Otakuism

Well, Mai’s story was certainly something to cry about. Maybe I should of expected it from the beginning, but it felt more visceral than the first story. Or maybe just crueler. Mai had no idea what was going on, but in a short amount of time killed many people, including her own friend and that friend’s father. Perhaps it was a miracle that at the end she got to become a Contractor, and thus not warrant being killed at that exact moment, but at what cost? Contractors have no conscience, so she can’t even feel bad about her father’s death anymore, even though he sacrificed himself for her. I wonder if Contractors really are just killing machines, or if they are that way because people tell them so. Hei seems somewhat different, but I think that’s because he can just act like he cares really well. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that he doesn’t care about the girl at all, and maybe he doesn’t. He is the central mystery of the series. I’m still not quite sure what his power is yet. Something like Telekinesis, but also like electricity. He seems to enjoy using that knife more than it though.

Though, I did get an answer to one of my questions. I was wondering how the police knew shooting stars correlated to certain Contractors. Turns out, it’s just a bunch of mediums in glass tanks. Reminds me of Minority Report. Oh, and their controlled by that evil granny from spirited away. All joking aside, I can definitely see this leading to something big later on, maybe like the Mediums rebelling or something like that. And more hints at what lies beyond Hell’s Gate; evil flowers. Reminds me of Betterman in some ways, since in boths series plant life has amazing supernatural effects. Or I think that is where Darker than Black is heading. I was surprised by the level of violence DtB is showing. I mean, I know it’s something of a mature series, but I didn’t expect hands and heads being chopped off so suddenly. DtB is doing good so far. While being episodic, it seems to be stringing things along to show a bigger picture. Next episode looks…interesting. The Crimson Dream of Disaster Disappears in Eastern Europe. How oddly specific. I wonder if this will actually take place outside of Japan, which would be pretty cool.

The OP to Key’s newest game, Little Busters!, is not out. Very nice. The song’s catchy and the CG is looking good. I’ve never really felt very excited about Little Busters! (what with the whole three year wait and everything), but the OP made it look very interesting. I really don’t know the story, but looks to be focused on friendship, kind of like how Clannad was focused on family. I expect a Kyoani adaption by spring next year. I gurantee it.

She needs her own limiter? It seems like the TSAB is just saying “We need to lower your power so you don’t pwn the enemy so completely.” And poor Hayate has to go down four levels instead of Nanoha’s and Fate’s two. Which doesn’t make much sense she’s their commanding officer. Oh well, her limiter probably breaks when her and Rein Gattai. You just know at some point in the series Nanoha and the bunch are going to be in a pinch and request limit release, so then Chrono is going to go “LIMIT RELEASE, APPROVED!” and Amy’s gonna smash a button through glass. And then the group is going to perform FINAL FUSION power up to over 9000 and own the enemy. And it’s going to be epic when it happens. Man, it’s so easy to use mecha references for Nanoha. Take Subaru for instance. She’s a G-Stone powered Jeeg that can use Broken Magnum.

For some reason, when the alert came on I thought Fate’s car would all the sudden transform and start flying. Just a random idea I had. Anyone else think her car looks exactly like Knight Rider? Needs Bardiche to synchronize with it and act as a sarcastic sidekick. There’s your spin-off series right there. Why do Mid-childans need to drive anyways? Can’t they just teleport everywhere? Here’s a more important question: will we ever see Subaru driving a subaru?

Elio is still surprisingly awesome. He was the only one that managed to hit Nanoha, even if it was with Caro’s help. The boy still needs pants, though. His transformation is going to be akward to watch next episode. Very akward.

And, contrary to everyone else, I’m really enjoying StrikerS. It may be a little slow now, but the characters are fun and I like the new ones. I think people are too used to the fast-paced action of A’s. The original series was slow in the beginning; hell, it was pretty damn boring actually, but it got better and I’m glad I stuck with it. The shit looks to be hitting the fan next episode, so I can’t wait to see it. Spoilers: Subaru’s transformation is awesome. BUILD-UP!

Yoko wants to know what is this faggotry.

The controversy surrounding Gurren-Lagann 4 and certain comments made afterward about its quality have finally culminated in the resignation of Akai Takami, co-producer of Gurren-Lagann and member of Gainax’s Board of Directors. The controversy started with episode 4, which was directed by Osamu Kobayashi, a man with a very “unique” sense and a virtual one man studio. Fans didn’t take kindly to his rather bizarre interpretation and made their thoughts known on the GL blog, an open blog kept by the GL staff. The controversy probably would of died there, if it wasn’t for other comments made earlier in the month on a social networking site by Mimori Keiko. She basically said she hated all otaku and wished for them to die. Akai Takami chimed in, mentioning how 2ch is like an “anus” that feels itself superior to everyone else. Needless to say, these comments did not go down well, ultimately leading to Akai Takami’s resignation. It’s pretty sad actually, since Takami has been with Gainax since Daikon III and has been working on GL for five years.

So, instead of posting pics from ep.4, I’m just going to post Yoko, in order to remind everyone why GL is awesome.

