posts tagged “realistic fiction”

29 Nov 2008

Zithromax For Sale

Posted by Martin [Tags: Inio Asano, realistic fiction]

I splashed out on Solanin on recommendation and the fact that I was so impressed with Inio Asano's more recent Nijigahara Holograph Zithromax For Sale, but to my surprise they're actually pretty different. Taking Zithromax, Apart from the general themes of young people's alienation in today's society and an examination of how relationships between friends can shape the course of their lives, Solanin is quite a departure from the mind-bending experience that was Nijigahara Holograph but ultimately it was actually the more enjoyable of the two for me, purchase Zithromax. Buy cheap Zithromax no rx, ...Holograph is a labyrinthine, somewhat supernatural piece that came off like a rewrite of Donnie Darko by David Lynch, herbal Zithromax, Canada, mexico, india, only even better; Solanin is I guess a slice-of-life story but the impression it's left on me makes me feel as though I'd do it a disservice by merely calling it 'just a SoL manga'. The exquisite way in which the lives of the characters are portrayed gives me a feeling that left me speechless for some time afterwards; the truth is, Zithromax alternatives, What is Zithromax, when I look at these people I might as well be staring into a mirror.

As Sasa's comment pointed out you can only empathise with the characters of ...Holograph so far because they're mostly young children or adults reminiscing on their childhood; Solanin in contrast looks at college graduates stuck in between adolescence and the responsibilities of salary-financed, Zithromax for sale, Zithromax overnight, mortgage-paying married-with-children adulthood. They are adults of course but they are still uncomfortable with the idea of the 'present' becoming 'the rest of your life' - a topic that doesn't crop up very often (Only Yesterday does it well too I think) but this fact makes it all the more rare and precious, not least because I'm at a similar point in my life too, Zithromax For Sale.

The characters of Solanin are ordinary people, where can i buy cheapest Zithromax online, Fast shipping Zithromax, nothing more and nothing less. They look like real people too rather than the usual stylised manga designs; this might not make them particularly attractive in a conventional sense (although I must confess Meiko looks cute in a girl-next-door kind of way) but this helps remind us of their humanity, Zithromax brand name. Is Zithromax safe, Asano has the perfect art style here: as gritty and true-to-life as, say, Zithromax treatment, Zithromax description, Naoki Urasawa but from the musical equipment Taneda's band uses to the humdrum streets of the city his frames are phenomenally detailed. Some of the backgrounds are directly lifted from photographs too which pulls the events even closer from the world of fiction and into the recognisable here-and-now, buy Zithromax online no prescription.

Perhaps all this is why Solanin resonated with me in a way that hadn't happened since Byousokou 5cm Zithromax For Sale, and other rare pieces of fiction I've encountered from time to time in recent years. Australia, uk, us, usa, The clincher is that, both in terms of themes and execution, online Zithromax without a prescription, Buy Zithromax no prescription, the path of life that Asano draws here is the same one that thousands of us are walking every day, whether we realise it or not, Zithromax street price. Zithromax photos, It doesn't descend into maudlin melodrama or make any pretentious stab at being some sort of memorial for a disillusioned Generation X though; instead, the narrative has a mono no aware philosophy and quietly observes the events with a sense of whimsical melancholy that I can only describe as Murakami-esque, where can i buy Zithromax online. Online buy Zithromax without a prescription, I mean this in the sense that as well as nods to rock and roll popular culture and a wistful background of nostalgia, there's that awareness of the importance in everyday events and little nuances of dialogue and causality, Zithromax online cod. Zithromax interactions, There's also this heart-rending but familiar sense of isolation in a crowded world, of an enormous distance between those who should be closest of all; it makes the rare moments of connection and togetherness are all the more wonderful as a result, Zithromax australia, uk, us, usa.

For all the soul searching and the occasional twist here and there, there are moments of good-natured humour to sweeten the pill and the narrative has a very 'grown-up' plot progression, Zithromax For Sale. Zithromax from canada, That is to say that Asano doesn't even try to offer up easy answers to the problems and questions that Meiko and her friends encounter. The underlying message is perhaps that there are no easy answers - spend too much time wondering about the meaning of life and you forget how to live, real brand Zithromax online. No prescription Zithromax online, What drew me in and crossed that old sympathy-to-empathy divide was how I could relate to so much of what happens here. I know I'm not a young woman in Tokyo dating a freeloader I knew from college but every other page seemed to provide another opportunity to give a knowing laugh or nod inwardly thinking "I've been there too." Asano's afterword hints at how the events of Solanin were inspired by his own mid 20s when the fear of life decisions hitting a dead end was at the forefront of his mind: between becoming someone who follows their dreams, kjøpe Zithromax på nett, köpa Zithromax online, Zithromax mg, one turns out not knowing whether or not they're happy with their life like their parents have, or a complete nobody who has achieved nothing at all, Zithromax price, coupon, Cheap Zithromax, where do you go.

I know there's not a universal appeal in stories that are 'ordinary people doing ordinary things' and perhaps some might think that twenty-something angst is no better than its hormonal teen equivalent but I felt that Solanin touches on a lot of unsaid truths that stare us in the face every day but escaped my notice until Meiko, Zithromax coupon, Zithromax pictures, Taneda and their friends pointed them out to me. They laugh, cry, share fears and dream dreams, as we all do; it's profound, life-affirming and - dare I say it - deep, seemingly without even trying. Heaven knows I don't have the answers either but at least Asano has what it takes to ask them so clearly. This is a marvel of character-driven drama and understated brilliance.

[14 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

03 Feb 2008

Phenergan For Sale

Posted by Martin [Tags: realistic fiction, True Tears]

Phenergan For Sale, It's a funny thing, fan hype. Others' efforts at trying to share enthusiasm for something can be counter-productive, Discount Phenergan, putting me off watching it completely (Re: Cloverfield). This isn't the case with True Tears though: although I heard many good things about it, I must admit that it's something I'd enjoy anyway, taking Phenergan. Granted, Buying Phenergan online over the counter, it's yet another high school-based show but to be honest finding an anime series that isn't set in a high school is often a waste of time: it's easier just to accept that I fall outside the target audience for quite a lot of stuff around these days, and concentrate on what it does have to offer instead.

A refreshingly normal reaction
To illustrate my point of it being a refreshing change, Phenergan price, consider this situation that's met with realistic embarrassment as opposed to the typical kick to the face. Marvellous

Here's the rub: I actually agree with what the blogosphere has been saying about this show, Phenergan For Sale. Phenergan schedule, Even to my critical eye it does everything as it should, and does it wonderfully. The snag is, Phenergan no rx, televised drama is not a passive experience: the viewer's assessment of the characters and their motives is clouded by his or her own judgement and, Phenergan treatment, as I found out to my dismay, is a more significant deciding factor on enjoyment than I realised. The frustration for me here is that True Tears actually does everything right...it's just unfortunate that my own opinions have been skewed needlessly by personal experience, Phenergan description, which irks me no end. Phenergan price, coupon, Firstly, all that stuff you heard about the show's production values is the honest truth. I've seen recent productions made on an OAV budget that don't match this - it even gives Clannad Phenergan For Sale, a run for its money, and wins hands-down (the latter has an approach to animation and storytelling that I can only describe as artificial, which is a criticism that can't be levelled at True Tears). The way the characters are animated feels fluid and natural, Phenergan without a prescription, the ones in the background are actually *moving* and overall it comes across as a piece produced by people who really understand the value of attention to the details. Comprar en línea Phenergan, comprar Phenergan baratos, In addition the backgrounds are lovingly painted, the direction feels sophisticated for its genre and the music is unfailingly pleasant, even if the OP is a little too reminiscent of Kikuchi's earlier effort for Kashimashi, buy Phenergan without a prescription.

