400 Posts-Recap: Spirited Away

Hello again, and welcome to my 400th post. When I first started this blog, I didn't think I'd get this far. I've looked at many things, gone through many weird updates and talked to many weird people. Some of these people are... confused. People who criticize great movies for petty reasons and wouldn't recognize a good one if it fell in their laps. The time has come to talk about Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, one of my favorite films ever; that changed me as a person. So, let's open it up.

We open a girl named Chihiro Ogino looking over a bouquet of flowers as her family is moving to a new home in the Japanese countryside. Chihiro is none too thrilled about this as the movie opens, she's a bit of a pessimist. Her mother also tells her that sometimes it can be an adventure. Pay attention, this is going to be important later.


Her father takes a wrong turn and gets lost. The imagery is impressive. Anyway, they stop at a gate her father believes is fake. Chihiro notices the wind pulling them in. Her dad wants to go in, but Chihiro does not. Her mother also wants to go, but Chihiro still refuses. After pondering by the statue out front, she does go in.

Everyone wonders what the place is as Chihiro hears a train. They all come over a grassy field and see a bunch of buildings. Her dad thinks the place is an abandoned theme park, stating the economy went bad. Oh yes- the “lost decade” and all those abandoned theme parks. Just Google those terms and you’ll get a lot of interesting information.

Chihiro wants to go back, and the wind starts blowing harder. They cross a dry riverbed when her dad smells food. Chihiro doesn’t want any, and her parents promptly make pigs of themselves.

Chihiro tries to warn them, but they just keep gorging. Chihiro then decides to take a walk, and sees a massive bath house.  She looks over the bridge to see the train go by when a boy approaches her. The boy tells her she shouldn’t be there. He tells her to go while he distracts the others.

She finds her parents, but they’ve turned into pigs! Chihiro tries to find her parents and get out of there! The river is also blocking her way back!


Chihiro thinks she’s dreaming as she becomes see-through! A boat docks, and many strange spirits get off. The boy from earlier says she has to eat food from their world or she’ll disappear! When Chihiro refuses, her hand goes right through the boy’s head!

Chihiro eats the food and becomes tangible again. The boy tells Chihiro she will see her and parents again. The boy takes her through the storeroom and the pigpen. He tells Chihiro to hold her breath as they cross the bridge, or they’ll know she’s human. The spirits greet the boy as they cross. His name is Haku.

They almost make it across when a frog jumps up and surprises Chihiro! Haku tells Chihiro she can’t stay there, and she has to go if she wants to help her parents.

He uses a mind-meld to give her instructions: when things quiet down, she must go to the boiler room and meet the boiler man, Kamaji. She has to ask for a job and keep asking if they refuse. If she doesn’t get a job, Yubaba will turn her into an animal. Yubaba is a witch who is in charge of the bath house. Kamaji will try to trick Chihiro, but Haku tells her to keep asking for work. Chihiro asks how he knows her name, and Haku replies he’s known her a long time.

Haku goes inside, and Chihiro slips out the back gate. Chihiro then carefully makes her way down the stairs. She tries to watch her step, but a board breaks and she comes careening down into the wall!

Chihiro reaches the boiler room and sees Kamaji. She also sees a bunch of soot sprites carrying pieces of coal into the fire. The sprites previously appeared in "My Neighbor Totoro." Kamaji tells the sprites to get back to work as a woman enters and says it's dinner time. Kamaji says Chihiro is is granddaughter, and tells the woman to take her to Yubaba. The woman, named Lin initially refuses, but changes her mind when Kamaji gives her a roasted newt. Lin tells Chihiro to follow her, and she thanks Kamaji as she enters the bath house.

Lin says they need to go to the top floor. I really love the design of the bath house: not just the architecture, but all the moving parts and machinery.

They reach the halfway point as they meet a radish spirit. I am really enjoying the designs of all the spirits as they go through the bath house. Lin tries to hide Chihiro as one of the workers smells something. Lin presents the roasted Newt and taunts the attendant with it. Chihiro pulls the lever to go up as she stays hidden.

She reaches the top and Yubaba's office. Yubaba motions her to come in as the doors close one by one behind her! As she's filling out forms, three heads start bouncing around towards Chihiro. Yubaba is not happy with Chihiro coming there, and asks who helped her. Chihiro continually asks for a job, which makes Yubaba angry; and she promptly tells her off.

As a baby starts crying, Yubaba reluctantly agrees to give her a job. Yubaba gives Chihiro a contract to sign in order to work at the bath house. Yubaba takes her name right off the contract and dubs her "Sen." Sen tries to speak with Haku, but he's acting differently from before. He tells her to address him as "Master Haku."

The spirits are not pleased with the fact they have to work with a human. Sen promises to work hard, and Haku says if she doesn't; well, they get to decide that. Sen bunks with Lin as she's given quarters and a uniform. I really like Lin and the no-nonsense attitude she displays.

