Archive for 2013
Kingdom Anime Review
This is a somewhat content based review.You
should have at least some knowledge before reading my review. *there are some
slight spoilers in it*
STORY: 8
The story at first seemed to start off rather
weak, but became very interesting later. It's about two slaves who are as close
as brothers; they are always fighting and training against themselves to become
stronger. They have a dream to escape slavery and become great generals. their
ambition is what fuels them to advance and work hard. At first I didn't
understand why they were so eager to become warriors from them just seeing a
battle, but it later became clear as we find out that that is how they intend to
escape their current social stature as slaves. They are orphans who were taken
in as slaves, they have a dream and they train tirelessly to achieve it. Later
Hyou dies and that's where things get serious. When he died, I have to admit it
gave me goosebumps and really made me empathize with Shin and the pain that he
felt. An anime that can make me feel something emotionally is certainly a well
done anime. That what I have to say about that.
ART: 6
I give the art a six because it really throws me
off. The animation is far different from traditional animes. I don't know if
it's something new, or if they purposely wanted to make it this way, but is
almost feels like a poorly developed 3D game if you know what I'm getting at. I
personally think that the animation could have been better.
SOUND: 8
I give the sound a 8 because the voices are
certainly awesome. They main character's voice is actually Ichigo's from
bleach. Hyou is also some famous voice, but I don't quite recall what it is.
And the guy that narrates for background information is the same guy who does
it for one piece. I personally really liked the voices and I think that they
fit quite well. The only thing that threw me off a little is Shin's and Hyou's
voices. the voices seemed a bit too mature for their age, they're like kids or
mid-teens yet they have grown up voices; It throws you off a little.That's the
only thing I don't like about it. But other than that, I'd say well done on the
sound.
CHARACTERS: 9
I don't know why but apparently, Hyou, the more
outgoing of the two is favored more by others more than Shin is. The family who
he is enslaved to treats him better and even the old royal guy who offered him
to come with him to be an officer seemed to want him more. I suppose it makes
sense though because Shin is more rough around the edges than Hyou (more rude
and upfront). But I personally like Shin more, I feel like he has a stronger
personality than Hyou. Their relationship is as strong as brothers and they are
easy to like. I also feel like the kid's strength is greatly exaggerated for
their sizes. They carried a basket that was like 4 times their size. And shin
plowed through a huge group of strong bandits.I get that they are strong, but
it makes no sense how they can do all that with their size and proportion...
The Characters I don't like is that old royal
asshole who only offered a position for Hyou and wouldn't take Shin when its
clear they would both make excellent soldiers. I also hate the family that the
two of them are enslaved to. They are spoiled little pricks who deserve to die,
or at least in my opinion. And lastly, the King's little brother really pisses
me off. He's jealous of his brother who is the king and starts a revolt because
of it. He is the most spoiled little bitch I have ever seen. My anger towards
him only show how good of a job this anime did in making a decent supporting
side character. I also think it's stupid that anyone would follow a little
midget who has no power and thinks he's something special. It never does make
any sense to me why people would follow such a pathetic excuse of a human
being.
Overall though, I like the characters introduced
thus far, and It certainly makes me think more of this anime for it.
ENJOYMENT: 9
My enjoyment to this point is fairly high and I'm
interested in what's going on. I feel like this is going to be a successful
anime based on what I saw so far to this point.
OVERALL: 8
I give this an 8 total because of the average of
all the scores, and I feel that it describes my thoughts on it quite well. I
would definitely recommend this anime. At the very least it is worth seeing
yourself. season two will be in mid year.
Eyeshield 21 Anime Review
Not like most sports-related shounen manga or anime, Eyeshield 21 focuses on the trials and tribulations of a rag-tag team trying to reach their ultimate goal. In this case, our main hero is Sena Kobayakawa, a small and non-assertive kid who’s been treated like a gopher for most of his life to avoid being bullied. With his only friend/protector most of the time, Mamori Anezaki, being his only sense of support throughout his life, Sena decides that once he’s in high school, things will turn around for him.
Once he arrives at Deimon Private Senior High School, Sena is immediately bullied once more though this time he is determined to fight back. After all of his years as being forced to be a gopher, Sena developed an incredible amount of speed when he runs as well as intense agility. In one instance where his tormentors chase him through the crowded city streets, Sena uses his size and speed to cut through the crowd; it is during this instance that Yoichi Hiruma watches Sena’s ability and decides to approach him to join the football team. Eventually, Sena crosses paths with the devilish-looking Hiruma and the huge, yet kind hearted Ryokan Kurita and joins the football team as it’s manager, where Kurita reveals of his and Hiruma’s dream of going to the Christmas Bowl – Japan’s American football championship game. Despite Sena’s role as manager of the Deimon Devil Bats, Hiruma secretly enlists Sena as a running back for the team by using a football helmet with a green-tinted eyeshield to protect his identity, as well as a football jersey bearing a ’21′.
Despite the fact that not many people willingly join the Deimon Devil Bats (most of the players were actually blackmailed by Hiruma), people are quite curious of Eyeshield 21, the enigmatic player that seemed to burst out of nowhere. Eventually, the rag-tag Deimon Devil Bats begin to establish themselves with players that seemed to have various natural talets – most of whom were misfits to begin with – but it is Sena that becomes the heart of the team. Overcoming numerous odds, the Devil Bats continue to march towards reaching the Christmas Bowl.
When the manga was originally published in 2004, the anime itself was adapted and released con-currently in 2005 until the anime concluded in 2008 while the manga actually concluded in 2009. In February of 2010, Sentai Filmworks acquired the rights to release Eyeshield 21 while online streaming site Crunchyroll continued to air the Japanese episodes.
As it stands, there are four volumes of Eyeshield 21 currently available on DVD, spanning episodes 1-52 where it ends with the Zogaku Chameleons playing against Kyoshin Poseidon in a playoff tournament to reach the Christmas Bowl. Though there an English voice cast for Eyeshield 21, the only version available at this time from Sentai is the subbed version. Also, whether you are a fan of her or not, Aya Hirano provides the voice of Mamori Anezaki, where she does a fairly good job in her role.
Opening Theme
#01: "Breakthrough" by Coming Century (eps 1-35)
#02: "Innocence" by 20th Century (ep 36- 64)
#03: "Dang Dang" by ZZ (eps 65-103)
#04: "BLAZE LINE" by BACK-ON (ep 104-126)
#05: "Hanno no Runningback" by SHORT LEG SUMMER (eps 127-145)
Ending Theme
#01: " Be Free" by Rikken'z (eps 1-13)
#02: "Blaze Away" by TRAX (eps 14-35)
#03: "Goal" by Arashiro Beni (eps 36-64)
#04: "Run to Win" by Mamori (Aya Hirano), Sena (Miyu Irino), Kurita (Koichi Nagano), Rimon (Kappei Yamaguchi) (eps 65 - 100)
#05: "A day dreaming..." by BACK-ON (eps 101-116)
#06: "Flower" by BACK-ON (eps 117-126)
#07: "Song of Power" by SHORT LEG SUMMER (eps 127-145)