12.21.09

IN THE YEAR 2000(…through 2009)!

Posted in Anime Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , at 10:00 am by reversethieves

Since everyone is doing their best of the decade lists we decided to throw in our two cents as well. Instead of doing a “Best Anime of the 00’s” we focused on shows from the 00’s you might have overlooked. We did not try to pick shows that will blow your mind with how obscure they are. These are just good show that you might have overlooked. We hope you find at least one series on the list you’ll really enjoy!

This is not some be all, end all of lists of shows from the decade. This is just a little nudge to say “Hey, did you see all these goodies?” Also these are shows that we have both seen, it was just plain easier to narrow it down that way. But you’ll see at the end a personal pick for each of us. What gems did we overlook in these last ten years, I’d sure like to hear!

Kino’s Journey
(Read our full review here)

Kino’s Journey is a meaty show for people who really want to sink their teeth into what they are watching. Kino’s travels take her to a new town every episode that highlights some oddity of human nature or culture. All the stories deal with philosophical concepts in a mature manner while remaining entertaining. This is best one episode at a time so the ideas presented within can be mulled over in your head for a bit before moving onto the next.

Kino’s Journey  has this mix of hope and melancholy in addition to it’s wanderer feel. The span of the world Kino travels is vast like her indomitable spirit and curiosity. This is also one of those shows where you are sort of dropped into the middle and only see the wrapped up of a specific journey and a bit of growth by the end rather than a full conclusion of some kind. P.S. talking motorcycle

Daughter of Twenty Faces
(Read our full review here)

A high spirited adventure with the best parts of detective and phantom thief anime. Chizuko is a great, strong young woman who is thankfully not sexually exploited by the show. She really draws you into her journey and makes you root for her as she is helping Twenty Faces steal a priceless object or when she tries to solve a mystery. It has an excellent blend of action, comedy, tragedy, intrigue, and drama with a touch of steampunk.

We just wrote about Daughter of Twenty Faces so you shouldn’t be too surprised to see it on the list since in encompasses exactly what we are all about! The setting is really catching with its post WWII feel but intermixing steampunk. Everyone wants an adventure like this, it has that classic familiar feel to it, but its mysteries and quirks are deftly handled.

Planetes

One of the best examples of hard sci-fi you will find in anime; it takes the the best parts of the genre with an utterly believable future filled with commonplace space travel. At the same time it avoids making it dull by connecting you to the characters and their stories. You will find yourself rooting for the underdogs of the debris section as they reach for their dreams. A more mature anime with an adult storyline that does not have gratuitous sex or violence.

There is a sad lack of sci-fi anime of late and Planetes focus on a more probably and mundane future makes it a further anomaly. But within that mundanity of the job are a cast of characters each with their individual dreams, fears, and a connection to space. Think of it like an office sitcom, only better. And since this is really a story about people an interest in space is recommended but not required to enjoy this show.

The Story of Saiunkoku
(Read our full review here)

Don’t let certain people on the Internet make you avoid this show because they say it is a reverse harem. A cast of attractive male characters does not a reverse harem show make. The men all don’t dream of Shuurei. If fact almost none of them do. This a great blend of drama and politics in a unique fantasy setting. The comedy and drama is strong but Shuurei’s deft dealings with politics and adamant determination to improve the nation is what will keep you watching.

Don’t go look at The Story of Saiunkoku promotional material, just don’t, it doesn’t help our case. The story while focusing on Shuurei has a huge cast of characters giving it the feeling of literally telling us the story of an entire country. The romance of the first 10 or so episodes soon takes a backseat to Shuurei’s rise in the government and all the politics, problems, and people that come along with it.

Akagi

Don’t let the fact that you don’t know how to play Mahjong keep you from enjoying one of the most intense anime. The sheer suspense and the players reactions tell you everything you need to know. Every game is a intense life or death struggle where Akagi puts everything on the line and you can’t help but get swept away with his madness. Akagi could be playing old maid and the it would still be as captivating.

First you will watch the opening and shrug, but by episode three you will have the song on your MP3 player. Akagi himself will blow you always with his bad-assery, even at age 14 or precisely because he is only 14, and you will know his chuckle that means “you fool” well. Never has Mahjong been more intense as Akagi goes around challenging the unsavory underworld with stakes that give even the worst of them pause. And yes, Akagi would mop the floor with anyone from Saki.

Paradise Kiss

High fashion and dramatic romance combine to create a visual symphony for the eyes and an emotional one for the heart. A mature look at romance and relationships that is long enough to be an excellent character study but short enough that the melodrama does not wear out its welcome. And the whole time everyone looks stunningly sharp while it is going on.

Paradise Kiss may sell you on its awesome opening alone. If not, then consider Yukari’s dramatic journey from unsure young girl to determined young woman who learns what it is to step out on your own. Between its colorful cast of characters and its very mature romance, Paradise Kiss delivers on all fronts. It also has a hip, modern style paired with its bittersweet coming of age tale.

God Soul Combination Godannar!!

Any mecha fan will tell you that Gurren Lagann is constantly making sly little  winks at the audience to see if they love old giant robot shows as much as they do. Godannar shouts its love for robots outside your window with a boom box playing the Mazinger Z theme. It has comedy played totally straight to great effect alongside well done character drama between the pulse pounding robots fights. It can be easy to miss all of the with the super gratuitous fan-service but don’t let that turn you off from a truly spectacular show.

