First Look — Mushishi Zoku-shō

If there is a series this season that I've been mostly excited about then this would be it. 

Mushishi is not your typical anime. It is not suffused with outrageous cliche's of the now nor built in with the usual stereotypes that makes an Otaku such a revile creature of the real world. We don't have the Moe, panty-shots, brocons, siscons and lollicons here and possibly all the jaded tropes that we have seen and heard before. Mushishi is in a league of its own just like the folks from Studio Ghibli. I know I'll be singing its praises here like a lark although not everybody shares my opinion about it. Fundamentally, the absence of or the lack thereof of the aforementioned tropes could be the cause of alienation for the uninitiated viewers. They feel that its quietness is "deafening" and its calmness as "boring". Which is a loss for them if you ask me. 

I'm glad there are still people out there who cares for good materials. Who do this medium for the sake of art and not just for the purpose of selling out; and are brave enough to give us fans a second season in spite the pressures of the economics. So although we're just on episode one I'm already thankful for ArtLand for Mushishi Zoku-shō. As we all know, it's nearly a decade since the first series, who would have thought a second season would be possible. 

Mushishi Zoku-shō has still the same gusto as the first season. Classic and subtle. Hauntingly receptive. Laid back and introspective. I like how the premiere episode was built. First, it gave full spotlight on its guest character, his background story -- before leading up to the full anticipation of us meeting Ginko once again. Mushishi is and has always been a character driven story. Every single one of them plays an important part to Ginko's travels and they are not just some device to past the time. One thing I also love about this series are the characters, they were written with such truthful humanity about them. There's a certain sort of kindness, sadness, cynicism and flawed aspect to their makeup; like the kind of people you'll chance to meet in every walks of life. 

The Mushishi's of anime is a gem and a rarity. We don't get to experience them much often and if we do they are always under-appreciated and completely underrated. So better keep your eyes open and stay alert because this could be over before you know it. 

First Look — Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou, Isshukan Friends

It is "spring" time for Brains Base, and I mean that literally. They got two series that looks like it's going to be for keeps: Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou and Isshukan Friends. 

With Bokura's case it didn't made the cut for my original lineup but I went along with it for the last minute before the premiere. In the end I'm glad I watched the first episode. The animation is superb; all the shades, lighting and coloring is very reminiscent of the recent works of Makoto Shinkai, although the character design (especially with the big breasted girl) is a little too average, in my opinion. The story is not the most genuine but I think we're going to be in it for a lot of fun. If they could avoid those wear out, tried and tested cliche's in exchange for something refreshing then I bet this series would fare well from what is least expected.

Isshukan Friends, my number two must-see anime for spring, gave me exactly what I wished for. Brains Base has been standing on a minefield lately, with their recent string of shows that are mostly either a hit or a miss, especially their Otome adaptations (Amnesia, Brother's Conflict) and their winter 2014 offering D-Frag! I have to remind myself from time to time that this is the same studio that produced Natsume Yuujinchou, Durarara and Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, just in case I'm on the verge of giving up on them. Isshukan Friends came in at the right time, and in my opinion,  it is the perfect show that can be at par with the likes of Natsume Yuujinchou in terms of poignancy and unabashed sentimentality that Brain's Base is quite known for. The breezy art design looks very much like it came out of Hourou Musuko, and I was surprised (and glad at the same time) that they got the same person to work for Isshukan Friends because it carries the same vibe and overall mood of the show. Where all the credit's due, besides the studio, it is the source material that will be the strength and backbone of this series and I firmly believe so always. I think great anime's are great because they were written well in the first place. Bad writing only constitutes bad adaptations. But we'll see how Brains Base handles this young blood manga. So here's hoping for all the good things (to come). 

Anime 2014: First Quarter Season Roundup

The Winter season in the world of Anime land has finally come into a close, bringing in a new list of series to devour in the coming months. But before we get into that horizon here is my roundup for the season; personal favorites -- of my own choosing -- based on the series I have maintain to follow through from the beginning right to the end. Winter has been a disappointment, shows on my lineup, including the carryovers, have dropped like flies  because of my sheer discontent with them. I have no regrets with the minimum number of series I've decided to keep, as it gave me time to watch older shows from way back when. So before I continue myself from spouting nonsense here is my roundup for the Winter 2014 season. 

