Darker Than Black

Of the series that are airing this Fall in Anime, Darker than Black is fast becoming a favorite. The characters are not flat, the voice acting is great and the action is definitely there. I find the series one that keeps me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire episode. Bravo to Bones for another fine piece of animation!

Kimi Ni Todeke

Kime Ni Todeke, based on the Manga of the same name, this series follows the High School life of a girl. Sawaka has been misunderstood most of her life, mainly because of her appearance. She was usually avoided by students and rumors would spread..


This all began to change when she met one of the most popular boys in her class / school and he took an interest in her. She began to open up and soon had several new friends.



The first episode follows the Manga fairly closely though it does seem to "speedboat" its way through some of the conversations that exist in the Manga. I though the artwork was pretty good although like the Manga, I'm still not quite used to how the character expressions are drawn.

I plan to watch more episodes to see how that let other character interactions play out.

Other Fall Season goodies

Watching some of the other series out this season, I can say I'm impressed so far... As a starter... "To Aru Kagaku no Railgun". Story and action were well balanced in the first episode... One of the main characters is a human railgun...


Another series that seems pretty good (jury is still out) is "The Sacred Blacksmith" also known as "Seiken no Blacksmith". I read that it may be liken to Tears to Tiara. I'm not sure. I have not watched enough of Tears to make that determination. What I have seen in this 1st episode is just enough to get me to watch the next. How ever, the main character Cecily Campbell, kind of annoys me.


I sure hope she changes attitudes soon, a little cutesy for a Knight.... Luke, the blacksmith in this series, needs to chill although he does have some unique abilities when it comes to forging.


His elf companion, Lisa, whats up with the eye thing needed for forging. Creepy... any who, this is a wait and see...

Another series "Nyan Koi" where by accidental fate, a boy is cursed to hear all things that cats are saying. He must complete 100 good deeds for cats or he to will become a cat. The tough / funny part is he is allergic to them. The initial episode was OK so I will try the next. I fear that this may become a bit mindless in the end.

Lastly, "Seitokai no Ichizon" (The Records of the Hekiyō Academy Student Council’s Activities), wasn't on my list originally to be watched but turned out to be absolutely Hilarius. It is fast paced, rapid fire jokes with subtle references to other anime scattered though out. This anime is about the day to day happening of a high-school student council. I would recommend this as an ideal show if you want some light comedic relief.


There are a few other titles I am anticipating this season. I'll post more as the season progresses.

Fall 2009 Anime - Kampher, Initial Review

I managed to watch the first episode of Kampher last night and I will admit that I was pleasently surprised. The initial information that I saw as far as the Fall 2009 lineup did not quite tell me much.

The themes for this anime: gender switch, harem, ecchi

Plot Summary From ANN:

Senou Natsuru is your normal, everyday high school student. However he´s been chosen to be a Kampfer, who´s objective consists on fighting other Kampfer with either guns, swords or magic, however, there´s catch; first you can´t chose if you´re a Kampfer or not, and second, you must have the body of a girl to use your powers.

The series opens up with 2 girls, one chasing the other. The second is shooting at the first for some unknown reason. The chase ends with the first girl falling off of a building... At this point I was not sure what to think. The action was not super exciting, like how many other anime have started like this. I decided to keep watching, despite the fact it was 2am.


As the episode progressed we find that the first girl (Senou Natsuru) is actually a boy who had been transformed. Throughout the show we get bits and peices of why this is the case. I think if I were in that situation I may be a little freaked.


It isn't only the boys that transform but the girls too. We come to find that the girl (Mishima Akane) shooting after Natsuru is another student at his school, who when not transformed is a VERY shy and reserved librarian aide. When transformed, Akane becomes the firey redhead with red-eyes whos personality is complete opposite.


Akane tells Natsuru of the battle in progress and how they are on the same team. Shortly afterward, a third person (yet unseen) starts attacking the pair. Akane transforms quickly as does Natsuru, a skill which he is still mastering. The episode closes with the library essentially being destroyed by some unknown assailant.



I plan to watch this series further as it looks like it may have some promise. There is a little ecchi and I can see where the harem is starting to form. I've already picked at least one favorite character, Akane, because of her sudden personality changes.


Looking forward to the next episode.... Better watch it or Akane may hunt you down!

Cross Game - Worth Checking Out

Cross Game is a pleasant anime worth checking out. This anime based on baseball, family and friends and their bonds. I would recommend this as a good family anime to watch.



Synopsis:

5th grader Koh Kitamura lives next door to the Tsukishima family, owners of a batting cage and the Clover cafe. His girlfriend, Wakaba, is the 2nd Tsukishima daughter; the 3rd daughter, the baseball prodigy Aoba, can't stand him. Wakaba dreams of Koh pitching at legendary Koshien Stadium, site of the national high school championship finals. However, tragedy strikes, and it is up to Koh, with the help of Aoba and his other teammates, to make Wakaba's dream come true.

