First Impression: Sweetness and Lightning

For a video version of this first impression go here.  (The video came first for once, guys!!)

   Note: This is an anime that aired during the Summer 2016 season.

     Comments on the theme song:
          The theme song revolves around the main characters of the show (as it often does - this show is no different. The main character is a single father trying to raise his 6 year old. How cool is that? You almost never get anime with those kinds of characters! Obviously, his daughter is also a main character. Originally, I thought that she was going to be REALLY annoying. You know, that squeaky voiced character that tries too hard to be cute. The third main character is a student at the school where the main character teaches.
          Overall, the theme song is upbeat and catchy, as well as slightly reminiscent of the theme song for Ouran High School Host Club.

     The basic premise of the show is that the main character is trying to raise his daughter to the best of his ability without his wife, who passed away six months previously. Since he is gone all day at his job he often has to resort to buying food from the convenience store for their meals. He will get home late from work most days, so they rarely eat supper together. Despite these struggles you can really tell how much they love each other.

     His daughter did not actually annoy me as much as I thought she would, which was a pleasant surprise. She is very cute and sweet!

     One weekend they go to a flower viewing together. It is spring and the cherry blossoms are blooming and many families can be seen spending time together. At the flower viewing they meet a girl who is eating her lunch alone under a tree. Her pleasure in eating the food is evident in her facial expressions and the daughter salivates over her description. The girl apologizes that she has nothing left to share, but she offers to give the main character the business card for the restaurant her mother owns (who made the food she was enjoying).

     That night the main character and his daughter are eating supper - food from the convenience store  again. He asks her if it is good and she says that it's okay. The next night he comes home to find her salivating over a cooking show on TV. This prompts him to take her to the restaurant for supper so she can get real food for once.

     However, they arrive at the restaurant to find it empty. The girl they met before apologizes, saying that the restaurant is temporarily closed because her mother is away on a trip. They turn away disappointed, intending to come back another night, when the girl stops them on the way out. She says that she can make rice and convinces them to stay for supper.

     With her mom gone on trips frequently (she hosts a cooking show) the girl is often lonely. She really enjoys getting to eat supper with other people and at the very end of the episode she asks the main character if he and his daughter would be willing to come back and make supper with her again.

     I am expecting this short series (there are only 12 episodes) to be a fun, light-hearted anime that is relaxing and enjoyable to watch!

Note: To read my review for this anime go here. Likewise, for a video version of the previously mentioned review go here.

Top 5 Animated Features to Watch

This is a list that we put together of the 5 animated features we think you should watch (preferably sometime during your lifespan). The items on this list were selected because we believe that everyone can enjoy them, and because of their importance to the animated world. These are by no means the only good things to watch, but we highly recommend them to you in hopes that you will enjoy them as much as we did.

A video version is available:

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender

    Regarding this show, there are only two types of people: those who loved the series and those who have not yet watched it. I have not met a person who watched this show and thought that it was “just ok” or didn’t like it.

Avatar has something for everybody and for every age. While the plot is simple enough to be followed by a child, the characters are complicated enough to keep even the most intellectual person entertained. Also, the characters come from a variety of cultures and have relatable strengths and weaknesses.

The animation, while not flawless, is breath-taking in it’s own right. Fluid for the time, the fight scenes are simultaneously amazing, terrifying and beautiful. The voice acting, even several years after the show aired, makes it one of the best dubs today.

In conclusion, you are guaranteed to love this show no matter what!

2. Fruits Basket

    This anime is a classic. If you are any kind of anime fan you are REQUIRED to watch Fruits Basket. While it is a drama and romance, there are many life lessons that are taught. It gives the viewer a dose of reality, while in a fictional setting. It is appropriate for all people (it only has a little bit of language) and socially relevant. But above all it is a show about relationships: family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, and romantic relationships. It may not be the most exciting and heart-pounding show to watch, but it will win you over on class alone. This is a feel-good anime to watch when you are in the dumps, bored, tired, want to relax, happy, sad, just need to kill some time, whenever! Watch it. (For a review of Fruits Basket go here.)

3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

    Sorry, you 2003 fans out there, but we are ranking Brotherhood over the original anime adaptation. Why? The ending. This is one of the few stories in the world where the ending was everything you were hoping for--and more! Fullmetal Alchemist just didn’t have the ending payout that Brotherhood did. In addition, Brotherhood is much more plot driven, making the sequences of events much more believable. Overall, it is a great show with a wonderful plot, brilliant characters, gorgeous animation, a beautiful soundtrack, and a spectacular ending!

4. Anything Studio Ghibli

    We realize this entry is more general than all the previous ones. Where the others were recommending a series of anime this entry gives you an entire brand! Studio Ghibli is the Disney of Japan, but (I would argue) better. No matter which title you decide to watch, you are guaranteed a complex plot with fleshed-out characters. Quality, every time.  Since there are so many to choose from here are a few suggestions to get you started:

- Howl's Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle is an enjoyable romance that is mainly entertaining, but also heartwarming.)

