Street Fighter: Akuma (Gouki), Gouken, and Ryu

Ever have some questions about their relationships?  Ever wonder what happened before Street Fighter 2?  Well, there's a pretty cool movie about it all.  As with any of the Street Fighter non-game media, you really have to take them at face value.  Even a lotta the game continuity is rather confusing, but it's a fighter, it's not meant for that.

Here's a preview:



Sadly, this movie has some weird stuff in it that I don't want to spoil for you, but lets just say that there's a character in it, an important character, that never appears before, again, or is mentioned...  To my knowledge.

Dan is still silly, Sakura is still a fan-girl of Ryu, while Akuma is still a demon, Chun Li is still a hearthrob, but Ryu is still emo and, thankfully, Ken still steals the show.  With his big ass feet.

It does explain 'The Dark Hadou" fairly well, but since this is Alpha (in between SF and SF2) it's not as prominent as we would like it to be...  It's worth the watch, though, so is Street Fighter Alpha Generations, which is all about Akuma vs. Gouken and Ryu vs. Akuma, simply put, it's a short OVA dedicated to some important stuff.

Thanks for reading,

Der Ninja.

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New Dragon Ball Kai Brings Remastered 'Director's Cut' of DBZ

Since Dragon Ball Z first became popular in the US around the late '90s, the series has been constantly teased for its numerous fights, drawn-out battle scenes, and endless filler episodes that did very little to contribute to the story. Toei Animation is changing all of this with an original cut edition called Dragon Ball Kai that more closely follows Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama's original manga story. Due to both the DBZ manga and anime being serialized simultaneously in monthly versus weekly installments, the anime added additional story arcs and stretched out battles to follow the same schedule. Dragon Ball Kai will instead more closely follow the manga and feature a more succinct story pace.

Dragon Ball Kai will also feature a new HD remasterng from the original film source as well as renewed soundtracks, sound effects, and new dialogue recorded by the majority of the original Japanese voice actors. While FUNimation released a remastered version of DBZ on DVD, this will be the most definitive version of the series yet. There was a lot of filler that really bogged the series down, so this new edition should please plenty.

Both critics and fans alike should find a lot to like in DBK when it starts airing in Japan starting April 5. No word yet about US licensing for DVD distribution or TV airings.


Source: Anime News Network

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The Dragonball Movie Syndrome

With the American live-action film, Dragonball: Evolution only weeks away from its premiere, Anime News Nina creator Robin Sevakis provides her take on the situation.

I have to say, I almost want to see this happen for the "train-wreck" factor. If anybody can pull off a Hollywood version of Ash Ketchum, it's Shia Labeouf.


Source: Anime News Network

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First Early "Review" of Live Action Dragonball Movie

The release of Dragonball is still about five months away, but the hype and criticism continues to mount. After the promotional trailer was leaked, it was received with mixed reviews. The highly touted special effects have yet to be added to the trailer or movie, but it looks like they are already scheduling for additional filming. They have been scouting for males between the ages of 20-70 and fluent in Nepalese or Tibetan. The official trailer has been delayed to December 12th, 2008, possibly to coincide with The Day The Earth Stood Still. The movie is still slated to hit Japan on March 13, 2009 with a North American release soon to follow on April 10. The above footage shows a short teaser clip from a Japanese TV program called NHK, briefly displaying the dragonball and Goku's gi.

Ain't It Cool News reader Don reports having supposedly viewed an early release of the movie before special effects and score. His writing style and lack of sources doesn't lend him much credibility, but they are interesting looks into what the movie could turn out. You can click the link for the full story, but here are some interesting tidbits. Just as a warning, there is a bit of cursing present.

Action - I wasn't expecting the action scenes to be as awesome as they were. Simply put the best thing about this movie. The last action scene of Goku vs. Picollo are simply amazing and when picollo takes out his huge fucking ass sword with weird rectangle shape tablet attached it at the tip of sword and slamming it on goku was fucking awesome. Lot of blowing shit up, super cool flying scenes, awesome ki blasts. This fight scene was around 13-15 minutes long. There are other small action scenes that are fun and entertaining with slo mo but nowhere as good as the picollo vs. goku scene.

Justin Chatwin as Goku. This guy surprised me a lot. I really didn't like him when they casted him as goku but he did a damn good job in the acting department and he nailed the KAMEHAMEHA line.

Story - Dragonball fans will be dissapointed with some of the changes they have made with stories and characters etc. Krillin isn't in the movie, Tien isn't in the movie too. High school setting for the first 22-23 minutes was so not needed but ah well typical hollywood garbage of adding bullshit like that.

Chow Yun Fat as Master Roshi - I was dissapointed with this. I wanted the fucking perverted roshi who fucking grabs breasts and asses like in the anime but alas all of that is fucking gone. Also he acted like Mr. Kesuke Miyagi. You know what I mean. The lines he spoke were fine but I felt he was uncomfortable in the movie. Very dissapointed.

Full Review...

It's hard to discern if this review is authentic or not, as many of these points could be easily made up. It sounds like they're trying to keep the spirit of Dragonball while modernizing the story and keeping it relevant to Hollywood standards. A big focus seems to be on the action, so hopefully it will maintain that high energy while still feeling like a DB fight. Some of the things he points out sounds a bit superficial, but he does seem to be a Dragonball fan.

Overall, it's still too early to tell how the movie will turn out. It hasn't exactly been receiving positive press, but maybe this review is an indication that it won't be a complete disaster. The reception the film receives both Japan and North America should be very interesting to see.

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Early Live Action Dragonball Teaser Trailer Leaked

Before viewing the above leaked trailer, let me preface it with a few comments. This leaked trailer was created strictly for a brand licensing expo and potential Licensing & Merchandising partners, so it mostly just introduces the look, style, characters, and other elements of the movie way before special effects and CGI have been integrated. Things like music clearances and talent approvals have not been pursued yet, and you can immediately tell this leaked trailer was made for general, informative purposes. The official trailer will feature more action, energy, and visual effects that many have expected to help portray the feel of the Dragonball series. With that said, some of my previous comments about the movie seem to hold some weight while they take things in an interesting direction.

Goku is played by Justin Chatwin, mostly known for his role as Robbie in War of the Worlds.


