Jellyfish Princess OP ED Opening Ending OST Character song Lyric mp3

Kanojo wa Kannou Shousetsuka Chapter 38 read online

2011-05-09T00:59:00.004-07:00

Aizen has a sword that screws with people's heads and a stone that creates arrancars, but his real superpower is the dick move. His ability to find and follow the most bastardly course of action is so inhumanly well-developed that it deserves nothing less than superpower status. He's definitely not someone you invite to a party. He does, however, make for great TV. Take his emotional brutalization Hinamori back during the Rescue Arc.

Although the effort seems to be successful, only the trio of goddesses retain their memory of the original timeline, and gradually differences start to crop up between the new timeline and the old one. The goddesses strive to prevent the circumstances leading up to the previous calamity from happening, even as the universe seems intent on correcting itself and even if that means Belldandy must, this time, maintain some distance from Keiichi.

Kanojo wa Kannou Shousetsuka Chapter 37 read online

2011-05-09T00:59:00.003-07:00

Or his callous use of Rukia to get at the Hogyoku. This set finds the king of slime back in peak condition, which naturally means it has some killer content.

Unfortunately you have to navigate a disc's worth of tedious filler to get at it. That's four episodes for those unfamiliar with Viz's per-disc episode counts.

Fans may be reluctant to dive into yet another Naruto plot digression, and justifiably so. The series' track record with digressions isn't good. This is one stretch of filler you might want to consider digging into, however. And not just because it mixes a little bit of the ongoing plot (rote training stuff, but still essential) into its opening episodes. When the set ends—with a zombie-apocalypse cliffhanger no less—you genuinely want to see what happens next. And it's been a while since Shippuden pulled that off.

Kanojo wa Kannou Shousetsuka Chapter 36 read online

2011-05-09T00:59:00.002-07:00

The first is probably the worst, a corny affair during which Soul Society's two biggest bumblers team with its biggest narcissist to help a dead baker reconnect with his living mother. The final two, both part of the same story, are a close second.

Even so, it isn't an easy disc to get through. So when Grimmjow and company are sent by Aizen to wreak some havoc in Karakura Town, the relief is palpable. And we aren't the only ones feeling it. Released from the interminable training, the animators tear into the Espada action as if starved for worthy content.

Because it's basically the only added content you'll get on these discs. Oh sure, there are extras, but when the most substantial of them is a collection of dub-only omake, each of which is already available at the end of its corresponding episode, you can't really call them added content.

Kanojo wa Kannou Shousetsuka Chapter 35 read online

2011-05-09T00:59:00.001-07:00

Aizen gets in some minor douchebaggery to foreshadow things to come, but it only leads to a couple of underpowered fights designed mostly to keep animal mascots Lirin, Kurodo, and Noba in rotation. Renji and his eyebrows do get some welcome screen time, but they deserve a better platform than a couple of dully-animated Hollow-slayings. The disc's other episode has Kon possessing a girl's stuffed dog and awkwardly healing her lonely heart.

Left with tragedy on their hands and the imminent destruction of Heaven and Earth, the sisters do the only thing they can to save everything: execute a system restore point for Yggdrasil, resetting everything to a time back shortly before Keiichi first met Belldandy.

Kanojo wa Kannou Shousetsuka Chapter 34 read online

2011-05-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

Kanojo wa Kannou Shousetsuka - Chapter 34

It sounds about as fun as blinding yourself with chopsticks but turns out, contrary to all logic, to be pretty good. It's nice to see the comic relief get a story with a little meat on it, and if that isn't your thing, there's always the sight of Kon-as-adorable-stuffed-dog going Jet Li on a Hollow.

Another peaceful morning dawns at Tarikihongan Temple, home to college student Keiichi and the three Goddesses of Time: his beloved Belldandy, her older sister Urd, and younger sister Skuld. The peace is soon shattered when a sudden upsurge of bugs in the Yggdrasil system that sustains the goddesses heralds a catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions.

Witch Craft Works Chapter 8 read online

2011-05-09T00:55:00.004-07:00

Strange as the otaku life may be, this volume of Genshiken provides a slice of it that's packed with compelling flavors and layers. The closeted fan coming to terms with herself ... the recent graduate trying to balance old hobbies with new responsibilities ... a college club changing along with its members.

The rest of the series looks fine. The show favors clean, proudly computer-assisted movement that looks uniformly good outside of its periodic breakdowns in quality control, and Hidden Leaf, within which the set's latter half takes place, has always been an artistic highlight. Even the mannequin-ish character designs get a boost in flexibility, mostly thanks to their new comic responsibilities. But even so the show's overall look never exceeds a sort of base-level competence.

Witch Craft Works Chapter 10 read online

2011-05-09T00:55:00.003-07:00

The mixture isn't perfect. Neither the characters, specifically Sora, nor the writers are good enough to convincingly carry off the "emotionally fraught" part of the formula, and the humor tends to be recycled. Transparent plot devices (Kakashi just happens to be off on a mission when the villains bring the fight to Hidden Leaf) and long explanatory briefings also work their deadening magic. But the balance still stands, and still entertains, which places this filler arc, in one way at least, above the dreary arcs preceding it.

Everyone's training for the coming battle with Aizen's herd of arrancars. When they arrive, however, no one is properly prepared. Grimmjow returns to Karakura Town, escorted by Yammy, Luppi, and Wonderweiss, all of them Espada except Wonderweiss, who is...weird. The clash goes poorly for Karakura's defenders. Until, that is, Aizen's true objective becomes clear and the fight becomes moot.

Witch Craft Works Chapter 9 read online

2011-05-09T00:55:00.002-07:00

This is more than just poking fun at obsessive geeks—it's a warm portrayal of the friendships and experiences that come from this unifying obsession. Like the fandom itself, Genshiken may seem obscure and impenetrable at first, but open it up and you'll find a rich, character-driven story with both humor and heart.

If there's another way this arc out-competes previous arcs, it isn't in visuals. Fight choreography remains one of the series' major weaknesses, and without Masashi Kishimoto's outrageous ninja inventions to lean on, it really shows. The show may have learned its lesson about inventing lame ninjutsu—the enemy ninjutsu, with their summoned mountains and floods and tornadoes, are pure spectacle—but when the battle gets in close, things tend to break down a bit.

Witch Craft Works Chapter 7 read online

2011-05-09T00:55:00.001-07:00

Sound effects remain intact, with small translations superimposed on or next to them. Also look for the "Project G" doujinshi collection in the back, which features Genshiken fan tributes by other manga-ka. As usual, Del Rey's production standards are top-notch; bright paper and solid inks guarantee that there's nothing to complain about in terms of print quality.

Not so Yasuharu Takanashi's score, which while pretty bad at bolstering comic energy, is gangbusters at snaking tendrils of ominous dread into ninja brawls and backroom political nastiness. And not so the pleasantly melancholy pop opener. The two different but equally forgettable pop and pop-rock closers are a little more appropriately mediocre.

Witch Craft Works Chapter 6 read online

2011-05-09T00:55:00.000-07:00

The talkative characters of Genshiken make for a challenging script, if only because of sheer word count—but Del Rey translator David Ury takes care of the job, maintaining good conversational flow and catching cultural references in the appendix.

Viz continues to provide a nice, viable English alternative for the sub-averse, a kindness that should not be overlooked in these cash-strapped times. The new additions fit into the established cast without much in the way of glitches, the script remains conservative yet solidly written, and everything generally runs like the reliable machine the dub has become. The four villains aren't exactly subtly played, but since when has ham been an impediment to villainy? Rock solid, and be glad for it.

Mama wa Doukyuusei Chapter 35 read online

2011-05-09T00:50:00.004-07:00

And neither stops the show from horning in a goodly helping of its now-infrequent silly humor (the best of it involving Sai and his how-to books). This is the first time, really, that Shippuden has successfully achieved the balance of goofy fun and emotionally fraught ninja action that characterized the best parts of the fist series.

But the guys in the series do get a turn in the spotlight too. Madarame hovers constantly in the background, leading a graduation/job-search arc that comes to the forefront in the final chapter. Ever the slacker, he offers some terrific advice for filling out a resume: list your hobbies as "literature" for manga, "film" for anime, "computer science" for video games, and "music appreciation" for theme songs.

Mama wa Doukyuusei Chapter 34 read online

2011-05-09T00:50:00.003-07:00

Though it would be a bit of a shame, particularly for veterans disappointed by the slow and humorless turn Naruto took when it became Naruto Shippūden. No longer required to drag its story out, the series is now free to include multiple significant events per episode. The number of episodes a fight covers can now finally be counted on a single hand. Oh blessed brevity! The tone is still dark, and objectively speaking the arc's progress is deliberate, but only insofar as it's beneficial in staving off undue frivolity.

It isn't all about goofing one's way into the workforce, though; the graduation scene at the end is genuinely touching, with a reflection on the briefness of college life and how it can be hard to move on while keeping in touch. The characters aren't just riffs on fandom, but friends who hang out and grow up together. What could be more slice-of-life than that?

Mama wa Doukyuusei Chapter 33 read online

2011-05-09T00:50:00.002-07:00

The series mitigates the sad familiarity of its plot by having Sora genuinely cross the line to the dark side, but that still doesn't excuse Sora and Naruto's hackneyed they-fight-but-get-along rivalry, or their excruciating buddy-bonding. One whiff of their relationship's inspirational tone ("thank you Mr. Naruto for saving me from my case of the dark broodies!") could well send Naruto veterans running for the hills pursued by PTSD filler-flashbacks. And really, no one could blame them.

Aside from hanging out with geeky friends, though, the subculture is also about memorizing and collecting just about everything, and the artwork in the series is a visual metaphor for that state of mind. Best described as "controlled clutter," Genshiken's visuals are a tribute to this lifestyle of sensory overload: piles of comics in the clubroom, massive crowds at ComicFest, racks of merchandise at a goods store.

Mama wa Doukyuusei Chapter 32 read online

2011-05-09T00:50:00.001-07:00

There are, of course, lessons that the series didn't learn. While the details, scale and overall integration of the arc are new, its broad outlines are dispiritingly familiar. Naruto being sent on a seemingly innocent mission, meeting a seemingly antagonistic youngster, and bonding with him while the mission blows up in everyone's faces... Where have we seen that before? Only in every miserable episode of the original Naruto's miserable mass of filler.

So obsessive is the level of background detail that a random doujinshi dropped on the ground features tiny silhouettes of Edward Elric and Roy Mustang on the cover. The characters themselves are rendered with equal care; physical quirks like Ogiue's upright ponytail and Madarame's snaggletooth provide easy cues to go with the diverse character designs. The visual pacing achieves an ideal balance between concentrated clutter and more widely spaced panels, while dialogue balloons—although packed with text—stay unobtrusive.

Mama wa Doukyuusei Chapter 31 read online

2011-05-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

Her funniest (and darkest) moment, however, comes when she sketches a boy's love scenario involving club members Sasahara and Madarame—and Saki steps in at just the wrong time. The situation is, of course, funny in itself, but the characters' well-developed personalities add depth as well. It's not just funny because of what happened: it's funny because of the people that it happened to! Even new characters like Sasahara's social-butterfly sister are thoroughly fleshed out so that they can contribute to the comedy.

The series also keeps the ongoing story's major players in play, bringing Danzo in to play bogeyman (it's what he does best) and using the specter of the Akatsuki to facilitate the occasional plot point. Factor in the parallels the series draws between Sora and Sasuke and its willingness to let the plot and stakes grow epic and you get a filler arc that almost feels...substantial. Weird.

Amagami - Precious Diary Chapter 20 read online

2011-05-09T00:46:00.004-07:00

Rather than create characters, settings and situations of whole cloth, it opts for what is basically an expansion of a small and neglected portion of the manga's world—namely the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, an organization that was briefly mentioned in the manga as Asuma's former employer.

