Recap: Pikachu's Christmas Vacation

I apologize for the belatedness of this recap, but Christmas preparations have been very hectic this year, so, without further ado, I present one of my traditions: "Pikachu's Christmas Vacation!" It has been one year since I did a recap of "Holiday Hi-Jynx." Much has changed since then. I have moved into a new place; and completed my first term of school in some time. I am also in the process of getting ready for winter term and for 2014.

Regarding what has happened in anime: 10 years have passed since my liking of the medium has come about, and 2 years since my branching out into broader terms of it. Hayao Miyazaki, a man I admire for his work; is retiring and leaving us
with his last major film, "The Wind Rises" as he passes the torch to his children and his fellow animators at Studio Ghibli. While much of Studio Gainax has moved on;
what they have moved onto is something incredible: the writers and animators behind my favorite anime, Gurren Lagann; have made a new series: Kill la Kill. I will talk more about it soon. I have also been experimenting with other series as part of my plans for branching out further in 2014. I more or less got through with my plans; but some projects will have to be pushed back to 2014. Due to my increasing school workload, I will be watching the Azumanga Daioh and Ichigo Mashimaro Christmas specials, but for now, this will have to do.

This is part of a series called "Pokémon Chronicles," a dub of a series of side-stories that do not generally involve Ash and Pikachu. While I admit the concept was definitely ambitious, the execution was flawed beyond belief; not helped by 4Kids much-maligned dub of it. While the mainline anime dub is still very well-regarded, Chronicles was not as well-received. For frame of reference, the theme song is very sitcom-like, not quite befitting a series of its type. Watch the opening with this music and tell me you don't find it fitting.

However, this special is one of the few episodes I enjoy of it; and it will be my subject today.

We open on Ash, Misty, and Brock being given permission to stay at Professor Oak's villa for Christmas. They go off to pick up some cake and leave the Pokémon. Much like several other Pikachu shorts, it usually depicts the human characters from the knees down; in a manner much like the nanny on Muppet Babies or the parents on Cow and Chicken.

Now, you be good. I don't want anything happening like on New Year's Eve with Porygon.

So, the other Pokémon are left in the house. This is a very soothing special to watch; given how the dialogue is minimal apart from the Pokémon calls. I find this to be a good method of storytelling. Not just in anime, but in animation in general. To reduce or outright eliminate the dialogue, and simply let the pictures and music advance the plot. I chose this because I need to clear my plate for 2014. Feel free to bear with me, and tell me any desires you have for gifts; any funny stories; humorous anecdotes, or misadventures you have had. I know I will be.

Naturally, Togepi decides to start things off. This little bundle of joy was a taste of the then-forthcoming Pokémon Gold and Silver at the time of airing. This special was originally put out on its own before being rebroadcast as part of Chronicles. 

 They enter the den, and the place is decorated quite nicely. Not too much, or too little.

 Squirtle then notices some refreshments on the table; and invites everyone to have some.




They get into the party hats. Squirtle and Bulbasaur have trouble putting them on.

Good practice for your Mega Evolutions.

Psyduck, of course, tries to eat his. When the first movie was out, I managed to get quite a few of the Burger King premiums and at least half the gold Pokémon cards. Then there was that business with the Poké Balls that resulted in getting us so many little bags of fries. It's also the reason why all subsequent Poké Ball toys have been redesigned. 

Psy-ay-ay! Translation: Duck Dynasty getting renewed is giving me another headache!

The Pokémon soon get to grips with their hats, and their little party begins.



They go over to the tree, and make faces in the ornaments. One of the things I'm surprised I'm enjoying so much in my copy of Pokémon Y is the Pokémon-amie function. I may not have been able to fully calibrate the cameras on my 3DS yet, but  I have embraced many of my Pokémon with my stylus. A considerable amount of time not spent battling, finishing Best Wishes, starting XY The Series and watching Origins has been revolving around that.

Behold, the cutest thing you'll ever see.

There are Pokémon cookies on the table. I have always been amused at how people can be creative at Pokémon related baking. For my birthday this year, some family friends made me a couple cupcakes. There was a Pikachu with ears made of circus peanuts, eyes made out of brown M&Ms, and cheeks made out of red Sprees. There was also a Poké Ball with a center button made out of a Mentos.

Bulbasaur reaches for a cookie, and Squirtle eats it after he pops a popper.

If you think things will get messy, see what happens if you eat Bobo-bo's tater tots.

Vulpix then starts going through his stocking.

Vulpix! Translation: Pokémon cards, Pokémon DVDs, Pokémon figures, cookies, Reese's Trees, Snickers Santas: Shoot, a Vulpix could have a fun weekend in Veilstone City with all this stuff.

Then, Vulpix gets his head stuck in his stocking. I gather the rationale behind the 2DS was primarily for people with less money and not good enough eyesight for 3D. Even though I'm glad a I got a 3DS and I don't generally have problems with digital 3D the way I did with the old red and blue 3D; I keep it at 50% depth since that's what I'm comfortable with. I usually turn it off when I'm tired or sick (I have once again had an intermittent head cold going around. Part of what's been keeping me behind, but I have been watching plenty of anime for next year and getting rest with a cup of Sunny Delight by my bedside).

You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

Psyduck then tries to get into the sparkling cider. I usually wait till New Year's for that. Very tasty in addition to being a good bubbly for non-drinkers and designated drivers. By the way: any people going out this New Year's, stay safe. Know your limit, designate a driver; and don't be afraid to have an evening in playing Nintendo Land and watching movies (I got Man of Steel on Blu-Ray, and I also got my mom Red 2 and my brother The World's End. Tis the season for Superman, Bruce Willis, and the final film in Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy before he moves onto the greener pastures of the Ant-Man movie. I imagine he'll be a mainstream breakout after a lot of cult success, in the same manner that The Avengers and now Agents of SHIELD have raised Joss Whedon to that status).

Psyduck then starts shaking the bottle vigorously. Even with all the red and green-wrapped Hershey's Kisses, the pedometer on my 3DS has been a great incentive to get me moving and not gain too much weight this season. Besides, since I don't have an internet connection of my own, it's the only way I can watch Rival Destinies on eShop and get new episodes of Bravest Warriors and The Misadventures of Link on Nintendo Video.

And then, everything starts going crazy.




Vulpix jumps on the tree as if he's trying to imitate Miley Cyrus.

I came in like a Master Ball, I never trained so hard a 'mon, all I wanted was to catch 'em all...

Pikachu is exhausted, much like I am after my last-minute shopping. Pikachu in the shorts is very much like the voice of reason among the other Pokémon. Much like Woody in the Toy Story movies, he does care very deeply for his friends. Even though things are not always easy; he loves them very much.

Eventually, the tree is knocked down and everyone is at odds with each other. Then, Pikachu finds a music box that brings them all together. The melody it plays is very sweet, and it symbolizes the many themes of unity that the season and the series represent. I also find it even more meaningful after playing the Black and White games, as N's theme is one of the most solemn pieces of music that has been composed. Just listening to it and finding out what N went through, it made me want to embrace him in my arms.

Seeing this image helps me remember how thankful I am to be here. With all that has happened; I am glad that I have made this special a fixture of my Christmas traditions for 5 years.

Then, the Pokémon work to put the decorations back up. It manages to show just how close they can get over a journey.

Everyone comes back to the villa to see Pikachu powering up the decorations.

They decide to open the cake and start the party.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

So, that's Pikachu's Christmas Vacation. It was a very good way to celebrate the season. The animation is very good for its time; and it is a very soothing way to ring in the season. At the start of this year, my recap of "A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine" reaffirmed my liking of Pokémon at my age. Looking ahead towards 2014, I will still like it then. I must once again bring up the CS Lewis quote on the matter: "Critics who treat adult as a term of approval cannot truly be adults themselves. When I was 10, I read fairy tales in secret. Now that I am 50, I read them openly. Part of being an adult is to put away childish things such as the fear of being grown up." Even though the franchise's heyday has come and passed; the success of the Pokémon X and Y global launch has proven the franchise still commands considerable appeal. Looking at photographs and videos of all the people dressed up in front of the Nintendo World Store in New York City; young and old from many different backgrounds and incarnations of the franchise. There was even a couple getting engaged there. It is surely proof that the children who were fans of the franchise are still so much that they would be willing to share their life with someone and raise children in that environment. In that regard; it remains such a perennial success with broad appeal in the vein of Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I plan to look at more episodes and movies in 2014. I will include the Kanga Games segment in part of my coverage of sports-themed anime and anime episodes around the time of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. For now, I leave you with a very nice Christmas ballad from this franchise. Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year, folks.

