T5W#24-Top 5 Katsucon 2015 Cosplays

Katsucon was kind of a game changer for me.  For ages I had been hearing about this convention from many who attended Otakon.  It had been hyped up as amazing and in many ways, better than Otakon.  Following the near disaster that was Otakon 2014, Katsucon 2015 was a huge rebound as far as great conventions go.  So for the next three weeks, the T5W topics will be dedicated to my Katsucon experience, leading up to the day before my return to the con when I feature My Top 5 Best Experiences from Katsucon 2015.  So to kick things off, thought I’d look back at the many costumes I saw during my time last year.  Lots of effort, love and fun went into making these costumes, you could tell just by the way they were worn.  And while there were many a beautiful woman gracing this convention, the guys managed to kick a little ass too in the cosplay department.  So look forward to a mix of the sexes as we get to it.

 

#5-Bunny Ryuko and Mako (Kill La Kill)

I really couldn’t make this list without giving a shout out to the cosplayer known as Mostflogged.  I found her work through a quick glimpse of her at Otakon 2011 when she cosplayed Yuna from Final Fantasy X.  Her quality of costuming is incredible and when she sports a new cosplay, it’s like she’s bringing characters directly from the page or screen and into the real world.  Granted I don’t recall seeing a bunny suit Ryuko or Mako for that matter in Kill La Kill, then again I may need a rewatch.  But man did she and her friend pull it off great.  For more of this cosplayer, visit her ACParadise page here (and look forward to her popping up on another T5W in a little bit)

Mostflogged Cosplay

http://www.acparadise.com/acp/display.php?a=53187

 

#4-Dante (Devil May Cry 3)

This was a pretty cool look to witness.  But in truth, im putting this guy on the list because his replicas of Dante’s special blades, Agni and Rudra from Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening, were some of the most bad ass weapons I have ever seen a cosplayer present.  They mustve been a blast to build and even more a blast to hold (I dare not ask to hold them lol)

 

#3-Little Shop of Horrors

What a surprise this was.  Even better was the cosplayer trolling me a bit and making the plant come to life as I came close to it.  A good laugh and a lot of fun to see at an Anime Convention.  That’s part of the beauty of cosplay: just having fun and hearing peoples reactions to your craft.

 

#2-Sailor Moon X2 (Sailor Moon)

These two get a shared spotlight here.  One is a newcomer (GC Cosplay), the other a veteran cosplayer (Minniemoon Cosplay).  Together, they made an amazing duo who took leadership of a Sailor Moon photoshoot and gave it an energy I had never seen at others.  I’ll get more into that on a later list (man I’ve spoiled two future entries now haven’t I?).  If Sailor Moon existed in real life, id hope she’d be as fun and energetic a leader as these two.  Be sure to check out the pages of these two amazing cosplayers and comment on their great costumes

GC Cosplay

https://www.facebook.com/GCChanCosplay/?fref=ts

Minniemoon Cosplay

https://www.facebook.com/minniemooncos/?fref=ts

 

#1-Ryo and Sage (Ronin Warriors)

I had heard faint whispers about this.  One day into the con, I overheard a group talking about guys planning to cosplay as Ronin Warriors.  Was that for real I wondered?  The next day, I saw them in a photoshoot outside in the blistering cold.  Braving said cold for a quick minute, I swung past and got a photo before retreating to the warm indoors (only to catch them later on inside but you know what, this photo was worth it).  Ronin Warriors is a rare cosplay to see, especially since it was best known in it’s Toonami heyday almost a decade ago.  But to see Ryo and Sage brought to life and their armor seen in amazing detail?  Talk about the best nostalgia trip ever.

Im always keeping an eye out for other amazing cosplays, no matter what con I head out to.  If anyones reading, has cosplay plans of their own, or have a character or 10 they want to keep an eye out for, shout out below.  See ya next time.

My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro

Sisters Satsuki and Mei could not be more excited to move to a new home.  The house is huge and supposedly haunted.  There’s a kind old woman who lives nearby with her shy grandson.  And there’s a ginormous tree behind their house.  They say it’s home to the many spirits of the forest.  One day, Mei wanders off and stumbles upon the home of one of these spirits, the furry giant known as Totoro.  It may be a new town and a lot to get used to.  But with a neighbor like Totoro, life certainly isn’t going to be dull for these two sisters.

