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What OtakuAnthony bought this week November 4th
Angel Beats Complete Collection BD
Plot Synopsis: “It sucks being dead. It sucks even more to be trapped in a surreal afterlife where you’re caught between the living and the dead – where a mysterious, violent Angel is trying to pull you over to… somewhere. What do you do? Well, if you’re this group of rough-and-tumble teens, you grab every weapon you can get your hands on and give Heaven hell!”
I watched the first episode of Angel Beats the other day and I enjoyed what I watched. I was not planning on getting it right now however I had a $20 credit with Amazon and I decided to use it to save a bit of money on the order.
Angel Beats Complete Collection is available from RightStuf
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High School of the Dead GN 4
Plot Synopsis: “Takashi and his fellow students join up with a band of survivors who have barricaded themselves inside a local mall. Though the shopping center seems a well-stocked place to hide from the undead lurking outside, the policewoman in charge is having a hard time maintaining peace within.
The group from Fujimi High would rather not get involved in a power struggle and tries to stay under the radar until they are ready to set off again. But with so many attractive, buxom girls among the students, it may be nearly impossible to avoid unwanted attention of the worst kind…”
I enjoy High School of the Dead both the anime and the manga. I had pre-ordered this volume during the last Yen Press sale at Right Stuf.
High School of the Dead is available from Right Stuf
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Yotsuba&! GN 10
Plot Synopsis: “Yotsuba loooooves playing games! When Daddy’s the counter in hide-and-seek, he can never find Yotsuba, ‘cos I’m such a good hider! And when we go to the park, Yotsuba’s the bestest at swing-tag-shoe-races. Daddy says Yotsuba’s making up the rules as we go along, but Yotsuba thinks Daddy’s just a sour loser. But maybe Yotsuba will let him win once in a while…”
I love the Yotsuba&! manga. Like High School of the Dead I had pre-ordered this back during the last Yen Press sale.
Yotsuba&! GN 10 is available from Right Stuf
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Love Hina GN Omnibus 1
Plot Synopsis: “Keitaro Urashima’s dream is to attend Tokyo University with his childhood sweetheart, a girl he hasn’t seen in years – and can’t remember what she looks like! But when he fails the entrance exams, he’s in danger of losing his chance for good.
When Keitaro Urashima fails his entrance exams for the second time, he’s officially an unemployed and uneducated slacker. To make things worse, his parents have kicked him out of his house. Fortunately, his grandmother owns the fabulous Hinata Lodge and has agreed to take Keitaro in as caretaker. What he doesn’t know is that the lodge is actually a girl’s dorm and he’s the only guy around! Most guys would kill to live with five sexy ladies, but if Keitaro’s not careful, this job will kill him.”
I love Love Hina. Love Hina was the first manga series I bought back in 2004 (the Tokyopop releases then). I also enjoy the anime version of Love Hina as well. When Kodansha Comics said that they were going to release Love Hina again I was very happy to be able to have the newest version of this classic.
Love Hina GN 1 is available from Right Stuf
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Tokyo Mew Mew GN Omnibus 1
Plot Synopsis: “Ichigo is out on a date with her “crush” when suddenly she’s involved in an odd incident in which her DNA is merged with the DNA of an almost-extinct wildcat. When four other girls’ DNA is merged with the DNA of four other almost-extinct animals, it’s apparent that they’re part of a much bigger plan. Ichigo and her friends have been chosen to become a part of a secret project called the “Mew Project.” Their mission: to protect the planet from aliens who are using animal to attack humans!”
I read the first volume of Tokyo Mew Mew back in the day with Tokyopop’s release of the series. For some reason which I do not remember I ended up not buying any more volumes of the series even though I wanted to. Once Kodansha Comics said that they were going to release the series I decided to grab it up.
Angel Beats English Dub: First Impressions or What I Got This Week
Iwasawa & the moron. Of course I mean that in a nice way, but you knew that. Right? Credit: P. A. Works
Angel Beats English Dub: First Impressions or What I Got This Week
My birthday present to myself came earlier than expected. I placed the order at Amazon Friday night. “ETA” 8-4 to 8-6. Came 8-3. No way was I going to pay an extra fifteen bucks to get it 8-1. I waited months for the release, I could wait a few more days.
Opened the package (snail mail) & there they were. Angel Beats & Kiss Me Deadly. The one I waited for & Ralph Meeker as Mike Hammer. Mickey Spillane & anime, what a combo! Va va voom, Mikey! Pow!
When I read of the English dub casting I had misgivings. Luci Christian as Iwasawa? I immediately thought of the “bad girls” Ms. Christian VOed in the past. Kaname Chidori/Mikura Suzuki/Miss Yukari as the driven musician? No Way! I thought the part of Yuri to be more fitting. My concern lessened as I viewed the eighth ep of Kinos’ Journey: “Land of Wizards-Potentials of Magic” wherin she voiced Nimya, the aviatrix. And you know what? She did Iwasawa more than well!
Brittney Karbowsky, by the way, does an excellent job as Yuri, the girl gunning for God.
I at first thought Hilary Haag as Yui to be a little too intense, but as the character is that way to begin with, hey, how else could one play the irritating, hyper, too cute to live (She is dead after all.), lovable, little dipwad?
Months ago, I You Tubed the series in the original Japanese. I got the impression the show was rather somber with comedic elements here & there. I was a little surprised when I read reviews saying it was more a comedy than I thought. Now watching it in English, I see what they mean. Comedy, at least in my case, is easier heard in ones’ own language.
Article copyright © 8-4-2011 Jay Agan
This article being “simulcast” on Jays Tee Vee.
Angel Beats Redux
Itsumo hitori aruiteta. Furekaeru to minna ha tooku .....
Angel Beats Redux
This article is about what I’d like to see done with Angel Beats & is written from the perspective of one who has seen the series only. I’m an anime fan in that I like/watch these movies/series & that’s it. I’m not into books, magazines, models/figurines, manga, knick knacks or any other off screen ephemera associated with anime. If there are any “holes” in this article this is why.
I want to pretend episode 4.5 never happened. Yui supplies more than enough “energy” for the SSS. Surprisingly, TK wasn’t all that hyper in comparison to the rest of the gang.
Drop the Guild. Peripheral at best. Except for episode 2, the group isn’t seen except for one or two individuals “in the back ground” so to speak.Yuri & Takeyama seem proficient with tech. Perhaps they could “procure” supplies (Though no where near as good as Kanade.). “Getting rid” of the guild could free up some time for another characters’ back story.
Essential backstories:
Hinata- Main secondary protagonist. Need to know.
TK- I actually like this character, mainly because he’s underexposed (In an American production he’d not only be THE main character but would also be obnoxious, LOUD, & “just too kool”. In short, a jerk.) What was he like when alive? One of the uncool kids at school? A fan of “all things American”? A frustrated rocker? It would be nice if he’d mutter a less “vague” phrase now & then (The mumbling father figure of Hanna Barberas’ Hillbilly Bears show would say a “coherent” sentance every so often.)
Shiina- Too much of a mystery girl. Is her skill as a “ninja” a reverse of having been picked- on/abused while living or inadequacey as a martial artist? Why the obsession with “cute” things? Did she have bad luck with pets?
Naoi- Yes, we already know his backstory. But how did he get his expertise in hypnotism?
Why no revolvers? All I saw were semi-autos (I never liked the trigger pulls on Berettas & schlocks ….. er Glocks. Too mushy out of the box.).
Essential disappearances:
Have the “rapture” of GiDeMo, along with Yusa, separate from the en-masse “catching away” in ep 12.
TK, Shiina, Noda at least. The rest of the SSS “fighters” in a separate mass exodus?
Again, I realize there other media connected with this series & thus some of the same or different info would be there. My main interest in my video hobby are on the films and shows themselves, with anime being a comparitively small part of it.
Article copyright © 1-6-11 Jay Agan
This article originally posted at Jays’ Tee Vee.
Angel Beats, Episode 4.5: Oh Geez!
"Oh Yuzuru! This really sucks! Everyone's acting like Yui on habanero sauce!" "Yeah babe, I know." Credit: P. A. Works
Angel Beats, Episode 4.5: Oh Geez!
Have just seen the Angel Beats OVA (episode 4.5), & wish I hadn’t. I guess I’ll start with the premise.
Scheming to get face to face with GOD (Insert lightning flashes & peals of thunder.), Yuri cooks up a plan (Operation High Tension Syndrome) wherin everyone pretends to be fired up/enthused over school activities for a period of 12 hours. Of course, since they’re faking it, & thus not finding “fulfillment”, none of the gang will vanish “in the twinkling of an eye” (Take THAT, Hal Lindsey!). This is to confuse Angel/Kanade into thinking something isn’t quite right in the “matrix” & she’ll run to the Supreme Being and report. Yuri & co. are to follow her and finally confront the “Uncaused First Cause”. If the operation is unsuccessful, everyone (Except Yuri) is to go on a seven day waterless fast!
This is kind of like the dog who chases cars. What’s he gonna do with it if he ever catches one? I’m no theologian but I think God’s a little bigger than a Buick & I’m including the 1960s/70s “Deuce & a Quarter” in that estimation. Details ….. details …..
Did I say the gang was to be fired up? More like exploding! To anyone who wanted to see other members of the SSS be more like Yui (An irritatingly hyperactive, though lovable, moron.) here’s your chance. Hyper they are (And LOUD!) but minus Yuis’ endearing charm. Never before, have I seen so many characters be so obnoxious & annoying at one time. They make the Three Stooges look like paragons of reserve & civility. Classes & halls are disrupted with gang members personality traits amplified beyond max tolerance levels. It’s the invasion of the uber-Yuis with Kanade & Otanashi vainly being characters for the viewer to identify with. The only thing more irritating is the omni present, beeping “high tension meter” in the lower left corner of the picture. Oh yes, Yui is “worse” than her usual self. Something I originally thought impossible.
I really like this series & any attempts to “pad” it out like this, could only hurt. I would not introduce newcomers to anime (Or this show.) with this ep.
