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Jul 16, 2013
Makota Shinkai shows no signs of slowing down. He's brutishly rammed his way into the anime scene, with beautiful, heartbreaking tales and lavish, highly detailed art and animation. Now, he's back again, with Kotonoho no Niwa - known as Garden of Words in English.
This short film doesn't quite measure up to Shinkai's previous efforts, but it's still a capable tale with beautiful art. It's a simple story of romance, between fifteen year old Takao and Yukino, a twenty seven year old woman. Yeah, that's quite an age gap. A story like this is rarely explored, so I was intrigued from the start. Unfortunately, it
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doesn't quite match its potential. With only 46 minutes of running time, Shinkai does his best though. The romance doesn't come as naturally as one might like, as it sort of rushed. Hell, I still think it pulled it off as best as possible with its limited runtime.
While the romance feels a bit contrived, the dialogue is quite good. The conversations are simplistic in nature; no dwelling on the meaning of life or feelings being said aloud, it's small talk. Normal, everyday, REALISTIC dialogue. It doesn't spoon feed you everything with the dialogue, you have to read between the lines.
The character interactions feel natural and heartfelt, but the characters themselves aren't particularly fleshed out. The limited running time really does put a strain on the film. I honestly wish Shinkai would have lengthened this film, to really improve the romance and character aspects. You learn a bit about the two leads, but not enough to really say "Wow, we know a lot about them". It's a shame.
On the other hand, the art is fucking fantastic. This might be his best looking film to date. Hell, it might be the best looking anime film! The scenery is exquisitely detailed and refined, there are no distortions or glitches here. Well, at least not that I can tell. The garden scenes are particularly noteworthy, as the cascading rain falls on trees and shrubs, creating a pristine sight. This film really is something to look at. On the animation fronts, everything moves well and scene transitions are top notch. Character designs are pretty great as well; they look very realistic.
The sound is mainly comprised of piano tracks, and it works well with the film. There is one vocal track, aptly titled "Rain", that kicks in near the end. It's a great listen, and really captures the emotions of the movie. The voice acting is top-notch, especially during that final scene (DAYYYYUMMM)!
It's not Shinkai's best work in terms of storytelling or characters, but it is definitely his most aesthetically pleasing. Despite the issues I had with the story and characters, Garden of Words is definitely something that shouldn't be missed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jul 16, 2013
Going into this show, I knew little about it. I had been recommended to it by a friend of mine, who simply told me it was a "magical girl" show. I'm not super familiar with the various genres and tropes of the anime world, but the name brought to mind Sailor Moon. So I figured it was going to be a cute, fun, if a bit lighthearted ride.
I was pretty much dead wrong.
Madoka Magica opens up with three lighthearted episodes. It builds up the concept of a magical girl, which are tasked with protecting the world from the nefarious witches. It introduces us to
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a few characters, who are all thrilled at the idea of becoming this "magical girl". And then the show plummets into very dark material. All the preconceptions you made about the series are thrown out the window, and it completely knocks you on your ass. The plot is filled with twists and turns, exciting revelations, and the occasional drop of blood. It's not what it seems, I can tell you that. The story is quite intricate and complex and will surprise you constantly. The ending is also well done, though it does drag on a bit too long. All in all, the complex story is really the strongest aspect of the series.
The characters are a bit weaker, in my opinion. The title character, Madoka, is usually on the sidelines for the majority of the show, watching her friends suffer and despair over the terrifying events that take hold of their lives. Her attitude makes sense for her character, but it is also ceaselessly annoying. She gets better as the series progresses, and her character slowly develops, but it can still be grating to hear her constant whining.
The rest of the cast, though, is quite good. Sayaka, in particular, goes through quite a bit of development as the things she's doing and seeing begin to weigh on her mind. Homura, who initially seems to be cold and stoic, is revealed bit by bit to be more than what appears. There are others, but I don't want to drag this review out for too long.
The animation and artwork get the job done. The highly stylized character designs stood out for me, in a good way. They also go a long way in deceiving viewers into believing this show is something it obviously isn't. The rest of the art is good, but not amazing. The animation seemed fluid enough, but I did notice a bit of stiltedness in certain scenes.
The soundtrack serves the show well, mirroring the emotional highs and lows the storyline goes through. It can go from lighthearted, uplifting fare (in the early episodes) to downright dark in some tracks. The opening in particular is very good, I have that on repeat right now.