All month long we’ve taken a look at some of Hayao Miyazaki’s more recent stories.  To me it seems only fitting we end this little trip with a visit to one of his more famous old classics.  My Neighbor Totoro is probably the most child hearted film Miyazaki has ever done.  It’s a film by a kid at heart for kids of all generations.

The visuals in this film have endured the test of time.  Much like Haro from Mobile Suit Gundam is for Studio Sunrise, Totoro himself is the long time mascot in the Studio Ghibli opening titles.  How could he not be?  He’s a huggable, loveable furball with a reassuring smile you just want to take home with you and somehow fit him inside (I guess plushies will have to do).  Throughout all of his appearances in the film, Totoro seems both wise and lazy and also very curious.  The scene at the bus stop where Satsuki lends him an umbrella is evidence of this: how amazed he is hearing water fall on the covering.  He simply jumps up and down once and makes it rain harder to enjoy the noise.  Totoro has as much childlike wonder in him as his two new friends, Satsuki and Mei.  But we’ve also got appearances from two tinier Totoro.  Plus there’s the still amazing to look at Catbus that I think I want to be real more than Totoro (it’s also my favorite  mode of transportation besides a Gundam and my favorite Anime plushie btw).  And we even get a glimpse at the Soot Sprites, who reappear down the line in Spirited Away. (A connection? Probably not).

Satsuki and Mei are the eyes of the audience.  They are representatives of the key demographic for this film: young, energetic, full of imagination, and willing to believe in the impossible.  Sure this is a fantasy film, still you have to love the genuine bond between these two girls.  Mei being the younger, is a full speed train that’s always on GO SPEED.  She’s tiny, but she wants to be big like Satsuki and always claims to never be afraid of anything.  Case in point, her first scene with Totoro: she doesn’t flip out seeing a big, hairy spirit just sleeping with a mouth big enough to swallow her whole (I think she even leans in close she almost falls in at some point).  Satsuki knows when to be the fun older sister, believing in her sisters flights of fancy.  But she also knows when to let Mei know that reality can bite sometimes.  This comes heavily in the films last act, which also sees the appearance of any real conflict in this film.  My Neighbor Totoro has no real villain or enemy to square off against: no evil witches, no foul demons, no warlords, no enemies.  This is the most peaceful of the Miyazaki filmography and that might be a disappointment to casual viewers.

However, if it’s family entertainment you seek, then look no further than this.  My Neighbor Totoro cemented Hayao Miyazaki as the Anime filmmaker to turn to when it came to making Anime accessible to all ages groups.  The young, the old, the newborn, could watch this film and get some sense of joy and wonder out of it.  The animation is flawless, Joe Hisaishi’s score is just as whimsical as it’s ever been and Totoro himself is still such an amazing character of few words.  If you can forgive the lack of a central conflict until much later in the movie, then you’ll be in for a real treat.  My Neighbor Totoro is one of the best childrens films out there.  If not to introduce them to Anime, show it to your kids for the doors of imagination it can open to a young mind.  This is what Miyazaki does best and why he is the King of Anime feature filmmaking.

9/10

Well, the brings Miyazaki Month to an end.  I hope you’ve enjoyed my look at these films and will look into them as well as some of his other features (Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo, The Wind Rises just to name a few).  Next week we return to the action and a series returns from a nice little winter break for it’s wrap up.  Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn continues next week on the Anime Corner.  See ya then.

T5W#23-Top 5 Anime Inspired by Blade Runner

A week ago, I got the chance to see my all time favorite movie on the big screen at a revival screening.  The film follows Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard as he hunts down rogue Androids, known as Replicats, in an over populated 2019 Los Angeles.  Blade Runner is one of the most life defining movies I have ever seen.  It’s brilliant scifi, great storytelling, a visual marvel, it’s…yeah the greatest movie ever made.  It’s had such an effect on the world of scifi and movie making that you can imagine, it’s effect has been felt in Anime as well.  So today I’m counting down the 5 Anime I know of that have inspirations (spiritual or directly) originating in Ridley Scott’s 1982 scifi masterpiece.

 

#5-Metropolis

You may call this one a cheat.  I call it more of a full circle effect.  Fritz Lang’s 1927 film of the same name is almost one of the Godfathers of scifi storytelling.  So much so, it inspired Osamu Tezuka, aka the Godfather of Anime, to create his own version following his inspirational first hit Astro Boy.  In 2001, Director Rintaro (Galaxy Express 999) and writer Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) gave us an updated but still close to heart edition featuring a futuristic city where the lines between Man and Machine are bordering dangerously close to an all out war.  The central focus on character Tima, and her coming to realize she is not human as she thinks is very reminiscent of Rachel or even Deckard in Blade Runner.

