Tag: shonen jump
-
You cannot save the world on your own: The Promised Neverland episode 11
Read More →: You cannot save the world on your own: The Promised Neverland episode 11What a treat episode 11 was. At this point, I have to say I think this anime is as good an adaptation as fans of The Promised Neverland could have hoped for. It’s the best kind of escapism: I lost myself watching this episode, it flew by so fast, and I can hardly stomach that…
-
Spring 2019 anime preview
/
Read More →: Spring 2019 anime previewI could end up watching a lot of anime come April.
-
A game of faces: The Promised Neverland episode 1
Read More →: A game of faces: The Promised Neverland episode 1There are some early visual cues that all is not right for the orphans in The Promised Neverland.
-
Rediscovering Shonen Jump anime
/
Read More →: Rediscovering Shonen Jump animeWatching anime, I go through peaks and troughs. The start of the year was a peak, but throughout February, I’ve been in a bit of a trough trying to find something new to watch and fall in love with. At some point, I remembered that there’s a whole bunch of Shonen Jump anime that I…
-
Childhood's end: Naruto and Pain
Read More →: Childhood's end: Naruto and PainTo compare Naruto now to the naive kid he was when this series began tells us of how much he’s grown since. He’s now the person he always dreamed of becoming, and it’s a joy to behold.
-
Naruto & child soldiers / The thrilling tragedy of Kakashi Gaiden
Read More →: Naruto & child soldiers / The thrilling tragedy of Kakashi GaidenDoes Masashi Kishimoto think about how children are depicted in Naruto? Ninja are tools of war, after all, and Konoha trains its children to become ninja; isn’t that wrong? On a base, moral level? Of course, Naruto is intended as entertainment and, as such, there’s a certain amount of distance one feels between it and…
-
Naruto Shippuuden episode 82 is a masterpiece
Read More →: Naruto Shippuuden episode 82 is a masterpieceAfter all these years, I still love watching Naruto. I’ll place it on hiatus every now and then, but it still is, and always will be, one of my biggest favourites. This past weekend marked the end of my latest break from Shippuuden, but already, here I am again; writing away. I couldn’t let this…
-
One Piece and why a man is only as good as his word
Read More →: One Piece and why a man is only as good as his wordBrook: “He may think that we’ve betrayed him, but if he’s waiting even now, how miserable must he be? […] I can’t help but think that he’s believed in us all this time.“ Luffy: “Your nakama may be dead, but from now on I’m your rival!“ I love One Piece. I love how it can…
-
Naruto Shippuuden: The return of Orochimaru, stuff happens
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto Shippuuden: The return of Orochimaru, stuff happensThere is perhaps no anime I want to love more than Naruto. I’ve been following this story since 2003 and even if it drags on for another decade, I’ll still be camped out all night waiting for its end. I know full well it’s far from perfect, but by now I’m too caught up in…
-
Naruto Shippuuden rises from the ashes! A dramatic return to form!
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto Shippuuden rises from the ashes! A dramatic return to form!I relapsed like a hungry junkie and gobbled up the last dozen episodes of Shippuuden… Why does it feel so wrong, yet taste so good? My name is bateszi and I’m a narutard!
-
Is it the Franky or the beans? One Piece 321
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Is it the Franky or the beans? One Piece 321It sounds superficial, but something as stupid as a smile goes a long way; after a tiring week, it’s just a lot easier to relax in front of anime that’s pleasant and funny with happy characters who cheer and smile — that’s a big reason why I love watching One Piece. It’s just so colourful…
-
Demonic rumbles as claymores get squished in episode 21
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Demonic rumbles as claymores get squished in episode 21I’m really digging Claymore at the moment and each episode is ending on the kind of gut-wrenching cliff hanger that so tempts me to gorge on manga spoilers. Episode 21 is no different; Ligardes is one of the coolest awakened beings yet — his intimidating part-lion transformation perfectly emphasizes his quite unfathomable strength and speed;…
-
One Piece – Finishing Enies Lobby ~ To the ocean, back to the sea of adventure
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – Finishing Enies Lobby ~ To the ocean, back to the sea of adventureWhen you enjoy something so completely, it’s never easy to write a review about it, and, as if you didn’t know already, I love One Piece. Of course, I could just not bother with this blogging nonsense, but I can’t ignore my conscience. More people need to be watching this anime and, in my own…
-
One Piece – A nostalgic comment, nearing the end of my adventure
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – A nostalgic comment, nearing the end of my adventureI’m up to episode 301 of One Piece; 15 more and I’ll have finally caught up with the current fansubs. It’s taken me nearly three years to get this far and now I’m almost there, I have this weird feeling. It’s been great knowing that if I’m ever bored with anime, if I ever wanted…
-
One Piece – I want to live!!
