Anime Rebirth

Review - Kidou Shin Seiki Gundam X

Review by Roriconfan

Prologue
This series is an alternative universe of the normal Gundam timeline. It has many similarities with the original but adds elements from other genres that give the series a more epic and flashy atmosphere. Unfortunately, it also removes many good parts we find in the original, which turned it into just another superficial, shounen mecha show.

Animation & Sound: 6
Typical. TOO typical. The character and mecha designs, as well as the action scenes were not better than an average mecha show. Same thing for the music themes and the character voices. It will really disappoint fans of the original and will leave mecha fans indifferent about it.

Story & Characters: 5
Gundam is essentially a sci-fi war drama and this series has the same premise. (spoiler alert!)

In this timeline, the One-Year-War ends with all space colonies dropping on Earth, instead of surrendering. The result was an apocalyptic event that destroyed almost everything. 15 years later, the remaining humans try to rebuild the wastelands of the surface, only to find that many are using Mobile Suits for profit, while others begin another war for the survival of the fittest race.

The protagonist is a young mercenary who is paid to protect a powerful Newtype girl, which possesses the ability to boost a mecha’s psionic capacities. The two enter a Gundam by accident (like in all Gundam series!), team up with a crew of vigilantes and are trapped between the war of Oldtypes vs Newtypes, for the control of the future.

Like in the original Gundam’s normal themes, there is:
-a conflict between the normal Homo-sapiens/Oldtypes and the new Psycics/Newtypes
-angst before the tragedy of war
-sorrow for the dead over the struggle for control of the world’s natural resources and the future

Unlike in the original, there is:
-the presence of a kind, magical, beautiful girl with a tragic past that gives the story a supernatural/messiah theme
-more focus on new bigger/better guns that makes the story more action-based
-less focus on character and scenario development, making the series more shallow

The story is very simple, with slow development and almost no plot twists. The characters act too typical and frankly, they do not deserve to be remembered about anything they did or said.

The ending was also poor, as the scriptwriters gave us a stupid moral message through a metaphysical entity, saying, “There is no difference between Oldtypes and Newtypes”. What is this, a fairy tale with a God-From-A-Machine conclusion? As if everybody else was too stupid to realize something that simple by himself or herself. Not to mention that the bad guys in the story where just two brothers that wanted to kill everyone and were beaten in just 5 seconds.

To sum it up, there is little story, unmemorable characters and a simple ending. Not suitable for a Gundam series.

Anidb member cctv11 informed me that the ending was bad because the show’s sponsors decided to change the time slot and cut it from 50 episodes to 40, so it had a rushed conclusion. A bad thing for everyone.

Value & Enjoyment: 4
If it wasn’t for the name and the basic design of the Gundam in this series, I doubt anyone would care to remember it. It is just another average-to-bad series that tries to sell by using a renowned title in it. Same thing can be said about all the Gundam alternative universes. If you want to be left with good impressions, stick with the original timeline.

Verdict
The accused is found … GUILTY! … of using plagiarism for disguising a mediocre work.

Review - Kidou Senshi Gundam II: Ai Senshi Hen

Review by Roriconfan

his is the second of the movie trilogy that summarizes Kidou Senshi Gundam , the first Gundam series ever made. I suggest this to all of you who can’t stand old graphics and yet want to know about the synopsis of one of the best mecka/war dramas ever made.

Although graphics and sound are lacking big time, the characters and the story are far better than the newer and more commonly known Gundam series, like Gundam Wing and Gundam Seed Destiny.

Make sure you have all three movies before you start watching this or you will miss a lot.

I have made an analytic review of Kidou Senshi Gundam , so instead of repeating myself, redirect there for a lot more info on this great series that unfortunately, most of younger otaku have forgotten. The scoring here is the same as in my review, with the exceptions in the Character section that is lower and the Enjoyment section that is higher. As a summary, it has slightly better graphics and a lot faster plot, making it a lot more enjoyable but also too fast to bind with the characters.

Review - Kidou Senshi Gundam

Review by Roriconfan

Value: 10
This is the very first Gundam series, ever made. It established an entire new approach to sci-fi and war dramas with realistically operating mechas and a detailed evolving scenario. Many tried to copy it, very few succeeded. One of the most renowned, well planed and non-stop expanding anime titles ever, it definitely deserves a 10 for being the first that started it all.

Note: Don’t trust the ratings the series made wherever it aired. The original Gundam hardly got the tv ratings it deserved because it was low on action and serious on story. Most kids wanted brainless action and simply changed the channel to Voltron, or something like that. Ratings rarely corresponded to a series’ true value.

Animation & Sound: 6
Less than medium by today’s standards. This is a major turn off for all those accustomed with recent mecha series, like Zegapain and Gundam 00. But what the series loses in graphics, it gains it in quality.

-Gundam’s mecha, weapons and spaceships are functioning with a theoretical reasonable explanation. Typical mecka series feature special attacks like rocket punches and chest beams without any reasoning (how they work, what fuel they use, how they are installed, how much energy they use up, etc.). Also, most accessories on them have a reason for being there (oxygen tanks, fuel reservoirs, radar censors).

-Gundam’s mecha, weapons and spaceships have great variety. Typical mecha series have only a couple ones in every category and most of them are used only in one episode (referred to as enemy of the week, one-time weapon use, or last resort techniques). In Gundam, everything comes in a vast assembly line and with a huge customization that can generate thousands of different combinations (plamo fans, rejoice!).

-Gundam had the best graphics of its time. This tradition continued to every new installment thereafter.

-The human figures in Gundam may not have any great detail but keep their form intact throughout the series. They don’t deform or get simplistic in funny situations.

In the sound department, the series has mediocre music themes and realistic voice and dialogue acting. It would be a lot more interesting if more diversity and sound coloring was given here, but being a serious series, it decided to remain plain and simple (perhaps for the best).

I must mention the fact that the opening theme is a ballad, typical of all mecha series of the 70’s (J-pop and J-rock began in the 80’s). It sounds really awful at first, especially if you have heard openings of other old mecha series (Getta 3 and Voltes 5 have really cool openings). But, given a few chances, it becomes really good. Plain, simple, direct, without screaming battle-boiling phrases like “fight for justice” and “don’t give up” crap. If you have been fed up with brainless action and bullshit patriotic phrases, this is going to sound really good!

Story: 9
In the future, overpopulation leads to the creation of space colonies around Earth. The exploitation of the colonists and the creation of a psionic race of humans, begin a catastrophic war, centered on colony independence from Earth control.

The protagonist is Amuro, a civilian piloting (by need rather than choice) a Mobile Suit Gundam (huge mecha, boosted by mind waves) in order to protect his colony from other revolting Spacenoids (people living in space). Although he is a Newtype (human with advanced psionic powers, trait of many spacenoids), he fights along the Federation’s side, which is composed of Oldtypes (normal people). He just wants to end the terrible war, as soon as possible. He doesn’t care which side wins as long as peace returns.

The main rival is Char, a Zeon Newtype official, with ambitions that include both the dominance of Newtypes in space and the assassination of the radical Zeon royal family.

The story is very realistic and well planed:

-Unlike having a typical “Aliens/monsters vs Humans” story, Gundam has a “Humans vs Humans” story. So, we feel sad even when the bad guys lose, because they are not heartless/bizarre aliens/monsters, bound to destroy Earth. They are mistreated people with feelings and hopes for the future, like the good guys.

-There are essentially no good guys and bad guys. The apparent good Earth Federation of the planet’s surface promotes law and peace through tyrannical means. The apparent evil Zeon Principality of the revolting colonies cause mass destruction and murder because the Federation didn’t allow freedom through peaceful means.

-Many events are reminiscent of real-life historical events:
a) French Revolution: The mistreated peasants (Zeon) revolt against the uncaring aristocrats (Federation).
b) World War Two: The exploited German people (Zeon) turn to fascism in order to revenge Europe’s (Federation) snubbing restrains (Zeon uniforms resemble those of Nazis).
c) Afghanistan War: Terrorists (Zeon) destroy the Two Towers (major cities) by ramming airplanes on them (descending colonies), in order to resist America’s (Federation) forceful control over their country.

-Other issues of great importance are also discussed in the series:
a) Humanity’s uncontrollable expanding populace is constantly increasing demands in food and water and exhausts Earth’s natural resources. This gives an ecological theme to the story.
b) Humanity’s overpopulation leads to non-stop wars for control of the world’s natural resources. This leads to further destruction of the planet’s fragile balance. A solution proposed in the series is birth control and population stability.
c) There is great racism between Oldtypes and Newtypes. The first believe to have more rights and the second believe to be genetically superior. This gives the series a message about human rights and equality before law.
d) Zeon leaders want to eradicate most of humanity and maintain a small, genetically improved populace that can easily be controlled. This gives the series a message about humanity, power mongering and elitism.

