Even more anime I've gotten into.

Hello again. It's been 10 months since I started this blog. I have recapped several episodes and a movie of bad anime; but I have also made a couple posts about good ones to recommend. This is the third in a series of them; as I have elected to make them a permanent feature of this blog. So, let's get started.

Mawaru Penguin-Drum

This is a series about two young brothers, Shoma and Kanba, who live with their sister Himari, who is terminally ill. During a family outing to an aquarium in Ikebukuro (a district in Tokyo that is well-known as the setting of Durarara); Himari dies. Suddenly, she is brought back to life by an alien life form living in a hat modeled after a rockhopper penguin; which was bought at the aquarium. The life form agrees to extend Himari's life in exchange for a mysterious essence called "Penguin-Drum." They are given three penguins in order to do this. The creative staff behind this anime was also involved with the shojo piece "Revolutionary Girl Utena"; which I have never seen, but I have seen plenty of shout-outs to it in other anime I've watched. The series is animated by Studio Brains Base; and it is one of the best looking series I've seen. The best-animated sequences are when the life form initiates a "Survival Strategy" using Himari's body, and summons a large piece of architecture with hundreds of moving parts. Mawaru Penguin-Drum is a bizarre series; as I found strains of FLCL, a series that is a strange coming of age story, Big Fish, a sort of anthology film of tall tales, and Pee-Wee's Playhouse; as influenced from the "Survival Strategy" sequences and the residence of the family.

Cromartie High School

A series about 16-year-old Kamiyama, who attends the titular Cromartie High School with all sorts of delinquents. They include Hayashida, who becomes a vital friend; Mechazawa, a sort of chibi robot; a student who somewhat resembles late Queen singer Freddie Mercury, and a literal 800-pound gorilla. Yes, it's that kind of anime. Lampshading many of the shonen clichés, in everything from story to art style (many of the students have a glare that resembles that of Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star); Cromartie High School is one of the most self-aware series I've done. I also like it much better than Ouran High School Host Club; as my large unfamiliarity with the shojo genre has made it highly inaccessible to me (I'm on the final episodes and I still can't fathom its humor). This show, on the other hand, is hilarious to me because of all the shonen I've seen.


Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood

This is the second anime series for Full Metal Alchemist, the first one airing in 2003. Brotherhood is an an adaptation that is truer to the manga; a sort of director's cut. It still largely retains the same story, though I will have to see more episodes to say how I truly feel about it. For now, it has good animation; and the vocal cast gives good performances. As for this argument between the 2003 series and Brotherhood; I'm looking at it like this: the Tim Burton Batman movie did not stop being good simply because The Dark Knight came out. I will support both adaptations.

Casshern Sins

A darker and edgier re-imagining of Tatsunoko Productions' classic superhero anime Casshern, this anime tells of the titular Casshern fighting against evil machines in a world ravaged by war. Much of humanity has been forfeit, with only humanoid robots remaining in their stead. There is also a constant theme of Casshern's morality in the war; as he is confronted by a mysterious woman about his past. I am highly interested in seeing more.

So, this is all for now. I intend to make this a regular feature that I'll post between recaps. I have read up to the sixth chapter of the Deadman Wonderland manga; and I'm about to watch the second episode of the anime. After that, I'll get started on the next recap, which I hope to have out within the first week of November. I know what I want to do; and you will find out soon. For now, I shall simply say that the subject of the next recap has been treated horribly these past few years; and I hope things can improve for him...

Recap: The Tower of Terror

Hello again. Halloween is coming. Time for young folk to go out in costume

and get candy, time for adults to go out in costume to parties, time to watch horror movies,

go to haunted houses, do anything for a good scare.

For this recap, I decided to do something a little different. I decided to do a

recap on something I enjoy. I chose to do a Pokémon episode from my youth. It is one that

is fitting for the Halloween season in that manner. I have chosen to do “The Tower of Terror.”

So, let's open it up.

We start with a theme song that really needs no introduction, the Pokémon theme. To this day, it remains my favorite Pokémon song and one of my favorite anime

theme songs.

We open on Ash, Misty, and Brock in the woods, on the way to capture

a Ghost Pokémon from Lavender Town; at the behest of a mysterious bearded man after

losing to Sabrina. Those wacky bearded men, always offering advice on how to win

Pokémon battles. It's like hooded sweatshirts, they just took off.

Misty wonders if the fog is an omen, but Brock says they've come too far;

and requests that they hold hands to stay together. Ash and Misty do so. I try not to get

involved with shipping conflicts, but I will play this music.

Brock accidentally grabs Pikachu's tail when reaching for Ash's other hand, and

Pikachu zaps him. Misty says not to scare her like that, and Ash pulls a prank on them by

wearing this skeleton mask.

Ash takes the mask off, and states that if they're going to capture a Ghost Pokémon, they have to learn to deal with fear. To manipulate the fears of others, you must

first conquer your own.

Misty and Brock call him crazy, and Pikachu zaps him. You can't hear this,

but this scene contains a bit of Ash's Japanese voice actress as he screams from being shocked

by Pikachu.  