This trailer doesn't answer many of the questions people have, but it is one of the first solid looks at the treatment and style outside of leaked set pictures. The questionable changes remain intact, like Goku's (Justin Chatwin) ethnicity, him starting out in high school, and the more serious atmosphere. One of the first things I gained from the trailer was the tone and attitude director James Wong was trying to achieve. While the original Dragonball series was lighthearted and had a distinct Asian style, the movie goes in the opposite direction. The trailer comes off as serious and very Americanized. I was hoping for something along the lines of producer Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle instead of a modern day version of the Jackie Chan/Jet Li team-up flick, Forbidden Kingdom. The setting doesn't sit well with me, especially with scenes that show a little too much of its modern day trappings. Perhaps the CGI effects can help with blending the ancient and futuristic environments, but the atmosphere doesn't feel quite right. Since Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat) received a large spotlight, that helped show the changes made to the character. While his perverted nature may not sit well with families, he appears far too serious and a little too young for the role. The look of Lord Piccolo is an interesting take, but I will reserve judgment until there is a full image of him.

Lord Piccolo is played by James Marsters, who appeared as the evil Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

It is evident which audience they are trying to appeal to with this movie. Many DB fans will watch it regardless of its quality, but it will be a harder sell to non-fans. The Dragonball series has gained a somewhat poor reputation in the US for its drawn out storylines, long fight scenes, and at times, lack of substance. Many had generalized anime as being just like Dragonball Z. Although DB is more of a comedy/adventure and much different than its successor, it was probably wise for them to take a mainstream standpoint with the movie. The music score has been a controversial subject with DBZ's localization, but the film score is looking positive. Composer Brian Tyler (Rambo, Eagle Eye) is apparently a big fan of the series and looks to capture the sweeping, epic, fantasy feel of the original anime and of Wong's adaptation. The official teaser trailer was supposed to premiere alongside Max Payne on October 17th, but has since been pushed back to later this year to allow for more editing and special effects.

There are still a lot of unknown details, but dbthemovie.com is a great source for cast and crew information, news, and an informative FAQ. With the movie releasing in North America on April 10, 2009, there is still over six months to finalize and polish. The internet community has been very vocal in its opinion of the Dragonball movie, but perhaps they can pull out a few surprises in this first iteration of their planned trilogy.

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World Destruction Adds Story With A Twist

It is sometimes hard to find a series that feels unique. Many anime shows follow a certain archetype or formula, depending on animation, characters, or other aspects to stand out in the crowd. World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin (The Six People That Will Destroy the World) presents a somewhat typical fantasy setting with an atypical cast of main characters. Morte, Kylie, and Toppi are apart of the protagonistic "World Destruction Committee" as they journey to find the activation key to the Destruct Code before the antagonistic "World Salvation Committee" can stop them. This role reversal creates a fun and unique dynamic that adds a lot of fun, adventure, and comedy.

The Destruct Code, usually a dull, black color, has a mysterious reaction to Kylie.


World Destruction is based upon the Nintendo DS RPG of the same name. The world is ruled by the beastmen and humans serve as slaves and inferior beings. The mysterious Morte, wielding a large blade and an orb called the Destruct Code, solely makes up the World Destruction Committee as Kylie and Toppi get caught up in her affairs and reluctantly joins the journey to find a way to activate the Destruct Code. The strong characters and the adversarial relationship between most humans and beastmen is immediately evident. Morte has a troubled past, which shows in her somber demeanor and direct attitude. Kylie, initially shown disguising himself as a beastman, is more care-free and his clueless behavior is what makes him likable and often the crutch of the comedy. But perhaps one of the most fun characters seen thus far is Toppi. A wise, bear-like beastman that includes the word "kuma" (bear) after every sentence, he adamantly denies being a bear and takes things very seriously. Lia and Naja are two part-beastmen that make up the World Salvation Committee. Although the group sounds very upstanding, their portrayal looks more villainous compared to the WDC. The setting is pure fantasy, and it works. Small villages, large, bustling cities, and ships both large and small are just a few places that make up the journey. The main plot follows Morte's past, the nature and story behind the orb-like Destruct Code, and the true intentions of the World Destruction Committee, but there are still plenty of side-plots that show the adventurous atmosphere and fantasy trappings that make the show fun.

The team of Kylie and Toppi create many of the fun moments in World Destruction.

The story is very light and comedic given the darker implications of its title. The WDC usually gets caught up in the affairs of others while the combination of Kylie's lighthearted nature and Toppi's serious manner create many funny moments. Kylie's cluelessness often creates problems for the WDC while Toppi's wise sayings and pride in his race leads to a little teasing. The world feels alive and its RPG roots is noticeable. The run-and-chase method between the WDC and WSC is slightly reminiscent of Lupin III. The aggressive Lia and cool-headed Naja of the WSC act as a nice foil to the WDC. The mystery of the Destruct Code is like a dangling carrot while they get ever closer to the answer throughout the series. Many video game to anime adaptations can be hit or miss, but World Destruction stands on its own very well.

The story and fantasy setting may sound a little cliche, but the strong characters and unique role reversal make World Destruction fun. It feels like an RPG while maintaining its own identity. There is plenty of adventure and comedy to be found while the bigger story slowly unravels. It may not quite compare to predecessors such as the classic Slayers, but World Destruction has its own charm that makes it worth watching.

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Macross Frontier Brings Classic Feel, New Attitude

The story and universe of Macross is most likely better known as the Americanized title, Robotech. Piecing together three separate series together into one, it took certain liberties to make everything fit together. The first season, The Macross Saga is one of the most popular and more accurately represents the original Japanese version, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross. While there have been various side stories, sequels, and continuations of both versions, Macross Frontier has been gaining a lot of hype and interest since it made its Japanese television debut earlier this year. The new series follows the same time line as the original Macross and commemorates its 25th anniversary with a twenty-five episode long season scheduled to wrap up at the end of this month. Frontier shares many of the same themes and elements as the first series while maintaining its own identity and providing strong points of its own.




