Less Words, More Boobs

Anime Review - Ao No Exorcist (Blue Exorcist)

2012-02-03T11:13:00.000-08:00

Exorcist panties...

Working my way alphabetically through my downloaded folder, next on the hit list was Ao no Exorcist (Blue Exorcist). Not having much of a clue over the content (bar an indication in the title), I jumped in ready for absolutely anything. Despite appearing as a multiple genre spanning series with numerous cliché moments, I have to admit that Ao no Exorcist kept my attention the entire time. Just a shame it simply wasn’t as good as it could/should have been.

If only all exorcists looked this good

Opening in the traditional anime way, the viewer will be somewhat flummoxed by the first few minutes of a group of priests chanting and sporadically bursting into blue flames as they attempt to hold back some evil. A swift jump introduces father Fujimoto: a religious man who has taken parental responsibility for a pair of orphaned twins. The elder boy Rin harbours a dark secret that he is in fact the son of Satan and his demon powers are controlled by an enchanted sword. The younger, bespectacled Yukio is readying himself to start at a renowned academy to study as an exorcist. After things go inevitably tits-up, the boys both take their places at the True Cross Academy and team up with a mismatched group of social rejects.

The anime equivalent of a musical interlude

Spending time introducing Suguro, Shiemi, Shima, Konekomaru and Kamiki takes quite some time; however I cannot help but feel that after a quick background for each character, there was little else done with them. Moving on from this, very few episodes are dedicated to a “monster of the week” theme, and more time is spent hinting at ulterior motives of the more influential side characters. There are some interesting twists and turns throughout Blue Exorcist, but many feel a little rushed and one boss battle that should have been a brutal bloodbath was quickly wrapped up in mere minutes.

Despite all of these short comings, Ao no Exorcist is a fun ride; there is a good measure of comedy thrown in with the action, as well as plenty of toned down fanservice after one busty character is introduced. A second season would definitely help make amends for the numerous plot holes left gaping as the final credits rolled; speaking of which, make sure you watch the conclusion to final episode that rolls in a little later than expected!

Boing?

When CG was first introduced to more traditionally drawn anime, it really didn’t work. Ao no Exorcist is one of the first I’ve been taken aback by the subtle blending of the computerised effects and the sparseness in which they were used. In amongst the brightly coloured scenery, the characters sit perfectly at home with their well balanced features. The artists certainly had some fun with Rin’s comedic faces, Shura’s impressive breasts (which inexplicably fit into a bikini top roughly four sizes too small for her) and Shiemi’s surprise cup size. Scoring very highly from me, the animation is seamless and remains so throughout all episodes.

Typical of a shounen-style show, the opening and closing tracks are predominantly pop tracks, heavy on the guitar and finished with a dash of emo lyrics. Not terrible, not brilliant, just... there. On the other hand, the vocal talents of the cast are perfectly suited to each of the varied personalities; Mephisto’s dandy charm is brought out by Hiroshi Kamiya, whilst the delicately girlish Shiemi is brought to life by Kana Hanazawa.

Smooth.

Of all of the areas of Ao no Exorcist that stop this good anime from becoming great, I found the character section to be the one with the most unrealised potential. Focussing primarily on Rin and Yukio, the twin boys develop well throughout the show as they try desperately to piece their history together. Sadly, the group of sidekicks are woefully neglected and feel as if they have been thrown in as an afterthought. Despite having at least one episode dedicated to each member, there is no feel for certain motivations (such as why the intriguing Izumo is such a bitch!) and no real effort to show development of exorcist skills past the initial exam. As with the story section, there is hope that this could be resolved with another season!

In the last quarter of Ao no Exorcist I was suddenly reminded of the fellow supernatural drama Kekkaishi; young heroes fighting off a demonic force of evil. Unfortunately, Ao lacks the character development and humour of the latter. Despite being a fun watch, there were simply too many layers of story for a 25 episode series and more focus on the exorcist study group would have been a brilliant first series, with more to come later. That said, I would definitely recommend Blue Exorcist to shounen fans and those with an open mind to something different to the numerous moe titles that have recently sprung up.

Recently and Soon to be Watched Signatures - January 2012

2012-01-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

Having spent the last week off sick and getting chased home from work today because I was looking peaky, I have had plenty of time to do what I enjoy: writing reviews. Sometimes though, I find myself attempting to scale a mile high brick wall mental block. Words won't flow and when they do, they are often naff and make me sigh :(

So, I instead fire up Photoshop for a break, using my artistic creativity for relaxation and as a sure fire way to break through that barrier. This selection was created from shows I have either recently watched or plan to get to very shortly. Enjoy!

Ao No Exorcist (Blue Exorcist) - Review coming soon!

Fairy Tail

Gosick

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika

MM!

Shinryaku! Ika Musume

As always, please feel free to use these for yourself - however, please give credit back to my blog!

Unfortunate Screenshot - Kaiji 2

2012-01-15T04:45:00.000-08:00

I have always been the one to giggle whenever I hear a bum or a willy joke, and even though Kaiji 2 has been an epic and engrossing watch, the screenshot below still made me laugh.

Remember kids: It's only gay if the balls touch.

Anime Review - Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (Abenobashi Mahou Shoutengai)

2012-01-13T12:08:00.000-08:00

Satoshi looked distinctly unimpressed at Arumi's
impression of Marilyn monroe

Yet another title that had been relegated to the darkest regions of my hard drive, Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (MSAA) had initially struck me as a cutesy, but good looking kids show. Oh boy, how wrong could I be? The non-stop over the top deluge of mammoth boobs undulating across the screen warranted some strange looks from my husband and earned it a justified place on my list of perversion.

Satoshi and Arumi are two carefree kids who live with their parents in a small community, where most of the residents work in the central Abenobashi shopping arena. After a bizarre accident involving a pelican statue, the precocious pair are transported to a town that looks like theirs but with a typical anime twist; from a medieval showdown, to a mecha infested space station Arumi tries her hardest to find her way back to the world she knows and loves, whilst Satoshi seems to be enjoying his fan-boy escapist surroundings a little too much.

Yeah... I have no idea about the eye-bra either...

Although the first few episodes are a tad formulaic, there is enough variety in the stereotypical worlds and inhabiting characters to keep the viewers interest. A word of warning: MSAA is a parody driven rollercoaster that, for full enjoyment, requires the viewer to have a good grasp of Japanese culture, numerous anime series and knowledge of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Without this, the show may fall flat for the inexperienced.

The arrival of episode 7 is a turning point that reveals a back-story that has been hinted at throughout the preceding episodes, changing the light-hearted tone into something darker. Falling back into step with the previous frivolity, the latter half of the show then keeps the serious edge bubbling away just beneath the surface. The finale of MSAA sees the plot derailed onto yet another tangential plot twist; unable to decide how to wrap up the zany antics and emotionally moving threads, the director opts for a cacophony of the metaphysical and philosophical. Unfortunately, this makes the show seem shallow as the dark plot is shunned in favour of the inevitable happy ending. Whilst not terrible, the story just cannot decide what it wants to be and this indecisive nature holds back what could have been something so much better.

Be prepared for this scene at least once per episode

Madhouse have an extremely impressive portfolio of sexy looking shows under their belt: action-packed Hajime no Ippo, cutesy Cardcaptor Sakura and off-the-wall Kemonozume. This broad repertoire certainly helps in an episodic show that changes its visual style to suit each of the stylised worlds, sadly there is a noticeable amount of recycling - especially in CG created scenes. The character designs are delightfully unique, however they are blessed with some stereotyped features, such as Mune Mune’s large breasts and ever-present spectacles. The facial expressions of the stars, Satoshi especially, are intentionally hammed up to drive home the best puns. Of course, the gratuitous amount of fanservice deserves a honorary mention – never before have I seen the laws of physics bent so hilariously as ample bosoms swing around perilously beneath a loose fitting bra or corset.

Vocal talents...

Featuring a host of seiyuu, the girlish Yuki Matsuoka (Azumanga’s Osaka) and lesser known Tomo Saeki head up the cast as Arumi and Satoshi. Delivering a careful balance of emotional hilarity, the supporting vocals err more on the side of playful slapstick. Wrapping up the sound section, the opening and closing tracks are two very different sides of the same coin; launching into a somewhat camp 80’s disco track, a sentimental ballad ends each show and both match the bipolar nature of MSAA.

A young teenage male, Satoshi is obsessed with boobs, fascinated by panties and most likely comparable to the archetypal anime fan. Surprisingly, he also has a softer side for Arumi and regularly displays a degree of maturity that is never appreciated. The female in question acts as an older sister to Satoshi, reprimanding him for his perverted nature. Arumi can be unsympathetic at times, thinking only of how to get home, however her personality is the ying to Satoshi’s yang and the pair work well together.

When asked in future"what could go wrong with this plan?",
bear in mind the above image

What really makes the cast work so well are the supporting characters that change and evolve in each of the new worlds. Mune Mune is memorable for her pendulous breasts that swing into view before her svelte, scantily clad figure. As her memorable sidekick, Ms Aki is a loveable, but terrible, cross dresser; some of the flat chested close-ups are more than a little cringe worthy, however it should be taken in the good humour it is presented.

Gotta take the rough with the smooth.... literally....

Definitely worth a watch by the hardened anime fan, a likeness can be drawn with Excel Saga, Puni Puni Poemy or Paniponi Dash. Unfortunately, those new to the parody genre may find each 20 minute episode a little too much to digest. Offbeat, zany and somewhat sentimental, MSAA is a good show that just cannot quite decide what it wants to be holding Abenobashi on the cusp of mediocrity, stopping it from evolving into an excellent series. That said, the tsukkomi/boke relationship of Arumi and Satoshi coupled with a bad drag-queen, an S&M sister and a bespectacled buxom babe are what kept me coming back for more.

Gone, but most certainly not forgotten!

2012-01-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

Wow, so much has happened in the past 10 months since I last posted. So where have I been, and what on earth have I been up to? The big one that kept me away from my blog was my wedding. Most evenings were spent creating invites, making place cards and spending a small fortune on craft equipment. Roll on October, and I spent a week in Egypt scuba diving as a mini honeymoon (who said a wetsuit isn't sexy?).

Not only this, but I also reached the grand old age of 30 just before Christmas. In a bid to prevent myself from ageing, I drank myself into a stupor. If I don't remember it, it didn't happen.... right?

So, still 29 and on an alcohol ban until the end of January, I decided that I miss the creativity of throwing down innuendos, perversion and some poorly constructed paragraphs into Word. My raging boner for anime is still very much alive and well - so I am back!

Although I am watching and utterly loving the second season of Kaiji, my gut instinct is that the lesser known Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi should be the first title reviewed after my phoenix-like rise from the ashes. So, as a taster for what is to come, please enjoy:

Anime Review - MAR (Marchen Awakens Romance)

2011-03-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Yup - shounen side-boob

As somewhat of an anime snob, the shounen genre has never really appealed to me; shows like Naruto and Bleach just turn me off because of their drawn out stories and endless filler episodes. However, there have now been more than a few instances of a series aimed at young males winning me over, and now amongst Hunter X Hunter, Gintama and One Piece, I can count myself as a fan of the seriously underrated MÄR.

Far from telling a revolutionary tale, the story of a young boy transported to another world to help bring peace to the downtrodden citizens is hardly a new premise. Using weapons called ARMs, the people of MÄR Heaven can summon guardians, control earth, water or fire, or cast curses using their magical power. Ginta meets a quirky sorceress in a dress that leaves little to the imagination and who helps him to obtain an ultimate ARM named Bappo. You may quickly realise that the naming is not a strong point of this show, especially when the trio are brought together with Alviss, Belle and Jack. The evil Phantom is quickly introduced as a mysterious, shadowy kind of chap who is intent on destroying the harmonious lives of those around him.

Campy fun!

When Phantom and his evil group named Chess challenge Ginta and his team, creatively named MÄR, a somewhat predictable arc commences with the groups facing off against each other in a war game. This single arc carries most of the action and battles, interspersed occasionally with either filler episodes or mini-arcs that see the good guys in training or diverted off to kick the ass of a secondary enemy. Seemingly, a lot of anime fans were completely turned off by the sheer number of filler episodes and bailed part way through. For me, I saw it as a well used opportunity to develop the characters and build up tension for the main event.

During these events, each of team MÄR seems to find the perfect opponent who wields skills to counter their own. Some of these evil doers find their humanity and switch sides, whilst the hard-core evils are faced in the final showdown. Telling the past of both sides the series spends little time on each fight taking less than half an episode to conclude the predictable ass kicking. That said, the interactions between the characters as they fight for what they believe in are easily the strongest element of the show; for example, Dorothy and her cold exterior that hides a dark family secret, or Alviss and his struggle to fight off the zombie tattoo gradually taking over his body – both make for excellent viewing.

That is a very strange line on Dorothy...

Yes, it’s predictable and sure, it’s not the most innovative series to grace our screens, but MÄR kept me coming back for more in the two months since starting it. Perhaps it would have been better slimmed down to 50 episodes, but I don’t think the characters would have held the same charm. The ever present humour can be quite dark and adult at times, but this really made the show for me. If you’re in the market for mindless fun, then the show definitely delivers on that front.

A prime example of manliness?

Being polite, I would say the animation was functional. Adding a more critical eye, I would perhaps say “sloppy” and “inconsistent”. Some episodes stand out for their clean lines and rich backgrounds, whilst others use a lot of messy close-ups that lose all clarity of the original image. Sadly, the epic battles don’t fare any better, with the same cells being recycled to the point of being awkwardly clunky. One plus point for MÄR is the subtlety of the fan-service; Dorothy’s dress is already figure hugging enough for the viewer to know what kind of panties she wears, however she frequently ends up showing a little more flesh during the savage battles. I had presumed that such a shounen series is aimed at a younger audience, but the bounce and panty shot as Alice is summoned by Ginta makes me suspect otherwise...