Otaku life continues for the members of the Genshiken. Ogiue still refuses to submit to her fangirl nature, but the others have some sneaky plans for coercing her into cosplay. The winter ComicFest is also just around the corner, and the call of yaoi is too strong for Ogiue to resist—so strong, in fact, that she considers creating her own doujinshi.

Amagami - Precious Diary Chapter 19 read online

2011-05-09T00:46:00.003-07:00

The shadow of its progenitor's near-lethal devolution into uninterrupted filler lies heavily on Naruto Shippūden's first foray into non-canon storytelling. In a good way. The series has learned from its past mistakes.

Can poking fun at anime fans be considered a subtle art? Genshiken certainly makes it look that way, with wry observational humor and a kooky but nuanced cast of characters. In fact, the series' portrayal of hardcore fandom is so dead-on that some readers might turn away, thinking: "Why do I need to read a comic about the lives of obsessive social misfits when I'm living that life already?" But this is exactly why it must be read.

Amagami - Precious Diary Chapter 18 read online

2011-05-09T00:46:00.002-07:00

Somehow it all ties into a coup d'état that Leaf jonin Asuma Sarutobi foiled ten years ago, and to Sora, the powerful son of one of the coup's leaders. That coup, it turns out, isn't as dead as Asuma thought.

Anyone who's an obsessive fan, friends with an obsessive fan, or considering the lifestyle will see shades of themselves in each chapter. Volume 6 is especially diverse in presenting the various sides of fandom, even offering career advice for recent graduates. More than just an "otaku comedy," Genshiken is something even rarer: an otaku slice-of-life.

Amagami - Precious Diary Chapter 17 read online

2011-05-09T00:46:00.001-07:00

Training never goes uninterrupted though, and before long Naruto and Team Kakashi (sans Kakashi ironically) are sent on a mission to the Fire Temple—in no small part to keep Naruto on the move and beyond the grasp of the Akatsuki. Nabbing grave robbers for temple monks seems easy enough, but of course it isn't so simple as that.

Although anime, manga and gaming have long been associated with young males, the girls of Genshiken are the stars in Volume 6, with irritable Ogiue at the center of the story. It's odd to think of character development in a satirical series, but that's exactly what happens: Ogiue overcomes her self-consciousness and dresses up in cosplay after some psychological massaging.

Amagami - Precious Diary Chapter 21 read online

2011-05-09T00:46:00.000-07:00

Having failed a second time to bring Sasuke back with him, Naruto does a little brooding. But not too much; after all, it isn't really in his nature. Failure merely means he needs more training, and that's what he means to do. Kakashi decides it's time that Naruto learned to master his chakra "nature," and plans out a training regimen that only Naruto can use.

However, using the male Genshiken members as the basis for her characters can only mean trouble. Meanwhile, Madarame's graduation is coming up, but his job search has left him frustrated—and conflicted about leaving the Genshiken behind. For club president Kanji Sasahara, the end of the school year also means a change in personnel, but nothing can prepare him for the arrival of his capricious little sister, who plans on getting into the university ... and making Kanji's life hell.

Drifters Chapter 26 read online

2011-05-09T00:43:00.004-07:00

Clearly this is only the first stage in a broader story, though, one that continues into Vampire Knight Guilty, which Viz is releasing in single volumes through the spring and summer of 2011. This one should not be looked at merely as a set-up for its following series, though, as it tells a decent story on its own merits and has plenty enough attracting factors to stand on its own.

There's some dancing around the language barrier dividing Saki from her cabbie at the beginning and a little nipping and tucking here and there, but on a whole the script takes the same fidelity-over-inspiration tack that the performances do.

Scratch anything hard enough and it'll bleed. King of Eden is no exception. Look hard and you will find flaws.

Drifters Chapter 25 read online

2011-05-09T00:43:00.003-07:00

Though the series technically climaxes at the end of episode 12, it spends its last episode filling in a little more background and wrapping up a couple of loose ends before returning to the status quo, albeit one which has some shadier undertones based on the events and revelations of the final few episodes.

The cheeky sense of humor that transformed the TV series' finale into an all-naked parody of Dawn of the Dead has been reduced to a handful of dryly funny throwaway jokes, for instance. Plus Takizawa doesn't show his adorable mug until a half-hour in. And it's hard not to wish that Saki had more to do than win our hearts and search for Takizawa.

Drifters Chapter 24 read online

2011-05-09T00:43:00.002-07:00

Mela Lee is a bright spot and good fit as Yuki, but Ethan Murray (Outlaw Star's Fred Luo, Gankutsuou's Franz) sounds a little too much like Jerry Jewel in voicing Kaname, and there's a reason why Jerry Jewel is not typically called upon to voice pretty-boy roles like this. The English script sticks close to the original, but that was not necessarily to its advantage in this case as it saddles the dub with some rather unexciting phrasing.

The film's focus on the pair (that romantic cover isn't lying) also softens the series' hard edge and leaves less time for it to wow us with its plotting pyrotechnics and intellectual acuity. Not that it hesitates to sink its cultural-critic's fangs or narrative stinger in when given the chance. Or that its other flaws amount to more than a heap of grumbler's dung.

Drifters Chapter 23 read online

2011-05-09T00:43:00.001-07:00

None of the disks provide any translated or English credits, but most of the principal parts are voiced by well-known English VAs, including Vic Mignogna, Stephanie Sheh, Laura Bailey, Wendee Lee, Troy Baker, Travis Willingham, and Spike Spencer, so this is a veteran cast which sometimes seems to be turning in a half-hearted effort.

In the end it suffers the most simply for being interstitial. It cannot be watched without first watching the television series (a problem alleviated, but not eliminated, by the surprisingly palatable 2-hour compilation movie included in this set) and cannot be fully appreciated without watching what amounts to its second half (Paradise Lost).

Drifters Chapter 22 read online

2011-05-09T00:43:00.000-07:00

One highlight is the art design of vaguely creepy closer, which features Yuki as a doll shedding blood tears as her attic room fades to darkness, leaving only glowing red eyes and blood clearly visible. The opener, contrarily, does nothing special.

While the English dub does a (barely) sufficient job of getting the mood and tone of the characters and setting across, it is hit-or-miss on its casting decisions and performance quality.

For the record, this set does include both a one-disc Blu-Ray version and a two-disc DVD version of the movie (the second DVD is the compilation film). If you have the equipment, the Blu-Ray is the way to go. Production I.G's visuals deserve no less.

Kanokon Chapter 40 read online

2011-05-09T00:37:00.004-07:00

It's their separation that makes the search for Takizawa and the threat that Juiz poses to their shared past urgent, their reunion that sends the film's mid-point soaring, and the instant rekindling of their impossibly cute chemistry (and their mutual refusal to behave as the plotters plan) that turns the machinations of the film's second half into a pleasure of the purest sort.

The white uniforms with black highlights worn by the Night Class provide a sharp, aesthetically pleasing contrast to the black school uniform with white highlights worn by the Day Class. Background art is also good, though at times certain scenes and character renditions have too much of a CG gloss to them. The animation shows the hallmark of a limited budget and unambitious effort, as the few true action scenes feel stiff when not dominated by shortcuts and the overall look of the series gives more the impression of animated set pieces rather than a true effort at showing events in motion.

Kanokon Chapter 39 read online

2011-05-09T00:37:00.003-07:00

The move to the big screen means little for King of Eden's production values. Eden of the East has always had theatrical quality animation and Kamiyama is too careful a filmmaker to create discontinuity by goosing up the visuals with his increased budget.

The occasional comedy bits are more a disruption to this flow than a complement, especially the Headmaster's silly prattling, but they rarely get in the way for long and are easily forgotten once passed.

While the character designs may be standard shojo fare, important characters are still rendered very well while minor background characters are commonly faceless.

Kanokon Chapter 38 read online

2011-05-09T00:37:00.002-07:00

Instead any extra funds get pumped into polishing New York to a suitably grungy shine, into making its multi-ethnic throngs thrive, preserving Takizawa's effortless charm, and animating with class and skill Saki's subtle, girlish sexuality. Not for a moment is it anything less than lively, for a second less than impeccable in its taste, or for a frame less than striking.

Even when the series flounders, its execution still sustains it. Vampire Knight does a better job than most of crafting and maintaining its mildly Gothic ambiance, an effort due in no small part to the skillfully light touch of its musical score. When the series focuses on its serious content, events flow along smoothly, gracefully, and with excellent timing, creating an appeal which can be enticing even when nothing special is actually happening.

Kanokon Chapter 37 read online

2011-05-09T00:37:00.001-07:00

Kenji Kawai's score is largely unchanged, which is to say that it is a fine (if sparely used) piece of scoring that's just a sliver of invention short of being the score the film deserves.

If you're familiar with the series' dub, then you're familiar with the film's. It may not be brilliant, but it does what it should—translate the film's charm into English with a minimum of loss—and does it well.

On the downside, Yuki suffers from a startling lack of self-preservation instinct throughout; she needs two tough, hunky guys looking out for her just to assure her own fragile existence. Granted, some of that is necessary to give the hunky guys something to do besides just walk around and look pretty or despair at becoming a vampire, but any attempts to give Yuki any semblance of strength as a character get washed away by her repeated lack of common sense.

Kanokon chapter 35 read online

2011-05-09T00:37:00.000-07:00

Actors are carefully matched to their roles, their performances are calibrated to fit the film's tone, and no one flubs their lines or porks out on ham. A few of the parts—notably Jason Liebrecht's staid Takizawa and Newton Pittman's Underpants (originally voiced by the fantastic Nobuyuki Hiyama)—are less effectively played than their Japanese counterparts, but not to the extent that they have a noticeable effect.

The plot component does not kick into high gear until Maria steps into the picture in episode 8, as until that point the story mainly focuses on establishing vampire lore, the assorted dangerous situations that Yuki gets into, the way Zero or Kaname always dramatically extricates Yuki from those situations, and Yuki's relationship with the two young men. From that point on the story sizzles as Maria's real identity brings all sorts of fresh complications and scheming into the picture (and not just on her front) and elaborates on the tragic background of Zero.

Dreamland Chapter 41 read online

2011-05-09T00:13:00.004-07:00

Some interesting variations on standard vampire lore and the novel twist on the nature of the school setting don't hurt, either, though one would think that someone in the Day Class student body would eventually connect the dots about the Night Class holding sessions at night, being normally segregated from the rest of the student body, and all being Beautiful People and realize that those factors strongly suggest vampires.

It's an ever-present specter, the machinery put into motion by Juiz always grinding away in the background—chewing up Takizawa's past, adapting to circumstances as they arise, always maneuvering Takizawa towards his crown and forever casting doubt on who is being manipulated and who is doing the manipulating.

Dreamland Chapter 40 read online

2011-05-09T00:13:00.003-07:00

Dreamland 40

While this may seem like an ideal breeding ground for triteness, the series nimbly avoids that fate through two means: decidedly above-average execution and actually having a plot which goes beyond just whether Yuki's adoration for Kaname or desire to protect Zero is stronger.

The rolling machinery also exposes more Seleção, and more about the ones already exposed, while bringing to light fragments and details of the "game" heretofore unexplored; enough in fact to indicate that something is very definitely awry with the game as described by Mr. Outside. The fate of one defeated player in particular throws doubt upon the basic rules of the game, and Juiz's apparent development of multiple personality disorder is definitely troubling.

Dreamland Chapter 39 read online

2011-05-09T00:13:00.002-07:00

Dreamland 39

And it is a series worth seeing if you have any taste for shojo anime, as Vampire Knight is the poster child for what it means to be a modern shojo Gothic-flavored romance. Shojo characteristics ooze out of every pore and lace every breath; character designs look like they were generated based on shojo style guidelines, the personality distribution of lead and main supporting characters is a collection of common shojo archetypes, and story execution follows common shojo paths in setting up a love triangle involving the female lead and (essentially) two vampires.