Super Dimensional Fortress Macross follows the battle between humans and a race of giant war faring alien creatures called the Zentradi. As one of their spacecrafts crashes on Earth, the humans adapt the advanced technology for their own uses in preparation for a pending invasion. Creating advanced fighter jets that can transform into a Battloid robot mode and a fighter/robot hybrid called gerwalk, the new space force and the surrounding city soon get caught in a huge space war. The love triangle between fighter pilot Hikaru Ichijyo/Rick Hunter, idol singer Lynn Minmay, and military lieutenant Misa Hayase/Lisa Hayes becomes one of the central storylines as the war intensifies and the two separate cultures try to put their differences aside. Macross Frontier takes place after this series and its sequel, Macross 7. Much like the comparisons between the original Mobile Suit Gundam series and the recent production, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, they both share many of the same themes, plot elements, archetypes, and other appropriate nods. Frontier also shares elements from the OVA sequel, Macross Plus as well as music by famed anime composer Yoko Kanno. The story follows the 25th colonial fleet, called the Macross Frontier. Many colonies and fleets explore the vastness of space as a new bio-mechanical alien race called the Vajra start making attacks. Like the original Macross, Frontier is a space opera featuring a complicated love triangle between characters inspired by Hikaru/Rick and Minmay.

The new alien Vajra attacking a Valkyrie variable fighter in gerwalk mode.

Alto Saotome is a high school student enrolled in the Mihoshi Academy pilot training course. Yearning to fly in real skies, he has a troubled past after leaving the famed family business of Kabuki theatre. His feminine features get him teased with the nickname 'princess', but acts normally with a slightly aloof attitude. He meets Ranka Lee, a young girl working at a Chinese restaurant that loves to sing and idolizes popular singer, Sheryl Nome. Sheryl is known across the galaxy and is finishing up her tour at Macross Frontier. The character dynamic between the three is immediately felt, with each seeming like an exaggerated version of their original Macross counterparts. While Alto is somewhat different from Hikaru/Rick, they both share some personality traits. Rather than rehashing the old love triangle, they instead separated the much-criticized Lynn Minmay into two separate characters. Ranka Lee captures the naive, innocent young girl that strived to find love and become a singer. Sheryl Nome exhibits that superstar status and fame while showing confidence and a little bit of arrogance. The character designs feel a little weak, especially in the three main characters. However, they soon evolve beyond their stereotypical trappings and show how much they have to offer. This new dynamic feels fresh and very distinct, not only showing their relationship with Alto but also their growing careers.

The animation itself looks very clean. The 2D animation/CGI hybrid can be seen here, taking a page from Macross Plus when it comes to overall aesthetics. Everything looks very fluid, from the cityscapes to the epic battles. You can see the futuristic influence present in military tools as well as everyday life. Story and individual plot elements share some similarities to the original Macross, but they feel new and are more like homage than copycatting. In true space opera fashion, there is plenty of political intrigue, amazing battles, strong characters, and mysteries abound. With the humans and Zentradi mostly living together in peace, this new alien Vajra race as well as the secret SMS independent military team add to most of the battles as reasoning and motivations are deciphered. Skull fighter team leader Ozma Lee shares many similarities to Macross's Roy Fokker, taking on that big brother role both in battle and civilian form. Even if you're not familiar with the Macross universe, Frontier stands well on its own and has a lot to like.

Michael Brun (left) and Klan Klan are both apart of the SMS military division.

The music was composed by Yoko Kanno, who is well known for working on Cowboy Bebop, Wolf's Rain, Ghost in the Shell, and Macross Plus. She definitely sets a tone no matter what the scene, each fitting well together. Her ability to make each score sound unique and different is amazing. But perhaps the most intriguing part is the the presence of two singers in the series. Sheryl Nome provides the strong, energetic songs with a concert-like feel. Ranka Lee takes things in the other direction, switching between fun, catchy, or more somber. Both singers are more or less friends than rivals, with Ranka and Sheryl even singing a duet version of "What 'bout my star?". While some scores can sort of fade into the background, Yoko Kanno's music is at the forefront.

With only a handful of episodes left to go, Macross Frontier is definitely proving its worth. It truly feels like a revitalization of the series, capturing the essence of the original Macross. The show stands well on its own, capable of being enjoyed without extensive knowledge of backstories or histories. With so much packed in so far, there's just about something for everyone to like.

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Pokémon Peril: The Introduction

"When you're a kid and get your first bike, you want to go somewhere you've never been before. That's like Pokémon. Everybody shares the same experience, but everybody wants to take it someplace else. And you can do that."

--Satoshi Tajiri, creator of Pokémon

Pokémon.

You know you loved it at some point. Whether you played the games religiously, collected/played the Trading Card Game, watched the show, or stole your friend's handheld every now and then at school, just about every kid in the 90's got their hands on this game at some point. Even if you weren't a dedicated fan, it wasn't hard for anyone to see the effect it has had on popular culture and how collecting and battling creatures could be fun. For some, the games were nothing but a fad, and the allure to “catch 'em all” faded after the first and second generations. Despite this, there were many hardcore fans who felt that the games still had much to offer.

More than ten years later, Pokémon has shown its endurance as a franchise, and continues to gain new fans, currently holding 5 places in the top 20 best-selling console games of all time between the different and newer versions of the game. Unfortunately, fans of the original series have little to look forward to, and the franchise has become stagnant. It seems as if the company wishes to cater to its constantly renewable audience, and is always targeting the same initial age group of kids. Innovation in the games has become a joke, and the only real changes are more annoying than enjoyable improvement.

With that, I would like to introduce a 5-piece segment that focuses on the following elements of the series, including new elements that I feel have been taken in the wrong direction or unnecessarily added, old aspects that have allowed the games to maintain their success, and some suggestions on how Nintendo and The Pokémon Company can please fans.

These are some of the topics that will be covered:

• Graphic Styles/Movement
• Storylines
• Battle System
• Trading System/Global Trade Station (GTS)
• The Anime Series

It is my goal to relate to others that enthusiasts of the original series are still interested in seeing new ideas for future games. In addition, it is also my hope that some will see Pokémon from an adult point of view, rather than the stereotypical childish cash cow that Nintendo has outwardly embraced. We may only see new evolutions of Pokémon for now instead of steps towards evolution of the franchise, but there is always potential that fan outcry may have some effect.

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EP1 Analysis: Blue Dragon

When approaching a new series, the first impression is often one of the most important things in evaluating whether or not it is worthy of your time and/or money. With the proliferation of both new and classic anime and Western animation, it can be hard discerning which show fits personal tastes and deserves to be given a chance. While factors such as pacing and genre can greatly impact a first episode, they are generally perceived as an appropriate representation of the tone and expectations of the series as a whole. With that in mind, EP1 Analysis will be an on-going column that will review first episodes without prior knowledge of future events. The follow-up entry to Three Delivery will be the anime adaptation of the Xbox 360-exclusive RPG, Blue Dragon.

