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On August 10th, 2010 a.t.b., the Holy Britannian Empire attacked Japan without warning. The Japanese were no match for Britannia's superior tactics and never before seen Knightmares (mechs). Within a month, Japan fell to Britannia and was stripped of all political power and national identity. Renamed Area 11, Japan has been reduced to a colony and it will be one of many as Britannia's path of conquest threatens to overturn the world. The year is 2017 a.t.b. and the European Union (E.U.) and its allies are all that stands in the way of Britannia and global domination. In a desperate bid to shift the momentum of the war, the E.U. forms a special division called the "W-O" which consists of a small company of Japanese soldiers. Among them is Ensign Akito Hyuga, a Knightmare pilot with an appetite for destruction and a penchant for chaos. Akito is led by Commander Leila Malkal a former Britannian Aristocrat who leads the Wyvern Knightmare corps against her country. Will Leila's and Akito's combined efforts be enough to help the E.U. turn the tables on Britannia, or will they be casualties of war like so many who have come before them?
It couldn't be.
Directed by Kazuki Akane (Escaflowné), also written by Kazuki Akane and Miya Asakawa, "Akito The Exiled" is a side-story of the original Code Geass which was written by Ichirō Ōkouchi and directed by Gorō Taniguchi. To summarize a 50 episode anime series, the original Code Geass followed an exiled Brittanian prince named Lelouch vi Britannia who under the guise of an enigmatic persona named Zero, fought against the Britannian empire with the aid of the Black Knights and a mysterious power called Geass which allowed him to control others. Akito The Exiled is set during the events of Code Geass but takes place in different locations and follows a different cast of characters. Also worth noting is that Akito The Exiled is a four part series of movies rather than a two season anime, but keep in mind that this review will focus on the first movie which was very well done in a number of areas and was even better than the series in a few of them.
I'll be your knight.
The theatrical format comes with its positives and negatives. While the negatives are that the film isn't very long and doesn't give us much time to spend in this world with these characters, Akane makes each scene count and doesn't waste time on fluff or unnecessary details. As the first in a set of movies, Akito The Exiled: The Wyvern Arrives has a lot of work to do in both reinvigorating the franchise and drawing in newcomers which it does fairly well. While opening the film with a voice over is cliche the film goes from that scene right into the action where we see the E.U. forces engaged in battle with Britannia. The Wyvern Knightmare corps. are taking a pounding and command is falling apart. The movie doesn't take the route of telling us how bad the war has gotten, rather it shows us through a scene where one of the commanders is coming apart at the seams, the Wyverns are getting decimated, those who are alive have resorted to kamikaze attacks, and the Britannians seem to have control of the board. This first scene also shows us a lot about Akito's and Layla's respective personalities.
The Relena
Leila Malkal is the young military commander who has quickly risen through the ranks. While her status certainly played a hand in that it was also another hurdle for her to overcome. Despite her noble background she has devoted herself to the military as one can see through her composed nature, willingness and ability to take control of a given situation, and a strategic mindset that constantly probes the enemy for weaknesses regardless of size or strength. At the same time she's very compassionate and will never create or follow a strategy where the price of victory far outweighs the number of lives spent to achieve it. One character who doesn't share Leila's regard for human life happens to be her foil Akito.
The Heero
Hyuga Akito is a young Knightmare pilot whose combat skills are nothing short of extraordinary. Known and feared by his enemies as the "Ghost of Hannibal" Akito appears to be under the influence of a Geass command and whether the influence of that Geass is telling him to survive or to die, he rushes into battles with only a 5% survival rate and decimates any who stands in his way. He has a madness that seems barely held in check and while he's mostly apathetic outside of battle, he appears to be carrying the weight of his fallen comrades on his shoulders. His traits are sometimes at opposites with each other but despite this he knows how to control himself in social situations and he respects Leila even though he doesn't hesitate to speak his mind or express disagreement with her decisions. He's a good foil because his opposite traits compliment Leila's without him being a villain.
Against The World
Leila and Akito have an interesting dynamic that is just short of exceptional because rather than do away with traditional gender roles in a misguided attempt to be progressive like most anime (and media in general) they both share and embrace their gender roles and apply them to different situations, from different perspectives, but typically for similar reasons. For example, Leila uses her position and intellect to try and protect Akito as much as she can without abusing her power. As the commander of the W-O she knows Akito's chances of survival on the battlefield are almost zero and so she tries different battle tactics, she tries to convince her superiors to provide more resources, better resources, not just to win the war which obviously is most pressing, but because she also has Akito's safety in mind. She outranks Akito in virtually all areas of their world (military, society, politics) but she never lets that compromise her understanding of him and her respect for him as a human being.
