kozaihod’s anime rant: BEST OF 2006, day 4 - Epics of 2006
Wednesday January 10th 2007, 01:11 -0800
Filed under: Best of..., Yearly summaries

kozaihod’s anime rant: Best of 2006

Day 4 - Epics of 2006. BUT FIRST AN ANNOUNCEMENT. Please vote in the poll that is present in the sidebar. In the last day of best of 2006, there will be a readers' choice category, and the poll results will be used to determine the winner. So, once again, vote. Right. Today, epics of 2006 - categories that somehow do not fit to other days. Last time, there were 8 of them. This time, I'll be damned, fifteen. Well, at least next time will be less. I expect five-or-so. Check 'em.

On more thing. Sorry for lack of updating in the past four days. I was (and I'm still) ill. And I was feeling like my throath is going to explode. Well, as you see, it didn't exploded yet, so you still have to torture yourselfs with me. Yay?

SPOILERS FOLLOW.


Epic Episode of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- "At the End of Ideals" (Fate/Stay Night, episode 14)
- "deviant waltz ~waltz~" (Kanon, episode 12)
- "The Story of Your Life" (Diebuster, episode 6)
- "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya IV" (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, episode 10)
- "Cloudy Sky" (Death Note, episode 7)
Single episodes in either good and bad show may make it much better or much worse. For example, otherwise mediocre Shuffle became much more interesting with the episode revealing Kaede's past. But what makes an episode really epic? Not only it's content, but good planning, animation, music... or even a single bad-ass action. Just like the Berserker vs. Archer battle in the 14th episode of F/SN. The same type of epic battle is that of the tenth episode of Haruhi Suzumiya, but there's much more to that episode than only the battle. The last episode of Gunbuster was not only a 'Gainax Ending' (hated by some, loved by some), but it's very well written, concluding the story of the first OVA series and bringing tears to your eyes in nostalgia. Recent Kanon episode, named "deviant waltz" is something you don't see often. Some jokes, smooth blend of dancing, fighting and comedy. Plus the god-like animation. And the last nomination is the episode 7 of Death Note, with the legendary depression expression, some nice effects and great music.
And which is the best?
Epic Episode of 2006

Why did this episode win? I'll be brief. Big dose of Ryoko Asakura. High level of hax. Wa-wa-wa-wa-suremono. Adult Mikuru. Etc. No, really. The fight between Ryoko and Yuki, as brief as it was, was very well animated, had some good music to it. And the episode (when watched in chronogical order) is an important turning point, where Kyon starts slowly believing what happens around him. The episode also contained some legendary stuff, a good dose of Kyon's sarcasm (and really, I would be afraid to talk to anyone after such an experience) and some fanservice for great justice. Too bad that someone had to transfer to Canada.


Epic Power/Weapon/Technique of 2006
Nominees:
- Gandalfr Powers (Zero no Tsukaima)
- Geass (Code Geass)
- Unlimited Blade Works (Fate/Stay Night)
- Reiji Maigo (Shakugan no Shana)
- Imagine Blade (Black Cat)
The times when normal weapons, no matter how impressive, were something to brag about, have long left us. Today, to impress people who are watching the anime, your weapon, power or fighting technique must be something new. Or uber cool. Like those five above. Because what can be better than having powers allowing to flawlessly and masterfully use any weapon like Saito in ZnT? Or a power allowing you to give any order to any person like the Geass? If not, maybe you would be satisfied with summoning an unlimited number of blades like Archer/Shirou? Or doing anything you want doing the day, just to restore all of your energy at midnight? Or you can just have a totally bad-ass, invisible, long as heck sword capable of turning you into a demon. Wow. Even Dragon Ball's most awesome techniques don't stand a chance.
kozaihod's weapon of choice in 2006 is:
Epic Power/Weapon/Technique of 2006
Yeah, all of those were great, but Unlimited Blade Works is something legendary, not to be forgotten for life. How great it would be to create a cool reality marble with grinding gears all over the place and unlimited number of finest blades all over the place. How cool would it be to incantate a sinister spell that actually does something and on top of that, sounds so fine? Yup, despite its engrishness and cheesiness Archer saying the words for the spell sounded really bad-ass (how many times will I repeat this word today?).


