New Release! Blue Exorcist

Alternate Title: Ao no Exorcist (青の祓魔師)
Creator: Kazue Kato
Publisher: Shueisha
English Publisher: Viz Media
Volumes: 5
Demographic: Shonen
Genres: supernatural, action, fantasy
Related Content: Ao no Exorcist (anime)

Soul Eater

A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body.

-Maka Alburn, Soul Eater

Alternate Title: ソウルイータ

Studio: BONES

English Liscensor: FUNimation Entertainment
Episodes: 51
Demographic: Shonen
Genres: action, adventure, comedy, supernatural
Related Content: Soul Eater (manga)
                         Soul Eater: Monotone Princess (Wii game)
                         Soul Eater: Plot of Medusa (Nintendo DS game)
                         Soul Eater: Battle Resonance (PS2, PSP game)
                         Soul Eater Not! (manga side-story)

What? Too Soon?

Several anime, manga, and game titles depicting disaster scenes caused by earthquakes, tsunamis, or nuclear reactors have either been altered or completely taken off the air due to the current circumstances in Japan. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, in particular, has hit home with its plot about a huge tremor that originates from a large ocean trench and shakes Tokyo to its core. This dramatic story about survival during such a horrible disaster almost foreshadowed the events of March 11, 2011. Japan’s Animax channel has pulled Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 from its lineup and replaced it with the best episodes from Lupin III and other classic anime series. On Thursday, the publisher Nihonbungeisha announced it would suspend the Hakuryū Legend yakuza manga from its Weekly Manga Goraku magazine, in light of the massive damage caused by the earthquake on Friday the 11th. The manga’s current Nuclear Power Mafia story arc focuses on the “dark side of the nuclear power industry,” according to Dai Tenoji, storywriter and artist. He developed the story a month prior to the disaster currently afflicting his home. Other productions, such as Precure All-Stars DX3 Mirai ni Todoke! Sekai o Tsunagu Niji-Iro no Hana, Takashi Otsuka's third film to combine the casts of all the Pretty Cure (Precure) magical girl television series to date, opened in theaters today after having its tsunami scenes edited out. Re-runs of older anime depicting similar story arcs have been completely pulled off the air out of consideration to the public’s feelings and suffering during this trying time in Japanese history. Even games, like nuclear-themed Root Double, are being affected by the disaster.

I think it wise of the creators, distributors, publishers, and other anime/ gaming industry staff to have taken such measures to ensure that the content being released is not “remenicent of the disaster”, as some have stated. It’s unfortunate for the creators of such series to have their months-worth of work and creativity to go unappreciated, however, the effects of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake are obviously still being dealt with.

In regards to fanart being released on sites like Pixiv, a number of works titled “Hang in there, Japan!” have arisen, in attempts to make light of the situation. Some argue that the nature of the art is borderline insensitive. Though the fans’ intentions are good, many artists and Japanese citizens have found that it is too soon for such content to be published. In fact, an artist posted a letter voicing his frustration on the matter. “it fills me with murderous rage,” he states, “to see the words ‘good luck!’ posted at a time like this.” He equates this action to having a person say this to him immediately after he lost his parents in an earthquake years ago.

I'm sure that, eventually, some of these episodes and story arcs will be aired and published. I think it's a matter of time - the people of Japan need time to recover and rebuild their lives.

Blank Slate - Manga Review

Alternate Title: Akusaga (悪性 -アクサガ)
                       L'empreinte du mal (French)
Creator: Aya Kanno
Publisher: Hakusensha
English Publisher: Viz Media
Volumes: 2
Demographic: Shojo
Genres: adventure, mystery
Related Content: Blank Slate GN 2

Music Highlight - Kanon Wakeshima

Disasterous 8.9 Earthquake and Tsunami Hit Japan

A devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan at 2:46p.m., Friday March 11th, followed by violent and frequent aftershocks. Said to be the most powerful in Japan’s recorded history, the initial earthquake was centered near the east coast of the island nation, killing hundreds. Thirty-foot waves swept their way inland as far as 6 miles, hitting several northeastern prefectures, including Miyagi. Tsunami warnings have been issued for most of the Pacific Rim. The Tokyo Broadcasting System has reported widespread damage, with a high number of casualties and over 500 people missing.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

Alternate Title: Seirei no Moribito (Japanese)

Guardian of the Sacred Spirit

Studio: Production I.G.
English Liscensor: Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc.
Episodes: 26
Demographic: Shonen
Genres: adventure, drama, fantasy
Related Content: Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (novel)
                                         Seirei no Moribito (manga)

Summary:
In order to make amends for the deaths of eight loved ones, Balsa the Spear-Wielder has dedicated her life to saving eight others, serving as a traveling bodyguard. On what is to be her eighth mission, she becomes entangled in a complicated web of mystery and magic surrounding the prince and the royal family. After saving prince Chagum from a freak accident, his mother, the Second Queen of Yogo, pleads for Balsa’s aid in protecting her son from the Mikado’s (emperor) assassins. It turns out that Chagum has become the guardian of the water spirit, which threatens to bring great calamities should it be safely delivered to its birthplace. Balsa decides to take on the assignment; as a result, the young prince is forced to become a fugitive, and slowly begins to learn the ways of the world outside the palace walls. All the while, Chagum’s tutor, the Star Gazer Shuga, looks into the mystery surrounding Chagum’s possession.

Review:
This series has beautiful music, masterful animation, a well-developed plot, a unique heroine, and meaningful episodes (none of that filler stuff!) – not to mention amazing (English dub) voice acting talents, courtesy of Bang Zoom! Entertainment. The show, despite being classified as fantasy, is not riddled with flashy fight scenes between super-humans, but is instead made to have a more realistic feel with the characters’ sophisticated fighting styles, helpful 3D effects, and picturesque backgrounds.

Among my favorite characters is Balsa, the strong female bodyguard with a sharp mind and deadly fighting skills. She is disciplined, caring, devoted, and brave – best of all, her character retains a sense of respectability I feel is lacking in many female anime characters that exist only to be ogled by the fanboys and girls. Chagum is my second favorite since he is neither an overly-arrogant stereotypical prince, nor an immature coward. Although he does possess a sense of superiority one might expect from a noble, he quickly changes his attitude and realizes the severity of his situation. Throughout the series, he develops into a more responsible and admirable character challenged by the dangers he and Balsa face. The viewer has other characters to look forward to seeing, such as Tanda, Balsa’s childhood friend; Madame Torogai, an eccentric old witch and Tanda’s teacher; Shuga the Star Gazer, Chagum’s tutor and effective catalyst within the series; and Balsa’s mentor, Jiguro Musa. Though Jiguro appears briefly, I still consider him a very important, interesting character.

Some may not like the overall slow pace Moribito has in comparison to other anime; however, I believe it finds a good balance between action and dialogue. Though it does not rely too heavily on it, the plot is also infused with supernatural phenomena and mysticism, which I’ve always found fascinating. This, coupled with a setting heavily-influenced by medieval China, makes for a unique approach to history. I have to say, I really like the ethnic feel the show has to it as well. Kawai Kenji’s soundtrack only serves to intensify the mood and ethnic feel of Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. This anime is exceptional in just about every way imaginable and I definitely recommend it.

Review:««««

Click HERE to watch the entire series.

New Release! Supernatural: The Animation

Alternate title: スーパーナチュラル・ザ・アニメーション (Japanese) 

Creator: Eric Kripke
Genres: action, horror, supernatural