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Log Horizon Collection 1 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 15, 2014
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Log Horizon collection 1Title: Log Horizon collection 1

Director: Shinji Ishihara

Author: Toshizo Nemoto

Studio: Studio Deen

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

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

Format: Blu-ray / 325 Minutes / 13 Episode

Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy, Adventure

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: A-

Synopsis:

Elder Tales has become a global phenomenon, immersing millions of players in its online fantasy world. However, something goes wrong with the twelfth expansion pack. Eight-year veteran Shiroe and 30,000 other players suddenly find themselves trapped in the game’s no-longer-fictional universe!

Except it’s not even exactly the game they knew: things are in different places, the portals don’t work, and if a gamer was playing an avatar who wasn’t a physical match for their real self… well, let’s just say that everyone who’s been playing is going to have to make some serious adjustments to their new world view.

On top of that, the former Non-Player-Characters are now self-aware and working towards their own ends. This collision of the Elder Tale people and players with seemingly impossible skills, abilities, and knowledge promises to be cataclysmic. Get ready for heroes to rise and new legends to be forged as Shiroe and fellow players Naotsugu and Akatsuki discover what happens when sword and sorcery becomes real!

Commentary:

My first impression of Log Horizon was thinking “Oh, no not another gamer stuck in the game anime”. As I settled in and started watching the first episode I began to see something I really didn’t expect. I saw a series that take the gaming world and leans on the structure of the game more than giving us a bunch of teenagers who run around and battle things just because. Log Horizon takes the concept one step further and gives a feeling that the story is still in the game with a little more reality for the players.

I think that the concept is taking the right view and allowing the characters to develop as the also discover their new reality and what they can do in it. There is also the aspect that the ancillary game characters the are not players take on personas and are given life is a wonderful way to add depth to the show.  With each episode we get to see these characters grow and develop as they become more involved in the world around them. They also discover that they have limitations to what they can do and also what they can be, but this just adds to the richness of the series.

Overall Grade: A-

Log Horizon has caught my attention with this first collection. I manages to paint the picture of a rich world that may be a prison for these players, but it also represents itself as a fully realized environment that can be both dangerous and rewarding. The show forces these new inhabitants to look at this reality differently and end up understanding that they have more and greater abilities than they thought. My trepidation that it would just be a ripoff of the popularity that Sword Art Online has is not founded and in fact I see this series as being superior in many ways to Sword Art Online. Too bad that it may never get the chance for the broader distribution that  would get in front of more people. If you haven’t see Sword Art Online yet and are interested by the concept of players getting trapped in the game then I would start with Log Horizon it is, in my opinion, a better series.

Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Borders 1 & 2

Posted by :Patches On : October 17, 2014
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Ghost in the Shell: Arise Borders 1 & 2Title: Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Ghost Pain & Ghost Whispers

Director: Kazuchika Kise

Studio: Production I. G.

U. S. Distributor: Funimation

U. S. Release Date: Oct. 28th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / DVD / 114 minutes / 2 episodes

Genre: Sci Fi, Action, Adventure, Cyber Punk

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: A-

Synopsis:

This set contains Ghost in the Shell: Arise Borders 1 and 2 on Blu-ray and DVD!

Border 1: Ghost Pain
When cyborg hacker Motoko Kusanagi is hired to investigate a devastating bombing, she must fight her way through a maze of phantom memories to unlock her mysterious past – and track down the evil mastermind behind the attacks.

Border 2: Ghost Whispers
Witness the formation of the legendary Public Security Section 9. When a clandestine organization hacks every car in the city, Kusanagi recruits a lethal team of cyber operatives that includes a badass brawler with Special Forces training, an explosives expert, a technology specialist, and a chain-smoking jack-of-all-trades with a sordid past. Together this ruthless gang of enforcers sets out to clamp down on the chaos and make the city safe again.

Commentary:

It has been years since we have been graced with the Ghost in the Shell franchise and it is about time that we are treated to this ground breaking series. The wait is well rewarded. The two episodes in this set are both great in their approach and also  their delivery. Both are imaginative and slick in production. I did find some of the CG to be a little lacking in quality, but overall it really hit the spot.

With the main character being the cold and somewhat calculating Motoko Kusanagi who seems to be on a private mission. In the first episode, Ghost Pain, we are treated to the basics behind the short series and the solid backbone to the stories to come. We see a cyber operative who has no past and no future, but in her own way she is quickly creating a future that she can own all to herself and in her own way she will also begin to give a team of societies tools a chance to work in the shadows and at the same time live their lives in the bright light that they all have hidden fro their entire lives.

