S.Q. Eries's Blog, page 30

Anime Review: Tales from Earthsea Anime DVD/BD Review

For many Hayao Miyazaki is synonymous with the award-winning Studio Ghibli. However, Ghibli has another director from that family: Goro Miyazaki. Tales From Earthsea was his directing debut, and I had the opportunity to review the Blu-Ray/DVD set for the film.

Cover Blurb

In the land of Earthsea, crops are dwindling, dragons have reappeared, and humanity is giving way to chaos. Journey with Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk, a master wizard, and Arren, a troubled young prince, on a tale of redemption and self-discovery as they search for the force behind the mysterious imbalance that threatens to destroy their world.

The Review

Although I’ve heard of Le Guin’s novels, I’ve never read them so Ghibli’s film is my first encounter with the Earthsea universe. Unfortunately, I can’t say it was a particularly positive experience.

It’s not that the animation was bad. Ghibli, as usual, delivers breathtaking landscapes, thrilling action, bustling urban scenes, and cozy intimate moments. And although Therru’s Song isn’t that inspiring, the overall orchestral score is pretty good. The main issue with the film is the storytelling.

It opens with dragons battling over the ocean. Shortly thereafter, we see dragon artwork, plus the packaging has a dragon prominently displayed on it. So I’m thinking the story is a fantasy epic about dragons.

It’s not.

It’s really about humankind struggling with a world imbalance, and the brief glimpse of fighting dragons is merely an indicator—like rising ocean levels—of how bad things have gotten. And the imbalance doesn’t just affect the external environment; it’s also degrading people’s magical abilities and the fabric of society as a whole.

It’s a multifaceted problem, but the film doesn’t do a very good job of presenting it. After the brief excitement of watching a possessed Prince Arren kill his father, the pace slows to a crawl as he and the mage Sparrowhawk journey across the ravaged lands of Earthsea. And while those images deliver a sense of external decay, the narrative provides little background on the inhabitants’ original mental and spiritual state. As such, when characters fuss about how far humanity has fallen, I, as a newcomer to the Earthsea world, have no idea what standard they’re using to measure it. We also never learn what Arren’s “shadow” is exactly or the significance of “true names.”

And for a complex worldwide problem, it has a surprisingly simple cause. Everything gets tied to the actions of one bad guy. So the solution boils down to “defeat the bad guy,” and while the resulting duel is visually stunning, it comes out of nowhere.

Also coming out of nowhere is the romance between Prince Arren and Therru. As someone who vacillates between a violent maniac and a paranoid emo, Arren isn’t very compelling as a main character, let alone a romantic lead. As for Therru, her burn scar aside, she has all the appeal of a hissing alley cat. She rebuffs Arren after he rescues her from slavers, and when he and Sparrowhawk get invited to stay at her guardian’s home, she threatens him with a stick. But then Arren catches her singing alone in a pasture, and suddenly, they’re besties. As a romance, I find their relationship more baffling than captivating.

Extras include an exclusive booklet, feature-length storyboards (on Blu-Ray disc only), Birth Story of the Film Soundtrack (on Blu-Ray disc only), Birth Story of Therru’s Song (on Blu-Ray disc only), NTV special (on Blu-Ray disc only), TV spots, and the original theatrical trailers.

In Summary

Tales of Earthsea has the look and sound of great Ghibli film, but the storytelling is lacking. The narrative fails to explain the complex setting adequately, the hero is difficult to relate to, and there’s no chemistry between the main couple. The film feels as if it’s trying to encompass adventure, social commentary, spirituality, and romance but winds up falling short in all aspects.

First published at The Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Sword Art Online: Progressive Vol. 006

Sword Art Online was undoubtedly one of the most popular anime of 2012. Based upon a series of light novels by Reki Kawahara, SAO’s near-future characters, gorgeous fantasy setting, and life-or-death stakes drew an enthusiastic fan following. Yen Press has released Volume 6 of the Sword Art Online: Progressive manga adaption, and you can read on for the review. (For my review of  other Sword Art Online manga, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

The war between elves rages on, with Kirito and Asuna caught in the middle! The forest elves seek the dark elves’ Secret Key, but to what end? Though Kirito tries to stay detached, Asuna can’t help being swept along for the ride. Kizmel is supposed to be just an NPC, right? But then why does she seem so very human?

