Normally, I review a month’s worth of FUNimation selections to tell you which anime titles are worth watching, which are essential viewing, and which are more than okay to pass over entirely. This time, however, I’ll be taking a bit of a departure to talk about a particularly dangerous bit of fan service in one of their series titles–Freezing–before getting into the rest of the enjoyable offerings they’ve made available this May. Hold tight, because it’s going to get a little adult in the early goings, so if you’re not a reader/viewer of the “Mature” variety, you might want to skip on down.
For the uninitiated, FUNimation is a U.S. company known for their dubs and domestic distribution of Japanese anime. So all of the reviews you’re about to check out are for the dub version of each anime, though some Blu-rays/DVDs have a Japanese audio option as there are some exceptions to the rule. Below, you’ll find the official synopsis for each movie and series, along with a link to pick up your own copy at FUNimation’s online store, should my review convince you. Sometimes, it’ll be an easy thing to suggest you buy it, other times, it’ll be just as easy to go in the other direction.
Check out more ofmy reviews of FUNimation’s home video selections here, likelighthearted sports anime titlesand otherfan service series that aren’t quite as problematic. You might just find a favorite you overlooked or a new addition to your catalog you might have missed!
Freezing: Seasons 1 and 2
Freezing:Seasons 1 & 2(Essentials)
In a word overrun by aliens, mankind is protected by genetically-enhanced female warriors called Pandoras. Satellizer el Bridget is the most feared Pandora at West Genetics academy, and anyone foolish enough to lay a finger on her lush body may not live to regret it. Until, that is, her status as the “Untouchable Queen” is threatened by the arrival of Kazuya, a young boy with a tortured past.
Satellizer el Bridget and some of the most powerful – and desirable – Pandora in the world are summoned to forge a new breed of soldier – E-Pandora! These eager beauties volunteered to have their bodies genetically-enhanced to fight deadly alien invaders plaguing the planet. But rumors of heinous experimentation haunt the project, and only Satellizer can unravel the mystery before it’s too late!
Let’s get this one out of the way. Judging from the Blu-ray box art alone, I figured this one would beheavyon the fan service. And yup, 30 seconds into the first episode you get a full-body suit-up sequence and transformation from totally nude busty gal to scantily clad superhero. If you know what you’re getting into, that’s to be expected, but even for the most outlandish of fan-servicey shows,Freezingtakes it another step forward.
The camera lingers on an exposed breast and nipple during an early fight scene just because. There are more upskirts, panty shots, and jiggling breasts in the first few minutes than there are words of dialogue spoken. And even when we get some exposition, it’s provided by creepy old military dudes watching over the battle between the genetically enhanced “students”, the most gifted of which (in all aspects) is Satellizer el Bridget, the “Untouchable Queen.” (Oh it’s also pretty damn gory as the women occasionally get their limbs hacked off, their throats cut, or their various body parts just crushed…)
So is there enough mythology here to overcome the in-you-face fan service? Eh. The fact that the preeminent badass hero is stunned into inaction just because a dude shows up and showers her with affection ain’t exactly the best foot forward. Add to that the fact that “winning” in battle is decided either by cutting as many clothes from your opponent as possible, humiliating them through sexual abuse, or just outright killing them and, yeah, it’s kinda gross. That’s what I get for watching a 2011 fan-service anime in 2019.
Sadly, no amount of storytelling or thin attempts at establishing a mythology here can mask how problematic this story is, so it gets my first0/10. Whether it’s a decent anime series, silly fan service, or straight-up porn you’re looking for, you can do better thanFreezing.
The bonus extras include an episode commentary from Caitlin Glass and Luci Christian who directly talk about their reaction to learning just whatFreezingwas about, including the thought about using a pseudonym. But Extras also include a selection of OVAs which double down on the fan service to the point of actually being softcore porn, though it’s done in a “comedic” style.
Glass, at least, didn’t seem to mind as much since she returned for the second season, “Vibrations.” Season 2 definitely keeps the same fan service elements but seems to have a lot more fun with them while actually giving the character some personalities and plenty of interesting dialogue to work through. They don’t ignore the issues of the first season either, giving our protagonist a chance to claim her power back from an abusive brother-figure. Except the way this is handled is not nearly satisfying in any way, shape, or form.
Most importantly, the biggest improvement comes from dialing back the physical/sexual assault by a metric ton. There’s still enough there to be problematic, like when a group of adult men subject these young women to traumatic experiments (and the animators feel it necessary to zoom in on their crotches in the process), or the messed-up brother/sister trauma… Even the OVAs, which are just as pervy as the first season, revisit this abusive relationship but just make light of it again.
It feels like the first season was all about getting eyeballs on the property while the second season actually tries to weave a story in amongst the T & A. It’s still fully ridiculous but at least it’s more fun and slightly more fulfilling, narratively speaking. Still a3/10from me.