Alright, there is little to no way you can watch this show if fan-service deters you. But even so you should atleast watch the first four episodes. Godannar is this wicked combination satire but played extra serious making it even more funny! It will leave you holding your sides from laughter but also cheering for giant robot action. And just try not to sign along with the opening. Recommended for viewing in groups.

Le Chevalier d’Eon
(Read our full review here)

It combines real life personalities from pre-revolutionary France and adds a layer of supernatural intrigue. Plus you get zombies, magic, politics, cloak and dagger, and the hottest version of Robespierre ever. The best part is that we get to see the mystery behind the conspiracy in Le Chevalier d’Eon at just the right pace so we are never bored or info dumped. Plus the actions scenes are well choreographed and dynamic.

If I had to pick one show on the list that is simply amazing, it would be La Chevalier d’Eon. It is a well-plotted globe spanning mystery with a great use of subtlety and nuance in addition to its twist on history. Everyone in the series is engaging and all have a little secret making it impossible to always know people’s motives. And best of all this show genuinely surprised me in its final revelations.

Cromartie High School

I really enjoy dry humor when it is done effectively and Cromartie High School pulls it of in spades. Even though the student body is filled with stand up comedy delinquents, a robot, a gorilla, and Freddie Mercury it is all kept in check by making the humor very subdued. The jokes could easily wear thin if the comedy was spastic but the jokes are allowed the correct amount of slow build to make this series a delight.

I always thought Cromartie High School would have done well with the Adult Swim crowd. The series is played so dry and straight as if having these scenarios occur is just a part of life. It’s a riot and you’ll wish you could go to a delinquent-filled Japanese high school too!

Taisho Baseball Girls

Taisho Baseball Girls is a fun and bright tale of a girls baseball team trying to show that they can play on equal terms with the boys. The story moves along at a brisk but relaxed pace and every episode had something that made me laugh out loud or tear up a bit. This show remind me of a historical version of Princess Nine and that is no faint amount of praise.

Taisho Baseball Girls may win you over with just its first episode’s musical tour of Taisho era Tokyo. The series has charm in spades and thanks to a well thought of cast of girls most every moment is a gem. The humor is spry but not over the top as it its tiny steps towards feminism. It also for the most part refuses to pander keeping the themes of teamwork and friendship believable. I too got a Princess Nine feeling, maybe even a little A League of Their Own thrown in!

Kekkaishi
(Read our full review here)

Kekkaishi is this strangely unknown shonen fighting anime that corrects so many of the major flaws of popular shonen fighting shows yet goes critically overlooked. It has a vibrant protagonist, a strong female secondary protagonist, and battles where the fighters have to using their brains more than their brawn to defeat their opponents. Stop complaining about why you dislike the shonen anime you are watching now and watch this instead.

Why, why, why didn’t this show get the love it so deserved? Kekkaishi has the right combination for shonen fighting, which includes a strong female lead. Tokine starts off more capable than Yoshimori and while he grows, so does she. And let’s not forget it also boasts one of the most organic romances in recent memory, one which never overtakes the plot but is in the undercurrent at all times.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
(Read our prereview here)

When done right children’s literature does not mean simple literature it means literature that can be enjoyed by anyone and Moribito is based on a great piece of children’s fiction. Balsa is a great, strong female protagonist who retains her femininity while still be an amazing fighter. Also coming from a family friendly time slot in Japan means the animation is lush and smooth. The story is complex while still be accessible for enjoyment by the whole family.

Moribito stuck out to me because of its established world setting that sort of melds historical and supernatural, its just well realized quickly. Balsa is one tough lady, even though there can be spans between fighting, the fights are nicely presented. Don’t let that it’s based on children’s literature fool you into underestimating it. After you watch this, go and pick up the first two novels!

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Gankutsuou is simultaneously a unique visual marvel and an amazing re-imaging of a literary classic.  Gankutsuou takes one of  Alexandre Dumas’s most famous tales and places it in a futuristic time while giving us the story from a previously minor character’s point of view. As long as you don’t hold the original book as unchangeable holy writ I think there is much to enjoy about this adaption.

Color, patterns, and light are all played with in the extreme in Gankutsuou and splash about in every scene. This easily lends the otherworldly feel to the story as goes its futuristic historic setting. The story unfolds in dramatic bliss as revenge and love are orders of the day thrown in with more than a few twists. Some people have complained that Gakutsuou’s style is difficult to watch but it is a unique site to behold as is its take on a classic tale.

Princess Tutu

Princess Tutu is so rare and unique that it shouldn’t be missed. A a seemingly simple fairy tale about a duck who transformers into a girl in order to protect the broken pieces of a prince’s heart takes a decidedly dark and deconstructive turn as it goes on. What is explored through the series are myths, how stories emerge, fate, and a darkness in people’s hearts among other things. Ahiru is bright and awkward but with a strength all her own and a sense of duty and love that is unrivaled.  It’s just such an unexpected show!

Emma

Emma is a delightful romance in Victorian England that just feels like it should be on Masterpiece Theater. As a classic Upstairs Downstairs romance it has a charming and human cast of characters that draws you into this period piece. This is a great series to just come home to and relax with in precisely the way the slice of life genre should be. The series is immaculately researched and looks amazing. A masterpiece for anyone who loves historical fiction and well done romance.

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11.23.09

What do the characters we hate say about us?

Posted in Fandom Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , at 9:25 am by reversethieves

This week we look at the characters we hate and once again ask you the readers decide if that it means anything about Narutaki and I. It is often said that what we hate the most in others in what we hate about ourselves. Does the fact extend to anime characters we hate? Do the characters that get under our skin the most provide some insight into our psyche? Does it tell us something different then what the characters we like or are they merely opposite sides of the same coin?

