Sometimes, a gal needs to be pampered. Sometimes, it’s good for a woman to hear they’re beautiful and adored. And there’s a place for those “sometimes”, where handsome young hosts breathe sweet phrases in eager ears. At Ouran High Host Club, these boys have a goal to make every woman happy….

Plot Summary

Haruhi Fujioka has had a rough life, but things get better for the first year student when Haruhi earns a scholarship to the exclusive and wealthy Ouran High. Sadly, Haruhi’s good fortune quickly goes bad when the honor student accidentally breaks an eight million yen vase belonging to the school’s host club.

In order to pay the club back, Haruhi must entertain ladies along side the handsome hosts. However, when Haruhi is called upon for a special task, the club members discover that their handsome young gentleman is actually a pretty young gentlewoman. The hosts are now smitten with their new recruit, and maybe even a bit jealous of her talent with the club’s guests.

Haruhi has entered a strange new world, one where her “common” blood and exceptional looks will get her both pampered and panted over. Will she be swept off her feet or keep them firmly planted on the ground?

Review

To any and all who love a good parody, or even just comedy, this anime is a must watch. Ouran High is an enormous parody of all things shojo and bishi, and the characters are in on the joke. They make references to episodes within the anime, comment on situations for the benefit of the audience and even refer to themselves as stereotypes. The club is a “reverse harem” where dwell such shojo mainstays as the “Stoic“,”Boy Lolita” and the ever popular, “Twincest“, to name a few.

The characters even explain fangirls’ fascination for the shojo favorites. Hikaru Hitachiin and Kaoru Hitachiin, the twins who represent the twincest, explain to a bewildered Haruhi why they’re among the most requested hosts- “It’s taboo.”

But what makes the show more than a parody and like a friendly jab at the genre, is the hosts all fake their stereotypes to get more girls to request them. The twins aren’t into each other anymore than the “Boy Lolita”, Mitsukuni Haninozuka, aka, Honey, is a witless moe wonder. Each and every one of them play the part, and even practice optimizing their stereotype’s personality traits. To top it off, the host members are woefully ignorant of the lower class, or as they call such people, “commoners”.

Poor Haruhi is surrounded by boys who are so rich they could buy and sell her and her father a million times over, and yet are so dim-witted, the club president calls himself “Daddy” and the vice-president “Mommy”.

Character Development

For such a hilarious, fast-paced comedy, there’s a generous amount of character development. The development is so skillfully done, it doesn’t even seem like development- the feeling is that of getting to know a friend instead of watching a fictitious character. As outrageous as the cast is, they all have a depth which is surprising and relate-able. There’s a connection with them that hooks you in and involves you on different levels. But the laughs still reign supreme, even as the characters true personalities unfold.

Haruhi is a grounded character and acts as the straight man for many of the anime’s jokes. She doesn’t see the appeal of the host club, but she’s learning why other girls do. Viewers are seeing the anime from her perspective, and the audience learns a thing or two along with Haruhi. We’re watching through her eyes and listening to her commentary on the absurdity of the situation. The anime wouldn’t be nearly as funny without Haruhi to bring the series into focus and to highlight why shojo and its fans are sometimes seen in a less than flattering light.

The other characters are likable, but the best by far are the “Prince“, Tamaki Suou, and the two mischievous twins. The three go round and round, competing for the attention of Haruhi, going to ridiculous lengths to be near her. But the twins take the cake with their faux homo-incestuous tendencies. Anything for a buck and a sigh from a lovely lady.

Character Design

Characters are absolute bishi, and drawn with lithesome limbs, sparkling eyes and pouty lips. All which disappear in a blink when some absurdity or another pops up. The bishi-ness flees then, to be replaced by over-exaggerated expressions and face vaults.

The backdrops for Ouran High were designed to give the impression of wealth- massive, ludicrous wealth. The room in which the host club holds its meetings glitters with crystal chandeliers and is aglow in pink. Ouran High itself is more like a palace than an place of learning.

In deference to its shojo leanings, the anime has roses and sparkles galore liberally placed throughout. The shojo symbolism is usually set in contrast to what’s actually taking place, which is part of the visual humor of Ouran High.

Animation

Animation, done by Bones, is fantastic. The bountiful details and smooth animation are a great compliment for this terrific anime. There are many detailed background shots, which really bring the scenery to life. The Host Club room and the cherry blossom scenes are especially appealing.

Music

If there is one (or two) negative comments to make about Ouran, it would be on the OP and the ED, both of which are popsy numbers which can be heard in either Japanese or English, depending on your audio choice. Both sound like they should be blaring out of some tween’s boom box and both are overly saccharine.

The first song, Sakura Kiss, by Chieco Kawabe, sounds way better in Japanese than English. In English the song drips so much sugar, it makes me cringe.

