Change Your Image
CraigOfAllTrades
Reviews
Inuyasha (2000)
And Now For A Different Opinion
As is common with much of American main stream entertainment there are celebrities who are worshipped solely on the basis of there aesthetics dispite their lack of talent. I see Inuyasha as fitting into that group.
Now I know if you're already one of the thousands of InuYasha fans out there you're just going to completely ignore this review so go ahead. I'm trying to appeal to people who really look for quality rather than "cute" characters. One of the first problems I noticed is that it is just a pidge podge of tired story elements. We have an outsider pulled into a strange and different world, we have a quest for scattered jewels, and of course the requisite tacked-on love story. Snore. I know Takahashi can and has (several times) done better than this.
Characters in the show unfortunately fall into the same line. It's a virtual parade of cliches. Kagome, who is the firey schoo girl of course, seems like nothing more than a generic filler for the girl that the main character has to hate/love. She's more like a cursor that guides us from plont point to plot point than a real person that we can care about. Nice legs though (and isn't that what matters?). InuYasha is a "demon" whose trying to be good. This could have left lot's of room for character development as he tried to cope with the feelings that accompanied having to help those that, by nature, he should want to destroy. But no... he's just a tough guy. A very PRETTY tough guy. The other heroes are pretty simple. Miroku is a perverted but kind priest. Sango is the strong female who is there so Miroko can constantly try to grope her. Shippo is fox. A bratty little fox. Yeah.
The villains are absolutely laughable. Naraku, admittadly a pretty bad guy. Or at least he would be if the only other villain you knew before were the pollution guys from captain planet. But he has a cool costume so I'll let him off the hook. My real problem is with InuYasha's brother Sesshômaru. He's basically there just to bark and never bite. Teasing Inuyasha all the way but never doing anything really bad. I just want to know right now why ever villain in this type of anime must look like a woman. It's always been my opinion that a demon should be doing terrible things like eating babies rather than putting on make up.
So the bottom line is this: InuYasha fails on both levels - as a serious drama and as a light hearted comedy. It's uneven, unentemotional, and unoriginal. This is what makes all these stereotypes about anime. If you want real quality check out Takahashi's older works like Ranma or Mermaid's Scar. And if you want some more modern entertainment look for Noir or Excel Saga. However if your one of those folks who use cute little emoticons in every sentence or still use -San to refer to Japanese names, then this show will be right up your alley.
Xenosaga Episode I: Chikara he no ishi (2002)
Best PS2 RPG to Date
Let me start like this. If you like console RPGs but what something different than Final Fantasy 10/9/8/7 (etc. their all the same) then you will love this masterpiece. Admittedly it does rely heavily on cinematics. Hell, their are more than one times when a save game screen will come up twice with out you even playing in between them. Luckily though the story is original and well told with dozens of characters and a ton of twists. It'll appeal especially to sci-fi fans and Neitzsche followers(?) for obvious reasons. If you're not expecting oscar winning performances in a video game then you won't be dissapointed in the voice acting. Except for maybe hearing Sherri Lynn use her "Sasami" voice for the 800th time. Character designs, while not very creative are believable (least for an anime setting) and the men actually look like *gasp* MEN. And I should ad that it's fun to be fighting some unique enemies in a unique way rather that more slime blobs and shadow beasts with an archaic NES battle system. All and all if you're willing to put up with hours of (great) story sequences then Xenosaga is well worth your money. And not a Chocobo in sight.