TSL CATCH UP WEEK: DAY 1 - I WATCH ANIME

All week long I'll be running down the comic culture items I've missed blogging about in recent months, or at least some of them. Today it's notes on some anime...

ERGO PROXY - ErgoProxyDVD.com

I mentioned this one when the DVD's first hit, but recently wrapped up the final volume...

Ergo starts out a noir sci-fi utopia mystery, that quickly gets deeper and more immersive than you expect. Not only is it visually stunning at times, Proxy’s a very rewarding thinker too.


GHOST IN THE SHELL: SOLID STATE SOCIETY - GhostInTheShell.tv

This movie length outing of Stand Alone Complex (the TV series take on the Shirow property), which is actually it's third (following two stellar full seasons of the TV series), was another solid entry, and brought this version more in line with where the orginal movie and manga character is at the end of their respective first volumes (there've been 2.5 manga volumes and 2 movies as well).

Confused? Don't be, any one of the three takes on Ghost In The Shell - manga, anime movie, or anime series - are landmark efforts, and are worth your time. Try any one of them, or if you're a fan of the this series, be sure and see this latest effort.



GODANNAR - ADVFilms.com

This series is a couple years old, but it just started running on Anime Network on-demand, and I'd been anxious to see it...

Giant robots served up sweet, with exta oomph all around, and super slick production. I'm a few episodes in and really enjoying it!

I WATCH ANIME: 009-1

Holy shit!
That was good!!

009-1 is a new series from ADV that blends the early-era James Bond espionage cool with the cutting edge animated action of Aeon Flux, all done up in the old school style of the Cyborg 009 series it's born from.

The series follows agent 009-1, and her team of cyborg female spies, that do battle to maintain the front of a peaceful cold war between Eastern and Western Blocs that exist in an alternate future Earth.

It's sexy, smart, and oh-so-stylish.
The first episode takes off running and doesn't let up til the final frame, as Mylene Hoffman (cyborg Zero Zero agent 9-1) uses herself any way necessary to get the job done, while her cybernetic backups (all with their own surprising abilities) pull out all the stops too, just as the entire production does the same via great design and execution. 009-1 doesn't just look great, it moves, explodes, and kicks you upside the head with pizazz too.

Check this one out on Anime Network starting now, or on DVD...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

From the series description:

In a world where the Cold War never ended, East and West continue to battle for technological and political supremacy. Mylene Hoffman, field commander of the elite Zero Zero Organization, exists in this world with her eyes open and her body always ready to do battle. She puts the intelligence into “intelligence agent” and her body into "body of evidence"!

Liberating benevolent scientists, tagging along with would-be monster-slayers, meeting her match in the world’s most hard-boiled assassin and navigating a deadly labyrinth of horrors are all in a day’s work for Mylene. There’s no problem she can’t solve with the proper application of high explosives, fast-talk, deceptive jewelry, make-up and the right moves behind closed doors!

In a world of spy mystery and intrigue… discover who she kisses one minute and kills the next.

I WATCH ANIME: January roundup

With the slew of new shows on cable, in addition to what's already offered on-demand, and the occasional series I add to Netflix, I've Been more actively watching anime lately. Regardless of how many shows are offered on TV, or sought out, I only continue on if they're good, and there are a lot of really good shows right now.

AFRO SAMURAI
Simply spectacular!The voice acting - it's mother fuckin Sam Jackson and Hollywood actors, not your run of the mil english translation done with the same overly sweet/goofy voice actors, who've done voices on countless other shows.
The music - it's scored by the RZA, the same former Wu-Tang Clan member who helped score the infamous Kill Bill soundtrack, and the music here is good.
The production - since AS is only 5 episodes (I think), essentially an OVA, the quality is not only high, it's 2 steps beyond, and throughout.
The design - from characters, to settings, and palates, AS has it all going on.
This is just plain stellar storytelling.
Mature animation, done right.
This is what I crave!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

ERGO PROXY
The buzz on this one was really good, in terms of concept, design, and production.
The first volume doesn't disappoint.EP is the story of a sci-fi future Earth where a completely controlled domed society utilizes robotic advancements, every citizen has an "entourage" - a cybernetic robot counterpart, that helps them with their daily tasks, and focuses on one special intelligence officer, granddaughter of the society's leader, as she follows the trail of an apparent monster running wild through the city.
The style here is fresh, and the detail is on par with the impressive Ghost In The Shell series, and should fill the void left by the ending of that great series.
View the trailer HERE
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

