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.
The ideas are coming in thick and fast as we now run down the Top 10 Anime Memes. These are the memes that keep the internet running between cat videos and actual research. Pizza Hut Supports the Titans
10. People Die when they are Killed
A poor fan translation of Fate/Stay Night gives poor Emiya Shirou an even worst reputation beyond Mr Preachy. By no means the worst translation but the dumbest one.
9. I Herd U like Mudkips
This evolved from a group of Deviant artists when a founder of a Pokemon Fanart group posted a message saying "I heard you like Mudkips", the rest is history.
8. Attack on Titan's theme goes with everything
An anime equal to Guile's Theme goes with everything; the epic theme song to Attack on Titan really goes all out and has been associated with anything from Pingu to Thomas the Tank Engine.
7. Falcon Punch
It counts as an anime meme, this is where Captain Falcon's punch seemingly destroys pretty much everything while taking down Black Shadow, although the punch predates the series, the meme itself would come when the show aired.
6. With the help of KYOJI!!!!!
More popular than any attack in the G Gundam universe, this is why we love dubs, so over the top, the Japanese does it no justice; they need the help of KYOJI!!
5. Abridged Series
First created by British born internet star LittleKuriboh, the abridged series has evolved beyond a simple piss take of bad dubs into it's own fandom which gives old outdated shows a chance to shine that bit longer. Heck Yu-Gi-Oh would be cancelled by now if not for LittleKuriboh.
4. It's Over 9000!!!
This comes from the first Dragonballz Dub when Brian Drummond gave us a rousing performance of Vegeta during the Saiyan Saga. Probably the only thing that was missed when the dub went Funimation.
3. Loituma Girl
Orihime Inoue spinning a leek on loop to the Finnish Folk Song Levan Polkka. It's become so popular that Basshunter have done a remix of the song and Miku Hatsune will always be forever holding a leek.
2. Pizza Hut supports the Rebellion
Pizza Hut's appearance in Code Geass is rather jarring; the show is about a world run by an expy of the British Empire yet they have access to a Pizza Hut on a regular basis. This isn't the first time Pizza Hut has associated with anime, Attack on Titan helps endorse Pizza Hut as well. Special mention to Dominoes Pizza's personalized Pizzas of the Tiger & Bunny Heroes.
1. Caramell Dansen
This one was obvious, the dance is ultra popular, it appears at least once in every convention, Phineas & Ferb have referenced it and it's as big a staple in the anime genre as Miku Hatsune. And all from a GIF created from Popotan, a lousy anime and sort of okay hentai visual novel game mixed with a track from a Swedish Euro Dance Group.
Expect a Video Game version of this list pretty soon.
Today it was announced that Tokyo will host the Olympic Summer games in 2020, but as with any host of these games, you need a mascot to promote it, so here are ten of the most popular characters in anime culture, we'll be seeing their pros, cons & odds and at the end you can either give your opinion on which one you would like to see or recommend one I haven't mentioned, so let us begin.
This is not a top 10 rather just a pick from 10 characters.
1. Doraemon
The time traveling robot cat is Japan's national cartoon and has more images in Japan than any other character and was already Tokyo's Olympic ambassador for the bid.
While he does have appeal in some countries it may shock you that Doraemon has never ever been translated into English and likely never will, taking away a sizable chuck out of it's international appeal.
Odds: 5-1
2. Totoro
Of all of Miyazaki's creations, Totoro is the most well known, with plenty of heritage behind the story, and a very appealing design.
But how do you adapt Totoro to sport? I can't see it personally.
Odds: 20-1
3. Anpanman
Another long running character in Japanese anime, Anpanman translates as Breadman, a superhero designed to fight off evil bacteria and always there to feed people his head when they need it the most.
While he promotes healthy eating and the importance of staying healthy he has practically no international appeal having gone no further than the Arab nations, India and the other oriental nations in it's international release.
