Anime Review (Trash Anime Mountain): Girls Bravo

Hello fellow Otaku & Metalheads, and welcome.....to Trash.....Anime.....Mountain!!!

That’s right, I’m starting a new review series! Okay, maybe not a new series per se. I wanted to categorize the more trashy shows, and sometimes the more obscure shows, into it’s own review category. Doesn’t matter if it’s good, mediocre, or bad: if I know it’s trash, it’s definitely going into this review series. To start off Trash Anime Mountain, I’ll be looking at what may very well be the pinnacle of trash anime. I enjoy it thoroughly, but this has to be one of the most low-brow, juvenile, skin showing, yet oddly charming series I’ve ever watched. It’s so trashy, yet there’s something bizarrely heartfelt about it at the same time. So, be sure that you’re not allergic to girls, keep an eye on your bathtub, and enjoy my review for Girls Bravo. Let’s begin!  

Story/Setup
Taken from the Amazon Editorial Review:

“Yukinari's got girl problems - the poor guy is literally allergic to them. He can't even be in the same room as a girl without getting a rash. It's enough to put any red-blooded male in an awful mood. Here's the good news: things start looking up for Yukinari when he accidentally plays peek-a-boo with the naked girl-next-door. She freaks out and boots him in the face, magically transporting our hero to the coolest place ever - Seiren, a mystical land populated mostly by girls. As soon as he gets there, he meets Miharu, a super-bouncy, carefree cutie who can touch Yukinari without causing a rash! She becomes his roomie on Earth and - well, then it's all bathtubs, swimming pools, hot springs, and you're not even reading this anymore are you?”

Okay, this is what marks Girls Bravo as a denizen of Trash Anime Mountain. This series may very well be the most fan-service thing I’ve ever watched, and considering that 50 to 75 percent of my collection may be fan-service series, that’s saying something! From literarily the first minute of the first episode, you see the titular (Literarily) Miharu looking down into her bath water, her bare body evident to see. In each & every episode you see all kinds of fan-service: panty shots, boob jiggle, maids, tentacles (In 1 episode only), yuri, and just about every typical/atypical thing you can think of. While I am a fan-service junky, even I had to drop my jaw when I saw just how much their was! Because there’s so much, it’s easy to assume that their isn’t much of a story. However.....

There’s a surprisingly good story to Girls Bravo! It’s certainly not the deepest or the most illuminating (The overwhelming fan-service is definitely a contributing factor to this), but it’s well written enough that you’ll pay some attention to what’s going on, and there is a twist or two that’ll actually can catch you off guard. Not world shattering twists mind you, but definitely ones that are earned.

Animation
Right away, you can definitely tell that Girls Bravo is from the age of computer animation. If I’m being a little more honest, I’d say that it looks like there was some drawn work, but was enhanced by computers. It’s aged fairly well: though it’s obvious that it looks & moves like a show from the early to mid 2000s, for the most part it still looks good. The character move fluidly enough, and the various effects seem nice enough. Maybe not an animated marvel, but certainly not a visual abomination.

Voice Acting
Girls Bravo suffers from what I like to call the “Love Hina” syndrome. What do I mean? Well, for the most par the show has some good voice acting. Really good voice acting, if I’m being honest. Most of the characters in the show have a good voice behind, and even secondary character typically have some effort put into them. However, for every good bit of voice acting there’s somebody that’s not doing the best job. The character that I often don’t like speaking is Tomo: a younger character that becomes a main cast member, she’s genuinely very bratty, which is the point of her. Unfortunately, her voice can be rather grating. Again, she’s supposed to be a brat kid, but the voice acting is a little too obnoxious.

Characters
Much like the story, the characters of Girls Bravo are surprisingly good. I can easily understand why somebody wouldn’t like a majority of them. Yukinari can be a bit of a wuss sometimes, Miharu can be a little too ditzy, etc. However, despite the flaws, many of the characters are still highly likable! Yukinari is indeed a wuss, but he does what is right all the time. Miharu is indeed a ditzy, but her empathy & compassion is incredible. This kind of thing happens across most of cast: there’s an issue with them, but there’s also something likable as well. A bit whiplash inducing, but in an odd way adds to the show’s bizarre charm.