The original Blue Dragon game featured development by Final Fantasy creator, Hironobu Sakaguchi, composer Nobuo Uematsu, and Dragon Ball creator, Akira Toriyama.


Blue Dragon was one of the first traditional RPGs to come to the Xbox 360 as well the first game to come from Final Fantasy creator, Hironobu Sakaguchi's new studio, Mistwalker. With long time Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu creating the musical score and Dragon Ball creator, Akira Toriyama handling art direction, a team like this hasn't been seen since the SNES/DS RPG, Chrono Trigger. While there were mixed reactions to the game, most agreed that it handled traditional RPG elements very well. The story itself is also very traditional, as a group of heroes take on the evil Nene of the Grand Kingdom as they fight the on-going struggle between light and darkness. While the anime adaptation keeps the same overall look and backstory, the plots differ completely. And with a fresh new voice cast as well to start things off, only the English dubbed version is currently available in the US. The first volume of the dub-only DVD run is coming in September, but the series is currently airing on Cartoon Network. After getting some play time with the game and watching the first episode, the anime has an appropriately different feel while still staying true to the source material.

The anime design characters, from left to right: Shu (top), Zola, Bouquet, Kluke, Marumaro, and Jiro.

While Toriyama's art direction remains the same for the anime, it has a much different feel from shows like Dragon Ball because of the different director and studio. Headed up by Studio Pierrot, the show keeps that general appeal and atmosphere that made the game so traditional and universal. You immediately see how the story diverges, but the character personalities and chemistry are still as dynamic as ever. While the main characters are young children, the fantasy element and excitement still makes it fun to watch despite possibly being out of the target demographic. Shu, Kluke, Jiro, and Zola see most of the spotlight in the first episode and create a nice first impression. The mysterious power of the Shadows are teased as well as the bigger plot involving the evil Lord Nene, but most of the episode is used for introductions. The overall animation is very clean with a little more Western influence. The classic Toriyama design is a little jarring in the Blue Dragon anime, as it feels different from Toei Animation's Dragon Ball anime adaptation. But it still works well and manages to differentiate itself.

I have not heard the original language track, but the English voice overs give a strong performance that fits with the character personalities and the tone of the show. I actually preferred the English dub in the video game to the original Japanese voice actors, but the cast change isn't bad at all. The main characters reveal some interesting traits, as Shu's carefree, adventuring spirit and Kluke's more careful, technological personality bring some comparisons to DB's Goku and Bulma. Jiro's standoffish attitude hints at a tragic past while Zola is the older, wiser, and strong leader of the bunch. Nene only gets a brief cameo, but his army and evil intentions are felt. We get a preview of the power of the Shadows and some nice action, which should keep Blue Dragon fun and interesting. If that keeps up along with the strong characters, then things should be picking up pretty soon.

Whether you have played the game or not, Blue Dragon still looks to be a fun series to watch. The target audience may be skewed a little younger, but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment at all. The show's Western influence can be seen as well, which isn't a bad thing. It is really unfortunate that the original Japanese version isn't being made immediately available, but the first English-only DVD volume will be out in September. You can watch Blue Dragon on Cartoon Network and Toonami Jetstream.

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Batman: Gotham Knight Shows Off Dark Themes, Rich Animation

Batman has been seen in many animated forms, from his early days with the Superfriends to some of his more recent appearances in Justice League Unlimited. But perhaps his best known animated incarnation was in the 90s cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series. Featuring famed producers such as Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, the show set precedence not only for the Batman mythos, but for action cartoons as a whole. Voice actor Kevin Conroy has become inexplicably known as the the voice of both Bruce Wayne and Batman, bringing multiple layers and dimensions to the character. They all return to bring together a "dream team" of famous writers and big Japanese animation studios with names like comic book writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello, and studios Production I.G. and Madhouse. All of these talented teams each created six shorts to bring together the next feature in their PG-13 line of DC Universe Original Animated Movies, Batman: Gotham Knight.

The project began with writers and producers from the Batman animated series and both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight teaming up to each create six unique shorts tied together through a single plot. David Goyer, Brian Azzarello, Josh Olson, Greg Rucka, Jordan Goldberg, and Alan Burnett each penned and produced a short with their own writing style. Studio 4°C, Production I.G., Bee Train, and Madhouse each brought a different take on Batman and Gotham City, bringing each writer's vision to life in a plotline that was loosely tied together. Kevin Conroy's many years voicing both Bruce Wayne and Batman brought the character to life in this new, mature film that gives the animated mythos a dark and interesting diversion into the possibilities of an adult series. While the first PG-13 Batman animated feature, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker was from a spin-off futuristic series, Gotham Knight is the first to show the original canon in such a mature tone and light.




The most impressive thing about Gotham Knight is the amazing visuals. All four animated studios did such impressive work recreating both Batman and Gotham City. They all had a different take that stands apart from previous animated versions. The anime art style goes well with the universe, and you could see the trademark animation seen in popular features and series such as Production I.G.'s Ghost in the Shell, Studio 4°C's Tekkon KinKreet, and Madhouse's Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. While each depiction may bring about different personal opinions, they all bring high quality work and show Batman as he's rarely been seen before. Some of the variations on Batman and Bruce Wayne's look definitely were interesting, but it only added to the fun. The clean animation, strong and vibrant colors, and solid action scenes definitely took the spotlight. Kevin Conroy's contrasting voices for Batman and Bruce Wayne showed off the character's various personas and really tied things together.

There have been many comparisons made to The Animatrix, which was a series of nine animated short films to complement The Matrix Trilogy. While each of those shorts were self contained, the ones here in Gotham Knight are not. This is perhaps one of the weaker points about the film, because some of the shorts are not strong enough to stand on their own. The 10-15 minute run time of each one was not always long enough to tell a complete story that was enthralling enough in its own right or as part of a larger whole. It felt like there should have been more cohesiveness between the different writers and studios. Despite this, there are still some very strong stories here. Perhaps one of the strongest is Studio 4°C's second short, "Working Through Pain". While Batman deals with a current struggle, he reflects on the past and the various training he received before taking up the cape and cowl. Another imaginitive tale is "Have I Got A Story For You", which recreates a classic Batman story that shows different versions of the Dark Knight through the eyes of children. Other shorts such as "Crossfire" feel a bit too slow on its own, but are decent enough when taken as a whole. The one theme maintained throughout the feature is the sense of darkness that pervades Gotham City. The grittiness, impactful fight scenes, and the personality of both Batman and Gotham stand out. However, the overall writing still feels too sub par for the quality of writers contributing to the film.


