AdmiralX Reviews

Najica: Blitz Tactics (2001– )

Attention grabber a bit over done...but holds that attention

[8/10 · 15 September 2006]

I took a chance on watching this, I got to see all 12 episodes.

It's immediately known from the first episode that all the plots are gonna be mostly a "Villian-Of-The-Week" type of series. Basically all 12 are of the same plot, Najica gets an assignment, she shoots, shows a lot of panty shots, shoots some more, more panties...panties...another shot, more panties...she gets the "bad-guy". That's pretty much the gist of it.

It's mind-less fun. Plain and simple. If your looking for plot, or deep stories. This is not for you. There are only a handful of "guy" characters throughout the series. You get mostly girls in tight and very short skirts doing everything from sniping to going all out psycho.

There are a few stories within the series that have some feeling in them. Some that are down right weird...and others that just don't make sense. On a personal note, the "mindless-fun" could have been achieved without the hundred panty shots per episode...no joke. There is a panty shot (some down right uncomfortable) in nearly EVERY scene of the series. You can count on ONE hand how many scenes DO NOT have them.

Nothing "crosses the line", but after awhile (maybe halfway through the second episode), it starts to get annoying. When every female in every scene has to show her panties. The scene that takes the cake is when "Toni aka. WWW" is introduced (Episode 8). She is one of the "Triple Series Humaritts". She is the strong arm for one of the "Villian-Of-The-Week" bad-guys. She kidnaps another girl and steals a high-tech plane. She jumps into the cockpit, with the unconscious girl in her lap, with her butt up in the air. Right in front of her face while she's flying. It's not so subtle.

Like I said, it's "mindless-fun". Watch it for the entertainment, the shooting, the action...among other things. You have to gloss over the "Villian-Of-The-Week" syndrome the series does suffer through. But since there is only 12 episodes, it's doesn't and shouldn't bother you. There really is no concrete direction from episode to episode. There is some dialog that does connect a few episode.

To be honest, the ending seemed to be a bit rushed. IMHO, they could have used a previous character for the ending, but didn't. While they tied the final "villian" into the plot about Liela, which at least was a decent way to end it, the final "villain" was still a "Villian-Of-The-Week" type-of-character. More could have definitely been done.

That all aside, if you like action, shooting, car chases, airplane chases, explosions, beautiful women, and of course lots of panty shots. Definitely watch this series.

Ranma ½ OVA: El dragón de las siete cabezas Parte 1 (1994) Season 1, Episode 7

A MUST watch for Ranma fans

[10/10 · 15 September 2006]

The story "An Akane to Remember" is also called "Reawaken Memories". It is a 2 part story, and one of the best animations of the series. It is also one of the best stories of the series. As I have written comments for other OAV's, this one is one of the top 3 of the entire franchise.

It gives Akane real depth, rather than the "damsel-in-distress" type of story. As well as finally gives her a TRUE love triangle...not just comedy out of Ryoga or Kuno. Even if it's just for 2 episodes, her affection for Shinnosuke is genuine, (due to what had happened in the flashback part of the story). This is also the first time in which Akane takes it on herself to take a journey on her own trying to discover her lost memories of what happened to her as a child.

I am trying not to give away anything. But the scene of Ranma questioning Akane about her feelings for him, and then challenging Shinnosuke over her is one of the few instances in the franchise where he truly, & "publically", announces his feelings for Akane, sort of.

The final scenes really push Akane's character to what she is in most of the Manga, a capable "fearless" martial artist. Which is probably another reason why I enjoyed this one. Another positive is the location. It is a rare instance where the location is outside of Japan/Furinkan. Which makes the story fresh.

This OAV does get emotional, and it also pushes Ranma's emotions to there limits. Quite simply this episode helps to define the characters of Ranma and Akane. This one, "The Two Akane's" story, and the finale of the Manga are the stories that REALLY push both main characters to their emotional edges.

If you enjoyed "The Two Akane's" story, you will love this one! Highly Recommended!!

Ranma ½ OVA: The Evil Ogre! Hell Hath No Fury Like Kasumi Scorned (1995) Season 1, Episode 11

Quite simply the best of the bunch

[10/10 · 14 September 2006]

I have written a few comments about different Ranma stories and movies. I have just recently seen this group of OAV's. Quite simply, "The Two Akane's" story was quite simply my favorite in the Manga. After seeing it as the final Ranma anime, it's still the best. So far for me it even rivals the "Reawakening Memories" 2-part story. It has a nice equal helping of humor and serious action.

