Showing posts with label WAO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WAO. Show all posts
Saturday, May 28, 2011

GOSICK 19

As Christmas time approaches in Sauburne, episode 19 plunges you into the dark past of Cordelia, Victorique's mother, and her connection to Brian Roscoe.

As she is preforming on stage, as part of a dance troupe preforming Rose Colored Life, Cordelia is confronted by the Marquis de Blois.  After the show, she goes out a back entrance, and on her way to meet Roscoe, is kidnapped by the same Marquis de Blois.While attempting to save her, Brian is knocked unconscious, and Cordelia disappears for a year,taken to the Marquis castle fortress, is raped and gives birth to her daughter, the Gray Wolf, Victorique, on Christmas Day. When she recovers she finds herself in a psychiatric facility, with a precious locket, containing a picture of Cordelia and Victorique.

She is rescued by Brian Roscoe, and begins to preform on the stage again, this time inside a wooden mannequin doll, not a frilled skirt.  She and Brian go and visit Victorique, but what Cordelia finds is not what she expected. She sees a younger version of herself, trapped and helpless inside a tower. There she gives her daughter an pendant, not unlike her own, but with a different image inside, and tells her that if she(Victorique) ever needs help, it doesn't matter where, she'll come running.

All these memories are brought on because the Marquis has ordered the "The Blue Rose of Sauburne" to be preformed on Christmas Day. This time though, the story has been altered slightly-it now revolves around Coco Rose, the Queen of Sauburne.  Brian Roscoe's bitterness shines through "Is this a sick joke? Still how much does this contemptible man have to hurt you before he's sated?".

Cordelia sends Victorique a message-  
"The Second Storm will come soon. Now is the time to show your power."
Toward the very end of this episode, Kujo and Victorique are reminded of the words of the elder in the Village of the Gray Wolves (Episodes 6-8). That while a gale will blow the world and themselves apart, they will always be together in their hearts.  It appears the storm has come.
Saturday, March 26, 2011

Paint it White: the Hetalia Movie

Paint it White starts out as like any other Hetalia episode, with a character, in this case Iceland, sitting out in the middle of his country talking about his problems.  Then, Iceland disappears, and you see a nameless girl running through darkened streets. She is screaming for help, and seeings a police man, she runs toward him. But when she reaches him, he turns toward her, and has a blank white face, and a glowing antenna, not unlike one of those bio-luminescent fish. 

When she turns to run, she see's that there are thousands of them behind her and that she is trapped. She is engulfed in the crowd and suddenly, all you see is an alley with the police car, and flowers and spirals, like those in Marukaite Chikyuu, flowing from another side street. It goes from horror film beginnings to this in seconds:

It's rather unnerving really, the sudden change. She becomes one of the white bodies and the scene cuts to the conference room where all the main characters/countries are sitting. 

As usual, America is talking, England is drinking tea and Italy, is well, Italy. But the odd thing is America is making sense! He's speaking about the crisis, and he is logically going over the various ways to retaliate, and is providing information on the blobs, who his alien friend, Tony,  says are called "noppera' and hail from the planet Pict. Japan then explains that there is a "nopperabou" that are monsters of legend in Japan. Because of his knowledge, his loyalty is called into question, leading to Japan's semi panic attack.

Fortunately for Japan, America demands order-again out of character- and goes one with his plan,  He's the hero! Most of the nations refuse to be part of his plan, Japan says he'll lend money but not his army, Russia agrees to fight, until he learns he'll be America's backup. And Italy says his only allegiance is to the white flag.He then proceeds to try to sell white flags in the conference center. They go on figting about the trivial until Germany can't take it any more. He starts yelling at them, but unlike in the 1st episode of Hetalia, they don't listen, and go on babbling.

Then Germany decides that talking to them would be a waste of time. He announces that he will fight on his own, and they should do they same.
 
After they all leave, the scene changes to the familiar opening, and then continues on to  Prussia, of all people, hosting a talent show.This part is completely random, and both of his singers, Ukraine and Belarus, don't show up. 

There's another scene change, this time to a city scape. Looking up at the sky you see glowing balls of that same green light. These pods burst and that same flowery substance engulfs the city, every thing turns white. But when America-san tries to fight back, his missiles are painted white as well.  On to Russia's home where they paint everything, except Russia, white. It appears that Russia is invincible, nothing seems to work on him, Busby's Chair to Noppera. The same thing happens to France, China, Japan,Britain and Italy, and even Germany cannot withstand their attack, his army falls prey as well.Even Romano, when he is trying to find his brother is painted white, and becomes a noppera. The other countries, Finland, Greece and his cats, are changed as well. However, Switzerland and Liechtenstein's old habit of being neutral seems to be protecting them rather well.... 

In a urgently called  meeting, all the countries agree to work together. Then, America's friend Tony calls to say he has created a website about Pict, and has uploaded all the pertinent information. They then proceed to watch a  short film about Pict and it's people. They discover the reason Earth has been targeted is because they are known for fighting amongst themselves, and are considered an underdeveloped planet by the rest of the Universe. Then, as they are talking to Tony, he is painted white. That same light also begins to appear outside their hiding place as well.  They run outside in time to witness all the little balls of light forming into a huge mass. This mass in turn becomes- a UFO, and behind this UFO is an army, created out of all of the  people and Tony, that were painted white. But instead of attacking, they begin to enter the ship.

