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1 Comment Posted on by Mata Anime, Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) Collection 2 (Eps 14-25) | Review

Mikasa, Eren and Armin“To rise above monsters, we have to abandon our humanity.”

Got your Attack on Titan Collection 2 DVD/BluRays? People always rag on dubbed anime but honestly it’s nice not to have to read subtitles every now and then- and if the translation is pretty decent and the voice actors are good then everything should be hunky dory!

Right? Right, now onto the review of the second-half of the first season, shall we? First of all, marathon play is definitely your friend. Because if anything the second half is so much more intriguing than the first as we get into the nitty gritty of everything within and outside the walls, so being able to just experience the entire thing without interruption is such a plus.

Also, if you thought the first half of the season was violent and gory, well wait until you get through the second half. (A lot of us probably couldn’t wait for the dubbed and continued with the subbed only to get confused as to why Armin sounded like a girl, or was that just me?) There’s so much going on, above and beyond Titan take downs- or Titans feasting on humans.

Also more Levi! Seriously. So epic.

Oh and Hanji, one of my favourite characters.

Attack on Titan gives us an almost overwhelming amount of characters, however there’s no difficulty with keeping up with them as they are uniquely characterised, making it easy to recognise a certain character and their motivation (well apart from survival, anyway). What is humanity’s breaking point? The series continues to explore human nature in this anime about what it means to be human in the face of certain death, while still allowing us to ponder the mysteries of the Titans and how they came to be. I’ve heard many call it the Walking Dead or Game of Thrones of anime, in that it’s gritty, addictive and provides an interesting approach to human survival and what people do in order to do just that. Especially when there’s obviously more to be wary of than just Titans, sure Titans are still the biggest problem however humans are just as dangerous. If it were up to Hanji Titans would be considered pets deserving of some slack.

This anime is so addictive, you get through the entire season and mourn the fact there’s still no word on a second season. Especially because there’s little to no, well there’s absolutely no, closure by the end as we’re kind of left on a huge cliffhanger. So huge that I immediately started reading the manga. That cliffhanger’s been explained, sort of, but so much more happens that it’s physically painful to be waiting for the second season which will be made up of the rest of the manga out so far. But don’t let the lack of closure deter you, let it spur you. I encourage you to watch the first season, if not for the excellent animation and original characters, then definitely for the mysteries surrounding the Titans

Check out the trailer for the second half of the (dubbed) first season below:

Leave a comment Posted on by Mata Anime

Persona 4: The Animation Series Collection

The bear puns just HAD to go. The character-focused episodes were life.

I can’t say I liked Persona 4: The Animation from start to finish because I almost didn’t make it past the third episode. However I’m glad I persevered because it got hilarious soon after, it’s safe to say that this anime’s a bit of a slow-starter however once the show gets into its groove and finds its footing it’s easy to become engrossed. Which is lucky because while the anime was pretty and sharp, what was with the bottom half of each person’s face being a shade darker than the top half? It was weird and a bit distracting, luckily you do learn to overlook it.

The story revolves around new kid, Yu Narukami, in the town of Inaba- where a mysterious murders have been taking place. Upon discovering a distorted TV World and acquiring a mysterious power known as “Persona”, Yu and his friends, (Yosuke Hanamura, Chie Satonaka) decide to investigate the murders and save others from being killed. As the show progresses, those rescued also become allies after overcoming their own Shadowselves and gaining Personas of their own, including Chie’s best friend, Yukiko Amagi, delinquent Kanji Tatsumi, idol Rise Kujikawa, and young detective Naoto Shirogane. Together, Yu and his companions face up against the threat of the Shadows whilst also making some YOLO choices.

Where the show focuses on our characters, and less on the Persona “Chosen One” storyline, is where it shines the best. While I can’t attest to whether or not the show was a solid adaptation of the game, as I’ve never played it myself, I can say that the characters are the anime’s best feature. They’re memorable and hilarious, well-rounded and developed. They aren’t just flawed, but confront their flaws and insecurities head on, literally, when faced with their Shadowselves. The murder mystery plot was interesting in that they let it develop and build towards the big reveal, while not becoming so convoluted and bogged down by its own complexity. Well.

