Toon Review - Parasyte -The Maxim- (寄生獣)

Title(Manga)	Parasyte(寄生獣)
Title(Anime)	Parasyte -the maxim-
Genre	Action, Horror, Science Fiction
Written By(Manga)	Hitoshi Iwaaki
Directed By(Anime)	Kenichi Shimizu

1. Before the Review...

When I was reading a Manga called Parasyte, I was only a middle school student in Korea. During that time, I was pretty much got scared because of gore scenes and possibility of aliens taking over human's brain, etc. I also thought that if this Manga comes out as Anime, that would be really cool.

Well, it took about 20 years to become an Anime and I finally got to watch this Parasyte. Overall, this is one of the best anime among the 4Q, 2014 Animes.

Quite a lot of change, eh?

2. Abstract

'We are absolute predators.'

Those tiny foreigners came from the sky. When they stepped on the ground, their first priority was to take over humans. Those aliens took over human's brain and beginning to blend into human's society. Also, those aliens kill humans in order to eat humans.

Shinichi Izumi, a high school student, almost had this danger but was able to manage to survive. Instead, the alien who tried to control Shinichi's body infected Shinichi's right arm. 

Now, Shinichi must find the way how to live with this Parasyte and need to deal with the other Parasyte aliens.

3. Review:

The original Manga Parasyte was started in 1988 and finished in 1995 by Hitoshi Iwaaki. This Manga got prizes/awards such as 17th Kodansha Manga Award in 1993, 27th Seiun Awatd for being best manga of the year in 1996. This shows that the original Parasyte is pretty much impressive work.

Hitoshi Iwaaki's main focus was 'Humans who destroy nature need to get punished by nature.' However, there were similar Mangas came out quite a lot, so he had to change his main focus and this Parasyte is the result of his thought.

The main focus of this Anime is the relationship between  Shinichi Izumi and his Parasite friend, Migi. During the first time, Shinichi thinks Migi as a monster because Parasytes who took over human's brain does kill & eat humans -Migi cannot eat because he could not take over Shinichi's brain-. But as the time goes, their relationship changes to a friendship. Other than this change, Migi and the other Parasytes are thinking about themselves like 'What are we? What is our purpose of living?' or 'Why did we born?' and so on. It is a bit old topic, but in 1990s, this gave me something to think about my life.


-Manga Vs. Anime

The Manga version of the Parasyte contains the old-fashioned Japanese style art. Which means the art is pretty much different with the current cute, adorable Anime style art. The storytelling of this Manga is a bit old-fashioned, too.

Example 1

Example 2

However, if you can get used to this, Parasyte Manga pulls you into its world. Even if storytelling is bit old, everything flows well and its grotesque scenes are well-drawn. If you read the Manga first and the Anime second, you may be prefer the Manga version of the Parasyte.

Read Manga!

Compare with the Manga version, the Parasyte Anime released in 4Q, 2014. Most of character designs were refined and some minor stories were also refined, so if you are the one who do not like the old-fashioned Manga style and lighter grotesque, you will enjoy the Anime version of Parasyte.

Speaking of which, some scenes were changed but it does not effect the whole story. For example,

1. In Manga, no one uses mobile phone. However, in the Anime, people are using cell phone.
2. Main charater Shinichi Izumi  wears glasses in Anime. He does not wear glasses in the Manga.
3. Some scenes were refined to give a dramatic moment.


4. Conclusion:

-Masterpiece from the past-

Parasyte proves that it has fun, serious storyline that audience would enjoy. The Anime release of the Parasyte also proves that several current works would no match compare to the single past work.

Besides, Migi(Righty) is quite cute to watch

5. Recommendations:

Since Parasyte shows sliced limbs and shows red blood, or even internal parts of human body, I would like to suggest Animes with gore. 

Elfenlied

Blood, Blood, Blood! 

You can see a lot of blood and people becomes sliced meat in this Anime. A LOT. 

...and also heart wrenching.

Manga version is available, too.

Brynhildr in the Darkness(極黒のブリュンヒルデ)

The plot is quite similar with the Elfenlied since the artist is the same. but this anime/manga is worth watching/reading. Manga is still on-stage, so if  you are interested, don't forget to read Mange version.

