Month: August 2011

Ongoing Investigations: Case #134

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I started watching Ashita no Nadja on and off in between other shows, I’ve seen four so far. It is a shojo series with a small following. I’ve always been curious about it because it has a It also boasts a fabulous opening. Nadja is a young orphan girl who receives a mysterious package on her 13th birthday which contains a letter revealing her mother is still alive. This sets her off an adventure where she joins a traveling troupe and becomes a dancer, as she searches for her mother she meets various people along the way including many suitors, and she is pursued by villains trying to stop her progress. Nadja is a hard-working dear girl, the troupe is a colorful bunch, and there is a blond prince plus a phantom thief so far! This is such a children’s wish fulfillment show and it is utterly charming in its execution. It also has a bit of a Masterpiece Theater feel. I’m looking forward to watching more.

With a morbid curiosity I decide to brave the first 4 episodes of the 2011 reboot of Thundercats. The original Thundercats is distinctly one of those show that you might have liked as a kid but does not age well at all. The new series is produced by Warner Bros. Animation but the animation is done by Studio 4°C so I also watched for the tenuous anime connection. But make no mistake while some of the visual fair has an anime feel this is very much an American cartoon. It is closer to Avatar: The Last Airbender than Bleach. And that is not a bad thing. The story telling for children of all ages make entertainment that has the ability to stand up over time. Some of it dips into the just for kids cache at times but overall it is a fairly smart remake. The reboot wisely keeps many of the things that people remember fondly about the original and jettisons some of the more frankly stupid parts at the same time. I mean Snarf is now a clever pet as opposed to his old annoying nursemaid persona which I am sure earns the show a metric ton of goodwill. The first episode setup the main cast, had them soundly beaten, and gets them on the run. I will say that Mumm-Ra plan that involved assault mecha, a turncoat, AND a Trojan horse seemed a bit overkill but it does show you that he is a credible threat. The next two episode have been fairly entertaining with a Moby Dick story and the tale living for the day. I think I will keep watching to see where it goes. Be warned no matter how this series turns out it will  be a furry generation engine like the original. This is just an unavoidable fact.

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Shinobu Miyake: Otoko nan te!!!

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Carl at Ogiue Maniax is currently running a contest to win a copy of Galaxy Express 999 and Adieu Galaxy Express 999. I decided that I would make today’s post my entry into the contest. I sadly don’t talk about Rumiko Takahashi or Urusei Yatsura nearly as much as I should. Bu this contest gives me a chance to talk about one of my favorite anime characters. One that I normally don’t talk nearly enough about. I have loved Shinobu Miyake since my early in my fandom. She is fascinating character study and noteworthy in several respects outside of the scope of this post. But for now let me answer a question about growing up.

What is your favorite example in anime/manga of a character growing up, whether literally or figuratively, and why?

Rumiko Takahashi is rather infamous for creating great characters with huge personality quirks and then running them though hundreds of different scenarios as their signature shtick plays off of each new situation. For this to work the characters largely have to remain the same loveable jerks they are when they are introduced who never learn from their experiences. But I think there is one character who very clearly goes through a strong character arc over the course of Urusei Yatsura. That character is Shinobu Miyake.

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Otaku NYC: Go! Go! Curry

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As Ciel-senpai has taught us there are many different types of curry from all over the world with each region putting its own spin on the dish. Ciel-senpai also teaches us that all of them are delicious. Japan has its own variety of curry that is generally regarded as a simple down-home comfort food. Japanese curry is a thick gravy-like curry poured on top of rice with a variety of toppings. It is a simple meal that can be made quickly but is very filling. When you are in Manhattan the place to eat Japanese curry is Go! Go! Curry.

The menu at Go! Go! Curry is all baseball themed. The sizes go from walk (small) to triple (extra large). The dish comes with rice, curry, and shredded cabbage. The curry itself has a mild but rich flavor with a hint of sweetness. This is not the fiery rush of a vindaloo but the simple richness of a roux. You then add your choice of meat including breaded chicken, pork, or shrimp as well as pork sausages. There is also tilapia as a secret menu item if you ask for it. You can also throw on a boiled egg, rokkyo, fukuzinzuko, cheese, or natto (WARNING: natto is only for the very brave) for a little extra. There are also special platters like the home run and grand slam that are a mixtures of all kinds topping to top of a huge amount of rice and curry. Those are for groups or power eaters. If you go on a day ending in 5 (go being 5 in Japanese) or whenever Hideki Matsui hits a home run you can get a free topping coupon for your next visit.

If you are going for your first time I love the katsu (pork) curry but you can get the chicken curry if dietary requirements prevent you from eating pig. I have never tried the tilapia as I always forget to ask for it. I do wonder why they don’t have one of the most traditional topping for curry rice, the hamburger patty. It seems like it would be a great addition to the menu. If you are ever in Manhattan be sure to try Go! Go! Curry at least once. I know I go to 273 W 38th St whenever I get the chance.

UPDATE: There is now a new location in the West Village at 231 Thompson St.