Ghost in the Shell Arise, gives a new look at the world that suggest that there might be a time when life will be both improved by cybernetics and darkened by the way both the military and enemies of the state will use these new powers. It also paints a picture of a world that has begun to rely on technology way too much. It may be part of the story and the old Sci Fi genre that has been out there for many years, but with our own move to becoming too attached to our phones / computers the world of Ghost In The Shell feels all to possible.

Overall Grade: A-

Both of these episodes remind me of why I and many others are big fans of the Ghost In The Shell franchise and why they manage to hit the mark in both story telling and a peek into a future that is less than favorable. So, if you haven’t had the chance to see any of the Ghost in the Shell films or series then there is no reason to miss these two. There are another two episodes in this series and I for one am looking forward to seeing them. There is plenty of story left, I just hope they don’t roll through the next too quickly. So, bring it on I am waiting.

Majestic Prince Collection 2

Posted by :Patches On : September 14, 2014
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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.

Lost Universe (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : August 18, 2014
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Lost UniverseReview provided by TJ

Title: Lost Universe

Director: Takashi Watanabe

Author: Hajime Kanzaka

U.S. Distributor: Nozomi/ Lucky Penny

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Format and Length: DVD; 26 ep; 650 min

Genre: Sci-Fi

Industry Age Rating: 13+

Overall Personal Rating: B

Similar Series: Cowboy Bebop, G Gundam

Synopsis:

Kane Blueriver is something called a Trouble Contractor. Something like a bounty hunter, he takes freelance jobs helping out either the police force, corporations, individuals, or anyone who is offering payment. His partner, Canal Volfield is also the A.I. System of his ship Swordbreaker and has an ability to project a hologram and give it mass so that she can interact with people. On one of his jobs, Kane runs into Millie Nocturne, a woman whose goal in life is to be the best in the universe at everything. Her favorite things to brag about are being the best shot in the universe and the best cook in the universe. Her current goal was to expose an blackmarket auction to become the best detective in the universe, however, once Kane shows up, his job interferes with hers thus screwing up all of her plans. She then decides to tag along on Swordbreaker using the excuse that he owes her for causing her to get fired.

As the story progresses, Kane, Millie, and Canal get targeted by the organization Nightmare whose goal is to destroy all the Lost Ships, of which Swordbreaker is one, to make their ultimate objective of spreading darkness across the universe that much easier. Once Nightmare starts focusing heavily on Kane, he puts his focus on them and puts his job as a Trouble Contractor to the side until he can destroy Nightmare once and for all.

Commentary:

Overall, Lost Universe was a good series. The characters are interesting, if not slightly gimmicky, and many of the episodes are fun to watch. The only complaint I have is that once the story gets focused on the conflict with Nightmare, it actually gets boring. The first 13 episodes are standalone episodes as Kane and crew take various jobs and have silly arguments among themselves. The comic relief is actually really good. The arguments between Canal and Millie are always silly and in one episode Canal’s hologram projection system malfunctions will hilarious results.

However, the second half of the series is when I just started losing interest. Once the conflict with Nightmare became the plot rather than Kane’s job as a Trouble Contractor, it became boring. After episode 13 it almost felt like I was watching a completely different series. The new plot was mediocre at best and left a lot of questions unanswered. The biggest question being what exactly were the Lost Ships. The series makes it seem like they were extremely rare and incredibly powerful ships. However, Kane and crew got into a battle with a Lost Ship at least once an episode, sometimes twice, which made it seem like they weren’t as extremely rare as the series would like to have it seem. And the only real difference that was noticeable between a Lost Ship and a normal vessel was that the Lost Ship had an advanced A.I. with its own consciousness and will.

One last thing that does need to be mentioned is the voice acting. Normally, personally, I have no problem with English voice acting. But it is bad in Lost Universe. I highly recommend watching this series subbed.

Overall Grade: B

Lost Universe starts off really well. The first half is very enjoyable and fun to watch. However, once it develops a focused plot, the quality just drops.

Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection 9anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : August 4, 2014
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Fantasista Doll

Review Provided by Andrew &Katie

Title: Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection

Director: Hisashi Saito

Studio: Hoods Entertainment

Author: Noboru Kimura and Yuko Kakihara

U.S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U.S. Release Date: August 12, 2014

Format and Length: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Magic, Sci-Fi

Industry Age Rating: 14 and up

Overall Personal Rating: C

Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Angelic Layer, Rozen Maiden, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Busou Shinki

Synopsis:

No one really knows what life has waiting in the cards for them, but for Uzume Uno, the surprises are not just in the cards but also in what comes out of them. Uzume finds herself in possession of a mysterious deck of cards through a strange twist of fate. She is surprised to find that five magical girls known as the Fantasista Dolls materialize and by playing the cards in different combinations, she can equip the girls with an array of costumes and weapons. That comes in extremely handy when a new danger that only the Dolls can stop is coming to threaten the Earth. With the future of the entire world on her shoulders, Uzume is going to have to learn how to play the hand she has been dealt pretty quickly. Will Uzume be able to deal with the Dolls’ odd demands and save the world at the same time? You will have to watch Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection to find out.

Commentary:

Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection is a very cute and moe anime series. I believe that tween and teen girls will love this series even with the age rating. The only thing that makes it the age rating is that the dolls have body paint on under their outfits and go around like that for a good part of the series and there is a little bit of fan-service. Those pluses aside, Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection does have some problems. The dialogue between characters does not flow well most of the time and they jump between the other plot line and the main plot line in the middle of an episode. I wish that they would have spent an entire episode on one plot line and went to the other plot line in the next episode. I believe that would have made things a bit smoother.

Uzume Uno is an interesting character. You learn that she has experience in playing card games. She had decided to give up playing card games though because she felt it was time to grow up. I believe that dealing with the dolls actually helped her become more mature and also helped her realize that she cannot try to solve problems on her own. Her Fantasista Dolls are pretty cute. Sasara is the first doll to appear to Uzume and she makes the contract. Katia is the childish doll and she is amazingly cute. Shimeji is the least trusting doll of them all as she misses her previous master. Madeleine is the tallest doll who is always ready to help out her master and she also plans out battle tactics. Akari is the little loli doll. She is also amazingly cute and uses yo-yo’s as her weapon of choice. If I had to choose my favorite doll it would have to be Katia because she is just too cute and adorable.

The artwork is really nice especially as the outfits and hairstyles are unique and reflect on each characters personality. The artwork was also very colorful and nice to look at. The voice actors did a good job bringing the characters to life. The battle sound effects were great and the music was okay. It sounded like J-Pop so if you like that type of music then you will enjoy Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection’s music. The only other thing I have to complain about is that there are credits from Sentai after each episode and it gets old after a while. I really think that they could have just put that at the end of the series and the episodes would have flowed better. But that is a small thing and might not bother other people.

Extras:

Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection includes clean opening and closing animations, Sentai Filmworks trailers and disc credits as special features. Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection is only available in Japanese with English subtitles in this release.

Overall Grade: C

Fantasista Doll: Complete Collection is a good series, especially if you enjoy the Magical Girl genre. Just make sure to never make a contract with a random magical being that appears at just the right time.

From The New World Collection 2 on Blu-ray

Posted by :Patches On : July 28, 2014
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From The New World Collection 2Title: From The New World Collection 2 on Blu-ray

Director: Masashi Ishihama

Writer: Masashi Sogo

Studio: A-1 Picture

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U. S. Release Date: Aug. 12th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / 13 Episodes / 325 minutes

Genre: Sci Fi, Romance, Supernatural, Drama

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: A-

 

Synopsis:

Still reeling from the deaths of her friends and the revelations of the Ethics Committee’s machinations, Saki returns to the village expecting the worst. However, what she’s learned so far barely touches on the edges of an even vaster conspiracy. As she discovers the fate the committee intends for her personally, she realizes that her own mind is being turned against her.

With her memories of Shun fading, she and Satoru find themselves in a race to find Maria and Mamoru before the Committee condemns them to destruction. But the clock is turning against them in more ways than one, as the smoldering conflicts between the rat colonies threatens to erupt into open warfare. As pivotal pieces in a deadly endgame designed to wipe an entire species from the face of the planet, it’s not going to be enough for Saki and Satoru to merely survive. To lead the best laid plans of both rats and men astray, they’ll have to uncover the final secrets to two hidden worlds and turn them against their makers!

Commentary:

For all of you that seen the first collection then this should be helpful. For everyone how have not seen any of From The New World, I would recommend reading the first review and also checking out the collection for yourself. Now for those of you that are wanting to hear more about this complicated series the best I can say for it is that it is still complicated and at the same time emotionally fraught with dilemma after moral dilemma. From The New World takes on the next evolution of humanity in several ways and at first you think it is all about the plight of the 5 main characters but after a while you realize that it is more of an indictment of the hubris that mankind has carried through the millennium.

