Review Fullmetal – Alchemist Premium OAV Collection

What they say:
The Fullmetal Alchemist universe expands with new stories that reunite the original U.S. cast in four eye-opening tales available for the first time outside of Japan.

In the Interactive Experience, you’re on the front line against the Homunculus scourge. In the Live Action Featurette, the search for truth continues in modern Japan. The Kids Short offers proof that innocence lost can be found again. Finally, you’re invited to the Chibi Wrap Party, but don’t arrive late… With Gluttony on the guest list, the finger foods – and fingers – probably won’t last long.

What this Librarian says:
With as popular as the Fullmetal Alchemist series is, you would think these neat little shorts would have been brought over sooner. But better late than never, I suppose. Fun, and definitely worth picking up.

The ‘Interactive Experience’ is a ten minute set of shorts that look to have been from an interactive exhibit at Universal Studios Japan detailing the on the job training of an unnamed alchemist newly assigned to Colonel Mustang’s office. And as usual, things start to explode. The ‘Live Action Featurette’ uses the full scale Alphonse statue in shots taken all over the city. ‘The Kids’ shows three kids (who look remarkably like younger versions of Ed, Al and Winry) in a little adventure through the city as they try to find someone. And the ‘Chibi Wrap Party’ is a chance for the cast of the movie to take a break after filming is finally done, but with the usual nut ball results when you get every one in the same room.

Information:
Episodes: 4
Rating: 13+
Year: 2006 (Japan), 2009 (USA)

Review – D. Gray-man : Season 1 Part 2

What they say:
Valiant demon-hunter Allen Walker and his comrades remain steadfast in their quest to recover the lost Innocence while slaying the undead minions of evil’s most terrifying army. When the treacherous Millennium Earl senses a shift in the balance of power, the wicked leader of the Akuma summons forth a band of rogue warriors who will shake the Black Order to its very core.

What this Librarian says:
The second volume of this series finds Allen and company first tracking down the reason for a strange weather pattern in a remote town. Rumors have been circulating that an ancient relic known as the ‘Leaf of Revival’ may be at the heart of the unusual weather. Allen, Kanda and Lavi suspect it’s really an Innocence, but with Akuma hot on their trail and the weather being less than cooperative, this may take a lot more work.

The next mission takes Allen and Lenalee to a city to track down Kanda. He’s days overdue to report on an Innocence he was tracking. Once there they find Kanda’s been fighting for days to get the Innocence back from an ancient swordsman that’s been haunting the city.

With the end of the handful of filler episodes it’s now on to the next major arc from the original manga. In the next arc Allen and rest of the exorcists are sent out to find the Generals, the highest ranking exorcists of the Order, along the way however Allen and Lavi end up tangling with a vampire?!

Again, the second box of the D.Gray-man anime is a solid adaptation of the manga. While there are a fair number of filler episodes to round out this set, they are typically spaced out better than the filler episodes in other shows that shall remain unnamed. Though I freely admit to being guilty of fast-forwarding though a couple of parts, the series still holds considerable appeal.

Information:
Episodes: 6
Rating: 13+
Year: 2006 (Japan), 2009 (USA)

Next Meeting

Our next meeting for anime club will be today, August 4th, from 5-6pm. We’ll be watching episodes 15 and 16 of Ouran High School Host Club.

Karuizawa Refreshing Battle
The members of the Host Club freak out upon finding Haruhi missing from her home until Kyoya calmly explains Haruhi is in Karuizawa. It turns out Haruhi is using her summer vacation to work at the Misuzu pension in Karuizawa since her father is away on a staff trip. Much to Haruhi’s dismay, the Host  Club then decides to stay at the Misuzu pension as VIP guests. Will Haruhi manage to keep her sanity? And which Host Club member will win the refreshing battle for the guest room in the pension?

Haruhi and Hikaru’s First Date Battle Plan
Haruhi’s middle school friend Arai reminisces with Haruhi and the Host Club. Hikaru becomes unexplainably angry with the visitor and ends up insulting him. As an apology, Kaoru asks Haruhi out for the next day. Pretending to be sick, he sends Hikaru in his place. Kaoru reveals that his brother is still very immature and unable to express himself well to others, even those he may care about. Can a sudden rainstorm help Hikaru to grow-up?

Review – Heroic Age Part 1

What they say:
Long ago, the advanced Tribe of Gold vanished from the vast universe. In the void left by their departure, the tyrannical Tribe of Silver ascended to rule, forcing mankind – the Iron Tribe – to the brink of extinction. Now humanity wanders the cosmos in search of a savior.

Prophesy has foretold of one who will labor for their freedoms, and on a planet of ruin, a champion is found. A feral boy named Age holds the destiny of their species in his hands and the untold power of the Tribe of Hero within.

What this Librarian says:
There were once four tribes in the universe. The advanced Tribe of Gold, who attempted to gently guide the other tribes out into space; the Tribe of Silver, who wanted power; the insectiod Tribe of Bronze; and the combative and aggressive Tribe of Hero. But just as the Tribe of Gold was going to leave the known universe for good, one last tribe found their way into space all on their own. Humanity, the Tribe of Iron.

With the Tribe of Gold gone, the Tribe of Silver made its play for power. They have slowly begun to take control of all the habitable planets in the universe. Starting with Earth. Forced from their home, the Tribe of Iron has spread to a number of other planets, while at the same time they’ve been searching for a champion that was promised to them by the Tribe of Gold.

Princess Dhianeila has been dispatched with a crew on a ship called the Argonaut. Dhianeila has some telepathic abilities and is able to find hidden paths between planets, to keep her faithful crew from getting lost in deep space. And surprisingly enough, they manage to find the promised savior, who turns out not to be exactly what they expected. Age is a feral human boy, living alone on a shattered and nearly barren planet, but within himself he holds one of the last remaining members of the Tribe of Hero and the last hope for humanity.

Heroic Age is a slightly different mecha anime. Rather than Age climbing into a giant robot, Age becomes the giant robot! The series is pretty light on language and violence, and Age is unexpectedly charming and childlike, but with occasional moments where he is able to articulate complex ideas in simple ways. I wouldn’t recommend this for everyone, but the series is definitely enjoyable.

Information:
Episodes: 26
Rating: 13+
Year: 2007 (Japan), 2009 (USA)

Review – Kaze no Stigma : Part 1

What they say:
When the family business is fire, and you can’t handle the heat, it’s time to look for a new line of work – and maybe a new family, too.

Kazuma is a descendent of an ancient clan skilled in the magical Fire Arts. Unfortunately for him, the gift seems to have skipped a generation. Defeated by his younger, female cousin, Ayano, in a battle to become the clan’s successor, Kazuma is exiled with only the smoldering burn of failure to keep him company. But now he’s back, risen from the ashes and armed with a powerful new mojo that’s sure to fan the flames of the family rivalry. The cooler he gets, the hotter she burns, and when Wind and Fire collide, Tokyo is caught in the eye of the storm.

What this Librarian says:
As a member of the ancient Kannagi family of fire wielders, Kazuma is considered a stain on their long history as some of the most powerful magic users in Japan. He’s one of the only members of the powerful head family that can’t use fire, and in a contest to determine the clan successor Kazuma is utterly beaten by his younger (and female) cousin, Ayano. Exiled and disowned by his own father, Kazuma is forced to leave.

Four years later Kazuma is back and far more powerful than the little boy who left in disgrace. Now he’s a wind user, considered by most to be one of the least powerful magic fields, Kazuma is unusually powerful. With an attitude and a grudge just as big, Ayano and the rest of the Kannagi family are going to have to learn to change their old ways.

Kaze no Stigma is a fun little series. Moderately serious in the beginning, some of the flashbacks seem to be building toward a very serious end to the series. The best part of the show is the interaction between the youngest members of the Kannagi, in particular Kazuma and Ayano. Ayano is constantly annoying with Kazuma’s laid back personality and ego, and Kazuma can’t help but find new ways to make Ayano snap. The series is definitely geared for at least 14 or 15 years and older, there’s some occasion but not graphic nudity and quite a bit of innuendo.

Information:
Episodes: 24
Rating: 14+
Year: 2007 (Japan), 2009 (USA)

Review – Final Fantasy VII Advent Children

What they say:
The ruins of Midgar stand as a testament to the sacrifices made in order to bring peace. However, as a mysterious illness rapidly spreads and old enemies astir, the solitary hero Cloud must once again step out of his self-imposed seclusion and stand against the dark forces converging on his world!

What this Librarian says:
It’s been two years since the climactic battle between Cloud Strife and Sephiroth to decide the fate of the planet. And in those two years Cloud has sunk into a melancholy that none of his friends seem to be able to pull him out of. At the same time the survivors, now living in the city of Edge on the outskirts of the wreckage of Midgar, have been dealing with a strange plague called Geostigma.

