Anime Year in Review (Part 3)

Almost done, guys!  I promise!  In fact, I think I'm going to attempt to mash several series into one post this time around for the sake of wrapping this up...

July brought with it one of my all-time favorite anime: Nichijou, which roughly translates to "My Ordinary Life".  This series is anything but ordinary.  I'd try to explain, but I know I'll mess it up, so here are a few video clips to explain what I mean:

And before you say it, no.  This would not make more sense in context.  This is one of those series that even with all the context, it makes just as much sense.  This is of course why I love it to pieces.  I know I was planning on writing about several series at once here, but I think I'll just leave you with this.  Just let this all sink in and I'll talk to you about more anime later ;)

Anime Year in Review (Part 2)

Moving on with my anime viewing...Summer brought up a whole host of great series, including School Rumble, Cowboy Bebop, Nichijou, Pokemon Origins, Spice and Wolf, and Steins;Gate.

School Rumble is one of my all-time favorite anime.  It's one of those series that I could watch again and again, and you get so emotionally involved and attached to the characters.  I was super disappointed to learn that there will not be a third season, not even in Japan, but all the same, I'm glad I watched as much as I did, and I'm looking forward to checking out the manga, so I can complete the story.

Tenma

This series is a strange love triangle.  Tenma loves Karasuma. Harima loves Tenma.  Karasuma loves curry.  Or, to put it another way: ditsy girl falls for the dullest guy in her class.  The school delinquent falls for her.  And neither dull guy or girl has any idea that someone likes them.  Add in tons of love triangles in the background, a girl who can read the minds of guys who like her, and ridiculously improbable situations, and you have School Rumble.  This is one of those series that is hard to explain in any great detail, because I'll either spoil it for you or introduce you to waaay more information than you were looking for.  But, either way, it is incredibly fun.

Cowboy Bebop is at the other end of the spectrum.  While School Rumble is beyond silly, this series is much more serious.  The tone can get very dark at times, but all in all, this was another engaging series that I really enjoyed watching.  I've just requested a couple copies of the manga from the library, so hopefully, I can go back and revisit this classic series again.

Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein

Cowboy Bebop follows intergalactic bounty-hunter Spike Spiegel and his crew (tough-guy Jet, double-crossing Faye, computer-wiz Ed, and their super-smart dog Ein).  The group has a ton of misadventures and at various points, are forced to confront elements from their pasts.  As I said, it's not all fun and games, but while gritty, this is considered a classic anime, and if you are looking for the classics, then this is one to start with.  Plus, Steve Blum voices Spike in the English dub, and he's one of the best voice actors out there.

Spike and Cowboy Andy

Watching Bebop can be pretty emotional, and even bleak at times, but then you get to an episode like the one starring Cowboy Andy (I will say nothing more on the topic) and then you are so glad that you took the time.

So, sit back, relax, pick up a new anime, and tell me what you think!  And stay tuned, because Part 3 will be coming your way very soon :)

Anime Year in Review (Part 1)

I had considered doing a year in review for all the books I read, too, but if you look at my Goodreads page, I've read 153 books this year.  Then, I considered just writing about the books that got a 5 of 5 stars.  That's still 56 books, which will take up more time than any of us really have to devote to this blog.  So, instead, I'd like to look back on my year of anime series.  At the start of this year, I talked about finishing Death Note and Space Dandy, so I'll be avoiding those two this time around.  But, I'd like to talk about the other titles that I've checked out, both with the Brother and without.  There are some real gems here :)

January brought us on an emotional thrill ride through Death Note and Space Dandy, but then the Brother went back to school.  Left to my own devices, I picked up two anime that seemed like fun at the time: Love Lab and Eccentric Family--and thus, Spring anime season began.

Love Lab is a goofy shoujo about a group of students (from an all-girls high

Riko and Maki (Love Lab)

school) learning how to get the attention of boys.  The story begins when popular, tomboyish Riko catches the student council president, Maki, in the act of making out with a body pillow.  Maki begs her not to tell anyone, since this might ruin her perfect reputation.  Riko makes an off-hand comment that suggests she is popular with boys, so Maki recruits her to teach her how to find a boyfriend.  There are two problems, though.  First, school rules forbid the girls having romantic relationships, and second, Riko doesn't know the first thing about romance!  

Soon, the student council becomes a front for the girls' "love lab" as they test out ways to get attention from boys, such as different hairstyles, conversation topics, and kissing.  The pair are joined by brash Eno, timid Suzu, and conniving Sayo as they attempt to provide answers to their romantically challenged peers, while still performing their student council duties.