Quite simply, Phenergan alternatives, for a mere TV show True Tears’ presentation cannot be faulted; the character designs in particular are stunning, especially the expressive way in which the eyes are drawn. I had to consult ANN to check if Yoshiyuki Sadamoto had his hand in designing them somehow, Phenergan brand name, because it bore such a striking resemblence. As far as I can tell he hasn't, and even more surprisingly there's no sign of any Gainax or Madhouse alumni on the production staff at all, Phenergan For Sale. Online Phenergan without a prescription, I'm thoroughly impressed at how a virtual newbie of a studio has come out of nowhere and created something like this, honestly.

Just look at the eyes...so pretty

Personality-wise True Tears seems to be trying harder than its rivals in avoiding the old clichés too, what is Phenergan, giving a very natural and slice-of-life feel. Phenergan use, Shinichiro is a likeable kind of guy, with a balanced mixture of sensitivity and exasperation, depending on the situation, order Phenergan from United States pharmacy. Nobuse seems to be a product of the Laddish Best Friend mould, Ordering Phenergan online, but I often wondered while watching the opening episodes whether non-English speaking viewers would spot how appropriate it was that the Laddish Best Friend was wearing a jumper that bore the adjective ‘Shocking’. Phenergan For Sale, Odds-on that Ai-chan wears a T-shirt that reads ‘I'm With Stupid ->’ under her apron.

A bonus point or two is also earned in portraying an occasionally uncomfortable yet down-to-earth and realistic view of Shinichiro's home life. It rounds off his character nicely and adds small but significant day-to-day moments in which things aren't products of some idyllic fantasy world where parents are background figures who have no influence on how the leads interact and behave, Phenergan trusted pharmacy reviews. It's not an aspect that's always catered for in anime but in this case helps the viewer get immersed in the story, Phenergan no prescription, so kudos to the writers for going to the trouble of giving his long-suffering mum and dad personalities too.

Normal domestic issues

It was when the romantic complications are properly introduced that I ran into problems. Portraying characters who are supposed to act like *real* people is something I welcome with open arms but here I found the unfortunate side-effect that I simply didn't really like Noe much, Phenergan For Sale. If I were to make a guess at how the series will pan out at this point, Phenergan natural, we are presented with two female characters who cause conflict and indecision for the male protagonist who sooner or later ends up choosing between them. Order Phenergan online overnight delivery no prescription, If this is to sustain itself during the episode run, I would expect both girls to be equally likable and engaging but for whatever reason I couldn't really root for Noe at all when placed alongside Hiromi.

There are occasional hints that Noe's situation is tragic and therefore she is deserving of sympathy, japan, craiglist, ebay, overseas, paypal, but given that Hiromi has known Shinichiro for years, Phenergan over the counter, she's lost her parents and that the two of them genuinely care about one another I've already decided that I'd be more comfortable with a Shinichiro/Hiromi conclusion. The trouble is, I'm judging the three of them on the basis of those I know in real life; this wouldn't such a bad thing if people of my own social circle had given me a fair picture of human nature, Phenergan results. Phenergan For Sale, How I can put this diplomatically I don't know, but when I place Noe's personality type alongside RL equivalents she seems at worst manipulative and at best troublesome. People like her are, Herbal Phenergan, in my experience at least, bad news, whether they mean harm or not, cheap Phenergan no rx. This is a cynical conclusion I know, Phenergan interactions, but drawn from events which have in recent years painted a very unflattering picture that I hope isn't shared by the rest of you.

Shinkai-esque artwork: check. Sadamoto-esque character designs: check, Phenergan recreational. Kyo-ani teen issues: check, Phenergan For Sale. Why don't I like her?!

It's perfectly likely I guess that Noe has reasons for being eccentric to the point of being irritating (e.g. Phenergan street price, what about the photo of the elderly woman in her kitchen?), and is only inadvertantly damaging the relationship that Shinichiro shares with his current romantic interest. Unfortunately my first thought was "Hey, buy Phenergan online cod, she doesn't care about Shinichiro at all. Phenergan for sale, She's just playing mind games with him!" and my view didn't change in the episodes that followed. Phenergan For Sale, If you think I'm being unduly harsh towards her, I wouldn't blame you; my point here is that Noe seems to me to be toying with Shinichiro and using him to gain attention and sympathy. An alternative scenario would be that she really is an innocent girl with a tragic past while Hiromi is the one being manipulative, but from what I've seen so far Hiromi also has a fair amount of emotional baggage and is coming to terms with her feelings for him, Phenergan pics, but isn't necessarily a bad person either. Is Phenergan safe, Her observation that "[Noe] saw right through me," has more to do with the recognition of simple jealousy and status as a rival for Shinichiro's heart than anything more sinister.

It's a bit of a stumbling block when a character you're supposed to care about comes across as annoying and significantly less deserving of the protagonist's affections than the other female lead. At this point, I'm working hard to figure out whether Noe is indeed as I guessed, or whether it's my cynical outlook that's being unfair. It's a shame really, because True Tears is one of the season's highlights so far in every other respect - to put it in its crudest terms, my enjoyment of a good quality series may have been reduced by so-called friends of mine who have turned me into a cynical git, Phenergan For Sale. It's quite sad, really.

EDIT: since the first draft of this post was written, I learned that Bandai have secured the rights to the series so subbed torrents are going to be harder to find. On the plus side it probably means that Beez will be organising the UK DVD release. Good news there then.

[11 Comments]

[OAVs, Movies and Full Series]

27 Jan 2008

Buy Diclofenac Without Prescription

Posted by Martin [Tags: iyashikei, realistic fiction]

Buy Diclofenac Without Prescription, I'll admit that I haven't watched a great deal of romance anime, which is a bit strange considering the genre contains some of the most enjoyable additions to my collection. Tokyo Marble Chocolate is one of those productions that only seems to come along once a year or so, Diclofenac reviews, Diclofenac street price, just when I'm starting to think nobody makes stuff like that any more. In 2007 it was Byousoku 5cm; the year before it was His and Her Circumstances; and the year before that it was Millennium Actress, after Diclofenac. Buy Diclofenac without a prescription, Coincidentally, Tokyo Marble Chocolate is also the most touching, order Diclofenac from mexican pharmacy, Online buying Diclofenac, funny and profound observation of present-day relationships this side of Kare Kano...yes, it's that good, taking Diclofenac. Is Diclofenac addictive,

a date in a cafe

Viewers of UK TV may remember an old advert for Sheridan's coffee liqueur that takes the form of two separate ads that show a date at a restaurant from the male and female points of view. Both parts were broadcast in the same commercial breaks but what I recall most clearly was the way in which the same sequence of events was recounted: the man and woman had very different perspectives on the evening, which was amusing but insightful at the same time, Buy Diclofenac Without Prescription. Tokyo Marble Chocolate takes a similar approach to telling the story of Yuudai and Chizuru, buy cheap Diclofenac, Kjøpe Diclofenac på nett, köpa Diclofenac online, two young would-be lovers who are trying to do things right for once and put their disappointing romantic track records behind them. It also features a mad mini-donkey, generic Diclofenac, Buy cheap Diclofenac no rx, which ought to be the additional reason aside from the marvellous title to declare this to be a whimsical piece of genius.

