Massugu GO!
I really never meant to establish a Monday update schedule but I guess that’s just how it goes. I don’t know how to feel about this comic. The art kind of sucked, but the CGing kind of made it ok? I don’t know. On the writing end, this is another comic that is painfully true to life. I’m not sure how well it translated into the comic form. I just kind of threw it together. Hopefully you will laugh. If not, you’ll laugh at the extended Death Note parody. Yes, I know that motif is used only when the characters are deep in thought, but I had to use it. Just once. I figure whenever Rets walks into the anime store it instantly turns into Death Note land. Dunno why. Death Note is just fun to parody, I guess.
That crazy person Akiyuki Shinbo has a new show out called Hidamari Sketch. It’s not been subbed yet, but given I’ve become something of a Shinbo fan, I’m keeping up with it raw. It is most certainly one of his more relaxed works, which is not bad by any stretch of the imagination. I’m really digging the look. I’m ninto the mixture of photos and 2D animation, along with the very simplistic backgrounds. I know most of it is probably a budget thing, but it’s pulled off well. I can’t say much about the characters given I don’t understand their exchanges in their entirety, so I can’t see much past their established archetypes. I’m liking Yuuko Gotou’s work as Hiro. Different from the other roles I’ve heard her do. She’s pulling it off quite well. Like I mentioned before, this one really looks like a budget production. A lot of stills are used but Shinbo’s weird directing makes it a very interesting visual experience.
Another show out by wackos is Manabi Straight. People have been declaring this one “best of the season” and while that is probably true, compared to what? There’s not much else goin’ on. That being said, the show is very good. Very nice animation (which can be expected from UFOtable) and a premise that reminds me of a bit of Haruhi sans the time travelers, espers and bad attitudes (there are aliens, though. I think.) The promos show a lot of out there stuff going on (school destroyed? Akira-esque explosion?!) so I’m very eager to see where this show plans on going. Oh, and Hirano Aya is in it. If you Haruhi fanbois haven’t watched it yet.
Speaking of Haruhi, for those who’ve been living under a rock for the past couple days, our good buddies at KyoAni put out a full version of the ED dance. I’m kind of sad that they didn’t include Fang-tan and Kyon’s friends half-heartedly dancing, but you know. It’s really hot. Especially the Mikuru bounce. Yum.
I watched Love and Pop a few weeks ago. It’s one of those films I’ve always meant to watch but never got around to. It was very strong and interesting. Mostly interesting due to the presentation, which was just Anno going wild. Strong because I felt at the end, it had a very good message. The whole “how far will you go for material possessions” thing. I’d recommend it, but you have to have an open mind going into it. But you all are anime fans, so your minds should be open totally. The sub work was awfully lose though. WTF, indeed.
Uh, that’s it. Still working on throwing a podcast together. Also, I may take a break from all this soon. If I do it won’t be too long. Not more than 3 or 4 weeks at the most. I just need time to sort out my ideas. I kind of have an idea for next week’s comic, but it’s not finalized.