01.05.09
Posted in Anime, Conventions, Fandom, Manga, Music, Novels, Toys Tags: ADV Films, Ai-kun, Balsa, Berserk, Black Jack, Bleach, Boogiepop at Dawn, CLANNAD, Code Geass, D.N.Angel, Dear Myself, Death Note: Another Note, Dororo, Gakuen Alice, GaoGaiGar: King of Braves, Gosick, Hayate the Combat Butler, Karin, Le Chevalier d'Eon, Minami-ke, Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, One Piece, Ouran High School Host Club, Ryu Moto, Sexy Voice and Robo, Story of Saiunkoku, T.M.Revolution, Tachikoma, Tamaki, The Shonen conspiracy, Tonari no 801-chan, Two Flowers for the Dragon, World Destruction, かりん, となりの801ちゃん, どろろ, みなみけ, クラナド, コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ, ゴシック, シュヴァリエ, セクシーボイスアンドロボ, タチコマ, デスノート, ハヤテのごとく！, ブギーポップは笑わない, ブラックジャック, ブリーチ, ベルセルク, ワンピース, ワールド・デストラクション～導かれし意思～, 勇者王ガオガイガー, 夜明けのブギーポップ, 学園アリス, 彩雲国物語, 桜蘭高校ホスト部, 精霊の守り人, 西川 貴教, 龍の花わずらい 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.
Permalink
03.31.08
Posted in Anime, Reviews Tags: comedy anime, cross-dressing, Ouran High School Host Club, romance anime, shojo anime, TV series, 桜蘭高校ホスト部 at 2:54 pm by reversethieves
It can’t. Just bounces right of them. I have seen it happen. Host Club is best summed up as the shojo comedy styling of female Kyon and her all male harem.
A complete parody of everything that is a staple in shojo manga all crammed together in one ridiculous show.
Haruhi Fujioka is the poorest student at Ouran High School, a school which is made up of Japan’s wealthiest and most prestigious students. Haruhi looks like a nerdy little dormouse of a man with messy hair and an unstylish nonstandard uniform. Therefore Haruhi looks totally out of place at this prestigious school. When trying to find somewhere to study Haruhi wanders into the seemingly empty third music room. Haruhi finds that a handsome sextet of students have turned the music room into a host club for the wealthy girls of the school. While trying to get away from the bizarre members of the club she accidentally smashes an eight million dollar vase. The host club forces her to become their lackey to pay them back for the vase. Two things get Haruhi out of having to do menial chores for the club. The first is that Haruhi has natural charm and grace that makes her a natural host. The second is that she is a rather pretty girl. Certain members of the club are more surprised than others when they learn that Haruhi is actually a girl but no matter what it greatly changes the dynamic of the clubs interactions with her.
Haruhi’s situation with the vase is brief and really only exists to get her into the club. It’s brought up randomly when a joke calls for it. The host club was founded to make girls feel happy and to do good things when they feel like it. This series really doesn’t have an overall plot so it does perfectly well with its bizarre one off scenarios and events. It also makes it great to turn on whenever and laugh it up.
The cast is rather delightful bunch of assorted miscreants and fetish characters but this is by design. While each character obviously fits into a stereotypical archetype of shojo manga they still retain likable qualities that keeps them from feeling like merely microwaved leftovers. Lots of comedies try to use stock characters for comedic effect but they often feel like cardboard cutouts merely propped up for jokes. I feel as the series adds depth and nuance to all the major characters while still keeping them comically amusing.
Well, the thing about archetype characters is they exist because people like the archetype. And believe it or not, some writers can use them well and make you love them as you have loved all other characters like them before and some writers fall flat and create boring, seen-it-all-before feelings. You can’t use an archetype without bringing something to the table and Host Club brings it all. And while you have shojo eye candy flying all over the place, you know it is just one colossal joke. The guys of host club are schemers and they know exactly what is going to bring in the customers, so that is what you get.
Haruhi is the master straight man of the group. With a wide variety of deadpan expressions she takes everything the host club throws at her as best as anyone in the same position would be able to. She is smart, independent, and sassy when she wants to be. The only thing that seems odd is Haruhi’s odd variable skills of observation. When it’s plot convenient Haruhi is an eagle-eyed and empathetic girl who notices even the slightest changes in mood of other characters. Other times she is an oblivious to everything and anything that is going on around her. Side note: Narutaki loves Haruhi with long hair.
