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April 14, 2012
I have many a faint and fond memory of Eureka Seven, but wasn't sure how to feel about news of its sequel. It ended with a quite profound sense of finality, after all. Everything that needed to be said, was, an…
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Sexuality in anime: Mine Fujiko and Faye Valentine
April 7, 2012
Like any potentially great anime, the new Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna has given us much to talk about already. It's a beautifully animated, adult series the like of which we haven't seen in TV a…
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Tag Archives: shonen jump
He’s a man of rubber with an afro
Luffy’s ultimate technique? Certainly, he’s wearing an afro!
Naruto – 219 – For the love of god, not long now
We join the “fun” just as Gaara corners the warrior from Takumi, and given his murderous ability, a simple win for the ultra-strong sand man is expected, but the warrior turns to confidently exclaim, as diabolical villains often do, that … Continue reading
D.Gray-man – 12 – Limitless sacrifice?
Like most of its Shonen Jump brethren, D.Gray-man is weakly balanced on a thin line between generic and fun. Just this evening I’ve caught up to episode 12 and feel torn by the somewhat superficial character development. Moody bishonen Kanda … Continue reading
One Piece – Winning without even throwing a punch
It’s funny how we spend hours upon hours watching anime, often only for but a few short minutes of absolute pay off. I watch One Piece for these transcendental moments; don’t get me wrong, it’s a consistently fun show but … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged action, bravery, friendship, luffy, nami, One Piece, shonen jump, zoro
10 Comments
D.Gray-man – 2 – The end of the world is nigh
Episode two is our first proper introduction to the spiritual world of D.Gray-man and clear references are drawn from Christian religion (“Noah’s ark”) to better illustrate the show’s strong supernatural themes with an interesting theological substance. To believe in exorcists, … Continue reading
D.Gray-man – 1 – Completely coherent and mysteriously atmospheric
Anyone remember Pierrot Le Fou from Cowboy Bebop? How can we forget that floating fat man, screaming with insane laughter as he tears his way through the landscape. I know D.Gray-man may not have the kung-fu style of Spike Spiegel, … Continue reading
Naruto – 201 – Weapons of mass destruction
It’s those damn terrorists again! As we’re all aware, the war on terror knows no bounds, and now, not even our anime is safe! The beloved hidden village of the leaf (known to gurning locals as Konoha) has become the … Continue reading
Hunter X Hunter – First Impressions
I make no secret of my affection for Shounen Jump anime, from Dragonball Z to Rurouni Kenshin, by way of Naruto and One Piece, it’s a genre – incredibly formulaic though it is – that I drag myself back to … Continue reading
Naruto – 200 – Filling time with ninja
It has been a while since I last caught up with Naruto – still its a series I treasure deep within my heart, but these ever enduring “filler dark ages” are even dwindling the concrete enthusiasm I once felt for … Continue reading
The Alabasta Arc of One Piece
The Alabasta Arc of One Piece sees this fine series at the top of its game, juggling dynamic character drama, explosive political upheaval and some eccentric body twisting action. Despite falling into a few classic Shounen Jump cliches (not least … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged action, alabasta, crocodile, friendship, luffy, One Piece, sacrifice, shonen jump
4 Comments
The most influential people in your anime fandom
The ever reliable ICv2 recently posted up a list of the “ten most powerful people in the North American anime industry“. The run down makes for interesting (if a little predictable) reading and sitting at the top is Gonzo’s bestest … Continue reading
Posted in Editorials
Tagged Berserk, chika umino, cowboy bebop, honey & clover, kentarou miura, masashi kishimoto, Music, Naruto, shonen jump, Yoko Kanno
8 Comments
One Piece – Pacifism and crocodiles don’t mix
Having marched across endless miles of desolate landscapes and lifeless desert, Luffy finally snaps at Vivi and in his own unique way, lets her know a few important home truths; while admirable, her selfless pacifism can not save lives. Villains … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged action, alabasta, crocodile, friendship, luffy, One Piece, sacrifice, shonen jump, vivi
5 Comments
Naruto – 188 – Fear the piranhas of death
As much as I want to be surprised by these Naruto episodes, as much as I want to watch some gripping drama, desperate sacrifices and shocking deaths, it’s not going to happen. I know that, you know that. To complain … Continue reading
Naruto – 187 – Taste the Flower Ninpo
The problem with these Naruto fillers is that while they are not particularly good, they are not particularly bad either – they are just by-the-books action adventure. Over this past year Studio Pierrot have become the masters of just filling … Continue reading
One Piece – Episodes 78 through 91 – The Chopper Arc
Much like a snowball rolling down a mountain, my outright love of One Piece is now out of control, ready to smash anything that dares stand in its way. I’d seen images of Chopper before this arc, but never did … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged action, chopper, doctor hiruluk, magical, One Piece, shonen jump
5 Comments
Naruto – 186 – The episode where Shino laughs
This episode makes a mockery of everything Naruto stands for and as a hardcore fan, there is a guilty voice saying I should be completely offended by it, but honestly, this episode was so off the wall and slapstick funny … Continue reading
Naruto – 185 – Grotesque Pet
And so begins another 23 minutes of pure time filling anime, Naruto-style. But despite it’s stupid premise, episode 185 wasn’t too bad; at least it was funny. These one-shot episodes are surely more suited to absurd comedy than say last … Continue reading