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News Report Archive - October 2007 |  |
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News Report Archive - October 2007 | |
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As I recovered from a nasty case of strep throat and a vicious sinus infection, it was nice to have a bright and shiny show to watch in the form of 009-1 Vol. 1. This new show, based on a manga that ran nearly forty years ago, has the retro feel, color, and character designs down perfectly. There's some great action sequences and an atmosphere to rival a Bond picture. It's not a great show, primarily because it takes itself too seriously and doesn't open up. Not every retro show has to be Austin Powers, but it should still have a sense of its own place. Ah, well...it's still worth watching, especially the third and fourth episodes. (And for those of you who use my lists to find titles that interest you, you'll find the show listed under D for "Double O Nine One," both the English and Japanese pronunciation of the series.) Read the review to find out if this sexy throwback spyfest is worth the effort for you.
Just in time for the Halloween season comes a new thriller called Red Garden. The first volume has a plot incredibly similar to another recent (and quite controversial) title, Gantz. However, whereas that title was big on blood and gore and fan service extremes, Red Garden Vol. 1 is full of atmospheric tension and character moments that draw us into this dark little world. Read the review and you'll find out why I'm recommending this title despite its lack of an original plotline.
Sometimes a show really exceeds its grasp. When said show wants to be an all-encompassing sci-fi epic in just 12 episodes, you know you're in trouble. Such is the situation with Xenosaga. As I watched the first volume of episodes of the serial based on the Playstation 2 game, I realized that despite some decent symphonic music, a few cool ship-to-ship battles, and a strangely appealing lead heroine, this show is overstuffed. Packed to the gills with plot, Xenosaga Vol. 1 forgets that if we don't care about the characters, all the events in the world are meaningless. That said, I didn't hate it either. Take a gander at the full review and see if this interplanetary adventure might be more to your liking than mine.
You're not paranoid if somebody really is out to get you, right? This could be the truth for Sato, the reclusive and disturbed anti-hero of Welcome To The N.H.K. Vol. 1. He's convinced that there's a dark conspiracy plotted against him, so he hasn't left his apartment in virtually three years. Not exactly your typical anime plot, right? It turns out this show is a symphony of otaku dysfunction, darkly humorous and strangely serious and yet almost moving. It's one of the best anime shows I've seen this year, though some of the content isn't appropriate for younger viewers. That said, read the review and see if you might find some parallels from your own life in the world of Sato's obsessions.