The Review

Now that Kirito and Asuna have had their chance to introduce the third floor and interact with the NPCs of the Elf War quest, the other humans return to the stage. Here, the narrative gets complicated. As Kirito explained in the previous volume, players experience the Elf Quest differently depending on their choices, but they still share the same space. Thus, Kirito and Asuna see the reappearance of the forest elf they killed when Lind’s group triggers the quest.

In addition to multiple versions of the quest running simultaneously, we get a glimpse of Heathcliff and other nefarious elements that have nothing to do with the SAO programmed monsters. Also, the first official guilds form, bringing along the beginnings of rivalries. While there is still the urgency to escape SAO, it feels less like a “death game” with players trash-talking each other and getting jealous of Kirito’s partnership with Asuna. One really interesting scene is when the guilds express their desire to recruit Kirito (after all, who wouldn’t want him on their team?). Indeed, Kirito is popular enough to form his own group but chooses to remain solo. This is a significant departure from the anime where Kirito was ostracized and hid his beater status, and in my opinion, Progressive’s version makes much more sense.

However, this volume does have its nonsensical points, usually when it’s trying to lighten the mood. As in previous volume, much is made of Asuna’s smarts, and she even berates Kirito at one point for being dense. However, when they reach the third floor’s main town, she completely forgets the social implications of sharing a room with a guy and blithely checks the two of them into an inn in front of everyone. As for Kirito, there’s fanservice aplenty when he confides a secret plan to Kizmel—while they’re naked in the bathhouse.

Extras include a special bonus manga and illustrations.

In Summary

There’s a lot to keep track of in this volume between the differing versions of the multi-stage Elf Quest and friction between the newly formed guilds. While there’s no boss battle, the simultaneous quest storylines lead to a different kind of clash. The setup for it, however, is complicated because of the various elements being manipulated, and understanding it requires an attentive read.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Saga of Tanya the Evil Vol. #01

The Saga of Tanya the Evil anime was a surprise favorite for me in 2017. With a title like that, I was almost too scared to give it a try, but conniving little Tanya turned out to be nothing like I anticipated. Yen Press has released Volume 01 of the manga adaption, and you can read on for the review.

Back Cover Blurb

When the average Japanese salaryman is suddenly thrown into in a world wracked with warfare and hardship by a supernatural power, they might first think to hide or run away. But not Tanya Degurechaff. A calculating and utilitarian man has been reborn as a child soldier. This young girl will do anything to rise in rank and find a way to live a life of comfort, and woe to any king, country, or god who stands in her way.

The Review

Tanya the Evil is difficult to categorize. It’s got magic, World War I style wargames, and politics as well as reincarnation, dark humor, and a kind of existential brawl with divine elements. That sounds like a real mishmash, but amazingly, it works to create a compelling story.

The setting is an alternate World War I Germany, but the main character actually originates from our modern Japan. He’s a highly intelligent, ultra-rational salaryman who knows how to work the system to get what he wants. Unfortunately, he fails to account for the irrationality of emotion, which results in an untimely death. However, despite meeting God upon his demise, he refuses to acknowledge Him as such. So the Creator decides to instill faith in the faithless man by reincarnating him—memories intact—as a female in a war-torn world where everything he’s relied on doesn’t exist.

As such, this first volume of Tanya winds up being a dense read. For those familiar with the anime, the manga provides more details on the strife brewing between the Empire and its neighbors, as well as the rationale for Tanya’s various military assignments. Because Tanya retains her Japanese salaryman memories, she often makes comparisons between her situations and similar examples from our world. For those unversed in world history, explanations of her references are inserted into the narrative, which is very handy for clarification but does slow down the pace.

