Jimmykitty's Anime round up...

[Jimmie Robinson]

Really?  New Kuroshitsuji?
With the way the first series ended I would be interested in a new season.
I won't spoil how it ended.

It would also be interesting if they changed it to "Kuromaid" (Black Maid) since so much anime is moe inspired on TV nowadays.  Hah!  Still, I look forward to it, thanks for the heads up.

[Bathfrog of Doom]

I've managed to watch the first half of Kuroshitsuji, so I have an interest in it, too. I'll eventually get back on that horse to finish it.

After some digging, I've discovered that the new butler is named Claude Faustas, and the new master is Alois Trancy. With it being Japan, I can't figure out if the master will be male or female. 

I'm glad that I found Denno Coil streaming. It's a very interesting show. Most shows about kids have them acting in ways that are more like adults, but DC actually lets the kids be kids. Whether it's just whining about not being able to do stuff, or not thinking things through all the way or overreacting to something, they are always in character. It helps ground all the weird cyber stuff going on around them. The show is all about these kids who wear glasses that essentially are computers/ipods/cellphones that also let you "see" things in the third dimension that aren't there. In fact, episode six was the first time that they ever addressed the obvious - Would taking off the glasses allow them to just walk around unhurt or bothered by all these cyber threats? It's an engrossing show. I don't think it's available in english yet, but it's another show that I could easily watch with my kids that isn't dumbed down or boring.

It's February! Tomorrow I'll learn the results of the Soul Eater contest to see if I won anything.

[Jimmie Robinson]

Funny, that the demon is named, Claude Faustas.
If you make a deal with the devil shouldn't YOU be called, "Faust"?

[Bathfrog of Doom]

Maybe it will be a role-reversal with the demon requesting the help of a human? I'll be interested to see how they play this series. The last one had slapstick mixed in, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.

At least I know that there will be one new show worth watching in the summer.

Durarara has 24 episodes in it's run. I kept getting weirded out by Kiba or Kida or whatever his name is. The one who jokes around? But I couldn't figure out why, until I shut my eyes and listened. In my head, I got the image of two women with guns and that's when it came to me... The same voice actor does Death the Kid! I looked it up to confirm it. Nice. Durarara is based on a light novel series, which means it will be full of win if all those other light novel shows that I loved were any indication.

I can't think of any other anime-related stuff to talk about so I'll get back to my Denno Coil.

Yours is the only head that works, Ta-kun.

[Kantai Alpha]

Bathfrog, glad you're enjoying Denno Coil. I'm not aware of any plans for an English-language release. I wish PBS would pick it up. I guess PBS doesn't have a relationship with NHK like they do with the BBC.

[Jimmie Robinson]

Sora no Woto 5
Even better.

Though on paper this may look like K-ON! in WWII Italy it really isn't.
There's a lot going on in this series.  Some history, some world building, some deep mystery, et.
I have to admit I really like where this is going.  The only negative is the use of Loli / moe inspired character designs.
But I guess if it sells they'll just make more.

Kimi ni Todoke 16
Holding true.

This still clings well to the manga, which is unusual since the manga is LONG and still on-going.
Nonetheless, the innocence in this series is like a ton of bricks.
Watching "Sawako" unfold like a newborn baby to the idea of love actually works.

Kobato 16
More filler.

I'm still here for the mystery behind the curtain.  I am sure the big twist / reveal will show up soon.
Until then I'll suffer through these filler episodes -- granted we got a bit of backstory on the co-stars.

[Jimmie Robinson]

The Rise and Fall of Anime Fansubs
Back in my day anime was...

Paul Johnson is a long time UK anime fan.  In this 35-minute documentary he goes through a bit of history of fan subbing and what he describes as the problematic evolution of what we have today -- mainly that the Internet and consumer-level technology are producing crappy fan subs.  Johnson has valid points and the foundation of his argument is well constructed but it comes off sounding like a rant against forward progression.  This lil' documentary was made around 2008 so some of his criticisms are buried under the sheer amount of subbed anime that is now considered the norm.

