From the moment you hear the first strains of Soul Eater’s opening theme song, “Resonance,” you know you are in for something special. FUNimation’s release of the first thirteen episodes of the fifty-two episode series from BONES expertly mixes kinetic fight scenes with a wonderful sense of comedic timing and solid character drama.  Top all that off with a slick animation style and a fantastic soundtrack, and the show quickly becomes a real a treat for anime fans looking for something new and exciting.

The series begins with a three-episode prologue that introduces the three main characters and their partners.  Each of these characters are students at the DWMA, a school that trains folk to hunt “kishin” and consume their corrupted souls in an effort to eventually become what beings known as “Death Scythes”.  All this really means is that they work for the Grim Reaper and are really, really good at killing really powerful bad guys.  The bad guys, in this case, being humans who have become monstrous beings capable of devouring the souls of others.  If left unchecked, these creatures have the potential to become dark gods which means it is up the students of the DWMA to stop them.   

Of the seven major characters in the series, the two that the story follows most often are Maka and Soul.  Their relationship as a “meister” and “weapon” duo forms the primary core of the show with most major events being told from their point of view.  Once the show gets past the first three prologue episodes, the overall storyline begins to emerge and is continuously enhanced with new supporting characters and villains constantly being layered on to create an ever-expanding array of side stories and subplots. 

Overall, the show is very involving with only a few filler episodes showing up to interrupt the progression of the main storyline with the worst example being the first Excalibur episode.  Although that particular episode is so far off the beaten path as to have practically no relation at all to the rest of the series, at least it was pretty funny.    Despite the occasional less-than-stellar filler episode, the worst thing I can say about Soul Eater: Part One is that it’s not on Blu-ray yet (dammit!).  Although the DVD transfer is fairly solid throughout, with a fantastic anime like this, Blu-ray would just make this show even more epic than it already is.

Bottom line:

Soul Eater: Part One is a fantastic investment if you enjoyed FLCL, Fullmetal Alchemist or similar shows along those lines.  With its perfect blend of high-octane action mixed with deep personal drama and solid comedic timing, Soul Eater just keeps getting better every time I watch it.  I highly recommended you give this anime series a try.  I am certain you will be hooked before you know it.

Final score: 5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by:  Laughncat 1

Description:  Soul Eater: Part One – Episodes 1-13 (released by FUNimation)

Purchase:  Amazon / Right Stuf

I’m in your house, stealing your dango.

Much like the Dining Set (Set A) I reviewed a several weeks ago; this Guestroom Set (Set B) is another example of stellar artisanship from Phat! Company.   If anything, the Guestroom Set is even more intricate than the Dining Set due to the inclusion of shelves for displaying items and a revolving wall panel that can flip back and forth to display different writing on each side.  With numerous accessories and lots of display options, the Guestroom Set is more about customizing the setting you’re looking for rather than just filling in empty spaces.

The Japanese Life – Guestroom Set comes with the following items:

2 x wall pieces – 1 x wall w/ shelves and revolving panel, 1 x wall with sliding door

1 x floor piece

1 x metal basin

1 x carrying tray

1 x cushion

1 x side plate

2 x dango (Japanese snack food)

1 x green tea mug

1 x black saucer

1 x tea pot

1 x sword stand

1 x samurai sword w/ removable sheathe

2 x Nendoroid hands for holding items

1 x sheet of stickers for wall panel

1 x bag of misc. connector pieces for assembling/combining sets

Despite having more pieces to deal with than the Dining Set, I was pleased to discover that this set was much easier to assemble than the last one.  This wasn’t due to any improvement in the assembly process (the instructions as just as confusing as last time), but because the Guestroom Set is assembled exactly the same way as the Dining Set.  Hurray for consistent design!

Once assembled, I was amazed (again) at the wealth of detail and display options that these playsets have to offer.  From the wall with the revolving panel and inset display shelves to the tiny dango sticks that even have little sauce stains on them if you look closely, everything in this set is modeled down to its finest detail and texture.  Whether it’s the tiny mug brimming with green tea or the samurai sword with the removable sheath, Phat! Company appears to be on a mission to create a series of playsets that are as artistically amazing as they are fun to play with.

This playset offers numerous possiblities for the creative collector.

Overall, the Guestroom is awesome, but I must admit that I did have a few minor problems with it.  Both the sliding doors and the cabinet doors on this set had some minor scuffmarks on them.  In addition, the revolving panel on one of the walls had some white splotches on one side where someone tried to do some touch up work on it, but used the wrong color paint. 

Other than these two minor and easily overlookable quality control issues, the only other issue I had was with the design of the dango snacks.  The skewers on these items are too large, which makes them almost impossible for any of my figures to hold them (Nendos included).  Even when using the extra hands included with this set for just that purpose, the soft squishy nature of the production material means that you run this risk of tearing or otherwise damaging them while trying to place them in the hands of a figure.  After grooving one of the skewers and nearly tearing another, I have decided that these items will just have to stay on their display plate from now on.