Morning has come, and Haku comes to wake Sen. Haku still knows who she really is, and agrees to take her to her parents. The soot sprites bring Sen her shoes as she goes to meet Haku. As she exits the building, she sees a strange spirit known as "No Face." Haku tells Sen to hurry: if they find her, they'll turn her into a pig!

She finds her parents and says she'll save them. Haku tells her she has to remember where they are. Haku gives Sen her clothes and her goodbye card with her real name, and says she'll need them to get home. Haku says she must remember her name or she won't get home. He forgot his name and is trapped there. Haku gives Sen some food, which restores her strength. As she returns to the bath house, she thanks Haku for being such a good friend as she sees a dragon in the sky!

Sen tries her best, but she isn't used to working so hard. She and Lin are assigned the "big tub," which hasn't been cleaned in months! Lin tells her to get an herbal soak token from the foreman. The foreman won't give her the token, and tells her to scrub it herself. As he answers the telephone, No Face gives Sen the token; much to the foreman's confusion.

A stink spirit is supposedly coming, but Yubaba is suspicious. Yubaba tells them to take the spirit to the big tub. This is just the chance Sen needs to prove herself. The "stink spirit" covers the entire area in muck. Sen goes to the big tub to help clean the spirit. The spirit takes her into his hands, and she notices something stuck in its side! Yubaba realizes this isn't a stink spirit. They end up pulling out a bicycle and a bunch of garbage as muck comes pouring out! The spirit takes Sen and congratulates her with a dumpling. Among all the trash is gold! The building starts to rumble as the spirit make his way out the door! It was a river spirit! Everyone comes out to celebrate Sen's success. That evening, Lin and Sen share dinner as they talk about the events of that day. Sen tries the dumpling, and is so revolted she gobbles up the rest of her dinner.

The frog is wandering the hall when No Face gives him gold! No Face gives him more and more and he then eats the frog! He then tells the boss he wants food and a bath. The next morning, Sen goes to see her parents, but it was only a dream. She wakes to find Lin and everyone else gone!

She goes to find Haku, and sees him getting attacked by a bunch of strange birds! She gets Haku inside, and finds out the birds are just made of paper! Sen tries to go upstairs, but the elevator operator is scared of the blood on her! No Face then starts eating the staff of the bath house!



Sen tries to open the window, and finds herself in the baby's room! She tries to escape, but is grabbed by the baby! Sen says someone she knows needs help, but the baby won't let her go! Sen holds up her dirty hand as she slips out!

Someone enters Yubaba's office, but it's not her! She turns the baby into a mouse, the bird into a sparrow and the three heads into a baby. The woman is Yubaba's twin sister, Zeniba. She demands her gold seal back from Haku. Haku is getting worse, and he and Sen fall down the garbage chute! They crash into the boiler room, and Kamaji determines Haku is bleeding internally. Sen gives him the medicine, and Haku writhes around as he swallows it. He coughs up a slug, and Sen squashes it! Haku reverts to human form, but he's still in bad shape! Kamaji explains Haku was drifting and just showed up one day. He became Yubaba's apprentice, and was never the same. Sen decides to help Haku by returning the seal to Zeniba. She asks the sprites for her clothes and shoes. Kamaji tells Sen to go to Swamp Bottom to see Zeniba, and presents her with train tickets to make the journey.

Lin meets Sen with a boat to take her to the train station. She then presents the conductor with the ticket and begins her journey to Zeniba's house with No Face. Night falls as the train makes its way down the line. Back at the bath house, Yubaba demands to know where her baby is, and Haku tells her he's with Zeniba! Haku will get her baby in return for revoking Sen's contract and sending her and her parents back to the real world! Yubaba agrees on the condition she undergo one last test.

Sen reaches Zeniba's house in Swamp Bottom, and Zeniba greets them as she decides to make tea. Zeniba tells Sen she will have to help her parents on her own, and her love for Haku broke the spell. Zeniba has made her something: a tie for her hair that will protect her. Haku arrives at the door in his dragon form, alive and well.

Zeniba forgives Haku, and No Face decides to stay with her. Chihiro then sets off. Chihiro remembers when she was very young, she lost her shoe in the river. When she tried to get it back, she fell in. She thought she would drown, but the water saved her! She realizes Haku is really the spirit of the Kohaku river!

Kohaku reverts to his human form as his memories return! Morning rises at the bath house as Chihiro and Kohaku return. The baby even returns! Kohaku then reminds Yubaba of her promise, and Yubaba reminds him of the test. Chihiro, with newfound confidence, accepts. Yubaba, with her contract in her hand, says if Chihiro can tell which pigs are her parents, they can go. She says none of the pigs are them! She's correct, and she can go.

Chihiro and her parents are back where they started. Kohaku tells her to go, saying they will meet again. Sure enough, her parents are at the gate waiting for her. As they go to their new home, Chihiro decides to face the future before her.

So that's Spirited Away: after all these years, it remains an amazing movie and one I hold within my heart. Seeing the beautiful animation and moving story of how Chihiro goes from a whiny little girl to a fine young woman makes this a movie no one should miss. It's a wonderful fantasy adventure, and the ideal family film. Thank you for supporting me all this time. Bang.