As for my own impression of episode 4, I have to agree that it’s downright shitty. The animation is subpar, story illogical and boring, and the eating of Boota’s hind regions was plain bizarre. The Black Family people were pretty cool though. While Gainax keeps saying that the episode was a level of art normal people couldn’t understand, I disagree. Sure, Osamu Kobayashi can make an episode all by himself. That’s talent. But a mainstream anime is not the place to show that talent. Why Gainax thought it was a good idea to give an episode completely to this man is beyond me. Did they not think GL was going to be popular at all, and people wouldn’t care? No wonder fans were upset, as it feels like a big “fuck you,” similar to the final episodes of Evangelion. However, if it was just episode 4 that was the problem, this all would have blown over. Episode 5 would air, be awesome, and people would forget. Too bad some of the staff decided to air their grievances, in public.

If there’s anything that the internet has taught society, aside from the fact that there is porn for everything, it is that if you say something bad about someone, they will find it at some point. This fact increases exponentially when it deals with a web forum with like a million members. I’m not going to say whether the comments made, about otaku and 2ch, were correct or not. That’s a whole can full of worms I don’t feel like dealing with. However, I will say why any member of Gainax was stupid as shit to post those comments, especially a co-producer like Akai. First, whether you like it or not, otaku are going to be the first and, probably, most important fanbase you have. Here’s a hint when dealing with a fickle fanbase: don’t piss them off! They’ll just come back a hundred fold to strike back at you. Any member of Gainax should know this well, but someone still felt like posting that comment, and others agreed. Did the people of Gainax feel so high and mighty that otaku would bow down to them, no matter how shitty they were treated? Otaku may be some weak-willed people, but they’re not afraid to stand up to companies, especially when anonymity is involved, like 2ch.

There is such a thing as decorum. No matter the personal feelings of people within a company, publicly, they should be happy to everyone. It’s called good advertising and having a reputation. Don’t make potential customers angry and not willing to check out your product. And in the world of anime, reputation matters. It’s why every new Kyoani anime is heralded as the second coming of christ and every new Gonzo show as the end of the world. No matter how many exceptions, certain images stick. Gainax will probably have to deal with this publicly for a while, and it certainly mars GL’s release. No matter if the statements were true, I’m amazed that Gainax could act in such a candid way online, especially for a major company. Right now, I only hope for the best for Gainax, and especially Gurren-Lagann. But make no mistake, Gainax brought this on themselves and they’ll have to deal with it. They’ll get no sympathy from me. This is what you get for deciding to throw responsibility out the window.

Both ANN and AnimeOnDVD comfirm that Media Blasters has put Gaogaigar on hiatus for the moment, in order to move more resources to their Voltron release. A very bad decision just to leave fans hanging like this, especially in the middle of the series. And all for Volton! Who cares about Volton? It’s like the most subpar super robot show from the eighties. Where’s my Getter Robo, Mazinger Z, Grendizer, Space Runaway Ideon, etc.? I remember watching Voltron, and all I thought was that it was crap. Can’t believe they can actually devote a DVD release for this. Also, its been confirmed on the AoD forums that when Gaogaigar continues, it will be in a no-dub, subtitle format only, not that I care. Most dubs suck anyway, and I wasn’t about to change my opinion with Gaogaigar. This may hurt its sells with the casual audience though. Then again, this is a super robot show from the late nineties that pays homage to shows from the seventies. I don’t think there’s much of a casual audience at all. Oh well, I’ll still buy this. I was waiting for a boxset release, but finally broke down and ordered the first DVD + artbox, which should come soon. Hopefully I’ll be able to get the rest of the series too.

I think I’m in love.

Finally Hayate the Combat Butler steps into territory I’m unfamiliar with, me having read just the first two volumes, and this was probably the best episode yet. Hinagiku is awesome. The perfect tsundere, niether too tsun-tsun or dere-dere, just incredibly cute the whole time. She really reminds me of a more grown up Nagi, which I guess is the point. Seems like Hayate should be with her more than Nagi. He wouldn’t be arrested either. But we all know he realy wants Maria (who wouldn’t want Rie Tanaka?). And she has mad sword skills! How can I not like a girl who uses swords? Just awesome. She now trumps Isumi in my best girl of Hayate list. Those three other girls who kept talking to the audience were pretty funny too. I especially like the “Hahaha~!” girl. Reminds me of Sayuri a lot.

I completely agree with you, Hayate.

Ton of great references this time. Of course, there’s the Solid Snake one, complete with five o’clock shadow and cardboard box. You would really think that people would notice a cardboard box. Someone needs to try that in real life (or maybe they have and I just haven’t checked youtube enough). Hinagiku’s sister did the Shinsengumi’s “Swift Death to Evil” motto before using Saitou’s Gatotsu attack. Pretty cool sword fight. Hayate always seems to be straddling the gulf between comedy series and an action series, but it really does a good job combining the two. I think there was a Fist of the North Star one in there, when Hayate first fought Yukiji. Then there was the pokemon one for Tama and the teacher who spends all his time making gundam models. And referring to Nagi as a Hikikimori. That one really got to me, because it’s true. Desperately needs Nagi ranting about the NHK conspiracy. Next episode introduces the awesomely vapid Isumi, and Hayate’s best gar moment when takes on a bunch of katana-weilding yakuza. Gonna be awesome.

