Should I Watch Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection "F" / Fukkatsu no "F"

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection "F"

So when a movie like this comes out there are often two sides. Side A) Die-Hard Fan Boys who will bleed at the nose like Master Roshi at the mere mention of new DBZ Material. Side B) Purist Fan Boys who consider the original series as complete (and awesome) and are skeptical about something new thinking it won't live up to the original (not even going to mention GT). People felt this way when Battle of the Gods (BoG) came out last year. I was afflicted by both sides but since the original creator Akira Toriyama was involved my mind was put at ease. Battle of the Gods was a brilliant movie!

BRIEF HISTORY LESSON: Dragon Ball, the story of Goku as a kid, was an adventure comedy. Dragon Ball Z (which we all know and love), is more action/fighting focused.

These movies (BoG and Res F) did the fusion dance. It has the face melting fights of DBZ but the hilarious Dr. Slump style humour of Dragon Ball. Which makes it refreshing. I am a die-hard and a purist. If someone even mentions GT I need a senzu bean. *eats a senzu* But even as a purist I must admit that many of the latest DBZ movies before BoG and Res F were a bit serious. Wrath of the Dragon for example was awesome but didn't have that signature funny/gag style. Don't get me wrong, I love the movies but these ones included Akira Toriyama's touch and you can tell! So whether you are a die-hard or a purist this movie will not disappoint. I was lucky enough to see it at the movies on 8 August with a bunch of other fans.

So, I can't really analyse this movie like I analyse anime series or Studio Ghiblis so this review shall be more free form, based on what I've seen and come to expect from DBZ!

Fan Service: 
If you've watched, read or even heard about DBZ before you will not be disappointed and will most likely kill yourself laughing like I did. All the good 'ol characters worth appearing are there including the new ones. Example: Master Roshi goes into his Max Power/ Buff mode which was only previously seen in Dragon Ball and the Broly Movie, also he shot off an awesome Kamehameha. On the note of the Kamehameha, yes, there is an awesome beam struggle. Also pretty much every signature move of note shows up.

Comedy:
This is probably one of the funniest DBZ movies I've ever watched, everyone in the cinema cracked out laughing all the time. There are many comedic interactions and relationships. Goku and Vegeta's rivalry, Beerus and Whis's "Who's-the-Deity" relationship, Bulma smack-talking Frieza, the hilariously stylish Jaco and more than could be mentioned. If this question is: Will I laugh? Yes, if you know the story and characters you'll laugh even more.

Fights:
As a person who watched Dragon Ball Z religiously as a kid I can say I felt like I was rushing home from school again to have my mind blown by the appearance of a super saiyan for the first time. With tech having advanced the fights were indeed epic. With a nice contrast: Fighting against vast mobs of one-hit-one-kill noobs and of course evenly matched boss fights will cause heart pulpatations. Alas, if there was one thing I wasn't so hot on it was the CG, every now and then they would use CG in a fight scene, only briefly but long enough to notice. It takes away some of the hand-drawn authentic magic but hey if it means the fights can be more intricate it's some super holy water I'm willing to drink! I noticed that the fight with Frieza this time had several similarities to their first fight back on namek.

Story:
Some of the old DBZ movies had become quite formulaic and predictable.
1) Everyone's chilled
2) Bad guys show up
3) Z-Fighters fight valiantly but are on the brink of defeat
4) Goku (and sometimes Vegeta) shows up and puts the bad guys in their place.
 Oh... wait... OKAY SO MAYBE IT IS MORE OF THE SAME BUT IT'S STILL GREAT. Because Akira Toriyama is involved the movie ties in with the original story and makes sense. It feels like Akira Toriyama sat down and wrote the next chapter of DBZ, furthermore the characters are actually moving forward too! Dragon Ball Z is not only being refreshed by this movie it's advancing!