The series starts when Koh is in 5th grade and proceeds on through his high school years.

Source:
ANN

Umineko no Naku Koro ni

I have been watching Umineko no Naku Koro ni since its first episode and I have found it to be quite enjoyable. If you don't mind a bit of gore with your mysteries then this may be the series for you.

The storyline involves members of a wealthy family that have gathered at their father / grandfathers estate. During this time they are visited on by a witches curse. The curse is they are to solve an Epitaph before all the family members are killed. As the family members a killed, they attempt to resolve who the guilty party is. The clencher is it appears to be the witch Beatrice who takes great pleasure in comitting the crimes. She also has the ability to kill and re-kill people endlessly. Something like a "Groundhog Day" of murder.

I have enjoyed the series to date for its story telling and animation. The characters can be entertaining to. Some you can easily hate, a couple you can feel for while others you just wish would keep their mouths shut. The sound track is also befitting the series.

Source:
ANN

Trailer:

Started watching Mushi-Shi

I started watching another anime tonight called Mushi-shi. I rather enjoyed the pace of the story telling as well as the artistry of the series. As of this entry, ANN has posted 4 of the series episodes for viewing on their site.

Synopsis:

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".

Trailer:


Source:
ANN

Ponyo

I'm sure there are plenty of other reviews for the Movie so this one will be brief. I watched Ponyo this weekend with my kids and we completely enjoyed it. I got a kick out of how some of the names from previous names were used as were some of the faces from previous movies.

Some examples...
The boy from My Neighbor Totoro is the spitting image in face and name of the main character ...
One of the Seniors at the Senior Center looked just like ... from Howl's Moving Castle when she had aged.
One of the Senior Center staff from the movie looked like on of the 2 daughters from My Neighbor Totoro as if she had grown up.

I'm sure there were other items present that I missed but those stood out to me.

The story is about a small fish/mermaid who after being exposed to magic, wants to become human. Having tasted human blood, she transforms herself into a girl about the age of the main character. These to play together and go an an adventure to find his mom once the island becomes flooded.

Meanwhile Ponyos mother and father decide to test the boys love for Ponyo and if it is true, allow her to remain as a girl. He passes the test proving that no matter her form, he will protect her. I think the story ended rather abruptly and could have had maybe another 10 minutes to show some of their life after she becomes a true little girl.

All-in-all, I really recommend this movie. If you are expecting Mech-warriors, demons, lightning, etc... those are not in this movie. Expect a wonderful story told brilliantly that has appeal to kids and parents of all ages. Hayao Miyazaki style is unique and I think the awards he has received are well deserved.

Other movies that he has produced include
Howl's Moving Castle
My Neighbor Totoro
Spirited Away
...

Source:
ANN
Disney


English Trailer



Original Japanese Trailer

Umineko no Naku Koro ni - Ep. 7

This is turning out to be a great series with its changing story arcs and character types. This episode continues to prove this true.

In this episode, Battler is going against Beatrice to see who gives in first. Battler, not believing that Beatrice is who she says she is (a witch) goes head to head as they watch the family drama play out. There are several variations in this arc, Maria becomes maniacal very early in the episode. Beatrice has placed herself in the story now as well. Previously she was only a rumor. When she arrives she presents Maria with an invitation to the "Golden Land". She forcefully gives Marias mom a letter to read to all family members at dinner.

We don't get to hear the contents of the letter but I imagine it is the same letter read earlier in the series. George, who is in love with one of the house servants Shannon, proposes. As he told her in the previous episode, just place the ring on any finger and let that be your answer to me. In the first story arc, we do not find out her answer until after she has been brutally murdered. Her original answer was yes as shown by the ring on her left ring finger.

In this episode, Shannon has told Beatrice that she will not be controlled by her and she will decide her own destiny. When George proposed to her telling her to place the ring on the finger of choice as her decision, she immediately placed it on her left ring finger. Beatrice has vowed to kill both Shannon and George once Shannon said she will control her own destiny.

At the end of the episode, we see the family members acknowledging Beatrice for who she says she is. With this turn of events I wonder how Battler will do against Beatrice.

Thoughts:
I like this series. Great for twists and turns. It has me wondering just how it will end. The animation is nicely drawn. I particularly like how the family crest is presented on each of the family members clothing.

Characters -
Marias mom gets on my last nerve for how she treats her. That's just not how to treat a kid. Of course, Maria does use the sound "oooh, oooh" repeatedly when she is anxious about something. But still, to slap a poor kid silly??

George has to be one of my favorite characters thus far. Level headed and thinks things through. In the first arc where Shannon is murdered though, he goes half crazy for grief. A well played emotional scene. Georges mom though figured what had happened and was none to pleased that her soon had proposed to someone of Shannons status.
Battler is just stubborn... Yep, that's about it...

