Anime Battles: Pokemon Vs Digimon

Pokemon vs Digimon

Pokemon vs Digimon

Pokemon versus Digimon has been a popular battle since they both first aired as anime's. Pokemon was by far the more popular when it came to video games and the anime. However, Digimon has its appeals as well. They both share similar themes. While Pokeon focuses more on the episode-to-episode love will save you, Digimon has more of a plot of survival.
Pokemon

Pokemon

Pokemon is about a boy named Ash trying to catch every creature. The first Pokemon anime that aired was in 1997. With fifteen movies and over 750 episodes, it is still an active anime. Pokemon can only say their names or a variation of, which can become annoying.



Digimon

Digimon

Digimon is about a team of kids that are sucked into the digital world. Here they meet Digimon which help them to try to find a way out of the digital world. There are a total of nine movies and 332 episodes. This anime has an ending. Digimon are allowed to speak.





Evolutionary Process

Pokemon

The Pokemon evolutionary process is based on the experience gained by the creature. Each one has at least two to three stages of evolution. This evolution is permanent to the creature. Including the evolutions, there are over 650 Pokemon.


Digimon

The evolutionary process of Digimons is based o the trainers. Without the trainers energy, the Digimon do not have the power to evolve. They are able to de-evolve into one of their original states. There are a total of six evolution stages each Digimon undergoes. There are over 990 creatures in the digital world.



Cute Fan Promos

Gatomon vs Pikachu

I am more of a Digmon fan, but Pokemon does have its appeals. When it comes to video games I will always pick up a Pokemon game, but when it comes to the anime I would rather watch Digimon. Are you a Digimon or Pokemon fan?

Anime Nostalgia: Toonami

Anime Nostalgia: Toonami

Toonami came into our lives on Monday, March 17, 1997. The first block of cartoons hosted by Space Ghost's Moltar. Among the first cartoons showed, Voltron was able to slip through. This is the first anime to air on Toonami. Space Ghost stayed the host for several years until Tom came along. Until 2008, Toonami aired on Cartton Network. It was not until 2012 that Cartoon Network brought Toonami back as part of Adult Swim. All the while, Tom has showed us what anime was and how amazing it could be.

Popular Animes Aired on Toonami:

Click on the Anime to watch the Toonami trailer.

One of the first anime's in Toonami

A popular female anime

Possibly the most popular anime on Toonami

Ronin Warriors was also one of the first to air on Toonami

The first Gundam series to appear on Cartoon Network

Another classic Toonami anime

A popular sci-fi anime.

Another popular female anime.

A cute anime!

Another popular Gundam series.

.hack//Sign is also a popular video game.

A very popular, but confusing anime

A long running series

A samurai historic anime

This was a weird one

Gundam series were quite popular

Popular amongst younger teens

A popular long running series

A very popular anime

My personal favorite

Another of my favorites

A popular anime series

A classic anime

Another long running series

A most recent Toonami anime

2013 Anime Theatrical Release

2013 Anime Theatrical Releases

Kotonoha no Niwa

Kotonoha no Niwa Poster

This Anime Theatrical Release is set for May 31, 2013. Takao is training to be a shoemaker and skips school often to sketch shoes. He goes to a Japanese garden to do this and eventually meets Yukino. She is an older mysterious woman and they only meet on rainy days.

Yukino

With Makoto Shinkai as the director and Miyu Irino playing as Takao, this movie is sure to be an amazing release! Other voices include Kana Hanazawa as Yukino, Mikako Komatsu, and Fumie Hirano. Theme song performed by Motohiro Hata.


Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 2

Code Geass: Akito in Exile 2 Cover

This Anime Theatrical Release is set for July 2013. This is the second part of Akito the Exiled. With CLAMP as the character design, this anime has been a big success. The second episode of the OVA is set for this summer, but not a specific date. Miyu Irino makes an appearance again as Akito. Maaya Sakamoto is voicing Leila Malcal.

Kaze Tachinu

Movie Poster

Another Ghibli film will be theatrically released on July 20th 2013. The movie seems to be set in War World II era. Hayao Miyazaki is again going to be the director of another anime theatrical release hit.

Hal

Hal Movie Poster

This Anime Theatrical Release is a bit sad. Hal and Kurumi have a happy life together until Hal is killed in a plane accident. Kurmi looses her will to live until android Q01 is a fill in for Hal. With his looks and everything Kurumi has Hal back in her life. Yoko Hikasa plays Kurumi in this romantic search of love.


