NYE

I had this excellent plan of watching series ahead of time and having some in my back pocket for holiday situations. Unfortunately, this did not happen. As tomorrow is New Year's Eve, I'll be spending time with friends and family, rather than writing a new review. I'll be back to consistent, regularly scheduled reviews on Thursday. Should be good until the next Monday holiday...Memorial Day?

Aria the Scarlet Ammo

Genre: Drama
Age Appropriate: Pre-teen
Emotional Response: um, okay
Notable Features: guns, historical characters, spy agents
Language: English/Japanese
Length: 12 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Good

"I'll pump you full of holes!" - Aria

Aria the Scarlet Ammo refers to a high school student named Aria. She appears when the main male protagonist is stuck in a Speed-like situation on a motorbike and saves him from segway-riding machine guns. Kinji, the young man in question, is a high school student at Butei High School - a high school for training special agents in weapons/strategy/hacking along side traditional education. He actually want to transfer out of the school, but through his interactions in the series never meets this goal. Part of his life includes his childhood friend, Shirayuki, who is in love with him and dotes on him in a way that annoys him. Still, he puts up with it - especially when she brings him food. After Aria saves the day, she decides that Kinji will be her slave (read: partner), and badgers him into working with her on  one case, which turns into the whole series. As part of the comedic side, she has frequent arguments (with weapons) with Shirayuki about their relationships with Kinji.

Aria's goal is to save her mother from her consecutive life sentences, given to her as a result of being set up by IU, a mysterious organization. This revelation brings in new characters to defeat as part of their end goal. These characters are also distantly related to historical figures. Through the process of learning their ancestral motivations, it is revealed that Aria is actually Aria Holmes Kanzaki. The Holmes is a nod to Sherlock Holmes! While it appears that Kinji doesn't have such a famous ancestor, this story does involve his brother, and his brother's death as a Butei.

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Aria the Scarlet Ammo is generally pretty good. I like some of the story line, and chuckled at some of the comedy. I don't think it was a waste of my time or anything. The addition of the historical ancestries wasn't necessary though. You'd really have to understand something about those figures (for the villains at least) to actually care about why it's been added, and even then the information doesn't seem to have any bearing on the situation at hand. It's nice that VillainB is a descendant of HistoricalA, but who cares? I thought I would like it more, but it was just "good."

I might have liked it had it been longer than 12 episodes. It could've used the time for a little more character development. It might be good if they end up doing a second season, although I haven't read anything about that being a possibility. It seems to be fairly new, though. Aside from some embarrassing moments (blushed included) there isn't anything inappropriate. There didn't even seem to be any innuendo type jokes, which wouldn't have worked anyway. However, the last episode was a little dark at one point. I did actually enjoy some of the weapons work, though! I also enjoyed Kinji in his special agent-type hysteria mode. It was funny. So, yeah, it was good. It's not at the top of my list, but I wouldn't stop anyone from watching it.

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Move Over!: Ozuma

Christmastime!

I'm with my family out of town for the holiday! So, there will be no review until Thursday. Happy Holidays!

My Bride is a Mermaid

Genre: Comedy
Age Appropriate: Pre-teen
Emotional Response: LOL
Notable Features: mermaids, yakuza, marriage
Language: Japanese
Length: 26 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Pretty Good

"Ya see, 'honor among thieves' is really 'honor under the seas'!" - Sun

A young man, Nagasumi, goes on a vacation to a seaside village to visit his grandmother and ends up in a heap of trouble. Somehow, he manages to end up drowning off the shore and is saved by a beautiful young mermaid. In the process of trying to get his parents to believe his story, she shows up at the house and asks him to take responsibility for what happened! Seconds later the house is approached by "her people," and they demand that Nagasumi and his parents return with them to her father's home. On top of it all, they're Yakuza! Because the daughter, Sun, allowed him to see her true form there is now a lot of drama about what to do about it. The mob rules say that if a mermaid is seen by a human, then the mermaid must die. Her father wants to kill him, therefore removing the problem - which Sun resents as she saved him in the first place - and her mother suggests marriage. If he's one of the family, the no one has to die (which now includes his parents as they've been drawn into the whole thing with him). And so, the junior high students get engaged.

