And I understand your movie situation. 20 minute episodes are so easy to squeeze in. An hour and a half+ requires some planning and commitment. I’ve got a few movies I’d like to get to as well. I generally always make time for movies that I’m excited about (Paprika and Howl’s Moving Castle qualify), but movies that look interesting but are exploratory efforts sometimes take a little time to get to (like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, which is a great film as you know).

Of course, it makes use of a lot of (realistic) sex, violence and crude humour, including copius amounts of nudity (which is surprising given the typically conservative nature of Japanese TV). I’m not sure if that taints your opinion of a show or not, but I thought I’d warn you anyway. Regardless, I think Kaiba is a lot more accessible than Kemonozume because the characters are a lot easier to empathise with.

Also, I’ll be sure to plan a viewing of Mind Game. I’ve noticed that, for whatever reason, I never seem to make the time for anime movies. For example, I still haven’t seen Paprika or Howl’s Moving Castle, to name but two. I’m not sure why that is, really, but I’m woefully behind the curve. Sword of the Stranger is another one that I’m really anxious to take a look at.

@Martin: I’m still watching Macross Frontier, which is at least a sign that I’m enjoying it, but it definitely feels superficial too. Kind of like Code Geass, it’s very ‘flashy’ and sensationalistic, but the direction and characterisation feels somewhat lacking, as if we’re missing some key element inbetween reaching ‘point a’ and ‘point b’. For example, since when was Alto such an ace pilot? Stuff just keeps developing with little to no foreshadowing.

Anyway, I know that once it’s finished, I’ll forget that Frontier even existed, which is a shame because Yoko Kanno’s contribution is fantastic, but it’s missing the deft touch of a director like Shinichiro Watanabe (who really made Macross Plus as good as it is, in my opinion) to really invest my emotion within the characters, most of whom are artificial stereotypes like Ranka. On that note, I must admit I really like Sheryl, simply because she seems to be the only one effected and conflicted by the events surrounding her.

@Johny: You’re welcome!

@Martin: I agree with you regarding the Kemonozume vs. Kaiba thing. The former invites the viewer to dive into the surrounding insanity, enjoy the overwhelming paranoia and go “WTF, mate?” more often than not. The occasional calmer episode just serves as preparation for a next dose of over-the-top crazyness. Kemonozume is supposed to be pure fun. Weird, twisted and mad, but still fun. Kaiba on the other hand is meant to touch your heart and make you think about what has happened on screen. Maybe that’s why – as okiu14 noticed – blood and death are presented in such a way that it doesn’t distract from the real purpose of the show.
What I’m saying is it’s tough to determine which one is better. They’re just too different. Funny thing is this just prooves how great a director Masaaki is – he managed to create 2 great and unique anime series, totally different from anything else out there AND from each other. I wish I had as many cool ideas as he does…

I must confess I’m loving Frontier, but purely for entertainment value. There’s nothing profound about it as in the case of Kaiba – the Macross franchise has become a parody of itself in a way, and I really wish it could find its way back up the the heights of Plus and the original.

I ought to check out Mind Game but I find that I have to be in the right mood for Yuasa’s stuff to really appreciate it. I guess that’s the price paid for being so deliberately removed from the mainstream series. I have to say it took a couple of episodes to really convince myself that Kaiba was outstanding; after that it was absolute brilliance.

Upon reflection, I realize that there was a lot of gore it Kaiba. The fact that the blood and gore was yellow, green , or orange made it palatable, but it doesn’t change the fact that the audience was witnessing death and mayhem. I loved the art and style of Kemonozume, but I only got to the second episode because of it’s “lack of respect for life.” That may not be quite the right way to put it. I’ll get back the series one of these days, though.

@Kim: I, too, agree with you. Kaiba’s and Neiro’s relationship was very touching and real. Kaiba is one of the few series that I’ve sat through the opening song and credits for every episode (instead of clicking ahead) because it seemed to capture the mood of the story (especially the love story). I was humming the Kaiba opening and ending songs for about a week after finishing the last episode. Great series! So sad and yet with a touch of triumph.

Also, I know what you’re talking about when you point out this innocent feeling that surrounds Kaiba. I think it’s precisely down to how it was designed by Yuasa, as it’s so idealistically and innocently drawn that it’s actually an incredibly subversive and strange experience to watch in fluid motion, as all these horrible events unfold. That is kind of what I was getting at by describing it as an “idealistic, almost child-like search for some meaning in life”. To believe in this idealistic ‘purity’ of feeling, I guess the characters have to be innocent and naive.

@Martin: One day I’d like to go back to revisit Kemonozume. Looking back on it now, Kaiba seems like it is the better series, but at the same time, Kemonozume was two years ago yet contained some lovely episodes too. The one I always remember is where the old couple are driving around this open countryside; just the way the clouds were reflecting on the water, creating an illusion of the characters driving on-top of the clouds, in-between two blue skies, it’s an image that has remained with me ever since.

@okiu14: Your note about how the aesthetic of Kaiba prevents it from appearing ’sleazy’ is very true. I do think one of the biggest problems with Yuasa’s previous TV series, Kemonozume, is that it’s too ‘vulgar’/extreme for its own good, so comes off feeling a tad juvenile/perverted. Ironically, by toning down the ‘adult-ness’ of his characters, his Kaiba is truly an anime for adults.

I still need to watch Mind Game too…

@Johny: Lovely comment. Nothing more I can say, really, except that I totally missed that element of Popo’s flashback; it’s a series that will get better with each viewing. Anyway, I think you really captured how I feel about Kaiba, right down to its melancholy undertone, in direct contrast with such potential beauty.

@Kim: I’m with you; the bond shared by Kaiba and Neiro really elevated Kaiba.

To generate such a genuine, heart-felt emotion within animation is such a gift, really. Anime characters are typically defined by what they do, in a very physical sense, but with Kaiba and Neiro, merely their body language, the way they share their thoughts, is enough. Comparing it to a much more artificial, dramatic romance like Macross Frontier, Kaiba’s honesty and authenticity is striking. A true romance.

Kaiba was definitely one of the few gems in the sea of mediocrity that was 2008. While I can’t say it is my favorite series ever and it certainly wasn’t perfect (the last episode was way too rushed) I applaud Kaiba for daring to be unique. Although probably my favorite thing about it ended up being the relationship between Kaiba and Neiro. The fact that you could see how much they loved each other just from the animation. I didn’t have to be told they were in love I could just see it in their expressions and actions and that is when I think animation is successful.

I also have to say Popo was a great villain. I know he did some despicable things but in the end it seems he had been manipulated too so I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. To gain everything you think you desire to only realize it is all hollow in the end. Well it looks like he got another chance in the end so hopefully he will make the most of it.

And of course I cannot forget brave and loyal little Hyo Hyo.