[Anime Reviews]
23 Nov 2008
Posted by Martin [Tags: Xam'd: Lost Memories]
The broadcast hiatus held back my appraisal of the series as far as ep 13 but after getting that far I was all settled for one of my usual ‘halfway thoughts’ type of posts. Except episode 14 gave the same effect as the book you can’t put down; the shocking events towards the end also gave a strong feeling of one chapter closing and another opening, so that’s where I stand right now. Akiyuki’s journey seems to have drawn him in full circle, back to Senten and back to his family and friends - it seems to be that Akiyuki is on a journey to find his place in his world, with the will of the hiruko acting as a catalyst for that in a literal and metaphorical sense (in that it is probably seeking a meaning to its existence too).
This is either a new type of lava lamp therapy or an important plot point that will crop up later on. My money is on the latter
I’m detecting a theme explored before in Eureka Seven here: namely the idea that war changes lives as well as ends them and draws out allegiances, prejudices and hidden feelings that would never have come to light otherwise. I guess that for the heroes like Akiyuki who protect who and what is important to them, a conflict brings out the best in them. Similarly, for the likes of Furuichi it can bring out the worst of them instead. Of course, the importance of family is a pervading theme of Xam’d but interestingly it was its companion theme, that of friendship, that was portrayed so powerfully at this point of the story as well.
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Reading stats: 1054 words & 4 images; estimated reading time 4:13 mins
[5 Comments]
[Anime Reviews]
07 Sep 2008
Posted by Martin [Tags: Xam'd: Lost Memories]
It’s not often you’ll hear me say this but I wish I was an American who owned a PS3. This feeling only really occurs to me when I’m waiting for the next episode of Xam’d: Lost Memories, mind. I could go into the pros and cons of the system set in place that allows those lucky bastards who own American PS3s to watch it first the show to be distributed internationally but the fansub debate is a whole different can of worms so I’d rather write about how much the series rules instead.
In terms of those minor details, check out the VALVE-POWERED radio
In my first Xam’d post one or two commenters noted that this still feels like Eureka Seven all over again but I’m in agreement that right now it’s hardly a bad thing; nevertheless there are enough original ideas to make the familiar-feeling ones come across as exciting rather than tired and recycled out of laziness. It’s as much familiarity in themes and ideas as more obvious but minor details like VAs and other studio staff; the deft way in which hard-hitting issues are handled is one reason why I loved E7 and why I’m already feeling the same way about this series too. The strangeness, vibrant colour and beauty of the worldview and the equally colourful personalities on show go hand in hand with the tantalising sense that there’s so much left still to explore. Akiyuki may not have returned to Sentan yet but this is one hell of an adventure.
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Reading stats: 1156 words & 4 images; estimated reading time 4:37 mins
[4 Comments]
[Anime Reviews]
24 Aug 2008
Posted by Martin [Tags: Xam'd: Lost Memories]
Put it down to job hunting, band practice or being distracted with the ongoing spring shows but for whatever reason the summer schedule has completely washed over me…almost. There are opening episodes for three other series awaiting the free time that the August bank holiday offers (finances denied me Leeds fest once again but given the fact that it’s turned into a mudbath perhaps that’s just as well) but so far only one has caught my eye in the form of Xam’d: Lost Memories. The name of Studio Bones is synonymous with decent quality for me of course: they seem to maintain a solid standard of quality in material that I happen to find appealing and entertaining, while maintaining a prolific output. For this one then I’m annoyed at myself for ignoring it for so long - moreso because the enthusiasm of Bateszi and Omo ought to have been enough for me. In any case I can only agree with them: so far Xam’d is excellent.
Miyazaki-esque flying machines==win
Even so, my hopes are always tentative with new series - that is until I was thrown into a fantastical worldview introduced with breathtaking aerial shenanigans and a kicking electro-punk op theme courtesy of the Boom Boom Satellites. A side-effect of immersing yourself in an overseas pop culture like this is picking up a lengthy list of New Favourite Bands - after getting into the Pillows via FLCL and Monoral through Ergo Proxy, the BBSs are another J-rock act to add to my mushrooming list if Shut Up and Explode is representative of their back catalogue. In short I was hooked on the show within five minutes flat thanks to those opening scenes. And it gets better.
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Reading stats: 1019 words & 4 images; estimated reading time 4:05 mins
[7 Comments]