The feature takes the form of two half-hour OAVs, where can i buy cheapest Diclofenac online, Diclofenac forum, Mata Aimashou and Zenryoku Shounen, which follow the events from the point of view of Chizuru and Yuudai respectively, purchase Diclofenac for sale. Buy generic Diclofenac, For the record, I watched Chizuru's first, low dose Diclofenac, Where can i cheapest Diclofenac online, but in all honesty I don't think the viewing order matters at all. Buy Diclofenac Without Prescription, Either way, you think you understand what's going on until you see the other episode and everything falls into place; it's an unusual approach to storytelling but is really fun to watch. It has an air of screwball comedy at times too (helped in no small part by the mini-donkey, online buying Diclofenac hcl, Diclofenac class, who starts off as an annoyance but ends up being the most endearing supporting character in recent memory) but crucially maintains the tenderness and deft skill in portraying genuine feelings in a realistic fashion.

a lonely Chizuru

The OAV format isn't always advantageous in terms of pacing, discount Diclofenac, Diclofenac alternatives, but in this case the backgrounds to the two leads are filled in neatly through flashbacks that offer hints as to how and why their previous relationships failed. As a result, Diclofenac steet value, Diclofenac from mexico, Chizuru and Yuudai come across as good, likeable people who are merely prone to making mistakes and, Diclofenac maximum dosage, Diclofenac schedule, I suppose, are more often than not downright unlucky, order Diclofenac from United States pharmacy. Diclofenac online cod, The flashbacks had me chuckling but in a tragic-funny kind of way because while you might be able to blame the two of them to a certain degree for what's happened to them in the past, they are victims of circumstance as much as bad judgement, Diclofenac pictures. The clincher here is that once you have a grasp of what sort of people they are, you are all the more eager to see things work out for them, Buy Diclofenac Without Prescription. Diclofenac interactions,

a bewildered Yuuhai

Chizuru feels neglected and hurt; Yuudai feels weak and clumsy. On a personal level I can relate to them because rather than being blushing high-schoolers they are young adults with full time jobs and responsibilities, buy Diclofenac without prescription, Diclofenac no prescription, and prone to screwing up in the same ways that I'm sure we all have done at some point or another. This is where, Diclofenac trusted pharmacy reviews, Diclofenac for sale, despite the coincidences and the mini-donkey that push it away from realistic fiction territory at times, Tokyo Marble Chocolate is not just a modern fairytale but a story that, online Diclofenac without a prescription, in the same way that its protagonists do, feels so real and true-to-life. Production I.G.'s unusual art style helps here, being as it is striking but at the same time quite beautiful. Buy Diclofenac Without Prescription, It projects a look of watercolour nostalgia while still being lively and vibrant, and maintaining prettiness without trying too hard in the innovation department. From the white clouds when characters breathe and speak in the cold air, through the faces and fingertips red with cold, to the flurries of snowfall, it looks like the winter cityscape that thousands of us live and work in every day. The end result is an image of inventive, picturesque originality that's easy on the eye but memorable too.

mini-donkey!

As much as I can lavish technical praise on Tokyo Marble Chocolate from the screenplay and artistic standpoints, I was above all ethralled from start to finish by its warmth, humour and sincerity. For sure, it succeeds because it makes the characters fun and engaging but the important thing is how all this makes it feel like such an enriching experience. It's been a long time since I've seen something that's made me want to alternately cry tears of laughter and relief in the space of mere seconds and at the end of it all feel like I've learned some important things concerning matters of the heart - even the errors of judgement and missed opportunities are somehow inspiring. This is the sort of animated film whose rarity makes it all the more special, magical and unmissable; they do still make films like this, but not nearly often enough.

[8 Comments]

[OAVs, Movies and Full Series]

07 Dec 2007

Bactrim For Sale

Posted by Martin [Tags: iyashikei, realistic fiction]

Bactrim For Sale, I won't hazard a guess as to how long this was sitting unwatched - suffice to say it was too long. Bactrim steet value, The nostalgic, iyashikei vibe of the movie is just the sort of thing I've grown to love in recent months so maybe it's no surprise that I fell for this little gem hook, online buying Bactrim hcl, Bactrim treatment, line and sinker. Many films that use time travel as a plot device end up with a fractured narrative that's so hard to follow that the other messages are clouded or lost altogether; The Girl Who Leapt Through Time on the other hand prevents it becoming too much of a dominant force in the plot progression by setting its sights firmly on telling a story of friendship and teen romance with the slightly sci-fi twist...and what a story it is, Bactrim reviews. Bactrim long term, Tomboyish Makoto Konno is a decidedly typical teenager with an typical routine and a typical lack of concern or decisiveness concerning her future...until she discovers that she has acquired the ability to jump back in time to revisit past events. Initially she uses this for selfish and trivial ends, Bactrim street price, Online buying Bactrim, such as repeating a test she flunked or eating a snack before her kid sister swipes it, but when she begins to use this to influence the lives of others Makoto realises that not even time travel can offer escape from life's problems and responsibilities, Bactrim no rx.

Leap!

The film is actually a sequel of sorts, following on from the events in a book by Paprika writer Yasutaka Tsutsui, Bactrim For Sale. Bactrim description, This is more of a piece of interesting trivia than an indicator of the nature of this film though because it has little in common with anything Satoshi Kon has come up with so far. I can even liken certain aspects to movies by Shinkai and Takahata (in that fans of those will appreciate this too) but in truth Mamoru Hosoda has found a delightful style of his own, Bactrim pics. Australia, uk, us, usa, Interestingly, Tsutsui's novel was made into a live-action film; Hosoda's take on the story could quite easily use the same approach, Bactrim pictures. Japan, craiglist, ebay, overseas, paypal, That is to say The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a very realistic and true-to-life piece regardless of the time-hopping, with the muted and soft-focus watercolour feel that Madhouse would later apply to Dennou Coil, buy Bactrim online no prescription. Bactrim For Sale, That's right - this is another Madhouse marvel: even the character designs, who add so much life and energy into the production, are attributed to my old Gainax favourite Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. Bactrim wiki, The characters well and truly take centre stage here, which is all the more obvious with the art and music, Bactrim duration. Bactrim brand name, It's a really pretty and picturesque film, but not excessively so; the visuals don't attempt to dazzle or amaze the viewer, order Bactrim from United States pharmacy. Herbal Bactrim, Instead, they create that all-important atmosphere of nostalgia that harks back to lazy, Bactrim cost, Bactrim trusted pharmacy reviews, dreamy summer days of childhood - this is one of those anime movies where the animation allows you to forget it's animation at all. It has a very relaxed but skilful and self-assured directorial style that offers time for reflection - the visuals just get on with their business of setting the scene with selective attention to the exquisite details, where can i cheapest Bactrim online.

