Category: TV Anime (Page 4 of 9)

Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage

May 14, 2009 /

Not many shows can survive without their lead protagonists front and center (the only successful one that comes to mind is “The Wire,” and even then it was only for a season), and though the producers of “Black Lagoon” should be commended for trying something so radical, the second season just isn’t the same without the Lagoon Company constantly in the mix. They’re always a part of the action, mind you – whether it’s hunting down a pair of vampire assassins or protecting a money counterfeiter from an army of bounty hunters – but the stories never truly revolve around them like they did in Season One. Granted, we get to meet some pretty interesting characters as a result of that, but by the time Rock and Revy head to Japan on a contract job for Hotel Moscow, you’ll be sorely missing Dutch and Benny, both of whom rarely appear throughout the season. The team-based antics may be gone, but the show is still packed with wall-to-wall action, and it even offers more complex storylines than before. Still, with rumors that a third season is in the works, here’s hoping the show gets back to its roots, because without the Lagoon Company to cheer on, it simply isn’t as fun.

Click to buy “Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage”

External TV, TV, TV Anime, TV DVD Quicktakes, TV DVDs

TV Roundup: Poor ratings for Prison Break, TiVo’s ratings plans and more

April 20, 2009 /

– The ratings for the return of “Prison Break” were poor, and TV By The Numbers says that it’s bad news for “Dollhouse.”

– One of my favorite shows, “The Unit,” is on the bubble, but the good news is that producer Shawn Ryan (“The Shield”) has been invited by CBS to present ideas for a fifth season.

– The NY Post says that Mary Louise Parker is thinking about leaving “Weeds” after next season.

– FOX’s “Sit Down, Shut Up” didn’t do all that well (ratings-wise) in its debut on Sunday, considering it was sandwich between stalwarts “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.” I’m a fan of both of those shows, but I couldn’t make it through a full episode of “Sit Down, Shut Up.”

– TiVo is continuing to move into Nielsen’s territory. They’ve been offering national ratings since 2007, but now plan to provide market-by-market ratings as well. It makes sense — the TiVo is essentially a computer that can track what a household watches (if they choose to opt-in).

– Variety compares “Heroes” to “Lost” in that both programs started off really strong before faltering a bit. The question is — will “Heroes” find its way like “Lost” did? (Methinks maybe an end date two or three seasons down the line would do the trick.)

External Entertainment, External TV, Lost, News, Prison Break, Reviews, TV, TV Action, TV Anime, TV Cartoons, TV Comedies, TV Dramas

One Piece: Season One, Fourth Voyage

April 14, 2009 /

The final volume of “One Piece: Season One” ends the Straw Hats’ early adventures in much the same way that they began: with a solid mix of action, comedy and great storytelling. This is why I fell in the love with the show in the first place, so it’s nice to see that despite some rather lackluster episodes in the middle, “One Piece” has returned to form. In Fourth Voyage, Luffy escapes his watery grave to defeat Arlong, but just as the Straw Hats are making their way to the Grand Line, they discover that they’ve become wanted men. Stopping off at Logue Town (Gold Roger’s final resting place) to pick up supplies for their journey, the crew encounters plenty of adversity along the way. Luffy’s bounty is challenged by a Marine captain named Smoker; Zoro faces off against a swordswoman named Tashigi; Usopp unknowingly talks himself into a duel with famous bounty hunter Daddy the Father; and Sanji competes in a cooking competition to win a rare fish. Additionally, Buggy the Clown has returned with a new partner in tow (Alvida, newly endowed with powers from the Smooth-Smooth Devil Fruit) to exact revenge. Some might complain that not enough happens in this volume, but I would disagree. While there’s only one major battle to speak of (Luffy vs. Arlong, which is by far the best part about the entire Fishman Saga), the rest of the episodes do a great job of setting up Season Two. It only looks to get better from here, so let’s hope Funimation doesn’t make us wait too long between releases.

Click to buy “One Piece: Season One, Fourth Voyage”

External TV, TV, TV Anime, TV DVD Quicktakes, TV DVDs

Baccano!: Volume Two

March 30, 2009 /

The second volume of “Baccano!” certainly isn’t as good as the first, but that’s to be expected considering the episodes included mostly serve as build-up for the events to come. In fact, while the series strives on the unconventionality of its storytelling, Episode Seven is actually quite traditional – a flashback that takes place in 1711 when the elixir of immortality was discovered on the Advenna Avis. It’s here that the audience learns how the elixir first came into the possession of humans, as well as the many rules that come with becoming an immortal. Perhaps the most important of these is that whenever someone who has drank the elixir finally wishes to die, only a fellow immortal has the power to “devour” him – which is a nice way of saying sucking his soul. We also get our first look at the Rail Tracer in action, Firo is welcomed into the Camorras after a ceremony involving a knife fight with Maiza, and Jacuzzi steps up to take control of the Flying Pussyfoot, despite his habit of breaking down and crying. Those that were confused by the first few episodes will probably be able to make better sense of Volume Two (though you still won’t be able to put a face to every name) and it’s a worthy reward for having the tenacity to stick around. “Baccano!” isn’t for everyone, but just because it’s smarter than the average anime doesn’t mean the average fan won’t enjoy it.

Click to buy “Baccano!: Volume Two”

TV, TV Anime, TV DVD Quicktakes, TV DVDs

Baccano!: Volume One

March 10, 2009 /

Anime has become so saturated with ninjas, vampires, mechs and schoolgirls that when a truly unique series like “Baccano!” comes along, it’s hard not to stand up and take notice. A gangster-inspired crime drama with traces of the supernatural, “Baccano!” isn’t just the most original anime I’ve ever seen, but it’s also the most fearless. How fearless, you might ask? Well, for starters, there are no less than 18 different main characters (and several more supporting ones), none of which could be considered the lead protagonist. Furthermore, the story jumps back and forth between each character’s individual stories (which take place over the course of the early 1930s) as they weave in and out of the other characters’ lives.

Baccano 1

If you’re not confused yet, you will be as the show opens with a girl named Carol and the vice president of the Daily Days newspaper breaking the fourth wall as they discuss what character they should be focusing on in order to tell the best version of their tale. The story in question has something to do with a bloody mob war taking place in New York City, a mysterious elixir of immortality, and a train crash involving a serial killer, a fanatical cult, a group of gangsters, and a pair of thieves. That’s just a slice of what’s really happening, of course, but it’s all the viewer is told during the first four episodes. Some people might be intimidated by the show’s brazen approach to storytelling, but you’d be wrong not to give “Baccano!” a chance. After all, shows this good only come around once in a lifetime.

Click to buy “Baccano!: Volume One”

TV, TV Anime, TV DVD Quicktakes, TV DVDs

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