Get through the first few establishing episodes because the best the anime has to offer comes after all the setup. I like that it doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously, also the fantasy elements are interesting- if a bit cumbersome at the start in terms of setting out the story. Fair warning, the show’s a bit R16 aye lol. So uh, yeah.

Stray gif thoughts:

Yu’s deadpanned humour is actually my favourite thing.

Gotta catch ‘em all Cardcaptor Sakura?

 

Also, tomorrow’s the Tokyo Ghoul finale, I believe! Catch it on AnimeLab and then look out for our series review. Still reading the manga, too.

Leave a comment Posted on by Mata Documentary, Movie Talk

The Worst Football Team In the World? ‘Next Goal Wins’ Review

The heartwarming documentary about the worst football (soccer) team in the world, American Samoa. Not Samoa Samoa, the other guys. Just kidding, we love you Amerika Samoa.

Next Goal Wins, the 2014 British sport documentary directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, chronicles the national football team of American Samoa in their efforts to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup- and improve their world-ranking. American Samoa’s football team is an international laughing stock, seriously the opening montage of footage from their record-breaking 31-nil loss game against Australia in 2001 is just sad. However despite not having won in over a decade the team continues to stay together. For it’s the love of the game itself that keeps this ragtag team- which includes the goalie (Nicky Salapu) from that faithful match against Oz and a fa’afafine (my favourite person in the doco, Jaiyah Saelua)- together as they train for the next World Cup and a chance to redefine their international rep.

With the help of Dutch maverick Thomas Rongen, who flies in from the US to coach them for their World Cup 2014 qualifying matches, and the fighting spirit of a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain, Amerika Samoa’s team shows how defeat can be character-building. I know, you should see our league team’s ranking.

Check out the trailer below if you haven’t seen it yet and grab the DVD, it’ll make you feel warm and fuzzy and perhaps want to triumphantly punch the air once or twice. The visuals are stunning and there’s a genuine feeling of admirable relentlessness you gain after watching, and despite the predictable outcome you’re left with an overall sense of pride- even if you’re not much of a football (or American Sa) fan.

2 Comments Posted on by Mata Film Reviews, Movie Talk

The Raid 2: Berandal - DVD/BLU-RAY NZ Release Talk

The Raid 2It’s not over yet- is it ever over? Nah seriously, is it?

NZ DVD/Blu-Ray Release: 14th August 2014.

The Raid 2: Berandal sees Iko Uwais reprise his role as Rama- the rookie Jakarta cop who littered the halls with the broken bodies of gangsters during The Raid: Redemption in 2011. After fighting his way out of the rundown building filled with ruthless thugs and deranged folk, Rama was under the impression that he could go back to living a quiet life with his wife and kid. LOLNOPE.

Director Gareth Evans’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed The Raid manages recapture the adrenalin that made the initial film so good while doing its damned hardest to be even more brutal and pain-cringe-inducing than its predecessor. Rama’s opponents from the first raid were crazy, but they’re nothing compared to what’s in store for him. His actions in the first film means he’s attracted the attention of those at the top of the criminal foodchain putting his life, and more importantly to him, the lives of his wife and son at risk.

Forced to go undercover and basically fight his way through the hierarchy of competing forces in order to incover the corrupt politicians and police pulling the strings at the top of the heap, Rama begins a new odyssey of violence, a journey that will force him to set aside his own life and history and take on a new identity as the violent offender “Yuda.”

We’re introduced to some rather delightful* characters along the way, and of course the fight scenes are epic- beautifully gruesome and tightly choreographed and just so, so, epic. Sure the runtime is a bit of a killer, heh, and the film could have done with a bit of a condensing as a result, but I wouldn’t trade in any of the fight scenes for anything.

Seriously though, check out this teaser trailer:

FOUR out of FIVE Pained Silent LOLs

Preorder/Grab a copy on DVD for $29.99 or Blu-Ray for $34.99.