Interweaving in the midst of the complex setting are two storylines. The first is Tanya’s refusal to acknowledge God—or Being X, as she calls Him. Unlike the anime, where God creepily communicates to Tanya by possessing others, this representation is the Michaelangelo type, albeit one characterized by the worst stereotypes of the Creator. Also, God doesn’t act alone; in this version, there’s a consortium of divine beings at work to change the faithlessness of mankind.

The second storyline is Tanya’s efforts to survive in her new world and attain her goal: a cushy desk job far from the front lines. Considering she’s essentially a conniving adult in a child’s body, she’s got a significant advantage, especially when it comes to combat and military strategy. However, just as when she was a salaryman, she often misreads emotions, and much of the humor comes from the contrast between Tanya’s thoughts and those of the people she’s trying to manipulate.

Regarding illustrations, Tojo-sensei skillfully uses a range of styles to convey the narrative. Crisp maps and diagrams convey a broad view of the military theater. Political interactions between nations are depicted using cartoonish animal mascots. Combat scenes are gory, and Tanya’s crazed looks certainly convey the insanity and desperation of war. However, her frustrated expressions when her efforts to attain a cushy job get stymied are quite funny.

Extras include first four pages in color.

In Summary

If you like simple stories, Tanya the Evil is probably not the best choice. The main character has a complicated backstory, and the World War I-esque setting involves military strategy and politics. However, if you enjoy multifaceted stories and defiant personalities and you can tolerate some graphic violence, Tanya is worth a look.

First published at the Fandom Post.

 

 

 

Manga Review: Everyone’s Getting Married Vol. 7

Most romances in Viz Media’s Shojo Beat line are targeted toward a high school audience, but Everyone’s Getting Married is actually aimed toward older readers. It’s twenty-something angst instead of teen angst, and you can read on for the review of Volume 7. (For the reviews of previous volumes, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

Successful career woman Asuka Takanashi has an old-fashioned dream of getting married and becoming a housewife, but popular TV newscaster Ryu Nanami would rather die than ever get married. Asuka and Ryu just moved in together, but at work Ryu is being considered for a transfer to Washington, D.C. Will Ryu accept the offer?

The Review

Ryu and Asuka’s new living situation has Kamiya practically on their doorstep, which might lead to anticipation of fiercer competition between the two rivals. However, the plot takes a different turn. Instead of facing off against Kamiya, Ryu leaves the fight when a promotion sends him to America.

The assignment is supposedly for several years. Asuka immediately offers to quit her job to go with him, and indeed it seems the obvious thing to do considering her dream is to be a full-time homemaker. However, even though Ryu tells her “being with you is my life now,” he insists that she stay in Japan. And Asuka… acquiesces without argument.

Thus we have three chapters of Ryu and Asuka making the most of the time that they have left before Ryu moves. Asuka shoves aside doubt to offer absolute support for Ryu’s decision, which is somewhat unbelievable. Her relationship with Ryu is getting further and further from the marriage she dreams of. She’s already in her mid-20s, and her previous relationship lasted five years and ultimately went nowhere. With a separation of several years looming, it seems improbable that she wouldn’t consider the consequences if she invests all that time into Ryu and things do not work out.

As for Ryu, he’s not so dense to think that Asuka doesn’t need assurance, but the way he goes about it falls flat. The nuances of Japanese engagements went over my head when Ryu takes Asuka to his parents’ home, but when he offhandedly says, “It should be fine if it’s just in spirit,” it sounds like he’s just tossing Asuka a bone. Add to that the cocky way he informs Kamiya about the transfer and declares,” I won’t make her cry,” and I’m really thinking Asuka should dump him.

Thus, career demands once more separate our couple. But not only is Ryu physically away, Asuka’s work promotion causes her to seek advice from Kamiya. Then little brother Kaneda comes over for winter break and starts voicing his disapproval at the situation. Everything’s getting set up for Kamiya to make a grab for Asuka, and unless Ryu drastically changes his time, I’m rooting for Team Kamiya.

Extras include author’s afterword.

In Summary

Work once again separates Ryu and Asuka, this time in the form of a long term assignment in Washington DC. The obvious solution is for Asuka to go with Ryu, but he vetoes that option in favor of a long-distance relationship neither wants. We have the usual date/bedroom moments to illustrate how badly they want to stay together, but Ryu’s minimal concessions to assure Asuka of his commitment paint him as a selfish jerk.

