 |
| |
|
|
Wraith
|
 |
Austin, Texas, USA
Aug 1999
time: 23:30
|
|
Zenryaku,
It's not quite time once again for another Anime Apolyton, but I'll be out of town (way out of town) next weekend and the one after that, so I better get this up while I have a chance.
Not much in the way of new licenses to be talking about right now, but that's not surprising since the main con season is pretty much over.
Most of the excitement (as far as licensing goes) is on the manga front. Del Ray has decided to enter the manga market, and has picked up the licenses for Gundam Seed a few CLAMP titles. The manga market must be really picking up steam for a publisher like Del Ray to get involved.
Viz has somewhat retracted their comments about licensing the anime version of Hikaru no Go. It seems likely that they have licensed it, but aren't anywhere near ready to release it, so they've had to backpedal for now. No change on the manga, however, so it should be out before long.
Speaking of manga, ADV's put out the first volume of Azumanga Daioh. Sounds like they're doing a decent job so far, although they're over-localizing things. Much of the humor of Azumanga Daioh is very rooted in Japanese culture, so this could be a problem. Still, giving Osaka a Brooklyn accent was probably about as good as that little gag could get.
There's a few recent or upcoming US anime releases I want to mention again.
The first is Haibane Renmei. The first disc is out, the next is out in October. If you're curious, there's a multiple page article in the September issue of Animerica. This issue also has a multi page interview with series creator yoshitoshi ABe.
Animation Runner Kuromi is a short OVA that covers the making of an episode of an anime for TV broadcast. Kuromi is the nickname of the main character, a new hire at Petit Studio who turns up on her first day only to be given control over the production of the episode.... which is way behind schedule.
His and Her Circumstances is almost complete, although I've heard something about the last DVD being delayed. There was a bit of a problem with this series, as Gainax apparently sent Right Stuf an edited version of the show, blanking out one scene and replacing a recap episode with a completely different recap episode.
For the Cardcaptor Sakura fans, the series is nearing it's finale. Pioneer has also started putting out details of the second movie.
Also in US anime news, it seems Media Blasters has been having encoding problems lately. A large number of their recent DVDs (including Twelve Kingdoms) have turned out to have mono audio instead of stereo. So far the only public statement on the matter they've issued has pretty much claimed there's no problem and it's everyone's equipment that's at fault. They've always had problems with DVD encoding, but now they're turning into another US Manga.
On the Japanese side, Scrapped Princess is pretty much complete. This one hasn't been announced as licensed yet, but I'll be surprised if it takes much longer (if it isn't already licensed). This one's about a girl, the Scrapped Princess, who is prophecied to destroy the world if she lives to turn sixteen. The king orders her death, of course, but it didn't quite happen and now she's almost sixteen. She's protected by her foster brother and sister.
Uchuu no Stellvia is another one that's been enjoyable. Kind of a cross between Battle Athletes and Gunbusters. A (relatively) nearby supernova did a great deal of damage to the Earth in the past. Now things have rebuilt, and the story takes place on Stellvia, one of the space foundations. These foundations were put in place to guard the solar system from the upcoming Second Wave; the physical matter from the supernova.
Read or Die TV started running recently. It's based on the Read or Dream sequel series to the Read or Die mangas. In this story, Yomiko has gone missing, and Nenene has been looking for her. While in Hong Kong as part of a book signing tour, someone tries to kill Nenene. She ends up involved with the Three Sister's Detective Agency, which is composed of three sisters who are all Paper Masters. Just as action packed as the OVAs, although the budget isn't on the same scale.
I think that pretty much covers things for now. As always, questions, comments, and suggestions welcome.
Wraith
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
-- Napoleon Bonaparte
|
|
| |
|
|
|
David Floyd
|
|
The bottom of a large bottle of beer
Jan 1970
time: 05:30
|
|
What are y'all's opinions on Evangelion? My roommate wants me to watch it, but I dunno...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Wraith
|
|
Austin, Texas, USA
Aug 1999
time: 23:30
|
|
--"What are y'all's opinions on Evangelion? My roommate wants me to watch it, but I dunno..."
It's one of the major titles. It made a big impact on the US anime scene, so it'd be a good idea to watch it at some point if you're into anime. Just because it's one of those shows that has been widely viewed and discussed.
It's a pretty good show, too. Not the best I've seen, but pretty solid. It has all the trappings of a mecha adventure show, and the first half or so of the series will pretty much seem like it, but it isn't. It's more about mecha pilots, and all the main characters are pretty messed up. You may get tired of Shinji, who whines a lot, but the others make up for him.
