AWESOME ENGINE » Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s

April 9th, 2008 by Brack

As batshit crazy as the Yu Gi Oh series has got in the past (from the start it was like HP Lovecraft and Clive Barker had teamed up to make a kids story about gaming) this takes up another notch. You see, Yu Gi Oh 5D’s involves people playing card games on motorcycles. In a dystopian future.

Playing card games on motorcycles…

The main influence so far seems to be Battle Angel Alita/GUNNM, with the duels slightly reminiscent of the motorball sport, but moreover the heroes live among junk, and are considered second class citizens. The backgrounds could easily have been pulled out any late 80s/early 90s “cyberpunk” anime. Which mixed with a show designed to sell a CCG gives it a rather odd taste, even for Yu-Gi-Oh. Animation and character designs are a step up from Yu Gi Oh GX, with the surreal monster designs still the high point of the show. Best one this episode is a Dragon/Handcuff chimera.

The strange thing is, if you don’t mind the standard “describe at length how the rules work” segments, it works. It could do with a dose of the Lovecraftian nonsense about beasts bound into cards, mystic spirit guides and possession, but it’s certainly is an improvement on GX. I’d definitely watch a dub of this in the morning while I’m eating breakfast.

HATE FUN? - Uninformed Judgments on Spring Anime Part 1

March 9th, 2008 by Brack

It’s that time again to pass judgement on Japansese cartoons that are airing in spring, based solely on their websites and minimal research.

BUS GAMER

The word is this is only 3 episodes long. It’s based on a manga by Kazuya Minekura (Saiyuki), about an “underground” business (the bus of the title) game. I’d have been more interested if it involved buses.

Gag Manga Biyori 3

The fansubs of season 2 of this stopped a few eps in, so I’m not getting my hopes up for seeing this subtitled. Shame, as these have been Akitaro Daichi at his comedic best.

Chi’s Sweet Home

ADORABLE CAT.

Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s

Third variation of the Yu-Gi-Oh theme. No doubt it will be anglicised in a year or so’s time when Yu-Gi-Oh GX is done. Character designs look a little odd compared to the previous shows, and those green haired moppets on the front page look like they’d be very annoying very quick.

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