Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Origin: Spirits of the Past

What can I say against Origins? *thinks* I’ll have to see what I can come up with as I go.
The plot isn’t a bad one for a movie and I rather enjoyed it. But since it’s a movie, I don’t think I’ll go through the character review. A simple anime review will do. The plot is as follows:

[From AnimeFreak.tv]
A failed DNA experiment with plants has changed the world forever. Having demolished the moon, the intelligent and aggressive plant-life has spread to the earth and destroyed the human civilization. The few humans that remain struggle to survive, while maintaining an uneasy truce with the restless forest. One day, a villager named Agito stumbles across a stasis unit hidden deep in the forest and awakens a very cute girl from the past. Having slept for the past 300 years, Tula steps into a very different and strange world. The neighboring high-tech village of Ragna is still locked in a bitter war with the forest and when they become aware of Tula, they realize that she is the key to activating her father.

Now, the anime itself isn’t anything fancy. In fact, it’s not as detailed as you find some anime. But sometimes the idea to not over-detail things is better. And I enjoyed that amount of detail they placed.
As for the plot, I can’t say anything against it really. It’s interesting and I enjoyed how the people with white hair are stronger. In fact, I rather liked how it worked. And Agito was an interesting character to watch. I didn’t particularly like Tula, but she’s okay. I enjoyed how the plants ruled the world and control the water. The weird twin-girl-things were confusing and are still confusing as of yet. But I did enjoy the movie and would re-watch it any day.
As for flaws, I suppose for some the twin-girl-things would be confusing, and I believe I do not really like how part of the animation was near the end, as the attack started. But not all of it was bad. And it was cool that everyone ended up working together to stop the volcano.

Here are some images from the movie:










-Zeki
-Have an Anime you want reviewed? Comment and ask! I'll see what I can do!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Ouran Highschool Host Club

What is there to say about such an anime? Well, allow me to delve into it so you understand.


Ouran High School Host Club
Ah, Ouran High School Host Club. A great show to watch, in my opinion. But only if you like Shojo stuff. Oh, and comedy. I love comedy!
Before we get started, I think I'll get on the plot: [From AnimeFreak.tv]

Fujioka Haruhi won a scholarship to attend Ouran High, a school reserved for the rich and prestigious. Despite what other students may think of her, Haruhi cares little for physical appearances or the fact that she's a commoner. Unfortunately for Haruhi, her high school days took a turn when she stumbled upon the Host Club, a group of guys who use their specific traits and charms to entertain the women of Ouran High. Even worse was that Haruhi had accidentally broken an 8 million yen vase in the club. Unable to repay her debt with money, Haruhi found herself with no choice but to work for the Host Club, becoming a male host herself. Based on the manga by Hatori Bisco.

Well, that's about it Plot-wise. Shall I get on with the basic review?

The anime itself is really good. Each episode is basically its own story rather than a long multi-episode story line like "Kiba" has, so if you watch this on an actual channel(like FUNimation, if they still air it there. They may have stopped like they did with another anime I was watching. I don't use the channel anymore) it won't be a big deal to miss one. However, there are some episodes that require a second one to continue. This includes Episode 25 and 26. The only one I can name other than that is the episodes that take place during Summer Vacation-or at least the ones where they visit Haruhi's job. Know that this is something I usually hate-each episode being on its own story-but this anime was interesting.
I enjoy the different things they do in the anime, like the Alice in Wonderland episode, as I'm an Alice fan, and the episode "The Door the Twins Opened," as it was rather nice to see how it was before the twins joined the Host Club. Also, the different sides of the character is nice. I enjoy how each character is different, and they constantly refer to that throughout the series. As Kyoya Ootori says, they take different types so as to help guests have whatever they want.

Character Reviews:


Haruhi Fujioka
 

Haruhi Fujioka starts out as the Host Club's "Dog" before joining their ranks as the "Normal Type." She is rather kind. Yet, "she." This girl was mistaken as a guy by all except Kyoya. And then, as the first episode went through, only Tamaki didn't know until he walked in on her changing.
Now, Haruhi is definitely a girl. And she's definitely one of the smarter people in the host club. She's willing to hit the twins, call Tamaki obnoxious(though she does so outloud accidentaly, she'll tell him to go away), and to tell everyone in the host club that they aren't welcome in her home. She also has a fear of lightning. Why? Beats me. I do know, however, that it helps to hint at HaruhiXTamaki and HaruhiXHikaru. Why? Watch the anime to find out.
Against Haruhi, I'm not able to come up with anything. I mean, her style is up to her and her choice of dressing like a guy so that the idiot Tamaki thinks she's one(leading them to think she's gay) is nothing for me to critisize. I mean, I dress like a bum often and try to cut my hair as short as I can. (I wonder if I could get away with getting it cut like Haruhi's...it'd be way easier to manage and would still look cute with clips. Plus, our hair color isn't that different...)

Tamaki Suoh
 Tamaki is the "Princely Type" in the Host Club and also the founder. He constantly refers to himself as Haruhi's "daddy" and acts protective of her. Yet he is a clueless idiot, and every knows it. He goes on and on about how he will not let any men have her, especially the twins, and says that he will one day marry her. Like I said, an idiot. In "Tamaki's Unwitting Depression"(I believe that's the episode) he seems to finally get closer to realizing his feelings for Haruhi. Yet the idiot ends up being thrown back to square one when Haruhi says he's like her dad(He is like him, I'll admit).
Overall, this Princely Character is an okay guy. Though an idiot that leads Hikaru to break his arm(I believe it was Hikaru, not Koaru. Yeah, I'm sure since he was the one yelling about how Tamaki brought them out of their bubble, and his voice seems smoother than Koaru's). In truth, Tamaki is a nice guy who deserves a chance, but it'll take some adjusting to get used to his stupid-to-serious switches.


Kyoya Ootori

Kyoya Ootori is the "Cool Type" in the club, and also the vice-president. The poor guy was constantly annoyed by Tamaki when they first met and really wanted to kill him. Yet when he finally decides he's tired of Tamaki, the idiot has one of his serious moments and makes him look at his future. In truth, the genius cool guy known as Kyoya is, in my eyes, way better looking than Tamaki. He's also possessing more common sense. And without the shadow king and his foul morning moods(just like Honey), the club would collapse. Kyoya hints at everything he wants Tamaki to do and is truly the person pulling the strings at the club.
Though I'd never admit this to my sister(who loves the guy), Kyoya is one of my favorite characters. This smart guy deserves a break and should be given a vacation. However, his secret motives for doing things-like letting the club have a free trip to a water park so that he can see what needs to be improved. In addition to this, he can be rather dismissive, like not being alarmed when he forgot to say there were other guests, though it allowed Haruhi to see the power of Honey.



(I don't add a caption because there already is one. :P)
Hikaru and Koaru Hitachiin are the "Mischevous Type" in the club. Why? Well, anyone who knows them and sees them knows why. Especially after watching episodes like "The Twins Fight." They are great characters to have around and I love how they refer to Tamaki as "Boss" while trying to plot ways to torture him. They're the ones who tried to get Tamaki to snap out of his depressed state in "Tamaki's Unwitting Depression" by saying that Haruhi would become a mob wife if she was allowed to talk to the red head guy.
Their past is really one that helps me think of how much I love them. It's rather sad that they were rather alone in the world, wanting people to tell them apart without changing their appearance. And, in truth, Haruhi was the only one who could tell them apart.
I would have done an individual review and picture for each, but I can't tell the characters apart without hearing them. I suppose, looking back, that I could have easily just taken a picture of Koaru with blue hair and Hikaru with pink to tell them apart. *sighs* Oh well. I like this one. I don't have to wrestle with a caption.
Anyway, here is a small opinion of each twin:
Hikaru is one of my least favorites. Though the older twin, he is blind to his own feelings for Haruhi and acts rash. In his anger, he earned a slap from Haruhi, which he deserved. He's like a spoiled child in my eyes, wanting some things to remain as they are when they are perfect and refusing to apologize when  he messes up.
Koaru, well, is one of my top two characters. He is the more mature twin, and the younger one. Plus, he doesn't die his hair pink. I love how he easily does what he can to help his brother have a chance with Haruhi. He dresses like him to apologize to Haruhi's friend-though Haruhi identifies it as him-and asks Haruhi on a date just so that he can fake illness and tell Hikaru to go in his place. Koaru is, by far, the nicer twin. Just as Haruhi, who accidently started a fight over saying he's not as evil.



