| Anime | Rating | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
8.75 (very good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
2.00 (very poor) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
6.00 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
6.25 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
3.00 (poor) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 21, 2009 |
8.50 (very good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Jan 25, 2010 |
6.75 (above average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
5.75 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
7.25 (above average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
4.75 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
4.75 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
6.50 (above average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Nov 27, 2009 |
6.00 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 09, 2009 |
9.50 (excellent) |
Uki certainly did an impressive job adapting his manga background for the big screen. While the 30 minute length leaves
little time to fully develop a complex plot, Uki rose to the challenge with remarkable grace. Cencoroll never felt
rushed and while none of my initial questions were answered, I found myself utterly satisfied with the ending. With a
little bit for every watcher--action for the boys, two nonchalant semi-bishies (wink wink) for the girls and poetic
storytelling for anime-snobs like myself--Cencoroll is a roller coaster that won't make you dizzy.
Moreover, in true stroke-of-genius fashion, Uki is able to capture a stylized art form and sound to give Cencoroll a voice of its own. The movements are of choppy but fluid quality and the sound blends perfectly into the production's texture. As expected for OVAs and the budget they normally receive, the drawings never seem half-assed. But unlike others, Uki is able to capture his manga roots within each snapshot, transition and moving scene. The result? A short film that lulls viewers into its sci-fi core with an unnatural serenity for its genre. With such a short duration, it is well worth your time to see this lovely anime, which reassured anime-lovers that cartoons are not just for kids! | ||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
4.00 (below average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
9.00 (very good) | |||
|
Seen: partially Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.50 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
6.00 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
10.00 (excellent) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
7.50 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 09, 2009 |
7.00 (above average) |
While I can certainly understand the initial appeal of this series--a title full of average-looking, everyday folks
caught in a mysterious battle usually signals a story saturated with magic realism that depends less on sensationalism
and more on depth and criticism to wow its audience--I have to say that Eden of the East quickly fell into the usual
traps. Much like Speed Grapher(2005), which promised to offer a more mature take on corruption and government, Eden of
the East sets up a strong, interesting plotline but was both too short and too slow-paced to follow through on its
promise. One strand of the story looks at a cruel serial killer who seems somehow connected to the mysterious cellphone
and stumbles with what I can only describe as mediocre and stereotypically shallow execution. The ending, which was
clearly meant to ensue in utterly epic proportions, fell flat, both plot-wise and visually. Meanwhile, a story like Eden
of the East that struggles fiercely to become a masterpiece, typically warrants dynamic and creative directing; needless
to say neither was present as far as I can see.
But for all its shortcomings, Eden of the East still ranks above average in its enjoyability and execution. The ED and OP were quite enjoyable, and I can clearly tell that production hired very interesting creative directors for both sequences. The voice acting, while unspectacular, demands little criticism. The animation was purposefully "just decent" though I would have enjoyed better camera angles and choreography. Furthermore, with just 13 episodes, it's worth the time to watch if you are interested in a series that doesn't fall as close to the stereotypical drivel that we are used to by now. Many viewers may even attribute more depth and better execution to this series than I have. | ||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.25 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
8.00 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
8.00 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
8.25 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
4.75 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
6.00 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
6.75 (above average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.25 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.75 (average) | |||
|
Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
4.00 (below average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
7.75 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
9.00 (very good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.50 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
5.25 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.75 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.00 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
7.75 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Nov 27, 2009 |
6.25 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
4.00 (below average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
6.00 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
7.50 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 03, 2009 |
5.00 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 27, 2009 |
4.75 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
7.50 (good) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
4.00 (below average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 09, 2009 |
8.00 (good) |
With deep Latin American vibes and subtle storytelling, the series manages to pull the audience in for a look at several
storylines loosely tied together through Michiko's (the vixen convict) past. While their search for Hatchin's
father--Michiko's former lover--provides a stimulus for their journey, it acts more as a literary tool to pull the
characters through a myopic look at the lives of their fellow countrymen. It is difficult for me to find a favorite
among the subplots as they all took a decently honest and heartfelt look at how people in less developed nations
survive--though I found the more dramatic subplots (i.e human trafficking) of rather mediocre execution.
Michiko and Hatchin act as foils for one another: Michiko, the adult, acts childish and impulsive while Hatchin, the child, behaves responsibly. Most reviewers seemed to enjoy this chemistry but I found it lukewarm and underdeveloped. While Hatchin's character failed to impress(her relationship with her abusive parents never felt present and her "maturity" seemed a pretentious addition), Michiko was developed extensively throughout the series and the characters associated with her past succeeded in hooking my attention. In fact, I personally preferred watching the minor characters in the series--their stories were deeply entrenched in their impoverished situations, yet the livelihood with which they confronted adversity became truly inspirational. The series boasts a strong soundtrack and voice acting, nicely echoing an image of a boundless road, sprawled before Michiko, Hatchin, and the people they met. The Latin traces are very apparent in the bold color schemes: cyan skies splashed with vivid turquoise and deep reds. The combination of brilliant sound and great animation certainly makes this anime worth watching, even if it falls short of the true geniuses in the genre (see Cowboy Bebop + Samurai Champloo). So be sure to check this out for a look at something different than your run-of-the-mill titles! | ||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Nov 27, 2009 |
5.50 (average) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
5.25 (moderate) | |||
|
Seen: completely Last Updated: Dec 18, 2009 |
8.00 (good) | |||