Odds: 20-1
4. Pretty Cure
The long running magical girl series could easily adapt the colorful Olympic rings for a new series and give us a sports theme for it's series.
As much as people would disagree, Pretty Cure is still a girls anime and there's no guarantee that it will still be running in 2020.
Odds: 70-1
5. Son Goku
Son Goku of Dragonballz fame is no stranger to being in the spotlight and has been an ambassador for other things in Japan, and being a physically active hero has appeal.
But you have to wonder how much longer Akira Toriyama will be persuaded to keep lending out Goku for more adventures and in my opinion using him is a massive cliche.
Odds: 40-1
6. Monkey D Luffy
Vast becoming Goku's replacement as the head honcho of Shonen Jump, Monkey D Luffy has already got theme parks and restaurants in his anime's name and will likely still be around in 2020.
But there is a 100% guarantee you'll never hear the end of the flame wars if he gets in especially with Naruto & Goku as other Shonen Jump characters.
Odds: 70-1
7. Sazae-San
Sazae-San just recently became the world record holder for longest running animated series spanning a massive 45 years with the character itself being around for nearly 60 years, old enough to be around for Tokyo's last Olympic games.
Sazae-San is a Japan only product with no international appeal and while it does promote great family values, it has no other appeal to speak of and certainly not for an Olympic games, besides the mid 20s Sazae-San character looks like a Japanese Olive Oil from Popeye.
Odds: 45-1
8. Konata Izumi
Lucky Star's favorite Otaku Konata Izumi is a natural athlete in Lucky Star, making her the most qualified and with portable shrines to Lucky Star in Japan, there's no worry of not having enough appeal.
But is it really enough? With no new series of Lucky Star to work with and other candidates on this list having better heritage, it maybe too much of an outside bet.
Odds: 100-1
9. Pikachu
The electric yellow mouse has been a staple of the Pokemon universe since day one and has massive international appeal, more so than Japan's most popular animated characters.
But the big question remains, do we only use Pikachu or do we bring in the other Pokemon as well?
Odds: 10-1
10. Hatsune Miku
Olympic Miku has a nice ring to it, having already promoted motor racing teams, it would be the easiest transition to make for the virtual idol and is already fast gaining international appeal.
But Miku has never had her own show, whether that will change in the seven years between now and the games we'll just have to see.
Odds: 10-1
Bonus: Original character designed for the games.
It's the easiest thing to do for the creative Japanese, but with so many well made characters it would be a waste not to use them.
Odds: 2-1
I’ve not done this feature for a while, mainly because research for these either take a long time or there isn’t enough material for a full feature, today we review all the small legends that won’t be making full features but should be spoken about.
Toy Story Legends
Concept designs for CGI cowboy Woody originally depict him as being selfish and a complete jerkass, it never made it beyond that.
In another legend before the actual Toy Story 3 came out, the original storyline would’ve been Buzz Lightyear being recalled by the company that made him and the other toys retrieving him from the factory.
Japan Did It First
Staying with Pixar, they can’t take credit for first ever use of CGI, that honor goes to Japanese anime classic Golgo 13: the Professional dated 1983 before Pixar released its first ever short films.
Johnny Bravo & The Twin Towers
An infamous still shot in a Johnny Bravo cartoon aired five months before 9/11 depicts a movie poster with the words “Coming Soon” written above a skyscraper on fire.
Conspiracy theorists believe it to be a deadly premonition but I think it’s only a coincidence; a movie called “Towering Inferno” about a skyscraper on fire is often referenced in American cartoons, sitcoms and comedies, also I don’t give the creator that much credit, after all saying that a cartoon about a dumb blonde strongman who speaks like Elvis predicted a major terrorist attack is like saying a Breakfast Cereal predicted the Rapture.