Yup, this is supposed to be a kids show

The opening and closing credits for MÄR feature some of the widest range of musical genre’s I have heard; from J-rock to pop, there even seems to be a tribute to Ricky Martin in the later episodes. Spunky and upbeat, they certainly suit the series even if they can get a little repetitive if you decide to marathon the show.

Making up for the substandard visuals, the stellar A-list used for the vocal cast is extremely impressive. Ai Shimizu, Saki Nakajima and One Piece’s Kazuki Yao are amongst the line up and all do justice for their animated counterparts. Sadly, Rie Kugimiya is somewhat of a letdown as the annoying fairy, Belle. Her high pitched buzz simply serves to make an already irritating character seem even more so.

Although team MÄR may feature stereotypical shounen character traits, the spirited Ginta is actually a likeable fellow. He has human flaws and struggles to overcome increasingly strong adversaries, but as is the shounen way he is blessed with new skills and bad-ass powers. The rest of his group feature Jack the monkey-faced wimp, Alviss the loner, Snow the feckless heroine, Nanashi the perverted womaniser and Dorothy the scantily clad sorceress who is extremely dry witted. Although cliché, their varied personalities work and the writers know this; there are numerous episodes where Ginta takes a back seat as the histories and motivations of each sidekick is successfully explored.

Catgirl and angry loli = win

Despite this strong leading cast, the slapstick pairing of straight-man, Loco, and the overbearing catgirl Chaton was the outright winner for me. The two play off each other brilliantly, consistently bringing a smile to my face as the conservative Loco is incessantly tickled and annoyed by her well-meaning partner. If only the rest of the “bad guys” were as much fun; Phantom is built up to be the most evil being in existence, but I found his ending to be more than a little anti-climactic. Diana starts out as a much more sinister antagonist that eventually slips into the same trap as many of her cohorts – seeing the error of their ways and turning to the side of good.

Perhaps it was the warnings of excessive fillers that had me prepared for the worst, but I can definitely say I enjoyed MÄR despite its numerous flaws. The combination of superb voice acting and impressive characters certainly keeps a predictable story afloat. Hardcore shounen fans may find this a weak series, but fans (like me) who are a little hesitant in diving into a series aimed at boys may just find a surprising gem.

Yes, these two images followed each other....

Anime Review - Shikabane Hime: Aka (Corpse Princess)

2011-03-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

Yes Makina, horror!

Something strange has happened to me as of late: anime is starting to lose its shine a little. Whilst a 13 episode series used to take less than a week to finish, Shikabane Hime: Aka stretched out just over six-weeks from the first OP to the final ED. Far from being a terrible series, it simply failed to grip me in a moment of personal animated weakness. But hey, you can’t go wrong with pretty girls and a healthy dose of horror, making Shikabane Hime: Kuro look extremely tempting.

Opening with a somewhat confusing episode in which teenage boy Ouri watches a dead girl being brought back to life by his “brother” Keisei, Shikabane Hime: Aka doesn’t pull the punches as it draws the viewer into an alternate reality. The zombie girl Makina is kept as a mystery, with information released sparsely such as the reasons for her battling monsters or her why she plays such a large part in Keisei’s life. Frequently playing out as a monster of the week show, there is not the predictable over indulgence of power-ups and the good guy does not always win. This fresh approach to a typically trope-filled shounen genre stops the mundane predictability found in so many other titles.

Random topless lady.... um, yeah...

Taking a step back from the bizarre premise, the narrative resonates with the distinctive style of Masahiko Murata, director of the love/hate Gilgamesh. Moments of character-centric dialogue is punctuated by increasingly brutal fight scenes that are a delight to watch. That said I have to point out that this is the first in a two season show and used primarily to set the scene. Ouri isn’t a typical hero who receives amazing powers from a beautiful yet mysterious female; instead he is tugged along as clueless as the viewer for much of the show, being primed and developed to come into his own by the climactic finale.

It is difficult to talk about the story without involving spoilers, so I have kept things intentionally vague. To summarise, those looking for all-out action may find the long spells of character development very dull, as Gainax dash all hopes of this being the next Tengen Toppa-tastic battle porn. However, those with a little patience and who enjoy a complex tale unfolding like an intricate origami toy will lap up the difficult blossoming relationship between Makina and Ouri. The internal fighting between the dead-babe controlling monks, although brief, promises much for season 2.

Weird colours, angular faces - definitely Gainax

Making a name for daring to be different, Gainax certainly doesn’t disappoint with clean and bold visuals. The characters are not shoehorned into the boring, wide-eyed mould that has become wide spread recently. Angular faces suit the fine lines used in their creation whilst innovative artists ensure each distinct personality is housed in a fabulously distinct body. Living up to its horror roots, much of the colour palette used consists of dark reds, browns and black and this brave choice ensures the show is certainly a winner in the atmosphere stakes.

Playing up well to the horror tag, both the opening and closing credits blend together haunting vocals with adrenaline pumping pop-rock. I had never heard of the artist Angela before this, but I will definitely be looking up more of her material in the near future. Both the background music and general noises are suitably creepy, successfully making the ever ominous atmosphere sit uncomfortably with the viewer.

Girls with guns - a winning combo

Featuring the vocal talents of Keiji Fujiwara (Kimura from Hajime no Ippo), his two co-stars are relatively unheard of in the seiyuu world. Interestingly, although inexperienced both Tatsuya Hasome and Nana Akiyama create two very believable, emotion-filled protagonists. Although the whining can get a little grating at times, it is worth reminding you that the pair are simply kids thrust into a horrific world that neither of them asked for.

Big bro is the true hero - especially on
his scooter

As a bit of a wet lettuce, Ouri isn’t the most likeable hero in the world; failing to live up to Keisei’s legacy of badassery, he is seemingly dragged along as clueless as the observer with the information overload. That said the climax of this first season sets him up perfectly to come alive and shine in season two. His onscreen bubbling romance with Makina is the highlight of many a dialogue-filled scene, especially as his leading lady exudes a cold, impenetrable exterior. Whilst she is a gun-toting, demon slaying zombie, the starring Shikabane Hime frequently reverts back to the scared little girl present before her brutal murder. This glaring contrast is what makes Makina such a strong female lead and able to hold the viewers interest to the end.

Handsome beastie

Although Shikabane Hime: Aka suffers from many flaws, I can honestly say it was an enjoyable ride for me. Looking over other reviews for the show, it seems to have incensed many of the anime watching community who were expecting the second coming of Gainax’s previous title, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Bearing in mind that this hit our screens at the same time as the atrocious Akikan, I find it quite surprising that there were not more fans that stumbled across this relatively unknown series. Although the anime shine still isn’t completely back for me, I am looking forward to continuing the story with the second series: Kuro.

Chii & Kira Anime Watching Club - February 2011 - G-on Riders

2011-03-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

I get the feeling Yuki doesn't wear a bra...

Payback is a bitch, and now no one knows that better than Chii. Waking up to a screen full of abusive msn messages, it seems my choice of G-on Riders as the next title to share had the desired effect after Wild 7 drove me up the wall. But hey, how bad could a seemingly innocuous ecchi title really be? I couldn’t wait to find out for myself.

On her first day in a new school, Yuki finds herself caught in the midst of an alien attack as a mysterious interplanetary group attempt to take over planet Earth. Only Japan remains under human control and all because of the fearless Riders: young bespectacled magical girls who use their “throbbing” power to repel the relentless assaults by these advancing monsters. Mix in a potential love interest, add a dash of tricky friendships and then a sprinkle of obvious humour and you’re on course for finding out exactly what enraged my anime watching buddy.

I’m usually a huge fan of tongue in cheek shows, and I found that Nurse Witch Komugi-chan pulled off the same kind of sillyness perfectly. Unfortunately, G-on Riders attempts the same kind of over-the-top camp fun and fails in the worst way possible: trying to ram unsubtle innuendo down the viewers’ throat (pun totally intended). Repetitive episodes of the girls fighting various versions of “fancy monsters” as their breasts bounce in every direction possible become extremely tedious after 14 episodes. Whereas Komugi plays the perfect idol backed by an effective and humorous script, Yuki has to make-do with an annoying personality and the most irritating verbal-tic this side of Kanon’s Ayu. Although it could have been cute, silly fun, the show tries too hard to parody the genre and falls flat on its face instead.

It's obvious, but....
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!

The introduction of the main protagonist Yuki has echoes of Ichigo 100%, and for me this is certainly not a good thing. When she loses her pair of strawberry patterned panties, an unlikely knight in shining armour named Ichiro swoops in to her rescue. Unfortunately for him, much of his screen time is dedicated to either the feeble attempts at returning her delicates, spying through the wall as she undresses or being punched to infinity by the man fearing Yayoi. There are many things throughout this poorly written series that have a distinctly recycled feel about them. Couple this with the numerous plot holes and distinctly predictable plot twists and you’ll see why G-on Riders received such a frosty reception from the Chii and Kira club.

Bringing the Earth to its knees with her
annoying voice

Blatantly low budget, G-on Riders starts off bearable and descends into the realms of downright dire. For me, shows in the ecchi genre should be filled to the brim with gorgeous girls. With the exception of Yayoi, the female riders fall into the “wouldn’t touch her with yours” category. Although they feature some stupendous gravity defying mammaries, the Cosprayers-esque costumes have the sex appeal of a wet fish. The “exciting” battles that could have been the show’s saving grace are nothing more than poor use of the same few cells over and over, with animated gifs demonstrating a better frame-rate.

A regular occurrence throughout the show
- you'd think a grown man would know better

The vocal cast features a who’s-who of little known talent that have few mainstream titles to their names. Instead, a quick assessment of their resumes indicates numerous low budget ecchi and hentai roles. A good job really, as each of the riders spends a significant portion of the show moaning seductively as she is placed in a compromising situation by the enemy. My biggest irritation came in the form of Pao: a catgirl-dinosaur-child with a vocabulary consisting of “cute” noises. I know this was a low budget production, but there is no excuse for seemingly dragging innocent passers-by off the street to vocalise such mediocre characters.

Of all of the things in this show that brought a smile to my face, the opening credits actually caused a giggle as I read the translated lyrics:
“Yuki, Sela and Yayoi are right now,
With the power of heart beating,
Mistakes don’t matter, see?
Go today we’ll get right by,
We won’t lose to a fancy beast!”
The less said about these lyrical atrocities, the better.

Spot the subtle reference to tentacle rape!

Primarily focussing on the main protagonist Yuki, the writers have done very little to create an endearing character. Her ditzy nature and perpetual optimism soon start to grate, especially as she remains utterly clueless about the romantic advances being made by Ichiro. Sela takes the word spunky to a whole new level, acting as a bitch to anyone that dares get close to her. For a girl so obsessed with speaking to God (yes, in an ecchi show), this seems extremely out of place. The third of the brave trio is a princess who is terrified of men. Not much else is revealed about Yayoi, apart from her personality being saccharine sweet.

Realising just how bad the plot is, there seems to have been an attempt to address this failing by inserting a metric fuck-tonne of cliché characters into the show. From sexy teacher, obligatory tsundere, shy meganekko, tomboy, maid and of course a lolicon’s dream, every kink has been catered to. Choosing style over substance, the remainder of the cast remains two-dimensional and ultimately boring. Worthy of a special mention is the perverted principal, whose witty one liners and numerous nosebleeds make him a fun watch.

Yayoi and Sela find themselves covered in
"fancy" monster goo...

Bad ecchi, such as 1+2 = Paradise and Homeroom Affairs, come with a recommendation from me because they are so terribad that you can’t help but smile. Sadly, G-on Riders is so awful that it falls into the realms of simply being shit with no redeeming qualities. The mix of fetish orientated characters may attract a handful of viewers, but they are certain to walk away disappointed. Chii, I apologise for subjecting you to this... please be gentle with your choice for the next title.

Anime Recommendation - Chu-Bra

2011-03-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

I admire the use of cleavage to detract from
horrendous headgear

I often feel like I belong in a very small niche of anime fans: firstly being female means I'm already in a minority. Add in my unhealthy love of ecchi, and I probably fall into 2% of the otaku community. This is probably because these shows are primarily aimed at males with raging hormones (you know who you are). But every so often, a show comes along that has a more feminine spin on a perverted genre and in my opinion Chu-Bra is one of those.

Even the credits aren't safe from perversion

Telling the story of Nayu, a middle school student with an unhealthy obsession with underwear, the show is certainly not backwards in coming forwards. Our panty-fanatic femme fatale spends her days using her Terminator-like vision searching out poor girls who have poorly fitting bras. Not only does this help to get her delicates fired up, but Nayu is a girl who lives to see other females in skirts being caught out by a mischievous gust of wind. Maybe this is just a device for the writers to saturate each episode with various pairs of panties, but it gives the protagonist a fun, yet creepy side. Somehow, this unusual girl manages to make some friends and coerces them into starting up an underwear appreciation society...

Panties and duckies - a winning combo!

Now, why I say that this show is predominantly for females is because of that horror we have all experienced when shopping for our first real bra. Not those poxy little cropped tops, but your first under-wired booby holder. Standing nervously in the shop as the older lady finds her tape measure, ushers you into the changing room only to remove your top and measure you with her cold hands is certainly unforgettable. And somewhat traumatic. Chu-Bra, however, puts the fun back into the fun bags, showing that underwear shopping doesn't have to be quite such a depressing experience.

So near, and yet so far...

Other than that, the characters are cute and come in all shapes and sizes - even fans of DFC are catered for. Sure, there is plenty wrong with this series, such as the ages of the girls parading around in their skivvies, but it does have more than a few redeeming qualities. A sterling vocal cast, slick animation and a plot that is certainly unique may appeal to a few. Sadly, it also suffers from a fistful of fatal flaws that will turn off the casual ecchi viewer. Then again, it's only 12 episodes: what's the worst that can happen?