Recap: File 4-Charizard

We now conclude my look at Pokémon Origins with Part 4-Charizard!

Red has beaten the Elite Four, but Lance tells him there is one more challenge to face: the champion! It's Blue! With great vigor; Red steps up to the challenge to take on his rival. The battle goes on with attack after attack until it comes down to Red's Charizard and Blue's Blastoise. They are on much more even footing than the match at the start of the special; though they are both much more powerful. Blastoise even takes a punch to the face and his glare doesn't even break! Even so, Red wins! So he becomes champion. Wow. They weren't messing around when they made this special; were they?

So, now Red's next task is filling in the blank spaces in his Pokédex, which is standard procedure for me when I beat the Elite Four and Champion in the games. Pokémon of note include his capture of Pikachu; essentially the Mickey Mouse of the franchise and as big a Nintendo icon as Mario, Link, or Samus. There's also his adventure in the Safari Zone. The bait! Throw the bait!

He also gets the legendary birds: we see him get Articuno in the Seafoam Islands; but it's not shown when he gets Zapdos in the abandoned power plant and Moltres in Victory Road. Yet, the Ultra Balls dissolved over their bodies are all we need. 

Red returns to Pallet Town, and finds Blue lying in bed covered in bandages. Professor Oak is by his side; and Blue's Pokédex is broken. It seems he went after Mewtwo; and he's every bit as threatening as he has been in prior adaptations. Professor Oak then reveals that Red will need the Mega Stones to capture him. 

Red goes to the cave by Cerulean City; and Mewtwo is waiting for him. Not even the Legendary Birds stand a chance against Mewtwo. Charizard is the last Pokémon; but he and Red are knocked into the water! As Red and Charizard lay adrift; Red then activates the Mega Stones! Behold! Mega Charizard X! I'm enjoying the design of him; with the black skin and blue flames. I'm getting a kind of Night Fury vibe looking at him. With this, Red defeats and captures Mewtwo! With an Ultra Ball, no less! 

Red returns home to celebrate his completion of the Pokédex; but then he announces his next task: finding Mew, as he drifts by Red's window! It's as organic a sequel hook as you can find; akin to Luke getting a new hand and vowing to stop the Empire once and for all, Nick Fury showing up at Tony Stark’s house; or Emmett "Doc" Brown inviting Marty to come back to the future to help his children.

I can say I was satisfied with this last part of the special, as well as its entirety. While I agree that the finale is a bit rushed; it does do a very good job of tying up the loose ends, as well as leaving an opening for more specials if they desire. I'd be open to the idea of it, but it's really up to the creators to decide. Since reception to this special has been roundly positive, I can say it could happen. 

However, as much as I like how they were able to pull off a direct-to-game adaptation and show Red; I can say that Ash and the main anime are not without merit. I have taken very great care to give newer seasons and newer games a chance; as well as point out there are far worse characters and merchandise-driven anime out there. If I took one character or adaptation as an opportunity to disparage another, I'd be like I was when I was 13; or a Kotaku writer. In my opinion, Ash and Red would be friends, fighting alongside each other; sharing lunch and occasionally playing Super Smash Bros. Wii U. I would be open to seeing more specials; starting with one centered around Gold and Silver. My answer to the whole Ash or Red debate is taking a third option with Gold. I close with the fact that it's OK to like more than one adaptation and character of Pokémon; much like it's OK to like more than one Jedi Knight or Star Wars movie. I daresay I'm getting off track; but I'm going to wrap this up here.

My last big comparison is this; something I drew even before this special went into production: if the current anime is like the Adam West Batman, then Origins is very much like The Dark Knight. This will not be the last Pokémon-related piece I do on this blog for that reason. With how XY has used its influence to great extent (and not just by the animators taking over the work for the mainline series); I can say the best is yet to come. Bang.

Recap: File 3-Giovanni

So, now we arrive at Pokémon Origins File 3: Giovanni. Red continues his journey, clashing with Team Rocket and meeting Giovanni, in addition to getting the Rainbow Badge from Erika; and the Soul Badge from Koga. Once again, I must address the pacing. I will admit it's kind of choppy in this part; especially in regards to the gym leaders; but it's totally worth it for what I'm about to tell you about.

Red reaches Saffron City; and the place is crawling with Rocket Grunts; who have the city held hostage. Red and Blue rescue a secretary from Silph Tower; who tells them that Giovanni is after the prototypes for the Master Ball; which as you know, can capture any Pokémon without failure. They have the Pokémon, scientists, and office workers locked up; and it's implied that the secretary is injured. She's limping, and her stockings are all torn up. 