I like the voice actors they have chosen for the series. Being a Rie Kugimiya fan, I was pleased to see she was also part of the cast.

CANAAN Ep. 6 - Love & Piece

Of the various series I have been watching lately, this one never fails to hold my attention. This episode is no exception. Packed with a great story line and action this will be on my buy it list if it is ever gets licensed in the US!

In this episode, it starts off with Mino poring over the data he has collected thus far about the strange markings on some individuals he has encountered. They are believed to be caused by capillaries rising to the surface of the skin as a result of being infected by a deadly virus known as the UA Virus. (pronounced ooh-ah) He has discovered that a village had been used for testing this virus and the inhabitants mysteriously disappeared. Those that did manage to survive returned in come cases with abnormal abilities. (increased mobility, flexibility, fighting ability, using their voice as a weapon)

Mino ponders... "Are those surviving the Virus known as Borners?". He concludes that more research is needed. He and Maria Ōsawa, his reporting partner are scheduled to visit the village where the incident occurred. To Minos surprise and suspicion, both he an Maria have been granted access to cover a world security meeting being held locally. He is suspicious has no one should know of his hotel location aside from his boss. Maria, being the ever optimistic (and on occasion dense) person says "Maybe the rumor has spread... 'An amazingly skilled reporter has arrived in Shanghai'". Mino, wanting to protect Maria from her past, plays along.

Mino, tells Maria to cover the convention, he'll go to the village. As Maria arrives at the convention center, we see the plot start to reveal itself. The terrorists are working on a plan to kill a number of people. Liang Ji reflects on her admiration for her older sister Alphard. She feels that she has gotten soft lately and that she should step up to fill where her sister has left off. She states she wants to "take a look at whats in your mind". Apparently feeling that Alphards encounters with Canaan have changed her.

Canaan takes it on her self to monitor the conference from her room, in an effort to protect Maria. As Maria gets ready to take pictures, he reflects on how Mino, Yun Yun and Canaan are all confronting themselves now and she should do so has well. Meanwhile, Mino meets with a Borner from the village to ask her some questions. She is a quiet person named Hakkō. But as he continues to press her with questions, she reveals that she can indeed talk but with painful consequences to those listening. "If you want to know..." is all she says. This is apparently her ability resulting from the UA Virus. This leaves Mino stunned, recovering at the park. Hakkō leaves and returns to her job at the bar.

At the conference the President of the United States as began addressing Representatives of the various countries who have helped in fighting terrorism. While taking pictures, Maria notices that Alphard is watching her as she walks up the aisle. During the speech, Liang Ji has set into motion the series of events that will change the lives of many. The President in has now declared it a time of "Love and Peace" and that terrorism does not exist. When Alphard reaches Maria, she says something unusual that catches her by surprise. "It's been quite a while" Alphard asks of Maria, "Did you forget me? Or are you pretending to have forgotten me?" Maria is stumped.

A short while later all heck breaks loose as Liang sets off explosions all around the conference. Alphard protects Maria saying you still have a role to play. Having hijacked the address system Liang, caused further havoc by announcing they are all trapped and subject to her whims. Mino has recovered and has come rushing into the bar where Hakkō works and asking her point blank, "Is that your ability?" catching Hakkō by surprise as apparently she was unaware that he had encountered others. The bartender attempts to protect her but at that time an Emergency Newscast came on the TV saying the conference was under attack. Mino leaves quickly in hopes to save Maria. Canaan too is shown rushing to the conference.

Maria has been captured and bound as "added entertainment" according to Liang Ji. She so wants to impress her sister that she seems to be slipping into madness. One moment in these scenes just gave me the sense of "you go girl!" as Liang used Marias phone to call Canaan. After Maria tells Canaan not to come, Liang is frustrated and attempts to frustrate Canaan over the phone. Canaan point blank tells her to "be quiet for a moment". This sends Liang into a fit and she decides she will kill Maria herself. Alphard saves Maria telling her she still has a role to play.

The dignitaries having been ushered into a sealed room are unbeknownst to them being exposed to the UA Virus. This was accomplished by infecting one of the aids the prior night knowing he to would be sealed in the same room. When the virus ran its course, he dies violently throwing up blood and thus spreading the virus further. In this room dignitaries from several countries are present, including the President of the United States. As soon has the aide dies, a timer for 12 hours is seen to start counting down.

It is at this point the episode ends... Mino is rushing as fast as he can via Taxi (strangely the same driver he always gets). Canaan is running with even more determination to save Maria and Alphard and Liang are watching the dignitaries who are now infected with the deadly UA Virus.

Next weeks episode is titled "Gravestone" and I am really looking forward to it.