Recap: The Secret of the Dragon Balls

We open on some narration that tells of a kindly old man named Gohan, who took in a little boy that he found alone in the wilderness. While Gohan may be gone; the boy, named Goku; is now one of the strongest young boys in the world from training in the mountains. We conclude my From Humble Beginnings marathon with a look at the very first episode of Dragon Ball, "The Secret of the Dragon Balls!"

This series is by far one of the first things a westerner may think of when they think of anime. To start off this feature; I generally chose series that would have universal appeal to most audiences in the west, in the same vein as Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Akira Toriyama made sure to give a worldly appearance to the series; as it's largely based off the Chinese folk tale "Journey to the West". There also many parallels with the Superman series, to the point where Goku can often be considered the Japanese equivalent of Superman.

We now see Goku, who is only 12 years old at the start of the series. The kid hero is a common archetype of anime and manga; especially shonen series in particular. Just rolling a piece of wood around; it shows how just doing the simplest things can make a person stronger.

He returns to his hut, and begins practicing martial arts moves. It turns out the original series first aired in 1986; but didn't come to the US until its much more well-known successor, Dragon Ball Z, had finished its initial run. As such; it gained popularity through that channel because of being run on Toonami. So, I think this montage calls for a standard '80s power ballad.

With one punch and one kick, he turns the piece of wood into a whole pile of kindling for cold nights.

I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK, I sleep all night and I work all day!

We then get the entrance of Bulma Briefs; the heir to Capsule Corporation and resident female. I personally enjoy her more active role here; her much-mocked status as a damsel scrappy did not occur until DBZ. I also notice her very '80s looking clothes, hairstyle, and car; and the fact that the narrator says with all seriousness, that Goku's life will enter a "Totally Radical" new phase.

A hungry Goku decides to go look for food. He then bids his grandfather's Dragon Ball goodbye before he leaves. Since his grandfather is dead before the series starts; the Dragon Ball is all he has left to remember him by.

He decides to go fishing, but then, he gets some apples first. Look at that little guy go!

I am omitting the scene where Goku is actually fishing, as he does so in the nude after he fell into the river. And this copy of the episode is a DVD rip; complete with a TV14 package. Instead, enjoy this image I found of Golurk Danger fighting Feraligatr in Pokémonic Rim (note: I saw Pacific Rim not too long ago. While the special effects and action scenes showed off a big love letter to mecha anime; I found the story, characterization, and acting to be decisively lacking. I can attribute this to Travis Beacham co-writing the script; since he wrote that terrible 2010 Clash of the Titans remake. It's also a pity the film failed at the box office in the US; since it has effectively convinced studios any mecha movie that's not Transformers is box office poison. Not even the strong international numbers and DVD sales/rentals have been able to convince Warner Bros. to change their minds.).

Now it just needs some heavy metal music.

I must also point out the standards on nudity are much looser in Japan; as while the Toonami edits had no problem with Goku's backside (as much of the target audience had seen animated butt on The Simpsons or SpongeBob SquarePants when it first aired on American TV); Funimation usually painted out Goku's private parts at Cartoon Network's request. The Midnight Run block, which typically aired the uncut version for teenage and young adult fans, was at a timeslot where most people would be asleep; may or may not have had such edits (the revived block uses this model; as an arm of the Adult Swim block. Violence and more risqué scenes often make it in; but stronger profanities in airings of Deadman Wonderland being bleeped have often caused unintentional laughter at tense moments. Shiro's sleek bodysuit, however, is there; hugging every curve of her body from her neck to her toeless, heel-less leggings. It's also a shade barely darker than her skin; and some conveniently-placed red markings serve a similar purpose to Mystique's makeup on Rebecca Romijn-later Jennifer Lawrence in the X-Men movies. I apologize for being behind on projects; but school has been very busy this term. I intend to move some of the things I had planned to 2014; including making good on my plans to recap the first episode of the X-Men anime when Days of Future Past comes out).