Will they survive?
By that same token, Leila's safety is firmly in Akito's mind, during those times he's not out of his mind anyway. Akito is Leila's battle-hardened Lieutenant and bodyguard and it's a job he takes very seriously. Whether it's his devotion to duty or simply an "It's my job" mindset he doesn't hesitate to go on the offensive when Leila is in danger. Whether the threat is an attack on her life or status, Akito is sensitive to the atmosphere of a given situation and knows how to respond. When the threat in question is mortal there's no such thing as excessive force in Akito's mind. It's far too early to tell if the two characters love each other but they do see value in each other's lives and this says a lot about how much Leila influences Akito who is a character who doesn't recognize value in human life. Akito also recognizes Leila's individuality and even though she's a Britannian and a noble it's not a point of contention between the two. Both of them embrace their roles and are protective and nurturing without being possessive of each other or ashamed of who they are.
A familiar story?
The only real knock I have is that the dynamic between the two is only unique by today's standards but not overall. Seasoned anime viewers will notice I dubbed Leila "The Relena" and Akito "The Heero." This is because they bear striking similarities to Relena Peacecraft and Heero Yuy from Gundam Wing which came out in 1995. This I admit is a small gripe and doesn't detract that much from the enjoyment of watching Akito and Leila interact, but for an objective critique it does bear mentioning. A few traits aside they're nearly identical to Heero and Relena. Of course someone who hasn't seen Gundam Wing (or Gundam 00, Crest of the Stars, etc.) will not be aware of these similarities.
No place like home.
The environments in Akito The Exiled are beautifully drawn and most of the scenes future some truly impressive animation which is par for the course for Sunrise. While it won't drop any jaws the way something from ufotable would (Unlimited Blade Works), it's pretty to look at, even gorgeous at times. Computer animation in some of the scenes are very noticeable and feel out of place especially considering previous entries in Code Geass used it to only the most minimum degree. CLAMP's character designs always measure up and while they're not at the level of say Tsubasa Resevoir Chronicles or xxxHolic, the characters in Akito The Exiled do stand out. Akira Yasuda has designed some unique mechs, the Alexander being my personal favorite thus far. Like most mechs the Alexander is bipedal but it can also crawl on all fours and move like a spider. It also has these large tonfas and seems tailor-made for close quarters combat which Akito excels at.
Akito shares his feelings toward gaijin.
The film is not without its thematic flaws. Fans of Code Geass may be familiar with the franchise's xenophobia-influenced alternate history. While nothing is wrong with alternate history stories, Code Geass has a track record of using this device to transmit a message that all Japanese people are good and all Europeans are bad - sans the one or two token exceptions so that the anime (or manga) doesn't come off as being blatantly nationalistic. Whether it was Ichirō Ōkouchi's original writing or the influence of Gorō Taniguchi, some elements in Code Geass tread that fine line between anime and propaganda and I felt that its anti-European message had all the subtlety of driving a bus through someone's house. This has been toned down considerably under Kazuki Akane but it's still present to a degree.
Episode One
Despite its flaws I had a great time watching Akito The Exiled. I found the film to be a breath of fresh air at a time when I was burned out on Code Geass. I'm pleased to note that the movie had a lot of what I enjoyed and very little of what I didn't. It's different from the original series but not so different that it feels like another anime. Code Geass: R2 felt like it was just Death Note x Gundam and it lost much of its uniqueness. However, Akito The Exiled has a greater grasp on its identity thanks to Kazuki Akane. I highly recommend the movie for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Dragon Ball Z premiered in Japan in 1989 and aired its final episode in 1996. In 1995 Funimation licensed the English production which was released stateside in 1996 through Saban Entertainment and Pioneer Entertainment. Dragon Ball Z would be cancelled in 1998 due to a lack of interest from western networks and low ratings. Dragon Ball Z was picked up again in 1999 by the Cartoon Network where it became the flagship show of Toonami and it's from there DBZ exploded into popularity stateside, despite having been around for quite sometime already. The anime enjoyed a tremendous level of success on the Cartoon Network before airing its final episode in 2003.
