|
|
|
What is Anime?
|
Anime is basically Japanese animation. Unlike most Western cartoons, Anime is made mostly for adults, it often explores very complex plot lines and adult issues. Anime is also seen by the Japanese as a respected art form.
The idea of using animation means that ANYthing can happen, and very often does. Most anime series either have the element of magic, or are set on cybernetic worlds or in the future. The plotlines are often very tangled and involved, and you really have to think to understand them. After watching some series three times through I still don't know if I understand them!
You have probably heard of 'Pok�mon', 'Dragonball Z' and 'Sailormoon' which were made for family viewing, but there are hundred of other series, as well as feature length movies which only reach British soil in the form of videos and DVDs. It's hard to know which series are the best, and it's a pretty expensive hobby, so I'm gonna talk about my four favourite Anime series which I think are all well worth investing in. Most of the storylines of these series are pretty complex, so unless you really want to know, or are considering actually buying the series', my advice is to look at the pretty pictures and move on!
|
|
|
|
|
Neon Genesis Evangelion
|
'Neon Genesis Evangelion' is a really amazing series. There are 13 videos all together which are available in most Virgin Megastores and big HMVs. The story is about 3 school children Shinji (pictured centre), Rei (far right) and Asuka (left) who have been chosen to pilot the 'Evangelions'(Eva) -kind of like robots, in simple terms- (that pig purple thing looming behind them is Shinji's Eva). It's set on our world, but in the future.
The Eva's are used to fight really scary big evil monster thingys which ironically are called 'Angels'. However, the Eva's were made by humans using a defeated Angel as a guide. The humans didn't know exactly what it was they were dealing with, and you discover in the series that the Eva could in themselves be dangerous.
The strange nature of the Evas mean that only very specially picked people have the ability to sychronize with them. That's where Shinji and the girls come in. I don't wanna give away the plot, but basically, all three of them have serious issues and mental problems!!! Towards the end, the show takes a turn and the plot becomes very deep and convoluted. The show is really well scripted and the characters endearing.
|
|
|
|
|
Tenchi Muyo!
|
|
(picture: [from top left] Kiyone, Mihoshi, Washu, Tenchi (the guy), Ayeka, Eve, Ryo-ohki (the bunny like thing), Sasami and Ryoko)
'Tenchi Muyo!' and 'Neon Genesis...' come very close when it comes to my favourite Anime series, but I think 'Tenchi Muyo!' might just get first place. It is basically a hilarious comedy series set in our world and today, but it is by no means normal.
Tenchi is a teenaged boy learning Martial Arts from his Grand Pa, he accidently releases a demon (Ryoko) from where she has been trapped in a cave hundreds of years ago by Tenchi's own Grandfather (go figure). Meanwhile, in space, a princess from a foreign world (Ayeka) and her little sister (Sasami) have detected the release of the dangerous demon, and come to Earth to investigate. A very twisted little plot line reveals that Tenchi's Grandfather is Ayeka's half brother, Yosho, who she had been promised to marry (talk about incest!).
However, for one reason or another, details of which I can't be bothered to explain, Yosho has aged on Earth while Ayeka retains the appearance of a teenager. Doesn't phase her too much though, seeing as Tenchi is also of royal decent.... I don't want to give away the story, but basically, the series sees Tenchi surrounded by girls from different worlds. Some hilarious fights between Ryoko (who decides she has a soft spot for Tenchi) and Ayeka ensue. The antics of the air-headed Mihoshi who joins them later, and wry observations from the super genius Washu (who also turns out to be Ryoko's Mom!) make the show constantly full of humour. There are 13 episodes on 7 tapes, which is why I'm finding it pretty hard to concisely explain what happens! My advice is just to buy it and see!!!
The success of the show has lead to two movies, and a spin-off series, 'Pretty Sammy', which is a bit of a piss-take of 'Sailor Moon', where Sasami stars as a magical super girl, in this series, Tenchi is now Sasami's big brother, and Kiyone (Mihoshi's partner who was killed off in the original series) and Mihoshi work in a music store. It is absolutely hilarious, while 'Tenchi Muyo!' does have serious and dramatic aspects (especially in the movies) Pretty Sammy has no such scruples, I think the production team ran away with themselves on this one! The picture is taken from the second movie, 'Tenchi Muyo! Manatsu no Eve', the girl Eve is Tenchi's daughter (just don't ask!!)
How could I forget the adorable Ryo-ohki!? His/ her fans like to call him/ her a Cabbit, mainly because she looks like a rabbit, and meows like a cat..... did I mention that she can turn into a spaceship?..... well the important part is that she/ he is ADORABLE!!!! (Oh yeah, the confusion of the sexes is due to her being a girl in 'Tenchi Muyo!' and a boy in 'Pretty Sammy'!!!)
|
|
|
|
Street Fighter!
|
Unless you've been living in a hole (and even then chances are slim) you have most likely heard of the Street Fighter computergame incarnations. You may also have seen the (really really really shite) American cartoon series and comics, however to mirror these, is an excellent Anime series, and Manga comics as well as a full length movie.
The movie stars Ryu (of course) and Ken. These guys act seriously gay at times, but you get used to it. Ryu's quest is basically to go around the world trying to better himself by beating up really formidable oponents. Ken meanwhile is trying to go about his life in a normal manner, but dreams of one day reuniting with his childhood best friend and beating the shit out of him. You also have most of the other main characters from Street Fighter II, Chun Li and Guile have an adorable little romance thing going. Bison is just a complete nutter, he's hilarious!!!.... I don't think he's meant to be though... Okay, that's the basic outline... Oh yeah, and the soundtrack ROCKS!! (It has Silverchair and Nirvana on it).
The series..... well the series is just a huge laugh. It's about the 'young' Ken and Ryu, and their antics as they travel across the world using Ken's considerable finances. The series isn't finished yet, but so far the guys have met a few of the future street fighters (Chun li is their tour guide in Hong kong!) and gotten into a considerable amount of trouble!!! (Ryu getting locked up for drug smuggling being an example).
|
|
|
|
|
El Hazard!
|
El Hazard written and directed by the same team as Tenchi Muyo. A group of three high school students Makoto, a girl in his class (Nanami), and her annoying big brother (Jinnai) find themselves transported into the magical world of El Hazard along with one of their teachers (Mr Fujisawa). They were pulled from Earth by the demon Ifurita (she's a good demon, but I really hate her coz she has an annoying voice). Makoto turns out to be a dead set look-a-like (despite being a guy!) to the Princess Fatora of El Hazard, and even has to impersonate her. This developes into a pretty hilarious predicament when Fatora's lesbian lover comes looking for her!!!
Jinnai has a personal grudge against Makoto who unknowingly manages to beat Jinnai at everything. When Jinnai arrives on El Hazard and finds himself in the midst of a mindless bug race (the Bugrom - of course!) he sees it as a perfect opportunity to bring an end to Makoto and have complete control. This guy is sooooo funny, you have to check out his laugh! The plot is pretty complex and hard to explain, but you're garuanteed a good laugh, especially when Jinnai announces that he is to be called 'Lord God Jinnai'!
There are two series of El Hazard, the main one which has a pretty confusing ending, and a spin-off which is only two videos long, I kinda prefer this one because Ifurita doesn't really feature!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BACK!
|