And the ED, Shissou, performed by LAST ALLIANCE, is not only more palatable in Japanese, it’s sung in tune. The English version is shaky at best, and off-key at worst.

Voice Acting

The English voice cast is the way to go with this anime- it’s flawless. The comedy translates much, much better in the English audio than its subtitles. “Flat-chested” makes more of an an impact than “lack of any bust”.

Grey Ayres does an impeccable job as the submissive twin brother, Kaoru Hitachiin. The man does mischievous well, and no character is more so in this series. All the English voice cast sound good, and there’s no need to hit the Japanese audio to avoid annoying characters’ whining vocals.

Production

It’s nice that Funimation is releasing some anime series in two parts instead of single volumes, since it saves on money and cuts down a bit on the irritating waiting period between releases. This release is the first thirteen episodes of Ouran High Host Club, and comes in a two-disc set inside a sleeve. The sleeve’s the size of a normal DVD cover, so it also saves space on the ol’ DVD shelf.

Conclusion

Ouran High Host Clubanime is pure gold. It’s a gut-busting good time and an especially fine laugh for anyone indoctrinated in anime/ manga culture, especially shojo. It’s amazing that the hilarity is absolutely consistent throughout, resulting in almost non-stop laughs.

If you need to escape from the seriousness of the dismal everyday, let the Ouran Host Club cater to your funny bone- they aim to please and hit the mark every time.

Rating

Ouran High Host Club, Part One gets 5 outta 5 Hammies!

Retail Info

• Publisher:Funimation
• Release Date: October 28, 2008
• Retail Price:$59.98
• Number of discs: 2
• Episodes:1-13
• Run Time: 300 minutes
• Rating: TV-PG
• Language: English, Japanese
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

In Japan, gohan, rice, is synonymous with meal. It’s a cinch to toss a few seasonal ingredients into a pot of cooking rice to make an instant meal that utilizes all the season has to offer. And this is sweet potato and chestnut season, folks. Kuri (chestnuts) and satsumaimo (sweet potatoes) are two popular fall comfort foods in Japan.

Chestnut Rice with Sweet Potatoes

This dish makes use of both Japanese sweet potatoes and chestnuts. You can substitute Western sweet potatoes for satsumaimo and replace fresh cooked chestnuts with the precooked variety available in four ounce bags. If you have a rice cooker, this recipe practically makes itself, but it’s still easy to make on the stove top.

Satsumaimo Kuri Gohan

Satsumaimo Kuri Gohan

2 cups sushi rice*, washed
2 cups water
10 large chestnuts, cooked, shelled and halved*
1 large or 2 small satsumaimo *
2 1/2 Tbs mirin
1 tsp salt
1, 4″ piece kombu** (optional)
black sesame seeds, toasted (optional)

• Dice the satsumaimo into bite-size pieces. Set aside. Wipe the white residue from the kombu with a damp, clean cloth. Set aside.

• To a medium cooking pot, add all the ingredients (except the sesame seeds!), mix well and bring to boil. Cover the pot and let simmer for about 12-15 minutes. Let the rice sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb the flavors and to further cook the potatoes.

• If you’re using a rice cooker- add all the ingredients, except the sesame seeds!, to the cooker, mix well and cook as per the directions. Letting the rice sit longer will result in very cooked potatoes- I let mine sit 45 minutes.

• For both rice cooker and stove top- Remove the kombu, fluff the rice and spoon evenly into 4 bowls. Sprinkle with the black sesame and serve immediately.

Makes 4 Servings

Difficulty: Easy | Time: 30 minutes | Ingredient Availability: Easy

*You can substitute regular white rice for sushi rice, but it’ll lack the sticky texture of the Japanese variety.

*You may also use prepackaged chestnuts as long as they’re cooked and not in syrup or sweetened in any way.

*Satsumaimo are tastier than any home-grown sweet tater that I’ve ever had, but they’re also damn hard to find outside an Asian market. Substitute regular sweet taters for the Japanese variety if you can’t find ‘em.

**A sushi chef once told me that adding kombu to vegetables enhances their natural flavor. You won’t even notice a seaweed flavor, but you may notice some added depth to the dish.

CANDY-COLORED FAIRY TALES: LOLITAS INVADE LITTLE TOKYO

Inside Little Tokyo’s Kyoto Grand Hotel over the weekend, dozens of Lolitas gathered for Yumemiru Musical Paradise, a fashion and music extravaganza hosted by Cosplay Oneesan. The primarily female crowd, ranging in age from pre-teen to late-twenties, traveled from across the U.S. to attend. Many of the Lolitas had become friends long before this one-off event, thanks to online sources like LiveJournal’s EGL (Elegant Gothic Lolita) community…Continue Reading at LA Weekly.com

Liz Ohanesian is a Los Angeles-based journalist covering music, media and club culture. She is a staff writer for Club World and her work regularly appears in such publications as the L.A. Weekly, Razorcake and Outburn. She has written for such publications as Punk Planet, PopMatters, Santa Monica Mirror and others.

