It's been a nice couple weeks of anime and video games. There is one in particular I just finished watching that just blew me completely away. I pretty much stopped in my tracks of gaming, writing and reading. The series I am referring to is none other than Chrome Shelled Regios.
The animation quality by Zexcs is simply amazing. The world that Regios is set in maybe be simplistic in thought but is realized with breathtaking detail. An apocalyptic world in which mobile domed cities travel through. This in mere thought could almost never be realized in live action, it would be very expensive. Everything from beautiful scenery within the city, architecture of the buildings and design of the dite's (weapons) to the desolate frontier traveled by the domes.... very well done for something I see as an ambitious subject to tackle. The character designs and models are beautiful and not so cookie cutter. I felt like I was truly watching something new and fresh.
The audio, despite being 2.0 for my viewing, was very powerful. I can only imagine that 5.1 would rock my home theater. Fortunately my computer and streaming meant 2.0 was my only choice. The combination of hard and soft music through the series made the atmosphere of the show complete and even more intricate. The voice acting on this series is another outstanding aspect of the series. Handling the seriousness and the comedic elements to lighten an other dreary world is required and they performed admirably. The subtitles were sufficient and very informative. I don't recall who did them but they atleast took the time to provide definitions to words and terms. Not to mention the timing was perfect, to this day any anime streamed usually is off just a little or rushed. I could follow the action on the screen and read knowing what was happening. I won't usually remark about subs like this but I couldn't help but notice how well it was done.
I covered pretty much everything that was very good about this series... thanks for reading... oh, damn...wait a second... that was just the very good aspects. The best aspect of this series is not the animation, it's not the music, it's not the action... it is in the writing that I found Chrome Shelled Regios truly excelled in. A show can look and sound beautiful, but if the writing is weak then all of that means nothing. What I fell in love with was not just the world, but with each of the charactes. All have a tremendous background and dichotomy between each other. Ofcourse we follow Layfon's story as well as Nina's, but from Felli to Haia. Despite what you initially think of certain characters you find that there are reasons for being the way they are. In an anime with a large amount of secondary cast that is something that could be easily pushed aside in order to focus on the main plot. If you want to know about the plot, you'll be happy to know that Regios doesn't lack. It's complex without being so convoluted that you get lost watching the series. It's dark without being depressing. It's fast paced but never leaves you wondering what the hell just happened.
You might be asking yourself, "ok, but is there anything wrong or lacking in this series?" or "where's the shoe that drops with almost all series?" I'd say you'd find it with wanting another season. It's an open ended finale, you won't feel cheated but I can almost promise you'll be saying one thing. "That was awesome but there's another season right? right?" This is a no-lose situation. Chrome Shelled Regios is a one of a kind series. It's the best series I have watched this year...
Chrome Shelled Regios would be a great show brought over to Region 1 land. It's not a series that would need a dub, but would be nice if it did. I'd recommend New Gen or Bang Zoom, and ideally TRSI to release but for a dub... we'd be looking at Funimation, since they are the only company continuing consistent dubs of series. I haven't fallen in love with a show like this since Shakugan no Shana. I thought 07-Ghost was great, but it doesn't hit this level of awesome and wicked fun. I give Chrome Shelled Regios 5 out of 5 Felli shin kicks, which also comes with 5 kisses.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hayate the Combat Butler Part 1 DVD - Bandai
After marathoning through the third box set of Bleach, its two movies and One Piece Season 2 Part 2 I wanted to do one of two things. Either picking up with Chrome Shelled Regios episode 20 or try Hayate the Combat Butler from Bandai. Regios is the more complex series and I'm having withdrawls already. However, despite a questionable release by Bandai, Hayate was certainly the best way to end my three day weekend (got Monday off).
The product itself is something I have to say is somewhat disappointing. I had presumed from the labeling and initial release of the series that this was a full "part" of the series. To be released in sets much like Funimation and TRSI as of late. At the very least something like the release of Towards the Terra and Code Geass Part 1 with two individual volumes packed together. However, it's just a single dvd case with a single dvd. I'm not thrilled Bandai went this route, not to mention changing their mind on doing a dub. *steps off soap box* Now... what was released isn't as bad as my opinion suggests. The cover art is simple and effective featuring Hayate and Nagi, it could have been better but catches your attention never the less. Other than that, it's a standard dvd case but I already swapped everything over to a double disc m-lock case. Since there's no reversible art this will work out just fine for me. I'm watching shelf space lately.
Hayate the Combat Butler looks fantastic on any basic setup to the hd setups. Thankfully Hayate was made in widescreen; this is the best way to watch anime. Character designs are simplistic but fresh at the same time. It's not as if any character reminds you of any other series. Take Hayate, for example, he looks like a scrawny little kid without being out of place. At the same time he's not as detailed as he could have been. I just feel there's not as much depth to the minor details as you see in other series. This could change as it develops further in. It's not really a con, it's more of a passing thought. The quality of the animation in the action scenes is nothing short of spectacular and very fluid. I've never personally heard of SyngerySP as the production company, but good solid effort.
The audio is both the biggest pro and the biggest con to this review. I think it's borderline criminal that Bandai rescinded their decision to dub this series. Hayate the Combat Butler would have benefited greatly from an english dub audio track, much like Lucky Star did. I go on record saying I definitely prefer the japanese dub, all the va's did an excellent job and fit their characters very well. The subs are alright but in certain scenes there's 3-4 lines running fast through it to keep up with the audio. I can't exactly watch an anime when trying to read several lines of subtitles. Even though the original language track is amazing, atleast for me, it wasn't so easy to keep up.
The premise of Hayate no Gotoku is also simple and definitely primed for crazy hijinks. I like the way we are introduced to the world of the rich and famous through the eyes of Hayate. He's very down to earth but also has learned alot through the first portion of life. Nagi, herself, isn't exactly typical either. She's not as spoiled and bratty as other anime would showcase the main female as more extreme. Each character is not so typical as you would first assume, which is an excellent trait for have. Not to mention that Hayate no Gotoku is heavy on the comedy, I would compare this to Lucky Star in terms of overall atmosphere. There's some nice commentary and excellent humor that sent me into laughing fits, just add a little romance and a little more science-fiction to it.
Hayate the Combat Butler, despite some of my opinions on how Bandai released it is a complete riot. It's funny, it's cute and it's the perfect escape. I would not hesitate to recommend this anime to anyone. If you're a dub fan, I don't know what to say beyond it sucks there isn't one. You're going to want to watch more after the 7 episodes end. Hayate is a very addictive series that grows on you the more you watch. Thus far I give Hayate the Combat Butler 4 and 1/2 Isumi blushes out of 5.
However...Bandai gets 2 out of 5 stars for the effort they put into the release. I'm disappointed, I will not being buying "Parts" like these beyond Hayate and Code Geass R2. The days of singles release are over in my eyes.
The product itself is something I have to say is somewhat disappointing. I had presumed from the labeling and initial release of the series that this was a full "part" of the series. To be released in sets much like Funimation and TRSI as of late. At the very least something like the release of Towards the Terra and Code Geass Part 1 with two individual volumes packed together. However, it's just a single dvd case with a single dvd. I'm not thrilled Bandai went this route, not to mention changing their mind on doing a dub. *steps off soap box* Now... what was released isn't as bad as my opinion suggests. The cover art is simple and effective featuring Hayate and Nagi, it could have been better but catches your attention never the less. Other than that, it's a standard dvd case but I already swapped everything over to a double disc m-lock case. Since there's no reversible art this will work out just fine for me. I'm watching shelf space lately.
Hayate the Combat Butler looks fantastic on any basic setup to the hd setups. Thankfully Hayate was made in widescreen; this is the best way to watch anime. Character designs are simplistic but fresh at the same time. It's not as if any character reminds you of any other series. Take Hayate, for example, he looks like a scrawny little kid without being out of place. At the same time he's not as detailed as he could have been. I just feel there's not as much depth to the minor details as you see in other series. This could change as it develops further in. It's not really a con, it's more of a passing thought. The quality of the animation in the action scenes is nothing short of spectacular and very fluid. I've never personally heard of SyngerySP as the production company, but good solid effort.
The audio is both the biggest pro and the biggest con to this review. I think it's borderline criminal that Bandai rescinded their decision to dub this series. Hayate the Combat Butler would have benefited greatly from an english dub audio track, much like Lucky Star did. I go on record saying I definitely prefer the japanese dub, all the va's did an excellent job and fit their characters very well. The subs are alright but in certain scenes there's 3-4 lines running fast through it to keep up with the audio. I can't exactly watch an anime when trying to read several lines of subtitles. Even though the original language track is amazing, atleast for me, it wasn't so easy to keep up.