Sorry, I just had to fill some of my page out; but now we're back. Goku has a fish, and is hit by Bulma's car. Goku calls the car a monster and lifts it overhead.

This is for James Wong turning me into that idiot from Baby Geniuses 2!

He then hurls the car so hard it knocks the left wheels off!

Bulma then shoots Goku, but the bullets don't hurt him! Bulma is further astonished that Goku has been living on his own, like Tarzan Boy.

Goku, however, just calmly tells her his story as he carries the fish he caught back to his hut. 

Bulma is astonished at Goku's strength, and Goku is surprised at meeting the first girl he's ever seen.

Goku is suprised at Bulma's name. From what I can gather, it's a Romanization of "buruma", a type of activewear typically worn by young women in Japan. Bulma is not impressed with Goku's name either.

We then get an ad bumper of a parasol trick with the Dragon Balls; with Goku and Oolong participating. I may do a recap of the episode where he debuts in 2014. There is material, but first I want to get to the projects I wanted to do this year; but couldn't because of school.

When we come back, we see Goku's Dragon Ball glowing and Bulma getting ecstatic because of this.

ERMAGHERD! DRRRGON BALL!

Bulma then explains how the Dragon Balls can do great things when brought together. When all seven are united, they can grant whoever gathers them one wish for anything they desire. However, some use their wishes for good, others for evil.

We then see Emperor Pilaf and his henchmen, Mai and Shu raid a tomb to find a Dragon Ball. He is a typical supervillain that wants to-what else?-take over the world.

Once he finds all 7 Dragon Balls, he will summon the great dragon Shenron to make his wish.



Back at Goku's hut, Bulma offers a little peek to Goku if he helps her find the Dragon Balls.

Goku asks why he would want to see her "dirty old fanny." Bulma takes offense to this.

If you think that's bad, you should see how Emmy Rossum plays you!

Since Goku wrecked her car, Bulma pulls out another Dino-Capsule, and it forms a motorcycle for them both to ride. So, their quest begins.

There's a moment in your life when your star begins to shine! This will be your time!

Bulma then pulls off to the side of the road to relieve herself, and gets captured by a dinosaur. Toriyama never explicitly says what time period it is, and also implies that earth in the world of Dragon Ball is a sort of fantastic alternate reality. It tends to lend itself to abnormalities like this.

The dinosaur then ties Goku to a tree and tries to make off with his catch.

As Bulma squirms and screams, he tells her to settle down as he wants a happy meal. Interesting rewrite; as I think Burger King had the fast-food contract at the time of airing.

Goku then frees himself and guns Bulma's motorcycle to catch up to her.

He then guns the motorcycle and hits the dinosaur with his power pole! The day is saved, albeit with Bulma hanging from a branch. Interesting ending, I will admit.

So "That's the Secret of the Dragon Balls." How does it fare? Well, since this is the oldest of the series I've looked at to start this feature; it does have a very '80s vibe to it. With 2014 on the horizon, I plan to look at series that are even older to get a grip for how things were in those days. Having said that, the animation has aged; but it is very nice for the time. The character designs and use of elements from many different time periods and contexts for environments and props is a great feature that Toriyama has. Above all, it has a story that is easy to follow and characters that are easy to latch onto. This is all you need to get new viewers for an anime. With this, I can say that my new feature is off to a great start.

I apologize in advance for this recap being so late; so I will try to get my looks at the Christmas specials I proposed last year done and posted by Christmas eve. Come back next time for my look at Pikachu's Christmas Vacation!

Akira to air tonight on Toonami, general goings-on.

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd give you something. I am working on the recap of "The Secret of the Dragon Balls," but studying for finals has been hectic. I am still watching things to recap for this year and next year.

