A month's worth of culture

 Last month was exhausting. Oscillating between work and laziness is a burden one must not carry!

Here's something I delved in during the last 30 days:

Rewatching: Hunter x Hunter

I would put this anime among my Shounen favorites like One Piece or Bleach. We follow the protagonist Gon on his journey to become a hunter just like his father. Gon is our typical shounen hero who believes in friendships and not hurting someone and the usual rigamarole. 

But we do not go through the usual arcs like we encounter in other manga/anime. This is like a shounen manga on video game adrenalin, with good fast-paced plots, quick but apt developments and interesting cliff hangers or climax. 

The characters are always developing and that is the USP of this series. Gon and Killua and the posse are always attaining new levels and it is a delight to watch them get new skills in every arc. From the Hunter card arc to the Arena arc, winning is not just a given for some and the fights are fun to watch as you do not know what aces do they have up their sleeve.

Obviously when we talk about cards, Hisoka deserves a mention. He is the grey man, anti-hero or anti-villain or let's just say the Snape. We do not know who he supports as his intentions are shrouded in mystery. However, we all know that he is attracted to (ahem..) power and talent. I guess competition and upskilling really lights a fire in his belly. 

This series is a must-watch for all Shounen fans. I would rate it as high (or maybe more?) as Bleach but maybe less than Naruto.

Watching: Psych

This series is fun, and light hearted. A bit like Brooklyn99, but without the entourage. I thought the jokes might fall flat as they are not topical, but that was not the case. Being a mystery fan, I had a lot of expectations. However, it is better to view this series as a comedy rather than a detective series. 

It's a fun watch and tickles your funnybones. But as a mystery standalone genre watch, it might not be the best pick. 

Reading: Gyakusatsu Happy End

This is a dark manga. I am almost halfway done but it gets darker with each chapter. 

This manga is about Makoto Kusakabe who works part-time to earn money for her ill younger sister's treatment while being tormented by his abusive father, a mother who left him and bullies. But when he is told that his sister has only a short time left to live, he is desperate. And in such a state he goes to a dark side of himself which cannot be undone. 

If you are fond of time loops and Death Note, this manga will definitely appeal to you.  

 There are other things in offing as well, but for now Toodaloo. 

anime review

Just completed: Aku no Hana (Flowers of Evil)

Is Aku no Hana a story about teenage urges and desires gone awry or does it have a deeper meaning regarding teenage angst and ennui?

While we ponder on this, we have to watch the show move at a snail’s pace. Kasuga, the protagonist, fancies himself to be different from the rest. He thinks that by reading different/varied literature, he is a pioneer of sorts. Once, by mistake, he steals the gym clothes of his classmate Saeki, whom he worships as his femme fatale, his muse. Big words for someone in middle school. He is seen by the class oddball Nakamura, who then forces him into a contract.

What follows is a twisted and dark journey into teenage worries and anxiety. The under confident Kasuga, the all-embracing Saeki and the bullying yet needy Nakamura: the show revolves around these three and the only time we see the rest of the class is when they are commenting on these three.

But is it an over-reach? The manga is still on-going and the show’s first season spanned only 13 episodes. The story seemed to be going nowhere except spiralling through Kasuga’s worries and fears.
On the fence about it.

One Piece beckons

This Sunday was dedicated to One Piece. I had been reminiscing about the series now that I have decided to stop seeing it for a few months (love to let it build up). So the pictures below are from the first ten episodes I saw today. If you haven’t seen it, go see it. If you’ve seen it, you know it’s great!
In the first few episodes, we see a pattern developing:

Ya, if you haven’t seen One Piece, you might think he’s serious, but Luffy, of course, after saying this, bursts out laughing!

Luffy and food! Not Luffy and Hancock, but Luffy and food!

Luffy and Zorro.

I think this was a wonderful meeting. Both of them have
major/life-defining goals, but find each other appealing and crazy (Well, everyone finds Luffy crazy, but here Luffy finds Zorro cool!) We are also introduced to the 3-sword style and Onigiri, but Luffy-Zorro combo is a must-see. I like Sanji as much as these two and he’s as perverted as he is powerful. I also think that the anime builds up on these three guys as the lead. Sometimes it’s just nice to see these three appear when Nami and Usopp are in trouble.