Haruhi is interesting although I wasn’t really a fan of her till they started giving her something to do other than have no reaction to our host club cronies. But that starts to dissipate as we learn about her family, she ambitions, and her friendships that develop. She definitely stands out as a strong female but I felt her better moments were when she realized she could, and sometimes needed to, rely on others.
I think on a certain level Haruhi has the “Silent Bob speaks” effect. They make her so blasé most of the time so they few times she does react it is of significant note.
All of the members of the host club have unique relationships with one another. The series is more about friendship than anything else and it does it very well. Personally I find the friendships to be the strongest thing about the show because within that there is room for so much hilarity and drama. In fact, some of the best moments are the episodes when you learn how the host club got together. Everyone has a special connection to their king. Speaking of Tamaki, he in particular really becomes a developed character in these episodes. You start to realize that he has more going on in his head that you previously imagined.
Tamaki is the charming blonde foreigner who is half Japanese archetype. Tamaki is basically Irresponsible Captain Tylor but in charge of a host club instead of a spaceship. At first glance Tamaki seems like the incapable playboy with absolutely nothing of significance going on inside his head. But as the series goes on we learn that Tamaki can and often does put his rather sharp mind and ability to read people to good use. On the other hand, it is also very clear that much of Tamaki facade of being naive and gullible is quite real as well. One of the main mysteries of Tamaki is how much of his supposed silliness and clueless nature is real and how much of it is an act. I don’t think we ever really learn what the answer is but we definitely get a better idea by the end of the series what the percentage of clue to clueless is. Also when Haruhi is not around (and sometimes when she is around) Tamaki is most often made the straight man of the group.
Most people that know me well could spot from a mile away that I would love Tamaki. Tamaki’s personality is essentially my most favorite type of character in any series. But Tamaki is this character ten-fold (as with everything in Host Club, it deals in extremes). He has a free-spirited and goofy nature punctuated by his bouts selfishness and narcissism. However, his moments of kindness are shining and sweet. I find these things very appealing because many times it hides a darker past, but the character has choosen a somewhat positive way of dealing with it. Tamaki is the kind of guy that after watching a while you will always be wondering how much he planned and how much things just fell into place. Did I mention that he is beautiful and blond?
Hikaru Hitachiin and Kaoru Hitachiin are devilish twins. There main shtick at the host club seems is always implying that they have a incestuous homosexual relationship. In reality the Hitachiin twins are consummate manipulators and practical jokers. Everyone and anyone seem to exists for their amusement although their favorite targets are without a doubt Haruhi and Tamaki. They seem to have an odd amount of respect and admiration for Tamaki despite how much they seem to ridicule and manipulate him.
The twins are a paradox, they are the same and they aren’t. Their relationship is really well explored in the series. I think they are probably have the most growing up to do but that is what makes watching them a treat. You have the feeling they are moving toward something and a change will follow. As with most of the guys in the club, they love themselves a lot. But not to the point of all the fujoshi squealing in the club. They are in the same class at Haruhi and might be the closet friends she has. They love to rub that in the face of the king.
Certain people we both know seem to think that Hikaru is the closest thing to a legitimate rival for Tamaki over Haruhi’s affections in the series. We both think she is a little bit crazy.
Honey and Mori are sort of a package deal. We rarely if ever seen them as separate people. Honey is the shota bait super hyper cute high schooler who has the body of a little boy. He loves cakes and candy and happens to be as sweet as sugar as well. Mori is the stoic kendo club captain that watches over Honey like a bishonen gargoyle. They are almost as close as the Hitachiin twins to the point where I almost don’t feel that weird seeing yaoi doujinshi about them.
I don’t think it is an mystery why Mori is always shown with Honey. Mori is tall, dark, and handsome and Honey is short, sweet, and cute. I hear the moe chants in the background. But seriously I wish both of these characters had more screen time and a lot more character development. Heck, for a while there Mori had the most intimate relationship with Haruhi out of everyone.
If Tamaki is the lively soul that keeps the Host Club together as a family than Kyoya is the the cold machinery that keeps the host club running. The Shadow King is the masterful, almost villainous, brains of the group. He is the man that organizes the club, keeps everyone in line and in check, and makes sure it turns a profit. These are abilities that no other man in the club could even hope to have. He has a definite competitive spirit which is not obvious but clearly fierce when exhibited. In the manga, he seems to have a subtle crush on Haruhi but is mostly just a supporter of Tamaki in the anime. For some reason he is my favorite member of the host club. I guess I like his ice cold demeanor and subtle style.
