Remember the Naruto Uniqlo OVA from 2011

Naruto vs Sasuke
Mayonaka Orchestra

Uniqlo OVA Presents

Attack on Titan OVA: Levi Has No Regrets! Part 1

Attack on what now? Shingeki no... kyojin? That's one mighty nice tattoo, Levi-senpai.

How many of you loyal Otaku Reviewers readers out there are fans of Attack on Titan? Everyone and their mother are hungering for more medeival/high tech/horror fantasy action centered around Eren's desire to kill all Titan and revenge his mother, along with a rag-tag bunch of kids who just so happen to die at the hands of these beasts every now and then.

While I love Attack on Titan, I have abstained from the manga, because like most other fans of the series I joined when it became an anime. And I'm addicted to the choreographed action scenes and flashy effects. So my viewpoints in this post may be a little antiquated for those who know all the spoilers/intricacies of the manga!

Anyway, there is an OVA to satiate the hunger, the desire of more Attack on Titan, one that goes into Levi's backstory! It's called "No Regets" or "Birth of Levi" and you can most likely find it online to stream, if that is something you are into!

This is not a review of the OVA, but more of an investigation on Levi's character.




You already know from our Weird anime figure post that Levi has his comical side, as he is a neat freak and is caught cleaning in a ridiculous maid outfit from time to time. But this guy, a seemingly cruel ablutomaniac and germophobe, a man who has reached the pinnacle of 3D Maneuverable Gear manipulation, and powerful ally to the Survey corps is constantly shown with his heart of gold shining through. While this isn't a bad thing, the anime community is not in want of bad-asses with hearts of gold, silver, platinum stars, or what have you. Then why, do we ask, makes Levi such an interesting character?!

His backstory, while incomplete, is a promising snapshot into that reason. First looking very 2 dimensional, the OVA "No Regrets" shows a side of Levi that no one has yet seen in its purest form: Levi's weakness. The ultimate titan slayer, while he does suffer injuries constantly for the sake of his allies, does not show pure weakness outside of the OVA. It is Erwin Smith that teases this out of him, and for very interesting reasons (without spoiling the plot!). They may be on good terms in the anime series, but that might not have always been the case!

I highly suggest you go out and watch the OVA and come back with some commentary! Who knows, you might even stump a seasoned otaku such as myself! /humblebrag

-chansu

Black★Rock Shooter OVA Review

So, there's this thing called "Vocaloid" and this character called "Hatsune Miku" right? For some reason this confuses new people, because Miku isn't always as easy to recognize as you think. Sure, everyone knows the green hair and leek, but then someone slaps a red hoodie, black dress, or BFG on her and we get confused. Long story short, Black★Rock Shooter is indeed a Vocaloid song by Hatsune Miku.

But then what's this? This sleek and stylish anime that we've heard about? That is, indeed, the OVA for the song Black★Rock Shooter. Yes, an OVA for a song.

Black★Rock Shooter is surprisingly only half about Miku. Maybe even half of that half because she herself is called "Black★Rock Shooter." The story mainly revolves around Kuroi Mato, as she begins her first year as a Junior high student. With her excitable and spunky personality, she is able to befriend Takanashi Yomi, a rich and delicate girl. The main conflict focuses on the relationship between the two friends. So, where does Black★Rock Shooter come in?

[Mini twin-tail versus drill hair: Who will emerge victorious?!]

Really, I don't know. Every so often, the story switches to Black★RockShooter and her fight against "Dead Master," another mysterious girl with control over scythes, chains, and huge scary skulls. It's also immediately obvious that BRS is Mato in the other world and Dead Master is Yomi, probably. "Why do you sound so confused after watching the entire thing [twice]?" Well, everyone in the Black★Rock Shooter part refuses to talk. That's right, fights are silent except for the occassional action music, loud explosions, and a "hmph!" or "ugh!" which makes character development very strained. Of course this adds to the mystery of their universe, but it does get annoying at times...

[See the resemblance yet?]

Fans of Black★Rock Shooter will really love this. All the great scenes from the PV are developed nicely and provide nostalgic depth. While it's pretty easy, this OVA does a good job of pleasing the fans of the original video.

[Everyone should know this classic landscape!]

You can tell immediately that this anime is gender-neutral. There are no signs of romance or ecchi at all. Girls-friendship prevails as a main theme, and as we all know friendship is the great equalizer! But I would have to say that girls would be able to relate to this kind of story more than boys...

[ベタベタ～]

The storytelling aside, the style of this anime is nothing less than stylish, colorful, and fluid. Scenes transition very smoothly, making the back-and-forth between the BRS world and Mato's world less of a headache. The animation is flawless. The drawings are so colorful that it could probably entertain even the youngest audience.

We all know what we're here for though, right? THE FIGHT SCENES! And I must say, they do not disappoint in the least. I am at awe by how cool the fights are. Check out this video of one of the best fights, uploaded by OtakuReviewers on youtube!

» Click to show video «

One thing that disappointed me was the lack of explanations. There are two worlds in this show's universe. How the heck do they relate? Even by the end there isn't much of an explanation. That's really not a good thing if you ask me.

But it seems that there may be a sequel in the works! This is the only bit of news that sheds more light on the ending. There' no way I'd complain over more Miku!!

So, if you enjoy Vocaloids and you have a special place in your heart for Black★Rock Shooter and Hatsune Miku, this OVA will not disappoint!



-chansu