- Spirited Away (This is Miyuzaki’s most famous work. It is very metaphorical.)

- The Secret Life of Arrietty

- My Neighbor Totoro

5. Trigun/ Your Lie in April

    As you can see, this final recommendation has two titles on the docket. That is because we just could not decide which was better and as they are both extremely good, we thought, "Why not do both?" So here you are; a double feature!

Trigun - Trigun is must-watch if only for the fact that it was the show that brought anime to the western world. Speaking of western, this show seems like it is set in the Wild West. Except, it is not the West we are familiar with. Jump on for a wild and crazy ride with Vash the Stampede as he tries to spread the message of love and peace (I promise you, it is not as cheesy as it sounds)! Bonus: there is a black cat hidden in each episode of the show. See if you can find it. :) (For a review of this anime go here.)

Your Lie in April - Everything about this anime was beautiful! The animation, the plot and the characters. At times it can get a little over-dramatic, but I think this anime will endure to become a classic loved by many. Your Lie in April deals with difficult themes and its characters, while in middle school, are definitely able to deal with that (I found them to be more mature than highschoolers). (For a review of this anime please go here.)

First Impression: WWW.WAGNARIA!!

     For the first time ever, we are posting a video and it's corresponding review (or in this case, first impression) on the same day! For a video version of this first impression go here.

     WWW.WAGNARIA!! is an anime that I have started watching recently. It is part of the Fall 2016 anime lineup on Crunchyroll, and is fairly recent (yay! another first for me!). It is about a guy (your main character) who gets a job at an family restaurant chain called Wagnaria. His coworkers are all rather odd, to put it that way. The anime is a slice of life about their adventures.

     While there are ups to slice of life anime (usually they are light and happy and entertaining to watch) there are also downs (they can get boring fast). However, I thought that this anime had more plot that most and it hasn't lost me yet! It is one I plan to keep watching.

     Also, it so happens that WWW.WAGNARIA!! is a spin-off of an earlier anime called Wagnaria!!. I watched the first few episodes of this one, but it didn't really catch my attention. Either way, I think it would be interesting if some of the characters from the previous anime showed up in the recent spin-off.

     Anyway, if this catches your interest feel free to watch this anime on Crunchyroll!

Update: Your Lie in April (First Impression) Video

     Sorry, no new review this week. However, I would encourage you to go check out the awesomeness of our YouTube channel. We just uploaded the video version of the first impression for Your Lie in April!

   

     I could ramble on and try to fill up space, but that wouldn't get me anywhere too fast. I will say that we are currently working on a Top 5 List of our favorite animated features. We just have to work out the kinks on one section and it will be good to go! So, stay tuned for that and check out Your Lie in April.

P.S. Fair warning: YouTube seems out to get me with the most awkward options for thumbnails.

Manga Review: Legend of Zelda

Note: This was SUPPOSED to be posted last Sunday, but it got lost in the time space continuum. I hope you enjoy!

Legend of Zelda in manga format - what could be better? I am referring to the Legend of Zelda Manga Box set, of which I am the proud owner (okay, co-owner - my brother helped pay for half).

This is a series that is put out by Viz and licensed by Nintendo. Akira Himekawa provides the story and art for this 10 volume set of manga, based on the popular video games. And I say based, because the manga are not a strict adaptation of the video games. For the most part, they stick pretty close. The beginning of the story is usually fairly accurate, with a few embellishments that enhance the plot (for example: Link can talk!). After the first dungeon or so less detail is paid as the author focuses on advancing the plot (let’s admit it - frustrating block puzzles are not that entertaining to read about). On occasion, new characters or plot events are added, but the stories mostly portray the original material.

The 10 volume set covers the story of eight Legend of Zelda games (If the internet is to be believed, other manga adaptations have come out for some of the more recent Legend of Zelda games. However, I did not feature them in this review because I have not read them. If you have read them, please let me know what you thought!):

• The Minish Cap*
• A Link to the Past
• Oracle of Seasons
• Oracle of Ages
• Ocarina of Time (2 parts)*
• Majora’s Mask *
• Four Swords (2 parts)
• Phantom Hourglass

The titles marked are games either I or someone close to me (aka my brother) have experience playing. I will comment on these titles specifically, as I have first-hand experience with the original material, and tell you some details you may want to know.

The Minish Cap

The beginning of the manga for The Minish Cap is pretty close to the content displayed in the game. The only differences are that Link isn’t the one who takes the sword to the festival and that he meets Vaati beforehand. In a way, the plot of the story is simplified, but it is also extended. The dungeons are glossed over (sometimes they are almost non-existent), while more focus is placed on character development (oh the wondrous things that happen when you can actually talk!). Also, a few events are edited. For example, Link doesn’t visit the Elemental Sanctuary until the end of the book and Vaati returns to being Ezlos’ apprentice in the end.

