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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.

Happy Marriage?! 5 Manga Review

Posted by :Joann On : March 12, 2014
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“The Radius”

Title: Happy Marriage 5Happy Marriage?!

Writer/ Artist: Maki Enjoji

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: April 1, 2014

Format: Shojo Manga, Joesi

Genre: Romance

Age Rating: M

Overall Personal Rating: B+

 

Synopsis:

Chiwa is trying to be a good wife, cooking and making boxed lunches but Hokuto usually doesn’t eat it. He still is usually tense and surly.

Once again, Chiwa’s dad is having money trouble. She dutifully wants to help him out and looks for a job. Hokuto is against it . The job she finds has her working with a guy she knew from college, making things awkward.

It is a long weekend and the couple goes away to a resort. When they run into someone Hokuto knows, he fails to introduce Chiwa as his wife. What does this all mean?

Hokuto is summoned to the family home. Something big is up with the family business. Chiwa is still treated poorly by some of the family members. Even so, when she thinks she needs to find a way to help her husband advance, she contacts one of them behind his back.

 

Commentary:

I am mixed about how I feel about this series. I don’t really pick mature rated titles on my own (this one was sent to us for review). So, I’m not exactly the target audience, although I assume I’m in the targeted demographic. The overall story line of the series is entertaining, a nicely scripted romance. Then, it gets a bit too dramatic, relying on some repetitive elements instead of moving in a linear way. It goes this way; the couple keep secrets, don’t comunincate clearly (or at all) under the guise of benefiting the other person. Their relationship deteriorates, they feel awful inside, filling full of doubts, have a huge argument, one of them takes off , and finally they make-up and clear the bad between them. It is the repetition, just with different situations.  So they are stuck in the initial phase of their relationship. It is time for them to start working as a team and move forward.  There is a possibility with the changes in the family business, but already Hokuto is trying to keep her out of it, and Chiwa has already gone behind his back.

I have an issue when they are intimate, Hokuto always looks so angry and Chiwa is looking embarrassed or sad. It doesn’t exactly project romance or love. It may have made sense in the last volume, but at this point it is getting annoying near the point of being wrong. It’s time she enjoys herself. Chiwa, as a character, is losing believablility. Chiwa has this air about her that she needs to be taken care of, yet she does some major things to help her father out financially. She wonders why Hokuto has tried to make love in a while , but tries to hold him back or expresses extreme embarrassment when he does. Even if it is realistic, it doesn’t read well as a romance. Now I need to say, “Sort of…”. I think this style of situations may be a fantasy that evokes certain feeling for a reader, and that is what it is intending to do and not be any deeper than that. As a respectable woman, showing interest in sex is shameful, so everything is set up so she is doing only noble things within the most acceptable context and rest is beyond her control.

The best part of the series is the artwork. It expresses the scene very well. There is obvious skill in portraying people. I really appreciate when the characters can be drawn realistically and in proportion. The backgrounds and fashion are done with the same care.

 

Overall Grade: B+ 

 

 

 

 

Wagnaria!! 2 (Working) Premium Edition

Posted by :Joann On : March 9, 2014
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Wagnaria!! 2Title: Wagnaria!! 2 (Working) Premium Edition

U. S. Distributor:NIS America

U. S. Release Date: 2-4-14

Format: Blu-ray/13 Episodes / 312 Minutes with book

Genre: Comedy

Age Rating: 13+

Overall Personal Rating: A-

The staff and their quirks at the Wagnaria restaurant serve up the comedy.

Synopsis:

Papua is worried about not growing. She is so short she is always  getting called cute and being patted on the head. Many people think she is in grade school or something but she is 17. This of course sits well with Sota who absolutely loves all things cute. When it is time for her to focus on school, the others worry about not having her around.

Yamada is always trying to belong and have connections, she talks about it constantly; trying to get people to pay attention to her, finding her brother or trying to get Ootoo to adopt her. She will even come out and asks for someone to spoil her.

Inami still has a problem being around guys, but Sota has been assigned to her and is really working hard to help her overcome it. She is getting better but still, he is the one who gets punched whenever he gets too close. Even so, he hasn’t figured out that she has a crush on him.

