Meeting – January 31 2023 – Revenger

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Michael Eh?

RevengerAfter watching two comedy shorts, it was time for something different.  I picked a period samurai drama with plenty of action and revenge, Revenger.

“As master assassin Usui Yuen looks into a series of assassinations made on the grand samurai clan, the Satsuma, he encounters Kurima Raizo, member and survivor of one of the attacks. Together, they discover the true nature of these murders is bigger than over stolen resources. As they get closer to the truth, will they come out alive to exact revenge?”

Genre: Historical, Mystery, Samurai

So what did we think of Revenger?

Chanbara thriller. The art is kinda whatever, but the music is interesting, and supporting characters are memorable. A bit gruesome for my taste though.

…Mr G.

This is one of the more interesting shows this season. The story is fairly straightforward, but it is executed very well. The artstyle suits the period, the characters are detailed and distinct, and the framing and sound matches the scenes nicely. This is very well executed, even if it is not a very ambitious story.

… Braden

Must say this historical samurai drama is exquisite anime I’ve seen in long time. Great characters. animation, acting and music. Most people would pass on this series by only looking at the premise but it holds it’s own charm.

…Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Review, Wiki | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Meeting – January 31 2023 – Revenger

Meeting – January 31 2023 – Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Toutotsu ni Egypt Shin, Toutotsu ni Egypt Kami, Oh, Suddenly Egyptian GodAfter watching The Way of the Househusband, we watched another short series we missed out due to pandemic which is having a second season this year.  Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God is quirky short full of gags.

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Short, Slice of Life

So our thoughts on Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God …

I dunno, I bounced off the show the first time I watched it, and it still doesn’t really do anything for me as far as short programs go. It’s at least decently done and the theme is consistent.

… Mr. G

This is kinda cute, but it started to get dull after a bit. The jokes seemed a bit shallow and the plots were nothing special. Its okay if you just wanna watch chibi characters being zany, but that’s about it.

…Branden

It’s amazing in its execution. Odd but consistent animation style. I don’t know how much follow it gets even outside Fate series fandom but it feels like the cast are enjoying themselves.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Review, Wiki | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Meeting – January 31 2023 – Oh, Suddenly Egyptian God

Meeting – January 31 2023 – The Way of the Househusband

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Michael Eh?

The Way of the Househusband Gokushufudou

Odd to be reviewing a show that started airing a year ago but that was still when we could not still meet in person.  The Way of the Househusband or Gokushufudou is one of those unique shorts that in spite of it’s brief format manages to entertain.

Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life

So what did we think of The Way of the Househusband?

It’s so weird hearing an english dub again. Quite good. The… animation, or lack thereof would at first seem to be a detriment, but the designs are detailed, and the colors are bright. The writing is good, and the visual gags aren’t held back too much by the Flash-level animation. The premise isn’t too strange on the face of it, but the execution is wonderfully goofy at times.

… Mr. G

These episodes are short but fun. I love how they have managed to set up an entire story line for each mini episode and present it in a minimalistic but interesting way. This is definitely one of the better things i have seen this season.

… Braden

I must admit this dub is as good as it gets though the audio leaves a lot to be desired. It makes this great voice acting sound like a voice over. The style may not be standard anime fair but that is how the creator wanted it and it works.

… Michael Eh?

 Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Review, Wiki | Tagged , | Comments Off on Meeting – January 31 2023 – The Way of the Househusband

Meeting – January 24 2023 – High Card

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Michael Eh?

High CardFourland Kingdom is an island nation in the North Atlantic. In this country, there are 52 X-Playing Cards, considered the origin of playing cards. A card with a unique supernatural ability can gift its abilities to a qualified person: the player. One day, the X-Playing Cards in government’s custody were spread all over Fourland leading to troubles caused by the supernatural abilities of the players with cards across the country. The king secretly assigns Pinochle, one of the top corporations of the nation, to a mission, to collect the cards that are causing all the chaos in the country.

Genre: Action, Supernatural, Suspence

So what did we think?

Maybe the slickest opening episode I’ve seen in a long while. A perfect companion to Buddy Daddies also airing this season. It’s a question of which is better of the two. I’m betting that High Card might be the winner but will it take top spot this season is anyone’s guess.

… Michael Eh?

Another take on the modern day “team with supernatural items that has to collect them too”. The author has a good imagination, and sense for the dramatic. Takes place in Legally Distinct Europe, with our main protagonist fancying himself a modern day Robin Hood; helping the orphanage that helped him. Doesn’t skimp on the violence, so it may not be for everybody.

… Mr. G

So its a battle royale for artifacts that grant supreme powers. Seen things along these lines before, but this one is really well executed. From the sound design to the animation style to the fight choreography, this impressed me from start to finish.

… Braden

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Review, Wiki | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Meeting – January 24 2023 – High Card

Meeting – January 24 2023 – Buddy Daddies

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Buddy DaddiesKazuki Kurusu, a criminal contractor/coordinator who lives with his best friend, Rei Suwa, a professional assassin who has been raised from childhood to be a contract killer. Kazuki is outgoing and loves gambling and women, while Rei is a man of few words who spends his off time playing video games. One day, the two buddies end up caring for Miri Unasaka, a four year old girl whose father is a mafia boss, after Miri accidentally wanders into a firefight in a hotel while looking for her father.

So what did we thought of Buddy Daddies?

Some wonderfully wild, modern day assassin action, with the added comedy twist of a target’s child needing their help and care. It’s got that fun, Gunsmith Cats/Cowboy Bebop feel of professionals having to deal with difficult situations. It’s a wonderful buddy comedy, with a violent streak.

... Mr. G

So a pair of assassins wind up taking care of a little girl, trying to balance both worlds. this felt a little like spy x family in a way, with maybe a bit of the fun of cowboy bebop when it got to the action scenes.

… Braden

Maybe the ODDest Odd Couple of crime … meets two men with a baby. Slap stick humor with guns. Charming but not charming enough to invest past the first episode.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Review, Wiki | Tagged | Comments Off on Meeting – January 24 2023 – Buddy Daddies

Meeting – January 17 2023 – Ayakashi Triangle

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Ayakashi TriangleOf the two gender bender animes we watched, this one comes out on top of most of this genre with some appeal.

So what did we think of Ayakashi Triangle?

Bright, saturated colour palette. Bad audio balance. Decent animation. Honestly, the story isn’t doing much to pull me in, despite the pleasing art style. Standard bad guy of the week body guarding anime, with a Ranma twist? hmm.

… Mr. G

I thought the show was doing okay, until the last part. Im not sure what to make of it – i guess if people want to watch “culture” without going too hardcore, then this might be for them. I recommend everyone else avoid.

… Braden

Being a gender swap anime, this one doesn’t come off that bad but still comes off that bad in fan service way. The humor is low key but passable. Not a stellar start to an anime but above average while being a Rom Com.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Club info, Review, Wiki | Tagged , | Comments Off on Meeting – January 17 2023 – Ayakashi Triangle

Meeting – January 17 2023 – Onii-chan wa Oshimai!

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!, Big Brother is Done For!

As far as gender bender animes, this one sets a new low bar.

Just how did our handle this change?

Well, pretty sure I’m on a watch list now, having seen this.

… Braden

Enh, it’s fine, but the art skews really young for what are ostensibly two high school age kids.

… Mr. G

This show should be retitled, My Little Sister Creeps Me Out! I’m waiting for him to change back. Sibling bonding aside this show is far too twisted than billed. I don’t see watching past this point.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Club info, Review, Wiki | Tagged , | Comments Off on Meeting – January 17 2023 – Onii-chan wa Oshimai!

Meeting – January 17th 2023 – The Vampire Dies in No Time

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Michael Eh?

The Vampire Dies in No TimeYou think one season of Kyuuketsuki Sugu Shinu or The Vampire Dies in No Time would be enough.  Yet here we are graced (or disgraced) with a second season of the antics of Vampire Hunter Ronaldo and lifeless yet hilarious vampire partner, Draluc.  We looked at the first episode which missed our gaze the first time around.

I won’t say the show doesn’t try to be funny, but the first episode just does nothing to endear me to the Draluc character. The straight man is a bit too serious, and the funny man… kinda isn’t, in my opinion. The style (both artistic and comedic) reminds me of “Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun“, but I feel they do the supernatural humor shtick much better.

