Anime of the Year 1993-II Spring - Gunnm
Entry posted by kivandopulus in VN of the Year
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Don't know how to put it... but I gave away the first genius masterpiece score to Gunnm already. There's also one firm masterpiece Kyou kara Ore wa!! .
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1. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R Sailor Moon R 美少女戦士セーラームーン R [Toei Animation] (Finished 3/43)
Tags: Shoujo Mahou Shoujo, Mythology Romance
Usagi Tsukino and her friends have been living peacefully until they are called into action again as Sailor Guardians, planetary warriors fighting for the peace of the galaxy. Usagi, also known as Sailor Moon, leads their group into battle when a new threat from beyond the stars presents itself: two survivors of an alien race, An and Ail. In order to save the source of their life force, the Makai Tree, An and Ail begin harvesting energy from unsuspecting humans. The Sailor Guardians must stop their plot or face the annihilation of Earth.
But as one threat subsides, another follows—this time in the form of a little girl from the future who seeks the source of Sailor Moon's power to save her family. However, she is not the only one vying for it, as a group known as the Black Moon Clan also wishes to obtain the power and use it for nefarious purposes. In order to protect their destinies and the harmony of the universe, Sailor Moon and the rest of the Sailor Guardians must fight to stop these forces from succeeding.
I didn't really distinguish Sailor Moon by seasons as there was always almost seamless continuity, but this time losing and regaining memories definitely feels like a needless filler. Can't force myself to watch it to the end, so it'll be the same max score for such cases - decent.
Overall Rating: 6/10
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2. Mobile Suit Victory Gundam Mobile Suit V Gundam 機動戦士Vガンダム [Sunrise] (Finished 3/51)
Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Drama, Sci-Fi
In the year 153 of the Universal Century, the tyrannical Zanscare Empire has taken hostile control over Side 2, a space colony outside of Earth's orbit. Following in the footsteps of the long expired Principality of Zeon and the more recent Crossbone Vanguard, Zanscare rules over its subjects with cruelty, routinely using a large guillotine for public executions.
Living in Central Europe, space immigrant Üso Ewin joins the League Militaire, a militia made up of civilians frustrated with the Earth Federation's inability to combat the Zanscare Empire. Üso's latent abilities as a psychic Newtype awaken and allow him to pilot the Victory Gundam, the only mobile suit capable of holding off the elite BESPA forces of the Zanscare Empire.
Hoping to protect his best friend Shakti Kareen and locate his parents within the ranks of the Federation, Üso fights on with the Victory, striving to bring an end to the empire's reign.
If someone like Sunrise is doing different versions of something like Gundam for many years, there should be at least something good out of it eventually. All I can say by first 3 episodes is that it's absolutely not beginner-friendly and with no attempt to attract viewers. As usual without any explanation everyone starts to run somewhere with open mouths while someone fighting someone else all the time. As usual, no attempt of character development or anything at all to make this pile of garbage to feel integral rather than pointless action for action's sake .
Overall Rating: 4/10
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3. GS Mikami Ghost Sweeper Mikami GS（ゴーストスイーパー）美神 [Toei Animation] (Finished 3/45)
Tags: Comedy, Supernatural
In a world plagued with malicious ghosts, how is it possible to combat the existence of such evil spirits? The answer is to hire a "Ghost Sweeper"—a professional exorcist, whose duty is to exterminate any unwanted ghoul or poltergeist.
When it comes to Ghost Sweepers, Reiko Mikami is considered to be a cut above the rest. After receiving an offer to examine a haunting near Jinkotsu Hot Spring, she sets off to put her skills to work. Accompanied by her assistants, the underpaid and perverted high school student Tadao Yokoshima and the friendly teenage ghost Kinu Himuro, GS Mikami details the wacky exploits and adventures of these three as they go about investigating paranormal activities.
The closest thing it reminds me is City hunter. Again two partners, again episodic approach with no real plot, again pervy protagonist who does not mind who to grope anything with a skirt. But woman takes the lead here, and cases are usually about ghosts. Humor is ok. It may be ghost aversion talking in me, but GS Mikami does not deserve a masterpiece.
