2016 Update

Happy new year.

 Happy new year, everyone! 2015 passed by quickly and I had a great time watching and reviewing a lot of anime. This year, I'm still going to do the same thing with anime reviews. At first, I was considering doing a Top 10 list such as "Top 10 Anime Swordsmen" or "Top 10 Female Heroes In Anime", but I released that I still haven't watched a lot of anime to justify make those lists. However, since I have been watching a lot of Gundam shows, I may do a "Top 10 Gundam From The Mobile Suit Gundam Franchise" in the coming months. Speaking of Gundam, I know I haven't been reviewing anything else except it lately, but don't worry, I'll be taking a short break from the franchise after watching F91, Victory, Stardust Memory, and War in the Pocket. Most are short shows, so they shouldn't take more than a month to finish. I've been considering watching Black Jack, Darker Than Black, Dead Man Wonderland, and even the new Ghost in the Shell iteration, so It's pretty exciting. 

 I guess that all at the moment. I'll be doing some updates at times to keep you updated on what's happening. Until next time!

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Review

A Beast of Possibility.

 The Universal Century is revisited after many Gundam shows with various timelines. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is an anime adaptaion of the novel of the same name. This time, it's a conclusion to the long-going conflict between Earth Federation and Zeon. Now that the introductions are out of the way, it's time to review this beast of possibility!

STORY-  U.C. 096, three years have past since the events of Char's Counterattack, the Earth Federation and Zeon are fighting over Laplace's Box, an object said to have the power to change the outcome of the war. The story follows colony Industrial 7 resident, Banagher Links, who stumbles upon a white mobile suit called the Unicorn Gundam. He must help a runaway princess, Mineva Lao Zabi, find Lapce's Box and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. What's the truth behind Laplace's Box? Who is this "Second coming of Char Aznable"? I found the story in Unicorn to be pretty engaging. Like the majority of the Gundam shows, it also delves into some philosophical themes which I found to be interesting. 

Find out the truth behind the Laplace box.

CHARACTERS- Banagher is your typical teen protagonist whom like the pilots before him, stumbles upon the a Gundam and gets caught up in the Federation-Zeon war. Throughout the episodes, he struggles and adapts to the cold reality of war and by the end we see him grow into a more developed and interesting character. Mineva Lao Zabi, heiress to the Zabi family, may start off as cold, but like Banagher, gets a chunk of character development and by the end, she's just as interesting as him. However, the leader of Neo-Zeon, Full Frontal, also known as the "Second coming of Char Aznable", has a lot of mystery behind him, which I won't spoil. 

 Supporting characters such as Riddhe Marcenas, Marida Cruz, and Captain Zinnerman are a great additions and have interesting stories to tell. Returning characters ones such as Bright Noa and Kai Shiden make a return. However, some characters aren't so interesting. I found Banagher's friends and the crew of the Nahel Argama to be boring since don't get much development, which sucks since they're in a lot of scenes. Nevertheless, the story is still enjoyable.

Some familiar faces make a return.

PRESENTATION- First of all, studio Sunrise did a stellar of job handling the presentation. The visuals are crisp and vibrant, as evident by how stunning the Unicorn Gundam looks. Additionally, the character designs and backgrounds are filled with detail. Unicorn does a great job of using CG, which shows during battles featuring the mobile suits. The audio is also great. Either dubbed or subbed, the performances are great. The soundtrack is possibly among the best in the Gundam franchise. Composer Hiroyuki Sawano did a fine job with the soundtrack. The orchestral tracks that plays during battles are a treat to listen to. Also, each episode's ending theme were also nice to listen to and I've found "Broken Mirror" to one of my favorites.

The presentation is simply excellent.

OVERALL- Mobile Suit Unicorn is among the best shows in the Gundam franchise and a nice conclusion to long-lasting war between the Earth Federation and Zeon. The story and characters kept me hooked and I loved the presentation. It's a must watch for U.C. fans and newcomers should find some enjoyment in it, though it's best to watch the previous Gundams to better understand the plot. 