Availability & Pricing
Girls Bravo was a Geneon/Pioneer series way back in the day, and finding copies of the full show is exceptionally difficult. Individual volumes can still be found on Amazon, and they’re actually surprisingly well priced ($9.99 starting price for vol. 1). An easier but more expensive option would be the Funimation re-release of the full series under their S.A.V.E. program. This can also be found on Amazon, with starting prices for a new copy at $19.99. Collectors will probably grab the individual DVDs, but a more practical mind will gravitate towards the S.A.V.E. version.

Overall Impression & Rating
Girls Bravo is a far service tornado. You’re getting boobs, butts, and panty shots in your face so often it’s hard to see everything else. Once you do see everything else, you’ll find a likable show. Like I said above, it’s not deep, nor will you find the secrets of life & the universe as you watch, but the series is just a fun, dumb show at the end of the day. Girls Bravo is the kind of anime that you sit down, pop the DVD in, turn your brain off, and just have a fun time. This may not be for everybody, but for those that do want to watch it, they’re in for a hell of a time!

Girls Bravo gets a 7.5 out of 10.

And that was the premier of my Trash Anime Mountain review series, and it was a doozy! I don’t know often I’ll travel to this bizarre mountain, but when I do, you’ll bet that I’ll come back down with something strange. May is soon upon us, and I’ll seen you then with more content. Take care!

Album Review: W.A.S.P.'s Unholy Terror

Welcome back fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

The 3rd of April this year marks the 20-year anniversary one of the most surprising, out of nowhere albums, I’ve ever listened to. An album I wasn’t exactly looking forward to at first, but put aside all apprehensions by the time that I was done. It may mark a permanent shift in a iconic band’s personality & tone, and I can understand why people would be turned off by the music within. However, that should not stop you from enjoying an album that comes right out of nowhere......and it’s from W.A.S.P. no less! So shine up your cross, make sure that your pastor is legit, and enjoy my review for Blackie’s first release of the new millennium, Unholy Terror. Let’s begin!

Background
With the return of Chris Holmes in 1996, the gang would begin a tear in W.A.S.P.’s discography. There was the middle finger to relationships in K.F.D. in 1997, and the seeming return to classic form in Helldorado in 1999. Such a relationship would be put to the test sometime in 2000, when longtime frontman Blackie Lawless would change his life in a big way after becoming a Born-Again Christian, and the transformation of the band would begin. The wilder ways of the previous 2 releases (And by extent most of their 80s past) would go, and instead the socio-political experimentation that was on The Headless Children would return in force (Intertwined with obvious religious imagery).

The first release under this new direction would go by the name of Unholy Terror. Released on the 3rd of April, 2001, the album would show off the new leaf that Blackie turned, but this didn’t sit well with Holmes. He still wanted to be about Rock ‘n’ Roll, partying, & chicks, and didn’t want to think about things like politics or faith. So he left in 2001 (Whether before or after the album came out, I’m not sure), and to this day has claimed he’s never played on Unholy Terror at all. He hooked up with fellow ex-W.A.S.P. member Randy Piper's band Animal, but soon dropped out of that project also, and has since gone solo.

Basic Description
A surprise.

I stated this at the end of part 2 of my overview on W.A.S.P. (Read here), but I’ll say it again: I was not necessarily looking forward to this period of the band. While you can argue that the band’s 90s period was certainly in flux, you could say that Blackie was still having fun in a sense. Yes, 2 of the albums from that time were more serious, but there was still fun to be had. When Lawless first announced that he would become a Born-Again Christian, there were probably a lot of fans that felt a huge sinking feeling, and when I found out about this a few short years ago I got that feeling also. The leader of a Shock Hair Metal band turning a new, more holy leaf, seems like he was selling out just to cater to a new audience. So when I first sat down to begin listening to Unholy Terror, I admit I was hesitant to believe that the music on the record was good. Color me surprised by the time I was done!