Overall Rating: 6/10
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4. Kenyuu Densetsu Yaiba Legendary Brave Swordsman Yaiba 剣勇伝説ＹＡＩＢＡ [Pastel] (Finished 3/52)
Tags: Shounen Martial Arts Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Kurogane Yaiba is a boy who doesn't want to become what any regular kid would: A samurai. That's why he undergoes a hard training with his father, knowing only the forest as his world. Then, one day, he is sent to Japan, where he has to deal with a whole new civilized reality, meeting the Mine family, the evil Onimaru and even the legendary Musashi, having lots of dangerous adventures, becoming stronger everyday.
I never heard of Yaiba and it never got my attention during previous chronological MAL exploration. Now I understand, why - it's a shounen for smaller children. Kind of Dragon Ball setting meets Dororo story development. There have been so many decent Dragon Ball imitators that this one does not stand out.
Overall Rating: 6/10
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5. Dragon League ドラゴンリーグ [Gallop] (Finished 3/39)
Tags: Shounen Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sports
Tokio and his father Amon go to the soccer country of Elevenia where they see a parade of the strongest soccer team of that country, the Winners. Amon challenges the team captain Leon to a soccer battle and, when Amon loses, Leon turns him into a miniature dragon. Tokio sees the fight and decides to challenge against Leon so that Amon can become human again.
This fantasy spokon is dubbed on so many languages that it's evident from the start that it's a safe story for kids. It looks like author wanted to make a perfect kid story and hesitated between dragons, dinosaurs and soccer, then just decided to wrap it all in. It's so bad, I can't discuss it seriously.
Overall Rating: 4/10
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6. Shippuu! Iron Leaguer 疾風！ アイアンリーガー [Sunrise] (Finished 3/52)
Tags: Shounen Mecha, Team Sports Sci-Fi
The Iron League: a place where teams of robots, under individual "owners", play various sports and duke it out in tournaments. Mach Windy is a member of Dark Prince, a team that doesn't play fair and fights dirty to win. Unsatisfied with the actions of his teammates, he defects against the will of Dark Prince's nefarious owner and joins Silver Prince: the weakest team in the league. Alongside faithful companions such as Magnum Ace and Bull Armor, Mach Windy and Silver Prince will battle against Dark Prince in games of soccer and baseball, and aim for the top!
Another wrongly marked kids show. Sunrise has hit a new low.
Overall Rating: 1/10
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7. Nekketsu Saikyou Go-Saurer 熱血最強ゴウザウラー [Sunrise] (Finished 1/51)
Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi
The Kikaika (literally mechanization) Empire invades our solar system, and in a matter of moments they take over and convert Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter,and Mars, and set their sights on Earth. However, one thing stands in their way. Earth's ancient protector and soldier of light, Eldoran. To fight this menace he gifts a 5th-grade class with 3 huge robotic dinosaurs, with the power to merge and form the giant robot Gosaurer, which they then can pilot and use to stop the Kikaika Empire's advances.
I'll soon be saying "It's Sunrise, so avoid at all cost" with this tendency. Usual stupid Sunrise stuff with stupid story, stupid enemies and every single character being stupid as well.
Overall Rating: 3/10
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8. Gunnm Battle Angel Alita 銃夢 GUNNM [Madhouse] (Finished 2/2)
Tags: Shounen Mecha Drama, Sci-Fi
Doc Ido, a doctor and mechanic who lives and works in the hellish, postapocalyptic "Scrapyard," finds the—miraculously preserved—remains of a female cyborg in a junk heap. After he revives and rebuilds her, the preternaturally strong, amnesiac "Gally" begins to forge a life for herself in a world where every day can bring a fight for life.
I watched it twice in the past, and both times it was great. With pounding heart has watched it again now to see if was missing some flaws. It hits all my weak spots so precisely that I have a really hard time finding any shortcomings in it at all. It's both perfect and genius. It's staggering how it all fit in just one hour and finished with every single character line complete. The world conquest of anime begins now.