The series follows the young teens through out their school years with the interference of Sun's family and friends from her past. The key players in Sun's family actually integrate themselves into her new life, following her inland, and making more trouble for the youngsters. There is a pop star idol who is obsessed with beating Sun at life, and an orca-man shut in who was treated kindly by Sun as a child and wants to marry her. Sun is also followed by a fairy-type assassin bent on killing Nagasumi to release Sun for her promise to marry him. Nagasumi has/had a friend who resembles a chimp (and is therefore nicknamed Chimp) who actually switches sides to help Kai (orca-boy) for Kai's wealth. IN the last episodes, the challenge becomes keeping Nagasumi and Sun together, along with keeping their friends land-side against an unknown evil. This series is a pretty standard teen-life anime.


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Just to get it out of the way: I wasn't a huge fan of the animation style. Generally, it's the same as most, but some of the dramatizations were just weird. It was pretty distracting. Also, the ya's drove me crazy, though I assume the translation was attempting to get the accent across, that's just something impossible to do well in writing. However, that doesn't have much to do with my liking (or disliking) the storyline.

The series was actually pretty fun! I really didn't think it was going to be. I had a hard time getting through it, but around episode 8 it started getting good. It was an epic musical mermaid battle but I was clapping like a school girl at the end. Something about anime brings out the school girl in me - despite never having been that kind of school girl. While this is a typical teen-life anime (mermaids aside), I still appreciated the humor. I might recommend other things first, but there is nothing wrong with this one. It gave me a number of good laughs, just don't expect anything special from it. There's nothing questionable really, so feel free to let your tweens watch it. There are a off-color comments, but it would likely go over their heads. The end battle was pretty awesome, too. So, yeah, it's pretty good.

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Wait for it...: Aria the Scarlet Ammo

YuruYuri

Genre: Comedy
Age Appropriate: Pre-teen
Emotional Response: goofy girls, girl crushes
Notable Features: young girls, school related comedy, lack of presence
Language: Japanese
Length: 2 seasons, 26 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Ok, I guess

"Akarin!" - Everyone

YuruYuri opens with a storyline about Akari, a young middle-schooler starting a new school year. She comes with new friends and old. Right away, the series goes into her lack of presence. There is a new girl, who is a first year, who describes her as invisible. As the series moves on, it becomes apparent that the series is more about the friends as a whole. The four main friends Akari, Yuki, Kyoko and Chinatsu - are a part of the Amusement Club - a club that has no real focus outside of hanging out. There is the occasional attempt at doing something, but it often just leads to comedic situations. The series is primarily shenanigans, in and out of school, between the girls. There is some rivalry between the VP of the School Council and the Amusement Club, but turns out shortly that it has more to do with a crush and/or competition than anything malicious. The key to YuruYuri is the Yuri part. The series is full of girl crush triangles, including two fantasizing twins. There aren't any male characters at all! At the bottom of the storyline, and girly fun, the series is really about Akari and her battle with her self-esteem.

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YuruYuri is cute. There isn't any real substance at all, though. This is part of the reason the synopsis isn't very long. I don't really mind watching something fluffy after a few serious anime, but this was too fluffy. I didn't get enraptured by it at all, and had to force a few episodes down my throat. Actually, that sounds a little harsh. It really was cute. And the comedy bits where they're expression their crushes for each other are pretty excellent. There is plenty of innuendo and sparkly fantasy moments, but nothing blatantly inappropriate. I didn't have any laugh out loud moments, but maybe a headsmack or two. Things I did enjoy: Yui's little sister. She's adorable. It wasn't really to my taste, but if you don't mind the girl-girl crushes, it's probably not a bad series for a middle-schooler. If there is any type of moral to this story, it's about self-esteem. In general, though, I probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone, unless they specifically asked for something like it. It was ok, I guess.