There is so much I would like to say, but for me to be direct I would spoil it and that is not my intent. As collection 2 starts we see two of the group forced to leave their home and the events that follow leads us to believe that they have set out for some great adventure that if all things go even half way right we would see them again later in the series. We then jump 12 years and the two remain members of group 1 have taken their place among the village. Things begin to take new and strange paths and the next thing you know the entire world is up for grabs.

The real twist to this story is that it sets us up to believe one thing and then gives us other option to ponder and in the end they were all false paths and the moral imperative becomes a full blown commentary on the folly of our species. Of course this narrative was discusses early in the first few episodes, but it wasn’t clear at that time how important that topic of discussion would be until we reach the fill few minutes.

 

Overall Grade: A-

From The New World is a series that take some getting used too and with the depiction of the mutant mole rats it is hard to take it too seriously. I think that is both its failure and great deceiver. The animation style leave you not giving much serious thought to what is going on and then by the time you understand what is really happening you are fooled and twisted around. I’m not say that the series is confusing, it keeps things moving in a way that makes you believe that you understand what you are watching and this was possibly my greatest delight in the series.

The character development ended up being secondary to the story and it proved to be less important than I thought it was going to be. I’m not trying to imply that the main characters are not fully developed, but rather this development is all part of the ploy that keeps the series going. Ok, I guess that I’ve made everyone believe that From The New World is a fantastic series that twist you around and leaves you asking some great impossible question. That is not what I am trying to imply, rather I found the series rather simple in its approach and straight forward with the storyline, what is great is the way that the real plot is finally revealed and how it elves you questioning how great humanity is even with all our higher intelligence and abilities we are still part of nature and all too often forget who and what we are.

So, if you are looking for a series that will entertain and keep you coming back for more by its where nature with a final twist that ends up holding the mirror up to us all. Then you will find From The New World something you will need to experience.

Majestic Prince Collection 1 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : July 10, 2014
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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.

Short Peace (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : July 5, 2014
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Short PeaceTitle: Short Peace

Directors: Possessions; Shuhei Morita, Combustile; Katsuhiro Otomo, Gambo; Hiroaki Ando,  A Farewell To Weapons; Hajime Katoki.

Writer / Creator: Possessions; Shuhei Morita, Combustile; Katsuhiro Otomo, Gambo; Hiroaki Ando, A Farewell To Weapons;  Studio is Sunrise.

Studio: All Short Films are done at Sunrise.

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U. S. Release Date: Aug. 5th,

Format: Blu-ray / 4 short films / 68 minutes

Genre: Fantasy, Edo Period, Sci Fi

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

In 1995, Katsuhiro Otomo’s anthology Memories showcased the work of upcoming superstars of the anime world. Now, Otomo’s spotlight shifts to a fresh generation of master creators with an all-new anthology of visionary films.

A lone traveler is confronted by unusual spirits in an abandoned shrine in the 2013 Academy Award nominated Possessions (Tsukumo), directed by Shuhei Morita (Coicent, Kakurenbo). A mysterious white bear defends the royal family from the predations of a red demon in the brutal Gambo, directed by Hiroaki Ando (Five Numbers!) from Redline’s Katsuhito Ishii’s original story with character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion).

The focus shifts from supernatural to science fiction for the action-packed A Farewell To Weapons (Buki Yo Saraba), as Mobile Suit Gundam designer Hajime Katoki helms Otomo’s tour-de-force saga of men battling robotic tanks in apocalyptic Tokyo, while grandmaster Otomo himself assumes the directorial reigns for a spectacular tale of love, honor and firefighting in ancient Japan with the multi-award winning Combustible (Hi-No-Youjin).

Prepare your senses for the animated films that are taking the critical world by storm as a new era in anime is ushered in with Katsuhiro Otomo’s Short Peace!

Commentary:

Compilation sets are not as common as they used to be and for as much fun as they are there was often a real letdown when they came out. The expectation that we would see something amazing was always followed by dashed hopes and a sense that the future for anime is nothing new. Now comes Short Peace and a look at four short films that approach animation in very different ways.

