Princess Tutu

Ah, Princess Tutu. My favorite anime. Seriously, my most favorite. Anime. Ever. :)

(Click here to watch the Japanese promo trailer)

This anime is about a duck named Duck (Ahiru in Japanese) who sees a handsome prince dancing by her lake, and falls in love with him. The prince's eyes are always sad, however, so Duck wishes to help him. Suddenly, an old man appears and gives her a magical pendant to transform herself into a girl, and then into a magical ballerina named Princess Tutu. She discovers that the prince is actually from a story that the old man wrote called "The Prince and the Raven." In this story, the prince shattered his own heart to seal away the Raven. Since then, stories and reality have intertwined and it's up to Princess Tutu to restore the pieces of the prince's heart.

• Age Appropriateness: Preteens +
• Content Rating: Although the name and look may suggest otherwise, I would recommend this one for about age 11 and up, due to the complicated plot. I just think smaller children would get confused in it. Swearing is very mild and very minimal. There are also a couple times too where a character is naked, but nothing is explicit and it is not sexual. It is either being used to convey feelings and ideas (such as despair or being one with nature), or because it is realistic (such as when the bird form of Duck transforms into a girl. Of course she wouldn't be wearing anything. Ducks don't.) Princess Kraehe, the main antagonist, is dressed quite immodestly as well. 
• Dub vs. Sub: I would suggest watching this with the English dub (because Lucy Christian is awesome!) but the Japanese with subtitles is a wonderful way to watch it as well. You really can't go wrong either way. 
• Overall Rating: I would give Princess Tutu a 5/5. I watched this anime for the first time a few years ago, and it is still my absolute favorite. I will warn, however, that the show may be difficult to get into at first, mostly because it may seem repetitive and goofy, but please keep watching . Give it until at least after episode 6 or 7 when Princess Kraehe appears. That's when it gets really good! This anime has so many twists and turns and actually has more to it than it appears. The classical music is beautiful and the numerous ballet references to other ballets is genius. 

Princess Tutu picture from: http://www.freewebs.com/siteoftheswan/apps/photos/photo?photoid=111529937

Fruits Basket

 (Click here to watch a trailer)

Cute, hilarious, and fun all around. This anime is about a girl named Tohru Honda who discovers the secret that surrounds the family of her classmate Yuki Soma. Some members of his family, including him, transform into the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite gender, or when under stress. The anime deals much with how ones influence can have a great impact on another.

• Age Appropriateness: Teens +
• Content Rating: Fruits Basket is almost entirely harmless really. Kyo does swear quite often though, and there is one cross-dresser (if you have anything against that). Also, when those who are cursed transform back from being their respective animals, they are naked, but nothing is ever shown since they generate a big poof cloud when they transform, but other than those things, it's a very mild anime.
• Dub vs. Sub: I watched this anime with the English dub, and I liked it that way. I thought the voices matched up very well, so that's what I would recommend.
• Overall Rating: I would give Fruits Basket a 4/5. It's a wonderful anime and I love it, but aside from a few parts of the show, it was mostly fun to watch once. Although the end doesn't give much closure, and near the end gets a little boring with the same old stuff going on, I would say that Fruits Basket was definitely a good anime to watch all around. 

Fruits Basket picture from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fruits_Basket_episodes

Pretear

(Click here to watch the opening)

This anime is only 13 episodes long, and the creators could have added in some more elements to make it better, but somehow, I still really liked it! I mean, what's not to like about a story with elements from Snow White, about a girl destined to save the world by merging with 7 different knights (and falling in love with the Knight of the Wind) in order to protect and save the world from the Princess of Disaster? The opening song is also enjoyable, for sure!

• Age Appropriateness: Teens +
• Content Rating: It's not quite for little kids really, simply for the fact that the transformations, although not explicit, are a bit revealing. There is also some mild language thrown around here and there.
• Dub vs. Sub: I would suggest the dub, since it's done well. Plus I do enjoy Luci Christian and Chris Patton who voiced Duck and Fakir from Princess Tutu. 
• Overall rating: I give this a 4/5. I really like this one, and it's kind of nice that it's only 13 episodes long, and they do a good job of making things flow in such a short amount of episodes. The characters are great as well and I love the opening song. 

