Anime

Early Impressions - Shikabane Hime: Aka

Nick — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:44:17 -0500

It seems this season has been a bit light on anime for me. There just wasn't much that really stood out for me to watch this season. I've mentioned Time of Eve before, and that is one that I'm watching as it releases. Yet it only has an agonizingly slow one-episode-every-two-month release, though I do think the ones released so far are worth the wait. Another series that for some reason was picked up on my radar was Shikabane Hime: Aka.

Makina Hoshimura

I've only seen the first two episodes before Funimation acquired the series to stream online and to sell for download, but they were enough to get me interested in the 13-episode series. Since Funimation is releasing the series on Youtube (where I can stream video from there to the XBox 360 using TVersity) and I've determined that the quality of the streaming video is good enough to comfortably watch on the front TV1, I'll probably take that route from now on once they post the third episode.

Ouri Kagami

As to why I'm sticking with the series, well, Martin hits on some of the reasons, especially when it comes to atmosphere and direction2. But what really is keeping me curious is Ouri Kagami: Why is he keeping so calm about what's going on? And what the hell is up with that cat? Hopefully, the 13-episode series delves into that and doesn't leave me hanging...

But even if it does, I still got to watch an anime series that has an undead girl akimbo-wielding machine pistols in a school-girl outfit. That has to count for something, right?

Good, bad, I'm the one with the sub-machine guns.

1. minus some blocking artifacts in some areas, but the video quality is still watchable
2. And I agree with his observation with the comedy and slapstick being a bit out of place, though I'm not finding it distracting right now

Shinkai's work in Ef: A tale of Memories?

Nick — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:12:54 -0500

Though I knew that Makoto Shinkai had directed the openings of the ef games by minori, but I had thought that he didn't work on the Ef: A Tale of Memories anime series at all.

Turns out, my research for the last post had me stumbling on IMDB crediting Shinkai for directing the openings of the series, and has him listed under "Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director". Is this actually true? The style is very different from his usual work, though I do think it fits better with the series than what I tend to think of as his "signature" style.

I've watched the series and thought it was worth watching. One day, I need to put up a post (or posts) with my thoughts on the anime I've watched this past season.

UPDATE: Looks like this isn't true, as of hashi's check on several sources (including the credits from the series itself) in the comments. I'm currently submitting updates to IMDB to get Shinkai's name removed from the credits1.

Thank you, hashi!

UPDATE - October 28, 2008: I had put in change requests to IMDB after hashi confirmed that Shinkai wasn't mentioned anywhere in the credits for the show. IMDB had since removed Shinkai's name from the credits of this series.

1. And how annoying this process is, since Shinkai's name was credited on IMDB for each individual episode instead of the series as a whole, so I have to put a separate request for each episode. And each request consists of going to the episode, pressing an update button, selecting Second Unit Directors or Assistant Directors, selecting "Delete" from the drop down next to Shinkai's name, entering the explanation, finishing it, and confirming the submission. Each step is a separate page with "Continue" or "Finish" button that you have to press to move to the next step...

Makoto Shinkai's Movie Budget

Nick — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:59:40 -0500

I got involved in a discussion on AnimeNfo comparing Hayao Miyazaki and Makoto Shinkai 1. While looking up some hard facts about both of these animation directors, I came across the difference in the budgets they had to work with.

I couldn't find any numbers for Howl's Moving Castle, but I did find the estimated budgets2 for his two movies preceeding it::

Sprited Away (2001): ¥1,900,000,000 (About $15,800,000 in 20013. This would be around $20,000,000 adjusting for inflation to 2008.)
Princess Mononoke (1997): ¥2,400,000,000 (About $20,000,000 in 19974. This would be around $27,000,000 adjusting for inflation to 2008.)

Of course, Miyazaki is the proven animation director; Shinkai is still a newbie and basically still learning on the go. But this still really surprised me:

Five Centimeters Per Second (2007): ¥25,000,000 (About $220,000 in 20075. This would be around $230,000 adjusting for inflation to 2008.)

I've always thought that Makoto Shinkai probably worked on a smaller budget, but how much of a magnitude smaller really surprised me. I was thinking that he was working in the $1-2 million U.S. dollar range for his movies, not as low as $220,000 U.S. Dollars6!