After all the wrestling I did to get that damn thing in her hand, you bet your ass I’m going to show this pic off as much as possible! =-_-x=

If you are planning to combine this set with Dining set, you will be glad to know that linking the two sets together is incredibly easy.  All it took to combine the two sets was the addition of four little pegs and I was done.  Once combined, the finished full sized room looks absolutely gorgeous and should provide hours of delight for folks who enjoy playing with their toys.

Not pictured: the playset transforming and rolling out… =^_^;;=

Bottom Line:

The Nendoroid Playset #2 – Guestroom Set is another fantastic Playset from Phat! Company.   Despite some minor quality issues, it is well worth picking up if you’re looking for a unique backdrop to display your collectible figures on.  Highly recommended!

Final score:  5 out 5 stars

Reviewed by:  Michael Natatchez

Description:  Nendoroid Playset #02: Japanese Life Set B – Guestroom Set from Phat! Company

Purchase:  Otacute / Amazon

Other than anime and videogames, there are few things that warm the cockles of the my heart the way good zombie fiction does.  “The Walking Dead” is definitely one of those series and, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, AMC will be bringing Robert Kirkman’s comic book epic to the small screen later.  Since AMC first the announced they would be adapting the series for TV, perhaps the biggest question surround the project was whether the series would make the leap to TV intact or be massacred by censors.

Several weeks ago, bootleg copies of a trailer for the series surfaced on Youtube after it was shown for the first time at this year’s Comic-Con.  Unfortunately,  most of the copies were shakier than a bowl of jello during an earthquake and all were universally awful in terms of visual quality.  Thankfully, AMC finally released an official version of the trailer a few days ago on their website.

After watching the trailer, I’ve got to say that zombie fans are in for a real treat with this series.  Not only show look like it will be following the comic books very closely, but AMC doesn’t seem to be pulling any punches when it comes to the gore factor.  Hopefully, when the series finally airs in October, it will be every bit as good as the trailer makes it look.

More Info:

• The Walking Dead comics (Amazon)

With all the fun I’ve been having with my new nendo playsets, I just couldn’t resist giving everyone a peek at what the two Japanese Life playsets look like when fully assembled and combined.  I’ve already scheduled a review of  Set B is scheduled for tomorrow which fits nicely with the review of Set A I did a couple of weeks ago. 

Also, Yotsuba insisted I share some photos of the house warming party the Professor and I put together for her.  Nothing says home like having a good friend over for a relaxing dinner and some pleasant conversation. Do you agree?

Hit the jump for the complete photoshoot.

Today’s LWT starred:

After last week’s release of the full song list for DJ Hero 2 by Activision, I felt to need to share one of my favorite mixes from the first game. I never thought I’d be one for anything Tears For Fears related, but this masterful mix proved me wrong. The “Shout” is perfectly entwined with the instrumental beats of Eric Prydz “Pjanoo” never fails to get my head nodding in time to the beat.

More Info:

• DJ Hero 1 & 2 (Amazon)
• Tears For Fears Discography (Amazon)
• Eric Prydz Discography (Amazon)

I was lucky enough to come across this excellent video a few weeks ago via a post on Danny Choo’s Facebook fanpage. At the time, there was no subtitled version available, but the overall beauty of the work drove me to contact the creator to see if he had any plans to make one. Surprisingly, not only was Tohru Hanayama kind enough to respond to my question, but he was also kind enough to produce a subtitled version for English speaking fans such as me less than a week a later.

After the new video went up, I was contacted by Mr. Hanayama a second time to let me know about it. Curious to learn more about the work and the story behind “Crossword”, I asked Mr. Hanayama if he could provide me with some insights into the short film that I could share with you folks. Please hit the jump to read his response.

Although the translation is a little rough, I left it completely intact with only a few notes in quotation marks to breakdown his reply by topic. I hope you enjoy this insight into the creation of an independantly animated film as much as I did!

Thank you for your e-mail. I’m glad that you are interested in my
short-anime movie ” Crossword”.

(On his background)
I am an illustrator as well as an animator in Japan.

(About his inspiration for the film)
One day I happened to see a girl puzzling crossword out in a train. That inspired me to make an anime that a girl takes a walk focusing on a crossword puzzle.

(On the film’s production)
I made this movie by mysef from the beginning to the end, including story, backgrounds, animations. Painting and filming are digitally processed, but I had to draw animations manually. It reached more than five hundred in the log run.

( Mr. Hanayama also stated in a recent post that the film took ten months to produce.)

Special part in these process is that first of all I made crossword puzzle. Because,you know,the content of crossword puzzle totally affects construction of the story. Then I wrote the main story in accordance with keywords in crossword puzzle.