Best Animation - Winter 2014

P.A. Works excels at what they do best: excellent animation, character designs that are cute but not excessively Moe, and dreamy scenery porn that transports you into a magical place. Since Nagi no Asukara's first cour their campaign for this category goes strength to strength from each frame and in every episodes. As a whole the series never faltered and maintained its astonishing quality. 

Runner-ups: Noragami; Space Dandy

Best Opening Song/Sequence - Winter 2014

There are so many contenders for the top spot but I'll have to give it to Ray and Nagi no Asukara (although Viva Namida comes in on a close second). This is the one song of the season that truly stamped on my memory; beginning with its first chord - the piano embodying the transition of the story, even the change in the weather - it signals perfectly that we're in it for the heartbreak, drama and a possible happy end. 

Runner-ups: Viva Namida by Yasuyuki Okamura; Life by Fujifabric;  Goya no Machiawase by Hello Sleepwalkers

Best Ending Song/Sequence - Winter 2014

Gin no Saji 2's closing sequence is the clear frontrunner for this category. Goose House did a great job and they captured the overall mood and theme of the series. I love the joyful exuberance of the music, its pop-folksy flavor, as it contradicts the drama of this masterpiece and relishes on the fun of life. 

Runner-ups: Kaze ga Shitteru by Akai Kouen, X Jigen E Youkoso by Etsuko Yakushimaru, Saved by Maaya Sakamoto

Best Soundtrack - Winter 2014

What makes Noragami thick as an intensely felt action packed fantasy series is the music playing on the background provided by Iwasaku Taku. The curious combination of pop and some little bit of trip hop and hip hop and world music gives Noragami its unique flavor as a story that is both wordly and unwordly, cool and trendy, its lightness and darkness. A really close fight between Space Dandy and Hoozuki no Reitetsu, but Noragami holds the upper hand and I love everything they served me on the sound platter. 

Runner-up: Space Dandy, Hoozuki no Reitetsu

Favorite MC (Male Character) - Winter 2014
Tie: Yato (Noragami) & Hoozuki (Hoozuki no Reitetsu)

From the early episodes Yato is my clear shoo-in winner for Favorite MC, but you can't ignore Hoozuki - he is the ultimate Alpha male and he doesn't even need any pecs and abs to get his job done. Yato is a mischievous God and has always been up to no good, yet a charming one with his outlandish comedic humor, and he is voiced by my favorite seiyuu, Hiroshi Kamiya. On the other hand, Hoozuki is Lord Enma's right hand man in the Jigoku world, a calm and sadistic, high-maintenance demon with a penchant for gold fish; even the highest rank demon lord can't get their way around him. I like the polarity of these two characters, both of them are funny, although Yato is more flamboyant and Hoozuki's wit is more dry and dark. At the end of the day both of them are my winners and I'm looking forward to seeing them again for a second season. 

Runner-ups: Dandy (Space Dandy), Hachiken Yuugo (Gin no Saji 2)

Best Girl - Winter 2014

I always have some trouble choosing my Best Girl. Because in the anime world some of them are not fully developed as a character, either they are built on stereotypes or there are moments I find them utterly annoying in one or two episodes. If Scarlett has more screen time in Space Dandy she would have been my best girl, but alas, that's not the case. Nibutani Shinka is one of my contenders for Best Supporting Character, her overall effort for the second season of Chuunibyou has endeared her more to me than anybody else. So let's make her my Best Girl! She is supportive of her Chuunibyou infested friends, loves them for what they are and loves their delusions on the equal ground. She encourages them to be honest about what they feel and would even go the distance to help someone in need. In my opinion, she is one of the best character's KyoAni has produced in their recently dismal year's in spite of their several mainstream hits. I'll take Nibutani Shinka as a role model to empower all the little girls out there; she has her flaws, but she's on her way to becoming the best. 