Speaking of her, Nami isn’t half-bad. She isn’t very hands-on in the fighting area, but she sure is logical and clever. Nothing misses her, tricks, tomfoolery or treasure!

Aww, this dog was so sweet!

Of course Luffy loves loyalty and helps the dog! He’s been wearing that hat since so many years (see below) and seeing a dog fight for his late master’s shop needs no further motivation.

This is one of the rare times I’ve seen Luffy angry. I think he’s intense in the Arlong Park/Nami’s arc and in Robin’s arc, he’s just plain right awesome! But that hat is like magic. It’s connecting him, Shanks and Gol D Roger.

To be very honest, I didn’t/don’t really like Captain Buggy. I think I read somewhere that Oda created him very early on. Also found this: Asked if Buggy's penis were also able to split and fly off, author Oda replied "his penis can fly too". – I love you too Oda!

Yes Luffy and food – we get it! Best relation he has had!

Okay, this villain – Jango the hypnotist – walks backward and falls asleep when hypnotising his patients! How Cool!!

I just finished ten episodes and I am so looking forward to Usopp, Sanji and Nami’s battle!

For the love of truth

The Closer is a pure bliss. Love her or hate her, Brenda gets you results.She doesn’t always do it by the book, but her passion and determination are so exhilarating, siding with her is the only way out. Too bad it’s ending! 

I’m a sucker for detective shows and I’ll take them in any form- Detective Conan, Agatha Christie, Midsomer Murders, The Closer, Psych and so on. I like it when there’s rigorous fact-finding, a bit of analysis and maybe a moral or two.


Keizoku 2: Spec: Lazy cop and angry cop solve crimes related to special abilities.

Just to be clear I mostly watch shows that include more investigation/talking and less CSI work. For me CSI work should be limited to aiding an investigation and not being just the investigation. I’m sure there’s more to detective/police work than just blood/spatter analysis and an autopsy.


Detective Conan: One of the longest running manga and a great detective show. Not only is there a new mystery with each episode, but there’s a over-arching mystery that’s just too cool (the villains are named Gin, Vodka, and Vermouth!); Plus having awesome love pairings also helps a bit.

I also dislike shows like Bones, Castle. I think their strength is mostly the pair and the will-they-won’t-they aspect of it. However, there is just one time that something like that actually worked. And it was:


Trick: A perpetually-scared professor and an out-of-work magician team up to resolve what seem like miracles. Not only is this chemistry great, but the plot is wonderful too.

Some other recommendations: The Mentalist, Midsomer Murders, Jonathan Creek, Columbo.

The many faces of Shinichi/ Detective Conan

Yes they are very different!

What Am I Watching? Ichi

                             
So I’m looking at my download folder, which is just about to burst, and I think – How many dramas/anime am I watching?
Just a fair warning – Things that I watch are usually divided into episodic and non-episodic. With the episodic ones, I take my time cause the I think the story isn’t engaging if the author has to resort to episodic events. The non-episodic ones are sometimes also called awesome!

So here’s a list:
1. Inuyasha


Anyone’s who’s even a little bit into anime would have heard of this series at least. A high school girl is transported into feudal Japan reeking of demons and slayers. Here she meets the half-demon Inuyasha who is after the sacred jewel that can turn him into a full-fledged demon.
I like the series as a whole, but it’s too episodic and lengthy.  
For more pics, go here

2. You’re Under Arrest
Another anime. This time it’s cops in a quiet Japanese city.

The series is fun. Look at what they have – two female cops and an unusual motley crew. I’ve just started this but sadly this is episodic too.

3. Fringe

Welcome to episodic land! Fringe is something I watch when I’m loading up on some other (better) serials.  The place taken by Fringe now was earlier occupied by Criminal Minds. They try to do something better, but it’s all already been done. While Fringe is worth a watch, it’s not worth a save.

4. Glass no Kamen (Glass Mask)

And now, the good stuff. Glass Mask is such an inspired story. I first picked up the 1984 version anime and am currently watching and being inspired by the 2005 version. This is such a strong story that I’m now reading the manga.
Simply told, Glass Mask is the story of a teenage girl who knows nothing but acting; a simple girl who transforms on the stage. A must-see for everyone. Also a long, passionate love story.  

