Posts Tagged ‘studio deen’

Dragon Crisis!
Studio: Studio Deen
Premiere Date: 1/10/11
Reviewed: 1/18/11
Genre: Action Comedy
Available via Crunchyroll

First Impression: That was a lot of fun but mostly because of Eriko and Rose.

 

Ryuji thinks that he’s waking up to another boring day at summer school but instead is whisked away by his older cousin, Eriko, returning from America. Turns out that she’s an (unrecognized) treasure hunter now and needs an assistant for a big one that she’s about to grab from the black market. With the help of some magic butterflies (yeah, we’ll get to that later), the pair manage to steal the treasure only to find out that they’ve stolen their very own red dragon which has taken the form of a beautiful young blonde girl that Ryuji names Rose after she develops a serious attachment to him.

Good and the Bad

The first episode of Dragon Crisis got my attention early and kept it for the duration. I did notice that this enjoyment did come with a few string attached though.

Studio Deen’s third series of the season is another action series filled with laughs, chaos and a healthy dose of moe courtesy of two strong, likeable female leads; Eriko and Rose. With Eriko, the audience is getting a character that, for a nice change, doesn’t feel like she’s pre-packaged in any way. Breaking away from the ‘norm’, Eriko enters the series confidently, steals the much more common weak male lead and takes him on an adventure involving guns and car chases. She doesn’t hide who she is or how she feels but she’s also not a brash tsundere. It’s a refreshing change but I have to wonder how much audiences in Japan are going to attribute her personality to the three years she spent in America.

With Rose, the audience is getting the cute moe character that any series that wants to be successful needs to have (not that I’m complaining). Rose is the sweet, naïve little sister who cutely clings to her big brother (i.e. Ryuji) all the time… and can spit fire out of her hand. Her vocabulary is limited in this episode and so all we get to see is untamed potential; a cute little girl in danger of being taken away from the big brother figure that she was obviously searching for. If that’s not a recipe for future waterworks, I don’t know what is.

Now here’s the catch; if you watch this premiere and don’t find some way to feel a connection these characters, there are going to be a lot of other things that might make you want to turn back. The initial premise of the series isn’t bad: Eriko wants to steal a rare treasure from a secret underground organization. It’s not a particularly bad idea to run with and I can see how that could get really interesting. But then Eriko stole the treasure with the aid of a magic cane that shoots magical butterflies and I just kind of slumped in my chair.

Normally I might have just laughed that off but it’s hard to do that when Dragon Crisis always feels like it’s trying so hard to be taken seriously as an action series. After stealing the treasure, a car chase ensues that puts the pressure on: bullets will fly, fire will be spewed, fenders will be bent! These are tense moments only aided by background music that never lets the audience drop their adrenaline level for a moment. Then she uses the magic butterflies again and it became just a little bit harder to not roll my eyes a little.

And, for the third series in a row, Studio Deen is not helping with oddly lit animation. I have watched the first episode of every series put out this season from Deen and I have noticed one constant in all of them: exceeding brightness. It’s as if someone on the crew suddenly discovered the brightness scale and went nuts with excitement. Seriously, tone it down a little.

 

Music

Besides the brightness of the animation, the music is another department where Dragon Crisis really could have stood to tone things down just a bit. Admittedly, I really enjoyed the music used in this episode. Mostly hard guitars or jazz brass, the adrenaline in this episode never dies thanks to constant driving bass beats in the background. Even in the first moments before Eriko arrives, simple classroom scenes are made tense with the help of composer Makoto Miyazaki. And that’s what the big issue is; almost every scene in this episode has some kind of tense theme to go along with it; there’s even one sequence towards the end while Ryuji is talking to his shy friend on the sidewalk in front of his apartment. They are TALKING casually, they do not need a three layered house piece. Occasionally the music does calm down a little but I’m hoping in future episodes someone can find some balance.

Overall

If I were to close this out with ‘I look forward to seeing more’ regarding this series it could only be considered half of a sentence. The full version of that would be ‘I look forward to seeing more of Eriko and Rose,’ and I’m sticking to it. This series had a lot of little flaws to it that anyone could name as a reason to stop watching but this is still a decently packaged beginning that I can see a lot of people being unexpectedly charmed by. This is a premiere that everyone should at least try for themselves.

Kore wa Zombie desu ka
Studio: Studio Deen
Premiere Date: 1/10/11
Reviewed: 1/17/11
Genre: Bloody Comedy
Available via Crunchyroll

First Impression: I really thought I was going to like this more than I did.

After being murdered by a serial killer, Ayumu was brought back to life by an underworld necromancer named Eucilwood Hellscythe (who is now living with him). Trying to live a “normal” life as a zombie, he goes out every night searching for his killer. While resting in a graveyard one night, he stumbles upon a chainsaw wielding magical girl named Haruna fighting an evil Megalo. Sadly just being around her makes Haruna lose her magic which leaves Ayumu with another new housemate and a new job: substitute magical girl.

