Hi all,
I’m going to change the style of this segment as I’m not entirely happy with its direction. Instead of an article which brushes on some of my favourite Anime that you may not have seen, I will instead do a weekly review of a selection of Anime both the one’s I’m up to date with (e.g. Naruto Shippuuden) and those I’m catching up on (One Piece) discussing my joys and frustrations with each.
Covered this week are: Naruto Shippuuden (113-5), One Piece (1-245) and Hajime No Ippo: New Challenger (16-24)
Naruto Shippuuden
(Episodes 113-115)
(Episodes 113-115)
I feel along with many other viewers of Naruto Shippuuden, the sequel instalment to Naruto, we’ve had to endure a lot of blandness, from the painfully long drawn out opening story arc of the series (I mean did the Gaara Vs Deidara fight really have to go on for 7 episodes?) and the repetitive drollness of the “three-tails” filler arc. Okay maybe I’m being a bit hard on the latter, it had some good moments like the funny banter between Tobi (an intriguing character) and his de facto mentor Deidara. There was also the... um... nope that was pretty much the only good point but that’s filler for you I guess!
Fortunately since Episode 113 (The Great Snake’s Pupil), we appear to be back on track.
More after the break...
The story has now returned (briefly) to the raspy voiced Lord Orochimaru endless pining for Emo-King Sasuke’s body and precious sharingan. I have to say I was shocked with the speed of the transition from the filler arc straight into a fight between these two but it was well done, and we caught another glimpse of how Sasuke has come. So did Orochimaru. Unfortunately for him, it was the last thing he saw.
In Episode 115 (Zabuza’s Sword), we see the aftermath of Orochimaru’s demise as a suddenly gormless Kabuto looks over his corpse powerless to stop Sasuke who’s next step is recruiting Suigetsu into a new group he’s forming, presumably to oppose the Akatsuki. Suigetsu has a very interesting power. His body seems to be made entirely of water or at least he can turn himself into water giving him a huge edge against physical attacks, something he seems to be willing to test out as he squares up to Sasuke. Despite Orochimaru’s mocking words earlier that Sasuke was too merciful and soft, I can’t I say I agree, as Sasuke seems to have completely forsaken his emotions and was absolutely unfazed by Suigetsu who backed down jokingly, perhaps to hide his nervousness especially since the Chidori is electricity based, trumping his water abilities.
I liked the linking of Suigetsu to Zabuza, the incredibly strong swordsman all the way back at the beginning of Naruto and I’m looking forward to them progressing that story as if Suigetsu wants Zabuza’s sword because of their mutual connection to the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist then he’ll likely want Kisame’s (the fish faced Akatsuki member) for the same reason. I smell some very tasty confrontations in the near future once Sasuke’s team is fully assembled.
One Piece
(Episode 1-245)
(Episode 1-245)
I’m quite far behind on one Piece but trying to catch up as quickly as possible. To be honest, One Piece is such an amazing Anime that it’s a joy to spend so much time watching it even if I’m only up to episode 245 of 407 (a mere 4 years behind the new episodes). The current arc is fascinating as it finally reveals at least part of the mysterious Nico Robin’s past and the reason for her large bounty as well as the nefarious plots of the World Government. Or are the nefarious? Perhaps they’re simply working towards the greater good... it’s difficult to say at the moment, the plot is remarkably deep and full of twists for what is a shōnen (aimed at young boys/teenage boys) anime/manga.
I’m going to leave it at that for now and give a proper review of this arc in next week’s Anime Action, once I’ve finished it and have a greater idea of what’s going on. I can say that as One Piece continues to consistently get better and better, this arc so far continues the trend topping even the excellent Skypiea story arc.
Hajime No Ippo: New Challenger
(Episodes 16-24)
“Wow” is all I could say for about an hour after watching the finale of the Takamura Vs Hawk match. The conclusion of this fight and all the preceded it has simply been a masterpiece of breathtaking quality. Even if you have never seen an episode of either of the Hajime No Ippo series, I strongly recommend you watch this mini-arc from Episode 16: The Two Hawks to 24: The King.
The show’s creators have always done an excellent job making you, the viewer, want to invest your emotions into every fight, be it through music or the universal appeal (or repulsiveness) exuded by the many character’s that decorate and give life to the anime. The high point of this was previously the second Sendo Vs Ippo fight and its stunning climax, but that has now been outdone by a mile. From the build up of this fight, where we saw the leering sleazy American World Champion Brian Hawk managing to insult just about every Japanese person alive or dead, to the pre-match build up, we’ve been in for something special.
The match itself was a maze of twists and turns as both fighters fought to the limit and beyond and still kept going. There was never a moment when you could sit back and relax because one of the competitors was on top because you could be assured that something would change soon enough. I was thrilled by the way Takamura won the fight especially since he was fighting someone with the same freakish strength and speed he has. There were two stand-out moments for me, aside from the last few punches of the fight, which sum up Takamura. The first was after decimating Hawk in an enraged flurry of punches and while barely conscious himself, Takamura wakes up and hears the referee doing the 10-count for Hawk who lies at his feet. Rather than be happy that he somehow managed to knock out his opponent he grows incredibly furious that he can’t remember how. Had the bell not rung almost immediately after Hawk got back to his feet they would have been cleaning up bits of Brian Hawk off the walls.
The second bit, and my favourite Takamura moment ever, is at the start of the following round. The bell rings and Hawk rushes Takamura pummelling him with a ferocious barrage of fists but Takamura maintains a tight guard. Hawk manages to break this though and sensing an opportunity throws a wild heavy punch but Takamura, unfazed, counterpunches throwing Hawk back. Takamura then snarls:
“You’re strong all right,
But you’re unlucky!
It’s too bad you were born in the same era as me!”
But you’re unlucky!
It’s too bad you were born in the same era as me!”
The finale was genius with Takamura begging his tired body to grant him the strength to throw that one last punch to win it, but when he does somehow Hawk dodges. The victorious music playing as Takamura threw the punch disappears replaced by a faint ominous piano twinkling. Can Takamura lose this? Has the champion just been toying with him? It seems that he was as Hawk brings his head back up and his eyes are lit up with a crazed bloodlust glowing a demonic red and his trademark grin flashes back on his bloodied face. I loved the idea of the level above everyone else where the champions resided, the reserve strength and determination that the champion can call on when he’s in a pinch. Hawk called on his and as his last punch arced towards Takamura’s face and the music dies all-together replaced by the crunch of face on glove... but it’s just a glancing blow as Takamura manages to deflect the brunt of the punch and delivers his own Champion level finisher to the vulnerable Hawk and becoming the World Champion on his first attempt.
Remember you can see all the shows reviewed the week and many more at www.animeseason.com. Check it out and I’ll see you for some more Anime Action reviews this time next week.
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