A token pretty distance shot

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time does after all tell a great story, Bactrim For Sale. Bactrim gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release, The morals behind it all, such as those of facing up to responsibility and the over-arching Time Waits for No-One, buy cheap Bactrim no rx, Bactrim over the counter, may seem a little straightforward and obvious from the perspective of someone who's already halfway through his twenties but Makoto's experiences are no less compelling or difficult to relate to. Who wouldn't use a time-leap to avoid mishap and revisit fun activities as she did, buy Bactrim from mexico. Ordering Bactrim online, The Groundhog Day-esque moments were pure comedy-drama gold but there are poignant moments that address more serious issues concerning friendship and learning how actions taken even with the best interests of others at heart can have consequences far outside what was intended.

Perhaps because it is a follow-on story there are what appear to be loose ends and the conclusion, Bactrim class, Buying Bactrim online over the counter, as neat as it is in conveying the overall messages, feels a little contrived and forced, about Bactrim. Bactrim For Sale, After reading around I understood the role of Makoto's aunt in the original story; had I not stumbled on this fact I would never have been able to figure out how she accepted her niece's outrageous tales of time leaps without any scepticism. Real brand Bactrim online, The significance of the painting for example is not fully explained either but these are all coincidental when viewed alongside the relationship between Makoto and her two closest friends, Chiaki and Kousuke, buy cheap Bactrim. Buy Bactrim from canada, Nevertheless, I'd be interested to learn more about these extra plot points - to get a better grasp of the background, generic Bactrim, Bactrim for sale, such as Makoto's aunt, I suspect you'd need to read the book or see the live-action film first. This didn't bother me a great deal actually, because this movie offers so much on its own.

It's ironic really that when Makoto stops using the time-leaps for personal gain and tries to use them to help her friends, this is when the repurcussions begin to mount up with potentially tragic consequences. The fact she needs to learn is that problems cannot be ignored or pushed to one side and that we need to look ahead sooner or later; the future and the consequences it brings will catch up with us eventually, Bactrim For Sale. The time travel is actually fairly easy to follow - it turned out that for me at least the romance-orientated aspects demanded more concentration and were a little more complicated than they needed to be. In this sense it's less of a science fiction effort and more of a teen romance with all the blushing confessions and unspoken feelings.

The importance of friendship

The whole piece is held together remarkably well thanks to a storytelling style that is brimming over with youthful energy but at the same time a tangible sense of melancholy and uncertainty. Makoto is quite a comedic character but her hopes and fears are crystal-clear too; she is a flawed yet likable and fundamentally decent person who is prone to mistakes but is all the more endearing for it. You get to experience her make the mistakes, feel her regret with the realisation that results, and the development of her personality to one that is more responsible and level-headed. It's familiar territory to fellow fans of the genre, but when told in such an original and refreshing way I never felt tired of it. With all the doom-mongering in recent months regarding the state of the anime industry, films such as this are a timely reminder that truly memorable pieces still come our way every now and then - and it's a wonderful experience when they do.

[8 Comments]

[Manga Reviews, OAVs, Movies and Full Series]

23 Nov 2007

Differin For Sale

Posted by Martin [Tags: realistic fiction, Self-indulgent nostalgia]

Differin For Sale, Everyone has a title or two that, against our better taste or judgement, we can't bring ourselves to dislike. Whether it's that derivative parade of shiny mecha, overlong Shonen Jump cash cow or high tech girls-with-guns offering, real brand Differin online, we all have one that we hate to love. Differin trusted pharmacy reviews, I can even name a title from each one of those example categories: I've followed the early episodes of Naruto and will continue to do so until the DVD release catches up with the filler arcs, Bubblegum Crisis is a classic and I can't wait for Macross Frontier either, even if it turns out to suck; nevertheless, buy cheap Differin no rx, I'd like to think that my collection is a worthy collection of artistic and intelligent entertainment...more or less. Where can i cheapest Differin online, Back when I was only just getting into manga, shortly after my in-at-the-deep-end introduction to anime proper (another story), Tokyopop were only just beginning to get a reliable and varied stock on UK shelves; the almighty Death Note had yet to arrive on our shores in paper form and I was still finding my feet (even moreso than now!) as a fan, Differin canada, mexico, india. I also had the brain-melting grind of university with the memories of all-night study sessions, Comprar en línea Differin, comprar Differin baratos, coursework deadlines and frantically legging it to the bus stop to get to the exam room on time fresh in my mind. Maybe this is a valid excuse for reading every volume of the Love Hina manga from cover to cover...read on and I'll let you weigh up the evidence for yourself, Differin For Sale.

Love Hina, sakura blossom edition

At the time I wasn't fully aware of the likes of Tenshi and the harem genre; maybe I just felt that I could relate to the premise of a shy, where can i buy cheapest Differin online, nerdy, Differin blogs, flat-broke student suffering from problems associated with girls(!) and studying for uni. With the anime's final volume having just been released in the UK, it was one of the new talked-about UK releases at the time too, order Differin no prescription. Oddly, Differin alternatives, I didn't watch the DVDs, and still haven't - for reasons I can't remember now, I started collecting the manga volumes instead, Differin from mexico. Maybe they were just cheaper or something. Differin For Sale, The series was not without its flaws of course - stereotypical character profiles aside, the plot was stretched to breaking-point with countless teasing "will they/won't they?" incidents, near-misses and filler segments that padded out what could have used half as many trees to reach its conclusion. Buy Differin online no prescription, Corner-cutting such as re-used backgrounds cropped up time and time again (although the author's explanations for doing so are reproduced as an extra feature in the last volume) and certain gags, invariably involving scantily-clad females, an embarrassing misunderstanding and the male suffering some form of physical abuse as are result, Differin natural, were recycled ad nauseam. Differin results, With these in mind, plus the fact that formulaic romcom fluff never has been my thing, I still can't bring myself to dislike it, Differin photos.

The reason why I sat through so much filler and over-used humour is that, Differin pharmacy, deep down, Love Hina has a great deal of warmth, a sense of fun and an addictive concept that states that with bloody-minded perseverence and a bit of dumb luck, Differin images, even the clumsiest and most average of us can achieve our dreams. Differin australia, uk, us, usa, Leaving the romance and comedy aspects aside for a minute, it's a heartwarming story of a childhood promise that our hapless hero Keitaro has carried around with him for so long that he can't remember the face of the girl he made the promise to; the whole series is all about the prospect of resolving that issue that's been nagging at him for so long. There's a lot of hijinks going on in the meantime, of course, but the overall driving force behind everything that Kei-kun does is to reach that distant (and, it has to be said, unlikely) goal of getting to Tokyo and meeting that special ‘promise girl’ of his youth, Differin For Sale.

Ah yes, discount Differin, good old Keitaro. Differin online cod, He's repeatedly kicked, punched, abused by the army of females he lives with and forced to the brink of a nervous breakdown by intense studying (jeez, Differin gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release, Japanese schoolkids have it rough). Differin over the counter, Although the girls perceive him as a feeble, perverted loser, we the reader can see that he's a fundamentally good-natured guy with honest intentions: the simple fact is, cheap Differin no rx, he's misunderstood but crucially never gives up on the promise he made. Effects of Differin, It's single-mindedness that borders on stupidity - I mean, how many times would it have been more prudent for him to attend a local college without all that hard graft, and spare himself the pain of being knocked skywards just for taking a bath, purchase Differin. Differin For Sale, This brings me onto my only significant criticism of the series, apart from the repetitive gags: the somewhat simplistic and male-centric perspective (I wouldn't go as far as calling it borderline sexist - it's too harmless to qualify). This is a manga geared towards a young male readership for whom hormones and girls are still an exciting novelty, Differin steet value, which adds to the whole formulaic argument thanks to cramming fan service into as many frames as possible. I'll give Ken Akamatsu credit where it's due in this department though - he sure knows how to design and draw a varied array of cute girls. After all, Differin maximum dosage, if you're going to surround your (male) protagonist with a myriad of attractive available females, Cheap Differin, you might as well make them interesting.