Editor’s Note: Teaser Photo by Erin Broadley from the original article.

The Tenpo Era was a time in Japan when misfortune upon misfortune was heaped on the land. In Ghost Slayers Ayashi, which takes place in the volatile Tenpo Era, life might not be getting better, but some spirit-busting secret agents are making sure it doesn’t get any worse.

Ghost Slayers Ayashi Manga Cover

Plot Summary

It is a tumultuous, dangerous time for Japan in the era of Tenpo. Famine and desperate living conditions have fanned the fires of insurrection, making all of Edo a powder keg ready to explode. To make matters worse, youi, harmful and evil supernatural creatures, have invaded the city and the surrounding areas, threatening the locals.

But a secret organization, The Office of Barbarian Knowledge, stands against these malevolent spirits. The agents of the Office are men and women skilled in magic and combat and are ever vigilante. They are responsible for protecting mankind from youi. They are Ayashi.

Review

Ayashi has a lot of cultural history bound up in its pages. It’s much like taking a superficial peek back into an era of Japan that doesn’t get much face time in anime and manga. It’s part of the appeal of the manga that the backdrop feels authentic. And then the manga brings to life traditional Japanese myths and supernatural creatures, just as they’ve been portrayed in stories for centuries, and invents a society to fight them.

The society itself has agents who also employ a few abilities which hark from the native mythos in their combat techniques. The Office and the spirits are tied together to make a story in a time that never was but could have been, with a little magic.

Manga Panel 01

The manga is a fun read that’s not too deep, not too dark, nor too sedate. There’s action to go around in the pages, and just enough mystery to have a “Gotcha!” moment or two in the stories. Some things blindside readers with twists and turns that come out of nowhere. The groundwork for some of these moments are laid so deftly, there’s a moment of “Oh, yeah, shoulda seen that one coming.” Especially in the last story of the manga.

Story

Ghost Slayers’ premiere volume is laid out in two stories. The first introduces readers to the Office’s members, and their top agent, Yukiatsu Ryuodo, aka, Yuki- a seemingly indolent, lazy man in his late thirties. Yuki and the other agents of the office track down all rumors concerning supernatural occurrences and search for the truth in them.

If the rumors prove to be youi, the agents must find the best way to defeat the creature. The bulk of the story however, is dedicated to discovering who or what is the cause of the problem. After the culprit is found, it’s go time, and the agents then show they have what it takes to go head to head with noxious fiends. Ayashi is both detective story and action/ adventure, and invites readers in to share in the investigation by offering up sympathetic, believable characters.

Character Development

It’s easy to connect with the characters in the stories in the way they’re portrayed. Their background and motives are clearly defined in their words, facial expressions and actions. Motives are key to solving any mystery and the characters in Ghost Slayers all have plenty and are explained well. The only folks without a motive for their actions are the Ayashi.

Why they do what they do is unclear, but who they are is given little by little in small interactions and conversations here and there. Yuki seems very much to be the layabout he appears to be, but there’s more to him and the rest of the Office that hasn’t been inked yet.

Character Design

Manga Panel 02

The manga has taken the Tenpo Period and created it as faithfully as can be hoped for in a manga, with creative license taken with a few of the youi. Men wear kimono, women are styled with traditional fashions and tatami abounds.

Most of the people are drawn more realistically than not, and are heavy with expressive details. Characters, have, well, character in Ghost Slayers. People have wrinkles, smile lines and scars. The expressions are easy to read and are abundant. Tiny little touches like these make the characters more human, more able to connect with, not to mention it makes good art.

Art

Yaeko Ninagawa inked Ghost Slayers and did a very fine and clean job of it. The art is as expressive as the characters themselves. Ninagawa has a good eye for lighting and perspective. The pages don’t feel flat or dull, they feel dynamic from the readers point of view.

The line weights are delicate, which give the pages a light feel. Darkness is not pervasive in the manga, but the panels which are dark are unique in the way they’re varied. Some panels are defined with different types of block shading, others with cross hatching and others a combination of the two. It’s a style that is consistent in its high quality and clean detailing which doesn’t feel heavy or smudged.

Production

Ghost Slayers has two pages of translation notes in the back of the manga along with a few excerpts of the manga in the original Japanese. Free kanji practice!

Conclusion

Ghost Slayers Ayashi is a manga that’s easy to get into and fast to finish. The stories read like mini supernatural mysteries from feudal Japan and are intriguing culture lessons to boot. I like the way minor characters feel “real”. And I like that even though I’m not Japanese and living in the Tenpo Era, I’ve got a front row seat to some mythical Tenpo action.

Rating

gets outta 5 Hammies!

