Bleach: Fade to Black

Full Title: Bleach: Fade to Black (I Call Your Name)
Year: 2009
Genres: Action, Fantasy
Age Rating: PG-13


Things get hectic in Soul Society when two unknown characters with sheaths show up and people start losing their memories. Rukia's existence is erased from everyone's mind, save Ichigo, who rushes to Soul Society to make things right.

I was really, really excited for this movie. I remember looking forward to it 6 months ago, and I can happily say that I wasn't disappointed. Yet, despite my love for Bleach (even with its filler flaws), this movie helped me to realize the limitations of Bleach movies. Particularly, in any given Bleach movie the characters and main storyline have been developed to a certain extent in the series, and you can rest assured that neither will be advanced any further. This is fine, but it means that the quality of any Bleach movie will necessarily depend on (1) the badass-ness of the fights/showing off powers that have already been revealed in the series, and most importantly (2) the underlying reason for the chaos.

With these things in mind, Fade to Black is nothing special. On the plus side, the animation and music are beautiful. There are also some pretty cool fights (having everybody forget Ichigo means we can have a replay, of sorts, of the first arc of the Bleach series), and we do get to learn a bit about Urahara that is relevant to the main storyline of the series.

But I tend to think that the reason for the chaos is the critical factor in determining quality. Memories of Nobody was a pretty typical storyline: some bad guys that Soul Society wronged in the past (who'd have guessed it?) want revenge and threaten to blow up the universe; DiamondDust Rebellion, on the other hand, had all of the positive qualities (animation, great fights, etc.) of the first and third movie, but included a truly captivating story about Hitsugaya, his best friend, and the absolutist (and often immoral) stance that Soul Society took on certain matters. Fade to Black leans more towards Memories of Nobody. Indeed, for most of the movie I wasn't sure why these two characters were so adamant about killing all Shinigami, and when I found out why at the end, I wasn't impressed. In the end, Fade to Black was Bleach movie quality (which is always a good thing), but felt more like a showcase for some good fights than a well-written and developed story. I may watch it again...in 6 months.

Overall Score: A-


Download Bleach: Fade to Black (High Quality, English Subbed)

FLCL

Full Title: FLCL
Year: 2000
Genres: Science Fiction, Comedy, Harem
Episodes: 6
Age Rating: PG-13 (Some sexuality, language)

Nothing interesting happens in the life of 12 year old Naota. Things liven up quickly, though, when a woman on a vespa runs him over and bashes him on the head with a guitar. The next day, Naota finds himself with a huge, mysterious horn sprouting from his head. To top it all off, he can't seem to avoid running into this maniacal woman, until finally she shows up at his house and becomes the family maid. Now Naota must deal with affectionate older women, giant robots, and aliens, all while facing newfound feelings of love and the pressures of growing up.

FLCL is exhausting, but in a good way. Storyline, audio, and animation - everything is relentlessly energetic and intense. A lot happens in just 6 episodes, so you'll want to watch with care. The soundtrack is incredible and filled with tracks by the now-popular (but at the time relatively unknown) band "The Pillows." The animation is among the most creative and experimental that I've seen: you won't find any impressive attention to detail or original character designs, but it really does play out like a work of art. As for the storyline, FLCL took some time to get into (and to understand), but this is typical of Gainax productions. By the second half you come to realize that, at heart, FLCL is a beautifully done coming-of-age story that happens to be funny as hell and full of alien robots.

As mentioned, a lot happens in 6 episodes, and although you'll get the gist of things, there are so many hidden jokes and references that the series has high re-watch value. Overall, I was impressed, though I didn't walk away feeling that I had just seen one of the greatest anime series of all time. Maybe it's just something about Gainax (see Neon Genesis Evangelion review), but I felt that FLCL was good but overrated. Animation and audio are certainly among the best I've encountered, but the story is nothing special and is slow to start (it took 2 episodes to really get into it, but there were only 4 left after that). The main plot with Haruko and Medical Mechanica is pretty basic and serves more than anything as a vehicle for developing and delivering the more interesting story of Naota's coming-of-age. I could easily see the Medical Mechanica plot being replaced with something better and, as a result, FLCL being something really great. As is, FLCL was impressive, but not worth as much praise as it gets.