Before I get into the films I have to mention the opening sequence. In some ways it was very special in itself and managed to heighten my expectations for the films. Now as the films go I was immediately shocked by the look of the first film, Possession, looked. I thought I was looking at a edo period version of Appleseed. Now this could be construed as something great because I really like Appleseed and feel like it was a ground breaker for its time. Now-a-days  this blocky style of Computer Graphics looks dated and somewhat naive, but as soon as you get into the story this feeling of obsolescence fades away quickly. The story is based on an old Taoist belief and brings the idea to life in an imaginative way. By the end of the story I didn’t care about the animation style.

Combustile is a different story all together. This is another Edo period film that quietly takes on a simple story of the loss of childhood and dreams. I loved the look, but found the story to be lacking in substance and ended up leaving me flat. I think that what really happened is that there just wasn’t time to connect with the characters  and the complex human aspect to the story needed a larger opportunity to develop. None-the-less, it comes off as the weakest of them all.

Gambo is a interesting story of alien devastation and also during the Edo period. The look of Gambo is outstanding and gives a slick stylized look to a naturalistic film. The story is straight forward but the overall look is what takes this one home. There is also a battle at the end that is rather intense. This clearly is what helps make this a memorable anime.

The last film, A Farewell To Weapons, is by far the slickest of all the films. It is not based on the past but rather in the future and carries with it a rather realistic opinion of what happens after humanity is done playing god with weapons and weapon systems. It may also be the one with the least complex of all the stories. Even though is is simple in form the animation is beautifully done. It matched the subject matter and came across with a realist impression. It also managed to show us how good Computer Graphics have gotten.

Overall Grade: B+

Unlike other compilation sets like Voices of a Distant Star, by Shinkia , or Heavy Metal, Short Peace doesn’t seem to providing us a glimpse of the next great director / creator. Although, I was impressed with Gambo and A Farewell To Weapons for their ability to give us a slick anime that left a real impact.  Short Peace does provide a solid hour of entertainment and because of the variety of styles it keeps us engaged. In closing, this compilation set could be a genuine addition to any anime collection.

Code: Breakers Complete Collection (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : June 27, 2014
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Code: BreakerTitle: Code: Breakers Complete Collection 

Director: Yashiro Irie

Studio: Kinema Citrus

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date: June 24th, 2014

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

Genre: Sci Fi, Supernatural, Crime Drama

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Grade: B

Synopsis:

Rei Ogami doesn’t have a problem with killing. As a Code:Breaker – a super-powered assassin employed by a secret government organization – he works outside of the law, existing in the gray area between right and wrong. When Rei gets an assignment, criminals are cremated in a blaze of blue fire. That is, until a classmate named Sakura witnesses his fatal flames in action and makes it her mission to keep him from killing again.

As Sakura becomes entrenched in Rei’s world of cruelty, mayhem, and violence, the line between good and evil begins to blur. When another Code:Breaker goes rogue and the remaining assassins assemble, murder might be the only way to make things right. Or is it? The more Sakura stays with Rei the more we discover about Sakura and it just might be possible that Sakura was meant to be part of the world after all. The further you go the more you will question so, get ready to be amazed and baffled at the same time.

Commentary:

I realize that it is somewhat normal for artist to get their ideas from other artist and there are plenty of copy cat series out there in the world just trying to sponge some money of an idea that capture plenty of attention and provide the be full of imagination. Code: Breaker manages to entertain while at the same time make you think about all the other series it has in common. The first one that jumped out at me was Darker Than Black, next I was whisked away to the world of Full Metal Panic lastly there is X-Men. I’m not going to go into all of the reasons why Code: Breaker reminds me of these series because it would spoil the plot and series for you. Just take my word for it, Code: Breaker was built on the backs of giants and it almost pulls it off.

There is plenty about Code: Breaker that made we want to root for it and continually come back for more.  At first I thought it might be similar to other crime dramas of the last few years that left me wanting for more or rather wishing I hadn’t waisted my time.  I kind of expected the over the top melodrama that was presented in Psycho Pass or the lack luster writing of Guilty Crown.  After a few episodes I was pleasantly surprised that both the drama and writing held their own against a story that  feels a little contrived. Even with the contrivance of the plot the characters and general writing stood up and gives you reason to keep coming back. I was a little concerned about the Sakura at first but once you get into the heart of the story her character stands out and doesn’t become some week cliché. On the other hand the Rei Ogami comes very close to being that overly hyped anti hero with some grudge against everyone and everything. There just so happens to be a few moments that bring him back from that dark hateful world that sucks all too many main characters into that pit of waited leading men. The rest of the cast holds their own and end up bringing plenty of solid diversity into the plot and in the end really do make a difference.