Red tells Blue to go take the secretary to Celadon City to call the police. Blue is unsure of this, but he changes his mind when Red grabs him by the collar of his shirt and calls him on it. If I must bring up the Ash analogy; I'm once again limiting it to this: I like both characters very much; but in different ways, in the same manner I like different Starfleet captains in different ways. Kirk, of course, is the icon; the crafty loose cannon that has been subject to much parody. In the case of the 2009 Star Trek film; it would be an official, CBS and Paramount-approved one. Picard is more by the book; but he is more level-headed and willing to seek out diplomatic solutions before the phasers come out. Sisko: he has to be an envoy of peace on Deep Space Nine as well as deal with the fact that he's raising his son as a widower. I'm in the process of re-watching Deep Space Nine; and I can easily liken this to Sisko punching Q in his first appearance on DS9.

You know what's about to happen, what they're up against!

Anyway, back to Pokémon. Red then storms Silph Tower, rescuing the hostages; both human and Pokémon alike. To thank him, the staff gives him Lapras. It's been a while since I've read the Red and Blue arc of Special; but I imagined something like this when I was playing Red and Blue. A 10-year-old kid is stepping into a situation where most adults are filling their pants with fudge. What makes this significant is this isn't just the Wile E. Coyote-like Team Rocket of old. I'm reminded of Helen's advice to Violet and Dash in The Incredibles, which is my favorite Pixar film: "Remember those bad guys on those shows you used to watch on Saturday mornings? Well these guys are not like those guys. They won't exercise restraint because you're children. They will kill you if they get the chance. Do not give them that chance."

Now, Red confronts Giovanni in the boardroom of Silph Tower. Giovanni in this special is voiced by Jamieson Price in the dub. As in Lordgenome. The man who voiced the villain of my favorite anime is now voicing the villain of my gateway into anime. Despite Red's best efforts, Giovanni not only wipes the floor with him, he smashes through the wall! He then escapes. Even though Red does not feel good about his escape, the president of Silph Corp thanks Red for rescuing him.

Red continues his journey, capturing more Pokémon and defeating Sabrina, Blaine, and the fighting dojo.

Now, he has arrived back in Viridian City; and he finds Blue already has the Earth Badge. Red has little time for Blue's gloating, and goes to challenge the leader himself.

Biggs! How are you?

Then, he is astonished to find that the gym leader is Giovanni! Outraged at this; Red vows to defeat him once and for all! The battle begins with Giovanni on the upper hand; but Red perseveres till it's down to his Charizard and Giovanni's Rhydon. Giovanni is angry on the surface, but in his mind; he's impressed. He remembers his own training as a child; before became one of the most iconic villains in the franchise and quite possibly the entire Nintendo canon. This scene can easily resonate with longtime fans like me. I'm also seeing a lot of parallels with Simon's fight with Lordgenome.

To the very end, Red and Charizard come out on top. Giovanni gives Red the Earth Badge. While Red is reluctant to accept it from the head of Team Rocket, Giovanni insists he keep it as a symbol of victory against him as Gym Leader. With this; he decides to disband Team Rocket. Red then rides off into the sunset toward the Indigo Plateau!

So, this part of the special was a marked improvement over the previous segment. The key standouts were Red's assault on Silph Tower and his battle with Giovanni. I must once again address the pacing; since while it is doing a very good job at making the world of Red and Blue come alive, it does kind of chug through much of the gym battles. I may have liked to see a bit more time spent on the other gym leaders and the significance of Red's captures; but it's still very good in terms of storytelling. Once again, I must reiterate that I am trying NOT to compare this to the main anime as many are. I know it's difficult; given that the main anime now has as many detractors as it does fans, but put it this way: Origins is essentially doing to Pokémon what Evangelion did to mecha series and what Puella Magi is doing to magical girls. I haven't read Special very much; but I do admire its more serious treatment of battles and how it often plays with my expectations in terms of characters. The art is also very good. I love how Mato adapted Ken Sugimori's designs; but unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's as the Gold and Silver arc was winding down and had to retire from drawing. The new artist has a good style; but that's not important right now. Back on the Star Trek analogy I used earlier: not just in characters, but the stories of the bulk of TOS and early TNG were very optimistic. After Gene Roddenberry's death in 1991; the rest of TNG and all of Deep Space Nine and Voyager became much more cynical, bringing about key events like Wolf-359 and the Dominion War and focusing more on the imperfections of the Federation. I can only imagine how dark the alternate reality films will be as they go on. Likewise, while the main anime is still very idealistic with some dark elements thrown in; the various manga, games, and Origins are much more cynical. Even then, they still manage to capture the fun of being part of the Pokémon World; which is why I'm still a fan at my age.

Next time, my look at Pokémon Origins concludes with Part 4: Charizard!

Recap: File 2-Cubone

We pick up by actually loading the save game as if we were playing it on an old Game Boy! Red won his battles against Misty and Lt. Surge, caught more Pokémon, got more TMs and HMs; the bike, and clashed with Team Rocket. Welcome to Pokémon Origins Part 2: Cubone!

At the Pokémon Center in Lavender Town; Red hears of the ghosts of Pokémon Tower. He's new in town; and it's revealed it's a Pokémon Graveyard, much like in the games. While the main anime was more humorous; this one is absolutely heartbreaking. That's one mention of the main anime for this segment; as things are going to get real dark, real fast.