If there is one thing the internet has enough of, it is hate. Hate for shows, hate for people, and plenty of hate for characters. Unfortunately, we will be spreading such ire today. What would our former post be without its companion piece? However, I would like to point out this post isn’t about bad characters or poorly written development, it is about characters we dislike for inherent flaws in their personalities. I would even argue, if I can passionately oppose a character that means they are actually written rather fully. Once again we are trying to explore what, if anything, it means to dislike a character with such fervor. This, much differently from the previous post, can get a bit hairy and quite intense at times. But we will do our best to be respectful. Maybe.

Read the rest of this entry »

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02.09.09

Death in Anime, Who wants to live forever?

Posted in Anime Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , at 7:50 am by reversethieves

This is obviously going to be filled with spoilers. Series: Cowboy Bebop, Macross, Gundam, G Gundam, Gundam Wing, Gundam Seed, Gundam Seed Destiny, Gundam 00, Death Note, Gurren Lagann, Trigun, Nadesico, Full Metal Alchemist, Bleach, Magic Knight Rayearth, Berserk, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Claymore, Evangelion, Eureka 7, Kekkaishi, Story of Saiunkoku, Rurouni Kenshin, Twelve Kingdoms.

Sometimes characters die in anime. Sometimes characters you have grown to love die in anime. Sometimes character you have grown to hate die as well. This was always one of the selling points people brought up on how Japanese cartoons were different than American cartoons. Anime was supposed to have greater maturity and greater suspense because anyone could die. People could tell that there was something different about Robotech when Roy Fokker died. People loved Roy and then he was gone. Roy was truly gone and it effected the viewers who were not used to it. But are such powerful deaths the norm or an anomaly in anime?

What I thought about anime when I first encountered it, among other things, was that it held an element of surprise. Knowing a character that you have traveled the length of a story with could be killed kept you on your toes. It is not wholly unknown in American entertainment, but at the same time they love to fake you out. Movies, television, and comic books love the affectionately named soap-opera death. It is used so frequently that I, along with countless others, can’t believe a character is gone without a body and even then sometimes they aren’t really gone! Anime does this too, however we have all actually seen them kill a favorite character at some point, it makes the odds different. And it honestly made me love and appreciate a good death scene. Heck, I look forward to such moments not because I want to see them go but because it can be a crowning moment for a character.

While I have to agree that many an anime is willing to kill off characters how effective it is can be another story. Sometimes when a character dies it can be shocking, heartbreaking, or even amazing. It makes the narrative more real and unpredictable. It is an organic part of the story that moves the audience with genuine emotion. Other times it’s nothing more than a cheap way of trying to manipulate the audience. Death in anime can be little else than killing someone as a crass attempt to pull at the heartstrings or to invoke sympathy for a character who never warranted any beforehand.

A good death hinges on good characterization. A character doesn’t have to be around for a long time in order to make you feel the weight of their demise. Some deaths can effect you on multiple levels as well. You yourself might feel a great sadness to see a character go or you might feel the resonance of their death to the characters left behind. But once again this is about creating a connection and a bond between the audience and the story. The ability to write a good death separates the boys from the men.

“You gotta carry that weight” hangs on the screen for a few seconds and then it sinks in that Spike is in fact dead. Spike’s death has a tremendous emotional resonance on the viewer and on the series itself. The whole series builds slowly builds to Spike’s final moments. Spike’s death is a classic scene of anime that in many ways defines how Cowboy Bebop is remembered. This a the perfect example of how to do a death in an anime correctly. It is hard hitting and poignant. It sticks with the viewer and enhances the show. Even if Spike’s death was preordained it is still quite resonate with the viewer.

Spike’s death was a crowning moment in storytelling. Even knowing everything you did watching up to that point, it was still an unbelievable few minutes. You thought, “No, he’ll get up.” You thought, “Someone will come at the last moment.” Or a number of other things. And then after you accepted it you really felt it. We were on a journey with Spike that ended with definite finality. Whether or not anime has no qualms with killing characters, it is still rare to see the death of the main character. It forces you to admit that the adventure is over. Cowboy Bebop was amazing for a lot of reasons not the least of which was the unforgettable loss of Spike Spiegel.

There are many categorizations of death, let’s take the mentor death like when Roy Fokker dies leaving behind his student to take up his mantle. Roy Fokker’s death is just as hard hitting. His forthright charm made him one of the most popular characters in the series because he was so easy going yet still so badass. His final meal that he never gets to taste of became a famous meme for the death of a character and even comes up in Macross Frontier. Will A. Zeppeli’s death in the Phantom Blood section of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure was just as epic. He dies saving Jonathan Joestar going into the battle knowing that he was destined to die then but has no hesitation in doing so. He also gives his remaining life energy to Jonathan so he can defeat Dio Brando. He is one of the first well done noble sacrifices in a series know for both its high body count of named characters and quality deaths of main characters. The mentor character often has to die to let his student become his own man. It can also give the protagonist an even stronger reason to fight, be it for revenge or his desire to make his mentor proud.

