Video Backlog: "Princess Minerva"

Publisher: ADV Films (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Dub and English Subtitles
Length: 43 mins
Production Date: 1995
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Story Outline: In the kingdom of Whisler, teenage Princess Minerva wants to be seen as a agent of justice much to the annoyance of the royal family. Despite strict instructions to behave in a lady like way, she constantly sneaks out to seek adventure and fun. But Minerva has a grander plan. A tournament is being held to find her a new body guard, however she plans to enter and win. She forces her lady in waiting, Blue Morris, to substitute for her, while she fights. However a pair of kidnappers abduct Morris thinking she was Minerva. It’s up to Minerva and a rag tag band of fighters to save Blue Morris and stop a plot to take over the kingdom by an evil wizard.

Mini Review: OK, so it’s not very original and in fact it’s based on a 1994 video game. Despite that, it’s not bad. I recall buying the VHS over a decade ago. Didn’t really like the show then, but my opinion of the show has changed a bit. There’s a couple of problems with the show however. First the character designs make the show look much older than it is. The animation is also pretty dire. It’s not up to OVA standard, it’s equivalent to TV animation of the time. While the fanservice is rather mild compared to recent shows, the focus on the girl’s crotch and lack of material covering them is rather exploitative. But then again, did we expect anything else? Kenji Kawai did the music on this OVA, which is always a plus. This OVA appeared on DVD in late 2008, more than three years after ADV first cancelled the original DVD release. Oddly this was just after the very public split with Sojitz, which made cynically think this disc was a little less than legit. Overall this little OVA wasn’t overly great, but not awful either. A bit mediocre and forgettable perhaps. 6 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).

Video Backlog: "Best Student Council"

Publisher: ADV Films (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Dub and English Subtitles
Length: 26 Episodes x 24 mins
Production Date: 2005
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Story Outline: High schooler Rino Rando’s mother suddenly dies so she transfers to Miyagami Private Academy with the sponsorship of her pen pal, Mr Poppit, whom she has never actually met. Unfortunately upon her arrival she discovers that the apartment building she was to be living in has burnt down. However on the first day at the new school, she is mysteriously voted onto the student council (the Miyagami Academy Maximum Authority Wielding Best Student Council, also known as the Best Student Council) where she becomes Secretary (despite really being unsuitable for the job) and has her accommodation, meals and tuition supplied and paid for as do the other members of the council. She strikes up an immediate friendship with Kanade Jinguuji, the president of the Student Council. Rino also has a puppet constantly on her hand, Pucchan, which people assume Rino is actually controlling, but seems to be actually possessed by the spirit of a man.

Mini Review: What reviewers seem to often omit in their information about this show is that the anime is in fact a promotional tool for a game. Seriously. The story was developed by Konami, and because of this I had very little hope that the show would be any good. Boy I was wrong. The concept of the puppet Pucchan has a lot of comic potential. A lot. And they don’t waste any time using that potential. It’s strength lies in the comedy. However (somewhat of) a serious plot develops and there are a number of back stories to the multitude of Student Council members which are full of drama and almost take over from the comedy. The character designs are really quite nice too. They remind me more of shoujo anime rather than a show aimed at young men. There’s also a refreshing lack of fanservice. The arrival of a new character, Minamo Katsura, mid way through the series almost derails it, as well as the clichés of a number of characters, however in the end the show just about won me over. A really fun a surprising show. Certainly not the pinnacle of anime, but a lot of fun. 7 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).

Video Backlog: "Tide-Line Blue"

Publisher: Bandai Entertainment (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Dub and English Subtitles
Length: 13 Episodes x 25 mins
Production Date: 2005
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Story Outline: A massive catastrophe called the Hammer of Eden struck the Earth some 14 years ago. As a result some 6 billion people died and 90% of the Earth is under water. An effort is being made to form a New United Nations, however things aren’t going to plan and disagreements break out between the member nations during a conference on the island state of Yabitsu. Adding to the volatile situation is a declaration of war to the New United Nations (who having a conference on the island) delivered by young boy called Teen under orders from a man named Captain Gould. The island is attacked by Gould while Teen makes his escape. Unbeknownst to Teen, his lost twin brother is on the island. Named Keel, he spends most of him time on the island swindling people out of money from gambling. However now he is in a bit of a jam as his carer, Secretary-General Aoi, has left him to fend for himself. Adding to his woes is that he forced to look after an older girl whom he has a crush on, Isla. She is heavily pregnant and due to the attack is beginning a premature labour. Luckily Teen arrives to help and deliver the baby. As teen escapes from UN security personal, he gives Keel his military badge and tells him that Captain Gould’s ship will give him and Isla sanctuary. However the crew of the submarine are initially hesitant to take them on board. Keel finds himself in the middle of a war and has to quickly shake off his naiveté.