Good and the Bad

For everything in this series, I really should have liked it more than I did. A magical girl swinging around a pink chainsaw actually should’ve been more than enough and yet for some reason it all just kind of fell flat instead.

Within the first five minutes, Zombie desu ka (is this really the best way to shorten the title?) tells its audience pretty much everything they need to know in terms of what they will be getting themselves into. Give this premiere just a few minutes (including the opening animation) and you’ll know who everyone is, what their job title is and the hero save a kitten, get hit by a truck, fly through the air, get stripped in front of school girls, bounce and then go home. After all, Ayumu IS a zombie and that means that there is zero reason to hold back even an ounce of the possible violence it can put him through.

To be fair, as tempting as it is to say that this episode is built entirely around re-killing or maiming Ayumu, that really isn’t all there is. There are also occasionally scattered moments and sequences based around Eucilwood and Haruna exposing who themselves as the cute silent type and tsundere respectively. But no matter what is happening with them, you can always be sure that within a few minutes it will all be pushed back again so that Ayumu can get impaled or chainsawed in half or broken. If absolutely nothing else, I am certain that Zombie desu ka is going to pride itself on how many different ways it can kill its hero in every episode.

And, while I know I’m in the minority, that’s the series lost me. Looking at all the little details, there were a lot of things in this episode that I enjoyed and even laughed at; Haruna’s transformation sequence being so ridiculously long is a hilarious poke at the genre and the fact that she wields a pink chainsaw alone makes her the best magical girl ever. The problem is that despite all of the great little details, when they’re all put together it become this loud noise of crazy stupidity. As much as I enjoy silly humor, this entire episode felt like one big blunt hammer being swung at my head.Every joke has to be held for just a couple of seconds longer than it needs to be and every punch line is delivered in a way that beats the audience over the head.

As nice as the moe character designs were to look at, the animation is another place that is continually distracting. Using light glares as their choice of censoring, the animation from Studio Deen is constantly awash in bright glares. The most annoying and distracting result of this are occasional overhead gleams shining on a characters head making their hair look like it was white instead of their usual color (Ayumu suffers from this the most). Even in other, more action filled, scenes though the animation always had a very cheap look to it with only vague details distinguishable such as during the graveyard fight scene.

Music

At the very least, I was hoping that the music used in this episode would at least gloss over all of the things that were bothering me about the animation. Despite having so many darker moments, the music used in this episode rarely stood out as memorable or even that original. The opening and closing theme songs were pretty much forgotten within a couple of minutes of them ending and thinking back I couldn’t even name a single scene that I felt was benefitted by the background score.

Overall

I know I’ve said some harsh things but I’m not ready to give up on this one yet but I know that future episodes are going to be a struggle to get through. As much as I wanted to enjoy this one, the comedy and writing are just way too blunt and obvious to ever be considered really clever. Piling that on top of average character designs and animation and this becomes one of the bigger disappointments of the season. There are lots of things here for people who really want a bloody comedy (like I said; Haruna holding a pink chainsaw makes her the greatest magical girl ever) but I can’t say that this is the good time that fans were hoping it would be. Vaguely recommended.

Available via Crunchyroll

Student Council’s Discretion Streaming From: Crunchyroll Streaming Premiere: 12/22/10 Reviewed: 1/16/11 Rated: 15+

At Hekiyo Private High School, located in Hokkaido, the student body is represented by five… let’s say able students who are chosen almost entirely by popularity vote. Sitting as president is the child like loli Kurimu Sakuano and assisting her are the game and BL obsessed Mafuyu, her sporty tsundere sister Minatsu and the quiet but unexpectedly dangerous Chizuru. Sitting in the fifth chair is the only male member of the student council, H-game obsessed Ken Sugisaki, who earned his way in by raising his grades from the lowest in school to the highest and wants to make the student council into his harem. Parodying themselves, other series and other genres along the way, the series follows the daily meetings of the members which involve absolutely nothing accomplished.

Good and the Bad

I honestly never thought that anyone would pick this series up but Crunchyroll did. And while I hate to start my review off with a statement that sounds more like a closing argument: this is one of the best parody series of the last few years.  Completely self aware and constantly challenging many of the conventions of modern anime that this series would normally be relying on, this is a comedy series for the fans who want to laugh at the absurd in anime.

For me, what makes a parody series work is when it’s able to take elements of other series and integrate it into its own story seamlessly. Student Council’s Discretion takes that idea, plays around with it a bit and then runs with it further than anything else I’ve seen. Covering the easy steps, it’s not afraid to throw out the odd and obscure references for the audience to recognize and laugh at along the way. No series is safe but Strike Witches, Hell Girl and Ashita no Joe are just a few of the references fans will see thrown into the story in ways that many will never see coming.

