device is that it sets up some rather funny situation, but because of the way the lead characters are written they just end up being nothing more than silly and at the same time pitiful. After the first 9 or 10 episodes I did begin to feel a title sympathic toward them, but this is because they are beginning to develop into more direct and serious characters.

The animation stylings are a mix of old and new. Some of the space battle scenes look like they are straight out of Marcoss or Gundam with the odd round burst of light far off in the distance and the strange little clusters of explosions that follow. The mecha are well rendered and end of being the star of the show. With the genetic connection as being part of the premiss of the series it is hard not to make them important and to show off the thing that will allow our band of misfits to become the heroes they all wish to become.

Overall Grade: B-

Majestic Prince is one of those series that has a great deal of possibilities but end up relying on rather weak characters and tired plot devices to try and carry the series. I can understand the appeal this series might have to some serious mecha fans and also how the comedic aspects do help it stay afloat, but in the end I honestly hope that the second half of the series looses the looser persona and allows the serious side of the show to come forward. I think that if give the right writing and move in a note dramatic direction Majestic Prince could end up being both an omage to the classic mecha from the past and also a worthy series in its own right.

Aquarion EVOL part 2 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : June 1, 2014
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Category: Reviews

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Aquarion EVOL part 2Title: Aquarion EVOL part 2 combo pack

Director: Shoji Kawamori

Written By: Mari Okada

Studio: Satelight , 8-bit

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date:

Format: DVD / Blu-ray / 13 Episodes / 325 Minutes

Genre: Mecha, Romance, Sci Fi

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: B-

 

Synopsis:

The intergalactic hijinks continue as beings from a womanless planet target the girls of the newly coed Neo-DEAVA academy. Meanwhile, a mysterious villain’s plot slowly comes to light, Amata’s past is revealed, and Mikono finds herself in the middle of a really awkward threesome.

The hormone-fueled pilots will have to survive unusual training methods and swimsuit-filled secret missions in order to grow strong enough to kick some otherworldly tail, but as the boys and girls get closer to each other, they discover that destiny might not be on their side. Victory could require the legendary mecha Aquarion’s ultimate form – even if summoning it means breaking an intimate taboo.

 

Commentary:

A 12 thousand year story come to an end. Of course Aquarion EVOL isn’t just another love story it a tail of souls torn apart being reunited. This simple plot is give plenty of life in this fan serviced filled story. I have a feeling that if it were not for the sexual connotations that run through this epic story the plot would end up even flater than it is, but at the same time the fan service ends up getting in the way of a story that could have been much more than it is. As with the original Aquarion story there is a great deal of mystery and confusion that runs through the plot, but with EVOL the main character ends up being way to wimpy which makes the ending a lot less dramtic.

The animation of EVOL is great and serves the story well. In fact I would say it is the saving grace for the entire series. The slick look gives the series its real appeal. It is a classic look given a contemporary style that does not betray the essence of the story, rather it enhances it to the point that makes it watchable. With the writing leaving you dazed and confused it takes the visual power to keep you watching.

Overall Grade: B-

Aquarion EVOL is a series that possess a great deal of potential and also plenty of fun for the fan service crows. Unfortunately, it fails to completely deliver. The level of confusion and just out right complexity betrays it and almost sends the series to its death. The fun with sexual innuendos and the high quality of animation helps save the series from itself. If you are a fan of Aquarion then you will mostly be a fan of EVOL, but don’t expect it to be close to the same, just expect it to look good and manage to lose you from time to time.