Witch hunter Robin - Review

One of the first full series I watched when introduced to anime was Witch Hunter Robin. And since you never can have enough of the good things in life, and the fact that I'm prone to nostalgia... Here's another review of a good series.

WHR is goodness all around. From the mysterious stories to the supreme characterizations, the series distills originality and entertainment. The story goes something like this:

In the near future there exists a secret international organization called "Solomon". It's purpose is to track the Witch gene. A genetic/paranormal strain that will give dangerous powers to the one being awakened by it. Solomon tracks, finds and terminates witches, protecting society from magic and supernatural threats.



STN-J, a branch of Solomon is welcoming today a new member. Robin Sena is the one to fill the vacancy left by a former hunter killed in action. A special kind of hunter, she's master in the witchcraft art of the "Craft". And as the saying goes: Fight fire with fire.

Amon, a prodigious hunter now partnered with the newcomer Robin hunt witches and solve cases together while we get to know all the members of the strange and secretive STN-J brand. In contrast to the main branch, STN-J does not kill the witches they hunt. Instead, they neutralize their powers with strange vial/crucifixes filled with a substance named "Orbo". A strange liquid Robin takes a disliking to.

Work is hard. Work is good. For 13 good episodes we are treated to a sort of "X-files format" paranormal thriller of hunters and the hunted, getting to know the cast and their quirks. Like Robin's strange firestarter powers, and her disliking of much needed spectacles. And her growing (if a bit cold) attraction towards Amon. But soon, things go wrong. Very wrong.

Soon, things take a turn to the worse and a game of cat and mouse sends Robin into a quest for truth into a world where not even oneself is what it seems. And before long, Robin will begin to discover anew her powers, her destiny, her legacy and her faith.

WHR is a wild ride of thrillers and mysteries into a world of paranormal deceit and those that fight for or against the supernatural. It's a wonderful ride filled to the brim with questions and answers and characters that may not look what they are, but are nevertheless a riddle and deceit. For Robin's world is a world of deceit against faith. Of good against evil, and the proverbial gray shades between them.

Really, if you're into supernatural/religious thrillers or just want one hell of a good, quality series to watch. Witch Hunter Robin might just be the thing for you. Enjoy the first calm episodes, wait, and be surprised.

Witch Hunter robin receives 5 Inquisitorial star out of five.

And you get the magic of Youtube:

Secret of the Cerulean Sand - Review

When I first started liking Japanese animation (Like a year and a half after I finished High school) I had the good fortune to be treated to unusual/mostly obscure series and movies. So, instead of the usual shit like Evangelion or the sort that first gets shoved into an anime newbie, I ended up seeing some others like Macross plus, Miyazaki's movies and others.

This was by no means one of the first I saw, but came shortly afterwards. I have fond memories of it, and would hate this series to be forgotten. I've always been a fan of Steampunk and Jules Verne inspired works, I myself am trying to get that adventury-feeling for the Videogame I'm producing. Secret of the Cerulean Sand manages to nail it and keep to it while pumping sweet doses of awesome adventure antics.

The story is as follows: Jane, a young lady of the buxton family is a jolly lassie whose biggest dream is to build a machine to fly trough the sky (as most steampunk characters). She's got a great family, lives in comfort and makes a haven out of his blissful existence.

But not for long. The arrival of a terrible letter informs her that George, her eldest and most beloved brother was executed for high treason to the crown. His stepbrother William leaves the family in anger and her father is charged for embezzling. The family suddenly is wrecked and left to wither.

But one day, Jane receives an envelope sent anonymously with a tiny piece of cerulean stone inside, that shows very mysterious proprieties.

Convinced that his brother might be alive, Jane embarks on a quest to find his missing brothers. A quest that will lead her to the far ends of the earth and the dark places below it.

The whole series is inspired by two of Jules Verne´s stories: "Facing the flag" and "City in the Sahara". The style is reminiscent of old series like Future boy conan and the character designs have the exact and healty combination of traditional anime and american flavour.

And It's a great series, it takes off slowly but the tiny details from the beginning (like the tempestous relationship between brothers and the strange complexes William exhibits) add to the outcome of an epic series that spans travels around a mythical 19th century world.

I really recommend this series. The old styled drawings and clumsy 3d might turn some away. The lack of distribution (both electronic and on DVD) will turn away most. But the series is a truly heartwarming epic that'll always stay in my heart. It's an endearing story for everyone.

Secret of the Cerulean Sand gets 4 out of 5 stars of adventuring girls with disobedience issues.

And you get the youtube previews:
Intro:

Ending:

Coraline

An upcoming Stop-Motion film based in the novella by Neil Gaiman.

Coraline is a young, bored girl who discovers that a bricked-up wall behind a door in her flat leads to another world, with another mother, and another father. When she tries to go back, she realizes that her other mother has kidknapped her real parents and she must fight to get them back.

The whole production of this movie sounds quite interesting. It's being shot stereoscopically in 3d for digital exhibition, and many new tools are being created for it.

Too bad we're gonna have to wait till January 2009 for it.

Avatar Season Three

Hey there boys and girls! Avatar: The last airbender is back! Season three: Book of fire will wrap up all events that have lead to the final confrontation with the fire nation. I'm really hoping to be blown outta my socks.

It's really the best modern american epic animation series, so for 20 more episodes there's no reason to miss the conclusion.-

Anime Season Fall 2007

This season's series can be described in one simple word:

Shit.

Not only does everything look about the same, there's nothing really outstanding about the whole season. Really, We've had some great stuff lately! Chevalier D'eon, Claymore (good action at least), Dennou Coil and many others that were either great or had one special quirk that saved them from being called crap.

Really, the only things that look fairly interesting are Moonlight mile and that one about the mahjong players (at least the style is original). But Moonlight Mile is not a new series, it's a SECOND SEASON. After a truly wonderful animated year (so far) I'm truly dissapointed.

I do have a flint of hope for Ghost hound. Still, I guess the only ones that are happy for this shitload of crap are anime junkies, pervs, moe fans and lolicon freaks.

Karas, the revelation - Trailer

The action filled conclusion to the epic series of direct-to-video animation series created to celebrate studio Tatsunoko's anniversary is finally coming:

Horton Hears a Who! - Trailer

From the imagination of Dr.Seuss, a new, 3d animation movie by Blue Sky studios. I'm actually looking forward to it.