Kuroshitsuji

Black Butler

Original Creator: Yana Toboso

Production by: A-1 Pictures Inc, Aniplex, Mainichi Broadcasting, Yomiuri TV

Adapted from a manga

OAVs: one

Movies: none

Live-action: none

Second Season-sequel 

Genre: supernatural, mystery, historical, comedy, steam punk

Number of Episodes: 24

ANN's Plot Summary: "One of the noble families of England - Phantomhive, has a butler, Sebastian Michaels. He has unquestionably perfect knowledge, manners, talent with materials. martial arts and much more. But for some reason, he serves a 12 year old master..."

My Ranking: 3

My Rating: PG-13

okay so i admit that this series had me a bit creeped out at some parts, it can be a bit disturbing or unnerving and also there is a tremendous amount of blood soooooo........yeah. i wouldn't quite rate it R but its an almost. also there is really only one episode that evokes something aherm. so yeah, borderline for this one.

My Review: My first thoughts on this series were quite simple really. "why on earth do i like this?". Yep. It's one of those series. Really there are some awesome qualities to this anime but it falls short on many levels because of the way its presented. While the manga itself is not all that long the anime does give off the feeling that's its been squished to accommodate a 24 ep time slot. So, while Kuroshitsuji has the potential to be great it does fall into the category of unreasonable adoration.

First what I liked about this series was the art. The old english historia with the steam punk style is really appealing. Also, all the dark tones with very smooth strokes add to the creepy coolness. Just coming from reading a vampire series I felt it to be between Vampire Knight and Le Chevelier D'eon, but almost not quite.....heh.

The art style aside the plot itself was really interesting and enticing. On the other hand, kuroshitsuji had a very interesting way of presenting it. The series had a habit of changing plot style a little to much. As if it couldn't decide. For instance it seemed at first like a simple by episode mystery series, but then it decided oh no wait those filler seeming eps actually hold important stuff and all the minor characters are actually main characters. Oh, and this all makes sense why? So yeah. It was not a very smooth ride. So while at the same time feeling like a series that was crunched on time it seemed full of fillers....eh? But the negatives aside I found the idea of the story itself cool.

Also, while the characters seem to have only the potential for cameo roles they are all extremely well put together. All of them are awesome in there own way. And not to let the darkness get you down the personalities of the characters really liven up the series and make it enjoyable. Really the characters are a big part of what makes peeps like the series with the weird plot pattern. They are just plain cool. And might I say quite funny, for yes, this series has a large sense of humor.

With all its ups and downs, while being both cool, fun, and weird, I have to admit this series almost had me in tears the last episode. For its actually really sad, but in a kinda good way. So the entire series you can enjoy but you always have in the back of your mind the knowledge of what will inevitably happen and you always hope there will be someway around it and you feel there should be, but in the end you just have to watch the sadness built up from the beginning come out. So in a way this makes kuroshitsuji come full circle to actually being clever. All in all, this series is unpredictable but you'll love it no matter what your brain is telling you, and that, you gotta admit, is kinda cool.

Comparison: there is a wide range of opinions on the contrast between the manga and anime. a lot supporting the idea that the anime completely butchered the series and others saying it was awesome in its own way. so....i cant give an honest opinion. i can only say the manga has more story arcs and also its still going on.

the anime and manga are licensed: the manga by Yen Press and the anime by Funimation. The anime was subbed by a combo of A-Thryst, Roonery, and Shinsen. there may be others but these are the main ones. honestly the subs for this series are a bit of a mess. but thanks for trying guys.

Sample Vid: okay for a good spoiler-free preview just watch the op of the series. but if you want a pretty cool amv and don't care about spoilers here it is. i am now in love with this song and all vocaloid for that matter.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Gankutsuou
The Count of Monte Cristo

Original Story: Alexandre Dumas

Production by: Gonzo

Adapted from: the classic book "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas
Movies: none
Live-action: there is an American movie but its not accurate.
OAVs: none

Genre: mystery, action, adventure, science fiction, drama, romance.
Number of episodes: 24

ANN's plot summary: "Trying to escape his uneventful life, Albert, the son of a renowned general from Paris, makes a journey with his friend Franz. During his travels, he meets an immensely wealthy nobleman named The Count of Monte Cristo. Living in luxurious hotels, surrounded by beautiful women and strong bodyguards, the charming but enigmatic count fascinates Albert. Albert invites the count to join the high society of Paris. However, unknown to Albert, his father had once framed the count and took the Count's fiancee as his own. "

My Ranking: 5 hoshi
My Rating: R
there is allot of intensity with reference to drugs and a few pretty explicit sexual references and scenes. also there is quite a bit of violent and bloody instances.

