The Wind Rises

I've been blessed. The film theatre in my town had four showings of The Wind Rises and I got to see it last night! I'm really glad because there aren't many cinemas showing it in the UK and the film theatre is really cheap too!! This was my first time watching anime on the big screen and it was so exciting, the colours were so much brighter and every thing was so much bigger (especially compared to watching things on my laptop) that I really felt like I was a part of the film! Anyway, The Wind Rises is a Studio Ghibli film and more importantly, it's the last film produced by Hayao Miyazaki. So I was really looking forward to it. Here's what I found out!

First of all, the plot. The Wind Rises is a fictionalized biography, meaning that although the characters and key moments are real, the details about their personal life are made up. To be specific, the movie is about Jiro Hirokishi, an aeroplane designer for Japan during WW2. Jiro is incredibly passionate about aviation and as a young boy dreamed of being a pilot, but he's eyesight is poor so he turns his passion to designing. When he grows up, Jiro goes to Tokyo to study engineering but gets caught in the Great Kanto earthquake which derails his train. He spots the maid of a young girl who injured her leg in the crash and decides to help her out. He leaves with out evening giving the pair his name, but his heroic actions left their mark. So when Jiro bumps into the young lady, Naoko, whilst working for company designing planes for the military the two are happy to see each other and begin spending their free time together. So it's not surprising when Jiro confesses his love for Naoko. But with Jiro devoted to his work and Naoko suffering with Tuberculosis they don't have a cliche obsessive relationship instead they have a relationship that's pure and loyal.

Nisekoi

It's been a long time but with a recommendation from my lolita I've got a new rom-com anime to share. My favorite! Ichijo was born as the heir to a yakuza family when another yakuza gang moves into the same town it's his responsibility to stop the fighting. His fathers idea is to pretend that Ichijo is dating the daughter of the other family, Kirisaki. However, Ichijo isn't interested in Kirisaki's rude and violent manner, he prefers the company of Onodera his classmate and current love interest. Also, Ichijo is looking for the girl he met 10 years ago who holds the key to unlock his pendant, it could be Onodera but while he's being forced to play boyfriend to Kirisaki he has no hope of being together with Onodera.

From Up on Poppy Hill

A fairly new addition to the Studio Ghibli collection (2011) that my dad managed to find on Love Film. We watched the dub -which I must admit I rarely do- but more on that later. Set in 1963, it's a tale of pure yet troubled love. When a school's clubhouse (the Quartier Latin) is set to be demolished, Shun (passionate member of the newspaper club) performs an outrageous stunt that captures the attention of Umi a young neighborhood child. Umi begins helping out in the Newspaper Club and the two begin to fall for each other. But things aren't that straightforward! Umi's mother is studying abroad in America and her father was lost at sea. When Umi shows Shun a picture of her father he starts acting strange and avoiding Umi. What's preventing the two from being happy together? You'll have to watch it to see!

Gatchaman Crowds

I've been so busy lately I almost forgot to write today's post! So if this review sounds rushed, it's because it was! Sorry, hopefully it will still be entertaining to read!

In 1972 anime had their own western-style superhero show: Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Focused on environmentalism and responsible use of technology the series centered around five superhero ninjas who needed to fight off a terrorist group who wanted to take over the world. Skip to 2013 and the Gatchaman Franchise is producing it's fifth production based Science Ninja Team Gatchaman.
Set in the near future of Japan Legendary heroes known as Gatchaman are responsible for protecting the world from aliens whilst simultaneously keeping their existence a secret. Hajime is chosen to become a Gatchaman with her senpai from school Sugane and several others to form the G-Crew. But Hajime isn't interested in destroying aliens, she's more concerned about 'updating' the world, a concept introduced by the GALAX program. GALAX is a mobile 'game' where people have to complete missions in the real world. It unites people who all want to improve the world and help each other it's an amazing concept which I'm finding a lot more interesting than fighting aliens!

Kotoura-san

Haruka was abandoned by all her family and friends as a child because of her psychic ability and she's now given up on building relationships with people. She pushes away her classmates' insincere attempts at friendship. Until she's approached by Manabe who's honesty and laid back nature means that people can tell what he's thinking with out psychic abilities. Manabe's aloof nature attracts him to Haruka with out him really knowing why and (thanks to Haruka's psychic ability) the two quickly form a love line. Haruka is then introduced to the ESP research society where the club president has a few secrets up her sleeve. Haruka needs to overcome her past trauma if she ever wants to make friends comfortably and that's not something that can happen overnight. But it's not all serious! Haruka's a klutz and Manabe's a big pervert! Whilst the plot might sound serious the show itself is full of laughs and is not to be overlooked!

