Thursday, February 23, 2017

#6 Cowboy Bebop!

"This is real mystic and all but do you have anything to eat here?"





          Cowboy Bebop can most accurately be described as a 'space western'. Even the characters call themselves cowboys. It's fast paced and most of the time each episode has its own story without overlapping into the next one. While there is an underlying plot, it seems to only become the center of attention at certain points in the show. Cowboy Bebop also has one of the most interesting music styles. Combining western, opera, and jazz music together. This new style of music was made by one of the most prominent artist in anime; Yoko Kanno. The fast paced and catchy opening isn't only fun to listen to, but to watch as well. 



         
           Cowboy Bebop isn't always fast paced, sometimes it seems downright slow, but keep in mind that there will be fast moments where you might have to rewatch the show to make sure you see everything. 





          'Cowboys' are another name for bounty hunters in 2071. 'Bebop' is the name of the ship that Spike, Jet, Fay, Ed, and Ein live on. 

          



          Spike's our main character and could be considered the one that usually get the rest of them in trouble. He's also a master of Jeet Kune Do, which he almost always has to use when they go after bounties.


           Jet's the captain of The Bebop and tries to keep order between the others. He use to be an investigator for the Inter Planetary Space Police (IPSP) until his former partner betrayed him and led to him losing his right arm. 


          Fay is a thief and joins the Bebop crew after repeatedly running into them. She was put into a cryogenic sleep and woke up 54 years later in 2071 not remembering who she is, and with an insane amount of debt.  


          Ed is a highly renowned hacker and does everything her own way. From walking on her hands, to typing with her feet. She joins the crew when she hacks into the Bebops navigation controls and brings them to her. Ein is a corgi that has the intelligence of a human. Ein joins the crew accidentally when they're chasing after a bounty. Ein is also referred to as a 'data dog' and can do things that other canine can't do; like drive a spaceship, or play shogi. If you want to read more about the characters click here.




          The Bebop crew may be bounty hunters but most of the time they don't have any money. Most of it goes to repairs for things that Spike breaks or is gambled away by Fay. Unsurprisingly that also means that they don't have money for food. Most of them can be bribed with food, especially Spike, into doing random jobs and even helping total strangers.

          Cowboy Bebop was a big step forwards for the sci-fi genre of anime and could even be considered a sci-fi anime classic. While it is old it doesn't lack in action or comedic moments. 

Until next time, 

"See you, space cowboy."

I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 

Sunday, February 12, 2017

#0 WELCOME TO ANIMATION NOMINATION!

This blog talks about animation; from studio Ghibli, to Cartoon Network. It's my recommendations to you! It will also include important people of the animation world and up and coming events revolving around animation. If YOU want to recommend something leave a comment!

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

#5 Baccano!

          "Cast aside the illusion that there is a beginning and end to the story. The story has no beginning. And it has no end. All there is, is a performance of people connecting, living, influencing each other, and departing." 




        One of my favorite things about Baccano is the opening. It has fluid and interesting transitions that go from character to character without missing a beat. It's also fun and quirky without really revealing any of the darkness that resides in the anime. 


          The first episode throws a lot of information at you and it makes so much more sense if you go back and watch it once you've finished the series. Don't get discouraged if it seems like there isn't enough action. When you're watching keep in mind that Baccano! likes to jump between years. 

          Even though the subject and execution of the anime is dark there is still some humor to it. The best example would be the characters Isaac and Maria. They're fun loving and oblivious and are never really tainted by what's going on around them. If you've ever watched Durarara!!! then you would have noticed their cameo appearance in it.

          

          Baccano! mainly takes place on a train called "The Flying Pussyfoot." Although these passengers aren't the ones that you would usually find on a normal passenger train; like the mafia, bank robbers, immortals, a bomb enthusiast, and an extremist group. 

          Baccano! puts together the excitement of a murder mystery, and the ruthlessness of human nature together into one series. It contains the subtle cues of the insane, the drive of the dedicated, and the crazy fun of the innocent. 

          If you want to read more about Baccano! click here. If you want to read the description click here.


          I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy








#4 The Aristocats!

          ♫ Everybody wants to be a cat! Because the cat's the only cat, that knows where it's at! ♪  

           Nobody says it better than a cat. Being one of the older Disney creations, The Aristocats has a very traditional animation style, including left over pencil lines, beautiful hand drawn scenery, and original artistic styling. Even though it's older doesn't mean that it's missing any of the Disney magic. 






