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Sunred was forsaken by the fansubbing community for a while after it hit, which is why I am thankful towards ANBU for being heroic enough to make this comedic gem available for English speakers. But along with praising their work, I do have a few bones to pick. Because that’s just how I roll.

But let’s start with the good. The translation they’ve stuck onto this show nearly perfect. While not 100% accurate, it captures the feel of the dialogue wonderfully. This is important, since Sunred derives a lot of its humour from just how conversational the script is, so a translation that reads exactly like normal English does wonders in helping the humour cross that often-difficult-to-breach linguistic boundary. It really is a shame that professional DVD translations don’t often reach this level of quality.

However, I think their translation localizes too much. Another thing that makes Sunred funny is how deep it plunges its heroes and villains into the stereotypically mundane Japanese lifestyle. As such, making the characters pay for things in dollars, as well as citing American brands as opposed to Japanese ones robs the show of its cultural flavour. Sunred thrives on references to local and nationally known things. This is a show that has three songs devoted to the city in which it takes place in, Mizonokuchi. I appreciate that they’re trying to communicate this same level of familiarity to American viewers by switching in American references, but it’s pushing things too far. They also make the characters swear too much. This is what I meant by “nearly perfect.”

Also, if they’re really shooting for professional quality on these things, why are they still doing ugly hardsubbed karaoke? Even the most newbie of new groups have gone to 100% soft subs.

Tentai Senshi Sunred is, without a doubt, one of my most favourite comedy titles to hit in recent years. Along with all the other elements that come together to make each episode as funny as the last, there are two key things that make the humour really work–the voice acting, and the characters’ body language.

Sunred’s humour primarily relies on absurdity. It is a show about heroes and villains living typical mundane Japanese lives, after all. So rather than opting to have the characters deliver their lines in the typical polished anime voice acting style, they instead deliver with a noticeable level of naturalness. The voice acting isn’t rough or unpolished. Far from it. In fact, the acting is very good. However, the voices coming from the monsters and heroes in Sunred aren’t what you’d expect from heroes and villains, or the typical anime character. They’re the kind of voices you’ll hear if you speak to normal Japanese people.

It’s fair to say that the average Japanese girl does not sound the moe heroines that make up the bulk of female anime characters these days. By that same token, the average Japanese male does not sound like a brooding pretty-boy hero. Rather than mastering voices that are difficult to come by in the real world, the actors in Sunred instead deliver polished and professional performances that sound like, well, your buddies. However, in Sunred each character’s speech quirk is intentional. Things like mumbling are deliberate, and regional dialects are very much written in the script. Sunred’s punk-like cadence and Vamp’s near homosexual tone are especially well done. This perfection in delivering the imperfections of normal human speech is part of what drives home just how absurd the entire show is.

In addition to voice acting, the characters also have their own body language to match. While not the most well animated show, Sunred makes sure their characters express themselves both vocally and physically. In fact, the limited animation probably helps. Characters quickly changing between a few bold poses with no inbetweening does a good job of drawing one’s attention to the body language.

Much like the voice acting, the characters’ body language is also very natural. Convincing awkward mutters are matched with just as convincing fidgeting, and arguments between characters aren’t the typical talking-head shouting match. A great example of how well the body language works in Sunred can actually be found in the latest (not yet translated) episode–Sunred is confronted by another hero in a restaurant, and this hero asks Sunred for an awkward bit of advice. As the sketch begins, Sunred is looking around awkwardly, taking very annoyed puffs from his cigarette. This short cut of him just looking around, clearly looking as if he doesn’t want to be there, sets up the sketch perfectly.

Of course, what makes this all hilarious is that these are a bunch of freaks acting like normal guys. Especially a character like Khamenman, who sounds like some old guy, but still acts like a 20-something loser. The way in which these various factors contradict each other is key to how the show operates. And even though the show communicates quite realistic emotions through body language and voice acting, it doesn’t shy away from sweat drops or other examples of anime visual short-hand, which again contrasts nicely with all the stuff I’ve outlined above.

The are some other reasons why I find Sunred to be one of the best comedies out there, but this more or less covers why I think the show works as well as it does.

What has SHAFT done to me, I’m writing my post titles as if they belong in Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei  or Bakemonogatari.　Anyway.

These will be listed in roughly the order that I watched them. For some of these I’ve seen two episodes, others I’ve seen just one. Not like that really matters.

Kämpfer

There’s nothing much this season except for sequels and trashy shows, and this one obviously falls under the latter category. I really enjoyed the cheap but funny sexual-driven humour in the first episode, but episode two focused a bit too much on the show’s lackluster action for my tastes. There are seiyuu jokes, but they only provide fuel for the people who argue that anime has more or less become a parody of itself. They’re kind of funny, but in the end about as clever as the gags in Seitokai no Ichizon (which I’ll be touching upon in a later post). However, the animation is good, and the girls are cute. Provided it remains entertaining I’ll stick with it, but I won’t hesitate to give it the axe.

Natsu no Arashi: Akinaichuu

I think more than anything else Natsu no Arashi is a perfect match for studio SHAFT and the daring, dashing, saving anime on a daily basis director Shinbo Akiyuki. Not because it’s perfect for them to shoot at 2.38:1 or because it lends itself to shots that are upside-down and purple, but because its setting allows them to reference all this old guy, natsukashii crap that only they know about. And I love it. There’s also some inspired interaction and drama between the cast that’s still fresh and heartwarming. The opening is neat, but not nearly as good as the first season’s. And it doesn’t have much real animation, either. That said, it’s a very good sequel to what was already a very good show.

Tentai Senshi Sunred 2

It’s… just the same as the first one! And that’s a good thing. Really, I don’t have much more to say. If you don’t like this show you’re some kind of loser.

With both the years 2007 and 2008 behind us, it’s time to look ahead to the glorious year of 2009! Well, not really, but there are a number of shows that have come out of 2008 incomplete, so here’s a rundown of the ones I’m watching.

(more…)

Hey hey hey sup 09 what’s happenin bro

Current
Casshern Sins: Sins carries itself on art direction more than anything else, but the light musings on what it means to live are interesting. Casshern has also stopped being a pussy, kind of.
Clannad ~After Story~: I have no idea how the writing in this show is so inconsistent. It ranges from very juvenile to fairly mature and compelling in the space of a few episodes. The consistently great production values keep it very watchable, even if the writing is total crap.
Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae: I like Jigoku Shoujo, shutup :(
Kurogane no Linebarrels: They were doing their best when the show was silly, but hopefully it can do seriousness well. If the opening episodes are any indication… they can’t. But I hold out hope!!
Michiko and Hatchin: This show keeps betraying my expectations, but at the same time it never disappoints. I guess they had to sell this is an action show or no one would watch it. It’s a pretty good… crime drama? Is that what it is? Anyway, it’s very good.
Tentai Senshi Sunred: Right when the formula was getting stale, they mixed it up again. Pretty good comedy, but not one of the best. That said, it’s hard to top the brilliance of Gag Manga Biyori and Colorful…
To Aru Majutsu no Index: The writing has gotten a little better, but the pacing is still way off in some episodes. They really need to do a better job of balancing character involvement, since for a show called To Aru Majutsu no Index, Index sure doesn’t do much anymore! Touma also has really lame dialogue. God. I like it, though. Cute girls.
Toradora!: For an otaku-centric romance show, it’s surprisingly very good. I came into this expecting to like it for fanservice and jokes, but as a character drama and romance, it offers up some meaty stuff to chew on. Very well done show.
Tytania: Started off pretty slow, but has developed into a pretty good space adventure. Not as good as the best space adventure, though!
Zettai Karen Children: Almost the best show of the year. Consistently entertaining and lots of fun. I love all of The Children :3

I just finished and will finish a bunch of things.

Current
Casshern Sins: Great art direction but the writing is so boring. I’m pretty sure Casshern says JUST WHAT AM I in every fucking episode.
ChäoS;HEAd: It’s always super special! I like this one a lot.
Clannad ~After Story~: Hit and miss. Needs more Mei and/or baseball episodes.
ef – a tale of melodies: This is like a Shinbo show except not good.
Ga-Rei-ZERO: I mostly like it. Really dig the opening/ending tunes.
Golgo 13: ….
Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae: It’s like the writers on this show compete on who can write the crappiest episode.
Kannagi: Yamakan’s direction is great, and the production values are flawless, but the plot stuff lets it down.
Kemeko DX: Nice tits. Humour is hit or miss.
Kurogane no Linebarrels: This show is about man things like robots, tits and giant black men named JACK SMITH who cut airplanes in half.
Kyou no 5 no 2: I guess it’s fine but I still don’t know any of the character’s names.
Michiko to Hatchin: Uneven, but on the whole extremely well done.
Rosario + Vampire CAPU2: This show has moments of genius, actually. Moments of genius mixed with many moments of utter stupidity.
Shikabane Hime: Aka: This show is incredibly trashy, but it takes itself so seriously that I can’t help but take it seriously too. Gainax’s work also really helps it.
Tentai Senshi Sunred: Mostly funny. Some moments fall flat, but mostly funny.
To Aru Majutsu no Index: Pretty entertaining fluff after a string of terrible opening episodes. Let’s hope it stays this way!
Toradora!: I really like this, even though I can’t find a character to like. Taiga is almost cute, but she’s too violent.
Tytania: :V
Yozakura Quartet: This has a really shitty plot, but the direction is ok. Good voice acting, too.
Zettai Karen Children: Not as good as Hayate, but a thoroughly enjoyable year-long show.

Not Current
Windy Tales: Finishing this soon.

Reading
Hayate no Gotoku: Comic version is pretty good so far, but Kenjiro Hata is kind of a bad artist but works around his failings well.
Ikoku Meiro no Croisee: What? There’s only one volume so far? It’s been a year! Where’s volume two :(

I guess I’ll read more of the Tsukuyomi manga soon.

Since Link did it, I may as well put in my word for this show, too.

ASTRO FIGHTER SUNRED (Tentai Senshi Sunred for the Wapanese, 天体戦士サンレッド for the Japanese) is an epic of tale of good against evil set against the backdrop of modern Japan. The mighty hero Sunred has been charged with the brutal task of taking on the relentless Florsheim army as they attempt to rule the world. It is a gripping tale of love, honour and sacrifice. WILL SUNRED SURVIVE?? Only God knows…

But that’s total bullshit. Sunred is comedy very much in the vein of Gag Manga Biyori, Cromartie Highschool, Ippatsu Kiki Musume or Colorful. The main joke here is “super heroes and super villains doing very mundane things.” I’ve only seen three episodes, but I’m pretty sure not much will change. That’s fine though. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is the same joke for 26 episodes, and I haven’t grown tired of that yet! So long as Sunred’s execution says solid, I’ll keep watching.

The animation is fast and cheap, which is expected from a production such as this one. Honestly, if the animation was good it’d be less funny. Shows like these are kind of like the Japan equivalent of, I don’t know, Aqua Teen Hunger Force? Some other bad William’s Street show? But yeah, it’s like that but good.

Anyways, WATCH IT. You’ll be glad you did!