Ootoo still is working on finding his wife. He rarely shows up to the restaurant to do some paperwork. Turns out someone else had found her but only for a few minutes.

Sota isn’t exactly happy all the time, is he over worked?  Not only has to watch Inami, but one day his little sister comes to spend the day at the restaurant . She may be young, but she shines compared to the slackers. His older sister sometimes shows up but she acts the opposite, focused on finding a date. Then, he finds a cute little girl lost in the parking lot…

Manager calls in two of her old gang members to fill in one day when two of the staff are sick. They are very loyal and enthusiastic subordinates, but as siblings, they are at each other’s throats.

Commentary:

Wagnaria is definitely a fun comedy. It is like a sitcom and you really don’t need to have seen season 1 to jump in and enjoy this comedy. Even if you missed the initial introductions, it seems easy to pick up on their individual characteristics that the comedy centers on. I have not seen the first season but I did check out some story and character information before I watched so that I was familiar with the characters. This was only subtitled, so that will cut out many people who could have really enjoyed this.

The series takes place in a normal, typical restaurant  It is about people working in a restaurant developing odd sorts of friendships and crushes because of proximity. This was a fun and likable cast. Most of the show’s elements revolve around the characteristics of the cast members. Everybody’s quirks influence how they interact, but everyone seems to put up with all the oddities and really depend on each other. After all, they do spend a lot of time together. The exaggerated comedic trouble was not dumbed down but only played for effect. Skit after skit kept on rolling into the next.

Having worked in the business, I loved seeing the background, there was so much that really is part of working at a restaurant even down to the tape holding the list on the stainless steel freezer door. The scenery and backgrounds were great, yet they never overpowered. I really liked the overall look of the animation, from the color to the style of the people.

I had heard this series was good and it didn’t disappoint my expectations. Wagnaria is a well animated, fun and light-hearted comedy, with enough cute to satisfy but not overdose, for nearly everyone to enjoy.

 

Extras: The full color art and episode guide is fantastic.

Overall Grade: A-

 

Psycho-Pass Season 1 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 9, 2014
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Psycho-Pass season 1Title: Psycho-Pass season 1

Directors: Katsuyuki Motohiro & Naoshi Shitani

Writer: Gen Urobuchi

Music: Yugo Kanno

Studio: Production I. G.

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

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

Format: DVD/ Blu-ray / 22 episodes / 550 Minutes

Genre: Crime Drama, Cyberpunk, Sci Fi

Overall Personal Rating: B-

Synopsis:

Welcome to a world where just thinking about a crime is enough to enough to make you guilty. Bad intentions can no longer be hidden, and the police know exactly which tainted minds are about to cross over to the wrong side of the law. The great equalizer in the war on thugs is the Dominator, a futuristic weapon that can read minds and assess the risk that a citizen will turn criminal.

Cops work in teams made up of Enforcers and Inspectors. Enforcers take out the bad guys, Inspectors stop their partners from going rogue, and the all-powerful Sibyl System keeps a watchful eye on us all. Society is paralyzed by its deepest, darkest desires, and trial by jury has been replaced by the wrath of the Dominator. Welcome to the future. How guilty are you?

Commentary:

The much awaited release of Psycho-Pass is here and the hyper drama is full of action and unbridled, over the top dramatic posing. Yes, if you are looking for a series that doesn’t understand the meaning of dramatic restraint then Psycho-Pass is for you. Within the first 30 seconds I felt like I was being bashed on the head with  hyper dramatic posturing. I guess that the writers wanted to either hook you or push you away early on in the series. I can see why this series will be a hit with younger views, but I have a feeling that the fan base that can afford it just might stay at home and watch a dramatic series like Jormungand for a solid crime drama.

Not everything about Psycho-Pass is over the top. Many of the characters are well developed and come across as real people with very believable personas. I think that most of the Police team is very believable, it is just that the main male character and to main protagonist don’t seem to have believable characters and so far they are just hard to watch.

The real strength of the series is with the concepts and world that is created. The very concept that humanity has given it freewill over to a computer that is able to read your mind and state wether you are going to become a criminal or not. This is very reminiscent of Minority Report and in the end the systems that make these premonitions are somewhat similar. This computer overlord is one vision of our future and can be easily understood and is much anticipated. This also reminds me of the 50’s and early 60’s where it was believed that autonomous robots would take over and control us, now the great fear is technology. This also was explored in a older film, Colossus: The Forbin Project, and it too felt like our future just might be doomed by our own wish to become God and then find out that our flaws will subject us to a future of a genuine lack of free will.

Overall Grade: B-

Even though I was disappointed with the dramatic posturing I also found the series interesting because of the concepts behind the story. As a true lover of Sci Fi I can say that I enjoyed the first season of Psycho-Pass for what it could be, not for what it is. The animation style is perfect for the story and Production I. G. came across with their usual high production values and understanding for the subject. A dystopia world with a visual look similar to Blade Runner is very appropriate and with the introduction of true cybernetics and life extension also stands out as a commentary on who just might be the first to use the technology. Humanity’s dark side  has a way of rising to the top just to prove that maybe our progress isn’t progress.

I know that Psycho-Pass will have a strong following and that there are plenty of people who will think it is great and worthy of much praise. All I would recommend is to think about how good it could be without all of the hyper romantic posturing.

Midnight Secretary 4

Posted by :Joann On : March 4, 2014
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Midnight Secretary 4Title: Midnight Secretary 4

Writer/ Artist: Tomu Ohmi

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: March 4, 2014
Format:  Manga

Genre: Shojo, Vampire Romance

Age Rating: 18+

Overall Personal Grade: C+

Kaya is a very skilled secretary whose boss is a vampire. He also uses her to feed upon. Even so, she feels very special around him and has fallen in love.

Synopsis:

Kaya is still working at Erde. She works hard and sometimes stays late, which in turn makes her late to meet with Kyohei with whom she is working for at night (among other things). He doesn’t like her working at Erde and he makes it very clear but since Kaya made a commitment to them for a year, she won’t leave. Her supervisor has found out that she is meeting with Kyohei. This could be a problem. Both bosses are purposely making things difficult for each other but it is Kaya who really is struggling to take care of everything.

As the time gets closer that Kaya will be able to leave, her boss, Takasu, is aware that he will miss her and so asks her out. She confesses that  she already has someone, although she can imagine a life with him, a regular life of sun and happiness. She just can’t give up on Kyohei, she loves him.

With more time, will things change between Kaya and Kyohei?Will he ever value her beyond a servant or a tool? Other people are beginning to talk about them. When the term mistress is used, how can she rationalize this to herself?

A vampire, Marika, who is close to Kyohei, comes to the office and meets Kaya. This is how she learns more about how vampires have children and how humans aren’t very important.

 

Commentary:

Midnight Secretary is a basically a sexy vampire romance novel with pictures. That’s fine if that is what you are looking for because there isn’t anymore depth than that. I’m having trouble getting into the mindset of the intended reader because the main character has a huge flaw, that of falling in love with a bad relationship. I’m not a fan of the concept of loving someone no matter what. No matter how they treat you or how dangerous they are. Perhaps it could be view as being able to love so deeply that nothing else matters, well, yes this could be fine in a pure fantasy, but why do women dream of such things? One reason I can think of is for a respectable woman a excuse to have sex because she can’t actually want to do it unless it is a sacrifice for someone else.

Now Kyohei may be suave and sexy, but the way he treats Kaya is abysmal. He treats her like a lowly servant to be used up. Kaya is this smart, talented and efficient woman, an exceptionally talented employee, and unfortunately this is part of the problem. Women definitely are seen as second class, she is a mere secretary and also in this case, a mere human. Maybe this is playing into part of the fantasy. No matter how lowly her position, she is so special as to be able to draw Kyohei to love her. Now, we aren’t really there yet, but it has to be coming. I think that when he says Kaya belongs to him, she rather like it. His temper is something to worry about but Kaya seems to mistake it for passion.

Artistically, the style seems like it is an older style. That in itself isn’t a problem, but some of the guys are quite out of proportion and rather stiff and this is something I find annoying. Kaya is by far the best drawn, her character seems to flow and seem more natural. Actually I think her face is the best as it is emotional buy there is never any use of stylized emotion faces.