And they really are varied and interesting. You can argue all you like about how he's created a cute lass for every taste, and you'd be stating the truth; nevertheless, you can't deny him the kudos for succeeding, Differin For Sale. The trick was, Differin from canada, in addition to having every conceivable personality type and quirk, Differin price, coupon, they'll be at least something to endear each one to the reader. ‘Favourite Love Hina Girl’ polls were rife across anime message boards and forums (fora?) and during the course of the series, as with Lucky Star more recently, canada, mexico, india, you got to know them as characters rather than cut-out archetypes and grew attached to them too. Generic Differin, Initially there was the question of "which one will Keitaro eventually end up dating?" but as time went on the series actually began to drift away from the harem premise as a love triangle began to emerge, then the issues of the one-on-one fledgling relationship later on.

I can't just write Love Hina off as a harem comedy because it didn't just set up a situation and let the reader guess for a while as to whose arms Keitaro would land in: it also followed a bunch of likable young people through a pivotal time of their lives and actually worked towards a satisfying resolution, is Differin safe. Differin For Sale, The epilogue chapter makes a big jump forward but looking back on the series as a whole they did actually grow up and change - it's a little detail commonly referred to as ‘character development’...remember that, people. It's important. Purchase Differin for sale, Shinobu in particular really grows and develops (I'm on about her personality, you filthy perv). When we first meet her she's a quivering schoolgirl who's dealing with family issues and painful shyness; being younger than the others, where can i buy Differin online, she endures a more marked growing-up process during the course of the series. Motoko too faces up to her own problems (with the help of the rest of the Hinata household of course), offering another enjoyable and occasionally moving side-story as she (sometimes comically) comes to terms with her femininity and, more seriously, her own family-related hang-ups. Kitsune doesn't change a great deal, but that's all in keeping with her laid-back and stubborn, devil-may-care persona; in a way, she's more of a man than Keitaro - the amusing best friend who drinks, gambles, is embarrasing in public and won't change, Differin For Sale. Ever. Su is an odd one but is the perfect comic relief character: always on hand to spice up the mix with some bizarre mechanical creation that, like Tama-chan the turtle, sets the series just outside the fringes of realism.

The winter edition

While the prospect of Keitaro ending up with any one (or none) of the girls is dangled in front of the reader's nose at numerous points, it's pretty clear that he's only really suited to the delighfully clumsy Mutsumi, who doesn't harbour an ounce of bad nature, or more specifically the fiery tsundere Naru. Quite honestly, a decent resolution could have come from either scenario but it was an open secret from the outset that Naru and Keitaro would end up together in the end - they're so mismatched that they're ironically perfectly suited. Differin For Sale, In an act of fan service on an epic scale, the resolution arrives - with a truly happy ‘warm fuzzy feeling’ ending and a predictable parting shot that's perfectly in keeping with the rest of the series, for better or for worse. Having read through fourteen volumes to get there and becoming sentimentally attached to every one of them, the final chapter feels like Akamatsu's way of thanking the fans for their loyalty; for sure, this ending is placating the readers but when it's harmless, escapist fun like this, who the heck cares.

And therein lies the greatest strength, which is in a way the inevitable limitation, of Love Hina. For some it's humorous and wacked-out portrayal of real life; for the older and more jaded among us it's more of a throwback to the good old days of student life when the future was the future and the present was fun. Either way it's good old fashioned escapism; wrapped up in cheeky humour, cute artwork, a cast of characters who you can really root for and all the other stuff that makes for an enduring rom-com. This is far from original by any stretch of the imagination but it's still an enjoyable ride that I will always look upon fondly.

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[OAVs, Movies and Full Series]

08 Oct 2007

Genshiken series #1

Posted by Martin [Tags: realistic fiction]
This was one of those shows I'd heard a lot about and languished on my 'to buy' list for ages. What with the second season on its way and my viewing leaning more to comedy and drama in recent months I thought that I might as well go ahead and pick it up. Fortunately, there's an Economy Edition of the full series box set, which contains the whole series along with the Kujibiki Unbalance bonus episodes, but at a measly £20 (that's around US$40 for you stateside folk). Okay, so the box is regular cardboard, but hey, when the contents are all there, who cares about that? Before launching into my characteristically heavy analytical mode I should point out that Genshiken is first and foremost a comedy-drama: the antics of the Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture are touching, true-to-life and very funny. It's another shining example of how realistic fiction (the alternative definition of 'slice of life' that I have grown to prefer) can portray the day-to-day events of the protagonists in a way that makes them endearing, easy to relate to and for better and for worse, human. It also made me laugh. A lot.

Just hangin' out together The realistic fiction genre is pretty well catered for if you're actively looking out for shows of that type; Only Yesterday, Beck and Honey and Clover appeal to viewers such as myself because they're often centred around young adults whose experiences reflect those of the target audience. There's no shortage of comedies concerning otaku culture either, from Gainax's Otaku No Video to Comic Party and Welcome to the NHK!. Combining the two is therefore a pretty good recipe for success: many viewers are likely to be anime fans themselves, and if they're not currently university- or college-attending anime fans, the memories of those days aren't particularly distant memories.It's no surprise that Genshiken struck a chord with me really. I don't think I'm alone in saying that the assorted bunch of the Genshiken remind me of people I know personally and, as much as I don't want to admit it, there's a bit of each of them in me too. While the series relies on the quirks and peculiarities of otaku culture for much of its humour, it is as much celebrating the lifestyle as it is poking fun at it.

Hardcore manga shopping: watch and learn, my friends. WATCH AND LEARN. The 'everyday' realism that gives the drama its power goes hand-in-hand with its comedy because, in many cases, the humour is observational and draws on a lot of home truths. It also relies heavily on parodying and referencing, an approach which in many such shows is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is topical so is sharp and fresh; on the other hand many gags don't stand the test of time. Genshiken sidesteps this by referencing anime, manga and computer games old and new alike (take for example the building of a Cagliostro-shaped sandcastle on the beach) so it is still funny a number of years down the line, and will continue to be so for many years more.Of course, such a specialised choice of subject matter can alienate all but its most knowledgeable fanbase because it's so insular - a potential pitfall that Genshiken turns to its advantage. The references and jargon are amusing to those of us who 'get' their meaning but for those who don't, the apparent meaningless-ness of the words and customs is in itself funny. Take for instance the scenes in which the gang talk at length about the artistic merits of Kujibiki Unbalance (which is to anime what Spinal Tap are to rock music): these moments are funny not only because Madarame and co are taking a mere TV show so seriously(!), but also because Sasahara and Kasukabe are looking on in utter bemusement.

