Level E’s Alien Prince Stupid, Is This a Zombie?, Feb Releases: Otaku Trauma

• Tweet
• Pin It

In this edition of Otaku Trauma, I’m going to talk about the first episodes of Level E and Kore wa Zombie desu Ka?, plus some quick news bites for your everyday [otaku] life.

o.o Seriously.  The basic plot outline of an alien landing and making life miserable for a high school baseball player is still pretty spot on, but holy cow!  I do think this may be my favorite anime this season so far.  It doesn’t take itself seriously, the alien Prince Baka*  is either a cunning fellow or the universe’s cosmic joke on the rest of us, and poor Yukitaka, the baseball player, is stuck.

This is pretty much how all their conversations go

We don’t learn a whole lot about Prince in this episode except that his main reason for living is to make everyone else’s life miserable.  Much of the episode is centered around Yukitaka trying to settle in and kick Prince out, Prince being oblivious and trying to work at Yukitaka’s “caring” side.  To be fair, Yukitaka starts to care…and then Prince does something dumb, and yeah.

Prince Baka’s true form?

At one point a very serious discussion ensues, which winds up having Prince Baka go steal an alien artifact from Yukitaka’s neighbor Miho’s father (who’s in charge of researching alien life on Earth).  He then promises to explain all to Yukitaka…despite his amnesia…. But, hey, pretty lights?

(*) His full name (we later find out) is Baka  Ki El Dogra and he’s a Prince of the Doguras…so essentially his name is Prince Baka or Prince Stupid (Baka-ouji)

Verdict: I frakking love this series and will be watching the heck out of it.

This is not the Zombie anime I signed up for.  Kore wa Zombie desu Ka? (literally “Is this  a Zombie?”) is a mixture of dark comedy, violence, magical girls (on crack) and…well, more violence.  When the magical girl of the show is carting around a pink chainsaw–then proceeds to cut the main character in half without so much as blinking, you know you’ve hit a new level.

That said, this didn’t appeal to me.  I got through maybe half of it before I grew tired of the antics and the odd meshing of genres.  I may try this again at a later date, but for now, no thank you.

Verdict: On hold until further notice.

Point of Order: Both Level E and Kore wa Zombie desu Ka? can be viewed at Crunchyroll subbed.  Freezing is now avail to watch on Funimation.  Episode 3 though…well.  My comfort level was disturbed in the raw video I saw, so we’ll see how Funi censors it.

Domestic News:

According to several sources (including Anime News Network), Syfy will begin airing Chrono Crusade February 22nd at 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.  Honestly, I’d be surprised it hadn’t been aired before now, except that Rosette is in a modified nun’s habit, works for the Order of the Magdalene, and totes around some serious weaponry–all of which could be slightly controversial?  Maybe.  It boggles the mind.

Meanwhile publisher Vertical has acquired the rights to Osamu Tezuka’s “Princess Knight” shoujo manga.  The publisher is set to release the series in two volumes of over 300 pages each.  First volume drops October with the second in December, both have a suggested retail of $13.95.  If you don’t know who Tezuka is I don’t even want to know you.  That said, guess what’s on my Christmas wishlist already?

The Reason I Wished I Lived in Japan:

Summer Wars Limited Edition Blu-Ray

I’ll talk more about Summer Wars when I get my hands on a copy of the domestic release (due out Feb 15th, 2011 from Funimation) but if I had the $126 to buy the limited edition Blu-Ray?  I would do it in a heartbeat.  Sadly I don’t, so instead I get to stare longingly at pictures of the boxset and wonder why in the name of the heavens I can’t be obsessed with more local products.

New Releases I Want:

Book Girl and the Famished Spirit by Mizuki Nomura, second volume in the Bungaku Shoujo novel series being translated and published by the awesome Yen Press folks.  She devours books, literally, like tasty snacks.  I should be appalled except she appreciates them so much….

February Releases to Note

Anime

2/1/11: Pokémon the Movie 12: Arceus and the Jewel of Life *
2/15/11: Summer Wars (DVD and Blu-ray)
2/22/11: Chrono Crusade Complete Collection (DVD)

Manga

2/1/11: Bride of the Water God volume 7
2/15/11: 20th Century Boys volume 13
2/21/11: Soul Eater volume 5

*In Japan there are 13 currently, with a 14th due out in July.  Dear lord have mercy on our souls.
**According to some lists Full Metal Panic volume 4 of the novel series is also due out this month.  Until I see it in my hands I’m not holding my breath.

2 Comments

1. 

   Medora

   February 8, 2011 at 5:54 pm

   Chrono Crusade is the bomb – Rosette is one tough little chick, habit and all. As far as Pokemon movies go, there can never be too many! I may be too old for my Pikachu belly ring but I’m wearin’ it anyhow.

   Reply
   • 

     Lexie C

     February 8, 2011 at 10:27 pm

     Oh I love Chrono Crusade. I’m in favor for just about anything that involves chicks with weapons. I’m continually surprised by the fact that Pokemon is still on-going. I remember when it had trouble staying on air in the afternoons…now look at it…

     Reply