Psycho-Pass

In a not-so distant future, every body is kept under strict surveillance. Even their mental stability is measured by a 'Psycho-Pass' making it possible to detect criminals sometimes before they commit a crime! The series focuses on Akane a young over-achiever who joined the police force as an Inspector. An Inspector's job is too hunt criminals with a team of Enforcers whose mental state has been deemed too unstable for society. They use automated guns which read a person's mental state or "Crime Coefficiency" and will only fire on people who are unstable. It's a fish-out-of-water type tale where Akane is constantly shocked by the way things work in her department. Fortunately Enforcer Kogami is always around to explain things to her but she can't grasp the concept of killing criminals or keeping her distance from the Enforcers even after she finds out that Kogami used to be an Inspector. In one particularly cruel case Akane and Kogami must find the criminal responsible for dissecting young girls' bodies and turning them into disturbing pieces of 'art' and putting them on display.

Jang Ok Jung

After LOENENT released a MV for Dream On You I was captivated by those beautiful scenes of cherry blossoms and Korean History so I had to look into the drama! It's based in Joseon, a state in Korea between 1392 and 1897. It's a pinnacle point in Korean History not only for the great technological advancements but   it's traits from this era (etiquette, language, cultural norms, etc.) that have most influenced modern Korea. It is commonly used as the best example of traditional Korean culture and has become a somewhat romanticized time period. Much like the Victorian age for us Britons! Even better, the characters are based off real historical people! My knowledge does not extend far enough to tell you how historically accurate it is, but it does add a whole new level of realism.
Now you're probably wondering when I'm actually going to start reviewing! The answer is: right after this synopsis!

Ace Attorney (movie)

Requested by a desperate anon is a movie based directly off the Phoenix Wright games. Whilst this isn't the first Phoenix Wright related media, it is the first live-action.The plot is based on the first game (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney) when Phoenix Wright first becomes an attorney we see that he struggles to solve a case on his own. After winning his first court case Wright's mentor, Mia Fey, is struck dead and a witness accuses her sister, Maya Fey, of committing the crime. Wright now has to defend Maya against his rival prosecutor and childhood friend Miles Edgeworth. But when Edgeworth himself becomes a suspect in a murder Wright puts his differences aside and puts all his energies into proving Edgeworth innocent even if he has to go against Manfred von Karma who hasn't lost a single case in 40 years! In a world with a 3 day court system Wright has to gather evidence quickly and with help from his new found ally Maya he has to prove the innocence of friends and put the real criminals behind bars.

Sword Art Online

When Nerve gear release their first fully-immersive MMORPG masses flock to buy the revolutionary game that engages all the players senses and is controlled by thought. However, after logging on the players soon discover that there is no way to log out, they are informed that if they wish to leave the game they must clear all 100lvls of the game. But they must do so without dying as death in the game equals death in real life  as the Nerve headset microwave their brains. The story follows Kirito a swordsmaster who had played in the beta and was actually the best beta player out there. After witnessing several people's death within the game Kirito is determined to complete the game and rescue every one from the game. Although at first shunned for the apparent advantage he had over normal players he eventually befriends Asuna, an equally powerful swordsmaster! Together they fight on the front lines to try complete the game but during there time fighting a love line starts to form!

Tamako Market

Dera is a royal bird from an island in the South and he's been given the mission to find a bride for his Prince. But when he bumps into Tamako, the mochi makers daughter he decides to join the many occupants of Usagiyami District. Talking birds aside, Tamako is living a normal peaceful life. Growing up is never easy yet Tamako still fills her days with fun with all the occupants of Usagiyami  District. With her two best friends, Midori and Kanna, Tamako goes to school and Baton club while at home she makes mochi with her sister Anko experimenting with new flavours for her family's mochi shop. Also, just across the road is the rival mochi shop "Rice Cakes Oh! Zee" and home of Tamako's childhood friend Mochizou. But more than childhood friends, Tamako is Mochizou s crush!  But basically every episode tells the tale of Dera causing nothing but trouble while Tamako organises all manner of events to encourage more customers.

