Search - Genshikin, Vol. 1: Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture on DVD

Genshiken

Michael Valdivielso | 08/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Genshiken's story is described above by Amazon, so I'm not going to spend pixels on that.
Genshiken's story really is amazingly simple, however, it's really engrossing when you really start into the book. You're likely to find an alter-ego inside the book, from the cosplayer to the leader of the otaku.
The music is pretty good, although the background music sometimes was barely noticable. That may or may not be a good thing considering that if the music were too noticable, it would take away from the enjoyment of the story. The opening and ending themes are pretty good, I'll be getting the CD singles.
Plus, on this DVD, a bonus episode of Kujibiki Unbalance is included. Kujibiki Unbalance is the popular anime within Genshiken. However, people in the US'll have to learn Japanese or something radical if they want to see the whole of Kujibiki Unbalance. Only 1 episode per DVD, 3 or so Genshiken DVDs, 26 or so episodes of Kujibiki Unbalance. The story IS available over the internet on "Genshiken Radio", however, it's in Japanese over a radio network I presume. Still, Kujibiki Unbalance really is a great anime, though you wouldn't expect that from an anime within an anime. The opening and ending themes of Kujibiki Unbalance are amazing. I'm more partial to "Kujibiki Unbalance", the opening theme, but the ending theme is great as well.

So, summary.
Pros: Genshiken's got a great story, same with Kujibiki Unbalance, the music's not horrible, voice actors are pretty darned good, and the DVD extras include a performance of "Kujibiki Unbalance" by Under 17 on stage.
Cons: Kujibiki Unbalance won't be completed in the US, unless everyone is missing some beyond all reason confidential licensing agreement. Some things about Kujibiki Unbalance are quite vague in the 1st episode, and then... I believe it skips to episode 25...

Overall, this really is anime worth watching, and OP and ED themes worth listening to. Kujibiki Unbalance also excels in story and OP and ED themes. Buy this anime, and realize the "magic" of the otaku."

The Bible of all things Otaku?

Michael Valdivielso | Alexandria, VA | 04/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, like the manga, the anime is sometimes funny, sometimes serious and always focused on cosplay, anima, manga, video games and freaky world of hard-core Otaku. The story line is mature, only for viewers 13 years and older, and sometimes I think it should be for 18 years and older.
But, like the manga, it is a piece of true artwork. The characters, the voice acting, the smooth flow from one scene to the next shows that a lot of time, money and love was poured into this DVD (and I hope those to follow).
There are tons of extras, including episode one of Kujibiki Unbalanced, and it comes with the series box which makes the disc all the more interesting to have. A great gift for a friend or a warning to future girlfriends.
"