1337 gaming skillz: it's all in the thumbs Another aspect in which this series is a winner is that it sits on the fence in terms of judging the characters in their obsessions, leaving the viewer to make up his or her own mind up about them. Anime, manga and gaming can be art forms, social commentary and much else besides; as a diversion from our daily grind of work and/or studying though they are above all meant to be FUN. The cast of Genshiken are happy in what they're doing, which makes for real feelgood TV; perhaps too hardcore in their interests at times, but then, who are we to judge? We don't learn what impact their club has on their finances or grades (perhaps it's better that way) but for all intents and purposes the time spent reading doujinshi, playing computer games and watching anime is harmless: it's time spent hanging out with friends and having a laugh.

Model making: serious business. The bottom line as to why Genshiken is so enjoyable for fellow otaku is because the viewing experience is not a snapshot into another world; it's not a 'them', it's 'us'. The Genshiken are the people who we bump into in comic book stores and gaming arcades, the people we queue up with at conventions and cimema screenings, chat with online and add to our blogrolls. Their humdrum lives and concerns are just like our own but crucially the series skillfully paints them in an occasionally embarrassing but utterly realistic light. Everyone has their own hobbies: the mind-boggling variety of which in today's world can inevitably divide us into our own little cliques, each with its own slang, social politics and so on. The finer details of the otaku lifestyle, which give it particular relevance and entertainment value to fellow fans, will be lost on a casual viewer but the way in which it portrays the hopes, fears, joy and sadness experienced by this eternally likable and fun-loving group of friends should be evident to any of us. It's not afraid to show us as the over-enthusiastic fools that we can sometimes be but at the same time reminds us that often in life, you have to laugh. And if you can't laugh at yourself...

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[Anime Reviews]

22 Sep 2007

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad 1-5

Posted by Martin [Tags: Beck, realistic fiction]
"I was made to hit in America!" Beck volume 1 cover image In my previous post I outlined how important it is for viewers to be able to relate to the characters in anime; it's especially important in slice of life, such as in the coming-of-age drama of Beck. I prefer the term 'realistic fiction' in this case because it is a thoroughly realistic show; that is to say, the adaptation could have taken the live-action route and come out looking, sounding and feeling pretty much the same. Fortunately my heroes Madhouse were in charge of this so it looks and sounds downright marvellous. So then, the characters themselves are the main event of the story, which unfolds at a relaxed pace - they're a varied and likeable bunch who I'd quite happily hang around and jam with anytime! The cover art sums up the personality of the central character, Yukio 'Koyuki' Tanaka: clutching his beloved Telecaster, he gazes out with a vacant look of bored indifference. The whole premise of the story revolves around this shy, ordinary fourteen-year-old whose life takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with charismatic rock musician Ryusuke Minami and his discovery of rock and roll; what follows in these five episodes is the introduction of the characters and their relationships. There's already the establishment of a love triangle or two, but since Beck's director's chair is occupied by Osamu Kobayashi, the one behind Kimugure Orange Road, I believe the rom-com aspect is in safe hands.

Koyuki is too cool for school The visual side of things is another reason why this show is such a refreshing change, looking as it does quite unlike conventional anime shows: the character designs are distinctive and individual, and great attention has been paid to small details such as the musical instruments. I recognised Ryusuke's guitar straightaway for instance (it's a Gibson Les Paul standard in natural sunburst), although I'm intrigued with what looks like bullet hole damage. I guess I should point out that I've been playing guitar for nigh-on a decade now (although I still suck) so I have something of an unnaturally intense interest in the hardware that's on display, as well as Koyuki's musical journey. Just so you're forewarned when I veer into my 'guitar geek' mode. :)

Guitar geek heaven I have to say though, Koyuki is the most engaging out of a cast who all give the viewer good reason to care about what happens to them. The way he defends Izumi in the face of a bunch of foreign yobs (I absolutely love the use of Engrish in this show!) speaks volumes about how, even though he's bored and cynical, he doesn't think twice about helping his friends and how there's a special bond between the two of them. There's chemistry between him and Ryusuke's sister Maho too, which only comes into full view in episode #5. At the same time, there's plenty going on in regards to the other members - and would-be members - of the various local bands. The band of the title isn't yet formed but there's rivalry aplenty between Ryusuke and the others so I think we'll have much to enjoy in that department for many episodes to come.

A gift from a childhood friend It's hard to justify adapting manga for the screen at times but in the case of Beck I can see how the writers have really played to the strengths of the TV medium. It's crammed with references and name-dropping, and there's a great variety of rock talent involved in the soundtrack. The op theme is a breezy upbeat number by the Beat Crusaders; the end tune is darker and more forceful, vaguely reminiscent of early Oasis. The good bands sound good, while those that are less so sound suitably awful! I found the old farts of Saito's old band particularly hilarious, as they end up too sozzled to perform and as a result Koyuki and Maho have to take their place.

Maho: rock chick In Summary I can see Beck becoming a firm favourite of mine - it's been a long time coming on DVD but the attention to detail, solid characterisation and subject matter that's close to my own heart ought to earn it pride of place in my collection (not to mention the fact that the novelty art box, designed to look like one of those old Fender valve amps, looks as cool as hell on my shelf). It's not about saving the world, fighting evil or suchlike: this is a funny, addictive tale about a bunch of everyday people who want to follow their dream of doing what they enjoy. It could well be a contender for DVD release of the year.

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22 Sep 2007

Byousoku 5cm (5cm Per Second)

Posted by Martin [Tags: iyashikei, Makoto Shinkai, realistic fiction]
"...I can survive, I can endure/And I don't even think about her/Most of the time..." Yep, I've finally brought my scattered thoughts together as promised. It's going to be a long one, people, and a few links/trackbacks. Sorry about that. ^_^ I've already given my first impressions on part 1 but my feelings of the piece as whole have changed a lot since seeing it in its entirety and thinking over it at length. It's the kind of movie you can think at length over, and also get a lot of benefit from a repeat viewing or two. Chapter 1: Oukashou This could be a stand-alone feature since its storyline and conclusion encapsulate a set of ideas, a time and a frame of mind so perfectly. I won't reiterate the visual quality at length here since it's consistent throughout all three links of the 'chain'; besides, it's stating the obvious anyway. Perhaps due to Shinkai's already-established talent for sweeping cityscapes and sunsets, I was actually most impressed with the details - textures, objects and movements that you only notice in everyday life when you're either bored out of your mind or utterly fascinated by something. I actually enjoy travelling by train and at the time of writing I live near a railway station; I find the sound to be soothing rather than annoying and the idea that a train journey offers time to reflect isn't lost on me. It isn't lost on Shikai either it seems, as he ably portrays the tension and impatience that is familiar to anyone who has embarked on a journey in which the destination and time of arrival are of great importance to them.

The agonising wait

The concepts of shame, regret and so on are set up in this episode which presents us with what is (to me at least) a familiar sensation of nostalgia but at the same time a feeling of having irretrievably lost something precious and dwelling on the could-have-beens and "I should have..."s. I'll address this issue later but some of the feelings here echo my own experiences: naming no names (the person in question will probably never read this, but still), I didn't just understand but felt the uncertainty for the future, the sensation of losing oneself in a moment of peace and 'togetherness' and the regret of having found a soulmate who I may never see again. Chapter 2: Cosmonaut The second part harks back to the Voices... movie with the imagery of mobile phones and space rockets; nevertheless, the sci-fi themes are background details rather than being integral to the story. I wouldn't call this part weaker than the others though. Its strengths merely lie elsewhere in that it captures yet another aspect of young love: that of the unrequited variety. Kanae is a bright girl with her whole life ahead of her but adolescence is a blur of unspoken emotion and missed opportunities - this part sums up how unrequited love can feel like the time, effort and affection is wasted. The imagery didn't work quite as well here but Kanae's situation hit almost too close for comfort. The setting-up of the final segment also takes place here as we see how all those messages Takaki writes go unsent.