(On the movie’s theme)
When you got distressed, worried,and try to seek a way out, if you could change a point of view,we might see a clue just close to you, or see what you could not see. That’s the theme of this movie.

I’m happy that my movie is introduced to your excellent readers!

Thank you.

Tohru Hanayama

“Translated by Sthenno Kurosawa”

You can learn more about Tohru Hanayama by visiting his blog.

Much like the “Waiting For A Star To Fall” song I posted a few months ago, I haven’t been able to get this song out of my head since I heard it. Before those of you who spend to much time on Youtube make some smart ass comment, let me be clear. I’m absolutely certain my obsession with this song has nothing to with the fact that the first time I heard it was while watching a video of some girl shaking what her momma gave her. Yep, absolutely sure about that… =^_^;;=

More info:

• Wawa artist page (Last.Fm)
• Wawa MP3 store (Amazon)

A more apt title of this piece would probably have been “Recent newsletter from FUNimation gives lazy webmaster second chance to talk about awesome things.”  Although I may have failed to post about FUNi’s new list of acquisitions that was released a few weeks ago at Otakon, I’m glad that I got a another chance to post about it.  I’m very excited about FUNi getting the rights the second EVA movie as their Blu-ray release for 1.11 was impeccable.   Also, I’ve heard a lot of good things about Summer Wars and Okamisan has already stolen my heart.  All in all, I’m glad to see that their most recent batch of acquistions appears to contain shows of a much higher quality than some of their other announcements from the past year… =^_^=

Complete list:

• Evangelion 2.22: You Can (not) Advance
• Summer Wars
• Okamisan
• Ga-Rei-Zero
• Blessing of Campanella
• Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint It, White
• Strike Witches 2

Hit the jump for videos, release dates and plot synopsis info all the new shows.  

Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance

Plot synopsis (edited to avoid spoilers):

The setting is Tokyo 3, an outpost in a future world devastated by the “Second Impact.” Attacked by shape-shifting mecha-behemoths known as “Angels”, what’s left of Earth is defended by giant “Eva” robots piloted by high school students.  The lead pilot is Shinji (voiced by Ogata), the troubled son of emotionally distant NERV scientist Gendou Ikari. Rebelling against his predestined path, Shinji is brought back into the fold by teacher-mother figure Misato Katsuragi (Mitsuishi) and fellow pilot Rei (Hayashibara).

Release details:

DVD and Blu-ray in 2011

More info:

• Funimation – Otakon 2010 Announcements

Summer Wars

Plot synopsis:

The SUMMER WARS story begins with Kenji, a timid math prodigy who seems better suited for virtual worlds than his more intimidating high school. When class cutie Natsuki asks Kenji to accompany her on a family trip to celebrate her great-grandmother’s 90th birthday, he instantly agrees, not realizing she intends to present him to her family as her fiance – a ruse that forces Kenji, who hides behind an avatar online, to role-play in the real world as well.

The plot thickens after Kenji solves a math riddle that inadvertently brings a worldwide social networking site to its knees and throws the real world into confusion. Suddenly, this large family in rural Japan must work together to stave off a world crisis

Release details:

Theatrical release in 2010.  DVD and Blu-ray release in 2011

More info:

• Funimation – Otakon 2010 Announcements

Okamisan

Plot synapsis:

Based on the light novels released by ASCII in Japan, the anime follows tomboy Ookami Ryouko and her spunky best friend, Akai Ringo. Both work for a special club at their high school that specializes in solving students’ problems, no matter how dangerous. The anime is well known for parodying famous children’s stories including Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood.

Release details:
DVD release sometime in 2011

More Info:

• Funimation – Otakon 2010 Announcements

Ga-Rei-Zero

Plot synopsis:

An elite squadron trained to combat supernatural forces is called in to investigate reports of invisible monsters terrorizing Tokyo, but their mission is complicated by the interference of a rogue exorcist. When the mysterious female slaughters the overmatched attack force, her former comrades are ordered to lock down the crime scene – and forever silence their old friend.

Release details:

DVD and Blu-ray release early 2011.  Streaming video available on YouTube and FUNimation.com/video.

More info:

• FUNimation – New Acquisition! Ga-Rei-Zero
  

Blessing of the Campanella

Plot synopsis:

Known as “Shukufuku no Campanella” in its native Japan, “Blessing of the Campanella” is based on the popular Japanese visual novel of the same name. The series takes place in the magical city of Ert’Aria. As the residents prepare for a harvest festival, a young technician named Leicester Maycraft witnesses the crash of a mysterious shooting star. Upon further investigation, Leicester is surprised to find a young woman at the site of the crash. Now the young man must figure out who this mysterious girl is, and why she keeps calling him Father.

Release details:

TBA

More info:

• Funimation – Otakon 2010 Announcements

Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint it, White

Plot synopsis:

The nations must ward off aliens and save mankind as we know it from extinction and the draining of color throughout the world

Release details:

DVD release in 2011.