Animation: 8.5/10
Audio: 8.5/10
Storyline: 7.2/10
Overall Score: 7.6/10 (Very Good)

Download FLCL Episodes (High Quality, Dual Audio):

Episode 1: Fooly Cooly
Episode 2: Fire Starter
Episode 3: Marquis de Carabas
Episode 4: Full Swing
Episode 5: Brittle Bullet
Episode 6: FLCLimax

Download FLCL OST 1
Download FLCL OST 2
Download FLCL OST 3

Code Geass R2

Full Title: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
Year: 2008
Genres: Mecha, Drama, Action, Science Fantasy
Episodes: 25
Age Rating: PG-13 (Language, Violence)

R2 picks up where Code Geass left off, and like its predecessor it pulls you in from the very first episode. The Black Knights have been defeated, Japan is safely under Britannian rule, and Lelouch is just a normal student driving down the highway with his brother. If you've seen Code Geass, you should already have some questions: what happened to Lelouch and Suzaku, why does Lelouch have a brother, and how has Lelouch returned to his old life? R2 is full of such perplexities and easily distinguishes itself from Code Geass as the more suspenseful series. It is in R2 that all of the answers to the questions set up by Code Geass will be revealed, and this alone makes it a smash hit.

R2 features the same beautiful animation as that in Code Geass, but as the Knightmares take to the sky and each side tries to outdo the other with new technological strength, the fights and special powers are even more impressive. My sentiments toward the voice cast remain as they were when I reviewed Code Geass, and it's really nice to see Spike Spencer join the English cast to play Rolo (see Shinji in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hanataro in Bleach). As for the OST, I've seen a number of reviews hailing R2's as superior to Code Geass', but I didn't notice any significant difference. Both OSTs are awesome and feature great nobility and action-packed themes (of note are "Boy from Britannia," "Area," and "Concealment").

As was mentioned, R2 is incredibly suspenseful, even more so than Code Geass, but as much as this can be an asset it can be a problem, too. With such suspense comes twists of epic proportions, and sometimes I found myself scoffing at the plot development. If you've seen Code Geass and found the major twist in episode 23 too outrageous for your tastes, then you will probably be disappointed with the "creativity" of R2. Occasionally things are just too convenient and, even for an anime like this, unbelievable. Still, I can't deny that for every episode, regardless of its believability, my eyes were glued to the screen.

On a final note, what an ending! This is probably the first anime that had me choked up and on the verge of tears. What's more, if you pay close attention during the final 5 episodes you will discover the answer to the ultimate question: what happens to Lelouch? This just goes to demonstrate the level of depth that is there in R2 if you seek it, and I think that such unpretentious depth is what makes it such an appealing series. If you're younger or disinterested in deeper plots, there are plenty of badass mecha fights, cool powers, and delightful characters to make R2 worth your time. If you're looking for a show with deeper philosophical meaning, you should be very satisfied as well, and in this respect I found R2 comparable to Neon Genesis Evangelion and Wolf's Rain. But if you're like me and you are looking for both, then you should watch R2 (and Code Geass, of course) or you'll really be missing out.

