href=”mailto:Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu”>Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu

_______________________________________________ The Bethel Anime Club e-mail list Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu Go to https://lists.bethel.edu/mailman/options/anime-club/anime%40scaleddesign.net to change your list options

Website at http://scaleddesign.net/bac Check it out for downloads and more!

The Bethel Anime Club Fall Semester Meetings Saturdays, AC 337, 7:00pm

What is really sad is that animeondvd.com (before they got bought out by mania.com and ruined) used to list the entire deal of the day list so you would know which item was the one (if any) you wanted to buy BEFORE going to rightstuf.

Matthew Fisher wrote: href=”mailto:Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu”>Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu

_______________________________________________ The Bethel Anime Club e-mail list Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu Go to https://lists.bethel.edu/mailman/options/anime-club/anime%40scaleddesign.net to change your list options

Website at http://bethelanime.ath.cx/ Check it out for downloads and more!

The Bethel Anime Club Fall Semester Meetings Saturdays, AC337, 7:00pm

Matthew Fisher wrote: href=”mailto:Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu”>Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu

_______________________________________________ The Bethel Anime Club e-mail list Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu Go to https://lists.bethel.edu/mailman/options/anime-club/anime%40scaleddesign.net to change your list options

Website at http://bethelanime.ath.cx/ Check it out for downloads and more!

The Bethel Anime Club Fall Semester Meetings Saturdays, AC337, 7:00pm

Eric Gossett wrote: href=”mailto:Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu”>Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu

_______________________________________________ The Bethel Anime Club e-mail list Anime-Club@lists.bethel.edu Go to https://lists.bethel.edu/mailman/options/anime-club/anime%40scaleddesign.net to change your list options

Website at http://bethelanime.ath.cx/ Check it out for downloads and more!

The Bethel Anime Club Fall Semester Meetings Saturdays, AC337, 7:00pm

Opening Animation (a preview of what it’s like): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMDvps_q9qo

Plot: Somewhere, in a world parallel to ours, the advancement of science is replaced by the extraordinary laws of alchemy. People can create and destroy with nothing more than an intricate circle and a few raw materials, if they follow the most basic of alchemic concepts: in order to gain, something of equal value must be lost. The Elric brothers learn this lesson the hard way, when a failed attempt at resurrecting their dead mother results in the loss of Edward’s arm and leg, and Alphonse’s entire body. Broken but not beaten, Ed and Al set out in search of the legendary philosopher’s stone (an alchemic product believed to contain the power to bypass the laws of equivalent exchange), and a chance to regain their bodies.

Opinion: Fullmetal Alchemist is the first shonen anime that I ever fell in love with. It’s a good mix of many genres: there’s a lot of action, some good comedic moments, and even a little bit of romance. At 51 episodes long, it’s the longest anime I’ve ever watched. There are a few filler episodes in the beginning, but the story develops well enough after a bit, and soon picks up speed. It’s beautifully done, and the cast includes a wide range of characters, making this one of my top five favorite anime of all time.

Is it Bethical?: (Yes…) This show is fairly clean. There’s swearing, but no S/F/C words. There is a lot of violence, but no gore beyond a little blood. And sex is missing from the anime entirely. There is, however, a little bit of nudity, but none of it is meant to be sexual (for example, at one point we see a mother holding her child, and they’re both naked, but we don’t see any graphic body parts) So it’s not exactly a G-rated show, but I’m more than willing to bet that it’s Bethical.

Opening Animation (a preview of what it’s like): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DLaWPs3jzk

Plot: Tohru, a flaky but loveable high school student, has been living in a tent for the past month. With both of her parents dead, she tries her best to make it on. However, when a landslide wipes out her tent, she is taken in by the school’s prince Yuki and his older, perverted cousin, Shigure. The deal is that she can stay as long as she helps with the housework. Tohru is more than happy to oblige…that is, until she discovers the family’s secret: the Sohmas, when hugged by a member of the opposite sex, transform into the animals from the Chinese Zodiac. As Tohru gets to know each of the Sohmas, she discovers what a burden the curse is on them. However, through the laughter and the tears she teaches them what it’s liked to love, and be loved in return.

