Hi I'm Dranzerstorm
You may remember me as a regular contestant on the caption battle contest.
Welcome to Retro Retrospective, my world dedicated to the old guard of the Otaku world; expect some reviews of the old & obscure, and in-depth geeky knowledge with the occasional top ten and I now have a logo.
Little info about me
Well I'm British and I'm in to all things animated and nostalgia.
I've grown up with every cartoon going and have watched hundreds of anime.
Oh and to answer a question I was asked once, no I don't wear glasses in real life, I would wear Loke's sunglasses though.
I mentioned once in one of my features that I found that Avril Lavigne was pretty shameless with promotions having inserted herself into graphic novel form in the terrible self indulgent "Make 5 Wishes" in which she appears as an imaginary friend to the protagonist Hana; the actual story itself makes for pretty grim and uncomfortable reading both in quality and content, and is the worst example of Original English Language Manga.
Avril's contribution doesn't stop there as she was involved with the music within the latest One Piece Movie singing cover songs of "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback and "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett. Whether it's a good idea to use such well known western talent instead of the onslaught of Japanese Pop Talent available is anyones guess, but an A-Grade powerhouse like One Piece shouldn't need much to be popular.
But it's not just Avril Lavigne who contributed to the anime world, Micheal Jackson used a number of anime clips notably from Zillion & Akira in his music video "Scream".
Most people are of course aware of Daft Punk's involvement in the industry as Leiji Matsumoto's "Interstella 5555" is essentially a visual representation of one of Daft Punk's Albums.
But the weirdest contribution comes in the form of a rejected project featuring controversial Russian Lesbian pop duo t.A.T.u
Yes the image is real, in 2004 an anime movie about t.A.T.u was green-lit entitled t.A.T.u Paragate, the details about the actual film are pretty sketchy but considering the reputation of the group and how anime was at the time, it was intended to be a Sci-Fi adventure film. However before the film could be finished, t.A.T.u had a huge falling out with their manager and the producers of the film. t.A.T.u didn't want to play lesbian anymore which solves that legend. The girls themselves also fell out with each other leading both of them into solo careers; the film was shelved never to see the light of day.
So that's the story of t.A.T.u's failed anime film and some references to other pop star related trivia. Stay tuned for an Oscar special.
And now for the Top 10 Best ADVFilms trailers, same rules as the last one and once again some honorable mentions.
DaiGuard - Because it looked awesome even though it isn't.
Steam Detectives - Because great music sells even if your wearing giant buttons on your jacket.
Pretear - Because it looks very attractive for a show about wearable bishounen.
10. 801TTS Airbats
The most awesome piece of music you'll never find. A showcase of over enthusiastic guitar work over scenes of Aerial Displays and pretty pink smoke.
9. Dirty Pair Flash
I'm very biased with this one as this was the trailer that launched me into anime, a showcase of high octane action with under-dressed women and daft comedy was very influential on my mind as a young pre-teen.
8. Super GALS
This is one of the funniest trailers I've ever seen, high energy is always the key to a good show and Super GALS shows all of it. Not bad for a series that is basically "Clueless" in anime form.
7. Puni Puni Poemy
This trailer starts with an explanation that they tried to fit as much content that would pass the censors as possible but then gives up and says "Fine just show the scenes that won't get us sued". See ADV does have a sense of humor, so as to why they tried so many trailer commentaries, I do not know.
6. Gunsmith Cats
You don't see any footage from the show, all you see is a showcase of art featuring two girls with guns, grenades and a Shelby Cobra set to some jazz music. You may not know anything but you already want to find out more.
5. Kino's Journey
Sometimes commentary does work when applied correctly and the slice of life drama Kino's Journey did just that. It summarizes Kino's Journey into statements that describe exactly what happens backed up by the correct music.
4. Princess Nine
Another series that correctly uses commentary, this time in a style that has been used by popular movie trailers for generations. Commentary flowing with the correct scenes made this series about a women's Baseball team seem like something excellent.
3. Dragon Half
Everyone knows the sound of the Tamago Song. A showcase of hilarious slapstick played to a song about eggs quickly became the cult hit that everyone wanted back in the 90s. This series only became a cult hit because of this trailer.
