Otaku Digest: Knights Punch Stars
Welcome one and all to yet another instalment of Otaku Digest. Who would believe we are at the end of November already? This fall season is speeding by us and soon not only will we have the festive season but the winter anime season upon us. Weirdly 2015 has not been the best year for anime, there have been series that have stuck out and really taken the title of anime of the year for me any way. Please if you disagree and feel I am being too harsh then let me know your thoughts on 2015 in anime. For now we will march on ahead and check out this week’s contributions, Lance N’Masques, One Punch Man and Star Mu.
Lance N’Masques
First up this week we have fantasy anime Lance N’Masques or Lance and Masks which was adapted from a manga of the same name and it originally aired on October 2. As a descendant of the “Knights of the World” Yotaro Hanafusa has had the Knight’s Code of Chivalry drilled into him since childhood making it so Yotaro cannot help himself but save damsels in distress. Donning a mask he is known on the streets as Knight Lancer but he has managed to keep his identity a secret. While out one day Yotaro saves a young girl who just so happens to be the daughter of a powerful business tycoon. Yotaro comes to discover that the little girl Makio leads a very lonely life and he decides to protect her and in that he and his friends disguise as lodgers and move into her mansion.
Needless to say one of the catchiest opening themes to be released in recent seasons with the perfect balance of rock and dance type rhythms, will listen again. Obviously this anime has been compared to others like it that would have been fan favourites like Dragonball but something I really appreciated about this series and this episode is that it truly does not take itself too seriously. When you see a preview or a poster for this series you get exactly what it says on the tin which is a comedic, super power and action anime. The fact that it does not take itself very seriously is exactly what was amazing about this anime. Saitama as a character is utter perfection with his blank expression and childlike ideals is hilarious, that moment where he thinks he has found a strong opponent he smiles at it with childlike wonder and then after an easy days fighting he goes home to soak in the tub with his rubber ducky. Something else that was very well done in this series is the villains, they range from terrifying to comedic and are done to perfection.
Will I Continue To Watch: Yes, yes and more yes!
One Punch Man
Next we have what has to be one of the more sought after series of this season One Punch Man an action, seinen, super power, comedy and supernatural anime that is based on a manga of the same name, that first began airing on October 5. This anime we meet Saitama, a seemingly overly average young man from the lifeless lack lustre expression on his face to the gleam from his bald head and his unimpressive physique. Do not judge a book by its over clearly since this seemingly under average young man is actually a super hero who trained so hard his hair actually fell off. He has the ability to overcome any enemy with one punch which has led his to become bored and in search of tougher opponents. Will he find them?
Needless to say one of the catchiest opening themes to be released in recent seasons with the perfect balance of rock and dance type rhythms, will listen again. Obviously this anime has been compared to others like it that would have been fan favourites like Dragonball but something I really appreciated about this series and this episode is that it truly does not take itself too seriously. When you see a preview or a poster for this series you get exactly what it says on the tin which is a comedic, super power and action anime. The fact that it does not take itself very seriously is exactly what was amazing about this anime. Saitama as a character is utter perfection with his blank expression and childlike ideals is hilarious, that moment where he thinks he has found a strong opponent he smiles at it with childlike wonder and then after an easy days fighting he goes home to soak in the tub with his rubber ducky. Something else that was very well done in this series is the villains, they range from terrifying to comedic and are done to perfection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAAGMwxgg4c
Will I Continue To Watch: Yes, yes and more yes!
Star Mu
Lastly this week we have music, slice of life, Shoujo and school anime Star Mu or High School Star Musical which first aired on October 6. We start out anime with Yuuta Hoshiya enrolling the Ayana Academy where they focus on the activities surrounding show business in particular music. There is a certain group known as the Kao Kai or Cherry Blossom Flower Association, a group of three students who hold the highest grades in the musical department and they stand at the top of the academy pecking order. One way to getting into the musical department is to be in the Star Frame class which is taught by this illustrious group but Yuuta is among a group of five who are barely even able to remain candidates in the musical department but luckily they are spotted by a Kao Kai member and they spike his interest, is this their chance?
Here we go to the one anime this week I am truly not looking forward to – why you ask? Because it’s a slice of life and music anime, my most hated genres of anime! I was not even a few minutes into this anime and all I could see was teen angst, this anime is just dripping in teenage boy drama and angst. In the animes defence, much like Free! It manages to animate very pretty young men but I can’t help but feel this anime was basically a watered down (excuse the pun) version of Free! While also attempting to combat and be a part of the ever growing although terrifying idol phenomenon. As for the anime itself it is very much like those other idol anime but much like those anime it was very bland to watch, the story is very much what is said in the summary for the anime. On the other hand it is has the most amazing musical score which you would hope coming from a musical anime but this was not enough to save it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCucWRPPs7A
Will I Continue To Watch: No thanks even singing men could not keeping me watching