The scene where Akane, as the "doll", scares some patrons with "Sumo-excercises" is classic. The scene where Ranma cleans the face of the doll, without realizing it's Akane is also very tender.

Moments in this anime have you going through a gambit of emotions right up until the final scene. One of, if not THE most excellent of the franchise.

If you liked the "Reawakening Memories" story, you will love this one.

Ranma ½: The Movie, Big Trouble in Nekonron, China (1991)

This movie does the "Ranma 1/2" name proudly

[7/10 · 12 September 2006]

The following may contain some spoilers...be advised.

I have recently completed watching every season of the Ranma 1/2 anime, including the movies, OAV's and all of the Manga.

I enjoyed this movie to a point. One aspect I found as a let down, there really isn't any real comedy in this one. While there are points at comedy, Suon & Genma provide some, and the "chase scene" (Our group trying to chase Kirin's Blimp with a small dingy, as an example). I won't give way the main plot, which is a sort of a comic device of why Happôsai did what he did. Yet in all it seems the movie tries to take a serious look..with a serious plot, something that was rarely done in the series. Which is probably why most "Ranma 1/2" fans don't like it all that much.

On it's own, the story holds up. If you have not seen any of the anime after Season 3, you may just enjoy this one. If you have seen Seasons 4-7, you will find a lot of what this movie is about is just part of a rehashed storyline that was over done in the anime. One aspect that most "Ranma 1/2" fans have a problem with was the "Akane as the damsel-in-distress" story plots. To many this was over done, and at one point, while Akane still has a fiery temper and can hold her own in a fight, she is shown in more ways to be less of a fighter...or needs help...or simply waits for Ranma to show up. Something she blatantly states to Kirin almost word for word after she is kidnapped and told she will be his bride.

However, we do see Ranma starting to come out of his shell about his feelings for Akane. Backed up by Kirin's last words to Ranma before he leaves.

It's not the best of the series. But it can hold it's own.

The opening sequence is a nice touch, featuring all, or nearly all, of the reoccurring characters from the series. Another nice touch was the background cell paintings. If you watch the series, then this movie...you can immediately see a difference in the background. It is much more detailed, especially the Tendo home, and along the streets as Female Ranma chases Happôsai. It gives the area in which the characters live much more depth and a nice rich color.

Ranma ½: The Movie 2, Nihao My Concubine (1992)

This movie does the "Ranma 1/2" name proudly

[10/10 · 12 September 2006]

The following may contain some spoilers...be advised.

I have recently completed watching every season of the Ranma 1/2 anime, including the movies, OAV's, and all the Manga.

This movie by far I have enjoyed simply because, while it is still a rehash of Akane being a damsel-in-distress type of story...which really was a repeating arc in the series. It is done at least freshly here outside of the confines of Japan, Furinkin High School, or Jusenkyo. A fresh look that was a very rare occurrence in the series. Besides it's "Ranma", you don't watch for deep plot lines or realistic stories. You watch because of the comedy and to see the progression of the Ranma/Akane relationship.

You can easily pick any of the Ranma characters and find something of yourself in one of them.

The animation in this movie has been by far the best of the entire series IMHO. For fans of the series, you already know there is a distinct style between all of the seasons, the movies, and the OAV's. This particular movie has a distinct OAV style. One thing to watch for all of the young female characters seem to have "grown up a bit", if you get what I mean). The character design is blatant in targeting a specific demographic obviously...especially with the designs of Female Ranma, Nabiki, Shampoo, Akane, & Ukyo. I would recommend watching at least the first 3-5 seasons of the anime series before watching this film. (I personally watched all 7 seasons before I hit the movies.) Something that we have not seen before in this movie is the presence of dripping blood (Ranma) and weapons piercing the skin (Mousse).

Speaking of Mousse. His fight scene with the Bird-man for Shampoo is by far the best of the entire franchise. For the first time we see real emotion out of Mousse as a serious character, not just the butt of jokes. Excellent scene.

Again, the storyline is basically the same as the majority of the anime series. But if you are watching ANY part of the "Ranma 1/2" franchise for the plot...your missing the point. With the twist in location, the superb animation, and updated character designs...this movie is by far very entertaining.

The opening sequence is an eye opening experience.