Anime Fans Online

Living in a small town has it’s good points. Being able to easily find anything manga or anime related is not one of ‘em. I either have to drive about an hour to a larger town or order online. If it anything at all out of the mainstream then all I can do is order online. That includes magazines like Shonen Jump. Small town anime fans like me would be completely screwed without the Internet.

Imagine my surprise when my local Wal-Mart started selling Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat, I even found a copy of OtakuUSA. Truly it was a blessing of the otaku gods, who I imagine are a lot like the cast of Genshiken. I’ve heard of the legendary book before, but I’d never been able to find it. Until now.

I have to say, the hype is right. This is a great deal for manga. For about half the price of a manga book you get 7 different stories in a single copy of Shonen Jump. Yeah, they’re shorter then the books, but it lets you check out a handful off different titles without dropping over $60 on graphic novel format manga. Plus you get a few pages of magazine type stuff. That’s where Shojo Beat is better.

Shojo Beat has a bit more of the magazine articles. Things like recipes and a fashion report about the characters in the stories. You know, girly stuff. While I’m not all that interested in what the characters are wearing I am interested in food. A couple of those recipes look pretty good. There’s only one thing about Shojo Beat that really bugs me. The manga color.

Shonen Jump is printed in black and white, just like the graphic novel format manga. Shojo Beat on the other hand alternates between pink and blue. One story in blue, the next pink, then blue again and so on. That might help when you’re flipping through looking for a certain manga, but it’s more difficult to read. Well, it was more difficult for me. Maybe I just need to get used to it.

They’re great if you want to sample a few different manga and don’t want to drop a lot of cash. If you can find ‘em I’d recommend checking them out.

Manga, Magazines, Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat, OtakuUSA, Otaku USA, Otaku Gods, Manga Sample

Straight from the pages of Shojo Beat come a hilarious comedy manga. You might remember that I reviewed the Ouran High School Host Club anime. My girlfriend has the first couple of books so I thought I’d give the manga a shot.

I almost wish I’d read it when it was originally in Shojo Beat so that I could see it in it’s full sized glory.

Story

Here’s a short rundown for those of you who are unfamiliar with Ouran High School Host Club. Haruhi Fujioka gets accepted to the ultra-upper-crust Ouran Academy as a scholarship student. One day when looking for a quiet place to study Haruhi finds the Host Club breaks a vase and winds up deeply in debt. To pay off that debt Haruhi has to become a member of the club and work as a Host. The hosts are guys who talk, flirt and charm the female students of the school. The only problem is that Haruhi is one of the female students of the school, she just doesn’t look like it most of the time. The stories consist of Haruhi trying to pay off her debt and dealing with the Host Club’s wacky adventures.

Whew! Now I can get to the review.

What I like about it.

What I like about the manga is pretty much the same thing I like about the anime. It’s fun has some good characters and doesn’t take itself to seriously. Sure there’s plenty of romance and mushy stuff, it was in Shojo Beat after all. It is a fun story. The different characters all kind of poke fun at manga stereotypes, and they have a few surprises in store.

What I don’t like about it.

The things I don’t like about the manga aren’t anything major. It’s all personal preference.

The thing that bugs me the most is the art. It’s good and it tells the story very well, but everything is too sharp. Seriously, you could use some of the guys’ chins as ice picks. I know that’s a fairly common style, but it bothers me.

The pages are kind of a good thing and a bad thing. They’re filled with information. Full of detail and notes about what’s happening. That’s a good thing. However, they were originally published much larger than the size of the graphic novels so some of it is kinda hard to read. I almost wish I’d read it when it was originally in Shojo Beat so that I could see it in it’s full sized glory.

Is it worth it?

Yep, it is. If you can get past those razor sharp chins you’re in for a very entertaining, very funny story.

