Completely unscripted, completely unedited, this is the first release of our AAAPodcast “After Dark” Sessions. They’re the product of what happens after the live shows when the podcast turns off but the camera stays on. Chiaki tells her tales of debauchery in Roppongi.
Noragami is supernatural, action, comedy anime, based on a manga, written by Adachitoka. It has been serialized in Monthly Shonan Magazine since late 2010. It’s director, Kotaro Tamura, is a relatively new director, as Noragami is his first professional directing job. This animation production studio is a little more well known. Studio BONES is a studio that at it’s best is hard to top in terms of the quality of animation. Some of BONES’s most well known works include Eureka Seven and Fullmetal Alchemist.
Norgami is a heavily character driven series. The show spends a large part of the first 6 episodes introducing the audience to the main characters Yato, Hiyori and Yukine. Yato is a “Yato-God” and a god of calamity. His dark past is hinted at during the course of the anime’s run and his history eventually comes into play as the anime reaches it’s end. However, for the majority of the anime, Yato is a goofy, relatively unknown god in the world whose dream is to someday own his own shine. He is the source of much of the comedy in the series. Yukine a spirit of the dead who eventually becomes Yato’s “Regalia”, a tool to be used in combat. Yato finds Yukine, alone and scared, and after naming Yukine, Yato takes the boy under his wing and gives his “afterlife” a purpose. Hiyori, the female spice of the anime, get’s involved with Yato when she one day attempts to rescue him from being hit by a bus. The result is that Hiyori is separated from her mortal body. Her spirit form appears to be a duplicate of her mortal form, except for a long pink tail. Hiyori and Yato become fast friends and she asks Yato to help her find a way to restore herself to normal.
As this series progressed, I found myself wondering whether or not we were ever going to be introduced to a plot based conflict, or villain. The series seemingly was satisfied offering the audience endless “odd jobs” for Yato to perform and comedy that is hit or miss. Whether or not there would be conflict, I eventually got my answer. The central conflict is resolved around episode nine. Spoilers aside, this anime’s conflicts lie internally within it’s characters. Each character in this series has some problem that eventually get addressed one way or another. The primary conflict lies within Yato and Yukine. After being skeptical about this anime’s eventual conclusion, the resolution to their conflict was worth the wait. I found it to be one of the most compelling single episodes of the Winter 2014 anime season.
Following the story climax, is three more episodes that also center around Yato and an acquaintance from his past. While this portion of the anime certainly sports what is probably the most compelling animation and action in the series, it felt like an afterthought after the intense and gripping scenes of the prior arc’s conclusion. It didn’t necessarily take anything away from the anime but it felt a little underwhelming. Also, without spoiling anything, the anime clearly has been left wide open to have a sequel. Considering that this anime is based on a relatively long running manga, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sequel in the coming seasons.
As far as the animation and action goes, they are both above average. Studio BONES again did a great job making sure that the animation was consistent through the series’s run and that the quality was quite high. Those who like samurai style sword fighting will find themselves especially engrossed by this series’s approach to combat. The majority of which is done through Yato, who uses his “regalia”, Yukine, whom he can transform at will into as sword named, “Sekki.”
All in all, Noragami was a very good show that is recommended to people who like action with a bit of comedy. There is enough of to keep fans of both genre interested. Keep in mind however that this show is a supernatural series, so those not a fan of spirits, gods, and phantoms, might not appreciate that aspect of the show. I thought Noragami was one of the best shows of the Winter 2014 season. A real treat to watch.
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The Anime Addicts Anonymous Podcast discusses anime cliches and what would happen if these were to take place in real life. What if girls ate cake all day? What if men really fell face first into boobies? We discuss this and more!
#1) Moe girls eating cake and candy
Mitsugi’s
If moe girls ate cake, candy and parfaits all day, you’d end up with a whole
bunch of obese girls who wouldn’t be moe anymore because they probably
wouldn’t be nearly as cute. You’d have a pockets of diabetes springing up all over Japan and the anime would surely either take place in a hospital, or a fitness center. You could call the anime “the biggest loser”.
Alternatively, you could make an anime series that’s a documentary study about what happens when all you do is eat cake and parfaits. Kids slip into a the bowels of sickness as they one by one come down with various nutrition deprivation diseases including
SCURVY – VITAMIN C – the “grey death” – we’ll see how cute the girls are with spongy gums, blood spots under the skin, no teeth, and halitosis.
