Review - Pumpkin Scissors

Pumpkin Scissors
FUNimation

Pumpkin Scissors was a show that was caught in the ADV bankruptcy. Eventually FUNimation picked it up and released the 24 episode series in two thinpack boxes. RightStuf was selling these for $8.99 each, so I picked them up for myself a little while ago and finally got around to watching them.

Set in and idealized Europe shortly after what seems like World War I, the military unit Section 3 is setup to provide relief for the ravaged population. Nicknamed Pumpkin Scissors because like sharp scissors they can cut through the tough pumpkin rind of corruption. (I know, the metaphor a little bit of a stretch.) Made up of just a few members, they try and eliminate corruption in the military and government as well as help peasants and refugees. The main characters are Alice L. Malvin, a young, idealistic aristocratic lieutenant who is driven by a sense of fairness to always try solve any inequalities she sees. And Randel Orlando, a large enlisted man who was a member of a secret anti-tank unit during the recently ended war. He also carries a blue lantern, which when opened, puts him in a killing trans and is able to withstand inhuman punishment.

This show is very typical for a Gonzo production. The animation is quite good, but the story meanders and never really gets focused. Initially, the Pumpkin Scissors in their duties find non-government militias using new weapons technology. They then begin to investigate to try to determine who is making and distributing the technology. But later on in the series, it seems more to focus on class politics. With peasants uprising against the nobles as the military seemingly is trying to take control. Then after 24 episodes, the story ends without any really satisfying conclusion to any of the ongoing plot elements. I'm sure that the original manga has a more complete story, but that really doesn't help the anime viewer.

As for getting this series for a library, there should be no real content problems. Rated by FUNimation for ages 14+, I would find that assessment fair. There is a couple jokes about giving urine samples and some suggestive situations that might not be understood by pre-teens. But for the most part, though not the greatest show, it is not objectionable either.

Review - RIN ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~

RIN ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~
FUNimation

Naked anime women? Check. Gory violence? Check. Degrading sexual situations? Check. This show is one I would not recommend for any public library because of the extreme subject matter. But I actually found it had an intriguing story and excellent animation that kept my interest.

With six 45 minute episodes, this OVA tells the story of Rin, seemingly a well dressed business lady who is a private investigator. Working with Mimi, a young woman who is good with computers and offers up vodka instead of water when Rin asks for a drink at the beginning of each episode, Rin is hired to solve seemingly simple investigations that always balloon into more sinister crimes. The first episode is set in the year 1990 and has Rin investigating a missing cat, but runs into a man who has amnesia. Loosing interest in the cat, she starts looking into the mysterious mans past discovering what his secret. This starts Rin down a path to her ultimate fate.

But as it turns out, Rin and Mimi are immortal. They can be shot, cut, blown up, and their bodies will eventually reconstitute back to perfect health. And since Rin is being stalked by an assassin throughout the series, it makes for some very gruesome "death" scenes. Each episode is set about 20 to 25 years later than the prior episode. So by the end of the series, the story is in the year 2055. Rin and Mimi are working with the grandchild of the man she met in the first episode. And we learn why she is tied throughout time his family. In this world, there is a tree which releases orbs called time fruit. The time fruit passes through solid objects and then disappear back into the earth and only immortals can see the tree and it's fruit. The main point of the entire story is to find out why the tree exists and what effect the fruit has on humanity.

As I mentioned in the beginning, this show is not for sensitive people. Bloody, degrading, sexual violence is inflicted on Rin. Though the animation is excellent, the plot compelling and even top notch voice acting, the presentation makes this series one a library should probably steer away from. Even searching WorldCat shows that currently not a single library has this series in their collection. So if you want to watch this series, you'll have to buy it, watch it online, or ask to borrow my DVDs.

Review - Romeo x Juliet: The Romeo Collection

Romeo x Juliet: The Romeo Collection
FUNimation
290 Minute

Though my anime watching has decreased a little since the library canceled its anime club, I still like to watch whats being released and occasionally buy some that seem worth while. I recently picked up Romeo x Juliet from FUNimation and was pleasantly surprised. When an anime retells a classic story from Western literature, its always interesting to see how the plot changes from the original to the retelling. So it might something like The Count of Monte Cristo as a space vampire or Moby Dick where a space captain Ahab is obsessed with his hunt of a white space ship. And with Romeo x Juliet, though not set in space, it is an alternate world called Neo Verona which looks a lot like a Renaissance Italian city with the exception of the flying horses.

The story starts off with massacre of the Capulet family by the Montague. The only surviving member of the Capulet family is the 2 year old Juliet, who is whisked away to hide among her few supporters and is made to dress like a boy for a disguise. The story flashes ahead 14 years to a day before Juliet's 16th birthday when her noble past is revealed. We find out that she is hiding with her confederates among a theater troupe run by William Shakespeare, and she often goes out to fight injustice on the streets of Neo Verona in the guise of The Red Whirlwind. While Romeo, the only son and heir of the treacherous Montague is unaware of his families murderous rise to power. And the anime is kind of like the original play. At the end of the first episode Romeo and Juliet have a chance meeting and fall in love at a grand masked ball. But instead of Romeo crashing the party with his friends, Juliet is the one attending the party uninvited. From the end of the first episode, the fates and family histories conspire against having these two united.