Manga, Reviews, Ouran High School Host Club, Shojo Beat, Comedy, School Life, Funny

I just finished reading Gunslinger Girl Volume 1. I’m already a fan of the anime, and looking forward to the second season. When I enjoy an anime show as much as I enjoy Gunslinger Girl I like to at least check out the manga, if there is one. I’m glad I did. I was a bit surprised that the manga could be so similar and still be different from the anime.

The Background

Gunslinger Girl is about the Social Welfare Agency. An institution of the Italian government that helps sick and disadvantaged children who have no one else to turn to. At least that’s what they tell the public. What they really do is take children and turn them into covert operatives using chemical brainwashing and high tech implants. The girls are cyborg assassins that are extremely loyal to their handlers.

Differences and Similarities

Most disparities are due to the story telling differences between the mediums. The anime is cleaner and uses color and music well. The manga has a slightly darker tone.

The art in the manga is a good place to start the comparison. While it’s very similar, a lot of scenes are identical to the anime, there are small differences. With Henrietta in particular. She seems a lot more expressive. Since the images in the manga don’t move Henrietta needs to be drawn that way. If she wasn’t she would seem very cold and emotionless. While a smile in the anime may be very brief, the still images of the manga captures that passing moment forever.

The chronology is different. Things that happen a bit later in the anime happen right away in the manga. Elsa’s story for instance. We don’t see much of Elsa in the manga. We only know her through the stories of others during an investigation. In the anime we get to know her story from her point of view before and during the investigation.

The manga doesn’t focus as much on Henrietta in the beginning. Her story is there, but so is Rico’s and Triela’s. The anime shuffles them around so that we spend more time with one girl while we get to know them instead of going back and forth.

Is it worth it?

Gunslinger Girl is a manga I have no hesitation in recommending. If you’re a fan of the anime I’d really suggest you check out the manga. It could give you new insight into the characters you love.

Manga, Reviews, Gunslinger Girl, Volume 1, Social Welfare Agency

Wow, a lot of cool news on Anime News Network this week. Some pretty cool stuff going on. Let’s jump right in.

• Wired Manga

  The November issue of Wired magazine, on sale now, contains a guide to manga. The best part is the guide is a manga. It makes sense. A lot of Otaku are pretty tech savvy. I’m might have to pick up a copy. If I do I’ll be sure to let you know what I think about it.

• Witchblade Anime Has Best Opening Week of 2007, Kinda.

  Looks like FUNimation jumped the gun when they announced that the Witchblade anime’s first week sales were the best in 2007 so far. Turns out that the sales are the best so far, but not for the first week. Yeah, I can see Witchblade doing very well. There’s already a sizable fanbase for the comics. Add the anime fans that aren’t familiar with Witchblade picking up a copy and you have a hit. That’s a no brainer.

• More Live-Action Anime Magic

  Looks like Negi Springfield isn’t the only magical manga star to move into live action lately. Someday Dreamers is getting a Live-Action movie. It’ll be released in Japan next year. I really wish we had more imports of thing like this. I’d really like to be able to rent this on DVD. I’d love to be able to buy a DVD set of the Negima TV show too. I got my fingers crossed.

• Japan is Pissed at You

  If you watch anime online. Yep, all those anime download sites have finally done it. Japan has asked the US government to look into doing something about all the anime on Youtube and other user upload sites. US otaku that use file sharing sites to download anime might want to think about what they’re doing before the FBI knocks on their door. US relations with Japan are pretty good, if the Japanese government makes a request like that then you know the US government will look into it.

• Yahoo! Japan Now Includes Free manga

  Now if only they’d add the same thing to other versions of Yahoo! that would be even better. You know they could do that very easily. There’s tons of manga that haven’t been licensed in the US. Yahoo could obtain the online English rights to a few of those and make a killing. Will they? I doubt it.

• Trailer for Magikano is Online

  ADV has the Magikano trailer up. Looks pretty good. Don’t be surprised to see a review of it sometime in the future. It looks like something I’d like.

• Twins Jailed for Targeting Otaku

  The otaku in Akihabara are a little safer now. Twins who were targeting them for extortion have received jail time.

