June 27th, 2011
Ktulu's top 15 anime couples part two
Anime Relations: Maria-sama ga Miteru, Maria-sama ga Miteru: Haru, Yami no Matsuei, Steel Angel Kurumi 2, Aoi Hana
Last time I introduced the idea behind this blog, the criteria, and #s 15 and 14. So this week I'll just get started.
#13 Kurumi and Nako from Steel Angel Kurumi 2
Kurumi and Nako are undoubtedly a cute couple. But that isn't the entire reason they're on this list. They're on this list because they defy comedic couple conventions. They actually have some depth that really shows when Nako is participating in a contest that all the other characters think may result in her going overseas. The other girls who love Nako decide to sabotage her performance so that she'll stay close to them. Only Kurumi stands by Nako and wants her to win because she cares about Nako's happiness. It's a really touching scene which is surprising from a comedic series.
#12 Akira and Fumi from Aoi Hana
I admit that I'm cheating a little with this one since its primarily the manga that develops the relationship between them into romance and not the anime. That being said, I love the way romance is handled in Aoi Hana. It isn't something simple, since the girl's have to deal with actual societal prejudices, nor do they suffer from one of the extremes that tend to accompany romances (one of them loves the other and has to get the other to realise her feelings, they fight all the time but get brought together through some convoluted method, etc...) The two of them both have to realise their feelings for the other and Akira has to think about her own sexuality. It's truly a wonderfully written romance.
#11 Tsuzuki and Hisoka from Yami no Matsuei
Yes, I am aware that this is a yaoi couple, but I don't think sexuality matters. A good couple is a good couple. Yes, most of this ist is yuri but that's only because most of the well written romance I've seen is yuri.
Now, the reason I like this couple is that they complement each other. Tsuzuki needs Hisoka because Hisoka thinks things through and Hisoka needs Tsuzuki because Tsuzuki knows how to have fun. They're both wounded in complex ways and only by working together can they overcome those issues. When it comes right down to it these two save each other during missions and, perhaps more importantly, emotionally.
#10 Yumi and Sachiko from Maria Sama ga Miteru
There are so many good things about this couple. I love the way that their initial meeting is very awkward but that they make up for it by sharing confidences. I love the way that they grow to know each other so well that they can figure out what the other is thinking fairly easily. I love the way they can rely on each other and learn to work past their problems by communicating. I love the way Yumi "just wants to spend the day lazing around in bed." The truth is that this series is full of adorable moments and many of them centre around these two.
Next week #s 9-6
#13 Kurumi and Nako from Steel Angel Kurumi 2
Kurumi and Nako are undoubtedly a cute couple. But that isn't the entire reason they're on this list. They're on this list because they defy comedic couple conventions. They actually have some depth that really shows when Nako is participating in a contest that all the other characters think may result in her going overseas. The other girls who love Nako decide to sabotage her performance so that she'll stay close to them. Only Kurumi stands by Nako and wants her to win because she cares about Nako's happiness. It's a really touching scene which is surprising from a comedic series.
#12 Akira and Fumi from Aoi Hana
I admit that I'm cheating a little with this one since its primarily the manga that develops the relationship between them into romance and not the anime. That being said, I love the way romance is handled in Aoi Hana. It isn't something simple, since the girl's have to deal with actual societal prejudices, nor do they suffer from one of the extremes that tend to accompany romances (one of them loves the other and has to get the other to realise her feelings, they fight all the time but get brought together through some convoluted method, etc...) The two of them both have to realise their feelings for the other and Akira has to think about her own sexuality. It's truly a wonderfully written romance.
#11 Tsuzuki and Hisoka from Yami no Matsuei
Yes, I am aware that this is a yaoi couple, but I don't think sexuality matters. A good couple is a good couple. Yes, most of this ist is yuri but that's only because most of the well written romance I've seen is yuri.
Now, the reason I like this couple is that they complement each other. Tsuzuki needs Hisoka because Hisoka thinks things through and Hisoka needs Tsuzuki because Tsuzuki knows how to have fun. They're both wounded in complex ways and only by working together can they overcome those issues. When it comes right down to it these two save each other during missions and, perhaps more importantly, emotionally.
#10 Yumi and Sachiko from Maria Sama ga Miteru
There are so many good things about this couple. I love the way that their initial meeting is very awkward but that they make up for it by sharing confidences. I love the way that they grow to know each other so well that they can figure out what the other is thinking fairly easily. I love the way they can rely on each other and learn to work past their problems by communicating. I love the way Yumi "just wants to spend the day lazing around in bed." The truth is that this series is full of adorable moments and many of them centre around these two.