The story progresses as Juliet realizes the very important lot fate has given her as the sole heir and figurehead to a revolutionary movement against the oppressive Capulet. Romeo, like in the original play, isn't too smart and only follows where his heart guides him - towards Juliet - despite all the pressures and duties of being placed upon him by his father to be the next to rule Neo Verona.

Full of action and with pretty good animation, I really enjoyed the first half of the series. The character design was pleasing with the stylized clothing from the Italian Renaissance, there is always something interesting on the screen to look at. As the story progresses, the tension builds as Romeo's father becomes more brutal on the subjects of Neo Verona. And as we realize the depths of his evil it becomes more imperative that Juliet and her band of followers try and reclaim the city.
 
Usually I watch the dub soundtrack when available, and with this show was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the dialog and acting. But after about 2 or 3 episodes, I realized they were talking in Shakespeare with all the Olde English language often lifting quotes from his plays. I wondered in the original Japanese had the same dialog, but when I looked at the subtitles it seems the writers took some liberties in the script, which I'm ok with. After all, one might as well use the greatest writer of English as a model for the dialog.

This DVD set is definitely something a public library should concider. Rated for ages 13+, which I think is due mostly due to violent content. I would not put add this to the children's collection. But it would certainly be appropriate for a teen or adult video collection.

Review - Negima!? Season 1 and 2

This is an older review I wrote July 15th, 2009.

Title: Negima!?
Volume: 1 and 2
Running time: 650 min
Distributor: FUNimation

Professor Negi is a young wizard sent to a girls school where he must, for part of his training, teach a class of 31 girls. This is the second version of Negima that has been animated, and though I only read the first 4 volumes of the manga, it veers away from the original story. But the art and design of the animation is far more stylish than the first animated series.

The story is pretty good, where Negi must keep his magic identity hidden from everyone, and fails miserably. And to keep from being reprimanded from the Magic Council, he needs to make a pact with the girl who discovers his secret. And of course, to form the pact, the two must kiss (which is the most dramatic thing anyone could ever do in any anime story). The first part of the series (13 episodes) is mostly Negi making pacts with the entire class. The second part of the story happens when the class is transported to another parallel realm and must try to find their way home. And through the series, the running gags keep cropping up. Chupacabras. Bad ramen. Failure (in a good way)...

The story moves along and a pretty quick pace, with many quick cuts to unrelated jokes. After a couple episodes, I was surprised with the similarities to the other anime series Pani Poni Dash. Or for the more Anglo minded, like the way Family Guy cuts away to a non sequitur jokes throughout their episodes. However the jokes in Negima aren't as off color. Also, each girl has a character which is basically a one joke note. But there are 31 of them, so the tune doesn't get too stale.

I had fun with this series. I didn't have to think too deeply to understand the story. And the animation in this second series is far better than the first series. If you're into the girls school/magic thing, it's definitely worth watching. But if you're looking for something serious, try elsewhere.

Review - TSUBASA : RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE

This is an older review I wrote March 30th, 2009.

TSUBASA : RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE
52 Episodes
FUNimation

I don't necessarrily consider myself a CLAMP fan, but I'm finding I do like their work. And TSUBASA has something for everyone, CLAMP fan or not.

The story starts in the Kingdom of Clow with Princess Sakura and her best friend Syaoran. After an accident, Sakuras memories are scattered across many dimensions as feathers and it is up to Syaoran to locate each of them. Hence the story begins.

With the body of Sakura, Syaoran is sent to the Dimensional Witch Yuko (from xxxHolic fame) and with two other seekers, the four of them along with White Mokona to find Sakuras feathers. Syaorans companions are magician Fay is one of the travelers who is on the run from a powerful magician which is trapped in his home world and warrior Kurogane has been banished by his Queen (lover?) to travel through different worlds to learn humility. Each man must give to Yuko their most precious item. For Kurogane, it is his sword. Fay gives up the magical tattoo on his back. And Syaoran allows for Sakuras memory to be wiped of all memories they shared together.

The story is broken up episodically as the group travels to each world looking for the feathers. This keeps the story flowing with the group traveling to different worlds which could be from any time setting. One interesting aspect of this series is many of the minor characters are from other CLAMP series and often reappear on other worlds with different roles to play.

So not only do the travelers go to unique worlds, each world has their own challenges. One world might have an evil king who hordes the feather while another the group must win the race to receive the feather as a prize. I personally liked the worlds were more mysterious to achieve the goal than more action oriented. When the group had to solve the riddle or complete the puzzle instead of beating up the adversary.

There is a larger story arc concerning a battle of wits between Yuko and a mysterious man named Fei Wong Reed, who has some clone/twin of Syaoran. But I found this a little confusing and hoped that it would be explained a little in the series.

Each of the main characters are pretty likable, however Syaoran and Sakura are the only ones who grow along their journey. Fay and Kurogane are fully formed mentors/companions/protectors for Syaoran and Sakura. While Syaoran gets stronger as a fighter and protector, Sakura must regrow her feelings for Syaoran. But if she starts to remember too much of her past with Syaoran, she gets a mental purge and her memories are knocked back.

I believe that public libraries would be ok in picking up this series. There is no gratuitous sex or nudity. And the violence, while ubiquitous, is of a fantasy nature. So, for my library, this show would not go into the children's area, I would feel very comfortable putting it in the SciFi/Fantasy area.