 Pretear Picture from: http://www.zerochan.net/Hayate,Pretear

Full Moon wo Sagashite

(Click here to watch a segment)

 Full Moon started out as a pretty typical, shoujo, predictable anime, but for some reason I kept watching it. Maybe it was because it was so sweet with an interesting plot? Who knows, but I do know that I'm glad I watched it! This anime is about a 12-year-old girl named Mitsuki, who loves to sing, despite the fact that she has cancer in her throat and the doctors urge her not to. A long time ago, when she was younger, she made a promise with her friend Eichi, who was moving away to America, that when they saw each other again, they would be closer to fulfilling their dreams; he an astronomer, and she a singer. However, Mitsuki learns from a couple of Shinigami (death spirits that she is somehow able to see) that she only has one year left to live. Takuto, one of the Shinigami, takes pity on Mitsuki and transforms her into a 16-year-old version of herself  without the cancer so she can fulfill her dreams. The story that unfolded (took until about episode 16 or something to get really, really interesting) was really good. There was a lot of meaning in it, and focused a lot on how one can change lives through music. Speaking of music, this anime has some WONDERFUL songs! Eternal Snow, Myself (Meroko's and Takuto's versions), and New Future are some of my favs. :) I would most definitely recommend this anime to anyone. Also, you may have to look up the last fourth or so of the show online since for some reason the last bit is unavailable on dvd! :P

• Age Appropriateness: I would say this would be appropriate for audiences as young as 10 or so.
• Content Rating:There really isn't anything objectionable about this anime, aside from the not so modestly dressed Shinigami and if you have anything against an older boy (by about 4 years) being in love with a younger girl. 
• Dub vs. Sub: The English dub is pretty awful. It seriously sounds like a fan dub. Ugh. Definitely watch with subtitles.
• Overall Rating: I would give this anime 4/5 stars. It's lovely and fun and made me bawl at the end. Like I said above, my only real complaint is that it takes a long time for things to really develop into a good story. 

Full Moon wo Sagashite picture from: http://fullmoonanime.wikia.com/wiki/Full_Moon_o_Sagashite

Anime Reviews for School

Here are some of the Anime Reviews I have written for my Survey of Japanese Anime class at Boise State University. I have enjoyed this class a lot, and hope that the following reviews will spark your interest!

 (Click here to watch the opening)

Vampire Knight- Episodes 1-4

Chopstick Rating- IIIII

Available through Netflix- DVD viewing only

Basic Observations

With the big vampire craze going around these days, I was at first hesitant to try Vampire Knight. But after watching the first episode, it was made apparent that this story was much more how vampires should be. Of course, in both Twilight and Vampire Knight, the vampires are all very attractive (or supposed to be at least), but as far as glowing in the sunlight, Vampire Knight definitely shines brighter.

The opening song and graphics are very well done and appropriate for setting the overall mood of the anime. The storyline is very interesting, especially with the presence of Zero, the boy who hates vampires (since a vampire killed his family), but is slowly becoming one himself, due a bite he received at the time the family was killed.

Semiotics

The two genres that this anime would fall under are supernatural and romance. The audience expectations for the genre of supernatural are that of action, suspense, mystery, monsters/demons, and perhaps some blood and horror. Vampire Knight of course does an excellent job of fulfilling those anticipations concerning the elements of monsters/demons and blood in the fact that the story revolves around vampires. The prospect of mystery is also well done because of Yuki’s inability to remember her past. Action, suspense, and horror are present as well, although not as prevalent.

In a romance genre outlook, the one attribute that stands out best to me is that of the love triangle between Yuki, Zero, and Kaname. In this love triangle, as with many other romance animes, we see our main girl leaning towards one boy, but then a turn of events leads the viewers to wonder who she will choose in the end.

Conclusion

All in all, I would give a rating of five chopsticks to Vampire Knight. As stated earlier, Zero is especially fascinating, leaving me to wonder what turn of events are in store for him. This anime is interesting, beautifully animated, and very engaging.

