Denkyu: Anime Webzine

by Otakuden

Long detective TV series can be done one of two ways: refreshingly successful or boringly unending. I have partaken of both over the years, so I always find it exciting to make a new and refreshingly successful discovery of a long detective anime series.

Detective Academy Q is my most recent success story. Originally animated and broadcast in April of 2003 and through March of 2004 for a total run of 45 episodes, Detective Academy Q features a star-studded cast of who-is-who in the sieyuu industry, both then and now. I recognized seiyuu that I have enjoyed continuously over the 13 plus years of my otaku induction. Their enduring and widely recognized talent raises Detective Academy Q to the next level. Megumi Ogata, Aya Hisakawa, Houko Kuwashima, Koichi Tochika, Tomoko Kawakami, Hideo Ishikawa, Hideyuki Tanaka, Ken Narita… to name just a few. Add a veteran directorial and production staff, and you have a recipe for almost guaranteed success.

Based on the original manga Detective Academy Q by mangaka Seimaru Amagi and Fumiya Sato, the anime stands just as well on its own. Having not read any of the manga myself, I was able to follow the storylines and character development with no difficulty at all. The overall flow was smooth with very little noticeable hitches. Might I have benefited more having read the manga first; possibly, but that was not a personal deterrent from enjoying the anime.

Our main characters are Ryuu, Kyuu, Megu, Kazuma, and Kintaro. Talented on their own, these young aspiring detectives truly shine as they hone their skills through teamwork and mutual support. It is very refreshing to see not just one character blossom and outshine the rest, but instead to see the entire Dan Detective School (DDS) members of Class Q each blossom into fine detectives while overcoming multiple hardships and obstacles along the way. One could argue that Kyuu is the overall main character, but I disagree. Detective Academy Q ends with a successor to the DDS chosen but not revealed. I believe that the producers wanted to leave it open and up to the fans to decide who or whom would succeed Dan Morihiko as the leader of the DDS.

Detective Academy Q has a main antagonist in the form of the evil organization Pluto which seeks to solve your problems by orchestrating the perfect crime for you from the shadows. It was Dan Morihiko’s lifelong mission and achievement in destroying the past Pluto organization before he retired and formed the DDS in search of the next generation of great detectives. As a seasoned detective and man of intelligence, he knew it would be only a matter of time before Pluto resurrected themselves and brought evil once more into the world. Enter our young stars of Class Q (for qualified), the next generation of whom the DDS and the world may very well be placing their hopes and future on. It is possible that Pluto played a minor role in the early cases of Class Q, but more likely than not, Pluto didn’t become active until later in the series as Class Q became ever more skilled and refined and their future potential as detectives would be a danger to Pluto. To ensure their revival, Pluto awoke from its long slumber and once again started dabbling in the lives of the lost, confused, and scorned, all the while issuing a challenge to Class Q to stay out of their way or suffer the consequences.

The anime follows a standard case-of-the-day episodic formula, yet quite frequently that formula is broken into multiple episodes. Allowing a reasonable length of time to complete each case lends a heightened sense of reality to Detective Academy Q that other detective anime fail to grasp. Not everyone case, every puzzle, every mystery can be wrapped up in a neat little package in just one 24 minute episode. A crime may be cut and dry, but finding the road to successfully solving the crime may not be. Sometimes multiple episodes are required to fully flush out the characters, the story, the crime, and the reasons why.

Detective Academy Q is unfortunately unlicensed at the moment, but the complete series is available fansubbed. It is my wish that sometime in the future this excellent detective anime TV series will see a US license and DVD release. In the meantime, grab some popcorn, a drink, and join Kyuu, Ryuu, Megu, Kazuma, and Kintaro as they solve refreshingly original cases. I found it nigh impossible to stop watching as the hours and episodes flew by, bringing me to a very satisfying conclusion before I even knew it. I am sure you will, too.

