First things first, I'm not very well.
So my progress in kick starting new posts in the Video Game & Music Lounge has stalled a bit but that doesn't mean I'm down for the count, the floor is open for requests for the following.
Anime Reviews
Cartoon Reviews
Walk of Fame Character Entries
Death Battles on Fantasy Zone
Music Posts
Video Game Reviews
and finally Top Ten reviews
If you want me to cover something in particular now's the chance.
As for the story world of Victory Script a new story will begin featuring new characters.
Don't be shy people, request whatever you want.
I find it intriguing that Nintendo haven't made more of an effort to create more anime considering it's extensive catalog of franchises, this Tribute List gets to the issue of why some shows do work, should work and don't work.
First up is the anime that already exists moving to the ones that don't.
Pokemon Current Format
Yes Pokemon is still the cream of the Nintendo Anime Sundae, but it's been such a staple for so long that it needs a new direction or a new lead.
Rating: It's current season is boring and tedious and in desperate need of help.
Pokemon with a Different Plot and Protagonist
Again attempted with Red and teased a lot with the release of Black & White 2. This idea can work but needs to tread a different path to Ash Ketchum.
Rating: It can work and the current fanbase who have stuck with it deserve it for remaining loyal.
Pokemon with just the Pokemon
Teased with numerous times but it would mean giving them actual dialogue and that doesn't really make for a desirable series.
Rating: Keep this idea in the games as their script doesn't involve voiceovers.
Kirby
The show is pretty much what I expected of Kirby, there really isn't much else to add.
Rating: It doesn't need a comeback and I can accept what the anime it did release had.
Animal Crossing
It certainly works as a cutesy kids show but the Animal Crossing experience is very much dictated by it's players, which would mean giving a character the name Nanashi which translates as No Name in English should it go through with anything other than a movie.
Rating: Probably would work better without the human characters.
F-Zero
The problem this anime had is that they needed to make an anime only character to make the series happen. Strange considering there's at least 40 characters to work with and probably takes some edge off Captain Falcon's lead character status but I digress, what we did get was good enough and probably shouldn't be pursued again.
Rating: Doesn't need remaking unless you go for the Live Action route which would work.
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem only managed an OVA during the 90s where every other second class game was trying to break into anime, but with such an extensive catalog of storylines it could easily try again especially with Awakening featuring personal favorite Lucina.
Rating: The OVA is hardly memorable but a full on series based on one of the major games is a sure fire winner.
Mario
Trialed as an OVA back in the early Mario franchise stages it's sad that it's produced several cartoons and a poor live action film but never attempted another anime. With a group of interesting characters now in the franchise and a history with enough to work with, a Mario anime is a no brainer.
Rating: Needs to happen if it hopes to stay relevant in this decade.
Legend of Zelda
Another one dipped in history but has too many things blocking it's release, for one thing, which game needs making into an Anime? Link would need voicing which went down soooo well the previous times and finally would it actually work with nothing to take from the character other than the same sword and shield and green costume?
Rating: This one is tougher than Mario as Link's lack of vocals don't really suit it for anime even if the environment does.
Metroid
Considering that everyone knows what Samus looks like now this franchise is almost a no brainer for anime adapting, it may even work as a live action, however it needs to decide whether or not it should have outside help for animating considering that Other M happened on the Wii and that wasn't a comfortable episode for Samus.
Rating: Yes it can work and should work but needs the right people to do it.
Starfox
Missing from the current era of animation is the animal sci-fi, left unclaimed when Bucky O'Hare stopped airing. There's enough to get this series off the ground but I doubt Japan would want to do it as it would actually work better Western made.
Rating: The west are better at animating Anthros so should make it instead of the Japanese.
Earthbound
This show has too much creepy to work as an anime, have you seen some of the stuff that comes out of this game? It doesn't help that the characters look far too close to Charlie Brown and Doraemon.
Rating: Too difficult to find a balance between the show's kid characters and the game's creepy mantra.
Warioware
Definitely works as a series of interesting shorts Looney Tunes style much like it's collection of ten second games.
Rating: This one works and certainly gives screentime to undervalued Warioware characters.
Donkey Kong
It didn't work as a cartoon, it didn't work in terrible CGI it won't work as an anime.