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Here fishy-fishy!: My Bride is a Mermaid

Uraboku (Betrayal Knows My Name)

Genre: Action/Drama
Age Appropriate: Teen/Adult
Emotional Response: heartbreak, bittersweet, fruitless hope
Notable Features: demons, special abilities, good vs. evil
Language: Japanese
Length: 24 Episodes
Overall Recommendation: Top 5

"I will not betray you!" - Luka

Uraboku is a story of good versus evil. Yuki, an orphan about to age out of the orphanage he's been in since childhood, is tracked down and approached by Takashiro - the leader of the Giou clan. The purpose of the Giou clan is to protect Yuki, and humanity, from Duras - demons. These Duras come in different classes that range in power. Yuki is especially important because of his power - God's Light. Each member of the Zweilts - a subset of the Giou clan - has powers that are special to them. Yuki's powers are cleansing and healing. The others hold powers more helpful in battle (e.g. God's Voice (Hotsuma) holds fire that can destroy Duras), and this is a sort spot for Yuki. He feels bad about having to be protected all the time. Unfortunately, his power comes at a great price to his well-being, as he has to take on the others' pain in order to heal them, and the others feel a large amount of guilt about it. However, Yuki is the key to the major upcoming battle between the Giou Clan and Reiga - the main antagonist. Things become more complicated as the story reveals the alternate identity of Reiga.

Behind the story of good versus evil, there is another story - that of Yuki and Luka. They are connected by a long ago past, and Luka has sworn to never betray Yuki. Luka Crosszeria (or Brand Zess) is a Duras who has betrayed his kind for Yuki. He's a dark, brooding character.Their relationship is somewhat complicated by their past, but at the center is an intense connection between them. While Luka seems to be apathetic and removed from the others protecting Yuki, he makes the effort to be with them because he wants Yuki to be safe and happy. Of everyone Yuki meets in the beginning of his story, Luka seems to be the one person he counts on the most. Much of the story revolves around their reactions to each other as a vehicle between episodes, and is a key component of the series climax.

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 I feel like the synopsis above doesn't do this series much justice, but I really wanted to restrain myself from giving too much away. This is one of my most favorite anime. At the beginning of the series, I felt a lot of hope about the story and where it would end up, but as the series continues it produces a lot of doubts. It was easy to get emotionally invested in the characters, most especially Luka and Yuki. It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. It's a lot of wishing that things could be different for everyone involved, and hoping that it will be by the end of the series.

The huge emotional investment aside, there are other things I appreciated about the series. The end of each episode has a brief little conversation between one pair of partners that add a little bit of comic relief, regardless of the previous episode's content. Luka's familiar, Sodom, is also a joy during the episodes, no matter the form it takes. I want one. I also appreciated that while there is a story of good versus evil, there is a gray line that makes the story more interesting than straight up good guys versus bad guy. It's not much of one, but I appreciate it. I lost myself in the episodes and had no problem watching a few at a time.

I love this series and I would definitely recommend it. I admit there is a good amount of eye candy, depending on your tastes (Luka especially!), so maybe it would be better for girls. It depends on what you get out of a series. This is definitely one for someone looking for the emotional component, although it does have some good action bits, too. It gets a Top 5 from me. I will watch it again, multiple times, although I know I'll need a break from it for awhile. My next series will need to be something uselessly funny, after two series that are intense. If you're ready for bittersweet emotions, this is ready for you.


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Prepare yourself!: YuruYuri

Canaan

Genre: Action
Age Appropriate: Adult
Emotional Response: Confused, impatient, and painful (emotionally)
Notable Features: rampant super virus, bioterrorism, cover-ups, genetically altered superhumans
Language: English
Length: 13 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Good

Canaan is a girl whose village was burned to the ground during Middle East conflict. Finding her under some rubble, Canaan is rescued by a military man, who trains her in combat abilities as a child. She has synesthesia and uses it to pinpoint enemy targets.  Her enemy is an organization named Snake, and it is now run by Alphard, with Ua virus survivors, or borners, under her control. The plot focuses on the battle between Canaan and Alphard in Shanghai, the location of their current operations. The underlying plot includes a complicated past between Canaan and Alphard.

While Canaan is the main protagonist of the series, each episode focuses a significant part of the story on her friend, Maria. As some point in her past, Maria was infected with the the Ua virus, but doesn't remember what happened. She does remember befriending Canaan at some point, and teaching her Cat's Cradle - an underlying activity that brings them together. Canaan, though a bit detached, seems her most "normal" when she's with Maria, clearly making the effort for Maria's sake. She holds their friendship precious and often has to save her from situations perpetuated by Snake. Maria is wanted both for her status regarding the Ua virus, and as bait for Canaan. A good portion of those situations are a result of her desire to be a photographer, and the relationship she has with her partner, Minoru, a journalist interested in the happenings of the Shibuya incident and the cover-up including gathering information about the strange mark that appears on those who've been exposed to the virus.

