|
Community Links |
Members List |
Search Forums |
Advanced Search |
Go to Page... |
DS Wants You! To Watch Toku(-inspired) Anime!
INDEX OF SHOWS COVERED
Android Kikaider: The Animation - 6/6 Garo: The Animation - 5/6 Netflix Godzilla Film Trilogy - 2/6 SSSS.Gridman - 5/6 Detonator Orgun - 4/6 Blassreiter - 2/6 Lion Force Voltron - 4/6 Ultraman USA - 4/6 SSSS.Dynazenon - 3/6 Garo: Crimson Moon - 4/6 The Reflection - 4/6 Pacific Rim: The Black - 4/6 Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go! - 5/6 Hug! Pretty Cure! - 5/6 The Iczer Franchise - 4/6 Kamen Rider Zero-One Short Anime: Everyone's' Daily Life - 5/6 Megas XLR - 5/6 Samurai Flamenco - 5/6 Garo: Vanishing Line - 3/6 KiraKira Pretty Cure a la Mode - 4/6 Godzilla: Singular Point - 4/6 Heart Catch Pretty Cure! - 4/6 Healin' Good Pretty Cure! - 4/6 Gamera Rebirth - 4/6 Hirogaru Sky! Pretty Cure - 5/6 Metallic Rouge - 4/6 ------- Hola amigo, como estas? I'm DreamSword, or DS for short. You might know me as one of the few people who actually likes Power Rangers on these boards. But this thread isn't about that(yet)! Instead it's about something else I've seen only get rarely talked about around here, or in various Toku circles I'm a part of, really. Anime directly based on or inspired by other Toku shows. I'm no stranger when it comes to Let's Plays(having made a few myself) and even other Let's Watch threads, and after seeing how those done by Die(who recently just finished Kamen Rider Phi's) and Fish(who did an absolutely fantastic thread on Kuuga) have done threads with solid success, I figured I could maybe give it a try in an effort to promote this sub-genre that seems to be largely ignored. Gonna give it to you straight; I'm probably not gonna be able to offer the level of humor Die has or the in-depth analysis that Fish does, but many of these shows are some of my favorites, and I have just a deep a love for them as I do "real" Toku. So, hopefully, that will shine through here. And hey, if I get even one new person to give any of these shows a shot, that's a success in my book. That being said, I still don't see my showings of these shows being anywhere near as popular as the Kamen Rider threads, so I figured I'd just go with one megathread for the stuff I watch and wish to present to you all. If I'm proven wrong or that seems excessive, well, I have no problem dividing this up into other threads, and I ask the mods to please help me change this one. If it remains a megathread, I'll be sure to index each anime I present. So, let me lay down the ground rules: 1. Please don't spoil the shows I'm talking about past the episode I'm on. Or any other shows, for that matter. If you feel you absolutely have to bring up a spoiler for the sake of the discussion, then please have the decency to use spoiler tags. A big part of this thread is to introduce these shows to a new audience, afterall. 2. Respect the opinions of others. I'll be the first to admit, the shows I decide to highlight are most definitely not for everyone, and that's perfectly fine! A little debate here and there is fine, don't get me wrong, but don't go overboard with it. I will do my best to reply as often as I can, though! 3. Feel free to watch alongside me! Again, a big part of why I'm doing this is because I want to introduce these shows to more Toku fans. In my experience, Toku fans tend to turn their noses up at animated versions of the genre similar to how anime fans tend to brush off almost all live-action adaptations of anime. Not saying it isn't justified in some cases, but hey, atleast give a show a fair shot, right? 4. There's no time limit on discussing any of the shows covered. If at any point you watch these shows and have something say, even if the thread has long since moved past it, go for it! Again, looking for healthy discussion ontop of introducing new people to the subgenre. With all that said, what anime have I decided to present to you all first? I put alot of thought into it, and in the end I chose a show that I felt not only a handful of you might have a passing familiarity with(thus making it easier to get into), but also one of my favorite anime of all time period. And that show is: Android Kikaider: The Animation This anime aired right at the turn of the millennium, based off a work done by a name that any Toku fan should automatically know; Shotaro Ishinomori, AKA one of the most creative people ever(also creator of a little show you might've heard of called Kamen Rider, but who watches that I mean really). Clocking in at an easy 13 episodes(plus a 4 episode OVA), the anime version of Kikaider takes a much darker and more somber tone than what the original live-action Toku did. I'll specifically be rewatching the dub done by Bandai, who at the time were producing absolutely killer dubs of anime(especially for the time period they'd been doing them), which they sadly don't do anymore. I think that about covers everything, but if I left something out or you have any questions, feel free to say something and I'll get to it. Now then, I'm off to rewatch and grab screencaps of the first episode. See you soon! ------- Shows I've seen:
Shows I haven't seen:
Shows I don't plan to cover:
LIVE-ACTION TOKU REVIEWS GARO - 5/6 Saban's Masked Rider vs Kamen Rider Black Sun Dogengers - 5/6 BIMA - 4/6 Changerion - 4/6 Tekkouki Mikazuki - 5/6 Tokusatsu GaGaGa - 5/6 Dogengers Nice Buddy - 4/6 Kamen Rider Reiwa Generations: Saber and Zero-One Get a Clue! GARO: Makai Senki |
Quote:
|
Episode 1: Lonely Puppet
https://i.imgur.com/fO8bbh9.png The show sets the tone absolutely immediately. Dark, eerie backdrops, low volume music, heck, the first six minutes of the first episode wouldn't be out of place in a horror or mystery show. It's also where right away we're given one of the biggest parallels and overarching themes the anime has; Humanity and what it means to have a conscience. Displayed via a scene of a girl reading Pinocchio to her younger brother. Even when the "action" starts, there's no loud explosions, no high energy rocking soundtrack, just ambiance and the sound of the rain. But don't go thinking that means this show doesn't have a great soundtrack, because it so does! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhEKNFJWqDk The music is composed by Akira Mitake, whom I've honestly struggled finding any info about. If anyone can expand on other works he's done, please do. But speaking solely for Kikaider, Mitake absolutely nails everything here. Just listen to how beautiful that opening theme is! It's also here that I suppose I should mention; Much like the (in)famous works of Inuoe, Android Kikaider has a tone and atmosphere that I feel will either grab people right away, or, combined with its retro artstyle, will throw them off entirely. Like, just look at this without any context: https://i.imgur.com/OV1mgCd.png Speaking solely for myself, I absolutely adore shows with a strong sense of atmosphere, and this here is no exception. Heck, the art direction is also a plus for me, since it makes Kikaider really stand on its own, unique legs. That's just me, though. Back to the episode at hand, the purpose of this first episode is simple: Set-up. The tone, the atmosphere, what the show is about, the quests of our central cast, the works. Most important though is this guy right here: https://i.imgur.com/5jU3tGR.png This is Jiro, our lead character. He suddenly awakens in the middle of nowhere with no memory of who he is or, heck, even what he sounds like. It's to the point that he's even surprised when a passerby makes fun of the guitar Jiro is wearing on his back(Jiro having not even noticed it was there until then). Jiro in the dub is voiced by Dave Wiitenburg and lemme just say, he absolutely NAILED the role here. Wittenburg perfectly captures the feeling of Jiro being what he is all throughout the show; A lost boy with no memory searching for answers(in more ways than one). I honestly cannot think of anyone else that could've done the role better. Huge props to whoever did the casting. The episode also displays something that at the time I hadn't seen much of; Despite Jiro's' good heart, his power and true nature is displayed as something that normal people would be very much afraid of. Something that will serve as a recurring element of the story as a whole. That said, if you're under the impression that this show is going to be all drama and no action, well... https://i.imgur.com/vrZQtp0.gifv That's very much not the case! I mean, LOOK AT THAT ANIMATION! The animation in this show is fantastic, especially for the time period. And that "Henshin" sequence is a huge highlight! That's about all I can think to highlight when it comes to this first episode. What did you all think? Personally I feel it's a great first episode that gives you a taste of just about everything you could want from an anime like this, and it had me hooked immediately back when I first saw it(which is like 19 years ago now good lord). I think I'll try to cover/highlight one episode a day. Feel free to share your thoughts, opinions, all that! |
And Ishinomori Productions to this day deprives us of a animated Kamen Rider or Gorenger series. Seriously, the farthest we ever got to Kamen Rider in this art style were the illustrations in the Kamen Rider Eve novel and the occasional illustrations Hayase would do of Kamen Riders. It's bad enough that we will NEVER get a Kamen Rider SPIRITS anime until further notice they would not even give us the animation adaptation of the OG Kamen Rider. Sorry, had to get that outta my system.
|
Thanks for creating the thread but I don't think I particularly want to watch an anime adaptation of a toku show in general,sorry. Shows that were anime first like Sailor Moon are different (though even that I prefer the live-action one now I've seen all of PGSM) and also the anime I tend to watch tend to be their own thing but still appeal to me like for example Digimon,Cardcaptor Sakura,Shugo Chara etc. It's just that I read Netflix UK had Ultraman, I looked it up and it was an anime version and I just found that such a bummer I'm afraid!
|
Quote:
Unfortunately, the key phrase there is "from what I understand". I've never seen the show myself, and I don't think I'll be able to watch along, but I'm still very much rooting for this thread! I think this was a pretty stellar choice for a first show. Hope you have fun doing this, DreamSword! |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
(off to watch and screencap ep 2 now, wee~) |
Episode 2: Mad Machine
Hoo boy. As someone who's been a big fan of this show and also someone who tried to keep track of what people thought about it for a good few years after it had aired, the title alone low-key triggers me. Not that the title itself is a problem, mind you, but, well... we'll get to that. https://i.imgur.com/JncApM0.png We open to just after the fight of the first episode. Despite Jiro having just saved them from the Rampaging Rhino Robot, Mitsuko(big sister) and Masaru(little brother), are quite visibly shaken by the entire experience. Afterall, a giant robot just got done nearly killing them, only for another robot to come in that kill it in just one swing of its arm. Afterward, Jiro's' origin is revealed(not that it was much of a mystery to the viewer); A robot built by Dr. Kohmyoji, the father of Masaru and Mitsuko. Jiro wonders if they were created by Kohmyoji too. Masaru takes it as a sign of kinship. Mitsuko most certainly does not. https://i.imgur.com/15f1DMX.png Speaking of Jiro's' robot side, let's talk about that for a quick sec. No, not as in his specs(although that is brought up briefly with Masaru noting Jiro's' skin is really hard), but as in Kikaider's' character design. I totally dig it! Not only does the half blue, half red body make for something striking and distinct, but it's more than just a simple swapping of colors. The right side being much more human-esque with all of its innards being covered, and the left half almost looking unfinished, with Kikaider's' inner robotics being quite visible; Barely covered by what appears to be glass. This design also ties in with another overall theme the story will touch upon; Duality. But, more on that in due time. As for Jiro himself, his goggles actually serve a purpose. They provide night vision, which is a nice little touch, considering I've seen many a show where goggles on characters are more of a fashion statement than anything. Oh, and total sidenote, from what I've been told, Kikaider's' name is actually a pun. It's derived from Kikai da which apparently means "[it's] a machine." Not 100% sure if that's the case, but I believe it, based on the subs for the Kikaider Reboot movie. Speaking of puns, remember Pinocchio? The system that gives Jiro his conscience is called the Gemini System. Oh, Ishinomori... Back to the plot at hand, we not only get a nice light-hearted moment with Masaru and Jiro starting to bond, but get a look into the mind of Mitsuko, who is clearly feeling as though her late father wanted to replace his children. https://i.imgur.com/CRZs5cy.png This here is Dr. Hell--I MEAN, Professor Gill. And props to this being one of the few Toku(-esque) shows where