RICKETS – VITAMIN D – Rickets is a condition of children, as the deficiency’s most severe effects are on developing bones
BERIBERI – VITAMIN B1 – beriberi means “I can’t” so we can call the anime “I can’t”. Particularly relavant because it is most prevalent in rice consuming Asian countries. Inability to perform even the simplest of tasks once the polyneuritis (nerve inflammation) caused by the deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) has permanently damaged the neurons.
#2) Mecha pilots always being children/Never wanting to pilot the mecha
Mitsugi’s
Young children are supposed to pilot these mecha to save humanity from giant monsters but upon seeing the monsters, they wet themselves, and run away, leaving the earth to be ravaged by giant monsters.
Chiaki’s
The children are forced into slave-labor like conditions
eventually human rights groups form unions for the workers to make laws
They deploy teams of psychiatrists to help them cope – they give blankets
#3) Guy falling with his face in girls lap/boobs OR Girl and guy fall on each other and kiss
Mitsugi
There is a sudden demand for the field of dentistry in Japan (which is very lacking) becuase when two people fall on each other and kiss, they end up breaking each other’s teeth out.
Chiaki’s
It results in a number of facial brusing and battery claims which involve the police
this then turns into a sexual assault/self defense in which the guy is locked away
he is then in the shower in prison and slips, falling face first onto a man’s chest
YAOI!
#4) If 10 girls really did want to hook up with the same guy (i.e. harems).
Mitsugi
You end up with an anime in which multiple girls scheme and backstab each other in an attempt to win the heard of the boy. In the end, you end up in Jerry Springer in an episode involving a pregnancy test to determine which of the many girls is the mother of the child.
Chiaki’s
The first anime about the mormon religion
#5) tsundere, yandere, dere dere derp!
Mitsugi
Tsundere – person is a bitch and then shows her soft side – The girl acts like an asshole to the boy and eventually the boy tells her to go fuck herself. The girl ends up alone because she has no friends and her life spirals down a dark path of depression and sadness
Yandere – person that loves someone dearly and then that love becomes mentally destructive – A wonderful marriage turns into a messy divorce as the violent party begins to show violent and brutal behavior towards the other party. — A woman gets her child taken away from her because of psychotic violent behavior towards her child, jail and/or child services.
#6) When something embarrassing happens and everybody falls down
Chiaki’s
They’re all raced to the hospital where they learn they have brain tumors from long-term esposure to something in the anime
The continual falling results in severe brain damage that only serves to aggrivate the problem
The anime becomes about their struggle against gravity and the remaining weeks on their lives.
#7) Guys getting nosebleeds all the time
Chiaki’s
Leads to severe anemia
Nose has to be cauterized
Can’t go anywhere without a large pack of tissues
#8) Girls that want to sleep with their brothers (incest)
Chiaki’s
The world is full of incest babies
People end up being stupider and less mentally stable
Reviews: Noragami
The anime addicts anonymous talk about their favorite opening and closing songs. Will your favorite anime’s song make the list? Listen in and get some good ideas for your ultimate anime playlist.
Mitsugi:
“Violence of the Flame” by Hironobu Kageyama from the anime M.D. Geist(OP)
“Fake Wings” by Yuki Kajiura from .hack//Sign(BGM)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuki_Kajiura
Noir, Le Portrait de Petit Cossette, My Hime, Tsubasa Chronicles, First of the North Star, MAdoka Magika, Fate/Zero, Sword art Online, Kara no Kyoukai, Boogiepop
She has produced 10 musicals
15 produced albums many of which are with her band Kalafina, whom many people know because they perform much of the music produced by Yuki Kajiura
“Roundabout” by Yes from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (ED)
Roundabout was written in 1972. The song peaked at number 13 on the top singles charts in the United States.
“Asu e no Brilliant Road” by Angela from the anime Stellvia of the Universe (OP)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_(band)
Atsuko and Katsu
Style is Electronica, Dance, Rock, swing jazz and ska
Katsu is well known for her ability to play many instruments
Angela is a musical due that has done many anime themesongs:
Asura Cryin’, Coppelion, Corpse Princess, Fafner, Heroic Age, Knights of Sidnoia, Seitokai Yakuindomo, Shikabane Hime, Hakkenden, Valvrave the Liberator and more!
