Code Geass 23
To Sorrow with Love
To Sorrow with Love
The exhibition site is filled with horror. The Black Knights use this opportunity to attack the Tokyo settlements. Suzaku heads to the site to save Euphemia, but he is shocked at what he sees there.The battle that will determine the future of Area 11 and Japan has begun.So again, another terribly emotional episode of Code Geass. And again, another wonderful triumph in the world of anime voice acting. Euphemia in particular played her death well. Her voice soft and caring and so full of hope, trailing off softly as finally she died. But not slowly, in that melodramatic way in which we see most characters die. And Suzaku, panicked and pained by her side, carrying her blood soaked body to the hangar and speaking with all the right emotions. I hope these actors are paid well, because they truly were the ones carrying this episode. Had either of those two done poorly, Euphemia's death would have been far less tragic, possibly becoming a laughable event. Hopefully even those who disliked Euphemia felt at least a little saddened by her passing. That would speak very well for their talents.
And Suzaku, after her passing, making thinly veiled threats to the man he considered his best friend. There was no hostility in his voice towards Lelouch, and yet every person watching knew, somehow knew, that Suzaku had finally figured out who his true enemy was. He spoke with such determination and clarity that I feel fairly confident in my belief that he has figured out Zero's true identity.
And of course, there is Lelouch, who has finally begun to realize his wish. A wish of nihilism and destruction. The wish of a man finally gone mad. As the city crumbled around him, his laugh echoed in my mind even into the ending credits, where I sincerely longed for the next episode to play straightaway. Sadly, I will have to wait another week. And during his conversation with Nunally (who plays so stoic a character that I feel I cannot fairly give an opinion on her talents), shocked by her proposal and having a difficult time speaking of Euphemia--the sister he just murdered.
And of course, there is his end of the conversation with Suzaku. His calm, composed tone of voice, as if he hadn't the slightest clue what it was that Suzaku was implying, and yet you could tell that he also understood what was going on. And then his confident words to C.C.... Really, in Lelouch's voice I find little fault if any.
The other characters also did well, especially Kallen. Kagura has finally given herself voice and it fits her quite well. Her lines are delivered well and she does not sound awkward in her role. With only two more episodes to go, I'll jump ahead of myself and dare say that this is the best dub to have been released in the United States. Even better than those directed by Disney (such as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and the like).
Moribito
Chagum's Resolve
Chagum's Resolve
Balsa, Chagum, and Tanda settle into their new lives together, and Chagum begins to think more independently after learning how the world works.
Again it comes to Moribito, and I must say I haven't a complaint to raise. Amazing, really, considering how vehemently I used to hate anything other than subtitled releases. When Balsa wishes to sound corny, she does, and when she wishes to sound sincere, she does. And yet in both cases she still carries with her that elegant tone to her voice, and a soft grace. She manages to sound at all times both tough and caring, a fine choice considering her current position as not only a warrior but also as a mother-figure to Chagum.
Chagum also sounded wonderful, curious at times and determined at others. When he cried I was moved. And yet his serious voice when he spoke of leaving made me smile, for some reason or other. Maybe it was his soft, determined voice contrasting with his childish face. And yet even now he sounds princely and regal, although it seems that this is due to the nature of his voice and not his mannerisms. It's adorable, in a way.
There was really very little in the way of action this episode, but the tender moments the characters shared were delivered well and show that they have a talent for conveying each mood required of them. Hopefully next episode will have more for me to comment on, but this episode was done well and was a neccessary break in the flow of the story.
Chagum also sounded wonderful, curious at times and determined at others. When he cried I was moved. And yet his serious voice when he spoke of leaving made me smile, for some reason or other. Maybe it was his soft, determined voice contrasting with his childish face. And yet even now he sounds princely and regal, although it seems that this is due to the nature of his voice and not his mannerisms. It's adorable, in a way.
