Mistakes of Youth: The Blog (Powered by EXCELLENCE!)

All is forgiven

Last night I jumped into my DeLorean, set the destination for 1985, and took a colourful, sexual, violent, gory, and action-packed trip into the first installment of MEGAZONE 23 (that’s two-three, not twenty-three.) For those not in the know, Megazone 23 is the title that brought the OVA format into prominence, and is also the show that many people claim The Matrix rips off on. However, to me it’s a very interesting look back into the history of anime.

Megazone 23 is one of those shows you’ll see old guys talk favourably of all the time when they go on about the Good Ol’ Days. Me, being a relatively new anime fan (started watching things in ‘99) lack such nostalgia, and can look at these things without the rose-tinted glasses. Simply put, Megazone isn’t as flawless and perfect as some of these guys may lead you to think. The storytelling is clunky, the animation is uneven, and the production is generally somewhat amateurish. Like the first Space Battleship Yamato, this show is filled with the staff just trying new things out, and not having much of a budget to mess with. It’s good as an educational experience, but as far as entertainment goes, it shows its age.

That isn’t to say it isn’t totally entertaining. This thing is just so 80s– one of the first scenes involves tons of copyright infringement (Cokes, mentions of McDonald’s and the Hard Rock Cafe), ridiculous outfits, poofy hair, and a perfectly straight guy who wears eye shadow for some reason. Yeah, I don’t know either. The synth-heavy soundtrack by Shiro Sagisu also does everything its power to date this thing, reminding you constantly that, YEAH THIS WAS MADE IN THE 80s. And it’s fucking awesome.

If you already know the big twist in the story (which you probably do, especially considering I gave it way in the first paragraph) then this doesn’t have much going for it storywise, since the twist basically is the story. The show doesn’t actually end either, so as far as plot goes, it’s kind of weak. I guess I have to watch part 2 before I can pass judgment though, so I’ll be doing that right now!

What’s notable is how they use a variation on ADTRW’s  “kick reason to the curb” line on the back.

Sadly, “Reject common sense to make the impossible possible” is used in the show proper, but it’s good to see that Bandai has some kind of idea about the pulse of the fandom.

I actually skimmed episode one a bit, and the translation seems pretty good. There’s a lot of liberties taken (Kamina at one point says “fugly”) but it works for something like Gurren Lagann. 110% and all that.

Previously…

Second three!

Strike Witches: My first reaction was, “Sky Girls, except better.” The characters are cuter, the setting is nicer and the fanservice is plentiful. Gonzo has really been letting me down lately, but they may have a winner here. The first episode wasn’t totally great, but this show could really go places. Like in my pants.

I was naughty and downloaded a torrent of the BOST file, but I’m seriously considering supporting this now. It’s better than paying for Blassreiter!

Tetsuwan Birdy Decode: I’ve never seen the original OVA, nor have I read the manga. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by this tasty slice of SF action. The production values sure are something– I hope this A1 Pictures Inc. studio can keep up the quality.

Zero no Tsukaima: Princesses no Rondo: This first episode was business as usual for 0nT, and naturally I ate it all up and wanted more. In contrast to the second season, this first episode of season three actually progresses the plot somewhat. I kind of hope they continue on in this vein, but I’d be fine with more stupid fanservice, too. However, it seriously needs more Siesta.

Also, the opening and ending songs are great!

First three!

Sekirei: This is a boob show, but it has a lot of charm and very good animation for some reason. This is Seven Arcs, right? I hope the rest of the episodes look this good, because thus far the production values and boob animation are this one’s strength. Musubi is pretty cute, though.

Slayers Revolution: I’ve never seen a Slayers series in my entire life (I know, I’m horrible) but I sure did like this first episode! The writers do a great job at getting you acquainted with the characters, while at the same time delivering service for existing fans of the series– a win-win! And man, this show sure is 90s. They even keep the 90s design work! It’d be awesome of JC Staff went the extra mile and animated the entire thing on cel, but that’s more trouble than it’s worth.

And yeah, Megumi’s still got it.