• Tokyopop Gets Jumps on the Live-Action Bandwagon

  Well, if the live-action manga won’t be imported from Japan, we’ll just make our own. Tokyopop already prints the American version of Ikki Tousen under the name Battle Vixens. Now they’re planning to make a live-action version. I really hope they get it right. If it does well this could open the doors for Negima, Someday Dreamers and others to come to America.

• Afro Samurai Gets Second Season and It’s Coming to America

  The hit anime gets a second season and SpikeTV already plans to air it in America. Boooya. Even more reason to love SpikeTV. Now if only they’d add some more anime to their lineup.

• Starz Edge Gets Weekly Anime

  Starz already provides the anime programs for SciFi Channels AniMonday programming block. Now that Starz has an anime block of their own, will it mean SciFi will cancel theirs? Will SciFi get the crappy stuff Starz doesn’t want to show themselves?

Anime, Manga, News, TV, Movies, Comics, Otaku News, Live-Action, Live Action

After writing yesterday’s post I got a few comments. One response in particular caught my attention. I’d like to point it out and ask for your opinion.

rech Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I was wondering if you’ve already made a review for Detective Conan aka Case Closed… I so love that anime….:)

I told ‘em I’d try to find a couple of the DVDs and give it an in depth review.

I thought about it some more. This comment, just a simple question, made me ask myself a few things. I’d like to share some of those questions with you. Your opinions matters a lot to me.

Why haven’t I already reviewed Detective Conan/Case Closed?

There are a couple of answers to this, but the more I think about it the less they hold up. I could say it’s because it’s an older show. I’ve written about show that have been around longer, at least in the U. S., so that doesn’t work. I could say it’s because there are already lots of reviews for it online. Once again, that answer doesn’t stick. I’ve written about some pretty popular shows that have been discussed pretty much everywhere.

Should I write about older shows?

I have written about shows that aren’t really new. Most of those were new to me though. On the few occasions I wrote about an older show that I watched when it was new, there was something that prodded me into discussing it. I’m starting to think that I need to cover the older shows more often. Just because I watched Tenchi Muyo! when it was on Toonami doesn’t mean the newer fans have seen it. I’ve gotten caught. The trap was looking for things to share with my readers by discussing it with people who already know what I’m talking about.

How much of the older stuff should I start writing about?

This is the tricky bit. Should I write about older titles a certain amount each month? Should I just ignore how old something is when I’m deciding what to talk about? This is the toughest question I need to answer, and this is where I need your help. There’s a chance that I’ll be writing about things you’re already familiar with. Is that a bad thing? There’s also a chance that I’ll write about something that you missed the first time around. How often do you want to see posts and reviews of older anime and manga?

If there’s something you want to see, just ask.

I value your opinions. If you ask about something I do my best to answer. When Amber asked for some recommendations for family friendly anime I wrote a post about that. I’m sure she’s not the only parent looking for something she can enjoy with her daughter.

So, what would you like to see on Anime Fans Online?

Opinion, Manga, Anime, Older Titles, Older Anime, Older Manga, Detective Conan, Case Closed, Comments, Response, Readers

I realize I’ve been doing a lot of manga reviews lately. So I thought I’d give you a break and do something different today. This is a list of anime that I love. They’re listed alphabetically, more or less. I don’t think I could list them based on how good they are. If I tried to do that, the list would change every day. I’m sure everyone would have a different list. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

• Azumanga Daioh
  Sweet and funny with wonderful characters.

• Bleach
  It’s like an animated supernatural samurai movie.

• City Hunter
  Great action with deep characters. City Hunter has some good humor too.

• Chobits
  I like the manga better, but the anime was fairly true to it. Anything by CLAMP is worth checking out.

• Cowboy Bebop
  Great sci-fi western with lots of action and deep story.

• Excel Saga
  The best anime parody of anime ever.

• FLCL
  Bizzare and cool.

• Fullmetal Alchemist
  Vic is right, this story can be summed up in one word. Sacrifice.

