The script to Shoka won the grand prize in the Animax competition in 2008. I’m not sure why. While the gimmick of using calligraphy and other arts as the basis of magical combat lends itself well to animation, the story and the characters are of scant interest. Still, the piece is worth seeing for the art, particularly if you’re sick of moeblobs with insectoid faces. Screen captures are below the fold.
I also recently watched Haiyoru! Nyaru Ani and Ranma – Akumu Shunminko. The former — a series of short moe-meets-Lovecraft animations — might sound like a brilliantly insane idea, but I don’t recommend it unless you think stabbing a little girl ((She’s actually Nyarlathotep, but she still looks and acts like a silly little girl.)) in the hand with a fork is funny. The latter is part of a celebration of Rumiko Takahashi’s work. It prominently features Happosai, and demonstrates why he has done so well in the current poll. I can’t recommend it either, even if it is the first new Ranma episode in years.
Update: Here’s the right way to make Cthulhu cute.
It may have not been your intention, but you’ve sold me on Shoka now – I recognize the artwork from Kemonozume, a past favourite. Granted, I can’t judge a script from screencaps, so we’ll see –
It may have not been your intention, but you’ve sold me on Shoka now – I recognize the artwork from Kemonozume, a past favourite. Granted, I can’t judge a script from screencaps, so we’ll see –
I didn’t even finish watching that loli-Cthuloid oav. It’s a string of fifteen-second gag episodes – basically stripped-down 4-komi. And yes, the whole fork thing is nastily misogynistic, and I’m not the sort to just throw that around casually. I have the feeling I’d despise the light novels this is an advertisement for, if any company were lunatic enough to try to license it for the North American market. Seems like this is based more on the RPG than the actual stories – there are gags about “san points” – and what the hell’s the point of loli-fying Lovecraftian Elder Ones if there’s no apparent connection aside from the names?
Munchkins Cthulhu is more amusing than this crap, and that game is boring.