Gotham Knight was released in multiple versions, including a Blu-Ray high definition release. The clarity and crispness of the animation and transfer was amazing. The colors stand out so much more, with every frame so rich and defined. The intimidating image of Batman among a sea of flames in "Crossfire" and the fast-paced action sequence in "Deadshot" are just a few scenes that stand out. While it contains the same extras as the Special Edition DVD, it's disappointing that they weren't remastered in high definition. With a handful of great documentary features, a sneak peak at the new Wonder Woman animated feature, and four great episodes from Batman: TAS, it would have been nice if Warner Bros. took the extra step to make the Blu-Ray release even better.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Batman: Gotham Knight, but the film didn't quite live up to expectations. The animation was phenomenal, especially in high definition, but the writing was a little above average. If they had told more self-contained stories or a more cohesive, connected plot, then Gotham Knight would have been better. There is still a lot to like and is definitely worth seeing to complement The Dark Knight.

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The Live Action Dragonball Debacle

From left to right: Bulma (Emmy Rossum), Mai (Eriko Tamura), Chi Chi (Jamie Chung), Goku (Justin Chatwin), and Master Roshi (Chow Yun-Fat).

You don't want to stare, but you just can't look away. That pretty much sums up the overall feelings surrounding the new live action Dragonball film, coming April 10, 2009. Despite the lack of a trailer or even an official synopsis, there are already too many things wrong with the adaptation to even count. Retelling the second half of the original adventure series, Dragonball, teenage Goku discovers his heritage and seeks out the seven legendary Dragonballs before the evil Lord Piccolo can use them. With the help of Bulma, Chi Chi, Master Roshi, and a cast of others, he must train and defeat Piccolo before he takes over the world.

The production crew at least sounds decent, with director James Wong and producer Stephen Chow taking the reins. Wong, known for his work on The X-Files and Final Destination, rewrote the script after the movie was officially greenlit in 2007. Chow's major US releases, Shaolin Soccer and Kung-Fu Hustle have a comedic action tone and a bevy of special effects that wouldn't be out of place in Dragonball. As for the actual casting, the choices are questionable at best. War of the Worlds actor Justin Chatwin plays Goku, which doesn't fit at all given the character's very Asian persona. Buffy star James Marsters will play Lord Piccolo, better known as the original King Piccolo in the anime and manga. Chow Yun-Fat, closely associated with filmmaker John Woo and best known in the US for his role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, plays mentor as Master Roshi. Outside of Lord Piccolo and Master Roshi, the rest of the cast seems to be a mixed bag. Phantom of the Opera actress Emmy Rossum and Real World cast member Jamie Chung play Bulma and Chi Chi, respectively, which could turn out decently if written and portrayed correctly. But with original characters being created and liberties being taken (more on that below), there isn't too much hope for a credible and faithful version.


One of the most important parts of an adaptation is being faithful to the source material. While Dragonball Z received a poor reputation of slow development and lacking substance, the original Dragonball series had a fun, adventurous tone with action, humor, and a varied cast of characters. The direction the movie is headed doesn't look so good. First of all, it is completely disregarding Goku's adventures as a child and starts Goku as a teenager. This is somewhat understandable, seeing as it would be more difficult to tell the entire Dragonball story in a single film. But one of the biggest flaws already evident is that Goku is a high school student. The proper time period can be debated, but his character and personality cannot. He has always been known as young, naive, and uneducated, since he was raised in the wilderness by his surrogate grandfather, Gohan. His inquisitive nature, naivety, misunderstandings, and lack of "book smarts" has been chronicled throughtout his childhood and even through adulthood. With original characters being created to be his high school classmates, it looks like the story will take a more present-day tone while still keeping the futuristic nature of the civilization.


They seem to be taking liberties with the story, which can be seen in the female-dominated movie poster. Good friend Bulma and love interest Chi Chi can be seen heavily featured, with minor slapstick villain, Mai repurposed to be Piccolo's ally. The glaring omission of major characters and fighters such as Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu are immediately noticeable, although Yamcha manages to make it in. Attempting for a more serious tone, the anthropomorphic creatures and comedic relief have been omitted well. The character design choices are also very questionable. The majority of this is due to odd casting, but the hair and facial features of Goku, Bulma, and Master Roshi are much different. While there's only so much they could fit into one movie, it looks like they are placing their focus in accordance for a stereotypical hollywood movie rather than trying to be faithful to the source material.

It may be too early to write off Dragonball, but it's not looking so good. General expectations are mixed, with some voicing that it doesn't look or feel like the source material. With mostly just the casting list, a rough plot line, and leaked set pictures to go on, perhaps things will turn around in post-production. Even if you're not a fan, it's going to be really hard to look away come April 2009.

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FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Former Geneon USA Anime Titles

Hellsing Ultimate is one of the biggest Geneon titles that didn't see a complete release in the US.

The frailty of the anime industry in both North America and Japan was shown when the US branch of Geneon Entertainment ceased production and shut down in late 2007. Formerly known as Pioneer Entertainment, the company was known in the US for releasing such popular titles like Tenchi Muyo, Sailor Moon, Hellsing, Trigun, and much more. ADV Films was involved in initial agreements to release and distribute Geneon titles before the company’s folding, but talks fell through and led to Geneon’s downfall. With the state of so many past and recurring titles in limbo, speculation was rampant on if any would be licensed to other companies. As the ripple effect of Geneon’s closing is being felt through the entire industry, FUNimation has officially announced a deal to manufacture, sell, and distribute select titles listed below.

