Monthly Archive for December, 2006

Year in Review: Simoun

54 Comments |
December 31, 2006
| Television

1. Simoun

The first time I watched the first episode of Simoun, I kept thinking, “Why are these girls kissing each other? Why are they fighting? What the hell is going on? Why in the world am I watching this?”

So, I stopped watching.

Somewhere along the line, however, I started hearing positive things about the show. Curiosity got the best of me. So, I gave it another try. One evening and eight episodes later, I was a Simoun fan. And now? I’m recognizing it as my favorite show of 2006.

Crazy, huh?

In all honesty, though, I don’t think my negative impression of the first episode was unwarranted. That first episode truly DOES suck. That, and Simoun is an absolute jumble of genres, themes, and hooks. It’s a mess. But it’s that same jumble of genres, themes, and hooks that makes Simoun such a fascinating show - a show that simultaneously embraces and defies stereotype. It rolls around in the mud, yet comes up sparkling.

And in more ways than one, I might add. Simoun is a gorgeous show, thanks to the art direction of Kobayashi Shichiro. It’s also a musical delight, thanks to the work of composer Sahashi Toshihiko. And the voice work! How often does one show bring so many talented seiyuu together in the same studio? Even the apparent Mamiko mismatch seemed like a brilliant move on the part of the casting director when all was said and done.

So, to those of you who convinced me to give Simoun a second try (you know who you are!), thanks for letting your inner fanboy show. And, of course, I’ll do the same. Hear that folks? Watch Simoun!

Oh, and have a happy and prosperous New Year while you’re at it. Hopefully, when we do this Year in Review thing again next year, there’ll be so many favorites to choose from that I’ll be forced to write twenty entries.

Now, time to go buy some champagne…

Year in Review: Kanon

16 Comments |
December 30, 2006
| Television

2. Kanon

Do you know how much snow has fallen in Denver since I left town a few weeks ago? A lot. Around three feet, in fact. The place must be crawling with sad girls right now.

So, while watching the most recent episode of Kanon, I experienced something unexpected: pangs of homesickness. I longed for the the chill of a cold winter day. The sound of snow crunching under my feet. Treetops glistening. Sleigh bells ringing. You know the drill.

But, at the same time, Kanon has been therapeutic - not only as a connection to home, but as a connection to the past. After all, this isn’t my first Kanon “experience”. And when I look back on my first experience, I see an anime fan on the brink. Sure, I was already head over heels in love with this stuff at the time, but you see… well, it was around that time I first realized I wasn’t merely an anime fan, but an anime nut. Whether I should look back upon that moment with delight or horror, I honestly can’t say.

Hence, you could say Kanon is an exercise in nostalgia for me. For a lot of people, however, it’s something entirely new. I’m actually a bit envious. Kyoto Animation has done a fantastic job with the show thus far - so fantastic that I wish I was experiencing the magic of Kanon again for the very first time. You Kanon virgins are lucky folks.

Then again, I suppose us Kanon veterans are pretty lucky, too.

Year in Review: ARIA The NATURAL

10 Comments |
December 30, 2006
| Television

3. ARIA The NATURAL

Ahh, Venice. Shame it’s sinking. Perhaps that’s why they packed it up and moved it to Mars.

All good things must come to an end, I suppose. But when it comes to a good thing like Aria, I just can’t let go. Life without Aria? Say it ain’t so! I still remember the little jig I danced when I first learned a second season was in the works. And I remember the toast I made when I learned it would be twenty-six episodes in length. I’m already stockpiling tequila and fireworks in preparation for any future announcements.

So, yeah, I’m in love with Aria. And I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: it’s the show everyone seems to like, yet no one likes to talk about. After a bit more consideration, however, I feel I should add, “… and that’s OK.” Why? Because, when it comes to Aria, there’s little to discuss. What’s so special about Aria, you might ask? I don’t know. It’s Aria. Why watch Aria? I don’t know. Because it’s Aria?

In other words, I don’t know how to pitch Aria. Nor do I know how to explain Aria. It’s just something you have to experience firsthand. It’s as if Aria isn’t so much a thing as it is a feeling. You know the feeling of sitting out on the veranda on a summer afternoon, puffy white clouds floating on the breeze, children laughing in the distance?

That’s my Aria.

Year in Review: Ouran High School Host Club

30 Comments |
December 28, 2006
| Television

4. Ouran High School Host Club

When I come across someone who doesn’t care for Ouran High School Host Club, it always throws me for a loop. Why? Because, in my opinion, it’s one of the most consistently funny and entertaining anime series to come out of Japan in recent years, and even if the tone or subject matter isn’t to one’s particular liking, the show’s strengths are still instantly recognizable. Then again, in anime fandom, it sometimes seems there’s more hate to go around than there is recognition.

