Appleseed: Alpha (2014)

 
『アップルシード アルファ』(appuru shīdo arufa)

[PG-13]

Based on the comic book by the creator of Ghost in the Shell, a young female soldier Deunan and her cyborg partner Briareos survive through the post World War 3 apocalyptic New York in search of human's future hope, the legendary city of Olympus.

I understand this movie is a kind of alternative prequel to the original series. The visually amazing and detailed artwork seems oddly mismatched with simple cartoon violence. Nearly all the characters are unlikable, but for the villain Two-Horns (pictured) who has some good lines. The generic plot is surprisingly juvenile - women in peril, things magically work out, and bad-guys are bad for no other reason.

It's a fascinating film to watch fail. Character's dialog jumps too quickly from surly, to despondent, to determined, yet the only 'animated' face is Two-Horns. There is too much dialog - perhaps because nobody can properly move their eyebrows after the apocalypse.

Polar Bear Café (2012)

『しろくまカフェ』（Shirokuma Cafe）

The everyday drama of a group of oddly realistic animals mingling with humans. Most of the story develops at a café run by a popular polar bear who also enjoys wordplay. He offers sage advice to a high-strung penguin, and an overly relaxed panda.

This comedy series was not released for North America, but all 50 episodes were available for streaming on CrunchyRoll. 8/10 stars on IMDB. Jokes range from subtle to running sight gags, and the stories themselves develop into situational humor. The voice-acting and artwork are excellent.

Eden of the East (2009)

『東のエデン』(higashi no eden)

When Saki gets into trouble with the police, she is helped by a strange naked man with two things, a gun and a cell phone loaded with $75 million dollars.