 

#4-Armitage the Third

Besides being a featuring a beautiful and bad ass cyborg cop, Armtiage features battles between humans and robots taking place across two worlds: Earth and Mars.  In Blade Runner we only heard bits and pieces about off world colonies and action involving rogue combat Replicants.  While they don’t say Mars specifically, it can be implied the Red Planet has been colonized.  So we get to see action off world as Naomi Armitage and Ross Sylibus, a bio android and her human partner, clean up crime between the two planets.

 

#3-Silent Mobius

What if Blade Runner axed Replicants all together and gave the world a more supernatural foe to deal with?  Not that cybernetics aren’t still a thing here, they are.  Silent Mobius follows a special unit of all female exorcists utilizing a combination of sorcery and technology to prevent the apocalypse in Tokyo.  The hovercrafts and police vehicles are clearly Blade Runner inspired (I think theyre even called Spinners too) and as aforementioned, even a couple of the AMP’s special warriors are cybernetically enhanced to fight monsters.  Needless to say, beautiful cops with magical powers doesn’t hurt anything either.

 

#2-Ghost in the Shell

This is the obvious one.  Newport City in the far future, is a world where the line between man and machine is merging past what we know to be normal.  Cyborg cops look human and so do the terrorists.  That’s where Section 9 comes in.  A mix of Cyborgs and Humans led by the beautiful and fearless Major Motoko Kusinagi, this team is the one force bringing law to the lawless in a digital age.  What does it mean to be human?  Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?  Would we escape our humanity to live forever?  All questions Blade Runner has asked and is most famous for.  All carried over into this Anime.  Need more proof of how good Ghost in the Shell is?  Take a look back at my earlier reviews where ive covered the entirety of the Stand Alone Complex series.

 

#1-Bubblegum Crisis

It doesn’t get any more clear cut than this one.  A fusion of Blade Runner and the 80’s cult rock opera “Streets of Fire” Bubblegum Crisis sees four iron suited beauties battling rogue robots called Boomers in future Tokyo.  Besides the mecha designs, BGC names it’s lead character after Daryl Hannah’s innocent femme fatale Priss.  Heck I even realized her love interest is named after another Blade Runner character, Priss’s replicant comrade Leon.  Both the classic late 80’s anime and the 90’s relaunch feature amazing action and thrilling rock soundtracks.  It may not ask all of Blade Runner’s deeper questions, but the visual inspiration is clear and a proper nod to the dystopian future of 2019 Los Angeles.

Howl's Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle

Sophie is a beautiful young girl who is drawn into an unexpected adventure.  When she accidentally crosses paths with the vile Witch of the Waste, Sophie is turned into an old woman and banished.  In a world where war is on the horizon and magic is the key to victory, Sophie’s only hope to undo her spell is in the last person she should turn to: the famed, handsome wizard known as Howl.  As it turns out, the growing bond between Sophie and this Wizard of Mystery may not just be the key to saving Sophie’s life but Howl’s soul as well.

I feel like this happens with several movies following a ground breaking success.  Spirited Away put Anime on the map big time following it’s big Academy Award victory.  That means the film that succeeded it needed to be just as good if not better.  I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for this.  However, if im really honest, I like Howl’s Moving Castle (at least better than when I first saw it) but it’s just not as good as Spirited Away.

Now let’s be clear, I don’t think this film is a horrible on.  Oh man no.  I think that this film still has all of Miyazaki’s trademark imagination and energy.  The titular Castle is a sight to behold.  It looks like a walking hunk of junk, all part of the charm, but that doesn’t stop one from thinking about the first structure they tried to build as a child and call it a castle.  The animation techniques used to bring this structure to life is one of the best ive seen in a Miyazaki film.  The characters living inside this moving masterwork are also a very likeable and strong cast.  They may all end up coming together under different circumstances, still you can feel the strong sense of family that grows as time goes by.  I love Marco’s old man disguise when he has to answer the door.  If I had to pick two MVPs (aside from Sophie but I’ll get to her) from this cast it would have to be two dialogue-less characters.  Turnip Head has a fun design and he feels like a fun friend to have, plus he gets some of the movies best moments.  Plus there’s Heen, the little wheezing dog who’s very much the R2D2 of this movie, the one with the surprising guiding solution while being totally adorable.