I've gotta be honest, the show didn't really connect to me emotionally. I mean, it's not like I didn't care, it just felt like the climax should have got to me a bit more than it did. Despite some character issues and some mild plot holes (which really shouldn't be held against the show, the plot is so damn multi-layered and broad that it doesn't really matter), I really enjoyed this show. It's not quite as good as I expected, especially after seeing reviews and reactions online. Still, a very enjoyable ride and I do recommend you give it a watch.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jul 15, 2013
Akira has been lamented as a work of pure genius and one of the most important works in the medium. It has also been criticized for its supposedly overly complex plot and gratuitous violence. It has been called revolutionary. It has been called disgusting. It has been called beautiful. It has been called overrated. I am just one man, so I can't give you all the answers, but I can tell you one thing.
I really fucking love this movie.
I've seen it, in total, three times. Each time brings a new level of understanding to the film. The plot is very complex and will probably take
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you at least two viewings to truly grasp what transpired over it's two hour runtime.
It's set in Tokyo, after a catastrophic event leveled the city thirty one years earlier. It's been rebuilt into a dystopia ran by corrupt politicians. The streets are a war zone, as terrorists and protesters launch attacks daily. The city is destroying itself from the inside out. Not only that, but the government has been conducting experiments in an attempt to control extremely powerful psychic beings, who caused the damn destruction of the city in the first place. All of this, mixed in with a group of teenagers in the wrong place at the wrong time, creates a very complex and multi-faceted plot.
I've heard the manga is very long and a lot of it had to be condensed into one film, and you can see a bit of strain here and there. Some plot lines aren't as fleshed out as others, some characters who seem to hold importance only make brief appearances. Despite all of this, the film really excels with its philosophical and intellectual themes and at its core, a story of two friends torn apart by the circumstances that be.
There are quite a bit of characters in the film, from the military Colonel who only wants to save his city, to the mad scientist intent on learning the "secrets of the universe". Due to the limited running time, a lot of characters are only thing archetypes and don't get much development. This is a shame, but it doesn't really detract from the overall experience.
Besides the Colonel (who is a very awesome character, if you ask me), only two other characters really have depth. That would be Kaneda and Tetsuo, two life-long friends who are forced to turn against each other. Tetsuo in particular, as his character is morphed into something completely different from when the film starts. It's intriguing to watch as their relationship changes over the course of the film.
Artistically, Akira is a marvel, especially for its time. The sheer detail in the sprawling, mangled cityscapes is particularly beautiful. Every shot has exquisite detail; it's crazy thinking about how much work went into this film. The film's look matches the dystopian setting perfectly. While the art is great, it's the animation that really excels. Every motion is extremely fluid and blends together realistically. The lip movements are perfectly synced to the voices as well (which is kind of rare, in my experience).
The only detractors are the rather bland character designs. Several of the characters (especially the teenagers) have similar looking faces and it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart. It's a small problem, but I felt like it was worth mentioning nonetheless.
The soundtrack is a booming behemoth of a creature. Industrial beats and ravaged, breathy chants blend together well, complementing the grotesque mood of the film. The sound effects are good as well, it captures the whirring of the motorcycles and the explosive action sequences well.
The first two times I watched the film, I selected the English audio track. For the most recent viewing, I decided to use the Japanese audio track. While the English was pretty good overall, the film benefits from its native language. I felt like I understood the film better with the subtitles, honestly. Hey, though, it's up to you on which audio track you want to listen to.
As for my personal enjoyment, I find this film to be incredibly entertaining. I hear the word "boring" getting thrown around a lot with this film, and I completely disagree. It has visually stunning actions sequences, a complex plot with many themes, good character interaction, and an ending that is still being interpreted to this day. Is it perfect? No, of course not. The plot can seem a little strained at times, and some characters are underdeveloped. You know what though? I honestly do not care. The film enraptured me from start to finish.
And you've gotta admit, Kaneda's bike is badass.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jul 12, 2013
Shinichiro Watanabe blew me away with Cowboy Bebop, a science fiction tale with a bit of jazz music and western influences thrown in. This time around, it's Samurai Champloo, a samurai tale set in the Edo period of Japan. Of course, it wouldn't be Watanabe without the odd amalgam of genres and tropes. Champloo, also known as Champuru, is an Okinawa word meaning "blend", though I think "remix" works better. This describes the series perfectly. Samurai and Japanese history is interesting enough, but it really intrigues when a hip-hop soundtrack and urban influence is thrown in to the mix.
