disappointing

“W” Does Not Stand for “Wonder” in Dimension W

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A brief, spoiler-free review of the 12-episode winter 2016 anime “Dimension W,” produced by Studio 3Hz, based on the manga by Yuji Iwahara.

Enter the near future – 2071 to be exact – and you’d find a world transformed and reinvented by “coils,” battery-like bolts which tap into the fourth dimension to channel unlimited energy. Though New Tesla energy company’s coils can be bought off shelves, secretive bootleggers would rather sell illegal coils to earn a living in this seemingly Utopian era.

Not if they are stopped by Collectors, though. These individuals hunt down private companies and illegal coils for a bounty, often living reckless and dangerous lives lit by the night sky. Dimension W enlarges the life of Kyouma Mabuchi, a Collector with a pretty scarred past that caused him to detest coils—He refuses to use them for anything, be it powering his car or a gun. On one particular spree, Kyouma runs into Mira, a robot girl who runs on coils like we rely on blood. As Kyouma grudgingly extends his rough hands for a partnership in the biz, the two uncover the truth of this elusive fourth dimension and how its entire foundation might actually stem from Kyouma’s long-lost past.

Looks are deceiving. Much as how Mira (despite being a robot) is surprisingly more humane than Kyouma, Dimension W has the solid setting to create an unimaginable sci-fi story, yet falls short in nearly every department. Namely, it fails to further explain what exactly a “coil” is. We know what they can power (and what happens when they are disrupted), but we don’t know how they work. And for a science fiction series, breaking down what futuristic concept is being introduced should be the first priority. Now, we did get a half-assed reasoning in the last episode, only to find out it was based on a faulty concept all along. Pretty sure that’s not how energy works . . .

Where this anime does shine is in its characters. Specifically, the leads, Kyouma and Mira. The dynamic between them is great, the vintage Kyouma always muttering “piece of junk” rather than the android’s name as if he defies the idea that coils can produce something so human in nature. In fact, he’s like an old man resisting an iPhone because he knows how unprotected technology leaves folks these days. Kyouma’s veteran past may have left him stubborn and grim, but Mira, for some odd reason, is able to break through his wall and find a beating heart under that worn, red happi coat of his. I mean, Mira is adorable as f***, so it makes sense. Over the course of the series, Kyouma will grow to accept and respect this lime-haired heroine, and that development in itself is a huge driving factor for the show.

The actual plot lacks a cohesive run. Dimension W’s first five episodes are an incredible mix of mystery, high-energy action, and wonder (I even thought for a while there the title’s “W” stood as such), but after an intense two-episode story midway, the setting is shifted towards a location rooted in memories of the past – Easter Island – and the plot becomes unraveling the events which took place back during Kyouma’s Grendel days. We seem to have ditched building on the futuristic setting and the ‘wonder’ surrounding the coils for a lame survival battle with a crap ton of new characters with zero background. Like, what? I thought the show was about Mira and Kyouma and their suspenseful jobs as Collectors fighting off the enigmatic masked cyborg “Loser.” This could’ve been the next Psycho-Pass, but instead we got yet another sci-fi with an unmemorable plot! All was especially disappointing considering FUNimation Entertainment’s first-ever assistance/partnership with the show’s production. I was really hoping for a bang!

At least the technical execution was pretty faithful. Very little has come from Studio 3Hz, but the team managed to pull off a halfway decent-looking anime. While watching Kyouma throw his skewers all over the place was amusing, there were quite a few noticeable shortcuts made. One is that on occasion, characters will be zoomed up during dialogue with solid-colored backgrounds behind them. Another was the lazy animation in the last couple of fights, particularly that of with the show’s lame antagonist. Again, I really enjoyed the character designs and the first few episodes. After that, not so much.

What really got me was Yoshiaki Fujisawa’s epic music. You may recognize his soundtracks in Gate, Love Live!, Yuri Yuri, and others. Watching FUNimation’s Production Diaries on YouTube, we got insight into his inspiration for writing not only DW’s music, but soundtracks in general. Really interesting stuff for a music buff like myself.

By now it should be no surprise to you that I was pretty disappointed with this anime, especially after seeing many behind-the-scenes clips and knowing the work that went into the project. When it comes down to it, the plot is the one at fault. Dimension W had great potential, starting off with strong leads and an impressive premise. Once the ball got rolling, all I kept doing was looking back at the previous episodes (well, that and the clock to see how much more time I had to wade through), and I felt the show itself was doing the exact same thing. The conclusion was also pretty lousy, given that I came in wanting to exploit the coil system rather than the scientists who made it. Fantastic start, but a hard flop to the finish.

“I think things that remain even after time passes are wonderful. It’s proof that the people who made them and used them were alive. By holding them dear, I think it makes the present shine even more.” – Kyouma’s wife, Miyabi Azumaya

Enough about being trapped in the past! What did you think of Dimension W? Did you make it all the way through? I know several decided to drop the show, and while I wish I was able to do that, I’m the kind of guy that needs to see things through ‘till the end. My report: Dimension W will be recognized as a “Coffee” here at the café! Not bad, just a bit too bitter for my taste. I’m still catching up on comments from the last review, but let’s talk more about the show down below! Until next time, this has been

– Takuto, your host

 

 

The Root of All Disappointment: Tokyo Ghoul √A

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A review of the 2015 winter anime “Tokyo Ghoul √A”

Remember that fireworks analogy I made in my Tokyo Ghoul review: suspenseful start, awkward wait, explosive finish? Well, I will now describe √A using a continuation of that comparison, let’s say, what the actual firework looked like. If the first season was the bang, then this sequel is the tiny bursts of light that follow. Bursts so minor, dull and utterly disappointing that by the end of the display, you’ve realized that you purchased a cheap firework, and the only way to get your money back is by reading the manga.

