Blog Archives

Blue Exorcist the Movie (2012)

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There’s something fundamentally appealing about stories about siblings – particularly brothers and specifically twins. Socially, twins are still seen as something worth remark. Scientifically, the study of twins might even help science identify where genetics influences human development and growth and where it doesn’t. But mythologically, brothers have long held a strong and undeniable fascination. Cain and Abel, Romulus and Remus, Castor and Pollux, Famamir and Boromir, Thor and Loki, Dean and Sam, Dante and Virgil. Brothers are either at … (read more)

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Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)

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The name of Clamp wields a great deal of influence, enough that their connection to an anime series is enough to make most people sit up and pay attention, and with good reason. In the case of Code Geass, the well known creative conglomerate have lent their distinctive style to the series’ character designs with impressive results. The look is sharp, elongated and intensely dramatic, and for a story with dark, complicated undertones and an antihero who makes Light … (read more)

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xxxHolic – A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2005)

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xxxHolic is Clamp’s other anniversary series. Created side by side with Tsubasa Chronicles and intersecting frequently, xxxHolic is a little more frivolous, more fun, like afternoon matinees with a supernatural twist. In it, Watanuki Kimihiro is a more-than-average high-school student working for a mysterious woman Yuuko. Yuuko as she appears in the premiere episode of Tsubasa is known as a dimensional witch, however her day job consists of fulfilling the wishes of others.

This isn’t a euphemism, despite the way … (read more)

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Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004)

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In an astonishingly original interpretation – an inspirational mix of baroque style and science fiction sensibilities – Gankutsuou is a series painted in light, literally. It’s visuals are breathtaking, a wild riot of colour and pattern, a moving Gustav Klimt painting where a glowing palette of elaborate textures have been mapped over what would have normally been flat panels of cell shaded colour, from the sides of buildings to characters’ hair. Verbal descriptions can in no way communicate the lush … (read more)

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