As a start of a marathon of anime movies, Akira is airing on Toonami tonight to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the film. It is my favorite anime movie and one of my all-time favorite movies. I would talk more about it, but I recommend seeing it if you haven't already and congratulate you if you have. I plan on buying the 25th anniversary DVD Funimation came out with. While I work more on my projects, I leave you with this great AMV of the movie set to my favorite Blue Oyster Cult song.

Recap: The Heart of the Cards

That theme song: a mixture of Egyptian tribal music and modern dance music. We're entering the 2000s, now; as my From Humble Beginnings marathon continues with my look at the first episode of Yu-Gi-Oh, "The Heart of the Cards!"

Here's something surprising: I actually was not into this series when it first came out. I was in the Pokémon/Dragon Ball crowd. My first reaction was: "This won't get anywhere. It can't possibly catch on!" As I've learned before, and I still am, I can often be very wrong about what becomes popular. Sure enough, roughly a year or two later; I ate my words, started watching, and started getting the cards (I got the Kaiba deck for my 11th birthday).

We open on Domino high school, where we see Yugi Mutou, and his friend, Joey Wheeler playing Duel Monsters. I know the premise is silly, but that's maybe why I was so put off by it at first; and why so many found it so interesting. I've mentioned before the same can be said for the medium of anime itself. That said, I have found that the original Yu-Gi-Oh resides with me and so many because it has a character dynamic that few of the sequel series and almost none of the show's imitators could match. Check my thoughts on Duel Masters if you don't believe me; and I still don't think very highly of it now as I did when I was 12.

Tristan bothers Joey before he gets shoved away. Téa then says that they have been playing for hours. Yugi is teaching Joey the nuances of the game. Also, I'm going to try to keep the Little Kuriboh jokes to a minimum whenever I cover Yu-Gi-Oh episodes; but he does raise a good point: how are they getting any schoolwork done if they've been playing cards for hours? And why aren't the teachers doing anything? Anyway, let's keep going.

Also, the cards look significantly different than they would in real life. In Japan, where the laws about the line between content and advertising are looser, they can show game-accurate cards. In the US, the FCC would not allow this, and thus the change came. This is also why newcomer Cardfight Vanguard went the route of making a YouTube channel instead, which doesn't have the same rules.

Anyway, Yugi wins. Then, he mentions that he gets most of his cards from his grandfather at the game shop. Everyone decides to go, especially when Yugi mentions a rare card that his grandpa has.

Seto Kaiba catches wind of this and decides to go over there, wondering if it's the card he's been looking for.

Yugi takes his friends to the shop, and they ask to see the card. It's the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. A very rare card, and one of the most iconic monsters of the franchise. I'm looking for some packs from that set Konami just released that brought it back.

Joey then asks to see some other cards. I know the feeling. Even though the sequel series have been divisive among fans; the cards have remained consistent bestsellers.

Kaiba then enters the shop. His presence in this scene, the way he behaves; the way others point out he's in charge of Kaiba Corp: he is one of the big examples of the ensemble darkhorse in the franchise. While Kazuki Takahashi originally intended both Kaiba and Duel Monsters to be only one-shot additions in the manga; they both proved so popular with fans that they later made more appearances before becoming permanent parts of the franchise.

Right off the bat, they suggest playing with him, but Kaiba is not impressed with them as he's the reigning Duel Monsters champion. Joey, not intimidated by this; then suggests a fight instead. This is a relatively accurate rendition of the manga version of Kaiba; where thinks little of Yugi and his friends and treats them with great animosity. At one point in the manga (released in the US as Yu-Gi-Oh Duelist), he outright says he's disgusted by their friendship. By the time of the Battle City arc, he softens and helps Yugi and his friends in key moments. Having a sort of brush with death does tend to make you change your outlook on life.

Then, he notices the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and opens his suitcase. He then offers to trade Yugi's grandfather every card inside for the Blue-Eyes. Yugi's friends are astonished at this, and further astonished with his grandfather refuses. Kaiba then offers to buy the card. Kaiba, as president and CEO of Kaiba Corp; is one of the richest people in Japan. So, it's understandable that he could afford all these cards.

