[Hynavian] Weekend Reviews (01/11/08) - Verdict Again, Plus an “Appeal” for Skip Beat! at Riuva : Research Institute for Unicultural Visual Arts

[Hynavian] Weekend Reviews (01/11/08) - Verdict Again, Plus an “Appeal” for Skip Beat!

(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

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Popularity: 13% [?] Published by Hynavian November 2nd, 2008 in Hynavian, Anime Reviews

It’s time again for my "Weekend Reviews".

It has been a fruitful anime week because I managed to catch many series after completing all my essay assignments. This time round, I’ll not only be reviewing the series that I’m following but I’ll also be deciding whether the others (that I’ve not caught before) are worth following according to my preferences.

‘On trial’ Series

Kurozuka Episode 1-4
Shikabane Hime Aka Episode 4
Skip Beat! Episode 1-3 (Appeal)

Reviewing

Ga-Rei Zero Episode 4
Tora Dora Episode 4
Vampire Knight Guilty Episode 4
Yozakura Quartet Episode 4

Dropped

Chaos; Head
Rosario+Vampire Capu 2

‘On Trial’ this week…

Kurozuka Episode 1-4

Awesome plot

Awesome graphic & effects

Awesome characters

Verdict:

Watch during the holidays.

Madhouse has done a great job so far. Kurozuka is a top notch anime and I appreciate how the series is going but I prefer something light and not too psychological. I love the many cliff hangers but again, I prefer a series that does not play too much on my mind while keeping the cliff hanger and suspense (eg: Claymore, Ga-Rei Zero). The use of Noh (a type of Japanese musical drama) at the start of every episode to recap the previous episode is a very unique start for every episode. It further supports the context which the series is set, which is the late Heian to Kamakura period where Yoshitsune and his lovely siblings are still pking each other for power. Which reminds me of my pre-modern Japanese history lessons…stress. =_="

Kurozuka is what I call an "intense series". It plays with the mind not only with its style of presentation (skipping segments, bundling segments together again, etc), the plot also have uncanny parallels to real life historical context that all the more blur boundaries. Madhouse did not hold back as there is ample blood, slick samurai moves, and creepy sound and visual effects. As for character design wise, I do not think that Kuromitsu is sexy or voluptuous in anyway but she’s presented as the typical elite woman from that era and would be deemed as the beauty then. Overall, Kurozuka is a great anime but it’s just too much for me to handle during the school term.

Shikabane Hime Aka Episode 4

Monk+Undead Vs Undead bird @_@

Verdict

Following.

First thing first, nice ending music for this episode. Anyone second my thoughts?

I like the action and the plot for Shikabane Hime Aka so far and I feel that the series is slightly above average. I actually prefer this to Yozakura Quartet but due to the lack of time, I always let Shikabane Hime Aka slide off my weekly time table now and then.

Going for an ‘Appeal’ this week…

Skip Beat! Episode 2

Verdict

Dropped.

I caught episode 1 of Skip Beat but dropped it because I felt that it was not my cup of tea. Besides, there’s Tora Dora to tickle my tummy. However, 2 blog posts changed my mind and I decided to give Skip Beat another try. There must be lots of "ingredients" in Skip Beat, so many ingredients that it is one of the chef’s favorite and Skip Beat should have lots of gore, so much that the mistress of the blog of suicide bunnies love. But I was wrong, it’s everything except for ingredients and gore. The story tells of a girl who desperately wants to rise to stardom as she aims to seek revenge against a guy whom have been free loading off her. Skip Beat has many exaggerated moments but 98% of them failed to make me laugh. Skip Beat actually has a simple plot where it is on a very determined girl who will go to the extremes just to achieve her goals. The art is bearable but because I’m not into the whole rise to stardom plot and exaggerated comedy, the series was not able to keep my interest. Sorry buddies but I’m gonna have to drop this again. >.<"

Reviewing this week…

Ga-Rei Zero Episode 4

There is more Yomi-Kagura’s superb sisterly relationship. Not only are their sisterly love developed, their relation towards the others are briefly mentioned too. Thus, setting the perimeters for more drama to come. On a side note, the sexual preferences of certain squad members are mentioned for humor effect. Ga-Rei Zero is losing it’s steam in the arena of cliff hanger and suspense. This time, there are no answers but there are no cliff hangers too. This episode was mediocre, just like good old narratives that recount good old times. However, I’m still waiting for answers; Is Kagura really dead? What happened to Kagura to cause such a big change in her? ~~Are Yomi and Kagura gay?~~

To prevent an overdose of contextual input, there are many humorous scenes found in this episode as compared to the others. I especially find the Michael character interest though he’s bizarre and speaks with a weird Japanese slang. Appearing from nowhere, he decides to maintain the squad’s equipment and he’s the cause of this episode’s ridiculousness because the whole team has to use household appliances when their weapons are undergoing maintenance.

Yomi chose the iron. WHY???

I feel that the above would have been a better choice instead. Omisyth thinks so too.

Tora Dora Episode 4

I caught Tora Dora on Animania again and this is the first time that I actually bothered to watch the OP. Has the OP been like this all along because it is HORRIBLE!

The episode starts with Ryuuji finding a box of badly taken photographs of Kitamura in Tiaga’s house and the plot then revolves around characters trying to get their ideal lover’s photo. I was reminded of card games like "Pokemon" and "Magic the Gathering" during the scenes where Tiaga was shuffling through the stack of photos as the action resembles what card players would do when they’re selecting their cards. I wasn’t shocked when it came to the part where Tiaga recounted Kitamura’s confession and her rejection. Instead, I felt that the segment on Kitamura’s confession is awkward and does not fall in line with the plot. This week’s episode is a little boring but bearable overall.