If you think that that's a lot to process in under 80 minutes, you wouldn't be entirely wrong. Writer/director Kenji Kamiyama is forced to use some rather inelegant devices to fit everything into the film's compact framework. He literally resorts to a lecture at one point, just dumping clues about the Seleção and Mr. Outside in a heap as Underpants reports the fruits of his investigations to Eden of the East's members.

Dreamland Chapter 38 read online

2011-05-09T00:13:00.001-07:00

Dreamland 38

The on-disk Extras are the same, too – merely a set of relationship charts on the third DVD – so anyone who already owns the single volumes will gain nothing from purchasing this set. For those new to the series or who never got around to picking up the singles, this more economically-priced set offers a chance to see it all in one shot.

If you think that that impedes the film in any way, though, then you've figured without Kamiyama. His love of cinema goes deeper than goofy Hitchcock homages; he fashions here a piece of pure entertainment that would do the Master (or at least his softer side) proud. His big ideas and even bigger plots are molded around a classic couple-on-the-run tale that never stops moving, never stops diverting, and goes down smoother than a well-mixed martini.

Dreamland Chapter 37 read online

2011-05-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

The first anime adaptation of Mishuri Hino's popular shojo manga series was first released in the U.S. in 2010 by Viz Media in a trio of four episode volumes. This offering, made available in early 2011, merely copies the original single disks onto one double-sided and one single-sided DVD (menu screens and all), tosses in a sample of the manga as an insert booklet, and puts the case in a slipcover featuring new art.

More importantly, however, you've figured without Saki and Takizawa. The pair have been and still are the beating heart of the series, the human eye of Eden's hurricane of interlocking, competing conspiracies and cut-til-it-bleeds social commentary. Their warmth and humor, the poignant fragility of their relationship, are the fire that fuels the film, that prevent it, and us, from drowning in its cold intellect.

Nana to Kaoru Arashi Chapter 14 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:54:00.002-07:00

Funimation's re-release includes ADV's 2004 English dub. It's a solid adaptation, perhaps a little more liberal with the rewrites than today's more conservative dubs, and a bit too deliberate in its timing and enunciation to be entirely natural, but perfectly serviceable nonetheless. While suitably energetic as Sora, Cynthia Martinez doesn't project the depth and complexity of emotion that Ryou Hirohashi does, but Mina Kubota's versatile fairy-tale score and the carefully considered body language of Hajime Watanabe's character designs make up most of the difference. Plus dampening Sora's emotions brings the angsty peaks down closer to the series' overall cheerful tone, evening it out some. More problematic is John Swasey's slow take on Ken and the questionable accent Luci Christian adopts as Kaleido Stage songstress Sarah.

A commentary track for episode 25 featuring ADR director (and Layla's voice actor) Sandra Krasa and an irrepressible Martinez is this set's only important extra.

For all the pains Kaleido Star takes to show the difficulties Sora has in achieving her dream, there is definitely an element of fantasy to her path to stardom. And no, I'm not talking about Fool. If the thought of a girl converting small-minded capitalists, small-hearted co-workers and Machiavellian turncoats with kindness and the shining glory of her perseverance makes your stomach turn, then turn away. Those for whom optimism is not anathema will want to stay, however. Perhaps it's heavy-handed, but few series argue as powerfully for the dogged pursuit of dreams, and fewer still as entertainingly.

Nana to Kaoru Arashi Chapter 12 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:54:00.001-07:00

Kaleido Star can get pretty preachy when making its plea. If you had a dime for every pep-talk given to herd Sora back onto the thorny path to her dream, you wouldn't need to pay for the show. And it doesn't just preach to the youth. How can you not hear Sato admonishing his own peers when Kalos thunders at a visiting diabolo prodigy for letting self-gratification get in the way of her audience's enjoyment? He might as well be slapping Hideaki Anno upside the head. Those poke-in-the-eye educational messages might be annoying, if only Sato weren't so good at taking his own advice. No matter how forcefully he tries to get his point across, he never forgets to put his audience before his ambitions.

Which is simply to say, Kaleido Star is unfailingly entertaining. It gets a lot of entertainment mileage out of a plot that is basically an ever-repeating loop of Sora aspiring to some new performance milestone, being slapped down by fate or an enemy or her own limitations, and ultimately rising above it all to wow friend and foe alike with her skill and moxie. It gets that mileage by moving swiftly and never allowing Sora's life to stagnate. The formula may repeat, but the circumstances and stakes are never the same. Initially it's just her job and her pride on the line. Then it's the fate of the Kaleido Stage. And eventually it's everything she has and has gained—comrades, livelihood, self-regard, even her life. In the meantime Sora rises from a nobody to a promising understudy, is reduced to being an unemployed street performer, charms her way up to employed street performer, and eventually makes a desperate bid for genuine Kaleido Stardom. It can be pretty thrilling stuff for a girly show about acrobats.

Nana to Kaoru Arashi Chapter 11 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:54:00.000-07:00

If it was possible to live inside the head of an anime director, the prime real estate would be in Junichi Sato's skull. Take Kaleido Star, in which the writer-director imagines the world as a magical place where the innate goodness of even the vilest villains is never in question, where dreams do come true, happy endings are a matter of course, and hard work and determination are always rewarded. Maybe it isn't as heavenly as Aria's world—which doesn't even have villains—but still, who wouldn't want to live in such a place?

The place isn't without its darkness, though. Good youth drama that it is, Kaleido Star is a forcefully argued plea for viewers to grasp their dreams with both hands and hold on through whatever trials life throws their way. That of course requires that Sora suffer through a lot of trials. The combination of Sora's personality—she's the type who takes everything on herself and never, ever blames others, even when they're at fault—and the relentless barrage of physical and psychological torture she must endure can make Kaleido Star feel almost sadistic at times. Rare is the episode that passes without Sato and his writers devising some new and novel way to reduce poor, blameless Sora to tears (of frustration, sorrow, or pure pain). It's a bald ploy—both to garner sympathy and to emphasize her eventual triumph—and is used with frustrating frequency, but there's no denying its effectiveness. When Sora falls we fall with her, and when she gets up, as she always does, it's hard not to be lifted, at least a little, by the series' belief in the power of her dream.

Nana to Kaoru Arashi Chapter 13 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:53:00.001-07:00

Whenever it gets too thrilling, or the script's Sora-abuse gets too cruel, Sato's feel-good humor steps in to save the day. Episodes about adorable orphaned seals and would-be boyfriend Ken break up the more intense runs of episodes. Running gags about Sora's obliviousness to Ken's feelings or best-bud Anna's bad stand-up shtick lighten the darker passages. And all else failing, there's always Fool's wonderfully dead-pan perversion—and Sora's equally dead-pan perversion-prevention—to provide a hard laugh during hard times. The scene in which Sora pins him by the hair under her television set, leaving him to struggle futilely to free himself throughout the entirety of one of the series' most deadly serious discussions could be a blueprint for how comic relief should work.

Practiced use of comic reaction shots and an easy mastery of humorous energy provide an essential counterbalance to the welling tears and shojo drama conventions of Sora's hardships. But visually the real effort goes into what you might call Kaleido Star's third pillar: Namely acrobat action. Fluid in that flamboyant way that only Gonzo can manage, swirling with magic and brimming with feats of death-defying derring-do, Kaleido Stage's shows leave no doubt as to why people like Sora and Layla fell in love with them. As colorful and lively as the rest of Kaleido Star's world is, it seems wan next to the glittering, translucent Cirque du Soleil wonders of the stage. The hold it has on Sora is all too easy to understand. Just try to watch the celestial spins of Fool's legendary great maneuver, or Sora and Layla sword-fighting on a rope stretched above a heaving, burning schooner without getting goose bumps. It isn't easy.

Nana to Kaoru Arashi Chapter 15 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

Kaleido Stage: a place of dreams, where tales of wonder and magic are given life on elaborate stages by brilliantly costumed acrobats. Sora Naegino, a starry-eyed gymnast from Japan, wants nothing more than to be a part of it. With typical klutziness she misses the audition, but has the good luck to catch the discerning eye of Kalos, the Stage's forbidding owner. Unfortunately Kalos expresses his regard by putting Sora through hell, throwing her on stage with no preparation, forcing her to hand out toys at intermission, even giving her the lead in a new production without so much as a word of guidance. With nary a friend in the troupe and steel-hard diva Layla riding her mercilessly, Sora's dream life is anything but dreamlike. Like spunk personified she must win it all—loyal friends, Layla's respect, her place on the stage—with nothing but her determination and not-inconsiderable acrobatic skills. Fool, the voyeuristic spirit who haunts her room, believes she can do it. But does Sora?

Sun-ken Rock Chapter 31 read online

2011-04-28T02:50:00.000-07:00

With Gargoyle's terrible weapon, the Tower of Babel, destroyed, Jean, Nadia and the rest find themselves once again rescued by the Nautilus. Grandis and her henchmen are now apprentice members of the crew, and everyone else pitches in to help too. However, Nadia finds it difficult to trust her former enemy and the people on this strange ship. Now hot on the tail of a fleeing Gargoyle, the pursuers become the pursued. Will Hanson and Sanson be able to save the ship alone? Why was Captain Nemo so shocked to meet Nadia? What are the memories the Nautilus has triggered within Nadia? Watch four more wonderful episodes and find out for yourself!

Sun-ken Rock Chapter 34 read online

2011-04-28T02:49:00.003-07:00

Until a great little piece of drama at the end. In a fit of conflicting morals and a complete lack of self-preservation, Nadia runs off from the crew after they dock for shoreleave on an island.

Again, this volume doesn't really offer any major advances in the story. It's mostly plot filler so that the heroes can be integrated into the crew of the Nautilus. But it is fun and we do get to find out why Grandis is the way she is. Jean continues to gawk at the Nautilus and King continues being cute. The only really bad part is that Gargoyle is hardly in this volume. He is a great villain and there is a mutual relationship of hatred between him and Nemo, which we will hopefully see more of. It is already obvious and becomes more obvious throughout this volume and the next that Nemo and Gargoyle share a history.

While this volume is entertaining and amusing, it needs a bit more plot than is provided here. After the one appearance by Gargoyle the main excitement comes from chasing King around the Nautilus. Add in the annoying French accents of the dub (which actually seem to become less annoying if all three DVDs are watched consecutively dubbed) and equals an activity reserved for relieving boredom and only that. Fans of the series should watch this once to know what happens but after that, there's really no point.

Sun-ken Rock Chapter 33 read online

2011-04-28T02:49:00.002-07:00

Captain Nemo plays the biggest role on the ship in the mystery of Blue Water. There is little surprise in learning that – just as Gargoyle – Nemo recognizes Nadia and her Blue Water jewel. While this is completely expected, it actually does seem to make Nemo appear just that more mysterious. He appears as the man with the single objective: find and destroy Gargoyle and the Neo Atlanteans. As a character he's nothing new in anime or live action. The great accomplishment of the series though is in taking a predictable character like Nemo and making him seem new and exciting.

But Nadia does not find him to be as new and exciting as Jean or the audience. She has a strong dislike for the captain and his submarine, which is interesting since they're responsible for saving her life. Nadia begins to become just a tab annoying in this volume as she becomes the pacifist hippie of the crew. The Nautilus – because it is a weapon – is evil. The captain – because he is in charge of a weapon – is evil. The crew – because they serve an evil man – are evil. But protests from Jean and the Grandis Gang force her to deal with it.

Sun-ken Rock Chapter 32 read online

2011-04-28T02:49:00.001-07:00

The third volume of the DVD series does not leave quite the impression that the previous two did. There are few major plot advancements made in these four episodes and they seem to be mainly light-hearted filler. Which is not entirely unwelcome though.

After facing the threat of world annihilation in the previous volume, the whimsical adventures of this volume provide a nice interlude. In Nemo's Secret Nadia, Jean and King are stranded on the Gratan with the Grandis Gang. Having teamed up in the last volume the truce between them seems to be holding. Because of the state of disrepair the Gratan – or Catherine, as Grandis calls it – is in, the Nautilus picks up the group of hitchhikers. Then in A Crowning Performance by the Gratan the nefarious Lord Gargoyle makes a cameo appearance and traps the Nautilus in a mine field. As the title suggests, the Gratan plays a key role in its escape. New Recruits for the Nautilus and Grandis and Her First Love show the adjustments the group makes to life on the Nautilus and Grandis' new hobby: pursuing the affections of Captain Nemo.