 

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Leave a comment Posted on by Mata Anime, Zetman

Zetman Series Collection - DVD Review

Zetman, released in Australasia in June, is the anime adaptation of a long-running manga of the same name by Masakazu Katsura. The manga, inspired by the author’s great love for the iconic Batman and Devilman, centers around two rival heroes: Jin Kanzaki (ZET) and Kouga Amagi (Alphasz).

Jin has the ability to transform into a superhuman being, ZET, and Kouga uses technology (available due to his family’s wealth) to fight as Alphasz. They fight to protect mankind and destroy monstrous abominations known as Players, created -ironically- by the Amagi Corporation, the company founded by Kouga’s grandfather, Mitsugai Amagi.

Sounds like an interesting watch, right? It sure did start out that way, the beginnings of interesting protagonists and intriguing backstories, but by episode four or five you’re basically rage-watching. Jin turns out to be rather boring and every word that came out of Kouga’s mouth made me want to scratch the inside of my skull. Not to mention the fact that the female characters felt weak and the villains were a bit two-dimensional, if not one. The rest of the character list followed suit.

You can’t fault the animation, however, the Players were creepy as hell and the fight scenes were brilliant, however that’s all the anime had going for it, really. The animators removed and/or altered various portions of the original story in an attempt to fit it into 13 episodes, so while the premise was interesting the anime fell short of captivating.

See and judge for yourself, grab the DVD from Madman Entertainment here.

Specs:

- Released 08/05/14
- Two Discs containing 13 episodes
- English dub or orginal Japanese with English subtitles

 

 

1 Comment Posted on by Mata Anime, Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) Collection 1 (Eps 1-13) | Review

©Hajime Isayama, Kodansha/''ATTACK ON TITAN'' Production Committee. Licensed by Kodansha through FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

©Hajime Isayama, Kodansha/”ATTACK ON TITAN” Production Committee. Licensed by Kodansha through FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

“The world’s a cruel place, you have to fight if you want to live.”

Attack On Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin), heralded as the anime series of 2013, is a haunting dystopian series both awe-inspiring and grotesque in its stunning visuals. Humanity is on the brink of extinction due to giant humanoid creatures, Titans (who love humans like a fat kid loves cake), chomping on human entrees- causing survivors to retreat behind huge walls (not unlike the colossal fortification in the North that helps defend the Realm in Westeros against the Wildlings). Humanity’s last form of defense are the Survey Corps, which the protagonists hot-headed and vengeful Eren Yeager, brilliant and deadly Mikasa Ackerman, and strategic genius Armin Arler join for reasons that become obvious about five minutes into the first episode- read as ‘tragic backstories101′. Adapted from the manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama, Attack On Titan (AOT) is directed by Death Note (2006) director Tetsuro Arak- so you already know going in that it’s going to be a doozy.

The series does start off a little slow, and continues to take the ‘long dramatic internal-conflict’ route throughout, once the action starts there’s really no slowing down- you’re intrigued by the end of the first episode and absolutely hooked by the second. The show is gruesome and bloody, but what do you expect from a show about people-eating giants? While the premise is simplistic you’ll find the themes handled in the series to be a grim but complex study on human nature, offering a commentary on the human condition in such harsh realities. When faced with such extremities will humans continue to fight tooth and nail for their freedom or will they lie down and accept a life of being human ‘cattle’? Characters are well-developed and likeable with moments of levity achieved by surprise quirks and excellent interaction.

Also, the soundtrack is pretty boss. Collection 1 comes with a 24-page art book and some great extras like the making of AOT, and Japanese production extras. We give it FOUR and a HALF out of FIVE Silent LOLs, for the mere fact that there are moments when you wish the series would speed up a certain character’s thought process. However we’re hanging out for a second season (after of course an English dubbed Collection 2?) and the live-action theatrical movie that’s in the works. If the Titans look anything like they do in this Subaru ad then daaaaaaamn sign us up to see it ASAP.

Australian and NZ residents read on for details on how to WIN a Collection 1 Limited Edition, below.

https://www.madman.com.au/images/competitions/comp_418.jpgMadman Entertainment have FIVE Attack On Titan Collection 1 Limited Editions to give away.

