Anime

Leave a 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 Anime, Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul - ‘Tragic’ Review

tokyoghoulSo this gem was added to the AnimeLab list of shows on Friday, based on the manga of the same name by Sui Ishida, and I thought ‘hey that looks interesting, let’s see what it is’. Without even reading the synopsis, or watching the trailer (no I haven’t read the manga), I played the episode. And holy shih tzu was I unprepared for the gore after binge-watching Ouran High School Host Club and School Rumble but hot damn is it awesome. Seriously, so good.

I suppose the scary-faced fella in the picture above, and the name Tokyo Ghoul, should’ve given me an indication of what I was in for but my eyes still widened at the very first scene. Horror. It’s a full-fledged psychological horror set in modern-day Tokyo, where creatures called ghouls look like humans for the most part but have an insatiable hunger for human flesh (where are Sam and Dean when Tokyo needs them?). People in society are aware of the existence of ghouls, and from the looks of things they’re basically an accepted hazard, like roaming lions- not the best comparison. Tokyo Ghoul follows our main protagonist Ken Kaneki, nice bookish Ken, whose bad dating choice lands him in a dire situation.

Check out the trailer below if, unlike me, you like seeing what you’re in for.

Readers of the still-ongoing manga will already know, and be epically excited for, the extremely dark outlook of this anime. The first episode, beautifully and sharply animated, successfully sets the tone. Whether or not you’re a reader of the manga you’re sure to be engrossed. The anime isn’t without comic relief which comes in the form of Ken’s bestie, Hide (Hideyoshi Nagachika) a goofball. The characters are likeable enough more importantly a badass female character, Toka Kirishima! I shan’t say too much about her lest I spoil the one slight twist, however she does remind me of Mikasa from Attack on Titan.

While some aspects of the episode were predictable the episode overall is a great start, the internal conflict, Ken is faced with, gradually builds as he realises what he’s become, the fight sequences are brilliant and the gore is well gruesome innit? Apparently the manga is excellent and I’ll be sure to get on that because waiting week-to-week for a fix will suck. This will be me after each episode with the thought of a whole week to wait:

New episodes every Friday on AnimeLab I hope. Also, we’ll also be getting the first episode of Terror in Resonance which looks absolutely amazing in a different way. Trailer below!

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

 

 

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.

Leave a comment Posted on by Mata Anime, Movie Talk

Hayao Miyazaki’s THE WIND RISES Headed Back To Cinemas for Limited Release

Master Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s final film The Wind Rises is heading back to cinemas for a limited season on April 24th, that’s next week! Catch it at the Bridgeway in Auckland, the Lighthouse Cuba in Wellington and the Rialto in Tauranga. Bridgeway is screening both the subtitled and dubbed versions of the film, while the Lighthouse will only be screening the subtitled version.

The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) follows Jiro from a young age into adulthood, he dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, but because he’s nearsighted he’s unable to become a pilot. Jiro joins the aircraft division of a major Japanese engineering company in 1927. His genius is soon recognized, and he grows to become one of the world’s most accomplished airplane designers. The Wind Rises gives us key historical events which deeply affects the course of Jiro’s life, including The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the tuberculosis epidemic, and Japan’s plunge into war. It’s an epic tale of love, perseverance, and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.

The Wind Rises