Parenting

In Defense of Yuri…On Ice

madreceiver11 Comments

Image result for yuri on ice

People need to chill the hell out.

Mostly, overly excited weeaboos need to calm down.

Image result for viktor nikiforov gif

What I’m talking about is the fact that many seemed to be weirdly out of sorts because Yuri on Ice has won now two awards for the “Best Anime of the Year”. YOI has gotten this from Crunchyroll’s  first “Anime of the Year” awards and from the fan polls for “Animation of the Year” at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival.

Some fans are horribly put off by this. They believe Mob Psycho 100, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure,  or whatever they happen to like more deserves it more.

Maybe they are right in some respects, but are wrong in others.

I enjoyed YOI . I thought it was a well put together story. A good sports anime. It had a great soundtrack and it’s dub was good as well. It was emotionally engaging and had a sweet love story that was also part of the show. The animation was decent.

Was it the best??? Not necessarily. The animation wasn’t as clear and pristine as Sound! Euphonium.  It wasn’t as unique as Mob Psycho 100. Erased was more emotionally intense by far. But that isn’t what awards are always about.

Awards, a lot of the time, are more of a reflection of popularity and impact. Sorry kids: sometimes the popularity contests of high school seep out into the real world. Sad, but true. YOI had a large impact that brought it a huge amount of attention outside of it’s normal fan base, and (sorry…not sorry) that matters.

I am actually happy it won. For a few reasons:

1) I liked it. A lot. Nice show. Emotionally engaging. Great soundtrack. Overall enjoyable watch.

2) Yuri and Victor’s relationship was important. The very fact of the matter was that a same sex romantic relationship was portrayed in the show, not as the central purpose/ plot of the show, but rather as a matter of fact is huge. The relationship was there and presented as a normal thing. Not a struggle. Not something to be dissected and discussed at length. It normalized a same sex relationship and didn’t make it a big deal, which is a big deal to many people in the LGBTQ community and those who count themselves as an ally (myself included) to this community.

3) It brought more attention to anime. It got people excited about anime. When a show is a big deal and reaches beyond it’s fandom, it helps the industry as a whole. Some of my favorite shows are not big with the American anime community, but huge in Japan. The more attention a show gets, the more it will potentially legitimize the industry as a whole outside of Japan, which means more projects will get attention that you may end up liking (or like already).

 

I get why some people get in a stir, but overall this is just immature drama. I grew up liking stuff no one else liked. I loved Sci-fi and Heavy Metal. My stuff didn’t get the attention of the awards community. I got over it. So should you (if you are in a stir), it’s not worth being concerned about. Next year some other show will win: Some people will be happy, some will be pissed, the cycle will continue. Don’t sweat it, just watch more anime.

Dad lecture over.

Image result for viktor nikiforov gif

Until next time: Happy Viewing!

 

Hey…Wait…What?

madreceiverLeave a comment

Image result for heybot

Heybot

So a few weeks back my boys were over for the weekend. I had stolen the PS3 controller from my younger son and was looking for something other than the Hunter x Hunter marathon he was planning (he has been watching it, but I haven’t).

I started the first episode of Tigermask (as a bit of a joke), had a laugh, but quickly gave it up. Then I decided to (also as a joke on him) play an episode of Heybot.

My first impressions were one of mystified amusement. My son was repeatedly laughing and asking: “What the hell is going on.”

First impressions are sometimes on the nose.

We got over halfway through the first episode, then decided his older brother needed to watch it as well. So we called him in and restarted the episode. His reaction was much the same. “It’s as if someone did a bunch of cocaine and hallucinogens and then decided to make a show” was his description.

I wasn’t going to argue this.

Heybot is, I guess, a show aimed at a younger audience. The show takes place on the fictional island of Nejigajima and follows the Prince of this island and his robot (Heybot). They collect screws to use to compete in battles to tell the best joke. The island is all about these screws. The  Prince is creepily obsessed with screws. No, really. He creeps out other characters with his obsession.

The humor is fast paced, often juvenile, random, and occasionally clever. They do like to mess about with anime tropes on a regular basis. Not in a subtle way mind you. The humor does work. Often in a very confused what-the-hell sort of way, but it does get a chuckle.

