Saturday, May 30, 2009
Fire Emblem Episode 2
Title- Crimson Warrior
I already gave my basic opinions of this show in the first review, so I’m just reviewing this one. This episode is the better of the two, and it’s a great example of how much potential this series had. The characters are fleshed out yet still keep a sense of mystery. The best example of this is Nabarl, who gets a lot more character development than in the game, but still keeps the sense of mystery his character needs. I like Nabarl. He manages to be dark and moody without going overboard as many characters do (#cough#Shadow#cough#) We also get many character developments. As I said in the last review, Shiida wasn’t that good in the last episode, but here she becomes much better, not just thinking about Marth all the time, but also as in the game we learn that she has a history with Ogma and is the one who influences Nabarl to change.
We get a great fight scene, and the atmosphere is really great. I love the cold bleak feeling of the thieves base, and the contrast with the bright sunny port town that the group liberate from pirates. Also it's nice to see that the games towns are so well shown, something that was a town icon on the map is a giant port town in the anime. The characterisations are still great too.
The only flaws I can see in the episode are that the main theme for Fire Emblem doesn’t play till the end of both episodes, and while it is awesome when it kicks in, it would be more fitting to go with the title screen. I dunno if the other music’s actually from the game or not, but it fits in nicely anyway. The other flaw, is that some of the minor characters are ignored who should make an appearance, such as the pirate, Darros who can join you, but equally he wasn't in the SNES remake which this is based on or something. It's funny to think that Darros could of been one of those pirates who ran off, or he could of been one of those many unnamed soldiers with Marth.
And that’s it. Overall a great sign of how good this series was on the way to being. I suggest if you’ve played the game and enjoyed it, watch it. These two episodes are so faithful that it’s worth it.
I already gave my basic opinions of this show in the first review, so I’m just reviewing this one. This episode is the better of the two, and it’s a great example of how much potential this series had. The characters are fleshed out yet still keep a sense of mystery. The best example of this is Nabarl, who gets a lot more character development than in the game, but still keeps the sense of mystery his character needs. I like Nabarl. He manages to be dark and moody without going overboard as many characters do (#cough#Shadow#cough#) We also get many character developments. As I said in the last review, Shiida wasn’t that good in the last episode, but here she becomes much better, not just thinking about Marth all the time, but also as in the game we learn that she has a history with Ogma and is the one who influences Nabarl to change.
We get a great fight scene, and the atmosphere is really great. I love the cold bleak feeling of the thieves base, and the contrast with the bright sunny port town that the group liberate from pirates. Also it's nice to see that the games towns are so well shown, something that was a town icon on the map is a giant port town in the anime. The characterisations are still great too.
The only flaws I can see in the episode are that the main theme for Fire Emblem doesn’t play till the end of both episodes, and while it is awesome when it kicks in, it would be more fitting to go with the title screen. I dunno if the other music’s actually from the game or not, but it fits in nicely anyway. The other flaw, is that some of the minor characters are ignored who should make an appearance, such as the pirate, Darros who can join you, but equally he wasn't in the SNES remake which this is based on or something. It's funny to think that Darros could of been one of those pirates who ran off, or he could of been one of those many unnamed soldiers with Marth.
And that’s it. Overall a great sign of how good this series was on the way to being. I suggest if you’ve played the game and enjoyed it, watch it. These two episodes are so faithful that it’s worth it.
Fire Emblem Episode 1
Title- Prince of Aritia (although following the new DS game, it would be Altea.)
I have to say that without a doubt, this is one of the most faithful game to tv series I’ve seen. Sadly said tv series only had two episodes made, I don’t know if it never caught on, or the production company went bankrupt, but no more were made. It’s an awful shame because this is one of the finest shows based on a game I’ve seen. I guess the real reason, is that this isn’t slapstick fun like most American cartoons (compare to Zelda, Sonic, Mario, Captain N) but rather more mature dark characters. One simple example of this, is outright killing. Now I’ll be the first to admit that the Super Mario Bros Super Show was actually pretty violent. I mean that episode where the Thunder Birdo is fed a bomb by Toad and blows up is pretty sick, as we never see it again, meaning it wasn’t a typical cartoon style explosion, with them stood there after with soot all over. Still, this show has people being sliced up by swords. Nothing really gory is shown, but it’s still much more violent than most other Nintendo animation.