Ride Back

Based in a future world ride back is a unique kind of mecha where the robots are actually motorcycles. Our heroine, Rin Ogata was well on her way to becoming a top ballerina however after sustaining an injury and losing her mother she decides to quit when upon entering College. However she soon finds a new passion for said motorcycle/mechas (called Ridebacks) and her excellent balance and reflexes makes it easy for her to  ride with much skill. This all rather sweet, Rin finding a new dream to pursue almost a 'finding yourself' tale but her skills do get her into trouble with the new government  When Rin's best friend (Shoko) get's taken hostage in a terroist attack Rin knows she has to save her. But breaking through the government's barrier causes all sorts of knock on effects.
This is fine as well, a bit of government and politics making you question society and all that. I think it's even handled with enough maturity to be entertaining but still quite intellectual. But I'll tell you what's not okay in this very layered plot: Rin and her special rideback. The rideback that chooses it's rider and all that silly business that makes me dislike this genre. Machines should stay as machines, they shouldn't be given free-will or personalities it just takes the story to a whole new level of unbelievable.

A Bride's Story

Still going through my Christmas presents! But don't worry, I will get to every one's recommendations eventually!

It is exactly as the name implies: it's a bride's story. Set in Asia, 19th century comes the tale of an old bride who marries a boy from another tribe. The bride is Amir and she is extremely skilled in archery and horse riding but upon reaching the age of 20 her tribe sends her off to 12 year old Karluk of a very different tribe. This book is more educational and informative than a story as instead of any particular plot the book focuses on the daily life of the tribe members portraying many traditions and different ideals. There's a whole chapter about wood carving that's really exciting and points on fashion, medicine and food. There's also lots of marriage traditions throughout. In the afterword the author does say that she done a lot of research of this time period, so we can assume it's accurate. But there is a bit of plot which I assume is going to be carried on in the next book: so basically Amir comes from a semi-nomadic tribe but they need to marry into another tribe in order to claim land for winter (or something like that). But the only woman they have to offer is Amir, since they never got anything Karluk's tribe for their marriage so they insist that Amir be returned. However, Karluk's grandmother lies saying Amir is pregnant and as such can't leave putting a certain amount of strife between the two families. But this is an extremely under-developed plot that's completely overshadowed by all the every day life stories.

Kimchi

So another one of my Christmas presents today! I don't think I mentioned I got food for Christmas did I? Well it certainly was a surprise! Kimchi is Korea's national dish and Koreans eat kimchi with pretty much anything. It's basically pickled vegetables, usually the main ingredient is Cabbage but there's many other varieties. Mine was a cabbage and was seasoned with radish, red pepper powder, Korean leek and fermented anchovy and fish sauce among other ingredients (full list of ingredients here) to give it a rather alarming red colour. I done a bit of research and came to the conclusion that kimchi can be cooked with pretty much anything so I just gave my dad free reign on how he wanted to present the kimchi to me. In the end I got to try it three different ways!

Akumu Chan

Guess what I found, a drama that's NOT a romance!! I can finally stop my run of similar sounding drama reviews with this Jdrama; Akumu Chan. The drama is about dreams and premonitions and here's some fun trivia: akumu is Japanese for night mare! And this is hot off the press guys! Only 7 episodes and counting!

So anyway, the plot is about Yuiko a transfer student at elementary school. Her home room teacher Ayami pretends she is the perfect teacher, always smiling and being friendly to every one. But really, she's a bit of a psychopath so to her Yuiko is just a bother. But it really becomes a bother to her when Yuiko starts telling Ayami about her nightmares. More than just nightmares, Yuiko has prophetic dreams and with her grandfather's research her dreams can be recorded and watched. After convincing Ayami to help, the trio try to understand Yuiko's symbolic dreams and prevent misfortune. Every week there is a different person to save, but they don't feel like stand-alone episodes because of the underlying plot (e.g. Ayami's lucid dreams and sleep walking and Yuiko's grand father's assistance). In fact, so much more gets added per episode I struggled to slim it down for you! I like the mix of having one problem resolved every episode while still having an ongoing plot. It stops me getting dangerously addicted to the series and keeps it quite fun because with out something going right the whole drama could get really depressing. Most of the prophecies are about Yuiko's class mates but the dreams are really rather frightening with murder and kidnapping and the such! It's almost disturbing!