The mentor death is universally popular, it can be seen in many places including Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Lion King. It forces our young hero to embark on the journey with more responsibility than they may be ready for. Kamina’s death came as a shocking blow, to the cast and the viewer, in Gurren Lagann. He was a gung-ho, manly manic of energy! Not only did he constantly push everyone against the odds, he didn’t believe odds existed! And his death was made of manly passion. Kamina wore who he was on the outside and you couldn’t help but be fond of the guy. His death pushes Simon towards things they wouldn’t have occurred had he always been in Kamina’s shadow. Theresa’s death in Claymore seemed inevitable since we were in flashback mode, but nevertheless Theresa proved herself to be smart, resourceful, brave, powerful, and human in our brief stint with her. Everyone mourned her death as Clare did. So their deaths are tragic, and as the audience we may truly not want to see them go, but their sacrifices are essential to the movement of the hero.

There is also the death of the beloved side character. Kittan death is the other famous one from Gurren Lagann. His noble sacrifice recalls elements of Kamina’s death yet is its own noble passing. After his battle with Chapel, Wolfwood knows he is mortally wounded and goes in front of the alter to confess in his last moments. He tries to come to peace with his life but is unable to do so. I remember thinking that some sort of miracle would occur in the next episode and Wolfwood would somehow not be dead. To many viewers this was a much the climax of the series as Vash’s fight with Knives. Then there is Maes Hughes. He was a popular comedic character known for his over the top declarations of love for his wife and super-proud-love of his daughter. I remember reading on a forum about a girl being teased my her mother when she cried after Huges died. I also remember people saying they dropped Full Metal Alchemist after Hughes died.

A side character can be more than the sum of his screen time, they can come to mean just as much to the audience as their heroic counter-parts. Perhaps sometimes we see ourselves more in the side role or maybe they display lovable characteristics that the lead lacks. Whatever the case, many the mourning of a side character goes to show that the length of an acquaintance has little to do with the impact of it. Gai Daigoji is an incredibly well-known and still mentioned side character from a series that had a passing moment in the limelight, Martian Successor Nadesico. He had all the manly robot passion one could muster! He was us, the people who dream of piloting giant robots. And his death was surprising and sad. The utter massacre of the Band of the Hawk in Berserk was many things including disturbing, heart-wrenching, and unforgettable. Goodbye lovable Pippin, farewell good-natured Judeau, au voir Guts’ arm! Gen’s selfless demise in Kekkaishi came as quite a shock. The slow friendship between him and Yoshimori enhanced that and to him lose his friend so quickly was very hard. Gen wasn’t an easy guy to get along with but we had come to understand him and to accept him. Maybe we don’t feel destroyed at the thought of our own demise but to lose your best buddy, a comrade, brings many emotions to the surface.

Tomoe Yukishiro was only introduced in the first set of OAVs for Rurouni Kenshin after the TV series had ended but her death was powerful and a defining moment for Kenshin’s character. While her phony marriage to Kenshin had helped him regain much of his humanity, it was her death that solidified his vow never to kill again. We slowly get to know Tomoe and her secrets so that when she finally makes her sacrifice to save Kenshin it not only has the emotional impact of a character who feel for but also shows us why everything what lead up to the TV series. We see why Kenshin loved her and why her death had a profound effect on everything he does after that.

The death of a lover can be a catapult for a character to begin a journey whether it be of self-reflection or the pursuit of revenge. They are quite often heart-wrenching and sometimes senseless and as with any important death make us look back on what had come before it. Speaking of heart-wrenching Kaji’s death in Evangelion was just that. Not that Evangelion was much of an upper in the end. But his seemingly devil-may-care attitude made it all the more devastating. And when Misato listens to that phone call you want to fall apart in just the same way. Her pain was my own.

Even if they were villains I don’t think anyone who watched Eureka Seven was not effected by the deaths of Charles and Ray Beams. There deaths start the second half of Eureka Seven in a profoundly depressing and shocking way yet very effectively. After watching Renton bonds with Charles and Ray they essentially become his loving, goofy foster parents for several episodes. Their deaths are as powerful as the deaths of any protagonist in the show. Both Charles and Ray die in a gruesome manner. Despite them dying opposing the crew of the Gekkostate, you cannot help but feel for them. But it’s just like Holland says, there could have been no other way.

The death of a villain can mark the end of a series in a monumental way. In many instance we have followed the journey of the villain and learned about what makes them tick just as we have our warriors. It is possible to get just as attached to the antagonist and mourn them just as you would anyone else. While I thought the later half of the Magic Knight Rayearth anime had problems, Zagato’s death and reasoning behind his destruction of Cephiro is wonderfully tragic. A villain who can love deeply is very gray and his defeat makes you question which would you choose. A final battle is epic, it is what all the roads are leading to but sometimes it is hard to see the story end.

Gundam is famous for often being a bloody and brutal series. The original series director, Yoshiyuki Tomino, gained his nickname Kill ‘Em All partially due to his work on the original season. Tomino kills the two most popular characters in the Universal Century time line in their final battle. Considering how insanely popular Char and Amuro were this is no casual decision. He also killed off large percentages of the cast in almost every other Universal Century series. Characters could die heroically defending their ideals just as easily as dying pointlessly. The Gundam franchise has continued the tradition by making sure you never know when a character will die. Lockon’s death in Gundam 00 was so surprising because they faked you out. You assume in the back of your mind that he was protected because they would not kill him so soon after almost killing him. But two episodes later he dies. Lockon’s death was so powerful because he was easily the most likable of the Gundam meisters. Even the goofy G Gundam is able to turn the death of Domon’s traitorous mentor, Master Asia, into an epic manly death.

Gundam uses the many ranges of death from beloved side character to hero. Obviously they are killed with varying degrees of importance to the audience. Lockon’s death was a really difficult blow because you had to go through the anguish twice! They left you hanging just enough to believe he was dead the first go around, then when they finally kill him you think it is another fake out. In Gundam Seed, Mu La Flaga’s death was all the things it should have been. He went out defending the Archangel and a woman he loved. Mu was a minor character that made his way into the memories of the audience. Seeing his helmet floating there in space was sad indeed. Of course this awesome piece of emotional work was destroyed by reediting the footage and bringing him back in Gundam Seed Destiny. And who could forget the elegant villain from Gundam Wing, Treize Khushrenada. He was intelligent, clam, rational, and persuasive he could almost make you believe anything he said. He was also brilliant strategist and lethal in the combat. And he didn’t even die without having a hand in it. Gundam has made a business of giving us character deaths across the board and many to great effect.

Just as a epic death can make a series, a lame death can derail a series just as quickly. It can take what was supposed to be a dramatic scene and turn it into comedy. How many times have you seen this scenario? A character is introduced suddenly then we quickly learn a good deal about him unlike any other character we have previously met. Maybe we learn that he has family waiting for him or a pretty girlfriend. Then later in the episode he is killed usually in a major battle. This scenario is supposed to show the horrors of war or battle. I remember toastyfrog aka Jeremy Parish mentioning the perfect example of this back in the day. In Record of Lodoss War, Parn meets a random young soldier before a major battle between the forces of light and dark for the fate of the land. The young soldier tells Parn about his family at home and his young daughter who gave him a locket. After the bloody battle Parn finds the soldier’s body and the locket. We are supposed to feel horrible for this young man. Really you just see him as some random schulp who was destined to die the minute he whipped out the locket.

It became a running gag in Tower of Druaga. Random characters that started talking about getting married when they got home were going to the chopping block. The other version of this is to take a background or side character and suddenly start giving us way more story than ever before. In some attempt at making us connected to them and to make it seem like the creator isn’t afraid to rid the canvas of characters. These attempts are mostly transparent and completely forgettable until someone on a forum starts talking about how no one dies in such and such series. These are cheap ploys and they rarely work because connecting with a character isn’t simply knowing their back story. After experience really well done deaths, you start to pick up on poorly done ones.

One of the most recent famously hated deaths was L from Death Note. People who liked Light kept with the show but L fans were devastated. Many had been reading the series assuming/hoping that L was the main character. I know many a person who gave up on Death Note with the passing of L. Then again not killing anyone isn’t necessarily any better. A show where battles are supposed to be tense and exciting can be drained of their energy if there is no chance of death. Bleach is good example. How many people who were not minor allies or throwaway villains have actually died? With all the battles it seems like no one can bite it in Bleach. Momo looked like she was dead as a doornail when Aizen runs her through but it turns out that she was just merely seriously injured. Chad and Renji should both be taking dirt naps but are still around and Rukia is not much better. Also Tite Kubo keeps adding characters while not removing any leading to many characters not getting developed but still sticking around.

Shonen fighting shows are variable in their love of fake death and their willingness to actually kill characters. People in Saint Seiya are constantly getting punch in the heart, like through the skin and directly on the heart, but survive! Dragonball Z is notorious for characters dying 2, 3, 4 times and constantly being resurrected. On the other hand, Naruto seems perfectly willing to kill off the older generation. Maybe I like a good death because it ensures that the characters go out on a noteworthy, memorable scene instead of thinking they will fade into obscurity and die of old age one day. Does anyone really want to see a hero go out that way?

In the end what makes a good death and a bad death comes down to two factors. Did you ever really care about the character who is dying? And was their death significant to the story? If you never had any connection to the character then the death means nothing. People die everyday but it is so commonplace that you would go insane if you mourned for everyone who died in real life. In some series people die all the time. You can’t feel bad for everyone who dies in Legend of the Galactic Heroes. The creator’s hope is that you care about the few characters whose death is meaningful. No one wants those deaths top serve as plot filler or tedious melodrama. A valiant sacrifice or a brave last stand always works well. Dying to finish a mission or expend a little more energy to push something or someone else ahead can also be dramatically effective. Even a random seemingly pointless death can be strong if it is done in a way to support the narrative as opposed to exploiting it. It just has to be done for a higher reason.

Top 5 Characters I was glad to see die
5. Sivil (Macross 7), damn she is still alive. King of Kou (Twelve Kingdoms)
4. Rau Le Creuset (Gundam SEED)
3. Light Yagami/Misa Amane (Death Note)
2. Sakujun Sa (Story of Saiunkoku)
1. Flay Alister (Gundam SEED)

*When making comments, please use a spoiler alert with the name of the series you will be spoiling if we haven’t mentioned it in this post!

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01.05.09

Narutaki & Hisui VS. 2008

Posted in Anime, Conventions, Fandom, Manga, Music, Novels, Toys Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , at 8:31 am by reversethieves

Ah, our first full year of blogging, blogging, and more blogging. With that year came a face-lift for the site and also a new schedule for posts. I also graduated from college significantly helping my own schedule for this blog and I have attempted to make it a priority. We saw a significant rise in readership in the later half and have since become immersed in the community of anime bloggers. All in all not a bad time indeed, many thanks to all of our readers. Anywho, this is pretty self-explanatory, we are looking at what we loved or hated from our year of blogging in 2008. No matter what state the industry is in, there are always great things to watch, read, and buy! Oh and I’ll just point out that this is what WE have personally encountered in 2008 so everything on this list may not have come out in 2008 specifically.

