I’m a sucker for Shojou Anime. It has to be said. It it has a romance in it and a couple you are just dying to kiss then I’m there I’m watching it and I am in love with it. I’m not sure what it is about the Anime genre and the romances sub genre within but I just love it. I love seeing these cute big eyed pretty girls get with the man of their dreams and all the obstacles that go in the way. Lovely Complex is a Rom-Com so to speak, so the goo-goo eyes and pretty girls are scare but the slapstick style comedy is abundant and actually quite funny. So Lovely Complex has been providing me with a refreshing take on the Romance Genre. There are no violent girls kicking men halfway across the road and a lot less innuendo then a lot of Rom-Com Animes I’ve seen (Ilove violence and Innuendo though don’t get me wrong (
The story is essential about Koizumi Risa and Ootani Atsushi. Risa is above avergae heigh and Ootani is below average height and together they are labelled All Hanshin Kyojin, a comedy duo within their class. Because of certain personality differences and the height issue they are always fighting and look silly doing so and are therefore always providing entertainment for their classmates, hence the comedy Duo. It starts off with the two getting along famously, they have the same interests and get excited about the same thing and you think “WOW They are made for each other” But they start off with a contest to see who can get a bf/gf first! We see their relationship progress and I don’t want to give anything away so that’s all I’m going to say on the matter for now (:
My fave character so far has to be Nobo Chan (: She’s the typically cute yet gutsy girl who all the boys love. She has the hot basketball star boyfriend and seems to know it all about realtionships. Why do I love her? Well in Episode 10 I think she shouts “RISA BARE YOUR CHEST” a lot which cracked me up no end. Episode 10 is a funny Episode. At least I think it was 10, I forget. Ootani’s complete density to the situation around him made for good watching too, just because you get to see everyones frustration at how slow he is.
Lovely Complex is an interesting take on a RomCom Anime. Its fast, fun and full of visual comedy that actually is funny. The story is cute and the characters are engaging. If you haven’t checked it out yet I suggest you download it because it’s seriously good watching.
Alright! We’re going to update this every Tuesday and Friday. Was going to do Tuesday and Thursday…but I think you should always end Friday with a comic. ;B
I recently saw Paprika, an Anime film by Satoshi Kon which was realeased in 2006 but has only recently found its way onto the Big Screen over in the West. The story focuses around the stolen DC Mini. The DC Mini is a device that lets you see into other peoples dreams allowing an analysis of the subconcious. In the wrong hands it could be a very dangerous piece of equipment. When the DC Mini is stolen it is up to Dr Atsuko Chiba and her dream alterego Paprika to figure out what is going on and save the day. Its essentailly an exploration into the fantasy world vs the reality world.
Atsuko and Paprika are essentially two halves of the same person. As the real world and the dream world begin to collide they are able to exist together in the same reality. This mirrors that of characters we create online, Atsuko was able to create Paprika as a energetic, friendly, vivacious 18 year old who had sex appeal and confidence because perhaps that’s how she wanted to be. We create our online personas not always to reflect ourselves in reality but to reflect who we may want to be and are afraid to be. It is easier to exist within a “dream” reality then it is to exist in actual reality after all.
I thought this fim was interesting. It can be argued that the plot is difficult to follow as the two realitys collide but I think a film dealing with dream worlds and alternate realities is bound to be confusing you have to go in expecting to have to follow a plot that will jump around. If you do then you’re ok. I thought the characters were amazing. Paprika stayed strong and focused even when Atsuko was giving into living out her dreams rather than saving reality. You felt as if the DC Mini was a technology that could be realised in actual life and that this was all happening now. The animation was also superb, first class. It made the story richer and was breath taking. One scene in particular when Paprika enters the dreamland of Kosaku Tokita and changes outfits as she falls from the sky gliding down on a cloud was amazing. The music compliments the story so well, futuristic, upbeat and floating it resembles the dream like world that is colliding with reality. I think this is such a greta example of how Anime pushes boundaries and explores new themes and stories that Western Animation never will. Anime is reaching out and showing Animation is a worthy source of filmmaking and should be taken more seriously. Animation can be used to make mature films and whats more you can do more with animation because there are no boundaries or things to hold you back. Essentially in animation you can achieve the unachievable wouldn’t you say?
I highly reccomend you watching this film. It is readily availiable on Torrent Sites (use Isohunt to hunt it down if need be) and is now showing in Cinemas across the USA and UK. Go watch it.
RomeoxJuliet is an anime adaptation of William Shakespears play (obvioulsy) that began airing in Japan in April 2007 and is directed by Fumitoshi Oisaki. I’m a bit behind on this one because it’s now up to episode 4 and I’m still on episode two but I blame the catching up of Death Note and the distraction of Air for that one!
Its rather interesting to see a classic and well known play taken on in an Anime style. I essentially thought it would just be a standard retelling of Romeo and Juliet just done in an anime style, kind of like Akage No Anne, but this has really surprised me. Its like Romeo and Juliet meeds a Ghibli movie! The story is set in NeoVerona which is a floating city and starts with the Motague family raiding the ruling Capulets palace and killing all of the Capulets bar Juliet who escapes with her companion on a winged horse-dragon type thing.
We are then skipped 14 years into the future where we see Juliet is passing herself off as a boy and living in hiding with Cordelia (her friend who escaped with her), Conrad (exguard and now Juliets protector) and his son. I quite like the fact they are in hiding in a Theatre which is run by a character called Willy, who is essentially William Shakespear! I thought that was quite clever. I don’t want to give much away here, but I really do reccomend this Anime. Its such a clever take on the play and brings the whole thing to life in a totally new light.
PINK DOMINO Welcome to Pink Domino.
The Place for Random Fandom.
Born into a family of enthusiastic and intelligent individuals who have passion for their fandoms and felt like showing the rest of the world why. Anime, Manga, Gaming, TV, Geekery.. You name it and we have someone who loves it and wants to convince you to love it too. THE INTERNETS ARE HERE
Enjoy!
Oh noes! Read previous OrangeJuice comments for explanation. :B 
I recently saw Paprika, an Anime film by Satoshi Kon which was realeased in 2006 but has only recently found its way onto the Big Screen over in the West. The story focuses around the stolen DC Mini. The DC Mini is a device that lets you see into other peoples dreams allowing an analysis of the subconcious. In the wrong hands it could be a very dangerous piece of equipment. When the DC Mini is stolen it is up to Dr Atsuko Chiba and her dream alterego Paprika to figure out what is going on and save the day. Its essentailly an exploration into the fantasy world vs the reality world.
