[Anime - Commentary] Anime Rec List: Part 2: Sci-Fi

Part 1 ~ Part 2

ANIME CLASSICS (as it were)

Part 2: SCI-FI MUST SEES

Title: Darker than Black
Sci-fi/Fantasy Elements: Futurism, Technology, Superior Genetics, Robots/A.I.
Summary: An assassin, his handler and his A.I. partner uncover the mysteries which surround their society - at the cost of their own lives?
Why you may not like it: Randomness. Story-telling is rather disjointed.
Why I think you must see it: There is something about "Darker than Black" that makes you wonder... about life at large... and in particular - about memory and the dangers of technology. The main hero, a quiet character with a dark, disturbing past, really makes you wonder what is going on in his head... and what drives him to do the things he does... A great side cast - combined with interesting music, makes for an interesting discussion on killing, life and technology in general.

Title: Ergo Proxy
Sci-fi/Fantasy Elements: Utopia, Futurism, Technology, Superior Genetics, Robots/A.I.
Summary: Re-l, a cop, is investigating some murders when she gets caught up in a curious phenomenon surrounding the A.I. of Romdeau (the globe city she lives in). Leaving Romdeau with Vincent, a mysterious man hunting a dark creature, and Pino, an enlightened A.I., Re-l discovers the truth about herself, Vincent - and the world at large.
Why you may not like it: Super highbrow intellectualism, complex meanings...
Why I think you must see it: Interested in discussions on identity? In the importance of experience and its effects on reading texts and the self? In memory? In the fragmentation of identity and knowledge? Know anything about Derrida and Foucault? Want to delve into some post-modernist thinking? Ergo Proxy is the show for you! I recommend this show - not just for the art, the music, the seiyuu and the story line that tugs at your heart - but also for it's superior, complex thoughts that intertwine with the story. Rewatching this for the third time, I am still shaking my head over it...

Title: Trigun
Sci-fi/Fantasy Elements: Post-Apocalypse, Futurist, Technology, Superior Genetics
Summary: Vash the Stampede is considered a natural disaster - because he apparently single-handedly destroyed the entire city of July. However, as Vash's past collides with the present, his friends realize that more is at stake than a city... perhaps, the whole planet.
Why you may not like it: Western elements. I mean, like WESTERN. Like, cowboy styled elements in it. You hate cowboys... it may take you a while to like this...
Why I think you must see it: Trigun is unique. There is no other serious that combines the "cowboy" style so well with the futuristic visions of sci-fi. "Cowboy Bebop" is close - but Trigun has the additional issue of brothers... and genetics... and what happens when family issues threaten to destroy a planet. You can't get more angst than that...

Title: Trinity Blood
Sci-fi/Fantasy Elements: Vampire Viruses, Technology, Futurist, Post-Armageddon, Superior Genetics
Summary: A nun, Esther, joins the Vatican's secret service - serving alongside very interesting characters. The most mysterious one is Father Abel who holds secrets going back... hundreds and hundreds of years...
Why you may not like it: ..... I don't know why you wouldn't like it...
Why I think you must see it: Trinity Blood is an amazing show - and draws from a very complex, well-written series of books. As such, the anime merely scratches the surface of a very large mythology. Still, the quality of animation, voice action and music is stellar - as well as the development of the various characters. The journey of Father Abel and his fellow priests and nuns is an interesting journey exploring issues of race... and technology....

[Anime - Commentary] Anime Rec List: Part 1: Fantasy

ANIME CLASSICS (as it were)

Part 1: FANTASY MUST SEES

Title: Blood+
Fantasy Elements: Vampirism
Summary: Saya, as she regains her memory, is torn between duty and identity. Will her brothers, Kai and Riku, and her Chevalier, Haji, be able to help or be destroyed in the process?
Why you may not like it: Long. Takes time getting into the story.
Why I think you must see it: Of all the anime shows that I have seen, I think this one is the most cosmopolitan. Often times, anime is so set in Japan it almost becomes claustrophobic. This one isn't afraid to break boundaries of time and space. Settings in Russia, France, Britain and America, besides Japan, give a great feel for world-wide struggles.

