Love Hina
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Kappa on 17/06/09 @ 10:00PM. Located In Anime, Love Hina, News and Updates
Love Hina is a harem anime (a genre popularised by such titles as Tenchi Muyo!) and follows the traditional formula: single average male encounters a slew of nubile young ladies. Single average male is crammed into house with nubile young ladies. Single average male is comically pummelled by some and romantically linked to others. The result, in the case of Love Hina, is a finely-crafted blend of comedy and romance helped along by a cast of genuinely lovable characters and surreal situations.
Keitaro Urashima is a man on a mission. At the tender age of five, while playing in a sandbox with the girl of his dreams, the young duo promise each other to enter Tokyo University together and thus live happily ever after. There’s only one problem. Keitaro doesn’t even know the girl’s name. Fast forward fifteen years and Keitaro is still no closer to finding his dream girl.
Click to View Opening Credits
After failing the Tokyo University entrance exam twice, Keitaro’s parents kick him out of house and home, forcing him to live with his last living relative – Grandma Hinata. Fortunately for Keitaro, Grandma Hinata happens to own a girls-only dormitory. And what’s this? She’s appointed him landlord! With Granny gone, it’s up to Keitaro to manage and maintain the residence while simultaneously coping with the mixed nuts that board within the walls of the dorm. Between being physically beaten by Kendo champion Motoko, blown up by adolescent mad scientist Kaolla and being hit on by booze-hound Mitsune, it’s a wonder poor old Keitaro hasn’t turned prematurely grey. Fortunately, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Resident sweetheart Naru Narusegawa looks just like the girl from the sandbox! Has Keitaro finally found his dream girl after all these years?
Click to View Closing Credits
Love Hina is a barrel of laughs, crazy plot twists and thoroughly insane characters – a must for any anime fan.
Click to View English Trailer
Cowboy Bebop
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Kappa on 01/06/09 @ 10:30PM. Located In Anime, Cowboy Bebop, News and Updates
The year is 2071. Driven out of their terrestrial eden by a freak accident in warp drive technology, humanity chose space as the final frontier. A mixed jumble of races and people spread to the stars, colonizing the remaining planets of the solar system and taking with them the now confused concepts of freedom, violence and love. With Mars as the new hub of human civilization, a new generation of outlaws came into being – a generation of thugs, gangsters, hackers, psychopaths and genetic experiments whose rampant activities need to be curbed. Fortunately, for every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction. The solar system is filled with bounty hunters (aka “cowboys”) who make a living apprehending these planet-hopping miscreants.
Darting around space is the slick and no-nonsense duo of Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, perhaps the most skilled bounty hunters operating out of the vigilante community. By using a blend of subterfuge, intuition, cybernetics, firearms and martial arts, Spike and Jet manage to bring down enough bounties to put food on the table and afford repairs to their temperamental spaceship known as the Bebop.
Click to View Opening
Regarding format, each episode serves as a self-contained adventure. As the series progresses, Spike and Jet engage in sporadic clashes with a man named Vicious, a katana-wielding gangland executioner whose presence provides some insight into Spike’s past as a syndicate member. During these clashes, Spike and Vicious work out a deeply seeded vendetta with a maximum of carnage, the likes of which serve as the only reoccurring plotline within the series.
Click to View Closing
As time goes by, Spike and Jet are joined by an eclectic mix of space drifters, each with their own talents and quirks. First on the list is Faye Valentine, an expert con-artist and thief who uses her feminine wiles and sleight-of-hand to win big at casinos. Next on the roster is Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV (or “Ed” for short). This young, eccentric and perpetually energised computer-hacker provides much of the comedy relief of the series as well as rounding out some of the more gruff personalities aboard the Bebop. Finally, there’s Ein, a super-intelligent Welsh Corgi who escaped from a laboratory.
Click to View Trailer
Mixing humour, creative plotlines and stylish gun fights with an expertly crafted jazz soundtrack, Cowboy Bebop is definitely a landmark in the history of science fiction anime. Check it out today!
FLCL
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Kappa on 12/05/09 @ 12:15PM. Located In Anime, FLCL, News and Updates
Where do dreams end and reality begin? Video games, I suppose. Welcome to Mabase, a pleasant spot somewhere in the middle of Japan known for how much oddity passes unnoticed by its population. A giant factory belonging to Medical Mechanica sits at the edge of town puffing plumes of steam into the pallid sky. And no one asks questions, that is, no one but Naota Nandaba. This long-suffering 12-year-old knows something is amiss, but is emotionally trapped between schoolwork and caring for his man-child of a father. Adolescence can be tough. Fortunately, fate throws young Naota the curveball of a lifetime…
One day while minding his own business, Naota is viciously (and hilariously) attacked by Haruko Haruhara, a 19-year-old girl claiming to be an extraterrestrial investigator. Equipped with nothing more than a Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar, she wallops Naota in the head, thus activating his N.O. (the mystical powers generated between the left and right hemispheres of the brain). Apparently Naota has just the right N.O. for Haruka’s purposes, allowing him to transport intergalactic creatures from anywhere in the universe straight to earth. There’s only one catch, these creatures happen to be using Naota’s head as the portal!