Sun-ken Rock Chapter 30 read online

2011-04-28T02:49:00.000-07:00

Also, just in case anyone doesn't get their fill of bras and panties in each episode, there's also plenty to be found in the opening and ending sequences, which basically remind us what the show is about while also serving up a liberal dose of hyper bubblegum pop. The soundtrack, however, shows surprising restraint during the episodes themselves, with only a handful of comedy scenes resorting to peppy, high-speed tracks. If anything, it's the ballad instrumentals during the family and friendship scenes that leave a stronger impact; this poignant musical background helps the series maintain some kind of emotional core despite all the underwear shenanigans.

From the premise alone, Chu-Bra!! sounds like one of those things that ought to send any discerning viewer into an apoplectic rage: this is the end of anime as we know it, and how did this ever get financed, and what on earth is wrong with society anyway. Yet there are moments when the show's earnest qualities soften that rage, moments when it seems as if it's not purposely trying to be tasteless—it simply doesn't know any better. Just like the main character, really. She's facing the everyday challenges of growing up, trying to understand her place in the world, trying to make sense of her changing heart, mind, and body ... all in the context of underwear. Underwear worn by plain, stereotypical characters. Between the ages of 13 and 15. And their clothes keep coming off, and they keep getting groped, and the camera keeps peeking up their skirts. Wait, you know what? It looks like that rage is justified after all.

Nozoki Ana Chapter 24 read online

2011-04-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

Despite the embarrassing subject matter, however, Chu-Bra!! does deserve some points for at least trying to develop a narrative. The first two episodes go nowhere, but the eventual formation of the Underwear Club, their first gathering, and the resulting fallout provide some semblance of a plot. Nayu also goes through a handful of emotional ups and downs in the process, and the flashbacks about her grandmother—from whom she learned an appreciation for the finer points of underwear—are actually quite heartfelt. (Less convincing are the relationships with her classmates, who were clearly chosen for their breast size and not for character dynamics.) In another parallel universe, this show may in fact be a touching coming-of-age tale—but here it chooses to appeal to the prurient interest, which pretty much seals its fate.

Now, if inappropriately dressed teenage girls are to be Chu-Bra!!'s fate, then that must mean all the characters are attractive to look at, right? Well ... this one does offer various forms of eye candy—Nayu's got the glasses fetish covered, there's Yako for all the flat chest lovers, and Haruka for guys who like them big—but the simplified art style stops them from reaching their full fanservice potential. Sorry, but slapping some racy underwear on a cartoon kid with no curves doesn't automatically make her sexy. And it's not just in the weak character designs where artistic limitations are evident: the backgrounds look just like every other Japanese school of the last couple of decades, and the animation technique, although passable, is clearly geared toward cutting as many corners as possible. The series does pull off a handful of high-speed visual gags, but most of them are in the lowbrow cheap-shot category, like using metaphorical imagery for breasts, or having a character switch to chibi mode as she throws a fit.

Nozoki Ana Chapter 23 read online

2011-04-28T02:45:00.002-07:00

What is there to say about a show that dishes out a pantyshot before it even gets to the opening credits? That's the kind of forthrightness one can expect in Chu-Bra!!, which also goes by the title of "If you people like schoolgirl panties so much, then here's a series about nothing but schoolgirls and their panties, and to hell with the story." Or rather, it's the underwear that is the story. As a result, we get something that is not only a skeevy fanservice festival, but also a semi-educational piece about young women's clothing, making it one of the strangest offerings in recent anime history. It's true that girls have plenty to learn about their bodies when puberty sets in, but does anyone seriously think they're going to learn it from a production like this?

In fact, the only thing that's gleaned from these first few episodes is that openly discussing one's undergarments and private parts is still not accepted in polite society, no matter how liberated and open-minded you fancy yourself to be. That's the culture clash that Nayu faces, and it's also the primary source of the series' supposed humor—oh look, here she is grabbing her friends' breasts, or flipping up their skirts, or chattering loudly about how to determine proper cup size. It may all be for the educational purposes of learning how to pick out the right size of underwear, but it's still crass, and really not that funny. In addition, the high quantities of fanservice—undressing scenes, upskirt shots, and boob jokes—quickly grow tiresome. In most other series, this kind of eye candy is something that supplements the main story, but here, it becomes the story itself, which is like having all icing and no cake.

Nozoki Ana Chapter 22 read online

2011-04-28T02:45:00.001-07:00

It may be Nayu Hayama's first day at middle school, but there's at least one subject where she's already highly advanced: underwear. That's because her older stepbrother is in the business of designing such clothing, and so Nayu knows more about bras and panties than any normal human being ought to. This raises the suspicions of Nayu's classmates, who think she's some kind of pervert, but her honest attitude wins her at least two new friends—flat-chested Yako and busty Haruka. With some encouragement, Nayu decides that she wants to start an Underwear Club at school, to help other girls understand a subject that is usually only discussed in hushed tones or not at all. However, Nayu's good intentions may be all for naught when mischievous boys and prudish teachers look to sabotage her plans.

Nozoki Ana Chapter 21 read online

2011-04-28T02:45:00.000-07:00

The dub is flawed, at best. Some of the voices are just not serious enough or sound a little too jokey and foppish to really be considered adequate. Gats sounds a little young and not harsh enough; Caska is a bit too bitchy. Griffith, one of the few well-cast voices, still flubs some of his lines with poor acting choices and bad inflection. The outtakes, included on the DVD, are absolutely hilarious and worth listening to even if you don't watch the dub. Furthermore, there's an interesting video interview with the producer of the series, who has a few interesting things to say. He also states that he'd like to work on a sequel, something that would be welcomed with open arms by the fan community.

All in all, if you have a single bone in your body that's interested in dark fantasy, do not pass Berserk up. It is the finest example of its genre available on the market today and is based on a manga that nearly surpasses all others in terms of quality and popularity. The TV series was a resounding success and remains enchanting, entertaining and truly terrifying to this day. Watch this show.

Nozoki Ana Chapter 20 read online

2011-04-28T02:44:00.000-07:00

The most significant occurrence on this disc is Griffith's capture and subsequent torture. Before this volume, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what went wrong with Griffith. Is he a good guy, or a bad guy? Was the Egg of the King a tool of corruption, or just a trinket? Those questions and more are finally answered here, and the result is a wondrously macabre bit of storytelling that will leave you breathless in anticipation for the conclusion. Until this point, Griffith was by far the most interesting character, but still a supporting player. He takes center stage in this release, and rightfully so; he is perhaps the most complicated and convincing anime villain ever to grace the small screen. Berserk's screenwriting should be celebrated for being the sheer creative genius that it is. It's almost impossible to find an action series that is this deep, with characters this textured and fleshed out. The series features truly three-dimensional characters, each with hopes, dreams and fears; as the series gets closer to the end, we see how frantic things have become, and the toll the stress is taking on each cast member. It's brilliant writing, and while much is owed to Kentaro Miura's original manga, the screenwriters must receive some credit.

The animation isn't anything particular to write home about. The series does show its age, although the video presentation on this DVD seems sharper and crisper than previous volumes in this release. The music, however, is certainly worth praising. Scored by Susumu Hirasawa, the score leaps effortlessly from haunting and melodic to dark and sinister in the blink of an eye, maintaining credibility and flow throughout. Simply put, if you're watching Berserk for eye candy, you're watching for the wrong reasons. The show isn't ugly or poorly animated by any means, but it is exceedingly dark and sometimes sparsely animated, so don't expect the next Metropolis.

Samurai High School Chapter 25 read online

2011-04-28T02:41:00.001-07:00

Volume five of Media Blasters' DVD release of the dark fantasy masterpiece Berserk maintains the high level of quality fans have come to expect from this series. Berserk stands as one of the most beloved fantasy anime series of all time, and this volume is no exception. If you've been watching the volumes as they come out, then you're in for a few new surprises with this volume as the series plummets ever closer to its horrifying and sobering conclusion.

The episodes contained on this disc are just as important, if not more important, than any other episodes in the series. Unlike most other anime, Berserk is a chain with no weak links; every episode is absolutely integral to the storyline and must be viewed in sequential order to fully grasp the depth of the plot. Here, you will see Griffith begin his long descent in to chaos. You'll see Caska and Guts draw closer to eachother, drawn together by an unspoken affection. You'll see the rest of the White Hawks play out their final days together, struggling to maintain solidarity against impossible odds. The beautiful and terrifying drama of Berserk is in full force on this disc, and fans of the series will be pleased to no end.

Samurai High School Chapter 24 read online

2011-04-28T02:41:00.000-07:00

Oddly, no credits are given on the DVD for the dub production, but the casting clearly indicates that it's an ADV effort. The only key cast member who isn't a long-time ADV regular is Blake Shepard, who's done only one major role prior to this series (he was one of the leads in Gilgamesh) but gets the lead role here. Whether or not Mr. Shepard is ready for such a prominent role is debatable, as his is the one questionable casting choice and some of his pronunciations for untranslated words are awkward. Everyone else is a good match, however, and all the other roles are capably-performed. The English script stays very tight in most places and does a remarkably good job of retaining the meaning of the “kagome” chant and still sounding right. The only iffy point here is whether or not “goblin” was the best translation choice for references to Haruka and Sugino.

Manga Entertainment's production of the first volume offers a respectable set of Extras, which include standard stuff like clean opener and closer, some Japanese commercials and promo spots, and a 10-minute interview with the two lead seiyuu. A Gallery is also included, although it entirely consists of screen shots. Less typical is a collection of untranslated Japanese merchandise fliers.

On the whole, the first few episodes of Tactics just fail to adequately come together. Characters are not sufficiently defined or established, the plotting lacks originality and cohesiveness, and it has trouble finding a proper comic/dramatic balance. While the series does improve a bit as it progresses and offers a few good points, it's not enough for this one to be worthy of a recommendation.

Samurai High School Chapter 23 read online

2011-04-28T02:40:00.002-07:00

The one thing that Tactics does consistently do right is its artistry. Kantaro and Haruka have classic bishonen looks, while Suzu and Yoko are more typically cute for their ages, but all are drawn and costumed well, as are the recurring and supporting characters in each episode. (Though Reiko's clothing seems grossly inconsistent with the setting, which looks to be early 20th century.) Backgrounds are also nicely drawn and detailed. Full-sized demons and monsters look more ordinary, while the weird little “kid” monsters are the kinds of simple, cutesy designs you'd expect from a series for kids. Colors are sharp but not over-bright. The animation takes too many shortcuts to be given any praise, however, which results in action scenes that lack energy and fluidity.

The musical score is also not free of problems. Though it generally does its job, someone made the unwise decision to highlight the Shinto chant scenes with a musical selection ripped off from the original incarnation of “Charlie's Angels,” which will sound laughably corny to anyone old enough to remember watching “Charlie's Angels.” At least a smarter choice was made with the opener and closer, with the J-Rock tunes “Secret World” and “Unseen Power” providing a lively start-up and close-out to each episode.

Samurai High School Chapter 22 read online

2011-04-28T02:40:00.001-07:00

Other faults appear in the characters and characterizations. Yoko, who fills the role of the practical-minded female housemate who's always grousing about money shortages, is a kitsune but nothing much is ever done with her special nature beyond fox ears occasionally popping up on her head. Suzu becomes a regular character without any clear justification beyond the need to have a cute little girl in Kantaro's posse, and Haruka's personality is so ill-defined and inconsistent that even by the end of five episodes one doesn't get a good sense of his character. It doesn't help maters that Kantaro isn't especially interesting, either. Other recurring characters, such as the editor Reiko and the ridiculous god Sugino, don't fare much better.

