Review and Anticipations
I really never do this, but right now I can't help it. Before I start, however, I ask for one thing. Check out my profile? I changed the theme as a homage to my favorite Saiyuki characters. (At least when it comes to the post-Gaiden stuff on that timeline.)
I've been watching anime, and some dramas on Crunchyroll. Thanks to that, this horrible entry has come about! I'll bring up some of the series I've watched, and what I just can't wait to finally come out.
Rental Magica
Now, like the majority of anime shows out there, this one is purely fantasy. I've fallen for the characters, and slowly developing story. Not to mention the way the creators had made this show, basing all magical things off of real myth, beliefs, and ideals in our world. Celtic magic, the Key of Solomon, Shintoism, and even more. They show up, and even if you're lost, you can get the end notes to understand where the references come from.
They only have about 12 or 13 episodes up on the site, but there seems to be twice as many for this season. It started off out of chronological order, like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, before on to a steady, easy to follow, pattern.
Unfortunately, with all the real life references to various beliefs, it's easy to get lost in all the terms. Then the time spent with the end notes seem to take away from possible time in the episode itself. There are still gaps in the characters, and development, but I'm guessing that those will be patched as the series continue.
Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei!
Comedy, names really describing a character, and millions of cultural references. This show has so many prospective points, it could also be a downfall if ever licensed for the US.
You take the serious aspects of suicide, cultural and societal flaws, and jam pack them with twists and literal takings in the episodes. Even more, they enhance the opportunities for this by going in a school setting. The show itself has the randomness of Lucky Star, confusion, and most likely would be impossible to coherently translate for dubbing if America takes it.
Nozomu Itoshiki, the main character, is a teacher to a bunch of students who's personalities are taken directly from their names. The teacher himself, however, seems to make quite a drama of this in the beginning. The strokes in his name count up to 23, which is a bad sign in their culture. One of the students suggests writing it in a western style, which brings about the reason for the anime title. Together, the characters of his name 'spell' Zetsubou, which means Despair.
There are many things to expect in this show. each episode, someone (particularly Itoshiki-sensei,) will announce that they're in despair. Even more, the teacher will try to kill himself or promote suicide as the only way out of a situation. A phrase, cultural reference, or a character's name, will be the focus of the episode.
The downsides? I can see how it gets to others, really. You could only guess the type of subjects which come up in the show. That, and the constant suicide attempts, may just unnerve several of the watchers. Cultural references, tossed out left and right, can also lead to lose the audience. If it weren't for the end cards, which go over the meaning of the character's names, how it reflects their personalities could also be lost. Confusing, filled with cultural references, and subjects which could make viewers uncomfortable. I welcome the possible controversy!
Easy to get lost, but very easy to fall in love with. I especially get a kick out of the opening and closing credits, and music. In fact, I love the opening theme enough to gift you with it!
Kenji Ohtsuki - Hitotoshite Jiku ga Bureteiru
Tsubasa; Tokyo Revelations
So far, there's only one episode out. Though it continues on from the second season, I believe. The other Syaoron has woken up, and is loose. The group reach a world where it rains acid, and water is a precious commodity protected in two locations. Tokyo Tower, and a hospital I believe. As usual, you characters from other series used in Tsubasa. Here, however, you also get Kamui. We're still waiting to see how things continue.
The art looks to be the same from the show, but there are always subtle differences in OVAs. Here, you'll notice that the arm seems more elegant, or clean, and the Mokonas are considerably smaller.
Saiyuki: Burial
I had to bring this up, with the Limited Edition of the final episode recently released. Though I haven't watched it, due to there being no subbed versions out yet, I still have to bring it up. The OVA series follows the Burial Arc seen in the manga. Perhaps a few things were fleshed out, but very enjoyable to say the least. The first episode reveals a more detailed background of the character Ni Jyeni, that mad scientist, back when he was something a bit more shocking to his character. Though it's been hinted, and shown, I won't say what just in case some consider it a spoiler. After, in the same episode, there's some information on Sanzo's past as well!
Second episode focuses on Goku, which naturally ends up with Sanzo there as well. This time he's not as much in the spot light, at least, and you get to sympathize the monkey more.
Third episode will follow Gojyo and Hakkai's story. I haven't seen any to see if it follows the story as well, but I'm hopeful. If lucky, they'll flesh it out a bit more to keep the final episode from ending in a sizzle instead of a bang.
The art is very close, and the seiyuu have been the same from the past so far. With the accuracy to the manga, it's hard to be disappointed by the OVA series.
Genshiken 2
Unfortunately, we weren't able to enjoy this show for very long. By the 11th episode, a company in the US licensed it! Some people are snatching up the titles faster than I'd like, but there's nothing to do about that. We have the new characters, some old ones, relationships, more Comifest, and the horror of more graduations! I was hoping to see more before the license stamp was set down, but I'll be excited to see the rest when it's released.
Peach Girl (Live.)
I'll keep this one short and sweet. This C-Drama has a few name changes, but essentially it stays loyal to the manga (and maybe the anime.) The actors may seem to be bad, but follow the personalities very well. Vaness makes a great Ah Li, and the end is very satisfying. I might even watch it a second time.
ANTICIPATION!
Oh, goody. I can't wait for these two to come out. I'm jittery about it in excitement. Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sense, the second season of Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei! is coming out in January. More craziness and cultural references. Even better, ROLLY, who was in the movie Suicide Club/Suicide Circle, will be singing the opening credits.
Also, there's the second season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. It should be based off of that novel, The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya, but don't hold me to that.