“Gunsmith Cats” by Peter Erskine from the anime Gunsmith Cats (OP)
A jazz drummer and composer who lives in Los Angeles
Has released 18 albums
Dishonorable mention – Grain from Monster by the artist Kuniaki Haishima
Chiaki:
“Mizu no Madoromi” by Origa from FANTASTIC CHILDREN (ED)
“Blue Bird” by Ikimonogakari from Naruto: Shippuden (OP 3)
“Wish” by Olivia from NANA (OP 2)
“Lion” from Macross Frontier by May’n (OP 3)
“Inner Universe” by Origa from Ghost in the Shell: SAC (OP 1)
“Hemisphere” by Maaya Sakamoto from Raxhephon (OP 1)
“Lacrimosa” by Kalafina from Black Butler (ED 2)
Kram:
“Kiseki no Umi” by Maaya Sakamoto from RECORD OF LODOSS WAR: CHRONICLES OF THE HEROIC KNIGHT (OP)
“D-technolife” by UVERworld from BLEACH (2nd OP)
“Koko Dake no Hanashi” by chatmonchy from PRINCESS JELLYFISH
“Falling Down” by Oasis from EDEN OF THE EAST (OP)
“RanTiKi” by Yukino from BAKUMATSU GIJINDEN ROMAN (OP)
DISHONORABLE MENTION: “Tell Me Why” by Penpals from BERSERK (OP)
Other Mentions:
Tank
Real Folk Blues
Ride on Shooting Star
Connect
Yakusoku wa Iranai
CHA-LA HEAD CHA-LA
Kimi Sae Ireba
Let Me Be With You
Zetsubou Billy
What’s up people
White Reflection
Rhythm Emotion
Just Communication
Reviews: Samurai Flamenco
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Kram and Mitsugi talk about what is hot in Japanese schools with regards to anime. They polled their students and talked about what anime the kids liked and why. Will your favorite show be on there? The results may surprise you.
Reviews: The Sensualist
The Sensualist is a 1991 animated film from Studio Grouper based on The Life of an Amorous Man, the 17th century novel by Ihara Saikaku. The movie should presumably tell the story of Yonosuke, a clothing store proprietor and titular amorous man. However, the film’s actual narrative has little to do with Yonosuke but rather a foolish tailor by the name of Juzo. You see, Juzo is in a bit of a pinch. He made a silly bet with some jerk-off that he could sleep with famed courtesan Komurasaki at their premier meeting, so now he’s off toward the capital city of Edo to make good on his wager. Problem is, Komurasaki is a very classy lady and doesn’t just invite any old joker into her futon. In fact, she doesn’t serve working class patrons at all, and even if she did, she doesn’t kiss on the first date. Like I said, a very classy lady. It looks like Juzo’s going to lose his bet, so what’s on the line anyway?
Not much–just his penis.
Lucky for our hapless tailor with the doomed dong, merchant class hunk Yonosuke has a bit of a history with the high-class hooker. Feeling bad for poor Juzo, the shop owner sets up a meeting with Komurasaki so the guileless gambler will at least have a shot at saving his manhood, but it is still a long-shot.
The Sensualist is an obvious labor of love by director Yukio Abe, who has found quite a bit of success in the anime industry as an art director (Colorful), background artist (The Dagger of Kamui), and audio engineer (Battle Angel). Those up on their Japanese film history should recognized the name of screenwriter Eiichi Yamamoto, frequent collaborator with the late “god of manga” Osamu Tezuka. The movie is short, clocking in at a brisk 55 minutes that is spent jumping back and forth between the central story with Juzo and the aforementioned backstory of Yonosuke, including his past encounters with Komurasaki. The easiest complaint of the film is its uneven script. The flashbacks should ideally serve to illuminate Yonosuke’s motivations in helping Juzo, but they only ever denote the ostensible protagonist as a lifelong libertine. The end result is a main character whose development feels told rather than shown. Furthermore, Yonosuke’s eventual success with Juzo’s conflict ultimately has little to do with his past and is quickly explained away in the penultimate scene with Komurasaki.
But where the movie falters in story it makes up for in aesthetics.
The movie is visually striking, summoning motifs from the ukiyo-e paintings of Edo period Japan to fill its frames. Many shots entirely abandon depth for super flat images that more closely resemble the antiquated art form. The depiction of water as undulating white lines against a dark field is especially reminiscent of the renowned woodblock prints. The male characters are drawn with a slightly more modern sensibility, but the female characters–especially Komurasaki–appear to have stepped right out of “Three Known Beauties” or “Beauty and Attendant.” The animation is limited by its resources, but there is no doubt that each frame was painstakingly fine-tuned to Abe’s meticulous vision, resulting in a piece that feels handmade, human, and brimming with graphic information.
Pervasive sexual symbolism adds a layer of artistry to the erotic depictions in the film–everything from the lotus flower as a time-honored vaginal metaphor to the somewhat hokey, phallic turtle’s head breaking into frame before revealing itself to be but the shelled amphibian. More esoteric imagery conveys the act of sexual penetration in evocative, beautiful ways–lightning strikes, orange flames against a backdrop of ocean waves, and even a series of red lines suggestively folding into one another.