Now, despite all of my complaining, I have peeked at a story synopsis found online and there is more to the story that should raise the pace very quickly. That makes it intriguing. So, if you liked the Twilight series, I think that this is along those lines and you’ll like this too.

 

Overall Grade:  C+


 

Blessing of the Campanella DVD Collection (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 4, 2014
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Blessing of the CampanellaTitle: Blessing of the Campanella DVD Collection

Director: Shinji Ushiro

Writers: Koujirou Nakamaura and Saharu Amiyami

Studio: AIC

U. S. Distributor: Lucky Penny / Nozomi

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

Format: DVD / 12 Episodes and 1 OVA / 300 Minutes

Genre: Harem, Romance, Magical Girls

Age Rating: 17+

Overall Personal Rating: B

 

Synopsis:

Leicester Maycraft leads a charmed life. His parents are nobility and he spends his days crafting inventions and questing alongside his friends in Clan Oasis. It also doesn’t hurt that every pretty girl in town is in love with him, including the Duke’s daughter, Carina Verriti. Life couldn’t possibly get any better. Until it does.

Energy from a supernatural meteor shower awakens the adorable automaton, Minette, who imprints on Leicester as her “papa”. Just like that, Leicester’s entourage of beautiful girls goes from flattering to ridiculous. Joined by Sacred Knight Chelsea Arcot and automaton artisan Agnes Boulange, Clan Oasis sets out to discover Minette’s origin.

But all work and no play isn’t exactly what these adventurers have in mind. They’ll get around to solving the mystery – when they’re not performing oddball quests or hanging out at the beach!

Commentary:

There are plenty of anime that started out as dating sims or visual novels and in the case of Blessings of the Campanella there is a big change from the game to the series. This light hearted story has some very adult topics or should I say story lines running through. The heaviest of which is the sexual over and undertones. It is a happy world that makes itself very appealing, but the visual approach of the series would be better suited for the younger female set rather than the indented audience of the 17+ male group. I guess that there are still plenty of guys that will enjoy this simple little harem series where the guy is quiet and the women / girls are all very attracted to him. At least he is able to have some normal guy thoughts rather than being oblivious to what going on around him. Even though the setting is not the same it gives more of an Ai Yori Aoshi approach to the harem where the main male characters really cares about one female. In this case we have Leicester who seems to be most attracted to just one of the young women, but he still is smart enough to let the other think he is up for grabs.

It is very possible that the game is more open to changing things around, in the anime I like it when there is less ambiguity in the lead male character. Blessing of the Campanella is a simple little series that makes you smile because it really doesn’t seem to have a bad bone in it. My only drawback is that because of the nudity it manages to shut out an entire segment of viewers that would probably love this series. That group is the 10 to 15 female age group. I would almost recommend remaking this just for that group.

Overall Grade: B

I enjoyed Blessing of the Campanella for the happy almost blissful stories that flowed and the peaceful animation style that went with it. Being an older man who doesn’t care for much nudity I had to see this aspect of the series as a failing, but I’m sure that the prospective focus group will really enjoy it for what it is. I didn’t find overly disturbing about the series and at the same time can’t say that I found anything really engaging about it either. It is a fun light series that most adults will find pleasing in a simplistic kind of way. Please don’t expect any deep plot lines or philosophical viewpoints here, this one is all about the relationships and how they all get along. So, if you are looking for a less graphic anime version of a dating sims and just want to be entertained then Blessing of the Campanella will be a great fit for you.

Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 2 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 4, 2014
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Pet Girl of Sakurasou part 2Review provided by Katie

Title: Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 2

Director: Atsuko Ishizuka

Studio: J.C. Staff

Author: Hajime Kamoshida

U.S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U.S. Release Date: March 11, 2014

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

Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy, School Life

Industry Age Rating: 14 and up

Overall Personal Rating: A-

Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Toradora!, Honey and Clover, and Ai Yori Aoshi

 

Synopsis:

Sorata Kanada never really had a choice when his teacher, Chihiro, told him to watch over her niece, Mashiro Shiina. Sorata was tasked with keeping the highly acclaimed but dysfunctional and unfocused artist Mashiro from forgetting to eat, brushing her hair, and wearing all the clothing required to leave the house. It has been a long, slow battle but he has reached a point where he has a general understanding of her quirks and accepts the fact that Mashiro will walk out of the dorm half-naked.