Creator’s Rights Win
During the production of Sci-Fi Cartoon Oban Star Racers, executives & promoters pushed the creator to create a male protagonist instead of using a female one. The creator was not impressed and not only did he keep his original design, he even created his own company to make sure no one interfered. This became an in-house joke with original pilot Rick Thunderbolt being replaced by Molly very early on and being written out of the show completely.
Batman Can Sing
WB Kids have some funny ways of advertising it’s shows, a promotional shot for Pokemon involved Batman singing the Jigglypuff Lullaby Song, made even funnier as he tries to maintain his serious face throughout, seriously check it out.
Story of Little Black Sambo & Mr Popo
As racist as Mr Popo looks, his design actually has an origin from a late 19th Century Children’s book called Little Black Sambo. It’s a strange story about a South Indian child who gives up his colorful clothes to tigers to avoid being eaten, the tigers argued & chased each other until they ended up as pools of butter, which Sambo’s mother decides to use to make pancakes, yes it’s that bizarre. Sambo’s design is of a black child with huge red lips similar to the way Mr Popo is designed, so Popo isn’t racist he’s paying homage to a storybook character & Little Black Sambo is ridiculously popular in Japan, plus he gets bonus points for at least trying to look Indian. Also worth noting is the Pokemon Jynx who also pays homage but unconfirmed by its creators.
Subaru Makes an Anime
I’ve got one more Urban Legend to give but this one does need a post all to its self, and yes I am referring to the car company Subaru.
This review is probably the most significant one I've ever done so read carefully, and as Dragonballz is huge I'll review this by Saga.
If you've been around Cartoon Network for a while then at one point you've probably seen Dragonballz but if you remember your history you'd realize it's been edited to suit a general audience so this review compares the edited version to it's full uncut release sort of done in a little contest.
1. Raditz
Edited: Obnoxious over confident and who can forget "Keep your eye on the birdy"
Uncut: More mature and more intimidating and more intelligent actually explaining the plot properly.
Winner: Uncut
2. Gohan's Journey
Edited: Cuts out the long dragging scenes and avoids a couple of death scenes.
Uncut: Actually explains some of the reasons behind some of the issues but are largely unneeded.
Winner: Edited
3. Goku's Snakeway Run
Edited: HFIL is a poor edit but it does cut out some bizarre scenes as well.
Uncut: I'm glad for the title HELL but the Russian Roulette scene is strange.
Winner: Tie
4. Training Scenes
Edited: Gets to the point and sets things up quickly.
Uncut: Shows more from different points of view most notably Tien & Yamcha
Winner: Tie
5. Nappa & The Saibaman Fight
Edited: Plays out just fine, no Tien arms don't grow back.
Uncut: Deaths are more believable when you see the bodies.
Winner: Uncut
6. Vegeta Fight
Edited: Again plays just fine.
Uncut: About the same, does a couple of time waster scenes but mostly the same.
Winner: Tie
7. Prelude to Namek Saga
Edited: Gets to the point very quickly and within a couple of episodes were already in space.
Uncut: Bulma's uncomfortable first meeting with Mr Popo doesn't help dispel the myth that he's a racial stereotype.
Winner: Edited
Results: It's a tie between the two, although I don't like many of Dragonballz's edits, I can also see why the scenes were left out and in some respects since watching the uncut version you realize just how much they pad out the episodes with pointless nonsense and unfunny humor.
You see a series like Dragonballz is heavily reliant on it's action scenes being packed to the brim with such extreme fighting. However it can't always create a story from it without either going extremely violent or sacrificing the action, while it is possible to do both, Dragonballz can't so it's frustrating when you have to go through an episode of Goku passing his driving test or playing tag with the Red & Blue Oni. The point I'm getting at is that if I was shown the uncut version first I wouldn't like it, so the edited version actually allowed me to enjoy whats there, while Dragonball Kai sets out to do the same as the edited version remember that I was watching this a good 15 years ago and that the whole franchise is older than me.
Final Verdict: It's a worthy start to a big series but tries to pad out too much with filler and that's where the edited version deserves it's credit.
