Anime Blog
"Trinity Blood" vol. 6 (Funimation) -- I hate it when a good series ends poorly.
There have certainly been worse endings, but this is one of those that bugs you because what led up to it was so interesting.
As you watch the final four episodes on this disc, you're asking, "Oh, how are they gonna wrap this up in four episodes?" "Oh, how are they gonna wrap this up in two episodes?" "Oh, how are they gonna wrap this up in one episode?
" "Um, how are they gonna wrap this up in 12 minutes?" Oh, they didn't quite wrap it up.
It's not so disappointing that it negates the enjoyment of the rest of the series, but there's enough unanswered and unresolved to leave you wanting more, or maybe turning to the manga, published by Tokyopop.
Up until the ending, though, "Trinity Blood" is a visual feast filled with a range of interesting characters. Gonzo chief rival an empire of vampires. Their co-existance is on the way to becoming more peaceful, but an order of humans.
At the center of this battle is Father Abel Nightroad, a member of the Vatican's AX defensive unit. He's a Crusnik, a sort of super vampire with nano technology that isn't properly explained. Troy Baker does a great job voicing him in the dub.
His partner is Sister Esther Blanchett, an orphan and novice nun who wants to join the AX but has a greater future in store. Colleen Clinkenbeard does a fine job, too, with her voice.
Father Abel is such a likable character, it's hard not to enjoy this series from the beginning.
He and Esther have a nice chemistry, and the machinations at the Vatican and the Empire keep the show interesting, even without the Rosen Kreuz sticking their noses in. The Pope's character sorely needs developing, though.
But if you're a vampire lover, this series is a must-view.
It has a lot to offer other anime fans, too. GRADE: B-
For those interested in the show's background but not in the manga, there's a great . Beware of spoilers if you go in before watching the final disc, though.
Same goes for the DVD liner notes.
"Princess Princess: Boys Will Be Girls" vol. 1 (Media Blasters) -- Media Blasters is the go-to studio these days for boys'love titles.
Though, at least in the first four episodes of "Princess Princess," there's no lovin' going on -- just mandatory cross-dressing.
Toru Kouno is the new pretty boy in town at a prestigious all-boys' school. He's joined mid-semester because of some family difficulties, and the students instantly take to him.
Since he's so pretty, he's chosen to be the school's third "Princess." Because the school is boys only, higher-ups in the student body and faculty figure the students need something pretty to distract them, so Toru, Yujiro and Mikoto must dress up as girls to attend school functions, sporting events and the like.
Toru thinks it's all pretty weird, but since he doesn't seem to have a choice (since the faculty are in on it, they'll flunk unwilling participants) and he'll practically get a free ride for the year if he does it, he dives right in.
He, Yujiro and Mikoto bond in their forced drag, and comedy ensues.
Where that comedy will go is anyone's guess, but viewers are in for some frilly fun.
One of the most refreshing things about this series is that it doesn't pander to the lowest common denominator.
Cross-dressing could lead to a lot of easy, offensive gay jokes, but the show doesn't go there on this disc. Sure, but there's not a lot of comments denigrating the act itself. Mikoto doesn't want his girlfriend to find out.
Toru makes it known he's straight but that he's willing to do what he must. Yujiro's character is still a bit ambiguous. But the whole "wearing women's clothes is unnatural" schtick is kept to a minimum.
That leaves plenty of room for lots of lighthearted, wink-wink nudge-nudge style humor as the boys learn their place in campus life. They're surrounded by a colorful cast of supporting characters, including friendly class president It's all done up in a bright pastel pallette. The Princesses are primary colors -- blue, red and yellow -- to help them stand out in a sea of plain-colored hair.
Akira gets green -- maybe that'll mean something later.
The manga was popular enough in Japan that it spawned a sequel, a video game and a live-action series, in addition to this anime. It's not too hard to see why.
And without the heavy boys' love angle, it's likely to appeal to a Visiting San Francisco this summer?
will be the sole U.S.
venue for a tribute to Osamu Tezuka, creator of the manga and anime icon Astro Boy.
The exhibit, titled "Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga," will feature more than 200 original drawings, paintings and more. It will run June 2-Sept.
9 The show doesn't focus solely on Astro Boy, of course, and includes his more adult works, such as "Song of Apollo" and "Ludwig B," so parts may not be suitable for young children.
For more information on the exhibit, visit
Sorry for the long absence. I had some vacation time, plus the introduction of our new My Time Thursday entertainment section in the print edition (hope you all checked it out) kept us chained to our desks -- no time for anime watching.
But there were a couple news bits I wanted to share upon my return.
The first involves Viz' "Naruto." is coming to Michigan movie screens for a one-night-only engagement June 6.
Participating theaters here are the Cinemark 20 -- Rivertown Mall, 3728 River Town Parkway, Grandville; and the Livonia 20, 19500 Haggerty Road.
The movie foreshadows a big push in their manga schedule, too. Starting in September, there will be three volumes of the "Naruto" manga per month through December to catch up to the Japanese release schedule.
Over at ADV Films, the company announced at a Texas anime convention that it will be releasing "Air" and "Air Movie." Not content with press-release-speak about it being "one of the most-anticipated series," I did some Googline and discovered that the claim isn't too far off the mark. Here's the intriguing set-up from ADV:
"Yukito Kunisaki is a wandering puppeteer on a jouney to find 'the girl in the sky,' a tradition his family has held for generations.
Upon arriving in a new town, he is befriended by a lonely young girl named Misuzu, who offers him a place to stay. Yukito soon begins to suspect that Misuzu has ties with 'the girl in the sky' when she begins to speak of dreams of flying, but before his suspicions are confirmed, Yukito meets two more mysterious girls. Now Follow Yukito as he pieces together the lives of three different girls to discover the truth of 'the girl in the sky.
' "
The first volume of the series will be released Aug. 14. The movie will be released sometime late in the year.
"Paradise Kiss" vol. 3 (Geneon) -- The high-fashion soap opera comes to an end after 12 episodes that would have done Aaron Spelling proud.
It's the story of young Yukari, a student at an elite high school struggling under the immense expectations of her high-strung mother.
She's hooked up with a group of students from the local fashion school and think she's found her calling as a fashion model.
Where other shows and movies have the "big game," this one has the "big fashion show." As talented as he is jerky, George leads the group, which is putting the last-minute touches on a knock-out dress Yukari will model for them.
This is only a three-volume series, so things have moved fast. Yukari and George have established themselves as a couple, but all may not be paradise.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Arashi and Miwako (two other members of George's group) didn't go quite as expected, nor did Hiroyuki (one of Yukari's classmates) do what I thought he'd do.
Even Isabelle was good for a surprise (not the one you're thinking -- that wouldn't be a surprise, would it?). And with an unexpected ending, I'm happy to say this series finished well.
When things are resolved in a good way, it's sometimes best if that way is in a different direction. (Though I must say, I hope one of the final voices heard was used only because they couldn't afford to hire someone for a one-off and had to use one of the regulars.)
One still wonders what Yukari saw in George, but first love can't always go smoothly.
It's a learning experience, and Yukari learned a lot. Her character definitely grew, not always in the best way. But it's a testament to the writing when you can create that kind of a character in just 12 episodes.
It has episode synopses (beware spoilers), character info and some great wallpapers.
Viz Media is in Cannes, France, this week -- not for the famous film festival, but for MIPTV, an industry show focusing on the audiovisual and digital content market. You, know, muckety-muck stuff that only matters as long as we get our anime.
The video game will arrive in August. Viz is also spending time talking about a variety of its series, including "Bleach" and "Mar." They're also pitching new series, such as the upcoming "Honey and Clover.
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