February 25, 2004
Paranoia
I've now watched the first episode of Paranoia Agent.
Whoa.
The opening credits, featuring characters laughing in bizarre surroundings, are even freakier after you've seen the episode and learned a bit about (some of -- not all appear in ep1) those characters.
Like Gokusen, the character designs are more realistic than in typical anime.
The plot, however, is a blend of realistic and bizarre. I'm now eager to watch the other two episodes that have come out so far, in an effort to determine how much of what's going on is "real" and how much is in characters' heads.
February 17, 2004
Survey
So, what am I watching lately? Or, more precisely, what are the shows that make me leap for bittorrent when I see them announced?
Naruto, of course, which is now up to episode 70 and still going strong. And ROD the TV, for which I'm collecting the raw Japanese episodes as well as the fansubs. I watched episode 17 raw before watching the sub with my wife, and I continue to be pleased at the percentage I was able to follow.
I've been collecting Mujin Wakusei SURVIVE, but I've only seen the first episode; it seemed like pretty standard fare, nothing amazing but nothing terrible. Chrno Crusade has been quite serviceable; I've watched through episode 7 or so. Kaleido Star is still coming out, though I've fallen a little behind in watching it.
Some clear winners: Gunslinger Girl is nearly over, which is a shame. Mezzo DSA is a kick -- its bouncy opening theme reflects the sense of fun that this show has. And I'm very amused by Gokusen; it has great characters and fun plots, and some of its character designs are less than attractive, which I actually find rather refreshing.
In older shows, I'm grabbing Yawara! as it's coming out, and really enjoying it. The art isn't as crisp as the manga, but the story is engaging.
On the flip side, I've been following Daphne in the Brilliant Blue, but I'm not sure how long I'll continue; it seems to be this season's Stratos 4, only with costume designs that are even more ridiculous and poorer animation. And Cosprayers has the typically cute m.o.e. character designs, but the show itself isn't too substantial.
February 14, 2004
Bleach
Yay! Viz is going to be releasing Bleach here in the US starting in June. Lyn turned me on to Bleach and I love what I've read so far. This is another title that I wish they'd have in Shonen Jump. I don't mind it coming out in graphic novels, but Jump needs one or two more titles in it.
February 10, 2004
Samurai Champloo
HIPHOP SAMURAI ROAD MOVIE ACTION.
Champloo is that Okinawan dish that appeared in Azumanga Daioh during the school trip arc. Kind of a jumbled-up stir fry dish.
Sampling bits of today's sensibilities and mixing it up with old time period Japanese drama.
Yet another cool Nabeshin production. Check out the trailer!
February 03, 2004
Voice Actors
I was watching Pretear this morning and one of the voices sounded so familiar so I had to confirm that I recognized it. Upon looking through the voice actor listings on Animenfo.com, I kept finding myself boggling at how many different types of characters some VAs have done. For instance, the character whose voice sounded familiar was Goh from Pretear, whose VA is Morikubo Shoutarou. He's also been Ginji in GetBackers, Iwata in Excel Saga, Shikamaru in Naruto and Rafael in Tenshi ni Narumon (others listed too, but I haven't seen them). It sometimes amazes me how many shows some people have worked on. Like Inoue Kikuko, who has been in many of my favorite series as some of my favorite characters.
February 01, 2004
Tenchi Muyo
I watched the first episode of the new OVA a while back and for some reason it didn't really hook me that much. The animation style had changed a little bit and it just seemed a little off. But I just watched the second and am warming to the series a bit more. It's a bit over the top, as Tenchi does tend to be, but I still love the characters. I just wish it was coming out faster.