Articles by: Rachel C.

Anime 101: A Beginner’s Guide to What You Should Watch

Anime 101: A Beginner’s Guide to What You Should Watch

As an anime fan, I’m always a big fan of leading my friends/acquaintances in the right direction toward a great anime. Especially for those who have never watched or heard of anime; these folks are perfect for introducing something awesome into their meaningless lives! So, here’s the breakdown of what anime (ann-uh-mey) is, and why there’s something out there for you to tune into!

The basics:

Anime: Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “a style of animation originating in Japan that is characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes.” Basically, don’t call it just a “kids’ cartoon” without giving it credit where it’s due. The most obvious difference from North America’s traditional view of “cartoons” is that anime has a much broader audience appeal than just children.

Dubs: Anime with English voice-overs instead of the original Japanese audio. People who usually aren’t comfortable with reading subtitles (whether it be that it distracts them, the translation is incorrect, etc.) and just want the “full immersion experience” opt for this option. Usually, the dubbed version is made roughly 4-5 months after the Japanese release by a distribution company like Funimation Entertainment, VIZ Media, Right Stuff International, 4Kids Entertainment, CrunchyRoll,  MediaBlasters, etc.

Subs/Fansubs: This version is Japanese (or whatever language the anime’s from) audio, accompanied by whatever language subtitles you’re looking for, but mainly English. Fansubs are fan-produced and distributed when an anime hasn’t been subbed/dubbed yet or hasn’t been done ‘correctly’ yet. “Purists” claim this is the way to go because dubs compromise the artistic integrity of the anime.

So you know what the heck I’m talking about, here are some rules of thumb you as a recommender or recommendee should consider:

  1. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of reading so much, stick with dubs for now. You can always go back and watch it later!
  2. As the recommender, keep in mind that just because your favorite anime is amazing, doesn’t mean everyone will agree.
  3. Pick something the recommendee will dig. Don’t throw someone completely a curve ball, like showing them mech when they’re a romance fan.
  4. Make sure it’s a title you already know. You don’t want to be left explaining something you don’t even know how to describe/explain or don’t like.
  5. HENTAI FOR FIRST-TIMERS IS A NO-NO! Since a lot of people new to anime think it’s all about tentacles, prove them wrong!

Genres:

  • Action/Adventure- Just like Hollywood movies, this genre has lots of fast-paced fight scenes, great effects, and dramatic deaths. Examples: Fullmetal Alchemist/Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Cowboy Bebop, D. Gray-man,
  • Cars/Racing- Into cars and/or living in the fast lane? Pretty self-explanatory. Examples: Initial D., Speed Racer
  • Comedy/Parody- Funny/hilarious characters and/or silly scenarios fit into the comedy category. See it as a “Seinfeld” of sorts, even with Kramer’s crazy hair. Examples: Azumanga Daioh, Shin-Chan!, Hetalia: Axis Powers, Sergeant Frog
  • Fantasy/Magic- Love some spell-casting, demon-slaying, and all that jazz? Give these a try! Examples: InuYasha, Soul Eater, Fairy Tail, Sailor Moon
  • Harem/Reverse Harem- Involves more than 2 guys/girls fighting for the affection of the main character. Hilarity ensues. Examples: Ouran High School Host Club, Ranma ½, Rosario + Vampire, Tenchi! Muyo,
  • Horror- A fan of body parts flying and blood gushing? These emphasize on scaring the pants off of you or thrilling your inner macabre freak. Examples: When They Cry, Another, Elfen Lied, Highschool of the Dead
  • Mystery- Deceit, lies, superstitions, and/or solving the case can be found in this genre. Examples: Case Closed, Hell Girl
  • Romance- Into lovey-dovey, cutesy stuff? This genre is for you! Comedy, drama, action, etc. can also be found in this too. It’s not just for girls, either. Examples: Fruits Basket, Ah! My Goddess, The World God Only Knows
  • Samurai/Swordplay- In this genre, it’s all about the epic swordplay among those great men and women and their weapons of choice back in ye ol’ Japan. Examples: Samurai X/Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai Champloo 
  • Sci-fi/Mech- Dive into the future and jump into a giant robot suit! This genre deals with robots, machines, and manly men (aka Kamina from Gurren Lagann). Examples: Ghost in the Shell, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gurren Lagann
  • Shounen- Meaning ‘boy’, this genre focuses less on relationships and development and more on action and fighting. Aimed for the younger audience at times, shounen animes often contain a sense of humor and strong growing friendship-bonds between the characters. Examples: One Piece, Bleach, Naruto/Naruto Shippuden, Shaman King, Dragonball series
  • Shoujo- Meaning ‘girl’, this genre is marketed to a female audience roughly between the ages of 10 and 18. Plots often revolve around a strong focus on human and romantic relationships and emotions. Examples: D.N. Angel, XxXHolic, Fushigi Yuugi
  • Slice of Life- Depicts everyday life situations including going to school, friend & family interactions and romantic aspects. Though it may be mundane sometimes (I’m talking the first episode of Lucky Star here. CHOCOLATE CORNETS.), the genre is quite appealing. Examples: K-On!, Lucky Star, Squid Girl
  • Sports- If your motto is “I like sportz and I don’t care who knows”, this genre is for you. From football to tennis, your favorite game is out there in anime-form. Examples: Prince of Tennis, Ultimate Muscle, Eyeshield 21
  • Supernatural- Wish you had ESP-ers, aliens, “gifted” time travelers, sexy demon butlers, and superhumans in your dull life? Check out this genre, as dealing with reality is so overrated. Examples: Darker than Black, Black Butler, Speed Grapher, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
  • Suspense/Psychological- Mind control, extreme drama, experimentation, betrayal, and a God complex? Yep, sounds like you enjoy having your heart in your throat while biting your nails. Examples: Death Note, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Paranoia Agent
  • Vampires- Dig the fangs but not the sparkly-Twilight kind? Embrace this genre of the night without fear then. Examples: Vampire Knight, Hellsing, Dance in the Vampire Bund
  • (Space) Western- Are gunslingers and ten-gallon hats more of your thing? Didn’t think they could duke it out in space? Then look into this genre, with great badasses with awesome guns/weapons…IN SPACE (at times)! Examples: Trigun, Gun X Sword, Cowboy Bebop