• Genshiken
  Great look at Otaku. I just can’t figure out which one I’m most like.

• Grave of the Fireflies
  Don’t watch it unless you have something funny to follow it. It’s sweet, but very very sad.

• Gunslinger Girl
  Beautiful art and a moving story.

• Happy Lesson
  Sweet story with some great humor.

• Hellsing
  A great action horror anime. Very very cool.

• Love Hina
  Another one where the manga is better. Some big changes made to the anime. It’s still good though.

• Lucky Star
  Very little action, but very funny. The opening theme is addictive.

• Manabi Straight
  Sweet story with some good humor. The character design bugs me though. They graduate high school looking like they should be in pre school.

• Project A-Ko
  Several versions of this one. I like ‘em all though.

• Read or Die
  I saw the TV show before seeing the movie. The movie is supposed to be first I believe. I liked watching it backwards, it had more surprises that way.

• Witch Hunter Robin
  Beautiful art and a pretty good story. If you drink coffee, you will want an espresso drink very badly when watching this show.

I’m sure there are some I’m forgetting. Anytime someone asks me for recommendations there are always a few that slip through the cracks.

What’s on your list? I love to find new favorites to add to mine.

Anime, Opinion, List, Favorite

Yeah, I know I wrote about Genshiken Volume 2 yesterday. I bought 2 volumes of Genshiken when I got my manga this time. After reading the second one yesterday, I had to read the third one. I couldn’t help myself. That’s how good these books are.

What sets Volume 3 of Genshiken apart?

Genshiken Volume 3 begins to deal with the character interaction a bit more seriously. Don’t get me wrong, it still a fun book. It just takes a more in depth look at how the characters deal with each other and how they think of one another. For instance Sasahara’s sister plays a larger role in this book.

Keiko, Sasahara’s sister, is a shallow immature high school student. Unfortunately she seems to have a thing for Kousaka. Saki reacts as you’d expect her to in the beginning, violently protective of her boyfriend. As the story progresses Saki seems to soften towards Keiko. She even tries to explain a little of what she’s learned about dating otaku, but there are just some things people need to learn on their own.

As for interaction between main characters, there are a few great moments. One of my favorites is a short scene of Saki and Madarame alone in the club room. Not only does this show us how these characters relate to one another, it also gives us a bit more insight into who Madarame really is.

Is it worth it?

Yep. I’m beginning to think Genshiken is always worth it. Kio Shimoku has created some wonderful characters. Not only that, but the characters he has created continue to grow and develop. I’m looking forward to seeing more of his work.

Manga, Reviews, Genshiken, Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 3, Keiko Sasahara, Kio Shimoku

After I read and loved the first volume of the Genshiken manga I was a little worried. Would the second one live up to the great work in the first? That happens sometimes. The first volume of a series comes out strong and makes a great impression, but the follow up just can’t match it. I was happy to find out that Genshiken Volume 2 continues what I loved so much about the first one. The first book seemed to be centered on Sasahara for the most part. This book is about the group. It focuses on different characters from time to time depending on the story, but overall it’s about the whole club.

I don’t want to talk too much about what happens in the book, but here is a little info to give you a general idea. The second volume of Genshiken opens with Tanaka and Ohno putting on a cosplay exhibit during a school festival. Throughout the book Ohno tries to get Saki to cosplay, but it’s a lost cause. Saki just doesn’t understand cosplay. Then again, she has a hard time understanding any sort of Otaku activities. Despite her aversion to otaku, she’s becoming a part of the group. Sure some of that is due to blackmail by the president, but not all of it. These people are becoming her friends, even if she doesn’t realize it.

Ohno, I missed one.

I didn’t really mention Ohno in my review of the first book because she was introduced towards the end. Kanako Ohno is a genuine female Otaku. She’s shy, likes bald men, and loves to cosplay. Tanaka is delighted he’s no longer the only cosplayer in the club. She is also quickly becoming one of my favorite characters.