Telepathy Shoujo Ran: On one hand this show is held down by NHK for the family BS, but on the other it concerns itself with dogs that attack people and can somehow manipulate lighters using their mouths. So, uh, it’s ok, I guess. So far the best parts are the random bursts of psychedelic colours that happen when psychic junk occurs.

Also, why the fuck is Tokyo Movie Shinsha doing this? They should be the ones working on the new Cobra anime!

Time to review three short series that all ended recently!

Kure-nai: I wanted the Hollywood ending. That said, the show did do well to stick true to its sense of realism right down the end, but they could have at least indulged us a bit, right? I guess they did that with episode six, though.

Kure-nai was a very good show. I can’t say it was perfect, but it certainly lived up to my expectations, and at times surpassed them. The show sold itself on character interaction, but what I really liked was the atmosphere and the underlying plot. Being a fan of Gunslinger Girl, I enjoy it when small children are thrown into situations involving The Underworld and Violence, and Kure-nai delivered that somewhat decently. It’s not like I didn’t enjoy the character interaction, because that was awesome– I just wish that they hit more on The Darkness throughout the show.

Kanokon: Uh, I guess the only notable thing about Kanokon was how it was a fanservice show with a really high budget. I mean seriously, every episode of this was crazy beautiful and looked movie quality. I’m not going to ask why, because I enjoyed it as well done softcore porn. GJ, Xebec.

Toshokan Sensou: This won points simply for being the first Production IG show in something like, what, two years? that I actually really liked. They almost won me over with Blood+, but that went sour near the end. However, Toshokan Sensou was by no means perfect. The story was pretty shoddily developed, and the show only really carried itself on character interaction. That’s fine though, since the characters were pretty decent, and I don’t care much for plot anyways.

For some reason I wrote these all in the past tense!

Just got a bent up March 2008 issue of Megami from J-List…

I got this issue for the poster of Kokonoe covered in chocolate, but me being at home, I couldn’t really put that up. Luckily, on the other side is that hot SZS pic.

Original Post

For the 100th comic I decided to go full circle and refer back to the beginning of the comic to kind of pat myself on the back for getting this far. As far as art goes, I really like how this one turned out. Aside from a few mistakes, it came out just as planned, and looks good for a 100th comic. It even almost has 5-tone shading! And a pantyshot! I’ll be doing a comic on Nico Video soon, which should happen in the space of a couple of days. I want to get it out while the news is still kind of fresh.

In some other comic-relevant news, I finally updated the reference guide after some twenty weeks, and I’m also mentioned in the latest Anime World Order as Daryl’s Sith opposite. So, yay, I guess.

Honestly, I haven’t had time to really catch up with the new season due to work and other things, so right now I’m sitting on a bunch of new episodes of things and some last episodes of things. Once I see more new things I’ll do my short three-at-a-time season review posts like I did for spring. Watch for it! Or something.

I finally finished all of the Nurse Witch Komugi anime with Magikarte Z the other day. Magikarte Z was kind of weak– the first episode had bad animation the humour wasn’t really as spot on. The whole affair felt tacked on and rushed. That said, it wasn’t bad, just not as good as the first one. I guess the good thing is that it’s only 2 episodes, so it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Also, it has good opening and ending songs.

I’m liking Gurren Lagann Parallel Works. It’s good how the series is at a point in its popularity where it’s big enough for Gainax to make more things based off of it, but it’s not too popular that all Gainax has to do is push out a figure or two every couple of months (sup Eva) to keep the masses interested. The Parallel Works videos are very fun diversions, and I love how each of them have their own unique brand of creativity. The newest one is my favourite– need DVD quality!

Anyways, time to take off and watch anime and stuff.

Nagi celebrates by taking off her clothes

Current
Chi’s Sweet Home: Good ol’ cartoons
Code Geass 2: Best part of my week.
Golgo 13: ….
Kyouran Kazoku Nikki: I’ve finally accepted the fact that this is not a comedy. It still works, but I like it less than I initially did.
Macross Frontier: Consistently entertaining. Though honestly, I just watch it for Ranka and space fights.
Telepathy Shoujo Ran: lol kids show. Like the psychedelic effects.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann music videos: Entertaining little diversions.
To Love Ru: Wonderfully entertaining boobalicious fun.
Toshokan Sensou: Kind of badly written, but it’s a not-boring IG show.
Zettai Karen Children: It has faults, but it’s just too entertaining to not like.