The plot isn't anything too fancy or
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layered. It focuses on Fuu and her search for the "samurai who smells of sunflowers" and her two "bodyguards", Mugen and Jin. This is just really a core plot to keep the group moving, the real fun comes with the many wild, crazy adventures they get themselves in while on the trip. The individual stories are so creative and interesting, things never get bored. One episodic could be a comedic romp focusing on the early years of baseball, or another could be a heartbreaking and violent tale of betrayal. Some of the episodes are weaker than others, and sometimes I wished the show was a bit more intelligent...but I digress. The show has it all; comedy, drama, and even more importantly, fun.
Like Bebop, the show is episodic in nature, and the only real binding ties are the main characters. Each one is well developed and interesting, with intriguing pasts that are revealed bit by bit over the course of the series (once again, similar to Bebop). Though the characters by themselves are great, it's the fantastic interaction between them all that really shines. They all have completely different ways of thinking, so it's a great formula for character interaction.
The studio behind this project is Manglobe, which I'm not very familiar with. That being said, they did an excellent job with the art and animation for this show. The action sequences are some of the most fluid and well-animated in the medium. They're top notch, and this series is around nine years old now. The urban look of the show complements the hip hop soundtrack and badass fight scenes. It's a nice departure from the usual standard samurai look that you see so often.
The soundtrack is extraordinary. Who could have known hip hop would meld so perfectly with samurai? It works perfectly with the urban, stylized art style, and makes the series even more badass than it already is. The opening theme, in particular, is a wonderful piece of music. It's also worth mentioning that beatboxing and rapping also make appearances in the show from time to time, usually in a comedic nature. I'm not quite sure if the soundtrack is up to par to Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelt's work on Bebop, but it's pretty damn close.
I know I've mentioned Bebop a lot throughout this review, but it really is unfair to dock this series because "it's not as good as Bebop". It's a great series in its own right. With beautiful animation, visceral action sequences, a memorable soundtrack, great dialogue, and interesting characters...Samurai Champloo earns a hearty recommendation.
For reference, my favorite episodes are:
5. Baseball Blues
4. Gamblers and Gallantry
3. Elegy of Entrapment (Verses 1 & 2)
2. Misguided Miscreants (Verses 1 & 2)
1. Evanescent Encounter (Verses 1, 2, & 3)
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jul 10, 2013
I've been on a roll with this Cowboy Bebop show. Just finished the series earlier today, and now I'm done with the film. Let's jump into this review!
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is essentially a high budget, longer than usual episode of the show. And you know what? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. This time around, we've got Spike and company going up against Vincent, an ex-military soldier turned bio-terrorist. He's launched a campaign of carnage on Mars, leaving a path of destruction in his wake. Oh, and there's a 300 million Woolong bounty on the fellow.
It's a typical Cowboy Bebop story, and it
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works fine. The whole gang is back, plus some new additions. Of course, you've got the villain, Vincent. He's not just an evil maniacal villain, he has motivations for his actions and everything makes sense with him character wise. He's a pretty compelling villain, honestly. Also helps that he's a complete badass, going toe to toe with Spike in hand-to-hand combat.
We've also got Electra, a military agent with connections to Vincent. She's also pretty well-developed. She can kick some ass too. There are a few other minor new characters, but they're not really worth mentioning. Spike is the focus in this film, so the rest of the Bebop crew don't get a whole lot to do, but every character gets a few good moments.
With a bigger budget, Sunrise went all out on this. Cowboy Bebop was a very well animated series for its time, and the movie is ten times better. And hell, this came out in 2001. The fluidity is even better in the film, everything looks natural, especially in the visceral action sequences. The final battle in the film is some of the most exciting stuff I've seen in an animated feature.
The lighting effects are awesome as well. You didn't get a whole lot of this in Bebop (at least, I don't recall anything this grandiose) so it's refreshing to see such great lighting. The character designs are basically the same, with some added splendor due to the film's higher fidelity. The film uses a dull color palette, which fits with the mood of Bebop.