But SCD is a parody series that is more than throwing in a bunch of short references to other series. This is a series that takes the genre to its limits with inside jokes, a willingness to break the fourth wall and disprove the idea that characters have to look a certain way to act a certain way. Opening the series, the first episode begins with a table discussion featuring the characters trying to decide what type of anime they want to be. Starting the series with a meta discussion completely caught me off guard but seeing that right away set me up for exactly the type of smart humor that this series should be known for.

Throughout 12 episodes, SCD continues its bend towards the irreverent by continually creating stories within the plot putting its characters into new situations. One of the most memorable (and brilliant in my mind) moments came from an episode involving the student council trying to come up with a skit idea for the festival. Being that all they can agree upon is that it should be heartbreaking, the series takes a turn towards the serious and presents each heartbreaking idea. Suddenly the serious Chizuru looks the same but is a ditzy best friend, the perverted Sugisaki is a sweet guy who is being dumped (and then abused throughout various endings). Periodically, SCD changes things around and makes the audience see the characters in a whole new way before reverting back. This is the writing that challenges what the audience thinks it knows about these characters while still laughing at constantly seeing something new.

With these changes occurring seemingly at random, you would think that it would be hard to tell who the characters really are. Ironically though, that point is never an issue specifically because of how 2D these characters are and remain all the way through to the end. Yes, I am praising this series because its characters are flat and do not grow. Early on, SCD does a really good job of introducing the characters and their basic personalities. Everyone has their own characteristics which make them stand out from the others. But once you learn their personalities, the times when new wrinkles to their foundation are pretty far between.

That isn’t to indicate that these characters never change at all. As I mentioned, there are many times when the series takes a sudden, very serious road. Sometimes these are purely just for a fantasy joke but sometimes it’s a real chance for the audience to see hidden sides to the characters. They can heartfelt, emotional and yes, touching. Really though, even after you see these moments it’s not as though anyone will ever undergo a moment of incredible cathartic growth… and that’s a good thing. This is not a deep series and while these characters are sweet and funny, trying to squeeze in a meaningful lesson or moment of cathartic growth would have just been extraneous.

Sometimes though SCD can become a little too clever for its own good which is where it starts to show small cracks. While audiences in Japan may have been able to keep up with this series, this will not always be an easy series for English audiences to follow. At times the humor will be firmly rooted in Japanese culture, language and history and at those points many viewers will be lost at sea without a clue. When President Kirimu tries to prove that she’s smarter than the grade schooler who is visiting, there is a long list of questions about Japanese history that she is obviously getting wrong in some small, subtle way. I couldn’t tell you what exactly she was getting wrong but I know that a joke was being made! To watch this series is to realize that sometimes you’re going to hear something and it’s going to completely fly over your head.

Music

The thing you have to be impressed with is that when Shuhei Kamimura sat down to work on this series, he wasn’t creating music for just a parody comedy. He was creating music for a comedy, a serious drama, a school romance, an action series, a super saiyan series and still more. Every single time this series went into a new genre, Kamimura had to follow with his score and did a great job in the process.

Composing strong themes to match the different genres, where I was most impressed were in the quiet moments when almost nothing was happening. The main theme of these times is a soft electronic jazz tune put over a walking techno beat (the same theme that plays during the second eye catch of each episode). Despite being such a simple piece with only a couple of layers to it, this one piece is a constantly integral part of scenes that conveys a feeling simple friendship and relaxation. Even when the series starts to get serious, Kamimura is there again with a range of soft piano melodies which support the girls (and sometimes Sugisaki) in their rare quiet and vulnerable moments.

Subtitles

Earlier I mentioned that sometimes this can be incredibly difficult to watch but this isn’t always the fault of the series. Throughout the episodes, there are a number of mistakes with the subtitles which could turn a really fun series into an annoyance very quickly. I noticed in multiple episodes typos throughout the subtitles and sometimes entire lines of dialogue which weren’t even subtitled at all. Other times the subtitles would appear on screen so quickly that multiple backtracks had to take place to make sure that nothing important was missed. Seriously, I’ve seen average quality fansubs which had higher subtitle consistency than this series.

Overall

As it is a parody series, there is a certain level of experience that one should have in order to get the most appreciation for the jokes and humor. If you are an anime fan who has been around the block a few times, this series is cleverly written and easily one of the most consistently funny titles of the last few years. If you want a smart parody comedy that is willing to go WAY outside of the box, you should really be setting aside time for this series. When it was first released I thought it would be forgotten forever, thank you Crunchyroll for giving it some new life!

Yesterday was one big blur of activity that started around 5:30am and ended sometime around 1am so sorry that I wasn’t able to get this up sooner. Crunchyroll has been pretty busy this week with the announcement of 4 more simulcasts (which brings the total up to 9 I believe): Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka, Hourou Musuko and the ‘we already knew that’ pick, Mitsudomoe Zoryuuchi. Four series to cover and not enough time to do it in so here’s the rundown (in order of which ones I’m most excited to watch):

Kore wa Zombie desu ka (Is That a Zombie?): Produced by Studio Deen and based off the light novels, this series involves a high school boy being murdered by a serial killer and brought back to life as a zombie by a necromancer. The series premieres on Monday January 10th for users in North and South America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, the Middle East, Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Brazil and Portugal. The series will also be available to paid users in the UK and Ireland.

As much as I love that Crunchyroll is bringing this series overseas I have to admit there are two things that I’m a bit bummed about. First, I agree with everyone who has said that the title for this series really should’ve been translated to English but that’s a tiny nitpick that doesn’t actually matters. What does matter is that Crunchyroll is only able to offer the series until June 30th so if you plan on watching this series, be careful about procrastination or you might miss your chance.

Hourou Musuko (Wandering Son): Hourou Musuko is notable for multiple reasons. First, it’s arguably the most important series of the season for dealing with such a serious topic. Second, this is the title airing in the noitaminA television block this season which indicates that Funimation’s deal has expired (or is currently not active for whatever reason I’m not privy to) freeing up the titles to be picked up by other streaming sites. It will be interesting to see if Crunchyroll is able to pick up the other series slotted for the noitaminA block, Fractale.

As for the series itself, the AIC produced drama follows two transgender elementary school students (a boy named Shuichi and a girl named Yoshino) as they slowly begin to realize who they are. Finally finding friends who accept them, the two deal with the harshness of growing up. It premieres next Thursday the 13th for users in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Portugal. I urge everyone to watch at least a couple episodes of this title after it premieres.

Saint Seiya The Lost Canvas: So this one actually isn’t a simulcast but it’s an interesting addition regardless. Announced yesterday, Crunchyroll has revealed they will be adding all 15 episodes of the OVA series Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas. Based on the manga, this series had its first 13 episodes released starting in 2009 and will soon be getting two additional episodes released on DVD next month. The press release for this one was pretty vague but it does indicate that the first 13 episodes will be added to the site in the near future while episodes 14 and 15 will be uploaded next month to coincide with the Japanese release. The streams will be available to users in United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Finally wrapping things up, we have the announcement that pretty much everyone knew about a few days ago; Mitsudomoe Season 2. This one gets to be at the bottom of the list for multiple reasons though which makes it special. The first reason is the obvious everyone heard about this a few days ago. Second, it’s a terrible series that I’m glad is only getting 8 episodes. For the many of you out there who do like this series however (I’m pretty sure my opinion is the minority actually), the series will be available on Saturday the 8th for users in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Portugal.

Alright, that’s it for Crunchyroll streams up to this point. There are still a couple of blank slots left to fill before the end of the week. Anyone want to take any guesses on what the final announcements are going to be? I’m still holding out hope for Fractale and Freezing myself since I’m pretty sure that Madoka Magica is now a long shot to be picked up.

 

Full press releases below the cut

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Well, we’re now a couple of days into the primary part of the new season and I’m already exhausted (for various reasons on top of the new anime)! But there are still a ton of new titles to talk about plus more simulcasts from Crunchyroll! Whew, it’s going to be a busy month!

Beelzebub
Studio: Pierrot
Premiere Date: 1/9
Genre: Action Comedy
Adapted From: Manga
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Considered to be the strongest juvenile delinquent, first year high school student Oga Tatsumi is constantly being targeted by other gangs. While beating up one gang by the river, he sees a man floating down river. After pulling him to shore, the man splits in half and reveals a baby boy who is the son of a demon. Seems that Oga has been chosen (as the baddest and most evil) to raise the baby along with his personal nurse.

Why You Should Care

This actually has a slightly interesting concept and, from what I understand, is told from Oga’s perspective which will make for a slightly different narrative than usual.

This is the second series this season for director Nobuhiro Takamoto (Starry Sky is the other), Miyuki Sawashiro (also playing Ayane in Kimi ni Todoke 2) as Beelzebub and Studio Pierrot (Level E).

Kore wa Zombie Desu ka
Is It a Zombie?
Studio: Studio DEEN
Premiere Date: 1/10
Genre: Comedy
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

So one day high school student Aikawa Ayumu is killed by a serial killer (don’t you hate when that happens?). Luckily for him, he is brought back by the necromancer Eucilwood Hellscythe. When he wakes up however, he finds that he is a zombie in a new world filled with magical girls and vampire ninjas doing battle. Finding that his existence is a drain on the magical girl Haruna, he is ordered to join the ranks of the magical girls to fight in her stead against the evil Magalo system.

Why You Should Care

Beyond Studio DEEN (by the way, this is series two for them this season), I don’t recognize hardly anyone amongst the cast and crew. Director Takaomi Kanesaki has only directed one other title (Magician’s Academy in 2008) although writers Shigeru Morita (Linebarrels of Iron, Seikon no Qwaser) and Touko Machida (Amagami SS, Lucky Star, Jellyfish Princess) have a healthy mix of drama, action and ecchi in their work histories.

Dragon Crisis!
Studio: Studio DEEN
Premiere Date: 1/10
Genre: Action
Adapted From: Light Novels
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

While out  with his second cousin Eriko, Ryuji acquires a box from a black market dealer. Inside he finds a young, blue eyed red dragon girl named Rose. Instantly taking a liking to Ryuji, she starts to follow him around which leads him into the role of de facto bodyguard that must protect her from the black market dealers who want her back and others.

Why You Should Care

For those keeping score, this is the third (and last) series from Studio Deen this season.

Kurata Hideyuki is writing this series and has been writing great scripts for years: Battle Athletes, Magical Witchland, most of OreImo, The World God Only Knows and Kamichu just to name a few. Plus character designs from Masashi Ishihama (Kite, Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Honey and Clover, Welcome to the NHK, Welcome to the Space Show). PLUS Rose the dragon girl is played by Rie “Tsundere Queen” Kugimiya, Yukana will be the second cousin Eriko and Yui Horie will be in the supporting cast as Maruga and singing the OP theme.

I know the temptation is there but don’t write this one off too quickly.

Level E
Studio: Pierrot/David Production
Premiere Date: 1/10
Genre: Alien Slice of Life
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

First year high school student Tsutsui Yukitata finally convinces his parents to let him move into his own apartment. When he gets there, he finds a beautiful man already there who claims to be an alien with a lost memory. It turns out that the man is actually Prince Baka from the planet Dogra and he lost his memory by crashing into Earth… and there are thousands more just like him all over the world. What follows is Tsutsui quickly losing his normal life as Baka moves in.

Why You Should Care

Lots of good reasons to check this series out but we’ll start with it’s based on the manga from Yoshihiro Togashi whom you might know better as the creator of Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter.

As for the rest of the crew; director Toshiyuki Kato has done a bit of everything ranging from Code-E (supernatural romantic comedy) to Full Moon (shoujo) to Maria Watches Over Us Season 4 (Slice of Life Yuri). The music is coming from the very talented Ryo Kunihiko (Victorian Romance Emma, Letter Bee, Story of Saiunkoku, Twelve Kingdoms) and character designs from Itsuko Takeda (Galaxy Railways, Mirage of Blaze, Ristorante Paradiso) means angles so sharp you could cut yourself.

As for the cast, the leads will be an interesting pair to listen to as Daisuke Namikawa (resume a mile long but Rock in Black Lagoon, Kei in Gantz, Shota in Kimi ni Todoke) is the prince and Yoshimasa Hosoya (Shichika in Katanagatari) will be opposite him as Tsutsui.

Fractale
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Premiere Date: 1/13
Genre: Drama
Trailers

What It’s About

Taking place on a distant island, the mysterious “Fractale system” is on the verge of collapsing. While exploring one night, a boy named Crane finds a girl named Phryne under a cliff. After she eventually disappears, she leaves behind a pendant which Crane decides to take along with a girl shaped avatar named Nessa on a journey to find Phryne. Along the way, he discovers the secrets behind the Fractale system and why it is collapsing.

Why You Should Care

This would be the first of two new series are joining the Noitamina time block this season.

Another really strong cast and crew are behind this series including A-1 Pictures (Black Butler, Sora no Woto) and Studio Ordet producing animation, a story created by otaku scholar Hiroki Azuma, and Yutaka Yamamoto (Haruhi Suzumiya, Kannagi, Lucky Star… up to ep 4) as director. In the cast there’s Yu Kobayakawa (Nice in Baccano, Setsuna in Negima, Maria in Maria Holic) as Crane and Kana Hanazawa (Angelica in Gunslinger Girl, Nadeko in Bakemonogatari, Lana in this season’s Freezing, Mikan in To Love Ru) as Nessa.

Hourou Musuko
Wandering Son
Studio: AIC
Premiere Date: 1/13
Genre: Coming of Age/Drama
Adapted From: Manga
Trailers
Available via Crunchyroll

What It’s About

Starting the story in grade school, the story centers on Shuichi, a transgender boy, who meets a girl named Yoshino who is also transgender. Finally finding friends that accept them, the series follows the pair as they begin to enter puberty and discover who they really are.

Why You Should Care

Even if this series isn’t the best of the season, it’s already the most important for openly bringing up such an important subject.

This is the other series which will be appearing in the Noitamina block.

I have concerns that I’m hoping are unfounded. The man who directed Ga Rei Zero and Girls Bravo is helming this one. I’m hoping that all my fears will be proven wrong.

There is one place that I have full confidence in: the music. Background score is being composed by Satoru Kousaki (OreImo, Lucky Star, Kannagi, Bakemonogatari) and the ending theme is the new single from Rie Fu titled ‘For You’.

Suite Precure
Studio: Toei Animation
Premiere Date: 2/6
Genre: Magical Girl
Sequel

What It’s About

In season 8 (!) of the magic girl series, two new cures named Cure Melody (Minamino Kanade) and Cure Rhythm (Houjou Hikibi). While initially polar opposites, over the course of the series the two will have to learn how to bring their hearts into harmony.

