An American Writer's Thoughts on Japanese Animation

Seasonal Selection – Sabikui Bisco Episode 2

My level of concern is now higher than it was after episode 1, and as we get into how this episode has fallen out, I will explain why.

Like the last episode, the events are told out of order and disjointed. Unlike last episode, where the technique seemed to be used to establish an air of mystery, this time basically every line is focused on action, so that’s a little rough. We do get some character in between it all. But less than perhaps could be desired.

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Imitation Gold – Muv Luv Alternative Total Eclipse Spoiler Review

I’ve talked a few times in this blog about imitations, the usually lesser offspring of greater progenitors. Yuki Yuna is a Hero from Madoka Magica. RahXephon from Neon Genesis Evangelion. And, in my previous takes, I’ve often pointed out that it’s not always bad to take notes, even heavy notes from something great just as long as the new work brings something legitimate and innovative to the table, a test that both Yuki Yuna and RahXephon passed with flying colors.

Muv Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse (from here on to be called simply Total Eclipse) is in a somewhat different place when it comes to that. For one, it’s not exactly a sequel (taking place at a similar time to Alternative itself), but because it’s part of the same franchise it does operate somewhat on sequel rules more than the rules for (dubiously) original works. For another… it’s much more overshadowed and clearly imitative than those others I’ve addressed.

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Seasonal Selection – Sabikui Bisco Episode 1

Well, I can’t say that this show doesn’t just throw you right into things. In one episode we’re introduced to a post-apocalyptic Japan with loads of details and plenty of character both main and incidental. It’s a lot of work in not a lot of time, which already shows a good deal of skill.

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The Ride Never Stops, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love PTSD – Muv Luv Alternative VN Spoiler Review

Muv Luv Alternative. Even before the anime adaptation appeared in Fall 2021, it would be somewhat strange for a fan of Japanese media to have never heard about this thing. Even if you know nothing else, the fact that it’s the highest-rated VN of all time according to VNDB (above such entries as Fate/Stay Night at #12 and Steins;Gate at #2) accords it some degree of fame. But, if you maybe aren’t terribly connected to that side of fandom, and have been a wee bit out of touch since it came into a more mainstream anime light in October, that’s alright. Though, before we go on, let me repeat my dire spoiler warning from last week’s review.

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“Save in the name of True Love” – Muv Luv Extra & Unlimited Visual Novels Spoiler Review

Well, I always seem to get myself into something mammoth for January, and this year it’s going to be a big, long look at the Muv Luv franchise. In its most basic form, Muv Luv is a trilogy of Visual Novels that, together, tell the story of Takeru Shirogane across time and dimensions, ending with the insanely popular and acclaimed Muv Luv Alternative. Of course, the franchise is much larger than just that, including tons of side-stories, alternate versions, and of course a few anime outings that are why I’m doing this. That said, while VNs aren’t usually what I draw attention to here, I feel like it’s important to go through the source material of Muv Luv as well as the shows.

A big part of this is that the only entry in the main series that’s been put to Anime is Alternative – the third in the series. I’ll be getting to that at the end of the month, but right now I want to lay the groundwork by addressing the chapters of Muv Luv that didn’t get to the screen, Extra and Unlimited.

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Seasonal Selection – Shikizakura Episode 12 (End)

While by no means one of the all-time great climaxes, I will credit the ending of Shikizakura this: it’s exactly the sort of end you’d want to see to the sort of show Shikizakura has been. Decent fighting? Check. Everybody’s infected by optimism and pulls together? Check. Some surprisingly decent emotional play? Check. Totally corny speeches that belong in the kind of campy hero show the creators clearly loved? Double check.

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Seasonal Selection – 86 Episode 21 (S2E10)

Can you believe we’ve got more coming after this? Once again, the show has done a pretty good job of convincing you that everyone is dead and all is if not lost than at least at a brutal end. Alongside that, we get a pretty incredible action climax with the right amount of back-and-forth for a desperate final battle against the odds.

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End-of-the-Year Season 2 Rapid Fire Round

Well it’s the last Monday in 2021, and while normally this is a day for a full series review, I’ve decided that right at the end here, I should take the time to write a few words on second seasons for shows that I’ve already written about, where those second seasons don’t really merit a full reviewing on their own.

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Waste in the Wasteland – Children of the Whales Spoiler Review

It’s becoming a Christmas tradition for me to review a show I absolutely despise towards the end of December. And why not? Negativity is fun to write and to read; it’s probably what a lot of you are here for, and Haruhi knows I’ve wanted to tear into some of these shows for some time. And this time it’s my miserable pleasure to open up on Children of the Whales.  Ho, ho, ho.

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