Overall Rating: 10/10
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9. Kyou kara Ore wa!! 今日から俺は！！ [Pierrot] (Finished 10/10)
Tags: Shounen Delinquents Comedy
Two transfer students, Mitsuhashi Takashi and Itou Shinji, tired of their boring normal life and unpopularity decide to take their arrival at a new school as an opportunity to reinvent their image, and become delinquents! Itou's justice clashing with Mitsuhashi's mischievous ways, they initially antagonize one another but soon become fast friends. The delinquent duo set out on various misadventures to become the greatest delinquents in all Japan!
There have been a lot of delinquents anime, I could rate as masterpieces only Karate-bu and Shounan Bakusouzoku, because only those had a good balance of violence and humor while others relied on violence so much that it got repetitive. Compared to them Kyou kara Ore wa has a tilt towards comedy while staying serious, plus it issued over five years, so there is time to make each episode as saturated as possible. Since it's better than competitors and I could enjoy it, it's a 8, not higher since it's anything but intellectual.
Overall Rating: 8/10
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10. Ai Monogatari: 9 Love Stories 愛物語 9 Love Stories [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: Drama, Romance
An OVA based on the work of Kawaguchi Kaiji consisting of nine independent stories, each animated by a different director. With Beatles music involved, somewhere.
Can't stand omnibus format. There's roughly 90 minutes for 9 stories, so I don't know what to talk about here, no time even to learn names, just throw concept and go on.
Overall Rating: 5/10
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11. Suna no Bara: Yuki no Mokushiroku 砂の薔薇[デザート・ローズ] 雪の黙示録 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: Action
Mariko Rosebank leads a team of all-female anti-terrorist mercenaries, named C.A.T. This all-woman team is sent to guard a meeting of world leaders against a terrorist attack.
A very short and very ordinary action by female squad, too bland to waste time on it.
Overall Rating: 5/10
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12. Singles [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: Shoujo Romance
Graduating senior Sakisaka Saki is secretly in love with her older sister Noriko's boyfriend, Kazame Kaname, unaware that Noriko and Kaname have broken up. Saki hopes to escape her dilemma when she goes to college, but she ends up attending the same college as Kaname. During orientation, she is recruited to Kaname's video club. He wants to film her, but so does another boy, Tachibana Daichi, who is secretly in love with her. Can the knots be untangled and true love find its true course?
30 minutes of talks about feelings and long sights.
Overall Rating: 5/10
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13. Fight!! [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Yonosuke Hikura appears to be an ordinary high school student. Yet he has inherited the important role of protecting the harmony between Heaven and Earth. With the help of the magical sword Chitentai, and Tsukinojo Inbe, he courageously battles the demons, sending them back to the Earth World, from which they have escaped.
It all takes only 30 minutes and over half of it is wasted to find the just dropped artifact, so imagine the depth of the demon fighting part. Rushed and chaotic with nothing to remember by.
Overall Rating: 5/10
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14. Pops [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: Shoujo Romance, Slice of Life
Harada Kusuko is a high school girl with a secret crush on the class playboy, Mishima Takeshi. After breaking up with his most recent girlfriend, Mishima asks Kusuko to be his date for the class trip to Kyoto. She's over the moon, but in fact, Mishima is hung up on Shouko, his middle school teacher. Despite the age gap (and general inappropriateness of the relationship), Mishima still sees Shouko, whose marriage is disintegrating. His friend and loyal wingman, Kotaro, openly disapproves of this connection. As the emotional tensions mount, Mishima becomes involved in fights with other boys, and eventually, he's expelled from school. Feeling like he's been a complete jerk, Mishima breaks up with Kusuko and drops out of her life. Will true love find a way?
What 30 minutes is enough for? For anything! So let's draw a full-scale love square with many bystanders and emotional events! Except that it's going to be super rushed with no one properly fleshed out. Add to that immature juvenile hysterics and you'll get the idea.
Overall Rating: 5/10
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15. NG Knight Ramune & 40 DX: Wakuwaku Jikuu - Honoo no Daisousasen NG騎士ラムネ&40DX ワクワク時空 炎の大捜査戦 [Production Reed] (Finished 3/3)
Tags: Shounen Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Lamune and Da Cider head off to Puff-Puff Palace to rescue two beautiful barely clothed maidens, Gold Mountain and Silver Mountain- the Mountain Duo. This of course infuriates Milk and Leska, who with a rather confused and unwilling Cocoa "transform" into "Seinaru Milky", "Seinaru Cacao", and "Seinaru Lemon". The three then head after their would-be boyfriends to extract their revenge.
