Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok

[Mr. Nail Bat]

Watched the first three episodes of Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok yesterday (Arcturus will be writing his own review for DR, with audio clips, shortly). From what I've heard so far, ADV really has a winner here.

Shannon Emmerick is excellent as the young Loki, very convincing at playing a young boy. She also has a very precise, clipped, slightly accented diction that really does a good job at portraying an adult (an immortal, even) trapped within a child's body.

Kira Vincent-Davis, who has been known to play many a boy herself in her time, is the female lead, Mayura Daidouji. She's bright, cheerful, inquisitive, and funny: cut from much of the same cloth as Caitlin Glass's Hiyono in Spiral, with just a hint of Miyu Yamazaki.

Yamino is unlike any role I've ever heard Illich Guardiola play before: while the usual Illich role has a hint of resentment or danger to it, Yamino is affable and good-natured almost to the point of obliviousness.

Chris Patton's Narugami <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>also known as Thor</span> switches between cheerful and ingratiating (when at his part-time jobs) and deadly serious <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>(when in god mode)</span>. As Heimdall, Greg Ayres is threatening and dangerous: he brings to mind another purple-haired character he is known for playing.

A great dub for a really good show: I'll definitely be buying this one when it comes out in October.

[EmperorBrandon]

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Geoduck said:

She also has a very precise, clipped, slightly accented diction that really does a good job at portraying an adult (an immortal, even) trapped within a child's body.

[/ QUOTE ]

That description sounds a lot like how Yuriko Fuchizaki does the role in Japanese. Looking foward to hearing it (haven't heard Shannon yet.)

[ QUOTE ]

A great dub for a really good show: I'll definitely be buying this one when it comes out in October.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dang, I'm really going to have to cave in on this one. I'm eagerly anticipating who will be voicing Skuld, but I figure we won't find that out for a while (Vol. 4, I think. Maybe a small appearance in Vol. 3, I can't remember...)

[The Pirate Queen]

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EmperorBrandon said:
Dang, I'm really going to have to cave in on this one.

[/ QUOTE ]

You and me both - sounds like the kind of show I'd like, with a good dub to boot.

[Lovely]

*cries* Man, I want this show so much....
This mini-dub-review only makes me want it more.

[Magic_Knight]

I've gotten the chance to listen to the first 3 episodes as well and I really like it. Shannon Emmerick does an incredible job with Loki.

As for the show, I'm interested to see where it goes for its 26 episode run. These episodes are pretty entertaining so far, but not too special. I like the look of the show - it's got a really nice use of colors and lighting effects.

[aquastar831]

Man, I really want to see this show now. I bookmarked that site that B-Rad showed us during the guessing game and kept reading the screencap comments. There are a lot of hilarious ones there.

It looks like a really cool show and I'll definitely be picking this up.

[dlw]

It was the fourth episode where it hit me. That whole back story sucked me in. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Lovely]

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aquastar831 said:
Man, I really want to see this show now. I bookmarked that site that B-Rad showed us during the guessing game and kept reading the screencap comments. There are a lot of hilarious ones there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mind linking to the site again? I've never seen it and I can't find the link ^^;.

[aquastar831]

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Lovely said:
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aquastar831 said:
Man, I really want to see this show now. I bookmarked that site that B-Rad showed us during the guessing game and kept reading the screencap comments. There are a lot of hilarious ones there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mind linking to the site again? I've never seen it and I can't find the link ^^;.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here: Mythical Det. Loki Ragnarok blog/screencaps (http://nyahnyah.net/blog/loki/loki.html)

[Lovely]

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aquastar831 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Lovely said:
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aquastar831 said:
Man, I really want to see this show now. I bookmarked that site that B-Rad showed us during the guessing game and kept reading the screencap comments. There are a lot of hilarious ones there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mind linking to the site again? I've never seen it and I can't find the link ^^;.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here: Mythical Det. Loki Ragnarok blog/screencaps (http://nyahnyah.net/blog/loki/loki.html)

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks! Ah yes, I've seen that site before. Some of the comments are funny, but the overwhelming Mayura-hate is a bit too much...

[EmperorBrandon]

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Lovely said:

Thanks! Ah yes, I've seen that site before. Some of the comments are funny, but the overwhelming Mayura-hate is a bit too much...