Unfortunately, the rest of the students living in Sakura Hall are not doing as well understanding the opposite sex. Misaki does not understand why Jin decides to keep her in the dark about his feelings, Nanami cannot tell Sorata about her feelings and Ryuunosuke just does not understand Rita, just to name a few of the problems they face. To add to these problems, Sorata still has his problem of picking up cats and keeping them instead of adopting them out to other people. Will the students be able to work through their problems with the opposite sex or will they rule their lives forever? Will the students be able to save Sakura Hall from getting torn down? You will have to watch Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 2 and find out for yourself.

Commentary:

I went into watching Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 2 with low expectations because I did not think I would like how they wrapped up the romantic issues between the characters. Boy was I wrong. I loved this anime and I am now pushing my husband to watch it because usually if I love an anime he will love it as well. By the middle of episode 23 I was sitting on the edge of my seat and by the end of that episode I was crying. The story line really exploded in the second collection and moved at a good pace. The characters had more development and back story as well.

I really loved the interaction between Nanami and Sorata in these episodes. Nanami is coming to terms with the fact that she loves Sorata but at the same time she also realizes that Sorata loves Mashiro. So then she accepts the fact that she is just really the third reel in that equation. Sorata realizes that he feels insecure around Mashiro because she is an accomplished artist and he cannot get a video game that he designed to pass the company’s review board. But he overcomes that and realizes that he actually cares for Mashiro. We also learn why Ryuunosuke acts how he does. Then you have the undecided couple, Misaki and Jin, and all the hilarity that follows them.

I love how Pet Girl of Sakurasou shows evolution of the friendship between the dorm-mates and them working together to save Sakura Hall from getting torn down. I loved how the characters worked together to keep their home safe and learned more about each other in the process. By the end of the series, you can tell that the residents of Sakura Hall are a family and really care for each other.  The opening and closing songs were catchy and well done. I found myself humming along with the music by episode five. The rest of the music was also wonderful. The voice acting was spot on and well delivered to the audience. The art was well drawn and brought Mashiro’s manga to life. Plus there were chibi’s and those are always so cute and funny.

Extras:

Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 2 includes Japanese CD spots, clean opening and closing animations, and Sentai Filmworks trailers as special features.

Overall Grade: A-

Hajime Kamoshida wrote an amazing anime that I really enjoyed; although, episode 24 almost looked like an ad for a second season of Pet Girl of Sakurasou. It would be awesome if a second season is released, but I am happy with how the story line ended. Overall, I give both collections an A- and I recommend this anime to anyone who loves romantic comedies or school dramas.

Similar Titles:

If you enjoyed watching either Toradora!, Honey and Clover, or Ai Yori Aoshi then you will more than likely enjoy Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 1 or Pet Girl of Sakurasou: Collection 2.

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.

Appleseed XIII: Tartaros and Ouranos (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : February 28, 2014
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Appleseed XIII Tartaros & OuranosTitle: Appleseed XIII: Tartaros and Ouranos 

Director: Takayuki Hamana

Studio: Jinni’s Animation Studio / Production I. G.

Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date: Feb. 25th. 2014

Formate: DVD / Blu-ray / 2 Feature Films / 168 minutes

Genre: Sci Fi

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: C-

 

Synopsis:

In the wake of destruction from a worldwide non-nuclear war, the city of Olympus has become the control center of the world. As humanity adopts biological enhancements in attempts to achieve perfection, a terrorist organization uprises to prevent what could be the eventual extinction of the human race. Two former LAPD SWAT members join a special mech-piloting, military force to take down the leader of the terrorist organization.

These two movies are a summarized take on the 13-episode Appleseed TV series.

Commentary:

If we take way the animation and stick solely to the story there is a lot to be said for the overall concept be hid these two films. To be honest with you I found the story to be much stronger when it was stretched out in 13 episodes. The two films Tartaros and Ouranos  do a fine jog of telling the story but do leave plenty on the cutting room floor.