Epic Line of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- "If it's you naked, I've already seen it." (Yuuichi Aizawa, Kanon)
- "Moshi... moshi... moshi... moshi... moshi... moshi..." (Kirino Konosaka, Gift ~eternal rainbow~)
- "Ponytails turn me on." (Kyon, Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)
- "Uruchai, uruchai, uruchai." (Hecate-tan, Itadaki no Hecate-tan)
- "I'll rock you senseless" (Koushi Inuzuka, Sumomomo Momomo)
- "Uo, mabushi!" (Musashi Miyamoto, Musashi Gun-doh)
- "I am the bone of my sword..." (Archer, Fate/Stay Night)
- "USO DA!" (Rena Ryuugu, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)
- "Ron! Ron! Ron! Ron! Ron! Ron! Rooooooon!" (Washizu Iwao, Akagi)
- "BlahbhablahblahblahONEE-SAMAblahblahblahblah!" (Ichiko Takashima, Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru)
Hah, ten nominees for this one, and with an unexpected winner. What do we have here? Totally awesome comeback by Yuuichi when Makoto offers to show him something good, psycho-Kaede-like-girl talking to a string phone (continued in Yotsuba& chapter 42), then the phrase that concluded the whole SHnY series without fail. Next, a mock of Shana's catchphrase by Mamiko Noto, the best asleep confession in the world, legendary sentence reffering to nothing, the incantation to the Epic Technique, some overly reacted LIES, a declaration of win followed with brain chemicals shifting, and a Yuko Goto-played hyperactive ghost capable of speaking even faster than Excel. Whew. That's all. All impressive, all not to be forgotten.
Who won?
Epic Line of 2006
Well, probably no one else would think of this, but yes. "Chut up, chut up, chut up." said without any emotion by chibified Hecate made me stop the video, rewind it, play once again, and so on. Gah. I even ripped this line and made it my Incoming SMS tone. Mamiko Noto is a genius, she proved it many times, but this one phrase is made of pure gold. (Check out the special if you didn't yet. It's 6 minutes of condensed hilariousity. The two others too.)


Epic WTF Moment of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- I sing... for revenge (Lovedol ~Lovely Idol~)
- "Welcome home" (Diebuster)
- Killer Yoshida (Shana-tan shorts)
- Pizza Hut commercials (Code Geass)
- Mana recharge CG dragon (Fate/Stay Night)
WTF as in totally surprising. Imaginge you're sitting laid-back in a comfy chair, enjoying your anime, when suddenly you stand up, pointing at your screen, shouting "WHAT. IS. THIS.". In either way - totally out of place or pleaseantly surprising. The only such astonishment this year, though, was the reference to the original Top wo Nerae series in Diebuster. Because the ending of the original OVA made me shed some tears, I really felt satisfied. Another one is a mild surprise - killer Yoshida in The Return of Shana-tan and Itadaki no Hecate-tan is totally frightening, yet so cool and different from her normal character (the same could be said of drunk Miki). If you're looking for more classic WTF moments, 2006 won't dissapoint you - singing for revenge in Lovedol as a major plot anchor is something really stupid. What were the creators thinking? We've also got Pizza Hut logos flashing in each episode of Code Geass and a cheap CG dragon in exchange for a sex scene in Fate/Stay Night.
And so...
Epic WTF Moment of 2006
I'll eat a ton of pizza from Pizza Hut and have an ass like C.C., despite I'm a man! Yes! Really. I don't know how much Pizza Hut payed Sunrise for this stunt, but it's really irritating to see that goddamn logo each and every episode. Were they counting for a reaction like the one above? Yet, I've learned of a new use of the pizza boxes - you can put cakes on them! And show the logo! Good thing that it costs so much or I'd really go buy some. Luckily, I prefer my own home-made pizza. With tuna. And sausage. And spinach.