Waiting for other things to start.

Manga
Read a bunch of stuff. Keroro Gunsou is great and I wish I read it 5 years ago and the Hayate manga is just the anime with more stylized art. Moving on to a vampire triple-play with Blood Alone, Karin and Tsukuyomi.

Liking where the flash is falling in that last pic.

I’d love to put up the Kure-nai poster, but I’m currently in my parents’ house, and the Kure-nai poster is one of a naked seven-year-old taking a bath. I mean, I’m already pushing it with the Kojika and Yotsunoha posters. I also ordered the March Megami from J-List because it had that poster of Kokonoe Rin covered in nothing but chocolate. Won’t be able to put that one up, either.

Original Post

I’m surprised my last comic was so well received, considering I thought it read something like an advertisement. I guess people can relate. The art in that comic was ok– I like how some things turned out, but overall it was slightly below-average. I hope everyone enjoyed the fanservice (that I totally ripped from ZSZS) though. The current comic up looks slightly worse, but that said I redrew it something like three times. My job/job training really threw me and it’s affected my drawing for some reason. I’ll shape up by comic 100. You’ll notice that Tina is wearing something she wore previously and that Rets is wearing a new shirt. Someone brought up in the comments for the last one that Tina changes clothes in each comic and Rets has been wearing the same shirts for forever. I was planning on having Tina reuse outfits at some point, but designing new ones each week just became too much fun…

The site was mentioned in various places on the web again, and these plugs were noteworthy enough to post about. The first one is in the Friendster journal of some mentally challenged little girl. I think it’s hilarious when people take my joke posts seriously, and even more hilarious when they think I look like a stereotypical nerd. I love it. The next one is a plug in a Japanese blog which seems to have found me via that Ascii Weekly article. The best part is how he warns middle school kids and lower not to go on my site since it’s foreign. lawls.

In further site news, I got a Twitter on a whim. As you can see, I’ve integrated it into the site sidebar, but I’d like an RSS widget thing that doesn’t advertise itself. Anyone know any good ones? Also, I’d like to know how to make this appear on the blog.

Finished Cromartie High School yesterday, and it was ok. I’ve only read four volumes of the manga (and need more) but I really like how the original handles itself better. The anime tended towards surrealism, whereas the manga was straight up realism with very absurd things happening, which I find funnier. This isn’t to say that the anime’s bad, because it’s generally entertaining, but it really doesn’t hold a candle to the manga. Also, what’s up with ADV’s subs? Do punks really use the word “fudging”? I mean, if you’re going to use an expletive in your translation, don’t half-ass it. This is especially irritating when I know that ADV drops the F-Bomb in their English dubs all the time.

I also finished Nurse Witch Komugi the other day. Some may remember when I started it, but now I’ve finally secured the last volume and have finished it. I would say I should have seen this years ago, but if I watched this years ago I’d totally miss the Tiger Mask reference in episode three or four. This show is crawling with classic anime references, and I love it. It also really helps that Komugi is adorable, and the show’s generally fun and cheery atmosphere makes it a joy to watch. I’ll be moving on to Magikarte Z soon.

That’s it for this week. Hopefully a comic 100 will happen next week, but if it doesn’t then expect it the week after next. I really want it to look good!

DOESN’T IT JUST MAKE YOU ALL HOT AND BOTHERED

Further proof that Zettai Karen Children is clearly marketed towards lolicons rather than kids.

How’s that for one confused and badly designed graphic? 10 seconds in Photoshop!

Anyways, I gotta actually thank this motherfucker for bringing the mysterious “Juuhachi Minamizawa” to my attention, and specifically his work on “Unbalance.” This show really is just 30 minutes of porn with Soultaker-style shooting and colouring (NSFW), and it’s almost kind of amazing. I’m still open to the idea if it being the work of an imitator (this was made right after Soultaker) but it’s just copied so well that it may as well be Shinbo himself!

