Indie films-games and something anything else inbetween! At IndyFilm Oneblaze we try to highlight Indy creative projects.

Late to the viewing of this anime but recently I watched a series called ‘Sword Arts Online’ which was an anime based on fantasy MMORPGS but on a scale where your mind is brought into the world much in the vain of the Matrix trapping the users in the virtual world where if they died in that world they would also die in the real world. The only way to escape this world was to defeat the game’s end boss.

The characters designs were typical fantasy anime attire no real mystery there. Over the top action with all so amazing 2d animation by really talented artist. Hands downs this is yet another wonderfully animated series worthy of a collection corner.

Much like many anime that seems to have its theme around a particular construct, like gaming, sports etc it totally dominates the arena. There are other anime that SOA shares a likeness but hands down this is laden with emotional impact, which most anime I have watched are capable to deliver with amazing results but lacks.
What I love about this anime is the bond the main characters have for each other, its almost intoxicating. There were moments when characters died and all you can do is feel the loss knowing that even though this was a virtual world these characters actually died in the real world thus pushing the seriousness of the situation they were all in. Another key thing was they captured the whole team spirit of a MMORPG which is key to making a story based around that theme. You form team/guilds and you work together on the front line and when you were not on a quest you worked the town as a sword-smith, inn keeper, merchant etc. There are many events I will leave out to not ruin your viewing of the show so when you have a chance watch it, enjoy it and follow it up with the other series call SOA2 Sword Arts Online II. This will surely be added to my collection.

Click the Picture above and get your viewing on at HULU.com!!

[wp_ad_camp_2]

Avatar korra was nothing like the avatar Aang, this was most certainly a grand leap forward in an animated shows taking a show focused around a male lead character to a story focused around a strong female lead. There were many that disapproved of the female lead and claimed a show would never work with a female lead which was proven wrong. To make things worst they moved one of their top shows to a pathetic time slot which then inadvertently pushed it to be an online only program. I personally do not mind the online only method as most program I watch are online via Netflix, Hulu or some other online viewable area.

As I watched avatar Korra I witnessed a huge character development, from a suborn adolescent know it all, who needed no support, to a person who felt she could depend on her friends to even risk life and limb to protect them while doing her cause as an Avatar. One of the great charms of the previous series was it’s jokes and senseless humor. The new show still retains these qualities from predecessor which premiere several years ago with the then leads Aang, Katara, Sokka and Zuko the protagonist. At that time Aang had one goal to defeat the fire lord and to do that he had to master the 4 elements, along the way he had his missteps and so on and learning lesson and had to grow quickly as a child to a warrior. The one thing he had over the current Avatar or past avatars was counseling from his past self, that part is actually very creepy when you think about it. Either way he had that support. On the reverse the current Avatar Korra had to learn quickly after the loss of her counsel of leader ship. The case was more mature with Korra being probably 17 or so I suppose and things being one more direct issues than simply mastering an element. This felt or embodied the feeling of watching the dragonball series and it’s leap to dragonball z with the action intensifying and the death toll looking very much real, or even for this generation naruto to Naruto Shippuden. This was a more flushed out avatar with more serious sub issues, it was not sugar coated for a child audience it was more direct in it’s approach of anarchy and chaos. Now with a more mature cast and theme this series was no long simply a kids show and in a way I see why they(Nick) had to move the timeslot from the children’s block as it simply did not fit their mold or brand. This was truly an emotional avatar series, the finale of book 3 was almost heart breaking to see Korra go through so much pain and then a great defeat.

In conclusion I have to congratulate the team for a job well done. Book 4 is looking to possibly be a great wrap up the team of Avatar Korra has their work cut out for them. Lets hope the conclusion is well met.

[wp_ad_camp_2]