in the last month i was able to finish several oldie features: Saiyuki Reload, Blue Seed, and Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl. Sadly though, i couldn’t find the will nor the inclination to finish a few titles that i’ve started (Outlaw Star, Rune Soldiers, Gokudo, Chobits, King of Bandits Jing) because i either found them too predictable, uninteresting, or strangely flat.
Saiyuki Reload is a great follow-up to Gensomaden Saiyuki, particularly the early episodes which are refreshingly light and funny. the contrast between the short-tempered and sarcastic Genjo Sanzo and his 3 more easygoing companions (the reliable and well-grounded Cho Hakkai, the skirt-chasing Sha Gojyo, and the pesky Son Goku) makes for a rich source of hilarity. The story continues in Saiyuki Gunlock, which i will dwell more on later.
Blue Seed, one of Megumi Hayashibara’s early projects, is your typical magical girl series that is occasionally peppered with humor and overwrought angst (for its female protagonist). after a few episodes the routine begins to pall but i managed to get through until the end. side note: i liked the closing song (sung by ms. hayashibara herself).
i found Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl (another oldie) funny and engaging, with its array of fascinating suport characters. the fight scenes are refreshingly tight and crisp: the combatants waste little time in posturing and lengthy speeches, and let their swords do the talking (which is even more eloquent, in my opinion).
Filed under: blue seed, jubei-chan: the ninja girl, megumi hayashibara, saiyuki reload