Image result for heybot clip

  The animation is nothing to write home about. It’s kid’s show style of animation. It is not bad for what it is and fits the format well.

Attention Parents: Mostly the show is harmless. There is some sexual suggestiveness in parts and bad body humor.

Would I recommend this show?

Maybe? My son now likes it (or at least watches it for the weird factor). I have gotten laughs out of it. Give it a try if you want to watch an off-beat, random show.

Until next time: Happy Viewing!

 

 

30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 22

madreceiver4 Comments

Favorite Weapon, Gear or Armor Used in an Anime.

Ahhh!!!!

I got to this at the end of the day…too busy and distracted by other things.

Better late than not at all.

The Mjolnir Hammer (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions)

Wielded by Sanae Dekomori they have un-paralleled destructive force…if you are delusional and suffering from “8th grade syndrome”.

To Dekomori, her mighty weapon looks like this.

 Image result for dekomori hammer

To everyone else (with the exception of Rikka), she looks like this.

Related image

She has twin tails (hair) that are exceptionally long with weighted bags tied to the ends. She spins them at high speeds, and occasionally will add more weight to “power them up”.

 

Regardless of delusion…I wouldn’t want to be hit by those things.

Until next time: Happy viewing!

30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 14

madreceiver3 Comments

Anime That Never Gets Old No Matter How Many Times You’ve Rewatched It

Monogatari Series

Related image

From the moment I watched Bakemonogatari, I fell in love with this series. The writing, pacing, art style, story, and characters all hit a sweet spot with me. I don’t tend to be a huge person to re-watch series, but this one I have and will.

 Image result for bakemonogatari

Bakemonogatari

Related image

Nisemonogatari

anime bakemonogatari shinobu

Nekomonogatari

Related image

Monogatari Series Second Season

Image result for owarimonogatari

Owarimonogatari

There’s more and I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Kizumonogatari.

I love this series.

And I really want this figure…

Image result for shinobu donut figure

Until next time: Happy viewing!

30 Day Anime Challenge – Day 11

madreceiver2 Comments

Favorite Mech Anime

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Image result for neon genesis evangelion

I guess this may seem like an obvious choice, but the truth is Evangelion is the only mech anime that I’ve watched. I found the entire series, along with the movie, “End of Evangelion”, at local used book store for under $200.00, so I decided to get it.

 It is a dark, psychologically challenging, often perplexing, show. I really enjoyed it…most of it…all of it…except that last episode. That last episode wasn’t bad exactly, but it was a big bag of “Huhh??”. The “End of Evangelion” movie wasn’t a lot better either as far as wrapping up things goes (which I thought it was supposed to be). I have yet to watch the three movies, but do plan on doing so.

Besides having a compelling story, the animation is really great and for that alone is worth a watch (the direction is excellent).

Until next time: Happy viewing!

30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 10

madreceiverLeave a comment

Favorite Fighter Anime

KenIchi The Mightiest Disciple 

Image result for kenichi the mightiest disciple

KenIchi, why of course! It’s all fighting! One big martial arts fest. Getting beat up, getting stronger, win the fight, wash, lather, rinse, repeat.

 It’s not high-minded, it’s just good fighting, get stronger fun. And there are some great characters. KenIchi is pretty typical, but I love the masters.
Image result for kenichi akisame

Akisame and Sakaki being helpful.

Related image

Shigure, so casual and expert with her weapons.

Image result for kenichi the mightiest disciple apachai

The ever enthusiastic (kid at heart killing machine), Muay Thai Master, Apachai.

Image result for kenichi the mightiest disciple kensei

Kensei Ma. Kempo Master and standard anime pervert.

Image result for kenichi the mightiest disciple elder

The head of the dojo,  Ryouzanpaku, Hayato (aka: the Elder).

It’s a fun show. It’s pretty typical shounen but it’s well done and enjoyable. I watched the English dub for this one, which was excellent and highly recommended.

 It also has one of the most baffling translations in a theme song ever:

“But if I feel like bursting into tears, giving it up and losing to my own weakness. I put myself in a birdcage and push it in the valley.”

That’s damned inspiring, that is.

Watch KenIchi. Get inspired!