A rocket rising into the emptiness of space

In a way, this is a different take on the movie's overall themes and messages but at the same time it's very similar. By the end Kanae still hasn't resolved her feelings although she's won one personal victory; i.e. in her hobby of surfing. By the end though, she hasn't found a solution to her problem: instead, she realises that there are some things beyond our control and as a result the nearest we can get to peace of mind is to understand and accept them. But then, isn't that how real life often works? Chapter 3: Byousouku 5 Centimetre The final part's own storyline is limited: it's mostly that of an older Takaki reminiscing and another ex-girlfriend whose appearance is merely to solidify his situation in our minds. Its main focus however is tying things up: the pivotal scene, that of the meeting on the level crossing, brings things back full circle to the meeting in the first part between Takaki and (an as-yet unmarried) Akari. The symbolism is especially strong at this point and we as the viewer finally realise that this isn't necessarily a happy ending.

A chance meeting

I especially loved the shortened cut-style editing that showed everyday scenes and accompanied that great bit of music; it reminded me strongly of Hideaki Anno when he's on the top of his game, which I can assure you is intended to be a compliment of the highest order. Everything that has happened is re-run, expanded on then brought to an open, bittersweet but painfully true-to-life conclusion. If you find it unsatisfying, don't fret: watching it again may help you appreciate it more as I did. Commentary Well, those were my thoughts on the individual pieces. As a whole it sits well alongside the likes of Voices... and Place Promised..., although my opinion (which is shared by a number of others) still stands that it's time he moved onto new themes and ideas. This trilogy is a journey through adolescent romance but it brings us right up to date so I feel it's said pretty much everything that he's likely to say about the subject. Interestingly, I didn't get that tearful, overwhelming feeling after this movie in the same way that I did with his previous two efforts; instead, it was a feeling of understanding, acceptance and, strangely, a sort-of emptiness that lasted for a longer time afterwards.

Happiness can never last

This could be down to the unusual narrative structure that was picked up on over at Transientem, but at the same time I wonder if the gorgeous visuals distracted me from the thematic side of things, as was suggested by Xerox at Nirai Kanai. A repeat viewing helps with the latter issue but Shinkai is definitely trying to break out of the linear narrative structure, even one punctuated by flashbacks. Perhaps this movie feels different because the ending is open, or not happily resolved; to my mind it brings a heightened amount of realism and credibility because it has less of a 'movie ending' and more of a conclusion that comes from the closing in a chapter of one's life.One very important issue, which I've mulled over at length following Owen's post is that of precisely how easily the viewer can relate to the characters and how this affect his or her appreciatation of the film as a whole. This is easily summed up by the subtle difference between sympathy and empathy. All good drama, Voices... and Place Promised... included, evokes our sympathy insofar as being able to understand why they feel a certain way. A problem that often occurs is that some details of the situation itself distance it from our own experiences - in Shinkai's case he relies heavily on science fiction themes such as parallel universes, long journeys by space ship and so on. In the case of 5cm though, it's all grounded firmly in a reality that any one of us can immediately recognise; or at least, settings that closely resemble it. I'm sticking my neck out a bit here but I'll throw out the decision that, because of this, Byousoku 5cm makes that leap to empathy. Another related train of thought I had, which is nevertheless quite distinct, is how open to interpretation the movie is - as in, how much entertainment value is derived from what the writer is trying to say and how much is independent thought on the viewer's part, inspired by the events on-screen. Telling a good story is one thing but what earns Shinkai my eternal respect as a storyteller is how his work evokes memories from my own life experiences. This ability that his movies exhibit gives two facets to the films' impact: that of an emotionally powerful tale and that of a flood of past events and feelings that I'd long since buried at the back of my mind. I don't know if anyone else gets this from his movies or whether it's just me; I'd be really interested to hear what the rest of you have to say. Conclusions I said it would be a long post, didn't I? All this has been stewing in my mind for days (some details for weeks) but in closing I still believe that Shinkai has adequately covered the metaphorical distance that separates two hearts, etc., etc. It's done brilliantly but it hits so many raw nerves in me that I'd like to see him take on something new. Besides, I want to see him stretch his talents a bit. When I place Byousoku 5cm alongside his earlier efforts (for some reason I view She and Her Cat as a bit different, but I'll be blogging that little gem in due course), I see it as a purer production, able to convey its messages without the sci-fi trappings. This could be Shinkai's breakthrough into the mainstream as a result but this simplicity of storytelling is combined with an increased complexity, maturity and variety of emotions - it captures that elusive 'empathy' feeling. The artwork quality also traces a gradual but upward path which I thought had reached its zenith with his previous movie. All this leads me to one final conclusion: as a film maker I believe Shinkai has finally come of age.

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06 Sep 2007

Haibane Renmei and me

Posted by Martin [Tags: iyashikei, realistic fiction, Self-indulgent nostalgia, Yoshitoshi ABe]
I'm trying a little experiment with this post. This won't be my usual reviewing - outlining what's good and what's bad, basing the degree of how recommendable it is on that and so on. I want to add a bit of me-ness into this one even if the quality suffers - not just saying what I think about this series based on the usual criteria, but giving a more in-depth explanation as to why it's so special. I'm adding a lot more lyric quotes too...just to see if I can do it. I won't dwell on the beauty of Kou Otani's soundtrack here, nor talk too much at length about the otherworldly artistic style of the show, as much as they lend a lot to the its unique atmosphere. Interestingly though Yoshitoshi ABe was the screenplay writer as well as being behind the overall concept: unlike Texhnolyze and Lain, his input was thematic as well as artistic. Looking at how powerful Haibane Renmei's messages are, I feel this to be significant: it really feels like he's drawing inspiration from personal experience which gives the show much greater authenticity, although individual impressions will probably differ slightly from viewer to viewer.