The adventure continues.
Dragon Ball Z is the anime adaptation of the last 325 chapters of the original Dragon Ball manga and continues Goku's story by introducing new villains, new characters, and new arcs. It has been five years since the defeat of the evil King Piccolo and the human race is enjoying a period of peace. On this day however, a strange pod crashes in a field. Elsewhere, Goku who is now an adult with a wife and child is getting ready for his reunion with Roshi, Krillin, and Bulma who he has not seen in the last five years. The group is surprised by the appearance of Goku's son Gohan who, much like his father when he was younger, also has a tail. The surprises don't end there however as a strange alien shows up to crash the party.
Raditz
Goku and his friends have numerous questions and this terrifying invader has answers. His name is Raditz and he explains that he and Goku are part of a warrior race called the Saiyan who are the conquerors of some worlds, and destroyers of many others. Not only that but Goku is actually Raditz's kin, and big brother isn't too happy that Goku has become the protector of Earth rather than its destroyer. Raditz wants Goku to join forces with him and the other Saiyans so they can conquer a neighboring planet and sell it on the intergalactic market.
Guess we'll add kidnapping to murder and destruction of private property.
When Goku refuses, things turn violent as Raditz soundly thrashes him and kidnaps his son. Raditz gives Goku 24 hours to decide if he'll join with Raditz and the other Saiyans, or Gohan will face the consequences. Even if Goku joins his brother, Raditz makes it clear that their next order of business will be to destroy Earth. After Raditz departs, Goku is visited by his nemesis Piccolo who presents him with a most unusual offer. Piccolo realizes that Raditz can and will make good on his promise to destroy the planet and neither of them can stop him alone, but together they might stand a sliver of a chance.
Brother vs Brother
Dragon Ball Z does a lot right at the outset. Within the first two episodes we get an in-depth look into Goku's heritage, learn that there are people in the universe even stronger than he is, and we also learn that the Dragon Ball world will entail new adventures far beyond Earth. Dragon Ball Z does a great job introducing new characters as well as re-introducing old ones from the original series. This is done in a very believable manner which is justified by the narrative. The Saiyans are a threat to the entire planet and to have even a chance at beating them, Goku must team up with old friends, rivals, and even his nemesis Piccolo. The early episodes are very good at building tension as there's a very unsettling ambiguity about the Saiyans' power. Sure they talk the talk, but the terrifying depth of their power isn't revealed until they walk the walk all over our heroes' graves.
Final Justice!!
The early fight scenes in DBZ are also very well done because unlike in many contemporary shonen titles (Claymore, Bleach, Naruto) most, if not all the battles serve a thematic purpose. They're not just there to fill time between the next cliche. Despite the conflicts being physics defying clashes between titans, the causes of the conflicts and resolutions to them are realistic. Foes such as the Saiyans, Frieza, and Majin Buu are strong advocates of genocide and their ideologies whether driven by greed, fear, or madness, are not matters that can be resolved by just talking about them. Goku and his enemies don't just "talk it out" and then everyone changes their minds and are all friends. Dragon Ball Z is more mature than that, particularly in the earlier arcs. We see clashes between mega powers but also between the ideologies these combatants have.
A new legend is born.
As the adventure continues, stakes are raised higher and higher from the Saiyans who pose a threat to the planet, to Frieza who poses a threat to the galaxy, and villains such as Cell and Majin Buu that can destroy the universe. The viewer can really feel the urgency inherit in these new threats and I for one was consistently impressed every-time Goku reached a new level of power, but he wasn't the only one.
Super Vegeta
Goku's most bitter rival Prince Vegeta is also one of the most impressive figures in the entire series. In addition to being the first character in the current DBZ timeline to recall the legends of the ancient Saiyans, he's also the first Super Saiyan to reach a new level of power, actually ascended passed the level of Super Saiyan, overtaking Goku himself for a short-time. Despite turning face early on in the series, Vegeta retains his unique character and ideologies, but also changes as a person.
DBZ also introduces other beastmode characters like Trunks who became one of my favorites from the word go. Trunks also has one of the better character designs in the series and to see him grow from badass to uber-badass was most impressive.
Favorite DBZ villain.