[/ QUOTE ]

Eh... I'm not sure what to think of Mayura. She is cute and a fun character to watch, though not my favorite female character in the series. I don't have much of an affinity with Yui Horie's squeaky high-pitched roles (part of which why I like Laura Bailey much better as Tohru in Fruits Basket), so hearing Kira Vincent Davis voice her may endear me more to her character (she's one I'll definitely be interested in hearing).

[Bitterman]

Being what it was required to prove (http://www.animeondvd.com/news/article.php?article_view=450).

I also got a look at the Loki dub, and so far I like it. Illich Guardiola is doing exciting work that I enjoyed. Chris Patton and Greg Ayres are also doing good stuff. Shannon Emerick has a good start as Loki, but personally I suspect she has a better performance in her. This characterization doesn't have quite the emotional range I expected. Kira Vincent-Davis is fair as Mayura. I've enjoyed a lot of her performances in the past, but this time I'm not sure she's the exact right voice. I do like the enthusiasm she brings to the character, but in my mind her characterization didn't match the character perfectly. I would have liked her performance a little smoother, maybe slightly higher. The extras sound good, and overall I enjoyed listening to this one. I'm very curious what the rest of the Norse gods will sound like, particularly Freya.

As far as the show itself goes, this one definitely has me interested. The episodes went by fairly quickly and I was never bored. There's something about the character designs and visual style that I personally find very appealing. The music is also pretty good, and matches the aforementioned visuals well. The only part that's not working for me is the Norse gods. I like the concept very much. I think it has a lot of potential if played correctly, but so far it's not clear to me that the show is going to do so. Thor seems relatively like himself, but Loki hasn't shown any of the sly trickery that he's known for. Yes, he's canny. He's a sharp cookie to be sure, but he's not tricky. He's not manipulative, and so far he hasn't sown any chaos. Indeed, he seems like a stand-up guy. That just doesn't make sense in my mind. At least for now I'm giving the show the benefit of the doubt that they're going to tie it all in and pay it off, but only time will tell.

Here's hoping we all get a chance to hear Chris Patton voice a to-the-death fight with Jormungand.

[EmperorBrandon]

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Bitterman said:
The only part that's not working for me is the Norse gods. I like the concept very much. I think it has a lot of potential if played correctly, but so far it's not clear to me that the show is going to do so. Thor seems relatively like himself, but Loki hasn't shown any of the sly trickery that he's known for. Yes, he's canny. He's a sharp cookie to be sure, but he's not tricky. He's not manipulative, and so far he hasn't sown any chaos. Indeed, he seems like a stand-up guy. That just doesn't make sense in my mind. At least for now I'm giving the show the benefit of the doubt that they're going to tie it all in and pay it off, but only time will tell.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't really think the characters follow the myth all that well, but I'm not an expert on Norse mythology at this point. There are quite a lot of references in there, and I find them rather interesting though the actual accuracy may vary. With the show trying to mix in Norse gods with modern-day Japan, I don't really expect it that much, anyway.

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Here's hoping we all get a chance to hear Chris Patton voice a to-the-death fight with Jormungand.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jormungand, eh? Hehehe... /images/graemlins/happy.gif I think Chris will definitely have a great fight to voice, though.

[Bitterman]

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EmperorBrandon said:
Jormungand, eh? Hehehe... /images/graemlins/happy.gif I think Chris will definitely have a great fight to voice, though.

[/ QUOTE ]
It's just not Ragnarok if Odin doesn't fight Fenrir and Thor doesn't put some pain on the Midgard Serpent. Ragnarok was always one of my favorite mythical stories. There are so many good fights, and not just Odin and Thor make appearances. Surt vs. Freyr! Tyr vs. Garm! Loki vs Heimdall! And of course, everybody is doomed. It's a fun story.

[The Pirate Queen]

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Bitterman said:
And of course, everybody is doomed. It's a fun story.

[/ QUOTE ]

How did I know that was coming? I'm somehow unsuprised that you like Norse mythology, considering all the doom, gloom, vengeance, and painful suffering.

I'm anticipating this show quite a bit now, Norse mythology or no Norse mythology. Sounds interesting.

[Bitterman]

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Dani said:
How did I know that was coming? I'm somehow unsuprised that you like Norse mythology, considering all the doom, gloom, vengeance, and painful suffering.


[/ QUOTE ]
The Norse myths were occasionally a little too much for me. Balder got a pretty raw deal. Unforgiveable actions on Loki's part, if you ask me.

Oh, who am I kidding? I liked that story, too. But Balder did get a raw deal. I'm surprised Thor didn't brain him with his hammer over that one.

[EmperorBrandon]

Ok, so I've finally started to check out this series today. Had Loki Ragnarok Vol. 1 for a little while now, but didn't get around to watching it. Thankfully it didn't get stolen (it was in my room on the floor right next to the also newly-bought and unwatched Kodocha Vol. 2, which did get stolen /images/graemlins/sad.gif), so when I had to exchange a unwanted DVD for Christmas, I decided to get Loki Ragnarok Vol. 2 to continue on with the series. So, got the first eight episodes now.

Three episodes in so far, and I'm rather enjoying the dub work so far. I'm especially liking Kira Vincent Davis as Mayura. I expected she might not be as shrill or annoying as Yui Horie was as Mayura, and I was right. She provides the much-needed cuteness for the role without overdoing the screechy factor. I really enjoyed listening to her voice. Shannon Emerick as Loki seems to somewhat unique, and I like it as well. Most everyone else seems to be on the mark as well. I've heard Chris Patton and Greg Ayres a lot at this point, but there voices seem to be somewhat fresh to me here (even if still recognizable), which is a good thing. I thought Kotaro sounded a little too over-the-top, but he's only had a few lines so far, so not much to go from there. Only minor parts, but it's nice hearing Allison Sumrall and Kaytha Coker in here (they don't seem to be in many major roles lately?)

Looking foward to checking out the rest, but I'm rather liking watching the series again. My mind kept wavering back and forth (not going to buy, going to buy, not going to buy...), but I think I'll probably stick with it now. Seems this one definitely won't be a waste if it's got good rewatchability factor and an enjoyable dub (thought at first that I may have wanted to collect the series just to get to Skuld /images/graemlins/happy.gif).

[EmperorBrandon]

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Geoduck said:
Yamino is unlike any role I've ever heard Illich Guardiola play before: while the usual Illich role has a hint of resentment or danger to it, Yamino is affable and good-natured almost to the point of obliviousness.


[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed there, I was quite surprised by Illich here and think it turned out well. Though it was interesting <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>to hear Illich slip into his usual "danger" mode when it's revealed he's Midgarsormr /images/graemlins/wink.gif</span>

Kira was so cute in episode 4 that I couldn't help but tear up at some parts (did pretty good job as the young Mayura IMO). You know, it's also kind of interesting the John Gremillion's role tries to discourage her daughter from becoming a detective. Quite the opposite from Super GALS...

Jason Douglas was just plain awesome. Some of his scenes really had me laughing pretty hard. On the other hand, still not sure what to think of Blake's Kotaro, though. Definitely has the snideness on the mark, but that's all it seems to have going for it.

Brittney Karbowski as Reiya was incredibly sweet and cute. Probably my first big role to hear from her, and it was really nice voice. Reminded me of another VA, but forgot who (I know Shannon Emerick as Loki kind of reminded me of Debi Derryberry in parts). Shelley Calene-Black seemed to be perfect for Freya from what I heard. In the orginal she had a high-pitched but still mature voice, and I think that carried through here as well.

Definitely looking foward to hearing more of Loki. Not sure if <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>the Norns</span> show up in the next volume or not. I remember their first appearance being very brief, but hopefully they're in Vol. 3 so I can satisfy my curiosity on who will be voicing them. I think <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Fenrir</span> shows up at least, though. My guess on him would be Vic Mignogna.

[The Pirate Queen]

Fie! All of you are sadly remiss for not pointing out that David Matranga shows up in volume 2!

That was a pleasant suprise. And I'm really digging the dub, with one or two minor exceptions.

[BigPants]

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Dani said:
Fie! All of you are sadly remiss for not pointing out that David Matranga shows up in volume 2!

[/ QUOTE ]

He's also in Gilgamesh 3.

Is Matranga back in Houston?

[Ben Phillips]

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BigPants said:
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Dani said:
Fie! All of you are sadly remiss for not pointing out that David Matranga shows up in volume 2!

[/ QUOTE ]

He's also in Gilgamesh 3.

Is Matranga back in Houston?

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Well, he must have been at some point. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[B-Rad Lascelle]

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Ben Phillips said:
Well, he must have been at some point. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

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If David manages to make enough return visits then Foster won't need to worry about finding his 'new' Matranga... 'cause he'll be able to make use of the genuine article. /images/graemlins/cool.gif

(Failing that, Andrew Love's been getting plenty of recurring work in Foster dubs of late.)