The premise of Hayate no Gotoku is also simple and definitely primed for crazy hijinks. I like the way we are introduced to the world of the rich and famous through the eyes of Hayate. He's very down to earth but also has learned alot through the first portion of life. Nagi, herself, isn't exactly typical either. She's not as spoiled and bratty as other anime would showcase the main female as more extreme. Each character is not so typical as you would first assume, which is an excellent trait for have. Not to mention that Hayate no Gotoku is heavy on the comedy, I would compare this to Lucky Star in terms of overall atmosphere. There's some nice commentary and excellent humor that sent me into laughing fits, just add a little romance and a little more science-fiction to it.
Hayate the Combat Butler, despite some of my opinions on how Bandai released it is a complete riot. It's funny, it's cute and it's the perfect escape. I would not hesitate to recommend this anime to anyone. If you're a dub fan, I don't know what to say beyond it sucks there isn't one. You're going to want to watch more after the 7 episodes end. Hayate is a very addictive series that grows on you the more you watch. Thus far I give Hayate the Combat Butler 4 and 1/2 Isumi blushes out of 5.
However...Bandai gets 2 out of 5 stars for the effort they put into the release. I'm disappointed, I will not being buying "Parts" like these beyond Hayate and Code Geass R2. The days of singles release are over in my eyes.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Shakugan no Shana new OVA Trailer
I apologize for the lack of postings; real life interfering with fun again. I'm back now and finally some actual footage of the new OVA coming out for Shakugan no Shana before the ramping up of Shakugan no Shana III. Take a look for yourself. I don't know how to post up the video itself, but here's the link until I can figure out. Even with footage at a distance it's all very exciting. The animation looks stellar and brief glimpses of favorite characters. I almost blinked and missed my favorite bad ass maid, Wilhelmina. It's very exciting and I for one cannot wait to see this release 10/23/2009. Fuzetsu!!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
07-Ghost Episodes 1-15 (aka Getting Caught Up)
Despite my best efforts, I've getting into several things the last couple weeks since finishing inFamous. It all started with some manga reading on lunch breaks to devouring numerous volumes in two nights to get caught. (Air Gear Manga review coming shortly btw...)Then I attempted to watch some anime which if I can't marathon in a weekend is difficult for me to finish till the next weekend. It goes on and on... you get the idea. Well... with another review partially completed and more I want to post here. I seem to have caught an addiction, one known as 07-Ghost.
It all started on a whim with Volume 1 of the manga. Premise sounds pretty cool and the art looked nice. After reading volume 1, I immediately went to volume 2... at that point I had to know if there was an anime. I'm not the most up to date on shows airing or in production as I once was. I'll keep my eyes open for something like Black Lagoon and Shakugan no Shana sequels but unless someone prods me about it, I won't know. Needless to say I was very happy to see an anime was currently airing. I started to download the first couple episodes over the weekend. Finally, we're getting to the review eh? This will only be somewhat of a regular sized review. As the show is currently airing I'll post mini-reviews each week. This is something I haven't done in years, aside from Shakugan no Shana II on the anime boards I frequent. I used to do this when I was still writing for Cinescape Online, but we're talking several years here.
This show looks and feels phenomenal, the wonderful art from the manga is captured and rendered wonderfully by Studio Deen. This is one of the most beatiful anime series I have seen in some time. The animation is fluid and captivating. I tend to let my eyes roam the entire screen trying to catch all the little details. From the characters to background shots not one detail is lacking. In comparison to the manga, I feel like Studio Deen has truly brought to life everything I imagined from the fight scenes to scale of the world.
As far as sound goes, it's 2.0 on the computer but I'm not complaining one bit. I'm not a huge fansub person. No I'm not getting into that debate. The voice acting is excellent and fun. Each voice accentuates each character just right. The range is nothing short of excellent provide true moments of drama to the downright comedic moments in this series. What I love most in this department, is the amazing score and soundtrack. I, for one, am in love with the music throughout the series thus far. I think the OP, Aka no Kakera by Yuki Suzuki, is one of the best I have ever heard. It brings a certain edge to the beginning of the show each episode, which if you're watching this series... it can get pretty intense and dark at times.
The story has been developing at both a fast but yet methodical speed. The story doesn't really shift locations, so if you're hoping to see a lot of the world early on you're going to be disappointed. 15 episodes into the anime and we are familiar somewhat with Barsburgh Empire, the church in District 7 and flashbacks to the Raggs Kingdom. I personally like how stationary this is as it can focus on characters, relationships and plot development. The last thing a story this complex could do is start jumping around the world. This anime is by no means a kiddie show, it can get serious and dark. Teito is put through trials and tribulations unimaginable. He's constantly losing his loved ones, trying to remember his past and where to go in the future while bad things stay nipping on his heels.
Thankfully the comedic moments are well timed and break up the mood. They are not overdone as each character has a quirk about them that's not forced. Frau being into porn, need I say more? Each person has a lighter side to them and it's fascinating the relationships that are developing. While the anime has diverged slightly from the manga, I find it to be keeping the spirit and elaborating more on some of the finer points. Even to the point of making certain events darker than the manga.
Starting with the next reviews, I will start discussing plot points and only in these mini-reviews will there be spoilers. If you're watching the series I'll be posting these every Thursday night following the episode. This is your warning. There's too much to cover in 15 episodes. This most recent episode has Frau falling for a classic trap but at a time when Teito has made his decision on who his ally is. He's still in a fragile state after Mikage died and everything he's learning. I want to see more of this plot and what Aya-tan is up to. He's such a bastard... lol
If you like your anime fun, exciting, dark, moody and complex... Do you want something serious with some light moments? Do you want excellent animation and terrific music? Then what the hell are you waiting for? This... is the best anime you're not watching!
It all started on a whim with Volume 1 of the manga. Premise sounds pretty cool and the art looked nice. After reading volume 1, I immediately went to volume 2... at that point I had to know if there was an anime. I'm not the most up to date on shows airing or in production as I once was. I'll keep my eyes open for something like Black Lagoon and Shakugan no Shana sequels but unless someone prods me about it, I won't know. Needless to say I was very happy to see an anime was currently airing. I started to download the first couple episodes over the weekend. Finally, we're getting to the review eh? This will only be somewhat of a regular sized review. As the show is currently airing I'll post mini-reviews each week. This is something I haven't done in years, aside from Shakugan no Shana II on the anime boards I frequent. I used to do this when I was still writing for Cinescape Online, but we're talking several years here.
This show looks and feels phenomenal, the wonderful art from the manga is captured and rendered wonderfully by Studio Deen. This is one of the most beatiful anime series I have seen in some time. The animation is fluid and captivating. I tend to let my eyes roam the entire screen trying to catch all the little details. From the characters to background shots not one detail is lacking. In comparison to the manga, I feel like Studio Deen has truly brought to life everything I imagined from the fight scenes to scale of the world.
As far as sound goes, it's 2.0 on the computer but I'm not complaining one bit. I'm not a huge fansub person. No I'm not getting into that debate. The voice acting is excellent and fun. Each voice accentuates each character just right. The range is nothing short of excellent provide true moments of drama to the downright comedic moments in this series. What I love most in this department, is the amazing score and soundtrack. I, for one, am in love with the music throughout the series thus far. I think the OP, Aka no Kakera by Yuki Suzuki, is one of the best I have ever heard. It brings a certain edge to the beginning of the show each episode, which if you're watching this series... it can get pretty intense and dark at times.
The story has been developing at both a fast but yet methodical speed. The story doesn't really shift locations, so if you're hoping to see a lot of the world early on you're going to be disappointed. 15 episodes into the anime and we are familiar somewhat with Barsburgh Empire, the church in District 7 and flashbacks to the Raggs Kingdom. I personally like how stationary this is as it can focus on characters, relationships and plot development. The last thing a story this complex could do is start jumping around the world. This anime is by no means a kiddie show, it can get serious and dark. Teito is put through trials and tribulations unimaginable. He's constantly losing his loved ones, trying to remember his past and where to go in the future while bad things stay nipping on his heels.
Thankfully the comedic moments are well timed and break up the mood. They are not overdone as each character has a quirk about them that's not forced. Frau being into porn, need I say more? Each person has a lighter side to them and it's fascinating the relationships that are developing. While the anime has diverged slightly from the manga, I find it to be keeping the spirit and elaborating more on some of the finer points. Even to the point of making certain events darker than the manga.
