Posts Tagged ‘freezing’

First Impression: Another series that feels pointless unless its uncensored.

In a few decades, the Earth will be in a war against inter-dimensional monsters called Nova. The only way to fight back is to implant teenage girls with devices that give them superhuman powers and healing which can prevent even death. The girls are called Pandoras and are partnered with younger males called Limiters. In the first episode, the top year 2 Pandora named Bridgette is undergoing a series of battle simulations while watched by top military officials. After cutting down (literally) every other top student, she finally meets her match… a new transfer student named Kazuya Aoi. After mistaking her for his dead sister, he becomes the first to touch the “Untouchable Queen” and begins their relationship.

Good and the Bad

In the distant future, the world is fighting aliens with teenage girls. Why is it always beautiful teenage girls who have to fight our wars?

Before the series ever premiered, I had a vague idea of what I would be getting myself with this. Comments from others helped solidify that impression and watching the first episode cemented it in place. Freezing promises blood, violence and fan service and delivers just that. In the first episode, the entire story is based around introducing two key pieces: the elite, cold as ice warrior named Bridgette and the legacy that once belonged to Kazuya’s sister. For the most part there is some measure of success, just not enough to be particularly meaningful.

After spending  just a little bit of time with Bridgette, the staff does a great job of making her appear exactly as they want her to: cold and without fear as she battles alone, very good at what she does. Over a dozen classmates take her on and, one after another, she slices them down until they’re lying in a pool of their own blood. In the quieter parts, the focus is on Kazuya’s sister and her role in the previous major conflict. These scenes weren’t accomplished nearly as well and beyond the fact that she’s a dead sibling, I just couldn’t care about this character at all but maybe that’s just my personal problem.

The biggest problem that plagues this series is the same one that fans of High School of the Dead or Seikon no Qwaser had to deal with. This is incredibly bloody and gory series. Limbs get hacked off and Bridgette is happy to slice classmates from throat to navel while watermelon sized breasts bounce from one side to the next. At least I’m pretty sure that’s what is happening behind all the black bars, shadows and bright lights which obscure the picture every couple of minutes.

As an ecchi action series, there is no way that this series could be aired uncensored in every part of Japan. Funimation also has certain standards they must abide by which means we get the censored version. Maybe I’m missing something but from what I have seen so far, the visuals and blood are pretty much THE major selling point to this series and plays fairly major roles in what this series calls storytelling. If I can’t watch the uncensored version, what’s the point? I suspect this is a series I’ll be waiting for on DVD instead.

Music

What I loved about the music composed by Masaru Yokoyama (Kimikiss pure rogue, Queen’s Blade) is how dramatically every scene is played up. When schoolgirls are being sliced, there is always dark string themes in the background straight out of every horror movie ever made. When Kazuya’s sister makes her big attack that saves everyone, the moment shifts to focus entirely on the soft piano theme which lets the moment appear sad and meaningful (though I still wasn’t feeling it even with the music).

Overall

If I watch this series it’s going to be on DVD. The censored streams just take too much away from the experience to feel like I’m enjoying it to its fullest. That said, even if this stream were completely uncensored with all the blood and boobs left in tact I doubt that I would be continuing it for very long. The story and writing are average at best and there is not nearly enough here to make me feel like there’s going to be much more to look forward to. If you really need a new series featuring beautiful teenage girls fighting to bloody near deaths, you’ve found it. Otherwise, this series feels beyond pointless.

So, it’s no secret that this hasn’t been the greatest week for Funimation what with that little incident a couple of days ago. But Funimation isn’t the type to sit around, they bounce back in grand style with an anime about… breasts, blood and aliens. Wait, really? Alright, alright.

In a press release sent out this morning, Funimation has announced that they will simulcasting this season’s ecchi action series, Freezing. The sci-fi booby action series takes place in a future where the world has been invaded by aliens from another dimension. To fight back, humans are training special women called Pandoras and pairing them with men referred to as their limiters. This series centers on Kazuya who enters one of these training facilities and ends up pairing with the cold but powerful Bridget.