-Gundam is also a sci-fi war drama. There is angst before the tragedy of war and sorrow for the dead in the battles. No one is treated just as a faceless drone (the insane Zeon leaders do, which has a reverse result on us).

So, the story is great but because it tends to move rather slow (50 episodes) and too straight forward (few plot twists), it loses one point.

Characters: 7
Amuro and Char are memorable, since they reappear in later series as allies and rivals again. They have a decent strong personality and character development. As it usually goes with most bad guys, Char is a far more interesting character than the too-goody protagonist, Amuro. His childhood past and the loss of many loved ones changed him several times. He originally seeks to help humanity live permanently in space, then to destroy it, then to defeat Amuro, then to avenge the Zeon leaders, then to lay low until he can be ready to strike anew, and so on, and so on… Poor Amuro hardly affects the story as Char does.

All the characters in general are well made and act quite realistically. But they lack the multi-layered personality of those found in many good recent series and usually think only two-dimensionally. That takes some points off.

Enjoyment: 6
Great scenario, medium characters and poor sound and graphics result in a medium mark. But that doesn’t make it less important. I suggest this to everyone, no matter his or her taste in genre, for it has a bit of everything.

Verdict
The accused is found … NOT GUILTY! … He is old and frail but has more guts than most youngsters.

Review - Jungle Book: Shounen Mowgli

Review by Roriconfan

Prologue
Another series that time forgot. Although quite simple in our days, the Jungle Book is a very good children’s story. Based on a book, it describes the life of a human boy, raised by wolves.

Animation & Sound: 5
Bad! As much as I liked the series, they will seem very simple if you haven’t been raised with old titles. Normal character figures and backgrounds are uninteresting in our era of emos and anti-heroes. Music themes and voice acting were mediocre.

Story: 6
Although it appears as a rip-off of the much similar Tarzan story, the Jungle Book has a much more interesting protagonist. The general story is great but it is ruined by the childishly simple way it is presented. But there are still some serious moments that stand out and others violent enough to make you forget it is just a silly story.

Characters: 6
Mowgli fights with cunningness instead of raw power and tries to befriend his enemies instead of kicking the hell out of them. He has to prove himself to the wolf pack, manage to live on his own, defend against an evil tiger, accept his heritage as a human, prevent other humans from destroying the jungle, fall in love, explore, learn, mature. He is a great role model for children. Not some trendy nerd like Naruto or Ichigo.

Besides Mowgli, no other character is interesting. Most of the crew are talking animals, who think and act simple and two-dimensionally. I know that that’s how animals normally are but that makes them realistic and not interesting.

Value: 4
Really low. Who would watch again a rather simple children’s story in our days? Even the target audience will choose those fancy jutsus and bankais over this title.

Enjoyment: 7
If you bother watching it to the end, you will find it interesting most of the time. It has a simple pace but it is not boring.

Verdict
I regret to inform you that the patient has left us. But worry not, as his ideals keep living inside his descendants.

Review - Zoids Genesis

Review by Roriconfan

Story: 5
In a world were mechanical animals of an ancient civilization are excavated, a boy pilots one of them and teams up with other pilots in order to protect the people from a megalomaniac bad guy… That is pretty much the story. It conveys only the most basic elements of a scenario. I still give it a 5 because there is story continuity… as simple as it may be.

Enjoyment: 3
Since the story is two lines long, you can expect a really simple plot, cliché battles and a really predictable conclusion. There are plot twists but nothing great that will keep a veteran viewer interested.

There are billions of series and games with a similar premise. Kid finds weapon, villains with similar weapons attack, kid fights them with weapon, meets others with similar weapons, trains to get better with the weapon, learns about the world and the weapon’s origin, goes to beat the main bad guy’s weapon. You get really bored with the same old 80’s JRPG theme, after the 1000th time.

Being a children’s series, there is not much violence, bloodshed, nudity and the sort that usually attracts the average viewer. Playing too much on the politically correct side, the series fails to be attractive to a more mature and demanding audience.

Sound: 5
Typical J-pop and action themes. Nothing to remember after you finish (or stop) watching it. Voice acting and sound effects were decent to hear. An exception is the voice of the little girl pilot. It’s too squeaky to stand listening to for long.

Characters: 3
Like the story, the characters also have a description of two lines long each. You will hardly remember their names and refer to them as simply the boy pilot, the girl pilot, the wise pilot, the old pilot, the chick pilot, and the brute pilot. None of them have a strong presence or a different goal in the story, other than protecting the world. This is even worse for the bad guy, who is supposed to be the coolest of all but is equally as fake as the rest.