Starting with the next reviews, I will start discussing plot points and only in these mini-reviews will there be spoilers. If you're watching the series I'll be posting these every Thursday night following the episode. This is your warning. There's too much to cover in 15 episodes. This most recent episode has Frau falling for a classic trap but at a time when Teito has made his decision on who his ally is. He's still in a fragile state after Mikage died and everything he's learning. I want to see more of this plot and what Aya-tan is up to. He's such a bastard... lol
If you like your anime fun, exciting, dark, moody and complex... Do you want something serious with some light moments? Do you want excellent animation and terrific music? Then what the hell are you waiting for? This... is the best anime you're not watching!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
inFamous Playstation 3
"... don't you know you gotta enjoy life or it'll pass you bye." - Revy, Black Lagoon
I believe the creative staff at Sucker Punch echoed these words when they made this exclusive title for the Playstation 3. After getting caught up in the real world I found myself immersed in this game.
First and foremost, this is one of best written games I have played in some time. There are two different story branches, so whichever way you decide to play you end up with different twists and endings. I appreciated this aspect and it made replay value that much more enticing. In the beginning, as with most games, the characters are very basic as we are introduced to them. As the game progresses the development of each character is riveting and enjoyable. I found myself enjoying playing the main character and following his story most of all. All the secondary characters get a piece of the action which is lacking on other action-adventure games. The writers placed a lot of care and effort into the game but also kept in mind this could be just the beginning of a much, much larger world. I appreciate a well done ending that leaves enough open for more.
The gameplay element of the game is also very well done. In this open world game, you can go to whichever mission, side mission or explore as you will. I'm not a big fan of open world games as you can sometimes get lost and have a difficult time finding your way back to the story. Atleast in inFamous the indicators for the missions are easy to read on the map. Blue for story, yellow with red fill evil side mission, etc... Not to mention that you can sometimes find hidden missions by randomly kissing a roaming band of enemies. These involve locating hidden items which can range from super easy to mildly difficult. I would have liked some higher difficulty in these missions and in some of the others. I liked the variety of all the missions. One element of the game I didn't really like was the stunt list. For some reason I'm having a harder time with that than anything else. I love the trophy support but that is like the last trophy I need.
What I liked most is that you grow powerful as the game progresses. This may be typical of standard formula but as you get each power and can master each one, you feel like you're becoming a real bad ass. As you reach the end of the game you feel like you can take on anything. I very much appreciated the gameplay and felt very at ease with the powers once I had enough practice. One thing to note is that hard difficulty mode merely involves double hits for regular enemies and triple for boss battles. Playing this mode second time around really isn't too bad. If a second game is made, I would love an impossible mode.
The art direction of series is standard but I found the cut-scenes to be the real shine of the series. No cgi here folks, more of a comic book look slide show. As simple and campy as it sounds; it is very impressive and striking contrast from the norm. In future installments I believe this will continue. Please have a couple more sequences though as I felt the game was a little short. It drives the story home beyond the audio conversations and story-based missions.
Audiophiles will appreciate the subtle touches most. Each power and impact comes through the appropriate channels along with the impact from the subwoofer. One thing I liked the most was the ending song during the credits. I was impressed with song selection and how enjoyable it was to savor a hard rock song after finishing an epic game. Fans of voice acting will appreciate the talent level and range for each character. While not necessary I'd like a couple more characters so we could appreciate a broader range of a cast.
At the end of the day, it's hard to find much wrong with inFamous. It's an exciting thrill ride that is one of the best games this year. I'll reserve judgment till the end of the year for what I think is my choice for game of the year. From the writing to action to open world nature, inFamous truly is the namesake of the company that created it. 5 out of 5 Sucker Punches!
I believe the creative staff at Sucker Punch echoed these words when they made this exclusive title for the Playstation 3. After getting caught up in the real world I found myself immersed in this game.
First and foremost, this is one of best written games I have played in some time. There are two different story branches, so whichever way you decide to play you end up with different twists and endings. I appreciated this aspect and it made replay value that much more enticing. In the beginning, as with most games, the characters are very basic as we are introduced to them. As the game progresses the development of each character is riveting and enjoyable. I found myself enjoying playing the main character and following his story most of all. All the secondary characters get a piece of the action which is lacking on other action-adventure games. The writers placed a lot of care and effort into the game but also kept in mind this could be just the beginning of a much, much larger world. I appreciate a well done ending that leaves enough open for more.
The gameplay element of the game is also very well done. In this open world game, you can go to whichever mission, side mission or explore as you will. I'm not a big fan of open world games as you can sometimes get lost and have a difficult time finding your way back to the story. Atleast in inFamous the indicators for the missions are easy to read on the map. Blue for story, yellow with red fill evil side mission, etc... Not to mention that you can sometimes find hidden missions by randomly kissing a roaming band of enemies. These involve locating hidden items which can range from super easy to mildly difficult. I would have liked some higher difficulty in these missions and in some of the others. I liked the variety of all the missions. One element of the game I didn't really like was the stunt list. For some reason I'm having a harder time with that than anything else. I love the trophy support but that is like the last trophy I need.
What I liked most is that you grow powerful as the game progresses. This may be typical of standard formula but as you get each power and can master each one, you feel like you're becoming a real bad ass. As you reach the end of the game you feel like you can take on anything. I very much appreciated the gameplay and felt very at ease with the powers once I had enough practice. One thing to note is that hard difficulty mode merely involves double hits for regular enemies and triple for boss battles. Playing this mode second time around really isn't too bad. If a second game is made, I would love an impossible mode.
The art direction of series is standard but I found the cut-scenes to be the real shine of the series. No cgi here folks, more of a comic book look slide show. As simple and campy as it sounds; it is very impressive and striking contrast from the norm. In future installments I believe this will continue. Please have a couple more sequences though as I felt the game was a little short. It drives the story home beyond the audio conversations and story-based missions.
Audiophiles will appreciate the subtle touches most. Each power and impact comes through the appropriate channels along with the impact from the subwoofer. One thing I liked the most was the ending song during the credits. I was impressed with song selection and how enjoyable it was to savor a hard rock song after finishing an epic game. Fans of voice acting will appreciate the talent level and range for each character. While not necessary I'd like a couple more characters so we could appreciate a broader range of a cast.
At the end of the day, it's hard to find much wrong with inFamous. It's an exciting thrill ride that is one of the best games this year. I'll reserve judgment till the end of the year for what I think is my choice for game of the year. From the writing to action to open world nature, inFamous truly is the namesake of the company that created it. 5 out of 5 Sucker Punches!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Rozen Maiden Geneon Box Set
Not many thought this series would ever see it's full release in Region 1. Funimation, thankfully, stepped up to the plate to distribute some of Geneon's releases and partially completed series in singles form. A great many otaku were pleased at this news. I was definitely one of them. I never rid myself of the velveteen box and was able to finish acquiring the singles when finally released. That's what I'm referring to with this review. Needless to say, this is one of the more unique series I have watched in some time.
The outstanding product design and execution is one of, if not, the finest points of Rozen Maiden. The initial release of a Velveteen Art Box definitely exudes elegance and beauty. It feels and looks amazing. The box itself screams to be displayed instead of just sitting in a cabinet or storage container. The good foil along the red fabric just pops so well. The cover art on the individual releases is reversible, thankfully, kept consistent with the remaining volumes. I actually found myself reversing all the covers because they accentuated the collection very well. That was my personal preference, yours may differ depending on which style and art you prefer. You do at the very least get a choice. The art on the discs is equally beautiful making this one of the best all around releases from Geneon. Special note, there are some dreaded Scanavo hubs sporadically used in various volumes.
The video quality in true Geneon fashion is flawless and vibrant. I found myself enjoying the sheer level of detail in the animation. The outfits the Maiden's wear suit each personality and are functional as regular attire. While the character designs aren't anything new or unique, everything else flows smoothly from the simple dialogue scenes to the always amazing fights. I'm not very familiar with the animation studio Nomad. I do feel they did a pretty good job and paid close attention to what fans of the manga and of quality animation want to see. Of course, I do love me some of that widescreen anime. It's the way I prefer my anime, if at all possible. It gives more freedom to use background and add subtlety to any atmosphere.
Unforuntately, there is a drawback in the audio department. It's mostly due to the series not being given 5.1 treatment in Japan. Geneon USA could have put some money into a 5.1 for Region 1 but it was probably not cost effective. Geneon does make excellent use of 2.0 with no dropouts or any issues to note. I do prefer the original Japanese audio track with the well done subtitle's on Rozen Maiden. Most of the English cast seemed to annoy me and take away from the series. I wouldn't call it bad, but honestly, it wasn't good either.
