Viewing Journal: Tsubasa / xxxHolic movie

Movie Overview (Tsbubasa) Movie Overview (xxxHolic) DVD Info Trailer Rating: Overall= D- Story = D- Video = B- Audio = C

Journal

Tsubasa:
In their continuing journey to find the feathers that are the fragments of Sakura's lost memory, Syaoran, Kurogane, Fai, and Sakura move through time and space with Mokona. Here, they visit the "Land of the Birdcage," a seemingly peaceful country where people and birds live together, each person having a bird companion. After a boy named Koruri confuses Syaoran and Sakura for "bodyguards" and attacks them, they learn that the king of the country possesses a mysterious power. Princess Tomoyo, Koruri, and the other oppressed citizens, having had their birds taken from them, live in hiding within the forest. In order to take back Sakura's feather, Syaoran and the others stand up against the scheming king. (Source: ANN)

xxxHolic:
Yûko receives an invitation for the opening of an auction from a mysterious unknown sender. Likewise, fanatical collectors are summoned to an old mansion whose owner doesn't make an appearance. One after another, each collector disappears and a number of other strange occurrences happen during the night. The questions of what exactly it is that's being auctioned and who the owner of the mansion is must be solved in order for Yûko and Watanuki to get to the bottom of this. (Source: ANN)

I purchased this double feature movie for one reason only: the fact that it was animated by Production IG. I've seen about half of the Tsubasa TV series and read some of the xxxHolic manga, and did not like either one. But regardless, I figured the animation studio could pull off something that would make it worthwhile. Well, after this (as well as the disappointing Blood+ series) I may have to reevaluate their place as my favorite animation studio.

The stories for both features were boring -- even more so than what I have seen of the original animes and manga. I really just think it may be that I don't like CLAMP stories at all. The characters are all annoyingly goofy, or hopeless romantics, but in each case they are one-dimensional and predictable. There never seems to be anything to them other than what is on the surface. And it's not that I haven't liked my fair share of simplistic characters, but usually in the cases where I do, they are either strong and driven, or intentionally simplistic so as to be comedic. But CLAMP characters seem to be sappy and weak and even its comedy seems to forced and lame.

The animation is smooth and solid, but there isn't anything that makes it stand out. There was nothing original in the artwork nor was it especially detailed which are the two things I expect from Production IG.

So, whatever. I just didn't like this one. My guess is that only those who are xxxHolic or Tsubasa fans already will be interested in this one. It certainly won't convert anyone who isn't already into the stories.

Reading Journal: The Twelve Kingdoms - Volume 2: Sea of Wind

Book Overview Rating: Overall= B-

Journal

Born in Japan and raised as a human, Taiki is overwhelmed when he's brought back to the kingdom of Tai, where he's told he's a kirin. With little knowledge or guidance, he must trust his latent instincts to choose a king for the Kingdom of Tai from among dozens of men and women who seek the position. Will the frustrated Taiki, who can't even figure out how to transform into animal form, make the right choice? And more important, will he discover the kirin that lives within? (Source: Amazon)

This second volume in the Twelve Kingdoms light novel series is a bit of a change from the first one -- at least as far as the tone is concerned. The first volume has a lot more violence and covers some dark emotions like anger and mistrust. By contrast, this follow-up novel has very little in the way of physical confrontations or interpersonal conflicts.

While Yoko from the first novel had to fight tooth-and-nail to make her way in the world, Taiki literally has to do next to nothing when he arrives. He is pampered by priestesses and the only struggle he has is his desire to make them as happy as they try to make him. And that is all well and good, but it really makes for a pretty boring and tedious start to the book.

But if there is one thing that does tie these first two books together -- other than the setting -- it's the fact that the main character in both have very low sense of self-worth and need to overcome that in order to accept their part in the world of the Twelve Kingdoms. Taiki tries his hardest to gain the skills and knowledge to become a good Kirin but is distraught by the fact that he doesn't make any progress. And he fears disappointing everyone who has put their hopes in him.

So Taiki's journey is much more of a cognitive and emotional one. And even though the story is not especially nail-biting, edge-of-your seat suspense; there is a good amount of insight into human nature and the way people think and the role that fate has to play in people's lives; and for me personally there were certain parts of Taiki's character I could identify with. And as I progressed through the book and followed the characters and saw how they developed and their inner complexities, I did start to get more attached to them.

Of course, the best thing about these books is learning about the world of the Twelve Kingdoms itself. In this novel you get more details about how the system of choosing the king works, and how a Kirin is chosen. Learning those details, to me, is what makes this series especially worth while.

So if you are into fantasy stories and have already read the first novel and liked it, you might as well go ahead and pick this one up too. It's certainly different than any other fantasy series in the US, if nothing else. And if the anime series is any indication, there is plenty more good stuff to come in this series.

Related review:

• The Twelve Kingdoms - Volume 1: Sea of Shadow

Viewing Journal: Gurren Lagann (complete)

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

Journal

In their closed-off underground village, Kamina and Simon chafe at the limits imposed by the village elder. Yet all this will change, when Simon stumbles across a fantastic device - just as the village's peace is broken by a violent intrusion. (Source: ANN)

Anime as a medium has produced a wide variety of stories from every genre, theme, and subject matter imaginable with artwork that ranges from the esoteric to the purely commercial. But when it comes right down to it, what anime fans really want is something with outlandish energy and uproarious fun. And Gurren Lagann is just that kind of show.

Gurren Lagann -- for those who don't know -- is brought to you courtesy of Studio Gainax. That's the same bunch of die hard otaku/animation producers that brought you the classics like Evangelion, Gunbuster, Diebuster, FLCL, and Otaku No Video. The studio has built its reputation on giving fans exactly what they want. With Gurren Lagann they pay tribute to the giant robot genre. And by "tribute" I don't mean that it's the kind of self-aware parody anime that calls attention to different elements by making self-effacing in-jokes. Instead this is more of a true homage to the genre that boils it down to the purest elements, then bumps those elements up to unabashedly unreasonable proportions in order to show just how cool they really are. So, for example, you have the constantly evolving/transforming mecha, characters that aim for the heavens with an unbeatable will, and just a crap-load of really cool stuff.

And more than the stuff of the giant robot genre, Gurren Lagann has those qualities that tend to make all the best Gainax shows worthwhile.

For one thing, even with all that over-the-top action and melodrama, Gainax somehow is always able to create naturally evolving and compelling characters with heartfelt emotions. Other shows that try to pull off the same balancing act between action and drama usually seem awkward and forced, like there's a tangible dividing line between the two moods. But here, that transition is seamless.

The other quality of most Gainax shows -- at least their sci-fi series -- is that the science that they use to explain the mechanics and logistics for how their universe operates is convincing, even as you are watch god-like mecha hurdle galaxies at one another. It adds an odd air of legitimacy to even the most ridiculous circumstances.

Another thing that I like about Gainax shows is their willingness to make a drastic shift to the story midway through the series. I love that kind of thing because when a show ends I want it to feel like the story and characters have changed -- and the more drastic the better. Waiting to see what that change will be and how it will happen gives that much more to look forward to. That same willingness to turn things on their head is here too, though I obviously don't want to give away when it happens or what it is.

As for the art, it's top quality throughout. The character designs and mech designs scream energy. And the action sequences are full of dynamic ... um .. energy. It's like the best part of FLCL and Diebuster put together.

And, well, the music's good too.

So if you haven't gotten the point by now, this show is cool. If you are a fan of anime, you'll love it. If you aren't a fan, you may just get a glimpse of why we fans obsess over the medium so much. Watch it!

Viewing Journal: Batman - Gotham Knight

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

Journal

From the producers of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight comes an original animated movie chronicling the establishment and progression of Bruce Wayne into Gotham City's legendary caped crusader through 6 standalone episodes: "Have I Got a Story for You" (the mythos of Batman from the minds of children), "Crossfire" (the initial distrust and the eventual gaining of it from the perspective of the police), "Field Test" (the compassion of Batman, even towards his enemies), "In Darkness Dwells" (tracking down Killer Croc and The Scarecrow to foil his plot of resurgence amongst the villainous of Gotham), "Working Through Pain" (a look back at Bruce's training to manage both the physical and psychological pains he would later endure as Batman), and "Deadshot" (a race against the clock to protect Lt. Gordon from a highly-renowned assassin). (Source: ANN)

Storywise, there isn't anything new that Gotham Knight adds to the Batman mythos. Each tale in this 6-episode conglomeration has been done before -- and more successfully -- either in other animated series, movies, or comics. Most notably, "Have I Got a Story for You" uses the same concept as that episode for the Batman: the animated series where a kid imagines him as an old man (a la Dark Knight Returns).

I'm not sure if Batman just doesn't jell well with Japanese storytelling, or if the Japanese directors were not given much creative freedom, but I was disappointed with how traditional, if not outright cliche the stories were. I guess I was hoping for to see more Japanese influence in the story, instead of just in the animation.

Of course, the animation was still top-notch. It added a new level of intensity to the fights -- especially the brawl between Batman and Killer Crock in "In Darkness Dwells", and the chase on top of the train with Deadshot (who's he?). It also adds an extra layer of moodiness to the already brooding Dark Knight.

And if I'd never heard of anime and had just assumed that the animation was something created in the US, I probably would have thought that it was all pretty sweet just due the PG-13 rating and stylish animation. But since I am in fact an anime fan I do want to see more of that Eastern influence, even when the story originated in the West (see my previous Witchblade review). So from that perspective I was unimpressed with this DVD.

Although, for those who are really into Batman, you'll probably end up picking this up regardless of whether or not you think it'll be any good out of curiosity if nothing else. If you are, and you don't expect anything new, then it very well may be worth your while.

Viewing Journal: Kaiba (complete)

Series Overview Bittorrent Download (Not yet licensed in US) Trailer Rating: Overall= C+ Story = C Video = B Audio = B

Journal

One day a man, Kaiba, wakes up in a broken room. He has no memories, only a pendant with a picture of an unknown woman. Outside of the room are grotesque floating electrical clouds of disjointed memories. Kaiba is suddenly assaulted, and escapes into space. He travels to various planets, encountering various people and retrieving his memories. Memories of an inconsistent and decaying world, of his own agony and of Niero, the woman in the picture. (Source: ANN)

The art and animation in Kaiba are unique -- like a mix of Doctor Seuss and Osamu Tezuka. The story is pretty strange -- which is not necessarily a bad thing -- but this is a little too strange. The whole setting and concept are so other-worldly that there is nothing to latch onto in terms of being able to relate to the characters or situations. Plus, the fact that the main character keeps switching bodies without ever talking makes it difficult to give a care about them because for a good portion of the show they didn't seem to have any personality.

Experiencing the story is something like reading The Little Prince in terms of it's tripped-out writing. I'm sure it's meaningful and I can appreciate that as an experiment in animated storytelling it has value; but for pure entertainment value it's hit or miss. There are times when I could understand pieces of it, but most of the time it was so abstract and/or slow-paced that it became a trial to get through.

Viewing Journal: Witchblade (complete)

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

Journal

In 22nd-Century Japan, Masane Amaha, one of the surviving catastrophe that destroyed Tokyo becomes the latest in an ancient line of women-only warriors to wield the mysterious sentient weapon known only throughout history as "the Witchblade". Protecting her little girl, she will face her worst fear .... (Source: ANN)

Based on a US comic known for it's well-endowed and scantily clad main character; the Witchblade anime has the same kind of "fan service" and violence as the original. On top of that it adds a good amount of creepy non-too-subtle innuendo in the form of rogue weapons called X-cons and -- of course -- Masane's own lust for battle (complete with erotic moaning. Yip!).

And as disturbing as that may sound, it certainly makes the show more interesting because on top of just being creepy, it also seems to be an attempt to symbolicly show (in the way only a genetically-altered human-weapons experiment can) the differences in what "lust" means for men versus women. Unfortunately though, the X-cons story arc only last for a few episodes, and once their part is over she show looses much of this "creepy" factor.

Once that X-con part is gone it's mostly witchblade-wearing-women versus other witchblade-wearing-women. And instead of symbolically contrasting men and women, the general theme for this part focuses more on what it means to be a woman -- specifically what it means to be a mother.

This is why I think this is the best example of a Japanese adaption of US material that I have seen recently. It uses the concept from the original comic, but it doesn't feel compelled to stringently adhere to its storyline. So it not only has unique characters but it also employs some original themes in creative ways. You have US material with Japanese sensibilities applied to it; which is the kind of mix that fans would want from this kind of anime.

The show also balances out its dark, seedy, and violent side with a bright, comedic side as well as some drama involving Masamune's struggle to keep her daughter.

Another unique element is how the Masamune's daughter is the more mature one of the two -- and it's more like the daughter takes care of the mother instead of the other way around.

Of course, if you think all that analysis is BS and just want to see T&A with violence and action; then there's plenty of that to go around too. And it's all supported by some nice colorful decent-quality animation. The art does an especially good job of establishing darker tones when Masamune is in Witchblade form, and lighter tones when she and her daughter are just goofing around.

So overall, I would say that this is worth picking up, especially if you are a fan of either warrior-woman type of shows, or of the original comic. It has unique twists on both and has a surprising amount of depth and drama in addition to good old-fashion bloody battles.

Viewing Journal: Mushi-Shi (complete)

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

Journal

They are neither plants nor animals. They differ from other forms of life such as the micro-organisms and the fungi. Instead they resemble the primeval body of life and are generally known as "Mushi". Their existence and appearance are unknown to many and only a limited number of humans are aware of them. Ginko is a "Mushi-shi" who travels around to investigate and find out more about the "Mushi". In the process, he also lends a helping hand to people who face problems with supernatural occurances which may be related to the "Mushi". (Source: ANN)

[Note: I'm a bit behind in my reviews, so this next batch of reviews is going to be succinct so I can catch up. And that's a shame because this anime in particular is so awsome and it deserves tons more analysis than I have time or mental energy to give. More's the pity.]

Mushi-shi is a great show that combines myth and fantasy with a wide variety characters, situations, and themes that anyone can relate to. As a result it has genuinely drama with fantasy to make a story that is both compelling and fascinating. Highly recommended.