There was really very little in the way of action this episode, but the tender moments the characters shared were delivered well and show that they have a talent for conveying each mood required of them. Hopefully next episode will have more for me to comment on, but this episode was done well and was a neccessary break in the flow of the story.
Gurren Lagann 19-20
Oh Gurren Lagann, you truly are an amazing show. It pains me to see such talent fall to your influences, even those who I otherwise have no reason to criticize.
So maybe I'm being a little melodramatic, but after so much praise of Lelouch, I find it saddening to criticize Rossiu. And yet I must. While he generally does a good job, and the voice fits well, there were times in these episodes that it seemed almost as if he forgot that he needed to breathe between lines. Particularly when on the train, as he escourted Simon to his holding cell. While explaining his reasoning, it seemed at one point as if he sped up, dropped emphasis, and grew softer--which is what leads me to believe he read the lines in one breath. But oh well, that is one instance. Hopefully we'll see no more of this.
Gimmy had himself a lapse in quality, although only for an instance. Leeron, so dearly loved, at times sounded forced--as if it were impossible to convey certain emotions with that overly done voice of his. Perhaps it is, but if that was the case he should have played it down a little.
Viral did well for the most part (especially his greeting to Simon), but during their fight I had a bit of trouble getting into it. Viral's bit about his immortal body seemed out of place, although I know it was there in the original Japanese as well. Perhaps it was the lack of cockiness in the English version. It was more like a statement, less like a boast.
Kittan, Nia, and Yoko all did their parts well. Nia and Yoko themselves had little part to play in these episodes, but Kittan was finally portrayed as a major figure and he did his job well. Sadly, the same can't be said for his sisters. When leaving Kittan behind, they cry after him in what should be a sincere and moving scene. And yet I couldn't help myself but to laugh at the pure lack of emotion. Your brother has just departed on a suicide mission, and you aren't even upset? You just don't sound very concerned.
Rossiu's new apprentice (Guinble?) sounds weird and doesn't do as well as I had hoped. In fact, I'm a little unsure of most of Rossiu's subordinates. They never really become particularly important characters, however, so who knows if I'll ever really get a chance to get used to them. Or if there will even be a need.
So maybe I'm being a little melodramatic, but after so much praise of Lelouch, I find it saddening to criticize Rossiu. And yet I must. While he generally does a good job, and the voice fits well, there were times in these episodes that it seemed almost as if he forgot that he needed to breathe between lines. Particularly when on the train, as he escourted Simon to his holding cell. While explaining his reasoning, it seemed at one point as if he sped up, dropped emphasis, and grew softer--which is what leads me to believe he read the lines in one breath. But oh well, that is one instance. Hopefully we'll see no more of this.
Gimmy had himself a lapse in quality, although only for an instance. Leeron, so dearly loved, at times sounded forced--as if it were impossible to convey certain emotions with that overly done voice of his. Perhaps it is, but if that was the case he should have played it down a little.
Viral did well for the most part (especially his greeting to Simon), but during their fight I had a bit of trouble getting into it. Viral's bit about his immortal body seemed out of place, although I know it was there in the original Japanese as well. Perhaps it was the lack of cockiness in the English version. It was more like a statement, less like a boast.
Kittan, Nia, and Yoko all did their parts well. Nia and Yoko themselves had little part to play in these episodes, but Kittan was finally portrayed as a major figure and he did his job well. Sadly, the same can't be said for his sisters. When leaving Kittan behind, they cry after him in what should be a sincere and moving scene. And yet I couldn't help myself but to laugh at the pure lack of emotion. Your brother has just departed on a suicide mission, and you aren't even upset? You just don't sound very concerned.
Rossiu's new apprentice (Guinble?) sounds weird and doesn't do as well as I had hoped. In fact, I'm a little unsure of most of Rossiu's subordinates. They never really become particularly important characters, however, so who knows if I'll ever really get a chance to get used to them. Or if there will even be a need.
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