(apart from being caught watching middle school girls frolic in their underwear?)

Suggestions are welcome!

2011-02-26T02:33:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, it's been a while since I last made a proper post on here. In reality, I've not had much time to watch anime recently, let alone spend time writing a full blown review! However, I did find time to finish Shikabane Hime: Aka (Corpse Princess) so there will shortly be my thoughts posted on a rather slick looking soft horror series.

In the mean time, I would love some suggestions for titles to review that are suitable for this blog. Anything ecchi goes, so please feel free to come forward and make some suggestions!

Many thanks in advance if you find me any hidden gems!

Anime Review - MM!

2011-02-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Panty shots ahoy Cap'n!

Although most ecchi releases seem to focus on a mini-harem with a tsundere in a central role, there is something about MM! that sets it apart from a mire of mediocrity. I’m still not sure why this title found its way into my watching list, but the love/hate relationship it invoked in many left me at least a little curious about its content: Taro Sado is a masochist; he spends his days getting his jollies from women verbally and physically abusing him. Deciding that his fetish is encroaching into his school life too much, he turns to the Second Volunteer Club to help cure him of this amusing ailment. Unfortunately, their feisty (borderline sadist) leader Mio is perhaps not the best choice as a caring nurse....

Viva Piñata!

Primarily parody driven, MM! doesn’t take itself seriously at all. Each episode features a nod to the otaku culture, even going as far as including every stereotype you can think of. From a forthright pettanko loli and her lolicon admirer to an attractive genderbender, poor Taro seems to find admirers in all the wrong places. Although entertaining, this is not the sole focus of the show and a significant proportion of each episode is spent watching the sado-masochist relationship between the main protagonists grow. The dynamic between Mio and her submissive pig-boy works extremely well, with a hinted romance bubbling away in the background that will have you cheering the duo in their reluctant endeavours.

Taro soon learned that after-school classes could
have a questionable curriculum

But, as always with love stories, things don’t run true and the male hating androphobe Arashiko is thrown into the mix. After suffering in a relationship with a dominant partner, she is left terrified of men and subsequently turns to the Second Volunteer Club for help with her phobia. Personally I found this quite a bold step to take, as this young girl is left extremely vulnerable from what amounted to attempted rape. Papering over this awkward subject quite quickly, Arashiko finds herself helping in the salvation of Taro and ultimately develops feelings for the boy that she can seemingly never act upon. Although this can be quite frustrating to watch, the writers have certainly found themselves an unusual pairing that works.

All of this seriousness aside, the colourful variation in the characters and their interesting methods of curing a masochist are at times laugh out loud funny. I found myself giggling like a mental patient as the prerequisite beach episode saw the girls hanging a bucket of crabs on Taro’s various body parts. Sure, it is frequently silly and over the top, but the story has definitely been one of the best I’ve seen attributed to an ecchi show in a long, long time. If you ignore the distinct lack of satisfactory ending that is.

Look into my eyes, my eyes,
not around the eyes, into the eyes

Slick and clean, the lines used in MM! are certainly a warm welcome to the new decade of animation. The character designs do err on the side of generic, but this is no bad thing considering that it is intentionally done to match the comically recycled personalities. Mio especially is lovingly drawn and then dropped into some delectable outfits that will have the male viewers falling over themselves for one glimpse of a panty shot. Again, the parody aspect can be applauded for introducing distinct styles to the visuals; one episode in particular pays homage to Dragonball Z – supercharged antigravity hair included!

Opening with a somewhat catchy J-pop number, the accompanying credits are an excellent introduction to the mayhem the viewer is about to be exposed to. Sung by the leading lady herself, both this and the closing audio are excellent choices that fit the atmosphere of the rom-com, ecchi fiesta perfectly. That said, I definitely felt that the final visuals were a reverence to Haruhi Suzumiya, featuring Mio and Arashiko dancing in various states of undress...

So many comments that "could" be made here...

Although she seems a relative newcomer to the world of the seiyuu, Ayana Taketatsu is forging a name for herself with characters such as Azu-nyan from K-On!, and she is certainly no disappointment as the brash Mio. On the other hand, Jun Fukuyama is a seasoned pro, and this definitely shows in his flawless performance as Taro; predominantly shy and confused, the vocal talents switch easily to the frequent outbursts of perversion from the perverted masochist. Although the pair certainly steal the limelight, the remaining cast certainly hold their own in a battle of over-the-top voice acting.

Taro spent some time getting to grips with his plunger

Coming across as a multiple personality weirdo, Taro is certainly unlike any other harem ruler I’ve seen before. One moment, he is showing a shy and naive side, the next he is a slobbering beast begging for punishment from his mistress. Although this grates a little in the first few episodes, the writers soon find their stride and the pervert becomes a brilliant comedy one-man show. The Waldorf to this Statler is Mio – an adorable beauty who has a penchant for baseball bats and causing pain to those she considers beneath herself. Hiding her true feelings from Taro, it seems that the feisty nature is actually an act and she is a frightened little girl at heart. This fragile nature matures as the episodes roll by and give the loveable tsundere depth.

Making up the final corner of a triangle, Arashiko is a worthy opponent in the race to win Taro’s heart. Although the polar opposite to Mio, the male-hating girl comes into her own as she begins to realise that maybe she could fall in love. As the only other Y-chromosome character in the show, Tatsukichi harbours a dark secret that is played upon (successfully) throughout the series in possibly some of the most inopportune times – but somehow remains completely loveable! With the remaining noteworthy characters featuring a lovelorn loli, a secondary tsundere with lesbian traits, a mother with an unhealthy obsession for hooking up with her son and photography obsessed school nurse, hopefully you will find at least one likeable cast member.

If only highschool life was always like this...

Although it may not appeal to everyone, MM! iscertainly a show that should be given a chance to shine and win the viewer round due to the run of the mill start. The first hour may be a little slow, but a point of enlightenment is reached around episode five as the characters are given an opportunity to bring their A-game to the table. Fans of ecchi will appreciate a new spin on an old harem tale, whereas those new to the genre may miss some of the hilarious parodies but still enjoy the je ne sais quoi offered by the cast. Either way, MM! is a fun ride and rumours of a second series give me hope that a satisfying climax may not be too far away.

Anime Review - Suteki Tantei Labyrinth

2011-02-04T15:44:00.000-08:00

Even the setting sun will not hide the poor wardrobe choice

As explained in my Asura Cryin review, a series that packs in too many genres is destined to fail. Thinking a lesson had been learned, and no show would attempt the impossible again, I was surprised by the first episode of Suteki Tantei Labyrinth. Just to give you an idea of what to expect (and how over the top it is), prepare yourself for: middle school slice-of-life, 12 year-old detective, mystery, scantily clad fighting “dolls”, martial artist police, futuristic Tokyo, a “blood curse”, supernatural elements, fan service, murder and to top it all off, the obligatory misplaced humorous episodes.

With the mystery genre being a bit of a secret pleasure for me, any show involving the word “Tantei” is virtually a must watch – hence why this show found its way onto my to-do list. After just the first twenty minutes, I find myself scratching my head; interspersed with a group of middle school students investigating a haunted house were scenes of scantily clad women fighting each other under the control of a mysterious man. It almost feels as if there are two completely different shows messily blended together in a rollercoaster ride of fun-filled investigations and dreary fillers.

Mean, moody and plain annoying.

Introducing the blonde haired and blue eyed protagonist, child detective Mayuki, a firm step is taken toward a “mystery of the week” show which lasts for approximately half of the episodes. Whilst not terrible, the leaps of logic taken in cracking some of the seemingly impossible murders requires more than a little faith. The second half of the show seems to consist mainly of flashbacks and a conclusion to the hinted dark past of our hero and those closest to him. Sadly, it makes very little sense and although is wrapped up over a couple of episodes, feels as if nothing was really succinctly answered leaving a bitter taste in the show’s aftermath.

Divine Punishment, maybe. But what a view...

Easily the strongest part of the show, the animation is some of the best I have seen recently. The characters remain well drawn and gorgeous throughout, whilst the scenery is a superb view of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. CG is used throughout to great effect, but areas of traditional artwork maintain a creepy atmosphere when called for. However, what is a letdown for this section is the unnecessary use of fan-service. Strapping up the busty “dolls” in bandages and letting that pass as an outfit may be acceptable for an ecchi show, but even as an ecchi aficionado I feel that the demographic has been poorly identified for this series.

Buy two busty female, and get a manly man free!

Somehow pulling in big hitting names such as Romi Park, Marina Inoue and Junichi Suwabe, the vocal cast of Suteki Tantei Labyrinth is nothing if not impressive. The latter especially turns up his sex factor to an eleven, whilst Hatsumi’s voice actress delivers equal servings of ditzy and adorable. Unfortunately, the childish tones of Mayuki do grate as the series progresses and could even be classed as condescending during moments of his detective enlightenment.

The opening track is a fun, indie pop tune that wouldn’t seem out of place in the current UK music market. The closing audio slips down the scale, reverberating with the tone of a misplaced love ballad that would sit comfortably in a cheap candlelit restaurant in the wrong end of town. This disparity matches the confused tone of the show and could well help put off potential viewers.

Mayuki goes super Sayan to solve mysteries

Bursting at the seams with cliché characters, there is no apology for the predictable nature afforded to each personality. Mayuki is the adorable orphan you will want to throttle by the final episode, whilst the delectable Seiran is cornered into the knight in white armour who dashes to the rescue at the last minute numerous times. For me, the divide between likeable and murder-able was predefined by the ages and the annoyance was something to be grown out of.

Err... yeah....

Seemingly added purely for fan-service, the female cast are valued for their curves over their brains. Hatsumi is frankly a terrible maid who would be sacked in the current economic climate, and yet she is revered by the rest of the household as practically a member of the family. Sanae is the curvaceous older sister whose unnatural crush on the wealthy protagonist sits in the realms of creepy. Out of the rather large character list, one plus point is that the histories and motivations of each in the main group are well explored and motivations well fleshed out. Well, all but the two superfluous cops that serve no purpose other than to act as chaperones for the excitable kids.

The obligatory swimsuit shot.

Lacking the fun of Detective Academy Q or the loveable cast of Majin Tantei Neuro, Suteki Tantei Labyrinth is an overreaching failure in so many ways. Be it the maelstrom of genres packed into the story or the frankly dislikeable main character, moments of potential are rapidly lost and forgotten. There is a reason for a lack of bubbling excitement behind this title, and unfortunately it is not because it is a hidden gem.

Chii & Kira Anime Watching Club - January 2011 - Wild 7

2011-02-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Meet un-named cop #3 - he's badass.

Although it seems like a lifetime ago that I initially hooked up with Chii to watch A.LI.CE, our next title had already been selected and was hovering in the background like a bad smell. With the ball being in my partner in crime’s court when it came to picking a show, I had no idea what to expect from someone with a penchant for mecha and a lady-boner for series from the last century. When Wild 7 was fired at me, a quick perusal informed me that it fell into the latter of her fetishes. Far from being a modern animation snob, my initial thoughts were "just how bad could a harmless OVA be..?"

Opening with a high-speed chase through the streets of Japan, the line between good and bad guy is blurred as the show’s heroes are introduced as a renegade group of ex-convicts who have turned to a life of law enforcement. Well, in their own way. After running down a group of sadistic thieves, the Wild 7 spend the next five minutes stamping their version of justice on the brash miscreants with varying levels of violence. Be it a shotgun to the face or a motorcycle wheel used to rip a guy out of a car, the results always seem to be the same mangled meat-bag at the other end. Oh, and don’t forget random servings of fan-service that are more amusing than arousing.

Panties! In an explosion! How exciting!

Unfortunately, story is sacrificed for gore and action. Although I wouldn’t normally have too much of an issue with this, the confusion I faced after just the first ten minutes only got worse as the show progressed. Episode one introduces each of the forgettable characters which then shoehorns in a side-plot involving a hilarious road traffic accident and untold amounts of backstabbing. The second fifty-minute “fun filled” offering features some rather butch women, a clan of armour-clad Hells Angels and a plot complicated enough to challenge the writer of Donnie Darko. For those looking for mindless action, you probably will adore this. For those who enjoy a good story, give this one a wide berth as it seems the director did too...

Dave looked forward to his new nickname of "half-face"

I have seen comments that the animation for Wild 7 has an atypical 80’s look to it. Unfortunately, the show is actually from 1995. Although part of the blame probably falls to the fact that only VHS copies are available, the ugly characters are entirely attributable to a tightly budgeted art department. The colours are distinctly muted and carefully drawn lines bend and warp unnaturally as frames fly by. That said, gore fans will adore the attention to detail of a half exploded head or an eyeball slowly dribbling down someone’s face. Each to their own I suppose.

Signor want a siesta? Or maybe a burrito...

One of the few things I agreed with Chii upon was the unintentional hilarity of the accompanying soundtrack. Featuring mostly a cacophony of utterly terrible rock, the relentless use of guitar riffs actually suits the onscreen violence. Sadly, recordings by the original vocal cast seem to have been lost in the sands of time and only the god-awful dub remains. Starring a Mexican impersonation that verges on racist, the rest of the cast either come across as disinterested seiyuu who have numerous other things they would rather be doing, or see this as a chance of a lifetime and therefore a license to OVERRACT. Either way, it was witty.

Lolicon alert!

From their initial introduction in a slick freeze-frame styled biography, I assumed that the dirty cops would each harbour skills that related back to their pasts. Happyaku the baseball hero, Oyabun the former Yakuza and Hebopi the bearded hippie all sound like intriguing personalities, however they are soon indistinguishable from one another (apart from an awesome ginger beard). With their initial list of skills quickly forgotten about, there is little to no character development afforded to the group. Even more annoyingly, an extremely irritating young girl with an inappropriately short dress is given more than a little screen-time for adding virtually nothing to the plot.