Overall Grade: B

I wish there had not been so mush reference to older classic series. I guess it is sometimes hard to avoid, but for Code: Breaker the similarities are at its core and if they are taken out all you are left with is nothing at all. I guess that my grade is at this level because the series does pull it off and gives you a product that is both easy to watch and enjoyable at the same time. One point of contention though, the set is called the Complete Series, but there are 3 OVA’s that go along with the 13 episodes and I have a feeling that those will come out later with a silly name attached and a high price tag. For a few extra buck I thing people would have rather seen it all together. If you are a fan of Darker Than Black I know you will enjoy Code: Breaker.

 

Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster!: Ebirah – Horror of the Deep! (movie review)

Posted by :Patches On : June 8, 2014
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Category: Reviews

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Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster!: Ebirahreview provided by Coyote better known as Batdad

Title: Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster!: Ebirah – Horror of the Deep! on Blu-ray

Director: Jun Fukuda

Starring: Akira Takarada, Kumi Mizuno, Akihiko Hirata, and Jun Tazaki

Studio: Toho

U. S. Distributor: Kraken Releasing / Section 23

U. S. Release Date: May 6th, 2014

Original Release Date: December 17th, 1966

Format: Blu-ray / Feature Film / 88 minutes

Age Rating: TV PG

Genre: Kaiju, Sci Fi

Overall Personal Rating: A-

Synopsis:

When Ryota’s brother Yata disappears at sea, the intrepid youth and his friends join forces with a slightly trustworthy bank robber, steal a boat and go after him! Of course, there’s the little problem that Yata may be lost on a mysterious island where the evil terrorist organization Red Bamboo has enslaved natives to make heavy water for nefarious purposes. And that means dealing with the island’s monstrous, 164 feet tall guardian Ebirah, as well as Red Bamboo’s arsenal of super advanced weaponry. On the plus side, help may be at hand in the form of a nubile island girl, two tiny fairies, their giant protector Mothra and the big G himself, the mighty Godzilla. Surviving the results of all that “assistance” may not be guaranteed, but Red Bamboo will never want to tangle with teenagers and Godzilla at the same time again! Take a South Seas cruise to non-stop mayhem and giant monster destruction with Ebirah – Horror of the Deep!

Commentary:

Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster! is a classic example of a campy Godzilla flick. Unlike the original black-and-white Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1954) which was steeped in dark overtones about the dangers of the man’s use of destructive forces, this exciting feature is a straight shot sci-fi action adventure about the good guys working together to stop the bad guys. Godzilla is more rampaging anti-hero than monstrous villain. His destructive nature just happens to do more harm to the bad guys which is great for everyone else.

King Kong fans will be correct for suspecting this tale of originally being written for the big ape, who was featured just a few years earlier in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962). This is mostly evident in the odd discovery of Godzilla being found sleeping in a cave, and the strange allure he has for the native island girl Daiyo (Kumi Mizuno). Also, Godzilla’s first battle with Ebirah involves kicking and hitting boulders back and forth like a beach volleyball, which seemed more like a poo-flinging monkey kind of tactic. 

Despite a lot of shooting by the bad guys, the casualties are pretty low. A couple of escaping islanders are shot in the distance, and two others (as miniatures) are skewered by Ebirah, but without any bloody gore. At one point, one of the heroes escapes a volley of gunfire by accidently riding a large balloon to the neighboring Infant Island, home to Mothra (Yeah, baby!). For any parents trying to figure out what level of parental guidance they should exercise for their little Godzilla fans, I only noticed one scientist that was actually bloodied by falling debris and died, but in all fairness, he was a bad guy using his skills for evil. Godzilla’s final battle with the giant crustacean Ebirah may seem a bit brutal to some, but really isn’t anything more than what you might see at a Red Lobster restaurant.

On a brighter note, Ebirah’s choice theme music is surfer rock music. He cranks it up like whenever he’s making waves, dude. As an added bonus, Mothra provides an assist to Godzilla’s haphazard heroics. A fair amount of miniatures, the usual over-the-top voice dubbing, and a smattering of bright colors among the costumes, sets, and effects also adds to the fun, and makes for an exciting adventure without getting too dark.

Overall Grade: A-

I really had a great time watching this one with my kids. A hidden island, a not too mysterious monster, bomb-building baddies, enslaved islanders, and a ragtag group of friends to awaken Godzilla are all the ingredients you need for a little fun-in-the-sun excitement. All in all, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster! is an entertaining flick that’s easy to follow, perfect for any Saturday afternoon with friends and family.