Chris Beveridge
07-15-2008, 10:43 AM
http://www.mania.com/content_pics/39580_large.jpg Dub of the Month: Genshiken OVA Ep. 1 (Headline Studios / Anime Works)
Genshiken OVA, episode 1, found on Kujibiki Unbalance DVD Vol. 1, is more accurately episode 13 of the Genshiken anime series—but more importantly it is a long anticipated continuation of the Headline Genshiken dub from almost three years ago. Carol Jacobanis (Saki) and Billy Regan (Madarame) won awards for their performances during that earlier release, and they and so far everyone else, from cast to crew, returns here in excellent form, as if little time has passed. Jacobanis, Rachael Lillis (Ohno; nominated for April for Female Performance) and new cast member and up and coming New York dub actor Michele Knotz (Ogiue) are the stars of this first episode as their characters clash and conspire within the changing dynamics of their otaku enclave. They wonderfully re-engage the energy and humor and feeling fans had always enjoyed and praised with the franchise. So far, as well, they promise to take it to another level.
http://www.mania.com/content_pics/39526_large.jpg Male Performance of the month: Johnny Yong Bosch as Renton Thurston in Eureka Seven Vol. 12 (Bang Zoom! Entertainment / Bandai Entertainment)
Sometimes, it feels like Johnny Yong Bosch plays almost every single idealistic lead in anime dubbed by Bang Zoom! People sometimes groan when he's cast as another lead who is full of ideals, but lacks any experience with the world. In spite of that sense of JYB fatigue, time after time, Bosch delivers a character portrayal which pushes that aside with the fervor of the idealistic youth he often portrays. In the last volume of Eureka Seven, the emotions run high as Renton grows up and takes things into his own hands all while maintaining the bright idealism. Bosch manages to portray a Renton in these final episodes that has been affected by what he's seen, who has been lost in despair, who has changed after his long journey, who when he finally takes control of his own life does so without adding cynicism or burden. Totally, Renton. The character journeys in Eureka Seven makes it a special series and Bosch truly makes it a great journey for Renton.
http://www.mania.com/content_pics/39526_large.jpg Female Performance of the Month: Kari Wahlgren as Anemone in Eureka Seven Vol. 12 (Bang Zoom! Entertainment / Bandai Entertainment)
Up until episode 48 of Eureka Seven, Anemone has been a lie, a facade, a construct, a mystery. Throughout the series her screen time has been limited, but from what has been shown, Anemone lived a tortured life in order to maximize her potential as the pilot of TheEND. To maximize her use to the military, Anemone was drugged and programmed to keep Anemone, as a real person, from surfacing, that is until episode 48, where the no longer drugged Anemone finally senses her real being, but unfortunately it is too late. This leads to an amazing monologue by Kari Wahlgren, who in her lines brings to life Anemone's fatal resignation and grief with an honest clarity that completely opens the character. Even better is when Anemone finds she is not lost. It is an endearing end of series performance.
Genshiken OVA, episode 1, found on Kujibiki Unbalance DVD Vol. 1, is more accurately episode 13 of the Genshiken anime series—but more importantly it is a long anticipated continuation of the Headline Genshiken dub from almost three years ago. Carol Jacobanis (Saki) and Billy Regan (Madarame) won awards for their performances during that earlier release, and they and so far everyone else, from cast to crew, returns here in excellent form, as if little time has passed. Jacobanis, Rachael Lillis (Ohno; nominated for April for Female Performance) and new cast member and up and coming New York dub actor Michele Knotz (Ogiue) are the stars of this first episode as their characters clash and conspire within the changing dynamics of their otaku enclave. They wonderfully re-engage the energy and humor and feeling fans had always enjoyed and praised with the franchise. So far, as well, they promise to take it to another level.
http://www.mania.com/content_pics/39526_large.jpg Male Performance of the month: Johnny Yong Bosch as Renton Thurston in Eureka Seven Vol. 12 (Bang Zoom! Entertainment / Bandai Entertainment)
Sometimes, it feels like Johnny Yong Bosch plays almost every single idealistic lead in anime dubbed by Bang Zoom! People sometimes groan when he's cast as another lead who is full of ideals, but lacks any experience with the world. In spite of that sense of JYB fatigue, time after time, Bosch delivers a character portrayal which pushes that aside with the fervor of the idealistic youth he often portrays. In the last volume of Eureka Seven, the emotions run high as Renton grows up and takes things into his own hands all while maintaining the bright idealism. Bosch manages to portray a Renton in these final episodes that has been affected by what he's seen, who has been lost in despair, who has changed after his long journey, who when he finally takes control of his own life does so without adding cynicism or burden. Totally, Renton. The character journeys in Eureka Seven makes it a special series and Bosch truly makes it a great journey for Renton.
http://www.mania.com/content_pics/39526_large.jpg Female Performance of the Month: Kari Wahlgren as Anemone in Eureka Seven Vol. 12 (Bang Zoom! Entertainment / Bandai Entertainment)
Up until episode 48 of Eureka Seven, Anemone has been a lie, a facade, a construct, a mystery. Throughout the series her screen time has been limited, but from what has been shown, Anemone lived a tortured life in order to maximize her potential as the pilot of TheEND. To maximize her use to the military, Anemone was drugged and programmed to keep Anemone, as a real person, from surfacing, that is until episode 48, where the no longer drugged Anemone finally senses her real being, but unfortunately it is too late. This leads to an amazing monologue by Kari Wahlgren, who in her lines brings to life Anemone's fatal resignation and grief with an honest clarity that completely opens the character. Even better is when Anemone finds she is not lost. It is an endearing end of series performance.