"Angels with silver wings shouldn't know suffering/I wish I could take the pain for you..." The idea of the main cast being 'reborn' with no memories of their previous life is an important one to me: friendships, life experiences, everything apart from practical things such as walking and talking have to be re-learned in an environment that's new to them, which means they start their lives again from scratch. This 'blank canvas' worldview is intended to feel like it's 'somewhere else' but little details such as clothes, furniture, mechanical and electrical items are the same as in our own, which offers small amounts of comfort and familiarity. Initially I thought the central character was Rakka since she was a newborn whose experiences make up the first half of the series - it's a typical growing-up story at that point. In a sense she's the 'tour guide' to the series' setting as we learn about the place and people along with her; Reki's situation takes on greater importance towards the end though and Rakka becomes a very instrumental, but nevertheless supporting, character who helps bring closure. For all its pretty backgrounds and hints of fantasy, this show is in the slice-of-life vein (an issue I've covered before) and concerns itself with a number of real-life issues and situations. What set it apart from similar series is how the particular issues addressed resonated so deeply: not just the concepts and symbols but the more tangible aspects spoke very clearly in a way that I'd never experienced before. Rakka's encounter with the Circle of Sin for example is a great portrayal of how guilt and doubt can build up in one's mind from the smallest beginnings - it's a recurring sense I had that in this unfamiliar setting there are numerous moments that have parallels with our own world. Her symbolic descent into the well in the search for answers, followed by the return to her friends and a new, more optimistic, chapter of her life, is drenched in meaning; it feels like a metaphor for overcoming depression and guilt which makes Evangelion's take on emotional catharsis look heavy-handed in comparison. Dwelling on past events that you can't change drains and hampers you like a sickness; sometimes though you have to be prepared to overcome your fears in order to put it all behind you and move on. "Things get damaged, things get broken/I thought we'd manage but words left unspoken..." The shift in focus towards Reki deals with interaction and relations as much as emotional angst: her stubbornness, pride and inability to let go of past events had caused problems with Hyouko and Midori for a long time. The funny thing is, they shared these foolish sentiments so all three are equally guilty: an all-too-common situation that keeps families and groups of friends the world over on bad terms with one another for months or even years. Another favourite moment of mine is the realisation and resolution when they finally reach an undertanding, being able to forgive one another for things that are best left in the past where they belong. Far from being downbeat, such moments are nothing short of inspirational - and no doubt many viewers can relate to similar events from their own lives. "I pray you learn to trust, have faith in both of us/and keep room in your hearts for two..." The finale of the series takes events into the darkest territory of all as Reki has to confront her past...and herself. The Circle of Sin crops up again but this time it deals with the difference between how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us; the old adage that a man is judged by his actions means that intentions make us feel a certain way but making a physical effort to change things for the better is even more important. For all her guilt and self-hatred, Reki's lifelong attempts to compensate for her faults and to prevent Rakka repeating her own mistakes actually becomes her true nature, but naturally she is unaware of this. The final moments drag the viewer through the emotional wringer as she falls into a downward spiral of hopelessness and self-pity - only to be saved by a friend who believes in her, and ironically can see her true nature better than she can herself.

Two good friends

If you've had the patience to read this far you've probably picked up on the fact that this is a very special piece of anime for me. Thanks to the work of Hideaki Anno and Satoshi Kon, I was already aware of how the medium of animation can convey everything that conventional film and television can but in a much more inventive fashion: Haibane Renmei was another milestone in my viewing journal. It's a series that may be lacking in resolving minor plot points but its core messages - or at least the messages I took from it - contain profound and eloquent observations of human nature. It also asks (but not necessarily answers!) fundamental life questions about who and why we are; an instance in which all this occurs is a Precious moment indeed.

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[Editorials]

11 Jul 2007

In defence of slice of life, dodgy endings and Japanese storytelling

Posted by Martin [Tags: Over-analysis, realistic fiction]
The rumours of my death were greatly exaggerated. My laptop's back. Broken motherboard apparently, but now normal transmission will resume. I've often wondered at the 'love it or hate it' reactions to the Slice of Life genre in anime, which had me wondering about its place and relative merits. Ironically I got onto this train of thought by two examples that aren't anime at all, although they both make use of Tokyo as a a backdrop: Haruki Murakami's excellent new novel After Dark (go read it) and the Sophia Coppola movie Lost in Translation (which has a gorgeous soundtrack featuring Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine fame). These two stories exhibit some of the features of certain anime shows that I've noticed bring about extreme reactions from critics and fans. Some claim them to be masterpieces of real life, while others believe they are dull and lacking in storyline direction or a proper ending. Ending? What ending? Anime endings often have fans up in arms, possibly because they don't resort to the endings that Western movies do: namely cliffhangers and 'cut and dried' conclusions. Anime endings, particularly Gain-axed ones, happen for a number of reasons but are strangely one of the things that attracted me to anime in the first place. After growing up with movie and TV shows concluding predictably, it was refreshing to have things open to allow me to interpret and guess for myself. We don't know where Bob and Charlotte go after Lost in Translation finishes, or whether they see each other again; similarly we don't know whether or not Taeko settles down when the credits for Only Yesterday finish rolling. Take the stunning Haibane Renmei for instance: there are so many loose ends but the central theme, that of friendship and redemption surrounding Reki's character, is adequately dealt with. The journey is as important as the eventual destination but since we are never told of the endpoint of a Haibane's Flight we don't know what the destination is. I can only guess at what lies beyond the walls, or when Nemu and Rakka take their Flight, or many other little details concerning the town of Glie; and yet, the messages of the show, intended or otherwise, speak loud and clear at a very profound level and have me in awe every time.

Life in Glie for the Haibane

Since when was normal life boring? Only Yesterday is a masterpiece of portraying the everyday and unremarkable. Taeko leads an ordinary life and nothing that happens to her could be considered outside the experience of a viewer from her generation. So, why does this make her story so compelling? It's no coincidence that shows such as these also exhibit a very serene and wistful artistic style, which is at most an exaggeration of the beauty found in the natural world and more often than not very true-to-life indeed. Characters such as Taeko are quite simply easy to relate to.

Normal life in Only Yesterday

The greatest strength of the Slice of Life genre, that of being true-to-life, is also its weakness. Most of the time I watch TV or go to the cinema as an escape from normality so returning to real life is not always what I'm in the mood for. Honey and Clover and Bokura Ga Ita are also superb portrayals of everyday life, the former starring a bunch of broke students who I could relate to instantly! And yet, I never finished either series even though I was aware of what made them special. To put it bluntly, I couldn't be bothered. I wanted something that offered excitement and drama that went beyond the mere experiences of ordinary people: the light drama and short vignettes felt as satisfying as a light snack when you're hungry for a square meal. The ideal place for the open-ended storytelling structure really does fit best when the course of life and romance is being portrayed - big events and daring quests have definite beginnings and ends but life itself doesn't. What the Slice of Life approach does bring us is a snapshot of a timeline, where we are dropped into the story to share the experiences of the characters (be they trivial and ordinary as in the case of Only Yesterday or downright silly like Azu Manga Daioh) and shown events and feelings that mirror our own: when done badly or when experienced at a time when you aren't 'in the mood' it does seem boring and pointless. Equally it's more natural and can offer a refreshing change from the 'happily ever after' cliche - in some ways it feels more sophisticated than the neatly wrapped up packages that film buffs and TV addicts are used to. My final thought was pure conjecture on my part: perhaps Japanese writers simply look at stories differently from Westerners in terms of how significant a denoument is in the grand scheme of things. The old Buddhist saying of a thousand miles beginning with a single step points to the argument that the destination is not as important as getting there; in an industry where shows like Naruto can run for years (although some US and European shows also do this), perhaps the final resolution and the point it makes is not the central message. It's how you get there that matters, as exemplified so beautifully in Kino's Journey. Unless the sequel tells us otherwise, Kino and Hermes don't finish up anywhere; they have no final destination in mind so the viewer follows endlessly with no end in sight. This sounds like a storytelling disaster until you realise that the profound messages the show has to offer stem from an innocent bystander or a traveller 'just passing through': Kino (and the viewer!) learns from her experiences, rather than finding a philosophical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Kino reflects on life's mysteries

Well, that wraps it up for now. Rest assured there's a Texhnolyze article, Yoko Kanno OST review and more unlicenced reviews coming up - it's nice to have my link to civilisation restored!

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In defence of slice of life, dodgy endings and Japanese storytelling

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