To check out all of Otakuden’s reviews, check out her blog at http://otakudenreviews.livejournal.com/

by Otakuden

Life is a very serious matter, but that doesn’t mean that life is meant to be taken seriously all the time. If it wasn’t for laughter, for outrageous comedic moments, outlandish parodies, and priceless satire, surely humanity would have gone mad eons ago. While the serious moments of our lives give purpose and drive, the laughter and smiles is the glue that holds us all together and makes living possible.

This is nowhere more evident than in the creative genius that is Photon: The Idiot Adventures. Brought to me by Masaki Kajishima, the same creative genius who was behind Tenchi Muyo and Dual, Photon perfectly bridges the gap between the serious tragedies of life and the gut-busting insanity of our day to day reality. What is life but one big cosmic joke in which taking things too seriously is just as detrimental as being too lackadaisical.

Enter our main characters: Photon, Keyne, Aun, Papacha, and Lashara. In the distant past on a remote planet, there was once a spaceship which crash-landed, thus opening our anime, Photon. During its fiery descent, a mysterious object from the ship fell to the ground, landing amidst the primitive people there. Recovered by one of the natives during its descent, this seemingly mystical and sacred object is help aloft for all too see, and in one single instant, the path of evolution and society takes an unexpected turn. Hundreds of years later, the Holy Object has catapulted the original natives to a civilized agricultural state by giving motion and life to various objects and implements: tools, machinery, modern conveniences, and even producing fire.

So, just what is this Holy Object?

A marker.

Yes. None other than a marker, also known as an Aho pen in the civilization it came from. To truly appreciate the double, triple, and sometimes quadruple entendres of this and other linguistic parodies within Photon: The Idiot Adventures, one must first understand what the word Aho means in Japanese.

Translation: moron, stupid, idiot.

In other words, an all around buffoon. The counter-agent to the great power of Aho is Un-Aho, and the center of all Un-Aho is known as the Singularity Point. This would mean that whoever is the Singularity Point is the antithesis to all Aho in the known universe.

Amidst all the silly hijinks unravels a tale of power and corruption, love and heartbreak, promises made and promises kept, and intergalactic conflict. Thrust into this mayhem is our main characters. While there are multiple important secondary characters, the main character in this tale is Photon, our loveable mascot, or man, for whom this particular OVA series is named. Photon, our token idiot with whom we adventure is simple, quiet, and sensibly down-to-earth almost to the point of simpleton. In summary, Photon embodies the basic principles of chivalry which, unfortunately or fortunately, this also makes him an idiot.

I always find it amazing that the Japanese have so perfectly mastered the craft of pairing absolutely outrageous comedy with very real, very taught emotional human drama and circumstance. In one moment Keyne and Aun are having a no-holds-barred showdown to see who can cook a better meal for Photon, thus proving who is more worthy of being his wife. In another, Keyne battles for her life against Papacha and the Galactic Emperor, both of whom wish to utilize her body which is also the Key to unlocking the limitless power of Aho. Through various turns of events, our heroes will have you laughing vigorously in one moment and on the edge of your seat, pillow clenched in hand the next, as they battle to save the universe and each other.

Photon, Keyne, Aun, Lashara, and Papacha have forever endeared themselves to my heart. Whenever I reminisce about the anime Photon, I can’t help but to smile and snicker. Papacha is one of the most selfish, arrogant, and unbelievably stupid villains I have ever experienced. There is no boundary that cannot be crossed and no parody too crazy. From dancing black dots strategically placed in delicate areas to exploding nose bleeds and sake-swilling hot spring mischief, Photon has something for everyone’s funny bone.

Fortunately, Photon: The Idiot Adventures is available domestically from US Manga Corp. Collected on one DVD; Photon delivers three solid hours of Aho hilarity. No matter how much time passes or how many times I revisit Photon and friends, it is always just as good as the last.

