Student Review Contest #11

[Sorrow-kun]

This contest's theme: Anime based on novels.

There's no one comprehensive list of anime based on novels on the internet, so do your research before picking your review material. Some examples of anime based on novels include:

Kino's Journey
Maria-sama ga Miteru
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi
Full Metal Panic!
Gankutsuou - The Count of Monte Cristo

A good place to start for inspiration in choosing material is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_novel . Visual novels don't count.

No "word count" or anything like that, but if I find evidence of plagiarism or if I feel that not nearly enough effort has gone into the submission, I will disqualify it immediately. Other than that, the usual rules apply:

Rules:

1. One entry per person.
2. Only completed anime can be reviewed.
3. Reviews that are posted after the two week deadline will be disqualified.
4. Entries are final. Once a review is posted no more editing is allowed, regardless of whether it is still before the deadline.
5. The winner chooses the next theme and hosts the next contest.
6. Reviews must include at least a title, review, summary and grade.
7. The review and summary must be written by you.
8. No entering a review that has previously been entered in an Anime Academy Student Review Contest.
9. Fully clarify your theme. Do not be vague or over restrictive.

Guidelines
1. While it is not mandatory, including series details such as title alternatives; genre; company; format; dates; highs and lows; screenshots and a captioned screenshot, are looked upon favourably.
2. The preferred word count is about 300-500 words, as per the Anime Academy main page.
3. Previously written reviews are allowed to be entered as long as they don't break rule #8.

Submission deadline: 6th January 2007, 9PM AEST

[Shadowmage]

Do anime inspired by novels count?

Ie Infinite Ryvius (Lord of the Flies)

[7Raven7]

Are we also qualifying anime based on "manga" (ex. Berserk) or children's books (ex. Howl's Moving Castle)?

[DarkKanti]

I think that's stretching it a bit. SK's list of anime are all direct translations (or meant to be) of their novel counter parts. IR is more of a story with similar themes to the novel that alot of people made the connection to.

It's up to SK though.

All that said, I'd still like to see an Infinite Ryvius review from you just to see what you thought.

Edit- If you added manga to the list, you would be open to review just about every anime out there.

[Sorrow-kun]

Berserk doesn't count, since it's based on a manga, not a novel. Howl's Moving Castle does count, since it is based on what Wikipedia refers to as a fantasy novel. In such cases, where the definition of a novel is questionable, I think it's just up to common sense to define it: if it's long and full of words, it's a novel. Infinite Ryvius merely borrows from a novel and isn't officially based on one, so, no, it doesn't count.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Dont' forget the Crest/Banner of the Stars line.

[Kaikyaku]

Also Juuni Kokki

[AlterGenesis-X]

I swear by AGX, that I will really try to get a review in for this contest. It has been too long and 10 contests gone by and I have done nothing. I WILL TRY. RAWR.

[AlterGenesis-X]

Ahh, screw it, the longer I hold it, the more I'll make changes to it. Let's not do that, I think I'm content with how this turned out. *cough* If people needs anime reviwers, take this review into consideration then. *cough* Ha ha ha.:sweat:

Title: NHK ni Youkoso! a.k.a: Welcome to the NHK!
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Company: Gonzo
Format: 24 Episodes
Dates: 7/9/06 to 12/17/06
Anime Relations: None
Originations: Light Novel (1 Volume - 2 Editions) (1/28/2002)
Manga Adpatation (6 Volumes - 42 Chapters) (6/24/2004)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/AlterGenesis-X/nhkanimerev1.png
“First Encounter...The Girl with the parasol.”

Anime Summary: Meet Satou Tatsuhiro, 22 years old and suffering from a rather serious social disease, otherwise known as “hikkikomori”. Satou is without a job or post-secondary education. He finds himself spending his time in reclusion in his room where he believes his poor fate is all a huge conspiracy orchestrated by the NHK (Nihon Hikkikomori Kyokai). One fateful day, a young girl by the name of Nakahara Misaki approaches Satou with a proposition. She selects him to become part of her “project” in an attempt to free him from his current lifestyle and cure him from his life as a hikkikomori. – Summary by AlterGenesis-X

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/AlterGenesis-X/nhkanimerev2.png
“Yeah, I bet it was a really good sale.”

