REVIEW. ANIME : MONONOKE (モノノ怪)

Title: Mononoke

Type: Anime

Country: Japan

Genre: Supernatural, Fantasy, Art House, Avant Garde

Airing Date: 2007

Rating: 8.5/10.0

A highly stylistic avant-garde 2007 anime, Mononoke chronicles the supernatural encounters of a medicine seller. His ability to exorcise demons is dependent upon the discovery of spirit's shape (Katachi), truth (Makoto) and reasoning (Kotowari). This brilliant production gets 8.5/10 rating for a wonderful tapestry of techniques, storyline and animation.

REVIEW. ANIME : SEIREI NO MORIBITO 精霊の守り人

Title: Seirei no Moribito

Type: Anime

Country: Japan

Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Mystical, Romance, Kingdom, Prince, Suspense, Historical, Heroine

Airing Date: 2007

Rating: 9.0/10.0

Seirei no Moribito (Moribito: Guardian of The Spirit 精霊の守り人) is a wonderful discovery for anime lovers. The 2007 anime chronicles the adventures of Balsa (a spearwoman/warrior) and a young prince, Chagum. Full of substance, Seirei falls into a mixed genre: feudal (historical) - fantasy - action - martial arts.

The character development has a moderate undertone similar to Howl's moving castle. However, the length of drama allows more opportunity to display more depths and variations. I can find no fault in the characters and yet, they are rendered with flaws. Most of the characters wear a clock of melancholy, silent desperation to survive and to reconcile with their past and destinies. But despair not, the wonderful scenery and detailed artwork would provide some distraction from the gloom.

The unlikely pairing of Balsa and Chagum is the highlight of the epic. Never too melodramatic, it still induces sympathy and pride in the way the characters deliver each meaning and intention eloquently, both in gestures and in words. At one point, the star diviner, Shoga's character portrays some inconsistencies but his persistence makes up for them. Tanda is one character that you would definitely root for and the rest of the supporting casts are given adequate attention and detail to make this whole series worth watching.

Contrary to the dark and tragic ending of many Japanese movies/mangas/animes, Seirei renders an atypical hopeful saga of different cultures and people growing amidst struggles and sacrifices. The divine execution and manipulative antics of the opposing unseen powers are conveyed with a high sense of surrealism and revelations. The fight sequences, actions and movements are choreographed and animated with fluidity rarely seen.

Another wonderful discovery is the beautiful soundtrack. The OST is almost on par with some of the Ghibli productions featuring beautiful classical, folk and instrumental pieces such as Kizuna, Daichiyo, Mizu No Tami, Tanomareya and Michishirube by Kawai Kenji. Overall 9/10.

REVIEW. ANIME. ANIMATED FILM: HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

Title: Howl's Moving Castle

Type: Anime, Animated Film

Country: Japan

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Romance, War, Historial Suspense, Hero, Heroine, Kingdom, Queen

Airing Date: 2004

Rating: 9.3/10.0

A visual feast, a magical castle, a charismatic wizard, an unlikely heroine; all that and more makes Howl's Moving Castle a top favorite. My favorite and thus, highly bias to claim this timeless tale as Hayao Miyazaki's best piece, the famed Studio Ghibli director who stepped in to direct when the original director left abruptly.

As it turned out, this achingly beautiful fantasy (ハウルの動く城, Hauru no Ugoku Shiro) courted more than US$200 million worldwide in 2004. Described as a Japanese animated steampunk film in Wikipedia, this movie was adapted from Diana Wynne Jones's novel. The English dub was provided by Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crystal, Jean Simmons, Blythe Danner and Lauren Bacall to voice the characters. 

Again, I am bias but I believe Howl's moving castle is a bolder creative venture, a much more refined artwork, albeit a smaller rendition than Laputa: Castle in the Sky. 

Miyazaki's fascination for flying devices was evident in most of his films but Howl's castle is a marvel - a rapture. It floats playfully, bids sorrowfully, glides with rhythm and it is fanatically protective, shielding each and everyone aboard it with its very own life. Howl's Moving Castle is a super notched film at 9.3/10.

BOOK. GAME OF THRONES. CASTLES

Here's a collection of sample layouts depicting castles in the stellar book from George R.R. Martin

The Winterfell is home to the noble house of Starks. Proud and courageous, the Winterfell is the stronghold to the North of Westeros. The famous wolves that form the sigil of the Starks roam the land freely.

The Wall is the dividing conerstone between the "Others", creatures of the cold, dark and unknown realm. Guarded by a group of "brothers", it is indeed a forbiding structure.

BOOK. IN CONQUEST BORN

The author, CS Friedman took 12 years to polish the characters, the universe, and the underlying themes of this novel, which is why it resonated deeper than her other subsequent novels. The Cold War between Braxi and Azea persisted through centuries and in the midst of of this strife, martial quests and traditional differences, two great generals were raised. Whilst the Braxins relied upon ancient and somewhat ruthless customs to create a strong and fearless warriors, the advanced Azean scientists sought to create a perfected physique and psychic dominance. Author: CS Friedman, DAW Books, 1986, Nominated for the John Campbell Award

In Conquest Born' is the monumental science fiction epic that received unprecedented acclaim and launched C.S. Friedman's phenomenal career. A sweeping story of two interstellar civilizations locked in endless war.. Amazon.com Editorial Reviews

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Tamra the Island

A delightful Chosun period drama, this is a gem among all the Korean offerings. Almost perfect cast and rich in history, Tamra may turn out to be a cult favorite. Find out more...

Vampire Knight (ヴァンパイア騎士) Dark and thoughtful, this anime is a hot favorite among manga (and anime) lovers. Needless to say, vampires are hot favorites among supernatural lovers or fools. Find out more...

Mononoke (モノノ怪)

Mononoke refers to Yōkai (妖怪,) a type of spiritual beings i.e. demon, spirit or monster or a form of creatures in Japanese folklore. The titled anime is a psychedelic fare, strange and stimulating.

Seirei No Moribito ( 精霊の守り人) A splendid mix of adventure and supernatural, Seirei No Moribito is a charming epic on human values and principles. This anime is an absolute rare find..

 

A Series of Unfortunate Events A dark comedy, this film tells the story of Count Olaf (acted by JimCarrey) who viciously craved after three orphans' fortune left by their deceased parents. Wicked and addictive.

The Twilight - Ten Things To Love Can't say the same for the other sequels. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart lived up to the hidden cravings of young teens for cold blooded sensitive vampires.

Howl's Moving Castle Handsome wizard, flying castle and a clever damsel. This Oscar nominated blockbuster owes much to the whimsical author, Diana Wynne Jones and visionary direct or, Hayao Miyazaki.

Top Twenty Fictional Heroes Find out more about top twenty heroes - why they are worth watching and the world is worth saving..

 

Dororo A Japanese apocalyptic epic is a bloody fare involving a female warrior who joined a young samurai to recover his body parts from demons.

 

Blood + Blood+ (ブラッドプラス or Buraddo Purasu) is an anime series inspired by the 2000 anime film Blood: The Last Vampire.