Any anime worth its viewership needs to have an interesting cast of villains and while it's hit-or-miss in some cases, DBZ does have a good collection of rouges. While Frieza is the most recognizable villain in the series, I prefer the villains who show up later on as their modus operandi is a bit more complex than genocidal alien overlord. My personal favorite is Imperfect Cell - a techno-organic hybridization of heroes and villains throughout the series, Cell has the genes of several DBZ characters in his genetic make-up which grants him access to their skills and techniques. What's also striking about Cell is how different he is from DBZ villains before and after him. Unlike most of the villains who are tiers of strength above the heroes, Cell is actually much weaker than our cast. Because of this, Cell must rely on his cunning to stay ahead of the Z-fighters and he shows that he's a terrifyingly skilled tactician who knows his way around Xanatos speed chess. He's always one step ahead of the heroes and he's even able to turn around a disadvantageous situation to ensure he comes out on top.
Kid Buu
The series gets a lot of mileage out of Cell but the same is equally true of Majin Buu. Similar to Cell, this pink terror has several forms, each more powerful and more vicious than the last. What's interesting is that Buu's entry into the series also ties directly into some of the DBZ mythos and it's through Majin Buu we learn more about the Kais (gods that watch over certain parts of the universe). Buu serves as the final villain in the series but don't let his Kirby-esque vibes fool you. Among a roster of ridiculously over-powered villains, Majin Buu is pure nightmare fuel. A demon of destruction whose madness is matched only by his power, there is nothing he won't do.
In terms of production quality Dragon Ball Z is in a league of its own. The colors, animation, score, mixing, and voice acting are head and shoulders above most anime, and the original DBZ is much better than the updated Dragon Ball Z: Kai which is a baffling paradox if there ever were one. An epic score by Bruce Faulconer puts DBZ's music in a class that many anime today can't touch.
As ratchet as this anime's pacing.
It's not all perfect in DBZ though. When the anime is rolling on all cylinders it's like an MVP, but when it messes up and it does, it drops the ball and falls on its face. Dragon Ball Z's biggest stumbling blocks are pacing and predictability. No character in DBZ says anything another character won't repeat six or seven times. Heroes will often repeat something the villain has said and vice verse, often several times, which really drags the pacing. My favorite example of this comes during the Android Saga where Trunks questions Krillin on how Piccolo got so strong. After Krillin explains Piccolo must have fused with Kami and became a Super Namek, Trunks very nearly repeats the same explanation back to him. The same thing happens when Vegeta shows up and asks how Piccolo got so strong. This is not a rare occurrence either. If someone is charging a blast powerful enough to destroy the entire planet, get ready to hear four or five characters say "Oh no that blast is powerful enough to destroy the entire planet! Don't do it!" This is all artificial padding to drag out each individual scene and really proves to be a bane of the action which was detrimental for me personally.
Taking a bite out of entertainment.
The incessant talking during fight scenes and constant cuts to characters who aren't even involved in the battle made me wonder how I even made it through the series when I was a kid. Every fight scene will have two characters throwing punches which typically will not land, then cut to another character making a statement about what the viewer just saw, then a cut back to the fight where there's energy attack, energy attack, energy attack, none of which do anything to turn the tide and then a cut to a character saying something about what the viewer just saw. There is so much padding during fight scenes that battles which took place over a course of four or more episodes can typically be watched in 30 minutes or so on Youtube. Or a better example, the "action" portion of the Cell Games saga takes place over roughly 15 to 17 episodes. Edited down i.e. removing all the filler it's a little under two hours. That's how much artificial padding there is across this series. For an anime that prides itself as the number one action series it has more talking than anything else. And that is to say nothing of episodes that have two characters flying and talking, then a group of characters talking in another location, and then back to the two characters flying and talking.
Super Saiyan 3
Another issue I had is that Goku is really the only character that does anything. The anime has a large cast of heroes but ultimately no one succeeds in saving the day or taking down the bad guy but Goku. While there are two exceptions i.e. Piccolo defeating Raditz (with Goku's help) or Trunks thrashing Frieza, for the most part the supporting cast only gets a few small victories but it's Goku who ultimately saves the day. While it is true that this is a convention of shonen and Goku is expected to save the day because he's the main character, there are scenarios throughout the anime where it appears that Vegeta or Gohan might be the difference maker and save Earth. But whenever it so much as appears the torch is going to be passed Goku arrives with another power-up or technique to save the day. Goku is either there in person or in spirit to save the world and it feels like our cast can't do anything without him regardless of how much they train. It makes the show really predictable and renders most of the power-ups superfluous because no matter how big the baddie is, and no matter who fights him, you quickly learn the pattern that Goku will have to save the day.
