Hot Rice Anime Round Up – issue 4
This year has started off with some great anime, and I’ve watched some awful stuff too. Last year everything I tried was either addictive or had a new concept. Let’s have a look at all the new releases for January to watch and the anime’s you can buy.
So without further ado – lets see what’s worth of comment! 😉
Pupa
Pupa is a 2011–2013 Japanese horror manga series written and illustrated by Sayaka Mogi. This got adapted into an anime horror series. It’s only a 3 minutes long so you can watch the whole series in one go. It’s about a brother and sister, the sister has an encounter with a mutant dog and some butterflies and hey presto she’s now a human eating monster with identity issues.
Space Dandy
An anime set in space with lot’s of Sci-Fi Comedy to ensue. Brought to you by Bones who gave us Cowboy Bebop and published by Square Enix. This anime has great style and substance…amongst lots of boobs but within the right context. We follow the cosmic adventures of Space Dandy, a handsome space explorer tasked to tour the universe and discover new alien beings. Also this was translated into English before Japanese to show the huge popularity in the West.
Nourin
When the national idol Kusakabe Yuka suddenly retired from the entertainment business, She decided to enroll at Tamo Agriculture School to meet her biggest fan, Kosaku. He realizes he has the once in a lifetime opportunity to get to personally know his dream girl and, together with his group of friends, try to find out why she is here and become closer than just classmates. This anime turned out to be focused on Kosaku and his school which is refreshing. Expect loads of wild animals disrupting class.
Witch Craft Works
Takamiya Honoka sits next to Kagari Ayaka, the school’s hottest girl, they don’t interact but unknown to him – she is protecting him. So when he almost dies falling off a building Kagari saves him, dressed in a fetching outfit. She explains she is her princess and she will always be by his side, against all the robot bunnies and witches that come at them ! This is one amusing take on witches with great character designs, one to look out for int he cosplay scene. Fantasy comedy for everyone to enjoy.
Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha
Fushimi Inari, shy and not-so-bright middle school girl living in Kyoto’s Fushimi ward has a crush classmate Tanbabashi, but cannot express her feelings. One day, as thanks for helping a fox pup, the deity Ukanomitama-no-kami grants her the ability to change her form. I love these folk tale animes, worth a watch if you like animals and magic.
Noragami
Yato, a minor god, dreams to become the top deity. However, with no money he is seen as a tramp and in the highly amusing first episode his shinki even leaves him in a horrible break style scene. Later, a high school girl named Hiyori Iki pushes him out of the way of a speeding bus; unaware of his status as deity. With her and a new shinki, Yato suddenly has a chance to shine.
Tonari no Seki-kun
This is a short anime adapted from manga form and is thoroughly enjoyable for the antics of the master of distraction Seki Kun! Constantly distracting his neighbour in class freaking her out but playing innocent when she tells the teacher. The best part is the end theme, a really jazzy number.
Z/X: Ignition
The story is set in the future. Five “Black Points” suddenly appear around the world as portals to parallel worlds. Monsters start to spurt out and ridiculous fights ensue. Found it hard to get into this anime, too much going on and those outfits – fail.
Robot Girls Z
The story revolves around a new team of “Toei robot girls” named “Team Z”. Based on Toei’s Mazinger Z franchise: Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and UFO Robot Grendizer, this series is blatently to sell merchendise. This show is random but I love it, reminisces the time of Flint the Time Detective. The girls meet villains who are super cute and not very evil and even have their own beach/sea’ episode. Love the script. ‘Fun, fan service’ would be a great term for this show.
Aisha’s hit – It has to be Space Dandy, the animation is slick and following a diverse main character. It also demonstrates the high bar anime has set with great American voice acting. Also cute animals heheh !
Aisha’s miss – if you hadn’t already guessed Z/X: Ignition I don’t know if I’m watching a card game or anime but there is no clear story. Despite the animation being quite nice.
Anime to buy!
A quick round up of what’s out there!
Go! Go! 575
Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen
Eureka Seven Ao: Part 1 (DVD) Manga Ent.
Naruto: Unleashed: Season 1 – DVD (Re-Release) Manga Ent.
Naruto: Unleashed: Season 2 – DVD (Re-Release) Manga Ent.
Nisemonogatari Part 2 (Blu-Ray) MVM Films
Nisemonogatari Part 2 (DVD) MVM Films
Dragonball GT Season 1 (DVD) Toei Animation
Is This a Zombie? Of the Dead (DVD) MVM Films
Persona 4: The Animation – Volume 1 (Blu-ray) Kaze UK (Distributed by Manga UK)
Persona 4: The Animation – Volume 1 (DVD) Kaze UK (Distributed by Manga UK)
Persona 4: The Animation – Volume 2 (Blu-ray) Kaze UK (Distributed by Manga UK)
Persona 4: The Animation – Volume 2 (DVD) Kaze UK (Distributed by Manga UK)
Persona 4: The Animation – Volume 3 (Blu-ray) Kaze UK (Distributed by Manga UK)
Persona 4: The Animation – Volume 3 (DVD) Kaze UK (Distributed by Manga UK)
Sword Art Online Part 2 (DVD) Manga Ent.
Sword Art Online Part 2 (DVD/Blu-Ray)
- Hot Rice Anime Round Up – issue 5 - March 31, 2014
- Hot Rice Anime Round Up – issue 4 - March 5, 2014
- Hot Rice Anime Round Up – issue 3 - January 6, 2014