Here's some budget numbers (in yen, estimated) that I could find for movies by other directors:

Akira (1988): ¥1,100,000,000 (About $8,500,000 in 19887, or around $16,000,000 adjusting for inflation to 2008.)
Steamboy (2004): ¥2,127,519,898 (About $19,000,000 in 20048, or around $22,000,000 adjusting for inflation to 2008.)
Perfect Blue (1998): ¥3,000,000 (!) (About $23,000 (!!) in 19989, or around $31,000 (!!!) adjusting for inflation to 2008.)

UDPATE: Reformated the post a bit to hopefully make it easier to follow. Also added in the calculations to current U.S. Dollars for the budgets of the anime I've added at the end.

UPDATE 2: For a visual representation of these numbers:

1. Something I've touched on my blog before...
2. I used this page to estimate the translation from yen to dollars for those years, and used this page to adjust that dollar amount for inflation to 2008. All dollar amounts are in U.S. Dollars.
3. Assuming a rate of ¥120 to $1 in 2001
4. Assuming a rate of ¥120 to $1 in 1997
5. Assuming a rate of ¥115 to $1 in 2007
6. If IMDB is to be believed, at least.
7. Assuming a rate of ¥130 to $1 in 1998
8. Assuming a rate of ¥110 to $1 in 2004
9. Assuming a rate of ¥130 to $1 in 1998

Catblue: Dynamite on Crunchyroll

Nick — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:56:11 -0500

Looks like Crunchyroll is on a roll here. This time, they will be streaming Catblue: Dynamite, though I'm not sure if the movie will be available for download (whether for pay or not) from the site. I have talked about this fun CG anime before...

Hopefully, this me reporting on series showing on Crunchyroll reported by Anime News Network won't be what this blog pares down to. I'll try to get a proper post up at some point...

Eve no Jikan on Crunchyroll

Nick — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:02:42 -0500

I was just thinking of Eve no Jikan (Time of Eve) when I saw this announcement on Anime News Network:

Crunchyroll to Premiere Time of Eve in English/French

posted on 2008-09-23 15:48 EDT

1st 2 acts of Yasuhiro Yoshiura's sci-fi anime to debut online on October 2

The Crunchyroll video-sharing website and the media production company Directions, Inc. have announced that Crunchyroll will premiere Yasuhiro Yoshiura's Time of Eve (Eve no Jikan) anime series in English and French in North America and Europe on October 2. Yoshiura and Studio Rikka — the creators of the Mizu no Kotoba and Pale Cocoon anime — developed this "non-hard science-fiction" story about everyday life in a future Japan populated by robots and life-like androids.

The first two acts of the series will be available on October 2 at 1:00 a.m. PT through advertising-supported streaming and through a download-to-own (DTO) option without digital rights management (DRM). Crunchyroll also plans to host a live question-and-answer session with Yoshiura this November.

The first act of Time of Eve had already been streamed for free in Japanese in August, but not the second act. (In the linked page, select "Movie" from the top menu and then select "Act 01: Akiko.")

Image © Yasuhiro Yoshiura/Directions, Inc.

I'd still rather download and watch the series on my TV setup, but this is a good way to give exposure (and a handy1 link to interested viewers) to Yasuhiro Yoshiura's latest work.

UPDATE 09-24-2008: Author highlighted one part of this deal that I had glossed over earlier, from the claim in the article about Crunchyroll offering “a download-to-own (DTO) option without digital rights management (DRM).” If this is truly the case, and I can just stream the downloaded file through TVersity to my living room setup, I'll probably just purchase the episodes off of Crunchyroll as they come out. I'll try it out with the first episode, since it's only 2 dollars per episode (Not sure what the badge bonus is about, but I don't need ipod or PSP versions either).

UPDATE 09-24-2008 Part 2: Boo! The stream requires an account to view it. It's harder to float the link out to people (most of who won't have a Crunchyroll account) to get people to check it out this way, even if registering on the site is free.

UPDATE 09-30-2008: Yay! I just checked, and it looks like you can watch this streamed now without having to be logged in.

1. Legal, in other words

Go to DMC! Go to DMC! Go to DMC! Go to DMC!