Super Saiyan Swagger
The anime isn't perfect and it's not the GOAT like its rabid fanbase would have newcomers believe. Taken on its on Dragon Ball Z does some amazing things, but as an anime there are several issues in terms of pacing, narrative, and just overall entertainment given the amount of editing that has to be done just to put the battles into a watchable format. I feel that its numerous flaws aside Dragon Ball Z is a good anime and newcomers or even long-time fans of anime who have never seen DBZ should give it a watch, even if it isn't a must see.
Created in 1984 by famed mangaka Akira Toriyama (Dr. Slump, Hetappi Manga Kenkyūjo, Pola & Roid, etc.) and inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, Dragon Ball follows the story of a young boy named Goku who travels the world in search of adventure and the legendary Dragon Balls; seven mysterious orbs which, when gathered together summon the dragon god Shenlong who can grant almost any wish. As the manga goes on, we follow Goku's story from childhood to adulthood, and even events after his death as he encounters new friends and powerful enemies as the tale expands on a universe defying scale. Due to the shear length of Dragon Ball (520 chapters) and the massive, MASSIVE amount of media surrounding this franchise, this review will only cover the first 16 volumes, while a review of Dragon Ball Z will follow in the coming weeks.
Social justice warriors be like "How dare you?" lol.
Our story opens with Goku starting his day. He begins his morning by uprooting a tree trunk and destroying it with a single kick which is good for training and firewood, before going for a walk and trying to decide if he wants to eat another bear or have a tiger today. He decides to eat a fish as it would be a nice change in his diet. Apart from Goku's immense strength and his tail he seems to be an ordinary kid having an ordinary day until a teenage girl named Bulma narrowly avoids running him over while he's crossing the road. Having never seen a car, Goku immediately assumes the metal monster is there to steal his breakfast. After nailing the car with a brainbustah and giving Bulma quite the scare, the pair becomes acquainted with each other and Bulma tells Goku the secret of the legendary Dragon Balls. With some convincing (see manipulation) Bulma convinces Goku to help her search for the Dragon Balls and so the adventure begins, and what an adventure it is.
Go West Young Goku
One of the reasons the earliest chapters of Dragon Ball resonates with me is that it's an adventure story at its core. This is before the later volumes that westerners know as Dragon Ball Z. In the early volumes the story centered on Goku travelling to different places, meeting new people, and growing as a person while helping others grow as well. Goku's adventure is one of personal growth and coming together with others, as opposed to fight scene fight scene fight scene repeat as we see much further into the manga. Akira Toriyama has created a fun and imaginative world that can't really be placed in a particular time period or connected to a certain era. The first volume alone really blew me away because Toriyama presents us with a world of hover cars, bears in samurai armor, a bunny crime lord, talking Pterodactyls, and more.
Jan Ken Pon!!
As Goku and Bulma travel the world they come across a colorful supporting cast such as the trickster pig Oolong, a bandit named Yamcha, his side-kick Puar who is a talking, shape-shifting cat and many others including Launch, a beautiful, demure, young woman who switches to a violent alter ego whenever she sneezes, and Master Roshi one of the most powerful martial artists on the planet and an overt pervert. The group also encounters a slew of villains such as the evil (and woefully incompetent) Emperor Pilaf, the tyrannical Red Ribbon Army, and the nightmarish King Piccolo. These encounters are very natural and the quests flow into one another. It doesn't feel like a boss rush brand of story telling we see in the later volumes.
The legend starts here!!!
Goku grows stronger and wiser over-time and his relationships with certain characters change as well. For example, while Bulma sees Goku as a means to an end i.e. a sentinel she can use in pursuit of the Dragon Balls she becomes his closest friend. While Yamcha and Goku initially meet as enemies they also become friends and there is a heartfelt reunion between the two when they meet at the world tournament. What makes this work is that it doesn't feel like the characters are always changing just because Goku's there, but in some ways Goku brings out the best in the people around him. Not only that, but other characters bring out the best in Goku as well. One of the finest examples of this is Goku's growing relationship with Master Roshi.
