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

J.C. Staff’s track record for well done light novel adaptations isn’t exactly stellar. Actually, as of late, their track record for anything good at all hasn’t been all the great. Yet, despite a history of failure, I still come back and partake of whatever they have to offer, even if it does turn out to be mind-numbingly generic and boring.

Thankfully, To Aru Majutsu no Index is something of a success. That said, it still manages to be rather flawed, but in the end it’s time well spent. One of the show’s most egregious failings is its pacing–it is at times, absolutely terrible. The show’s opening six episode arc is needlessly time consuming, dwelling for long periods on paragraphs upon paragraphs of boring, needless exposition that just doesn’t work in the context of a 20-minutes-per-week television program. In one of these episodes, there is only about three scenes, one of them focused entirely on one area for a majority of the running time–that’s embarrassingly unprofessional direction. However, this terribly uneven, slow and sloppy pacing fixes itself as the show progresses, and only rears its head every now and again.

Another slight failing of the show is in its writing, which isn’t entirely J.C. Staff’s fault, and more the fault of original light novel author Kamachi Kazuma. There are a number of arcs in which the goal is unclear, and times when the pieces of the story just don’t match up. One other big failing of the writing is that Kamachi is one of those writers who just loves coming up with characters. As a result, we have a bunch of interesting characters but not enough time for all of them. For example, the titular Index is only really instrumental in the show’s terrible opening episodes, and after this is pushed aside for whatever other new character Kamachi has come up with. This lack of restraint is, once again, terribly unprofessional. That said, Kamachi’s plots present some very good and interesting ideas–they’re just handled very amateurishly. Similarly, all his characters are creatively moé, but like I said, they only get a few minutes to shine. A pity, really.

One thing that really helps the show is really stellar production values. Haimura Kiyotaka’s designs are rendered in loving detail frame after frame, and when there is action, it moves very well. There is also great care taken in the background art to present a realistic and deep environment in which these characters inhabit, and the lighting tends to be quite nice, too. And, of course, the great amount of fanservice–both sexual and non-sexual–is pulled of quite well.

To Aru Majutsu no Index isn’t really show I’d recommend to anyone unless they’re already a fan of such things, and in that case they’ve probably watched it already. It was a fine show to watch on a weekly basis, but I probably wouldn’t watch it again.

Casshern Sins: I’m actually starting to enjoy it as it nears the end. Kind of feels pointless, though.
Clannad ~After Story~: It’s kind of gotten to the point where I really don’t care, but it’s not that bad. Still very pretty.
Jigoku Shoujo Mistuganae: Episodes alternate between being very good twists on the normal formula, to very… weird. It’s really troubling when the first half of an episode is really happy, because you just know things are going to go south. They’ve been laying off of the damning to hell sequences as of late, which is good.
Kurogane no Linebarrels: My disposable guilty pleasure show. I watch this for the soap opera youth drama, as well as the tits. When the animation gets crappy, it doesn’t really matter because the style is already pretty quick and dirty.
Maria†Holic: While not the best SHAFTXSHINBO combo, I’m starting to find this entry into the team’s resumé to be quite entertaining. The girls don’t really have any moé charms, but I find them rather beautiful.
Michiko and Hatchin: This show continues to be of fairly high quality, but would really shine if Watanabe was actually on direction. The episodes have been getting a bit weak, but still good.
Minami-ke Okaeri: Better than Okawari, but still falls short of the original. If I ever get around to re-watching Minami-ke, I’ll probably just stick to season 1. You did well asread, but not well enough!!
Shikabane Hime: Kuro: For some reason this show is becoming really cheap looking, but I still enjoy it. I hope it ends strongly.
Sora Kake Girl: I’m tempted to label this as my favourite of the season. It’s a wonderful combination of fanservice, science fiction antics, and well-realized moé characters. I smell some fanart coming on.
Sora Wo Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai: Since this is only going to be nine episodes (according to MyAnimeList), I guess KyoAni only has to animate one or two new episodes. Or maybe they can stretch the last OVA all the way to episode 9. Who knows. I like it.
To Aru Majutsu no Kinsho Mokuroku: If I put my desire for more Index screentime aside, this has become a pretty decent collection of SF/fantasy centered stories. With some pacing issues, of course, but it’s developed into a pretty good show.
Toradora!: This show is rare case. I think it’s quite good, but I’m not moé towards any of the characters. It slipped up a bit after episode 16, but it’s gotten back on track. It’s pretty good, but I don’t think it’s really worthy of BEST SHOW OF THE YEAR or anything like that.
Tytania: The writing in this show is ever so cheesy, but I love it. It has the Death Note/Code Geass appeal, in which I actually watch it for the ridiculous plot as opposed to other things like character interaction. The characters are quite crap, I think, except for the moé princess and Fan Hyulick.
Zettai Karen Children: It’s ending so soon? Say it ain’t so! I want a second season! A third, even! This could run for 200+ episodes and I’d be totally cool with that.

