Kill la Kill is just what I expected...and I love it

It's silly, zany, goofy, serious, action-packed, risque and all-around interesting.  I finally sat down to watch some Kill la Kill.  After checking out the first 3 episodes, I can definitely say that I'm hooked.  I knew the people involved with the project would most likely tickle all my anime fancies, but I never expected them to do that so early on.

Kill la Kill seems like a very smart mix of crazy and endearing.  There's an interesting story tucked behind the over-the-top action and outrageous characters.  Like most good anime, there's plenty of visual eye-candy and dazzling moments to please fans of the genre, but there's a lot more going on under the surface.  You have to be willing to sit there and actually focus on the storytelling, rather than taking the content at just face value.

If you are going with just face value, you're still in for a treat.  My good LORD is Kill la Kill gorgeous.  Some of the action scenes are insanely well put together.  The best part is, I can actually follow what's going on!  Sometimes anime features look amazing, but it can be very hard to keep up with and process the action.  Kill la Kill does a great job of drawing your attention to the important bits that fly around in a flurry of madness.

The characters are all so well designed as well!  I feel like there aren't too many anime trope characters here.  Some unique twists on standard designs, as well as character stylings that feel new and fresh.  Personalities shine through with the character designs, as well as the other way around.  Characters are fun to listen to and watch.  They hold your attention and play an important role in building up the main character.  A great cast of personality thus far.

Of course, there's a very heavy helping of fan-service here, but I'll give some credit where credit's due.  Kill la Kill does have a reason behind the barely-there clothing of some of the characters.  Some might say it's just a shameless way to justify scantily-clad characters, but at least you get some substance behind the provocative outfits.  That's not to say that there aren't some voyeuristic camera angles at work here, but I imagine most anime fans see this as par for the course.  It might turn some people off and I can respect that, but they're sure missing out on some great content otherwise.

Kill la Kill has left a very strong impression on me early on.  Can't wait to see where the series goes from here.  I'm so into it that I'll probably just marathon the rest of the series tonight!

Are you excited for Space Dandy?

Space Dandy is intriguing to me...but I can't decide if I am really excited for it.  It has a crew behind it that has created some amazing stuff.  There's no denying the pedigree of those involved, but the trailers I've seen make me think that the anime can't make up its mind as to what it wants to be.  Part campy, part serious can certainly work, but I fear the series is going to leave me wanting more of one side than the other.

I'll definitely give it a try and am looking forward to see some episodes to form a true opinion, but right now I'm more cautious than optimistic.  What do you think of Space Dandy?  Does it look like something that will tickle your fancy?

Adult Swim airing Akira this Saturday, puts together fantastic promo

Once again, Adult Swim absolutely nails it with their promos.  If you didn't know, Adult Swim is showing the remastered version of Akira this Saturday night, which is part of a month-long event dedicated to Saturday night anime movies.  I'm sure all the picks will be top-notch, as will the promos for them.

Lupin the Third goes live-action

You're looking at a sneak-peek of actor Shun Oguri portraying none other than Lupin himself in an upcoming live-action adaptation of Lupin the Third.  I'm ashamed to admit that I knew nothing of the Lupin series until Adult Swim started airing it years ago, but I quickly became a huge fan.  I find the cast of characters in the Lupin franchise is a wonderfully fleshed-out and interesting gang.  It's what makes the series so much fun to watch!  It's hard to dislike watching the bad guys when they're so damn personable!

As far as a live-action adaptation goes, I'm really down for anything.  I wouldn't say that the idea is one I'm jumping out of my skin to see, but I'll certainly give it a chance.  I've gotten plenty of enjoyment out of the animated antics of Lupin and the gang, some of which would certainly translate to real-life.  I just hope that this upcoming movie adaptation doesn't lose some of the personality and wackiness that the show offers.

That's my two cents on Lupin the Third's live-action film, but what do you have to say?  Share a tweet at @animeyour way or comment here and let us know!

I need my Ghost in the Shell: Arise!

I love the Ghost in the Shell series.  The movies, the TV series and everything else inbetween.  There's not a bit of it that I haven't been able to get some enjoyment out of.  It's certainly a watermark anime series that did big things for the industry, which means any new installments big bring attention with them.  Ghost in the Shell: Arise has a lot to live up to, but I'm certainly ready to give it a shot.

As you may remember, I'm all about the localizations and dubs, so I'm hanging back to see this one when it actually releases in the states.  I know that FUNimation picked up the rights awhile back, so they'll probably bring the entire 4-part OVA here at some point.  I don't know how long I'll have to wait for that to happen, but I'm getting just a tad impatient!

Out of all the Ghost in the Shell content out there, what bit is your favorite?  Shoot us a tweet at @animeyourway or comment on this post to let us know!

Kill la Kill looks like a an anime for me

Kill la Kill looks and sounds like an anime I have to see.  Its coming from a group of people that have made some truly outstanding anime, I love the visual style and the idea behind it seems like it'll offer up plenty of interesting content.  I'm ashamed to say that I've only ever seen trailers of the show and read about it on Wiki, but I really do want to change that.  I think the time for that change is this weekend.

Have you checked out Kill la Kill?  If so, please tweet or comment and let me know what you think!

South Park does another anime tribute with 'Princess Kenny'

South Park is no stranger to anime tributes in its episodes, but we had another surprise spoof in last night's episode.  The episode in question was part 2 of a two-part feature on the console wars between Sony's Playstation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One.  In the clip below, Kenny has been given a special gift from Sony that transforms him into a real princess.  No, it doesn't make any sense, but that doesn't stop it from being funny!

FLCL's return to Toonami announced with the perfect commercial

As I stated when I started this blog awhile back, FLCL is the reason I got into anime.  I had seen anime films and certain shows before FLCL, but it was that series that really showed me how amazing anime could be.  On the surface it seems like a bat-shit crazy anime that does nothing but scream in your face.  When you decide to look past that you start to see what the show really offers.  It's an experience unlike any other I've had from film/TV.

It's almost like FLCL uses its wackiness to keep the close-minded away.  Most people will see less than 5 minutes of FLCL and decide that it's insane just for the sake of being insane.  It's like every other anime out there.  It is pervy, full of yelling and makes no sense at all.  All the stereotypes you usually hear about anime that we know aren't true, but your average joe has already made up his mind.  FLCL relishes in that ignorant viewpoint to keep those types of people away.  For those that are willing to truly open their minds and experience something new, FLCL offers a ride that never ceases to amaze.

When I originally saw FLCL, I saw it on Adult Swim's anime night.  I saw one episode and was absolutely floored.  It was a truly transformative moment in my life.  It started me down the rabbit hole of anime that I never looked back from.  I may not have the time or funds to do as much with anime as I'd like, but it is indeed a deep part of who I am.  It helped to form part of my mentality and my approach to life.  It helped to make me more open-minded and understanding.

That's why I was so happy to see FLCL coming back to Adult Swim's Toonami rebirth.  The commercial above absolutely gives me goosebumps.  In just 30 seconds, it accurately describes the vibe and importance of the show.  I've always known that the Adult Swim gang were some pretty cool people, but their work on this commercial cements it for me.  They understand how amazing anime can be and what it can offer to those that are willing to partake.

One of the greatest anime series' of all time, they say.  I couldn't have said it better myself.

The Wind Rises - North American trailer

What an absolutely gorgeous trailer.  I've been hyped about this for awhile now.  I can't wait to check it out!  No official screening information released yet, but the official site should be adding those details soon.

What do you have to say about Miyazaki's final film?  Leave a comment and let us know.  Also feel free to send us a tweet at @AnimeYourWay.

Good to be back, guys.  Back for good, I promise.