The one thing the writing does do well is its exploration of Japanese folklore, such as the insight into the origins of the classic children's “kagome” chant/game, which well-traveled viewers may recognize from other anime titles. It also does occasionally get off a good series of gags, such as Haruka learning to use the power of his overwhelming bishonen looks on women, and starting with episode 4 the storytelling becomes more cohesive. Only one or two worthwhile episodes out of five is not a promising sign, however.

Samurai High School Chapter 21 read online

2011-04-28T02:40:00.000-07:00

A play on words created by homophones usually doesn't translate well into another language, which is how this series about demon-fighting ended up with such a seemingly inappropriate name. That's only the beginning of the problems, however. Tactics wants to be cool, comical, and the next big bishonen thing while also taking an insightful look at Japanese folklore, but all it really accomplishes is being a tepid monster-of-the-week series which looks pretty but offers little substance or cohesiveness.

Most of the faults in Tactics lie in the writing, which borrows material from better series rather than come up with anything new. The demon-hunting angle is fine but there's nothing fresh or exciting about this take on it, and attempts to make Kantaro's Shinto chants, which are the basis of his power, seem flashy and stylish come off as silly and overblown instead. The “writer dodging the editor” gags are purely recycled material; they were also done, and done much better, in Kodocha and Fruits Basket. (Is it an unwritten rule somewhere that writer characters in anime comedies have to go through this routine?)

KissxSis Chapter 53 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:14:00.000-07:00

This version of Toradora! also benefits greatly from Zekkyō's artwork which brings an energy to the story that the plot itself can sometimes lack. It's cute, lively and oftentimes hilarious, especially given the weird expressions on the cast's faces, Taiga's in particular. The style lends itself best to her, especially when she's having scattered moments of teary-eyed sadness or an honest smile, all of which are given special attention by the artist.

Toradora! won't win many points for originality yet its eccentricities make this a decent first volume. Both Taiga and Ryuuji have their own special issues played for our entertainment. It's amusing seeing how they clash. The story's romance is a little hard to care about though when there's more chemistry between them than the targets of their affections. But that's likely intentional, as we can see a relationship between the Palmtop Tiger and her servant coming a mile away. It's this feeling that Toradora! is just another trope-coasting plot that holds it back. Thankfully often over the top characters and cute artwork prove how this kind of otaku-targeted material still manages to find an audience nearly every time anyway.

KissxSis Chapter 52 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:13:00.003-07:00

Kantaro is a folklorist who's always had a gift for sensing and interacting with monsters and bears a scar on his chest which pains him in the presence of demons. Though he writes for a career, he also investigates strange phenomena and deals with spirits and monsters as a side job. Already served by a female kitsune (fox demon) he named Yoko, Kantaro has also long sought the “demon-eating goblin,” whose strength he admires. When he finally finds him, he names him Haruka and engages him as a servant as well. Together with the little girl Suzu and the occasional help of others, he faces off against entities ranging from possessing demons to mountain gods, each with their own story. All the while he continues to dodge his editor Reiko, who is constantly on his case about his writing deadlines.

KissxSis Chapter 51 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:13:00.002-07:00

Kitamura and Kushieda are prominent in the book, but even they develop little past being one-dimensional plot devices. Kitamura is easy-going and good with girls, in contrast with Ryuuji. Kushieda is the very definition of peppy and gets along with everyone, which contrasts with Taiga. The two spend quite a bit of time together as members of the student council and there's an underlying sense that they know more of what's going on than they let on. Or perhaps it's something else altogether. Either way the volume ends on a cliffhanger when readers see Kushieda being a lot more serious than we were lead to believe was possible.

By this point readers have been given just enough reason to care about how things play out for Ryuuji and Taiga. It's easy to pity Ryuuji for what he goes through with Taiga, and surprisingly easy to feel sympathy for Taiga for her earnest, tongue-tied attempts to talk to Kitamura. At the same time the plot itself still feels uninspired – haven't we read similar stories far too many times before?

Fortunately Seven Seas does a great job playing up the series' stronger points with exceptional adaptation work. There was a lot of care taken with the way characters speak, including the use of bolds and italics to put emphasis on specific words. A little bit of slang and intentionally sloppy grammar tailor the speech perfectly to teenagers as well.

KissxSis Chapter 50 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:13:00.001-07:00

There's little to say about the standard 'boy meets girl and hijinks ensue' plot line but it feels like you're really taking this cliche premise on the chin when it's revealed they live next door to one another. Revealing that Taiga is in love with Kitamura and also happens to be close friends with Kushieda presents Taiga and Taksau with an obvious opportunity as they realize they're in love with the others' best friend. Dodgeball plots, failed attempts at baking and swirling rumors about the time they've begun spending together are just some of the beasts they battle. All the while Taiga prods Ryuuji on like a slave driver as she uses her ability to get Ryuuji closer to Kushieda against him. It's funny but also a little sad.

Were women not already enough trouble in Ryuuji's life, you also have his mother. Her simple role as the busty, blush-cheeked eye-candy is as transparent as her lacy undergarments. She's selfish, lazy and just lays around the house whining cheerfully for Ryuuji to feed her. It's almost impressive that despite this, her airheaded-nature somehow makes her hard to hate. Still, you'll be grateful she's only there part-time.

KissxSis Chapter 49 manga scan

2011-04-28T02:13:00.000-07:00

49

No one expects all manga to be thought-provoking masterpieces, but there's something to be said for a work that still manages to feel rather pointless. Toradora! achieves that with a claustrophobic focus on the lead characters and a plot that's shallow and cliche-ridden. In spite of all that, Toradora! still manages to be entertaining anyway, proving once again you don't need to have a deeper meaning to be fun.

Takasu Ryuuji is an average teenage guy, excluding this nagging problem of looking like a criminal thanks to his uncontrollably aggressive stares. It doesn't seem to bother him much though and he's got bigger things on his mind anyway, like an OCD-driven need to have things kept clean. The new school year has begun and he's lucky enough to be in the same class as his best friend, Kitamura, and the girl he has a crush on, Kushieda.

Enter Aisaka Taiga. She's short, cute and nobody wants to mess with her. Ryuuji soon learns she isn't all attitude and spunk however, no matter what the rumors their classmates circulate say. A love-letter acts as a catalyst to expose her cute insecurities, and she fiercely wields a boken in order to deal with them. If Taiga's dramatic introduction didn't already cinch the obvious, the events that soon follow drive home the fact that Ryuuji has gotten himself involved with a girl destined to complicate things.

Franken Fran Chapter 54 read online

2011-04-28T02:09:00.004-07:00

Takasu Ryuuji has gotten used to the assumptions people make about him based on his appearance. With scary eyes and a rather static expression, he's always been known as a delinquent regardless of the fact that he doesn't have a rap sheet. When starting his second year in high school he doesn't expect much to change but is optimistic when he discovers he's in the same class as his best friend and crush. Things get more complicated when he accidentally gets involved with the “Palmtop Tiger” Aisaka Taiga - the school's shortest, cutest and most dangerous student.

Franken Fran Chapter 53 read online

2011-04-28T02:09:00.003-07:00

The musical scoring here gets a little too heavy in some of the dramatic scenes but in general supports the storytelling adequately. The English dub is on the mark most of the time, with Bridget Hoffman's performance as Raquel continuing to be dead-on and other performances for recurring characters remaining at least adequate. Of new roles, Bob Papenbrook makes Berkens sound like a “good ol' boy,” an interpretation which is of a distinctly different style than the original performance but fits well with the character and dialogue he speaks. Less successful is Wendee Lee's turn as Senes, which isn't bad but does lack some of the blustery flair which made the original performance so distinctive. The reasonably tight English script has eliminated most of the inconsistencies which plagued the previous problem, and this time around the subtitles aren't sprinkled with spelling errors. Still remaining is the variability in the name of the child version of Cz, which was spelled “Cin” in the last volume but is now being spelled “Cyn.” While a nit-picking point, it shows that Bandai doesn't quite have all the bugs worked out yet.

“Traveling Troubles” brings Scrapped Princess to its midpoint by maintaining the solid balance of action and drama which has made it such a winner so far. Its excellent pacing and colorful (but not outlandish) character portrayals assure that the series never gets dull, while revelations and plot developments in the second half of this volume open up intriguing possibilities about what's yet to come in the second half of the series. It is another strong entry in one of the best recent fantasy series, one marred only by the complete lack of extras beyond company trailers.

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2011-04-28T02:09:00.002-07:00

Because of all the plot development and information provided in this volume, the character development isn't as rich as it has been in previous volumes. Interesting and important new recurring characters are introduced, however, most notably the hard-nosed, tomboyish Beast Princess, who was briefly mentioned in the previous volume. Other major new characters include Eirote, Senes's more practical-minded right-hand woman, and Natalie, a second Dragoon who doesn't seem to be completely sane. This volume also offers up brief reappearances by prominent characters from the earlier two volumes and provides the first look at Pacifica's mother, in addition to some interesting new guest appearances in the form of Berkens, the masked Lord Reynard, and Lady Elfitine, the false Scrapped Princess. While these may not be the most original characters you'll run across in an anime series, they are definitely not dull.

Newly-introduced characters maintain both the visual appeal and odd quirks of character design (such as the unrealistic way the outline of women's breasts show through their clothing) which are seen in characters introduced in previous volumes. The most distinctive-looking new character is Senes, whose tomboyish, unglamorous look perfectly suits her personality, although the appearance of the queen explains a couple of things about why Pacifica looks the way she does. Background art and animation are still respectable and pack a fair amount of flashy non-CG effects, though the visual highlights are the expressive faces of the characters. Pacifica's dumbfounded expression in one scene early in episode 11 is a classic, though both she and Shannon have other good moments, too, and Natalie's smile is just. . . well, you can't look at a smile like that and not think that something is off kilter with that character.

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2011-04-28T02:09:00.001-07:00

Although the two-part story about the Cassuls' encounter with the fake Scrapped Princess offers a solid story with good additional chances for character development and a few hints dropped about the nature of the world, the real meat of this volume comes in the revelations of episodes 11 and 12. The purpose of the Scrapped Princess and the nature of her power are revealed, as is the reason why she is considered “the poison that will destroy the world” and what roles Shannon and Raquel – and many others the siblings have met so far – are supposed to play. The reason why sixteen is the magical age for Pacifica is hinted at, while we are outright told why Pacifica has been referred to as the Providence Breaker. (Yes, they use that term consistently in the dub in this volume, despite the inconsistencies over its use in the previous volume.) Also made clear is the true nature of this series. The presence of sci-fi elements has been implied almost since the beginning, but now it becomes obvious that this is truly more of a sci-fi/fantasy series than pure fantasy, one which uses the classic “fantasy world develops in the aftermath of an apocalyptic modern war” mold. Although there is still more of the full truth yet to be revealed, a viewer learns enough from this volume to understand why the Peacemakers are so intent on seeing Pacifica dead, even if Pacifica doesn't quite understand it herself.

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2011-04-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

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Pacifica, Raquel, and Shannon head off into the mountains, where they encounter Berkens, an amiable and surprisingly easygoing Church Inquisitor. In his company they come upon a hidden village which hides not only a heretical cult, but a young woman named Elfitine who also claims to be the Scrapped Princess! Later the Cassuls travel to the Empire of Giat, where they encounter and become the “guests” of Senes Lur Giat, the empire's storied Beast Princess, who seems to know an awful lot more about the nature of the Scrapped Princess than the Cassuls have discovered themselves. What plans does she have for the Scrapped Princess? And it would seem the Peacemakers have hardly forgotten about her. . .

Meanwhile Chris's continuing investigation into the Scrapped Princess matter leads him to Pacifica's mother, the imprisoned queen.