5. Gungrave

This anime is a delight to see. Not only does this have a strong storyline, I’ve fallen in love with its songs. Revenge, friendship, love, honour – and guns. Dark and serious, I love the heavy angst.
Here’s the opening!
p.s. The quotes on the wall!!!

6. Gal Circle
So this was an odd one. I am following the brilliant Jdrama reviews of this guy here! And when I saw Gal Circle there, I was a bit confused. A cowboy lands in Shibuya and with his pure-hearted Japanese and heart, tries to correct the behaviour of young para-para (dance) girls!! SO Odd!
 
But fun! Even though there is a usual moral ending, it’s just fun to watch everyone making a fool of themselves! Or you can just watch it for the tons of girls including Toda Erika!

7. Luther

I’m not asking for your approval sir; just your silence.

It’s just too good to see Idris Elba back on the screen and talking in British accent. The last I saw him was in The Wire as Stringer Bell…ahh, good times. Luther is a mystery/cop show. It’s not the best show around but it’s extremely powerful and it’s good. A definite must-watch.

Okay, this is just part one of what I’m watching. I’m sure by the time I write part two, many of these will either be done or long gone. I’ll update soon.
I sorta have a life!

Glory of Gantz

What can you say about a series that has a horny and sarcastic hero, a storyline that tumbles death and existentialism, and as a cherry on the cake - guns, boobs and aliens?

Written by Hiroya Oku, Gantz is a full-blown affair. It wastes no time in lulling you in. It violates and breaks in your mind and by the time you can process what is going on, it has already left you with tons of questions buzzing around in that baffled head of yours.

However, the manga and anime is not for the squeamish – There’s oodles of blood and liquids oozing out. I would suggest anyone to begin with the manga, which is much better than the two anime series. There is also the live-action movie that is being released soon – but I have an inkling that it’s going to hurry through and leave the juice out.

Just about to fall?

Life never gives us straight up choices.

It’s never as easy as in anime, which also tries to show the grey areas. It’s not like fighting good and evil, it’s never as easy to pick a boy/girl. It’s not like Naruto just decided he’s going to get Sasuke back..Oh! wait he did!…

Life doesn’t give a choice at all. What it does it presents you with two options; both that you want to reject. It gives lessons and the funny thing is that you never learn from them. Once bitten, twice shy only applies when you’re watching some one else’s life and shouting at the screen. Even though I always feel I’m watching me watching me (sort of like a meta reality, or twice removed), I make the same mistakes over and over again – always knowing full well what I’m doing, with a tinge of regret but never a full rollback.

I think anime makes those choices very clear. (I am totally excluding Indian films/TV serials and such from this category for it pains me to say but it is mostly useless). I believe (if i can do that) that people can’t change or probably won’t change.

It’s a learning curve of stupidity with bits of experience meshed in. I’m on the edge.

Observer comment: My tone has drastically been damaged. Improve!

Rebels, or are we?

What a talk!

Speaking as someone without an opinion, boy, have I got an opinion. And what’s more it’s directed towards everyone.

And what’s more I even hate writing about it ‘cause I know others won’t have the same as mine.

But, for once and for many, I wish my opinion was a maxim. Or probably, the final stopping point… Something like..

BTW: Shinichi Kudo is never wrong. Why is that?

It’s changing. Probably. Someday

I miss writing.

Somehow, going through the wires each day and seeing political policies, crime and violence and just plain ol’ news, has made me jaded. It has also pushed me away from writing, something that I enjoyed occasionally.

So, now I’ve decided to do something about it. I will probably start writing reviews of things I see daily but am too lazy to post about. And these will be, of course, anime.

Watching these shows everyday, I have somehow managed to form an opinion about them (something I usually avoid). So, even though these reviews won’t be lengthy, they will have more screenshots and comments and less analysis (Which I was trying to do in my other blog…)

So, even though I can’t put a date on it, I’ll start soon. Probably. Someday. Soon.

In any case, I don’t feel too bad cause…

 

Here you go, Bleach

Just made some icons from Bleach, which is such an amazing joyride !

Borrowed the lovely manga bases from Sakuramaboroshi.