Red mentions he doesn't believe in ghosts, but decides to go anyway. Before he does, he goes to the Pokémon House. Much bigger on the inside. It's a home for abandoned or orphaned Pokémon. Ready your tissues; get ready to hold the bridge of your nose, it's going to be one of those times. I shall try to maintain my composure the best I can; but it's one of the most emotionally powerful Pokémon moments ever.

Cubone is in the pen; and now we begin the story. So, now we see the first animated depiction of how vile Team Rocket can be. We see how far they will go to steal Pokémon; and we get the very first animated depiction of them killing Marowak. Mr. Fuji has helped Cubone cope; but it's not doing too well. Then, Mr. Fuji has been taken hostage by Team Rocket at Pokémon Tower! Red gets ready to storm the place; as Team Rocket has declared a stakeout at Pokémon Tower. Given their presentation: it's drawing directly from how they behaved in the games; and the violence and tone are about a hard PG on par with Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark.

And now, your Highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden rebel base.

Blue sets out to stop Team Rocket; but for the glory rather than the noble cause. Shinji Miyazaki's rendition of the Lavender Town theme is very haunting and emotional. A woman coming to visit her Nidoran's grave escorts Red upstairs. 

Blue is also skeptical of ghosts, even more so than Red. While Blue's clothes are based on his redesign, his characterization would be right at home in 1998. I've always been a fan of how worldly the adaptations have made the games. Even though the stories have gotten more elaborate and the characters have gotten more varied; this special captures the feeling of playing the game at age 6 and trying to fill in the details yourself. Even when playing in black and white (or monochrome color if you had a Game Boy Color); you can make your way in the Pokémon world any way you want to. Above all, I can say that Origins succeeded in where Chronicles failed for me in recreating the experience of playing the game. A direct to game adaptation is actually not as easy as you think. It's not like adapting a book or a TV show; where there are concrete story paths and character descriptions given. Playing a game can take the story in any direction; and you might not always make the right choices the first time. Why do you think the subgenre was seen as so bad until Wreck-It Ralph came out?

Anyway, the Rocket grunts are just polishing Poké Balls while they stand guard. The have the Silph Scope, but they're defeated and Red gets it. I must note the Silph Scope kind of looks like the Virtual Boy; this really crappy 3D game system that did what the 3DS does; only a lot worse. 

It's revealed to be the ghost of Marowak, who is quelled when Cubone comes to make peace. I'm reminded a lot of Dinobot's death in Beast Wars. While the original Pokémon was among the first TV shows to make me cry; Dinobot's death in Code of Honor was THE first. I can even imagine this scene being used with this final soliloquy from Shakespeare: "Tell my tale to those who will hear; honor my memory, and let my soul be judged accordingly. The rest is silence."

With this; Red then goes to take care of Team Rocket. He has a Jolteon now; and it makes short work of their Koffing. Koffing even sports the familiar grin even as he's being hit with Thunderbolt. With Team Rocket driven from the tower and Mr. Fuji rescued; the mourners are able to return to pay their respects.

To thank him; Mr. Fuji gives him the Poké Flute and the Mega Stones. Red asks what they're for, and Mr. Fuji says he'll know when the time is right.

With this, Red sets off; and now I must address the pacing. Apart from the montages of the battles, this segment managed to cover about 3 hours of gameplay in about 22 minutes. This goes back to my statement of how adapting a video game is not as easy as adapting a book or a TV show. While it still does a good job of adapting the general gameplay paths one might take; it can feel kind of rushed and uneasy at times, which is also the only real complaint I had with Man of Steel. As for a certain scene: I can't judge Henry Cavill's Superman the same way I can Christopher Reeve's; Tom Welling's, Brandon Routh's, or even Tim Daly's. As such, I must reiterate that I simply cannot judge Ash and Red by the same standards; as they are very different interpretations of the same character. Both the creators and fandom have made it abundantly clear that you can't really go by the same standards. Even so, I regard Ash and Red more favorably than I do other characters. For instance: I watched this really awful Korean show called Tai Chi Chasers; and its lead, Rai, has a reasonably sympathetic backstory of his home life being ruined. So what does he do? Use it an excuse to act like an asshole to everyone around him. Thankfully, Ash and Red; and the great pantheon of Pokémon characters share my ideologies and embody some aspect of my personality, in the same manner Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Indiana Jones do. Despite this segment having some pacing problems; it is satisfying to watch in terms of storytelling and animation. It's clear that the people working on this have taken the same approach with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and The Avengers: take the media and character types of the works that influenced them and use them to make something everyone will enjoy; regardless of background or prior interest. 

Next time, my look at Pokémon Origins continues with Part 3: Giovanni!

Recap: File 1-Red

Recreating the opening screen of the game, and Professor Oak sounds very deep. The animation showing the opening of the Pokémon Red and Blue takes me back to 1998, when everything seemed so much simpler.