They decide to sneak into the ship and learn the noppera's weaknesses, but they cannot figure out how to to sneak in without being seen. For once, Italy's white flags come in handy. He has created noppera costumes out of them. Once on board, they split up into 3 teams: England and France, America, China and Russia, and then Italy, Japan and Germany.  France and England find an information center, but then are captured and fall down a tunnel.  America, China and Russia find what appears to be the power source of the ship, but can't figure out how to turn it off. They accidentally sent off an alarm system. While they are being chased, they run into England and France. Literally. The tunnel they fell into comes out in that hall way. They are trapped in a dead end, about to become noppera, when from the floor above, comes the sound of a violent struggle. It appears Italy brought his cat with him, and Germany became annoyed by it. Anyway, they fell through the floor and are all trapped. 

While stuck in this desperate situation, Japan tries the only option left-diplomacy. The only one who agrees immediately is America, and he begins to laugh. This completely confuses the people of Pict, which is understandable. America's laugh, while not as bad as Light's dying laugh(Death Note), is very creepy. China catches on quickly too, and he takes them all to a Chinatown to eat. He also puts on a show for them. Upon being asked if they liked it, they answer in unison: It was....odd. Next up is France, who provides the best wine and food he has to offer. He receives the same reaction as China-san.  Next on the bill is Russia, who makes Latvia, Lithuania and Poland preform a ballet.
Understandably, they think that It's....Odd.Then comes Germany. Who is either REALLY scared, or trying to be nice again, we're not sure which. He serves premium beer. Now, it's America's turn. He brings them, of all things, Las Vegas, complete with slot machines, and girls in bunny outfits. Next is Japan, who holds a traditional festival for  them.Then, England provides them with souvenirs, but inside are England's famous scones, which are not odd, but according to the noppera, nasty.  Just as all hell is about to break loose, Italy saves the day buy asking them to come play with him. While they are distracted, our heroes make a run for it.  they kick out a door in the side of the UFO and jump. As they fall, the noppera send a hail of glowing green blobs after them. 

During the fall, Germany is separated from the rest of them, and starts walking aimlessly through the jungle. As he walks through the jungle, he delivers a very depressing  monologue, he has given up, and just as he succumbs, he see's a light a short way away in the forest. When he reaches the light, he finds Italy. One by one, the others stumble out of the darkness to stand beside him. Somehow, Italy has managed to make pasta.  But just as you think it can't get any better,  their all alive, there is good Italian cooking ready, guess who show up? Sealand! As they eat they discuss the days events, only to be interrupted by the arrival of the noppera. 

Sealand runs ahead, trying to save the others. Poor little Sealand is painted white, as he tries to help. In a tense moment, the UFO lands in the water and thousands of wires come shooting out of it,a s well as all the monuments from Germany, France, America, and the rest. Frightened, Italy runs off into the darkness.  Out of the doors of the ship run tens of thousands of noppera, bet on attack.  During the fight, China's hands are painted white, and as America tries to go help, his legs are engulfed.One by one the others fall, until only Germany is left standing. Even Germany eventually falls.  Out of the dark come Italy, just in time tho see the  others become noppera.Germany's last words as he collapses order Italy to smile.

Remember Grandpa Rome's songs that helped out the Axis during "Crying Out SOS from the Center of the World"? Well, just as Italy is about to be painted, the song for Heaven plays. Then we see Grandpa Rome, up on a stage, dressed like a member of the band, Kiss. He continues to sing, and then moves on to the song for Hell.  He finishes and vanishes.

At Italy's feet is a felt tip pen. With it, he draws faces for the noppera. One the faces of his friends, he draws them as he remembers them- Germany as angry, France as overly cheerful and so on. With the drawing of the faces, the noppera begin to return to normal, Germany is the 1st to dissolve. Slowly everyone and everything changes back to normal. The bubble that caused all the trouble to begin with floats toward Italy, and reveals itself to be a young girl, who promises everything will return to normal.However, she takes the felt tip pen back with her.

However, after the credits role, you see Iceland with a part of the green flower glob and tourists all around it. It appears that the whole thing was Iceland's way of getting tourism, which he said was lacking in the very beginning.

Fin
Monday, February 7, 2011

Doubutsu No Mori- Now on WAO

Remember the article I did on Doubutsu No Mori? Well, I have linked that film to WatchAnimeOn.com, and, I have linked the whole movie. So, now you may watch it easily.
http://www.watchanimeon.com/doubutsu-no-mori-episode-1/

Oh, this is the 100th Post. YAY!
Ending theme:




Gosick is most certainly not for the faint of heart, with it's grotesque dead bodies and it's ghost story violence, it is enough to make many people wary to watch it. Gosick however, is a great anime with a good plot- Victorique is a doll-like genius who often helps the police solve crimes. She truly looks like a female Sherlock Holmes, with her long blond hair and porcelain pipe. Kujo on the other hand is just the opposite- tall and dark, he is a Japanese boy sent over to the made-up European country of Sauville, and then to the St. Marguerite Academy, known for it's hauntings, and ghost tales. 

