Tag Archive for 'Simoun'

See You Again Soon

13 Comments |
August 25, 2008
| Television

Finishing Simoun for only a second time, I’m struck by how much more impact the ending has on me compared to my first viewing. Its ambiguous nature persists, but it’s nowhere near as vexing now that I’ve had ample opportunity to reflect on the story’s many interconnecting themes and the manner in which they were embodied in its characters. I feel silly for being so fond of the show despite my previous lack of understanding.

My mood upon finishing the show is far from ambiguous, however. I’m feeling blue. It’s actually a familiar feeling that arises every time I finish a show graced with an impressive ensemble cast. Nostalgia with a dash of loneliness, or something like that. It’s the feeling of graduations and farewell parties. Happy occasions or sad occasions, the end of an era is still the end of an era. I suppose this is the mark of any good anime series - or any good story, for that matter - but I truly think it’s the bidding farewell to such a group of beloved characters that makes it all the more bittersweet.

When contemplating on why I’m drawn to anime as I am, I come to the same basic conclusion time and time again: it’s the characterization, stupid. Characterization is something anime does exceptionally well. There are variations in quality, of course; the flat and simple characterization of a harem series has little in common with the detailed and elaborate characterization of a drama series. But an emphasis on characters over plot is something typical of anime. It wasn’t until I start watching anime that I even gave notice to the concept of “character study”.

Simoun is exactly that. A character study. Yes, there’s a fancy story to sweeten the pot - and I don’t mean to diminish the story, for the writing is every bit as impressive as you’ve heard - but it’s truly the priestesses of Chor Tempest who carry the show from first episode to last. That’s why the parting is such sweet sorrow.

It’s also why I’m already plotting my next viewing.

Praise Tempus Spatium

13 Comments |
November 18, 2007
| Dry Goods, Television

The first DVD volume of Simoun showed up in my mailbox earlier this week. I only just got around to watching it last night, and I have to say: as striking a show as Simoun was the first time around, it looks ever more spectacular on DVD. Oh, how I love Kobayashi Shichiro’s backgrounds.

In the year or so since Simoun first aired, I’ve encountered more and more people who, like me, feel it was one of the better, if not best, shows of 2006. The show might not have gotten much attention at first, but its fans have done a good job selling it. And I really have to thank John Sirabella and MediaBlasters for licensing and releasing it in North America. He has a good eye for quality anime. The number of MediaBlasters releases in my DVD collection is proof of that.

Anyway, I won’t beat around the bush here. If you enjoyed the show back when it aired and haven’t yet bought the first DVD, get thee to a store or online retailer and pick it up pronto.

Simoun Licensed

15 Comments |
May 13, 2007
| Industry, News

In case you haven’t heard the news yet, Simoun has been licensed for North American release by Media Blasters. For those of you just dropping in, Simoun was my favorite show of the past year.

I can’t say I’m all that surprised, seeing as I’ve suspected the show would be licensed eventually, if not within the year. Also, rumors of the show’s licensing have been floating around for a couple of months now.

Still, even if I’m not surprised by the announcement, I’m happy as can be. So, if you will allow…

MEDIA BLASTERS BANZAI! JOHN SIRABELLA BANZAI! SIMOUN BANZAI!

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…

Knee Deep in the Hoopla

8 Comments |
August 25, 2006
| Otaku, Television

I’ve given in to temptation and caught up with Simoun, and can confidently say it’s now my favorite show of the year. Given how good a year this has been, that’s saying something.

If you’ve been waiting on the Simoun-Fans releases and feel like pushing forward, you can grab subtitle scripts here. Good luck finding raws, though. A friend was kind of enough to hook me up, for which I’m eternally grateful.

To avoid spoilers, I’ll abstain from saying anything else… except, “Tempus Spatium just wants to rock, man!”

Aozora no Miko

20 Comments |
August 10, 2006
| Eye Candy, Television

Omo beat me to it, but I want to point everyone toward these incredible vector traces of Simoun eyecatches, courtesy of NegativeZero. Typically, I don’t use vector traces for desktop wallpaper, but these are too attractive not to use (notebook | desktop). I look forward to seeing more.

And, speaking of Simoun, I have to say this…

When the show first started, I ignored it. Later, I figured I’d give it a try. Initially, I wasn’t sold. But I kept watching. And now? One of my favorite shows of the year. No doubt about it.

Lazy Afternoon

7 Comments |
June 28, 2006
| Television

I’m giving Simoun a try after all. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen so far, but the show has some serious problems. In particular, the direction and voice acting lacks energy. The show promises tension, but never really delivers. The phrase “going through the motions” comes to mind, unfortunately. That said, I still dig the art direction. The “sketchy” backgrounds are especially nice and reminiscent of Figure 17, which features some of my favorite background work of all time.

The character designs are starting to bug me, however. There’s an unusual amount of variation in style, and it can be a little upsetting when the entire cast is on screen at the same time. There have been some character model issues from episode to episode as well. In particular, the studio hasn’t managed to nail down Limone’s design. Speaking of which, I don’t care for teh Mamiko in this particular role. When Limone opens her mouth and Mamiko’s voice comes out, my brain produces some sort of instant “DOES NOT COMPUTE” response and shuts down for a moment. The voice doesn’t match the character.

Reports of the death of Ouran High School Host Club have been greatly exaggerated. After some thought, I realize there’s only been a couple of “bad” episodes - relatively speaking, that is. The only episode that really bugged me was the first “beach” episode, partially because it promised to be a Honey/Mori episode, yet never amounted to much, and partially because it was followed by yet another, more superior beach episode. Other than that, I’ve been absolutely delighted with the show. There have been enough “ROFLMAO” episodes to make up for the occasional “meh” episode, I think.

I’m going to skip the recap episode for Nana and give Madhouse a freebie by pretending it never existed in the first place. I really like that the story is starting to move along (at whatever glacial pace one could expect from a 50 episode TV series), but I have to admit: anime Hachi annoys me far more than movie Hachi or what-I-read-of-the-manga Hachi ever did. I think I understand now why her character ruins the whole thing for some people.

Oh, and the most recent chapter of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni has actually been kind of interesting. Probably because stuff actually… you know… happens.

What a novel idea.