Next week #s 9-6
Posted by ktulu007 | 06-27-11, 11:28 AM | 0 comments
June 20th, 2011
Ktulu's top 15 anime couples part one
Anime Relations: Gokujou Seitokai, Star Ocean EX
One question I've encountered a lot in discussions of anime is: "who are your favourite couples?" Well, I thought about it and I've mad a top 15 list. The hardest part of making the list was actually ranking these fifteen couples. Picking the couples wasn't too hard. I compiled this list based off of a few criteria. One was how cute the couple is, another was how well developed they are. I also disqualified any abusive relationship. So Ranma and Akane, Kaname and Sousuke, Naru and Keitaro, etc... They will not be on this list. Because these relationships aren't cute, they're dysfunctional and creepy. I also limited myself to one couple per series. To be clear, I did not just use canonical couples. I also used couples that have large amounts of subtext. If that's a problem for you, I don't care.
Also before complaining about how I left out *insert couple here* keep in mind that I may not have seen the anime you're thinking of or I may not have liked that couple.
Now that all of that is out of the way let's get started.
#15. Sayuri and Rein from Gokujou Seitokai.
I'll admit that I usually don't care for couples where the characters are childhood friends. That could just be because it's overused, but I really hate that trope. That being said, sometimes it works. I really like these two as a couple. They're consistently supportive of each other and I was honestly a bit disappointed that the anime doesn't show more of them. And before anyone complains keep in mind that they share a room with only one bed when their dormitory has lots of spare rooms available, If that isn't significant subtext I don't know what is.
#14. Claude and Rena from Star Ocean EX.
It's hard for me to pinpoint what I like about this couple. I guess it has to be the way their relationship builds up subtly throughout the series without ever feeling rushed or leaving me thinking "wait, what the hell just happened?" which is pretty rare for an action-based anime. I also like the way they give Rena substance as a character instead of just making her the typical damsel in distress so you get a relationship that's based off of mutual need and support rather than a relationship based on "I guess I have to go rescue this girl, again."
Next week #s 13-10.
Also before complaining about how I left out *insert couple here* keep in mind that I may not have seen the anime you're thinking of or I may not have liked that couple.
Now that all of that is out of the way let's get started.
#15. Sayuri and Rein from Gokujou Seitokai.
I'll admit that I usually don't care for couples where the characters are childhood friends. That could just be because it's overused, but I really hate that trope. That being said, sometimes it works. I really like these two as a couple. They're consistently supportive of each other and I was honestly a bit disappointed that the anime doesn't show more of them. And before anyone complains keep in mind that they share a room with only one bed when their dormitory has lots of spare rooms available, If that isn't significant subtext I don't know what is.
#14. Claude and Rena from Star Ocean EX.
It's hard for me to pinpoint what I like about this couple. I guess it has to be the way their relationship builds up subtly throughout the series without ever feeling rushed or leaving me thinking "wait, what the hell just happened?" which is pretty rare for an action-based anime. I also like the way they give Rena substance as a character instead of just making her the typical damsel in distress so you get a relationship that's based off of mutual need and support rather than a relationship based on "I guess I have to go rescue this girl, again."
Next week #s 13-10.
Posted by ktulu007 | 06-20-11, 2:46 PM | 0 comments
May 25th, 2011
Anime reviews
Some of you know that I write anime reviews for the anime/manga squad on Gamespot. I'm going to start posting some of those reviews on this site as well. Unfortunately, the Anime/Manga squad has become pretty inactive so I'm hoping to get some actual views for my reviews here. I've already brought over my Bakuretsu Hunters review, in a few days I'll bring over my Bakuretsu Tenshi review. This is mainly a heads up for those of you who read my reviews so you don't think I've gone insane. I'll still be writing reviews for TAMS, I'll just be putting them up here as well.
Posted by ktulu007 | 05-25-11, 6:59 PM | 0 comments
June 17th, 2010
El Cazador de la Bruja
Well on AMVs.org they've removed all of the El Cazador de la Bruja AMVs. Apparently it has to do with Funimation. On youtube they've removed some short scenes that people had posted, apparently for the same reason. This could mean nothing but my guess is that Funimation is going to do some editing to try to hide the fact that Ellis and Nadie have a relationship with more rainbows than Care-a-lot. Or it could just be an over-reaction against AMVs and short clips.
Posted by ktulu007 | 06-17-10, 9:32 AM | 0 comments
February 21st, 2009
Reasons to drop anime
I dropped Inuyasha because the story was minimal and I've seen it before (Fushigi Yugi) Plus the characters were all really stupid. I dropped Evangelion because it has no likable characters so I couldn't bring myself to care what happened. The same kind of theme can be handled withlikable characters present (Rahxephon). I dropped Paradise kiss because it was boring. Nothing at all happened. While an anime that has a slow progression can work (Maria sama ga miteru). It takes really compelling characters in order to do so and Paradise kiss lacks that. I dropped pokemon because I noticed that it has two plots that it uses over and over again. It's repetitive and the main character is a twit. While repetition and a twit main character can work... Wait no they can't. I dropped tenchi muyou GXP because it simply didn't interest me. Witchblade just doesn't do anything right. They have a scantily clad protagonist who breathes heavily while fighting. If anything the whole thing is so stupid that it's funny to think about the concept. One thing it isn't is fun to watch.
Posted by ktulu007 | 02-21-09, 12:32 PM | 0 comments