Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

Genre: Fantasy, Psychological, Sci-Fi
Animation Production: Madhouse Studios

This was my first time seeing such a wonderful feature length animation movie since Spirited Away. I could really relate to this movie and was blown away by its great concept and the way it grasps the audience into it. Speaking of Spirited Away, I guess you could say this was quite similar to it. No, it’s not a Miyazaki film, but it’s from a certain someone known as Satoshi Kon. I dunno about the rest of you, but I never actually heard of him until this movie. Maybe I caught a few instances of his other great works like Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress or Perfect Blue, heck I didn’t know the guy was responsible for the mysterious Paranoia Agent. The high responses intrigued me to see it. Well, other than the fact that my sister wanted to see it, and I would not have any thought of it if she hadn’t asked. But that’s besides the point. Anywho, a synopsis of the movie first.

28-year old, Dr. Atsuko Chiba is an attractive but modest Japanese research psychotherapist whose work is on the cutting edge of her field. Her alter-ego is a stunning and fearless 18-year old “dream detective,” code named PAPRIKA, who can enter into people’s dreams and synchronize with their unconscious to help uncover the source of their anxiety or neurosis.

At Atsuko’s lab, a powerful new psychotherapy device known as the “DC-MINI” has been invented by her brilliant colleague, Dr. Tokita, a nerdy genius who is rather too fond of his food. Although this state-of-the-art device could revolutionize the world of psychotherapy, in the wrong hands the potential misuse of the device could be devastating, allowing the user to completely annihilate the dreamer’s personality while they are asleep.

When one of the only four existing DC-MINI prototypes is stolen in the finals stages of research, and simultaneously Dr. Tokita’s research assistant, Himuro, goes missing, Atsuko suspects it’s not a coinidence. Several of the remaning researchers at the lab start to go mad, dreaming while in their waking staets, haunted by a Japanese doll which featured heavily in the dreams of one of Himuro’s schizophrenic patients. Atsuko now knows for certain that the DC-MINI is being used to destroy people’s minds. She fears that not only will the government refuse to sanction the use of the machine for psychotherapy purposes when it becomes public, but whoever is manipulating the machines has a more evil purpose in mind.

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Series Information

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mecha, Science Fiction
Air Date-Time: 04/08 25:30
Opening Theme: [Uninstall] by Chiaki Ishikawa
Ending Theme: [Little Bird] by Chiaki Ishikawa

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Series Information

Genres: Drama, Mystery, Science Fiction
Air Date-Time: 04/05 25:25
Opening Theme: [HOWLING] by abingdon boys school
Ending Theme: [Tsukiakari] by Rie fu

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Well, another season is here and I have to decide what I’ll be watching & blogging and what I’ll just be watching. There are quite a few series coming out that I want to watch and it totals at least 10 or more (probably more…). So there’s no way I’ll be blogging them all but I am thinking about blogging at least three of them and at most six or seven. Since I’ve finished a few series in the past month, I shouldn’t have to worry about “overblogging” if I stick to the number I previously mentioned. Also, for “chances of blogging”, my choices may vary despite whatever I may put have said. Don’t forget to check out AndrewLB’s Spring 2007 wiki for a list of shows and for who’s going to be subbing what. Anyways, enjoy delaying. Here are my picks for the upcoming Spring 2007 season which will include a short synopsis/summary, my thoughts and likelihood of watching/blogging a show.

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Yes! It’s true and it’s not an April Fool’s joke either. We’ll be seeing Shana back in action come this fall. Of course, if you don’t believe me you can head on over to the official site and the official blog if you require further confirmation. Oh, and don’t forget that the movie is going to be released on the 21st of this month as well! This year is a good year to be a Kugimiya Rie fan, isn’t it?

At times like these, it pays watching MOON PHASE from time to time. It’s taking me a lot to suppress my fanboy urges but I think I have enough strength in me to resist it for the 4-5 minutes it’ll take me to type this entry. As expected (I know I sure did) KyoAni will be in charge of this anime adaptation of CLANNAD. CLANNAD/Key fans should also be glad to know that the original seiyuu of the game will be reprising their roles for the TV series (listed below). The 30-second PV (see below) is already displaying KyoAni’s superb animation abilities and the music is what is expected from Key. Also, don’t forget to hit up the official site on March 20th as there will be more information revealed then!

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Finally the promo video for El Cazador has appeared and it doesn’t disappoint. The music is wonderful and the shots that went by so quickly look quite decent. The series debut is now only a less than a month away (April 2nd) so be on watch for it!

Much thanks to Lunatic’s Blog for the find.

(SHAMELESS PLUG CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE-CONTROL FOR COOL)

Well, I’m sure every one of you hasn’t heard a single thing on the 15th besides Shippuuden’s outstanding premiere. No seriously, it was. But let’s not forget those other anime out there that we fans are aching to get in our tainted hands. Um, yeah…

So anyways, AnimeTV (hosted by Johnny Young Bosch) is finally up and as their first episode, they’ve reviewed The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya! Now, not only do they have the lovely LE Mikuru Bunny Suit figure in their room, but they actually discuss the parts of the anime that really captures the audience’s attention. Plus, we get to see glimpses of the Haruhi dub! Check them out:

So far, I’m liking what I hear, but the best one I’ve heard so far has got to be Stephanie Sheh. Mikuru Beam!!! Catch AnimeTV every Thursday at 8 PM for more reviews and other stuff. Spread the word, shmucks!

Source: Anime News Service

Just when you thought you’d pinned down an official name for the new Evangelion movie project, new titles and pronunciations keep piling on and as promised, on Saturday, the 17th in Japan director Hideaki Anno officially made his statement announcing the series. A special website has gone live at Yahoo announcing the 1st feature: “Shin Gekijou-ban Evangeriwon” will hit theaters nationwide in Japan on September 1st. A poster carrying the director’s statement was hung in 50 cinemas across the country, its contents have been reproduced online here. Therein it is confirmed for the first time officially that a new company formed by the director will helm production. Additionally, the first trailer from the new movies has gone online in 1MB Windows Media streaming form which can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Mantan is carrying an image of how the poster appears in theaters locked behind a glass wall case.

Shin Gekijou-ban Evan…geriwon? Now that’s an interesting name alteration if I ever did see one. I’d really like to know what that poster says though. If I find a translation I’ll update this post with it.

Source: Anime News Service

New Evangelion film series “general superintendent” Hideaki Anno will release an “emergency statement” regarding the project on the 17th of this month. This will mark the first time the Director has spoken to the public regarding the 4 new animated features. Additionally, its been revealed that the first Evangelion Shin Gekijou Ban film will be released to Japanese theaters on September 1st, 2007. Anno’s statement will be made in several media including a film projected poster, to be shown in around 50 theaters across Japan. A special message in all white colored text will read: “Animation set in an impoverished future Japan”. A 15 second video clip will be screened simultaneously. Those who have seen these media have noted that several Japanese katakana characters in the “Evangelion” title have been changed over the previous spelling. A different “E” character is used and the “O” has been replaced with “WO”. The first fillm is expected to encompass the storyline of the first 6 TV epeisodes. A special internet website will be launched through Yahoo Japan to coincide with the announcement on the 17th. Content there will include messages from the production staff. There have been around 6000 merchandise items produced around Evangelion to date, with total sales approaching 150 billion Yen or more.

Argh! Seven months! SEVEN MONTHS!

Okay I just had to get that out. Only God knows what I’ll do to take my mind off the fact that there’s seven months remaining until the first movie comes out but I guess all the other anime and manga as well as school will provide for some distraction.

…

More Rei, Misato, and Asuka please!