The Genesis Grade: 7.6/10 = 76% - B

Highs: Fascinating look into problems of everyday life; strong emotion
and characters; can be rather funny; catchy opening theme.

Lows: Emotion lost during comedic moments; some useless filler;
missed opportunities fleshing out character relationships

Based on the light novel originally created by Tatsuhiko Takimoto, NHK ni Youkoso! is an anime that delves into the world of otakus, lolicon fetishes and other bizarre obsessions that surround the unique characters as they face the problems that they encounter in their daily lives.

NHK ni Youkuso! is a deep look into the human psyche. The characters all face personal problems ranging from mild to serious, whether they are financial, emotional or psychological. In addition, majority of the characters suffer in their social encounters with strangers, allowing them to be directly involved with each other. Our main male protagonist, Tatsuhiro, is a recluse who believes that the whole world is plotting to make him a failure, while the leading female, Nakahara Misaki is a mysterious young girl who comes to Tatsuhiro’s aid amidst her own dilemmas. With this in mind, the anime is one full of emotion and struggle, which, strangely enough, does not take itself too seriously.

This could have easily been a very dark and depressing series, but the frequent appearances of ridiculous hallucinations and dirty humor keep it lighthearted. Essentially, the humor is a mixed bag. At times, it can be perfectly timed and downright hilarious or when used inappropriately during tense and emotional situations, it can be obtrusive and distracting for the viewer. Some important scenes lose that certain passion, that strong feeling that should take hold. Essentially, certain dramatic elements are lost. In the end, it detracts from the anime as a whole as these moments of humor could be better spent developing character and more importantly, character relationships. Consequently, NHK ni Youkoso! falls just short of greatness; when the series finally comes to a close, there is a feeling of missed opportunity.

Although, that is not to say that NHK ni Youkoso! fails at being a drama, since that would be incorrect. This series is definitely one of the more emotionally charged series’ of 2006. As Tatsuhiro goes through his daily life, the viewer can easily feel more attached to his struggle as it is very real and down to earth. While not boasting a huge cast, the secondary characters are also well developed and add the extra punch to an already deep plot mired with blood, sweat and human pain. Very often, a viewer can find themselves angry, happy or sad with Tatsuhiro’s progress with Misaki, his friends and family. A testament to the gripping realism of this series.

NHK ni Youkoso! is an entirely unique way of bringing the anime world a “slice of life”. This is definitely a fun and dramatic series, featuring a great opening theme entitled “Puzzle” by Round Table. Sprinkle the great characters, slap on the realism and just a dash of humor creates a recipe that everyone can enjoy. If you are looking for an anime drama that is out of the ordinary, then, there is only one answer: We Welcome You…Welcome to the NHK! And enjoy the ride! You will not regret it.

Author: AlterGenesis-X
Date Completed: December 25, 2006
Copyright 2006.

P.S: Dang, it was hard for me to finally get to pressing that Sumbit Reply button. Enjoy, this is the first review I've written in over a year. I'm back, peoples. :D

[Sorrow-kun]

Bit over a week left guys. Let's start getting those reviews in.

[LadySage]

Title: Boogiepop Phantom
Genre: Drama
Company: Madhouse
Format: 13 Episodes
Dates: 6 January 2000 – 21 March 2000

Highs: Great standalone episode plots; unique, visual style; effective atmosphere; every episode is a piece of the puzzle
Lows: Many pieces are still missing

Grade: 77%

Boogiepop Phantom grabs your attention from the get-go and doesn’t let go until the end. And when it’s done, you’re left sitting in shock, wondering what the heck just happened. Bizarre, suspenseful, and deliberately obtuse, Boogiepop succeeds spectacularly in making the viewer think, but the payoff is unfortunately weak.

Every episode is an individual story, with its own cast of characters and plot. Very few characters are actually central in multiple episodes, beyond a brief appearance to establish the episode’s connection to the rest of the series. As a result, there’s very little character development. Even the recurring characters receive only perfunctory development.