Anyway, I’m the first one to say that violence in movies, games, and cartoons shouldn’t really have an effect on how good something is (my thoughts on Watchmen being a prime example.) but when you have a cartoon based on a game about war, you expect some violence. Anyway, another key point I must mention here is that this is a review of the Subbed Japanese version. The reason why is that Marth’s voice actor from the Japanese version is the same one from Smash Bros. I feel this makes the Japanese version the more authentic one. Anyway, on to the review.
We are quickly put into the middle of the plot, and whilst it doesn’t fit with the DS game, that was a remake which added to the original, so when this was made it fit into the game’s timeline pretty well. We get a good look at Marth’s upbringing through flashbacks, also good is to see that while his father was a good leader, he did beat Marth for not being ‘brave enough’ (due to him freezing whilst he’s meant to be killing a deer when he’s a young boy.) I’m not going to say he’s abused, as really in the time setting (even if it is fantasy) it was probably commonplace. Anyway, we also get an explanation of why Marth has a Tiara. One of my favourite parts of the Fire Emblem series is how each and every character seems to have a backstory and reason for being in the conflict. This does transfer to this ‘series’ but I feel is shown much better in episode two. That said, the meeting Marth has with his knights is a pretty good scene, with various characters arrogance, wisdom and different backgrounds coming into their idea of what should be done. The other two characters who get most of the development in this episode are Sheeda and Jaigon. Of the characters, Jaigon’s my favourite in the games, and is still here. He’s Obiwan to Marth’s Luke, and guides him, but accepts Marth’s plans too. One thing I really enjoyed was the King’s last stand scene, where we get a small view that the King had a similar relationship with Jaigon as Marth has. As for Sheeda, she’s ok. I mean she’s the typical female lead. Sadly, while we do get a lot of relationship stuff with her and Marth, she doesn’t really get much character development in this episode beyond worrying about her father.
The final battle in this episode is pretty damn good. The pirates are the ruthless town destroying brutes from the games, and we get some good scenes of the fights. Jaigon for such a frail looking old man is pretty deadly with a sword. Also good is that Shiida does get to do some damage, however she becomes a typical hostage in the final confrontation between Marth and the head pirate. Still I guess it’s only as she was off her horse trying to help her father and was jumped by him that she was taken, and she did fight back. Finally the appearance of the four mercaneries at the end was cool and unexpected as they don’t appear in game until the next chapter.
The various classes from the games are shown pretty well, but the best has to be the giant armoured knight guy, Draug looking down on the two pirates whilst he towers above them.
Anyway, overall, a great first episode, that serves as a great intro to the characters and plot, but not as good as the second episode.
I have to say that without a doubt, this is one of the most faithful game to tv series I’ve seen. Sadly said tv series only had two episodes made, I don’t know if it never caught on, or the production company went bankrupt, but no more were made. It’s an awful shame because this is one of the finest shows based on a game I’ve seen. I guess the real reason, is that this isn’t slapstick fun like most American cartoons (compare to Zelda, Sonic, Mario, Captain N) but rather more mature dark characters. One simple example of this, is outright killing. Now I’ll be the first to admit that the Super Mario Bros Super Show was actually pretty violent. I mean that episode where the Thunder Birdo is fed a bomb by Toad and blows up is pretty sick, as we never see it again, meaning it wasn’t a typical cartoon style explosion, with them stood there after with soot all over. Still, this show has people being sliced up by swords. Nothing really gory is shown, but it’s still much more violent than most other Nintendo animation.