Runner-ups: Sayu Hisanuma (Nagi no Asukara), Minami Katayama (Wake Up, Girls!), Scarlett (Space Dandy)

Best Supporting Character - Winter 2014

Cuteness overload...and we need a dose of them every now and then to make anime a much nicer place to visit. These three are the epitome of a good supporting character because they bring out the best in our main guy. After all, Hoozuki looks so snobbish it's easy to presume he is not capable of doing nice things to others or we can overlook the possibility of an interesting persona behind his calm and sadistic demeanor. But we have Karauri, Nasubi and Shiro to thank for, and frankly, they are my reason for checking out the first two episodes of this series. I'm glad they showed me the way because Hoozuki no Reitetsu rocks!

Runner-ups: Kumin Tsuyuri (Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren), Touka Fushimi (Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha)

Favorite Recurring Character - Winter 2014

I love this girl. She is so different from Rikka, less annoying, independent, and not very one dimensional. I probably got stuck with the second season because of Shichimiya, and I wouldn't mind (in fact, I seriously want) a Clannad-like spinoff where she, and not that eye-patched boring girl, is Togashi's contractor. That would be interesting. 

Best Villain - Winter 2014

How do I describe this hairball? Well he isn't really the most evil of all because so far, we have no idea WTF is Gogol's intention with Dandy. Dr. Gel actually dies every episode so I feel sorry for him. But if I have to pick the best villain for Winter 2014 I'll hand it to this guy. He makes the art of the chase really special every time. 

Runner-up: Nora (Noragami)

Exceeded Expectations - Winter 2014

This is by Production I.G. (penned here as Wit Studio) and that says a lot already. So much expectation. I went ahead having no idea what this series is about. It's difficult to understand the story if you have no background on Japanese culture, but thats' where the hurdle ends because the director and the writer made it so effortless for the viewers...like taking a walk in the park. The humor is not so hard to catch on; there's always something for everybody, and it's cerebral without bordering into elitism. Such a joy to watch and definitely worth your time. 

Guilty Pleasure - Winter 2014

There are times when you need to stop over-analyzing, relax your brains and just cool off. That's where the guilty pleasure comes in. I'm not really into anything Idol, may it be anime or music. As much as possible I steer clear from them. Wake Up, Girls! fortunately, is surprisingly good. I tried the first episode and the movie and I got hooked, but I guess it has to do with the premise because it's more into the slice-of-life genre. The characters are fleshed out really well, and I like the inclusion of "realistic" bad instances happening their way in each episodes. 

Best Story - Winter 2014

One word to sum up this series: genius! Not every one is a fan of episodic anime, but for Space Dandy it works because it refreshes the story and broadens the opportunity to tell more story. The team pays tribute, or you can say "homage", to several cultural pieces of cinema and television. Slapstick humor or whatever they throw in the mix their formula is just spot on amazing. The journey continues comes summer 2014. 

Runner-ups: Gin no Saji 2, Hoozuki no Reitetsu, Noragami

Most Under-Appreciated - Winter 2014

In spite of its popularity, the anime adaptation of Gin no Saji is unfortunately not as well received in terms of its DVD/BD sales in Japan in comparison to its manga. That's quite a sad feat because its fate for a possible third season depends entirely on the market. Arakawa-sensei and the rest of A-1 pictures team did a solid job every single time without failing to deliver the goods. Gin no Saji has made the world of anime a better place for sure and I hope it would continue to do so if given another chance. 

Disappointment - Winter 2014

Good premise right there gone to waste. The limited number of episodes has done more damage than good for this series. Everything was rushed; the characters were underdeveloped and the ending was combined all together without doing justice to the entire story. In the process, it lose all sense whatsoever of its plot points. Such a shame for a well done animation. 

Runner-up: Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta

Best Anime - Winter 2014

This is my favorite series for Winter 2014. I haven't read the manga and I'm glad I went in without any idea or high expectations for the show. Noragami made me pumped up every week. I just loved everything they did: the fantasy aspect, the action sequences, our beloved characters, the comedy and its darkness, I could go on and on why I love this series (and probably some of you would find their way to contradict me). Regardless of its flaws, those imperfections only made Noragami even more beautiful. 