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist
Fantasy Elements: Alchemy, Alternate Dimensions
Summary: Two brothers, Ed and Al, are on a quest to regain what they have lost - Ed's body and Al's limbs. Al will do anything to regain Ed's body - will it be at the cost of his own life?
Why you may not like it: Long. Takes time getting into the story.
Why I think you must see it: There is something about the whole feel of the show that is very original. Music and animation style are quite interesting - and the use of alchemy is very complex and well-thought out in this story. The moral - "there is always an exchange" - is very deep and explores something that few shows will go into.

Title: Hellsing
Fantasy Elements: Demons, Vampires, Werewolves and Religion
Summary: The Protestants have the ultimate defense, Alucard. The Catholics have an amazing warrior priest. And Nazis are building a Fourth Reich... How is the newly undead Victoria going to fit into this?
Why you may not like it: Excessive gore.
Why I think you must see it: If you have nothing against excessive gore, this is the show for you. Alucard (who is Dracula, in reality) is just too amazing. After seeing him do battle, any other vampire show will lose its pizzazz. There is something about the way he tears arms off... and reconstitutes his body... It makes you wonder if he will ever bite the bullet in the end.

Title: Kyo Kara Maoh
Fantasy Elements: Alternate Dimensions, Demons, Strange Creatures, Magic Swords, Magic, Anything that could be fantasy cliched material
Summary: A boy is flushed down the toilet to another world, where he is informed that he is the new Demon King. How is he to cope with living between two worlds? And what happens when both worlds threaten to collide?
Why you may not like it: Corny. Mildly shounen-ai... >>;;; (ie. He gets a boy fiancee by accident.)
Why I think you must see it: This show is the ultimate in corny magic saga. The sword, for example, is a rip off of Vampire Hunter D's sword - and incredibly noisy. But setting aside the corniness, this saga is almost artistic in its corniness... and is sure to make you laugh...

Title: Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro
Fantasy Elements: Demons, Weird Mutations and permutations...
Summary: A young girl, Yako, teams up (rather unwillingly) with a demon called Neuro who feeds on the negative energies that come from solved mysteries.
Why you may not like it: Twisted, macabre.
Why I think you must see it: Koyasu Takehito as Neuro - is at his best. There is something about the manically cheerful Neuro (in front of customers) and the vicious Neuro (alone with Yako) which is charming. The mysteries are also very twisted and come with interesting side characters that make you quirk your brow. Combined with crazy artwork, this show is designed for twisted people who like to watch twisted stuff.

Title: Petshop of Horrors
Fantasy Elements: Fantasy Creatures, Vampirism(?), Mermaids, Man-eating Rabbits, Shapeshifting (?)
Summary: A detective in L.A., Leon, is investigating a string of murders that he thinks are linked to a petshop in Chinatown. Thing is, this petshop is run by a peculiarly beautiful man called D - who fascinates and intrigues the detective... and the viewer...
Why you may not like it: Disturbing.
Why I think you must see it: If you are into horror and are into pro-environment morals, this is a great show to root for the downtrodden nature around us. Count D is an amazing advocate for right living - at the cost of his own customer's lives! We, like Leon, are drawn to the mesmerizing evil and beauty of D.

Title: Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho
Fantasy Elements: Demons, Spirit World, Super Hero-type powers, Apocalypse
Summary: A bunch of messed up teens end up getting superpowers from the spirit world - and try to save the world by bringing back balance to various spiritual places etc.
Why you may not like it: Complicated. One episode was animated badly...
Why I think you must see it: The animation - action and artwork - is really amazing (despite that one episode that made us all puzzled over). There is a detailed complex world in this show - and the endnotes on some of the better subs are extremely helpful for understanding the Buddhist and Shinto parts of it.

Title: Vision of Escaflowne
Fantasy Elements: Magic, Alternate Dimensions
Summary: A girl is taken to another dimension where she aids various people to find freedom and gain victory over a common, evil foe.
Why you may not like it: Vintage style of animation which caused weird noses.
Why I think you must see it: It's really the starter for most anime fantasy. The whole 'girl travels to another world' hadn't gotten old yet, and there are alot of interesting characters along the way. It is really quite epic in scope.

Title: Witch Hunter Robin
Fantasy Elements: Witches, Magic
Summary: Robin is a Witch Hunter - and develops her own witch powers. Will Amon and her coworkers hunt her down - or recognize her to be what she really is...
Why you may not like it: Takes its time building up...
Why I think you must see it: If you let it, this show will grow on you. Great animation and seiyuu make for an awesome production - along with a rather complex discussion on "othering"... The ending is... interesting... but there is an interesting development between Amon and Robin that keeps us guessing...