Riko, Suzu, and a giant paper fan

From the description, this anime sounds like it might veer into yuri (lesbian) territory, but surprisingly, it stays pretty innocent of anything sexual.  There are a lot of jokes and awkward situations, but for the most part, it is pretty wholesome.  It's a cute series, though.  Not something I would personally watch again (since I just don't go for drippy girly shows), but still an enjoyable way to spend a couple of nights.

Yasaburo (Eccentric Family)

Eccentric family, on the other hand, was a real gem.  This one tells the story of a family of tanuki, or Japanese raccoon dogs.  Just as in the mythology, these tanuki have the power to shape-shift, so they take the form of humans and live among other members of society.  The titular family consists of four brothers: tightly-wound Yaichiro; Yajiro, who turned himself into a frog and can't turn back; irresponsible Yasaburo; and sweet, but timid Yashiro.  Add in a cross-dressing mother; their despicable cousins, the Ebisagawa twins; and a cantankerous old tengu (crow demon) and you have the recipe for a perfect cast!

The story mostly focuses on Yasaburo, and without giving too much away, the

Benten and the Friday Fellows

central theme revolves around the death of the family patriarch.  As he used to be the leader of tanuki society, the rest of the clan is caught up in trying to elect a new leader in his stead.  Meanwhile, Yasaburo finds himself caught up with a mysterious group called the Friday Fellows, who are known for cooking and eating a tanuki every year as part of the New Year's celebration.  When the group's most dangerous member, the lovely Benten sets her sights on Yasaburo, he's in love...and also in great danger.

This is a great series if you're looking for something short, but very engaging.  I found it difficult to stop watching, and was disappointed when it was over.  But, all in all, this is an excellent series, and one which I would contend is one of my all-time favorites!

Stay tuned for Part 2: School Rumble and Cowboy Bebop.  It should be coming your way very soon!

Anime!

Perhaps one of the best parts of the Brother's return home is that we spend inordinate amounts of time each night watching anime.  My love of anime is quickly becoming a make-or-break relationship point.  I can see turning down a very nice guy because he's not interested in discussing the finer points of Dragon Ball Z, or cosplaying with me at the next anime convention.  I know it sounds silly, but it's a big part of my interests.  Plus, I feel like watching anime and playing video games are social activities that should be shared.  I also love reading (which I'm sure you all know), but that's solitary.  I don't mind reading alone.  But, I want someone to go to all the anime movies with me, and to cry with me during every ridiculously sad character backstory in One Piece.

 

So, while we're on the topic, the Brother got me the most awesome Christmas gift: a copy of the latest Dragon Ball Z movie: Resurrection "F" on DVD.  We watched it Christmas night, and I'm still feeling the high. While he prefers the 2013 Battle of Gods, there is just something about the devious and highly dangerous Frieza (the "F" in Resurrection "F") that always fascinated me.

 

Frieza in his "golden form" from Resurrection F

 In addition to this amazing film, the Brother and I have stocked up a list of anime we wanted to watch while he's home for the holidays.  I'm hoping to post about these a bit more as we watch them.  I know last year, I talked about completing a few series which I had been focusing on for months, and how it felt like I had a huge hole in my life after these characters, who had been my constant companions, were gone from my day-to-day.

 

Tomoe from Kamisama Kiss

Last year was Death Note and Space Dandy.  This year, we have several titles lined up, including Tiger and Bunny; Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple; Mushi-Shi; Samurai Champloo; and possibly some One Piece or Dragon Ball if time allows.  Also, the Brother isn't interested, but I have a shoujo lined up for me: Kamisama Kiss!

 

I was going to use this space to write all about Tiger and Bunny, but I think I have a better idea.  Instead, I'm going to put together an anime Year and Review, and go over all the anime that I have seen this year.  I hope you guys stop in to check things out :)

Is it Snack Time?

The hardest part about working during lunch is when you start to get hungry, but can't leave the desk to go and have a snack.  Or worse--you CAN leave to go have a snack, but you didn't pack anything and don't have any money for the vending machine.

I have a very noisy stomach, so working around mealtimes is a huge bummer for me, because all I wanna do is munch.  When I'm hungry, I sort of turn into an anime character, if you know what I mean.  I have an insatiable urge to scarf!

I know it's not lady-like, but I'm not even embarrassed.

Imma go snack now.....

