Finally finished collecting the G.I. Joe Marvel comic series

I thought I would share a small victory. Today I finally got G. I. Joe issue 155, which was the last issue of the old Marvel comic series that started back in the 80's when I was a kid. I have been working on this collection off and on over the years, and 30 years after it started, I have finally completed my collection.  Ironically, I looked at the date of the first issue, and it is June 1982, so it is just a coincidence but it is exactly 30 years...  I am behind on many other post, but I will try to catch up soon...  It's not like anyone is reading this anyway... :)

Tenjho Tenge

I finished Tenjho Tenge last Friday.  I was really disappointed with this show.  Primarily because none of the plot points were concluded or finished.  It really wasn't an ending at all.  Plus to be honest, there really wasn't one single character I liked.  It was all about each character kicking each others a$$, even if they really had no reason for it.  The two characters that came in at the beginning of the story were just bullies, and you were suppose to root for them.  I can't remember any of the character names as I write this, but the leaders sister is so in love with the main bully for no reason that makes since, instead of the one nice guy in the group who is stronger anyway.  This just wasn't a series for me I guess, so it gets a low C- from me.  The funny thing is, I had picked up the first disk and watched it first, and it had so much potential.  Just fell flat after that... I am glad I got such good deals on each disk in the series.

I started Girls Bravo this week, but I already have seen it and didn't remember I guess.  Must have watched it on one of the anime networks on cable.  In my cue now is Dai Guard, Haibane-Renmei, Ikki Tousen, , and still Witchblade, along with some more Tenchi, or Shuffle.

Tenjho Tenge

Heat Guy J

Heat Guy J... To be honest, I didn't really like the show much after the first disk or so, but enjoyed it for the most part by the end. First, the art work. This is not my first exposure to anime with this style, but it is the same as usual. I hate the facial/head animations a lot, but usually get used to it by the end of the show. I just find the pronounced nose, lips, etc to look extremely weird, almost clownish. In the opposite end of this spectrum, I find the detailing of the background scenes amazing. As I said, by midway through the series, I get used to it all, and am able to enjoy the show itself for the most part.

Getting into the story/characters itself, I liked it. I liked all of the characters though I thought where a lot of where the story went to be fairly predictable. I also thought it a little strange that so many enemies were all friends in the end. All in all, a solid B+ for me.

Now I am deciding what to watch next and whether I start a new series today (Friday), or mess around and wait until Monday. In my cue is Girls Bravo, Tenjho Tenge, and still Witchblade, along with some more Tenchi, or Shuffle.

Heat Guy J

School Rumble

Ok, the last anime for me to review today, which will finally get me caught up since I finished Second Semester yesterday (watched the first some time ago). I really won't have much to say here about this show, because it really isn't very deep. It is very fun though, and I did really enjoy it, even though I can't say I am happy with the ending. That is mostly because they have unfortunately canceled doing a Third Semester even though it was written. Anyway, this show is really on the silly side, but it was a fun change of pace after some of the more serious shows I have been watching lately. I did really root for Harima the main character though, even though I don't understand the infatuation with Tenma that he has. I really thought the two other girls he really should have had interest in (Eri and Yakumo, which he comically refers to as "Rich Girl" and "Tenmas Sister") were much better and it is obvious they have interest in him. I guess if he does go after one of the others, it would probably end the series though...

Oh well, not sure I will ever see how this plays out, though I am considering maybe buying the Manga books where this show left off, (looks to be around issue 13 I think), and maybe actually reading the conclusion, though that seems a daunting task with all the other reading and things I am backlogged on... Now before Monday I am deciding what to watch next. In my que is Heat Guy J, Witchblade, some more Tenchi, or Shuffle which I am trying to remember if I have already seen or not... Recently ordered Girls Bravo on the cheap too, so it is jumping in there as well.

School Rumble Second Semester

Gungrave

Ok, good news! I hated Full Metal Panic, but I followed that with Gungrave, which I liked a lot. I really liked the main character Brandon and his intricate story with Maria, Big Daddy and of course Harry MacDowell. I loved seeing how the story unwound in the past, and to see the definitive conclusion to all at the end. I hate to keep bringing up FMP, but this was an exact opposite in regards to character development, and I really grew to develop feelings and emotions for the characters in the show. Even the bad guys.... There was moments of happiness when something good happened as well as that feeling of sadness/disappointment when something bad did. The whole crime/mafia aspect of the show was also a fun diversion from the normal anime fare...

