ktulu007's Blog

Anime Relations: Perfect Blue, Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokushiroku, Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, Transformers Armada

Hello, everyone. I know that it's been quite a while since my last blog on this site, but there are a few questions that keep coming up and I thought I'd be nice and answer them for you.

1. Do you review everything that people request?
The answer is, just about. I did a blog not too long after I first created my profile giving certain conditions to my reviews. The first is that I don't review hentai, ever. Now, I don't care if you like hentai. It's really none of my business, but I have absolutely no interest in it and, honestly, the general purpose of hentai is to cause arousal and I don't feel comfortable dictating to anyone what they should be aroused by. So, I don't review it. The second major condition is that I do all my reviews based on the original Japanese versions. Usually that's not an issue, but sometimes I just can't find the request in the original Japanese. It's only happened twice so far, and I do apologise to those people who wanted to see reviews of Transformers: Micron legend and Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, but if I can't find the original Japanese version, I'm not doing the review.

2. Why does there always seem to be a time delay in your reviews?

Yeah, I've gotten several people asking why I announce things like horror anime month, and mention my first review of the month, when it's the second review I've posted for that month. The reason is simple. There is a delay. I originally post my reviews on GS, one week later I post them here with very few if any changes. There are two major reasons for this. The first is that most of my requests and comments come from people on GS, so I show my appreciation by giving them the reviews first. The second is that GS is where I got my start, roughly half a year before I started posting my reviews here. It seems only right to continue to give them extra attention.

3. Do you have a problem with nudity?
This one comes up on occasion, usually when I've just given a negative view of something that has nudity. The simple answer to this is no, no I don't. As some of you may know, two of the three anime I've given perfect scores have nudity. What I take issue with is mindless fan-service. The two aforementioned anime both have nudity, but it serves a purpose for the plot or symbolism, so I don't mind. That being said, even mindless fan-service doesn't ruin an anime for me. I ave given 7s and 8s to anime that have quite a bit because they have merits that more than make up for it. Mindless fan-service only adds a problem. If the anime is good otherwise, I'll still give it a high score. If the anime is crap, then the mindless fan-service just gives me one more thing to complain about.

So, there are your answers to those questions. Please, stop asking them. Of course, I don't mind answering different questions but don't be upset if I just give you the answer instead of putting it in a blog.

I mentioned in my blog about requests that I won't watch anime in English. Some people have asked me why I won't or implied that I'm "doing it wrong" because I won't watch the English dubs. So, for the curious, here are the top 5 reasons I won't watch the English dubs.

#5. The time factor. It's just a fact that just about any new anime will be subtitled before it gets dubbed. Some of it won't get an English dubbed version at all. So it's just more convenient for me to watch the subtitled versions.

#4. I think that the original versions of things have a purity that gets lost in translation. Yes, I know that sounds cheesy, but I really do prefer to enjoy media in their original languages if it's at all possible. Because I truly feel that the original version is going to be the best.

#3. English is not my first language. Yes, I do speak English well, but it's still a second language for me. I really have no reason to watch anime in English. It's not like all my friends are watching the English version or I know anyone who works for the English dubbing company.

#2. The voice acting. I have heard a few English dubs, mainly from mis-labeled videos on streaming sites, and they've all been atrocious. FMA, Bleach, Death Note, Duel Monsters, The Slayers, Evangelion, Darker than Black, Sailor Moon and several others. I would rather listen to a mixed CD featuring Barbra Streisand, Justin Bieber, Le' Arc en Ciel, and Rebecca Black than listen to the English versions of anime. And, honestly, if I were to review an anime based on the English version you'd have to deal with a paragraph of me analysing how terrible the voice acting is and I don't think anyone wants that.

#1. Censorship. I hate censorship. I am absolutely and completely opposed to censorship. The biggest problem I have with watching the English dubs of anime is that they're frequently censored. Whether it's the dubbing company trying to hide the fact that the anime has *gasp* gay people or they're toning down the content because "it's too violent" I don't care. I'm against it. It also presents a problem as a reviewer since I'd never be sure if there was actually a story issue or it was just that the dubbing company butchered the anime.

