Cause and Effect

Sometimes, hearing that a manga you’re reading is getting a run as an anime brings more concern than excitement: Will the animation hold the same quality and be of the same caliber as the print art? Will the plot and storyline stay true to course? Will the anime do the characters justice in their quirks and development? How many episodes will be produced? How many seasons? How will it “end”? Personally, I’ve never had this happen to me (at least not with manga/anime), and while I can imagine the anguish some fans feel when their beloved manga gets man-handled in an anime, I just want to say that sometimes, good will still come of it.

man-handle

A Sweeter Side to Space Dandy

And I don’t mean Bottoms versus Boobs, which is an on-going argument that is foundational to Space Dandy. I’ve been watching Space Dandy for pure amusement and generally don’t expect much more than a few giggles, if even. Somewhere between the first episode and the second, I learned not to expect any sort of continuing storyline, which has proven to be amusingly useful since each episode seems to leave our main character and his companions in various precarious predicaments.

However, that isn’t to say that Space Dandy has no value other than simple entertainment; thanks to the show, I’ve decided that, while others are stocking up on water and weapons in preparation for the Zombie Apocalypse, I’ll be buying out the world’s supply of yogurt. As it’s unlikely that I’ll outrun something that doesn’t tire, and whose hunger for living flesh is never satiated, I may as well prepare myself for a happy existence of eternal fermentation.

Fall Offerings

Now that we’re several weeks into the Fall Season of 2013, I’ve solidified my choice of shows to follow. Personally, I thought there were a bunch of good shows this season, and by good, I mean interesting enough to watch for various reasons. However, as a person who doesn’t have the luxury, discipline, or desire to watch everything, some shows lost out to others, even if my curiosity could have carried me through the entire season.

No Subject

One would think, after spending a year off work, I would have taken the time to write then, but instead, I’m starting up again a week before having to head back into the workforce. Maybe I like the added pressure.

Since Poro has put in the effort to get things going again here, I thought I’d do my part as well, plus this season seems promising. And while I can’t guarantee any regularity in our posts, I will put forth my best to get an article up here every now and then. If that isn’t dedication, I’m not sure what is!

robots versus robots: from a non-mecha perspective

There are a few robot (space robot) shows this season, and … well I’m not much of a mecha-person. To be quite honest, I find all the mechanical parts a bit too much. Anyway, I thought I would give them a watch to see what they were all about, and to see which – if any – would be a good series to follow through for the season.

A quick brief of the three mecha animes I’ve identified this season follows:

Suisei no Gargantia (aka Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet)

Summary: While fighting an intense inter-galactic war, a mecha pilot is accidentally warped into a space-time neither he nor the computer of his mecha can recognize. After waking up from a long hibernation, he finds himself trapped on a planet with human residents speaking an unknown language and using inferior technologies, and – most shocking to him – naturally breathable air.

Kakumeiki Valvrave (aka Valvrave the Liberator)

Summary: Thanks to the development of the Dyson Sphere, the majority of the human populace has moved to live in space. The Dorssia Military Federation and the Atlantic Rim United States exist as major military countries, while JOIR is a neutral principality; the story follows Haruto Tokishima as a normal boy going through high school in True Calendar (T.C.) Year 71. This all changes when Haruto encounters the humanoid weapon Valvrave.

Majestic Prince (aka Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince)

Summary: In the latter half of 21st century, humans leave the Earth and begin to live in space. In order to adapt to the environment in space, and deal with the hostile aliens in Jupiter, genetically engineered children called “Princes” are artificially raised and trained to be pilots of the armed robots “AHSMB” (Advanced High Standard Multipurpose Battle Device). This is a story about one of the teenage “Princes”, Hitachi Izuru, who studies in an academic city Grandzehle.

Chihayafuru: The Love Game Continues

A year and a half ago, when Chihayafuru Season One had just rolled out, I wrote a post about the sort of Love Triangle playing out between Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata. Now, ten episodes into the second season, I’m taking another look to see how things have – or haven’t – developed.

manga: Onepunch Man

It’s not often I write about manga that I read – actually, this is the first time I’ve posted about manga in general. But there’s something about this particular manga – Onepunch Man – that’s work mentioning. I happened upon this manga by accident; it was one of those times where you fly through the entire list of manga offered by one site, stop randomly, and give whatever you land on a shot. Basically, I was bored. And I know I was bored because despite a lack-lustre preview image (I don’t remember which site I was on when I stumbled upon Onepunch Man) and a fairly uninspired summary (basically about a hero who decimates his opponents with a single punch), I still went on to read it. And I’m very glad I did, because Onepunch Man is pretty awesome.

Chihayafuru Season Two

I confused myself a little bit by both watching and reading Chihayafuru; as per the usual, the anime is no where near where the manga is, thus the confusion. But I suppose it says something good about Chihayafuru the anime if its story compels me to be so impatient that I seek its progress out in other forms. The only danger in this is that I lose interest in the anime and rely solely on the manga for entertainment.

But there is something about the magic of television and animation that’s enchanting. I mean, yes, sometimes a live action or animated adaptation can ruin the original, written work, but sometimes, it doesn’t. In the case of Chihayafuru, the animation of this series provides a clearer understanding of what Karuta is to those who aren’t familiar with the game, nor its traditions. Had I not watched the anime, I would never have been able to animate the images (or translate the sounds) of the manga in my head accurately; as a result, I’m sure a lot of the impact would be have been lost.

And I probably would’ve stopped reading. After all, no one reads – or even watches – something that’s boring. Unless you have to for some reason.