AnoHana

Movie Poster

This Anime Theatrical Release is set for August 31, 2013. This is a film based after the TV series. The story is told through the eyes of Menma. Meiko Honma will be played by Ai Kayano.

AnoHana Movie Poster

Angels Coffin: A Historic Manga

Angels Coffin

Manga Cover

Angels Coffin is a manga based on the Mayerling Incident. It is a love story about suicide between the Baroness Vettsera and the Austrian-Hungarian Prince Rudolf. Angels Coffin is based on one of the many outcomes if the Mayerling Incident of 1889.

The Plot of Angels Coffin

Manga Page

In Angels Coffin Marie Vettsera is set to marry another man, but is in love with the prince. She accidentally awakens a god-now-demon. Through a pact with another demon, Seto must cast despair on the human that awakens him. Marie's life is now going down the path of death. She asks Seto to live her life with Rudolf. He grants her wish, but secretly falls in love with her. All the while Rudolf is planning to over throw his dad (without killing him). He attempts to usurp his reign by working against him. In the end he drags Marie into and they plan to die together. Can Seto make it in time to save them?

The Characters of Angels Coffin

Main Characters

Marie Vettsera is a quiet, shy young girl and main character of Angels Coffin. She has a crush on the prince and intends to act on it. She is rebellious towards her mother and superiors when it comes to Rudolf. Rudolf is a prince and also rebellious towards his superiors. Even though he is already married, he loves Marie. He is constantly trying to save his country from the Germans. Seto was once a god, but made a deal with Baphomet. He must kill the first person which lets him out.

The Mayerling Incident of Angels Coffin

Manga Page

Angels Coffin is based after historical people. In 1889, the Prince and Baroness were found dead in one of his chambers. There were no clues at why they died or if anyone killed them. Angels Coffin only takes the view of a suicide-love pact.

If you are a history buff/anime fan, you should definitely read Angels Coffin. It is a single volume manga and quick to read. The art is beautiful, but the focus is the characters. Angels Coffin is a good read, but only if you are into history.

Read Angels Coffin Here.
Support Angels Coffin Here.

Overall Grade 6/10

Socrates in Love (Book) Review

Socrates in Love

American Book Cover

Socrates in Love is a very sad, romantic story. Kyoichi Katayama is a genius in story telling. He really pours his heart into this book. Being the best-seller in Japan it was only time that it came to the U.S. Everyone should read this book, it really is heart-breaking.

The Plot

Socrates in Love is about Sakutaro, your average school boy with a crush. Aki is the popular girl in school, but with some luck the two go together on a school mission to see a friend in the hospital. They quickly become friends, never overstepping the boundaries of friendship. To get her attention, Sakutaro writes a letter to a radio station explaining that A.H. (Aki) has leukemia and he wishes to play 'Tonight' from West Side Story. He does this knowing Aki listens to the station.

As they become inseparable, Socrates in Love, takes a depressing fall. Aki becomes ill and is unable to go onto the school field trip to Australia. Sakutaro promises her she will be able to go someday. As she became more ill, that promise faded. Ironically she is diagnosed with leukemia. Sakutaro tries to keep the promise and brings her to the airport. She collapses in the airport and is rushed back to the hospital. She soon dies. Sakutaro must quickly deal with the feelings of sadness while approaching adulthood at the same time.

The Characters

Sakutaro is the quiet kid in class. He keeps to himself and is an average student. Aki is the same, but she is popular as well. The two share a love that no one could break. The friendship and relationship of the characters are very realistic. The true feeling of first love is in Socrates in Love.

American Book Cover

Socrates in Love is a story of boy becoming a man all to quickly. The story is real and doesn't cover the dark parts of life. Overcoming the fear of death from both people i a hard feeling to get over. Sakutaro manages to live his life after hearing his grandfathers story. Socrates in Love is a genuine book.

Overall Grade 9/10

Elfen Lied Manga Review

Elfen Lied

Manga Cover

Elfen Lied is a bit of a harem manga... Well it is a harem manga. Kouta has got to be chick magnet, literally. The setting is a slightly altered future where a new evolution of man has popped up. There are a lot of sexual type scenes in the manga, mainly due to Nyuu. The artwork is traditional manga style and the characters kind of remind you of Clamp's Chobits.

The Plot of Elfen Lied

Manga Page

Elfen Lied is revolved around the story of Kouta. He recently moved into his aunts abandoned inn while he attends college. He runs into a dumbfounded young lady whom only says Nyuu. Him and his cousin, Yuka, takes Nyuu in and teaches her how to survive in the real world. Little do they know that Nyuu is really a very strong Diclonii named Lucy. She is a murderous creature and wants the extinction of Homo Sapiens.