There you have it, the reasons that I don't watch English dubs, and no, I don't care if you think you might have an anime I should make an exception for.

Anime Relations: Mai-Otome, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars, Mai-Otome Zwei, El Cazador de la Bruja, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica

Before I reveal my absolute favorite anime couple I'm going to go over a few honourable mentions. These are couples that were close to making the list, but didn't quite get there.

Shizuru and Natsuki from Mai-Otome
The main reason they didn't make it is that there isn't enough of their relationship. They're both side characters and most of the time you see them they're either with students or they're providing exposition. As a result you really see very little of their relationship dynamic. Which really is a pity since what you do see is very well done.

Haruka and Michiru from Sailor Moon
These two are really a great couple and very well developed. The only reason they didn't make the list is because there's one Sailor Moon couple I like better.

Madoka and Homura from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
These two didn't make it for one simple reason. By the time I saw Madoka I'd already made the list and started posting it. Honestly, now that I've seen Madoka these two would probably take the #9 spot. But it was just too late by the time I'd seen it.

Those are the honourable mentions. Now all that remains is to reveal the number one couple.

#1 Ellis and Nadie from El Cazador De la Bruja
These two are such a great couple. I love the way they meet where Nadie wants to capture Ellis for the bounty and Ellis not only goes along with it, but helps Nadie. I like the way their relationship evolves and how it affects the story.For example, the way that Nadie experiences a very real conflict as their relationship progresses. She feels guilty about the bounty she's receiving and, in the end, chooses to protect Ellis even from her former employer. They receive a lot of cute moments. They both make sacrifices for the other. They drive off into the sunset together. These two are an awesome couple and that's why they're number one.

Well, that's my list. I hope that those of you who read it enjoyed it. Next time I do a top list I'll cut it down to one or two parts so that it doesn't take so long to post.

Anime Relations: Chrno Crusade, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS

Well, we're almost at the end. After today there'll be only one installment left. So let's get right to it.

#5 Chrno and Rosette from Chrno Crusade
These two have an interesting relationship. They're driven by mutual need, tragedy and their own desire to live life to its fullest. Their relationship is great because it always has an element of time to it. They know that they can only be together for so long before Rosette's time runs out. The whole situation compels them to make their time together all the more special. Their relationship is really complex and, although it doesn't end happily, it does leave a strong emotional impact.

#4 Quatre and Trowa from Gundam Wing
These two are great. Their relationship may start really abruptly, but that's okay. What's important is what gets done with it after it starts. I think the element that makes this a really strong relationship is the empathetic bond they share. Which allows Trowa to sense Quatre's emotions when Quatre is in orbit and Trowa's on the colony's surface. This bond adds a whole new layer of understanding and complexity to their relationship. It also shows how close they are.

#3 Ami and Rei from Sailor Moon
These two are a great couple. In many ways they're very different, but that just enables them to compensate for each other's weak areas. When Ami is inclined to offer assistance to someone who won't really do anything with it, Rei can take her by the hand and remove her from the situation. When Rei is about to act impulsively and cause problems, Ami can grab her shoulder and gently pull her back. They're both strong and capable but they still need each other and that's really what makes them a great couple.

#2 Nanoha and Fate from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
These two are adorable. I really like the way their relationship constantly evolves. In the first season it's a young love, faint and new. In the second season they've gotten to know each other better so it's more emotional and a lot stronger. Then in Strikers they may as well be a married couple. They stay in the same quarters, they've adopted a child. The point is that you get a great relationship progression with them. It makes their relationship really well developed and interesting to watch and it's always cute.

Next week I'll go through some honourable mentions and reveal the #1 couple.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, all of the reviews I post here were originally written for a Gamespot union. I've been posting two a week for the sake of catching up, but I'm completely through my backlog of reviews. Right now the only review on GS that isn't up here as well is a review of Kiki's Delivery Service, which I'll bring here next Wednesday when I post my new review on GS.

