[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Looking back on 2006 part 1: DVDs
To celebrate the fact that I’ve got my internet back proper, now is probably the best time to do the inevitable ‘best of 2006′ review thingy. Without further ado, I’ll give my own ill-informed ‘best bits’ of the past year, kicking off with the UK releases, plus some random imports that I’d picked up.
DVD
One of the biggest events of the year was the release of Naruto, which I found more fun than I ever dared admit. Aside from the fact that it was the UK’s most highly hyped series of the year, it starts off being really quite good. Expect reviewage for the second volume in the coming weeks.
In terms of good ol’-fashioned epic science fiction, Crest of the Stars had me hooked right from the off. After the first season of Jinto and Lafiel’s journey I was left screaming “C’mon Beez, licence Banner of the Stars already!” to anyone who would listen. Not in public places, obviously.
An old classic that I’d only discovered after I acquired a multiregion player and the financial means to buy an entire box set, Hideaki Anno’s His and Her Circumstances proved that down-to-earth romcom can have me as glued to the screen as any gritty thriller or slab of sci-fi. Aside from the woeful ending (thanks GAINAX, you’ve done it again) it is possibly the most heartfelt and insightful portrayal of young love in anime. If you live in the UK, buy yourself a multiregion player and import this show now. NOW.
In contrast, Studio Madhouse’s taught action/thriller/drama Gunslinger Girl was in turns picturesque, exhilerating, touching and downright chilling. Although it fell off MVM’s catalogue rather suddenly a couple of months back, it’s still available on general release and I urge anyone who is into more mature and realistic fare to check it out. Definitely not your average ‘girls with guns’ show.
2006 wasn’t without light relief though, with the arrival of the spin-off comedy Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU. Proof that not only do I have a sense of humour that extends to slapstick, but that there are decent anime comedies around that can do slapstick and be consistently funny into the bargain. A solid high school comedy…with added explosives and gun-toting cuddly toys. FUMOFFU!!!!!
Final thoughts
I know this only scratches the surface of what hit our shelves this year and this fledgling blog caught up with only a few of the great titles that I had the chance to see. In the coming months, expect more Naruto, Texhnolyze, Gasaraki, Speed Grapher and whatever I am able to afford catches my eye in 2007. Next up, after a proper night’s sleep and a shift at work, my fansub favourites of 2006.
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