I took advantage of a special one-month free deal to join Funimation during the holidays. I’m glad I did.
IR: #83 was unusual in that it contained two anime titles that I didn’t enjoy. Not surprisingly, I try and watch shows that I think I’ll like.
This collection of mini-reviews, IR: #84, tilts the scales back thanks to Funimation and I’ve a host of really entertaining shows to watch.
As usual, the goal of Irregular Reconnaissance is to give you a rough idea of why I like a series but to avoid spoilers. That’s especially hard when the attraction to an anime is because of creative plot twists or set-ups, but worth the effort.
In this Irregular Reconnaissance;
Noblesse
Episodes 8 to 12
Not vampires, but blood-powered immortals known as Nobles that guide humanity from the shadows are the focus of this anime. That’s about the only focus.
You need to watch the OVA first, as episode one of the series assumes you’ve seen it.
The first half of Noblesse was reviewed in IR: #78 when it was about a powerful Noble turning up to protect a Japanese school. Standard anime fair. I gave that an Average rating.
Next, in the second half, it’s flashbacks and then a trip to the Noble heartlands to deal with politics. It’s better but pretty much ignores all the characters we spent building up in the first half.
A second series is needed to tie everything together. Despite “only” rating Noblesse as average, I will give a second series a chance (should it appear) as I think it could layer together to be a better show.
Status: Average.
Where: Crunchyroll
Moriarty the Patriot
Episode 1 to 3
I love the concept. Moriarty isn’t just a criminal genius – but let’s be clear, in this show he is both criminal and genius – he is a vigilante.
It’s the end of the 19th Century, and the British empire is corrupt and bloated. In this show, Moriarty is fighting back, committing deadly crimes to take on the establishment.
The good news is that three episodes in, the delivery of the anime lives up to the concept’s promise. We start with “one case” and then spend the next two episodes in a flashback that explains who Moriarty ends up as a man of wealth and luxury (and why his butler looks a lot like him).
I note that Funimation includes the tag “horror” on the show, so I predict it could get pretty grisly.
Status: Good
Where: Funimation
Gleipnir
Episode 1 to 3
I was tipped off to Gleipnir with the news Funimation would get an English dub.
I’m trying to watch the sub. I say “trying” because, weirdly, I can cast it from my smartphone app with Portuguese and English subtitles and never English only. As a result; I watch it via the desktop browser.
Persisting with Gleipnir through that mild technical wobble was absolutely worth it. The backgrounds are gorgeous and the plot… highly original!
The protagonist is cursed/gifted with the ability to transform into a monster. Not a kaiju or a werewolf; but a fierce-looking mascot. A costume! Goofy eyes, big teeth and a zipper on the back.
The drama goes from angst to danger when a manipulative and suicidal woman discovers this secret and launches all-out blackmail.
Status: Good
Where: Funimation
Warlords of Sigrdrifa
Episodes 1 to 3
Alien invaders arrive on Earth, and our modern military seems to be powerless against them.
The most powerful of these aliens spawn as pillars that tower into the sky. Smaller aliens, secondary and tertiary classes as humanity refer to them as come forth from these pillars. As the pillars are so tall most of these smaller aliens fly.
When all seems lost, Odin appears. At least, a being claiming to be Odin. I’m only three episodes in and I suspect we’ll revisit this character.
Odin offers to help humanity. He gives us a weapon. After his visit, some young women become valkyries – fierce warriors gifted with archaic planes (World War-style bi-planes, for example), talent and limited magic arsenals.
These valkyries have a chance, although it seems like a slim one, against the invaders. Warlords of Sigrdrifa is about one of the European aces being transferred to a Japanese base.
Status: Good.
Where: Funimation
Talentless Nana
Episode 1 to 3
I love how Talentless Nana tricked me.
The show is a superhuman murder mystery. On an island in the middle of nowhere, children with superpowers (or the potential to develop them) are trained to defend the planet.
That island is both a school and a boot camp to turn these kids into humanity’s defence against alien invaders.
Talentless Nana’s lead-up introduces three key characters; Nana Hiiragi who can read minds, Kyouya Onodera who sometimes supports Nana, sometimes opposes her and has detective skills to rival her, and then Nanao Nakajima who is bullied and dismissed by his classmates as he hides his superpowers.
Introductions are done quickly in the show as before the first episode finishes there’s a murder.
Status: Great
Where: Funimation
Which anime are you most looking forward to in 2021?
