This site is an rss / xml news reader. It contains a compilation of news feeds from our favorite blogs. All articles are the copyrighted material of the blogs that wrote them (as indicated).

Shangri-La Episode 2 - The Ikebukuro Sea of
Disease

post from Cinnamon Ass on 20 April 2009 04:30:00 PM. © Cinnamon Ass

I will admit to being very surprised by the second episode of Shangri La. Surprised that next to nothing happened, that is.

It’s quite clever, really, if you ask me. What “happens” is that Kuniko et al go to investigate where they’re being bombarded from in Ikebukuro, which is overgrown with possibly poisonous jungle. Of course, the army are there too, so she ends up being confronted by the soldier-love-interest whose name I can’t remember (he’s that exciting) and blah blah blah fishcakes. They fail to find out anything useful whatsoever save that Kuniko and soldier-guy have similar swords, and everyone’s pretty much back where they started in the beginning save they’ve walked through some beautiful background artwork.

Walking is a generous term for the dire animation that Gonzo have produced for parts of this episode, but I’m feeling charitable.

Anyway, there’s some miniscule stuff with the antagonist, the psycho princess and the child genius too, including a bizarre explanation of how the genius plays the carbon market using dragons and water. I suppose you could call some of this character development.

I don’t know, though. None of it rings true - particularly the child genius, whose scenes are just a different permutation of what she did in the previous episode (i.e. played with carbon markets and freaked out over her parents). The other characters don’t even feel human - they don’t react to anything, they just say their lines and get on with what they’re supposed to be doing. The only character I really like is Momoko, who despite her ridiculous moment in the last episode still comes across as the most well-rounded character in the show, especially compared to Kuniko’s bland heroism.

I’ll be giving Shangri La another episode I think. I’m really not confident it’s going to improve, but I’d like to give it the benefit of the doubt; this episode is much less over-the-top than the first one but it’s also just a bit boring.

(PS is there any reason why the English episode titles provided by Crunchyroll are so different from the Japanese? I like the English ones in all their silly pseudo-poetic glory but the Japanese ones are fine as they are… I suppose it’s because Ikebukuro means nothing to most English speakers or something? It seems the title of this episode is a pun on “jukai” meaning “sea of trees” (used to refer to the forest surrounding Mt Fuji) where the “ju” is instead the kanji for “poison” - I can’t think of a good way that you would translate it into English really, but then I’m not a translator so what do I know!)

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ass-no-ryu.com/animeblog/?p=1192

Digg this

Hatsukoi Limited is

post from Kurogane's Anime Blog on 20 April 2009 02:30:18 PM. © Kurogane's Anime Blog

… what Kimikiss ~pure rouge~ could’ve been. Well, okay, it’s not fair to compare them both, but goddammit, the show is so clearly superior compared to that. Why? Saki-nee (voiced by Rie Tanaka) is why. Oh god, is this like Rie’s revival season? Three HAWT roles in one season! Meido Maria, Bionic Woman Kurosaki [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://kurogane.animeblogger.net/2009/04/21/hatsukoi-limited-is/

Digg this

Never knew hand soaps were that powerful

post from Kurogane's Anime Blog on 20 April 2009 04:00:03 AM. © Kurogane's Anime Blog

Isumi can be oh-so-cute whenever she’s always wanted to be taken seriously. ‘Hand soap’ power, LOL. And Hinagiku has finally developed some resistance(?) to Hayate’s charms. Finally wrapped up another mini-arc. Next one should be the Hayate being nursed by Maria story, but the preview instead shows a shot of Nishizawa hugging Hayate. Are [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://kurogane.animeblogger.net/2009/04/20/never-knew-hand-soaps-were-that-power
ful/

Digg this

Fullmetal Alchemist - Brotherhood - 03

post from Xebek?s Blog on 20 April 2009 03:21:00 AM. © Xebek?s Blog

After arriving in Lior, the Elric brothers seek the Priest Cornello?s mysterious stone.

Impressions:

It almost felt like this episode could have been the first or second episode of the series. But I suppose they wanted to make clear this wasn?t exactly the same as the first series by doing things differently. It was a good episode that managed to resolve events in Lior pretty quickly. Though the price for settling things with Cornello was a very angry town and an emotionally damaged Rose. Although allowing that man to continue what he was doing would have put the townspeople in grave danger eventually. It was probably for the best to have him shown to be a sham that was using them now. Just sadly there were people hurt by their decision to get involved in this.

I really do have sympathy for Rose in all of this. Her beliefs that had supported her were completely torn apart. It can?t be easy to believe in something with all your heart and then suddenly have it proven to be a lie. Ed had been pretty harsh the entire time and that didn?t change by the end. While Cornello was a liar should have given some room in believing in God. Guess someone like Ed who had seen so much could find it hard to believe in something like that.

Feel it was a bit much to just tell Rose to find her own answers. After all, Ed himself got a path presented to him by Roy. He might have stayed in that wheelchair depressed if someone else hadn?t given him something to believe in. But suppose Ed doesn?t have many real answers for Rose so best not to try to give any. Besides while Ed isn?t a bad guy he is far from a saint. Suppose he was trying to help in his own way by keeping her away from false beliefs or being reliant on someone else to define her world.

Think they had some pretty good action this time around. Ed really took care of that chimera without a great deal of trouble. Suppose he respects Winry?s ability with mentioning that the auto-mail is custom made. That stuff won?t be broken by some average chimera?s attack. Though I suspect she would not appreciate him messing up the auto-mail to use as a weapon. Things got pretty messy from Cornello shooting a machine gun at them to going Hulk on Ed. Somehow they managed to get out on top, but should take some care in the future. Lust and Gluttony made quick work of Cornello and made the point of how dangerous they truly are. The guy was taken out by Lust in an instant and barely knew what happened before he died. Ed and Al are getting involved with a group that are very dangerous.

Seeing that preview I couldn?t help but think about what was coming. For anyone that hasn?t seen the original series I suspect you?ll be really touched by what is coming. I?m happy that the show is doing a good job of mixing the comedic moments with the serious moments. Manages to keep things from getting too serious, but you can bet later in the series they will give full respect to those serious moments.

Read The Full Article:
http://xebek.animeblogger.net/2009/04/20/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood-03/

Digg this

k-on! 3

Read The Full Article:
http://blogsuki.com/archives/2009/04/20/2519/

Digg this

Eden of the East 02

Summary:After seeing a crater during the plane ride, Akira learns from Saki that Japan has been hit by 11 missile strikes. The first strike on 11/22/2010 was named “Careless Monday” and although none of the previous strikes resulted in any casualties, one strike caused a plane crash and several fatalities. While Saki’s concerned [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/seaslugteam/~3/5Nf527BvMDg/

Digg this