Suddenly three men bearing a striking and uncomfortable resemblance to Sephiroth appear, and they’re looking for something important; the remains of Jenova, the alien life form that caused all the trouble in the first place. When the three men start stealing the children of Edge Cloud must resolve the guilt he has carried for more seven years and stop Sephiroth one last time.

For this review I viewed the Complete Edition on Blu-ray.

This updated and modified version of the original film finally clarifies some minor plot points that had, until now, simply been left for the viewer to assume had happened. The added footage also made the Geostigma seem far more sinister than it had previously, lending a more urgent feel. The changed fight scene at the end of the film works very nicely, and as much as I hate changing theatrical versions of films over and over, this improvement felt right and gave a nod to story elements from the original game, the new Crisis Core game, and the animated short Last Order.

The film may be a little confusing to those that have not played the original game, but the quality of the CG animation makes the film worth watching.

Information:
Runtime: 126 minutes
Rating: 15+
Year: 2005 (Japan), 2006 (USA)

Anime Movie Marathon!

It’s time for our annual Anime Movie Marathon for the Summer Reading Program! 5 hours of movies on the big screen! Pizza!

Stop in and sign up, there are still a few seats left!

Registration required. Limited to 20 teens in 6th grade and up.
Friday, July 17th, 11am-5pm

Slayers : The Motion Picture
Plagued by a recurring dream, master thief and sorceress Lina Inverse discovers ancient evil and lovers cruelly parted. Dragged into a vortex of time, she must fight to restore history to its proper course. But what will she do when the fearsome power of the Dragon Slave spell fails her as she tries to change the past and save the future!
Rated: 13+
Runtime: 65 minutes

 

Howl’s Moving Castle
Sophie, an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome-but-mysterious wizard named Howl, and is subsequently turned into a 90-year-old woman by the vain and conniving Wicked Witch of the Waste.
Rated: 13+
Runtime 118 minutes

 

Bleach : Memories of Nobody
After unidentified beings known as “Blanks” start popping up, they are soon followed by a Soul Reaper named Senna who makes them disappear. Ichigo and Rukia set out to learn more, but uncover an evil plot when a menacing clan tries to kidnap Senna, who seems to be the key to a diabolical plot for revenge. Can Ichigo and his fellow Soul Reapers save the two worlds from annihilation?
Rated: 13+
Runtime: 87 minutes

Next Meeting

Sorry for the late notification, again. I so need to work on my timing. Anyway, club meets this afternoon from 5-6 and we’ll be watching episodes 7 and 8 of Ouran High School Host Club.

Jungle Pool SOS
The Host Club pay a visit to Kyoya’s unopened family’s theme park Tropical Aqua Garden for some fun in the water. But when Honey is in an accident, their fun turns into a search and rescue mission in the jungle full of wild animals. Will the Host Club be able to rescue Honey?

The Sun, The Ocean, and the Host Club
The Host Club visit Okinawa for a stay at an Ootori family private beach. An incident involving a centipede gives birth to a new game to find Haruhi’s weakness. However, their “fun and games” take a sour turn when Haruhi heroically tries to stand up to some punks and gets thrown off a cliff into the sea. Why can’t she understand why the Club members are worried and angry? And will anyone ever find out her weakness?

Just for fun!

Hey!

Just an an interesting aside, Funimation is running a poll right now to see what brand new anime people are interested in.

What are you waiting for, go vote!

http://blog.funimation.com/2009/05/we-needyour-input/

(Personal favorites of this librarian : Kuroshitsuji (a.k.a Black Butler), Tales of the Abyss, Hetalia Axis Powers, and Casshern SINS)

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be May 26th from 5-6pm. We will be watching Ouran High School Host Club episodes 5 and 6.

The Twins Fight
Haruhi becomes irritated that the twins treat her as their toy while Tamaki freaks out and fears the curse of Beelzenef and Umehito Nekozawa, the leader of the Black Magic Club. All seems to be going well, until Hikaru and Kaoru get into an argument. Can the other members of the Host Club bring these two back together again?

The Elementary Host is of the Naughty Type
The elementary school student Shirou Takaouji comes to the Host Club asking for Tamaki to make him his apprentice and teach him how to be a host. Unfortunately for Tamaki and the rest of the Host Club, Shirou has a bit of an attitude. Does Shirou really want to become a host, or is he really after something else?