Make no mistake: Unholy Terror is a religious album. From top to bottom, Christian imagery is heavily evident, and Blackie’s ego can definitely be felt. However, that would be doing this record a big disservice. Unholy Terror is God’s Not Dead 3 17 years prior to that movie’s release: highly religious, but simultaneously not afraid to criticize & question the very same church that inspired it. It’s not afraid to continuously poke the bear with reasons why people (Particularly young people) would want to leave the Christian church & never come back. It’s surprising at first, and I can still understand why listeners would not get into Unholy Terror due to it’s shift in theme (Especially when you compare it to the album that came out 2 years prior) and tone, but this is an album that’s genuinely worth your time....even if you listen to it just once.

Best Track
Like I said back in 2019, Locomotive Man is my favorite track of Unholy Terror. One of the meatiest songs on the albums (6 minutes & 3 seconds), you can definitely tell that this song takes a jab at all of the fake pastors, preachers, and tele-evangelists that spread their lies, not to mention how said lies whip their followers into a frenzy. It also talks about how blindly many worshipers believe that they’re going to Heaven due to their devotion to these individuals, and that even when presented with evidence some of them will not deter from their beliefs. Easily the most powerful song of the record.

Locomotive Man

Worst Track
Also like I said back in 2019, Unholy Terror doesn’t have any bad songs. From top to bottom, you’re treated to some potent Heavy Metal that’s also not afraid to ask a lot of questions either. The album’s only fault lies with Lawless himself. It’s not that he went Christian per se, but more of the fact that he waited until he became Born-Again, and then trashed the Christian Church afterwards. It gives some serious double agent vibes to me, almost as if he didn’t want to do Unholy Terror until he was already in. Maybe I’m looking at it the wrong way, but maybe I’m not. I’m not sure.

Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, click on the link below:

Unholy Terror

Overall Impression & Rating
Unholy Terror is, as I said in 2019, a shockingly good album. I can easily understand people’s hesitation getting into Blackie’s more socio-policial/religious period of W.A.S.P. (Not to mention being turned off by his ever increasing ego), but this release shows that he can actually use that side of him for something good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Much like Stryper, religious people will like it, but Agnostics & even some Atheists might get a kick out of the music on this record. If you’re up for some religious-themed Heavy Metal that’s got a bit of a bite to it, you enjoy Unholy Terror.

Unholy Terror gets a 9 out of 10.

And that was my review of Unholy Terror. The start of W.A.S.P.’s socio-political/religious period, the first release of this new era showed some potential for the band to do some good with this new direction, and with the 2 records after this it showed that they might do so. Alas, it was not to be, but regardless this album is great despite that. Well, tune in a little later this month, for I have the start of a new review series debuting. See you then!

Top 5 Religious Themed Metal Albums You Should Try

Happy Easter fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

I’ve certainly done a bunch of special posts for this holiday. From overviews on Stryper & Grim Reaper, to a review on Tourniquet’s first release & Stryper's only non-Christian record last year, it’s always fun to make treats for all of you. This year’s Easter treat is going to be rather different. Instead of an overview or a review, I wanted to make a list for you. 5 Heavy Metal albums, and they all have a touch of the religious side to them. Some have a lot of faith, why others don’t. Still, I wanted to show off a couple of the albums I came across that seemly oddly appropriate for this time of the year, and who knows.....maybe you’ll like these as well. With that out of the way, here are 5 Religious Themed Metal Albums You Should Try.

(To those who are Atheist or Agnostic, my apologies if this offends you in any capacity. I figured that some of you would get a kick out of this, so if this rubs any of you the wrong way.....my bad.)