          Our main characters, as you may have guessed already, are cats. Duchess and her three kittens, Marie, Berlioz, and Toulouse, live with a retired opera singer named Madame Adelaide Bonfamille and her English butler, Edgar. They're living a sheltered life, not wanting for anything. However, Madame Adelaide is growing older and she decides to name her cats as her benefactors of her fortune in the case of her death. Her butler, Edgar, who has been with her for years finds out that he would receive nothing and hatches a plan to get rid of the cats. That night he puts sleeping pills in their milk and whisks all four of them away. That's where the real adventure begins. Then they meet O'malley. He's not high class like them but from the alleys. His charming and sometimes silly personality helps guide the lost family on a sometimes erratic path back home. 

          If you want to watch the preview click here. If you want to read some interesting facts click here.


          I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy


Saturday, February 4, 2017

#3 The Classic Duo!

          In my opinion these two movies are must see animation classics. If you haven't heard of Akira or Ghost In The Shell that's okay! Akira came out in 1988 and went the extra mile by actually animating the mouth movements to match the words being said, pre recording dialog, and creating detailed background scenery. It was the final breakthrough that got anime noticed in the U.S. Akira is equivalent to The Walking Dead in getting its genre (or type of media style) recognized. While The Walking Dead opened up the zombie theme, Akira was the final step in making anime popular in America.




          If you want to read Akira's description click here. If you want to know more about it, like how it was made and who was involved click here.




           The Ghost in the Shell that I'm talking about is the original one made in 1995. (Ghost in the Shell has a lot of side series and stand alone movies.) If you want to know the best order to watch all of them in click here
          The music used in the movie is different than anything I've ever heard in any animated movie. If you want to listen to "The Making of Cyborg", which is the most recognized and (in my opinion) most awesome song in the movie click here.





          Ghost in the Shell likes to hint at deeper questions in its dialogue that you might not catch the first time you watch it. If you want to read more about Ghost in the Shell click here. If you want to read the movie description click here. 

          Both Ghost in the Shell and Akira take place in the future. They're also both in the science fiction scene, specifically the cyberpunk genre. If you're not a big fan of political insurrection, cyborgs, some gore, or military related action then these aren't for you. But if not, then I highly suggest you watch them.

          If you want to take a look at other Japanese animated classics click here.


I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy

Friday, February 3, 2017

#2 Steven Universe!

         "We are the crystal gems, we'll always save the day. And if you think we can't, we'll always find a way. That's why the people of this world, believe in; Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, and Steven!"

           Let's be honest, if you've seen Steven Universe you know that it will forever hold a spot in your heart for being one of the cutest cartoons ever. It revolves around family, friendship, and saving the world (or at least your home town). Steven, along with Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, put themselves in danger in order to protect each other, their friends, and their home.
 
Steven Universe has gorgeous background scenery and an amazing musical score. If you want to specifically check out the background artists clichereAivi and Surasshu are the composers for many of the Steven Universe songs. Their music is happy, sweet, and can contain a hint of melancholy. When listening to it you can clearly hear the chiptune and piano influence in many of their songs. 

       Steven Universe is so beautiful, and if you're looking for a fun, quirky, but sometimes deep cartoon this one's for you.




(P.S if you want to make your own gemsona click here)


         I do not own any of the pictures, gifs, or videos used in this post or any other post on AnimationNomination they are protected under the fair use policy 



Wednesday, February 1, 2017

#1 Anime of the Year!




          If you don't already know Anime has its own awards given every year. The 2016 nominated Anime Series were: Erased, Joker Game, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Mob Psycho 100, My Hero Academia, RE: Zero, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, and Yuri!!! On Ice. According to Crunchy roll 'Yuri!!! On Ice' was the winner of the 2016 Anime of the Year Award. It also won in the Best Boy, Most Heartwarming Sceen, and Best Opening and Ending divisions. If you would like to see the other categories and their respective anime click here.

          'Yuri!!! On Ice' came out October, 6, 2016, it was so well received by audiences that there was no doubt that there would be a second season. 'Yuri!!! On Ice' would fall under the categories of drama, sports, and comedy. If you would like to read its description or watch it click here.




          Above is the Yuri!!! On Ice trailer if you're interested in getting an idea of what you would be watching.

Moving on to some of the other nominees.

          My personal favorite, 'Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress', is best described as a zombie/steampunk mashup. Instead of the creatures being called zombies they are called Kabane but the same zombie rules apply. If you're bitten you turn into one of them and have an insatiable desire to kill and eat humans. However, unlike zombies, the Kabane are much more difficult to kill. While you can chop off it's head or dismember it, the best way to kill a Kabane is by destroying it's heart, which just so happens to be surrounded by an iron cage. (If you want to read more click here.)


          Next up we have 'Mob Psycho 100', which is about a boy who has strong ESP and works with a fraud psychic. He's good at controlling his powers but not the best at understanding his emotions. When he's pushed too far and his emotions become too much for him, or reach "100% capacity" he loses control. Click here to read more.



          I still haven't watched the other nominees but if you want to watch them you can click on their titles below.


Erased
Joker Game
Hero Academia
RE: Zero
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu