Reviews

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Three Episodes In – Guilty Crown

I wanted to take some time to talk about the new anime series, Guilty Crown, whose third episode just aired in Japan. While this little review doesn’t contain much in the way of spoilers, I suppose it’s geared toward those who have already seen an episode or two. For those who haven’t, here’s the synopsis, straight from Wikipedia…

Guilty Crown’s setting begins in 2029 when an unidentified "Apocalypse Virus" spreads and plunges Japan into a state of emergency in an chaos known as the "Lost Christmas". An international organization known as the GHQ intervenes with martial law and restores order to Japan at the cost of its independence.
Ten years later in 2039, Shu Ouma, a 17-year-old high school student who keeps to himself in school, meets Inori Yuzuriha, the lead singer for Egoist, while visiting one of his favourite places on his way home from school. Shu is a big fan of Inori, a singer who has taken the Internet world by storm. However, he also discovers the other side of her, which is that she is a member of "Undertakers", a resistance group that aims to liberate Japan from the GHQ. Shu starts taking a part in the actions of "Undertakers" and the "king’s mark" appears on his right hand. This "mark" bestows on him the power to reach inside another person’s body and extract and materialize a weapon from it.

Watching the first couple episodes I felt that the show had a Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex feel to it, and no wonder. Guilty Crown is another beautiful looking series by Production I.G. Thus far the episodes have been featured incredibly detailed designs, most noticeably the backdrops. It’s almost oppressive and distracting in a sense. While Tiger & Bunny’s detailed backdrops faded into the background those in Guilty Crown seem to lack that same sort of depth.
Thought beautiful, the potential for overwhelming is not my main concern when it comes to the animation. Instead, it’s the sustainability. The third episode seems to show the structure crumble just a bit. Random shots here and there come off as pretty plain in comparison to highly detailed shots just few seconds prior. Maybe it’s just me, but I wonder how long it can last (Tiger & Bunny hasn’t left a good mark). read more

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Gundam AGE Episode 03 Review

 Episode  03, "The Twisted Colony"

    *****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis:  The crew of the Diva begin to tow the colony core filled with evacuated citizens while Flit takes on more UE mobile suits. While taking on the enemy, Flit notices Yurin’s strange abilities. When the core is pinned down, with no options left, Command Bruzar sacrifices himself to save the colonists. The final UE MS retreats. While the ship tows the colony core, a mysterious figure wakes up on board from cold sleep.    Comments:    As expected, the Nora colony is a goner, much in the same way Side 7 and Heliopolis. Well, they were creative in the saving of colonists, using the colony core. I had thought they would be doomed before the end of the episode, but it looks like they’re out of danger for the time being. The colony still exploded, though.    I’m sure this has come up before, but Yurin seems very similar to Tiffa in Gundam X. Sort of shy and a little detached seeming, and has special intuition. Tiffa is a Newtype, so maybe Yurin is one, too. The way he seems unafraid to take on the UE mobile suit, Flit seems to be taking after Garrod or Judau Ashta. The captain already dresses like Jamil Neate. Im guessing Yurin will be Flit’s love interest, but it’s a little early to call it. I still think Emily will be in the Friend Zone, or else end up with the chubby kid.    Flit has a history of looking to the Gundam as being a savior, and he was determined to protect the colonists. I think a bit more of his personality is emerging, but he still hasn’t quite stepped out of the shadows of the truly iconic Gundam characters. It feels like we’re only getting development as flashbacks, so instead of forward development, we’re given his past to add dimension to him. It’s working right now, but they’ll have to follow it up in the present situation, or he’ll remain just "okay" as a lead.    I liked the core towing idea used here. It was certainly the first of its kind in a Gundam show. Just when I was thinking there wouldn’t be much new. However, based on some rumored spoilers, I may end up disliking developments that are a little too creative for their own good.        Overall Score:   3.5 out of 5
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Some Thoughts On: Dragon Ball Kai (English Dub) Episodes 53-66

 

As Goku’s fight with Freeza wraps up and the coming of the Artificial Humans begins, the script accuracy begins to falter here and there. In episode 55, there’s a scene in which, in Japanese, Bulma wonders if Vegeta has ever worn the type of clothing they (she and other Earthlings) wear. In English, Bulma instead asks if it’s possible Vegeta would hold her and her friends hostage to get Goku to return from space. The change irks me for two reasons. One, that’s not what Bulma said in the Japanese version, or even close to it. And two, it doesn’t make any sense. Vegeta would have to know where Goku is to inform him that he’s taken his friends hostage, and she knows he doesn’t. The only way Goku would know is if he returned from space, which would negate his need to take hostages. Bulma isn’t stupid, and you would have to be to say something like she said in English. read more