The first two episodes will premiere on Funimation’s site on Monday, January 24th at 9:30am Central (7:30 Pacific/10:30 Eastern) with new episodes being added weekly. I actually haven’t seen any episodes of this yet. It’s actually the last new show from the season that I haven’t looked at (that I plan to at least). So to be totally fair, I’m reserving all judgment and jokes until I’ve had a chance to do so. If everything that I’ve been hearing from people holds up though, I suspect I’ll be back to making breast jokes and references to Queen’s Blade and Seikon no Qwaser before too long.

Full press release below the cut

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January is a really important month for me because there is just so much going on! Oh right, yeah there’s the new year I guess but if you have your priorities in order, you’d actually be referring to the first new anime season of the year! It’s a really small season this year though. I only have 21 new series (down from 29 last year) on this year’s preview, not including the OVAs/OADs that will be listed in part 2. This is just not a season for studios to be multitasking it seems. A quarter ago, JC Staff were the busy ones but this season they’re quietly working on one (Yumekui Merry). Instead, Studio Deen are the busy ones this season with three different series premiering (Starry Sky, Kore wa Zombie desu ka and Dragon Crisis). Studio Pierrot is right behind them with two (Beelzebub and Level E) though that’s only technically since they’re only co-producing one of them.

So there’s a lot to cover to let’s get into it already. Part 1 of this season’s review covers everything up until 1/8, which is roughly half the season. Don’t forget that I’ll be spending the entire month getting my early impressions up as I am able to view the new episodes. Feel free to chime in with your own opinions along the way.

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft
Studio: DLE Inc.
Premiere Date: 12/10
Genre: Comedy
Adapted From: ONA/Light Novel

What It’s About

A Cthulhu deity has taken the form of a seemingly harmless silver haired girl. While wandering around, she comes across a high school boy, Mahiro Yasaka, being attacked by aliens and saves him. For those unaware, that’s never just the end of it when it comes to Cthulhu.

Why You Should Care

I haven’t looked at this one yet but I already know it’s going to make for interesting viewing. The most experienced people on the cast are the voice cast and character designer, Koin (Kanokon). But come on… it’s anime and Cthulhu! Are you really going to tell me that you’re not the least bit curious?

Starry Sky
Studio: Studio DEEN
Premiere Date: 12/23
Genre: Shoujo Romance
Adapted From: PSP Games

What It’s About

Yahisa Tsukiko is the first female to enroll in what was formerly an all boys school. While making her way through the school and meeting her classmates, she bumps into 12 different boys. Not so coincidentally, they all have personalities that match the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Why You Should Care

Studio DEEN is producing three series this season so if you don’t like this one, there are still two more chances down the road.

Cast and crew for this series include fan favorites Jun Fukuyama  and Daisuke Ono playing Azusa (Mr. Sagittarius) and Suzuya (Mr. Cancer) respectively; music is being composed by Tomoki Kikuya (Squid Girl, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, Hidamari Sketch, Asu no Yoichi, Da Capo II) and the bishies are safe in the hands of Maki Fujii (07-Ghost).

Rio – Rainbow Gate!
Studio: XEBEC
Premiere Date: 1/4
Genre: Ecchi Comedy
Adapted From: Slot Machine
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Originally a popular slot machine character (don’t laugh, anyone remember pachinko based series Umi Monogatari?), Rio Rollins Tachibana makes her debut working in a casino where she is known as the ‘Goddess of Victory’. What she really wants is to get closer to her mother who was also known as one of the best card dealers ever and to do this she must collect 13 special cards called ‘gates’.

Why You Should Care

I’m not saying that this is absolutely going to be an ecchi series but it does have the same studio (Xebec) and director (Takao Kato) as To Love Ru. It’s also premiering on acid nipple satellite network AT-X. Draw your conclusions here.

Kimi ni Todoke Season 2
Studio: Production I.G
Premiere Date: 1/4
Genre: Romance
Sequel

What It’s About

The continuing stories of shy girl Sawako making friends in her class. In the first season, she was able to strike up a relationship with the most popular boy in class among others.

Why You Should Care

All of the cast and crew remain the same; Production I.G is still handling the animation and Hiro Kaburaki remains in the directors chair. The only change is the addition of Mamoru Miyano playing Kento.

