Category: Finished Series: Adventure/Fantasy/Science Fiction

Neon Genesis Evangelion – 4 [Rain, and After Running Away/Hedgehog’s Dilemma] – Throwback Thursday

by Lenlo, posted in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Throwback Thursday

You know, I wasn’t expecting Neon Genesis Evangelion to actually give me exactly what I asked for. Typically I want something from an anime, and I am ignored, because I am some random guy on the internet. But this week Evangelion decided to listen, just once. Man, am I awesome. So without further ado, lets jump in and start talking about Shinji’s mental breakdown!

Starting, let’s clarify what this episode is about. This week Evangelion focuses in on Shinji’s character, really diving in to his issues from the first 3 episodes. Not just showing them to us, but helping define both sides of the problem. Showing us both Shinji’s insecurities and how he deals with things, and how Misato is coping and trying to connect with him. Showing a very real issue of miscommunication. and really making it clear how little they know each other. Its exaggerated a bit at times, but hey that’s drama. And my favorite part about all of this is that Evangelion didn’t just sweep it under the rug in a single episode either. Sure, I am not the biggest fan of whining Shinji, but whining Shinji with progress is a whole other beast. And that is exactly what we get, the start of Shinji working through his issues. Continue reading “Neon Genesis Evangelion – 4 [Rain, and After Running Away/Hedgehog’s Dilemma] – Throwback Thursday” →

Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These – 17-20

by AidanAK47, posted in Currently Watching:, Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These

We have our second batch of LOGH episodes and while the previous batch focused on the stirring of rebellions within both civilizations, this batch has the focus of those coup d’etats being executed and the consequences therein. I find the contrast between the two to be fascinating as both governments are undergoing the same problem but the perspectives are quite different. The Lippstadt alliance being the former privileged upper class attempting to reclaim their status all the while preparing to backstab each other if they succeed. Meanwhile the National Salvation Military Council are the very definition of the saying “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” as they certainly have the best interests of the people at heart but their methods are more or less a repeat of the very thing that birthed the Goldenblum dynasty in the first place. It’s hard to claim that you are here to provide salvation while pointing guns at the people you claim to save.

I truly feel sorry for Merkatz in the Lippstadt alliance. He’s a man that clearly doesn’t want to be there and sees exactly how the whole thing is going to turn out. He wouldn’t even be there if he wasn’t blackmailed into participation yet he still tries to do his job to the best of his ability. Yet despite this the nobles of the alliance pretty much seem determined to rush into their own demise. Merkatz is the sensible man trying to herd a bunch of entitled selfish brats into saving themselves. He let them lose a battle on purpose hoping that would teach them some humility and get them to finally take Reinhard seriously. But instead they double down on their pride and fall straight for Reinhard’s traps, congratulating themselves all the while. Merkatz pain and frustration is all too visible when having the leader of the alliance walk straight into a trap, having to save said dumbass and then have that dumbass yell at him for not coming sooner. It’s a sad fact that this very thing echos current times far too well with people forced to make stupid moves all because of some incompetent man-child at the top of the command chain. The nobles of the Lippstadt alliance are a cautionary tale of just what is produced when someone is fostered under a social class of unearned privilege. Truly it’s almost a joke with how the Lippstadt Alliance more or less falls apart due to its own incompetence. Reinhard almost doesn’t have to do anything, the nobles do all the damage for him. From shooting their own ships to make an escape to killing one of their most loyal generals due to suspected treachery orchestrated by Reinhard. Continue reading “Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These – 17-20” →

Dr.STONE – 21 [Spartan Crafts Clubs]

by Lenlo, posted in Dr.STONE

Welcome one and all to Dr.STONE and my first post on the new site! I hope its working well for anyone, and if you have any issues, please leave a comment somewhere. We want to make it the best we can. That said, let’s get into the episode.

So really quick, lets run through Dr.STONE production this week. There were a number of picturesque scenes throughout I feel. From the Christmas tree to the dawn of the New Year. Like always, I think Dr.STONE pulls these off well. Instilling a good amount of emotion into what are otherwise pretty basic shots. Something about the music, the framing and the characters all comes together to make them greater than they otherwise would be. The big thing though from this week I think is actually how the science is presented. As we are starting to get into very small things, science which requires precision. Unlike the water wheel or the generator or even the ramen stand, the lightbulbs and such are to small to really show off building. At least to do so easily I feel. So I think Dr.STONE did a fine job depicting scale and precision here. Continue reading “Dr.STONE – 21 [Spartan Crafts Clubs]” →

Neon Genesis Evangelion – 3 [The Silent Phone/A Transfer] – Throwback Thursday

by Lenlo, posted in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Throwback Thursday

Another week, another episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion, possibly the last one before the site move. A nice dash for finality, I think. As this week Evangelion continues to explore Shinji’s mental state, what living in this world is like, and a dash of exposition. Lets dive in!