Sophie is the main focus and heart of this movie.  And while I do like her a lot, I cant help but feel she’s one of the main issues I have with this film.  The Aging Spell she is slapped with seems to come and go without much good explanation.  They say it’s because she has no confidence in her heart I think.  At the same time though, when she’s an old lady, Sophie’s got more spunk and spirit than she ever did.  Old Lady Sophie easily gets a lot of the films best lines and moments.  I just wish they had been a bit more consistent with her aging (giving her a hunchback at the start and then she looks able to stand up straight no prob a few scenes later.)  Is there even a true moment when it’s revealed her curse is broken?  Maybe I missed that.

Much like Sophie’s constantly shifting age, Howl’s Moving Castle seems to favor visual over story.  Not that it isn’t fun watching these characters interact with each other.  It just feels like this movie is so lost in it’s own style it forgets it needs to talk about some important elements.  I can sense a lot of plot holes as a result ranging from Sophie’s curse to the Witch of the Waste later on in the film.  Again, I know a lot of people like this movie a lot so I know I’m a minority here.  I would have just enjoyed a bit more consistency, even if this world is gorgeous.

Howl’s Moving Castle was better for me this time around.  It still doesn’t match Spirited Away but I found more to enjoy. The characters are a lot of fun, the animation is nigh flawless (especially when it comes to the castle), the waltz like score is the stuff you hear at a grand gala, the films production is there.  When it comes to the plot, I still think it could have used some work.  Mind you this was adapted from the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, so it’s only scripted by Miyazaki, not an original idea.  Something got lost in the transition maybe?  Who knows.  But I don’t detest this film just because it doesn’t live up to Spirited Away’s level.  Heck when I get around Sophie’s old age, I wouldn’t mind retiring to a junky looking castle wandering the countryside for a few years.

7/10

Next week we wrap up Miyazaki Month with the perfect Anime for children and one of Anime’s most memorable icons?  Havent seen him before?  Well look at the Studio Ghibli logo and you might recognize him.  See you next week for My Neighbor Totoro.

T5W#22-Top 5 Durarara Characters

One of the biggest, and probably most underrated, Anime series to come out in recent years is Durarara.  The story isn’t so simple as you think.  But to best sum it up: it takes place in Ikebukero where the ordinary occasionally crosses paths with the extraordinary.  It’s a place populated by a cast of colorful, complex and really fun characters from simple high school students, to headless horsewomen, to bartenders with superhuman strength.  The series began it’s second season early last year, Durarara X2!!  The airings of this season have been a little spread out, about 12 episodes or so every few months.  With the third and final arc finally beginning, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to some of my favorite people populating this fun little town.

 

#5-Kodota and Crew (Saburo, Walker and Erika)

It was hard to choose a favorite amongst this merry little band.  They actually work best as a team.  Kodota, the leader, is the older brother leader who knows when to throw down but also seek the route of peace.  Walker and Erika are a charming, if a little insane, Anime and Manga loving couple who are usually cheerful.  But they’ve got their darker moments when it comes to people who hurt their friends.  Saburo…kind of just drives the van.  But it wouldn’t be this group without him.  All they do is ride around, talk and occasionally help a person in need.  Did I mention the cute Anime and Manga loving couple?  This is the crew id love to roll with.

 

#4- Shinra Kishitani

He’s the nicest back alley doctor you’ll ever meet.  Shinra’s cheerfulness masks the fact that he doesn’t need brute strength to mess you up.  He could name every bone and artery in your body as he tears you up.  But that’s the worst case.  Shinra’s also roommates with a beautiful Dulahan with no head.  And he still loves her for it.  Shinra’s on this list mostly because his romance with Celty is one of the strongest relationships in all of Anime, one that transcends the norm, which is kind of what Durarara is all about.  Lucky bastard.  Also he’s an old school gamer with an SNES, bonus points.

 

#3-Shizuo Heiwajima

The Incredible Hulk without the Hulk form.  Shizuo is a chill dude, giving rarely a care.  And then you piss him off, no matter how small an infringement.  Suddenly there’s a vending machine or street light flying through the air.  Shizuo’s temper is a tiny one but man is he a lot of fun to watch.  It helps me that I met his American voice actor, Crispin Freeman, at Otakon 2013 and got him to share his thoughts on a fan fic scenario: What if Shizuo roomed with Kyon from Haruhi Suzumiya and Alucard from Hellsing (two characters he’s also voiced)?  Let’s just say it wouldn’t end well for Kyon and probably result in a pretty hilarious outcome for Shizuo and Alucard.

