Animaxed Out
I have to say that
Animax is one of the best things to happen to TV in a loooong time (the last two great things were
AXN, also because of anime, and
Solar USA for giving us back professional wrestling and the WWE).
Yes, the lineup of shows isn't perfect- there are a couple of somewhat dated shows, though
Sabre Marionette J is still cool to watch after all these years. I get bored to tears by
Ailes Grise and the girly-girl shows
Princess Sara and
Nobody's Girl. No matter how I try, I can't get into the weird
Technolyze (though it seems cool).
Getbackers, the pseudo
Yaoi series about super-powered bishonen hiring themselves out as retrieval experts/fighters is funny and action-packed, with detailed battles and clashing of special skills ala
Rurouni Kenshin. However, the series seems to loop endlessly after about half the series, which is annoying (will the Getbackers EVER get to that pesky Makubex???).
Wolf's Rain simply blows me away with the lovely character designs, quality animation and quite possibly some of the most beautiful female characters I've seen in an anime. However, the story is a bit on the dragging side despite the uber-cool eye candy. Still oozes quality though.
Astro Boy (the new series) is quite fun, and seeing ol' Astro/Atom updated with slicker animation and designs is a kick. Astro is as cool and cute and kick-butt as ever; Dr. Elephun/Ochonamizu is still the fatherly mentor/guardian, and little sister Uran looks twice as cute as before. There are new characters such as the lovely Photon-powered robot/nature lovel Epsilon, and the stubborn but skilled robot SWAT leader, Delta.
On the baddies' side, the crime boss Skunk looks a bit older but far more cunning, and a lot less BLUE (still sports the trademark smirk). The role of Bruton from the 'Strongest Robot in the World' story arc which capped the earlier Astroboy series has been replaced by a robot named Pluto- the story is a bit toned down (several of the robots Pluto defeats aren't completely destroyed) but it's still a cool plot. Purists though will be disappointed at the considerable weakening and reduction of the role of Atlas, Astro's 'brother'. Finally, Dr. Tenma, Astro's original creator, is ramped up from being a character who disappears from the series in the original to the new series' main villain/adversary.
Chobits was an instant hit with me, thanks to refreshing animation, heartwarming stories and easily the damn cutest anime robo-babe I've ever seen. Just hearing Chii say 'Chii' makes me go all wobbly (heh).
Overall, Animax's shows are entertaining, and usually make for great background viewing even when you've seen the same episode about, oh, ten times. That's pretty good for a beginning channel, I think.
For the next few months, I hope though that we begin seeing even more good stuff. I wanna see
Inu Yasha (which may come true since I saw snippets of the series in an Animax commercial),
Cowboy Bebop, Raxhephon, Last Exile, Scrapped Princess, Slayers and more. We can only hope though...
Finally, I may try to pass by and check out the Animax Carnival that's set for this weekend at the Glorietta. Cosplay, anime creators and good stuff all around's for the taking.
ANIMAAAAAAAXXXX!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!