Between catching up on 10 different anime series, producing audio content, pwning noobs in the World of Warcraft and having a fun regular ol’ life… Gene Marques, host and producer of Super Happy Anime Fun Time, brings you his unique slant on anime, manga, pop culture(Japanese and America), gaming and other assorted things on the mind of the young mind behind anime’s podcast sensation.

Well here we are, the first editors editorial style column for our little blog here. I figured that since there’s more to me then meets the eye I’d just be all over the place with this particular column. But this time around I thought I’d talk about my thoughts on a few anime series I’m watching, what I thought of Get Smart and The Incredible Hulk, working on other podcasts, why I think the people behind the CG US Astro Boy are on crack and other assorted goodies. So check out the goodness after the break!

What I’m Watching… Blog Edition

So I’ve recently finished two anime series and am starting on an old classic. For now I’m just going to talk about what I finished.

I recently finished Chrono Crusade and this fun little tale takes a good amount of elements out of theology, specifically christian and catholic theology. However, unlike most series that have had a stir caused over it… such as Evangelion… this story throws terms out with either no or very incorrect context. Even when the theology comes off a little strong and at times pushy, it is very easy to see that it is without context and without malice. The series as a whole has excellent action and animation I would call on par with something along the lines of Full Metal Panic but has a very twisting storyline which loses sight of its own elements at times and almost seems to cause twists for twist sake. On the upside, I must say that this series was very true to character depth and did so in the utmost fashion, even to the point of creating a villain who has easily gone into my top 10 and producing one of the saddest, yet great, endings in anime in my opinion.

The second series I finished was the TV version of Read or Die. Now my major problem with this series is the fact that the story moves around in a manner befitting someone with ADD on a sugar high… its all over the place. You’re given a set of characters who are established main characters… for about half the story. Then you’re given a set of bad guys… for half the story in favor of even badder bad guys. It feels like the writers wanted to have this sort of story and then were swayed away at the last second. The other problem with this series I have is that it can be out and out boring… Ghost in the Shell level boring. However, when the boring parts are cast aside, the action can be quite fluid and enjoyable… when there is action. The music is nice too but it hardly ever fits the mood. The music is mostly made up of either noir style music or something out of a 40’s detective story and neither element shines out to me in this series.

Get Hulk!

To talk about something not anime related, lets talk about two US movie blockbusters for the month of June.

First, The Incredible Hulk! The second movie thus far under the supervision of Marvel Studios who has decided the best way to get a superhero movie done right is to do it yourself. The first being Iron Man which was a smash hit at the box office last month and was absolutely amazing. However, The Incredible Hulk was no slouch and was every bit as enjoyable as the armored drunkard. Acting in this movie was excellent and gave way to enjoyable characters who’s emotion and energy was simply electric. The special effects were amazing and those worried about how The Hulk would turn out once on the big screen need not worry, he is freaking amazing. While the ending is something I didn’t agree with it doesn’t hurt the overall enjoyment of the film. One aspect of these movies I’m enjoying a great deal is the connecting storylines to other Marvel properties. In Iron Man there were connections to Nick Fury, SHIELD and The Avengers. In The Hulk there were connections to Tony Stark, SHIELD, Nick Fury, The Avengers and Captain America. Thats how the comic books are, and I’m glad the movies are taking that approach too.

Get Smart, which is an updated feature of the old 60’s spy sitcom of the same name, was a laugh riot. First things first, the amazing casting makes this movie more enjoyable then anything. This is nothing like the failed New Get Smart back in the mid 90’s… Andy Dick as the new 86?! Get real. Steve Carrel gets this role down to a tee. Not to say everyone else doesn’t either and whats great about this is how we get not only characters that are true to the originals but also have an awesome and unique slant to the characters. The nods(and there are several) to the original series are always awesome to see however the movie left me feeling like there was more to it… like there was more punchlines… more jokes, more action. I’m sure the valid excuse would be… “Oh, there will be a Get Smart 2.” but I would rather have 1 absolutely blockbuster and amazing movie then 2 semi-good movies. Not to say that this is a ‘good’ movie as it is a great movie. However, just be prepared for the feeling of wanting more.

Not Just SHAFTing

For those in the know I also contribute to other podcasts in addition to making my own. The one I’d like to actually talk about this week is The Instance hosted by Scott Johnson and Randy “Randydeluxe” Jordan. The Instance is a podcast about the popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft. On that show I contribute to the shows player versus player segment. However, in honor of my birthday, Scott and company decided to have me live on the program. Its always an honor to come on to The Instance in a non segment piece. So about half way through the show I’m brought in.

Now another thing I should probably mention before going on is that in the last few episodes of The Instance, Scott and Randy have been joined by Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Schilling is an avid fan of MMORPG’s and has taken a fancy to World of Warcraft and to The Instance and has joined Scott and Randy on the program in the last month or two. Being a proud resident of Massachusetts I am an avid Red Sox fan so for me it was a tad extra special.

Now, having your own show gives you a certain control of the situation when guesting on another persons show its hard to really join the flow of the program. Its weird but ultimately enjoyable as you have a great deal of expertise to the table. After answering some listener calls/emails.. well a couple of them that had to do with PvP, doing an impression of one of the other contributors to the show(hes french) and talking briefly about this show… we were done. However, I stuck around as long as I could to talk with the live chat room crowd. Much like SHAFT, The Instance is streamed live on UStream as well for those interested on hearing a live recording of a podcast. I honestly must say, that was the highlight of my very stressful week that week.

Ok… Someone Stop This Now

One mini rant I’d rather not go on to the show and go nuts about and lose even our most devoted of fans. What the crap is wrong with the people behind the US CG Astro Boy or at least the people who sold the license for a US remake. Summit Entertainment is taking the reins of this train wreck.. you might remember them for such movies as American Pie(though they made Babel which I rather enjoyed). Not only that but we have an announcement for the cast… oh goodie.

Such greats as Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy(this isn’t a bad choice), and Eugene Levy. Oh ya, Freddie Highmore is Astro Boy. Wow, doesn’t that just make your brain hurt… a lot. Like to explosion levels? You must be thinking “Well if the writing is good maybe they won’t have to say stupid stuff.” Well if you liked Space Jam.. then you won’t have a problem since the guy who wrote that is writing this. And before you say something about directing… the guy who directed Flushed Away is directing this so ya. Maybe we’ll have a good anime movie in the US once the original Japanese studios pull a Marvel and do it themselves.

(ANN Article)