Ocarina of Time

This title has been adapted into a 2 volume story. It adds some backstories and character development to the plot that you don’t get in the game. Some of it fits nicely, but a few additions stick out. Also, not every aspect of the story is covered, so there are a few time skips. However, the author gives adequate ‘page time’ to the main events even though some of the later dungeons are abbreviated to a few pages (but let’s be honest: there are a ton of dungeons in this game). I really liked how they integrated Sheik more into the story. Also, there are a couple bonus stories at the end that are enjoyable.

Majora’s Mask

Again, a little bit of backstory was added at the beginning, like how the mask was stolen and some of Link’s activities before traveling to Termina. Because of the vast amounts of dungeons and (especially) side quests in the game, most are shortened, while some (like the later dungeons and minor side-quests) had to be left out. The only side story that really gets focused on is the one with Anju and Kafei. However, the author allows time to tell the stories behind the main three masks.

All in all, this boxed set was a really fun read! I enjoyed re-living the games I had experience with and learning about the ones I was unfamiliar with. While they don’t follow the story-line of the games to a T, they still provide a fair representation of the Zelda franchise. If you like Legend of Zelda, I would definitely recommend reading this series. Look for these titles at your local library, or buy your own copy for repeated enjoyment!

Movie Review: Joseph: King of Dreams

Title: Joseph: King of Dreams

Genre: Biblical, Historical, Animated Film

Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5

General Set-Up: Joseph: King of Dreams is an animated retelling of the story of Joseph found in Genesis.

Characters: Joseph is the main character in this series. Although he looks more white than he would have actually been, he is written into the story well. In the Biblical account, it is unclear if Joseph was prideful with his brothers about his dreams or used Jacob’s favoritism over them. This version takes on that Joseph was humble, but imperfect, sometimes doing things that upset his brothers.

    In my opinion, Joseph’s brother(s)  were a little too generic. And they all looked around the same age which is impossible. Also, Joseph’s mother was the only mother shown in the movie and not the mother of his eleven step-brothers.

Plot: The plot follows the general story of Joseph found in the Bible. However, several things are left out or changes for the convenience of the plot. One thing I cannot shower with praise enough is showing the loss of identity that Joseph would have suffered. Because Joseph was educated, it is possible that he had studied Egyptian, and that was shown in the movie. Becoming a slave, he would have been stripped of his native language and cultural identity. He was made to dress like an Egyptian, talk like one, and do Egyptian traditions. Losing and regaining identity is a theme that is supposed to be understood in the Biblical text, but is often accidentally overlooked.  

    While some of the details are left out or changed for artistic purposes, I still feel that this was a fairly accurate portrayal of Joseph's story.

Ending: The ending was similar to the ending of the Biblical account. The final scenes of the movies was the nation of Israel arriving in Egypt.

Sound: The only song that really stood out was the track “You know better than I.” In my personal opinion, the lyrics of this song were much better than the music that they were put to. The singer does a good job considering what he was working with, but I would have liked more instruments than just piano.  

    None of the other songs stuck out, or even were good. Considering the musical success and genus of the creators of Prince of Egypt, I was rather disappointed in the music in this film. It is the typical home release musical music.

Animation: The animation for Joseph: King of Dreams was not half as good as its predecessor, Prince of Egypt. It was clearly a feature for the small screen rather than the silver screen. The style is very similar to Prince of Egypt, but often less detailed. CGI is also used in some of the scenes. Let’s just say that this is one of the times where it would have been MUCH better if they did not use CGI. It looks bad. Like really bad and doesn’t blend with the other animation at all.

    All in all, the animation was not terrible considering the time, but on the other hand Prince of Egypt showed us all that animation could be. All of the animation in Joseph: King of Dreams is underwhelming.

Things to watch out for: N/A

Other Media: Prince of Egypt tell what happened after the events in Joseph: King of Dreams.

Where to watch it: Joseph: King of Dreams is currently streaming on Netflix.

Update - 1,000 views!

     I am very happy to announce that our blog has hit the 1,000 view benchmark! It may seem like a little thing, but it is a great encouragement to us that you all are reading (and watching) what we put out. Thank you so much! I hope we can double our view count soon, and eventually reach higher benchmarks!

     Speaking of watching, I just posted our video review for The Heroic Legend of Arlsan! To read the review go here. To watch it go here.

     I will try to update the YouTube channel once every two weeks. Life is busy, and we have responsibilities outside of this blog, so it is easy to lose track of time and forget to post. With that in mind, I would like to apologize for any slow updates. With any luck next week we will post our first movie review. Stay tuned for a review of Joseph: King of Dreams!