The Basics of Basics - Mid-Season Update
I’ve been busy lately; and during this time I appreciate my anime viewing habits all the more.
In some ways, as adults, anime is a luxury that few can afford in excess–and it’s not so much a cost issue but a time and effort issue. Thanks to things like fansubbing and lawless digital distribution a person like me can afford both the technical complexity (like, not have to deal with DRM) and easy access to a large library of works. With the help of my anime-watching brethren, bloggers, and like-minded internet peeps, I can even fine-tune my selection with helps of all kinds of review websites, blogs, and old fashion word-of-mouth.
And because my anime watching is limited I treasure the few shows I get to watch even more. It’s lovely how scarcity makes you look at something in a different light.
I wish I also had the time to share all my insights, but why blog when I don’t even have the time to watch the show I like? It’s a puzzling dilemma.
Still, it’s important to sing praise where it’s due, so to get on with it:
Macross Frontier - Amusingly, despite its imperfections, it delivers. Maybe the magic behind Macross is that it is a fairly silly and flawed, but entertaining adventure with drool-worthy toys to sell and the generic aspiration of an (American) idol. And it just happens that idol entertainment is really in these days. Anyways, not complaining about how I love it when a plan comes together. Few franchises that span generations are so unashamed and so blatant. From the get-go we are asked which one to kiss!
Kurenai - Those who have traversed through the magical land of New York City of Red Garden can attest to how you take your weaknesses and forge them into new strengths in Kurenai. Granted we’re no longer talking about walking dead people but some kind of strange and mystical feudal Japan lineage problem, but its unique production style and sharing of artistic designs invariably link the two shows together. It’s even MORE like Gilmore Girls than ever before, which isn’t a bad thing per se. It just makes it no easier to stomach than Red Garden.
Kaiba - There’s just as much intrigue with this show as with Kurenai. The difference is that there’s only one-tenth of the dialog and one-half the laughs. It also reminds me I really should buy those Tweeny Witches DVDs. I have to say that I like this more though.
Tower of Druaga - How many people have actually played the original game? I have faint memories of it, but why would anyone evoke random 80s video game names with their shows? Leaving the novel release format aside, the show is a very hearty, non-serious adventure that should charm most viewers. And it is all about charm. For what it is worth I did buy the season pass for the show from Bost TV, even if somehow my home internet connection have problems with that site.
Code Geass R2 - Mai Hime of 2008. Now with more slutbiri.
Soul Eater - I can care less about shounen adventures but I really like stylish visuals and killer animation. Soul Eater delivers this in spades. In fact, it even knows that people don’t really care about shounen adventures.
Toshokan Sensou - If Tokyotosho goes to war, will you pick up your rifle? I jest, but between the great voice acting and the heart warming, but crappy excuse for character drama, I have unconsciously pushed this title on the top of the to-watch pile.
And I have a large to-watch pile. But a smaller pile of praises. So I’ll stop here.
Slutbiri, omo.
The proper term is slutbiri.
That should be a catchphrase. Now with ten times the slutburi in every bag!™
It’s slutburi because it’s funnier that way.
Tweeny WItches deal Best Buy has v1 and v2 for $10 each:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8729619&type=product&id=1803338
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8771821&type=product&id=1840333
slutbirism drove your choice of images?
I’m with you on all of these, but Masumune Shirow’s Real Drive is rad too.
Macross F is starting to scare me with its failing animation quality. I just watched Macross Plus again and frankly, Frontier’s still not up to that level.
[but why would anyone evoke random 80s video game names with their shows]
The reason is rather simply, as Gonzo is using it as a base to advertise their MMORPG “The Tower of Druaga: the Recovery of BABYLIM”. Currently a japanese server is avalible no plans for an english server yet.
That’s good to know, thanks zaeris.
otou-san: I am watching RD and I do like what I see, but I’m still holding out on it right now.
And okay, fine, slutbiri.
Does download from BOST fail too, or just the flash viewer? I’ve seen Keitai Shoujo streamed, but for Druaga I’m downloading. It’s quite convenient.
Both failed for me. It seems like the connection will run for a few megabytes and then drop.
I can still get to the download and the stream at work (:ninja:) so I can watch it on my commute or something.