Doubts/Questions: WARNING MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Wouldn't Frieza be weak in comparison to the Z-Fighters now?
Anyone who's done the math will have realised that the old Frieza (who Super Saiyan Trunks made short work of) would surely be easy pickings for our Super Saiyan 3 Goku or even Piccolo! So what's so special about Frieza coming back? In the Janemba movie Frieza comes back to life and Gohan takes him out with one punch! However, one must realise that these movies are not part of the original story! Things such as Cooler's 5th form don't exist in the regular DBZ universe. Without spoiling too much Frieza basically comes back to life and trains to achieve his new form. He arrives on earth with his motley crew of Frieza soldiers but has powered up significantly, he even makes short work of Gohan (quite ironic due to the previously mentioned Janemba movie). But I won't say more than that, essentially he has powered up and when you watch it you'll realise it isn't actually too much of a stretch. One must remember that when Frieza fought Goku the first time Frieza had basically never had to try before and underestimated everyone. He wasn't going to make that mistake this time!

How does Frieza come back to life? Trunks obliterated him!
Explained in the movie.*SPOILER* Regeneration Pod much like those seen healing Goku on Namek but more advanced.

What is that funky symbol on Goku's Gi?
Explained in the movie. *SPOILER* It's Whis's signature which he puts on both Goku and Vegeta.

Why is Gohan wearing that funky green tracksuit?
Explained in the movie. *SPOILER* He was in a rush and couldn't find his Gi. I think if people saw Gohan in the turtle Gi everyone would expect Ultimate Gohan to come out, perhaps it was a metaphor for how Gohan has changed (grasping at straws).

Does it stay true to the story?
Yes! Much like the Battle of the Gods it has advanced the original storyline and brought back some old characters (Pilaf and crew who have been transformed into children which I believe is a respectful if undeserved nod to GT).

Blue Super Saiyan?
I personally prefer Bluper Saiyan (I refuse to call it Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan). It isn't terrribly specific in the movie but essentially it is their way of channeling Super Saiyan God without having to go thru the 5-Saiyan Ritual seen in BoG. Goku never goes classic super saiyan in the movie. In fact quite humourously the colour pallet of Frieza and Goku's battle has switched, now Frieza is the golden warrior!

DYK/Interesting&Funny Facts:
-Breaking away from tradition Gohan steps in to save Piccolo, in most of the old DBZ movies Piccolo saves Gohan at the last second. Gohan finally pays back his debt!
-Jaco is from Akira Toriyama's series: Jaco the Galactic Patrolman.
-Bulma's sister "Tights" is a main character in Jaco the Galactic Patrolman but wasn't previously known in DBZ.
-The movie's original title: 'Fukkatsu no "F"' was chosen by Akira Toriyama because he was listening to Maximum the Hormone's song "F" which is about Frieza.

Sad Face *SPOILERS*
- Neither Trunks nor Goten show up in the movie :(
- No one cares about Super Saiyan 3 anymore :(
- Ultimate Gohan is no more, Gohan manages to beat some Frieza soldiers but is pwned by Frieza

Should I watch this?
YES! Whether you are a die-hard, purist or casual fan you'll love it! It is a great movie with an enjoyable mixture of story development, fights and laughs. In my opinion, an absolute must for any DBZ fan. NOTE: You should watch Battle of the Gods before watching this if you can as Beerus and Whis play a big role in the movie.

Extra thoughts:
Hey maybe in the next movie Goku will go Super Saiyan Green! RGB ALL THE WAY, oh wait Broly sorta did that already. OH WAIT BROLY! LEGENDARY SUPER SAIYAN GOD! But would he look buff or like his normal chilled state... He is the only super saiyan with non-gold hair so maybe he'll break the rules again.

If DBZ is advancing that's cool but if Goku will fight stronger opponents will there be something above Super Saiyan God? Super Saiyan King Kai? Super Saiyan Supreme Kai? Super Ultra Mega Turbo Street Fighter Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Five-Star Bankai Saiyan? Superior Saiyan?

Also, frequently throughout the movie they refer to Goku and Vegeta being stronger if they fought together. Could this be foreshadowing? If Frieza could come back stronger who's to say others won't, that's right you know who I'm talking about! Dragon Ball Z: Zarbon's Revenge coming 2016 :P

From Up On Poppy Hill Review

From Up On Poppy Hill

Umi is a hard working girl who lives on Poppy Hill in Yokohama. Every morning she goes about her usual routine of raising a flag. She doesn't know it at first but someone is replying to the message she is sending. She meets a boy named Shun who runs the school's newspaper club. They decide to clean up the school's old clubhouse in hopes of preventing it's upcoming demolition.