Happy by name, brutal by nature

Definitely not one to be taken seriously, this is certainly a show to watch “for the lulz”. I can now tick it off my watching list and pray Chii’s next choice is a little kinder... But for now, it’s my turn and I’m in the mood for something a little ecchi. Check out Chii's perspective here!

Anime Signatures - Couples

2011-01-29T10:24:00.000-08:00

Be they real or made up, anime couples have a certain je ne sais quoi about them. The dynamic is always well thought out and occasionally, as in REC, they show the harsh reality that can come with dedicating your life to another person. Anyways, enough with the mushiness and on with the signatures! As always, please feel free to use those that are posted here, but a little credit is always welcome.

The unbeatable Hale and Guu

Sakura and Syaoran from Tsubasa Chronicles

Maka and Soul from Soul Eater

Rin and Archer from Fate/Stay Night

Kagura and Saiga from Speed Grapher

Arima and Miyazawa from Kare Kano

Ed and Winry from Fullmetal Alchemist

Anime Review - Monochrome Factor (Shounen-ai)

2011-01-22T07:42:00.000-08:00

Gotta love the glint in the eyes of the guy at the back...

As a lover of all things perverted, even the seemingly innocuous Monochrome Factor didn’t pass my beady gaze. Initially finding it through a recommendation with Neugami Neuro, I thought it would be a dark humoured amusing romp. However, what it is instead is a weak wristed, shounen-ai flirting that will put off the usual action fans and not contain enough bishies or boy on boy action to placate the fan-girls.

Following the high school delinquent Akira, the story is quick to make our unlikely hero into a good for nothing layabout that leaves his class prefect, Aya, despairing. Throw in goofy best friend/sidekick Kengo, add the flirtatious and mysterious stranger Shirogane and leave the group to fight off the arrival of some red-eyed snakey things and you have yet another generic shounen action flick to add to the list. However, what sets this apart is the use of a doppelganger to disguise Akira’s new job in life. Oh wait, didn’t they do that in Bleach already?

One of the shows "bishies". I shit you not.

Once our hero has been made into an uber demon slaying machine, Kengo and Aya soon find themselves kitted out with magical artefacts (including some gloves that are very similar to those found in Hitman Reborn) and get in on the action. From this point onwards, the story is rinse and repeat dreary filler that drags on episode after episode, with the “loveable gang” meeting someone new and then having to save them from a parasitic demon. The underlying story is drip fed gradually throughout this episodes in a way supposed to be tantalising, but that becomes more frustrating than anything.

Unfortunately, what could have been an earth shattering climax becomes a damp squib of predictable monotony. As the manga is currently unfinished, a messy ending is cobbled together that answers very few questions and will probably leave most viewers scratching their heads. If there was to be a season 2, I would probably watch it (the OCD sadism in me demands it), but only to have a conclusion drawn under the plagiarised boredom. I know of a couple of people who have enjoyed Monochrome Factor, however they watched it early in their anime career when they had no standards to base this by. Maybe a little open-mindedness is needed, but I didn’t have the patience for mindless fluff that gives very little in the way of rewards.

The animation is certainly flaky in places. Like here.

One of the main stumbling blocks for me was the substandard animation. Characters seemed to change subtly frame by frame, and everything feels like it was drawn in a rush. Despite this, the animation becomes marginally better in the second half, but still lacks the va-va-voom that can be found in many shows of the same vintage. Most shounen-ai shows play on their strengths; beautiful bishies flirting with each other is always a pleasure to behold, however the average looking cast of Monochrome Factor caused no stirring of my loins. Shirogane looks creepy with his feminine lips and too pale skin, whilst Akira is only semi-decent when in his shadow form and the potentially delectable Kou is relegated down to a secondary character.

"I... I... never realised they came in XXXL"

Heading up the cast as Shirogane, Junichi Suwabe lends his super sexy vocals initially bestowed on Archer of Fate/Stay fame. Daisuke Ono also makes a star turn as the heroic Akira, standing shoulder to shoulder with a very lusty sounding Ami Koshimizu. Unfortunately this excellent cast is spoilt by the veritable annoyance of Aya as she wails “Akiraaaa” for the hundredth time or grunts through yet another telegraphed sword attack. Musically, I can’t say I was particularly smitten with either the OP or the ED as they both fall into the dull mainstream trap. That said, neither particularly have anything dislikeable about them, they are simply easily skippable.

Flaky, cliché and predictable, the cast of Monochrome Factor feel like better known characters making a cameo in this lesser series. Akira is a typical hot-headed shounen hero that is reminiscent of Bleach’s Ichigo. As a loyal sidekick, Kengo is more than a little similar to Shinji from Get Backers. The list goes on, but I can’t help feel that the characters featured here lack the drive and motivation of the previously mentioned shows.

As close to an up-skirt shot as Monochrome Factor gets.

Although as far from a feminist as you can get (yes, I believe women are generally worse drivers than men), the female faces in the show are either raging nymphomaniacs or overly violent tsunderes. Aya is a disappointing member of the main team and it feels as if she has been looked over when it came to developing her into a more robust figure. Adding youthful innocence to the group, Haruka is a somewhat mysterious and unpredictable character who has some annoying and strange tendencies.

Man it up and make out already!

I honestly thought I might quite enjoy this; instead, I was left feeling disappointed and cheated. To the writers: please either stick to shounen, or go for an all out Junjou Romantica as sitting on the fence between the two isn’t going to win you many fans.

Weekly Anime Recommendation - 18th January 2011 - Ikkitousen Sexy Cosplay

2011-01-18T10:44:00.000-08:00

They even added a bow to the gift-wrapped goodness...

Apologies to readers for my apparent slacking as of late, but an unfortunate thing called "real life" sadly distracted my usual evenings of uninterrupted bliss sat in front of my laptop. But with a few minutes to spare, I thought I would share my love for another tasty gem hidden amongst the numerous titles in the world of anime. This week is the turn of the lesser known OVA that pays tribute to the curvaceous figures of the Ikkitousen girls in a Sexy Cosplay special!

"My hand slipped?"

For me, Ikkitousen was always the lesser sibling of Tenjou Tenge; not quite delivering the same gripping "storyline", or having the same 5* quality of fan-service. That said, this special OVA delivers a full-on face-full eruption of perversion that will have fanboys wearing out their printscreen function in an attempt to capture the most tempting shots. With no qualms about throwing Mou-chan, Kan'U and Hakufu into maid outfits or barely there lingerie and then making them fight, Sexy Cosplay is the definition of mindless entertainment.

In Ikkitousen-land, butts shine!

With each episode only being a few minutes long, don't expect the overarching storyline to be developed. In fact, don't expect a plot. This is an excuse to strip the buxom babes down to their skivvies and reward dedicated viewers with a tonne of wrist-aching material.

Anime Signatures - 14th January (Angels)

2011-01-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, it seems that angels are a favourite in the Japanese entertainment area. From Belldandy to Dokuro-chan, they can be either sexy minxes or violent raging feminists. As always, please feel free to borrow any of the sigs found on this blog, but some credit would be nice!

Anime Review - Princess Lover

2011-01-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

Mmmm... squishy...

With no title too great or too small, my next epic odyssey fell to the shoujo sounding Princess Lover! Thinking it would either be over the top girly fluff or yet another high class harem, I have to admit I felt relief as it fell into the camp of the latter and played out as a not completely terrible ecchi.

Face down in a maid's lap - the way to solve the
woes of the world

Arima is a young boy living a simple life in a noodle shop when his parents are suddenly and tragically killed. Soon contacted by his super wealthy grandfather who invites the young boy to come live with him, Arima finds himself joining an upmarket school that is home to numerous aristocrats, idols and royalty. Having saved the life of the voluptuous Princess Charlotte, he finds not only her favour but also that of his new fiancé Sylvia (who looks suspiciously like Saber from Fate/Stay Night, right down to the military outfit), his maid Yuu and the feisty Seika. Day to day life in this high-class college isn’t easy, especially whilst trying to learn some social etiquette and the final half of the series is a complete about turn from the predictable fluff that came before it.

My thoughts too

Now, I’m never first in line to complain about breasts in anime, but the combination spectacle of Princess Hazelrink’s, Sylvia’s and Yuu’s breasts take a few episodes to overcome. If I’d been asked to describe the story 2 episodes in, I probably would have muttered something about large, squishy, oversized, sumptuous boobs. Once past that, and you’re into typical harem territory: Arima is the new blood in the school and his kind nature instantly wins him the hearts (and panties) of many of his classmates. The girls are cliché, the plot leaves little to the imagination, but there is something that kept Princess Lover from falling into the lowly realms of mediocre. One scene that jumps to mind is a tribute to the superb Kaiji during the hot springs episode; totally unexpected, and fitting perfectly with the mission of the boys, it really gives a laugh out loud moment to what could have been otherwise dull.

This would have been a great picture if not for the
censoring steam - DAMN YOU!

The surprising twist in the second half turns the atmosphere somewhat darker, and the main focus becomes Arima’s vengeance whilst trying to maintain his role as the knight on a white steed. Be prepared for betrayals and double crossing which causes team “Good Guy” to pull together in a time of need. Unfortunately, politics and harem are two genres that should probably never mix, and the poorly executed scripting goes to prove this point further. Sadly at the end of the day there is no resolution to any of the numerous romances and what started as a fun tale soon degenerates into something disappointingly forgettable.

....yeah......

Boobs. Lots of boobs. And with the look of two puppies wrestling in a sack, I think I can safely say that not only do the laws of physics not apply here, but the girls are going to have some serious back problems in the future. Despite the obvious obsession with sweater potatoes, the girls are quite cute and sport the typical saucer sized eyes. Unfortunately, any action scenes seem to be hampered by awkward movements that spoil the flow of excitement compared to shows, such as Kara no Kyoukai. Another sticking point is the frequent recycling of material through pointless flashbacks. Seriously, if you can’t remember what happened in the last episode, a quick lobotomy could be in order. That said, the show is still reasonably pretty and the backgrounds sufficiently detailed to keep fans of modern animation happy.

Did someone call for Saber?

Opening with the typical pop-fluff you would expect for a series of this calibre, the cutesy feel continues throughout the majority of the incidental music. The audio during the closing credits is much more to my tastes, with a rousing slow rock anthem that gives a different side to the anime. Featuring the accomplished voice of Ryoka Yuzuki as the ditzy Charlotte Hazelrink and the gruff tones of Megumi Toyoguchi as Sylvia, the entire vocal cast provide a consistently entertaining experience.

Not wanting to overdress for her first date, Charlotte
decided bra-less was the way forward

With their looks taking the forefront, it is glaringly obvious that the characters have been transplanted directly from an eroge; the proportion between breast and brain size certainly attests to that. Charlotte especially has been afflicted by the “vapid bint” flu (H2N2) currently sweeping the globe. A clueless ditz, she has moments when she opens her heart and I think she could be likeable, then she finds herself riding (also known as grinding against) Arima like a pony and asking innocently what is wrong with that. On the other hand, Sylvie is the sword wielding, uptight heroine who keeps herself to herself. Of all of the female troupe, she edges into top spot as the most likeable, and those in agreement can watch the questionable OVA to see just a little more of Lady Van Hossen.

Even fangirls aren't forgotten with these studly men

Arima himself is much more likeable than most ecchi protagonists. Kind hearted with an occasional compulsion for perversion, he has a difficult decision ahead with so many wealthy women throwing themselves at him. Shining most notably during the vacation episode, it’s a shame that his over-the-top heroic antics seem totally unbelievable and leave him looking like a bit of a berk.

Boobs and upskirt! Double win!

Starting as quite a fun harem show, the mid-twist puts poorly thought out politics at the forefront and what made the series so different before quickly becomes forgotten. With nice looking graphics that are nothing special, and characters that have been seen before, the only thing that I will take away from this, despite the slightly better than average start, are the big and bouncy boobs.

Unfortunate Screenshot - 6th January - Gintama

2011-01-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

I know, I know... I've already posted a Gintama screenshot. However, this one is special. This one makes boys go "eww" and girls "squee" with excitement, even though it is a completely innocent scene! In this special episode of the epic Gintama, Sougo has been found exhausted and dehydrated. To bring him round, Kondo offers him something super special to suck on....

It's an ice-lolly, not a penis by the way.

Anime Review - Magical Pokan (Magipoka, Renkin San-kyuu Magical Pokaan)

2011-01-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Noone fangirls more effectively than Liru and Uma

I have obtained much anime over the years; in fact, it comes in quicker than I can watch it. And so, I have a few titles that I have no idea why I would have wanted it in the first place, nor remember who I should blame for the recommendation if I don’t like it. Magical Pokan falls into this category, however the screenshots of an adorable wolf-girl gave me reason enough to fire up what eventually turned out to be a cute, adorable and amazingly funny show.

Following the exploits of four princesses from the Netherworld trying to come to terms with living in the human realm, Pokan tells of the daily adventures of Liru the werewolf, Pachira the vampire, Uma the witch and Aiko the android. Delightfully naive, each girl struggles to overcome their natural urges and conquer their peculiar insecurities. Uma is pretty crap at magic, and only attracts crowds because of her uncanny ability to flash her panties each time she casts a spell. Aiko is terrified she can’t attract a man because of her weight, whilst Pachira keeps burning up in sunlight. Finally, Liru turns into an adorable puppy every time she sees a full moon and can’t resist a serving of Matsuzaka beef.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Pachira's panties!

If it sounds simplistic and easygoing, that’s because it is. Each episode is divided into two shorter tales that fly past quickly and enjoyably with little requirement for thought. There is also a healthy dose of fan-service that sees the quartet frequently in underwear or bathing suits, and that never hurts a series as far as I’m concerned. As a breath of fresh air, these brief glimpses of cleavage or panties are not the main focus of the show nor do they detract from the plot allowing it to carry on unhindered. Sure it is predictable in places, but the overdose of moe is a lot more enjoyable than some of the ecchi shows I have subjected myself to recently.

