Well, I could have just titled it “Order In” but only boring people would name a blog post something that dull. Desho? Desho? 🙂
Heh. Ok, so I’ve just abused my plastic again, sending an order to RACS. It was high time to catch up on some obligation buys, so into the bin goes Melancholy #3 (LE), The Third #1 and #2, Shana #6, Pumpkin Scissors #1. I decided to go back and revisit Witchblade, although I had dropped it early in the series and wasn’t feeling highly obligated. For some reason, it just stuck in my mind. (Ok, the breasts stuck in my mind, dammit. Mission accomplished, I guess, since I’m buying it.) I grabbed vol #1, LE with box, and I guess I’ll pick up the rest of the series later on. Finally, I also picked up Dirty Pair TV, which I’ve never actually seen (other than 2 episodes that Pixy subbed.) Most of my other obligation buys haven’t been released yet.
I considered Black Lagoon, but I’m kind of leery, since word is it slumped late. Not that I’ll get to see “late,” short of fansubs, since Geneon’s collapse caused the 2nd series to be canceled for now. If anyone’s familiar with the first season, let me know what you think in the comments. I’m getting a kind of Sgt-Major Mellisa Mao vibe from Revy, which wouldn’t be bad. Not at all….
Hm.. Hawt (or not) women who kick ass. I’m beginning to see a pattern here. Honoka, Shana, the Dirty Pair, Masane, and maybe Revy…
I think what you ordered was the Dirty Pair OVAs, not the Dirty Pair TV series. It’s a thinpak with 10 episodes, right? Called “Girls with Guns”?
It’s good, but it isn’t what Pixy subtitled. Unfortunately, the TV series isn’t available in R1 right now. (Legitimately available, anyway.)
I don’t think that the original Dirty Pair TV has ever been licensed for America. What I suspect you ordered was actually the OVA set (Robert’s listing ought to say so, but it doesn’t). Not that it matters much; if anything, it’s probably better than the TV series.
Pixy subbed three episodes of the TV series before he was distracted by other matters. Another fansub group released two more. Unfortunately, their tracker didn’t like me and wouldn’t let me download both. I wish one of the “classic” anime fansub groups would take an interest in it.
… and I see Steven came by while I was checking the entries at ANN.
Black Lagoon works best as an over-the-top pure-action series. Not that the plot is bad per se, but it’s the sort of show that you watch for the explosions and not the plot, so to speak. You lose a lot of dramatic credibility when you have the protagonists fight Nazis, for crying out loud. Also, a gun-toting maid who wears glasses. No way they’re pandering. None at all.
I mock it, but the action sequences are so tight and well-animated that it would be worth watching even if the plot and characters stunk, which they don’t: there’s a modicum of intelligence beneath the testosterone-laced surface. It’s hardly realistic–no series where a torpedo boat can take down a helicopter gunship* will ever be–but the characters and their motivations are believable enough for this sort of show.
Solidly recommended, at least based on the first season, which is all I’ve seen. The second season will find its way to Region 1 eventually, despite Geneon USA’s woes, because this show was made with American audiences as a primary consideration. The licensors aren’t going to sit on a hot property with crossover appeal (a la Cowboy Bebop and Stand Alone Complex), and it looks like dubbing of the second season is proceeding, so no worries.
*Just wait until you see how this goes down. It’s a total ZOMGWTFBBQ moment.
“Girls who kick ass” is pretty much “Noir.” The single greatest anime series ever made! Nya ha ha ha! And I can make that claim because…well, because…um. Because I have at least six arms? Maybe more? Also, A.E. Van Vogt never caught me sleeping. So, buy “Noir” and watch it.
BC: well, there’s got to be more than just ass-kicking. Else I’d be watching Ikkitousen.
Steven: Yep, you called it. The title says TV, but its 10 eps. Thought that was weird for a TV series.
Andrew: I’ll move it up in consideration, though since I’m obliged to pick up one or two DVD’s out of several other series, I”m not sure how soon.