Ghost in the Shell. I just want to start off by saying that "Ghost In The Shell" loves to asks it's audience questions. What is it that makes us human? Is it the soul (refered to as 'ghosts' in this film)? Or is it flesh and bone? What happens when your memories can be erased and replaced like music on your iPod? If your body is entirely mechanical, can you still call yourself human? If your consciousness is active, yet your body is nowhere to be found, do you still exist?
Okay, I'm giving myself a headache. Story Cyborg cops battle an anonymous super-hacker who takes control of people's computerized brains and forces them to do his bidding. Art GitS came out in 1995 and still the visuals can compete with current animation standards. Sound The sounds of the film remain on the same high level as the art. Character Though all the characters had aspects that made them interesting, Motoko is really the star of the show here and is the only character who developped over the course of the film.
FLCL. Some may compare it to a meaningless black painting, others compare it to a symbolic innuendo of sexism; regardless whatever opinions you may hold before watching this, you may toss in the wastebasket right now. FLCL is the peak of mental curiosity, the crux of anime history, the meaningless jumble of human desires scrunched into six short quarter-hour episodes. The pace is so fast that the viewer is shot as a paper ball from a bazooka down from a helicopter, blown out to the moon by kamikaze winds, and then pummeled in the face by a bat wielding Babe-Ruth. But for all this, only one thing is certain: you will have a great time no matter which episode you begin with. From the very beginning, FLCL appeals to the most basic of human appetite. Camera aiming from one car to the other as if a camper aiming his scope: Legs spread same width as the shoulders, body tight, and then hit the ball like your defeating the enemy.
Here the pinky finger is the key. That's FLCL for you. Michiko to Hatchin. Anime that are set out of Japan whilst not as uncommon as many may think are still few and far between but what is even more rare is an anime that takes place in Latin America. Michiko to Hatchin is representative of everything that is uncommon but amazing about the anime industry: it has style, nice characters, a unique setting and a vast array of themes, and whilst at times it is harsh it never forgets to be light-hearted in its ingenuity.
Michiko to hatchin's story is rather unusually executed; my original impressions was that the series was episodic but upon completion that statement was a fairly inaccurate description, but in saying that I still find that each episode is 'episodic' in its own way. To its credit these many moments scattered throughout the series helped maintain my interest throughout the series entirety; each scenario was new and refreshing, each life had something different to offer. One of the best things about Michiko to Hatchin is the background designs. Afro Samurai: Resurrection. "Watch your damn mouth... cause I'm coming for my father. " This OVA begins some time after the original series of AfroSamurai where Afro is tired, sick of all the fighting knowing that it is an endless cycle.
"Kill or be killed, there is no option". We see Afro in a little hut, accompanied only by a Buddha statue and multiple wooden figurines. Peaceful, but lonely. So, when Jinno appears on a motorcycle and drags Afro by his hair through the tundra, it is appalling. The art was similar to the previous episodes, this time portraying Afro as a war-stricken man who seems to have gone through many tumultuous events. Some of the characters, like Afro and his imaginary pal are just as awe inspiring as the previous anime. More characters are presented into the story and reveals a little more into Afro's past. Afro Samurai. I'm gonna go out ahead and say that most people should watch Afro Samurai at least once, or give the first episode a chance. Story: The story is pretty flat, but at it's heart it follows the traditional revenge story.
Samurai blaxploitation revenge even. Not at all uncommon for anime. However, this anime is genre wise ALLl over the place. The main antagonist Afro seems to be pursuing through the anime is a gunslinger, so you think a bit of a samurai spaghetti western for a moment ( think Sukiyaki Western Django ), but then he's totally fighting cyborgs. Art: For a nation that hasn't exactly been known for it's positive portrayal of people of color ( and use of black face among other things ), I honestly think the creator got Afro right for this. Sound: The sound is very good in Afro Samurai also. Character: Afro is pretty flat.
Enjoyment: I really enjoyed this anime. Outlaw Star. On the technical side of things, Outlaw Star has aged incredibly well. While not a fossil by any means, this show is at least old enough to have hand-painted cels instead of being digitally painted like what new fans are used to, giving it a classic texture. Don’t let the aged appearance fool you, though, because the action sequences in Outlaw Star are caster-tastic. There are zero corners cut in the space battles or hand to hand combat and there are often numerous fights per episode to pop your peepers at. The music is pretty low-key unless there’s a grappler duel a brewin’, but it’s a fun mix of techno, rock, and a lot of brass to lay down some smack to, though I quickly forgot it in the heated wake of the opening song and a soothing closer written for Melfina to sing throughout the show. The voicework is nothing real special in either language, I’m afraid, but for a show devoid of serious drama, that’s to be expected.
I assure you I have barely scratched the surface. Black Lagoon. "This is way more entertaining than Hollywood is ever going going to be! " truer words like that have barely been spoken in anime in my opinion, and with the shit that's out now, I'm inclined to believe them. STORY: Enter Rokuro Okajima, a typical meek japanese office worker of a large corperation who's the epitome of ordinary with a life so boring, bland, and not so envious with complains such as his boss kicking his ass, but his bleak life style comes to an end when a business trip cruise to South East Asia turns into hell as a group of modern day pirates take him hostage and gives him much more to complain about than just a kick to the bum. After a wild couple of bullet-filled days with said pirates, he decides to join up out of the feeling of excitement he experienced and the way his company has treated him like a worthless throw away and takes up the name, "Rock".
Mixed: +/- Very violent and action oriented. / May be too violent for some. *Quick word on season two* Elfen Lied. "Elfen Lied" has been nothing short of a phenomenon. There were no big budget promotions (like "Full Metal Alchemist" was promoted, for example), the manga wasn't exactly red hot property (like "Death Note" was, for example), but it was suddenly catapulted to fame in an incredibly short time in 2004. It's the kind of overnight success story that films and anime have been made from. But does it deserve all this hype? The short answer is no. Only kidding - this review is the long answer, obviously :P When I first noticed "Elfen Lied" on an anime site, it was listed as horror. To be fair, my initial impressions of "Elfen Lied" were actually pretty good. ...and it's all downhill from there on.
This anime is meant to be horror, and though the horror elements are there, the pr0n elements are almost as strong, if not stronger. Now let's look at the horror aspects. To its credit, I think "Elfen Lied" has got some intriguing concepts to build on. And don't get me started on the characters... Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu. Warning: This review contains some SPOILERS I've read many reviews of this show, and they're varied - some people love it, some hate it. Personally, I love this show, and am almost surprised that some people don't. But then again, if you don't like the sheer randomness and wackiness that the show builds on, the anime won't appeal to you. The setting is as following – a girl (Haruhi Suzumiya) has the power to change reality – a sort of God, in other words.
Story-wise, you can say the anime is episodic in that there's a new event every episode, but there's still ties between the individual episodes, which makes a true chronological order present. Broadcast order: + You'll get some good character development + The end of the series actually come at the end - References to episodes that you haven't watched yet - First episode might scare you off (watch it till the end!) Decide for yourself =) To me, the story was really great, and so was the setting. The soundtrack is so-so. Tokyo Godfathers. I started watching this movie knowing little more than that it was directed by Satoshi Kon, and even though I'm a fan of the man's work in general, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. STORY - In brief, Tokyo Godfathers is a heart-warming Christmas story about family. Slightly elaborated, it's a rather unique slice-of-life movie featuring a less-than-average family. Sure, inspiration was taken from an old western film (3 Godfathers), but I haven't seen it, and I don't think having seen it would have affected the charm of this one.
(Other than the bare bones, the details of the two movies are vastly different anyway.) Though thoroughly punctuated with reminders of how hard life can be, the movie was fun, comedic at times, and pretty darn feel-good, reflecting the general optimism associated with the winter holidays. The main theme of this movie is the importance of family, which is a huge shift from Kon's usual work involving diminished divides between fantasy and reality. Samurai Champloo. I caught Samurai Champloo as it aired back in 2004, and though I liked it enough, it didn’t impact me as much as I hoped it would.
Though maybe that’s not entirely true, as the soundtrack did indirectly change my life, thanks to the composer Nujabes introducing me to instrumental hip hop and providing a soundtrack to my life for the next few years. I recently re-watched the show and felt compelled to write a retrospective/review of the series. While watching Jin, Mugen and Fuu traipse around 19th century Japan getting into ridiculous adventures, I realised Shinichirô Watanabe’s follow up to Cowboy Bebop is one of the most subversive animes ever made. Taking a staple genre, dressing it up in anachronism, but continually tackling subjects often avoided by the medium.
It takes 25 episodes until a character literally says “I was born in the wrong era.” Samurai Champloo is about, and also not about, three characters hunting a samurai who smells of sunflowers. Cowboy Bebop. What the people above me said :D Adding to that; similar in storytelling, often episodic but in a good way. The music is a big influence for both anime. Hip-hop and jazz. Same director, but completely different settings. Even so, they match up very well. You can't watch one without the other. Same type of feel when it comes to all the random stories, etc.. Animes from the same directors. Just read what the guys above me write. Same Director, pretty much the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop,completely different world/story, their main similarity is...the awesomeness of the music, other than that, it's totally different. Although set in opposing eras, both have a strong musical theme weaving through the engaging journey of a group of accidentally travellers (for Champloo) / bounty hunters (for Bebop).
The same director is enough to put these series together, because Watanabe's way to create is somehow the same with Miyazaki, who share many ideas in his works. Same director~ Same director. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin. ‘Even as the storm howls, even as they starve, they are preparing for it. Afterwards, with guts, courage and a little luck, their dreams will come true. The seven canaries believed this.’ Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin, referenced henceforth as Rainbow, follows the story of six men, who begin their stretch in a Japanese young offenders institute.
Upon entering they meet their cell’s only other resident: the hardened boxer Sakuragi Rokurouta. After a brief but violent beat down, the men become friends with their cellmate and thus begin the hardships that come with being locked out from the rest of the world. Rainbow has an incredibly interesting cast of characters with each one having something unique to add to the anime. Most intriguing of all is Sakuragi’s relationship with the other men, all of whom respect and look up even to the point of calling him their brother.
Summer Wars. Same director, similar settings. The cyber world is compromised and causes great effects on the real world as well. The characters battle the villain that caused the attack to recover control over the network. It is hard to believe that the story of Summer Wars is that disturbingly similar to a digimon movie. The entire story revolves around fighting a "virus" that went rampaging around the internet. Very similar style, artwork and story. Awesome kick-ass fights to save the digital world (and the real world by extension) Summer Wars is a modern version of Bokura no War Game, without the digimons. basicaly same plot, and even the digital world look the smae, this would bee god for some one who has not seen digimon.This feels verry ripped off, yet this is a good movie and if you liked digimon bokua no War Game (also know as the first have of the digimon movie released in North Amarica.) pretty much the same story line without the romance Summer Wars = "Digimon: Our War Game" without Digimon.
Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo. Hands down the best movie (animated or otherwise) I've seen in at least five years. Although the character art is simple, I love it <i>because</i> it is simple and clean. The backgrounds, environment, and special effects are a different thing entirely. They are rendered in such gloriously realistic detail. The landscapes, the classrooms, the streets -- I have never seen such detail in an animated film.
It makes things like Beowulf and Final Fantasy: Advent Children look really silly. The movie also has such beautiful sound. The characters are also very well-written, complemented by good voice actors. Though the plot itself is very simple, the way the characters develop throughout the seemingly minor conflicts (and that big, heart-pounding one toward the end) gives the story incredible depth. Akagi. Baccano! Durarara!! Kaiji. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch. Death Note. Higashi no Eden. Welcome to the NHK! Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin. Steins;Gate. K-ON! Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom. Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha. Beck. Organize, Discuss, Discover.