Director: Goro Miyakazi
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki & Keiko Niwa
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Satoshi Takebe
Released: 2011

Language Preference: Japanese (Sub)




Story

It was based on a manga of the same name but
the manga was set in the 1980s

Umi and Shun's story is a romance however it is not the sole focus of the film. A familiarly recurring theme Progress vs. Culture, where the advancement of 'modern society' comes at the cost of the past monuments and culture which is what Umi, Shun and their friends are trying to protect in their clubhouse. At first glance the story may seem like a corny melodrama (which Shun actually points out) but the story unfolds to have more depth to it as it progresses with realistic emotional reactions and moral dilemmas.

Hayao Miyazaki described it as immature

Characters
There are plenty of lovable and diverse characters! The clubhouse is chock full of passionate students who are more than willing to fight for it. One of my personal favourite characters is the Philosophy club guy who is unperturbed by the fact that everyone ignores his club and goes on expressing his thoughts. The characters range from the youthful and energetic to the wizened and mature. An interesting bunch indeed.

It Won "Animation of the Year" at the
11th Tokyo Anime Awards

Presentation
It takes place in Yokohama, a port town, in 1963. As I mentioned in the SIWFACTOR, I loved the soundtrack, lively and upbeat! The 60s are idealistically portrayed but who cares about historical accuracy, it's a work of art, so enjoy. Also I just love the Gold School vibes. The look and feel of the port/harbour town was fantastic. The markets were bustling with people, the ships floated past peacefully on the ocean and the school was full of energy and life. A pleasure to watch and listen.

Final Thoughts
Yes, you should watch it! I enjoyed it very much for many reasons. It was Goro Miyazaki's second film that he directed for Studio Ghibli but at no point did I feel the film was substandard. I am biased because I love this particular era but that's just because its so fun! Sorry, I've gotta go raise my flags.

After the Fukushima Nuclear failure there was a risk that the film wouldn't be completed but the film was on time
 thanks to the hard work of those involved, many worked night shifts to compensate for the black outs.

Arrietty Review

Arrietty Review

Arrietty is a 10 cm tall 14-year old girl. She and her similarly tiny parents, who live under the floorboards of a beautiful mansion, survive by borrowing everything that they need to survive from food to gas. Her life takes a mysterious turn when a boy named Sho arrives at the house she is borrowing from, although he thinks he's only going to his aunt's house there may be much more in store for him than either he or Arrietty can imagine.

Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Cécile Corbel
Released: 2010

Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

Story

This movie was Hiromasa Yonebayashi's first time directing although he was
an animator for Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo

A fantasy adventure that happens in an otherwise realistic world. The story was inspired by The Borrowers by Mary Norton.  At first glance it might seem like a countryside mansion in Japan is old hat but it changes completely coming from the perspective of small people. A new perspective is an important theme not only for the film but for Studio Ghibli with a new, younger director. There are themes of romance in the film although the main focus is on adventure. Arrietty starts borrowing with her father and thus features the coming of age theme. Curiosity overcomes prejudice and relationships are formed between unlikely people.

It won "Best Animation of the Year" at the
10th Tokyo Anime awards

Characters
Arrietty is a typical Ghibli Heroine. Hard-working, brave, passionate and kind. Despite her parents telling her to keep away from humans she is still young and curious. Sho is a quiet boy who is deeply interested in small folk who his mother spoke of seeing when she was younger. Pod, is Arrietty's man-of-the-house father who does all the borrowing and adventuring in order to support his beloved wife and daughter. Homily is Arrietty's worry-wort mother who spends most of the movie being scared. Sadako is Sho's kind old aunt. Haru is a housemaid who tries to capture the mischievous small people. Spiller is a badass nomad and the only other borrower we see in the movie. As you can see, the cast is small in this story!

The film had an American English Dub and
a British English Dub

Presentation
What a beautiful world and what makes it unique is not the setting itself but the perspective! The mundane becomes useful and interesting, adventures happen underneath floorboards and behind walls, a leaf becomes an umbrella, a nail becomes a step, pesky rats become fearsome creatures and don't get me started on the cats and crows! It takes place in a country mansion in Japan with lush gardens surrounding. We see almost every inch of the mansion, inside and out including parts that have been altered by the borrowers with unique style that mixes a hand-made feel with the inventive use of ordinary items. I was instantly entranced by the music in this film which Cécile Corbel matched so perfectly to the story and characters, not to mention the fact that it is simply lovely to listen to!