Black Lagoon & Black Lagoon Second Barrage
Elemental Gelade
Ergo Proxy
The Familiar of Zero (Zero no Tsukaima)
Fate/Stay Night
Hellsing Ultimate
Kamichu
Karin
Kyo Kara Maoh Season 2
The Law of Ueki
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
Ninja Vixens (live action)
Paradise Kiss
Rozen Maiden & Rozen Maiden Träumend
Shakugan no Shana
Shonen Onmyouji
The Story of Saiunkoku
When They Cry (Higurashi)

The relationship between American and Japanese anime companies are closely intertwined, and Geneon USA’s shut down was only the beginning of the problems. ADV Films has been known as a strong company, with subsidiaries like the Anime Network, NewType USA turned PiQ magazine, and ADV Manga. In the past few months, a series of problems have been noticeable from ADV, with the Anime Network discontinuing linear 24/7 broadcast in favor of Video On Demand, the newly formed PiQ magazine discontinued after only four issues, and ADV Manga currently in a state of limbo with current titles suspended and a handful of titles dropped and picked up by other companies. Manga publisher Tokyopop has also seen a series of shuffles, with a massive company restructuring effecting jobs and both American and Japanese comic releases. This led to layoffs of 39 positions, scaling back of publication output to about 20-22 volumes per month, and an overall declining market share. While
FUNimation has been leading the pack with hardly any issues and the recent acquirement of Geneon titles, their 24-hour anime network, FUNimation Channel was also recently cancelled without a reason given. While various reasons can be attributed to the declining state of the anime industry, the “rescue” of this anime titles is a good sign and a chance for consumers to show their support.

When They Cry's colorful characters are only a veil over its much darker tones.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated titles in the list is the re-release of the vampire-centric OVA, Hellsing Ultimate. A closer adaptation of the manga than the previously released TV series, Geneon production halted before the fourth and final volume could see release. The list is mostly composed of halted current releases rather than their large catalog of legacy titles, which is a smart move on FUNimation’s part. As many fans were disheartened to stop halfway through a series, picking these up before their older titles will allow for a bigger rejuvenation. When They Cry is another series I’m glad to see rescued, which highlights a dark murder mystery amidst a cast of colorful characters. Another popular series that is getting revived is Black Lagoon. Focusing heavily on the action, it follows a team of mercenaries known as Lagoon Company. While some titles on the list aren’t too big of a surprise, many are. Lesser-known niche titles that many didn’t count on surviving are receiving a second chance. With the overall positive reaction the news is receiving around the communities, hopefully the momentum will show through in sales and support as well.

With the declining economy and the side effects of anime downloading and piracy, the future of the industry is still largely unknown. But if companies like FUNimation can put resources behind resuscitating former Geneon titles, then perhaps it’s not all doom and gloom after all. The first wave of titles will be hitting store shelves as early as the end of the summer, so keep your eye out for release dates. If any titles strike your fancy, now is a good time to support FUNimation and Geneon for bringing back these titles.

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Strawberry Panic! Expands Yuri Genre

Yuri and yaoi, also referred to as shoujo-ai and shonen-ai, are popular anime subgenres. They refer to love in same-sex relationships and have recently become more popular outside of Japan. Yaoi contains stories about male relationships and has a strong female audience. Distinguishable traits of the genre include the bishonen character style and personality, which often depicts a more feminine beauty and usually a certain level of sexual ambiguity. Yuri deals with female relationships, but has a much smaller following. The genre has only recently started to make its mark in America with titles such as Strawberry Panic! While there are misconceptions and stigmas associated with the terms, SP! manages to avoid some of those pitfalls to create a cute, but slightly shallow story.

Astraea Hill contains St. Miator, St. Spica, and St. Lulim's Girls' Academies as well as a cathedral and the Strawberry Dorms.

While yaoi has become a very respectable subgenre, yuri still has more negative connotations. Both terms in Western culture have largely been related to sexually explicit anime, or hentai. The passionate yaoi fan base has helped legitimize the genre, but yuri has had more of a struggle. It has been trying to find its audience, as Japan initially targeted it towards females. Only recently has it been directed more towards males, and American studios have been making an effort to localize titles like Strawberry Panic! for an American audience. Yuri is more than just porn, and SP! tells a cute story at a trio of all-girls schools on Astraea Hill. St. Miator, St. Spica, and St. Lulim Girls’ Academy are three sister Catholic schools who share amenities and a dormitory nicknamed the Strawberry Dorms. The story opens with a new transfer student named Nagisa Aoi. As she meets a popular and important student named Shizuma Hanazono, the plot takes off as it gets into internal politics, character back-stories, and the difference between love and admiration.

Shizuma Hanazono and Nagisa Aoi.

This 26 episode series runs the gamut and has a strong set of characters. The schools have an Etoilé system, which have elected students from one of the three schools act as figurehead and role model for the entire academy. The greatly admired and current Etoilé, Shizuma starts to take an interest in Nagisa, which starts a roller coaster of events over the entire school year. Strawberry Panic! keeps a mostly innocent tone, as the students mature emotionally and sort out their feelings. The school system goes from First to Sixth Year, which coordinates as Seventh Grade to Twelfth Grade for the US system. The story quickly comes to the new Etoilé election, which becomes the primary storyline aside from the personal relationships and friendships. You get to meet a wide variety of characters from all grades and schools, including all three student councils. This is definitely the show’s strongest point, as it drives the series along and creates some chemistry. While it falls back on some stereotypical plot elements, Strawberry Panic! has some personality that keeps things moving.

As you learn more about the characters and relationships, things gradually start to wear a little thin. There are some ‘soap opera’ moments, as well as a handful of awkward ones. Sometimes it is not-so-innocent, but never really explicit. They often tease a kiss or imply a sexual scene, but the overall story still keeps a light atmosphere with a cute romance. Some situations aren’t necessarily realistic, and they never directly address homosexuality or religion. But that keeps the tone from getting too heavy and taking itself too seriously. Many of the relationships between the students are platonic and mostly of admiration, but there are a couple love triangles that don’t feel odd or out of place. Things can sometimes get too melodramatic or overly cute, but it still keeps a fun story.

Overall, Strawberry Panic! is not quite the deep and meaningful story that others in the subgenre can claim to be. But its unique school setting, fun characters, and interesting relationships still make for an entertaining show. The character designs and animation are strong points that may counteract the weaker story and ideals. Like yaoi and yuri as a whole, they focus less on the homosexuality and more on the relationship itself.