Yugi's grandfather then says he was given the card by a friend; and he treats the card as he would that friend, and simply cannot part with it. Yugi concurs that his grandfather would feel the same about a common card. I agree with that. Most of my cards are tied to certain times and places in which I got them and played with them. Kaiba then leaves.

The next day, Yugi and his friends return to the game shop to look for more cards, but his grandfather isn't there! Yugi answers the phone and discovers that Kaiba has kidnapped him! 

They reach Kaiba Corp, and are astonished at how Kaiba has defeated Yugi's grandfather. Kaiba sneers that his experience was too much for him, and then destroys the Blue-Eyes! This is a very effective method of getting an antagonist against the viewer: to have them harm someone close to them and destroy a cherished item belonging to them.

Yugi is outraged at this; and is encouraged by his friends to duel Kaiba in his grandfather's stead while they take him to the hospital.

Téa then draws a symbol on their hands in magic marker, to symbolize their friendship. Even if they can't be there in body, they can just think of that mark and they'll be there in spirit.

Joey agrees to stay with Yugi as he duels, while Tristan and Téa take Yugi's grandfather to the hospital. I never noticed this before; but why is Tristan carrying Yugi's grandfather to the ambulance? I remember the manga this episode was loosely based on did show that they had paramedics on the scene. 

So, as it were, "it's time to duel," as the Millennium Puzzle awakens the spirit of the Pharaoh inside. When this happens, Yugi grows taller, his voice gets deeper and more confident; and he suddenly changes from his school uniform to a fitted costume. Now that is showmanship.

Kaiba leads with the Hitotsu-me (One-Eye) Giant; and the Duel Field summons the card's image as a 3D hologram. Bear in mind that I wasn't able to take screencaps of the entire duel; but you are definitely seeing how different these designs are. I notice that even though most of the stories for the sequel series are now done by assistants; Takahashi does provide monster designs for both the show and the cards.

As the duel continues, Yugi is eventually overwhelmed by 3 Blue-Eyes White Dragons. While I haven't seen the anime's explanation for how Kaiba got them in a while; the manga mentions that Kaiba is implied to have resorted to extortion, organized crime; and even driving his adoptive father Gozaburo to suicide. I can imagine Seto Kaiba would be a really good alias for a mafia informant or corporate whistleblower.

Yugi wins the duel by summoning Exodia, and I am sorry that I was not able to screencap him. A shame, because I love his design even today. 

We end on Maximillion Pegasus being informed that Kaiba has been defeated by Yugi; setting up the rest of the season's story arc.

So, that's "The Heart of the Cards." How does it hold up against its sequel series and imitators? I can say that it does quite well. The character dynamic, even at this early stage; shows how tight-knit Yugi and his friends are. It also shows how effectively the Pharaoh can raise Yugi's confidence as well as his gaming skill. The way they were able to work as one helped make them some of the most effective character groups in anime. The designs of the monsters are very creative as well. Giants, dragons, wizards, samurai, robots: everything in dreams and nightmares can be turned into a very good design. Even though it takes the show a bit to understand how the card game is actually played (I noticed that it took a bit for Pokémon to adhere more to the mechanics of the games as well; with Pokémon Origins outright lifting its battle style from the gameplay); it does do a good job at showing how competitive Duel Monsters is. As the series goes on; it's quickly established that it's a game where people will spend thousands on rare cards; people will play at every age level and background that can afford a deck and the occasional booster pack, televised coverage regularly garners ratings on par with the Super Bowl; and yes, organized crime is not above fixing matches or extorting cards from other players. This is further exemplified in the sequel series; which I'm looking into covering in 2014. They all have material to work with; I just need to watch some more episodes to determine which ones. That; and I also need to find some that I can easily do and coordinate with my school schedule and personal life. Generally; the show is more tightly-serialized than Pokémon; with multi-part episodes and continuing storylines being commonplace throughout the franchise. There are cliffhangers, twists and turns; and elements you won't understand if you miss an episode that's crucial to the plot. All in all, I can say it holds up after all this time. 

That's all for now. I managed to finish one of my midterm projects; and I'm almost done with another. I'm going to have to change up some of the projects I had planned to compensate; but next time, my From Humble Beginnings marathon concludes with my look at the very first episode of Dragon Ball!