Starting off, this was the first episode of Evangelion to not wow me. Don’t get me wrong, it looked fine, but compared to the first two it was pretty static. For instance we saw the general 90’s explosions of simple circles overlaid onto the object itself. Or the same repeating image of the Angel in the fight at the end. Flashing back and forth as the characters count down. Or Shinji’s face during it all, with heavy red filters and such. I understand the attempt, what it was going for there, but for me it felt almost… overdone? At least when combined with the screaming and other noises going on at the time. Still, its not like it was bad, there is still a good amount of direction and decent cuts going on here. It just feels like all the good cuts will be limited to the Eva is all.

Continue reading “Neon Genesis Evangelion – 3 [The Silent Phone/A Transfer] – Throwback Thursday” →

Psycho-Pass 3 – 04 [Political Strife in the Colosseum]

by HelghastKillzone, posted in Currently Watching:, Psycho-Pass 3

Sibyl isn’t everything but episode four has me nearly convinced with its balance of investigation, action, and social commentary that it is on par with the first season of Psycho-Pass. Wrapping up this case answers the case’s immediate questions like what makes Komina tick, but only more questions crop up like who is the First Inspector and what is Bifrost’s ultimate goal. With the season already half over, its beg the question of how they intend to wrap up all the plot points from this and previous seasons. Continue reading “Psycho-Pass 3 – 04 [Political Strife in the Colosseum]” →

Dr.STONE – 19/20 [To Modernity/The Age of Energy]

by Lenlo, posted in Dr.STONE

Hello all, to this double feature of Dr.STONE, as this lazy bones plays catch up. Apologies for missing last week, but a combination of factors made getting the post up in time… difficult. Enough excuses though, onto the episodes!

Starting off, since I missed two episodes, let’s talk about the production for a second. As in these two episodes we saw both what Dr.STONE does poorly, and what it does really well. For the first, the obvious answer is of course action. Quick, fluid movements, simply don’t play well with Dr.STONE’s visual style. Nor does it really fit the series itself. For as I have said time and time again, Dr.STONE is not an action series. However what the series does well, in my opinion, is filling tiny scenes with large emotions. Scenes that, in the grand scheme, mean nothing yet Dr.STONE fills them with human emotion. The easy example of this being Homura and the cotton candy in Episode 20. A simple thing, meaningless in the greater story, but to me it speaks of Dr.STONE’s true strength. That being its portrayal of humanity.

Continue reading “Dr.STONE – 19/20 [To Modernity/The Age of Energy]” →

Neon Genesis Evangelion – 2 [An Unfamiliar Ceiling/The Beast] – Throwback Thursday

by Lenlo, posted in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Throwback Thursday

Hello all and welcome to week 2 of Neon Genesis Evangelion! I know a lot has been going on lately, what with the site scare, but don’t worry. A lot of work is going on in the back and we have plans. In the meantime, how about we just jump into this week’s episode of Giant Murder Robots?

Starting off, Evangelion continues to look good. There were some really nice shots this week, both in terms of direction and animation. For the first, I actually want to look towards the aftermath of the opening battle with the Angel. And how Evangelion really sells us on the scale of everything, not forgetting a single detail. What with the guns the size of buildings, and the bullets the size of cars. All with humans in the same shot, it establishes the scale of the conflict really well. For animation, I need look no further than the brutal fight itself. From the destruction of the arm to the almost fluid movements of the Eva. Most of all though, it was the impacts on the skull that sold it for me. Perhaps in the future this will become a bit much, but I think it sets the tone well this early.

Continue reading “Neon Genesis Evangelion – 2 [An Unfamiliar Ceiling/The Beast] – Throwback Thursday” →

Psycho-Pass 3 – 03 [Herakles and the Sirens]

by HelghastKillzone, posted in Currently Watching:, Psycho-Pass 3

It’s a slower episode this week for Psycho-Pass 3 but there is so much to unpack when it comes to details of the characters and how it relates to the latest case of the candidates for the governorship of Tokyo. There are family connections, hidden pasts and plot threads that point to something far bigger. Continue reading “Psycho-Pass 3 – 03 [Herakles and the Sirens]” →

Neon Genesis Evangelion – 1 [Angel Attack] – Throwback Thursday

by Lenlo, posted in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Throwback Thursday

Welcome all to the next series of Throwback Thursday, Neon Genesis Evangelion! Apologies for the late start, I sorta lost track of time this week. Won’t happen again though, because after this I am excited to keep going. Because if nothing else, I know it’s going to look good. Let’s dive in!

Starting off, we need to talk about production, because Evangelion looks gorgeous. I had seen a few clips or screenshots prior to this, but always assumed those were one-offs. Or came from the movie, End of Evangelion. However this entire episode looked really good. From the explosions to the almost organic movement of metal during the Angel’s introduction. Of course its the first episode, so this could easily go downhill from here. But visually its a very strong start. This of course goes for the background art as well. The opening shot of tanks along the bridge is beautiful, as are many of the backdrops. Really, Evangelion is showing off the best of what Cell animation can do. With bright popping colors, all of it with the imperfections that make hand-drawn anime beautiful. Something that is often lacking in modern digital series, sometimes to perfect for their own good.

Continue reading “Neon Genesis Evangelion – 1 [Angel Attack] – Throwback Thursday” →