Viewing Journal: Paprika

Movie Overview (Currently in theatres) Trailer Rating: Overall= B+ Story = C+ Video = A+ Audio = B+

Journal

In the near future, a revolutionary new psychotherapy treatment called PT has been invented. Through a device called the "DC Mini" it is able to act as a "dream detective" to enter into people's dreams and explore their unconscious thoughts. Before the government can pass a bill authorizing the use of such advanced psychiatric technology, one of the prototypes is stolen, sending the research facility into an uproar. In the wrong hands, the potential misuse of the device could be devastating, allowing the user to completely annihilate a dreamer's personality while they are asleep. Renowned scientist, Dr. Atsuko Chiba, enters the dream world under her exotic alter-ego, code name "PAPRIKA," in an attempt to discover who is behind the plot to undermine the new invention.

This movie seems to elicit some rather polarizing reviews. Those who love it tout it's lush visuals and entrancing dream-logic storyline. Those who hate it say that the plot is simply too hard to understand. And after having seen it myself, I can certainly say that both of those observations are true; but the fact that the story is hard to understand is kind of the whole point considering that it attempts to blur the lines between dreams and reality -- or more accurately, it tries to totally merge those two worlds into one. And the movie does a fantastic job of showing the illogic of dreams, but unfortunately it does so at the expense of its story and characters.

To start with, I have never seen dream-sequences presented quite so accurately in a movie as they were in Paprika. Most movies just seem to string a bunch of random crazy scenes together and call it a dream sequence. But in Paprika, while you still have wild crazy seemingly random visuals, it does an especially convincing and accurate job of showing how one dream flows into the next with an eerily natural fluidity. In fact, while watching those scenes, it called up to mind some of my own dreams and the way one thing will be taking place and then suddenly I'll be somewhere else altogether but it will all seem perfectly reasonable and natural at the time. That fluidity -- mixed with the incredibly dynamic and colorful visuals and light-hearted music -- made the dream sequences in Paprika especially fun to watch.

The down-side to this is that Satoshi Kon (the movie's director) seems to focus so much on presenting fluid visuals and convincing dream-logic that he sacrifices the movie's story and character development. The story itself is a pretty simplistic who-stole-the-dream-machine mystery. But even a simplistic plot isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you fill it out with plenty of character development to give it some emotional depth. But Paprika just seems so bent on showing as many dream-sequences as possible that it forgets to develop the story and characters to the point where it would give those sequences some real cathartic impact.

The other point that I think the story missed on is that it didn't build anticipation at all. Paranoia Agent (another Satoshi Kon work) had a similar theme but did a better job of gradually building one odd event on top of another until the very end where it was an all out hallucination bonanza. In Paprika, the very first thing you see is a dream sequence, and the from then on the dream-logic never lets up. The problem with this is that, as the movie moves on, these scenes start to get old. So by the half-way point it seems like the movie has shown us all its tricks and without a strong story or characters to take over the visuals start to loose their charm.

But even with those criticisms, I still have to say that this is one of the most original and visually fun movies I have seen in the theatre in quite a while. So I still give it high marks and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dream-logic-type movies.

Viewing Journal: Paradise Kiss (complete)

Series Overview DVD Info Trailer Rating: Overall= A- Story = A- Video = A- Audio = B+

Journal

Yukari is a typical high-school student who listens to her parents and attends school everyday. As she starts to question her way of life, she encounters a group of fashion design students who has a clothing label known as "Paradise Kiss". The group needs to find a model to showcase their designs in an up-coming fashion show and decides to pick Yukari instead. Initially, Yukari was reluctant to be associated with this seemingly eccentric group, but eventually, she realises that they are really nice people. Furthermore, their passion and enthusiasm to follow their ideals and dreams make Yukari realise that she has not been enjoying her life and this motivated her to pursue her own dreams. (Source: ANN)

This is a show that takes place in the world of fashion, but there really isn't a lot of talk about its technical side. Fashion is more like the means though which the main character -- Yukari -- develops from a "by the book" student into someone who follows her own will. And it tells that story extremely effectively. This is the first show in a long time where after one episode ended I couldn't wait to get to the next one, not because I wanted to see what happens next, but just because I liked watching the characters develop.

Part of the show's effectiveness lies in how realistic it is. The characters are believable, but they also have such a creative edge to their personality that whenever Yukari goes to see them it sees like she is stepping into a totally separate world -- one where people follow their passions instead of the rules of the world. And it's that passion along with their reliance on each other that really draws you into into the story.

The visual designs also add to the theme of realism and originality. The character designs are each unique and intriguing and reflect the creative side to their personalities. But the most unique part of the art is the costume designs -- which if I remember correctly were actually designed by a real fashion designer (though I don't have a source on that at the moment). It's especially noticeable since in most anime the characters always wear the same thing (to make it easier on the animators I'm guessing), but here they change clothes constantly, and one character even goes so far as to have a different hair color and style each time she shows up.