Dead Space: Downfall

If you ever played Dead Space game(basically you gotta slaughter monsters and save the world), this is the one you should watch. If you did not played the game, watch it and play the game!! It is a prequel animation of the game w/ horror and gore.

Dead Space : Aftermath.

Sequel animation of Dead Space game. If you liked Dead Space: Downfall and the first series of dead space game, this is another suggested animation to watch. 

Attack on Titan(進撃の巨人):

In this Manga/Anime, human beings are devoured by giants, or Titans w/ no specific reason. This 'non-humans' slaughtering humans part will give you some shock. The only difference is that the world of Attack on Titan is having more dystopian tastes.

teTT

http://ideaartstettjwk.blogspot.com/

Toon Review - Eyeshield 21

Eyeshield 21

Title	Eyeshield 21
Genre	Action, Comedy, Sports
Written By	Riichiro Inagaki
Illustrated By	Yusuke Murata
Directed By	Masayoshi Nishida

For my first manga/anime review, I decided to write about Eyeshield 21. I finished Eyeshield 21 in both manga and anime, and for an action-packed story like this, I highly recommend watching the anime over reading the manga.

Abstract

Sena Kobayakawa the main character in this anime is a physically weak, unassertive boy who was bullied throughout his junior high years. Sena, hoping his high school years will be different, decides to join a club at school to make friends and fit in. However, before joining any clubs,Sena is targeted by delinquents even in high school. These delinquents start bullying Sena and while Sena is on the run, Sena's fated encounter with Yoichi Hiruma(member of the football team) happens. During the chase, Yoichi sees potential in Sena as a football player and decides to recruit him. Sena refuses to join the football team as a member but he agrees to join the team as their manager. However, knowing Sena's potentials, Yoichi gives him the code name Eyeshield 21 and makes him (definitely forces him) to play as the football teams running back with his identity hidden. 

Review

Eyeshield 21 is a long series (145 episodes) but kept me engaged for most of the episodes. Like most of Japanese sports anime, the action in this anime is exaggerated (simple spins move, or steps during the game would have ridiculous names which sounds like a finishing move) but I actually enjoy that part... What fun would it be without these awesome moves??

The story gets exciting fairly quickly when Sena starts joining in on the action as Eyeshield 21. Sena is Devil Bats (football team of Sena's high school) running back and with his great speed, he becomes the ace of the team in no time. What makes this anime interesting is seeing Sena's growth as a football player and also as an individual. I love anime where the main character is a late bloomer and finds his talents later on and progresses through out the story. 

There are plenty of action and interesting characters in this anime but what good is a sports anime without a rival to push the main character to his maximum limits? This is where Seijuro Shin comes into play. Shin is the strongest, fastest high school line-backer in Japan and someone Sena looks up to as well. Sena and Shin's rivalry adds spice to the story and Eyeshield 21 would not be the same without Shin.

bad ass!!

                                

The essence of this anime is during the game time. The match between schools are interesting to watch. It explains thoroughly what strategies each school is using and shows how the character is feeling or what they are thinking during the game-play. My favorite part during the game is when individuals have a match up. 

a match up screen shows up like this...

These match up hypes you up and it is exciting to see the outcome of the battle.

Onto the main dish...personally I think the best part about this anime is Yoichi Hiruma. He is the captain of Devil Bats(Sena's football team), strategist of the team and simply the best character in the anime. He is portrayed as this evil, heartless man in the beginning but as the story unfolds you get to see the nice side of him. He does anything he can do to make anything happen. Devil Bats mascot fits with Hiruma so well. For the team to win, he blackmails, uses guns, unleash his favorite pet, and etc (That sounds bad...but once you watch the anime you will understand how this can be hilarious). In the game, he is a tactician who uses tricky tactics to win and without him Devil Bats could not have gone so far.

somehow always has weapons with him

When he blackmails people...he looks like a devil!

Hiruma's favorite pet Cerberus threatening Sena

Good mash-up of football action, comedy and a solid story is what Eyeshield 21 is all about. 

