Apr 12, 2013

Posted by in Spring Anime 2013

Mushibugyou

I don’t know about this one… I did find myself enjoying the first episode, but it didn’t leave that much of an impact. I mean, I’m not actually waiting for the season episode right now. I wouldn’t be bothered if it got cancelled at this point, even though I did still enjoy myself. It’s very hard to explain…

MushibugyouI think the artwork is the best thing about this show, the rest sort of pales in comparison. I think the characters look really good. A lot of them have unique features that would allow me to recognize them right away, and that’s a good thing.

Sadly, the story didn’t leave much of an impact. Afterwards I asked myself this one question; “do I really want to watch a samurai newbie fight a lot of giant bugs?” I don’t know… It sounds kind of lame if you put it like that. Oh, and that he decided to become a samurai because his father can’t anymore (because of him) is kind of cliché, don’t you think?

I’m afraid that I can’t recommend something based on the artwork alone. People have to be interested in both the artwork and story. This is just another case of personal taste. Does this sound like something you might enjoy? Go for it. Does the sound of this show put you off? Well, just give the first episode a chance, you can always decide afterwards.

Plot Summary: The action story is set in Edo-era Tokyo in the early 1700s. The eighth shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune ordered boxes to be installed so commoners can submit their thoughts. After hearing their voices, the shogun creates a new magistrate unit—Mushibugyou—to protect the people in the heart of the city. Each member is a specialist with unique fighting skills.

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Dec 30, 2012

Posted by in Medaka Box Abnormal

Medaka Box Abnormal episode 12

Yeah, this is one way to do it… If you’re going to make a third season and all, then why not make the second season’s ending way too obvious? It’s very simple and very obvious, indeed. I like it! It actually saves me the trouble of having to worry about it being the end.

[HorribleSubs] Medaka Box S2 - 12 [720p].mkv_snapshot_00.33_[2012.12.28_23.39.56]Everyone knows how the previous episode ended. I, too, thought that it was way too strange to introduce a new enemy before the very last episode. That’s when I knew that this wouldn’t be the end. There are many more Medaka Box arcs, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to see an animated version of the next arc in the near future.

During this episode we get to know a bit more about Misogi, probably the creepiest little brat you’ll ever see on your screen. We learn more about his powers, about the people he hung out with and, of course, about his interests. It’s not about whether or not we would like to know more about him. The question is; do we have a choice?

[HorribleSubs] Medaka Box S2 - 12 [720p].mkv_snapshot_17.21_[2012.12.28_23.41.03]Misogi, to me, seemed like a clear case psychopath. He kills people as though it’s natural, thinks of nothing but himself and looks at everything so negatively. He’s a menace. He needs to be defeated soon, although that probably won’t be as easy and one would expect. His ability, All Fiction, allows him to bend reality to his will.

It’s definitely an unbalanced character. I would like to see if Medaka can master his ability as well, although I’m afraid we will have to wait until the next season to see anything of the sort. I definitely won’t be reading the manga. I would like to be surprised when the third season comes out.

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Dec 22, 2012

Posted by in Medaka Box Abnormal

Medaka Box Abnormal episode 11

Oh come on… Enough is enough! The whole episode was a ride of joy, until I saw the ending. Why is it that they always tend to introduce new characters at the very end? I don’t care about some creepy transfer student. I just want to see Mekaka-chan as she beats the living daylights out of that crazy old man.

[HorribleSubs] Medaka Box S2 - 11 [720p].mkv_snapshot_08.38_[2012.12.21_13.15.04]Anyway, the majority of the episode was pure bliss. I saw as Medaka-chan entered a new kind of War God Mode, a mode where she has full control, unlike the mode where she has pink hair. This mode shows Medaka-chan with beautiful black hair and a whole lot of power. It sounds very surprising, but Oudo was shocked beyond his wildest dreams.

I’m going to skip by the part where Odou seriously wounded Itami-chan, Kujira’s best friend. It was nice to see how Kujira came to her senses and realized that unhappiness isn’t the way to go. I was even nicer when Odou tried to take Medaka’s abnormality, but stopped in the middle of it because of all the horrific perks that came with it.