Some characters are given a slight development but as I said, it’s nothing great that will keep a veteran viewer interested.

An exception is that girl pilot again. She is dressed in clothes that simply yell: Look at my panties! And her voice is high-pinched enough to give you nightmares. Brrr!

Animation: 5
-All character figures, backgrounds and visual effects are drawn too plain and un-imaginary, thus becoming boring quite fast.
-The really cool-looking 3D Zoids have interesting mecha designs but also get boring after watching them fight with erratic movement and simple attacks.
-There are a few scenes with soft ecchi and imposing artwork because of smart camera angles but they are nothing compared to those found in similar series.

The producers must have focused all the attraction of the series on the mecha. “Hey, throw some cool mecha on the posters and there will be plenty of kids that will buy it” is what they were thinking. Who cares about the simple story and the run-of-the-mill characters if it sells because of the cool mecha, right? It worked a zillion times before, why should this one be an exception to the old marketing trick?

Value: 1
This series has nothing new to offer. It’s feels like a silly excuse to waste your excessive money on. I recommend watching something else, leaving this reminiscent title of the 80’s JRPG franchise as a last resort. (I don’t hate old JRPGs. I just find them too shallow to bother with these days.)

Verdict
The accused is found … GUILTY! … For trying to sell us a typical story at high prices, by disguising it handsomely.

Review - Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi

Review by Roriconfan

Prologue
The thing that stands out here is the origin of the story. This series is based on the most famous Chinese epic story/novel of all times, the Romance Of The Three Kingdoms . I have read a big summary of it and I must say, the series is faithful to the original script.

Story: 10
The novel is 1.000 years old, very long in duration, it is based on real historical events, involves hundreds of characters and describes a 20-year-old war around the unification of the vast and chaotic land of China. Since it was written millennia ago, the story differs a lot from typical anime scenarios and the way of life, as we know them today. Here are a few examples:

-The heroes don’t always win. This is not a typical scenario of good triumphing over evil.
-Women exist only as wives or traitorous seducers. You won’t see any female warriors or irritating girls hitting dorky boys all the time.
-Allies constantly change sides under the pressure of politics and honor. Compassion and justice are just used as political maneuvers and don’t help someone choose sides.
-Lies, secrets, betrayals, hypocrisy and ass kissing are absolutely normal to use and no one accuses someone just for using them. Everything is allowed in war.
-Strategies, terrain advantages and not numbers decide the outcome of battles. Good tactical advisors were more important than a million soldiers.
-The generals of the opposing armies were not afraid to fight in the front lines. Plus, killing the leader of an army was enough for a war to end, since the soldiers didn’t have a saying in the conflict or shared their leaders’ ambitions.

It is a very realistic scenario, if you compare it with the superficial American movies we get today. It makes The Lord Of The Rings appear simple and childish. It takes the combined efforts of the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Argonaut Campaign for a story/myth that is equal in length and quality. So, the story is a 10 without a doubt.

Animation & Sound: 6
An epic story of such proportions deserved graphics and sound, reminiscent of The Twelve Kingdoms anime (similar name and civilization) or the movie Hero , starring Jet Li. Having played a little of the Dynasty Warriors games, I expected very detailed cloths and long battles. Being a big fan of the Suikoden games, which have, ahem, “borrowed” many story elements, I expected supernatural powers and attention in personal dramas. Unfortunately, the series is pretty low on all these departments.

-Almost all the characters have simple cloths, making peasants and nobles to look the same.
-Facial variety is narrow, making most characters to look alike (that sounded like a racist comment).
-Wars are conducted in quite simple and boring ways. There is a lot of repeating footage on every battle.
-Stale images, absence of bloodshed, poor visual effects and uninteresting music themes take away all hopes of considering this department interesting.

Characters: 6
There are hundreds of characters in the story. That would be a good thing if they had been given different mannerism, personalities and purposes. Unfortunately again, they are not.

-Most of them are stunts that appear in a few episodes and then get killed or disappear without a trace from the story.
-Many characters have a sudden change in intelligence. Some suddenly become charismatic leaders and super tactical advisors and others who are veteran warriors suddenly become country bumpkins who are tricked by the simplest trap.
-All characters have the same goal: Get sneaky, earn authority, raise army, kill all who oppose, conquer lands, become emperor of China. It gets boring after seeing it for the 50th time.

Value & Enjoyment: 6
If you have read the original novel, the series seems as a poor attempt at representing the events in it. It could become a lot better if there was something else, besides a good story, in order to be kept interested. Without it, the series is one, big, average show.