This is one the series from this year that I would love to sit down and give another chance someday. It didn’t grab me the first time but there is still something special to this series.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
Magical Girl Madoka Magica
Studio: Shaft
Premiere Date: 1/6
Genre: Magical Girl
Trailers

What It’s About

After days of research and watching all 10 trailers here’s what I’ve put together about this series: there are magical girls and they grant wishes.

Why You Should Care

This is the first series of the season that I’ve given up all hope of being able to resist based solely on the crew: animation from Shaft (Bakemonogatari, Maria Holic, Hidamari Sketch), director Akiyuki Shinbo (Bakemonogatari, Hidamari Sketch), music composed by Yuki Kajiura (Madlax, Noir, Aquarian Age, Pandora Hearts, Mai Hime), theme songs from ClariS (OreImo) and Kalafina (Sora no Woto) and character designs from Umi Aoki (Hidamari Sketch).

So psyched to see this it’s not even funny. Alright, maybe a little.

IS: Infinite Stratos
Studio: 8-Bit
Premiere Date: 1/6
Genre: Sci-Fi School Comedy
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailers

What It’s About

In the future, wars are fought with exoskeletons called Infinite Stratos and are almost exclusively piloted by females. When 15 year old Ichika discovers that he is one of the few exceptions, he is given a full scholarship to an all female school that trains IS pilots.

Why You Should Care

There are a couple of reasons to get optimistic about this one. Director Yasuhito Kikichi has done giant mechs (Macross Frontier) and one of the writers, Fumihiko Shimo, has done school romance (Clannad, Full Metal Panic, Kanon [2006]). Additionally music is being composed by Hikaru Nanase (Chrno Crusade, Canaan, Da Capo, Scrapped Princess, Super Gals).

However, it’s still a school comedy with giant mechs and this is the first time studio 8-Bit has been credited for animation production. Keep your expectations reasonable.

Yumekui Merry
Studio: J.C. Staff
Premiere Date: 1/6
Genre: Action Comedy
Adapted From: Manga
Trailers

What It’s About

Fujiwara is a completely normal boy beyond the fact that earlier in his life he discovered a power to see the auras surrounding people while additionally having constant dreams about cats fighting a war. Not surprisingly, while walking around one day an odd cat girl falls on top of him and drags him into the middle of a war being fought by cats.

Why You Should Care

Early looks at the animation from JC Staff make me want to care about this release but it’s already becoming a struggle.

Director Shigeyasu Yamauchi has the most impressive resume out the cast and crew with having worked on 5 different Saint Seiya releases.

Wolverine
Studio: Madhouse
Premiere Date: 1/7
Genre: Action
Adapted From: Marvel Comic
Trailer

What It’s About

Wolverine, the tough mutant with superhuman healing, senses and retractable claws travels to Japan to investigate Advanced Idea Mechanics. While there he’ll run into familiar figures from his past.

Why You Should Care

Iron Man wasn’t really received that well so it’ll be curious to see how the second of four Marvel anime adaptations (Blade and X-Men are still to come) sits with fans.

Just like with Iron Man, the pilot will be directed by a veteran, in this case famed director Rintaro (a whole host of Leiji Matsumoto titles). Starting with episode 2, the series will be directed by Hiroshi Aoyama (Rocket Girls). As a side note, how lame is that? “Alright guy, Rintaro has done his thing. Now make the rest of the series just as good.”

Wolverine will be played by Rikiya Koyama who has done other tough guys like Emonzaemon in Katanagatari, Jubei in Ninja Scroll and Reiji in Witchblade.

Gosick
Studio: Bones
Premiere Date: 1/7
Genre: Mystery
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Taking place at the St. Marguerite Academy in the fictional European country Sauville during 1924, a boy named Kazuya Kujo transfers into the school. Eventually he meets and befriends a girl named Victorique who is only interested in solving mysteries (including some that even the local detectives can’t figure out). Throughout the series, Kazuya and Victorique will make their way around solving cases and forming bonds with those who need help.

Why You Should Care

Beyond animation from Studio Bones (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Ouran High School Host Club, Fullmetal Alchemist) it’s hard to come up with reasons to be genuinely excited about this one. Director Hitoshi Nanba worked on Heroman and Kotaro Nakagawa composed the music for Code Geass and Hayate the Combat Butler but other than that… eh.