Mostly, Johnson beefs about the lack of translation quality and the proliferation of on-screen footnotes / headers and on-screen translations (i.e., a store sign or a book binding translated *in* the image and not *below* it).  He also condemns the idea that Japanese language is treated like a sacred tongue among fans who give it special translation that other films do not (i.e., using "honorifics instead of just the person's name:  Bathfrog-san, instead of Mr. Bathfrog).

While he is right on some levels he ignores the wider picture, because "anime" is treated differently.  Hence why it's called "anime" in the first place (even his documentary is called, The Rise and Fall of Anime Fansubs).  Why not simply call it cartoons?  Or animation?  Why use the Japanese name for that?  Johnson's remarks would be well heard in a college debate with a narrow definition, but in real world applications his candle can't hold to the wind.  *Anime* is a culture all its own and an evolution of jargon both literal and visual on and off the screen and physical as seen in communities and conventions.

I agree with him that it would be nice to see OP and ED songs & credits with less follow-the-bouncing-ball song effects on the screen, however that's why LEGAL copies are available.  When a series gets a domestic release on DVD / Blu-ray then I will have options for less crap on the screen.  But to rail against fan subbers for the content they provide -- which creates a culture all their own -- is akin to shooting the messenger.  The majority of stuff I watch will NEVER see an American release so what options does one have?

Johnson's desire for a code of translating honor among fan subbers just can't happen.  Fan subs are rogue by nature; to call the kettle black they are mostly illegal.  So honor among thieves?  C'mon, Johnson, if you want professional level translations (as cited in his many examples with translated Hollywood films) then the fan subbers themselves would have to be treated as professionals (pay, benefits, acknowledgment from the studios, et.).  This is like telling the kids with a homemade lemon aide stand that they need to put product labeling, a slogan and give receipts to customers with every purchase like a corporation.  At some point Johnson needs to be thankful just to get a drink on a hot day with no relief in sight.

So, while Johnson cries foul -- which is his right -- I'll be over here enjoying the anime that I can get.
And with luck I might get it for *real* if it ever comes to the states.

[Bathfrog of Doom]

While I am always happy to see a good show get brought over to our shores, I notice that most legal subs leave out a lot of the information that the fansubs had. Sometimes a little note about the subject being discussed on the screen will pop up, letting us know that it's a play on words and that's why it's funny, or explaining something about J-Pop culture. I like those. I like those tidbits better than having stuff become localized and missing the point entirely. Or just re-working dialogue to fit the character's mouth movements better.

I love anime when they just let the art speak for itself instead of treating the audience like idiots who can't handle subtitles or other cultures.

And speaking of legal, non-dubbed anime...
Alice Academy 20 - The festival is coming to a close, with the girls trying to ask the boys out for Last Dance. Most of the girls are trying to snag Natsume, who blows them off. Ruka seems to be trying to avoid Mikan entirely, while Mikan doesn't understand why everyone is getting so worked up over "love". Narumi-sensei, the girly man teacher, brings a letter to the school from Mikan's grandfather, which is forbidden, and he argues that not giving Mikan outside contact with the world could bring about a repeat of "that time". What is "that time?" Who knows? He convinces the principal teachers and gives Mikan her letter, bringing her to tears as Narumi kept his promise to her.

Night comes and everyone gets all gussied up for the dance. Natsume is nearby when Mikan starts to ask Ruka to the dance and shoves him into Mikan and walks away to the woods to be all pouty. Mikan and Ruka do dance, but not the Last Dance. She goes off to find Natsume who tells her to stay away from his darkness. He calls her by her first name for the first time, instead of his numerous nicknames for her, which causes her to blush and return to the dance. Her Last Dance partner ends up being Hotaru, her bff who invents stuff. Ruka also convinces Natsume to return to the dance and they share some food and watch the girls dance with Mikan closing out the episode talking to her grandpa about finally feeling like she's found her place.