I hope that with this guide, it will help you on your quest to becoming a better acquainted anime fan. Don’t get discouraged with the amount of anime you must watch or where to watch it! You’ve got to start somewhere, so be sure to check out your local library, video rental store, or even Netflix/Hulu/Crunchyroll to get started. And remember, sharing is caring!

So a question for you seasoned viewers: what was your first anime you watched, and would you recommend it now?

February 13, 2012 18 comments Read More
Review: Unko-san

Review: Unko-san

“10 Strange Anime You Would Have Never Thought Of” Challenge, Part 7: Unko-san

**LAST TIME, ON “10 STRANGE ANIME…”**

One night, my friend Dalya was on StumbleUpon and brought up one gem of an article through forevergeek.com: 10 Strange Anime You Would Have Never Thought of. Being anime fans of eccentric tastes, Dalya and I were curious as to what was listed; boy, did we hit the jackpot on the most WTF we’ve ever heard!

After skimming through the list about twice and YouTubing for clips for these absurd titles, we decided to give them all a try and see for ourselves who would create these shows with a sane mind (minus Pokémon, as we’ve already known and loved this anime).

**END RECAP**

PROS: A unique concept, short episodes, unique characters.

CONS: An anime about poop sprites…, can’t access in English, bizarre plot

CONCLUSION: “Rent” by watching the lone episode if you’re curious.

I don’t know who came up with this, but I feel the roundtable discussion for this series was located in the bathroom stall.

But what more do you expect from a show titled “Mr. Feces”?

This 13-episode Flash-animated series already has a second series; bean bags shaped like crap, and has generated controversy among the Korean community against a “racist” stool.

So from what I took from the only episode I could find in decent subtitles, the anime is about a lucky island of “poop fairies” and their misadventures. The main character who shares the anime title, Unko-san, is a kind-hearted fellow who happens to be a lucky poop fairy to boot.

As for the best plot summary I can draw from the two minute and thirty second video on YouTube, Unko-san is caught-up with running into a stranger and breaking his expensive wine bottle. But then, it’s soon revealed that his friend, Baba-kun is in disguise and had stolen the wine.

Ashamed, his friend flees for the cliffs to end it all. Unko-san tries to talk Baba-kun down, but Baba-kun feels compelled to end it all after his weight-lifting father’s hospital visits (after a bizarre stew spill, angry bull run-in, and manhole opening fall contained in one flashback) have wiped their funds completely and has to resort to theft.

Thankfully, Unko-san is a lucky turd, so he gives his fellow dookie some luck, and all is well. But just when you think this couldn’t get any more outlandish, the anime pulls a fast one and Baba-kun changes tune and dives off into the sea.

As he sinks, a farm of clams plead for the food baby to detour immediately. When Baba-kun denies this action, a clam offers a pearl in exchange for his foul absence. Hopeful for the future now that he can sell his new treasure to pay off the hospital bills, he thanks Unko-san.