Opinion: I apologize for my weird plot summary. I make it sound incredibly cheesy, when it’s actually awesome. This was my gateway anime: the anime that got me hooked on anime. Each of the characters (most notably, the Sohmas), has unique personality traits and attitudes towards Tohru. The fact that they each represent an animal (thirteen, including the cat, although the horse and the rooster only show up in the manga) helps encompass their differences and make them so much more loveable >w<

Although it contains a lot of drama, this show is actually also a comedy. Shigure’s perverted antics, Kyo’s raging temper, and Yuki’s sarcastic comments make for a lot of amusing scenes. However, as previously stated, this show is mostly a drama. Most of the Sohmas have been through really sad experiences, and we watch them struggle, and, over time, learn to deal with their pasts. All of my female friends love this show, but it may be a little sappy for male audiences. I guess the only thing I can suggest is that you give it a few episodes to decide whether you like it or not.

Is it Bethical?: (Yes) Definetly. Violence is minimal, nudity is only suggested (when the people change back from their animal form they appear naked in a cloud of smoke), and language doesn’t extend beyond the occasional B-word. Filled with themes of love and hope, this is definetly a good, Christian anime.

Opening Animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdEE8t-4P8o

Plot: The world is corrupt. Everyday people waste their meaningless lives on things like gossip and crime. And Light Yagami is sick of it. A brilliant high school student, he watches helplessly as criminals escape justice time and time again. But that’s about to change.

Enter Ryuk. Ryuk is bored. Ryuk is also a shinigami with a notebook that can kill people. One day, Ryuk decides to drop the Death Note into the human world, to see if anything interesting occurs. Light, sitting in class and staring out the window, spots the book falling from the sky. Picking it up, he brings it home and decides to test it out…

Opinion: I love this show. Unlike most shonen anime, this show is less about the action and more about the psychological suspense. It’s all about the mind games that Light and his antagonist, L, play. It’s absolutely brilliant.

I also love the fact that the main character is actually the villain of the show. Light is an egotistical, self-righteous genius who wants to become the god of his new world. He kills people who he deems as filth and, if anyone tries to stop him, he offs them as well. It’s interesting to get into the head of the mass murder for once, instead of always hearing about the cop or the detective.

This show has a creepy air to it, but it really isn’t scary at all. In fact, Ryuk, the creepiest looking character in the show, is actually the comic relief. The character designs are interesting, the music fits perfectly, and the plot twists and turns like you wouldn’t believe. This show is in my top five favorite anime, and I definitely recommend it.

Is it Bethical?: (Maybe) Generally speaking, this should be viewable at Bethel. There is no nudity, and only a few hints of sexuality (there is an attempted rape in episode 1, Light looks at porn to throw L off his tracks, and Misa wears a few weird outfits…at least her boobs don’t jump around like in most anime -_- ; ) The violence is mostly hidden from the viewer (the Death Note’s primary agent of death is the heart attack), and the language is no worse than you’d hear on the street. Part of the reason why it may not be Bethical is because you’re getting into the head of a psychologically unsound person. The show does such a good job at portraying Light that you almost find yourself sympathizing with the serial killer. I love this aspect of the show, but I realize it may be rather unsettling to some Christians.

Opening Animation (a preview of what it’s like): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9rTgY29lBM

Plot: In the future, the world has pretty much been completely conquered by the Holy Britannian Empire. Japan, a once proud nation, has been reduced to “Area 11”, a ghetto of the Empire. Most of the Japanese have bowed under the weight of the government, but there exist a few factions of resistance. Lelouch, an intelligent student of the Empire, detests the dictatorship of the Britannians, and swears to bring them down. With the help of a mysterious girl named C.C., he acquires the “geass”, a power which allows him to controls the thoughts or actions of anyone he makes eye contract with. With this unusual gift, help from a rebel faction, and some quick thinking, Lelouch may be able free the Japanese from oppression. That is, if he can avoid being caught.