- Unicorn features blood and violence. Recommended for audiences ages 13 and above.-

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Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (1988) Review

The Thrilling Showdown.

 The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise gets its first ever movie in the form of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattck. Released back in 1988, it was directed by franchise creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino. The movie sees the return of One Year War veterans Char Aznable and Amuro Ray back in action. If you're interested in watching it, I recommend watching Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam-- even Gundam ZZ, if possible-- first to get a better understanding of the plot and characters. Anyway, let's get into the review.

STORY- U.C. 093, six years after the events of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Char Aznable emerges from hiding. This time, he wages war against the Earth Federation with his Neo-Zeon army. Of course, Earth Federation retaliates and rival pilot and One Year War veteran, Amuro Ray, is looking to settle the score with Char for good. The story is well-told and kept me interested. However, it doesn't really explain much about what happened to Char and Amuro after Zeta Gundam and how did they get the positions that they're in. Also, it would have been nice to see characters from Zeta and ZZ such as Kamille and Judau make some form of an appearance. Nevertheless, the story is engaging and kept me hooked.

Char and Amuro are at it again.

CHARACTERS- Here, it's a mixed bag. The two main leads Amuro and Char are back and it's great seeing them duke it out again. Captain Bright Noa takes a supporting role and it's great seeing him back. New characters include Chan, mechanic and Amuro's girlfriend; Nanai, Char's second in command; Hathaway Noa, Bright's son who's caught up in the action; last and least, Quess, a green-haired Zeon pilot. 

Despite some unnecessary characters, Amuro and Char get some good screen time. 

 I felt that for some reason the movie wants us to focus on Hathaway and Quess for some reason. both came off as boring than interesting. Hathaway comes off as naive and irritating at times. As for Quess, she takes annoying to a whole new level. Constantly going on and on about how awesome Char is (he sure is!), she just felt unesseary. Honestly, it would have been better if we got more Amuro and Char screen time than this.

PRESENTATION- For a late 80's film, the production values hold-up well. The animation and designs are fits the style of the Gundam universe. Additionally, The show's main mobile suits, Amuro's Nu Gundam and Char's Sazabi are both well-detailed and are looking good. I've watched the dubbed version of the movie and I have to say, it was alright. If I recall correctly, Char's Counterattck was dubbed before Zeta Gundam, so it's natural if the voice cast sound different. The soundtrack is spot-on. A lot of the tracks fit the tension and action sequences and was a nice to listen to. 

Even nearly 30 year after release, CCA still looks stunning.

OVERALL- I have been anticipating to watch Char's Counterattck for a while, and after watching it, it didn't disappoint. Despite some lack of backstory for some characters, I still found the story to be engaging. The fights were thrilling to watch and it was great seeing Amuro and Char back in action. The presentation is nice and still holds up well by today's standards. Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack is a must-watch for fans of the U.C. Gundam timeline. 

- CCA features sme violence and language. Recommended for ages 13 and up.-

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Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Review

ZZZ...

 Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, the third Mobile Suit Gundam show in the franchise, has a reputation of being polarizing. Mainly, it was a departure from the dark melodrama that its predecessor (and my favorite show in the franchise), Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, had introduced. The show takes a kid-friendly approach in its first half, which I found to be unbearable. However, the dark drama that Zeta packed is still here and it's thrilling. There's a lot to talk about ZZ, so let's get started.

STORY- The story immediately takes place after Zeta Gundam. The Titans have been defeated and the Axis Zeon threat arises. The Argama and its crew are in bad shape after the battle so they drop by a nearby colony, Shangra-La, for repairs. The story follows junk collectors, Judau Ashta, and his friends. Together, they plan on boarding the Aragama and capture the Zeta Gundam in hopes of selling it to make a living. I found the first few episodes to be unbearably campy since it's targeted at children. However, during the second half, things get very climactic and interesting. Without spoiling much of the plot, ZZ get's better later during it's run.  