Shakugan no Shana

I'm really happy to see you guys using my suggestions button!! I spent a long time making that so I'm glad it's getting some use. Keep them coming guys!

Has any one read my 11 eyes review? Because Shakugan no Shana has a really similar idea. Any one who has seen both would probably agree with me there. Shakugan no Shana is also about the idea of parallel worlds, but the monsters escape into our world. It's kind of hard to explain, but basically the idea is that these monsters come to our world but humans just can't perceive it. These monsters are called Guze no Tomogara and they feed off of the 'power of existence'. Fighting the Tomogara are the flames haze. The result of a human making a contract with a god to keep the two worlds in balance. Obviously the flame haze can't protect every one- people are still eaten- but the sudden disappearance of a person could disrupt the world balance so people are replaced with 'torches', replicas of the humans with a much shorter lifespan. They are slowly forgotten until they just disappear, which is a rather horrible thought really. So you can imagine how freaky it must of been when Yuji Sakai was told that he, in fact, was a torch. But unlike any other torch Yuji can see the battles against the Tomogara, he can remember those who are forgotten and he can tell who's a torch. Because he's a Mistes, a special kind of torch who contains a power with in him. A bit like a lucky dip, there's no way to tell what kind of power he has, it's all a bit weird.

Chocolate

Todays review was recommended by Normal, and no, it's not a food review. Also known as 'Zen, Warrior Within', Chocolate is a Thai film. First Thai review guys! I'm spreading toffeeish over the world!!

Anyway, on with the review. Chocolate is a Martial Arts movie and I must confess, it's not a genre that I particularly like because usually they are just filled with seemingly pointless fight scenes. But I found Chocolate to be a very emotional story! Zin was in a relationship with Yakuza boss no.8, until she fell in love with Masashi, rival Yakuza member. When she leaves no.8 for Masashi he shoots his own foot as a warning of what will happen if she sees Masashi again. Soon after Zin falls pregnant and convinces Masashi to return to Japan to make things safer for the child. She names her daughter Zen and finds out that she is very autistic. As Zen grows older she gets lightening quick reflexes and an obsession with martial arts. Alas, the sad bit is when Zin gets Cancer, but is to poor to afford the treatment. Mom (Zin's kind of adopted son person) finds a notebook from when Zin was in the Yakuza of all the people who owe her money. Unknowing of it's origins Mom and Zen go off to collect the money in hopes to cure Zin. Naturally, when no.8 finds out about this he isn't too happy and so we reach the climax. Zen has to use all her ninja-like skills to fight of no.8's gang and protect her mother, Masashi arrives from Japan in time to join in as well. Naturally, I can't tell you how it ended.... BUT IT WAS SO AWESOME!!

Secret Garden

Guys! I really need some more recommendations!! Leave them in the comments below!

Another drama based around a rich man and a poor woman. Just like 90% of the drama's I have watched, but really, it can't get old can it!! Gil Ra Im is a stunt woman and proud of it, even if it doesn't give her much money, Kim Joo Won is a multi-millionaire CEO who looks down on every one. But when he mistakes the stunt double with the actual actress he is shocked by his profound interest in her. Thus starts they're strange kind of relationship which can never work out because of they're difference in lifestyles. Kim Joo Won's feelings become even more prominent when Gil Ra Im becomes acquainted with her ultimate idol Oska. Jealousy runs wild and suddenly Gil Ra Im is involved in some pretty complicated love affairs. Things only get more confusing when series of events lead to Kim Joo Won and Gil Ra Im swapping bodies. Rich man, poor woman, I've seen before. As have I seen all the misunderstanding that occur in such situation. I've even watched gender-bender dramas! But NEVER have I seen a body-swap! I can't decide if that novelty is entertaining or just silly.... but it is certainly unique.

May 18 (Splendid Holiday)

Back to school soon. Yay. Good bye summer! On another note, did you know I have done more than 52 consistent reviews? That's right, it's been over a year since I returned to blogging!