BASILISK
Two hated ninja tribes have their long ban on fighting lifted by their masters, as the next generation plans a marriage between young lovers on either side of the conflict. Filled with ancient superhuman ninja powers that are revealed only in showdowns as the tribes battle to claim 10 names from each side, and thus achieve victory.
The characters, the setup, and the outlandishly creative abilities all serve up one awesome visual treat that keeps you on edge.
Very good!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

COYOTE RAGTIME SHOW
So far, I've only caught the first episode, as this one is on Anime Network on-demand, but what started out as a pleasing, solid, but not spectacular show, quickly turned into something really special by the end. Really looking forward to more of what looks to be great planet hopping sci-fi as multiple sides attempt to elude, capture or kill the other!
There also some imaginative ideas and characters at play here.
Check this one out!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

GUNSLINGER GIRL
So far GG has been very low key... long walks down quiet hallways, soft music, delicate voices, and not too much action. However, what makes the series work so far, are the themes at play within, underaged cybernetic girls who's only existence is that of trained killers who know nothing outside their world besides what their handlers tell them. It makes for an interesting setup that's fun to watch. Just don't expect non stop action (at least in the first 3 episodes).
MILDLY RECOMMENDED

Lots of good stuff out there!

While most of these shows are just underway (either on cable/on-demand, or DVD), AFRO SAMURAI is just about wrapped up on Spike. If you missed it the DVD is coming... I thought it was due in February, but a check on Amazon shows May, when both the edited and director's cut show available. So plan accordingly (looks like the Director's Cut has 15 minutes of extra footage)...

I WATCH ANIME: IFC anime tonight

Ninja clan battle fest Basilisk, and gun toting girl killers Gunslinger Girl anime both debut on cable channel IFC tonight starting at 11pm!

I'd been tempted to pick up the Basilisk mangas, after seeing good reviews for those, but having also heard great things about the anime, I was instead thinking of going that route. Then hearing it will broadcast on IFC (the Independent Film Channel), settles any dilemma there...
A quick look at the expansive Basilisk website reveals that the production on it does look incredible - the character designs and animation are amazing!!
It could be the coolest thing since Ninja Scroll...


Gunslinger Girl looks interesting, if for no other reason than it's a more mature looking anime (not the cutesy mainstream kind)...

(Cute anime kids sure, but they're shredding people with semi-automatic weaponry!)

BTW, AFRO SAMURAI, which started last night on SpikeTV, was 10 kinds of cool!!!
(I haven't actually counted out 10 reasons why, but I'm sure there's at least that many and then some!!)

I WATCH ANIME: Get your 'fro on!

Don't forget, if you've got SpikeTV, tune into Sam Jackson as AFRO SAMURAI tonight at 11pm! (Or if you don't get Spike, the first ep is up for free on their site...)It looks good!!

I WATCH ANIME: Roundup

Again, looking back at the year as we approach 2007, I realize I haven't talked about anime in a long while...

For the most part, I haven't watched too much, thus the lack of commenting, but I did go through a few viewings I haven't mentioned...

GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX: 2nd GIG - I've mentioned this many times, best anime series by far, but never talked about the second season finale.

The last few discs were simply spellbinding. As the season wound down to the final few episodes of the 26 part season, everything came together and rewarded you for following along all the intense plotting and developments over the course of the run. Testing the Major and Section 9 to the fullest, and even costing them some casualties.

One of the best television shows going, up there with Battlestar, the best of HBO, Lost and anything else you throw out!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

TRINITY BLOOD - Started airing recently on Cartoon Network, and I've watched the first few episodes. The production of the show is great, and the concept, a near future where the Vatican does battle with vampires who've taken hold of Earth, is solid. The main character, a hero priest from the Vatican who has the ability to transform into a super powerful vampire himself, is otherwise pretty weak to root for. That's made up for with the ever unfolding cast of characters in service with him however.
So far, I'll go ahead with...
RECOMMENDED

BLEACH - The other recent anime to get a start on Cartoon Network was Bleach. The popular Shonen Jump manga series gets translated into anime, and as a fan of the manga, I have to say I was disappointed. I only watched the first couple episodes, but since I haven't read past the first volume of the manga, and the production of the anime was pretty weak, I opted out fast.
NOT RECOMMENDED

JINKI: EXTEND - This was available from Anime Network on-demand, so I watched the first two episodes. Standard anime mecha fair, this time with a young girl pilot dropped into a world of giant robots she'd only ever dreamed of, as they're suddenly her destiny.

Not great, but solid production, and enjoyable enough to check out more (and it is just starting, so perhaps it does so slowly)...
MILDLY RECOMMENDED

GUYVER - The new updated series started recently on Anime Network as well. I watched episode one, and it was okay. Solid production, but the themes and concept are very familiar. I might check out more...
MILDLY RECOMMENDED

I really need to make more time for anime in 2007!