Opinion: This show is very reminiscent of Death Note (which I saw first). Lelouch is intelligent, and unsatisfied with the way things are (mirroring Light). Then, with the help of a mysterious gift (geass vs. killing note book), he goes about his own way trying to change the world, even if it’s a little immoral. Then, playing opposite of Lelouch, is the white knight, Suzaku. Suzaku, once a Japanese, now an honorary Britannian, is also dissatisfied with how the empire is being run. However, he wants to change things from the inside out: the legal, and probably more noble way. (Similarly, L too wants criminals brought to justice. However, he will not allow Kira to kill at will)

I usually don’t like shows with mecha (like Gundam or Macross), or “Cartoon Network hits” (like Inuyasha or Naruto). This show happens to be both, however, I still find myself really enjoying it. This is a testament to how good it must be. The plot is intriguing, although a lot of the characters are kind of dry (Lelouch and Suzaku are really the only ones worth mentioning). I’m only 10 episodes in, but, if it continues as it is going, this could end up one of my favorites. Regardless of what anime genres interest you, this one is worth checking out.

Is it Bethical?: (Yes) I’ve only seen a handful of episodes, but so far I have not seen anything particularly offensive in this show.

Opening Animation (a preview of what it’s like): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msg8ypnLqaw

Plot: It’s the early 1930’s in America, and organized crime is at an all time high. From mafia families to run-of-the-mill scam artists, the 16 main characters of this show start out with very little in common apart from their criminal backgrounds. However, alchemic pursuits, a killing monster, and the secret elixir of immortality cause their paths to cross, and a story full of twists and turns is unfolded before our eyes. In the end, who will come out on top?

Opinion: First off, I need to say that I love the classic gangster set up. There’s something fascinating to me about organized crime, and movies like The Sting and Ocean’s Eleven are some of my favs. The characters in this show cover a whole spectrum of personality types (from the clueless yet loveable robbers Isaac and Miria, to psychotic Lad, who loves nothing more than soaking his socks in other people’s blood after a long day of murder.

A bittersweet trait of this show is its confusing plot. It’s bitter because it’s difficult as HECK to follow in the first half of the series. The story keeps jumping around to different periods of time within a two year timeline, and there are 16 main characters, all of which who get equal air time. The characters all have complicated Russian or Italian names, which makes it really hard to learn their names, and, since there are no purple or blue-haired characters, it takes forever to figure out who is who.

At the same time, though, it’s so fascinating to see all of the individual plot lines come together in such a way, and watching the characters meet and interact. It’s a blast to watch, and I definitely recommend it for people looking for excitement.

Is it Bethical?: (Probably not) This is one of the few anime that manages to have no weird-sexual scenarios, which makes it a breath of fresh air. The problem, however, is that it’s rather gory, and, while this doesn’t bother me, it’s probably too much blood and guts for Bethel.

Closing Animation (a preview of what it’s like): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzipJyPi13Y

Plot: Take a look into the history of the world as countries are personified in stereotypical character arcs (ex. America thinks of himself as the hero, France is a romantic, and Russia is a sadist). Chaos and fun ensues as the countries clash in famous events from the fall of the Roman Empire and World War II. The anime centers around the axis power countries of Germany, Italy, and Japan, but includes more than 40 other countries.

Opinion: I love this. I LOVE THIS. It’s so ingenious. The characters are beautifully designed, the stereotypes are so blatantly true, and it’s such a fun way to learn about historical events. I’m not going to lie; this anime made CWC a lot more fun (when we read about various events, I pictured the characters participating in them, instead of just ambiguous historical figures).

It’s a silly, fun anime, but I wish it took a few steps farther into the serious side of history. Part of Hetalia’s charm is its humor; however, a little bit of real drama would help develop the characters more. There are a few serious things reflected in Hetalia, including the American Revolution, and the Bloody Sunday Revolt in Russia, but they are few and far between.

Another thing that troubles me is the episode length. Each episode is only FIVE MINUTES, which makes it hard for them to have a consistent plot line. The subject matter and timelines of the episodes jump around a lot, and make it a little annoying for the viewers to follow.

I definitely recommend this anime; however, I also strongly encourage people to read the Hetalia web comic as they follow the show, because the comics develop the characters and the situations significantly better than the show. And these are characters worth getting to know ;D

Is it Bethical?: (Yes…) If the anime had been exactly like the manga, it would not have been Bethical. However, Hetalia was made into a children’s show, and so all of the shounen-ai and France-rape was cut out. It’s perfectly fine, with the exception of an odd hot spring scene in episode 4 and the rare F-word (I guess they assume that Japanese children would not know English curse words)