anime

Posted in

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Episode 22 Review

Episode 22, "The Distant Backside"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Wrath and Gluttony attack Ling and Ranfan. They attempt to get away thanks to a flash grenade, but Wrath reveals his homunculus eye. Meanwhile, Winry notices people talking about Ed and Al’s fight with Scar on her way back from visiting the grave of Maes Hughes, and runs off towards the scene. Edward brings up Scar’s murder of Winry’s parents just as she arrives, which prompts Winry to break down and point a gun at Scar. Scar flashes back to the war of Ishbal, when his brother was trying to learn Xingese alchemy to bring peace, while some other Ishbalans wanted to use it to counteract the State Alchemists. Scar’s family is attacked by Kimbley and most are killed. Scar’s brother sacrifices his arm for his brother. Scar awakes i a rage, killing the Amestrian doctors treating him, and, his brother’s research with him, vowing vengeance. Back in the present, Alphonse moves Scar away from the scene. Edward talks Winry down from her revenge and she holds onto him as she cries. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen – Episode 21 Review

Episode 21, "Grudge! The Longest Day at Kurogane House: Part 3"

 

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Tsubasa summons the arm of Zeus from its hiding spot- the Japanium ore pile underneath the Photon Power Labs. The pilot of Energer Z is revealed to be Count Brocken, who activates its self-destruct program to combat the arm. Thanks to a computer program on board the Mazinger, Kouji is able to use the power of Zeus’s arm to destroy the Energer Z. To protect herself from being targeted, Tsubasa invites detectives from across Japan to protect her at the Kurogane House, along with the returning Kurogane Five. Also returning is Akokuji, who brings with him a reprogrammed Gamia, as well as news that the real Kenzo Kabuto is still alive. As they prepare for the upcoming battle, Dr. Hell attacks with Bardos Island itself. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya – Episode 26 Review

Episode 26, "The Sighs of Haruhi Suzumiya (Part 3)"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Haruhi decides that Mikuru’s character needs to fire a beam from her lense-colored eye. However, during filming, Mikuru fires a real blast that Yuki narrowly blocks from hitting Kyon. Not noticing, Haruhi moves onto preperation to the next scene, but Kyon, Yuki, and Itsuki discuss what occured, concluding that Haruhi wished it to happen, so it did. Haruhi decides that the movie needs more characters, and has Kyon bring his friends, Taniguchi and Kunikida, to the next filming. Mikuru’s friend Tsuruya is also invited. Haruhi tells everyone that they’ll be filming by Itsuki’s house next. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Audio: English: Why I Disliked The Fullmetal Alchemist Dub (Article)


With the Audio:English series, PenguinTruth takes a critical look at the English
dubs which grace some of anime’s most defining series in North America.

"What do you mean?! I sound good in any language!"

I love Fullmetal Alchemist. It’s one of those rare shonen manga that has a decent complexity to it and maturity most other shonen titles lack, making it both exciting and thoughtful. I was a big fan of the first animated television series, my first exposure to that world. And of course, while I loved the original cast, I also had high expectations for the English version, even when I heard Funimation, a company with a somewhat mixed reputation for dubs was going to dub it. I was pretty excited that Cartoon Network was going to air it on the Adult Swim lineup, and tuned in with my hopes high. I was let down.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a complete wash. I immediately took to Aaron Dismuke’s Alphonse Elric, for instance. Though I also immediately noticed some strange directional and script oddities. At first I attributed the difference between this and the version I was used to as being the difference between fansub translations and professional translation into an English dub. Over time, however, these sort of things became more pronounced. What bothered me the most is characters speaking in one style in one scene and having almost entirely different voices in the next. There even seemed to be a bit of the old Funimation "add dialogue where there originally wasn’t any", which irritated me. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Episode 21 Review

Episode 21, "The Fool’s Progress"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Edward and Alphonse visit Roy in the hospital and exchange information. Havoc reveals to Roy that his legs are paralyzed from his injury from Lust. Roy sends Breda to find Doctor Marcoh, but he’s gone. Edward is warned that Scar is in town and makes a plan with the Xingese to capture a homunculi by luring out Scar. Making himself known around town, Ed attracts Scar’s attention. The homunculi, Wrath and Gluttony, come to get Scar, but they’re confronted by the Xingese. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen – Episode 20 Review

Episode 20, "Grudge! The Longest Day at Kurogane House: Part 2"


*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: As Kouji in the Mazinger battles what seems to be his father in the Energer Z, Tsubasa recalls the events that led to the death of Tetsuya Tsurugi. It’s revealed that Kenzo Kabuto was a Dr. Hell sympathizer and planned to join him in his plans to take over the world with the Mechanical Beasts. With the help of Zeus’ hand, Tetsuya managed to pin down the traitorous Kenzo just long enough for Tsubasa to fire at him. In present time, Tsubasa confronts "Ashura", really Pygman in disguise, but is ready nevertheless to reveal the location of Zeus’ hand. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•