Archive for March, 2009

Anime Series Review: Tower of Druaga: The Sword of Uruk

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Talk about saving the best for last!  The last two episodes of The Sword of Uruk (numbers 11 and 12) are simply fantastic!  Having reached the top floor of the Tower of Gilgamesh, the parties finally get to tangle with the big, bad Gilgamesh.  Episode 11 has some of the best action in the series.  And yet, Gonzo comes up with ANOTHER surprise at the end of the 11th episode, as a lead in to the final episode.  The secret of the Blue Crystal Rod, which started EVERYTHING from episode one of the Aegis of Uruk series, is finally revealed.  And it’s time for Jil, Kaaya, and company to save the kingdom once again. . .

The script for the second series is simply outstanding, with fast snippets during the ending credits roll that show what happens to cast members after the Tower of Druaga is no more.  In my opinion, The Sword of Uruk is a better series than the previous one.  The writers managed to zip up every loose end from Aegis, while retaining the humor and laughs, and rolled with the plot from beginning to end.

Final Grade: A

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ANOTHER version of Creators’ Labo Chaos Gate Ignis gets released!

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

I just noticed the mention at AAAAnime.com for the new release of a LIMITED Edition Creators’ Labo Chaos Gate Jingai Makyo Ignis Clear Ver. Figure from Yamato.   They already have a Blazing Scarelet Ver. out, on top of the regular version.  So that’s THREE versions of one figure floating around.

Yamato seems to have a tendency to produce new versions of hot selling figures.  Creators’ Labo Non-Non was the previous release to get this treatment.  I personally don’t mind, because it allows figure collectors who missed out on the previous releases another opportunity to get these figures.  Now if only Yamato can convince retailers to carry them in stock. . .

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Anime Series Review: To Aru Majutsu no Index

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

A Certain Magical Index is a 24 episode show that evolves around Toma Kamijo, and his Imagine Breaker. As a balance to having this (right) Hand of God, he is cursed by misfortune.

The show is a bit complex in that it deals with many factions in the background. You have the city devoted to developing psychic ability via science, where Toma lives. And then there are various magical associations such as the English Puritan Church, to whom a white sister named Index belongs to.

The show takes off when Index meets Toma, and Toma is naturally forced to defend her against various people after her. The show jumps from one story arc to the next, with plenty of action and excitement tucked into each storyline. The central theme connecting to these arcs is that Toma-saves-the-day, more or less.

Towards the middle of the series, the story moves away from Toma-Index to the-world-of-Toma type of story. Toma meets and saves more damsels in distress, and attracts going concern over the “Kamijo-Faction.”

The show is really unique in how the story arcs play out. These arcs are refreshingly original, and there is even an Obama shout out!

At the end of the show, in episode 24, there are hints of new story lines, meaning that we should expect an announcement of a second season in the near future.

To Aru Majutsu no Index (to a certain magical index) is one of the best anime shows of the season. And it deserves a wider audience in the R1 dvd market.

Final Grade: A+

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Thanks a lot, Ben Bernanke!

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Earlier this week, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank pulled a surprise: he announced the purchase of 1.2 TRILLION dollars in mortgage-backed securities.  Basically the Fed is flooding the financial market with U.S. dollar.  Analysts believe this is partly to get mortgage interest rates lower (in the range of 4.5%), and allow consumers access to more credit, thereby easing concerns over lack of availablility of funding for student loans, credit cards, etc.  Indeed, some observers dub this act a “Consumer Bailout.”

On the other side of the coin, the flooding of the market with greenbacks mean a devaluation of the U.S. currency, and the dollar-yen exchange rate is sinking like a rock as a result.  According to Xe.com, the rate is currently at 95.7 yen, with increasingly likelihood of sinking further.  Hope you made your orders for Japanese imports last week. . .

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Funimation adds Heroic Age and Big Windup dubbed on Hulu.com

Friday, March 20th, 2009

In celebration of Hulu.com’s first birthday, Funimation is doing a limited, exclusive run of the episodes 1-4 of Heroic Age dubbed.  They also have Big Windup eps. 1-4 dubbed on Hulu.com as well.  Both series are accessible from Funimation’s website.  Or view them directly on Hulu.com via these links:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/62652/heroic-age-the-ruined-planet

http://www.hulu.com/watch/62666/big-windup-the-real-ace

I thought the dub cast was good for Heroic Age.  I was a bit more nervous about the dubbing for Big Windup, because the show depends heavily on ace pitcher Mihashi’s monologues.  But the voice actor did a fine, fine job in this VERY difficult role.  I’m not crazy about the translation by Funimation, though.

Nonetheless, both shows are definitely on my To Buy list when Funimation releases them.  :)

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Anime Review: The Tower of Druaga The Sword of Uruk Episode 10

Monday, March 16th, 2009

The countdown to the showdown with the big cheese in the Tower continues as the multiple parties finally make their way to the top of the tower.  And you can easily guess who gets there first. . .

Episode 10 has plenty of action, and moving along nicely to the finale.  Only 3 days, 6 hours, 7 minutes ’til episode 11 is released on Crunchyroll.com.  Woot!!!

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Anime Review: Hajime no Ippo New Challenger Episode 10

Monday, March 16th, 2009

After taking a global turn to other fights, the series go back to Makunoichi and his latest challenger for the Japan Champion belt: Hammer Nao.  However, Nao turns out to be a familiar face from season one.  The episode is really a reminder that as Makunoichi aspires to reach the level of other boxers that he admires, other boxers are similarly inspired by him.

It’s enough to make Ippo big headed; alas the show wouldn’t go in that direction. . .  :P

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Anime Review: The Tower of Druaga Sword of Uruk Episode 9 (”aka Let’s Get Ready to Ruuuummmbbbllleeeee!”

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

The ninth episode of The Tower of Druaga the Sword of Uruk sets the stage for a battle royale.  It clearly identifies/ annoints THE villain for this second season, and explain the conflicts among various parties/factions in the show.  Allies become enemies, and enemies become allies.  In the meantime, the kingdom outside the tower is also embroiled in chaos.  Who lives and who dies?  I can’t wait to find out!  :)

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Will the Yen Break 100?

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

Another week, another rise in the U.S. dollar against the yen.  According to Yahoo!, the exchange rate actually broke 99.5 briefly.  I think the 100 yen per dollar is THE mark that will temp consumers to resume buying imports from Japan.  I’m certainly keeping my fingers crossed.

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