Nick — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:06:51 -0500

Soichi Negishi is your basic mellow guy who wants to sing pop love songs and be a kindergarten teacher. The fact that he has problems with a lady friend named Yuri Aikawa is rather cliched, but the real problem is that he lives a double life as Johannes Krauser II, song writer and front man of the becoming famous death metal band, Detroit Metal City, where the title of this OVA and the manga that spawned it comes from. What could have been rather stale romantic comedy is pushed aside by the over-the-top ridiculousness of Krauser, his band members, and their music.

I was never much of a fan of death metal, despite being a metalhead for much of the 90s1. This series parodies many of the reasons why while making me laugh at how Negishi's more wild side makes his private life harder for him. I know I shouldn't be laughing at something crude like "tambourine rape", but... *snicker*... that scene was just too priceless!

The show is 24 episodes long, with each episode being 14 minutes long. The OVA was produced by Studio 4°C. Though the animation looks low budget, it looks like they applied it in the right areas, especially when the band performs onstage and when the viewer is first presented to Aikawa. The director is Hiroshi Nagahama; I'm not sure how to take that he also directed Mushishi. It's nice to have range, and it's funny how the calm and serene pacing of Mushishi really contrasts with the frantic tempo of Detroit Metal City. So far, this series has really made me laugh through four episodes, but I'm not sure how it can keep it up for twenty-four2. I'll have to keep up on it and see, though.

I've seen comparisons of this to Adult Swim's Metalocalypse, though it seems that one is more of a direct parody of death metal and doesn't seem to center on a double life contrast of one of the characters. I should pick it up and check it out, though.

1. The only death metal band that I really take a liking to was Opeth, but they are progressive death metal, if anything
2. And even before then, the third episode was a bit on the weaker side

Heads up on First Squad

Nick — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:36:03 -0500

Set on the Eastern Front of World War II? Interesting.

Features a katana-wielding Russian girl? Well, that is slightly different.

Produced by Studio 4°C? Now you have my attention.

Nazi zombies? Wait.... let me try that again: Nazi zombies?!? I'm sold!

Studio 4°C is working with the Russian-Canadian animation company Molot Entertainment to produce this World War II action OAV series.

From ANN:

First Squad is set during the opening days of World War II on the Eastern Front. Its main cast are a group of Soviet teenagers with extraordinary abilities; the teenagers have been drafted to form a special unit to fight the invading German army. They are opposed by a Schutzstaffel (SS) officer who is attempting to raise from the dead a supernatural army of crusaders from the 12th-century Order of the Sacred Cross and enlist them in the Nazi cause.

Molot Entertainment had just relaunched a English/Russian/Japanese website for the series, and the trailer on there is looking really sharp. First Squad is a series that I will be looking out for.

UPDATE: I did indeed think of Author when I first heard about this series; I didn't mention this because I really didn't think this would be much of an interest to him. Apparently, I was right.

Anyways, I do like the occaisional dumb action anime, like Spriggan or Catblue: Dynamite. Though I won't know whether I'll like First Squad until I actually see it.

Androids and Witches

Nick — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:27:14 -0500

A couple of things to note.

Eve no Jikan

Being that I have enjoyed Yasuhiro Yoshiura's previous work that I imported it from Japan, you would think that I would be paying better attention to his newest work when it is finally available for me to watch it. Fortunately, Martin was on the ball and wrote up his impressions of the first 15 minute episode.

How did I take the first episode of the ONA Eve no Jikan (Time of Eve)? Well, it really shouldn't be a surprise that I thought it was an enjoyable short episode that hints of greater things to come. It definitely has its links from Yoshiura's earlier short, Mizu no Kotoba (Aquatic Language), including the reference of the Three Laws of Robotics from Isaac Asimov's Robot Series books1

I'm definitely going to try to keep a better eye out for new episodes as they are released.

Tweeny Witches

I had ordered the first three volumes of this series with a silly name (titled Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu in Japan) for a couple of reasons: I'm a fan of Studio 4°C, the animation production company behind the series, and I found it to be a damn good anime. I am currently rewatching the series for the fourth time now, though this time with the English dub, which I find to be fairly well done for the series. I can't wait to get the fourth DVD when it comes out as it is an OVA that contains episodes that I haven't seen yet.