Liru simply wasn't impressed by the flyby boob-squish.

Whilst not the slickest and up-to-date animation out there, the characters are pleasant on the eye with a gorgeously varied palette used throughout. From the main cast, only luscious Liru is blessed in the cleavage department and the artists are more than happy to display her curvaceous figure in scanty outfits. In fact, the wardrobes used for each of the girls is a pleasant and varied surprise, suiting their personalities perfectly; from Pachira’s upmarket garb to Aiko’s reserved full length dresses to cover her substantial figure, a significant amount of thought has gone into the clothing. My only issue on the animation front is caused by the breasts of the evil scientist, K-ko. Swinging down like oversized udders, the ginormous funbags take over the screen as they jiggle in every shot.

10 points to the first reader to tell me exactly
what feels like pudding...

Opening with a somewhat darker and mysterious track, the opening credits imply the show hidden within is riddled with yuri fan-service. The closing audio is sung in turn by each of the four female leads invoking different nonsensical magical spells accompanied by a catchy tune that will stay with you for days. During the show, the incidental music is much more attuned to the nature of the series giving a playful and fun atmosphere to the show.

Heading up the impressive seiyuu list, the unmistakable voices of Aya Hirano and Hitomi Nabatame take centre stage as Pachira and Liru. The remaining duo, although not as accomplished, certainly serve up a stellar performance as the excessively kawaii and moe Aiko and Uma. As a secondary character, Dr. K-ko is as over the top and flamboyant as her hefty assets and features the frequently recycled evil genius laugh (tm).

Pachira's DFC was the source of amusement for many.

Speaking to the handful of other fans that have seen this show, it seems that Liru is head and wet nose ahead of the rest. Not quite as naive as the rest of the bunch, she usually gives guidance on simple things such as mail delivery. Issues only come in the presence of a full-moon, when all bets are off and the real animal comes out; what makes this even more endearing is that she acts almost exactly the same as my dog, rolling in mud and begging for treats. The rest of the bunch, although adorable, are a little cliché and designed to appeal to specific areas of the anime community. Aiko: the clumsy, moe meganekko who is desperate to please. Pachira: the somewhat amiable tsundere who is obsessed with seducing a slave. Uma: the ditzy, panty-flashing loli idol that rates almost as highly as the untouchable Komugi-chan. But hey, I bet this gets brownie points from most viewers!

Pixel for pixel, each breast is bigger than her head.

Sadly only featuring in a couple of episodes, the despot Dr. K-ko is predictably written but an utter pleasure to watch. Once you get past the oversized mammaries, a realisation will hit that everything about the detestable anti-hero is intentionally over the top and she fits into the crazy cast perfectly.

To that mystery person that recommended Magical Pokan all of those years ago: I thank you. For a mindless bit of fluff and fun, it doesn’t really get much better than this.

Let's hope Liru doesn't catch a cold. On second thoughts,
the sneezing could be a bonus...

Weekly Anime Recommendation - 2nd January 2011 - REC

2011-01-02T07:38:00.000-08:00

Cute, adorable and the main reason to watch REC... Aka.

Continuing the tradition of recommending titles I have watched and that deserve to have their praises sung, REC is the next show in line as a relatively unheard of RomCom. As a genre I'm not particularly fond of, I was a little sceptical at first about sitting through a mushy love tale. However REC is an absolute gem that, for once, doesn't focus on a harem, a high school love or a feckless guy with no idea that a female may actually want to get into his pants.

The closest to fanservice you get

Telling the story of up-and-coming voice actor, Aka Onda and unlucky in love salary man, Fumihiko Matsumaru, REC is a testament to the fact that the path of true love never runs straight. After Fumihiko succumbs to yet another failed date, his path crosses with the bubbly Aka and a twist of fate finds the two sharing a bed together that evening. Cue much embarrassment the next morning as Fumihiko's company employs his one night stand as the voice for their new marketing campaign. Despite initial hesitations about progressing a relationship, the pair find the more time they spend together the harder it becomes to be apart.

Cue panic as Fumihiko realises he forgot to wear pants

The dynamic between the pair is utterly adorable, as the two seem to be reasonably inept when it comes to matters of the heart. Aka thinks Fumihiko is only interested in sex, whilst he feels that she is overly complicated and frequently a pain in the arse to live with. Couple this with the fact that the duo end up living together in a one room apartment, the close proximity adds a claustrophobic element that only goes to heighten already highly strung tensions.

Beer: the one guaranteed way to get yourself a girl at night

Although the main protagonist starts out as somewhat of a sex pest, he reveals a complex personality that only strengthens as the show progresses. His on/off relationship with the frankly adorable Aka will certainly keep those that have been in a relationship of their own coming back for more. You'll empathise with their frustrations, understand why the simple words of one person can hurt so much and still spend the entire series praying that the two get to the bottom of their feelings and can find happiness together.

Although there are many ups and downs, you will
learn to love the pair

With each episode only around 11 minutes (and yes, that includes opening and ending credits), it may seem like you're getting a little short changed on an anime fix, but the snappy storytelling really works here. Although, I have to admit that having everything wrapped up in 10 episodes left me wanting more... a lot more. Truly a show for those who have known what it is like to be in and out of love - and I know there will be some perverts out there with a hidden romantic side.

Anime Review - Yosuga no Sora

2010-12-29T12:49:00.000-08:00

Babe #1 is really rather buxom

Now, I’m not the kind of girl adverse to watching the occasional hentai title or forcing my fiancé to watch trashy ecchi with me. However, when a number of friends heralded the currently airing Yosuga no Sora as “porn”, I knew it was my civic duty to watch and review such a spectacle. Not knowing quite what to expect from comments such as “vagina towel”, I have to admit to being somewhat taken aback by the fearless use of typically soft core action.

The story revolves around siblings Haru and Sora who are returning to a town they spent much of their childhood in many years ago following the death their parents. Tragedy has affected the mind and body of the younger sibling and she has become reliant on the emotional support offered by her brother. Throw into the mix a selection of female groupies with problems of their own, and you have the same recipe as for many trashy harem romance shows. Well, it would be except for the fact that this is based on a multi-route visual novel that features numerous explicit scenes.

Loli and incest fans rejoice, for you have not been forgotten

On first viewing, I was confused; Haru spends the first 4 episodes romancing a girl, getting into her yukata and panties and then suddenly he is having naked time with another female. Why wasn’t girl one jealous or angry? Was it a dream? After figuring out that Yosuga no Sora’s origins would have had numerous (literal) happy endings, it seems logical to assume that the anime clumsily tries to incorporate every possible shag partner for the protagonist. Cobbled together as four completely unrelated arcs, there are numerous crossover scenes that are seen in each of the individual tales that will probably leave many newer viewers completely befuddled. Even the final arc left many questions in its wake: was the lake sequence a dream, or was it a cop-out from the “bad” VN climax?

It’s a shame really that the story takes a second role to the bonking and boobs featured within Yosuga no Sora, as it could actually have been quite enjoyable. Instead, the writers’ obsession with Nao-chan’s perpetually bouncing chest takes away from the tale of siblings trying to come to terms with the tragic loss of their parents. This could have been a successful hentai series, or even a touching romance; what it is instead is a dreadful mess that will irritate fans of either genre.

Nogisaka was taken aback by Haru's attraction to the bunny.

By far the strongest aspect of the series, the animation is tirelessly sexy. The characters look gorgeous, especially Sora and the way her impossibly long hair move. My only issue, as mentioned above, is the obsession with breasts. Be they big or small, neither is neglected and much screen time is dedicated to each of the girls jiggling mammary mountains. If you are a fan of women with a larger cup size and a defiance of gravity, then this will probably cater to your tastes. Other than this, it is obvious that a significant portion of the budget has been spent on making the visuals look stunning – a shame more couldn’t have been spent on decent writers.

Featuring a strong vocal cast, the seiyuu for Yosuga no Sora are unfortunately encumbered with a horrendous script. The females attempt a sterling job at describing in painstaking detail exactly what they are doing. Cries of “Oh, Haru, your penis is inside me” or the timeless “no, don’t touch me there!”, this is most likely taken straight from the original material.

She tripped and fell, honest

Making up for this travesty, the opening track and incidental music are both beautiful. Featuring fluttering piano strokes and sweeping violin melodies, every indication is given that this show really should have been something other than a half-assed hentai. The closing segment strangely features two sets of closing credits. The first is a touching lullaby that again indicates a heartbreaking romance. The second is much more upbeat and fun, betraying a comical side that never really happened.

Haru's cold hands were frequently a problem in the bedroom.

With personalities as two-dimensional as their visual design, character development is only bestowed on the focus of each arc and even then it is forgotten about as the next four episodes roll by. Haru, as the centre of the harem is unexplainably popular. Maybe it’s because of natural instincts kicking in with the girls who want new DNA in the breeding pool of their town, or perhaps he has a gigantic penis with a reputation that precedes him. However, from where I was sitting, he came across as a bit of a wet blanket that pandered to the whims of his sister far too easily. Sora herself is a self-centred brat who is far too used to getting her own way and is not afraid to all-out tantrum should her demands fail. The relationship between these two was far too questionable for my tastes, especially in the final arc and neither had any traits I could identify with or even care about.

Love interest #1, Nogisaka is the cliché uppity, wealthy bitch that has her softer side exposed by the persistent male (in more way than one). The whistle-stop switch to love interest #2 sees the infinitely bubbly and frequently irritating Akira take the centre stage. Bouncing into the lead (literally) then comes the proportionately challenged Nao, who could have been likeable was it not for her obvious shoehorning into the typical meganekko character. The remaining cast are used crudely as plot devices, and so their attributes have been simplified to nothing but “flirtatious clown” and “class president”.

Yes, Yosuga no Sora is pretty bad, but it certainly didn’t evoke the utter hatred from me that is being shown by many other anime fans. Fans of the VN may enjoy the anime as a recap; however this will most likely be a disappointment for all others as the structure does not translate well. Stick to Kanon for a heart-wrenching tale or Koi Kaze for more emotive incest as this show ultimately fails to live up to its promise on so many levels.

Weekly Anime Recommendation - 28th December 2010 - Training with Hinako (Isshoni Training)

2010-12-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

Airbags: Deployed

It's that time of year again when that cash cow, Hinako, is milked for all she is worth. This time, it's Bathtime with Hinako and she's brought along her new loli friend, Hiyako for the ride. So, this weeks recommendations is going back to the beginning for Training with Hinako. I know there are a lot of haters for this franchise, but see past the impossibly large breasts that have no regard for gravity, and you may actually find something amusing in what is somewhat of a ground-breaking show.

Even the stuffed animals seem to be staring at her crotch

So, why do I think people will enjoy this? Well, anyone with a sense of humour will realise that this is not a serious attempt at kickstarting the otaku community into joining the gym; Hinako's scanty outfits and impossibly buoyant boobs are testament to that. Instead, it is half an hour of a buxom girl bouncing around on the screen under the pretence of "demonstrating exercise techniques". Yeah, sure. We believe you.

This is also my preferred outfit to wear at the gym

As the show goes on, the number of clothes decreases, and our brave young heroine is soon down to some delectable underwear, still performing push-ups, tirelessly burning through sit-ups and always counting the viewer to help keep an even stroke with her relentless rhythm. It may be nothing but cheap fanservice, but Sleeping with Hinako has a well deserved reputation that precedes its momentous mammaries. Watch it and make up your own mind about one of the most comedic shows to have rattled the PC brigades cages recently.

Anime Signatures - 27th December (Random Bag)

2010-12-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

At first, I thought "why don't I make some sigs for the shows I have reviewed?". It soon became apparent by either the significant lack of material to work with or the number of fan-made images that this would be harder to complete than first thought. So instead, I asked for a couple of requests in #ISSUP, and then twinned this with creating signatures with some of my favourite shows from over the years. I hope you enjoy the outcome!

Anime Review - Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt

2010-12-25T06:41:00.000-08:00

Meet Panty and her.... panties.

Breaking my usual rule of “I will not watch currently airing anime”, the mixed reactions and screenshots from Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt caused enough furore to give me reason to at least give it a shot. Even after watching 13 episodes, I’m still not sure myself if I enjoyed it or merely tolerated a very off-the-wall show.

Even a cute girl on the toilet is not taboo for this title.

Based around the exploits of two fallen angels who have been tasked with dispatching the evil ghosts that inhabit Daten city, Panty/Stocking is a melee of parody, perversion and the pretty bizarre. Now, was this a more traditional kind of Japanese animation, it would be extremely predictable. Luckily, there is nothing remotely standard about this show and the gags flow fast and freely. Panty, rather than spending her time dispatching of evil, is too busy sexing guys in a private mission to conquer one-thousand bed partners. On the other hand, Stocking is an introverted emo who is obsessed with sweet treats – not the behaviour of a typical cherub. But somehow it works; the antics of the girls become more amusing as the series progresses, and the short episodic nature keeps each ten minute story feeling fresh.

Yup, it's not a comical typo.

However, this show is definitely not for the more reserved viewer. For example, one episode sees the Normandy landings from World War II re-enacted by sperm that are fighting against the fearsome tissue. Twin this with jokes of bondage, anal penetration, nose picking, giant shit monsters and you soon realise why Funimation will NOT be picking up this title. That said, the dark humour that pays homage to many, many American movie productions is what kept me coming back for more. Well, that and the unique hilarity of Panty removing her delicates to transform them into a demon slaying gun.

Sure, it’s not big and it’s not clever, but Gainax have certainly produced something unique that will appeal to a certain niche of the western world. Look past the Powerpuff Girl exterior, and enjoy the unbridled humour that resides within, because I don’t think there will be another show that dares to break the boundaries quite as wildly as Panty/Stocking. I can only hope the teasing promise of a second season comes to fruition, as the final two episodes built up a fantastic climax that needs coaxing to a glorious release.