Takashi! Okay, it's pretty hard to say you hate Mori-sempai. Why? Because he's so dang cool! He's the "Wild Type" in the club, though I see him more as the "Strong Silent Type." I guess they didn't want such a long type...
Anyway, it's hard to say something against Takashi. They even chose the perfect voice actor for him in the English Dub. The person they use did voices like Ginko in "Mushishi," another quiet character. I guess, if I had to say anything, it's that this lovable guy is too hard on himself. He forgot to make Honey brush his teeth, so he decided he'd punish himself. He shouldn't have done it! I mean, it's Honey's fault. But Takashi looks over Honey like the master-servent bond that was kept among their ancestors before a marriage that made them cousins. So, I guess that's why.
Other than that, I love this guy! I mean, in "Mori-sempai Has an Apprentice Candidate" he has his own episode(sort of. He has to share it with the red-head guy) and ends up crawling to Tamaki for help since he doesn't know what to do about the red-head. *sighs* Yeah, I love Takashi.


Mitsukuni Haninozuka, or Honey-sempai, is the "Boy Lolita Type" in the Host Club. He's 17, loves sweets and anything cute, is about the size of an elementary school student, and he hangs around Takashi, who is EXTREMELY tall. Oh, and did I mention that he's so powerful that everyone fears him. He unleashed all his strength upon his dad in a duel and almost killed the guy. It's because of that-and Tamaki-that he stopped refusing to admit his love for sweets.
Now, Honey his very few things going against him. I mean, he's strong enough to beat his younger brother(who is taller than him) every time they duel, start legends about him completely wiping out a U.S. army(or something along those lines), and is able to cause a lot of damage to trained soldiers while holding back. But he's a bit too sweet. I mean, Kyoya gets slapped and he says "It's not nice to hit a person with glasses." That was one of my favorite lines, yes, but also one of my least favorites.
Other than that, you can't really go against this cutey with a female voice actor in the English Dub.

Well, I'd tell you how much I hate Lobelia School or how much I love Haruhi's dad, but I think I'll end it here. Just remember: Bananas are everywhere people! Also, Renge is a really hardcore Otaku. Just remember that.


-Zeki
-Want an anime reviewed? Comment below and I'll check it out!
-Next will be the Anime Movie: Origins: Spirits of the Past


 

Monday, July 18, 2011

Kiba

Hello, I'm Zeki. This is a blog with one simple use: Anime Reviews. I'm going to start with one today, as I'm rather tired. That one is Kiba.



The plot is as follows: [From AnimeFraek.tv]
In an overbuilt world, young Zed dreams of freedom and of a door. While fleeing the authority of his world, he is transported to a completely different place, a world of nature instead of machines. There he meets the young girl Roia and learns that he is a Shard Caster. He can cast Shards and control Spirits. Unbeknowst to Zed, his best friend Noah has also travelled to the new world. Noah and Zed become enmeshed in the ways of their new world, while growing into their new abilities.

Kiba is a rather loved anime of mine. Of course, I have no clue where the name comes from. I do, however, know that I am loving Zed.
Zed is an interesting character that grew up in a rather ill world. People had to walk around with masks in order to breathe. His friend, Noah, is rather ill and hsi mother spends her days staring at a jellyfish. His dad, well, I can't exactly remember what happened to him. All I know is that he's dead.
Cut me some slack, I watched this a while ago.
Anyway, the characters that show up are all very interesting and I find myself going from worried about one, to hating him, to screaming at him to join Zed. And I constantly found myself laughing at the different characters. Some were hated, others were confusing, and some were straight out loved. Normal for an anime that I watch. However, there was something more in this anime that I can't name. Whether it was the different spirits that they can summon, the different shards that follow elements like water, lightning, and fire, or just plain how unique and shocking the story is. But I highly suggest this!!!

My only rule for watching this anime is simple: Do not watch it subbed and then decide to watch it dubbed!!!

Thanks for Reading!
Next time, I'll review Ouran High School Host Club!!!

-Zeki
-Have an Anime You'd Like Reviewed? Just Comment and Ask! I'll check it out!