Shangri-la Episode 2

Markets, Manipulations, Militaries, Maidens

So the plot thickens but still stays founded on the four main women of the series. But damn, that world they live in is really a liberal's paradise. However, in almost every economic environment, there are those who will fare better than the rest-- the anime is no exception.

I said the plot thickened, not moved much (linearly). The story's still there, firmly grounded on young women in a world where CO2 use has a price. But new elements are introduced/elaborated in this episode. Things such as the resonating swords, poisonous flora and fauna and the various factions (the military, the capitalists and the cult and the rebel group), which will ultimately all come crashing into each other in the next few episodes.

Characters still remain poorly developed though, Mary Sue is still mary sue. Ms. "AL" Gore still profits from climate change, Tranny is still a man-hunting manwhore. Desu-eyes is still creepy ala that demon from Shikabane Hime kuro and the lurid mistress still treats her manlets as pieces of meat. All of the (REAL) girls, excluding Mary Sue and especially the mistress need a raping and must have their clits sliced (torn) off either by fingernails or by teeth (savagely, of course).

This show may sway both sides. There is a chance for it to become a serious sci-fi contender, but it may also turn out bust and be remembered as a tragicomedy which bit off more than it could swallow.

Stay tuned.

PS: The tropical world is wildly inaccurate as depicted in this episode. I live in a tropical part of the world, where the words "hot" and "wet" are a constant fact of life. I can attest to it that we do not cover our noses nor pack on oxygen tanks in forests. In fact, it makes more sense for us to do it (the exact same thing) in urban areas, such as Makati.

First Impression: Basquash! - 01 & Asura Cryin - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Basquash! - 01
Impression:
I could say that this series has an interesting setting, interesting characters and good amount of mecha basketball but I can’t deny that I don’t kinda like Dan. He’s cocky and obnoxious but I think I can tolerate that since I like everything else aside from him. The first episode has a very good animation that has some style. There is a lot of CG used and I think it was good so to those of you who likes sports and mecha themed anime who can tolerate CG, I think you might like it. There’s no OP in this episode but of course there’s an ending and I like it, it’s catchy but the animation sequence is simple but appropriate.

Like I said, I don’t like sports themed anime but this one has amazed me so I think I’ll continue watching it but I don’t think I’ll continue blogging it. I might blog it only up to the 2nd or 3rd episode but let’s see I might change my mind if the future episodes would continue to impress me.

Asura Cryin - 01
Impression:
I think that was a pretty good episode but confusing at the same time. You have this boy that seems to have been involved in a plane accident and then we move to three years to the future and this guy received a suitcase and then people who wants to get their hand on this suitcase came to his house. What I like about this episode is it keeps you guessing what happened during those three years. There’s this plane crash, the mysterious lady with glasses in a certain scene, Tomoharu opening the case (in the memory like scene), and another dream like scene where Tomoharu said that she’ll save this girl which seemed like Misao. At this point, I don’t know if the plot will be deep or just plain confusing but let’s see what will happen in the next episode.

The animation and character designs, I find it below average. The voice acting, nothing stood out. The OP and ED are ok but nothing spectacular. Before watching this show, I got this feeling that it is generic, mediocre etc. but after watching it I’m doubting it ‘cause it seems that Seven Arcs is trying to put the story here but it’s not complete because of course it’s the first episode but let’s see as the story unravels in the future episodes. I think people are avoiding this show because of its overrated setting and generic character design but I think it was decent enough for me to try watching this. I don’t know if I’ll blog this since there are a LOT of shows that are interesting this season but let’s see.

Until then…

~ja

First Impression: Sengoku Basara - 01 & Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Sengoku Basara - 01
Impression:
I found the first episode entertaining coupled with good animation and amazing bgm , I think I’m going to like this series. I don’t know why I find this first episode funny (I don’t even know if it was intended to be funny or what), maybe it’s because if the OP sequence which I think is the best one this season, the character of Date Masamune and Sanada Yukimura and the part where there’s a n exchange of OYAKATA-SAMA! YUKIMURA! 3x Etc. Even at the very beginning Date Masamune began shouting English and it’s really funny because of the setting, it was set in ancient Japan where you expect people to talk different sounding Japanese. The background music is also cool coupled with good fight scenes and I like the concept of warring nations and the different strategies they employ (even though I can’t understand why that is called wood pecker strategy). It really looks promising for someone who hasn’t played the game, I just don’t know about the people who played the game. Aside from Valkyria Chronicles, I’m interested in blogging this one.

More on the OP….whoever who thought about the dancing soldiers…banzai to you.. that was hilarious, good job.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 01

Impression:
I do sure believe that FMA: Brotherhood would be able to live up with the hype that it had caused. For a person who wasn’t able to watch the first version of FMA I find this first episode awesome. There was this chase with the ice alchemist dude which is awesome, coupled with the good visuals and splendid action; you could say that I’m already hooked. I think this series has some interesting characters and the part where it was pointed out that the military has done dirty things is quite interesting. I think the idea of the black and white background that emphasized the blood, when Bradley finished Isaac, was very cool.

The OP song is quite catchy especially the first part and I could say that the OP sequence was cool featuring the characters of the series and what caught my attention was the father of Edward. Is that an indicator that he will play a major part in this series? I wonder. Oh, I forgot to mention that the lip synchronization was cool too. On the other hand I like the ED song better but the animation sequence coupled to it, I find it not suitable but oh well, it’s the ending.

Wow, I’m also interested in blogging this but there are a lot of series that I haven’t watched yet and so far, almost of them(what I was able to watch) are good. I’m not yet sure on what to blog but let’s see once I watched some of the shows that I’ve listed in my preview, I’ll definitely choose what I’ll blog.

Until then…

~ja