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Jul 19, 2009
OK, so here it is. My latest review.
Just recently I finished watching Suna Bouzu, and I really have to say that I have some mixed feelings about it. I think the show had a great deal of potential which remained unused for the most part, due to a few unfortunate lapses in the show.
Story: 6
The story was for the most part decent, if a little unoriginal. The setting is a post - apocalyptic desert where people must use whatever they can to survive the harsh conditions (Road Warrior, anyone?) However, the structure of the show is slightly odd, in that it is very episodic right
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up until about episode 15 or 16, then it switches to have an overall story arc, where there was really nothing tying the previous episodes together before. Like I said though, the story is fairly unorginal - a conspiracy laden government....mysterious ruins from the past containing legendary super - weapons. You get the picture.
Art: 7
The art is pretty good, if a little dated and undetailed. The character design is quite good, as all the characters have their own distinct look and personality to go with that look. Sadly, the setting does not lend itself to panoramic vistas (jt's a boring desert) so the background suffers at times, looking far to bland. Other than that, the art is very standard.
Sound: 7
I can't say I noticed the music for the most part, except for the first opening theme, which is a jazz - inspired piece over live action clips of a guy dressed as the eponymous Sunabouzu. It's a fun introduction to the show which sets up the tone of the show quite well. Other than that though, I'm assuming that the music is pretty standard fare is it was so unnoticeable. In terms of voice acting there was some solid talent up there, with some good voices for each character, however dislikeable they may be. I did appreciate Wakamoto Norio (AAAAMMMEEN!) as 'the Repo Man of Souls'
Character: 5
The characters are the biggest stumbling block that there are in this show, at least to my mind. The lead, Kanta (the Sunabouzu) is just a terrible person. He's stupid, greedy, arrogant, incredibly perverted...you name it, he's got it. I would say he's one part Vash the Stampede, and a about nine parts Borat. Ordinarly these traits in a character just provide a bit of variety, but Kanta displays them to such an extent that it detracts from the rest of the show. Many of the other characters are quite difficult to like as well...Asagiri Junko, one of the major characters is manipulative where Kanta is stupid to the extent where she is no longer possible to empathize with. Kosuna, the main character's sidekick, is not an unlikeable character, but her voice and squeaky laughter pretty much achieve the same thing. That said, some characters are great, but sadly most of these are the supporting cast, such as the Repo Man of Souls I mentioned earlier, who is positively hilarious and pretty much saved the show for me.
Enjoyment: 6
Now that's a tough one. The problem I had with this show, apart from the characters, was the inconsitancy of it, in the quality of the episodes, no less. Essentially, it's like every other episode must be rolling on the floor funny, or cringe - inducingly painful. There's one scene in the second episode which still makes me laugh (I won't give away any details) but on the other hand I've had to block Kanta's behaviour from my mind.
Overall: 6
This show is packed with Ecchi. The title of the first episode (The Demon and the Double Ds) pretty much says it all. If you think you'll be offended by it or the huge amount of pervertedness that accompanies it than please do not watch this.
I would reccomend watching this only if you like mindless humor and pantsu, or if you really need a break from a string of dark, psychological shows (as I did). To sum up - occasionally very funny, highly offensive and very inconsistant.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Jun 13, 2009
Alright, so this here is my first review on MAL. I'll try to make it a good one. As you can see, I'll be reveiwing Detroit Metal City.
I'd like to apologize in advance for how long this will be...
Let me say first off that if you think you will be offended by off - color humor and swearing, run away in panic now, as this show is not for you. It is filled with swearing, rape jokes, drug references and other implied naughtiness. It is not serious, of course - it is comedy and there is no nudity and little violence to be found here.
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story follows Souichi Negishi, a boy who, having recently graduated music college with the intent on forming a fashionable pop band, somehow finds himself as Johannes Krauser II, the demonic lead guitarist and vocalist for death metal group Detroit Metal City. The show is episodic in nature, so much so that they will often fit two short stories about the titular band into a single 15 minute episode. Don't expect too much in the way of an over - arching plot; it's almost a slice of life show in that respect. Despite being a comedy, the creators actually bring some interesting themes to light, such as conflicting split personalities, although they don't really develop them.
The characters are all good, though nothing to write home about. They seem to be almost charicateurs, in that they are fairly normal people, but exaggerated to the point of comedy. The only character who recieves any development even remotely is Negishi, as he does grow somewhat, his two personalities almost mixing together during the course of the show. Of course, it's to be expected when you can watch the entire series in about two and a half hours. That is my main problem with the series - it could have been much longer, as it does feel a little short. On the other hand, Negishi is actually fairly complex from the beginning, as he has some definite elements of schizophrenia, which provide some hilarious scenes as his two personalities show themselves in the wrong places.
The art is...interesting. The characters are somewhat flat and cartoonish most of the time, though there is the occasional scene where the animation is nothing short of stunning. The frame tends to change in size from shot to shot, presumably to create some kind of effect. You may find it irritating at first, but you'll quickly stop noticing it as you get caught up in the humor and the music.
This, of course is the series' main strength. How could it not be, as this is a show about music. There is a fairly high range of music, including pop, punk, freestyle rap and death metal. The songs are all original, unless I am much mistaken. Please don't expect too much in terms of song lyrics, though, as this is a comedy and all of the styles are exaggerated - the metal songs are filled with so many gruesome and offensive themes that it just becomes ridiculous and funny rather than brutal (as was the intention), while the pop songs are cheerful and cute to offset this.
I am a fan of death metal, and can safely say that this is not actually death metal. It's actually pretty good, but the creators likely wanted to appeal to a broader audience, so there is no growling or shrieking to be heard in the metal songs. DMC's music, I would say sounds more like evil KISS, which is suitable given that the name of the band is taken from a song by KISS (Detroit Rock City).
It would have been nice to see a few more references to other musicians. They do mention Sid Vicious, but no one else gets a nod. I also found it strange that they didn't mention Sweden or Norway, the respective homes of death and black metal. They also mention 'the violent American death metal scene'. Aside from Florida, there really isn't a death metal scene in the US at all. Ah well.
Actually, this show reminds me of an American cartoon, Metalocalypse. It's similar, as it's about a super - popular death metal band with rabidly idiotic fans, though of course the band members are all idiots. I'd suggest you give it a look if you enjoyed DMC (or the other way around). Just be warned that it is very, very bloody.
My only real grievance with this show is how short it is - it is only 12 episodes, each of which are only 15 minutes long, The series does feel far to short, and you'll probably wish there were more.
Please feel free to give any feedback!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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