Once you set the story aside you have to get past the animation. Being a fan of early Computer Generated Graphics (CG) I can only say that this makes me want to cry. Every time I sit and watch any of the movies or the series for Appleseed XIII I just cringe and wish I didm’t have to sit through this. I have no idea why this particular styling was chosen because it neither comes across as good CG or hand drawn work. The heavy handed drawing and rather overblown highlight marks just ruin the animation. The false stress lines in both human and machine just make it come across sophomoric and almost looking like a underclass art school project.

Overall Grade: C-

The stores have something to say and uphold the solid sic fi vision of Appleseed and appleseed Ex Machina. Both films do a fine job of giving us a synopsis of the series but the 13 episode series told the story well enough and because it was long enough to fill on some gaps. If only there was some other animation vision to the story that help us sit through either the films or series. I am a little miffed as to why they had to tell this story in 3 different ways. I get that it was to give us different viewpoints, but it just comes across as a waist of time and maybe way to indulgent.

If you are looking for a solid sci fi story and don’t really care about how it looks then you will really enjoy these films. If you are a fan of Appleseed and want more of the franchise I suggest you prepare yourself for disappointment. For me I am happy to have had the chance to get more of this complicated story I just wish it looked better.

Nisekoi Volume 2 Manga Review

Posted by :Joann On : February 25, 2014
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Category: Reviews

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Nisekoi 2Title: Nisekoi Volume 2

Author/Artist: Naoshi Komi

U.S. Distributor: Viz Media/Shonen Jump

Release Date: March 4, 2014

Format-: Manga

Genre: High School Comedy/Romance

Industry Age Rating: 13+

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

Raku Ichijo is a normal high school boy, unless you consider his home life since his father leads a gang (tough and goofy). Raku is a romantic, when he was little, he promised a girl that they would meet again and that they would get married. He has a locket to remember her by, good thing because he doesn’t know her name and only needs to find a girl with the key.

Recently, in order to stop a gang war, Raku’s dad talked him into pretending to be dating the rival leader’s daughter, Chitose Kirisake. Well, the kids are going along with it even though they don’t really care to even be in the same room. The guys in the gangs are protective of them and are always watching to make sure everything is okay. Raku and Chitose are also classmates at school, so they even have to pretend to be dating there.

Volume 2

Chitose hasn’t had a traditional schooling. She seems to be enjoying all of her “firsts” when it comes to being normal and her attitude seems to be lightening up.

Onodera’s crush on Raku is becoming obvious to some of the other kids at school, just not to him even though he has a severe crush on her! Their classmate Ruri decides to do something about it by getting group to go over to Raku’s house to study. Emotional turmoil is rampant in this new situation.

The pretend dating situation isn’t going so well and some are not sure it’s real, both gang members and classmates. When Chitose is asked directly, she has to quickly decided what to do. The secret is creating problems in her making friends. And to top it all off, the gang sends in a transfer student to keep an eye on her. He is Tsugumi, who grew up with her, but he has a big secret that even Chitose may not know.

Onodera may have a last chance to tell Raku how she feels but Chitose’s past may cause yet another road block.

Commentary:

Once again, I’ve enjoyed the comedic level in this series. I guess I’ve been reading a lot of dramas lately and this is a nice change. The tangled web of who likes who, and why they don’t do anything about it, may not be original but it adds to the humor. The having to pretend is something that makes it more unique. It is so foreign to the characters so they just sort of go overboard with the syrupy stuff because they have no clue what it really would be like.

I enjoyed the artwork. It is both cute and skillful in rendering the human form, really supporting the story with the expressive images. I’d like to mention the backgrounds. I think they are really successful without being overworked. Either they contain nice details for the setting or these graphic/tonal designs to set or support the emotional moments. With the characters there is liberal use of caricature and chibi moments. It is another little way that ups the comedy. A live action could never portray such great comically nervous teens.

The basic Sitcom premise is silly but makes its own sense. I definitely see this more as a comedy than a romance. At this point the romance is used all for comedic elements because basically there is only crushes and idiotic moments as any attempts, real or pretend, are made.

Being many decades past the teen years myself, I think this illustrates that the series can be fun for a wide audience. This is also a Shonen Jump title, so there is more evidence that both male and female can enjoy it.

 

Overall Grade: B+

” In the Radius”