Anime Sunday: Last Encore Episode 01 Impressions

This week for Anime Sunday I’m back with a look at what is probably my most anticipated series of the season. It’s my Fate/Extra: Last Encore Episode 01 Impressions!

Plot Synopsis: Waking up in a strange academy with no recollection of the past, Kishinami Hakuno finds themselves forced to fight for survival in a war they do not understand for a prize beyond value; the opportunity to have one’s wish granted.

Plot: You see that synopsis above? Yea? Toss it out, that’s the story of the original Fate/Extra. What occurs in Last Encore is completely off track. As of writing this post I have only watched the 2 already released episodes and I’m still confused. Now given what Kinoko Nasu has said about Last Encore that is completely intended so I’m absolutely not alone in this.

Characters: We get to meet Hakuno in this episode as well as Leo, Sakura and Shinji. However stuff is odd, and while Fate/Extra is already confusing, Last Encore is so off track that I’m stumped as to whether I enjoyed the interactions between all the characters.

Artwork: The art is excellent, but while Shaft is an amazing studio I just can’t help but think that ufotable could’ve done a better job. It’s probably me just projecting my preferences though, and there is no significant issue with Shaft’s animation in particular.

Music: The music is good, although it lacks the same feeling as the original soundtrack from the game.

Overall: I’m really stuck whether I enjoy this series or not, so I plan on binge watching the entire thing in a couple days once it’s complete. You may or may not want to do something similar. It’ll probably help out a ton with understanding what the heck is going on though.

For those who like: The Fate series, Studio Shaft, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Mind Benders, Fate/Extra, Great Artwork, Good Music.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Manga Monday: Shinkaigyou by Tanaka Kanako

This week for Manga Monday I’m covering a really weird series. It’s Shinkaigyou by Tanaka Kanako!

Plot Synopsis: Ryohan is a scientist who created a weird fish/shark man who can shrink to the size of a microbe that can destroy viruses and diseases in a human’s body. However the weird fishman hates humans…

Plot: This is a really weird series, frankly I’m not surprised it only lasted a single volume, because it’s just not that great a story. Of the chapters I read we didn’t even learn that fishman’s name.

Characters: Ryohan is an oddball main character, if he even is the main character. It’s hard to tell.

Art: Pretty good for a series that ran in 1999, but nothing amazing.

Overall: Skip this series, it’s really not worth your time.

For those who like: Mediocrity and nonsense.

Not for those who don’t like: Either of the above.

Retro Game Friday: Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon

This week’s Retro Game Friday is a game I loved to play, but never could remember the name for until just a few weeks ago. It’s Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon!

Plot Synopsis: The protagonist of Mystical Ninja is Goemon, a hot-blooded, kiseru-wielding ninja with blue, bushy hair based loosely on the legendary thief Ishikawa Goemon. The lord of Oedo asks him to find those who maimed Oedo Castle. Goemon lives in Oedo Town and is friends with Ebisumaru, a strange, gluttonous fat man who wears a blue bandana. Ebisumaru is defined as lazy and perverted. Their kunai-throwing friend Sasuke is a mechanical ninja (made by the Wise Man of Iga) who enjoys hot baths and Japanese tea. Rounding out the heroes is Yae, a fierce sword-wielding kunoichi, who happens upon Goemon’s band in Zazen Town. The villains of the game hail from the organization Peach Mountain Shoguns and include a gang of four “weirdos” led by Spring Breeze Dancin’ (Danshin Harukaze) and Kitty Lily (Margaret Ranko). They intend to transform Japan into a stage for their talents.

Plot: Honestly I don’t remember the plot at all, and the plot synopsis above just makes me confused although with this game if you aren’t confused you’re not playing the correct game.

Gameplay: In what can only be called one of the weirdest games ever this game combines Action-Adventure with Giant Robots. Boss fights are fought using a giant robot to fight another giant robot. That’s about all I remember about the game. It was released a long time ago, so give me a break.

Music: It was probably the first time I heard “Japanese” music, and while I’ve grown to love Japanese Music in recent years, I thought it was just funny sounding back when I played this game.

Art: The art was great for it’s age, keep in mind that it was building off the success of Mario 64, it’s terrible looking now, but it was great then.

Overall: If you can find a version to play you ought to just give this game a quick whirl. It’s highly amusing.

For those who like: To laugh a bunch, Action-Adventure Games, Giant Robots.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.