Eugene Woodbury has a pretty nice discussion about the storyline and proclaimed that "Tweeny Witches is the un-Harry Potter, getting right everything it gets wrong." I do see his point, though I think he's being a bit harsh on Harry Potter. I do agree that the moral complexities and plot twists in Tweeny Witches are much better and more believable than those in the Harry Potter books.

And finally, I'll have to do a recommendation of Tweeny Witches to Fledge. Despite the unusual animation style2 and the Tim Burton-esce storyline and world, I think it might be pretty close to his own tastes.

1. I had recently read I, Robot, with no small thanks to Mizu no Kotoba's mention of the Three Laws of Robotics. I don't know if actually reading the books will bring more insight into the Eve no Jikan series, but it sure wouldn't hurt.
2. with "distinctly substandard" character animation, according to some. I like the character animations myself; my beef with the technicalities of the series is with direction: I think there's way too much off-screen dialog and action, and the series often skip forward without any transition. These issues are discussed in Anime News Network's review of the first DVD.

Catblue in San Diego

Nick — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:51:11 -0500

I know this is pretty much last-minute info, but I was informed by a reader named Chris a few days ago about Catblue: Dynamite being screened at Comic-Con this year. I couldn't go because of work conflicts, but maybe some others would like to see this rather strange (and enjoyable, IMO) CG animated movie for themselves.

There's also performances by Mimi, apparently in costume as Blue.

Here's the full press release that I've received, with information and times about the screening and performances:
Mimi: Meow!

MEDIA ALERT
CATBLUE DYNAMITE
at 2008 Comic-Con International San Diego

>> Catblue Dynamite screening!
>> Mimi to perform live!

WHAT: “Catblue Dynamite”
from Romanov Higa, director of the highly anticipated “Appleseed:
Genesis”
WHEN: Friday, July 25th
11:25 p.m. (due to adult language)
WHERE: Anime Room 25-C

Set in a stylized version of the 1970s, “Catblue Dynamite” is an action adventure anime about Blue, a principled mercenary who is half-human, half-cat and all female. When two drug couriers get mixed up in gang warfare over a mysteriously important Frank Sinatra tape they unknowingly received from their boss, Blue uses her feline attributes, her ability to shoot a gun with her tail, and her connections with the afterlife to save the day.

WHAT: Japanese pop sensation Mimi performing live
WHEN: Every day of Comic-Con International, July 24th-July 27th
Check at booth 3245 for specific times
WHERE: Organic Hobby, Booth #3245

CONTACT:
Yosh Kambe
(310) 907- 6902
kambeyosh [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] jp

For more information, please visit:
http://www.organic-f.net/blog_product/anime/catblue.htm

Makoto Shinkai at BFI

Nick — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:12:27 -0500

Though I've seen some quick write-ups from some lucky ~~bastards~~people who got to see (and meet) Makoto Shinkai at the BFI in London, Martin was another of those lucky ~~bastards~~persons who got to even shake his hand and wrote about the experience at Nakama Britannica.

When last linked to an interview of Shinkai, I had pointed out that he was working on a new feature-length film. In his talks at the BFI, he confirms one of my thoughts at the time: Shinkai went to London to get some new inspirations for his new film. He mentions getting out of his "comfort zone" to recreate the feelings of when he left home for Tokyo when he was eighteen.

In other but related news, I mainly have two words for Fledge: Do it!1 I did buy the Shinkai: Collection Box Set2 for $30 a few years ago at the local Best Buy3, an investment that was well worth it. Worth it enough to import the Special Edition R2 DVD of Byousoku 5 CM when it was released in Japan4 along with buying the R1 release when it came out here in the U.S.

1. The power of peer pressure compels you!
2. I've always found it a bit amusing and presumptuous that it was called a "Collection" when Shinkai only had two movies and a short out that totaled to only about 120 minutes total, but they are probably my most re-watched DVDs so far.
3. It might also be available at Robert's Anime Corner Store if Fledge couldn't wait, but I'm sure there's a good reason he's waiting for it to be available on Amazon.
4. Picture of box here. I should put up a pic of the full contents of the DVD too...