AKIRA

Anime Review 3 by Ztefrock

Summary

Kaneda is a bike gang leader whose best friend, Tetsuo gets involved in a government secret project known as Akira. On his way to rescue Tetsuo, Kaneda runs into a group of anti-government activists, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists powerful military leader and strange 100 year old children. The confrontation sparks off Tetsuo's uncontrolable supernatural power leading to gruesome death, a coup attempt and the final battle in Tokyo Olympiad where Akira's secrets were buried 30 years ago.

REVIEW

Akira is probably one of best animes of all times. I tried to watch it without the subs and it was hopeless so I have to watch it again with the subs on. In other words, If you have't passed JLPT 2 dont dare to watch it without the subs!.

The anime is just dark and so....japanese. The movie had shown how history repeats itself and how humans propel the world's fate. The anime is just peculiar in a good way. The scenes, the dubbing and sound effects are awesome. Some characters are quite forgettable. I didnt see much of Kaneda as the protagonist. It is ok though, because the main subject is the story's content not the characters.

I didn't have much time to do a research but I think this film has its own message which can be associated with japan's social condition during the progression stage. This type of anime is prevalent during the 80's (e.g. VOLTES 5). Akira serves as a reminder to everyone, ESPECIALLY to those who are in power to become cautious about our own desires.

GANTZ

Anime Review by Ztefrock

I have learned about this anime because a colleague’s cousin looks like Kenichi Matsuyama. He kinda reminded me of the actor. I just thought of doing a research about Matsuyama to check if he had his huge bell-like nose done. Don’t get me wrong. I like Matsuyama. The nose made him uniquely handsome. He did a pretty good job as L in Death Note. Of course, Gantz was the result of my research. Everyone in Japan is crazy about the film. Matsuyama was one of the protagonists. Ninomiya of Arashi and some porn star are also part of the casts in the movie.

Haaris Rizvi blabbered a bit of the story. I kinda liked it so I decided to check the anime first.

Gantz is about a dangerous game played by dead people, who are teleported to a nearly empty room at the moment of their death, none the worse for wear, and ordered to go out and kill an alien or two. To help with their mission, they're given sexy skintight black suits and high-tech weapons with unlimited ammunition by a flat black ball that sits in the middle of the room. This ball is known as "Gantz," and also displays their scores after the end of a mission.

First of all, I would like to say that the main protagonist (Kurono) is a pathetic male chauvinist pervert! His character made this anime quite different. I just don’t like the high sexual content of this anime. It is just so unnecessary. I don’t like how women are being represented as dumb sexual toys.

The plot is not too bad. I am extremely amazed with the action packed scenes, musical effects and the dubbing. It was a ninja-assassin-like anime. The scene in the Temple was I think the best. It was gory and dark, absolutely gruesome. Two thumbs up! This is the first anime that made me scream. The Psychology was intense.

Some weren’t satisfied with the story’s open ending. It was not even clear if Kurono survived. I’m not surprised at all with that. I mean, it is based on a manga that is still running. Who would know the ending? I wasn’t even upset about Katou’s death because I know that he will be revived in the manga.

It is a shonen anime that I will definitely hide from my fourteen-year-old brother. If I could only edit the explicit contents …… Anyway I like the Opening and the ending OST (Super shooter and Last Kiss) “kare no kiss wo wasuranai o” – I will never forget his kiss

VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE

Anime Review by Ztefrock



Vision of Escaflowne was shown in GMA 7 years back. I think it was 1999 or 2000.After a decade, I was able to finish the series and I am more than glad to write a review about it.

Plot Summary

Hitomi kanzaki is a High school girl who is also a member of the track team and quite hooked with tarot reading. But her normal life changed when one day she finds herself running from a dragon, and being saved by Van Fanel . Thus she finds herself thrust into a world at war between the powerful empire of Zaibach, with vast fleets of airships and floating castles at its command, and the many kingdoms who oppose the emperor's dark plans. Hitomi's mysterious abilities land her with a group of misfits, including two deposed princes—Allen Shezar, a gallant swordsman, and Van, the headstrong pilot of the mysterious and mighty Escaflowne--in a fight against destiny age.



Review.

What caught my attention were the names of the characters. The name Dilandau is quite strange but it sounds interesting, pleasant and bold. The protagonist’s full name is Van Slanzar de Fanel, a name very suitable for a prince. The name Allen Shezar is a handsome name for a handsome character. When I was a kid I was just fascinated with the names because they were pronounced quite differently with how they were spelled.

Folken- Vulkan

Millerna- Malerna

Van fanel- Von Fenel

Belgus- fergus

Dilandau- Dilandal

I like the character Hitomi. I find most female anime characters annoying with that entire gothic Lolita image (e.g. Miyaka of Fushigi Yuugi, Misa-misa of death note). Hitomi represents a typical talented Asian girl. She wasn’t an encumbrance all throughout the story. I also like the contrast between Van and Allen. It is like choosing between Dao Ming Tsu or Hua Tzi lei of Meteor Garden.

Escaflowne is a metaphysical sci-fi-fantasy with an awesome twisting plotline.

“I have fathered this kid.. Would you still love me, Hitomi?”- Allen Shezar.

In spite of the bravura plot, the ending is not up to scratch . I was watching the last episode on my laptop. I was wondering why the episode was half way through and the story was still on its climax. The last part was obviously rushed and quite disappointing. On the last part Hitomi went back to earth and left Van. Both accepted their fate. If you’d look back on the earlier episode when Hitomi went home, Van ran after because he loves her so much. It doesn’t make any sense at all! Hitomi should have stayed with Van. In the end, after being torn among three men she ended up empty handed.

The Official Sound Track is nice. I had it downloaded in my Mp3.

Yakusoku wa Iranai

Kimi wo kimi wo Aishite, kokoro de mitsumete iru

Kimi wo kimo wo shinjiteru, samui youru mo

In my translation it means.. I love you, My heart is looking after you. I believe you even in the coldest night.

As a whole Vision of Escaflowne is a great bishounen anime. I recommend this to everyone but just a heads up on the last part. There is no point to watch the movie. It has nothing to do with the series .