I've seen the main villain actually take direct action early on, rather than just leaving their lackeys to do all the work. He's voiced by Michael Gregory, who you might know as Lieutenant Hedgecock from RoboCop! From what I've looked up, he hasn't done too many voice acting roles, but he does a great job here. Sounding like a mysterious villain and not going super over the top, despite the character design. Continuing with great character moments, we're proven just how much Mitsuko loves her little brother; Prioritizing getting the monster of the week away from Masaru at the cost of her own well being. It's also during the sequence that we're introduced to Jiro's' bike: The Side Machine! https://i.imgur.com/vnK3KFP.png Can you tell the original story was made by the Kamen Rider guy yet? Haha. And, well, guess now's as good a time as any to bring this up, since we just mentioned Mitsuko. This episode also introduces what would forever live on as her most (in)famous moment. "I was right! You're nothing more than some mad machine!" See, those of you new to the show probably don't know this, but Kikaider's' old detractors tended to quote this line specifically; Making the claim that Mitsuko says it in literally every single episode of the show. Well, I'm here to tell you that that is a gross over-exaggeration. Heck, I'll even keep count for you all from now on if you want just to prove the point. So far she has said it once, in response to nearly getting strangled to death. https://youtu.be/Fiost0PBAFU The episode also offers some great action. From the Side Machine chase to the battle with the Mantis Robot to... well, just check this out: https://i.imgur.com/Aa5E35u.gifv Oh baby that is smooth. This also marks the debut of Kiakider's' signature finisher, Electro End. Which, if you'll notice, the Mantis Robot had been spamming the entire episode, further emphasizing the connection between Kikaider and those he fights. Again, can you tell this was originally an Ishinomori work? Haa. Aaannd that's about all I can think to highlight from this episode. What'd you all think? As usual, I thought it was great. We got some great character building, with all three of our main characters being presented as completely believable and understandable. Good stuff. |
Quote:
https://kamenrider.fandom.com/wiki/K...%3F_Kumo_Otoko |
Episode 3: Stray Sheep
https://i.imgur.com/kpTGldG.png This episode opens with an effect that I absolutely love. Looking and sounding as though the sky itself is cracking apart, before being revealed as a giant spider's' web. See guys, this is why you don't have sex. A giant spider will come and crush you to death! https://i.imgur.com/IFmtuaU.png We kick things of with Detective Zennigata--errhem, Detective Hattori, a broke detective hired by Mitsuko to find Jiro, who's been missing for some time now. Despite his somewhat bumbling appearance and manner of speech, we get a clue real quick about why exactly this guy is a detective; He's quick on the upkeep. Only to be further emphasized later on. Hattori is allegedly voiced by Kirk Thorton, who has done a ton of voice work over time. I say allegedly because from what I've looked up there seems to be rather conflicting accounts on if it's actually him or not(and the credits of this show don't credit the English VAs). But if it is him, then I gotta say, this dude has some serious range. Something I like about this plot is that it's left ambiguous on where Mitsuko stands during this. While you could give her the benefit of the doubt in that she's legitimately worried about Jiro, it's also just as likely she simply wants to keep him in check, still viewing him as... well, a mad machine. Yes, she says it again this episode. 3 times if you count the flashback towards the start of the episode. So as of now, we have the counter at 2 times in 2 episodes, 4 if you count flashbacks(which I don't). https://i.imgur.com/k4TzLNO.png Meanwhile, Jiro ain't doing too hot! The overall comparisons to puppets is pretty blatant, even within the very title of this episode, but it's easy to feel sorry for the guy. He's lost in a world he has no clue about, with no place to call home. It's a bad situation all around, and deals with various feelings many outcasts can relate to. Not helping is how, due to his cluelessness on how the world works, and his ability to do things most normal people can't, he's getting treated like a monster by what few people he does try to interact with. The scene where he learns guitar from the peddler? It's stuck with me ever since I saw it. That straight up hurt man. https://i.imgur.com/GCZFY8D.png The monster this episode is a giant spider, and man this thing makes my skin crawl. I've got arachnophobia. Not as bad as many others, but still, spiders just super gross me out and this thing is no exception. From the way it moves to how it crushes people to death... and yet, my favorite superhero is Spider-Man. Irony, that. https://i.imgur.com/xUCgXxO.png I know this is totally random to call out but... you guys remember when vehicles used to be hand-drawn instead of CGI? Man I miss that. The climax of the episode isn't so much about the action, but rather dumping a bit more plot to keep things moving forward. We learn a bit more about the late Dr. Kohmyoji, Kikaider is officially name-dropped, and Hattori is officially a part of the gang now! What's not to love? Oh, and speaking of Kikaider, he shows us how versatile Electro End can be. https://i.imgur.com/RuVxPgj.gifv And I guess now's as good a time as any to plug the Ending Theme of the show, Destiny featuring Yui Horie. https://youtu.be/2hbxJf0pKTY I straight up could not find an English translation of the lyrics anywhere, so if anyone has any idea what the song is even about, please, fill me in. Aaannd that's about it. Not too much happens in this episode in terms of action, but it does serve as an important stepping stone for the show in general. And again, the character moments and atmosphere are more than enough to keep me drawn in. What'd you all think? |
Quote:
