Speaking of just not being geek enough, while I watch Anime I am just not all that into it. In other words, while I love some of the story writing techniques, animation styles and fantastical action, I just don't have the energy to be otaku. For example, I didn't know the differences between Shōnen and Seinen, but it does say that the latter might be included in terms when I am searching for something new.

Currently? Still watching Darker Than Black now and again, lesser so Monster and I am trying to restart Gantz. I am always open for something new, as I would rather be astounded and amazed than just mildly entertained. Claymore looks interesting if but for the swords & monsters aspect. Gee, does turning 40 mean I have to have an entertainment mid-life crisis and stop watching stuph made for 16 year olds? September 03 07

So last night I downloaded my first episode of Deadwood based on a recent confirmation that it is, "Like Shakespeare but with swearing." I believe I first heard that comment from a blog; maybe my confirmation informant read that blog. Anywayz, I have been in the mood for cowboys, no not Brokeback cowboys but leather wearing loners with a penchant for guns and odd senses of honour. So, I popped onto my favourite not-yet-shut-down BitTorrent site and got the first four episodes (update: ATTEMPTED to get the first 4; number 2 is being a bitch). I would have rented a disk from the local video store but they were rented or, "Gone for a long long time..." Anywayz, I watched it this evening and the first thing I noticed was not the Shapespeare-like talk, which is more a use of articulate anachronistic coloquialism for the time, but the constant use of the word "cock-sucker". One thing that erks me about definative screen and telewriters are their penchant for re-using the same signature dialogue pieces between characters. Not every character's favourite swear word is going to be cocksucker. As for the plot, I am hoping it will develop more as the intro was not that compelling but for some very interesting characters and a hell of a lot of grit. I like how the ex-marshall character is from Etobicoke; yes THAT Etobicoke. I understand why he left.

On other TV not exactly on the schedule, we have caught in watching Blood+ and wow, has it become compelling. Watching anime is an ordeal at times as they try and spread things out in order to keep in line with the manga, if any manga of the show exists. You ofen get long runs of filler episodes that are basically tacked on plots with lots of melodramatic dialogue and they do not move forward very fast. Flashbacks and references to previous episodes are also common place. But every so often one comes along that is concise in what it intends to show us; I am hoping Blood+ is this kind. The last ten or so episodes have had me doing a girly, "Eeeeek !!" as they ended on a cliffhanger and then hurrying to load the next episodes. We have exhausted the latest bunch and now Marmy is catching us up on the latest downloads. I like that I can watch a series currently running in Japan.

Why is it that I find a girl with a sword so sexy, even if she is animated? Well at least the fact that she is animated allows me to ignore the fact she is a 16 year old character or that would make me quite the perv, woulnd't it? August 18 06

I am not sure if I want to continue linking to You Tube videos in the popular manner but let's try it once by telling you about Satoshi Kon's new movie called 'Paprika'.

Guess what J got today? February 21 06

Speaking of images, here is a little picture of exactly how much I am willing to invest to attain schwag for Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 2nd Gig. Yes, the new DVD extra-special, ulta-funky version came with a mouse pad and playing cards. Am I the only one who thinks this is cool? Nerd nerd nerd; at least I ain't a Narutard. *grin* November 22 05

Remember I mentioned that the anime movie Blood was going to be a series ? Well, it started in Japan and thanks to the world of FanSubs (fans of the series digitize it and subtitle it for the non-japanese and put it up via bittorrent) I am quickly addicted to this "chosen one" story of a young girl destined to kill big nastybad types of vampires. Now, I know some would think me out of character for commenting on this but I must say, however much I like the series I could do without the constant fanservice focus on schoolgirl thighs and pseudolesbian behaviour. Leave that for the hentai please. Then again, if Buffy didn't have boobs and Tara hadn't been spread beneath her Willow tree, I am sure that series wouldn't have had as many fans. October 25 05

It is the only thing I actually buy as soon as I see it on the shelf. It is Ghost in the Shell - S.A.C. 2nd Gig (Vol. 1) and I am disappointed it was the extra-special, ultra neato version like the link. It is also the only anime I don't steal. September 21 05

So we interrupted our continued viewing of Samurai Champloo to watch Paranoia Agent. It is best referred to as the series by Satoshi Kon, the creator of Perfect Blue and Tokyo Godfathers (in the top 5 of my favourite animes of all time) and Millenium Actress.

It's about a young character designer who is being pressured to create the next ultra popular super collectible character ala Hello Kitty. As the pressure mounts she is attacked by a kid of rollerblades with a bent metal bat. The investigation of her attack takes a turn for the weird as the attacks progress from one person to the next. Soon we don't know if it is a entirely madeup attack, consensual reality, spiritual entity or truly some nutty kid on blades.

It has possibly the best opening sequence and theme of any anime I have seen wrapping up all the main characters in a bizarre surreal segment.

So every night and day off for about a week we watched one to three episodes until done. I have begun to attain a pavlovian sleepiness attached to watching anime, as we often do it right after I have come home or right after she has come home. Either way I am tired and get even more tired. Now it's rare for me to watch a single episode at 7:30pm and not have my eyelids begin to close.

Next, we finish some of the series we started and start watching 2nd Gig if we buy it this weekend. Yes, it is a series I will buy and yes I have already downloaded a few teaser episodes until the series hits DVD. August 24 05

Having completed our run on BeeBop, we are now going back to the completed series we did not finish watching. This time it was a few episodes of Samurai Champloo, an atypical samurai drama done with a hiphop styling. I don't know hiphop very well so I just see anachronism out it's yingyang. And yet, it likes to set itself in historical and reality based settings. I learned a bit about Japanese fireworks, interactions with Dutch traders and some things about mid 18th century Japanese art. That was while two kickass rogue samurai are slicing up the yakuza and dealing with an annoying 15 year old girl. Oh, and the artwork associated with the series is incredible.

For those who read Japanese, here's the series' blog. August 15 05

It came out today, the last box / DVD of Stand Alone Complex episodes. This is the only anime DVD that I have deemed worthy enough to buy it full price every month it comes out. I am a huge fan of it's parent movies (Ghost In The Shell 1 & 2) and cannot wait to get access to the second series.

I always say that this series is for the serious geek/nerd in people. It has deep complex issues coupled with a detailed understanding of technology and politics. The underlying theme of sentient technology and the presence of souls just adds to a good action romp.

Why do extra special limited edition Teeshirts always come in Big Boy size? And why not put the above logo on the front and the series logo on the back? You don't have to advertize to me as I already spent the money.

August 04 05

At some unknown time in the past I saw something about Cowboy Bebop that told me I wouldn't like it. It was early in my anime experiences and I think it was Spike's boots... too amateurish in their depiction. But I recently gave the late 90s scifi series a chance and I am now addicted. I still want Spike to change his boots.

What is weird is that I cannot but feel that Joss Whedon saw this series and was inspired to take a try at genre hacking and make Firefly. CB combines (despite the title) a sort of lowtech noir feel of setting and style and combines it with a not-too-distant scifi setting completely within the boundaries of our solar system. Cowboys are just bounty hunters -- our main characters' profession. Hyerpspace is there but only for planet to planet. Venus, Mars, Uranus, etc are all being teraformed and all have a sort of rundown look of frontier towns. Earth is a ruin as pieces of a cracked moon fall down onto it. The characters are rough and tumble and their are many depths to crime and business. I like it. July 31 05