Lets review something, because I need to and I just finished this one, this is Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions.
Yuta Togashi is the Dark Flame Master! At least he was; back in junior high he developed this unusual persona, for reasons of sounding awesome at the time but upon going through middle school and starting high school he stopped being the Dark Flame Master and started acting normal. This is explained as Chunibyo, a state where you develop a behavior that draws attention to yourself which can take the form of a deliberate anti-social personality, a superiority complex or in the case of this series, complete delusional feeling of having supernatural abilities; this is surprisingly common and people simply grow out of it but for Yuta his past comes back to haunt him when a Chunibyo girl named Rikka Takanashi drops into his life who herself claims to possess the Eye of the Wicked Lord and even has other friends who engage in this Chunibyo state, with Rikka seemingly drawn to Yuta and Rikka's older sister blackmailing Yuta into watching over her, Yuta is stuck in the life he tried to leave behind.
This anime is a mixed bag, on the one hand it's clever story telling, brilliant voice work from both sides of the sub and dub, well written characters and some really emotional moments really give a believable feel to how the characters interact and react, it's almost as if a psychologist made this, made more plausible when you discover why Rikka acts the way she does through the episodes focusing on her family and past and why she's so desperate to find the Ethereal Horizon.
However on the other side of the coin, jokes out stay their welcome, there really isn't enough time to develop late arriving characters and quite a large number of scenes were poorly strung together, another 30 seconds was needed in each episode just to better thread the individual scenes together. I'm glad there's a season 2 because there are far too many things left unresolved and I won't tick this off as a good anime until season 2 can do that, otherwise it's at least half way there.
Again the dub is fantastic, so credit where credit is due.
Final Verdict: I would normally avoid these anime but it's clever writing kept me intrigued until the end, and while it's worn out jokes and pacing is an issue, it's vocal performances and story are worth sticking around for and with a season 2 available I hope I can finish this series strongly.
Wow it has been a while since I last did a top ten, hopefully this will jump start my inspiration as it's been a bit lacking lately. This is the top ten best anime teams.
Honorable Mentions
Team Anglerfish from Girls Und Panzer: A small unit among a much bigger team which aren't all good.
501st Joint Fighter Wing from Strike Witches: Suffers from Miracle Rookie Syndrome.
Vividred Team from Vividred Operation: Also suffers from Miracle Rookie Syndrome.
The Blitz Team from Zoids: Yep also suffers from Miracle Rookie Syndrome.
The Sailor Scouts from Sailor Moon: Bettered by Smile Precure.
Mew Mews from Tokyo Mew Mew: Bettered by Smile Precure.
Class 2-F from Baka + Test: Despite rattling better teams they still have a low success rate.
InoShikaCho from Naruto: Spent much of Naruto separated when Shikamaru was promoted to Chuunin.
The Knight Sabers from Bubblegum Crisis Old & New: Simply overlooked.
Nadesico Crew from Martian Successor Nadesico: Would collapse without Ruri Hoshino.
The Slayers from Slayers: Couldn't operate without Lina Inverse.
Imperial Floral Assault Unit from Sakura Wars: Too many moments of internal conflict and bullying when Sakura Shinguji joined.
Masamune Date's Army from Sengoku Basara: Date has a tendency to get distracted fighting Yukimura.
10. Inazuma Eleven from Inazuma Eleven
A team forged by a charismatic goalkeeper, the Inazuma Eleven took underdog and ran with it becoming the best of the best, there are plenty of player switches throughout the series run but Endou's spirit is what makes the team work and anyone including former rivals can join no problem.
9. The Original Digi-Destined from Digimon
A group of kids united with their Digimon to save the Digital and Human worlds, while many teams have followed from season one, it's the original that's always been the strongest and best although some kudos for Digimon Frontier's team for coming closest to the original formula.
8. Smile Precure Team from Smile Precure
I had a hard time choosing from several magical girl teams and eventually settled on the Smile Precure team, while most teams in the Precure Universe has a tendency to build a team around it's leader the Smile Precure team compliment each other much better as none of it's members really had any trouble joining, they didn't suffer with 6th Ranger syndrome (A character and possible former enemy joining the team and being stronger than the others) and up to the finale they finished with probably the most epic group attack in the series.
7. Warrior Strike Team from Burn Up Franchise
If there was any team with emphasis on balance and specialist skills it's the Warrior Strike Team, led by a tough boss and filled with the most crazy yet highly skilled officers, law doesn't stand much of a chance in Police Town.
6. Bladebreakers from Beyblade
Despite splitting up during Season 3, the Bladebreakers are probably the best team in terms of sports and competitive toys, in fact it was the split that made their bond that much stronger as they led teams that they formerly defeated into glory, followed by a reunion for a final battle no one will forget anytime soon. Wish their successors had the same credentials.
5. Team Natsu from Fairy Tail
A team consisting of Fairy Tail's strongest was always going to be something incredible and Natsu and co certainly don't disappoint. Backed up with an option to add extra members depending on season is a nice bonus to keep this team strong, it would be higher except recent chapters have shown the team separated more often.