Retail Info

• Publisher: Bandai Entertainment
• Release Date: September 16, 2008
• Retail Price: $9.99
• Paperback: 200 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160496006X
• ISBN-13: 978-1604960068

Win Free Anime and Manga from TheAnimeBlog.com!

The Contest

1. You must register with the site
2. Log in with your user name and password, then choose an item from our list of loot
3. List the item you want in the comments section
4. Your comment will be given a number. If your number is chosen from our random drawing, you’ll win the item you listed!

Additional Details

This contest ends on November 30th, 2008 at midnight, so any comments posted before that time are eligible. On December 1st, 2008 we’ll randomly draw three numbers between one and the final total of comments. If your comment number is drawn, you’ll be the proud owner of whatever listed! For example:

22. Smitty says:
November 30th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I sure would love a copy of Karas: The Revelation!!! ^_^

So if we were to draw number 22 and your user name is Smitty, then you’ve just won a copy of Karas: The Revelation!

Remember, you must register to enter. After you’ve registered, check out the loot and comment below!

Contest Rules

• All entrants must be a registered user to win.
• You must post a comment with the name of one of the articles being given away. If you do not list an item in your comment and your number is chosen, you’ll receive the prize of our choice.
• Limit one post and one item request per registered user.
• Flooding the board with multiple posts will result in deletion of your entry.
• If you’ve won in the past four months, you are not eligible to win. We appreciate your participation, but we want everyone to have a chance.
• All entrants must live in the continental United States. Sorry international friends - shipping is expensive these days!

Deadline:

• The winner will be randomly drawn on December 1st, 2008. Any entrant posting after November 30th, midnight is not eligible to win, even if comments are still open.

Winner:

• The winner’s user name (but not email address) will be posted on the site. We will notify you by e-mail.

If you have any questions about registering, please read our privacy policy. Good luck and don’t forget to tell your friends!

List of Loot

Anime DVDs

1. Ah, My Goddess! Volume 1
2. Beck, Mongolian Chop Squad, Volumes 3-5
3. Black Cat, Volume 6
4. Baldr Force EXE
5. Devil May Cry, Volume 3
6. Glass Fleet, Complete Series
7. Kanon, Volumes 1 and 6
8. Karas: The Revelation
9. Karin, Volume 5
10. One Piece Movie #8
11. One Piece Season One, Part One
12. Origin, Spirits of the Past
13. Ragnarok, Volumes 1-3
14. Red Garden, Volume 1
15. Robotech, Shadow Chronicles
16. Rozen Maiden, Volume Two
17. School Rumble, Extra Class
18. Sentimental Journey: Disc 1
19. Shinchan, Season One, Part One
20. Speed Grapher, Volume 3-6
21. Tetsujin 28, Volume 1
22. Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Volume 1
23. Tsubasa, Reservoir Chronicle, 6-9
24. Venus, Versus Virus, Volume 1
25. Vexille
26. Vision of Escaflowne: Volumes 2-5 and 7-8
27. When They Cry, Volume 5
28. Yu Yu Hakusho, Volumes 5-6

Manga

1. Blade of the Immortal: Volume 3
2. Crimson Hero: Volume 1
3. Death Note, Volume 3
4. Descendants of Darkness: Volume 1
5. Mars: Volumes 1-5
6. Mars: Volumes 7-8
7. Mars: Volumes: 11-15

Now, the manga-ka is back, and he’s writing and drawing the latest installment in the growing Afro Samurai franchise.

Afro Samurai Manga Volume One

Plot Summary

For those who wish to gain the power of a god, they must possess the Number One headband. But to become Number One, they must first own the Number Two headband. Only Number Two can ever challenge and duel Number One.

When the son of the current Number One watches as his father is cut down by Number Two, a shady gunman named Justice, the boy, Afro, swears revenge, no matter the cost. And the cost is high indeed. Where ever the now grown Afro goes, death follows.

Afro now journeys to confront Justice and reap his vengeance. On the road to Number One, Afro encounters assassins, warriors and samurai who try take his place as Number Two. As he leaves a trail of bodies in his wake, Afro comes that much closer to confronting Number One. Nothing personal…it’s just REVENGE.

Review

Charge!!!

Afro Samurai may take a bit of getting used to for some manga readers, mainly due to its unconventional styling and format. For veteran manga enthusiasts, this may be more bothersome than for one new to manga. Indeed, my first reaction was that Afro Samurai felt more like an American comic book than a manga penned and inked by a native Japanese manga-ka.

For starter’s, the book reads left to right instead of the original manga format of right to left. The manga also has splashes of color throughout, not just in a few pages before chapters. And the style itself is a departure from the generic doe-eyed, tiny-mouthed lithe character designs of many manga. Okazaki, the manga-ka, created Afro Samurai with highly stylized, deeply detailed, and very dark designs.