1) King Diamond - House of God (Song)

I begin this list with an album that’s probably pure blasphemy among those with faith. King Diamond has never been afraid to show his disdain toward Christianity, and religion by extension. And so with 2000s House of God, he created what is perhaps his most ambitious album to this day. Taking the story of Rennes-le-Château & turning it into an incredibly frightening tale, this record show off the storytelling capabilities of the king. The atmosphere, coupled with the religious imagery, excellent instrumentation, and King’s patented raspy vocals, makes for a great start to the 2000s. It may be a little too clean with it’s production in places, but on sheer scale alone, I have nothing but respect for House Of God, and I enjoy it quite a bit.   

2) Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs (Song)

A relative recent release, Orphaned Land’s 2018 offering of metal is a potent one. Fusing together Progressive, Death, and Doom Metal into what is considered to be the origin of Oriental Metal back in 1994, their lyrics were often promoted a message of peace and unity, particularly between the three main Abrahamic religions, and their albums had some concept related to two extremes (A meeting of East and West, past and present, light and darkness, God and Satan, etc). Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs is no exception: perhaps their most aggressive album in certain places, the band’s intent on this record is no different than anything before this release. If you like your metal to have a touch of the exotic, then you might enjoy this!

3) Tourniquet - Stop The Bleeding (Song)

I’ll talk about another Christian Metal icon in a bit, but I do want to mention a group that deserve some time in the light also. Since 1990, the Christian Thrashers known as Tourniquet have embraced Jesus & mosh pits in equal measure, and it was their inaugural release Stop The Bleeding that put them on the map! While other Christian Metal group have a preach-like (But not necessarily abrasive) aspect to them....Tourniquet doesn’t go for that. Instead, their way of showing their faith is through brutal imagery, pounding instrumentation, and fierce vocals. I can understand why Tourniquet might be off-putting for some people, but they are a good alternative for those who like a little more force behind their Christianity.

4) W.A.S.P. - Unholy Terror (Song)

I’ve made a few criticisms towards W.A.S.P.’s frontman Blackie Lawless about his conversion to Christianity & embracing of more conservative politics in part 3 of my overview on the band (Which you can read here), and I still stand by what I said. However, his newfound faith was actually used quite well on the first three releases in the 2000s, and with particular potency on 2001's Unholy Terror. In a weird way it’s sort of the precursor of God’s Not Dead 3: despite very much being rooted in Christian ideology, it isn’t afraid to speak about why people (Especially young people) would want to leave the church & pursue their own path. On top of that, Unholy Terror isn’t necessarily afraid to question the motives of the Christian church, nor is it afraid to tackle issues that Christianity is afraid to here in the United States. It’s such a shame that Blackie would move away from this by the late 2000s, and become perhaps a little too religious & political, but for a brief period of time he was using his newfound faith for a good purpose. This is definitely one terror that isn’t scary!

5) Stryper - Soldiers Under Command (Song)

If I had this list as the “Top 5 Religious Themed Metal Albums You Should Try”, I would have proudly put this band’s second release right at number 1. For almost 4 decades, Soldiers Under Command is not just the definitive Hair Metal record, but also one of if not the most iconic releases in all of Christian Metal. On top of that, this release, whether intentionally or accidentally, helped give that proto Power Metal movement in the 80s a big template to work with! Putting that aside, however, you have perfect balance between the bands patented Hard Rock/Hair Metal sound, and a equally impressive Christian message behind the music. It’s obvious without being in your face. It’s preachy but not condescending, and it also respects listeners who may not be of the faith. The faithful embraced this release, and even a non-believer such as myself (I’m more of an Agnostic with Eastern tendencies) can’t help but smile when this album is playing. If there was ever one religious metal album you should have in your life, I’d say it should be this one.

And those were 5 religious themed metal albums you should try. This was a really fun list for me to make! I love I’ve done overview & reviews in the past, so I figured that something more simplistic was needed this time. I hope you all have a great Easter, and....actually, I got an idea. Join me next Sunday, as we take a look at a unholy terror’s 20 birthday! See you then!


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If you’re curious about listening to these albums, then click on the links below:

House of God

Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs

Stop The Bleeding

Unholy Terror

Soldiers Under Command