Misty tells Ash to quit the boneheaded jokes; saying they have enough things

to scare them. Ash says he'll save the masks for next Halloween; his eye twitching. Oh Ash,

don't ever change.

We then get our title card. When I was younger, I imagined they were going to

go find the Ghost Pokémon at the Disney World ride.

Ash, Misty, and Brock arrive in Lavender Town, remarking how it's good they

got there before it got dark. They reach the Pokémon Tower and state that it always appears dark around there.  

Here's a bit of trivia: the reason you see your rival at the Pokémon Tower in

Red, Blue, and Yellow is that he's burying his Raticate; as he got caught in the confusion of the

SS Anne and couldn't get to the Pokémon Center to treat it in time.

Misty and Brock try to get Ash to go in alone, saying he knows how to deal with

fear. Ash retorts that he's not scared. The whole point of fear is to apply it to something we

don't know or understand, and acknowledging it is the first step to conquering it. He turns

to Pikachu, who is falling asleep. That's just like Pikachu. He knows to be in bed when all

the crazy stuff starts.

Why do I even bother? I know I'm going to be in a crappy
dinosaur-related ripoff of this show anyway.

Ash decides to go to bed as well. Misty immediately wakes him up with

an enormous gong. It's strange where my mind will go if I let it. Where did Misty get that

gong?

We see Team Rocket looking over the gang from a balcony. This is years before

they became far more menacing in Best Wishes. Here, they're pretty much the Coyote to

Ash's Roadrunner. I also have to bring up Nathan Price voicing Meowth. He does a decent

enough job in the first 30 episodes, but Meowth was really defined as a character when

Maddie Blaustein took over. After listening to her, it's hard to think of anyone else doing

Meowth, even as Jimmy Zoppi does his best in the new episodes.

James crashes through the floor after taking a bad step. Meowth quips, “The

floor broke his fall.” And vice versa.

At that moment, a cabinet door opens to reveal a startling sight. Oh no! It's

Dark Mu! Run before she makes Shredder into a dragon again! No, it's actually Gastly, the

first Ghost Pokémon and longtime fan favorite.

Meowth points to Gastly, but Jessie does not see it in time. I know it's childish

of me, but you know Meowth only has three fingers on each hand. Which one does he use

to point? That's right! The middle finger. Every time he points, he's flipping someone off.

(With apologies to James Rolfe for using this joke)

Gastly appears over Jessie's face, causing Meowth to scratch it. Sorry, Meowth.

Normal attacks don't affect Ghost types. It does however, hurt Jessie's face; remarking that

“perfection has been ruined.”

Jessie finally sees the Gastly, and she falls down with James and Meowth, then

they fall through another floor. That old place really is dangerous. What's the maintenance cost

on that tower?

Misty says it sounds really horrible in there. Brock insinuates that they must

have a torture chamber in there. Yes, a torture chamber. They make you play Pokémon Channel

for hours on end, then they make you watch A Double Dilemma on an endless loop! Don't

worry, A Double Dilemma is the next Pokémon recap.

Ash and company finally enter the tower. Misty notices it's really dark in there,

and Ash sends out Charmander to light up the place. It would be much easier if he knew Flash.

I'm also posting a screencap here with a buck trophy on the wall; here a solid 13 years before

the discovery of Sawsbuck.

Brock produces a candle, and Ash asks Charmander to light it. Charmander does

so, and also roasts Brock.

Misty hears voices and wonders where they're coming from. It might be because

we rented out one of the spare lofts to the Black Knights.

We cut to a TV room, and we see Haunter and Gengar. They're a couple of bums,

just sprawled out watching TV. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they appear to be watching a

“boke and tsukomi” routine; in which a not-too-bright person irritates a smarter person, and

the smarter person gets annoyed. The Western equivalent would likely be the “who's on first”

routine.

It's-MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS!

Gastly comes in, and the three continue to mess around. After a shot of the

trio in tandem, they set out to cause mischief for our heroes.

The gang comes across a dining room with a large bounty laid before them. I

also notice that it has a party ball from Super Smash Bros in it. Yet, the first game chose

Saffron City to represent Pokémon instead.

We see a piece of paper with the words “Pull This” written on it. Just so you

know, this isn't just my bad download of the episode. The editing 4Kids did to the paper

really looks that jaggy. It also looks like that when a giant “Welcome” banner emerges from

the ball after Ash pulls it.

Then, all the dishes and furniture go crazy and sweep up Brock, Pikachu, and

Charmander. It's like a psychotic version of the tea party on the ceiling scene from Mary Poppins.

The Ghost Pokémon come out and marvel at their success in driving the gang

from the Tower. Those wacky Ghost Pokémon, they'd be a real kick to hang out with.

It turns out Ash was after a Ghost Pokémon to beat Sabrina, who in the anime

is a callous reality warper instead of a kindly medium in the games. It's a long story. I should

also point out that Ghost types having the advantage over Psychic types wasn't the case then,

as they were part Poison type and were actually weak against Psychic types.