Recommendation

• The Fighting (Hajime no Ippo): Boxing anime packed with action, comedy and weak character becoming strong just like Eyeshield 21.
• Slam Dunk: Less exaggerated action than Eyeshield 21, very solid story, and hilarious. MUST WATCH ANIME
• One-Punch Man: If you liked Yusuke Murata's drawing style...

Jwk

http://ideaartstettjwk.blogspot.com/

  

Toon Review - Voices of a Distant Star(ほしのこえ) (2002)

Title:	The Voices of a Distant Star(ほしのこえ)
Genre:	Sci-Fi, Romance, Mecha
Directed by:	Makoto Shinkai
Produced by:	Makoto Shinkai, Yoshihiro Hagiwara

Before the Review...

I have always wanted to be in a great relationship since I did not have many dating experiences in my youth. I think this is why romantic stories always gives me a sense of joy and anime containing love stories intrigues me.

Anyways, back to the review...

Along with romantic anime, I really love to watch/read Sci-fi Anime/Manga with high tech gigantic robots. So I decided to review one of the various Gundam series or the current Sci-Fi Mecha Anime .

I have searched the Anime that I have watched before, and considered some good romantic/sci-fi animations.

As a result, I have decided to start slow and picked up the old Anime that was released in 2002.

It is called a 'The Voices of a Distant Star'

Must watch it at least twice.

Abstract:

'The Voices of a Distant Star' shows the world with human race VS. alien race called Tarsians. However, the story mainly focuses on middle school student Mikako Nagamine and Noboru Terao. Terao and Mikako were in a relationship, and they thought that they would go to the same high school together.

It seems that this relationship would last until Mikako was selected as a Pilot of a Tracer.
(Tracer is a high-tech military robot)

In order to investigate the space and to destroy the alien species who attacked human race, the fleet goes to the space, and Mikako was one of them. The only method of communication between Noboru and Mikako was through email. As the distance between two of them increases, the time period that Noboru gets email from Mikako takes longer and longer.

Review:

This animation is 30 minute short-running Anime. Since this anime is quite short, Makoto Shinkai mainly focuses on the main characters' relationship. Also, since this Anime is made by one person, Makoto Shinkai, the quality of character is not that great.

I want better quality on character!!

But that does not mean this Anime is terrible. Every scene is a masterpiece when you consider this is a one man made Anime. The Animation director Makoto Shinkai is the one who usually focuses on scenes, backgrounds, etc. You would notice this as you watch Makoto Shinkai's other animations.

There are few Anime that has great impact within a short time, and this Anime is one of those kind. Sure there are better Anime out there but if you like the Makoto Shinkai's style of storytelling, I definitely recommend this Anime.

So watch it, ladies and gentlemen.

-Things to consider watching The Voices of a Distant Star...
1. Everything except music and voice were done by Makoto Shinkai. It took about 2 years to finish this whole 30 minute animation.

2. Not only just anime, but there are several other media mixes that came out with different endings. For example, there are novels,  Manga, and Drama CD. Each may have their own taste, so I would suggest to try those too.

Recommendation:

If you liked 'The Voices of a Distant Star', I would suggest to watch these anime.

• The Place Promised in Our Early Days(雲のむこう、約束の場所, 2004): directed by Makoto Shinkai, this Anime is 90 minutes long. If you liked the romance part of his Anime, I would suggest this along with the 5 Centimeters per Second.

• 5 centimeters per second(秒速5センチメートル, 2007)

• Gurren Lagann(天元突破グレンラガン, 2007) : This Sci-fi Anime has 27 episodes of massive action packed Giant Robot Battle. There's also a Romance part in it, so you would enjoy this quite a lot.

• Code Geass (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ, 2007): Sensitive subjects are in this Anime(For example, Terror, some political issues, etc.), but this Anime is another Sci-fi Anime that I would suggest to you. Other than this one, there is several other Code Geass series that came out already(Code Geass: Akito the Exiled, Code Geass: Nightmare of Nunnally, and so on). If you are interested, watch/read those, too.

• Starship Troopers : Invasion(2012): Starship battles, fight with armored suit, and the war against alien is always fun to watch and this animation is full of those.

teTT
http://ideaartstettjwk.blogspot.com/