Most episodes function quite well on their own as miniature horror movies. The suspense works I was often on the edge of my seat. Boogiepop Phantom likes to keep you guessing, and each episode functions as a piece of the puzzle. By the end, however, the puzzle stills seems to be missing most of its pieces. The series asks far more questions than it answers. The final episode tries to make up for some of this with a rushed explanation of one facet, but it’s nowhere near satisfactory. As much as I enjoy giving my brain a workout, I do not appreciate it when it seems like all the effort I put into a series seems to be all for naught.

Boogiepop Phantom’s atmosphere almost manages to make all its flaws worthwhile. The art is deliberately muted and monochromatic, creating a dreamlike feel and the music is properly eerie. Voices are frequently digitally warped or synthesized to represent inner turmoil and unbalanced psyches. As difficult as it can be to keep track of them all, the characters’ appearances are all easy to differentiate, despite the pseudo-realistic style.

The final episode was animated with bright colors to emphasize that the mystery had been cleared up. Unfortunately, as much closure as the characters may have had, Boogiepop Phantom remains an enigma wrapped in a mystery to its viewers.

[Ieyasu]

Title: Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi)
Genre: Comedy/Science Fiction/Drama
Company: Kadokawa Shoten/Kyoto Animation
Format: 14 episodes
Dates: 4/2/2006 to 7/2/2006

High Points: The comedy, the plot, the characters and the flashes of compelling drama

Low Points: The fanservice, Asahina Mikuru (although the two are synonymous), bizarre episode sequence and the first episode

Grade: 85%

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi is the first anime series in quite a while I have had difficulty forming a coherent opinion on.

In fact, I’d say that it actually took me sitting down to write a review of the show for me to pin down exactly what I thought of this quirky, sci-fi comedy drama, about some normal, and some not-so normal high school kids.

Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first, shall we? Well, first off, if there was one big reason (or is it two?) that would have convinced me that this series wasn’t worth my time, it was Asahina Mikuru. Shallow, pointless and annoyingly shrill, to me, this character is a representation of everything that is wrong with Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu. Not one episode (well, perhaps one) went by without a healthy dose of either Mikuru’s chest, a session of costume rape, Haruhi’s chest, or some other piece of fanservice which does nothing more than get in the way of the telling of a good story. I wouldn’t have minded this so much if it had been the occasional dash, rather than a constant assault. Sex is obviously going to be an element in most stories where the main characters are young teenagers, but do we need to be bombarded by it in every episode? I think not.

And while we’re on the theme of things getting in the way of telling the story, why are the episodes shown at random? Why did Kyoto Animation feel the need to mesh all of the story arcs into one, huge, writhing mess? What purpose did it serve? Other than to irritate the hell out of me, I mean. As far as I can tell, they were either trying too hard to be different, or they were doing it for the sake of it. Neither of these possibilities earns them any points with this reviewer, I’m afraid.

And now, onto the good stuff…

Mostly, the laughs in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu spring from either Kyon’s deadpan monologues and observations on the world around him, or Haruhi’s hyperactive, passionate and downright insane antics in her search for aliens, time-travellers, espers and otherwise unusual things. Of course, this show could very easily have fallen flat on it’s face if the voice actors weren’t up to delivering the humour. Fortunately, they are. Haruhi and Kyon’s voice actors (Hirano Aya and Tomokazu Sugita respectively) nail their roles. Tomokazu (AKA Mayama from Honey & Clover) is excellent portraying a normal (albeit cynical) kid surrounded by all manner of insanity, while Hirano really does a good job of getting across the wide spectrum of moods Haruhi goes through, ranging from bitter jealousy and boundless enthusiasm right down to her quieter, more “normal” moments. In short, these two really do a lot towards making the series as funny as it is.