Runner-ups:  No. 2 - Hoozuki no Reitetsu, No. 3 - Space Dandy, No. 4 - Gin no Saji 2, No. 5 Nagi no Asukara

Best Studio - Winter 2014

Top 10 Films For 2013

(First published on 05 March 2014)

As usual, this post is long overdue. It took me long enough to accomplish this, so blame it on the screening availability -- and I think I'm still undone the way I see it, considering that my hunt for Miyazaki's final film, Kaze Tachinu, is yet to be satiated. 2013 has been such a good year for cinema; so many movies to see and yet so little time. There are so many absolutely excellent films to enjoy, to the extent that I have to do a tie just so I could squeeze all of them in the top 10, because not doing so would be an injustice to these movies. In spite of the predictable disappointments and failures on the side coming from the mainstream section and posers of indie films, I think the bulk of good movies were able to counter that distasteful minor detail. 

Another year has surely gone by, but 2014 looks like it's going to present something new, brave and unexpected, especially from some of the major film festivals rounding up in the few coming months. Evidently, Berlinale just did gave us a taste of a shocker, with Von Trier's 'Nymphomaniac', which is already a part of my must-see, but that's a whole new other post to do. Meanwhile, here are my top 10 movies for 2013 -- as subjective as it comes, these are personal picks, so no harm, no foul if your favorite happens to rank lower or appears to be nowhere on this list. 

Until then!

Here is my top 10 movies for 2012, just in case you have missed it. Thanks! 

Bad Education — Dogtooth (Review)

First off, the idea of watching 'Dogtooth' gave me the fright. The reviews that I've read and the trailer in itself were discomforting, but knowing I have seen worse and the fact that it is critically acclaimed makes me feel like I'm missing out on something. But where in real life I could have cowered in a safety net, I always take the opposite route for my love of cinema. 

Scary movies, with malevolent spirits and monstrous faces -- or thriller as we call it, is probably one of the genres much revered by audiences. What makes them such a hit is because they gave us the experience of leaving our comfort zones without literally evacuating our reality. We enjoy the rush, the feeling of being scared or at least the mindset of fear -- as long as it doesn't jump out of the screen. Scary movies for what it's worth, are mostly figments of art that swims in the realm of the fantastic.

When you leave the theater or press the stop button of your player I doubt you'll be saying that this movie is impossible. The news affirmed it daily that crazy people are out there. Things you could only fathom in your imagination is probable in reality. The truth is, we love those make-believe, scripted and choreographed scary movies because they are actually less frightening than the scariest movie of all time: our life. Dogtooth, however, is not a scary movie. It is a nightmare captured on celluloid.

We live in a world where certain people runs things, may it be in the government, companies, or an obscure little household located in the middle of nowhere -- it's always a given that there is a person controlling the rules of that particular place. When we are young our parents are in charge of everything regarding our lives -- the food that we eat, the clothes that we wear, the words that we use, the music we listen to, the television programs we view and the books that we read. Our chance to make our own own choices and to pick the things that we like or dislike is develop as we grow older and is mainly shapened and influenced by our social experiences. If the latter is missing then our sense of identity will be fractured and we will merely be a tool for the helmer, believing and following obediently their words like it was some holy scripture. 

Dogtooth is a B.F. Skinner experiment; it is a movie that shows us what it would be like if you raised and confined three siblings in a house out of earshot from the prying eyes of neighbors while they were being taught of incorrect words for objects and concepts, and were made to believe that danger would befall on them if they leave the premises of their home, and the only time they would be equipped and ready to venture outside their compound is when they lost their dogtooth (or canine). 

If you ask me, this is North Korea, or probably those countries and religious cults wherein the leaders' secludes their people and rejects the influence of the outside world, replacing it with the notion of false reality. The idea and the politics behind "brainwashing" is the central depiction of the film, not violence. In my opinion, this movie is the closest thing that we're gonna get from seeing what it's like behind the walls of an artificial bubble grounded on lies by some exacting and methodical minds. 

At the end of the day, it is a real pleasure to watch this movie. Yorgos Lanthimos -- whatever is running through your head, I salute you. I believe that movies like these is an acid test of sorts to truly know your love for the cinema. And I think I passed. It is a gift, and I'm taking it with both hands.