Join us as we view new pilots this season. See where they fit on the highly-scientific Rock-or-Suck Scale… FAIRY TAIL SEASON 2 -- BLACK BULLET -- THE COMIC ARTIST & HIS ASSISTANTS -- ONE WEEK FRIENDS -- MUSHI-SHI: THE NEXT CHAPTER -- BRYNHILDR IN THE DARKNESS -- CHAIKA THE COFFIN PRINCESS
I opted to group these together because they’re both incredibly pretty
shows that don’t offer much of anything to engage me on a story level. At the
least, if you’ve got a house party coming up at warehouse, projecting these on
the wall would make for great installation art…
Thankfully, the tired premise of MMO’s Getting’ Real hasn’t been
flogged as many times this Spring as has been in previous seasons. Presumably, it
needs at least some representation, though, so here’s NO GAME, NO LIFE
to put a notch on the quota. Stories like this as holding about the same appeal
as SECOND LIFE or a paintball simulator to me. Once you start dealing with entire
series simulating simulations (of simulations…?) and fetishizing game mechanics,
you really start seeing the validity of Miyazaki’s infamous comment about otaku
taking over the anime industry.
This show sort-of takes that a step farther by acknowledging that its
leads are hideous social recluses... who somehow manage to look like beautiful
jeans models. (Introducing the 11-year-old MOE with a low angle on her thong
was just charming, I should add).
Amusing allusions to CAPTAIN PLANET aside, CAPTAIN EARTH at least gets
a few extra points for being somewhat more earnest. That still doesn’t change
the fact that it’s really your paint-by-numbers mecha pilot. Precious kid, whose
legendary father disappeared mysteriously, is now suddenly piloting the suit to
save the world? Name me ten other shows that start off exactly like that. It shouldn’t
be hard.
Again, both shows are exceptionally animated. We’re talking
feature-quality rendering here. It’s just a shame to watch all that money burn
for something that’s not altogether interesting. Faint praise, but these are
the best looking shows in a season that hasn’t been too exceptional, on the
large.
Watch CAPTAIN EARTH and NO GAME, NO LIFE and decide for yourself.
About the Author
 | Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk |
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