Final Thoughts
Yes, you should watch this, but I'll be honest, I thought the film was too short. There was so much undiscovered depth to the fantastic story that had been created for us and I didn't want it to end. I would not have minded if this movie was 120 minutes!  All the characters in the movie were quite serious and although there were several funny moments none of the characters were particularly happy people. Nonetheless, an enjoyable film set in ordinary world from a fresh perspective with a fabulous soundtrack.

Miyazaki-san is uncertain about the future of Studio Ghibli and hand-drawn animation
 but if this movie is what the next generation has to offer, it's not looking too bad to me

Kiki's Delivery Service Review

Kiki Review

Kiki is a 13-year old girl who has come of age and needs to leave her home in order to learn how to become a witch. She and her trusty black cat, Jiji, ride on her broomstick to find a town of their own. When they finally find a town things are very different to how she thought it would be and people don't treat her as she thinks a witch should be treated. She will have to find a way to live in her new surroundings and on her journey she meets some interesting people and does some truly amazing things along the way.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Hayao Miyazaki
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Released: 1989

Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

The movie won numerous Best Film awards and was
the highest grossing film in Japan in 1989

Story
Kiki's tale is one of adventure, meeting new people, adapting to an unfamiliar world and facing tribulations. In the original book that the film was inspired by Kiki didn't deal with much adversity but Miyazaki-san said that he wanted to make the story about growing up which isn't just an easy ride and thus introduced challenges into her life that would develop her character.

The film was adapted into a manga
and a musical

Characters
Kiki is a lovable girl who keeps her word and always does her best, she is not impressed by people who she thinks are rude. Tombo is a determined, courageous young boy who is fascinated by Kiki's ability to fly. Osono is a kind lady who owns a bakery, she is a caring mother-type figure. Ursula, is a young artist who Kiki encounters and becomes friends with. These and all the other characters help Kiki ro grow. They introduce Kiki to some interesting ways of life, perspectives and opportunities.

Jiji, Kiki's cat, has a completely different personality
in the English version

Presentation
Set in a fictional European-style town (where it is believed World War II never happened) the story already starts with a distinct style. It was described by Miyazaki-san as "a mishmash of various locales, like Napoli, Lisbon, Stockholm, Paris, and even San Francisco." It even features two oceans, the Mediterranean and the Baltic. Many beautiful things concentrated into one place. But what caught my attention in this movie was not this fantastic mixture of places but the soundtrack. My goodness, what an adventure it takes me on just listening to it.

Final Thoughts: Yes, you should watch it! This film is absolutely fantastic. I had this thought in my head: "I can't wait until I have kids and show them this movie." It is a fun adventure about growing up which I was able to relate to on a personal level and learn a few things from.. New favourite song: Rouge Message, but don't you dare listen to it before you watch the movie! Sorry I've gotta go and get something delivered (my heart to Studio Ghibli).

The name of the Bakery, Guchokipanya, is a play on words.
Guchokipa (Rock-Paper-Scissors) and Panya (Bakery).

NEWS 21 May 2015

CHANGES INCOMING

Hello viewers! I shall be making a few changes to my blog, as you may have already noticed. This is an attempt to make the site more user-friendly and easier to view! I shall also be going over and changing several of my previous posts, going into more depth and other general editing.  I have recently been getting involved in Pixel Art so there will be a trend in that direction with the changes. I hope you like the changes. PEACE!

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya Review

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya

A bamboo cutter finds a mysterious young girl inside a bamboo shoot. He takes the small girl to his wife and decide to raise her. She grows quickly and she is soon out playing with neighbouring family's sons. Her adoptive father believes that heaven sent her to them in order to make her a princess. What follows is a tale of how the girl faces the life of a "noble woman", with its posturing, discipline, suitors and restricting customs.

This story is based on a Japanese folktale from the 10th Century. The art style is different from the usual Ghibli style, it has a brush-stroke feel to it but it still captures the Ghibli charm. The style feels somewhat more free, more vibrant and more artistic. At one point she runs away from the palace and the ensuing scene where she ran through forests and fields was hypnotically beautiful. The story is not a particularly happy or feel-good one. It follows how Kaguya's childhood freedom is systematically replaced by the strict life of a noble. It is debateable whether it is a happy or sad ending. But hey, this is based on a folktale from the 10th Century and I can't criticise it for not satisfying my 21st Century narrative desires. Tales like this are untouchable classics and I believe it was suitably Ghiblified in such a way that even a Eastern-Culture noob like myself can appreciate it. But sorry I've gotta go to the moon. Lil' Bamboo!