Rating: No just no. Moving on.
Other Nintendo Franchises.
Pikmin
Not a lot to work with.
Chibi Robo
As a collection of shorts yes but as a full series no.
Super Punch Out
Too much like Hajime no Ippo
Custom Robo Arena
Maybe but too much like Megaman to succeed.
Game & Watch
Works as a collection of shorts maybe.
Splatoon
Yes, looks like it could work surprisingly well.
Kid Icarus
Yes, yes, yes, yes, this franchise works the most as an anime, it's anime shorts prove it does, it has some of the best characters, funniest dialogue, most extensive universe to make an easy 52 Episode series. This is the franchise I really hope Nintendo haven't given up on since it's 3DS comeback, it's an amazing series that needs it's own anime. Make it happen Nintendo.
Rating: The post picture should prove my point. I also suggest watching Palutena's Revolting Dinner for an idea of how it should work.
Next up and probably the last Disney title for a bit, is Star vs the Forces of Evil.
In recent years, the rise and continuing rise of Disney Princess often leads to criticism about how Disney chooses it's female characters to market to young girls, understandable when your selections are Frozen, Sofia the First or the Disney Princesses that wear the big poofy dresses, often ignoring the fact that there are some female characters who could use it bit more love, Mulan comes to mind. So how about a Princess more geared towards adventure? Well this is how Star vs the Forces of Evil was born.
Star Butterfly is the Magical Princess of the Magic Dimension of Mewni, but on her 14th birthday she sets fire to the castle after receiving the family heirloom, a Sailor Moon style Magic Wand. This prompts her parents to send her to Earth on a Foreign Exchange program staying with her new friend Marco Diaz. However seeing Star outside her Dimension prompts many evil beings to chase down Star and retrieve the wand for themselves but unfortunately for them, Star is no damsel in distress as she sees no problem resorting to gratuitous magical violence to save the day.
Star is probably the most realistic acting princess Disney has ever made, and that's saying a lot considering she gets very little in the merchandising department. To describe her I'd say she's the forbidden love child of Mabel Pines and Steven Universe, insanely hyper with emphasis on enjoying life and very eager to use magic because, well it's magic that's how it should be used, and that's not only a bold move but a welcome change from the diabetes inducing Sofia the First.
The episodes are fun to watch and make the most out of Star's personality and the obvious references to Sailor Moon are welcomed with open arms as the anime of the 90s make their way into American cartoons as pop culture references.
Disney need to give this show more love because it would save them from a lot of criticism about it's TV Channels recently especially when it considers Star Wars, Nickelodeon teen sitcom ripoffs, more Star Wars, Marvel cartoons, even more Star Wars, cartoons about retarded food stuffs and oh no more friggin Star Wars as the best it has to offer.
I have just been promoted to Senior Otaku, a great honor to receive, to celebrate lets review something obscure. Lets have a look at Haunted Junction.
The son of a Christian Pastor, the daughter of a Shinto Priestess and the Son of a Buddhist Monk form the Holy Student Council, and no this isn't the start of a really terrible joke these are our main characters, who under the orders of the Chairman must retrieve the seven colored badges from the school's seven spirits; this consists of a living statue of Ninomiya Sontoku (A great symbol of Education in Japanese Culture) of whom Priestess Mutsuki has a crush on, the Dancing Giant, two anatomical human models, the little girl in the mirror, the Tuxedo Mask-esque Red Mantle, the school slut Toilet Hanako, (Yes that is her name and title) and eventually the Chairman himself. Upon completing this task, the Chairman pulls a fast one and opens the door to the Spirit Realm only for it to cause many of the spirits to cause trouble in the school much to lead character Haruto's dismay as his desire to have a normal school life is dashed constantly which prompts him to declare "Oh My God!" in broken English at the end of every episode.
Now it's up to our three holy warriors along with the help of the Seven School Spirits in Haruto's possession to bring order to the school, in what is pretty much an Anime Scooby Doo minus the dog.
For what it was able to do in such a short load of episodes, it's actually incredibly funny and due to it's position in the 90s, introduced many tropes to anime newbies looking to find more anime beyond Pokemon and Dragonballz.
