Kingbeast's Lair

Growling about the RPG industry and my gaming life. RPG and anime reviews from a passionate fan. (Formerly John's Hero HQ.)
Subscribe

Archive for December, 2009

Review Of Basilisk By Funimation

December 30, 2009 By: John Taber Category: Anime Reviews, Media Interests

Basilisk-== What is it? ==-

Two ninja clans pitted against each other in a duel to the death while their respective leaders are trying to end the conflict so that they can get married. Lots of blood. Lots of drama. Think warring ninja clans meet Romeo and Juliet and you got it. I have the collector box edition with all 6 DVDs. (Note that this is not the one shown in the accompanying image.) There are a total of 24 episodes. Each episode is roughly 30 minutes in length.

-== What I Like ==-

Basilisk has a fantastic visual style. The visual style has a stronger sense of realism than some of the lighter anime. I personally really enjoy this more realistic style. One exception might be Oboro’s purple eyes which sometimes show as extremely large but this is done at the proper times and with a purpose. Her eyes are a focus for her ninja power.

Each ninja has a really interesting super secret special ninja power. Some are really off the wall but they are all very fun to watch. It always amazed me how the writers expose each character’s secret power through the ongoing story. It is very well crafted.

The story is not revolutionary or that surprising but it is very well executed. The tension builds and builds as each clan plays out their hand. This all leads to a fantastic climax that is very dramatic. I’ll admit that I actually teared up at the ending.

There was a nice mix of blood and drama. There was not so much of either that you got appalled or bored. In fact the good balance seemed to heighten the overall impact quite well.

I purchased the collectors edition that includes a wooden storage box, a paper scroll, and some ninja cards. The real star here is the wooden storage box which has great artwork and a classic anime feel that aligns well with the series. The cards are nicely printed but not special. The paper scroll is a real let down. It is flimsy and not well executed. I would actually suggest avoiding the collectors edition unless you want the neat wooden storage box.

-== What I Don’t Like ==-

It had been a while since I watched a series with such tough Japanese names. Initially it can be daunting keeping the names and clans straight. After a few episodes it really becomes clearer and there is not an issue. Do be warned that you may have to watch the first couple of episodes then replay them again after you have the names nailed down.

RightStuf give Basilisk and Age Rating of 17+ and I think that rating is accurate. There are a couple of rape scenes in Basilisk that are a bit harsh. The most gratuitous scene is being used to show how really bad Tenzen (i.e. “the big baddie”) can be but I think they go a bit too far.

There is some extravagant gore to the bloodletting and some nudity that seems extraneous but overall it is not that bad. To put it simply…you don’t want to be a mook around these folks if you plan on keeping your body parts.

There are really not a lot of DVD extras worth mentioning at all. There are some round table talks with some of the Japanese voice talent that are translated but they are not too exciting and a bit strange at times.

-== Summary ==-

I found Basilisk from Funimation to be an excellent anime series. It is in my top 5 anime list and possibly in my top 3. You can get a copy of the entire series for $28 from RightStuf.com. Here is the link.

I give it 9 out of 10 paws.

Spirit Storm Session Log: Epic Tale #4 – Blackfly Kin In My Chardonnay – Session #8

December 29, 2009 By: John Taber Category: Games, Spirit Storm News

Date At Start Of Game: 06/27/206

[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 8th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play.]

The Glacial Lair (cont)

After some discussion the PC decide to have Oren dig a side escape tunnel then to use the underwater entrance. Cillian leads the way after making sure the room is empty. Once Cillian checks the side passages Oren swims through then the rest of the PC are pulled in with ropes. At this point the PC realize that they are all infected by the water. Following the tainted water the PC enter a larger room with a pool at the bottom. Po takes a look but is spotted by two Blackfly Kin. Quickly Kanga pins the two to a nearby wall and the PC knock them out. In the next area the PC find a room with the fertility idol from the White Owl Kin. The idol is a petrified wood figure of a very pregnant humanoid. As Cillian grabs abd bags the fertility idol Oren crushes two Whitefish Kin who are in the room fishing. This combat attracts several Whitefish and Blackfly from another room. As Kanga is watching this room he opens fire pinning everything to nearby walls or ceiling. The rest of the PC join him and eventually rout the remaining denizens of the area with deft combat work from all of the PC.

Searching the adjoining rooms lead the PC to the large cavernous room that Bilby and Po found earlier and an underwater pipe that seems to lead to the source of the tainted water. When Cillian tries to investigate the underwater pipe the current is too strong and the water is too cold for him to proceed. At this point the PC try and decide on the best course of action..

Date At End Of Game: 06/27/206

My 2009 RPG Recap And Happy Holidays!

December 24, 2009 By: John Taber Category: Games, Growlings

I wanted to provide a brief recap of my 2009 gaming life but mostly I just wanted to give a holiday greeting. 😉

Started My Spirit Storm Campaign

In 2009 I started my Spirit Storm campaign. It is now 7 sessions in and going great. I really like the way the PC are emerging and starting to make a place in the campaign world. Special holiday wishes to my fantastic players! Thanks Don, Jim, Jeff, Brian, Geoff, and Steve!

Derek’s Darkwalker Campaign

Had a blast playing in Derek’s Darkwalker campaign and actually running one episode. What a kick tail set of players. All the warmest to Derek, Gary, Jason, Maggie, Tim, and Dan!

Blog Cross Posted

I am really working on trying to improve my writing skills so I was tickled to see several of my blog entries cross posted on other sites. Even some of the manufacturer sites posted links to my product reviews. Very cool. 🙂

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Happy holidays and warm wishes for a blazing hot 2010 RPG year! May all your rolls be criticals…unless as Derek points out…you are a GM…in that case…may all your roll be as you want them to fall. 😉