***Spoilers for Tokyo Ghoul ahead

√A picks up right where we last left it. Kaneki gives into his inner ghoul and, battle after battle alongside “Aogiri Tree” unleashes more of the deadly, uncontrollable powers that Jason infected him with. Over at CCG, superior officers and Amon handle new recruits, one being Mado’s daughter, Akira. The finale takes us back to every ghoul’s favorite coffee shop, “Anteiku,” where the monstrous “Owl” reveals his identity. Carnage ensues.

And that’s about all I got. Whisked from one large-scale bloodbath to the next, there’s never a moment to just stop and think about the what’s going on. As such, there’s not really time to cram in motives for most of the major ghouls introduced in this season either. You desperately try to grasp onto any connections within the show, but nothing pieces together correctly; the plot is far too choppy.

Also, I could give one finger less about the CCG dudes and their struggle against the ghouls – Why can’t we uncover the secrets surrounding the ghouls already: Where did Ghouls come from? What determines their powers? Do the Kagunes have special properties, and how can normal people wield them? What can a half-breed do better than anyone else? How did Rize actually die?? My previous questions still go unanswered 😦

Other than Akira Mado, whose incredible intel and willingness to seek out the truth seems fresh since NOBODY ELSE KNOWS WHAT’S GOING ON, the characters in this sequel also stand as unremarkable. Even Kaneki, my previous fave attends the sidelines right up until the end, where the “plot” makes the decisions for him. I couldn’t even call his big revelation character development; it was ridiculously unreal, forced maturation. The new detectives and ghouls that come out to play also only get a ten-second flashback to fill you in, then the fight continues. What the actual f*ck? Literally, I don’t know any other characters besides the Anteiku gang. They were pretty chill ~

Animation was just as enjoyable as before, but there were several more obvious derps. For instance, during on one of the fights, they panned out to a downwards view of a ghoul in the air and some CCG dude on the ground was sliding parallel with the ghoul. So either that guy can glide over concrete or the ground was shifting below him :’D A coincidental fog also happens to blur out most of the background during the prison fight and the final confrontation. Studio Pierrot, that’s plain lazy!

Sound quality remained one of the best aspects, with phenomenal voice acting for Tsukiyami, Juuzou, and Kaneki (whenever he actually spoke) and an epic orchestral OST to back up all of that combat! There was one particular grand, foot-tapping string instrumental that caught my ear each time it played, but I can’t seem to find the name. While the opening was sadly annoying as all hell, the ending “Kisetsu wa Tsugitsugi Shindeiku” by Amazarashi had vibrant still visuals depicting the cast, which was pretty neat.

You’re probably wondering, “Takuto, if the plot was a disaster, the characters were rushed and bland, and animation is kinda sloppy, then what is there commendable, if anything, about this show?” I have to give the sole reason I liked this series to the final episode. By the end, nothing really gets accomplished, nothing is answered, and we still don’t know whom we are cheering for, but the reuniting of two characters – Kaneki and his old best friend Hide – brings EVERYTHING to a halt, where something very special happens.

In the midst of the bloody chaos on the ruined streets: wounded and dead, male and female, adult and child – all lying on the ground, Kaneki finally embraces his harsh reality in a very cold yet artistic and heartbreaking scene that chilled me to the bone. I was reminded of ALDNOAH.ZERO‘s first cour ending.

Tokyo Ghoul as a whole is extremely flawed. √A leaves off hinting a third season, but honestly, it’s not worth watching. In my defense, I have never read the manga, which I know has several significant variations, explanations, and development in it. Thus, I rate Tokyo ghoul √A a “Bread” here at the cafe, and a recommendation to ONLY watch it if you are a desperate fan of the manga. It had a beautifully choreographed ending, I’ll admit, but everything else is a complete wreck.

“I was wrong. I wasn’t eating ghouls. I’m the one . . . who was being eaten.” – Kaneki Ken

“Whether we die or not isn’t really that big of a deal.” – Insane boy Juuzou

+ Epic orchestral OST and voice acting make overall sound a near-perfect

+ Artistic and heartbreaking ending

– A mountain of unexplained plot holes, and there’s still more to the story

– Too many characters to balance, especially when all we get is combat and no pensive conversations

– Who are we rooting for again?

What did you guys think of √A? It wasn’t so bad compared to what I thought it’d be, but it was still incredibly disappointing. *sighs* If the prison scene was the climax of this season, which was built up by explanations and proper introductions of the characters, some drama here and there, then this would have been a great season. This way, the Anteiku clash could have been  the third season’s climax, with even more character development and secrets of the ghouls revealed. Gosh, maybe I should have directed this series, haha, maybe . . . Comment below with your thoughts and until next time, this has been

– Takuto, your host