Despite its technical limitations, The Sensualist is certainly a gem that has been forgotten by time. As one of only four projects that Grouper Productions had a hand in and a crew with this as their sole credit to this day (I couldn’t even find a cast list), this bit of direct-to-video art seems to have left no mark whatsoever on the world of animation, and that’s a shame. Those trying to track this down on home video will likely only dig up the Japanese DVD release of director Yasuzou Masumura’s live-action adaptation from 1961. As far as I know, The Sensualist has only seen life on home video as a VHS release. If you have the opportunity to see this little movie in any form, I highly recommend you take advantage of it.
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Its an exciting time. One season ends and the new one begins. Our cycle of impressions and reviews starts anew and it’s time for us to pick our shows. Listen in for the shows we think are the best from this season.
Mitsugi
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders Pick #1
Director – Naokatsu Tsuda – Jojo 1, Inu x boku ss,
Producers –
David Production – Jojo1, Ben-to, Level E, inu x boku ss
Warner Brothers
Haikyuu Pick #2
Director – Mitsunaka Susumu – No real notable credits
Art Director – Ichirou Tatsuta, Usagi drop, Genshiken second season, roboics notes
Production -Production IG
Huge promotion at Anime Japan 2014 but relatively minimalistic PV
Manga has been running since 2011, created by Haruichi Furudate
Baby Steps Pick #3
Director – Masahiko Murata – Corpse Princess, Ghos tin the shell arise, part of Serial Experiments lain, Some Naruto Shippuden movies, some other stuff
Production – Peirrot
Art Director – Kunihiko Inaba – Madoka Magika, Ozma, Meganebu
Based on a manga that has been serialized in Shonen Jump since late 2007
Mushishi Zoku Shou Pick #4
Director – Hiroshi Nagahama – Mushishi 1, Aku no Hana
Production – Artland – Mushishi 1, bunch of other stuff
Art Director – Takehsi Waki – Mushishi, bunch of other stuff
I can’t see why this isn’t just like the first Mushishi. . Fans rejoice.
M3 Sono Kuroki Tetsu Pick #5
Director – Junichi Sato – TONS, Aria the Animation, kaleido star, phi brain, tamayura hitotose,
Production – satelight – tons
Based on??? Original?
Chiaki
Isshuukan Friends (One Week Friends) — #1 Pick
Most of the staff, director, script writer, has minimal experience. This seems to be their first jump into the primary role.
Based on a Manga with 4 installments that started in 2012
Kaori Fujimiya is always alone because all of her happy memories, including time spent with her friends, disappear every Monday. Deciding that he wants to be friends with her anyway, Yuuki Hase tries to get close to Kaori each week, wishing that she would one day call him “a friend.”
Black Bullet — #3 Pick
Started as a Light Novel in 2011 with 7 volume, became a manga in 2012 with 3 volumes
Director – Masayuki Kojima – for Monster, Piano no Mori,
Music – Shiro Sagisu – Did the music for Bleach, Magi, Evangelion Movie Reaboots
A near future, where humans have been defeated by the viral parasites named Gastrea. They have been exiled into a small territory and live in despair, side-by-side in terror.
In this world trapped in darkness—
Rentaro, a boy living near Tokyo and member of the “Civil Security”—an organization specializing in fighting against the Gastrea—is used to accomplishing dangerous tasks. His partner is Enju, a precocious young girl. They fight thanks to their peculiar powers until one day, when they receive a special assignment from the government. This top secret mission is to prevent the destruction of Tokyo…
Set in a near future, this thrilling heroic-action story… starts now!
No Game No Life — #4 Pick
Light Novel started in 2012, ongoing with 5 volumes
Manga started this year with only 1 volume
Director – Atsuko Ishizuka **A girl!!** – This is her first solo jump into directing
The story of No Game, No Life centers around Sora and Shiro, a brother and sister whose reputations as brilliant NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) hikikomori (shut-in) gamers have spawned urban legends all over the Internet. These two gamers even consider the real world as just another “crappy game.” One day, they are summoned by a boy named “God” to an alternate world. There, God has prohibited war and declared this to be a world where “everything is decided by games”—even national borders. Humanity has been driven back into one remaining city by the other races. Will Sora and Shiro, the good-for-nothing brother and sister, become the “Saviors of Humanity” on this alternate world? “Well, let’s start playing.”