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2011-04-28T01:19:00.001-07:00

Only a studio like Gonzo could take something as hackneyed as boy-meets-robot and make it look like something amazing and innovative is happening on screen. If Gad Guard were being graded on visuals alone, it would be among the higher ranks of action-adventure anime. However, with a plot that doesn't rise above its predictable trappings and fractured storytelling that keeps the viewer just as mystified as the protagonist, this show reveals a muddled core beneath its shiny exterior. If the story picks up later on, then Gad Guard might be very enjoyable; otherwise, it's just another so-so mecha title in a market that's already full of them.

This wouldn't be the first time in anime history that a teenage boy has stumbled upon some mysterious technology and found himself to be the only one who can use it. And it wouldn't be the first time that adults of varying motives have chased after him in an attempt to take control of that technology. The plot of Gad Guard is an exercise in formula, and it's the kind of formula that's normally used to sell toys of the robots featured in the show—except you won't find Gad Guard toys on sale anywhere. While the futuristic alternate-earth setting makes the premise easier to believe, the ragged pacing and editing get in the way of what ought to be a clear storyline. Scene transitions feel very haphazard, and sometimes there are even brief splices that seem to have no bearing on the story at large. Case in point: in Episode 4, Hajiki helps his classmate Arashi find a battery charger as part of a side plot, and then much later—right after a climactic fight has taken place—we cut to a 2-second shot of Arashi noting that her battery charger works. It provides resolution to the previous situation, but it occurs at a point in the episode where it feels strongly out of place.

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2011-04-28T01:18:00.004-07:00

Gad Guard is a tech-heavy action series with all the external elements in the right place: artwork and animation that's a joy to look at (and a masterclass for aspiring digital artists), coupled with music and voice acting that's a treat for the ears. However, without significant improvements in its internal aspects—plot advancements, story pacing, and character development—the surface polish will only take it so far before the brain starts to demand more satisfying material. Rent it, borrow it, or even check it out on G4/Tech TV to see if it's your cup of tea—but don't be surprised if Gad Guard's flashiness wears off and the first disc falls short of expectations.

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2011-04-28T01:18:00.003-07:00

As the archetypal shounen hero, Hajiki is rather subdued compared to his more spirited counterparts in other series. In fact, most of the characters in Gad Guard exhibit an air of "cool" about them that softens the stereotypical aspects (the only exception might be Catherine, the token ditzy/hyper girl who will incite teeth-gnashing among viewers everywhere). Within the four-episode arc, we see Hajiki quietly accept his role as his robot's owner, even switching to a makeshift battle outfit consisting of goggles and a flight jacket. Thankfully absent are the angsty ramblings about duty or courage that a robot-piloting hero usually spouts. The supporting cast, however, doesn't go anywhere with regard to character development, and after four episodes they still seem to be just a menu of options that interact in various ways with Hajiki. Even his potential love interest, Arashi, barely has any involvement with him.

What Gad Guard lacks in story, it tries to compensate for with its dynamic visuals. Gonzo attacks this animation project with all guns blazing, and this time the studio manages to lay off the overuse of CGI—or perhaps they've successfully blended the computer effects with the 2-D work. The robots, which are usually the first casualty of computer animation, all look like convincing inhabitants of Hajiki's world. The cosmopolitan city setting, with an atmosphere accentuated by Gonzo's lighting techniques, strikes a good balance between brightness and bustle during the day and mystery at night. And while the juvenile character designs may be reminiscent of anime shows that make it to the WB or FoxBox, their stylish outfits and modes of transportation—skateboards and motor scooters—make them the cutting edge of teenage heroes. The animation, of course, is at the highest standard, with action scenes that steer clear of shortcuts and still frames. Gonzo's trademark style of head-on camera angles and constant movement is in full effect, so it's a shame that the robot battles occur at night; they would be even more eye-popping in daylight.

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2011-04-28T01:18:00.002-07:00

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Geneon brings in Bang Zoom! Entertainment for the English dub, with very respectable results. Hajiki's voice actor is not only similar in tone to the Japanese VA, but also delivers his lines with a confidence that suggests the hidden potential within this young male character. There's not a single grating voice among the entire ensemble cast, and even detractors who accuse Catherine's VA of sounding horrifically whiny are well advised to remember that she sounds just as annoying in Japanese.

Adding to the urban setting and fashion sense in Gad Guard is the lively jazz-inflected music score. While dramatic orchestration is still a key element of the show's emotionally charged moments, many of the action sequences are punctuated by fusion and modern jazz grooves inspired by PE'Z, the band that provides the opening and ending songs. This is another one of those anime titles where the DVD might not be for everyone, but the soundtrack CD is a highly recommended item.

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2011-04-28T01:18:00.001-07:00

Bartender 50

Hajiki Sanada is a streetwise delivery boy scraping out a living with his mom and sister on the poor side of town. When he botches a delivery involving a mysterious black cube, Hajiki finds himself caught up in an underworld battle for forbidden technology. In his attempt to retrieve the black cube (known as a Gad), Hajiki accidentally activates it and releases a 20-foot-tall robot that answers only to him! The robot quickly disposes of the goons who were after the Gad—but Hajiki's problems are far from over. A second Gad ends up in the hands of Katana, a sinister young man, and he too becomes the proud owner of a powerful robot. As Hajiki strives to understand the mysteries of these "Techode" robots, he learns of at least two other people who have also unlocked the power of the Gad. Are they handing these things out with cereal boxes now? Where did the Gads come from, and what purpose do the Techodes really serve?

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2011-04-24T23:05:00.008-07:00

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If you decided to check out the second volume of Lucky Star because the first one left you uncertain about whether or not you liked it, then these four episodes are unlikely to encourage you to watch further. That is not because episodes 5-8 do anything bad; in fact, they can be entertaining if watched only an episode at a time. However, they do reaffirm that the regular content is a succession of stream-of-consciousness clips about nothing scattered with rampant otakucentric references, and if that approach did not appeal to you in the first volume then the content of these episodes will not win you over, either.

On the other hand, if the first volume appealed to you with its Seinfeld-like approach and blatant otaku-pandering efforts then you will just find more to love here. Kagami still embodies the classic tsundere style in the way she goes off on Konata and makes her disgusted observations, Miyuki still embodies everything moe, and Tsukasa is still the lovable incompetent. Konata not only embodies every non-appearance aspect of otaku but deliberately plays up otaku fetishes, especially in her interesting choice of bathing suit for the beach episode. Her ongoing observations about how things in the “real world” do or do not match up to events that regularly occur in games, manga, and anime (particularly events that would be “flags” in a dating sim) probably was intended just to be funny but also comes across as a commentary on how obsession with such media content can distort one's perception of reality. Given that this happens in a series which makes a deliberate point to play up to fetishes and stereotypes, the irony cannot easily be ignored.

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2011-04-24T23:05:00.007-07:00

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This disc comes packaged just as nicely as the first disk, in a sturdy case with attractive metallic lettering. There aren't any special features on the disc, but the box comes with some cute art cards, and a very nice insert booklet, which contains interviews with various members of the Japanese production staff. All the interviews are insightful to the show, and it is a very nice bonus, in a disc that is already a great value, having five episodes packed on it.

This show looks good, and the pace of it looks to be picking up. The story is not the most compelling, as a good deal of information is still hiding in the background of the characters, but there is enough mystery to generate a healthy amount of interest. The only real detraction is the love story, which is just hard to buy, being that Hazuki is quite obviously a little girl, and shouldn't really be interested in lovers of any sort. If one can get past the perv factor, however, this show is a really cute way to spend half an hour.

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2011-04-24T23:05:00.006-07:00

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If you are looking for a more comedic show, switch on the English voice track. Funimation has gotten a little creative with the translation, spicing up the dialogue to make everyone a little more sarcastic, drier, and more humorous. Hiromi was especially given this treatment; on the original track, she is a rather bland character, but Laura Bailey gives her a good dose of spunk in the dub. This isn't to say that the English track is better; Hazuki's voice in the original Japanese covers much better the various aspects of her character, while the English voice simply sounds snotty all the time. Also, the translational oddities of the first disc continue on the second, with random Japanese phrases surviving into the English dub. One particular example is that the phrase “Itadakimasu,” the traditional Japanese blessing of food, is left untranslated in the English dub. No matter your stance on translation debates, this is sure to leave you feeling at least slightly bizarre.

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The action picks up in episode eight, which starts a longer story arc involving the abduction of Hazuki by Count Kinkel, one of the vampires interested in turning Hazuki into “Luna.” This obsession is yet to be explained in the exposition of the show, and viewers who don't already know the story are likely to be more than a little curious who Luna is exactly, why these sundry vampires wish Hazuki to turn into her, and why that would be such a bad thing. The lack of knowledge makes it a little difficult to care, and leaves you feeling like you missed something. Nonetheless, the action in episodes eight and nine gives the pace of the series a refreshing burst of speed. Even Grandpa gets to do his share of battle, and there is enough suspense to make up for the saccharine sweetness of the last few episodes.

The action grinds to a halt, or dramatic pause, if you prefer, in episode 10. At close to halfway through the series, this episode, focused entirely on Kohei in a hospital bed, cements the relationships of all the various characters. Hazuki finally has to confront the fact that Kohei is more than just a slave, and Kouhei's family has to come to terms with living side by side with a vampire. The cheese factor of this episode may turn the stomachs of a few viewers, as Hazuki reminisces about the “good times” with Kohei, but the drama isn't taken so far as to be ridiculous.

The look of the series is still crisp, with several interesting innovations to look out for. There is one scene drawn from the perspective of Kaiji, the cat shikigami turned adorable cat/child sidekick, who is hiding under a pillow, that is visually very interesting; the scene really looks like you are watching from under a pillow. In the action scenes, some artistic liberties are taken with replaces various textures with almost cubist artwork; this may be a little too weird for some, but it is certainly interesting. The music on this series has its moments, but most of the time is unremarkable. There are several moments where the orchestra really kicks in with a dark, gothic sound, but for the most part, you won't even notice the music.

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2011-04-24T23:05:00.004-07:00

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The second volume of Moon Phase starts out in the same slow character development cycle that the first volume left off on, but shoots forward at an entertaining pace halfway through, for another big “boss fight” with the vampires chasing Hazuki. There is quite a bit more drama on this disk, more action, and a lot more information about the characters and the world they inhabit. In general, there is just more meat on this bone than the first, but if the loli-esque love story between Hazuki and Kouhei turned you off, don't look for matters to improve.

Episode six introduces the audience to the rest of Kouhei's spiritually gifted family. It would seem that his physic ineptitude has made him the black sheep of an otherwise very powerful family, who of course reside in Kyoto. Being an old, traditional family, they have arranged marriages, and the introduction of Kouhei's two adolescent cousins, one of whom is his intended, is meant to ramp up the romantic comedy factor, but the effort falls flat. It is difficult enough to think about little Hazuki being a romantic interest for Kohei, without trying to imagine a bespectacled, pre-pubescent girl as her love rival. These girls of course take an instant dislike to Hazuki, and start of the line of thinking that drives this and the next episode, that everyone loves Hazuki without her having to use her powers. Episode seven is solely focused on this thought, except a brief fashion show interlude, which will leave you pondering the difference between “cute” and “pervy.”

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2011-04-24T23:05:00.003-07:00

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The Saikano OAV episodes are hardly essential for full appreciation of the original title, but they are a nice complement to the TV series. They provide a fuller picture of what's going on offscreen in the original series and, to a lesser extent, why it's happening. The storytelling is not up to the high standard set by the original, but it's still worth watching and should be a high priority for dedicated SaiKano fans. Anyone new to the franchise is strongly recommended to watch the original series first, however, as this is not a stand-alone story.

