Conquests - Week of March 7th, 2010

VIEWING CONQUESTS


Naruto Shippuden (disk 1) - thank goodness for the time jump. The characters have all grown up (at least a bit), Naruto is a bit less obnoxious and it looks like the storyline will finally be getting darker. I'm looking forward to learning more about the Akatsuki and finding out what Sasuke has been up to. Good stuff.


Gassaraki (disk 1) - I have a feeling this could be really good, but I was a bit run down when I watched it. The animation is very good for an older show, and the plot seems to be complex and well-crafted (near future, mecha-related show; there is a mystical element, as well). Will need to re-watch.

Soul Eater (Volume, 1-13) - such a fun series. Got to see the beginning of it (and its English premier) at NY Anime Fest 2009. Though some of the characters can be grating, the energy is great, the animation distinctive and stylized, and the plot involving. Love the fight scenes, and it has a good sarcastic edge to it. LOVED meeting Excalibur (the most sarcastic sword ever -- FOOL!). Can't wait for the next volume to release later this month.


Crest of the Stars (Episodes 11-13) - got this from Netflix, finally got to finish the season. The voice acting is pretty stiff, but the character development is excellent and the plot is complex and subtle. It is science fiction/space opera fare, but truly intelligent. Looking forward to getting the next related series (the sequel Banner of the Stars).

The Wallflower (Episodes 9-13) - This is one of the most incredibly haywire shows I've ever seen. Take the normal bishōnen show and then mix in a healthy dose of occult via a female lead who is obsessed with the occult and is literally afraid of beautiful people. Put her in the house with the four gorgeous bishōnen guys and let the good times roll. Not advisable for guys, but really amusing.



READING CONQUESTS

Ouran High School Host Club (Volume 6) - finally getting some of the back story for Tamaki, which makes his character have more depth than would otherwise be apparent. Also start learning more about every one's family via a school festival (where parents come to the school). It is a fun series, with enough light hearted-ness cut with sarcasm to be enjoyable.



PURCHASED CONQUESTS

Evangelion 1.11: You Are Not Alone - on Blu-Ray, yay! But will definitely have to be in the mood for something this dark.

Ergo Proxy - finally own the series. Maybe if I re-watch it, it's convoluted, science fiction-themed plot will finally make sense. Either way, love the voice acting in this one and the animation brings across the post-apolcolyptic and brooding mood perfectly.

Full Metal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa (Blu-Ray) - will be fun to revisit the FMA universe.

Witchblade (Blu-Ray) - Will be good to see this series in Blu-Ray for the first time (not sure when I will have the leisure to do so, though). Be forewarned, though, first-time viewers -- the anatomy of the main female lead and a number of the supporting females is, in a word, impossible. Fanservice in the extreme. But still has great action sequences, so a good watch.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (volumes 3-6) - this fills out my complete collection of Moribito. Still haven't watched the last disk. But it does mean I can now lend out this series (it is so gorgeous and emotionally truthful, great fight scenes, just a class act all the way around). Looking forward to finally finishing it out.

Gunslinger Girl (Viridian Collection) - this show is amazing but very, very disturbing. The premise is a secret government agent that operates under the guise of taking care of orphans and other children who have catastrophic injuries. The truth is it takes such children - all little girls - and gives them advanced medical treatment, simultaneous repairing physical damage and augmenting their strength and physical power. They are then brainwashed and conditioned and finally trained as assassins. This is "girls with guns" at its essence, only done intelligently and with great artistry. Really only bought this version to have Troy Baker sign it (at A&G Ohio); will be getting the Blu-Ray in coming weeks and I'm sure it will be indescribably gorgeous in that medium.

Code Geass (Season 1 Part 1) - Ah, Lelouch. How I've missed you. An anti-hero to rival Light Yagami in Death Note. Some bits of camp, a lead who is arrogant, brilliant, sometimes misguided, and more than once gets his comeuppance from foes he underestimates, all combine for an enjoyable show. Though I admit I've taken a break from it in later episodes because I just wasn't in the mood for some of the moral issues it brings up (same deal with Death Note, actually). Will eventually revisit and finish it out, just not right now.