Looking for a destiny hikari sagashite Looking for a destiny, I'm searching for a light Looking for a destiny donna toki mo Looking for a destiny, all the time Looking for a destiny kono mune no naka afureru omoi he to tada zutto mukatteyuku Looking for a destiny, always heading towards the emotions overflowing in my heart Fuan dake ga wakariyasuku natte yuku yoru mo And on those nights where our worries are the only things that seem simple Kokoro kasanete owaranai kuchidzuke wo Our hearts overlap in an endless kiss Onaji you na kanashimi ni tsutsumare umaretekita dakedo We were born wrapped in the same sadness, but all the same... Looking for a destiny hikari sagashite Looking for a destiny, I'm searching for a light Looking for a destiny donna toki mo Looking for a destiny, all the time Looking for a destiny kono mune no naka afureru omoi he to tada zutto mukatteyuku Looking for a destiny, always heading towards the emotions overflowing in my heart Tatta hitori ja michi ni mayou toki demo zutto And at those times where you're lost on your lonely path Anata wo terasu hoshi wo futari de sagasou Let's search for a star to light your way together Sugita kinou no tsumi wo tokihanatsu no wa dekinai keredo We can't erase the sins of days past, but even so... Looking for a destiny yume wo sagashite Looking for a destiny, I'm searching for a dream Looking for a destiny donna toki mo Looking for a destiny, all the time Looking for a destiny kanjiru mama ni kowaresou ni natte mo tada uketome aruiteku Looking for a destiny, even when it seems like I'm about to break, I'll stay true to my feelings, and keep walking on Looking for a destiny hikari sagashite Looking for a destiny, I'm searching for a light Looking for a destiny donna toki mo Looking for a destiny, all the time Looking for a destiny yume wo sagashite Looking for a destiny, I'm searching for a dream Looking for a destiny kurai yoru mo Looking for a destiny, even on the blackest night Those last four lines repeat as the song fades out, by the way. So yeah, hopefully that's what you're after. You can probably expect me to be around for the rest of this ride. |
Thank you so much for the translation! Gotta say, the song fits the show pretty much perfectly!
And yeah, unfortunately the license is in total limbo. I remember reading *somewhere* ages ago that Sentai Filmworks had picked it up, but assuming that wasn't just a fever dream on my part they obviously haven't done anything with it. Still, glad you decided to check the show out! Hope you enjoy the rest of it as we go! |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
Quote:
Episode 4: Mirror The opening of this episode is intense, man! https://i.imgur.com/43ZsoHO.png We get an answer to the ambiguity of Mitsuko's' stance last episode. Deep down, she does care for Jiro, and no, she hasn't gotten over all of the attempts on her life, either(as if it'd be that easy, right?). Again, probably gonna be an odd thing to call out to alot of you, but I do love how the blood in this sequence looks like actual, you know, blood. Not red water, not black oil, straight up, gooey, crimson red, BLOOD. That's actually really unique for alot of anime of this type. Atleast in my experience. https://i.imgur.com/NnA26CD.png Jiro meanwhile has found a new hobby; Playing his guitar for anyone willing to hear. I actually got a bit of giggle at how he continues to play even as the old woman scolds her child and drags him back home. And hey, when your guitar playing is this good, why stop? We also get another flashback to the Mad Machine scene, so, 5, if you count it. Again, I don't, as it's not Mitsuko herself repeating it, and is more to reinforce part of what's keeping Jiro in the state he's in. It's legitimately sad. https://i.imgur.com/2xTQ5PK.png Back to Mitsuko, we learn the primary source of her Robophobia and abandonment issues. What's really nice about this is that it's a scene that shows not only a big reason why she is the way she is, but also notes that it in itself is not a good thing, and that she's actively trying to work on it. So many times I've seen stories that expected me to feel sorry for someone for and totally excuse all of their wrongdoings solely via their backstory, but not here. Here Ishinomori shows it's not just what happens to you, it's what you do moving forward that matters most. Mitsuko is voiced by Lia Sargent, who to me stands out as Dorothy from The Big O, another of my all time favorite anime! (also kinda funny when you consider the plot of Kikaider and who her character is in Big O). Oh and uh, before moving on, can I just point out how awesome this character design is? https://i.imgur.com/GtctsR8.png Hahahaha, I love that afro. *Ahem* ANYWAY, we get a cool bit of lore on Gill and his flute. It serves the dual purpose of not only driving Jiro crazy(literally), but it's also a message to his robots; An order to destroy. We also get to hear Jiro's' Henshin phrase for the first time! "SWITCH ON!" Which I feel like Fourze should totally say(I'm only like 10 episodes in on that so shhh). The robot this time is a giant ant who shoots acid. Kinda random, but okay. And the mirror that the title is referring to? https://i.imgur.com/JjzPUwQ.png It's brief enough so as to not be overbearing, but it really is the crux of the episode in that Jiro for the first time actually gets a good look at himself. From his physical appearance, to what he's capable of when he becomes unhinged, it's a heavy burden to bear. They even flashback to the guitar scene. So double gut punch. Jeez. Real quick I wanted to GIF a certain bit of the fight scene, because it was cool. And to further emphasize how diabolical Gill is, when Jiro refuses to fight what is essential his own brother in the Ant, Gill orders the Ant to kill an innocent girl. Gorgom clearly had an idol in mind when they formed their organization. It's also a subtle clue as to Gill's' true intentions. But I'll leave you to think about that one. But he's not done there! https://i.imgur.com/DfCClHO.png Yeah, ordering your own soldier/adopted child to suicide bomb is pretty messed up! And showing the divide between the two, Jiro is horrified by the notion, while Ant sees nothing wrong with it. I won't dare spoil how this episode ends, but it really all does come together true to its title. "Mirror" really was the perfect title, as well as the perfect symbol to show the theme and plot of the episode. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I basically gave my thoughts on the episode with the bit above, but as usual, lemme know what you guys thought. |
One thing I found neat about this episode is that in that the preview's narration has the line about how mirrors reflect the truth, which obviously pays off with Jirou getting a good look at his robotic body for the first time, but the motif is actually established right at beginning, when Mitsuko realizes she was crying during her nightmare by looking in a mirror. It doesn't really mean that much, I guess; the implications of her imagining Jirou with human blood are really doing all the talking in that scene, but I still appreciate the consistent theming.