… Mr. G

This was a fun, crazy comedy. The pairing of the complete wuss of a vampire with a (comparatively) competent human did make for some funny moments.

… Braden

Non-stop nonsense. Some sympathy for Draluc who just gets by with just being left alone.  Dying as in turning to sand is almost a defense reflex for him as most would just pass on him being dead.  A over-blown vampire hunter trying to be bigger than he really is.  Oddly they make a duo worth watching.  That’s all… now second season.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Meeting – January 17th 2023 – The Vampire Dies in No Time

Meeting – January 10, 2023 – Trigun Stampede

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Michael Eh?

Trigun StampedeAs one of the most highly anticipated series, Trigun Stampede also has it’s detractors.  Most remakes are over shadowed from the memories of series past.  Needless to say, Trigun is one of the TOP animes in anyone’s picks. It’s more than impossible to top Trigun. Also the curse of trying to make something new when memories of  old series among fans is deep.

The trailer for Trigun Stampede …

SO did they do Vash right?

They put a lot of money into this one, it’s obvious right from the start. High fidelity of animation, color, and shading, though They didn’t quite hide the fact the characters are CG well enough in my opinion, thoguh that may just be a consequence of the level of detail the studio is shooting for, or a deliberate style choice. I’m not sure if it’s bad or good, but it is different. Much more facial animation work than your typical animated series. It’s not quite Dreamworks or Pixar, but an effort is being made. I’d put it on par with RWBY, maybe a bit better. The female reporter in particular has had quite a bit of effort done with her facial expressions and framerate. She sticks out like the blonde from the movie Cool World. The show is meant to be a reboot of a series that I remember almost nothing about anymore, I’m sure the character designs will spark heated love/hate arguments everywhere. The average framerate of the characters seems inconsistent; some scenes are noticeably more fluid, and it comes off a bit amateur. If they had pushed the ENTIRE show to 24/30 fps and not just the girl, this would look REALLY good. As it is… well, the story is going to have to do a lot of work. It’s not bad by any stretch, just inconsistent in the placement of the studio’s efforts, and I feel it interferes with the suspension of disbelief.

… Mr G.

This sticks close to the spirit of the original, just updated for a new generation. I dont remember the old show well enough to be able to say how closely, but it is definitely a spiritual successor. Definitely worth a watch.

… Braden

Having watched the original series, I had my doubts this reboot would fly. Instead it soars above the original with gorgeous animation and story telling. The classic reborn. LOVE AND PEACE!

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Club info | Comments Off on Meeting – January 10, 2023 – Trigun Stampede

Meeting January 10, 2923 – NieR:Automata Ver1.1a

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Michael Eh?

NieR:Automata Ver1.1aNieR:Automata Ver1.1a was one of the highly anticipated series of the season. The first trailer left us wanting.

So did it live up to the hype? What our members thought…

Having only seen bits and pieces of the beginning of the game the show is based on, it seems to adhere well to the source material. No skimping on animation frames in this one. Robots are CG, and come off a bit stilted, with too smooth animation compared to the frame rate overall. There’s a high degree of action. Color palette for backgrounds is rather subdued, with a large use of dust and fog. The show is quite well done on a technical level. It plays the seriousness of the story straight, but I’m not really feeling the drama. The stakes are high, but the sense of danger and sadness feels forced imo. The post-fight talk is much better done though. End of the show has an omake theatre bit with stick puppets, and is quite funny.

… Mr G.

The show focused mostly on the specific mission the character were on, which I found disappointing. We don’t really get a chance to understand much of the world, we just see the characters fight – and they may as well be cardboard cutouts, since we don’t understand much about them aside from how they perform in combat. A first episode is a good chance to hook viewers by giving them something to look forward to next episode, and aside from the hope that we might get some actual world building, I don’t see much reason to watch any more.

… Braden

All action, little story. The rod puppet extro at the end seemed lame. Hoping episode two has something of substance. Otherwise this is a disappointment.

… Michael Eh?

Check out the new shows of the Winter 2023 season!

Anime Shows - Winter 2023

Posted in anime, Club info, Wiki | Comments Off on Meeting January 10, 2923 – NieR:Automata Ver1.1a