So, it's File 1: Red of Pokémon Origins. His mother sounds all right, and Red sounds pretty nice. He has flaws of his own to offset Ash and the public perception that pretty much turns Red into Superman, as Red tumbles down the stairs and rushes out.

Apparently, Green is called Blue. I don't mind; as I never really played Fire Red and Leaf Green; and I was never a big fan of the character redesigns. I find it easier to call him Blue, since when I think of Green, I usually think of the woman in the early Special/Adventures chapters. I'm also not the biggest reader of Special/Adventures, because I don't actually own many of the book collections of them; so I'm limited to fan scans of them.

Professor Oak gives Red and Blue their Pokédexes, and gives them the task of cataloging the Pokémon of the world. Then, he gives them their first Pokémon. 

Also, it seems he refers to Bulbasaur as a "plant Pokémon" rather than a "grass Pokémon". Not too big a gripe; especially given how the writing for Chronicles was a mistranslated, pun-ridden mess.

Blue, much like in the games; as well as his counterpart Gary, is a bit of an ass. It seems the Pokémon Company is aware of all the memes made about him. "That's right! I remember now! His name is DOUCHE!"

Naturally, Red chooses Charmander, like I did in my copy of Pokémon Red; and I still do. He says that it's because of his father that he's doing so. I know. My father has been very supportive of me even though I don't see him all the time.

 I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father.

He says his dad named him Red because of the fire in his eyes; and his heart. They had to rework the rationale for Blue choosing Squirtle because of the name change, but it still gets the point across in its own way. 

Then, after declining the nicknames, they decide to have a battle to test their skills. It seems Kyle Hebert is Professor Oak, and Bryce Papenbrook is Red. I should really not need to introduce Kyle because of teenage Gohan, Saiyaman, and Kamina; but I think Bryce Papenbrook needs some information. He had previously voiced Masoami Kida in Durarara, and young Vash in Trigun; both anime I recommend, by the way. He does a fairly good job on capturing the character's energy.

So, Red starts building up his roster, battling, even' making the mistake of trying to catch someone else's female Nidoran.

Now, get the memetic battle between Red's Charmander and Blue's Squirtle. The one that realistically depicted how a battle would go; and pretty much made older fans cream themselves when Squirtle bit Charmander's cheek and Charmander screamed in pain. The fact the Pokémon cries are more based on the sounds from the games exemplifies this.

Red is distraught at this; and is told by Brock that his method needs work and he needs more experience as a trainer. Also, Brock is voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch. While I was hoping he would get cast as Red; he is still one of my favorite anime voice actors and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to get a role of some sort in this special. 

So, Red works more on fine-tuning his skills as he goes to Viridian City have his Pokémon healed. After talking to Professor Oak about the PC system, he wastes no time in heading to Pewter city.

He goes to the museum and overhears how powerful Brock is. He goes to the gym to challenge him; and they even added the "you're light-years away from facing Brock" line from the games. My theory is this: that trainer knew better. They were just tossing out jargon to try and pull a fast one on a new trainer. Like in the games, it doesn't work.

It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.

So, Brock accepts Red's challenge, taking out two Pokémon; since Red has no badges. Just how I would expect a gym leader with Zero's voice to behave after starring in a crappy second season. 

Brock's Geodude and Red's Charmander face off, and it's clear Red is outmatched. The animation is also incredible, even integrating some of the HP bars from the games. Brock also talks to Red about his strategy; as his ego is what cost him the first battle against Blue. Typical that a gym leader that sounds like Vash the Stampede can offer advice like that.

Then, Red has a trick up his sleeve to win: it's a male Nidoran! He uses the Double Kick to coast through the rest of the match. I honestly did not think about that, in any of my playthroughs of Red, Blue, or Yellow. My strategy was to catch a Caterpie or Metapod in Virdian Forest, raise it into a Butterfree; and spam Confusion, since the Psychic type was easy to exploit in those days. It became more balanced later. 

Red has won, and Brock gives him the Boulder Badge; as well as a TM. While they have yet to appear in the main anime; Origins has depicted them as a disc, much like how the games have for a while. With this, Red actually saves his game before he gets ready to catch more Pokémon and get more badges! I'd say this is the most self-aware Pokémon adaptation I've ever seen.

So, I can say a good job was done with the dub of the first part of Origins. The voice acting and animation are on par with what you'd find in most movies these days. While the main anime is very cartoony and campy; Origins is much darker and more realistic. It's a massive standout in terms of characterization and treatment of battling. The way the Pokémon and trainers behave: it's almost as competitive as you would expect; since that aspect of the games has gotten very big. Even rewatching the older episodes; it's clear that it's just as big a phenomenon in-universe as it is in real life. Merchandise is everywhere; TV coverage of matches is shown in multiple languages, and entire criminal empires are based on Pokémon. Above all, I'm glad this first part managed to capture what's fun about Pokémon while targeting the older audience; which is where Apocalypse failed with me. Still; it's hard not to bring up the main anime when talking about this. Personally, I think you can do worse with merchandise-driven anime; and you can find far worse characters than Ash. At least he never tried to string a guy up by his ankles like Ky Stax did, or try to use an enchanted cell phone diary to coast through life. They are simply two of many ways of seeing the same character. They are just scratching the surface of how diverse protagonists and interpretations of Red are. I'll get more into the character revision aspect later; but for now, I'm going to enjoy this special.