Although the star of the show is undoubtedly Suzumiya Haruhi, with her mood-swings, dominating personality, buckets of charisma and less frequently seen soft side, a show can’t get by on the strength of one character. Fortunately Haruhi is not alone in her quest for the bizarre. Joined by Nagato Yuki (the alien) Koizumi Itsuki (the esper), Asahina Mikuru (the time-traveller) and Kyon, the main characters of this adventure (with the exception of Mikuru) are likeable and have sufficient depth to give the story that extra kick it needs to be anything above mediocre. Indeed, by the end, I found that although most of the character development was reserved for Haruhi herself, Nagato Yuki had also evolved into a far more human and believable character than when she started.

Although definitely a comedy for the most part, the moments that really made this show for me come when the pace slows right down, and the characters show some more serious emotions. Although, admittedly, and to the detriment of the series these moments don’t come very often, when they do they always managed to tug my heartstrings just a little. Yuki and Kyon’s conversation over the computer, as well as Haruhi’s tale of her childhood visit to a baseball stadium both stood out as fine dramatic moments, even if they were only two of a mere handful over the course of the series. That said, it could be argued that these moments serve their purpose, providing a change of pace as well as character development without detracting from the show's status as a comedy.

Although all of the above would be reason enough for Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu’s runaway popularity, there is, I think, another reason for the success the show has enjoyed (aside from rampant fanboyism thanks to Mikuru and liberal use of fanservice). I think that the theme of someone desperately holding on to belief in the unusual, trying to find something that sets them apart from the billions of other people in the world is something that resonates with any teenager who watches this show. Add that to the solid characters, interesting story and the charms of the eccentric Suzumiya Haruhi herself, and maybe it isn’t such a surprise this show has enjoyed such massive success.

[C0MPL3X]

I'm not sure how well-written that is as a review but I really enjoyed reading that. Good luck in the contest!

[Sorrow-kun]

Less than two days left to get those reviews in, so chop-chop, people.

[L-sama]

Hold the phone...


Title: Slayers
Genre: Action/Comedy
Company: Kadokawa Shoten
Format: 26 Episodes
Dates: 4/7/1995 to 9/29/1995

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/lina_inverse/Slayers/dragon_slave3.jpg
Come on baby, Light My Fire



Lina Inverse isn’t your ordinary sixteen year old girl; she is one of the most powerful sorceresses in the world! Known as the “Bandit Killer”, she steals from the rich and keeps all of the profits. After all, how’s a girl to get by these days? But when she comes across a mystical statue, trouble seems to follow her every step. It’s up to Lina and her dimwitted but skilled swordsman companion Gourry to uncover the mysteries behind this statue…and to possibly gain more riches along the way. -Summary by L-sama

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/animealwaysjrock/anime/025_slayers.jpg


Score: 84%

Highs: Very funny; Loveable characters; Good music
Lows: Animation; Comedy begins to get repetitive


Setting yourself apart in a genre like the fantasy genre is not easy. Rather than become another Lodoss War-esque anime, Slayers is able to set itself apart by mixing sorcery and comedy into one neat package.

Just about every character in this series can be a source for some form of comedy, and that is where Slayers shines. Everyone has their own individual quirks. Be it Amelia’s passions for justice and truth or Lina’s ability to go from zero to Dragon Slave in under three seconds, the laughs keep coming throughout each episode. Even though the plot is on the simpler and slightly serious side of the spectrum, Slayers never takes itself too seriously, and the occasional twist keeps things interesting…

…At least for a while. The comedy that was so fresh and vibrant in the first half is now rather predictable and doesn’t keep the same punch that it did before. Sure, there are still some good laughs to be had, but the comedy here seems to be missing something that was there in the first half: originality. Luckily, the series is able to hold on to its charm despite also lacking in the visual department. Compared to shows like Evangelion that were made around the same time, the animation in Slayers is poor. However, this series boasts one of the better soundtracks I’ve heard, so these two aspects almost cancel each other out.

Keeping comedy fresh in a 26 episode series is a daunting task with few true successes (Azumanga Daioh! is one example). Slayers can be considered one of those few successes as well, but it barely makes the list. In spite of this, I’d still recommend Slayers to anyone in need of a good laugh.

[Sorrow-kun]

This is shaping up to be a pretty good contest. Less than 12 hours left people, so this is your last chance to jump onboard.