Rozen Maiden has an interesting premise to it. You've got the typical recluse otaku, somewhat harem of girls who are really dolls who fight in a game to become a living doll. It sounds like Pinnochio gone anime with a feminine twist, with less likeable characters. Seriously, I was more annoyed with the so-called hero and his little harem and rooting on the more dynamic vixens. It's not the typical premise and for most of the first half of the series it shows. The writing is mediocre at best, with few bright spots or twists along the way. I was feeling pretty indifferent about continuing on to Traumend. "Gah, this not going anywhere", I said to myself when taking out Volume 3. I went for it though and was pleasantly surprised. The difference between Traumend and the first half is night and day. Traumend was darker in tone, moved the story forward with excellent pacing and even better play on the relationships. I would recommend skipping the first season and getting right to Traumend, no I'm not joking.
In the end, Rozen Maiden is a decent show that received a tremendous effort by Geneon in its release. The sheer quality of the release is nothing short of amazing. If only Rozen Maiden as a whole could have lived up to that effort. The lack of a decent english dub, the mediocrity of the first half and unlikeable characters keep this series from being excellent. I give Rozen Maiden, 2 and 1/2 mystica's out of 5.
The outstanding product design and execution is one of, if not, the finest points of Rozen Maiden. The initial release of a Velveteen Art Box definitely exudes elegance and beauty. It feels and looks amazing. The box itself screams to be displayed instead of just sitting in a cabinet or storage container. The good foil along the red fabric just pops so well. The cover art on the individual releases is reversible, thankfully, kept consistent with the remaining volumes. I actually found myself reversing all the covers because they accentuated the collection very well. That was my personal preference, yours may differ depending on which style and art you prefer. You do at the very least get a choice. The art on the discs is equally beautiful making this one of the best all around releases from Geneon. Special note, there are some dreaded Scanavo hubs sporadically used in various volumes.
The video quality in true Geneon fashion is flawless and vibrant. I found myself enjoying the sheer level of detail in the animation. The outfits the Maiden's wear suit each personality and are functional as regular attire. While the character designs aren't anything new or unique, everything else flows smoothly from the simple dialogue scenes to the always amazing fights. I'm not very familiar with the animation studio Nomad. I do feel they did a pretty good job and paid close attention to what fans of the manga and of quality animation want to see. Of course, I do love me some of that widescreen anime. It's the way I prefer my anime, if at all possible. It gives more freedom to use background and add subtlety to any atmosphere.
Unforuntately, there is a drawback in the audio department. It's mostly due to the series not being given 5.1 treatment in Japan. Geneon USA could have put some money into a 5.1 for Region 1 but it was probably not cost effective. Geneon does make excellent use of 2.0 with no dropouts or any issues to note. I do prefer the original Japanese audio track with the well done subtitle's on Rozen Maiden. Most of the English cast seemed to annoy me and take away from the series. I wouldn't call it bad, but honestly, it wasn't good either.
Rozen Maiden has an interesting premise to it. You've got the typical recluse otaku, somewhat harem of girls who are really dolls who fight in a game to become a living doll. It sounds like Pinnochio gone anime with a feminine twist, with less likeable characters. Seriously, I was more annoyed with the so-called hero and his little harem and rooting on the more dynamic vixens. It's not the typical premise and for most of the first half of the series it shows. The writing is mediocre at best, with few bright spots or twists along the way. I was feeling pretty indifferent about continuing on to Traumend. "Gah, this not going anywhere", I said to myself when taking out Volume 3. I went for it though and was pleasantly surprised. The difference between Traumend and the first half is night and day. Traumend was darker in tone, moved the story forward with excellent pacing and even better play on the relationships. I would recommend skipping the first season and getting right to Traumend, no I'm not joking.
In the end, Rozen Maiden is a decent show that received a tremendous effort by Geneon in its release. The sheer quality of the release is nothing short of amazing. If only Rozen Maiden as a whole could have lived up to that effort. The lack of a decent english dub, the mediocrity of the first half and unlikeable characters keep this series from being excellent. I give Rozen Maiden, 2 and 1/2 mystica's out of 5.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Ratchet and Clank Future : Tools of Destruction PS3 Review
Shiver me sprockets, I was craving a platformer and plunked Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction from the gaming backlog. I wanted to break away from real life for a little while and Ratchet and Clank was the perfect distraction for me.
The gameplay keeps in tune with the previous generations of Ratchet and Clank. All the controls are very familiar. It's a little different playing the game without the rumble feature. I still have not upgrade my controller, however... six-axis controls in the drop sequences are important. At first I found the drop sequences and this control scheme very frustrating. However, by the end of the game I realized that I needed to k.i.s.s (keep it simple stupid) the controls. The decryption locks are fun; I've always been a fan of the grind rails. I was alright with getting used to playing the game.
The sheer variety of gameplay from dancing like a space pirate robot to the space combat to the platforming was exciting and fun. It's exactly like you would expect from a Ratchet and Clank title. If anything, there was not much of Clank's portion of the game. The skill points and platinum bolts are fun. This game came out before the Trophy system, but when the next installment (beyond Quest...) comes out Skill Points would be the perfect route to start. If you like weapons, well this series is known for the crazy weapons. I, personally, liked the disco bomb... I need not say more as Insomniac is in fine fashion with weapons. The boss battles are challenging but if you have spent time grinding and upgrading weapons they are contestable. Like anygame you need to learn the patterns and you can get them.
The level of detail in the game is amazing. If all PS3 platforming games look this amazing I'd happy. The backgrounds pop and pull you into these amazing worlds. Unfortunately the problem I found with an early release title on PS3 is that is not a completely open world to explore. The walls prevent you from flying around. Yeah, the game play is pretty linear. Perhaps with the next game the platinum bolts and skill points can be setup for a larger level and perhaps world to explore to truly open up the incredible worlds Insomniac has created.
In true Playstation 3 fashion, the audio is amazing. I had all the speakers kicking in and rocking the subwoofer a little bit. The voice acting remains the same from all the prior incarnations and keeps it high level. It feels like a family and everyone is happy to be back together. There's definitely a chemistry within the cast and the direction. I won't delve into spoilers, but the relationship with Ratchet and Clank is beyond the norm in the franchise and game. There's some events that happen in the game that because of the range of the voice actors and actresses accentuate an already top notch story.
The story does not ignore any previous incarnation of the game. It actually plays up and builds of an always consistent franchise. We get the quirky yet wildly over-the-top villain, we get the foxy and sly female presence and the always pathetic yet campy Captain Quark. Everyone with their own story and role in the story. There is no randomly placed character or plot, there is a definite direction this series is taking now. Intead of a year later it's a new story, the series is getting a little more serialized with Tools of Destruction leading into Quest for Booty which I'll be playing next... I really like this direction and finally dipping into the what we are discovering as the very rich backstory and evolution of our favorite duo.
In the end, Insomniac delivered what is an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable game. I only have some minor complaints about the length of the game overall and lack of exploring options. Every game has to start somewhere and develop. We saw this in the PS2 era of this series. Each game from Ratchet and Clank to Up Your Arsenal up the ante not just in gameplay but in everything else. This is as close as to what you would want from a next gen R & C game. This receives 5 out of 5 Platinum bolts.
The gameplay keeps in tune with the previous generations of Ratchet and Clank. All the controls are very familiar. It's a little different playing the game without the rumble feature. I still have not upgrade my controller, however... six-axis controls in the drop sequences are important. At first I found the drop sequences and this control scheme very frustrating. However, by the end of the game I realized that I needed to k.i.s.s (keep it simple stupid) the controls. The decryption locks are fun; I've always been a fan of the grind rails. I was alright with getting used to playing the game.
The sheer variety of gameplay from dancing like a space pirate robot to the space combat to the platforming was exciting and fun. It's exactly like you would expect from a Ratchet and Clank title. If anything, there was not much of Clank's portion of the game. The skill points and platinum bolts are fun. This game came out before the Trophy system, but when the next installment (beyond Quest...) comes out Skill Points would be the perfect route to start. If you like weapons, well this series is known for the crazy weapons. I, personally, liked the disco bomb... I need not say more as Insomniac is in fine fashion with weapons. The boss battles are challenging but if you have spent time grinding and upgrading weapons they are contestable. Like anygame you need to learn the patterns and you can get them.
The level of detail in the game is amazing. If all PS3 platforming games look this amazing I'd happy. The backgrounds pop and pull you into these amazing worlds. Unfortunately the problem I found with an early release title on PS3 is that is not a completely open world to explore. The walls prevent you from flying around. Yeah, the game play is pretty linear. Perhaps with the next game the platinum bolts and skill points can be setup for a larger level and perhaps world to explore to truly open up the incredible worlds Insomniac has created.