Yes, it's Blossom, Bubbles and GIR!

For me, the strongest draw of Panty/Stocking is the crazy looking animation. Looking as if they are primarily borrowed from Invader Zim, the characters have a bold outline which is filled with many a zany colour - even the little dog Chuck is reminiscent of a deformed GIR. Later episodes see a reverent salute to Ren and Stimpy, whilst cult anime characters also find themselves subtly drawn into the mix. The ostentatious use of western styled visuals are grounded when the transformation of Panty and Stocking occurs in a more eastern style; their once angular and quirky brattish faces flesh out into stunningly beautiful women, and maybe this is a backhanded snub by the Japanese towards the “lesser” American styles. Either way, the show has fun with the subject matter and is definitely a unique addition from the land of the rising sun.

And when she was good, she was very, very good...

Grinding my teeth every time the opening track played, the simplistically annoying lyrics somehow worm their way into your brain and will strike at the most inopportune moments. Sitting in an important business meeting, and rather than crunching facts and figures, my grey matter is instead broadcasting “Panty, Stocking, Panty, Panty, Stocking”. Luckily, although still not a good tune, the closing melody does not stimulate the same repetitive effects. Instead, a bizarrely chosen ballad serenades you as chibi characters dance across the screen. However, the most surprising element of the soundtrack is the incidental music; fitting perfectly with the widely varied themes featured throughout the show, I often found myself turning up the volume to enjoy the electro-beat pumping in the background.

....And when she was bad, she was still damned hot.

I don’t like Panty: she’s too obnoxious and uncouth. I don’t like Stocking: she’s a temperamental emo who irritates me for some reason. And yet, I strangely find myself drawn to the pair‘s interesting dynamic that sees them constant bickering and in trouble. Maybe I needed an elder sister to fully understand the reasons why Panty feels the need to broadcast her sexual conquests to her brunette sibling. Or perhaps a younger brat in the family would have helped me to appreciate Stockings’ self-absorbed behaviour. Either way, I may not have empathised with the girls, but I can’t deny that their personalities coupled with their antics are certainly hilarious.

Transformers parody + sex toy joke = win

Also worthy of a title role, Garterbelt is “the main man” and a priest with a ‘fro. Trying to keep the fallen angels in check, the man of the cloth seems to have numerous issues of his own that see him trying to seduce the geeky Briefs. Well, his flavour of seduction usually involves a toilet and Vaseline, but each to their own. Frequently playing the dark-half to the flamboyant sisters are a straight-edge pair of demons, creatively named Scanty and Kneesocks. The competition between the four girls drives the plot in some of the best episodes in the series because of both their comical similarities and superficial differences.

Fighting for truth, justice and sexy lingerie!

As I said above, the jury is still out on Panty/Stocking, even if I did have a lot of fun watching it. I don’t think the 13 episodes would be easy to marathon, but the weekly giggle interspersed with my usual anime routine let me enjoy a break from the dramatically bleak and painfully moe. Perhaps this is a two fingered salute to those westerners who wish they were Japanese, but boy is this an entertaining attempt at trolling that could well be the title of 2010.

Anime Signatures - 18th December (Winter Warmers)

2010-12-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

It's been a week of numerous Christmas parties and the consumption of much alcohol has been involved. But this has also meant little time to look at my blog, and so things have been a little slow moving this week. However, the dumping of a significant amount of snow over the UK has disrupted plans to go visit family over this festive period, so I hope to have time to watch and review some tasty ecchi!

So, without further ado, please enjoy the next batch of signatures to help bring warmth in a time of a big chill!

Weekly Anime Recommendation - 15th December 2010 - Maria+Holic

2010-12-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

Yup, that's a dude. Desperately sexy, but still a dude...

Something I have never really understood before is the unique fanboy love for traps. That is beautiful boys who dress as gorgeous females. I have seen numerous real-life transvestites, and their entertainment may be over the top, but is a lot of fun. A recent trip to Thailand gave me more perspective on just what it is that makes certain ecchi perverts go weak at the knee. Many of the infamous lady-boys are gorgeous, there is no other way to say it, and they also hold some kind of forbidden promise. So, what does this have to do with my weekly recommendation? Only the sexiest trap on this planet - Mariya.

The opening credits are visually stunning - the
graphics aren't bad either.

The story revolves around the new girl Kanako at Ame no Kisaki, a highly regarded institution for young ladies. Her first encounter is with a playful blonde named Mariya, who soon reveals a very dark and extremely humorous side. Instantly falling in love with this stranger, Kanako becomes the centre of comic relief throughout the show with her sensuous feelings towards other women. Twin this with her allergy to men, and the plot is reasonably predictable.

Definitely deserving of more screentime,
Matsurika is a lot of fun.

With visuals and an offbeat plot similar to Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Maria+Holic is probably regularly overlooked because of its gender-bending central protagonist. Pulling no punches, the perversion used is often cliché, especially the numerous nosebleeds, but this is definitely a show for a more mature fan who enjoys character development alongside their boobies. The comedy is the darkest shade of black imaginable, especially the excessively violent Matsurika. Sporting a kickass soundtrack, this is definitely a series that will surprise many and delight even more.

Anime Review - Strike Witches TV

2010-12-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Wind resistance was of no concern to Charlotte..

In my time as a reviewer, I have taken much sick pleasure in making my friend Therik watch numerous certain titles because of his “natural aversion to all things underage”. So, when he suggested I watch Strike Witches, my moe-toddler radar started flashing in alarm, especially after regular screenshots furnished by ISSUP’s (International Society of Something Umm.... Perverted) resident lolicon.

One of the many perfectly crafted derrières.

Telling the story of a military arm called the “Strike Witches”, the narrative follows a group of young girls who are the last bastion of hope against a black invading ship called the Neuroi. Donning some interesting leg braces that allow them to fly, the girls take to the air using various guns and magic to destroy the waves of enemies. What this brief synopsis doesn’t explain is that this show should be codenamed “NoPants”; this show is a cacophony a various panty shots from the first episode, and literally no angle is taboo.

Turn your head - you'll soon realise what this is.

Maybe I’ve been a little more critical of the story because I am currently watching Zipang, a show firmly rooted in World War 2. The fantastical twist applied by Strike Witches is the polar opposite to what turns into a very serious and gritty drama. That said it is this lighter hearted, jovial approach to war that makes the story work. Although the attack strategy may involve the same pattern of distract the enemy, locate its core then go in for the kill, the rotation of the team with different players showing their strengths and weaknesses keeps each battle feeling fresh.

Mmmm.... squishy....

Devising various excuses to place the innocent Miyafuji and her co-witches in numerous precarious perverted situations, the fantasy action takes a back seat to boob groping and up-skirt flashes (well, it would be if they were wearing something on their bottom half). And that is pretty much all there is to the “story”. Well, that and a chance to give each of the girls a background that helps garner viewer empathy with their situation. If anything, this mild development is predictable, but it makes the witches stand out as a likeable character in their own right.

Definitely opting for the full Brazilian when on duty.

A welcome break comes during episode seven, entitled “Nice and Breezy”. Each of the girls finds themselves as the victim of a panty snatcher, only to rectify their commando situation by “borrowing” a pair of cotton briefs from a friend. Those easily offended need to find the censored version, as the DVD cut shows much more than a casual viewer may have bargained for.

Rocket legs mean no pants!

I should really have known, but where there is money to be made from otaku perverts, it can be reinvested in impressive graphics and gorgeous CG. Impressive looking naval vessels sweep past seamlessly as the adorable looking girls jet past the decks before casting phenomenal magical barriers to protect themselves from the attacking Neuroi. The stars of the show are also satisfyingly sexy and varied; Sakamoto’s character design oozes seduction whilst keeping an appropriate level of military morals and the adorable Sanya is delicate and beautiful. What really makes the entire cast stand out is the appearance of ears and a tail during spell-casting or times of embarrassment – a definite pandering to the horny fan-base.

Cute AND deadly.

As you would expect from this kind of title, the opening and closing tracks are cutesy, upbeat J-pop tracks that feature the cast bopping about happily on screen. Whilst not to my personal taste, I have been assured by the lolicon-brigade that this is “the shit” and I should be appreciative of such musical nectar. I remain unconvinced. The vocal cast also sees some top stars wheeled out for the occasion; Saeko Chiba brings a gruff side to Sakamoto, whilst Ami Koshimizu gives Charlotte enough attitude to rival her breast size. The entire seiyuu list matches the stereotyped look of their assigned character, making the whole experience just that little bit more immersive.

As the main protagonist, Miyafuji is occasionally annoying, frequently loveable and always unpredictable. Initially made out to be a naive, boyish country bumpkin, her developing obsession with breasts is rather amusing. The grin that spreads across her face as she finds herself nuzzling against a heavenly pair of mammary mountains is contagious and often turns out to be a highlight of each episode. Acting like a magnifying glass, she brings out and emphasises the good qualities in each of her co-stars, overall giving the cast an extra bit of va-va-voom.

Night-time pants!

Perrine is a typical tsundere who is grumpy towards most people but shows a definite soft side towards their leader Sakamoto. Those who love the quieter, innocent loli-types need look no further than the adorable pairing of Sanya and Eila. For those with tastes tending towards something more vivaciously bouncy, Charlotte most definitely fits the bill. As you can probably tell by their names, the girls are based on famous pilots from the era; however the fun spin on the series does not require an everyday otaku to be a historical expert to enjoy the show.

And finally... one of the many camel-toes!

The story may not break any boundaries and the characters may not be unique, but there is something charming about Strike Witches that will keep you coming back for more. Though not emotionally or mentally challenging in any way, shape or form, it is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, especially the seventh episode with someone who blushes very easily. I will certainly be looking out for the two OVA and the second season for the franchise and hope it is as impressive as this bundle of fun.

Anime Signatures - 9th December (Ecchi Christmas!)

2010-12-09T08:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I have to admit to being a little lazy recently. Rest assured, I am writing two reviews at the moment but haven't had time to actually watch the shows! The first will be Strike Witches (by request from fellow ISSUPian, therik) and the second Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt. Until then fellow perverts, please console yourselves with some shiny new ecchi anime signatures for the festive period!

Unfortunate Screenshot - 7th December - Card Captor Sakura

2010-12-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

Although Card Captor Sakura may seem completely innocent on the surface, I don't think that is a true representation of its twisted dark side. Kero taking Spinel from behind? You wouldn't see that in Sailor Moon...

2010-12-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

Bouncing back to an ecchi recommendation, Oruchuban Ebichu probably isn't the first title in most connoisseurs minds. Based around a housekeeping hamster called Ebichu, the story follows the antics of the poor rodent who wants nothing more than to please her middle-aged owner. Although not particularly perverted on the surface, this series is extremely puerile with its view on people getting down and dirty. Remember when you were younger, and first found out about sex and embarrassing your parents with innocent but crude comments were the funniest thing ever? Imagine an entire series of jokes about willies, boobies and vibrators ready to take you back to that time....

Although it is a 24 episode series, each bite-sized snippet is only 5 minutes and pretty much revolves around one simplistic joke. Be it the mistress and her good-for-nothing boyfriend having sex as Ebichu reads a trashy romance novel, or the antics of deranged Maa-kun who has fallen in love with the house-proud hamster, the show never takes itself too seriously. In fact, there are moments when the viewer will watch open-mouthed in disbelief that the Japanese dared to take a joke quite that far...

On the surface, Oruchuban Ebichu has nothing going for it; the animation is extremely crude, the premise is bizarre and at the end of the day, who really cares about a hamster? I can safely say after laughing and snorting my way through the entire series that I do. Watching the rodent smashed into the wall for cleaning her mistresses delicate panties doesn't sound like comedy gold, but once you get to know the unique characters, you too will come to look your beloved in the eyes and utter the the word "De-chuuuuu".

Chii & Kira Anime Watching Club - December 2010 - A.LI.CE

2010-12-04T08:09:00.000-08:00

Something important I have learned whilst watching bad anime - share the pain, and it can be quite an enjoyable experience. As a monthly featurette, I have enlisted the kind help of Chii from OshiiAnime to go through a random title once a month so we can produce two (usually very different) views for one show. With a taste to indulge in something sci-fi, the first pick fell to me and so the scientific method of "close the eyes and point" selected the little known movie, A.LI.CE.

Marvel at the realistic snow effects!

The "plot" revolves around a young girl Alice who, after the space shuttle she was on crashed, finds herself catapulted 30 years into the future. Luckily, the obnoxious Yuan and easily excitable Maria are on hand to help the intrepid time-traveller return home. Of course, throw in some cliché bad guys, a bad dose of space-time paradoxes and bin the script part way through, and what could have been a promising tale is turned into an out of control train wreck.

More than a little reminiscent of Dr Who's Cybermen

One of the good things about watching a show together with a friend is that when you lose track of the plot, and with A.LI.CE you inevitably will, is that your buddy can help explain things. Unfortunately, my partners shared puzzlement at gaping plot holes meant it was not my short attention span to blame, but the convoluted story that tries too hard to craft an epic tale. Younger viewers will probably love the over-the-top action that is somewhat reminiscent of Tron in places, and the poor translation that features classic lines such as "totally bitchin'", but the overall show will fall short of mature viewers' expectations.

Taking a plunging neckline to the extreme in that weather?

However! All is not lost as the writers attempt to inject fan-service into A.LI.CE. Sadly, it is the most bizarre, misplaced and ugly use of cleavage I have ever had the misfortune to observe. Also surviving the shuttle crash is a cyber-waitress Maria, later to affectionately become known as sexbot for the gratuitous rack shots and a vocal performer suffering from perpetual orgasm. Female viewers are lucky enough to be treated to cardboard-haired bishie, Nero, who is afforded a whole two-minutes of screen-time. Thank god it wasn't longer.

Who said romance is dead?

The crude CG used throughout is typical of the turn of the century, and looks extremely dated. Reminiscent of Malice@Doll, the facial features are extremely creepy, especially the eyes and teeth whilst hair styles have been created by a ham-fisted toddler. The backgrounds used are quite pretty, but the foreground characters simply don't blend especially with their comical movements. Fluidity has been completely overlooked, as have the laws of physics; one scene sees boulders bouncing in the background like giant hyper balls.

Alice earned the name "creepy-eyes" at school for a good reason

Another low point of A.LI.CE is the somewhat misplaced used of drum and bass that rattles out of the speakers during the snow buggy chase scenes. Completely killing the mood, the crappy music became a point of hilarity that continues throughout the entire movie. Although the Japanese seiyuu are all passable, another comical highlight is the terribad dubbing; sexbot transforms into a mistress from the deep south, Yuan is no longer a spunky teenager and Alice picks up a generic American accent.

Don't ask...

Overall, I found even a degree in Physics couldn't help me keep up with the legitimacy of the time travelling and the butterfly effects claimed for the future. With too much crammed into too little time, the mediocre graphics are certainly nothing to write home about. Although an initial glimmer of promise gave me hope of a sleeper hit, a hidden gem was not to be found in what amounts to a messy collection of scrapbook ideas that have been slapped together haphazardly.

To get Chii's view on the same show, click here!

Anime Signatures - 3rd December (Ecchi)

2010-12-03T07:42:00.000-08:00

Another day of signatures, another opportunity to post some mild ecchi. Again, please feel free to use these signatures, but please give credit to the blog :)

Amaenaideyo!!

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

He is my Master

Rosario to Vampire

Yu-gi-oh

Mai Hime

Anime Review - B Gata H Kei

2010-12-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

No wonder Yamada is ashamed of her B-cup chest...

During the Second World War, a movement called the Suffragettes saw women’s rights brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind and the fairer sex allowed to vote. At the turn of the century, Sex and the City saw women liberated and able to talk openly about masturbation with the discovery of the rampant rabbit. And now, as we’re about to leave the current decade, can B Gata H Kei have a similar effect on the anime watching world?

Probably not, but damn is it fun. Telling the tale of Yamada, B Gata proceeds to explain how a rampant teenager is determined to find herself 100 sexual partners as soon as possible. The only problem is that she is currently a virgin with her cherry still firmly in place. A bizarre “I tripped and fell” mishap sees her selecting the unlikely Kosuda as her first potential bed buddy. The only problem with this is that the feckless boy isn’t the most clued up on women, and has yet to experience a rumble in the sack himself! Cue much hilarity as the forward Yamada attempts to meet Kosuda Jr. and numerous sexy-time situations are foiled by countless cock-blocks.

The same look my fiancé had when he caught 5 minutes of B Gata

When watching the show one evening, my fiancé sat for a moment open mouthed before asking what the hell I had on. After explaining to him that the Japanese title roughly translated to “B-Cup Slut”, he shook his head and resolved himself to trying to read some Tolstoy. I definitely think the title is going to appeal to female perverts more than our Y-chromosome brothers due to the relentless teasing that will leave the viewer more than a little frustrated. However, the B Gata is also an intriguing insight into how the brains of the sexes differ; Yamada is demanding on the outside, but suffers from submissive thoughts that see her frustrated as Kosuda misreads the signs she gives off.

Sure, the story can seem somewhat convoluted at times, but it’s been a while since I laughed out loud so much through a show. From Yamada’s sex God tips to the Kanejou family perpetually sparkling, the jokes may be recycled but they kept me consistently amused. Paired with this is a good old fashioned romance that is coloured perverted with a distinctly modern twist. Many have expressed their dislike of this show, but I can honestly say it’s been one of my favourite ecchi shows in a long while.

Pretty AND sparkly!

Far from being the best animation of the year, the artist quite obviously had some fun with the character designs. The whole joke about Kosuda being a plain-faced nobody is enhanced by a comical use of ASCII features, whilst Kanejou flip-flops easily between evil mastermind and proper lady with the addition of over-the-top twinkles. Thankfully, the girls are beautiful and the colours are rich, making this an ecchi anime that for once is easy on the eye. My biggest complaint about the show is the perpetual use of demon faces to cover the pinnacles of the saucy action. I can only pray they release an uncensored DVD for all of the true perverts out there!

Cute voices singing questionable lyrics about “waiting until you’re ready” serenade the viewer as they start each episode. This is echoed in the closing track, and both are listenable, but not particularly special. Instead, it is the not too subtle background music that echoes the show’s title that brought a broad smile to my face; like a cross between cheesy j-pop and bad 90’s porn music, it suits the light-hearted tone of the show.

I think we've all had that awkward moment in our lives...

It’s hard to believe that the sexual panther tones of Yamada once belonged to Rika Furude of Higurashi fame. Switching between raging nymphette and shy girly, Yukari Tamura does the lead character proud. Atsushi Abe gives Kosuda a similar feckless flavour to Toma Kamijo from To Aru Majutsu no Index, but somehow retains a deep-voiced sexiness that gives him a surprising edge. The entire vocal cast has been well selected, and although the series is short overall, there is not one character that stands out for a poor performance.

The moment Yamada met Kosuda Jr.

One of the reasons for my love of B Gata is that I find Yamada to be easy to relate to. Not because I want to bed 100 men, mind you, but because of her ability to talk the talk only to become a shy, submissive girl – much like my (now long gone) highschool days. Her naivety is somewhat endearing, as she expects the object of her affections to read her mind with the smallest of hints. Unfortunately, this can also be somewhat frustrating as the action is often killed off by her overenthusiastic reaction to the slightest sniff of seduction. Kosuda is a somewhat generic anime male – his mind (and penis) race ahead as he lacks the balls to seize the opportunity presenting itself. Still, he is extremely charming and plays an excellent challenge for the leading lady.

The previously mentioned Kyouka Kanejou features many characteristics seen in almost every feminine villain, including the evil cackling laugh, but somehow it feels like she brings something new to the table. As Yamada’s beleaguered best friend, you can’t help but feel sympathy for poor Takeshita. Having to listen to the perverted desires of a repressed girl would be enough to drive anyone insane!

Boobs! And lots of them!

For some reason, the strong female lead of B Gata H Kei reminds me of Kyoko from Skip Beat. Although one show is pure unapologetic perversion, and the other a dramatic, romantic comedy, there are definitely features of one that will draw in fans of the other. Loveable characters, a fun story and a healthy dose of ecchi easily make this one of the best shows I have seen in a good while.

Unfortunate Screenshot - 30th November

2010-11-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

I love shows that are "so bad, they're good", and Butt Attack Punisher Girl is definitely in the realms of extremely terrible. Whilst watching the OVA, I grabbed a few screenshots, however this particular one is my absolute favourite!

So, what is going on? Well, in a bizarre turn of events, the heroine is being hunted down by the shape and size of her buttocks. Whoever's derrière fits perfectly in those indentations is Butt Attack Punisher girl! Unique if nothing else...

Weekly Anime Recommendation - 28th November 2010 - Kodomo no Jikan 2nd Term

2010-11-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

I sincerely hope those vegetables aren't for dinner...

With the shows looming ever closer for the winter 2010 period, one of the few titles to have caught my eye is a new Kodomo no Jikan OVA. I may jokingly refer to it as Kodomo no Lolicon, because lets face it: this is a show that is a discussion on the sexuality involving extremely young children. At least, that is what happens on the face of it. In reality, especially after having read the manga, it is a touching story about a girl struggling to come to terms with new found feelings and desires.

Neko-Kuro - the most adorable thing in the world

However, as touching and sweet as the first series may have been, the OVAs that followed revelled in the freedom and let the shameless perversion flow. 2nd Term is filled with numerous cringe worthy scenes; Rin is as determined as ever to seduce her teacher, Aoki-sensei, Kuro remains a jealous, would-be lover and the poor teacher is left completely clueless as to how he should handle this delicate situation. Although this is probably a show for existing fans only, it gives a good opportunity for those who have not yet experienced the childish wonder to at least try the cuteness.

Yes, that is a baton in her hand.

As ever, Usa and her abnormally large breasts are the focus of much hilarity, especially as she joins in for the school sports day. Watching someone with DD's trying to sprint around a track without a bra sometimes made me forget that these girls are supposed to be around nine years of age. However, if you can set your morals at the door before watching this show, then you will be rewarded with numerous laughs, "omg, did I just watch that" moments and surprisingly deep characters to top it all off.

Anime Review - Asura Cryin

2010-11-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

Tomoharu thought Shuri's choice of evening
wear was a little daring

Sometimes flicking through my anime hard drive, I have no recollection whatsoever of what a series is, let alone why I downloaded it. Asura Cryin’ falls into this bracket and the Russian roulette game of

picking the next title to watch loaded this bullet into the chamber.

Gently breaking in the viewer with what initially seems like a generic highschool RomCom, Tomoharu is a cliché male protagonist who rebuts the advances of all interested female parties, including his ghostly sidekick that lives with him. Yup, things soon take a turn for the weird as a supernatural element is introduced. It is roughly at the end of the first episode that things rapidly take a nosedive. Cue the appearance of a stunning, yet brutal brunette with an impressive arsenal (and breasts), then add a shy yet determined fire-starting demon and things are already getting a little crazy. But when has plot ever got in the way for anime writers? Certainly not for the writers of Asura Cryin’, who instead throw a giant mech, mafia-style gangs, cyborgs and ghosts into the mix for good measure.

Thank you for flying Anime Airways - if you look to the left,
you may be lucky enough to see two giant mecha

It is a shame really, as the show rapidly falls into the same trap as To Aru Majutsu no Index. Enticing viewers in with an exciting premise and delectable mix of science, the style in which the genres arrive is just too hard and fast. A prime example of this is the poorly choreographed mecha fight scenes: warming up with the promise of greatness, the narrative frequently skips ahead in time, only to retell the battle in a series of flashbacks. Not only is this a total anticlimax, but it completely ruins the flow of the series.

Trying to invoke multiple emotions, Asura Cryin’ fails miserably instead causing the viewer to sit scratching their head in bewilderment. Action falls flat, the ecchi results in a damp squib and the romance couldn’t be more predictable if it tried. There is a glimmer of hope towards the final scenes, but this is cut short as the credits begin to roll. I can only hope that the second season answers all of the questions posed and subsequently forgotten about throughout the first 13 episodes.

Thats right, I said "weird haircut"

To start with the excellent, the computer generated elements are extremely impressive; the giant mech take to battle with ease and gracefully saunter across the screen. The stunning use of bright colours for the casting of magical spells is also a definite plus and is beautifully suited to HD. Sadly, the rest of the animation is a disappointment, especially given the age of the show. Weird haircuts and uninspired facial features give the characters a look of something dredged up from the turn of the century, whilst the backgrounds are nothing to write home about. Luckily, Kanade has a nice “boing” to her chest that is frequently exploited throughout.

Stepping up to the lead role, Miyu Irino takes a moment away from voicing Tsubasa Chronicle’s Syaoran to give an emotional performance to Tomoharu. Kanade is appropriately shy and girlish, whilst her polar opposite Misao is perpetually annoying, upbeat and spunky. The essential tsundere role is completed with the arrival of Ania, who gripes and complains whilst retaining an element of sweet innocence.

The opening and closing tracks are performed by an artist named only Angela. I can’t say I’ve heard of her before, nor will I go hunting for any of her work, as her nasal tones just didn’t fit into my usually eclectic choice of music. Although the fast beats used throughout the series suit the occasional battles, the soundtrack became more of a miss for me than an overall hit.

As a not-so-dazzling lead, Tomoharu becomes an increasingly clueless dolt thrown into a strange situation. Blessed with a half-hearted back story, season one doesn’t really explain the how’s or why’s of his acquisition of his servant, Kurogane, occurred. His live in ghost, Misao, is often the focus of numerous ecchi shots, including the prerequisite swimsuit episode. Luckily, she is given quite a succinct backstory, and despite being gratingly enthused throughout, Misao is probably one of the best fleshed out (excuse the pun) characters.

Neato party trick!

Regrettably relegated to a role as a reasonably minor character, the student council president Touru is the ultimate in bad-ass, sword wielding females. With only the subtlest sniff of her history, it seems that she held an infinite amount of promise (and would look awesome in a bikini), but this has not been capitalised on. As a bad turned good guy, Shiro-kun is also a somewhat underused personality. Considering his overall contribution to the plot, I can’t help but feel he had a lot more to offer.

Trying to blend so many genres, flesh out characters and adding a sprinkling of ecchi into such a small space of time, season one of Asura Cryin is a train-wreck. Strangely enough, I *will* be watching the next thirteen episodes. Maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for punishment, or perhaps it’s due to a firm groundwork being set with the promise of a darker finale, but I’m living in hope that the mediocrity of the opening show will be dwarfed by the brilliance of its successor.

Anime Signatures - 25th November (Yuri)

2010-11-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

Approximately 4 years ago, I discovered Photoshop. Once of my theories in life is to learn to use something by trial and error. Whilst this maybe isn't the best way with graphic manipulation, there are plenty of tutorials online to help with a few tricks and techniques, and multiple sites with new brushes and fonts. I like to think I've been getting gradually better, but that's not up to me!

So, without further ado, here is a small selection of signatures I've created and for people to use! If you would like any of them personalised, please let me know and I will see what I can do.

Miku and Luca from Vocaloid

Leina and Elina from Queen's Blade

Yumi and Sachiko from Maria-Sama ga Miteru

No idea who they are or what they're from, but they're cute!

Yuki and Maria from Vampire Knight

If you have any suggestions, or anything you would like to see, please let me know and I'll see what I have in the signature vault!

