Category: Ongoing Investigations

Ongoing Investigations: Case #052

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So I finally got around to building my Char Action Base over the weekend. I was quite surprised that it was in any way complex, I expected to just open up the package and be good to go. Not so. This is probably for maximum customability, there were more stickers in this kit than I think there were in the actual Zaku II Master Grade I built! Both stands can be put in many different positions as well as be lengthened and shortened easily. They are very thick so sturdiness seems in tact though trying to put the Zaku II at a 90 degree angle proved too much for it. In any case, the construction was rather quick and then came the ability to make Char’s Zaku look like it is flying through space! Watch out!

I don’t think that The Battle of Genryu: Origin is a bad manga though I am not sure it is a good one either. Our main character Jinnosuke has an unusual condition. Most of the time he is a normal clumsily high school student but every so often he get amazing bursts of athletic skill. We comes to find he has tremendous martial arts skill that lies dormant thanks to his family’s hypnotism. Jinnosuke’s older brother, Soichiro comes back determined to awaken this sleeping powerhouse. The fighting is fine and entertaining but not spectacular. Shoko Fukaki tends to use a lot of speed lines and the rest of the art work is serviceable but not outstanding. Jinnosuke is happy go lucky normally but his personality with the power is utterly ruthless. That dynamic is what will make or break this manga, but it is hard to tell which direction it is leaning here. I was somewhat saddened that even though Fusano, Jinnosuke’s girlfriend, is also a martial artist, she is really the utterly weak sauce love interest girl. The first book mostly set up Jinnosuke’s situation so how exactly the whole series is going to play out has yet to be determined so it’s hard to make a definitive statement. However, it’s not a series that is going to win over non-fighting manga fans but people who like martial arts might want to see how it develops.

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Ongoing Investigations: Case #051

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In preparation for seeing Frederik Schodt at Otakon, Narutaki and I decided to read The Astro Boy Essays. The title might say The Astro Boy Essays but this book is just as much a detailed look at Osamu Tezuka as it is a look at Astro Boy. The essays cover the production of Astro Boy as both an anime and manga, its effects on Japanese anime and manga, as well as on Japanese culture in general. The book also covers how Astro Boy was localized in the United States. Throughout Frederik Schodt gives us a look at the man himself, Tezuka. I now realize that many of the smart people who I consider well-versed on Osamu Tezuka are merely stating what they know from this book. My only criticism is that at times this is obviously a collection of essays written over the years. This means that some parts will be redundant as he has a tendency to repeat certain aspects in one essay to the next because all the essays were originally stand alone pieces. Still it is one of the definitive pieces on Osamu Tezuka and one of his most beloved and well-known creations. It is a must read for anyone interested in anime and manga’s history and one of its greatest contributors.

YAY! I got my copy of The Astro Boy Essays signed! After recently reading Dreamland Japan also by Schodt, which showcased a bit of Schodt’s friendship with Tezuka through his interpreting for him in the United States, I needed to pick up this collection of essays as well. Astro Boy and Tezuka are highlighted in his previous books, and some of the tidbits are the same, but the thinking of Tezuka and his own interactions with his creation are fully fleshed out in The Astro Boy Essays. It is written in a conversational manner and not bogged down with so many dates, facts, and figures as to come off dry. This is apparent in all of Schodt’s works and is the reason it is so accessible and a joy to read. The Astro Boy Essays also helped me appreciate that so much of the Tezuka library is finally being published in English. While I have not read much of the original Astro Boy manga, I soon will be. This was an all around quick but informative read that is necessary for anyone who appreciates the history of anime and manga.

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Ongoing Investigations: Case #050

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For some reason I have been sitting on Galaxy Railways for a while now. I finally watched the series up through episode 14. After a quite somber beginning, we follow new recruit Yuuki to the Space Defense Force crew of train Big One. When he first enters he has many idealistic ideas which cause constant conflict on missions, this continues throughout these episodes. However, there is growth on his part even if he stays rather rash. The rest of the crew provides a bevy of functions such as humor, animosity, friendship, guidance, and romance. So far most of the episodes have been individual missions with occasional looks at characters’ back stories. There is certainly a overall plot to come that is hit on now and again. Most things center around the complicated line of trains that cross the galaxy moving people and goods. Yuuki is constantly getting caught up in other people’s personal problems which makes him rather endearing if somewhat of an idiot at times. The series has a good mix of suspense, action, and character analysis combined with a unique setting and seems to have gone overlooked despite its good production values. The art style is a hybrid of Leiji Matsumoto’s classic 70’s character design with a little modernity thrown in which I really enjoy. I am looking forwarding to continuing on.

I try not to think of myself as too much of a shipper. I leave how much of this is a self disillusion to others. I will admit when I found out that the two figures from the Gundam RAH DX line for Turn A Gundam were Loran and Sochie I had to get them so I could display them together to suit my agenda. Loran is decked out in his pilot’s suit. It’s fairly form fitting so the ladies get some service with this Gundam figure. His pose is as if he is reaching out to something in the distance which is quite appropriate for the character. He comes with his helmet and his Children’s Day Carp toy. Since Loran is my favorite Gundam protagonist I’m glad to see him get an excellent figure. I would also buy a Loran figure in his Diver’s uniform or his Milita outfit but I am pretty sure you would only see those at Wonderfest. I won’t go as far as to say that Sochie is my favorite Gundam heroine because I’m not exactly sure who that is. She is my favorite female from Turn A Gundam though. She is in one of her pre-milita dresses and looking quite cute. I love her playful little finger waving motion. Another good pose that captures why I really like the character. For better or for worse (better) Sochie is wearing leotards so we don’t get a panty shot on her. Like Loran I would easy plunk down money to buy her again in a milita uniform as well.

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