Aside from transporting the odd space-entity to earth, Naota strives to live the normal life of a 12-year-old boy. Unfortunately for him, however, Haruko has yet again destroyed all chances for normality by inviting herself into Naota’s household and volunteering as his maid. The enigma only deepens when Naota discovers Haruko’s secret mission – to track a felonious space-pirate named Atomsk and that Medical Mechanica may be keeping him prisoner. Got all that? Good.
Click to View Trailer
FLCL truly is the most surreal experience that can be had outside of methamphetamines. This bizarre tale of adolescence spans only six episodes, but somehow manages to fit in an encyclopaedic amount of character, pop culture references, action, humour and zany Easter eggs. One such mystery centres around “FLCL” itself. What does it mean and why is it everywhere? Is it an acronym or some strange alien code? One theory states that it actually stands for “Flictonic Cliple Weber Syndrome”, the fictional medical condition that allows Naota to channel space creatures through his head. However, the truth is deliberately kept from us. Even director Kazuya Tsurumaki admits he doesn’t know the answer!
Track down FLCL today. You won’t be disappointed.
Karas
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Kappa on 09/05/09 @ 12:30PM. Located In Anime, Karas, News and Updates
Spanning six episodes across two DVDs, Karas: The Prophecy and Karas: The Revelation is the latest and perhaps greatest creation by Tatsunoko Productions, the legendary studio behind such titles as Speed Racer and Gatchaman.
Maintaining a mature and serious tone throughout, Karas tells the story of (you guessed it) the Karas warriors – superhuman agents capable of incendiary levels of combat. Traditionally, the Karas serve as guardians to the various cities of Japan: one per city, much like Batman with Gotham. However, balance and tradition are soon thrown into chaos when Eko, Tokyo’s resident Karas, becomes jaded with the role of protector and resolves instead to enslave humanity.
Enter Otoha, former Yakuza enforcer and angsta gangsta. Fleeing from his troubled past, Otoha is soon “chosen” by the city of Tokyo to don the black armour of the Karas and bring an end to Eko and his ghastly ambitions. Along the way, Otoha encounters numerous Mikura, horrific machine-like predators that serve as Eko’s minions. The jaw-dropping duels that ensue border on photorealism – one of the hallmarks of this mini-series.
Following Otoha via a trail of dead Mikura are Minoru Sagisaka and Narumi Kure, a team of supernatural investigators rendered in similar fashion to Mulder and Scully. This less-than-dynamic-duo has its own agenda. Sagisaka is bent on vindicating his daughter, Yoshiko, who has been committed to a mental hospital for claiming she has seen the Mikura, something the general populace believe to be nothing more than fantasy. Fortunately, their determined search leads them to discover the secret war between Otoha and Eko. Unfortunately, however, they learn that such a discovery must come at a price.
Click to View Trailer
Be warned. Karas may have the visuals, but the story-telling leaves a lot to be desired. With numerous flashbacks and scene-cuts flying around like leaves in an updraft, simply trying to gather your bearings becomes a task in itself. Despite all these quibbles, it cannot be denied that Karas showcases a new generation of battle sequences. If you love your action, you cannot go past this landmark creation.
Trigun
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Kappa on 05/05/09 @ 5:41PM. Located In Anime, News and Updates, Trigun
Pull up a seat, order a whiskey and…munch on a donut? Welcome to the world of Trigun, the acclaimed sci-fi western where the men are men and the women pack heat.
Trigun’s story unfolds on the desert planet of Gunsmoke, where intergalactic settlers have formed a budding community. Despite having advanced technology salvaged from their space ships, the denizens of Gunsmoke perpetually live in frontier times – a world replete with crazy heroes, over-the-top villains, high-octane vendettas and a whole lot o’ slapstick.
Meet Vash the Stampede, goofy gun-slinger and walking bio-hazard. A fugitive from the law, Vash is constantly hounded by a slew of outlaws looking to collect the $60,000,000,000 bounty on his head. The reason? Vash destroyed the human settlement of July City, but strangely enough, left everyone alive. The mystery deepens when Vash claims to have no memory of the event, begging the question: just who is this man? What is he hiding? And what kind of power does he control?
Click to Play Opening Credits
Click to Play Closing Credits
Taking a page from such animated classics as Dragonball Z, Trigun’s storyline features a healthy dose of humour as well as nail-biting action. The desolate wastelands of Gunsmoke are constantly brightened by Vash’s innate charm as he swings seamlessly between the guises of emphatic ladies man to inane klutz to radically efficient warrior. Coupled with a quirky supporting cast including insurance agents and saxophone-wielding assassins, Trigun is a must-see in the pantheon of modern anime.