4. Kogarasumaru from Air Gear
A team built on respect is difficult especially when Ikki had a tough start to life as a Storm RIder but not willing to give in and very keen to stick to a set squad of riders, Kogarasumaru has managed to conquer the Roads and their kings.
3. Team RWBY from RWBY
Because the show is a web series and not released on a major tv network, I do not judge RWBY as a cartoon but since it has a Japanese home release I will judge it as an Anime which is how all cartoons are judged in Japan anyway, confusing yes but it means I can put it on these lists.
Beacon Academy's most famous team is a little bit shaky with their interactions but their team play is only surpassed by number 2 on this list, as some of the most incredible feats in the series have only been possible through team coordinated attacks making them one of the hardest teams to defeat in any series let alone RWBY.
2. Strawhat Pirates from One Piece
Luffy's handpicked crew is impressive, each with their own backstory and options to have guest members, Luffy has never been short of power; even separated Luffy can still forge powerful alliances to topple the World Order and still continue with his crew even after losing his brother which nearly broke his spirit. Many complain about One Piece's length but it's only backed up by a great team and I still have good memories of the Strawhat's team beatdown on Thriller Bark.
1. 11th Division from Bleach
Now a team has to be three things, strong, command respect among it's members and has to have a steady order, while most teams in the Gotei 13 have their issues the 11th Division doesn't. Led by the fight loving Zaraki Kenpachi, the 11th Division is the only team led by a non Bankai user, yet still has members who can use Bankai that are below Captain and Assistant Captain, despite the obvious gains of it's lower members only a couple of characters have left for bigger things, two notable ones being Renji Abarai and the other being Retsu Unohana (Retsu's association with the 11th Division is spoiler so I won't continue) everyone else respects the way the current Zaraki Kenpachi runs things and are happy not to change that order. The other teams on this list and in the honorable mentions have faults and moments which question the effectiveness of the teams while the 11th Division is consistent and always commands respect and earns you more kudos as a lower member as it gears you up for better things the only known team to do that without being a so called "Miracle Rookie".
I will get back to more of the current Disney cartoons eventually but first I want to talk about the Pink Panther.
The Pink Panther was originally a film series developed by the late Hollywood Director Blake Edwards, known more for Breakfast at Tiffany's. The films were about a jewel heist for the Pink Diamond named the Pink Panther due to it's unusual flaw in the center resembling a leaping panther. They were mostly comedy films and the majority of these films were focused more on the bumbling French Police Officer Inspector Clouseau after Peter Sellars' acting made his character more popular than the actual thief. In the animated opening sequence of the first film the cartoon variant on the literal Pink Panther was born and with the help of the people behind MGM and some directors from the Looney Tunes school of cartoons, turned the Pink Panther into a Bugs Bunny type of karmic trickster but depending on the writer you get hints of misfortune more befitting Daffy Duck. A typical episode would feature the panther being his usual suave self as he unconsciously annoys his regular foil simply referred to as the Little Man or he simply tries something which leads to misfortune, most of these shorts have no dialogue which suits the cartoon better as the only sounds heard are the usual cartoon sound effects and the iconic, jazzy Pink Panther theme played by Henry Mancini, there are some speaking parts from side characters or even a narrator but those are experimental shorts so don't expect much variation among the 124 episodes.
While it doesn't quite get the same laugh out loud moments as Looney Tunes gets and certain episodes are quick to draw guns out every chance possible, it still remains entertaining to fans of the Looney Tunes style.
And finally The Pink Panther is one of only three characters in cartoon history who can pull off the color pink consistently and effectively, the other two being Disney Princess Aurora and My Little Pony's Pinkie Pie. The Pink Panther is also the only regular cartoon character to get away with smoking, which is usually only saved for villains.
Well it's come to this, time to reveal my worst animated shows of all time, looking back on these made it all the more painful. Some choices come directly out of left field while others are more obvious. Let us begin.
Update: Includes new entry extending to a Top 11.
11. Pelswick
I knocked this down lower than planned as upon researching this I found out that the creator has passed away, so I'll be a little less mean to it. Basically Pelswick is about a paraplegic trying to function in normal school life. This series suffers from lack of effort as it looks cheap and with such a sensitive subject matter, didn't really achieve what it was set out to do and having scenes of bullying a paraplegic is just wrong.
10. Fleabag Monkeyface
Two kids create another kid using a toilet as a catalyst and said kid has a Monkeyface and gross out powers which is another way of saying this show is going to be entirely gross out humor which is the lowest form of cartoon comedy. At least Megababies had the art style to emphasize how grotesque it was, this show isn't even subtle, the whole show seems to revolve around the gross out theme. Gross out humor only works if the characters in show are affected by it, it loses itself quickly if everyone accepts it as the norm.
9. Eiken
This is the only anime entry on this list, basically making fanservice as extreme as possible but oh my god, this is shameless, it's just a monstrous train wreck and pretty disgusting as well. Anime fans deserve better than this.