Story

Afro Samurai has a stylishness both in art and story that sets it apart from the world of traditional manga. The storytelling borders on American graphic novel, as does the art, but the dialog pulls it back towards manga. Afro Samurai bridges two worlds, graphic novel and manga, and belongs to neither, although it’s technically manga.

The story is one people can easily follow, and doesn’t have any deep moments or psycho-analyzing of motives. It’s not one we’re drawn into or relate to. The story is like driving through a scenic place, albeit in this instance, a very graphic, very bloody place. There’s not much connection, only base entertainment in the form of action, bloody action and more bloody action.

Character Development

Unapologetic lead characters in stories are usually a good change of pace from weepy-eyed, angsty, divided ones, especially if said unapologetic characters are right bastards. Afro is an unapologetic bastard, and is vastly more interesting because of it.

Given Afro had a wretched childhood, it’s understandable he’d have issues. But his condition goes beyond “issues”. He’s dead inside and only his need for vengeance keeps him upright. He’ll kill anyone, anyone at all, if they seem the least bit in his way, and he doesn’t care about the rivers of blood he creates because of it.

The only development for Afro we’re given is the snippet of background in the first few pages of the manga. All other characters besides Afro are transitory at best, and serve as scenery or sword-fodder. But development need not apply to butt-kicking stories of cold-hearted “heroes” bent on personal vengeance, thus none is evident in the manga so far.

Character Design

After the battle...

Character designs are very stylized and expressive. The characters at first glance are hard to make out, but further study proves them to be emotive and detailed.

The backdrop of the story is a mix of two worlds- ancient Japanese and Doomsday futuristic. Men wear kimono and eat oden from vendors alongside warriors equipped with high tech projectile weaponry and guidance systems. It’s Mad Max meets Yojimbo.

Art

Takashi Okazaki created highly graphic designs for his manga. The characters are simultaneously detailed and blurry, defined and smudged. Copious amounts of black shading fill in most panels, and fine hatchet work details the rest. The lines in the manga are finely inked, and nary a heavy stroke can be found in the book.

While everything is inked in shades of dark gray and black, red is also used to highlight blood. The contrast is a nice departure from the colorless warm shades of gray typical manga boasts.

Production

The manga is a great culture bridge for Western comic book fans curious about manga. It has enough style to lure in the manga-intrigued, and even reads the same direction as graphic novels, but it also tosses in some cultural references, such as oden and kunai.

In the back of the manga are translation notes breaking down by chapter and page number what the terms and words mean and their cultural context. Also in the back are a few pages from Okazaki’s original Afro Samurai doujinshi.

The actual manga itself is well executed. The paper is a good weight, and doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. And the cover has a decent heft as well, giving potential buyers at least the appearance they’ll be reading something worth the effort.

Conclusion

Afro Samurai, Volume One doesn’t read like a typical manga, translation notes and reading direction aside. The story itself has a Japanese theme, but doesn’t mesh with the over-exaggerated moments and “feelings” of its manga-brethren. It feels much like an American graphic novel, but has something that keeps it from being a graphic novel just as it has something that keeps it from being traditional manga.

The melding of two worlds makes this manga something unique and worthwhile. If you like to while away your time with highly stylized and graphically violent themes, that is.

Rating

Afro Samurai, Volume One gets3.5 gets outta 5 Hammies!

Retail Info

• Publisher: Tor/ Seven Seas
• Release Date: September 2, 2008
• Retail Price: $10.99
• Paperback: 108 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765321238
• ISBN-13: 978-0765321237

Hulu's Funimation Page

Now the company has announced that it has “officially launched” on Hulu, with the addition November 7 of episodes from the Shuffle!, Peach Girl, and Slayers anime series.  These episodes join a considerable list of those that were already running on Hulu.com: Black Blood Brothers, Blue Gender, MoonPhase, Mushi-Shi, Shikebane Hime, Kiddy Grade, Mr. Stain on Junk Alley, and XXXHOLiC.  The official launch of the FUNimation presence on the U.S.-accessible-only Hulu.com means that fans of anime distributed by the company have many avenues for discovering titles they haven’t seen before, or reacquainting themselves with previous favorites…Continue reading at FireFox.org

Perhaps it deserves a more in-depth article in the future. So are you a Hulu user? If so, how has your anime-watching experience changed?

Exclusive: A look at the live action AKIRA remake - AKIRA PART 1!

“Each feature will be based on three of the books in Otomo’s series. The story takes place in New Manhattan, a metropolis that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years earlier.”

The story takes place in a burgeoning new metropolis of the future, several years after a cataclysmic event destroyed the old city that once stood in its place. Unbeknownst to most of the populace, the real cause of the event was a small boy with incredible psychic powers, part of a top secret government program attempting to harness such so called “Espers” as weapons. The project is deemed too dangerous, and the young boy – AKIRA – is put in cryogenic stasis in a secret underground facility to prevent such a disaster from ever occurring again.

