Tag Archives: drama

Welcome to the NHK! – 14 to 15 – MMORPGs destroy lives… mmmk?

Posted on October 21, 2006 by bateszi

The relentless waves of depression continue unabated with these two episodes as Satou (hardly recovered from his suicidal exploits) stupidly falls foul to the life sucking world of MMORPGs. These highly addictive and never ending online games are undoubtedly one … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mushishi – 26 – And so ends a landmark anime production

Posted on October 20, 2006 by bateszi

As if to confirm its audacious brilliance, central character Ginko hardly even appears in this final episode and it was still one of the highlights of the Mushishi TV series. Again bursting with its trademark melancholic tone, this was yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Welcome to the NHK! – 13 – In a word, depressing

Posted on October 7, 2006 by bateszi

For some odd reason, I was expecting Satou to be the hero of this episode, but today I doubt he will ever be a hero – just like Yamazaki says, people “like him” aren’t suited to dramatic ends. In a … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Pumpkin Scissors – 1 – Faith in humanity after all

Posted on October 5, 2006 by bateszi

I’m getting worried about the fall anime season; there is too much to watch. Putting aside the immediate favourites like Death Note and Black Lagoon (these two are unmissable in my eyes) the likes of Pumpkin Scissors and D.Gray-man have … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Honey & Clover II – Wallowing in the aftermath

Posted on October 2, 2006 by bateszi

It was always going to be one of those dreaded moments when Honey & Clover finally finished up – an empty feeling, my mind swirling in miscellaneous doubt and irritating confusion. What do I watch now? I had my ups … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Welcome to the NHK! – Anime or manga? Yawn

Posted on September 27, 2006 by bateszi

Anime or manga, one is inevitably better than the other – whether it’s just another case of elitism or not, you can always bet on the jumped up manga fans hating the anime adaptations of their favourite stories. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorials | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Welcome to the NHK! – 9 – Sparkling festival fireworks

Posted on September 13, 2006 by bateszi

An unusually positive and uplifting instalment of NHK!, I wasn’t planning on commenting on this episode but the sparkling festival fireworks always get me. So bright, so beautiful, so romantic. Even Yamazaki gets some lovin’. This is so far the … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mushishi – 25 – Even without eyeballs, tears run

Posted on September 8, 2006 by bateszi

Although it would be harsh to say Mushishi had been in the doldrums of late, I must admit that the episodes succeeding number 20 have often flattered to deceive. It still looks as gob-smackingly beautiful as ever, but feels like … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Welcome to the NHK! – 8 – Meet the parent

Posted on September 4, 2006 by bateszi

It’s time to meet the parents, only Satou doesn’t have a girlfriend, or a job, or a life outside of his apartment, making the whole arrangement pretty awkward from the get-go. If only Robert De Niro was his Dad – … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Elfen Lied – 8 through 10 – Subverting the cute

Posted on September 1, 2006 by bateszi

Again Elfen Lied defies it’s pretty style and delivers a trio of episodes that are anything but. Subverting the look of its cute characters, it clearly delights in extreme mental and physical abuse — the disgusting bludgeoning of a helpless … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Welcome to the NHK! – 7 – Is Misaki Real?

Posted on August 25, 2006 by bateszi

Although it’s not nearly the “best” series airing at the moment, I often watch Welcome to the NHK! as soon as it’s downloaded. I have the first 6 episodes of Bokura Ga Ita stocked up, another four of Legend of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Honey & Clover II – 7 – Bleeding with a flickering hope in life

Posted on August 14, 2006 by bateszi

As far as hyperbole goes, this was quite possibly my favourite episode of Honey & Clover II. No doubt I could say that after every episode- but this seventh instalment particularly deserves praise for violently jamming the second season in … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Noein – And so we reach the end

Posted on August 6, 2006 by bateszi

I feel like I’ve been watching Noein for years now and writing this entry is daunting. Complex multi dimensional time travel, heart breaking tragedy and gut wrenching friendships. Here is a series bursting with ideas and without breaking into an … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Mushishi – 24 – Bound for Bonfire Field

Posted on August 3, 2006 by bateszi

Another episode that was only average in comparison with Mushishi’s previously sky-is-the-limit standards, “Bound for Bonfire Field” showcased one of the more deadly mushi Ginko has come across but failed to deliver the profound human empathy I’ve come to expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honey & Clover II – First and fleeting impressions

Posted on August 1, 2006 by bateszi

Honey & Clover is said to epitomise the ambiguous “slice of life” genre – a typically slow, ambling style of story telling with no true narrative direction. Indeed, Takemoto’s impulsive journey around Japan is all about finding a definitive meaning … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Welcome to the NHK! – 2 – Crazy-otaku neighbour to the rescue

Posted on July 25, 2006 by bateszi

Sato meets with young Misaki to talk about her “how to take the hikomori out of Sato” project. Though with his trademark destructive hiko-nature, Sato immediately tries to deny his shut-in ways by proving to Misaki that he does have … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorials | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Neon Genesis Evangelion – Why is it classic anime?

Posted on July 17, 2006 by bateszi

Neon Genesis Evangelion is considered by many critics to be a “classic” anime series. Loved and loathed in equal measure, its polarising reputation for invoking a distinct reaction from its viewers endures (inside and outside fandom) even today- an impressive … Continue reading →

Posted in Editorials, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Mushishi – 23 – The Sound of Rust

Posted on July 14, 2006 by bateszi

In a village where humans are literally rusting away and being physically covered in (ever worsening) scabby brown marks, only this one girl (Shigure) appears to be immune from the disease. The bitter villagers blame Shigure for their ill-health, curse … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments