Tag Archives: violence

Horrible fun / Exhuming Ga-Rei -Zero-

Posted on June 14, 2010 by bateszi

If just because there’s something exciting about proving yourself wrong every now and then, I’m trying to watch a bunch of recent series that I’ve snubbed or otherwise ignored in past. This all started when, on a whim, I began … Continue reading →

Posted in Anime, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Eden in name only

Posted on May 3, 2010 by bateszi

Hiroki Endo calling his manga ‘Eden‘ is a hint. Eden is supposed to be a paradise on Earth, but Endo‘s version is more like Hell. It’s sarcasm on his part, I think, because this is a contrary and brutal series, … Continue reading →

Posted in Manga | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Trying to get back into anime movies / Sword of the Stranger

Posted on November 11, 2009 by bateszi

Writing this now is probably a bit old hat, but I finally got around to watching Sword of the Stranger at the weekend! Why the delay? I’ve developed a strained relationship with anime movies; having become so used to watching … Continue reading →

Posted in Anime, Editorials, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Until I kill you, I’ll even eat mud to survive! Hokuto no Ken

Posted on February 11, 2009 by bateszi

When I finished watching Legend of the Galactic Heroes late last year, I felt like I’d had my fill of sprawling eighties anime series for a fair old time to come, but fate, it seems, has long been conspiring against … Continue reading →

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When eternal love goes wrong [Kurozuka]

Posted on February 2, 2009 by bateszi

I had high hopes for Kurozuka, because it is a genre of anime I tend to enjoy, that being stylish, far-fetched, visually-intoxicating science fiction. It is a beautifully drawn journey, in-which 1,000 years of vampiric romance sweeps across the Heian … Continue reading →

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Delighted with some devilishly delicious horror

Posted on November 1, 2008 by bateszi

My damned savoir and his demented smile lurked forth from the shadows. His name was none other than Go Nagai and his bloody offering was Devilman. And it was perfect. Perfectly and utterly disturbing. Continue reading →

Posted in Manga, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Basking in the inferno of Cloverfield, remembering Blue Gender

Posted on February 4, 2008 by bateszi

Head-spinning, stomach-turning and mind-racing are a few of the adjectives I’d choose to describe how I felt when I stumbled out of the cinema last night, having just suffered through Cloverfield. To say I’d been looking forward to this film … Continue reading →

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Immortals and non-Immortals both Enjoy Life Equally, so says Baccano!

Posted on December 17, 2007 by bateszi

It bothers me to say I took a while to realize the quality of "Baccano!". Aside from boasting no less than 18 main characters, the Pulp Fiction-esque narrative would constantly fracture and leap back and forth in time. I didn’t … Continue reading →

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Sex, violence and samurai; introducing Shigurui

Posted on December 8, 2007 by bateszi

Please note this post is heavy on images of an “adult nature”; though I understand many of you might be unsettled by such blunt depictions of sex and violence, the truth of Shigurui lies not in words alone, but its unrelenting presentation of old Japan’s institutional depravity. Basically, you’ve been warned. Continue reading →

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Hokuto no Ken: The Legend of Raoh – Demonic fist of the devil

Posted on February 4, 2007 by bateszi

Along with Ninja Scroll, I grew up watching the Fist of the North Star movie. I was attracted by the unapologetic gore but this was no mere action flick – set in a post apocalyptic world ravaged by nuclear holocaust, … Continue reading →

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Berserk – 3 – The Hawk that soars ever higher

Posted on January 14, 2007 by bateszi

The moustache twiddling decadence caused by extended aristocracy is an issue central to the narrative of Berserk. Regardless of social standing, we all like to dream that we are destined for greatness, to achieve something worthwhile. Aristocracy exists to elongate … Continue reading →

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Berserk – 2 – Sparks fly as the wheels of fate spin

Posted on January 6, 2007 by bateszi

Episode two introduces us to the important characters that make up the “Band Of The Hawk” – in other words, the personalities that dominate the rest of Berserk. The dark-skinned Casca is an exceptionally talented swordsman who just so happens … Continue reading →

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Berserk – 1 – An introduction to obsession

Posted on December 30, 2006 by bateszi

I’m just going to come right out and say it — Berserk is my favourite anime of all time. I became an anime fan because of Naruto, but Berserk and its alluring quantities of bloody violence, epic action and tragic … Continue reading →

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Reflecting on Kemonozume – Too cool for otaku

Posted on November 19, 2006 by bateszi

It’s fair to say that the creative staff “working on” (more like playing with) Kemonozume must have had so much fun, from flying heads and sexed up monkeys to a perverted old man shoving a pair of severed female arms … Continue reading →

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Kemonozume – 10 – Sex-starved monkeys and eating fish with giant detectives

Posted on November 5, 2006 by bateszi

Since we’re now hitting the final couple of episodes, Kemonozume is building up to an action packed climax. The villain, or “big boss”, has turned out to be the fat Ohba – I liken his bizarre appearance to that of … Continue reading →

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Kemonozume – 9 – Old habits die hard

Posted on October 25, 2006 by bateszi

Still on the run from the Kifuuken, we join the love birds Yuka and Toshihiko aimlessly wandering down vast and empty roads when they are offered a lift by an old married couple. Their journey (squeezed inside a white van) … Continue reading →

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Kemonozume – 8 – Hard violence, hard sex, hard feelings

Posted on October 24, 2006 by bateszi

At the beginning of this episode a boy student is excitedly kissing his innocent girlfriend for the first time. They hold each other in an emotional embrace, it is a pivotal moment in their lives, “Ah the day has finally … Continue reading →

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Black Lagoon – 13 – People call it spinal reflex

Posted on October 6, 2006 by bateszi

Madhouse Studios have an exceptional talent for adapting manga – BECK, Monster and now Black Lagoon, they clearly devote a lot of careful thought to developing a specific style for their works; almost inevitably, they craft absolutely unique anime. I … Continue reading →

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