Mini Review: I really expected a lot of nothing from this show, but I was rather pleasantly surprised. This is another submarine anime based upon an idea by Satoru Ozawa of “Blue Submarine No.6” and “Submarine 707” fame. The animation and designs are pretty good and the story is quite decent. The major problem I had was the shift between the seriousness of the war being fought and Keel’s bratiness and selfish behaviour. However you can mostly over look this flaw. The show doesn’t initially tell the audience too much about the Earth’s situation or the time frame (which we learn about in subsequent episodes) which can be a bit jarring, but I think this works quite well. There were a few plot holes and some unsolved mysteries such as what exactly was the Hammer of Eden, but I think it concluded rather nicely. Bandai didn’t make note of the fact on the cover that this show was in 16:9, so I got a bit of a pleasant surprise after popping the disc in player. Though not the best show I’ve seen, it’s pretty solid and fun. 7 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).

Video Backlog: "Gurren Lagann the Movie: Childhood's End" and "Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky are Stars"

Publisher: Aniplex USA (through Bandai Entertainment, USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Subtitles
Length: 112 mins (Movie 1), 126 mins (Movie 2)
Production Date: 2008 - 2009
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Story Outline: 14 year old Simon is a digger in a village called Giha which is located underground. While is happy to expand the village by drilling holes, he isn’t what you’d call a respected member of society. Laws state that no one is allowed to have contact with the outside world and indeed many people believe the surface does not exist. But Kamina has other ideas, and ropes Simon into his "Gurren Brigade" in attempt to reach the surface. It fails, however a huge robot falls into the village from above causing panic among the villagers. Following and attacking the robot is a scantily clad young woman named Yoko who fires her large gun repeatedly at it. The task of bringing it down seems impossible, but Kamina and Simon take Yoko the partly buried “big face” Simon discovered previously and using another artefact he found, a small drill key, they activate the “big face” (which is actually a small robot), destroy the robot and escape to the surface. Once there, Simon and Kamina discover that the giant robots are called Gunmen and are piloted by creatures called Beastmen, who seem to enjoy terrorising humans who live on the surface. One thing leads to another, and the trio find themselves centre of a resistance group, gathering members along the way, stealing Gunmen from Beastmen and using them to liberate the surface world for humankind.

Mini Review: I really enjoyed the original TV series, except maybe for the inclusion of Nia. I mean the show basically was an antidote to the dullness of modern day anime, the moe stuff included, so why include the moeish Nia? Now I’ve never been a big fan of movie compilations of TV series at all, and these two films haven’t changed my mind. Sure, back in the late 1970’s these films made sense, as there was no home video market and some shows didn’t get repeated on TV. Now it makes a whole lot less sense as I can pretty much watch any show I like at anytime. The first film basically covers the first two arcs of the TV series, the second starts a little before the very end of the second arc. With so many characters that need to be introduced, there is no time for any development at all in the first film for any of the secondary characters. This is really the first film’s downfall. The second film takes away the major problem I had with the beginning of the third arc in the TV series; the fact the span of time and changes in the behaviour of the main characters was jarring. However the flow of the story is severely messed up. When you had a tense and way overtop climax at nearly the end of every episode, it works well in a TV serial format, but it doesn’t work well when edited together in a movie. The special edition versions come with extra discs; “Gurren Lagann Parallel Works”, which is composed of eight music videos. I original thought the first special edition set came with the original “Gurren Lagann Parallel Works” released in 2008, and the second move special edition came with “Gurren Lagann Parallel Works 2” which was released in early 2010. Unfortunately this was not the case. It’s “Gurren Lagann Parallel Works” spread over two discs. Even then the music videos aren’t all that great. I think I would have been better off importing the Japanese R2 DVD of “Gurren Lagann Parallel Works” , of which the last video contains most of the new animation from the prologue of the first film. I went to a lot of trouble to get these films (been trying several sources since July due to Aniplex USA’s dreadful distribution), and I don’t think it was worth it at all. 6.5 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).

Video Backlog: "Battle in Outer Space (Great War in Space)"

Publisher: Columbia Pictures (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Dub and English Subtitles
Length: 90 mins
Production Date: 1959
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Story Outline: In the year 1965, aliens from the planet Natarl destroy Earth’s orbiting space station, then go on to wreak havoc by lifting a bridge to cause a derailment as well as flooding a city and wrecking a boat. The united nations decide to defend Earth and take the offensive by attacking the alien’s moon base. But the aliens retaliate by brainwashing the Iranian delegate in an attempt to destroy the Earth’s trump card; a ray weapon. With that threat extinguished, a team of scientists board two rockets to the moon to destroy the alien base. But they attacked on the way by saucers and one of the astronauts is brainwashed to disable their weapons. Luckily he is subdued and the saucers are destroyed. On the moon, the team begins to search for the base, however the brainwashed astronaut escapes his restraints and proceeds to follow the alien’s orders to blow up the rockets.

Mini Review: Having read in a guide book on tokusatsu films that this was one of Toho’s more superior films, I decided to watch this disc as soon as it came in the mail. That book lied. It’s a fairly horrid film on a number of levels. First the story is pretty much non-existent. It’s just aliens attack; then we blow the crap out of them. We don’t get to know any of the cast and there’s some sort of pathetic excuse for a love story which is completely forgotten about five minutes later. The cast is completely expendable. You could have cardboard cut outs and it wouldn’t make a difference to the picture. The film was directed by Ishiro Honda (bizarrely credited as Inoshiro Honda on the disc), who of course directed just about every Toho sci-fi film from the original “Godzilla” in 1954 to “Terror of Godzilla” in 1975. This is definitely not his best work. As with all Toho films up to 1970, Eiji Tsuburaya did the special effects. Again, not his best work (there’s some crappy blue screen work at times), however there great moments such as Manhattan and the Golden Gate Bridge being destroyed. Another highlight is parts of Tokyo being sucked up by a saucer, but this only works well in a couple of shots. In some shots the buildings look rather unconvincing. To round out the usual trio of creators on Toho tokusatsu films of the period, Akira Ifukube provides a great score with lots of militaristic pieces of music. Topping off my annoyance with this film is Columbia Pictures’ shoddy work on this disc (which is part of a three disc “Toho Collection” set). The disc comes with the shorter English dub and original Japanese version, however the English subtitles on the disc are actually “dubtitles”. So we have sections on the Japanese version with no dialogue with subtitles popping up for dialogue which doesn’t exist. To add insult to injury, the translation is rather “loose” (even with my rather limited Japanese it was pretty darn obvious) and signs and titles are never translated. On a certain level the movie is fun, but it mostly just drags and seems really pointless overall. This probably one of the worst Toho films I’ve seen. I even like “Sayonara Jupiter” way more than this film. 4 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).

Video Backlog: "Suzuka"

Publisher: Funimation (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Dub and English Subtitles
Length: 26 Episodes x 24 mins
Production Date: 2005
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Story Outline: Yamato Akitsuki moves to Tokyo from Hiroshima to attend high school. He is living in an all-female dormitory with an attached bath house owned by his aunt. He stays there under the condition that he helps out cleaning the bath house. Yamato checks out the surrounding area the day before starting school. Wandering past the high school, he sees a young woman high jumping and is immediately taken by her beauty. Much to his shock he discovers the girl, Suzuka Asahina, is living in the room next to her. He attempts to woo her, but she rejects him. He begins a relationship with another girl, Honoka Sakurai, but due to Yamato’s blundering and his unresolved feelings for Suzuka the relationship ends on a sour note. A PE class revels that Yamato is a talented sprinter, and he courted by the track and field team. Though reluctant at first, he soon decides to join to make an impression on Suzuka.

Mini Review: This is a kind of paint by numbers shonen romance. The initial episodes were quite frustrating. Yamato is portrayed as some sort of loser, yet he’s good looking, is quite athletic, is dependable and understanding and a really nice guy and he has girls fighting over him the entire series. We also have the perverted friend, some over sexed collage girls who harass Yamato. Add in some typical shonen misunderstandings such as walking in on naked girls in the bath house and falling on top of girls etc. It’s all a bit tiring and dull really. What really gets me though is the expectation of the other characters that Yamato should know exactly what to do in a relationship when he clearly has never been in one. It’s like asking someone who’s never driven before to compete in a formula one race. Also irritating me greatly was Yamato’s sleaze of a friend, Yashunobu, was giving him the cheesiest advice. Why would any girl be interested in such a sleazy kid? One episode which really annoyed me was the one where pop idol Shirakawa Nana (a friend of Honoka) tells off Yamato for not being a good enough boyfriend to Honoka, even though he’s been pretty exceptional to her. That really, really pissed me off. Suzuka herself is pretty unlikable character. She’s constantly criticising Yamato or is angry with him. Sure she occasionally shows her sweet side, but I found nothing really desirable or sympathetic about her. Then again it was really had to feel any sympathy for Yamato, as he’s such a clueless idiot at times. In fact either the sweet and quite Honoka or the tall, shapely, leggy, curvy, athletic, positive and fun Miki Hashiba (whom Yamato has absolutely no feelings for, yet is probably the most desirable girl in the series) are way better girlfriend material than Suzuka. So much better. The series did improve a bit when you got past those initial episodes, but it was pretty bland overall and frustrating. I can only give it 5 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 18 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).