Alice Academy 21 - Finals time! Yay! Tests! Did I mention that Mikan is not the sharpest tack in the toolshed and that she's doomed? The highest ranking test scorers win a trip to the outside, so she wants to win it to see her grandpa again. Being hopelessly doomed, however, it just makes the rest of her classmates burst into laughter at her poor chances. She remains determined, and slowly begins to win over other classmates into studying as well. Natsume even helps out some students asking about subjects! Permy-hair, Mikan's arch nemesis also wants to win, but no matter how well she does in her other classes, she always fails home economics because she can't cook. Mikan decides to tutor her. Insert hilarious cooking incidents here. The tests come to pass, Mikan doesn't win, neither does Permy, but the class average is the highest it's been in a loooong time, impressing Narumi and the other teachers. Most of the teachers, anyways. The mask-wearing teacher who uses Natsume's "talents" shows up as a substitute for a class, shocking Natsume. He corners the teacher in the garden and demands to know what's up. The teacher dons his usual attire and tells Natsume that he seems different lately. He's even studying and making an effort in classes, despite it not mattering as he's a Dangerous Type. He then touches a plant, which withers away in seconds, while telling Natsume that people who distract him could get hurt, and that trying to pass the test is futile. What family would Natsume visit if he won? His family is all dead. Natsume watches the teacher walk away with the message received loud and clear. Five episodes left and stuff is about to hit the fan. I need to find this boxed set someday. Even my daughter is addicted to it. 

[charles]

I have a dvd, I'm thinking it's Takashi Miike's Graveyard of Honor, where it has little facts about japan that pop up at the top of the screen to explain what is going on.  I found it to be a little distracting from the dialogue.  Though I do think it would be interesting to have a pop up video type feature on the disc so it could be turned on and off.

I've been watching Buck Rogers and Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Hulu lately so I haven't seen any new anime.  I did watch a few more episodes of Ghost in the Shell the second gig last weekend but I don't even remember what happened.

[Kantai Alpha]

I remember the days of watching anime "bareback," with only a vague synopsis, a hard-to-synchronize-with-the-action paper script, or my own meager knowledge of Nihongo as an assist.

If Mr. Johnson wants my opinion, Gaijin fans today are spoiled rotten.

[Jimmie Robinson]

I remember the days of watching anime "bareback," with only a vague synopsis, a hard-to-synchronize-with-the-action paper script, or my own meager knowledge of Nihongo as an assist.

If Mr. Johnson wants my opinion, Gaijin fans today are spoiled rotten.

Kantai, I'm also from that era and I got serious right at the fork of the road between paper synopsis and fan subs.
I had two paper synops when I was running with the anime club at U.C. Berkeley back in the day.
My first step into watching 100% fan subs was with a guy who was a hardcore Dirty Pair fan.
Other than that... VHS tapes and laser disks (which I owned both).  I even bartered a trade for artwork just to get a Kimba the White Lion TV run on VHS.

And yes, today's anime viewers are spoiled rotten.  Downloading TONS of anime from the comfort of their homes.  Stuff they don't even want.
Just download it for the thrill of it.

I mean... I have NO idea what kind of person would do that (cough**cough**ahem).  So, uhm... I'm gonna go now...  Be right back with more reviews.

[Bathfrog of Doom]

I've watched up to episode 12 of Denno Coil. I clicked on 13, and to my horror found that it was unsubbed! So after scouring the web for the series, I now have to scour some more. Poopie!

Other than that, I've been keeping up with Aria and Alice Academy on the TV, and waiting for a subbed Durarara 5 to show up.

Oh! And a while back I watched the movie 9 and loved it. Animation fans can do worse than giving it a chance. I want 6 and 7 figures to decorate my TV shelf.

[Jimmie Robinson]

Durarara!! 5
My kinda anime.

Seriously, is this the best anime on TV right now?  Brilliant stuff, great execution and wonderful realization of concept.  I can only wonder how this was even pitched.  It's so haphazardly put together that only a single vision could pull it together, and yet... it's doing just that.  So many characters crisscrossing from so many POVs and each with a story to tell that goes deeper into the pot.  This is a must buy for me.  I love the storytelling.

Armed Librarians
No one is safe.

Volken is dead.  Just like that.  Holy shit!  This was the character that started off the series and then took off in episode 5.  Now 14 episodes later he's back and on a mission against the Head Director of the Armed Librarians and ... just like that he's killed.  Wow!  But then death has come to several characters in this series.  It doesn't mean their role is over.  We see them again and again in flashbacks and crossovers with other characters.  But this is no Durarara!!  This series is convoluted and remains so. Only the loyal can follow it.  Or the stupid.  Lately I've felt like the latter.

Letter Bee 18
Where is Guache?

Another filler episode that once again has ZERO to do with the motivation that started this series.
Will we ever see Guache Suede, again?  I'm starting to feel sorry for the cosplaying Letter Bee at the comic convention.
He has little reason to dress as that character nowadays.

Shugo Chara Puchi Puchi 18
Still chuggin' along.

I want to still like this series because it used to be great. This episode wasn't bad, in fact it played like Kobato.
No big time action, just dealing with matters of the heart.
I'm not against that, but that's why we have Kobato.
Shugo Chara should go back to being Shugo Chara.  Oh well.  I'll stick with it.

[Bathfrog of Doom]

Alice Academy 22 - The origin of Mr. Bear! Who knew we needed to know it? The creators, that's who! One of the classmen from Mikan's Special Abilities class returns after a lenghty stay in the hospital. His Alice is the ability to turn inanimate objects into living ones. Or so it appears. All the girls in the class fawn over the guy, while Shadow Controlling Guy stands aside clearly bothered by it all. The guy promises to make some new stuffed animals for a few of the girls, and Mikan begins to ask for one of her own, until Shadow guy pulls her aside and tells her the real story. The kid's real Alice is the power to put a piece of his soul into whatever he makes. He's one of the Academy students whose life force is drained every time he uses his power, hence all the sick time in the hospital. Mr. Bear was his first creation, made by the kid when he was little and home alone. He is a cruder creation and can't talk like the newer ones. Mr. Bear is also very shy and scared to get close to anyone, which is why he attacks anyone who comes near him. When Mikan asks Shadow Guy how he can just stand by and watch his friend make toys knowing that it's hurting him, he tells Mikan that not creating anything would hurt him more. He has a gift and is sickly most of the time, so bringing happiness to others with his creations makes him feel better.

A week passes and the kid needs to go back to the hospital, after spending some time with his friend, Mr. Bear. Mikan promises the kid that while he's gone, she will be Mr. Bear's best friend! Yay! It all worked out! Mikan runs towards Mr. Bear! Mr. Bear runs towards Mikan! Fields of flowers and rainbows! Outstretched arms... wait, why is Mr. Bear's arm cocked back... POW! Nice try, Mikan. 

4 more episodes until the series is over. 

Oooh! Durarara 5 is up! I predict that it will be off the chain! Magic 8 Ball says: "You bet your sweet bippy!"

[charles]

Since Jimmy seemed to be liking it so much I watched the first four episodes of Durarara.  I'm not allowed to watch episode 5 until next week because I'm poor.  It almost lost me through the first half of episode 2, but I forced myself to keep watching.  Except for the ten minutes they spent in episode 2 replaying what happened in episode 1, I'm liking the series so far. 

I also watched the first two episodes of Sora no Woto.  I liked some parts of this show but it looks like nothing is ever going to happen so after two shows I've already lost interest.  I'm expecting there's going to be one episode about braiding hair to go along with the trumpet playing.  There's enough setup that the series might get good, but I just don't have the patience to sit through it if it just stays the same all the way through.  I'll just keep reading Mr. Robinson's reviews of it for now.