|
My brain actually totally didn't make the connection between Mitsuko's' brief look in the mirror and the title. Nice catch there!
|
Episode 5: City of Rain
https://i.imgur.com/rmByrEa.png The overall message of the episode is right in the opening line: "Please... please remember... I'll always be here... I'll be here... waiting..." --- Showing that the various robot attacks haven't been invisible to normals, Jiro is currently under suspect of committing various crimes, having been at the scene of nearly all of them and the general public being terrified of Kikaider as well. Hattori is on the case as usual, but not ones to simply sit around, Mitsuko begins her own investigation, searching yet again through her late father's' files. It's then as Masaru convinces her that they need to do their own search, because after all, Jiro is his brother, and a family should stick together, right? https://i.imgur.com/8rtC4Gg.png Masaru is voiced by Barbara Goodson, whom everyone here should know as the voice actress for Rita Repulsa of Power Rangers fame! She's no stranger to voicing young boys either, and as always she does a wonderful job. Anyone who thinks she can only do over-the-top voice acting due to her stint as Rita, check her other roles out. You won't be disappointed. https://i.imgur.com/7qOfVrq.png Something very unique to this episode is that for once, Jiro isn't the one at center stage. The plot of the episode revolves around a kind woman, Miyuki, and a mysterious man she met ages ago, who never even bothered to tell her his name. After taking in Jiro from the rain, Miyuki goes into detail about him, and how he was similar to Jiro in alot of ways. One thing I like about the conversation they have(and about alot of Jiro's' dialogue this episode) is that it shows that Jiro is learning alot more about the world; becoming more... human. The man's' name by the way? Toru. He's a criminal, recently hired by the now named evil organization of the story; DARK. That said, Jiro isn't totally left out here. He has alot of moments of character growth sprinkled all throughout the episode. https://i.imgur.com/7cMtetf.png The gang's all here to find Jiro, no matter what it takes! Toru immediately shows his care for Miyuki. When DARK reveals they plan to blow the city sky high, he immediately runs to find and try to save here. It's here that Toru and Jiro meet. ...And anywhere Kikaider goes, well. https://i.imgur.com/om7eh9e.png The Side Machine gets some good use here; Carrying the injured Toru off to safety from the Yellow Jaguar that's attacked. Something I like about the exchange Jiro and Toru have is how, for once, it's Jiro who's helping someone to grow. Jiro makes Toru realize just how important Miyuki is to him, and even gets him to volunteer to save the city. Jiro in turn learns from Miyuki and Toru, too. Making him realize that despite all his fears, he does want his family. Unfortunately DARK has other plans, so Jiro resolves to fight the Jaguar while Toru runs to save the city. Jiro hates fighting his own kind, but he'll do what he must when lives are on the line. Megaman X would be proud. https://i.imgur.com/EacSfE7.png Also I just really love this shot, okay? The fight itself is pretty cool. I especially love the bit where they spar amongst the flames. But, I decided to gif this little moment instead, because it shows that rain can symbolize alot of things, and it's very rare I find that rain is seen as a saving grace, more often used as a hazard or setting a mood for sorrow(which this episode also does). In the end, Jiro opts to spare Miyuki's' feelings and leave her in ignorance about everything that's gone on, and really, I don't blame him at all. |
Episode 6: Negative Fragments
No GIF this time, unless you guys want me to GIF a specific moment from the episode. I'll do it if you do. We open to Mitsuko thinking about how Jiro told her that, like most humans, he too has feelings, and wants nothing more than to be a family with her and Masaru. Hattori then comes in, saying that with his investigation into Dr. Kohmyoji comes rather... interesting, news. ...And then Count Dracula attacks. https://i.imgur.com/GXwESNw.png Needless to say Hattori is no match, and Mitsuko is abducted by the Golden Bat. https://i.imgur.com/kOBlUQi.png Meanwhile with Jiro, he continues to play his guitar, as the events of last episode weigh heavily on his mind. Especially the words of Miyuki: "If we don't have something to believe in, then life isn't worth living." It's then that the Bat challenges Jiro to come and save Mitsuko, whom he has captive in an abandoned mansion. But don't be fooled! Like last episode, Jiro is actually taking a backseat this time. This episode is all about Mitsuko and her family history, to the point that Jiro won't be showing up again for quite awhile! The episode is nearly all dialogue with very little action. I honestly don't think I can talk about it too much at length without simply retyping the script as-is, but there are a few details that definitely stand out most to me. First off, Dr. Kohmyoji used to have a son. His name? Ichiro. https://i.imgur.com/dEEPswv.png Second is probably the biggest one. The details not only concerning the house, Gill, and Mitsuko's' family, but just who exactly the Count is. And I gotta say, the interactions between him and Mitsuko are MORE than enough to carry this entire episode. A big part of that thanks to the actors at play here. https://i.imgur.com/WxiCMy3.png Dracula here is played by Michael McConnohie, who has done a metric ton of voice roles over the years, and when it comes to grandstanding villains, he always does awesome. He too was in Big O, where he also played a character who delivered some harsh truths of the story. Funny coincidence, that. While they don't go super deep into it(which is for the better, I feel), the conversation the two have touches on alot of things. Like the nature of humanity, the role machines and AI play into everyday life, and the consequences that children bear due to the actions of their parents. It makes for compelling stuff. https://i.imgur.com/d1aZfOw.png It's no wonder Mitsuko is so shaken by the end of it all. And while the Bat has certainly shown himself to be quite different than the Robots that Jiro has fought before, it's interesting to see how at the end of the day, he actually yearns to be just another machine. |
Quote:
Quote:
|
Quote:
Quote:
|
Just catching up with this thread. Lovely starting choice, I already like this aesthetic (man I love me some 90s OVA visual and Ishinomori's character design in general), and I'll start watching along whenever I can make some time.