In true Playstation 3 fashion, the audio is amazing. I had all the speakers kicking in and rocking the subwoofer a little bit. The voice acting remains the same from all the prior incarnations and keeps it high level. It feels like a family and everyone is happy to be back together. There's definitely a chemistry within the cast and the direction. I won't delve into spoilers, but the relationship with Ratchet and Clank is beyond the norm in the franchise and game. There's some events that happen in the game that because of the range of the voice actors and actresses accentuate an already top notch story.
The story does not ignore any previous incarnation of the game. It actually plays up and builds of an always consistent franchise. We get the quirky yet wildly over-the-top villain, we get the foxy and sly female presence and the always pathetic yet campy Captain Quark. Everyone with their own story and role in the story. There is no randomly placed character or plot, there is a definite direction this series is taking now. Intead of a year later it's a new story, the series is getting a little more serialized with Tools of Destruction leading into Quest for Booty which I'll be playing next... I really like this direction and finally dipping into the what we are discovering as the very rich backstory and evolution of our favorite duo.
In the end, Insomniac delivered what is an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable game. I only have some minor complaints about the length of the game overall and lack of exploring options. Every game has to start somewhere and develop. We saw this in the PS2 era of this series. Each game from Ratchet and Clank to Up Your Arsenal up the ante not just in gameplay but in everything else. This is as close as to what you would want from a next gen R & C game. This receives 5 out of 5 Platinum bolts.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Dai-Guard : Perfect Collection Set
I do apologize for the delay's in blogging. You can expect a few reviews and perhaps a few new tweaks around here. I took the opportunity to dig into the backlog and grabbed the first series that looked interesting. I saw Dai-Guard and immediately thought Mecha sounded just about right. I made an excellent choice.
The set I have in my collection is the Alpha Brick release by ADV. These old sets from ADV, Bandai, etc... certainly live up to their name. It is the size of a brick but doesn't weigh like one. Other than it's clunky nature it does have issues. When I was going to remove the second disc the entire section popped out of the brick. It's a snap together section so I was able to put it back together; albeit annoyed. The cover art for the set is unqiue and well put together. It's very busy, but it captures the atmosphere of the series. What I like the most is the art and design of the discs itself. It's consistent and remarkable all the way through.
As with most ADV releases the video quality and authoring is very good. It's almost a little too good on the PS3 up-converting it. You can see some of the coloring and oh-so-slight (you really need to be nit-picky)animation inconsistencies from when the show was made. This is no part ADV's mistake, I find this to be part of the charm of Dai-Guard. You won't be find any errors or glitches video wise. The designs feel familiar but unique at the same time. Xebec put their stamp on this series so you will enjoy the fruits of their labor. You will be pleased with ADV's efforts and the series overall.
I did encounter one problem with this release and it came in the audio. It is not the 2.0 vs. 5.1 argument nor is it the dub vs. sub. The volume level seemed to drop and raise from episode to episode and from OP to episode to ED. I kept reaching for the remote to adjust the volume accordingly. At times is was borderline ticking me off. If you're an audio person, you've officially been warned. In Dai-Guard you would be hard-pressed to not enjoy your preference between English and Japanese audio. The voice acting is very remarkable as I enjoyed both tracks equally. The both provide the same punch in the comedic and dramatic aspects.
Dai-Guard's biggest strength does not come from the animation, the music, or the voice acting. This biggest strength of this series is found in the writing. I have not seen much Mecha with such character and heart. The development of each and every character is thought out and executed perfectly. Even those characters you might find annoying or don't like at first, they do grow beyond your first impressions. The plot itself is well drawn out and paced as well, with very satisfying and touching moments. It's a fighting robot anime, you wouldn't expect to see this much heart in a series. As the viewer you feel like you know the characters and what they went through. I dare say, this is a rare anime that is very comforting.
Dai-Guard is a series with a lot going for it. ADV put out a high quality series with a pretty decent release. Though, I do feel it could have been given a better release. Maybe if ADV were to re-release this series they could fix it up. Dai-Guard is too good of a series to just sit around for newer otaku never to see. Dai-Guard is comfort food for any otaku who likes good characters and a good story. I give Dai-Guard 5 out of 5 Ibuki kisses!
The set I have in my collection is the Alpha Brick release by ADV. These old sets from ADV, Bandai, etc... certainly live up to their name. It is the size of a brick but doesn't weigh like one. Other than it's clunky nature it does have issues. When I was going to remove the second disc the entire section popped out of the brick. It's a snap together section so I was able to put it back together; albeit annoyed. The cover art for the set is unqiue and well put together. It's very busy, but it captures the atmosphere of the series. What I like the most is the art and design of the discs itself. It's consistent and remarkable all the way through.
As with most ADV releases the video quality and authoring is very good. It's almost a little too good on the PS3 up-converting it. You can see some of the coloring and oh-so-slight (you really need to be nit-picky)animation inconsistencies from when the show was made. This is no part ADV's mistake, I find this to be part of the charm of Dai-Guard. You won't be find any errors or glitches video wise. The designs feel familiar but unique at the same time. Xebec put their stamp on this series so you will enjoy the fruits of their labor. You will be pleased with ADV's efforts and the series overall.
I did encounter one problem with this release and it came in the audio. It is not the 2.0 vs. 5.1 argument nor is it the dub vs. sub. The volume level seemed to drop and raise from episode to episode and from OP to episode to ED. I kept reaching for the remote to adjust the volume accordingly. At times is was borderline ticking me off. If you're an audio person, you've officially been warned. In Dai-Guard you would be hard-pressed to not enjoy your preference between English and Japanese audio. The voice acting is very remarkable as I enjoyed both tracks equally. The both provide the same punch in the comedic and dramatic aspects.
Dai-Guard's biggest strength does not come from the animation, the music, or the voice acting. This biggest strength of this series is found in the writing. I have not seen much Mecha with such character and heart. The development of each and every character is thought out and executed perfectly. Even those characters you might find annoying or don't like at first, they do grow beyond your first impressions. The plot itself is well drawn out and paced as well, with very satisfying and touching moments. It's a fighting robot anime, you wouldn't expect to see this much heart in a series. As the viewer you feel like you know the characters and what they went through. I dare say, this is a rare anime that is very comforting.
Dai-Guard is a series with a lot going for it. ADV put out a high quality series with a pretty decent release. Though, I do feel it could have been given a better release. Maybe if ADV were to re-release this series they could fix it up. Dai-Guard is too good of a series to just sit around for newer otaku never to see. Dai-Guard is comfort food for any otaku who likes good characters and a good story. I give Dai-Guard 5 out of 5 Ibuki kisses!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Shigurui : Death Frenzy Blu-Ray Box Set
Cute, humorous with a dose of romance. Yeah, you're not going to see any of that in Shigurui. This release arrived literally yesterday and I was getting a little burnt out on playing Dead Space. I had this Funimation Blu-Ray release sitting on coffee table and figured, "this is a good time to try my first anime experience in Blu-Ray." I have a couple BR anime released titles, but Shigurui Death Frenzy screamed to me.
How does the packaging look? That is an excellent question. The box itself harkens back to the hard paper or flimsy days (of the first RahXephon, My-Hime) with box construction. Please note, the Blu-Ray cases are a snug fit in the box. If you plunge your fingers into the sides to get them out you risk hurting the box. The art is very well done and is sharp despite a non-glossy finish. It fits very well with the series and it's gritty, dark nature. What I don't like is the damn blue border that I like to call the Blu-Ray Stripe. I wish companies would use different colors. For example, Akira's Blu-Ray Slipcover is all one color, Freedom Blu-Ray Box Set is one color, etc... The cases and the cover art featured on them is well done and consistent. I would like to have seen different color cases while we're at it too. Nothing major for drawbacks but if your like me it's enough to raise an eyebrow at.
The video quality with a Blu-Ray should be amazing, did Funimation deliver? I say yes, some scenes are a little grainy especially in some darker scenes. However, this appears to be how certain segments and scenes wee created. Your eyes are not playing tricks on you the animation is crisp, clear and amazing. The attention to detail by Madhouse is incredible, insane and a highlight to this series. No complaints what-so-ever. One thing to note is that this is an uber-violent and gruesome series. If you are the slightest bit squiemish be VERY aware that, that attention to detail comment was not an exaggeration. The gore in Shigurui is something Dario Argento - level. If you don't know that name, let's just say this level of gore would put to shame most horror movies of the last 20 years.
Here is where the home theater otaku are going to fall in love with Shigurui Death Frenzy. English is presented in amazing 5.1 and it certainly rocks the speakers and sub-woofer. Unfortunately Japanese audio is in standard 2.0, it's still good enough to enjoy the series and everything in it. It just lacks that depth and extra punch you experience with 5.1. The subtitles and original Japanese audio is amazing. I may get flack for this but I actually enjoyed the English Dub of this series more than the original audio. Please note that what ever your preference is the beauty isn't just in the kill, nor just in animation, it's in the audio too.