First published at The Fandom Post.

 

Manga Review: Spice and Wolf Vol. #14

Spice and Wolf is a wildly popular light novel series that has spawned off an anime, an Internet radio show, and a manga series. While its European medieval setting is typical of high fantasy, this series has  a unique bent to it. Rather than swordfights and magic, the plot focuses on economics, trade, and peddling in a way that skillfully blends adventure and romance.

Yen Press has released Volume 14 of the Spice and Wolf manga, and you can read on for the review. (For my reviews of previous Spice and Wolf releases, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

Previously, Lawrence and Holo traveled to the town of Svernel in order to meet with the Myuri Mercenary Company and find out more about Holo’s past companions and her home. But now Lawrence has gotten completely caught up in the political strife of the Debau Trading Company.

It all surrounds the Debau Company’s desire to issue a new currency, with which they have apparent plans to unite the surrounding northern region. For their aim, the Debau Company needs to acquire raw ore and materials but this has caused their opponents to increase their own efforts to foil this plan. In the middle of all this, Lawrence is trusted with delivering a forbidden text detailing the necessary mining techniques to the trading company’s executive, Hilde Schnau but will it really go so smoothly?

The Review

At the end of Volume 13, merchant and wolf looked bound for a happy ending, and as Volume 14 opens, that tidy conclusion seems a done deal when Lawrence figures out the motivation behind the Debau Company’s actions. The company’s plans to create an empire in the Northlands through the power of trade are far and beyond anything a small-time merchant like Lawrence imagined possible. However, he recognizes the opportunity approaching and positions himself to have the store of his dreams and live happily ever after with Holo.

But just when everything seems perfect, a new character arrives to throw Lawrence’s plans into disarray. Hilde Schnau, the Treasurer of the Debau Company, makes his first appearance, but just as Lawrence and Holo have been observing the Debau Company’s activities, Hilde has been observing theirs. And he knows more about them than most because he is a being similar to Holo. Similar… but not alike. Watching Hilde interact with Holo and Lawrence keeps bringing to mind a certain scene from Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Because despite his cute appearance, he wields considerable power.

While it is a bit strange to watch a rabbit manipulate a wolf to do his bidding, it effectively drags the two travelers into an internal battle within the Debau Company. Thus the story zooms out from Holo and Lawrence’s intimate plans to the factions struggling within an economic giant. As it turns out, the forbidden book of mining techniques is key, but not in the way Holo and Lawrence thought. Once more, our heroes get swept into an affair much larger than themselves, and Holo especially must consider the future ramifications of the choices before her. And while mercenaries take arms and Holo makes use of her true form, Hilde does a wonderful job showing how well-placed words and pieces of paper can shape the outcome of a regional conflict.

Extras include title illustration in color and afterword.

In Summary

Just when the series looks about to conclude happily for Lawrence and Holo, a new character appears to throw everything into chaos. Wolf and merchant once more wind up entangled in a scheme—one that not only involves trade but armies of mercenaries and the fate of the entire Northlands. While the plots and counterplots within the Debau Company are a bit complicated, the interplay of economics, military, and supernatural might makes for a gripping narrative.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: Spice and Wolf Vol. #13

Spice and Wolf is a wildly popular light novel series that has spawned off an anime, an Internet radio show, and a manga series. While its European medieval setting is typical of high fantasy, this series has  a unique bent to it. Rather than swordfights and magic, the plot focuses on economics, trade, and peddling in a way that skillfully blends adventure and romance.

Yen Press has released Volume 13 of the Spice and Wolf manga, and you can read on for the review. (For my reviews of previous Spice and Wolf releases, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

Lawrence and Holo continue to head for the Wise Wolf’s homeland of Yoitsu. Even their long, long journey begins to approach its end. On their way, they hear of a mercenary band that carries the name of Holo’s old friend, Myuri. As they investigate the group’s whereabouts in Lesko, they’re astonished by the town’s prosperity they find. But what could be the secret hidden beneath the veneer of success?