The story gets interesting and more serious as the show progresses.

CHARACTERS- Most of Zeta Gundam's cast make a return. Captain Bright, Kamille, Fa, and even Axis leader Haman make a return. Similar to Amuro and Kamille, Judau may start as a jerk at first, but gets well-developed as the show progresses. He's a good pilot with noble intentions and I took a linking to him in the end. We also get to learn more about Haman Karn and her objectives. As for Judau's pack of friends, they're alright. I liked Rou, Puru, Lino, and Elle. While some of them such as Mondo and Beecha tend to be extremely annoying at first, they were OK in the end. 

PRESENTATION- Much of the presentation remains intact compared to Zeta. The visuals are the same, however, I noticed that they take a dip in quality here and there. In terms of mobile suits, the Mk. II, Zeta, and Hyaku-Shiki make a return and they're still looking good. However, it's the ZZ Gundam that steals the show with it's sheer power and awesome look. The audio is subbed, but the voice cast does a great job of portraying the characters. The soundtrack is just as neat as Zeta's. Tracks such as "Anime Ja Nai" fits the kid-oriented tone of the fist half while "Silent Voice" fits the more serious tone of the second half. 

Despite it's age, the presentation still holds up pretty well.

OVERALL- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ is a polarizing show that takes time to get used to. The comedic fist half falls flat, but the second is more dark and developed, which I found to be awesome. I was tolerant of it during the first 20 episodes and by the time the show reached its end, I ended up liking it. Nevertheless, if you can get past some of it's shortcomings, you'll end-up having a good time. 

- While meant for kids early on, the show has some language and crude humor. Mainly targeted at teens and older.-

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Ghost in the Shell Turns 20!

20 Years of Complex Storytelling.

 1995, 20 years ago, the widely acclaimed anime adaptation of Masamune Shirow's cyberpunk manga, Ghost in the Shell was released. It was praised for its stunning production values, courtesy of Production I.G. Two aspects that were unique to Ghost in the Shell were its story and themes, both also received praised. To celebrate the occasion, I revisited the film another time to see how it holds up, and the result was great. Public Security Section 9 agent Mokoto Kusangi's hunt for a superhacker known as "The Puppet Master" is still engaging as it was 20 years ago. Add in a few more strong supporting cast and philosophical themes and you'll have a deep and complex story. Speaking of complex, gits isn't for everyone. Many will understand its message while others will be left confused and lost. Nevertheless, re-watching gits was fun and enjoyable and its definitely on my all-time favorite anime films. For those looking for a engaging mystery thriller with deep themes, Ghost in the Shell is worth a look. On the other hand, those who like a more action-oriented mystery drama, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, is also worth a look.

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Review

You Will See The Tears Of Time.

 Mobile Suit Gundam proved to be a success in the early 1980's thanks to popularity of the Gunpla (plastic Gundam models). The original packed some neat robot vs. robot action and drama. Obviously, some kind of sequel would have been expected. In 1985, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, came to be. The sequel to the 1979 classic, has been regarded by many fans as the darkest and engaging entry in the franchise. After watching its 50 episodes, I can say that its may favorite Gundam in the franchise and is worth a watch.

STORY- U.C. 0087, seven years have passed since the Earth Federation's victory over the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War. However, several Zeon remnants still remain. To combat this, the Earth Federation have established the Titans, an elite force dedicated to the eradication of the Zeon remnants and those who stand in its way, either good or bad. Where MSG had you sympathizing for some Zeon members, you'll surely hate the Titans. 

 Their vicious ways of killing and tyranny leads to the formation of a rebel group called the A.U.E.G. (Anti-Earth Union Group), dedicated to combat the Titans. A small A.U.E.G. team are sent to investigate Side 7, a residential colony, in suspicion of a possible Titan threat. The story follows Kamille Bidan, our main protagonist, whom gets mixed up in the conflict. Throughout the 50-episode run, we see Kamille's struggle as a pilot of the A.U.E.G. and how the war impacts him. The themes of loss and war are here and I found them to be enjoyable aspects of the story. 