Ponyo Review

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Ponyo, a fish, leaves her home to explore the outside world. When she approaches dry land, Sosuke, a young boy, finds her and promises to look after her. But Ponyo is more than just a simple gold fish, as Sosuke suspects but she may be even more magical than he thinks!

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

Laputa Castle in the Sky Review

Laputa Castle in the Sky

It is quite difficult to write this review because I have to wake up from the dream that this movie was to watch. Calling it a movie doesn't even do it justice, it feels like I just went on their adventure with them. I've got to get back to earth where we belong!

Pazu is an orphan who works in the mines and one day he finds a mysterious girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky. He takes her back to his house but he soon finds that she is being chased by the army, strange glasses-wearing Agent Smith-types and even pirates. Together Pazu and Sheeta go on an adventure to find Laputa, a floating city that most people believe only to be a myth. 

The characters and relationships in this story are... (collapses on keyboard)... just so beautifully genuine. Pazu and Sheeta form a bond that can't be described as a simple romance or friendship. The pirates, like those in Ghibli's Porco Rosso, are absolutely hilarious. The crew is made up of diverse and distinct characters that interact with each other in such a natural and organic way. In my opinion, one of the greatest feats of Studio Ghibli stories is the life they give to every character even things you would not expect to be a character. I'm never left thinking, "Oh, this is just some NPC there to progress the storyline." Every character is that, a character. 

As usual the world that has been created, the sheer beauty of its sights and sounds, can't aptly be put into words. The world is quite steampunk and features lots of awesome flying machines with Leonardo Da Vinci feels not forgetting the important natural elements of the scenery that play an important role in the story. 

The film is a fantasy adventure with children as man characters but I would not go so far as to call it light-hearted in the same way that My Neighbour Totoro would be considered light-hearted. There are several intense moments in the story that could be distressing to younger viewers.

Nonetheless, this story is an adventure that can only be described as something people need to see or rather experience themselves. So go watch it. I've gotta go hang around mine shafts and see if my dream girl floats down from the sky!

My Neighbour Totoro

My Neighbour Totoro Review

I tried my best not to instantly fall in love with this film just because it was a Ghibli. I failed. Studio Ghibli failed to disappoint, yet again. This is a classic.

Mei and Satsuki are two sisters who have moved to the countryside with their father. Their mother is ill in the hospital. They are bubbly and energetic young girls who are always laughing and having fun. They discover some strange creatures that they think are ghosts but soon find there may be much more magic and mystery to them than meets the eye.

Firstly, I just want to bring attention to the backgrounds which are so often only glimpsed for a second, absolutely breathtaking. This film, like every Studio Ghibli, has phenomenal animation with each frame hand drawn. The great thing about hand drawing is that every frame is an artwork. Unlike CG which can quickly become surpassed by ever-changing technology this style of animation is timeless and remains beautiful even to me watching it over 25 years after its first release. The characters each have a distinct personality and it is clear that they are living things and not just tools used to tell a story or to impress the audience with the spectacle of their existence. I do not see Totoro and think “Ooh a furry spirit. Cool!” Well I do. But I also think: “Hey, that dudes just trying to get some sleep!” Real characters and real emotion. The story is simple, lovely and heart-warming. Not in the way that it is some easy-pleasey feel-good movie. The story is a beautifully fun adventure that I wish I could go on. They call it a movie for kids. Well then I think we are all kids. Watch this with your family, your friends, your grandparents and you might as well call your neighbours over too! Sorry I’ve gotta go catch my Cat Bus. Jā ne ̄ !

Should I Watch Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood?