Anyway, I’m the first one to say that violence in movies, games, and cartoons shouldn’t really have an effect on how good something is (my thoughts on Watchmen being a prime example.) but when you have a cartoon based on a game about war, you expect some violence. Anyway, another key point I must mention here is that this is a review of the Subbed Japanese version. The reason why is that Marth’s voice actor from the Japanese version is the same one from Smash Bros. I feel this makes the Japanese version the more authentic one. Anyway, on to the review.
We are quickly put into the middle of the plot, and whilst it doesn’t fit with the DS game, that was a remake which added to the original, so when this was made it fit into the game’s timeline pretty well. We get a good look at Marth’s upbringing through flashbacks, also good is to see that while his father was a good leader, he did beat Marth for not being ‘brave enough’ (due to him freezing whilst he’s meant to be killing a deer when he’s a young boy.) I’m not going to say he’s abused, as really in the time setting (even if it is fantasy) it was probably commonplace. Anyway, we also get an explanation of why Marth has a Tiara. One of my favourite parts of the Fire Emblem series is how each and every character seems to have a backstory and reason for being in the conflict. This does transfer to this ‘series’ but I feel is shown much better in episode two. That said, the meeting Marth has with his knights is a pretty good scene, with various characters arrogance, wisdom and different backgrounds coming into their idea of what should be done. The other two characters who get most of the development in this episode are Sheeda and Jaigon. Of the characters, Jaigon’s my favourite in the games, and is still here. He’s Obiwan to Marth’s Luke, and guides him, but accepts Marth’s plans too. One thing I really enjoyed was the King’s last stand scene, where we get a small view that the King had a similar relationship with Jaigon as Marth has. As for Sheeda, she’s ok. I mean she’s the typical female lead. Sadly, while we do get a lot of relationship stuff with her and Marth, she doesn’t really get much character development in this episode beyond worrying about her father.
The final battle in this episode is pretty damn good. The pirates are the ruthless town destroying brutes from the games, and we get some good scenes of the fights. Jaigon for such a frail looking old man is pretty deadly with a sword. Also good is that Shiida does get to do some damage, however she becomes a typical hostage in the final confrontation between Marth and the head pirate. Still I guess it’s only as she was off her horse trying to help her father and was jumped by him that she was taken, and she did fight back. Finally the appearance of the four mercaneries at the end was cool and unexpected as they don’t appear in game until the next chapter.
The various classes from the games are shown pretty well, but the best has to be the giant armoured knight guy, Draug looking down on the two pirates whilst he towers above them.
Anyway, overall, a great first episode, that serves as a great intro to the characters and plot, but not as good as the second episode.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A History in Animation- Captain N
Captain N
Since this is a character who is not in games, and hasn’t appeared since his last episode, I don’t have much to compare with his future or origin since… well this is it. In fact other than fanfiction, Captain N is still sat in the palace of Power, well other than the rather striking image which was the last ever preview with Captain N in it.
Anyway, so other than that Kevin never reappears. Of course that is because his whole purpose is to familiarize people with Videoland. As such he’s really meant to represent the viewer, similar to how Dr Who has an assistant who’s usually not travelled with him around the universe before, so the viewer gets a similar experience to the Doctor’s Assistant. However Kevin has an extra part to his character, as he’s played and beaten almost every game out there, and as such he has a lot of knowledge of what to do, but he’s still just one of us, and at the end of the day, even if he knows for example how to beat King Hippo in Punchout!!, actually having the strength to beat him, even with knowledge of his weak points, is a whole other matter.
This is a key point with Kevin that his character is pretty weak, and must use his knowledge to win. That said he also has quick reactions due to his time playing games, so with the Zapper he’s pretty deadly.
One other important point about his character is that he’s pretty much a loser outside Videoland. In the real world, he doesn’t seem to actually have any friends (at least none are ever shown) and the few others from his home we meet either don’t know him, or hate his guts. Mike Vincent is the main one of Kevin's friends shown, and whilst they've grown apart to the extent that Mike now bully's Kevin (is it me or is there a Gary Oak thing going on here?), it's shown in the end that Mike was a decent guy underneath. I think given the chance Mike would of been real and died at the end of the episode, it's only due to the censorship etc that he was an android. This is really an important development in proving that Kevin's bettered himself, and he knows that he can reason with his enemies instead of out rightly killing them.