Article copyright © 1-2-11 Jay Agan
This article originally posted at Jays’ Tee Vee.
Angel Beats: NOT a Haruhi Clone
The three principal protagonists of Angel Beats. L-R Yuzuru Otanashi, Yuri Nakamura, "Angel"/Kanade Tachibana. Credit: PA Works, Aniplex
As announced earlier this year, Angel Beats will be available from Right Stuf , July 26.
Angel Beats: NOT A Haruhi Clone
One thing I’ve liked about anime is the willingness of the artists involved to try new concepts & ideas. Unlike the “safe” strategies followed by our animators, the Japanese “school” of animation exhibits a much greater willingness to experiment. To be sure it’s pretty much hit or miss, but when it does hit, it can be an interesting viewing experience indeed.
One of these “hits” is Angel Beats. Even if an anime is seemingly of a sub-genre I don’t care for, (In this case, what I thought was cutesy, moe, school girl crap.), I’ll take a chance if it has a plot/theme I might go for. Here, the high school schtick is merely part of the backdrop. In actuality, the show is a techno-theological, action thriller.
I’ve read some opinions likening this to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, some even going so far as to refer to this (& one of the protagonists) as a Haruhi clone. I beg to differ. This series is so different as to stand on its’ own. The only “sameness” I could find is that the one protagonist bears a very superficial resemblance to Haruhi. How many other anime series feature a “magical”, assertive/energetic, schoolgirl? Not too sure but I THINK there may have been a few.
On first viewing, I thought it was rather disjointed (Still do but much less so.) as well as violent & bloody. The final episode (More on this later.) however, made me want to rewatch the series.
Theologically, it has something for every one. A Catholic (?) purgatory (In the form of a large high school boarding academy.), where those whose lives were lacking in some way come to resolve failed experiences/mistakes, and unload spiritual/emotional baggage before “passing on” (It must be Purgatory. The data tech there is Windows!). Reincarnation is a factor. There is even a “rapture” element in the way those who find peace leave the scene. (I’m what some would call a Christian fundamentalist though I don’t subscribe to the “gospel” of Hal Lindsey or Tim LaHaye.) No matter what faith/theology one follows, anyone willing to see past what might be looked on as “pagan/infidel” & focus on what’s compatiple, may find this show intrigueing.
The series centers around three main characters: The amnesiac, Yuzuru Otonashi who regains memory(s) overtime. Yuri Nakamura, a resentful girl who has it in for God due to a horrendous experience when alive. The target (Literally!) of Yuris’ resentment is title character Angel/Kanade Tachibana. She’s ostensibly there to enforce the “status quo” & help others find peace, sending them on their way. Due to Yuris’ ongoing war with her, she’s more preoccupied with countering (With the help of VR tech-data manipulation) the operations of the Afterlife Battle Front , Yuris’ band of “merry men”. Thus all the gun & swordplay going on. Oh yes. Since you’re already dead when there, you can’t be killed. One usually “revives” a few minutes to a day later, either where you fall or in the schools’ infirmary. Still hurts like ….. uh ….. purgatory, though. Ouch!
The series is 13 eps long, packed with interesting twists & turns. Iwasawa, lead singer of the battlefronts’ diversionary rock band (Girls Dead Monster) finds fulfillment in her music and disappears before one and all (ep 3). New enemies emerge (eps 5,7, & 10). One, Naoi, joins the Battlefront. Differences with Kanade & Yuri are eventually ironed out (ep 7) then “rekindled” (ep 9). Yuzurus’ memory is fully regained & back story told (Important!) (ep9). Yuri realizes the futility & waste in “fighting” God & has a “temptation of Christ” moment (ep 12).
It is during these events Yuzuru & Kanade “connect” & later conspire with two others to help battlefront members gain fulfillment and leave the scene. One they succeed with is one of the more endearing characters of the show, Yui, a girl who had been paralyzed when alive & wanting to accomplish much. (Along with her slightly “gothed” attire, she sports a set of little bat wings in the small of her back and a spearpoint tail. Took me awhile to notice. Makes one wonder who she’s working for (My guess it’s an inside joke.). The ending of this characters’ last scene (ep 10) is poignant & touching to say the least.
Many others, (Including the afore mentioned rock band.), partly on Yuris’ suggestion & realizing the pointlessness of resisting God, life/death, & ultimatly themselves, take their leave en masse (ep 12).
The anti-climactic 13th episode is a masterpiece of a heartbreaker that I guarantee at the end will …..TEAR….. YOU….. UP. Aptly titled: Graduation, the three principal characters & two others (Hinata & Naoi), hold a do it yourself high school grad ceremony as cloture & say their goodbyes (I hope I’m as joyful & matter of fact as Yuri & Hinata when it’s my time to meet the Lord.). See this episode past the powerful credits ending for FULL IMPACT. You have been warned.
“Let’s meet again somewhere.”
“See ya, buddy!”
Article copyright © 1-23-2011 Jay Agan
This article originally posted on Jays’ Tee Vee.