Zeta Gundam's story is thrilling and engaging.

 CHARACTERS- Zeta Gundam features many interesting characters. The main lead, Kamille Bidan, is the hot-headed Newtype (an advanced subspecies of mankind) pilot of the Zeta Gundam. Like Amuro, he may take a while to get used to since he can be annoying at times. Nevertheless, he's a far more developed character as the show progresses. Quattro Bajeena, who's a lot like Char Aznable, is a lieutenant in the A.U.E.G. and serves as a mentor to Kamille. He receives a great deal of character development as the show progresses. Throughout the story, characters from both factions experience loss, betrayal, relationships, and more. Also, most White Base members such as Amuro Ray and Bright Noa make a return!

 PRESENTATION- Zeta Gundam packed a neat presentation during its time. The visuals and models are eye-catching, as well as the mech designs, Zeta Gundam especially. Compared to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, Zeta has aged rather well. The voice acting is good, though campy at times. The soundtrack, one of the highlights of the presentation, has an awesome 80's kick to it. The opening and ending themes are catchy and memorable. Even during episodes, you'll be hearing some neat tracks. The composers surely outdid themselves. 

The presentation is nice and one of the main highlights of the show.

 OVERALL- I had a lot of enjoyment watching Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. The story and characters kept me hooked, as well as the fights, which were awesome. The presentation holds-up considerably well today. Fans looking for a mature and dark Gundam series should give Zeta a look.

- Zeta Gundam contains scenes of violence. It's a PG-13 and up rating.- 

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Mobile Suit Gundam-San Review

DEFINITELY Not Your Average Gundam Show.

 The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has mostly been serious in its tone. Themes of loss, war, and revenge has been a staple in most shows. In Mobile Suit Gundam-San, there's none of that. As a matter of fact, its nothing like the other Gundam shows. Let's get straight into the review.

STORY- Well... there isn't a story here. Simply put, each episode has a random situation involving certain characters. You'll have to watch the original Mobile Suit Gundam to catch the references but other than that, no prior knowledge of the franchise is needed. Still, if you don't watch the original series, you'll sitting there awkwardly not getting what's happening. 

Gun-damn!

CHARACTERS- The cast of the '79 Gundam are here with a twist. Main characters such as Amuro Ray, the Federation pilot of Gundam with exceptional skills and his rival, Char Aznable, the intelligent and fierce Zeon pilot are here. However... they're both dumb in this show. Amuro is portrayed as a teen going through his puberty who always thinks of pervert-related things. If you think that's weird, Char gets it worse. The once well-respected and feared Red Comet is now an utterly goofy moron who always does some seriously idiotic things.

 Other characters include White Base members Bright, Sayla, Fraw, Haru, and many more. You'll even see Zeon members at their weirdest. The characters are completely different from the ones you came to know in the original Gundam, so be prepared for any "WTF?" moments. 

Fifty shades of Bright.

PRESENTATION- The over-the-top presentation may put-off some viewers, but its alright. The visuals are colorful and wacky, unlike most Gundam shows. I had no problems with it since it fits the wacky tone of the show. Since there is no English Dub, you'll be hearing Japanese audio which shouldn't be a problem since its rather well-done. The music here is goofy, yet catchy in a weird way, its not bad.

The presentation is good and fits the crude nature of the show.

OVERALL- Mobile Suit Gundam-San is a weird anime; one that you'll either like or don't like. I didn't know how to react after finishing it. The story and characters are goofy, so is the presentation. If you're interested with its unique style, it's best to watch the original Gundam to get some of the references. If not, you're better off watching some of the franchise's best works.

- Gundam-San packs some crude and dark humor. There are scenes of blood, nudity, and violence. Recommenced to mature ages-


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