Epic Letdown of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- Black Cat
- Soul Link
- Binbou Shimai Monogatari
- Coyote Ragtime Show
- Karin
Those are the anime I (and probably many other people) had too high hopes about, or the first few episodes have caught me off guard. First is Black Cat, originating from a very good shonen manga. Heck, it even started very well, but then rushed, added nonsense etc. 23 episodes (24 if you count the bonus DVD one) is not enough to show content from 20 volumes of the manga. I'll just silently skip describing how dissapointing was Soul Link for me, and get right to Binbou Shimai Monogatari. The story of the everyday adventures of two orphan sisters on the edge of poverty was indeed a nice idea for a series. Too bad it was boring and even I don't remeber anything of this babble. Then it's Coyote Ragtime Show. The first episode was good, but it all went dowhill from there. On a really sharp slope. And then, Karin. Also here it started good, with a nice draft of plot, a generic comedy-romance appearance and a cute character. Well, midway throught it consisted of nothing but the following: boring, cliche, repeatable gags, annoing characters.
But the most annoying was:
Epic Letdown of 2006

Well? How many of you thought that it will be a kickass series after the first episode? Everyone? Maids, lolis, big guns and explosions, et cetera. It would be a great mixture if not ruined by the creators. After every episode I felt more and more tricked and angried that I've lost 170MB of my bandwith and half hour of my life. In the end it was even hard to make out something clever of this show from the pile of nonsense. I wonder how it will sell in America. It was advertised as a great action anime. Yeah. Action. Like in my stomach after eating that home-made pizza.


Epic? Stupidest Name of 2006
You may know someone with a stupid name. You may think that a certain thing has a stupid name. You can think that your everyday cereal are named stupid and wrong. It's unevitable. And you may see those kind of things in anime too. Like Lelouch. A brittanian name, huh? Never heard of such. Just like Rivalz of Nunnaly, too. Oh well.
The award goes to.
Epic? Stupidest Name of 2006
No, that's not the name of the girl - it would make sense then. The anime is megadere (or Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuku wo!) the girl is Ayako Takasu and Beatrice is the name of her... magical power, making her stronger than other people. But wait, that's not all! The school that the lead goes to is called Beatrice and the students because he written a test very well. You know what about? Yep, Beatrice. Wow. Worst naming of the year. And it's not even Sunrise. At least Ayako is not shouting 'BEATRICE!' everytime she's doing anything inhuman.


Epic Studio of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- Kyoto Animation
- Sunrise
- MADHOUSE
I wonder why I made this category? You probably all know who will win. And probably will win in the coming years. So, KyoAni - made Haruhi Suzumiya and Kanon. After two series of FMP and Air (plus some less known works, like Munto) they've suddenly became very popular. The two other studios are already veterans in anime world, with the famous Gundam and Cowboy Bebop creators, Sunrise (made Mai-Otome, Gintama, Zegapain, Code Geass and finished Yakitate!! Japan this year) and the makers of Trigun, X, Texhnolyze, Card Captor Sakura, Gungrave and many others, MADHOUSE (this year's achievements - Strawberry Panic, Nana, Black Lagoon, Death Note and Toki wa Kakeru Shoujo).
Sigh. Who won?
Epic Studio of 2006
Are you surprised? No? Do you know why this studio won? Yes? Great, moving on.


Epic License of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- School Rumble
- Utawarerumono
- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Again, it is just for show. The thing is, it would be a rather hard choice if not for the winner sudden entry. The first notable license this year was the license of both seasons of School Rumble along with the OVA. About time they did this, though I wonder how will they manage to explain all thos puns. Pop-up notes? Ugh. Next stop is Utawarerumono, which was meant to be called "Shadow Warrior Chronicles" in the first place. Come on, we've got stupid translation names in Poland ("The priestesses of the cursed days" for Kannazuki no Miko and "Rushuna - the explosive (?) warrior" for Grenadier. Retranslated into english by me, now), but this is NA, it's ridiculous. I think that ADV has heard the cry of the millions and changed the name back. In return, we get a repulsive DVD box. Yay. Last is the licensing of Haruhi. Though we don't know the details of the DVDs or airing, or even the voice actors yet, the whole thing was really impressive. The mysterious advertisements on top american anime sites (when clicking each 'o' on the site would bring you to the advertised page), the enigmatic few days of wait, the unexpected low-budget presentation film and a chance to choose our own voice actors, that is something.
So... who won this?
Epic License of 2006
Yup. No surprise either. I mean, THEY EVEN SET UP A MYSPACE PAGE. Well, I'm not expecting much from the dub (no one can beat Sugita, Hirano and Goto in their roles, period.), but it's a good way for thousands of harutards all over the world get the original DVDs without having to import Japanese R2s (high price, no translation, two eps on each DVD etc.). I wonder what extras will there be in the North American versions of the DVD and will I have to get it from eBay or will it come to some countries in Europe I'd like it to (Poland, and uhh... Vatican? Yeah, where is your god now, Vatican? In the body of a high school girl!)