Next time, my look at Pokémon Origins continues with Part 2: Cubone!

Recap: The Ultimate Paper Test

Hello again. Well, it's been a very busy school term, so I've had even less time to do recaps than I've wanted; so now I give you one of the projects I wanted to do in 2013; but couldn't. A recap of my favorite episode of Soul Eater, "The Ultimate Paper Test."

I really enjoy Soul Eater for its gothic art style and paranormal themes; as well as for its very good characterization. I decided to choose this episode to look at to help
ease into writing recaps again. So, let's open it up.

We open on the DWMA, where a ceremony that commemorates Maka being promoted to a death meister and Soul being promoted to a death scythe is taking place. Everyone is there to celebrate.


Then, Maka falls out of her chair and the whole thing was just a dream. Soul then tells her to get ready, or they'll be late.

We then get the theme song, Resonance. While it may not have made the list of my top 13 anime openings, it's still a massive earworm.

At the academy, Dr. Stein says time is short.


The test is announced, which gets the student body all a flutter, save for Maka.

Maka vows to not let Soul cheat; and also points out her rival, appropriately named Ox Ford. He resembles a strange mix of Professor E. Gadd and Heihachi from Tekken.


Soul then asks Black Star why they call it the Ultimate test. Black Star is the resident highly visible ninja that would give pre-Shippuden Naruto a run for his money. They're even voiced by the same person in Japanese!

Maka then vows to make the top score, as her mother did. Apart from the Japanese school system placing much greater emphasis on scoring high in tests (the best way I can describe it is if every standardized test had as much weight as your SAT/ACT scores); I shall also point out that not much is known about Maka's mother, since it's implied she left her father before the series began and I'm in the process of reading the manga to find out. There is also talk of a director's cut version of the anime similar to Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood (which went through a similar pattern and was even animated by the same studio, Bones).

Of course, her father is excited at the prospect of Maka doing well; making poses that  most given toku heroes would find much. I also love how Dr. Stein is acting so stoic at all the crazy situations going on. I love characters like that.

YES! Power Rangers Super Mega Force is starting! And I still have plenty of Goseiger and Gokaiger to watch!

We then get our title card, which is a very nice red and black number with the show's logos on the corners and the title in calligraphy.

With a motivational poster on her wall and her books on her desk, Maka commences cramming. Now all this needs a good motivational song.

Blair, a witch that can turn into a cat; notices how hard Maka is working. I like her demeanor, it reminds me very much of Salem from Sabrina The Teenage Witch. There's a new show about her, but I haven't seen it yet.

Soul is studying as well, but is not as motivated as Maka is. I'm taking reading and success strategies this term. I find the former subject interesting; but I find the latter dull and uninvolving. I noticed this the last time a took a class like that. Only I find this one even worse; given that the teacher's energy is more suited to teaching kindergarten than college, and the class stressed the importance of "emotional intelligence." I had never heard of the concept before then; and when I sought out more information on it, I found the idea disturbing. The intent was "don't let your emotions get in the way of important decisions"; but it was more worded to imply "don't get emotionally involved in ANY decision", leaving no middle ground to make informed decisions with a reasonable amount of emotional involvement. Sorry, I just had to get that out of my system.

Black Star's method of preparation is to do large amounts of exercise for each answer he gets wrong. He finished doing 500 one-handed push-ups.

If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?

He then goes back to his textbook, with a quizzical expression on his face. The art style of this anime in particular leads to some great faces.

A god named Deus gives kids 14 phones to kill each other with? Wait a minute, this sounds stupid!

Then, it's right back to doing sit-ups while hanging upside down. Tsubaki then tells him to save the penalties for later and get back to work.

Meanwhile, Liz and Patti are cheering for their success in testing.

Then, they get back to work in the most stern and yet silly-looking matter possible.

Death the Kid enters the scene; and his demeanor is just so suave that he's easily my favorite character and one of my favorite Mamoru Miyano performances. He is a key factor in what ruined Tamaki Suoh for me. As a result, Tamaki tried to act classy but came off as a massive upper class twit. By contrast, Death the Kid maintains an image of eccentricity as a result of his obsession with symmetry; but as a result, is much more organized and lively. 

Also, the way he loses control is much more effective as a result of the above description.

Don't you EVER compare me to those fools on Blue Exorcist, or I will kill you where you stand!

He then decides to do some artwork of Liz and Patty.

Lie on the bed, er, couch!

Maka then continues her studying, as the test is coming closer. She takes a break with some strange cocktail with motions that would not be out of place in a sports drink commercial.

 In the street below, her father is performing some weird ritual for good luck. Predictably, Maka dumps water on him from her apartment's window and tells him to knock it off.

Dr. Stein is going over some notes in his office as he gets ready for the test himself.

