Tokyopop a while back did something pretty risky, they started translating and publishing anime themed light novels in the US. Volume one of Kino no Tabi was released in 2006, but it seems after the long wait Tokyopop has dropped it along with Scrapped Princess. No reason except a problem with its licensing. The seris will now be marked as out of print. It’s unlikely that the series will ever be completed in English, as there won’t be much of an outcry. Guess reading is too much work.
At this point, there aren’t many people watching Ghost Hound and subs have slowed. Most fans likely had very high expectations and were thinking that Ghost Hound would something else. It wasn’t filled with action and it wasn’t like Serial Experiments: Lain. Instead the anime tried to be in a class in it’s own in a way that many people didn’t notice. At least it explained itself, even those it may have cost viewers. On that note, I will do my best to have the Ghost Hound fanlisting complete and working.
The 19th episode is titled Negentropy. Another science word which means to become more in order. Was it ever mentioned that this is a depressing series? Fires, pills, death, and people turning into hound like ghosts. Mokoto’s mother nearly dies in a fire after trying to kill herself. It could have been worse, she could have died and they would have never had the chance to have a positive relationship. She did fall back to being a 17 year old again, she doesn’t remember Mokoto. Ghost Hound also has odd clothing fashion with Masayuki’s pink animal on his sweater as an example. And why is Taro wearing green socks in this episode?
Kaiba starts with the main male lead Warp wakes up with his memories erased and a hole in the chest, while others in the area are having their memories taken. Not your average anime already. The environment itself can only be described as surreal, as it also has a great water color look. There’s an impressive chase where it’s much more than a pretty background with no movement. The memory cleaning foes in this first episode have a form that you know is meant to be aggressive and out to seek something. Memories that are confiscated are stored on a tiny metal round triangle item.
This anime likely has the best opening of this season, morphing characters and all. Music is also in English.
Kaiba is a romantic fantasy anime. It has it should have its share of drama, disturbing scenes, and adventure. The one thing hurting this anime is the name, Kaiba will bring you countless Yu-Gi-Oh search results on sites and search engines. There’s the factor that this anime will never appeal to many. So far most of the hype are from fans who like the director. Nothing like Kaiba with it’s abstract drug use and humor.
Trip Trek is an online anime that can pretty much be seen for free. The series is by BBAnime and can be seen in full on it’s official site or various stream sites they uploaded themselves. Only thing is the site only offers it in Japanese with Japanese subtitles, but they do offer Trip Trek games. The English versions were removed for some reason. The story is of a girl named Zocco who travels and searches for her mother. She’s not alone, the pink companion Minime was crafted my Zocco’s mother to help her. Trip Trek is a Flash animation, so don’t expect any flashy effects.
This episode features the two having to stop at a place to eat when they were very hungry. Take extra care at who the past traveler was. More soup please.
SquareEnix announced Soul Eater: Monotone Princess for the Nintendo Wii. Of course by SquareEnix because the manga publisher GanGan is apart their company. The first and new Soul Eater game will be an action role playing game where the Wii remote controls your scythe. First images of the game are featured in Japan’s April Famitsu magazine. No release date set yet, sadly. View full image
Episode one starts of with Shibusen, the school run by Shinigami prevent Kishin from returning and to take out the people who transform into an Egg of Kishin. Students come in pairs or trios where you normally have the master and the weapon. The weapon must eat 99 human souls and 1 witch soul to become a true Shinigami, the goal of the students who attend Shibusen. Wonderful animation for a shounen series, including good use of blur and good angles during action. The voice acting could be better, as Maka’s dad is pretty annoying. Especially when he’s crying or confidently laughing.
Soul Eater starts out much like the manga. The same foul human eating human souls is slayed. The same witch is a not a witch. Too bad you have to start over collecting souls if you mess up by eating one that isn’t a human or witch. Perhaps they’re taken away by the students to make sure only the best become a Death Scythe or Shinigami. One thing though, there is a scene where Soul is dressed up in front of a piano. Perhaps that’s when he first partnered with Maka. If you prefer your anime much like the manga, this will suit your needs if you’re already ten volumes deep into the manga. Otherwise, one or the other. Black Star will be the main attraction in episode two.