As great as it was, it's presence in the west is very, very limited; it was licensed very briefly by Bandai for Western release but was released in such short numbers that it's become one of the hidden treasures of the first DVD Generation, it was also intended for dub but nothing materialized leaving it sub only.
If I have any criticism for it, its that some characters jokes wear thin and the ending comes across as somewhat mean spirited, but set correctly before the actual ending. But for an anime that was barely released in the west I still rate it highly among much higher tier anime.
Final Verdict: A lost gem among a sea of revolutionary anime of the era, Haunted Junction is packed with comedy and filled with tropes that have become a common part of most anime of the following 20 years from it's initial release, living proof that a lost anime still holds weight with an Anime Veteran like myself.
Cartoons have gone through a surprise renaissance in recent years and we have these ten creators to thank for it. Give some applause to these individuals. (Updated with Honorable Mentions)
Honorable Mentions
Daniel Chong
Creator of We Bare Bears
A simple premise of three bears trying to function in normal society is one of the better attempts at incorporating modern day humor into cartoons. Hope to see more from this one.
Daron Nefcy
Creator of Star vs the Forces of Evil
I really wanted Amethyst Princess of Gemworld to become a series but I'll settle for Star vs the Forces of Evil, living proof that you can make a female lead interesting without the need for vomits of pink.
Disqualified: Skyler Page
Creator of Clarence
Skyler Page Disgraced himself by committing an act of Sexual Assault on another employee and has since been sacked by Cartoon Network.
10. Kyle A. Carrozza
Creator of Mighty Magiswords
This show only came out last week and already I'm hooked, this guy is a refugee from Nickelodeon's failed Random Cartoons project that came from the same stable as Adventure Time. While Mighty Magiswords is only a web cartoon at the moment there is hope of more to come from this show.
9. Sean Szeles
Creator of Long Live the Royals
A prominent writer of Regular Show, Sean Szeles has graduated into making his own show that hopes to carry on the same humor that Regular Show produced.
8. Rebecca Sugar
Creator of Steven Universe
A prominent writer of Adventure Time, Rebecca Sugar's show about a boy inheriting gem powers has all the dimensions found from her time working on Adventure Time and is one of the best female cartoon creators since Lauren Faust.
7. Peter Browngardt
Creator of Uncle Grandpa
A major writer on Flapjack, and creator of Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, Peter Browngardt took out what didn't work in Fort Awesome and made Uncle Grandpa which did work.
6. Patrick McHale
Creator of Over the Garden Wall
Another writer from Flapjack and a contributor to Adventure Time, Patrick McHale created the biggest surprise of last year, the dark and mysterious Over the Garden Wall which set a new standard in story writing and atmosphere.
5. Benjamin Bocquelet
Creator of Amazing World of Gumball
A French born British animator who used to work in advertisement and the only one on this list without previous cartoon history. Ben's ability to blend his unique creations into an impressive and hilarious show makes him Europe's finest cartoon maker to date and one to watch for the future.
4. Pendleton Ward
Creator of Adventure Time
This guy put Cartoon Network back on the map along with the number 3 entry. A talented writer that Nickelodeon was stupid enough to ignore, is now regarded as the creator of Cartoon Network's most successful show.
3. J.G. Quintel
Creator of Regular Show
J.G. Quintel is a man who I can relate to, he successfully crafted a cartoon suitable for people of my Generation, basically anyone born in the 80s and made sure that the old Cartoon Network fan wasn't ignored.
2. Alex Hirsch
Creator of Gravity Falls
Alex Hirsch is a reminder that Disney haven't completely abandoned cartoons and can still create classics. Gravity Falls is the cleverest show on TV in all forms, not just cartoons, here's hoping he creates more.
1. Thurop Van Orman
Creator of The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack
But over half this list owe their pay checks to Thurop Van Orman who gave them their big break. Sean Szeles, Peter Browngardt, Alex Hirsch, J.G. Quintel, Pendleton Ward and Patrick McHale were all credited writers of Flapjack, the show wasn't the most fondly remembered in Cartoon Network's history but you all had to start somewhere and Flapjack is the Forefather of the Modern Cartoon Network.
Note: Nothing from Nickelodeon?
Kind of says a lot about their shows at the moment.