The Review

Two major themes have followed our merchant and wisewolf throughout their journey together. One is Holo’s desire to return home. The other is Lawrence’s ambition to succeed in business that he might open his own shop. In this volume, our travelers realize only one of these wishes will be fulfilled, with interesting results.

Having heard of a mercenary company bearing the name of Holo’s packmate Myuri, Holo and Lawrence travel to the Northlands town of Lesko. What they find is not her old companion but a young mercenary leader and a message passed down his family for generations. It’s a major turning point for Holo when she realizes she can never return to the world she once knew, and the creators do a terrific job of portraying her grief and the astonishment of the mercenary captain, who never thought anyone would actually show up to receive Myuri’s message.

Holo rarely displays such emotion and vulnerability, and Lawrence does his best to give her a shoulder to cry on. However, in his efforts to cheer her up, he quickly gets distracted by how unusual Lesko is. They came to the place expecting a city on the brink of war, but the mood of Lesko is relaxed and peaceful, and the Myuri mercenaries assure Lawrence that there’s no chance of conflict. In addition, Lesko, unlike the other cities they’ve traveled through, has no walls, no guilds, and no tariffs. So when Lawrence sees a certain piece of property for sale, Lesko looks like the perfect place to set up shop. There just one troublesome thing: the Debau Company, which controls the town, is offering an outrageous exchange rate for gold coin, and until Lawrence can figure out what they’re up to, he doesn’t dare make a move.

Thus, we have the economics arc to the story. But interspersed with Lawrence’s efforts to unravel the company’s machinations are deeply personal, intimate moments as he imagines the business he’s dreamed of with the person he longs to share it with. For those who’ve been hankering for more sweetness in Spice and Wolf, you’ll get it as Holo lets go of the past and sets her sights on the future Lawrence holds out to her.

Extras include the title illustration in color and afterword.

In Summary

As the cover illustration insinuates, the bond of affection is growing between wisewolf and merchant. Holo’s mood has generally alternated between amused and annoyed, but in this installment, she goes through the emotional wringer in a way we haven’t seen before. At the same time, Lawrence discovers in Lesko the chance to realize a long-cherished dream. But instead of these experiences pulling them apart, the pair winds up closer, and amid a mystery of gathering mercenaries and cheap gold, romance blooms between merchant and wisewolf.

First published at the Fandom Post.

Manga Review: The Royal Tutor Vol. 5

Rich, handsome young men, each with his own distinct personality…this type of bishounen cast is a staple in shojo manga. And if you like yours with a generous helping of chibi humor, you should definitely check out Higasa Akai’s The Royal Tutor. Read on for my review of Volume 5. (For my reviews of other volumes, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

Prince Licht’s fascination with coffee should come as no surprise given his affinity for his part-time job at the cafe, but when Leonhard suggests the bitter drink should be banned from the kingdom, can Lichie help him develop an appreciation?

The Review

After Bruno’s internal angst regarding his chances for the throne, Akai-sensei opens Volume 5 with lighter fare, a coffee-themed interlude between Heine, Licht, and Leonhard. Leonhard, as usual, plays the part of the immature prince, but this time his childish tastes pose a challenge for Licht, not Heine. Their confrontation has the feel of a comedy duo, and with Heine mostly observing rather than getting directly involved, it’s a nice change of pace from Heine’s usual schooling.

Comedy also comes in the cute variety in the standalone chapter “Adele’s Friend.” The little princess returns to demand a visit to the zoo, and of course, her brothers (plus Heine) accompany her. It has a very similar feel to the group art class of Volume 4, except this time the unique points of the princes’ personalities get highlighted in the context of animals, which range from cute to ferocious to troublesome.

The rest of the volume is devoted to a past incident involving Bruno and Kai with the focus mainly on Kai. While the story has a 19th-century setting, our characters often display modern sensitivities, and the princes’ normal garb look a lot like Japanese school uniforms. In keeping with this bridging of past and present, Akai-sensei delivers a situation at a military academy that looks a lot like modern high school bullying. Because this arc centers on Kai, much is made about the contrast between his scary looks and his actual gentle nature, but on top of that, we get to see the circumstances that actually would push Kai to violence.