 Until next time: Happy viewing!

*Oh! I actually cosplayed Kensei Ma once! No pictures though.*

30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 9

madreceiver6 Comments

Best Anime Villain

Kyubey

Related image 

For anyone who has read my blog is this really a surprise?

Image result for kyubey

Kyubey, from Puella Magi Madoka Magica is my favorite villain far a few reasons. The first being that I don’t tend to watch a lot of shows with villains (I watch a lot of slice of life). The other being: Kyubey is a real bastard in the way the a corporate CEO or the devil is.

Kyubey offers an amazing deal to people (specifically, young teen girls) but will omit the details purposely to avoid sticky questions later. He chooses young girls not only for the emotional power benefits he’ll reap later, but also because critical decision making is not at their height at this age. When Madoka stalls, he pushes her often with statements like:”You could help them if you agree to become a magical girl”. He is knowingly manipulating her emotions to get her  commit.

When confronted with the magical girls horror and disillusionment of what has happened to them, he feigns innocence and rationalization.

 

Making a contract with Kyubey is very much like signing a contract with the devil: you may get what you want initially but eventually you’ll have to pay and it’s all laid out in the fine print (which no one ever reads).

That is why Kyubey is my favorite villain. Soulless, cute, psychotically logical.

Image result for kyubey
Until next time: Happy viewing!

30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 7

madreceiver1 Comment

Your Anime Crush

Related image

Mayumi Nishikino

I don’t really have anime crushes for the most part, but this was an easy one for me.

Mayumi (The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior) is a train wreck of a woman. Direct, moody, hard drinking, sometimes bitter, and occasionally dirty minded. She is a lot of fun.

Image result for the kawai complex guide to manors and hostel behavior mayumi

 Image result for the kawai complex guide to manors and hostel behavior mayumi

But she is also kind, caring, and vulnerable. She has moments in the show where her kind nature and fragility, behind all the bravado, shines through.

Image result for the kawai complex guide to manors and hostel behavior mayumi

Related image

Truth be told, Mayumi is a bit of a mess and would be a handful in real life, but still I love her character.

Just don’t piss her off…

Image result for the kawai complex guide to manors and hostel behavior mayumi

Until next time: Happy viewing!

30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 6

madreceiver7 Comments

Anime You Want To See But Haven’t Yet.

Cowboy Bebop

Image result for cowboy bebop

No real reason I haven’t watched it yet, just haven’t.

Related image

It’s available streaming on Funimation and Crunchyroll

 Image result for cowboy bebop

I’m sure I’ll get around to it some day.

 I have beard-envy…I want this man’s beard.

Until next time: Happy viewing!

30 Day Anime Challenge- Day 4

madreceiver3 Comments

Favorite Female Anime Character Ever

Tie

Tomoko Kuroki and Olivier Mira Armstrong

Image result for tomoko watamoteImage result for olivier armstrong

Two very different styles of female protagonists. They are my two favorite, but also for different reasons.

Tomoko Kuroki

Tomoko is the perfect definition of the socially awkward outsider looking in. She is someone who  halfheartedly tries thing to boost her social status to only have them fail miserably. She’s negative, anxiety-ridden, envious, perverse, and awkward.  She is what a lot of us experienced in our teen years, exaggerated sure, but honest. As an adult I can laugh at her exploits. My teenage son ,however, has a harder time not cringing unbearably.

Image result for tomoko watamote

Image result for tomoko watamote

And she has one of my favorite quotes of all time.

On the other side of the spectrum:

Olivier Mira Armstrong

The commander of the North, Fort Briggs in FMA Brotherhood, is perhaps one of the baddest-ass female characters in anime.

A tough, uncompromising, fierce commander, that demands (and gets) absolute loyalty from her troops. She will put herself on the line to defend her troops, her duty , and what she knows to be right. She will not only command, but fight along side.

Image result for olivier armstrong

Related image

Related image

Image result for olivier armstrong quotes

So there you have it.

I couldn’t pick just one.

Two very different female characters. One representing all those human insecurities and failing for all to see. The other, a portrait of extreme strength, will, and leadership. Each an end of the spectrum portrayed really well.

Until next time: Happy viewing!