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Canaan was a surprise for me. It was mixed, though. When I first read the description, I thought I would like it more. When I started the series, I thought I was wrong. It's slow. The problem is committing to watching the whole thing, but in the end I found it to be worth it. It isn't really my typical genre, but it was a good change. In my efforts to be more inclusive with this blog, I've challenged myself to watching anime that I normally wouldn't. I'm glad that I did in this instance. Unfortunately, the slowness of the series doesn't let up. I struggled to finish it on time, and I had an extra day to get it in. It is definitely one of those series where you really should keep it to one episode per week.

It's complicated, and messed up. If you can get past the beginning parts, and get into it, you'll eventually hit the deep emotionality. You just have to be willing to sit it through. The messed up parts, including one messed up, insane sister, I found a bit tough. It's emotionally painful, and I suppose that makes it a success. Also, there is no comedic relief past the first episode or two. The end takes a little bit away from having to sit through it. This series isn't that messed, but it's rough enough that I would definitely not recommended it for anyone younger than an adult. It's a guy anime, with the violence and military leanings that remind me of certain video games, but good. I won't watch it again, but I would seriously recommend it to someone I thought would appreciate the genre/subject matter.

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For your viewing pleasure: Uraboku

No Blog Post Thursday

There will be no post on Thursday. I will start again on Monday. 

Baka & Test

Genre: Comedy
Age Appropriate: Teen
Emotional Response: LOL
Notable Features: avatars, education and cuteness
Language: English/Japanese
Length: 2 seasons, 26 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Great

"I don't want to be your doughnut!" - Akihisa Yoshii

Fumizuki Academy is a high school that is highly focused on academic achievement. The better the test scores, the better the students' equipment. Each student takes an entrance exam at the start of each year, and based on those scores they are placed in a class with students who have similar scores - ranging from Class A to Class F. Class A has laptops, a kitchenette, comfortable desks, recliners...etc. Class F starts out with kindergarten tables and deflated seat cushions. The classes have the option of challenging other classes to Summoner Test Wars. The purpose is to trade up for better equipment if the lower class defeats the high class. Any class can challenge any other class. Students have avatars that represent them in the Wars, often reflecting that student's personality. Their starting scores reflect their most recent test scores, and the battles are usually in a specific topic. These rules make for important strategic battle plans between classes.

Yoshii, a student of the academy, starts his year in Class F, along with his friend Himeji. Himeji is actually a Class A level student, but because she fainted during the entrance exam she was given zeros and begins with nothing. The other students in the series all begin in Class F, and they all seem to be friends from past years in school. Yoshii's desire to help Himeji begins a class war, because he wants to get her back to where she should be academically. His friends help him because they want to rebel against the system, or just kick some higher class butt. The friends have varied personalities, from a pervy teen boy with a camera to a psycho girl obsessed with her elementary school crush. Throughout the wholes series, despite the battles,  the real story focuses on coming of age issues, teen romances, and teamwork.

Season two starts as a summer vacation episode, but it returns to the school based shenanigans pretty quickly. This season, however, has no overwhelming need for battling and is much more focused on friendship interplay and embarrassment comedy. There are also a few episodes centered on flashbacks of the friends' first year. It also delves straight into the romance part of the story.

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I watched the first season in one day.

Baka & Test is hilarious and just what I needed. It's ridiculous. I also want a battle avatar. They're super cute and super awesome. Yoshii's avatar is probably my favorite, and I appreciate the special abilities that come with his being an idiot. I also learned a lot of interesting little educational tidbits that I'll probably never remember, but it was fun.

I admit that the second season was not nearly as good as the first season, but I still watched it in about a day. Unfortunately, this caused the overall rating to go down a bit. The multiple-episode battle of the teachers/girls vs. stupid boys is quite epic, though. Both seasons have a really good flow, enough that I didn't actually realize that I'd seen 5 episodes in a row before taking a break.

It was silly, and while there were some head-shaking tsk-tsk moments, there was no serious nudity, swearing, or blood that would usually prompt a higher appropriate age rating. It didn't rate a Top 5, but it was simply fun. No serious plot, no super-drama, no heartbreak, but all in a good way. The only thing that might have made it better would be to have a real ending. It seems incomplete and I'm hoping they're planning on a third season. I would still recommend it.

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Summon!: Canaan