 

#2-Izaya Orihara

One of my favorite ways to describe a villain comes from The Dark Knight: “Some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money.  They cant be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with.  Some men, just want to watch the world burn.”  And that’s Izaya right there.  He’s an information broker who gets off to the tune of people suffering through his behind the scenes meddeling.  The fact that he feels so untouchable, both in his mind and to the audience, makes him all the more of a scary individual.  What doesn’t he know that could land a person in deep water?  I long for any moment when Izaya gets knocked on his ass.  He more than deserves it and is one of the best villains in all of Anime.

 

#1-Celty Sturlson

You may have seen this girl on my list of Top 5 Anime Heroines.  Celty is a Dullahan, an Irish Grim Reaper, who has lost her head.  She now resides in Ikebukero, looking for said head, with a cute yellow cat eared biker helmet as her main substitute and her horse as her motorcycle.  Celty may lack a head.  But her personality, fierce, flirty and timid more than make up for it.  Plus she kind of rocks the biker girl look.  Celty is the friend you’d want watching your back in a fight.  Her powers seem to know no limits.  She may look scary at first, especially when you hear that bike scream like a horse coming around the corner, but Celty feels like the friend you’d love to hang out with and have a fun conversation with everyday.  She’s the most welcome attraction in all of Ikebukero.

 

If you haven’t heard of Durarara, give it a shot.  It’s complex as hell but well worth it when it all starts connecting.  Look for a possible full series review somewhere down the line.

Spirited Away

Chihiro was on her way to a new home with her family when she entered a world hidden from human eyes.  It’s a world of wonder and danger, spirits and sprites, and the location of an ancient bathhouse where they all converge.  It’s where a spiteful witch runs an army of servants, including lost boys who can turn into dragons, a spider like boiler room man, and humans who have forgotten they’re even human.  When Chihiro loses her parents to a spell, she must brave the magic of this bathhouse, find herself a job and discover her inner courage.  It will be difficult but it will be the adventure of a lifetime.

If Akira put Anime on the map for US audiences and Dragon Ball Z solidified it’s awesomeness, then Spirited Away was the movie that gave Anime the true recognition the genre.  To this day it is the only Anime to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.  Does this mean this is the greatest of Miyazaki’s works?  Some might say that’s Princess Mononoke.  But for me it’s a very tough juggle. In the end, though, I have to say the Spirited Away is still my all time favorite Hayao Miyazaki film.

The movie does start a little of an annoying note with Chihiro’s first intro.  However, it only makes sense given where she ends up by the films finale.  At the beginning she is going through a situation most kids dread: picking up and moving away from everything and everyone they know and love to start fresh.  It makes her a little bratty with all of her whining.  As the movie progresses though, Chihiro goes through a true heroes journey.  With a little guidance, she braves dangers she never thought she’d ever see.  Her face off with the sick demon No Face is a testament to her character growth.  This isn’t the same girl we saw at the movies intro. And I like that.

The world of Spirited Away could just be the sole focus of the movie for two hours and I’d be just fine.  The bathhouse is one of the most amazing settings in all of Anime…talking about this one in particular but most hot springs lead to fun Anime all around.  The sheer size and signs of life given off are staggering.  In a way, this movie reminds me of the Katsuhiro Otomo short film “Cannon Fodder”, where we followed the life of a town building for war without the war and it’s all mainly just one big tour of a city with no true story.  Spirited Away could have been just that, a two hour tour with no central plot and I would have been just fine with that.  When the lights come on at night and the spirits start moving around, you cant wait to see what comes next.

Miyazaki has pulled out all the stops on this one.  From the better than ever animation to Joe Hisaishi’s quirky and magical score, this film has so much heart and fun built in.  He’s crafted a film made to make you just stare in awe, feel fear at what’s around the next corner, and a sense of tranquility when the movie slows down and just wants to catch it’s own breath for a moment.  Plus you’ve got a cute story of young love that so sweet.  Don’t ask me to look for any flaws here.  This is the animated film Pixar may create one day but has yet to achieve.  I don’t think many animated films, Japanese or otherwise, have come close to matching the rewarding and wondrous honors that Spirited Away managed to achieve.

It can be said about several titles in this genre.  But it there’s one Anime you should see in your lifetime…it should be Spirited Away.  It’s the get away to a magical world and a journey you never want to end.