Art and animation aren't anything special. Some good mecha design, but most of the animation budget is focused on the action scenees (as it should be). Do be prepared for some good direction; I say be prepared because it's something not typical of most Western movies/shows. Anno uses stillness and silence a lot, and there's one notable scene that's nothing more than two of the characters riding in an elevator, motionless and silent, for something like a minute. Music is pretty good, and leans heavily on classical pieces.
The last two episodes of the series will probably confuse you. Make sure to also watch End of Evangelion.
--"I have been watching the fansub for Last Exile"
I've seen a couple episodes of this, but it's Studio Gonzo. They're famous for screwing up their endings. It's been licensed by Pioneer, so it'll be on DVD here before too long.
--"(originally broadcast in HD?)"
Not sure about Last Exile in specific, but it's likely. Anime has started to shift heavily towards the HD formats.
Wraith
Either I've been missing something or nothing has been going on
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Wraith
|
|
Austin, Texas, USA
Aug 1999
time: 23:30
|
|
--"For some reason, I couldn't get into the story"
Well, it's an action series. The story isn't the most important part ^_^ How could you give it up after the glider chase?
I still say that's one of the most unique superpowers I've ever seen.
--"Also, I watched Kenshin OVA 1 (Reminisence) and it is downright beautiful."
Yes, I quite liked the OVAs. I haven't been anywhere near as fond of what I've seen of the TV series, unfortunately. I think the more serious tone works very well for the setting, and the TV series just goes too goofy for the main story. Still, I haven't seen the Kyoto arc, which is supposed to be the best part.
--"Maybe I should look for it here..."
I don't know how much luck you'll have. Japan, from what I hear, isn't big on reruns of stuff like this.
Edit:
Hey, what do you know? Media Blasters owned up to their audio problems. Unfortunately, I doubt they can afford to replace all the ones they messed up, but hopefully we'll at least not see the problem on new discs.
Wraith
"The first gift you gave me was death."
-- Tomoe ("Rurouni Kenshin")
Last edited by Wraith on 17-09-2003 at 16:59
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Jon Miller
|
|
I agree that NGE rocked
FLCL is better though (as is Bebop)
Jon Miller
|
|
| |
|
|
|
DanS
|
 |
Kickball Capital of the World
Jan 1970
time: 00:30
|
|
quote:
Well, it's an action series. The story isn't the most important part ^_^ How could you give it up after the glider chase? |
Yes, yes, I know. I could tell that it was a well made series, but I guess the story is the most important part for me. Maybe I was too impatient to let the story develop. I guess I'll never know. 
quote:
Yes, I quite liked the OVAs. I haven't been anywhere near as fond of what I've seen of the TV series, unfortunately. I think the more serious tone works very well for the setting, and the TV series just goes too goofy for the main story. Still, I haven't seen the Kyoto arc, which is supposed to be the best part. |
Since the TV series is so long, the goofiness is required about every fifth episode to break up the tension. Otherwise, you get too tired watching (at least in marathon fashion). Perhaps they could have been a little less hamhanded about the comedy.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Wraith
|
|
Austin, Texas, USA
Aug 1999
time: 23:30
|
|
--"Wraith, I think you're being strangely reserved about NGE."
It's a good show, but it does have its flaws. There is some great directing, but it takes itself a bit too seriously at times (and not seriously enough at others; dance like you want to win!). The two episodes are a turn off for a lot of people who weren't expecting that.
It's a good show, but it won't be to everyone's tastes. I don't know what anime David likes, so it makes sense to be at least a little hesitant in the recommendations.
--"Maybe I was too impatient to let the story develop. I guess I'll never know."
Heh. It's only three episodes. Still, the story is pretty basic. The standard "super villian wants to destroy mankind and must be stopped by super heros". It has its moments, though, and Yomiko is one of my favorite anime characters.
--" Perhaps they could have been a little less hamhanded about the comedy"
That would have been nice, yes ^_^
Hasn't anybody else in here seen any Haibane Renmei yet?
Wraith
"Can't we just break the shell with a hammer or something?"
-- Kana ("Haibane Renmei")
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Unspeakable Horror
|
|
quote:
Hasn't anybody else in here seen any Haibane Renmei yet?
|
I have seen just the first epidode, but seems to be good.
The scene when she gets her wings was a bit weird but everything else was normal.
|
|
| |
All times are GMT. The time now is 05:30.
Apolyton Time is 00:30. |
top of page
|
| archivepost |
|
Forum Rules:
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is ON
vB code is ON
Smilies are ON
[IMG] code is ON
|
|
|
|
|
|
14-09-2003 05:13
We'll see if they get cleared up by the end.
|