2. Evangelion Series
Yes it appeared on the worst list as well but this trailer made the good list for using the Beethoven song "Ode to Joy". Always play this trailer loud and proud. If you don't Shinji will cry and that's more painful to watch.
1. Full Metal Panic
But if you want a perfect trailer that gets you in the mood for the series then it's Full Metal Panic. It starts off eerie with a naked Kaname Chidori floating through some kind of subspace to a high pitched chime which then breaks into dramatic mecha combat featuring a scene of helicopter wrestling, (That's Awesome) we then fall into a selection of light-hearted moments ending in a huge Sonic Boom which displays the title. This is the most awesome two minute trailer you'll ever see.
And that's your lot, it's sad that ADVFilms have gone but some of it's re-licensed products still carry the same spirit.
If you've been around the Anime World for as long as I have you may know about ADVFilms, a company that made sure that every anime was available to us or die trying, which eventually did kill them but that's beside the point. The core part of a typical ADVFilms license was a huge array of trailers attached onto the VHS or DVD which served as a small distraction to get popcorn or an equally edible snack much like trailers before a film. This list and and a 2nd list coming later on showcases the best and worst of ADVFilms trailers. Going against normal rules I don't have to have seen the anime only the trailers count on both lists, so lets begin.
Dishonorable Mentions: Getbackers - Because being told it'll be my favorite anime series is patronizing.
Comic Party Revolution - Because a talking fish with a cigar doesn't persuade me that this crap is worth watching.
Wedding Peach - Because it's just hilariously bad at how it rips off Sailor Moon.
10. Evangelion Platinum
ADVFilms spent far too much money marketing this series and having Asuka's awful dub voice advertise it doesn't persuade me to spend anymore on this franchise.
9. Zone of the Enders
There's far too much going on in this trailer to make any sense of what this series is about.
8. Sister Princess
Showcasing terrible dubbing along with repeating the words "Big Brother" doesn't really persuade me to buy this crap.
7. DNAngel
Before we even get going the main character has already failed in his love confession which is then followed later on by a cheesy chat up line. Not really hardcore entertainment.
6. Azumanga Daioh
Having Miss Yukari narrate the entire trailer in English almost made me not want to watch this series. Thank god there was a second trailer.
5. Noir
It starts off okay but then we get a snippet of the theme song showcased as an annoying broken record. Noir deserves better than that.
4. Jinki Extend
"I moved house to build my beloved model robots and then be told I have to pilot a Jinki" A title like Jinki Extend sounds dirty and the dialogue just sounds horrible. How could this pass for a license?
3. Yumeria
Another entry in the school of poor dub and repeating words, this time it's the word "Pervert" and they say it EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!! And that's just the trailer.
2. Rahxephon
How do you showcase a series that the company is convinced can take on Evangelion? Start with a scream from a man and showcase a bunch of mecha that look like blow-up sex dolls. I should've used my fail face instead of Miss Yukari.
1. Gravion
An example of how to miss the point completely. Gravion was showcased as a deadly serious mecha series but anyone who has seen pictures or even the series itself knows that the color scheme, cheesy music and ecchi content no where near resembles the trailer we got.
So that's how not to preview an anime but stay tuned for the right way to preview an anime.
I've dug up a lot of dirt on bad translations of anime, whether it be the Doozy Bots, Saban Moon or the various useless attempts at dubbing by 4Kids, but what about an example of a good translation. Step forth Nelvana and their take on Medabots.
Nelvana's track record is a bit hit & miss having cut a lot out of Cardcaptor Sakura and sticking to licenses that involve big toy sales such as Bakugan & Beyblade having dubbed every series in both franchises, but compared to it's big business rival 4Kids, at least it understood that these shows were Japanese and that a lot of the original content can pass as long as it made sense. Granted a spinning top game with monsters, a monster marble game, a robot combat game and a quest to find a number of mystical magic cards sounds weird to normal people, at least it didn't try to force Americanisms into it's shows (Like switching a riceball for a sub sandwich) or make stupid edits. (Like the lollipop cigarette)
So here's their first anime attempt Medabots.