Goku and Master Roshi
Goku and Master Roshi form a deep student-teacher relationship which has long-running implications. While Roshi initially sees Goku as just another kid who wants to learn martial arts, he quickly changes his views once he learns Goku is the grandson of his most skilled student Gohan. Roshi teaches Goku the basics of martial arts but he also teaches him how to be a better person. When Goku says "Mornin" to a monk Roshi smacks him with his cane and admonishes him for being disrespectful. Goku then says "Good morning" to the monk and bows.
Fly
Later on in the manga, we see Goku respectfully greeting people older than him without needing Roshi's correction. Goku's training with Roshi consists mostly of Goku doing things for the community. For example, Roshi has Goku (and Krillin) delivering milk for everyone in the countryside, plowing fields with their bare hards, and helping construction workers move heavy materials. In some way, Goku is learning that his strength should always be used to help those weaker than himself. During the World Tournament, Roshi is actually willing to put his life on the line to help Goku get stronger, and to also show him to never get complacent in his training or arrogantly assume there aren't people in the world stronger than him. Overtime, Goku really sees Roshi as a grandfather-figure and an irreplaceable person.
It's about the adventure.
Any manga worth reading must have an interesting character and Goku, particularly Kid Goku is definitely one of the best. While Goku isn't any more of tabula rasa than an average child, he does have a natural innocence and curiosity about the world. These are two of his most defining traits and really comes across throughout the story. For example, after the shenanigans of Goku's and Bulma's first meeting he invites her to his home with the reasoning "Since you're a girl I'll give you food." Also, during an exchange with Oolong we learn that Goku is helping to search for the Dragon Balls so he can get stronger, see the world, and meet new people.
Rock The Dragon
His only interest in Shenlong is seeing what he looks like as he's never seen a dragon before. Goku doesn't actually have a wish he wants fulfilled. Goku's innocence is endearing and his naivety is understandable because contrary to other popular shonen characters such as say Naruto, Goku's naivety doesn't stem from a refusal to learn or even an inability to do so, rather because his only encounter with human beings apart from his grandfather didn't occur until he was 12, it takes him time to learn certain social norms and the proper approach in certain situations. For example, in the first volume Goku has a habit of feeling people up to determine if they're a boy or girl but over time he learns to stop doing this and also learns to tell people apart using more than just their gender. I appreciate Goku's character particularly because while he is new to the world he knows the difference between right and wrong and his determination to get stronger doesn't stem from a selfish goal or juvenile need for recognition (I want to be Hokage), but because Goku truly wants to better himself.
Roshi wants a puff puff girl.
Dragon Ball has a lot of comedy and many of the jokes are laugh out loud funny, particularly if you're familiar with Japanese humor, Japanese pop culture, or word play. Of note is that Roshi is the owner of a baby Gamera which looks and flies exactly like Gamera. There is a great deal of risque humor as well especially when Roshi or Oolong are on the scene. There's a part where Oolong disguises himself as Freddie Mercury and asks Bulma about her bust size. Without any hesitation, Bulma replies with 85 centimeters. Oolong approves because he can do "puff puffs." Other Oolong Favorites of mine include Oolong wearing a Red Army uniform and transforming into Mazinger. Goku's innocence also leads to some comical exchanges with other characters such as Chi Chi. There's a scene where Chi Chi asks Goku to marry her to which Goku replies "I'm not interested in marriage but if you have something I'll come take it."
Goku never met a girl he didn't feel up.
Volumes one and two have a fair amount of risque humor but there's not so much of it that it becomes distracting and Toriyama has enough comedy chops where he doesn't rely solely on that brand of comedy as there is some comical slapstick here as well. One of my favorite examples of slapstick comedy is when Goku and Chi Chi are riding Nimbus and after Goku, ahem, inspects Chi Chi she knocks him off. Not only does Goku plummet to the ground but because Goku isn't controlling Nimbus, Chi Chi slams into a nearby mountain. Hard. Another notably hilarious moment is when Goku introduces Chi Chi to Roshi but she refuses to believe such a perverted old man is the legendary Muten Roshi. She decides to test Roshi by throwing her chakram at him. After all, if he is the legendary Muten Roshi he'll have no issue dodging or catching it. Said chakram gets embedded into Roshi's skull much to the horror of all three characters.