To check out all of Otakuden’s reviews, check out her blog at http://otakudenreviews.livejournal.com/

by Otakuden

In a forgotten era between strife and tranquility lies a small island resort nestled away on a tiny island in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. Within her walls there are no borders, no enemies and heroes, no war and no violence – just the resort’s chanteuse, Gina, and the magic that is Hotel Adriano. Men and women of all walks of life are welcome as long as they leave any agendas at the door. Pirates reminisce about the good old days as bounty hunters and regular citizen folk enjoy a warm meal and fine glass of wine. As the stress of the day melts away, an angelic voice fills your soul with gentle warmth as Gina sings a gentle aria.

One figure stands out amidst all the other patrons, a mix of first-time visitors and life-long regulars. Quiet and unassuming as possible, he seeks solitude and respite from the muffled festivities on the main floor. He would be just another patron if it wasn’t for the minor detail of bearing the face of a pig. Neither man nor beast, but a former WWI military pilot and childhood friend of Gina, Marcot Pagot has been indefinitely cursed to live out his life bearing the countenance of his convictions. As Gina and Marcot dine together in comfortable seclusion, they silently mourn lost loved ones and the fate which has befallen Marcot.

No longer a man or the soldier he once was, Marcot goes by the name Porco Rosso. Literally “Crimson Pig”, Porco Rosso is so named for his bright crimson red plane that he flies as Porco the pig. His plane is a one-of-a-kind work of genius craftsmanship and point of personal pride. At one time a patriot and pilot of the Italian government’s aerial forces during WWI, Porco grew disillusioned with the purpose of war and who he was fighting for. When the Italian government changed hands, power-lust and fascism became the new law of the land, In the face of such disgusting changes, Porco did the only thing he felt he could do – abandon his government and his people, embracing instead the life of a pig so that he could live free.

When not chasing after various bounties, Porco relaxes at his island hide-out, visiting Gina at Hotel Adriano for a quiet meal or to reminisce bittersweet memories. One particular bounty lands Porco in a difficult position. His precious plane wrecked Porco returns to Piccolo Company for repairs and various improvements. Under the skill and genius of Fio, Piccolo’s relative and heir apparent, Porco and his plane get another shot at life in the skies and on the seas. Wanting only to take his restored plane home to escape once more from sight and society, fate has other plans. An arrogant American pilot Curtis challenges Porco to a dogfight with Fio’s hand in marriage as the prize, stirring long-buried feelings of humanity within Porco’s heart.

Is the love of a young, spunky, beautiful plane designer enough to finally break Porco’s curse? Or will Gina, who waits patiently for Porco in her private garden, be the one who frees Porco and captures his love?

Both a melancholic love story and bitter critique socialist corruption and rampant fascism, Porco Rosso truly captures a begotten era of Italy and of life and love. Miyazaki’s absolute love for planes and all things aerial soars to new heights. Each aerial specification, gear, gauge, and design is intricately detailed with loving perfection. Each moment in flight, breath-taking maneuvers executed, targets made, and downed planes are solemnly reproduced with reverence and respect. Not only does Miyazaki want to share his love for planes and flight, but also his respect for the people and times they occupy.

To watch Porco Rosso is to inevitably fall madly in love with Italy and the untainted aquamarine waters which hold her in a warm embrace. Deep skies of azure depths stretch across the horizon and melt into the crystal clear waters. Deserted islands with virgin beaches dot its watery expanse, infinite and wise. Italy may not look now as it did then, but there is no doubt that during Porco Rosso’s time Italy was just as Miyazaki envisioned it.

Porco Rosso is one of my favorite Miyazaki movies and Studio Ghibli productions. The characters are full of depth, life, and a delicate humanity reminiscent of that particular era in history. As Porco struggles to hold onto his freedom, his humanity, and to find a purpose to caring about life again, I too recall personal battles for freedom and purpose. All the while, Gina waits patiently for an uncertain love while tending to Hotel Adriano and her valued guests. Porco, Gina, and company are like the warm winds of the Adriatic – gentle and soothing spirits of reflection and relaxation. Thankfully, Porco Rosso is available on DVD via Buena Vista and a must-have for both the casual and lifelong otaku.

Fino alla prossima volta, at Hotel Adriano.