More info:

• Funimation – Otakon 2010 Announcements

Strike Witches 2

Plot synopsis:

The anime continues the adventures of the Strike Witches, the group of young woman fighting to liberate war torn Europe from deadly aliens.  With jet pack boots and supernatural powers, it is up to them to take on the powerful Neuroi before they take over the earth and enslave humanity.

Release details:

DVD release in 2011.

More info:

• Funimation – Otakon 2010 Announcements

If you are a fan of the ZOIDS series, there’s a lot to love about Kaiyodo’s Blade Liger release.  Sporting an insane amount of detail and a huge number of joints for maximum poseability, the Blade Liger is a collector’s dream come true.  Sadly, that dream also comes with a steeper than usual price tag attached.

When I originally ordered the Blade Liger several months ago, it was more on a whim than out of any real devotion to the series. I like robots, I like felines and I enjoyed the few episodes of the anime series I saw during its run on Cartoon Network.  When I heard that the figure was going for only 3,630 yen ($40) on AmiAmi, I figured “Why not?” and placed my preorder. This would turn out to be a rather expensive mistake on my part.

Unfortunately, for me, the display box for the Blade Liger is unnecessarily large.  It’s so large, in fact, that it makes it impossible to have this item shipped from Japan via SAL. EMS is the only way to go on this bad boy and EMS ran me an additional $40 dollars on top of what I was already spending on the figure. Upon inspecting the packaging once it arrived, I believe that Kaiyodo could have accomplished the same thing with smaller box, perhaps similar in size to the one used in their Professor Layton release.

The packaging for the Blade Liger is redonkulously large.

So what did all that extra space reward me with you ask? Well here is a quick rundown:

1 x partially assembled Blade Liger

2 x right legs (unattached): 1 x front leg, 1 x rear leg (both come with bonus Revoltech joints)

2 x blades (unattached)

2 x armor “fins” (unattached)

1 x tail (unattached)

1 x pair of Revoltech pliers

1 x Revoltech container

10 x 2pt Revoltech coins

1 x Revoltech stand with poseable joint

Maybe I’m wrong here, but it seems like it would have been simpler for Kaiyodo to send the Liger out preassembled with only the blades and the tail unattached.  The pliers could have packed behind the plastic tray and the extra armor fins too.  The packaging for this figure is just way too big in light of what you get and makes it a nightmare purchase for anyone who imports.  Call it bitter grapes if you want, but after spending half an hour trying to get the damn thing assembled because Kaiyodo decided to break the figure down unnecessarily, I was not a very happy buyer.

All initial complaints aside, I must admit that the Blade Liger is a very nice looking figure once it is fully assembled. The metallic paint job is simply gorgeous and it does a wonderful job of highlighting the wealth of detail this figure has to offer. No matter where you look on the Liger, there’s a plethora of hoses, joints, gears, bolts, plates, vents, and weapons that have all been lovingly rendered in exquisitely sharp detail. As an art piece, the Blade Liger is a work of beauty. As an action figure…well, it needs a bit more work.

Damn…it’s hard work looking this damn good all the time…

My biggest issue with the Blade Liger, aside from the packaging and assembly issues I mentioned earlier, is that it is not very play friendly. Yes, it has lot of joints, but many of those joints don’t have a lot of room to flex. I will never understand why so many figures in the Yamaguchi line of Revoltechs are equipped with joints whose movement capabilities are so severely limited by the pieces surrounding them, that they become practically useless. Although I was able to recreate a few of the poses depicted on the box, I eventually gave up trying to do anything more than a few standard poses out of sheer frustration. I’m sure you can do more cool stuff with this figure then I did, but the endless fiddling required to make such poses a reality simply requires more patience then I have.

Bottom Line:

Kaiyodo’s Blade Liger is the Revoltech equivalent of nerd porn for ZOIDS and robot figure fans alike. It’s really, really pretty look at, but if you want to take it home, be prepared to pay more than you expected and don’t be surprised if you feel a bit unsatisfied afterwards.

Final Score: 4 out 5 stars

Reviewed By: Laughncat 1

Description: Revoltech Yamaguchi No.093 ZOIDS BLADE LIGER [Kaiyodo]

Purchasing: Amazon / AmiAmi

If you haven’t guessed yet, the song comes from the Kick-Ass soundtrack. It’s one of those songs I absolutely loved from the moment I heard it and not just because I thought the Kick-Ass film was awesome. :P Never really heard of MIKA before and if the video is anything to go by, the man can’t dance worth a damn, but musically he sounds like he might be worth a listen…

More Info:

• MIKA Discography (Amazon)
• Kick-Ass on Blu-ray/DVD (Amazon)
• Kick-Ass graphic novel (Amazon)