My Dad lent me this film (in all it's limited edition box set glory) saying that it wasn't that good. But, based on true events May 18  is most tragic, tear-jerking tale I've ever witnessed!! No joke about the fact that this is the first time I've actually cried at a piece of media! May 18 is the date in which the citizens of Gwangju, Korea, took arms against the army. The events are true but obviously the characters have been made with the purpose of making every one cry. Brothers Min-woo and Jin-woo are living life quite happily despite having lost their parents (an added detail which I hate for it's cliché). But when soldiers are sent to beat down supposed conspirators from colleges Jin-woo leads his school in protesting. The soldiers are depicted mowing down any college student they see while many others get caught in the middle. It's difficult to pass judgement on this because I know nothing about the incident myself I couldn't say if they've exaggerated it or omitted important facts to make it a greater sob story.

The Castle of Cagliostro

This film is a timeless classic, over 30 years old and still very loved! It's part of the Lupin III franchise which I haven't actually seen any of, but I don't think that limited my enjoyment at all. It's very clear through out the film who every one is. Lupin III is a notorious thief, and with his friend Daisuke Jigen  they rob billions of dollars from the national casino. The celebrations are short lived though, because it's not long before Lupin realises that what they've stole is actually counterfeit money. That's when they feel the need to attack the Castle of Cagliostro. Not only is it the centre of the counterfeit money, they also have an imprisoned damsel and a hidden treasure. But with all those things to find Lupin gets himself into a lot of trouble!

A humorous action-packed adventure with just a sprinkle of romance, it's a brilliant mix of genres from Hayao Miyazaki. This is actually Miyazaki's first feature length production which just says something about what a brilliant man he is. The comedy is almost slapstick like, they even use cheesy sound effects! Probably because it's so old, but that doesn't make it not funny, it's not like it's tacky comedy! However, the romance is a lot cooler than the comedy, it's quite subtle and there's no reason to believe in it's sincerity, but watching Clarisse cling to the hope that Lupin brings is so sweet!! 

The art is dated but the quality is still good! Lupin's face resembles that of a monkey but Clarisse is every bit the beautiful dame! She has brilliant blue eye's that sparkle really well, I especially liked it when she was drugged and her eyes looked dead but when the drugs wore of a slow glimmer crept in to them. Brilliant. But what was really brilliant was all the contraptions. Miyazki's trademark steam powered boats and flying contraption and also in this film cogs. The amount of detail that went into the clock tower must have been tiring enough but to then have a whole fight scene on the moving cogs is the best thing in this film!!

Lupin III is a very well thought out character I think, although not originally conceived for this film, he has been portrayed as a man of many qualities. Despite being dubbed a playboy by his friend, his relationship with Clarisse stays very pure and caring. He may be superhuman in the things that he does but he is still quite clumsy and not all his plans work. This makes him very interesting, believable yet impossible at the same time!! And his friendship with Jigen is just brilliant!! They stay together even with Lupin's ridiculous plans!

Okay, I may have over-useed this word a bit, but this film is brilliant!! I can't think of a word more fitting. The fight scenes and car chases are not only well animated, but also super fun to watch. The plot has everything you could possibly include in a crime story without complicating it. And, well, it's Miyazaki!! That says it all really. I'm so glad I finally got round to watching this!!

Pie:

Nodame Cantabile

I haven't really ventured much into Japanese dramas much, but I have heard a lot about the general idea of them. Instead of tear-jerking love stories and soap opera tragedies j-dramas are full of slapstick comedy and silliness. This particular drama is based in a music college that Chiaki attends. Originally bought up in Europe, he had to move back to Japan when his parents split up. Somewhere on the way though, his plane had an emergency landing and he feel out of a boat, so with those haunting memories he is now stuck in Japan (easily the worst bit of the plot, a plane crash AND drowning!). He's from the piano division and his known through out the school for his brilliant piano but also his astounding good-looks. Nodame is also plays piano at college but she's a freshman and labelled under-achiever. The two are set the task of playing a duet together and as they are neighbours begin to spend a lot of time together. Thus the two obviously, and quite suddenly, fall in love (really, it was like they blinked and suddenly appreciated one another!). But Chiaki doesn't want to be a pianist, he wants to conduct, so when a famous conductor comes to school Chiaki immediately wants to be his pupil. The madness that follows would have to be seen to be believed. The plot has innumerable flaws and the romance doesn't have enough drama in it but it is unbelievable funny. I just sometimes wonder if I'm laughing at bits that are supposed to be funny....