In probably the most significant change and the only one that really bugged me, the events of this version are shifted from Tokyo to New York – but after the city is destroyed and the United States’ economy collapses, burgeoning superpower Japan buys the devastated island to construct a new city to house their ever expanding population…Continue reading at LatinoReview.com

What are the chances that this will actually get made? And will it be good?

Plot Summary

The world has been changed. In 1899, magic was brought into existence using science. Since sorcery and science now co-exist in the world, anything is possible. But such rampant and easily accessible power comes with a dark side- anyone too careless in wielding this arcane sorcery runs the risk of turning into a bloodthirsty demon. These transformed individuals require a special brand of exterminator- Tactical Sorcerists.

Strait Jacket Cover Artwork

Sorcerists, also called Strait Jackets, use magical armor, Molds, to combat demons. They too run the risk of going demonic, higher than any other magical profession, but they choose to serve and protect. When a terrorist cell threatens the city with a surge of demonic outbreaks, the Sorcery Management Bureau calls in all available sorcerists, including the unlicensed sorcerist, Leiot Steinberg, to quell the infestation.

Leiot has a shrouded, troubled background, however, and is considered a bane to his profession. Now, the rogue sorcerist’s past has come back to haunt him as he tries to redeem himself. Will his past stand in the way of his duty, or will it swallow him and the city he protects?

Review

Strait Jacket is an anime with a rare commodity- a unique idea. Magic in anime is common, but magic coupled with modern science, and believably so, is something more rare. The difficulty in making an anime which centers around sorcery, is making it believable to audiences. Strait Jacket addresses this issue immediately by treating magic as energy.

Strait Jacket Mecha Action

As with any new energy source, man finds uses for it in medicine, technology and inevitably, war. Strait Jacket uses magic just like electricity or nuclear technology, with mixed results and a higher price. No worries about pollution or depleting the source. Don’t sweat environmental impact or species extinction. No carbon footprint here, just the downside of having users morph into murderous, unstoppable monsters.

The anime sells the idea people are fine with this trade, and makes the world of the anime believable in doing so. It’s not hokey, but scary.

In creating a world where audiences are convinced of its authenticity, the anime can tell its story without an overabundance of dragging explanations. The story itself is good, not terrific or profound, but entertaining. The angle is inventive, so the story can be forgiven for not being as such. Pacing and action take the place of drawn out revelations, although there are at least two scenes, most which involve an annoying female character, which grind the anime to a dead halt. The anime tried, just a little, to stick a message into the OVA, but thankfully, it didn’t take.

Character Development

Demon!

Leiot’s character is recognizable as the troubled hero who’s perpetually misunderstood, but he’s not too terribly well defined. However, I like the way no apologies or excuses are gives for his lack of depth. Strait Jacket is an action anime, not a moral fable, it’s a one hundred percent demon-butt kicking gore fest with fancy equipment and and good animation.

The anime was too short to cram anything resembling development into the mix. If the studio did try it, it would have failed. Instead they stuck with the action and made a fun anime. Perhaps a longer series would be a better place to explore the characters.

Character Design

Glasses!

Strait Jacket has great character designs. The demons are the best, however. They’re all frightening and gruesome, all mockeries of the former individual. The demons designs’ take the story to another level.

Magic use is defined by glowing circles inscribed with runes, and the Molds use power pellets in the shape of the Tree of Life. Some authenticity in the designs add a nice touch, and little details here and there are recognizable from different sects.

Technology in the anime is a cross between early industrial and steampunk. It’s slightly confusing,but still unique.

Animation

The animation for the OVA is rich with details and smoothly done. Feel, the animation studio, picked a color palette filled with vibrant hues to define the world of Strait Jacket. Details abound, from tiny glints of light bouncing off metal to glowing circles of magery and runes. The anime was truly well animated.

Music

Much can’t be said about the music except that it suited the anime. It was orchestral with a Celtic feel in the intro. Throughout, it built suspense, accompanied tense moments and was soft in lighter scenes.

Voice Acting

The voice acting was good. Either the Japanese or the English would be good choices for viewing the OVA.

Production

The packaging for Strait Jacket is attractive, with a hologram and embossed sleeve. Minus two points for no liner notes to flesh out the series better.

Conclusion

Strait Jacket tried in places to be something it wasn’t, but thankfully it never reached the depths it aimed for. Instead, it achieved in becoming a savvy, novel anime filled with action and unique ideas. The world of the anime alone is worth the price of admission, but audiences will be treated to far more than picturesque scenery.

Rating

Strait Jacket gets 4 outta 5 Hammies!

Retail Info

• Publisher:Manga Entertainment
• Release Date: October 7, 2008
• Retail Price: $19.99
• Run Time: 76 minutes
• Rating: Not Rated
• Language: English, Japanese
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Anamorphic Widescreen

The first project is a new theatrical stage adaptation of Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s Tetsujin 28 manga. Oshii-san will be writing the script as well as making his stage-directing debut.