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2011-04-24T23:05:00.001-07:00

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Voice One, which did the English dub work for Viz Media on the original series, is back again for the OVA. All of the original cast members whose characters reappear here have been brought back, with Melissa Hutchinson once again giving a highlight performance as Chise that is every bit as impassioned as the original. The quaver she gives to Chise's normal speech may not work for all sub fans, but it certainly lends to the vulnerability of the character and her ability to transit between Normal Chise and Weapon Chise creates some chilling contrasts. (She was, in fact, my pick for the best English vocal performance of 2004, and her repeat performance here only confirms that.) The rest of the vocal performances aren't up to the same level, but none of them are bad and new characters have actors well-matched to their original voices and styles. Also notable is one section where soldiers are speaking in English, which isn't subtitled in the Japanese track but sounds like it was redubbed anyway for the English track (albeit with the same VAs, as near as I could tell.) The English script is fine, as it doesn't always stay tight but never strays far. The subtitling could use some further editing, though, as it contains grammatical and formatting errors.

Included with the OVA are several SaiKano illustrated postcards and a mini-poster featuring Chise and Mizuki, along with some nice cover art. On the DVD itself are a Japanese promo and an extensive sampling of production art.

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2011-04-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

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The writing of the original series was amongst the best of recent years, and at times the OVAs do achieve that same level of quality. The storytelling excels most when dealing with Chise's feelings and Mizuki's reactions to them, and when delving into the stark contrast between the two; Mizuki volunteered for what was done to her, Chise didn't, which creates a great gulf in their motivations. It works less well otherwise, as the cost of the broadening the scope of events depicted has been the sacrifice of the intimacy which made the original so powerful. SaiKano was always a story focused on feelings and relationships rather than action, with Chise's destructive potential being more of a tragic device than an exciting one, yet the action content is ramped up in this one, which ultimately causes the action to serve more as a distraction than a complement or highlight. The story does offer appearances by Tetsu, Kawahara, and several minor supporting military characters from the original, and is still better than average in its progression, but those expecting a story as sharp, frank, or poignant as the original will be disappointed.

The artistry remains faithful to the original series in both style and quality, albeit with slightly higher production values. This isn't necessarily a Good Thing, since it results in more unattractive new character designs, but backgrounds are good, there's some nice use of color to be seen in sunsets, and the action scenes come off well. Unlike the original, the OVAs do feature some nudity (including Chise), but they don't go out of their way to show it and the handful of scenes with such content in them are tastefully drawn. Animation quality is respectable enough to support the action scenes but nothing remarkable. The musical score falls into the same category, with some themes borrowed from the original mixed with new ones to create a sound that is decidedly less effective at setting the tone than the original. The closing song "Mayonaka no Niji" by Akira Asakura, while a good number on its own, is also not in the same league as the beautiful original closer by Yuria Yato.

OVA Otaku no Musume-san Chapter 58

2011-04-19T23:11:00.007-07:00

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Since its early stages the main source of tension in Ai Yori Aoshi has always been the inability of central couple Kaoru and Aoi to openly declare and live their love because of the complicated constraints put on them by family ties. Though that problem has come to a head once or twice before, here, finally, the issue is resolved once and for all, and the resolution that forms the main plot point actually happens fairly quickly by the glacial pacing standards of the series. That leaves the remaining six chapters to serve as clean-up duty, which seems like an appropriate proportion for a series that encompasses 17 volumes. Because of that, the series ends with all of its loose ends neatly tied up.

Whether or not that actually will leave long-time fans of the series completely fulfilled is another story, and satisfaction levels will vary. Any ending other than the one that happens would not have fit, however, and Ai Yori Aoshi has rarely been a series to surprise its readers. Nothing that happens here should catch anyone off guard; indeed, in many senses the entire volume serves as one big hunk of fan service, as it gives fans everything that they could ask for in the final volume – and yes, that means what you think it does.

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Aoi has finally and forcefully (by her standards) declared to her parents that she will give up her family ties to live with Kaoru, who has arrived on the scene. But will Kaoru's jealous younger half-brother let them go at that, or does their grandfather's will leave him no say in the matter? And what is to become of Kaoru and Aoi now that they are finally together and can openly declare their love and relationship? How will the other girls react when they find out, and what will become of Miyabi?

All will be put to rest in this concluding volume.

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This volume isn't a complete wash. At the very least it gets the ball moving again, returning to the machinations of the Akatsuki and pushing its characters up a couple of levels power-wise. And the Gaara fight does have its moments. Well, moment, really. And only at the end (the very end) of the volume. But still, it's no entertainment holocaust. It is, however, quite obviously aimed not at gaining a new audience but at pleasing its old one, the audience that feels a little thrill of vicarious pride when Naruto, Sakura or Gaara demonstrates (albeit slowly) just how awesome they've gotten in the interval between series. If that isn't you, save your money and your time.

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One guy who isn't getting lazy is Yasuharu Takanashi. And no wonder; he was brought on to replace the estimable Toshio Masuda, so he didn't make the final slog. And perhaps as a result (but probably not) his odd but appropriate mix of baroque organs and straight-up guitar rock can stand tall even next to Masuda's excellent score. It is largely thanks to it (and, to an extent, Date and the remnants of his action timing) that the Gaara fight attains its handful of "hey, cool!" moments.

Another group of folks unfazed by the filler torture they just endured is the English cast. If anything they seem rejuvenated. The dub they turn out is enthusiastic, elastic and yet wholly accurate and remarkably respectful. Maile Flanagan deepens her register but otherwise keeps Naruto sounding spunky and good natured, and the rest of the cast, from bit parts like Konohamaru right up to Sasuke and Sakura, sounds great. They even do the series a service by playing things a little lighter and toning down the "Naruto, you've grown so manly!" garbage that mars the original dialogue.

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Shippūden also exited the mire with its sense of humor severely impacted, though that is less the fault of the mire than of the deadly serious turn that the series took previous to it. Regardless of ultimate cause though, the result is the same: a series with a neutered fun factor. After a few decent opening gags, the show exudes gloom. Even when it shoots for light, it somehow unerringly hits heavy. Coupled with the creeping pace, the absence of the show's trademark off-color humor renders these four episodes positively dreary. Compared to the mixture of belly-laughing silliness and ninja intensity Naruto sported at its peak, this is a poor showing, particularly for a series that purports to be a return to that peak.

Even the skills of director Hayato Date and his Studio Pierrot cohorts are dampened by the lumbering beast that the series seems to have become. Though their eye for cool is as instinctive as ever and their well-timed bursts of CG showboating and canny editing are in full evidence, none of that can work at full potential when the fights are so drawn out and tiresomely intercut that they lose all tension and forward motion. The visuals lack that spark, that energy that gives even budget-animated series a sense of quality. The show looks good, and Naruto's new threads are pretty neat, but it somehow feels cheaper, or at least lazier, than before.

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When plans for Naruto Shippūden were announced, Naruto fans the world over wept with joy. Or at least relief. The last leg of the first Naruto series was perhaps the most infamous stretch of filler ever, a soul-crushing procession of lame ninja missions that could not have been worse had it been designed specifically to kill the ardor of the devoted. The dismay of fans as the filler stretched ever further, first twenty then forty then eighty episodes, was devastating. The onset of Shippūden and its promise of canon goodness acted upon the disapponted as sight of a ship on starving castaways. That the ship turned out to be a chugging freighter rather than a sleek ocean liner hardly mattered.

Of course, once the prospect of spending money on DVDs rears its ugly head, it starts to matter rather more. As well it should. Naruto may have escaped the filler mire, but it did not do so unscathed. It comes out the other side moving in slow motion, as if afraid that a reasonable pace will chew through Masashi Kishimoto's manga too quickly, leaving it no recourse but to re-enter the mire. These four episodes include exactly one important event: the opening gambit in the Akatsuki's newest plan. The rest is an epic waste of a perfect chance for revivication as the series draws out a demonstration of Naruto and Sakura's newfound powers to excruciating lengths, dwells interminably on the pointless reflections of a variety of characters, and fiddles around with equally pointless flashbacks. It's certainly nice to see Gaara back in action and as bad as ever, but even his battle is less a thrill ride than a test of patience (and it's only beginning).

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2011-04-19T23:10:00.001-07:00

There, in the forest, quietly approaching Konoha Village...is it a bird, a plane? No, it's Naruto Uzumaki, newly returned from two years in training! Two years under the tutelage of legendary ninja Jiraiya have strengthened the mischievous young ninja, but he soon finds that his friends back home, specifically Sakura, haven't exactly been sitting on their butts either. As a test of his and Sakura's newfound abilities, the two ninja are told to face off against their old teacher Kakashi. The resultant melee proves beyond a doubt that both are ready to move on to bigger and better things. Elsewhere, two members of Akatsuki—the organization that once tried kidnapping Naruto—pay a visit to new Kazekage Gaara, with predictably violent results.

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Think about the 60,000 spectators at a typical American football game and ask yourself: how many of them are interested in comics, much less manga? Then think about the 20,000 attendees at a high-profile anime con and ask yourself: how many of them are interested in professional sports, much less football? There's probably not a whole lot of overlap, but if there's one thing that can bridge the gap, Eyeshield 21 might be it. Yes, there are readers out there who have no interest in sports manga and probably never will, but for curious fans who like to try new things, this is a series that promises plenty of thrills and laughs. In the immortal words of Hank Williams Jr.: Are you ready for some football?!

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2011-04-18T19:36:00.009-07:00

http://www.hongfire.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=164

For all its visual splendour, it's unfortunate that the video transfer really isn't the best we've seen, not by a long shot. However, this is our only significant complaint with this release. Extras are desperately thin on the ground, but this is understandable given the age of the material and considering that Cobra probably won't grab the wide spread of attention that it should. In this particular case we're grateful enough just to have two language tracks. Being one of the earliest of the early Western anime VHS releases, the dub comes packing some nostalgia, and the vast discrepancies between it and the tone of the original Japanese track is almost as interesting a history lesson as the actual animation itself.

If providing a tripped-out sense of adventuring is the hallmark of early eighties anime, and if everything else can be seen as a mere foundation to this experience (and it is very easy to take this view), then Cobra remains something of a triumph. This is an anime that represents many traits of its era, good and bad (bright red tights, anyone?), but remains a digestible visual indulgence for modern audiences. It also displays a sufficiently strong sense of its own character and identity to stand on its own. It may fall shy of masterpiece status, but it is a classic, and deservedly so. It is well worth at least one sitting, if only to better understand the medium's foundations.

sub Birei Okami Mie OVA 1 2

2011-04-18T19:36:00.008-07:00

http://www.hongfire.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=164

The romance (or romances that happen to be the one romance or something or other as may be the case) itself doesn't stand up quite as well as the adventuring elements, which at least have the luxurious benefit of not being bound by a need for believability. Judged on base merit, character relationships and development in Space Adventure Cobra are a bit weak at the knees and, frankly, laid bare for a brutal baseball bat kneecapping. That Cobra himself isn't without an air of playboy to his character does somewhat dilute this bottleneck where ‘true love’ is undercooked and passed around like a baton, but by and large it's apparent that characterisation and development aren't this feature's strong suit.

Ultimately, it is the mixture of camp nostalgia and the psychedelic visuals that allows Cobra to maintain its appeal. Often playing out as a succession of early MTV music videos, the frequent aesthetic trip-outs lend a robust resilience to a series of action and infiltration scenes that may otherwise have aged poorly in the face of more modern animation techniques, to say nothing of more learned means of choreographing combat. Cobra will get involved in typical gunfights, gunfights that would border on the boring side of normaldom if it weren't for the secure knowledge we have that they'll be infused with a bizarre lightshow and then followed up with a momentary face-off against a foe that can, for example, pull his golden ribs from his transparent body and use them as boomerangs.

sub JK to Inkou Kyoushi 4 ova 2

2011-04-18T19:36:00.007-07:00

http://www.hongfire.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=164

Space Adventure Cobra tells the tale of its titular character, a supposedly dead adventurer with a record-holding bounty on his head. Driven by his hormonal nature, he quickly becomes romantically involved with a blue-haired female bounty hunter. Unsurprisingly, the next thing he knows he has the fate of an entire world on his shoulders.