Starbucks? (::

I’ll be catching the next episode of Tora Dora again on Animania (Thursday, 11.30pm) with my mug of tea.

Vampire Knight Guilty Episode 4

Episode 4 covers roughly chapter 29 and chapter 30 of the manga where Yuki begins to doubt Kaname and starts investigating her past. The antagonists have also taken their place and entered the picture in this episode, thus, promising more action and drama for the upcoming episodes. Hopefully the plot will flow according to the manga so that Senri and Touya will still be alive at the end of this season.

I’m slightly confused as to what has happened in the anime so far. There was a scene where Zero got blood directly from Kaname when he was locked up in the prison cell but the lady from the hunters’ association told him to get kaname blood if he wants to free himself from the Level E fate. Didn’t Zero already got some blood from Kaname before?

Yozakura Quartet Episode 4

I actually thought that Hime didn’t know Akina earlier if not for this episode. Just as the title of the episode states, characters are "looking back" as to what has occurred in the past. Perhaps the neko eared antagonist did not look serious enough, hence, this episode is dedicated to Enjin/Gin so that everyone will have a better understanding of the situation Hime and Akina are in.

I actually think that Gin looks waaaaaaay cooler before as compared to what Enjin had done to his body now. Enjin, DROP THAT NERD LOOKING GLASSES AND THAT UGLY LOOKING FUR COAT! My favorite scene is where Kotoha and Hime debated over food. After much senseless but hilarious arguments, Kotoha conjures a plum and then forces it into Hime’s mouth. Kotoha’s ability is definitely the most convenient ability to have for this series.

I’ve spent too much time on anime this week so I’ll not be that adventurous the coming week. I would like to apologize to all for not being able to cover "Mouryou no Hako " because I have clean forgotten to watch it but it will definitely be ‘on trial’ in my next "Weekend Reviews" post. Till then have a very Happy Halloween!

Popularity: 13% [?]

15 Responses to “[Hynavian] Weekend Reviews (01/11/08) - Verdict Again, Plus an “Appeal” for Skip Beat!”

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1 tik 67 comments Nov 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 am

>>>toradora
S>>tarbucks? (::

furukawa bread!!
2 tik 67 comments Nov 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 am

>>>toradora
>>>Starbucks? (::

furukawa bread!!
3 Panther 59 comments Nov 2nd, 2008 at 8:22 am

I cannot believe it! You prefer Shitkabane over Y-Quartet!
I already dropped it. I could not stand Makina’s voice, at all.
4 blissmo 20 comments Nov 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 am

Aw, you didn’t find Skip Beat! funny? Oh well, at least you’re still following Ga-Rei zero … I mean, you BETTER *narrow eyes*
5 tj_han 1442 comments Nov 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 am

Yozakura Quarter is actually getting pretty boring, Panther. Hynavian can watch Tytania…
6 usagijen 34 comments Nov 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 pm

lolz Hyn, I didn’t think you’d put yourself through the pain watching Skip Beat again! then again I’m the one to blame for that orz. Did you ever get to read the manga of Skip Beat? I was thinking it will be the ultimate test of whether you’ll like Skip Beat, since you won’t have to deal with the not-so-stellar animation, among other things that will put you off. If nothing changes, then I’ll rest my case.
7 Impz 41 comments Nov 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 am

Jen, remember how Hyn says about shoujo series. I guess even the most “shounen” of shoujo titles will be hard to break her shounen love ^_^
8 Hirvine 6 comments Nov 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 am

Awww, was ChaosHead that bad. Well, I didn’t start yet, but poor.. Looked like a great story. Kurozuka looks indeed stunning, thanks for the tip. Starbucks lol.
9 Panther 59 comments Nov 3rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm

TJ: I watch Teatania too and it be good. Epic manly tea-pouring.

As for Y-Quartet I am stuck on episode 3 WTF. I could not even find a raw of 4.
10 Setsukyie 34 comments Nov 3rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Chaos;HEAd is actually one of the best in the season, 2nd to CLANNAD ~After Story~.
Well, but that’s my opinion.

As for the others on your list..
I have yet to try Kurozuka, but will do so later.
Shikabane Hime Aka is getting boring..might drop it.
Haven’t tried Skip Beat!. And maybe won’t do so.
Only watched one episode of Ga-Rei-Zero, it’s ok, but not my cup of tea. Might drop it.
ToraDora! is great. Watching this till the end.
Vampire Knight Guilty, it’s so-so.. Still watching it though..
Yozakura Quartet…will try watching later, maybe…
Rosario Vampire Capu 2, a big no.
11 tj_han 1442 comments Nov 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 pm

WTF Panther you fail, it’s everywhere. CLUE: Greedland.
12 Hynavian 29 comments Nov 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 pm

jen, I promise you that I will give the manga a try during my November/December holidays.

Impz, listen to me and become a Claymore fan because there definitely is hard-core “shoujo” in this “shounen” series. The best example would be Clare-Raki, followed by Clare-Raki, and then Clare-Raki again. Bwahaha, an totally epic love relationship.

What is Tytania? Okie, I’ll catch an episode of the show boss. (:

Panther, give me a “V”, give me an “E”, give me an “O”, and give me a “H”.
They even have the english subs ep 5 for Y-Quartet there.
13 The Sojourner 112 comments Nov 4th, 2008 at 2:40 am

Go watch Tytania, Hyn. :p
14 Hannah 1 comment Mar 5th, 2009 at 6:34 am

You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
15 Supernatural Season 1 comment Sep 21st, 2009 at 2:27 am

I like to watch Supernatural and also Lost, becous the sexy cast lol. BTW found this site on google, searched for some TV Show Plot.

Do not use any < and > for your own sake. It will end the comment there and then. Also, there is an automatic IQ filter which weeds out comments made by those who accidentally got transported from the stone age.

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