Month: August 2008

Ongoing Investigations: Case #007

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Boogiepop at Dawn is the fourth book released by Seven Seas Entertainment in the Boogiepop series. Technically this is the sixth book in the Boogiepop series but it’s a good deal of prequel material so it doesn’t break the narrative. I wonder if they pushed this one ahead because of it’s greater ties to the anime. Boogiepop at Dawn is a god send for American Boogiepop fans because it finally clears up and explains several unexplained mysteries, characters, and events from the TV series. We finally get to see the Scarecrow; learn the story behind the constantly mentioned serials killings; learn the story behind the death of Nagi Kirima’s father; and the story of his novels. Boogiepop Phantom was not the easiest anime to wrap your head around in the first place. Not having the light novel background that many of the Japanese viewers had made it even worse. The novel claims to be the origin of Boogiepop but I feel it is more the origin of Nagi Kirima and how she met Boogiepop than Boogiepop’s origin.

Daughter of Twenty Faces 12 and 13 were exciting indeed! And knowing that the series was supposed to end here is not surprising. The show didn’t wrap up all of its mysteries by any means but it threw us a very climatic battle and meeting. And I could see it being over and knowing there is more to the story but you’ll have to read the manga to find out. Lucky for us we have 9 more episodes to go!

I finally got around to reading Vampire Hunter D volume 1 in preparation of seeing Hideyuki Kikuchi at New York Anime Festival. The first Vampire Hunter D movie is based on this book. The movie defers a good deal from the novel but it keeps all the high points. The major difference is Rei Ginsei is the head of his own little gang of bandits instead of being a servant of Count Lee. This lets him be a wild card that is constantly allying with various people to kill D. Other than that I feel we get a greater insight into certain characters, events, and background of the world. We see much more of Ramika and Greco. The framework of Vampire Hunter D is the standard western story of a mysterious stranger who rolls into town to save a beautiful woman and her farm from a corrupt big shot. He makes the story his own by adding elements of horror and post-apocalyptic literature and films to spice up the story. My only real complaint is Hideyuki Kikuchi is obsessed with constantly mentioning how beautiful D is all the time. Each chapter either the narrator or some character comments of how good looking D is.

Macross Frontier 18 made me realize a few things. First off, Brera is totally under-used. I thought he was going to be big but he has basically fallen to wayside as super cock-block and that is about it. I hope that changes. Secondly, I’m not sure where they are going with Sheryl, she was out of character in this episode but that isn’t surprising considering the news she got. The next few episodes will be really important for her character development. Lastly, maybe they have been doing it all along but this episode had a lot of very convenient moments, i.e. Sheryl shows up at the library and Sheryl calls a random person. The second one could actually have merit, we will see. Of course you must accept certain coincidences in anything. And since it was brought up in the last ongoing investigation. I’ll just clarify that I don’t give characters a free pass just because they had something bad happen to them. I don’t automatically erase malicious actions from my mind because they have had some trauma. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t forgive them if they showed some sort of change or remorse. All of that is yet to be seen. Oh, the new opening while I like the song a lot the animation sequence was pretty blah.

SS Astro is like Azumanga Daioh but the jokes are about the teachers instead of the students. Oh, and someone thought Kaorin should be main character and not minor side character. Also we have a lesbian substitute teacher than has a clear crush on the main gym teacher. It is definitely a seinen manga in humor and style. I really liked SS Astro but I have reservations about it. The characters are charming and amusing. I really liked the school nurse who was obsessed with people getting hurt so she could see blood. My only problem was there is this aura of pandering around the manga that I am not sure I am comfortable with. It’s not a deal breaker but if they turn up the pandering another notch or two it might get too much for me.

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School Rumble Season 01, Love is a many splendored battlefield.

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GUEST REVIEW BY SKEITH

Ah, to be young and in love; the feelings of anxiety, bliss and depression, all tightly packed into a few short adolescent years. And don’t forget the ridiculous things love makes you do – that has been prime material for romantic comedies since the beginning of time. But, somehow, School Rumble manages to do something fresh with this genre. It breaks conventions and follows its own, unpredictable path. While I feel the writer occasionally got a little carried away with this unpredictability, for the most part, that is what gives School Rumble its edge, making it something that keeps you interested and laughing, even if you’ve seen a hundred anime like it.

At the heart of the story is Tenma Tsukamato, a second-year high school student. Tenma is cute, but not sickeningly so. She is ditsy, but only to the point of mild annoyance. Oh, and of course, she’s in love. The object of her affection is Oji Kurasama, a strange boy of few words who we learn very little about throughout the series. All we really know is that Kurasama has a great many hidden talents, and is more interested in curry than women. While Kurasama was supposed to transfer to a school in America, a love letter by Tenma convinces him to stay for one more year. That’s good, since Tenma forgot to sign the letter and still needs to confess her love to him.