To check out all of Otakuden’s reviews, check out her blog at http://otakudenreviews.livejournal.com/

by Otakuden

What do you get when you combine one of the greatest anime directors and an English techno dance band? A funkadelic sci-fi romp through adventure and romance in vivid colors and classic anime style.

Leiji Matsumoto has been writing manga and directing anime since the early 70s, bringing into existence such timeless classics as Galaxy Express 999, Captain Harlock, Space Battleship Yamato, Queen Millenia, and Queen Emeraldas. To this day, Matsumoto-san is still very active in the anime industry, writing and producing new anime, all occurring within a fictional world known as the Leijiverse. Over the decades, Matsumoto-san has singe-handedly created a living, breathing anime universe that is uniquely his own. Space Opera; were there to be a king of this genre, Matsumoto-san would definitely be sitting in the throne.

Daft Punk is a French techno dance funk band who got their start in the late 80s. Back when dance and techno was in its fledgling stages, Daft Punk was tearing up the dance floors and club scene, pioneering new ground in this emerging musical frontier. Daft Punk’s search for their own unique sound culminated in the mid 90s with their debut album Homework, and they haven’t slowed down since. Closet otaku and life-long fans of Matsumoto-san, in 2003 Daft Punk approached Matsumoto-san with a completed script and their desire to create an animated musical movie centered on their album, Discovery. Matsumoto-san agreed and joined the creative team of Shinji Shimizu, Kazuhisa Takenouchi, and Tamiyuki Sugiyama as the visual supervisor.

Between the fall of 2000 and the spring of 2003, a modern classic was born: Interstella 5555 – The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem

Interstella begins with the slow, building beat of One More Time, the opening song on the album Discovery and the opening song for our nonstop musical thrill ride through Interstella, an epic space opera. On a colorful planet amidst distant stars, citizens dance free and enjoy life to the funky beats and musical styling of the stars of the Crescendolls, a blue-skinned four member band which includes Octave, Baryl, Arpegus, and Stella. In true Matsumoto-san style, Stella is strikingly waifish and feminine, yet vibrant and strong-willed. She plays the bass guitar and is the heart of the Crescendolls. Matsumoto-san has always been a proponent of what I would consider a well-rounded, strong female lead who is both vulnerable and indomitable. Her fellow band members fill the roles of quietly stoic, fun-loving rascal, and noble leader.

Unfortunately for the Crescendolls, Earl de Darkwood, an evil megalomaniac has set his eyes on their underground popularity with selfish designs of profit and power. As the album plays nonstop, so too do the unraveling events of Interstella. Kidnapped mid-concert by masked, armored humanoids sent by Darkwood, the future seems bleak for the Crescendolls as they are ferreted away in Darkwood’s ship. A distress signal is sent to our hero, Shep, aboard his spaceship which just happens to be in the shape of a huge electric guitar. A fellow otaku of the band and harboring a boyish crush on the beauteous Stella, Shep dons his battle gear and steers his ship for the kidnapped Crescendolls final destination: Earth.

In a hidden facility, the Crescendolls are brain wiped of their vibrant personality and identity and turned into mindless automatons. No originality. No creative freedom. No passion or inspiration. No sense of genius or style. No heart or soul. Originally nameless to the viewers, the band was given their name Crescendolls by Earl de Darkwood which eventually becomes their accepted identity. It may be the only redeeming contribution they receive from their time on Earth.

With their minds reprogrammed, appearances disguised with a human skin-tone spray, and a new hip look, the Crescendolls make their Earth debut and are an instant hit. While Darkwood would like to credit their success and achievements all to him, it is really the Crescendolls original passion and creativity which lends them their success and lovability, whether it be on Earth or the far reaches of space. Darkwood is, after all, stealing their music, their talents, and their image to rake in the millions of dollars of profit he can make from the band, gaining the coveted Gold Record. And when their use is over, he plans nothing more than to store his Gold Record and their musical essence in some heartless machine and then dispose of the leftovers.