As opposed to Narutaki the more things change in my life the more they same. The bad economy has been effecting everyone and everything and I am sure that the seeds planted this year will have large ramifications on 2009. I think things are only going to be worse before they get better. I hope all our readers are doing well and anyone who is experiencing some dark times gets through it quickly. But as always this too shall pass. I am glad to see an increase in readership and interest in the blog. Narutaki and I will continue to work hard on making the blog a better place to visit so I hope you all continue to come.

Losers don’t like 70’s manga. You don’t want to be a loser do you? or Favorite Classic Manga Release:

Black Jack
What can I say, Tezuka is great enough to make me like a medical based drama! Though I am eternally grateful for the black and white imagery. All of these short stories are odd but loosely based on something you wouldn’t be too surprised about happening. The release by Vertical is wonderfully cared for and is in the same order as the current Japanes release. My favorites from the first volume include the talented woman doctor in Black Queen, the sushi chef in Two Loves, and the ill computer in U-18 Knew. Black Jack is super cool under pressure, almost completely self-sufficient, and totally bad-ass. Rock on Tezuka.

Dororo
Dororo is one of Osamu Tezuka’s classic series and an inspiration for countless series including Fullmetal Alchemist. Dororo starts when Hyakkimaru’s father sells his son’s body parts to demons for power. Hyakkimaru is barely born alive and taken in by a doctor who gives him artificial organs. When Hyakkimaru becomes of age he sets out to defeat the demons who have his organs to gain his original body back. Along the way he meets a young thief named Dororo who accompanies him on his journey.  It’s a shame that Dororo was wrapped up so quickly and some what incompletely. Still it is a classic adventure manga that will delight readers of all ages.

The Boring, Incestuous, Lesbian, Pedo Hour or Worst Thing I Watched:

World Destruction
Anime based on video games are almost always universally bad. World Destruction is an anime that shows just how bad video games based anime can be. The characters are unappealing and downright moronic at times; the plot is muddled, cliche, and boring; and the first episode has horrible inconsistent animation. At one point Narutaki did not realize that one of the characters on the screen was not a new character but a poorly drawn version of the main character. Since the first episode is usually the best animated episode I would hate to see what the middle episodes look like. Shame on you Production I.G. I am very disappointed in you.

Minami-ke
Let me just say up front that I don’t like slice-of-life shows in general, but I am always looking for another Azumanga Daioh. A show that really goes nowhere but that is too hilarious to pass up. That was not this show. I kept hoping this show would be good, I made it through 3 episodes because I couldn’t decide how I felt about it. But frankly I found most of the jokes to fall flat, like it was trying too hard to be wacky. And the whole episode of one of the sisters trying to kiss the other…no. Though I did like the littlest sister and her classmates, that wasn’t exactly the whole show. It does nothing to really separate itself from its genre so I was bored.

Fate/Zero the TV series or Best News of the Year:

D.N.Angel manga back from hiatus
Thank the lords! This series had been on hiatus since 2005. 2005! And the series stopped in the middle of a storyline. I, along with a great deal of fans, are more than ready to see this series wrapped up soon.

One Piece is re-licensed by Funimation
4kids was infamous for it’s edits to One Piece while it held the license. Marines with water guns, Sanji’s bizarre accent, vital arcs removed, and of course the One Piece Rap all contributed to anime fans hate for their localization. When when most people had given up all hope, Funimation picked up the One Piece license and so far has done a stellar job with it. I love my 13 episode box sets which are thankfully unedited and have a far superior dub. I really hope they can keep putting out One Piece despite the troubled anime market.

World Destruction Season 2 or Worst News of the Year:

ADV going onto life support
When Geneon left the US anime market everyone was speculating who was the next to go. ADV seemed untouchable as the company that competed with Funimation for #1 anime company in North America. There were warning signs that ADV was not doing great but most people felt like the deal with Sojitz was going to save them. After it fell through it was one of the clearest signs of impeding doom. Then Sojitz took back all their licenses and people have been speculating when exactly ADV was going to die. So far they are still hanging in with a fresh new deal with Sentai Filmworks that might signal a turn around for the company. But ADV is still in danger in many peoples minds and is almost assuredly not in any position to regain it’s former glory any time soon.

Tonari no 801-chan anime plans canceled
I was really looking forward to this funny and satirical story about a BL loving girl and her otaku boyfriend. Plus the studio that animated Haruhi Suzumiya was going to be creating it. However, just two weeks after its announcement the plans were dropped without much of an explanation.

Did I tell you about my venereal disease? or Thing I Wish People Would Stop Talking About:

CLANNAD
And how it is the greatest show ever, ever, evers.

The Shonen conspiracy
There is this pervasive conspiracy theory on the Internet that shonen manga and Shonen Jump in particular has become nothing more than a magazine for fujoshi. Some seem to think that all the modern shonen manga have decided to forget their primary audience and cater specifically to BL fans. That is madness pure and simple. Everyone knows all true fujoshi are delusional and don’t need to be catered to in the least. Plus adding a few pretty boys does not make a manga “gay.” We at Reverse Thieves have our own tin foil hat theory in regards to what has caused this conspiracy theory but that is for another article.

Maple Bacon Cupcakes or Anime/Manga I Unexpectedly Liked:

Karin
I assumed that Karin was a horrible fan-service anime with vampires and boobies. Then I learned that the Karin manga under the title of Chibi Vampire was one of Tokyopop’s best-selling titles I decided to give the anime a chance. It turned out to be a rather cute little romantic comedy with a misleadingly fan service filled opening. Karin herself is quite the sweater girl as the opening is quite quick to point out but they don’t play up the fact to any abnormal degree for a shonen anime.