So far, pretty run-of-the-mill…then enters Harima Kenji. Harima is a living can of whup-ass riding a Harley in a leather jacket. In any other anime, Harima would be the violent, dimwitted delinquent that the hero has to overcome to save his/her love. But School Rumble has the delightful twist of making this guy a protagonist that falls in love with Tenma. Now he has to play nice in school for any chance to catch her eye, despite the fact that he could probably kill almost everyone there. This predicament is a terrific source of comedy, since his prowess does little to help him in love. But what is really surprising is just how likable Harima is. He’s a tough-guy, sure, but his emotions are just as frail as any of ours. It’s also apparent, through his insightful commentary, that Harima has spent a lot of time thinking about the meaning of love.

While this base love triangle would have made for an entertaining show on its own, there is a wide cast of characters, all of which have their own sordid relationships. The drawback of this is that two or three episodes can go by without even a cameo from one of the main characters, forcing you to patiently wait for their return while watching the tribulations of some Mexican wrestler who just joined the school and wants to defeat Tenma’s friend.

The long-term payoff, however, is that this (usually) leads to an important development for Harima or Tenma. The most significant of these developments is the transformation of the core love triangle into a love pentagon (I guess love truly is war).

Over the course of the story, Tenma’s sister, Yakumo, and friend, Eri, both fall for Harima. Unlike most other anime, where love seems to always sprout from a single dramatic event, like saving someone’s life, most of the characters’ feelings emerge over time. I doubt the characters themselves know exactly when they fell in love. But before you know it, there they are, staring dreamily at Harima, as he gradually cleans himself up (maintaining every speck of his badassness) and becomes someone you can actually picture with one of these girls.

And that leads to the next level of comedy here: Both Yakumo and Eri are considered bombshells in school: Yakumo is the quiet, sweet, dark-haired beauty, while Eri is a vivacious blonde heiress. Nevertheless, Harima is completely blind to their interest as his sights are set purely on Tenma, whom most of the school would write off as “forgettable” compared to the other two.

Helping to make all of these characters even more dynamic are English voice actors that really fit their parts. Again, Tenma is sweet, but she doesn’t have the high-pitched squeal that turns me off to most of her ilk. Harima ranges from impregnable fortress of manhood to tragic hero, and he switches smoothly between them in a matter of seconds at times. Even the support cast pulls their weight with impeccable comedic timing, though they tend to have a slightly more limited range of emotions (the loud guy, the quiet girl, the perv, etc.). If you are someone who is split between subs or dubs, this is one case I have to recommend the dub, since every subtle nuance in their voices is well done and helps you feel the full force of some jokes.

Towards the end of the season, the plot centers on Harima’s mission to enter a manga contest. His graphic creations are another comedic tool, as he blatantly draws about his own romantic fantasies with Tenma. Occasionally, we get to see the climactic chapters of his manga played out. But right at the end, things start getting weird, and it’s hard to tell what scenes were real, and which were fantasies. It will likely leave you scratching your head and give little closure while you wait for the next season; but that’s forgivable. I watched the first half of this series because I got a few chuckles out of it. Now, I watch because I’m emotionally invested in these characters and I want to see how things sort out.

I also forgive the closing insanity because it’s the writer’s ability to do the unexpected that really made the comedy memorable. He sets us up with classic gags (Harima’s changing clothes and…oh no! A girl walked in on him!), then waits for us to look one way before knocking us with a lead pipe from the other direction. That ability to fool and amuse me consistently means I honestly don’t know who will end up with who. That being said, you’ll find this anime even more entertaining once you find yourself rooting for a particular pairing, since, as opposed to most other anime, it really is any girl’s game – throw the “first girl wins” rule is out the window here.

So be warned, getting into this anime could mean you’ll be hooked until the bitter end, and we don’t know exactly when that will be yet.

Top 5 Guys/Girls Who Never Had a Shot
5. Princess Aeka (Tenchi Muyo) – I don’t care which version of the show you watch, Aeka is always just outclassed by Ryoko’s sheer dedication to Tenchi. Besides, she’s a pirate – nay, a SPACE pirate! Every man’s true fantasy…unless you’re a ninja.
4. Brock (Pokemon) – While he manages to make at least two shots on goal an episode, Brock unfortunately surrounds himself with “goalies” who block his advances. That’s what you get for being the horndog on a kids show.
3. Nara Kentarou (School Rumble) – The original plan was for this guy to be a main character in the manga – that’s the closest he ever got to being with Tenma. Being so plain, the editor tossed him aside for Harima (Or maybe Harima threatened the editor). Though he still tries to get close to Tenma, Nara can’t overcome her aloofness or Harima’s strength.
2. Kaolla Sue (Love Hina) – While it wasn’t certain who Keitaro’s “promise girl” was, you were pretty sure it wasn’t Kaolla. You were also pretty sure she had no chance with Keitaro while he was surrounded by women with either more moé charm and/or bigger guns. Maybe that’s why she kidnaps him?
1. Misa Misa (Death Note) – Hey, know that cute serial killer? The one that wants me to give up half my life and keeps an asperger’s patient on a chain? Yeah, I think he might be the one!