I did really like this series, and consider it one of the better ones I have seen. There are some other series I have that might beat it to the top of my list, but this show would definitely make it very high. A++ from me!

Gungrave Series

Full Metal Panic

I had decided to leave a small review with each series I watch lately, but I have either been lazy or busy and hadn't really done that. Now that I work from home, I usually get in a couple of episodes a day at lunch time, which means I finish a normal length series every couple of weeks give or take a few days. I am three series behind on my reviews, so I am starting with the oldest I completed and moving up to the new, which means I am starting with Full Metal Panic.

Unfortunately, I am starting on a bad note, because to be honest, I really did not like this series that much at all. Sure it has a good premise, and I liked the animation and all, but I really disliked both of the main characters, Sousuke Sagara and Kaname Chidori. Ok, I can dismiss for a good while realism when watching anime, because if you can't you will obviously never enjoy it. While that may be the case, I expect a certain level of realism about the characters interactions and emotions. These two main characters did not provide that for me, especially Sousuke. Yes, I understand he lived a hard life and was sheltered from normal everyday activity and interactions, but at the same time, I felt he was experiencing these throughout the show, but never seemed to learn from them. I really thought that some point he would start acting a little more normal and it just never happened. He was just strange and never changed, which he has motivation to do so with his feelings toward Kaname. Speaking of Kaname, I really didn't like her either. She seems to be popular in the show for no apparent reason, and I really thought she was too aloof because of it.

I could keep going on, but I think I will cut it short at that. I know there were sequels made, and if the price is right, maybe I will give those a go at some point to see if it can redeem itself, but I have to say I am in no hurry. So far this has been the most disappointing anime I have watched in a long time. It probably also doesn't help that I watched it after Fate/Stay, which is one of my favorites. I also feel bad because my wife bought this Blu-ray for me as a Christmas present. She doesn't buy me anime much, and it would not be good for her to know I didn't like it. It wasn't her fault since I asked for it, but I wish I hadn't gotten it this way. Oh well.....

Full Metal Panic Series

Fate/Stay Night... One of my favorites!

Well, I had my eye on this series for a really long time and had a feeling I would really like it. Well, I finally decided to go on the hunt and purchase this series a few weeks ago and finally got it all after hunting down the different disk from various sources on Amazon and eBay.

Well, I can happily say now that I am glad I did. I loved this show, and it now ranks in probably my top 5 favorite anime series! It was really great! I thought it was deep without being overly complicated, and I also liked pretty much all of the main characters a lot. I thought that the main character Shirō was a good mix of not being too strong, confident, cooky, etc but at the same time wasn't too much of a nerd, geek, pervert, pansy, etc. Sabre was cool and complex. She was believable in being a strong, determined character that I also liked a lot. Rin was actually my favorite female character, and I liked how they handled her as well. In the interest of not spoiling the plot for anyone who hasn't watched it, I sort of wished that certain character interactions at the end would have been different, but the door was left open I think for you to take things the way you wanted it to go in your mind afterwards.

Anyway, a great show. Its too bad that it appears to be in publishing limbo right now because of company changes/mergers and all of that. Each disk I went through a lot to find reasonably priced, and while I was able to buy most in new condition, I had to get a couple used. I was glad to grab the complete series and box though. I finished all 24 episodes in less than 5 days, and really wanted more to be honest. I admit I have also been watching Full Metal Panic! at the same time as this, and while I have always heard good things about it, and I admit I like it to a certain degree too, it just doesn't compare. I have been fine just watching a couple of episodes a day of the latter series, while like I said, I can't get enough of Fate/Stay. Also, I have been leaving it alone since I got it due to the backlog of other games, but watching this made me break into my Fate/Extra LE PSP game (yes, not the same story, but very interesting none the less). Ok, I am rambling on so I will stop. Below is a picture of the Rin Tohsaka Revoltech model figure I got. It and the DVD box set will sit on my desk for a while I am sure!