We start with Ikki Tenryo (Yes he kept his name) who buys a robot called a Medabot so he can participate in a playground game called Robattling; he ends up buying a smart-mouthed Medabot called Metabee who'd rather do things his own way. The entire series is basically Ikki & Metabee fighting until they either defeat all the villains or become champion of the Robattling World Championship. The series goes through the usual miracle rookie cliche in which they win numerous battles by dumb luck and include other cliches such as the rival you didn't want, the female childhood friend who kinda likes you but doesn't show it, the character of the day and the useless likeable villains; there is even a tournament storyline that takes up much of the final part of the series, along with the "Special Power" that makes the lead character unbeatable and the mysterious character with a sketchy past. You'd think that a series with such obvious cliches wouldn't pass for proper entertainment but you'd be wrong and here's why.
The so called useless villains despite having such dodgy dress sense actually have some dignity, so much so that at various points in the series they fight under their real name rather as a henchman.
The designs of the robots are very original; they may look similar to mini Gundams but I assure you that I've never seen anyone use a proper combination of animals and mechanical design without being goofy or ripping off Megaman.
The comedy timing and dubbing is just perfect; Metabee steals the show with the type of energy and humor which keeps cartoons like Adventure Time on the air. I also have to bring up Mr Referee, a character that has to host every battle that takes place, without him this series is absolutely nothing.
Finally the biggest reason I like this series is that it keeps it's identity, it could've been so easy to Americanize this series but it keeps it's Japanese setting and keeps practically all it's culture and despite some silly stereotypes it's mostly fair to other nations that show up later on.
When I think that tv dubs fail, I look at this and see that they can win.
Final Verdict: This is a classic that shouldn't be missed and exists as an example of good TV Anime.
Warning! The following review will be the manliest review you'll ever read.
You need to be this manly to read this review.
Without further delay here is the review of Little Snow Fairy Sugar
We begin our story in the fictional German town of Muhlenberg, (Based on the actual German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber) about a young girl named Saga, who is very strict with the idea of a structured routine but things get complicated when a Weather Fairy named Sugar appears before her looking for Twinkle; Saga who is the only one who can see Sugar decides to help Sugar search for this Twinkle.
That's pretty much it, basic plot so lets look more in depth.
The concept of the Weather Fairy is interesting, based on an old European Tale about Sprites who can control the weather. In this production they do so with Musical Instruments, although being named after spices is not really that original.
Saga herself is a very typical Shoujo heroine following a checklist of attributes as follows.
Dead mother, unexplained disappearance of father, a memento of her mother that she treasures, getting angry at other characters and making up later, getting upset when other people don't understand what she's going through, looking & acting weird when it looks like you are talking to someone invisible, two friends you'll never break-up with, a rival you didn't want and finally looking cute & smiley enough to sell this series.
Sugar is a very typical child character following this checklist.
Very curious, eats more than she can handle, looks up to her mother, gullible, throws a tantrum when upset, easily misled by bad people, makes silly mistakes, laughs far too much and looks cute enough to sell this series.
Even the episodes follow a checklist.
Short back story explaining connection to fairies, introduction and meet-up first episode, main character looking strange for a bit, attractive male turns up that steals lead character's heart, falls out with fairy but kisses and makes up afterwards, pointless silly antics, a convenient local event that becomes the focus of the episode, dramatic plot twist which takes away lead character's treasure but is then resolved and finally the series ends with lots of happy crying.
The reason I'm reviewing it like this is because I found this series far too predictable, so much so that I only managed 15 episodes and I pretty much guessed the rest of the series and on a quick run through I was right, the only original part of this series was the hauntingly beautiful ending theme; and with episode titles like "Twinkle-Twinkle, Comfy-Warm, Puffy-Fluffy" it was only a matter of time before I started wearing a pink dress and decorating myself with pretty bows. Although if you're male I challenge you to watch the entire series and still keep your manliness afterwards.
Final Verdict: It's a nice series with a great soundtrack and great story but far too predictable and you'll probably work out everything by halfway.
