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News Report Archive - December 2010 |  |
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News Report Archive - December 2010 | |
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This week, I turned my attention to an older film, the second in the hugely popular Touch series. Touch 2: The Farewell Gift continues the story of a young baseball player and his relationship with his brother's girlfriend, and it's a mixed bag. These characters are incredibly likable, and you feel for them. However, the pacing and storyline are unfocused, and while that's part of the intent of the film, it doesn't make for a great viewing experience. Still, in my review I explore why this film and series are still well-remembered by the Japanese, even if most American fans have never "touched" it. (OK, sorry for the pun.)
Meanwhile, I did want to note a brief scheduling change. Some of you may have noticed that Please Save My Earth: The Movie is no longer in my queue to watch. That's because, after doing some digging, I've found the movie removes about an hour from the OVA version and adds only a 10-second scene and an unnecessary framing device. It's too bad, as the OVAs are special, even though the story is incomplete. I'm going to suggest you check out the manga for the full story...and in the meantime, read the review of the original OVAs to find out why they are still worth finding.
When I was sent the first box set of Toradora several months ago -- you can read that review here -- I wasn't expecting much. I don't have much love any more for teenage angst and comedic misunderstandings. What I found, however, was an engaging and funny teen melodrama surprisingly free from many of the anime tropes typical to the genre. If I thought the first half was good, though, the second half is excellent. Characters grow, plotlines payoff, and there are honest-to-goodness surprises. Read my review of the show's second half to find out why this might be one to add to your Christmas list.
It's weird to still have the '70s in the back of my head. Born in 1974, I still have a ton of memories from that era, and maybe that's why I am somewhat forgiving of anime from the same era. My movie this week, Aim For The Ace!, dates from 1979, and it's a film that condenses a much beloved shoujo sports manga and TV show from the era. It is full of all sorts of shoujo cliches. Thing is, it does them so well, you can see where others today mimic its style. What's more, it's notable for the shoujo tropes it abandons. Read the review to find out this is rightfully considered one of the classics of anime.