We Without Wings
Winter descends on the city, and three eerily similar young men teeter on the brink of madness after cleav-tastic collisions with kinky girls who lead with their curves! Though their personalities differ, Takashi, Shusuke, and Hayato are mysteriously linked by a powerful perversion that will leave fans reaching for the tissues after a mind-bending climax for the ages!
Yeah there’s not much to recommend this series to anyone unless you’re a fan of panty shots, the occasional pair of animated breasts bouncing across the screen, and other “lewds.” I’m sure it passes for an innocent and playful comedy in some circles but honestly you can your fan service wrapped up in higher quality framing stories. That’s a shame because the fantasy-focused animation promises some fun adventures that really just aren’t delivered. I gave it the ol' three-episode try; this one isn’t for me.
Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion (Steelbook)
Code Geass Movie Trilogy
The world is at war. Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled prince, encounters a strange girl known as C.C., who gifts him with a great power. With this ability, Lelouch can get anyone to do as he wills. But the power of Geass: is it a blessing…or a curse?
If you don’t have the time to watch the entire run of theCode Geassanime series (which I highly encourage you to do) or just want to see what changes directorGorō Taniguchiand writerIchirō Ōkouchibrought to the feature adaptation of the story, this movie trilogy is a fine option. It chops up the regular run of episodes in interesting ways and changes the flavor of certain climactic sequences by somewhat shifting when and how they appear, but when you’re juggling this much political intrigue and a massive cast of characters, I’m amazed it works this well at all.
Movie I: Initiation
The first film serves to reintroduce the two sides of the ongoing rebellion, the major players on each side, and the factions that form within them. It all builds to a dramatic reveal that the pilots behind the powerful mecha are all in fact very familiar with each other from their positions within the school’s leadership and the Britannian society.
Movie II: Transgression
In the follow-up film, Lelouch’s powers get more complicated and he unintentionally delivers a directive he never meant to. This mistake throws what was previously a tenuous peace into all-out chaos. Like any great middle entry in a trilogy, this one ends with the title hero (or antihero at this point, depending on your point of view) on the losing end. His forces defeated, his plans fallen apart, and his memories erased and replaced, Lelouch finds himself starting over in a hazy world that’s far different from the one he knew previously.
Movie III: Glorification
Things get really trippy in the third and final movie (at least untilCode Geass: Lelouch of the Re;ssurectioncame out). This part of the story veers far away from the mech battles and political machinations and, instead, centers entirely on the Britannia family and their super messed-up drama. Betrayal, murder plots, the use of their powers to not only transfer their consciousnesses but to trick others into believing falsehoods … they’re kind of the worst.
Having defeated his father and mother and banished them out of existence, Lelouch assumes the throne and title of Emperor. And that’s when the mecha action really ratchets up a few notches. After a long time battling against each other, Suzaku finally fights on Lelouch’s side, in defense of Britannia. He takes on the moniker of Knight of Zero and attempts to earn that title in battle. The whole things comes down to a massive show off force by both sides, but will any survivors be left after the battle? The ultimate conclusion is a bittersweet one, though this film also sets up a fourth that continues the story, for better or worse.
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens
Welcome to the seedy underbelly of Fukuoka, where hitmen are a dime a dozen. Among all the oddballs in this lucrative business, one man stands above the rest—a legendary killer of professional killers. Good thing detective Banba is on the case! This pinch hitter never shies away from a curveball, not even when a cross-dressing assassin gets reeled into Banba’s hodgepodge team of hitmen.
Well this one starts out with a mature-rated bang: A cross-dressing killer finds themselves at the center of an investigation by a team of detectives/assassins. In a twist, said killer actually teams up with the lead detective to keep him safe and help out on the case, while killing atonof people along the way…
Interesting premise, the story just doesn’t do enough with it. It’s kind of hard to keep track of everyone when new characters are introduced episode by episode, only to be killed off mere moments later. And it’s tough to get a sense of who you should be rooting for when everyone on screen is literally just out to kill everyone else for a variety of reasons. Style over substance for this one.
First-year Yuta Hoshitani enters the esteemed Ayanagi Academy with dreams of following in his idol’s footsteps, but competition starts the moment he steps through the doors! Catching the eye of an eccentric member of the elite Kao Council, Hoshitani and several other misfits are given the chance they were hoping for. With egos as strong as their talent, will these five young stars ever get along?
If you want a sing-along drama full of cute boys, then man is this anime series for you! Not really my thing, but it’s in the mix with series likeFree!andHaruchikaif that does anything for you.
Scrapped Princess
Pacifica Cassul is a kindhearted girl living on the run, for prophecy has named her the poison that would destroy the world. While it seems like everyone is out to get her, she always has her adoptive siblings. Bit by bit, the Cassuls uncover the incredible truth behind the prophecy and its ties to events from 5,000 years ago. But for all their struggle, should such a poison be allowed to live?
If you’re looking for a throwback anime that takes you far, far back in time to the ancient year of 2003 (complete with 3:4 aspect ratio!), thenScrapped Princessshould be on your radar. Oddly, it looks older than it is. Part of that is due to the ratio but it also just looks kind of rushed and half-finished. That’s a shame considering it hails from BONES and features character designs fromCowboy Bebop’s ownTakahiro Komori.