Roshi Prepares
Another of Dragon Ball's many strengths is that Toriyama plays with your expectations. It's important to note that Dragon Ball was not Toriyama's first manga. He's had a long history of experience in the industry and so he was well-aware of convention and cliches. So throughout Dragon Ball we see Toriyama play with the reader. When Goku and Bulma are trying to rescue village girls kidnapped by Oolong, Bulma asks one of the villagers if she could borrow her clothes with the implications being she'll disguise herself as one of the villagers. What actually ends up happening is Bulma forcing Goku to cross-dress. Another example is when Roshi takes it upon himself to put out the fires on Frypan Mountain and not only does this frail old man reveal himself to be a beast when he powers up, but when he uses a Kamehameha he destroys the entire mountain and the ones behind it.
GxB vs Red Ribbon Army. Awww yeah!!
There's also a scene where Emperor Pilaf threatens to do something lewd to Bulma if she doesn't hand over the Dragon Balls. That is until Bulma starts naming off the things she thought Pilaf was going to do and he's shocked and appalled at the very idea. One would think Roshi would take it easy on his students during the World Tournament, but he beat Krillin so bad the kid had to be stretchered out. Toriyama has an idea of the readers' expectations and he tries to subvert those where he can.
Just One Wish
While the environments don't sport a One Piece level of detail, they are unique and very well-done. Toriyama's style is very distinctive and despite the myriad of fancomics out there, Toriyama's work is unmistakable and it has a feel and a life of its own. I was so taken in by the world of Dragon Ball I'm actually a little letdown by the environments in the later volumes, but I am interested in reading Dr. Slump. Toriyama has a type of art style that isn't really defined by rigid rules or convention.
Open mind, open heart.
Dragon Ball was a very fun read for me. Personally it puts me in the mind of Ah! My Goddess which while being in a completely different genre, is a connection I draw because it actually made me feel good reading it. It's rare when I come across a manga which not only makes me want to read the next chapter, and the next, and the next, but also makes me feel good and brightens my mood from having read it. I laughed a lot while reading Dragon Ball and more importantly it made me smile. It's a manga that really connected with me and I think it speaks to something human in all of us.
Released in theaters in November 2011, Kiba Gaiden takes place before the last three episodes of the original GARO and is centered on series antagonist Barago (The Dark Knight Kiba) and explores Barago's origins and his call to darkness. Due to this movie's place in the Garo canon it is highly advised that one watch the original series then the gaiden entry as some spoilers are inevitable. I'll start by saying in many ways, you could call this film Amemiya's tour de force as many of the elements in GARO and Garo: Makai Senki are not only on full display but are taken to some very impressive heights. Amemiya did so much, with very little, in a very short amount of time. The results are so well-done and wonderfully imaginative that I found myself consistently impressed throughout.
Life and death are simple concepts.
The film opens with Barago's soliloquy about the darkness in his heart and whether a light was ever there to begin with. The scene then shifts to Amemiya's signature brush work where we see a Horror attack a woman before being slain by Kiba. We are then taken to a dark room which uses a blend of western gothic ornaments with makai symbols where the three main characters in this film take center stage and it is in this scene and many others like it where Amemiya shows how good he is as both the creator of the property and this series. He doesn't spend a large amount of time introducing our characters because with the exception of maybe Elda, we know them from the series. Amemiya also carries over the design elements of the original series, keeping all the franchise's aesthetics in place. In addition, the absence of visible light sources, the presence of dark colors, and sharp almost sinister designs of the objects in the room give the film's opening location a very oppressive atmosphere which made Kaoru's imprisonment feel every bit as discomforting to this viewer as it was to Kaoru herself. Perhaps even more so because while Kaoru is in disbelief that someone closest to her is threatening her life, I was fully aware at this point that Barago was a monster. Of course he wasn't always this way.
Childhood
Barago recounts his childhood which I found added to not only his character development but also Amemiya's creativity. Contrary to most villains Barago did not have a tragic past. Rather his childhood was mostly an idyllic one and very similar to most families in Makai, his mother being a Makai Priest and his father a Makai Knight, and like most children Barago was trained to be strong so as to one day become a Makai Knight himself.
She is more precious to him than any other.
People deal with loss in different ways and when Barago's mother took ill and was claimed by a Horror soon thereafter, in his mind it was because neither he nor his father were strong enough to protect her. Once Barago lost his father it simply meant his father was weak. Barago's psychological approach to dealing with pain and loss revolves around his perception of power and the applications thereof.