The soundtrack is a solid follow up to the series. It's nothing short of brilliant. Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts kill it once again. The music fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the film, and the opening and closing tunes are superb. The soundtrack also knows when to go silent, just to let character moments play it out based on performance alone.
Yeah, it's just another great Bebop adventure. And I've come to the realization that this is; I don't have anything else Bebop related to watch. That makes me sad. But hey, I might just watch the whole series over again.
See ya, space cowboy.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jul 10, 2013
I'm not one to jump on the hype train. I try to not get high hopes for anything, because usually you are going to be let down. I've heard the praise for this show so many times over the years. Google "Top Ten Anime Series" and almost every list will have Bebop in it, usually at #1. So I went in hesitantly, and I've gotta tell you...
Cowboy Bebop is a goddamn masterpiece.
Each episode is usually standalone. That right there tends to steer a lot of would-be viewers away from this series. Even I was a bit hesitant to plunge into a show with an episodic
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structure. But I'll tell you, this show really pulls it off. There are a few episodes that connect together, but for the most part, it's a standalone affair.
The series follows the bounty hunting crew of the good ship Bebop in the year 2071. It depicts their daily lives as bounty hunters, as well as giving us insight into their pasts. Most episodes or "sessions" as they are called, tend to focus on the crew attempting to secure a bounty. This might sound a tad bit repetitive, but I swear it's not. The sheer unpredictability and creativity that is put into each session assures the audience that things will never get boring.
The strength of the show really isn't in its plot, though. It's the characters that drive the series forward. They are all incredibly well developed, which is an amazing feat due to the episodic nature of the show. Each of the four principle characters are completely different, and they all feel real and authentic.
Them all being squeezed into one ship creates a brilliant stew of character interaction. Their ideals and viewpoints clash on the regular, which creates some interesting scenes. They also bond over time, even though some of the characters try their best to hide it.
Their pasts are also heavily explored, as one of the recurring themes throughout the show is that your past will always catch up with you. This applies more to the central character, Spike Spiegel, more than the rest however. Each member of the main cast gets a few episodes specifically focusing on them, adopting a flashback format. These are generally the best episodes of the show, in my opinion.
I fell in love with these characters, and it was heartbreaking to see them go through so many ordeals. Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed won't leave your mind for a long time after you finish the show.
The art and animation are incredibly good for its time. There are some series now that fail to reach Bebop's level of artistic beauty and fluid animation. For example, Trigun, which came out around the same time, is nothing compared to Sunrise's work on Bebop. The art isn't too flashy, but it perfectly creates a realistic space western feel. You feel like this world has been lived in, and things aren't always pretty. The character designs in particular are impressive, as each member of the cast has a different and recognizable look.
The animation is flawless. Absolutely flawless. This is expertly conveyed in the action scenes, which have a naturalistic and fluid feel to them that is rarely achieved in anime. The only flaw on the art and animation fronts is the computer generated graphics that are used several times during the show. They look out of place and don't really meld well with the environments, but hey, the show came out in 1998! I think I can cut it some slack. Still worth mentioning though.
The soundtrack is where this show excels at a level I don't think I've ever heard before. The mix of jazz and blues, with a little bit of classic rock thrown in brings the show to life. It fits the mood of the show perfectly, even though it might sound odd for a science fiction show. It works, though, I swear it. As a testament to its greatness, I'm listening to the soundtrack right now, as I write this review. Props to Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts, for real. I mean, "Space Lion" is one of the greatest tracks I've ever heard.
The English dubbing of this show is in a class of its own. It fits the show perfectly, with each cast member giving it their all. I don't know how good the Japanese audio track is, but it's going to be hard to beat this. It's fucking unbelievable. I mean, Steve Blum kills it.
This show is considered a classic today. I had heard all the praise. Not once did I buy it. I went into this show thinking that it probably wasn't going to live up to its praise. I was wrong. Dead wrong.
The sophistication of it's themes and characters are unrivaled in anime. The beautiful art and stunning animation. The wonderful soundtrack. The great ending. Oh yes, the ending. It's a stunning conclusion that managed to wow me and break my heart at the same time. This is animation at its finest.
For reference, here are my top five favorite episodes:
5. Waltz for Venus/Pierrot Le Fou
4. Hard Luck Woman
3. Ballad of Fallen Angels
2. Jupiter Jazz (Parts I & II)
1. The Real Folk Blues (Parts I & II)
See you, space cowboy.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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