Is it worth it?

The art and story are just as good as the first volume. I’d highly recommend picking up a copy of Genshiken Volume 2.

Manga, Reviews, Genshiken, Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 2, Kanako Ohno, Ohno Kanako

Just a few bit of news I found on Anime News Network this week that I thought were interesting.

Tour Guides That Fit In Your Pocket. Pokégui?

Akihabara, the Otaku Motherland, keeps getting cooler. They’re testing out a system that will give you customized information. It uses RFID cards that can uniquely identify you. The cards are being given out for free in and around Akihabara. This could be a huge deal. Especially if the cards can identify and enable the data terminals to communicate with you in your native language. If that’s the case it sounds like an incredible innovation for the tourist industry. If tests go well I predict this will go global. Just think of all the cities around the world that have a huge international tourist trade. This would be invaluable to all of them.

First Japanese Animators Union Founded

It’s hard to believe this is the first union of it’s kind in Japan. Some recognizable names are included such as director Satoshi Kon. These people work their butts off for next to nothing. Why? Because they love anime. Even more reason for fans of anime to support anime by legally purchasing it.

Cosplayers Unite

Cosplayers are unionizing too. Apparently cosplayers get more than funny looks even in Japan. A non-profit organization by the name of Cosengokai has been formed to promote wholesome cosplay and help out cosplayers in trouble. Cosengokai is already co-sponsoring a cosplay event.

G4 in America Sucks.

That’s not news. The news is G4 Canada doesn’t. Well, not as much anyway. G4 Canada will be showing the animes Requiem from the Darkness and Black Lagoon. Do you think Canada is going to beef up their border patrols to control the influx of Otaku?

Anime, Otaku, News, Otaku News, Cosplay, Animators, Union, Satoshi Kon, G4, Akihabara

Cosplay and Halloween, a match made in Otaku heaven. It’s the one time of year when everyone is expected to cosplay. Even if they don’t know what cosplay is. There are so many options from the very simple to extremely complex. Want a simple one? Carry around a note book and talk to someone that isn’t there. BAM! You’re Light from Death Note.

Wanna try cosplay?

Too embarrassed? It’s the perfect time to try it out. It doesn’t matter if not everyone is in costume. There will be enough people dressed up that you’ll fit right in. If you do stand out, you’ll probably stand out for being original. As long as you’re not Naruto, there will probably be half a million of those in your neighborhood alone. Then again you could just tell people that the rest of them are shadow clones collecting candy for you.

Cosplay and Halloween crossovers.

Mix it up. Take a traditional Halloween costume and add some Otaku flair. Don’t just be Dracula, be Alucard from Hellsing. Don’t just be a kitty, be a catgirl. Don’t just be a pirate, be Gold Roger. Shoot, be Gold Roger after the execution. That’s just a modification on a Headless Horseman costume.

Headless Horseman + Red Coat = Headless Gold Roger.

It’s Show Time

Think Big. Big O that is. Get some cardboard boxes turn yourself into a giant robot. Trust me, you can make anything out of cardboard, masking tape and spray paint. It doesn’t even have to be any giant robot in particular. There are enough animes like that you could bluff your friends into believing that your creation is an anime they haven’t seen.

Fun Stuff, Cosplay, Halloween, Costume, Light, Death Note, Naruto, Shadow Clones, Dracula, Alucard, Hellsing, Pirate, Gold Roger, One Piece, Headless Horseman, Headless Gold Roger, Big O, Giant Robot

For the basic info on I Luv Halloween check out my previous post I Luv Halloween Treats or the reviews of the previous volumes. I Luv Halloween Volume 1, I Luv Halloween Volume 2

I Luv Halloween Volume 3 is a bit different from the previous ones. It still has all the horror of the previous works, but there’s more to it. Finch and the gang are starting to realize that they’re growing up. Halloween doesn’t have the same sort of hold over them that it used to. It may be because of this that the books begin to tackle real world issues. The kids are getting older and they’re starting to notice more about the world around them. Changes are coming, but are they ready?