Unfortunately, Heine gets turned into a deus ex machina for the arc’s resolution. While the conclusion is a bit too tidy for belief, it does increase the aura of mystery surrounding the diminutive tutor. It also drives Count Rosenberg, the steward of the eldest prince, to confront Heine, and I anticipate an increasing amount of court intrigue to come.

Extras include bonus manga printed on the inside of the cover; six-page bonus story; and first page printed in color.

In Summary

Kai fans will have a lot to enjoy in this installment. Not only do we get a glimpse into his brief stint in a military academy, we also see how Heine’s influence has shaped him and Kai’s particular take on conflict resolution. And though the eldest prince has yet to show his face, his meddling in his brothers’ affairs is becoming increasingly apparent, and I look forward to him finally making an appearance.

First published at The Fandom Post.

 

Manga Review: The Royal Tutor Vol. 4

Rich, handsome young men, each with his own distinct personality…this type of bishounen cast is a staple in shojo manga. And if you like yours with a generous helping of chibi humor, you should definitely check out Higasa Akai’s The Royal Tutor. Read on for my review of Volume 4. (For reviews of other volumes, click here.)

Back Cover Blurb

Heine’s efforts to shape the princelings into worthy successors to the throne continue, but it seems that Bruno in particular is struggling with a bit of a crisis of conscience when it comes to his future. Can he live up to Heine’s standards to remain his “apprentice”? More importantly, does he have the courage to carve out his own path?

The Review

As with Volume 3, half the material in Volume 4 was not incorporated into the TV series. Most of the non-animated chapters are at the beginning of the book and comprise, for the most part, humorous fluff that poke fun at the princes’ quirks. The volume opens with a group art lesson in which the princes must paint a portrait of little sister Adele. What results is a cute, light-hearted chapter that displays our cast’s idiosyncrasies on canvas.

The remainder of the book has Heine dealing with the princes in ones and twos as it often does. Chapter 20 “A Troubled Prince!?” is a brief Leonhard-centric arc which, like most chapters about the fourth prince, is a display of his dismal academics. Unfortunately, this iteration doesn’t vary much from previous ones so I found the gags stale. However, the next chapter, which features Licht, is much more intriguing. Cafe fans will get to enjoy the youngest prince in his waiter uniform while he attempts to pry into Heine’s private life.

As we enter the material included in the anime, the narrative takes a more serious tone. Heine’s job is to groom the princes as worthy candidates for the throne, but we’ve never seen the brothers treat each other as rivals. This changes with Chapter 22. Although the set up is somewhat different than the TV series, it similarly introduces Bruno’s hidden insecurities and sets the stage well for the two Bruno-centric chapters that follow. Thus far, Bruno has alternated between a rigid academic and a gushing Heine fanboy. In this arc, we see the circumstances that led to his strict lifestyle as well as a glimpse of his sense of self-worth. Of all the princes, Bruno is the one most firmly grounded in reality, and to watch him agonize over the options for his future goes a long way in fleshing out his character.

Extras include “Character Profiles” printed on the inside of the cover; one page “intermission” manga; first page printed in color; and translation notes.

In Summary

Volume 4 delivers a nice balance of comedy and drama. We first get three fun standalone chapters that feature the brothers’ affection toward their cute sister, Leonhard’s stupidity, and Licht’s acute sense of perception. The focus then shifts to the line of succession, and more specifically, the person Prince Bruno considers his chief rival for the throne. Not only do these chapters shape Bruno into a more well-rounded character, they also heighten the sense that someone is out to sabotage the four brothers’ chances to become king.

First published at The Fandom Post.

Anime Review: Princess Mononoke Anime DVD/BD Review

Most of Hayao Miyazaki’s films are not set in his native Japan, and only Princess Mononoke has a Japanese feudal era setting. While this makes it distinctly different than his other films, it also makes it my favorite of his works. I had the opportunity to review the Blu-Ray/DVD set for the film, and you can read on for the review.

