david.animeunfair reviews of new animeSamurai Champloo 18- January 31, 2005 Just as pointed out in Momotato's excellent commentary, after a break of a quarter-year, Samurai Champloo has landed right back on its feet. Due to the significant intermission before the current episode, it's quite jarring to be inundated by so much overt style in one sitting. Given the graffiti motif and the ghetto twin protagonists, this episode verges on the edge of trying too hard to re-establish its look. However, this never goes to the point of being pathetic, and there are some...http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/samurai_champloo_18.php One Piece 128- January 28, 2005 Just as pointed in Ten's excellent review, it's rather relieving to see the Baroque Works chapter finally draw to a close. Given that this arc was over sixty episodes long, it seems appropriate to pay homage to such a multifarious series of events. Taken as a whole, it's impossible to deny the epic nature of this last arc -- in their quest to save Arabasta, our protagonists have battled dinosaurs in the tropics, allied with giant rabbits in the snow, and rode on giant crabs in the desert....http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/one_piece_128.php Gankutsuou 13- January 26, 2005 It would be a lie to merely deem this title worthy of honor. Indeed, the intellectual rush that follows in the wake of this title is so potent . . . so intoxicating . . . that it beats the mittens off any series this season. Given that the suspense of this title was primed even before the Count started his vengeful machinations, it's enthralling to see him now in motion, making utter mincemeat of the Crown Prosecutor with unfeigned ease. Without a doubt, the Count's actions are cruel to his...http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/gankutsuou_13.php Bleach 15- January 24, 2005 Just as pointed in the excellent reviews of Garten, Ten, and Tensai11, this chapter serves as a respite from last episode's team battle. However, although Bleach 15 is a filler episode, it shows a suprisingly high degree of style, humor, and polish. Given the angst-heavy tone of this series, it's rather surprising to see an entire episode devoted to the antics of our protagonists. To be sure, it serves to underline the degree that Rukia has acclimated to Ichigo's world, but still, it's quite ..http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/bleach_15.php Naruto 119- January 21, 2005 In a wicked reversal to last week's daring rescue operation, the tables have turned, and how. With the arrival of Kimimaro, the odds of Konoha's success have plunged to insubstantiality. In the last episodes, it seems like we were led to believe that Shikamaru's team had a chance, a gamble, a stake -- after all, they had they strength in numbers, and possessed the courage to sacrifice their lives for Sasuke's redemption. However, the presence of Kimimaro rips these hopes to shreds -- besides...http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/naruto_119.php Jinki Extend 1- January 19, 2005 As pointed out in excellent reviews of Ten, Fencedude, and Momotato, this episode takes us on an entertaining rendezvous between a girl and her mecha. In one sense, Jinki Extend really doesn't bring anything new to the table -- the whole concept of a character discovering a mecha of their own has been repeated countless times throughout anime history. Nevertheless, this doesn't diminish the enjoyment factor at all -- for one, Aoba is a far cry from the staple shonen protagonist of this genre,..http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/jinki_extend_1.php Starship Operators 1- January 17, 2005 Just as noted in Momotato's insightful commentary, this episode presents a tale of a lone starship trying to single-handedly overthrow an tyrannical empire. However, despite the epic premise, the story seems to be distinctly uncompelling. In a sense, the core plot dynamic of this story is quite interesting -- the idea of a cadet-piloted starship flying through space and uprooting evil evokes a chivalrous feel of gallantry and derring-do. However, this storyline is poorly executed, and in the...http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/starship_operators_1.php Naruto 118- January 14, 2005 For nearly ten episodes, our team of genin protagonists have been racing to rescue Sasuke from the clutches of the Sound elite. After braving through brutal attacks, trauma, and death, the tables have finally turned. Although Sasuke is finally in the hands of Konoha, it's quite obvious that it won't be easy to return home unscathed. After all, Sasuke is highly sought by the Kage of the Sound Country, and given the vast power of Orochimaru's aura, there's little doubt that our protagonists have.http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/naruto_118.php Xenosaga 1- January 12, 2005 Just as noted in excellent reviews of Ten, Richard, and Fencedude, this episode provides a fairly thorough introduction to the enigmatic "KOS-MOS", a being of incredible power. However, although there's plenty of solid character development, the plethora of technical hobblespeak tends to obfuscate the plot to a ridiculous degree. Although this title is clearly catered to fans of the game, there's a lot of appeal to newcomers to the franchise. In terms of novelty value alone, there hasn't been..http://www.davidslife.com/anime/reviews/xenosaga_1.php |