Dear Myself
This was a book that was handed to me at Yaoi Reading Day (which you can read all about in our article). I can’t say exactly what I was expecting but it pleasantly surprised me and made me stand up and say, I would read more like this! It is a one book story about a boy who loses his memory and then finds out about his relationship with another boy who he can’t remember. So he is trying to learn who this person is all over again while simultaneous falling in love. It was a cute story that only went as far as kissing.

“Play it again, Sam” or Favorite Opening:

“BORN” by Miwako Okuda (Le Chevalier D’eon)
Can’t. Stop. Listening. For about a week I just listened to this song over and over because no matter what I did I couldn’t get it out of my head anyway. And the opening itself is beautifully animated and does a good job of syncing with the music. It also has spoilers that you don’t realize till later! A close second was “endscape” by UVERworld (Toward the Terra). Also with spoilers everywhere!

Yuusha-oh Tanjou! (GaoGaiGar: King of Braves)
GaoGaoGar is a show were a manly cyborg fights along side manly robots who use courage and guts to defeat their enemies. A show like that needs an equally manly opening filled with courage and guts as well. Oh and since it is a giant robot show it also needs to have the name of the main robot in the opening show as many times as humanly possible. The King of Braves is Born! delivers all of this this in spades. Try and get the catchy repetitive theme out of your head. It’s impossible. The fact that the song is performed by the Masaaki Endoh of the Jam Project should come as a surprise to no one. The animation also syncs well with the song as is periodically updated to incorporate plot developments and revelations.

If 2D love is wrong I don’t want to be right or Hottest Character:

Balsa (Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit)
Strong warrior women are just plain sexy. You can keep your moe waifs who need their big strong men (and their milquetoast men in harem manga) to protect them. Give me a lady who wield a spear and has a bonny boom boom body. I think I am getting to the age where I am more and more attracted to the older characters in series. A mature women who can take care of herself and others, be a realistically capable fighter while still remaining sexy, and have a interesting but agreeable personality in all right by me.

Tamaki (Ouran High School Host Club)
On the surface this seems exceedingly obvious, especially if you know me. Tamaki is tall, lean, and blond. But funnily enough, there is a greater depth to my love for this character. Yes, he is charming but he is also incredibly goofy, loyal, and optimistic despite his family situations. Being an optimist myself, I see it often equated with naivete about the world, but it is really about being positive despite your past. And that very optimism that Tamaki exhibits puts him over the top for me. Oh, and he plays the piano. HOT.

I slap you with money so give me my DVD or Best License Announcement:

Relicense of Story of Saiunkoku
At the Funimation panel that recently ran at NYAF, I almost dropped down on my knees and thanked them for picking up this series from the ashes of Geneon. Even though it will probably sell very few copies. It is just a plain good show that I am desperate to own and watch over again.

Hayate the Combat Butler
I was a little worried that Hayate’s size and sometimes rather obscure otaku humor would destined it to be the title everyone talks about but never gets licensed. Hayate and Nagi’s story would be forever trapped on fan-sub. But Bandai stepped up to the plate and saw the amusing comedy series that has potential. I for one hope people go out there and buy the DVDs so I can get merchandise and the second season as well. Who knows. Maybe sales of the manga will pick up, too.

Small isn’t bad at all or Best Short Manga:

Sexy Voice and Robo
Sexy Voice and Robo is closest in tone and style to that of an American Indy comic in manga form. It stars Nico Hayashi as a 14 year girl who can imitate any voice. She usually uses her ability to mess with and observe men over telephone dating services.  One  day an old man observes her activities and begins to hire to perform various missions for him including saving kidnapped children and stopping assassins. Along the way Nico ropes in Iichiro Sudo a robot otaku to join her in her escapades. The stories are story of quirky and the art while still in a recognizably manga style is still very unique.

Two Flowers for the Dragon
It makes me so happy to see Nari Kusakawa’s manga being licensed left and right by CMX. I always enjoy her romance stories that are crafted with a little magic and a world outside of the love aspect. This one is no exception as a princess who possess the soul of a water dragon must deal with her kingdom, her family issues, and two suitors vying for her attention. Just a short 4 books for this delightful tale.

It belongs in a museum! or Favorite Piece of Merchandise:

Exclusive Convention Only Ouran High School Host Club pencilboard
I love pencilboards and have a very minor collection of them. When I saw this exclusive I just couldn’t pass it up. Large with the entire cast and shiny foil title treatment! I am really hoping for more Host Club merchandise as the DVDs come out with significant fanfare.

One Piece – 1/8 Usopp PVC Figure
On the Sniper Island
Where I was born
100 shots, 100 hits
Lu lu la la lu

Even on a mouse’s eye
LOCK ON!!
Even on your heart
LOCK ON!!
The man that came from Sharpshooter Island
Lu lu lu lu lu la la
You better run and hide
Sogege Sogesoge
SOGEKINGU!!!

Please put your signature anywhere on my body or Favorite Convention Guest:
Ryu Moto
I have to say I finally feel that Reverse Thieves became I was proud of when we first interviewed our first Japanese guest. I don’t think Ryu Moto is an extremely influential or world shattering guest like Tite Kubo, Noboru Ishiguro, or Rie Tanaka but he was a fascinating and talented man. He was very gracious in granting us an interview and I think Narutaki and I learned a little bit more about the anime and manga industry thanks to him. I hope that our readers enjoyed learning about him as much as we did.