Cover Blurb

Inflicted with a deadly curse, the young warrior Ashitaka heads west in search of a cure. There, he stumbles into a bitter conflict between Lady Eboshi and the proud people of Iron Town, and the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a young girl raised by wolves, who will stop at nothing to prevent the humans from destroying her home, and the forest spirits and animal gods who live there.

The Review

Don’t let the GKIDS logo on the case fool you. Princess Mononoke is an excellent animated film but not the type of movie you’d let a five-year-old watch alone. Battles take place between animal gods and people as well as between competing human factions, and images of corpses and body parts getting shot off are frequent and extremely graphic.

On top of the gory parts, the narrative is a complex one. Set in the chaotic Muromachi period, it features members of an exiled ethnic group, rival warlords, and minions of a distant emperor in addition to the forest spirits unique to this film. If you’re not familiar with the Japanese feudal era, the subtleties of the social setting and certain character motivations might be lost on even adult audiences. Ergo, the PG-13 rating.

For those mature enough to take in the film’s violent aspects, however, it is a magnificent tale. And even if it’s unclear why certain people are attacking others in the backdrop, the main conflict—that between the forest and the ironworkers—needs no explanation.

The story begins when a demon—a boar god driven mad by an iron lump that’s penetrated its body—attacks a remote Emishi village. The young warrior Ashitaka kills the demon but not before it afflicts him with a deadly curse. Ashitaka then travels west to learn the source of the demon’s malice and discovers Iron Town. An ironworks at the edge of a primeval forest, it is locked in bitter conflict with the forest’s guardian gods and San, a young girl raised by wolves.

As far as heroes go, Ashitaka is very appealing and rather pure. He doesn’t get conscience-stricken over the samurai who die at his cursed hand, but he is selfless enough to sacrifice his well-being for his village. When he encounters the Iron Town/forest conflict, he is very careful not to get caught up in it. Rather, he wants to help both sides, a stance that leaves both the forest dwellers and the ironworkers bewildered and suspicious. However, he’s not all idealistic positivity. When the great god of the forest does not heal him of his curse, he’s clearly crushed.

San is also pure but in a different way. Abandoned by her family, she feels no connection with people. Her loyalty is to the wolf tribe that adopted her and the forest that’s their home. More than any other human on the cast, she understands and mourns what’s being lost in the face of human expansion, thus her actions wind up those of a feudal-era environmental extremist.

Environmental themes have appeared in other Ghibli films, and it would have been easy to cast the inhabitants of Iron Town and their leader Lady Ebisu as the bad guys wantonly destroying their natural heritage. However, Miyazaki makes the situation much more complex. True, Lady Ebisu sees the forest as a resource to be conquered and exploited, but she’s also a person of tremendous compassion. Many ironworkers are lepers and former prostitutes whom Lady Ebisu rescued, and they are eternally grateful for the new lives she gave them in Iron Town. So although the forest is being destroyed on account of the ironworks, that same ironworks benefits the most downtrodden members of society. As such, there is no black and white in the strife swirling around Iron Town; rather there are many factions colored in various shades of gray, which is a much more realistic portrayal of conflict in the world.

In contrast, the thread of romance that runs between San and Ashitaka is simplistic. He falls in love with her at first sight despite the fact that she’s hostile and splattered with blood. Princess Mononoke is an epic action/adventure so it’s not like San and Ashitaka’s relationship is the primary driver for the narrative, but it would’ve been nice for it to have a more substantial foundation than ”You’re beautiful.”

Extras include exclusive booklet, feature-length storyboards (on Blu-Ray disc only), behind the microphone, Princess Mononoke in USA (on Blu-Ray disc only), TV spots, and the original English-, French- and Japanese-language theatrical trailers.

In Summary

A thrilling epic with sweeping landscapes and a compelling hero’s journey. At times, the socio-political forces at work are difficult to understand, and the romance between San and Ashitaka doesn’t seem to be founded on much at all. However, the mystical quality of the primeval forest and its inhabitants is marvelous, and the animation for the battle scenes are still inspire awe and excitement despite being twenty years old.