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Batman: Year One Review

Batman: Year One
 

****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Billionare Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City after being gone for years. Meanwhile, Jim Gordon arrives in Gotham, becoming a police lieutenant in the corrupt force. Wayne trains himself to fight crime, donning a bat suit to strike fear in criminals. When Gordon is blackmailed for having an affair, he has to admit it to his wife. Mobsters and policemen alike try to take down the Batman, but he avails, and Wayne even saves Gordon’s son. Batman forms a bond with Gordon.
  read more

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Gundam AGE Episode 02 Review

Episode 02 , "The Power of AGE "

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: The Unknown Enemy continues to attack the colony of Nora. Federation soldiers disagree over what action to take involving evacuation and the ship Diva. Flit tries to help a girl, Yurin, who is at first afraid of the Gundam. Deputy Commander Grodek Aiona takes command of the Diva, which launches into space. Flit launches the Gundam into space but has difficulty fighting. The "AGE System"" is activated to provide Flit support. Flit uses the DOTS Rifle to engage an enemy MS, destroying the enemy easily. But then more mobile suits arrive. read more

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Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Reviewed – Everything you heard is true

I’m not sure if we’ve ever had a game review here on OR but I felt it necessary to vent about Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. I’ve been a fan of the series since Ace Combat 4 for the PS2, and despite my better judgment, ended up purchasing this game. I should have canceled my preorder after playing the demo.

The most common criticism you hear about this game, the plethora of comparisons to Modern Warfare, are completely true. It’s as though Project Aces and Namco looked at the success of the franchise specifically and said, “Well fuck, we want to make that kind of money too!” Besides taking the game into the ‘real world’ they’ve pulled the same enemy: militaristic nationalist Russian fringe groups. They’ve even gone as far to include an extremely similar C-130 Spooky support mission and define approach vectors ala HAWX. read more

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Gundam AGE Episode 01 Review

Episode 01, "Gundam, the Savior"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Flit Asuno, a young boy living in a space colony, and his friend Emily Armond, find themselves in the middle of an attack by the UE ("Unknown Enemy"). Flit climbs into the cockpit of the mobile suit he designed, the Gundam, and defeats the enemy attacking. But the victory is short lived when an UE ship attacks the colony.

Comments:

Ah, a new Gundam series. An alternate universe title, too, with all of its own personality and a variety of different aspects in contrast to other recent programs. read more

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Tiger & Bunny – Episodes 15 & 16 Reviewed

Tiger & Bunny is an anime program current airing weekly in Japan and simulcast on Hulu and Viz Anime. Produced by Sunrise, it’s directed by Keiichi Satou (best known for his work on Big O). The series revolves around a couple of super heroes who fight crime while driving ad revenue via product placement for a hero themed television program.

 
Synopsis

Episode 15 is a nice focus on the hero Sky High. Troubled by his tumble from the number one spot he struggles to regain focus and deal with pressure from his manager. Grocery shopping one evening his dog escapes, running through a park until he reaches a beautiful woman sitting alone. Taking some dating advice from the more feminine heroes he attempts to learn more about her. Unfortunately things aren’t what the seem when she begins to rampage and attack anything Hero TV related. read more

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Tiger & Bunny – Episode 14 Review – Love is Blind

Tiger & Bunny is an anime program current airing weekly in Japan and simulcast on Hulu and Viz Anime. Produced by Sunrise, it’s directed by Keiichi Satou (best known for his work on Big O). The series revolves around a couple of super heroes who fight crime while driving ad revenue via product placement for a hero themed television program.

Synopsis

After the chaos and near disaster brought on by Jake life for our heroes begins to settle down. Blue Rose is set to release a new hit single with Tiger and Barnaby playing backup. While Rose takes time to teach the two how to dance she finds herself falling in love with the Tiger despite his weird ways. Barnaby points out to her that, while his actions may seem disrespectful, he’s always thinking of those around himself first. read more

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Blue Exorcist (Ao no Exorcist) – 12 Episodes In

While some* may have received my earlier review as extraordinarily negative, I felt that it was pretty even handed and spot on. Since then I have been watching the series, minus a few episode here and there, weekly. I haven’t been disappointed.

The series has progressed pretty much as I had expected. Sure the story may just be sticking to its basic shonen premise but it does so well. The characters are likable and varied enough to avoid cluttering the stage. The series focuses mainly on Rin but doesn’t hesitate to focus on another, such as the heavily featured Shiemi. Shiemi, unlike some of the others, has received more back story and development. At first I thought I was going to dislike her character but she has developed past my initial fears. Meanwhile other classmates and teachers have thus far received enough time to either affirm their existence or promote their mysteriousness. read more

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