“I will deny everything that you are! For beer, of course.”

Story:

In the world of GARO evil demons known as Horrors exist, and are hunted down by the noble Makai Knights. One such knight is Saejima Kouga, who in an encounter with a horror accidently splashes its blood on an innocent bystander, Mitsuki Kaoru. Those tainted with Horror blood are cursed to die, Kaoru no exception, and it is Kouga’s quest throughout the series to cure her, while at the same time using her as bait for more Horrors. Along the way he meets another Makai Knight, Suzumura Rei, also known as ZERO the Silver Fang, a vengeful knight who believes Kouga killed his lover and father. There’s also the Makai Priest Amon, friend of Kouga’s late father, and his hot apprentice Jabi, Kouga’s childhood friend. When Amon is mysteriously murdered, the blame is placed on Jabi whom Kouga is ordered to kill by the Eastern Watchdogs, the lords of the area who command Kouga. Jabi is in fact innocent, and was framed by the Watchdogs, who also manipulated Rei to kill Kouga. They have allied themselves with Barago, owner of the Dark Knight KIBA, and who is the true killer of Amon, Rei’s lover, and even Kouga’s father. He has been eating Horrors in order to release the Ultimate Horror Meshia, who will be free after he has consumed 1000 horrors.

Meanwhile, Kouga finally manages to free Kaoru of her curse, only to have her kidnapped by Barago. Turns out Barago marked Kauru when she was a child as a gate for Meshia to enter the human world through. Kouga and Rei begin a desperate final battle against Barago, the Three Watchdogs in their human host of GULM, and their servant Kodoma. Kodomo and GULM are both barely defeated by Kouga and Rei, but their best efforst are to no avail, as Meshia is still released. However, instead of granting Barago the power he desires, she eats him. Kouga journeys to the underworld to destroy Meshia before she can enter Kaoru, and battles a literal army of horrors. Through Kaoru’s help he gains the power to slay Meshia, but this also frees the Dark Knight KIBA, now seperate from Barago, who chases Kouga into the real world. A final battle begins on a piece of metal falling thousands of meters through the air, and using the strength of all the great men who have had the title of GARO, Kouga slays KIBA. While Kouga and Kaoru do not get together, they both head their seperate ways, supportive of the other’s dreams.

Acting, Special Effects, and Music:

GARO being a live-action tokusatsu show, there are several other areas where I must judge it. First is acting. While I’m no good judge of it, the perfomances were satisfactory all around. Kouga at some points came across as a bit too stoic, which made him just seem akward, but did great in his emotional scenes. Kaoru was a bit too much the cheery-genki actress, but fine overall. Kouga’s father, Taiga, was the only real standout performance, but maybe that’s because he was such an awesome character. The effects in GARO just blew me away. I never thought some of this stuff could look so good in live-action. All the Horror suits were incredibly detailed, unique while frightening at the same time. The GARO and ZERO armors were also great, especially the numerous special attacks. The CG could be a bit blatant at times, but mostly mixed very well, leading to some great scenes, like Kouga walking through a world of floating kanji characters. The music is flat out awesome. One of the best OST’s I have ever heard. A mixture of japanese folklore music with modern tastes. The OP, Saviour in the Dark by Jam Project, is one of the best songs Jam Project has done, and its many variations through the series are each perfect, evoking the right kind of heroic mood.

Impressions:

Now it’s time for me to be incredibly biased: GARO is one of the best series I have ever had the pleasure of watching. While the story is somewhat simple, the way it is handled is what makes it perfect. The many elements of the show were all mixed incredibly well. The disturbed individuals the Horros possess. The excellently choreographed fight scenes, transformations, and final attacks. The budding romance between Kouga and Kaoru, and the revenge dynamic of Rei. Taking the familiar elements of tokustatsu series and applying them to the adult world. What GARO lacks in an overall intricate plot, it makes up for in pure raw emotion. I almost want to compare it to a mecha show that lacks mecha, just because of all the hotblooded action that fills the show. GARO has a lot of those “Fuck Yeah!” moments that just get your adrenaline pumping. Hell, the OP alone can do it.

As I said earlier, the fight scenes are great. While ultimately the bad guy will be defeated by some kind of special attack, there’s a hell of a lot of fighting before that, always the martial arts, hand-to-hand kind. Always cool stuff. Then there’s a couple of incredibly epic fights, like Kouga vs. Rei, with both of them falling down twin skyscrapers while still trying to kill each other; or the aformentioned Kouga vs. KIBA fight, where they both literally fight on a metal circle with a hole in the center while falling through the sky. Berserk GARO rampaging was pretty cool also. It’s pretty simple for me to go on ranting about GARO, because I think it’s so great, but I know a lot of people don’t share my views on certain shows, especially the action kind. But if you’ve ever been interested in seeing any kind of tokusatsu show, skip Kamen Rider, Ultraman, and Super Sentai; go for the adult taste of GARO. It’s a damn good time that I doubt anyone could truly not enjoy. All of GARO is currently subbed by TV-Nihon.