Kind of started on my 30 disc DVD backlog, and am half-way through a Shuffle! disc. Hoping to burn through my Shuffle! and Air discs before I head off to Japan. I’ll probably bring Gao Gai Gar and Nanoha along with me to Japan.

Original Post

The last comic didn’t get the kind of reaction I thought it would–that is, it didn’t get much of a reaction at all. I guess I shouldn’t assume that people know about Yoshinobu Nishizaki’s run-ins with the law, nor should I assume that people should know that Yu Aida and Keitaro Arima are both quite clearly pedophiles. But hey, I figured someone would at least laugh at a joke about Russian child porn! Oh well, you’ll like this one!

Well, you’ll like this one if you’re aware of how silly To Aru Majutsu no Index is. The last show I watched in which characters went off on essay-length exposition-laden monologues was Dragon Ball Z, and when I watched that I didn’t give a damn. This aspect of Index doesn’t hurt it too much now (other things, however do) but it is quite fun to have a laugh at. The art here is ok, and could be a lot better. I’ve been practicing a lot lately, so hopefully that shines through. Readers with an above average sense of observation will notice the locale in which the two players are sitting down and watching anime is not in fact Rets’ humble abode–it’s Tina’s, which has shown up in a smattering of comics. I got a little sick of drawing Rets’ place, so I dumped them in Tina’s room for a change of pace. I guess I should also note that the reason you can’t see Tina’s chair is because her hair is covering it. I mean, she has a lot of hair. Oh, since this comic is slightly dirty, here’s the uncensored version.

We’ve gotten enough orders for the doujinshi to print it, so all of the people who sent in requests should expect an email from me in the next couple of days. My buddy and I are going to try and get these things mailed out within the next two weeks, at the latest. Once all of the books are shipped out I’m not sure if we’re going to continue to try and hawk it, or just ship it out to the 30 some people who wanted it, and it’ll be some rare collector’s item in the future. Yeah, that’s extremely likely.

As I mentioned earlier in the rant, Index’s long, drawn out bits exposition don’t hurt it much anymore–what does is the amount of time certain characters get. For a show called To Aru Majutusu no INDEX, there isn’t much INDEX anymore. This is a shame, since she is my most favourite character, and it sucks that the only arc about her had her laying down for six episodes. It doesn’t really help that each arc’s story is quite lukewarm. The only thing really keeping me around for this show are the production values and the nice female character designs, but other than this show is only slightly better than Shana. What pushes it above Shana is the lack of romance angst. Good god.

Aaaaand that’s all for this week. I have the next comic mostly sketched out, and I’ll try to finish sketching it by today. It’s a cheap joke about Maria†Holic. If you can guess the joke exactly I’ll give you a swift kick the crotch. Even if you’re a girl. Or a boy pretending to be a girl.

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.

• Since I was two episodes behind, I dropped Yozakura Quartet. Despite the harsh things I say about it elsewhere, it’s not an altogether bad show. The character interaction is great, but that’s not really enough to save it from its really bad plot. The show also has some slick character designs, it’s just that the bozos over at Normad can’t present them properly at all. What’s with all those dumb bright colours? Man, it’s like the only good show they’ve ever made is Chocotto Sister! *CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT*
• I am also two episodes behind on ef – a tale of emo losers but I won’t be dropping that, even though I think the show is terribly written. It’s a SHAFT show, so I have some moral obligation to see it through. That said, the SHAFTness of it sucks, too. Shin Oonuma really is a talentless hack who is simply a mere shadow of his master. I guess the openings and endings are neat, though.
• To Aru Majutsu no Index has finally come out of its funk and is entertaining again. The latest arc wasn’t especially great, but it was fun and lacked the menacing walls of text that plagued the first six episodes. The show still needs to bring in more of the girls, but I guess Index is enough for now~
• Michiko and Hatchin is a really great show, and I should write a longer entry about it eventually. What sets it apart from the rest is its film/TV drama like nature. The directing is that of a live action piece, and never feels too cartoony. However, I do think the direction falters in some areas, but we can forgive Sayo Yamamoto for that, right?
• Speaking of me missing images on Danbooru, how did I miss this (very not safe for work) work of art? This is the best piece of Mikuru porn I’ve seen in a while, and every naked picture of Mikuru I have is amazing.
• So I guess that Touhou anime has a cast of real voice actors. My Touhou-Fuhai is still weak, but this seems pretty cool.
• I don’t really mind the art in ChäoS;HEAd, but I guess I’m speaking as someone who draws worse than that.

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.

Original Post

No rant today because I’m on break, but here are some quick notes.

• Kurogane no Linebarrels is actually enjoyable now
• So is To Aru Majutsu no Index
• Been making a fool of myself on mixi
• Gundam Musou is still mindless fun

That’s all. Going to catch up on anime today, and try my hand at Perfect Cherry Blossom.

Current
Casshern Sins: Arty retro stuff. Sometimes boring, but mostly good.
ChäoS;HEAd: Moe psychological thriller. I can dig it.
Crannad ~After Story~: The first arc was great, but now it’s getting into “NOT THIS SHIT AGAIN, KEY” territory.
Detroit Metal City: Hahahaha, the rapping episode.
ef – a tale of melodies: Behind on this already.
Ga-Rei -Zero-: I dunno. Kinda good.
Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae: Lesbians send you to hell.
Kannagi: JIMI, DA NE. The opening is almost the best part of this show, but the real stuff is mostly good. I wish Nagi and Jin would argue less. It’s not funny like when Kohei and Hazuki do it.
Kurogane no Linebarrels: This show is just funny.
Kyou no 5 no 2: Not as good as the porno OVA, but decent. Kind of boring at times.
Michiko to Hatchin: SASSY, CRASSY, ASSY. Need more episodes~
Rosario + Vampire Capu2: You know those people who hate 0nT but watch it anyway? That’s how I am with this damn show.
Shikabane Hime: Aka: On hold because of FUNimation faggotry. I like it, though.
To Aru Majutsu no Index: Hey let’s talk for 30 minutes then make something exciting happen at the end of the episode only for the following episode to be more talking. This show needs to be fixed soon.
Toradora!: I think I love it. Such great character stuff here.
Tytania: I almost love it. Too gay, though.
Yozakura Quartet: I feel the Kurenai magic every now and again, but overall not that great. Good ending song, though.
Zettai Karen Children: Absolutely Lovely! That’s why it doesn’t lose!

Not Current
Gankutsuoh: Pretty good except all the characters who aren’t the Count are dumb cunts.
Mushishi: Pure brilliance.
Windy Tales: Almost pure brilliance.

Manga
Slowly reading through some manga in both Japanese and English.