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Review

About:

Edward and Alphonse Elric are two young brothers who live in a world full of magic and mystery. The boys train under Izumi Curtis and show a keen interest and talent in magic. After their Mother's untimely death the boys try to use a forbidden magic to bring her back to life. As a consequence for using this taboo magic the boys are cursed, Edward loses his left leg and Alphonse loses his body. Distraught at the thought of losing his brother as well as his mother, Edward sacrifices his right arm to bind his brother's soul to a suit of armour. Now, years later Edward is the Fullmetal Alchemist and the two brothers search for the Philosopher's stone, a mystical and powerful artifact that could hold the key to regaining what they lost. 

Essentially, two magic wielding brothers kicking butt together in a constantly expanding magical world.

Pros:
- A great story that ticks all the boxes: Action, Adventure, Romantic interests, Emotional moments and character development

- The magic is well constructed and automail (magical metal limbs) = incredible

- The characters are great and there are funny, sad, frightening and exhilarating moments all the time

- The villains are well developed

- Hardcore anti-hero 

- Roy Mustang (best name ever)

- Much better than the original series

Cons:

- Quite a long anime, I lost interest at one point but then came back and finished it the second time around (64 episodes)

- There are similarities between this and the original anime in the beginning, if you have seen the original series the beginning can be quite boring

- Too many subplots

Verdict:

This anime is a great all-rounder. Good story, great characters and cool magic. I would definitely recommend this over the original anime series because this one stays true to the story of the manga (as an anime should) whereas the other series has its own original story and ending which I did not like at all.  I did lose interest at one point as it is slow at one point, there are so many subplots I lost interest but then the story explodes after the main villains start taking action. I also realised that the subplots were successful in broadening my perspective. I greatly enjoyed this anime.

YES YOU SHOULD WATCH FMA: BROTHERHOOD

(It is a much better than the original, you should try and watch it all together and carry on through the slow parts as it is worth it in the end)

Should I Watch Usagi Drop?

Usagi Drop Review

About: 
Daikichi is a 30-year-old man who lives alone. The story starts with his late grandfather's funeral where he meets a quiet girl named Rin. He soon discovers that she is the illegitimate daughter of his grandfather. Since Rin is 6-years-old the family meet to decide what will happen to her however, no one is willing to look after her as she is seen as a burden with shameful origins. Daikichi seems to be the only person who views Rin for who she is, a young girl who just lost her father. She lives with Daikichi and together they learn how tough it can be to juggle work, school and family. Together they form their own family. Essentially, a touching story of two unlikely kindred spirits that laugh, cry and learn together.

Pros:
- Kawaī!
- The characters are lovable and there is all-round character development
- Despite the complex situation the story is charmingly simple
- Beautiful art style

Cons:
- The anime is short (11 episodes)


Verdict:
This anime is beautiful. You can't help but feel happy and smile while watching it. At first I wished that there were more episodes but it comes to a satisfying conclusion so there really is not much need for anything else. The more you watch the more you love and learn about the characters. Regardless of the fact that it is a short anime all of the characters are well fleshed out. The skeptical become affectionate, and so will you if you are unsure if you should watch this or not. The innocent and care-free Rin is contrasted superbly with the knowledgeable and careful Daikichi. I normally do not watch the slice-of-life genre but this story is so beautiful even I, the action-adventure fan, fell in love. Embrace it!

YES YOU SHOULD WATCH USAGI DROP

(Watch with your family, friends and the whole world. You will become a better person.)

Should I Watch Terra Formars?

Terra Formars Review

About:
Earth begins the long-term project of terraforming planet Mars in order to make it hospitable to humans. This process involved sending two organisms to the planet, a dark moss and cockroaches. 500 years later their descendants send people to Mars to check the progress. Unfortunately, they get more than they bargained for when they are wiped out by giant human-like cockroaches who evolved into merciless killing machines over the 500 years. 20 years have passed and a strange virus has appeared on Earth with a 100% mortality rate. The origin of this disease? MARS. Earth once again sends a team to Mars but now they are not simply checking the progress they are fighting for the fate of humanity.  The main characters, equiped with animal and insect powers, are left fighting for their lives against constantly adapting enemies. Essentially, what Jaws did to sharks this anime does to cockroaches. KILL THEM ALL!