I'm starting a new section to these reviews. I still have a no-plot point and spoiler rule. I can't keep away from wanting to talk about the writing of any series though. Shigurui Death Frenzy has wonderfully rich, complex characters and motivations to each of them. You grow to love, loathe and sympathize with some characters. The series starts off a bit like Berserk where you start at present day and the following episode's bring the back story for the remaining 11 episodes. The plot tends to jump around the timeline slightly while going through the back story, at times it can be a little hard to keep everything straight. I think this gives the series re-playability though. For a 12 episodes series it's very well paced and flows naturally. When episode 12 is done, I would bet you'll have the same reaction I did. "Hey...we're not done yet... I want to know the rest of the story, there's gotta be more." Which, unlike Berserk, doesn't entice the feeling of punching a hole through a wall knowing that there's not anymore.
Shigurui: Death Frenzy is deliciously dark, smart and viscerally beautiful. Outside of a couple minor complaints about the packaging Funimation has brought us another gem. I want to say thank you to Funimation for providing this series not just a release but a Blu-Ray release that is affordable and worth every penny. If you like serious anime, uber-violence and a solid story this Frenzy is for you. I'm gonna say, that as of right now, this is my favorite series of 2009. Take your format choice and viewing pleasure between audio options and enjoy the beauty of 5 out 5 frenzied kills!
How does the packaging look? That is an excellent question. The box itself harkens back to the hard paper or flimsy days (of the first RahXephon, My-Hime) with box construction. Please note, the Blu-Ray cases are a snug fit in the box. If you plunge your fingers into the sides to get them out you risk hurting the box. The art is very well done and is sharp despite a non-glossy finish. It fits very well with the series and it's gritty, dark nature. What I don't like is the damn blue border that I like to call the Blu-Ray Stripe. I wish companies would use different colors. For example, Akira's Blu-Ray Slipcover is all one color, Freedom Blu-Ray Box Set is one color, etc... The cases and the cover art featured on them is well done and consistent. I would like to have seen different color cases while we're at it too. Nothing major for drawbacks but if your like me it's enough to raise an eyebrow at.
The video quality with a Blu-Ray should be amazing, did Funimation deliver? I say yes, some scenes are a little grainy especially in some darker scenes. However, this appears to be how certain segments and scenes wee created. Your eyes are not playing tricks on you the animation is crisp, clear and amazing. The attention to detail by Madhouse is incredible, insane and a highlight to this series. No complaints what-so-ever. One thing to note is that this is an uber-violent and gruesome series. If you are the slightest bit squiemish be VERY aware that, that attention to detail comment was not an exaggeration. The gore in Shigurui is something Dario Argento - level. If you don't know that name, let's just say this level of gore would put to shame most horror movies of the last 20 years.
Here is where the home theater otaku are going to fall in love with Shigurui Death Frenzy. English is presented in amazing 5.1 and it certainly rocks the speakers and sub-woofer. Unfortunately Japanese audio is in standard 2.0, it's still good enough to enjoy the series and everything in it. It just lacks that depth and extra punch you experience with 5.1. The subtitles and original Japanese audio is amazing. I may get flack for this but I actually enjoyed the English Dub of this series more than the original audio. Please note that what ever your preference is the beauty isn't just in the kill, nor just in animation, it's in the audio too.
I'm starting a new section to these reviews. I still have a no-plot point and spoiler rule. I can't keep away from wanting to talk about the writing of any series though. Shigurui Death Frenzy has wonderfully rich, complex characters and motivations to each of them. You grow to love, loathe and sympathize with some characters. The series starts off a bit like Berserk where you start at present day and the following episode's bring the back story for the remaining 11 episodes. The plot tends to jump around the timeline slightly while going through the back story, at times it can be a little hard to keep everything straight. I think this gives the series re-playability though. For a 12 episodes series it's very well paced and flows naturally. When episode 12 is done, I would bet you'll have the same reaction I did. "Hey...we're not done yet... I want to know the rest of the story, there's gotta be more." Which, unlike Berserk, doesn't entice the feeling of punching a hole through a wall knowing that there's not anymore.
Shigurui: Death Frenzy is deliciously dark, smart and viscerally beautiful. Outside of a couple minor complaints about the packaging Funimation has brought us another gem. I want to say thank you to Funimation for providing this series not just a release but a Blu-Ray release that is affordable and worth every penny. If you like serious anime, uber-violence and a solid story this Frenzy is for you. I'm gonna say, that as of right now, this is my favorite series of 2009. Take your format choice and viewing pleasure between audio options and enjoy the beauty of 5 out 5 frenzied kills!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Moon Phase Complete Box Set
Vampire's, dark moody atmosphere, complex story and comedy??? Believe it or not, Moon Phase captures all of those elements and does it successfully. I believe sometimes it's best to throw, metaphorically speaking, darts at a dart board when picking out an anime to watch.
Over the last couple of year Funimation has released a variety of boxes in complete collection form. Some are truly unique designs never to be replicated. Moon Phase is one of those experiments. It's a Thinpak sized box, very sturdy design with the interior filled with individual digi-paks. There are three of them, each hold two discs each. Digi-paks have a spotty track record but the functionality of these is very well done. Also, the guidebooks included with the singles release are inside it's own slip case. Moon Phase complete box set has beautiful artwork and a real design to the release. It's unique and beautiful. If only this same effort could go into every complete series release by Funi.
For you audio fans out there I will say that Moon Phase has interesting music within it. The score is very well done, creating a vibrant and beautifully dark world. However, the choice of the OP and it's subsequent placement within the series can and does get very annoying. I understand the attempt to make the series not so dark and dreary but putting in something of a lighter tone. I just flat out skipped the OP every single episode. The audio as it is, sounds really good in 5.1 on both language tracks especially when the sub-woofer kicked in. As for dub choice, this is a Funimation series so you'll be hearing some familiar voices from Carrie Savage to Sonny Strait. I enjoyed their performances I'm sure you dub fans will too. However, I'm going against the grain and choice the original Japanese language track with subtitles. It felt a little more fresh hearing voices I'm not terribly familiar with and the performances were amazing.
The video quality is not too shabby, but it's nothing remarkable either. Some of the reds and blues seemed washed out a bit. I'm not if it's a product of the year it was created in or one of Funi's video problems it's known for. Did I mention how much I love widescreen anime? Yup, wider is better! I do like the designs and overall gothic style featured in the series. Characteristically, I liked the variety provided from Elfriede to my personal favorite in Artemis (aka Arte).
Now, I normally will not post much about the premise and story. I do feel the need to voice my disappointment with the OVA after episode 25 (the final episode of the story arc). It almost killed my enjoyment of the series on an overall level. It would have been better if I avoided it. It did nothing for the characters, world and story I came to love. I loved how deliciously dark the series became at points, never forgetting the tormenting nature of vampires and those who surround them. From the humor to the unforgettable chemistry to the gothic world created, Moon Phase is a real treat. I give Moon Phase, 5 out of 5 Hazuki kisses!
Over the last couple of year Funimation has released a variety of boxes in complete collection form. Some are truly unique designs never to be replicated. Moon Phase is one of those experiments. It's a Thinpak sized box, very sturdy design with the interior filled with individual digi-paks. There are three of them, each hold two discs each. Digi-paks have a spotty track record but the functionality of these is very well done. Also, the guidebooks included with the singles release are inside it's own slip case. Moon Phase complete box set has beautiful artwork and a real design to the release. It's unique and beautiful. If only this same effort could go into every complete series release by Funi.
For you audio fans out there I will say that Moon Phase has interesting music within it. The score is very well done, creating a vibrant and beautifully dark world. However, the choice of the OP and it's subsequent placement within the series can and does get very annoying. I understand the attempt to make the series not so dark and dreary but putting in something of a lighter tone. I just flat out skipped the OP every single episode. The audio as it is, sounds really good in 5.1 on both language tracks especially when the sub-woofer kicked in. As for dub choice, this is a Funimation series so you'll be hearing some familiar voices from Carrie Savage to Sonny Strait. I enjoyed their performances I'm sure you dub fans will too. However, I'm going against the grain and choice the original Japanese language track with subtitles. It felt a little more fresh hearing voices I'm not terribly familiar with and the performances were amazing.
The video quality is not too shabby, but it's nothing remarkable either. Some of the reds and blues seemed washed out a bit. I'm not if it's a product of the year it was created in or one of Funi's video problems it's known for. Did I mention how much I love widescreen anime? Yup, wider is better! I do like the designs and overall gothic style featured in the series. Characteristically, I liked the variety provided from Elfriede to my personal favorite in Artemis (aka Arte).
