Tuesday 22 February 2005

Pic of the day: Bye bye, says Belldandy (Verdandi). Screenshot from the anime.

Ah! My Goddess is licensed!

Despite the curious headline, I'm simply referring to the Japanese animated TV series "Aa! Megami-sama", in English usually translated "Ah! My Goddess". After seven episodes, it has been licensed by Media Blasters, under the name "Oh! My Goddess TV series". Look for it in the far future, as the first season is 26 episodes and only like 9 have been aired so far even in Japan (once a week).

By standard procedure in the fansub community, most groups stop translating the series. After all, it will be available in English anyway, and they don't want their free translations to compete with the versions for sale. AnimeSuki, the most popular linkboard to fansubbed anime, will stop linking to any fansubs that may still be released.

***

To quote Iolo from Ultima VI: "I don't usually condone stealing". But as we say here in Norway (or was that in Sweden?), "Need breaks the law". Actually, here in Norway I don't even need to break the law, as any broadcasted content is allowed downloaded for personal use. The law is being mended to disallow this, among other things, but I will definitely continue as long as it is legal, at least, and as long as Gotwoot.net continues to supply the AonE translation.

A!MG is simply not any random anime, of which there is a steady stream. It is ... uplifting, I think is the best word. It is humor with an undercurrent of sympathy and hope: The main character is born under an unlucky star, and he is still involved in the most unlikely mishaps; but now there is a goddess by his side, making it all turn out for the best.

Also, despite the occasional romance attack, the both of them are virgins of the heart (much like myself, I guess) and they simply can't make themselves do anything really indecent. That's not too common in anime, as Japanese have a more relaxed attitude to entertainment than Americans and Catholics. It's more like Scandinavia and the Netherlands, I'd say, except that I believe the Japanese don't actually live that way. They just are amused watching it. But even in that regard, this anime holds itself to a high standard.

***

In short, A!MG is the anime I wait for the whole week, the one I reload my screen to check for when the Sunday comes. I will not be thwarted, though I may have to (literally) pay for it later. I cannot be parted from my anime ... the Ultimate Force won't stand for it! ^^

(The Ultimate Force, or the Coercive Force - translations vary - is the invisible power that kicks in if Keiichi and Belldandy are in risk of getting too far apart in body or soul. It will distort the laws of reality as needed until it brings them back together.)