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Amazing Music/Visual Collaboration Creates Interstella 5555

Daft Punk rose into the mainstream consciousness with their hit single, “One More Time”. A longtime club and radio staple, it was one of four major vocal-dominant releases from their album, Discovery. One of the popular tracks, “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” is most likely better known for its sampling in Kanye West’s recent hit, “Stronger”, from his album, Graduation. But Discovery's dance/electronica music styling was felt throughout the whole track list, with each song seamlessly connected in atmosphere and story. It is only part of a whole, as Daft Punk created the music in collaboration with Toei Animation and famous anime creator, Leiji Matsumoto. He has created many classic anime series and space dramas like Captain Harlock and The Galaxy Railways, and he brings that same spirit and story in Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem.


Interstella 5555 is unique because of the complete lack of dialogue and usage of minimal sound effects. The entire film is set to Daft Punk’s Discovery album, and you can immediately see how well they fit together. Since they were created simultaneously, both music and animation connect to tell a complete story. Matsumoto’s popular character designs and space atmosphere return to tell the tale of a famous alien band. These blue-skinned music stars are performing “One More Time” on their planet, but is soon interrupted by a raid of humanoid troopers. As the group is kidnapped, a distress signal is sent to a nearby patrolling ship before a strange gas incapacitates the entire population. This space pilot is shown to be a big fan of the group, especially the female bass guitarist, Stella. As he embarks on a great space chase to Earth, he crashes before catching up to the kidnappers. Soon the band is taken to an underground facility where they have their memories replaced, made to look like humans, and forced to work for a record company as the newly rechristened ‘The Crescendolls’. This is only the beginning of an amazing story filled with emotion, excitement, and poignant moments.

The Crescendolls, from left to right: Octave (keyboard/vocals), Baryl (drums), Arpegius (guitar), and Stella (bass).

As the film follows the Discovery tracklist exactly, you get a better feel and understanding of the album. While some tracks might sound like typical dance songs with its repeating loops and bass lines, you get to see the entire meaning with Interstella 5555. Daft Punk and Matsumoto work masterfully to create this moving piece that is not only innovative but tells a great story and message. Although it initially begins with space themes, much of Interstella addresses the music industry with many plot twists. Band members Octave, Baryl, Arpegius and Stella show strong personalities despite their lack of dialogue, and rescue space pilot Shep's noble intentions shine through. Record industry executive and captor Earl de Darkwood displays his villainous side that culminates at the end of the film. All of this can be interpreted with deeper meaning, perhaps addressing the current music industry as a whole and depicting the role artists, consumers, and record companies can have in a situation.

Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem is simply described as “The animated House Musical”, and that title fits perfectly. Clocking in at little over an hour, neither album or film feels too short or drawn out. It has a very universal appeal, as the French music group and Japanese animation studio team up to create this great piece of work. The complete lack of voice track disregards any arguments over Japanese or English vocals, instead allowing the sole focus to be the music and animation. Even if you’re not generally a fan of Daft Punk, Leiji Matsumoto, or anime in general, it is still worth the watch for its innovative nature and magnificent story.

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Sailor Moon Finishes in Dramatic Style

Sailor Moon is the perfect depiction of the ‘magical girl’ anime subgenre. Originally airing in Japan in the early 90s, it depicted a team of schoolgirls who transformed into ‘Sailor Soldiers’ to battle evil. As anime rose in popularity in the US, Sailor Moon was at the top of the wave with its often-criticized edited English dub. Since then, the series has had five seasons, three movies, and uncensored DVD runs. While parent company Toei has since allowed the license to run out for overseas releases, the final season, Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars never saw an American release. The show has been known for its wholesome reputation and overall positive tones, but Sailor Stars finishes things off with drama, excitement, and a little darkness.

Sailor Moon's past and future take place during the Silver Millennium kingdoms, the Moon Kingdom (left) and Crystal Tokyo (right).

Much like the initial US release of Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon received a poor reputation for the many changes made in editing and the stereotypical nature versus other anime. The typecast characters, elaborate transformations and attacks, and “monster of the day” episodes is what made it so popular but also spurned at the same time. With a rich and detailed back story that only barely gets touched upon, the Sailor Soldiers lived past lives in a monarchical society called the Silver Millennium with the Moon Kingdom as the principal ruler over the other planets and Earth. As soldiers from each planet are reborn in present-day Tokyo, the story focuses around main characters Usagi Tsukino/Serena/Sailor Moon and her destined love Mamoru Chiba/Darien/Tuxedo Mask. After discovering all of the sailor soldiers and even their future daughter Chibiusa/Rini/Sailor Chibi Moon from a second Silver Millenium in Crystal Tokyo, they fought villains that ran the gamut. While the series started stagnating after four seasons, they took things in a new direction with Sailor Stars.

The previous season, Sailor Moon SuperS was criticized for heavily featuring Chibiusa in a poor storyline surrounding dreams and a unicorn named Pegasus. The main villain, Queen Nehellenia was brought back to start off Sailor Stars in a brief story arc. While the overall series has been criticized for its cute characters, personalities, and storyline, Sailor Stars brings a darker atmosphere as Queen Nehellenia attempts to overthrow the soldiers and kidnaps Mamoru. From there, status quos get overthrown and you get to see more character and plot development beyond the usual episodic story. One of the bigger changes goes to the festering relationship between Usagi and Mamoru. As a new evil approaches, Mamoru goes to study abroad in America and leaves Usagi behind. As he fails to respond to calls and letters, a new idol music group called the Three Lights comes into the scene. Front man Seiya starts to take an interest in Usagi, which leaves her emotionally torn and confused. Usually cheery or crying, you get to see more somber moments and some dramatic scenes that provide some nice variety to the “monster of the day” plots. And despite the large and growing cast of recurring characters, it never feels too crowded.

The Sailor Starlights and their idol male counterparts.

One of the bigger reasons why Sailor Stars is largely unknown is because of its departure from previous seasons. New soldiers called the Sailor Starlights take the scene, infamous for changing from their civilian male identities as the Three Lights into female sailor soldiers. The overall atmosphere is also somewhat darker than what the series is known for. However, controversial and dark subject matter isn’t completely foreign to Sailor Moon. Third season Sailor Moon S introduces a more dramatic storyline as well as a relationship between two new female sailor soldiers, Neptune and Uranus. Despite this, Sailor Stars has a distinct feel that makes it one of the best seasons of the entire run. Not just about pretty transformations or petty school drama and stories, Stars covers more mature subject matter. Although Usagi is destined to be with Mamoru, his lack of response in America and a new love interest in Seiya leaves her with questions about obligation, destiny, and love. The action is still somewhat shallow, but the story makes up for it. The show makes some impressive improvements that bring everything to a satisfying end.

Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars is a much different show than its first season. The original showcased typical schoolgirl stories and personalities, with Usagi highlighted as a ditzy, clumsy, and crybaby hero. Sailor Stars attempts to add some true maturity and seriousness into the mix, and they succeed at times. Although it’s not revolutionary by any means, it manages to overcome the more negative criticisms that Sailor Moon has gained along the way.

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Black Heaven: HARD ROCK save the SPACE

A Japanese salary man must use his guitar skills to save space from an invading force of aliens. How often will you ever come across a story as incredible as that? This 13-episode series may not have too much depth, but it certainly is very fun. While most may not think to relate hard rock music to anime, this combination works very well with the time given to tell the story.

The Legend of Black Heaven follows the tale of Oji Tanaka, an average salary man with a wife and child. But, his life wasn’t always so average. Formerly known as “Gabriel”, he was the lead guitarist and front man for a heavy metal band called Black Heaven. Yearning for his past, he’s stuck in a mundane life with very few remnants left of his former days. With an unsympathetic wife, his only prized possession, his Flying V guitar, was thrown out with the trash. Lost and depressed, he allows himself to be lured by a new co-worker named Layla Yuki for a secret rendezvous. Unbeknownst to him, his music powers an ultimate weapon in a galactic space battle against an invading force of aliens. And he finds himself recruited by this buxom, blonde alien woman to use his music to fight off this alien force and help save space.

The overall tone of Black Heaven keeps this larger-than-life atmosphere, which feels very appropriate for the show. Given only very brief glimpses and flashes of his rock star days, you can feel how torn he is of being trapped in his ordinary life and having the chance to meet with this woman and play his music again. Layla sees this as a chance to save her people, but the outward appearance of Oji and Layla’s relationship has his wife, Yoshiko suspicious of an affair. While the space war acts as the primary plot point and driving story line, the issues between Oji and Yoshiko show off the real themes of the show.

There are a lot of humorous moments, including both Western and Japanese spoofs and references. Oji even idolizes real life rocker, Michael Schenker. Lalyla’s three subordinates act as the comedic relief, often misunderstanding orders and missing the seriousness of situations. The title track, written by John Sykes, is a great rock song that really fuels the entire series and sets the tone that makes it stand out from others. While comparisons could be made to Macross, The Legend of Black Heaven adds its own unique spin that makes it work. The minor plot twists keeps things interesting and less predictable, culminating in an ending that satisfies and sufficiently ties up loose ends.

Although short, The Legend of Black Heaven goes on just long enough to hide its slightly shallow plot. The powerful character dynamic between Layla, Oji, and his wife Yoshiko is what makes the series interesting and more than just a mere Macross knock-off. The strong Western tone and infusion of rock music and references make this one different from other anime series and worth checking out for even a non-fan.

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Maison Ikkoku Takes a “Slice of Life”, and It’s Good

The story of Maison Ikkoku may sound a little familiar. A student trying to get into college falls in love with his apartment manager, all while the crazy tenants interfere in their lives. As one of the early stories of its kind, it set the bar for future shows of its kind such as Love Hina and Mahoraba ~Heartful Days. Originally premiering on Japanese television in 1986, the anime adaptation to Rumiko Takahashi’s Maison Ikkoku has a timeless, classic feel with a universal storyline that makes it easy to relate to. While it does contain various cultural nuances unique to Japan, Takahashi manages to take a snapshot of Japanese life and make it even more fantastic. Well-known for her more fantastical series like InuYasha, Ranma ½, and her first major work Urusei Yatsura, Takahashi places Maison Ikkoku into a more realistic setting with a more serious, yet comedic tone.

Kyoko and Godai (far right) pictured with characters from Ranma ½ and Urusei Yatsura.

The story focuses on the new apartment manager Kyoko Otonashi and the ronin Yusaku Godai, who is still attempting to get into college. You immediately get to know the other tenants of the boarding house: the motherly Mrs. Ichinose, the promiscuous Akemi, and the mysterious Yotsuya. They quickly show off their favorite pastime, which tends to be frequent parties in Godai’s room to tease him and celebrate his failures to pass the college examinations. As Kyoko steps in as manager, it soon makes for a fun and comedic story with interesting characters and a nice look into life in Japan. However, Kyoko’s hidden past puts a twist on the story. With romantic rivals, financial hardships, and misunderstandings galore, Maison Ikkoku stands out from Takahashi’s other work.

From left to right: Yotsuya, Godai, Kyoko, Akemi, and Mrs. Ichinose with son Kentaro.

One of the best points about the show is the growth and realism of many of the characters. From the beginning of the series to the end, you see Godai, Kyoko, and many others make mistakes, show character flaws, and mature as the show goes on. Seeing them grow and respond makes you care about them more. While a good portion of the show depends on a misunderstanding to develop the plot, this showcases the character’s personality traits and the time period to cover some of its flaws. Throughout each episode, there is a sense of melancholy and serenity in each scene transition, using train passings, nature scenes, and depictions of daily life to set an overall tone and mood. Spanning across ninety-six episodes, Maison Ikkoku’s slower pace gives you a look into each individual. Episodes feel less like filler and more essential to the story and the character’s development. Many recurring characters are introduced, which only further adds to the story and growth of its cast.


While perfectly fine when taken at face value, the various cultural notes and subtleties add a whole other layer to Maison Ikkoku. The rebellious nature of Kyoko, the wishy-washy attitude of Godai, and the daily grind of the tenants in the boarding house can reveal more than just being used as tools to fuel the plot. For example, Kyoko’s attitude towards her parents and her position as a single working woman says more in Japan then the same in other countries. If taken the time to look into it, there is more to be found then just simple comedy or plot scenes.

It is difficult to describe the uniqueness and appeal of Maison Ikkoku on paper. The show has this sense of serene frenzy that goes beyond the mere description of romantic comedy. Seeing Godai and Kyoko grow and change throughout the show makes you root for them even more. As they try to find their place within typical Japanese life, you get to laugh, cheer, and shout along the way.

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