Now, I normally will not post much about the premise and story. I do feel the need to voice my disappointment with the OVA after episode 25 (the final episode of the story arc). It almost killed my enjoyment of the series on an overall level. It would have been better if I avoided it. It did nothing for the characters, world and story I came to love. I loved how deliciously dark the series became at points, never forgetting the tormenting nature of vampires and those who surround them. From the humor to the unforgettable chemistry to the gothic world created, Moon Phase is a real treat. I give Moon Phase, 5 out of 5 Hazuki kisses!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Melody of Oblivion Box Set
I randomly picked out a title from my backlog of anime to watch recently. It was a good opportunity to try something out. Especially since I needed to break up my play through of Bio-shock which was frustrating me. This time around Melody of Oblivion took center stage; I was not disappointed.
In true Geneon fashion, the artbox afforded by Geneon is high quality. Wonderful artwork, featuring the Melos warriors and Sayoko, adorns the sides of the box. I find the dark red (almost maroon) colored background to be very elegant. The best feature comes in the from the wire framing and border details around the box. It gives a very sophisticated look. I'm a fan of these kinds of details. The cover art for the individual volumes is nothing short of spectacular and the reversible covers ensure you have alternate options to chose from. The one drawback to this release was the use of Scanavo hubs, this was however a problem across many releases. Just be aware and careful when removing your discs. I switched my cases with M-lock's to prevent any issues.
If you like the scores in anime, not just the OP and ED music, you won't be disappointed with Melody of Oblivion. I found the scoring to be top notch, very subdued and serene creating a terrific atmosphere for this series. It's more than just something to fill the background that most series do, it's part of the charm and character. If only the audio could have been 5.1 would it have been even better. Most anime is 2.0 so we just have to make due and take what was provided. Now comes the english dub versus japanese point. In all due true, both are remarkable for this series. Each had a couple casting choices I didn't like, nothing terribly annoying, regardless you'll be happy whatever your preference for anime is.
The video quality of Melody of Oblivion is also a top notch effort. Keep in mind that this series was not created in widescreen, so full frame is what you'll be getting here. J.C. Staff is definitely one of the very best in designs and animation and Melody of Oblivion is no exception. From Bocca to my personal favorite in Tone, the designs are not conventional and not what you would expect their personalities to look like in other anime. Bocca is far from what you would expect a hero to look like. One mild complaint I have is the re-use of particular fight sequences of firing the arrows. I would like to have seen more variations and approaches to this.
Only in the depths of an otaku's backlog can someone find a true gem. Melody of Oblivion went largely unnoticed when it was first released by Geneon. It didn't sell the best, not many even spoke about it let alone knew anything about it. The story aspect takes a little time to really shine through, but once the series gets moving you understand all the time devoted to character development was important. It's also the best element of series giving Melody of Oblivion a series with heart. You can see the love and pride that was put into it. Produced by J.C. Staff, this is one series that deserves to be in your collection. I give Melody of Oblivion 4.5 arrows out of 5, for my Melos!
In true Geneon fashion, the artbox afforded by Geneon is high quality. Wonderful artwork, featuring the Melos warriors and Sayoko, adorns the sides of the box. I find the dark red (almost maroon) colored background to be very elegant. The best feature comes in the from the wire framing and border details around the box. It gives a very sophisticated look. I'm a fan of these kinds of details. The cover art for the individual volumes is nothing short of spectacular and the reversible covers ensure you have alternate options to chose from. The one drawback to this release was the use of Scanavo hubs, this was however a problem across many releases. Just be aware and careful when removing your discs. I switched my cases with M-lock's to prevent any issues.
If you like the scores in anime, not just the OP and ED music, you won't be disappointed with Melody of Oblivion. I found the scoring to be top notch, very subdued and serene creating a terrific atmosphere for this series. It's more than just something to fill the background that most series do, it's part of the charm and character. If only the audio could have been 5.1 would it have been even better. Most anime is 2.0 so we just have to make due and take what was provided. Now comes the english dub versus japanese point. In all due true, both are remarkable for this series. Each had a couple casting choices I didn't like, nothing terribly annoying, regardless you'll be happy whatever your preference for anime is.
The video quality of Melody of Oblivion is also a top notch effort. Keep in mind that this series was not created in widescreen, so full frame is what you'll be getting here. J.C. Staff is definitely one of the very best in designs and animation and Melody of Oblivion is no exception. From Bocca to my personal favorite in Tone, the designs are not conventional and not what you would expect their personalities to look like in other anime. Bocca is far from what you would expect a hero to look like. One mild complaint I have is the re-use of particular fight sequences of firing the arrows. I would like to have seen more variations and approaches to this.
Only in the depths of an otaku's backlog can someone find a true gem. Melody of Oblivion went largely unnoticed when it was first released by Geneon. It didn't sell the best, not many even spoke about it let alone knew anything about it. The story aspect takes a little time to really shine through, but once the series gets moving you understand all the time devoted to character development was important. It's also the best element of series giving Melody of Oblivion a series with heart. You can see the love and pride that was put into it. Produced by J.C. Staff, this is one series that deserves to be in your collection. I give Melody of Oblivion 4.5 arrows out of 5, for my Melos!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Str.A.In : Strategic Armored Infantry Box Set
"The bang doesn't work without the zoom!" That very statement, while incredibly silly, is very appropriate for Funimation's release of Str.A.In. At first look, this series looks like just any other Mecha series. The truth of the matter is this series is anything but the norm. Through the various aspects of the series I found myself saying, "this is brutal, cold and real."
I'm going to start off with the packaging on this release and get the negativity out of the way. I cannot help but shake my head at the quality of the "thinner-pak" Funimation is using on all it's set release. Not everyone is bothered by this, but for me, I would prefer a stiffer material if we cannot get chipboard. The art featured on the covers is very well done, but the lime green on the spine of the box is disappointing. It's more of a distraction and hindrance to the flow of the art. The two thinpak cases inside feature some amazing art and reversible sides are even more elegant. Please do be aware of the flipped art. Your eyes are not wrong, the cases and art cover placement have the front art on what is usually the back side. Thereby opening the cover with the opening on the left. It's not a mistake, you can fix it but it won't look right.
The audio kicks in full 5.1 surround sound on both tracks. I was loving it, all channels were firing and the subwoofer was kicking in all afternoon. For the curious, I noticed no dropouts or any issues. For dubs, I listened sample both tracks for a couple episodes before deciding to stick with the English dub on this release. You'll hear some familiar voices from the Funimation dub crew. You won't disappointed with Caitlin Glass's portrayal of Sarah to Greg Ayres as Melchi. It's by no means perfect but I enjoyed the dub a little more than the Japanese dub. Either way you go, you will not be disappointed.
The video quality of this release is amazing. It's no secret I love my anime in widescreen format and this is no exception. If you're looking for glitches, bugs, or anything that could possibly show a poor authoring job; you will not find that here. I believe Funimation has been able to show some consistency and improved authoring in the last year. I'm very pleased considering how frantic the action is and the top quality animation is. I definitely enjoyed the character models especially Sara who is reminiscent of another superb Mecha series Funimation has, in Blue Gender! Sara looks inspired by Marlene as are a lot of her personality quirks.
In the end, this is a gritty series that starts off with a bang and never let's up on the zoom. I would go so far as to say Str.A.In is a spiritual prequel to Blue Gender. I do not compare series or movies to others very lightly. It's like watching what life might have been like for Marlene. Obviously the shows are not in the same universe but you definitely feel the same atmosphere from Blue Gender within Str.A.in. The storyline is amazing and develops at a fast pace, but never falls out of it's own identity without delving too much into techno-babble. I do not discuss plot points, but fair warning on getting attached to characters. Other than some questionable color choices and a thin paper box this is a sleeper hit series you do not want to miss. I give this series 5 shower scenes out of 5!
I'm going to start off with the packaging on this release and get the negativity out of the way. I cannot help but shake my head at the quality of the "thinner-pak" Funimation is using on all it's set release. Not everyone is bothered by this, but for me, I would prefer a stiffer material if we cannot get chipboard. The art featured on the covers is very well done, but the lime green on the spine of the box is disappointing. It's more of a distraction and hindrance to the flow of the art. The two thinpak cases inside feature some amazing art and reversible sides are even more elegant. Please do be aware of the flipped art. Your eyes are not wrong, the cases and art cover placement have the front art on what is usually the back side. Thereby opening the cover with the opening on the left. It's not a mistake, you can fix it but it won't look right.