That Hole in My Life, Part II

As I had mentioned in my previous post, the completion of a TV show really can leave a big gaping hole in your life.  What are you supposed to do with all that free time? Where are you supposed to find characters to back and stuff to talk about with other like-minded friends who are also addicted to your favorite show?  Since I finished not one, but two shows over my Christmas break, I feel like I have way too much time on my hands and I don't know what to do with myself.  I've already blathered on enough about Death Note... now on to the second one: Space Dandy!

"The name's Dandy.  But you can call me Space Dandy!"

Dr. Gel

Space Dandy is an intergalactic alien hunter.  His job is to find rare and new species of aliens, capture them, and bring them to the registration center so that they can be documented (and then, it is presumed that they let them go again).  This way, everyone can keep track of what's in the universe. However, Dandy either is super-inept or just has really bad luck, because he almost never brings in anything of value. Meanwhile, in the background there is an intergalactic war between two opposing armies: that of the Gogol Empire, and that of the Jaicro Empire.  While this doesn't entirely affect what Dandy  does, his steps are constantly dogged by Dr. Gel, a high-ranking member of the Gogol Empire, (who just happens to be a giant gorilla in a periwig), working under direct orders of the devious Admiral Perry.

While Death Note was incredibly dark and heavy, Space Dandy is just off-the-wall and fun.  The storyline sometimes don't make a lot of sense, and the characters Dandy encounters just get stranger and stranger.  In his travels, he is accompanied by QT, an intelligent, but outdated robot vacuum cleaner, and Meow, a Betelgeusean who just happens to look like a cat.

Now, the series does have a tendency to get a bit ridiculous, and even a little raunchy.  For example, Dandy's favorite eatery is called Boobies (probably in homage to Hooters) and is one of my space "brestaurants" (haha).  The waitresses all walk around in bikinis, etc.  But, episode plots are so ridiculous, it's hard not to love this show!  Dandy explores all

Admiral Perry and Dr. Gel

sorts of strange planets, such as the one populated entirely by intelligent plants or the one where the two remaining creatures are locked in a battle to the death over which is better: shirts or pants.  And of course, there is the time when his crew gets turned into zombies, where he goes fishing for a legendary Piscean god in an ocean of mud, or my personal favorites: the shapeshifting imposter that prompts a gameshow to discover who the real Dandy is (The First Ever Dandy Quiz!), and the time that Admiral Perry conquers a planet of librarians because they charged him for an overdue library book!

I have laughed so hard watching this show.  Episode after episode, you're amazed by how they continue to surprise you.  And really, you have a team of very likeable characters.  Even the villainous Dr. Gel worms his way into your heart.  And Admiral Perry?  Well, every series needs that sinister villain!  But, seriously, this is just a fun series!  And I'm sorely in need of a good anime to fill in it's place (sometimes, all a girl needs is just a good, ridiculous space anime that makes little to no sense, but is still AWESOME.  Is that too much to ask?)

No!  That is not too much to ask :(
(Dandy, Meow, & QT)

In the meantime, though, I'm entertaining myself with One Piece, which is awesome, and I have a line-up of other anime that I want to try.  I just have to find one that works for me.... I'll keep y'all posted :)

That Hole in My Life, Part I

I'm suffering from a big hole in my life.  You might have experienced something similar in different forms, but in my particular case, it's "I finished two anime series and now I don't know what to do with myself" syndrome.  For you, it might have been that moment when you finished marathoning Breaking Bad or whatever your show of choice is, and realized that this is it...a show that was a big part of your life is now done.  And what are you supposed to do now??

I like to multitask.  So, that means I usually have two or three books going at a time, and at least three TV shows.  Over the Christmas Break, I had been watching three, and finished two.

First up is Death Note.  This is was is an amazing series about good vs. evil; cat vs. mouse.  Light Yagami, a typical high school student, top of his class, incredibly popular and loved by all the ladies finds a mysterious notebook dropped on the sidewalk.  When he picks it up, he learns that it's called The Death Note, and the instructions inside explain that he can use it to kill people.  All he has to do is think of their face and write their name.  He thinks it's a joke, until he tries it...then the people whose names he writes down really do die.  Both horrified and exhilarated, Light decides to use this power to rid the world of all evil.  He meets Ryuk, a shinigami, or god of death, who owns the notebook.  Ryuk fills in a few more of the finer details of the notebook, but also makes it clear that he is not here to be Light's assistant.  Rather, he's bored, and is looking for something to amuse him.  He finds humans fascinating, and Light in particular, so he decides to stick around.

Soon, Light's desires to eliminate all evil start to gain nation attention.  If no cause of death is written in the Death Note, then the victims will suffer from a heart attack.  A huge outbreak of criminals having heart attacks has gotten the police very worried, and nations are joining together to try and track down this mysterious murderer, who has been dubbed "Kira," based on the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "killer".  Soon, the world's greatest detective, who never reveals his name or face to anyone, L, steps forward.  He openly challenges Kira, and quickly begins to draw the noose around Light.

The series can get super-dark, but the amazing lengths to which L and

Light/Kira will go in order to stop each other is quite extraordinary.  Plus, the finale is worth the price of admission.  This series was so amazing, and while the start was a bit slow, there comes a point when you just don't to stop, because you need to know how it ends.  Luckily, there are only two seasons, so after about 50 or so episodes, you'll be done.  You could probably binge watch this, but since it gets so heavy, I recommend taking in only one or two episodes at a time.  Pace yourself.  And one more quick thing...if you decide to watch this show, DO NOT LOOK UP ANYTHING ABOUT IT ONLINE UNTIL YOU'RE DONE!  There are some major spoilers online, and you hardly have to look for them.  A quick Google image search for Light or L could lead to you finding out how things end way too soon.  And I know, most shows have spoilers online, but this has a ton, and SPOILERS WILL SERIOUSLY RUIN THE ENTIRE SERIES FOR YOU.  Trust me.

Also, serious...watch Death Note!

Part 2 coming soon!

Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Thief (Maurice LeBlanc)

Those who know me well enough know that I'm a huge fan of the anime Lupin III by Monkey Punch (as well as the manga that inspired it, although it's really not as good).  And one day, while I was on a total Lupin III kick, I happened to stumble upon an interesting little fact on the Internet: Lupin III (or "Rupan sansei" as he's known in Japan) is based off a French book series by Maurice LeBlanc about a gentleman thief-turned-detective named Arsène Lupin.  (He's called Rupan in Japan in order to skirt around a copyright issue that originally prevented them from using the name Lupin.  Not that it mattered to them, since there is no "L" sound in Japanese, and they were already pronouncing it with an "R" sound anyway).  Already a fan of the famous anime criminal, I thought it might be fun to go back and read the book that inspired it all.  And that's how I ended up reading Arsène Lupin: Gentleman Thief this summer.  It also helped, of course, that the book fit into my theme of summer mysteries.  

This was a great book!  I honestly wasn't sure what to expect.  After all, I had fallen for Lupin the THIRD, the young, brash, and completely charming GRANDSON.  And sure, he was based off of the LeBlanc character, but that didn't mean that they were going to be the same.  And I'll be honest; they weren't the same.  But, despite this, they were both VERY good.  I really loved this original incarnation of Lupin.  He was funny, clever, charming, and had a sort of confident, mature bearing to him that Lupin III lacks.  While his "grandson" is cocky, over-confident, and pretty lusty, the original Lupin is much more of a romantic.  He does things not so much for the money or the sex, but because it's a charming or romanticized adventure.  It's like Robin Hood: robbing the rich and saving fair maidens.  Whether or not the whole thing is actually like this is up for debate, but this is certainly how Lupin sees it.

More than anything, these stories actually reminded me a lot of the Lupin seen in the Hayao Miyazaki Lupin III film The Castle of Cagliostro which quickly became one of my all-time favorite films as soon as I had seen it.  In this movie, Lupin III seems more mature.  He's not interested in all the ladies and the money; in fact, I don't think he makes any sex jokes at all (as contrasted to his other movies, which has him ogling breasts, chasing pretty girls, or attempting to seduce his on-again/off-again girlfriend Fujiko Mine).  His focus is on righting wrongs and saving a damsel in distress.  And in this book, that's what Lupin focuses on, too.  Sure, he plays some tricks and steals some things.  He even goes up against the greatest detective in literature: Sherlock Holmes.  But, he's not all about childish excitement.  He's more purposeful.  And it made for some great, fun stories with lots of drama and mystery.  I think my favorite was actually the final story: "The Sign of Mercury," which was almost completely over-the-top at times, but it was just so much fun that I didn't even care!

If you read any of the books I suggest this summer, this is one you just have to check out!  And I highly recommend that while you're at it, you give the anime a shot, too.  (A side note, some of the movies are rather bland, and might give you a bad introduction to the series.  Start with Castle of Cagliostro or Lupin III Series 2.)  But, read this book first.  Seriously.  Go read it.