© Hikari Production/Shikishima Juko

Tetsujin 28 has already been adapted into several anime productions spanning the years from 1963 through 2004. There was also a live action movie in 2005. For this adaptation, the cast will feature (from ANN):

“Actress Kaho Minami (Soreike! Anpanman: Ningyo Hime no Namida) will play Shoutarou Kaneda, the 15-year-old hero of the story and the controller of the Tetsujin 28 robot. The other performers include Narushi Ikeda (Gurren Lagann, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon), Diamond Yukai, Sunplaza Nakano-kun (Odenkun).“

Composer Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell, Death Note films) will also be making his theatrical stage debut as the play’s composer.

The play will open in Tokyo in January 2009 and will move to Osaka in February.

The second project will be an animated movie about Musashi Miyamoto, the legendary swordsman who lived during the early days of the Tokugawa Shogunate (early 17th century) and author of The Book of Five Rings.

© 2009 Miyamoto Musashi: Soken ni Haseru Yume Production Committee (Tentative)

Oshii-san is developing and writing the film, Miyamoto Musashi: Soken ni Haseru Yume (Musashi Miyamoto: The Dream of Riding with Two Swords). The director will be Mizuho Nishikubo (Otogi Zoshi). The film is scheduled for a Summer 2009 release by Production I.G.

ANN Stories:

• Tetsujin 28, Samurai 7 Get Adapted as Stage Plays,
• Oshii Develops, Writes Musashi Miyamoto Samurai Film (Update 2)

Japanese Sources:

• Sports Hochi
• animeanime.jp

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© Yoshiichi Akahito/Square Enix, Shikabane Hime Production Committee

FUNimation Entertainment recently licensed the13-episode supernatural anime series Shikabane Hime: Aka (Corpse Princess), which is currently airing in Japan. According to their press release, it sounds like FUNimation will be experimenting with a model which will attempt to reduce the impact of fansubs. They will be streaming subtitled episodes through partners YouTube.com, Joost.com, and Hulu.com as well as their own website (www.funimation.com)…all for free. The first episode was streamed on October 24.

According to Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO of FUNimation:

“Often by the time a licensing deal is signed to bring a series from Japan to the U.S. the episodes are already available as illegal downloads. In bringing this series to anime fans within days of its premiere we are not only offering unique content and increasing the awareness of the series but we are offering a legal online alternative to illegal file sharing.“

FUNimation is also offering a download-to-own option through www.funimation.com at $1.99 per episode. While the press release did not mention future DVD releases, their license does include DVD rights.

The press release ended by stating:

“FUNimation Entertainment plans to expand its distribution channels and offer similar digital content to U.S. anime fans in the future.“

© 2006 Gonzo/Red Garden Project

In other FUNimation news, three titles which FUNimation acquired from ADV were only 2-3 volumes away from completion before the license transfer. FUNimation had originally announce that these series (Red Garden, Pumpkin Scissors, and Welcome to the NHK) would only be released as box sets…not good news for those who had been purchasing the individual DVDs.

However, a few days later, FUNimation announced that they would indeed be releasing individual DVDs for the final volumes of these series as well as box sets. So good news for everyone in the end.

ANN Stories:

• FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Shikabane Hime: AKA for North American Release
• Red Garden, NHK to End in Boxes, Not Single DVDs
• Funimation to Ship Final Single DVDs for 3 Former ADV Titles

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The fourth time was the charm for Taro Aso. He finally became Prime Minister this past September after Yasuo Fukuda resigned. It may be a short lived term, however, since elections will be held no later than September 2009, which is when the LDP’s (Liberal Democratic Party) current four year mandate expires.

© Tokyo International Film Festival

Aso-san is well known as being a big manga fan and humorously referred to this during a speech at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF):

“In Japan, I’m not known as the Prime Minister Taro Aso, but more famous as a Manga ‘Otaku’.”

He also noted that many current Japanese TV dramas are based on original manga works. Aso-san then spoke about the Osamu Tezuka exhibition at TIFF:

“Manga reflects the chronological realism. On the other hand, it also laughs the dark perspective of the real world away, and pictures future dreams. The future that Osamu Tezuka drew 50 years ago has been realized now.”

A week later, Aso-san gave his first street speech as Prime Minister in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. The speech concentrated on the economy where he said that the LDP would be trying to improve the economic situation in Japan+. He gave a couple of examples of possible solutions…raising the minimum wage and developing programs which would increase regular full time jobs.