All you have to do is answer this question: In 25 words or less, tell us; would you rather be a Titan or a member of the Survey Corps – and why? CLICK HERE TO ENTER, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN WAITING FOR? Comp ends 18 July 2014.

However if you miss out you can always buy it HERE, it should still be in stock. Now to wait for Collection 2… JOKES, I’m going to head over to AnimeLab where you’ll find all 25 eps and watch remaining episodes 14-25. Have we talked about how cool this streaming service is? Currently in beta, and free (also ad-free) for an unspecified time, AnimeLab streams over 50 animes in HD with a few being simulcast. It’s also device (mobile, tablet) ready too.

Leave a comment Posted on by JawkwardLOL Anime, Fandom, K Project

K Series DVD Review - Clash of the Seven Kings

K series, animated by the studio GoHands and directed by Shingo Suzuki, follows Yashiro Isana (known by most as Shiro) a charismatic and easygoing teenager faced with a difficult situation when he’s randomly attacked on the street by a group of guys hellbent on killing him. When Kuroh Yatogami comes to the rescue, you think ‘phew, cool’ but then it turns out, Kuroh is also trying to kill him.

You find out that Shiro’s supposedly the murderer of Tatara Totsuka, and has quite a bit of people out for his blood, some to avenge the death of their friend, and others to stop evil. But as Shiro (barely) evades their pursuits you become rather engrossed in the mystery and great animation (them fight scenes!). So much so that you almost don’t care that some of the characters’ motivations are wishy-washy at best and if you nudge at the plot too much it could come apart. The story is told in 13 episodes about 20 minutes long, which I think would have been enough time to develop the backstory a bit further- because I was very interested in the history of the Seven Kings and how they came to be in power and to have their powers that they could then pass on to their clan members? Also what’s a strain? Because that storyline seemed to come out of nowhere, much like Shiro’s arrival.

However it’s an entertaining watch, so I recommend you give it a go if you’re keen for some escapism and good animation. I now pass you over to Motu.

The critical part of this review may come from Mata but I, myself, I loved this series so much, I can’t even begin to express how delighted I was to finally start watching it after waiting for so long (it was released in 2012- hey that’s long for a teenager!) and I was not disappointed.

I recommend getting the series, if you’re in New Zealand or Australia you can grab it from Madman Entertainment, the DVD series collection comes with the original Japanese Trailers and a Character Art Book. Also, there’s a movie confirmed for release this July- although who knows when us plebians in the Southern Hemisphere will get it.

Jam-packed with humor, brilliant fight scenes, a good plot with complex characters and (perhaps my own projection here but) ALL THE YAOI! I don’t even… Yaoi just brings me so much joy.

Kuroh x Shiro. CAN YOU SEE THEIR HANDS TOUCHING?!

Fushimi x Yata. *internal screaming*

Mikoto x Munakata. This scene kills me everytime.

Seriously sobbing right now, because I can’t stop thinking about all of Shiro and Kuroh’s interactions which kept me giggling up until 2am and searching for fanvids on Youtube. Or Mikoto and Munakata’s flirty fight scenes. Like, c’mon. I dare you to tell me that there wasn’t something going on between those two. And Yata and Fushimi. I can’t even think of these two without bursting into hysterical fits of laughter, because they were so funny. Yata’s a crazy, swearing and short-tempered nincompoop who I love more than I thought possible and Fushimi’s a monkey. Lol, monkey.

WATCH THE SERIES AND YOU’LL GET THAT REFERENCE.

It was a roller coaster of emotions, keeping me on the edge of my seat and surprising me while also scaring me at certain points. Some of their scenes were down right creepy, but they still made you laugh. Except for the times you’d cry.

Sometimes out of sadness.

And other times, you can’t help but cry because you’re laughing so damn hard!

Which, wouldn’t be hard to accomplish if you watched the scenes with Neko and Kuroh. Or Yata and Fushimi. Or Kuroh and Shiro. Or Mikoto and Munakata.

So good, I’m so keen to watch ALL THE ANIME- for review, of course. For review. I wonder if this can count towards extra credit in English. I think it should.