Sources:

Vampire Knight. Viz Media, 2009.

  (Click here to watch the trailer)

My Neighbor Totoro

Chopstick Rating: IIIIII

Available through Netflix for DVD viewing only.

Basic Observations

I knew from the moment the charming into song and credits started rolling that My Neighbor Totoro would be an enjoyable anime. Hayao Miyazaki’s intriguing imagination and attention to detail really make his work, including this one, pleasant and entertaining. The two sisters, Satsuke and Mei, were both adorable and very believable in the fact that they really acted the way children do. For instance, Mei was always following whatever her older sister did and all along the way saying things like, “Me too!” and “Wait for me!” I especially loved the part when Mei is so excited to eat the bento box lunch Satsuke made that she asks her father, “Is it lunchtime yet?” And he replies, “We just had breakfast!” Having the sisters both act exactly how real children do helped to bring out the meaning and semiotics in this movie.

Semiotics

The colors are bright and beautiful in My Neighbor Totoro, most likely because the film is targeted toward children. The sunny sky that is usually present throughout the story implies happiness and a sense of security, while the scene when the rain is falling down communicates worry and anticipation. It isn’t until Totoro comes that the mood is lifted by his playful manner in smiling as he hears the raindrops fall onto his umbrella. Totoro plays an important role in always being there for the sisters when they need him.

Our lead characters are usually happy and curious and have the special ability to be friends with Totoro, since he can only be seen by children. In terms of an ideological analysis, the reason for Totoro only being able to be seen by children could be that children are innocent and have pure hearts. It also communicates how children have strong imaginations and how adults cannot always perceive things the way children do.

Conclusion

Overall, I would give the anime My Neighbor Totoro a rating of six chopsticks. The voice actors for the dub were excellent. The actors seemed to enjoy the work they did more so than what we read in the story Winging It in Schoolgirl Milky Crisis. The anime was enjoyable, heart warming, imaginative, and overall something I find very appropriate for all children to see.

Sources:

My Neighbor Totoro. Studio Ghibli, 1998. Distributed by Disney.

Clements, Jonathan. Schoolgirl Milky Crisis page 8. London: Titan Books, 2008.

(Click here to watch the {awesome} Japanese trailer)

(Click here to watch the American trailer) 

Romeo X Juliet, Episodes 16-21

Chopstick Rating- IIIIII

Available through Netflix- DVD viewing only

Basic Observations

Upon reading the title of this anime realizing it as a story based off of Shakespeare’s classic well-known tragedy, one would expect to be watching a sappy romance show full of clichés and drama. However, Romeo X Juliet adds so much more depth to the original account along with action and an entirely different way of retelling the story.

The art in this anime is much different than that of what is usually expected in an anime. For example, the large eyes are not present, and neither are many of the usual cultural/media effects, such as oversized sweat drops and exclamation lines. The creators obviously wanted the feel of this anime to be set more in a style of old European Neo Verona, the city in the initial Romeo and Juliet story.

Semiotics

From a feminist analysis, this anime depicts Juliet as strong, active, and a young woman who can usually take care of herself. Perhaps some of this stems from her being forced to dress as a boy to conceal that she is the sole survivor from the night the Montagues killed the Capulet family. She is skilled with a sword and goes around Neo Verona posing as a Robin Hood type of character called the Red Whirlwind. As time passes and her relationship with Romeo blossoms, she does break down emotionally from time to time. Juliet also gets somewhat mushy whenever she thinks of her love, but she always gets back up and fulfills her duties and responsibilities to the resistance.

An economic analysis would reveal that this anime is most certainly artisanal. Besides being loosely based off of one of the most well known plays in the world, the show is full of references to other poems and characters that Shakespeare created.

Conclusion

Overall, I would give Romeo X Juliet a rating of six chopsticks. The art is beautiful, the music is perfect, the story is compelling and creative, and the way that Shakespearean themes are woven into the plot is amazing. The dubbing is also excellently done.

Sources:

Romeo X Juliet, Funimation Entertainment, 2007

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7087