Why You Should Care

Seriously, it’s up to season 8 which is the main reason why I haven’t tried to catch up to this one. Oh and by the way, the 10th Precure movie is being released to theaters in Japan next March.

Houkago no Pleiades
Afterschool Pleiades
Studio: GAINAX
Premiere Date: 1/2011
Genre: Magical Girls with Cars?
Trailer

What It’s About

I’ll be honest, I’ve yet to find someone who can figure out what this series is supposed to be about. Five cute magical girls? With cars perhaps?

Why You Should Care

The character designs from Mai Otsuka (Shakugan no Shana) and the fact that Gainax and Subaru have teamed up for a streaming anime has me way too curious. I’ll be watching if for no other reason than to find what it’s about and what it has to do with the cars or stars even.

Mai no Mahou to Katei no Hi
Mai’s Magic and Family Day
Studio: PA Works
Premiere Date: 2/2011
Genre: Family

What It’s About

In this short anime, an eight year old girl uses magical powers in order to understand the feelings of her family members.

Why You Should Care

PA Works is producing this 30 minute release for the Toyama government to raise awareness of how important family bonds are. It sounds rivit…. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

OVAs

Kaibutsu Oujo OAD
Princess Resurrection OAD
Studio: Tasunoko
Premiere Date: 12/9
Genre: Supernatural Comedy
Adapted From: Manga

Why You Should Care

I’m not sure if this is a sign of how bad the TV series was but every single cast and crew member from the TV series has been replaced for this release.

Mirai Nikki OVA
Future Diary
Studio: asread
Premiere Date: 12/9
Genre: Fantasy
Adapted From: Manga
Trailer

What It’s About

Middle school student Yukiteru is content to watch life pass by and write in his cell phone diary. He even imagines a friend named Deus Ex Machina who is the lord of time and space which is fine until his friend comes to life. Giving Yukiteru the power to write events in his diary that will happen in the near future, he’s also forced to participate in a game to determine a successor for Deus Ex Machina.

Why You Should Care

It’s 7 minutes long so it’s easy to knock out when you just have a few minutes to spare.

Interesting names that stand out from the crew include Naoto Hosoda (Koe de Oshigoto, Shuffle) is directing, Katsuhiko Takayama (Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi, Demonbane) is doing the screen play,

Isshoni Training 026: Bathtime with Hinako and Hiyoko OVA
Studio: Primesta
Premiere Date: 12/24
Genre: Bathing?

What It’s About

Hinako and friend show viewers how to stretch in the tub.

Why You Should Care

Really?

Armored Trooper Votoms: Koei Futatabi OVA
Studio: Sunrise
Premiere Date: 1/8
Genre: Mecha

What It’s About

After 32 years, Chirico will reunite with characters that he was once separated from at an oasis.

Why You Should Care

This is a complete OVA retelling of the original novel. Author Ryousuke Takahashi will be returning as director along with original character designer Norio Shioyama and original cast members.

Ah! My Goddess OAD
Studio: AIC
Premiere Date: 2/23
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Sequel

What It’s About

Belldandy and Keiichi head to an amusement park for a date but Urd and Skuld have other plans in mind for them.

Why You Should Care

AIC returns to do a second OAD. All of the crew and cast remain the same as previous series.

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu: Matsuri OVA
Studio: Silver Link
Premiere Date: 2/23
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Sequel

What It’s About

The school is supposed to be in the middle of a festival but summoning wars are getting in the way.

Why You Should Care

Silver Link returns to deliver this before the second season later this year. Funimation simulcast the first season so keep this one on your radar.

Morita san wa Mukuchi
Studio: Studio Gram
Premiere Date: 2/26
Genre: Slice of Life
Adapted From: Manga

What It’s About

Based off the slice of life manga, the story centers on Mayu Morita who is a misunderstood turtle character. It’s not that she doesn’t want to speak up, she just spends such a long time thinking on her words that she always loses the opportunity.

Why You Should Care

The cast includes fan favorites Kana Hanazawa (in her third role this season) as Miyu and Haruka Tomatsu (Nagi in Kannagi, Lala in To Love Ru) as Miki.

Negima! Ariadone-hen
Studio: Studio Pastoral/Shaft
Premiere Date:
Genre: Magical Harem
Sequel

Why You Should Care

Yet another fun filled Negima release filled with all the characters that you’ve grown to love (or tolerate in some cases).

And that’s it for another season! As always, keep checking back as I watch as many of these new series as I can possibly manage in one month! If you miss something along the way don’t worry because the end of the season wrap up is fast approaching as well… well, at least a wrap up written by what’s left of my pale body by the time February rolls around.