There’s a weird left turn about halfway through the story that shuffles up the character pairings a bit and introduces some new ones. And it ultimately goes completely insane in a couple of episodes that allow the characters to embrace their true forms in battle, but it’s something that’s done so infrequently that, while it remains special, it feels like part of another show entirely. (I am still here for a battle between space dragons though.)
It’s got a good story about a cursed princess protected by her older siblings, and the many characters they run into along the way, but there’s just not enough mythology or strength of said characters to really hook you. There’s something to be said for a happy ending of course. It really is the animation that lets this one down the most though.
*Extras include Japanese piracy warnings, which are delightful.
Dimension W
In the near future, devices known as “coils” harness the power of another dimension. Seeking illegal coils, bounty hunter Kyoma Mabuchi spends his days resisting the use of dimensional energy. That is, until a very realistic and adorable robot, Mira, gets mixed up in things. Partnering with the reluctant Kyoma on his missions, together they uncover the truth behind the mysterious power.
As far asCowboy Bebopclones go, this is one of the best. It’s got a great mythology based on a newly discovered dimension that unfolds more and more over the course of the series. Add to that a fantastic theme song and intro sequence that never gets old over 13 episodes, including an OVA, and you have yourself a neo-classic. Unfortunately, this one will be over before you know it, giving you a great opportunity to watch it all again from the beginning.
Burst Angel
The future’s looking bleak. It’s a good thing there’s a new sheriff in town. Her name is Jo and she’s an enigma even to herself. Alongside her partners Sei, Amy, and Meg, Jo fights for the citizens who can’t defend themselves. Confronting corruption and twisted science, these gals are on fire – and they’re the best chance the wounded city’s got.
This thing starts off with a robot corpse breaking loose from a collapsed building in a desolate apocalyptic landscape and taking a big bite out of a crow, followed by a wordless mech battle, so obviously it’s got my attention. The theme song whips and the visuals scattered throughout the intro feature some great characters and hero shots without giving away too much.
But despite solid character designs and action-packed animation from Gonzo,Burst Angelstarts out as your basic harem anime. The foursome of female fighters have some pretty well-defined character traits that will allow viewers to gravitate toward one or the other, but they all appear to exist in order to fulfill a specific type for male protagonistKyohei Tachibana.
If you stick with it long enough, however, you’ll find a more complex set of relationships among the girls, even as their law-enforcement job starts to look more like mercenary work. Tachibana remains as the everyman that viewers can use as an anchor point, butBurst Angelis the ladies' story to tell.
It also features some of the best Extras we’ve seen:
The Longinus Dreizehn Orden has resurfaced in present-day Japan and, by sacrificing the souls of millions, seeks ultimate power. However, high school student Ren Fuji is poised to stop them. Armed with brutally efficient abilities similar to the LDO, and possessing an indomitable will to rescue his friends, he’ll risk life and limb to save as many people as he can from a fate worse than death.
If you love listening to American voice actors attempt to struggle through fake German accents for a good chunk of the storytelling, you’re going tolovethis one! Luckily, for the rest of us, those accents don’t make up the majority of the dialogue after the first episode, so hang in there.
Unfortunately, this story is so all over the place and incoherent at times that it really just turns into a visual spectacle. There are some bonkers ideas brought to life through animation here–like a rapidly maturing newborn, all manner of body horror, and more bloody violence than you can shake an energy scythe at–but they don’t really connect to anything at all. I almost made it all the way to the end, but even giant robo-hell-skeletons couldn’t keep my attention on this meandering mess.
Ultimate Otaku Teacher
Teaching is the last thing otaku Junichiro Kagami yearns to do. But after getting on his sister’s last nerve, he’s stuck working as a teacher instead of working on his anime blog! But his students are about to teach him a thing or two. Between their quirky dreams, serious attitude problems, and surprising secrets, Junichiro is definitely in for some far-out lessons.
This very silly series pokes a lot of fun at Otaku culture, and delivers quite a few jabs at “shut-ins”, while also blatantly being self-referential. Lots of pop culture references throughout and they all work seamlessly in a very clever script.
It’s not all fun and games though; some episodes and arcs are dedicated to helping characters break out of their shells and be confident and comfortable with their true selves. The humor and outright silliness ofUltimate Otaku Teacherprovides a great way to disarm viewers before delivering some very progressive and thoughtful story moments. I’ve got to say that I didn’t see that coming and it was a pleasant surprise.
Pretty frequently, an obscure anime/otaku reference slips through in the conversational dialogue and makes you laugh so hard that you miss the next line. One example? Referencing the “Home for Infinite Losers”, the Americanized version of “HELL” fromDragonball Zdue to censorship and edits. Add in nods to Humble Bundle and gaming companies like “Activision Frigate” and “Macrosoft”, and this is one title you’ll have to watch multiple times if you hope to catch all the jokes.
