Mar 10, 2024
Summer Wars
(Anime)
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A showcase animation in animation and heart. The depiction of real life is standard fare but the virtual world of OZ pops with striking avatar designs (at least two of them) and many moving bodies all pasted on a white background. Summer Wars recalls War Games but with a greater emphasis on strength through family. The family is mostly a joy to watch with none of them grating which helps maintain the movie's pace. The scope of the movie starts fairly small befitting the rural setting but quickly blows up to a ridiculous extent which is a bit of a shame because the concept of
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Feb 6, 2024
Hand Maid Mai
(Anime)
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The only watchable episode previewed a horny series with humor, an MC easy to cheer for, an intriguing concept of a futuristic organization sending androids into the past to solve seemingly trivial problems of a common person, and the timeless main conflict between the MC and the likely love interest. The OVA's animation isn't mind-blowing but character designs are distinct enough, the facial expressions can be goofy enough to be comedic, and the show does a great job portraying the lifeless eyes of the cyberdolls.
All of this is for naught though as there's only one episode. I wouldn't expect anything life-changing but I would ... 
Dec 27, 2023
Asobi ni Iku yo!
(Anime)
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When they first released this anime on Crunchyroll more than a decade ago, I recall being blown away by the animation and character designs of cast and it still does that...for the first several episodes until it appears the budget dried up and obvious long pans, stills, and recycling rear their ugly heads.
The animation quality tanking and money-saving measures is a damn shame because the show works when it's at its horniest - beautiful and painstaking in the nude scenes of the early episodes. All the usual suspects appear: cat ears, huge milkers, plug suits, food-closeups, cig-smoking scientist, fast-food chomping American, gun porn, glamours car ... 
Dec 2, 2022
Cutie Honey
(Manga)
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Turn to the '73 anime if you can find it - The '73 manga has stuff to offer - jokes that land, an iconic drawing style, incredible character expressions and designs, sexy curves, some cool vehicles, vicious action, and a mostly break-neck storytelling pace. This iteration also features plenty of jokes and propaganda-y portrayals that don't age well, an inconsistent tone - sometimes brutal, other times irritatingly non-sensical, and startling lack of empathy to and among the characters.
The main character naturally gets the most love - the humor, the eye candy, the visual appeal, the plot and humanity (barely) all stem from and center ... |