The audio kicks in full 5.1 surround sound on both tracks. I was loving it, all channels were firing and the subwoofer was kicking in all afternoon. For the curious, I noticed no dropouts or any issues. For dubs, I listened sample both tracks for a couple episodes before deciding to stick with the English dub on this release. You'll hear some familiar voices from the Funimation dub crew. You won't disappointed with Caitlin Glass's portrayal of Sarah to Greg Ayres as Melchi. It's by no means perfect but I enjoyed the dub a little more than the Japanese dub. Either way you go, you will not be disappointed.
The video quality of this release is amazing. It's no secret I love my anime in widescreen format and this is no exception. If you're looking for glitches, bugs, or anything that could possibly show a poor authoring job; you will not find that here. I believe Funimation has been able to show some consistency and improved authoring in the last year. I'm very pleased considering how frantic the action is and the top quality animation is. I definitely enjoyed the character models especially Sara who is reminiscent of another superb Mecha series Funimation has, in Blue Gender! Sara looks inspired by Marlene as are a lot of her personality quirks.
In the end, this is a gritty series that starts off with a bang and never let's up on the zoom. I would go so far as to say Str.A.In is a spiritual prequel to Blue Gender. I do not compare series or movies to others very lightly. It's like watching what life might have been like for Marlene. Obviously the shows are not in the same universe but you definitely feel the same atmosphere from Blue Gender within Str.A.in. The storyline is amazing and develops at a fast pace, but never falls out of it's own identity without delving too much into techno-babble. I do not discuss plot points, but fair warning on getting attached to characters. Other than some questionable color choices and a thin paper box this is a sleeper hit series you do not want to miss. I give this series 5 shower scenes out of 5!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Familiar of Zero Box Set
I took a slight break from gaming with Dead Space and Little Big Planet. I thought I would take the opportunity to watch some anime. I randomly reached for one of the more recent arrivals in Familiar of Zero, produced by Geneon and distributed by Funimation.
At first look, the packaging on this release is very well done. I simply love when a studio uses a decent grade of chipboard as opposed to something like Tsubasa's Volume 7 artbox, which is of a thinner and more flexible quality. You won't find that here as it continues Geneon's standards for boxes. The cover art by itself is impeccable. Louise is featured on both sides and the spine. In particular I enjoy the framing and brown leather bound look of the box. I love this type of look, it shows some real effort, thought and care when into this release. The dvd cover art does not continue the book like appearance but that's not really needed. What I like the most about the dvd covers is that they are reversible. The current trend in anime is to not feature reversible covers with dvd's in a single case. The thinner-paks that Funi is putting out do have art but they really aren't intended to reverse and look like a regular cover. The cases themselves aren't remarkable except to note they are not Scanavo's. Please do be careful though, if you order online like I did you may have floaters. Unless the M-lock format is universally adopted there will always be the potential for this.
The video quality playing through the PS3 was really crisp and clean without any issues. The animation in the show by J.C. Staff is, as always, one of the best in the industry. Some of the designs and character models are interesting and unique aside from Tabitha who bears a striking resemblance to Yuki from Haruhi. The quiet type characters seem to share a lot of certain traits. I will avoid the moe factor in there. You will enjoy the visual style of the show as did I.
Familiar of Zero was broadcast in 2.0 so you won't be enjoying a surround sound experience. While I would have loved 5.1 for the experience, it is quite alright; I will always say 5.1 is better. The English Dub is kind of a touchy subject for me on this release. It's because I really didn't like it. Almost the entire English cast outside of Louise was incredibly annoying. Watching it the original Japanese with the subtitles was definitely my preferred way of listening to the show.
I will never go too much into plot points so as to avoid spoiling anyone who has yet to view the series. In the beginning I found the story incredibly dull and unmotivated. Feeling more like a Harry Potter with a twist than anything remotely original. This did eventually shake loose from that feeling and was able to become it's own show in the back half of the show. Familiar of Zero sure took it's sweet time to get there.
In the end, Familiar of Zero received a stellar release from Geneon and Funimation. The series is worth watching. At the very least it doesn't try to be anything other than a popcorn show with a heavy dose of fan service and some decent action. I do recommend the Japanese Audio with subs, but to each their own. I give this series 3.5 nights with Kirsche out of 5.
At first look, the packaging on this release is very well done. I simply love when a studio uses a decent grade of chipboard as opposed to something like Tsubasa's Volume 7 artbox, which is of a thinner and more flexible quality. You won't find that here as it continues Geneon's standards for boxes. The cover art by itself is impeccable. Louise is featured on both sides and the spine. In particular I enjoy the framing and brown leather bound look of the box. I love this type of look, it shows some real effort, thought and care when into this release. The dvd cover art does not continue the book like appearance but that's not really needed. What I like the most about the dvd covers is that they are reversible. The current trend in anime is to not feature reversible covers with dvd's in a single case. The thinner-paks that Funi is putting out do have art but they really aren't intended to reverse and look like a regular cover. The cases themselves aren't remarkable except to note they are not Scanavo's. Please do be careful though, if you order online like I did you may have floaters. Unless the M-lock format is universally adopted there will always be the potential for this.
The video quality playing through the PS3 was really crisp and clean without any issues. The animation in the show by J.C. Staff is, as always, one of the best in the industry. Some of the designs and character models are interesting and unique aside from Tabitha who bears a striking resemblance to Yuki from Haruhi. The quiet type characters seem to share a lot of certain traits. I will avoid the moe factor in there. You will enjoy the visual style of the show as did I.
Familiar of Zero was broadcast in 2.0 so you won't be enjoying a surround sound experience. While I would have loved 5.1 for the experience, it is quite alright; I will always say 5.1 is better. The English Dub is kind of a touchy subject for me on this release. It's because I really didn't like it. Almost the entire English cast outside of Louise was incredibly annoying. Watching it the original Japanese with the subtitles was definitely my preferred way of listening to the show.
I will never go too much into plot points so as to avoid spoiling anyone who has yet to view the series. In the beginning I found the story incredibly dull and unmotivated. Feeling more like a Harry Potter with a twist than anything remotely original. This did eventually shake loose from that feeling and was able to become it's own show in the back half of the show. Familiar of Zero sure took it's sweet time to get there.
In the end, Familiar of Zero received a stellar release from Geneon and Funimation. The series is worth watching. At the very least it doesn't try to be anything other than a popcorn show with a heavy dose of fan service and some decent action. I do recommend the Japanese Audio with subs, but to each their own. I give this series 3.5 nights with Kirsche out of 5.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Code Geass : Lelouch of the Rebellion Part 2 Limited Edition
Happiness and relief, two words I’m choosing with the latest release from Bandai Entertainment. I viewed the two volumes today once on a standard dvd player and a second time on the PS3. The reason for viewing on a standard dvd player is simple. If you received the first set of volumes from Bandai, the initial shipment of discs were riddled with encoding problems. The results of these errors varied from one dvd player to another, even the PS3 could not power past some of the issues.
I am pleased to say the Denon dvd player played every single second without issues. I watched every single second on each volume, extras included, and found not one solitary problem. No pauses, no skips in playback, etc… Here it is a flawless release from Bandai, a step in the right direction for the release of this series. The playback on the PS3 with the upconverting is truly amazing. I will say time and time again Anime on a PS3 (or upconverting dvd player) to a high def tv is the way to go. Older releases may or may not look at as good as this, but going back as far as 2003-2004 the are shows (ie. RahXephon) that look outstanding.
For fans of Japanese audio and subs, you will be pleased with the subs this time around. The first release had some typos with the subs, there’s only a couple but if you’re a detail freak like me you’ll spot them. This time around it looks like the QC department fixed everything and made sure it was all accurate. For fans of the English dub, the strong and consistent voice acting keeps it going. I’m very pleased with the casting and talent involved. It’s not perfect but having Crispin Freeman and Johnny Young Bosch in the same cast has an amazing flair to it.
That covers the dvd aspects, but there were other goodies with this release that helped make it worthwhile. I am not a huge manga collector though I do enjoy a good series. It’s a good inclusion, as are the booklets and mini-comic. Fair warning at mild spoilers with the booklets, nothing major but there’s a couple tidbits in there. Lastly, is the sound episode cd #2, though I have yet to actually listen to any of the sound cd’s. However, the wide variety of goodies and nothing insanely cheap inside makes the LE worth its purchase. If extra goodies are not important then the regular edition is a great path. I do highly recommend picking up the actual set of Part 2 instead of the individual volumes. There is a price difference going that route especially if you buy online.
After a first release plagued with encoding problems Bandai has brought out a flawless release. If you like Code Geass and don’t want to wait for a complete set in about a year this is the way to go. If you like anime with a strong story, compelling characters or awesome action then this one is for you. I give this release 5 out of 5 Kallen kisses!
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