Humor has become more crazy, but surprisingly more fun as well. A rare example of sequel surpassing prequel.
Overall Rating: 6/10
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16. Oshare Kozou wa Hanamaru The Fashion Boy is Cool お洒落小僧は花マルッ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: Shoujo Romance
Kotobuki is a cheerful outgoing 14 year old girl. She's a young lady with good fashion sense and her favorite pass-time includes browsing through specialty shops, gift shops, and clothing stores. Her favorite store is "Galopine Et Galopin", a clothing store run by a young fashion designer named Hodaka-san. Hodaka is a handsome, quiet, reserved young man who's designs are making him very popular in the fashion world.
Usual naïve Shoujo is addressed now to twice older fashion designer. Ugh, way too simple.
Overall Rating: 5/10
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17. Nenbutsu Monogatari 念仏物語 [-] (Finished 0/7)
Tags: Historical
A telling of Pure Land Buddhism focusing on Shinran Shounin and Rennyo.
Not found.
Overall Rating: 0/10
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18. Juubee Ninpuuchou Ninja Scroll 獣兵衛忍風帖 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: Historical, Samurai Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Supernatural
Jubei Kibagami wanders feudal Japan as an itinerant swordsman-for-hire. After a past betrayal left him masterless, he has no more patience for warring political factions and their schemes. Unfortunately, both past and political intrigue collide when he meets and saves a female ninja named Kagero from a man with the ability to make his body as hard as stone.
The sole survivor of a ninja clan, Kagero continues her team's last mission: investigate a mysterious plague that wiped out an entire village. Jubei wants nothing to do with this, but the stone-like man's allies, a group of ninja with supernatural powers known as the Devils of Kimon, make that option difficult. To make matters worse, a government spy poisons Jubei, promising him an antidote if he can unravel the true intentions of the Devils of Kimon and their connection to the plague. The trail leads to shadow leaders, a plot to overthrow the government, and a man that Jubei thought he would never see again.
I'm not being greedy here or anything, but I could not enjoy it, no real thrill - just action and more and more weird enemies. If only it had more historical or even imaginary plot focus or fleshed out protagonists.
Overall Rating: 6/10
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19. Mii-chan no Tenohira みいちゃんのてのひら [Magic Bus] (Finished 0/1)
Tags: Historical Drama
Based on the book by Kikuko Inaba.
Not found.
Overall Rating: 0/10
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20. Umi ga Kikoeru The Ocean Waves 海がきこえる [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1)
Tags: School Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
In the city of Kouchi, high school student Taku Morisaki is going about his work when his friend Yutaka Matsuno calls and asks him to get to their school as soon as possible. Taku arrives, and Matsuno introduces him to Rikako Muto, a beautiful girl from Tokyo who recently transferred to their school. Although Rikako is academically and athletically gifted, her generally unpleasant attitude leaves her with virtually no friends outside of Matsuno and another girl from her class.
After a chance encounter during their class trip, Taku suddenly finds himself more involved in Rikako's personal life, much to Matsuno's dismay. Struggling to balance his friendship with Matsuno and his own budding infatuation for Rikako, Taku must come to terms with his feelings and understand how a girl with a troubled past is having such a massive effect on his life.
Wow, first Ghibli work to be rated so low by me. Reason is that it's even worse than "Only Yesterday" that had at least two nice fantasy-like moments and understandable concept. Umi ga Kikoeru has zero good scenes. Every scene with main heroine Rikako is painful for me as she is an absolutely hysterical jerk. And after some 5 events , each with like half year pause between them love just happens, just because. The only reason last scene is depicted as happy one is because Rikako shuts her mouth for once , because every time she speaks it's some utter nonsense. And of course after "Only Yesterday" we get another stupid case of hitting female in the face... why everything is so bad here...
Overall Rating: 5/10
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