My Review: This series was amazing. For the moment I will only touch on the anime and make no reference to the book because the anime can honestly be given its own review. For one this series was incredibly well done. It was intense, full of action, and didn't cut short on the mystery factor. This anime was exquisite to behold in art style and animation, but that didn't in any way overpower the plot which was just as intricate and bad ass. The mystery that enveloped the Count was to be left on everything he touched to keep one ignorant of certain things until the climax of the story. This made you want to keep watching to find out what would happen next and to unravel his enigmatic cloak. The story captured your interest while the gorgeous affects kept you engrossed to not look away for a minute.

One thing I particularly liked about this series was its consistency. There was never a lack for speculation on behalf of the plot nor was there a lapse in the intense emotion accompanied with the story. Up until the end there were times when the viewer would still be dying to know what would be the outcome of the Count's quest for revenge. What feelings would each of the characters choose as the most dominant in their actions?

The action is pretty win in this series. Though its not all fighting and bloodshed its still gives a thrill as the Count weaves his web of vengeance around the unsuspecting cast of characters. Not to mention the fact that the anime takes place in a futuristic setting which opens the door to some of the coolest ways to kill people. mwahaha.(couldn't resist).

This anime deserves its props and I'm willing to give them. It was the right combination of action and mystery in the most perfect amount of time. It left one with closure and was not so overpowering that the viewer is still left uneasy. I can once again describe this series as consistent but also well proportioned. With that, I confess my love for this story and bid you Au Revoir. "Bide your time and hold out hope."

Comparison: Gankutsuou was ingenious in its adaptation from the original book and let itself become its own entity of awesomeness. At this time I must admit to my other identity as a bookworm in order to give a full report. (it so happens I had to read this book for summer reading the same time I was introduced to the anime. haha.) In most book to movie adaptations the movie is doomed to fail because it often tries to go in the same direction in a different way, therefore, suckage. Gankutsuou on the other hand was spared in complete fail because it branched off in a different direction in order to do things differently, hence a good story on its own alltogether.
The characters retain their names and occupations along with their connection to each other very accurately. The plot also retains most of its shape, but it does deviate from the facts. For example: Franz and Eugenie have barely any part in the original story. We see Franz only twice while Eugenie doesn't have one line.
The anime was put more in Albert's perspective while the book stays in a 3rd person omniscient with a little more attention to the Count himself, hence, depicting him as a little more human than the enigma presented in the anime. There are other things I could touch on but I fear of boring the audience of this ANIME blog. For more I'd suggest Wikipedia but I just like giving my two cents on the matter.

Gankutsuou was subbed by KAA (kick ass anime) and licensed by bang zoom! entertainment.

Sample Vid: I once again don't know of a good amv but the ED for the series is a pretty good representation for a sneak peek at what its all about. without spoilers.

Le Chevalier D'Eon

La Chevalier D'Eon
Original story by: Tow Ubukata

Production by: Production I.G. and WOWOW along with numerous companies including Studio Ghibli and Bee Train

Adapted from a manga: yes
Movies:none
Live Action series:none
OAVs:none

Genre: historical fiction, horror, mystery, supernatural

Number of Episodes: 24

ANN's Plot Summary: "During the time when Louis XV still ruled France, a certain woman was found dead in the coffin floating through the Seine river. D'Eon, the woman's brother, determines to search for the killer of his sister, Lia. But there are some strange movements in France. And things become more strange when Lia's soul enters D'Eon's body... "

My Ranking: 4 Hoshi
My Rating: R
There are very intense moments including graphic violence and overall creepy stuff. Also there's a few moments of partial nudity.

Review: As soon as I watched the first episode I was stuck. Within the first few minutes your thrown into a conspiracy and by the end of ep 1 you just gotta have more. Its that grippingly intense. Throughout the whole historical fiction concept it helps if you know a bit about the time in which it takes place (the reign of Louis XV of France), but if you're not so good at history, like me, you can still understand it pretty well.

Overall this series is in one word 'intense'. I don't recommend this series for the faint hearted or those under the age of 13 at the most.

Le Chevalier is extremely clever in its story line. With its use of the inconclusive history of D'Eon de Beumont and Earl St. Germain they create an alternate story of their actions. They also rely on the peoples high faith of 'The King is the Voice of God' back then and include many religious references of the time. What was most intriguing was the use of Psalms in this series for it in fact becomes practically all about them; though halfway through they recite them so much I stopped listening altogether and saved my head some pain.

While I liked this series thoroughly, especially with all the awesome special effects and fight sequences it provides, it left me with an unfortunate wretched feeling inside. Perhaps if I had had a better historical knowledge I might have been able to avoid that feeling but oh well, to late now.

All together this series was one that drew you in and took you on one heck of a ride. I would definitely recommend it.

Comparison: I personally know nothing about the manga only that I don't think its very well known/very popular. From the look of it though I'd suggest the anime.

Sample Video:
This is the best vid I could find with a fitting song. Of course there are a few spoilers (but not so much) so for those who wish warning don't watch beyond 1:58. That still gives you a good look without seeing to much.