Story

Once again the world is going to hell just in time for Halloween. Last time it was zombies. This time it’s an alien invasion. The aliens are doing all the stuff aliens do. They’re blowing stuff up, vaporizing any resistance and performing experiments on the population. Naturally this makes trick or treating pretty tough. After a while the kids give up on the slim pickins and turn their attention to dealing with the problems around them.

They’ve got issues

They’re may be social commentary in the previous volumes that go over my head. I kind of doubt it. The issues being dealt with in this one are pretty obvious, even if the book never takes a side on any of them. They are abortion, race relations and immigration. Pretty heavy stuff to deal with. The issue of immigration was being dealt with subtly, until Pig Pig makes a comment that slaps you in the face with it. The other two issues beat you over the head without the use of exposition.

Is it worth it?

While I don’t think this book lives up to the standards set by the first two, it’s still pretty good. I’d recommend it if you’ve already read the others. If you haven’t read the others then I’d suggest picking up the first one.

Manga, Reviews, I Luv Halloween, Volume 3, Horror, Aliens, Alien Invasion, Halloween, Creepy, Blood, Gore, Violent, Mature

For the basic info on I Luv Halloween check out my previous post I Luv Halloween Treats or the the I Luv Halloween Volume 1 Review.

In the last volume the gang dealt with bullies and older kids, this time they’re up against something a bit more in keeping with the Halloween spirit. What says Halloween better than zombies? Well, anything, zombies have a bit of trouble talking. These aren’t the fancy new 28 Weeks Later crappy Dawn of the Dead remake zombies. These are the good old fashioned classic horror zombies.

Everyone loves Halloween, even the walking dead. Looks like this year there was a zombie outbreak before Halloween. That’s not gonna stop Finch and the gang from collecting their candy. Not even Pig Pig is going to be left out, even though he’s now one of the walking dead himself. Being a zombie isn’t stopping him from trick or treating or even doing a little romancing.

New Characters

Mr. Kitty’s little brother Spike gets a more influential role and new characters are introduced in volume 2. Vivian, Vera and their dead sister Vincent join in the fun along with a very determined Hully Gully.

Vincent seems to have taken a liking to Pig Pig . Ah, to be young and undead. Vivian tries to keep her sisters out of trouble, but it’s hard when you keep losing parts. It seems Vivian is a very popular snack. Vera is recruited by Moochie, as cute and psychotic as ever, to help stop the zombie hordes. Poor Hully Gully just wants his candy.

Is it worth it?

For kids? No, not at all. For older reader? Yep, it’s good. It’s gory, violent and fun. There are parts that are downright creepy. It’s a great manga to read for Halloween.

Manga, Reviews, I Luv Halloween, Volume 2, Horror, Zombies, Walking Dead, Halloween, Creepy, Blood, Gore, Violent, Mature

I Luv Halloween Volume 1 is a book for older readers. The rating on the back says OT, older teen 16+. I think it could have been rated mature or even adult only. There isn’t any graphic nudity. A little side boob is the only thing we really see. It is very violent though. Don’t think that just because it’s about kids that it’s suitable for kids, it’s not. I Luv Halloween is a true horror manga. If it were a movie it would likely receive an X rating, purely for the gore and disturbing imagery. I Luv Halloween is twisted, sickening and perverted. I love it.

The Story, The Horror

I’m going to describe the story in general terms. I don’t want to use any spoilers. Almost every example from the book I could give you would ruin something. I want you to be able to enjoy it to it’s fullest if you decide to pick up a copy.

As I mentioned in my previous post, the kids are the creepiest part of the book. In this volume the kids are dealing with real world problems. Old ladies who hand out crappy treats, bullies stealing candy and older kids harassing them. How the main characters deal with these problems is where the horror comes in. They have no problems injuring or even brutally murdering people. Well, no problems other than deciding how to go about it. Later books take on horror movie scenarios. Volume one is scary because it’s possible. Right up to the end, that’s when we find out why murder is near the top of their list of options.