Cardfight!! Vanguard
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Card Fighting
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Again, after careful research this is what I’ve come up with: the main character is a third year middle schooler and becomes really good with a new card game. But someone else comes along who says they are better and so the two must duel. Probably repeatedly.

Why You Should Care

Yet another series about dueling cards but this one was put together by YuGiOh mangaka Akira Ito, Duelmasters technical advisor Satoshi Nakamura and Bushiroad president Takaaki Kidani and they really want you to like this series. So much so that JAM Project has been acquired to sing the OP.

Other interesting names attached to the crew include director Tsuji Hatsuki (Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai X, YuGiOh Duel Monster GX) and Tsubasa Yonaga (Ren in Big Windup!) as the lead card dueler.

Freezing
Studio: A.C.G.T.
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Sci-Fi Action
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer

What It’s About

In an alternate future where Earth has been invaded by aliens, Aoi Kazuya enrolls to fight in the resistance. Entering a school that’s training genetically modified women called Pandoras to fight and men to be their partners, Aoi ends up meeting the most powerful and popular girl named Bridgette. Despite being warned of her unique personality, Aoi teams up with her to fight together.

Why You Should Care

At first I thought this was going to just like Infinite Stratos. Now I see that the primary difference is that this series will be darker, bloodier and more ecchi.

This is another series premiering on AT-X and features not only the director of IkkiTousen (Season 1), Takashi Watanabe, but also two writers who have worked on the franchise.

Animation is being produced by A.C.G.T who you might remember from Koi Kaze, Seven of Seven (I’m trying not to hold that one against them) and Human Crossing.

Onii-chan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!!
Because For Some Reason My Big Brother Doesn’t Like Me At All
Studio: ZEXCS
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Sibling Complex Comedy
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer

What It’s About

Nao is in love with her brother Shusuke but contains her feelings because those types of relationships are still illegal. However, once she finds out that she isn’t actually a blood relative but rather adopted after her real parents died all bets are off! With no laws to stand in her way, Nao begins her quest for a real relationship with her brother despite his ex constantly standing in her way.

Why You Should Care

Tired of sibling complex series yet? Seems like this is a trend that’s going to be around for awhile longer.

This one will be broadcasting on normal television so keep your ecchi expectations a bit lower.

The cast and crew behind this series is impressive at least: ZEXCS (Da Capo, Chu Bra, Canvas2, H20 Footprints in the Sand) is handling animation, Keitaro Motonaga (Akane Iro Somaru Saka, Katanagatari, School Days, Princess Princess) is directing and Tomoki Kikuya is composing his second score of the season (Starry Sky being the other).  The cast includes Eri Kitamura (Yui in Angel Beats, Saya in High School of the Dead) as Nao, Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Tayura in Kanokon) as Shusuke and Marina Inoue (Kiryuu in Akane Iro Somaru Saka, Natsuru in Kampfer) as Iroha.

Mitsudomoe Zouryouchuu!
Studio: Bridge
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Comedy
Sequel
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

The continued adventures of the Marui triplets making life miserable for their teacher as he tries to hook up with the bumbling school nurse.

Why You Should Care

No crew announcements but the animation studio is staying the same so I’m assuming this means all or most of the cast and crew will be returning.

Whew, that’s it for now. Later this week I’ll be posting the second half which covers the rest of January, February and all of the OVAs and OADs that are starting to be released this season. So, got any picks on what looks good this season?

Back to business as usual today and it’s time to take another look at some anime coming down the line.

Chinka: An OVA being put together by famed super otaku Danny Choo with studio Hibuse has finally gotten its first trailer featuring the voice of Sato Satomi (Ritsu in K-ON, Yuu in Hatsukoi Limited). – Wow, I have absolutely no words for this.

Koe de Oshigoto: A four episode OVA from Studio Gokumi adapating the manga about a high school girl who becomes a seiyuu for adult visual novels. The two minute trailer shows quite a bit of character art and I think gives a pretty good idea at its sense of humor. The first episode will be released November 17th. – At one point I was curious to see this release, can’t say I still feel that but how terrible could it be?