Heh I totally called it yesterday. The last announcement wasn’t going to go up until I was at work and it was something that got me excited enough to wish I could have gotten to it sooner. I wasn’t able to get to this last night but since I’m now up before the sun has even risen, I have a bit of time: Crunchyroll has picked up Dragon Crisis for simulcast! Animated by Studio Deen (Fate/Stay Night, Higurashi – When They Cry) and with Hideyuki Kurata on series composition, the series centers on a high school student named Ryuji and his second cousin, Eriko. While out together, they obtain an odd box from a black market dealer. Inside they find a young blue eyed, red dragon named Rose (played by Rie Kugimiya) who forms an instant attachment to Ryuji. Guess who is now her de facto bodyguard? The new series will be added starting Monday the 10th at 11am Pacific and will be available to users in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Portugal.

There are 3 or 4 series this season that I really want to see announced for simulcast by any one of the big companies in the US. Luckily for me, this is one of those series! Big YAY for this one! Now all I need is for a couple of more series in particular to be picked up and I can be one super happy anime geek.

 

Full press release below the cut

Read the rest of this entry »

Starry Sky
Studio: Studio Deen
Premiere Date: 12/23/10
Reviewed: 1/3/11
Genre: Shoujo Romance

First Impression: The shoujo equivalent to Amagami SS

Yoh Tomoe (or Mr. Capricorn if you prefer) comes from a family of astronomers. He’s always loved looking at the night sky and, as a child, once met a girl named Tsukiko doing just that. It’s been his dream to meet her again and when his parents are offered the chance to move to America for research, Yoh decides to transfer into a private school that he knows Tsukiko will be at to get his second chance with her.

Good and the Bad

Lasting only 11 minutes, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this episode. After spending the entire episode going over Yoh’s introduction, I feel like I saw exactly what I should have expected plus every major trope of the genre to boot. As I saw through this episode, I was impressed by just how lush everything appeared. Using a very soft color palette, the world surrounding the characters is drawn with a very gentle asthetic in mind. No colors or background pieces ever stands out on its own but rather just works to tie everything together in one neat surface. This style is proven to only serve Starry Sky all the more as it the series freezes every few seconds to show Yoh holding a bishounen pose in a soft colored pencil style.

As the lead in an otome series, Yoh is pretty much exactly what an audience could desire. His design is well crafted complete with idiot hair to make him approachable but shining eyes to make him mysterious. If that weren’t enough to set off moe alerts, Yoh speaks in an incredibly poetic and gentle voice. As evidenced by the time with his equally beautiful family, he’s also very selfless and a hopeless romantic. And to be honest, as all of this was being processed through the first mental filter I wanted to laugh. It’s over the top, cheesy and has absolutely zero sense of realism. Then I remembered that if this series were being aimed at me, there wouldn’t be 12 heroes to begin with and it became much easier to take Yoh a bit more seriously.

 

Music

Throughout the entire episode, there were perhaps only a couple of minutes when there wasn’t some kind of music filling the background. Almost exclusively piano pieces, Tomoki Kikuya matches the softness of the animation and lead character perfectly. Always simple melodies that only served to accent the scenes, the music always felt like a noticeable but welcome coupling.

Overall

I’m not the target audience for this series and I’m well aware of that. Despite that, I actually had a decent time with this premiere. If clues taken from this episode and the games are accurate, it seems like this series will be following a format similar to Amagami SS (with episode blocks dedicated to each bishie). If you’re looking for another romance similar to that series or you just want a version for the ladies, this feels like a pretty safe direction to go. And just like with Amagami SS, if you don’t like the current hero… just wait a couple of episodes to jump back in.

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?

Once upon a time I bet there were people who were absolutely committed to watching every series that Crunchyroll had to offer. And now I bet that if there were any of those people left, the rate of series being added to Crunchyroll lately must at least have those few remaining souls curled up in a corner shaking.

Two more series were added to streaming site Crunchyroll from completely opposite directions; the 2009 parody comedy Seitokai no Ichizon (translated as Student Council’s Discretion) and the 2006 supernatural action romance Demonbane. So very excited about both of these series!

In Student Council’s Discretion, the series takes place almost entirely in one small room where the Hekiyou Academy student council holds their meetings. The student council is made up of four girls and only one male; a student named Ken Sugisaki who is only there because he managed to become valedictorian of the student body and earned the right. Good thing his only intention is to turn the other girls into his own personal harem. Produced by Studio Deen, this was another overlooked title of 2009 that too many people missed out on. Just be warned that this is another series that will test your recent anime knowledge with its silly in jokes.

The second series to be added is the slightly older title from Viewworks (Someday’s Dreamers and a little OVA based on the video game Armored Core) called Demonbane. Released in 2006, the series follows a private detective in Arkham City. When he’s hired to find a magic book, he also finds a girl with the ability to awaken a giant mech. After the two form a contract, they are forced to fight of an enemy called the Black Lodge. It’s actually good timing for this series to get added as Nitro+ and JAST USA are on the verge of making it relevant again with the release of the Demonbane eroge (NSFW) sometime next year.