Anime Review - Kaibutsu Oujo (Princess Resurrection)

2010-11-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

Initially intrigued by the promotional material containing a gorgeous, nobly dressed female brandishing a chainsaw, Kaibutsu Oujo (Princess Resurrection) soon found its way onto my hard drive. A couple of episodes in and I can’t say I was immediately enamoured. Initially sporting the same fantasy tone found in shows such as Shakugan no Shana or To Aru Majutsu no Index, it wasn’t until the dark humour found in Nougami Neuro (another Madhouse production) found its way into the series that Kaibutsu Oujo actually found its footing.

Once a month....

Opening with the tale of Hiro, a young boy who sacrifices himself to save the aloof Hime, the narrative takes its time setting the scene and building atmosphere before immersing the viewer straight into the somewhat confusing action. In just the first episode, the befuddled boy is brought back to life by this strange woman only to find himself forced to work as one of her loyal servants. Throw a super-strong robotic loli into the mix during an all-out battle with a pack of werewolves who work to an ultimate agenda, there is perhaps a little too much to take in during just twenty-minutes of screen time. However, experience has taught that the amount of confusion presented in the premier is usually directly proportional to my overall enjoyment in anime.

...females are not to be crossed.

Although the amount of ecchi in Kaibutsu Oujo is minimal, there remains an element of a harem formation as new personalities join the supernatural brigade. After the introduction of the semi-werewolf Riza and vampire Reiri, the group dynamic feels complete and the story flows easily around these intriguing characters. However, the motivations behind many of the mistress’s actions remain a surprise; slowly drip feeding information throughout the 26 episodes Hime is kept surrounded by a veil of mystery, giving a reason to keep tuning in.

The wolfy is actually pretty foxy

Primarily episodic, there is a fascinating underlying story to Kaibutsu Oujo that is occasionally broken by comical interludes, usually involving Sawawa and her impressive rack. Easy to pick up and watch a couple of episodes at a time, the plot may not be the best out there, but it remains fun through to the end because of the addictive humour. The final episode is definitely worth a look, taking advantage of the straight-edged Flandre and turning the once loyal android into a hilarious wrecking machine. It is moments like these that keep the show from fading into mediocrity.

Certainly nothing special, the bold colours used throughout accentuate the interesting looking characters. Sadly as is seen in so many longer series, the animation begins to slip during the centre portion of the show; facial features simply aren’t as well drawn and proportions look somewhat off compared to that of the opening episodes.

Some girls have all the luck - Sawawa's weight from all those
delicious sweet treats goes straight to her DD's

That said, the lovingly drawn curves of Sawawa and the wide variety of female supernatural creatures is a little more exciting than some of the usual wide-eyed feckless wonders found in romance anime. Another plus point is the fluidity during action scenes; using CG seamlessly and flawlessly, Flandre’s “Terminator vision” is suitably techie and Hime’s spellbinding magic appropriately bewitching.

Kicking off with upbeat rock, the haunting vocals of Aki Misato suit the blood red and black silhouettes dancing across the screen. The rapid tempo continues throughout the series’ background music until it hits the deliciously creepy ending track performed by Ali Project (also famous for Code Geass’ closing and Rozen Maiden’s opening audio). The rapidly ascending and descending pitch is somewhat disorientating, and yet utterly captivating, suiting the unearthly genre of the show.

"Huga huga" - that's what she said. No, really.

The seductive and commanding vocal talents originally afforded to the stoic Saber of Fate/Stay Night are also shared with the somewhat emotionless Hime. Also featuring the dignified tones of Mamiko Noto as the vampiric Reiri, the list of seiyuu is solid and perfectly chosen for each of their characters. However, for me at least, the character with the fewest lines made the biggest impact; Flandre’s repetitive use of “Huga” must have been a challenge, but somehow Shiho Kawaragi manages to display a range of emotions in just two syllables.

Hime, despite lacking personable skills and not being the most original of characters, is instantly likeable. Gradually opening up emotionally as the show progresses, her reactions remain surprising just as you think you’re getting to grips with the feisty blonde! Hiro on the other hand is an extremely unlikely hero. Clumsy, not the brightest bulb in the box and far too sweet to be considered a warrior, I’m still unsure as to why Hime brought him onboard as a protector. That said, he displays an aura of “nice guy” that means you can’t help but sympathise with his unfortunate situation.

Reiri suffered from a terrible overbite

Riza and Reiri make for entertaining viewing, fighting like cat and were-dog despite their reluctantly made truce. Each girl always trying to one-up the other, they have a habit of flirting with poor Hiro with the hope of angering their rival. Adding to this love pentagon, Hime’s younger sister Sherwood offers a delightful underage stalker element. Adding positively to the group dynamic, she is sadly featured infrequently and her story feels somewhat lacking compared to the rest of team supernatural.

Although not the best, Kaibutsu Oujo is certainly not in the bottom half of shows I have seen recently. Going into the show with zero preconceptions, the fantasy/adventure was fun to pick up for a couple of episodes each time. Enough battles to keep the action fans happy and tongue-in-cheek humour for everyone else, the series may appeal to a wide range of viewers but is probably not special enough to make any top 10 lists...

Unfortunate Screenshot - 22nd November

2010-11-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

Through the years of watching anime, there have been numerous moments that forced me to rewind to capture a screenshot of something totally bizarre. This week, I want to share one of my favourite moments from the epic show, Gintama.

Yes, that is Gintoki, a guy on a hospital bed in a doggy pose and a lit candle. *This* is why people should watch the show - the random humour is brilliant, although you may find yourself trying to explain certain scenes. Believe me, the phrase "anal candle" is not suitable for dinnertime conversation.

Weekly Anime Recommendation - 21st November 2010 - Ping Pong Club

2010-11-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

According to my stats back at Anime-Planet, I have watched (as of 15.40 on the 21st November) 516 anime series, movies, OVA and specials. A quick calculation tells me that this is enough to give a recommendation for almost 10 years. Well, it would be if every show I've seen was worth mentioning....

To kick things off, I thought I would sing the praises of the little known Ping Pong Club:

A mostly harmless looking exterior...

Based around a failing school male ping pong club, the show is over the top hilarity from episode 1 as the group attempts to prove they are not complete failures in life. Leading the mishaps is the utterly perverted Maeno, whose special pecker attack sees him drop his pants and expose his trouser snake to distract the opposition. Takeda is the obligatory straight edged innocent who usually ends up clearing up the aftermath. Also featuring the feminine Kinoshita and the highly sexed Takeda, this is one ecchi show that will frequently have you looking away in disgust whilst giggling.

What can be seen cannot be unseen...

The perfect recommendation with Sexy Commando Gaiden, the humour is puerile and there are moments you may find yourself questioning why you're still watching it. But if you have a childish sense of humour and can come up with more than 10 different names for a penis, then this really is the show for you.

You were warned.

Readers help needed!

2010-11-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

Well, first review out of the way, and I would love some suggestions as to what I should give a whirl in the not-too-distant future. I am currently watching Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt, and recently finished Kaibutsu Oujo (Princess Resurrection), both of which I will spend some time reviewing and finding some "appropriate" images to go with the text.

However! I'm always open to suggestions, no matter how terrible a series is. Bear in mind I've struggled through Bobobo-bo Bo-Bobo, Bakugan and Beet the Vandel Busters and hopefully you'll realise nothing is off limits. Hopefully, the ideas for the titles will involve bucketloads of boobs to fit in with the blog title...

So, please come one, come all and drop off any ideas you may have :)

Anime Review - Kiss X Sis TV

2010-11-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Back in 2008, the rumbling on the ISSUP (International Society of Something Ummm Perverted) grapevine was that a deliciously depraved OVA was to hit Japanese screens named Kiss X Sis. Not wishing to miss out on the latest flavour of the month, I have to admit to enjoying the mildly incestuous tones and unadulterated humour that flowed forth. When a TV series was announced a couple of years later, I knew it would be a title to make its way onto my “watching” list and two years later, I found time to enjoy the twincest once more.

Keita's dilemma: Watch or join in...

After previously being exposed to the atrocity that is Green Green, Kiss X Sis TV rivals the mindless perversion, but offers a slightly more coherent story. This improvement is extremely minor and there is instead many a variant of jealous twin sisters hitting on their older brother that constitutes a “plot” for the series. Following Keita’s struggle to study for entrance exams, the show chronicles the distractions and seductions thrown at him by his gorgeous sisters, Ako and Riko. As they are not blood related, their parents are absolutely fine with the flirting and regularly encourage the siblings to progress their feelings. Realising that innocent tactics are failing and another method of attack is required, one episode sees Ako become her younger brothers’ mentor, helping to stimulate the lead in his pencil. Wearing the classic low cut blouse and tight-fitting skirt that rides high up her legs, her innovative teaching methods involve scrawling study notes high up her naked thighs and across her ample bosom. Brilliant.

Unfortunately, each time things seem that they could possibly be heating up, the viewer is doused with a proverbial bucket of iced water and the non-starting passion is killed instantly. For example, the most erotic, and also bizarre, moment comes as Riko and Keita mutually jerk each other off with their feet beneath a kotatsu. Normal people may struggle with the podophilia on top of the playful incest, but what is even more unfortunate for those who enjoy perversion is that *this* is the alluring highlight of the entire show. Sad really, especially when you consider that the series also dedicates an entire character to water-sports. Censoring the goods during even these PG-13 moments of fondling, I can’t help but feel cheated especially after a reasonably explicit OVA successfully starts the juices flowing. For a show devoted to harem style perversion, Kiss x Sis tv acts as a seductive minx that causes excitement, but does all it can to avoid delivering on its promise, ultimately suffering as a result.

Riko's mildly blushing cheeks mean she's either

close to orgasm, or has just broken wind.

Each episode has a whiff of recycled mess; opening with a precarious situation for Keita, serving a fan-service main dish and then finishing up with an uninspired, tedious and ultimately empty plot. The first few episodes may be fun, but the lacklustre approach to a plot that relies entirely on twin sisters getting their kit off gives a sense that the spirit of the original manga has been seriously sterilised in favour of making a quick buck.

Definitely a step-up from the somewhat bland OVA, the character designs of the series are consistent and allow the artists to have some fun. From ditzy meganeko to flat chested Lolita, every otaku visual stereotype has been catered for. Unfortunately, this also means subjection to regular panty-wetting spectaculars that see a yellow inverted fountain regularly spurt forth from Miharu. Once the mood-killing pee has dried, there is always time for Ako and Riko in various outfits, and boy do they look good.

Bewbz!

Their shapely young figures suit the sexy underwear they frequently flash to Keita, and the lovingly drawn curves frequently take centre screen. Sadly, when this happens, the backgrounds are practically non-existent and the cleavage or camel-toe takes the entire focus. It seems Kiss x Sis TV has remained faithful to the manga, looking superficially excellent, but falling over with the first sniff of movement. Relying instead on lingering still shots, especially during kisses or moments of accidental fondling, the animation simply isn’t as good as it should have been.

Featuring many seiyuu found in K-On!, the vocal talent in Kiss x Sis TV is definitely not to be sniffed at. Ayana Taketatsu brings an innocent girlishness to Ako, but turns the seduction up to eleven when alone with Keita. As the polar opposite, Yuiko Tatsumi’s Riko remains a somewhat mischievous tomboy throughout, giving the effect of a feline perpetually ready to pounce on its prey.

Lacking a memorable opening or closing track, the soundtrack rates overall as mediocre. Featuring the leading ladies singing an irritatingly auto-tuned ditty, an overtly fluffy girlishness that sounds similar to something regurgitated from Vocaloid permeates the audio. Although not catchy, the background music is fun and successful in creating a cheeky atmosphere that gives an early warming to an impending gropage.

Somehow avoiding the harem trap of moulding the central male protagonist into an unbelievable no-hoper, Kiss x Sis TV maintains Keita as a believable hormonal teen stuck between a rock and a soft, but firm place. Neither an overt pervert nor a flaccid bore, he tries his hardest to morally refuse what is offered on a plate, but does have weaker moments where Keita junior springs up to take charge. As twins, Ako and Riko are somewhat cliché with their cold shouldered approach to all but their step-brother, but their simultaneously forward and naive actions keep them feeling fresh. Their extreme jealousy when any other female approaches the object of their affections is amusing, especially when they are forced to forge an uneasy truce in the name of love!

Just who is his hand pleasuring? Riko or the chick?

However adding secondary characters to the mix, Miharu, Mikazuki and Yuuzuki are ultimately pointless padding, serving as nothing but fan-service and comic relief to a series that probably would have benefitted without. Aside from the three main personalities, the rest of the cast remain two-dimensional and don’t offer much more than a change of scenery and an opportunity to show a loli eating a chocolate banana...

Rubbing numerous panty crotches in the viewers face, Kiss X Sis TV is an over-the-top something that will be loved by a select group of anime perverts. Offering so much, but having it taken away by the moral ideals of a soccer mom, I can’t help but feel a little cheated by the whole premise.

The highlight of the show: chick on chick hot action

If you love implied or censored heavy petting, then this will most definitely be the one for you. For everyone else, there is always the wonderful world of hentai or even, dare I say real life relationships that are much, much more fun. Remember kids, incest is fun for the whole family!

If you can't say anything nice...

2010-11-19T13:27:00.000-08:00

Then don't say nothing at all. Poor grammar, but it gets the point across - yes, this blog *has* been sparked by my departure from Anime-Planet, but I will not be using it to get back at anyone.

For me, writing reviews and minor musings has always been fun; something to relax to in an evening after a hard day at work. Once you take the enjoyment out of that, then it becomes a pointless chore. I don't really care if this is a success or not, this is just something for me to play with: to rub out something interesting in a wine fuelled evening. Inspiration seems to hit at the most inappropriate times...

So, prepare for a variety of anime reviews; from ecchi to slice of life, mecha to shoujo and to top it all off, those titles that anyone with a couple of brain cells to rub together wouldn't touch. Even with yours.