Kikaider's someone I only recognized from crossover appearances in other media (like that one episode in KR Gaim or the tribute appearance in Concrete Revolutio); I assume that, just like anime/manga counterparts of toku show, this is a completely alternate retelling that can be seen independently outside of the live show? |
Quote:
|
Episode 7: Afterglow of Regret
https://i.imgur.com/V7Qu0M2.png We open with a flashback, showing the circumstances behind Ichiro's' death. And man is it gruesome. This in turn leads into how Kohmyoji met Gill, and the fateful meeting that would eventually lead to the events of the present day. Said opening also immediately gave me the moment I wanted to GIF. https://i.imgur.com/QiXjOMO.gifv Seriously. That's an absolutely great looking scene ontop of being a brilliant way to transition into the opening credits. This is the actionized continuation of the events from episode 6. As Jiro works his way inside the mansion where Mitsuko is being held captive, Bat and Mitsuko continue their talk from earlier. With the unfolding events clearly having an effect on the villain of the week. https://i.imgur.com/BVO2tT9.png I'd also like to say that, man, Golden Bat is probably the most practical one of the robots Jiro has fought so far. Holding out in a booby-trapped base in order to wear your prey down and only stepping in if you need to for the killing blow? Very nice. Er, not nice. You get what I mean. https://i.imgur.com/dWC4Ob1.png We also see that Jiro isn't totally over his shame of his own body yet, as he refuses to transform upon learning that Mitsuko is watching. It's here that something else is added to all of the compelling themes that previous episode touched upon: Not being ashamed of who you are or how you look. But in a nice touch of realism, despite Mitsuko's' kind words, Jiro doesn't just suddenly get over it. https://i.imgur.com/5dTPPTo.png We also get to see a new and cool use for his guitar! I hope you all keep this scene in mind for the day you end up being attacked by crazy cyborg bats. It could save your life! Like with the previous episode, I really love how each character plays off one another here. Mitsuko and Bat really do take center stage once again. Yeah, the action sequence in itself is cool and all, but the real meat comes from these two. Bat proclaiming how much it hurts to be someone who fits in with no one and is shunned by everyone, and Mitsuko proclaiming that no one is alone in those feelings, and that Jiro is someone to be admired because he continues on despite that suffering? I absolutely love it. This is another episode where I dare not spoil every little detail talked about or how it all ends. As what can be seen as the anime's' only direct two-parter? It leaves one hell of an impact. Not just on the characters and story, but on me as a viewer as well. |
There's a thing in this one I thought was super appropriate for building on the themes being explored, which is how it completely reverses the rules. Jirou spends all the action in this episode in his human form, and, without mentioning any more of the context than I have to, the scenes he gets in his android form don't involve him fighting at all.
It's also pretty readily apparent why Mitsuko's VA is the one singing the ending theme given how much this episode emphasizes she's dealing with her own s*** just like the robots are. I'd agree this was a real banger of a two-parter. Orange Ant's sweet afro is hard to top, but Golden Bat did a lot of hard work to lay claim to the title of coolest bad guy so far. |
Episode 8: Blue Moon, Red Dreams
Recap episode. ... What? You want more out of me? Uh... okay, well, literally all this episode is is a clip show/highlight reel of everything across the series so far with some minor narration thrown in from Jiro. I suppose it's meant to be framed as though Jiro is reflecting on everything up to this point? Personally I don't mind recap episode as long as they serve some sort of narrative purpose, or are done in a creative and interesting way. And while yes, this show IS one of my favorites, I'm not gonna deny that this recap episode is very thrown together. There's literally no merit to even watching it, honestly. It's to the point that even when the show first aired on US television, they actually outright skipped this episode in its entirety. And really, I can't blame them. But hey, if literally all you want is a highlight reel of the first half of the anime, then, well, here ya go. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
It's weird to think about whatever kind of shoestring budget they must've been working with to need a clip show in a 12 episode series though. Or like, did the network demand an extra week out of nowhere or something? Does that happen? I feel like this episode has a story behind its creation that would be way more interesting than the episode itself. Which might not be saying much, but still. |
Yeah, I guess that is something "nice" you could say about it. The episode just kinda... exists. Weird compliment, yeah, but I too have seen recap eps that made me actively angry(hi Dragon Knight).