Shep, who crash landed on Earth in his pursuit of the kidnapper’s spaceship, witnesses the Crescendolls concert on TV. Recognizing their disguised form, he plans their rescue. Without a human disguise, Shep covers himself to hide his blue skin and alien features from the dangerous inhabitants of Earth. As our musical space opera continues, Shep plans a desperate rescue during one of their concerts which quickly falls apart in the face of Darkwood’s armed guards and the Crescendoll’s disoriented confusion. After all, they have no memory of who they really are, so Shep is just as alien and a dangerous threat to them and their audience. Valiantly, Shep is able to release Darkwood’s mind-control over all the band members except Stella. Freed from Darkwood’s clutches, Shep and the other three band members eventually rescue Stella, but not before misfortune strikes and tragedy claims her first victim.

Octave, Baryl, Arpages, and Stella head for Earl de Darkwood’s lair, an ominous castle nestled high upon a craggy cliff. Inside, they learn of the Earl’s devious plan. Every one of his Gold Record bands have kidnapped, brain wiped aliens. After he receives the 5,555th Gold Record award and places it and the representative band member into his evil machine, Darkwood would be granted absolute rule over the Universe. Appalled and enraged, the Crescendolls foil his plans, sending the Darkwood to his deserved doom. With their identities restored and their disguise abandoned, the Crescendolls return home. Arriving safely, they hold their first concert in honor of their fallen hero as their performance is broadcast on digital sets throughout the Universe.

Peace, Love, and Musical Freedom is restored. For the Crescendolls and the viewing audience, there is once again goodwill and happiness in the universe. Interstella 5555 is one of the best collaborations between two creative forces, and another timeless addition to the Leijiverse. While watching Interstella, I can’t help but wonder where the original story ends and the cynical criticism of commercialized music begins. Ultimately, I believe it to be Daft Punk’s love for original music and Matsumoto-san’s love for impassioned story-telling which gives credit to both social points.

Social studies aside, anytime is always Daft Punk and Matsumoto-san time, and Interstella 5555 will always be a modern space opera of retro funkadelic pleasure to watch, hum, and think along to.

To check out all of Otakuden’s reviews, check out her blog at http://otakudenreviews.livejournal.com/

by Otakuden

In 1994, a 4 part OVA titled Armitage III: Poly Matrix swept through the sci-fi cyberpunk anime scene. Gritty and unforgiving, Armitage addresses the complex issue of humanity and morality. What does it mean to be alive? What does it mean to be human? Ross Sylibus and Naomi Armitage, they both seem like your typical, professional police officer. There is one difference though; Naomi Armitage is not human. Naomi is a Third, an illegal series of humanoid robots created by the reclusive genius, Dr. Asakura. Their secret: Thirds can conceive. Initially, Ross and Naomi are very much at odds with each other but as they work together and learn more about each other, they inevitably fall in love. Breaking away from the force, Ross and Naomi have a spectacular final showdown against the armored versions of the Thirds, and then escape together where they elope and start a new life with new identities.

Suffice to say, the OVA was a success, and in 2002 a movie sequel was produced: Armitage III: Dual Matrix. Taking place a few years after Poly Matrix, we find Ross, Naomi, and their daughter Yoko living a happy, peaceful family life together on Mars. Naomi is a glowing mother whose greatest joy is her daughter Yoko and being Ross’ wife. Ross works as a security guard while enjoying his role as doting father and loving husband. While I enjoyed Poly Matrix for its urban Blade Runner-esque theme, I enjoy Dual Matrix most because it exudes a comforting familial warmth and tenderness. Ross, Naomi, and Yoko strive not to be special or extraordinary, but to simply live their everyday lives in peace and simple joys. This reality is what they strove and fought so hard for in Poly Matrix.