Also of note, is that one of the biggest character developments is sadly in the unintentional final episode. We get to see here that due to Kevin’s jealousy and need to have Lana like him, he actually is corrupted by evil influence. Of course it’s a typical ‘hero gets hypnotised’ episode, but I do feel it is clever in the way that Kevin is only hypnotised due to there being dark thoughts at the back of his mind which he could be influenced into acting upon.
And that’s about it for this history in animation. This character only appeared in animation, and therefore I can’t do the game to animation comparison.
Since this is a character who is not in games, and hasn’t appeared since his last episode, I don’t have much to compare with his future or origin since… well this is it. In fact other than fanfiction, Captain N is still sat in the palace of Power, well other than the rather striking image which was the last ever preview with Captain N in it.
Anyway, so other than that Kevin never reappears. Of course that is because his whole purpose is to familiarize people with Videoland. As such he’s really meant to represent the viewer, similar to how Dr Who has an assistant who’s usually not travelled with him around the universe before, so the viewer gets a similar experience to the Doctor’s Assistant. However Kevin has an extra part to his character, as he’s played and beaten almost every game out there, and as such he has a lot of knowledge of what to do, but he’s still just one of us, and at the end of the day, even if he knows for example how to beat King Hippo in Punchout!!, actually having the strength to beat him, even with knowledge of his weak points, is a whole other matter.
This is a key point with Kevin that his character is pretty weak, and must use his knowledge to win. That said he also has quick reactions due to his time playing games, so with the Zapper he’s pretty deadly.
One other important point about his character is that he’s pretty much a loser outside Videoland. In the real world, he doesn’t seem to actually have any friends (at least none are ever shown) and the few others from his home we meet either don’t know him, or hate his guts. Mike Vincent is the main one of Kevin's friends shown, and whilst they've grown apart to the extent that Mike now bully's Kevin (is it me or is there a Gary Oak thing going on here?), it's shown in the end that Mike was a decent guy underneath. I think given the chance Mike would of been real and died at the end of the episode, it's only due to the censorship etc that he was an android. This is really an important development in proving that Kevin's bettered himself, and he knows that he can reason with his enemies instead of out rightly killing them.
Also of note, is that one of the biggest character developments is sadly in the unintentional final episode. We get to see here that due to Kevin’s jealousy and need to have Lana like him, he actually is corrupted by evil influence. Of course it’s a typical ‘hero gets hypnotised’ episode, but I do feel it is clever in the way that Kevin is only hypnotised due to there being dark thoughts at the back of his mind which he could be influenced into acting upon.
And that’s about it for this history in animation. This character only appeared in animation, and therefore I can’t do the game to animation comparison.
A History in Animation- Punch-out!!
Punch-out!!! 
Well. As Punch-out!! Makes a pretty small appearance in animation, I decided to merge it into this article of King Hippo. Anyway, so as we see Punch-Out!! is a pretty run down gym in some city. Its only appearance is in the episode Videolympics. It’s called ‘the world of Punch Out’ but really it seems to be part of a larger world, that said, it could be that the whole city revolves around boxing, or that I’m over thinking a children’s cartoon. One of the two… 
This is a different place from Punch-Out!! As its King Hippo’s dream world he created with a genie in the episode Wishful thinking. It’s got pretty generic boxing backgrounds, and as such it doesn’t really have much specifically from the games. However the games are pretty much just boxing, with larger than life opponents, but other than that there isn’t much fantasy, with the setting as New York City, so in other words, this does pretty much match the game, and they did the best they could to make it fit the fantasy theme, with various traps involving boxing gloves on springs. 
Next up we have a quick cameo from a boxer who may or may not be Glass Joe. He doesn’t appear much, but the hair colour and general weakling appearance does make it seem like him. Of course it’s pretty likely it’s a coincidence, but then again, most of the shows characters didn’t look like the characters game depictions (or artwork). 