Martian Successor Nadesico
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Kappa on 01/05/09 @ 9:00AM. Located In Anime, Martian Successor Nadesico, News and Updates
What do you think of when you hear the term “science fiction”? Do you picture intergalactic space travel, immaculate chrome computers and contact with dignified alien races? If so, then prepare for a dose of reality with Martian Successor Nadesico. Spanning 26 episodes, this sci-fi parody flies in the face of convention by showing just what would really happen on board a super-advanced starship millions of miles from concerned parents. Forget seeking out new life and new civilizations, Nadesico is all about boldly going out on a limb and asking that cute ensign out on a date. That’s right, one great quality of this series is that it plays out much like a campy space version of Melrose Place. But never fear, frequent dollops of brisk one-liners and loveable slapstick keeps this rollercoaster running.
Meet Akito Tenkawa, aspiring fry cook and all round nice guy. When a twist of fate lands him aboard the Nadesico (the latest and greatest space cruiser/battleship ever created in the history of man), he is forced to pilot a humanoid combat suit (known as an Aestivalis) to help save mankind from the Jovian Lizards. When Akito proves himself on the battlefield, he not only has a growing reputation to come to terms with, but a host of nubile and slightly eccentric colleagues hounding him for a date.
Click to View Opening
Click to View Ending
The charm of this series comes with its cast. The Nadesico has been populated not with experts, but a crew of civilians with personality disorders. The Captain, Yurika Misumaru, is a beautiful ditz. The computer whiz, Ruri Hoshino, is a chronically repressed introvert, and the fellow Aestivalis pilot, Gai Daigoji, is a cross between a temperamental cowboy and a firecracker. Hilarity ensues when these larger-than-life mixed nuts are encased together in the Nadesico. With Jovian Lizards coming at you from all sides, who doesn’t want to chill out and have a swimsuit competition?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold Complete Series Release!
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Chrnocat on 15/07/08 @ 11:00PM. Located In Anime, News and Updates, The Mysterious Cities of Gold
Featured Article: The Mysterious Cities of Gold
An animation classic finally makes it to Australian DVD!
| The Mysterious Cities of Gold is a classic animated series which aired on ABC TV during the mid-80’s. It is truly a marvel for it’s time.
The year is 1532 and Esteban, a 10 year old orphan living in Barcelona has been brought up with no knowledge of who he is or where he came from. When his guardian who is a Father at the convent is on his deathbed, he reveals that Esteban was found at sea in the arms of his father during a ferocious storm. Estaban was rescued, but his father was swept away. The only link Estaban now holds to his past is a mysterious medallion he was found wearing at the time. |
 |
When the mysterious navigator Mendoza offers Estaban the chance to board a ship and search for ties to his past, Estaban jumps at the opportunity and sets forth in search of adventure and hopefully, his father. On the way Estaban meets up with an Inca girl named Zia and a boy named Tao. Together, the three friends travel to the New World in hopes of finding Estabans’ father and the truth behind the Mysterious Cities of Gold…
The Mysterious Cities of Gold is a true masterpiece with a riveting storyline and a thrilling sense of adventure. The story is studded with historical facts, and live documentary footage is presented at the end of each episode explaining the origin of particular story elements. The story covers many great civilisations such as the Incans and Mayans, and is a unique combination of history, science fiction and fantasy.
The characters are likable and extremely well animated. The animation is reminiscent of works by Miyazaki, and the Mysterious Cities of Gold is often mistaken as one of his films. The music is suitably exotic and the english dub is actually quite good. DVD menus are easy to navigate and the digital re-mastering of episodes has produced a crisp, clean picture.
The series consists of 39 exciting episodes forming one continuous story, and is a delightful tale for the whole family.
The Australian DVD boxset will be released as a 6-disc set encased in a special foldout digi-pack slipcase and boasting a bunch of extras including:
|
(Large Image) |
The Mysterious Cities of Gold is rated PG and will be released by Umbrella Entertainment during August 2008.
Click to Play Extended Intro
Click to Play Ending Credits
This is a wonderfully packaged series which will be enjoyed by both devoted fans and newcomers alike!
Speed Racer: The Complete Collection
[ 0 Comments ] Written by Shadowfire on 23/04/08 @ 9:00AM. Located In Anime, News and Updates, Speed Racer
“Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer…”
Retro anime fans rejoice!
Hands up those who remember that theme song from Speed Racer, the English adaptation of the anime series Mach GoGoGo. Speed Racer, which was first broadcast in 1967, has now been digitally remastered and is available on DVD as Speed Racer: The Complete Collection.
For those too young or otherwise unfamiliar with the series, Speed Racer is about the title character; Speed whom aspires to be the world’s best race car champion driving the Mach 5, a car his father invented and built. Speed is aided in his quest by his parents, Mum and Pops Racer, his younger brother Spritle who owns a pet chimpanzee called Chim-Chim, his girlfriend Trixie, mechanic Sparky, and occasionally by the mysterious Racer X.
Speed Racer was one of the first anime franchises to become popular in the United States, and today still enjoys a cult following. The Complete Collection contains all the original episodes of this classic series spanning 8 discs, and includes some that were never aired on commercial television. The collection also features the original English voice actors and cast.
Click to View the Original Intro
The DVDs menus are simple and easy to navigate, with a theme that fits well with the feel of the show. The menus include some interesting fun facts about the original TV series and characters.
Speed Racer: The Complete Collection will be released by Sony Entertainment on the 30th of April and should retail for around AU$89.95