Animation: 9.3/10
Audio: 9.2/10
Storyline: 9.6/10
Overall Score: 9.5/10 (Masterpiece)

Download Code Geass R2 Episodes (Dual Audio, High Quality):

Episode 1: The Day a Demon Awakens
Episode 2: Plan for Independent Japan
Episode 3: Imprisoned in Campus
Episode 4: Counterattack at the Gallows
Episode 5: Knight of Rounds
Episode 6: Operation Pacific Ocean Ambush
Episode 7: The Abandoned Mask
Episode 8: One Million Miracles
Episode 9: A Bride in the Vermilion Forbidden City
Episode 10: When Shen Hu Wins Glory
Episode 11: Power of Passion
Episode 12: Love Attack!
Episode 13: Assassin from the Past
Episode 14: Geass Hunt
Episode 15: The C's World
Episode 16: The United Federation of Nations Resolution Number One
Episode 17: Taste of Humiliation
Episode 18: Final Battle Tokyo II
Episode 19: Betrayal
Episode 20: Emperor Dismissed
Episode 21: The Ragnarok Connection
Episode 22: Emperor Lelouch
Episode 23: Schneizel's Guise
Episode 24: The Grip of Damocles
Episode 25: Re;

Download Code Geass R2 OST (Part 1)
Download Code Geass R2 OST (Part 2)

Code Geass

Full Title: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Year: 2006
Genres: Mecha, Drama, Action, Science Fantasy
Episodes: 25
Age Rating: PG-13 (Language, Violence, Some sexuality/nudity)

Following the invasion of 2010, Japan has fallen to the Holy Britannian Empire. Now called "Area 11," its people have been reduced to second-class citizens. Lelouch and sister Nunnally, by birth members of the Britannian Royal Family, live in Japan under fake names and are thought to be dead. When children, their family was attacked, resulting in the death of their mother and crippling of Nunnally. Now Lelouch wants nothing more than to get revenge against those that took part in the attack and his father, the ruthless ruler of the Britannian Empire. When caught up in an incident with the military and Japanese liberation fighters, he meets and forms a contract with a mysterious girl named C2. With his newly attained power to control the minds and actions of others, Geass, Lelouch sets out to free Japan and put an end to the Britannian Empire.

Code Geass is everywhere. Log on to any anime forum or do a search for "best anime series" and you will probably see Code Geass (and its sequel, R2) listed. After finally watching it, I have to say that the hype is warranted: simply put, Code Geass is one of the best series around. It wastes absolutely no time getting you hooked, and is one of only 2 or 3 series that I've seen which doesn't have a single dull episode. As the story centers around the Japanese resistance to Britannia, much of the show is filled with fantastic mecha fights, but even when there isn't fighting the characters are so entertaining and interesting and the plot so well developed that I was never bored. Much like one of my other favorite series, Bleach, Code Geass features a large cast of dynamic characters, most of which you will end up caring about. On top of all of this, Code Geass is more than a mecha anime with a great story. Focusing on the symbolic battle between Suzaku and Lelouch over the moral and efficient way to deal with the rule of the Britannian Empire and the resulting subjugation of the Japanese people, the story possesses depth and culminates in an intense ending that will have you rushing to watch R2.

Geass' animation is bright, beautiful, and features superb character design. Fights are fast-paced and never repetitive, and a heavy focus on Lelouch's use of tactics makes them superior to those in your typical mecha series. The OST is very nice, with some beautiful jazz pieces and a number of tracks which capture the theme of nobility perfectly: of note are "Cold Nobility," "Occupied Thinking," and "Nobless Oblige." While both voice casts are exceptional, the English cast really shines with an all-star group including Johnny Bosch (Ichigo in Bleach, Kiba in Wolf's Rain), Yuri Lowenthal (Sasuke in Naruto, Kuma in Afro Samurai), and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (The Major in GitS, Lady Jagura in Wolf's Rain, Julia in Cowboy Bebop). All of this comes together to make Code Geass a wonderfully addictive, well-presented series that must be seen.

