Cybernetics Guardian

The only thing I knew going into Cybernetics Guardian was that it was “terribad”. This is allegedly one of those old 1980’s OVAs filled with action, gore, and little else. Muddled story, poorly written characters, dumb things happening really fast? It’s supposed to have all that and nothing else. Since it was directed by Koichi Ohata, creator and director of M.D. Geist ,the so called “2nd worst anime ever made”, it is widely said that this OVA is nearly as bad. I mean that’s not an unreasonable thought. Surely the guy behind the dreck that is M.D. Geist would make other bad anime. So my expectations going into this one were as low as possible. This might explain my point of view, at least somewhat. And so with that out of the way, I was pleasantly surprised. I found this to be an engaging, entertaining, beautiful little anime.

Dante’s Inferno: An Animated Epic

“In the middle of the journey of our life I found myself within a dark woods where the straight way was lost” – Dante Alighieri

Back in the day Japan used to pump out these anthology films, short experimental works directed by the big new names in Anime. They were often highly experimental, sometimes non-narrative, always creative, artistic, and sandbox pieces. The new and cool director was given pretty much free range to direct a good 10 to 15 minutes of anime; they could do whatever they wanted in whatever way they wanted. Then the next director was given a chance to make his little piece. Want to make an anime all about the evolution and history of mankind depicted through clouds and lightning? Fine here’s the checkbook, make daddy proud. The money spent on animation and artwork alone was something no sane production company would ever greenlight today. I can’t imagine the money guys at these production studios seriously thought these would be money making endeavors, but hey it was the baburu keiki. Money was not hard to come by when the salarymen were sprinkling their sushi with gold. I half think some of these projects were ways to avoid taxes “Oh no we are going to make a profit this year, and then we will have to pay taxes! Blow it on some crazy project that will let us do a write off this year”. Think of projects like Robot Carnival, or Neo Tokyo. And yeh once in awhile they’ll throw us something similar, like this project or Short Piece, but they are ever so rare.

Jinki: Extend

Jinki: Extend is the most “anime-ed” anime out there. And I mean that in the most positive way possible. This is an anime with cute girls doing cute things, slight fanservice, Eva style philosophizing and psychoanalysis, complex storytelling, big bads hidden from the spotlight, unrequited love, exciting action, powerful drama, and of course all the characters have giant robots! I really cannot understand why this show never caught on. I hate to sound like a dork but isn’t this kind of why we watch anime? Explore one of my favorites with me!

Legend of the Dragon Kings

Few anime come with so much pre-packaged prestige as Legend of the Dragon Kings. The original novel was penned by Yoshiki Tanaka, the author of classic epics such as Legend of the Galactic Heroes and The Heroic Legend of Arslan (not to mention other hits such as Tytania ). The anime adaption was directed by old school master himself, Osamu Dezaki. Dezaki (Golgo 13: The Professional, Black Jack, Ashita no Joe) is well known for his “dramatic triple takes” and “freeze frames” in the anime he directs. When this bad boy was announced in Japan, fans were ecstatic. “Can you imagine Tanaka’s work adapted by Dezaki?”. It’s akin to say Stanley Kubrik adapting an Arthur C. Clarke novel. One master’s look at another’s work of art. What masterpiece will be created when these two geniuses work together? Well when Japanese fans got a look at this, they were sorely upset. Let’s find out why!

Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer

I know I just reviewed a Case Closed/Detective Conan movie, but I told you guys I am a super fan after all. I eat this stuff up. This is one of the few franchises that can go on for decades without losing steam, or my interest. ANDDDDDD the good news here is this film is much better than Crimson Love Letter . Let’s check it out eh!

Case Closed: The Crimson Love Letter

Case Closed is a favorite TV series of mine. I have been a major fan ever since Adult Swim played this one on tv way back in the early 2000’s. I consider myself a super fan of the show, and I even read and collect the manga. This is one of the few series that I personally find incredibly enjoyable in manga and anime form. I was very disappointed when Funimation came out and stated they would no longer adapt the series or movies for the R1 market. I was happy when Crunchyroll started to stream the tv series, but it was incredibly frustrating that they did not continue from the episode Funimation stopped on. Making the stream kind of pointless. I want to get caught up, but I can’t if they don’t cover all the episodes in between? How am I supposed to see this series if Crunchyroll started at a random episode hundreds of episodes after where Funimation stopped. I am confused at who this helps or what the logic behind that is. Also I am a huge dub fan. I think you all know that, and so I would prefer to watch this one dubbed. Anyway this is why I was ecstatic when I heard Discotek would be bringing the movies over. I was as happy as a kid on Christmas when I heard they TMS (the original Japanese animation studio) would be dubbing the movies too!! Crimson Love Letter is the 21st movie in the franchise. Let’s see how Discotek did, and how this particular film holds up.

Nightwalker: The Midnight Detective

I originally reviewed this anime when I was barely out of high school. That was 10 years ago now. I think my writing has improved somewhat since then. And I think the anime is so good it needs a little more exposure, even if that means I’ll be reviewing it for a second time. My old review is trash anyway. Be that as it may, Nightwalker: The Midnight Detective takes two of my favorite genres and mixed them together in a way that works spectacularly (for it’s far too easy to screw up genre mixing). Nightwalker combines the Gothic Horror genre (specifically the “Anne Rice romantic vampire gothic horror” type) and mystery/crime genre (specifically the lone private detective “neo-noir” type).  Nightwalker also manages to tell a complete story, although by the ending one will be begging for a second season that just isn’t gonna happen. Anyway….