Pros:
- The characters undergo a surgery that grants them a Mosaic organ which allows them to survive the climate on Mars as well as giving them awesome bug or animal powers. The power of this anime is in scale. How strong would a man-sized ant be? How fast would a man-sized spider be? If you ever wanted to do the fusion dance with an insect now you can see how strong you would be.
- Many countries involved, adds variety to the anime (no preference to the Japanese who are the good guys :P)
- Many interesting characters
- The powers are awesome and you will be wiki-ing cool bugs and wondering why they haven't included them yet
- Guy with Mantis Shrimp powers

Cons:
- GOKIBURI!!! (If you watch this you will hate cockroaches with a burning passion)
- 4-kids/censored. The intensity is partly lost in the anime as you will spend time looking at a black screen #BluRay
- Frequent character deaths ("Yeah, he is my favourite character. OH NO HE'S DEAD!" #GameOfThrones)
- Unrelenting, either intense dialog or intense action, no real low-points (could be a good thing, never boring)

Verdict:
This anime/manga is merciless, violent, cruel and filled with fury. You do not watch this anime to feel happy, you watch it to see awesome bug-powered people fight to the death with nightmarish creatures. This is not an anime/manga for kids as it is very violent and there is some nudity. There is no specific main character although it could be argued that Hizamaru Akari is the main character. For the most part of the anime they are either fighting and dying or talking and having flashbacks. I enjoy the way the narrator tells you about how cool the bugs are and how much cooler they are on a human scale. The fights focus on obtaining the advantage over the opponent, those who can't keep up are killed off without remorse. Due to the different cultures and backgrounds of every character you will not find the stereotypical character set common in many anime, character development occurs later in the story as for the first part of the anime characters are simply trying to survive. If the story wasn't cool enough for you they are ON MARS. Personally this is my favourite manga. After watching the first episode of the anime (Not the OVA) it appears to be high-budget with good animation quality, so far the anime has been satisfying and it is great to see the characters coming to life. If you like the anime but can't wait for the week-by-week release I greatly suggest the manga. What do you do when you see a roach? KILL IT! What do you see when you see this anime? WATCH IT!

YES YOU SHOULD WATCH TERRA FORMARS
(The anime is looking good so far but it is still early days, I also highly recommend the manga. Bug powers woohoo!)

<= One of the scarce funny moments in this story
Some of the insect / animal powers that appear in this manga/anime:
- Hunting Spider - Bagworm Moth - Asian Giant Hornet - Desert Locust - Bullet Ant - Harpy Eagle and many many more!

If you don't know how cool mantis shrimp are watch this video and wish you could fuse with it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5FEj9U-CJM

Should I Watch Tokyo Ghoul?

Tokyo Ghoul Review

About:
In an alternate future there are human-like beings called Ghouls that feed on human flesh. Kaneki is living his life out quite normally with his friend Hide until he is attacked by a Ghoul. One thing leads to another and Kaneki is thrust into a Ghoul filled world. However, he soon learns that there is much more to these Ghouls than meets the eye... especially the eye... Essentially, super cannibals with super powers and no less super moral dilemmas.

Pros:
- Each Ghoul has their own powers called kagune which are their own form of predatory weapon and vary greatly
- Coffee never tasted so good
- Relatable main character, has lady problems, bros before hoes problems and shows character development
- Two factions that are both justified in their actions, good luck taking sides!
- Should definitely watch if you are a zombie

Cons:
- Differences between the manga and anime :(
- 4kids-ed/censored you'd think when someone watches a show about cannibals they would accept the fact that there might be some gore
- Can be quite dark and you will not enjoy this if you are put off by gore

 <--What every anime watcher wants to hear from a flesh eating babe


Verdict:
When I first heard about this I thought "Ew, gross!" and wondered if I would turn into a Wendigo (google it) if I watched it. This anime is dark and brutal but does not miss out on touching moments and it makes you feel sympathy for the heroes as well as the "bad guys", I was like NO you can't be nice you're the bad guy but man.... so deep. Although Touka, one of the protagonists can be abrasive she has a really cool super power so I forgive her. You will think it is cool, weird, gross and badass all at the same time. The manga is more like a thriller whereas the anime has been transformed into an action style probably to make it open to a wider audience, not everyone wants to get chills while reading a manga but EVERYONE wants to go WOOHOO BLOOD GUTS SUPERPOWERS! We can't deny it and therefore I cannot deny that you will enjoy this anime if that is your style!

YES YOU SHOULD WATCH TOKYO GHOUL 
(if you turn into a Wendigo I'm sorry. While the anime IS COOL the manga is highly recommended too)


- The one kagune looks like Abarai Renji's Zabimaru

Should I Watch Space Dandy?