I'm also curious about the story behind why this episode was made. Unfortunately due to the show's' obscurity, there's like, no info on any English websites that I know of. Speaking purely on speculation here, I'd be surprised to learn this show had a tiny budget considering just how good it looks, even today. Maybe they felt the two-parter was super heavy and audiences needed some time to breathe? It does make me think... |
Quote:
EDIT: Oh, and the most obvious, probable scenario just hit me. Maybe the animation was simply running behind schedule. Although, again, for the reasons I just said, it doesn't strike me as a show that was overworking its animators too hard, but I don't know. There are people way more informed about the Japanese animation industry than I am who could speculate with more authority than me. |
Episode 9: Friends
I think this is the only episode that's a bit mis-titled. Don't get me wrong, the title itself DOES work given the overall plot of the episode, but I feel like a much better title would've been "Bonds" given the overall theme. Hopefully I can make clear why I think that as we go. https://i.imgur.com/d0Fvy7u.png It's a joyous reunion as everyone gets back together again! This opening shows that Jiro is back and he's staying around, and that despite Hattori's' job now technically being complete, he's determined to see this entire situation through to the end. The next step being finding where exactly Professor Gill is hiding, and also trying to figure out what exactly his connection to Mitsuko's' mother was. https://i.imgur.com/4kUNSCT.png Meanwhile with Gill, we get a bigger glimpse at the most popular character in the entire franchise. Who is he? Well, we'll definitely find out later, but for now, what we do know is that Gill finds him capable enough that he declares he's leaving everything in the mysterious man's' hands from here on. The Mystery Man is voiced by Steve Blum, who needs literally no introduction to anyone at all familiar with the world of English anime dubs. Especially at the time the dub was recorded in the early 2000s, considering Blum was in, well, damn near everything. And hey, I ain't knockin' the guy! Blum does a great job in basically any role he's given; Having voiced several of my favorite characters(and being in many of my favorite shows) outright. Some notable examples being Roger Smith in The Big O and Kazuma in s-CRY-ed. https://i.imgur.com/9gz0Bro.png As the episode continues, it becomes more and more apparent at just what the overall theme of the episode actually is; The bonds that people create between one another, and all of the memories, moments, and emotions that come with that, both good and bad. Hattori, despite having every right to bail at this point, has grown close to everyone and continues to support them any way he can. Mitsuko, obviously, has her close ties to her family, and her memories of them continue to serve as vital clues to the plot at hand. Jiro's' life is beginning to take a turn upward now that he's decided to make his own life with those he cares about. And Masaru? Well, he makes some new friends! Tragedy strikes though when a new robot appears. And despite the situation and the hesitation that Jiro feels within his Gemini Circuit, it's clear what has to be done. Oh, and Fish Sandwich mentioned earlier in the thread that Jiro's' Japanese VA is Tomokazu Seki, famous for being the voice of Domon Kasshu of G-Gundam fame. Weelll let's just say that makes sense now. I'm actually a rather big fan of this style of storytelling; Specifically ones that start of rather lighthearted and "normal" but slowly become more and more dark and sinister as things go on. That's not to say it's the only way a story should be told(heck, one of my favorite shows in Rune Soldier, a hilarious and light-hearted comedy), but something about stuff like this just appeals to me. And yeah, this episode totally nails it. And I ain't gonna lie, the very first time I saw this episode? I teared up a little at the end. Not to sound macho or anything, but it's very rare a show actually makes me do that. Heck, I still feel major empathy for Masaru, despite this being like, my 6th time watching this show. Overall, great episode, as usual. |
Quote:
Anyway, I think what jumped out at me about this episode was how, and I kind of understand now why Kuuga would remind you of this show saying this, but it's got a sort of deliberately trim style of storytelling. It sticks out especially given how heavy on monologues the two-parter was. This one has a lot of moments and lines that are very significant and meant to be drilled into, but it doesn't dwell on them too much, leaving that up to the viewer. In particular, the way the episode sort of peters out at the end leaves you with a lot of raw emotion to sort out on your own, rather than tying every little thing up in a nice bow for you. |
Oh man, you actually remember me saying that? Thanks! Haha.
And yeah you are totally right there. Your Kuuga thread actually helped me to realize that alot my favorite shows tend to do this style of storytelling. Whether it be a handful of specific episodes, or just the entirety of their tales in general. Kino's Journey and s-CRY-ed are two such examples. They're the type of shows that trust that the viewer is, well, for lack of a better way of putting it, paying close attention to what exactly it is they're talking about. They don't hold your hand, and just present themselves to you in pure, raw, (and often minimalist) form. But again, incase anyone is getting the wrong idea, I'm not trying to claim that that's the only way nor the absolute best way any story should be told, it's just something that tends to speak to me specifically. And hey, I've certainly seen ways I felt the style was done poorly too(like the first act of Agito). Heck, maybe one day in this thread I'll even get to rant abou--err, cover, such a type of show. |
Episode 10: Frozen Bonds
https://i.imgur.com/ZaQ8zWY.png Oh man this... this can't be good. Similar to how the City of Rain episode had rain as it main source of symbolism, this episode instead uses snow(as well as the cold). The center focus is about Mitsuko tracking down and confronting her mother about their connection to Gill and where to find him. https://i.imgur.com/jYXGYbi.png Gotta say, the scenes where Mitsuko is directly confronting her mom really do shine here. And not just the dialogue and symbolism either! What makes it even cooler is the interesting turnaround this episode has from typical shows of its ilk. It's Mitsuko, "the chick" as in, not the main character, who is demanding everyone stay and keep demanding answers. Whereas its Jiro, the hero, the guy who in most other stories would be the one ready to bust heads, that is instead insisting everyone just forget about it and leave. https://i.imgur.com/0Jl5Bru.png But as one might predict from the opening scene, things go way south when it's revealed that Gill is still working from the shadows. I especially love the line "I have my orders." Very blatantly showing that Mitsuko's' mother is no different from the robots in terms of her situation; A servant of Gill, whether she likes it or not. It's here that the Mystery Man also reveals his name: Saburo. Not sounding like the name of the most popular character in the franchise? Well, let's wait on that. What we can comment on is that Saburo reveals that he's Jiro's' little brother, and designed specifically to destroy Jiro. And uh, I'd say he makes good on his threat. Infact, he makes good on it in more ways than one. That said, the thing that stands out the most to me about Saburo is him killing the Scorpion Robot, and just how much his character(and this moment specifically) would go on to influence other characters over the decades. Bass from Megaman and Vegeta from Dragon Ball are two very blatant examples. Plus being voiced by Steve Blum? Yeah, this guy's got basically everything he needs to be one cool villain. And yes, I know this show came out after this two examples did, but this character, and the manga he originates from? Way before those two. Like with "Stray Sheep" there isn't too much that happens in this episode in terms of events, but it's definitely another step forward in terms of the plot, the characters, and the threat at hand. |
Quote:
|
Yeah, I find it really interesting(and cool) that Mitsuko is straight up the deautagonist of the story. It further shows that being human isn't inherent an awesome thing to be.