No shortage of hate, indeed.

And Ouran High School Host Club is an easy show to hate, I suppose, what with its conspicuous shoujo style, flamboyant characters, and over-the-top narrative. Oh, and pointy chins. Some people just can’t handle pointy chins. However, it’s because the show is willing to cut loose and have some fun that it’s so remarkably entertaining. I haven’t smiled and laughed so much in ages.

Even more surprising is how the show manages to maintain such a high energy level from start to finish. I’m willing to admit that few of my personal favorites exhibit such consistency. Every show has its ugly moments, right? Not Ouran High School Host Club. It starts strong and ends even stronger. I suppose there are a couple of episodes that fail to live up to their full potential, but for a show that sets the bar so high, that’s to be expected. And there are more than enough “WOW!” episodes to make up for it.

So, if Ouran High School Host Club is such a model of perfection, why do I rank it fourth? Well, as absorbing as it was for a half hour each week, the buzz always wore off too quickly. Like another immensely popular show from the past year (something involving aliens, time travelers, and espers… can’t recall the name), it was the anime equivalent of a hit-and-run.

Felt pretty darn good, though.

Year in Review: Mushishi

6 Comments |
December 27, 2006
| Television

5. Mushishi

Anime is a very specific medium, if you think about it. When anime fans get together to talk shop, words like “shounen” and “bishoujo” fill our conversations. We have exact descriptions for most anything. It’s all compartmentalized.

Because of this, it’s easy to find the things we like. Like angsty mecha shows? I’ve got this season’s Gundam clone right here, my friend! Like bishoujo game adaptations? Check this month’s issue of Megami! Looking for a psychological thriller? Let’s see what Satoshi Kon is up to!

And it’s just as easy to avoid the things we don’t like. “Super Ninja Fighter Revolution Zwei? Screw that!” There’s convenience in knowing one’s preferences, of course, but should we become prisoner to our preferences…

I almost missed out on Mushishi. From the very beginning, I at least recognized it as a show worth watching. But fantasy? Not my bag, really. Artsy? I appreciate anime as art, but I’m plenty happy watching pedestrian dreck. Period piece? Sorry, but I don’t have a fetish for that sort of thing.

Of course, Mushishi is none of these. Or perhaps it is. Fantasy? In it’s own way. Artsy? In it’s own way. Period piece? In it’s own way. And it’s because Mushishi does things in its “own way” that it’s such a fascinating piece of work. It really only takes one episode to discover this. But you still have to sit down and watch that episode. Dismiss the show out of hand, and you might miss out on something wonderful. Dismiss any show out of hand, and you might miss out on something wonderful.

Mushishi clearly belongs in the “something wonderful” category.

Year in Review: Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings

15 Comments |
December 26, 2006
| Television

6. Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings

Believe it or not, following high school, I was looking forward to a career as an officer in the United States Air Force. It’s not that I had a burning desire to serve my country or anything. Rather, the Air Force was offering me a full scholarship for college and an officer’s commission upon graduation. There was no way in hell I was passing up a full ride and a guaranteed job.

But, various things happened that year, and before I knew it, my scholarship was no more. A month from starting classes at an expensive university and with no way to pay for it, I scrambled to find an alternative. In the end, I landed at a university close to home, where the tuition was cheaper and I could bide my time until another scholarship became available.

Except, as is often the case in life, things worked out a bit differently than planned. I fell in love with my new school, found new interests, made new friends… might as well stay put, eh? And so I did. Ten years on, and I don’t regret that decision, for things worked out in their own weird way. But, in all honesty, I sometimes wonder: what if I hadn’t lost that scholarship? Would everything have worked out? Would I have been happy in the military?

Probably.

Perhaps that’s why I find Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings such a compelling show. In some ways, I envy Kazuhiro, the protagonist, for the challenges he faces. I envy him for the responsibility that rests on his shoulders. I envy him for being in a position to help people when they most need it. I envy him for having such a damn cool job, I guess. It’s the sort of job I would have been good at, I think. An environment in which I would have thrived. I have to admit: when watching Rescue Wings, I wanted to be Kazuhiro so much it hurt.

And you know what? I think that was the point.

Merii Kurisumasu!

4 Comments |
December 25, 2006
| Miscellaneous

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all that jazz!

Since work prevented me from finding time to participate in the karaoke contest, here’s a little gift from Christmas past. I still can’t figure out that “pair of hopalong boots” part. What the hell are “hopalong boots,” anyway?