Epic Meme of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- Grinbitch
- Cabbage
- Shmion's Shoppable Face
- Nyoro~n
- Musashi Quality
/a/ memes, ahhh. Life would be so much boring without you all. So. There were some splendid ones this year, not including the forced ones. I also skipped GAR somehow, but the list is done, so tough luck. First, we've got the image of a grinning bitch from the lolicon manga Papa Nankai Daikirai, then, the most famous inanimate Cabbage of them all. The third is the face (or two) that can be shopped to totally everything and will fit, the flood of nyoro~n 4koma. We also have the master or lazers, Musashi Miyamoto, with his QUALITY.
By your powers combined, who wins?
Epic Meme of 2006
Uo mabushi! Crescent love may have won the worst animation award, but this wins the most hilarious one. But it was dubbed the best anime ever either way by /a/. Threads mocking Musashi appear every day. Check out why: Trubute to Musashi, Trigun doh, Hare Hare Mabushit.


Epic WIN of 2006
No nominees, no foreword, just the most epic win of the year follows:
Epic WIN of 2006

Mirror Moon translated Tsukihime. I never though I would live to this day. Considered as one of the best visual novels ever, this game really is something. And now we can all play it. Ten (or nine?) endings, beautiful art, and a really good plot. That what's making it win. Btw. did you know that the Fate/Stay Night translation is now in beta-testing? Check the Mirron Moon's site for updates.


Epic FAIL of 2006
As with WIN, the FAIL also will be brief.
Epic FAIL of 2006
I'm not trying to be picky (if you don't like your free stuff, don't get it?) or half-assed, or hateful
or anything, but what Shinsen is doing lately is really bad for the fansub scene. Picking series that 10 other groups also are doing, stalling important projects, unstopping argue with others, using LQ raws from Winny (from what I heard). There were also accusitions of script stealing (Kemono Zume) and many more. I'm not sure if everything said about this group is true, but there is a problem here. Let's see if they can make it all up in 2007. Well, so far, they've done something to enrage ureshii, causing dropping Ghost Hunt for now. Sad.


Epic? Forgotten Anime 2006
- Himawari!
- 009-1
- Ghost Hunt
- Hataraki Man
- Musashi Gun-doh
Forgotten Anime is a category for all those anime that didn't got much attention from subbiong groups, resulting that non-japanese speaking people will not get these presumeably interesting series. Among them are: Himawari! - a cool looking ninja comedy aired in April, now getting a sequel. The only group that finished it is a spanish one iirc. The english subs stopped at 6 long ago and we get nothing more since then. Next is 009-1. Yes, sure, it got licensed, but only recently. Yet, there was no love for the title since the beginning - from October we got only two episodes subbed. Well, it started off preety mediocre, but maybe it gets better later on? Ghost Hunt. A seemingly, very good series, only done seriously by one group/joint, now being the most recent arena for the fansub drama (see above). Also, totally no interest in Hataraki Man. This was one of my most wanted animes this fall season, yet only one group subbed three episodes... and no word from them from two months. Shame. The last one may be controversial, but I really wanted to see this. For laughs or something. Yet, we got only parody subs and a serious translation of only one episode. I demand moar subs for Musashi!
But what did I cry for the most?
Epic? Forgotten Anime 2006

While the visuals of this title seems dated, and the title itself is more of a shoujo drama anime rather than an actual horror show, the story is good so far, and the voice acting is above average. Too bad that the only 'big' project for translating this project burned down to ashes when ureshii broke the joint with SHS (or SHS with ureshii?). Anyhow, the releases for this title were kinda slow from the beginning. Sigh. Seems like were stuck with Shadow Dreams subs for now. (Which is not a bad thing, but still, isn't one 'kinda' up-to-date translations for one of the brightest stars of the Fall 06 season not enough?)