Speaking of, I feel like Ishinomori was almost trying to make a counter-piece to Pinocchio, despite using it as a sort of framing device, considering everything Kikaider deals with. Oh, and something I DEFINITELY wanna note about this episode, of which I realized while at work earlier today. The scene where Mitsuko's' mom kills her fish? It wasn't just to show her stress or her bad side. No, it was because she outright knew she wasn't going to make it through the night. Call me slow, but that never dawned on me until now, and it makes me appreciate this episode even more! |
Quote:
|
Episode 11: The Destroyer
The Japanese title of this episode is actually a bit of a hint as what, or rather, who, this episode is all about. That said, you might still be able to guess given the opening, which follows the direct aftermath of the previous episode. Jiro has disappeared amongst the flames, but within the wreckage comes a new hope for the future. https://i.imgur.com/YuUWVgT.png Gotta admit, that's actually an out and out brilliant place for Kohmyoji to hide his work. Keeps it forever close and hidden to the one who could protect it best; with the only people who could even have a chance at getting to it being those close to Kikaider... close to Jiro. Speaking of Jiro, ever wonder what would happen if the tune that makes Kikaider go crazy never actually stopped? https://i.imgur.com/wqcBEIr.png Yeah, uh... that's uh... that's not good. The entire sequence shows just why it's so important to get the Gemini repaired. A completely unhinged Kikaider is a danger to literally everyone. Even the police get slaughtered Kuuga-style. Meanwhile with Mitsuko, we get a nice scene of her finally starting to not baby Masaru anymore, but the timing isn't exactly great. Masaru shows upfront that everything the family has been through has been taking a big toll on him(as it would anyone), and he needs his sister now more than ever. Mitsuko also comes to realize why her father ended up the way he did, and more importantly, that she needs to be careful, otherwise she'll end up just like him; Someone consumed by their own sadness. It's a great moment of self-realization, and something many people in real life never come to acknowledge. Self-reflection/introspection is important people! So how's Jiro doing? https://i.imgur.com/1Zw6nWg.png Yeah, Saburo is every bit as twisted as Gill is, and it's clear that this mission is personal. It's not enough to just kill Jiro. Oh no, he needs to make him suffer. Does Saburo translate to "utter sadist" in Japanese or something? https://i.imgur.com/NgDG5y3.png And what better way to make Jiro suffer than to try and make him kill the one he loves most? Gotta hand it to Mitsuko here though. Girl has nerves of friggen tungsten, being able to try and talk Psycho Jiro down. But it's a great moment! Continuing with this essentially being Jiro's' story of growing up, he's able to overcome temptation and take control of his own actions. And now more than ever is ready to face off against Saburo. It's just that, well, Saburo isn't going to go down easy. This is Hakaider, the polar opposite to Kikaider in almost every way. The personality is obvious, but even from a design perspective, it's clear that Ishinomori fully thought this out. First off, while Jiro's' transformation into Kikaider is long and extravagant, Saburo's' transformation into Hakaider is quick and simple; Not even seeming to require a pose or a phrase in order to activate. Second, Hakaider's' body is almost entirely complete outside of the obvious brain he has exposed. But said brain also goes to show how he's able to have joys, pleasures, thoughts, and feelings like Kikaider does(even if Hakaider's' are seriously messed up). The predominant black of course showing his darker nature, and then there's my favorite touch; His face. See, unlike Kikaider, whose mouth moves, and his eyes move ever so slightly in order to convey emotion, Hakaider's' face is permanently stuck in a slasher smile, even when speaking. It's really unsettling once you realize it, and shows that if you see this guy, don't expect to make it out alive. The episode ends with Hakaider fought off, but at the cost of some serious physical and psychological damage to Jiro. Ontop of that, we learn the fate of Dr. Kohmyoji, and it's not pretty. From here on it's made very clear that we're gearing up for the endgame of the story... well, mostly. I'll get to that in due time. But until then, another great episode in this tragic tale. |
Quote:
I mean, obviously you're just doing a bit there, but I figured I'd throw out the trivia anyway. I would've called out the fact that Hakaider's face is stuck in a smile, which was a detail that immediately jumped out at me, but you had that one covered. Oh, and the episode itself was amazing, but it seems most things become at least twice as good when you add Hakaider to them. It worked for Kamen Rider Gaim (sort of)! The guy is a legendary villain for good reason, is the point. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:17 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:17 PM.
|