Space Dandy Review

About:
Space Dandy is an adventure story about a crew of alien hunters. The main characters are Space Dandy, a guy obsessed with his hair and babes, QT, his vacuum cleaner/mechanic/navigator Artificial Intelligence and Meow, the free-loading and cellphone obsessed Betelgeusian (A cat-like race). The story happens in the distant future where most of the universe has been explored, IN SPACE. They are essentially bounty hunters with a twist, instead of finding wanted aliens they look for new and rare alien species and hand them into an alien registration center, the rarer the alien the better the payday. The crew is made of very different and sometimes incompatible personality types and they fly all over the universe in search of undiscovered aliens, this often resulting in hilarious and ludicrous situations, IN SPACE.

Pros:
- OVER THE TOP
- Hilarious
- Breastaurants
- Fun adventures with lovable characters
- It can seem accidentally profound at times (eg. if we were all zombies there would no longer be any wars...)
- What seems wacky at first can end up being very artistic (eg. a mud planet where a fisherman is trying to catch a giant alien was such a beautiful story I felt like Studio Ghibli could have made a feature film about it... and its still funny)
- Dandy is an adamantly crazy, perverted and strong-willed character who is capable of relate-able emotional struggles and inspiring actions, he reminds me of a mix between Cowboy Bebop's Spike and GTO's Onizuka
- Amazing soundtrack, the anime has its own Space Dandy Band (it's literally called that), ranging from awesome opening and ending themes to breathtaking acapella in several-part harmonies

Cons:
- If you are not into the ecchi scene it can be quite off-putting
- If you are epileptic you might die

Verdict:
This anime is comical, lively, action-packed, oddly artistic and humorously profound. Due to its episodic style episodes can be watched consecutively or weeks apart. If you like the Over-The-Top style observed in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Kill la Kill you will enjoy this. It is quite short. Season 1 is 13 episodes and Season 2 is currently ongoing but will probably be a similar length. If you like Adventure Time but with more space and boobs this is the show for you. Needless to say this anime is for older teens. The sub and dub are both great. Ultimately, cool stories, cool characters, cool themes, cool music and fun from the first to last second of each episode.

YES YOU SHOULD WATCH SPACE DANDY 
(IN SPACE or at home, if space can't be organised)

Should I Watch Mushishi?

Mushishi / Mushi-shi Review

About: 
In a fictional rural world there are strange beings known as Mushi, they are neither animal nor plant but " a different form of life". Mushi are invisible to most people and their existence can mean luck as well as tragedy. Mushishi are people that can see Mushi and know all about them, they are often hired by people to get rid of their Mushi-related problems. The main character, Ginko, is a Mushishi who attracts these Mushi and thus needs to keep moving from place to place in order to prevent a build up of Mushi. So essentially he is an awesome nomadic weird-creature detective.

Pros:
- Interesting and relaxing stories
- The many different characters and environments prevent stagnation of the plot
- Mushi come in all kinds of shapes and sizes creating a diverse animal-kingdom-like system
- Philosophical elements introduced through a fictional lens
- You can watch one episode and be satisfied for a week
- Episodic nature means that you can watch one episode a day, week or month and not feel lost
Cons:
- Can be boring if you watch episodes consecutively/one after the other, each episode is like a full meal and there is no reason to eat a meal if you aren't hungry
- Episodic nature can APPEAR not to go into much overall depth and as the episodes don't follow on after one another it feels as if the story is not progressing at times




Verdict:
Essentially this is a creative, intriguing, fun and relaxing anime. Although it may seem to lack depth if you watch each episode immediately after the other you should definitely watch them a week apart in my opinion. This allows each episode to sink in, that is the magic of Mushishi, every episode is an artwork. If you go into an art gallery with a whole bunch of paintings you will most likely skim through them, leave before you planned to and recall it as a boring event. The same could be said with Mushishi, each painting (episode) needs to be appreciated in order for you to truly enjoy it. This anime is a calming and sometimes emotionally moving escape into a world of strange but beautiful creatures and landscapes, cool characters and thought-provoking ideas.

YES YOU SHOULD WATCH MUSHISHI 

(recommended on a weekly basis)