Yumekui Merry: A boy who can see dreams and nightmares meets a girl from the dream world. No idea when this one is hitting the air waves but the animation is produced by J.C. Staff (whom I always have kind of a soft spot for) so it might be worth a look at least. The trailer posted to the official website lasts just over a minute and spends most of its time with the lead characters.

Freezing: The manga adaptation coming out in 2011 finally has its trailer and I admit, I am very impressed. Wow… it’s like someone mixed Queen’s Blade with Evangelion and added a side order of awesome. Seriously, check this out.

I’ve been spoiled this summer. While everyone else has been suffering under the global heat wave, things here on the pacific coast have been relatively grey and cool (which is EXACTLY how I like it). The last couple of days however I’m finally getting a small taste of this heat and ug! I’m ready to get back inside my dark, cool cave and watch anime until the winter. In the meantime, there has been some interesting announcements made over the last couple of weeks so enough of my griping, let’s talk anime!

NEW ANIME

Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko : A TV anime will be made for the light novel series about a boy living with his aunt and her family. While there he gets to know his cousin who was missing for a year and a half before being found in the ocean. She believes this to be the work of aliens and so she wraps herself in her futon, calls herself an alien and eats pizza. – C.C.? Is that you?

Haiyore! Nyaru-ani! : Already a series of flash animations, the official Twitter account for the series has announced that a TV adaptation is in the works. Based on the light novel series, the story follows a teen boy saved by a formless Cthulhu deity who usually takes the form of an ordinary girl named Nyaruko.

2010 Racing Anime : Without revealing any details, a staff of 16 from Studio Comet (School Rumble, Suzuka [the latter of which is sort of a racing anime]) and Studio Twinkle (who are known more for photography and digital work) will be releasing a racing themed anime before the end of the year.

Fractale : Announced to air during the January Noitamina block has finally been revealed after weeks of hinting. The story takes place on an island where the Fractale System is falling apart. A man named Crane discovers a girl who disappears leaving behind a pendant leading him on a search for her and answers to the system. The crew features Kannagi director Yutaka Yamamoto as director and an original script from otaku literary critic Hiroki Azuma.

Freezing : Hinted at earlier this year, it’s now official that a TV anime will be produced based on the manga series Freezing. The series takes place in a world where humankind is fighting against invaders from another dimension. A boy who lost his sister in the fight joins a military force which trains to fight the invaders and meets a group of girls called ‘Pandora’ who are also training to fight. – Sounds kind of… well, boring to be honest.

CLOSER TO HOME…

Sentai Adds Ghost Sweeper Mikami: The anime industry in any country can be really hard to understand sometimes and this is another one of those times. Sentai Filmworks sent out a press release a few days ago announcing the license of Ghost Sweeper Mikami, a supernatural series from 1993 produced by Toei Animation. The full press release can be found below the cut.

Funimation Adds Ga-Rei: Zero: Funimation sneakily uploaded the first two episodes of the supernatural action yuri (-ish) series Ga-Rei: Zero onto their YouTube channel late last week before confirming on Twitter that they have licensed the series and will be releasing it on DVD in early 2011. The very pretty to look at series produced by AIC Spirits (Burn-Up Scramble, Sasami: Magical Girls Club) and asread (Shuffle, Kiddy Girl-and) was one of the last series to be shopped around for a license by Kadokawa USA before they closed shop last year. – Glad to see this one has finally found a home, I never got around to finishing it but always wanted to.

AND WHILE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THEM

New Dragon Age Anime Details: It’s been revealed via T.O. Entertainment that Funimation’s upcoming Dragon Age anime adaptation will be directed by Sori Fumihiko (To, Vexille) with animation produced by Oxybot (who produced both of the previously mentioned titles). It will be getting a DVD release at the end of 2011 in North America while getting a theatrical release in Japan.

AND WRAPPING THINGS UP

Black Rock Shooter RPG Teased: A new RPG based on the Black Rock Shooter OVA released over the summer has been teased. No release date or details are available. – I don’t get why people are upset about BRS having more merchandise produced, hasn’t that been the very openly stated point of this release since the beginning?

<Image via Pixiv>

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