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – I want to live!!The time of writing this is 00:01; mid-night. I’m up for work tomorrow at 07:15. I should be in bed, but instead, I’m wide awake, filled with the burning passion to write this post, to write anything about One Piece. It’s kind of odd, really, I mean, why? What is it about anime — and…
-
One Piece – High gears, high drama and why Sogeking is the coolest
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – High gears, high drama and why Sogeking is the coolestPrior to this evening, it had been nearly two months since I last sat down with an episode of One Piece. I’d finally reached the promised land of the Enies Lobby arc but some what worryingly, it wasn’t clicking with me. I found the plot was becoming fairly predictable and excruciatingly slow, while even the…
-
Claymore – Searching for humanity in a violent world
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Claymore – Searching for humanity in a violent worldI’m really enjoying watching Claymore at the moment (as of episode 4), yet oddly, I’m finding it hard to pin down exactly what I like about it. It’s probably the setting; I just really like the European medieval period — a time when any person; strong in arm and sword in hand, could conquer and…
-
Naruto Shippuuden – 5 – Keep The Car Running
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto Shippuuden – 5 – Keep The Car RunningThe massive clash of Gaara’s sand vs. Akatsuki’s blonde bombshell Deidara rages ever on while Naruto and Sakura celebrate with a bowl of ramen having again teamed up with their perverted old sensei; anti-social bastard that he is, Kakashi declines their company, no doubt to finish off the latest volume of his favourite romantic yarn…
-
One Piece – Being the weak one sucks, just ask Usopp
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – Being the weak one sucks, just ask UsoppBeing the weak one sucks, just ask Usopp – beaten within an inch of his life and robbed of a new found fortune; the money was for everyone; for his nakama. They relied on him to carry it and he lost it. They wouldn’t lose it, but he did, because he is Usopp – the…
-
Naruto Shippuuden – 1 to 2 – Well worth the wait, my fellow Narutards
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto Shippuuden – 1 to 2 – Well worth the wait, my fellow NarutardsI forgot how damn awesome Naruto is when it gets serious. These first two episodes are brilliant, the new soundtrack is wonderful too; dramatic, epic and even a little nostalgic. It just looks and sounds all grown up. After this and Mushishi, composer Toshio Masuda is fast becoming my favourite anime soundtrack-er. There is an…
-
Standing on the brink of a new era, looking back at Naruto
/
Read More →: Standing on the brink of a new era, looking back at NarutoStanding on the brink of a new era for Naruto, I’ve turned back the clock to look at my favourite moments from the series; fair warning – hyperbolic fanboyisms ahead. I started watching the show in 2003 with a cheap 15″ CRT monitor and two tinny sound blasters, at the time I wasn’t interested in…
-
He's a man of rubber with an afro
/
Read More →: He's a man of rubber with an afroLuffy’s ultimate technique? Certainly, he’s wearing an afro!
-
Naruto – 219 – For the love of god, not long now
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 219 – For the love of god, not long nowWe join the “fun” just as Gaara corners the warrior from Takumi, and given his murderous ability, a simple win for the ultra-strong sand man is expected, but the warrior turns to confidently exclaim, as diabolical villains often do, that in fact, Gaara is now “the one cornered! Muhaha…” Naruto arrives on cue just in…
-
D.Gray-man – 12 – Limitless sacrifice?
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: D.Gray-man – 12 – Limitless sacrifice?Like most of its Shonen Jump brethren, D.Gray-man is weakly balanced on a thin line between generic and fun. Just this evening I’ve caught up to episode 12 and feel torn by the somewhat superficial character development. Moody bishonen Kanda is a good example of how utterly archetypal some of these characters are – to…
-
One Piece – Winning without even throwing a punch
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – Winning without even throwing a punchIt’s funny how we spend hours upon hours watching anime, often only for but a few short minutes of absolute pay off. I watch One Piece for these transcendental moments; don’t get me wrong, it’s a consistently fun show but every so often, it raises itself to a rare point of pure emotional resonance with…
-
D.Gray-man – 2 – The end of the world is nigh
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: D.Gray-man – 2 – The end of the world is nighEpisode two is our first proper introduction to the spiritual world of D.Gray-man and clear references are drawn from Christian religion (“Noah’s ark”) to better illustrate the show’s strong supernatural themes with an interesting theological substance. To believe in exorcists, ghosts and demons, the obvious truth is that one must then also believe in god.…
-
D.Gray-man – 1 – Completely coherent and mysteriously atmospheric
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: D.Gray-man – 1 – Completely coherent and mysteriously atmosphericAnyone remember Pierrot Le Fou from Cowboy Bebop? How can we forget that floating fat man, screaming with insane laughter as he tears his way through the landscape. I know D.Gray-man may not have the kung-fu style of Spike Spiegel, but “The Earl of Millennium” looks just like Pierrot Le Fou, and also happens to…
-
Naruto – 201 – Weapons of mass destruction
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 201 – Weapons of mass destructionIt’s those damn terrorists again! As we’re all aware, the war on terror knows no bounds, and now, not even our anime is safe! The beloved hidden village of the leaf (known to gurning locals as Konoha) has become the target of crafty suicide bombers – who could have suspected berserk eagles with explosives strapped…