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Next up: Science Fiction!!!

[Reading] Pyramids by Terry Pratchett

Pyramids by Terry Pratchett is a very amusing book (so far). I really enjoyed the movie of his first two books. The movie was titled The Colour of Magic - and was quite enjoyable!

My favourite part in the book so far is when the new king (Pharoah), a young man is looking at his dead father just newly mummified:


"Part of him, which still lived in Ankh-Morpork, said: this is a dead body, wrapped up in bandages, surely they can't think that this will help him get better? In Ankh, you die and they bury you or burn you or throw you to the ravens. Here, it just means you slow down a bit and get given all the best food. It's ridiculous, how can you run a kingdom like this? They seem to think that being dead is like being deaf, you just have to speak up a bit."

My favourite character in the whole Discworld series is Death. As can be seen by this excerpt, wherein the now dead Pharoah is observing his body's preperation for mummification:

"Behind him a voice said, GOOD MORNING.
The king turned.
'Hallo', he said. 'You'd be -"
DEATH, said Death.
The king looked surprised.
'I understood that Death came as a three-headed giant scarab beetle,' he said.
Death shrugged, WELL. NOW YOU KNOW.
'What's that thing in your hand?'
THIS? IT'S A SCYTHE.
'Strange-looking object, isn't it?' said the pharoah. 'I thought Death carried the Flail of Mercy and the Reaping Hook of Justice.'
Death appeared to think about this.
WHAT IN? he said.
'Pardon?'
ARE WE STILL TALKINGA BOUT A SCARAB BEETLE?"

Yes. In the movie, Death has the honour of having the voice talent of Christopher Lee. Nice touch, I think....

[Anime - Commentary] A Time for Tears...

TOP Naruto Moments Which Make Me CRY!

1. Neji: Tragic Family History

There is something about his fight with the Sound-nin that makes me sad... Perhaps it's his desperation? His memories... His "ah well, I'm going to die anyways" kind of outlook... I don't know... There's just something pitiful about Neji...

2. Naruto and Sasuke: Tragic Friendship?

Naruto and Sasuke........ I hate them as characters. Sasuke needs to be spanked... Naruto is too stupid to deserve life at the beginning... but by the time this episode comes around.... You kinda feel bad for the boys. Especially since it seems like their friendship is doomed.... This moment in the anime was supreme animation and art... Just a heartfelt moment... That was awesomely quiet but had so many words unsaid...

3. Chouji: Tragic Unsung Hero

Here's another example of the unsung hero. I really love it when he realizes that he has more friends that he ever thought possible. The whole tree/butterfly moments were golden.

Maybe because I understand how Chouji felt all that time... never being accepted because he was considered too slow or stupid... I was also always the last one to be chosen for team sports. One day maybe I will burst out as a beautiful butterfly one day - like Chouji. Haha.

4. Kimimaru: Tragic Tragic Flaw

Kimimaru did everything with the best of intentions - but for misguided reasons with so much misinformation on life that it is sad. Being crushed by a kind-hearted, but monosyllabic Gaara could perhaps be the highlight of his life... and the best thing for him.

5. Zabuza and Haku: Tragic Pairing

Next to Kimimaru, the only other "anti-hero" I was truly sad about were Zabuza and Haku. There is something about the whole death thing... the uselessness of their struggle... the snow falling... the realization of bonds as death takes over...

"You will go there - you and he together."

Kakashi's words encapsulate the final feelings of the audience. For some reason, despite the years that have passed since that first season, I feel the sadness...

6. Sandaime: A Celebration of Sacrifice

The Sandaime is not a poster boy for Ninja Life. He's old. Wrinkled. Has moles. And a crackly voice. But I cry all the time when he dies because he meant well... and even at the end, he cared for Orochimaru... because when he dies, he sees his young student - not the ugly villain. When Naruto knocks Gaara out and Sandaime talks about his hope for the future... I cry like a baby.

Every time.

"Where the Konoha dance, fire burns
The shadow of the fire will flash over the village
and the leaves will grow once again."

I can't end this post better than that!