First published at The Fandom Post.

Anime Review: My Neighbor Totoro Anime DVD/BD Review

Totoro is an icon. Decades after My Neighbor Totoro’s release, Totoro goods are still popular, and he even made an appearance in Toy Story 3 (although I wish he had a speaking role). I had the opportunity to review the Blu-Ray/DVD set for the film, and you can read on for the review.

Cover Blurb

When Satsuki and her sister Mei move with their father to a new home in the countryside, they find country life is not as simple as it seems. They soon discover that the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, including a gigantic but gentle forest spirit called Totoro, who can only be seen by children. Totoro and his friends introduce the girls to a series of adventures, including a ride aboard the extraordinary Cat Bus, in this all-ages animated masterpiece featuring the voices of Tim Daly, Lea Salonga, and real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, in one of their earliest roles.

The Review

Last month I had a holiday gathering with some old classmates. Their elementary school age kids came with them and started running riot in my non-childproofed house. In desperation, I grabbed my review copy of My Neighbor Totoro and put it in the DVD player. Within moments the kids settled down, and for the next 90 minutes, we adults were able to converse in peace.

So even after thirty years, My Neighbor Totoro hasn’t lost its ability to enchant children.

Unlike many American animated children’s films, My Neighbor Totoro has no flashy musical numbers, no talking sidekick animals, and no ridiculously goofy characters. The pace is slow, and commonplace rural scenes and activities take up much of the screen time. Yet the film sings with the beauty of nature, and it’s through the awesomeness of Japan’s forests and waters that Director Miyazaki channels the mysterious, magical quality of the totoros.

The main characters are sisters Satsuki (11) and Mei (4). They’ve moved with their father to a rickety old house in the countryside while their mother recuperates in a hospital some distance away. The two girls are thrilled with their new home, but as they explore it and the surrounding woods they soon discover the extraordinary but shy totoros, gentle forest spirits that can only be seen by children.

When a film includes magic or fantastical elements, often those elements overwhelm the narrative (think Sailor Moon or Harry Potter). However, My Neighbor Totoro has no glittery magical girls or flashy spells. The sisters encounter the totoros in the backyard and bus stop—ordinary, familiar places—and though each meeting stirs a sense of awe for their forest surroundings and its mysterious inhabitants, the children don’t become agents of that wonder themselves, nor do the totoros hijack their lives. For the most part, girls are living a normal life, adjusting to a new place where every now and then they brush up against something special.

And the encounters are quite fun. There’s a lot of child squealing/screaming, which kids probably appreciate. The furry totoros look like cute plushies (probably why totoro toys are popular even today), and their expressions are quite engaging. One of my favorite scenes is when Satsuki loans the big totoro an umbrella and he goes from baffled to absolutely thrilled with it.

The movie also has its share of drama with the uncertain health of the girls’ mother. Although it’s not the stuff of epics, any child can understand the fear of losing a parent. And when Mei gets lost trying to visit their mother’s hospital, audiences will definitely relate to Satsuki’s desperation to find her. While the totoros play their part in the drama’s resolution, it’s the human concerns and emotions that give the film its “heart” and make My Neighbor Totoro a compelling story even decades after its release.

Extras include exclusive booklet, feature-length storyboards, behind the microphone, creating My Neighbor Totoro, creating the characters, the “Totoro” experience, Producer’s Perspective: Creating Ghibli, the locations of My Neighbor Totoro, textless credits, and the original theatrical trailers. Several of these extras are subtitled excerpts of Japanese documentaries, and if you are a big Miyazaki or Ghibli Studio fan, you might want to pick up the Blu-ray/DVD set for this bonus material alone.

In Summary

My Neighbor Totoro is widely regarded a classic and rightfully so. Yes, it’s not exactly a fate-of the-world-depends-on-it roller coaster ride, but it has its own unexpected and charming surprises. Plus, the totoros—in addition to being adorably cute—brim with personality even though they can’t really talk.

First published at The Fandom Post.