As has been usual, both series are now available in their entirety to premium subscribers to users in North America, South America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Middle East and Africa. Free stream users in those regions will be able to watch the first 3 episodes now with 3 additional episodes being added weekly.

I’m glad that Crunchyroll have finally added an Android app because the number of series that are getting added to the ‘Need to watch at some point’ pile is getting pretty stupidly ridiculous.

 

Full press release below the cut

Read the rest of this entry »

Available from Amazon Available from Right Stuf

Hell Girl Three Vessels Set 2 Released By: Sentai Filmworks Released: 11/30/10 Reviewed: 12/13/10 Related Reviews Rated: 15+

After losing her best friend, Yuzuki is on a new mission to stop people from using Hell Link. Along the way she’ll meet many different people who all have their own reasons for wanting to banish someone: a stepson who wants his stepmother to act like she did before she was pregnant, kids who are bullied and a girl with a ruined reputation just to name a few. Ai Enma has her own plan in mind; now that she has been given a new body it is time to start grooming someone to take her place and there are a couple of people who are prime candidates for the job.

Good and the Bad

As I came to the conclusion of Hell Girl, I made some realizations such as just how predictable certain things were going to become. In the first half I paid attention to Yuzuki enough to learn her name and keep tabs on what was happening to her. However I knew that beyond certain episodes, her real role would truly be explained in the final episodes and I was right. As you watch Hell Girl, it’s good to know that you’ll be traveling down two very distinct paths. On the first path, the audience is with Yuzuki. After a tragic first half, the second half will focus on her trying to stop people from using Hell Link and fight off her destiny. If you are truly, truly only interested in seeing what happens to her you can get by with watching only a handful of episodes and still have all the information you need to understand the finale.

Where the audience spends most of their time though is on the second branch which explores the various people who access Hell Link. In these final episodes, the creative staff seek to continue their quest to make each episodic story leaves the audience with some kind of thought or question. As has been the case, the episodes in this half contain a healthy dose of horror and, like the first half, isn’t afraid to go meta when needed. The most chilling episode in this half comes late in the series when identical twins begin to argue over leading the glamorous life that the younger one has. In the end, one will go to hell and the other will get that life but which one? I have my own guesses but this is surely a question that will leave fans debating for years to come.

In a way you could consider these two branches two entirely separate stories. While the episodic stories continue to leave the series in a perpetually dark atmosphere; operating parallel to these stories is Yuzuki and her growing connection to Ai and Hell Link. The connection is strong enough to send her into an emotional downward spiral… that goes on and on. Every episode, Yuzuki may seem to be slightly worse but her progression towards the end almost stands still which made it difficult to empathize with her in the long run.

And this brings us around to the biggest problem this season runs into; as twisted as the stories are and as tragic as Yuzuki’s story is, the amount of time spent on each one felt crazily disproportionate. If there is anyone in the audience waiting for more to happen to Yuzuki I can see the episodic stories getting tedious at some point. While these stories are done with the same chilling turn, after awhile they do start to become predictable once you notice certain trends (i.e. being nice to someone is usually a death sentence). I understand that after a few dozen episodes certain ideas become easier to form stories around but just how many times does the audience have to sit through someone being bullied who wants vengeance?

To its credit, Studio Deen has never slouched when it comes to producing this series and that trend is not broken here. No matter what is happening on screen, there will always be completely mesmerizing animation to go with it. One of the trademarks of this series has always been its unique artwork. While the character designs from Mariko Oka (who has worked on the series since season 1) contain a look of peaceful death, the world that they live in continues to be the most remarkable design feature. In every episode, the characters and backgrounds are always designed using very drab colors and tones. To bring them out, the artwork is constantly given a bright sheen that creates a constant otherworldly glow.

Music

Much like the first half, the themes composed by Kenji Fujisawa, Hiromi Mizutami and Yashuharu Takanashi do an amazing job of keeping this series in a dark emotional place at all times. No matter what might be happening, there are no happy times for anyone in this series and music reflects that. No matter which character might be smiling, the string and acoustic guitar themes used throughout the set will never let anyone believe that these characters will be happy. This is particularly true for the character tracks such as Tsugumi’s sad piano theme.

Extras

Clean animations on disc 2.

Overall

The overall message that I’ve taken away from this season is that the world is evil, will always be evil, nothing anyone does will change that and there is no reason to think it will ever be different. With that pleasant theme in mind, the final half of Hell Girl Three Vessels continues its morbid streak and accomplishes what it wants to do: tell creepy stories of vengeance. Anyone who is coming into this set with hopes or expectations of a huge payoff or conclusion are going to walk away disappointed. Go into this set with only the desire to be entertained by the creepy, darker sides of human nature and you won’t be able to turn away. The lack of a huge send off might disappoint some fans but there’s enough here that makes this series worth seeing through to the end.