Holding Off of Sailor Moon Crystal Reviews...For Now

Hello everyone.

Ever since I wrote the review for the first episode of Sailor Moon Crystal, I've been excited to write more reviews for the blog, and watching the series as well. However, for the past couple of reviews I did for each episode of the series, I could only write so much to very little without giving any type of detailed spoilers.

So, am I ceasing to write more episode reviews? The answer, sadly, is yes. If I can't write much about a single episode (which I normally write about a paragraph or two), then I feel that I can't give it a fair review. So, I came up with a solution. I will write a review for the recently aired episode 6 and several of the upcoming episodes on a later date, so I could have more to write about for a more interesting review. I will be working on a three-episode review which will be based around episodes 6 to 8, and I will then do two-episode reviews from then on (pretty much, I'm reviewing the two episodes they air a month).

Hopefully, this will work out a bit better for any upcoming reviews on this blog.

- Nolan Schmidt

Sailor Moon Crystal: Episode 5 (Review)

That time has come again, and a brand new episode of Sailor Moon Crystal was posted yesterday on Hulu. Of course, we were introduced to Makoto Kino, who is also known as Sailor Jupiter in the series.

In the manga, she was indeed introduced in the 5th chapter, but her first appearance in the original anime adaptation wasn't until episode 25. However, since the new anime is closely based on the manga, introducing her as soon as possible was indeed the best choice.

For the details of the episode itself, much of the chapter is adapted pretty well, but it did go through several changes and additions like episode 2 did. However, I did like some of the explanations that where in the additional flashback scenes which helped describe Makoto's character a little bit more than it did in the manga (which was described by her briefly at the end of the chapter). But, many of the characteristics of Makoto felt like they were very good in a lot of ways as well as her moments as Sailor Jupiter. Along with the brief glimpses of Tuxedo Mask, still making him a mysterious character as usual in this part of the series is very fitting.

Of course, the episode's ending brings along a new type of responsibility for the Sailor Guardians, which we will probably see in the next episode.

Written by Nolan Schmidt

Road To Ninja: Naruto The Movie (Review)

Well, it's been a while since I reviewed another movie or series, and yesterday, I had the chance to see Road To Ninja: Naruto The Movie at a local Alamo Drafthouse near my hometown. Road To Ninja is the ninth film in the Naruto series (the sixth Naruto: Shippuden film), and it was originally released on July 28, 2012. However, Viz Media (who owns the North American distribution rights to both the Naruto anime and manga) got the rights to the film, and with the collaboration of Eleven Arts (an American film distribution company), the film was able to get a limited North American theatrical release this past weekend.

As an anime/manga fan, I know of the Naruto series really well, and getting the chance to see Naruto on the big screen is something new for an American fan, since the United States hardly ever gets anime films shown in theaters (with the exception of the Studio Ghibli films). 

The film itself is actually based around Naruto and Sakura getting put into an alternate reality by Madara (who is previously called Tobi in the series) where Naruto's parents are still alive and Sakura's parents sacrificed their lives to protect the village from the Nine-Tail Fox. Also, everyone that Naruto and Sakura know have different personalities, Sasuke is back in the village, and everyone calls Naruto Menma. Plus, Madara is aiding a new enemy within this alternate universe that he had created. So, both Naruto and Sakura must find a way to get back to their own universe.

Much can be said about the film, but there are many moments that, if explained in full detail, I would spoil the movie for those who are now currently waiting for Viz's announcement for the Blu-ray and DVD release. What I can say however is that the film is fun, entertaining, and probably answers a question that any Naruto fan would ask: What if Naruto's parents didn't die during the Nine-Tails attack? The animation is stunning and beautiful, and it goes along well with the unique story (written by Naruto creator, Masashi Kishimoto). I would have to say that the film can be easily enjoyed by any hardcore Naruto fan. Believe it!

Written by Nolan Schmidt