There isn't a lot of music throughout the show's soundtrack, but as it turns out, that actually works in its favor and gives it a lot more credibility in my eyes because it doesn't rely on music to enhance a scene and manipulate the audience's emotions. The characters elicit enough of a response in themselves. That's not to say there was no soundtrack to it, though most of it seemed to come in the form of a character's radio being turned on in the background or something, which again added to the realism.

The opening and ending themes are awesome, and I watched both in every episode. For some reason I just couldn't resist watching the OP because it seemed to put me in just the right mood to start each episode. The ending is something that you have probably heard before: "Do You Want To" by Franz Ferdinand (kudos to Geneon for working through that licensing nightmare). The song starts in the last few seconds of the each episode and then transitions into the EP. It's a great technique that I haven't seen so successfully employed since Gankutsuo. The final animation is a blast to watch too, as the main characters dance around in SD form.

If I had to find one flaw in the show I would have to say that it is that the story is so rushed. For instance, in the first few episodes the relationship between George and Yukari develops awkwardly. At first she doesn't like George at all, then all of a sudden she is all over him and I was never sure when that switch took place. Things got all the more rushed near the end. The last episode especially seemed to cram a good 3-episodes worth of material in. Conflicts arise and are resolved in a matter of minutes, giving me the impression that the show was scurrying to cover as much material from the manga as possible. As a result you don't get enough time to absorb and react a scene before the next thing happens. But even given the rushed nature, it was still all really good stuff and the ending was still for the most part satisfying.

So overall I think this is a great show for anyone who enjoys a creatively-executed, realistic drama with intriguing characters, or anyone who is just looking for something a little different.

Viewing Journal: TANK S.W.A.T. 01

OAV Overview (Not yet available in US) Bittorrent Download Trailer Rating: Overall= D Story = D+ Video = D Audio = D

Journal

TANK SWAT 01 is a work from Digital Tokiwa Village Project, "a government initiative aimed at fostering independent CG animation." It uses some of the characters from a Masamune Shirow manga called Dominion Tank Police, mixes them up in a slightly different dynamic, and presents a short 30-minute story using CG animation with "cell shading" techniques.

Since this story is was so short and strait-forward, I can't really judge much on the character or plot development. The main reason I gave it such a low grade on story is because I don't like how the characters and setting deviate from the original Dominion anime (which was one of the first anime I ever saw). But even all that aside, the biggest issue that I have with this is the use of cell-shade animation.

I have never liked cell-shade -- at least when it is used on characters. It can be used well when it animates mechanics like cars or machines, but when it is used on characters it just sucks the life out of an anime.

Cell-shading is a compromise that tries to combine the best elements of of CG and hand-drawn animation but ends up with the worst. I don't care how much they refine the CG technique, the use of computer algorithms to give characters a solid the shape and realistic movement, will never have the level of abstraction, spontaneity and flexibility that gives traditional hand-drawn 2D anime so much of its energy and fun.

Alternately, when an audience sees CG they expect the visuals to look solid, if not realistic. So the use of cell-shade to render the characters makes the visuals look cheap, like the creative staff was too lazy to fill in the details in the characters' design.

And the fact that this show uses Shirow's Tank Police storyline illustrates all the more the limitations of CG. The original anime has a lot of over-the-top destruction and mayhem which gives it so much of its high-energy fun. TANK SWAT 01 tries to include that element of parody-like destruction, but when comparing it with the original anime, the action and characters just seem lifeless.

Viewing Journal: Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society

Movie Overview TV Broadcast Info DVD Info Trailer Rating: Overall= A+ Story = A+ Video = A+ Audio = A+

Journal

A.D. 2034. It has been two years since Motoko Kusanagi left Section 9. Togusa is now the new leader of the team, that has considerably increased its appointed personnel. The expanded new Section 9 confronts a rash of complicated incidents, and investigations reveal that an ultra-wizard hacker nicknamed the "Puppet Master" is behind the entire series of events.

Thank you God for Ghost in the Shell. I just have to get that out of the way because my guess is that this is the final GitS animation and I want to make sure to give thanks to the divine power that put Production IG, Kenji Kamiyama, Yoko Kanno, and Masamune Shirow on this earth to create another mind-blowing anime which left me in awe yet again.

It's kind of pointless to gush over this anime because you can pretty much just take what I've said about the two Stand Alone Complex series and just add a few extra comments about how Production IG created an even more spectacular visual experience, or how Yoko Kanno created an even more entrancing soundtrack, or how Kenji Kamiyama wove another incredibly detailed and complex plot. Then maybe throw in a comment like "I know I shouldn't give you unrealistic expectations, but you cannot build up this movie too much!" just for kicks. ;)

So gushing aside, what mainly makes this story stick out from the previous iterations is how the characters deal with the fact Motoko has left Section 9. All of the other characters are so attached and dependent on her for much of the original TV series, that it's great to see how each of them tries to fill in the void both personally and professionally when she's gone -- especially Aramaki, Togasa, and Batou. Her absence brings out a lot of characteristics in each of them that were always there in the TV series, but never explicit. And when she returns and they are not sure if she is a friend of foe, they have all the more to deal with because no one wants to go up against the Major.

Another thing that makes this a notable anime is that it touches on some real-life social issues in Japan; namely Japan's aging population and declining birth rate. It mainly uses these issues as plot points and character motivations, instead of as direct social commentary; but even so the mere fact that it brings those issues to light will probably teach the film's global audience something new about the country -- for what that's worth. On a more fanboy-ish note, when I saw the way the elderly in the movie were attached to the "Noble Rot" machines which provided all of their daily medical necessities automatically, I couldn't help but think of another anime that uses that same kind of idea in its plot -- Roujin Z. Now the question is whether that was an intentional homage or just a coincidence?

Speaking of homages, fans will appreciate the multitude of references to the Oshii-directed GitS movies. For instance, Motoko's plunge off off the building at the beginning and her face-off with the "Puppeteer" at the end are both scenes that directly mirror the original movie. Even the climactic battle at the end is reminicent of Innocence, and the very last scene is probably the most blatent reference of all to the first movie.

Altogether, this is one fantastic send off to the GitS anime. It is satisfying on every level and I'm sure I'll watch it again when the DVD comes out and probably a few more times after that just to grasp the intricacies of the plot. Hats off to all of the show's creative staff for providing one hell of an awesome experience.

Viewing Journal: Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (complete)

Series Overview DVD Info Trailer Rating: Overall= B+ Story = B+ Video = B Audio = B

Journal

This series is set about two months after the events occurred in the Tuatha de Danaan at the end of the original series. Mithril becomes aware of a secret organization that has technology able to counter the ECS (Electronic Cloaking System) mode. This organization, known as Amalgam, also has "Black Technology", obtained from "Whispered" like Kaname Chidori, and like the other intelligence agencies, they intend to obtain more. However, when Sousuke's mission to protect Chidori is terminated by Mithril, all seems to be in place for Amalgam's plans... Like many of its fans know, it is based of the FMP novel "The End of Day by Day." (Source: ANN)

After having finished this latest entry into the Full Metal Panic! continuity, I think it's safe to say that FMP works much better when it either focuses fully on the comedy aspect (as in Fumoffu) or the more serious drama/military action aspect (as in Second Raid) instead of trying to mix in both at the same time (as in the original series).

It did take me a while, though, to make that mental shift from the wacky antics from Fumoffu to the relatively serious story and unexpectedly graphic violence in The Second Raid (TSR). But it wasn't too long because the new villains in TSR have some pretty extreme personalities that are easy to get absorbed into. First you have the wickedly violent twins Xai Yu Lan and Xai Yu Fan, who appear to be numb and apathetic to all the world short of each other and their "sempai". Then you have the insane and giddily sadistic Gates who can be so giddy probably because he kills the source of his frustrations the very second they start to annoy him.

The show brings out some new dimensions from the regular cast members personalities' as well. Sousuke Sagara and Kaname Chidori still start out with some of the same high school antics from the original series, but I think that's just to set things up for the dramatic moment when Sousuke is forced to give up his watch over Kaname and the both of them are forced to deal with their new and frightening situations. Teletha “Tessa” Testarossa also comes off as a much stronger character than in the original series, which I was thankful for because in the original FMP, she seemed so weak-willed, especially for a submarine captain.

Although the plot was engaging, I still had the same issue with it here that I have had in the previous series'. That being that there is not much of any explanation for what the Whispered are or where they come from or where they get their understanding of the "Black Technology". I know that there's probably more explanation in the original novels, but considering that I'll probably never get around to reading them, it's frustrating that the show keeps those mysteries unresolved.

The art and animation are constantly high quality and impressively detailed. And the music is a great compliment to the show, with a appropriately military-action feel to the show's score.

After this show ended I was kind of disappointed because it ended in such a way as to suggest that this may be the last entry into the series. And even putting aside my disappointment with the original series and frustration with some mysteries that are still unsolved, I really think I'll miss the characters who have started to grow on me.

In addition to the original TV episodes, the last DVD of FMP! TSR has an extra OAV episode. The story covers a "leisurely" day on Mithril's Tuatha De Dannan submarine where Tessa is looking for a particular item. It's a pretty nice easy-to-watch storyline that again brings out a few new dimensions to the characters, and overall is a nice little cap to the series.

Viewing Journal: Cutie Honey (live action movie)

Movie Overview DVD Info Trailer Rating: Overall= B Story = B Video = B Audio = B-

Journal

When Honey's uncle gets kidnapped by the evil criminal gang known as "Panther Claw," she must use her magical powers of transformation (fueled by love) to save him. Meanwhile the same crime group has been responsible for a number of other crime sprees across Tokyo. In the process, Honey teams up with the seemingly cold police woman Natsuko Aki and hot shot journalist Seiji Hayami as well as battle the four "claws" of the Panther Claw gang to save her uncle and the rest of the city. (Source: ANN)

This show was a riot! It's a live action version of a Go Nagai manga/anime and was directed by Evangelion mastermind Hideaki Anno. And I have to say that whatever personal issues Anno was trying to work though when he created Evangelion, he seems to have gotten over them by the time he directed this movie. Because while Evengelion used classic anime staples (giant robots) to present an angst-ridden drama, Cutie Honey uses classic anime staples to just have a lot of fun.

This is a campy, fan-service laden, strait-out ridiculous movie, which anybody could laugh with but probably only anime fans can fully appreciate. It's full of scenes that you often see in anime but which (obviously) are done in live action -- like when Honey kicks a bad guy, who then goes flying sky high and disappears in a glint of light; or when the villain "Gold Claw" shoots a seemingly infinite number of missiles from her arm and they all go chasing after Honey (a la Macross Plus). These are cliches that we are used to seeing in animation, but when you see them in live action it emphases just how goofy they really are, and you laugh your butt off because of that very fact.

That's why I say that anybody could laugh with this but only an anime fan can really appreciate it -- because while anybody can laugh at the high energy ridiculous fun, only anime fans will be able to recognize the references. Sure the story is nonsensical, and the costumes are outlandish, but they are also bright and fun and if you take this movie literally you are really missing the point. Because it's all done with a wink and a nod as a kind of homage/parody to its source material in a way that only a true otaku like Anno could pull off.

Viewing Journal: Basilisk (complete)

Series Overview TV Broadcast Info DVD Info Trailer Rating: Overall= A Story = A Video = B+ Audio = A-

Journal

The year is 1614 AD. Two warring ninja clans, each supporting a son of Hidetada Tokugawa as the next shogun, send ten representatives each to fight to the death for the possession of a scroll. The prize: the annihilation of the other and the staunch support of the Tokugawa government for the winning clan for the next thousand years. (Source: ANN)

I don't think I realized how great of a show this was when I was actually watching it. Sure I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone, but I don't think I knew just how much I was enjoying it until it was all over and the haze from being so engrossed in the show had finally worn off. So I had to think about it for a while, but as far as I can tell there are two things that really pulled me in: the well-paced and plotted action, and the subtlety of the drama.

Basilisk is essentially a more violent version of Romeo and Juliet, so it's not difficult to tell how it is going to end. But what is more difficult is telling how exactly it is going to get there. There's a lot of martial arts ninja battles in this show, but the fun comes as much from seeing how those fights are plotted in the overall story as from watching the fights themselves. For one thing I was enthralled watching how each side tried to get the upper hand, particularly at the beginning when the Iga clan seemed like they would be the clear victors. Also, since there are no inherent "good guys" or "bad guys" in this show, you are never sure who is going to come out on top in any particular fight.

That's not to say that the fights aren't a heck of a lot of fun to watch in themselves. At the beginning I just had fun seeing what uncanny ninja "technique" each clan member would unveil next -- like one ninja who could stretch out his limbs like a rubber band, or another who was essentially a human slug, or another who seemed to be immortal (a technique that is especially disturbing once you see how it is accomplished). The fighting is full of surprises and never ever dull because you can never tell which technique will dominate in the end.

But even though there a lot of cool fights, which alone would make this show worth watching, what really puts it above the rest is its emotional, cathartic, and subtle drama.

Basilisk is as effective in what it does not show or say as in what it does. It is full of implications in terms of the action, the plot, and the characters' emotions. And since those implications are seldom explicitly stated or shown, the audience has to make a small cognitive jump to fill in the blanks. This storytelling technique is extremely effective because by forcing the audience to make that mental jump, it stimulates the mind and gets the audience that much more involved and invested in the story. The end of the final episode is probably the best example of this "less is more" philosophy, because it is a subtle and quiet scene but still really packs an emotional punch.

The art and music also compliment the show's theme of subtlety. The color palette involves mostly blue and purple -- which is simple but creates just the right mood. And the music is quiet and perfectly compliments and enhances the drama in the show.

So needless to say, this is one of the best martial arts action/drama anime I've seen since Rurouni Kenshin Trust and Betrayal. It is a well-paced and plotted ninja action Romeo-and-Juliet story that delivered on all accounts and kept me enthralled throughout all 24 episodes.