The Shadow King is essential to the club. It just plain wouldn’t have gotten off the ground without him. He also completes the necessary glasses, smart guy of their shojo fantasy club. Tamaki and him are almost polar opposites and so they play off each other very well, creating one of the most dynamic friendships in the story.
The romance aspect of this series gives it some of its moments of drama. But once again, this series is so over the top that most of the time it is used for gags. There are some very sweet moments that will have you gushing but for the most part it sticks to what it does best, silly. And to add to its shojo parodying, of course a good portion of the club is in love with Haruhi, for some reason.
Everything in Host Club is played up with the volume turned to 11 for comedic effect while still remaining somewhat loosely based on a coherent storyline and reality unlike spastic comedies such as Excel Saga. They often throw ten jokes at you every ten minutes and parody every genre under the sun (especially shojo genres) but it never comes at anything more than a brisk pace. Too often such comedies seems to have little in the way of a strong plot. Host club manages to constantly be funny while still telling a individual story each episode. It also knows when to take it slow and just let us get to know the characters or to build a little drama and romance while still falling in the comedy category.
Host Club is character driven because it is a situational comedy. With the main characters, there is always something to love. The random side characters that pop-up, like the club “manager” and the president of the Dark Arts club, just to its cast of perfect weirdos. There is nothing much going on as far as over arcing story but who cares? Everyone needs a hilarious show that you don’t have to think too much about. Ouran fits that bill to a tee.
For shame Narutaki. For shame. You forgot to mention Beelzenef. Without him what is this show? I also really like the Yakuza so who tries to learn to be make friends with people from Mori. His story was hysterical. I think it’s also criminal to forget Renge, the resident fujoshi, and her running commentary and helpful suggestions from her limitless knowledge of anime, video games, and burning moe passion.
Alright, alright. I couldn’t go on without mentioning the hilarious president, and only member of the Black Magic Club, Nekozawa and his hand puppet Beelzenef! His appearances are brief but totally hilarious, as the door to his club randomly appears where ever he needs it to. Also any sort of light send him into a state of shock, haha.
Having read the manga I find that they hit almost all the highlights. This means that often certain episodes are the combined plots of two to three different stories from the manga. I feel that this let them get as much of the manga as they could into 26 episodes while still letting you get to see who everyone in the club really is. The only thing they really left out was Kyoya’s feelings for Haruhi. Any scene where Kyoya seems to show affection for Haruhi in the anime is either modified or played down from how it was in the manga. I assume they removed it because they just have less time than the manga but I felt his crush added some charm and depth to Kyoya.
It is always hard to completely develop a large cast in just 26 episodes, so that would be my initial reasoning for them removing Shadow King’s feelings. But they do hint at it a little. So instead of doing it only half way, I think they moved the story in a more direct fashion.
The anime also has an original 2 part episode to end the series. It ties together all the themes of the show pretty well. It is as clear an ending as you can get for an on-going romantic comedy.
While I know the anime’s ending wasn’t totally concrete, I felt it was pretty clear on certain levels about the feelings of certain characters. But it wasn’t so definite that you would be thrown off if in the manga it doesn’t end the same way. I really enjoyed the last two episodes even though a lot of the slap-stick and gags were missing from it.
All in all Ouran High School Host Club is a comedy for both sexes. It is shojo but I think it is funny enough and witty enough to win over any male who does not mind a little bit of flowers and bishonen. Plus, they are constantly mocking flowers and bishonen. Females don’t even need to be told why they will like Host Club. It is just a fact. I am just worried that Funimation will drop the ball when they market Host Club. They have a sure fire hit on their hand they just have to sell it correctly. I sort of wish we lived in a world where Host Club could get on TV but I’m not naive enough to ever think it would happen any time soon.
I brought up this concern when I found out about the license. I feel like they are going to market to girls period. This show has a much more broad appeal if they play their cards right. Show up the slap-stick, the gags, the parody. Instead I imagine trailers with flowers, pretty boys, and romance. Blah blah. It’s not that this isn’t the core, because it is, but the show has the potential to bring in a wider audience, bringing in bigger numbers, and actually do well as a shojo title. The DVDs are due out later this year, although there is still no date announced.
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