Secondly we have another possible cameo of Von Kaiser, sadly without Moustache, (his ringside sprite is blonde despite how the in game sprite looks) but he does actually get knocked out by his shadow while boxing, so it could be him. Also it would make sense for him to be training with Glass Joe as they’re both in the Minor league. Ironically I believe in the new Punch-out Wii that King Hippo is now in the minor league, meaning that the idea of him in the same place as Joe and Von makes more sense now than it did then.
. 
. 
I thought I'd better mention, that this scene from Metroid Sweet Metroid has King Hippo and an army of boxers invade Mount Icarus. I do believe that these boxers are honestly just the writers creations, and not from the games, but this is NAS and I have fun trying to make out that these cartoons are more faithful than they are. The question marks are next to ones who I think they may be, but could easily not be. Also for those of you wondering (or who care) Hornyguy isn't from the game, and the unnamed boxer… I'm just gonna say is a resident of Hippo Island who came to help the King. Actually, now I noticed, when I changed the various features, there are a fair few similarities between the sprites and the pictures. I mean Bald Bull has that scar, Piston Honda has those giant eyebrows, Sandman's flat top and Don Flamenco is an amazing likeness. I also find it amusing that with glasses and the same colouring, Mr Dream actually looks like the animated version, who I put there as a joke.
Next up we have the main Punch-Out!! character in animation, King Hippo. It’s humorous that King Hippo appears in most episodes, yet Little Mac is never seen outside of this strip in the comic and the game Kevin plays in the intro of the show.
One of the first things you could possibly notice (it is very hard to see though, so you must concentrate) is that King Hippo for some reason has Blue skin now. I guess it’s just an after-effect of the way cartoons were back then, I remember the Spider-man series (with the catchy theme tune) of the 60s had
lots of green skinned villains, who were meant to be human, so it’s just something they seemed to have a fixation on.
lots of green skinned villains, who were meant to be human, so it’s just something they seemed to have a fixation on.
Anyway, so other than that, he’s pretty much the same character as the games. He’s a fat moron who’s probably taken a few too many blows to the head and loves to eat. That said, I don’t know why he’s really shown as evil. And Hippo Island never is even spoke of, so he’s not a perfect animated version. However, for the few lines of dialogue he has in the game “Do you like my new trunks? They are size XXX Large! Ha Ha Ha!” he’s pretty faithful to the game. Although I wonder where the patch on his stomach went. I’m glad his shorts never fell down though, for my sanity’s sake…
Finally in our comparison, we have the voice comparison. As often, the voice from the games came later than the cartoon character (in this case, a long time after the cartoon). As there's only one actual character from Punch-out who actually spoke in thier animated appearance, I can only compare King Hippo's voice. This pleases me as the new game, has amazing voice acting, but the thing is... all the characters speak in their native languages, so Glass Joe speaks French, Von Kaiser speaks German etc meaning I'd have to start trying to find translations, and even then I wouldn't know what sort of accents etc they put on. Where does this leave our Island chief? Well he speaks... what I'll call Hippese. Which means that his voice acting (I think) is all done by a hippo... I'm not going to insult Mr Gary Chalk and even begin to compare their voices, so I think the differences should be obvious...
Finally in our comparison, we have the voice comparison. As often, the voice from the games came later than the cartoon character (in this case, a long time after the cartoon). As there's only one actual character from Punch-out who actually spoke in thier animated appearance, I can only compare King Hippo's voice. This pleases me as the new game, has amazing voice acting, but the thing is... all the characters speak in their native languages, so Glass Joe speaks French, Von Kaiser speaks German etc meaning I'd have to start trying to find translations, and even then I wouldn't know what sort of accents etc they put on. Where does this leave our Island chief? Well he speaks... what I'll call Hippese. Which means that his voice acting (I think) is all done by a hippo... I'm not going to insult Mr Gary Chalk and even begin to compare their voices, so I think the differences should be obvious...
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