10/10

How do you follow up one of the greatest Anime ever made?  Wellllll…we’ll see what happens.  It’s been a while since I saw Howl’s Moving Castle.  Maybe my opinion will change from when I first saw it.  Leaving ya in suspense til then.  See ya next week.

T5W#21-Top 5 Gundam Series I still want/need to see

Last year, it was announced that Sunrise studio was partnering with Rightstuf.com (aka the Anime Super Store of the web) to become the release vehicle of the Mobile Suit Gundam Franchise.  The franchise was super big in the early 2000’s thanks to a little Toonami legend called Gundam Wing.  Thanks to Bandai Entertainment, several series, movies and features were released on home media.  In 2011, it was announced that the eagerly anticipated Turn A Gundam would finally see a US video release…only for that news to be dashed in subsequent months with Bandai Ent USA closing it’s doors.  With the announcement of it’s new release run coming this year thanks to Gundam parent studio, Sunrise, fans are more anxious than ever to finally look upon these entries, some of which we’ve heard about for years.  I should also point out that as of late summer last year, the Gundam roll out has begun, with all of Turn A Gundam and the original 0079 series fully released as of now.  Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is next up and spring is apparently the set date for the long awaited return to DVD (and maybe even Blu-Ray) of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM WING!!!.  So with that in mind, here are my five big picks for the shows that are still forth coming and, as far as I know, have been confirmed for sometime in the next year or two.  It’s a good time to be a Gundam fan, that’s for sure.

 

 

#5-Victory Gundam

Universal Century 0153.  Sixty years after Char’s Neo Zeon rebellion, a holy war rages across Earth.  The Zancare Empire wont stop until all resistance has been eliminated and the Earth Federation is on it’s last breath.  The League Militaire and it’s crew of child pilots, complete with their own iconic Gundam, are all that stand in the way.  This was the last Gundam entry to be worked on by series godfather Yoshiyuki Tomino until Turn A Gundam in 1999.  It is also one of the grimmest entries of the franchise, sporting a kill count higher than Zeta Gundam (if that was even possible).  The behind the scenes drama could mean some sweet extra features (doubt it though).  This was one of the first other entries id heard of back when I was first discovering Gundam through Gundam Wing.  I’m excited to see it finally get it’s time in the states.

 

#4-Gundam ZZ

Universal Century 0088.  The Titans have only just been defeated when the dormant forces of Neo Zeon emerge to wage war against the weakened Federation.  With it’s roster of pilots either incapacitated or dead, Bright Noa and the AEUG turn to a group of junkyard kids to join their forces and hold back the return of Zeon.  Following the incredibly dark Zeta Gundam, Yoshiyuki Tomino sought to lighten things up a bit with Gundam ZZ.  The end result is legendary: a series that is half loved and half reviled…or somewhat lived and mostly reviled.  The humor never struck a cord with audiences, resulting in a halfway gear change that returned the franchise to it’s darker, more intense storytelling.  Is the humor as bad as the image of a chicken on Bright Noa’s head looks?  Does the second half do a good job of setting up events for Gundam: Char’s Counterattack?  This might be one im excited just to see so I can say ive seen it.  Whether or not I enjoy it, is a whole other matter.

 

#3-Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans

The most recent entry in the Gundam Multiverse, IBO follows a young PMC that uses child soldiers on a colonized Mars.  As the youth rebel against their masters, they find themselves with their first job as masters of their own fate: escorting a high profile advocate for Mars independence to Earth.  Armed with their own ancient Mobile Suit, the Gundam Barbatos, and outfitted with youth with nothing to lose, the newly formed Tekkadan is determined to make a name for itself or die trying.  I have mixed feelings about this series already since I started watching it on Crunchyroll.  On the one hand, it’s cool to see Gundam expand it’s horizons to other worlds outside of the space colonies.  The action is great and I’m oddly enough reminded of Mad Max with all the grunge and dirt.  On the other hand, lead protagonist Mikazuki scares me, he’s as far a broken human as Gundam pilots come, worse than Wing protagonist Heero Yuy.  And it looks like his best friend, Orga, is determined to die looking cool even if his crew of misfits dies along with him.  The cast is always the make or break of series like this.  But for now I’m with it and I wonder what kind of an impact this show will have when the dub comes out soon.

 

#2-Gundam Build Fighters

I think I’ve said more than enough about this one.  Just go back and look at my review and previous Top 5’s where it’s come up.  I love this series and cant wait to hear an English Dub.