T.M.Revolution
Thank you, New York Comic Con, thank you forever! While his panel and radio interview left me with disappointment, his shear presence on stage did not. The concert was really well run and there were no major delays or horrible people ruining the fun. He also performed for a good amount of time. I thought the sound was pretty good in the theater and hope that NYCC and NYAF decide to keep/bring back concerts there!

“Vestis virum reddit” or Best Packaging:

Death Note: Another Note
I am addicted to books so when I see a really nice one I always take note (no pun intended!) of it. I grabbed up this title as soon as I saw it on the shelf at Kinokuniya. It has a black cloth cover with silver ink stamping, then a white bellyband, inside is a semi transparent page that leads into a full color piece, the paper is high quality and smooth, and top it all off with a cloth book marker. Sweet! What a treasure. Though with such expense it makes me wonder if they made any money on it.

Code Geass Part 1 Collectors Edition
Bandai decided to go all out when the released the Collectors edition of Code Geass. They threw as much as they could that was awesome while not throwing in Pizza Hut coupons and a fully functional Zero mask. With the first 2 DVDs, the first OST, the 1st drama CD, and the first manga all in one gloriously designed box. The DVDs themselves also have gorgeous booklets, the picture drama episodes, and Japanese commentary tracks as well. Everything in there is designed to make sure that you throw away your fansubs and buy the legitimate version. Nice Job!

Show me the funny! or Funniest Manga:

One Piece
One Piece has just been an excellent blend of action, story, and comedy this year. The Thriller Bark arc had some hysterical moments every chapter while still providing plenty of action and important plot revelations. Sanji’s fight with Absalom, Usopp and Perona, and anything with Brook actually made me laugh out loud at work and that is quite the accomplishment. Giant Robot Warrior: Big Emperor! Duval and the iron mask took quite a bit of setting up but the punch line was priceless. The current arc with Luffy and the Amazons has been pure comedy gold (golden balls in fact) as well. Well done Mr Oda. Well done.

Gakuen Alice
Oh the hilarity that is Gakuen Alice. I think I previously described it as Kodomo no Omocha but with super powers. Mikan certainly isn’t the brightest bulb but she has a fiece spirit and a true dedication to friendship! Everyone in her class has their own hilarious quirks from her best friend who invents some very strange objects, to a boy who attracts animals through pheromones, to their teacher who puts his spells of love to good use. There is very much a sad under story and many mysteries surrounding the school but it is so hilarious that it is balanced out nicely. 

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend or Best Light Novel

Gosick
We reviewed this so clearly we thought it was good. As more and more light novels hit the selves, one still needs to be discerning. Gosick is quite a well-plotted mystery and was able to surprise me and to trick me. Victorique and her charming Sherlockian style combined with Kozuya’s naivete makes them fun and engaging to follow. It is extremely sad to think we may never seem more of their exploits stateside.

Boogiepop at Dawn
After a hiatus Seven Seas Entertainment has restarted the Boogiepop book series. After several months I finally tracked down a copy of Boogiepop Returns: VS Imaginator Part 2 and I was worried that they were going to end the series there. But recently Seven Seas has announced it’s revamped novel line with Boogiepop being one of it’s first relaunched titles. Boogiepop at Dawn is an excellent explanation for many of the events and mysteries that take place during the Boogiepop Phantom anime while still being it’s own well told story. We get insights into all the regular cast and explanations and introductions to some of the movers and shakers in the Boogiepop universe.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? or Manga I Like but Wish Would End

Bleach
Bleach is a generally fun shonen manga and I still enjoy it but I Narutaki and I both feel that the whole Hecto Mundo arc seems tacked on to the story. Our theory is that Bleach was doing so well they had him throw this arc on to keep the best selling series running. Think about it. Did anything truly significant actually happen in Hecto Mundo? It seem more like a filler arc than actually story. When we finally got back into the real plot aka the Urahara flash back arc it noticeably picked up. I feel like the sooner we finish up this current arc the sooner we can get into the final arc. The shonen jump editors could easily throw in several more arcs to keep this going but I would hope they will let Tite Kubo tie up loose ends in Bleach and move onto his next manga.

Berserk
Oh I do love you Berserk, I do. Especially now that your art has gotten somewhere near the realm of good. I have a feeling I won’t see the end of your until a book somewhere in the 60’s and that is really too much since that is like 20 more years of writing. All things take forever to happen after the first arc wrapped up. There is a lot of random wondering around that could easily be condensed. Heck Casca still has yet to become herself again though they are getting close. I’m not saying Berserk has these horribly dull moments but it could be shorter. This what we get from a guy who was influenced by Guin Saga.

That plushie looks so nice on top of my computer or Best Mascot Character

Tachikoma
How can one resist the juxtaposition of the Tachikoma’s cuteness with their bad-assness? They want love and attention, they are loyal and excitable, they are like dogs that have machine guns. Except, ya know, a lot bigger. I know one certainly wouldn’t fit in my apartment but it could live on the roof and follow me around in stealth mode.

Ai-kun
Ai-Kun is Ranka Lee’s little alien pet from Macross Frontier. He (?) is an adorable little green squiggle with the potential to be the cutest line of plush toys. Also as the following mathematical forumla [Ranka cute X Ai-Kun cute = Mega Omega Cute] clearly shows the Ranka/Ai-kun team-up is unstoppable. Plus he takes down a paper airplanes like nobody’s business.

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