-
Hunter X Hunter – First Impressions
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Hunter X Hunter – First ImpressionsI make no secret of my affection for Shounen Jump anime, from Dragonball Z to Rurouni Kenshin, by way of Naruto and One Piece, it’s a genre – incredibly formulaic though it is – that I drag myself back to again and again, pumped and ready for another sweaty training montage and trash talking decidedly…
-
Naruto – 200 – Filling time with ninja
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 200 – Filling time with ninjaIt has been a while since I last caught up with Naruto – still its a series I treasure deep within my heart, but these ever enduring “filler dark ages” are even dwindling the concrete enthusiasm I once felt for master Rock Lee and his “spring time of youth”. True to Naruto’s emphasis on fighting…
-
The Alabasta Arc of One Piece
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: The Alabasta Arc of One PieceThe Alabasta Arc of One Piece sees this fine series at the top of its game, juggling dynamic character drama, explosive political upheaval and some eccentric body twisting action. Despite falling into a few classic Shounen Jump cliches (not least of all a super villain in Crocodile who unwittingly reveals his devious plans to his…
-
The most influential people in your anime fandom
/
Read More →: The most influential people in your anime fandomThe ever reliable ICv2 recently posted up a list of the “ten most powerful people in the North American anime industry“. The run down makes for interesting (if a little predictable) reading and sitting at the top is Gonzo’s bestest buddy Gen Fukunaga (of FUNimation), who managed to visciously kill off any competition with his…
-
One Piece – Pacifism and crocodiles don't mix
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – Pacifism and crocodiles don't mixHaving marched across endless miles of desolate landscapes and lifeless desert, Luffy finally snaps at Vivi and in his own unique way, lets her know a few important home truths; while admirable, her selfless pacifism can not save lives. Villains like Crocodile care not for reason and act not out of compassion, but rather their…
-
Naruto – 188 – Fear the piranhas of death
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 188 – Fear the piranhas of deathAs much as I want to be surprised by these Naruto episodes, as much as I want to watch some gripping drama, desperate sacrifices and shocking deaths, it’s not going to happen. I know that, you know that. To complain any more would be a waste of time. With your expectations so low, it is…
-
Naruto – 187 – Taste the Flower Ninpo
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 187 – Taste the Flower NinpoThe problem with these Naruto fillers is that while they are not particularly good, they are not particularly bad either – they are just by-the-books action adventure. Over this past year Studio Pierrot have become the masters of just filling 22 minutes with the most inoffensive, straight forward ninja action you are ever likely to…
-
One Piece – Episodes 78 through 91 – The Chopper Arc
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – Episodes 78 through 91 – The Chopper ArcMuch like a snowball rolling down a mountain, my outright love of One Piece is now out of control, ready to smash anything that dares stand in its way. I’d seen images of Chopper before this arc, but never did I expect his history to be so frightfully tear jerking, so utterly heart breaking and…
-
Naruto – 186 – The episode where Shino laughs
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 186 – The episode where Shino laughsThis episode makes a mockery of everything Naruto stands for and as a hardcore fan, there is a guilty voice saying I should be completely offended by it, but honestly, this episode was so off the wall and slapstick funny that I could not help but love every minute of it. The premise is brilliant.…
-
Naruto – 185 – Grotesque Pet
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 185 – Grotesque PetAnd so begins another 23 minutes of pure time filling anime, Naruto-style. But despite it’s stupid premise, episode 185 wasn’t too bad; at least it was funny. These one-shot episodes are surely more suited to absurd comedy than say last week’s rushed mess of unoriginal drama. I’m sure we all have a mild fear of…
-
Naruto – 184 – Ad nauseam
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Naruto – 184 – Ad nauseamThe filler wasn’t supposed to go on for this long. A black hole of 48 straight episodes, 18 hours of pure nothingness; it would be funny if I didn’t love Naruto as much as I do, but as it stands this is a damn travesty. And the frightening thing is, an end to this utter…
-
Memoirs of a Shounen Jump fan – Dragonball Z
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: Memoirs of a Shounen Jump fan – Dragonball ZDespite being both loved and loathed by an ever collecting legion of frothing fans, the various anime derived from Japan’s own Shounen Jump are undeniably the flag bearers of anime to our mainstream generation. As much as I like to think of myself as a serious anime fan, I must now confess that I happen…
-
One Piece – Adventure of a lifetime!
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – Adventure of a lifetime!One Piece is a brilliant series. I’ve slowly come to realize this over the last few months and indeed, it’s my find of 2006. Void of the macho posturing that dogs it’s Shounen Jump brethren and brimming with such vibrant, colorful adventure- it’s a tragedy to see how it’s being handled outside of Japan by…
-
One Piece – My Love Lorn Introduction
/
/ ReviewsRead More →: One Piece – My Love Lorn IntroductionWhen it comes to swash-buckling Shounen Jump fun, the winky smiley face of One Piece stands proud. It took me a while to catch onto this show- I only started watching in January 2006, but spurred on by what has to be the most unique character designs I’ve come across in a mainstream anime series,…