Everyone has seen them at least once, even if you don't want to, they are the long running series that still entertain us long after the original concept became out of date, but by this point they probably should call it quits, so today I'll be showing the top 10 Animation franchise that should end.
This covers anime & cartoons, also to make it more fun I'll be putting in the year that each series started, so lets begin
10. Futurama - 1999
After being cancelled in 2003, most people assumed it would never come back but good news everyone, it did comeback in 2008. The only problem is, no one cares, in fact none of the new episodes are that memorable, so maybe it should've stayed cancelled.
9. Family Guy - 1999
Another show that got cancelled and reinstated but this show fared a little better than Futurama, but these days the jokes have gone from funny to down right stupid, South Park has been around longer and doesn't have any trouble with this as it offends everyone and is self aware that the animation is a crude showing of said victim and shouldn't be taken seriously, Family Guy cannot do that anymore and suffers as a result.
8. Pokemon - 1997
These days following Ash Ketchum seems like a chore; the franchise has seen varying degrees of fortune equivalent to the stock market and very much like the real life stock market is in permanent free fall with the only hope being it's successor (X & Y Series) to restore it's good name.
7. Naruto - 2000
What started as a charming series of ninja battles has turned into one of the most infamous anime of all time, the strain of keeping this series going is starting to show as the flashbacks seem to last forever, (we've had four in the last year) the so called big secrets revealed were worked out years ago and even a death of a certain character is less tragic, more WHAT! WHY!
6. Spongebob Squarepants - 1999
I'm starting to notice a trend here that most of these seem to have been made all around the same time but that's not entirely true, the later ones are much older. I have to wonder who this show is aimed at now; I can see why it's popular but if recent episodes are anything to come by, I'm starting to think that the show has been moldy for some time. A more terrifying thought is that according to the creator, Spongebob is 26 years old, that's right he's supposed to be the same age as me. I feel really insulted by that.
5. Transformers - 1984
Please end this franchise; stop making films, stop making horrible CGI cartoons, stop making toys and realize that the concept of the same two factions fighting each other in every single retelling of this tired story is no longer fun.
4. Scooby-Doo - 1969
This is the oldest franchise on this list, what started as a groundbreaking show about crime solving teenagers and their dog, has become the biggest zombie of the animation world, at times Scooby-Doo has had several bouts of identity crisis with Get-A-Clue and some of the more random movies skewing the formula, and urban legends are being reduced to dust with the Mystery Inc series destroying what little it has left to offer which seems to be what Warner Bros is good at these days.
3. Bleach - 2002
I've never known a series to go into such obscurity that they literally are making it up as they go along, at this point I've given up trying to follow anything it comes up with, to make things worst this franchise was earmarked for ending over a year ago, why hasn't it ended yet?
2. The Simpsons - 1987 (From the very first short)
I've come to hate the Simpsons in recent years with the writing being so stupid that I can't possibly enjoy the episode, there have been episodes so bad that I question why it was even aired, or why Matt Groening is allowing his creation to be seen in such a way. It's been on so long that they had to change the canon because apparently kids these days would consider the series too old if they found out that their favorite characters were born in the 80s. God I wish I could swear right now.
1. Dragonball - 1984
But this franchise wins the unwanted award of having it's story read so many times that I could recite every scene, but looking back, the story is terrible. Yeah Toriyama is a good artist and can do a good fight scene but his story telling is terrible. Juvenile humor, extending scenes for longer than it needed to be, unfunny jokes and allowing his series to become such a zombie that Vegeta has been reduced to doing silly dance moves.
(The youtube video containing that has been taken down)
It's not entirely Toriyama's fault but he should take responsibility for his creation and end it before we learn that Goku has a sister.
So that's your lot, if I've learned anything from this is that I worry for the health of Fairy Tail, My Little Pony & Adventure Time as they continue to entertain the masses.