Akuma no Riddle (Riddle Story of the Devil) – #5 pick
Manga started in 2012 and currently has 1 volume
Director – Keizou Kusakawa – Asura Cryin’ and Dog Days
The story is set at Myoujou Academy, a private girls’ boarding school. The 10th year’s Kurogumi class has 12 assassins with their sights on one target, Haru Ichinose. Tokaku Azuma is a recent transfer student who is also targeting Ichinose, but she gradually develops feelings for Ichinose.
Abarenbou Kishi!! Matsutarou – #6 pick
Matsutarou Sakaguchi is a giant roughneck man with strength far beyond ordinary people. He never uttered words like “work hard,” “strive,” and “dream” like the typical shounen manga protagonist. However, he is stronger than anyone and peerless in sumo wrestling. His greatest weakness is his own carefree personality. He grows into a full-fledged sumo wrestler.
Reviews: Hamatora the Animation
Did you ever love something so much that you can’t get enough? You just fiend for more, looking for any way to get it. You’re not alone. We talk about some of the best shows that didn’t get a second season but that we think really deserve one. We also discuss what we think should happen in that second season.
Mitsugi
The Twelve Kingdoms!
Such an open ended world that could have endless adventures with rich atmosphere and abundant cultural mythology
Attack on Titan
Obviously we gotta strike while the iron is hot and get this sequel made
Berserk
Very unfinished ending that left viewers confused. We don’t want BS movies, we want a true animated sequel. There is PLENTY of manga to adapt.
Black Lagoon
Badass action never gets old. This is an anime that can be sectioned off into arcs and could have endless content
Golden Boy
6 episodes just wasn’t enough hilarious comedy for me from this series
Big Windup
A really good baseball anime that felt unfinished. I’d like to see them accomplish something as a team in this anime
Spice and Wolf
Cute romance that never really blossomed. Would like to see more of these two traveling together.
Outlaw Star
Gene Starwind never gets old. Bring on more space adventures. The ending was totally open ended and could be easily made into something more.
Chiaki
Yumekui Merry (Dream Eater Merry)
When I reviewed this I talked about how it was an interesting story that never got time to develop because they did a patch ending and ran out of time. I think giving this anime another 12 episodes would help make it something great.
Ouran High Host Club
Oh snap, Mitsugi, I said it. This anime really doesn’t get old (for those of us who like it). I think having a continuation perhaps after the host club when they were in college could be cool. Joining fraternities or sororities maybe?
Kimi ni Todoke
Yeah, it had two seasons already. But really, this romance is so good that it could go for a third. Again, perhaps a college development? I think it would be interesting if they tackled perhaps them breaking up when they get to college, very realistic.
Attack on Titan
Very new, but still very necessary for another season. The material is there. The hype is there. The source material is there. Why hasn’t this happened yet?
Aku no Hana
Again, another new one. This anime will likely never get a second season but if it did it could take it from just okay to being something really special. The source material they have to draw from for the second season is worth the buildup the first season would be.
Death Note
Let me clarify this one. I do not want it to be a true ‘second season’ perse, but an alternate re-telling which has Light being victorious over L and then none of the other two. A ‘what would happen if he got his new world order’ retelling.
Kram
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind: With only a small portion of Miyazaki’s original manga masterpiece adapted, sequel films (or even a TV series) feel like a perfect fit for the remaining unadapted material.
Akira: Similarly to the case with Nausicaä, only a bit of Katsuhiro Otomo’s seminal cyberpunk manga was exploited for the film adaptation.
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise: We’ve been hearing about Blue Uru for 22 years now, and with last year’s announcement by Gainax at the Tokyo International Anime Fair, it finally looks like we might get the long-awaited sequel to the studio’s premier piece.
Princess Jellyfish: As I haven’t read the manga, I don’t know how much (or how little) of this story was adapted into the 2010 series. All I know is that scant 11 episodes left me wanting more of Tsukimi and her (mostly indoor) adventures with the girls of Amamizukan.
Cowboy Bebop: I would love to see a prequel series about Spike, Vicious, and Julia’s adventures in the Red Dragon Society. The love triangle and the eventual betrayal that sets the three of them on different paths is ripe for great drama. Even Jet could be introduced as a hardened ISSP cop trying to bring down organized crime in the solar system, pitting him against Spike in a cat-and-mouse chase that further expounds on the already present not-so-subtle allusions to Lupin III.
Dragon Ball Z: It must be the nostalgic in me that wants a true sequel to Dragon Ball Z and not whatever the hell GT was. Mr. Toriyama’s heart was in the right place when he ignored the disappointing second sequel to his wildly popular manga series to make Battle of Gods, but this time let’s rethink the whole “Super Saiyan God” thing, shall we? And no more inciting events involving pudding.
Reviews: Copellion