The stories in I Luv Halloween are self contained in each volume. You could just read the first one and you wouldn’t be forced to buy another to find out how the story ends. I’m not saying there isn’t character development over the series. There is, but the threads of each story are wrapped up by the end of the book. I wouldn’t start in the middle though. Some of what we learn in the first book applies later on.

Is it worth it?

If you’re a fan of horror, and you’re old enough to handle the violence I’d recommend it. In some ways I Luv Halloween goes beyond what we’ve seen in horror the last few years. It’s violent, it’s disturbing and it’s good.

Manga, Reviews, I Luv Halloween, Horror, Halloween, Creepy, Blood, Gore, Violent, Mature

Before we start let me just say this. This. Just kidding. I Luv Halloween is published by TokyoPop. Like many of their other offerings it’s origins are not Japanese. If calling an American work manga bothers you, then feel free to substitute whatever word you feel is most appropriate.

I Luv Halloween is something you’ll love or hate. Its rated as OT, ages 16+. That’s on the older side as ratings go, but it might even be a bit young. It can be incredibly offensive to the more sensitive types. Lucky for me I ain’t one of ‘em. It’s a horror manga through and through. Plenty of gore and monsters for any horror fan. The monsters aren’t what really makes these stories creepy. Sure, they set the tone and the framework for each story, but they’re not where the real scares come from. The most frightening things in I Luv Halloween are the kids.

Mister Kitty, a kid in a cat costume is a pervert. Pig Pig , a kid in a pig mask, is not that bright. Moochie, whose costumes change, is psychotic but cute. Finch, the kid in the skull mask, is Moochie’s older brother and the ringleader. Last but not least is Devil Lad. No one knows anything about Devil Lad. He just shows up on Halloween and makes the rounds with Finch and his gang.

I just read three of them. I’ll be doing a detailed review of each as Halloween gets closer. I was going to do a general review of all of them at once, but I think they deserve a bit more focus. So keep an eye out, I’ll be covering these manga and maybe a few other creepy treats before Halloween arrives.

Manga, I Luv Halloween, Halloween, Trick or Treat, Horror, Comedy, OT, Older Teen, 16+

After I made my post griping about excessive fan service I got around to watching the rest of the Daphne in Brilliant Blue DVD. If the fan service had been the only problem I would probably recommend checking it out. I’m afraid I can’t really do that though. Daphne has more going against her than her lack of clothing.

Setting

Like a lot of anime this show seems to be set in the future. We see some hints of what the world is like, but we never really get to know the characters surroundings very well. If it weren’t for the hover bikes and occasionally other futuristic gadgetry this show could be set in pretty much any modern city. You have the spacious wealthy sections of town and the densely crowded inner city. I believe the setting is an excuse so they don’t have to answer any questions. Questions like “Why do they dress like strippers when they know they’re going to be shot at?”. Answer “It’s the future. Yay!”.

Characters

I’m not even going to bother with a description of the characters. You’d recognize the stereotypical anime characters a couple of minutes after they’re introduced to the story. The only notable thing about them is that they apparently can’t fight fully dressed. Even in the opening sequence you see ‘em striping down before a fight.

Story

Maia Mizuki is leaving for college and makes preparations, including getting rid of her house. Whoops! She didn’t pass the entrance exam, now she has nowhere to live. Good thing she gets caught up with some bounty hunters/private investigators/odd job doers. They hire her and she lives in the office. Since she’s new she gets all the crappy jobs like finding lost pets and acting as a rent collection agent. Oh, and she apparently has to do all this in very little clothing like the rest of the women who work there.

Is it worth it?

Not by a long shot. Plain and simple, it’s just not that good. Even if you just want to see half naked anime women there are lots of better DVDs you could rent. Don’t bother with this one.

Anime, Reviews, Daphne in Brilliant Blue, Maia Mizuki, Fan Service, Half Naked, Anime Women