 

#1- Gundam X

Set in the year After War 0015, Gundam X is a nice little “What If?” for the Gundam franchise.  With many call backs to the original series, it produces the scenario what if more than one colony was dropped on the Earth during the One Year War?  Of course, this isn’t the Universal Century, this is a whole new universe to explore the answer to that question.  Gundam X was the show that succeeded Gundam Wing in Japan.  Much like the original series as well, it’s run was cut short before it’s intended end, resulting in the ending being pushed up.  Word has it this is one of the biggest sleeper hits of the Gundam franchise, a show that has never been given it’s proper due, especially since the shadow of Wing’s popularity exploded in the U.S.  But now this classic is coming to the states.  And im more than excited to see if it lives up to it’s little told legend.

Princess Mononoke

Long ago, a war rages in a once peaceful land.  While saving his village from a demon, Prince Ashitaka was wounded with a curse.  Banished from his village, his only source of salvation lies with The Great Forest Spirit on the other side of the land.  Ashitaka’s journey brings him to Iron Town, a town building an arsenal for war on the spirits of the forest.  Among their enemies: a tribe of wolves with a human girl called Princess Mononoke.  Between war and peace, love and hate, creation and destruction, Ashitaka must find a way to return a balance long forgotten.  And time is running out.  
 

Welcome to the first official review of 2016.  As promised, we’re starting the year off with a month of Hayao Miyazaki films.  Talk about starting off strong.  Princess Mononoke has long been hailed not just as Miyazaki’s greatest masterwork, it’s been called among many the greatest Anime ever made.  I personally don’t think so (we’ll get to that one in due time) but that doesn’t mean I don’t think this is ONE OF the greatest Anime features ever put to film.
 

This is a very different kind of Miyazaki movie.  While most of this works are family fare with their share of thrills and spooky imagery, Princess Mononoke is his most intense.  The violence factor is a whole other level for him.  Early on, Ashitaka’s encounter with a band of murderous samurai results in him firing an arrow that takes off both upper arms of a spearman.  Sure the spearman is in disbelief at this (Miyazaki humor ever present) but even that’s something you don’t want to share with your young one.  Why make this movie so violent?  Could be a way to emphasize the message of the film more than to make it more exciting.  In a world so in chaos as this one, it’s no wonder things are so grim at times with the violence.
 

Many of Miyazaki’s films share the same environmental message but this one is just straight that, no filter, no subtlety.  The forest and humans are at war and a balance is in dire need.  Balance is the main theme of the film.  And much like a wayyyy less whiny Kira Yamato from Gundam Seed, Ashitaka is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the violence down and the talking to a maximum, even if he can throw down if he has to.  He may be the main hero of the story, but Ashitaka is one of many extremely well done characters.  There isn’t really a main villain in this movie besides misunderstanding itself.  Ashitaka wants peace.  San wants to protect the forest.  Iboshi, for all her want to kill the Great Forest Spirit, has a deep and non hidden agenda care for her people.  Jigo might be the closest thing to a villain in this movie as he’s just looking for a payday.  Even so, the lack of a clearly present main enemy is a good twist.  San and Iboshi are two women who can stand on their own without aid of men to fight their battles, this is a definite girl power flick.  No weak links in a cast, that’s rare for me and Anime as there’s always someone to dislike.  Nope not here.  
 

Ok I tried to hold off on this as much as I could but ive gotta say it now: THIS MOVIE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!  Well most Miyazaki are but there isn’t a single frame of bad animation in this movie.  Every background, movement, action scene, flow of water, character, animal, all is just a whole new level of perfection.  The Great Forest Spirit is such a great idea that is pulled off masterfully, both as the Elk like creature during the day and the giant Kaiju at night…and the chaotic Kaiju it turns into at the end of the movie.  Oh and there’s Joe Hisaishi’s magical score that you could fall asleep to and dream about.  The main theme of the film, both orchestrated and vocally performed, named after the film, is about as good as movie themes get. 

Princess Mononoke is more what the early 90’s film Ferngully should have been: a deeper story with no singing, exciting action, stronger characters and a much more mature way to deliver a stronger message.  It is about protecting nature. But more so the movie is about sitting down and talking to each other and finding a new balance to co-existence.  The films terrifying and awesome finale is a perfect example of what happens when things great REALLY bad and a reminder it should never get that far again.  Coupled with a beautiful score and the best animation, Princess Mononoke lives up to it’s own hype and surpasses it in everyway.  Besides the violence being too intense for younger viewers, I cant really think of a flaw to talk about.  This is about as damn near perfect as Anime gets.  It may not be my favorite of all time (that still goes to FLCL for series and Summer Wars for movies) but it is a film easily in my top 5, and a film id recommend to anyone who just needs to see one Anime in their life that isn’t Akira.  This movie is a freaking masterpiece…find it if you can and experience it for yourself.