Epic? Anime Of 2006 We Didn't See In 2006
- Top wo Nerae! Movie
- Paprika
- Toki Wa Kakeru Shoujo
Well, a hard one here. Three movies, all aired only in japanese theatres so far, all may be legendary. Top wo Nerae! movie is a condensed summary of both Gunbuster and Diebuster, presumeably with new scenes and a new cast for the first part (there'd better be Norio as Coach this time too!). As much as I am the fan of the first OVA series, I'm willing to import a DVD from Japan to watch this. Next is another film by Satoshi Kon, with chara design and animation by Masashi Ando. This is a freaking win combo, if we do remember Paranoia Agent or Tokyo Godfathers. The last one is the MADHOUSE hit, Tokikake. The story of a time leaping girl, as drawn by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. I would really like to see those movies.
But which I'd like to see the most?
Epic? Anime Of 2006 We Didn't See In 2006

The first time, I've heard about this one, I was already halfway hyped by The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. A film with another, mysterious power-possesing girl, plus designed by one of my favorite designers (who is too lazy to finish the NGE manga, dammit) was like a miracle. Then I saw it in commercials from the said SHnY DVD's (if I recall correctly). That was the moment from which I frantically check the DVD release dates, any torrents, etc. of the movie. From what I heard, it is really good, and the trailer/promo looks promising to me. So... please be faster, Kadokawa. Please, give us the DVD already.


Epic Surprise of 2006
- Kemono Zume
- Muteki Kanban Musume
- Noein
- Akagi
- Zegapain
A category for anime that weren't hyped at all and turned out to be really, really awesome. Like Kemono Zume. How much of you heard about it before you saw the first episode? Or Muteki Kanban Musume? I probably wouldn't even bother with this title, if not for AoMM again (thanks). Or Noein. Didn't look so great from all the teasers, and after watching it, you are sure that it's one of the best anime ever made. Or the total awesomeness of Akagi. A MAHJONG ANIME. And Zegapain, which turned to be unexpectably nice, surprising series.
Which was the best surprise?
Epic Surprise of 2006

Yes. A MAHJONG ANIME. But heck. It's really, really good. The tension of some moments, the atmosphere... is even better than that of many action anime. Plus the main character - you think that Light or Lelouch are geniuses? No. Akagi is a genius. What next? Ah yes, the great, but unusual animation and chara design style. THAT NOSE. Total and constant badassery for twenty-six episodes. Even after Hikaru no Go, you wouldn't expect that much from that kind of 'sports' anime, would you?


Epic! Most Anticipated 2007 Anime of 2006
Here are the nominees:
- Shakugan no Shana Movie
- Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS
- Rebuild of Evangelion
- Clannad
- Haruhi Suzumiya season 2
There are many great series announced for 2007, not only those five. I'm also waiting for things as Devil May Cry, or Zero no Tsukaima 2... but, well, those are the five I'm waiting for most frantically. Shana's OVA didn't satisfy that much, so I'm hoping that the movie will be godly. StrikerS will lack loli Fate and Nanoha, but, oh well, I'm sure that it will be a show as good as two previous seasons. With Tomokazu Sugita. And of course I'm waiting for the new movie in the Evangelion franchise, as a fan of the series and Gainax. Clannad is also something that can be great. Let's face it - all Key games anime were good - I mean, both Toei and KyoAni's Kanon and Air. So, as long as it won't have those Jay Leno chins, it'll be good. And of course probably half of the world is waiting for the second season of Haruhi. Which novels will it cover? How it will be done? We'll see. For now, I'm very optimistic.
But what I'm most stoked for?
Epic! Most Anticipated 2007 Anime of 2006
Yes. As a Gainax fan(boy?) there were no other options for me. The first movie of four will have a brand new ending with the retelling of the story using new scenes IIRC. What I'm not sure about is the whole new ending thing. They covered both possible outcomes in the series and EoE, I wonder what will they think off this time. Ah yes. It will be directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki. Of FLCL fame. If it'll have at least 1/100 FLCL's style with the quasi-seriousness of NGE, then it'll be a totally epic win.


Epic Concluding Comment?
Oh, somehow I managed to make through it all. One more day and it'll be done, and I'll start blogging some series, at last. Until then?

Ps. Holy crap this post will make a lot of relations to various anime at the Antenna. I wonder.


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  • Hey, I was right ;f. 29 anime connections for this post on the Antenna, lol.

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