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Ongoing Investigations: Case #006

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I read BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad volume 12 and I have a feeling it is going to get the ax with the way things are going at TokyoPop. It’s a shame because we are finally getting to the story past the anime. Everyone is getting ready to tour in America and saying their goodbyes in Japan. It’s is essentially a transition book but Harold Sakuishi keeps it entertaining. BECK is such an amazing manga I can’t see why people don’t care about it. I guess music manga falls in the same category as sports anime and manga. It is one of those genres that people love in Japan but won’t give a chance in the U.S.

Watched Macross Frontier episodes 15, 16, and 17. It has certainly become a show I don’t want to miss a moment of. Obviously we are getting closer and closer to the end and it still keeps me guessing. Still haven’t seen the person who is the main villain. For a few brief moments I thought the love triangle was on equal footing, but not so much now. Sheryl and Alto have to spend some more time together in the next couple of episodes or there is no way you could convince me he would end up with her. I’m inclined to believe he won’t anyway (good!). I have taken to laughing at the karma I feel is biting Sheryl in the butt. Speaking of love, Cathy and Ozma have to be my favorites to see on my screen! It is kind of like if you ever wondered what would have happened if Roy got together with Misa.

We might not necessarily know who the head honcho of the bad guys is but we do know who his two lieutenants are. Oh episode 17 was just awesome for so so many reasons. If you were not sure that Ozma was a Fire Bomber fan this episode all but shows you his Fire Bomber fan club card next to his Mylene wall scroll. I loved the repeated use of Try Again. Even if we never get that Basara cameo we all want this was more than good enough. I want to mention more reasons why 17 was awesome but that is spoiler country. Sufficed to say more love letters to the all the Macross franchise. Oh and take that Sheryl fans! Take that! Cry while you listen to Don’t Be Late!

Finally, finally, finally picked up the first book of Vagabond. I must have been saying I was going to for over six months. Ended up being pretty good, I wasn’t totally blown away by it but it was definitely good and good enough to pick up the second (hopefully in less than six months from now). Inoue’s style seems to lend itself to this story, gives it a more gritty and real look. Also was glad to see the color pages in tact!

I read volumes 6, 7, and 8 of Mobile Suit Gundam: Ecole du Ciel recently and I have to say it’s a pretty good series that is totally falling through the cracks. It’s a Gundam series with a female protagonist. I know that is heresy but they make it work and are not consumed by the vengeance of Red Comet-sama himself. Ecole du Ciel starts after the end of the original Gundam series and is currently in the middle of Zeta Gundam. At least I think they are up to Zeta Gundam. Feel free to slog through the Universal Century timeline to prove me wrong. There are side notes to get you up to speed about certain major events but I feel they are more reminders to people who have watched the original than explanations for neophytes. Don’t be discouraged by that. This is Asuna Elmarit’s story as she fights in the Universal Century. Major events from the TV series are referenced but Asuna’s story is always her own. Characters die left and right, named characters are clearly not safe. It is a character based story but it is still a war story. Another  series that is probably getting the ax now that Tokyopop is dropping stuff left and right. It’s a shame because there is not much out there like this.

Read books 28 and 29 of Samurai Deeper Kyo. After book 28 I was like, why am I reading this? After book 29 I was like, this is why! I am so tired of groups of villains randomly showing up, now we are onto the four elders. Oh wait the girl they fight in the beginning of 28 is a EX-four elder. SIGH. Then we have three crazy magicians. UH. Oh look an elder finally! He has 10 levels of speed. WHAT? I will be glad when we are actually at the last bad guys, but I’m sure we will have to make it through more groups of villains first. Who is next? The five mahrajs? Thank goodness for all the excitement and bloody battling in 29. Plus a critically injured Yuya, spoiler you say, I think not. I mean can the girl do anything except get hurt, kidnapped, or possessed? This series is a complete roller coaster from bad to good. It is far and away too long, but it’s a shonen fighting series so why I am so surprised? But I keep hanging on because I love Demon Eyes Kyo, can’t help it.

My Heavenly Hockey Club keeps reminding be of Ouran High School Host Club if it were written by Ai Morinaga. I like Ai Morinaga but damn. The similarities are too much to be coincidence. They both have poor girls going to a school of rich kids. They both have tomboyish, sarcastic main girls. They both have a girl who is blackmailed into joining an otherwise all boys club. They both have clueless club leaders that are in love with the main girl. They both have twins that no one can tell apart. There are definite differences in the humor and the writing but you can’t even pretend that My Heavenly Hockey Club is trying to be super original.

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