Originally posted on the Anime Guidepost blog, April 28th, 2007.
I
have been so horribly busy, it's unreal. And now that Final's week is
approaching, I hope I can stay on top of it all without spontaneously
combusting! NEVERTHELESS! This does not mean I can go without my
duties to watch anime with reckless abandon. I personally have gotten
into One Piece like you would not believe. People criticize it for being
silly and not that great of a series, but that's because they're
comparing it to Fullmetal Alchemist, Evangelion, and other giants. I'd
like to think I see One Piece for what it is: laid-back entertainment. I
like the jokes, the action's not bad, and it's just fun to watch. It's
great to have that kind of diversion amidst finals.
But I am not here to review One Piece (especially since it hasn't even finished yet!) Here we go!
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (Movie Version)
Story: ****
Animation: *****
Music: *****
Overall: *****
I know I've ranted about Gundam Wing before, and this movie is no different. I love this show.
The
story takes place after the TV show, but it is not dependant upon it,
like Fullmetal's Conquerer of Shamballa. Some unsatisfied people try to
set up war in the peace everyone has worked so hard to create, so the
Gundam Pilots and other familiar faces pull together to stop them. While
the plot isn't bad, I don't think it is as put together as the TV
series was. Thus, only 4 stars.
However,
as much as I like what goes on, seeing the stellar animation is
incredible. The battles are articulate, and everything just looks so
pretty. No frames were reused here.
And the music is great as always. While I am a sucker for Two-Mix, I also love the inspiring orchestral soundtrack.
I know
I am biased on this, but Gundam Wing really is an incredible show, and
this movie wraps everything up nicely, leaving you with good feelings at
the end.
Fruits Basket (26 Episodes)Story: ****
Animation: ****
Music: ***
Overall: ****
I
know this is a bit of a turn around from what I've mostly reviewed
before, but I finally got around to watching this series, and it's been a
good stretch.
Tohru
Honda is a girl who has lost both of her parents and doesn't have a lot
of money, but she doesn't let that get her down. In fact, you could
almost say that her good attitude is infectious. So
when she comes upon the house of Shigure Sohma, she feels that she's
imposing when Shigure invites to stay with him and his relatives, Yuki
and Kyo.
However,
a curse runs through the large Sohma family. Certain members change
into an animal of the chinese zodiac when overly stressed or hugged by a
member of the opposite gender outside the Sohma family. But that is
just the surface. Beneath all of that is the deep tragedies that seem to
run through every member of the family. When Tohru comes to meet each
member, it is like a shaft of sunlight comes into their lives, giving
them the hope they need to go on. However, the head of the family is not
necessarily pleased with what Tohru is unintentionally doing.
In
spite of all that, this show runs mostly like a light-hearted comedy.
As you learn more about the characters, the more you laugh. That's how
it works with this show! It's only at the end does the laughter step
aside, allowing for a touching end.
The
story all in all is pretty neat, but the episodes could almost be
watched in any order because it is so episodic. The other problem is
that the story only goes so far. Having read the manga, I know that
there is so much more to tell, and that Akito, the head of the Sohma
family, isn't that easily defeated. I would have loved to see the school
play animated. It was hilarious.
The
animation is good. While there isn't a whole lot of action, the editing
and the silly little things make up the difference. It has been
pleasant, considering the things I've seen Studio Deen do before, mostly
being Mon Colle Knights, Soul Hunter, and Rave Master. I guess this
means they're improving.
The music is just okay. It sets the proper mood, but it doesn't magnify anything.
I
mostly enjoyed this show as a light comedy with touching moments
dispersed throughout. It may not be up the alley of action fans, but
there is a lot of heart in these characters and you can't help but laugh
at how they interact (or fail to). The ending was interesting,
considering that the manga wasn't finished when they ended it.
Well,
I hope that covers it for you. I'll try and post again next week. I
think I can finish rewatching Fullmetal Alchemist by then. I don't know
what I'll put it with though. We'll have to see. But right now, I've got
to get studying. These finals aren't going to get A's themselves!
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