[HorribleSubs] Medaka Box S2 - 11 [720p].mkv_snapshot_15.37_[2012.12.21_13.15.47]Now, I don’t like the fact that Medaka simply forgive him like that, let alone that they seemed to have become friends already, but that certainly wasn’t unexpected. We all know how that character’s personality works by now. However, I was surprised when they introduced yet another character, which is kind of stupid, because they always do that with Medaka Box.

Oh well, next week’s episode will be the last. There are only two things for which I can pray right now; a good ending and another season. But, with me being an Atheist and all, I can merely hope that they will give us a decent ending, preferably one where Medaka and Zenkichi finally kiss. Come on, that’s been a long time coming… Make it so!

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Dec 15, 2012

Posted by in Medaka Box Abnormal

Medaka Box Abnormal episode 10

Yet another great Medaka Box Abnormal episode! I’m really looking forward to the ending. Something tells me that this is really going to be the end of Medaka Box, even though a third season is a real possibility if you look at how well the anime is doing in Japan.

[HorribleSubs] Medaka Box S2 - 10 [720p].mkv_snapshot_11.10_[2012.12.14_12.03.38]The story continued as Medaka-chan engaged her former friends in combat. Of course, not before dismissing them from the student council. You know it’s pointless when Medaka doesn’t even recognize Zenkichi as her friend, her best and most precious friend. She may cry and remember what happened thirteen years ago, but it’s useless when she herself doesn’t want to listen to her heart.

Now, I knew this ever since she fought against Shigusa and his “auto-pilot” ability, but it seems that Medaka-chan really copies people’s skills completely. That means that she can copy and master the skills of other abnormal’s, making her the perfect abnormal. The headmaster probably knew that too, which explains why he’s so interested in her.

[HorribleSubs] Medaka Box S2 - 10 [720p].mkv_snapshot_14.57_[2012.12.14_12.03.47]I also liked to see a bit of Medaka-chan’s past. She was so adorable! It’s sad to think that her parents brought her to a clinic because of her abnormality, just so that a few scientists could research her. That must be the lowest a parent can sink; to offer one’s own offspring to a scientist for research… There should be a death penalty for something like that.

But, like with most stories, it ended with a happy ending. Medaka snapped out of it after realizing how important Zenkichi is to her, the three are once again back in the student council and Maguro got at least one of his sisters back. All that’s left is to defeat Oudo and to go home afterwards. Besides, defeating him shouldn’t be too hard anymore, seeing as Medaka mastered his abilities. I’ll be looking forward to it!

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Dec 8, 2012

Posted by in Medaka Box Abnormal

Medaka Box Abnormal episode 09

I don’t any one has any real complaints about this episode, yet I feel as though something was missing… I just can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it’s because the characters are actually developing super powers? I don’t know…

First of all; I’m glad I didn’t have to put up with any of those six new characters this week. Hell, I’ll be even happier when I won’t have to at all, but I doubt that this season will end without putting them in the spotlight for an episode or two. Six new characters, six new special abilities and six new problems… As if Medaka and the rest of the student council didn’t have enough problems already.

The first match was between Mogana and Mizou, a creepy little boy that can read people’s minds, or so they claim. I have to say that their fight contained more fan service than action, especially when Mogana fired of another one of her supersonic blasts, causing the ceiling above her to cave in a little. Basically, she ended up in her swimming suit, bent over for the whole world to see.

It soon escalated when Oudo showed up, after which Zenkichi showed up, after which Medaka showed and probably after which a battle between friends will break out, now that Medaka has been successfully brainwashed by her older sister. Lost? Don’t worry, I was too at one point. You really have to see that scene twice before it starts making sense.

Now, the one thing that really caught my eye was that the characters are actually using super powers now. I really don’t like that. Things were a bit simpler. That boxer fought purely on instinct, that swordsmen was great at concealing weapons (although he couldn’t possibly conceal so many, but still…) and that little brat could read people. It’s somehow possible, I suppose, but along comes Mogana with her supersonic blasts and Odou with his EMP’s… I really don’t like that.

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