So, basically, I'll be posting reviews here after they've been up for a week on GS. A new review will be posted every Wednesday, but the King of Fighters review is the last one I'll be posting on a Saturday.

Also, one thing that I didn't mention in my last blog about reviews, on GS I do take requests. Wolf's Rain, Kiki's Delivery Service and a few others were by request. I don't mind taking requests here as well. I do have a few conditions:
1. I will not watch anime in English. First off, English is not my first language and generally it's easier for me to find them subtitled in Deutsch. Secondly, as a preference I really don't care for the English dubbing industry. Finally, I think that the original Japanese casts tend to reflect the anime much better than re-dubs do.
2. I will not review hentai. I'm not going to judge anyone for liking it, but I've just never been interested in it.
3. If you want me to review an anime just to take it apart or praise it you might be disappointed. When I review an anime I'll be expressing my opinion of it and I might like an anime you hate or hate an anime you love. So don't get mad if this happens. It's just a difference of opinion.
4. If it takes me a while to do a review it could just mean that I haven't watched the anime yet or that it's been a while and I have to rewatch it. Please be patient, especially with longer anime.

That's it for today, in a few days I'll post the next top 15 blog. For requests you can send me a message or post on my wall.

Anime Relations: Bakuretsu Tenshi, Shoujo Kakumei Utena, Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokushiroku, Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora, Bakuretsu Tenshi: Infinity, Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora Specials, Sasameki Koto

We're now in the middle of this countdown. So let's move right into it.

#9: Jo and Meg from Bakuretsu Tenshi
I really like these two as a couple for a lot of the same reasons I like Tsuzuki and Hisoka. They complement each other. Meg is pretty physically weak and needs Jo to protect her, but Jo needs Meg as well. Without Meg she has no motivation to fight, which she admits at one point, or even to live. The benefits they receive from each other really make their relationship strong. Now, the same could be said for Tsuzuki and Hisoka so you may ask why these two are higher on the list. The reason is because of time. Jo and Meg know each other longer so their relationship seems more realistic and it gets better developed. Even at the start of the series you can tell they went through a lot together and that it really strengthened their relationship.

#8 Kaon and Himiko from Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora
These two are probably my favourite part of this anime. They have so much more to overcome than all of the other characters. They suffer from torture and brainwashing and yet they overcome all of it thanks to their feelings for one another. They have a sweet and complex relationship that deals with themes of rebirth and destiny. They get not only the cutest scenes in the series, but also some of the most tragic. The way they eventually save each other is a crowning moment of heartwarming that I personally watched multiple times. That's how adorable they are.

#7 Utena and Anthy from Revolutionary girl Utena/Adolescence of Utena
This is probably a predictable choice since I praised Adolescence of Utena so much in my review, but this is still a great couple. Whatever you may see the film as a metaphor for the fact is that Utena and Anthy's relationship drives the plot. It's no real surprise that these two influenced a lot of the yuri that came afterward since their relationship is just so well down and downright cute. In a way they complement each other, but they also bring out the best in each other. For me, that will always make them one of the best, most enduring couples.

#6 Sumika and Ushio from Sasameki Koto
Honestly, I usually get annoyed by awkward romances and want to just murder the characters involved, but Sasameki Koto takes that trope and they make it work. Further proof that just about any concept can be done well if you have a capable writer. I think that a lot of what makes it work is Sumika. She's not your typical, socially awkward protagonist. She's actually quite capable in social situations. She just isn't good when it comes to romance. Part of this stems from her being uncomfortable with her own sexuality and part of it comes from the fact that she doesn't think she has a chance with Ushio since Ushio usually goes for petite and feminine girls and Sumika is tall and, although not masculine, pretty androgynous, which makes for a pretty realistic dynamic. The two of them struggling with their feelings makes for an interesting story and it leaves you rooting for them in the end.

That's it for this week. Next week #s 5-2. All I'll say is that the anime Sailor Moon and Gundam Wing will both appear. As for which couples will show up from those anime... as Xellos would say "Sore wa himitsu desu."

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