Ash encourages his Pokémon to go back inside, and Misty and Brock decline.

Just another day for these folks.

Ash hears voices in the giant hole in the tower, and orders Pikachu to use his

Electric attack. You all know there is no Electric attack. He then has Charmander use Flamethrower.

Ash then throws a Poké Ball, and it hits Jessie in the face. Jessie's face is

having a really bad night.

Jessie then vows to get Ash, and notices her hair is on fire. Just so you know,

burning hair smells terrible.

Jessie once again says he's going to pay for this. That's a nasty bit of frizz you've

developed there, Jessie.

Haunter approaches Ash, and bugs his eyes out at Ash. He's all, “Hello! I see

you let yourself in.”

Ash scans Haunter with his Pokédex, and it states there is no further information

available. No further information? The Pokédex software needs some fine-tuning.

The Haunter pranks Ash again, and Ash commands Charmander to use his

Leer on him. As a Normal-type move, Leer wouldn't affect Haunter. Charmander then

stretches out his own face, and gives Haunter the giggles.

Haunter then uses his Lick on Charmander. I always wondered how that attack

works. Does it imply the Pokémon who uses it thinks their opponent tastes good?

Ash recalls Charmander. Enter Gengar, the OG of ghosts. He hits Ash on the

head with a fan. Hey, fans aren't for hitting! They're for keeping cool!

Ash then scans Gengar with his Pokédex. It also says there is no information

available. Nothing on Gengar either? We might as well have looked him up on Anime News

Network.

Ash labels Haunter and Gengar as weird. Of course. Everything about Pokémon

is weird, but that's why I love it. Then, Haunter and Gengar act like funhouse mirror reflections.

Get ready for why I like this episode and decided to do a positive recap.

Ash states the Ghost Pokémon routine isn't working for him, and the Ghost

Pokémon have their feelings hurt, and get snowed over. Ash replies by saying, “I'm sorry to

say it, but their humor really leaves me cold.” There you have it, folks. “Their humor really

leaves me cold.” This saying can be applied in so many situations and ways. Just think

of the possibilities.

Haunter and Gengar phase through the floor. Ash tries to follow them, and faceplants on the floor. So, James barely stepping on the floor breaks it, but Ash lunging

face-first into it does nothing. Still, it dislodges a chandelier onto them.  

Ash and Pikachu are unconscious, and Haunter pulls their souls from their bodies. So, they're dead, or at least in a place between life and death. Given how Ash is

still 10, I can assume this makes him a Time Lord.

Ash and Pikachu's spectral essences go with Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar;

and Ash remarks how great a view it is from so high up. Lavender Town sure looks

different. I mean, it was just four buildings and a rock formation in the games.

Misty and Brock wonder what's keeping Ash, and Ash decides to fool around

with Misty by raising her into the air. You know, I think it's time for another song.  

So, Ash, Pikachu and the Ghost Pokémon fly around at night. I'd like to do that

if I could.

Haunter decides to eat Ash. You fool! He will regenerate! Still, Ash takes

the joke well.

The Ghost Pokémon take Ash to a sort of playroom. This is close to the room

I would have if I was rich. Despite the allure of all the wonderful toys, Ash cannot stay;

reaffirming his stance of wanting to become a Pokémon master. It will be a glorious day;

and the start of a new journey.  

The Ghost Pokémon break down at the news of this. Don't cry! Pokémon Black

and White 2 just came out! Enjoy them!

Misty and Brock look over Ash and Pikachu's bodies, trying to wake them. Don't

quit on us now! The children love you!

At that moment, Ash awakes, his soul having returned to his body. You won't

be rid of me yet. I'll die with grandchildren.

Brock states that it's good to have Ash back. Yes. It's very good indeed.

They exit the Pokémon Tower, Ash stating that if he can't have a Ghost Pokémon, he can

beat the Psychic Pokémon with his sense of humor.  

Haunter then appears to spook Misty and Brock, and Ash laughs at the expense

of his friends' fear. We then close on Team Rocket being put through the merry-go-round

over and over and over. I say this was a nice one to start off the Halloween festivities.

“The Tower of Terror” is a delightful romp through Lavender Town. While I do

admit that the concept of Pokémon is indeed very silly, it does not make it any less fun for me

now than it was when I was 7. To this day, it's one of my favorite episodes. I can definitely

recommend this one. Regarding the rest of this month: I have started Deadman Wonderland.

I watched the first episode of the anime, and read the first four chapters of the manga while

starting the fifth. I plan to get started on Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood and Casshern

Sins soon; as well as a couple others I wanted to watch, like Maria+Holic (I'm typing it like

this because the actual name for it is rather unfortunate due to the cultural divide between

the US and Japan); and ones I just found out about like Aria and Mawaru Penguin-Drum.

I'll probably do another anime I've gotten into list; with the next recap in November. I have

something I want to do that month that relates to a figure that's really being treated like crap

as of late. See you soon.