Barago meets Messiah, The Origin of All Horrors
I found Barago's character and indeed the development thereof quite different from many other villains because initially he doesn't seek power just for the sake of it, nor does he subscribe to the "survival of the fittest" or "might makes right" theology of villainy. Power is simply everything and the natural objective of everyone who calls themselves a Makai Knight. Barago's quest for power leads him to break many Makai rules and delve into his share of taboos such as seeking out the power of darkness and even Messiah, both of which being the ultimate evils in Makai teachings. What I also found captivating about Barago is his lack of hesitation when speaking in absolutes. Barago is hands down one of the most powerful characters in Garo if not the most powerful, and his willingness to adopt a mentality of absolutes is rooted in his convictions that anything can be accomplished with strength. Even so, he never boasts about his strength and recalls his accomplishments as mere matters of fact.
He is a nightmare.
The movie has a short, but very effective montage that shows us how much stronger Kiba has gotten overtime. Even if you haven't seen the series, it's easy to see why he is a nightmare to Horrors and Makai Knights alike, demolishing his enemies with unrelenting force and even devouring them and taking their strength for his own. Kiba's theme is played during this montage for that extra touch of badassery and is almost spine-chilling. Whether he is up against Horrors or Makai Knights, Kiba is unfettered, brutal power, and doesn't really have to do much to completely overwhelm his opponent. That is until he faces down Garo and the struggle between the two is a soul-shattering showdown so epic, so over the top the battle alone makes the film a must see.
Dark reflections.
The acting in the movie is mostly good. I say mostly because Mika Hijii who plays Kaoru in both the series and this film doesn't appear to bring her A game. It's possible that she wasn't given much to work with or just didn't have the most screen-time to be anything more than a damsel in distress but I didn't feel as though she gave a believable performance here. I suppose Kaoru as a character is so taken aback by Barago's betrayal that she can't wrap her head around everything that's going on but I just didn't really feel Hijii in this role.
Darker designs.
Leah Dizon plays Elda, Barago's right hand. I felt she received a decent amount of screen-time and didn't phone in her performance at any point I could notice. While her character type was cliche I still remember her quite vividly. I felt that not only was she a good actress but I also have an appreciation for Amemiya for giving her a fully fleshed out and believable origin in her own right which made her feel like a round character.
Stealing the show. Like a boss.
Singer/actor/guitarist Masaki Kyomoto steals the show as Barago. Kyomoto is no stranger to acting as he's been in the business since the 1980s. Much like in Garo where he played two characters, he brings that duality to his role here. Kyomoto portrays a character that is affable and forthcoming, but at the same-time he's very good at keeping Barago's cruelty firmly in mind. Even when he's being gracious there is a cold, oppressive nature about him. When he treats Kaoru or Elda as people it's done in a way where he seems to be merely humoring them even if it's not overt. Kiyomoto has a soft but masculine voice which is very attention getting and I found myself hanging onto his every word. He has a strong onscreen presence and makes very subtle use of his facial expressions and eyes, the latter technique I found particularly captivating because he never seems to look at the other characters even when he's making eye contact with them. It seems as though he's looking through someone, or rather he looks passed them, his eyes always on his ultimate goal and giving no pause to anything in between.
The Lightning Baron will strike down evil.
The film's epic orchestrated score comes across particularly well during the fight scenes. One especially noteworthy piece plays during the battle between Garo and Kiba which makes the battle feel and sound every bit as monumental as it looks. Kiba's theme is a really intense, dark, horrifying piece that makes an excellent use of only a small handful of instruments with some very audible trumpets which is fitting given what trumpets sometimes symbolize. One piece that stood out for me just as much, if not even more than Kiba's theme is the theme of Barago. For all his power and evil, Barago strikes me as a sad character if not in nature then certainly in circumstance and his theme is a very soft, almost quiet piece which mixes violins and pianos and while there's a sinister tone in the reverb I found the theme tragic and moving overall.
Was there ever light in that heart?
Kiba Gaiden was a very enjoyable film. I didn't think a gaiden about Garo's antagonist would provide so much characterization and such epic thrills when I first heard about it. It's clear that Keita Amemiya doesn't phone it in and I felt he really outdid himself with Kiba Gaiden. While it's not the longest film (run-time is less than 60 mins.) it's definitely unique and more entertaining than many films I've seen that cross the two hour mark. I felt it's also one of the stronger GARO films and with a tokusatsu this good that says quite a bit. There are some interesting twists and shocking turns in this movie which combined with great acting, fantastic fight scenes, and a powerful ending really left an impression. Definite must see.