Oh, Yotsuba, how adorably witty can you be?

Then, Black Star tries to break into the school and steal the answer sheet.

He has seemingly succeeded in doing so when Dr. Stein is standing behind him. I just love this image so much that you will have to wait and see what Black Star's punishment is.

 The day of the test has come, with Death the Kid looking stoic...

...and Patty looking excited.

This will be my face when spring break starts.

Sid, a zombie teacher, will be acting as proctor, and gives everyone 60 minutes to complete the test. 

 Maka, having prepared extensively for this, gets right to work.

Maka says relax.

 Soul, however, has other ideas. He never intended to do the test fairly.

If Future Diary has taught me anything, it's that goodwill and endearment are the enemies of anime heroes!

As if to confirm my belief on how I'm not a fan of the writing of Future Diary, his next line is another quote that maroon Deus would likely spout.

We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of dreams.

He has hidden notes all over his clothes, to the point where the notes ARE his clothes. Tommy Hilfiger would love to try his hand at that, I'll bet.

He then gives his headband a snap in satisfaction.

I should know, I Action Replayed my way through all my DS games!

Then, the next shot reveals that Soul has been stripped to his boxers, which have little bones on them; after just three minutes. Black Star is also hanging from the blackboard by his undershirt.

I'm prepared to have security cavity search you if I have to!

He then sends Soul back to his desk to complete the test in his underwear. By the way, I actually don't think too highly of this type of humor. I know it's meant to invoke the old dream joke of sorts, but I've seen it so many times I got sick of it when I was a fraction of this anime's target audience; and I chose it because the humor from everything else overshadows it. Besides, I believe one isn't truly hosed until one forgets their duck.

The first questions are fill-in-the-blank. What do you know; it's a way to work in the narration that opens every episode. I would get this question with no trouble at all.

Unfortunately, Liz does not.

Now, what's this next bit about Cowboy Bebop at his Computer?

Soul is struggling for more reasons than one.

All these girls are staring at my nethers! Why must I be an attractive young shonen hero?

His next option is to look at Kid's paper, and he's still writing his name. He would fit quite well in corporate.

It's work that would pass for typed, and yet Kid thinks it's hideous.

Like my internet connection on most given days.

Soul then decides it's not worth the trouble, and looks elsewhere.

He notices Patty is doing her test in pastel, and is favoring the yellow one.

Maka catches the trick question, while Tsubaki does not. Yet, Ox Ford glares at her, having already finished.

Show 'em how funky strong is your fight! It doesn't matter who's wrong or right!

Of course, Liz finds him insufferable, as much of the audience does.

Then, she notices something interesting at the 15-minute mark: a single hair on top of his head.

Patty has made her test into a paper giraffe. Soul is astonished at this; but this is actually one of the least weird things she's done.

Kid then has a nervous breakdown about not being able to write his name. The way he reacts is a good way of how extreme the options for self-esteem get in my book. I may consider annotating the more ridiculous passages for future reference.

I could be a death scythe, but instead I'm a male host doing things that would embarrass Rob Schneider!

Then, he tears his paper and is shocked to do so. At first, he's merely irked.

Then, he has one of the most epic breakdowns of any anime character.

This is by far one of my favorite Death the Kid moments.

He then falls down in perfect symmetry. I'd make a joke about how he wants to be buried like this, but since he's already Death's son; it would be very self-serving. 

Gravity is working against me...

Soul then decides to just let him be.

Black Star then tries to get a message out in blood.

In response, Soul then does his best Kenshiro impression. My last swipe at Ouran before the next episode I recap, which I have choice words for: those prudes would look like processed beef even if Ken didn't punch people so hard they explode, which he does in a fight. 

NOW YOU'RE A MAN! MAN! A MAN! MAN! MAN!

Black Star can only sheepishly write his name on the blackboard before passing out.

Patti has snapped the neck of her paper giraffe. And people got mad about things like that happening in Hangover Part III and Man of Steel.

Liz has grabbed the one hair on Ox Ford's head.

Soul then breathes a sigh of relief.

He collapses at all the brouhaha and said it was over when he got busted down to his shorts. No, if you're in your skivvies; you still have a fighting chance. You're not truly on the ropes until you're going at things balls out. With or without grenades on your cojones. 

Maka made the top score, and beat her rival, Ox Ford.

 That night, Maka looks over old photos of her and her father over some pumpkin pie.

As her father wistfully gazes into the moonlight; I am glad for what I have done, and I am glad to be a fan of this series.
"The Ultimate Paper Test" is a perfect encapsulation of why I love Soul Eater; and I am glad to have the opportunity to do well in school and maintain this blog as well. The animation and humor are some of the best the series has to offer; and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Coming up: to close out the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic games and celebrate the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, my next two recaps will be the Kanga Games of Pikachu's Winter Vacation and the first episode of Eyeshield 21. I will have started work on them by the time you see this. Everyone, stay warm the best you can this winter. Even Oregon is experiencing a bigger cold snap than usual. See you later!