All the while, Kouta takes in Muya, Nana, and the off and on Nozomi. All the characters are previously interwoven between one another. The two that share the darkest past is Kouta and Lucy. Everyone is after the horned girl or Nyuu throughout the manga. She is also naked throughout the manga with other various girls. Apparently Diclonii do not wear clothes.

The Characters of Elfen Lied

Characters of Elfen Lied

Kouta is the main character of Elfen Lied. He is shy kid with a deep dark past. He seems to get caught in awkward positions with girls. He really never does anything wrong though. He is a gentleman and cares for Nyuu a lot.

Nyuu is a very clueless girl. She can not remember anything. She is secretly Lucy, a violent Dilonius with the intent to destroy mankind. Yuka is Kouta's cousin. She has been in love with him since childhood. She hates Kouta for forgetting his past and his promise to her.

Nana is another Diclonius which is keeping watch over Nyuu and Lucy. She is very shy and very caring. She does have a violent side though. Muya is a shy runaway that was sexually abused. Her and Nozomi, a passionate singer, are the only two humans with no prior history with the group.

The rest of the characters were done well, but not enough to make an impact with me. All the older male characters looked alike and little detail was paid attention to them.

The Diclonius of Elfen Lied

Diclonius

In Elfen Lied man has evolved into anew species, the Diclonius. These humans have the power to kill people with invisible hands and powers. They become violent by the age of three killing their parents. This is probably because they are violently researched on and made to do unspeakable things. The hatred for humans is a common feeling with Diclonii.

Elfen Lied is a great manga and has a great plot. Even though there are girls naked half the time, it isn't a bad manga. It is definitely violent and sexual though so beware. Elfen Lied will be a classic like Tenchi Muyo, Ah! My Goddess, and many others.

Read Eflen Lied Here.
Support Elfen Lied Here.

Overall Grade 8/10

Samurai Champloo (Manga) Review

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo Manga

Samurai Champloo is a confusion of era's. When you think you know what time period it is, another thing makes you think differently. Set in an Edo background, the clothing and cars cry out modern times. The confusion is all part of the plot though.

The Plot of Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo Manga Page

Fuu is trying to find a samurai that smells of sunflowers. She puts up a sign to hire a bodyguard to go along with her on the journey. Mugen and Jin both reply to the sign. The two are constantly fighting one another by just bickering or actually sword fighting. Each chapter is set in a new town and each town has a a bad side. The three are always getting into to trouble and are therefore wanted by the government. Due to this reason they can not stay in a town to long. They help out the towns people in trouble by overthrowing a bad ruler or fighting a want-to-be samurai. The manga is really short and the main story is actually never finished.

The Characters of Samurai Champloo

The Main Characters of Samurai Champloo

Fuu is the main character and reason for the story of Samurai Champloo. She is a young adult and naive at times. She is always breaking up fights between the two boys. She will work for her food (and the boys) and she will work hard. She is an honest character and seems to have a sad story attached to her life. The manga never really goes into detail about it though. Mugen is a firecracker. He gets into to fights in every scene and even seeks them out. His fighting style is impossible to follow because he has no style. He loves food and only thinks about money and food. Jin is the calm collective of the three. He is intelligent looking with his glasses. He wears the samurai robe and carries the samurai sword. He is a respectable samurai. The other characters really never continue over to the next chapter in Samurai Champloo. Each town has different people in it from honest and hard working to conniving and lazy.

The Champloo in Samurai Champloo

The Champloo

Like I said, the setting cries Edo period while the clothing and style cries modern times. This was on purpose though. Champloo means a swirl or mixture of things. Each main character is also so named by their mannerism. Mugen means without limit. That is why his character is so random and spastic. Jin's name derives from the Seven Samurai Virtues meaning "Benevolence". Lastly, Fuu is the character for "wind" in Japanese writing. Her wandering around to find someone is much like the m=wind in constant motion.

Shinichiro Watanabe has yet again brought to life another great story. As if Cowboy Bebop was not enough, Samurai Champloo picks up in the entertainment area. Smashing time periods together was an ingenious idea and made for a great story. Leaving the manga unfinished makes for a great ending. Samurai Champloo is a great read.

Read Samurai Champloo Here.
Support Samura Champloo Here.

Overall Grade 8/10