The Japanese internet has been talking about this since as late as 2005, and probably further back. I’ve found some blog entries about the two directors’ similar styles, but my Japanese has gotten far too rusty (need to practice) and there are just too many kanji! Can anyone with hot JLPT skills give me a rundown? (While you’re at it, you can take a stab at this, too)

It would be absolutely hilarious if Shinbo actually turned out to be Minamizawa, because honestly, he doesn’t hide the fact that he’s ONE OF US.

Original Post

Will write a rant when I don’t feel like crap.

Click for bigger + alternative version!

Will add shading, background and other stuff later.

Shingo brought this to my attention via IRC, so I figured I’d bring it to the attention of my like-minded readers as well!

A Sanzenin Nagi figure is coming out in August, and it can be yours for the low, low price of ￥4,179! She stands at 100mm and is made from PVC and ABS. I’m ordering it right when it hits either HLJ or 1999.co.jp!

Original Post

I really like how this comic came together. Everything from the lineart, to the colouring, to the backgrounds looks almost exactly as planned. I’m sure there are rough patches here and there, but I really like this one. I’ve actually kind of been practicing at drawing things I’m not too good at (like girls lol) and I think the fruits of that practice shows here. The lineart for the comic after this one looks pretty good, too. As far as scripting goes, I guess the humour here lies more in the comments than it does in the script. If you haven’t already guessed, this comic is a Nico Nico Douga parody, and like Nico offers, here’s a version of the comic with comments “turned off” for those who want it. But the comic’s only funny with self-depreciating comments like “kore wa hidoi” anyway!

Another week, another Anime Blog Award awarded, it seems. This time it’s the blogger’s choice Gold Award for best blog comic. So yeah, thanks to you guys who voted in that.

(more…)

Via Patrick Macias via this person

Really, how many issues was that? Like, two? Seriously, TWO? Did this magazine not even last as long as Flux??? I wonder what they’re going to do about all those Newtype USA subscribers. They promised two issues of PiQ for every remaining issue of Newtype any given person had left in their subscription. What are they going to do now, mail them back money?

lol, PiQ. What a fucking joke. Even Newtype USA had more cred than that rag.

It wasn’t until I saw a sub out for Lucky Tousen*: Great Guardians did I realize that the summer season had already started. So, before anything else starts, I guess I’ll list out my picks like I normally do!

You know, since the list of shows playing this season was so short, I assumed I’d only walk out of it with something like three or four shows, but after I went through and picked out everything, I came out with seventeen! Good thing some of those are short OVAs.

GOTTA WATCH IT EVEN IF I HAVE TO KILL A MAN

• Cobra (OVA): The mighty space returns to the small screen after 30 years to kick more ass. I love Space Adventure Cobra, and if this OVA can capture the magic of the original series, I’ll be in love. COBURAAAA~
• DETROIT METAL CITY (OVA): I’ve always been interested in the manga, but never read it. Hopefully Studio 4C will do a good enough job with their adaptation that I won’t have to!
• Hidamari Sketch x365 (TV): Honestly, I find Hidamari only works for me if I’m in the right mood. Otherwise, it’s boring. But, this is another Shaft/SHINBO combo, so it’s worth watching just for that.
• Lucky Star (OVA): More Lucky Star can’t be a bad thing. I liked the TV show well enough.
• Zero no Tsukaima ~Three Princesses’ Rondo~ (TV): Hey, fuck you guys, 0nT 2 was great and I don’t care what you say. I’m watching this one without a second thought. So long as they keep delivering more fanservice than plot, I’ll be happy!

(more…)

Note: I’m basically talking out of my butt for this one. If there are any big mistakes, let me know.

When I watch 90s anime it’s always kind of a weird experience. Despite growing up with the stuff, each time I start on any given 90s title, I feel a little lost. This is probably because when I’m watching a 90s show, I’m watching it completely out of context.

Let me explain. If I were to watch something made in the 1960s, I’d watch it knowing that a lot of the shows made in the 60s were Astro Boy clones. If I were to watch something made in the 1970s, I’d watch it knowing the climate of fandom in the 70s, and so on. I’ve learned about various decades’ fandom through literature and anime like Genshiken and Otaku no Video, but each time I turn on some 90s show, I come to the realization that I know almost nothing about that decade’s fandom in Japan. Aside from reading the Notenki Memoirs, my knowledge of 90s fandom is very limited. As such, I’m wondering– are there any anime or manga titles that depict fandom in the 1990s?