Taro Aso (3rd from right) with director John Woo (3rd from left) and cast from Red Cliff © Tokyo International Film Festival

Aso-san also said that the responsibilities and schedule of being Prime Minister has cut into his manga time. From the Japan Times:

“This is already Sunday this week. I’ve read ‘Sunday’ and ‘Magazine’ of the last week but haven’t got to ‘Jump’Morning,’ ” he said, referring to three major manga for boys and another for adult males.” and ‘

• animeanime Story (translation via KatanaXtreme): Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso visits Tokyo International Film Festival
• ANN Story: Japanese Leader Aso Talks Politics, Manga in Akihabara
• Japan Times Story: Aso Vows to Cure Economic Woes

Images Courtesy Totoro Forest Project Blog

Images Courtesy of Totoro Forest Project Blog

Last year, I wrote a brief article about the efforts of director Hayao Miyazaki, locals, and other volunteers to protect the Fuchi no Mori forest (aka Totoro’s Forest) from new housing development. Their efforts helped the local government purchase and maintain the land.

This past September, the Totoro Forest Project held an auction at the Pixar Animation Studios headquarters in northern California. 190 American and Japanese artists donated 205 pieces of art. The auction raised over $201,000 (US) or approximately 21.1 million yen.

In honor of the event and the contributions, Miyazaki-sama painted the watercolor seen above. This painting as well as the donated art will be on exhibition at San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum from September 20, 2008 through February 8, 2009.

The Totoro no Furusato Foundation has raised over 300 million yen (approx. $2.9 million US) since 1990 for the preservation of Totoro’s Forest and surrounding areas west of Tokyo.

• Images: Totoro Forest Project Blog
• ANN Story: Totoro Forest Auction Earns an Estimated US$201,236
• Japanese Source: Yomiuri Shimbun

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© Chabata k, GFDL

Lake Kitana - Winter Image © Chabata k, GFDL

Like the Fuchi no Mori forest, Lake Kizaki has become the focus of fans who want to help maintain and preserve it. The Lake was the inspiration behind the background locales in two anime series…Onegai Teacher and Onegai Twins.

Every year the western Japanese city of Omachi has lit the lake shore with street lights from July through September. However, rising operations costs were about to stop this tradition. Fans of the series heard about this and were able to raise 120,000 yen (approx. $1200 US). They gave this money to the Lake Kizaki Springs Tourism Association to help with the maintenance costs.

Fans have also helped with local cleanup campaigns around the lake.

© 2001 Please!

On a related note, both anime series also featured looks at the local train stops. From September 2008 through August 2009, the Oito train line will be issuing special souvenir tickets with background art from the anime.

• ANN Story: Onegai Anime Fans Raise ¥120,000 for Real Lake Locale

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Crayon Shin-Chan Images: © Yoshito Usui/Futabasha, Shinei, TV Asahi

There is an upcoming live action historical romance movie titled Ballad - Namonaki Koi no Uta (Ballad: The Nameless Song of Love). Apparently, it is based on the plot of the 2002 animated movie Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Appare! Sengoku Daikassen (Crayon Shin-chan: The Storm Called - The Battle of the Warring States).

Since the latter film is a comedy, it is unlikely that the live action movie is a direct remake. However, my sources were rather unclear about this. The most likely explanation is that the animated film served as inspiration for the live action film.

The plot of the 2002 animated movie is:

“Shinnosuke [Crayon Shin-chan] suddenly finds himself in the war-torn medieval ’sengoku’ [Warring States] era. He happens to change history by saving the life of a samurai who is supposed to die there… “

The animated film did win several awards including the Japan Media Arts Festival Animation Category’s Best Prize, the 57th Mainichi Film Awards: Animation Grand Award, 2003 Tokyo Anime Award Feature Film Category Best Prize and others.

The plot of the upcoming live action movie:

Crayon Shin-Chan Images: © Yoshito Usui/Futabasha, Shinei, TV Asahi

A Sengoku-era princess is offered a political marriage with a daimyo of a neighboring state. She turns him down which causes a war. The love story is between her and (I believe) one of her generals. A boy from the future, Shinichi, plays an important role in these events.

The film will feature Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (SMAP member) as the general, Yui Arakagi as the princess, and 11-year old Akashi Takei as Shinichi. The supporting cast includes Michitaka Tsutsui, Yui Natsukawa, Atsuo Nakamura, and Takao Osawa. Takashi Yamazaki (Always: Sanchome no Yuhi) is the director. The film has a 2 billion yen (approx. $20 million US) budget. The battle scenes will make heavy use of CGI. The tentative release date is September of 2009.

The common elements appear to be the setting and the time traveling boy.

• ANN Story: Shin-Chan Film’s Story Remade as Live-Action Film
• animeanime Story (translation via KatanaXtreme): CRAYON SHINCHAN to be a live action feature directed by Takashi Yamazaki
• Tokyograph Story: Kusanagi’s “Ballad” inspired by “Crayon Shin-chan”
• Japanese Source: Sports Hochi
• Ballad - Namonaki Koi no Uta website: www.ballad-movie.jp/