[AlterGenesis-X]

This is shaping up to be a pretty good contest. Less than 12 hours left people, so this is your last chance to jump onboard.

Indeed it is. I'm glad I wrote one this time around.

[C0MPL3X]

Title: Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
Genre: Drama/Romance
Company: Gonzo/Media Factory
Format: 24 episodes
Dates: 10/5/2004 to 3/29/2005


Summary: Ladies and gentleman, good evening. Disguised under the title of Count of Monte Cristo, my friend’s enigmatic entrance to Paris has captivated his enemies' attentions. No one has yet to discover who he is, nor of the relentlessly approaching visage, which their vices have given birth to. I told my friend, to use the life he saved on the moon to sing the tale of their doom. However, that instrument plays too young and too beautiful…my friend only fears that his heart is merely numb, which may beat again at its playful melody.

http://www.animeacademy.com/pictures/revpics/gankutsuou-2.jpg


When translating literary work into animation, usually the latter can not compete with the former. Novels gradually, but immensely build wonderfully detailed worlds and characters by accessing our boundless imagination, while the worlds and characters we see in animation are brief and lacking in detail. Despite all the odds however, Gonzo’s futuristic adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic The Count of Monte Cristo is perhaps not the most faithful, but surely one of the most enthralling ride in the history of anime based on novels.

To avoid trying to animate rich and detailed world after French revolution in the novel, Gonzo takes us into a futuristic universe that is far more unique and probably more intriguing for contemporary audience. Aliens, impressive spaceships, ocean of treasures, these details of the world and Count’s power amaze us, just as his Nubian slave and splendid oriental style of learning fascinated Parisian people in the novel. We are then glued to this intricately designed world that is unique, yet similar in many ways to the novel as if to show that some things in life are timeless. Like the ever-bright street of Champ-Elysee, never-ending greed for wealth and power and a man’s thirst for revenge will always exist.

Rendering this universe is an unprecedented and gorgeous animation style that came after bold experimentation and careful execution. Avoiding generic flat colours to paint inanimate objects such as hair and clothings, Gonzo uses glowing palette of elegant computer generated textures that remain static regardless of character’s movement. Mildly reminiscent of Gustav Klimt’s decorative style, these patterns arouse a spectrum of sensual feelings in particular settings and characters, whether it be a filthy rich man dressed in a sparkling gold ingot patterns, or lush textures that pulls us into the extravagance of Carnival in Luna. The world presented to us on the screen as a result is nothing short of rich in values and emotions, rivaling and perhaps exceeding that of the world we imagine in the novel.

And even after such creativity and technical brilliance, I can’t help but applaud Gonzo for so boldly manipulating original plot and characters of Dumas to present something so profound in the span of merely 24 episodes. Although the Count still remains the most complex and interesting character, focus of the story is given to Albert. He is in a sense, reincarnation of what the Count once was; young, innocent and happy. One moment we are feeling sorry for Albert who is victimized by unknown forces, and for the Count who has to watch his former innocent self betrayed by his very own hands. Sum of these emotions then intensifies our bloodthirsty satisfaction of revenge when the Count delivers those responsible for his suffering to living hell. What we experience as a result is a powerful and cyclic symphony of sympathy and vendetta that is not offered in the novel. These dramatic moments are also delivered with beautiful classical compositions that are more than worthy of conveying such complex emotions.

All I ask of you is not to be disappointed at the anime for not being a very faithful adaptation, as it does sacrifice some of those qualities that made the novel shine. Yet it will take the novel's essence further in a bold flight of imagination, inviting you in a visually and emotionally enthralling ride of something more refreshing. I wish you madams and messieurs then, to appreciate what it really is to suffer, avenge and forgive at the end of your journey.

Grade: 9/10

[Ieyasu]

I'm tempted to go digging around the internet now, see if I can purchase The Count of Monte Cristo. Almost unilateral praise for it wherever I look and this reveiw gives me a good feel for the series.

[Sorrow-kun]

Contest closed. Forgot to close it last night, so I'm a bit late. Sorry.