 

10/10

 

Next week we take a look at the amazing follow up.  Remember when I said I had a favorite Miyazaki film?  We’re gonna review it next.  The only Anime to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature: Spirited Away, comes to the Anime Corner next week, see ya then.

Welcome to the Anime Corner 2016

Hello and Welcome all to the Gundam Anime Corner.

 

It is now the year 2016 and that means…huh guess I don’t really have much more of an epic segue. 

 

Coming up soon on two years at this little venture of mine.  Originally, I just started this as a way to keep working on short story writing.  Ironically, I’ve been more consistent with Anime reviews than I have short story writing.  Call it a mini career if you will, or just a really big resume’ venture.  Either way, it’s a new year and the reviews are going to continue, as are the Top 5 Wednesdays…if I can think up a few more in advance (it’s harder than you think).

 

So, what may you ask will you find here (if you’re new)?  Well this is just me rummaging through my Anime DVD/Blu-Ray library.  I revisit some old favorites over the course of a week or a few depending on series or movie duration.  Some series may take 2-4 weeks to cover.  Others…a bit longer ill admit.  I tend to go by how many episodes are on a DVD volume (anywhere from 3-7 episodes).  Might cut them down, might cram a bunch of stuff to talk about into one review.  My hope is that, even if a couple of spoilers, you might check out some of these shows.  Most are old, back from when I first started getting really into Anime around the late 90’s/early 2000’s (Yep dating myself there).  Occasionally, I might catch something new-a movie in a theater, a separate series not on the schedule I might do a full review on.  If I think it deserves covering, I will cover it.

 

What’s on the agenda so far this year?  Well I wanted to do a bit of back and forth between action and…not action, more comedic and lighthearted fair.  That’s still a plan.  It will just be a bit more spread out.  A recent watch of a scene from Rahxephon at my local Anime Club inspired me to push up my intended review time of the series.  Logistics and all that.  Long story short, Love Hina is coming in the fall, not the spring. 

 

Anyway, what’s coming this year?

Well of course the aforementioned Rahxepon, or Evangelion lite or one of the best mecha Anime out there.  Call it what you like, it’s a title ive always considered covering since I started this project.  It will finally get it’s time in the spotlight early summer.

 

There’s also Miyazaki Month kicking off on Monday with Princess Mononoke.  The King of Anime Filmmaking, Hayao Miyazaki get his honors on this blog.  I’ll be looking at 4 films: Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and depending on time, either My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki’s Delivery Service (might hold off on one of those for a special feature later in the year).

 

 

Then we’ve got Gundam: The 08^th MS Team, nuff said on that.  Bamboo Blade-an Anime about a Kendo team of misfits and their unorthodox teacher.  Love Hina-one of the keystone Harem Anime with beautiful girls and hot springs.  X-The CLAMP Classic in TV series form (I don’t own the movie).  My big summer feature of covering the entirety of Code Geass (Seasons 1&2) much like I did Gundam 00 last year.  The Anime Corner old friend Black Lagoon will return late summer with it’s third (and right now last) season: Roberta’s Blood Trail.  And no I have not forgotten them.  February will be split right down the middle as I cover the rest of the two shows I started last year and did not complete due to time and availability of titles: Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn and Ghost in the Shell: Arise.

That’s a lot to take in, I know.  I feel a bit overwhelmed just planning it all.  But I want this to work and cant wait to rewatch these titles and share my thoughts, old and new on them.  Keep an eye out for not just more T5W’s (Top 5 Wednesday’s), but also some potential new features like Convention Reports or extra special reviews of other titles…maybe even a half report on some current series I might be checking out.  Who knows what this year will hold.  As always, even if you’re only taking a quick peek, thanks for stopping by and you are always welcome here.  Read, share thoughts, keep silence, up to you, I wont beg for attention but ill do my best to entertain anyway. 

 

Welcome back to the Gundam Anime Corner.  I hope this year will be a good one for this page.

 

That’s that.  Let’s get to 2016 shall we?  ALLONS-Y!!!!