Dual Matrix opens in the middle of a covert Special Ops attack on an Earth robotics plant. A bloody massacre ensues. As she lay dying, the last Third sends a desperate transmission of the unprovoked attack to Naomi. Technically, Third production is outlawed, thus a violent attack on a secret base that shouldn’t exist never really happened in the first place. Written off as a necessary measure to suppress a violent robot uprising against their human scientists, only Naomi knows the truth. Anti-robot sentiment on Earth escalates, while Mars fights for both its independence and Human Rights for their robots, a necessity on Mars where the men outnumber the women almost 2:1.

With such controversial and volatile issues as Human Rights, social conflict, and a battle for independence at the forefront, one may think I have just summed up the theme behind Dual Matrix. Wrong. Dual Matrix is wholly about the indomitable boundless love of a Mother for her Daughter. As Naomi searches for answers on Earth, Ross arrives with Yoko to act as a delegate for the robot rights bill and to try and find Naomi. Unfortunately, Yoko gets caught in the crossfire and is kidnapped by Demetrio Mardini, a demented robotics creator who seeks to find the answer to Naomi and the Thirds ability to conceive life. He is no robot rights activist though, and wants only to duplicate in subservient, obedient robots the ability to conceive. In truth, Demetrio wishes to create a brand new race born into slavery.

His twisted desires aside, Naomi ultimately cares about only one thing; her daughters safety and well-being. Learning of Yoko’s capture, she and Ross set out to rescue Yoko from the Earth Robotics Federation where Demetrio is Vice President. Ross takes the backseat, as Naomi time and time again selflessly places her being in danger and injury to save Yoko. Battling two of Demetrio’s robot creations modeled after her original Third design, Naomi struggles to rescue her daughter with no concern for herself. A bit reckless to be sure, but to Naomi, there is no one more important or precious to her than Yoko.

While it is vaguely hinted at during the beginning of the movie, the fact that Naomi is a robot, no matter how human-like, is revealed to Yoko in a shocking, heart-wrenching instant. Up until then, Yoko believed her mother to be just another normal flesh and blood human like all the other mothers. While it may have been a topic to slowly broach later in her life, to suddenly be exposed to that startling truth while in the middle of being kidnapped and pursued by violent robots proves very traumatizing. Withdrawing her hand and her trust, Yoko looks at Naomi with eyes that don’t seem to recognize her anymore, and you can feel, hear Naomi’s heart breaking. Unsure how to address the situation and with no time left to do so, Naomi leaves Yoko in the care of Ross and lures the two assassin robots away from them.

A mother’s ultimate sacrifice and selfish wish: to put her daughter’s life before her own.

At the height of Naomi’s battle against the remaining Third assassin, she releases her combat-mode limiters in a desperate bid to save Yoko and Ross. Frightened as she is, Yoko cannot stand to see her mom suffering anymore. Disregarding her own safety, Yoko flees into her mother’s battered figure. Mother and daughter embrace in bittersweet tears of pain and joy – united once more in heart and soul.

Lush sci-fi scenery and tense battle scenes serve a suitable futuristic backdrop for the very real human bond of mother and daughter. Naomi and Yoko are inseparable; being a Third means nothing in the face of their love and familial bonds. In a particularly tense confrontation between Demetrio and Naomi, she said:
“Don’t you know where the power to create a child is in a woman? Her heart! You don’t just make a child with your body. The love she feels for someone! The need to protect them! Thee need to pass those feelings on to the future is what makes a child.”
Dual Matrix really plucks at the motherly heartstrings in me. Not because I desire to have children, but because I was lucky enough to have a caring mother and understanding father. I grew up in a loving household and that can speak a lot for how a person grows up and the values they hold dear. As I watch the selfless love Naomi has for Yoko, it resonates within me as I think about the relationship between mom and me.

Originally licensed by the now-defunct anime company Geneon, Dual Matrix is no longer domestically available as the license is lost and the DVD Out Of Print. Hope is not lost though. It is still possible to find new and used copies of Dual Matrix floating around in brick and mortar stores or online via various etailers. If you should happen upon this anime one day, please give Naomi, Yoko, and Ross a place in your home and your heart.

To check out all of Otakuden’s reviews, check out her blog at http://otakudenreviews.livejournal.com/