Feb 06 2009
#36-#41, “Descendants of Darkness” thru “Noein”
Of the last six shows that I watched, there was one I really didn’t care for, one I only had lukewarm feelings for, one I’m not sure about, one I was very surprised by, one that I liked quite a bit, and one that I loved. Its exhausting going through such a gamut of emotions in less than a week, but I think I have managed to survive pretty much intact. 
“Descendants of Darkness: Vampire’s Lure” looked alot better than it turned out to be. The plot was confusing (it had something to do with shinegami, but not “Death Note” or “Bleach” style shinegami, and detectives looking for demons or vampires or something), the characters whiny, and the comedic elements were not funny. I had heard of this show before, or at least thought I had, so it seemed like it would be worth taking a peek at. It wasn’t. I was not amused and I will not be watching anymore of this series.
“Blood+” was the show that surprised me, as at first when I heard about it I thought it sounded awful. I’m a big fan of the original animated movie, “Blood: The Last Vampire” and so when I found out there was going to be a new series based on the main character, but that it was being done by totally different animators in a new style, I was less than thrilled. Why was it neccessary to change something that was already awesome? But when I finally allowed myself to give in and watch the series, I was surprised to discover that it was actually pretty good. In this story the main character, a powerful vampire/vampire slayer, has lost her memory of her real life and is living as a normal girl. At least until government agents and blood-thirsty demons decide that she needs to regain her memories or be eliminated. The animation is different than in the movie, it follows the more modern style, but it looks clean and well-done and it doesn’t detract from the story. I will definitly be watching more of this.
“Mushishi” is the series I’m not too sure about yet. The soundtrack is moody, the settings are rural and serene, and the story is a bit less exciting than I expected. “Mushishi” follows the exploits of a type of ghost hunter who searches out “mushi.” This quest leads him all over the world, to the doorsteps of young men with strange powers, to the forests where spirits hold dark rituals. While this seems like an interesting premise, and while the story told in the first episode wasn’t too bad, the whole thing seemed a little too slow for my taste. There were several moments that seemed to be leading up to something big and exciting, but faded out with no great climax. I might have to watch another few episodes of this show before I can make an opinion on it.
“Vandread” really didn’t effect me any sort of way. I watched the first episode all the way through, as the world populated by men and that populated by women battled against each other in a desperate (and not totally explained) urge to wipe each other out. And I watched as the main character bumbled his way through being launched into space where I’m sure he will wind up a great hero. But I had trouble caring. The characters felt flat and the storyline felt like something I had seen before.
“My Hime” is a series that popped up in the OnDemand menu of my cable service so I went ahead and took a chance on it. It turned out to be very likable. While it does have alot of the same elements as other “magical girl” stories - teenage hottie winds up in a dangerous situation, something strange happens to her, suddenly she is endowed with magical powers and saves the day - it was still alot of fun to watch. There was lost of action and a bit of suspense, and even a teeny slice of romance (though it might not really go anywhere in the end). I could have found alot worse ways to spend a half hour than watching this show.
“Noein” was a strange and wonderful delight to watch. It is another of my new fave anime. The story was bizarre and followed two (possibly) different storylines - that of a desolate future where a man seeks to jump into the past, and that of a recognizable present where a group of teenagers seek to have some fun. Nothing is what it seems in this series, however. The future and the past collide in dangerous ways that will have repercussions for the entire world. The animation here is moody and bold, the music tugs at the emotions, and the story is delightfully twisted and fun to try and figure out. As soon as possible I will be buying the boxed set for this series so I can watch it all.
