Category: Classics

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Anime World Order Show # 130 – I WAS a Fan of Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:10:49 — 32.5MB)

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In this episode, Gerald reviews the 1978 theatrical film Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo. Be forewarned that this episode is heavier on spoilers than usual, perhaps because the film in question is roughly 36 years old, has been released multiple times in the US, and has been legally streaming for a few years now. Also be forewarned that the person we are likely to model our pronunciation of “Lupin” after is Dennis Moore. Dennis Moore. Dum de dum. The night.

Introduction (0:00 – 22:50)
We’re getting set for Anime Weekend Atlanta which is now one week away. Better get started on those panels, huh. Especially now that the schedule’s online. In the emails, we’re asked a question about why more US anime fans don’t create their own animation which is mired within the same ol’ “what IS anime, man?” arguments we got completely and utterly sick of having a decade ago. I guess that goes to show how much traction our arguments had (none whatsoever).

Review – Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo (22:50 – 1:10:49)
Gerald figured the Discotek re-re-release (that’s this one) was the ideal excuse to spring this movie upon Clarissa, who’d never seen it until this point. People may never agree on whether they love or hate it for hewing closest to the tone of the original manga source material compared to other Lupin anime, which of the four English dubs is their favorite–there is officially no love in the hood for the Manga UK dub–or whether or not that ending is perfect or just total bullshit, but one thing’s for sure: this is the best US release of the film to date until a Blu-Ray comes out, and after nearly two years it’s safe to say “just get this one for now before it goes out of print.” On one hand, the greater overarching plot of this film is pretty thoroughly spoiled. On the other hand, what TRULY makes this movie is all the little things such as that goddamned cigar lighter and the subtly altered advertisement for Clark bars. We said nothing about THAT stuff.

Next time, by popular demand, Clarissa cleans up Daryl’s mess and gives everyone a proper review of Shinji Aramaki’s Space Pirate Captain Harlock. Because you deserve it. Also, because it’s now on Netflix in both Japanese and Steven Fosterized English and thus requires minimal effort to watch.

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Anime World Order Show # 129 – Even Robot Unicorns Dance on Rainbows

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:23:43 — 38.3MB)

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In this episode we free our souls from the weight of gravity and gain true understanding of one another as you belong to me, I belong to you, we belong to Earth, and Daryl reviews the 7-part OAV series Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.

Introduction (0:00 – 19:06)
It takes us approximately 20 minutes to answer one email. It covered multiple topics, but unless we’re intentionally jumbling the topics into one mega-topic, it was about whether we remember the love of chemically imbalanced gay teenage boys and marmalade, some of whom may be pregnant, and how this all pertains to the mecha offerings of Shoji Kawamori, Ryousuke Takahashi, and Go Nagai. Or maybe that’s what we turned it into? These things happen. Regardless, the answer to all question is that New Getter Robo is finally on Hulu.

Review: Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (19:06 – 1:21:10)
Although Daryl still believes there is relatively little utility for anyone, anywhere, to review any portion of Mobile Suit Gundam–everyone already has their set thoughts on Gundam, so they don’t need anyone’s review to decide upon what they’re going to comment–he’s nevertheless decided to revisit the topic since episode 3 was a long time gone. Much has changed in anime fandom in the 8.5 years since that episode, but this probably isn’t one of them. But perhaps you really CAN change your destiny beyond the time after all? Just the possibility is enough, so with that in mind this review does not really contain much as far as plot or character specifics.

  • The New York Times wrote about Harutoshi Fukui in 2005, where he was described as “a Japanese Tom Clancy”
  • Not mentioned on the show but written down as a note: the key indicator that Gundam Unicorn comes from a good place is the fact that the enemy robot is named the “Sinanju” which is the name of the mystical martial art practiced by REMO WILLIAMS from the Destroyer books and REMO WILLIAMS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS~!, soon to be rebooted by Shane Black.
  • There is no free streaming option for Gundam Unicorn. The least convoluted place to get a list of what Gundam titles are in fact legally streaming online with English translation of some sort isn’t Daisuki or (inexplicably) the Gundam.info website but Gundam.info’s Youtube channel. The reason for why things like Char’s Counterattack and “HD Remasters” of Gundam SEED/SEED Destiny are only uploaded in SD is the same reason for every goofball decision that gets made regarding Gundam releases outside of Japan. Note: as ZZ Gundam fans will attest, these streams will get taken down on short/zero notice.
  • The quality of G-Reco and Origin is unclear at this time, but let it be known that Gundam-san is the jam. WHY ISN’T THAT SIMULCASTING, HUH SUNRISE
  • The HD streaming rentals are a little more affordable, but Gundam Unicorn on Blu-Ray isn’t cheap or easy to come by. Amazon is basically your only real option for the 7 Blu-Rays. Compared to the rest the first episode is a little cheaper, but since the stocks are kept low (made on demand?) later episodes go out of stock resulting in outlandish listings like this one asking for $430 for a single Blu-Ray.
  • Right Stuf is your main source for the DVDs, though all 4 will run you about $90 (Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3, Vol 4). Sometimes they stock the Blu-Rays but the price won’t be any different than when Amazon has them in stock.

Closing (1:21:10 – 1:23:43)
Did we forget to record a proper closing? Eh, whatever. Next time, as threatened in Show 128, be grateful to democracy as Gerald will be reviewing the recently (once again) re-released Lupin the Third: The Mystery of Mamo. When that next time will be is to be determined, since now that Daryl’s pushing Blue Blazes on everyone, Honoo’s work ethic is spreading far and wide.