Now if any of this intrigued you, I encourage you to pursue this series, as I’m curious what goes on beyond the first episode (as I couldn’t find anything streaming in English subtitles).

For me, I’m still in awe how “Unko-san” got a second season, but I suppose if you’re a fan of excrement sprites having emotions and odd conversations, then I shall slow-clap for you.

But as an otaku, I cannot recommend this on quality, plot, nor art-style. But, I will recommend watching for “shits” and giggles, as you can’t just make this crap up. To me, “Unko-san” definitely fits into the “10 Strange Anime You Would Have Never Thought Of” category.

Good for you, “Unko-san”. Good for you.

January 19, 2012 3 comments Read More
“10 Strange Anime You Would Have Never Thought Of” Challenge, Part 6: Qwaser of Stigmata

“10 Strange Anime You Would Have Never Thought Of” Challenge, Part 6: Qwaser of Stigmata

**LAST TIME, ON “10 STRANGE ANIME…”**

One night, my friend Dalya was on StumbleUpon and brought up one gem of an article through forevergeek.com: 10 Strange Anime You Would Have Never Thought of. Being anime fans of eccentric tastes, Dalya and I were curious as to what was listed; boy, did we hit the jackpot on the most WTF we’ve ever heard!

After skimming through the list about twice and YouTubing for clips for these absurd titles, we decided to give them all a try and see for ourselves who would create these shows with a sane mind (minus Pokémon, as we’ve already known and loved this anime).

**END RECAP**

"He should get that eye looked at."

Japan has really jumped the shark this time when it comes to this 2010 anime, Qwaser of Stigmata. To explain the turn of phrase, these “Qwasers” are superhuman beings who use a very odd substance to fuel their periodic-table-based element powers. Sounds cool…except for that substance is breast milk aka “soma”.

"Indeed"

As a girl watching “Qwaser of Stigmata”, I can’t tell you how many times I facepalmed or shook my head in disbelief. Really, Japan? This anime at least takes the cake on a unique concept: superhero chemistry-based peeps called Qwasers who thrive off of sucking a random girl’s boob for strength.

Well, this anime has exceeded my definition of what I call fanservice/ecchi: every episode is practically dancing along the lines of hentai, as it is very aggressive in showcasing the jiggly dirty pillows and all of their glory. Not to mention that the non-stop breastfeeding occurs in odd places (say a stone pillar or a classroom) from young and old and even girl-on-girl at times. Also, the show doesn’t explain how these maidens can lactate so superbly without having a baby first to feed. Now that just makes me giggle at anime science. But I digress.

"Ah, the fabled Breastpire."

The plot highlights a D.Gray-Man frontman Allen Walker-lookalike named Alexander “Sasha” Hell, a 13-year-old angsty Russian Qwaser with the ability to manipulate iron with the motion of his hand, who plays hero to two girls he encounters, ‘Mafuyu Oribe’ and ‘Tomo Yamanobe’, who are childhood friends. Tomo (and her EXTREMELY large funbags) is considered a target to other Qwasers, thus, Sasha and Mafuyu have to do whatever it takes to protect her, as well as figure out the mystery surrounding a religious icon depicting Virgin Mary breastfeeding baby Jesus that transforms their school into a battleground between the various Qwasers. Other dominatrix lolicons, soft-spoken nuns, pedos and tomboys also join in this jolly boobfest.

"Good God"

After tuning into the uncensored version, I came to the conclusion that I have never seen that many boobs in the first 10 minutes of an episode in my life. So if you’re actually partial to plot that otherwise would’ve been edited to the nips and don’t mind some tits around every corner, then tune into the uncensored version.

Beside the bombardment of bosoms, this anime actually has some good fight scenes among the Qwasers, especially when learning a little Chemistry 101 when it came between which Qwaser’s element had the upper hand. A nice feature about the anime is the humor, which is very adult-based. Whether it is blackmailing a fellow classmate for having a lolita complex by using her as a slave or undergoing a “soma examination” with a very built she-man at a hot spring, giggles are sure to ensue from either embarrassment or pure hilarity.

"Is there any other way?"

On another note, the opening and ending themes are pretty catchy and sort of revolve around the  Christianity-related symbolism (with the Marias and soma) with some intense organ-playing, as well as a surplus of cha-chas to be found within the clips.

I’m still in awe how “Qwaser of Stigmata” got a second season, but I suppose if you’re a fan of super-duper ecchi/fanservice, then you’d be stupid not to watch the follow-up season for more of the lovely ladies and their love melons. For me, one season is enough. So watch at your own risk, reader. You may not see a pair of breasts the same way again. I know I won’t.

"More than several handfuls is a waste."

 

July 21, 2011 0 comments Read More