Animation: 9.2/10
Audio: 9.2/10
Storyline: 9.6/10
Overall Score: 9.5/10 (Masterpiece)


Download Code Geass Episodes (High Quality, Dual Audio):

Episode 1: The Day a New Demon was Born
Episode 2: The White Knight Awakens
Episode 3: The False Classmate
Episode 4: His Name is Zero
Episode 5: The Princess and the Witch
Episode 6: The Stolen Mask
Episode 7: Attack Cornelia
Episode 8: The Black Knights
Episode 9: Refrain
Episode 10: Guren Dances
Episode 11: Battle for Narita
Episode 12: The Messenger from Kyoto
Episode 13: Shirley at Gunpoint
Episode 14: Geass vs. Geass
Episode 15: Cheering Mao
Episode 16: Nunnally held Hostage
Episode 17: Knight
Episode 18: I Order You, Suzaku Kururugi
Episode 19: Island of the Gods
Episode 20: Battle for Kyushu
Episode 21: The School Festival Declaration
Episode 22: Bloodstained Euphy
Episode 23: At Least with Sorrow
Episode 24: The Collapsing Stage
Episode 25: Zero

Download Code Geass OST Part 1
Download Code Geass OST Part 2

Death Note

Full Title: Death Note
Year: 2006
Genres: Suspense, Psychological Thriller
Episodes: 37
Age Rating: PG-13 (Some violence & sexuality)

The Death Note is a notebook used by Shinigami to take the lives of human beings, but if it comes into the possession of a human he too can wield its power. Brilliant high school student Light Yagami is bored with life until the day that he finds a Death Note on the ground. When he discovers that its power is real, he sets out to create a world free of crime. As he kills criminals through supernatural means, he becomes known as "Kira," gaining followers and adversaries. With the police helpless to track Kira down, the world's most famous detective, L, takes the case.

Death Note is something else. Get ready for an incredibly original premise with non-stop suspense and a level of intelligence that should have you on the edge of your seat. The game of cat and mouse between two truly brilliant characters provides for an entirely new way of watching and interacting with anime: unlike any storyline before it, Death Note had me constantly guessing what would happen next and, thanks to the the clever twists, I was often wrong. The animation is superb and distinguishes itself from that of comparable series by way of its use of lighting and color to set mood. Audio, too, is exceptional: the OST is religious, dark, and creates a sense of suspense perhaps better than any other series that I've yet seen. Personal favorites include "L's Theme," "Kyrie," and "Death Note."

As for voice actors, the Japanese cast is perfect, particularly for Light and L. The English cast, while acceptable, is so different that it often changes the personality of the character entirely (see Light, L, Misa), and for this reason I strongly recommend that you view the show subbed.

Death Note really is an intensely addictive experience; be prepared to dedicate a couple days just to watching since this isn't the kind of show where you can put off the next episode for long. Despite all of this, it does have one significant fault. While the last 1/3 of the series wasn't bad, the story loses some of its appeal after episode 25 and I think that it would have been held in higher regard had it ended then or progressed in some other direction. Still, Death Note deserves all of the attention that it receives and is one of the few shows that I insist you see.

Animation: 8.9/10
Audio: 9.4/10
Storyline: 9.3/10
Overall Score: 9.3/10 (Masterpiece)

Download Death Note Episodes (High Quality, Dual Audio):

Episode 1: Rebirth
Episode 2: Confrontation
Episode 3: Dealings
Episode 4: Pursuit
Episode 5: Tactics
Episode 6: Unraveling
Episode 7: Overcast
Episode 8: Glare
Episode 9: Encounter
Episode 10: Doubt
Episode 11: Assault
Episode 12: Love
Episode 13: Confession
Episode 14: Friend
Episode 15: Wager
Episode 16: Decision
Episode 17: Execution
Episode 18: Ally
Episode 19: Matsuda
Episode 20: Makeshift
Episode 21: Performance
Episode 22: Guidance
Episode 23: Frenzy
Episode 24: Revival
Episode 25: Silence
Episode 26: Renewal
Episode 27: Abduction
Episode 28: Impatience
Episode 29: Father
Episode 30: Justice
Episode 31: Transfer
Episode 32: Selection
Episode 33: Scorn
Episode 34: Vigilance
Episode 35: Malice
Episode 36: 1.28
Episode 37: New World

Download Death Note OST Part 1
Download Death Note OST Part 2