8. Angela Anaconda
I'm not a fan of selfish people and Angela Anaconda the hero were supposed to support doesn't deserve half the victories she gets over her enemies. The art style doesn't really make it any better, it is unique but creepy.
7. Breadwinners
I didn't think Nickelodeon could get any worst until they released this show. It's about two ducks who work as bread delivery men but the show is so poorly drawn and the comedy is just terrible. Also because the leads are basically trying to rip off Regular Show they fail so miserably it's just painful to watch.
6. I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali
Many celebrities have released themselves in animated form but Muhammad Ali's cartoon was by far the worst. Other celebrities who have done this tend to remain grounded within their specialist field. Muhammad Ali was basically portrayed as a do it all action hero which smells of self indulgence which is not how I wish to remember one of the greatest boxers in the world.
5. Monster High
I blame the Twilight films for many things, including ruining literature and wrecking a movie series that deserved better (Hunger Games) but it's biggest crime was robbing the dignity of popular monsters and degrading males.
The problem with shows aimed at girls especially the ones marketing fashion dolls is that the males not only take a backseat but are flanderized so badly that it becomes an insult to watch and they only function as an accessory. In the sexism argument, it works both ways, if some shows aimed at males portray women in a negative light then I have the right to complain about shows aimed at women portraying men in a negative light.
4. Pickle and Peanut
Congratulations Disney, you've created something worst than Breadwinners and something is all I'll ever call it as this is the worst comedy, worst animated cartoon and just the most down right annoying cartoon I've ever had the displeasure of watching and yet somehow the 3 shows ahead of this are worst than this.
3. Gormiti Nature Unleashed
I've brought this show up before, the original 2D version of the series was charming and had a lot to offer, this version offered us not one but four obnoxious male characters. It's basically having four Johnny Tests in one show. This is the worst business decision of all time, there's not even a female character or anyone with a brain.
2. The Cramp Twins
Another thing I hate is being dictated to, the Cramp Twins takes some of the worst traits from the Simpsons and makes them even more annoying than they were originally, I suppose a name like Cramp Twins does what it says on the tin, the characters will literally cause cramps, but what really gets me is they made Lucien Cramp to be the worst kind of eco-warrior. As a viewer I don't wish to be dictated to about these kinds of issues but I also don't want the same character sprouting about how horrible it is not to follow the eco path. Cartoons can be political, while I see nothing wrong with that since cartoons were originally created with propaganda in mind, but the difference between this and a proper eco animation like Ferngully is that Ferngully doesn't spend it's time telling me why pollution is bad it just lets the art style show you.
Before I show my number one let me give you a quick heads up over one cartoon I couldn't put on this list due to my reviewing rules.
Disqualified. Peppa Pig
The pre-school show Peppa Pig is the most annoying cartoon on TV, it showcases what amounts to a spoiled brat always getting her way. WHY IS THIS SO POPULAR!? *rages* *Calms down* Again because it's a preschool show and the audience can't defend it, I just can't put it on this list but it doesn't stop me hating it.
1. Three Friends and Jerry
This is the ugliest cartoon I've ever seen, it's about a kid that tries to fit in a group of other kids by getting dragged into their problems, the characters are unlikeable, hideous, I can't even talk about it anymore, it makes me vomit.
I'm glad it's over, I challenge the viewers to come up with anything worst than what I've listed.
Tomorrow will be "Back to the Future" day, the exact day Marty McFly went to the future. Sadly real life doesn't reflect what the film predicted, some of them kind of do but not in the way the movie shows, but there is a cartoon that got the internet right, way back in 1995 we had Freakazoid, a cartoon from the talented people who worked on Animaniacs.
Freakazoid is about Dexter Douglas, a computer nerd who inadvertently gets sucked into his computer following a series of events including a computer bug and a cat walking over a keyboard. These series of events turn Dexter into Freakazoid a super hero with all the usual super powers but with added insanity, think PG-13 Deadpool.
Freakazoid must stop an array of evil and often quirky villains including The Lobe and Candlejack to name a couple, using insanity, fourth wall breaking and slapstick humor to defeat them rather than his other powers common in regular superheroes.
Now Freakazoid is said to be made from downloading the internet into Dexter's brain, but rather than giving him infinite knowledge of the universe has instead made him unstable, insane and packed to the brim with a mixture of pop culture references, slapstick and visual gags which is basically what the internet is now where everyone is obsessed with Pop Culture, practical jokes, crazy stunts make up the brunt of the video sites, and millions of people view pictures of cats with funny subtitles under them.
In short Freakazoid prophesied the internet, well before it reached the level that it is now, that's how you predict something "Back to the Future" take something that's new at the time and predict how it will actually pan out.
Freakazoid's humor is among the funniest there is and along with Spielberg's other creations Tiny Toons and Animaniacs set the ground work for my generation to make the internet like it is today, whether that's a good thing or not is up to the history books.