A theme of ‘love as a power beyond compare’ is thrown around enough that it should make a you sick, but the film somehow gets away with it, thanks in large part to the surreal logic of the narrative and trippy visuals that bounce along with the plot. It also helps that everything – themes and all – tie into a grudge from Cobra's past, one that is responsible for a bounty so large that it isn't reproduced in this review simply because the number of zeros would look silly. It turns out that this bounty has been placed because he remains the only person to have escaped the clutches of the Space Guild. This lends the show a convenient structure – not to mention a bizarrely super-powered villain capable of using his own ribs as weapons.

eng subbed Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Love Special

2011-04-18T19:36:00.005-07:00

There's little disputing Cobra's status as a classic, especially considering that, once such a crown is earned, it is very hard to take it away again. You can't revoke such a status very easily. But what constitutes a classic is often actually defined by the era: specifically, a product's relevance and impact at time of release. And as luck would have it, Cobra is very much a product of its time.

Dating all the way back to 1982, Space Adventure Cobra, based on a 1978 manga, has done a reasonable job of holding its own with a modern audience while still being immediately identifiable with the period from when it was birthed. Not only is this the sort of rollicking, tight-outfit-wearing fantastical space opera adventure that was typical of anime of the time, but it's also every bit as tripped out and hypnotic as stereotypes of the eighties would lead you to believe.

eng subbed Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira OVA 1

2011-04-18T19:36:00.004-07:00

It is special, though. Perhaps a cursory survey of her technical skills reveals nothing striking, but the effect of her art does. The symmetrical chapters that draw structural parallels between Hazuki and Nanoha even as they enumerate the pair's differences; the repeated two-page spreads that juxtapose the pair's different perceptions of the same events; the shifts in Nanoha's design (from troll, to bunny, to woman) that communicate without a word Hazuki's shifting feelings for her: Tsuda's art adds value to her story—foreshadowing, layers of meaning, bittersweet understanding, even philosophical content—without ever overextending her artistic capabilities. Maybe she doesn't draw brilliantly, but she does draw smart. And sometimes that's better.

These books are the very definition of the standard Tokyopop release: solid, dependable, no-frills. No extras, untranslated sound effects. Understated girly pink covers, sturdy construction. And a translation that draws no attention to itself. If you're the buying type, there's nothing here to stop you. Certainly the content shouldn't. Eensy-Weensy Monster is basically a four-hundred page fuzzy hug. Twenty bucks is small change to pay for that.

Sengoku Basara Two: Ryuko, Itadaki no Chikai! Atsuki Mirai e Kakeru Tamashii!! Special

2011-04-18T19:36:00.003-07:00

Tsuda has a streak of the experimentalist in her that refuses to lie dormant even when she's being pointedly fluffy. It's there in her strict temporal structure (each chapter covers exactly one month), in her experiments with formal symmetry and her fondness for subjective viewpoints. That restless intelligence is what sets Tsuda's art apart from the shojo pack. She can draw, no doubt. Nanoha's lethal cuteness is proof enough of that. She knows the value of funny artwork (Hazuki's mental images of Nanoha, and himself, are downright deadly), and when she stretches out during Eensy-Weensy Monster's lyrical interludes, her work is flat-out beautiful. But still, her general look cleaves too closely to shojo standards, has too many complicated panel arrangements, too many big liquid eyes, look-alike boys and sparkly effects, and too few backgrounds to feel special.

Detective Conan Magic File 5 eng subbed

2011-04-18T19:36:00.001-07:00

Masami Tsuda wrote Eensy-Weensy Monster having just come off of twenty-plus oft-dark volumes of Kare Kano, and she claims she wanted to draw something cute and happy and carefree. And does she succeed. Eensy-Weensy Monster may just be the happiest two volumes you'll ever spend. It's twelve chapters of pure sweetness and light, sharpened by an uproarious yet insightful sense of humor and given just the right weight by its payload of gentle emotions. It's a very simple story at heart: a straightforward account of two people getting to know and like each other. But into that simple framework Tsuda works a huge variety of cuddly warmth. There's the breezy yet deeply supportive love Nobara and Renge have for Nanoha. There's Hazuki and Nanoha's warm, easygoing home lives. There's Nanoha and Hazuki themselves; their kindness, their earnest desire to better themselves, and just their basic goodness. And of course, there's Nanoha and Hazuki's relationship: a sinuous, ever-evolving thing that is always one funny development away from another fulfilling turn for the better. Angst is fine. So is psychological self-flagellation. But sometimes you just want so see two nice people fall gently in love.

And that's exactly what Eensy-Weensy Monster gives us, and, miraculously, without feeling weak or dumbed-down. Sweet the series may be, but it isn't stupid. The tension between inner truth and outer appearances, the gulfs between people and the struggle to bridge them, the inevitability of change—Tsuda's dark obsessions are all in place, just turned to light, comedic and ultimately uplifting ends. The series doesn't ignore the difficulties of Nanoha and Hazuki's relationship, it just has a deep and abiding faith in the ability of honesty and affection to overcome them. And a willingness to laugh wholeheartedly (though not mean-spiritedly) at them. That adds an unassuming poignancy to the oft-hilarious progress of Nanoha and Hazuki's romance, even as it adds yet another flavor of warmth to the series' already extensive collection.

Download Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops - Angel Wings

2011-04-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

Nanoha is tiny and cute and easily overshadowed by her brilliant, beautiful best friends. She doesn't mind. Life with Nobara, the school's female lady-killer, and Renge, the resident frosty genius, is loads of fun, and being invisible isn't bad. As teens go, Nanoha is pretty happy. Save for one little problem. Deep inside Nanoha lives a little monster. It's a vicious, sharp-tongued little thing that holds back nothing. And it comes out whenever Hazuki, the school's shallow "prince," is around. Nanoha hates the way Hazuki makes her act, so she avoids him. Until one day in the hall Hazuki makes an arrogant pass at the tiny, invisible girl and the monster comes out to play in earnest. It isn't just Hazuki who's in for a surprise, though. When Nanoha's monster shows Hazuki the truth about himself, Hazuki does the unthinkable: he sets out to change himself. And to discover the truth about the diminutive girl with the razor tongue. It's the beginning of a very odd friendship... and maybe, just maybe, something more.

Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru Chapter 19 ova

2011-04-12T02:35:00.002-07:00

The subject matter, meanwhile, continues as mundanely as ever, with the contrast against intentionally over-the-top animation providing the sparkle. The first scenario involves Mio leaving the house to go to school—and then getting lost in a world of confusion when a mysterious, bear-headed schoolmate appears before her. Elsewhere in the neighborhood, the poor little Robot Girl continues to be exasperated at her creator after realizing that she's been outfitted with pastry-dispensing options throughout her body. (Shooting roll cakes out of your arm is amusing enough, but it's the rock-paper-scissors gag that complete it.)

The middle of the episode is where the comedy really hits its stride, though, with Mio having to retrieve her notebook from Yukko after realizing that she doodled something inappropriate in it—thus resulting in the aforementioned out-of-its-mind chase sequence. Amidst all this are various other off-kilter gags, sometimes just a few seconds long—but for those who stay alert and have the right sense of humor, every moment of this series is a guaranteed delight.

http://www.mangareader.net/943/uragiri-wa-boku-no-namae-wo-shitteiru.html

He is my master Chapter 17 read

2011-04-12T02:35:00.001-07:00

http://www.mangareader.net/204/he-is-my-master.html

If anyone is still unsure what to make of My Ordinary Life, the series' second episode makes a resounding case for itself. Upping the comedy ante from the pilot, it takes the loopy slice-of-life formula and runs ... leaps ... and does a flying somersault with it. Of course, some people are still going to hate it because it makes no sense and doesn't go anywhere. Which is fine. Go ahead and hate. But if you want plotless nonsense that is truly deserving of ire, We, Without Wings is over that way.

This series, on the other hand, uses high-level craftsmanship to elevate the lowest of genres to greatness. Musically astute viewers will marvel at the strains of 20th-century Neoclassicism that keep popping up as background music, while animation connoisseurs will have to pick their jaws up off the floor after schoolgirls Yukko and Mio go all Gainax/Studio 4°C-like in a brilliant chase sequence. (But really, send your praise to Kyoto Animation—who else?—for putting together this dynamic animation pastiche.)

Elfen Lied Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

2011-04-12T02:35:00.000-07:00

That lack of effort spills right over into the visuals, where sloppily drawn backgrounds and uninspired character designs dominate. Although not utterly hideous in style, the overall product is simply unpolished—and nowhere is this more evident than in actual tennis scenes, where exaggerated effects and still-frame shortcuts are used to hide the animation's faults. Pair that up with the bland, rinky-dink soundtrack, and it's obvious this was done on the cheap in hopes of maybe selling some character goods and a few extra volumes of the manga. Not even the willful fanservice can save this one—neither clever, nor subtle, nor controversial, it's just panty flashes thrown in out of obligation. Move along, folks. Nothing to see here.

http://www.mangareader.net/190/elfen-lied.html

Kampfer Chapter 24

2011-04-12T02:34:00.004-07:00

http://www.mangareader.net/363/kampfer.html

The most interesting aspect of Softenni is learning that there is a variant of tennis in Japan (and the rest of Asia) played with Nerf-like rubber balls. That this is the only interesting aspect, however, does not bode well for the rest of the show.

Episode 1 introduces us to a soft-tennis club comprised of middle school girls, with the usual personality traits divided evenly between them: energetic Asuna (the pink-haired one), level-headed Kotone (the brunette), spaced-out Chitose (green) and the zany, animal-costume-head-wearing Kurusu (blue). Can you feel the collective eye-rolling of hundreds of fans realizing the sinkhole they've just walked into? Yes, yes you can. This ensemble of color-coded characters, engaging in an arbitrary after-school activity, can only mean one thing: lots of flat, predictable jokes about the girls being a bunch of goofballs. This litany of unfunny funnies includes a changing-room gag, some commentary on Chitose's ample chest, and a handful of slapstick sports bloopers. In fact, were it not for that last item, this would be indistinguishable from the wacky misadventures of an all-girl hacky sack team or an all-girl knitting club or an all-girl tax accounting firm. They go to school, play some rounds of soft tennis, and head home. And this is supposed to get us hooked on the series.

Death Note chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 11

2011-04-12T02:34:00.003-07:00

http://www.mangareader.net/113/death-note.html

Episode 2 begins with Ohana learning the inn's procedures for cooking, cleaning, and customer service. Having spent years cooking for her mother, she's a natural in the kitchen—but this annoys fellow staffer Minko, who had handled the job (badly) up until now. Meanwhile, shy Nako takes Ohana around during room-cleaning duty, and Ohana does a bang-up job cleaning the room of a famous author ... until later discovering that in her enthusiasm she has thrown out his manuscript. Chaos ensues, but as the episode progresses, Ohana and her co-workers learn to communicate better since they're all trying to do the same job.

The episode presents the growth of Ohana's personality through a number of well-acted scenes—but they would be nothing without some vital flashbacks also showing how Ohana's strained relationship with her mother affected her ability to trust others. Taken as a whole, the events of this episode reveal a true dedication to sketching out the characters' stories, making them feel like real people worth caring about. In an age where every show is trying to clone the "teenage girls hanging out" formula, these are the teenage girls you want to hang out with.

Although the series continues to succeed in its own understated way, it does lose a bit of the "wow" factor know that we know what to expect in its sophisticated storytelling and audio-visual presentation. But let us never lose that sense of wonder about an anime that's just plain good.

Battle Angel Alita Last Order Chapter 101 anime

2011-04-12T02:34:00.002-07:00

http://www.mangareader.net/1047/battle-angel-alita-last-order.html

While Hana-Saku Iroha may be winning praise for its unique cast of characters, it's the background art that keeps stealing the show, with emerald mountains and small-town scenery serving as some of the best tourism promotion Japan could ask for. Yet this idyllic depiction of life in the boonies contrasts strongly with what is actually happening to the show's lead character. Having moved into her gruff grandmother's traditional-style inn, Ohana Matsumae finds herself trying to learn the ropes, with drama and conflict just as essential to the series as the rolling hills and glowing sunsets.