Kiddy Grade Ignition: Memories of (somewhat) old classic

While I was expecting something new, it's merely a slim version of original Kiddy Grade. It skipped all the parts that is irrelevant to the main plot (mostly the episodes that introduces supporting characters).

While somewhat disappointed, it is still nice to see the original series plot line without interference of filler episodes. However, the first movie is only the first part of the series. To see the complete story, you'll have to wait for the rest of the movie to come out.

Kiddy Grade is one of my all time favorite animes. It combines action, mystery, drama, and heart touching moments into a heart pounding (well, maybe not quite) and tear dropping series. I think it is a product from GONZO at its peak (especially I haven't been very impressed with GONZO's work lately).

This series of movies, supposedly are the precursors of the new series Kiddy Grade 2.

Girl with an Axe

What does that have to do with anime? Not much until last Wednesday, when a Japanese girl killed her father with an axe while he was asleep. This event caused the last episode of School Days which was originally scheduled to air on the following Thursday and episode 11 of Higurashi Kai, originally scheduled for that Saturday to be cancelled.

While I kind of understand the reason behind the network's decision, it still SUCKS! While they haven't announced that the delay is permanent, it is still possible that the last episode of School Days will never get aired on TV. If so, we'll have to wait another 8 long months to see the last episode on DVD.

Well, before they make the announcement, there is nothing we can do. Let's just hope that those finger pointers doesn't blame the TV again for this incident.

Mushi Uta: Entangled fates

Currently finished: Episode 9

One of the most interesting things to watch in a drama is how different people's fates are tangled with each other. Mushi Uta, the 3 main character's fates have been tangled for a while without any of them noticing.

In episode 9, the unintentionally kept secrets are finally revealed. It's more of a shock to the characters in the show rather than the audiances, who should have expected this for a while. Now, everything is out in the open, I'm very curious about what's going to happen next. The 3 main character's fate are tangled together and I'm very curious to see what's going to be the final resolution.

No doubt someone would call the plot movement slow. Even so, it is still interesting enough to make you want to see how these entangled fates could seek out the ultimate solution.

Updated rating: 4 out of 5 (net gain: 0.5)

Devil May Cry: Stylish !?...No, Cheesy

Good theme music, ok art work, stylish character, almost cheesy action, with definitely cheesy plot.

The cheesiness isn't really something new or surprising. It has shown its cheesiness as early as episode 2. While the subsequent episodes are not as cheesy as episode 2, they're not much better.

In general, animes that are adapted from action games tent to have cheesy plot lines. So, I wouldn't hold it against it. Well, not much, just a little bit. After all, it was the characters, not the plot kept me watching it.

Here is my final score for Devil May Cry:

Drama: 2 out of 5

Comedy: 4.5 out of 5 (not much, but enough in the right time)

Action: 3 out of 5 (too much close up shots)

Art/Animation: 3.5 out of 5 (stylish alright, the tone is bit too dark)

Sound/Music: 4 out of 5 (I like the theme music, ok original score)

Character: 4 out of 5 (interesting characters, but not enough depth)

Plot: 1.5 out of 5 (Cheesy!)

Re-watch value: 1 out of 5 (don't think anybody would want to watch it more then one time)

Overall (not average): 2 out of 5

Recommendation: Watch it for amusement if you have time. Otherwise, don't bother.

School Days: Blood! Blood! I want to see some blood!!!

Currently finished: Episode 10

DIE! DIE! DIE! I WANT TO SEE HIM DEAD!

(*Enraged*) This guy does not deserve to live. I hope he die of horrible death at the end of the series (or even sooner). I think, he is by far the most despicable I have ever seen in any animes/movies/tv shows. He is the mankind at its worst.

(*Calm*) Ok, now I have that out of me, let's talk more about the anime. Up till the first 15 minutes of episode 10, it's still just business as usual (you know, the cheater stuff...). But the last 10 minutes made my jaw drop so far that I have to push them close with my hands. If I could, I would have reached into the screen and snapped his neck.

Having said that, let's look at the possible endings. I'm pretty sure by now, that they're going to have an ending with blood. The three blood endings from the game are:

1. Makoto went with Kotonoha, but Sekai was already pregnant, so she lost her mind and stabs and kills him (that's just stupid, she just lost all her child support!!)


2. Makoto went with Sekai, Kotonoha became so depressed, that she jumps off from her apartment building and kills herself (quite stupid as well, die for a guy like that) (there's even a nickname for this ending, called "I can fly")


3. Makoto went with Sekai, Kotonoha just totally lost it. She intercepted them on a overwalk on a street, and slit Sekai's throat with a saw in the middle of the crowd.

Obviously, scenario #1 is very unlikely to happen by now. I don't think it's possible to bring Makoto back together with Kotonoha any more.

Scenario #2, looks pretty promising at the moment. She does look depressed enough to do something like that. But that also means Makoto is together with Sekai and nobody kills him (bummer......).

As for, scenario #3, well, requires some condition that has not been set yet. But why Sekai get to die, not him?!

Having analyzed all that, I truly wish that they do not follow the game ending, and come up with an ending that Makoto get killed by Kotonoha.....or anybody. He should just die. Die. It's definitely a possibility because even though everything that is happening in the anime are from the game, you could not play a single game with all these events, because in the game, some of the events have conflicting prerequisites.

I have to say, there has not been an anime that make me as angry as this one did. School Days is going to my anime hall of fame.

School Days: Cheaters, Cheaters

Currently finished: Episode 6

When I played the game, I have a bit sympathy towards the guy for all the awkward situations he got stuck with. When watching the anime, somehow, I just feel he is a cheating bastard, no sympathy what so ever. Maybe because I'm not making the decisions now, I don't feel what the character feels anymore.

The picture being painted is a simple cheating and being cheated situation. The guy, in my opinion, is just a horny dog. He could not wait to get in his girlfriend's pants. When he couldn't, he just grabs whatever is available. Although come to think of it, the girl he's cheating with is the one taking advantage of him, not the other way around. But you see where she's coming from and do feel sympathetic for her. As for the girl that is being cheated, well, she does have problems, but by far, she's the biggest victim.

It's half way through, and the whole thing went downhill pretty fast. We'll see how they pull it through in the second half (or maybe just go down further, who knows).

Mononoke: Acid Trip, Anybody?

Currently finished: Episode 5

The second segment just ended. The story is still good, and the art work is still crazy. The visual art, colorful and disorienting, almost feels like going on an acid trip (trippers, correct me if you disagree, since I've never been on one).

The stories are all pretty twisted, and sometimes even perverted. Nonetheless, it's very interesting. Combine with the crazy visual effects, it really get you out of your normal thought pattern.

Status update: now available on animesuki http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1067.html

Kenko Zenrakei Shuieibu Umisho: Bitter Sweet Comedy?...Not

Currently finished: Episode 5

So far, it seems to be a semi-decent comedy. Something make me a bit uncomfortable (besides the noseless art style) about this anime. I think it's the way comedic situation is created inside the episode. It's definately not something I like, but once a while, it manages to make me almost squirt water out of my nose. So I guess they're doing something right.

I just finished episode 5. During the episode, for a moment, it looked as if they're going to pull a bitter sweet comedy scene. But they managed to sweep it away before the episode ended.

It's been walking on the edge on my throw-away cut-off line ever since episode 1. But it survived till now. Since I don't have a really long list to watch in this new season, it might just survive till the end. Who knows.

Short Updates for Animes that I don't have much new to say

Higurashi Kai

I really don't think this anime should be described in words. You'll just have to watch it. One thing for sure though, we ARE getting some answers, and it's leading to the ultimate answers.

Darker Than Black

It progresses as usual. Now there are 5 organizations and all the agents have appeared at least once except people from CIA, whom by now has only been referenced by name. Official site says it's a 25 episode series. I'm kind of curious how they could end it in 25 episodes. It seems it could go a lot longer.

Zero no Tsukaima 2

Louise is punishing his "dog" as usual. Her sisters being around almost didn't change any thing. It's another series just like the season 1.

Murder Princess

Episode 5 of this OVA has been released. There are some questions getting answered, history lessons learned. I think now we're just waiting for the final conflict.

Lovely Complex

It is just like a roller coaster ride: we get multiple emotional ups and downs. By now, the second bump is over and we have returned into more comedic environment than emotional environment. All things finally start to look good for the first time.

Devil May Cry

I'm not sure what they are trying to accomplish, so far I see nothing. So far all the episodes and events are pretty random. Not really any significant meaning or relation. Although it does kind of remind me about those series that lay random seeds and connect them at the end. We'll see. Just hope it's not another Polyphonica.

Touka Gettan

Every time I thought I have figured out what is going in this world, the next episode just threw me off course completely. So, now I still have not a clue. And the relationships between characters are just plain bizarre.

Coil

Slowly, without being noticed, it moved from semi-believable world and situations into a completely ridiculous world.

Romeo & Juliet

It's not just another Romeo and Juliet story. In fact, I think so far it's more about redemption than love. At this rate, it would not surprise me at all if they complete change it into a happy ending.

July 2007 New Anime Update: Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei

I'm currently at: Episode 5

Comments: While it left a great first impression, it did not live up to my expectation in next 3 episodes. I think it has pushed itself too far towards being a drop dead funny comedy that it's just not funny any more. In my opinion, episode 1 & 2 is just right on what they are trying to achieve, 2 through 5 is just over doing it. Also, it seems that they tuned down the optimism vs pessimism which I think is what made the show funny at first place. Because of these changes, I have to downgrade its recommendation level.

New rating: 4.0 out of 5 (net gain: -0.8)

Recommendation level: Follow along (downgraded from Anticipating)

July 2007 New Anime: Baccano!

Baccano!

Link: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1057.html

Genres: Drama / Light Comedy

I've watched: 2 episodes

Art style: Common

Recommended to: People like light comedy with complicated plot

Recommendation level: Near the top

Summary: Um....Lots of names, lots of characters (17 to be exact, who are important enough to be named in the opening theme). I'm not quite sure what's going on yet. So far it seems to be lots of unrelated plots happening in parallel that accidentally crossing each other, like the movie Snatch.

Rating - first impression: 4 out of 5 (Lots of names to memorize, plot line seems to be little confusing, but interesting)

Personal comments: Half of the people that were named in the opening theme haven't show up yet, and the plot line already seem to start getting tangled up pretty good. With that man people as "main" character, I don't think there'll be a problem of lack of pace. The construction of the story is also very interesting. This is definately high up on the watch list.

April 2007 New Anime Update: Claymore

Claymore

I'm currently at: episode 17

Comments: We can now sense the final conflict is on its way. It won't be long before we get to witness the ultimate showdown. It still has the same dark tone to it. But now we since Raki is taking a break, and Clare is encountering more other claymores, battle start to get more and more intense and drags on longer (episode wise). Even when a single battle drags on through multiple episode, there are enough content to keep my mind completely occupied by the plot.

New Rating: 4.75 out of 5 (net gain: 0.25)