(more…)

I didn’t think it was possible, but it’s happened– Dokuro-chan will be getting a US release. And some people think the US anime industry is dead. I’ll buy this if it’s released on one sexy volume for a decent price. Now if only the second series would hurry up and finish!

Though, it does feel kind of tasteless to announce the acquisition of this show right after some crazy dude slaughtered a bunch of guys in Akiba.

Party was good. Got see lots of friends I don’t get to see that often anymore. Got lots of clothes, but I needed them. All my pants have holes in them, and not in the cool places. Also got some money, and some small anime-related items, too…

Air volumes 3+4 and Gundam Musou are on the way as well.

Of course the biggest present I got was my new computer about a week ago.

Original Post

This comic had two possible outcomes: 1) Rets cursing Kurenai for being a lucky bastard or 2) Rets saluting him. I decided to go with 2), since getting a young girl to kiss you on her own accord is pretty impressive. Kurenai didn’t even have to force himself on her! That’s salute-worthy. The art here is slightly better than what it was at first. After some critiques I changed some things the best I could to make it look slightly better. It still looks average, but not as bad. It’s only one drawing, anyway. The next comic, which I already have sketched out, should look pretty good. It’ll make up for all the stinkers from the past couple of weeks. Not sure how funny it is, though…

Oh, Anime Blog Awards happened, and Mistakes of Youth won something in the “People’s Choice” vote. Blogger’s Choice hasn’t been made public yet, but I guess I won that too since last I checked I was 10 votes above whoever was under me. Not sure how deserving I am of any awards, but thanks to all who voted.

I’m three episodes away from the end of Nadesico, and it’s been a decently fun ride. I kind of expected it to go serious after a while, but to my surprise it’s keeping its relatively light tone till the end. I can appreciate why this series is so well loved, but I can’t totally get into it. It’s good, and at points great, but part of what puts me off is just how fast cut and brisk most of the episodes are. The show does however have a great cast of characters who are all filled with personality, actually handles relationships in a mature manner and, despite being pretty light, drives home the “war is hell” message pretty well. I have the movie downloading right now, and I guess I’ll watch that soon. I would buy it, but apparently a used copy of the DVD costs ~$50 and, uh, fuck that.

I’ve finally accepted that Kyouran Kazoku Nikki is not the crazy comedy that I want it to be, despite it doing everything it its power to force me back into thinking that it is in fact a crazy a comedy each time the opening sequences comes on. The show seems more about imparting kind of cheesy morals and lessons onto the viewer while in the guise of a crazy otaku show. That works decently, but it makes me like the show less. It’s still entertaining, but I kind of hoped it’d be above stuff like that and focus more on being a parody show. Oh well, at least Yuuka is still cute with her little pink striped shirt.

More Haruhi 2 news has trickled in. It seems they’re scrapping the “second season” label and instead just treating it as an all-new series. I honestly don’t see the point in noting that, if it’s still going to be based off of the same material. So long as it tops the first one, I’ll be fine. Also, its ed best be amazing.

That’s it for this week. I have a birthday celebration happening today, so I’ll be off to fit in some anime before the festivities begin.

もっとSparking Now! 強くタフなハート
磨いたら世界は見違える
Sparking Now! 高くかざしたソウル
力の限り 目指せ1000%

When this single hit something like, what, almost two years ago? I was all over it. But, like most things on my huge anime playlist I forgot about it for newer tunes, and only rediscovered it recently because I have it set to play right after the Zettai Karen Children ending theme single. I’ve fallen in love all over again! This song is so fucking amazing in how it combines moe and hot-blooded passion all in one crazy amazing package. I mean, look at those lyrics! MOTTO SPARKING NOW! TSUYOKU TOUGH NA HEART!! Doesn’t it just make you wanna go outside and do something!? Seriously.

She asked for a kid’s meal… that’s so adorable.