I'm also making ringtones and other stuff for phones. Ah, here's my profile:
Click!
I've been watching anime, and some dramas on Crunchyroll. Thanks to that, this horrible entry has come about! I'll bring up some of the series I've watched, and what I just can't wait to finally come out.
Rental Magica
Now, like the majority of anime shows out there, this one is purely fantasy. I've fallen for the characters, and slowly developing story. Not to mention the way the creators had made this show, basing all magical things off of real myth, beliefs, and ideals in our world. Celtic magic, the Key of Solomon, Shintoism, and even more. They show up, and even if you're lost, you can get the end notes to understand where the references come from.
They only have about 12 or 13 episodes up on the site, but there seems to be twice as many for this season. It started off out of chronological order, like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, before on to a steady, easy to follow, pattern.
Unfortunately, with all the real life references to various beliefs, it's easy to get lost in all the terms. Then the time spent with the end notes seem to take away from possible time in the episode itself. There are still gaps in the characters, and development, but I'm guessing that those will be patched as the series continue.
Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei!
Comedy, names really describing a character, and millions of cultural references. This show has so many prospective points, it could also be a downfall if ever licensed for the US.
You take the serious aspects of suicide, cultural and societal flaws, and jam pack them with twists and literal takings in the episodes. Even more, they enhance the opportunities for this by going in a school setting. The show itself has the randomness of Lucky Star, confusion, and most likely would be impossible to coherently translate for dubbing if America takes it.
Nozomu Itoshiki, the main character, is a teacher to a bunch of students who's personalities are taken directly from their names. The teacher himself, however, seems to make quite a drama of this in the beginning. The strokes in his name count up to 23, which is a bad sign in their culture. One of the students suggests writing it in a western style, which brings about the reason for the anime title. Together, the characters of his name 'spell' Zetsubou, which means Despair.
There are many things to expect in this show. each episode, someone (particularly Itoshiki-sensei,) will announce that they're in despair. Even more, the teacher will try to kill himself or promote suicide as the only way out of a situation. A phrase, cultural reference, or a character's name, will be the focus of the episode.
The downsides? I can see how it gets to others, really. You could only guess the type of subjects which come up in the show. That, and the constant suicide attempts, may just unnerve several of the watchers. Cultural references, tossed out left and right, can also lead to lose the audience. If it weren't for the end cards, which go over the meaning of the character's names, how it reflects their personalities could also be lost. Confusing, filled with cultural references, and subjects which could make viewers uncomfortable. I welcome the possible controversy!
Easy to get lost, but very easy to fall in love with. I especially get a kick out of the opening and closing credits, and music. In fact, I love the opening theme enough to gift you with it!
Kenji Ohtsuki - Hitotoshite Jiku ga Bureteiru
Tsubasa; Tokyo Revelations
So far, there's only one episode out. Though it continues on from the second season, I believe. The other Syaoron has woken up, and is loose. The group reach a world where it rains acid, and water is a precious commodity protected in two locations. Tokyo Tower, and a hospital I believe. As usual, you characters from other series used in Tsubasa. Here, however, you also get Kamui. We're still waiting to see how things continue.
The art looks to be the same from the show, but there are always subtle differences in OVAs. Here, you'll notice that the arm seems more elegant, or clean, and the Mokonas are considerably smaller.
Saiyuki: Burial
I had to bring this up, with the Limited Edition of the final episode recently released. Though I haven't watched it, due to there being no subbed versions out yet, I still have to bring it up. The OVA series follows the Burial Arc seen in the manga. Perhaps a few things were fleshed out, but very enjoyable to say the least. The first episode reveals a more detailed background of the character Ni Jyeni, that mad scientist, back when he was something a bit more shocking to his character. Though it's been hinted, and shown, I won't say what just in case some consider it a spoiler. After, in the same episode, there's some information on Sanzo's past as well!
Second episode focuses on Goku, which naturally ends up with Sanzo there as well. This time he's not as much in the spot light, at least, and you get to sympathize the monkey more.
Third episode will follow Gojyo and Hakkai's story. I haven't seen any to see if it follows the story as well, but I'm hopeful. If lucky, they'll flesh it out a bit more to keep the final episode from ending in a sizzle instead of a bang.
The art is very close, and the seiyuu have been the same from the past so far. With the accuracy to the manga, it's hard to be disappointed by the OVA series.
Genshiken 2
Unfortunately, we weren't able to enjoy this show for very long. By the 11th episode, a company in the US licensed it! Some people are snatching up the titles faster than I'd like, but there's nothing to do about that. We have the new characters, some old ones, relationships, more Comifest, and the horror of more graduations! I was hoping to see more before the license stamp was set down, but I'll be excited to see the rest when it's released.
Peach Girl (Live.)
I'll keep this one short and sweet. This C-Drama has a few name changes, but essentially it stays loyal to the manga (and maybe the anime.) The actors may seem to be bad, but follow the personalities very well. Vaness makes a great Ah Li, and the end is very satisfying. I might even watch it a second time.
ANTICIPATION!
Oh, goody. I can't wait for these two to come out. I'm jittery about it in excitement. Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sense, the second season of Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei! is coming out in January. More craziness and cultural references. Even better, ROLLY, who was in the movie Suicide Club/Suicide Circle, will be singing the opening credits.
Also, there's the second season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. It should be based off of that novel, The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya, but don't hold me to that.
I'm also making ringtones and other stuff for phones. Ah, here's my profile:
Click!