On his 1st day, he is immediately shied away from by his fellow students, who call him the Springtime Reaper. While in the library, he notices a golden garden at the very top of the tower. Climbing up, he meets Victorique and the inspector of the police, Grevil de Blois, an obnoxious man who has the most ridiculous pomade. He charges Victorique with solving the murder of a fortune teller, Roxanne, shot through the left eye, with the entire household outside the door, and no weapon found in the room when the door is opened. She quickly solves the case, saying that the when Arabic-speaking maid called out, she did not in fact try to see if her mistress would open the door, but instead told her that her life was in danger and to move away from the window near the door. She then went into the next room and got out a pistol-kept for defensive reasons-and shot the door lock and her mistress at the same time.

When the inspector takes credit for Victorique's work, Kujo is angry and goes to tell off the inspector, but instead, winds up making plans to take a cruise with the inspector and Victorique.  But when the maid escapes, and the inspector has to rush off, Victorique finds a invitation addressed to the dead Roxanne. They use the invitation, and wind up on an exact replica of  Queen Berry, a boat that sunk 10 years ago after 11 children, referred to as the hares,  murdered each other inside.  One by one, the dinner guests die, until there are just four left-Victorique, Kujo and two others. Trying to free themselves from the sinking ship, Ned-san one of the remaining four is killed. The three run for the nearest room and start to look for weapons. They are too late however, because the "hunting dog" has entered the room holding a large scythe. He grabs up Victorique, but Kujo saves her by hitting the man in the face with brass knuckles. They continue to fight, and instead of leaving, Victorique searches for her most treasured possession, a locket that fell of during the struggle.  They then run up on deck, leaving the man unconscious in the room.


They then ask her how she knew Ned (the man in the room) wasn't dead. She tells them about a tennis ball used to temporarily stop his pulse, but is interrupted by Ned emerging from the lower flowers and attacking.  Julie, the third lady, stabs Ned in the back with his own scythe, as he is about to kill Kujo.

Julie, however, turns out to be the culprit behind the whole thing. Upon being pressed, she reveals what truly happened 10 years ago.(Different colors represent different voices, Julie is denoted by Green, the others are nameless):

                 " We were all orphans. Ten years ago, I was put on a big black iron-barred carriage. I lost consciousness and woke up on that cursed ship.Our nationalities were different, so even our conversations were faltering. But because our circumstances were the same, we were able to communicate.And yet.... (FLASHBACK- hey, who killed him? What do you mean who? We are the only ones on this ship.One of us is the killer! END FLASHBACK) His death was the catalyst that made us suspect each other, and then murder each other.But even so,(FLASH BACK- Hey, your bleeding, wait here, while I...(girl hands Julie heart pendant) You're giving that to me? But you said it was precious to you! END FLASHBACK) Even amongst the bloodshed,I found a modicum of friendship. (FLASHBACK-I'm not leaving you here! ( Julie lifts girl onto shoulders) We're going together!We're Escaping together!-END) My mind was on the verge of snapping, but I held it at bay, and we finally arrived. (FLASHBACK-(other group=There it is! The Radio Room! Julie-Help will be here soon! (they are greeted by a line of men, one is standing and says- Welcome Courageous Hares! The men begin applauding. One asks-Where is my ally? Another-Tell us your nationalities, which rabbits survived? The hunting dog speaks- France, Italy, America,and Saubure. Julie- You! One man begins to explain- Oh-He's England, the hunting dog.He preformed his role splendidly. That is, he threw you hares into a state of chaos, and drove you into a corner. Roxanne wheels forward and announces that a young man will die soon.THE RUNNING OF THE HARES WILL END HERE!Sink the box immediately and fulfill the revelation! Then Fatten up the hares!-End) -Julie,GOSICK

Then, Victorique begins discussing the reasons behind the events that Julie had just described. Apparently, Roxanne would release hares among her hunting dogs, and predict the future from the hares that survived. She used this particular incident to predict what would happen during the Great War. The maid, the one that shot Roxanne, was one of the survivors of the Queen Berry, and killed Roxanne for her part in the tragic events.

Again enraged, Kujo runs all the way up the stairs back at school, to show Victorique that Inspector Blois has used her logic AGAIN! She is not phased, merely saying her brother is an egomaniac. It turns out that Victorique and Grevil are half-siblings, her mother was his fathers mistress and, according to her, a dangerous woman.
GOSICK started as a light novel series, then became a manga and an anime. The anime currently has four episodes out, and the 5th is slated to come out February 4th.



Sources;
http://www.watchanimeon.com/anime/gosick/  (picture of Victorique only)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gosick  (Light Novel Cover)
Video from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsxyWP0en04&feature=related
Watch GOSICK at Watchanimeon.com/anime/gosick
 
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